Wednesday, December 11, 2013
To whom it may concern
For anybody who cares or still has the decency to not bash our teacher, thus ends an age and the future of a good man. Presuming the rumors are true, we will never see him in our educational future. It's sad to think about. With this situation, I doubt we are ever going to return to our blogs. So here I am signing off...
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Comments on YouTube should be restricted
The first argument against this is going to be "You can't do that, that's against freedom of speech!" Sure, why not, I can see your logic. But censorship has been occurring for years, generations, SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME ITSELF and all that jazz. So why would this be any different? Honestly, as someone who frequents the site, when checking the comment sections of YouTube videos nothing is more irritating than seeing some idiot spewing nonsense, hate, racism, and-my personal favorite-bigotry, all across the site. People assume that just because they can comment under an assumed name means that they can say whatever they want and get away with it. They let biased, hateful, ugly venom pour from their mouths and will openly attack anyone without restriction. So you might ask: what is being done about this if it is such an issue? YouTube does have a sort of method for "blocking" these types of comments. Previously, other users of the site were able to "down vote" or "flag" comments, this merely caused the comment from being seen despite the fact that there was an option below the comment that allows you to view that comment, making it an entirely pointless system. Under their most recent update on their comment section, the employees at YouTube (or Google, who owns YouTube) they altered it so that you can only report these comments and they linked the comments to Google+ (which hardly anyone uses), thus making the commentator's identity known. Still, this doesn't discourage abusive commentators. So here we are, letting these people fill the internet with hate and sitting by as it happens. Instead, there should be a way besides "flagging" to notify YouTube site administrators that abusive commenting is occurring so that measures may be taken to remove these offenders from having access to the comment sections of videos. To be frank, anyone who uses the anonymity of the internet as an excuse to blatantly attack and offend others rank among the worst kind of people in my book. And if you are one of these people: there is a special place in hell for people like you.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Last Flifferhuzza
In a time long since past and a land now wiped from the planet, a great nation flourished by the sea. The ports bustled with the people of the land, ships came and went bringing supplies with them. These people were not "humans" such as those we know. Their heights ranged from anywhere around 1 meter or 3 meters, but never in between. A characteristic feature of these people was the form of their bodies. Their arms were too long, or so it appeared. The cause of this originated from way their bones grew, their bones stretched like rubber allowing their limbs to stretch. The same bone elasticity caused their faces to appear blank as well, such that no standard facial feature could be seen. Nevertheless they lived in peace and harmony. Legend says that the land was held above the sea by the peace of the people. These were the people known as the Flifferhuzza.
Known exceptionally well for their fashion, many other nations visited this land for trade. However, one kingdom grew jealous of the Flifferhuzza, jealous of their riches, jealous of their powerful influence. This kingdom was that of the humans.
One day as the sun was setting and the Flifferhuzza were settling down for the night, the entire nation seemed to fall silent, not a single sound to be heard. Historians described the scene as being "similar to a graveyard". The seas grew calm, still as glass. The winds ceased, not a leaf rustled. There was no movement, none except for the gliding of the human warships across the water. On that night great fires raged across the land as the humans pillaged, not a scream was heard for the Flifferhuzza had no mouths. The entire nation fell in silence to the greed of the humans; gold was taken, the fine linens of the seamstresses stolen, and the lives forcefully seized from the people.
Amongst the tragedy, one Flifferhuzza escaped. This one had been out in the woods surrounding the northern boundary looking for wood to burn to stay warm during the night. This one was large, very large. Standing 3.4 meters tall and dressed in the garbs of his now dead culture, a garb from which the modern day suit was derived from. He returned just in time to see the human warships begin to raise their anchors, and just in time to see the horrors left in the wake of those who boarded those ships. He raced to the docks as silently as possible and reached out with his extensive arms to grab hold of the anchor of the last remaining ship, unseen by its crew. He held on in silence as he watched his home crumble and become swallowed by the sea until no trace remained. Rage replaced the harmony that was once in his heart, vengeance his only motive.
Of course this was a long time ago, there is no proof as to whether it is still alive. But there is reason to believe it was just lying dormant all this time. Stories have been popping up recently, people making absurd claims that a giant, pale, faceless creature with unbelievably long arms that was wearing some sort of suit has been chasing people in the woods, killing them one by one. Perhaps this creature is the one survivor, finally seeking his revenge on humanity for destroying his people. Locals call this creature "the slender man" and dare not go out into the woods, save a few foolish teenagers who do not believe, never to return. This "slender man" is the last Flifferhuzza. Be careful when you walk through the woods at night.
Known exceptionally well for their fashion, many other nations visited this land for trade. However, one kingdom grew jealous of the Flifferhuzza, jealous of their riches, jealous of their powerful influence. This kingdom was that of the humans.
One day as the sun was setting and the Flifferhuzza were settling down for the night, the entire nation seemed to fall silent, not a single sound to be heard. Historians described the scene as being "similar to a graveyard". The seas grew calm, still as glass. The winds ceased, not a leaf rustled. There was no movement, none except for the gliding of the human warships across the water. On that night great fires raged across the land as the humans pillaged, not a scream was heard for the Flifferhuzza had no mouths. The entire nation fell in silence to the greed of the humans; gold was taken, the fine linens of the seamstresses stolen, and the lives forcefully seized from the people.
Amongst the tragedy, one Flifferhuzza escaped. This one had been out in the woods surrounding the northern boundary looking for wood to burn to stay warm during the night. This one was large, very large. Standing 3.4 meters tall and dressed in the garbs of his now dead culture, a garb from which the modern day suit was derived from. He returned just in time to see the human warships begin to raise their anchors, and just in time to see the horrors left in the wake of those who boarded those ships. He raced to the docks as silently as possible and reached out with his extensive arms to grab hold of the anchor of the last remaining ship, unseen by its crew. He held on in silence as he watched his home crumble and become swallowed by the sea until no trace remained. Rage replaced the harmony that was once in his heart, vengeance his only motive.
Of course this was a long time ago, there is no proof as to whether it is still alive. But there is reason to believe it was just lying dormant all this time. Stories have been popping up recently, people making absurd claims that a giant, pale, faceless creature with unbelievably long arms that was wearing some sort of suit has been chasing people in the woods, killing them one by one. Perhaps this creature is the one survivor, finally seeking his revenge on humanity for destroying his people. Locals call this creature "the slender man" and dare not go out into the woods, save a few foolish teenagers who do not believe, never to return. This "slender man" is the last Flifferhuzza. Be careful when you walk through the woods at night.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Why are computers inconvenient?
Now many would be quick to disagree and say that computers are revolutionary and have changed the way we live. I would agree, however, most of my troubles come from the fact that I own a computer, especially because of the internet. My point is that procrastination via the internet has made my life hell. Even when YouTube doesn't keep me distracted my computer pulls some scheme to keep me from completing my school assignments. Just the previous weekend, this very site prevented me from making a required blog post for homework. (Even now it won't post, madness right?) That excuse that "my printer wasn't working" or "my computer is busted" is hardly ever an excuse. Computers have a tendency to breakdown when they are most, like when doing mandatory school work. I bet my computer won't even post this at the right time. (Post written at approximately 9:15 P.M. on Monday, November 4.) I wish there was some way this anomaly of computer function was fixed or at least understood, it would save me a great deal of stress overall. Nearly pulled half my hair out when my last blog post didn't upload. Computers are inconvenient because they never function when you need them to and when they do function it is only to distract you from doing real work. Madness, absolute madness, I say. If this doesn't post either, blame the internet, if you don't blame the internet, I blame society for tempering your thinking.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
The Most Difficult Kind of Conversation
Some of us may encounter this incredibly difficult and volatile situation in life. The way it ends, well that is what varies. Quick heads up, I have not experienced this.
Stereotypical male: "Honey, is there something wrong?"
Troubled female: "Yes actually..."
Stereotypical male: "Well, are you going to tell me?"
Troubled female: "Will you promise not to get angry?"
Stereotypical male: "Of course, I promise."
Troubled female: "I'm pregnant."
Stereotypical male: "Why would I get mad? That's great news!"
Troubled female: "It isn't yours..."
Stereotypical male: "......."
Troubled female: "Darling? Are you okay?"
The following scene is too graphic and/or unpredictable to be written for the audience. Due to the flexibility of the situation, comment your possible endings to the situation. It could be serious, funny, dark, a happy ending, anything really, I'm just curious to see what people will come up with.
Side note: I'm thinking about beginning a weekly story for this blog, comment with ideas for stories or tales and I will do my best, I even might make one long continuous story with weekly updates. Who knows?
Stereotypical male: "Honey, is there something wrong?"
Troubled female: "Yes actually..."
Stereotypical male: "Well, are you going to tell me?"
Troubled female: "Will you promise not to get angry?"
Stereotypical male: "Of course, I promise."
Troubled female: "I'm pregnant."
Stereotypical male: "Why would I get mad? That's great news!"
Troubled female: "It isn't yours..."
Stereotypical male: "......."
Troubled female: "Darling? Are you okay?"
The following scene is too graphic and/or unpredictable to be written for the audience. Due to the flexibility of the situation, comment your possible endings to the situation. It could be serious, funny, dark, a happy ending, anything really, I'm just curious to see what people will come up with.
Side note: I'm thinking about beginning a weekly story for this blog, comment with ideas for stories or tales and I will do my best, I even might make one long continuous story with weekly updates. Who knows?
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Fly On the Wall
What is it like to be the lonely fly on the wall? A black speck, both a living creature and a pest to the giants living in the building. But who really knows my purpose? There is a phrase that means to be unseen and unheard, but in reality am I not always heard and seen? And once I am noticed, why do the giants wish for my death? Why is it that I cannot coexist with the world and not have it wish for my demise? I will not be a bother, all I really want is a few crumbs of food, anything will do, and I will stay out of everyone's way. What a cliche, I must say, it is that I must be "on the wall". Some days I just wish to go outside. But why do the giants of the domicile watch me as I suffer at the window? Do we all not just wish for a bit of help? A gateway to freedom is obtained by the simple opening of a window. And when I escape from the darting tongues of the frogs, the killer rain, and the hot sun, why is it that the giants won't offer me a day of shelter? One day out of my short, short life is all I ask, to become the fly on the wall with a moment's refuge.
The fly on the wall, unseen and unheard. I've made my cries and my pleas known. No longer am I the fly on the wall, my voice is heard, my wings beat strong, and maybe now the giants will give their sympathy to a tiny speck that they would otherwise ignore. For we are all living beings, is a bit of help from one being to the next really too much to ask?
The fly on the wall, unseen and unheard. I've made my cries and my pleas known. No longer am I the fly on the wall, my voice is heard, my wings beat strong, and maybe now the giants will give their sympathy to a tiny speck that they would otherwise ignore. For we are all living beings, is a bit of help from one being to the next really too much to ask?
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
The Ingredients of Enthusiasm, They Might Require Visiting Some "Local Markets".
There seems to be a sort of epidemic spreading around school systems in recent years. It is becoming like a drug to children. They call it "apathy" and it is going around like wild fire in kids. In order to douse this fire and spark an inexhaustible passion for learning, new methods of teaching may be required. Kids are becoming "numb" to education due to the recent increase in technology and the trend of what is known as being "linked-in" all the time. A method that has worked to spark some enthusiasm for me and other kids is having teachers become more technology friendly and being able to use fun websites and internet based activities to help kids learn. Because of their already short attention spans and knowledge of the web, incorporating something that they genuinely enjoy and could have fun with will more than likely leave a lasting impression on their brains, thus helping them learn.
If that doesn't work, another thing I used to enjoy that made me enthusiastic about learning was what I like to call the "Cheshire Cat Method". This may seem like a stretch to some but read on and hopefully you will understand. “Only a few find the way, some don't recognize it when they do - some... don't ever want to.” This is a personal favorite quote of mine spoken by the Cheshire Cat in the year 2000 video game titled Alice. It may confuse a few but essentially it is saying that it takes a conscious effort to find the path in life, and not everyone realizes when they stumble upon it, and then there are the few that never wish to put in the effort to reach their path. The number of students leaning towards the third group is steadily growing, something that must be stopped. So I know you are thinking, "Why on earth is he talking about a bloody cat?" This is why, what is the sole word that would be used to describe this children's book character? Curiosity. But not only that, he is a riddle. A curiosity and a riddle, an interesting combination, no? Well this is how you must reengage the mind of the student. I became enthusiastic about learning due to an intensified curiosity about the machinations of the world, this made me want to become more enthusiastic about learning, and the riddle is simply a metaphor for engaging the mind to work harder to sate the curiosity that should be implanted into the minds of the students by the teacher.
So to summarize, the main ingredients to cooking up a nice hot plate of enthusiasm are using things that students are interested, creating a sense of curiosity in the student, and engaging (challenging) the mind to sate the curiosity.
Thank you for reading, this may have sounded really silly to most people.
If that doesn't work, another thing I used to enjoy that made me enthusiastic about learning was what I like to call the "Cheshire Cat Method". This may seem like a stretch to some but read on and hopefully you will understand. “Only a few find the way, some don't recognize it when they do - some... don't ever want to.” This is a personal favorite quote of mine spoken by the Cheshire Cat in the year 2000 video game titled Alice. It may confuse a few but essentially it is saying that it takes a conscious effort to find the path in life, and not everyone realizes when they stumble upon it, and then there are the few that never wish to put in the effort to reach their path. The number of students leaning towards the third group is steadily growing, something that must be stopped. So I know you are thinking, "Why on earth is he talking about a bloody cat?" This is why, what is the sole word that would be used to describe this children's book character? Curiosity. But not only that, he is a riddle. A curiosity and a riddle, an interesting combination, no? Well this is how you must reengage the mind of the student. I became enthusiastic about learning due to an intensified curiosity about the machinations of the world, this made me want to become more enthusiastic about learning, and the riddle is simply a metaphor for engaging the mind to work harder to sate the curiosity that should be implanted into the minds of the students by the teacher.
So to summarize, the main ingredients to cooking up a nice hot plate of enthusiasm are using things that students are interested, creating a sense of curiosity in the student, and engaging (challenging) the mind to sate the curiosity.
Thank you for reading, this may have sounded really silly to most people.
Get Better and Come Back to Us Please!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Courage: An Unfathomable Strength
Few. Few is the sole word that can be used to describe the amount of those who grasp true courage. It is not something that can be earned, bought, taught, or bestowed upon by an individual. It is a force in waiting chained to the heart of the hero. The lock that holds the seal is broken only by keys even more mysterious than the force itself. For the knight perched upon the hill awaiting the battle that could bring his end, what keeps him from fleeing? Is it the knowledge of his comrades beside him? Is it the pressure of protecting the kingdom and its certain destruction if he fails? Or is it the favor of the lady awaiting his return tucked against his breast? The knight draws from these thoughts in the same way a common schoolboy would steel his nerves to confess to the girl of his dreams. For no one is exempt from this feeling and the circumstances that release it from the heart vary widely. Against a world of negativity, the emblem of courage will blaze in all colors and from its roaring embers rises the power to face down any obstacle.
There was a time not too far in the past when I came upon my dragon. I was a darker time for me. I suffered from a brutal form of paranoia that kept me from taking part in most fun activities. A fear of pain and of the one in one billion percent chance accidents. It was during this time that my family thought it would be a great experience for me to go cliff diving. It just so happened to be that my greatest fear at the time was of heights and falling (you know, the classics) and only a couple of weeks before a group of kids decided to go to the same cliff jumping site that we were going to for the same purpose. That doesn't sound important at all except for the fact the one of the kids broke his leg when he landed on a rock in the water, which is so unbelievably reassuring for someone like me. So the only thing I could think beforehand was that I was going to die and I should start making peace with everything in my short, tragic life.
To make matters worse, the only way to reach the cliff jumping site was to kayak across a rough, open, shark-infested bay. Great, just freaking great. This dragon I had to face just became Tiamat and the knight in my heart had begun shaking in his boots.
Well, there I was, kayaking across the water and bobbing from side to side praying that I wouldn't fall out or look over and happen to see a little grey fin poking out of the water to reveal Bruce from Finding Nemo grinning at me with his ridiculously huge teeth and Australian accent saying "'Ello 'uman. What brings ya to these waters?" (One can only imagine, right?) The paranoia induced insanities began raging through my head as my family and I paddled on towards our destination and I could only think that my future self would be calling myself a huge wimp for acting like this. (You huge wimp....) The storm of my mind raged on like a stormy ocean, if what was happening in my mind reflected what was happening with the water I would be at the bottom of the bay right now, unable to type this blog. And what I had thought was rough water on the bay was really just my paranoia exaggerating a very light series of ripples, but I couldn't tell at the time.
It was shortly after my paranoia began acting up that we actually arrived at the site. It was pretty nice in appearance. The steep and rocky climb up the side of the cliff next to where we beached our kayaks was only diminished by the platform overlooking an even steeper forty-five foot rock face with the waves crashing against it. Merely looking up at that natural stone platform made the blood drain from my face and jump started the gruesome, Guillermo del Toro's The Strain trilogy kind of horror imaginations in my head. I could see the dragon roaring and bellowing flame towards the sky in place of a mere face of rock formed by erosion. Sweat ran down my brow, was it mine or the knight's? I could no longer tell, we had become one and the same. I swallowed my paranoia for a moment and locked eyes with the dragon as I threw my shaking legs in front of myself one at a time up the path along the cliff side. My body was heavy as the water got farther away with each step, perhaps I was coated in a suit of armor? It was with this thought that I reached the stone overlook.
My friends and family were leaping off the cliff with no second thought, no hesitation whatsoever. I stood frozen, weighted down by the fear I wore, eyes peering through my visor at the dragon before me. Do I even have the strength to beat this foe? Whispered the knight in my ear, or was he in my head? I knew I had to overcome my paranoia now or else I would never be able to. Have courage, young knight. But how could someone as unstable as I overcome fear? Courage. The word echoed in my head. It will give you the strength you so desire.
Courage. My gaze fixed on my adversary, the image of which seemed to flicker between that of a dragon and a cliff, and its roar began sounding like waves again. I steeled myself, breathing deeply which gave me the same security as lifting a shield. The knight drew his sword, much like I now bore my courage as an armament. I felt light, each step easier than the last, racing towards the cliff's edge and like a shade beside me I saw the knight charging the dragon. The moment of truth, my left foot on the rim, and suddenly the ground was gone. I heard the roaring pound in my ears and the wind rushed to slow my descent. I was suspended in the air for three, four, five seconds falling faster as each second passed. Then I hit the water, a sweet relief. Swimming up, I broke the surface of the water. I looked back towards the cliff and saw the image of the dragon fade and the knight standing proudly at the cliff's edge, smiling down at me. And I laughed, it was all I felt like doing. A tiny fear became blown out of proportion and all I needed to do to subdue it was use courage.
I couldn't break the binding that restrained my courage in my heart because of fear. All I needed to end my fear was to be put into a situation where I was forced to face it. Going cliff jumping for the first time helped me to manifest that courage and face my fear. Since that day I have faced many more of my fears and I am no longer that crazy paranoid person that I used to be. The knight that I had imagined never manifested itself again. He was merely a catalyst used to create a more courageous person out of myself. Who knows, maybe he is helping some other poor soul face his or her fears as well? All I know is that in his wake, a roaring flame of courage was left, continuing to burn on in my heart and I feel that strength to face down my dragons even today.
There was a time not too far in the past when I came upon my dragon. I was a darker time for me. I suffered from a brutal form of paranoia that kept me from taking part in most fun activities. A fear of pain and of the one in one billion percent chance accidents. It was during this time that my family thought it would be a great experience for me to go cliff diving. It just so happened to be that my greatest fear at the time was of heights and falling (you know, the classics) and only a couple of weeks before a group of kids decided to go to the same cliff jumping site that we were going to for the same purpose. That doesn't sound important at all except for the fact the one of the kids broke his leg when he landed on a rock in the water, which is so unbelievably reassuring for someone like me. So the only thing I could think beforehand was that I was going to die and I should start making peace with everything in my short, tragic life.
To make matters worse, the only way to reach the cliff jumping site was to kayak across a rough, open, shark-infested bay. Great, just freaking great. This dragon I had to face just became Tiamat and the knight in my heart had begun shaking in his boots.
Well, there I was, kayaking across the water and bobbing from side to side praying that I wouldn't fall out or look over and happen to see a little grey fin poking out of the water to reveal Bruce from Finding Nemo grinning at me with his ridiculously huge teeth and Australian accent saying "'Ello 'uman. What brings ya to these waters?" (One can only imagine, right?) The paranoia induced insanities began raging through my head as my family and I paddled on towards our destination and I could only think that my future self would be calling myself a huge wimp for acting like this. (You huge wimp....) The storm of my mind raged on like a stormy ocean, if what was happening in my mind reflected what was happening with the water I would be at the bottom of the bay right now, unable to type this blog. And what I had thought was rough water on the bay was really just my paranoia exaggerating a very light series of ripples, but I couldn't tell at the time.
It was shortly after my paranoia began acting up that we actually arrived at the site. It was pretty nice in appearance. The steep and rocky climb up the side of the cliff next to where we beached our kayaks was only diminished by the platform overlooking an even steeper forty-five foot rock face with the waves crashing against it. Merely looking up at that natural stone platform made the blood drain from my face and jump started the gruesome, Guillermo del Toro's The Strain trilogy kind of horror imaginations in my head. I could see the dragon roaring and bellowing flame towards the sky in place of a mere face of rock formed by erosion. Sweat ran down my brow, was it mine or the knight's? I could no longer tell, we had become one and the same. I swallowed my paranoia for a moment and locked eyes with the dragon as I threw my shaking legs in front of myself one at a time up the path along the cliff side. My body was heavy as the water got farther away with each step, perhaps I was coated in a suit of armor? It was with this thought that I reached the stone overlook.
My friends and family were leaping off the cliff with no second thought, no hesitation whatsoever. I stood frozen, weighted down by the fear I wore, eyes peering through my visor at the dragon before me. Do I even have the strength to beat this foe? Whispered the knight in my ear, or was he in my head? I knew I had to overcome my paranoia now or else I would never be able to. Have courage, young knight. But how could someone as unstable as I overcome fear? Courage. The word echoed in my head. It will give you the strength you so desire.
Courage. My gaze fixed on my adversary, the image of which seemed to flicker between that of a dragon and a cliff, and its roar began sounding like waves again. I steeled myself, breathing deeply which gave me the same security as lifting a shield. The knight drew his sword, much like I now bore my courage as an armament. I felt light, each step easier than the last, racing towards the cliff's edge and like a shade beside me I saw the knight charging the dragon. The moment of truth, my left foot on the rim, and suddenly the ground was gone. I heard the roaring pound in my ears and the wind rushed to slow my descent. I was suspended in the air for three, four, five seconds falling faster as each second passed. Then I hit the water, a sweet relief. Swimming up, I broke the surface of the water. I looked back towards the cliff and saw the image of the dragon fade and the knight standing proudly at the cliff's edge, smiling down at me. And I laughed, it was all I felt like doing. A tiny fear became blown out of proportion and all I needed to do to subdue it was use courage.
I couldn't break the binding that restrained my courage in my heart because of fear. All I needed to end my fear was to be put into a situation where I was forced to face it. Going cliff jumping for the first time helped me to manifest that courage and face my fear. Since that day I have faced many more of my fears and I am no longer that crazy paranoid person that I used to be. The knight that I had imagined never manifested itself again. He was merely a catalyst used to create a more courageous person out of myself. Who knows, maybe he is helping some other poor soul face his or her fears as well? All I know is that in his wake, a roaring flame of courage was left, continuing to burn on in my heart and I feel that strength to face down my dragons even today.
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