Month: October 2011

RIP Steve Jobs

rangerthecatLeave a comment

OH MY GOD WHAT THE @*^%?

I look at my Facebook page and the first thing I see is basically “1 billion friends posted about Steve Jobs.”

Well, not really 1 billion, but about 30. And I just couldn’t believe that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, had passed away.

I remember my first iPod that I ever owned. I remember walking into the store, getting out all my money from my piggy bank that I had saved up, and paying for my white iPod video, my new prized possession.

At that time, I did not think about the iPod itself. Someone had taken the time to invent and perfect this marvelous creation that a majority of people around the world now own and use on a daily basis. But, I do remember thinking that it was the coolest thing EVER.

Then the iPhone became popular along with Mac computers, and Apple had officially become one of the most popular electronic s companies on the market. And so a legend was born, Steve Jobs, who continued to create new things and improve already top-notch electronic devices.

He was a huge influence in the world of technology. I am sure most of these advancements we have today would not exist without him.

I don’t own an iPhone or a Mac, but I do have an iPod and I’d say it is one of the best devices I own. Too bad he won’t be around to invent more.

RIP Steve Jobs. Obviously I didn’t know you personally, but you were pretty kick-ass.

Peaberry & Galette

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Darn Good Crepes.

I’m going to say it once and only once:  You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a crepe from Peaberry & Galette.

Located in the Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona, Peaberry & Galette is a small “french style crêperie and cafe” that serves savory and dessert crepes, teas, Kona coffee, and a variety of other goodies.

Dessert Crepe Menu

Honestly, these crepes are to die for.  The first time I went there we ordered two crepes, caramelized apple, and chocolate banana.  I started on the caramelized apple and realized I was eating what must equate to God among food.

It is this buttery golden brown confection with a tawny glow and covered in warm autumn tones.  The crepe itself is light and flavorful, the thinnest, sweetest pancake you’ve ever tasted in your life. Folded neatly, it rests beneath a delicious nest of smooth vanilla ice cream and soft, caramelized apples.

The apples are rolled in cinnamon and tucked gently into the vanilla, creating a symphony of sweet and spicy flavors with a fresh juicy kick.  Ribbons of warm caramel and sprinkles of powdered sugar and cinnamon lace the dessert together and it is topped off with a tasteful crown of fluffy whipped cream.

Now tell me that doesn’t sound amazing.  Say it out loud, with a straight face.

I know.  IMPOSSIBLE!

It was so good I even took a picture of it!

Caramelized Apple Crepe from Peaberry & Galette

I have a very close relationship with my food.  I like to describe it the way I would describe a very attractive person.  For you ladies, this is my Robert Downey Jr., my Vouge cover man.  For you gentlemen, this is your Halle Berry, your Victoria’s Secret model.

Clearly:

1 minute 53 seconds later

Believe it or not, I timed it.

The chocolate banana was equally incredible.  Another gorgeous, buttery crepe lay wreathed in freshly sliced bananas.  A beautiful, white scoop of vanilla ice cream rested daintily, yet seductively atop its dusky, golden perfection.  Dark, fragrant chocolate sauce criss-crossed over the masterpiece, creating a labyrinth of alluring, delectable beauty.

I was so taken with this dessert I didn’t even get a picture.  That night was truly a supernova of flavor.

So I suggest that you head on over to Peaberry & Galette on your next stop in Kona.  I promise it is well worth the trip.

Click here to view the menu!

Why I Chose Politics

therightliberal1 Comment

I could blog about anything I wanted. I could choose to pursue a profession that was less cut-throat and more fun. I could hide under a rock and pretend it was not there.

But instead, I have chosen to involve myself in the often frustrating and  continuously puzzling world of politics.

(Augustus Caesar, one of the greatest politicians in history)

Yet I do not lack reason for this choice. While many see themselves as having a calling in fields such as business, health-care or others, I have always seen myself in politics.

My reasons are simple. I feel it is a way in which I can help people, something I have skill in, something that I enjoy, plus there is money too. It is not easy nor is it always fun, but I feel as though I would fit in well.

Politics is tricky because humans do not agree. It is difficult because a politician seeks progress in a world that is not often accepting of change. The best politicians make people feel as though nothing is changing when in fact, everything is.

Take FDR for example. At first glance, one might say, “Everyone knew how much the world was changing during his time in office!” But did they?

We look back and see how much he did to halt the Great Depression, from passing bills to inspiring the people. He also led us through one of the most difficult war times our country has seen.

But what made him great was the instilled confidence in the people. He was calm and confident. He understated the reality of the situation. He understood that sometimes the American people did not need to know information until after the fact.

The confidence he instilled in the people and the respect he earned is the glorious side of politics. There is a chance (though quite slight) to obtain a type of immortality; infamy. I do not see this as being the sole reason why anyone should seek public office, but if one’s goal is to help the people in every way possible, representing them and what they believe, then go for it.

I see myself in the wild world of politics out of a self-duty. I do not see it as a chore nor a thing of pure enjoyment. I see politics as my way of leading and my way of giving. I do not believe in fate but I do believe (at least at this point) that I want to help create the world I will live in.

Warren G. Harding said, “America’s present need is not heroics but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.”

This is true today and it will be true tomorrow. And despite what we face, I want to be part of it.

What A Month.

yrreskrap1 Comment

October.

And I’m already feeling the symptoms of senioritis.

A stress-packed conglomeration of college applications, standardized testing, school, cross country meets, and more college applications.

The first day of October commenced with a good early morning dosage of standardized testing. Yes, the SAT’s. However, I don’t remember ever sleeping so long (9 hours) during my five-year stay at Ojai Valley School.

I was also assigned four reading journals and an essay this week for AP Literature. How I am going to finish those assignments, I have yet to figure out but I will get it done.

My next big event is this upcoming Wednesday. At Thacher, I am running in a cross country meet. As well as on the Wednesday after that and (surprise surprise) the Wednesday after that. This is my first time running cross country and I am nervous. I don’t know what to expect. All I know is that the course will be three miles but I guess I will find out in three days exactly how it will be.

On October 22, I will be taking the ACT…in Oxnard. Which means that I will be waking up at five o’ clock, getting breakfast somehow, driving down to make it by 7:45 a.m. to register and take the test.

Two days before that, I will have figured out my SAT score from the test I took yesterday.

One day before, October 21, I would have found out whether or not I have become a finalist in the Questbridge National College Match program. This is my most important deadline and I expect myself to be checking every moment of the day for a notification from the program telling me whether or not I have made it. If I do make the program, I will be able to be offered a four-year full scholarship at the schools of my dreams, Williams College and Amherst College. I am anxious. I had been working on my essay for months. With the help of my mentor, Fred Alvarez, and my college counselor, Dave Edwards, I turned in my final product. Hopefully, my work has paid off.

The last weekend of October is also Parent’s Weekend here at OVS. I will be very busy having conferences with my teachers and having a seminar on that Sunday.

The UC Application is also up online as of yesterday. I need to get started on that soon because I will not have the time to work on them on the upcoming weekends.

As overwhelming as this month seems to me, I know that I need to take things one step at a time. If I bombard myself with all of these events at once, I know the quality of my work will be compromised. I just need to pray to the man up above for a break, big or small, so that my college stresses could be relieved soon. My senioritis isn’t helping either. 249 days until graduation!

Music these days.

rangerthecat1 Comment

I am so tired of hearing crappy music every time I turn on the radio or walk past another student’s room. I know, it really depends on each person’s opinion of what is “crappy” or not. But really, all I’ve been hearing are songs involving way too much cussing and annoying, repetitive phrases involving “big booty chicks” or “getting money”.

If music had been a person, he or she would be very disappointed to see him or her self now. Sure, music is about expressing yourself. But really, are those people really expressing themselves, or just making these ridiculous songs just to make money? What happened to the good music? Like the Beatles or Michael Jackson? People seem to forget about them more than they realize.

It really grinds my gears to hear amazing and talented artists, bands, or musicians go unrecognized for a long time, or forever. I know that not everyone can be famous or share their music with the rest of us, but in my opinion, these people deserve recognition more than the rap artists who repeat themselves in every song.

Variety and self-expression is what makes music beautiful. I feel like these days, the values expressed in songs are very questionable and the lyrics are just distasteful.

Theophilus London.

Yourcupatea1 Comment

Theophilus

Music is constantly changing and progressing, following new rhythms and presenting new sounds. It is constantly advancing but normally it takes it’s time until it hits the ears of many listeners. Of course there are exceptions and many artists slip under the radar appearing on blogs etc. Theophilus London did just this.

Born in Brooklyn NY, Theophilus has been a producing artist since 2008. An undercover artist and sensation on many music blogs he is now starting to gain a lot more recognition with his new EP Lovers Holiday.

A unique rapper and MC, London’s music combines a wide range of sounds that come together to make something that’s completely different from the norm. Drawing sounds from electro, new wave and RnB amongst other genres his work brings forward catchy sounds that are easy to dance and sing along to.

So if you’re thinking that music is getting dull these days it’s not, you’re just not looking in the right places. So check out the blogosphere to see some new faces and some alternative beats.

The Tea Party

therightliberal1 Comment

A new CNN poll shows that 53% of Americans think poorly of the Tea Party and 28% hold “favorable views.” CNN said these were the most extreme numbers they had polled on the opinions of the Tea Party.

This is shocking to me. How can 28% of Americans support the Tea baggers? I know there are some ignorant and gullible people out there, but really? The Tea Party represents so much of what is wrong with America today and it infuriates me.

“We are taxed enough already!” Oh, are you? Because from where I am sitting we are not taxed enough. Our public school systems are tanking, we are cutting public programs like they are going out of style and on top of it all, we have a 3 trillion+ deficit.

You think that we can solve all of this by just cutting spending? Well it hasn’t worked in the past but why not waste our time again. You think boycotting the Census and having rallies that encourage citizens to not report their yearly income is helping? If you do, sorry to break it to you, but you are irrational.

I don’t find radicalism to be helpful or progressive in any form. In the manner that I am writing this blog, one might think that I am a radical Liberal. But that is far from the truth. I do not think that big government is always a good idea and I think that at times we are too Liberal in our Judicial policy.

Despite that, I find the Tea Party to be repulsive. I see it almost like I see angsty teens; using shock value and going against the grain to get attention. On that note, they should be treated like angsty teens, with that opinion of “When you grow up, you will see that you are wrong. This is just a stage.”

Unfortunately, most of the members of the Tea Party will not grow up. They will keep up with their radical ways, spreading hate and ignorance throughout the world with a little help from Fox News. All I can hope is that the rest of America wakes up and discourages the ridiculousness that is the Tea Party.

Nutella Vs. Peanut butter

r3t5nom1 Comment

nutella vs PB

I like peanut butter but I LOVE Nutella. I’ve always been a fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; they are good and you can never go wrong with a PB&J. Unless you’re allergic to peanuts, yikes. But see, Nutella is delicious, sure there is some things much like peanut butter that could be harmful to some but it’s just so good that even those who don’t like it actually really do.

Its taste is AMAZING, and there is so many tasty ways to eat it.

Nutella with bread, Nutella crepes, Nutella croissants, Nutella with strawberries, Nutella with bananas and MANY MORE!!!!

I really want to know what everyone’s thoughts are on this subject, even if you feel it’s a stupid one

I think Nutella wins, what do you think?
nutella

Nerd Rant, Part V

theycallmedameLeave a comment

Oh my goodness, another Nerd Rant?
I am so nerdy this week!

So, I’ve heard people talk about this “amazing” television show that is borderline a “cult classic” and I finally built up the nerve to watch it.

And ohmygoodness it is utterly fabulous.

The television show is the very amazing and very awesome Doctor Who.

No, originally, the show started back in the fifties. But it was brought back in 2005 and blew up! There have been six new seasons in the 21st century, three different Doctors (the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh), one TARDIS, and hundreds of science fictiony adventures.

It. Rocks.

I’m totally geeking out because I’m pretty much in love with the idea of a Time Lord running amok in his time and space traveling police call box saving the world again and again and again from Daleks and Cybermen and The Void.

It just seems magnificent.

I’m kind of obsessed.

And it’s the type of show where either you completely love it or completely hate it.

So go nuts.

Watch an episode (or twelve).

I hope you get sucked in.



I did.

Terra Nova

venturatrekerLeave a comment

I love anything Sci-Fi.  Saying this I have been ecstatic with the premiere of a brand new TV show on Fox.  Titled Terra Nova it combines the ferocity of the prehistoric earth with the ingenuity of humans 85 million years in the future.

In the world of Terra Nova the human race has destroyed the earths environments leaving it a barren, industrial waste on its last breath of life. Yet for the Shannon family there is another chance.  Being selected to embark on the 10th pilgrimage through a newly discovered time portal to an alternate universe begins the adventure of a lifetime.

Coming out on the other side the family steps into a world governed by nature.  With roaring dinosaurs and bizarre foliage, the family of five question if they made the right choice.  With joy and optimism they step into the settlement of Terra Nova but soon realize the truth: it wont be easy.