"We Owned The Night" Lady Antebellum

Tell me have you ever wanted
Someone so much it hurts?
Your lips keep trying to speak
But you just can't find the words
Well I had this dream once;
I held it in my hands


She was the purest beauty
But not the common kind
She had a way about her
That made you feel alive
And for a moment
We made the world stand still


Yeah, we owned the night


You had me dim the lights;
You danced just like a child
The wine spilled on your dress


And all you did was smile
Yeah, it was perfect
I hold it in my mind


Yeah, we owned the night


When the summer rolls around
And the sun starts sinking down
I still remember you
Oh, I remember you
And I wonder where you are


Are you looking at those same stars again?
Do you remember when?


We woke under a blanket
All tangled up in skin
Not knowing in that moment
We'd never speak again
But it was perfect;
I never will forget
When we owned the night


Yeah, we owned the night

Lady Antebellum wrote "We Owned the Night," to recall on the emotions the artists experienced from a past memory of loving "the purest beauty," and a memorable night they had once shared together. With the use of many poetic terms they bring this memory to life in the listener's mind. He talks about this dream he once had saying how "[he] held it in [his] hands," using personification as he could not actually hold the dream in his hand but the idea of a dream.  "You danced just like a child," is a simile that described how her dancing was carefree and intoxicated with joy. Parell structure such as "You had me dim the lights; You danced just like a child,"  is used to help the song flow smoothly together as well as to accentuate the setting and tone of the song. "We owned the night," is repeated several times throughout the song to emphasized how invincible they had felt. An apostrophe is brought into the song as he asked the girl, who is absent from his life, if she was "looking at those same stars again," like they once had. A paradoxical line they used is when he talked about being "all tangled up in skin," because while it is impossible to tangle their own skin up, it isn't impossible to tangle their bodies up with one another. This song makes listeners revive memories of their own past lovers and meaningful nights they once had together.

Fairy Tales versus Reality

           Fairy tales are causing havoc on modern day relationships, making girls believe they can wait around for their prince and then having unrealistic expectations for them to uphold. In Forget Prince Charming by June Callwood, she preaches to her granddaughters that they should have sensible expectations and stresses the point of not demanding too much of their companion because “no human relationship is friction free.” Alice Major uses satire to criticize the expectations men have of women due to these fairy tales in Puce Fairy Book. She exposes the flaws society has created by looking to these "[ladies] sleeping in a garden," and "waiting in [towers]," as role models and idealistic wives and partners. In both of these passages the authors attempt to break down the barrier of expectations and high demands these fairy tales have established.

The “oceanic feeling,” of love people experience as they start dating, while still an astounding sensation, is just “the temporary insanity,” of feelings like you have found the perfect mate. This is what June Callwood attempts to explain to her granddaughters in Forget Prince Charming. She advises them to have expectations, but not superficial and unrealistic ones that no one can live up to and to realize that no relationship is 50-50. She attempts to steer their thinking towards relationships as “a mutual ability to compromise.” She also advise them to look past their looks and first appearances and try find admirable characteristic traits such as trust, loyalty and honor in a potential partner. Another key aspect Callwood believes that helps contribute to a well bonded relationship is a sense of humor that “springs from awareness of life’s absurdities.” While she encourages her granddaughters to search for this mate with their head she admits that the "pounding heart is not always an idiot," and they also need to go on instinct sometimes to help lead them to the right decision and find their "inner wisdom," as well.

            “You wanted Rapunzel waiting in a tower braids of hair like ropes," this sums up how fairytales have created a unrealistic outlook that men should look for in women. Alice Major the author of Puce Fairy Book tries to break through the barrier of these expectations by saying how modern day women don’t expect to be brought a “crystal slipper on a heart-shaped pillow,” and sometimes “[forget] to water the roses round the door.” Women don’t want the pressure of living up to these expectations laid out for them by a story book character. They have had other "princes through...[their] forest,"  and not just been lounging around waiting and praying for their perfect mate to come rescue them. Even if the man was her "one true prince," and he had exceedingly high expectations that she couldn't possibly live up to, she would in fact turn him down out of self respect for herself. 

            Alice Major would agree with June Callwood in the case of modern day relationship expectations as both authors pointed out the unrealistic expectations both males and females have on each other . Major would concur with Callwood’s statement that “Prince Charming… is a narcissistic dope," because in her poem she criticizes how the men expects ladies to meet these absurd standards. Callwood would agree with Major's statement of no women should “[cut] off [her] toe,” just because of a man would want her to. Both authors are aware that while "some matters are not negotiable," couples need to be able to compromise while having realistic expectations of one another, in order to make a long term relationship last.  

Dear Santa...

Rebecca Oliver
2102 Darg Lane
Penticton, B.C.
V2A 3W1

February 15, 2011

Santa Claus
Toy Maker
Santa Workshop, North Pole


Dear Santa. I think I have been very good this year; in fact, I have improved! I have handed in all my assignments one week late instead of two weeks. I also haven't really be that late to school either. Only like half an hour at the most. My trumpet skills have gone through the roof this year as I actually practiced for the Christmas concert. My room has been this cleanest yet as I can somewhat see the floor again. I also let my brother beat me in Mario cart just so he can feel good about himself, while we're talking about video games, you should know that I have put my school work ahead of my Zelda gaming time. I also finally got my N! What can I say 3rd times the charm.
I really really want new sweaters but not expensive ones from Aritzia, Value Village works for me. A dictionary would be really nice so the next time I have to face paint it on my forehead I actually know how to spell grad. Ooh a elf that would put all my sheets of paper into the actual rings of my binder would be so good for me this year. That way when it falls out of the locker it wont fly everywhere and my locker wont have to clean it all up all the time. I also want a GPS tracking device to put in my binder because people hide it on me often and ill be able to find it really easily. Also some social skills would be nice so when I'm at parties I wont just sit in a corner or lie behind a couch and just babble to myself. A lemonade making kit would be helpful too so that I don't have to attempt to make my own lemonade, I always hate it when i put too much sugar in, or worse, not enough. I would also like a destiny's child CD so I know what survivor is suppose to sound like.

If you give me at least one of my demands I promise I will keep believing in you.
Thanks a Ton
Rebecca
Ps. I'll leave cookies

Description

     An aged man was the only inhabitant at the vacant bar. As I slid up beside him and ordered a drink, he acknowledged my presence with an absent glance. The stories his steel blue eyes held could challenge a storyteller. As he turned his head and went back to staring at nothing in particular, I caught a glimpse of the hard work etched into the wrinkles he wore around his eyes. Like moths drawn to a lamp post, the cigarette smoke curled around his head. As he took a drag of his dying cigarette he sputtered out a cough and wheezed to no one in particular, "These things will kill me."
    Slowly he moved his arm, cracking with arthritis, to his cheek, and relaxed his sandpaper skin against it.  I noticed his worn out boots caked with mud and dirt, when he slumped off the stool to leave. As he limped to the door I just stared at him depressing every second as this man teetered on like a toddler learning to walk.

Collage Application

I am Evyn Haberstock, yes the Evyn Haberstock. I understand that you are wanting a list of achievements but I have an abundant amount of achievements and to go over every single one would take me about 3 years with no breaks; so to save you the time, I will just name a few.

            Perhaps you have seen any one of the James Bond movies? Those are based on my Sundays. Kobe Bryant looks to me for inspiration during our Wednesday night pick up games. The sun only comes out when I tell it to. Its hard for me to walk anywhere due to the swarming of my adoring fans, which reminds me, I still need to get a restraining order for Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. They seem to despise singers that can actually sing. I can also design clothes better then Vera Wang,  I can pick up any language in less then a day and I can find Waldo as I am the reason he is hiding.

           People often say that I am the Mozart of my generation but that is impossible considering Mozart was the musical prodigy following my rein of the music world. I compete in competitive fly fishing and hold the record for holding the longest breath underwater in a shark tank. I conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest in one day, I raced Bolt and beat him and I flew the hot air balloon I made in my shed around the world in yes, 29 not 80 days. I play the cello, harmonica and violin in my world renown one man band and I have beaten the laws of physics. I have a cat who I taught to play piano and I have a fish who I've train to breath out of water. I have also taught Muhammad Ali to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

I've seen Paris, I've seen Apollo 13's re-entry to the earth and I've even seen Benjamin Franklin discover Electricity but I have not yet seen myself walk across the stage of a University graduation. 

Dialogue

     "How we going to do this?" asked Charles as he sat down beside Henry.
     Henry hissed "How many times do I have to tell you we can't talk about this in an open area. I don't want any guards or fellow convicts to over hear us."
     "I know you said we cant talk about it in the open but I just don't understand how this is going to work!" stated Charles, "How are we supposed to get over the fence? Wont a guard see us? They are always watching."
     "Well they are going to spot us now if you don't stop talking about it."
     Charles' face light up with excitement "I got an idea! How about I distract the guards when you crawl over the fence then come back to distract them while I climb over!"
     "That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard!" retorted Henry. "You want me to escape from jail then sneak back into jail while you escape? That just doesn't work."
    "Oh, well I didn't think about that part." sighed Charles
    "Hold on. You're on to something." Henry thought out loud.
    "I am?"
    Henry just smiled at Charles who looked very confused. "Yes, we need to enlist in some help. We need someone else to distract the guards while we escape."
     "Okay!" agreed Charles " Wait, who is going to help us?"
     "Well we're going to have to find someone." decided Henry as he stood up.

George was alone in the stable when Curley's wife appeared in the doorway. Their eyes locked...
     "Well," Curley's wife exclaimed "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Curley's wife inched closer to George.
     "Yes long time no see! How have you been? I haven't seen you since god knows when!" inquired George as he gave her a friendly hug.
     "Well," hesitated Curley's wife, "as you know I went to the coast to pursue my dream of acting, however I needed a job to help pay my rent and it got to much for me to handle. I burnt my candle at both ends trying to land a steady acting job yet working a normal job to pay rent so I gave up and moved back here to settled down" George stepped back stunned.
     "Woah, that is not the girl I remember. Okay I'm going to tell you something, you might not like me right now but someday you will thank me for this. You need to leave this ranch and Curley and sink your teeth back into your dream."
     "Really? Your one to talk. What happened to settling down and taking the plunge of marriage?" Curleys wife questioned.
     "Yes well there was a girl and we were engaged for a bit until she left me at the altar because she thought she could do better and ran off with the rancher's son who had a face only a mother could love. I tried to convince her to stay, I really tried but as the old swamper would say if you love something set it free."
     "Well she will come to realize that all that all that glitter is not gold when it comes to marrying a rancher's son. Believe me, I should know." said Curley's wife trying to comfort George, who had tears streaming down his face "George it will work out, there is light at the end of the tunnel."
     "Your right!" realized George. "This is just a bump in the road on the way to happiness." All of a sudden the barn door burst open.
     "You better say your prayers George. That's my wife your talking to!" Curley demanded, guns blazing, as he started to trudged over to George and his wife. "You are in hot water!"
      "You need to show him the door" whispered George to Curleys wife, "Do you really want this to be your life? Controlled by your husband?" Curley was edging closer to the two childhood friends.
     "Your right!" she whispered to George.
     "Curley!" shouted his wife "Get lost! I don't want to see you ever again! We are over!" Curley stopped where he was and looked at his wife.
     "No were not done. I'll change!" pleaded Curley "Please just don't leave me."
     "No I need to do this. I need to follow my dream." Curley's wife decided. "Lets blow this joint George." She grabbed his hand and marched out the door. When they were outside George smiled and looked at his old friend and said
"Well I guess we are back at square one."