I shall begin with a simple statement: I don't believe in participating in the argument between Mac and Pc users over which system is better. Each system has its ups and downs, thus it is up to the individual user to decide what their preference is.
I thought this mentality was simple enough to understand, but it appears I was wrong (as always). I really hate it when Mac and Pc users alike bash the other side due to their own 'horrific' experiences and/or lack of understand of the rival platform.
It seems that people fail to grasp that this one and only truth: All computers, regardless of its maker and the software installed on it, will at some point in its life time malfunction. The degree of the malfunction varies, but the statement stands true. Trust me. After seven years of repairing computers and a summer working at a repair shop, I've seen the hellish side of it. That pretty little Macbook Pro you've got there - most likely gonna be the bane of your existence. And to make things worst, you're probably going to be the reason for it flipping out on you.
There are so many elements that both sides like to nitpick at each other for - be it price, customization, power, whatever. The list can go on forever. The machine costs more than you would like? Don't buy it. You want more control over your machine parts? Go somewhere else and don't complain. Want a nice design? They pony up the money for it.
My own personal preference is the Mac. And that is perfectly alright. But I'm not one of those people who go around as if they're in a missionary in Africa and try to convert as many innocent looking folks as possible. Like what you like people - just don't impose and use that tone of not so repressed disgust when you encounter others who don't agree with your tastes.
If you do, well then, I pray your machine will blow up in your face one day.
Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
On the N-word
This past Monday, my cousin and I were having a discussion on this particular word. I normally fall into the camp that believes that word shouldn't never be uttered. Let alone by the African American youths, and in come cases grown ass adults, that have made the word such a popular statute within our culture. However, my cousin made a rather compelling argument.
Me: What have I told you about using that word?
Cousin: Yes, I know. However, there are some black people that deserve to be called N*ggers.
Me: What?!
Cousin: Think about it. People who live around here - *waves hand indicating the rest of the block* - N*ggers. People who go to The Club - N*ggers. There are just some people who play the part, so they deserve the title. You're not a N*gger. I'm not a N*gger. But they are.
Took me awhile to get over that bit of the conversation, but when I thought more and more about it, I saw his point. There are those who just simply fall into the stereotypical atmosphere that the word creates.
Is this by any means right? No, but it is what it is. It is far more realistic to deal with the nature of the word than to just hopefully wish it away.
So then, seeing as how people are black folks are going to use the word from now to kingdom come, what does this mean for racial interactions? How can I say anything about perceived racism towards my race when I use a word that has historically been used to degrade my very people?
I couldn't, shouldn't and can't say a damned thing. I would be doing a lot more damage to my own cause than any little overzealous cop who, let's say, gets his kicks by pulling over as much black males as he can in a day. I would be perpetuating the very set of social norms that I say helps to confine me to - abstractly speaking - the hood.
I will now step off my soapbox - the point has been made. Before crying racial fowl - which DOES still exist - please look at your own habits and find where you are slipping up. Finally, here are reasons why not to be a n*gger. Especially a self-proclaimed one. Oh how I hate those...
Update: Click here for an additional video that drives the message right on home even more.
Me: What have I told you about using that word?
Cousin: Yes, I know. However, there are some black people that deserve to be called N*ggers.
Me: What?!
Cousin: Think about it. People who live around here - *waves hand indicating the rest of the block* - N*ggers. People who go to The Club - N*ggers. There are just some people who play the part, so they deserve the title. You're not a N*gger. I'm not a N*gger. But they are.
Took me awhile to get over that bit of the conversation, but when I thought more and more about it, I saw his point. There are those who just simply fall into the stereotypical atmosphere that the word creates.
Is this by any means right? No, but it is what it is. It is far more realistic to deal with the nature of the word than to just hopefully wish it away.
So then, seeing as how people are black folks are going to use the word from now to kingdom come, what does this mean for racial interactions? How can I say anything about perceived racism towards my race when I use a word that has historically been used to degrade my very people?
I couldn't, shouldn't and can't say a damned thing. I would be doing a lot more damage to my own cause than any little overzealous cop who, let's say, gets his kicks by pulling over as much black males as he can in a day. I would be perpetuating the very set of social norms that I say helps to confine me to - abstractly speaking - the hood.
I will now step off my soapbox - the point has been made. Before crying racial fowl - which DOES still exist - please look at your own habits and find where you are slipping up. Finally, here are reasons why not to be a n*gger. Especially a self-proclaimed one. Oh how I hate those...
Update: Click here for an additional video that drives the message right on home even more.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Palin 2.0
It just keeps coming back. Oh god, we can't kill it! WE'RE GONNA DIE!
Seriously, didn't we get enough of her the first time 'round?
I guess not since it appears shes positioning herself for something (2012 anyone?). Now seeing how much political hell has broken loose, I'm a bit paranoid. My friends say we have nothing to worry about - that she made enough of a fool of herself so shes a goner. But, with the Republicans and their cohorts looking for some kinda of face to tie to their brand of bull, she might just be want they need. She might be the one to organize their rhetoric and drive them back to the White House in 2012.
Just thinking about that possibility makes ill. I've been hoping for someone within the party to get their people back in shape, but that is looking more and more like a pipe dream. Should by the grace of the devil himself allow her to even be a contender for 2012, I'm not so sure I want to be around to see the result.
Now where's my passport?
Seriously, didn't we get enough of her the first time 'round?
I guess not since it appears shes positioning herself for something (2012 anyone?). Now seeing how much political hell has broken loose, I'm a bit paranoid. My friends say we have nothing to worry about - that she made enough of a fool of herself so shes a goner. But, with the Republicans and their cohorts looking for some kinda of face to tie to their brand of bull, she might just be want they need. She might be the one to organize their rhetoric and drive them back to the White House in 2012.
Just thinking about that possibility makes ill. I've been hoping for someone within the party to get their people back in shape, but that is looking more and more like a pipe dream. Should by the grace of the devil himself allow her to even be a contender for 2012, I'm not so sure I want to be around to see the result.
Now where's my passport?
A Pro-Choice Stance
Abortion has gotten quite a bit of press in past months, thanks to a late-term abortion doctor being gunned down by a pro-life fanatic (ironic, no?). As much as I normally would like to avoid taking stances on certain topics, I do think its about time to me sort out my own feelings on the issue.
To put it clearly: I am pro-choice.
Does that make me morally incorrect? Perhaps more likely to being shot as well? Or is it that I'm relatively safe until I start being one to actually perform an abortion.
My train of thought is simple: As a male, one who gets rather sickly when he contemplates anything childbirth related for too long of a time period, how dare I turn on the American female population and demonize their right to do what they feel is right for themselves. No one should be able to control others' desire to control their life as they see fit.
Should someone one day come to me and regulate who I choose to have a child with, when I want to have that child and so on, I would have to tell them where to get off. I know full well that if I don't want to have my reproductive freedom taken away, I can't do the same to anyone else - a nice application of the "Do on to others what you would have them do on to you" rule.
Even the argument of late-term abortion I find to be a silly extreme that must be laughed out of validity. Who do you know would seriously carry a child - would allow another being to share in her existence - only to then decide months before birth to back out of her commitment. Late-term abortions are usually none when there is very little hope for the well being of those involved. People are, for the most part, creatures of morality. Those who are willing to do a fairly brutal process without due cause are a rarity. No argument should be contingent on such a unlikely prospect.
Finally, I close with this: While I do believe that life is something worth protecting, I am much more focused on the lives of those who are already here. They are more tangible, and in much more serious need of help. If you only set out to insure those on their way to this world safe passage, but let the mothers - their entrances become slaves to your beliefs and ideals, whats the point of protecting the newcomers? In due enough time, they will likely follow the mothers' fate.
To put it clearly: I am pro-choice.
Does that make me morally incorrect? Perhaps more likely to being shot as well? Or is it that I'm relatively safe until I start being one to actually perform an abortion.
My train of thought is simple: As a male, one who gets rather sickly when he contemplates anything childbirth related for too long of a time period, how dare I turn on the American female population and demonize their right to do what they feel is right for themselves. No one should be able to control others' desire to control their life as they see fit.
Should someone one day come to me and regulate who I choose to have a child with, when I want to have that child and so on, I would have to tell them where to get off. I know full well that if I don't want to have my reproductive freedom taken away, I can't do the same to anyone else - a nice application of the "Do on to others what you would have them do on to you" rule.
Even the argument of late-term abortion I find to be a silly extreme that must be laughed out of validity. Who do you know would seriously carry a child - would allow another being to share in her existence - only to then decide months before birth to back out of her commitment. Late-term abortions are usually none when there is very little hope for the well being of those involved. People are, for the most part, creatures of morality. Those who are willing to do a fairly brutal process without due cause are a rarity. No argument should be contingent on such a unlikely prospect.
Finally, I close with this: While I do believe that life is something worth protecting, I am much more focused on the lives of those who are already here. They are more tangible, and in much more serious need of help. If you only set out to insure those on their way to this world safe passage, but let the mothers - their entrances become slaves to your beliefs and ideals, whats the point of protecting the newcomers? In due enough time, they will likely follow the mothers' fate.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Taken from Newt Gingridge's speech at the 2009 GOP Senate/House Fundraising Dinner:
First, we must strengthen our unique American civilization. Let me be clear, I am not a citizen of the world. I think that the entire concept is intellectual nonsense and stunningly dangerous. There is no world sovereignty, there is no world system of law - there is in fact no circumstance under which I would like to be a citizen of North Korea, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Cuba, or Russia. I am a citizen – I am a citizen of the United States of America. And, the rest of this speech is about the United States of America.
What the hell is that? Excuse me, but there are responsibilities that everyone must uphold, just by being on this earth. It is this type of American Ignorance(TM) that has gotten us into the hell hole we're in now. Please think next time before you try to rig on Obama's reaching out to the rest of the world. Maybe if you thought that part of your speech through you would have found, surprise, surprise, Regan said that "I am a citizen of the world" line once before.
I would rather be a citizen of the world along side Regan than be a citizen of America along side you, sir.
First, we must strengthen our unique American civilization. Let me be clear, I am not a citizen of the world. I think that the entire concept is intellectual nonsense and stunningly dangerous. There is no world sovereignty, there is no world system of law - there is in fact no circumstance under which I would like to be a citizen of North Korea, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Cuba, or Russia. I am a citizen – I am a citizen of the United States of America. And, the rest of this speech is about the United States of America.
What the hell is that? Excuse me, but there are responsibilities that everyone must uphold, just by being on this earth. It is this type of American Ignorance(TM) that has gotten us into the hell hole we're in now. Please think next time before you try to rig on Obama's reaching out to the rest of the world. Maybe if you thought that part of your speech through you would have found, surprise, surprise, Regan said that "I am a citizen of the world" line once before.
I would rather be a citizen of the world along side Regan than be a citizen of America along side you, sir.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thoughts on Disciplinary Actions of Schools
Some of you may have heard about the now college student girl who was strip searched by school officials when she was in middle school(click here for news article). Her case is getting ready to be heard by the Supreme Court and I'm very interested in it's outcome.
My interest stems from what the verdict may possibly mean for discipline in schools. What are the lines that schools can't cross and how would they allow unruly behavior to either go rampant or remain in check?
It seems to me that everyone calls for a tougher school system, until its their child caught doing crap and has to be dealt with. Unfortunately, I see this continuing for quite a while because lets face it - people are simply raising assholes.
Yes, thats right - people are raising asshole children. Now before everyone gets up in arms, lets look at some examples:
The student who got the girl in trouble in the afore-mentioned case by lying about where she got her pills from - an asshole.
The students I've mentioned in some of my previous posts (here and here are doozies) - all assholes. Grade A assholes because I have to live with them.
So there, prime evidence. Be aware though that this isn't to say that every child adheres to such standards of asshole-dom, it is merely to say that as a culture, we are raising some wicked evil things.
Now, if the parents are indeed doing this, what could possibly have a chance at correcting such behaviors from roaming the streets, night and day infecting the younger masses and effectively making them our future liabilities. Schools are the answer - they are the second line of defence when the parents right out fail at these things.
However, I've noticed that most educator's hands are tied. One can't do this and one can't do that - all of it makes for a very bad environment to learn. And the reason this happens is because the limits on disciplie makes it non-existent - like I said before, parents and others alike call for a stronger staff and rules to prevent extreme incidents - school shootings perhaps? - yet they are the first to call fowl when the crap hits their door step.
I see this case as the big one that will set the stage for the next wave of disciplinary reforms to come. This will either make it so that schools will do their job or make it so that things become worst. I personally advocate for a system that downright forces parents to see their child for what the really are and take action accordingly along side of the school - that way, no one can dear point fingers at another party due to the fact that all hands were involved*.
Of course, all of this really makes me question what am I going to do in regard to my own children's education. It seriously makes homeschooling look like a positive alternative.
*And even this will cause its own problems. "YOU can't tell me how to raise my child!" type rhetoric and crap. ::sighs::
My interest stems from what the verdict may possibly mean for discipline in schools. What are the lines that schools can't cross and how would they allow unruly behavior to either go rampant or remain in check?
It seems to me that everyone calls for a tougher school system, until its their child caught doing crap and has to be dealt with. Unfortunately, I see this continuing for quite a while because lets face it - people are simply raising assholes.
Yes, thats right - people are raising asshole children. Now before everyone gets up in arms, lets look at some examples:
The student who got the girl in trouble in the afore-mentioned case by lying about where she got her pills from - an asshole.
The students I've mentioned in some of my previous posts (here and here are doozies) - all assholes. Grade A assholes because I have to live with them.
So there, prime evidence. Be aware though that this isn't to say that every child adheres to such standards of asshole-dom, it is merely to say that as a culture, we are raising some wicked evil things.
Now, if the parents are indeed doing this, what could possibly have a chance at correcting such behaviors from roaming the streets, night and day infecting the younger masses and effectively making them our future liabilities. Schools are the answer - they are the second line of defence when the parents right out fail at these things.
However, I've noticed that most educator's hands are tied. One can't do this and one can't do that - all of it makes for a very bad environment to learn. And the reason this happens is because the limits on disciplie makes it non-existent - like I said before, parents and others alike call for a stronger staff and rules to prevent extreme incidents - school shootings perhaps? - yet they are the first to call fowl when the crap hits their door step.
I see this case as the big one that will set the stage for the next wave of disciplinary reforms to come. This will either make it so that schools will do their job or make it so that things become worst. I personally advocate for a system that downright forces parents to see their child for what the really are and take action accordingly along side of the school - that way, no one can dear point fingers at another party due to the fact that all hands were involved*.
Of course, all of this really makes me question what am I going to do in regard to my own children's education. It seriously makes homeschooling look like a positive alternative.
*And even this will cause its own problems. "YOU can't tell me how to raise my child!" type rhetoric and crap. ::sighs::
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
To push that little red button….
Anyone here remembers my post about the 9h and 10th graders in my school and how much I disliked them? For those who do, I applaud you. For those who don’t, shame on you! Go read it right nao!
Anyways, those little terrors are now in 10th and 11th grades, respectfully. I have classes with the 11th grade so I’ve grown use to the few that I come into contact with and have grown to like said few. However, the rest of them and the rest of the school for that matter has become a pool of retardation that needs to be dealt with swiftly.
Now let us go into context. My student body ranges from 6th to 12th grades, with about 100 kids each. I’m currently in 12th and every grade below is acting the fool. Somehow they all seems to think they own the place when, oh I’m sorry, its my peers and I that should be at that throne without contest. Yet still, we’ve been run to the corner of the room while every other ego gets to run around.
It has gotten so bad that my friends and I have been wondering about pushing that little red button and declaring war upon all those little monsters. For too long have we let them get away with their arrogant crap and it has to stop. The funny thing, in many ways, we already have pushed that button, or at least I have.
Twice in the past months I had to tangle with miniature agents of hell. Here is what happened:
The first time I was put in charge of the computer lab and told to take care of the place. So, the teacher left and a few of my fellow seniors were around doing whatever they were doing. What to know why I don’t remember what they were up to? Its cause they were flipping quiet. Much unlike the fleet of 10th grade ‘loud as all ghetto hell’ bastards. So it finally started to piss my people off and I had to step to the plate to quell the situation. I went up to the loudest offender of the peace and asked very nicely for her and her group to stop.
Know her response? The girl – really want to use another word here, but didn’t. I must get points for that - looked dead at me and laughed. So as she turned to walk away, I stuck out my leg, tripped her then said when she hit the floor, “I wasn’t done yet” in the coldest voice I could muster.
I will pause to let that marinate.
Before everyone gets on my case you have to understand that 1. I have a tendency to be a wee bit sadistic. Yes, I admit that. So it is clear from here on out that I will enjoy all of this and am willing to deal with what happens (hence why I’m ok for posting this). And second, I have an ego – points to this blog - and while I do try to keep it in check most of the time, you don’t laugh in its face and expect nothing in return.
So, after that she knew better than to mess with me again. I even got a laugh out of my friends. But still, the other 10th race of people weren’t so easy. One was about ready to fight me.
The second story is more recent. Some midget 6th grader felt he had the right to yell at us ‘big kids’ when their time for gym had come and we were trying to hurry to leave. He directed his crap at me, so I stopped and looked at him. He made motions for me to go at him, but I just left it alone. Later that day, the kid popped up again behind me still slinging his bull at me so I got fed up. I jumped after him, caught him, then dragged him down a half flight of stairs and when we reached the landing, I threatened to throw him down if he ever did it again. Of course, he was pleading for his life the whole time.
Perhaps, the most beautiful part of the story is what happened when I let him go. I was yelling after him “Run! Keep running or else!” when a teacher came down the stairs. She looked at me, I looked at her and she just laughed and moved on.
All of this now brings me to my point. Seeing as how I only have a few months left, I’ve lost all my ‘social niceguy-ness’ to these children who think they get away with it. If they keep on this path, many more incidents of pain will occur, and I haven’t been the only one to be administering these blows. The 12th grade is waking up and will reclaim our spot at the top of the natural food chain. That is the only way peace can be set in place.
Or, my favorite alternative could could happen where everyone could just get wiser and not piss off those older than you, but hey, either way works for me.
Notes to the rant:
Some may wonder why the 12th grade isn’t fighting within ourselves and let this happen in the first place. It is because everyone is so wrapped up in their own affairs, they don’t care to deal with each other, thus relative peace. However, these people are throwing it into our faces and many of us want to be able to walk the halls without having to hear stupidity.
And people wonder why I refuse to teach. EVER.
Anyways, those little terrors are now in 10th and 11th grades, respectfully. I have classes with the 11th grade so I’ve grown use to the few that I come into contact with and have grown to like said few. However, the rest of them and the rest of the school for that matter has become a pool of retardation that needs to be dealt with swiftly.
Now let us go into context. My student body ranges from 6th to 12th grades, with about 100 kids each. I’m currently in 12th and every grade below is acting the fool. Somehow they all seems to think they own the place when, oh I’m sorry, its my peers and I that should be at that throne without contest. Yet still, we’ve been run to the corner of the room while every other ego gets to run around.
It has gotten so bad that my friends and I have been wondering about pushing that little red button and declaring war upon all those little monsters. For too long have we let them get away with their arrogant crap and it has to stop. The funny thing, in many ways, we already have pushed that button, or at least I have.
Twice in the past months I had to tangle with miniature agents of hell. Here is what happened:
The first time I was put in charge of the computer lab and told to take care of the place. So, the teacher left and a few of my fellow seniors were around doing whatever they were doing. What to know why I don’t remember what they were up to? Its cause they were flipping quiet. Much unlike the fleet of 10th grade ‘loud as all ghetto hell’ bastards. So it finally started to piss my people off and I had to step to the plate to quell the situation. I went up to the loudest offender of the peace and asked very nicely for her and her group to stop.
Know her response? The girl – really want to use another word here, but didn’t. I must get points for that - looked dead at me and laughed. So as she turned to walk away, I stuck out my leg, tripped her then said when she hit the floor, “I wasn’t done yet” in the coldest voice I could muster.
I will pause to let that marinate.
Before everyone gets on my case you have to understand that 1. I have a tendency to be a wee bit sadistic. Yes, I admit that. So it is clear from here on out that I will enjoy all of this and am willing to deal with what happens (hence why I’m ok for posting this). And second, I have an ego – points to this blog - and while I do try to keep it in check most of the time, you don’t laugh in its face and expect nothing in return.
So, after that she knew better than to mess with me again. I even got a laugh out of my friends. But still, the other 10th race of people weren’t so easy. One was about ready to fight me.
The second story is more recent. Some midget 6th grader felt he had the right to yell at us ‘big kids’ when their time for gym had come and we were trying to hurry to leave. He directed his crap at me, so I stopped and looked at him. He made motions for me to go at him, but I just left it alone. Later that day, the kid popped up again behind me still slinging his bull at me so I got fed up. I jumped after him, caught him, then dragged him down a half flight of stairs and when we reached the landing, I threatened to throw him down if he ever did it again. Of course, he was pleading for his life the whole time.
Perhaps, the most beautiful part of the story is what happened when I let him go. I was yelling after him “Run! Keep running or else!” when a teacher came down the stairs. She looked at me, I looked at her and she just laughed and moved on.
All of this now brings me to my point. Seeing as how I only have a few months left, I’ve lost all my ‘social niceguy-ness’ to these children who think they get away with it. If they keep on this path, many more incidents of pain will occur, and I haven’t been the only one to be administering these blows. The 12th grade is waking up and will reclaim our spot at the top of the natural food chain. That is the only way peace can be set in place.
Or, my favorite alternative could could happen where everyone could just get wiser and not piss off those older than you, but hey, either way works for me.
Notes to the rant:
Some may wonder why the 12th grade isn’t fighting within ourselves and let this happen in the first place. It is because everyone is so wrapped up in their own affairs, they don’t care to deal with each other, thus relative peace. However, these people are throwing it into our faces and many of us want to be able to walk the halls without having to hear stupidity.
And people wonder why I refuse to teach. EVER.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thoughts on US Education Standing
Link to article found here: U.S. Standing at Risk: Education Leaders Propose Action Agenda
For months now, I've heard about how America's global standing in terms of education - namely technology, science, and mathematic fields - has been slipping. A few nights ago I ran across the article linked above, and it does seem that people are attempting to bring the issue to ahead.
One of the most interesting things that caught my eye in this article is the quote that it ends with:
"These are demanding recommendations that will require the commitment of everyone — schools, colleges and universities, parents and students, and state and national leaders — but the dividend will be historic... We must create a system that works, a system that propels all students toward success and rejects anything less."
It spoke to what my own philosophy about all of this is - everyone involved has to want to improve the system before anything substantial can be done. And since I'm sure that this problem will only get worst before it can get any better, I'm left to wonder what tactics will be done to try and scheme students into performing well. One such method I can think of is paying children to do well in school.
Fundamentally, I have a severe issue with this. I don't believe that anyone should be paid some type of monetary stipend for their success. It was recently brought to my attention that a fair amount of a certain grade in my school is either in danger of failing, or plainly failing their classes and now things are trying to be done to fix it. One of the students in that grade then suggested that they get paid to encourage people to pick up their grades. And to me, this just kills the point behind learning and what school should ideally be about. Once you start to pay for success, I believe that it will set up a dangerous precedent leading people to believe that for every 'good' action they do, they'll get some form of material award. This is not a realistic reflection of how life truly is - not to mention it will then shift the focus of school away from whats being taught and absorbed even more than it is now.
So here is my suggestion to the educators at Collegeboard and elsewhere: Emphasize the act of learning itself, not the grades or any type of scale that is measure with a high-risk mentality. If you're able to instill a love or at least genuine interest in topics - especially the ones we're lacking in - our world standing will surely increase. It will create a much wider culture that would value education instead of the crap we have now.
Finally, what does this mean for the world that I will graduate into? I use to think when I was younger that my American citizenship and education would allow me to go anywhere I wanted in the world, but as I get closer and closer to the finish line, I'm not too sure anymore. The pool of competition keeps growing and growing and I'll be one more fish in the sea. Will my education, even if it is from a prestigious institution in America, be a joke on the international stage? All I can say is Americans need to 'step up with our game' as goes the slang. No longer can we lackadaisically blunder along while the rest of the world carries on without us - its this type of ignorance that is leading to our asses being kicked in many more areas; education is not the only grave obstacle we have to overcome.
For months now, I've heard about how America's global standing in terms of education - namely technology, science, and mathematic fields - has been slipping. A few nights ago I ran across the article linked above, and it does seem that people are attempting to bring the issue to ahead.
One of the most interesting things that caught my eye in this article is the quote that it ends with:
"These are demanding recommendations that will require the commitment of everyone — schools, colleges and universities, parents and students, and state and national leaders — but the dividend will be historic... We must create a system that works, a system that propels all students toward success and rejects anything less."
It spoke to what my own philosophy about all of this is - everyone involved has to want to improve the system before anything substantial can be done. And since I'm sure that this problem will only get worst before it can get any better, I'm left to wonder what tactics will be done to try and scheme students into performing well. One such method I can think of is paying children to do well in school.
Fundamentally, I have a severe issue with this. I don't believe that anyone should be paid some type of monetary stipend for their success. It was recently brought to my attention that a fair amount of a certain grade in my school is either in danger of failing, or plainly failing their classes and now things are trying to be done to fix it. One of the students in that grade then suggested that they get paid to encourage people to pick up their grades. And to me, this just kills the point behind learning and what school should ideally be about. Once you start to pay for success, I believe that it will set up a dangerous precedent leading people to believe that for every 'good' action they do, they'll get some form of material award. This is not a realistic reflection of how life truly is - not to mention it will then shift the focus of school away from whats being taught and absorbed even more than it is now.
So here is my suggestion to the educators at Collegeboard and elsewhere: Emphasize the act of learning itself, not the grades or any type of scale that is measure with a high-risk mentality. If you're able to instill a love or at least genuine interest in topics - especially the ones we're lacking in - our world standing will surely increase. It will create a much wider culture that would value education instead of the crap we have now.
Finally, what does this mean for the world that I will graduate into? I use to think when I was younger that my American citizenship and education would allow me to go anywhere I wanted in the world, but as I get closer and closer to the finish line, I'm not too sure anymore. The pool of competition keeps growing and growing and I'll be one more fish in the sea. Will my education, even if it is from a prestigious institution in America, be a joke on the international stage? All I can say is Americans need to 'step up with our game' as goes the slang. No longer can we lackadaisically blunder along while the rest of the world carries on without us - its this type of ignorance that is leading to our asses being kicked in many more areas; education is not the only grave obstacle we have to overcome.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Cosmic Joke?
Today was something else.
Thats all I can say. It was fairly nice but one part, just one part, messed with me the rest of day.
In English today I had to join a little trio for a book discussion. I was only the senior in the group, so I didn't really know the juniors I had to talk to.
I sat down to join them, asked their names and respectivfully gave mine in return when the girl in the group said all knowingly "Oh so you're Ryan." And with that one line it set off a very, very uncomfortable dialouge.
Me: Um, yea I am. *wonders why she suddenly took that tone.*
Girl: Ah, I heard about you from Constanza.
Me: WHAT?! *Fear slowly creeps over my body*
Girl: Yea, she mentioned you...
Me: *bugging out* And why did I come up?
Girl: Oh don't worry. We were just talking about our ex boyfriends. If she said anything bad I wouldn't have brought it up.
Me: *still in shock*
Seriously though - What the hell? How is it that someone I dated 3-4 years ago still have connections like that (keep in mind, I haven't seen the girl in about a year and a half)? And I don't buy her saying that I "just came up". That seems way too much like a random shot in the dark to be true.
Now I can't help but wonder. Just what was said about me?
Thats all I can say. It was fairly nice but one part, just one part, messed with me the rest of day.
In English today I had to join a little trio for a book discussion. I was only the senior in the group, so I didn't really know the juniors I had to talk to.
I sat down to join them, asked their names and respectivfully gave mine in return when the girl in the group said all knowingly "Oh so you're Ryan." And with that one line it set off a very, very uncomfortable dialouge.
Me: Um, yea I am. *wonders why she suddenly took that tone.*
Girl: Ah, I heard about you from Constanza.
Me: WHAT?! *Fear slowly creeps over my body*
Girl: Yea, she mentioned you...
Me: *bugging out* And why did I come up?
Girl: Oh don't worry. We were just talking about our ex boyfriends. If she said anything bad I wouldn't have brought it up.
Me: *still in shock*
Seriously though - What the hell? How is it that someone I dated 3-4 years ago still have connections like that (keep in mind, I haven't seen the girl in about a year and a half)? And I don't buy her saying that I "just came up". That seems way too much like a random shot in the dark to be true.
Now I can't help but wonder. Just what was said about me?
Friday, September 26, 2008
What Kind Of Week Has This Been? Part II
I would like to start with a quote:
I get the impression that recent political developments have left you speechless. :-)
It's certainly not a boring election...
- Opps, a frequent commenter.
I couldn't agree with you more Opps. This election has been anything but boring, and its about time I've let loose on some things. I have a feeling that this could turn into a rant if I'm not careful, so please bear with me everyone.
At this point, every American is cognizant of the economic debacle rippling not only here at home, but though out the rest of the world's markets as well. I just heard this morning that Washington Mutual went under, following suit behind some other major power players. How in the world did we let things get to this point? Who fell asleep at the helm and is now expecting we the tax payers to help out?
Now, I see this in two lights. America is already in a ridiculous amount of debt and bailing out all of these companies will only dig our hole even more. Companies that in my eyes, don't deserve to be saved. Companies and their head of operations that should go under and suffer. But at the same time, those companies are so closely rooted into America's and the world's economy as a whole - so much so that I know and understand their collapse would send everything spiraling even more out of control. So whats the better evil out of all of the options we have before us?
And while I'm on this topic, what the hell does this mean for my and the rest of my fellow students? Those of us who are about to enter college and those who are already there. What does this mean for us when we graduate? What kind of a world will it be when we are finally expected to fully intergate ourselves into the so-called "real world"? Whatever decisions made will no doubt have us dealing with this for decades to come. Is it fair that I and my children will have to be burdened with all of this? I must say that all of these questions truely scare me. I only had my first job a summer ago and now the economy is in a panic.
A panic. A crisis. And interestingly enough, this has all happened during the build up to our Presidental Election. Also, has anyone heard of any talk of a recession anymore? Has that word disappeared out of our collective vocabulary, or is it that its not no longer important?
Next up on my hitlist is what McCain recently did. The first debate between him and Obama is to take place tonight, and the man had the nerve to pull out saying that fixing the economy situation is more important. I was so shocked when I heard this. This is THE time to be debating. Now more than ever. Plus, isn't this the man who owns how many houses? Isn't this the man whose aide was being paid by Freddie Mac? I don't appreciate whatever game he's playing at. I give Chuck Shumer credit for telling McCain to get the hell out of the way and let them do what they have to do. He shouldn't be butting in so that he looks better.
The last thing I will go into before I explode is how the Republicans are sheltering Palin. She met with neumerous world leaders this week, but the press was hardly allowed to question her.
What, does she not have enough of a brain needed to answer whatever questions they pose? I find this to be worrying. Why is it that they don't trust her on her own? I saw her interview with Charles Gibson. Saw how she had a way of weaving in and out of answering questions that I would have loved to hear answers to. One could make the argument that the way her party is treating her, it makes her look like a stupid women ~ a form of sexism within itself; nevermind the Democraits "attacking" her because shes a women (shes fair game as far as I'm concerned. Open Season.). I think we've put up with enough crap from her - from the bridge/bridges to nowhere, her pregnant daugther (please, please, please don't let me get started on that), and her lackluster answers to grave questions. I'm waiting to see her tail on the line during her rounds of debates. Hope shes still having fun with looking at Russia through her window.
And McCain, you better show up tonight. Its not like you're doing much over there anyways - the Republicans walked out of the talks yesterday, so I heard. Show me you have more honour than that - its the least you can do.
What kind of week has this been indeed.
Update: McCain has chosen to join the debate tonight. I'll be watching, and I hope all of you will as well.
I get the impression that recent political developments have left you speechless. :-)
It's certainly not a boring election...
- Opps, a frequent commenter.
I couldn't agree with you more Opps. This election has been anything but boring, and its about time I've let loose on some things. I have a feeling that this could turn into a rant if I'm not careful, so please bear with me everyone.
At this point, every American is cognizant of the economic debacle rippling not only here at home, but though out the rest of the world's markets as well. I just heard this morning that Washington Mutual went under, following suit behind some other major power players. How in the world did we let things get to this point? Who fell asleep at the helm and is now expecting we the tax payers to help out?
Now, I see this in two lights. America is already in a ridiculous amount of debt and bailing out all of these companies will only dig our hole even more. Companies that in my eyes, don't deserve to be saved. Companies and their head of operations that should go under and suffer. But at the same time, those companies are so closely rooted into America's and the world's economy as a whole - so much so that I know and understand their collapse would send everything spiraling even more out of control. So whats the better evil out of all of the options we have before us?
And while I'm on this topic, what the hell does this mean for my and the rest of my fellow students? Those of us who are about to enter college and those who are already there. What does this mean for us when we graduate? What kind of a world will it be when we are finally expected to fully intergate ourselves into the so-called "real world"? Whatever decisions made will no doubt have us dealing with this for decades to come. Is it fair that I and my children will have to be burdened with all of this? I must say that all of these questions truely scare me. I only had my first job a summer ago and now the economy is in a panic.
A panic. A crisis. And interestingly enough, this has all happened during the build up to our Presidental Election. Also, has anyone heard of any talk of a recession anymore? Has that word disappeared out of our collective vocabulary, or is it that its not no longer important?
Next up on my hitlist is what McCain recently did. The first debate between him and Obama is to take place tonight, and the man had the nerve to pull out saying that fixing the economy situation is more important. I was so shocked when I heard this. This is THE time to be debating. Now more than ever. Plus, isn't this the man who owns how many houses? Isn't this the man whose aide was being paid by Freddie Mac? I don't appreciate whatever game he's playing at. I give Chuck Shumer credit for telling McCain to get the hell out of the way and let them do what they have to do. He shouldn't be butting in so that he looks better.
The last thing I will go into before I explode is how the Republicans are sheltering Palin. She met with neumerous world leaders this week, but the press was hardly allowed to question her.
What, does she not have enough of a brain needed to answer whatever questions they pose? I find this to be worrying. Why is it that they don't trust her on her own? I saw her interview with Charles Gibson. Saw how she had a way of weaving in and out of answering questions that I would have loved to hear answers to. One could make the argument that the way her party is treating her, it makes her look like a stupid women ~ a form of sexism within itself; nevermind the Democraits "attacking" her because shes a women (shes fair game as far as I'm concerned. Open Season.). I think we've put up with enough crap from her - from the bridge/bridges to nowhere, her pregnant daugther (please, please, please don't let me get started on that), and her lackluster answers to grave questions. I'm waiting to see her tail on the line during her rounds of debates. Hope shes still having fun with looking at Russia through her window.
And McCain, you better show up tonight. Its not like you're doing much over there anyways - the Republicans walked out of the talks yesterday, so I heard. Show me you have more honour than that - its the least you can do.
What kind of week has this been indeed.
Update: McCain has chosen to join the debate tonight. I'll be watching, and I hope all of you will as well.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
My Spring Break is pretty much shot (in the best way possible)
As the title says, my spring break is more or less gone. Not that I mind at all, its just that whenever I explain to people my age what I'm going to be doing, they gain this odd look on their faces. One that can only be explained as a strange mixture of dismay, objection, and false sympathy. Really, its annoying - its always been like this for as long as I can remember. Whenever I do something with my spare time that is outside of their limited sense of perception, I always get that look. And 9 (or let me be nicer. 8) times out of 10 the things that I do with my time are exponentially better than what they end up doing. The little projects and events that I invest my time into always wield sometime of greater good. Now while I may be called anti-social within my own little circle(s), its because I find that on average the little things that they decide to focus on does nothing for anyone. Not themselves, family or anyone else. Its largely just socializing (along with a few other things I shall not dare to even go into). So in the end, just who's fault is it that I don't want to be around them more so than I have to? Mine or theirs?
Anyways, getting back on topic since I'm now finished with my little rant, I'm spending my days up until Thursdays finalizing the wiki and project report. Then Friday, I'm running to the Business library here in Brooklyn at Cadman Plaza for a little something involving my current internship. Looking forward to that.
In addition to all that, I have to find time to work on my numerous papers and past assignments that I've missed here and there. Amazing how little nuggets of work can accumulate if left unattended...
Oh what a busy week it shall be...
Anyways, getting back on topic since I'm now finished with my little rant, I'm spending my days up until Thursdays finalizing the wiki and project report. Then Friday, I'm running to the Business library here in Brooklyn at Cadman Plaza for a little something involving my current internship. Looking forward to that.
In addition to all that, I have to find time to work on my numerous papers and past assignments that I've missed here and there. Amazing how little nuggets of work can accumulate if left unattended...
Oh what a busy week it shall be...
Saturday, April 5, 2008
My birthday ~ Uncelebratory Assessments
Yesterday - the fourth of April - was my birthday. Not sure what can be said about it. I got good amount of friends together to go out to lunch with - one of them even paid for my food. woot! - and I went out to dinner that evening. This was in stark comparison to my birthday last year - it was spring break and so as soon as my mother left for work, I locked all the doors, turned off anything anyone could contact me with (phones, computers, etc), and went to sleep. I really just don't find all my birthday to be all that interesting. Celebrating it is not high on my list of priorities.
The most my birthday does for me is make me think more about this life of mine. Its past, present, and future. The day of my birth date and the day directly proceeding it are nothing more than causes of reflection. There is so much that I'm aiming to do - and that makes me worry. I had a very insightful conversation with someone at my internship on Thursday. It really did help me add some clarity, or at least another level of analysis to my thoughts.
I've also noticed that birthdays have a way of seeming more for those that around you than for yourself, when you don't really care for them. A lot of people got upset with me when I took a fairly easy-going attitude in answering their question of what I wanted to do on that day. One or two of them told me to think of those who are around me - that day is important to them for a reason. I guess I understand that, but I don't see anything wrong in just going along with whatever they have planned for me without much of my personal input.
In the end still, it was my birthday. Even with all of these thoughts swarming me, I still had some kind of fun. The likes of which will be explained next post...
The most my birthday does for me is make me think more about this life of mine. Its past, present, and future. The day of my birth date and the day directly proceeding it are nothing more than causes of reflection. There is so much that I'm aiming to do - and that makes me worry. I had a very insightful conversation with someone at my internship on Thursday. It really did help me add some clarity, or at least another level of analysis to my thoughts.
I've also noticed that birthdays have a way of seeming more for those that around you than for yourself, when you don't really care for them. A lot of people got upset with me when I took a fairly easy-going attitude in answering their question of what I wanted to do on that day. One or two of them told me to think of those who are around me - that day is important to them for a reason. I guess I understand that, but I don't see anything wrong in just going along with whatever they have planned for me without much of my personal input.
In the end still, it was my birthday. Even with all of these thoughts swarming me, I still had some kind of fun. The likes of which will be explained next post...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Paying students to do well in school ~ A good idea?
There are a few schools (well at least one anyways...) that are trying out giving students money to do good in school. Now I have mixed feelings about this. Should I have been younger when they decided to put this notion in motion, I probably would have no qualms about this. Its nice that they found something to entice children with. But I really don't think that its that great of an idea. I remember sometime during the week, I heard some sixth or seventh grader in my school saying something about how paying him to come to school would make him want to come more. Thing is that if you don't want to come, then don't come. You'll be a nothing more than a waste of space. And its something akin to the logic that I've applied to this situation. Going and doing well in school is, after its all said and done, is only truly beneficial to each person individually. No one is really going to suffer expect that person should they fail to show up or just fail all around. No one really truly cares but those that have to deal with you. Not only that, but the money being used to pay those kids could be better spent going to the school's budget, since they all cry fowl about their funding.
So yea. Instead of paying students to go to school, simply give the schools all that money that would be - most likely - squandered otherwise. If they - particularly those in higher graders such as high schoolers - don't want to come then don't make them. It really just makes the place a poorer learning environment.
the link to the article is here.
So yea. Instead of paying students to go to school, simply give the schools all that money that would be - most likely - squandered otherwise. If they - particularly those in higher graders such as high schoolers - don't want to come then don't make them. It really just makes the place a poorer learning environment.
the link to the article is here.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
iPhone Developer Program Woes
So I've been hearing that a lot of people signing up to join the Developer Program for the iPhone have been getting rejection emails. And because of that, there seems to be a bit of an uproar. But really, when I think about it, I can understand why. First of all, everything is still a beta, so of course rejections should have been expected. Also if I were one of the applicants, I would take some time to get use to the free SDK first before I went and dropped 99 dollars to join. So my message to people would be to just calm down. I'm sure that as Apple progresses with the beta program, more and more people will be let in. In the mean time, play around with programming environment and all and use the down time to perfect your programs as much as you can. While I hear that the price tag is fairly cheap (which i still have issues understanding. $99 sounds like a lot to me...), it makes no sense to pay it and then down the line decide to do something else with your time.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Best, The Worst, and the WTF… Of Oscars 2008 ~ Special Guest Post
Lately I've gotten a few offers to co-write/guest post on other people's blogs. I think that its a wonderful idea and I've been waiting for someone to actually go through with it - and they did! I may just make this a semi-regular thing. So now, I present to you a very good friend of mine's thoughts on the Oscars last night:
Note: Do remember that these are the thoughts from another person. If you don't like it, don't dare take it out on me. This is merely to provide readers with a fresh (and hopefully comedic) look on new things I myself won't really write about.
The Best, The Worst, and the WTF… Of Oscars 2008
By Brandon Lewis
Best
In a big F.U. to its own country, the Academy awarded all of the big acting honors to European actors! Daniel Day-Lewis, a British actor and previous winner for 1989’s My Left Foot, won for his movie There Will Be Blood. French actress Marion Cottillard (don’t feel stupid, I never heard of her either) won Best Actress for La Vie En Rose. In another upset, British actress Tilda Swinton upset acclaimed actress Ruby Dee for Best Supporting Actress. Finally, Spanish actor Javier Bardem took home Best Supporting Actor.
Stripper Glory. Diablo Cody won Best Original Screenplay for the movie Juno, but that’s not the best news. New York’s favorite “tell people’s business” newspaper The New York Post revealed that she used to be a stripper before she became the most sought-after writer in the business (that no one has heard of). Who said strippers don’t have talent? LOL.
Worst
Michael Who? Unless you are a major movie buff, you probably never heard of 4 of the 5 nominated Best Picture nominees. Little promotion made Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men, and Atonement strangers to viewers, leaving little to care about.
Where Are You? No offense to Miley Cyrus or Heidi Klum, but where the hell was the movie stars? Remember the days of Tom and Nicole, Ben and Jennifer (Lopez), damn, even Cher! Instead, we get The Rock. The Rock!!! Are you serious? Next year, please, get the actors back.
Jon Stewart’s opening monologue. It was painfully unfunny. It was so obvious that the writers who were just three weeks ago were striking whipped that up at the very last minute. Even Jon Stewart, who has been a good host in the past, looked uncomfortable up there.
Honestly, the whole damn show sucked. From the out-of-place, choppy clip shows to the weird award ordering, the usually perfect award ceremony began to show some cracks. Yeah, it was always long, but seeing those great moments that only the Oscars could deliver made up for it. There were none. It was a glorified clip show, and people viewed it that way. Viewership was down 21% this year. I think it’s time for a tune up of Hollywood’s oldest vehicle.
Note: Do remember that these are the thoughts from another person. If you don't like it, don't dare take it out on me. This is merely to provide readers with a fresh (and hopefully comedic) look on new things I myself won't really write about.
The Best, The Worst, and the WTF… Of Oscars 2008
By Brandon Lewis
Best
In a big F.U. to its own country, the Academy awarded all of the big acting honors to European actors! Daniel Day-Lewis, a British actor and previous winner for 1989’s My Left Foot, won for his movie There Will Be Blood. French actress Marion Cottillard (don’t feel stupid, I never heard of her either) won Best Actress for La Vie En Rose. In another upset, British actress Tilda Swinton upset acclaimed actress Ruby Dee for Best Supporting Actress. Finally, Spanish actor Javier Bardem took home Best Supporting Actor.
Stripper Glory. Diablo Cody won Best Original Screenplay for the movie Juno, but that’s not the best news. New York’s favorite “tell people’s business” newspaper The New York Post revealed that she used to be a stripper before she became the most sought-after writer in the business (that no one has heard of). Who said strippers don’t have talent? LOL.
Worst
Michael Who? Unless you are a major movie buff, you probably never heard of 4 of the 5 nominated Best Picture nominees. Little promotion made Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men, and Atonement strangers to viewers, leaving little to care about.
Where Are You? No offense to Miley Cyrus or Heidi Klum, but where the hell was the movie stars? Remember the days of Tom and Nicole, Ben and Jennifer (Lopez), damn, even Cher! Instead, we get The Rock. The Rock!!! Are you serious? Next year, please, get the actors back.
Jon Stewart’s opening monologue. It was painfully unfunny. It was so obvious that the writers who were just three weeks ago were striking whipped that up at the very last minute. Even Jon Stewart, who has been a good host in the past, looked uncomfortable up there.
Honestly, the whole damn show sucked. From the out-of-place, choppy clip shows to the weird award ordering, the usually perfect award ceremony began to show some cracks. Yeah, it was always long, but seeing those great moments that only the Oscars could deliver made up for it. There were none. It was a glorified clip show, and people viewed it that way. Viewership was down 21% this year. I think it’s time for a tune up of Hollywood’s oldest vehicle.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Impressions
Yesterday during my usual conversations with a few friends of mine the topic of passing judgments on people came up. particularly people you've never met. You see, one of my friends was around some other someone else while she was talking to us and that person got mad at me for saying that I did not really like her - and then things spiraled into an argument. Everyone seems to think that I was wrong for not liking a person I have yet to meet but - obviously - I think otherwise. I am fairly dependent on my instinctual feelings about people. I find that it really leads me wrong because most people even up acting in the way that I figured they would. When it comes to the person in question, whenever I hear their voice I feel something like dread pooling within me. This alone is reason enough not to even bother with the girl, seeing as how I rarely get this feeling just from talking with a person. And after last night, her actions have only proved my instant aversion for her. I think of it like this - Lets say you're walking down a street in a neighborhood that you know does not have the best reputation. But nevertheless, there you are walking along and ahead of you, you spot a group of people. automatic you get a bad feeling about them. For one reason or another its just there. You feel it eating at you. Now do you continue to walk down your path, passing them or do you cross the street to the other side that appears to be clear? More than likely you cross the street. I've yet to met a person that would contiune on, disregarding their instincts because its wrong to judge people or some dumb excuse like that. There is a reason why we have that sense and its a good idea to listen to it, no matter how mean that makes you appear to others.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Second Semester Begins
As I stated before, Friday was the first day of the new term. Now I must admit, there are some things that are bothering about all of this. But there are other issues I feel that they did do a good job at. I ended up being put into all of the so called 'harder' classes for English, History, and Math. And it was not what I was expecting. It looks as if there are more crowded than there were last term. And that really defies logic. How can there be more kids in the classes I was placed into when most of them never signed up for such courses? And now, I'm going to have to deal with people who are merely going to get in the way and drag everything down like last term.
Also as if to add insult to injury, it seems that on our transcript we don't get the classes labeled as "Honors". Instead its going to be "Enriched", if anything is there at all. So long as something is written, conveying that these classes are 'more difficult' than the others I'm okay. Though I must say that 'Honors' sounds so much better that 'Enriched'.
Another thing was how the schedule was revamped. Last term the time blocks for all of the classes were at best spasmodic. There was no standard block of time for them. However, this time around, everyone gets a 55 minute cut of the day. The only two drawbacks for this is that lunch now starts 15 minutes later and we sometimes have to revisit a class we already had earlier in the day, but that is a small price to pay so that the classes are long enough to remain engaging. No more short periods that end right when things were getting interesting and overbearing periods so long that the teacher themself is repulsed from being trapped in the same room with us.
Oh boy, this term is going to be something else...
Also as if to add insult to injury, it seems that on our transcript we don't get the classes labeled as "Honors". Instead its going to be "Enriched", if anything is there at all. So long as something is written, conveying that these classes are 'more difficult' than the others I'm okay. Though I must say that 'Honors' sounds so much better that 'Enriched'.
Another thing was how the schedule was revamped. Last term the time blocks for all of the classes were at best spasmodic. There was no standard block of time for them. However, this time around, everyone gets a 55 minute cut of the day. The only two drawbacks for this is that lunch now starts 15 minutes later and we sometimes have to revisit a class we already had earlier in the day, but that is a small price to pay so that the classes are long enough to remain engaging. No more short periods that end right when things were getting interesting and overbearing periods so long that the teacher themself is repulsed from being trapped in the same room with us.
Oh boy, this term is going to be something else...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
An interesting school issue
At my school, there are some issues being shed to light. Things seems to be falling apart. If you would remember an earlier post about the 9th graders and how I hate them, please understand that I am not the only one who does. They recently made one of their teachers quit. She did not even reach the end of the term with them. She just up and left. And now, the staff is scrambling to find a replacement. And of course, the search is not going well.
In addition to this, the school is in a frenzy over the existence of a camera on the fourth floor. There are some students who feel that is wrong for them to be watching us but I disagree. I have no problem, whatsoever, with being watched. In fact I welcome it. I see that the school's quality is dropping and I am not the only one who sees this. The majority of people who I've spoken to feel the same way. The one thing that was a problem was that we were not warned about it. And I understand that however, when you take into account the reason why it was even put up on in the first place its obvious why we were not told before it was placed. It was in response to claims of sexual harassment from girls in the 9th or 10th grade. More evidence as to why I have problems with them. And as wrong as it may seem for me to say this, in the back of my head I can't help but think that some of the incidents were possibly provoked by the girls in the first place. Of course that is no excuse for the behavior, but when you make your bed you must lay in it as well.
This up coming Wednesday is when the school will come to a decision about the cameras. I'm pretty sure of what it will be. Things have gotten out of control and now its time to fix it. Nevertheless, may I suggest beginning to kick out kids that we know are problems. I would like to avoid any collapse in my school's social structure until after I graduate.
In addition to this, the school is in a frenzy over the existence of a camera on the fourth floor. There are some students who feel that is wrong for them to be watching us but I disagree. I have no problem, whatsoever, with being watched. In fact I welcome it. I see that the school's quality is dropping and I am not the only one who sees this. The majority of people who I've spoken to feel the same way. The one thing that was a problem was that we were not warned about it. And I understand that however, when you take into account the reason why it was even put up on in the first place its obvious why we were not told before it was placed. It was in response to claims of sexual harassment from girls in the 9th or 10th grade. More evidence as to why I have problems with them. And as wrong as it may seem for me to say this, in the back of my head I can't help but think that some of the incidents were possibly provoked by the girls in the first place. Of course that is no excuse for the behavior, but when you make your bed you must lay in it as well.
This up coming Wednesday is when the school will come to a decision about the cameras. I'm pretty sure of what it will be. Things have gotten out of control and now its time to fix it. Nevertheless, may I suggest beginning to kick out kids that we know are problems. I would like to avoid any collapse in my school's social structure until after I graduate.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Why I have an intense dislike of the 9th and 10th graders in my school
I hate - no wait, lets use a weaker word shall we? - dislike them as a whole. They're quite frankly out of control. Never before in my life have I seen such a disorderly group of people. Loudness in the halls I'm ok with - its just something that happens, but when you in a group of your little friends decide to lie down or block up the only passage ways on the floor as if its your own bloody living room, I have a problem. Every morning I have to tiptoe my way past the little bastards inorder not to step on one of them and I'm sick of it. And so is everyone else. So now, I have a proposal to all of my fellow 11th and 12th graders. From now on, whenever those little snot-nosed brats get in your way, you push, kick, step on, yell, or whatever it is you have to do to get past. No more of our patience shall be wasted upon them. They need to understand this one fact - we are the ones who have the most power here.
Anyways moving on from that cocky comment of mine, myself along with a few others have noticed that a lot of the younger grades have become monsters. Its disconcerting. Makes me wonder what future lies ahead if these are the bunches of fools we're raising.
Anyways moving on from that cocky comment of mine, myself along with a few others have noticed that a lot of the younger grades have become monsters. Its disconcerting. Makes me wonder what future lies ahead if these are the bunches of fools we're raising.
What is so wrong with not liking MySpace/Facebook?
I don't like MySpace. Nor do I like Facebook. However, I do find Facebook to be a lesser evil. Now I don't see what so bad about this. My logic is that, most of the time, I see the people I need to see at school. That should be more than enough. And MySpace/Facebook seems another method of continuing the crap they do in school. Which, in the end, is not a good thing. Its being posted up online where anyone can see/hear/read about it, thus leading you in trouble should enough people catch wind of it. There exists -somewhere- a MySpace account with my name on it. And this is only because one of my friends apparently saw the need in making me one. Not only that but I also have a Facebook account. A lot of people ask me why I don't use it and the plain answer is I just don't like it. But this is not to say that I don't see the potential use of it. In my eyes, Facebook has the chance to save itself from what MySpace has really become - little kids who are needy for attention of some sort and needs to be around their friends 24/7.
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