Out the Backdoor - Moonstruck

6 Movies that Scared me this Halloween!

2011-11-06T22:01:00.000-08:00

When it comes to watching scary movies, I’m the last person in line for tickets… Actually, I’m not even IN the line for tickets. I absolutely despise scary movies. I could never understand why someone would want to be scared into vivid nightmares about zombies and serial killers for the next two weeks? Why that is appealing to some is beyond me, but it got me thinking about what actually happens, physiologically, when people get scared. After a quick Google search I found out when you get scared your sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the basic “flight or fight” response. You either do one of two things, you fight, which means you stay there and face your fear or flight, meaning you run away. It’s your sympathetic nervous system that is in charge of increasing your heart rate, breathing and levels of adrenaline as well as putting your digestive system on pause so you’re not hungry.

Not wanting to disappoint those of you who are into being too-scared-to-turn-off-the-lights, here’s a list of the scariest movies of all time. So grab your hall mates, pop some popcorn, turn off all of the lights and be prepared to be scared:

1. The Shining:Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel could quite possibly be one of the scariest films of all time. The bone-chilling movie is based in an isolated hotel where Jack Nicholson’s character and his family have moved in as caretakers for the winter. What follows is a ghostly encounter with a former hotel custodian who murdered his wife and two daughters. Beware: The eerie silence of the movie will haunt you long after you’ve hit the stop button.

2. The Silence of the Lambs:Anthony Hopkins, as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the Cannibal, will scare you into numbness. Not for the weakhearted (like me)-- the psychological thriller is a two-hour-long hair-raiser about FBI agent Clarice Starling, who tries to gain insight into a murderer’s mind by interviewing the psychopath Hannibal.

3. Halloween:A Halloween night turns deadly when a former child murderer escapes from the mental hospital and returns to his small hometown to terrorize a babysitter. Soon her friends start disappearing one by one…

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street:The film that spawned six sequels and made Freddy Krueger into a household monster is still a mustwatch horror flick. A group of teenagers start having dreams about a scarred man with razor fingers and soon they are brutally murdered in their sleep. The remaining teen, Nancy, realizes that she has to stay awake to survive. Good luck going to bed after this one!

5. The Exorcist:You’ll know why The Exorcist is the most bloodcurdling movie ever made when you watch the brutal depiction of a 12-year-old girl possessed by an evil spirit as the exorcist tries to save her.

6. Seven:Shock, nausea, and utter fright, you’ll feel it all at the pit of your stomach while watching Seven. The intense psychological drama follows two detectives, played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, as they try to catch a maniac who plans to kill seven people, one for each of the seven deadly sins.

Halloween Fun Puns

2011-10-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

It’s October, so that means Halloween is right around the corner. Halloween reminds me of trick or treating, going to haunted houses, and eating candy until I turn. However, lately the end of October reminds me of presentations I have to give, homework I have to finish, and studying until I pass out cold. It’s easy for me to get stressed out around this time and forget about the spirit of Halloween. I think that the best medicine might be some candy corn and a few corny jokes. So I will take a break from hectic October to share these ghoulish friends.

What do skeleton before dining?
Bone Appetite!

What happened to the guy who did not pay his exorcist?
He got repossessed.

What’s a monsters favorite play?
Romeo and Ghouliet!

Where do mummies go for a swim?
The Dead Sea!

Why does Dracula think he’s an artist?
Because he draws blood!

What is the ratio to a pumpkin’s circumference to its diameter?
Pumpkin Pi!

What do you get when you cross Bambi with a Ghost?
Bamboo!

3 Great Halloween Recipes for 2011

2011-10-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

1. Tuna Spooks

2 8-ounce cans white tuna, packed in water
3 tablespoons mayonnaise or plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon honey mustard
20 slices wheat bread, crust removed
Whipped cream cheese
Black olive slices for garnish

Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, curry powder, and mustard in a medium bowl. Cut the bread slices with a cookie
cutter shapes like a ghost, bat, pumpkin, or gingerbread man. Spread 10 slices with the tuna mixture and cover with the second slice of bread. Now spread the top of each “spook” with cream cheese. Use 2 slices of olives to make eyes on each. Makes 10 sandwiches

2. Dead Fingers

Prep: 15 min, Cook: 15-17 min.
Makes 8 servings

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar, fi rmly packed
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all purpose fl our
1/4 cup whole blanched almonds, split in half

Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine butter, brown sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until fl uffy. Add flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until dough becomes too stiff to beat. Knead by hand until all the flour is incorporated. Roll pieces of dough into shapes about the size of fingers and transfer to baking sheets that have been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Using a pin or sharp knife, carve knuckles into dough. Cut out a place for fingernails (almond half). Insert almond into each dough finger. Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly before cutting.

3. Bloody Milkshake
Prep: 10 min

1 quart plus 2 cups buttermilk
1 quart plus 2 cups vanilla ice cream
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, stemmed

Combine first 3 ingredients and reserved pineapple juice in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more ice cream for extra thick drink. Add pineapple for phlegm and cherries for blood clots and blend very briefly until cherries are roughly chopped. Fill glasses and serve.

3 Great Halloween Costume Ideas for 2011

2011-10-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

1. God’s gift to women: Find a box large enough to fit around your body. Cut some holes for your arms and head, and then cover the box with wrapping paper. Add a large bow. Attach a tag that says “TO: Women, FROM: God”.

2. Half Asleep/Half Awake: Cut some “footy pajamas” in half, and sew one side to half a pair of pants and half a shirt. On the asleep side, put your hair in curlers, wear no make-up, and wear a slipper. On the awake side, curl your hair, wear make-up, and wear a shoe. Carry a pillow on your asleep side, and a briefcase on your awake side.

3. Bag of Jellybeans: Take two or three clear dry-cleaning bags and put one inside the other. Punch a large hole on each side next to the opening for the hanger (your legs will go into these holes). Blow up about 15-20 balloons of various colors. Turn the bag upside down and step into the leg openings. With your body in the bag stuff it with the balloons. Tie the bag off at your neck with a colorful ribbon.

Halloween Decorating Tips

2011-10-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

Create your own mad scientist’s laboratory. Fill jars with colored water. Fill bowls with jello, pealed grapes, cooked spaghetti and whatever other icky things you think of!
Place simple candles in bowls of candy corn for an adorable centerpiece. Be sure that the candles are secure if you plan to light them.
Don’t forget some spooky Halloween music to complete your Halloween mood. If you don’t have any appropriate music, you could create your own tape of Halloween sound effects by rattling chains, rustling leaves and giving your best screams and howls.
Cover some of your furniture with old white sheets for the spooky look of a haunted mansion.

3 Important Trick-Treat Halloween Safety Tips

2011-10-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Halloween may be a fun holiday for kids, but for parents, trick-or-treat time can be a little tricky. Concerns about children’s safety — whether they are out in the neighborhood or back at home with bags of treats — can darken the day more quickly than a black cat; but not to worry!

To make Halloween a treat for all, follow these safety tips!

1. Porch lights should be turned off to discourage unwanted visitors for a couple of hours after trick-or-treat time.

2. Check all candy for signs of tampering.

3. All items unpackaged or with open wrappings should be discarded.

9 Essential During Halloween Safety Tips

2011-10-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

Have children carry a flashlight or glow stick. This helps them to see and to be seen.
Trick-or-treat in groups.
Have children walk only in well-lighted areas.
Only trick-or-treat at homes with porch lights on.
Follow safety rules for walking:

Cross streets at crosswalks or corners.
Look both ways before crossing.
Never step into the road from between parked cars.
Walk on the sidewalk.
At intersections, watch for turning cars.

Children should not eat any candy until they get home and have it checked.
Have a cell phone with you. Any suspicious behavior or criminal activity should be reported to the police immediately.
If driving a car, be extra alert for pedestrians.
To receive trick-or-treaters, leave your porch light on and greet them at the door. Do not encourage them to come inside.

10 Essential Pre- Halloween Safety Tips

2011-10-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Costumes should be flame resistant.
Costumes should be short enough that children won’t trip on them.
Put reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Use makeup instead of masks. If masks are used, make sure the eye holes are big enough to see out clearly to the sides.
Shoes should fit well and have low heels so children won’t fall.
Make arrangements for a parent or responsible adult to accompany your children.
Decide what route will be used — try to avoid crossing streets.
Set reasonable time limits.
Decide what homes will be visited.
Many shopping malls offer indoor trick-or-treating for your safety.

DRESSED UP AND DANGEROUS ?

2011-10-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

Halloween fun is harmless for the most part, but sometimes dressing up as a superhero, a swashbuckling pirate, or an alien from outer space — coupled with the excitement of Halloween — brings out aggressive behavior. Even fake knives, swords, guns, and other costume accessories can hurt people. If these objects are part of your child's costume, make sure they are made from cardboard or other flexible materials. Better yet, challenge kids to create costumes that don’t need “weapons” to be scary and fun.

Top 5 tips to reduce Halloween waste

2011-10-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

What’s more frightful than Halloween? … the waste we produce once Halloween activities are over. Here are a five top post-Halloween waste-busting ideas:

1. First, use the cotton cobwebs again - Twist them back into cotton balls, but don't put them back in the bag with the rest, as they may not be suitable for swabbing medicines and such. They'll work just fine, though, for Christmas snow, or other craft projects.

2. Paper bats, pasteboard skeletons, and the like will keep until next year, unless they're badly torn, and even then, you might be able to mend them with scotch - type tape. Do it before you put them away so you won't have the hassle next year.

3. Some decorations aren't so Halloween specific and you can use them all season. Scarecrows, miniature bales of hay, and winter bouquets (gathered yourself!) are decorations that will be just as welcome the day after Halloween as the day before. The colors of autumn - orange, gold, reds and browns - speak for Halloween and the season, stretching right through Thanksgiving. Colorful leaves, real or otherwise, can decorate a table, a walkway, or an entire room, as can scarves, or random accessories.

4. And the candy... even if you don't have kids who tote home sacks full of candy, you'll surely have extra around. A lot of candy, even gum, (but not 'hard' candy) can be frozen for later, but chocolate won't look appetizing after a stint in the freezer. Freezing doesn't really hurt it, though, so separate the pure chocolate candy and freeze it all together. Just thaw and melt in a double boiler for cake frosting or decorating, or put in molds for special holiday candies. After it's melted down, it's as good as new.

5. Oh, and about those bruised apples? Make fried apples or applesauce. Just peel and core your tired out apples and fry them in a skillet with a little fat to keep from sticking, and a little sugar and cinnamon. Fried apples are great with pork or ham... or put them in a pot with just a little water and cook until tender, mashing with a fork, and stirring occasionally. There you have it, real applesauce that'll keep for days in the refrigerator.

6 Halloween Earth Friendly tips

2011-10-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it's also a time when you can either trick -- or treat -- Mother Nature.
These tips will help you treat the Earth right on this spooky night.

Dress down. Rather than buy a new costume you (or your child) will only wear once and throw away, make one out of clothes and fabrics you already have. You can also get terrific "costumes" at thrift shops and yard sales. Swap costumes with neighbors and friends. Donate your kids' used costumes to day care centers or shelters.
Bag it. Send your kids out to collect their candy with reusable buckets, canvas bags or pillowcases.
Redecorate. Keep Halloween decorations from year to year so you don't need to buy new ones each season.
Recycle/Compost. Once Halloween is over, recycle your pumpkins, the straw you used to build scarecrows and any other organic material by composting it. Leaves, twigs, and other yard debris can also be composted in a corner space of your yard. In the spring, the compost will be ready to nourish other parts of your garden
Litter Scares Me! Teach your children to dispose of their candy wrappers in their bags or in trashcans rather than on the street.
Keep it simple. When you're buying treats to give out, choose items that come in a minimum amount of packaging. Some folks skip the candy altogether in favor of useable treats like pencils, pens, funky erasers and even nickels!

Modern lifestyle, amenities, has kids out of shape

2011-09-23T02:48:00.000-07:00

The answer to "Why Johnny and Sally can't run?" is a sad one. Everyday after school we can see what is happening to our children. At any corner market you can see children flocking to spend their money. It's candies, ice cream, and other junk supplies that are being bought. What is the necessity? Where is the reasoning? Is it in the T.V. commercials? Can our children be keeping up wilh the junior Jones or Smiths? The answers are all there in the corner stores. The accountants of these places can tell you the results.

A program on T.V. had many more answers to this "sad" question. Statistics tell a lot of stories about Johnny and Sally. A survey was taken to see how many schools, in a random area, were requiring P.E. classes. There were not many requirements. This is just one answer that can really say a lot.

My children, I am proud to say, have no cavities when they go for their dental check-up. My nephew jokes, "I am cheap because I don't buy them candies." My response is that is fine with me. Cheapness, in this way, pays off at the dentist 1 don't want my children to keep up with the Jones', and I do want them to enjoy a sweet thing once in a while. This is why the answer of, "Why Johnny and Sally can't run," is something that can't be ignored.

Don't touch my writes

2011-08-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

Picture a person standing in front of you. Tie their hands behind their back, and then blindfold them. Now, pick up a machete, hold it high over your head, and swing it across their neck. Do the same thing to one of their feet. Take the head, put it on the end of their leg, and place the foot squarely on top of their neck. Something just isn't right about what you end up with.

This is what was done to the first paragraph of my opinion piece that ran in a local paper. The printed text read "I am attracted to stories." The original read "I attract stories."

Part of an editor's job is to catch mistakes. They look for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. An editor must be sure that all facts in a newspaper are true and correct. It is not part of their job to totally change the meaning of a writer's words. Editors should not rearrange body parts. Even Picasso knew a foot belongs on the end of a leg.

Compare these Iwo sentences. I attract stories. I am attracted to stories. The meaning is completely different. In the first sentence, stories come to me. In the second, I actively seek the stories.

As much as I enjoy debunking hoaxes, I do not go looking for them. I do not search for hoaxes. People send them to me. In journalism, we seek to tell the truth. Whether it is a news item or our view on the world, a journalist's first and foremost goal is to present the truth. I am not attracted to stories.

People, who know me, know I love words. Words can be tools, they can be weapons, and they can be toys. I can write words that will make your cheeks hurl from laughing so hard. I can write words that will have tears running down your face. I can write words that can cut and slice like a straight razor. I do words. Words are what I am.

Some people do cars, some do shopping, and some do construction. There are people who paint, people who build ships, and people who teach. I do words. I know words, and I know their meanings and use.

Words are how I express myself. I use words to convey feelings and thoughts. I've used words to make people laugh, and I've used them to make people feel bad.

I am words. Words are me. We're buddies from way back when. I may not always get who or whom right, but I know good and well whether I attract something, or am attracted to it. I walked the dog. I walked to the dog. No matter how you look at it, it's just not the same thing.

I have no problem with an editor doing their job. It's what they get the big bucks for doing. I want editors to do their work. When it's done right, it's like looking at the work of a skilled plastic surgeon. You should never be able to tell they were there. The problem comes when an editor looks at a sentence, and does not pay attention to the writer's meaning of the words used.

Santa brings toys is not the same thing as Santa is brought to those toys. People play bridge, means something different from people play on the bridge. These little words with so much power are called prepositions.

Prepositions are strange creatures. To, for, beside, with are a few. Add one of those to a sentence, and things change drastically. We bombed Kosovo. We bombed near Kosovo. Just the addition of one small, four-letter word makes an awfully big difference to somebody who is either in, or near Kosovo. One will live, the other will die. I attract stories. I am not attracted to stories.

If the opinion had been a news story, shouts would have gone up. Questions would have been asked to find out if the musician played the piano, or played around the piano.

Someone shoots you, or shoots over you. I don't know about you, but that would make a huge difference to me as to which it was. Your lover kisses you...or your lover kisses next to you. It's just not quite the same thing, is it?

This was just an opinion piece written by a first-year journalism student in a small four-page community college newspaper. Not really such a big deal. Not really such a big deal, except when you consider that journalists are supposed to hold the truth sacred. We fight judges and lawyers to be able to tell the truth to the public.

Journalists go to jail to defend their right to tell the truth. Laws have been passed to uphold those rights. A good journalist may be all that stands between a corrupt politician and the town who misplaced its trust. A good journalist works hard to decipher truth from fiction, and to present that truth in the best way possible.

An editor's job is also to be sure that the truth is told. Part of that truth is in the exact words used, burl part is also in the way those words are used. It is not the editor's work to decide what that truth will be, only to make sure it's presented correctly.

My dog ate next to my cat. My dog ate my cat. Close, but not quite the blue ribbon.

I attract a lot of different things besides stories. Gum on the bottom of my shoe, junk mail, and dirt under my fingernails are a few of them. This does not mean 1 am attracted to those things. They show up uninvited like hungry kids at dinnertime. You don't have to do anything special. Cook it, and they will come.

You don't have to be attracted to dirty dishes to have them. You don't have to buy coat hangers. Leave them alone and they'll breed. 1 am not attracted to stories. I attract them like moths to a bug light. They show up whether I want them or not. My fun comes in the act of proving them wrong.

I love words. I use them. I play with them. Words are great toys. But when someone else can look at my toys and realize another person misused them, I know something is wrong. If 1 had been the one responsible for the words, fine. I take full credit for anything and everything I write whether it's good or bad.

Editors, fix my grammar. Repair my typos. Correct my punctuation. I welcome that help when I'm wrong. But leave my meaning as I intend it to be. Change the meaning of my words, and you change my truth. The truth is out there, or the truth is a preposition out there.

Either way, it is journalisms job to protect it, even when it's just an opinion. The First Amendment started out as an opinion too.

Halloween should be a legal holiday

2011-08-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Halloween is the best time of the year for weirdos like me. So it's no surprise that I'm psyched in the extreme for this year's fright fest. But as I was looking at my schedule at work for the week, I saw the most frightening thing I've ever seen.

I'm going to have to work on Halloween.
No scaring trusting little 6-year olds.
No traumatizing their mothers.
No harassing the neighborhood.
No toilet-papering that nosy old lady's house from down the street.
Okay, well maybe I could do that after I get out of work.

But that's not the point. The point is that Halloween should be a legal holiday. I think that we should all get the day off on Halloween. We should get paid for it, too. Halloween is the only real holiday that I think everyone can come together as a people without worrying about religious differences. Except, I think, for those born again Christians.

I really don't think that we can come together as a people, I'm just trying to think of a way to get out of having to go to work. I mean come on. Halloween is the last great, fun, holiday of the year.

But then there's Thanksgiving, which I know will be protested by some political ethnic group that shall remain nameless. I really think that Thanksgiving is a waste of time anyway. Why should I give thanks to a myth? The only good thing about Thanksgiving is that relatives that you only see once a year come over, get drunk, eat a lot of burned turkey and talk a lot of useless garbage.

I get a kick out of it.

And of course there's Christmas but let's face it, Christmas is a just a way of big toy companies making money on a religious figure. But that's another story altogether. Plus, the Christmas season is l\\e worst time of the year for some people. That's why the suicide rate goes up during the holidays.

Halloween is the best holiday of the year. We all deserve a break from our pathetic lives to enjoy the finer things in life, like Snickers and Kit Kat bars. Wait a minute I just realized something. I work in space so with the exception of Christmas I don't get legal holidays off. Damn it.

Wiki Wars

2010-01-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

The conservatives are taking the battlefront against the allegedly liberal-biased Wikipedia with their new, deadly weapon: Conservapedia. Not only is it filling American’s minds with neo con propaganda, but also with horribly inaccurate information. This site claims that it is a trustworthy encyclopedia and the number one conservative site in America. Conservapedia, much like Wikipedia, is a wiki, which is a website where visitors may add, edit and delete information as they choose to; however there are two important differences. Conservapedia requires users to make an account before altering information and has certain pages locked. These pages include those that contain biased material strongly leaning toward right or overly-religious views (not to say the unlocked ones are any more accurate). Not to mention many of the articles contain false information in addition to a refusal to address the liberal position properly. At first this may look like a satire site to the well-educated, but it is decidedly not.

Dinosaurs , and I wish I was joking, apparently coexisted with humans in the Garden of Eden. Not only that, but these dinosaurs were taken on the ark and their descendants still roam around today. Does this mean they support evolution, since obviously there’s not a legitimate T-Rex roaming around today, or is this a bad attempt at the loch ness monster? Fortunately this page has been unlocked and the article has gotten considerably better. Also, users are required, under the “ Conservapedia Commandments” to use B.C. and A.D., instead of the now more widely accepted, and politically correct BCE and CE.

“Iraqis welcomed the American invasion and overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and in the preceding months, showed optimism about their country’s future.” Now although some of these Iraqis are pro American, we have to bear in mind there is a war going on. If all the people of Iraq were “optimistic” about their future and “welcomed” this American “invasion” then the country would not be involved in the civil war they are facing right now. Using the word “invasion” implies that we are, in fact, invading, uninvited and unwanted. When more left leaning information was posted on this page, a banner across the top read “This article has been identified as containing biased, unsourced information.” “Unsourced,” however, is not a word

Apparently, there is no solid fossil evidence for evolution. Are we unaware of that homo habilis, homo erectus, homo sapiens and the many more evolutionary forms that came before these that scientists have been able to trace? Have we not concluded from evidence with fossils found in China that birds desceded from dinosaurs? We have fossil evidence, though we do not have every minuscule step of the process. The reason for this being that there are so many in between forms and not every skeleton, or even skull, survives without breakage, if at all. Evolution has not been cited as a scientific law because modern humans have not been around long enough to bear witness to the process.

Gravity is a theory, does this mean that we are liable to start floating off the ground at any given moment? Of course not. There is no factual or scientific evidence discrediting evolution. (Please take note that I am not undermining theistic evolution, the belief that God and evolution coexist.) Liberals have refused to submit to the oppressive way of the site however. One such activist was clever enough to conceal an anti-conservative message into a logo that the site used for a time.

Eventually it was noticed, but it eases my mind that I am not alone in the battle against Conservapedia.

The Price Of Young Love

2009-10-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just one look into his deep blue eyes and she knew he would be the man to take care of her for the rest of her life. Every time he looks up at her and gives even the slightest smile, she cannot help but giggle. Each word he speaks is like a song gracefully flowing from his lips. She smiles while she thinks to herself, “This is my true love, this is my soul mate.” Almost every woman has felt this kind of passion once in her lifetime. They have fallen so deeply in love, given everything to that special somebody, and believed every word that he spoke. Similarly, men have fallen for that amazing girl and believed that she was everything that they desired. The radio is full of songs with lines about couples falling deeper in love that give people butterflies in their stomach; “The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful stop me and steal my breath” (Emerald Mccain).

Love is a beautiful thing, but seeing friends and family get caught up in it too quickly and giving up all of their dreams and aspirations, is not. I have personally witnessed this and it upsets me because it affects so many other people’s lives. Teens who get married and have children so quickly almost always end up getting divorced. I believe they are being selfish. They are not thinking of how their impulsive actions might impact the life of their future child. Their child has to go through the hardships of having separated parents and may never be able to feel secure or that they truly belong. From separated holidays to weekly living arrangement changes, the child cannot enjoy being a child with no worries. They have to switch parents and are forced to adapt to each parent’s lifestyle. Teens often live in the moment and think that having a child will separate themselves from their parents.

The poor choices that two teenagers make in high school might affect them and their children for the rest of their lives. A relative of mine met a boy and fell head over heels in love with him. They frequently fought, but it seemed that every time they did, they would make up and get back together. A short time later, my nineteen year old cousin announced that she was pregnant. Everyone was shocked, but we stood by her. She and her boyfriend decided to get married before the baby was due. She never got to have the big wedding that she once dreamed of and never attended college as she had planned to become a teacher. She soon had a healthy and delightful baby boy; however, in their apartment, things were not always cheerful. My cousin sadly ended up getting a divorce from her husband within a year, and is currently going through an ugly custody battle.

I have seen some of my friends turn down incredible college opportunities and choose not to go to school, just to be with their boyfriends. If only they had the foresight to realize that they will not be lost without that boy by their side everyday. My aunt was 17 and in high school when she became pregnant with her first child. That child is now 24 years old and I have seen the emptiness she feels without her “real” father. My aunt is now happily married, but she still has to remain in contact with the boy she once thought she was in love with in high school. Their daughter has had to go through many hardships because her father lives in South Carolina and her mother lives in Ohio. Simple family occasions are so complicated for my aunt, cousin, and our entire family.

It is important to me that teenagers hold onto their dreams and never lose them. Our society has become so accustomed to divorce that people are starting to think that it is a normal thing to do after getting married. It is so unnecessary for teens to be losing dreams and goals to be with someone that they most likely will not be with in just a year’s time. Young women and men can think things through, and do not have to lose themselves after falling in love. Everyone should have an opportunity to work hard, live up to what they dreamed of doing and never have to abandon it for a boyfriend or girlfriend.

I believe that teenagers can keep their boyfriends or girlfriends, but at the same time go to the college of their choice, get that job they always wanted, and have the life they always dreamed of. This way, America will have a better educated workforce of people pursuing their preferred careers, allowing our society to be more successful economically. Young men and women need to catch themselves before they get lost in love so that they can pursue their dreams and live their lives to the fullest.

Restraining Age Restrictions

2009-06-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

We as a society are dependant upon age restrictions. America especially is obsessed with limiting our rights based on our age. Throughout history the United States has given rights based on circumstances that one cannot possibly control: ethnicity, place of birth, the identities of our parents, or age. How are these ages that control our every movement chosen? Is there a nation-wide poll that asks when we feel our driving skills are at their best, or we are most aware of the needs that we as a country require in a leader? When we are limiting the people voting for the president of the United States to those above the age of 18, only the voices of those over the age of 18 are being heard. Of course, many people below the age of 18 are not ready to vote in the presidential elections. The problem is that many people above the age of 18 are not ready to vote either. So how did we come to the decision that people are given the right to vote at the age of 18?

The legal age for the buying of alcohol and its consumption is 21. It amazes me that the United States has one of the highest drinking ages, and it still has one of the highest death rates due to the consumption of alcohol. Making drinking unavailable legally to the teen population is an error in itself. That is like making drinking a goal for them to reach. If teens were able to have it at a younger age, then the allure of it would not be as great. The idea of limiting the accidents caused by drunk driving is a good idea, but the execution has not been the greatest. Of course, no government officials are going to take my advice on the matter, being the legal genius that I am. What needs to happen is that the driving age needs to be coordinated with the drinking age and vice versa. And both of them need to be created based on the individual and not the stereotype that is fitted with a specific age group. Of course, a need-by-need basis is asking for something that could never be given, like the ability to shoot lasers out of ones eyes.

What I am trying to say is that age restrictions are the solutions to problems that will never be completely fixed. The solutions create more problems and to fix these problems we do not divulge into the root of these problems because we would have to exchange one set of problems for another. We must decide which problems we can live with and then learn to accept the fact that we cannot live in a Utopian society

A First Hand look at Eternal After Life

2009-05-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was walking one day. I didn't know where I was going or why, I was just walking. I didn't know what time it was, but it was late, for there was no one out in the streets. 1 bumped into a man who .said he was working. Strange fellow this man was, for it seemed to me that when we met the weather changed. I began to feel cold, and my body felt empty, my body was lifeless. I realized 1 had no emotions and had no recollection of my past or of what I was.

So we walked, without saying a word to each other. As we walked, I noticed the sound of only one set of footsteps. I was wearing boots, so it was obvious the sound was coming from me.

His walk was silent, like a predator approaching his prey. Discrete and deadly, he walked as if on air. He knew where he was going, but he was in no hurry. Time was irrelevant, for it seemed time had no significance for him. As we walked, I felt a spurt of energy pass through me, as though I'd been reincarnated from an untimely death. I noticed the man smile at me, as if he knew about my little energy fix.

With that, I asked him what it was he did for a living. "I look for people," he said. "I wake them from their dreams and take them to my home," he said as we turned into an alley way. We stumbled upon an elderly man who was singing. I couldn't quite make out the song, but it was one the old man had composed himself. In ragged attire, and holding a bottle of whiskey, the man sang about the time he returned from the war and met the true love of his life.

As we approached him, the song began to get louder. I remember hearing a part of the song, something about sitting in a pool of blood with his son in his lap and his wife at his side. The song ended with him yelling in a mad rage, "Yes, God, it was me." The old man looked up, and recognized my companion, for he had seen him before. My companion had a smirk on his face, as if reliving the moment when the man murdered his family.

As soon as he had finished his song and took the last drink of his whiskey, my companion, as quick as the wind, began to beat on the old man. From detrimental blows, the old man fell and awoke from his dream. The fear in me flared as I stood and watched the old man slowly bleed into the next world. I began to walk away and noticed there was blood on my hands. Some of it was mine, for I had a piece of glass from a broken whiskey bottle in my hand, bul most of it had come from the old man.

Why did I have blood-stained hands? I didn't touch the elderly man. Looking down at my hands, the blood began to glisten with the beam from the street lights. Something attracted me to the blood. It was so red, so real, steam was escaping the juice of life. I wondered who had really killed the old man.

My companion was nowhere to be found. As if out of thin air, he reached out and grabbed me by the shoulder. At that very instance, I fell the violent deaths of millions of people circulate throughout my body. Horror, pain, joy and excitement— I felt the feelings of the murderer and the victim, of the dying and the dead.

He looked into my eyes and in his eyes I saw the violent and natural death of human life. He asked me to continue walking with him, for he had more work to accomplish. My body began to feel alive again, for I had had a first hand look at death.

I wanted to question my companion, but I couldn't think of anything to ask. We encountered a homeless couple. He began to walk with them.The young woman was pregnant, and was having contractions. He led them to an abandoned car. He assisted in delivering the child. I saw him raise the newborn child, the child's body glistening in the moonlight, as it took its first and last breath of earthly air.

The father watched as his child was wakened from a dream she never had a chance to see. The father looked down at his hands, shocked to see the blood of his only child.

I knew then who my companion was. His name was Death, and he had made room for me in his home.

The Journey

2009-05-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

I am walking by myself. I breathe the fresh air of loneliness. I have nothing of importance along with me on this trip. Just my gut instincts to go by. I’m not even sure where I am heading. The whole world seems open in front of me.

Without a care in the world, I start towards the horizon hoping to find some answers. My mind fills with all of the problems of my life. I quickly push them all aside looking ever forward. Avoiding problems seems to be something I am good at. This trip is only going to cause more problems for me. I shouldn’t be going any where right now with all the things I am supposed to be doing, but that isn’t stopping me. I just keep on walking. The horizon is growing ever closer.

Ahead I start to see thing come into focus. I can see the shapes of trees rising around me. The world is like a sea of green from the plants all around. The soft moss covers the path gently leading me along toward my destination. The forest is so thick that it is blocking out the sun. There is nothing to fear in this forest though. It is very serene and calming experience being out in the wild like this.
A few fallen branches are scattered over the path and around the underbrush. I move them out of the way. “I hope this will open the path for others to follow,” I think to myself. The world would be a much better place if they all could see such wonderful places like this, the forest of dreams. Nothing can compare to the sights and smell of this world.

The path ahead seems to be lined with rocks. As I approach, I see the rocks are sheer flat. Almost as if God had come down with his knife and split this path for me. The rocks are light colored sandstone. They seem to be covered with moss like the path. The rocks were so clean on the face though that it looked like the breaks were recent.

The rocks intrigued me. They seemed to be calling my attention. I wasn’t really sure what it was about them, but something really stood out. Maybe it was the light. Yeah, the light was hitting these rocks. I was the only place in the forest I had seen light yet. I pressed on hoping to see more of this forest.
As I moved between the rocks I noticed the path formed a bridge. These rocks looked like they had been sculpted into a bridge. Not to far below, rushing water ran. It seemed to come from the far away. The water came over a short waterfall before the bridge and continued over another cliff after it had passed under the bridge. It was almost like this water was shaped around this bridge.

The water barely splashed me as I crossed the bridge. I took in all the sights of this place. Amazing. Nothing like it. I wish I had a camera. Oh well. I will lock this place in my memories.

I turned back to the path and saw a wolf. The wolf was alone. It is common for them to travel in packs. I looked deep in its eyes and saw it was curious. It seemed like this one had the curiosity of a child. It must have lost it’s pack.

I cautiously approached this wolf. It did not flee. It didn’t even flinch when I reached out to pet him. I say, “Hello there little fellow. Are you looking for you pack?” He seemed eager to follow me. He led me down the path to a cave. This cave seemed to contain something the wolf desired.

But he seemed afraid, so I led the way in. The cave was dark and musty. It wasn’t fresh like the forest. I didn’t really like that feeling. I got and uneasy feeling when I moved in the cave. I wasn’t sure what this cave would contain, but I was sure to find it. I turned back and noticed the wolf was gone. I wasn’t worried for him. He seemed to just be guiding me here. But why?

I am sure this cave will hold the answers. Whatever I am doing here, whatever brought me to this forests, whatever told me to walk this path. I will find what is inside. Not too much farther the cave ended. I came out the other side into a clearing.

This wasn’t an ordinary field. It was a wondrous garden. It was filled with some of the most amazing flowers I had seen. Something was odd about this garden. Some of these flowers shouldn’t be here. Tropical, Temperate, and Historical flowers populated this garden. I was immediately suspicious of this place. Those flowers shouldn’t be growing anywhere near here.

I gaze across the garden. There is a strange house. I almost missed it because it was so overgrown. It was set off in the forest. I quickly made for the house. The flowers were amazing, but my curiosity of this house pushed me forward. It seemed to be abandoned for a while. Dust covered everything. Everything, but this one vase.

This vase seemed almost magical the way it seemed so clean amongst the other things of this house. It seemed like just an ordinary vase. I picked it up to inspect it closer. There were elegant floral patterns around this vase. It looked empty when I peered inside from the outside, but it felt like there was something in there. I quickly poured this into my hand. Seeds poured out. This must be where the garden comes from. I decided to put the vase back and to my job to help the garden.
I scattered the seeds in the garden. I felt satisfied with my trip, but looking around there the cave was gone. I had no way to get back. Had I become trapped by that garden? What had happened to me?

I searched around for any way to get out of here. My world seemed circular until I found a stray staircase. It seemed to lead up and over the mountain that I went through before. The cave was replaced by these stairs. but the stairs were not like what I had seen before. They were a hard metal staircase. No more rock and moss path for me. I ascended the stairs with the hope of returning soon.

As I followed the path I noticed that I had come back to the other side where I was before, but it was different. The world had changed. There was a fence and not some nice fence. It was a big chain link fence, and there were signs on it. As I got closer I read the signs. WARNING: High Voltage. Someone seemed to be keeping me from going back to where I was. This new path seemed to be not as nice. There was clearly a nicer path over there, but I wouldn’t risk trying to cross the fence.

I headed back down the path, weary of the chain link fence keeping me out.

Celebrity Worship

2009-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

Benifer, Brangelina, Britney’s baby, Paris & Paris. The celebrity craze these days is out of control. There is absolutely no privacy and rarely any uniqueness. Teens should be spending time studying and finding their own talents. Instead they are constantly spending all of their time tracking down stars and waiting for them to make mistakes. Magazines like US Weekly, Star and The Enquirer fill people’s heads with false information. The sad thing is that the lies that are printed are so interesting that the readers actually believe them. Everyone always says that celebrities are just like everyone else. Considering that these stars have to deal with paparazzi, screaming fans and having the whole world watching their every move, I doubt this is true.

Everything they do, say and wear is thought of as the “it” thing to do. Because of this, it is very difficult for normal people to be original. People idolize the celebrities. They dress like them and become obsessed. Even talking like the stars has become the thing to do. Who hasn’t heard or said “that’s hot” or “you’re fired” before? It has also become problematic that guys see these gorgeous females on television and expect all girls to look and act in this manner. This is not possible. How many girls next door are there that have personal hair stylists and makeup artists in their living room? What ever happened to being your own person? Society places so much emphasis on being just like everyone else, and fitting in with the “in” crowd. It has taken away our differences as people and the little imperfections that make us each unique.

Most high school cliques are formed from looks based on celebrities. If there wasn’t so much concentration on the stars, many teens would have much more self esteem because they wouldn’t feel the importance to look the right part. Television shows like “I Want a Famous Face” and “Super Sweet Sixteen” only add to this problem. By watching these shows viewers get the impression that they need to be just like these celebrity-obsessed people.

The fact of the matter is that the importance to look like the hottest stars is actually not important at all. In 10 years it won’t matter if you had the trendiest clothes, the flashiest purse or the Brad Pitt hair cut. What matters is how you stood out in the crowd.

Video Game Violence

2009-03-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

Violence in video games has been an issue ever since the PC game Doom was released in 1994. Concerned parents have joined together to form organizations such as Mothers Against Video Game Addiction and Violence, states have considered passing laws to ban violent video games, and politicians such as Joseph Lieberman and Hilary Clinton have called for stricter regulation of such games. Why has all this happened? What’s wrong with animated violence? Well, according to some, youths who play violent video games and watch violent movies are more likely to become violent themselves. So by banning violent video games, we would be protecting the nation’s youth, right? Wrong.

Video games do not make people violent. Youths are smart enough to know what they are playing is not real, just as they are smart enough to know that the characters on television shows are not real people. Just because they mug someone in Grand Theft Auto does not mean that they will run out and do it in real life. If parents believe that a certain video game is inappropriate for their child, they need to be the regulator, and stop their kids from playing. They can do that without the government’s help.

Now, studies do show that excessive playing of video games can make youths lazy and socially withdrawn, but that is an entirely different problem. But people will argue that there is conclusive proof of violence caused by video games. Take this story for example. In 2003, after being arrested, Alabama resident Devin Moore shot and killed three patrol officers and fled in a police cruiser.

He was eventually caught and tried for the three murders. According to Devin’s defense attorneys, he was not to blame for his actions: The long hours he had spent playing Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had distorted his sense of reality. Also, when arrested, Moore stated, “Life’s a video game. You’ve got to die sometime.” Moore pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect. After hearing all of the evidence, the jury thought otherwise. He was convicted on all counts.

The families of those killed by Moore were not satisfied. Led by anti-violence crusader Jack Thompson, they filed a lawsuit against Grand Theft Auto’s developer, publisher, and several stores that carried the popular series of games. While I sympathize with those who lost loved ones, I sincerely hope that this lawsuit does not succeed. Devin Moore was a disturbed individual. He killed three police officers to escape from jail, not to reenact a sequence from a video game. Games are meant to be fun and entertaining not to make youths into violent mass-murderers.

Video games don’t kill people, people do.

Caught up in the net

2009-02-23T06:22:00.000-08:00

The clock ticks away on your desktop to 8:12 p.m. It becomes the only distracting reminder that you’ve been slouched over a keyboard basking in the familiar luminescent glow of a monitor screen since school ended five hours ago. The first hour was dull, made up of checking emails, scanning music samples, and surfing the web, but now as the pixels in the bottom right corner of your screen flash 8:13 p.m. you recognize how crucial being logged on, connected to so many people, is to your happiness. They’re not your typical junkies. From the teenagers who witnessed internet’s zenith in the 90s comes a whole crop of Internet savvy teens who have become hooked on the Internet.

The Center for Online and Internet Addictions stated that those with Internet addictions are “preoccupied with being online, lie or hide the extend of their online behaviors and cannot curb or control their online behavior.” It can also mean a problem if it becomes an interference with a person’s life or relationships. Another indication is a self described internet junkie. “Yes, I’m addicted,” Apryl Goodwin said. “On a bad day, I’m on for four hours.” For Goodwin it’s the possibilities of meeting new people and talking to people she already knows that keeps her logged on. Along with online chat rooms different sections of the Internet can lure people to overindulge in the web such as online gaming, buying or selling things or searching for music.

searching for music. “A normal person gets on there one to two hours for entertainment value and the rest for homework me on the other hand, four hours is my entertainment,” Goodwin said. Internet addiction is a controversial term because addiction pertains to a body-altering drug, but the internet is not a drug. Nevertheless like chocolate and shopping overindulging in any activity can lead to problems. In May 2005, a study by Dr. Sang Kyu Lee professor of psychiatry at Hallyum University tied internet addictions to depression in teenagers. Lee’s study suggested that the more depressed a teenager is the more likely they are addicted to the internet. The addiction itself can lead to health problems such as back and neck aches, carpal tunnel, dry eyes and sleep disturbances.

Sandra Weber, author of The Internet coined the term “mouse potatoes” for these inactive Internet users. “If I’m away from it, I get little red bumps,” junior Sarah Benchaita said, “but seriously some of my friends ask me how I can stare at a screen for six hours.” Getting help can be as easy as clicking yes, I am addicted. Ironically the internet offers many online self-help groups. It is recommended that people dealing with an Internet addiction seek professional counseling to overcome their addictive habits.

As the Internet blossoms around the world many countries are addressing Internet addictions in a number of different ways. This past summer in Beijing, a clinic opened up claiming to be the world’s first clinic, dedicated solely to treating individuals addicted to the internet. Along with counseling, the clinic offers extreme therapies such as electroshock treatment to combat patients’ internet addiction.

In Aug. 2004, the Finnish army deemed soldiers medically unfit because of their internet addictions and allowed them to leave the army for a period. In South Korea a 29- year-old man was found dead of a heart attack in an Internet café after playing video games for 19 hours straight, hardly eating or drinking the entire time.

Materialistic Mishaps

2009-02-03T03:43:00.000-08:00

To most girls, the way they look and what others think of them is way more important than grades and tests. Have you noticed how much time you spend each day picking out your outfit? It has to be perfect. You need the right clothes and the right accessories, which have to go with the right shoes. As humans, we have learned to depend on material objects instead of having people’s judgments based on our personalities. There’s also makeup to worry about. You have to put a specific amount of it and it has to be a specific color. Once it’s all applied, your face is supposed to have a natural look to it. But how may I ask, is that natural at all? If you really wanted a natural look, you would have gotten out of bed that morning and gone to school looking like the same person you were before you left home. And face it, if makeup were so wonderful, it wouldn’t be a leading cause for the pimples you get on your face.

And then there’s hair. Most girls could not live without a little something called “The Straightener,” myself included. It’s a hair appliance that helps make your hair flat and perfectly straight. But it’s not used like a casual thing. A girl’s hair is not ready for the world to see before it’s straightened. Don’t you know that by straightening your hair, you’re burning it? After a few more years of everyone straightening their hair every single day, our hair is going to burn to the extent where no straightener or hair product can fix it.

All this madness towards our appearance doesn’t stop there. After all the hard work to look impeccable, some people like to fish for compliments. You’ve put so much work into looking your best, but then say that you look horrible – even though you know you don’t. And that’s when the rest of the world is expected to boost your self-esteem by disagreeing with you and telling you that you’re beautiful.

So before we become completely materialistic girls with pimples all over our faces and horribly burnt hair, why don’t we do something about it? We should stop wearing makeup every day and use it only for important and/ or formal occasions. We should also remember that clothing doesn’t have to be brand name; it just has to look good. And lastly, don’t straighten your hair every day either. Try something new with it: tie it in a bun, put it in a ponytail, or just wear it wavy. Trust me; it’s not as terrible as it sounds. People actually notice your hair looks different and compliment on it. As for knowing you look beautiful and denying it in order to receive compliments, you’ll notice that your self-esteem increases when you don’t need anyone to reassure you of who you are and how you look.

So take a chance and try to change yourself for the better. In the end, only you can tell yourself what you’re worth.

Halloween Costume Ideas!!! Decades Costumes

2009-01-29T23:47:00.000-08:00

BEGINNING OF TIME 1800'S

Adam and Eve Abe Lincoln

caveman/woman Scarlett and Rhett

Barbarians So. Belle

Moses Saloon/CanCan dancer

Noah Gunslinger/Gambler

Sheperd Thomas Edison

Jack the Ripper

Egytian/Roman Davy Crockett

Daniel Boone

Greek etc Lone Ranger/Tonto

Athena Confederate/Union Soldier

Aphrodite Cowboy/Indian

Venus Pocohontas

Medusa Sitting Bull

Samson & Delilah Geronimo

King Tut Annie Oakley

Marc Antony Mexican Revolutionary

Caesar Spanish Peasant

Ben Hur Custer

Zeus Hercules

Jesus

1900's

Cyclops

Aristotle Gibson Girls

Apollo Great Gatsby

Gladiator Wright Brothers

Spartacus Henry Ford

Nero Teddy Roosevelt

"The Sting" (Redford and Newman)

Medieval to 1600's 1920's

Romeo and Juliet Mary Pickford

Arthur and Guenivere Flapper

Henry VII & Anne Boleyn Gangster

Columbus Elliot Ness

Merlin Bonnie and Clyde

Executioner Mugsy Malone

Royalty Gangster's Moll

Peasants Rudolph Valentino

Robin Hood & Maid Marrianne Charlie Chaplin

Executioner Rudolph Valentino

Prince Charming Clara Bow

Nosferatu

Buster Keaton

1700's

George & Martha Washington

Mozart 1930's

James Madison

Beethoven Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

Swashbuckler/3 Musketeer Greta Garbo

Peter Pan Dick Tracy

Pirates Mae West

Pilgrims W.C. Fields

John Adams Talulah Bankhead

Paul Revere Ma Barker

Napolean & Josephine Carole Lombard

Ben Franklin Lawrence Olivier

Minuteman Amelia Earheart

Benedict Arnold Charles Lindburgh

Captain Bligh

Kwanzaa brings families together along with tradition

2008-11-28T05:02:00.000-08:00

With gift buying, huge feasts and family members flying home for the holidays, it is easy to brand December as one big month of celebration. It’s the time when two major western religions converge to create Christmas and Hanukkah, and undoubtedly give December a distinguishable religious atmosphere. Often misunderstood and confused for its place in between these super-holidays is the African American cultural tradition of Kwanzaa. During the tumultuous sixties, one man believed the Black Freedom Movement called for a cultural foundation to unify African Americans.

In 1966, he sought to create such a unifying bond with the establishment of the African American tradition known as Kwanzaa. Dr. Maulana Karenga looked to ancient Egyptian and Nubian first harvest celebrations to fashion a seven-day festival, reinforcing the idea of family, community and culture. The celebration commences Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 1. Neither political nor religious, Kwanzaa has withstood the last forty years as a valuable cultural tradition in many African American families. While it shares the month of December with many religious holidays, Kwanzaa was not established as a religious celebration or substitute.

Instead, it’s main objective is to emphasize the importance of the Seven Principles: unity, selfdetermination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Along with these values are symbols African Americans can decorate their homes with to represent Kwanzaa. A traditional Kwanzaa display is in a visible area in a preferably African themed room, where a piece of colorful fabric is placed over a table.

A mat representing the foundation of history is then placed on the cloth. A Kinara candleholder, which represents African roots, is positioned on top of the mat holding seven candles. The candles are red, black and green. One black candle is placed in the center of the Kinara to represent the people, on its flanks are three green candles representing the future and three red candles representing the struggle for equality.

Crops, symbolic of the first harvest, corn, representing children and the future, and a Unity Cup, representing unity, accompany the Kinara on the table.

Children receive gifts during the holiday, which act as a symbol of the result of labor. A distinctive event is the Day of Assessment, on the final day, when individuals reflect on the past year and what they have accomplished during it. Submerged in the holiday season and often overlooked, the cultural tradition of Kwanzaa adds a unique holiday to this time of year.

10 Ways to keep your children safe

2008-10-14T02:37:00.000-07:00

As the holiday season approaches. the kids are excited about vacations, gifts. and playing with friends- things children should concern themselves about. As parents. grandparents, guardians, and caring friends, we should know there are other things to prepare for. We make sure that children are dressed for the weather, wear their helmets and knee pads, and eat a healthy diet- but we also have to prepare our children for other realities.

Does your child know what to do if a stranger asks them for help? Does your child know how to reach you in the event of an emergency? Does your child know your full name? Do you have a recent color photo of
your child? Do you know all the medications they may be taking? Do you know your child‘s friends?

We live in a time where these are just the basics. We can prepare ourselves and our children for the dangers that can be just outside our doors. With just a few basic rules. for both you and your children can better
prepare you for an emergency situation.

Teach your children that the police are their friends and that they can rely on them if they are in trouble.
Set-up a password. A secret word only between you and your child. In the event someone else has to pick them up- your child knows only to go with them if they have the password.
Teach your children that strangers should not ask a child for assistance. Adults should ask adults for help.
Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities.
Know you neighbors and neighborhood. Regularly check for registered offenders in your area.
Rethink the signs on your lawns and vehicles that give strangers too much information. (Their name, team name,. team number, sport, school. address. and vehicle information all in a glance.)
You should not put your child`s name on their clothes where it is visible. Children feel more comfortable around others that already know their name.
Teach your children that no one should ever touch any part of their body that a bathing suit would cover.
Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller, or car for even a minute.
Always accompany your child to the restroom in public places.

These are just a few of the basics. Too often we hear terrible stories that break our hearts. We need to start preparing our children for some of the realities that are just outside our doors. We also need to prepare them
from some invaders in our homes, namely the Internet. Know where your children are going. Put a computer in a place that you as an adult can easily see where they are and what information they are giving out. Use
the tools that are out there that filter Out the garbage you don’t want your children to see.

Frontrunning candidates in the race for the 2008 presidential election still likely to change

2008-08-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Since the 2008 Presidential election kicked off about this time last year, Americans have been inundated with every kind of stump speech, bumper sticker and campaign slogan imaginable by candidates from all across the political spectrum. Hopefully, the nonstop horserace coverage will encourage a generally mildly apathetic American public to participate in the democratic process.

As stated, the initial field of presidential candidates who debuted throughout the first half of 2007 consisted of no less than about 19 names, making it one of the more cluttered fields in history. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that for the first time since 1952 no sitting president or vice president is running, making for a much more open field On the Democratic side, the battle between the frontrunners i s mainl y one of smal l policy differences and personal appeal.

familiar name in the entire race is that of New York Senator Hillary Clinton. As most Americans (including those living under a rock) know, her husband is former President Bill Clinton, with whom she s e r v e d as First L a d y f r o m 1 9 9 3 - 2 0 0 1 . In 2000, she was elected to the US Senate by a large margin and was re-elected in 2006. It has been common knowledge for the better part of a decade that she had been exploring a Presidential run, and she brings with her the immense national popularity of her husband and her experience. Indeed, her experience is the most frequently cited qualification given by her and her campaign. Her problem though is not in her government service, but rather in the polarizing effect of her name and her personality. Nationally, she has the highest negative ratings of any candidate. She is not seen as unintelligent or incompetent, but rather as uncharismatic, uninspiring and presumptuous of her own victory. The obvious rock star of the Democratic race is first term Illinois S e n a t o r B a r a c k O b a m a . He has pre s ent e d himself as a clear and definite voice for change, pointing out that he is not a longtime Washington insider but rather a fresh face on the scene. In a nation weary of hyper-partisan politics, his message of reconciliation and cooperation has struck a chord not only with younger Democrats but especially the vital independent voters. At only 46 years old, he is a fresh face. Still, if Obama’s freshness is his greatest strength, it is also his greatest weakness. He was first elected to the Senate in 2004, and since swearing in has spent only three years in national office. Before his Senate run, he was a member of the Illinois State Senate from 1997-2004, but critics are quick to point out that he has virtually no foreign policy experience and he has been accused of making several naïve comments concerning war and peace, including automatically opening up relations with Iran and Cuba.

The Republican race has arguably been more interesting than the Democratic one, for it finds party members battling over who will be the face of a party eager to hold on to the White House and regain Congress. The long-time national front runner has been former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has relied heavily on his experiences during 9/11 to garner support among those concerned with national security and the War on Terror. Giuliani has tried to pass himself off as a conservative since entering the race, though it is well known from his time as a lawyer and his time as mayor that he is a moderate if not liberal Republican. While this may hurt him in the more polarized pr ima r y proc e s s , Giuliani’s c e n t r i s t views on issues such as abortion, gun control and welfare could make him more competitive in 2008.

The most surprising candidate on the Republican side has been former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister who came from polling at less than 1% in early 2007 to winning the Iowa Caucus and placing close second and third in Wyoming, New Hampshire and Michigan. Huckabee has run a heavily religious campaign, capturing the support of many evangelical Christians in the South and Midwest. He is socially conservative on issues such as abortion and gun control and has taken flak for the same reason as Obama, his lack of foreign policy experience. He once admitted that he had never read the intelligence reports concerning potential Iranian nuclear weapons programs. He has also alarmed moderates by stating that the Constitution should be made more “like the Bible” and standing by a 1992 quote in which he said people with AIDS should be quarantined.

If the Republican race has had a comeback kid, though, it has certainly been the oldest man in the race, and the man with political experience rivaling Hillary Clinton’s. Though initially seen as the frontrunner, beginning in mid-2007 the campaign of John McCain began faltering as it failed to meet fundraising goals and many staffers quit or were fired. Furthermore, George Bush’s war policy has become increasingly unpopular even amongst Republicans, and McCain’s ardent support of the Iraq War cost him. Still, his longtime maverick image and his strong positions against torture set him apart from other Republicans. He has been accused of becoming a Bush crony on the war and supporting a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Also, many feel he is simply too old.

There is still no clear nominee in either party. It is likely that no solid frontrunner will emerge until at least Feb. 5.With many different candidates with different interests, the experience versus change debate is likely to rage on for many more weeks.

The movies i loved 2007-08

2008-05-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

Movie of the Year:

No Country for Old Men - The Coen Brothers’ adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s gripping thriller is an instant classic. The film is shocking, violent, haunting and oppressively silent throughout. Skilled performances from every actor involved, particularly Javier Bardem as psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh, and the Coen Brothers’ fantastic direction make the film worthy of its Academy Awards, and of our presitigious Gold Star for Movie of the Year.

Runner Up:

Gone Baby Gone - If you had told me in August that my second favorite movie this year would be Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, I would have laughed in your face. As it turns out, Affleck is an exponentially better director than actor, and his engaging tale of a missing four-year-old and police vigilantism in Boston was also exceptionally well-written. Strong performances from Casey Affleck and Ed Harris also helped this movie earn the Runner Up position.

Scariest Movie:

The Strangers - “The Strangers” easily earns this award with its simple-yet- frightening concept and slick execution (no pun intended). The performances from the two leads may not be perfect, but it soon becomes clear that the masked villains are the stars of the show. Also, “The Strangers” isn’t a remake (like everything else this year), so it’s leagues beyond the competition in my book.

Best Special Effects:

Cloverfield - was an experience like no other. Shown entirely from the perspective of a handheld camera, the movie followed a group of friends trying to escape New York during an attack by a giant creature. The film’s fantastic special effects were definitely one of its best aspects: who wasn’t amazed when they first saw ‘Clover’ up close?

Funniest Movie -

Walk Hard - While many people may believe “Superbad” deserves this title, I can’t give it to any move other than “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.” The film’s combination of wit, slapstick, parody and musical comedy blow the competition out of the water. All other apsects aside, Jon C. Reilly’s performance as the titular Dewey Cox easily makes this the Funniest Movie of the year.

Most Creative Movie -
“Juno” - Jason Reitman’s directorial debut about an unusual girl and her unwanted pregnancy certainly warmed a few hearts this year. “Juno” was not just another teen movie: the film actually had a heart, a great script and some extremely talented young actors. With realistic characters, quirky humor, a unique soundtrack and original plotline, “Juno” easily earns the title of Most Creative Movie this year.

A Kernel of Knowledge: The History of Candy Corn

2008-03-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Candy corn has been around a long time and I for one am glad it has! Candy corn is my favourite treat this time of year and I have always wondered how it came to be! Here is a brief history of one of the most delicious Halloween treats!

A man by the name of George Renninger from Wunderlee Candy Company in Philadelphia invented this popular candy back in the 1880’s and Wunderlee Candy Company became the first to manufacture candy corn. The popularity of candy corn grew, especially amongst farmers due to its resemblance to actual pieces of corn.

The orange, yellow, and white on a single candy was quite a sight and it took a three pass process to get the layers of color just right. Back then, candy corn was carried in wagons, packed in wooden crates and barrels. Due to the amount of time and effort it took to produce candy corn, it was originally only made seasonally between the months of March and November.

Now, 8.3 billion candy corn kernels are sold every year most of which is sold during the months of September and October!

Breaking The Habit

2008-02-02T22:43:00.000-08:00

Are you easily distracted? Do you not get enough sleep or never finish your homework? No, this isn’t an ad for A.D.D or for any insomnia pill; this is me saying that teenagers have really short attentions spans. I think it’s because of the oh-sowonderful computer. I sit at the computer all day after I get home and try to do my homework in front of it but I never do. Hence the word “try.” I always tend to go off into my little pixilated world talking to people on AIM, going on Facebook and checking my e-mail every two seconds. I do this knowing I’m not going to receive anything but I check anyway.

I always want to put off the homework, projects or reading until the last minute possible; usually around 11 p.m.or midnight. When I get home I plan how the rest of my day will go: sit at the computer until 4 p.m., pre-cal until 5 p.m. and A.P. U.S. until 7 p.m. Therefore, I have the rest of the night to attempt to bed at a reasonable hour. Ha. This NEVER happens. No matter how hard I try or how many times I plan, the exact same thing occurs. Sitting at my computer until 4 p.m. turns into Jenna Greengold sitting at my computer until 10 p.m.. I don’t know how it is possible. I can’t believe I haven’t acquired carpel tunnel or lost my eye sight. At this rate, by the time I am 20 years old I’m going to be a zombie who sits in front of their computer listening to iTunes.

I hate having the feeling of having to listen to music to get anything done. I’m sitting at my desk in class taking a test and I (wrongfully) listen to music while I study, so I am sitting there singing in my head because I seem to not be able to work without music. My plan of attack: get rid of the computer. However, this strategy is so much easier said than done. I had my dad come into my room and start unhooking my computer so I will be able to study and actually do my homework. You know what happened? I went into my brother’s room and logged onto his computer. There is no escaping this technology filled world. Now, I know this doesn’t just pertain to me. Everyone has something that keeps them away from homework or obligations, such as a TV, computer or video game. I’m not even going to go into my video game phase because, if you can believe it, it’s worse right now I have the attention span of a 4- year-old.

This is only when it comes to homework though. At school, you can hold my attention… usually. Maybe next week I’ll try quarantining myself to any portion of the house that doesn’t involve a computer. That way, I might actually be able to work and get homework done so I can sleep a peaceful eight hours as opposed to the current four or five. In the meantime, I’ll just be sitting at my computer, neglecting the growing mound of homework.

On Pins & Needles

2007-08-29T02:20:00.000-07:00

I have a fear. It’s a pretty common one, actually. Like a lot of people, I fear needles. I didn’t used to be scared of them, but in the past year or two I have become completely horrified of them. I recently had to get two shots, one for the flu and another for pneumonia. When my mom told me about these two shots, I flipped. I began to think about the needle and how big it was going to be; I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was literally driving me insane.

As the day came around my mom said she would come pick me up and we would go to the school where she works to get the shots. All day I was wishing my mom would forget and it would never be brought up again. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. My mom did remember to pick me up and then we drove to her school. When we got there I began to wish again that maybe the lady who was giving the horrible shots would forget. But, yet again, I was unlucky, she was there. My luck was on ice again.

As I sat there pretty much shaking in my chair, it dawned on me that I was the second in line to go; I couldn’t help but to think of the needle. Helplessly, I waited until the old man in front of me took the shot without a squint in his eyes. He happened to be 70 years old, so I’m sure he’d had a lot of practice in his lifetime.

It was my turn to go now and all I wanted to do was run away. Instead, I was like a zombie; I just walked right into the room and sat in one of the cool chairs. It’s not the pain of the needle that terrifies me. It’s just the sight of the needle. There were so many needles near the nurse, and I tried not to look at them. Reluctantly, I put my head down and just sat there looking calm, but I was freaking out on the inside.

Finally, it was all over and I could leave. I don’t think I will ever stop being traumatized by needles. Some of you may be reading this and thinking that it’s just a needle, but think about your biggest fear and how much you’re scared of it. That feeling, multipled, is how I feel about needles.

Top 10 things that kept me from throwing myself off a cliff this year

2007-08-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Ridiculously long phone conversations with my long lost friend about everything from global warming to boogers.
Words of Wisdom from the all-knowing Ethan Hunt whether it be the fires of babylon or a facebook message.
Incredible teachers.
Partying in the hotel rooms with K.L.A.B. and some munchies.
Movie nights at the group house.
Highsteppers - football games, bus rides, contest season.
Rocking to boy bands.
My loving family who supports me nonstop, even when I’m a complete mess.
Newspaper.
Chick-fil-A and a lot of ice coffee.

The NBA brings the bling

2007-07-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

Every sport brings something to the table. Football brings hard hitting action, baseball brings tradition and golf brings utter boredom. What the NBA brings is style. There isn’t another sport that brings more flash and pizzazz than pro basketball. If you go to a Lakers game you will find half of the Academy Award winners there with you. Not only is Jack Nicholson five feet away from the court, but the players themselves also bring a sense of stardom. Michael Jordan, known by people who don’t even know basketball, was the best player and one of the best athletes ever as well.

It is not just stardom that puts the NBA above the rest; there is that flash that goes with the game as well. Few things are more exciting than the slamdunk, and that is what the NBA has to offer. Heck there is even a whole competition devoted to the slam dunk; America loves the flash of the NBA. Maybe you don’t agree with my argument. Maybe you’re thinking the NBA makes no difference to you. To that all I ask from you is to take a look down at your feet. Maybe you’re not wearing T-Macs or AI’s, but I would be willing to bet you own a pair of Nikes, a shoe which Michael Jordan made famous. Maybe you don’t wear sports shoes, but you wear a pair of Converse, a pair of shoes made famous by NBA star Larry Bird. The catch is some fans prefer college basketball to pro basketball. I personally don’t care for college basketball. There is no flash, there is no intensity. People complain about the NBA playoffs, and worship the NCAA tournament. People complain that there are too many teams in the NBA playoffs, but there are 64 teams in the NCAA tournament.

The NBA gives its fans a sense of excitement and style that no other sport can give its athletes. That’s what makes pro ball better than college ball.

12 Important tips to have a happy and safe Halloween

2007-07-30T02:18:00.000-07:00

To ensure that your children can enjoy this Halloween tradition safely, please remember these important reminders:

Make sure that you accompany your children on their trick-or-treat route
Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit and never to enter a stranger's home. You may want to consider only trick–or-treating at the homes of people you know.
Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Make sure costumes are fire retardant and try to use face make up instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct your child’s vision.
If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eyeholes.
Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.

College Rush hour

2007-07-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

It’s a typical Monday morning, and things have been going badly for me from the start. I woke to find that, not only had my brother eaten all of the Captain Crunch (breakfast of champions), but my dad had neglected to pour out yesterday’s old coffee, leaving it instead to stink up the kitchen. My ride was late picking me up, and by the time we arrive in front of the school I can only desperately pray that my legs are quick enough to carry me to my first period class before the tardy bell tolls. Bounding up the stairs to the second floor, I hastily powerwalk in the direction of my destination, only to find myself facing one of college's most infuriating features: giant clusters of teenage girls blocking hallway traffic.

Gritting my teeth and resisting the urge to scream in frustration, I try to attract the attention of the Hollisterclad horde in hopes that they might clear the path. However, my shy “excuse me”s are drowned out by squeals of “Oh my gawwwwd!”, “Shut up!”, and “Oh, no he DIDN’T!”. Trying to sneak discreetly through the crowd would be useless: several of the girls have attatched themselves by the tongue to their respective boyfriends, creating a seemingly impenetrable barrier between me and my chemistry 101 class.

Finally, throwing caution (and good manners) to the wind, I shouldertackle my way through the crowd, leaving the bewildered and angry gaggle of girls in my wake. Slipping into my classroom just as the bell rings, I vaguely register a high-pitched “What was THAT?” echoing from the direction of the carnage. You may be wondering what the point of my little anecdote was; it is this: cloging up the hallways causes major issues for those of us trying to get somewhere.

This sort of irritating experience is frequent. However, it could easily be avoided, if only girls would find a more appropriate place to congregate. Seriously, why not hold “Gossip Fest ‘07” in the cafeteria or the courtyard, rather than smack-dab in the middle of the hall, blocking people who actually have somewhere to go? If you can’t manage to do that, at least take it upon yourselves to pick one side of the hall and stay there. It wouldn’t kill you to be more considerate toward your peers, and allow them to use the halls in the way they were originally intended.

The Last Goodbye

2007-07-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

"Mom, is he going to die?" I asked. My mother turned from the lifeless form on the sofa to answer my question. "Honey, you know what the doctor said. He has leukemia. He isn't going to get any better, " she said.

He couldn't have gotten much worse. For three days he had been in a semiconscious state. Occasionally he would awaken to lick his paw or scratch his ear. As I looked down at my tiger striped cat. tears started to come to my eyes. I stopped myself as I thought. '"This is silly to get so upset over a dumb animal."

Two years ago I would have laughed at anyone who would cry over the death of an animal. I reasoned that there were so many more important things to get upset over. A cat was probably the least important thing to cry over. I never had a pet. I'd heard numerous stories about the cat box odor, the spilled milk, and the little accidents on the rug.

My opinion soon changed. One day this cat walked up to me while I was washing my car. He meowed loudly, demanding to be fed.

I looked down at the skinniest, ugliest cat I had ever seen. I tried to chase him off, even going so far as to turn the hose on him. But he kept coming back. I decided to feed him and then send him on his way. But he returned the next day for more food. He had found his meal ticket.

At first I just fed him. I refused to pet him or hold him. He wasn't worth my affection. But he thought I was worth his affection. I came home one day from visiting my sister in the hospital. She had a blood disease and she almost died. I sat down on the sofa and started to cry.

My cat came into the front room and sat down to look at me. He then jumped up on the sofa and climbed onto my lap. He had never done that before. He was there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. He kept me from loneliness and boredom with his crazy antics. He did many other things for me so that after two years I had to admit that I needed him much more than he needed me.

My mother and I couldn't stand to see him suffer any longer. We decided to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. The next day I had classes, so she agreed to wait until I came home. The next day I came home from school to find that she had already taken him to the vet. "I couldn't wait any longer. He started to throw up and I was afraid he was going to die in pain. He's dead now. The vet said the shot didn't hurt him." she said.

I had sworn to myself that I would never cry over a dumb animal. I didn't keep that promise for long.

Growing Pains

2007-06-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Summer is for vacation. For a break from the classes, early mornings, the things that rule our lives for 10 out of 12 months in the year. It’s for fun days at Splashtown and lying around and doing nothing, though for some people it may be for working out, getting in shape and kicking butt when school comes back around. Summer is also for change. It’s for changing hair colors, clothes styles, and especially skin tones. For some people, it also means changes in their outlooks, groups of friends and even their personalities. Summer’s for learning what life is really like, for learning who your friends really are and for learning how to deal with conflicts outside of school. Summer is for branching out, for finding out things about ourselves and others that we never expected.

I stayed in touch with a lot of good friends this summer and made a whole bunch of new ones, but somewhere in there, I got mixed up in something I shouldn’t have and ended up hurting a lot more people than just myself. Those people I hurt, and even stunned, still talk to me, hang out with me and have fun with me, but it’s not like it once was… not like before summer. I loved (and still love) those people I hurt.

The last thing I ever wanted to do was lose their trust, their smiles, their daily text messages making me laugh every two minutes. I wish that things could somehow be the way they used to be, when we were inseparable, always laughing it up and having the times of our lives every second we were together… how it was before summer. I don’t know if you’ve ever loved someone so much that it was like they were your brother or sister, but that’s how it was, and suddenly, it’s like they’re barely acquaintances.

A huge schism erupted between the people I loved and myself and I brought it about. I learned a few things during the summer. You’re probably familiar with that cheesy saying “you never know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” right? Don’t ever take it for granted. I learned that the hard way. I almost lost two of the most important people to me in the world – and I don’t even completely have them back yet.

They’re still on that ridge, on the other side of the gorge that I carved between us. I don’t even know if they want that gorge to remain there forever or not… I don’t blame them if they do. All I know is I learned a valuable lesson this summer and the valuable ones are the hardest to learn. Summer is for having fun, right? Sure. But I really think summer is for teaching yourself who you are, finding what it is that makes you you outside of the structured mold of the college.

It’s for making mistakes and fixing things without a teacher and a red pen. It’s for finding your limits and learning outside of the classroom that shelters us so much. To all those people I hurt – I’m sorry. And to all those still reading this – I hope you had a great summer. I hope you had fun, made new friends, and kept old ones.

I grew, I changed and I learned my lesson. I’m having the time of my life this year… but sometimes, in the back of my head, I wish things could be like they were before… before summer.

Relationship From Afar

2007-06-22T23:17:00.001-07:00

As I was searching for my luggage in the baggage claim during that endless and painful process of traveling, a sense of excitement came over me as I realized I was about to see someone I really care about. I’m in one of those dreaded long-distance relationships that everyone guarantees will not work out. I consider myself one of the few people that believes my long distance relationship will make it through and continue to grow stronger.

When people hear that I’m involved with a guy that lives eight hours away, they get that “what are you thinking” look on their faces. I can hear the doubt in their voices as they nervously ask me how I can make the relationship work. Well, the answer is quite easy, we communicate. We know the negative aspects of a long distance relationship, yet we still go through with it. We care enough about each other that having the eighthour separation doesn’t faze us.

The only way anyone can make something like this work is to have the desire to make it work, nothing less. If you’re not completely sure that the relationship can make it through, don’t take the chance. If you are positive that taking the risk will be worth it, then go for it. I knew I was taking a huge step by getting into a long distance relationship, and so far it’s been nothing less than amazing. Sure, it becomes difficult sometimes, but each time we get together, it makes us appreciate each other that much more. I’m the kind of person that enjoys having my own time and space, so being in this relationship is perfect for me. I’m not trying to convince everyone that long distance relationships are the way to go and will always work out, because sometimes they don’t.

The one thing that is no different from any relationship is the significance of having fun in your relationship. If you find yourself talking or fighting with your boyfriend or girlfriend as if you’re married, that’s when you know it isn’t going to work out. I mean, for goodness sakes, we are in high school. The only thing that should be taken so seriously is making good grades. So, if you are in a relationship, I’m very happy for you, but make sure to have fun.

Cell Phone Drama

2007-05-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

My cell phone is attached to me. I text nonstop and it drives everyone crazy, including me. My phone gives me a help-line, a way to know if and when there’s an emergency, and entertaiment . Text messaging and calling my crazy friends can keep be busy for hours. It was one of my official hobbies, and if you think that’s bad, you should talk to my other friends! But that’s beside the point, because two horrible weeks ago, I lost my phone (DUN DUN DUUUUUN).

It all started when I was leaving my friend’s party that Saturday night. I had had a moderate amount of fun and was ready to go spend the night at another friend’s house when I put my cell phone in a ridiculously small pocket of the jacket I had on. I didn’t think anything of it as I got in the car, or went to sleep for that matter, though I did wish I had it to set an alarm or something. Anyways, I woke up to… silence. It was 11 o’clock and my mom hadn’t called me in a massive 14 hours. That’s messed up. I looked in my purse—no phone. My backpack— no phone there either. No phone ANYWHERE. That’s when I started to panic. We looked in the car and found nothing. Again in the room, and there was still nothing. I was phone-less and desperate.

We called, called, and called again only to get my answering machine which I found incredibly annoying that day. I went crazy calling people while they were at church, trying to find a glimpse of hope for my beloved cell phone, but there was none. Then my friend said I had probably left it at the party, at this kid’s house. I sighed with relief in the thought of my phone being cozy and warm inside, just waiting for someone to pick it up. A week went by, and the kid looked and looked around his house, and he got exactly what we did—nothing. I figured he was just being lazy, not really looking, you know? Well another week went by, and by now my m o m not iced I hadn’t c a l l e d her from my own phone in the past two weeks. She went on a rampage in my room while I was at school (though I should have my phone with me at that moment right?) and saw no trace of my phone.

That’s when I got the phone call… at school, to the newspaper phone. My mom wanted to know where my phone was and wouldn’t let me come home without it. I just about died that day thinking of how I would tell my mom it was long gone, not even a last will and testament left behind. Needless to say, I sped to the party scene and tore the place apart. Can you guess what I found? N O T H I N G . I gave up all hope and or dream of finding my phone, went home emptyhanded, and came out with a never-ending grounding and a list of other consequences for my “irresponsibility”.

It was horrible. I figured two weeks without my phone had been punishment enough, but that definitely would not satisfy my mom. Long story short, my mom got a phone call not too long ago from the post office.

The mailman had found my phone on the street, and they were going to put it in my mailbox the next day. My phone has its own guardian angel, and it brought it back to me. My phone, my calls and my texts are all home, safe and sound, and will never leave my side again. NEVER AGAIN.

It's not often I'd say This

2007-05-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

What is the privilege of a citizen? This was the last question asked by the Immigration examiner during my citizenship exam. I looked at him puzzled. I thought, Americans have many privileges — to which privilege is he referring? The privilege to educate yourself; the privilege to work hard and make a fortune; the privilege to remain innocent until proven guilty—which privilege could it be?

After a few seconds I thought this question has to do with the Constitution. In a squeaky, insecured voice, I answered, " The right to vote." With a stone expression on his face, the examiner said, " Your answer is correct you may go."

The privilege of a citizen is the right to vote, indeed. Citizens can vote for any candidate that runs for federal, state, county or local office during an election. Citizens can vote for the candidate's ideals that may benefit or harm the pocketbook and rights of many citizens. Citizens have the freedom of selecting the various political parlies that exist: the Democratic party, the Republican party, the Libertarian or the Peace and Freedom parties.

It is a privilege to vote for propositions, county and local measures that are placed in the ballot polls during election time. It is a privilege to vote for or against those polititians or propositions that are against creating Medicare, that are against the Departament of Education, student loans, higher minimum wages or Affirmative Action.

It is a privilege to vote for or against local measures that propose the improvement of college campuses: lighting, repair unsafe physical education facilities and reconstruction of deteriorated roads, walkways, walls and fances.

To all registered voters who will be going to the polls to vote this November 5, think of the privilege you have as a citizen of this country. Think of the power you have by being able to cast a vote for the needs of our citizens and our government. Think that no other country in the world has a better system to elect the politicians that represent you in the political party of your choice. Think what will happen if you don't vote.

Must I Title This

2007-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever I think of my grandfather, I remember' him as a huge man, towering over everyone else in the family. Everyone respected him, even if they were slightly afraid of him. Whenever I think of him, I see an image standing six-foot-three and weighing more than 200 pounds. He always spoke in a very deep and gruff voice. He had the ability to make all the grandchildren mind just by casting a stern look their way.

Even though he had to retire from work while he was only in his 60's because he was being crippled with arthritis, he remained very independent. When my mom and dad were divorced while I was in third grade, I remember living with my grandparents. While my grandmother was working 10 hours a day in a shoe factory. Grandpa was home mowing the lawn and doing the cooking. He refused to let the arthritis hamper him. even though he sometimes got tears in his eyes when trying to get up out of a chair, the pain would be so terrible. He remained that towering image that I remembered, until this summer when he had a severe stroke.

The family's way of life changed with that stroke. The doctors did not expect 'Grandpa to live through the night that first day. He had a lot of hemorrhaging around his brain. '' He had awaken with a headache early ""in the morning, yet he insisted on going "to town" to pay some utility bills. Before he could get his truck out of the driveway, Grandpa blacked out and crashed into a telephone pole. He yelled for help, but the neighbors did not respond.

He finally managed to get his truck back into the driveway and crawl into the house. He made it to the sofa before collapsing again. After lying there about half an hour, Grandpa made it to the phone and called my mother (his daughter) for help. She rushed right over, finding him with his facial muscles drawn and his mouth open, but unable to speak.

By the time the ambulance got him to the hospital, he was drifting into a coma. He remained in a coma for four weeks, during which time there had to be a member of the family present at all times. Finally, after fighting off a pneumonia attack and continually weakening vital signs. Grandpa began to improve. The doctor is still amazed. He said he had never seen anyone fight back from such a severe stroke.

After nine weeks in the hospital, the doctors sent Grandpa home. It was so ironic that it all happened the week after I visited him on his farm in Arkansas. He was so healthy and intimidating. Now, Grandpa has lost 80 pounds and continues to lose the weight. Since he was unconscious for so long, the arthritis took over his immobile bones. He must still have someone in the room with him at all times. He can make no sounds now, but not really talk in any kind of speech pattern. My mom and her husband, along with my grandmother and little brother, have to take turns handfeeding Grandpa and diapering him like an infant.

I still can't believe it happened. It really never hit me that such a strong man could be brought down so quickly until I talked to Grandpa on the phone last week. Though all he could do was make squealing noises, he listened as I told him about getting prepared for school to start, and about my summer job working with some professional boxers.

I don't think he realized he was listening to his granddaughter, but he enjoyed talking on the phone. He didn't want to give the receiver back to my mother when it was time to hang up. The doctors say he will never again be like he was before. His condition deteriorated too much while he was in the hospital. However, they do know he is about the most determined to live person they ever came across. And, I'm still respecting him.

Resolution Resolve

2007-04-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

It’s already April, and most people’s New Year’s Resolutions by this point are either null and void, completely forgotten about, thrown out the window, etc. From prior experience to the resolution fade-out, I decided that this year I wasn’t going to have a resolution pressuring me to do something such as working out every day, stopping my consumption of soft drinks or spending two hours every night devoted to homework. I already know these are fruitless attempts at bettering my life, and plus they’re too generic. I decided to go for something a little more personal this year. As of January 1, 2008, I resolved that it’s ok to admit to myself, “I’m not ok.”

For those of you who know me, I’m a happy person. I’m usually seen with a smile on my face, optimistic, always trying to see the better side of things. In short, I’m just all-around content with my life. For those of you who don’t know me, simply judging me by first glance, I’m almost positive you’d come up with same assumption as my friends. I’m not saying I disagree with these assumptions, because as a matter of fact, I am happy with my life for the most part. I drive a decent car (which I didn’t have to pay for), I’m blessed to live in a wonderful community, I have tons of friends, school’s not hard and I’ve found an amazing person these last several months who’s given me ample reasons to smile.

However, sometimes the world’s not all smiles and sunshine and reality hits, leaving you feeling slightly bummed out, possibly depressed. I will openly admit I’m an emotional person. I grow attachments easily. I trust in what people tell me until given reason not to. I’m the type of person that usually holds in all my troubles and worries until the last minute when it’s all just so built up, I can’t help but cry like a little baby because I simply don’t know what to do with myself. I’ll get so down on myself sometimes, you’d be surprised at what I’m really going through behind my smile’s façade.

This is something I’ve unfortunately been struggling with for several years now. I’ll just keep everything inside of me until I’m so stressed out and worked up over what’s wrong, I’ll get truly depressed, I’ll be unable to sleep and I’ll just have overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Shocking to hear from a girl who’s always got such a cheerful outlook on everything.

I knew it was time to do something about this. Not only am I lying to others about my feelings, even if it’s unbeknownst to them, but I’m lying to myself, which I think is one of the worst things one can do. It’s unfair to tell yourself that everything’s fine when you obviously know it’s not. The emotional toll it takes on you is incredible, and although it’s been several years since I’ve finally been able to see this in myself, with the coming of this New Year, I decided that I needed to change my way of thinking. If I’m not doing ok, or I’m bothered by something, I need to let myself cry. I need to let others know what’s troubling me. I need to allow myself the courage to admit I can’t deal with this myself, knowing that I have the option to talk to others in order to get help.

Emotionally, I’ve gone through a lot these past few months. I honestly think that without the things I’ve been through, I wouldn’t have been able to see the way I’ve been living, deceiving myself to a point of ridiculous measures. I’ve had several truly encouraging and important people in my life that have inspired me to change, and I gratefully dedicate not only this article to them, but also the change I’ve seen in myself to admit, “you’re upset. Don’t hold it in.”

I’m tired of living behind a façade of a fake identity. I’m ready to begin 2007 as an honest person. Instead of a counterfeit smile, why not a genuine ‘me?’ True, it takes more muscles to frown than smile, but I think it’s about time to excercise some realness.

The Perfect Article

2007-04-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

“Well,” I say under my breath, my word hardly audible. It’s automatic, second nature, I can’t help it. The misusage of the word “good” as in “I’m doing good,” is a pet peeve of mine. I remember my mom used to say “You owe me a dollar,” when I would misuse it. I don’t think she ever took any money out of my allowance, but the suggestion of the possibility made it stick like gorilla glue. My perfectionism started around the same time as “well” started continuously rolling off my tongue. I’m not rigid about everything: my binders are the biggest mess you could ever see, and please, don’t take a step into my room unless I just finished my weekly cleaning. I, however, am a bible-thumper about my grades. I’m not going to grow up and do anything that involves a lot of math or science and yet, if I don’t get an A on a test the world is going to be engulfed in flames. I don’t even want to talk about when my semiannual C comes around. One grade isn’t going to change what college I get into, what I become or who I become. It’s just one number that I can’t even see in an average when it’s all done, right?

A lot of my newly found perfectionism has to do with my little b r o t h e r . He’s eight y e a r s - old and a physicist in training. He loves to read about string theory and quantum mechanics, which I don’t even have more than a vague idea as to what they are. He has skipped a grade! On top of all that he’s in 6th grade math. Did I mention he’s 8? I’m smart, but I’m not the next Einstein. Both my parents are science people as well, but I apparently didn’t inherit that trait. I’m in pre-AP/AP everything else, but I’m in a level chemistry class. I tried pre-AP biology last year and I passed with a 91, but the hours I put into studying were ludicrous. I couldn’t care less about the parts of a virus or what mitochondria are, which makes family dinner conversations awkward for me every so often. Also, I’ve never been happy with my hair. I know that’s a really superficial and insignificant thing, but we’re all a little vain sometimes. My hair is constantly messy and frizzy.

Some of it has to do with my previous hair-dying frenzy, which drastically dried it out and the other bit is contributed by my beloved, but incredibly cheap, straightener. It’s pathetic taking an hour, sometimes an hour and a half, to get ready for school. Why do I care? Well, a: we’re in college, we’re conditioned to care whether we’ll admit it or not and b: my hair is always a mess. I think it’s really stupid that I spend so much time getting ready, but even when I do fix my hair in the morning, it’s always frizzy and curly by the time I get home. I’m scared to know what it’d look like if I didn’t do anything. Continuing with my anal thoughts, why don’t people call back? I think I about have a rhinoceros when I’m expecting a phone call that I eventually never get.

don’t go screaming at the person or anything or that sort, I just wonder why they didn’t return the call. I usually end up thinking he or she doesn’t like me and so either forgot or doesn’t want to call, which is paranoia. Then start freaking out, feeling like I’m not good enough. I really need to learn how to chill, realistically, the person forgot because they have a lot on their minds or just went out and don’t have their cell phone or my number with them. Maybe I’m not a perfectionist at all, but rather an angsty teenager who needs to relax and get over myself. I guess they kind of go hand-in-hand, but either way one bad grade on a test or heck, even for a whole class, isn’t going to alter human history.

Being at a new school is about meeting people, learning and trying to have fun. I know I’m not the only uptight one, and I think it’s about time to loosen up a little bit, be a little flamboyant and make a few (hopefully benign) mistakes.

A Broken Valentine

2007-03-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

The colors pink, red and white make me want to vomit on Valentine’s Day, I have a tremendous hate for that day. Being the most pointless day of the year, it makes me want to curl up in a ball and hide under my covers all day long. I dread this day every year because I hate how people become overly obsessed with trying to find a valentine just so they can have some roses and a box of Russell Stover’s chocolates to eat at night. This day is ridiculous, I don’t see the point in having, day where you devote just that February 14th to loving someone. The way I see it is, if you love someone that much than you should tell them you love them everyday, instead of having one day a year to say “oh yeah I love you so much honey.”

February 14th is just a Hallmark Day; 192 million Valentine greeting cards are exchanged annually on Valentine’s Day making it the second most popular greeting card day of the year, that alone just makes me want to puke in a paper bag. Some may be thinking, “You just don’t like Valentine’s Day because you don’t have a valentine,” well that’s not why because I do. I also hate Valentine’s Day because when I was in 3rd grade I got a really bad black eye on that day when I was at my neighborhood’s park.

I rather stab myself in the eyes with a fork than to walk into grocery stores in late January and early February seeing that huge aisle that has all the valentine nicety knacks from heart candies to teddy bears to kinky fuzzy hand cuffs. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?! Seriously, come on people do you honestly need that stuff to make your loved one happy? Personally, I’d just want to be around that people that I love, it shouldn’t be about spending so much money on that day. Sure flowers are nice and so are cookies but that doesn’t mean love. Instead of buying your girlfriend/boyfriend nicety knacks and going to some overly priced expensive dinner you could do something else.

You could, rent a movie, make dinner together, or go to a restaurant for just dessert. There are many things you could do without spending so much money. I know that Valentine’s Day was a few days ago but maybe this will help you think about the true meaning of love and that love shouldn’t just be celebrated on Valentine’s Day but on everyday.

Sneaky snoopers find hidden holiday gifts

2007-03-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

Dec. 1 is like hunting season for kidswithout the gun. When Mom or Dad come home with bags with Best Buy logos on them, kids can’t help but sneak around the house a bit. It’s almost necessary to find some Christmas presents before the special day. If it’s not in mom’s closet, it’s probably in dad’s tool box or stuffed away in the attic or hiding in the laundry room. Seeking out these hiding places is a fine art that every child learns to master by the time they hit high school. With age comes more and more skill at knowing exactly where the goodies are hidden. Though many try to find the gifts as soon as they enter the house, others take their time and have no worries.

Many, though, as soon as their parents are putt i n g the star on the Christm a s tree, are digging through their room to look for that electric blue iPod they’ve been asking for. About ten Christmases ago, I wanted some Barbie rollerblades, and I had yet to see my mom bring home any rollerblade-like shopping bags, so I went looking. I waited until my mom wqs asleep on the couch and then it began. About an hourlater I had g o n e through all of the rooms in the house , but one: the laundry room.

I found them! My beautiful, pink Barbie rollerblades were sitting behind the cabinet next to the dryer. That day made my entire month, but what made it even better was the Furby, sitting right next to those rollerblades. Little did I know, however, what a pain the Furby would later be. Though it has to be asked, “do I feel guilty snooping around and then pretending on Christmas that I didn’t know I was getting that gift?” Some would never be able to deal with finding out beforehand. Others, though, could care less if they snooped around without finding anything and then continued begging for their gift. Very few can master the art of pretending they have never seen the present they open on Christmas. It’s awkward pretending you have never seen the present you just opened.

Dirty Little Secret

2007-03-03T02:19:00.000-08:00

I had no idea how gross I was until this past Sunday. I have never been the “I have to be organized or I will die” type, but I have also never considered myself disgusting by any means. As I’m sure several teens can relate, I’m the kind of person that leaves the pantry door open because I know I’m going to come back to it soon, so what’s the point in shutting it? I also don’t completely believe in hanging clothes up or folding them and putting them away. It takes too much time and is rather redundant. I will just end up unfolding them, wearing them again, washing them and then folding them just so I can repeat the process all over again! I never really thought of any of this as a big deal though. It’s my living space so I can do what I want with it. So what if I’m not a neurotic neat freak? I have my own form of organization and it doesn’t include labels and a color-coordinated closet.

But anyways, back to the events of last Sunday. My room was especially dirty, but it didn’t bother me at all. My psycho organized best friend came to sleep over after the football game Saturday night. To her, my room has always been completely and utterly chaotic, and on Saturday it apparently was seriously unacceptable. Sunday morning she decided to attempt the impossible. She was going to, not only clean, but also bring order to my room. Now, of course, she was nudged along by the $75 dollars my mom offered her to complete the task. I decided that during this room cleansing process I would sit back and watch “America’s Next Top Model” until my eyes started bleeding. After all, I wasn’t the one getting paid! She started at ten in the morning. At first she just went around my room throwing away old shopping bags, boxes, papers, anything that was pointless, but for some reason I decided to keep on my floor. I like to call these piles of junk “carpet decorations.” After the first hour is when it really got interesting.

I was amazed at all that I found. Some stuff I was excited about, like my retainer that I lost last year that cost me $300 to replace. Or the match to one of my favorite pairs of shoes, five months after I blamed my dog for its disappearance. Also, the computer, mouse and printer my mom gave me for Christmas two years ago resurfaced. It now is prominently located on my desk.

Although there were some pleasant surprises in the mix, most of what we found was random junk that somehow ended up in my excuse for a closet. For example, a fish net. One of those handheld, green nets you use to remove your fish from its tank so you can clean it. Well, there was one of those wedged between one of my old binders. Also, we found a telescope under my bed! I don’t recall ever having a telescope! Seven hours, eleven trash bags and 29 pairs of shoes (I’m not exaggerating, we counted!) Later, my room and bathroom were done. I could not believe the amount of trash there was. I knew I was messy, but this was just flat out unsanitary.

Life just gets so busy and seems to never slow down. You learn to prioritize, and for me, a clean living environment was at the bottom of my list. I could see my carpet, walk in my closet and sit in my desk chair. It was like I lost 100 pounds. It was a surreal feeling. Not only was my room physically clean, but I mentally felt clean, also. As weird as that sounds, it was as if the absence of clutter in my room had somewhat relieved my scattered brain. In the days following Sunday, my room definitely did not stay as tidy as when the week started. It might go back to the way it was, but I hope not. The conversion relieved a lot of stress that I didn’t even know was there. I know so many people with messy rooms just like I had, but what those people don’t know is that under all their stuff there is not only a clear room, but a clearer mind-set.

The moral of my story is this: the ongoing struggle with keeping a tidy room is actually a battle worth fighting. I’m not saying you have to go crazy with it, but the littlest thing can help a ton. Right now is the most stressful time for us as teenagers, so even something as simple as closing the pantry door can make a big difference.

Engineered Energy

2007-02-27T23:28:00.000-08:00

Take a walk around any college campus early in the morning and you can instantly see students clutching oversized cans of energy drinks; Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, No Fear, Amp and the vial shaped 5 hour energy drink concoctions are a common sight in the hands of students.

What people don’t realize is how they are essentially drinking a concentrated juice made of caffeine, sugar, and chemical additives, as a morning “fix” to get them started, or to keep them up during the night for whatever reason. Methlyxanthines, B Vitamins, Guarane Extract, Taurine, Ginseng, Maltodextrininositol, Carnitine, Creatine, Glutoronoluctone, Gino Balboa are all active ingredients common to most energy drinks. All these “nutrients” are included at about 100% to 300% the recommended daily value all in one can- and who even knows what these ingredients are?

The “boost” contained in these beverages emanates from super doses of caffeine and sugar. Whereas the immediate effect of large doses of sugar is relatively easy to surmise, with an increase in weight and unwanted fat on the body. There are also consequences to the high amounts of caffeine consumed. Most adults should not consume more than 300 mg of caffeine in a day, yet the average energy drink contains 250 mg per serving, and that daily threshold is easily achieved by finishing a can comprised of several servings. With the advent of the MONSTER XL cans, the overdose of caffeine and sugar is just like the name suggests: Supersized.

That being said, what are the side effects of a caffeine overdose? Large quantities of caffeine in the bloodstream can lead to: nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness, muscle twitching, insomnia, headaches, and respiratory fatigue, just to name a few. Excessive amounts of caffeine (a Stimulant” have also been linked to heart conditions, due to increased heart rates. With Red Bull being known to cause heart failure, it has also since been banned in several countries, or restricted to adults over 18.

Given that the long-term effects of these energy drinks are largely untested, due to their emergence in the early 90’s, no one can truly know the long-term effects of the “Starbucks of our generation,” as named by Professor of Marketing at Elizabethtown University, Bryan Greenburg. He notes how this product buzz is all in the marketing to make the drinks appealing to teenagers, without informing them of the health concerns.

I don’t know how I was ignorant enough to put these things in my body, but I do know that it will no longer be a regular occurrence, if one at all.

Please, grow a beard.

2007-02-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Beards have always been a sign of manliness and a silent demand of respect. What is better than a full face of fur? Not much. I think most people will agree with me, beards strongly represent the hard labor of the working class hero, like Grizzly Adams, and behind every beard lives a man, a man so empowered by his face’s fuzzy accomplice that he just wants to let out a power cry, often mistaken as a lumber jack mating call. Since the beginning of time, the strongest known beings had beards, from Zeus to the misunderstood magicians of the Dark Ages, like Merlin.

Beards have also been a big part of the United States’ history. Don’t forget about the great emancipator, Abe Lincoln and his famous furry chinstrap. Our 16th president’s beard was most of the reason why the North won the Civil War all those years ago. While not all people are fortunate as some when it comes to beard-growing, there are a select few with beards so strong that no razor can cut it - like ZZ Top.

Clearly, when it comes down to it, an epic facial enhancement, such as a full beard, is way better than being a beardless little boy. If beards aren’t better, how come babies don’t come out of the womb bearded and lose their facial hair as they get older and wiser?

There are also many variations of the classic full beard (my favorite being the neck beard) including moustaches, goatees, lamb chops and soul patches. Don’t even get me started on the variations you can have on those variations. You can’t have any variations of the clean-shaven look. It gets old, being smooth all the time bores the skin on your face and that’s part of the reason why our faces grow beards; they need to freshen up the facial mix.

I’ve seen a lot of smooth faces and I’m tired of it; they all look the same. Add a new spin to your skin - grow some interesting facial hair before it’s too late. We need more striped side burns, more lightning bolt lamb chops, handlebar moustaches and just some gnarly beards. Life is too interesting to bore people with bald chins. Please, grow a beard.

A Teenager’s Regret

2007-02-23T02:24:00.000-08:00

I have never lived my live with regrets. My life has been full of moments which, when I look back on, I am only filled with the utmost happiness and joy knowing that these occurred in my lifetime. I never thought that someone I loved would perish, and I would regret it; neveruntil this Monday. I woke up with a normal feeling of dread and sleepiness, saying “10 more minutes” to my alarm and snoozing on and off. Then my dad walked into my room. I didn’t realize something was wrong until he said told me he had some bad news; Granddad just passed away.

In my state of tiredness, it took a minute to understand what he told me, the enormous pain pounded my heart after a few seconds of comprehension. I was in shock; the state in which you feel alive and dead at the same time, your spirit floating above your body. When it hit me, I felt suddenly aware of the fact I took my grandfather for granted. I lived my life thinking that he would never die and that every summer, when we made the journey east to Florida he would be waiting. Book in hand, glasses covering his proud nose with his hair parted sideways like a innocent teen, wearing a teal green colored shirt with high waters exposing his thing ankles.

Of course, he had been ill for quite sometime, but I never really understood that he was so ill he could die from it. I took him for granted; I never penetrated into his world past the surface of grandfatherly devotion to his granddaughter. I saw him as a proud man, always walking an air of sophistication, his shoulders straight, not arrogant, but full of pride for his family and country. He was Chief-the highest rank you could receive as a man in the Air Force. He was the strong man, the encourager, the chastiser. With him gone, I find myself regretting all the times that I didn’t pay attention or hear his words and stories. He traveled so many places, saw so many things, and I always assumed I would have time to ask him about them eventually.

My heart is torn at the fact I am unable to question his decision to enter the Air Force, whether or not he enjoyed shows other than “CSI” and “Law and Order.” I even realized I didn’t even know his favorite color. It sends me into a disconsolate state that I have never encountered before. The fact that he loved my Mimi more than anything was inspiring. They epitomized true love, the devotion and dedication to one other that I only wish to find. I wish I had told him I admired his love with my Mimi. I wish I could have told him how much I love him, even though I showed it only occasionally. I wish the last time I saw him, I hadn’t been so eager to depart from his lonely hospital bed, and had spent time trying to show how much I did care.

I have learned my lesson-never again will I take someone for granted. I will never miss a moment to say “I love you,” or even a simple “hello.” Had I been less selfish, I might not have entered this state of regret, this sense of awareness that I could have known someone great and yet missed it because I believed time not to be a concern. I guess we never know how long we have, or anyone has, until it comes time for them to pass. I only hope that you can learn from my mistake, and not take your grandparents, parents, even friends, for granted. Before you know it, they too could pass into the unknown, and leave you

The 79th Annual Academy Awards are sure to entertain

2007-01-30T22:56:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again. The time when celebrities don their finest apparel and walk the red carpet into the most prestigious award show in the world. That right: it’s Oscar season. Competition at the Academy Awards is stiff this year. Five critically- acclaimed, very popular movies will be battling it out for the title of Best Picture.

Martin Scorcese’s crime drama “The Departed” is a big contender, and has good odds due to Scorcese’s large fan base. “The Queen,” which deals with the events surround Princess Diana’s death, might pull off an upset because the critical acclaim it has amassed. Complex international drama “Babel” might pull it off, but the 2006 win by a similar film, “Crash,” makes it a lot less likely. The two dark horse nominees, World War II drama “Letters from Iwo Jima” and dark comedy “Little Miss Sunshine,” probably won’t be able to stand up to the competition.

The Best Actor and Actress categories are pretty much already won. Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren have won pretty much every other organization’s award for their performances in “The Last King of Scotland” and “The Queen,” respectively. Whitaker and Mirren will most likely be the king and queen of the Oscars as well. The other nominees for Best Actor include Leonardo DiCaprio for “Blood Diamond,” Peter O’Toole for “Venus,” Will Smith for “The Pursuit of Happyness” and Ryan Gosling for “Half Nelson.” Mirren’s competition for Best Actress includes Meryl Streep for “The Devil Wears Prada,” Penelope Cruz for “Volver,” Judi Dench for “Notes on a Scandal” and Kate Winslet for “Little Children.”

The Best Director category is sure to be interesting this year. Clint Eastwood is nominated once again for “Letters from Iwo Jima.” Because of his recent win for “Million Dollar Baby,” another victory is unlikely. Stephen Frears, director of “The Queen,” isn’t likely to win the award either. The real competition is between Alejandro Inarritu, director of “Babel,” Paul Greengrass for “United 93” and Martin Scorcese for “The Departed.” Scorcese has been nominated for a Best Directing Oscar five times and has yet to win. While Scorcese is the most deserving, both Greengrass and Inarritu made exceptional films. If Scorcese loses, he’ll make another fantastic movie and win next year. The same can’t be said for the other directors: this could be their only chance at the award. Greengrass has to be commended for making such an accurate and compelling film about September 11th, and the epic scale of Inarritu’s film definitely required masterful direction.

Scorcese is clearly the favorite, but it might not be his year...again.

The Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories are anyone’s game. The Actor category includes Alan Arkin for “Little Miss Sunshine,” Jackie Earle Haley for “Little Children,” Djimon Honsou for “Blood Diamond,” Eddie Murphy for “Dreamgirls” and Mark Wahlberg for “The Departed.” Eddie Murphy is the clear favorite, especially after his Golden Globe win, but Arkin and Wahlberg both have a chance of upsetting him. The Actress category includes Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi for “Babel,” Cate Blanchett for “Notes on a Scandal,” Abigail Breslin for “Little Miss Sunshine” and Jennifer Hudson for “Dreamgirls.” Hudson is the favorite for this award, but a win by 10- year-old Abigail Breslin would certainly be interesting.

The nominees for Best Foreign Language film include Spanish fantasy film “Pan’s Labyrinth,” German drama “The Lives of Others,” Algerian war film “Days of Glory,” Danish drama “After the Wedding” and Canadian drama “Water.” “Pan’s Labyrinth” is the only film in the category to have a wide release in the United States, and will most likely win the award.

The Be s t Cinematography award includes several films that were left out of other categories. “The Illusionist’s” only nomination is in this category. “Children of Men,” also nominated, was unfairly robbed of a Best Picture nomination. Commercial success “The Prestige” received only this and one other nomination for Art Direction. Critical and commercial failure “The Black Dahlia” may find some solace if it wins this award, which is unlikely. Heavyweight “Pan’s Labyrinth” is also nominated, but “Children of Men” maybe beat it out.

While some of the categories may be certain victories, others will be worth watching. The 79th Academy Awards will be aired at 7 p.m.

Barbie Girl

2007-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

When I was little, I had about five million Barbie dolls. Barbie was the perfect girl. She had perfect hair. A perfect face. Perfect boyfriend. Even the perfect little pink convertible. Face it, most girls were jealous of Barbie. She was the girl we all wanted to be when we were older. But, unfortunately, Barbie is not a real person. She is nothing like a real person. And truthfully, Barbie is not who we should want to be. When I think back on it, I did have Barbies, but they were never the perfect Barbie girl. I would mismatch their hair. I would give them horrid, choppy haircuts. And I wouldn’t care. People don’t really want to be like Barbie—perfect and flawless. There’s a reason people stop playing with Barbie around the age of 5 or 6—she is boring. Being like Barbie is not fun. People shouldn’t strive to be perfect, they should strive to be themselves.

Be crazy. Have some fun with yourself. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. Sometimes I still have trouble with this. I want to appear perfect and “normal,” but then I realize that’s not why my friends like me, they like me because I am simply me. Nobody wants to be friends with somebody who is just a recreation of the image they have in mind they want to be. Ken eventually broke up with Barbie. I’m guessing she just got too boring and predictable.

My mom was in a sorority in college. She told me that when they would talk about the possible freshmen to accept into their sorority, they would deem some of them “paper plate faces.” This simply means that there was nothing extraordinarily wrong with the girls, but they were just plain boring. They had no personalities. They were probably those girls trying to exude that “perfect” image.

Saturday was “Pajama Day” at dance, so a bunch of the girls came dressed in pajamas. (I didn’t, I no longer own any cute, matching pajamas). One girl had on bright pink, polka-dotted pajamas that looked like they belonged to a five-year-old and had her hair in two huge curly pig tails. Another girl had on a onesie. Yes, with the feet and everything.

Another one had on the weirdest looking duck slippers I have ever seen in my life (well, the only duck slippers I have ever seen—and yes, she did take these off to dance). Nobody cared because we are so used to each other. It was funny and cute and wasn’t weird in the slightest. Then we had an hourand- a-half break. A bunch of us decided to go to Market Street instead of just sitting at the studio. And did they change clothes? Heck no! Nine of us bounced around Market Street, sporting looks from me, wearing plain black soffees and a t-shirt to girls that looked like they were ready to ride off to the circus. Sure, we probably got some looks, but we didn’t care. We were having fun, taking pictures in Jamba Juice, standing in line at Potbelly’s. We didn’t hurt anybody. We didn’t scar anyone for life. We were just having fun—being our crazy, zany selves.

On the way home, (I had the job of driving a sophomore, two freshman and an eighth grader, who obviously can’t drive yet), two of the girls made me roll down the windows and they blasted the Jonas Brothers. Now, I am not crazy about Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas, but hey— some people are, I guess. At first, I was cringing at the idea of possibly passing friends driving down Research Forest, not wanting people to wonder why I was driving around town listening to the Jonas Brothers with underclassman and junior high kids. But, you know what, who cares? They were making me laugh. They were having fun. Why shouldn’t I have some fun too? So, I took some detours and I sang along with them (well, tried to, I don’t exactly have the Jonas Brothers’ lyrics memorized).

I was crazy. I was loud. I was probably a little weird. But that doesn’t mean I’m a weird person. In fact, it means the opposite—I am normal. What is weird is trying to be like Barbie—perfect and flawless. Being a human is not about that stuff, it’s about living life and enjoying the few short years that we get on Earth. Yes, that’s some deep stuff. I bet you didn’t expect that when you first started reading the talk of Barbie and pink convertibles at the beginning of this. But it’s true—why would you waste your life trying to be something you’re not…something nobody is?

I’m not telling you that you have to wear bright pink pajamas and dance to the Jonas Brothers to have fun. But find your own way to be yourself. Don’t try to be like somebody else. You are your own role model. If we all figured this out sooner in life, well, life sure would be a lot easier and a lot more fun. I am so beyond the days of Barbie. I do not want to be referred to as a “paper plate face,” and I don’t think anybody else wants that for themselves either.

Top 5 Halloween Costume Ideas for the Daring

2007-01-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Halloween is once again upon us, which means creative minds across the country are working overtime to come up with that special costume to awe the masses into admitting that they couldn't come up with something better. The right costume may also give that needed edge to garner one more Toosie Roll than the other kids.

In the interest of aiding those strapped for time or who are using their brain cells on more mundane interests, I submit the following list of costume ideas to help make Halloween a grand time for all.

1. Cover yourself in either toilet paper or Kleenex then dowse yourself with water. You are a spit wad.

2. Dress yourself as a Greek or Roman God/Goddess, fill your mouth with water and spit it at people. Before your head is pounded in, quickly explain that you are a water fountain.

3. Put on some white clothing, roll around in a mud puddle and then sew some more dirty clothes to those you already have on. If asked, explain that you are a pile of dirty laundry.

4. Dress all in gray and cover your head with cotton balls. Now run around squirting people with a water gun. You're a rain cloud. If you can talk a friend into joining in on the fun, have them take a lightning boltshaped piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil and Christmas lights. While you squirt people with water, your friend can run around yelling "Boom! Crackle! Rumble! Rumble!" while shocking people with a tazer gun. Together you are an electrical storm.

5. Dress in gray and have your younger siblings write and draw on your clothes with spray cans and markers. You are now any neighborhood wall of your choice. This costume is especially effective camouflage when hiding from adults if you plan on jacking smaller kids for their candy.

This is just a brief sampling ofthe many costume opportunities available to the daring and creative. I also suggest that you get a good pair of running shoes and a good lawyer in case others do not find your sense of individuality to their liking.

I am Weary Let Me Rest

2007-01-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back I was researching the life of a former MP who died. I had to interview his friends and people who knew him. After a while I started to feel like I knew him. I saw pictures of him and read past news clippings of him and called up the hospital before he died to see if he was OK. Later I found out that he died and the story that I was doing of his heart attack that put him in the hospital turned into an obituary that somebody else handled.

When I think of death I start thinking of my own and the way I remember that I am still mortal and someday I will come to that end of the road, and then I think what is there in life that I'll miss? The answer is life I guess. Is there life after death? Is there a God? Is heaven and hell just a place that ancient Christians made up to make people behave?

It is very strange that now, near the time of Halloween that I get this feeling. The ancient cultures of Europe thought that this time of year was very special because of the way the two worlds come near, the real world of the living and the world of the spirits. I guess they too thought that there was something waiting for them when they died.

In the jungles of South America, some Indian tribes believe that when you die you come back as a jaguar. In the Hindu and Buddist's religon, they think that you can come back as another person. Native Americans of the great plains have very many beliefs, and with the way some are being converted to Christianity their beliefs of the old way are being forgotten.

I think of the people in my life that died and try to remember their faces and the way they were. Somebody told me to keep somebody alive I only have to remember them; I hope that when my time comes I have many friends to remember me. A few days ago a program on TV tried to explain the bright light that most people see after a near death experience. They said that maybe the brain triggers something causing the bright lights.

Scientists think that maybe the brain, when the time comes, is depleted of needed oxygen and that in the brain the nerves are short circuiting, and the tunnel vision is just a side affect of this process. But I still would like to know what it's like on the other side, or if there really is the "other side."

Is the Bible right in saying we can't come back? What about all those many other religions? I guess this is why there have been countless numbers of wars in the name of the Creator, whoever he or she might be. Trying to live a good life may alleviate some fears about death.

I still remember what an old jr. high teacher said " people are afraid of a horrible death, but more afraid of a terrible life".

The “L” Word

2006-12-30T20:35:00.000-08:00

The essence of love begins when infatuation ends. “I love you.” How many times have you heard your friends talk about their newand- exciting two week relationship, and how they’re already so in love? Seriously. Are you really that infatuated with your boyfriend/ girlfriend after such a short time? To me, those three words are something you hear thrown around so carelessly now a days, that they’ve almost lost their meaning. I can’t be the one to judge a couple on the t imi n g of when t h e y decide to use that phrase, but it’s definitely one subject that I think is mistreated more often than not, and should definitely be discussed throughout the relationship.

So when is an appropriate time to confess your love to your significant other? I think it really just depends on how long you’ve known the person (prior to dating, just really, truly getting to know everything about him/her,) how long you’ve actually been dating and if you’ve both discussed the topic already and understand what it means to say those words to one another. From prior experience, I suggest not saying, “I love you” unless you plan on being together for a while. The impact of hearing those words for the first time is definitely more emotional for girls than it is for guys.

It’s then, I think, that the girl of the relationship develops an attachment to the guy, no matter how much she denies it. Seriously consider what would happen when (or if) you break up. Did those words ever really mean anything? And I know… it is possible to fall out of love, but when after only a month and a half, you find yourself single and heartbroken, do you honestly think the cheesy, “I love you’s” foramally said held any truth? Of course then you’re stressed , upset and depressed about the situation, wondering why you ever dated in the first place. All actions have consequences, so think twice before you speak.

Then of course there’s those relationships where you have the guy or the girl completely “in love” with the other, and decided to share those feelings, only to be answered with an, “Uhh, cool, I guess I love you too?” making for a completely awkward situation. Then the whole relationship just sort of slides downhill from there, making for a predictable break-up in about a week. We’ve all witnessed, heard about, or even been a part of those kinds of relationships, and just we kind of laugh about it in the end. I know I can definitely plead guilty saying “I love you” to a guy and really believing, “This is it! This has to be love!” Later realizations made me think just how much I regret saying those words when it only ended in disappointment. I know now it’s something that takes time to build on, and truthfully, I never even like to say it jokingly to my guy friends or to anyone, just because I hate how it’s so loosely used.

Love is something that takes time to build upon, and you may have to go through a few relationships before you find it. In the end, however, when you find that perfect person, then the “I love you’s” to come will be well worth the wait. And if you’ve never experienced a situation like this, or never witnessed this with one of your friend’s relationships, your day is coming. I can only imagine that very soon people will start introducing themselves as, “Hi. I’m so and so and I love you.” Surprising much? I don’t think so.

So take some time with your relationship. Don’t rush the feelings and end up saying something you’ll regret. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will last a lifetime, so choose them wisely, and use them accordingly.

Festival of lights and eight crazy nights

2006-12-28T02:57:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah (Hebrew for “dedication”) is celebrated by Jews for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew (lunar) calendar. The holiday celebrates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. The history of Hanukkah is very ancient. King Antiochus of Syria had previously outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. About a year after a rebellion started against Antiochus, Judah Maccabee was placed in charge of a growing army. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees (Judah’s army) defeated the Greek army and Antiochus in 165 B.C.E.

The Maccabees went to the holy Temple and were saddened that many religious items were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. After cleaning and repairing the Temple, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. They looked everywhere for oil to fuel the menorah and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, as the story goes, the oil lasted for eight days

Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle. On the first night of Hanukkah, one light is lit. On each night thereafter, another light is added until the eighth night when all the lights are lit. The addition of light recalls the greatness and growth of the miracle.

Actually the legend is a later addition to Jewish folklore. According to the Book of Maccabees, the first Hanukkah was celebrated for eight days because it was a late celebration of Sukkot and Simchat Torah— the two important holidays that had not been celebrated in Jerusalem because the Temple had been in the hands of the Syrian Greeks. Until recently, it was customary to give children gifts of nuts and Hanukkah gelt (token sums of money). Since Hanukkah comes around the same time as Christmas, modern Jews have taken to emulating Christian practice by giving their children more significant gifts—in some cases, one for each night of the festival.

Modern Hanukkah customs vary significantly by family traditions.

Christmas history comes with many gifts and surprises

2006-12-28T02:29:00.000-08:00

It’s hard to miss the arrival of the Christmas season. It seems to come earlier every year. Decorations are put up in the mall and stores across The Woodlands. Christmas lights make appearances in the lawns of many residents. Arguably the greatest symbol of the season is the Christmas tree, such as the massive one that stands fully decorated at Market Street Park. All of these material objects represent Christmas from a secular standpoint. But the religious significance of Christmas runs much deeper. Dec. 25 serves as the date on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the lord and savior of the Christian religion. The celebration is also known as “Christmas,” literally the “Mass of Christ.” It is written that the Lord was born humbly to the Virgin Mary in the small town of Bethlehem.

While many expected the arrival of the Messiah to be heralded with great fanfare, it took place in a tiny stable with no great celebration. Instead of thousands of faithful soldiers marching behind him, the only visitors the newly born savior received were several shepherds and three wise men, who had seen signs of his arrival. Indeed, the people believed that the Messiah would be a great King, who would free the occupied Jews from the Romans. What the people got was a tiny, defenseless baby, who was not to save his people from the Romans but from their own sins.

The origin of the holiday begins with the ancient civilization of Rome. Christmas was first officially celebrated in Rome in fourth century AD, over 300 years after Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Scholars suggest that the Roman Emperor Constantine officially set the date of the celebration as Dec. 25. By doing this, he incorporated the pagan celebration of the winter solstice and the Christian celebration of Christ’s birth into one day. Many scholars debate over the actual dates of Christ’s birth. Some popular theories suggest the Lord was born on the Jan. 6 or some time in late spring. The religious celebration of the holiday begins with the season of Advent. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas day. It is a holy season of the Christian church, and serves as prepa r a t ion for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.

Many secular customs have been integrated into the celebration of Christmas. The custom of gift-giving and the figure of Santa Claus both come from Dutch customs. Santa Claus was modeled after Saint Nicholas, a good-hearted bishop of 4th century Asia Minor. The Dutch created the concept of a gift-giving Saint Nicholas known as “Sinterklaas,” who later became known as Santa Claus in North America. The Christmas tree emerged from a seventeenth century German custom of decorating small fir trees for the Christmas celebration

With all of the secular excitement surrounding the holiday, it is easy to forget the true religious importance of Christmas. Regardless of the true birt date of Christ, Dec. 25 isthe da when Christians around the world come together to celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

Family Halloween Costume Ideas

2006-12-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

Be a bird! Cut out poster-board wings and tail and staple on elastic bands. Glue on hundreds of feathers, about $2.00 at Walmart, and wear a blue sweat suit.

How about a dinosaur? Wear yellow and green sweats with yellow socks over your shoes. Cut green and yellow sponges diagonally, then tack the corners together and to the sweats to make the ridges of stegosaurus running down the back and tail.

To make a skeleton, wear a black sweatsuit and white gloves. Cut bones out of white contact paper, peel the back off and stick them on. Paint your face white and black, and off you go.

Everyone loves a snowman. You will need a white sweatshirt and pants. Paint your face white, black around the eyes, and an orange nose. Wear mittens and a matching knit hat. For coal buttons, cut circles of sticky-backed black felt. This costume works well because you stay warm all evening and you can use everything again.

What about the toddler? Use hair gel to slick the hair back, a white t-shirt, jeans rolled up, a comb in his back pocket, and a jean jacket or similar.

Make a refrigerator out of a box. When you open the refrigerator door, have pictures of food glued inside.

Another box idea is dice. Paint the boxes white and cut out head and armholes, then paint dots on each side. #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 die.

A gift box. Take a box and cut off the bottom, cut holes for arms and head, and wrap it in gift wrap. Then tape a ribbon around it, and tie a lot of curly ribbons in your child’s hair.

The Top 8 Dorm Foods for a College Student Budget

2006-12-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

Ramen Noodles: It’s cheap, fast, and can be eaten dry or cooked. Also comes in a variety of flavors, and you can even add any kind of extras, like veggies.
Leftover Pizza: A staple college food, pizza tastes even better the next day. Enough said.
Microwaveable Dinners: The options are endless, as are the brands: from cuisine meals to simple basics, there’s countless variations. Only setback? They can get a bit pricey for a college student’s budget.
Canned Soup: Surprisingly healthy, and quite cheap too, canned soup is the way to go. Plenty of flavors to choose from... as long as you don’t forget your can opener.
Hot Pockets: Relatively cheap, and easy to cook as long as you know how to use a microwave. They come in a variety of flavors and take only about 2 minutes to cook.
Macaroni and Cheese: A delicious college classic. Even without a stovetop, its easy to cook thanks to the new microwaveable Easy Mac.
Popcorn: A great social snack, even better for munching on during study sessions.
Hot Dogs: Less than four bucks and you have 8 little meals. Add anything you like on top to mix it up a bit.

Halloween costume ideas that could save your life and limbs

2006-12-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again; All Hallows Eve. The trick or treating, costume parties and the intimate moments at home and yes, dressing up. If you haven't a costume, I have the do's and don'ts for having a happy and safe Halloween.

Costume Don'ts :

1. Avoid wearing white sheets.
2. Do not wear blue or red on your costume.
3. Do not dress as a police officer.
4. Keep way from the David Duke mask.

Dangerous Costumes to Stay Away From:
1. The human torch (pinning gasoline soaked rags to your self and igniting them).
2. The Shadow (a costume made up of an all -black ensemble).
3. Digvijay Singh (may be attacked by everyone)

Cry Me A River

2006-11-28T20:33:00.001-08:00

I recently had a discussion with a couple of my friends in the Subway. We were laughing and joking around about the reasons why we were terrified of going to jail, whether it be juvie or somewhere like county or state prison. Somehow, for some odd reason, we started talking about crying. I am not exactly sure how we jumped from talking about going to prison to crying, but somehow we did. For some strange reason, none of us could remember the last time that we cried, whether it be from anger, sadness, joy or pain.

When I got home later that day, I dwelled on my crying situation a little further. I realized that it had been a extremely long time since I’ve sobbed uncontrollably. I ended up classifying crying in four different ways: tears of anger, tears of sadness, tears of joy and tears of pain. I myself would say that of these four I have definitely had more experiences with tears of anger. I would say that I have a pretty good temper and can usually control my emotions, but there have been cases in my past where I just let loose and tears ran down my face.

I would think that most people would agree that women cry more than men, at least to my knowledge. Therefore, I decided to ask a few guys whether or not they could remember the last time they had a good cry. None of them could even remotely remember. I’m not sure if we (and by we, I mean men) are afraid to admit that, yes, indeed, we have had a moment where we cried.

I think that, as men, we are too scared to admit that we cry out of sadness, joy or pain because we fear that others will mess with us. I feel like guys believe that unless you are crying out of pain or sadness then you aren’t truly crying. After all this thought and time I put in to thinking about me crying, I finally remembered the last time that I cried. I am not going to share this moment in the paper for the exact reason that I stated above, but if you really want to know, then just pull me aside in the hallway and ask me in private and maybe I’ll consider sharing my story (which, by the way, is rather funny).

Media Mind Control

2006-11-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

It’s been a while since I’ve watched the news and actually taken it seriously. Right now it’s mostly a source of amusement. The media tends to take one story and stretch it out and focus on it for weeks on end.

The limited concentration they have on topics creates a false sense of panic. Last year, the media spent weeks talking about bird flu and the pandemic that could occur, getting people worried about what could happen while the disease was only present in Asia, mostly with people that lived in close proximity to chickens. Yet despite all of the warnings they tried to give out then, bird flu hasn’t been mentioned on the news for a long time.

It’s as though they pick a deadly illness to focus on every month. West Nile and SARS were focused on a few years ago, if I remember correctly, and like bird flu, their appearance in the news vanished after a few months. The media controls our minds. It connects us, informs us and influences us, so naturally if we’re told to fear something, we’ll fear it. After Hurricane Katrina, it was the only thing in the news. When Hurricane Rita came along chaos ensued. Even in The Woodlands, people wanted to evacuate for about 30 minutes of light rain. Sure, the phrase “better safe than sorry” comes to mind, but were people really safer stuck out on the I-45 than staying at home?

The news had so much focus over Hurricane Katrina and how people should have been more eager to evacuate, that people who weren’t going to be that badly affected by Rita felt the need to leave. There were only seven deaths caused directly by the hurricane, but more than 100 during the evacuation. Last year, when Natalie Holloway disappeared in Aruba, there must have been thousands of more important things going on in the world and thousands of other people missing. Yet, the media focused on her for weeks.

The same goes for such cases like Elizabeth Smart and Chandra Levy. Disappearances the media deemed more important than others. I see the same thing happening on the news every week. The news focuses on one story that they see as important, rather than giving us all of the news. They try to get us worried about a disease that won’t even affect us, worried about something that will never happen.

more recent example of media influence at its worst, would have to be the John Mark Karr fiasco. The media was far too eager to jump to conclusions and believe that he actually killed JonBenet Ramsey only to find out a few weeks later he made the entire thing up for the sake of publicity. The media’s willingness to report and focus on stories without a better reason than just having a good story is frightening. Even scarier is the tendency of audiences to accept everything they’re told.

Too much faith is put in the news by the public. People shouldn’t be so easily influenced and eager to believe everything they hear or read. Being open-minded is the most important thing when watching or reading the news. Putting trust in the media is something to be done carefully.

Kafka - Letter to his Father

2006-11-14T21:32:00.001-08:00

You asked me recently why I maintain that I am afraid of you. As usual, I was unable to think of any answer to your question, partly for the very reason that I am afraid of you, and partly because an explanation of the grounds for this fear would mean going into far more details than I could even approximately keep in mind while talking. And if I now try to give you an answer in writing, it will still be very incomplete, because, even in writing, this fear and its consequences hamper me in relation to you and because the magnitude of the subject goes far beyond the scope of my memory and power of reasoning.

To you the matter always seemed very simple, at least in so far as you talked about it in front of me, and indiscriminately in front of many other people. It looked to you more or less as follows: you have worked hard all your life, have sacrificed everything for your children, above all for me, consequently I have lived high and handsome, have been completely at liberty to learn whatever I wanted, and have had no cause for material worries, which means worries of any kind at all. You have not expected any gratitude for this, knowing what "children's gratitude" is like, but have expected at least some sort of obligingness, some sign of sympathy. Instead I have always hidden from you, in my room, among my books, with crazy friends, or with crackpot ideas.

Halloween at the Great Jalapeno Patch frightening

2006-11-07T22:57:00.000-08:00

I know of a place like no other place. A place of wretched fear. Where children's screams are all you'll hear. Where the Llorona (Wheeping Woman) plays and the boogie man stays. A place where you're invited to a dead man's party. Where fear is love and love is fear. To the Jalapefio patch is where I dare you to adhere. The Jalapeno patch where hell is considered easy time is where I'll be this Halloween. For if I survive the moonlit night, the Great Jalapeiio will reward me just right.

The Great Jalapefio comes down to the Jalapeno Patch on All Hallows Eve and gives goodies to all who survive. Take heed for all those who try to wait for the Great Jalapeno in his haunted patch. For zombies dance, the Chupacabra sucks and the Jalapenos will burn a hole through your heart, the patch is a place that will make you wish you never had taken that path.

Plan a trip. A trip to insanity. A trip to the other side. A trip to the patch. Take no beans, no tortillas for this Jalapeno you'll nol eat. Prepare for if you are not strong, your maker you'll meet. Many have tried to see the Great Jalapeno and never have returned. Loved ones are left behind and unpaid bills begin to linger. The Great Jalapeno just gives you the finger.

You may wonder if any one person has survived the Jalapeno Patch? The answer is yes, one man has survived a night of terror that will make even the bravest man stain his shorts. I have survived the patch. I heard of all the wonderful gifts the Great Jalapeno would bring, so 1 bought a map to the patch from a gypsy with a glass eye. Once I bought the map she pulled out her glass eye and said, "I'll be keeping an eye out for you." With greed on my mind, fear in my pocket and a bag full of extra briefs I went to go meet the Great Jalapeno face to face. Once inside the patch I felt the horrible deaths of thousands and thousands of lost souls gush through my body looking for a bit of salvation.

Minutes after setting foot onto the realms of evil I had to stop and change my first pair of briefs. Don't ever wipe with Jalapeno leaves, it's not a good idea. As I continued to walk I seen Hitler dancing Lambada with Lizzy Borden. I saw Bigfoot shaving his butt and the Headless Horseman was popping his pimples. I was ready to turn back for I knew this was only the beginning. As I gathered my courage to continue I saw the most spectacular yet gruesome sight ever conjured up by a sick writer. I saw Elvis.

This monstrosity of a man was grazing out in the Jalapeno Patch. Lucky for me I skipped dinner, because the sight of Elvis was abominable. He picked up my scent and began to chase me. Luckily he slipped on one of my soiled briefs, which allowed me to make an escape. As I tried to keep my sanity in the Jalapeno Patch I finally saw the beautiful scintillation of the Great Jalapeno.

It was awesome. I have gone through ten pairs of briefs to reach the moment where 1 finally confronted the Great Jalapeno. The Great Jalapeno who shed down and presented me with my riches. I have seen Hell. I journeyed in a world of insanity. I will never be the same person I was before I entered the realms of the patch. And all I got from the Great Jalapeno was this stupid T-shirt.

And I Almost Forgot

2006-11-06T02:20:00.000-08:00

On Space Exploration, Radiation and Monkeys! I was thinking about monkeys, radiation and space exploration.

Radiation is the single biggest threat to astronaut health in long duration flight. This is especially true for flights that would occur away from the Van Allen Radiation Belts, which offer significant protection to all of us, who are safely cocooned in it’s warm embrace. Even in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), astronauts are still protected to a large degree from charged particles. The heavy artillery still gets through (gamma rays, neutrons, some protons), but the electrons and other charged ions are caught in the electromagnetic field lines. Astronauts who ventured to the Moon were outside of the belts, as would be astronauts who travel to Near Earth Objects (NEO’s), Lagrange Points or any other far destination (Mars, anyone?). A solar flare (or event, in the parlance of the field) could be fatal. NASA worried quite a bit about that possibility during the Apollo program.

There are three things we need to figure out radiation wise, in order to explore in a sustained fashion, beyond LEO: (1) Detection; (2) Shielding; (3) Treatment.

Shielding is a tricky deal. It would seem that one simply would need to find a pile of lead and hide inside of it. Not so simple. Gamma rays and protons punch into high-Z materials and cause secondary emissions, which could actually be much more harmful to biologics like us. As for treatment, there are researchers working on drugs and nano-materials, which would scoop up free radicals in our blood, caused by radiation exposure. Good work in all three, but plenty more to do.

So, where then do the monkeys come in? Monkeys have played an important role in space exploration, since the beginning. The first “American” in space was Ham the monkey, who flew inside of a Mercury capsule before Alan Shepard. You may have heard about planned monkey radiation experiments, and the recent protests against them. I understand the necessity of animal experiments in developing drugs and treatments, but I must admit that this one has me scratching my head a bit.

I have no doubt that some advances in scientific knowledge would be realized through these planned experiments, but I’m an operational guy (despite my Ph.D.). How would these experiments help us to survive in deep space? I don’t see it. The bottom line, is that exposure to high levels of radiation is bad. We need to figure out how to detect for, and protect against exposure, as well as to treat for exposure, if it occurs.

The Golden Days

2006-11-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

Everyone has something to hide. There is no way around it. Every single person has regrets or some kind of skeleton in their closet. It is this fact that makes us all human. Everyone also has an image of some sort that they want to portray to the rest of the universe. They have this view of themselves that they want to remain picture perfect. And when they begin to stray a single inch away from this idealistic portrait of themselves they get scared. It is then that the masks come out.

I have made a discovery. Now don’t get your hopes up too quickly, this is no global changing discovery. It is simply a realization I have made based upon recent events. Whether a person is outgoing, shy, obnoxious, bubbly or arrogant, they are all covering up something. People put on a certain mask as how they would like to see themselves, even if it is not truly who they are. They conceal themselves with this camouflage so that not only other people don’t have to see who they really are, but so they don’t have to face the facts of their own identity. It is usually the people that appear to be the most perfect and superior to everyone else that usually have the biggest masks. Those people that you would least expect. Those people who seem to have everything in place. Those are the people that have the most fear.

I would like to point out that I am not disregarding myself in this matter. I sometimes put on a front so that I appear to be okay when I’m not. As hard at it is to admit, everyone does it. I’m sure there are many out there who will sit and proclaim that they are themselves all of the time and do not try to please others. But it is those people who are in the most denial of all. If this does not apply to you and you always act they way you feel, then more power to you.

For example, I have a friend. This friend seems to be put together, seems to have everything under control and seems to have all the answers. After a recent ventilation session, I was in shock.. This friend actually had more going on than I, or anyone else for that matter, thought. This friend is so complex and has so much negative emotion that’s covered up every single day with a pleasant smiling face. Recently, I went through a difficult time. I’m not trying to throw myself a pity party, but out of this challenging time came something good that I decided to voice to the rest of the world. Everyone has dirty laundry and no one, absolutely no one, is perfect, no matter how intently they try to behave that way. This occurrence is what led me to my conclusion. The world that surrounds us isn’t what it appears to be at all. In fact, it is a cover up of what goes on behind closed doors.

This is a cycle that will never be broken and I’m not sure if it should be. Our masks, however fake they may be, are just masks. They help us cover up the imperfections we don’t want others to see in us. We need to keep in mind that just because someone seems to be happy or sad doesn’t mean they are. We must remind ourselves to attempt to be understanding of others that might be going through the exact same thing as us.

Clean It Up

2006-11-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

Foul language seems to be taking over the world today. All I ever hear is foul language and lots of it. In my opinion there is just no point in using such bad words. I don’t understand why people even use the words when they have no real purpose. You can take them out of a sentence and the sentence will still have the same meaning. I always get such awkward glances when I gasp at the use of cursing, but I can’t help it, I just simply think it is wrong. The evolution of foul language began back in the fifth grade when people would substitute the curse words with terms like “oh, fudge” or “crackers.”

Sixth and seventh grade consisted of the time when we all were appalled when someone would suddenly throw out a cuss word. We would gasp in astonishment at the rare use of the words. Then came eighth grade when someone used the word and we would go into a fit of laughter, thinking how cool it was to use such language. People use the words without even thinking about it. The thing I can’t understand is when people say a bad word at least five times in each sentence. Is it really necessary to just keep repeating bad words over and over again? I don’t think it adds anything to what a person is saying, except for pointlessness. If only we lived in a world where foul language was not considered the norm to where it is constantly used.

I remember when I was reading a person’s cell phone and there on the screen lay my worst fear, a cuss word. What kind of world are we living in that books, magazines, and movies plaster the foul language for everyone to see and hear? It would explain why people use profanity so frequently, they know no better. Have we really reached the point where we have to work on not using foul language? The answer is a dreaded yes. I have tried before and I will keep trying to get people to think before they speak. Just think of how much better the world would be if foul language did not exist and was considered just a thing of the past. I know that we are capable of giving the bad words up and hopefully we will be successful for ourselves and for future generations who are beginning that monstrous evolution of foul language.

Baseball hits America in the heart

2006-10-26T02:03:00.000-07:00

Around this time of year an argument is brought up: what is America’s true pastime? In January, when we are all bundled up on cold Sunday afternoons watching football, a thought goes through our heads “Shouldn’t football be America’s pastime?” Baseball is a much more passionate sport than football. It brings even the oldest of men back to carefree summers when they were kids. Baseball is every sunny picnic you had growing up, every cool summer night you stayed up late to watch fireworks. Baseball is the complete opposite of football. Baseball is about suspense, not hitting someone as hard as you can. Football is crammed into a 16- game season. In baseball, the season tells a 162-page story of a team following the ups and the downs, the streaks and the slumps.

One thing that baseball offers that football doesn’t is money. America has always been fascinated with money, in baseball there are no salary caps which allow high price owners to sink hundreds of millions of dollars into buying players. Some think this ruins baseball, but instead it completes it. Each team is like a character in a play, scripted for one purpose. You have the high-priced contenders, the teams on the rise, the cellar teams, who serve no purpose but to supply the other teams.

This gives fans a chance to pick style of team to root for, and a style of team to hate. In football, there are no hated teams, there is not a team like the Yankees, to full heartily root against. Even the Patriots don’t do anything to really give fans a reason to hate them. The parity in football is just boring. Every team is the same and, barring the Patriots, there are no real dynasties to follow.

Baseball will always be America’s pastime because fans like the story.

Something Somewhat

2006-10-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

"The earth has already been visited by beings from outer space."

Most of us would probably chuckle to ourselves and consider somewhat eccentric anyone who would make this statement to us. But today a new science called exobiology has made discoveries which come astonishingly close to proving this statement. The science concerns itself mainly with the possibility of life on other planets and estimates that —— there are as many as one million planets, in our galaxy alone which bear intelligent life!

The discovery of a new celestial body in recent years has given strength to this theory. Called the Quasar, this heavenly body is described as "a body that looks like a star but is millions of times larger and billions of times brighter." Even more astonishing is the fact that the objects seem to pulsate and a few have been known to give off radio signals! Some scientists also advance the theory that these signals are the attempts of intelligent beings to communicate with us.

Grist for the statement that we have been visited by extraterrestrial beings comes in the form of objects discovered recently on our planet. One of the objects is a perfect cube of iron and nickel, about three Inches by two Inches which was found embedded In a coal bed in Lower Austria. It has been positively established that the cube is 300,000 years old and was made by intelligent beings. The amazing thing is that there are no remnants of civilized man older 7000 years. This 273,000 years before man was able to perform such a simple function as growing food.

Even more amazing was the gold thread found embedded in stone In a quarry in England. Even the most recently formed rock dates from the Cenzolc era, and this is 60,000,000 years old. The conclusion is that this thread was made by intelligent life, 59,000,000 years before man appeared on earth!

Ancient myths and legends also provide much interesting speculation about visitors from other planets. A passage from the ancient Indian epic, the "Ramayana," written in Sanskrit 2000 years ago, says, "When the dawn broke, Rama climbed aboard the aircraft, which was called Pushpak and stood ready to depart. The craft was large, brightly painted, and self propelled. It had two decks and many windows and cabins. As it lifted majestically into the air and leveled off, and gave forth a melodious hum."

Descriptions such as this are found In the literature of many ancient cultures. Proof of extraterrestrial visitation is mounting day by day. Maybe now we won't laugh so quickly when we hear someone claim we've been visited from outer space.

America’s TRUE pastime: FOOTBALL

2006-09-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

Ever since the early 1900s when someone claimed that baseball was America’s pastime, people have believed it. Someone thought of that when baseball was almost the only professional sporting league around. Football it grosses the most money every year. When are the most toilets flushed in the United States? During the Super Bowl halftime. You probably could not tell me the last time you watched baseball on TV because the major networks generally only show college football and basketball. So little college baseball is shown because some people out there realize that baseball just does not bring enough of a thrill to the casual sports fan.

Another contributor to the success of the game of football as of late is the strikes that will sometimes happen in the MLB. Those strikes give the MLB bad publicity because no one wants to see a guy that makes $8 million a year to play baseball complain about the amount that he is getting paid. A lot of credit is due to the great front office that the NFL has. The commissioners have done such a great job with the NFL by bringing new teams in every now and then and making free agency and the salary cap. The free agency and salary cap are a big factors of the NFL’s success. Free agency and the salary cap allow teams to be bad one year, and better the next year, and vice versa.

You see with baseball, you can usually predict who is bad and who is going to be good next year. I predict that the Tampa Devil Rays will not go to the playoffs next year. And I will be right because they are a low income ball club in a high income division and cannot spend big money on free agents. Baseball is known as America’s pastime but I think America would like to change its mind.

Belted Bliss

2006-09-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

As teenagers, we are all naturally distracted whether we like it or not. We tend to forget to do simple things, such as writing down a homework assignment or doing something our parents told us to do. One thing I hope none of us will ever let slip our minds is to wear a seatbelt, I know, this sounds like a paper your mom would write. We all get annoyed when our parents nag us to drive safely and buckle up. But the truth is, we often forget the importance of such a simple task. It wasn’t until my freshman year that I realized the significance a seatbelt can have in saving someone’s life.

At the time, I lived in Mandeville, Louisiana, just thirty minutes north of New Orleans. There was only a few weeks left of school, and I was ready to visit my home of The Woodlands, which I had left only four months prior. It was Thursday, May 12, 2005. My dad and older brother were packing up the car to go to Houston, and would be gone for about a week. I gave them both a big hug, not reealizing how drastically my life would change from that moment on.

When they were a few hours away, my brother was driving and had just pulled out of a gas station to get back on the Interstate. My dad was in the passenger seat. Just as the car was pulling out, a truck hit the car on the driver’s side going full speed. My older brother had remembered to fasten his seatbelt; unfortunately my dad didn’t have his on. My brother walked away from the accident without a scratch. Because of his wearing his seatbelt, he had a completely different outcome than my dad.

The first three months after the accident are a complete blur to me. After my dad forgot his seatbelt, he was thrown towards the steering wheel and into the backseat. He suffered severe head trauma and was in ICU until August, in a coma. The doctors gave him a five percent chance of living. The doctors called my dad’s case a miracle. He eventually came out of his coma and remained in ICU for a short amount of time after that. He was then put in a rehabilitation facility for physical and mental therapy. The doctors stressed to my dad how he was so lucky to be alive.

Lucky to be alive; those words replay in my mind all the time, and each time they do, I ask myself how often do I really appreciate life? Or, how lucky are we to have seatbelts, for that matter. My dad was extremely blessed to have survived the past two years he has gone through. They have been both challenging and amazing at the same time, but I always reflect to how different things could have been if my brother had forgotten his seatbelt as well. I can’t stress to you enough how important it is to take advantage of this small task of buckling up each time you get into a car.

My brother and dad had just pulled out of a gas station, something you and I do so often. My dad intended to buckle up once they were on the interstate. Within a few seconds, they were hit. We always like to think that bad things will only happen to other people. So, next time you get into a car, think about how everything can change in a matter of a few seconds. We are lucky to be given something so simple as a seatseatbelt which can save our lives.

Cruise Control

2006-08-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

When it comes to driving, Americans have many pet peeves. For some, slow drivers in the left lane are the cause of major hair pulling. For others, it is annoying when drivers play their music so loud that the bass vibrations can be felt ten cars away. While I am not a fan of feeling my car shaking from someone else’s bass when I am just sitting still at a traffic light, my major pet peeve is fast drivers. Teenagers are, as a general rule, horrible drivers. Maybe it stems from the fact that we do not have as much experience on the road as adults who have been driving since before we were born. Maybe it is easier to project pentup teenage angst and stress on the gas pedal rather than deal with it constructively.

Whatever the case, I hate it when both teenagers and adults drive at excessive speeds, like twenty miles over the speed limit. Speed limits are there for a reason, and while I admit there are places in The Woodlands where going 35 miles per hour seems unnecessary, they need to be followed. I understand how easy it is to forget to watch the speedometer and discover you’re going a few miles above the speed limit, but when I see people pass me on Lake Woodlands driving as fast as if they were on I-45, I can’t help but shake my head and think, “Well, they’ll get in an accident one day.”

That doesn’t always happen, though. Apparently, the idea of cosmic justice does not apply to driving. I only hope that everyone driving so high above the speed limit has superhuman senses. If everyone on the road is speeding and driving aggressively, being a superhuman with the ability to see things before they happen might be the only way to prevent an accident. The bottom line is that teenagers do not like to obey the speed limit. Sometimes the speed limit simply isn’t fast enough, but driving above the speed limit is not really that useful. A commonly cited fact is that for every ten minutes of driving at 65 miles per hour instead of the required speed limit of 55 miles per hour, you only save a little more than a minute.

To me, that one minute is not worth risking a ticket or an accident. For those of you for whom speeding like maniacs is a habit, do the rest of us a favor and either slow down or develop superhuman powers. We’re counting on you.

Don’t Fake It to Make It

2006-08-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

We all know that person who seems to always have the right thing to say during a conversation. They know how to get themselves out of awkward situations or charm their way out of being the bad guy. One may call this person “two-faced” or a “people pleaser.” Either way, these people annoy me in every aspect.

First, there is the friendship standpoint of this problem, which is unfortunately most common among girls. We all have that one friend who will find any way to justify themselves after being caught in a lie or simply being a bad friend. What I don’t understand is why these people can’t come to terms with the wrong they have done and admit it. Even worse, there is the dreaded ex-boyfriend or girlfriend who just doesn’t want to let the other person move on. The sense of control that the ex feels over the other person gives them an ego boost. They will say or do anything to keep that person hanging on. Most of the time, the ex holds guilt for initiating a break-up, so they want to be a “good friend” to the other person. What they don’t keep in mind is the fact that they are toying with someone’s emotions.

Despite the relationship status one has with this two-faced person, nothing can justify the way these people treat others. On the outside, they seem to have a distinct self-assurance and care about the wellbeing of others. The reality of the situation is that these people are only thinking of themselves. They only care about how many people they can get to like them despite how many friendships they might ruin in the process. Typically, these people struggle with having their own identity. They will put their morals and beliefs aside just to fit in with a group, therefore acting as the “people pleaser.” This person seems to know exactly who they are and what they are about, but everything changes the minute they are around a new group of friends. This act that they put on can fool so many people, but only for so long.

What I want these people to realize is the selfishness of their dishonesty- not only with themselves, but with others as well. Although you may be pretending to be interested in being everyone’s friend, in reality you’re actually setting yourself up to lose all your friends. With time, it will become more difficult to put on that fake front and people will come to realize your true intentions.

Being two-faced and fake will temporarily give you the mass amount of friends you wished for, but in the long run it is definitely not worth sacrificing your own dignity. You need to ask yourself if in the end it will be worth all the lies and deception. I can easily answer that question for you - no. Instead, try to invest time into making true friends the right way - with honesty, dignity and sincerity.

Crazy Silly

2006-08-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

With the multitudes of contraceptives and the tide of liberal, perhaps radical, actions, couples seem to forget what can be the outcome of casual sexual relationships. An unwanted pregnancy is the main concern. After all, the pill is not infallible. But more and more couples view an unwanted pregnancy as a simple mistake that can be corrected by a minor surgical procedure as harmless as a trip to the dentist.

The idea of the simple procedure is a fallacy. The complex dangers that can accompany an abortion are many. There is a great risk involved with abortions even under the safest, controlled hospital conditions, especially if a woman has undergone previous abortions or has impaired health to start with. Statistics don't adequately show the number of women left sterile from abortions that were complicated by hemorrhaging and uteral perforations. Statistics do impress the numbers of women that die every year because of abortions and post-operative complications. It is far better that women can go to their doctors and be accommodated without worry as to the professional standing and experience of their surgeons. Yet abortion is not always the answer for many.

Many find an abortion an unpractical solution because of religious or romantic reasons. Too many girls fall into the starry-eyed fantasy that keeping the baby will solve their problems. Reasons for keeping the baby can range from security to a sense of belonging. Young women often feel that it is their duty to keep the baby rather than seek an abortion. Some feel that their boyfriends will stay with them, even marry them, if they father a baby. Some just want the baby because they feel he or she is the result of an act of love. Unwed mothers sometime call it maternal instinct.

Whatever the reasons, women can find any number of excuses to go through with the pregnancy. Of course the alternate is to have the baby and then put it up for adoption. Either situation, having the baby is not always the solution. Undoubtedly, they all have the best intentions. This says nothing for the future of the young mother. It is a greater difficulty for a young mother to work, go to college, care for her baby, and still exist. Day care centers are still novel and not particularly inexpensive even on campuses where they do exist.

The importance is the thought and the emotional reasoning behind abortions and babies and jumbled futures. People look at sexual intercourse as the "thing to do" and the difference between interesting people and dull people.

What is wrong with these "rationalized" ideas is the difference in having sex and making love. The one is not synonomous for the other. Can gonorrhea and HIV be a sign of love, proof of devotion and sincerity? It is not enough to have people defected with drugs and pills and guns, but to turn something that is supposed to be a beautiful experience into an added problem is deplorable.

If more people would think about what they are doing and what the consequences can be, perhaps the younger generation would be the intelligent, upstanding generation we're supposed to be.

A Happy Ending?

2006-08-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

Recently, I went to the movie theatre and paid for one ticket. One ticket to see one movie, right? Well, to my surprise, I ended up seeing one full length feature as well as about 10 mini movies, all in only two hours. I have always loved going to the movies and never really minded watching the fifteen minutes worth of previews. To me, it was just fifteen extra minutes to get to the theatre, park the car and find a seat if I was late. Never a problem. Until now.

As I sat in my seat with my popcorn, anxiously waiting for the lights to dim so we could get on with the show, I didn’t realize that I was in for a quick ride of high-strung emotions. Ten very quick rides that each last about two minutes. The preview starts. I think to myself, “Hmmm…this looks like it’s got potential. Oh, and it’s funny! Haha oh good…” and as it keeps going on, and on and on, my thoughts transform to “Oh no!” and “Wait. What?” until finally I come to a realization: “Oh, I know what’s going to happen now. Why did they show us that many clips?” But wait, the trailer is still going. It’s not even over yet! I feel like saying “Ok, Ok, we all get it, we know what’s going to happen, now turn it off!”

Now, I’m no expert, but I do believe the purpose of a preview is to show an idea of what the movie is like, not give away everything. In fact, I am pretty sure the definition is “an advance showing of brief scenes in a motion picture to advertise.” I’m going to go ahead and guess the keyword: brief. There was, of course, at least one preview I enjoyed. It was created beautifully, with humor, romance and mystery. Although, considering I read the book the future movie is based on, I know all the answers to any questions concerning the plot of the movie, but at least the preview didn’t show it.

It gave me a glimpse of what I’m going to see in the future and somehow left me wondering. Unlike the other nine previews I saw that showed every good line, every great shot and ruined every ending. Basically, people might want to consider abolishing previews. Either that, or make trailers the way they should be. Just watch the preview for “Harry Potter.” Then you’ll know how to do it right.

The Iraq War Is Shi’ite

2006-07-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

Is the Iraq war over talked about or are Americans just desensitized? Death tolls are skyrocketing, heinous crimes are being committed constantly and graphic news headlines seem less appalling daily. We all remember where we were when the events leading to the war took place, but where will we be when this war ends? With no set date as an ultimatum of sorts, I question whether or not it will ever end. The conflict now has an undeniable potential to spiral into a global round of tug-of-war. Supporters claim that it is too late to back out now, but having enough common sense to correct mistakes can prevent this war from spiraling to its full potential. “Why would I want one more mother -- either Iraqi or American -- to go through what I’m going through? I don’t want him to justify my son’s honorable sacrifice to continue his murderous killing policies,” a highly publicized mother, Cindy Sheehan said. I cannot help but agree.

Fear of civil war erupting staples America’s position in the middle east, but with a lack of understanding for the Sunni and Shi’ite hostility do we even grasp what would happen if we left? I recall Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, earlier this month coming forth and saying that the “main cause” of the instability in Iraq was the American troops presence. It seems as though the only things we are actually gaining are enemies, a national deficit, an even larger hate for American foreign policy and broken families. Immediate withdrawal of troops will be beneficial to both America and the middle east. Lives are being thrown away for a lost cause.

Iraq must achieve freedom on their own just as America achieved it during the revolutionary war. We are not assisting them, its merely a protection of authoritative reputation. A sufficient and independent nation needs to provide a foundation for their own success, a success that will not be achieved through the proposed American agenda. The end result is not worth the cause.

If there is a wound and we are hurting it rather than helping it, it’s probably best we let it heal on its own.

Come On Down

2006-07-29T02:10:00.000-07:00

It does no use in holding it back to try to dull the pain. I’m not going to even bother with writing in any certain format. So here it goes. These are my confessions. During my childhood I was a constant “Price Is Right” viewer and proud of it. While suffering through the summer days with nothing to do in the morning, Bob Barker was my savior. My morning high. My only incentive to wake up.

Throughout those young adolescent days I would often find myself pouring myself a bowl of Frosted Flakes or cooking up a hot and tasty toaster strudel every morning. All the while asking Bob to join me for breakfast on the television. And for the next hour I would become completely engulfed in a magical world of “product pricing knowledge and wonder.” So much so, that my cereal would often become soggy and my toaster strudels cold and stale. But none of this mattered to me because Bob was there. I was happy as long as that almost uncomfortably white-haired man was holding that microphone asking me to name the price of that house-hold China cabinet.

Yep , in those moments all was right with the world. Not too long ago my world came crashing down into at least three pieces. As Bob Barker finally announced and acted upon his very anticipated and inevitable retirement. Yet, despite his “happy ending” I have always had an extremely different view of Bob’s exit from television.

You see, if I were the director of the show, I would have put it into Bob’s contract that he is not to retire until that he has had a serious health condition failure on set. Via heart attack, stroke, or perhaps even serve hyper ventilation from one of the contestant ridiculous T-shirts.

Then and only then is that man granted the permission to retire from the show. As long as he can walk and can hold the microphone, he can’t quit. Kind of like what Pope John Paul II did, only Bob is the pope of television. Does anyone ever notice that no matter how much the technological world advances it is like the “Price Is Right” studio is stuck in a time warp of the 70s and can not move forward with the rest of the world?

No matter how much ground breaking technology is released in the world the show always keeps those flipping sweet ghetto contestant podiums and Bob always had to use that goofy-shaped microphone. You know what I’m talking about right? It kind of looks like a piece of plastic with a Styrofoam ball at the end of it. Now, like many young adults , I have dreams. Yet even though I am just another “face in the crowd” my dreams and goals are much different to the people next to me.

For example, one of my life long dreams has always been to be that contestant on the “Price is Right.” You know the one I am taking about! That person who takes forever to guess the price because they are attempting to listen to the screaming audience behind. All too just turn around completely confused that all they can muster out is…”One Dollar Bob!”

That’s all I ever wanted to say! But now, there’s no more Bob! I am here to say that I will live out my dream! When that time comes, I will look that new announcer directly in the eyes and say, no, yell, “ONE DOLLAR BOB!”

The whole audience will go dead quite with what I just yelled, and I won’t even care that the announcers name is not Bob. He will drop his microphone and look back into my eyes and read in them “LONG LIVE BOB BARKER!!!”

Young at Heart

2006-07-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Valentine’s Day. I miss the days when the only preparation necessary was picking out the perfect cards and decorating my personal mailbox. After addressing each card to my classmates and attaching a piece of candy specifically picked out to match the card, all I had left to do was distribute the cards I had put so much thought into. Other than choosing cards from my favorite Disney movie or Nickelodeon show, my favorite part of the festivities was tearing open the handmade mailbox adorned with red and pink hearts and taking in each and every card. For some strange reason, I had the idea that each person handpicked the card given to me even though all it said was “from: [insert classmates name here].”

In elementary school, Valentine’s Day was one of the many holidays accompanied by class parties complete with cookie decorating and fun games for all. I really wish that the day wouldn’t have evolved as we got older.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Many people spend the first two weeks of February wondering if a special person is going to walk into their life just in time for the holiday associated with love and gift giving. Then, there is always the question of whether or not the relationship or friendship is at the level where a gift should be given. This “relationship” has a high chance of leading to the always awkward “what if” situation. What if I get them a gift and they don’t get me one? What if they get me a gift and I don’t get them one? What if I ask them to be my Valentine and they say no? All of these situations can leave both people feeling confused and embarrassed. But there is a way to do away with all of the confusion revolving around the festive day.

The way I see it, if everyone would just go back to the way things used to be, all of the awkwardness that hovers over people at the beginning of February would be gone. I highly recommend that everyone go back to celebrating Valentine’s Day the way it was done in the past. Go to Kroger, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, etc. and pick out a set of Valentine’s Day cards and some candy to go along with it.

Rather than stressing out over what to do for that budding relationship or the friendship that could be more, just give out cards, candy, or both to all of your friends.

Parental Advisory

2006-07-12T02:04:00.000-07:00

As teenagers, we know it all. Parents seem to know and comprehend less every day. But what if, as crazy as it may sound, they were sometimes right? We all feel like Super Man and just know nothing can happen to us. As we get older our own experiences give us a sense of knowledge and independence. By the time we start to make our own choices, our parents seem to just drag on with their rules and injustice. Times have changed and parents seem overprotective about what they don’t understand. This summer I noticed how people changed their view on life while taking advantage of their freedom.

It was actually funny how people excused their behavior by saying they were being responsible by moderating the extent of their bad actions. You can’t make a bad decision and be responsible about it. I, as an example, have been involved in dumb incidents because I was too smart to listen. Making cookies is a simple process that requires no extraordinary skills. After being told for the thousandth time what to do, I just stopped listening to what my mom had to say. You put the cookies on the thing and spray the thing and put it in for whatever time in the oven. Got it. It’s really not that hard. So I put the cookies in the oven and went back upstairs to talk on the phone while my mom yelled at me to get off it. How unfair!

After a while, I decided to check on he cookies since it didn’t smell like freshly baked cookies. As I open the oven, a huge fire revealed itself in front of me. Turns out that I, Ms. Know-It-All, had put a plastic container in the oven and set the kitchen on fire. But my personal favorite is the time my mom kept saying I shouldn’t have a sharpened pencil in my hand while my sister jumped on the bed. Parents are so overprotective and paranoid. The whole “don’t play with sharp objects” gets old even when we’re little. Of course, with my luck I accidentally get pushed off the bed by my sister while the pencil is falling. The final result is the pencil being stabbed straight through my leg.

It’s part of growing up to fall and stand up on your own. It’s the thrill of finding out on your own your own abilities. We all hear about people lying to their parents and doing fun things. It’s so incorporated in our lives that we no longer think anything of it. My favorite people are the ones who act like life is at their feet. They walk around wearing their opinions on their sleeves because they want to show their knowledge. But when coming up with an excuse for their mistakes, they blame it on the fact they’ve supposedly been through a lot due to their parents’ decisions. So much for owning the world.

Even more ironic is when people say they don’t see why their parents won’t trust them with something, but later on catch themselves thinking “If my parents knew…” It’s the times we fall that remind us our family supports us and can accept our mistakes. Teens do stupid things, and it’s all part of growing up. Parents care and have a reason behind what they say. They might have forgotten what being a teen is like, but they sure have walked through life for a much longer time.

Next time your parents set a new rule or give you that cliché line that gets on your nerves, think about all the times you did that stupid thing you shouldn’t have. At the end it’s for your best interest to listen.

“Star Wars” Saga Complete

2006-07-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Are you standing outside for six hour intervals waiting for an employee to pull open that thin red strip (keeping at least 200 people behind it that someone could easily jump over) so you can get into the movie? Perhaps waiting outside of Blockbuster after those long anticipated six months of waiting so you can get the final installment to the saga? Well, yes, I am talking about “STAR WARS.” Over the years “Star Wars” has become an obsession, and in a semi-unfortunate way, has become an obsession of mine too. I was one of the people standing in the massive line May 19 waiting for the 12:15 a.m. showing of “Star Wars.” I was even in the line outside Blockbuster for the DVD a couple weeks ago.

I didn’t know much about “Star Wars” when Episode I came out. I had no clue what was going on. I only knew of Luke, Leia, old Obi-Wan, and Darth Vader. It took years before I actually understood the whole storyline because it was so scattered. I had only heard of the last three, and then to just bring the very beginning in threw me off completely. Lucky for me, I could just go to Barnes & Noble and get one of the many “Star Wars” books explaining the movie. I don’t know how the public got so obsessed with these movies. Fans crave the world George Lucas created and incorporate it into their own lives. The media cashes in on its success too. They make little action figures of Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, Qui-Gon Jinn and even smaller Yoda’s, and I know all of you have seen the Burger King commercials that show us the flipping Yoda toy.

Even on Halloween, almost every-other-kid was dressed up as Darth Vader or Obi-Wan. I believe that “Star Wars” fits into every genre of movie and that is why it has been around for so long. I remember staying up late with my brother while he was watching “A New Hope,” wondering when it would be over and thinking how dreadfully boring it was. Now, when I watch it I quote the movie. I know how they made the battle scenes with Legos and almost cry during the conversation between Luke and Yoda before Yoda’s death. Not everyone may know what “Star Wars” is about but they have heard of it. From 1977 to 2005 “Star Wars” stands the test of time. Let’s just say I look forward to my marathon of the now complete saga.

Escaping Boredom

2006-07-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

My boredom likes to rear its ugly head when I’m trying to put off work. Instead of successfully getting my mind off work with a good T.V. show or videogame, I get reruns and a broken X-Box. Bad reruns too. Like seeing New York get smacked in the face with that white girls loogie for the tenth time. This inescapable boredom I’m describing, the kind that makes you feel heavy and antsy at the same time, is going to hit our graduating seniors very hard very soon. The bridge from highschool to college, a job or vacation is going to last more than a few hours, and I have some old school suggestions to end off the boredom wating at graduation.

1. Think about stuff- This is a technique I like use when someone is talking to me or I’m supposed to be doing something. For example: If a teacher or parent is elling at me for not doing my homework, I try to decide what wuld win; a grizzly bear or a polar bear. But you don’t have to just think about animals fighting, yo can think about almost anything.

2. Draw stuff- This technique is best utilized when you’re supposed to be taking notes or doing work on paper. I try to stick with drawing nonsensical scribbles and coloring them in, buy since you’ll have a lot longer time you could draw some sort of masterpeice.

3. Throw stuff- This is something you have to be sneakier about since it gets people mad. The trick with throwing stuff is to get the biggest reaction without being noticed. Try not to hurt someone, it’s bettter just to annoy them. A good target is a friend since you can make fun of them later. While this is the most fun out of the three, it’s the most dangerous, so be careful.

H o p e f u l l y these tricks will help ward off the inevtiablle boredom that will evntually get you. The three techniques can be mixed with others, lie talking about what you’ve thought, drawn, or thrown. You can even use this newspaper to do any f the three. Just remember, the posibilities are endless as long as you have a little imagination. Take for example this column. It’s a product of pure boredom with no substance. The only function it serves is to entertain for the five minutes or less it took to read. But there lies a paradox here because this opinion itself is boring.

my noblest intention

2006-07-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

They seem robotic as they pour information into our brains. While we are drowning in facts and statistics, we must remember that teachers are people too. Our high school education would be more beneficial if teachers broke from their robotic ways and actually voiced their opinions. The student handbook covers various forms of harassment and inappropriate behaviors for teachers as well as students, but not once does it state that teachers should withhold information such as their sexual, political or religious orientation.

There seems to be a phobia of opposition. Teachers drill facts and statistics into our heads, they teach us to stand up for what we believe in. What ever happened to practice what you preach?

It is inevitable that you will not agree with everyone who crosses your path. Ideally, teachers engage their students’ in mind-opening conversations. They should not have to walk on eggs simply because some students and faculty are sensitive and oppose such freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to his or her own opinion, and by the time we are 15- years-old and above we should have developed our own. It is completely offensive that there is a theory floating around that teenagers are vulnerable and will absorb any thought thrown at them by their “superiors.” High school is supposed to prepare you for the real world, a world where your English teacher could be something other than Christian, other than Republican or a heterosexual.

Agreement is not necessary, just respect. Controversy expands the mind and opens this world of facts and statistics into a world full of engaging conversations.

The Vending Culprit

2006-06-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

The machine stole my dollar. The drink vending machine stole my dollar. Now the pink “Use at your own risk” sign has become a monument to my shame. The pink “Use at your own risk” sign stares at me with contempt, mocking my dollar that has become a martyr for a cold root beer. “Son of a..” I start to say, grasping the edges of the machine, shaking for my prize. If a person would have pulled this on me, I would of done something. At least with a person I could have done something. But the machine is dead, shaking it doesn’t make it respond. It can only sit there with its disgusting little pink mocking sign.

“Excuse me,” I say to the bookroom lady, “the machine stole my dollar.” “Uh-huh.” She sits at her desk giving me an estranged look. “You saw the sign?” “Yea but-“ “Sorry no refunds,” she says, returning to clicking away at the computer.

I’ve lost about $5-10 to different vending machines around the cafeteria since starting school here. Not once have I got lucky and got two candies or two sodas. This phenomena reminds me of the plot from Office Space, where the main character loads a virus on a bank’s computer systems to send tiny amounts of money every day to an account over a long period of time, so eventually he can jack hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company.

Slowly, someone is jacking the randomly selected dollars eaten up by vending machines and saving them, amassing tons of money while we lose our Cokes and candy bars. Despicable. But really, what happens to that money? Is it profit for whomever rents out the vending machines? Does the guy who stocks the machine grab it for himself? Does the school somehow get the money for their own reasons? Or is it just a mistake that happens randomly, occasionally screwing people over?

I’m a simple guy, and truthfully I wouldn’t really mind if any of these were the case. All I need is a little security in my buck. If I slide a dollar in a machine for a root beer, I expect to get a root beer. If not, then I deserve my money back. I don’t need some stupid little sign mocking my misfortune.

6 Halloween newspaper activities that other Newspaper in Education professionals shared

2006-06-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Some Halloween costumes are popular year after year. But some Halloween costumes are inspired by celebrities, leaders or events. Look through the news and feature sections of the newspaper and choose five people who would be popular as masks or costumes this year. Write a sentence for each explaining why people would want to dress like the person.
Everyone knows that Halloween means candy, candy, candy. Candy names are fun to read because they use language in funny ways. Pick a few of your favorites from Halloween ads in the newspaper. As a class discuss why you like the names. Then write an outline for using the names in a Halloween story. Explain how you might use the names to describe people, events or action in your tale.
Holidays of all kinds give businesses a way to draw attention to things they want to sell. Look through the ads in today's newspaper and make a list with classmates of ads offering Halloween sales, deals or specials. Pick out and discuss the ones you think are the most creative. Then design your own creative Halloween ad.
You can use the newspaper to make a quick costume. Using a full sheet of newspaper and tape, see if you can create a fancy hat from the newspaper. Can you make the hat show your personality? Discuss that idea as a class.
Dr. Frankenstein used a jolt of electricity to bring his creation to life. Look through today's newspaper and see how many pictured items you can find that use electricity. Choose one item and figure out how you could make a costume of the item. Then draw a picture of yourself in that costume and label all the parts.

Peanut Problems

2006-06-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

“Excuse me, but do you cook your food in peanut oil?” I cannot tell you how many times I’ve asked that to the server at a restaurant. “Yes, we do,” she replies, “Is that a problem?” It’s a problem. It’s always been a problem. I am highly allergic to peanut oil and peanut products and I am sick and tired of going to a restaurant where they cook in those things. From food in my pantry to food in a restaurant, I always have to check for peanuts.

I know I shouldn’t be freaking out about just one teensy little allergy that I have, but it’s in nearly everything. From places like Chick-fil-A to a Japanese restaurant, they cook in peanut products. So many people in today’s world are terribly allergic to peanuts and to make matters worse, it’s in so many foods. I wish that more restaurants would start using different oils. They don’t have to cook in peanut oil because there are many different and healthy substitutions for it like olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, flaxseed, safflower and many more. You can’t really tell the difference between the oils that you cook with and I am sure that if Chick-fil-A would secretly stop cooking in peanut oil and in canola oil, nobody would even notice the difference in taste.

Food allergies are really serious. In one incident in Miami, a server at a restaurant assured the costumer that they did not cook their egg rolls in peanut oil; however, they sealed the dough with peanut butter. The costumer died from their allergic reaction to it. The costumer didn’t specify everything that he/she was allergic to, but the server should’ve known that the costumer was allergic to all types of peanut products since the costumer was allergic to peanut oil. That incident isn’t comforting at all. If people were more aware of allergies in the restaurant business, it would be easier for people not to worry if their throat will close up after biting into that hamburger. Even when I am around things that are cooked in peanut oil, it doesn’t make me feel very good.

Good news for people with this allergy is that a couple of restaurants are starting to stop the cooking of peanut oil in their food. However, it’s still sad that most do it anyway. Restaurants should just stop cooking in popular allergies and start cooking in foods that are safer to eat. It’ll help everyone out and will stop a few preventable deaths.

Coughing Up The Courage

2006-06-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

I remember a time in my youth when I used to enjoy going to the doctor’s office, a time when I eagerly anticipated getting to know how much taller and tubbier I had gotten. A time when I relished the candy I received and dreamed about the sweet sticker my doctor would put over my newest shot. All of this changed when I started having to go through a physical every year to participate in athletics for school.

Going to receive a physical has to be one of the most nerve-racking things I go through every year. I prepare for the trip simply by taking an extremely detailed shower. Why? Well, I don’t know about you guys, but any day and any moment that I’m getting my body checked out, whether it be for looks or for disease, I have to look and smell as amazing as I possibly can.

Once I get to the doctor’s office, I take a seat in the cramped waiting room, psyching myself up for the inevitable moment of truth. As soon as my name is called I bound forward ready for battle. The nurse checks my heart rate, weight, and height (which I’m usually disappointed to find out since I kind of stopped growing,) but we both know this is just some quick foreplay before my final showdown with the doctor.

Normally for most physicals I go to my usual physician but there have been special cases where I have needed a speedy checkup and have had to go to minor emergency clinic. I say this because when I am forced to go to a minor emergency clinic I have no idea whether the doctor will be a man or a woman. Trust me, getting a physical from a woman is incredibly awkward. Women always seem to make a little joke about how they are about to take my innocence or something.

I’m not really positive why but these creepy jokes always seem to have a strange effect on me mentally. Either, it takes some of the pressure off of me and I don’t feel as nervous or I start to sweat like crazy and I get a tad jittery. I make it into the confined space of my checkup room and immediately begin my nervous wait for the doctor. I try to alleviate my stress by spinning around the room on the doctor’s roller chair. When the doctor finally enters the room he/she greets me jovially and we begin our dance of menial tasks such as, the ear check, the throat check, the heart check, etc.

But all guys know that all of this truly boils down to the climax of any man’s physical, the infamous “hernia check.” Some guys get incredibly lucky and are not put through this hassle. Apparently some doctors are not as thorough as mine. Say what you will about me being paranoid but I am just not comfortable with another man getting remotely close to my stuff, let alone touch it.

Normally the doctor gets in position and then asks for me to drop my shorts or pants, turn my head and cough loudly. Now, this might seem like an easy task for some of you but for me it is extremely difficult for to emit even the slightest bit of a cough that meets the doctor’s requirements in this awkward position. After a few failed attempts I finally manage to let loose some decent coughs and am free to pull my pants back up.

After a physical is finally over I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I can finally begin acting like a normal human being again. I trudge out the door, pay the attending secretary, and just like the good old days I manage to still manage to sneak out a handful of some candy and maybe if I’m lucky, a sticker with some crazy animation on it.

I walk out the exit of the office slightly violated but relieved and immediately the countdown begins: just around another 365 days until my next grueling physical.

Windows Vista introduced, fails to produce the expected satistfying results

2006-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone has heard about it, but does anyone actually know what it is? In January, Microsoft released the first part of their newest operation system, Windows Vista Beta 1. It seems to me like Windows has made some pretty traumatic changes in their operating systems. It has been five years since their last system [Windows XP] was released, so it’s about time. Although nowadays it seems students prefer Macintosh to Windows, most are still familiar with Windows XP.

Vista has got a redesigned user interface based on Windows Server 2003. There are also more integrate tools for working with media – mainly movies- and a strengthened security model. So how exactly does
Vista compare to other systems?

Most of the features I have seen are just copies of things already done by other companies. Most of the major improvements they [Microsoft] have talked about are giveaways to the film and music industries in terms of content protection.

While strongly mimicking features of previous operating systems, Vista does have new file management features that neither XP nor Mac OS’s Tiger had, that include a backup system that records incremental changes made to files and copies them to a protected area. In addition, Vista also displays previews of documents on the file icons, a feature that Tiger doesn’t do with text files. There are also many new programs available with the new system, such as the new Internet Explorer 7, with a builtin firewall.

Although Vista appears to offer no current advantages to students academically, the final version of Vista with Service Pack 1 will released at the end of 2007.

Never buy a Windows product until after the Service Pack is released.

Bothersome Boyfriends

2006-06-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

I think it was the day I had literally 34 missed calls from the same number that I realized I had an over-bearing boyfriend. The word clingy is an understatement when it came down to how obsessive he was. Shortly after his controlling behavior started, the relationship ended. It wasn’t until a good six months later and changing my cell phone number that he finally realized we were over and decided he would leave me alone. Maybe because he was forced to do so? I don’t know.

Yes, my experience with this particular guy wasn’t anything ordinary, but it made me realize how much I despise the “clingy” boyfriend. The type that has to have your attention 24/ 7, or immediately has suspicion if the girlfriend speaks to another guy. Oh, and we can’t forget how significant that number one spot on the MySpace Top Friends is. If he’s not there, he of course thinks that he means nothing to you. I’m not saying that only guys are like this. Some girls have the same problem of being obsessive.

In fact, I hear more guys than girls complain about how they just want their own time. Which brings me to the infamous breakup line, “I just need some time for myself”. This line wouldn’t even need to be used if there weren’t so many clingy people in relationships. So, here is my advice to the clingy people, or everyone for that matter, since some people are subconsciously over-bearing and don’t realize it yet. Find something to do for yourself if you are in a relationship. The more you depend on the other person, the more “clingy” you will become. Also, don’t assume that every day after school that time is automatically reserved for the other person.

The more balance you have between your own time and time with your significant other, the better chance the relationship has of lasting. The most important thing, though, is to be happy with who you are. If you have to depend on someone else in order to feel good about yourself, then you can’t experience the feeling of independence and selfacceptance. In order to avoid these “clingy” significant others , find acceptance in yourself first.

Politically Speaking

2006-06-13T03:40:00.000-07:00

We are expected to lead lives of political correctness. If anyone breaks the rules and says something possibly offensive, he or she is shunned. I think it has gone too far. It has gotten to the point where the freedom of speech seems to be at stake. Politicians constantly skirt around issues and avoid giving their true beliefs for fear of offending a specific group of people. I don’t know about you, but I want to know how the potential future officeholder really feels! It’s better to know before they take office.

Recently, I read about a U.S. company that trained Australian Santas and are trying to eliminate the classic “Ho Ho Ho” chuckle. They claim it is derogatory towards women and would like to replace the classic chortle with “Ha Ha Ha.” For starters, the term “ho” is nothing more than an American slang. Secondly, do they really think kids analyze a holiday slogan that much? “Ho Ho Ho” is a friendly chuckle, but “Ha Ha Ha” would make Santa appear to be laughing at the little kids. Leave Santa alone!

The kids don’t care and I, as a female, can tell you that I am not insulted by the traditional chuckle. Many Hollywood stars have recently made offensive remarks and none have made a full recovery. Isaiah Washington made a homophobic slur, Mel Gibson went on an anti-Semitic tirade, Michael Richards had a racist rant, Don Imus made anti-black remarks and Dog the Bounty Hunter also had a racist outburst. The things they said were hurtful and wrong, but they stated their opinion and they have the right to do so. Maybe the fault is ours for allowing such people to become famous.

People need to learn to accept others’ opinions, no matter how much they disagree with them. Forgive and forget. If the freedom of speech is going to continue, people need to be allowed to express their opinions without fear. Most importantly, don’t be insulted by someone’s comments - it will make you the stronger person.

Lollipop Deja-Vu

2006-06-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

Recently it has been said that movies are better than ever, and that it is time for the man of the family to gather his clan together and treat thom to the show because the family that attends the show together stays together.

Even if the movies are getting better, or even if they are getting worse, the popcorn is still terrible. Some one might quickly rise in favor of popcorn and say in a sharp brisk voice, "If you don't like popcorn, don't buy popcorn." I will not argue this point since it sounds like good advice. But tell me what is the sense of going to a movie if you can't indulge in a box of popcorn? How in the world can you just sit there and watch a torrid love scene, or an outrageous gun fight, or the news,or the Tom and Jerry cartoon , without the pushing handfuls of popcorn into your mouth? This is unheard of, if not down right ridiculous.

Not only is the public being short changed by not getting the good popcorn that makes for better movies, but also is having all kinds of trouble trying to find a worthwhile substitute.

"Say, Miss, what do you have here that is tasty and will last me throughout this double feature?" says a moviegoer that would rather be home in bed but instead is obligated to keep his family together. "We have some nice fresh hot popcorn, sir. Would you care for some?" replies a small bespectacled, rather charming young salesgirl.

"Please don't mention that plain old popcorn to me. I didn't have a very good supper," states the moviegoer as he looks over at his wife who is quite busy feeding a small tot and beating- her five-year-old boy over the head because he kicked the doorman where the doorman doesn't like to be kicked. "Well, if you don't like popcorn, maybe you would care for some buttered popcorn,!' says the still charming salesgirl.

"I don't care if the popcorn is specially mixed soy sauce and sauerkraut. Do me a big favor and forget about the popcorn and kindly let me know what else you have on the menu," speaks movie-goer. "We have Yummy Gooies, Turkish Tongue Taffy, Chocolate Covered Ubangi Nuts, Mashed Fig Bars, Lolly-Pops O Lolly Pops-Lol-Lol O Lolly-Pops, and let me see what else," says salesgirl as she digs in an old box lying on the floor.

At this point our movie-goer grabs his family and dashes down the left aisle. This family will never stay together. It is true they are in the theater watching a couple of movie hits, but they have been deprived of a good box of popcorn. What is needed is a box of popcorn that will taste as good as the popcorn salesgirl looks.

Circles

2006-06-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

Why do some people feel offended if they are asked to move to sit at the back ofthe bus? Or why do they feel their civil rights have been violated if they are told to sit in the "peanutgallery "of concert halls, opera auds or movie houses?' What's so bad about sitting in back of the bus? If saints preserve us, there should be a smash up accident, those sitting in back of the bus are the last ones who will receive any injuries. It's the front of the bus that goes first! And as for sitting in the tail of a jet ... well, the tail end is definitely the safest section, Which is the last part that goes down (God forbid it when the plane does) The tail end, that's what!

Some Things Just Never Get Old

2006-06-06T02:47:00.000-07:00

My Grand father sat me down the other day and recollected his college days. amazingly he narrated an incident when he got to visit the a space lab.

Workmen are dwarfed on the rim of this 39-foot in diameter space simulation
chamber. (circa 1965). Photo from the Douglas Space Center in Huntington Beach. The
chamber duplicated conditions in space 500 miles above the earth's surface. Components for space
vehicles and satellites are tested within the sphere.

Douglas Aircraft's Space Systems Center in Huntington Beach was the site of a tour for members of our Universities Engineers and Architects Association. The tour was made possible by the American Association of Engineers and Architects.

We students were ushered into a huge cafeteria, where we were shown a movie entitled "Moon Mission," which illustrated how men will visit the Moon late in that decade aboard the Saturn V rocket, developed by Douglas Missile and Space Systems Division.

We were then led across the grounds to the Assembly Building, a 300 by 400 foot structure which housed various component parts of the Saturn V, including the thrust structure, forward skirt, and aft interslage assemblies. A huge sign was visible on one wall, designating the Saturn V as a 'VIP" Very Important Project.

The group then proceeded to the production test laboratory, a 20,000- square foot building which provided the facilities for the rigid test procedures to which the space vehicle parts are subjected. It included areas for hydraulic testing, equipment and instrument calibration, vibration and centrifuge testing, and electrical component repair.

Perhaps the most interesting building visited on the tour was the Space Simulator Building. This 28,000 square foot structure had four space simulation chambers, including one 38 feet in diameter capable of reproducing environmental conditions 500 miles into space. The huge sphere was used to test the effect of conditions in space on component parts ranging from sections of the actual space craft to space suits and even men. They could be tested specifically for reaction to solar and planetary radiation, temperature, and vacuum conditions.

I listened wide-eyed and wondered, with the heightened security of today, would any of our generation be allowed even close to the lab, if we weren't part of the project? Not a chance!

A Sticky Situation

2006-06-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

It’s math class and you’ve been working on math problems for more than an hour now. It’s getting boring and your peppermint Orbit gum has lots its “just brushed clean feeling.” What do you do with it now? This answer is simple, right? Well, apparently many students don’t find it that simple. They are so confused that they stick the gum on the bottom of their chair or desk.

For all you lazy gum chewers out there – Get up and throw it away in the TRASH CAN. Or if you really want to be lazy, put it in a piece of paper or in a tissue and drop it on the floor. Why do people really have to stick gum to the bottom of their desk? It’s lame, like something people did to be a rebel in 3rd grade. I think you can manage to stand up and take three baby steps to the trash can. This situation really bugs me because I just happen to be one of the lucky people who accidently hit my hand on the bottom of my desk, or grab the sides of my seat and feel a nice, big, sticky piece of 3-month to 3-year-old gum.

3-year-old gum. I have to go out of my way and leave class to wash my hands because I’m so completely disgusted. I don’t know whose mouth it came out of. And I’m willing to bet that I am not the only one lucky enough to experience someone’s willful deposit. I guess I never really mind standing up and throwing my gum away in the trash can. I’ll break it down for all the lazy gum chewers out there – drop your gum in the trash can!

Are Friends Forever

2006-05-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

“Best Friends Forever.” People abuse this friendship phrase. The word’s meaning sounds almost like a promise ring. But the words are so over used that the meaning is lost. Friends are there only at a certain time, mostly when it’s convenient. The best friends are the ones who say they will always be there, but true friends are the ones who were there all along. There are so many types of friends on different levels, and everyone has had a different one. It’s not right to choose friends or friends to choose.

Friendships just happen on their own. Growing up with friends and even growing apart from them is healthy. Some people tend to only be friends with groups. The problem with “groups” is that usually they all follow each other around. Being a follower doesn’t allow them to be their own individual. Everyone grows up to realize that they needed to be their own individual with friends that don’t just need a group to follow. A friend is someone that sees you for who you are, listens when there is no one else, and gives advice regardless if it is good or bad. Everyone needs a friend no matter what they say. Each friend had some kind of purpose for being a part of that person’s life.

Then, there are disagreements. Friends have them all the time. Disagreements can go in different directions. If they don’t resolve themselves, the friends usually distance themselves from one another. They don’t do it on purpose, but by natural instinct; people tend to push away from someone who’s not pulling them back. People assume things and try to avoid what they think is going on in the other person’s head. Differences catch up to friends – misunderstandings form, and apologies never come out right.

That’s how friend break-ups usually happen – it’s all about whose going to step up to the plate first. Losing that person is a possibility . Don’t just walk away, because that’s what the other person might be thinking of doing also. The truth is that throughout life, there will be many friends. The sad part is that in the end most of those friends will be gone. Everything in life changes for reasons, and there’s no control over it. Cherish the friends you have throughout life. Friendships come and go but the memories will last forever.

You learn from experiences and the mistakes that come along with it. Keep in mind that the way things ended with friends before can be used to benefit friendships in the future. It turns out people who said they were going to be there disappear. People grow up and realize the so called “BFF” phrase wasn’t ever worth saying, but those friendships will never be forgotten. The friends who stay by your side are the ones worth holding on to.