Final Thoughts

  

   I think I’ve learned a lot from this course over the past couple months. I learned various ways in which it meant to be an American, and different ways in which the American life was expressed. I learned that the number one unifying theme throughout any part of the American way of life was hope and ambition. Hope for a brighter and better future for you and your kids, and never lose sight of that. Every time we fall down, we don’t fail, we just find a new and profound way of picking ourselves back up again.

Word Count: 97

Ain't No Place for a Hero

Word Count: 300

  The sand blew through the air like baby powder as I walk from the Tarmac to collect my baggage at Baghdad International Airport, soaking into my lungs with years worth of death and the depleted uranium which caused it. I have to admit this was an excited time in my life... the first time I had ever been to an active war zone.

  I grabbed my bags and quickly headed inside, catching my next flight to my new home which I would be stationed at for the next year, C.O.B. Speicher. As I get to my new home, I’m told I have 24hrs of rack time before flight training tomorrow, but I could never really sleep with all the excitement. I was always nervous about flying in country, because of the reports of attacks that came in. I heard of the black hawks constantly being shot at and dropping out of the sky, but that was rotary wing and I’m in fixed wing I should be safe... right? 

I hop in my plane the next morning, perform a pre-flight check and so we take off. In a war zone you don’t take off like normal planes, you take off like a roller coaster. The goal is to get above 1000ft by the time you hit the wire so that the enemy’s small arms can’t shoot you down. As we exit the wire, I heard a loud “thump thump thump thump thump” like bullets shooting out of the plane. The flares had just fired off, and as I look out the window I see two people firing rifles at the plane. After not having any real sleep or relaxation in the past 24hrs the first words that came out of my mouth were, “Really? Really?? I just effin’ got here!”

The Point: Live every day like it’s your last, because it just might be.

My Urban Plaza

     Captain John O’Donnell of the East India Trading Company settled in Baltimore in 1780, and found the nationally historic neighborhood of Canton.  Even though John is long gone, his image remains alive today in the Canton square and the name of the surrounding street. The square is a small public area with a large statue of Captain O’Donnell in the center surrounded by a garden and benches within a fence. The square is largely visited by white people of the middle class who are sober by day and not so much by night. They come to quietly read their newspaper or book, and relax from the stressors of life. I did manage to see one homeless man enter the square, attempt to sleep on a bench, and was quickly told to leave by patrolling policemen. I would totally recommend the square to anyone in need of rest and relaxation.

Word Count: (149)

Map:

The Forbearance of Foreigners

I was 21 and reckless. I would make random road trips just because I wanted White Castle. I raced my mustang down I-95 because I wanted to feel that adrenaline rush. I would drink until I magically teleported to my bed. It was a good time. 

One weekend I drove to Atlantic City. It was my first time going to any casino, and I was super excited. I wanted to make the best of it, so I withdrew cash from the ATM and began hitting the tables. My other friends busted out early so they came to watch me over at the roulette table. Within fifteen minutes I cashed out with over $400, and bought myself a five-star lunch. The five star lunch turned into top notch bars later that evening in Philly. To be honest I could not remember half the night.

Later that next morning I awoke on my friends couch. As I got ready and performed the phone grope, I realized I was missing my wallet. I was so worried. I was told I took a cab home, but could not recall the name of the company. After calling my bank to cancel all my cards, I finally set home to Baltimore. That evening I spent sulking in self-doubt thinking, ‘How could I have been so stupid?’ Just as I thought that the doorbell rang. As I looked out the window I saw a cab double parked outside, and an Arab man standing at my doorstep. As I open the door, he is holding my wallet in hand. He found my address on the license and decided to be a good samaritan and deliver it himself. I gave him a giant hug. My faith in humanity was restored.

(Word Count: 299)

The Waterfront Hotel

    200 years ago a few good men sat down at the Waterfront and planned for the defense of their beloved city from the fiercest empire on the planet at that time. From here, their plans were finalized, the battle had begun, and their resolve was strong. Days passed, smoke cleared over Ft. McHenry, and they came to defeat the enemy and win the war. Today the hotel is gone, yet the walls remain. It has been renovated, and a pub is built in it's place. This bar has been where I consoled my worst pains, and celebrated my best accomplishments.

(Word Count: 100)

Good brand? Good beer!

One brand I buy habitually is Yuengling. This can say many things about  a man. Is he a drunk, does he have problems, is he classy, is he into history, is he proud to be American? With beer comes many assumptions. I mention the first few because in excess it can be assumed that someone is an alcoholic. I mention the last few because it is the oldest brewery in continuous production in America, and many a classy fellow drink this brew. What does this say about me? It says that I am a classy fellow that enjoys good beer.

(Word Count: 100)

Interesting Days

It was May of 2007. I had long hair, and I always had long hair ever since I could remember as a kid. I used to sit in my room all day on the computer playing video games such as Planetside and Star Wars Galaxies with my friends. I played video games constantly because it was my time, no one could tell me what to do with my freedom. All the while twisting and furling around with my hair. One day I joined the army, and my hair was shaven off to the skin. And along with it, my freedom.

(Word Count: 100)