Day: May 2, 2011

Battle of the Bands!

yrreskrap1 Comment

Eight. Jazz music encompassed me in an anxious din. The sweet, soulful voice of a freshman from Thatcher filled my ears-then stopped. The judges gave generous reviews.

Seven more to go. Again, the judges had accolades for the performers. Only kind words.

Six.

Five. Four. Three. Two…

It was our turn.

We were practicing backstage, doing our vocal warm ups and melting the pressure away. We didn’t sound too shabby. And my voice didn’t give out like I thought it would. We were going over the song one last time, making sure that-

“Maddie, Serry, Lindsey?” a frantic boy called.

We all nodded, the nerves flooded back, flushed into my weary veins. The clamminess returned once again to my hands and my knees were hit with a pang of unease as he led us behind the curtain, ready to push us under the unforgiving spotlight.

Easy notes of the piano gently filled the auditorium. I felt them in my fingers. Maddie’s velvet voice started us off and I felt a bit more confident. Throughout the song, I was nervous. Where should I put my hands? How should I stand? Where do I look?

The song was over soon enough and we all linked fingers while we waited for the judges to deliberate.

We had gotten marked down by the Thacher judge for having teachers playing the piano and the bass. We got the same score by a girl that hated me in 8th grade and-I believe-still hates me to this day. At first, I was a bit angry about the scores. But in the end, I didn’t care. I got to see my friends, Maddie, Lindsey, and Lucy snag third place out of the entire competition and I got a feel for what it was like to participate in such a big event. We didn’t receive horrible scores either.

For those of you who did not get the chance to hear us sing yesterday, you will get another chance to hear us sing the same song, Emotions by Destiny’s Child, at the graduation recital! Now, you can’t miss that because it’s mandatory!

Here’s my favorite cover of the song:

Facebook posts found tornado items

weirdjennyLeave a comment

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Due to the terrible tornado strikes in the mid-west of America, many lives are lost and many properties are lost too. Recently, a group on Facebook has created a page to try to link the victims with their lost documents, photos, and other personal items they have lost in the tornadoes. The page was created on April 27, and had more than 50000 “likes” and more than 600 images of found items. The page’s creator, Patty Bullion, said the inspiration for it came when the worst of Wednesday’s storm flew past about 10 miles from her home in northern Alabama.
“When it went over us, it literally just started raining pictures,” she said. “We got parts of Bibles, hymnals. … I just started saying, ‘There are parts of people’s lives falling out of the sky.” They found a signed year book page, which shows a group of boy eyeing on a female student. Many of these item are very important memories for those people. “If they’ve lost everything and could just get one picture back, I know that would mean a lot to me.” said Patty Bullion.

An End to the Endless Game of Hide and Go Seek

yourgingerkid1 Comment

It’s finally happened. Osama Bin Laden has been killed.

After years and years of hiding out from U.S. troops, he was killed Sunday after a firefight at a house.

I think that it’s kind of sad that we’re celebrating a death, in all honesty. Of course the man has done an unfathomable amount wrong, but a death is a death.

This man instigated the Twin Towers Attack, was a tyrant, and killed his own people, but he was also a good man in other ways.

It’s wrong to celebrate a death regardless of the wrong that he had done. Some people could look at former president George Bush and say the same thing. I’m sure that the whole Arab community would be thrilled to see that Bush had been killed. But as Americans, we shouldn’t be so thrilled.

For example, outside of the White House, Georgetown students are gathering and chanting “USA” and singing the national anthem. Do they not realize that within the next few days, weeks even, Osama’s followers and supporters aren’t going to be too happy with the U.S.?

It’s silly to think that there are no repercussions for killing a man who so severely influenced a whole nation and caused so much havoc to others. There are still members of the Al Qaeda out there, so why are people celebrating something that is not only sad, but terrifying! If someone killed Barack Obama, half of the U.S. would be outraged and want to seek revenge upon the killers country, right? Don’t you think that the Al Qaeda will do the same?

This whole thing perplexes me.

Revenge

smackyjackjack2 Comments

Following up on a lead he got last August, president Obama authorized an attack on a mansion in Pakistan several days  ago. After a firefight, Obama said that the special forces team found Osama Bin Laden, and shot him dead.

The American people have taken this as a time to gloat, and celebrate the death of a terrible and ruthless person. But is that what they should be doing?

The bloody death of one is no way to celebrate the revenge of the bloody deaths of others. Revenge will never lead to anything good, remember that.

To me, celebrating the death of Bin Laden is a very sick thing to do. Yes he killed many people, but revenge IS NOT OK.  Obama talked about “justice being served” today. There was no justice for him. He was found and shot. True justice would have been a fair trial. The only way this can be perceived as ok is if there was no other way to subdue Bin laden and the bullets absolutely HAD to be fired.

A death for a death is no way to run a justice system.  Bin Laden did kill many, may people, but killing him is not the solution. How does an eye for an eye make sense? “You killed someone? Well then you will die as well.”

And as for the people gathering in front of the White House to celebrate, you are doing a terrible thing. There are people grieving for Bin Laden just as many others grieved for their dead family members and friends from 9/11. I’m sorry, but revenge will never solve anything.

Good Riddance

shredicusmaximus1 Comment

“Word is Obama killed him with a pitching wedge from 30 yards out”

Those were the words from a US Naval Officer on an internet chat board regarding the new found confirmation from President Obama and the White House that Osama Bin Laden, the man who had been on the FBI’s top 10 most wanted list, the man had founded Al Qaeda in the early 1980’s, and the man who masterminded the world’s most deadly recent attacks, including the bombing of several American embassies, the 7/7 bombings, the bombings in Spain, and the September 11th attacks, is dead.

Read that again. The man who for a generation embodied evil and the word “terrorism” has been pronounced dead. According to TMZ, Osama was killed by American military forces. Killed in Afghanistan, “we got him” has now become the phrase of the day. Sources from all over the world are streaming in. CNN, Huffington Post, Fox News and several other reliable news sites have confirmed that the villian was killed by an American missile strike last week in Afghanistan. This is truly a day for celebration throughout the world.

It may feel that a great piece of the mission is complete. The Taliban was removed, Saddam was executed, and finally last week, we finally had enough intelligence thanks to the CIA, we launched an attack on a compound in Pakistan where this mass murderer was hiding. A small group of Americans with great courage survived a fire fight and killed the symbol of evil while taking measures to protect innocent civilians.

As my roommate and I are sitting in my room staring at my poster of the Brooklyn bridge in the early 1990’s taken with the World Trade Center in the background,
“I’m legit stoked right now” – John Olivo
“Are you screwing with me or is this for real?” – Cole McIntosh
“He’s dead! Hell Yes! That piece of trash is finally DEAD!” – All of us.

President Obama’s press conference was streamed into my computer and we are currently holding our bottles high to the American launcher who just so happened to point his launcher in the right direction. “Obama looks exhausted,” my roommate said. Who wouldn’t be after the months upon years of effort to bring forth this outcome. The satisfaction of the work is felt, and the pursuit of justice has been rewarded. The biggest part of a legacy of terrorism which has been shadowing over the world for the past 20 years, is dead. I give thanks to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to stand up for our values abroad, to try to make the world a safer place, and to bring justice to all those who lost their lives. The victims did not die in vain. The unity of our nation has been greatly electrified. As we listened to Obama speak, we all, in unison, ended with Obama in his last address, “we are one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  Salud boys, we got him.

This picture may be disturbing to some viewers, viewer discretion is advised. Here’s proof.

The Kooks.

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The Kooks

As the sun and heat have returned to California, us residents often celebrate by going to the beach. For me this means I get to wack out some of my all time favorite tunes and listen to the sweet acoustic sounds of great bands.  Such artists include my ultimate favorites, The Kooks.

Listening to both albums just fills me with warmth. The Kooks music is full of merriment in the form of unique guitar rhythms, rusty tones and quirky lyrics, each song setting the scene for the perfect picnic at the beach or breezy bike ride through the hills of the countryside.

An indie pop band from the seaside resort of Brighton, a place I also associate with home, the group started off very successfully, getting signed 3 months after forming by Virgin records. In 2006 they released their first album “Inside In/Inside Out” and followed with”Konk” in 2008. Both albums were extremely successful and we can only hope that they will release some new material soon.

So as the sun is shining I would recommend that you get into the summer spirit and get listening to The Kooks !

Traffic School

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Yesterday, April 30th Saturday.  I had traffic school, all day.  Now traffic school is pretty bad,  basically I just sat there and they “taught” us the rules of the road…again?   Now I was sitting next to a woman who looked like she was born in like 1869 or something. She was old.  It was an eight-hour course and by golly it was very boring.  To my credit, I didn’t sleep or play on my phone the whole time, I did pay attention.

The best part though, was they showed us a video of 10 drugs not to take while driving and it was really funny, but for some reason in German….

Basically what I am saying is do not get pulled over and get a ticket, because you will have to go to traffic school, and that is not fun.

Man Tattoos Faces of Royal Couple on Two Front Teeth

Paloma Spencer1 Comment

Of course by now we most likely all now about the infamous wedding between England’s Prince William and his lovely wife Kate Middleton.

And although I was accustomed to the minute-to-minute news updates of what she is wearing or the exact words he said to her on their wedding day, I was surprised to discover articles discussing crazed fans of the couples and their somewhat odd actions to express this.

One man, a 29-year-old British plumber who goes by the name of Barmy Baz Franks, recently paid over 1,500 dollars in order to spend six hours at his dentists office.

And rather than getting his teeth pulled, or having those dreaded cavities filled in, Franks was instead watching his dentist place temporary ivory art onto his teeth, creating pictures of Kate Middleton and Prince William with dentistry brushes and stencils.

“I’ve done some unusual dental cosmetics in my time, but this was certainly one of the strangest,” said his dentist, Dr. Neil Gerrard.

Unfortunately, this man has gotten much ridicule for this tattoo as people exclaimed it looks more like something stuck on his teeth than any sort of art.

However, Franks claimed that he only got the tattoo in order to support the couple on their royal wedding.

“I love the family, and this was my way of lending my support to their big day,” said Franks.

Although he may be a little bit too obsessed in some people’s opinions, just remember that this art does wash off in a matter of three months, and hey, I bet you the Prince and Princess will most likely hear about this one!

Arctic Monkeys.

Yourcupatea1 Comment

Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys are a four-piece all male band, formed from the suburbs of Sheffield. Specializing in Indie Rock the band boomed in 2005 receiving much praise from the BBC radio stations and the tabloids. Due to release their third album in June, people all over the glob are excited to see what this new album will entail.

Releasing their first album “Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not,” in January 2006 the band reeked much success. With hits such as “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor” and “When The Sun Goes Down” hitting the charts and clubs people of ages would dance to the catchy songs knowing the words word for word. Their northern tones and quirky lyrics captured the nation.

A year later in April 2007, the band released their second album “Favourite Worst Nightmare.” Although sounding similar to the first album it included more heavy tones, which didn’t appeal as much too many. A couple of songs will always be remembered because of their release into the charts but the rest many would not know.  In my opinion you can’t beat the originality of the first album but the second is still superb.

In 2009 “Humbug” was realized. With a less rocky and more melancholic sound the album was less successful. Although the songs included great lyrics and rhythms, the new sound of Arctic Monkeys just wasn’t for the public.

This June the group’s fourth album “Suck It And See” will be released. I guess we can only hope that they bring fourth their originality f]and create an album which is outstanding.

Indecision 2012!

smackyjackjackLeave a comment

Please let this man run for president.

Just thinking about the fact that Donald Trump is being considered to be in a position of political power makes me laugh. The whole right wing presidential race is just the funniest thing I have ever seen.

Most, if not all of the possible candidates are either too ignorant or too stupid to be president.

First of all, the Trumpster shouldn’t be running. Why is he? Because he was smart enough to make A LOT of money? No, because he lost all of it once. What possible qualifications does he have to run? Not only is he grossly unqualified for the job, but if he were to be elected, he would make other countries think SO much less of the USA. the Trumpster symbolizes  everything people hate about the US. He symbolizes arrogance and excessive pride. His attitude is one of take what you want and do not think of the consequences.

Other candidates, such as Palin, just symbolize plain stupidity. No one should be listening to this woman. The only reason people do, is because feminists think that she is the best thing ever because she is a woman. Just because she is a woman, has several kids (one of whom plays hockey) and is from  Alaska, does not mean that she should be held with high regard.

Other candidates are bad too. Gingrich has a head much too large to be president. Ok, I’m kidding, but while he was speaker, there were many ethical charges filed against him. And even the democrats can do better. Obama has done many great things for the country, but when it comes to negotiating, he does not fit the bill.

At a time like this, it is hard to stay happy. Too many bad things are happening, and it is hard to find someone to lead us through it all. Sometimes I just feel like……you know what forget it. When I’m older I’m voting for Trig.