My Boy Zel Sauce

Renzel, my brother from another mother. I wish I could just copy and paste what you had written about me, and dedicate it to you instead because that's exactly what I think of you. You are such an amazing friend, and I hope to have you around for the rest of my life. I am thankful to call you my friend, my best friend, my brother, my "dawg,"and my homeboy. Just like you said in your post, "... Words are beyond explanation on how much I appreciate you as a friend." You have been there for me whenever I was not feeling like myself, and your sense of humour is brilliant. I'm surprised I'm the only one laughing sometimes! We have dreams of starting a clothing line together, and I really think we should take that seriously. Your style is crazy Renzel. I don't know if other people notice how unreal it is, but I do. You were the one to get me into the same style too. Ever since I saw what you wore on civies days, I knew that's what I wanted my style to be. You have the skills to do whatever you want in life, and I hope I can help you. Just like you have supported me, I will support you through tough times. You really are a brother to me, and I'll always be there for you whenever you need me. Everyone deserves a friend like you. I hope everyone gets a "Renzel" in their life. Thank you for everything, and I can't wait to see what the future has in hold for you and me. Whatever you do, I'll always be a fan and you'll always have a friend there for you. Much love brotha <3
#Blessedandbetrayforever #followyourdreams

Merno

Don't Be Afraid Of Different Stories

       In the YouTube video "Banned Books Week: 13 Authors Speak Out," all the featured authors discuss how the banning of books in schools is a stupid, ridiculous, and violent thing to do. They all believe that banning books should not be allowed. They explain that banning books is like banning thoughts, or even certain persons from a culture. Brian Garfield stated in the video clip, " If you don't want to read it, don't read it." I believe this statement, even though short and simple, is extremely precise and on point with the topic. If one person does not want to read a book because he/she doesn't think it's appropriate, they should not have the power to ban it from other people. Just simply, do not read the book. It doesn't make any sense to ban something from other people just because of your thoughts. In the film "Runaway" written and directed by Kanye West, there is a quote at the end of the movie that I believe fits beautifully with this topic. The quote from the film is, "Do you know what I hate most about your world? Anything that is different you try to change. You try to tear it down..." I believe when certain people ban books, that's what they are doing. They are trying to change things so that it will make them more comfortable, not everyone else. They try to tear it down, and try to ban it so that people won't try to read it. Books are doorways into another person's mind, and if we ban those books, it makes the authors feel like they have failed the people. Which indeed, is not how they should feel. We cannot be afraid of different stories and ideas, we need to embrace them. Embrace people to go beyond the norm, and tell stories that no one has ever told before. Be inspired by the fear of being average, and just because someone does not agree with what you have written, does not make it unacceptable. Banning books from schools and other public places will not stop anything, because we are exposed to much worse things everyday in our lives. We live in a social net-working age, and anything we wish to find, will always be easy to get to with the help of the internet. I believe that banning books should not be allowed because rather than making them illegal, why not just discuss them in class. Get everyone's opinion, an if no one likes it, don't read it. If most people believe it will benefit them and help them become better at reading and writing, let them read. Banning books is pointless and I can't stress that enough. Let people read what they want, and let them ignore the books they don't want to read. Don't ruin it for everyone else. Don't be afraid of different stories, because everyone has one.

The Key To Success: Everyone Has It

       In the YouTube video "The Key to Success, Grit: Ted Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth," Angela Lee Duckworth, a Psychologist, studies kids and adults in a variety of challenging settings. Duckworth had one major question in all of her studies "Who is successful here? Why?" Angela Lee Duckworth and her research team discovered that it was not social intelligence, good looks, or IQ that made people successful in the challenging settings. It was Grit.

       Grit is courage and resolve; strength of character. Grit is passion to start something, and continue doing it until it's done the way you want it, and you are satisfied with where you are, just like a marathon. Duckworth explains that just because you have a higher IQ, doesn't mean that you are going to get better marks than other people. Just like if someone is running a marathon, and they are in first place right now, doesn't mean they are going to win the whole race. You have to keep putting in the work and keep trying your hardest at all times. Nothing comes without hard, gut-wrenching work.


       I agree with Angela Lee Duckworth. I believe kids and adults need grit to accomplish what they want too. Without grit, you won't accomplish what you want, because if you don't have grit and somebody tells you that you are wrong or that they don't like what you have done and how you have done it, you will give up. Grit is the strength to keep going despite have being told you were wrong. Kanye West, a famous and successful rapper, singer, songwriter, music-producer, director and fashion designer said in an interview in 2010 " ... You cannot learn from a compliment." I believe this quote is extremely true because without criticism and being told you are wrong sometimes, you will not learn from your mistake. Don't be afraid to be wrong, because the people that have failed the most, have also succeeded the most. People need to learn from their mistakes, and also to learn to never give up. I also believe that these kids that have the talent to do great in school but don't, have grit, but not for school. Everyone has different interests, and have grit for different things. You can't say a kid doesn't have grit because he/she doesn't get good marks in school. They have lost interest in school because they haven't been inspired and motivated. Having a teacher that is passionate about teaching a certain subject, and that cares about their students, not just their marks, will motivate these kids.  Inspire the kids, motivate them and the results in the classroom will be amazing. Everyone has a different idea of success, so I believe it is unfair to say that a person does not have grit for something that another person does. Success isn't always about good marks at school, or money. It can be about anything. If you are happy with what you are doing, you are successful. Jim Carrey delivered a commencement speech at Maharishi University of Management earlier this year, and he said one quote that I have adored ever since I first heard it. He said, " You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love." What's beautiful about grit, is that it can make your dreams come true. It will not always be easy. Not everyone is going to agree with you. You might fail sometimes, but if you are passionate enough and you never quit, you have the potential to do anything.

Everyone has the potential to do everything.

Call Me What You Want

       My name is Maximilian Mernagh, but most people just call me Max. Feel free to call me whatever you want.  I was born in Fergus, Ontario, on June 3rd, 1997. I don't like talking about what I look like, how tall I am, or any of my physical features because, does it even matter? No, it doesn't. I will talk about my beliefs, views on things and what I enjoy in this world. I am very obsessed with the ideas of creating, as well as inspiring. Creation is very important in the world, because without it we wouldn't be where we are today. We would still be living in caves and still be thinking the world is flat. Creation isn't just in art, it is in everything we do. We create big things like medicine to help people in need. We create small things like comfier mattresses so that we sleep better. It is everywhere, and I believe it is one of the most important things in this world. Inspiration is also very important to me because without it how would we create? I want to be inspired by all the students in this Writer's Craft class, as well you, Mrs. Reidel. I want to be inspired to do the best I can do. I also want to inspire other students in my class in some way. That would be an amazing feeling to know that I inspired someone to do something better. I am not religious even though I attend Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic High-school, but I have nothing against the people who are. I believe in myself, and everyone else on this planet. I believe everyone has the potential to accomplish their dreams.

       I enjoy every genre of music, with the exception of Country music. I have my iPhone earbuds in 24/7, literally. I play many instruments like: drums, piano, guitar, and saxophone. I hope to learn more over the coarse of my life, but right now I'm too busy. I played saxophone with "The Boo Radley Project" at the Hillside Music Festival in Guelph last summer. I also play Hockey for Our Lady Of Lourdes, but don't play on a team out of school anymore. I took Writer's Craft because I want to be inspired to write what I feel, whenever I feel it. I want to learn who I am as a writer, what my strengths are, and how I can use them to improve my writing. I have a lot of ideas in my mind that I want to let out but I need to learn how to do that first, and I feel like this coarse will definitely help me.