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.