Inspiration : How Bad Do You Want It? (Success)

Finally

I seemed to find myself reading in all kinds of different places. The place that I found myself reading the most was before I went to bed. Reading before I sleep has become a daily routine now. It seemed to work the best for me because if I was having a stressful day I would just read and it would take my mind off anything that happened during the day. It saved me from a lot of sleepless night. Alright the sleepless nights might be a bit far but it was a good way for me to relax before going to bed which did make it easier for me to sleep. Whenever I would read I did so in silence. If I try and read while listening to music or by the computer I tend to become distracted and unable to focus on the book, and if i cant focus then I wont remember what I read and it just becomes a wast of time. Plus when I do read it is one of the few times where I get any type of peace and quite. Which I wish I got more of. Surprisingly i do find myself talking to some of my friends about what I have read but only a few. Most of them do not read for fun. The person I find talking to the most about what I have read is my dad. We seem to enjoy the same type of book so the different books we've read give us something to talk about.

Brain Rules

One of the rules that are listed in this book is exercise and seemed to make the most sense for me. Exercise is vital in order for our brains to work and learn effectively. We were hardwired to learn on the fly to survive in the outdoors. That's what our earliest ancestors did. They learned and developed while moving up to 14 kilometers a day. This tells you that in order for our brains to work at full capacity, to work at the top of its game you need to be active. I wish that more people would realize this today. People believe that it is alright to sit around all day and do nothing. well its not it is not only bad for your body but your brain will not be as sharp as it could be. John Medina mentioned studies that proved that people who were active were smarter than people who did nothing. He also talked about how it will not only benefit your brain now but also as you age. Your mind will stay sharp and you will be able to do more things at an older age if exercise is a part of your life.

Human power

recently I watched a video where a tribe in Africa still hunts in what is thought to be the most primitive form of hunting the persistence hunt. This is where a person runs down the animal that he is hunting. They dont use spears or guns but instead runs the animal he is hunting to the point that it dies from exhaustion. It is absolutely incredible to imagine the type of strength and endurance that this type of hunting requires and in my eyes probable the manliest thing that I have ever seen.

The Brain Rules

For a while now I have had a strange obsession with the brain. There is something about trying to learn how we think why we act that interests me. Learning how to process emotions and how little we actual know about our brains. I have spent hours watching videos about this subject and just recently my dad gave me a book that has been quite interesting. The name is Brain Rules by John Medina and he takes you through the 12 brain rules that he has come up with. These rules according to him will change how we view a lot of different things. It also makes the point to tell you that he believes that the way schools are set up and homework itself is the complete opposite of how we should be learning so anyone who says homework is bad is an awesome guy to me.

Dart League King

Back to the Dart League King and I still like this book a lot. I have now been introduced to some of the people on Russel's dart team and they seem like a bunch to be proud of. By this time I also have found out that Russel is in some trouble with a local drug dealer and this guy is bad news. For some reason, however, Russel seems unconcerned by the fact that this guy could come after him at any time and everyone knows that Russel will be at the bar playing dart which makes him an even easier target for Vince to find. Vince is the drug dealer I forgot to put that in earlier.

The coolest thing I've seen in a while

Dart League King

Ive started reading the dart league king by keith morris. I started to read this book because I have heard nothing but good things about this book. People told me it was interesting and exciting so i had to read it for myself. Also Mr. Hill made it seem like one of the best books ever. So far it is about a man named Russel Harmon. This guy is kind of a piece of trash. All he does is play darts for his local bar and he is obsessed with it. It consumes him and everything he does. He lives with his mom and works for one of his friends as a logger. He just happens to be a coke head to. This guy is the definition of a failure. But I felt sorry for him because the only thing in life he has to look forward to is doing cocaine and playing darts.

s

BINGO

The negative connotation of his words is straightforward.
outspoken silence broke rule number 3

"At almost one o'clock I entered the lobby of the building where I worked...".
lori broke rule number 8

The crisp words that are used in Catcher in the Rye depict that his emotions are like a closed box, not wanting to deal with issues that seem non-important to him.
read between the blogs broke rule number 6

At the same time, he uses a figurative type of language when describing objects such as the lobby.
mariah broke rule number 6



In the beginning of Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger’s literal, blunt diction expresses Holden’s attitude towards his life and his surroundings. While describing his “touchy as hell”, he empathizes how emotional his parents can be. Mentioning his childhood as a “lousy childhood.” The negative connotation of his words is straightforward, making his word choice easily believed by others. Speaking of his brother, Holden says where D.B. lives “isn’t too far from this crumby place.” Though Holden is capable of positive emotions shown by his compassion for his brother.

Practice Diction Analysis

Practice Diction Analysis

In this excerpt from Catcher in the Rye JD Salinger’s down to earth, more or less common diction portrays a numb apathy toward everything in this passage. Salinger first describes the parents as “touchy as hell”. The diction throughout the excerpt is a bit rough around the edges. Salinger uses common words and even slang some slang like dough to try and communicate his story. This lower diction gives the reader the idea that the author is trying to reach out to the everyday person. He also describes the parents as “nice” the italics lead you to believe this statement was a completely sarcastic comment. This character doesn’t actually believe that his parents are “nice” he is just saying it to please his parents.

a

Almost There

Its the end of the quarter which means only one thing to me, and that is that i'm three more quarters away from finally graduating and moving on to bigger and better things. Just to look back on this quarter I am pleasantly surprised how well I've been keeping up on my reading for this class. At times it was a bit of a struggle, especially when school started and I still had my lazy attitude from summer, but reading has almost become routine for me now. I'm not saying I would rather read a book than watch a good movie or some TV, but I don't dread it anymore. The books that I have read this first quarter have been surprisingly good. The one book I have enjoyed reading the most so far has been Lightning by Dean Koontz. It was an exciting fast paced book that kept me engaged the entire time I was reading. I struggled a bit was some of the slower moving books. I need something that can grab my attention and hold it and the types of books that have that section of pages where it's just boring detail after boring detail are a struggle to read.

TED

Recently on stumble upon, the greatest website ever, I have been watching more and more TED videos. These things are amazing not only are they really interesting and hard to stop watching but you actually learn something from it. Recently I watched an old TED video about a photographers trip to Korea to take pictures. While in Korea he meets and old grandmother and her granddaughter. He spends a few weeks taking pictures of the granddaughter to get life from the point of view of this little girl. As time goes n the grandmother asks this man to take the girl home with him to America. I dont want to ruin the video if someone wants to watch it so i'll leave you there but i will suggest that you visit this web site and watch some of the videos

This just looks awesome

Cherry Blossom Avenue

I wish I lived on this street!

Pages for the week

Week 6

Flags of our Fathers

By James Bradley

Pages this week: 100

Pages this semester: 700

Flags of our Fathers

In this portion of the book that James Bradley describes growing up having his dad as a father. He tells us that he had no idea of his involvement on Iwo Jima while growing up at all. In fact his father didn't even tell his own wife about what he did in the war. It was only after the death of his father did he learn that he had taken part in one of the bloodiest battles in all of World War II. That his father in fact had won a medal for his bravery in combat and that he had sustained a quite severe wound while in battle. What amazed him the most was the fact that his father had been one of the five men who raised the American flag on that historic day. He talks about how when he was in school he would learn all about these men and how brave they were yet no one knew, not even James, that the man holding the base of the flag was in fact his father.

Flags of our Fathers

Flags of our Fathers is a book written about the men who severed our country in world war II. It focuses on the lives of the 5 men who rose the America Flag on Iwo Jima. The author James Bradley is the son of one of these historically famous young men. he begins by telling you background information about himself and why he is writing this book. He tells you that he is the son of one of the men about his family. Then he goes off and tell you about his experience as he goes to Iwo Jima for the first time after the death of his father to lay down a plaque for the men you raised the flag on that hill top. The ironic thing about his trip to this infamous island was that this time they had to ask the permission from the Japanese government to go vistit because it has since now become a Japanese naval base.

Flags of our Fathers

Favorites

1. But it serves as the punishment for your sins, a Promethean entrails-pecking moment, crouching half-horse half man, with the knowledge that you cannot appreciate the destination without knowing the starting point; you cannot revel in the simplicity unless you remember the alternatives.

2. "Holly shit, he's from the future"

3. As he stared in awe and fear at the freakish celestial display, another jagged crack opened in the heavens

These three are by far my favorite sentences this year. These either made me laugh, think, or just simply freaking awesome.

some awesome claims

The picture portrays an amused superiority the penguin has over the guy, and also a peaceful bitterness the guy has. All in all this is a relaxed yet explosive picture.

[In this scene from Vincent van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night , his colorful and exciting use of setting, busy but pleasant mood, and inviting cozy buildings]
portrays [a sense of playful benevolence and lighthearted liveliness.]

The painting “Bold as Love” by Scott Cicero portrays an intense and dramatic expression through the spiritual flow, soothing colors, and compassionate movement emphasizing the complex design.

Emerson's chubby cheeks, varying moods, and melodic giggles highlight the sincere, playful, and cheerful innocence of children.

This dance battle shows a magical setting, energetic choreography, vibrant attire, and upbeat sound that captivates the crowd and all who watch.

Lightning

Elements: Power, Setting, Shape, presences

Adjectives: colossal, magnificent, explosive, arrogant, bleak, chaotic, uneasy, dramatic, shocking, uneasy, docile, seductive

Tone words:fear, aggression, euphoric, lonely, hostile

In this picture of lightning striking the Serengeti you are overwhelmed by it's explosive power, seductive presence, and docile setting which creates a sense of euphoria, fear, and loneliness.

Pages and Sentences of the week!

Sum forty tales from the afterlives by David Eagleman

Pages 1-110

Sentences

1. Four weeks sitting in thought, wondering if there is something better you could be doing with your time.

2.But it serves as the punishment for your sins, a Promethean entrails-pecking moment, crouching half-horse half man, with the knowledge that you cannot appreciate the destination without knowing the starting point; you cannot revel in the simplicity unless you remember the alternatives.

3.This is not a job choice but indenture: you owe the same number of hours of service as you spent dreaming during your lifetime.

These were some of my favorite sentences from the entire book. It was only 110 pages so there weren't as many to choice from like some of the other books, but everyone of these sentences made me think. I spent a while after each of these sentences and thought to myself. But the one I like the most was the first sentence because it seems like I do that a lot. It seems like I spend weeks at a time trying to find something to do. Something new and exciting but frankly that isn't going to happen in Fort Wayne.

Pages

Lightning by Dean Koontz

Pages this week 90

Pages this semester 380

Sentence

"Holly shit, he's from the future"

This is my favorite sentence from the entire book because the kid who said it is so innocent and if it funny to me to see him out of no where make a statement like this.

Bouncy Balls

Lightning

Well this will be the last post about this book. I finally finished it and I must say it was pretty good. I'm not going to give anything away by explaining what happened. But if I was going to say anything I would say that Laura dies and well so does her son. Nah I'm just kidding, but really go read this book for your self you'll like it. Dean Koontz does an amazing job at grabbing your attention from the beginning of the and doesn't give it back until you close the book for the last time. I have been a fan of his books for awhile now and this doesn't change a thing in fact it only improves my thoughts about him. Of course there is his one down fall but its only a small one. It seems like he takes too many pictures with his dog. Its nothing against it or anything I just think its time for him to switch things up. Anyway back to the book I would strongly suggest it to everyone its a good book all around.

Lightning

I dont know how I'm getting anything done tonight. Homework that would normally only take me 15 minutes is taking me an hour now. It fall my favorite season of the year because its time for some football. That also means I'm going to be distracted anytime there is a football game on. Any way I'm still reading the book Lightning and I still love it. There is never a dull moment as you follow Laura as she grows up. She still doesn't know how Stefan fits in her life or why he is even there in her life. But by now you have learned that Stefan is not from this time. It sounds strange but he is in fact from the future. He travels on something called the lightning road. Its still not clear why he has chosen Laura to protect. You also learn that in his time Stefan is considered a traitor and that the company he works for has hired men to hunt him down and kill Stefan and Laura.

How to play capture the flag in Japan

My Blog Tour

On Paper Wings
Inside Out
M_Hendrix
The Ozone Lair
Chillin
charliebucket
Norwegian Wood
Noodles
phyllis

pages and sentences

Lightning by Dean Koontz

Pages this week: 130

Pages this semester: 290

Sentences

1. Disoriented by the blazing sky, thunder, wind, and billowing white curtains of the storm, Markwell abruptly felt drunk for the first time that night.

2. As he stared in awe and fear at the freakish celestial display, another jagged crack opened in the heavens

3. She closed to within two steps of the new stranger before she realized that the disharmony between him and the bright, warm summer day was not solely a result of his black clothing; wintry darkness was an integral part of the man himself; a coldness seemed to come from within him, as if he had been born to dwell in the polar regions or in the high caves of ice-bound mountains.

All these sentences were during pretty intense moments of the book. All three are also very descriptive of the scene that's going on and that is why I liked these.

Lightning

Usually by this time in the book I am beyond bored and struggle to get through to the next page with out falling asleep. Surprisingly I'm not with this book. It turns out Stefan is a bit of a bad ass and always seems to know when something bad is about to happen to Laura. Around this time there is a jump in time in the book. It jumps forward eight years to a small grocery in California. it's a rainy day and not much is happening in the small shop that Laura's dad until a sketchy bro walks in. He walks up the register and it is clear that he is strung out on some type on drug. The sketchy bro then proceeds to pull out a gun and holds it up to Bob Shane's face, Laura's dad. Bob gives him the money with out question but the man doesn't walk away. He instead stares intently at Laura. Bob knows exactly what he is thinking and out of now where a gun shot goes off. Bob Shane thinks he had been shot. When he opens his eyes he sees the robber laying on the ground dead. He looks over and it is Stefan but he doesn't know who this man is. But he does have that eerie feeling that he has meet this man or at least seen him before.

I wish I could find a place as tranquil as this. A place where I can sit relax and just enjoy life.

Took the personality test and Guess I'm a ESFJ. It turns out that Frank Sinatra and Bill Clinton have the same personality as me so that is pretty awesome. I guess that means I'm either going to be a famous singer or president of the United States both would be alright with me.

What I've Read

Lightning by Dean Koontz

Pages this week:160

Lightning pg 75- 160

Well this book proves that once you start one of Dean Koontz's books you don't want to put it down. right from the beginning he grabs your attention and so have hasn't given it back. It turns out the man who had recently taken Dr. Markwell did so to prevent him from delivering the baby he was supposed to. The mans name is Stefan and he seems to be some sort of guardian or something. I got this idea because he knew all about the Doctor his drinking habits and all about the child he was supposed to be delivering. Stefan holds Markwell hostage for about an hour just long enough for him to miss the delivery then leaves. From this point the book's focus shifts away from Markwell and more toward the newly born child. It is a baby girl named Laura her fathers name is Bob Shane and her mother died while giving birth. Now while in the nursery her father comes in to hold her and when Bob takes a look out of the window into the lobby he notices a man staring in at his daughter he is holding in his arms. This strange man just happens to be Stefan the same man who held Markwell hostage. This lead me to believe that Stefan is in fact a guardian for some one but not the person I originally thought. It turns out Dr. Markwell has held hostage to make sure he wouldn't deliver the baby in order to ensure that the child was delivered alive and stayed alive. I know I don't due this book justice by trying to describe it. It is a bit more confusing trying to explain than to actually read but I would suggest just reading the book and enjoy it.

Nike Just Do It - Chris Bryant

Distractions

Its hard to get any of my work done especially when I have any homework on the computer because of distractions on the web. The one website that has kept me from getting my work done is Good Music All Day. This isn't your ordinary music website, it is a blog that a 20 year old college student put together for high school and college kids. He put together this site to help expose new and up coming artist. Not only does this site do that but it also does a great job of describing the type of music that is playing. Me trying to describe this awesome website doesn't do it justice you might as well check it out your self and enjoy. http://www.goodmusicallday.com/

Lightning pg 1-75

To start this course off I picked the book lightning by Dean Koontz. The reason I choose this book was I personally like Dean Koontz as a writer. I have read a few of books and liked everyone that I picked up. This book is no exception, Lightning right from the beginning you are hooked and don't want to put this one down. You are first introduced to Dr. Paul Markwell and when you first meet him he is drinking scotch at home while on call. Which leads you to believe this man is a drunk and an idiot. While drunk he gets a call from the hospital alerting him that one of his patients has gone into labor and that he is needed at the hospital as soon as possible. Now you would think there is no way he is dumb enough to try and drive to the hospital while drunk yet alone try and deliver a child. He decides to go anyway. Here is where You get the feeling that Dr. Markwell doesn't really care to much about his job or the safety of his patients. Well as soon as he leaves his house a bolt of lightning strikes the light post outside his house. Now you might be thinking this is probable some type of sign since the book is called lightning and a bolt of lightning just struck right near the main character. Well you'll have to read it to find out. Then by like some source of higher power a man with a gun and takes the bad Doctor away at gun point.

Starting the new year

Well the new school year is back and well I can honestly say that I'm kinda excited for once. I Almost feel like I'm 5 years old again going to school for my very first time. It might be that I'm finally senior this year and I know that the end is near. I am more than ready to move on though but I might as well enjoy my last year in the Fort because after this year I'm gone!

PEOPLE ARE AWESOME

Colmbine 1-50

I switch books again because I had been waiting for this book all semester and just now got it. These first pages of the book really introduce you well to the two young boys who committed this horrible crime. The author explains Eric and Dylan's live though out high school very well. He talks about the type of things these two were into, the girls they talked to, their different personalities, and even where one of the boys, Eric, worked. It was very ere to read and learn about some of how these two went about planning and carrying out the massacre. It is extremely interesting and I when first started to read it was hard to put the book down. Mainly because we don't much about what happen and why these to kids did this. Here you get a first hand look and it really keeps you paying attention and wanting more.

This is my obscure animal of the week. The bear cat one of the most feared of all the mixed animals in the world. Mainly because its a bear and a cat combined. I would not want to corner one of these vicious beasts!

Poems

Lightning- Mary Oliver
Acts of God-Heather McHugh
Flash Flood- John Unterecker
Fire and Ice- Robert Frost
Nature- Anees Akbar
Wind on the Hill- A.A. Milne
First Storm and Thereafter- Scott Cairns
Storm Ending- Jean Toomer
To Frighten a Storm- Gladys Cardiff
"Fire in the Window"- Mary Mapes Dodge

pg 200-250

Here things got a little exciting. After the group got separated from the main pack and ran into what they thought was the Taliban. Luckily these highly trained men yelled out to make sure they were in fact good or bad. That man moved away from the other three guys that way if it was a group f terrorist they would not know exactly where to shoot. But it wasnt in fact it was a group of locals who were sent out to find them. They now headed to meet up with the other group of guys who had hike to the top of a ridge for a better look out spot. Once they meet up with the main group they all started a long grueling hike toward their new home which was a small Afghan village along a river. Good section to read was pretty interesting and kept me focused.

Oh Snap!

125-200

This section of the book really puts into view how strong the men who do this stuff for a living are. After a group of 4 men were separated from the main group behind enemy lines they hear something that they really dont want to hear at this moment and that is voices of other soldiers coming. When they here this the group of 4 men quickly throw down the heaviest parts of their packs and make a dash toward the bushes for cover. No more than 5 minutes after getting into the bushes a group of 6 Afghanistan men come into the clearing. This is a pretty intense moment because the Americans have their guns fixed on these men and they are hoping that they will not have to shoot so they don't give away their positions. But of course they do and the Americans don't have a clue what or if they should shoot. So they quickly decide to call out something to find out if maybe they are friendlys. Luckily for them when they do shout out to the 6 men they find out that they are indeed good guys.

One thing I have to see before I die.

There is something about going to a place where no one can bother you that really appeals to me. I think this guy found the right spot to go too.

75-100

These pages were a little more dry and not as interesting as the rest of the book. Yet it still provided a lot of information about the group of men that we were introduced to in the beginning of the book. Eric takes you all the way back to before 9-11 and tell you how these men were hand picked from the best of the best to be put into and elite group of warriors that would specialize in unconventional warfare. Unconventional warfare is where a small group of soldiers instead of large platoons of men. These men are highly trained in many different fields and work best best under pressure. That was basically all that took place during these pages; not as exciting as I hoped for but it was very neat.

Face-Off With a Deadly Predator

Stumble Upon

Well I'm here to talk about my new fix that has been taking up almost every free moment I have. Stumble upon is a website which opens the world of the internet up to you. It is extremely simple all you do is go to stumbleupon.com and from there you create a profile. There you click on the different things that interest you. Say for example you like history, you would check the history one and you will be sent to different websites that have everything to do with history. It is truly an amazing website that change they way you use the internet.

Worlds coolest pet

The other day while relaxing in my house I began to read an article in National Geographic about Foxes. This Aerticle talked about how a man in russia has spent the last 15 years breeding wild foxes toghether. During this time he has been able to demosticate them and sell them as pets. He told National Geographic that his foxes were better behaved and more loving than any dog you could buy. Also the fact that they are foxes is awesome. I personally would buy a pet fox in a heart beat. This man sells them for a couple grand unforchantly, so you might need to start saving now if you want one. There is a upside to this though and that is that you can purchase your pet fox in two different colors. They have your standard red fox but they also sell the silver fox.

The Human Machine

SPRING BREAK!!!

Pages 90-150

Alright well I got pretty tired of this book because it was pretty childish but i'm still using it as one of my blog posts. Well to sum up the rest of the book because it was only 15o pages will be pretty simple. After Ms. Riddle becomes evil she is exposed to some juice that gives her all the super powers in the comic. Makes two robots destroy Captain Underpants, who just happens to be Mr. Krupp. The two robots find Captain Underpants and hang him by his underpants on top of a flag pole. Then Ms. Riddle causes havoc through out the city. She is just out there doing whatever she want knocking over buildings, flipping police cars, and giving people wedgies. Well Captain Underpants is able to free himself and defeat Ms. Ribble in an epic fight.

Well i'm glad that is over probably should of picked a different book. Oh well I thought it might be fun to read a stupid book but I was proven wrong. It is okay though I was able to grab an actual pretty decent book for my next read

Pages 90-150

Alright well I got pretty tired of this book because it was pretty childish but i'm still using it as one of my blog posts. Well to sum up the rest of the book because it was only 15o pages will be pretty simple. After Ms. Riddle becomes evil she is exposed to some juice that gives her all the super powers in the comic. Makes two robots destroy Captain Underpants, who just happens to be Mr. Krupp. The two robots find Captain Underpants and hang him by his underpants on top of a flag pole. Then Ms. Riddle causes havoc through out the city. She is just out there doing whatever she want knocking over buildings, flipping police cars, and giving people wedgies. Well Captain Underpants is able to free himself and defeat Ms. Ribble in an epic fight.

Well i'm glad that is over probably should of picked a different book. Oh well I thought it might be fun to read a stupid book but I was proven wrong. It is okay though I was able to grab an actual pretty decent book for my next read

Stumble Upon

Well I'm here to talk about my new fix that has been taking up almost every free moment I have. Stumble upon is a website which opens the world of the internet up to you. It is extremely simple all you do is go to stumbleupon.com and from there you create a profile. There you click on the different things that interest you. Say for example you like history, you would check the history one and you will be sent to different websites that have everything to do with history. It is truly an amazing website that change they way you use the internet.

Pages 45-90

Well I was pretty excited to get back to this book mainly because I enjoy simple things and this is very simple. During these awesome pages George and Harold find themselves attending the wedding of Mr. Krupp and Ms. Ribble. Mr. Krupp is still in shock and unable to talk or do anything at all. When the rabi asks Ms. Ribble is she wants to marry Mr. Krupp she screams no and give the reason why to be because of his nose. This upsets Mr. Krupp who then tells her that it is the boys' fault this happened to begin with. Ms. Ribble is in a rage now and chases George and
Harold all over the lunchroom knocking over all the food into the crowd of people and she also destroys the cake in the process. The next day when the boys go to school they discover that their teacher has changed all of their grades to Gs which is worse than Fs. In order to fix this mess they two try and hypnotize her with a hypno ring. While they are doing this you read about a recall on the rings that states the rings are bad and will make the person do the exact opposite of what they are told. This is not good for the boys who tell her to change their grades and not to become the evil wedgie women from their comic. Of course she does become this evil women.

Daily schedule for break

1. sleep in till 11

2.Eat breakfast

3.Go to the pool and tan

4.sleep by the pool

5.eat lunch by the pool

6. swim in the pool

7. Read a bit

8. take another nap by the pool

9.Go out

10. go to bed

Pages 1-45

Well for this weeks blog I decided I would take a step into my childhood and read Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. Right away you are introduced to trouble makers named Harold Hutchins and George Beard. Now we are told that these two kids have quite the imagination and that they have trouble staying out of trouble at school. In fact they can even make it down the hallway without getting in some sort of trouble. Well they just happen to have one of the meanest teachers in the world too Ms. Ribble, who once gave the class 41 book reports over christmas break. One day she announces her retirement and that the class will have to make a poem for her. George and Harold decide that they would rather write a comic book instead about an evil women who uses her robotic powers to give everyone wedgies but is defeated by a Captain Underpants. Ms. Ribble discovers the comic and sends the boys down to the office where the two mess with the Friday memo while waiting for the principle, Mr. Krupp. Here the boys get into more trouble and trick Mr. Krupp into asking Ms. Ribble to marry him.

Beat the Machine

Today while I was supposed to be working on in class blog I was distracted by a challenge I could not refuse. There is a link on The Word that takes you to a website that has the online version of rock paper scissors. I was told that it is almost impossible to beat the computer in any number of rounds. This is because the computer uses data taken from thousands of other games it has played and uses that to try and predict your next move. Well by being completely random in every move I made, and with a little natural rock paper scissors instinct, I was able to make things a little more fair and even beat the computer with a score of 15 wins 12 ties and 9 loses. This just goes to show if your are planning on trying to beat a machine on anything don't think and just go for it.

Olu - Beautiful Darkness

Expect to win 25-50

So far I have really gotten into this new book. Bill Glass does a great job of explaining how using your thoughts can help you control the outcome of a situation. And the power of positive thoughts. Here Bill explains to the reader how the prisoners of war during the Vietnam war at the camp Hanoi used positive thoughts to keep them going for as long as 9 years of being locked up and help hostage. Bill talks about how these men took there time in this prison and turned it into a better experience than what it should of been. He says that some men while there were able to learn new languages and even become good at golf because while they were locked up they kept a postive attitude and kept those good thoughts in mind.

Expect to win 1-25

Well this week I was challenged by one of my better friends to read a book called expect to win by a man named Bill Glass. This book is more of an inspirational book. It teaches some steps you can take mentally to help yourself succeed in sports or whatever you apply it to. The reason he is more sports centered is that he was an all-pro defensive end for the Cleveland Browns. This first part of the book talks about how thinking the right way is key in order to succeed in whatever tasks you are trying to achieve. Glass does a good job explaining this idea by giving you a few examples like if you think garbage you get garbage. What I got from that is if you are thinking bad thoughts about what you are doing or if you don't have confidence in yourself you are bound to fail at whatever you are doing. So if you are trying to catch a football and all you think about is how you aren't going to be able to make this catch you won't catch it.

Watchers

In these pages Travis and his new friend, the dog he found while hiking, have got to know each other. With this came some surprises like the fact that the dog is super smart and can actually think. Travis names his new friend Einstein which is a fitting name for this dog since he is a freaking genius. The two communicate together by spelling out words with scrabble pieces. Einstein explains everything to Travis about how he escaped from a secret lab and that the beast that was chasing them is named the outsider. He then tells Travis that the Outsider for some reason hates him with such a passion that he is trying to kill him and won't stop till he does.

Watchers 150-200

Well during these few pages Travis and Einstein go to town for a nice evening together. It just so happen that the rapist repair man never left Nora alone and is still at her house during this section too. Well he decides that the two of them should go out for a nice evening on the town. And to make sure Nora doesn't try and run away or anything he keeps a tight grip on her and threatens her the entire time. Well while they are out they just happen to run into Travis and Einstein as well. Einstein notices something wrong because he is a freak of nature and drags Travis back over to Nora and the rapist. The Rapist gets scared off because Travis is more or less a beast. Don't let the causality of this blog fool you. It actually was a very intriguing section of reading.

Watchers 75-110

When we last left Nora she had been complaining about her dead aunt. Boring I know well things are about to get hot well more intense than anything. during these pages the one part that stuck out the most was when Nora has to hire a repair man to fix her television. The repair man arrives and of course she lets him in. Well as things go on this guy tries to rape Nora. Yeah the book picked up a bit around that time. He doesn't succeed in his attempt to rape Nora but won't leave either she almost becomes his captive person. Overall not part of the book a little weird with the whole rape thing but oh well.

New T.V. Discovery

Well other day while I was going through my daily routine of watching t.v. I discovered a new and exciting channel BBC. The British Broadcasting Channel the only reason I thought this was awesome was I did not know we had British t.v. here in America the land of the free. Its not all that exciting once you sit down and watch the actually shows but one sticks out from all others and that would be the rugby matches that are play annually. I had the pleasure of watch England play France and holy crap this game is intense. I honestly think that I might of missed out a bit by not getting the chance to play this awesome sport.

Racing Ostrich

New Age of Racing

I have recently discovered the intense sport of Ostrich racing. I didn't believe what I saw at first but the more and more videos I watch on you tube the more real it became. This has to be one of the most amazing sport ever created out of pure boredom. Really who sees a giant flightless bird and decides to race this gruesome beast? Well whoever it was they need a gold star or a cookie because this is amazing. I'm going out tomorrow to buy myself an Ostrich so i can start training.

Watchers 50-75

The last time I read Travis was being chased down a hill with a dog by some short of a beast. Travis is becoming more afraid of this animal chasing him and this dog to his car. He gets so nervous that he pulls out his gun and fires off a couple of rounds into the bushes where he believes this animal is. They make it to the car and Travis takes off for home and along with him he brings the dog. After that intense part of the book you slow back down and meet Nora Devon a bit of an insecure person who now lives alone because her abusive aunt passed away. This part is a little slow. All that happens is you meet her then you hear her complain about how much she hates her now dead aunt.

A little less entertaining as the last part but still okay. Dean does a good job introducing each character.

New Book Pages 1-50

Once again I became bored with the book I had been reading so i switched it up again. I moved to the Watchers by Dean Koontz. I had never heard of this book before but after reading the summary of the book I became interested. So far I have been introduced to Travis Cornell who is an ex-Delta Force soldier. He lives in Santa Barbra California and when we meet him he is about to go on a hike. As he gets to the climax of his hike he stops and begins to think about things and stuff that has happened when he notices a snake. He pulls out a gun and aims at the snake with the intention of shooting the animal but pulls his gun away after some thought. As he is heading back down to his car he runs into a dog which begins to bark ferociously at Travis. He avoids the dog but it keeps following him. He stops and the dog comes up to him and begins to tug at his pant leg to get Travis to keep moving. Then Travis hears something loud in the bushes and turns to look he thinks it is something big. He starts to run away and the dog comes with him but so does the noise he hears.

So far the book is pretty interesting a bit of a slow start but then the book picks up pretty quick.

Olu Daylight

http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/Daylight+olu+Vs+Matt+and+Kim+/3t3DdS?src=5

Olu and Shad

  Just throwing it out there to anyone who listens to hip hop.  Two new artist who have not yet become famous, which i don't understand how they aren't yet, have recently caught my attention.  These two lyrical geniuses are Olu and Shad.  Shad is the one who has surprised me the most only because he is from Canada.  He has thrown out a plethora of great songs and a good album which has gone unseen in America.  It might have something to do with him being Canadian but i'm not sure.  The other man coming up on the scene is Olu.  This kid has incredible talent and is one the few artists that puts in a clear message behind his songs.  He puts meaning into his music which is one of the main reasons why I enjoy his music.  Both of these artists have yet to make it big but i'm calling their claim to fame now they will be big soon.

Cell Pages 245-300

During these pages of "Cell" the book takes a turn that is a bit unexpected.  After Clay and Tom blow the crazies to bits they feel the urge that they need to leave.  Well they decide that leaving is probable the smartest thing to do so and they try and get Jordan and the headmaster to come with them.  The only problem is Jordan wont leave with out the headmaster and the headmaster knows it.  As everyone is going to bed the headmaster talks to Clay and tell him that he is going to take his life so that Jordan will go with Clay and his group.  Clay tries to talk him out of it but he has no luck changing his mind.  That day while the whole group is sleeping Clay wakes up from a horrible night mare and tries to sketch it down as soon as he can.  The only thing that Clay can get drawn down on the paper is the image of a ragged man with missing teeth and a Harvard shirt on.  As he finishes he talks to Tom who also has had the same night mare as Clay.  They quickly go check on Alice and Jordan and they discover that Jordan has had the same night mare and he is now terrified.  As they are talking about the dream the doors on the building begin to shake violently.  The group knows exactly who it is and quickly scatter to get the guns.  As they become more aware of their surroundings they notice that the building has been encircled by crazies.  Suddenly the door stops shaking and there is silence.  Clay has a feeling that he knows who exactly is outside that door and that he needs to open it.  When he opens the door Clay had been right it was the ragged man from their night mare standing outside the door with hundreds of crazies standing behind him.  At the door step there was the melted pieces of the stereos that had been blown up during the explosion.  The ragged man suggests that they can leave with out any harm.  While he does this Clay can hear screams and the sound of gun shots in the background.  It was the sound of crazies killing some travelers they were able to grab.  He didn't know why the ragged man was letting them go and not the people he had heard screaming, but he forgot about it and went to get the headmaster.  When he got there he found him dead sitting at his desk with his eye missing and a pen in his brain.  The ragged man was able to make the headmaster write the word insane in 14 languages on his desk and then kill himself all from a dream.  And that is where I stopped.
  The book as you continue to read becomes more and more addicting to me.  This part of the book to me was the easiest to read because you didn't want to put it down.  As you read these you are hit with several huge surprises that you aren't prepared for.  You learn that the some of the crazies have become almost telepathic.  That part for me was one of the down sides of these pages.  It was a down side because of how unrealistic it is.  Having the entire world become crazy zombies from a cell phone signal, but then making them become more and more intelligent to the part where they are mind reading dream controlling zombies is a little far for me.  Other than that a great part of the book    

Pages update

250 in the past to weeks
400 total pages

Teens and peer pressure

A recent study done at Temple University teens and why the make bad decisions and what causes teens to make these bad choices even while driving.  The study was done using 40 people ranging from 14 to adults.  They were asked to play a driving game in which if they finished in a certain time they would get a prize, but there would be penalties for getting into wrecks.  First each person played by themselves then after that they were told that some of their friends were also playing the same game.  When the teens were told that their friends were also playing or watching they ran 40 percent more lights and got into 60 percent more wrecks.  They explained this by saying that the reward section of the brain showed more activity when friends were present.  They are basically saying that teens do stupid things around their friends for the reward that comes with the stupid activity. I can agree completely with what their study has shown.  Being a teen myself I have been pressured by my friends to do stupid stunts that I would not of tried if I was alone.  Even with driving I seem to drive a little more reckless when i'm with friends as if I am trying to prove that I can be reckless and still drive well.

SHAD - Rose Garden

Cell Pages 225-245

  During these pages you get to see how Clay and his new buddies decided how to get rid of all the crazies on the school's fields.  They chose to try and blow them all to bits using a propane truck they found at the gas station across the street from the school.  The only catch to this plan is that Clay and Tom have to go get the truck during the day while the crazies are to most active.  They make it to the gas station okay then the two spot a pair of crazies walking toward them at the station.  The two crazies walk in and start to eat some of the food but the thing that stands out the most to Clay and Tom is the fact that they took books.  Clay and Tom finally get the truck back to the school and set it up in the middle of the fields.  When night falls and all the crazies come back to nest Clay and Tom get ready to set the bomb off.  Clay picks a colt .45 as his weapon of choice to set this propane truck off.  Once he shots it there is an overwhelming shock from the blast of the truck.  Clay and Tom can feel bits of metal and body parts fly by them.  After the blast they realize they had made a huge mistake
   These pages of the book in my opinion were some of the more interesting to read.  It was one those times were you get drawn  into the book and you almost feel like you are there.  One of the better parts of the book so far.

"Cell" Pages 200-225

   It was a bad couple of days of reading for me I was to busy playing in the snow with my three days off of school.  But these pages that I did get the chance to read were somewhat exciting.  During these pages Clay and his new found friends begin to shart and learn more about the crazies that take refuge in the school's fields.  They find out that at night and if music is playing they are able to walk right up to anyone of the crazies and they would be perfectly safe.  The headmaster of the school even hit one in the head and the crazy didnt move an inch.  Once they figure this out the group begins to discuss different tactics they could use to disspose of all the crazies.  They try burning them but that was not very effective.
   This book the more I read the more I begin to like.  It is beginning to become very interesting and makes you think with all the different technology we have today if this might be possible.  While I have been reading some parts I almost get mad at some of the characters if they do something that I think is stupid, or if they do something that I wouldnt do in that situation.

Good Music All Day

Good Music All Day is the one website that I frequent the most while i'm browsing on the internet.  This website gives me the newest and freshest music out there before any of my friends hear it.  Here I also get the chance to hear new people as the try to work their way to the top.  I tend to visit this site the most  mainly because they put out the style of music I prefer to listen to.  Good Music All Day also lets you download the songs you want for free, and it is legal.  They are able to do this because the artists that give them the music do it for free and use this website as more of a place to get known and be heard.  Here different artist also throw out some of their new mix-tapes or freestyles.  The people who manage the website do a great job making everything as easy as they can for its users.  They do this by either giving instructions for you so that you can get the download easily and by explaining the different song so that you will know if you like the song before you even click play.  Over all Good Music All Day is my favorite website. 

"Cell" 105-200

   This was the largest section that i have just sat down and read for a long time. It was mainly due to the fact that this part of the boook was very interesting.  Clay Tom and Alice decide to try and find some guns so they at least have some sort of proctection as they move north.  While they wait for night to come so they can move safely they noctice all of the crazies flocking together and moving as a flock.  They puzzle over it for awhile then move on. When night hits Clay and his crew got to Tom's neighbors house where he knows there are guns and lots of them.  They stock up on the weapons and start to head North.
   While they travel North they begin to run into more and more travelers.  They know they are okay because they have flashlights and the crazzies only come out during the day.  As they begin to talk to more and more of these people Clay and his buddies start to hear more and more about a rumor that the state boarders North are closed and anyone who tries to cross is being shot.  It concerns Clay a little but they decide to keep on their route north.  On the way they hear more and more stories from other people warning them not to go out during the day for any reason.  Or stories about how they saw a group of crazies attack and tear apart a normal person they had caught out in the daylight.
   Now toward the end of the section I read Clay, Tom, and Alice had made it to an academy where they meet a couple other people which had something very interesting to show them.  When they got the chance the headmaster of the school and one of students showed Clay and his friends a flock of crazies that were spent the night every night on the schools football and soccer fields.  With them the crazies had radios playing to comfort them almost while they slept.  Thats where I stopped and this section was by far the best part of the book so far. 
 

"Cell" 85-105

I think I am struggling to find a book that intrests me, because I'm on my second book and nothing so far.  What is happening in the book though isn't bad or boring so far.  It has been okay and the action in the bok slowly keeps picking up.  During these pages Clay and his "crew" are travling through the city trying to get to Tom's appartment.  They are also trying as hard as they can to stay away from any of the crazies that are running rampade throughout the city.  While on the way they spot a large group of people leaving the city and heading east.  For some reason they thought it would be better to stay on their own instead of traveling with a large group for safety.  They end up making it to Tom's appartment all in one piece and without dieing.  Once they get there the group gets to meet Tom's cat Rafer and Alice becomes obsessed with a little Nike shoe.

"Cell" 70-85

Today i was really unmotivated to do anything at all.  So i didn't.  The few pages that I did read however were pretty interesting.  Clay, Tom, and Alice left the went back to the hotel for Clay's portfolio of drawings.  When Clay went back into the room hehad discovered that Mr. Ricardia had hung himself.  The three of them could believe that he actually committed suicide.  After this they decide to try and go to Tom's apartment which is less than two miles away, and they set off.

MDH- "Ain't Comin Down" Official Music Video

"Cell" Pg 50-70

Through these pages not to much happened and it was more of Clay and Tom just sitting around in the hotel they had locked themselves in.  While in the hotel they manage to make a two new friends Alice who is a little girl who followed them to the hotel, and Mr. Ricardi who is the manager of the hotel Clay had been staying at.  While inside the hotel the group talks about possible leaving the hotel and trying for a safer place to hide.  Alice points out that the crazies that are outside are easily fooled and stop chasing someone if they lose sight of that person, which works in there advantage.  That was basically it during this part nothing to dramatic.

"Hideaway" and "Cell" Pg 68-100 Pg 1-50

  During the part of the Hideaway we learn what is going on while Hatch Harrison is dead and while he is alive but unconcious.  You get to follow a demon as he goes on hunts for his next victims to kill.  I found this to be extremely weird and sometimes a bit disturbing.  This demon seems to have an obsession with killing people that remind him of anything to do with sex.  He does this because he knows that sex is what brings life to the world and he hates life.  He also focuses on women because they are the ones that bring life to the world.  After he kills the people he mutilates the bodies and brings them back with him and places them in front of the devil.  This book likes to switch back and forth between different views from different people.  So as you read about this you also get information about how Harrison is doing with his recovery since the doctors now have him stable.  They even take him out of the emergency part of the hospital and place him in a private room.  While he is in the room he regains consciousness for a short period of time but then quickly losses consciousness again.  After reading some of how the demon picks his victims and how well Dean Koontz discribes everything for his reader I decided to switch to a different book.
  The book I decided to begin reading was "Cell" by Stephen King.  By the second page of this book there is already some pretty exciting things going on.  You meet the main  character whose name is Clay, and the setting of this book takes place in Boston.  When you meet Clay he is just leaving a shop where he bought a gift for his wife and he gets into line to grab some ice cream.  While waiting in line he begins to hear screaming but he doesn't think a thing of it because he believes that they are just screams of happy people in the park.  As his focus goes back to the ice cream he notices the people in front of him taking on their cell phones, and then everything goes to hell.  The people who were talking on their cell phones begin to go nuts and try to kill whatever they can.  Clay is stunned and doesn't know quite what to do.  He runs into someone who isn't nuts and his name is Tom.  Clay and Tom stay together as they try to find a place to hide from all the freaks running around going nuts.  They finally take refuge in the hotel that Clay had been staying in. So far this book has been pretty good.   

Chiddy Bang - Dream Chasin'

"Hideaway" pg 37-68

   Through this section of the book you get to see the battle the doctors are in with bring back harrison from the dead.  You first meet the different doctors involved in the process and a bit of background about each one.  Then the story goes brings you into the debate in which the doctors are arguing about if Harrison is to far gone to be brought back to life.  They finally decide to go for it and go to work on him.  They start by slowly taking out his blood and raising the temperature back to 100 degrees.  The doctors repeat this process until his body is brought back to a normal temperature.  As time runs on the doctors become more and more nervous until they finally see a reading of the EKG machine.  They had done it, the doctors had successfully brought Harrison back from the dead and in a record breaking time.
   While this whole process is going on you follow Harrison through his journey of death.  You follow him as he walks through the land of death and you see him make the decision not to come back to life on his own.  He then meets a demon and has a conversion with him.
 

"Hideaway" pg 1-37

   The new book that i have begun to read is "Hideaway" by Dean Koontz.  Immediately after starting to read this book you are hooked are story and it is hard to stop reading.  To begin you are introduced to a married couple whose names are Lindsey and Hatch Harrison.  They both are still struggling to get over the death of their son which took place a number of years back.  In the book you meet them on their way home from Big Bear Lake in the middle of winter.  The weather is getting pretty bad on the way home and it is hard for Hatch to keep control of the car.  They see a truck driver struggling to drive his deliver truck of beer up the mountain.  Hatch begins to slow down when he looses control of the car completely and he and his wife begin sliding toward the truck.  Just as it looks as they will miss the truck the back end slams into the truck and sends them spinning down the road on this mountain.  They come to a stop by slamming into a guardrail.  When it looks like things cant get worse the car tips over the edge and slides down the side of the mountain into a ravine and into a frozen river.
   At this point you get to meet the driver of the truck whose name is Bill Cooper.  Here you learn that Bill has been drinking about while making his deliveries and isnt in the best shape to be driving.  He also comes to the relization that he shouldn't of tried to make his deliver in weather as bad as this.  Bill calls for help and follows the skid marks that he sees on the ground to the guardrail where the Harrison's car went over. At the bottom of the ravine he sees the car floating down the river and doesnt move from there because he is afraid he will lose sight of the car.
   By the time help finally arrives Lindsey has been able to drag her unconscious husband from the sinking car. She grabs a hold of a rock and she begins to see the flash lights of the rescuers coming to get her.  They are able to get both her and her husband out of the water and on their way to the hospital.  By this time Lindsey is pretty sure that her husband has drowned and is already dead but she won't give up hope.  When they get to the hospital one of the nurses tells her that has in fact died.