Maple Takedown

A New Direction

2008-04-22T14:22:00.005-04:00

After a year and a half of writing on Maple Takedown about advertising, commercials, or whatever oddities I came across, I have decided to shut it down. I feel Maple Takedown is old, tired, and irrelevant to my interests in art, writing, and creativity. Therefore, I created The World Takes which is specifically focused on my experiences, interests, and what I like to call, inspirational creativity.

Though I could simply delete The Takedown and call it a day, I can not come to deleting a year and a half of passioned determination I put into it. Sounds silly, but it is because of this blog I was able to write for other blogs, get recognized, and forge friendships. Plus, I'm linked to a few other blogs so if I delete Maple Takedown, there is no way people could ever reach The World Takes.

It was a great run. Thanks.

4/21

2008-04-21T22:24:00.003-04:00

Ironically after 4/20, I can't help but admit my love for Pink Floyd. One of my favorites- Brain Damage.

Compilation of Random Thoughts

2008-01-13T19:55:00.000-05:00

I didn't have any specific idea or topic for this post so I'm just going to bullet point the stuff rattling around in my head.

1. Brett Farve is an inspiration and I would be terribly upset if the Giants beat him in the NFC Championship.

2. The Red Wings need an enforcer.

3. The engine light has been on in my car for a week and a half. I don't think the 500 miles I've driven since that time has helped the problem.

4. I think it may be time for a haircut.

5. I haven't had a slurpee for a week.

6. I have to go to work tomorrow, same with 150 million other Americans.

7. It's been a long weekend. I'm tired.

8. I would write more, but I just want to relax and play Call of Duty 4.

p0wNeD.

2008-01-10T23:28:00.000-05:00

Christmas Gift Update

2008-01-07T11:34:00.000-05:00

Though the holiday season is gone and over with, I'd like to update my loyal reader (not a typo) on my Christmas gifts. Before Christmas I was in desperate need of a tie rack and pants. Despite receiving five sweaters and some York peppermint patties, I didn't get a pair of pants or a tie rack. So after Christmas I was still in desperate need of a tie rack and pants. Logically thinking I concluded, pants weren't a necessity, just a mere want. If need really be, shorts would suffice, however, my ties are a different matter. They are currently hanging on a clothes hanger between my sport jackets and dress pants. Sure, their location in my closet is perfect when I need to dress up for a funeral or a bris (berith), but unfortunately they are losing their shape and getting wrinkly. On a lighter note, check out my bad ass holiday sweater.
I have yet to wear it in public, mainly because I don't want all the cool kids wearing Abercrombie and Fitch to make fun of me and secondly, because it adds a noticeable 40 pound increase to my weight. While on the subject of my sweater, I'd like to personally thank the young man or woman who knit this by hand in China. You did a fine job.

Looking Down the Road

2008-01-06T15:19:00.000-05:00

Good news is on horizon, so when you look at this picture don't see the sun as being our source of light and warmth, rather my good news in its place lightening up your day and warming your heart. Let's just say I may have landed a gig as a real, working, and paid ad man!

David Sedaris = Funny

2008-01-01T21:21:00.000-05:00

When I was reading through some blogs, David Sedaris was referenced as being one of the best writers around today. When I looked him up, I found a video of him reading an essay on Letterman. The dude is such a thoughtful writer and extremely observant of such minuet details that he has inspired me to analyze my writing. Hopefully as I continue to read his essays and short stories I'll begin to pick up his writing style and incorporate it into my own. Here is one of his funniest pieces.

Best Virals of 2007

2007-12-30T01:06:00.000-05:00

I've been going through Wired and Time to see what were some of the highest rated virals this year. Of course, Chris Crocker and Landlord were on top of the charts, but something surprised me. Something so refreshing and funny, I couldn't help but make light of its hilarity. I like to think of myself on top of the game when it comes to funny videos seen on the web, but somehow I missed one. A viral that connects to real life better than real life connects to itself. That may seem impossible or not even make sense, but take my word for it, this viral is good. If you have ever been to College Humor or similar website, you'll immediately recognize what you're witnessing. Enjoy.

Takedown

2007-12-24T23:50:00.000-05:00

For once, I'm using the title of my blog as the title of my post. Since I don't have just one thing to report on, I'm going to takedown a few important topics before I get ready for bed (Santa is going to be here soon). Notice, the italics on takedown- it doesn't have any particular connotation, but I thought it would be fitting.

1. Juno, staring Micheal Cera from Superbad, is a great movie. The film combines the same humor from Superbad in a toned down, witty way. Dare I say one of my favorites of the year? Yes, I do.
2. I asked for a tie rack for Christmas. I can't wait to put my neck ties on the tie rack made to hold and store my silk formal wear that is made to be worn around the neck.
3. I want to make a movie that involves me yelling the word, "Crackah" in special high pitched way. It doesn't seem plausible to create a film that revolves around one word, especially a word that has recently been buried by the NAACP, but I feel there is a story that needs to be told.
4. At this point that's about it I guess. So in all actuality, there is no number four. I guess I could just delete it, but I don't feel like reaching up to the backspace button right now.

It's Official

2007-12-19T13:29:00.001-05:00

Whopper Freakout is a hoot. I thought the commercials were interesting, but I never really took the time to visit the site. I watched the film today on Creativity-Online and I loved it. My favorite part was when they started putting Wendy's and McDonald's sandwiches in the bags. One dude was literally a second away from punching one of the employee's eyes out. Props Crispin, this is hilarious. Here's the video, fast forward to 3:50 for my favorite facial expression. Then fast forward to craziest dude on the video at 6:18. He made me laugh.

Apple: Too Mainstream?

2007-12-15T00:33:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a little tired of this "Apple Revolution." I'm the kind of person who is counter, counter culture, therefore, I bought a white Mac, not a black one. I don't want to be labeled a rebel or whatever category a person can be grouped into- I just want to be Max. This brings me back to the "Apple Revolution" and the idea people who look to be outside the box buy Apple products- they are non-conformists. Since becoming a college student I have learned to take everything with a grain of salt. Thus, I've become mild mannered in the sense I don't get angry or lose my temper (as much as in the past). Sometimes I can be immature and never serious, but who cares? Anyways, I feel Apple is becoming too mainstream. Nearly every other person I see has a little Mac at their side. When do the "non-conformists" who buy Mac say enough is enough and move onto something else?

Apple is getting too big for it's own good and I feel they are starting to lose quality as they reach Microsoft size. Just take my MacBook which is starting to piss me off more than Blink 182 music. I buy an Apple because it is supposed to work better than a PC. Yeah, right. I pay a good $600 more for an Apple than I could an equivalent PC counterpart, but I'm experiencing the same problems as a PC.

-Freezing
-Blank Blue Screens
-Etc...

Maybe I should have bought that $300 warranty plan after all. Viva la PC revolution.

The Final Days

2007-12-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

As the sun slowly sets on my time at Michigan State University, I can only think about what this school has made me and what I have become. I'm not in high school anymore and my decisions today will affect the days to come whether it be tomorrow or next week. This school has shown me what I need to get out of a college and what I don't. Though I may have not gotten the most out of my academic classes- I did live the life of a college student. Not any college student that is, but as a Michigan State University college student. Whether that is a negative or a positive I did realize I can't or don't want to live this lifestyle for four years. Yeah, I don't have to live this lifestyle, but maybe I don't have the willpower to prevent the peer pressures surrounding me. Whatever the case may be, I want to be working towards a see-able goal. At this school I'm lead around blindly. There is a better school out there for me. I don't have to succumb to the choice of masses and I don't need to be anything but myself. I know what's right for me and sometimes that's all I know.

It's going to be sad to leave behind my only friends for the past four months. However, I can't waste away and be unhappy like I was a month ago. Just knowing I won't be here next semester brings a calm feeling over me. Still, I have my doubts about leaving and question whether it will turn out to be a mistake. I have thought about it a lot and my mind has been made. Goodbye Michigan State.

It's Getting Too Cold

2007-11-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

My lips are getting chapped, my nose is running, I'm coughing, my throat hurts, I'm tired, my body aches, I move slower, I don't want to do anything, I think I have mono, possibly a fever, maybe even scarlet fever, if I want to cross my legs I need to physically pick up my leg and place it over the other, I need to wear a jacket outside, I need to wear a hat outside, I need to wear a pair of gloves outside, my exterior wear adds at least ten pounds to my body causing walking to be extremely tedious, I feel like this man...and the lady too...

New Addition

2007-11-12T12:49:00.001-05:00

The last couple of weeks I've been thinking about creating another blog for all my short stories. I feel if I leave my thoughts and experiences on Maple Takedown and create stories on another blog, everything will be organized and neater. I still haven't decided of a name or started the construction for the site, but hopefully by the end of the day I will have the blog up and running. The stories won't be any longer than a few paragraphs, but some of favorite short stories are by J. Robert Lennon. He writes short short stories that are little anecdotes comprised of no more than a few sentences. I wrote the following story in junior year of high school and none of my newer stories are quite as good. Here goes:

R. had a beautiful tie he would wear to school every Wednesday. M. loved the tie and would gawk at its array of colors and patterns. Every Wednesday, R. and M. had gym class together meaning they would have to change into athletic wear. M. decided he couldn't go another day without R.'s magnificent tie. When R. left the locker rooms after changing for gym class, M. took the tie and stuffed it into his bag. R. was heart broken to realize his favorite tie was stolen. Unfortunately M. never wore the tie because if he did, everyone would have known he stole it.

Gambling Man

2007-11-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

I've been to the casino four times in my life and without a question, they have been some of the most jaw dropping, awe-inspiring experiences ever. Sounds silly to think a bunch of smoking gamblers could cause a person to feel such a way, but each time I have graced the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort I'm in ecstasy. People winning money, losing money, excitement building, screaming, hollering, and thousands of people swarming about stirs up a deep hidden feeling. What this feeling is or what it means evades me the same way food evades Survivorman. I mean, with a name like Survivorman, it would only make sense the dude knows how to live even in the harshest climates, but either he is under a constant watch for grizzly bears or starving to death because he can't catch an arctic rabbit. There are a ton of casinos in Michigan yet I have only been to Soaring Eagle because the gambling age is 18. However, since I've recently turned 19 I want to head over to Casino Windsor and play with my Canadian counterparts. Not to mention, the drinking age in the fine country of Canada is 19 so if I lose, all wouldn't be 'down the drain,' as they say.

In my first experience at the casino I played slots and black jack. I got my spanked like a child in black jack right away so I spent the rest of the evening playing slots. By the end of night I earned back my black jack losses and made over $300. My second and third visits combined to about $400 in earnings off the slots so by the time I made my fourth visit I was up $700. Last night when I went to the casino, I was having mixed emotions. My goal was to win a couple grand, but a gut feeling told me I was going to lose- I was right.

I have a certain way of playing the slots, a type of pattern which involves the amount of credits I'll play, when I pull the lever, what I will play down to, etc. Yesterday I left my laurels 120 miles away at home and came to the casino cocky and over confident, kind of like Terrell Owens. I went home with nothing more than my car keys, cell phone, and a bit of advice. Here's the advice, don't play Seven & Stripes because their payouts are about as good as Reese's Puffs Cereal. Honestly, who can play that game and win money? On that note, who can even eat Reese's Puffs Cereal, the stuff doesn't even remotely taste like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. When I want cereal, I'll take Cookie Crisp any day.

My Window

2007-11-06T20:04:00.000-05:00

I've looked out my window so many times for inspiration for a story, an idea, or even a break from writing a paper. From my fifth floor window I am able to see the beauty of trees, the sun, and dusk. The freedom to look out my window and see across the campus is as much a dream as it is a nightmare. With no car, and a bicycle not suited for slick riding I’m stuck in the four corners of concrete, dry wall, and tile. I’m trapped in the decisions I have made and unable to escape. I can’t explore what I want to discover. I can’t see the opposite side.

I’m trying to contain my thoughts, desires, and wishes that are evermore powerful and persuasive. I have the burden of suppressing my feelings for what I “need to do” because “everyone has to do it.” Everyday I feel more and more claustrophobic. Everything is getting smaller and slowly wrapping around me like saran wrap. It’s like I’m in a dream and someone is trying to attack me. They are getting closer and I can’t run. My legs are moving in slow motion and when the person gets close enough I try to throw out a punch, but it’s too slow. I’m a goner. At least I have that window. A window where I can dream off into the sky and imagine I’m standing in the middle of a green valley or island in the ocean. The window is all I have left.

The Game of the Year & The Crazy Dude

2007-11-04T18:53:00.000-05:00

The heated 100 year old rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State didn't work out in the Green and White's favor yesterday, but the atmosphere was pandemonium. Even though I was in the upper deck, the intensity of the crowd was the same from the very first row to the last. Despite, the controversy surrounding the Spartan student section cheers because they are "vulgar" and "inappropriate," I think our school spirit makes us what we are.

Let it be known I have no problem with U of M whatsoever, but some of their students are a bit eccentric. Not the, "I like to go out, party, and get crunk" eccentric, but the, "I like to go to the library, study, and buy nice pens to write with" eccentric. I also have a theory U of M students don't actually have common sense or at least just the students that stood next to me during the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Some sponsor of the game thought it would be a good idea to give a bunch a drunk MSU co-eds inflatable spears. Unfortunately, rather than being used as rumble sticks, Spartan students used them as weapons and forms of intimidation against their Wolverine opponents. A Michigan student who had a uncanny resemblance to Charlie Weiss in front of me was heckling Spartan fans the whole game. Mind you, he was in the middle of the MSU student section- a perfect example of his lack of common sense. The kid was asking for it and as a result he was innocently poked with a MSU inflatable spear. Unfortunately, in his second example of lacking common sense he continued to lose control of himself and tick off everyone in his general vicinity. By this time, he was being slapped and hit with an inflatable spear twice every minute. After a good 15 minutes of this lambasting, he turned around, grabbed the spear and bit it as if it was a delicious slice of pizza. It made sense, he looked like Charlie Weiss and it's a known fact Charlie Weiss can't go longer than an hour without partaking in a meal. Then Charlie Weiss look-alike threw down the saggy wet noodle of a spear. The student section all of a sudden became quiet and a 5 foot bumper zone formed around this one dude. Not much was said about the incident later, however, I learned something. If you heckle a Michigan fan enough he will do something completely barbaric and give someone a great story.

Uof M VS MSU

2007-11-02T13:07:00.000-04:00

It's going to be a big weekend- UM VS MSU

Gettin' Ink Done

2007-10-30T18:52:00.000-04:00

I want to get a tattoo, I wonder how it would fly over in the professional world, that is, if I get enough courage. I think I need to prove to myself I can do something outside my comfort zone.

Her

2007-10-30T01:53:00.000-04:00

She was in a room with no windows, all she could do was imagine the giant oak standing at the opposite side of the wall. She couldn't clear her head. It was if the walls were retaining her thoughts and they were just bouncing off the walls. Words and phrases went whizzing by her head. Would she make it? Could she make it through school and eventually find a job? What would happen if she didn't go to college? She didn't have any redeeming qualities besides lying or running away from her problems. She couldn't face the cards life dealt her. She looked back at her computer and then down on the newspaper with the list of the colleges her high school peers went to. All of them were going off to the state or university college and she didn't even get into the community college. Not even the community college! She had all the opportunities to work hard in high school and get strong grades. Her parents gave her everything she needed, but maybe it was too much. She was spoiled and whenever she needed something, it was hers, no questions. Now it was too late and her parents couldn't help her get into college. Her parents were about to disown her because her boyfriend was a thirty year old hack sitting on a computer as a bookie. She told her parents he was self-employed but his dirty white undershirt, old jeans, and scent of ramen noodles told otherwise.

Her other siblings were fine. They did what they were supposed to and all were either working fine jobs or the top of their class in college. Life came all too fast and she wasn't expecting any of it. Life can't be like this. It shouldn't be sad. It shouldn't be stressful. She looked back up and saw the visions and thoughts of her future bouncing off the walls crossing her line of sight. She would end up with her current boyfriend living from paycheck to paycheck hoping they would have enough money for a bagel and butter. After living the steak and potato life for as long as she could remember, the bagel and butter diet was less the desirable. She knew it was time to pick her life up and accept the challenges she created. Change wouldn't hurt anyone except her useless boyfriend and old, disintegrating attitude. This change wasn't going to start when it's convenient or in a few days. It's going to start now. She walked out of the windowless cell and the first day of the rest of her life began.

Story: Red

2007-10-24T15:23:00.000-04:00

He woke up. He didn't know whether he was still in a dream or actually awake. It always annoyed him when he awakes up only to realize everything from his dreams was a farce. Especially after he gets the motorcycle he always wanted or all the times he thought it was the weekend when it's actually a Tuesday or Thursday. It's so funny how dreams work, he thought to himself. He woke up again and realized he was just dreaming about dreams. He sat up in his bed and looked around. Everything was red, not bloody red, but a deep shade of amber red. He closed his eyes, rubbed them really hard and stared around his room- still red. It was like somebody had tinted his eyes with a red piece of film. He went to the bathroom, washed his face and then opened his eyes again. Everything was back to normal, that was weird.

Resume

2007-10-22T20:36:00.000-04:00

A few nights ago I thought of an alternative resume. Rather than boring organized, generic, info on where I went to school or what computer programs I'm proficient with I would just list out some of my most interesting experiences. In my creative bundle I already have a page about me and my goals, so why not have a page about my experiences and include some of that important resume stuff in there? Therefore, my bundle would have a neater and seamless format. I was thinking something like this:

-I was born on November 7 in the year of 1988

-As a child I enjoyed swimming until I got a lot of ear infections

-I also I enjoyed wearing suspenders when I was little kid

-I lived in Dearborn Heights and Farmington Hills and East Lansing

-Nearly got my shit rocked after calling a girl a 'bitch' in 7th grade

-Went to catholic high school in Detroit called U of D for four years.

-In Detroit I was offered drugs while filling up my car with gas, I kindly rejected the offer

-I ran track and cross country when I realized my body was more suited for eating than running

-I drive a Chevrolet Impala and made a movie about it

-In high school I became interested in advertising and business

-In college I became interested in alcohol and avoiding classes

-Attending Michigan State University

It's all speculative stuff so far, but it would be along those lines. I think he could be cool.

Writing

2007-10-22T19:44:00.000-04:00

Everyday I make a habit of trying to write. Write down what I did during the day, a story, an spec ad, or a business idea. The thing is, when I write in a journal or a school paper I don't really see improvements in my writing from before. I'm not saying I'm going to stop writing in a journal, but it's just that after all this writing there is no visible evidence of improvement. I don't think all the reading I have been doing has helped much either. I have a bigger vocabulary but according to George Orwell I should never, "use a long word where a short one will do."

In my writing class last week I got a 90 on the paper I wrote. The grade is fine, I got docked some points for grammatical errors, but I didn't get any feedback on the writing itself. I looked at another girl's and the professor couldn't stop raving about the creativity and insight. I know writing school papers isn't the most fun thing to do, but if I was the writer I thought I was, wouldn't I be getting a similar feedback? Wouldn't I have some creative insight or interesting points or facts? I don't want to lament and feel sorry for myself. I guess the only thing I can do is keep writing and reading. Hopefully one day all this stuff will pay off.

Filler...Filler...Filler

2007-10-19T01:11:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since my last post for a variety of reasons Either way, I figured I'd better just throw something to fill the proverbial silence. That is all.

Lost Days

2007-10-15T00:10:00.000-04:00

When I look at old buildings or anything with some sort of historical value it's easy to see the building as being beautiful or, I guess, ugly if it was built in the 60's. But if you seriously look at that building and think about the people who have lived there, been there, or passed by, it is amazing. Just take my dorm building for example. It was built in the late 1960's and though there is nothing particularly nice about it, when I think about the amount of people who have slept in this room, used the bathroom, or just hung out in here, it undoubtedly numbers in the thousands. The invisible history comprised in these buildings at Michigan State University is hard to fathom. For nearly one hundred years, people have walked past Beaumont Tower or for over 150 years people have walked this campus. The history at this school runs farther and deeper than the Red Cedar River.

Yet when I think about the long ago past I begin to think about the recent past, like what happened yesterday for example. I will never be able to live the October 15th of 2007 again. Most people don't really have a second thought about what happened the days before. Unless, of course, they made a serious mistake, otherwise the past is nothing more than a "yesterday" or "a few days ago." Sure, people remember parts of the past, however, the majority of people's experiences are lost in the confusion of days and these days in which nothing seemingly happened are forgotten. The joke amongst your friends, the conversation with your mom, or seeing a dog walking by itself on the side of the road is never going to be spoken of again. It's depressing to think about, but it's just one of the many aspects of life that just pass us by without consideration. For me, just looking at my loft, signed by the names of all my friends and visitors reminds me of all the experiences passed by. I just hope I took advantage of those lost days.