Expulsion Expulsion Expulsion…

Paloma SpencerLeave a comment

So I am currently listening to an abundance of voices discussing their opinions regarding our school’s interdisciplinary policies. In other words, expulsion.

Before I entered high school I had always believed that one must do an absolutely horrible crime in order to be expelled. A knife fight or a drunken rendezvous were the kinds of things that occupied my mind regarding this subject.

I could blame my middle school; it was small and thus expulsion or any other type of disciplinary action was rare. In addition, my own innocence allowed me to believe that the on-screen fighting seen in popular movies was only met by, at the most, suspension. And let me not forget my belief that drugs and alcohol were common in high school and were thus somehow accepted.

However, throughout my years in high school I have realized a lot regarding this subject. My ninth grade year I recognized how serious bullying is through a classmate’s expulsion after expressing harm towards a fellow peer. My tenth grade year I realized the significance of violence when I experienced a dangerous brawl between two seniors. I had understood why these people were expelled and completely sided with the schools in their decisions.

It wasn’t until my eleventh grade year that I did not quite agree with the disciplinary action at my high school, and truthfully believed expulsion was used as more of a strict ultimatum rather than an agreeable decision.

I go to a private independent boarding school and thus I understand that students are expected to properly follow specific guidelines or otherwise face consequences. I understand the arguments that the school is giving you an opportunity, that this is a privileged experience, and that each student has signed a contract. I believe that it is more than fair to kick someone out for drinking, drug use, violence, or cheating, especially in a school that is aiming to create a campus filled with intelligent and mature young adults.

Though as a second semester high school senior awaiting those lovely letters of college acceptance and rejection, I would like to bring one argument up for questioning.

“EXPULSION.” These words plastered upon ones college resume is, to state lightly, not a very good addition.

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Spring.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Daffodils
I am happy to say it is nearly Spring. The flowers are getting ready to bloom, Shrove Tuesday has passed and lambs are in abundance. It is a season for new life, new starts and ultimately a preparation for the summer months to follow.

To me Spring also means a new iPod playlist. I am on a mission to find new artists and songs to take me through the coming months and gradually take me into the Summer.

Although I cannot drive I do like to listen to music in the passenger seat.  To me a ride in the morning with the windows rolled down and idyllic acoustic music is perfect for these months.  In the past albums by The Kooks and Razorlight have been great but I feel I need some more theme tunes for 2011.

I feel it is time to get exploring for some new anthems.

Here’s a song from last year that I enjoyed over the Spring months.

Honor’s Ski TRIP

yrreskrapLeave a comment


UGH! My mittens were filled with snow…again. I dusted my jacket off as I strained and struggled to get on my two feet. My poles dug deep into the white, icy powder and my body pushed itself up. Finally, I was standing and all I could think was “I need to get back to the cabin.”

Cross country skiing was not what I thought it would be. I jumped at the opportunity of going on the Honor’s Ski Trip, thinking it would be a breeze, especially because of my love for downhill skiing. Little did I know that cross country skiing had nothing in common with downhill skiing…except for maybe the poles.

I struggled to keep up with the rest of the group my first day. I was falling here and there, into deep pits of powdery snow. Even when I was standing up, I would somehow manage to fall over.

However, I had a lot of time to contemplate life, just as a I do every camping trip. It’s something about being isolated from technology and being beset in nature that makes the mind flow so clearly. Letting the mind flow was very refreshing and well needed, although now quite the opposite is happening with all of the backed up school work that is calling me. Regardless, for the time being, the trip allowed me to unwind and have some quality thinking time.

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Opinions

smackyjackjack1 Comment

I feel that I have very strong opinions. I also feel that anyone who does not share my opinions is either misinformed or uneducated.  Most times in life, there are only two options; right and wrong. It is very rare for there to be another option. In many matters, to me, it is okay for people to have different opinions, as long as they have a logical argument for this. But every so often someone may think something that is completely ridiculous, and you have to call then out on it.

As a rule, everyone should be fair, just and have the patience and maturity to listen to the other side of the argument. But there are some people who are so ignorant, so stupid that they cannot be treated the same way.

Take, for instance, the Tea Party.  These are the people who are under the illusion that homosexuals are a mistake, that a government that does its job is bad, and that “elitists” should not be in a position of power.  First of all, who cares if some one is gay? It really does not matter in any way.

Secondly,  a government is supposed to do the things the citizens cannot do by themselves.  The proposed idea of taking its power away would lead to political and social ruin.

Finally, I don’t think the Tea Party “Patriots” understand what an elitist is.  An elitist is defined as a person who believes that a society would be ruled by the elite.  Well no duh it should. The point of an indirect democracy is to vote and single out the best and smartest citizens to represent the other citizens. You don’t want  a hick from Kentucky to be put into a position of power. Why would anyone think that that is okay?

It is not okay to let people believe in things  that are so blatantly wrong. It is not okay to be the fair and just when someone’s beliefs are harmful to others. Some people, as bad as this will sound, need to be told they are wrong.

United Trump Arsenal

therightliberalLeave a comment

Man United came out of its slump in spectacular fashion today, beating Arsenal 2-0. United was able to pull out the victory thanks to fantastic goalkeeping by Edwin Van Der Sar and goals from Wayne Rooney and Fabio da Silva.

Wayne Rooney

This win puts United in a semi final with Bolton Wanderers also grabbing a spot. Arsenal on the other hand was knocked out of their third competition in the last two weeks.

Luckily for Arsenal fans, their team is still very much in the running for the Premier League title.

Hopefully this win will allow United to get back to winning form in the Premier League as well as the Champions League next week. Wayne Rooney looks to be getting back on form which helped as well the return of Antonio Valencia.

For a full summary of the game go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=314700&cc=5901

My Four Parents and Me.

theycallmedame2 Comments

Every time I mention to someone that I have a stepparent (two, actually) they always react the same. They get a sympathetic look on their face and either apologize (for what?) or say something along the lines of, “Oh, that must be terrible for you!”

Um, why would it be terrible for me?

People have the idea that stepparents must be evil beings who torture their stepchildren and are unfit to be parents drilled into their minds. It’s like their reasoning goes like this:

Cinderella had a stepmom.
Said stepmom was evil.
Therefore, using the “I’m an Idiot” property, all stepmoms and stepdads alike must be evil.

I’m sorry, what?

I love my stepparents! They’re just all around good people!


My stepdad, Andy, on the right, teaching a student how to properly land a hanglider.

My mom’s husband, Andy, is probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet. He’s kind and funny and he and I have formed a secret alliance to sneak junk food into the house when my mom isn’t looking. He comes to all of my performances (without being asked!) and is always up to playing or hanging out with my brother, Ben, and I. He’s made my mom very happy.


My stepmom, Rita, whose smile never leaves her face.

My dad’s wife, Rita, is like a giant kid. Her and I have nerd conversations about Star Wars and Star Trek, and argue over which cartoon animated show is the best (she usually wins said arguments by pulling the “I’m a cartoon producer so what I say goes!” card). When she has a little too much sugar she starts bouncing off the walls and goes and gets oddly colored highlights in her hair. I’ve never seen my Dad happier than the day they got married.

I definitely lucked out on the stepparent front. Now my brother and I have not two, not three, but four loving parents who would go to the world’s end just to make sure that we were alright.


I love them, and they are the farthest from evil as someone can ever get.

Dear Gangsters, Please Go Away

Paloma Spencer3 Comments

You know who I have a problem with?

Gangsters.

Those people who think they are so tough.

Those people who speak in such arrogant tongue.

Fine, so I’m being completely judgemental, but I dont care. I’m not saying they are not good people and I am definitely not defining all of them with these characteristics. But I have sadly yet to see one that has proved my opinion wrong.

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Should Players be Fined for Their Opinions?

therightliberal4 Comments

After the Barcelona vs. Arsenal game, Robin Van Persie made some comments that are sure to get him fined or suspended.

Robin van Persie receives his marching orders after kicking the ball away

They included calling the official, Massimo Busacca, a joke. I have been on both sides of the spectrum because I am both a soccer player and a certified referee.

I know from the side of the official that it is not fun to be criticized. This poor official was insulted on a public scale. Although he did have a horrible day at the office, it should not matter what is performance went.

In my mind the right of free speech carries over to soccer players. The players have opinions and they should be able to express their opinions without facing fines or suspensions. However, my feeling is that refs should have every right to have a rebuttal about what a tool the player in question is.Read More »

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

yourgingerkid2 Comments

As humans we are entitled to make mistakes. In fact it’s our nature to make mistakes, and then to regret.
What if we could erase what we had done on our own minds?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a movie that discusses that very idea.

Scripted by Charlie Kaufman, the sci-fi romance film follows an odd couple, Jim Carry and Kate Winslet, through their relationship. Clementine, Kate Winslet, has ever-changing colors of hair and is the first of the two to erase their memories. Then follows Joel, Jim Carry, only to find that what they lost through the operation only brought them back to the starting point with the famous phrase “Meet me… in Montauk…”

Personally, this is my third favorite movie, after Transformers and Donnie Darko. It’s strange to see Jim Carry in a serious movie but he did an amazing job.

Without getting too personal, this idea comes about more than I would think when I’m alone. What if we could forget certain parts of our lives? Is it ethical?

In the movie Joel asks “Is there any risk of brain damage?” in which the technician replies, “Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it’s on a par with a night of heavy drinking. Nothing you’ll miss.”

Ultimately it’s up to the participants, but I thought that I would let this idea sit ineveryone’s head.

The Radiant Child

smackyjackjack1 Comment

Jack’s Movie Pick of the Week

The Radiant Child is the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child Poster

Jean-Michel Basquiat has been described as the most important artist of his generation.  Basquiat was born December 22nd, 1960 in New York city.  He was interested in art from an early age. His small cartoons and doodles eventually blossomed into a career.

Basquiat had a short career. He died of a drug overdose shortly before going out to a concert with his friends on August 12th, 1988. In his short life, Basquiat managed to creat some of the most powerful and unique art of his time. His art was praised by one of Basquiat’s best friends, Andy Warhol.

Final Verdict

This is a good documentary about a very important artist. The editing is a bit rough at times, and the film itself could have been cut more. But aside from that, the story is engaging, and the subject is intriguing.  This is a good documentary for those who love expressionism.