Strawberry Fields

World Issues essay worth 20% of my mark. Cross-posted here.

2004-12-17T05:36:32Z

I'm posting this here too, just because this is my writing journal, and this definitely counts as writing. Longest essay I've ever written. 10 pages, 2736 words. Steal it for any reason and I will personally find out and exact sweet, sweet revenge.

Urban Growth Boundaries and Reducing Urban Sprawl
by Lisa Polluted-Ski

Introduction
When looking at the state of the world today, it is clear that the Earth’s supply of natural resources is not unlimited. Humanity tends to assume a wasteful attitude when it comes to what is provided by nature, and because of this, the human race is, metaphorically speaking, ‘digging its own grave’. This is being done through urban sprawl, which describes the growth of a centralized area, such as a city or community, over a large area. The spread of urban sprawl in areas that cannot provide sufficient resources for the people living there is becoming an increasingly important issue for humanity to address. The use of UGBs (urban growth boundaries) is vital in keeping urban sprawl from completely overtaking natural ecosystems that would otherwise be in the way of development. Communities have taken action to help cease the spread of urban sprawl in their area, including the states of Oregon, Washington and Tennessee, which have also integrated growth control plans into their cities and communities. The kibbutzim movement, which is a community-based living arrangement among a group of people, is another idea that is connected and benefiting to the prevention of urban sprawl. It is apparent in areas of North America specifically that urban sprawl is wildly out of hand, and is harming the environment and citizens of the areas where it is in desperate need of control. It is clear that urban sprawl, rather than aiding humanity in its strive for advancements in all aspects of life, is only diminishing the necessary resources that people depend on. The depletion of natural resources can largely be blamed on urban sprawl and continued development, and by making use of UGBs and building strategies, this trend can be slowed.

UGBs - A Background
One of the most effective and widely-known plans in decreasing urban sprawl is the use of urban growth boundaries, commonly referred to as UGBs. An urban growth boundary is a tool that focuses on concentrated urban development within a certain area, while a rural lifestyle is maintained outside of the boundary line. Within the boundary, commercial, industrial and residential areas would be allowed, which would leave the rural areas outside of the boundary to remain undisturbed, and protects green space from the harms of the urban society. (Ecotrust 2). In recent years, more and more cities and states have been adopting this ideology of the use of urban growth boundaries, as it is extremely beneficial to both urban and rural settlements. The main goal of the UGB is to develop a strengthened transitional border between the urban and rural areas, making each side of the spectrum appealing and beneficial to human interests. (Ecotrust 4). Many areas in North America are opening their eyes to this idea, and are benefiting from the results that it produces.

Negative Effects Of Urban Sprawl
When a city or region expands so much that developers must turn all the green space of the surrounding area into developed land, it is clear that there must be something done to prevent the destruction of natural resources. Forests and marshes all over North America are succumbing to the inevitable force of industry, as developers plough through land and ecosystems in order to earn a profit. Evidence of this is seen in Boston, Massachusetts, with the destruction of the wetlands in between 1950 and 1985. (Chang 2). While most of the southern region of Massachusetts is undeveloped, urban sprawl is diminishing the amount of space left for wetlands. It is often naively assumed that wetlands are of no significance, and that getting rid of them will not have any seriously lasting consequences on the area. However, wetlands have many useful purposes that, in actuality, are very necessary to human survival. During heavy rainfall and periods where flooding could be a threat, wetlands will absorb water and prevent major floods from occurring in developed areas. (Chang 3). As well as this, wetlands are a breeding ground for organisms that will help to break down pollutants that could end up in a region’s drinking water. They filter and purify water naturally, which prevents the region from needing to pay heavy taxes for water purification systems. (Chang 3). Using wetlands as water purification systems would be a far more efficient and environmentally friendly way to clean the water, but because development is seen as a success far more than the successes born in nature, these benefits of wetlands are ignored and paved over in a commercial conquest for profit. Boston is not the only area where wetlands are being paved over for urban expansion; it is happening all over North America, and is even happening in central Ontario, which will directly affect the majority of the population of
the province, as well as the country.

Forests are also being ploughed, courtesy of logging companies and residential developers, and the negatives to that situation are quite obvious. Natural habitats for thousands of organisms are being destroyed, not to mention a vital source of oxygen for all organisms, including humans. Because urban sprawl is expanding into these natural areas, North America is very rapidly running low on natural resources that are necessary for human survival. The fight for the environment is getting desperate with every bit of expansion of urban sprawl. This was seen in San Diego, California when a group of radical environmentalists, the Earth Liberation Front, set fire to a group of condominiums under construction that they felt represented the impact of urban sprawl. (Knickerbocker 2). While acts such as these are not common, they do occur, and are clear evidence that urban sprawl’s impact on the environment must be taken seriously. If the forests are being logged just for the sake of being logged, and there is no planning or thought put into how much development expansion is needed at one time, it is very likely that resources will become dangerously low, and alternate resources may not be an option in this case. It is imperative that urban sprawl is kept under control so that the depletion of natural resources will not become an even more serious issue than it already has become.

UGB Successes
There are many areas throughout the United States where it is evident that their use of UGBs has been a great benefit to the specific area where it was implemented. Portland, Oregon is one of the most widely talked about success stories in regards to urban growth control (see Appendix A). In the late 1970s, Oregon created a state law that required every municipality in the state to use the urban growth boundary plan. Inside the boundary, the space must be used to establish industry and commercial services, as well as residential homes, but outside, the land is reserved for farm or forestry use only. Putting a plan such as this into place would cause less land to be used up by industry and urbanization, and would concentrate those districts into specific areas. When this law was brought in, its effects were seen almost immediately. In between 1980 and 1990, Portland’s urban population increased by 14%, but the urban land area only increased by 11%. (The Rusk Report 10). Manufacturers and industries flourished through a centralized commercial sector of the city. Even Albina, which is Portland’s poorest district, the property values doubled to $2.6 billion in between 1992 and 1997, thanks to private investment. (The Rusk Report 15). States such as Washington and Tennessee have also made it a state law to establish UGBs in regions throughout the state. (Nozzi 10). Their state governments have been working to improve upon the growth issue, and by implementing these growth control laws, they may experience the benefits that Oregon experienced.

Ontario has also been exploring methods of protecting natural habitats and greenspace through the use of UGBs and urban sprawl prevention programs. In 2001, the population of the province of Ontario was 11.4 million people, with the majority of people located in the Greater Toronto Area (see Appendix B). The urbanization of the area surrounding the Golden Horseshoe is being seen through this great expansion in population, and because of this, the environment surrounding the Great Lakes is being threatened by urban sprawl. The effects of urban sprawl are also being seen when one looks at the proposed plans to expand current highways to make communities throughout the greater Toronto and Niagara regions more accessible (see Appendix C). Only recently, Canada has been making proposals to create pledges and efforts to conserve biodiversity in the country for a number of years, and decreasing the effects of urban sprawl is one of the nation’s plans to preserve ecosystems. In 1995, the government issued a document entitled “Canada’s Response to the Convention on Biological Diversity”, which generally gave the message that the communities of Canada must use various planning systems and tools such as UGBs to decrease the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity. (Pim & Orney 11). By the government’s encouragement for communities in Canada to use UGBs, the country is taking a positive step forward in the direction of reducing the negative impact of urban sprawl upon the natural environment.

Overall Benefits Of UGBs
With the obvious advantages of putting urban growth boundaries into place where regions need it the most, it is clear that it is a sufficient solution. Some of the advantages from using these includes the fact that UGBs will allow the citizens in the area to be confident in their communities’ identity, so that they will understand their role within the community, and can work to better current situations. (Byrd 3). When people have confidence in their community, they will be encouraged to contribute to the economy and social programs, and will put more into the community around them. It also saves taxpaying citizens a great deal of money with its efficient use of land and resources. (Byrd 3). Nothing is wasted, which means that the taxpayers’ money can be spent on such things as social programs to benefit the community. Housing, as it becomes compacted and less spread throughout a community, becomes more affordable, because there is no property that is “better” than the rest. (Byrd 3). This will encourage people to move into already-existing areas instead of creating new, unnecessary residential areas.

While the community is working together to create a working system that will benefit every group, diversity is encouraged as people take on their own roles within the community, as opposed to the competition for similar positions that is evident in communities without UGBs set in place. (Byrd 3). This encourages job creation because people will be searching for a variety of jobs, rather than a large group striving for the best positions, and the rise in employment will contribute to the economy. With these advantages having been proven to be true and directly resulting from the placement of urban growth boundaries, it is clear that it is a reasonable solution to the issue of urban sprawl.

Kibbutzim Movement
The kibbutz, a term that is Hebrew in origin, describes a communal living arrangement, organized through a democracy that is not unlike what one would experience at a town meeting. It was originally formed in Israel, and is linked to Zionist and socialist ideologies. It is an interesting system that works slightly like a family, with the members not receiving pay for the work that they do, but the members of the kibbutz provide for each other, so they do not need a salary to provide for themselves. Early settlements of kibbutzim were created to create communal agricultural settlements, with funding provided by American Jews. These ideas of creating close-knit communities that lived and worked together in harmony, and were successful in their attempts, are examples of what people strive to achieve in society.

The very first kibbutzim settlement was created on September 26, 1910, where the members learned of agricultural methods and construction. (WZO 1). By the 1940s, the kibbutzim were well established within Israel, and were modernizing their way of life while maintaining their firm and supportive social structure. Although the kibbutz was originally a more isolated way for groups of people to live, it has evolved to include modern industry and production while still holding onto their original values. (WZO 7). The kibbutzim has proved to be a success in Israel, with 3% of the population living in 270 kibbutzim with an estimated member count of 200 to 2000 people. The members of these kibbutzim produce roughly 50% of the agricultural produce in Israel, and 9% of industrial goods in the country. (Davidmann 15). If this system has worked for so many years, perhaps North American society could learn from their ways and attempt to establish a similar system, although not to such an extreme as converting to kibbutzim. North American society should try to follow this example by living a more unified way of life, because preventing urban sprawl from happening is a necessity to preserve balanced ecosystems that provide the world with natural resources.

Negatives Of UGBs
While urban growth boundaries have a great deal of advantages, the disadvantages must also be taken into consideration. When looking at Portland, Oregon, and the businesses that are interested in expanding in the area, there are difficulties raised when it comes to finding land for some businesses. "It's tough to find land," says Tom Usher, an office broker at Cushman & Wakefield in Oregon. "Either it's not the right topography, or not good enough access, or if you find land, it's so cost-prohibitive you might as well go elsewhere." (Stout 5). Conflicts such as these will obviously arise when dealing with the boundaries that are put on land, and although it is difficult to work around them, it is necessary to make sacrifices in order to maintain the security of the environment. Usher experiences two different perspectives due to the UGB; the business does well because of the centralized commercial core of Portland, but the business also has difficulty when it comes to finding space to actually set up an industry on land.

Real estate costs have also gone up a tremendous amount in cities such as Portland, due to the inadequate supply of land for construction of houses. They cannot develop land set outside of the UGBs, for environmental protection reasons, and so they attempt to build on the provisions of land that are contained within the urban growth boundaries. With so little room to build on, the properties that are already there are worth a great deal more than most people can afford. “To make three-quarters of housing in Damascus affordable, $1.5 billion, that's billion, not million, of public subsidized housing is required," says Wendie Kellington, land-use attorney and president of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland. (Stout 16). With costs such as those simply for residential area, it is evident that real estate is not profiting from the establishment of urban growth boundaries in various regions, including Portland. Still, the risks of not using UGBs are much greater than the risks that are taken if they are used. Environmental and social conditions are of a higher priority than housing costs, and must be considered of greater importance in the long run.

Conclusion
Taking into consideration all of the consequences of urban sprawl, and its harmful effects on society and the environment, it is imperative that urban growth boundaries are used to protect natural resources from being completely exhausted by humanity. UGBs have been proven to be very beneficial to the regions that put them into use, and the positives to their use far outweigh the negatives. North American society could also use the urban growth boundaries to create a social structure that would have traits similar to the strong kibbutzim movement. Without prevention of urban sprawl, the impacts on the environment are very serious, and these environmental concerns must be looked after, with the help of urban growth control. Although it often seems as though there is only one right answer to issues such as urban sprawl, there are many differing views and ideas on how to protect natural resources from being obliterated by development, and people in society must work together to explore different options to eventually find a solution that will benefit the world as a whole.

Works Cited

”Urban Growth Boundaries.” Ecotrust, Earth Ministry. 2002. <http://www.earthministry.org/3e/pmap/ugrowth.htm>

”Biology and Sprawl.” Alex Chang, Tufts University, 2000. <http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/envbio/humans/sprawl/chang/issues.html>

”Firebrands of ‘ecoterrorism’ set sights on urban sprawl.” Brad Knickerbocker, 2003. The Christian Science Monitor.
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0806/p01s02-ussc.html>

”How Portland controls growth.” The Rusk Report. York Daily News, November 1997. <http://www.ydr.com/projects/rusk/1rusko.shtml>

”Urban Growth Boundaries.” Dom Nozzi, Urban Legend, 2004. <http://user.gru.net/domz/ugb.htm>

“Information on using urban growth boundaries to fight urban sprawl.” Rodney Byrd, PageWise, Inc, 2002. <http://ohoh.essortment.com/informationonu_rjsw.htm>

”Kibbutz Deganya Founded.” Zionist Organization (WZO). <http://www.doingzionism.org.il/resources/view.asp?id=1070>

”Kibbutzim.” Manfred Davidmann, 1996.
<http://www.solbaram.org/articles/kibbut.html>

”Urban growth boundaries controversy continues.” Heidi Stout, The Business Journal. September 27th, 2002. <http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2002/09/30/focus10.html>

Appendix A
”Map of Portland, Oregon sprawl effects.” Michael Starobin, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. <http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/stories/aaas/portland_and_dc.html>

Appendix B
”A Smart Future For Ontario: How to Protect Nature and Curb Urban Sprawl in Your Community.” Linda Pim and Joel Ornoy. 1996, Federation of Ontario Naturalists.

Appendix C
”Map of Proposed Highway Extensions for Greater Toronto and Niagara Regions.” The Pembina Institute, 2004. <http://pembina.org/pdf/publications/pembina_proposed_hwys_final_040301.pdf>

Need sleep. Holidays. Here. Need. Yoorah.

ficlet. whee.

2004-11-28T18:20:07Z

I posted this in my LJ a while back, but forgot to post it in this journal. It would make sense more if it was here, considering this is my writing journal, so. Ignore it if you want.

Inspired by "Hunter" by Dido.

i·ris ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rs)

1. The pigmented, round, contractile membrane of the eye, suspended between the cornea and lens and perforated by the pupil. It regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
2. Any of numerous plants of the genus Iris, having narrow sword-shaped leaves and showy, variously colored flowers.
3. A rainbow or rainbowlike display of colors.

She set down one foot upon the first stone step. Carefully, as it was slippery.

Go figure the rain would choose just now to start to pour. Her cloak was soaked through, just by making her way along the walkway to the building. Red hair hung limply from her scalp, tangled and matted against her back. The little make-up that she was permitted to wear was running down her face. One might blame it on tears, except she was well past tears by this point.

Her fingers clutched at her shoulder bag, as she groped around inside for her key. She knew there was no point, this was a futile exercise. Hoping for what she knew was impossible. For him to be out. And not waiting for her.

It was dark out. She would have welcomed more dark, but the brilliant lights of the posh apartment building in front of her prevented her from any chance of hiding. Much to her chagrin.

Somehow, staying out past nightfall for any reason didn't seem worth it anymore.

Pressing her wet palm against the glass door, she pushed her way inside and peered around the expensive-looking lobby. A doorman looked her up and down, taking in her ragged appearance, and frowned in disapproval. He knew who she was, of course. But she didn't look at all as if she belonged. Tangled, unkempt red hair, pale, unhealthy skin, and sunken, dull eyes. A pathetic excuse for a queen, or whatever she thought of herself as. Merely her presence brought down the rich appearance of the building. It disgusted him. "Good evening, Miss Sinistra," he drawled in a formal, mocking tone.

She walked blindly towards the lift, taking her time. No sense rushing the inevitable.

Stepping past the sliding doors, lugging her shopping bags with her. Shifting her belongings around in her arms, shuffling her feet from side to side. The irises of her eyes focused on the numbers as they increased slowly. Increased too quickly for her.

The doors opened to her floor. So much for her brilliant plan of escape from this life. This Hell in which she was trapped. The expensive carpet beneath her sopping wet boots squelched unpleasantly as she stepped out of the elevator and down the hallway. As she approached that loathesome door, number 607, she glanced at the light shining out from under the door. Her suspicions confirmed, her spirits crushed. He was up. He was home.

Her fingers pushed the small key into the slot in the door. She fumbled clumsily with it for a moment, taking her time. Click, twist, push in the door. And there he was.

She pretended to look shocked to see him up. See him sitting in that chair by the fireplace comfortably, legs crossed, book open but unread. She parted her lips in an expression of surprise, even slight terror. He would be expecting that look.

Derrick didn't even glance up at first. A small smirk played at the corners of his mouth, as he pretended to be reading the novel in his grasp. Finally, after a suitable amount of time had passed, she let the door click shut behind her. That's when he looked up at her.

Their eyes locked momentarily. Her irises staring straight into his.

Finally, he spoke, breaking the tense silence between them. "Well," he began. He set the book down upon his expensive side table. "Look what the cat's brought in."

This ascent had been climbed, it was now to begin its steady drop. Derrick was up in what seemed like an instant, and storming towards her. Groceries knocked to the floor, the contents strewn about the floor, as he gripped her neck tightly and pulled her towards the furthest wall from the hallway. Pressing her against it. His immovable and strong body, clad in only the finest tailored clothing, crushing her. Even struggling helplessly, she had learned by now, was useless.

"Groceries, at ten o'clock at night," he hissed with contempt. "You stupid girl. What do you take me for?" She pried weakly at his fingers, gasping for breath that would not come. "You were trying to run away again."

He smirked as he tightened his grip. "But of course, you returned. Because you are weak. You need me. Where would you go? Who would believe you? After all, with all the holes in your memory, you could be cast off as just another Muggle drug addict. Pathetic." His fingers finally loosened their grip, but only so he would have a free hand to hit her across the face with.

She stared up at him, her face showing no emotional response to the punch. She was tired, tired of going through this what seemed like every night. Tired of him forcing himself upon her. She had no will left. He was right. His memory charms upon her mind were leaving her useless at remembering anything of use. Only the pain. And it was all the same to her now anyway.

He stared into her eyes, her once-beautiful eyes. Where had her beauty gone? It was there, but subdued. Instead of the radiance of the past, she was significantly changed. Cracked, full lips. Pale, smooth skin. Hideously clumped, brilliant red hair. Large, empty eyes. Ugly, but beautiful. She was becoming what he had always wanted her to be. His own beauty. His own queen. And if keeping her in chains was the way to have her for his own, he would not let it stop him from posessing her.

"Iris." Her eyes flickered at the mention of her name. Was it her name still? It seemed so long ago that her mother and father had smiled at her, and called her by that name. A small flame of hope flared up at the mention of her name, but died at his next words. "You are mine. You will always be mine. You've said it yourself, have you not?"

A smile twisted unpleasantly onto his horrendously handsome face. "You've spoken those words to me before," Derrick whispered against her ear.

Yes, a small voice nagged her from the back of her mind. But was it of my own free will? Or was I under the Imperius curse? Who was it that decided I was his? A sudden sense of longing filled her. She wanted out. She wanted to be free. To hunt for herself again. To fly away. She foolishly allowed this hope to fill her, for that brief moment, as she inhaled sharply.

Derrick sensed it immediately. "Disgusting," he spat, and his fist collided with the side of her head, knocking her to the floor. "You're mine, and you will not get any foolish ideas any more." She could hear his feet pounding against the floor as he stormed from the room. At least he had not used the Crutacius curse this time. His power over her seemed to increase every time he lifted his wand and aimed it in her direction.

But no matter how many times he tried, he could not hope to squash out that tiny flame. Iris knew she was going to escape him. It was inevitable. He would come for her, but he would not find her. He would be put away when she told them who he was in league with. He would be put away for good. And she would be free.

She smiled through cracked, bleeding lips at this thought as she lost conciousness there on the floor.

---

Wow.

2004-05-24T03:58:12Z

There are no words for how wrong this is. BUT ANYWAY. Dolores Umbridge x Iris Sinistra.

READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. IT IS REALLY REALLY DISTURBING. And rated 14A or something.

I wrote it, and I'm clawing at my own eyes. :D

Experiences
- Lisa Polluted-Ski

“Hem hem.”

Iris looked up, her eyes widening in fear. The Hogwarts High Inquisitor was here. She was also known as Professor Dolores Umbridge, the one that everyone had grown to despise almost as soon as the school year had begun.

Umbridge was putting all of the professors through these observational tests, and Iris had been dreading the day when it would be her turn for the evaluation. She looked around at her class of fifth year students, smiling as reassuringly as she could, before turning towards the doorway, where the stocky toad-like woman stood, smiling sweetly.

”Hello, Professor Umbridge,” Iris greeted her as kindly as she could manage. “Please, feel free to have a seat at the back of the room.” She gestured towards an empty desk.

”No thank you, Professor Sinistra,” Umbridge responded in a sugar-coated voice. “I prefer to stand.” She produced a clipboard and quill, and held the quill above a piece of parchment. She flashed another overly-sweet smile at Iris.

Iris swallowed nervously, and turned to the chalk board as she began to write out the day’s lesson. She was on her best behaviour; knowing that her job depended on this class going as smoothly as possible. Umbridge frightened her. A lot. She didn’t want to mess this up.

The lesson went quite well, fortunately, with no real mishaps; aside from an ink bottle spill, but that was cleaned up quickly and easily.

Iris felt that she had done well, and breathed a sort of sigh of relief as the class filed out of the door at the end of the period. Umbridge, however, did not leave. I suppose she wants to discuss the class with me, Iris thought uneasily as Umbridge approached her, smiling insincerely.

”You teach well,” Umbridge said simply, not even bothering to look down at whatever she had written down on her parchment. Iris blinked, not sure how to react. “Some professors here have proved less than satisfactory, but you, my dear…” She let out a shrill giggle. “You are exemplary.” She put the clipboard down on Iris’ desk.

Iris smiled nervously. “Thank you….” she said uncertainly. “I do try to do my best…”

Umbridge glanced over at the closed door of the classroom, and then up at the high ceiling windows, where the sunlight was pouring in on them. She took a step closer to Iris. Her beady toad-like eyes were fixed on Iris’ face.

”You have potential to be quite talented,” Umbridge said in a low voice, losing her usual frilly persona. She seemed much more serious, and… could it be? Sincere? Iris merely stared in shock, unsure of what to make of the situation.

The older professor stepped closer to Iris, until she was standing less than a foot away from her. She raised one stubby finger, decorated with thick golden rings, and lifted Iris’ chin slowly. Iris merely stood still, staring at Umbridge in shock, and something short of wonder. She had never seen Dolor-…err, Umbridge like this before. It was shocking. It was astounding. It was intriguing.

Their eyes were locked in a gaze that could not be broken by any disturbance. Iris was mesmerized. Umbridge, well, she was anticipating what she had wanted to do ever since she had set her eyes upon the young and attractive female Astronomy teacher when she first arrived at Hogwarts.

Umbridge raised her other hand, to touch Iris’ cheek gently, and to pull her face towards her own. Iris stepped forward, unable to stop the inexplicable rush of feelings she was experiencing.

Their lips met with a sudden burst of energy, as the younger professor and the older professor experienced something completely new. Iris had never been with another female. She had considered herself straight, up until this moment. Umbridge had plenty of experience with other females, but no one as beautiful and breath taking as Iris.

Umbridge ran her short fingers through Iris’ long red hair. She pulled the young woman closer, and kissed her even more passionately. Iris moaned slightly, and her hands began to travel down Umbridge’s shoulders, and into her blouse. Her fingers slowly began to massage the older woman’s bosom, and Umbridge grew very amorous with this action. She slid her hands under Iris’ own blouse, and untucked the shirt from her skirt, running her short hands over the young Astronomy teacher’s navel. Her hands moved downwards, slipping beneath the hem of Iris’ pleated skirt.

It was the most exhiliarating experience of both of their lives. They made love, in the safety of the locked Astronomy classroom, and shared something that no one else would ever understand.

Neither of them mentioned it after that day, however. They continued their lives as if it had not occurred at all.

However, each of them felt somewhat wistful for the other one every now and then, and every so often, Umbridge would catch Iris’ eye in a busy hallway, and they would both smile knowingly.

Legilimency Fic

2004-05-23T08:30:20Z

His Most Prized Possession
- by Lisa Polluted-Ski

The rustling of a page being turned was the only sound in the otherwise silent flat as Iris attempted to focus on the book she was currently "reading". She had tried, for hours, to occupy her mind with other tasks while she excitedly awaited five o'clock. That was when he got home. Her foot almost started tapping to an unknown beat as she impatiently glanced up at the clock for the millionth time.

The flat, which was very well-furnished and adorned with an abundant amount of expensive items, did not belong entirely to Iris. It was the property of one Derrick Jugson, the one that Iris was currently anticipating seeing again. Bear in mind that word; "property".

Many minutes passed, until the silence was broken by the sound of a key turning in the lock. Iris leaped up, dropping her book, and flew over to the door to greet her beloved. The door swung open, and Derrick, a rather handsome man who was a few years older than the now-twenty-one year old Iris, smiled in greeting. He was dressed in a business suit, which was slightly irregular for most wizards, and his dark hair was slicked back. His eyes did not seem to reflect the smile upon his face. "Hello darling," he said as he entered the flat, pulling the door shut behind him.

"Hello Derrick!" Iris beamed and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him and pulling him closer. "I missed you," she said breathlessly when they broke apart. "You're away at work too often."

"An unfortunate price to pay to provide you with the best," Derrick responded airily. "I wouldn't want my precious diamond to be unhappy, now, would I?" He smirked and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Iris pretended to pout as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'd be happier if you were around more often," she protested, only half-joking.

Derrick chuckled. "You should be thanking me, really, you could be so much worse off." He didn't particularily like having to constantly remind her that she was being graciously provided for. "It's all for the best, love."

"Maybe," she sighed, and then looked up at him. "Are we going anywhere for dinner tonight?"

"I'm afraid I simply do not have the time," Derrick stated, his expression forming something of an apologetic smirk. "They've called me in to work tonight as well."

Iris looked at him in disbelief. "But you've been working nonstop for days!" she exclaimed, a hint of annoyance in her voice. It always seemed like he was off somewhere else nowadays, and they rarely had any time together that they could just enjoy. She couldn't remember the last truly special date that they had been on.

"Iris, you know my career calls for lots of time and effort," Derrick reminded her rather coldly. "I wish you wouldn't complain so much."

Biting her tongue, Iris stopped herself from retaliating. She didn't want to argue with Derrick. He was most likely right, anyway; she really did whine far too much. She was acting far too possessive. "I'm sorry," she apologized wistfully. "It just seems like I never see you anymore... and half the time I can't even contact you at work."

Derrick sighed impatiently. Why must she get so emotional like this? he thought irritably. "I am busy most of the time. It is difficult for anyone to reach me."

That brought another question to Iris' mind. "Well, what do you do that's so important that your own girlfriend can't even get ahold of you?" She tried to keep the curiousity out of her voice. He had disappeared at odd times recently, even during the night. There had to be some sort of explanation that he could give her, right?

A swift look of anger crossed Derrick's face as he gripped Iris suddenly by the shoulders. "I've told you multiple times that it's none of your concern," he snapped. "I would prefer to keep you and my work apart. You know that. So don't ask ridiculous questions." He loosened his hold on her shoulders ever so slightly.

Iris was startled by this sudden outburst. Sure, he wasn't one to keep his temper in check, but he was even more tense recently. And the fact that he refused to tell her what he was up to was even more puzzling. "I... I'm sorry," she said quietly, not wanting to upset him again.

Derrick shook his head, and let go of her shoulders. He took one of her hands in his own, and held it up to his line of view. Her perfect hand, with skin as soft as could be, and her
slender fingers adorned with only the finest jewellery; gifts from him, of course. His eyes
drifted over to her face. Iris was so beautiful. Her lips, soft and sweet; her skin, smooth and pale; her perfectly shaped features and stunning eyes, all framed by the most brilliantly red hair that encompassed the delicate beauty of her face. And all of it was his. She belonged to him. It was too wonderful to be true.

"You are beautiful." He leaned towards her to whisper this into her ear. "We will make the most of this time instead of quarrelling."

***

Derrick left the flat once again later that evening, and Iris was once again left alone. She was tired of this. Derrick may have thought it better to keep her in the dark about whatever it was that he went off to do, but she saw otherwise. She was sick of feeling so curious, and although she wanted to find out what was going on, she did not want to contemplate the idea of him being unfaithful to her. Iris loved him too much to find out something unpleasant like that.

Iris made up her mind fairly quickly after he had left, and she pulled on her cloak quickly as she hurried out the door, kicking her feet into her shoes as she tried to inconspicuously prepare to follow him.

Out on the street, away from the building, Iris looked down the sidewalk. He was far enough ahead of her that she was safely out of sight, and yet, as she hurried after him, she found it odd that he hadn't Apparated to where ever he was planning to go.

Iris weaved in and out of crowds of people as she followed Derrick from a safe distance through the streets of London. She couldn't identify his purpose for whatever he was doing, but perhaps it would become clearer when he reached his destination.

Derrick disappeared into a small, easy-to-miss boutique on a crowded downtown corner. Iris, finally reaching the store he had entered, looked up for a sign that would tell what sort of store it was, but there was none. "Damnit," Iris muttered under her breath. She peered in through the grimey windows of the rather ramshacked boutique, and could just vaguely make out Derrick standing and speaking with two cloaked men. She watched, careful to stay hidden from view, as they walked into a back room and shut the door.

Well, what the hell, Iris thought, and pulled open the door to the boutique. She winced as it creaked slightly, but tiptoed inside and shut the door behind her. Standing and looking around at her musty surroundings, Iris spotted a lone cabinet in the corner of the room. It looked just big enough for her to fit inside.

She certainly didn't plan on getting caught just standing there, so Iris hurried silently over to the cabinet and stepped inside, pulling the door mostly shut. She left it open a crack so she could see out at the door where Derrick and the men had entered.

All Iris could hear for several minutes was the murmur of voices behind the closed door. The voices got progressively louder, and it sounded as if there was some sort of disagreement going on. Her curiousity was beginning to give way to fear, and she was starting to regret her decision to follow Derrick. She didn't even have a clue about how dangerous this truly could have been.

She was startled out of her worries by the door banging open, and she watched in apprehension as Derrick came through the door first. He was followed by a shorter, scruffier man in a black cloak, and then by a taller man, who was clean-shaven and dark-haired. Derrick looked extremely angry, but was remaining silent while the other two men were arguing loudly.

"It's about bloody time!" the shorter man snapped. "The stupid blighter's been sitting there, not saying nothin' for about a fortnight! He's useless! Why can't we just get rid of him?!"

The taller man vocalized his agreement. "Fucking bastard's been nothing but trouble ever since he came to stay!"

Derrick turned around to glare at them. "I would like to remind you revolting pieces of filth that this is our last link to completing the task that we have been assigned. I, unfortunately, have been forced to put up with you incompetent imbeciles for long enough. I will not have the likes of you ruin this for me."

Iris hardly dared to breathe. He sounded much colder than he had ever sounded before.

The taller man grumbled under his breath, and the shorter man protested, "What other suggestion d'you have, then?"

Derrick turned away from them again, although Iris could still see the dark look upon his face. His expression frightened her. "Patience."

The shorter man looked angry again. "But ... for the sake of the Dark Lord, we’re not gonna be patient for much longer, and you KNOW that!"

Iris felt her blood chill, and her heart skipped a few beats. No. She had heard wrong.

"Everyone will be far more upset if you dispose of our little friend," Derrick reminded the short man with a smirk. "I have never failed in the service of the Dark Lord in the past, and I do not wish to start now. You will not be the cause of my failure."

Not Derrick. He couldn't be. He was one of them...? No. NO. This was all a nightmare. Iris pinched herself to try and wake herself up. No luck. Unable to stop herself, she let out a low cry of disbelief.

Three sets of eyes turned to stare at the cabinet where Iris was hiding. The next thing she knew, the door of the cabinet had been flung open, and Iris was face-to-face with Derrick.

The look of pure rage upon his face was nothing short of terrifying. He yanked her harshly out of the cabinet by her arm. "What do you think you are doing here?!" he hissed, clearly enraged. Iris said nothing; she was staring up at him in disbelief and fighting back tears. It couldn't be true.

The other two men were livid as well. "Who the fuck is she?!" the tall man demanded, pulling out his wand. "Fucking snooper; I oughta teach her a lesson!" The short man agreed.

"She likes listening in on words; see how she likes the words 'Avada Kedavra'," he sneered as he pointed his own wand at Iris.

"NO!!!!!" Derrick roared, and pushed the two men aside. Iris was trembling, still in shock as to what she was witnessing.

The short man was glaring daggers at Derrick. "Why shouldn't we kill her? She's been listenin' in on our plans!"

Derrick was already pulling Iris towards the exit. "This meeting is cut short," he growled. "We will continue this talk later." Without another word, he led Iris out of the boutique and down the street, not loosening his tight grip on her arm.

Iris was only beginning to come to terms with what she had overheard. "You're a-" she began in horror, but Derrick cut her off. "Not ANOTHER word," he hissed as they headed in the direction of his flat.

When they arrived, Derrick finally let go of Iris and made sure the door was locked after he slammed it shut. He then whirled around to face her, infuriated beyond words.

Iris didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what to do. No, he couldn’t be a…. a Death Eater. She loved him, and he loved her. Death Eaters were evil. They didn’t love. She stared at Derrick, feeling as though her heart was being torn in two. What could she say? What was there to say? She didn’t have to say anything, however, as Derrick began to yell.

”ARE YOU A COMPLETE IMBECILE?!” Derrick shouted at her. “You followed me, when I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU TO STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS. WHY DIDN’T YOU LISTEN TO ME?!” When he was met with silence, Derrick stormed forwards and grabbed Iris by the shoulders, shaking her with fury. “ANSWER ME!!!”

All that Iris could manage to do was tremble in fear. “You will NEVER do anything like that again,” Derrick ordered infuriately. “You will not mention anything about any of this to ANYONE. Do I make myself clear?”

Iris swallowed, and looked up at him, one last hint of courage fueling her, as she demanded, “Why? Why are you one of them?!” She said the last word with utter distaste.

Any shred of patience that Derrick had held on to vanished at her question. He let go of her shoulders, and hit her across the face in fury. Iris let out a cry, as she reached for her face instinctively, but Derrick hit her again, harder. She was unable to fight back, paralyzed with fear, as he gripped her tightly around the neck, his fingers pressing against her throat. She choked for breath, and grabbed at his hands, trying to pull them away. When that failed her, she kicked at him and tried to escape, hitting her fists against his chest in vain.

Derrick let go, but grabbed her by her hair and began to yell again. “YOU WILL RESPECT ME,” he roared, enraged. “YOU WILL NOT TREAT ME LIKE I AM NOTHING; YOU WILL HONOUR ME AND NOT ASK STUPID QUESTIONS! YOU ARE MINE! MINE! DO YOU HEAR ME?! YOU ARE MINE, AND YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!”

Iris said nothing; she was too petrified to respond. Derrick, overtaken by rage, hit her again. She fell to the floor, and made no effort to get up. Her mind was numb. She couldn’t think rationally. She awaited another blow from Derrick, but heard his footsteps moving towards the front door, as he muttered a curse to lock the door from the inside. Iris looked up in time to see him disappear into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

She crawled towards the corner of the room, and pulled herself up to a sitting position, where she curled up as tightly as she could. Her mind could not properly digest what had just happened.

The man that she loved… or thought she had loved… he was a Death Eater. A servant of the former Dark Lord. He was one of the ones who were considered evil by the rest of the wizarding world. He couldn’t be… there was no way… this had to be some sort of horrible nightmare.

Unfortunately for Iris, it was indeed reality. She clutched at her knees, shivering, and barely noticed her own tears as they slid down her cheeks.

She sat there in silence without moving for quite some time, until she heard the bedroom door creak open. She looked up at Derrick, who was standing in the doorway, looking at her. “Come to bed, Iris,” he said in a soft, yet dangerous, tone.

Iris merely stared at him.

Derrick, growing impatient, raised his voice. “Come to bed this instant. Do not make me any more upset than I currently am.”

She climbed to her feet slowly, and moved towards him obediently. Unable to stop herself. Her feet, as she walked, felt like they were made of lead.

When she reached him, Derrick took her by the wrist and pulled her inside of the bedroom. Iris stared up at him, but said nothing. She couldn’t think of anything that she could say. All she could do was stare blankly.

”Don’t look at me that way,” Derrick said icily. “Your behavior as of recent has not been very admirable. You are fortunate that I have not decided to punish you further for your decision to follow me tonight. Now, not another word. You will make this up to me. Come to bed.”

Iris obeyed him without speaking. She felt trapped; she had nowhere to go. She couldn’t go to anyone. She couldn’t resist him; she never could. He had always held that power over her.

It did not stop there, either. Even after that night, Iris tried many more times to stand up to Derrick, but he always ended up winning. And she always gave in. Why even bother resisting? She wanted to leave him, but she couldn’t, no matter how hard she tried. Anything he wanted her to do, she would do. When she protested, he would put her back in her place; with force, if necessary. And it usually was necessary.

Of course Derrick had every right to tell her what to do. Why shouldn’t he? She was his most prized possession, after all.

---

Bleaaagh. It kind of sucks, but whatever.

In Biology

2004-02-16T19:22:33Z

I'm posting in the wrong journal, I know, but I need to update. I am in Bio right now. Will talk more when I get home. Math was good, English was alright, American History was excellent, and Biology is boring.

I want to restart the Sleepy Hollow RP. Who's with me?!?!? ......*silence* ......Well then.

I think that the girls beside me are talking about me. O_O

Thank goodness for this computer having MSN. I was talking to Omi earlier. Feel better, Omi!! ^^;

Methinks I'll go do work now, before the class ends. Goodbye.

From The Return Of The King soundtrack

2003-12-22T17:50:48Z

It's the song about the Grey Havens, the Heavens of Middle-Earth, and passing on to the next world. It's a beautiful song.

"Into The West" by Annie Lennox

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head,
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end.
Sleep now,
And dream of the ones who came before;
They are calling
From across the distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away,
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping.

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
A pale moon rises;
The ships have come to carry you home.

And all will turn
To silver glass,
A light on the water
All Souls pass.

Hope fades
Into the world of night,
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time;
Don't say
We have come now to the end,
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again,
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping.

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
A pale moon rises;
The ships have come to carry you home.

And all will turn
To silver glass,
A light on the water
Grey ships pass,
Into the West.

Writing

2003-12-16T01:24:17Z

I feel like writing. So this is the product.

"If you have known love, then you have known life."

I glance up at the clear blue sky, and shield my eyes against the harsh light of the sun hanging lazily in the Mexican sky. My eyes follow the horizon line over the jagged mountains, across the plains, and to the dried, cracked buildings of my village, where I sit outdoors of the shop where I work. La tienda de la guitarra.

The yellow hue of the dust that has settled into the earth, into buildings, and into the skin of the people has dulled my senses, and has left me weary and content. I have nothing to care for, save looking after my own hunger, and the guitars that I make.

"El amor, child. That is what you must strive for."

Scratching my chin, I tear my eyes from the blurred forms of the townspeople, moving slowly through the tired streets. Turning back to my work, I smile at the small boys watching myself and my colleagues create instruments of music. My worn fingers deftly wind the strings of the guitar through and over the wood.

I reach for a scrap of sandpaper, and as my fingers brush it, I remember a familiar face feeling strangely similar. Similar, but warmer to my touch, and more responsive.

"Papá, where is mamá, then?"
"She is in the kingdom of love; los cielos, the heavens. Do not fear, mi hija."

I rub the scrap of sandpaper vigourously across the surface of the guitar. I have done this many times before, and it is always comforting to me.

Memories of my childhood, memories of the poverty that my family and I lived and loved in, they are slowly seeping into my conciousness. I remember my father and I singing songs softly by the stove, while my mother cooked and sang with us. My tall brother coming in from his work, and scooping me into his arms as I laughed with glee.

I miss those days. I miss my mother, who passed on from an illness that I was too young to comprehend. I miss my brother, who moved to the city to pursue a career. I miss my father, who died a few years ago, when I was barely twelve years of age.

I cannot live in the past, as my father always reminded me. I must move on, learn to love life no matter what, and to seek love through all adversity.

The call of a bird nearby brings me back to the present, and I look down at the now-complete guitar in my arms.

I hoist the guitar onto my knee, and I find the right fingerings with my left hand. My right hand strums a rich chord, in a minor key, but full of love. There is love in my music. There will always be love in my music.

My fingers move gracefully and effortlessly as I play, recalling the words of my father, and wondering what I may know in the near future.

Luthien Tinuviel

2003-11-26T23:53:40Z

Luthien Tinuviel

"The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinuviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her rainment glimmering.

There Beren came from mountains cold.
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beachen leaves
In wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came,
Tinuviel! Tinuviel!
He called her by her elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinuviel
That in his arms lay glistening.

As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinuviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless."

-- J R R Tolkien

from The Fellowship Of The Ring, the first of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy

Writing, blah

2003-10-09T18:31:17Z

Poland, 1940, winter

The cold wind felt like hundreds of jagged pieces of glass dragging across my face; repeatedly scraping across my reddened face with a harshness that only the heavens could unleash. I moved my frozen fingers in my coat pockets, and pulled one numb hand out to tug my scarf further up so it could shield more of my face, both from the weather and from the dangers that were all around me.

Blinking furiously as I peered through the snow-whitened atmosphere, I plunged my hand back into the pocket of my long wool coat, and dug around, my bare fingers searching for the tiny scrap of paper with the address of a local bar. My grip closed on the slip of paper, and I brought it to my eyes in an attempt to read the faded letters.

1445 Kladvak Street

So that was the address. Of course, I should have remembered it. At least I had the common sense to write it down.

Shoving the paper back into my pocket, I peered up and down the icy street, trying to avoid the cold stares of soldiers positioned at various places along the city street. Most of all, I tried to avoid looking at the guns.

The guns. Hellish weapons that let loose a barrage of bullets that I had seen rip through my mother, my father, and my sister of only eight years. Weapons that had nearly brought me to my own demise.

I couldn't think about it. Couldn't think about how their deaths were the fault of my own incompetence. I should have been there, should have seen the Nazi soldiers coming to claim their lives. Should have warned them. I was too late. I had no choice but to run like a gutless coward before the soldiers had a chance to hit their mark.

I stumbled in the snow, and brought myself back to reality as I steadied myself. Looking up a building in front of me, I read the number 1430. I was close. I began to run.

A sudden violent impact against the side of my head knocked the building from my view, and I felt myself being slammed face down into the snow. Dazed, I tried to straighten my thoughts and figure out what had just happened. A voice harshly interrupted my own attempt at recovering.

"You, Junge, wie heisst du?! What is your name, boy? What is your hurry? Speak!!"

A hand jerked me back up by my collar, and I stood somewhat shakily, staring in fear at the Nazi soldier that had lifted me violently to my feet.

I opened my mouth, but a hard smack across the face from the soldier silenced me immediately. Wincing, I clutched painfully at my already-swelling cheek, and looked fearfully back at the soldier.

"What is your business? You do not belong here, why are you here?" he demanded, raising his ham-sized fist threateningly.

I choked out, "My n-name is Andrzej Szlanski... I-I am going to the Stjadka to inquire about a job... I have my papers here..."

"Let me see them."

I fumbled inside my coat, and pulled out the crumpled documents that identified me as nothing more than an eighteen-year-old Polish boy.

The soldier, his brow furrowed, read over my papers quickly, and thrust them back at me. "You have no family members listed," he said, his tone distinctly less harsh, but lacking in compassion.

I shook my head. The soldier stared at me, and I felt a sudden rush of panic. What was he going to do to me? What was he thinking? What could I do? The silence between us seemed to last a lifetime.

Finally, the soldier nodded at me, and shoved me forward. "Move along," he said gruffly, as I stumbled again.

I did not look back at him, even as the wind purposefully tore at me while I hurried down the street. I did not know why he did not kill me senselessly, as many of the Nazis occupying our city had been known to do. Who can fathom the ways of these heartless creatures?

Moving forward was my only choice. I could not let my pain stop me from living. I would work. As long as I could.

---

Bah. I suck at writing good stories. I can't concentrate with squabbling children in the room beside me. Rargh.