Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thank You For Smoking.
I thought this was a good movie. i was actually suprised becuase usually the movies I watch in school are boring. I liked how everytime they argues nick always had evidence of what he was talking about or some sort of creative idea. I also liked how he tried to teach his son about what he did and the art of arguing. I liked how the movie was all about business but had a lot of added humor in it. I would definately watch it again!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Karma..?
The ballon boy hoax is over. They wanted publicity, they got it...in jail. I can't imagine how boring their lives must be if you have to resort to lying to authority to get some excitement in your life. well I bet jail is gonna be realllll exiting. congrats, losers. get a real life. you're not teaching your children ANYTHING!
Balloon boy parents are sent to jail for hoax
By P. SOLOMON BANDA (AP) – 1 hour ago
FORT COLLINS, Colo. —
The parents who pulled the balloon boy hoax in hopes of landing a reality TV show were sentenced to jail Wednesday — 90 days for him, 20 days for her — and barred from profiting from their newfound celebrity status for the next four years.
Choking back tears, Richard Heene apologized in court for the frenzy he caused when he claimed his 6-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a giant helium balloon shaped like a flying saucer.
"I'm very, very sorry. And I want to apologize to all the rescue workers out there, and the people that got involved in the community," said the 48-year-old Heene, a UFO-obsessed backyard scientist who turned to storm-chasing and reality TV after his Hollywood acting career bombed.
The sentencing was the culmination of a saga that transfixed the nation in October with the sight of the silvery balloon hurtling through the sky on live television. In the end, it was all a publicity stunt by a family broke and desperate for attention and money after networks kept rejecting their reality TV show pitches.
The case — along with the White House party-crashing by a Virginia couple last month — illustrated vividly the lengths people are willing to go to to become TV stars in this 15-minutes-of-fame world.
"What this case is about is deception, exploitation — exploitation of the children of the Heenes, exploitation of the media and exploitation of people's emotions — and money," District Judge Stephen Schapanski said.
Heene's 90-day sentence includes 60 days of work release that will let him pursue his job as a construction contractor during the day as long as he reports back to jail at night. The Heenes were also put on four years' probation, during which they cannot earn any money related to the stunt. That means any book, movie or reality TV deals are off limits.
Richard Heene's wife, Mayumi Heene, 45, looked sullen and did not speak during the sentencing. Afterward, the Heenes walked past a crowd of reporters without comment.
Prosecutors asked for the 90-day maximum for the husband, saying that a stern message needs to be sent to people who stage hoaxes for the publicity.
Prosecutor Andrew Lewis also asked that the Heenes be forced to reimburse authorities for the full cost of chasing the balloon and investigating the hoax — an amount that could exceed $50,000. The exact sum will be determined later.
"People around the world were watching this unfold," Lewis said. "Mr. Heene wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity."
He added, "Jay Leno said it best when he said, 'This is a copycat game.' And people will copycat this event." The Heenes "need to go to jail so people don't do that."
The judge gave Richard Heene until Jan. 11 to report to jail so that he could spend the holidays with his family. His wife will serve her 20 days behind bars after her husband completes his sentence. Her time served will be flexible — she can report to jail on 10 weekends, for example — so that the couple's three children are cared for, the judge said.
At the sentencing, the prosecutor provided a more detailed timeline of the hoax.
He said Richard Heene was working with a collaborator throughout the year to pitch a reality series about madcap experiments and inventions. By late September, it became clear that the networks weren't biting.
At the same time, the Heenes' finances were collapsing — they weren't paying bills, checks were bouncing, and banks were threatening to close accounts, Lewis said.
The Heenes set in motion the balloon hoax in early October as a way to jump-start the reality TV effort and get some attention.
Heene began seeking money to buy helium tanks and studying weather patterns to find the right day for the launch. He eventually settled on Oct. 15; the weather was right, and his kids were home from school with parent-teacher conferences.
The balloon floated away that afternoon with Falcon thought to be aboard. The Heenes first called the Federal Aviation Administration, then a TV station and finally 911.
Authorities launched a desperate search for little Falcon, using military helicopters and a mounted posse, before the boy turned up at home hours later. The Heenes said they realized he had been hiding all along in the rafters after his father had yelled at him for fooling around with the balloon.
But the story soon began falling apart, especially after Falcon blurted out to his father during a CNN interview that evening: "You had said we did this for a show."
The parents were brought in for questioning, with Richard Heene feigning sleep during his lie-detector test and claiming his drowsiness was a diabetic reaction, Lewis said.
They were ultimately arrested and pleaded guilty in November under deals with prosecutors that called for up to 90 days behind bars for the husband and 60 days for the wife, a Japanese citizen who could have been deported if convicted of more serious charges.
She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, while her husband pleaded to a felony count of falsely influencing authorities.
David Lane, Richard Heene's attorney, pleaded for leniency and said the couple "learned a lesson they will never forget for the rest of their lives." He also said that if someone has to go to jail, it should be Richard Heene and not his wife.
Afterward, Lane called the judge's sentence for his client "a measured response" — but said he was surprised Mayumi Heene got jail time.
"This is payback," he said of her sentence.
Lane said the FAA also plans to fine the Heenes $11,000 for disrupting flights. FAA spokesman Les Dorr said he could not confirm that.
Asked by reporters if his client was done with reality TV, Lane joked: "I don't know if they're done with reality television. Is reality television done with them?"
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Balloon boy parents are sent to jail for hoax
By P. SOLOMON BANDA (AP) – 1 hour ago
FORT COLLINS, Colo. —
The parents who pulled the balloon boy hoax in hopes of landing a reality TV show were sentenced to jail Wednesday — 90 days for him, 20 days for her — and barred from profiting from their newfound celebrity status for the next four years.
Choking back tears, Richard Heene apologized in court for the frenzy he caused when he claimed his 6-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a giant helium balloon shaped like a flying saucer.
"I'm very, very sorry. And I want to apologize to all the rescue workers out there, and the people that got involved in the community," said the 48-year-old Heene, a UFO-obsessed backyard scientist who turned to storm-chasing and reality TV after his Hollywood acting career bombed.
The sentencing was the culmination of a saga that transfixed the nation in October with the sight of the silvery balloon hurtling through the sky on live television. In the end, it was all a publicity stunt by a family broke and desperate for attention and money after networks kept rejecting their reality TV show pitches.
The case — along with the White House party-crashing by a Virginia couple last month — illustrated vividly the lengths people are willing to go to to become TV stars in this 15-minutes-of-fame world.
"What this case is about is deception, exploitation — exploitation of the children of the Heenes, exploitation of the media and exploitation of people's emotions — and money," District Judge Stephen Schapanski said.
Heene's 90-day sentence includes 60 days of work release that will let him pursue his job as a construction contractor during the day as long as he reports back to jail at night. The Heenes were also put on four years' probation, during which they cannot earn any money related to the stunt. That means any book, movie or reality TV deals are off limits.
Richard Heene's wife, Mayumi Heene, 45, looked sullen and did not speak during the sentencing. Afterward, the Heenes walked past a crowd of reporters without comment.
Prosecutors asked for the 90-day maximum for the husband, saying that a stern message needs to be sent to people who stage hoaxes for the publicity.
Prosecutor Andrew Lewis also asked that the Heenes be forced to reimburse authorities for the full cost of chasing the balloon and investigating the hoax — an amount that could exceed $50,000. The exact sum will be determined later.
"People around the world were watching this unfold," Lewis said. "Mr. Heene wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity."
He added, "Jay Leno said it best when he said, 'This is a copycat game.' And people will copycat this event." The Heenes "need to go to jail so people don't do that."
The judge gave Richard Heene until Jan. 11 to report to jail so that he could spend the holidays with his family. His wife will serve her 20 days behind bars after her husband completes his sentence. Her time served will be flexible — she can report to jail on 10 weekends, for example — so that the couple's three children are cared for, the judge said.
At the sentencing, the prosecutor provided a more detailed timeline of the hoax.
He said Richard Heene was working with a collaborator throughout the year to pitch a reality series about madcap experiments and inventions. By late September, it became clear that the networks weren't biting.
At the same time, the Heenes' finances were collapsing — they weren't paying bills, checks were bouncing, and banks were threatening to close accounts, Lewis said.
The Heenes set in motion the balloon hoax in early October as a way to jump-start the reality TV effort and get some attention.
Heene began seeking money to buy helium tanks and studying weather patterns to find the right day for the launch. He eventually settled on Oct. 15; the weather was right, and his kids were home from school with parent-teacher conferences.
The balloon floated away that afternoon with Falcon thought to be aboard. The Heenes first called the Federal Aviation Administration, then a TV station and finally 911.
Authorities launched a desperate search for little Falcon, using military helicopters and a mounted posse, before the boy turned up at home hours later. The Heenes said they realized he had been hiding all along in the rafters after his father had yelled at him for fooling around with the balloon.
But the story soon began falling apart, especially after Falcon blurted out to his father during a CNN interview that evening: "You had said we did this for a show."
The parents were brought in for questioning, with Richard Heene feigning sleep during his lie-detector test and claiming his drowsiness was a diabetic reaction, Lewis said.
They were ultimately arrested and pleaded guilty in November under deals with prosecutors that called for up to 90 days behind bars for the husband and 60 days for the wife, a Japanese citizen who could have been deported if convicted of more serious charges.
She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, while her husband pleaded to a felony count of falsely influencing authorities.
David Lane, Richard Heene's attorney, pleaded for leniency and said the couple "learned a lesson they will never forget for the rest of their lives." He also said that if someone has to go to jail, it should be Richard Heene and not his wife.
Afterward, Lane called the judge's sentence for his client "a measured response" — but said he was surprised Mayumi Heene got jail time.
"This is payback," he said of her sentence.
Lane said the FAA also plans to fine the Heenes $11,000 for disrupting flights. FAA spokesman Les Dorr said he could not confirm that.
Asked by reporters if his client was done with reality TV, Lane joked: "I don't know if they're done with reality television. Is reality television done with them?"
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
yesterday I was watching the today show. They were talking about a wedding where they raised money for domestic violence by dancing wilding down the aisle. check it out...
By Michael Inbar
TODAYshow.com contributor
Most couples wait until the reception before breaking out into the Funky Chicken on their wedding day, but Kevin Heinz and Jill Peterson figured, why wait to unleash their unbridled joy?
The 28-year-olds floored their wedding guests by having their whole bridal party — including seven bridesmaids, five groomsmen and four ushers — boogie down the aisle in a choreographed dance more at home in a Broadway musical than in a somber church.
Groomsmen split into sides as Heinz did a somersault in front of the wowed crowd — and the gown-clad Peterson quickly followed, shaking her hips to Chris Brown’s “Forever” while pumping her bridal bouquet into the air during the June 20 ceremony in St. Paul, Minn.
Of course, some things are too good to keep to yourself. And when Kevin posted the wedding dance routine on YouTube, it quickly became a viral hit — some 700,000 people have already shared in the couple’s novel way of showing their matrimonial joy.
Heinz and Peterson (she’s keeping her maiden name) appeared live on TODAY Friday to tell their story of how their artistic self-expression on the biggest day of their lives captured America’s imagination and made them Internet stars.
After watching the video, TODAY’s Matt Lauer told the couple, “If that was a ceremony, I don’t know how you survived the honeymoon!” He then asked the couple who came up with the idea.
“It was mine,” Jill told Lauer. “I danced growing up and was a dancer through college and loved dance as a way to express yourself and share joy. So it was something I always thought about doing.”
It didn’t take her fun-loving husband Kevin long to agree to the idea, saying the decision to dance was “the first thing we really decided about the wedding that he wanted to do.”
They then broke the news to the parents that their wedding processional wasn’t going to take on the more reserved joy of a typical wedding. Jill admitted that her mom “was maybe a little nervous,” and Kevin said his parents were “definitely apprehensive,” but didn’t try to talk the two crazy kids out of their plan. They swore them to secrecy so other wedding guests wouldn’t know what they were up to.
Seat-of-the-tux performanceNext up was a dance rehearsal for the wedding party. Anyone seeing the YouTube video might think the whole party was composed of dance professionals — the bridesmaids alone, with their waving-hands routine at the altar, are worth the price of admission. But Jill said it was actually more seat-of-the-tux than the final result would indicate.
“We [practiced for] an hour and a half,” Jill told Lauer. “A lot of that, people were sort of making up as they went, people just got really into it and went for it. We just gave them a general layout.”
While guests were clearly overjoyed at getting a floor show even before the champagne flowed at the reception, Kevin and Jill are adamant they weren’t seeking a quick kiss of fame by posting their dancing high jinks on YouTube. Like many other viral video sensations, it was originally intended for friends and family.
I put it up because her dad had been really harassing me to get it out to some of his other family members, and it exploded,” Kevin said.
TODAY’s Meredith Vieira noted that fans of the video are in for a special treat — the whole wedding party will appear on TODAY Saturday to do an encore of their now-legendary aisle dance.
Lauer was clearly amused by the couple and their video.
“If you can have that much fun at the wedding, that much fun will carry over also into your marriage,” he told them. “What a great sign and what a great gift.”
In an interview with Minnesota’s WCCO-TV, the couple said they plan on dancing through life in a happily-ever-after tale.
“Our kids will dance,” Jill said. “They’ll definitely have some rhythm.”
you have to see the video:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32122353#32122353
By Michael Inbar
TODAYshow.com contributor
Most couples wait until the reception before breaking out into the Funky Chicken on their wedding day, but Kevin Heinz and Jill Peterson figured, why wait to unleash their unbridled joy?
The 28-year-olds floored their wedding guests by having their whole bridal party — including seven bridesmaids, five groomsmen and four ushers — boogie down the aisle in a choreographed dance more at home in a Broadway musical than in a somber church.
Groomsmen split into sides as Heinz did a somersault in front of the wowed crowd — and the gown-clad Peterson quickly followed, shaking her hips to Chris Brown’s “Forever” while pumping her bridal bouquet into the air during the June 20 ceremony in St. Paul, Minn.
Of course, some things are too good to keep to yourself. And when Kevin posted the wedding dance routine on YouTube, it quickly became a viral hit — some 700,000 people have already shared in the couple’s novel way of showing their matrimonial joy.
Heinz and Peterson (she’s keeping her maiden name) appeared live on TODAY Friday to tell their story of how their artistic self-expression on the biggest day of their lives captured America’s imagination and made them Internet stars.
After watching the video, TODAY’s Matt Lauer told the couple, “If that was a ceremony, I don’t know how you survived the honeymoon!” He then asked the couple who came up with the idea.
“It was mine,” Jill told Lauer. “I danced growing up and was a dancer through college and loved dance as a way to express yourself and share joy. So it was something I always thought about doing.”
It didn’t take her fun-loving husband Kevin long to agree to the idea, saying the decision to dance was “the first thing we really decided about the wedding that he wanted to do.”
They then broke the news to the parents that their wedding processional wasn’t going to take on the more reserved joy of a typical wedding. Jill admitted that her mom “was maybe a little nervous,” and Kevin said his parents were “definitely apprehensive,” but didn’t try to talk the two crazy kids out of their plan. They swore them to secrecy so other wedding guests wouldn’t know what they were up to.
Seat-of-the-tux performanceNext up was a dance rehearsal for the wedding party. Anyone seeing the YouTube video might think the whole party was composed of dance professionals — the bridesmaids alone, with their waving-hands routine at the altar, are worth the price of admission. But Jill said it was actually more seat-of-the-tux than the final result would indicate.
“We [practiced for] an hour and a half,” Jill told Lauer. “A lot of that, people were sort of making up as they went, people just got really into it and went for it. We just gave them a general layout.”
While guests were clearly overjoyed at getting a floor show even before the champagne flowed at the reception, Kevin and Jill are adamant they weren’t seeking a quick kiss of fame by posting their dancing high jinks on YouTube. Like many other viral video sensations, it was originally intended for friends and family.
I put it up because her dad had been really harassing me to get it out to some of his other family members, and it exploded,” Kevin said.
TODAY’s Meredith Vieira noted that fans of the video are in for a special treat — the whole wedding party will appear on TODAY Saturday to do an encore of their now-legendary aisle dance.
Lauer was clearly amused by the couple and their video.
“If you can have that much fun at the wedding, that much fun will carry over also into your marriage,” he told them. “What a great sign and what a great gift.”
In an interview with Minnesota’s WCCO-TV, the couple said they plan on dancing through life in a happily-ever-after tale.
“Our kids will dance,” Jill said. “They’ll definitely have some rhythm.”
you have to see the video:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32122353#32122353
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
i guess theres somethings i'll just never understand...
sometimes you see things and all you can say is why..
well here is a few things that make me want to scream at the sight of them:
Cow and giraffe print purses- I'm not sure if this is a disease that's spread across the nation or it's just an epidemic in Texas. It's hideous. Also, see leather studded cross purses. I don't know whether the people who buy these do it because they want to flaunt their love for Jesus or buy them just because they're under the impression that they look good. I think the ladies who buy these are also typically wanna-be MILFs. The hard-core cross, giraffe, and cow-print purses just don't strike me as an aesthetically pleasing look.
Twitter- I don't understand why this is so popular. I'm proud to say that I've never visited the website, nor do I intend to. Isn't it just like Facebook, but only status updates? I honestly don't care to hear your daily play-by-play. Going grocery shopping! Getting my grub on at McD's! Taking a crap! No one really cares.
Bumpits- Is it just because I'm in Texas that people think that bigger is better? Big hair? Just makes you look like an alien with an over-sized head to me.
anyone elde know of more repulsive trends?!
well here is a few things that make me want to scream at the sight of them:
Cow and giraffe print purses- I'm not sure if this is a disease that's spread across the nation or it's just an epidemic in Texas. It's hideous. Also, see leather studded cross purses. I don't know whether the people who buy these do it because they want to flaunt their love for Jesus or buy them just because they're under the impression that they look good. I think the ladies who buy these are also typically wanna-be MILFs. The hard-core cross, giraffe, and cow-print purses just don't strike me as an aesthetically pleasing look.
Twitter- I don't understand why this is so popular. I'm proud to say that I've never visited the website, nor do I intend to. Isn't it just like Facebook, but only status updates? I honestly don't care to hear your daily play-by-play. Going grocery shopping! Getting my grub on at McD's! Taking a crap! No one really cares.
Bumpits- Is it just because I'm in Texas that people think that bigger is better? Big hair? Just makes you look like an alien with an over-sized head to me.
anyone elde know of more repulsive trends?!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
amish drunk?
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Police in central Pennsylvania arrested an Amish man on drunk driving charges over the weekend after he was found asleep in his moving buggy. Police said a 22-year-old man was slumped over and asleep in a slow-moving buggy on Sunday night.An off-duty officer from nearby reported seeing the horse pulling the buggy at a walking pace as it straddled the center line.Police said a breathalyzer test snowed the man's blood-alcohol content was 0.18, more than twice the 0.08 legal limit for drivers.
I heard about this and thought it was just the craziest thing ever. I never even knew the amish drank, i thought it was against their religion. Another thing that got me thinking though was the fact that it was an off duty police officer..how could he do anything?..
Source: www.baltimoresun.com
I heard about this and thought it was just the craziest thing ever. I never even knew the amish drank, i thought it was against their religion. Another thing that got me thinking though was the fact that it was an off duty police officer..how could he do anything?..
Source: www.baltimoresun.com
Monday, December 7, 2009
just something to think about..
if you think you're unhappy, look at them...
Observe around you and be thankful for all that you have in this transitory lifetime...
* I thought this was a good time to post this. I just got back form costa rica and i've seen a lot of things I've never even imagined of. It was definately an expierence that made me appreciate what I have & also realize that when ever I think I have to "sooo bad" that there are so many people out there that have it way worse that I do.
Source: I received this via email from a friend
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What is love to you?
I have to write a paper/poem for one of the other classes about what love is and how it's viewed differently by each person. Here's what i have so far. Now i need someone elses opinion or view. Help me out? :)
Comfort on difficult days like today! Smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth.
I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you. Love is allowing them to be who they are!
When you find someone that call you beautiful instead of hot, someone who calls you back when you hang up on them, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... the one who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of their friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much they care and how lucky they are to have you.... The one who turns to their friends and says, "that's him (or her).”
Comfort on difficult days like today! Smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth.
I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you. Love is allowing them to be who they are!
When you find someone that call you beautiful instead of hot, someone who calls you back when you hang up on them, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... the one who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of their friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much they care and how lucky they are to have you.... The one who turns to their friends and says, "that's him (or her).”
Monday, November 9, 2009
Responsiblity? Who's to blame?
In America, and perhaps elsewhere in the world, we seem quick to place blame. Often, we're quick to take litigious action as well. Slip on the ice in front of someone's house? It's their fault for not salting, so sue them. It certainly isn't your fault for not being aware of your surroundings. Burn yourself on coffee? Sue the restaurant who, heaven forbid, thought you might like your hot beverage- well, hot.
I think we've all heard these types of stories, unfortunately. There is also the desire to blame others for things that really are your fault. You don't have a significant other? It's because all men (or women depending on your preference) are jerks/idiots/insert other fitting term here. It can't possibly be because you don't shower and spend your free time picking your nose. These are some light hearted examples, but I think you can get the idea. It feels better to blame others for things that we don't like. That way we don't have to change. That way we can somehow imagine we are better.
There is another, less obvious problem with responsibility assignment. There are those who find it impossible not to take blame for things they have no control over. We all do it to some extent and it is never healthy. At some point, if we want to live a healthy, emotionally stable life we have to recognize that other people are responsible for their own emotions. We don't have license to be an ass to everyone around us because it's their fault if they are upset, that isn't what I'm advocating. There is a point though were you have to recognize they bear some responsibility for their lives. You can't fix them and if they break, it isn't your fault.
I still struggle with this though. If I don't have the words to cheer a friend up, that I have somehow failed. If the friend I have loved and nurtured still spirals into an emotional collapse that I should have somehow done better. It's a lie. I can't be responsible for everyone's well-being. The truth? I have the responsibility to be as good of a friend as I can be and they have to be strong enough to get what they need for themselves. They have to accept the help offered. They have to believe the good things they are told. If they choose not to and fall, it may just be what they need. The help they'll be forced to get now will be so much more than I could have given before they got here.
What about you? Are you more likely to place blame on others when it isn't due or accept blame that isn't yours to take?
I think we've all heard these types of stories, unfortunately. There is also the desire to blame others for things that really are your fault. You don't have a significant other? It's because all men (or women depending on your preference) are jerks/idiots/insert other fitting term here. It can't possibly be because you don't shower and spend your free time picking your nose. These are some light hearted examples, but I think you can get the idea. It feels better to blame others for things that we don't like. That way we don't have to change. That way we can somehow imagine we are better.
There is another, less obvious problem with responsibility assignment. There are those who find it impossible not to take blame for things they have no control over. We all do it to some extent and it is never healthy. At some point, if we want to live a healthy, emotionally stable life we have to recognize that other people are responsible for their own emotions. We don't have license to be an ass to everyone around us because it's their fault if they are upset, that isn't what I'm advocating. There is a point though were you have to recognize they bear some responsibility for their lives. You can't fix them and if they break, it isn't your fault.
I still struggle with this though. If I don't have the words to cheer a friend up, that I have somehow failed. If the friend I have loved and nurtured still spirals into an emotional collapse that I should have somehow done better. It's a lie. I can't be responsible for everyone's well-being. The truth? I have the responsibility to be as good of a friend as I can be and they have to be strong enough to get what they need for themselves. They have to accept the help offered. They have to believe the good things they are told. If they choose not to and fall, it may just be what they need. The help they'll be forced to get now will be so much more than I could have given before they got here.
What about you? Are you more likely to place blame on others when it isn't due or accept blame that isn't yours to take?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
What's Wrong With This Picture?!
Woman calls 911 to report herself as drunk driver
NEILSVILLE, Wis. —
The call came into the 911 dispatcher: “I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’m drunk.” And with that, Mary Strey, 49, of Granton, reported herself as a drunken driver about three miles northeast of Neilsville in central Wisconsin.
Clark County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Backus said Monday that Strey’s call on Oct. 24 led deputies to cite her for misdemeanor drunken driving with a blood-alcohol level double the legal limit to drive. She makes her first court appearance Dec. 10.
Backus said drunken drivers reporting themselves is rare. In the 911 call, Strey said she wanted to report a drunken driver and the dispatcher asked if she was behind the suspect vehicle. “I am them,” Strey said. She then followed the dispatcher’s advice to pull over and turn on her flashers, telling him she had been “drinking all night long.”
okay, can someone please tell me what's wrong with this?! I don't understand people, at ALL. She's breaking the law so she feels the need to tell on herself. Does she not know how bad DUI's can mess up your life.?! She must have litterally been putting them down all day to be that dumb/drunk. Either way, maybe it's good she has a conscience?
NEILSVILLE, Wis. —
The call came into the 911 dispatcher: “I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’m drunk.” And with that, Mary Strey, 49, of Granton, reported herself as a drunken driver about three miles northeast of Neilsville in central Wisconsin.
Clark County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Backus said Monday that Strey’s call on Oct. 24 led deputies to cite her for misdemeanor drunken driving with a blood-alcohol level double the legal limit to drive. She makes her first court appearance Dec. 10.
Backus said drunken drivers reporting themselves is rare. In the 911 call, Strey said she wanted to report a drunken driver and the dispatcher asked if she was behind the suspect vehicle. “I am them,” Strey said. She then followed the dispatcher’s advice to pull over and turn on her flashers, telling him she had been “drinking all night long.”
okay, can someone please tell me what's wrong with this?! I don't understand people, at ALL. She's breaking the law so she feels the need to tell on herself. Does she not know how bad DUI's can mess up your life.?! She must have litterally been putting them down all day to be that dumb/drunk. Either way, maybe it's good she has a conscience?
Monday, November 2, 2009
crazy warning labels
okay so i was read the back on things and noticed some of these, i got some from other people too,b ut take a look..seriously?!
Liquid Plummer: Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages.
Windex: Do not spray in eyes.
Toilet Plunger: Caution: Do not use near power lines.
Dremel Electric Rotary Tool: This product not intended for use as a dental drill.
Arm & Hammer Scoopable Cat Litter: Safe to use around pets.
Bowl Fresh: Safe to use around pets and children, although it is not recommended that either be permitted to drink from toilet.
Endust Duster: This product is not defined as flammable by the Consumer Products Safety
Commision Regulations. However, this product can be ignited under certain circumstances.
Baby Oil: Keep out of reach of children
Little Ones Baby Lotion: Keep away from children
Hair Coloring: Do not use as an ice cream topping.
Wet-Nap: Directions: Tear open packet and use.
Dial Soap: Directions: Use like regular soap.
Stridex Foaming Face Wash: May contain foam.
Hairdryer: Do not use while taking a shower.
Old Spice Red Zone Deodorant: Use only on underarms. Do not take if allergic to Zantac.
Sleeping Pills: Warning: May cause Drowsiness
Christmas Lights: Warning: For indoor or outdoor use only.
Bic Lighter: Ignite lighter away from face.
Komatsu Floodlight: This floodlight is capable of illuminating large areas, even in the dark
Fire Extinguisher: Caution: Non-Flammable
Earplugs: These ear plugs are nontoxic, but may interfere with breathing if caught in windpipe
Matches: Caution: Contents may catch fire.
Pepper Spray: Caution: Never aim spray at your own eyes.
Auto-Shade Widnshield Visor: Warning: Do not drive with sunshade in place. Remove from
windshield before starting ignition.
Fix-a-Flat: WARNING: Do not weld can to rim.
Rain Gauge: Suitable for outdoor use.
RCA Television Remote Control: Not Dishwasher Safe
Pine Mountain Fire Logs: Caution: Risk of fireTriops
Fish Food: Warning: Not for human consumption
Home Depot Treated Lumber: Do not consume
Hair Dryer: Warning: Do not use while sleeping.
Road Sign: Caution water on road during rain.
Camera: This camera will only work when film is inside.
Road Sign: Cemetery Road. Dead End
Church Parking Lot Sign: Thou shalt not park
Children’s Superman Costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
Silk Soy Milk: Shake well and buy often
Air Conditioner: Caution: Avoid dropping air conditioners out of windows.
Rowenta Iron: Warning: Never iron clothes on the body.
Slush Puppy Cup: This ice may be cold
American Airlines Peanuts: Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.
Nabisco Easy Cheese: For best results, remove cap.
Swanson TV Dinners: This product must be cooked before eating.
Hershey’s Almond Bar: Warning: May contain traces of nuts
Heinz Ketchup: Instructions: Put on food
500-piece puzzle: Some assembly required.
Beach Ball: CAUTION: It is not a life saving device.
Chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with hands.
Bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost.
Hotel provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head.
Tesco’s Tiramisu dessert: Do not turn upside down (printed on bottom of the box).
Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
New Zealand insect spray: This product not tested on animals.
Container of salt: Warning: High in sodium
is society really that STUPID?!
Liquid Plummer: Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages.
Windex: Do not spray in eyes.
Toilet Plunger: Caution: Do not use near power lines.
Dremel Electric Rotary Tool: This product not intended for use as a dental drill.
Arm & Hammer Scoopable Cat Litter: Safe to use around pets.
Bowl Fresh: Safe to use around pets and children, although it is not recommended that either be permitted to drink from toilet.
Endust Duster: This product is not defined as flammable by the Consumer Products Safety
Commision Regulations. However, this product can be ignited under certain circumstances.
Baby Oil: Keep out of reach of children
Little Ones Baby Lotion: Keep away from children
Hair Coloring: Do not use as an ice cream topping.
Wet-Nap: Directions: Tear open packet and use.
Dial Soap: Directions: Use like regular soap.
Stridex Foaming Face Wash: May contain foam.
Hairdryer: Do not use while taking a shower.
Old Spice Red Zone Deodorant: Use only on underarms. Do not take if allergic to Zantac.
Sleeping Pills: Warning: May cause Drowsiness
Christmas Lights: Warning: For indoor or outdoor use only.
Bic Lighter: Ignite lighter away from face.
Komatsu Floodlight: This floodlight is capable of illuminating large areas, even in the dark
Fire Extinguisher: Caution: Non-Flammable
Earplugs: These ear plugs are nontoxic, but may interfere with breathing if caught in windpipe
Matches: Caution: Contents may catch fire.
Pepper Spray: Caution: Never aim spray at your own eyes.
Auto-Shade Widnshield Visor: Warning: Do not drive with sunshade in place. Remove from
windshield before starting ignition.
Fix-a-Flat: WARNING: Do not weld can to rim.
Rain Gauge: Suitable for outdoor use.
RCA Television Remote Control: Not Dishwasher Safe
Pine Mountain Fire Logs: Caution: Risk of fireTriops
Fish Food: Warning: Not for human consumption
Home Depot Treated Lumber: Do not consume
Hair Dryer: Warning: Do not use while sleeping.
Road Sign: Caution water on road during rain.
Camera: This camera will only work when film is inside.
Road Sign: Cemetery Road. Dead End
Church Parking Lot Sign: Thou shalt not park
Children’s Superman Costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
Silk Soy Milk: Shake well and buy often
Air Conditioner: Caution: Avoid dropping air conditioners out of windows.
Rowenta Iron: Warning: Never iron clothes on the body.
Slush Puppy Cup: This ice may be cold
American Airlines Peanuts: Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.
Nabisco Easy Cheese: For best results, remove cap.
Swanson TV Dinners: This product must be cooked before eating.
Hershey’s Almond Bar: Warning: May contain traces of nuts
Heinz Ketchup: Instructions: Put on food
500-piece puzzle: Some assembly required.
Beach Ball: CAUTION: It is not a life saving device.
Chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with hands.
Bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost.
Hotel provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head.
Tesco’s Tiramisu dessert: Do not turn upside down (printed on bottom of the box).
Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
New Zealand insect spray: This product not tested on animals.
Container of salt: Warning: High in sodium
is society really that STUPID?!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
okay first read this:
4 charged in alleged gang rape of California girl
By TERRY COLLINS
RICHMOND, Calif. — Four teens could appear in court as early as Thursday after being charged in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside her high school homecoming dance in Northern California.
The four — ages 15, 16, 17 and 19 — were charged Wednesday with rape and enhancements that they acted in concert, which could make them eligible for life in prison. "These are people who played a significant role in the incident," Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan said. "I'm confident that more arrests will be made."
Besides rape, the 19-year-old, Manuel Ortega of Richmond, was charged with robbery and assault causing great bodily injury. It was unknown if he had an attorney.
The other three face one count each of felony rape with a foreign object. They were charged as adults because of the severity of the crime, Gagan said. The 16-year-old also faces robbery charges.
All four remained in custody Wednesday. A fifth suspect arrested Tuesday, 21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez of Richmond, also remained jailed but had not been charged.
The alleged gang rape and beating Saturday night at Richmond High School have rattled the city of about 120,000 in the San Francisco Bay area.
Gang Rape Suspects Set to Appear in Court
Police believe as many as 10 people ranging in age from 15 to mid-20s attacked the girl for more than two hours in a dimly lit area. As many as two dozen people witnessed the rape without notifying police.
Dara Cashman, head of the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office sex crimes unit, told the Contra Costa Times, a Bay area newspaper, that those who witnessed the alleged rape and did not report it could face aiding and abetting charges — if it can be proven that their actions facilitated or goaded the perpetrators.
Police hope a $20,000 reward will bring more people forward with information.
Police received a tip about a possible assault on campus from a former student, who heard two males bragging about it. Officers found the girl semiconscious and naked from the waist down near a picnic table.
Margarita Vargas, who was watching television Saturday night with others at her home two blocks from the school campus, told the newspaper she reported the assault as soon as she heard about it. The newspaper did not say whether Vargas was a student at the school.
"They think it's cool," Vargas said of the alleged perpetrators. "They weren't raised to respect girls."
Gagan said the victim, a sophomore, left the dance and was walking to meet her father for a ride home when a classmate invited her to join a group drinking in the courtyard. The girl had consumed a large amount of alcohol by the time the assault began, police said.
Gagan said the girl's father tried to call her cell phone, but no one answered.
She was released from the hospital Wednesday.
source:http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091029/US.Homecoming.Gang.Rape/
anyway, after reading this, i was absolutely speechless. first off how can anyone do that, let alone WATCH someone do that. there were over 20 witnesses and NO ONE said a word?! really. You can tell me that out of all of those people that "saw" there wasn't at least one that was a friend to the girl. I don't understand people like that. Seriously, maybe there should be a class to teach parents how to raise their children. "They weren't raised to respect girls" REALLY? i wouldn't have guessed. I hope those boys get the same thing when they go to jail. you know exactly what i'm talking about. I bet they wouldnt think it was so cool if somebody did that to one of their little sisters.. hmm.
4 charged in alleged gang rape of California girl
By TERRY COLLINS
RICHMOND, Calif. — Four teens could appear in court as early as Thursday after being charged in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside her high school homecoming dance in Northern California.
The four — ages 15, 16, 17 and 19 — were charged Wednesday with rape and enhancements that they acted in concert, which could make them eligible for life in prison. "These are people who played a significant role in the incident," Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan said. "I'm confident that more arrests will be made."
Besides rape, the 19-year-old, Manuel Ortega of Richmond, was charged with robbery and assault causing great bodily injury. It was unknown if he had an attorney.
The other three face one count each of felony rape with a foreign object. They were charged as adults because of the severity of the crime, Gagan said. The 16-year-old also faces robbery charges.
All four remained in custody Wednesday. A fifth suspect arrested Tuesday, 21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez of Richmond, also remained jailed but had not been charged.
The alleged gang rape and beating Saturday night at Richmond High School have rattled the city of about 120,000 in the San Francisco Bay area.
Gang Rape Suspects Set to Appear in Court
Police believe as many as 10 people ranging in age from 15 to mid-20s attacked the girl for more than two hours in a dimly lit area. As many as two dozen people witnessed the rape without notifying police.
Dara Cashman, head of the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office sex crimes unit, told the Contra Costa Times, a Bay area newspaper, that those who witnessed the alleged rape and did not report it could face aiding and abetting charges — if it can be proven that their actions facilitated or goaded the perpetrators.
Police hope a $20,000 reward will bring more people forward with information.
Police received a tip about a possible assault on campus from a former student, who heard two males bragging about it. Officers found the girl semiconscious and naked from the waist down near a picnic table.
Margarita Vargas, who was watching television Saturday night with others at her home two blocks from the school campus, told the newspaper she reported the assault as soon as she heard about it. The newspaper did not say whether Vargas was a student at the school.
"They think it's cool," Vargas said of the alleged perpetrators. "They weren't raised to respect girls."
Gagan said the victim, a sophomore, left the dance and was walking to meet her father for a ride home when a classmate invited her to join a group drinking in the courtyard. The girl had consumed a large amount of alcohol by the time the assault began, police said.
Gagan said the girl's father tried to call her cell phone, but no one answered.
She was released from the hospital Wednesday.
source:http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091029/US.Homecoming.Gang.Rape/
anyway, after reading this, i was absolutely speechless. first off how can anyone do that, let alone WATCH someone do that. there were over 20 witnesses and NO ONE said a word?! really. You can tell me that out of all of those people that "saw" there wasn't at least one that was a friend to the girl. I don't understand people like that. Seriously, maybe there should be a class to teach parents how to raise their children. "They weren't raised to respect girls" REALLY? i wouldn't have guessed. I hope those boys get the same thing when they go to jail. you know exactly what i'm talking about. I bet they wouldnt think it was so cool if somebody did that to one of their little sisters.. hmm.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Cash on hand?
I was listening to the radio on my way home and I heard them saying that soon you'll be able to go shopping without ever having to carry a purse or wallet again. Yeah, they're trying to implant a mincro chip into your hand. Kinda weird if you ask me. I'd rather just carry my cute purse, thanks!
Anyway, if you want to see the full thing:
Radio frequency identification tags aren't just for pallets of goods in supermarkets anymore.
Applied Digital Solutions of Palm Beach, Fla., is hoping that Americans can be persuaded to implant RFID chips under their skin to identify themselves when going to a cash machine or in place of using a credit card. The surgical procedure, which is performed with local anesthetic, embeds a 12-by-2.1mm RFID tag in the flesh of a human arm.
ADS Chief Executive Scott Silverman, in a speech at the ID World 2003 conference in Paris last Friday, said his company had developed a "VeriPay" RFID technology and was hoping to find partners in financial services firms.
Matthew Cossolotto, a spokesman for ADS who says he's been "chipped," argues that competing proposals to embed RFID tags in key fobs or cards were flawed. "If you lose the RFID key fob or if it's stolen, someone else could use it and have access to your important accounts," Cossolotto said. "VeriPay solves that problem. It's subdermal and very difficult to lose. You don't leave it sitting in the backseat of the taxi."
RFID tags are miniscule microchips, which some manufacturers have managed to shrink to half the size of a grain of sand. They listen for a radio query and respond by transmitting a unique ID code, typically a 64-bit identifier yielding about 18 thousand trillion possible values. Most RFID tags have no batteries. They use the power from the initial radio signal to transmit their response.
When embedded in human bodies, RFID tags raise unique security concerns. First, because they broadcast their ID number, a thief could rig up his or her own device to intercept and then rebroadcast the signal to an automatic teller machine. Second, sufficiently dedicated thieves may try to slice the tags out of their victims.
"We do hear concerns about this from a privacy point of view," Cossolotto said. "Obviously, the company wants to do all it can to protect privacy. If you don't want it anymore...you can go to a doctor and have it removed. It's not something I would recommend people do at home. I call it an opt-out feature."
Chris Hoofnagle, a lawyer at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said implanted RFID tags cause an additional worry. "When your bank card is compromised, all you have to do is make a call to the issuer," Hoofnagle said. "In this case, you have to make a call to a surgeon.
"It doesn't make sense to go from a card, which is controlled by an individual, to a chip, which you cannot control."
ADS shares have slid from a high of about $12 in 2000 to 40 cents, and the company is now fighting to stay listed on the Nasdaq. "Our common stock did not regain the minimum bid price requirement and on Oct. 28, 2003, the Nasdaq Stock Market informed us by letter that our securities would be delisted from the SmallCap," ADS said in a Nov. 14 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company also warned that its implantable microchips are manufactured solely by Raytheon without a "formal written agreement," and any price increases or supply disruptions would have serious negative consequences.
MasterCard has been testing an RFID technology called PayPass. It looks like any other credit card but is outfitted with an RFID tag that lets it be read by a receiver instead of scanned through a magnetic stripe. "We're certainly looking at designs like key fobs," MasterCard Vice President Art Kranzley told USA Today last week. "It could be in a pen or a pair of earrings. Ultimately, it could be embedded in anything--someday, maybe even under the skin."
ADS is running a special promotion, urging Americans to "get chipped." The first 100,000 people to sign up will receive a $50 discount.
Anyway, if you want to see the full thing:
Radio frequency identification tags aren't just for pallets of goods in supermarkets anymore.
Applied Digital Solutions of Palm Beach, Fla., is hoping that Americans can be persuaded to implant RFID chips under their skin to identify themselves when going to a cash machine or in place of using a credit card. The surgical procedure, which is performed with local anesthetic, embeds a 12-by-2.1mm RFID tag in the flesh of a human arm.
ADS Chief Executive Scott Silverman, in a speech at the ID World 2003 conference in Paris last Friday, said his company had developed a "VeriPay" RFID technology and was hoping to find partners in financial services firms.
Matthew Cossolotto, a spokesman for ADS who says he's been "chipped," argues that competing proposals to embed RFID tags in key fobs or cards were flawed. "If you lose the RFID key fob or if it's stolen, someone else could use it and have access to your important accounts," Cossolotto said. "VeriPay solves that problem. It's subdermal and very difficult to lose. You don't leave it sitting in the backseat of the taxi."
RFID tags are miniscule microchips, which some manufacturers have managed to shrink to half the size of a grain of sand. They listen for a radio query and respond by transmitting a unique ID code, typically a 64-bit identifier yielding about 18 thousand trillion possible values. Most RFID tags have no batteries. They use the power from the initial radio signal to transmit their response.
When embedded in human bodies, RFID tags raise unique security concerns. First, because they broadcast their ID number, a thief could rig up his or her own device to intercept and then rebroadcast the signal to an automatic teller machine. Second, sufficiently dedicated thieves may try to slice the tags out of their victims.
"We do hear concerns about this from a privacy point of view," Cossolotto said. "Obviously, the company wants to do all it can to protect privacy. If you don't want it anymore...you can go to a doctor and have it removed. It's not something I would recommend people do at home. I call it an opt-out feature."
Chris Hoofnagle, a lawyer at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said implanted RFID tags cause an additional worry. "When your bank card is compromised, all you have to do is make a call to the issuer," Hoofnagle said. "In this case, you have to make a call to a surgeon.
"It doesn't make sense to go from a card, which is controlled by an individual, to a chip, which you cannot control."
ADS shares have slid from a high of about $12 in 2000 to 40 cents, and the company is now fighting to stay listed on the Nasdaq. "Our common stock did not regain the minimum bid price requirement and on Oct. 28, 2003, the Nasdaq Stock Market informed us by letter that our securities would be delisted from the SmallCap," ADS said in a Nov. 14 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company also warned that its implantable microchips are manufactured solely by Raytheon without a "formal written agreement," and any price increases or supply disruptions would have serious negative consequences.
MasterCard has been testing an RFID technology called PayPass. It looks like any other credit card but is outfitted with an RFID tag that lets it be read by a receiver instead of scanned through a magnetic stripe. "We're certainly looking at designs like key fobs," MasterCard Vice President Art Kranzley told USA Today last week. "It could be in a pen or a pair of earrings. Ultimately, it could be embedded in anything--someday, maybe even under the skin."
ADS is running a special promotion, urging Americans to "get chipped." The first 100,000 people to sign up will receive a $50 discount.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
do the crime, PAY the time?
Tonight on the news, I heard this story out of my hometown of Baltimore, MD. Basically, the sheriff wants to charge inmates $10 a day to be in jail. He also wants to charge them a $35 co-pay for dentist visits and a $25 fee for those that choose to pursue a GED. This measure has not passed in the county government yet but if it passes, the sheriff thinks he can see about $300,000 to 1.5 million dollars in income from these fees. These numbers are based on what the sheriff sees as a "fair amount"; he knows that he probably won't be able to collect all of the fees from every single inmate.On the whole, I think it's a good idea. As a taxpayer, I really don't like having to pay for other people's bad behavior. I think that these payments can act as extra incentive to not go to jail. Yeah, it sucks to go to jail in the first place (although sometimes I'm sure how much some people care whether or not they go to jail in the first place seeing as how they are repeat offenders) but I think that the monetary impact can be a bit more of a deterrent. I do see how a program like this could be a problem. I foresee inmate rights groups stepping in and saying that the financial burden would be too great. A year in jail would cost you $3,650 a year (hey, it's cheaper than yearly rent for most). I can see prisoners refusing to pay and then what would you do? Add time for them not paying? Some people just don't have money and really couldn't pay in the first place.What do you think? Is it a good idea to make people pay for their own jail time?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
burn and get burned..
Four Florida teens who allegedly doused a 15-year-old boy with rubbing alcohol and set him on fire could be charged as adults because of the "degree of cruelty" involved in the attack, officials said today.
Five teens pour rubbing alco
hol on kid and set him on fire as an act of revenge. A fifth boy who is only 13 may be too young to be charged as an adult. The victim, Michael Brewer, remains on a ventilator in Jackson Memorial Ryder Hospital's burn unit. Dr. Nicholas Namias said Brewer is critically ill with burns over 65 percent of his body. "Every part of his body is affected…his torso, legs, arms and head. It does look like the burns to his face and hands are not as bad as they could be," said Namias.
The use of an accelerant means the burn injuries will likely get worse in the coming weeks. "We consider flame burns to be worse that most other types of burns," the doctor said.
Brewer is heavily sedated and his body is extremely swollen, doctors said. Even if Brewer makes it through the next few weeks, there is still the likelihood of organ failures and the painful prospect of multiple operations to replace the burned skin, his doctors said.
The vicious assault has shocked the Deerfield Beach community nestled on the Florida coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, not only for the act of setting Brewer afire but for the teens' chilling reaction.
"I'll be honest with you, a couple of them were laughing about it last night. [Only] one of them seemed genuinely sorry for what he did," said Sgt. Steve Feeley, according to ABC News affiliate WPBF.
"The sheriff called it one of the most heinous crimes he has seen in his 31 years in law enforcement. It's a cliche to say a crime has shocked a community, but this crime really has shocked the community," sheriff office spokesman Jim Leljedal told ABCNews.com.
Charged in the attack are Steve Shelton, 15, of Deerfield Beach, Jeremy Jarvis, 13, Denver Jarvis, 15, Matthew Bent, 15, and Jesus Mendez, 15, all of Pompano Beach.
The boys are all charged with aggravated battery, according to the sheriff's office. In addition, Mendez, who police allege actually flicked the lighter that caused the fire, is charged with attempted second degree murder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIwf1xMYXeU
______
The Broward County State Attorney's office has 30 days to decide whether or not to try Shelton, Bent, Mendez and Denver Jarvis as adults. According to Assistant State Attorney Maria Schneider, in Florida people who are 14 and older can be transferred to adult court for certain types of serious felonies.
"Certainly the degree of cruelty and lack of consideration for others in this crime is something we take very, very seriously," Schneider said.
One of the suspects, Jeremy Jarvis, could only be transferred to adult court by way of a grand jury for certain offenses, but not for aggravated battery, because he is only 13.
In order to make the decision, Schneider said the State Attorney's office will take into account any prior record on the part of the juveniles, their behavioral history and the victim's family's wishes. Schneider said her office has made no decision yet on whether or not to charge the juveniles as adults. "We are nowhere near that point yet," she said.
Authorities are calling the crime a "torturous attack" and say it all may have started over a video game. Authorities said Brewer owed Bent $40 for a video game. When Brewer didn't pay up, Bent tried to steal a bicycle belonging to the Brewer family. The attempted theft was reported to the police.
The next day Brewer went to an apartment complex where the five suspects cornered him near a swimming pool, according to authorities. At that point, the sheriff's office alleges, Denver Jarvis splashed Brewer with rubbing alcohol and Jesus Mendez used a lighter to set him on fire. Brewer ran into the pool to try to douse the flames.
Source:http://abcnews.go.com/Health/US/burned-boys-attackers-adults/Story?id=8829393&page=1
Seriously, what are kids thinking these days?! After reading about this and watching the videos it brought back Fahrenheit a little when Clarisse said she's afraid of kids because they're fun turns to violence and they kill eachother. Maybe Bradbury's vision of our generation is more accurate than we'd like to believe..?
Five teens pour rubbing alco
hol on kid and set him on fire as an act of revenge. A fifth boy who is only 13 may be too young to be charged as an adult. The victim, Michael Brewer, remains on a ventilator in Jackson Memorial Ryder Hospital's burn unit. Dr. Nicholas Namias said Brewer is critically ill with burns over 65 percent of his body. "Every part of his body is affected…his torso, legs, arms and head. It does look like the burns to his face and hands are not as bad as they could be," said Namias.The use of an accelerant means the burn injuries will likely get worse in the coming weeks. "We consider flame burns to be worse that most other types of burns," the doctor said.
Brewer is heavily sedated and his body is extremely swollen, doctors said. Even if Brewer makes it through the next few weeks, there is still the likelihood of organ failures and the painful prospect of multiple operations to replace the burned skin, his doctors said.
The vicious assault has shocked the Deerfield Beach community nestled on the Florida coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, not only for the act of setting Brewer afire but for the teens' chilling reaction.
"I'll be honest with you, a couple of them were laughing about it last night. [Only] one of them seemed genuinely sorry for what he did," said Sgt. Steve Feeley, according to ABC News affiliate WPBF.
"The sheriff called it one of the most heinous crimes he has seen in his 31 years in law enforcement. It's a cliche to say a crime has shocked a community, but this crime really has shocked the community," sheriff office spokesman Jim Leljedal told ABCNews.com.
Charged in the attack are Steve Shelton, 15, of Deerfield Beach, Jeremy Jarvis, 13, Denver Jarvis, 15, Matthew Bent, 15, and Jesus Mendez, 15, all of Pompano Beach.
The boys are all charged with aggravated battery, according to the sheriff's office. In addition, Mendez, who police allege actually flicked the lighter that caused the fire, is charged with attempted second degree murder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIwf1xMYXeU
______
The Broward County State Attorney's office has 30 days to decide whether or not to try Shelton, Bent, Mendez and Denver Jarvis as adults. According to Assistant State Attorney Maria Schneider, in Florida people who are 14 and older can be transferred to adult court for certain types of serious felonies.
"Certainly the degree of cruelty and lack of consideration for others in this crime is something we take very, very seriously," Schneider said.
One of the suspects, Jeremy Jarvis, could only be transferred to adult court by way of a grand jury for certain offenses, but not for aggravated battery, because he is only 13.
In order to make the decision, Schneider said the State Attorney's office will take into account any prior record on the part of the juveniles, their behavioral history and the victim's family's wishes. Schneider said her office has made no decision yet on whether or not to charge the juveniles as adults. "We are nowhere near that point yet," she said.
Authorities are calling the crime a "torturous attack" and say it all may have started over a video game. Authorities said Brewer owed Bent $40 for a video game. When Brewer didn't pay up, Bent tried to steal a bicycle belonging to the Brewer family. The attempted theft was reported to the police.
The next day Brewer went to an apartment complex where the five suspects cornered him near a swimming pool, according to authorities. At that point, the sheriff's office alleges, Denver Jarvis splashed Brewer with rubbing alcohol and Jesus Mendez used a lighter to set him on fire. Brewer ran into the pool to try to douse the flames.
Source:http://abcnews.go.com/Health/US/burned-boys-attackers-adults/Story?id=8829393&page=1
Seriously, what are kids thinking these days?! After reading about this and watching the videos it brought back Fahrenheit a little when Clarisse said she's afraid of kids because they're fun turns to violence and they kill eachother. Maybe Bradbury's vision of our generation is more accurate than we'd like to believe..?
Monday, October 19, 2009
balloon boy?
Okay so I was on my way to work when I heard all of the (supposedly) tragic news about the little boy in the balloon. I was scared for him and for his parents, but when I later heard that it was a set up. The little boy ratted his parents out in a interview saying "you told me to do this for the show". So basically they are all starving for attention..well, now you got it! They said the charges are being overlooked. How can someone get away with something like that? I feel that it's the same thing as prank calling 911. The dad keeps denying it but all of the puzzle pieces fit. I think he deserves the maximum sentence. whatever it may be. It costed a ton of money to get those helicopters and military police out there to "save" the little boy. some people just need a life. Why would you lie about something like that? Havent they ever heard of karma?
Here's the full story:
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091018/US.Balloon.Boy/
Here's the full story:
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091018/US.Balloon.Boy/
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Girls' rules? Boys drool!
I don't know about anyone else, but there are just some things I think every guy should just know. Almost like common sense. If not, here are a few things you should take into consideration fellas ;)...
1. Don't ever lie to us; we always find out.
2. Don't tell us when you think other girls are hot. Ever.
3. You don't have PMS, so don't act like you know what it's like. Don't try to understand...believe me you never will.
4. Saying something sweet might get you off the hook; doing something sweet will always get you off the hook.
5. If you don't act like soap-opera guys, don't expect us to dress like Victoria Secret models.
6. A system in your car only impresses your homeboys.
7. Mark anniversaries on a calendar.
8. This is how we see it . . . Don't Call = Don't Care.
9. Which also means that if we don't call, take the hint.
10. We like you to be a little jealous, but overly possessive is not necessary.
11. Don't take longer to get ready than we do.
12. We don't like it when you act big in front of your "boys".
13. Laugh at our jokes.
14. Three words . . . honesty, honesty, honesty.
15. Silent treatment, shoulder shrugs, tears, yelling and nasty looks all add up to . . . you did something to make us mad
16. If you are not a good dancer, please be self-aware.
17. Just because a girl doesn't pick up on the first ring doesn't mean she's not waiting by the phone.
18. You don't have to spend a lot, if it means a lot.
19. Girls can be groupies. Guy groupies are stalkers.
20. Be spontaneous; dinner and a movie won't always cut it, but it is extremely sweet.
21. We are self-conscious by nature; we can't help it.
22. We are Drama queens; never forget that.
23. Fashion police do exist.
24. We absolutely DO NOT care about monster trucks, car systems, paintball, or anything else you and your friends talk about.
25. Hugs and kisses must be given at all times.
26. We don't shave our legs everyday: get over it.
27. Don't compare us to Pamela Anderson; parts of her are fake, just remember that. (Remember: you have a better shot at us than you ever will have with her.)
28. You can shoot hoops, score a goal, knock down big fat guys, and hit a little baseball with a stick, so why can't you aim in the toilet and not on it?
29. Would you like it if a guy treated your sister that way? We didn't think so!
30. If you ask nicely, we usually answer the same way.
31. Pay attention to the little things we do, because they mean the most.
32. Boxers and maybe boxer briefs sometiems . . . NEVER whitey-tighties, NEVER!
33. "Wife Beaters" are not an adequate form of fashion. See rule #23 ;)
34. If we wanted to be on video tape, we'd be a porn star not your girlfriend.
35. Don't let ex-girlfriends cause drama, relationships are stressful enough.
36. It takes a special kind of stupid to forget birthdays.
37. Clean your room before we come over.
38. Always brush your teeth before you see us . . . a fresh mouth and white teeth are a necessity.
39. We will never have enough clothes or shoes!
40. Most importantly: we are always right in one way or another so don't forget that!
1. Don't ever lie to us; we always find out.
2. Don't tell us when you think other girls are hot. Ever.
3. You don't have PMS, so don't act like you know what it's like. Don't try to understand...believe me you never will.
4. Saying something sweet might get you off the hook; doing something sweet will always get you off the hook.
5. If you don't act like soap-opera guys, don't expect us to dress like Victoria Secret models.
6. A system in your car only impresses your homeboys.
7. Mark anniversaries on a calendar.
8. This is how we see it . . . Don't Call = Don't Care.
9. Which also means that if we don't call, take the hint.
10. We like you to be a little jealous, but overly possessive is not necessary.
11. Don't take longer to get ready than we do.
12. We don't like it when you act big in front of your "boys".
13. Laugh at our jokes.
14. Three words . . . honesty, honesty, honesty.
15. Silent treatment, shoulder shrugs, tears, yelling and nasty looks all add up to . . . you did something to make us mad
16. If you are not a good dancer, please be self-aware.
17. Just because a girl doesn't pick up on the first ring doesn't mean she's not waiting by the phone.
18. You don't have to spend a lot, if it means a lot.
19. Girls can be groupies. Guy groupies are stalkers.
20. Be spontaneous; dinner and a movie won't always cut it, but it is extremely sweet.
21. We are self-conscious by nature; we can't help it.
22. We are Drama queens; never forget that.
23. Fashion police do exist.
24. We absolutely DO NOT care about monster trucks, car systems, paintball, or anything else you and your friends talk about.
25. Hugs and kisses must be given at all times.
26. We don't shave our legs everyday: get over it.
27. Don't compare us to Pamela Anderson; parts of her are fake, just remember that. (Remember: you have a better shot at us than you ever will have with her.)
28. You can shoot hoops, score a goal, knock down big fat guys, and hit a little baseball with a stick, so why can't you aim in the toilet and not on it?
29. Would you like it if a guy treated your sister that way? We didn't think so!
30. If you ask nicely, we usually answer the same way.
31. Pay attention to the little things we do, because they mean the most.
32. Boxers and maybe boxer briefs sometiems . . . NEVER whitey-tighties, NEVER!
33. "Wife Beaters" are not an adequate form of fashion. See rule #23 ;)
34. If we wanted to be on video tape, we'd be a porn star not your girlfriend.
35. Don't let ex-girlfriends cause drama, relationships are stressful enough.
36. It takes a special kind of stupid to forget birthdays.
37. Clean your room before we come over.
38. Always brush your teeth before you see us . . . a fresh mouth and white teeth are a necessity.
39. We will never have enough clothes or shoes!
40. Most importantly: we are always right in one way or another so don't forget that!
Monday, October 5, 2009
The 7 Deadly Sins of Online Chatting
I have been a frequent internet user since I was really young. One of my friends introduced me to AIM and Myspace (althought I dont really use myspace anymore) and helped me get an account. Over the years I have used - learned - learned to avoid the 7 deadly sins of online chatting. Not only does it make you look dumb to the extreme - it is incredibly annoying for others.
1. HAVING CAPS LOCK ON ALL THE TIME
It's okay if you're yelling/making a point/making a word stand out! Don't get me wrong. I do that. But all the time?
It's okay if you're yelling/making a point/making a word stand out! Don't get me wrong. I do that. But all the time?
Which sentence do you prefer:
Went back to school yesterday and it was like WOAH
Went back to school yesterday and it was like WOAH
WENT BACK TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY AND IT WAS LIKE WOAH
Stop it.
2. TyPiN LiKe DiS
I feel like my brain is wobbling when I have to read it! Also, doesn't it kinda take longer for you to talk like that anywho? It may look cool... to like, a 9 year old.
3. Typing with a x on the end
As much as i love my cousin, she does this. Every time she says something she puts x. So our conversations look like:
"Hey whats up?"
"Not much, yourself? x"
"Oh not much, college today. Kinda boring =P"
"Ohh how annoying x""You have a nice day?"
"Yeah been okay thanks x"
Not only is it terribly annoying, i have no idea what the stupid x even means?!
4. txt tlk
I used to do this when i was younger, but I got out of the habit early on. I was quite young, 12 maybe? I now have to think about how text language is used, and what they would say. And i'm finding it harder and harder to read.
5. Being "Away" When you're not actually away!
It's just rude. Seriously. It's like you're choosing who you want to talk to. Something you can only get away with on the online world! it's seriously rude. If you don't want to speak to them... block them! ;)
6. Wheeeeeen peeeeeople eeeelaboraaaate what they're saying, like thisssssssss!
I do it a little... but i genuinely know some people who do it like with every sentence. It's not cool guys. It's annoying.
7. When people change their display name every 2 seconds
If you don't want to use your full name, use a nick name, not some crazy screen name like thing. It's annoying especially when you're searching for someone and you can't find them because their name is constantly changing,
Can you think of any more sins?
Burning Bright
The ending was nothing like what I was expecting. I thought it was the best part of the book. Montag finally did what he needed to do. He put himself before anyone else and did what was right for him. I thought it was kinda crazy when he was running across the highway to get to faber's house. Also, I found Guy to become a little clever towards the end when he went and placed the rest of the books into another firemans house and tried to disguise himself from the police. But what I found weird was that when he met Granger and the other men, I realized he left his wife behind, but it was almost like he started a new life and then it ended. I didn't really like that. I wanted to know how his life continued on or if the police ever caught him.
I definately liked the book though, maybe the movie has an alternate ending? I'm thinking about watching it.
I definately liked the book though, maybe the movie has an alternate ending? I'm thinking about watching it.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Crossing the line?
So this morning I was driving home from my boyfriends house, listening to the talk radio shows. They began the news portion and the headlining story was about a man who was going to court today to fight the system.. here's the story:
The guy woke up in the middle of the night to some noise outside of his home. He saw another man trying to break into his car so he imediately grabbed a baseball bat and told his wife to call 911 while he went out there. Obviously, he hit the theif to stop him and when the police arrived at the scene the man breaking into the car was lying on the ground, knocked out cold and bloody from the other guy.
The guy protecting his property was arrested, taken to jail and charged with a felony. The policed said it was aggravated assult, while the the "bad guy" was only charged with a misdimeanor. I'm not sure about anyone else but as I was listening I thought to myself.."whaaaat?!" It just didn't seem right.
The police said that self defense is only "okay" when it's property inside on your home. So I guess this means you have to start parking your car in the living room like they do at the car dealerships? I mean, some people's cars are more expensive than their home, and they're going to say that you can't do anything about it, if it's not under your roof. Somethings not right there. Whether it's my car or my home, or even my freakin' bike for God's sake, if I paid for it, I'm not going to let someone else steal it.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? I thought it was rather twisted and backwards..
The guy woke up in the middle of the night to some noise outside of his home. He saw another man trying to break into his car so he imediately grabbed a baseball bat and told his wife to call 911 while he went out there. Obviously, he hit the theif to stop him and when the police arrived at the scene the man breaking into the car was lying on the ground, knocked out cold and bloody from the other guy.
The guy protecting his property was arrested, taken to jail and charged with a felony. The policed said it was aggravated assult, while the the "bad guy" was only charged with a misdimeanor. I'm not sure about anyone else but as I was listening I thought to myself.."whaaaat?!" It just didn't seem right.
The police said that self defense is only "okay" when it's property inside on your home. So I guess this means you have to start parking your car in the living room like they do at the car dealerships? I mean, some people's cars are more expensive than their home, and they're going to say that you can't do anything about it, if it's not under your roof. Somethings not right there. Whether it's my car or my home, or even my freakin' bike for God's sake, if I paid for it, I'm not going to let someone else steal it.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? I thought it was rather twisted and backwards..
Monday, September 28, 2009
Does he have a nanny complex?
This article is from the Associated Press.
More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation
By LIBBY QUAID (AP) – WASHINGTON
Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.
Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe. "Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom." The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go. "Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today,"
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Fifth-grader Nakany Camara is of two minds. She likes the four-week summer program at her school, Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville, Md. Nakany enjoys seeing her friends there and thinks summer school helped boost her grades from two Cs to the honor roll. But she doesn't want a longer school day. "I would walk straight out the door," she said.
Domonique Toombs felt the same way when she learned she would stay for an extra three hours each day in sixth grade at Boston's Clarence R. Edwards Middle School. "I was like, `Wow, are you serious?'" she said. "That's three more hours I won't be able to chill with my friends after school." Her school is part of a 3-year-old state initiative to add 300 hours of school time in nearly two dozen schools. Early results are positive. Even reluctant Domonique, who just started ninth grade, feels differently now. "I've learned a lot," she said.
Does Obama want every kid to do these things? School until dinnertime? Summer school? And what about the idea that kids today are overscheduled and need more time to play?
___
Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school.
"Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here," Duncan told the AP. "I want to just level the playing field."
While it is true that kids in many other countries have more school days, it's not true they all spend more time in school.
Kids in the U.S. spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the U.S. on math and science tests — Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the U.S. (180 days).
___
Regardless, there is a strong case for adding time to the school day.
Researcher Tom Loveless of the Brookings Institution looked at math scores in countries that added math instruction time. Scores rose significantly, especially in countries that added minutes to the day, rather than days to the year.
"Ten minutes sounds trivial to a school day, but don't forget, these math periods in the U.S. average 45 minutes," Loveless said. "Percentage-wise, that's a pretty healthy increase."
In the U.S., there are many examples of gains when time is added to the school day.
Charter schools are known for having longer school days or weeks or years.
For example, kids in the KIPP network of 82 charter schools across the country go to school from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than three hours longer than the typical day. They go to school every other Saturday and for three weeks in the summer. KIPP eighth-grade classes exceed their school district averages on state tests.
In Massachusetts' expanded learning time initiative, early results indicate that kids in some schools do better on state tests than do kids at regular public schools. The extra time, which schools can add as hours or days, is for three things: core academics — kids struggling in English, for example, get an extra English class; more time for teachers; and enrichment time for kids.
Regular public schools are adding time, too, though it is optional and not usually part of the regular school day. Their calendar is pretty much set in stone. Most states set the minimum number of school days at 180 days, though a few require 175 to 179 days.
Several schools are going year-round by shortening summer vacation and lengthening other breaks.
Many schools are going beyond the traditional summer school model, in which schools give remedial help to kids who flunked or fell behind.
Summer is a crucial time for kids, especially poorer kids, because poverty is linked to problems that interfere with learning, such as hunger and less involvement by their parents.
That makes poor children almost totally dependent on their learning experience at school, said Karl Alexander, a sociology professor at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, home of the National Center for Summer Learning.
Disadvantaged kids, on the whole, make no progress in the summer, Alexander said. Some studies suggest they actually fall back. Wealthier kids have parents who read to them, have strong language skills and go to great lengths to give them learning opportunities such as computers, summer camp, vacations, music lessons, or playing on sports teams.
"If your parents are high school dropouts with low literacy levels and reading for pleasure is not hard-wired, it's hard to be a good role model for your children, even if you really want to be," Alexander said.
Extra time is not cheap. The Massachusetts program costs an extra $1,300 per student, or 12 percent to 15 percent more than regular per-student spending, said Jennifer Davis, a founder of the program. It received more than $17.5 million from the state Legislature last year.
The Montgomery County, Md., summer program, which includes Brookhaven, received $1.6 million in federal stimulus dollars to operate this year and next, but it runs for only 20 days.
Aside from improving academic performance, Education Secretary Duncan has a vision of schools as the heart of the community. Duncan, who was Chicago's schools chief, grew up studying alongside poor kids on the city's South Side as part of the tutoring program his mother still runs.
"Those hours from 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock are times of high anxiety for parents," Duncan said. "They want their children safe. Families are working one and two and three jobs now to make ends meet and to keep food on the table."
Most parents don't enough time with their children. From health care, to how much I should be volunteering and where, I know Mr. Obama thinks he knows best, but I would hope that parents would turn to homeschooling before he dictates how much longer they are away from home each day.
President Obama, if you didn't know that every study done in the last 50 years says that kids are more likely to succeed when they have more family time- not less of it, then you should hire someone to enlighten you of that fact--go ahead, it's on my dime anyway. You should also be aware of all the studies that suggest children don't get enough sleep already. If you're after kids who will be successful in the future, then any parent with common sense would tell you that they need a BETTER education than what the government dishes out currently--not a longer day of it!
More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation
By LIBBY QUAID (AP) – WASHINGTON
Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.
Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe. "Now, I know longer school days and school years are not wildly popular ideas," the president said earlier this year. "Not with Malia and Sasha, not in my family, and probably not in yours. But the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom." The president, who has a sixth-grader and a third-grader, wants schools to add time to classes, to stay open late and to let kids in on weekends so they have a safe place to go. "Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today,"
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Fifth-grader Nakany Camara is of two minds. She likes the four-week summer program at her school, Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville, Md. Nakany enjoys seeing her friends there and thinks summer school helped boost her grades from two Cs to the honor roll. But she doesn't want a longer school day. "I would walk straight out the door," she said.
Domonique Toombs felt the same way when she learned she would stay for an extra three hours each day in sixth grade at Boston's Clarence R. Edwards Middle School. "I was like, `Wow, are you serious?'" she said. "That's three more hours I won't be able to chill with my friends after school." Her school is part of a 3-year-old state initiative to add 300 hours of school time in nearly two dozen schools. Early results are positive. Even reluctant Domonique, who just started ninth grade, feels differently now. "I've learned a lot," she said.
Does Obama want every kid to do these things? School until dinnertime? Summer school? And what about the idea that kids today are overscheduled and need more time to play?
___
Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school.
"Young people in other countries are going to school 25, 30 percent longer than our students here," Duncan told the AP. "I want to just level the playing field."
While it is true that kids in many other countries have more school days, it's not true they all spend more time in school.
Kids in the U.S. spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the U.S. on math and science tests — Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the U.S. (180 days).
___
Regardless, there is a strong case for adding time to the school day.
Researcher Tom Loveless of the Brookings Institution looked at math scores in countries that added math instruction time. Scores rose significantly, especially in countries that added minutes to the day, rather than days to the year.
"Ten minutes sounds trivial to a school day, but don't forget, these math periods in the U.S. average 45 minutes," Loveless said. "Percentage-wise, that's a pretty healthy increase."
In the U.S., there are many examples of gains when time is added to the school day.
Charter schools are known for having longer school days or weeks or years.
For example, kids in the KIPP network of 82 charter schools across the country go to school from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than three hours longer than the typical day. They go to school every other Saturday and for three weeks in the summer. KIPP eighth-grade classes exceed their school district averages on state tests.
In Massachusetts' expanded learning time initiative, early results indicate that kids in some schools do better on state tests than do kids at regular public schools. The extra time, which schools can add as hours or days, is for three things: core academics — kids struggling in English, for example, get an extra English class; more time for teachers; and enrichment time for kids.
Regular public schools are adding time, too, though it is optional and not usually part of the regular school day. Their calendar is pretty much set in stone. Most states set the minimum number of school days at 180 days, though a few require 175 to 179 days.
Several schools are going year-round by shortening summer vacation and lengthening other breaks.
Many schools are going beyond the traditional summer school model, in which schools give remedial help to kids who flunked or fell behind.
Summer is a crucial time for kids, especially poorer kids, because poverty is linked to problems that interfere with learning, such as hunger and less involvement by their parents.
That makes poor children almost totally dependent on their learning experience at school, said Karl Alexander, a sociology professor at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, home of the National Center for Summer Learning.
Disadvantaged kids, on the whole, make no progress in the summer, Alexander said. Some studies suggest they actually fall back. Wealthier kids have parents who read to them, have strong language skills and go to great lengths to give them learning opportunities such as computers, summer camp, vacations, music lessons, or playing on sports teams.
"If your parents are high school dropouts with low literacy levels and reading for pleasure is not hard-wired, it's hard to be a good role model for your children, even if you really want to be," Alexander said.
Extra time is not cheap. The Massachusetts program costs an extra $1,300 per student, or 12 percent to 15 percent more than regular per-student spending, said Jennifer Davis, a founder of the program. It received more than $17.5 million from the state Legislature last year.
The Montgomery County, Md., summer program, which includes Brookhaven, received $1.6 million in federal stimulus dollars to operate this year and next, but it runs for only 20 days.
Aside from improving academic performance, Education Secretary Duncan has a vision of schools as the heart of the community. Duncan, who was Chicago's schools chief, grew up studying alongside poor kids on the city's South Side as part of the tutoring program his mother still runs.
"Those hours from 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock are times of high anxiety for parents," Duncan said. "They want their children safe. Families are working one and two and three jobs now to make ends meet and to keep food on the table."
Most parents don't enough time with their children. From health care, to how much I should be volunteering and where, I know Mr. Obama thinks he knows best, but I would hope that parents would turn to homeschooling before he dictates how much longer they are away from home each day.
President Obama, if you didn't know that every study done in the last 50 years says that kids are more likely to succeed when they have more family time- not less of it, then you should hire someone to enlighten you of that fact--go ahead, it's on my dime anyway. You should also be aware of all the studies that suggest children don't get enough sleep already. If you're after kids who will be successful in the future, then any parent with common sense would tell you that they need a BETTER education than what the government dishes out currently--not a longer day of it!
the sieve and the sand
This ending really made me want to keep reading. I'm still shocked that when the alarm went off they ended up at Guy's house. As i was reading, I was just thinking "geez, i wonder what was going through his head" as he looked and saw them pull up to his house.
Also, more towards the beginning, It almost made me want to shake millie a little. Why does Guy have ot beg her to listen to him or better yet, even acknowledge him. You can tell that Montag notices, he even tells Faber that when he's at home it's like he talks to the walls because Millie doesnt listen because she's listening to the walls.It's almost like she doesnt even want to be married to him. Their relationship reminds me more of something like roomates.
It seemed to me that Guy really enjoys Faber's company. Those two seems to really connect on the same level.
I'm so ready to see what's going to take place next, especially since Montag is about to lose his home.
Also, more towards the beginning, It almost made me want to shake millie a little. Why does Guy have ot beg her to listen to him or better yet, even acknowledge him. You can tell that Montag notices, he even tells Faber that when he's at home it's like he talks to the walls because Millie doesnt listen because she's listening to the walls.It's almost like she doesnt even want to be married to him. Their relationship reminds me more of something like roomates.
It seemed to me that Guy really enjoys Faber's company. Those two seems to really connect on the same level.
I'm so ready to see what's going to take place next, especially since Montag is about to lose his home.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Please keep your child on a leash!..?
Today’s topic of conversation: leash kids. This is nothing new – they’ve been around for years.
That’s right – kids on leashes. Kind of like dogs on leashes, only instead if K-9s, we’re talking humans here. The reason I bring this up is because today as I was watching tv, I Came across the Dr. Phil show. Today it was about a Woman in Georgia who was charged with child cruelty for dragging her son on a leash through a store.
Maybe I’m a little naive here and that there may be a perfectly good explanation for the leash kid phenomenon. Still, most of time when I see a child strapped up in a fluorescent harness, I feel an overwhelming sense of pity. Why can’t mom/dad/nanny just hold onto the kid’s hand, particularly if there is only one kid – not eight – to keep track of? Surely some traditional hand-holding would do the trick, as well as foster that essential, warm and fuzzy caregiver-child bond. I mean, if you were a kid on leash, would you not feel a little confused/degraded that both you and pet Fido were toted around in the same way? Even worse, I've even seen some people push their dogs around in strollers while their child is latched to their wrist by a leash? Is it just meor is something wrong with that picture?!
And leash kids are taken to a whole new level with the advent of Smart Target’s Kiddo Keeper, which is basically the equivalent to those alarms you can buy to locate your keys or TV remote. The Kiddo Keeper Web site, in fact, also markets the product as a way “to monitor valuable properties or pets” – see? Wow. Whatever happened to actually paying attention to your little one? At first I got a little concerned when I read the article that led me to the product, which at one point describes the Kiddo Keeper as akin to an electric dog collar that will shock your kid if he/she wanders too far away. Who in their right mind would want to do that to their child. Why even have children if you think it's that hard to look after them.
I suppose some kids are just that rampantly wild that they must be restrained somehow. I’m hoping Baby Lump doesn’t turn out this way. So help me if I have to resort to treating my kid like an animal, or worse – a set of keys.
What's with girls these days?!
You hear about it all the time, girls crying or whining and complaining about how rude their boyfriend is, or how he "won't let them do something" last time I checked, there's a difference between your father and your man. I mean, yes, My boyfriend and I argue sometimes, but it doesn't last more than 5 minutes. In particular, my best friend, she always calls me crying about how her boyfriend yelled at her for something so stupid, or maybe even no reason at all. She tries to do something for him and since he's having a bad day, he takes it out on her.( sometimes, threatens to "break up with her", which i see as very immature) all the time. Then later on he realizes it, appologizes and she forgives him. This process has been repeating for over a year. I don't understand how someone can claim to be happy with someone like that? I mean, I belive in forgive and forget, but not 50 thousand times. Thats a habit, not an accident. There are a few times you should just get rid of, such as :
Repeat Offenders
If a guy has lost his cool, on multiple occasions, and made an idiot out of himself, break up. If he's done it multiple times, there's a good chance he'll do it many more times. Some would say "Well he doesn't do it to me, just to people around him." Are you serious? That because he's trying to IMPRESS YOU AT THE TIME!!! Wait till he gets tired of you or you're married and the newness of the relationship has worn off. Then we'll see who he really is, and I'll bet you're not going to like it.
Controlling
If a guy starts telling you who you can and can't be around, who he doesn't want you to talk to, where he wants you to go, and gets paranoid all the time that you're talking to other guys, break up. Guys that hold a vice grip on there girl are usually insecure about themselves. They know they're not a good guy and they're afraid you'll figure it out too. They constantly fear you finding a "better" guy, which wouldn't be too difficult, so they cut off your connection to anyone but them. These are serious danger signs and can lead to many things, including abuse. Basically he's wondering how you could be dumb enough to stick with him?
Abusive
This is an obvious one, but lots of girls still don't get it. If a guy hits you, for no matter what reason, and later asks you to forgive him, break up immediately. I don't care if he says he'll do better, or that he'll change his way, because he usually won't and there's no harm in keeping your distance while you observe his "transformation." All to many times, girls forgive abusive partners, when they should really be getting away immediately since it can only get worse. Abuse is not only confined to physical striking, but can be classified as verbal or emotional abuse. Whichever the case may be, don't allow your kindness to blind you from the truth.
Girls, stop being so nice please. It's for your own safety. If you feel you are in danger and/or a bad relationship in any way, don't hesitate to seek help. Ditch those losers, there is always room for improvement ;)
Repeat Offenders
If a guy has lost his cool, on multiple occasions, and made an idiot out of himself, break up. If he's done it multiple times, there's a good chance he'll do it many more times. Some would say "Well he doesn't do it to me, just to people around him." Are you serious? That because he's trying to IMPRESS YOU AT THE TIME!!! Wait till he gets tired of you or you're married and the newness of the relationship has worn off. Then we'll see who he really is, and I'll bet you're not going to like it.
Controlling
If a guy starts telling you who you can and can't be around, who he doesn't want you to talk to, where he wants you to go, and gets paranoid all the time that you're talking to other guys, break up. Guys that hold a vice grip on there girl are usually insecure about themselves. They know they're not a good guy and they're afraid you'll figure it out too. They constantly fear you finding a "better" guy, which wouldn't be too difficult, so they cut off your connection to anyone but them. These are serious danger signs and can lead to many things, including abuse. Basically he's wondering how you could be dumb enough to stick with him?
Abusive
This is an obvious one, but lots of girls still don't get it. If a guy hits you, for no matter what reason, and later asks you to forgive him, break up immediately. I don't care if he says he'll do better, or that he'll change his way, because he usually won't and there's no harm in keeping your distance while you observe his "transformation." All to many times, girls forgive abusive partners, when they should really be getting away immediately since it can only get worse. Abuse is not only confined to physical striking, but can be classified as verbal or emotional abuse. Whichever the case may be, don't allow your kindness to blind you from the truth.
Girls, stop being so nice please. It's for your own safety. If you feel you are in danger and/or a bad relationship in any way, don't hesitate to seek help. Ditch those losers, there is always room for improvement ;)
Monday, September 21, 2009
maybe I just need a life?
I'm one of those people that says they're on the computer to do homework and end up procrastinating on facebook. Well, I've been getting "farmville" notifications left and right. I always have ignored them, but one day I got really tired of hearing all about this game so I decided to accept the invitation. Oh my, it's so true. I'm already hooked. I never thought a game so lme would be so fun, its almost like a good book, it keeps you coming back for more, because you have to wait for certain things to grow before you can get the points and move on. Yeah, I know it sounds really pathetic, but seriously, try it. ;) after you finish all your homework, of course!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
F51
I'm not sure about anyone else, but I kinda think that the way this book was written, takes a lot of concentration and comprehension to understand it. I found myself constantly re-reading things to make sure I got it. I wanted to make sure I caught all of the major points because I have been told by a ton of people that this is a good book. ( and if it's banned, it obviously has some sort of juicy stuff in it). Anyway,the main character Montag, is a fireman, but not your average kind of fireman. These were the ones from way back when. The story took place in the 24th century. Therefore, thedres many changes. Instead of putting out fires in houses, the fire fighters are called upon to burn books. Back then, books were against the law, and whoever had them their house was in trouble too. Montag is married to his wife Millie. Until one day Montag actually realizes that he's not happy. He began having these thoughts, and other random thoughts after talking to his new neighbor, a teenage girl, about 17, named Clarisse. She was a very spontanious girl, always studying people and asking "why?" of "do you ever wonder.."After becoming somewhat of friends with the girl, she ends up dying in a car crash (supposedly) Montag began second guessing his job. He didn't know if it was for him anymore. His curiosity got the best of him after getting close to the neighbor girl and he also started feeling guilty about ass the damange he had done. His curiousity led him to steal some books, in particular, The Bible. Captain Beatty, the fire chief, knew about it and happened to forget about it.
I felt that it was a ton of introductory information to catch us up to speed, almost too much to grasp at once, but I think I got it. :) I was just confused about the robot dog things. Can someone explain it to me. It threw me off a little. Who are they and what are they for?
I felt that it was a ton of introductory information to catch us up to speed, almost too much to grasp at once, but I think I got it. :) I was just confused about the robot dog things. Can someone explain it to me. It threw me off a little. Who are they and what are they for?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Pointers for the VMA's
Taylor Swift should have checked in with me for some pointers on how to deal with the egotistical nut job that is Kanye West.
I have a black belt in Kayne-Foo.
If you or someone you love is accepting an award at a music/movie/television/or dog competition and Kanye West is present, PLEASE for the LOVE OF TWINKIES follow these important tips.
#1. Scenario number one. You are Taylor Swift and you are giving an acceptance speech and a douchebag with weird hair approaches you:
What you do is this: FIRST DO NOT GIVE HIM THE MICROPHONE. RUN! Find a guy named Bruno and have him aim straight for Kanye's head. He's probably the reason for the teardrops on her guitar.?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI
then Michael Myers should have done this:
#3 If you are backstage and have a video camcorder when Kanye West is throwing a huge fit, do as the man says. Get Britney and that snake!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-631TgPP2s
Then once you have the snake, preferably a boa constrictor, do as told:
Wrap the snake around Kayne's neck, wait about 5 minutes for complete results. Samuel L Jackson will even let you borrow his snakes too for the job.
#4 If you are President Obama and you are giving a speech and Kayne interrupts you,
just tell him "not true" like a good politician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKIcrDsJAs&feature=player_embedded
#5 If you are an average civilian, do not buy Kayne West's music. If you see Kanye in public, summon the force to beat him down.
#6 If you are MTV and you are making invitations for the VMAs--
Don't send an invitation to a guy named Kayne West. EVER or let anyone at the VMAs drink Henny straight from the bottle. That's really un-pimp like. For shame. Maybe that snake outfit lady will choke him off for us...
I have a black belt in Kayne-Foo.
If you or someone you love is accepting an award at a music/movie/television/or dog competition and Kanye West is present, PLEASE for the LOVE OF TWINKIES follow these important tips.
#1. Scenario number one. You are Taylor Swift and you are giving an acceptance speech and a douchebag with weird hair approaches you:
What you do is this: FIRST DO NOT GIVE HIM THE MICROPHONE. RUN! Find a guy named Bruno and have him aim straight for Kanye's head. He's probably the reason for the teardrops on her guitar.?
#2 If you are Michael Myers at a benefit concert and Kanye West is to stand next to you and he goes off about how Bush wanted to kill black people (I think it's more of the Muslim guy named Saddam really)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI
then Michael Myers should have done this:
#3 If you are backstage and have a video camcorder when Kanye West is throwing a huge fit, do as the man says. Get Britney and that snake!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-631TgPP2s
Then once you have the snake, preferably a boa constrictor, do as told:
Wrap the snake around Kayne's neck, wait about 5 minutes for complete results. Samuel L Jackson will even let you borrow his snakes too for the job.
#4 If you are President Obama and you are giving a speech and Kayne interrupts you,
just tell him "not true" like a good politician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKIcrDsJAs&feature=player_embedded
#5 If you are an average civilian, do not buy Kayne West's music. If you see Kanye in public, summon the force to beat him down.
#6 If you are MTV and you are making invitations for the VMAs--
Don't send an invitation to a guy named Kayne West. EVER or let anyone at the VMAs drink Henny straight from the bottle. That's really un-pimp like. For shame. Maybe that snake outfit lady will choke him off for us...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Writing from the darkness
While I was reading this story, I felt like I was able to connect with the writer. Especially on page 7 when she began to talk about some of the things she wrote in her journals, like about how she felt like she didnt fit into her family or she was the oddbal, always the one geting in trouble. I can remember having feelings such as those growing up too, i'm not sure how old the writer is but I remeber feeling those ways when I was about 14 or so. I felt like I could never do anything right, my little brother was perfect in my parent and and i ised to sit in my room and write about my feelings because I felt that I couldnt share it with anyone because they wouldn't be able to relate. I kinda think that everyone has feelings like these growing up though. Sometimes girls more than boys, because everyone knows we are much more emotional. I thought this was a good piece to read though. I enjoyed it, a lot!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The fashion police
So Its been the talk for quite some time now and now they're contemplating on making it a law? Sagging pants ladies and gentlemen. You could be arrested for you pants being too low? I can agree that not everyone cares to see your panties or your big boy shorts, but really? jail time? Speaking of which, the "saggy baggies" (as my high school principal referred to them) originated in jail. Back when the inmates were given over sized pants without belts to hold them up. It was originally used as a discrete sign the inmates used to inform other inmates that they were available for sexual favors. So back then, it was a sign homosexuality. I wish this generation knew that. I'm almost positive that half of today's youth wouldnt follow the trend if they knew the orgin.
Below is thelink to a video they showed at my high school to begin the banning on low pants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12UciT0TUYE
Below is thelink to a video they showed at my high school to begin the banning on low pants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12UciT0TUYE
8 trends I refuse to follow
Everyone has that one little thing that the crowd does that they don't want to do. Okay, maybe not everyone, because then there wouldn't be a crowd, really.
Almost everybody has their little guilty pleasure that a lot of people side with, but not me. I refuse to be a part of the dork side. Without further explanation, here are the top ten trends that everyone else seems to follow...that I just can't.
8. World of Warcraft
There are actually a number of reasons I don't play WoW, one being that I might get so addicted, I'd forget I have bowel functions and just have to start buying adult diapers. Seriously, NOTHING IS THAT IMPORTANT. sorry!
7. Fantasy chain emails/Myspace bulletins
I call them "fantasy emails/bulletins" because they always read, "pass dis on and ur crush will call u up an make owt wit chew 2niiiiiiight!" That's not exactly fantasy for me, since I've already kissed my crush (more than once, oh yeah), but maybe those emails are meant for those addicted to World of Warcraft. Hmm.
6. Harry Potter
Okay, most of you aren't going to side with me on this one, but I'm not a Potterhead. I haven't read the books, haven't watched the movies, and don't care to. It's just not my thing. (Maybe I haven't watched/read it yet because I'm scared I might like it and become a nerd). Care to change my mind?
5. High School Musical
Okay, now this is just stupid. Seriously,I can tell you that high school, no matter where you learn, isn't full of people dancing and flipping through the halls and singing to each other until they fall in love, and then something bad happens and they hate each other, but only until they realize they were totally made for each other, because he's a good singer and she's hot, so they live happily ever after until the sequel. I watched the first one for about ten minutes one time, and I was laughing so hard, everyone in the room thought I was having a seizure. True story.
4. The Jonas Brothers or the "Jobros?"
If the music they played made sense, I might like it. If they played actual rock music (since they claim to be a rock band), I might give them a listen. If they didn't wear skinny jeans and look like girls, I'd probably be singing along.
I don't want to have to buy a decrypter to listen to music. Therefore, I don't listen to the Jonas Brothers.
3. Boys in skinny jeans
Skinny jeans + men = fail. Your mancard must be destroyed now. You just broke like the #1 man law.
i'm just not diggin' that style..
2. Twitter
I actually have multiple reasons for not joining Twitter, one being that I can't possibly sum up pieces of my life in 140 characters, unless I need to say something like, "I ran out of toilet paper! LOL!" Two, I don't want to hear about the lives of others, either. Well, besides creeping on facebook and stuff. And finally, three, I'm not going to "follow" someone on Twitter, or likewise, have such done with me. It'd make me feel too important, and "following" someone on Twitter would make me feel like I'm referring to a religious figure. Or something like stalking.
1. Twilight
Here's the number one reason men don't like Twilight: Robert Pattinson is in it, and he's basically portrayed as like the perfect boyfriend like omg lol. Guys hate stuff like that, the same us girls hate Jessica Simpson, Megan Fox, and Paris Hilton.
& There you have it. Maybe not the worst trends of all time, but they're definitely up there on the list.
Almost everybody has their little guilty pleasure that a lot of people side with, but not me. I refuse to be a part of the dork side. Without further explanation, here are the top ten trends that everyone else seems to follow...that I just can't.
8. World of Warcraft
There are actually a number of reasons I don't play WoW, one being that I might get so addicted, I'd forget I have bowel functions and just have to start buying adult diapers. Seriously, NOTHING IS THAT IMPORTANT. sorry!
7. Fantasy chain emails/Myspace bulletins
I call them "fantasy emails/bulletins" because they always read, "pass dis on and ur crush will call u up an make owt wit chew 2niiiiiiight!" That's not exactly fantasy for me, since I've already kissed my crush (more than once, oh yeah), but maybe those emails are meant for those addicted to World of Warcraft. Hmm.
6. Harry Potter
Okay, most of you aren't going to side with me on this one, but I'm not a Potterhead. I haven't read the books, haven't watched the movies, and don't care to. It's just not my thing. (Maybe I haven't watched/read it yet because I'm scared I might like it and become a nerd). Care to change my mind?
5. High School Musical
Okay, now this is just stupid. Seriously,I can tell you that high school, no matter where you learn, isn't full of people dancing and flipping through the halls and singing to each other until they fall in love, and then something bad happens and they hate each other, but only until they realize they were totally made for each other, because he's a good singer and she's hot, so they live happily ever after until the sequel. I watched the first one for about ten minutes one time, and I was laughing so hard, everyone in the room thought I was having a seizure. True story.
4. The Jonas Brothers or the "Jobros?"
If the music they played made sense, I might like it. If they played actual rock music (since they claim to be a rock band), I might give them a listen. If they didn't wear skinny jeans and look like girls, I'd probably be singing along.
I don't want to have to buy a decrypter to listen to music. Therefore, I don't listen to the Jonas Brothers.
3. Boys in skinny jeans
Skinny jeans + men = fail. Your mancard must be destroyed now. You just broke like the #1 man law.
i'm just not diggin' that style..
2. Twitter
I actually have multiple reasons for not joining Twitter, one being that I can't possibly sum up pieces of my life in 140 characters, unless I need to say something like, "I ran out of toilet paper! LOL!" Two, I don't want to hear about the lives of others, either. Well, besides creeping on facebook and stuff. And finally, three, I'm not going to "follow" someone on Twitter, or likewise, have such done with me. It'd make me feel too important, and "following" someone on Twitter would make me feel like I'm referring to a religious figure. Or something like stalking.
1. Twilight
Here's the number one reason men don't like Twilight: Robert Pattinson is in it, and he's basically portrayed as like the perfect boyfriend like omg lol. Guys hate stuff like that, the same us girls hate Jessica Simpson, Megan Fox, and Paris Hilton.
& There you have it. Maybe not the worst trends of all time, but they're definitely up there on the list.
Friday, September 4, 2009
No, heres a tip for you..
Okay so I know having a job as a sever can be stressful sometimes and fun others. What makes it this way?! Customers. Yeah, it's easy. When they're happy, i'm happy and vise versa. Then there are other times when I run my butt off for tables and do everything under the sun to make their expierence enjoyable and the result: the crappiest tip known to man. I dont get it. Thats not the worst part though. Then they sit there forever talking about nonsense while i'm stuck watching them enjoy themselves and thinking about how much homework I have to do. Today is a perfect example. There was a party of 7 that came in today. 7 adult, so it wasn't like it was going to be kid's mealks and a cheap bill. So I volunteered to take them. I greeted them and took their drink order. That went well, next I asked about appeteizers. Maybe that was a bad idea though. It took them ( all sarcasm aside ) 15 minutes to decide on an appetizer. That's equalivant to the cook time for the main course. Obviously if it takes you that long to decide, you probably don't need it. So anyway, after that, it went smoothly. Their food came out perfect but this is where the work started. They were the most demanding people I have ever met. I tried my best to keep their drinks constantly full. It was a challenge with 4 other tables. As I refilled 4 of them and returned them quickly, the next 2 people shout "Could I have some more too?"..Uhh, did you not just hear me ask if anyone else needed something. No, I just smiled and said sure. This happened the whole time they were there. I was constantly running for something for them. After all, I figured a big bill equaled a big tip. Wrong. I took out the check and when I came back to get it, the lady smiled at me and said "Here's money for the bill, and this if for your wonderful service!" So I politely thanked her and walked away. Then I count it. $5 on a $165 check?! Really? She just said I was wonderful.. There has to be more money on the table or something. Nope. Not a dime. I don't understand people. Do They not know that servers depend on tips? We make $2.83 probably equalivant to what your grandma made when she was younger. So when i got home I sat here on the internet and came across a blog called " The Raging Server" in there he states rules of service which I think everyone should read. Seriously. Spread the word. Most servers are just like me. Poor and in college. We have bills to pay for too. If you can't afford to leave a decent tip for a server you ran like a horse in the Kentucky Derby, you probably should be standing in your own kitchen, cooking your own food!
www.ragingserver.com
Rule #1: When you sit down at your table, don’t wave at us, don’t holler and yell at us, and don’t sit with your arms crossed. We see you sitting down, and if we’re busy, it might take a minute. Rest assured, we know you’re there. If we don’t happen to be in the area when you sit down, someone WILL let us know about it. You pay our bills, we don’t like making you mad.
Rule #2: When we start our spiel of drinks, specials, appetizers, etc., please please Please do not interrupt us with your order. We’re doing our job, and we can be disciplined for not doing our job. Also, for those of you with the constantus interruptus issue, if we didn’t do said spiel, you’d say something to the management about our not doing our spiel with you, and we’d still be disciplined.
Rule #3: When we are waiting for your alcoholic beverage, and you see us standing by the bar with our arms crossed, unless you see us giggling and laughing with our friends, we are usually upset at the amount of time we have to wait for your drink. As I said before, making you mad hurts our money, unless you’ve upset us first, that’s not what we want.
Rule #4: If you say that you’re ready to order, and we begin taking your order, that is NOT the time to ask us why we don’t have spaghetti and meatballs in the pasta portion of our menu. If it’s not there, then we obviously don’t serve spaghetti and meatballs. When you tell us that you’re ready to order, we take that to mean that you’re ready to order. Little questions are okay, e.g., “Does this have any nuts in it?”. If side items are not listed, then yes, by all means, ask us about the side items. Don’t get mad at us when we say that you can’t substitute something without an upcharge, we don’t make the rules, we just play by them.
Rule #5: Leaving $2.00 every time you go out to eat is UNACCEPTABLE. This is not the 60’s, the cost of living has gone up, and a $2.00 tip is insulting, especially on those larger checks.
Rule #6: Those of you with children should take that extra little addition into account when figuring up your tip. We have to clean up after your messy child, and should be paid accordingly. If there are cheerio crumbs all over the ground, and spit up all over the table, then you should leave at least an EXTRA %3 on top of what you’re already leaving.
Rule #7: If you plan to camp at the table for an hour or more after you’ve paid your bill, please consider leaving extra money to compensate us for the loss of that table. We generally run 3-5 table sections, and you taking up our table (or more than one when you have a party requiring more than one table) is keeping us from making our money. If you have to sit for the entire 3 hours of the game, or the entire Nascar race, please tip accordingly.
Rule #8: Tipping %10 may have been acceptable years ago, but these days it is not. We have to claim every bit of our tips. If we’ve made only %10 the entire shift, we claim all of that, tip out on that, and end up making about %7.5 for the night. That does NOT pay our bills, or feed our families.
www.ragingserver.com
Rule #1: When you sit down at your table, don’t wave at us, don’t holler and yell at us, and don’t sit with your arms crossed. We see you sitting down, and if we’re busy, it might take a minute. Rest assured, we know you’re there. If we don’t happen to be in the area when you sit down, someone WILL let us know about it. You pay our bills, we don’t like making you mad.
Rule #2: When we start our spiel of drinks, specials, appetizers, etc., please please Please do not interrupt us with your order. We’re doing our job, and we can be disciplined for not doing our job. Also, for those of you with the constantus interruptus issue, if we didn’t do said spiel, you’d say something to the management about our not doing our spiel with you, and we’d still be disciplined.
Rule #3: When we are waiting for your alcoholic beverage, and you see us standing by the bar with our arms crossed, unless you see us giggling and laughing with our friends, we are usually upset at the amount of time we have to wait for your drink. As I said before, making you mad hurts our money, unless you’ve upset us first, that’s not what we want.
Rule #4: If you say that you’re ready to order, and we begin taking your order, that is NOT the time to ask us why we don’t have spaghetti and meatballs in the pasta portion of our menu. If it’s not there, then we obviously don’t serve spaghetti and meatballs. When you tell us that you’re ready to order, we take that to mean that you’re ready to order. Little questions are okay, e.g., “Does this have any nuts in it?”. If side items are not listed, then yes, by all means, ask us about the side items. Don’t get mad at us when we say that you can’t substitute something without an upcharge, we don’t make the rules, we just play by them.
Rule #5: Leaving $2.00 every time you go out to eat is UNACCEPTABLE. This is not the 60’s, the cost of living has gone up, and a $2.00 tip is insulting, especially on those larger checks.
Rule #6: Those of you with children should take that extra little addition into account when figuring up your tip. We have to clean up after your messy child, and should be paid accordingly. If there are cheerio crumbs all over the ground, and spit up all over the table, then you should leave at least an EXTRA %3 on top of what you’re already leaving.
Rule #7: If you plan to camp at the table for an hour or more after you’ve paid your bill, please consider leaving extra money to compensate us for the loss of that table. We generally run 3-5 table sections, and you taking up our table (or more than one when you have a party requiring more than one table) is keeping us from making our money. If you have to sit for the entire 3 hours of the game, or the entire Nascar race, please tip accordingly.
Rule #8: Tipping %10 may have been acceptable years ago, but these days it is not. We have to claim every bit of our tips. If we’ve made only %10 the entire shift, we claim all of that, tip out on that, and end up making about %7.5 for the night. That does NOT pay our bills, or feed our families.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
What should colleges teach?
As I was reading this article, i was shocked. Good writing skills weren't a big concern in the classes? What? Writing and reading are part of everyday life. It's like breathing, you need to do it. Everyone should be taught the impotance of knowing how to write (& speak) with proper english. In a way, it is simalar to math and science. We can relate those subjects to everyday life also. Maybe not that crazy graphing X and Y stuff but the formulas can be applied to almost anything. I've noticed more and more though, most schools, even at the high school level now, offer nonsense classes, almost like "hey come waste your time here instead of using it for another class that you could actually get something out of" I remember in my school, we had a Weight Traning class. Yes, I completely understand being healthy & in shape is important these days, but really if it's that important to you, do it as a hobby and definately don't take a class like that in college, thats like paying for an overpriced gym membership. I'm pretty sure most of us don't have money like that to just hand out for free, but I mean, if you do, I have both hands open ;). College's need to make sure that their students are receiving the education that they are paying for to be sucessful later in life. If students aren't sucessful in developing necessary skills, there's no way they will be able to be sucessful later in life. Stanley Fish made it seem simple. He said " There is a difference between not doing the job and getting the job done by another route." Meaning, it doesnt matter how you teach it, just make sure you teach it. Don't cover it up by trying to teach something else and completely skip over the important stuff.
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