The Article “Floating on the Edge of a Dream” was published on The New York Times website October 10th, 2010. The article was written by Alison Gregor.
The issue of this article concerns Erick De Leon, a hopeful boxer for the 2012 Olympics. Erick is a phenomenal boxer, however there is one thing standing in his way. Though living in Detroit, he is not a legal U.S. citizen. His parents thought getting citizenship for their children would be too difficult so they never applied for it. Now, this is causing their son a great deal of problems. He has now applied to be a citizen of the u.s., all of the registration items and documents normally take about eight months. This is a major conflict because he needs to be confirmed a citizen by the end of the year to be eligible for the 2012 Olympics.
Reading this article brought about different closing thoughts for me each time I read it. First, I did feel sorry for De Leon because of the stress and upset it is causing him to have to wait in anticipation to become a us citizen and through the duration of that wait loose grasp of his lifelong dream. Though, the last few times reading it I wondered why the parents never came to a consensus of having their children become citizens once they turned a certain age. I also wondered why they did not decide to apply Erick for citizenship once he started training for boxing and the olympics.
Original Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/sports/11boxer.html?ref=immigration-and-emigration
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Current Event: Week of October 1st.
The article “Insurers Scramble to Comply With New Rules” by Reed Abelson was published on September 22, 2010 on the New York TImes website. It was printed on September 23, 2010.
This article was basically about insurance companies feeling that they would not be able to meet the standards of the new Health Care law that went into effect that Thursday the 23rd of September. Many companies are saying that they do not have the funds to support all of the changes, to provide coverage for all children and have free preventive services. They must do all of this by the end of 2010. Some believe that the new health plans will not be able to last these changes and will ultimately fail. Many companies are trying to avoid regulations and save themselves money by dropping certain policies, stop selling new policies and raising premiums. Though, the compaines are expected to uphold their promises such as providing coverage for children with pre-existing conditions and not disregard clients that are expected to create high bills for their medical needs.
I thought this was a well-written article. It brought me to learn a few things about the health care system in the us. Although, I did not understand some of what the Author was talking about in this work. I think that may be because I am not the most knowlageable person in issues such as healthcare or politics.
Original Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/business/23insure.html?_r=1&ref=health_care_reform
This article was basically about insurance companies feeling that they would not be able to meet the standards of the new Health Care law that went into effect that Thursday the 23rd of September. Many companies are saying that they do not have the funds to support all of the changes, to provide coverage for all children and have free preventive services. They must do all of this by the end of 2010. Some believe that the new health plans will not be able to last these changes and will ultimately fail. Many companies are trying to avoid regulations and save themselves money by dropping certain policies, stop selling new policies and raising premiums. Though, the compaines are expected to uphold their promises such as providing coverage for children with pre-existing conditions and not disregard clients that are expected to create high bills for their medical needs.
I thought this was a well-written article. It brought me to learn a few things about the health care system in the us. Although, I did not understand some of what the Author was talking about in this work. I think that may be because I am not the most knowlageable person in issues such as healthcare or politics.
Original Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/business/23insure.html?_r=1&ref=health_care_reform
Scholarly.
A “Current Event” I wrote for U.S. History
The article “Obama Urges Students to ‘Dream Big’ in Back-to-School Speech in Philadelphia” from The Washington Post by Nick Anderson was published on Tuesday September 14th.
President Obama gave a speech to students at a Philadelphia school, while also being streamed on the White House website and C-SPAN on Tuesday the 14th of September. This speech was labeled as a non-political event. He told students to abide by discipline and to push themselves in their studies; mentioning that he hadn’t always done that himself, and wished he had. Obama also said that his mother convinced him to work harder at his studies and that had stuck with him throughout his post-high school career. Speaking so his speech would send a message to the students and people across the world to focus on their dreams and strive for them through working hard through their education and lifestyles; explaining that nothing would be “beyond their reach”.
This article had some good information about the President’s speech, though the writing was quite staggered. The author jumped between small spurts of educational information about the schools and U.S. education as a whole and reiterating what Obama spoke of in the speech. Nick Anderson could have explained a bit more on some of the educational blurbs he spoke of; some of them were quite interesting; such as the high schools known as “Drop out Factories”. However, this article did lead me to learn a few things; sometimes schools fire teachers to try to financially turn their schools around, Obama has started to do the education promotion speeches annually at schools throughout the country and that George H.W. Bush also made a speech about education in 1991. Even through the repetitiveness it did explain what happened and I suppose that was the key of this author’s writing.
Original Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091402623.html
A “Current Event” I wrote for U.S. History
The article “Obama Urges Students to ‘Dream Big’ in Back-to-School Speech in Philadelphia” from The Washington Post by Nick Anderson was published on Tuesday September 14th.
President Obama gave a speech to students at a Philadelphia school, while also being streamed on the White House website and C-SPAN on Tuesday the 14th of September. This speech was labeled as a non-political event. He told students to abide by discipline and to push themselves in their studies; mentioning that he hadn’t always done that himself, and wished he had. Obama also said that his mother convinced him to work harder at his studies and that had stuck with him throughout his post-high school career. Speaking so his speech would send a message to the students and people across the world to focus on their dreams and strive for them through working hard through their education and lifestyles; explaining that nothing would be “beyond their reach”.
This article had some good information about the President’s speech, though the writing was quite staggered. The author jumped between small spurts of educational information about the schools and U.S. education as a whole and reiterating what Obama spoke of in the speech. Nick Anderson could have explained a bit more on some of the educational blurbs he spoke of; some of them were quite interesting; such as the high schools known as “Drop out Factories”. However, this article did lead me to learn a few things; sometimes schools fire teachers to try to financially turn their schools around, Obama has started to do the education promotion speeches annually at schools throughout the country and that George H.W. Bush also made a speech about education in 1991. Even through the repetitiveness it did explain what happened and I suppose that was the key of this author’s writing.
Original Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091402623.html
GD/AFI Buffalo August 5 2010
We set off on a late start (1:20pm) from town. All of us raring to go. Stopping only twice on the way, and missing the turn once, we pulled into Darien Lake at 5. We waited in line at the gates for about an hour, then going through security to another line inside the park. In this line I reunited with one of my other friends, Theresa, whom I hadn’t seen since last October. We chatted for a bit about the Camden show, Green Day and family. Then at 6:30ish we were let into the lawn. Pam and I ran to secure decent spots on the lawn, while Seanna was out buying a tour shirt. We had a very good spot, on the barricade and almost the direct center. After a few confused phone calls Seanna made it to our place and we waited a good 5 minutes for the heartbeats signaling AFI was about to take the stage. They had a great deal of energy that night, probably from riding the rollercoasters in the park earlier that day as Havok mentioned. He seemed, from far away, to be having a great deal of a better time at this show than Camden. They played wonderfully for the 35 minutes that they were on, then left, thanking the “people of the lake”. Their setlist was basically the same as Camden, only sans Missing Frame.
After their set a man came handing out pit tickets for free. Seanna begged me to take them. I reluctantly took three for Pam, Seanna and I and headed down to the pit. (If only he had come before AFI’s set I would have been so much more enthused.) After a bit of snaking through the crowd, we made it to the barricade. Both of my friends were thrilled having never seen Green Day. Before long the Drunken Bunny took the stage and the show begun. Unfortunately with Green Day, (one of the reasons I really enjoy seeing AFI live is that they do not do this) they put on the same show. A guitar was given out, toilet paper was thrown, fans excitedly took the stage, even the same words were said. Though they seemed to really enjoy the Buffalo crowd. When Seanna was done taking her pictures and Pam felt sick we left, actually around the same time as I did at the previous concert. Green Day still put on a great show, but once is enough. Setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/green-day/2010/darien-lake-performing-arts-center-darien-center-ny-2bd5b83a.html
At the end; I really wish I was closer for AFI and I really want to see them live again. Green Day is good, although I wish they would not spray beer on the crowd.
“Peace out bitch”
After their set a man came handing out pit tickets for free. Seanna begged me to take them. I reluctantly took three for Pam, Seanna and I and headed down to the pit. (If only he had come before AFI’s set I would have been so much more enthused.) After a bit of snaking through the crowd, we made it to the barricade. Both of my friends were thrilled having never seen Green Day. Before long the Drunken Bunny took the stage and the show begun. Unfortunately with Green Day, (one of the reasons I really enjoy seeing AFI live is that they do not do this) they put on the same show. A guitar was given out, toilet paper was thrown, fans excitedly took the stage, even the same words were said. Though they seemed to really enjoy the Buffalo crowd. When Seanna was done taking her pictures and Pam felt sick we left, actually around the same time as I did at the previous concert. Green Day still put on a great show, but once is enough. Setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/green-day/2010/darien-lake-performing-arts-center-darien-center-ny-2bd5b83a.html
At the end; I really wish I was closer for AFI and I really want to see them live again. Green Day is good, although I wish they would not spray beer on the crowd.
“Peace out bitch”
AFI & Green Day Camden, NJ 8/3/10
Monday night: We picked up Pam around 9 at night. Came to my house and prepared to sleep. Unfortunately, Pam became very ill. We drove her home at 3:30, when we arrived back home I sent my dear friend Rebecca Miller a text asking her if she could take the extra ticket. She eagerly agreed. Tuesday: Leaving home at 7 am, we had a relatively quick drive down to 76. On that highway, as always with Driving into Philly, the traffic was god-awful. We arrived in the city at 12. Upon arriving (and getting a bit lost) we checked into our hotel (Courtyard Marriott) and called Jackie; another friend that was riding to Camden with us. She arrived at our hotel around 12:45. After getting a bit settled and a quick reunion hello, we again, packed into the car (with Banana Bread!) for the surprisingly quick (to me) drive to Camden. Driving up to the Susquehanna Bank Center (around 1), we got out of the car and waited by a fence outside hearing AFI’s soundcheck. After, we walked around trying to find information on how the venue would be issuing us our will-call tickets. Around 2:30 everyone started to form lines in our alphabetical groups (getting separated from Jackie by the unfortunate lack of same last name). Rebecca got there around 3. We waited eagerly at first and then desperately as the day drug on. The humidity and heat was borderline unbearable. As usual my phone basically died right before the show. Finally by 5, bouncers and security came outside to inform us on how the venue would be working. They opened the doors to us at 6. Getting our tickets and going to the line which would mark our tickets and give us pit wristbands (Entering moshing area is at your own risk!) Rebecca and I were reunited with Jackie and continued our way into the venue. We were able to get to the barricade on the right side, one person back. Green Day fans were gracious enough to let us forward, due to our height, or lack there of. AFI took the stage at about 7:15 Opening with a rousing Medicate, and proceeding the through the setlist with singles and a few other well known songs that only lasted 40 minutes at most Another treat, Davey sported one of the audience member’s pink feather boa for a time. AFI Setlist: Medicate, Girl’s Not Grey, The Leaving Song Pt. II, I Am Trying Very Hard to be Here, The Missing Frame, End Transmission, Beautiful Thieves, Dancing Through Sunday, Miss Murder, Silver and Cold, Love Like Winter After AFI finished, Rebecca left. We said goodbye to our friend quickly, so she could get out of the venue before the shoving preceded. Green Day took the stage at about 8:10, though starting with a Drinking Bunny, they put on a great show full of great songs, bringing fans onstage and explosives. Helpfully, they sprayed the audience with water to keep us from boiling in the heat. The audience on the other hand was not as great. There was a plentiful amount of fangirling and dumbasses. I myself had my hair ripped out from a great deal of crowd surfers (DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE BE A CROWD SURFING ASSHOLE, EVER!!!) I was also, rudely punched a few times (not the usual concert punching) That individuals just desserts were given in the ribs from me personally. Green Day (classic as usual) seemed to play forfuckingever. Stupidly Jackie and I did not drink enough water during the humid day and were dehydrated. We got out of the pit (around their cover song montage) to use the bathroom and drink gallons of water. We left early, with Jackie feeling quite sick and I being just plain exhausted. Green Day Setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/green-day/2010/susquehanna-bank-center-camden-nj-3d5bd2b.html All in all I was happy to see AFI, even if their setlist wasn’t outstanding they, as always, were. I never again want to be in the pit for Green Day, even though they put on a great show, I cannot express how awful the pit really was. I am excited for Thursday and am glad that I am in the lawn, though, being in the pit for AFI would be nice I am sure the show will be great and hopefully fun for all.
Mountain Hike 2010
Monday: Woke and loaded everything into the car. The group was quite odd. Myself, my mother (…), her 50 year old friend, her other friend with her husband and 20 year old daughter, their 71 year old friend and a priest (…….)The actual “road trip” part of the journey is often my favorite. I greatly enjoy just listening to full albums, one after the other, on my iPod. We arrived at the ADK campground on Heart Lake around 2:30 and set up camp. We made dinner (Soy dogs! And then the father and I had one of the many arguments of vegetarianism.) After we settled 6 of us decided to hike Mt. Jo and assembled our hiking packs. I love hiking this mountain, it is short but challenging. Regardless of the instructions that are yearly stapled into my mind of how to tie Hiking Boots, I, yet again, did so incorrectly; which then lead to blisters. Oddly enough there is a good deal of cell service on top of the mountain (there is not any in the park) so I called my dad to tell him where we were. After about an hour on the summit we decended off of the mountain. We took the long trail back because it is less rigourous of a decent, though the first of the other group’s mistakes occured here; they took a wrong trail and after falling into a few muddy patches (IT’S A QUAGMIRE) they decided to listen to me and turn back onto the marked trail. During this part of the hike I could feel my flesh on my heels tearing off. When we returned, tired from our hike we all climbed into bed.
Tuesday: Everyone except for myself woke early (7?) to have mass (….) I slept. I got out of the tent after they finished their…. worship. We all had a quick breakfast together before the hiking day commenced. I made the exectutive decision to not climb Algonquin Peak due to the condition of my blisters. My mom, classic to her copying me, stayed behind as well. The others left at 8 to start their hike, we stayed at the site until around 9:30, then left deciding to hike through to Marcy Dam. Though the hike both mine and my mother’s blisters were irritated. She wrapped her’s wrong which created more friction. Not believing me, we called my dad again (again, amazing cell service timing). He confirmed that my way of medical care was correct. We immediately re-wrapped our heels and continued on the way to the Dam. Upon arriving there we hiked in to the interior outpost to see the cabin, ate some trail mix and took a few pictures of the Dam scenery. We recieved a text from one of our fellow travelers, telling us they were going to hike up Iroquois Peak as well. After we decided to discard our boots and walk the truck trail in our flip-flops. We returned back at the camp, completing our 7 mile hike near 1:30. It was then my naptime. Waking around 3 we went to the lake to kayak, which was not satisfying, as the lake is tiny. I stayed down by the beach for awhile. Some strange lady started to talk to me about her husbands head wound, because she heard my mom and I talking and found that I was a lifeguard and trained in first aid. I went back to the site around 4 to find that the rest of the group was not back yet. After 2 hours of reading they still were not. My mom started to freak and went to tell the people at the Loj that she had friends who were missing. The woman there decided that it was too early to call the DEC and to wait another few hours. By 7 mom had freaked out even more and was driving around the site and close locations for cell service and trying to spot them. At 9 we went to the Loj again informing the woman our group was still missing. She thought this strange; we informed her that we were going to call some people who may know better what to make of the situation. We drove 15 miles out of the campgound to obtain the best cell sevice that was not ontop of a mountain. We called my dad again*, he said that truthfully they should not be back right now. The hike they took was long and difficult especially with older and inexperienced people. Informing him that it was dark and they had no flashlights and little food or water he told us to call Phil Johnstone (a dear friend of ours and the previous Head Ranger and Manager of that area). Phil gave us the number for dispach and said we should call right away. My mother being herself, waited 10 minutes and then called. It seems that someone had called already and a ranger had been sent out. About an hour later they arrived back at the campsite frightened and crying.
Wednesday: We went to breakfast in the morning, it was awful. Throughout the day all that the others talked about were the events of the night before. They wanted to relax all day. However, we did go down to the lake to swim a bit, but not for very long; it started to rain. When we came back to the site we helped set up tarps over the picnic table and some surrounding area so it would be dry. It poured all night long. Alllll night long.
Thursday: We woke up in the morning to a very damp campsite and preceded to pack up. All of the tents were horribly damp, it was awful. When we were all packed we loaded in seperate cars and drove home.
After this trip I have come to the realization that I DO NOT like camping with ineperienced campers. Also, follow the rules of hiking.
*The reason for calling my dad so often is that he had previously been the ranger for the Interior Outpost at Marcy Dam.
Tuesday: Everyone except for myself woke early (7?) to have mass (….) I slept. I got out of the tent after they finished their…. worship. We all had a quick breakfast together before the hiking day commenced. I made the exectutive decision to not climb Algonquin Peak due to the condition of my blisters. My mom, classic to her copying me, stayed behind as well. The others left at 8 to start their hike, we stayed at the site until around 9:30, then left deciding to hike through to Marcy Dam. Though the hike both mine and my mother’s blisters were irritated. She wrapped her’s wrong which created more friction. Not believing me, we called my dad again (again, amazing cell service timing). He confirmed that my way of medical care was correct. We immediately re-wrapped our heels and continued on the way to the Dam. Upon arriving there we hiked in to the interior outpost to see the cabin, ate some trail mix and took a few pictures of the Dam scenery. We recieved a text from one of our fellow travelers, telling us they were going to hike up Iroquois Peak as well. After we decided to discard our boots and walk the truck trail in our flip-flops. We returned back at the camp, completing our 7 mile hike near 1:30. It was then my naptime. Waking around 3 we went to the lake to kayak, which was not satisfying, as the lake is tiny. I stayed down by the beach for awhile. Some strange lady started to talk to me about her husbands head wound, because she heard my mom and I talking and found that I was a lifeguard and trained in first aid. I went back to the site around 4 to find that the rest of the group was not back yet. After 2 hours of reading they still were not. My mom started to freak and went to tell the people at the Loj that she had friends who were missing. The woman there decided that it was too early to call the DEC and to wait another few hours. By 7 mom had freaked out even more and was driving around the site and close locations for cell service and trying to spot them. At 9 we went to the Loj again informing the woman our group was still missing. She thought this strange; we informed her that we were going to call some people who may know better what to make of the situation. We drove 15 miles out of the campgound to obtain the best cell sevice that was not ontop of a mountain. We called my dad again*, he said that truthfully they should not be back right now. The hike they took was long and difficult especially with older and inexperienced people. Informing him that it was dark and they had no flashlights and little food or water he told us to call Phil Johnstone (a dear friend of ours and the previous Head Ranger and Manager of that area). Phil gave us the number for dispach and said we should call right away. My mother being herself, waited 10 minutes and then called. It seems that someone had called already and a ranger had been sent out. About an hour later they arrived back at the campsite frightened and crying.
Wednesday: We went to breakfast in the morning, it was awful. Throughout the day all that the others talked about were the events of the night before. They wanted to relax all day. However, we did go down to the lake to swim a bit, but not for very long; it started to rain. When we came back to the site we helped set up tarps over the picnic table and some surrounding area so it would be dry. It poured all night long. Alllll night long.
Thursday: We woke up in the morning to a very damp campsite and preceded to pack up. All of the tents were horribly damp, it was awful. When we were all packed we loaded in seperate cars and drove home.
After this trip I have come to the realization that I DO NOT like camping with ineperienced campers. Also, follow the rules of hiking.
*The reason for calling my dad so often is that he had previously been the ranger for the Interior Outpost at Marcy Dam.
Hiking
“Hi Bear,
Here are a few pointers on Safe hiking in the mountains. When you are hiking mountains that are large, and at a distance away there is much greater chance of things going wrong. (twisted ankle, missed a trail marker, blisters, shit attack, etc) so you have to be prepared. This means in gear you carry, and more importantly using your head. Keep in mind almost no one follows these rules.. But the ones that get in trouble wish they had.
A) Things you should carry in your pack with you. (The Ten Essentials)
1) Map and Compass (of the area you are hiking)
2) Knife (your Swiss army knife)
3) Water bottle (filled)
4) Rain Jacket
5) Wool shirt or Fleece jacket
6) Extra food (trail mix is good)
7) Flash light (with extra batteries)
8) Sun Screen and Sun Glasses
9) Matches / fire starter
10) First Aid Kit (with second skin)
B) Rules for safe Hiking
1) When planning a hike err on the less ambitious side. It’s better to do a hike that the whole group can do rather than only the most fit can.
2) Hike as a group. You should travel only as fast as the slowest group member.
The two most problematic hikers in the group are the fastest member and the Slowest, because they are the two most often out of contact with the rest of the people. If you hike at the slowest members rate this won’t happen.
3) Sign it at all register booths.
4) Have a planned turn around time and stick to it.
5) Where good solid foot wear. On long hikes your feet get tired. Not only must you think about the trip up the mountain but the trial back down.. Most hikers get injured on the way down because they are tired. The best foot wear is a good hiking boot with a heel.. This gives support and keeps your foot from slipping when going downhill. If you wear lighter foot wear like sneakers, they should be ones with good cushioning under foot, as your feet will take a pounding holding your weight back against gravity going down the mountain.
6) Keep hydrated, (drink even when you’re not thirsty)
7) Stay as a group.. (I put this in again because it is important)
8) The mountain will always be there (except for Mt St. Helens) - if the weather turns bad, it gets too late, or you’re just too tired turn around. It is foolish to push yourself into harms way just to get to the top of a big rock.
9) Never leave the group and head off alone. The safe number to travel with is 3.
Hiking in the ADK is really fun and safe. You just need to use your head…” — My father sent me this email; he is concerned that I will be hiking with people that… aren’t so wise, to say the least. One of the things he speaks very intelligently about is camping/hiking/related.
Here are a few pointers on Safe hiking in the mountains. When you are hiking mountains that are large, and at a distance away there is much greater chance of things going wrong. (twisted ankle, missed a trail marker, blisters, shit attack, etc) so you have to be prepared. This means in gear you carry, and more importantly using your head. Keep in mind almost no one follows these rules.. But the ones that get in trouble wish they had.
A) Things you should carry in your pack with you. (The Ten Essentials)
1) Map and Compass (of the area you are hiking)
2) Knife (your Swiss army knife)
3) Water bottle (filled)
4) Rain Jacket
5) Wool shirt or Fleece jacket
6) Extra food (trail mix is good)
7) Flash light (with extra batteries)
8) Sun Screen and Sun Glasses
9) Matches / fire starter
10) First Aid Kit (with second skin)
B) Rules for safe Hiking
1) When planning a hike err on the less ambitious side. It’s better to do a hike that the whole group can do rather than only the most fit can.
2) Hike as a group. You should travel only as fast as the slowest group member.
The two most problematic hikers in the group are the fastest member and the Slowest, because they are the two most often out of contact with the rest of the people. If you hike at the slowest members rate this won’t happen.
3) Sign it at all register booths.
4) Have a planned turn around time and stick to it.
5) Where good solid foot wear. On long hikes your feet get tired. Not only must you think about the trip up the mountain but the trial back down.. Most hikers get injured on the way down because they are tired. The best foot wear is a good hiking boot with a heel.. This gives support and keeps your foot from slipping when going downhill. If you wear lighter foot wear like sneakers, they should be ones with good cushioning under foot, as your feet will take a pounding holding your weight back against gravity going down the mountain.
6) Keep hydrated, (drink even when you’re not thirsty)
7) Stay as a group.. (I put this in again because it is important)
8) The mountain will always be there (except for Mt St. Helens) - if the weather turns bad, it gets too late, or you’re just too tired turn around. It is foolish to push yourself into harms way just to get to the top of a big rock.
9) Never leave the group and head off alone. The safe number to travel with is 3.
Hiking in the ADK is really fun and safe. You just need to use your head…” — My father sent me this email; he is concerned that I will be hiking with people that… aren’t so wise, to say the least. One of the things he speaks very intelligently about is camping/hiking/related.
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