Creative Writing Assignment

"The most beautiful smile I ever saw…"

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The most beautiful smile I ever saw was hardly even a smile at all. It was little more than a slight upturning of her lips and small delicate crinkles at the corners of her tear-filled eyes. Despite how her face had swollen from crying, despite the bruise that was blooming around the cut on her cheek, she was radiant. Perhaps it was the solemn conviction in her glassy eyes, or perhaps it was the light from the window behind her that formed a sort of halo around her, but in that moment I knew that this was a girl who was born to be a martyr.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot she had yet to give me the answer to my question, the answer I knew she would give.

"It's kind of you to offer," she said quietly. "But I can't stay with you. You know that."

I nodded and made a sort of choked hum in the back of my throat to convey my understanding, though I could feel a few of my own tears welling. Why, why, did it have to be her, of all people? Why was it this girl who had allowed herself to have such a duty thrust upon her? She was not, as so many believed, a messiah or a savior. She was a good person, better than most, the best, maybe. But she was hewn of flesh and bone, just as I. 

I frowned at this train of thought. Was that not how all messiahs started out? Flesh and bone?

Perhaps her believers were right in a way. I knew that after she had made a corpse of herself, she would become what they said she was. Flesh and bone can only contain divinity for so long before it’s consumed. Perhaps that explained why the best people burn bright and fast; organic matter can accommodate that sliver of divinity for a length of time that amounts to a cosmic millisecond before it immolates.

Sighing, I smiled wanly at her. “Of course. I understand,” I said, my voice hoarse. “Go, then. Go do what you must do.”

Without another word she nodded and turned away from me, her combat boots leaving sooty footprints in my pristine carpet as she walked to the door. I watched her leave my office, and then turned to my window to watch her exit the building a minute or two later. She strode, without hesitation, down the street and towards the war-zone that was the center of the city. I couldn’t help but feel that I was watching her go to her death sentence. 

Magazine Peer Review

1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Raine Magazine - Violet

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

I really loved the photo used for the cover, and the logo/title of the magazine. 

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

Maybe add a border to the square around the title because the black blends in with the subject's hair. 

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The title style is really original and the picture is gorgeous.

5. Is there a bar code? 

Yes.

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

Yes.

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

Portrait.

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

The Watch Magazine - Seyi

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

The cover photo is really cool; I love the perspective used. I also like how the text avoids covering up the subject.

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

Find fonts that make the cover look a bit more polished. 

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The portrait used is interesting.

5. Is there a bar code? 

Yes.

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

Yes.

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

Portrait.

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Fetch - Laurel

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

I liked how the title stood out because how it was arranged vertically, and there were only a few colors in the photo, which made things lest chaotic.

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

Make sure the words don't overlap with a part of the photo that will make them a bit difficult to read.

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The colors were very contrasting, which made it look classy and it stood out.

5. Is there a bar code? 

Yes (a QR code).

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

Somewhat. It was a bit odd for it to be a QR code.

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

Self portrait.

Magazine Cover 1

Current Events Quiz 4/14

1. What % of the franchise tax could state business donate to a voucher bill program designed to help students attend private school if they are unhappy with their public school options? Page A1 "Texas Senate…"
Up to 50%. 

2. What are the "two biggest civic challenges" facing Austin, according to mayor Steve Adler? Page A1 "Adler: Austin's success…"
Traffic and housing costs. 

3. What is the political cartoon on Page A9 by Dan Wasserman from the Washington Globe trying to tell is, in your opinion?
The cartoon references the numerous accounts of American police officers shooting unarmed citizens, most, if not all, of whom were black. Many of the murders were caught on tape (and yet very few officers are indicted, not to mention punished). By the graves in "Small Comfort Cemetery" being marked with just the words "There was a video of the shooting," it highlights the fact that despite the fact that there's proof that the victims were innocent, it's a "small comfort" to their loved ones, because they're not coming back.

4. Who won the Master's Golf Tournament over the weekend? Where did he go to college? How old is he? How much money has he made this year? Page C1
Jordan Spieth, the University of Texas, 21, $5 million.


5. What is the number 1 movie in the country this week? Have you seen it? Do you want to go see it? Page D2
Fast and Furious 7, no I haven't seen it, no I don't want to see it. 

Short Answer: Read the story on B1 "Pilot program lets Texas soldiers vote by email"

If this pilot program continues to have the same success it has in the past, it could pave the way for everyone to vote via email. Do you think Americans in 2015 should be voting by email? Do you think there are problems that could arise if people were allowed to vote by email? Are there solutions to those problems? Do you think you might be able to vote via email or online in your lifetime?

No, I don't think that people should be voting by email. Maybe there's potential for electronic voting as a concept, but email can be easily tampered with by people who are experts with things like hacking. I can certainly see candidates having the ballots skewed in their favor, especially as cyber-subterfuge becomes more and more common. There are probably solutions to these problems, but I'd still be wary. I wouldn't doubt it if I'll be able to vote online in my lifetime. 

Portrait

Self Portrait

Favorite Cover

This is my favorite portrait cover out of all of the ones on the website. I love the fuzzy, grainy quality of the photo, and the colors of Nicki's makeup and hair give it a sort of ethereal look that I really like. It’s not a particularly sharp image, in fact it’s a bit blurry and out of focus, but it definitely works here. It’s a very striking and different image that is contrasted by the bold fonts used in the text on the sides and on the cover, which makes it stick out more. It’s a very unusual cover, and it definitely works.