An outstanding Christmas story! The best way to describe The Family Stone is that there is never a dull moment! One minute it is hilariously funny and the next you find yourself in tears. Veteran actors, Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson deliver outstanding performances as the parents of five eccentric children coming home to spend the holidays with their parents. The Family Stone is one of the best movies that I have seen in years because the story was both touching and funny and the acting performances were outstanding.
The story begins with the children of Sybil and Kelly Stone arriving home to spend Christmas with their parents. The family anxiously awaits the arrival of the oldest son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) and his over anxious and aggressive girlfriend, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker). Meredith is uptight and stuck up and she is going to have trouble fitting in with the Stones. Those awaiting the arrival of the always late brother include his free spirited, pot smoking brother Ben (Luke Wilson), his judgmental kid sister Amy (Rachel McAdams) who already has her opinion about Meredith after meeting her one time, Everett’s other brother Thad ( Ty Giordono) who is gay and deaf along with Thad’s African-American partner, Patrick (Brian White.
The tensions between Meredith and the Stone family are sometimes uneasy to watch because Meredith is trying so hard to fit in and have the family like her. However, right of the back, Mama Sybil can tell that she is not the right girl for Everett. Brother Ben seems to take a liking to the portentous Meredith. To save herself from the family, Meredith calls upon the help of her beautiful sister, Julie (Claire Danes), who ends up catching the eye of our beloved Everett.
While this is a warming and funny movie, there are serious issues taken on in conversation as well, including the difference of opinions regarding gay children. It was most appealing and tear-jerking moment seeing the way Sybil and Kelly support their gay son. Not all gay individuals have the love and support of their families. Sybil and Kelly have raised five loving children with staunch opinions, yet the love the children show for their parents is heart-warming. The reaction of the boys towards the announcement of their mother’s sickness again brought me to tears and the acting involved in those scenes by Mulroney and Wilson was outstanding.
The various plots in the movie are a little different, and sometimes a little surprising, nevertheless, there is a surprising turn that makes this movie a romantic comedy with an emotional twist that will tug at the hearts of all those watching this spectacular movie.
While The Family Stone is not a movie for people of all ages like “A Miracle on 34th Street or a “A Wonderful Life,” it is a movie that will last throughout the ages as a new Christmas classic because of the touching and funny tone throughout the movie.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I am a Boston Bull Terrier
I am a Boston Bull Terrier.
I can jump over three feet to my carrier.
I strut around with poise and attitude
I am rough, tough and most of the time rude.
I love to play and be very silly.
I will even go out when the weather is chilly.
I beg and beg for my master to throw the ball.
Competing with my big brother who is very tall.
The food is tasty upon my lips.
And I just love when they feed me potato chips.
I am fearless of the big hairy cat.
I pounce upon the mouse as big as a rat.
I sit close by mom’s side with my head on her knee.
Yet when she picks me up I am ready to flee.
It is my say so when I want to give love.
But most of the time I would rather chew on dad’s glove.
I raise cane and nibble on my sister Annabelle.
Until she starts barking and my master starts to yell.
“Gabby, you better leave Annabelle alone.”
As if I really care, so I go chew on my bone.
I sleep soundly in their bed at night.
They know better than to wake me before it is light.
Despite my bold outlook and communication barriers,
My parents love me because I am a Boston Bull Terrier.
I can jump over three feet to my carrier.
I strut around with poise and attitude
I am rough, tough and most of the time rude.
I love to play and be very silly.
I will even go out when the weather is chilly.
I beg and beg for my master to throw the ball.
Competing with my big brother who is very tall.
The food is tasty upon my lips.
And I just love when they feed me potato chips.
I am fearless of the big hairy cat.
I pounce upon the mouse as big as a rat.
I sit close by mom’s side with my head on her knee.
Yet when she picks me up I am ready to flee.
It is my say so when I want to give love.
But most of the time I would rather chew on dad’s glove.
I raise cane and nibble on my sister Annabelle.
Until she starts barking and my master starts to yell.
“Gabby, you better leave Annabelle alone.”
As if I really care, so I go chew on my bone.
I sleep soundly in their bed at night.
They know better than to wake me before it is light.
Despite my bold outlook and communication barriers,
My parents love me because I am a Boston Bull Terrier.
Hawk Roosting
I sit at the top of the wood, my eyes closed.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet:
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.
The convenience of the high trees!
The air's bouyancy and the sun's ray
Are of advantage to me;
And the earth's face upward for my inspection.
My feet are locked upon the rough bark.
It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather;
Now I hold Creation in my foot
Or fly up, and revolve it all slowly-
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body;
My manners are tearing off heads-
The allotment of death.
For th eone path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right:
The sun is behind me.
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change.
I am going to keep things like this.
1. Find three observations the hawk makes about its world that a human would probably not make. What do these remarks tell us about the bird’s character?
The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s rays are advantage to the hawk, my manners are tearing off heads, the allotment of death and the one path of the hawk’s flight is direct. These remarks tell us that the bird is a mighty hunter and nothing is going to get in his way of attacking and killing his prey.
2. In what ways does Ted Hughes create an unrealistic portrayal of the hawk’s true mental powers? What statements in the poem would an actual hawk be unlikely to make? Do these passages add anything to the poem’s impact? What would be lost if they were omitted
Hughes creates an unrealistic portrayal of the hawk’s true mental powers because he makes the hawk sound as if he is above God, the Creator and that no matter what he is going to get his feast. I believe the hawk wouldn’t recognize where he came from so the statement, “It took the whole of Creation to produce my foot, my each feather; Now I hold Creation in my foot” (Kennedy 654) seems to be unrealistic. This statement has a big impact on the poem because it makes me as the reader think that the hawk thinks he is the supreme being. However, if these statements didn’t exist, then the interpretation of the hawk as a “God” like being would be omitted and the character would lose his portrayal of being strong.
The Hawk Roosting is a poem that portrays a hawk with arrogance and power. The hawk is a vicious predator and he seeks his pray. He believes is the highest point of Creation and those below him on earth are his for the taking. The hawk thinks he is even above the sun when he says, “No arguments assert my right: The sun is behind me. Nothing has changed since I began.” The sun is below him and can’t compare to him. In the end he said that he wanted to keep things like this, who wouldn't want to keep things like what the hawk was saying, with the power in your hands but that is an illusion, like many leaders today they do not have the power to do anything without the approval of those lower than them and in the hawk's case somebody else will replace him and those weaker than him (like the public) may just start defying him.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet:
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.
The convenience of the high trees!
The air's bouyancy and the sun's ray
Are of advantage to me;
And the earth's face upward for my inspection.
My feet are locked upon the rough bark.
It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather;
Now I hold Creation in my foot
Or fly up, and revolve it all slowly-
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body;
My manners are tearing off heads-
The allotment of death.
For th eone path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right:
The sun is behind me.
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change.
I am going to keep things like this.
1. Find three observations the hawk makes about its world that a human would probably not make. What do these remarks tell us about the bird’s character?
The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s rays are advantage to the hawk, my manners are tearing off heads, the allotment of death and the one path of the hawk’s flight is direct. These remarks tell us that the bird is a mighty hunter and nothing is going to get in his way of attacking and killing his prey.
2. In what ways does Ted Hughes create an unrealistic portrayal of the hawk’s true mental powers? What statements in the poem would an actual hawk be unlikely to make? Do these passages add anything to the poem’s impact? What would be lost if they were omitted
Hughes creates an unrealistic portrayal of the hawk’s true mental powers because he makes the hawk sound as if he is above God, the Creator and that no matter what he is going to get his feast. I believe the hawk wouldn’t recognize where he came from so the statement, “It took the whole of Creation to produce my foot, my each feather; Now I hold Creation in my foot” (Kennedy 654) seems to be unrealistic. This statement has a big impact on the poem because it makes me as the reader think that the hawk thinks he is the supreme being. However, if these statements didn’t exist, then the interpretation of the hawk as a “God” like being would be omitted and the character would lose his portrayal of being strong.
The Hawk Roosting is a poem that portrays a hawk with arrogance and power. The hawk is a vicious predator and he seeks his pray. He believes is the highest point of Creation and those below him on earth are his for the taking. The hawk thinks he is even above the sun when he says, “No arguments assert my right: The sun is behind me. Nothing has changed since I began.” The sun is below him and can’t compare to him. In the end he said that he wanted to keep things like this, who wouldn't want to keep things like what the hawk was saying, with the power in your hands but that is an illusion, like many leaders today they do not have the power to do anything without the approval of those lower than them and in the hawk's case somebody else will replace him and those weaker than him (like the public) may just start defying him.
Friday, November 13, 2009
My Poetry Analysis
For a Lady I Know - Countee Cullen
1. What is Cullen's message?
The message that Cullen is trying to convey is that the person, a woman who is most likely white, believes that even in heaven the black people are servants to the white people.
2. How would you characterize the tone of this poem? Wrathful? Amused?
The tone of the poem from the white person's point of view would be amused. The woman is amused at thinking that even in heaven, the situation is the same as it is on earth.
For my Daughter - Weldon Kees
1. How does the last line of this sonnet affect the meaning of the poem?
The last line reads, “I have no daughter, I desire none,” and it is confusing compared to the rest of the poem because he is talking earlier of his daughter. The text does not say, “I had a daughter,” but rather, “I have no daughter.” The text is in present tense leading one to believe he has lost his daughter and never wants another child and it brings the bleak and sad situation to a bitter end.
2. “For My Daughter” was first published in 1940. What considerations might a potential American parent have felt at that time? Are these historical concerns mirrored in the poem?
During 1940, parents had very little or no services available for hospital care. Doctors had very little means or methods regarding diseases in the 1940 to be able to cure them. These historical concerns are portrayed in this poem, watching helplessly while the child is sick and there is nothing that can be done. It had to be the worst feeling in the world.
3. Donald Justice has said that “Kees is one of the bitterest poets in history.” Is bitterness the only attitude the speaker reveals in this poem?
Bitterness is not the only attitude revealed in this poem; compassion, hopelessness, sadness and hurt are also attitudes that are apparent in this piece of work.
1. How does the last line of this sonnet affect the meaning of the poem?
The last line reads, “I have no daughter, I desire none,” and it is confusing compared to the rest of the poem because he is talking earlier of his daughter. The text does not say, “I had a daughter,” but rather, “I have no daughter.” The text is in present tense leading one to believe he has lost his daughter and never wants another child and it brings the bleak and sad situation to a bitter end.
2. “For My Daughter” was first published in 1940. What considerations might a potential American parent have felt at that time? Are these historical concerns mirrored in the poem?
During 1940, parents had very little or no services available for hospital care. Doctors had very little means or methods regarding diseases in the 1940 to be able to cure them. These historical concerns are portrayed in this poem, watching helplessly while the child is sick and there is nothing that can be done. It had to be the worst feeling in the world.
3. Donald Justice has said that “Kees is one of the bitterest poets in history.” Is bitterness the only attitude the speaker reveals in this poem?
Bitterness is not the only attitude revealed in this poem; compassion, hopelessness, sadness and hurt are also attitudes that are apparent in this piece of work.
Doo Wop - Kevin Young
1. What is the tone of this poem- comic? serious? both at once?
Both at once. The poem seems serious to me, about a man that has been wronged by a woman.
2. How many instances of plays on words, and playing with the sounds of words, can you find in the poem?
I think every line is a pun or a play on words.
3. Beyond the author's exuberant delight in language, what do you think "Doo Wop" is about?
I think "Doo Wop" is about a man who had a lovely woman and either the woman was from Alabama or the women and a man from Alabama were writing to one another and the women ended up breaking her lovers heart by going with another man.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Greasy Lake
The Greasy Lake told from a first person point of view depicts the adventures of three boys just beginning their summer vacation. The narrator is able to give a vivid description of the experience he endures to have just a little bit of fun with his friends.The characters include three young men in the prime of their young lives, looking to have a little fun and dreaming about being bad. The narrator is unnamed, but his frien
ds are Jeff and Digby. The guys are riding around in one of their mother's old Belair. They meet up with a bad dude who tries to beat them up, however, our unnamed narrator acts with fear in his heart and hits him with a tire iron and almost kill him. Then the boys do the unthinkable and rape the guys girlfriend. What started out as a dream has now become their worst nightmare.
ds are Jeff and Digby. The guys are riding around in one of their mother's old Belair. They meet up with a bad dude who tries to beat them up, however, our unnamed narrator acts with fear in his heart and hits him with a tire iron and almost kill him. Then the boys do the unthinkable and rape the guys girlfriend. What started out as a dream has now become their worst nightmare.
The setting of the story is the lake where the boys love to hang out. Quite often there are pretty girls who are on the beach. During the time the boys are scared, it becomes a hiding place for the narrator and the woods nearby become a hiding place for his friends.
The theme perceived is that being bad isn't always good. They dream of being bad and it is almost romanticized like a movie. The boys learn otherwise through several deadly mishaps. There is a price to pay for being bad.
The Storm
The Storm by Kate Chopin was written from a third person omniscent point of view during the late eighteen hundreds. The narrator gives us grave details of an explicitly sexual affair between a man and woman who were former lovers.
Bobinot and Bibi, a close father and son have left for a fishing trip and get caught in the treacherous weather before they even leave the store. Bibi, a caring son worries about his mother at home and how she will be afraid of the storm. Bobinot, a thoughtful husband buys his wife her favorite shrimp. The storm is so intense Bobinot keeps Bibi on the front perch of the store until the weather passes.
Calixta and Alcee, once lovers, come together in the face of the storm. He has been riding his horse when the rain drenches him. Faced with her anticipation for the safety of her child during the storm, Alcee places his strong arms of around his former lover and brings her close to him. As their eyes meet, the envelope her until she is overtaken with passion and the two end up in each others arms.
The story takes place at an old farm house owned by Calixta and Bobinot. 
There are trees that surround the house. Eventually, the two end up in the bedroom. The two remember a certain time when they were together prior to Calixta and Bobinot marrying. It is here that even though there is a storm surrounding them, they have found comfort in one another. The theme of the story revolves around the sexuality of a woman who has become comfortable in her marriage. While she might be sewing when the story begins, it becomes obvious that she desires more. When she sees her former lover, the emotions and excitement begin to well up inside her. They obviously had a passionate relationship. While she loves her husband and son, she longs for something more. It is obvious when the storm is over that she has quenched her thirst for pastion because the two lovers return to their ordinary lives and all is happy.
Mansfield's Miss Brill
Miss Brill is told from a limited omniscient narration. The narrator acts as the voice of our main character describing her life and conveying to the reader the thoughts and emotions of the character. The narrator is like a person who doesn't really exist but has a glow of knowing everything around them.
Our main character is a woman who lives alone and enjoys visiting the park each Sunday where she can listen and observe other people. She lives vicariously through them and their conversations. She has no life of her own to speak about. Going to listen to the music in the park each Sunday allows her to come alive with all the activity. She enjoys men, but is very critical of women. 
The setting is a park
and each weekend there is a band that plays music. Miss Brill spends her time perusing the audience and listening to different conversatons between people. The music is so good that it is as if they are playing to a family; if they did make a mistake, it would not matter.
The theme of the story is loneliness and living a hollow life. All Miss Brill wants is to fit in and have friends. Be close to people. Unfortunately, young people can be cruel and Miss Brill overhears the two young people make fun of her. You can tell by her expression that she is incredibly hurt. She is a beautiful woman trying to live life through others because she doesn't know how to live it herself.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Rose for Emily
A Rose for Emily, is a fascinating story by William Faulkner that depicts the life of a woman who resorted to living in solitude and has surrounded herself with death.
The narration of Miss Emily is from a third person, “we” perspective, leading us to believe that a member of the community is narrating the story. It has to be an older man because he describes Emily’s life from the time she was young until her death. A man that is good at telling old tales or ghost stories.
The narration of Miss Emily is from a third person, “we” perspective, leading us to believe that a member of the community is narrating the story. It has to be an older man because he describes Emily’s life from the time she was young until her death. A man that is good at telling old tales or ghost stories.
In her later years Miss Emily was portrayed as a woman whose appearance shows the difficult times of her life. Each wrinkle has a different story. She is pale from confining herself to her home after being rejected by the man she loved. She was a tradition or an obligation to her community; a proud woman who would never ask for help and living for the past in an unrealistic society. Every town has a Miss Emily.
The setting of the story is Miss Emily’s house that has decayed with age. It was a large house with balconies and had once been a beautiful home in the neighborhood. However, like its owner, its age and lack of upkeep had caught up with it. The home was confining, dark and gruesome.
The theme of death is imminent in this story. First, it is the death of Miss Emily herself and the depiction of how the town has attended her funeral. The second instance is the death of Emily’s father, which brings about the reason that Colonel Sartoris forgave her from paying taxes. Yet after Colonel Sartoris has died, the tax issue comes about once again. Lastly, after the funeral was over and the town enters the prison like home, the body of Miss Emily’s love was found dead in his bedroom after she has passed away. A gray hair on the pillow beside him leads the audience to believe she had been sleeping with his dead body for quite some time.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I'm My Own Worst Enemy
Another drug test passed with flying colors! Now that I only had to take one test a week and never on the weekends, I am going to have no problem having a drink here and there. I fooled the drug court team so many times in the past, I have no doubt I can fool them again. They will never read Nancy's Literature Log at http://nkjennings.blogspot.com to catch my most current blog. Of course, my charismatic personality works every situation for me. I am going to make it through my probation this time because I have already spent two 90-day terms in prison and there is not going to be a third.
There goes my phone alarm, I need to call the drug testing hotline. Calling everyday is part of the program and stipulations of my probation. I have to submit to drug testing because of the drug court program. The various colors represent the stage of probation I have reached. I don't even know why I should call because I have already taken a test this week. The automated voice on the other end of the phone stated the colors for that days tests. His mundane voice said, "Teal, maroon, bronze and gold." You have to be kidding me, I thought, did he say gold?
Oh man, I better dial the number again to make sure I got it right. The voice repeated, "Teal, maroon, bronze, and gold." No, it couldn't be, I already took my test this week! I'm gold. Gold is only once a week. I know, I'll guzzle some water to flush the booze from my system.
I am driving to the drug testing center, I sure hope I don't pee. I feel like an overfilled water balloon. Is this what a woman feels like before she has an ultra sound? Sure glad I am a man. Well, here it goes, hope I drank enough water.
I made it to Friday and no phone calls yet. Just then my phone rang; it is my counselor, Ginger. Ginger and I had become good friends over the past several months. She has helped me so much, I hope I don't let her down. Okay, Ginger wants to talk to me before the weekly drug court session this afternoon. "Sure Ginger, I can meet you at the courthouse a little early." She must want to bounce some ideas for recovery off of me before presenting them to her other clients.
I began driving down Main Street to the courthouse. It makes me happy to think about how easy it is to fool the drug court team. Life is good. Ginger is on the front steps of the courthouse motioning for me to come sit with her on the bench. Now I am concerned, Ginger isn't her cheerful self. Her eyes are not smiling like they usually do. Oh I feel like a dinner bell just went off in my head as Ginger said, "Seth, your last drug test showed positive for alcohol."
My stomach fell to my knees. My smile faded away. "Seth, put your hands behind your back; you are being arrested for felony probation violation." It didn't take them long to search me and take my clothes away. Here I was again, entering the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit with shackled hands and feet. The sweat was pouring off my brow. The judge just said, “Seth, third strike buddy; you are out. Five years in the state prison. No possibility of parole.” I feel like someone just punched me in the stomach.
There goes my phone alarm, I need to call the drug testing hotline. Calling everyday is part of the program and stipulations of my probation. I have to submit to drug testing because of the drug court program. The various colors represent the stage of probation I have reached. I don't even know why I should call because I have already taken a test this week. The automated voice on the other end of the phone stated the colors for that days tests. His mundane voice said, "Teal, maroon, bronze and gold." You have to be kidding me, I thought, did he say gold?
Oh man, I better dial the number again to make sure I got it right. The voice repeated, "Teal, maroon, bronze, and gold." No, it couldn't be, I already took my test this week! I'm gold. Gold is only once a week. I know, I'll guzzle some water to flush the booze from my system.
I am driving to the drug testing center, I sure hope I don't pee. I feel like an overfilled water balloon. Is this what a woman feels like before she has an ultra sound? Sure glad I am a man. Well, here it goes, hope I drank enough water.
I made it to Friday and no phone calls yet. Just then my phone rang; it is my counselor, Ginger. Ginger and I had become good friends over the past several months. She has helped me so much, I hope I don't let her down. Okay, Ginger wants to talk to me before the weekly drug court session this afternoon. "Sure Ginger, I can meet you at the courthouse a little early." She must want to bounce some ideas for recovery off of me before presenting them to her other clients.
I began driving down Main Street to the courthouse. It makes me happy to think about how easy it is to fool the drug court team. Life is good. Ginger is on the front steps of the courthouse motioning for me to come sit with her on the bench. Now I am concerned, Ginger isn't her cheerful self. Her eyes are not smiling like they usually do. Oh I feel like a dinner bell just went off in my head as Ginger said, "Seth, your last drug test showed positive for alcohol."
My stomach fell to my knees. My smile faded away. "Seth, put your hands behind your back; you are being arrested for felony probation violation." It didn't take them long to search me and take my clothes away. Here I was again, entering the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit with shackled hands and feet. The sweat was pouring off my brow. The judge just said, “Seth, third strike buddy; you are out. Five years in the state prison. No possibility of parole.” I feel like someone just punched me in the stomach.
Too Much of a Good Thing
I received one vote in the "Best of the Best" competition for English 150.
Seth had great confidence that he had passed another drug test. Now that he only had to take one test a week and never on the weekends, he knew it would be a whole lot easier to time a drink here and there. Seth had deceived the drug court team in the past and certainly he was crafty enough to fool them again. A charismatic personality worked every situation for him. Seth was sure that he could make it through his probation this time because he had already spent two 90-day terms in the state prison and there was not going to be a third.
The alarm on Seth's phone reminded him that he needed to call to see if he had a drug test that day. Calling everyday was part of the program. He knew he would not have a test that day because he already had taken one for the week. Everyone who had to take drug tests was assigned a different color. The various colors represent the stage of the program that the criminal had obtained. Seth listened with a half ear to the automated voice on the other end of the phone as he read out the colors for that days tests, which included teal, maroon, bronze and gold. Did he say gold?
Seth called the number again, again the voice repeated, "Teal, maroon, bronze, and gold." He immediately started guzzling water to flush the booze from his system. By the time he reached the center for drug testing, Seth felt like an overfilled water balloon.
Friday morning Seth's phone rang; it was his counselor, Ginger. He and Ginger had become good friends over the past several months. She had helped him so much since he started seeing her. Ginger indicated that she wanted to talk to him before the weekly drug court session began that afternoon. She asked Seth to meet her at the courthouse a little early. Seth didn't think much about the call because Ginger loved bouncing ideas for recovery off of Seth before presenting them to her clients.
Seth began driving down Main Street to the courthouse. He had a smile on his face as he thought about how easy it was to fool the drug court team. Life was good. He met Ginger on the front steps of the courthouse and she motioned for him sit on the bench with her. Seth became concerned as he looked into Ginger’s eyes. They didn’t smile like usual. As Ginger spoke, her words rang through his head like a dinner bell, "Seth, your last drug test showed positive for alcohol."
Seth’s smile quickly faded away. Later that afternoon Seth entered the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit with shackled hands and feet while the sweat poured off his brow. As the judge brought the gavel down, Seth felt as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. He became Jello as he listened to the judge’s voice say, “Seth, third strike buddy; you are out. Five years in the state prison. No possibility of parole.”
Seth had great confidence that he had passed another drug test. Now that he only had to take one test a week and never on the weekends, he knew it would be a whole lot easier to time a drink here and there. Seth had deceived the drug court team in the past and certainly he was crafty enough to fool them again. A charismatic personality worked every situation for him. Seth was sure that he could make it through his probation this time because he had already spent two 90-day terms in the state prison and there was not going to be a third.
The alarm on Seth's phone reminded him that he needed to call to see if he had a drug test that day. Calling everyday was part of the program. He knew he would not have a test that day because he already had taken one for the week. Everyone who had to take drug tests was assigned a different color. The various colors represent the stage of the program that the criminal had obtained. Seth listened with a half ear to the automated voice on the other end of the phone as he read out the colors for that days tests, which included teal, maroon, bronze and gold. Did he say gold?
Seth called the number again, again the voice repeated, "Teal, maroon, bronze, and gold." He immediately started guzzling water to flush the booze from his system. By the time he reached the center for drug testing, Seth felt like an overfilled water balloon.
Friday morning Seth's phone rang; it was his counselor, Ginger. He and Ginger had become good friends over the past several months. She had helped him so much since he started seeing her. Ginger indicated that she wanted to talk to him before the weekly drug court session began that afternoon. She asked Seth to meet her at the courthouse a little early. Seth didn't think much about the call because Ginger loved bouncing ideas for recovery off of Seth before presenting them to her clients.
Seth began driving down Main Street to the courthouse. He had a smile on his face as he thought about how easy it was to fool the drug court team. Life was good. He met Ginger on the front steps of the courthouse and she motioned for him sit on the bench with her. Seth became concerned as he looked into Ginger’s eyes. They didn’t smile like usual. As Ginger spoke, her words rang through his head like a dinner bell, "Seth, your last drug test showed positive for alcohol."
Seth’s smile quickly faded away. Later that afternoon Seth entered the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit with shackled hands and feet while the sweat poured off his brow. As the judge brought the gavel down, Seth felt as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. He became Jello as he listened to the judge’s voice say, “Seth, third strike buddy; you are out. Five years in the state prison. No possibility of parole.”
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