Like the model of Dionysian culture; Uni students are pushed to go past their normal limits, not only by the teachers but by their families and often the students around them. This creates a culture that is based around pushing people up to and past their limits, one of the key ideas in Dionysian culture.

The sense of personal accomplishment also strengthens my idea that Uni is Dionysian. The people here strive to get become greater than the “normal” student, to break free of the Apollonian conformity of everyday life. Not through drugs or other outside sources, but through their own overachievement and workload that they develop for the purpose of becoming greater than the other students in our community.

At the same time though, there is an aspect of Appolonian society within Uni. The students often, in their search for supreme knowledge and achievement, are forced to be like the other students that are attempting to achieve this. Therefore, Uni itself is Dionysian in the community, but within Uni it is sometimes Apollonian.

Note: still very WIP

This seems to happen at all holidays now. Stay at home or go to a party are the only options. Maybe the teenage holiday spirit needs to be renewed, in the form of some kind of appreciation of the holdiay that is not looked upon as childish or immature. Just something to show that the holiday is something more than an excuse to go party. What I’m trying to say is that people my age should be less lathargic during holiday time, and instead try to enjoy the holiday buzz that everyone else seems to have –without expressing it in the form of a party that doesn’t have anything to do with the holiday (or is bastardization of it).

The only thing I think this class is lacking is a “formal” study of some other authors works, we’ve only analyzed a handful of papers. If you (Mr. Rayburn) gave us more works to write optional analysis about, that would improve our knowledge of the genre and help still maintain a relaxed environment in the class.

Overall, Non-Fiction Writing is a great class that I would prefer to continue generally as is, with only minor changes. It is very relaxed and still educational, making the class unique in our overworked school.

Post-Statement: you could argue that we already have the option to do analysis of other authors works, but I’m hesitant about finding my own works to analyze.

In the summer of 1972 Brian moved to the nearby town of Claremont. During this time he became serious about playing guitar, a pastime he had picked up the year before. Guitar was a passion for him; he spent countless hours in his room practicing riffs, perfecting his technique, and memorizing theory. “I was really into sports, but I liked guitar because it was something you could do all by yourself,” said Brian in a 1996 interview with Guitar Player Magazine.

Brian was inspired after watching the horror flick “Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers”. He went to the store and bought a Myers-esque white mask. That same evening while eating chicken out of a bucket, he was inspired yet again. He described the evening in the interview: “They had a white mask, which really wasn’t like a Michael Myers mask, but I liked it a lot. That night I was eating chicken out of a bucket that my dad brought home. It wasn’t a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket either. It said “Deli Chicken” on the outside. I was eating it, and I put the mask on and then the bucket on my head. I went to the mirror. I just said ‘Buckethead. That’s Buckethead right there.’ It was just one of those things. After that, I wanted to be that thing all the time.” This was a turning point in his life and the start of his career; the creation of Buckethead — Brian’s alter ego and stage face.

Buckethead released his first song “Brazos” to the public in 1988, when he submitted the song to a Guitar Player magazine contest. He released his first album shortly after when a representative from the magazine listened to the demo CD Buckethead’s parents had dropped off and took the opportunity to use Buckethead’s talent.

Anyone who listens to his music can say Buckethead’s style is melodious and technical. He draws his influences from dozens of artists, including Michael Jackson, Ozzy Osborne, Shawn Lane, and many other metal, hip-hop, rap and alternative artists. Besides music, he has drawn influence from movies, his favorite rides at Disneyland, and other oddities that affect him on-stage and while he is creating his music. “For the most part, I think in terms of amusement park rides and monster and robot movies. I’ll watch a movie without the sound and play to the picture. I would watch the death scene in Texas Chainsaw Massacre where Leatherface slams the steel door, and a low and creepy drone comes in. I would use that drone to solo over, the sound of that guy’s death. I guess that’s kind of bad, but I was into it,” said Buckethead, describing his musical process. Buckethead’s genres range from Jazz to Progressive Metal, and are an expression of his creativity and unique style.

Today, at the age of forty, Buckethead has released 28 solo albums, created numerous music videos, and played with dozens of bands around the world (including Guns ‘N Roses, Primus, and many others). He is now a huge success. Once a shy teenager he is now one of best-known musicians in popular culture.