1

Life as We Know It

Brett McCoy

2

Life as we Know It

By: Brett McCoy

McCoy Publications

Huntsville, Arkansas 72740

May 10, 2013

3

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Pg. 4 Biographical Sketch- Part 1: Presentation Pg. 5 Rules Pg. 6 Common Requirements Pg. 7 Social Hierarchy Pg. 8 Express Yourself Pg. 9 “Masking” Yourself Pg. 10 Biographical Sketch- Part 2: Life Pg. 10 Enjoyment Pg. 11 Successful Activities Pg. 12 Dissect the Day Pg. 13 Trapped Pg. 14 Inspiration Pg. 15 Biographical Sketch- Part 3: Fear Pg. 16 Growing Up Pg. 17 Mother Nature Soothes Pg. 18 Peer Pressure Pg. 19 Perfection Pg. 20 Just Breath Pg. 22

4

Acknowledgments I am very thankful for many people who helped contribute to this anthology; First, my English

teacher, Mrs. Sullivan, for teaching me how to take my writing to another level; Next, my mother, Kim Campbell, for always pushing me to do my best; Likewise, my fellow classmates for

sharing ideas for this anthology. Without these people, I wouldn’t have been able to write this anthology.

5

Part 1 Biographical Sketch- Presentation My “O.C.D.” inspired this piece of work, because I have to have everything organized. Rules need to be followed. Daily hygiene needs to be completed. The groups of socialism you choose need to be the right ones. You need to present yourself as how you would want others to see yourself. Your impressions control your life.. Make them how you want yourself to be

seen.

6

Rules

Rules, rules, and more rules! Rules are everywhere and in everybody’s lives. Rules are very helpful to be safe, and organize everybody. They may be “stupid” at some points, but

every rule comes with a reason. Rules are helpful to get everybody knowledgeable about what that certain rule is. If we didn’t have rules, my life would be crazy! Nobody would know what’s right from wrong, because nobody would have any rules. Some may say it would be fun. Yes, it can be fun, but if you really think about it, you really need rules. Rules make my life, and for everybody else, better. Without them, nobody would know what to do. My life just wouldn’t be the same without rules to be followed.

7

Common requirements

If I was the ruler of my own island I would require others to listen and obey every rule, must take two daily showers, wear their nicest clothing all the time, have a good etiquette,

must always be nice to others, always be loyal to every citizen on my island, must always eat healthy food with occasional sweets, and must be educated. These rules would have special funds set aside for those who can’t afford food, or clothing. My island would be a fun island. The biggest and most important rule is to be honest.

8

Social Hierarchy

People choose to join a group based on several different things. For example, people choose to join a group with people they already know in the group. Some may join the group

based on things that they have in common. Maybe some people join because it seems fun and they think they’d enjoy the group. Some people even join a group just to be in a group. There are several different reasons people join a group, but the most important reason above all, is that you like the group. Make it a group that’s worth your time an effort to be in the group. Make it a group that won’t pull you down, but one that only lets yourself keep growing as a individual, and excel in life.

9

Express Yourself

I would represent strength. I would symbolize a Mocking jay, because, like in the book The Hunger Games, which is a genetically created bird is very powerful, and proud of

themselves. Not through brute strength, but through their voice. Your voice can determine your success or failure. Let your voice be heard! Your every word can help a cause. Your voice out powers any other thing your body can do. I think your voice is the strongest thing your body can produce. Strength isn’t all about beating someone up or how much you can bench, but about the powerfulness from one certain thing. Your voice is very powerful, so use it!

10

“Masking” yourself

We wear masks a lot. People wear masks every day. Girls wear make-up, guys don’t show emotions, etc. We wear masks without even knowing. Our masks symbolize how we feel

about ourselves. We need to not let others influence how we feel about ourselves. We need to let our own minds and eyes do it for us. Don’t listen to others criticism. They like to criticize, because they have problems about how they feel about themselves. They just don’t admit it to themselves, so they bring it out on others, and hurt others to make themselves feel better. Don’t let it bother you. All they want to feel is power, and pride for themselves. If you don’t let it bother you, they can’t feel this, therefore, they “lose.”

11

Part 2 Biographical Sketch- Life The passion I have for sports, and being active inspired this piece of work, because I live to play the game. My passion is in basketball. Miami Heat is my favorite team. Everyone has their favorite topics. Everyone wants to be the “star.” You have to put in the time and effort to succeed in life. Thankfully, I always put in that little extra to be successful.

12

Enjoyment

Miami Heat, the “Big Three”, LeBron, Melo, Kobe, and many others help make the NBA what it is today. All the excitement from the fans cheering on their team, the player who gets

slammed on, the clutch three make the NBA exciting, even more than the players themselves. The NBA is where all the action takes place in all of sports. All the celebrities come to sit in their courtside seats, all the GMs and owners seating in their box seats, and all the fans electrify the gym. The clutch, down-to-the-wire, nerve-racking, nail biting games add to the existing excitement. The NBA is a fun sport to watch. All kinds of people stroll in each and every night to cheer on their team during the NBA regular season. It’s where records don’t matter, where the “underdogs” succeed, and the dominant forces fall to an end. The NBA is where all the excitement happens. Everybody has their own passion in something. They range from sports to music, to swimming to archery, etc., but everybody has one. They take pride in something. I, for example,

take pride in sports. Mainly in basketball though. Find something you enjoy, and take pride in it.

13

Successful activities

In I am Number Four, a somewhat of a war happens. John has to face the Mogadorians, with the help of his guardian, Henry, and his shape-changing animal. John is constantly training

for them to come. He’s always on the move. Not staying in one place to long. This way, the Mogadorians can’t find him. John is a very powerful hero in the book, and in the movie. He’s very powerful, yet still has a sensitive side; point being proved with his girlfriend, Sara. He is very common with other heroes, because of his natural ways of being what us today; call a super hero; tall, handsome, muscular, friendly, strong, etc. He’s always in the spotlight! He’s the main character, the one who eyes are always on; the bold, show-off to be recalled. He’s the Super-Man, or the Captain America, maybe even the cop who saved the little kids’ lives. I enjoy reading in my spare time when I’m not playing basketball. Everyone needs to have activities, other than hobbies. For one, it means you’re not getting in to trouble. Two you’re doing something successful. Some things, like life, are far too important to be taken

seriously. Have fun while you can!

14

Dissect the day Dissect the day. Figure out what you want to do for the day. Do something different every day. One day, play a game. The next, read a novel. Have fun when you can. Serious is good when applying for a job, but not when you’re doing anything that doesn’t require you to. Nobody should spend their entire life being “Mr. Serious.” Live life, not follow guidelines. You only live once. Live it, not dream it. Your time on earth is short; might as well make the best of it. You’ll be far happier if you do. Trust me.

15

Trapped

You feel like you’re trapped in this world; nowhere to go. You, me, and everyone in this world have felt this at least once before. The sense of fear has come. This feeling is not very

pleasant! You feel like a complete “hobo.” No place to go, nowhere to look forward to. This feeling only means that you’re hitting a “speed bump.” It’s only a detour in your life. You can make the best of it by not letting it get to you. This is God’s challenges his makes you face to grow as an individual.

16

Inspiration

Daily, kids are bullied. Kids keep getting down on themselves; to a point that their lives are becoming a bully-zone. For example, instead of gossiping about Becky being pregnant, then saying she’s not, she’s just fat, think before you act. To the kid or kids you’re bullying, they sometimes take this personal. These kids need inspiration, imagination, and help others. They need others to help lift them back up and get back to their lives excluding bullying. Bullying hurt, so why do it?

17

Part 3

Biographical Sketch- Fear Fear inspired this piece of work, because every single person in this world can relate to it. Everyone has a fear of something. I fear of growing up, and having to take care of not only myself, but also my family. Fear is good though. Fear is found in success. Fear means you’re afraid to mess up. Mistakes are good.

18

Growing Up

Michael is a freshly graduated high school boy who doesn’t know what to do with his life. He fears growing up and going out into the cold, scary place we so call the world. He is afraid to

mess up or not do the right thing. He just wants to curl up in a ball and cry. Just the thought of having to do just that makes Michael’s stomach hurt. Frankly, everybody has had this feeling at least a few times in their lives. That feeling is what sets up a brilliant career. It’s ok to be afraid; nobody will hurt you or make fun of you. If they do, they haven’t felt the feeling of growing up. Everybody gets cared a few times in their lives, it’s not a thing to be made fun of, embrace it.

19

Mother Nature Soothes I, Mother Nature, am the most powerful force in the world. I make families suffer for their hatred on me. They litter all over my land, and treat me like nothing. I tell myself that it will get better, and it has but sometimes I can’t control myself! That’s why we have natural disasters. This is my revenge to the world. Just like my ever so powerful hurricane that just hit the east coast. Hurricane Sandy, it was revenge. If you don’t want these disasters to happen, don’t act like, and treat me like nothing. Remember, I can be your nightmare; I can be your

Hades. I can control the weather! This is your payback for what you do to me. Karma sucks, so don’t make it happen. The next time around is always the worst, especially for me. Mother Nature

20

Peer pressure I would still stand up for what I believed. I would state my opinions on my beliefs, and not let anyone’s comments affect my decisions. I would listen to others comments, and take them

into consideration to use in my reasoning. My peers’ thoughts on thing would help me on how I need to give my reasons to change their mind on things. By doing so, I can pull others with me to agree with my belief. If I can’t get them to budge, I would still stick up for myself, even if I was the only one who believed it out of a thousand. By sticking up for yourself, you show others your courage and will to do things. That in itself could possibly put others to agree with you. Always stick up for yourself, don’t back down. The successful ones in life stick up for themselves.

21

Perfection

Perfection is what everyone wants to be unfortunately. No one is perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes every once in a while. Mistakes are for learning. They teach you what you did wrong,

and how you can fix them. I even try to be perfect and I usually fail. Don’t try to be perfect. Let it come to you. If you try too hard, you’ll never succeed. Trying to be perfect isn’t the best thing to do. Sometimes, the ones who have made mistakes in the past, excel past the “perfectionists” because they know how to correct their mistakes. No one’s perfect, so why try?

22

Breath

Blake is put on trial for the robbery on Main Street that he most certainly didn’t do. His lawyer, Michael, has selected his jurors. Their names are Lyon, Cheyenne, Rachelle, Makayla,

Michelle, and Shea. Yes, 6 girls, but all the girls seem to be very optimistic, and mature for this situation. Blake’s court date is today with Judge Wade. Everyone is hoping to hear those words. “Not Guilty!” Michael is a very strong-minded apprehensively lawyer, who puts his thoughts out to the judge, and jury pretty good. He always wins his cases; in fact he’s never lost a case in his ten years as a lawyer. Blake is brought up to speak and boy is he nervous. He knows he didn’t do it, but it’s just the thought what if.

Finally, it’s Michael’s turn to plead his case. He has all the evidence for the judge, and the

jury to plead Blake innocent. All the jurors have agreed with each other. They all pleaded innocent. Unfortunately, it’s not their final word that counts. It’s Judge Wade’s. He takes his time looking back at the evidence for his final decision. He calls to order in the courtroom, and take a big gulp. Blake is found……….Not guilty. This just goes to show that one individual’s voice counts.