Blog # 2

                Writing for me has always been a bit taboo. I enjoy writing when it is something that I am passionate about. On the flip side, writing is always difficult for me. This makes writing a serious love/hate subject for me. As I am slowly realizing, almost everyone seems to have some kind of trouble with writing. It is nice to know that I am not the only one. For me writing is summed up in one humble phrase, "you get out of it what you put in". Writing is another aspect of life, I will get what I give. I relate that phrase to every aspect of my life, especially my writing. It is easy to write the minimum amount, or read the minimum. As a midshipman in the Navy, I pride myself with never striving for the minimum. I feel much better about myself when I know that I have gone above and beyond what is expected. The values that I have learned from my family, and the Navy, have molded me to always do more than required; though that often makes a task much more difficult. I often view a situation and think, if they can do it, then I can do as much or more. There is a certain level of satisfaction that you feel after realizing that you gave your all.  It is that amazing feeling that keeps me going, no matter how much I may dislike the task at hand. Many of the older writers, especially Hemingway, have greatly affected my writing. He was the kind of man who went out to experience many of the amazing things he wrote about.

                In a unique way, I can relate my writing to many of my previous hunting trips across the country. A good paper is like a hard hunt. They both demand serious effort. I could wake up at noon and head out into the plains and hope something happens. I could write only a few pages with no real effort. Both of these methods defeat the purpose of what you are attempting to accomplish. I believe that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing properly. My hunts require an incredible amount of work and determination. I have never really wanted to wake up at three in the morning, but I know the reward could be well worth it. At the end of all the scouting in the dark, the miles of walking, the weeks of planning, the horribly cold weather, you have the opportunity to find an amazing animal. On the same note, I never want to sit for hours on end thinking of what to write, but I know the satisfaction I get once it is done is worth it. Writing is my opportunity to express myself without having to repeat myself multiple times. Writing will always be like a family member that you cannot stand at times, but can't help but appreciate because of all they can do for you.