Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Tipping Point Chapter Four
Lying and cheating are very similar. For some people it is a lifestyle. Some people are just liars. It does not surprise me that students do better on take home tests because they do have the oppurtunity to cheat. And more than likely, at least half of them will. Cheating and lying are wrong most of the time, and everyone knows that. But, that still won't stop people from doing it.
Good Samaritan:
When I see someone hurt, I try my best to help them. If they are not recieving help, I would deffiently try to help them out. For instance, a little over a month ago, my family and I were coming home from Toledo, and the roads were completely frozen over with ice. As we stopped at a stop light, we saw two cars collide. I immediatly told my Dad to call 911, but luckily they recieved help immediatly. I wanted to stop to make sure they were okay, and we waited until we saw people get out of the car, unharmed. I would stop in almost any condition. Even if I was late to someone 9 times out of 10, I would stop, unless I was like on the way to a funeral or to see someone on their death bed. But I would call 911 on my way.
The Tipping Point Chapter Four
I haven't seen it like personally, but in the news, sure. Like I saw saying before, school shooting are becoming more and more frequent because kids see one person do it, and then another and another and another. They get the ideas from each other.
Personally, I think that dude, Gunn, was pretty stupid. Why would you focus on the graffiti??? I think safety is more important. Graffiti is not the collapse of a system... graffiti happens everywhere. If it was, then Columbus would be a failed city...which would make absolutly no sense.
We should focus on the bigger problems first, because if you focus on the smaller problems first, the bigger problems will destroy you. For instance, since the Titanic was mentioned in this book, I'm going to use an example from that. Let's say since Jack "stole" the necklace, after the ship hit the iceberg, it would be totally pointless to focus on that and try to arrest him because the ship is sinking! I mean if you deal with that problem first, you are probably going to be dead because you are on a sinking ship. That would just be dumb.
Prison Experiment At Stanford:
Oh my god. This sounds terrible. Why would anyone come up with this idea? I would never want to experience prison. It's not a place I plan to be in. This kind of reminds me of the book "The Wave". In both cases the roles they were given sort of over took them, and they became them. I find that really really scary.
School Shootings
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/09/25/school.shooting/index.html
I just found out this was the school shooting he was in.
This made me cry.
He just told me the story of what happened. I am like in shock. I can't say anything else but, "That is so horrible". I am just like so idk. It is so sad. I honestly don't know what to say. I've never known someone who was in one. I looked it up and it was true and I just cried. I don't know what to say.
But uhm back to the original assignment. School shootings are becoming more of a regular thing. In the last year or so, I've heard of two shootings at colleges. It seems to me that they have become more and more often since the shooting at Columbine, which was also terrible.
Honestly, school shootings have made me feel less safe at school, but only at the big high schools. At Linworth, I don't feel that I have anything to worry about. We are such a small school and people want to go to Linworth. I don't feel that anyone there would try to hurt anyone. But, bomb threats at the home schools, it's getting more and more often. I am scared sometimes to go over to the home schools. I don't feel as safe there. People might say that because we live in Worthington, it won't happen because we are so sheltered and we are such a "safe" place. That doesn't make me feel so much better. I mean, look at the Columbine situation. It took place in a considerably wealthy and thought to be safe area. But I mean, that didn't make a difference. It just makes me so mad that people would shoot other people. I understand what it's like to not be popular, and made fun of a lot. Back in elementary school and middle school, basically that's all that ever happened to me. But I would NEVER hurt any of them, no matter how much I disliked them. I understand how horrible kids can be, I really do. I think everyone has at one point or another been picked on. I do understand though that most of these kids are picked on nonstop. That's terrible, but it's even more terrible to shoot people. I mean, no one deserves that. No one. At least not in my opinion.
The worst part is, I think that we will still see more and more school shootings. It's awful but, I just don't think they are going to stop. Even if we do have security at schools, it only takes on shot to kill someone. Also, schools can't afford to have a security guard standing in every single hallway. You just can't do that. There's too many schools in this country. I wish I could say that they won't happen again. But unfortunatly, more and more kids hear about school shootings and get the idea to do it themselves. I wish that they wouldn't. I wish that they would sort out their problems in a non-violent way. Unfortunatly, for some kids, that won't happen. =[
Blog Class
I really like having to do the internet research and just our own personal opinions. I think it is really fun! I really liked doing a post on what makes me smile.
The only thing I am not crazy about is having to do reading and posting about it.
The book we are currently reading confuses me alot.
I really honestly think the author just likes to hear himself talk.
I do wish that there was more interaction between the people who take this class. Two comments isn't really alot.
Otherwise, I love class!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Tipping Point Chapter Three
I am so lost.
He just repeats the same points over and over again.
This is very frustrating!
I didn't know that they experimented with that show though...
But this is like way too much information...
But this does bring back many memories.
But, I never did watch Blue's Clues.
But I guess it sounds like Blue's Clues was addicting? I really don't understand.
Awww I loved Big Bird!
Is he saying that the show didn't do well at first? If that's true, that's really weird.
I'm really bored.
He just keeps talking about the same stuff... it's kind of annoying.
I just really don't understand what he is saying... it's extremely frustrating.
Things that stick for me are usually when I see something that has a favorite celebrity of mine in it. For instance, I love The O.C., and my favorite actress on the show is Mischa Barton. She is one of the advertisers for the shoes KEDS. I saw her in an ad, and so I bought them. Basically now, I don't wear any other brand of shoe.
The Tipping Point Chapter Three
It sounds to me that they kind of made Seasame Street addicting for children...I don't know.
I suppose Seasame Street was like a messanger. It spreaded many messages to children about right and wrong, and other educational things. Different characters portrayed different subjects and messages.
Stickyness the word kind of sounds to me like it means like to clamp on to something. I suppose that is kind of the idea here. To put a message into someones mind.
This chapter is a bit confusing...
Cool Schools
This school looks really sweet. I first learned about this school through Riana Brewer. She got an information packet one day and I just happened to be with her. I took a look over it, and I realized that I really wanted to go there. But, unfortunatly, I know my parents would never let me go. So...there goes that. But, I still think it's a pretty tight school. It's a school of Film, Art, Design, Music, and Media Production. In the brochure, it said that they had been involved with Christina Aguliera, Transformers, Pirates Of The Carribean, Gwen Stefani, and tons of other cool movies and people. I would love to work in film one day or music. But, I just don't think that's going to happen...
This school sort of reminds me of Linworth because the students are encouraged to follow their wildest dreams and learn to become more independent. They want you to believe in yourself.
http://www.aada.org/html/main.html
This school looks really cool because they train people to act in plays, movies, and television. Since I was very little, I always dreamed about becoming an actress. This school is like my dream school. They are in California and New York. I think it just sounds amazing. This school also inspires students to follow their dreams. I would love to apply to this college.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Please Pray For My Friends
The crash occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Queensbridge Drive at Shallowford Avenue, NBC 4 reported.
Police said Joshua O'Neil was traveling eastbound on Queensbridge Drive when he veered from the road, ran over a mailbox and crashed into a tree.
All three passengers were taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital.
One of the passengers, 18-year-old Colin Spears, was being treated for life-threatening injuries.
Alcohol is suspected in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
My best friend, Chelsea was hurt last night. She got home from the hospital at three this morning. She has a concusion and her knees are all messed up. Her boyfriend, Josh, who is also a friend of mine, has a broken rib and lung damage. Collin, is not doing good.
Please pray from my friends. I am really upset. I really honestly just do not know what to do right now. I am so lost....
Friday, February 15, 2008
My Top Five Movies =]
Why?
There are a few reasons Saving Private Ryan is number 5 on my top movies list. For one, it has Matt Damon in it, and oh my gosh he is goregous. Also, although graphic at times, it has a great pace and plenty of action. I never get bored during the entire film. In fact, the first time I saw it, I experience many emotions. At times I was in tears, and other times I was shouting at the screen. I tend to get really angry when a character does something pretty stupid. This movie has a greet script, has amazing actors, and overall is just a great film.
4. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Why?
I love this movie to death! First of all, the acting is incredible. Leonardo DiCaprio amazes me in each and every film he is in. Plus, he is just absolutely goregous. The director did an amazing job because he was able to use the original script that William Shakespeare wrote, and modernalize it at the same time. He blended it together so perfectly, that the old fashion talk did not bother me at all. I love a good romance film and action films. This movie was both. I also just love the story of Romeo and Juliet. This movie makes me sob every single time I watch it. It holds my attention for the entire film.
3. The Bourne Movies
Why?
Well, of course Matt Damon is just goregous. Also, I love how the movies are filmed. The way how it is filmed, it's like you are right next to Bourne, getting in with all the action. I don't know which one my favorite is because, they are all so amazing! The plot just keeps me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The rush is incredible. I only just saw these movies about a month or so ago, and I am in love with them!
2. Pearl Harbor
Why?
This film was one of my major obsessions during my childhood. Only one other film was a much bigger obsession for me than this one. I cannot even begin to count how many times I have seen it. I love this movie because it is well paced, and the story line is very clear and enjoyable. Plus, Ben Afflack and Josh Hartnett are really hot. Once again, it has romance and action. The music is great! Hans Zimmer did an amazing job with the score. Even though this movie is long, it holds my attention throughout the entire film. The special effects are simply incredible. The first time I saw this movie, I was completely blown away.
1. Titanic
Why?
I first saw this movie when I was in third grade. When I finished the movie, I knew I was in love with it. I then proceeded to learn everything I could about the true history of the Titanic and all about the movie. I watched the movie almost every single day. For over three years, this movie was my major obsession. To this day, I still know the whole movie by heart. The acting is amazing. The story is just wonderful. Once again, action and romance all in one. Leonardo DiCaprio not only looks so hot, but he performs beautifully, along with Kate Winslet. Throughout this entire movie, every single time I have seen it, it has kept my entire attention. I have never seen a movie so many times, I have seen this movie hundreds of times. I never got sick of it, and I am still not to this day. I don't watch it everyday now, but I do watch it at least once a month. This movie was a major part of my childhood. Even if someone didn't know me very well, they knew one thing, I loved the movie Titanic. James Horner did a brilliant job with the soundtrack, it was so moving. James Cameron did a magnificant job with this film. Last year, I made my sister buy me the 10 year anniversary DVD edition of Titanic, which is packed with bonus features. There are deleted scenes, and so many behind the scenes looks. There are special programs, the features just can go on for hours and hours. My favorite special feature, is probably the skit done by Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, along with James Cameron. They propose to him to make a sequal to Titanic, and it is just hiliarious. An SNL skit is also included that is very enjoyable.
Those are my top five favorite movies, if you haven't seen them...you really should watch them, because they are incredible films.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Tipping Point Chapter Two
I think that all of them contribute to an epidemic. The connectors can tell everyone and of course word gets around that way. Salesmen talk to people, so once again word of mouth. I see Mavens more like journalists. So, news could spread in the media.
I think that connectors are very important because they can link people they know to others and that could create many opportunities.
I think that this chapter was long and extremely boring.
I do think he just likes to hear himself talk.
The Tipping Point Chapter Two
I think that people who are Connectors, are more often the people who are very friendly. It seems to me like they are the type of people who are in clubs and other groups where they get to know many different people.
I'm feeling a bit bored, he's kind of just rambling on and on and on...
But I know, I am not a connector. I am not really involved in many groups, I'm kind of shy actually.
But, I think my friend Elle, who is also my neighbor, is a connector. In fact her whole family is. They know so many people, it's like so weird.
I'm getting really bored...
Oh my god...He really just likes to hear himself talk.
I don't really know what I fit into... I kind of just go with the flow. I really don't know.
When I saw Maven comes from a Yiddish word, I felt like I knew something of what he was talking about finally. I hear about Yiddish alot being Jewish and all.
A maven seems to me kind of like a tour guide? I don't know why.
Maybe a specialist?
I don't really know if I know someone who is like a Maven.
Salesmen, I don't really understand what they are????
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Target
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sara Makes Me Smile.
After months of waiting, when I finally got to see Sara, I was too happy for words. Every minute I spend with her is a blessing. I have never been so grateful. Whenever I see her, even if I'm in a bad mood, everything just goes away and she just brightens up my world. I love spending time with her and her parents. She is simply just the cutest thing. I've had many great memories with her. She is so smart! She knows how to use a cell phone. She has taken pictures with my cell phone and has even (accidently) called my mom. My phone background is her picture because she means so much to me and makes me happy. I show it to her and ask her, "Who's that? Is that you?", and she just smiles and shouts happily. Just being around her is like everything is alright and good. I don't know exactly how to explain it. We have all (my family) just waited so long for her to finally arrive and we couldn't be more thrilled. Sara is very independent. She doesn't like to be held for a long time because she loves to move around. She loves music and dances. My other cousins and I are extremely fond of her. On Thanksgiving, they were so excited to play with her since this was only the second time we had seen her, they tried to wake her up from her nap! Sara gives special kisses. We call them "Sara Kisses". She doesn't always give them out. But she is just too amazing. I'm so glad that she came into our lives, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am crazy about this kid and I try to spend every minute I can with her. She makes me smile, laugh, and forget about all my troubles.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Chapter One Of The Tipping Point
Once the number went down when the clinics cut back, the STD's made a comeback, I think mostly because there was less treatment. Also, I think people probably thought everything was safe again because the number had gone down significantly.
I agree with the 80/20 Principle because most criminals, when they get away with one thing, they do it again, and then again and again. They get addicted to the adrinalen rush it gives them. They just keep doing it, again and again. I think it is also true about motorists. If a person isn't the best driver, they are more likely to get into more than one accident. If you get into one accident, it shows that you have a weakness. Sometimes, the driver doesn't realize it, or they isn't able to get over it.
I think that people who have the AIDS virus, and know it, are just digusting for giving it to other people. It is so incredibly selfish. Do they realize that they are destroying someone's life? What could possibly go through someone's head when they decide to infect another person just because they want to have sex? It's just too horrible. Those people are just sick. It makes me so mad that they are killing these people and they don't even care. It's just too awful to think about. Usually these people don't just infect one person, they infect mulitiple people. How could someone do that? Do they not have a concince? I mean I could never do that, ever. It just disgusts me beyond words.
When he talks about what is going on in Baltimore just kind of baffels me. If you know that the city you live in, has a high rate of STD's why would you put yourself in a position that could possibly infect you too? Why would you even stay in that part of town? If I knew that the place where I lived had a high rate of STD's, I would move. I don't want to have an STD, and I'm guessing that most people don't want one either.
The story about Kitty Genovese infuriates me. If I saw someone in trouble, whether it be they were ill or about to be murdered or something else, I would help them. I feel that everyone has a responsiblity to help each other out because it could just as easily be you. 38 people heard this woman scream and no one called or tried to help. That is just too terrible beyond words. It makes me so angry. If they had been in that position they would want someone else to help, so why didn't they? It's so incredibly selfish. How are we supposed to survive and live in peace if we don't look out for one another? It reminds me of a poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller, "First They Came".
- They came first for the Communists,
- and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
- Then they came for the Jews,
- and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
- Then they came for the trade unionists,
- and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
- Then they came for the Catholics,
- and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
- Then they came for me,
- and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Introduction To The Tipping Point
My thoughts about the New York crime story were that maybe the kids who grew up in that situation of hearing violence started to be the main population. Most of the kids there, I would imagine were scared and maybe were effected by crimes, wouldn't want anything to do with it, and would want to get rid of it. Maybe police efforts did increase, but I don't believe that the decrease in violence was due to that.
I do agree that once a trend starts, it spreads quickly. For instance, Ipods & other MP3 players. It's not really "cool" anymore to use a cd player. Almost everyone in the world who can afford an MP3 player has one. I cannot even imagine the statistics of how many people have them.
Wow. He was totally right. I did just yawn. Yawns are extremely contagious. If I see someone yawn, I yawn too. It's really strange.
I have always thought that we are the way we are because society has made us. It has told us how to think, how to react, and what is right and is wrong. He is exactly right. Whenever we are giving bad news, we speak quietly because it's just what we do. I know that I never think twice about that.
So far, this book has really made me think about why things spread around so quickly. Fear is another thing that can spread extremely quickly. I think it is the most commonly spread emotion. I myself, get scared extremely easily. Whether it be films, or real life instances, I usually contribute to a wave of fear around the world.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Bourne Ultimatum
First of all, the writer talks about how a lot of people are complaining about the "shakiness" of the camera. This never bothered me while I was watching it. In fact, I didn't even really notice it. I thought that the way it was filmed really gave you the feel that you were right there with Matt Damon. I really liked that. This blogger is interesting, but in my opinion completely wrong about this movie. This blogger says that the movie has plot problems. He argues that the plot is so simple but it moves so fast that there are holes and gaps left in the viewers mind. I totally disagree with this. I understood this movie entirely and I loved it. It is an action movie and action movies are kind of supposed to be fast paced. If you don't like the movie's pace, then don't see it. The other two films were filmed exactly the same. Did you think it was going to be any different?
I felt like the blogger spent way too much time talking about the quality of the filming. He just kept going on and on and on about it. He argued that the director just tried to excite the audience with how it was filmed, and that it didn't. I totally have to disagree on that. The entire movie kept me on the edge the entire time! The entire series was AMAZING. I do not think that this was one of his best blogs. He totally slammed on one of my favorite movies! Some people may agree with him, but I don't. This type of blog is more for people who like to critique the style and not the movie itself. I was kind of disappointed because the actual plot and acting is the best part. But, that's just my opinion. If you want to read about how weird the camera style of the film, then I would recomend this blog to you. If you liked the movie, don't read it. It just pissed me off. I think the writer could have focused more on the positive.
More people need to focus on positive things nowadays. Everything is so freaking negative, it pisses me off.
The second blog I read was http://tassoula.blogspot.com/2007/08/bourne-ultimatum.html
I really like the varity of movies that she posts.
I agreed with her opinions about The Bourne Ultimatum, it was the best film in the trilogy. But I do not agree that the first one lacked sentiment. There was a great deal of emotions. There was romance and the feeling of not knowing whether they were going to live for the next few minutes. It was very emotional and powerful. I agree with her on several other points about Nicky's feeling for Bourne. I never expected that, but I liked it. I do hope that they make a fourth movie. Her blog is very intersting and I would recomend it for people who love movies. Some of her blogs are short, which is good because she doesn't ramble on and on like some bloggers do. I enjoy her blogs very much.
Dr. Hygiene
Doctors are not the only problem though. I cannot believe how many nasty public bathrooms I have seen throughout my life. I can't even count how many times, it happens so often. Honestly, no one wants to see other people's waste. If you made a mess, clean it up. No one wants to deal with your crap. I remember when I was in elementary school at Bluffsview the bathrooms were horrifiying. It was like a horror movie when you walked into the bathroom. Numerous times over the seven years that I spent there, the princiable of the school would have to get on the loudspeaker and talk to the entire school about messes left in the bathroom. Whenever this happened, we would all giggle and laugh because seriously, who wipes their own crap on the walls? It's just digusting. Luckily, being at Linworth, I have never run into this situation at Linworth. It's a different story when going over to Kilbourne. I have walked into the bathroom twice this year and found that it was flooded. At Kilbourne sometimes there is no bathroom to use because people have locked them,(and I am not about to crawl underneathe the door on that nasty floor) or made a huge mess in them. I also noticed serveral soap dispenser has been (I have no clue how this is possible) ripped off of the wall. Sometimes I cannot believe how horrible the bathrooms are there. I mean we are in high school, you'd think by now people would have learned that when you are in the bathroom you should flush the toilet and/or clean up any mess you made. It's pretty clear to me that some people don't care at all if they trash the bathrooms because they just don't care about Kilbourne.
I get so fed up with people and their nasty habits. Why would you not bathe? Seriously, who takes pride in smelling so bad that people don't want to be around you? I have had to talk time and time again to the same person and they are still that way today. I'm not going to lie and say I'm perfect because I'm not. Back when I was in elementary school I showered everyday, (With soap and shampoo) I brushed my teeth, I wore clean clothes, I didn't do nasty things in the bathroom, and I washed my hands for the most part. My main fault was that I really didn't style my hair. My hair always looked like crap. I just didn't care. I wasn't by any means a tomboy but I just never did my hair. My mom would fight with me about doing my hair. Finally, she just gave up because I just simply never did it. Now, I am obsessed with my hair. Even though it doesn't always look perfect, I am still obsessed with it. When it doesn't look perfect, I get really stressed out. I think that I'm so obsessed with my hair now is because I didn't care about it then.
But seriously people...the least you can do is wash your hands.
Newsworthy Celebrities
It seems like our world revals around them. Almost all I ever hear about these days is the latest news on Britney Spears, Heath Ledger, etc. I understand the death of Heath Ledger to be major news. I think that CNN is a news channel and they report news. I of course didn't know Heath Ledger and I have only seen a few movies with him in it. But still, I felt sad to hear of his death. I feel sad when I hear about anyone's death, be it Heath Ledger or just a random person. I'm not sure if it was determined that he commited suicide yet but, it kind of seems to me like he did, but I'm no expert. But since it seems to me like it was, it makes it that much sader because he felt like he had no other way out. But, in other words, I do believe that some stories should be reported on national news broadcasts.
Now other stories, I don't think are a main priority. For instance, last weekend I was watching "Best Week Ever" on VH1. One of the stories they were making fun of was Britney Spears and her new boy who according to "Best Week Ever", is the worst person ever. They showed a clip of Britney Spears skipping out on her court case in a parking lot, smoking a cigeratte and making out with her new boy. None of this really surprised me. The one thing that did surprise me is that this video was filmed by a CNN helicopter. I thought that was just weird that CNN was trailing Britney Spears around with a helicopter. I expect that kind of news to be on Extra! or Acess Hollywood, but not on CNN. Most of the people who watch CNN couldn't care less about Britney Spears smoking and making out. It's not important at all. There are so many things more important than Britney Spears. For instance the economy and how much trouble we are having with the stock market and selling houses. I would say those things matter a lot more to people than Britney Spears.
Should we care at all about what goes on in the entertainment business and the lives of celebrities? Sure, I read magazines about celebrities, but my whole world isn't going to be turned upside down because Kanye West's mom died. Sure, I think it's sad and I feel bad for Kanye and his family. But people shouldn't let that kind of stuff effect their lives. People get so obsessed with celebrities. For instance that video on youtube, "Leave Britney Alone", was just ridiculous. Why should you care that much to be just sobbing your eyes out, you'd think someone died she was so hysterical. But whatever if you do, it's your life and I'm not going to tell you how to live it.