The Intricacies of Football

I started playing football at seven years old, of course the schemes are relatively simple and plays extremely basic. For example run through the middle, was one of the most complicated.  That all changed at age eight, when I met Coach Steve. Being much larger at a younger age it was much easier to standout. Due to my good play, Coach Steve decided to give me the nickname Rhino. As Coach Steve grew more fond of me as a player he decided to let me go to his sports camp,where I would learn the game, and workout to be better at the game.

I had already been quite familiar with football, even before my meeting of Coach Steve occurred. Yet, the chess match within the game was revealed to me at a relatively young age.  I learned about all the formations that counteract other formations, the myriad of different plays and schemes. Also on the field reads are the most difficult to learn and understand. The signal caller on defense is typically the middle linebacker, the signal caller on offense in obviously the quarterback.

Each one will make reads of the other. For example a quarterback sends a man in motion, the linebacker has to read what that means. The film he had watched earlier of this team will dictate the audible or change he will make in his defensive line up. He will bark out calls for the defensive line the other linebackers and the defensive backs. This all happens in a matter of five to ten seconds, and any kind of screw will cost your team dearly. This goes both ways, the offense has to also read the defense change their play and formation. For example if a line backer shifts down to the line of scrimmage, or if the defensive backs are playing press coverage all of this a quarter back needs to intake, absorb and react to in five to ten seconds.

     That's not all, during the play your must read your keys execute and play smart. As a defensive line men you can never over pursue the running back or he will cut back and find an open piece of field. If any one player messes up their execution of the play all eleven men on the field will pay for it. It is the ultimate team sport. All eleven on both sides of the ball must know their assignment, and execute it to perfection. If a player your side of the ball will fail to perform the play is busted, and your side of the ball will ultimately lose that play.

In conclusion I am just scratching the surface on the inner layers of the ultimate sport, it requires supreme shape, extreme physicality, and believe it or not quick thinking and intelligence. Also, those three things must be preformed by every man in the field. The one thing that tells me the that football is like no other in its class, is that throughout a season, let alone throughout multiple seasons, you become bonded with your team mates more than ever. You become more than best friends, you become family.
 

Song

"City of New Orleans written by Steve Goodman" by Ryhan Otmane
"The City of New Orleans" was written in 1970 by a man named Steve Goodman. Goodman took a  Illinois central train, and there he observed many things, especially impoverished citizens struggling. While he was on the train,  Steve wrote the song on an old sketch pad. When Goodman returned home he was shocked to hear that the train was to be discontinued, in an attempt to save the train Steve then used the song to help try to convince the city that the train was still necessary. The song was then first preformed in 1972, by Arlo Guthrie a famous American folk singer.

       The meaning of the song was to show the backbone of America, the farmers and  hard workers Goodman observed while on the train ride. Depicting many different scenes throughout his lyrics goodman paints a good o'l American portrait of the middle class. Whether it be the freight yards full of old black man or the many farms and fields Goodman commemorates the people who kept the country alive.

        Many literary devices can be found throughout the song as well. Metaphors and all iterations are the most common. For example the train is not really the city of New Orleans but it is a metaphor that compares the train to the hard working City of New Orleans. There is also a great use of personification in the chorus, "Good morning America how are you. " It is very common to see an abundant group of literary devices in music, it adds to the rhythmic value.
The entire rhythm of a song changes when music is actually added to the lyrics, that is why so many song writers change their lyrics after they hear it a couple times. This song, just by the lyrics originally looks like a old fashioned folk song, and it is. Yet when you hear the song it contains a bluesy feel, that really changes the entire atmosphere of the song. The beat is very down low and that is not consistent of most folk songs. This song has also been performed by many different artists, this shows the versatility of the lyrics and their applicability to many different tunes. Whether it was sung by Arlo Guthrie, Steve Goodman, or Willy Nelson, the "City of New Orleans" has always been a great song.

in conclusion, this song is and always will be a very important part of musical history, it was around this time (1970) that the complexion of music began to change. For folk music was. On its way out, and "The City of New Orleans" was one of its last showings. This song combined a blues like aspect on a folk song, the lyrics weren't fake or made up, they were just things that Goodman had witnessed, due to this the song was very down to earth and popular for its time. In the end, "The City of New Orleans" is a very interesting song that holds more than one good story.

French diary

July 4 1793

My name is Pierre I'm a young French orphan. My orphanage has been plundered for food and burned down I'm completely on my on now. It is complete chaos the only ones close to me are now dead and gone. I'm fighting for my life as their is no food and no drink, I fear for my life. 

July 5 1793

I've found some crumbs and have stole some water hopefully that will keep me alive for the time being. I've found a nice family to stay with but I must be aware you can't trust anyone these days.

July 9 1793

Things are getting crazy there are no one is leading the people, there are rumors that even Robespierre will be beheaded, yet I must stay positive, for with out hope I have nothing. The family I'm staying with is running out of supplies and I fear that they will now be rid of me. 

July 12 1793 

I have left my friends in anticipation of their kicking me out,  I'm now back on the streets, food has no again become an issue. I have had nothing to eat today and I'm feeling weak I think it's time for me to lie down.

July 30 1793

 A group of other kids from the orphanage found me they said I was past out, I'm s very grateful without out the, I would have been dead. Max, the leader of the group took me and some others on a food hunt so far we have obtained three loafs of bread, we also found a well full of water.


August 1 1793

Me and the others at surviving for the time being for right now I'm am okay.

Odysseus his value to greek society

Odysseus should be considered an epic hero for his time period. His actions thoughts and attitude, embodied Greek society at the time. His qualities, such as his warrior skill, his pride, and journeyman attitude were all desirable of a Greek man, especially in Sparta.

         During the time period a man’s skill as a warrior, was as important as any other attribute. Many wars were fought, that's just how most things were settled. There for, of you we're a good warrior, you were very valuable person. Odysseus was one of the best warriors to fight in the Trojan War. He was a leader commander, and warrior.

            The Greeks also valued his pride. During Greek times a man’s pride was all he had, without pride you were nothing. Confidence and self respect were more important than most things. Many thing brought pride to a man, his wife, son, and skill in combat, all of which Odysseus had so there for he was a very prideful man.

            Last but not least Odysseus as an adventurer, one thing that man and woman have valued throughout all history, is money. Plunder gold and treasure brought wealth to him or her. In that perspective, life hasn’t changed much, money is power; it has been and will continue to be what society wants. From ancient times to now, if you have what other people want you hold the power.

            In conclusion, Odysseus was created in the image of a Greek writer, who strived to create the epitome of what the Greek people idolized. Homer created Odysseus, and no one would create an non cool hero.

Homer and Odysseus

Homer not only created a great hero with Odysseus, he set the precedent for all Greek heroes. Greek heroes are strong willed, skillful in combat and most importantly extreme pride. All of these traits, lead to another, his abilities lead to excessive pride and confidence, which eventually mark his down fall. Also unlike many Greek heroes Odysseus is very clever.

A Greek hero is the hero in its simplest form, although relative to other archetypes the hero is very complex, even the ones that appear in ancient Greek Mythology. A hero must obtain many traits, one of these traits being strength, another being skillful, and the last of course being excessive pride, which wouldn’t be included except for the fact that it is baggage that comes with the first two traits. Odysseus is one of the very first examples of what is now known today as a hero, this means that the traits and actions he set in The Odyssey would later be followed and mimicked by others.

Look at any modern day super celebrity, with all their money and sense of power they become big headed. This inability of man to maintain humility when they receive power is seen throughout history and literature. Odysseus, just so happens to have that flaw. An example of Odysseus’s incapacity to hold down his ego is seen when he defeats the ugly Cyclops, Polythemus. Polymethus, captured Odysseus and his men, closed them in his cave, and ate them every so often. Yet, the cunning Odysseus would not die by the hands of a big ugly monster. He first got the Cyclops tipsy by giving him large quantities of strong wine; he then waited for the Cyclops to go to sleep and blinded him. With a few more sneaky tricks, Odysseus and what was left of his men escaped. Of course this left the already pride crazy Odysseus with a swollen head, so in order to make himself known, he yelled to the Cyclops his name and mocked him as they sailed away. In the end, Polythemus got the last laugh, his father who was Poseidon, cursed Odysseus and his men so they will never return home. Ultimately Odysseus was victorious, but his next one wouldn’t come for a long time.

Already having touched on Odysseus’s intelligence, it is necessary to take at an in depth look. Many heroes have strength, and many have intelligence, yet very few have both. A good modern day example of a hybrid hero is Iron Man; through his intelligence he obtains strength. Odysseus is also a good example. With his wit he is able to effectively use his strength. An example of a one sided super hero is the Hulk, even though the human part of him is very intellectual, the hulk side is not. This ability to use intelligence to fully take advantage of brawn wets Odysseus alone with a select group of heroes.

In conclusion, it should now be well known who Odysseus is as a character, his traits strengths and weaknesses. Homer not only created a hero, he created the first of a special breed of archetypes, archetypes that will forever inspire and amaze society for generation to come.

The Hero then and now

Modern day heroes are very different from heroes of the past yet, the basic structure and journey of a hero remain relatively similar in almost every way. Whether it is the Avengers, or the Odyssey, both follow the hero code. Also, both stories follow the hero’s journey, all be it with a different approach.  Finally both modern day and past hero stories have it, it is the hero, and breaking down the hero pound for pound, the similarities are astounding.

Since the dawn of time every hero has followed the hero’s code. First, a hero must be fearless, and strong willed, he must exhibit the qualities of a gentlemen and the qualities of a warrior. Second, a hero must put all other before him, and remain humble, for corruption in a hero can lead to their down fall. Now, the most important part of the hero’s code is that a hero must always defeat the villain. In the Avengers each hero is fearless, although some must learn humility and selflessness, in the end they all exhibit the traits that are made clear in the hero’s code. Also, each member of the Avengers team helps contribute to the heroic effort, and ultimately they defeat the evil. The Odyssey, both Odysseus and Telemachus are warriors; both are humble in their own way, although it was difficult both resist corruption. Finally, Odysseus and Telemachus reunite and find their way home.

Maybe the most well known archetype in a hero story is the hero’s journey. There are 12 steps in the journey, but a whole other essay could be written just on those steps. The hero starts off with humble beginnings, often coming from a poor family or no family at all. The hero then receives their call to adventure, almost always refusing at first the hero is either forced via guilt or a desire for revenge. Then fill in the blanks, he faces tests and challenges, makes enemies and acquaintances. All in all, the hero almost always winds up with a successful journey. All of these steps in a hero’s journey are followed no matter what comparison you make from any time period.

Last but not least a hero is a hero, no matter where they come from what their ability is, they all share this one common attribute, and that is the hero intangible.  This is not something that can be measured or weighted; it is something a character is either born with or without. This hero intangible is an explanation for why a hero does what he does, yes a hero endures a experience that inspires them, but they could easily say no. The desire and everlasting struggle to maintain peace and good throughout the world, is an impossible challenge, a challenge any real hero will embrace. Stan Lee said it best in his famous comic Spider Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

In conclusion regardless of the time period a hero is the same, they will always be entertaining, they will always be adored, and they will always be needed. It doesn’t matter if they come from literature or myth, from a page or from real life, remember heroes existed before they were written about.

Zeus perspective books 1-3

Zeus mocks at the mortals, s the constantly blame he and the gods for all the trouble in the land. Zeus ponders Odysseus and his troubled journey, showing mercy, Zeus allows Athena to help Telemachus. His reasons for doing so are these, he likes Odysseus, and he is the smartest, noblest, and fearless of mortals.  He tells Athena to disguise herself and to go to Telemachus to help him track down his father. Zeus knows his power and ability, along the way Zeus help inform Athena of what she must do to help Telemachus. So, during the meeting held by the suitors on Penelope’s marriage, Zeus instructs Athena to show them a warning. This warning is two eagles fighting. This means that Odysseus’s return is eminent, and that if the suitors do not back off they will be punished.

Athena disguised then travels with Telemachus to Pylos to meet with King Nestor. At Pylos, Zeus instructs Athena to give courage to Telemachus, as he confronts Nestor, for he will need it to earn respect, and show his seriousness. As Nestor tells Telemachus the recollection of the last time Odyseus was here Zeus ponders what he shall tell Athena to do next to help Telemachus. Nestor, the impressed by Telemachus, sends his son with him on a land journey to Sparta. Zeus then tells Athena to stay with Telemachus’s ship and crew for protection. Although Zeus is angered that Athena revealed he identity.

How the Rhino Earns its Horn

 In the vast Savanna there lived a rhinoceros by the name of Ryhan. Not your typical sized rhino, Ryhan was smaller than most other rhinos. Of course no matter how much Ryhan’s ability was doubted he didn’t care.  In a young rhinoceros’s life there is a time where he or she must earn their horn. On Ryhan’s 5^th Birthday, it was time for him to earn his horn, the one thing that made a Rhinoceros so special.

Now, earning your horn is no laughing matter.  It’s a rigorous challenge that leaves no prisoners. Yet, if a rhino is to pass the test, he will live out the life of a prideful happy rhino. On the other hand, the punishment for failure was terrible.  Should a rhino not to pass their test, they would be banished to the dirty mud puddles of the Savanna; stripped of all pride and respect. Then, he or she would live the life of a disgusting angry wallowing hippo. Ryhan knew the scenario well.  Throughout his whole life, his family had made it quite apparent as to what was expected of him.

Finally, the day arrived.  It was time for Ryhan to begin his challenge.   He was up against all odds.  Ryhan was a small rhino. He wasn’t the strongest, and he defiantly wasn’t the smartest, but he had the will and desire to succeed. The test consisted of three challenges; no one knew what these challenges were for they were chosen by the Gods of the Savanna. His family wished him luck, as he carefully treaded through the dark wooden challenge gates; gates that very few rhinos ever see again.

As soon as the gates closed Ryhan looked forward WHOOSH, he was in the wide open plains of the Savanna. Out of nowhere came the Great Gazelle,” Ah Ryhan we have been awaiting your arrival” said the great Gazelle. Ryhan said nothing but nodded in recognition.       “Your first challenge is to catch me.” said the gazelle. “And it starts now.” In a flash the gazelle was off, Ryhan knew that he would never catch a gazelle in straight line so as he ran he devised the plan, to try to trick the gazelle. He thought to himself, that if he could just get the gazelle wedged in between the river and the thicket, he could corner the gazelle and catch him. Instead of chasing him Ryhan crouched and waited in the tall grass, the gazelle assumed victory and started to slow.

Yet, slowly but surely Ryhan crawled around the gazelle now facing the river and the thicket. Now having the perfect angle and seeing his point of attack, Ryhan charged. Shocked the gazelle desperately ran without any regards as to where he was going, and before he knew it he was water’s edge. He looked left right, nothing but thicket and water. As the Great Gazelle looked forward, he felt the steamy hot breath of a tired rhino, knowing that he had been beat the gazelle bowed his head and spoke. “You have defeated me fair and square you have much pride.” As Ryhan began to thank gazelle the very tip of a horn grew from his head.

Before the flick of his tail, Ryhan found himself face to face with a massive silver back gorilla; this was undoubtedly the great god of the Apes, Silver. “We will see who strongest” Silver said, “Whoever get most bananas down from tree is winner” Silver then walked over to a banana tree grabbed hold of it a shook. “Woo woo woo hoo” he yelled as all the bananas from the tree fell except for one. Ryhan immediately knew what to do; he will not try to out muscle Silver he will try out think him just as he did Gazelle. Ryhan started to grind his horn tip against the base of the tree. Silver and his apes began to scoff and laugh at Ryhan, little did they know, Ryhan was taking a much different approach. The sharp tip of his horn started to gnaw away at the tree. After much hysterics and cackling, Silver and his apes heard a loud thud. The tree had been cut down, and in disbelief Silver was stunned. “I am defeated more of horn you will receive” Silver spoke with a heavy heart.

Exhausted, weak and tired Ryhan stood in the pitch black darkness. Instantly a pair of yellow eyes sparked from the darkness, and a deep low voice growled. “So close yet so far.” Out of the moon light stepped the god Tsavo. Tsavo was the mightiest, strongest, fastest, smartest, most blood thirsty lion the earth had ever known.

Although terrified out of his mind, Ryhan remained motionless, not trembling, nor shaking. He stood as authoritative and tall as he could, unwilling to show any sign of weakness. In a dark low tone Tsavo spoke “This challenge will not only test your speed, strength, and intelligence, but it will also test your heart, will and desire for survival.” “I know what you’ve been told.” he snarled “That failure will merely result in the disgusting transformation of a hippo”. Tsavo declared, “Yet when you challenge me it is life or death.” Rhino said nothing, just gave his node. “Here is what you must do.” He said “You must travel back to the gate of whence you came, during your journey I will stalk find you and kill you.” Tsavo roared “If for some reason you survive, and reach the gate you will receive the rest of your horn, you have a two hour head start…. GO!!!! Tsavo roar boomed like thunder. In complete panic, Ryhan darted off in distress.

  Ryhan knew he had to get all of his two hour head start, and for two hours he plowed through the jungle foliage. Finally he made it to the big banana tress of the apes he was heading the right way. Trudging through the trees, Ryhan spotted a lion claw mark. Tsavo was ahead of him. Ryhan realized he was being toyed with for Tsavo it was all a sick game. Keeping his eyes and ears open, Ryhan finally made through the jungle. The bright red orange African sun started to rise; Ryhan could clearly see that he was in the savanna grass where he fist started. Bruised, battered and just about done for, Ryhan gave one last effort. He sprinted and sprinted for miles, through what seemed to be endless spans of Savanna plains. There it was, he could see it, the gate. Ryhan wouldn’t stop couldn’t stop he kept going. Out of the corner of his eye the tall grass rustles, paw prints are already on the ground where Tsavo has been planning out his ambush. A thick line of Savanna bushes and thicket stood about 100 meters from the gate. There were three passage ways through the grass to the gate. Ryhan had to think quickly for his life depended on it. Somehow it hit him; Ryhan realized each passage way was doomed for failure the only way to get passed was to charge through the thicket. Regardless of size of strength, it was his only way out. Full speed, hooves trampling, head down, Ryhan blasted through the thicket. Out from behind the passages Tsavo roared in anger. Ryhan ran Tsvao chased. Ryhan could reach out and touch the gate, Tsavo right behind him he leaped Ryhan dove colliding at the dark gates exit, Ryhan reaches and……….