Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I like the music loud!

     In an article on UPI.com entitled "Woman arrested four times in 26 hours," it informs readers of a woman named Joyce Coffey, a resident of New Hampshire, was arrested 4 times within 26 hours for refusing to turn down her radio and assaulting her nephew.
     Police were called to Coffey's house at 3 p.m. after complaints of loud music; they gave her a warning and left. An hour later they were informed again and arrested Coffey for disorderly conduct and refusing to turn her music down. She then bailed herself out. 5 and a half hours later the authorities were again at her house and arrested her again. She again bailed herself out. For the third time, the police arrived at Coffey's home at 1:10 in the morning and arrested her for playing "Highway to Hell" too loud. This time she had a hearing and was barred from playing music before 10 am and after 8 pm. The police received a report of domestic disturbance and once again the source of the trouble was Coffey. Her nephew had come to get some of his things at her house and apparently she got mad at him and threw a frying pan at her nephew. She is now still in jail for simple assault and breach of bail conditions (10,000 dollars).
     This situation sounds just like me.. Well except for the going to jail part. But the blaring part, especially when I'm driving down the road. I'll have it turned up loud, windows down, and speakers thumpin'.
    This woman was clearly not a participant in her learning because after the first time she could have turned her music down and not get arrested, but she chose not to.

Book review: Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak puzzled me at first with its dark story and evil characters. The book is about a teenage girl who gets raped at a party, becomes depressed, and nearly stops speaking, the book was good though.

One of the themes of this book is about how it is bad to keep some secrets. Melinda keeps the fact that she was raped a secret from everyone and it causes her many problems. The book says:  "As they walk down the aisle, people who were my middle-school lab partners or gym buddies glare at me." They are angry about her ruining a party and they don't realize that she did it because she was raped. Through most of the book, Melinda has to spend her free time hiding in an abandoned janitors closet because she is outcast from everyone. She could've been accepted if she had told her secret and gotten help. Also, throughout the book, Melinda sinks deeper and deeper into her depression. This is because her secret was tearing her apart on the inside.

The setting of this story is Syracuse. The setting often reflects how Melinda is feeling throughout the book. As the days get colder towards the end of fall, Melinda becomes colder and more distant from other people. In the long, frozen winter, Melinda reaches the deepest part of her depression and becomes very weak. As the days begin to warm up in the spring, Melinda begins to warm up to other people.

Melinda is the main character and one of the few likable ones in the book. In one part of the book, Melinda thinks:  "There is nothing wrong with me. These are really sick people. Sick that you can see." Here, she shows that she can be tough when she needs to and should be. Throughout the book, Melinda spends a great deal of time skipping class and hiding in a janitor's closet. This shows that she wants to be isolated from everyone else. During most of the book, Melinda speaks very little and often tries to avoid social situations. This shows how withdrawn from other people she is.


This was a great book a friend recommended it to me, and I'll easily recommend it to anyone else.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

States breaking apart!?

States breaking apart

The authors purpose of this article is to inform readers on the recent outrage of states in the US wanting to break away from the country and form their own governments, because of the re-election of president Barack Obama. The author clearly makes their point because he gives good details and examples to help explain the succeeding of the states.

"On November 14, 2012, Daily Caller announced that the White House website “We the People” has received secession petitions from all 50 states. The petitions were filed and signed by those who are apprehensive regarding President Obama’s re-election and feel their state would be better off separated from the Union and operating as its own government" Here the author is explaining what the 50 petitions are and what part they take in the attempt for the states to succeed from the rest of the country.

"It is common for those disappointed with an election result to threaten moving or leaving the country, but the secession petitions bring a new dimension to a nation that is already running on a technological infrastructure never known before." Of course there are people that hate Obama, which is quite normal nowadays, you hear it non-stop, but petitioning to succeed from your country and form your own government is a little too far.

"Anyone may start a petition, but once a petition receives at least 25,000 signatures, the petition moves to a White House review where it will receive notice" You can start a petition for whatever you like, but just remember even if you do reach the goal of 25,000 signatures you still have to go through congress with them, and that is most likely where it will be shot down, if it's not logical, just like this whole petition of the states drama going on.

This whole situation reminds me of other countries that used to do this back along time ago that i've read about  in my history book, like europe and other middle east countries that would break apart for power, money, and trade, because they couldn't all get along as one country.

 All in all the author really informs the reader well on the situation, and how not likely it is to actually succeed through and be passed. Everyone's not going to like the president weather he is democrat or republican, black or white, you can't please everyone. So why not just hang on for the ride, maybe something good will come out of it all.

http://www.examiner.com/article/secession-petitions-update-50-states-petition-white-house-to-secede-from-union

Monday, November 12, 2012

One's Ideals

One's belief of how to do things, ideal, is okay, but it can also go to far depending on the circumstances. Everyone should be able to defend his/her beliefs without having to do what others go by, otherwise it wouldn't be right. People should respect the choice that others make without thinking bad of them for doing so, because they don't do it to them, they're just minding their own business. Naturally some ideals could cause you to possibly get in trouble with the law, these are the indefensible ideals that go to far. So all in all let everyone believe in what they desire and not criticize, bash or think badly about, them for their choice of belief.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Humans & Caffiene

Humans & Caffiene

The author's, the writter of the book, purpose was to describe to reader's why bacteria, a small micro organism, can live off of caffiene but humans are not able to.

"Bacteria get all the calories they need from it" In other words bacteria do not need much to live on, just the tiniest bit of it. Humans need it all, vitamins, minerals, etc unlike bacteria. "Bacterium, it possesses several enzymes that do things to caffiene that human's can't" With these enzymes bacteria can break down and use caffiene for their energy, and food; being able to live off of it. "We don't have the gears to digest the derrivates further" In humans, the body takes the caffiene and uses it as a source of energy and thats all, nothing else. Then afterwards it is useless to the body.

Bacteria has the capability to use caffiene in ways that humans can't, allowing them to be able to live off of caffiene.

The author clearly explained why bacteria, but not humans can live off of caffiene with good examples, and further explanation.

Flying Saucer?

Flying Saucer?

The author's, the writter of the book or article, purpose was to describe to readers what a flying saucer was and the plans being made by the government to create one.

"The NDCin college park, MD, opened one of more than 100 cardboard boxes from the air force recently and came across a 114 page document" This here document was a set of written out plans made by the government planning to build the flying saucer. "The disc shaped craft, which comes complete with an ejector seat, and powered by a ram jet." In this part of the article a more in-depth description, and explanation is given about the flying saucer that wasn't already known about. There was " a fellowship plan to develop weapons suitable for the saucer, to allow it to be used as for reconnaisance, inceptor, or tactical bomber." This was another plan that was found, written by the government, that explained a plan to add on weapons to the saucer to be able to make it more useful.

I don't believe that "flying saucers" are real or ever were, but some of the world believes them to have existed around the area 51 location.

The author successfully explained what the governments secret plans for the flying saucer were and what it was possibly going to be used for in the future.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/10/18/govt-declassifies-report-secret-flying-saucer/

Friday, October 12, 2012

Tunnels Book Review

Tunnel's Book Review

Are you the type that likes action packed books that keep your attention, and don't bore you to death? Well if so, Tunnels is the book for you. Tunnels is the 1st book in the series. Brian Williams really surprised me with the way the story takes place, and how different it is from other books I have read.

Brian's style that he chose to put into the book Tunnels is quite interesting. It makes you want to read more, and more, throughout the whole story there is not a boring part in it. The book starts out normally and then jumps into the plot fast, almost so fast that you don't understand whats happening. But you eventually grasp it.

The setting of this book is really what puts a twist on it, the story takes place in a newly discovered underground world, with weird people, and all kinds of other un-normal encounters. The setting affects the characters of the book, because they have no clue how to navigate around the new found world, so that just makes finding Will's father, that went missing, even harder to find.

Will, the main character in the book, i'll give him some props for hoping all over the situation and facing his fears once he discovered his father was missing. He immediatly went searching for him in the underworld, "not knowing what lurked beneath, but knew it was dangerous." Liking Will as a character, makes you even like the book more because the whole story is basically from his point of view. That makes it sound even worse, but it's not it's actually better than I thought it would be.

I would definatly recommend this book to others to read, it is a great book that keeps your attention, making you want to read more and more.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Tornado's

Tornado's

The author's purpose in this article is to inform the reader of what tornado's are, and what they are capable of doing.

Tornado's, storm's with high wind speeds that cause damage, have been named nature's most violent storm. What makes them so violent is "the very rapid air extending down from the storm to the ground." This pathway between the two forms the funnel shape characteristic of tornado's. Inside these funnels are high winds moving well over 250 mph at times, most tornado's occur around other storms, as the text states "Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land." This means that most destruction in some hurricanes or just thunderstorms in general do not always come from that particular storm itself but, from the tornado's that have formed around it. As a tornado moves along its area, it destroys everything in its path, leaving nothing behind. Lastly another crazy thing that these storms are known for is having the ability to pick things up and carry them 50-100 miles and sometimes either farther from their original location.

I've never been in a tornado, and hope to never be in one, I've heard and seen too many bad things happen with these types of storms. As can be concluded, tornado's are very dangerous storms capable of serious damage, so stay safe!

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season

In this article West is explaining what huricane season is, and what factors cause huricane season to occur every year. His is idea is to inform the reader of exactly what hurricane season is. Hurricanes, a severe tropical storm with torrential rain and extremely strong winds, can be very dangerous, and are capable of sometimes very severe damage depending on the category of the hurricane.

Hurricanes don't just start out as hurricanes, West states that "As the storm builds from thunderstorm to hurricane, it passes through three distinct stages based on wind speed" they go through 3 stages with the first one being a tropical depression, then advancing to a tropical storm, and then lastly a hurricane.
Most probably wonder why durring these months is a perfect time for hurricanes to form? It's because the temperatures are high (hot)  which also makes the water warm too. These are the two keyfactors involved in the creation of a hurricane, along with the help of high speed winds.

Hurricane season isn't really a problem for us that live in the inner states, but for those who live on coast lines, it's a nightmare. I couldn't imagine having to deal with these types of storms, because of the high level of damage it brings with it. The season begins on June 1st and goes all the way through November 30th for the Atlantic ocean, and May 15th through November 30th for the Pacific ocean.

All in all hurricane season occurs around the same time every year, and consists of tropical storms that start out in the middle of the ocean and make their way to landfall where they start to cause damage with it's high winds, water, and everything else.




http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/a/hurricanecauses.htm

Monday, September 10, 2012

New Trade Center Elevators

I believe that the new trade center is going to be equipped with these new "23mph high speed elevator's" because naturally it would be a requirement because there's 104 floors, and it would take forever to get to the top if they were regular elevators. Another reason for these, could be if there was ever another emergency like 9/11 where they needed to evacuate fast, they could do so.

Reading Bucket List

13 Reasons Why- Jay Asher: I plan to read this book because I've heard alot about it and how good of a book it is. It has to do with a girl that has been bullied, and didn't tell anyone about her problems, and ended up committing suicide. Behind she leaves 13 tapes that each were a recording of her telling that specific person why she did what she did, and sent it to them.

Tunnels- Brian Williams: This book I read back in my 7th grade year, I completed it, but have forgotten most of it. It's about this normal boy who has a normal life, great parents and all the good stuff. His dad is an archeologist. They both enjoy going caving and exploring. One day Will noticed his dad went missing, and went to check the basement and there was a tunnel leading to a whole other world, to where his 'real' family lived, He finds out he is adopted, while on the journey of looking for his captured father.

Deeper- Brian Williams: This is the 2nd book in the tunnels series. I've read half of this book already, it starts off right where tunnels left off. Will is still in search of his father along with his newly found brother and cousin. While is dad is busy making discovery's down in the depths. Will and his brother are being hunted down by his real mother and the styx, because they have convinced her that Will is the one who killed her brother.

Free fall- Brian Williams: This is the 3rd book in the tunnels series. I've read none of this book. But its a continuation of the series that seems to be never ending. Brian Williams is a great author i've read multiple books that were written by him. So i'll know this one will be a good one.

Closer- Brian Williams: This is the 4th book in the tunnels series. I've read none of this book. I believe starting here in this book, it starts getting closer to them finding wills father and getting a chance to escape the dark underground depths and return to the "topsoil" as the underground people call it.

Spiral- Brian Williams: This is the 5th book in the tunnels series. Not yet read. I believe there is high chance that will's dad will be found by the boys, but they might also run into trouble with the styx while trying to do so, and could be locked up down there forever, with no chances for any of them.

Terminal- Brian Williams: This is the final book in the tunnels series. It hasn't been released yet but is supposed to be within the next year. With it being the last book and all, they will probably find his dad and make it safely back through the underground depths and return back to topsoil, and civilization.

Rules- Cynthia Lord: I was told about this book by my 6th grade english teacher. She said it was a good book. And that it was basically a book of rules that a girl had written for her little brother that was a little slow, but were easy and simple. Things that would come naturally to most.

The Green Glass Sea- Ellen Klages: This book I was also told about by my 6th grade english teacher. She didnt tell us much about it. But she did some. She just told us it was about this girl that was sent off to live with her father. After her grandma that she had lived with forever had a bad stroke, and is now being sent to a whole new place.

Heat- Mike Lupica: I've heard a lot about this book, and that it's really good. I don't really know much about it but I know it's about baseball. I've read a few other books by Mike Lupica, and they were all good. So I'm pretty sure this book will be just as good as the rest.


Monday, April 9, 2012

Pity

I think that the man deserves pity, because i don't think that he really knew what he was getting into when he joined the Hitler Youth, because it says "My uncle had such exciting tales to tell of the war in russia, how they had driven ivan into the Masurian Lakes. So he really just wanted to fight and be in combat, and do things that his uncle did when he was war, so thats why he joined hitler youth. Another is "I wanted to play my part in that sort of thing" here he was saying that he just wanted to do the same thing as his uncle, and he probably didnt realize at the time that he would be killing innocent people, instead of fighting russians.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Forgiveness

I do not think that Joseph Kony should be forgiven. There's no reason children should be treated this way. Theres a fine line between mean and just being downright cruel to innocent children. Forcing them to be soldiers, sex slaves, and kidnapping them. Those acts dont deserve forgiveness in my opinion, and im sure other people feel the same way too.