Response: The Inner Ring

The concept of an "inner ring" can be applied to basically anything. It didn't really occur to me until I read this, but it really makes sense. There are inner circles present in every thing. Everyone knows there are cliques in school, in fact that might be the most cliche way to show cliques in society imaginable. But there are those "popular" people that everyone wants to be. It might be more present in middle school than high school, especially wayzata high school since we have so many students, but its there. Everywhere in society there are circles. There are the best dressed people in the work place, there are the captains on the sports team. The people in college that get invited to the coolest parties, which is a more relevent example to what C.S. Lewis is making a point about in his address to college students.

He makes his point about this topic very clear when he comes right out and says he has something to say about the world. The thing that makes this a good address is that he gives examples and tries to relate them to the group he is talking about. He knows who he is speaking to, and is able to cater directly to them. He makes an example about the Russian army and comes right out and says that it might not be the perfect example to use for his audience. He comes right out and says to them that he doesn't think that was a great example and then tries to relate to them. Lewis makes all of his points obvious. Its the perfect way to make his speech, because its clear what he's talking about. It leaves everyone to relate to the point in their own way, like I have in the paragraph above.

Epic Speeches

Okay this first one I just found online when I was searching for RFL (relay for life) speeches and I love him. If you can get past the clearly ridiculous scene, the actual speech is pretty inspirational. (He's talking about the 12 hour relay against cancer they did in Phoenix.) So here's the vid:

Okay this second one is from a movie- I heard that was okay- but its clearly the most epic speech ever and I am in love with it :] The courage of men shall never fail us as long as Aragorn is there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reIaKZSMHu8

Alert

Alert:  fully aware, attentive, agile, wide-awake
Part of Speech: adjective
Origin: (according to dictionary.com)

c.1600, from Fr. alerte  "vigilant," from phrase à l'erte  "on the watch," from It. all'erta  "to the height," from erta  "lookout, high tower," orig. fem. of erto,  pp. of ergere  "raise up," from L. erigere  "raise." The adv. is the oldest form in Eng.; the adj. is from 1712, the noun from 1803, and the verb from 1868

Synonmys:

1. Active-adjective; engaged in action; characterized by energetic work, participation, etc.; busy: an active life. Origin: 1300–50; < L āctīvus
2. Attentive-adjective; characterized by or giving attention; observant: an attentive audience. Origin: 1375–1425; late ME (Scots
3. Enthralled-adjective; to be held spell-bound. Origin: 1570–80; en + thrall
4. Awake-adjective; waking; not sleeping, alert. Origin: bef. 1000; ME awaken,
5. Aware-adjective; having knowledge; conscious; cognizant: aware of danger. Origin: 1100; ME, var. of iwar,  OE gewær  watchful
6. Interested-adjective; having the attention or curiosity engaged. Origin: 1225–75; (n.) ME < ML, L: it concerns, lit., it is between; r. interesse
7. Heedful-adjective; taking heed; attentive; mindful; thoughtful; careful.Origin: 1540–50; heed + full
8. Vigilant-adjective; ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful. Origin: 1470–80; < L vigilant-  (s. of vigilāns ), prp. of vigilāre  to be watchful.
9. Observant-adjective; quick to notice or perceive; alert. Origin: 1425–75; late ME < F, prp. of observer.
10. Watchful-adjective; vigilant or alert; closely observant. Origin: 1540–50; watch + full.

Paris

I've recently decided that after college I want to move to Paris. Which might be considered a little odd,  considering I've only been there once and don't speak French. However, I just realized I'm not a huge fan of our country. Especially Minnesota. There's nothing here that interests me anymore. And Paris, well, such a different story!

I went to Paris this past summer, during a tour of Europe I was on. We were only there for about four days, and I wish we could have stayed longer. The Louvre, which we spent several hours at, was gorgeous but surprisingly not one of my favorite things. The Eiffel tower, also, was gorgeous. The view from the top was spectacular, well worth all the steps we walked up to see it. My favorite thing about Paris, though, was the atmosphere.

I've always lived in suburbs, and as a little kid wanted to move to a ranch in the middle of Montana. Now, though, I can no more see myself living in the middle of the outdoors than I can see myself enjoying a hamburger. (As a vegetarian, thats a fair comparison). I want to live in the city. Paris in particular, at least during the summer days we were there, was gorgeous. The architecture was beautiful, and there were people everywhere, walking, chattering in French, riding their bikes to work or simply sitting on benches outside enjoying the day. I love the idea of being able to take a bike to work, of being able to walk where I want to go in the streets of Paris.

Now, its not just Paris that interests me. I also loved London, and since my family lives there moving there would be so much easier. In London though, if no one noticed, they speak English. The reason I perfered Paris was that the language was so different, so much prettier. Silly and material, but true. I like the adventure of moving somewhere with a limited knowledge of the language and culture and trying to make my way. I sound as though I'm quoting "Eat, Pray, Love", and maybe I am. Even though I found the movie just a little corny, the actual idea of what that character did excited me. I want to try it someday.