Adam Hogge Section 3 Group Paper Once upon a time in a Northern world in California, 3 boys and 1 girl met

around a bon fire during a jam session one evening at California Coast Music Camp. Everyone was having a great time working between tempos and rhythm. When this group of young teens found themselves creating music with such passion that many found themselves drifting deep into the cosmos. Talie and Kier kept making eye contact, which was held longer and longer with each experience. Chris, blowing in his sax with his puffy cheeks. Keeton, rocking the trash can drum set, keeping time with a mastery. Many other kids offering their impromptu instruments taking the group in many directions expressing a vast array of musical harmony. This is a story of four unique individuals that met one night around a fire, meshing and integrating, their lives would never be the same. Chris grew up facing some identity versus role confusion at age 12. In middle school he was seen sitting alone, in the back, praying that he wouldnt get called on to participate. He lived with his grandma and mother and had no male role model which explains his insecurity. So he started playing saxophone in the school band and has been in band for the past 3 years which has helped stabilize him but still felt something missing. Keeton at 11 joined a basketball team and did really well. He loves it and has a lot of fun in the competitions and matches with other states. At 12 he developed an interest in the Drums. While

Adam Hogge Nicole and Chris, his parents, werent excited about the noise, Keeton was very good at it and had a natural talent so they got him a great Drum Instructor. They also finished above their separate garage for him to play and mess around with his friends. By 14, drums were his big thing and worked a couple summers to save for a band in California. Talies move to California was a tough transition but after she overcame her perception on what others thought of her, she became very confident and aware she did well in school and with her older brother. Theyd learn dance moves together and sing different vocal parts from their favorite songs together. They really liked their band and choir classes and thats how Talie got into learning the cello and worked hard to increase her knowledge. As Kier grew into his early teens, his group of friends began to change with him. He found an interest in art, especially graffiti art, messages of revolution, that, as he began to explore the world of poetry, he mimicked until he found his own voice. A passion for music and creating music sprung forth, and he explored the guitar and began to write lyrics to his music. He found his voice to be a rebellion. At age 14 he went off to a local youth music summer camp where he found life-long friends and lessons in life. The schools get in from all around the country, students check-in and drop off their luggage, making small talk with newly formed friends. They get assigned classes by instrument scheduled for the mornings and mesh different schools by

Adam Hogge age groups for the evenings. During evening free time, right before bed all the other spots are taken and the outcasts find a spot by a far off bon fire. They hear each other playing but are hesitant to truly open up to one another from fear of perceived body flaws and the occasional pimple (Body image. Ch. 9. Pg. 317. A persons idea of how his or her body looks). Yet, the darkness helps hide ones own judgment of their body image, which allows them to get lost within their own instrument and musical a compliment. Once the music has stopped, they come together to talk about how powerful their connection through music was and start to bond interpersonally. As the days go on their relationship strengthens and develops into lasting friendships. Their music, becoming more and more inspired, through their trust and connection catches the attention of others by their brilliant musical skills. However, previous experiences of being judged as outcast, deceives them as being judged negatively, when in reality, this group of talented teens are leaving many in awe with the impromptu musical expressions (Imaginary Audience. Ch 9. Pg. 328. The other people who, in an adolescents egocentric belief, are watching and taking note of his or her appearance, ideas, and behavior. This belief makes many teenagers self-conscious). During lunch and in class time, this small group notices many observers staring at them as they pass in the hallway or on their way to a lunch table. Feeling as though they are being judged as weirdos or again, outcasts, yet, not knowing that they are actually being admired for their beautiful abilities.

Adam Hogge At the end of band camp they learned they had a rare talent that people actually appreciated and loved and realized that their admiration was positive and not negative. They continue to play together and learn more about each others backgrounds. Being together for a long period of time day and night emotions, attachments, and feelings come up of individuals feeling misunderstood, excluded, things not being fair etc. The individuals began to feel like no one understood them and drama began to appear in the group. Chris felt like he was a third wheel and no one understood how he felt with having the least attention and felt like he was falling back into his quiet corner. Talie felt misunderstood about her personal feelings about the boys in the group. She contemplated whether their actions and attention were inspired by an attraction to her or a genuine friendship. Kier, feeling on top of the world, finding a new sounding board for his musical inspiration, a new girl who hes attracted to and that inspires him, with a carefreeness about what anyone thinks about him, he enters the world head strong ready to roar. Keeton being a calm easy going guy feels like people misunderstand him that his calmness is really a problem or cockiness (Personal Fable. Ch 9. Pg. 327. An aspect of adolescent egocentrism characterized by an adolescents belief that his or her thoughts, feelings, or experiences are unique, more wonderful or awful than anyone elses).

Adam Hogge The band camp came to an end and they all felt a closeness to each other and didnt want to part. It was hard goodbyes but they promised to continue to stay in touch with each other exchanging emails and phone numbers. They would be able to Skype as well and maintain their friendships. Through the years they have kept in touch and have grown and developed in their relationships. Chris throughout his age 18 faced some more and more existential questions who am I? (Role Confusion. Ch 10. Pg 358. Situation in which adolescent does not seemed to know or care what his or her identity is). He sees all of his friends going into the college, moving out of their parents houses, and he still is in one same position, doesnt know what he wants to do, where he wants to go or even where he belongs in live as a human being. He seems alone, misfit, doesnt have anyone to talk, express what he feels and have someone to give him some guidelines, show the path where to go, while now, he just swims downstream. In Kiers development into early adulthood, his self-expression through graffiti art has flourished into a profound corner of his life. His voice in his music is extremely inspired by the life he has experienced, his views on the world and politics and deeply by his depression he has experienced through most of his life. Thoughts of suicide could said to be his muse. (Suicidal ideation. Ch 10. Pg 366. Thinking about suicide, usually with some serious emotional and intellectual or cognitive overtones). Songs about death and ponderousness of whats after life, have filled many pages of his lyric books. Even some murals that he has produced on public walls have rendered images

Adam Hogge of the questions of life and living. He thought, the only real philosophical question is whether to kill oneself of not. Many nights, Kier and Talie, have stayed up late through the night talking over the phone or Skype, about his suicidal ideation and how it influences his creativity. She has expressed concern for his state of mind, yet, is comforted by his honesty that he will not act upon these dark thoughts. Keeton being in Brazil on an LDS mission sent him continuous letters of support and love and Chris also kept in contact sending support. The whole group did their best to encourage him and remind him of his purpose and to continue to choose life. In a way their whole group has learned what they value and hope to achieve in life through helping Kier in his growing confidence in choosing life (Identity Achievement. Ch 10. Pg 348. Eriksons term for the attainment of identity, or the point at which a person understands who he or she is as a unique individual, in accord with past experiences and future plans). Over the years Talie and Kier have moved in together and are attending UC Davis of Northern California. Their relationship has blossomed ever since they started college together. And from there Talie took on the role of caring for Kier which has helped her grow up and become the woman she is. Her nurturing mother side is being fulfilled and she feels more wanted through caring for him (Cohabit. Ch 11. Pg 414. To live with an unrelated persontypically a romantic partnerto whom one is not married). She always felt good about the decisions she has made in life but ever since moving in with Kier, it has changed her life

Adam Hogge and given her a better perspective and motivation to life. Her support and inspiration has inspired Kier to move from the rebellious stage in life into his extreme passions of rock climbing, sky diving, repelling and the occasional exotic trip back home to SLC for some skiing (Edgework. Ch 11. Pg 391. Occupations, recreational activities, or other ventures that involve a degree of risk or danger. The prospect of living on the edge makes edgework compelling to some individuals). Keeton and Chris also moved to UC Davis to go to college and be all together and although everyone stayed close, they kind of envy Kier and Talies relationship. As much as they try to include everyone, people were still getting left out and having feelings hurt. Chris was just starting to find himself and have confidence and Keeton was just home from his mission trying to figure out where to fit in. Chris and Keeton hung out together a lot but they still missed how close the group used to be. They felt Kier and Talies relationship was pulling the group apart. (Intimacy vs. Isolation. Ch 11. Pg 408. Love/exclusivity; Anxious about close relationships, jealous, lonely). As this group of friend struggle to maintain the intimacy and closeness they once knew, friendships continue to grow. They merge into the next stages in life together. Going to concerts, having study groups on some evening with wine and cheese. Movie nights and video game nights. Kier enjoys spending individual time with each member, yet, makes his time with Talie a priority. Skiing

Adam Hogge with the group and lead rope climbing is every ones most memorable times. And still, they get together making great music, playing gigs in local pubs and art halls. Gazing at the stars, feeling the wind in their hair, listening to the heart beat of their world, these lifelong friends laugh into tomorrow. To be continued