Day: September 25, 2011

Good Evening OVS Bloggers!

sennymcfly5 Comments

Gosh it’s good to be back in the blog world and the non-alcoholic Thanksgiving after party that is Mr. Alvarez’s Journalism class. Do tell! How is it going so far? I’m sure you are all enjoying it. If I remember correctly Journalism was always like a big birthday party with desks and a big white board. Unfortunately, there was no cake.

What! No cake?

But, who needs cake when you have a teacher like Mr. A? Yeah okay, so he doesn’t have sprinkles and fire cracker candles on his head and he doesn’t walk into the classroom covered in vanilla frosting…he doesn’t right? Anyway, if he were to be covered in frosting it would be chocolate flavored, not vanilla, because everybody knows that a brown guy can’t hide beneath his frosty vanilla coating.

What's Up Vanilla Face?

Okay, okay. I’m done ragging on the teacher. (Evan Cooper, you’re next!) But take what I’m about to say to heart; I don’t know any of the new teachers at OVS, but what I do know is that Mr. A, regardless of how great they are, will always be number one in my eyes. He is absolutely one of the greatest teachers and one of the greatest people (persons?) I have ever had the pleasure to learn from. I’m not even really sure if that was proper grammar. But, thankfully he wasn’t my English teacher so you’re off the hook for any mistakes I make Mr. Alvarez. You all should know that I’m proud to have been his student and so should you. Hope you guys have an amazing year. Enjoy it and take advantage of what they teach you. And absolutely absolutely absolutely ABSOLUTELY do not take it for granted because it’s going to be the best high school experience of your lives. Be well. Have fun. Don’t be late to class.

– Maddie

The Palistinian Debate

therightliberal2 Comments

One of my best friend is Jewish, and in his opinion, Palestine should never be a country.

This sentiment is a common one, especially in the Jewish community. But the real question from my point of view is whether creating a separate nation will solve the problems between Israel and the Palestinian nations and whether the US needs to get involved.

“The Obama policy of moral equivalency, which gives equal standing to the grievances of Israelis and Palestinians, including the orchestrators of terrorism, is a dangerous insult. There is no middle ground between our allies and those who seek their destruction,” said Rick Perry.

This is the utter ignorance that is being said at the moment. Perry seems to almost suggest that Palestinians are lesser people than Israelis.

I think that creating a new Palestinian state may in fact be a solution to the ongoing problem, or at least a short-term solution.

I highly doubt that as long as Israelis border Arabic nations, peace can be attained. There was not the foresight required when Israel was created.

According to the Obama administration, the best thing that can be done would be to continue negotiations to achieve peace. I doubt that any long-term peace can be achieved at this point but the worry is that if the US leans to far one way or the other, they will face the wrath of one of the sides.

We don’t need another war or another “conflict”. What we need is to focus on world peace and world hunger and our own economy. This may sound like an answer from a Miss Universe contestant but at this point, I feel that we do not need to be involved.

We can encourage negotiations and discourage violence, but now is the time where we step back and let them work. They have politicians and negotiators just like us, they also do posses common sense.

Hopefully both sides can overcome their historical debates and realize that, for humanity’s sake, the violence and arguments need to end.

A Sport I Would Love To Play

r3t5nomLeave a comment

After spending a couple of hours watching YouTube videos of NCAA mens volleyball I realized that I am missing out on a sport I would truly love to play at a competitive level. Women’s NCAA volleyball is awesome to watch. The girls playing are really strong and able to hit at fast speeds and keep a game exciting and competitive. Mens NCAA volleyball on the other hand is unbelievable. Everything they do during the game is led by skill and composed of power and precision.

Mens volleyball nets stand at 7 feet 11 and a half inches tall, being 7 inches taller than women’s volleyball nets, that being because the best professional male volleyball players can jump and be waist-high on their net which would basically be up to their knees on a women’s net.

waist high on a mens volleyball net

This sport is beyond intense. I learned that a volleyball can be spiked at speeds up to 70 MPH. Attempting to bump that ball back into the air after having it spiked down at those speeds is incredibly hard.

Leonel Marshall, a Cuban volleyball player who is ranked number 7 in the Vertical jump World Records who during a volleyball match versus Brazil had a vertical jump for a spike of 50 inches.

WOW.

I would love it if OVS would allow us to have a men’s volleyball team.

OVS Football

venturatrekerLeave a comment

Today, Saturday the 24th, was the first OVS football game.  Twenty plus guys and one girl went out and fought valiantly against East Valley.

It was quite a game, and more than a few times I found myself yelling and jumping up and down as OVS players ran the ball up and down the field.

It was quite a good turnout as well, with many OVS Upper students coming down as well as many Lower School students and faculty.  I came to the game with my dad and we brought our lunches, and had a nice afternoon watching testosterone brimming boys pummel each other.

In the end, though, the mighty Spuds were defeated.  There defeat was in no part a lack of heart or effort on the OVS team.  The sweat was visibly dripping down their faces and soaking their clothes yet they never relented.  The “OVS Champions” came out the second half and really stepped it up.  A real scramble at every play OVS made East valley work for every inch or ground gained.

As OVS is a very young  team, this was the first game for many player.  Even with the clear ‘green’ of the team, they did not lack heart what-so-ever.  Many of East Valley’s touchdowns were scored merely off of errors on OVS’ part that, with the continued diligence of coaching staff, will soon be corrected, and OVS football will be a force to be reckoned with.

Worth it.

theycallmedameLeave a comment

Let me start by saying I have great friends at OVS, I really do. I have met fabulous people here that I truly love.

But there are very few people I would drive a total of three hours for just to see them for half of that. Friday night I did just that for two of my very closest friends.

I have known Tucker and Eyad for two years now, all thanks to Power Chord Academy (or as I like to refer it as: Band Camp).

Tucker and Eyad are two people who just seem to understand me. And I realize how horribly cliche that sounds coming from a teenager, but it’s the only way I can describe it. They understand how I work, how I tick, and they love me for it.

I don’t have to watch myself around them. I don’t have to worry about what to say and what not to say, or how big their personal bubble is. I don’t have to think about it at all. I can just throw away all my worries and simply be me.

And that means the world to me.


Tucker

Eyad

I love you guys, I really do, and I don’t know where I’d be without you right now.

Junk of the Heart.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Waiting for an album from your favorite band to be released is always exciting. What sort of sound will they present? Will it be a disappointed? How can they possibly beat some of their old tracks? These are all questions we ask ourselves when purchasing that long-awaited album.

These are all questions that filled my head on Monday the 12th of September. As I carefully placed my headphones into my ears, scrolled down the music library, selected albums and finally sought out the chosen album I waited in anticipation as I carefully hit the play button on my iPod. Playing Junk Of The Heart (Happy) by The Kooks.

Yes, Indie band The Kooks are finally back. After a two-year break the Brighton band have finally returned with a new album, Junk of the Heart. A sequel to the hit album Konk, released in 2008, the new album has been highly anticipated by many adoring fans. Yet, it’s a little disappointing.

Ok, so I’ve only listened to it a couple of times but there are only really a few songs I like. The rusty voice of lead singer Luke Pritchard still remains but the music hasn’t got the acoustic rhythms and “Kookyness” of the past albums. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good album and I admire them for their efforts to develop their style and go outside the box but in my eyes it just doesn’t suit them.

Still, there are a few songs that the bands unique sound shines through and I’m sure as I continue to listen my opinion will change, and I will grow to love it. Despite my first opinion, one thing will always remain, I still love The Kooks.

Technology

rangerthecatLeave a comment

I have come to the realization that I have a terrible addiction. And that addiction is technology.

I am slightly ashamed to admit this, to be honest.

I am probably not helping myself much as I sit here in front of my computer screen and type this blog, simultaneously on Facebook in another window. There is an unfortunate dependence I have seemed to build for the use of technology, and as much as others may not want to admit it, I have noticed it in them as well.

The internet is out of commission around campus, and it has been for about a week. At first, everyone was bugging out because they have no access to Youtube and Facebook.

WHAT?!?!?! OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!!

I freaked out for a second, but then I realized something.

I have become way to dependent on these things. When was the last time I sent a letter by mail? Or researched from a source other than the internet? When was the last time I spent a day without texting my friends constantly? It has been a long time since these things have happened. I have forgotten the value of things unrelated to technology.

A break from the internet is a good thing for us OVS students here on campus. I feel like it has given me a chance to enjoy other activities that I like but usually neglect, like playing guitar, reading a book, or even just enjoying the outdoors.

So bye for now, technology. I’m taking a break from you.

Calm the “!@$ DOWN!

bedghostLeave a comment

I was just thinking to myself that tomorrow is the first game football game of the season. I’m not on the team, but this point got me thinking. How did I used to feel before a game? (I use to play soccer). And then I remembered That unforgettable feeling.

That feeling that burns your stomach, that feeling that keeps you awake, that feeling that never lets you sleep before a game… Pre-game nervousness. This is the feeling of the devil. The one that can ruin countless practices before a big game or performance. The key for me to overcome this burden, Is to stop right before the show starts and say to myself. “Calm the F%$! Down”. It works 80% of the time. The other 20% you just have to wing it and hope for the best.

If all else fails click here.

The Crying Game…No really

backinphillyLeave a comment

After a heated game between the St. Louis Rams and the New York Giants, Rams players are complaining that the Giants faked not one but two injuries in order to receive a timeout from the officials instead of wasting one of their own. In the NFL, if a player appears to be having difficulty leaving the field of play after an injury and is unable to walk to the sideline on his own, the officials call a timeout which stops the clock so the medical staff can attend to the fallen player, or in this case, players. Now, I am not a Giants fan in any way, shape or form. In fact, I hate them. But, the players need to understand that the NFL is nothing more than a glorified business with pads and hitting. However, even as a strong supporter of hating the Giants, I don’t believe any injuries were fake. Maybe it just a cramp but it’s still an injury.

null

Doesn’t look fake to me. What’s your thought?

Underwater Photography

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

“Buoyed by water, he can fly in any direction – up, down, sideways – by merely flipping his hand. Under water, man becomes an archangel.” –Jacques Cousteau

There is nothing natural about breathing underwater.  But when SCUBA diving, the world seems to fall away.  Nothing exists but the cool blue-green and the shafts of light that pierce water.  Problems vanish and anxieties melt, swirling past in the constant tide.

One can never possibly find the words to describe diving.  The sound of bubbles, as they rush through your regulator, whirling past your ears and up to the sun, is a low, muted gurgle.  Fog coils around the corners of your mask no matter how well you defog before descent.  Everything is tinted blue and glows softly, flickering as the surface churns.  The weight of your gear is sweet, familiar, even loving.  Each fin cycle is soothing and smooth.

Existence is different down under the sea.  It is simpler and yet, electrifying.  Every sense is heightened, every sensation, magnified.  The only way to bring it back to the surface is through film.  Underwater photography is my specialty.

This summer I got my advanced SCUBA photo certification through Naui at CIMI.

If you’ve ever used a camera on land (which I’m sure most of you have) you probably know it’s difficult to get a good shot.  The lighting is always tricky, your hands might be shaking, the composition is off, your subject isn’t cooperating.  Think of all those volatile factors and then imagine that underwater.

Light exists differently beneath the surface.  Objects appear about a third larger than their actual size and some colors such as red, yellow and orange are much subtler underwater.  The water is constantly pushing and pulling you around and if you’re moving, so is your camera.  A majority of the time you cannot set up your pictures, you must simply photograph whatever presents itself to you.  There is no room instruction or preference, each shot is a gift given by the sea.  Often the subject will be hiding, moving or swimming exactly where you don’t want it to.  So I think it’s pretty clear that this kind of photography is a little tricky.

Personally, I enjoy working with macro lenses (close up) in SCUBA photo.  The amount of and control you have is greater because you can decide how much or how little you want in the shot more effectively.  Wide-angle lenses and fish-eyes are used for larger marine life; two problems with these lenses are: one, you may or may not see any big stuff.  And two, there is NO way to control how the big stuff will (or will not) pose for the shot.

Algae shots are the easiest and sometimes the most radical.  These photos are typically a point-and-click type deal.  They will turn out or they won’t.  I took this picture in 2010:

Italian Gardens, Catalina Island: 2010

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