The Case Against Summer Vacation

I think that the amount of time students go to school is very dependent on how well they do. For example, I think that high school students should switch schedules with the elementary schools and start later. It is a known fact that teenagers and adults need more sleep, at least 8 hours in order to do their best. Younger kids do not need as much sleep because they're more awake so I think it would be more efficient if they started earlier. Also, I think that older kids would be more focused if they started later because they are more awake. I think that the school day should only be about 5 hours instead of six and a half because after a while they start to loose focus and wont even remember what they've been learning. I think that we have a lot of pressure on us and the fact that we sit in school for six and a half hours and then go home and do more work is very stressful. I also think it would be a good idea if we could have an early release every, let's say, Wednesday. Most importantly, I think that summer vacation should not only be two full months but four because we go to school for 180 days out of the year, so I think we should get more of a reward for the amount of work we get handed to us.

Luke Bryan "Crash My Party" Album Review

                Luke Bryan, a very successful modern country singer has released his top album titled, ‘Crash My Party”, on August 13, 2013. This album was his fourth studio album and just happened to be his most successful yet. Its first single, the title track, reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Top Country Albums chart, which is a very big deal. This album was produced by Jeff Stevens, who produced his other three albums as well. “Crash My Party” had sold 528,000 copies in the first week and 1,069,000 copies in the United States as of October 23, 2013. This album has 13 songs which all of them are about having a good time and spring break coming to an end. This has been the most copies he has sold in this short amount of time and that is something that is very difficult to do. Luke Bryan now definitely has a lot to live up to in order to keep becoming more and more successful.

                Luke Bryan is considered more as a “polite party boy” rather than dangerous and edgy such as Jason Aldean and Eric Church. His lyrics are to make sure everyone is having as much fun listening to them as he did writing them, which seemed to be a successful motive. All of Luke Bryans song on this album were given a grade higher than a B with an exception of four consisting of two B-‘s and two C’s. These songs were entitled, “Blood Brothers”, “Goodbye Girl”, “I see you”, and “That’s My Kind of Night”. This makes sense because before I actually sat down and listened to the whole album I have not heard of any of those songs besides “That’s My Kind of Night” and I was not too impressed with it. Other than those four songs they all got pretty high ratings. The most popular song, which is actually the title of the album, “Crash My Party”, is a mid-temp invitation to love and has a very sensual mood, even though the title sounds like it would be a more up-beat crazy song. Another song titled, “Play it Again”, is also one of the best songs on the album. It delivers a “sexual” euphemism and also displays a mid-tempo beat. This song is about meeting a girl who he falls in love with right on the spot. It is obvious that the title of this album is meant to connect to every song and distribute the tone to the listeners and make them feel a certain way, happy. “Crash My Party” definitely ensured that fans were having a good time and pumped everyone up, but at the same time set a mood of relaxation. Though most of his song on the album seem to be more mid-tempo I think that’s what was more surprising because usually his songs are more up-beat. I think this made Luke Bryan realize this is what his fans like more and I believe this is how more of his music will now sound like.

                In my opinion, I think that Luke Bryan’s album was definitely his best and most successful yet. I think it was perfect because it was summer time and all of his songs had the mood of happiness that everyone loves. I think that helped his success because not only were the songs great but they related to the fans. It is always important to make sure that your fans are having as much of a good time as you are and to always keep them on them toes and never get bored and he sure did that. I think that Luke Bryan’s future albums will only keep getting better because I think this made him realize what his fans actually like.

 

Holiday Expenditure

According to Americans’ holiday spending, it is obvious that people spend a very large amount of money concerning gifts and other items. Because Americans have so much holiday spirit, the total holiday expenditure is expected to be about $228.4 this year. It is said to be that the most money is spent around Christmas and Thanksgiving. I think that the amount of money spent on holidays is rather high but I think it is reasonable. I don’t think the amount of money that people spent should be limited, I don’t think it is appropriate to say whether people spend “too much” or “too little” on holidays. It is your decision and your money and it is all up to you how much you want to spend. On Christmas in 2010 the amount spent was the highest with $135.16. Some people may consider this very high but some people who have a lot of money may spend over $1,000 on gifts while some families who may not have a lot of money will only spend about $50 or so. Since 2008, the amount of spending’s on Christmas has increased. I do not think this is a negative thing because if you like to spend money then it is your decision because you are probably more likely to afford it. If you cannot, then you shouldn’t consider it a negative thing. The money spent for Thanksgiving has also increased since 2008 by not too much but enough to make a difference. For instance, in 2008 it was around $29 billion dollars and rose to about $29.88 billion. By 2010, the amount that Americans spend on Thanksgiving is $30.50 billion. I think that this seems necessary because the food needed for this holiday tends to be very expensive. Some people may eat a lot more causing them to spend more money while other families might not eat as much. Also, not everyone on Thanksgiving eats the traditional Thanksgiving meal consisting of Turkey, Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the desserts. Some people may eat take out or make something completely different that doesn’t cost a lot of money. I think that the holiday expenditure for America appears to be very high but I don’t think that there should be a limit because some people may spend a lot where as some may not spend any.

Rolling Stones Album Review

The Wanted - 2 Stars

By Mike Powell

November 18, 2013

The Wanted are a boy band with a man's disposition: They drink, they get into arguments, and they tend to see women as passive creatures waiting around in heels to be redeemed or get their hearts broken. They cloak their casual misogyny in trying to look sensitive, alternating rakish club pop like "Walks Like Rihanna" with post-Coldplay ballads in which everyone gets a chance to brood. In either case, the sound is big and lead-footed, using gang choruses to remind you to have fun and string sections when things stiffen and get sad. The truth? The promise that they're gonna pour their love all over you is twice as charming – and half as creepy – as the one that they're gonna keep you safe.

    

Eminem - 4 Stars

By Jon Dolan

November 1, 2013

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is the kind of sequel that gets people shouting at the screen in disbelief before their seats are warmed up. The first song, "Bad Guy," is seven white-knuckled minutes of psycho-rap insanity in which Stan's little brother comes back to chop Slim Shady into Slim Jims, tossing him into the trunk and driving around Detroit – listening to The Marshall Mathers LP, of course. "How's this for publicity stunt? This should be fun/Last album now, 'cause after this you'll be officially done," Em raps, playing his own killer.

The Who - 5 Stars

By Will Hermes

November 12, 2013

As the first popular "rock opera," Tommy has plenty to answer for. But measured against pale 21st-century Broadway offspring, the Who's magnum opus still rules. Besides an impressive book, the news on this box is a virtually complete set of Pete Townshend demos, with the composer's warm tenor taking lead on every song. It makes for remarkable alternate versions. "The Hawker (Eyesight to the Blind)" hews closer to its Sonny Boy Williamson roots; "Sally Simpson" as a sort of music-hall piano romp. Semi-acoustic versions of "Acid Queen" and "Pinball Wizard" are delicious; a minor rocker ("Trying to Get Through") and a backward-tape jam ("Dream One") appear as well. The fierce '69 live recording comes from tapes that were thankfully stashed away by the band's sound man after Townshend ordered them destroyed. They prove the music's power even without actors – just the four dudes who cooked it up in the first place.

Le Grande Kall - 4 1/2 Stars

By Michaelangelo Matos

November 18, 2013

           

In the Sixties and Seventies, Le Grand Kallé remapped an entire continent's music. He adopted Cuban rumba and became the first Congolese musician to record with an electric guitar. His "Independance Cha Cha" (1960) was the soundtrack of a revolution, and his bands spawned world-historic bandleaders Manu Dibango and Tabu Ley Rochereau. This two-CD overview does him full justice, up to and including the riveting liner notes.

Ghost B.C. - 3 Stars

By David Fricke

November 18, 2013

This EP by the costumed doom-metal Swedes (they are Ghost B.C. here for legal reasons) is a weird, appealing detour from their regular godless crunch. Produced by Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, the record features dark-chrome covers from less-obvious hells, including Depeche Mode's melancholy "Waiting for the Night," Abba's "I'm a Marionette" and the acid-casualty haunting of Roky Erickson's "If You Have Ghosts." The songs bring out the progleaning pop lurking in Ghost's bones – the Yes-like gleam in Papa Emeritus II's singing; the guitars' symphonic-fuzz decorum – while a live version of Ghost's "Secular Haze" reminds you that, in this band, the devil is still in charge of the details.

Courtney Barnett

By Mike Powell  - 3 Stars

November 12, 2013

                    

Courtney Barnett makes jangly, rumpled indie-rock in the vein of Pavement or early Dylan: Wordy, wry, and anchored by the kind of poetic clarity you can only get from looking at the world askew. Peas collects EPs released in 2012 and 2013 — an informal introduction to an artist who probably has more to offer. Its music tends to be simple, its narratives more surreal: On the highly quotable "Avant Gardener," an attempt to conquer a lazy day by planting a few seeds devolves into a panic attack, complete with ambulance. "The paramedic thinks I'm clever 'cause I play guitar," Barnett deadpans. "I think she's clever 'cause she stops people from dying." Both have a point. 

 

Articles

Keenan- A water tower in Virginia fell on a surrounding house, killing one person, and injuring two. The house was demolished instantly, and water flooded the streets. 

 Alexa- Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau was on the cover of French Vogue in 2011. Wearing gold, stilettoes, and heavy make-up, Blondeau is sprawled out on leopard printed bed covers, which is a typical photo shoot for vogue; however this young lady happens to just be ten years old. Parent groups and other concerned French citizens express their dismay of these photos of the young girl being taken because some of them have her topless chest covered with her long hair and large beaded jewelry. 

Lauren- News anchor Kyra Philips caught on the john. Kyra accidentally forgot to turn her microphone off and was talking “potty talk” while in the bathroom. After the potty talk ended she proceeded to call her sister-in-law a control freak. Due to the microphone being on, this was all on air for everyone to hear.

 Lizzie- A family living in Dunedin, Florida notices a screened in room fell into a hole. A sinkhole has formed on an early morning. About 70 feet wide and 50 feet deep and growing. If it rains the hole may get worse.  Seven homes in all were evacuated.  Hole will be filled in soon but not all families may return to their home.

Nicole - Man takes 8 mile fall after traveling in air plane.  The pilot believes the the passenger may have jumped but the causes are still unknown.  Taking the leap of unfortunate fate the man has not yet been found.  Taking the risk without a parachute, once the plane had landed safely, safety crew began an immediate search of the area. Although searches were postponed Thursday due to weather conditions, the hunt still continues.

Gabby - Memphis woman, Harris, sits on landlord, Kellen Carroll’s, face during an argument. When approached about her late rent, the woman became violent with the man. She proceeded to choke the man. She then wrestled the man to the ground. When he tried to call for help Harris, an extremely large woman, sat upon Kellen Carroll’s face.

Bathroom Mishap

News anchor Kyra Philips caught on the john. Kyra accidentally forgot to turn her microphone off and was talking “potty talk” while in the bathroom. After the potty talk ended she proceeded to call her sister-in-law a control freak. Due to the microphone being on, this was all on air for everyone to hear.

Ken Ross Response

Some parents think that there should be a ban against tweeting, texting, laptops, smartphones, etc. from their teens’ bedrooms. They are entitled to their opinion of limiting their entertainment screen time to two hours a day, excluding homework. I happen to disagree with this recommendation because though they can all be linked to lack of sleep, cyber-bullying, and many other conflicts, I think that kids should be able to do what they want on their computers, smartphones, etc. for more than just two hours a day. But, I believe that if your child is a victim or the cause of cyber-bullying and if it is affecting their school work because of the lack of sleep, then they should be limited. I think that if a parent limits a kid to their technology use then that will make them want to use it even more and will become them to be very deceitful. Also, at night many teens lay in their beds waiting to fall asleep, but at the same time they’re using their phones. Teens complain about being tired in school because they didn’t get enough sleep, and most of this is due to the use of entertainment screens. Therefore, I think that teens should only be limited to their phones at night if it is having a negative impact on them. Otherwise, I believe that teens should have as much time on their entertainment screens as long as it is not affecting their school and social lives.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

What benefits does going to bed early have for the next day?

Ethos - Going to bed early allows the body to be nice and energized for the next day. Also, it allows you to be more motivated and wanting to get a lot more done because you are not exhausted. You will most likely get enough sleep to accomplish what you want and will lead you to go to bed at a decent time the next night.

Pathos - People who get more sleep are more likely to be in a better mood and tend to be healthier as well. Sometimes when people are stressed out usually relieve it by getting more sleep. After a good nights sleep you will feel like a whole new person and be in a much better mood opposed to not getting enough sleep and being cranky.

Logos - If you get enough sleep you are more likely to get more done and not be tired throughout the day. It is healthier for the body than staying up all day and sleeping throughout the next day.

Topical Question

What is your favorite athletic brand to wear and why?

Magazine Analysis

The InStyle magazine was written intended for a fifth grade reading level. This magazine portrays much more advertisement pages than content pages; the ratio between the two is well over half. Though this magazine could be for anyone, it is more directed for women due to the fact that it focuses mostly on fashion and cosmetology. Also, though it was intended for a fifth grade reading level, it contains qualities that are for a more mature level. I think that this magazine is best fit for upper teens and young adults. The comparison between my magazine and other students' in the class is the fact that other magazines tend to have a lot more content pages rather than pictures and advertisements. This magazine is good for people who are interested in beauty and fashion without reading long articles on it. Instead, it shows you pictures and gives you simple tips. Also, having a magazine that portrays more advertisements makes it easier to introduce and sell products.

Lauren MacGray

Hockey vs. Soccer

            Being an active player of the game of soccer, I love both watching and playing the game. The suspense and fast pace sport is deceiving to most, but I understand the game through and through. A question raised in my mind however, and it is what do people like more hockey or soccer? Being around people that like both sports I have been inclined to having my own opinion, but I wanted to know other person's perspectives as well. I asked "what sport do you like to watch on television and in person, soccer or hockey? Why?"

            I interviewed a variety of people, and get different responses. I first interviewed Nicole, and she had a very strong opinion. She stated, "I like to watch soccer in person, and hockey on television. Hockey is way too loud in person, and confusing. Although, on T.V. it all makes sense." I personally agree with the loud aspect of hockey. The fans are very enthusiastic and believe in yelling for the team will create some sort of advantage. I also agree with watching soccer in person because watching a teams chemistry and awareness towards the game is a thing of beauty. I believe a lot of people feel the same way that Nicole does because hockey is very fun to watch on T.V. with a group of people. Being able to watch the Bruins in the comfort of your own home is a very nice thing to do. The intensity of being at a soccer game is definitely the reason why I agree with Nicole, and think watching it in person is entertaining.

            My last interview was Keenan, and he had a lot to say about hockey. He said, "I like to watch hockey in person, and also watching it on T.V. It is an intense game that no one could hate." I think the masculinity of the sport is more appropriate to being a male dominated one. The checking and hitting of players tend to make more American guys excited apposed to soccer. He agreed with me when I said soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but he said he just has never been a big fan. Asking a large group of people, I concurred that 75% of the surveyors said they'd prefer hockey on T.V, and 25% said they liked soccer on T.V. For in person, it was around 50/50 in results for both sports. In using my data I collected that more people like hockey to watch on T.V., and that half like to watch hockey in person, and the other half like to watch soccer in person.

MLA Format

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ac-6965750

Pare, Darren. "Seven Reasons Ice Hockey Is Better than Soccer." Yahoo Sports. N.p., 15 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

 

http://pikimal.com/sport/vs/hockey-2/soccer

"Hockey vs Soccer." Hockey and Soccer Compared. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_opinions_about_whether_soccer_is_better_than_hockey

"What Are Opinions about Whether Soccer Is Better than Hockey?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

Interview Question

What are teenagers viewing preferences when it comes to watching soccer or hockey?

Lauren MacGray

September 23, 2013

Journalism F period 

Student Interview

Casey Holmes, a 14 year old girl whom is a freshman at Norton High School, has many interesting things about her. For instance, she is a triplet and has one other older sibling. One of the other triplets is a girl and the other is a boy and their birthdays are April 26th. She stated that "me and my triplet sister don't get along the best, my brother is my favorite". She also has another sister who is 27 years old. One word that best describes Casey is athletic. She made the varsity volleyball team as a freshman and along with volleyball she dances, runs track, and plays basketball. Also, she is "most nice of the time" and tends to be on the more quiet side. She does not have a job at the moment but once she gets out of high school she wants to teach special needs kids. She said she wants to teach them because, "my brother has special needs kids and I want to help people". Casey also listens to basically every type of music but Taylor Swift is her favorite. Though she has many favorite types of music, she has one favorite television show. Casey said that she loves Big Brother because "it is interesting and I love to watch the people fight." Casey's biggest pet peeve is cocky people because they annoy her. I think that they tend to annoy her because she comes off as a more laid back person. Though Casey and her triplet sister may not get along the best, she comes across as a very caring and nice individual.

Controversy

                       

A controversy is a major dispute that often causes people to address their opinion and disagreements about a certain topic. For instance, not wearing a seatbelt while you’re in a car is not only a controversy but it is dangerous and life risking. It is considered a controversy because some people agree with the law that you should always be wearing a seatbelt, while on the other hand, others totally disagree with it. Though you should always follow the law, some people don’t believe that they should be told what to do. Some people are just lazy and others just think that nothing bad will ever happen to them so they don’t even bother.

            It is in fact very important to wear a seatbelt in a car whether you’re driving or someone else is driving. Many people think that if you were to get in a car accident while not wearing your seat belt and you got hurt, that is your own personal fault, which is true. Also, they just don’t think they should ever be told what to do because if they want to do something, they’ll do it on their own, not just because someone is forcing them to do it. That causes a major controversy because even though some people don’t like being told what to do or enjoy wearing a seatbelt, they deal with it and do it because it is the law.

            There are many reasons as to why people don’t believe in wearing a seatbelt. Some people use excuses such as “it’s uncomfortable”, “it will wrinkle my shirt”, “I’m only going right across the street”, “I have air bags, I don’t need a seat belt”, or even just because they think it is “uncool” to wear one. But the question is, is it “cool” to get in a car accident and risk your life just because you think wearing a seat belt makes you lame? That is the question you have to ask yourself because if you’re in the car and you’re driving your little kids or anyone for that matter, you’re setting a bad example for them.  The others in your car will get influenced and think that just because you’re not wearing a seat belt that they don’t have to either. You never know what can happen even if you’re really just going across the street. Just because you trust yourself as a driver, it doesn’t mean you should trust anyone else. You could easily get rear ended by another driver and go right through your wind shield. Never trust anyone else with your life besides yourself. Whether or not you should wear a seatbelt in a moving vehicle is a major controversy.  You may not think that it is the coolest thing to do or you just don’t need it, but you’re risking your own life and setting a bad example for everyone else.



                                                                                                            Lauren MacGray

                                                                                                            September 16, 2013

                                                                                                            Journalism F Period

                                                                                                            Jahar’s World

 

The Rolling Stone Controversy

            Terrorism within the United States has been a major threat to millions of people for a long period of time. The most recent terrorist attack involved bombing one of the greatest cities in the United States and caused many people to suffer from hysteria and panic. The article, Jahar’s World, written by Janet Reitman described Jahar’s life and how it had taken a turn for the worst. The Rolling Stone’s magazine cover portrayed an image of Dzhokar Tsarnaev and made it out to seem like he was this innocent man who had played the role as a victim in this attack. This cover and article of the magazine illustrating Dzhokar Tsarnaev as an innocent victim was a major controversial topic that left an abundance of people very unhappy.

            This jaw-dropping Rolling Stone’s magazine cover portrayed a picture of Jahar that he had taken himself on his own computer. Not only did they put this picture as the cover, but it happened to be a picture that made him look innocent because of the good quality and promising captions. “How a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into radical Islam and became a monster.” Instead of the author of this article writing that this attack had been his fault, he stated that it was basically all his family that influenced him to do this. I strongly disagree with the fact that Jahar had blatantly been manipulated by his family because he clearly made the decision to do what he did, him and his brother, not anyone else. Also, usually making the cover of the Rolling Stone’s magazine is a huge deal and something you should be proud of because you did something great. In that case, is this in some way giving Jahar credit for doing something so awful? In no way do I think that Jahar should have been put on the cover of the Rolling Stone’s, and not only that but it happened to be a good picture of him with positive captions underneath. No one should ever even be given opportunity to question whether this kid had done something so horrible, and I feel as if this magazine cover made some people second guess it. My opinion on “The Bomber” is very strong in the sense that this kid should have never done something so drastic yet made the cover for a magazine that is usually given to people who achieve something great.

            Not only do I have a very strong opinion against this magazine cover, but thousands of others do just as well. Carmen Rasmusen Herbert  mentions, “You know what’s even more heartbreaking? How Rolling Stone can even think about turning an alleged murderer into a rock star by plastering his “soulful brown eyes” on the front page and claiming it’s all in the name of journalism…” (Decision to glorify bomber is what’s truly ‘heartbreaking’). The fact that people would try to even convince others that this guy is innocent is beyond everyone because only people who are psychologically crazy would go through with a terrorist attack. Even Jahar’s former wrestling coach was left speechless when he woke up at 4 a.m. on the morning of April 19^th. “I felt like a bullet went through my heart, To think that a kid we mentored and loved like a son could have been responsible for all this death. It was beyond shocking. It was like an alternative reality.” Even the people who had once loved Jahar do not support his decision or his appearing on the cover of the magazine. Mayo Thomas Menino, another man just as against this as everybody else, “wrote a letter of protest to Rolling Stone and several retailers with Boston ties said they would not sell the controversial issue”. Because this had caused such anger in people, Boston magazine had posted their own photos of Mr. Tsarnaev being arrested and covered in blood. A man named Sean Murphy had described this controversial issue of “accusing the magazine of “glamorizing the face of terror”. Many people throughout the United States have been negatively affected by this because it almost seems like this one man can just blow up our city and he gets credit and fame for it. “The Bomber” also known as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, has ruined thousands of people lives and has angered millions whether he believes it or not. Whether this kid did it for the fame or not, he got it. As if people weren’t upset with him enough, him making the cover of the Rolling Stone’s magazine set people off the edge even more.

            Terrorism is easily one of the worst things that a person could do or even think about doing. The United States has always tried to be very aware of this but this but now we are even ten times more careful. This has always been something that we feared and it is something that we simply will never be able to stop, people will do what they have to do. The Boston Marathon bombings has been one of the worst things that has happened in the world along with the 9/11 attacks. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his brother have ruined millions of people’s lives with such a horrible act of violence. I very strongly disagree with Jahar’s act of terrorism and his appearance on the Rolling Stone’s cover, and so does the rest of the United States.