I was never into reading History books or Historical Fiction stories until about a year ago. That’s when I read History my mind started to form it into it’s own love story, soap opera, or young adult novel. All of the sudden, History just wasn’t facts about yesterday; they were stories about people like us today.

Now, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t just stumble along this book; it itself didn’t pop out and grab my interest. There’s a movie that my family watches frequently called “Troy” which has Brad Pitt and other hot actors. The story–and the shirtless six-packed men–in the movie caught and held my attention. I wanted to know more about the Troy vs. Sparta conflict. When searching for a book to read online, I immediately discovered this one. And even though it is titled the same as the move of my interest, they are clearly not the same story.

In the movie, you get to know more about what goes through the men hero’s lives and how this battle affects them. There is no good and bad, it just is. Once in the movie, in an almost showdown between Achilles, great Spartan/Greek warrior, and Prince Hector, eldest Prince of Troy and magnificent leader, Prince Hector said, “In a thousand years the dust from our bones shall be gone.” Achilles responded, “Yes, Prince, but our names shall remain.” It is portrayed that Prince Paris, the younger brother of Prince Hector, is completely and totally in love with Queen Helen of Sparta and would do anything to be with her. Paris and Helen are in love and forever will be in love. Hector is completely in love with his wife, Andromache, and his son, Astyanax, and would do any and everything to protect and love them. Their father, King Priam, is a man of honor and doesn’t approve of Paris’s choices to bring Helen, but would “fight a thousand wars before seeing his son die.” Achilles’ cousin, Patroklos, went with Achilles and the soldiers to Troy. One day, when Achilles was refusing to fight–“[I will not fight] until Agamemnon groans to have Achilles back”–Patroklos, behind his cousin’s back, put on Achilles armor and led the men into battle, posing as Achilles. Prince Hector goes up against him, thinking it Achilles. After he has killed Patroklos dead, he removes his helmet and finds that it is not Achilles. After Achilles finds out that Hector has killed his cousin, he become overwhelmingly upset and furious. He takes off to Troy, and screams at the Gates of Troy for Prince Hector to come down and face him. When Prince Hector comes, Achilles kills him and then ties him by the ankles and carries him off on his carriage. King Priam is horrified, and later that night goes to Achilles, and begs at his feet and kisses his hands, he wants his son to have the proper burial ceremonies. Achilles is touched, and with his tears, gives the King Prince Hector’s body. When the Spartans and Greek “present” the Trojans with the Horse of Troy and it is welcomed into the castle, later that night the Spartans and Greeks come out of the horse and began to terrorize the Trojans. Prince Hector before his death had briefed his wife, Andromache, on an escape from Troy and into the mountains. Andromache escapes with Helen, Astyanax, and some other women and young men. Prince Paris stays to go and find his cousin, who was also given back to the Trojans by Achilles the day Prince Hector’s body was picked up. But Prince Paris finds Achilles with his cousin, and despite his cousin’s begging to not harm Achilles, Paris shoots him in the ankle, ending his life. Prince Paris did not know that his cousin and Achilles were lovers. And Achilles’ death is what ends the movie.

However, things in the book are much different. The main aspects that makes things different are: the involvement of Greek Religions and gods and goddesses, the variety of people the story is told through, and the perspective of which the story is told. In the movie, there is a mention of the gods and goddesses, but in the book, mortals see gods and goddesses walking around like normal people but do not remember the encounters soon after they are over. It is the gods and goddesses in the story that affected the battle; they wrote it and made sure it turned out that way. In the movie, you see the two different sides of the story; you see Achilles, and Agamemnon, and the Greeks and Spartans, along with Prince Hector, Prince Paris, and the other Trojans. Well, in the book you only get the side of the Trojans–one disappointment. The perspective in the movie is mainly through the heroes, or the men; the perspective in the book is through the women, royalty or otherwise–something that tended to also be a disappointment on occasion. In the movie, you see a short time.

It makes it seem as if the story and battle lasts three months at the most, but in the book the battle has been going on for ten years. A different perspective is offered. The Trojans used to flourish with their farming and herding, but now that they’re restricted to mainly the inside of their kingdom, they are no where near as wealthy as they once were. So some women in the story do believe that this battle was not only over getting Queen Helen of Sparta back for Menalaus, her previous husband and Agamemnon’s brother; but in the movie it was also clear that Agamemnon was war hungry, not just interested in getting Menalaus his wife back. [NOTE: In the movie Paris did go against Menalaus, but gave up half way through. That’s when Hector killed Menalaus and Agamemnon ordered his men to attack again.] These women also new of Agamemnon’s crave for owning the world, but they also thought his interest in Troy and everything political also came into play. And I’m not going to pretend to know anything about the politics and stuff, so we’ll leave that there. But the ten year battle has shorted Troy of it’s food and has caused many, many deaths. As mentioned, the gods and goddesses manage to stir things up in Troy as they themselves get tired of the world. You get an appearance from Poseidon, the God of Water; Zeus, the King of Gods; Ares, the God of War; and Hephaestus, the God of Metal-Working. But the God and Goddess that have a rather engaging roll in the story, are Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, and Eros, God of Sexual Love. Two sisters are the two that probably carry the whole story. Xanthe and Marpessa. Marpessa is a handmaiden to Helen who is considered the most beautiful woman in the world and also has the ability to see Gods walking around and talking and remember it. Xanthe is kind and reserved and takes care of wounded soldiers in The Blood Room. It is in the Blood Room that Xanthe is tending to a young Alastor and she is struck with one of Eros’ arrows, which makes her have a strong sexual attraction to Alastor. Alastor was struck with an arrow too, but it’s not Xanthe he’s attracted to…It’s her sister, Marpessa. Marpessa is put under Aphrodite’s spell, however, the spell of real love, not sexual love. Then you mix in a best girl friend and another guy, things only get more complicated. Xanthe also helps tend to Astyanax and Andromache, too, when her husband dies.

Disappointments in the Book:

1. The mystic, majesty of Achilles is taken away.
2. The deep love between Paris and Helen is, too, removed.
3. Other deaths and tales in the movie were removed or told differently.

Satisfactions in the Book:

1. The love between characters, well-known or otherwise, is stepped up a notch.
2. The inner part that Gods and Goddesses play adds to the drama and majesty of the story.
3. Perhaps a more hard truth is told in the book and the reader is to deal with that.

 Overall, “Troy” written by Adele Geraz get’s three of five stars. Overall, “Troy” directed by Wolfgang Petersen get’s five of five stars.

Things to Note:

• Later legends that Achilles was invulnerable in all of his body except for hisheel. Since he died due to an arrow shot into his heel, the “Achilles’ heel” has come to mean a person’s principal weakness…When Achilles was born Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the river Styx. However, he was left vulnerable at the part of the body she held him by, his heel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles
• It is said that special armor was made for Achilles by the God Hephaestus.
• It is also said that Achilles’ downfall was when he fell in love.
• Those of you who are interested in stories like these which involve Greek Gods and Goddesses, check out the Percy Jackson series.
• Those of you into the Vampire/Twilight Cliché’, and read The House Of Night Series, note that their Goddess, Nyx, is the Greek Goddess of Night, so the vampires in the story truly follow Greek Religion. And those that haven’t read The HON Series, should!

What To Read Next?

• The Memoirs of Helen of Troy: A Novel, http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Helen-Troy-Novel/dp/0307338606/ref=pd_cp_b_1
• Achilles, http://www.amazon.com/Achilles-Mike-Chapman/dp/0967608058
• Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson_%26_the_Olympians
• The Library of Greek Mythology, http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/isbn=9780199536320/search=Library+Greek+Mythology/st=product/sv=title
• The House of Night Series, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Night

She tells you how the dance turned out, who she ended up getting jewelery from, she updates you on Lyric Mania, annnd you get to here her first ramble-i mean movie review.

How was everyone’s Valentines Day/Singles Awareness Day? Okay? Good? Great? Awful? Hm, well I guess it sucks to be you. Just kidding.  Well I can tell you that I enjoyed the night before V-day that the actually holiday itself. I went out to eat with my two of my best guy friends and then we went to the dance. Now, let’s be honest here, the dance this time wasn’t has fun as last time. There weren’t as many people. You see, most of the eighth graders decided they were all just going to stay home so only a couple eighth graders came and the rest were seventh grade.

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 Unfortunately, the DJ wasn’t as good as the last one and he played BedRock as a slow dance song….WHO DOES THAT? That is SO not a slow dance song. And I think he figured that we weren’t the slow dance type of kids so he gave up on it and so no slow dancing for us. But that’s okay because everyone that I wanted to dance with, I went over and talked to anyways, so it wasn’t a COMPLETE and total fail on the “BOYS BOYS BOYS!” end of the dance. But who cares, I had fun. 

 

       The day after Valentines Day, I went with one of the same guy friend I went out to eat with, to the movies and out to eat again. We saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief…..

 

!G-Nuh’s! Review on “The Lightning Thief”:

AWFUL!!

Yeah, I said it, AWFUL!

Now, before you get angry with me because you have seen it and liked it….you obviously haven’t read the book. If you haven’t read the book and you saw it, I understand, you don’t know the story of Percy Jackson and would probably like the movie. And if you have read the book, seen the movie, and still liked it, you are the most insane person I’ve ever met, and I mean it. I was so angry when I came out of the movie theater, I was almost yelling about all the things that weren’t right. The first thing I knew was wrong before I even saw the movie was the casting. The people are supposed to be TWELVE YEARS OLD! NOT SEVENTEEN! At some point in the movie, they all drive. Oh, and guess what, the kid who plays Percy? 18. Annabeth? 21 or so. Grover? Like 23.  Seriously, people, the castng sucks. Plus, Grover…since when is he colored? And Annabeth? She is supposed to have blond curly hair and gray eyes, not straight brunette hair with blue eyes!! Camp Half-Blood sucked. Olympus sucked. Auntie Ems sucked. What about the Arch and Echidna? What about the Oracle? What about Ares and Clarisse? What about Dionysus? What about Cerberus? What about Charon? What about Luke’s scar? What about the fight between Luke and Percy in the forrest with the scorpion? Persephones freeing them from Hades, WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? They never ever went to the Parthenon in Nashville! Oh and I’m pretty sure they kill the Hydra in the second book. Not the first. You probably have no idea what I’m talking about but it’s true. Trust me, I could go on and on and on all day about this movie. The books are so completely much more worth it. Rick Riordan, the author, was screwed from behind on that one.          

       *Exhale*……Okay I’m calm, I’m going to stop talking about this topic or else I will probably start hyperventilating with anger….okay.

                    

 

       ^^^^                                   ^^^^

Book- Amazing                    Movie- Sucks

 

Well, I guess that the first book review on G-Nuh’s Corner

 

  Alright well, with all that said, um….Lyric Mania? Yes, well I am working on that and will get it on here soon. I’m debating on which song to do. I’ll think about it and get back to ya.

 

 

Now, get outta here, you Krazie Kid!!

- !G-Nuh!

 

 

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OPINIONS: MORE LANGUAGE OPTIONS AT THE SCHOOL

By:Hails

At out little town, it is understood that not only do we have limited space in the school, but that we are also on a budget that is, too, limited. However, I believe that foreign languages are very essential in a student’s education. Many teenagers want to excel and aim for bigger things. Some of these goals may need some sort of education in a foreign language or two. May I also add that languages are being spread all over the country, as well. The combination of cultures, religions, idea, and languages change many things. It is good for people to know how to communicate. I am in no way implying that Spanish is not an important part of the curriculum, actually i think it’s great that they are focusing on it. However, I do not think it would harm any part of the community–actually, I’m saying it would help many situations greatly–if students also had the option of, say, a French class. And if that will not work, perhaps we should try a French club. We need to expose students to another type of foreign language education–other than Spanish. I also purpose that even if we have to minimize our focus on Spanish curriculum in order to bring in another language, then so be it. That is my opinion on the matter.

Read my article about Football Friday Nights here…

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OPINIONS: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES

By:Hails

Part of the enjoyment of coming back to school in the fall, is the pep rallies, the jersies, the players, the cheerleaders, the cold nights, THE FOOTBALL SEASONS.

I, being the person that I am, go to football games and don’t actually watch it. *laughs* Yes, that’s right, I am one of this girls that only go to the football games to socialize. Actually, more than I’ve come home not even knowing if our team won or not–rarely do I ever know the exact score!

What is it about football games that appeals to secondary school students–and sometimes even younger students? My theory is that the excitement of having the town pull together for something, is an inner joy for anyone. I’m not saying that’s the only reason. Actually, the most likely is probably that they want to see their friends and “hang out.” But I also believe that on some inner level–that perhaps even they don’t realize–they like having familiar faces around cheering for one common goal.

Football games are generally who-ras for any junior high and high school student, but younger kids still show up. A year or two away, hanging out with a parent, it’s whatever. It’s not like we’re going to start a riot or anything. However, in my opinion, there should not be too young of children–fifth grade and younger–at the football game–parental protection or not. Football games may seem safe. I know at our town we have cops, teachers, nice people from around town, and people you generally know. We also go to a very small school, so there aren’t a lot of threatening things. But football games are still not a place for young children. These children will not have cell phones, will not have a friend who will know what to do in a situation, and will not know how to react in a possibly dangerous or life-threatening situation. I’m not saying that all towns and their football games are dangerous. But, most likely, you do not know anyone on the opposing from the opposing school. And there will be older kids there. In every town there is a creepo. And he will be at the football game. Think of all the bad things that could happen to those kids. Think of how they won’t know what to do. It is not safe. That is my opinion on that matter.

Football games only last a season. And if you like in a town like our BURG, there isnt much to entertain you. Cosmic bowling and they occasional dances only work for so long–especially when you have no quite hit that 16-years-mark, yet. Without football, there isn’t much to do.

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Morrgy:

Otayy, here’s some Valentine’s Day themed flair I would like to share with you:

 Some Great Songs For Valentine’s Day Are:

Secret Valentine- We The Kings

Check Yes Juliet- We The Kings

GNUH!! Congrats

Right now, the count is: Mandazz- 1, GNuh- 1, Morggy-0, and EricA-0.

Keep us laughing, Krazie Kids! And Kongrats to GNuh!!

Read all the entries:

Week 2: November 29th-December 5th, Authors: Mandazz, G-nuh, EricA, and Morggy, Guest Bloggers: N/A

Starter: ‘You walked into a store and people were betting money on who could tell the most blonde jokes. You…?’
 

EricA: N/A

GinaG:

Mandazz: N/A

Morrgy: N/A

This took forever to make, and it’s from us Krazie Kids to wish you a happy Valentine’s Day!

Don’t forget to read Gina’s Valentine’s Day themed article on GNuh’s Corner.

Don’t forget to read Hails’ Valentine’s Day themed article on Life-Not A Word, A Choice.

~~If you have any funny Valentine’s Story, video, or want to tell us experiences…or songs you like, what you’re hoping to happen this VDay, anything! Email it to mike.cirrupp.1991@gmail.com and it will be posted!! (if it’s approriete and all that jazz)

I’ll be posting more stuff about KKND, so be sure to check back soon!

~Admin, Hails

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 The second best part of the dances, aside from the hardcore dancing, is the slow dance. First, our DJ has girls on one side and boys on another. The first time: Boys pick. Then we pull a SNOWBALL and you switch people. Sometimes I love the snowball because I can get rid of whatever creep who needs to put on deoderant, and sometimes I hate it because I don’t want to leave the person I was dancing with…… Second dance: Girls choice and the snowball too. Some girls who are too embarrassed to dance with a guy, just dance with another girl and pretend they are having so much fun and look lovingly at the girl they are dancing with to be funny and so you dont look queer when really, all they are thinking is “Man, I wish I had enough gut to get over there and dance with him.” And for all of you girls who did that, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. I mean, I danced with the guys like crazy because i am very outgoing (and love boys) but after I danced with all those guys, I danced with some of my best girlfriends instead of dancing with the person I really wanted to dance with again. Sure, I danced with him, but I was afraid to ask again, and all the other people I danced with, the only person I would think of is him.

This lovely little post is going to be Valentine’s Day themed! Just to update you, sometimes I love Valentine’s Day, but then it rolls around, I’m single and I become like a Valentine’s Day scrooge.

That’s right.

Mostly, this is because with the luck that I have, I always end up becoming single very close to Valentine’s Day.

You’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘well you have a boyfriend right now, so all you have to do is keep him for about another month.’ That is where you are wrong my dear friends.

Read the article here.

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 THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO THE APPLE TO MY PIE, THE STRAW TO MY BERRY, THE SMOKE TO MY HIGH, THE PEANUT BUTTER TO MY JELLY. (haha, bet’cha thought i was gonna tell you who it was. hehe. well u waz wrong!!)

This lovely little post is going to be Valentine’s Day themed! Just to update you, sometimes I love Valentine’s Day, but then it rolls around, I’m single and I become like a Valentine’s Day scrooge.

That’s right.

Mostly, this is because with the luck that I have, I always end up becoming single very close to Valentine’s Day.

You’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘well you have a boyfriend right now, so all you have to do is keep him for about another month.’ That is where you are wrong my dear friends. That’s right. This lovely little girl is now SINGLE! And not to burst the bubble–actually I can’t think why it would be a burst, i just love saying that–but so is my lovely c0-blogger Morggy! We now join Mandazz, EricA, and G-nuh in their singleness! However, one blogger recently entered the stage of dately-hoodness, and she is the only one here left standing that way…: Gray-C! Congrats on your unsingleness.

However, may I say that I am actually enjoying being single.

But, I’m sure that will all change on February 14th, otherwise known as:

VALENTINES DAY SINGLES AWARENESS DAY

So, in regards to my singleness, I am very thrilled. It’s very releiving to know that all I have to worry about is me, me, and me. I also believe that my previous relationship held me back in someways, and now I am the Hailey I like and the ones my friends rememeber…I AM GLAD TO BE BACK!!!!

But once again, I’m right where I was at again…head over heels in love with a guy. The same guy to be exact. I also find myself taking love quizzes on facebook, and day dreaming about what could be. Except this time, I’m enjoying it!

I bought a little Valentine’s box for my best guy friend–EricA–and for my best sista–Morggy–and for my crush–you’ll never know!!!.

I’m–being the lovely person I am–in Student Council at the school and we were to bring in two bags of candy for candy grams that we will also be helping to put together. All the funds raised will go to our eighth grade class and their trip to DC this year. Also, in return, the lady who organizes everything for the school will be putting together a Valentine’s Day dance for us!

And in case you didn’t know, this is what we dance to at our Valentine’s Day dances:

So that will be good times.

  Morggy and I made a pact. It goes like this:

“I Hailey-sister swear to remain single until February 28th unless ____ asks me out OR someone asks me out from February 7th- February 14th”

We filled the blank in with the number one guy on our crush list–the only guy we give a reasonable amount of chance to. So far Morggy and I have each only had to say ‘no’ to one guy.

So the adventures contine of the:

SmartSensitiveStubbornSingleSisters

Dundundunduh!

Another typical characteristic of Valentine’s Day is sparkling jewelry, boxes of chocolates, teddy bears, and pretty red roses.

Well what if I told you I have not received one present for Valentine’s Day? Ever?

Maybe that’s the reason I am such a V-day Scrooge.

And of course you remember Kindergarten and the pretty little hearts you tried to draw to absolute perfection:

<3 <3 <3 <3

There is something I am looking forward to this coming holiday…

‘Valentine’s Day’

Wait, let me clarify:

I’m REALLLLLY looking forward to ‘Valentine’s Day’

How my perfect Valentine’s Day goes:

1. Wake up to low lights and a happy atmosphere
2. Walk downstairs to music playing and letting red heart confetti spread everywhere
3. Go to school dressed in the perfect clashes of red and white…with a pair of very comfortable jeans
4. Open my locker and find several brightly colored cards in my locker…from friends and guys
5. To receive flowers and chocolates and jewelry and teddy bears from anyone who sees me
6. To have nice conversations with everyone and friends everywhere
7. After school is finished, I go to my best friends house and we hang out
8. I have a verry long phone call with my number one crush–and of course he was the one who called
9. I go to the dance wearing jeans and a very adorable top–with of course converse!!!
10. Dances, fun, and lots of attention from guys I like
11. The million dollar question–”will you go out with me?”–from the number one guy.
12. The million dollar answer–”HECK YES!!!”–from me.
13. A very romantic conclusion to the dance
14. Then a trip to the movie theater with my four best friends and their dates–and of course mine!
15. A romantic conclusion at the movie theater
16. Ended with the oh-so perfect sleepover filled with chick flicks and fun talk

And here is the song I am listening to repeatedly right now, and the one that makes me feel happy on the inside, the one that Gray-C introduced me to, the one that I absolutly LOVVVVVE:

Followed with adorable converse pics it makes a perfect end to a post:

You can be the peanut butter to my jelly

You can be the butterflies I feel in my belly

You can be the captain and I can be the first mate

You can be the chills that I feel on our first date

You can be the hero and I can be the sidekick

You can be the tear I’d cry if we ever split

You can be the rain from the cloud when the storm hits

Or you can be the sun when it shines in the morning

Don’t know if I could ever be

without you

cause boy you complete me

and in time I know that we’ll both see

that we’re all we need.

Cause you’re the apple to my pie

The straw to my berry

The smoke to my high

You’re the guy I wanna marry

Cause you’re the one for me

for me

and I’m the one for you

for you

You take the both of us

and we’re the perfect two

we’re the perfect two

We’re the perfect two

Baby me and you

We’re the perfect two

You can be the prince and I can be the princess

You can be the sweet tooth I can be the dentist

You can be the shoes and I can be the laces

You can be the heart that I spell on the pages

You can be the vodka and I can be the chaser

You can be the pencil and I can be the paper

You can be as cold as the winter weather

I don’t care as long as we’re together

Don’t know if I could ever be

without you cause boy you complete me

and in time i know that we’ll both see

that we’re all we need

Cause you’re the apple to my pie

The straw to my berry

You’re the smoke to my high

And you’re the one I wanna marry

Cause your the one for me

for me

And I’m the one for you

for you

You take the both of us

of us

and we’re the perfect two

we’re the perfect two

we’re the perfect two

Baby me and you

we’re the perfect two

Ya know that I’ll never doubt you

and you that I think about you

And you know that I can’t live without you

I love the way that you smile

and maybe in just a while

I can see me walk down the while

Cause you’re the apple to my pie

The straw to my berry

You’re the smoke to my high

And you’re the one I wanna marry

Cause youre the one for me

for me

And I’m the one for you

for you

You take the both of us

of us

and we’re the perfect two

we’re the perfect two

we’re the perfect two 

baby me and you

We’re the perfect two

Videos via Youtuve. If the owners would live credit, contact the admin on the staff page. Pictures via Google Images. If the owners would like credit, contact the admin on the staff page. I do not own these and they belong to their original suppliers respectfully. No copyright infrigment was intended

Hey, it’s Gina and this is my first post on my very own page! Yippee! You may have already read my biography on Krazie Kids, if not go ahead and check it out here. Soon here enough, I’ll be getting my fav songs on there. Just to let you know, I’m here to talk about….just about anything!

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