Quote of the Day, May 15, 2013

Quote of the Day:
Happiness is not a reward — it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment — it is a result.
--Robert Green Ingersoll

Verse of the Day, May 15, 2013

Ecclesiastes 11:5“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

The Problem With Government Over-Spending

There is a serious problem with government over-spending, and it is wreaking havoc on our economy. Our country is so much in debt right now that soon the money we have personally saved will be either taxed very high, rendered useless, or probably even taken away from us completely. There are already massive tax hikes for businesses so the government can pay for some debts. This has caused some businesses to go under or not hire at all, which caused a poverty level all its own. Over the past four years, I have heard so much on the radio and the news about what our government spends our tax dollars on, and it is very shocking. If we weren’t so overly taxed, our economy would be so much better. People would more likely be working full-time instead of part-time. Those who work full-time help the economy because normally they have the income to spend on things besides necessities, compared to those who only work part-time who only have enough money to spend on necessities. There is obviously a government over-spending problem in our country. Even though some government spending is necessary to pay for infrastructure, the government needs to pay attention to what is going on in other countries and stop over-spending and let the American people decide where our tax dollars goes. Some of our government programs should also be cut out and an amendment needs to be placed to prevent government over-spending from happening again and to show the future generations that government over-spending just doesn’t work.

One problem with government over-spending is the fact that so many of our tax dollars is spent to fight poverty. Some programs designed to fight poverty are welfare, food stamps, and disability. Some people who get this aid don’t even need it and sometimes the case-workers will literally find ways around the system to get a person that aid. I used to work with a man who told me that DHS told him that they couldn’t help his disabled daughter currently unless she got pregnant; another person I knew was married to a truck driver, and she was told she didn’t have to claim her truck driver husband because he was never home and so his address was not hers when it really was. Her truck driver husband also made more than enough to support the two of them. So how is spending tax money to fight poverty a good thing when there are obviously people lying to get the benefits? Even though there are people who truly do need these benefits, spending money to fight poverty discourages more productive behavior. According to Daniel J. Mitchell, an economist, “Government spending encourages destructive behaviors…These welfare programs encourage people to choose leisure over work.” Just about anybody without any money can get welfare assistance, whether they are disabled or not.

Another problem with government over-spending is the fact that taxpayers are fronting the bill for several subsidy programs whether the taxpayers believe in the programs or not. “There’s a news story just about every day that explains the latest way our government has wasted money.” (Americans For Prosperity Foundation). In 2009 taxpayer dollars bailed out the car industry and the banking industry. The taxpayers have also paid for energy subsidy programs for General Electric to fund research for new energy technologies. During the recent presidential debates I have learned that taxpayers even pay for funding for PBS, even though PBS hosts telethons to raise money. I have also learned in my Art Appreciation class last fall that taxpayers also pay for an art festival in New York City, along with other art programs. It is also sometimes speculated that the United States Government has given so much aid to other countries, but sometimes those countries haven’t helped us out. Shouldn’t “We the people” decide if it’s a good idea to invest in such programs and not the government’s decision?

If the United States Government keeps over-spending, it will eventually lead to an economic meltdown. According to the Americans For Prosperity Foundation, “Politicians are running up a tab and it will soon be due…It’s irresponsible and will lead to serious consequences for the taxpayers…Instead of helping our economy and create jobs…Our congress has…saddled our children with debt and increased our daily cost of living.” They also stated that congress had to double income tax rates to pay for the country’s debts which created less take-home pay for the average worker…Congress has (also) failed to pass a federal budget and had to borrow money from households to pay for government over-spending. The private sector isn’t even confident enough to create new jobs and hire people because of this problem. According to columnist John Hawkins, taxes will skyrocket. Taxes will get so high that one’s “life savings will be reduced to nothing overnight” (Hawkins). Because of the debt problem, the United States government prints more and more money causing high inflation and making any money a person saved worthless. Hawkins also reports that “overtaxing the rich won’t even work, it never has. They have the resources to leave the country if they get overtaxed.” If the government over-spending problem gets worse, there might be some serious consequences. It has been reported that the country of Cyprus (near Greece) has already taken some money out of some of their citizens’ bank accounts to pay for that country’s debts. David McHugh, an Associated Press journalist, reports that “The country of Cyprus planned to take 10% of its citizens’ bank accounts to pay for the country’s debts…a person’s money is not safe in banks in Cyprus because the government may take it.” McHugh interviewed Louise Cooper, head of a financial research firm in London, who said that “Europeans now know that their savings accounts can now be used to bailout banks.” (McHugh). Rich Smith, a financial journalist has also reported that the country of Belize has asked its creditors to write off 45% of Belize’s debts. If Belize’s creditors write off those debts, the American peoples’ 401(k), pension plans, and stocks are at stake because such plans are also invested in countries with high debt percentages (Smith).

The biggest solution to the problem seems simple: politicians need to just stop over-spending. They need to agree to a balanced budget and cut out as much as possible. All un-necessary spending should be cut altogether. There was a time when people invested in ideas they personally believed in, and organizations they also believed in. However, these days it seems as if we are forced to invest or donate through taxes whether we agree with them or not.

When filing taxes each year, there should be a form to fill out that states what one wants their tax dollars to go to that year and how much. Taxes from that particular taxpayer will only go to those programs they choose. This would make taxpayers much happier because even though they’re paying taxes, at least the money is going to programs they agree with and nothing more. Eventually congress will see what taxpayers want their money to go toward and will cut aid for the programs that taxpayers don’t want money going toward.

Some government programs need to just be cut completely or just reformed. Some programs I personally fill should be cut or reformed are welfare, drug war, and illegal immigration programs. We throw so much money away on these programs, it’s laughable. The drug war is unwinnable. What is the point? Those who want the illegal substances still get them, and illegal immigrants find a way to get behind border patrol. If we would just build a fence that money spent on trying to control illegal immigration would eventually be saved. People also get welfare aid because they are lazy, and find ways to get it when they are physically able to work. These programs need to just be reformed or cut out. Funding for PBS, NPR, educational programs, and arts programs should also be cut out. Even though some of these programs are great, the American people should decide for themselves whether to donate to these organizations or not.

An amendment should also be placed in the United States Constitution that would show future generations that government over-spending does not work. This would be in the constitution to state that it was tried but didn’t work, just like the 21^st amendment was put in place to repeal the 18^th amendment on the ban of alcohol.

The government needs to quit over-spending before our country has a major financial meltdown. Bailout plans and stimulus packages are not the way to go, and just make the problem worse. Some government programs are necessary, but should just be reformed so that so much money won’t be spent on them. The government also needs to step back and create a balanced budget and quit over-spending and cut all un-necessary spending. They need to let the American people truly be the ones who decide what tax dollars go toward. Only then can the government over-spending problem truly be solved.

 

Works Cited:

Americans For Prosperity Foundation. Issues Spending Crisis. AFP, n.d. Web. 15Apr. 2013. <http://www.spendingcrisis.org/issues/>.

Hawkins, John. 5 Things That Will Happen To You When America Goes Bankrupt, Townhall.com, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/>.

McHugh, David. “Money in the bank not safe in Cyprus \ Broke government aims to tax deposits.” The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, IN) Mar. 19, 2013, 1A. NewsBank Access World News. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://docs.newsbank.com>.

Mitchell, Daniel J. “The Impact of Government Spending on Economic Growth.” The Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation, 15 Mar. 2005. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2005/03/the-impact-of-government-spending-on-economic-growth>.

Smith, Rich. “Which Country Goes Bankrupt Next?” Dailyfinance.com. Dailyfinance.com, 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.dailyfinance.com>.

Verse of the Day, Wednesday May 8, 2013

Colossians 4:5-6“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day, Wednesday May 8, 2013

Quote of the Day:
Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.
--General Omar Nelson Bradley

On School Shooters – The Huffington Post Doesn’t Want You To Read This | Peter Brown Hoffmeister

A friend shared this with me a few months ago and I just now finally read it.  Very interesting article and makes sense.  I like video games as well and I do know right from wrong, but do feel these violent kids should be shown the outdoors as well.

My junior year in high school, I was caught with a loaded, stolen handgun on school property at my school in East Tennessee.  Since the owner of the pistol didn’t want to press charges, I simply forfeited the handgun to the local sheriff’s deputy, then was promptly expelled from the school.  No arrest.  No counseling.  No follow-up.  I was never required to see a psychologist or explain my intentions.  This was 1994, long before the famous shootings at Thurston High School, Columbine, Red Lake, Aurora, Clackamas, and Newtown.

On School Shooters – The Huffington Post Doesn’t Want You To Read This | Peter Brown Hoffmeister

'Psylodelic' Museum Unearths Hippie Artifacts From Woodstock Era | Music News | Rolling Stone

This is an article someone shared with me.  I always enjoyed hippy pop culture and memorabilia.  This would be a great museum to check out.

A Haight-Ashbury Museum of Psychedelic Art and History is in development in San Francisco, but former Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen has beaten them to the idea. In June, Kaukonen will officially open the Psylodelic Museum, a collection of Haight-connected artifacts, at his Fur Peace Ranch in southeast Ohio.

'Psylodelic' Museum Unearths Hippie Artifacts From Woodstock Era | Music News | Rolling Stone

Quote of the Day, 4/3/2013

Quote of the Day:
Confidence and enthusiasm are the greatest sales producers in any kind of economy.
--O. B. Smith

Verse of the Day, 4/3/2013

Hebrews 12:2“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Was Deborah Tannen’s Essay Successful?

Deborah Tannen holds a Master of Arts degree and Philosophy Doctorate degree in Linguistics. She is also a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She wrote a very good essay that was published in “The Washington Post” in June 1990 entitled “Sex, Lies and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard For Men and Women to Talk to Each Other?” It is also featured in her book “You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation.” It is a very good essay explaining how differently men and women view communication. In conducting research for her work, she addressed a small women’s group where she noticed women complaining about their men not communicating well. This can wreak havoc on their relationships. She also refers to other research that has confirmed this to be true, as well. She also studied different relationships and how both genders acted among their peers of the same gender. Deborah Tannen is very successful establishing her arguments with her essay. She used strong external sources, she is unbiased to both men and women, and she also explained very well how different both men and women truly are.

One way Deborah Tannen is very successful establishing her arguments with her essay is because she uses strong external sources. In her essay she refers to the April 1990 issue of “American Psychologist” where Stanford University’s Eleanor Maccoby reported the results of her own and others’ research showing the development of children and their social structure and how the children tend to interact with other children of their own gender. The girls would create friendships by exchanging secrets to each other while the boys would create friendships by doing things together and not by talking. She also referred to Walter Ong’s book “Fighting For Life.” He pointed out in this book that men tend to use warlike formats to do almost anything which can cause discussion to become debate, making conversation a competitive sport. On the other hand, women would see conversation as a ritual means of establishing friendship. She also refers to Linguist Lynette Hirschman who has found that women make more listener noise than men do. Ms. Hirschman has found that men give more silent attention. Women would say things like “mhm,” “uhuh,” or “yea,” to show they are listening while men would just stay silent.

Another way Deborah Tannen was very successful establishing her arguments with her essay is because she was unbiased to both men and women. She didn’t show any favoritism to any particular gender. She also didn’t show any hatred to men for their lack of communication skills, and she didn’t show any hatred to women for their lacking to understand how men communicate. She explained how women view conversation compared to how men view conversation and that women should just be more understanding if their men won’t talk to them. She also explained that men should try different approaches to show that they are actually listening to their women. One particular incident she mentions was when one woman wanted to talk, her boyfriend would lie down and cover his face as if to take a nap. He explained it was so he can understand her better. Another time he tried this however, he went through that motion but after a while sat up to look at her instead.

The final reason Deborah Tannen was very successful establishing her arguments with her essay is because she explains very well the differences with men and with women from her own studies and research. She found that due to how it is for men growing up bonding with other boys, they don’t assume that talk is the cement that binds a relationship; therefore they don’t know what kind of talk their wives or girlfriends want. They also don’t miss talking when it’s not going on. She even addressed a small women’s group in Virginia where some women complained how their men don’t talk to them. One man in the group even looked at his wife and said that she was the talker in their family. In studying different people and couples, Deborah Tannen has found that even though men talk well in public situations, they don’t talk well at home. This is due in part to the different cultures in how men and women are growing up. She also studied videotapes of children and adults who were talking to their same-gender best friends. She found that at all ages, both girls and women would directly face each other and look at each other, while in contrast the men and boys of all ages would sit at angles, and would look elsewhere and only periodically looking at each other. She noted that the tendency of men looking away can give women the impression that men aren’t listening when they really are. Another incident she explained was with a group of 10^th graders. The 10^th grade boys would rarely look at each other and when talking about problems, they would dismiss each other’s problems. One boy was upset because a girl told him he had a drinking problem, but another boy told him it wasn’t a big deal because he thought he was funny drunk. When another boy felt alienated, another responded with “Why should you? You know more people than me.” The girls on the other hand took these responses as belittling and unsupportive even though the boys were satisfied with the responses. Women would reassure by stating, “You shouldn’t feel bad because I have had similar experiences.” A man’s reply would imply, “You shouldn’t feel bad because your problems aren’t so bad.”

Deborah Tannen did very well establishing her arguments in her essay “Sex, Lies, and Conversation.” These arguments have also been proven to be true. It does seem very difficult for men and women to communicate with one another and can wreak havoc on the relationship. In my own personal experiences with relationships, I have witnessed first-hand this difficulty. A man can say things one way, but it can become a battle with their significant other. Or a man won’t say anything at all because he won’t know how to respond and so his wife or girlfriend would than assume he’s trying to be unsupportive. He can also say certain things to be supportive, but she would take it the wrong way and then it becomes a fight. Both men and women need to learn to understand how different both genders are. Both genders need to learn how to communicate well and how to live well with each other. They also should learn how to understand one another. Only then can both get along very well in this crazy mixed up world we live in.

 

Works Cited:

Tannen, Deborah. “Sex, Lies, and Conversation: Why is it so hard for men and women to talk to each other?” Blueprints for Writing: Building Essays. Ed. Pam Mathis. Boston:Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2014. 329-334. Print

Verse of the Day, 3/17/2013

Psalm 23:1-3“A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day, 3/17/2013

Quote of the Day:
What single ability do we all have? The ability to change.
--George Leonard Andrews

Don’t Rely Exclusively On Computer Technology

I have been using computers ever since the fourth grade when the elementary school I was going to had us use Macintosh computers, and I did not know how to type until the seventh grade when I took a keyboarding class. Computer technology is a great tool because it makes life much easier and more efficient, but it has some negative side effects as well. People don’t use proper skills with the use of computer technology. They feel it’s not even necessary to have certain skills. Computer technology hinders the learning process because it makes everything people do much simpler. Computer technology does not allow people to use basic fundamentals that one should know, does not allow people to use proper social skills, and some teachers would let the computer do the teaching instead.

One way computer technology hinders the learning process is that computer technology does not allow people to use basic fundamentals that everybody should know. Computers give out the answers to problems quicker than the speed of light without having to do much thinking. One example is with the use of calculators. One can input math calculations and not learn basic math skills. When people use a calculator, they do not learn why the calculator came up with the answer. Due to this fact, stores close down when electricity goes out because cashiers don’t have basic adding and subtracting skills because they have not learned them. Additionally, GPSs are a very useful tool because they can easily help you navigate in unfamiliar places, however they aren’t always reliable. It might guide you off a cliff sometimes or make you take an illegal U-Turn like one made me do once when I was driving in Springfield, Missouri. One should still know how to read and understand a compass or a map. When I was in boy scouts, I was taught how to read a compass and how to find my way by the moss on the trees. I am not too sure what is taught in boy scouts anymore since I haven’t been in scouts since the seventh grade; however, to mark the boy scouts 100^th anniversary two years ago, there were some things mentioned on the news about the boy scouts. One was that they were teaching the kids how to use a GPS. The GPS is not a tool the scouts should be taught because they should be taught strictly survival skills. Additionally, word processing software is also a great tool to use, however people don’t learn proper penmanship, grammar or spelling skills using it. I personally never developed my penmanship skills and I do feel it is because I never was taught how, and I do get embarrassed at times about how bad my penmanship is. I am a decent speller, but when I make a spelling error my word processing software tells me, and if I make a grammatical error it tells me than as well. Another basic fundamental we should have that computer technology hinders the learning process of is research. With the invention of the search engine people don’t use proper research skills. One just types in the topic they are looking for and several links are than provided with their answer. I was taught how to use the Dewey decimal system and how to read a card catalog while I was in elementary school, so that I can find books in the library on any topic it had available. I was also taught how to find things in the dictionary or encyclopedia which also isn’t necessary to know with the search engine.

Another way computer technology hinders the learning process is it does not allow people to use proper social skills. While taking some online courses can be a good thing in this busy environment we live in, students don’t interact in person with other students or their teachers to learn the material. Sometimes all you will learn is what is mentioned in a book but you will not see how something is to be done. Another example is instead of calling or meeting other students or teachers, some students would much rather text or email their fellow students or teachers. While this is good so you can see what the other person is saying, you can’t read the other person’s emotions or see how the work is to be done. If technology were to fail, people should have a place to meet in person to communicate. Also, with the invention of the social network people have started developing fake identities and creating fake personalities. This can be positive on a creative scale, however if you’re doing this when you aren’t comfortable with yourself it can have a negative side effect. According to Sherry Tuckle’s essay, How Computers Changed The Way We Think “Information Technology has made it possible for lonely people who are afraid of intimacy to have the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.” I am more comfortable talking to people online than I am offline because I find it easier to talk to people through a computer than I do in person.

Finally, computer technology hinders the learning process because some teachers have grown accustomed to allowing the computer to do the teaching instead. One example is PowerPoint presentations. They are a wonderful tool but should be used sparingly. Elementary age kids are attracted to very neat things and therefore should not be shown PowerPoint at such a young age because of the bells and whistles the PowerPoint presentations have. During my first semester in college I had to make a PowerPoint presentation for the first time and I was amazed at all the different things you can put into them: videos, graphics, and audio included. I have also heard of some teachers who teach just by PowerPoint and for hands-on learners this is not good. I am a hands-on learner; I am also a visual learner. I have found that when I actually “do” the work I can learn better. Another example is online videos. Some teachers have gotten to where they show mainly online videos in their classrooms. This is a great tool but also should be used sparingly because of the students who learn hands-on. A final example is that some teachers don’t even teach at all and just give out the assignments and expect you to figure out how to do the work instead. This is a major downside to taking online courses. I took an online course last semester, and I took my time on the course. The required assignments were taken right out of the book. The book was interesting, and I learned a few things from reading it, however I don’t feel I learned anything extra by taking the class itself.

Computer technology is a great asset to mankind and it can be a great educational tool, however it does hinder the learning process and should be used wisely. People should use it as the helpful tool that it is but not let it control everything. People should still know and use the basic fundamentals and survival skills in case computer technology was to crash. Mankind also shouldn’t teach young children how useful computer technology is neither. When we do teach them we should also teach them that it shouldn’t be used exclusively and that we should still use our brains. People have taken computer technology for granted. One day the power will go out permanently and computer technology will crash. What will mankind do if that were to happen and we relied exclusively on computer technology?

Quote of the Day, 2/20/2013

Quote of the Day:
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
--Herman Melville

Verse of the Day, 2/20/2013

Proverbs 17:9“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Music Is Very Beneficial

Music and music history has been a major part of my life. I have been a closet musician myself, having been playing guitar since I was 10. I am not the greatest guitarist however, since I am only able to play one song by memory and can’t play lead scales. I am also an amateur musicologist. I enjoy reading books on music history, particularly 20^th century American music, and it remains my most favorite topic of discussion. Whether performing in a band or just listening to it, music can be a very beneficial activity to take part in because it is very healthy, it can teach one how to be a team player and can also teach about different cultures.

One way that music can be a beneficial activity is because it’s a very therapeutic and healthy activity. I was about 10 years old when I first got turned onto the power of music. I was a loner as a child because my classmates harassed me, which caused me to go through bouts of depression. Sometimes back then I had thoughts of suicide but it was the healing power of music that saved my life. If it weren’t for the lyrics of some songs I heard growing up, I don’t think I would be alive today. For example, “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton. This is a very sad song he written about his son which fell out of an apartment window in 1991. This song helped me feel better about my life because Eric lost a son, but I had not lost any family members at that point yet. I felt my life wasn’t as bad as it is for some others after hearing that song. Another example of what saved my life is any song by The Beatles. At 15 I was questioning constantly, “Why am I here,” and “What should I do with my life?” I saw the Beatles Anthology in 1995 on TV and thought it was very interesting and very informative. That is where my interest in music history started and I felt I needed to become a music historian, however it was never in my cards to go that route. I still like reading about music history and discussing it for fun, though. Music can ease pain, relieve stress and also improve overall well-being. According to Linda Wasmer Andrews, who is a health and mental health writer who has a degree in psychology, “There was a study done at Tzu Chi University in Taiwan. New nurses with high stress levels were randomly assigned to either listen to slow soothing music or just rest quietly. The ones listening to the slow soothing music reported feeling less stressed than the ones who chose to rest quietly.” She adds that they had lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormone levels. She even states in her article that music may even boost up one’s immune system. She said that a study on mice showed that the mice music was played for had an increase in cells compared to those that didn’t have music played for them. She also argues that listening to music can help encourage exercise, stating that it can motivate you to work out longer and harder. Music can also benefit spiritually and to do better at math, particularly fractions. In the words of local guitar broker and lead guitarist of the Harrison First Baptist Church Praise Team, Tut Campbell, “For the musician himself, the emotion of the song can allow him or her to develop feelings of happiness or sadness and can be an outlet for one’s spirit and soul as well.” He also adds that a 4/4 time signature song can have the basic quarter notes, half notes and whole notes as well as eighth notes and sixteenth notes that make up a measure of music in 4/4 time. Therefore, music has many health benefits. If one listens or plays music, they can be more relaxed and less stressed and will feel very healthy. It can also be great for you spiritually and mathematically.

Another way music can be a very beneficial activity is as a musician, one can learn how to be a team player. As a band member, one has to work with their band mates to make sure everyone is on the same page, and make sure the song sounds well. They can be in the studio all day with their band mates to make sure the recordings are perfect, so each band member should put their egos aside and be team players and work together. This is sometimes very difficult however, because everyone has their own creative ideas. If everyone in a band can get along well, they can work together better and there music would probably sound even better and would help them in the future if they ever needed to find a job where they had to be a team player. Team players usually get more respect compared to those that aren’t. If we are not team players, how are we able to get along with everyone who wants things done a certain way? For a peaceful environment, one needs to be able to agree to disagree. We don’t have to agree with what is to be done, but in order to get along with everyone, we should do it anyway. This will keep everything flowing more smoothly.

Learning about different cultures is another way music is a very beneficial activity. Listening to blues music from the Mississippi Delta can teach about what it was like living in the rural south in the early 1900s. Robert Johnson lived in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which is known as ground zero of blues history. When he started playing guitar at the juke-joints he wasn’t any good, and it is rumored that he met the devil at the crossroads of highway 61 and highway 49 there one night. He supposedly sold his soul to play well, which is the topic of his song “Cross Road Blues.” Cream, with Eric Clapton singing lead, later covered this song as “Crossroads” in 1968. Robert Johnson died in 1938 at the age of 27. Since he was a womanizer, a girl’s jealous boyfriend poisoned him. Jimmy Reed is another great example of how blues music can teach how it was in early 1900s rural south. Jimmy Reed was so drunk, that his mother had to be at the recording sessions, and sing the songs in his ear for him to know the next line, even though he wrote the songs. Some of his greatest works are “Big Boss Man,” “Bright Lights, Big City,” and “Baby, What You Want Me To Do.” Songs from the 1960s can teach about the counterculture of the hippies and the antiwar movement. Buffalo Springfield put out a great song that remains to this day as one of the leading anti-war songs. It was called “For What It’s Worth (Stop Hey, What’s That Sound),” which was about people protesting in the streets and being against the Vietnam War. Bob Dylan also put out a song called “The Times, They Are A Changin’,” that was a great song expressing how he felt about how quickly history was changing in 1963. Another great example of his songs is “Like A Rolling Stone,” where he expressed about how a lot of people of the baby-boom generation were on their own with their views, and ending up living on their own because of it, and didn’t get much support from their parents also. Even though some people do not agree with rap music, it can teach what it’s like living in the ghettos of America. “Straight Outta Compton” by NWA, Dr. Dre’s “Nothin’ But A G Thang,” or Ice Cube’s “Today Was A Good Day” are great examples of this. These songs express the artists’ feelings about police brutality, how hard life can be in the ghetto, and what the party scene is like there.

Music is definitely a very beneficial and rewarding activity to be involved in. I do not know how people would survive without it. I personally feel that it can save lives and can teach things. It can make one a much healthier person, teach how to be a team player, teach about the different cultures, and also help people feel more relaxed and less stressed. Because of its many benefits, I would invite everyone to have an open mind to it and just try and give every genre of music a chance, and I would also invite everyone to give every musical instrument a chance as well.

 

This is an original article I wrote for my English Comp I class but here are the works I cited:

Andrews, Linda Wasmer. “5 Health Benefits of Music.” Yahoo! Health. Yahoo, 27 Apr. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://health.yahoo.net/experts/allinyourmind/5-health-benefits-music>.

Campbell, Tut. E-Mail interview. 17 Feb. 2013

Can't even relax with all this technology

I recently got my first smartphone. I can now be updated on stuff i have on ebay, check my email &amp; get Facebook email amp; messages without going to the sites. Don't even need to open the apps on the phone!!! I can even let you know my current location and upload my work for you all to enjoy much faster now!! Unbelievable!!!

Quote of the Day, 2/13/2013

Quote of the Day:
False freedom leaves a man free to do what he likes; true freedom, to do what he ought.
--Anonymous

Verse of the Day, 2/13/2013

John 13:34-35““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

My Love For Films

Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed watching films and became interested in filmmaking. I believe this helped me become the creative individual I am today. My love for watching films and my interest in filmmaking had been influenced by some of my relatives including my mom, dad and my grandmother. If it weren’t for these three individuals in my life, I don’t think I would have been turned onto films like Star Wars and Back To The Future, which have always inspired me. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are two directors I have always enjoyed. I have also enjoyed films directed by Robert Zemekis, Ron Howard and John Hughes.

The one who had influenced my love for films and interest in filmmaking the most was my mom. On weekends she would rent or buy movies for our family to watch and we would have a movie marathon over the weekend watching them. There have been several movies I have seen because of these marathons. The first movie I remember her renting that inspired me was Back To The Future. The storyline of the film and the visual effects amazed me, and it got me interested in the concept of time travel. It made me want to see other films that Robert Zemekis directed. One Robert Zemekis film my mom bought that I really enjoyed was Who Framed Roger Rabbit? When I saw that Steven Spielberg played a role in the making of Back To The Future, it got me interested in his films also. When I heard he was close friends with George Lucas, it got me interested in his films as well. Sometimes, we would also watch movies on TV together. Star Wars was one of those movies on TV. My mom also bought a camcorder from sears around 1992 that was a bit big and bulky and recorded on video tape. Although it was her camcorder, and she used it most of the time, she would allow me to use it to film several family outings. I remember using it several times, especially to film our family while we were at Disney Land one year. She also let me use it to film camping trips and other family events. I took a course in junior high that helped develop my skills using a camcorder, and mom influenced me even more when she allowed me to use her camcorder to do various creative things for the class. When I bought my own camcorder in 2000, she took me to Branson and I shot video of various things there.

Additionally, my dad influenced my love for films and filmmaking. He may have not encouraged me to make my own films as much as my mom has, but little did he know that when he took my brothers and I to the movie theater several times he was actually encouraging me. The movies he took us to see really opened up my imagination and my creativity. One film he took us to in particular was Honey I Shrunk The Kids. Even though the story was kind of corny, it made me interested in wanting to see other films Rick Moranis was in. It also made me a fan of other Disney films of the time. Also one night, my dad took me to see Home Alone while it was playing at the drive-in. Even though it was his biggest hit, it made me want see other films Macauley Culkin was in. It also made me a fan of films directed by John Hughes. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of my most favorite films he directed. Young Guns 2 was on after Home Alone, and I was able to watch a little bit of it, but unfortunately I fell asleep through most of it while dad watched it.

My grandmother also helped influence my love for films and filmmaking. When I was in high school I wrote a screenplay that she read and enjoyed, and told me that if I wanted to make films and write as a career, that I should go to school for it. Looking back, I wish I had went to school for it, but unfortunately I never did. When I was younger, she took my family to see Jurassic Park while it was in theaters; I just thought the visual effects of that film were amazing. It got me even more interested in Steven Spielberg’s films. I wanted to see Schindler’s List in theaters, but I was too young to see it; However, I was able to see it when one of my teachers in junior high brought it into class for us to watch. My grandmother also took my cousins, aunt and I to see Forrest Gump in theaters. Even though at that time I didn’t understand most of the historical references mentioned in the film, I did enjoy it very much, and it made me interested in other films Tom Hanks was in. It also made me even more of a fan of Robert Zemekis’ films. I also remember watching Apollo 13 with my grandmother but I can’t remember if it was at her house or at the theater. I sat and watched it and I really enjoyed it. It made me a fan of Ron Howard’s directing style. Watching this film had helped fuel an interest I have in NASA and space history. It made me even more of a fan of Tom Hanks.

Recently, I acquired a digital camcorder. I can plug it into my computer and download shots from the camcorder to the computer and piece them all together. I can also add music like they do with real Hollywood films. It is probably the coolest device I ever owned. If it wasn’t for my relatives turning me onto films and the interest of filmmaking, I don’t think that I would have seen some of the movies that have made a major impact on my life. These movies have sparked my imagination and creativity and made me have an interest in making my own films someday. They also helped spark my desire to want to write and make me the creative individual that I am today.