Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Pony Express Was Created


Author’s Note:  In the following paragraphs I will put together a historical fiction piece.  Please look for my interesting information and the voice in this piece.
           
As Alexander Majors and I were walking around the filthy town of St. Joseph , we were just trying to think of a way to make some cold hard cash.  We couldn’t get one idea into our heads until I heard people complaining about how long it takes for the mail to arrive.

“Really, we got one piece of mail and it took 2 months for them to get it here. Why does it take so long?” said the neighbors.

“Hey Alexander, we should make a fast delivery service so people can receive their mail faster.  So are you in with me Alexander?”  I asked.

“I’m in, we should go to Congress to get this approved!” he responded.

As we went to Congress with our heads high, we got the program approved and everyone was happy about it.  We asked our friend William B. Waddell, to be part of the Pony Express Mail Service and he accepted.  After the approval from Congress, we bought about 500 of the nicest, fastest and finest horses in the Middle West, along with that , we hired 200 riders that could avoid death daily. Our Pony Express Mail Service started on April 3, 1860 with the help of these brave riders.  (Pony Express)

People! People! Anyone want to be part of the next big thing, the Pony Express!  You have to be 18 or younger and you have to be willing to face life or death situations.  The pay is $25 a week. “Who is with me?” I asked. (Hafen)

As Johnny Fry raised his hand, he didn’t realize this decision was going to totally changed his life for both, good and bad.  While working this job, he might travel 10,000 miles in 8 days. Granted, the pay is high, but the danger is even higher.

As time passed, the Pony Express was getting more and more popular every minute.  They were delivering approximately 483 pieces of mail a week. It costs $5 to ship a ½ ounce time, but the riders were only delivering about ⅓ of the mail.  So, although the business was growing, so were the expenses and bankruptcy was coming. (Hafen)

“Johnny, John, Bill, Gus, all of you, we need to to deliver every piece of mail and no wasting money because you guys aren’t trying.  You aren’t affected by this because you still get paid, but you won't be for long! If you don’t deliver, you won’t have a job.” I shouted.


Not enough of my riders would heed my warning.  I made my announcement, “We are currently closing the Pony Express Mail Company because we are $200k in debt and we can’t afford to lose any more money”. I said. (Smith)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

SNOWBOARDING AIR FEELING

Author’s Note: This is my creative piece that I wrote, about the feeling when you launch off the snowboard jump.  Please look for how it sets a scene in your head and look at the figurative language.  

On a cold wintery day, what is better than going to the terrain park of Little Switzerland and tearing it up?  Nothing is better because on most cold days people are gaming, when you could be enjoying time on the slopes , while working on your snowboarding skills.  There is a rush that goes through you as you fly off the slope as if you were an airplane running off the run away.
           
As you fling off the slope hoping you can land that trick you have been practicing all year, you feel something special that moment that isn’t replaceable.  When you start launching off the ramp you feel a rush through you blood and body that makes you what to try even harder, just like the word “dedication”.  Dedication is the word that makes you into a good snowboarder; dedication helps you in many ways including perfection of tricks, motivation, and working harder every time.  You hit the jump and your arms come out as if you were a baby eagle trying to fly for the first time.

Then the air takes you in its hands, but the gravity is too strong and you are only in the air for about two seconds. The air is like a little boy trying to lift 100 pounds when the gravity is a bodybuilder lifting 100 pounds, the gravity will always win against the air.

These moments aren’t for long, because after your snowboard hits the ground, that great feeling is over and you feel like a normal person again, not a superhero flying through the air.  Although the feeling isn’t for long it is totally worth it with the thought that no one is stopping you.  You feel like you are free as an eagle soaring through the treetops of the woods.   As you fling through the air, everyone is watching you to perform as if you  were a pitcher trying to throw a no hitter in World Series Game 7.