Friday 17 October 2014

Lying again are we?

            
               Have you ever been lied to repeatedly? If you are one of those unfortunate people who have, then you know how Gabriella feels. In the short story "Bluffing" by Gail Helgason, a young couple goes for a hike up in the forest, and come face to face with a bear. During this encounter, Liam flees the scene and ends up in the hospital as a result of a terrible attack. Gabriella is stuck questioning the truth about what really happened on that very unlucky day. The real question: is Liam lying to Gabriella? Yes, I strongly believe he is.  Even in the beginning of this, he seems very dishonest and controlling over his girlfriend Gabriella, forcing her to follow his rules, when she is sitting in the hospital pondering "the scent [reminding] her of the home-made cleaning solution she prepared at Liam's insistence." The entire vibe that is illuminated from his existence protrudes negativity. He avoids the truth just to get what he wants; lying to the other hikers at the lake, “Might not be a good idea.  We’re turning back ourselves, came across an elk carcass…they usually come back to the kill, you know.”  They told those hikers that with a straight face, when in fact, neither Gabriella nor her boyfriend ever saw a dead body.  Liam seems to be very non-observant to how his lady really feels. He basically tears her heart apart when he tells her, “Clive and [him] worked it out…[they’ve] got just enough to get by for three months…so [they’re] gunna head down south for the winter.” The main purpose of this mountainous adventure, was the hope that Gabriella would gain up enough courage to talk to him about the possible thought of “signing a one year lease” with her, so the mere thought of him leaving, was enough to send her over the edge, pushing her farther and farther as she ran into the bush, stopping just as the eyes of the grizzly bear caught sight of her.  The reasoning behind her troubled mind would be Liam’s persistent need to avoid the truth. So you tell me, would he lie about being her saviour?

Wednesday 1 October 2014

It is on the inside that counts
     Explaining what somebody looks like, is not complicated; but more the idea of describing the image that your eyes develop in your own words, and in your own way that seems to be the challenge. What an image may look like to one, may not be the same picture the person sitting next to you sees. To me, this lady seems quite aged, with a wrinkled face like ancient bed sheets that crave the touch of a good iron. Her wiry hair is turning grayer as the days pass by.  Her glistening jewelry however, brings back the youthfulness to the surface of her appearance. Her confidence is booming as she presents herself so proudly, with her sweet sunhat propped perfectly upon her head.  It would shock me though, if she cared about her health because her yellowed finger tips and the way that single cigarette lays perfectly between her fingers makes me wonder if she has had this nasty habit for forever and day.