Blog On Blogs

i really like the way that this class was constructed. the blogging was much more intiresting than just doing random homework assignments. blogs and journals are very similar in may ways, however blogging is much more "fun". It is also a good way to connect with your classmates. blogging in life is also very intiresting. i think it is very sad that children have to be afraid of going on the internet because of online predators. there are many ways to prevent predators from getting in, but no matter what you do, people can always put up random, inappropriate things on anyones blogs. My favotire thing about having blogs as classwork is the different connections you can make with other students that you might not otherwise have talked to that much. Blogging is a great way to write about issues and things in class that you are worried about. Or things you care about alot. overall, i think blogging should be incorperated in more classes in all of school. I think it is very important that it gets more widely used.

Historic Election

This was the most historic election ever. No matter what happened, there was going to be a first in the white house. The winner became the first african american president in history. and for that, i am proud of the people who voted. i did not have the chance to vote, i only nearly missed it, however i wish i would have been able to for a number of reasons. one being how historic this election was and another because i really believe that Obama was the best candidate. i followed the election closer this year then ever before and i think that the election came down to more than who the best president would be, but who the best pair would be. Obama and Biden are clearly a better fit. I think the main fault in McCain's campaign was his running partner. in no way do i mean that because she is a woman, but she was just not the proper person for the job. Also, their apperences on Saturday Night Live really hurt their campaign in my opinion. they seemed much less serious because of that, and that is no way i want to think about the person running this country. McCain is very old, and if he were to pass while in office, Palin as president would be a disaster. I do not think that she could handle that kind of responsibilty.

Obama Vs. McCain

The Obama vs. McCain election was one of the biggest elections to ever take place in the United States of America. Many people went out to vote and stood in lines that took three to four hours to get through. Thousands of new voters came through this election and really made a difference. As I was talking to my parents a few nights before November 4th they said "new and young voters are all talk, they don't actually go out there and vote". I could see where they were coming from but this election felt different and I could feel that their statement was wrong. Many people are concerned with how much change Obama says that he is going to make, but i personally think that he isn't going to make as many changes that he says he is going to. I am glad that Obama was elected president because it shows that our Nation is changing and we now support a man of color. If this election took place thirty or forty years ago, Obama wouldn't have a chance. It makes me feel proud that we have come this far and we becoming more accepting, and we don't have another white male in office.

In Obamas acceptance speech he talked about how McCain had called him earlier in the night, and Obama said that he was looking forward to working with McCain and Palin. It shows that both of the candidates weren't bitter towards each other, and I think that is very important. This election is certainly one to remember, and an election that has made history.

Media Violence

The effects of violent images in television, movies and video games varies from person to person because some people are more impressionable than others. I disagree with John Davidson's claim that after the age of 8 children are not as affected by extreme violent viewing, such as movies like Saw or Hostel. I think the violent video games like Halo and aggressive movies middle school and high school age kids are exposed to still have an affect on their personality. Video games, especially, desensitize the kids to horrible and inhumane behavior like people getting shot or blown up. The point of these games is often to kill the most "bad guys" or people getting the way of you reaching your goal which can translate into real life, that killing people is not that big of a deal. I watched a Law and Order episode the other day and there were two teenage boys who killed two girls the same way they killed woman on their violent computer game. The detectives just had to keep playing the video game to know how and who they would kill next. Obviously, this was not a real life story but it is possible that could happen because violent video games are extremely popular with teenage boys. Parents should pay attention to what games their kids are playing and try to limit the amount of aggressive and violent behavior kids view.

Luke vs. McMurphy

After watching the movies Cool Hand Luke and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, it is clear that Luke and McMurphy, the respective main characters, are very similiar. They are both martyrs who die to encourage and inspire men who are imprisoned or degraded in some way. Luke runs away countless times and as punishment, gets beaten and locked away in "the box". He also eats 50 eggs just for the fun of it and as entertainment for the rest of the men in the prison camp. The rest of the men in the camp love Luke because he is unafraid of the men in charge of the camp, the men with the guns and the power, he lives his life to the fullest even if his rights have been severely restricted by the camp. He dies fighting the injustice going on in the camp, and never lets the "bad guy" win, and the men start to idolize his example. In contrast, McMurphy comes to the mental ward and throws off all sense of order Nurse Ratched has created and controlled. McMurphy is also unafraid of authority and he finds ways to challenge the nurse and have fun. The men of the ward gain confidence and inspiration from McMurphy, and start to realize they do not have to live their life according to Nurse Ratched's rules.

Election of 2008

Recently our country has been hearing, seeing, and learning new ideas and thoughts on the 2008 election. It was an election that could go down in history, and from it's results, it did. Barack Obama won the election being the very first African-American President in the United States. He made history on November 4th not only from his background but from his estatic speeches and his need for change. He amazed millions of Americans with his drive to change lives and bring America back to a United Nation. With all of the issues in our country today, I feel that Obama is a man who can help direct our country in the right way. Along with Obama being elected President, this overall election has attracted a great amount of young voters. He has influenced many to fight for a better America. As many support him, he had a great lead the whole night of the election. Did it have to take an extra few years for Americans to realize that Bush was breaking down America, or was Obama just striking people as an outstanding representative for our country? Obama has brought on so much that has made November 4th, 2008 to go down in history, and that is the change America needed.

Obama!

On Tuesday, Barack Obama became the first African American man to be elected president of the United States! This election was the best opportunity for his success because people are angry with the economic crisis, mostly blaming the Republicans, and they are looking for someone who will give them hope. Hope and change were the centerpieces of Obama's campaign, and his strategy paid off. I was not old enough to vote in this election, but everyone I talked to that voted, commented on how many young voters were at the polls. I think it is so important for all eleigible voters to vote, no matter which candidate they support, and this election had one of the highest voter turnout rates ever. People all throughout history have sacrificed their lives just so citizens have the right to vote and participate in the government, so they could have a say in the way things are. In talking to a lot of people my age or just a little bit older, Obama has inspired a feeling of excitement that makes young people feel like they matter and they can make a difference. The citizens of our country are frustrated and angry with the current state of our country - the economic crisis, the war, gas prices, the list goes on. They are mostly blaming the Republican party because we have had a Republican president for the past eight years, and so people are even more willing to support Obama only because he is a Democratic candidate.

R.I.P C.Walker.

Watching the news this week, i was very disturbed. There has been another school shooting. But this time it was not a hate crime, where someone opens fire upon an entire school. This time it was a feud that escalated to extreme levels. A total of 7 henry Ford students were involved in a fight, which ended in the murder of one child, and left three more wounded. Its horrible to see this, the kids in this argement were of the ages fifteen through eighteen. The shooter was 16 year old son of a Detroit police leutennant. When i heard this story i immediatelly thought of the movie we wathced in class, tough guise. So far, the reason for the fight is unknown. However, this is very sad to see. Im sure whatever the reason for the fight, im sure murder wasnt the answer. Its just another case of some guy getting into a fight and trying to prove his masculinity. Hes just gone to far, and thats how more of the horrible stories you hear start. its very sad, and i would love to have it be the last story i hear like this, the saddest part is, i know it wont be.

Advertising

 

This ad is for World Non-Smoking Day I found on website of creative advertisements. The cemetery is full except for a small open area that says "Non-Smoking Area". This advertisement is meant to capture the attention of people with drama, implying that smoking will lead to death.  The creators of the ad are assuming people want to live and not end up in a cemetery, and to do that they must stop smoking.  Fear is used to make people change their behavior, by showing the possible consequences of smoking, the creators are hoping people will quit and participate in World Non-Smoking Day.  This is one of the few advertisements that is encouraging people to do something healthy and has a message backed by scientific evidence.  Countless studies and experiments have showed that smoking leads to lung cancer which can lead to death.  Nobody can argue with facts, but many people have become addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes.  This ad is blunt and concise.  The message is smoking will kill you, so quit. 

Super Size Everything

The movie, Supersize Me, was very disturbing and unsettling to watch.  It was sad and a little bit scary to watch Morgan Spurlock gain almost 25 pounds in one month on a McDonald's diet.  His cholesterol skyrocketed, he increased his chances of heart disease and the minerals and vitamins in his body were all a mess.  I really don't eat fast food that much because I think it's gross and I feel sick afterward.  The American people need to wake up and realize what they are doing to their bodies when they constantly fill them with fatty and unhealthy fast food.  Some people who exercise regularly and have faster metabolisms can eat more unhealthy foods without having major effects on their bodies, but other people cannot.  It's good that McDonald's beginning to offer healthier choices in their menu, but people need to start making healthier choices for themselves.  Nobody is forcing Big Macs and french fries down their throat, they are making a choice when they eat those foods.  I think the fast food culture has a lot to do with parenting.  My parents never really took us to McDonald's or other fast food places, so I do not really go there now.  Parents have to set healthy examples for their kids and realize that they do have the power to influence how their children eat and think about food. McDonald's should also publish their nutrition facts in a convenient and easy to find location in their store, or have take-home pamphlets available to customers so that people who want to make healthy choices can. 

Cookoo Keesey!

i would have to say, that over the years, the books read in school are pretty horrible. They are hard to get through becasue they are so boring. However, i have been happy with Cookoo's nest. Maybe its because half the book is acid trips, but its more fun to read than previous books. Ken Keesey has written the hippie book of a life time. The more i read, the more i like. i can absolutely see why it would be the most common book found at Woodstock '69 as well. in the past, reading books about children eating each other (lord of the flies), or Othello killing the woman he loves gets depressing. sure, Cookoos nest has its share of disturbing parts. labodomizing isnt the most fun topic ever, but the way i see this book is its way easier to get through because it is written in such a way that it is "fun." or as much fun as reading can be. Keesey does have his share of sexist parts, and thats why the book isnt for everyone. Its his opinion, his book, and if you dont like it, dont read it. The contraversey over the book, in my mind is not right. There is so many things that are contraversial, that people should just leave alone if they dont like it, and this book is defintelly one of them. The first time i started to read to book, i didnt understand, so i had to re-read. The second time reading it, i noticed what people were fussing over. But i really dont think they thought about it before they started complining . I think its taken a way that he was not intending to have to. Maybe its a little sexist, but hes not saying all women are evil, which is how i see people seeing it as. Which is Wrong

Supersize america

through watching Supersize Me in class, i have realized more and more the effects that fast food have on the world we live in today. Untill this movie, i never realized how much of a problem obesity is. It is a much more serious leading cause of death than i thoght. The movie has opened my eyes to the tolls a convient cheeseburger has taken on more then just the u.s. I think it is very sad that when macdonalds started they had one size, and that size is now the kid size. Its no suprise that the world is getting fatter and fatter by the big mac. The word supersize has seemingly taken over the food market. When you consider that the proper serving size is about the size of your fist, its amazingly hard to find a portion that size anywhere. the world is getting unhealthier by the minute. I play soccer everyday, and i talk to kids on my team, and even they eat fast food very regularly, and so do i. It seems hard to find a meal because there is no time in the day. I regularly find myself picking up fast food on the way home from practice because i have had no time earlier in the day to eat, with the schedule i have. Something needs to drasticaly change if people want to start getting healtheir.I do have to say however, i do really enjoy fast food. It does taste good in my opinion. That is what makes me angry, i wish it tasted like poopie so i wouldnt want to get it and just eat something at home.

Supersize Morgan Spurlock

The more we watch supersize me in class, the more i realize how good of a documentary filmaker Morgon Spurlock is. Everything i have ever seen him in, or heard of him doing, was very intiresting. He does it very differently than most, he actually takes on the challege of eating Macdonlads for a month, or voluntarily going to jail for a month. Its very compelling and intiresting to watch. Other documentarys are not of quite the same subjects, and are not quite as fun to watch. This blog is not so much about supersize me, but more of Morgan Spurlocks movies in general. He is very clever, and very smart about how he makes them. When you hear the word documentary, you usually would think of a boring, informational movie that you would never see in theatres. Spurlock has changed that steriotype and made documentarys fun, you just have to use the right topic, and the right way to go about teaching it.

The Cuckoo's Nest

I didn't understand "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" at first. I could only see it as a mix of so many thoughts and ideas going on at once. Kesseys story shows hatred towards women, but it also includes a sort of racism concerning different characters along with to me seems like some sort of exaggeration or untruthful thought and perception to a mental institution. Although it seems brutal and false for the characters in the institution, I personally wouldn't know what actually went on in a mental institution. It is an interesting book on a diverse group of characters who have a different mindset and idea of what they want to do. Starting bets, trying to change the rituals of the institution and suffering from harsh punishments and everyday duties the characters are in a war with the head nurse. Overall reading this book keeps me thinking and helps me identify and understand all sorts of people, places, and things throughout the story.

Micky D's

We are currently watching Supersize Me in class. It is crazy how dependent Americans have become on fast food. Before McDonalds became such a hit, the average serving of any kind of food was the size of ones fist. Since then the word supersize took over. Not only are Americans suffering from complications of obesity and unhealthy bodies, but McDonalds fast food restaurants are spreading rapidly across the globe. Over the past few years, McDonalds has been attempting to increase their list of "healthy" foods on the menu. Their attempt to adding healthy foods was a variety of three to four salads, and a fruit parfait which learning from the movie acually includes the same amount of calories and fat as a strawberry sundae. As for the rest of the menu, the only changes being made are increasing sizes or burgers, fries, shakes and soft drinks. I know once in a while individuals stop at McDonalds and have a burger and fries with no worries. It is the people who are addictedly revisiting McDonalds for multiple meals more than once a week that can be affected health wise in multiple ways. People need to let up on their McDonalds craving and start eating healthier and begin activites to keep their bodies healthy. Hopefully Americans can pull it together and can reduce the number of obese people.

SUPERSIZE me.

Watching Supersize me has not exactly been the best thing to watch in class, but it is interesting. It's also sad how the world has become so obese and people are eating these obscene amounts of food that are horrible for your body. I can see why people eat fast food because its quick and easy to get it, and most of all it's comforting. I normally don't eat fast food because it isn't something that doesn't makes me feel good when i eat it. I only eat it because it's quick and easy. I do think its a good thing that places like McDolands are offering healthier foods, but people don't come there to order healthy foods. In the movie Morgan Spurlock Goes on a hunt to many McDonalds to find the nutrition menu for what they offer, and it was almost impossible for him to find them. Proportions for the food have grown since McDonalds first opened, like the cup sizes and fries. There was only one size for both of them and they are now a kiddie cup and a small fry because people demanded more food. I believe that fast food places are at fault for people not knowing the appropriate amount of food that they are supposed to eat because of the huge amounts of food they offer. I think that me movie is very interesting and it shows how obese and lazy the world has become.

The Bucket

Many Seniors are upset about the winners of field day this year. It hasn't been since years ago that a grade other than the seniors has won the bucket. Why should that change this year? I know running into the gym yesterday cheering on our class of '09 got us pumped up and ready to win, but I think it also had us thinking that we had an automatic chance of winning. Even if it did make us conceided about winning, we won or placed second in most of the events at field day. Those werent the only points we had earned, but our spirit points should have been up there. We had cheered on every other grade and staff, and congradulated the juniors when placing higher than us. While we were doing that, they were hollering back. That makes no sense for the Juniors to win more spirit points than us and win the overall field day competition. Our class Sophomore year had more points than the senior class along with every other class and we didn't win the bucket. I'm not blaming the staff or judges for "riging" field day, but there is obviously something wrong if you put those two years together. So to sum up our field day, the seniors are dissappointed. I don't blame anyone for being upset, but I do think our class needs to calm down and realize spirit week isnt over yet. We can't sink down to the Juniors level by complaining and showing bad sportsmanship. We need to stand strong as the senior class of 2009, and make our last spirit week an amazing one.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a story told by Chief Bromden, a mentally unstable patient at a mental hospital who is perceived by other patients as deaf. He tells about a man named McMurphy who arrives at the mental institution and disrupts the order and peace at the hospital. The book is controversial because some people have considered it racist and misogynistic. I think the book is strange because Ken Kesey does not include any other women in the story besides Nurse Ratched, who is the dominate, "ball-cutting," powerful head of the ward. I don't understand why Kesey would write a story so hateful toward women and it makes me wonder if something happened to him with his mother or a woman he loved in his life. Nurse Ratched is so emasculating and belittling to the men in the ward, and it is scary to think about why Kesey would make her that way. Racism in the story is also a big controversy because "black boys" clean the ward and follow Nurse Ratched's direction. Racism is definitely present in the story but it is not outrageously blatant. The overall messages of the story are just as important and evident, if not more so, than racism and misogynism. One of the main messages of the book is the mistreatment of mentally ill people in places that are supposed to be helping them and providing a place for support. Obviously treatment has improved greatly since the days of labotomy but I think many people are unaware of

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

This week we have started reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I found the book to be confusing at first because it was hard for me to understand. Last night I started the whole book over and I have been following along to a tape and it has been so much easier for me to follow along and to focus. So far I have really enjoyed the book and reading it makes me see things from a different perspective. It's interesting to see how these people work in the psychiatric ward and how the staff deals with them. It makes me wonder if thats how people were actually treated in a ward. So far I have really enjoyed the book and I find it very intresting. The things that go through peoples heads are things that I would never even think of. The way that they get lost in the fog a feel protected by it because no one can see them. I also find it intresting that everyone is the ward thinks that Cheif Bromden is deaf, and how he goes along with it and pretends that he is. I am looking forward to finishing this book because i think that it is cool to see how the insane work.

Judgment

It is personally ironic that in class we have been watching Mean Girls just as similar issues began around school, as they did in the movie. I have seen Mean Girls multiple times, but there was something different about seeing it this time, unlike the others. Thinking about the message that the movie was sending to the audience affected me, but in a postive way. One scene in the movie that I thought had a lot of meaning was when, Lindsay Lohan "Cady" was thinking about a judgmental comment while at the mathlete competition. "No matter how much I talk about how badly she is dressed or what she looks like, its not going to help me win the competiton." Cady reminds herself of good from wrong and wins the competition. Since finishing the movie, I think of that line when someone judges another individual, and I also use it for myself. I feel it has helped me stay true to myself and helps me think even more positive than before.

Mean Girls

In the movie Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan epitomizes what the stereotypical teenage girl. She becomes obsessed with making her appealing to a guy. She wears the low cut tops and short skirts and also pretends to be dumb in math to get attention from this guy. I know that some girls would follow her example and make it their goal in life to be the girl they think will attract the hot guy, even if that means changing who they are or sacrificing their grades. Society puts this idea into girls that boys like girls who are not intellectually as smart as them so they can boost their egos, but from my own experience, I think it is actually the opposite. Most of my guy friends are attracted to girls who are smart and independent, and my girl friends do not think they have to dumb themselves down to be attractive in a guy's eyes. I would not pretend to be dumb to get a guy because I want a guy to like me for who I am, and it would get tiring and annoying to constantly be something that does not come naturally to me. The movie also emphasizes how "the plastics"dress the same way every day, participate in all the same activities and hang out with all of the same people. This idea of every girl fitting one stereotype discourages appreciaton for diversity and individuality. Each person is different, which is good, and if every girl dressed and acted in the same way trying to get a guy's attention, they would all be replaceable. Each individual personality shines through in the way people dress, the way they treat other people and the activities they participate in.

Boys Have Feelings Too

I never really thought about how masculinity makes boys feel more respected. I've learned that it's only for their own comfort. In class we are watching the movie, "Tough Guise." It has been informing us about how boys of all ages have been the reason for shootings in their own schools. Not only are they killing boys, but also girls and teachers. These boys have been interviewed on reasons why they did it. Many of their answers where about how they have been bullied for not being strong enough or not masculine. I feel that this situation can go many different ways. One in particular I have noticed is that, boys have been treating other boys different beacuse of how they may look, act, and even in what they do. This is mainly because they are not tough, or maybe even a jock. These boys are being mistreated and therefore are using guns and other weapons as a replacment for their strength. With this they fight back and kill, or injure the boys who have mistreated them. If kids and teenagers stopped judging others, it would help decrease these fights and murders. Everyone is different in some way, and not everyone is normal. If you think about it noone really is normal. Everyone has some kind of weird or different thing about them. Boys don't need to be masculine to impress others, or to even feel comfortable. Boys should be who they want to be, and be themselves without worrying about what others think of them. People shouldn't judge others.

Ramble on.

the more and more we talk about college in this class the more i look forward to it, yet dread it at the same time. I think it is going to be an amazing and of course i will love it. However, it is scary to think in less than a year i will be in college, away from home, doing what i want when i want. I want nothing more then to get out of my parents house and live on my own. But i can'y help but think, i am going to not be seeing the people i see everyday now. My best friends are going to be moving far away, and i wont see them unless we run into each other in the market on holiday break. A part of me doesnt even want to go to college, and just gho abroad for soccer. but even that will make me incredibly lonely. And being out of the country will cut communication from many people im sure. Thank goodness for facebook. the essays, the applications, everythink is beginning to be overwhelming, and is making me not want to go. I dont know what to think, and ive got a while to do it. it seems as if i have rambled through a blog, and that is exactly where my mind is at about this whole thing. So this jumbled blog, is an example of how i am thinking right now, its ironicly appropriate

Gender Roles

We have been talking recently in class about gender roles. I know why this is the general schema, however I don’t agree with it at all. In the past women were seen as the ones who stayed and looked after the house, they rarely had jobs and they counted on the man to support them. This for some reason has stuck around. I don’t understand why we can’t move on from that. There are plenty of successful women who got that way 100% on their own. When I get married – and this may change when that day comes closer- if I have a career and a paycheck that can support my family well enough that there is no need for another income, then I don’t think that I’ll care if my wife works. I also think that it should go both ways. I do understand why men get intimidated by women who have high paying jobs, and are incredibly successful, especially when the man doesn’t have those things. I don’t know what it is, and maybe it’s not right, but I am the same way. However, I’m opinion I don’t think that it is a bad thing by any means, I see it just as intimidating, and if anything, a good thing. I don’t like when girls grow up with the notion that they will just marry rich, and get through life strictly on their good looks. Sure, that works for some people, but I don’t think it is a good thing to strive for. I like seeing strong females; I think they should be role models for young girls more than people like Hannah Montana and Paris Hilton. Maybe I’m weird, but I would much rather date a smart, determined woman than one that is just going to use me for my money.

Stereotypes and Images the Media has Created

This week in class we have been talking about how the media has created this image of how men and women should look and act. The acticle "Men Just Want Mommy" by Maureen Dowd talked about how men would rather marry a women who isn't as sucessful and smart as they are so they can feel dominate in the relationship. In my opinion i think that is obscene and it shouldn't matter how sucessful a women is. Men should support women and be proud that we have been able to come this far. When my Step-Dad was bringing in less money than my Mom he became very jelous of her and told her to take time off. My mom was insulted and couldn't believe that he was telling her to take time off so he could bring in more money. Now my Step-Dad is currently umemployed, and my Mom is bringing in more money than she ever has before and is the head Financial Director at her work.
Image is the first thing someone notices when meeting a person and i can see how people care about what they look like. The media has simply taken it too far becasue they emphasize eveything and talk about how we all need to look like action figures and movie stars. Men have begun taking steroids and women have stopped eating. I wish that the media would step back and just let people be and look and act the way that they want to.

Societal Pressure

The video we watched in class today, Tough Guise, was focused on how the media and society stresses the importance of "being a man". Men and boys are taught to think that they have to be muscular, intimidating, insensitive, and tough. The social pressure and the peer pressure to fit this particular stereotype leads boys or men to commit over 90 percent of the total violent crimes committed, including school shootings. I can see how the media does create this "tough" image boys are supposed to conform to, but girls are feeling the same pressure to be thin or pretty or stylish. Maybe this pressure is not as severe as the pressure on the boys because it has not lead any girl to shoot her classmates but girls also feel the consequences. More girls are anorexic than boys, and 20 percent of girls with long term anorexia starve themselves to death, trying to fit society's unrealistic image for them. They kill themselves from the inside out, instead of killing classmates. The number of girls that die from anorexia or bulimia yearly is probably higher than the number of kids that die in school shootings. Any girl or boy can fall victim to the pressures of society, but the right parenting and education can instill confidence in kids so they are not affected so much by the pressures. If a boy or girl believes that he or she is strong, independent and capable, they are not going to be looking for approval from society as much as someone with low self esteem, which means they are not going to feel they have to be who society wants them to be. Parents have to teach their kids confidence and the ability to understand the messages society is sending them are unrealistic and irrelevant. poopie.

Breathe

Thinking that senior year would be easy is backfiring on me. I took all my hard courses last year, and tried to keep my shedule for this year simple. Even though I have a pretty relexed schedule in school, at least for right now, I have so much going on outside of school. As of now, I have one to two days free out of the week, and that depends on how much homework I have. The only day I can stay home and relax, or go out with friends and chill out, is saturday. My schedule just keeps getting more hectic. Soccer practices monday and wednesday nights, work thursday and friday nights, powder puff practices on sundays 2-5 and then rushing to my soccer games that start at five after that, not to mention studying for school, ACT, applying to colleges, and working on scholarship projects due this winter. Everything is driving me crazy. My schedule is so long that the last sentence I wrote is probably a run-on sentence. I guess I just didn't realize how crazy senior year would be. I know eventually after sending in all my applications and what not it will settle down. But I still have a few months before that will kick in. I just need a week full of nothing. I guess the only thing i'm trying to say here is that, I need a chance to breathe.

Bush vs. Moore

September 11th is a day that will always be in our hearts. But the election in 2004 will always keep us thinking. In the movie Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore shows clips and different sorts of evidence of where George Bush went wrong in his presidency. Watching this movie makes me wonder how Bush even won a second election. Didn't America realize what mistakes he made? Not only was Moore bashing on him for the entire video, but he exaggerated the role Bush made during his second term of presidency. It is a documentary head on head, George vs. Michael. This movie makes it seem like Bush doesnʼt know what heʼs doing, but still thinks he is doing the right thing, if that makes sense. Moore's collage of clips throughout the years of Bush are put together to make him seem like a horrible president. But in turn, Bush hasn't really done many things right as it is. So when will our country get it together?

COLLEGE!!

I cant wait to go to college. I have been very stressed latley with being at home with my parents telling me what to do right when i walk in the dorr from school until i leave in the morning for school. I find the weekends becoming my getaways from them. For the past week My step-mom and Dad have been in Europe on a cruise and i can't complain. It has been one of the best weeks of my life, I can't complain. I can oly imagine what it is going to be like when i leave for college. I will finally be on my own and no one will be able to bother me about my homework, and doing household chores. I know that school will get harder, but i feel like i will be able to handle it better because i wont have someone nagging me and telling me everything that i need to do before I go to bed for the night. I am so excited to go to college, and i am almost done with all of my applications. It is very stressful because i want to know where i will get admitted to. Being at college will allow me to juggle things in a better way because someone won't always be yelling in my ear to finish everything.

Fahrenheit 9/11

After watching Michael Moore's film, Fahrenheit 9/11, I have decided that Michael Moore's opinions and views on George W. Bush are very extreme and sometimes exaggerated. I agree with Moore in the fact that I do not like President Bush but Moore's approach in expressing his views is not the best. Moore definitely assumes information or guesses at Bush's motives when he does not know the whole truth. This tactic makes me take his opinions less seriously and wonder if what he says is factual or just his spin. The film may please far left liberals but it will definitely anger republicans further and maybe turn independents away from leaning toward the democratic side. Also, Moore's personal attacks on Bush diminish his moral integrity in the eye's of his viewers and they do not respect him they may not respect his political views. Moore should have presented his audience with the facts and what really happened with Bush's administration and the days surrounding 9/11 and let people make their own decisions. After seeing the film, I was just annoyed with Moore's constant personal attacks and assumptions.

Stressed!

For the past two weeks, I have felt so overwhelmed and stressed! It seems like I have to a million things to do each day and there is just not enough time.   I just went to a meeting and signed up for community service on a sunday afternoon, but when I got home and checked my schedule, a softball game and a work shift were already scheduled during that same time.  I wanted to scream! I can only be in one place at once and how do I decide which activity to choose because no matter what I do I'm letting someone down.  This weekend, I am going to Jackson for a cross country overnight on Friday and when I get back on saturday, I have an hour before my shift starts at work.  On Sunday, I have a softball doubleheader, so when will I do that six hour psychology assignment? Or finish my college essays for U of M? So far, this year has been extremely stressful and I hope that once all of my college applications are in everything will slow down.  For now, I am just trying my hardest to keep myself organized and keep up with all of my school work.  I like being busy but I need a little downtime and I have not been able to shake this feeling of being overwhelmed.

September 11th

Recently in class, we have been focusing on the events of September 11, 2001. We watched a movie, On Native Soil, and we have learned about the details and circumstances surrounding the plane crash. Every year, we take a moment of silence and remember all the people who suffered on that tragic day. The video reminded us that people who had families in those towers are reminded everyday when their husband is not sitting next to them at the breakfast table or they have to listen to a 7 year old voicemail just to hear their son's voice. In one split second, the lives of those people were changed forever by terrorists who sacrificed their lives to kill Americans. The video explored how much the government knew about the attacks before they ocurred and what could have been done to prevent those attacks. In my opinion, there were many errors the government made before the tragedy, for example, allowing the hijackers into the country with an incomplete and incorrect visa and having an inadequate security system at the airport.