Monday, June 2, 2014

Finals Week (and Tribute)

Well, finals week is finally here. I know that I have not blogged in 5-ever, but vlogging and other school work has seemed to take its toll on my time. It is still so hard for me to imagine that I only have 3 partial days  of school left, and then I am going to be a junior. And as much as I am going to love the break from work, I am so sad that my 10th grade year is coming to an end. This school year has been extremely hard for me, and it feels good to say that I have made it. I have made it through think and thin, and thinner yet. This year I have experienced loss, tragedy, and hardships beyond belief. I made the biggest and bravest decision of my life to "come out of the closet", and I couldn't be prouder of myself. I have seen my best friend suffer since the day he was told that he had cancer. I have been through hell and back so to speak, and I have made it. It is hard for me to even talk about this school year without getting emotional, because it was so bittersweet. I definitely wouldn't have made it through without the small moments of joy that made me keep trying.

This leads me to the tribute part of this blog. As I have said, this year was extremely difficult, and I would like to thank the person who has helped me the most, my English teacher Mrs. Jenkins. Whether she realizes it or not, she has made a monumental impact on my life, one that words couldn't begin to describe. To start off, she has helped me through my whole coming out process. After learning about my coming out, she spent a whole period talking to me about staying strong through it, and how she would be there for me if I ever needed anyone. That brings me to tears just thinking about it, because without my mom or my sisters, I would have no one who could truly help me. It amazes me that a teacher is willing to do so much for a student, even when they have no obligation to do so. Many teachers are there for their students 42 minutes a day, and then they are done. Mrs. Jenkins goes above and beyond anything that she is required to do, just out of the passion she has for her students. In fact, she has been a tutor for my friend Cory as he has been battling his cancer. She is the reason that he is going to be able to graduate with our class. Mrs. Jenkins has a poster in her room that says, "I call my students 'my kids' because in our year together they aren't just kids on my class list, they become a part of my heart." This poster could not be any more true for her. She takes her job to a level that I have never seen any other teacher go. Her lessons throughout the year are not just for an English class, but they are lessons that can be applied in the real world, and can make us all better people. She has made a tribute video for our class, and gave an uplifting speech based off the poem "The Lost Generation". I honestly had the hardest time trying to hold back the tears. She is literally one of the greatest teachers I have ever had, and it is hard to picture English class without her. Mrs Jenkins, You have touched my heart and changed my life in a way that you may never know. And I am honored to say that you were my teacher, and I can't wait to have you again as a senior, at my request. I have had the greatest year with you, and  it is hard for me to believe that it is over.


Monday, February 24, 2014

Vlog Dog Schmog

In English class, we have again taken on a project in which we initiate ourselves to reach an outcome, using the concept of 20 %. The idea of 20% time is that you spend on self motivated learning. For my project, I have decided to take on vlogging. Vlogging is the idea of making video blogs rather than just typing them out. I have uploaded two videos so far, and I have four more weeks left for my project. Because I have actually grown an interest for making vlogs, I might maintain my YouTube channel even after the project deadline. My channel name on YouTube is "ever so creatively" BrandonVlogsYou. All three of my videos can be found below. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe over on YouTube.

Interview with Stef Lo

Vlog #1- Introduction

Vlog #2- Coming Out Story 

Friday, February 14, 2014

This Game is Flapping Ridiculous

As many people are probably well aware of, a new game has made its short lived entrance into the app store. This game is called Flappy Birds. And it has managed to make its way onto the cell phones, tablets, and many other iDevices of many young people. This game has been one of the most addictive games to come into the app store in quite a while. Although many games are fun, this game is highly addictive. This game has led to the murder of a 17 year old by his 16 year old brother, over a low score. The developer of the game has also received death threats for taking the game out of the app store. Devices that are already equipped with Flappy Birds are selling online for ridiculous amounts of money. Still, I am not going to let this game get the better of me. I vow not to play it for hours at a time, nonstop....Besides, it is highly unlikely that I can beat my high score of 315...



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Updates

This post is just to let some of my readers know that I have updated a few of my older posts. I have added to my list of favorite movies and TV shows, and am working on compiling a list of my favorite books.

Outrage 6- Teen Receives Death Threats

The story that I just read is something horrific that I cannot even begin to fathom. A teen in Minnesota recently received two anonymous death threats for his sexuality. The original story can be found on the PFLAG Facebook page or TheGailyGrind website here. Below is a link to the video that led to these violent threats and a copy of the message. **WARNING** Some of the words used are vulgar, and the situations presented are not suitable for everyone.

The Video

After reading the letter, you can see why this would upset me. I have reached out to the teen in hopes of giving him a positive message to hang in there. Hopefully I can be kept up to date as to if the students who wrote this letter get caught. It absolutely sickens me that people can be so ignorant, intolerant, and hateful. It is situations like this who make me want to lose faith in humanity. People should never treat another human being like this. It is uncalled for. Words can't describe how much this upsets me. It is not gay people who are hurting society, it is people like this who have nothing but hate in their heart. I can only hope that things get better for Ryan, and hopefully we can stay in touch. 



Sunday, January 19, 2014

Team Cory T-Shirts


For the people who frequent my blog, you will know that my best friend was recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Our English teacher designed these t-shirts to help offset his medical and travel expenses. In purchasing a t-shirt, you will become an official member of TEAM CORY and a profit will go directly to the Perry family. For anybody who wants to help Cory win his fight, you can click here to purchase a shirt. The shirts are $20 each, in which 50% goes to help Cory.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

2013- A Year in Review--The Good, The Bad, and the Downright Ugly

January- "Size does matter. I think of essays and you think of wieners" Mrs. Shoemaker cracks a joke in light of what just happened at Sandy Hook. The movie Lifted becomes my favorite. The song American Beautiful is released.

February- on the 27th, Get Mitch Albom to Come to Sayre was created.

March- on the 1st, my sister Brittany Johnson turned 17. On the 3rd, my dad would have been 34. Our family had our last get-together at Bonanza. On the 4th, Mitch Albom noticed our Facebook page. On the 15th, Alan Vanderpool, local DJ, died in a car accident. 

April- On the 15th, the Boston Marathon was bombed. On the 29th, we went to see Romeo and Juliet with Mrs. Shoemaker. 

May- On the 3rd, our freshman English class had a video chat with Mitch Albom. On the 9th, myself, Izaic Wright, and Sydney Post were on the radio to discuss what Mitch had to tell us. On the 7th, the video for Highway Don't Care came out. On the 15th, I celebrated my 15th birthday. On the 28th, we put flowers on my dad's grave for memorial day, my grandpa had a second heart attack, and I won a signed t-shirt from The Henningsens...That was a crazy day for sure!

June- School ended and my depression started. My best year of high school had come to an end. I had another father's day without my dad, and my grandma had surgery this month.

July- On the 12th, my sister won Athen's Idol Karaoke...The next day, Cory Monteith died.

August- On the 8th, I am really hit hard with depression. On the 12th, I "came out" to my mom and my sisters, which feels amazing now. On August 16th, my grandma was admitted to the hospital for a major heart attack, where she went in and out of ICU for a month. On the 27th, I started my first day of school, sophomore year. The 31st made 7 years since my dad died. 

September- On the 3rd, Shelby Vaughn lost her father, and I won a signed Mitch Albom book. On the 4th, my grandma was released from the hospital. On the 13th, I regret poor choices I made in the past. On the 16th, Season 9 of Bones was released. On the 17th, I started identifying myself as atheist. On the 18th, I got my first boyfriend. On the 29th, I watched The Laramie Project for the first time. 

October- On the 4th, my grandpa had heart surgery. On the 5th through the 10th, I was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and major depression. On the 11th, I "came out" to my friends on National Coming Out Day. On the 18th, Mrs. Jenkins and I had a heartfelt conversation that would change how I feel about her for sure. 

November- On the 4th, I finished my Dr. Suess story about Gay Marriage rights, one of my favorite pieces I have ever written. On the 9th, I met Youtube stars Nichole337, Matthew Lush, and Matt Daly on Younow. On the 10th, I met my friend Paul Retsu Nguyen on Younow. On the 15th, the song Follow Your Arrow was released. On the 21st, I was able to talk a girl out of suicide which really made me feel good. I also met my best internet friend and my Twinsee, Brandon Thatcher. Him and Paul have really been there when I need them, and I couldn't thank them enough. I also watched a movie called Prayers for Bobby which really changed my views on Conservative Christians. On the 23rd, I watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a movie that really touched my heart. On the 25th I experienced my first break-up...bummer! On the 26th, I discovered the TV show Glee. 

December- On the 2nd, Jamie Lynn Spears released her first country single How Could I Want More. On the 3rd, I found out about my friends tumor. On the 13th my friend had a tissue biopsy, and on the 16th, he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. On the 18th, the Duck Dynasty controversy began. On the 25th, I had one of the best Christmases I have ever had, even though it was my 8th without my dad. 

January 1st and the new year began. January 3rd, and Cory went to his first of many chemotherapy treatments. Along with Cory's cancer, I can guarantee there are going to be lots of other hardships and struggles of 2014. Although now, I am prepared to take them head on. With the help of the people mentioned above, I can make it through anything!

Help Cory Beat Cancer

I am going to start of this blog post with yet another apology...I am sorry that I did not post anything for Christmas or to help bring in the new year. To be honest, I was trying to avoid making people feel the same stale and bitter depression that I have been experiencing for the past few months. But with the new year, I have decided to take on a new attitude. This next year is going to push me to my limits, but I decided to take things head on. I need to make the most of what I have been given, and appreciate everything under the circumstances, because reasons to smile are hard to come by anymore. For those of you who follow my blogging, you will know that 2013 has not been my year. The struggles, hardships, and stressors seemed to weigh me down to where I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. To make matters worse, On December 16th, my best friend was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Yesterday, he received his first of many chemotherapy treatments. He is receiving his treatments at one of the best facilities in our area, the only one qualified to treat him. But transportation to and from his appointments is 180 miles, which can get very costly. Medical bills are going to be piling up for his family as it is, and being able to make it to his treatments shouldn't be an issue. In order to help out, a fundraiser has been started to raise money for his travel expenses. So I decided to reach out to some of my readers for help. It only takes one person to make a difference, and he could really use the help right now. Cancer is a big enough stress as it is, and I don't want finances to be another struggle for his family. So anyone who is able to help, please click here to make a donation. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, and thank you to anyone who is planning on making a donation. Your support really means a lot!