Privacy Plz!!

frog3Leave a comment

The Internet and privacy go together like cats and dogs. In this digital age nothing remains private. Every picture that you upload, every comment or status update you make will be on the Internet forever. Attempts to delete foolish posts or pictures are valiant but futile; if someone really wanted to see this ”deleted” information they would find a way. Companies that are supposed to protect your privacy seem to release a constant stream of personal information.

Fortune 500 Internet Companies such as Google are the biggest offenders of this “crime”. Google in an attempt to penetrate the smartphone market has created the android.

The goal of the Android is to be a direct competitor to the IPhone. Admittedly the Android is a much more open system, allowing users a greater degree of customization. This freedom does not come without its cons, in 2011 researchers discovered pre downloaded software on the Android contains security leaks. Information that is at risk includes credit card numbers, contacts, email addresses etc.

The only way to protect yourself from these privacy “attacks” is to protect your password and try to limit yourself to closed systems. Only if companies would value their users privacy.

Starlight

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

“Far away
This ship is taking me far away
Far away from my memories
Of the people who care if I live or die

The starlight
I will be chasing your starlight
Until the end of my life
I don’t know if it’s worth it anymore

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold you in my arms

My life
You electrify my life
Let’s conspire to re-ignite
All the souls that would die just to feel alive

I’ll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away, never fade away

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes & revelations
And our hopes and expectations
Black holes & revelations…”

–Starlight, by Muse

Starlight. Better than sunlight, moonlight, candlelight, or any other kind of light.

A scientist would tell you the stars are balls of hydrogen and helium gas burning millions of light years away.

An astrologer would tell you their position determines certain aspects about the world and that they have traditional meanings.

A romantic would tell you they are beauty incarnate.

A poet would call them inspiration.

What are they to me?

They are everything beautiful, ethereal, untouchable and divine.

The stars represent dreams, aspirations and hopes that are unachievable, but always there.

Ever fancied someone you shouldn’t?

It hurts doesn’t it?

But it’s kind of a good hurt.

When I look at the stars, I feel that good hurt. It’s like watching someone you shouldn’t love. They are so exquisite, so alluring and magical.

Everlasting, always just above my head, but I can never touch them.

They twinkle because of the constant shifting of the atmosphere.

Their light takes billions of years to reach Earth. Many stars may have supernova-ed and gone millions, even billions, of years ago. But their light will remain until time catches up with their destruction. And by then, maybe a new star has formed.

They make me feel lonely and surrounded at the same time.

So insignificant, but so honored to be able to see them.

I like to think their twinkling reflects humanity, always changing, moving.

We have existed less than an instant in the scope of space and time, a meaningless fraction in the endless span of the universe.

In that blink of time, we have charged ahead, shedding our light and exploring the stars. We question everything, longing to know the secrets and mysteries, the enigma and irresistible pull that surrounds creation.

They make me want to know impossible beauty.

Sometimes when I look up at them I feel something like a physical pull, something yanking me upwards towards the night sky.

Stars…

El Camino.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

El Camino

The Black Keys are one of my all time favorites bands because they produce real, edgy, distinct music that is uplifting and empowering. They produce music that is different and unique, combining sounds of rock and indie with older tunes like blues.

The band consists of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney who come together to create and perform wonders. Forming in Akron, Ohio in 2001 the two came together after dropping out of college. Finding each other in similar situations the two began to make albums together. The pair fit perfectly together like piano keys and together they have created seven amazing albums.

The bands newest album has become my soundtrack for the winter season and the New Year. Named El Camino, the album was released in December 2011 displaying new sounds of rock and roll and soul with the help of producer Danger Mouse.

The album is suitable for any mood, whether it be rocking out in your car, angrily venting or just getting hyped up. So give The Black Keys a listen if you want to try something new and exciting.

The true meaning of the Game.

venturatreker1 Comment


I have been playing soccer for almost my entire life now.  I really love the game and competing against other people.  I also love winning.  What I don’t love so much is losing.

Today we played the Dunn School soccer team and lost, but as I was driving home from the game, I realized that I was not upset at all. I actually had a smile on my face.

For the first time in over a decade of playing soccer I finally realized what it means to play the game.  Playing soccer is not about one team winning or anything, it’s about two teams going out on a field and playing their hearts out.  That’s what happened today.  It was by far the most fun game I have ever played.

I was constantly smiling and making jokes with opposing players, and when it came to one on one with the ball, the competition was always in good spirits.  Both teams played extremely well and there was a true sense of healthy competition.

Before today I never understood why in professional leagues players from opposite teams would talk to each other and joke. To me the other team was always the enemy and there should be no fraternization.  But once again today’s game brought down my preconceived notions of camaraderie and I did speak with players after the game.

Overall although we lost, I myself, and I think the team as a whole, learned more today then we have all season, and from here on OVS will see a different team.

To Help or Not to Help

therightliberalLeave a comment

With the recent GOP debates, there has been talk of the question of foreign aid and whether it should be given, and if it is, to whom?

I find it disturbing that so many people find that we as a country should completely cease giving foreign aid because of our financial woes. And here is why.

Sure, our economy is not doing as well as it used to. In fact, we have been experience serious financial problems that could spell the end of our reign as kings of the world.

But, the people of America are still far better off than those of most countries. Even the lower class of the US is making more than most. So although we are experiencing hard times, this is nothing compared to the daily lives of others throughout the world.

So why then are so many talking about cutting off foreign aid? They claim that we need to “take care of ourselves first”. But guess what, we are humans before anything else. And we do need to take care of ourselves, but that means our entire species.

Although we associate ourselves as Americans, we have to realize that we live in a world made up of billions of people just like us. And why should we have excess when they have nothing?

I know that the many will say life is not meant to be fair and I would agree with that. But is it not our moral obligation to help those with less if we can?

I feel that we are slacking as a country in our contributions to the world. We may contribute much as far as the world economy and infrastructure, but what are we contributing when we look at it person by person?

I think we need to go on a mission to make people smile. Take the money from the pointless wars we have been fighting as spend it on giving to those who need it. We can survive with less than we have and I have a sneaking suspicion that we will work harder as a nation to improve if we have less.

We are a hardworking nation but it is not that others are lazy, simply unfortunate. Whether you are a Christian or Muslim, Jew or atheist, these is no good reason to hoard our good fortunes and ignore the rest of the world.

We will not always be the super power that we are, and when we are in a position of needing help, do you want to look at another country that is rolling in luxury and realize they will give nothing of it away? I hope not.

Let us continue, and build, the foreign aid programs we currently have in place. Let us go and help those who need it and create a stronger and more unified world. Let us go out and get allies in new places and teach people that Americans are willing to give. Let us be just.

Pure love

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

When I had the first meal of after being sick, white rice, I thought I was in heaven. I was like, “Thank you for letting me eat. Thank you so much.” That was one of the happiest moments in a long time.

I wasn’t feeling well since last Wednesday. My stomach was acting weird. I thought I was just tired so I ignored what it was telling me.

But finally, the pain really broke out this Monday. During lunch that day, I didn’t want to eat anything but I ate because I had to. But about half an hour later I started to feel nauseated and threw up all I had eaten. I usually never throw up. I hadn’t have thrown up since like 1st grade, so I realized that this virus is a really strong one. That night, I had a high fever. I tried to get changed, but I had no energy in me. I lost 5 pounds in 2 days and felt like a skeleton. I looked at myself in a mirror. It was disgusting.

On Thursday, my stomach finally let some food in. I ate impulsively. I was way too hungry. I couldn’t have been any happier. But I ate too much that I got nauseous again…

But, I’m getting better and better.

I once again realized that I love eating. I missed eating so much.

Viva Revolution!

frog3Leave a comment

The age of Revolution is a period of time that took place during the 1700 and 1800s. Some would say that we have entered our own modern period of revolution. Lets take a look back at some of the revolutions that occurred during 2011. A revolution that started during 2011 and ended during 2012, is the famed Egyptian revolution. It began with peaceful protests — Egyptians were just trying to make Egypt democratic. Millions of citizens went on strikes refusing work until better treated. Before we know it Egypt’s corrupt president, Hosni Mubarak ordered the army to fire on unarmed protestors. Due to ever-growing pressure from his own people and the U.N, Hosni Mubarak resigned on February 11th 2012.

Another revolution is the Libyan revolution that started on February 15th 2011.  As early as 2010 the U.N. was receiving reports that Libya was the most censored country in the Middle East. Ruled by Muammar Gaddafi, a cruel dictator who seized power in the 60s, Libya received much attention from the international community. With an uprising from guerilla forces and support from the U.N, the rebellion ended on October 23rd 2011. The last of  “rebellions” on our list (more like civil disobedience) is Occupy Wall Street. It began in New York, people protesting   corporate greed and unfair taxation. The movements slogan “ We are the 99%” became a battle cry for many, for others it was a threat to their wealth. OWS soon spread around the nation with protest held in California, Louisiana, Alabama and many others. It did not only stop at a nationwide level it soon spread to London, Berlin, Sydney and many countries in Africa. The protests were splintered however and by fall of 2011 they were being shit down. Pepper Spray, riot shields, and flash bangs soon became commonplace. By December of 2011 the movement was effectively dead. History repeats itself; we may have entered a new age of revolution or just an insignificant period in human history. Whatever it is, whenever people are treated unfairly they will rebel.

Worst Person #14-The Pro Bowl

backinphillyLeave a comment

As I’m sure everyone saw last weekend, the Conference Championships went exactly as I had planned, but not as I had hoped. I’m still fuming about the Patriots and Giants once again being in the big dance. I don’t wanna watch that crap again. It’s no fun watching the same teams compete every year when they aren’t the team you support. So, I will extend my congratulations to the Giants and Patriots and begin my post without so much as a rant about how poorly the Giants executed this past weekend, or about the 49ers’ horrible punt returner Kyle Williams. Heck, I’ll even overlook the Billy Cundiff botched kick that could have tied the game or the Lee Evans potential game-winning touchdown catch that didn’t happen. Let’s talk about the Pro Bowl.

Probably one of the most pointless contests in all of sports, the Pro Bowl has evolved into a sick joke in recent seasons. Since the game was moved to one week BEFORE the Super Bowl after being the week after for so many years, the teams in the Super Bowl must restrict the players from “competing” in the Pro Bowl. The Patriots had 8 players while the Giants had 2.

Why is this the worst thing/person of the week then?

Because the Pro Bowl shouldn’t exist. It isn’t a competition. It isn’t a serious honor bestowed upon a player by the league. It is simply a popularity contest. The rosters show dozens of players that don’t belong there, but the public and the fans don’t know any better than to elect their team’s players.

What do you think guys? Do you think the league is using the game to squeeze a little bit of extra cash out of the public?

Doesn’t look too competitive, huh?

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

rangerthecatLeave a comment

Recently, I was feeling quite nostalgic and took a trip down memory lane into my childhood, and tried to remember some of the things that made it so great.

Here are a few things that I hope I can go back to one day, just to re-live those memories.

#1: Play-doh

This was the most amazing stuff when I was young. It could turn into ANYTHING. Dinosaurs, cars, spaghetti – and it came in so many colors. I remember I used to make it with my mom and we would dye it with food coloring, so we could make it any color we wanted.

#2: Etch-A-Sketch

These were so fun, and so hard to actually draw anything on, but they entertained me for hours on end.

#3: Saturday Morning Cartoons

Waking up early to watch my favorite cartoons. It would sit there for a few hours and waste away 3 hours just hanging out with my sister and laughing at our favorite shows.

#4: Where’s Waldo?

Spending an hour looking at pictures of little people and trying to find some dude in a striped red sweater… It was the most pointless activity that somehow kept me completely entertained.

#5: TY Beanie Babies

Every time I went to the store, there would be a new one I wanted to get. They were the best items to collect.

#6: Legos

BEST. THINGS. EVER. I had a spaceship kit that was Always my favorite. Even when I was just sticking random blocks together, it was fun.

#7: Mario Cart Racing

I would always lose, but my brother and I would play this all the time.

#8: The Magic School Bus

I would be so excited to watch this in class some days during school. I mean, that school bus was so awesome, I always wished my teacher had one of those busses.

#9: Lunchables

I would feel like the coolest kid having on of these for lunch in elementary school. Everyone was jealous. It was so much better than a PB&J like everyone else had.

#10: Pillow/Blanket Forts

They were like a whole new world. They were fun to make and were amazing places to hide out and do whatever you wanted. I miss these too much.

What We Are

therightliberalLeave a comment

Although many Americans struggle to realize it, there are other countries in the world. And within these other countries, there are people with opinions.

Now place yourself in the shoes of one of those people and look at the news that comes out of America; the politics, the domestic issues, the celebrities.

Now maybe it’s just me (though I very much hope it isn’t) but I worry about this. Maybe it is because I am a self-conscious teenager, but I worry that the image that others see is disgusting.

I read our news often and am disgusted. Mainly its when a GOP candidate opens his/hers mouth but it even goes all the way to court cases and even sports.

We recently had a speaker at our school who talked about the image of a brand. As the head of a marketing company, his job is to portray a certain business in a positive light.

Hell, maybe we need some America commercials, like the ones you see for Arizona and Puerto Rico. We can show pictures of the nicer cities, not of Detroit and Cleveland. Then we can end with a catchy phrase like “America; it ain’t what it used to be but its still a lot better than your country” (We should probably not run this in most Western European countries if we go with that phrase).

Our image used to be one of power and justice. Now it is of fat people who pick on Muslims or ignorant people who can’t tell Austria from Australia. What happened to the days of golden roads and silver lakes?

I could go on and on about everything we did wrong but that is not the point. The past, unfortunately, is out of our control. What we can do is look towards the future in a way that is less egocentric.

We must rebrand ourselves, give ourselves a new image. Because not only does what others think matter, our confidence as a country matters too. The moral is low and we need a change. Let’s boost our image and in doing so create a better country.