Month: May 2011

Sick Humor

vabenissimo2 Comments

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

Glorify, celebrate, and embrace this moment of relief says the media. True. He had been the most wanted man in the world. He had put people in an absolute horror and unrecoverable remorse. He had brilliant ideas to cause further worldly destruction. He had killed the lives of millions and planned for even greater number. He had committed, multiple times, the most horrendous sin among mankind, murder. He had maddened the world. Now, he is gone, for good.

Extensive comments and articles about the details and expressions of relief and joy are, thus, understandable. However, people are having a hard time containing themselves as they make sick black humor out of this man’s demise. He, despite of his nearly unforgivable deeds, is a mankind.

A man. A father of six children. A husband of two wife.

His death was performed in front of his 12-year-old daughter. And, his death was confirmed by his children while his wife resulted in death during her “operation” by U.S. force because she would remain faithful to her husband.

Here, I question. “Do you think those children chose to share the disgraceful blood with this sick-minded man hated by the billions alive?”

But, sympathy is not the suitable wording of this case–apparently, those fancy and domineering religions have failed to deliver their grand message, forgiveness.

I am not an American citizen, but have friends, and relatives who suffer from the 9/11 catastrophe and the days since then. Maybe, my nauseating reactions to these comments are abnormal.

However, I know. I know, that some comments displayed online have exceeded the borderline of appropriateness.

An eye for an eye.

Is that it?

Angus & Julia Stone

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Angus & Julia Stone

Although the sun has currently disappeared in South California the summer sun will once again return in the next couple of weeks, we hope.  The grey days may sadden many but this doesn’t mean it’s time to put on some heavy metal; instead we should listen to those summer songs that make us feel happy once again.

The music of Angus & Julia Stone is the definition of great summer music. Their rustic tones and acoustic sounds paired with simple lyrics such as and rhythms make for music that is truly great.A brother and sister combo from New Port, Australia the pair have astonished many with their paired talent and unique sounds.

Growing up with a strong love for music the siblings decided to give the profession a go releasing their first EP “Chocolates and Cigarettes” in 2006. This followed on to the release of a second EP in 2007 titled “Heart Full of Wine” and the later album “A Book Like This.” Their first album went platinum in their home country following on to its release across the world.

At the beginning of last year the group released the album “Down the Way,” which reaped much success. Featuring songs like “Big Jet Plane” and “Hold On” the album won numerous awards with many of the group’s song featuring on TV shows across the globe.

The pair create great music which is simple but great, proving that often simplicity is often the key. If you need to get in the mood for summer blast out some Angus & Julia Stone and I assure you it will make you feel better.

http://youtu.be/yFTvbcNhEgc

Champions!!! (sort of)

therightliberalLeave a comment

Today Manchester United beat Chelsea FC, almost certainly giving them their 19th Premier League title.

Javier Hernandez, Petr Cech

While I was busy taking an AP Statistics final, Manchester United was pulling off a 2-1 victory. United looked the better team by far (I recorded the game) and throughly deserved the win. Chelsea fans may complain about the refereeing of Howard Webb but I do not think those complaints are valid. United created many more chances, finished well and defended even better.

Now United are six points clear with two games left. All they need is a tie in one of those games (which are against Blackpool and Blackburn) and they will go home with the trophy.

It has been a very interesting season. At the beginning I will admit I had little hope. Chelsea started so strongly that I wondered if we had a chance.

I credit Sir Alex for his genius in leading United to their 19th League title, which will be a record.

I am now looking forward to the Champions League Final against Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on May 28th. That will certainly be United’s biggest challenge of the year.

Young Girl Longs To Meet Heartthrob Justin Bieber, Settles with Barack Obama Instead

Paloma SpencerLeave a comment

Just a few months ago, fourteen-year-old Payton Wall wrote a letter to President Obama.

Rather than writing a letter as a homework assignment in her history class, Payton wrote to share a very personal story.

In this letter, Payton talked about her father’s death in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centers, and did not forget to state her love for teen pop-star Justin Bieber.

“Justin Bieber inspired me to share my story,” said Payton, “I wrote a letter to the president a few months ago. I talked about how I lost my dad on 9/11 and how I like Justin Bieber.”

This past Monday, May 2nd, was the first time Obama saw this letter, as he read through the stacks of envelopes that piled higher and higher throughout the weeks.

Obama was immediately moved by Payton’s letter and invited her and her family to attend the May 5th ceremony at Ground Zero.

I read this story with a smile knowing that the victims and families of 9/11 were still being honored for their bravery, strength, and support.

And although Obama may not be able to schedule Justin Bieber’s tour, he did the best he could in giving her an amazing experience, and acknowledging her hardships and her strength.

Is it over?

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The Lakers. What happened? This is one of the only years that I have had doubts about the Lakers. Well, after the last game, those doubts were confirmed.  Usually, when the Lakers lose, it’s because of a lack of energy. This time, it was because of a lack of talent.

Now I cannot really speak for the last game, because I did not see it. From what I heard, the team did, in fact, play hard. The Mavericks were just better than them.

And I hate to say that, but Dallas is just straight out better than the Lakers. Kobe (oh God am I really about to say this?) is getting old, Bynum is very inconsistent, and Gasol cannot stay focused. It will all be decided tomorrow, but I doubt we can come back from a 3-0 series. If we don’t, then Marc Gasol will be the last Gasol standing.

The Lakers are going to have to get it together if they want to have a good season next year. Magic Johnson recently said that the team has to be completely rearranged. We need new people, as well as getting a new coach.

Finally, what a way for Coach to go out. Last game was the only time I have ever seen him lose his cool. He was so frustrated with Gasol, that he was pounding on his chest. But hey, as long as Boston or Miami don’t win, I’m fine with anything.  

Final Bound

therightliberal2 Comments

Today Manchester United clinched itself a place in the Champions League Final. They will face Barcelona on May 28th at Wembley Stadium.

United pulled off a 4-1 win which is an incredible feat. What makes it even more impressive is that United started many of its bench players. Sir Alex Ferguson decided that it would be best to rest some of his key players for the season deciding game against Chelsea this Saturday.

Schalke had won 5-2 against last years champions, Inter Milan. For United to win 6-1 on aggregate goals…well to be honest it is shocking. I believe in United’s quality but this was something else.

Ferguson made 9 changes from his original squad that beat Schalke in the first leg. After the game he said that the team, “Did me proud.”

The win sets up a rematch from 2009 where United lost to Barca. Although I am hopeful that United can beat Barca, I am very unsure. Barca moves the ball so well and has so much talent that they are virtually impossible to stop.

If United wants to beat Barca they need to play very tight in the midfield as well as in the defence. They cannot allow Barca to dictate the tempo of the game by holding the ball. Whoever is playing out on the left must also find a way to shut down Messi, and I wish them the best of luck. I do not envy any footballer who has to face that man.

United has the talent to win the final but they will have to pull out a performance of the ages to do so. Glory Glory!

News of the Week

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I hate being sick.

I really, truly hate it.

This week, I went to school a total of two days. I forgot to submit three assignments, and the majority of my time was spent accidentally spacing out.

I went to a doctor who prescribed me anti-biotics because I have some virus that’s intent on having me fail school; so that’s fun. But before they could prescribe me anything, they wanted to make sure I didn’t have strep throat. By doing this, they shoved an abnormally long Q-tip into my mouth and scraped it against the back of my throat. It. Sucked.

So that’s the news of the week: my sickness that has been enveloping me since Sunday night. I just hope it goes away by Monday.

Vogue’s Anna Wintour’s Claim to Fame

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Anna Wintour is an inspiration, an icon of fashion, power, and success; the epitome of a successful, independent woman.

Anna Wintour is an abusive, power hungry woman; the epitome of an unintelligent, horrid woman.

These two descriptions of Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour are quite the opposite. However, it seems that these are the exact definitions she obtains. Simply put, people either love her or hate her.

If you don’t already know, Anna Wintour is the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Wintour arrived in New York City in her teenage years, destined to be something great. She climbed the social ladders in both journalism and fashion, and in 1988 claimed her current role as editor-in-chief of the infamous magazine, Vogue.

Well, I choose the first description.

I believe she is a role model, a mentor. She is a headstrong woman who battled her way into her position at Vogue through numerous obstacles and setbacks. The one trait I admire most about Wintour is her courage. Wintour constantly tried new things. When given the position of Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Wintour created several new magazines to add to the brand name, such as Men’s Vogue and Teen Vogue. Although the only survivor was Teen Vogue, Wintour was not afraid of failure, and from her courage came a magazine enjoyed by millions of teenagers each month.

Throughout her life, Wintour has faced harsh criticism claiming that she is a pure “devil” in her job. For example, the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” is inspired by Wintour.

Although Wintour might not be warm and cuddly at times, the question stands of “Why should she have to be?”

Wintour is successful because of her drive, her personality, her strength, so why should she have to change that?

She is honest, straightforward, and strict. Her success was derived from this, and not because she was a timid, controllable woman.

AP Week and My Mom

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Sometimes, I think my mom should’ve been born my little sister. I love her to death but sometimes she can be very dogmatic.

This weekend is Mother’s Day and my mom has been meaning to come up and take me away for Saturday and bring me back on Sunday. However, the thing is the weekend that she wants to come is the weekend between the two AP weeks.

Furthermore, that weekend is a packed weekend for me. Friday, I would have just finished my APUSH exam. Saturday, I would have taken three SAT II tests. That Sunday afternoon, I would be taking a AP Biology final just to take a AP Biology exam the following day.

My mom wants to take me out to dinner and stay at a hotel with me during this hectic week, only to make it more hectic and taking time away from studying. The funny thing is, this is the first time that my mom has wanted to take me out for Mothers’s Day while I was away at boarding school. The one time that she wants to take me out is the busiest time of my academic career.

I told her I cannot do this weekend. However, she refuses to understand the pressure that is mounted on my shoulders.

Sigh.

Beirut

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I’ve been here at the Ojai Valley School for five years now. During those four years spent at the upper campus, there have been countless moments that have been so deeply engrained into my fondest of memories. From exclusive dances on the girls dorm lawn to laying under the stars with good friends, debating the purpose of our existence, this school has grown to shape the person that I am today more than any other single influence. And throughout my time here, there has been one artist that has done the same.

Beirut is the extended band of Zach Condon from New Mexico. Zach plays the ukulele, trumpet, euphonium, mandolin, accordion, various keyboard instruments, and a modified conch shell and the rest of his band plays instruments from the cello to the glockenspiel. It’s needless to say that they create a unique sound.

How can you not enjoy his voice? It’s so beautiful. This man, this band has stayed in my top favorite artists for four years now. All of their songs are timeless. They’re what inspired me to play ukulele, and I can not boast that I know every ukulele song of theirs by heart. I actually just took an hour break off writing this to practice their songs and attempt to sing, and the singing honestly did not go well.

Every time I hear Postcards From Italy, I think of former OVS student Tony Lim and Jeung Soo trying to sing me it over the phone on an early Sunday morning and every time I hear Elephant Gun I think of Andrew Town and Austin Jacobson performing it live at our festival of talent. Every single moment connected with their songs is wonderful in its own way, and couldn’t ever be overplayed or irritating to me.

If you haven’t downloaded any of their music, you seriously should consider it. Not only are they amazing tracks, but the live recording are even more spectacular. It’s rare to find an artist so universal. Here’s a link to download one of their albums for free.

Or if you don’t wish to download it, at least watch the street performance above. It will wash you away like this: