Thirteen Reasons Why
By Jay Asher
High school junior Hannah Baker recently killed herself. Now her classmate Clay Jenson gets a box full of cassette tapes that Hannah recorded for thirteen people. Each of them played a part in her decision to end it all. Clay is one of them. There are seven tapes, and each person has one side of a tape devoted to them. Clay listens to the tapes to find out what she says about him. He finds it a horrible, traumatic experience, learning about how other people treated Hannah, and worrying about what part he played in her suicide.
It turns out that as soon as she arrived in high school, and had her first kiss, the boy she kissed started spreading rumors about her. She got the reputation of a slut, and she couldn't do anything to shake it. She had other experiences of being sexually objectified, excluded by other people, and so she became increasingly isolated. By the time she got to know Clay, she was basically incapable of reaching out for help. On the occasions that she did reach out to others as she became increasingly desperate, other people failed to respond. Eventually she decides to kill herself, she makes the tapes, sends them out with instructions for them to be passed around the thirteen people, and she kills herself.
The story unfolds as Clay listens to the tapes over a 24 hour period. He starts out at home, and then he travels around town listening to the tapes on a walkman, visiting the places where the events happened. The unabridged audio book consists of Clay's thoughts and the words of Hannah as she talks. The words of Clay and Hannah are read by Joel Johnstone and Debra Wiseman, which works well. Johnstone's performance is urgent and emotional, and Wiseman's is surprisingly calm and even ironic. Listening to the book is a gripping experience, especially if you are listening with headphones, because it helps one's identification with Clay as he listens to Hannah.
Author Jay Asher raises many issues of young women's experience, the role of reputation in high school, and the cruelty of teens. This is an unusual book that will stay with you for a long time. It highlights the seriousness of the issues it raises very effectively. Yet it requires a huge suspension of disbelief, since it is very unlikely that someone so close to suicide would remain so calm or be so organized as to make such eloquent tapes. In her planning her death and telling people what role they played in making her want to die, Hannah seems manipulative and scheming. Furthermore, Asher's depiction of her makes it seem that her treatment by her schoolmates and teachers is the full explanation of her suicide. Some boys spread lies about what she did with them, others grabbed at her body, girls were unkind, and teachers didn't help her enough. We hear very little about her family life; just that her parents had been going through major financial worries. Many people go through similar pressures without becoming clinically depressed, and certainly without killing themselves. This all makes the apparent explanation of Hannah's suicide insufficient. It may be true that if Hannah hadn't been treated badly by others, she wouldn't have killed herself, but there's enough in the story itself to suggest that the full explanation would have to say much more. Of course, in many cases where people kill themselves, we never completely understand why they did it. But there's a tension within Asher's narrative between the depiction of Hannah as very vulnerable to suffering that most other people cope with, and as an extremely articulate and resourceful person capable of planning out such an elaborate suicide note. Indeed, to some extent, Hannah seeks revenge on the people who hurt her, not through her suicide directly, but through the guilt she is able to induce with her tapes, and even the anger that the people who hear the tapes will have towards the other people she mentions. She is entitled to be angry, since she was treated badly by other people. The puzzle, however, is why if she was so capable of articulating her anger and feelings in the tapes, and able to plan out their recording and delivery to the people on them, is she not more capable to expressing herself and seeking help from those who would be sympathetic, such as her parents, teachers, counselors, or Clay himself. Her words do suggest some answers to that question, but none makes a lot of sense.
Some highly articulate, intelligent and resourceful people do kill themselves, and often it isn't clear why they think that is the best way they have to end their pain. Often people who attempt suicide and survive don't understand their own self-destructive thinking afterwards. So it is no surprise that Hannah's suicide is also mysterious. What is problematic in Thirteen Reasons Why is the impression the book gives that the explanation is transparent, and can be summed up in the actions of thirteen people.
Nevertheless, Asher's book is provocative and powerful. Clay's reaction to listening to Hannah is subtly drawn, as he reflects on what it means about his own actions and those of the people he hangs out with. Clay himself comes out as a sympathetic narrator, making it easier to get through the emotionally difficult and complex storyline. While the book isn't one that I'd recommend for people trying to make sense of suicide, it is one that should prompt useful discussion of the pressures of life in high school and the responsibilities of people to think about the effects of the way they behave towards each other.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Texas Article
This spring break I went to Texas for three weeks. My family and I decided to go to Texas so I could get my horses ready for rodeo and just to get away from the cold in Wyoming. In Texas we stayed at my aunt and uncles place in out horse trailer. My aunt and uncle live out side of Comanche which is about forty-five minutes to an hour outside of Stephenville. Now I am in love with Texas I didn’t want to leave and I have already started to plan my future down there.
We left here on a Wednesday and got there Thursday night. The first few days it was kind of cold and rainy so we decided to go to Dallas. There we met up with our friend Michelle and her son Tristan. After we had dinner with them and said our good byes the next day we went prom dress shopping. After we found the flipping sweetest dress ever we headed back to Comanche. Once we got back to Comanche after our two days in Dallas the weather had cleared and it was sunny and warm.
One the weather finally got sunny I got to work with my horses. I rode every day and practice every other day. While we were down there we went to a Cowboy Capital 5d Barrel Race in Stephenville. The arena this barrel race was held at was the lone star arena and it was the nicest horse complex I have ever been to. It was an outdoor covered barn with the best ground and facilities ever I was in heaven. Also I didn’t do to bad I didn’t win much cause of the D splits but I had some very nice runs and that’s all that counts. Also we were supposed to go to another barrel race at the Circle T arena in Hamilton but it rained and we couldn’t make it, but the Circle T is literally a five star arena it has a big fancy restaurant in it a massive hotel and it is extremely well kept.
Just by being there those three weeks a totally fell in love with Stephenville and everything it has to offer. The university at Stephenville is Tarleton State and I have already decided that I am going to go to college there because not only do they have great academics they have a great rodeo team, and that’s my main purpose to go to college. Also a little ways outside Stephenville is Dublin. Dublin is the birth place of Dr. Pepper and they make it there with imperial sugar instead of corn syrup, or whatever it is. This Dr. Pepper is the best thing I have ever tasted and I am hopelessly addicted to it. Also they have the best fast food chicken place called chicken express. I loved chicken express and they are only in the southern states.
I totally loved everything Texas had to offer; from the rodeo facilities to the colleges to the food. I wish I could go back right now and get out of all this snow and cold, but I’ll be back down there before I know it.
We left here on a Wednesday and got there Thursday night. The first few days it was kind of cold and rainy so we decided to go to Dallas. There we met up with our friend Michelle and her son Tristan. After we had dinner with them and said our good byes the next day we went prom dress shopping. After we found the flipping sweetest dress ever we headed back to Comanche. Once we got back to Comanche after our two days in Dallas the weather had cleared and it was sunny and warm.
One the weather finally got sunny I got to work with my horses. I rode every day and practice every other day. While we were down there we went to a Cowboy Capital 5d Barrel Race in Stephenville. The arena this barrel race was held at was the lone star arena and it was the nicest horse complex I have ever been to. It was an outdoor covered barn with the best ground and facilities ever I was in heaven. Also I didn’t do to bad I didn’t win much cause of the D splits but I had some very nice runs and that’s all that counts. Also we were supposed to go to another barrel race at the Circle T arena in Hamilton but it rained and we couldn’t make it, but the Circle T is literally a five star arena it has a big fancy restaurant in it a massive hotel and it is extremely well kept.
Just by being there those three weeks a totally fell in love with Stephenville and everything it has to offer. The university at Stephenville is Tarleton State and I have already decided that I am going to go to college there because not only do they have great academics they have a great rodeo team, and that’s my main purpose to go to college. Also a little ways outside Stephenville is Dublin. Dublin is the birth place of Dr. Pepper and they make it there with imperial sugar instead of corn syrup, or whatever it is. This Dr. Pepper is the best thing I have ever tasted and I am hopelessly addicted to it. Also they have the best fast food chicken place called chicken express. I loved chicken express and they are only in the southern states.
I totally loved everything Texas had to offer; from the rodeo facilities to the colleges to the food. I wish I could go back right now and get out of all this snow and cold, but I’ll be back down there before I know it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Taylor Swift: Fearless Review
To hear Taylor Swift tell it, she's had some seriously bad luck with boys. They don't notice her sly glances from afar. They don't apologize when they've taken her for granted. Sometimes, when they're too perfect, they bore her. And this is all before the age of 19.
Youth, it turns out, is the rising country star's greatest asset. But it's her knack for dissecting it so honestly that separates her from the pack of teenage starlets who rely on big-name producers, songwriters, and Disney shows for a music career. Swift is the rare ingenious who actually plays the part (and guitar). She's 18 - wide-eyed, naive, hopeful, and that's how she sounds on "Fearless," her superb new album on the indie label Big Machine Records. It's her sophomore splash after her 2006 self-titled debut became a sleeper hit, selling more than 3 million copies and snagging her a Grammy nomination for best new artist.
This time out, though, Swift has even greater aspirations, with songs sure to blur the line between commercial country and Top 40 radio. In fact, much of "Fearless" sounds like a page torn from "The Dixie Chicks: The High School Years." For every mandolin or fiddle, there's an electric guitar squealing or a wash of strings swelling up on the chorus. Only a slight drawl creeps into Swift's vocals, which for some is the definition of country music.
Mostly, though, Swift's charm is her songwriting. She knows how to write a hit. On "Love Story," the first single, Swift casts herself as Juliet pining for her star struck lover: "Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone/ I'll be waiting/ All there's left to do is run/ You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess/ It's a love story, baby, just say yes." The song's video features Swift dolled up in Victorian garb with Justin Gaston, Miley Cyrus's model boyfriend, on loan to play Romeo.
Swift gets a few songwriting assists (Liz Rose, Colbie Caillat), but the album's most interesting songs are the ones Swift wrote alone. You can practically see the lyrics for "Fifteen" scribbled in a diary, chronicling Swift's freshman year in high school. "In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team/ But I didn't know it at 15," she sings with palpable regret. Hindsight apparently comes early for Swift.
"The Best Day" also happens to be the best song. A musical valentine about how great Mom and Dad are, it's understated enough to go unnoticed, but then you realize it sounds like nothing else on "Fearless." After an entire album of wide-open choruses, it's refreshing to hear Swift tell her story simply. If the melody doesn't stick in your mind, the message at least speaks to the heart.
Youth, it turns out, is the rising country star's greatest asset. But it's her knack for dissecting it so honestly that separates her from the pack of teenage starlets who rely on big-name producers, songwriters, and Disney shows for a music career. Swift is the rare ingenious who actually plays the part (and guitar). She's 18 - wide-eyed, naive, hopeful, and that's how she sounds on "Fearless," her superb new album on the indie label Big Machine Records. It's her sophomore splash after her 2006 self-titled debut became a sleeper hit, selling more than 3 million copies and snagging her a Grammy nomination for best new artist.
This time out, though, Swift has even greater aspirations, with songs sure to blur the line between commercial country and Top 40 radio. In fact, much of "Fearless" sounds like a page torn from "The Dixie Chicks: The High School Years." For every mandolin or fiddle, there's an electric guitar squealing or a wash of strings swelling up on the chorus. Only a slight drawl creeps into Swift's vocals, which for some is the definition of country music.
Mostly, though, Swift's charm is her songwriting. She knows how to write a hit. On "Love Story," the first single, Swift casts herself as Juliet pining for her star struck lover: "Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone/ I'll be waiting/ All there's left to do is run/ You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess/ It's a love story, baby, just say yes." The song's video features Swift dolled up in Victorian garb with Justin Gaston, Miley Cyrus's model boyfriend, on loan to play Romeo.
Swift gets a few songwriting assists (Liz Rose, Colbie Caillat), but the album's most interesting songs are the ones Swift wrote alone. You can practically see the lyrics for "Fifteen" scribbled in a diary, chronicling Swift's freshman year in high school. "In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team/ But I didn't know it at 15," she sings with palpable regret. Hindsight apparently comes early for Swift.
"The Best Day" also happens to be the best song. A musical valentine about how great Mom and Dad are, it's understated enough to go unnoticed, but then you realize it sounds like nothing else on "Fearless." After an entire album of wide-open choruses, it's refreshing to hear Swift tell her story simply. If the melody doesn't stick in your mind, the message at least speaks to the heart.
Country Music OpEd
I think country music is one of the most down to earth true hearted genres of music today. In opposition to Kayla’s way over dramatic and untrue editorial about country music I want to express what country really is. County music has been around for a long long time and yes it has changed but it’s only changed to keep up with the times and I believe its doing a good job of still staying true to country’s roots. According to Kayla country is about drunken debauchery in big city casinos, mass-produced blonde whores whining about their cowardly former bed buddies, and “I'm going to destroy my ex's overpriced possession, even though the entire overly dramatic breakup was my fault since I went drinking and got pregnant via some unknown male and I'm horrified at the thought of taking responsibility for my often drunken and jealous self, daddy I want a pony”. Well I would like to know what the hell that is because I know that is NOT what country is and that is not what it has ever been or ever will be. I listen to all kind of country from classic country to Texas country to Nashville country and I have NEVER EVER heard anything even some what close to that. When I listen to country (like I am right now) I hear song about broken hearts and whiskey and hard work and love or songs about heaven nothing like what she said country is. I realize that country too many people is a required taste but I think really every one likes at least one country song. Now what I really don’t understand how she can slam country when all she listens to is screaming metal rock. That kind of music is what really is bad. You can’t find a song like that that’s not about drugs and killing your self I mean really how can she be so negative about what she thinks country is when she listens to that shit. I love country music I can name any country song that comes on the radio and I know just about all the words to every song out there, and also I think that country is really the most American genre of music today and always has been. So she can have her totally unrealistic opinion about country but I just want every one to know that she is soooooo wrong country is a very strong true type of music and is never going to die EVER.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New School BS
This new school and all of it ridiculous rules are pushing me over the edge. There are way too many dumb rules. For example, NO FOOD, NO DRINKS (including water), NO COATS, NO LEAVING THE COMMONS AT LUNCH, NOTHING CAN BE PUT ON THE WALLS, WE ALL LEAVE FOR LUNCH AT THE SAME TIME(making the line like a mile long and if you get stuck at the end so much for eating it lunch is over). All of these rules are crazy non-sense and need to be diminished, especially the rule about no water. I mean come on that is ridiculous. What are we going to hurt with water? If anything, maybe we’ll make the school a little cleaner. Also the coat rule, in the mornings it’s really pretty cold and then letting us wear our coats and what is so wrong with wearing our coats that they had to make a rule about not wearing them its stupid. Then not being able to put anything on the walls. This rule makes this place look like a detention center, at least at the old school it was kind of homey looking. Also this rule affects teacher because they have posters and things that we use in class that they can’t do anything with. Also I don’t find it fair at all that some of the teacher think that because there faculty they don’t have to follow the new rules and have food and pop and stuff in there rooms. Then on the other hand there are teachers that do respect the rules and don’t have any thing like that in there rooms. There are also so many little annoying things about this school. For example, the bell what is it, it sounds like a damn door bell, it’s definitely not a bell that should be in a school. Also when we all go to lunch at the same time it sucks because for us at the very end of the west wing we get there very last then when we finally get our food there usually isn’t any left and then we only have bout five minutes to eat and get to study hall. I personally believe that this school is really bringing people down because no one is happy with anything. Also it’s so hard to go through the day with no food besides lunch, that isn’t good anyways, and not having any water with you, yes there are water fountains but teachers aren’t always going let you out of class because you need to go get a drink. Another thing that upsets me is that they locked the internet. In the old school I got on the internet on my ipod all the time but not anymore and I actually would use my ipod to look up stuff for school but no supposedly we were chatting on them, well we weren’t and now we don’t get to use them at all. So I don’t know how this is all going to work but it better get better and less strict because it’s so totally ridiculous and if it doesn’t I think I’m going to go ape shit on someone cause I cant handle much more of this.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
leads 4/1
Smokers feeling abused as federal tax hike hits- Federal excise tax on cigarettes has been raised 61.6 cents per pack. Major tobacco companies incorporated an increase into prices in March. Manufacturers, retailers’ boosted prices beyond hike, some of them say "They're picking on smokers," says a woman, 83, about the federal government.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/01/cigarette.tax/index.html
Thousands demonstrate in London ahead of G-20 summit- Main focus of Wednesday's protests is an event dubbed "Financial Fools Day". Scuffles broke out between protesters and police outside The Bank of England. Police arrest 13 people but say overall situation has not been "too bad". G-20 summit begins Thursday, drawing leaders from top 20 economies.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/01/g20.london.protests/index.html
A nod and a link: April Fools' Day pranks abound in the news- If a news item seems especially outrageous on April 1, it just may be a big hoax. Among the good prank articles already are “The Guardian reportedly switches to Twitter format”. Taipei Times editor says, "Readers and viewers should keep a critical mind".
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/01/april.fools.pranks/index.html
'Recession gardens' trim grocery bills, teach lessons- Americans are turning to gardens as a way to reduce food bills amid recession. Experts in the garden industry say the trend is unlike anything in at least 30 years. One seed company says a $200 garden saves a family $5,000 in food annually. Gardening is up 19 percent in 2009, says the national garneners association.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/01/recession.garden/index.html?iref=newssearch
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/01/cigarette.tax/index.html
Thousands demonstrate in London ahead of G-20 summit- Main focus of Wednesday's protests is an event dubbed "Financial Fools Day". Scuffles broke out between protesters and police outside The Bank of England. Police arrest 13 people but say overall situation has not been "too bad". G-20 summit begins Thursday, drawing leaders from top 20 economies.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/01/g20.london.protests/index.html
A nod and a link: April Fools' Day pranks abound in the news- If a news item seems especially outrageous on April 1, it just may be a big hoax. Among the good prank articles already are “The Guardian reportedly switches to Twitter format”. Taipei Times editor says, "Readers and viewers should keep a critical mind".
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/01/april.fools.pranks/index.html
'Recession gardens' trim grocery bills, teach lessons- Americans are turning to gardens as a way to reduce food bills amid recession. Experts in the garden industry say the trend is unlike anything in at least 30 years. One seed company says a $200 garden saves a family $5,000 in food annually. Gardening is up 19 percent in 2009, says the national garneners association.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/01/recession.garden/index.html?iref=newssearch
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
"Speak Softly, She can hear you" by Pam Lewis
Carole Mason and her best friend Naomi make an agreement to both lose their virginity before they graduate from the prestigious Spence School in New York City, in 1965. When they are in Vermont on a ski vacation, Naomi sets things up for Carole to meet with Eddie, a 26 year old actor and college drop-out. Carole gets what she wanted, having sex with Eddie, but never expected Rita Boudreau to enter the scene. Rita unexpectedly dies after having sex with Eddie.
He blames the result on Carole being overweight, the bed not having enough room for the three of them and Carole being drunk and not remembering what exactly happened. Carole being a typical, normally well-behaved, quiet teenager panics and leaves early from the ski trip in Vermont. Her life is never the same again.
Carole, an only child, is the love of her parents life. They had moved to the city from Ridgewood, New Jersey, seeking a better life. Their dream for their daughter is for her to attend Vassar. Things change for Carole once she is home from the ski trip. Carole used to tell her mother everything, now the lies come quickly and easily. Carole panics when Rita Boudreau's wallet shows up in her borrowed parka and even skips school once while trying to confront Eddie. Eddie won't go away, and tortures Carole by telling her about meeting her mother on the street. Eddie follows her to Vassar, finds her in California, and Vermont. Her mother dies of a heart attack. Her father tries to resolve their differences but Carole is still fearful of her secret, runs away.
Ten years later, Carole ends up once again in Vermont. She is there because of her friend Rachel, and husband Morgan. Carole meets the love of her life, Will Burbank, in her restaurant. Life seems normal until Naomi calls Carole and leaves a message saying she is moving to Vermont. Carole goes to a Spence reunion trying to convince Naomi to stay far away. Once Naomi pushes her way into Carole's circle of friends, Eddie shows up. Carole finally tells Will what happened to her so many years ago. Will tells her that she was not the one responsible. Eddie dies but not before inflicting physical pain on Carole. However the emotional pain was far worse for her. She and Will survive, Naomi does not. In the end, Carole manages to reconnect with her father.
Sweeping across decades, moving from New York to Vermont to California and back again, Lewis tells an utterly gripping, psychologically nuanced tale of friendship between two very different women, of the life-changing burden of a secret, the lies we tell others to save ourselves, and the lies we tell ourselves when the truth is too painful to accept.
When I first started reading this book I wasn't too interested. The writing had kept throwing me off with that I thought would be simple mistakes to catch. The main thing that bothered me was the way Lewis failed to show when time had passed. I quickly found out that the reason for these mistakes were due to the fact that Speak Softly is Pam Lewis' first novel. Before this book she has done a few short stories that were published in newspapers, but no paperback books.
Lewis would sometimes write things out of order; first showing Carole and Naomi carrying out their plans then later showing how they met. It made for some confusing reading at times, due to how she didn't always show time passing, but as the book went along she got better at showing just what happened when and the confusion was gone. The effect of the out-of-order-writing made for a very interesting read. Just when you question why Carole would do such a thing, Lewis shows you a flashback that explains the whole reasoning behind it.
The dialogue felt real for their respective characters and the time periods, so there was nothing to throw me off there. In fact, the dialogue is what saved a lot of 'scenes' where I was originally confused engrossing me so far into what was happening I didn't care that she forgot to tell us time had passed.
The climax and resolution to the story were fantastically done. I was actually blown away. All of a sudden this really powerful writer appeared, as if she had written the beginning of the story timidly, doubtful, only to have it replaced with pure confidence at the end. I was so excited during the later half of the book that I couldn't put it down, particularly during the last 4 or so chapters. She actually had my heart pounding for Carole, panicking or angering along side her. If only she had written like that from the beginning then this book would get five stars!
He blames the result on Carole being overweight, the bed not having enough room for the three of them and Carole being drunk and not remembering what exactly happened. Carole being a typical, normally well-behaved, quiet teenager panics and leaves early from the ski trip in Vermont. Her life is never the same again.
Carole, an only child, is the love of her parents life. They had moved to the city from Ridgewood, New Jersey, seeking a better life. Their dream for their daughter is for her to attend Vassar. Things change for Carole once she is home from the ski trip. Carole used to tell her mother everything, now the lies come quickly and easily. Carole panics when Rita Boudreau's wallet shows up in her borrowed parka and even skips school once while trying to confront Eddie. Eddie won't go away, and tortures Carole by telling her about meeting her mother on the street. Eddie follows her to Vassar, finds her in California, and Vermont. Her mother dies of a heart attack. Her father tries to resolve their differences but Carole is still fearful of her secret, runs away.
Ten years later, Carole ends up once again in Vermont. She is there because of her friend Rachel, and husband Morgan. Carole meets the love of her life, Will Burbank, in her restaurant. Life seems normal until Naomi calls Carole and leaves a message saying she is moving to Vermont. Carole goes to a Spence reunion trying to convince Naomi to stay far away. Once Naomi pushes her way into Carole's circle of friends, Eddie shows up. Carole finally tells Will what happened to her so many years ago. Will tells her that she was not the one responsible. Eddie dies but not before inflicting physical pain on Carole. However the emotional pain was far worse for her. She and Will survive, Naomi does not. In the end, Carole manages to reconnect with her father.
Sweeping across decades, moving from New York to Vermont to California and back again, Lewis tells an utterly gripping, psychologically nuanced tale of friendship between two very different women, of the life-changing burden of a secret, the lies we tell others to save ourselves, and the lies we tell ourselves when the truth is too painful to accept.
When I first started reading this book I wasn't too interested. The writing had kept throwing me off with that I thought would be simple mistakes to catch. The main thing that bothered me was the way Lewis failed to show when time had passed. I quickly found out that the reason for these mistakes were due to the fact that Speak Softly is Pam Lewis' first novel. Before this book she has done a few short stories that were published in newspapers, but no paperback books.
Lewis would sometimes write things out of order; first showing Carole and Naomi carrying out their plans then later showing how they met. It made for some confusing reading at times, due to how she didn't always show time passing, but as the book went along she got better at showing just what happened when and the confusion was gone. The effect of the out-of-order-writing made for a very interesting read. Just when you question why Carole would do such a thing, Lewis shows you a flashback that explains the whole reasoning behind it.
The dialogue felt real for their respective characters and the time periods, so there was nothing to throw me off there. In fact, the dialogue is what saved a lot of 'scenes' where I was originally confused engrossing me so far into what was happening I didn't care that she forgot to tell us time had passed.
The climax and resolution to the story were fantastically done. I was actually blown away. All of a sudden this really powerful writer appeared, as if she had written the beginning of the story timidly, doubtful, only to have it replaced with pure confidence at the end. I was so excited during the later half of the book that I couldn't put it down, particularly during the last 4 or so chapters. She actually had my heart pounding for Carole, panicking or angering along side her. If only she had written like that from the beginning then this book would get five stars!
leads 3/3/09
Police hunt gunmen after attack on Sri Lankan cricket team
A deadly attack left 6 security staff dead and several Sri Lankan cricket players hurt in Lahore. Police say, team bus was attacked by up to 12 gunmen en route to stadium. The gunmen are still at large no group has claimed responsibility for this attack.
Search continues for 3, including NFL players
Search for three missing men passes 48 hours as the search area narrows.
The fourth man rescued off the Florida coast has been identified as Nick Schuyler. Schuyler said boat flipped over Saturday during a storm.
NFL's Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper and a third man remain missing according to the Florida Coast Guard.
Nurse didn't show up for smoothie with friends
Nonnie Dotson was staying with her brother at his home outside Denver, Colorado, when she vanished on November 19, 2006.she was supposed to meet a friend at a local mall when she never showed and hasn’t been seen since. She was an Air Force nurse based in San Antonio, Texas. People believe her disappearance had something to do with the court battle she won before November 2006 disappearance.
Collapsed building traps 3 in Germany
Rescuers say there are three trapped under a collapsed building in Cologne, Germany. The number of people missing was reduced after six people contacted officials. Firefighters are using dogs to help search the rubble at city's archive. The archive building was evacuated but those trapped were in gambling hall
A deadly attack left 6 security staff dead and several Sri Lankan cricket players hurt in Lahore. Police say, team bus was attacked by up to 12 gunmen en route to stadium. The gunmen are still at large no group has claimed responsibility for this attack.
Search continues for 3, including NFL players
Search for three missing men passes 48 hours as the search area narrows.
The fourth man rescued off the Florida coast has been identified as Nick Schuyler. Schuyler said boat flipped over Saturday during a storm.
NFL's Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper and a third man remain missing according to the Florida Coast Guard.
Nurse didn't show up for smoothie with friends
Nonnie Dotson was staying with her brother at his home outside Denver, Colorado, when she vanished on November 19, 2006.she was supposed to meet a friend at a local mall when she never showed and hasn’t been seen since. She was an Air Force nurse based in San Antonio, Texas. People believe her disappearance had something to do with the court battle she won before November 2006 disappearance.
Collapsed building traps 3 in Germany
Rescuers say there are three trapped under a collapsed building in Cologne, Germany. The number of people missing was reduced after six people contacted officials. Firefighters are using dogs to help search the rubble at city's archive. The archive building was evacuated but those trapped were in gambling hall
The object lesson
“The Daily Fruit” By Logan, Amanda, Alyssa, Linda
May 23, 2009
“Getting Juiced”
The Caribbean islands had a blend full encounter when Lucy lime had murder her spouse Patrick passion fruit and her friend Mandy mango. Investigators say that the crime had taken place on May 21, 2009 at a hotel on the Caribbean Islands. The police had interrogated Lucy Lime that night when they found certain evidence of her committing the crime. As further evidence shows that the two victims were blended to a pulp and then drunk the massacred victims, this was a big investigation that brought the FBI. When asked Lucy Lime said that she new that her husband was having an affaire with her friend Mandy Mango and that she was an exotic dancer that her husband was seeing every other night. Lucy Lime only stated that she was at a salsa class when the murder happened; there was no evidence to conclude that. “I was devastated when I heard about the murder, it was like a piece of my heart was stolen from me,” Lucy Lime said.
The courts have not decided weather to hold this case here in the Caribbean or in America, as they were American citizens. Today we see that evidence has given a clear picture of the crime and the true killer behind the blended massacre. Lucy Lime is going to court in one weak to decide if she is innocent or guilty in the court of law. The question is will the case be solved or will it be blended into a complete mess between a lover full of hate and the lovers who were having their own love boat.
May 23, 2009
“Getting Juiced”
The Caribbean islands had a blend full encounter when Lucy lime had murder her spouse Patrick passion fruit and her friend Mandy mango. Investigators say that the crime had taken place on May 21, 2009 at a hotel on the Caribbean Islands. The police had interrogated Lucy Lime that night when they found certain evidence of her committing the crime. As further evidence shows that the two victims were blended to a pulp and then drunk the massacred victims, this was a big investigation that brought the FBI. When asked Lucy Lime said that she new that her husband was having an affaire with her friend Mandy Mango and that she was an exotic dancer that her husband was seeing every other night. Lucy Lime only stated that she was at a salsa class when the murder happened; there was no evidence to conclude that. “I was devastated when I heard about the murder, it was like a piece of my heart was stolen from me,” Lucy Lime said.
The courts have not decided weather to hold this case here in the Caribbean or in America, as they were American citizens. Today we see that evidence has given a clear picture of the crime and the true killer behind the blended massacre. Lucy Lime is going to court in one weak to decide if she is innocent or guilty in the court of law. The question is will the case be solved or will it be blended into a complete mess between a lover full of hate and the lovers who were having their own love boat.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Leads 2/26/09
Police hunt 'Grim Sleeper' serial killer- L.A. police this week released old 9-1-1 call recorded after a killing in 1987 with hopes to produce some clues. Police have the Grim Sleeper's DNA and are offering $500,000 reward for information. They call him the Grim Sleeper because he takes breaks between each of his killings. Since his first killing he is wanted for 11 deaths and one other homicide attempt.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/26/grim.sleeper.california/index.html
Two Arizona teens accused of pimping other girls- Phoenix police spokesman said "They ran their own brothel". The grandmother of one of the teens says “I really want to take it to trial she needs to meet her accusers.” The grand jury indicts the two 16-year-olds girls on pandering and prostitution charges. Police believe the girls had rented an apartment used solely for acts of prostitution.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/25/teen.pimp/index.html
Gov. Bobby Jindal's volcano remark has some fuming- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's swipe at federal spending to monitor volcanoes, has the mayor of one city in the shadow of Mount St. Helens fuming. Jindal stands by statement that volcano appropriation is questionable. Mayor of Vancouver, Washington, says volcano near his town still spits, coughs, and rumbles quite frequently. "We don't throw the money down the crater of the volcano," researcher says.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/jindal.volcanoes/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Galaxy may be full of 'Earths,' alien life- Astronomers believe there may be 100 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. “If any of them have liquid water, they are likely to have some type of life”, says one of the astronomers. Analysis, “Thousands of intelligent civilizations may have emerged in the Milky Way”. NASA's 2015 Kepler mission is to search for habitable planets in our corner of the galaxy.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/02/25/galaxy.planets.kepler/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/26/grim.sleeper.california/index.html
Two Arizona teens accused of pimping other girls- Phoenix police spokesman said "They ran their own brothel". The grandmother of one of the teens says “I really want to take it to trial she needs to meet her accusers.” The grand jury indicts the two 16-year-olds girls on pandering and prostitution charges. Police believe the girls had rented an apartment used solely for acts of prostitution.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/25/teen.pimp/index.html
Gov. Bobby Jindal's volcano remark has some fuming- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's swipe at federal spending to monitor volcanoes, has the mayor of one city in the shadow of Mount St. Helens fuming. Jindal stands by statement that volcano appropriation is questionable. Mayor of Vancouver, Washington, says volcano near his town still spits, coughs, and rumbles quite frequently. "We don't throw the money down the crater of the volcano," researcher says.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/jindal.volcanoes/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Galaxy may be full of 'Earths,' alien life- Astronomers believe there may be 100 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. “If any of them have liquid water, they are likely to have some type of life”, says one of the astronomers. Analysis, “Thousands of intelligent civilizations may have emerged in the Milky Way”. NASA's 2015 Kepler mission is to search for habitable planets in our corner of the galaxy.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/02/25/galaxy.planets.kepler/index.html
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Buckle Store Review
The clothing style of today for kids and teens seems to border the skater/surfer style. With the huge success of the store Tilly's it was only a matter of time for other new stores to follow suit. Buckle is a store comparable to Tilly's however, they offer more originality.
The Buckle was founded in 1948 in Nebraska by Dave Hirschfeld and operated under the name Mills Clothing. At this time it was just a clothing store for men. In 1965 Dave's son took over the business, opened several stores and changed the name to The Brass Buckle. They didn't include women's clothing into the mix until 1977. In 1991 they changed the name to The Buckle. Average sales in 2007 were 1.67 million per store. As of today Buckle has 370 stores in 39 states and they are under the names Buckle and The Buckle.
Buckle carries all of the hot brands that men, women and teens look for. Hurley, Roxy, Fossil, DC Shoes and Volcom are only a few of the vast variety of brands that they carry. The official web site for Buckle is http://www.buckle.com/ . Items you will find at Buckle are casual apparel, denims, accessories and footwear. Like I said, Buckle is comparable to Tilly's however Buckle's prices can be a little higher. One thing to note, there are a lot of items that Buckle carries that Tilly's does not. However, Buckle carries more brands than Tilly's does therefore giving you more options. The clothing you see at Buckle you don't see everywhere else. Unless you have a lot of money to spend I wouldn't recommend buying jeans at Buckle, they are over $100.00. Opt for tops that are in the $28-$80 range or t-shirts that are $18 to $80.00. Amongst the brands I mentioned before Buckle carries Ed Hardy belts and t-shirts. Other high fashion designer brands they have are Betsey Johnson, Lucky Brand, Diesel and Guess. If your shopping for back to school and simply can't afford designer labels not to worry. They carry fashion items from Fox, O'Neill and Volcom that other skater stores like Tilly's don't carry.
Women, if your sick of going to the mall or high end retail stores like Nordstroms to find great shoes Buckle carries some Steve Madden. Other brands of shoes they have in sandals, casual shoes, athletic shoes and heels and wedges. They have swimsuits, board shorts and sunglasses for the summer. Accessories include necklaces, belts, bags and wallets.
One thing that most retail stores are missing these days is customer service in particular. Buckle's motto is to provide personal attention to every guest. We aren't talking about annoying sales people following you around the store asking you if you need help finding anything. They are supposed to offer you services that you actually may want or need. Such services are layaways, enrolling you in the frequent shopper program and get this free alteration. That’s why I only shop at the buckle.
The Buckle was founded in 1948 in Nebraska by Dave Hirschfeld and operated under the name Mills Clothing. At this time it was just a clothing store for men. In 1965 Dave's son took over the business, opened several stores and changed the name to The Brass Buckle. They didn't include women's clothing into the mix until 1977. In 1991 they changed the name to The Buckle. Average sales in 2007 were 1.67 million per store. As of today Buckle has 370 stores in 39 states and they are under the names Buckle and The Buckle.
Buckle carries all of the hot brands that men, women and teens look for. Hurley, Roxy, Fossil, DC Shoes and Volcom are only a few of the vast variety of brands that they carry. The official web site for Buckle is http://www.buckle.com/ . Items you will find at Buckle are casual apparel, denims, accessories and footwear. Like I said, Buckle is comparable to Tilly's however Buckle's prices can be a little higher. One thing to note, there are a lot of items that Buckle carries that Tilly's does not. However, Buckle carries more brands than Tilly's does therefore giving you more options. The clothing you see at Buckle you don't see everywhere else. Unless you have a lot of money to spend I wouldn't recommend buying jeans at Buckle, they are over $100.00. Opt for tops that are in the $28-$80 range or t-shirts that are $18 to $80.00. Amongst the brands I mentioned before Buckle carries Ed Hardy belts and t-shirts. Other high fashion designer brands they have are Betsey Johnson, Lucky Brand, Diesel and Guess. If your shopping for back to school and simply can't afford designer labels not to worry. They carry fashion items from Fox, O'Neill and Volcom that other skater stores like Tilly's don't carry.
Women, if your sick of going to the mall or high end retail stores like Nordstroms to find great shoes Buckle carries some Steve Madden. Other brands of shoes they have in sandals, casual shoes, athletic shoes and heels and wedges. They have swimsuits, board shorts and sunglasses for the summer. Accessories include necklaces, belts, bags and wallets.
One thing that most retail stores are missing these days is customer service in particular. Buckle's motto is to provide personal attention to every guest. We aren't talking about annoying sales people following you around the store asking you if you need help finding anything. They are supposed to offer you services that you actually may want or need. Such services are layaways, enrolling you in the frequent shopper program and get this free alteration. That’s why I only shop at the buckle.
leads 2/18/09
Doctor injured when bomb erupts in Lexus- Dr. Trent Pierce is a well liked physician on the Arkansas medical board who was injured when a bomb went off that, was placed in the front end of his Lexus. Arkansas police chief, vows to give “personal attention” to the attack on his physician. Also, police believe it was a terrorist attack but, there not sure why the attack happened. Investigations are still underway to find out what really happened and why.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/04/doctor.car.blast/index.html
Are eight babies more than enough? - The case of the birth of octuplets in California raises questions. This single mother in California has people wandering, can she take care of them and the children she already has? Most In-Verto Fertilization patients only get one or two eggs injected but when this woman wanted eight her doctor couldn’t say no. so being unemployed and now having 14 kids all under the age of eight its hard to see a good future for her and the kids.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/murray.octuplets/index.html
Brooke Astor would have been 'mortified' by son's trial- Criminal trial of late socialite Brooke Astor's son begins soon. Tony Marshall, her son, is accused of swindling millions of dollars while his mom, Brooke Astor, had Alzheimer's. Former staff members, friends and her grandson remember who she was to them before she passed. Astor, a New York legend whose foundation gave $200 million to the city has died at 105.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/18/astor.trial.advance/index.html?iref=24hours
Remains of five-year old boy found in crocodile's stomach-Five-year-old Jeremy Doble was snatched close to home in NE Australia by a crocodile. Media reports that the dead boy's family request that the animal is not harmed. Jeremy Doble's remains were discovered in the stomach of a four-meter long reptile following DNA tests, ABC News reported Queensland Police as saying Tuesday. They suspected that he was eaten by crocodile when his younger brother noticed the giant croc. in the area he went missing.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/18/australia.crocodile.boy/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/04/doctor.car.blast/index.html
Are eight babies more than enough? - The case of the birth of octuplets in California raises questions. This single mother in California has people wandering, can she take care of them and the children she already has? Most In-Verto Fertilization patients only get one or two eggs injected but when this woman wanted eight her doctor couldn’t say no. so being unemployed and now having 14 kids all under the age of eight its hard to see a good future for her and the kids.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/murray.octuplets/index.html
Brooke Astor would have been 'mortified' by son's trial- Criminal trial of late socialite Brooke Astor's son begins soon. Tony Marshall, her son, is accused of swindling millions of dollars while his mom, Brooke Astor, had Alzheimer's. Former staff members, friends and her grandson remember who she was to them before she passed. Astor, a New York legend whose foundation gave $200 million to the city has died at 105.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/18/astor.trial.advance/index.html?iref=24hours
Remains of five-year old boy found in crocodile's stomach-Five-year-old Jeremy Doble was snatched close to home in NE Australia by a crocodile. Media reports that the dead boy's family request that the animal is not harmed. Jeremy Doble's remains were discovered in the stomach of a four-meter long reptile following DNA tests, ABC News reported Queensland Police as saying Tuesday. They suspected that he was eaten by crocodile when his younger brother noticed the giant croc. in the area he went missing.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/18/australia.crocodile.boy/index.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
leads 2/13
-Direct-
More than 1,000 attend Caylee's memorial service- Caylee was a two year old girl who went missing in June and her remains where found in December. They had a celebration of a short life lived for the little girl on Tuesday in Orlando, Fl. Her mother, who was charged with first-degree murder of little Caylee, did not want to watch the televised ceremony from her prison cell in orange county and wanted nothing to do with it. At the ceremony security was very tight spectators had to pass through security and medal detectors before entering the church.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/10/caylee.memorial/index.html
-Direct-
'Everybody loved being around her'- Madeline Loftus was a beloved student, hockey player who died aboard Flight 3407. The 24-year-old was returning to Buffalo to play in a collegiate reunion hockey game. Her former teammates played the game Saturday with a heavy heart. Before the game the team gathered in the middle of the floor for a prayer and a little ceremony. "She popped into my head every time I got back to the bench," former teammate says. She was much loved and will be missed.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/16/buffalo.hockey.player/index.html
-Direct-
British, French nuclear submarines collide- British, French nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic, defense ministries confirm Monday. Defense ministries also said Accident occurred during "routine patrols”. Both vessels, HMS Vanguard, Le Triomphant, were armed with nuclear warheads. An anti-nuclear group says Incident is "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order".
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/16/british.french.submarine.incident/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
-Direct-
Peanuts on Northwest Airlines prompt protests- Months after airlines merger, many in Minneapolis have peanut-allergy concerns. Minneapolis Web site inundated with "What's wrong with pretzels?" Delta says it will accommodate passengers with allergies who make a request.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/02/16/airline.peanuts/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
More than 1,000 attend Caylee's memorial service- Caylee was a two year old girl who went missing in June and her remains where found in December. They had a celebration of a short life lived for the little girl on Tuesday in Orlando, Fl. Her mother, who was charged with first-degree murder of little Caylee, did not want to watch the televised ceremony from her prison cell in orange county and wanted nothing to do with it. At the ceremony security was very tight spectators had to pass through security and medal detectors before entering the church.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/10/caylee.memorial/index.html
-Direct-
'Everybody loved being around her'- Madeline Loftus was a beloved student, hockey player who died aboard Flight 3407. The 24-year-old was returning to Buffalo to play in a collegiate reunion hockey game. Her former teammates played the game Saturday with a heavy heart. Before the game the team gathered in the middle of the floor for a prayer and a little ceremony. "She popped into my head every time I got back to the bench," former teammate says. She was much loved and will be missed.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/16/buffalo.hockey.player/index.html
-Direct-
British, French nuclear submarines collide- British, French nuclear submarines collide in Atlantic, defense ministries confirm Monday. Defense ministries also said Accident occurred during "routine patrols”. Both vessels, HMS Vanguard, Le Triomphant, were armed with nuclear warheads. An anti-nuclear group says Incident is "a nuclear nightmare of the highest order".
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/16/british.french.submarine.incident/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
-Direct-
Peanuts on Northwest Airlines prompt protests- Months after airlines merger, many in Minneapolis have peanut-allergy concerns. Minneapolis Web site inundated with "What's wrong with pretzels?" Delta says it will accommodate passengers with allergies who make a request.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/02/16/airline.peanuts/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Pineapple Express DVD Review
Boobies, bathroom humor and bongs collide in Pineapple Express, the latest DVD release from indie writer/director extraordinaire, David Gordon Green. The film follows two dimwitted stoners, Dale (Seth Rogen) and Saul (James Franco), whose connections to the underworld of illegal drugs accidentally making them witnesses to a murder. It's the classic tale of marijuana dealer meets boy, boy meets marijuana dealer and over the river and through the woods into a drug dealer's hideout with guns they go.
James Franco is baked to perfection as Saul, an endearing, misguided marijuana dealer who sells a potent, "pineapple express" blend of the drug to one of his regular customers, Dale. While Dale is very much the epitome of someone to pity--he's an aging, overweight process server with a high school girlfriend--it's his pity for Saul that leads them to form a friendship, moreover a pact to stick together as they find ways to escape Ted Jones (Gary Cole), a notoriously violent drug lord who's out for their blood. For hardcore Gary Cole followers, it's a bit scary to see him in a role so counter to the infamous Bill Lumbergh (Office Space), but he plays it well nonetheless.
With Ted hot on their heels, eager to cover up his murderous tracks, Dale and Saul perpetually find themselves on the run. The result is a series of paranoia-induced mishaps wherein they get stoned in the wilderness, abandon their car, capture and duck-tape one of Ted's rats (Danny McBride), get arrested at an elementary school playground, steal a police car and shoot-up an illegal storage facility housing thousands of grams of their favorite substance.
While the action rarely stops and the comedic moments in between run the gamut from slap-stick to just plain silly, the film's metaphor for drug use is apparent: while crazy things happen to Dale and Saul, in the end, nothing really happens and they remain as directionless as they were from the start, except for the bruises and criminal records they acquire. In other words, like other Judd Apatow productions of high moral fiber, the film's underlying message really tugs at the heart strings--drugs are bad--and should only be done in secret places like rundown apartment buildings, used cars, the woods, public alleys and parking lots or as fuel for situational comedy.
Film buffs will enjoy the film's opening sequence, an obvious homage to a decades-old propaganda piece, aptly titled Reefer Madness. Stoners and stoner-friends alike may find that the film evokes memories of marijuana past. And if the film alone doesn't quench the thirst for hilariously inappropriate or crude conduct, DVD extras include four deleted scenes and a short gag reel filled with potty-mouthed punch lines and sexual innuendoes. It's good, old-fashioned fun the whole family can enjoy!
James Franco is baked to perfection as Saul, an endearing, misguided marijuana dealer who sells a potent, "pineapple express" blend of the drug to one of his regular customers, Dale. While Dale is very much the epitome of someone to pity--he's an aging, overweight process server with a high school girlfriend--it's his pity for Saul that leads them to form a friendship, moreover a pact to stick together as they find ways to escape Ted Jones (Gary Cole), a notoriously violent drug lord who's out for their blood. For hardcore Gary Cole followers, it's a bit scary to see him in a role so counter to the infamous Bill Lumbergh (Office Space), but he plays it well nonetheless.
With Ted hot on their heels, eager to cover up his murderous tracks, Dale and Saul perpetually find themselves on the run. The result is a series of paranoia-induced mishaps wherein they get stoned in the wilderness, abandon their car, capture and duck-tape one of Ted's rats (Danny McBride), get arrested at an elementary school playground, steal a police car and shoot-up an illegal storage facility housing thousands of grams of their favorite substance.
While the action rarely stops and the comedic moments in between run the gamut from slap-stick to just plain silly, the film's metaphor for drug use is apparent: while crazy things happen to Dale and Saul, in the end, nothing really happens and they remain as directionless as they were from the start, except for the bruises and criminal records they acquire. In other words, like other Judd Apatow productions of high moral fiber, the film's underlying message really tugs at the heart strings--drugs are bad--and should only be done in secret places like rundown apartment buildings, used cars, the woods, public alleys and parking lots or as fuel for situational comedy.
Film buffs will enjoy the film's opening sequence, an obvious homage to a decades-old propaganda piece, aptly titled Reefer Madness. Stoners and stoner-friends alike may find that the film evokes memories of marijuana past. And if the film alone doesn't quench the thirst for hilariously inappropriate or crude conduct, DVD extras include four deleted scenes and a short gag reel filled with potty-mouthed punch lines and sexual innuendoes. It's good, old-fashioned fun the whole family can enjoy!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Leads 2/5/09
Doctor injured when bomb erupts in Lexus- Dr. Trent Pierce is a well liked physician on the Arkansas medical board who was injured when a bomb went off that, was placed in the front end of his Lexus. Arkansas police chief, vows to give “personal attention” to the attack on his physician. Also, police believe it was a terrorist attack but, there not sure why the attack happened. Investigations are still underway to find out what really happened and why.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/04/doctor.car.blast/index.html
Are eight babies more than enough? - The case of the birth of octuplets in California raises questions. This single mother in California has people wandering, can she take care of them and the children she already has? Most In-Verto Fertilization patients only get one or two eggs injected but when this woman wanted eight her doctor couldn’t say no. so being unemployed and now having 14 kids all under the age of eight its hard to see a good future for her and the kids.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/murray.octuplets/index.html
WWII vet frozen to death leaves estate to hospital- Martin Schur, 93, froze to death in his home last month. With his passing he left his entire estate to a local hospital. His attorney won't disclose total amount but relatives says it's likely in excess of $500,000. The death has prompted a state investigation into the manner in which he died.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/04/freezing.death.folo/index.html
Pot charge possible after Phelps’ pipe photo- Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is possibly being charged for drug charges after photos of the swimmer smoking on a marijuana pipe surfaced. The photos where taken at the University South Carolina at a house party. Phelps admits to the photos and is planning a public apology sometime.
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-phelps-marijuana&prov=ap&type=lgns
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/04/doctor.car.blast/index.html
Are eight babies more than enough? - The case of the birth of octuplets in California raises questions. This single mother in California has people wandering, can she take care of them and the children she already has? Most In-Verto Fertilization patients only get one or two eggs injected but when this woman wanted eight her doctor couldn’t say no. so being unemployed and now having 14 kids all under the age of eight its hard to see a good future for her and the kids.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/murray.octuplets/index.html
WWII vet frozen to death leaves estate to hospital- Martin Schur, 93, froze to death in his home last month. With his passing he left his entire estate to a local hospital. His attorney won't disclose total amount but relatives says it's likely in excess of $500,000. The death has prompted a state investigation into the manner in which he died.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/04/freezing.death.folo/index.html
Pot charge possible after Phelps’ pipe photo- Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is possibly being charged for drug charges after photos of the swimmer smoking on a marijuana pipe surfaced. The photos where taken at the University South Carolina at a house party. Phelps admits to the photos and is planning a public apology sometime.
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-phelps-marijuana&prov=ap&type=lgns
Thursday, January 29, 2009
News Ledes 1/29/09
Freed Gitmo prisoner sues U.S. for unlawful detention- Saad Muhammad Iqbal is final freed after spending more than six years locked up in Gitmo with out any charges against him. Iqbal is now suing America for this unthinkable mistake. During an interview with Iqbal he stated “It’s easy for the U.S. government to say, ‘There are no charges found and he's free’ "But who will be responsible for seven years of my life?”.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/22/gitmo.pakistan.lawsuit/index.html
Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice- In California Scientist Pamela Ronald made the discovery of a life time, flood-tolerant rice. Normal Rice dies after only eight days in flood waters. This miracle rice lasted 17 days in these waters. The rice was tested in the lab and in field tests in India and Bangladesh. This is a very important discover because about half of the world population east rice as a staple food. Discoveries like this could help end world hunger.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/29/waterproof.rice/index.html
Pirates hijack German-owned ship in Gulf of Aden- The German owned tanker, the Longchamp, was hijacked Thursday by pirates. The hijacking took place in the Gulf of Aden. This German tanker carries a crew of 13. The U.S. and other countries have come together to patrol the Gulf of Aden. There still has been no communication with the pirates but efforts are being made to release the crew from the pirates.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/29/pirates.ship.hijack/index.html
Alaska volcano expected to erupt soon-The 10,200-foot Mount Redoubt could erupt any day at anytime according to scientists in the area. The volcano is located about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The last time this giant volcano erupted was back in December 1989. When this volcano does erupt it could cause huge mudflows, disrupt flights with ash. It’s not known when it will erupt but scientists know that it is soon.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/29/alaska.volcano/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/22/gitmo.pakistan.lawsuit/index.html
Fighting hunger with flood-tolerant rice- In California Scientist Pamela Ronald made the discovery of a life time, flood-tolerant rice. Normal Rice dies after only eight days in flood waters. This miracle rice lasted 17 days in these waters. The rice was tested in the lab and in field tests in India and Bangladesh. This is a very important discover because about half of the world population east rice as a staple food. Discoveries like this could help end world hunger.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/29/waterproof.rice/index.html
Pirates hijack German-owned ship in Gulf of Aden- The German owned tanker, the Longchamp, was hijacked Thursday by pirates. The hijacking took place in the Gulf of Aden. This German tanker carries a crew of 13. The U.S. and other countries have come together to patrol the Gulf of Aden. There still has been no communication with the pirates but efforts are being made to release the crew from the pirates.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/29/pirates.ship.hijack/index.html
Alaska volcano expected to erupt soon-The 10,200-foot Mount Redoubt could erupt any day at anytime according to scientists in the area. The volcano is located about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The last time this giant volcano erupted was back in December 1989. When this volcano does erupt it could cause huge mudflows, disrupt flights with ash. It’s not known when it will erupt but scientists know that it is soon.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/29/alaska.volcano/index.html
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Step Brothers Movie Review
No one can play a 40-year-old immature man-child like Will Ferrell. Ferrell's Talladega Nights and Step Brothers partner in crime, John C Reilly, is pretty close, but Ferrell's the current title holder. After a couple of hugely disappointing comedies, Step Brothers is the king of immature characters with material that's right in his area. And while Step Brothers isn't a home run by any stretch of the imagination, it is a solid double that shows Ferrell's back in the game.
With his Anchorman and Talladega Nights director Adam McKay at the controls, and working off a script he co-wrote with McKay, Ferrell's reconnected with what's funny. Yes, it's total lowbrow humor – fart jokes and put-downs 13-year-old boys would come up with – but Ferrell and McKay know how far they can push gross-out gags and immature humor before they lose their audience.
Ferrell and Reilly play Brennan Huff and Dale Doback, two 40 year old men raised separately by the most patient single parents ever. If asked, both Brennan and Dale would say they're living a great life – no jobs, no goals, and no worries. Brennan and Dale love the sleeping in, watching TV, and living off and mom and dad, but their parents have other plans. When Brennan's mom, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen), and Dale's dad, Robert (Richard Jenkins), fall in love and get married the idea of having two grown men laze around the house wears thin, especially when the men hate each other with a passion. Dale doesn't want to share his bedroom – or his drums – with this stranger. Brennan's equally unhappy about his mom's decision to merge their family with that of the Dobacks.
After taking an immediate dislike to one another, Brennan and Dale are forced into liking each other when their parental Robert and Nancy decide it's time to send them out on there own. How dare mom and dad push them into acting like adults? What's the world coming to when two 40-year-old guys can't sit home watching Shark Week without fear of having to find a job, an apartment, and a life? Discovering they have a lot more in common than they ever imagined, Brennan and Dale come up with a plan of attack that involves singing, drumming, and Robert's prize possession – the boat he intends to sail around the world with Nancy when they retire. You just know this isn't going to end well.
The smartest decision made by Ferrell, McKay and Reilly was to go authentic and have the lead characters be in their 40s. Step Brothers would have entered ridiculously stupid territory had Ferrell and Reilly tried to play them younger, although the jokes themselves play to all ages. And while watching Ferrell and Reilly play emotional men with evokes a feeling of déjà vu, these guys pull it off because they're obviously having a blast working off of each other.
Adam Scott (August) co-stars as Brennan's super successful narcissistic brother, Derek. Derek terrorized Brennan when they were kids and, as adults, Derek continues to be the thorn in his brother's flabby side. Scott had a minor role in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up and with much more screen time in this Apatow-produced comedy, Scott steals a few scenes from Ferrell and Reilly. Also stealing the spotlight and delivering some of the film's best lines, Crossing Jordan's, Kathryn Hahn playing Derek's wife, Alice. Hahn is absolutely hilarious as the lecherous sister-in-law who seduces the virginal Dale after he takes her thoughtless husband down a notch or two.
For all its stupid humor and silly dialogue, Step Brothers has a surprising amount of heart and a genuinely touching message. The team of McKay and Ferrell focus on the goofy, childish maneuverings of Brennan and Dale, but they've added a twist at the end that's uplifting yet not completely out of touch with the rest of the production.
With his Anchorman and Talladega Nights director Adam McKay at the controls, and working off a script he co-wrote with McKay, Ferrell's reconnected with what's funny. Yes, it's total lowbrow humor – fart jokes and put-downs 13-year-old boys would come up with – but Ferrell and McKay know how far they can push gross-out gags and immature humor before they lose their audience.
Ferrell and Reilly play Brennan Huff and Dale Doback, two 40 year old men raised separately by the most patient single parents ever. If asked, both Brennan and Dale would say they're living a great life – no jobs, no goals, and no worries. Brennan and Dale love the sleeping in, watching TV, and living off and mom and dad, but their parents have other plans. When Brennan's mom, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen), and Dale's dad, Robert (Richard Jenkins), fall in love and get married the idea of having two grown men laze around the house wears thin, especially when the men hate each other with a passion. Dale doesn't want to share his bedroom – or his drums – with this stranger. Brennan's equally unhappy about his mom's decision to merge their family with that of the Dobacks.
After taking an immediate dislike to one another, Brennan and Dale are forced into liking each other when their parental Robert and Nancy decide it's time to send them out on there own. How dare mom and dad push them into acting like adults? What's the world coming to when two 40-year-old guys can't sit home watching Shark Week without fear of having to find a job, an apartment, and a life? Discovering they have a lot more in common than they ever imagined, Brennan and Dale come up with a plan of attack that involves singing, drumming, and Robert's prize possession – the boat he intends to sail around the world with Nancy when they retire. You just know this isn't going to end well.
The smartest decision made by Ferrell, McKay and Reilly was to go authentic and have the lead characters be in their 40s. Step Brothers would have entered ridiculously stupid territory had Ferrell and Reilly tried to play them younger, although the jokes themselves play to all ages. And while watching Ferrell and Reilly play emotional men with evokes a feeling of déjà vu, these guys pull it off because they're obviously having a blast working off of each other.
Adam Scott (August) co-stars as Brennan's super successful narcissistic brother, Derek. Derek terrorized Brennan when they were kids and, as adults, Derek continues to be the thorn in his brother's flabby side. Scott had a minor role in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up and with much more screen time in this Apatow-produced comedy, Scott steals a few scenes from Ferrell and Reilly. Also stealing the spotlight and delivering some of the film's best lines, Crossing Jordan's, Kathryn Hahn playing Derek's wife, Alice. Hahn is absolutely hilarious as the lecherous sister-in-law who seduces the virginal Dale after he takes her thoughtless husband down a notch or two.
For all its stupid humor and silly dialogue, Step Brothers has a surprising amount of heart and a genuinely touching message. The team of McKay and Ferrell focus on the goofy, childish maneuverings of Brennan and Dale, but they've added a twist at the end that's uplifting yet not completely out of touch with the rest of the production.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Myspace Web Review
Myspace.com
MySpace, one of the largest sites of its kind on the internet. In the search engine it is described as a virtual community site allowing members the chance to network and meet new people from all over the world. It also has a huge music base, allowing bands to share their music with their fans and communicate with their promoters. From the bands pages you can also add their songs to your page, from their music player. So when someone accesses your homepage, as they scroll down to view your details, the song will begin to play, this adds atmosphere to your page.
The sign-up process is very straightforward. Like most sites it's just a case of inputting your personal details and email address. Your town or city is important if you wish to communicate with people local to you, as your location will be shown on your page. In addition you will also be given your own domain, so very important to choose this name carefully, as once it is set, it cannot be changed. All other details can be changed once you have joined.
The navigation of this site is very easy. Your homepage is where you do all your editing, changing of photos, changing of friends, etc. This page is predominantly pale blue and white. At the top of the page you have a list of all options for navigation. It's straightforward and works well and is easy to understand. Navigation is smooth and well thought out.
In 1999 Tom Anderson and Chris De Wolfe started a company called Intermix Media sites. From this in 2003 they re-named one of the sites MySpace. Tom and a handful of computer programmers set up the first pages of MySpace. It re-emerged as a social networking site, gaining huge popularity overnight. In 2005 Rupert Murdoch, seeing this phenomenon grow, bought them out. MySpace is located in West Hollywood, California.
I think this is a great site. I have made a lot of new friends from here. I have never met anyone from the Internet before, but this site is very professional and as long as you feel comfortable, and check people out a bit, and are happy with it, then why not. MySpace has 100 million members. And 500,000 new members join every week. It is the most popular website in the USA. And the 4th most popular English language site in the world. The site is well designed. Easy navigation and great fun and all for free. The music side to it is fantastic. It is a massive networking community and a great way to make new friends from all over the world.
MySpace, one of the largest sites of its kind on the internet. In the search engine it is described as a virtual community site allowing members the chance to network and meet new people from all over the world. It also has a huge music base, allowing bands to share their music with their fans and communicate with their promoters. From the bands pages you can also add their songs to your page, from their music player. So when someone accesses your homepage, as they scroll down to view your details, the song will begin to play, this adds atmosphere to your page.
The sign-up process is very straightforward. Like most sites it's just a case of inputting your personal details and email address. Your town or city is important if you wish to communicate with people local to you, as your location will be shown on your page. In addition you will also be given your own domain, so very important to choose this name carefully, as once it is set, it cannot be changed. All other details can be changed once you have joined.
The navigation of this site is very easy. Your homepage is where you do all your editing, changing of photos, changing of friends, etc. This page is predominantly pale blue and white. At the top of the page you have a list of all options for navigation. It's straightforward and works well and is easy to understand. Navigation is smooth and well thought out.
In 1999 Tom Anderson and Chris De Wolfe started a company called Intermix Media sites. From this in 2003 they re-named one of the sites MySpace. Tom and a handful of computer programmers set up the first pages of MySpace. It re-emerged as a social networking site, gaining huge popularity overnight. In 2005 Rupert Murdoch, seeing this phenomenon grow, bought them out. MySpace is located in West Hollywood, California.
I think this is a great site. I have made a lot of new friends from here. I have never met anyone from the Internet before, but this site is very professional and as long as you feel comfortable, and check people out a bit, and are happy with it, then why not. MySpace has 100 million members. And 500,000 new members join every week. It is the most popular website in the USA. And the 4th most popular English language site in the world. The site is well designed. Easy navigation and great fun and all for free. The music side to it is fantastic. It is a massive networking community and a great way to make new friends from all over the world.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Question 5
Question 5
My favorite color would probably be black pink and white and because I like black doesn’t mean that I’m gothic.
My favorite class is animal science/ horticulture because there actually kind of fun and interesting.
My favorite ice cream in Ben and Jerry’s Cinnamon Bun it’s amazing.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Websites I Use 2
Prorodeo.com- http://www.prorodeo.com : The official website for the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Ass.). At this site you can check the pro rodeo standings and follow your favorite cowboys and cowgirls as they travel down the rodeo trail.
Wikipedia.com- http://www.wikipedia.com : Is an online encyclopedia. You can find information on just about anything you want.
Barrelhorseworld.com- http://www.barrelhorseworld.com : A place where you can buy or sell barrel horses. You can find new feed formulas and read great interviews with pros and other barrel racers.
TRHS Home Page - http://www.trhs.sheridank12.net : This the home page of Tongue River High School. At this wed site you can look up game dates upcoming events and look at pictures from everyday or special events.
Therodeonews.com- http://www.therodeonews.com : this is the official web site of the Rodeo News magazine. At this site you can check up on upcoming livestock sales and rodeo results. Also they have articles on past and present cowboys and cowgirls across the country.
Wikipedia.com- http://www.wikipedia.com : Is an online encyclopedia. You can find information on just about anything you want.
Barrelhorseworld.com- http://www.barrelhorseworld.com : A place where you can buy or sell barrel horses. You can find new feed formulas and read great interviews with pros and other barrel racers.
TRHS Home Page - http://www.trhs.sheridank12.net : This the home page of Tongue River High School. At this wed site you can look up game dates upcoming events and look at pictures from everyday or special events.
Therodeonews.com- http://www.therodeonews.com : this is the official web site of the Rodeo News magazine. At this site you can check up on upcoming livestock sales and rodeo results. Also they have articles on past and present cowboys and cowgirls across the country.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Websites I Use
Websites I Use
Myspace.com- http://www.myspace.com : myspaceis a social networking site that I use all the time. I use it to keep in touch with all of my friends and family.
Facebook.com- http://www.facebook.com : facebook is also a social networking site that I use frequently. It helps me keep in touch with my friends and family.
Google.com- http://www.google.com :google is my favorite search engine whether I’m looking up stupid pictures or finding research for an assignment. Google is open for every one and very useful.
Wyhsra.com- http://www.wyhsra.com : This is the official website of Wyoming High School Rodeo Ass. I’m on here all the time to get updates, standings, and the draw for the next rodeo.
Kellys-images.com- http://www.kellys-images.com :I go to Kellys images to find all my rodeo pictures from that weekend. Kelly is the official photographer for Wyoming HS rodeo.
Myspace.com- http://www.myspace.com : myspaceis a social networking site that I use all the time. I use it to keep in touch with all of my friends and family.
Facebook.com- http://www.facebook.com : facebook is also a social networking site that I use frequently. It helps me keep in touch with my friends and family.
Google.com- http://www.google.com :google is my favorite search engine whether I’m looking up stupid pictures or finding research for an assignment. Google is open for every one and very useful.
Wyhsra.com- http://www.wyhsra.com : This is the official website of Wyoming High School Rodeo Ass. I’m on here all the time to get updates, standings, and the draw for the next rodeo.
Kellys-images.com- http://www.kellys-images.com :I go to Kellys images to find all my rodeo pictures from that weekend. Kelly is the official photographer for Wyoming HS rodeo.
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