Blogger Templates Tech Tip

I decided to pick the third Template style within the Picture category. The picture in the background of my template is of a mountain and blue sky. There is also rain drops all over the picture which give it a nice effect. The reason for picking this template is because blue is one of my favorite colors, and the picture is predominately blue. Another reason is that the rain drop effect of the picture sort of creates a peaceful mood, so that anyone who may read my blog can feel peaceful while reading a story.
After seeing other peoples blog design I am really starting to like some of them. One of my other favorites is in the "Awesome Inc" category. There is an all black one which I think is really neat. The white text goes great with it, and it gives the blog a sleek look to it.

Essay for Week 2: Odysseus the Hero

        Odysseus the Hero

A “hero” can be a stranger, close friend, or family member. The definition of hero is dependent on the person you may be asking. To one person a hero may be someone who helps a stray cat out of a tree, or stops a bully from assaulting a kid. A hero can also be someone who donates money to a foundation to indirectly help a cause. Lastly, a hero can even be a kid that convinces his teacher not to give the class homework for the day. My personal definition of a hero is someone who stands up for something that is right. He leads a group of people to overcome tasks, and he is lifesaver. In my opinion what determines a hero is not just the character being represented, but it is about the people around him. If the people you are in contact with believe in your cause or look up to you then you might be a hero to that person. This doesn’t mean that you are a hero to everyone, so the term “hero” is essentially opinionated. I believe that Odysseus from Homer’s: The Odyssey is a true hero.

         Odysseus is the perfect example of a hero from this weeks reading. From the beginning he is looked at as a leader. He and his shipmates are lost and on their way back to their homeland. On the way back many obstacles block their path. One is example is when Odysseus and his crew arrive at the Cyclopes Island. When they came across the Cyclopes the men look to Odysseus to save them. After the monster devoured 8 of Odysseus’ men, Odysseus still kept a level head and tricked the Cyclopes into drinking and eventually impaling his eye to escape the island. Another example of heroism is when he met the Mighty Circe. As Odysseus was going to confront her, the mighty Hermes came to warn and aid him. Just this act alone of a god appearing to a mortal shows a lot. It shows that even to the gods Odysseus is worthy to accept the assistance from gods even though he is a mortal. He would eventually save is crew from the goddess Circe.

These are just 2 examples from a small passage of the story. There are countless of times where Odysseus is put to the test and passes. I believe that he is a true hero. If his story were true than I bet he would inspire many today.

(Picture of Odysseus by: Jastrow)

More Info on Odysseus can be found here: Wikipedia

Storytelling for Week 2: Odysseus The Candyman

Odysseus The Candyman

            Once upon a time there was a candyman named Odysseus. He was from the land called Candyland. Odysseus was no ordinary man you see. He was completely made up of candy! He stood about 4 feet tall; which is what most candymen averaged in height. Odysseus body structure was made up of blue peppermint. Instead of being long and skinny like most peppermints, Odysseus was tall and flat shaped like a gingerbread man cookie. Red icing made up his eyes and facial features. The citizens of Candyland believed him to be the strongest, handsomest, and most trustworthy candyman/leader they all have seen. Accompanying Odysseus’ side was a two-foot solid gold sword made out of pure golden butterscotch. The gods blessed Odysseus, and he went out on a mission with 60 of his best candymen. Little did he know; he would not be coming back home soon.

            Odysseus and his candymen found themselves approaching the shore of Cyclopes Island. Upon reaching the island, the candymen anchored the ship and they began searching the island for butterscotch. Butterscotch in the purest form was the tastiest and most wealthy substance on the planet. Just one pound of it was worth around 1 million dollars! As the men were searching, they ran into a big cave. They decided to go and check it out to see if there would be any butterscotch. There was, but it was far too big and heavy to even budge. Suddenly they heard large footsteps approaching the cave. The candymen scattered frantically to find a hiding stop.

            The being entered the cave. It was a 22-foot tall, giant, one-eyed Cyclopes made out of candy. The monster asked who are these intruders that enter his home. Odysseus said that they were just stopping by checking for butterscotch, and not to harm them. The Cyclops didn’t listen however. He picked up 2 of Odysseus’ men and ate them whole. The men frightened by the sight, witness their comrades screams of agony while being devoured. The crew tried to escape but the giant butterscotch boulder was in the way. The Cyclopes went on with his day like nothing happened. The next day he stole two more of the candymen and ate them whole. He continued to do this for 2 more days until Odysseus decided to make a plan to stop the Cyclopes.

            He offered the Cyclopes wine to drink while he devoured the candymen. The monster accepted and ignorantly drank it all in one gulp. He requested for more, and Odysseus kept supplying him with wine until the Cyclopes became drunk and went to sleep. Odysseus came up with a plan to hurt the monster without killing him so that he would roll the butterscotch stone away and the candymen could escape. He found a big piece of wood and told his crew to sharpen it to a point. Once finished, Odysseus and a small group of men gathered around to hold the weapon. They pointed it to his eye and jabbed it inside. The Cyclops rose up screaming and cursing. He rolled the butterscotch away and felt the ground for the tiny candymen. Odysseus and his crew managed to get back to the ship and escape the island.

            The next stop on their trek for wealth was a beautiful island somewhere 2 or 3 days out from the Cyclops Island. The men decided to search this island more careful than the last, so half of the men went searching while the others stayed behind. The candymen searching came across what it appeared to be a castle for a queen. Inside the men saw the beautiful Circe. She offered to share her wealth with them. Circe had many types of food and liquid butterscotch, which was the best type to bring back home. She mixed a potion with the butterscotch and gave it to the men to drink. She then touched the men and they turned into gummy bears!

            Once it got dark outside and none of Odysseus’ men came back, he decided to go search himself. On the way the mighty god, Hermes, stopped and informed Odysseus of his men’s fate. Hermes gave him a piece of chocolate to eat to ward him from her evil spell. He also instructed that when Circe realizes that the potion didn’t work; rush Circe like you’re to attack her, and she will offer you anything you want.

            Odysseus arrived at the castle and went inside to see Circe. She offered him the same treatment as the men. When the potion did not work on Odysseus he ran up to her pointing his sword in her face. She said she would do anything for a man that told resist her spell. Odysseus asked her to free his men and also give them 1000 pounds of here purest butterscotch to take home. She agreed and the men rejoiced! Circe let them stay and relax for over one year, until they all decided to go back to their home. Odysseus and his candymen were rich!

(Anarchyland! by: Aragorn)

This what I envision Candyland to look like. 

Authors Note: I wrote this story based off of Homer's: Odyssey. I wanted to try and stick to the essence of the story but with some twists. I decided to turn the world into one made up of entirely of candy. The home country is called Candyland. I got this idea from the popular kids board game called Candy Land where you race around the world of of Candyland. With both of these stories in mind I created a world of candy but with the feel of the Odyssey.  

Week 2: Reading Diary- The Odyssey

Reading Diary- Homer's Odyssey

The Cyclops: Chapter 1-4 (Click next link to continue)

• ·      Odysseus and his crew reach the island of the Cyclopes. It seems as if they are on an island untouched my man. The land is untouched and the plants grow wildly.  They then hunted and ate many goats. They had a great feast.
• ·      Once again they referenced the wine they got from a previous island. Maybe it is important.
• ·      They went into the Cyclops cave and they decided to wait for his return to see it if would be friendly or not. What they found inside was a herd of goats and rams. They also milk, cheeses, and piles of hay.
• ·      Once the Cyclops can back Odysseus went to him and said that they were friendly. The beast didn’t listen and immediately he took 2 of his men and ate them whole.
• ·      It was so gross the way they described the Cyclops eating the humans. It was extremely vivid and made me feel like I was in the danger myself.
• ·      After the devouring, the men hid behind the rocks in the cave and the Cyclops went about his day.
• ·      The crew couldn’t escape because when the Cyclops entered and exited he rolled a huge stone in front of the entrance.
• ·      The Cyclops ate 4 more men before Odysseus came up with a plan to hurt the beast.
• ·      Odysseus decided that he would stab it in the eye with a heated stick.
• ·      Once the Cyclops came back, he went to eat two more men, but this time Odysseus offered the beast wine. The Cyclops loved at and begged for more.
• ·      Me became drunk and passed out.
• ·      Then Odysseus and his crew jabbed the stick in eye of the Cyclops.
• ·      The beast was outraged and screamed out to the heavens that he was hurt by “Nobody” which is what Odysseus told him his name was.
• ·      The other cyclopses came to aid but he said Nobody hurt him.
• ·      The men then escaped using the sheep to hide under so the blind Cyclops couldn’t see them.
• ·      They then escaped the island and Odysseus mocked the giant and told him is real name.
• ·      The beast prayed to Poseidon and cursed him.

Part Two: Circe and the Trials

•  Odysseus and his crew sailed to the mysterious island of Circe. When they arrived they had a great feast with the sheep they took from the Cyclops Island before.
• ·      After eating, some of the men excluding Odysseus went on top of the mountain in search of was at the peak.
• ·      The men found a magnificent. Castle
• ·      They entered only of find a goddess like being accompanies by loins, and wolfs.
• ·      The woman named Circe offered the men food for there travels.
• ·      The offered the men yellow honey and wine, but she also mixed in her magic potion.
• ·      As the men drank, she touched them with her man and all the men were turned to pigs.
• ·      One of the men saw this and ran back to Odysseus.
• ·      He told him what became of their soldiers fate.
• ·      Odysseus then took the rest of his men to go conquer Circe. On the way the mighty god Hermes came to aid Odysseus. He warned of Circe’s plot. Hermes gave him a root. The root would let Odysseus withstand her magic. He was instructed to charge Circe whenever the see realizes that the potion would not work.
• ·      He did this and then Circe wanted to go to bed with him.
• ·      He did, but after he pleaded for the life of his men to be saved.
• ·      She turned them back to men and they were so happy to see each other again!.
• ·      The crew ended up staying there for 1 whole year celebrating!
• ·      Once they left Circe told then they must go to the house of Hades and speak to the ghost of Theban Teiresias.
• ·      Once there Odysseus had to perform a ritual and sacrifice two sheep in order for  Teiresias to come and speak the truth.
• ·      He said that great danger awaited him because Poseidon was angry.
• ·      Odysseus spoke to his dead mother and other familiar faces.
• ·      After visiting the land of Hades the crew returned to Circe and see told them how to get past the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis.
• ·      They went on their way and when they reached the sirens.
• ·      The crew is not supposed to hear the sirens voice so they put beeswax in each other’s ears to get by. Once past the Sirens they reached Charybdis a water-sucking monster that tried to sink the ship.
• ·      Also Scylla approached with resembled a giant squid came at ate 6 of Odysseus’ men.