Three Things You Probably Don't Know about Me:

Below I share a list of my interests: a movie I love, a book that moves me, a man that inspires me.  I wrote about these things in Mr. Lewenstein's class. Under each paragraph, I've include a video.  Enjoy. 

1. A Movie I Love:

Everyone knows Spiderman, but few people know the Spider Woman.  I love the movie Kiss of the Spider Woman. When two men are thrown together in an Argentine prison cell, it doesn’t look good.  Complete opposites, one is a flaming homosexual while the other is a rebel intellectual.  Although they seem have little respect for one other, over time they learn they have a need for each other.  After all, they have no freedom, comfort, or hope – all they have is each other.  These two guys are trapped in their prison cell.  They exchange stories to make the time pass.  You never know what is real and what is a dream. The first time I saw it, I didn’t understand it.  The second time, it was even more confusing.  It’s sad.  It’s weird.  It’s great!

2. I Love English Class!

I know. I know.  You will think I'm weird.  I often hear my friends say in class, "Why are we reading this?"  That's when I know the book is going to be good. Others may see no connection between our assigned books to what happens in real life. But, that's what makes English Class great.  It makes our world bigger! This is where I got turned on to Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One.  It's a book that makes you think what you want to do with your life: Dennis is a young British poet who lives in L.A, and he hates it.   He writes phony consolation cards for a pet semetary, and  all of his friends are alcoholics.   When  his despondent roommate hangs  himself in their apartment,  he’s entrusted with the dead body.  In this way, he  meets a young woman at a mortuary who prepares corpses for public display before they are embalmed. Dennis is smart enough to know Aimee is a dreamer and a lunatic, but  he’s still dumb enough to fall in love.  He thinks she will be different, but after all, they both work in an industry where there are no surprises - everything turns  out the same way.  I probably shouldn't say this, but I just about fall asleep in all my other classes. The teachers shove standardized information down your throat. English teachers care more about you than the others.    They want to open your eyes to new possibilities.

3.  I Share Something in Common with Kobe Bryant:

Kobe grew up around basketballs.  His father was an NBA player.  I grew up around books.  My father was a college professor.  Both us knew from early on what we wanted to do with our lives.  He was going to play.  I'm going to write.  Kobe was born  under a star – his father played for the Philadelphia 76ers.   As a child Kobe moved to Italy when his father continued his career in Europe.  Here, watching his father,  he learned the value of tough physical play and teamwork.   By the time he returned to play Philadelphia high school basketball, he was already superstar.    His dominant  skills permitted him to  go straight to the NBA where he has now won four rings with the Lakers.  A fifth ring he wears symbolizes his marriage to his Mexican wife Vanessa.    Beyond his all-time greatness,  Kobe has clearly mastered the “crossover” like no one else.  This is what I think: You have to have a dream.  I know Kobe had his, and I have mine.  But from him, I draw inspiration.  He shows us all that dreaming is not enough.  You have to be determined and stay determined to reach your goals.  It's about hard work.