The object is made of wax. The wax is melted at 175 degrees and then additives, fragrance oils, and dyes can be added. Then, the wax is put into a cylinder mold. As you may have already guessed, the object is a candle. To be more specific, a votive candle. Once the wax has cooled a little, the wick is inserted. Let the wax finish cooling and slide it out of the mold and you have a candle!
Candles have been around since biblical times. Then, they were used as the main source of lighting. Now, electricity has replaced the candle for that purpose. However, we still love the candle today for many reasons.
The only purposes I ever knew of for votive candles were decorations. They are popular as a small gift for someone you don’t want to spend a lot of money on or as a stocking stuffer, etc. Some people like to put them with stones or marbles for decoration in their home. Others like to buy them so they can try out a new scent before purchasing the larger candle, like a sample.
Although, when I think of a candle, I only think of the scents like vanilla, apple cinnamon, clean laundry, etc.; the candle is used for more purposes than simply making a room smell good. Aside from decoration and scent, candles provide a source of relaxation. They set a mood of tranquility and soothe the nerves. Furthermore, many votive candles are used for religious ceremonies or rituals. They are lit often in the Catholic church for the sick, those in need of prayer, or in memory of those who have died.
Controversy has been sparked over candles made with lead wicks. Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered the lead wicks can give off toxic emissions. High exposure to lead can cause brain and central nervous system damage. Critics argue that candles have been used for years and there have not been issues. The government may ban the use of lead wicks, but I believe we can all rest assured, candles will never leave the market!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Roman Soldiers and Juggling
The two Roman soldiers raced around the bend in the road and caught sight of the tree, the finish line. The man on the left, with the little bit of strength he had left, pushed himself into a headlong sprint and made it to the tree a few seconds before his companion. As they panted and rested against the tree in the cool of the shade, they pulled their sudariums (sweat cloths) from their belts and wiped down their necks and faces. The sudarium that each man carried had become extremely popular recently and no sensible man exercised or went anywhere for that matter without one.
The roman sudariums inspired the Croatian military to develop scarves that tied around the throat, otherwise known as cravats. Cravats were used to distinguish rank among the troops. While making negotiations with France, the cravat caught the French king Lois XIV’s attention and he found it more practical then the French’s starched collars so he began wearing them. Once one of the most powerful kings in Europe started wearing a cravat the rest of the world was quick to follow. After the cravat, the style developed into stocks and then into scarves and bandanas.
I pulled out a scarf from the bag. It was pink and transparent and in a perfect square. When I touched it the material felt cool on my hand and very soft. In facet, it was so soft I felt like my hands must be coarse and dry in comparison. I threw it up in the air and it gently fluttered down and it reminded me of my P.E. class in elementary school. My teacher tried to teach us to juggle but instead of using ball we used light weight scarves like that one. When we threw them up they didn’t fall as quickly so we had time to catch them and throw them back up again before one of the scarves hit the floor.
The roman sudariums inspired the Croatian military to develop scarves that tied around the throat, otherwise known as cravats. Cravats were used to distinguish rank among the troops. While making negotiations with France, the cravat caught the French king Lois XIV’s attention and he found it more practical then the French’s starched collars so he began wearing them. Once one of the most powerful kings in Europe started wearing a cravat the rest of the world was quick to follow. After the cravat, the style developed into stocks and then into scarves and bandanas.
I pulled out a scarf from the bag. It was pink and transparent and in a perfect square. When I touched it the material felt cool on my hand and very soft. In facet, it was so soft I felt like my hands must be coarse and dry in comparison. I threw it up in the air and it gently fluttered down and it reminded me of my P.E. class in elementary school. My teacher tried to teach us to juggle but instead of using ball we used light weight scarves like that one. When we threw them up they didn’t fall as quickly so we had time to catch them and throw them back up again before one of the scarves hit the floor.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Ziploc Bag
It is clear plastic, but looking through it makes everything appear dingy and smoky. Boldly printed in white letters is its name: “Ziploc Fresh Shield.” Its thick plastic gives it solidity, its blue and purple zipper give it flair. Snap! It is closed. Rip! It is open.
Ziploc bags have a variety of uses. Caring mothers pack use it to pack away their children’s perfectly prepared sandwiches, complete with white bread, American cheese, and a slice of ham or turkey. Drug dealers use it to pack away crack, marijuana, and other contraband that is perhaps more carefully prepared than the sandwhiches.
Ziploc bags are made from polyethylene plastic. The plastic is heated and melted, then poured into a thin mold in the shape of a bag. Polyethylene plastic is controversial: to environmentalists, it is an evil environment-killing machine. But, to companies such as Exxon-Mobile (the original manufacturer of plastic baggies) and the Dow Chemical Corporation (the current manufacturer), they mean juicy profits.
Gladware containers are threatening to take over the cheap plastic containers market. They offer the cheapness of Ziploc and the sturdiness of Tupperware. However, Ziplocs are still ahead in sales. Ziplocs can’t die, they are an icon.
Ziploc bags have a variety of uses. Caring mothers pack use it to pack away their children’s perfectly prepared sandwiches, complete with white bread, American cheese, and a slice of ham or turkey. Drug dealers use it to pack away crack, marijuana, and other contraband that is perhaps more carefully prepared than the sandwhiches.
Ziploc bags are made from polyethylene plastic. The plastic is heated and melted, then poured into a thin mold in the shape of a bag. Polyethylene plastic is controversial: to environmentalists, it is an evil environment-killing machine. But, to companies such as Exxon-Mobile (the original manufacturer of plastic baggies) and the Dow Chemical Corporation (the current manufacturer), they mean juicy profits.
Gladware containers are threatening to take over the cheap plastic containers market. They offer the cheapness of Ziploc and the sturdiness of Tupperware. However, Ziplocs are still ahead in sales. Ziplocs can’t die, they are an icon.
"4 Eyes"
These items cause you to be called " four eyes," "nerd," "geek," and maybe even "goggle eyes." People tell you that you look " cute" in them but you know the difference. How can you possibly look "cute" in something that covers half your face? Pretty sure that these new additions to my face don't help my appearance at all.
I was eight years old when I had to go to the eye doctor and he told my mother I had "some vision issues." Yeah, I had some issues alright. I got a pair of eye glasses. They were absolutely enormous. They covered from my eye brows to the middle of my cheeks. I tried to pick out some I thought were nice. Osh Kosh B'Gosh brand, they looked like denim jeans. When I smiled things got pretty difficult. The glasses were right where my big round chicks would push them up. I was so embarrassed to go through the rest of my life with these vision problems.
The first vision aid was used in 1000 AD and called a reading stone. It was a large piece of crystal that was smoothed and they would place it over the words to enlarge them, so they could be read. The lens was a major invention that allowed people to see things they had never seen before.
The first pair of wearable eye glasses was made in 1284 in Italy. It is said that the Chinese used glasses some 2000 years ago, but mainly for protection during battle. Pope Leo X wore concave lenses while hunting and it enabled him to see the game better than before. Currently, 168.5 million U.S. residents use vision correction such as eye glasses or contact lenses. These days eye glasses are seen as more of a fashion accessory than an absolute need.
I didn't see glasses as being a "fashion accessory" at eight years old. I saw them as the demise to my ability to be cool. I would never be " the popular kid" because now I was the "geek." My reputation was saved when a few of my friends returned to school with glasses as well. Over the years more and more of my friends wore glasses, and we formed this wonderful bond. All of us were together as the "vision challenged" children.
Things have changed now, I moved from glasses to contact lenses, and these days I have no lenses of any kind. I had LASIK surgery in August of 2008 and LOVE IT! Being able to wake up in the morning and actually see the alarm clock after years of blurry vision is something I can't really explain. Being "lens free" allows you so much freedom. People who are dependent on glasses or contacts can relate!
So, if anyone is thinking about eye surgery, DO IT! You may think it is a lot of $, but it is the best investment you will EVER make!!
I was eight years old when I had to go to the eye doctor and he told my mother I had "some vision issues." Yeah, I had some issues alright. I got a pair of eye glasses. They were absolutely enormous. They covered from my eye brows to the middle of my cheeks. I tried to pick out some I thought were nice. Osh Kosh B'Gosh brand, they looked like denim jeans. When I smiled things got pretty difficult. The glasses were right where my big round chicks would push them up. I was so embarrassed to go through the rest of my life with these vision problems.
The first vision aid was used in 1000 AD and called a reading stone. It was a large piece of crystal that was smoothed and they would place it over the words to enlarge them, so they could be read. The lens was a major invention that allowed people to see things they had never seen before.
The first pair of wearable eye glasses was made in 1284 in Italy. It is said that the Chinese used glasses some 2000 years ago, but mainly for protection during battle. Pope Leo X wore concave lenses while hunting and it enabled him to see the game better than before. Currently, 168.5 million U.S. residents use vision correction such as eye glasses or contact lenses. These days eye glasses are seen as more of a fashion accessory than an absolute need.
I didn't see glasses as being a "fashion accessory" at eight years old. I saw them as the demise to my ability to be cool. I would never be " the popular kid" because now I was the "geek." My reputation was saved when a few of my friends returned to school with glasses as well. Over the years more and more of my friends wore glasses, and we formed this wonderful bond. All of us were together as the "vision challenged" children.
Things have changed now, I moved from glasses to contact lenses, and these days I have no lenses of any kind. I had LASIK surgery in August of 2008 and LOVE IT! Being able to wake up in the morning and actually see the alarm clock after years of blurry vision is something I can't really explain. Being "lens free" allows you so much freedom. People who are dependent on glasses or contacts can relate!
So, if anyone is thinking about eye surgery, DO IT! You may think it is a lot of $, but it is the best investment you will EVER make!!
Old School is Hott
A cylindrical object made of stainless steel, painted red with a step-to-open foot pedal resides in the corner. It is used several times daily and can be heard throughout the room with its “bwong”-like sound as someone releases the foot pedal. It stands at about three feet high and gives off the aroma of bananas and day-old chicken. To taste it, would be like licking the bottom of your own shoe after stepping on your own banana peel you threw down at the Tyson chicken slaughterhouse. Mm.
Its brothers are found everywhere, in the home, in the office, in the car, on the streets, in public places, in restrooms and a big huge mother is found on one side of nearly every town.
Its distant cousins include those on your Macbook or the one Windows likes to call the “recycling bin.”
It gained intense popularity during its prime television appearances on a hit children’s show, as it was home to the popular character Oscar the Grouch.
Its only rival… the trash compactor.
This household appliance does what the trash can does, only in a much cooler fashion. The jealousy rages within my little stainless steel trash eating baby.
The trash compactor is known for its sleek designs and convenience of being installed under a kitchen counter. It turns trash to compact trash, creating more space and holds more than the "traditional" kitchen trash cans. The competition is fierce, which is why my red, sleek, stainless steel trash can oozes such sex appeal.
Its brothers are found everywhere, in the home, in the office, in the car, on the streets, in public places, in restrooms and a big huge mother is found on one side of nearly every town.
Its distant cousins include those on your Macbook or the one Windows likes to call the “recycling bin.”
It gained intense popularity during its prime television appearances on a hit children’s show, as it was home to the popular character Oscar the Grouch.
Its only rival… the trash compactor.
This household appliance does what the trash can does, only in a much cooler fashion. The jealousy rages within my little stainless steel trash eating baby.
The trash compactor is known for its sleek designs and convenience of being installed under a kitchen counter. It turns trash to compact trash, creating more space and holds more than the "traditional" kitchen trash cans. The competition is fierce, which is why my red, sleek, stainless steel trash can oozes such sex appeal.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Vanilla
When I pulled my item out of the bag, I thought it was a clear cigar tube. When I looked at the contents of the tube, I thought it was beef jerky. Upon further inspection I figured out that it was a tube of vanilla bean pods. I opened the lid and the unmistakable vanilla fragrance came rushing out of the tube and into my nose. I explored the item and started to read different stickers and labels that were present on the exterior. “Rich, strong vanilla flavor. Perfect for all dessert making, from ice cream to cheesecake,” is what the label said, trying to convince the user that this product will make anything taste good.
The actual beans are 8-9 inches long and are a little skinnier than a pencil. They have a dark brown color and are wrinkly and shriveled, almost like an elongated raisin that smells a lot better. The texture is stiff, but still malleable with a very oily feel to them. The ends where it was cut off of the plant are curled and withered. Once you peel back the tough outer skin, the seeds are exposed. Although the skin can be used to flavor coffee and sugar, the real flavorful part of the plant comes from inside. You can scrape the inside contents out into whatever you want to flavor, whether that be a cake or some ice cream.
The vanilla beans come from Madagascar, a large island off the coast of Africa. Madagascar is the world’s largest exporter of vanilla. They’re economy depends heavily on this natural cash crop. So much so that when New Coke came out, there economy took a vicious downturn because it uses much less vanilla than regular Coke. After regular Coke came back, they recovered. The vanilla bean pods are all harvested by hand through a very labor intensive process in which it takes them almost a year to fully treat and produce what is in the tube right now. Its totally worth it whenever you open the top and smell the familiar aroma.
The actual beans are 8-9 inches long and are a little skinnier than a pencil. They have a dark brown color and are wrinkly and shriveled, almost like an elongated raisin that smells a lot better. The texture is stiff, but still malleable with a very oily feel to them. The ends where it was cut off of the plant are curled and withered. Once you peel back the tough outer skin, the seeds are exposed. Although the skin can be used to flavor coffee and sugar, the real flavorful part of the plant comes from inside. You can scrape the inside contents out into whatever you want to flavor, whether that be a cake or some ice cream.
The vanilla beans come from Madagascar, a large island off the coast of Africa. Madagascar is the world’s largest exporter of vanilla. They’re economy depends heavily on this natural cash crop. So much so that when New Coke came out, there economy took a vicious downturn because it uses much less vanilla than regular Coke. After regular Coke came back, they recovered. The vanilla bean pods are all harvested by hand through a very labor intensive process in which it takes them almost a year to fully treat and produce what is in the tube right now. Its totally worth it whenever you open the top and smell the familiar aroma.
Earphones
Almost everyone uses earphones. It is simply a wire with earpieces and a mini plug. They can come in many different colors. Earphones can be used for many different things. They can be used for entertainment purposes, like your i-pod, DVD player, or computer. They are also used in the profesional enviroment. They are used a lot in radio and TV. Singers use them in the studio and air traffic controllers use them to communicate with pilots.
The earphone came about at the turn of the 20th century. They were commonly used for radio work in 1919 and they had poor qulity early on. They enabled you to listen to things on your own. The headphone has eveolved since then into tiny earpieces. It can hurt your hearing if you blare them too loud. Earphones act as a sound reproducer and it can do this in several ways. A moving coil is wrapped around a stationary magnetic element that is attached to the frame of the headphone, which sets up a static magnetic field. The diaphragm is attached to a coil of wire which is immersed in the static magnetic field of the stationary magnet. The diaphragm is activated by the attached voice coil, when an audio current is passed through the coil. The alternating magnetic field produced by the current through the coil reacts against the static magnetic field in turn, causing the coil and attached diaphragm to move the air, thus producing sound. There are other kinds that work in a similar way.
I use my earphones mostly when I am working out with my i-pod. They make working out so much better. I also find them useful in cars or planes when traveling. The only problem is that my ears are really tiny, so somethimes they really hurt my ears.
The earphone came about at the turn of the 20th century. They were commonly used for radio work in 1919 and they had poor qulity early on. They enabled you to listen to things on your own. The headphone has eveolved since then into tiny earpieces. It can hurt your hearing if you blare them too loud. Earphones act as a sound reproducer and it can do this in several ways. A moving coil is wrapped around a stationary magnetic element that is attached to the frame of the headphone, which sets up a static magnetic field. The diaphragm is attached to a coil of wire which is immersed in the static magnetic field of the stationary magnet. The diaphragm is activated by the attached voice coil, when an audio current is passed through the coil. The alternating magnetic field produced by the current through the coil reacts against the static magnetic field in turn, causing the coil and attached diaphragm to move the air, thus producing sound. There are other kinds that work in a similar way.
I use my earphones mostly when I am working out with my i-pod. They make working out so much better. I also find them useful in cars or planes when traveling. The only problem is that my ears are really tiny, so somethimes they really hurt my ears.
Knitting Needles?
The object that I picked out of the bag was two long, metal, burnt orange or maroon, cold knitting needles. When they touched my hand in the bag I couldn't see them and it scared me because they were freezing cold, I guess they had been outside in Mrs. Hurley's car. I have seen objects like this before, but not near as large as the ones I have here today. My grandmother crochets, I know it isn't the same thing, but very similar. She has done this a number of years making blankets for the grandkids and the new babies on their way.
There are a number of things that knitting needles are used for such as making scarves, socks, sweaters and blankets. They do not know when knitting actually originated, but they say that the first artifact that was made was a sock, strange I know. In the beginning wooden needles were used instead of the metal or alumium ones I picked out of the bag. You can even decorate your needles, make them your own with buttons, jewels and anything you can imagine.
Knitting has become a past time or hobby because people don't make time to sit down and knit anymore. We live in a society that we have to live life at a fast pace and that is something that knitting is not. An example of this is, machinery has taken the place of knitting now, yes some people still knit, but why take a month making a sweater when you could buy one already made. This is a sad outlook to have, but thats the way it is. I am way too uncordinated to even think about knitting or crocheting, good thing they are sharp ended because I am sure I would lose an eye or something.
There are a number of things that knitting needles are used for such as making scarves, socks, sweaters and blankets. They do not know when knitting actually originated, but they say that the first artifact that was made was a sock, strange I know. In the beginning wooden needles were used instead of the metal or alumium ones I picked out of the bag. You can even decorate your needles, make them your own with buttons, jewels and anything you can imagine.
Knitting has become a past time or hobby because people don't make time to sit down and knit anymore. We live in a society that we have to live life at a fast pace and that is something that knitting is not. An example of this is, machinery has taken the place of knitting now, yes some people still knit, but why take a month making a sweater when you could buy one already made. This is a sad outlook to have, but thats the way it is. I am way too uncordinated to even think about knitting or crocheting, good thing they are sharp ended because I am sure I would lose an eye or something.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
It is Quiet in Here
The walls are clean and crisp white. Small artwork and large signs labelling areas cover the large room. People are walking in and out, silently. Lamps are above every station along the aisle. The carpet is various shades of gray in alternating squares. It's cloudy outside and 35 degrees. It is 8:30 in the morning and not many people have made it out of bed to come scurry around in here. People keep to themselves. The mood is quiet, much like the still weather outside. As I look through the windows I can see the outline of gray buildings. The grass is yellowed from the wintry weather. The trees are bare and sway ever so slightly in the wind. People are moving in and out of the buildings and shifting down the sidewalk. Some people stop, smile and visit with friends. Others keep their heads down and continue walking. Maintenance men drive small orange ATVs on the sidewalk. Large squirrel's are scurrying around. Back inside the building maintenance men are working on computers.
"When I came in these boxes were just sitting here."
"Ha, Oh, OK."
Other man begins moving boxes
"Oh I was just going to put them over here."
Man at the counter on the telephone:
"She could be on inter-library loan." "Loan, and Place Orders. Yeah"
"Oh She is, Um. Let me see"
" So you have an hour or so, is there a number to reach you ?"
Student at the printer:
"I need help." "The printer."
Man in flannel gets up, does not respond and works with the printer a little.
"Thank you. Sorry."
"Don't forget to reset."
Student to student:
"Can you get me a copy?"
"I'll check the database."
The library isn't that exciting, but people do talk in hushed tones, believe it or not!
"When I came in these boxes were just sitting here."
"Ha, Oh, OK."
Other man begins moving boxes
"Oh I was just going to put them over here."
Man at the counter on the telephone:
"She could be on inter-library loan." "Loan, and Place Orders. Yeah"
"Oh She is, Um. Let me see"
" So you have an hour or so, is there a number to reach you ?"
Student at the printer:
"I need help." "The printer."
Man in flannel gets up, does not respond and works with the printer a little.
"Thank you. Sorry."
"Don't forget to reset."
Student to student:
"Can you get me a copy?"
"I'll check the database."
The library isn't that exciting, but people do talk in hushed tones, believe it or not!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Nike
Interview with Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight
Creators of Nike
1.) The design for the “moon shoe”, Nike’s first shoe, was an accident can you tell us how that came about?
BB: Well we had tried other ways to make the shoes have a better grip of the track while running and I just happened to look at the waffle iron and see it had a distinctive patter. So I turned it on and put a piece of rubber on it, the patter actually did give the shoes better grip and that’s how the “moon shoe” was born.
2.) The basic business plan for Nike was your idea how did that come about?
PK: Well in college my senior paper was entitled, “Can the Japanese Shoe do to the German shoe (adidas) What the Japanese camera did to the German Camera?” After graduation I set off to tour the world, when I stopped in Kobe, Japan I came across the Tiger Shoe Company whose shoes were nice and cheap I convinced them to let me be their distributor throughout the United States. My first order of Tigers came about a year later. I actually sent them to Bill hoping he would buy some. Throughout college he was my track coach and I knew he was always looking for lighter shoes for his runners. He actually ordered multiple pair then hit me with an offer to start our own shoe company using the distribution deal that I had made in Japan.
3.) The Blue Ribbon Sports Group was the original name of the company, how did it become Nike?
PK: Well while BRS was in the early stages I hooked up with Jeff Johnson who I ran track with at Stanford, well he came up with the name Nike, which in Greek mythology is the winged goddess of victory. Later while I was working as an accounting teacher at Portland State University, I met Carolyn Davidson a young artist that I decided to ask her take on Nike and design what she came up with. She brought us the “swoosh” and we loved it. We actually on gave her $35 dollars initially for the idea.
BB: Later after Nike took off, I think it was 1983, we had a company lunch and gave her a diamond ring with a swoosh embedded in it and company in the stock, now that I think about it art is where it’s at $35 for a drawing and now she’s a millionaire she only had to stop drawing and creating our symbols early because we got so big we hired an ad agency to do it for her.
Creators of Nike
1.) The design for the “moon shoe”, Nike’s first shoe, was an accident can you tell us how that came about?
BB: Well we had tried other ways to make the shoes have a better grip of the track while running and I just happened to look at the waffle iron and see it had a distinctive patter. So I turned it on and put a piece of rubber on it, the patter actually did give the shoes better grip and that’s how the “moon shoe” was born.
2.) The basic business plan for Nike was your idea how did that come about?
PK: Well in college my senior paper was entitled, “Can the Japanese Shoe do to the German shoe (adidas) What the Japanese camera did to the German Camera?” After graduation I set off to tour the world, when I stopped in Kobe, Japan I came across the Tiger Shoe Company whose shoes were nice and cheap I convinced them to let me be their distributor throughout the United States. My first order of Tigers came about a year later. I actually sent them to Bill hoping he would buy some. Throughout college he was my track coach and I knew he was always looking for lighter shoes for his runners. He actually ordered multiple pair then hit me with an offer to start our own shoe company using the distribution deal that I had made in Japan.
3.) The Blue Ribbon Sports Group was the original name of the company, how did it become Nike?
PK: Well while BRS was in the early stages I hooked up with Jeff Johnson who I ran track with at Stanford, well he came up with the name Nike, which in Greek mythology is the winged goddess of victory. Later while I was working as an accounting teacher at Portland State University, I met Carolyn Davidson a young artist that I decided to ask her take on Nike and design what she came up with. She brought us the “swoosh” and we loved it. We actually on gave her $35 dollars initially for the idea.
BB: Later after Nike took off, I think it was 1983, we had a company lunch and gave her a diamond ring with a swoosh embedded in it and company in the stock, now that I think about it art is where it’s at $35 for a drawing and now she’s a millionaire she only had to stop drawing and creating our symbols early because we got so big we hired an ad agency to do it for her.
Malcolm X
So Malcolm I understand you have five daughters, what do you describe your time at home with them like. "I view my time at home with daughter very precious I try to instore right from wrong into their minds."
Do you ever wish you had boys to follow your footstep. "I think its important to share your mental an moral beliefs with your child. No matter the gender male or female you can force upon them anything whom that child will believe in it all based on conservation. If your child desides to walk in your path then that will be his or her choice." "So wheather boy or girl it is their choice i will support my children no matter what."
I come to understand as a child your best friend was white, was that a tuff for you and him to masintain a steady friendship with all the hatered boiling around the two of you."Growning up with a friend that was not of your race in this time as as kid we didn't understand what was going on between races. But if affected as when our mothers and fathers told us why it was that we couldn't assicate with each other I was hurt and he was as well, but we never had a chance to talk about it I was sent to an Junivile Dention Center to the age of 16."
What do you feel are the differences between you and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Do yall stand for the same beliefs. " Well I think me and Dr. King is very bright man we have very similar beliefs, but at the same time we are so much different. My goal if to unite the African American race into a religon of muslomic belief and Dr. King is to unite black and white together not to say this will never happen but will be a very hard goal to accomplish."
Do you ever wish you had boys to follow your footstep. "I think its important to share your mental an moral beliefs with your child. No matter the gender male or female you can force upon them anything whom that child will believe in it all based on conservation. If your child desides to walk in your path then that will be his or her choice." "So wheather boy or girl it is their choice i will support my children no matter what."
I come to understand as a child your best friend was white, was that a tuff for you and him to masintain a steady friendship with all the hatered boiling around the two of you."Growning up with a friend that was not of your race in this time as as kid we didn't understand what was going on between races. But if affected as when our mothers and fathers told us why it was that we couldn't assicate with each other I was hurt and he was as well, but we never had a chance to talk about it I was sent to an Junivile Dention Center to the age of 16."
What do you feel are the differences between you and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Do yall stand for the same beliefs. " Well I think me and Dr. King is very bright man we have very similar beliefs, but at the same time we are so much different. My goal if to unite the African American race into a religon of muslomic belief and Dr. King is to unite black and white together not to say this will never happen but will be a very hard goal to accomplish."
Randy Pausch
M: In your book The Last Lecture, you expressed that this book was written for your children. You wanted to be able to teach them the things that you would have taught them had to not been faced with pancreatic cancer. Looking back, is there anything you wish you could have added?
RP: In this book, I did my best to encompass on the things I wished to carry on and instill in my children. I am sure I may have forgotten a thing or two, but my children were blessed with a great mother, whom I dearly loved, that I know will do a great job raising them.
M: Battling pancreatic cancer, there were times, as you expressed in your book, that you were in great physical pain. How did you find it within yourself to remain composed during public appearances when the physical pain was overbearing.
RP: "You just have to decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eeyore." Despite the situtation I was in, I could not decide if I was going to be in pain or not going to be in pain. The act of concealing the pain was harder at some times than others, but there was no use in me having a bad attitude about a situation I could not control. I chose to be a Tigger.
M: You presented an interesting idea in your book about the nature of mankind. Do you really believe there is good in everyone?
RP: Yes, I really do. You must "find the best in everybody. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out."
M: I guess it just takes some soul searching and patience, eventually the good will shine through in us all. Any last thoughts before we head off to start soul searching?
RP: "Be prepared. Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity."
M: In your book The Last Lecture, you expressed that this book was written for your children. You wanted to be able to teach them the things that you would have taught them had to not been faced with pancreatic cancer. Looking back, is there anything you wish you could have added?
RP: In this book, I did my best to encompass on the things I wished to carry on and instill in my children. I am sure I may have forgotten a thing or two, but my children were blessed with a great mother, whom I dearly loved, that I know will do a great job raising them.
M: Battling pancreatic cancer, there were times, as you expressed in your book, that you were in great physical pain. How did you find it within yourself to remain composed during public appearances when the physical pain was overbearing.
RP: "You just have to decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eeyore." Despite the situtation I was in, I could not decide if I was going to be in pain or not going to be in pain. The act of concealing the pain was harder at some times than others, but there was no use in me having a bad attitude about a situation I could not control. I chose to be a Tigger.
M: You presented an interesting idea in your book about the nature of mankind. Do you really believe there is good in everyone?
RP: Yes, I really do. You must "find the best in everybody. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out."
M: I guess it just takes some soul searching and patience, eventually the good will shine through in us all. Any last thoughts before we head off to start soul searching?
RP: "Be prepared. Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity."
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Prince of Thieves
"So Robin or Mr. Hood, it must be pretty tough to leave the comoforts of your home to go fight for your king and country in the third crusades, get captured, escape, and when you return home find your father murdered and your lands taken, right?"-Me
"Well it's generally pretty tough to leave fighting for your faith and country and to return home only to have the corrupt people left in charge betray you. I was angry about it at first as you can imagine, but then i decided it was a much smarter idea to get even. They really forced it upon themselves. After they took my lands, titles, and family they eventually made me an outlaw and i had to go on the run, so what else could i do but get even." -Robin
"So tell me after you went on the run, how did you come up with sherwood forrest as a hiding place and what were your plans to get even?"-Me
"Well orginally I was just on the run because i was an outlaw and I decided to go through sherwood forest because it was considered haunted and i didnt think we'd run into much trouble from the sheriffs men. Unfortunately i didnt count on running into Little John and some other outlaws who were running the woods and ordered me to pay a tax to pass. I refused and Little John challenged me to hand to hand combat. I eventually won and they accepted me into their group of outlaws after i told them how the sheriff had wronged me. I quickly realized that because i was a noble i knew all the routes and dates the other nobles would be transporting their silver and goods, so we decided to start robbing their caravans."-Robin
"So is this where the nickname Robin Hood the Prince of Thieves came from, and when did you start giving to the poor?"-Me
"Well after we robbed a few caravans the sheriff realized it was me doing the robbing and put a bounty out on my head. I realized that as starved and poor as the peasants were they would turn me in just for a slice of bread, so we started giving portions of the money we stole to all the peasants in town to make sure they knew who cared about them. We took care of them and helped them out financially and offered a bit of hope and inspiration to them, so the people started calling me the prince of thieves to get under the sherriffs skin. Then eventually songs started being sung about me and my merry men robbing from the rich and giving to the poor as we did."-Robin
"Do you ever see yourself returning to noble life or have you gotten use to life as a wanted man?"-Me
"Well in all honesty i would like for King Richard to eventually return, restore my title and lands and maybe settle down with Maid Marian. Until that day comes though i've grown quite accustomed to living life with no rules and being an outlaw does have its perks. Its nice being a local celebrity, getting to rob bad guys, do good, and i never get tired of camping."-Robin
"There you have Robin Hood, the Prince of Thieves, financial entrenpreneur, philanthropist, and avid camper"-Me
"Well it's generally pretty tough to leave fighting for your faith and country and to return home only to have the corrupt people left in charge betray you. I was angry about it at first as you can imagine, but then i decided it was a much smarter idea to get even. They really forced it upon themselves. After they took my lands, titles, and family they eventually made me an outlaw and i had to go on the run, so what else could i do but get even." -Robin
"So tell me after you went on the run, how did you come up with sherwood forrest as a hiding place and what were your plans to get even?"-Me
"Well orginally I was just on the run because i was an outlaw and I decided to go through sherwood forest because it was considered haunted and i didnt think we'd run into much trouble from the sheriffs men. Unfortunately i didnt count on running into Little John and some other outlaws who were running the woods and ordered me to pay a tax to pass. I refused and Little John challenged me to hand to hand combat. I eventually won and they accepted me into their group of outlaws after i told them how the sheriff had wronged me. I quickly realized that because i was a noble i knew all the routes and dates the other nobles would be transporting their silver and goods, so we decided to start robbing their caravans."-Robin
"So is this where the nickname Robin Hood the Prince of Thieves came from, and when did you start giving to the poor?"-Me
"Well after we robbed a few caravans the sheriff realized it was me doing the robbing and put a bounty out on my head. I realized that as starved and poor as the peasants were they would turn me in just for a slice of bread, so we started giving portions of the money we stole to all the peasants in town to make sure they knew who cared about them. We took care of them and helped them out financially and offered a bit of hope and inspiration to them, so the people started calling me the prince of thieves to get under the sherriffs skin. Then eventually songs started being sung about me and my merry men robbing from the rich and giving to the poor as we did."-Robin
"Do you ever see yourself returning to noble life or have you gotten use to life as a wanted man?"-Me
"Well in all honesty i would like for King Richard to eventually return, restore my title and lands and maybe settle down with Maid Marian. Until that day comes though i've grown quite accustomed to living life with no rules and being an outlaw does have its perks. Its nice being a local celebrity, getting to rob bad guys, do good, and i never get tired of camping."-Robin
"There you have Robin Hood, the Prince of Thieves, financial entrenpreneur, philanthropist, and avid camper"-Me
Senior Year Job
Nobody in my family has had a real job throughout high school. My older sister would help my mom with my me and my brother but no real job. When my senior year came around i enrolled in a class where i have to get a job. My teacher, Mrs. Robinson, was a close family friend. She told me i could work for my parents and just have the period off, but i wanted a real job. So, she went out looking for me a job. She came across Trotter Toyota. This was a dealer ship and they were looking for a receptionist. Of course my family knew the Trotter family. They were in competition with my family the Smarts in selling car. Mrs.Robinson called the dealership and told them i was coming to apply. Shortly after i got the job. I was excited. I got to be that person you hear talking over the speaker at the car dealerships. "So-and-so you have a call on line one" or "your vechical is ready." When i first learned how to answer the phone i was shy. I was training with the girl that had been there for years. She was a pro at answering the phone. When i had to answer it i was scared. I did not know what the workers would think of me. They were all friendly thought. Everyone talked to me and made me fill right at home. I had my own office and desk. It was better than i imagined. I would run errands for them like to the bank or staple. The best part about that was i got to drive there cars. I would go to the tower and say i need a car to run errands. They would ask me what kind of car i wanted. I tried to get a cute car. I drove most any style of a car. I remember one time, i was running errands and i had to call Trotters because i locked my key in the car. They of course thought it was funny and made fun of me for it. I loved working at the Toyota dealership. When my car had a problem they would fix it, most of the time for free. They would get me whatever i needed for my car, even though it was not a Toyota. The workers loved me. When i quit my job, i was sad. I mad $2,000 working for only a few months. I had to quit because softball was starting in the spring. I had played softball since i was a little girl. I was the starting second baseman for my high school team the past two year, i was not going to stop my senior year for a job.
When February came around, i got in a wreak. Someone had ran a stop sign and totaled my car. I told my dad i do not want another car. He told me to go down to Trotters and see what they have. Of course, they love me there so they were doing what they could to get me a good deal. I got a workers discount even thought i was no longer a worker. I told my dad, i found a 4runner i wanted so bad. My dad is not the one to go a look at something before he buys to often. But he went down there one day without telling me. He looked at it and talk to the salesmen there. When he returned back at work, he called Trotter Toyota and said "Hold that car." My mom went and signed the paper. A few days later it was mine. I had to wait to pick it up because of the weather.
The workers told me they would always see me now. I would have to come get my car serviced. I love going to visit them. They are so happy and cheerful towards me. They do whatever they can to fix my car. If there is a lot of people getting their car service, they still squeeze me in. I get free oil filter and all that stuff. They just love when i come to visit. I sit in the tower with the sales manager. They love to hear all of my college stories. I'm so glad i took this job my senior year, even though i did not have to. It thought me a lot. And like my mom said, i will always have a good connection at the Toyota Dealership, if my car ever messes up.
When February came around, i got in a wreak. Someone had ran a stop sign and totaled my car. I told my dad i do not want another car. He told me to go down to Trotters and see what they have. Of course, they love me there so they were doing what they could to get me a good deal. I got a workers discount even thought i was no longer a worker. I told my dad, i found a 4runner i wanted so bad. My dad is not the one to go a look at something before he buys to often. But he went down there one day without telling me. He looked at it and talk to the salesmen there. When he returned back at work, he called Trotter Toyota and said "Hold that car." My mom went and signed the paper. A few days later it was mine. I had to wait to pick it up because of the weather.
The workers told me they would always see me now. I would have to come get my car serviced. I love going to visit them. They are so happy and cheerful towards me. They do whatever they can to fix my car. If there is a lot of people getting their car service, they still squeeze me in. I get free oil filter and all that stuff. They just love when i come to visit. I sit in the tower with the sales manager. They love to hear all of my college stories. I'm so glad i took this job my senior year, even though i did not have to. It thought me a lot. And like my mom said, i will always have a good connection at the Toyota Dealership, if my car ever messes up.
No Offense
M. Why is it, do you suppose, that you have such a powerful effect over so many people?
G. It seems, that since my invention, I have this sort of lulling effect, a sort of calming-type personality. I have found I can control hoards of people in various ways...such as spiteful wars, unjust poverty, even lucky breaks at the casino!
M. Don't you think your thrill of power goes against what most believe and that is that you are a loving being?
G. Give me a break. We all have skeletons. We all have vices.
M. Is it true that you will be in heaven waiting for us when we die?
G. Seriously? That is Christian belief, my friend. Do you know how many other standards of belief there are for my existence? Hell, when you die, I may turn you into a butterfly, keep you in purgatory for awhile, doom you to hell. Who knows. I dunno.
M. So just who is Jesus?
G. Wha? You mean that smarmy chicano who forgot to turn on my irrigation system?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Interview With A Vampire
The fictional character Edward Cullen from the Twilight book series.
Just because you are a monster doesn't mean that you have to live like one. Although human blood is what myself and my family crave we would rather not be murders. I once rebelled from my "vegetarian" ways, as we like to call it, but after awhile I felt ashamed. Even though I was only choosing to kill people who I knew to be evil, the fact that I was taking someone's life made me feel evil. I know that this is the right lifestyle choice for myself even if it is out of the ordinary. But than again what is ordinary for a vampire?
Since you never sleep, what do you do with all of that free time?
I spend a great deal of time playing the piano and composing music. Over the years I have become fluent in several languages. I also have read thousands of books. But lately I spend as much time as I can with Bella, either hanging out or making sure she doesn't have any fatal accidents, which is a full time job with her.
What is it like to be able to read minds?
It is like trying to get too many radio signals at once. I have pretty much mastered the art of tuning people out but in certain situations it is very handy. It has become my job to be the look out for the family and make sure no one is getting to suspicious of us or try to figure out what we are. I can tell when someone is getting to close and when it is time for the family to relocate. I try and giving my family as much privacy as I can so I really try and stay out of their heads the most. The only persons mind I can't read is Bella's and I still don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
Do all vampires have special talents like you?
No, it is actually fairly rare, but in my family there are three of us that have these "special talents. Myself of course can read minds, my sister Alice can see the future, and my brother Jasper can control the emotional environment of a room. We don't know why we have these talents but our father believes that it is because in our human lives we were especially sensitive to that specific thing. It was likely that it was easy for me to catch onto what people were thinking or that Jasper had the ability to tell what people were feeling.
Amelia Earhart
What were some of your favorite activities as a kid?
I loved climbing trees, riding horses, hunting and pretty much anything else outdoorsy but I had to keep it from my grandma because she was a worrier.
How did your family hardships help you in your life?
It made me stronger. It pushed me to make my own mark in the world without a man.
When was the first time you knew you wanted to be a pilot?
I took my first ride in an airplane in 1920 with barnstormer Frank Hawks and as so as we left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly.
Since flying is so dangerous flying do you still do it?
Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others. Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.
I loved climbing trees, riding horses, hunting and pretty much anything else outdoorsy but I had to keep it from my grandma because she was a worrier.
How did your family hardships help you in your life?
It made me stronger. It pushed me to make my own mark in the world without a man.
When was the first time you knew you wanted to be a pilot?
I took my first ride in an airplane in 1920 with barnstormer Frank Hawks and as so as we left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly.
Since flying is so dangerous flying do you still do it?
Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others. Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.
An Interview With the Lizard King
Graham: I think fans of The Doors see you as a savior, the leader who'll set them all free. How do you feel about that? It's kind of a heavy burden, isn't it?
Jim Morrison: It's absurd. How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a lie. People claim they want to be free, everybody insists that freedom is what they want the most, the most sacred and precious thing a man can possess. But that's bullshit! People are terrified to be set free, they hold on to their chains. They fight anyone who tries to break those chains. It's their security....How can they expect me or anyone to set them free if they don't really want to be free?
Graham: Why do you think people fear freedom?
Jim Morrison: I think people resist freedom because they're afraid of the unknown. But it's ironic. That unknown was once very well known. It's where our souls belong. The only solution is to confront them, confront yourself with the greatest fear imaginable. Expose yourself to your deepest fear. After that, fear has no power, and fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.
Graham: What do you mean when you say "freedom"?
Jim Morrison: There are different kinds of freedom, and there's a lot of misunderstanding. The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your senses for an act. You give up your ability to feel and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first. You can take away a man's political freedom and you won't hurt him, unless you take away his freedom to feel. That can destroy him.
Jim Morrison: It's absurd. How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a lie. People claim they want to be free, everybody insists that freedom is what they want the most, the most sacred and precious thing a man can possess. But that's bullshit! People are terrified to be set free, they hold on to their chains. They fight anyone who tries to break those chains. It's their security....How can they expect me or anyone to set them free if they don't really want to be free?
Graham: Why do you think people fear freedom?
Jim Morrison: I think people resist freedom because they're afraid of the unknown. But it's ironic. That unknown was once very well known. It's where our souls belong. The only solution is to confront them, confront yourself with the greatest fear imaginable. Expose yourself to your deepest fear. After that, fear has no power, and fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.
Graham: What do you mean when you say "freedom"?
Jim Morrison: There are different kinds of freedom, and there's a lot of misunderstanding. The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your senses for an act. You give up your ability to feel and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first. You can take away a man's political freedom and you won't hurt him, unless you take away his freedom to feel. That can destroy him.
Graham: But how can anyone else have the power to take away from your freedom to feel?
Jim Morrison: Some people surrender their freedom willingly, but others are forced to surrender it. Imprisonment begins with birth. Society, parents; they refuse to allow you to keep the freedom you are born with. There are subtle ways to punish a person for daring to feel. You see that everyone around you has destroyed his true feeling nature. You imitate what you see.
Graham: In some of your poetry, you openly admire and praise primitive people, Indians, for instance. Do you mean that it's not human beings in general but our particular society that's flawed and destructive?
Jim Morrison: Look at how other cultures live, peacefully, in harmony with the earth, the forest, and animals. They don't build war machines and invest millions of dollars in attacking other countries whose political ideals don't happen to agree with their own. They all learn to live together.
Getting a Job
With the tough economic environment, I worry about getting a job a lot. I would like to be a reporter when I graduate and it is hard enough to get a job when the economy is good. There is a lot of competition in this business. There are some people that I think are really good reporters that can not get a job right now. I know I will have to start somewhere small, but I worry that it will be somewhere unbearable. I guess it takes sacrifices to get where you want to go though. Unemployment went up again last month and we still hear about layoffs everyday. It is hard to think about getting a job when all you hear about is people losing their jobs. The broadcast industry is not doing bad, but it still feels the effects of the economy. In some ways that is good and bad. They are getting rid of some of the older, higher paid people and hiring younger people, but for less pay. I know that starting off the pay is not going to be very good at all and that worries me. But this is something that I have always dreamed of doing so it will be worth it in the end. Also once you get established and have experience you can make a good living. I am trying to do everything I can to prepare for the job market, but it is still really scary. Hopefully with time things will start to turn around. The stock market has started going up a little. Hopefully people will start to feel confident in it. I think that it will be ok in the end. It will probably take a little longer to get the job I want, but I think it will work out.
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