“Today is gunna be the day when their gunna throw it back to you. By now you shoulda somehow realized what you’re gunna do. I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now.” Those are some of the lyrics to my favorite Oasis song, “Wonderwall.” I’ve really been on a 90s music kick. It’s great. I get that awesome, slightly sad, but nonetheless awesome nostalgic feeling that comes with thinking about days gone past. It’s truly beautiful.
I realize that my blogs have had no purpose lately, but I like to write about nothing. It makes me feel like Larry David, the co-creator of Seinfeld. That’s not true at all, but it sounds good. This weekend was ridunk. SO MUCH WORK!! It’s done now, but I’ve spent all day studying for a calculus test. Actually, as soon as I’m done with this, I’m going to finish studying.
So, who is happy about the fast approaching end of the year? I can definitely say that I am. It’s not as though I dislike school. It’s just that I like sleep more. Plus I’m super pumped about next year. My schedule is so easy and I’m still taking all the required classes. It does seem a little soon to be ending my senior year, but what are you going to do?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Weekends
I’m sitting here listening to the band, Lit, and their song “My Own Worst Enemy,” but I can’t really think of anything to write. It’s been a very hectic week. It is really going to be a hectic weekend. I have two big things to do. I have to study for a big calculus test and write a lab report for engineering. Neither will be that hard, hopefully, but they will both be rather time consuming, and that’s the real bitch of it. I like to be lazy on the weekends. Oh well. Sometime this weekend, I have to wash my car and take care of my mom’s lawn. I also have to finish a lab for Chem II.
Really the only thing that I am looking forward to is going on a date tonight. My girlfriend and I made a bet. If I won, she’d cook something for me. If she won, I had to take her out to dinner and a movie. It’s fine either way, but I hate losing. At least this isn’t much of a punishment. Unfortunately, we have to go see 21. Generally I like movies with numbers as titles. I love Seven and The Number 23 wasn’t too bad, but this looks like an Italian Job, but without the action. At least there is Kevin Spacey. He’s a great actor.
Really the only thing that I am looking forward to is going on a date tonight. My girlfriend and I made a bet. If I won, she’d cook something for me. If she won, I had to take her out to dinner and a movie. It’s fine either way, but I hate losing. At least this isn’t much of a punishment. Unfortunately, we have to go see 21. Generally I like movies with numbers as titles. I love Seven and The Number 23 wasn’t too bad, but this looks like an Italian Job, but without the action. At least there is Kevin Spacey. He’s a great actor.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Final outside event
Christine Kenneally
This woman was really cool. She is a native of Melbourne, Australia. She wrote about the evolution of language. In her readings, she compared the evolution of language to the evolution of the ichthyosaur. It was once small and unimpressive, but it grew into a behemoth of a creature. She came off as being very heartfelt about her chosen expertise. The effect rubbed off. For a little while, I actually cared about the evolution of language.
So, dolphins are really cool. They have the ability to mimic responses. As we know, mimicry is the first step in the learning process. They also possess the ability to generalize.
The last thing is that the alarm call are not considered to be a language.
By the way. That accent is HOTT!!
Joshua Prager
He is a new writer from New York, NY. He periodically writes for the Wall Street Journal. His work tends to focus mainly on lives that turned in one instant, secrets that have been revealed, or well known things.
His latest work focuses on the 1951 National League Pennant game. This game is often referenced in the collective American Memory. It is the only constant. This book exposes the fact that the Giants actually cheated in order to win the game. It was the best kept secret in sports.
Stacy Sullivan
She seemed to be the most down to earth of all three of the writers. However, she had the coolest topic.
Her book focused on an ethnic Albanian living as a roofer in Brooklyn. He supplied the Albanians of Kosovo with armor, weapons, and other stuff to aid in their resistance against the Serbians. Floren is the man’s name. Unfortunately his cousin, one of the founders of the KLA, the Kosovo Liberation Army, died shortly after the resistance started. More than 30,000 people showed up to his funeral. He became the “poster-child” for the KLA.
This woman was really cool. She is a native of Melbourne, Australia. She wrote about the evolution of language. In her readings, she compared the evolution of language to the evolution of the ichthyosaur. It was once small and unimpressive, but it grew into a behemoth of a creature. She came off as being very heartfelt about her chosen expertise. The effect rubbed off. For a little while, I actually cared about the evolution of language.
So, dolphins are really cool. They have the ability to mimic responses. As we know, mimicry is the first step in the learning process. They also possess the ability to generalize.
The last thing is that the alarm call are not considered to be a language.
By the way. That accent is HOTT!!
Joshua Prager
He is a new writer from New York, NY. He periodically writes for the Wall Street Journal. His work tends to focus mainly on lives that turned in one instant, secrets that have been revealed, or well known things.
His latest work focuses on the 1951 National League Pennant game. This game is often referenced in the collective American Memory. It is the only constant. This book exposes the fact that the Giants actually cheated in order to win the game. It was the best kept secret in sports.
Stacy Sullivan
She seemed to be the most down to earth of all three of the writers. However, she had the coolest topic.
Her book focused on an ethnic Albanian living as a roofer in Brooklyn. He supplied the Albanians of Kosovo with armor, weapons, and other stuff to aid in their resistance against the Serbians. Floren is the man’s name. Unfortunately his cousin, one of the founders of the KLA, the Kosovo Liberation Army, died shortly after the resistance started. More than 30,000 people showed up to his funeral. He became the “poster-child” for the KLA.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Choices made
Two boys stood on the hot tar roof. One of them begging “Please don’t. You don’t have to do this. You don’t hav---” He fell silent. It was futile to argue and he knew it. That’s how it was here. One day you could be carefree and the next, you could have a gun in your face.
The sound of the Glock 9mm cut through air. Once. Twice. Three times it rang. Blood pooled around the dead boys face and torso. Just another life cut short.
A gun dropped and a boy ran, fearing the police and the obvious ramifications that were to come. He had killed a person. What was he to do? Why did he do it? What was he going to do now? He ran home, packed some stuff (clothes mostly). Where was he going to go? He didn’t know.
In his confusion, he had forgotten all about the gun. He had a rap sheet. It was mostly for small things. Graffiti here. Assault there. Harassing an officer of the law. Breaking and entering. These were crimes, yes, but none were murder. Regardless, his finger prints were in the system.
The police arrived less than ten minutes after the incident on the roof. A gun lay in the pooling blood.
Two lives thrown away.
The sound of the Glock 9mm cut through air. Once. Twice. Three times it rang. Blood pooled around the dead boys face and torso. Just another life cut short.
A gun dropped and a boy ran, fearing the police and the obvious ramifications that were to come. He had killed a person. What was he to do? Why did he do it? What was he going to do now? He ran home, packed some stuff (clothes mostly). Where was he going to go? He didn’t know.
In his confusion, he had forgotten all about the gun. He had a rap sheet. It was mostly for small things. Graffiti here. Assault there. Harassing an officer of the law. Breaking and entering. These were crimes, yes, but none were murder. Regardless, his finger prints were in the system.
The police arrived less than ten minutes after the incident on the roof. A gun lay in the pooling blood.
Two lives thrown away.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Ryan is tired
What a day! English was cool. Math was cool. I definitely skipped that stupid UNHP class. So, basically everything was good until chemistry. I definitely thought that I was prepared for an extra credit quiz in there. I made a 15 out of 25 on it, but that 25 sounds so much better. At least I have a B in the class now. All I have to do is keep it like that.
Before I went to chemistry, I began my part three for English. It’s hard to give a good argument when you can’t give examples of how it is better elsewhere. Oh well, I’ll get it done somehow. However, I am going to blame Wendy for my grade on that quiz. Thanks a lot Wendy. I’m not serious, but still.
I just have to really strain and keep my grade in Calculus and my grade in chemistry up. Hopefully, my other grades don’t suffer. I really need to actually keep my scholarships.
My Thursday is going to be insanely busy. After I get out of chemistry I have to race over to the reading for English. No offense or anything, but I’m not really looking forward to it at all. I just have so much to do and so little time to do it.
216 words
Before I went to chemistry, I began my part three for English. It’s hard to give a good argument when you can’t give examples of how it is better elsewhere. Oh well, I’ll get it done somehow. However, I am going to blame Wendy for my grade on that quiz. Thanks a lot Wendy. I’m not serious, but still.
I just have to really strain and keep my grade in Calculus and my grade in chemistry up. Hopefully, my other grades don’t suffer. I really need to actually keep my scholarships.
My Thursday is going to be insanely busy. After I get out of chemistry I have to race over to the reading for English. No offense or anything, but I’m not really looking forward to it at all. I just have so much to do and so little time to do it.
216 words
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Deepest Cut
Did anyone else read the article that Wendy posted on the 1020? It is one of the most interesting things that I have ever read and I've read quite a lot. It is about the medical procedure known as a hemispherectomy. This is where one of the hemispheres of the brain is completely or mostly removed. Apparently if one side of the brain is taken out in one sitting (such as a fourteen hour surgery), the other half of the brain, with time, takes over most of the processes that the removed hemisphere controlled.
Besides giving recent examples, it talks about the history of this radical surgery. The first one was preformed on a dog way back in the 1800s. The dog recovered fully and exhibited only slight mental retardation. I guess that means he was more playful or something. I dunno.
Wendy's link said that the woman who wrote this article is being sued. I don't know what for. It seems like it was just an article about how cool the brain is. I'm sure that Wendy will talk more about that in class.
I hate to change the topic, but Herenton needs to make up his damn mind. I don't think that he should be able to renig on his resignation. Give him the damn schoolboard. It's already F.U.B.A.R. It can't get any worse. We need to turn this city around and we can't do that while he remains in office.
Besides giving recent examples, it talks about the history of this radical surgery. The first one was preformed on a dog way back in the 1800s. The dog recovered fully and exhibited only slight mental retardation. I guess that means he was more playful or something. I dunno.
Wendy's link said that the woman who wrote this article is being sued. I don't know what for. It seems like it was just an article about how cool the brain is. I'm sure that Wendy will talk more about that in class.
I hate to change the topic, but Herenton needs to make up his damn mind. I don't think that he should be able to renig on his resignation. Give him the damn schoolboard. It's already F.U.B.A.R. It can't get any worse. We need to turn this city around and we can't do that while he remains in office.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Outside Event No. 3
Today i went to hear Mrs. Irma Russell speak. She is an environmental activist from the University of Tulsa.
I must say that she is a very nice woman, but she has a tendency to rant a lot. Her powerpoint was not working properly. Consequently, she had to wing it. As a result, the discussion veered off into several directions, namely toward the different definition of rhetoric.
I do feel that i gained something though. She proposed the statement that it is impossible to truly know everything about anything. This is undeniably a true statement. If you try to learn everything then you end up wasting all of your time thinking and none of it acting. So, nothing gets done.
The conversation finally turned back to the environment. We discussed sustainability, which is, in this topic at least, the ability to sustain life. Companies are now preaching this term to try and stay afloat in this dog eat dog world.
She then used a term which I was not familiar with: intergenerational equity. This term was defined by Mrs. Russell as preseving this world for our progeny. It's a beautiful term and should be used quite a bit more in the world when talking about our environment.
I must say that she is a very nice woman, but she has a tendency to rant a lot. Her powerpoint was not working properly. Consequently, she had to wing it. As a result, the discussion veered off into several directions, namely toward the different definition of rhetoric.
I do feel that i gained something though. She proposed the statement that it is impossible to truly know everything about anything. This is undeniably a true statement. If you try to learn everything then you end up wasting all of your time thinking and none of it acting. So, nothing gets done.
The conversation finally turned back to the environment. We discussed sustainability, which is, in this topic at least, the ability to sustain life. Companies are now preaching this term to try and stay afloat in this dog eat dog world.
She then used a term which I was not familiar with: intergenerational equity. This term was defined by Mrs. Russell as preseving this world for our progeny. It's a beautiful term and should be used quite a bit more in the world when talking about our environment.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
We the People...
Today has actually been a great day (one of the few this semester). I actually woke up on time this morning so I wasn’t in a terrible rush. Then I got to English class and got to be vice president. I must say that Yasir and I presented ourselves quite well…even with that China comment. Anyway, Taylor’s group did pretty well also. April did okay for a little while until she was talked into a corner. However, I must say that Krystal did pretty bad. It’s unfortunate really, but it’s true. Then there was the press core. They all did pretty good except for one…you know who it is if you were in the class. This was another great exercise presented by Wendy. I’ve never had such an interactive class.
Besides the fact that it was fun, it was also a learning experience. The goal, in my opinion at least, was to teach us how to connect two arguments. It also taught us, well some of us, how to defend and tear down an argument. It is actually really helpful when you get thrust right into the midst of an argument, especially when someone tell you which position to defend.
Besides the fact that it was fun, it was also a learning experience. The goal, in my opinion at least, was to teach us how to connect two arguments. It also taught us, well some of us, how to defend and tear down an argument. It is actually really helpful when you get thrust right into the midst of an argument, especially when someone tell you which position to defend.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Outside Event No. 2
It’s so weird to think of Floyd Skloot as having severe brain damage. He is so articulate when he speaks. It does become slightly more obvious as he answers questions with longer and longer answers. He answers the questions well, but does not seem to recollect exactly what the question is.
His writing process, so he says, has changed somewhat since his illness. He now carries a notepad around with him wherever he goes because he will not remember what he wants to write otherwise. Also, he has slowed down when he writes. It’s not just about getting the work published anymore, it’s about getting “good” work published. This is better in a way. He may not make as much off of his writings, but he seems very fulfilled when he talks of the more recent works that he has written. He even has people proofread his work now. Nothing leaves the house without his wife’s seal of approval.
Though he has become somewhat of a spokesperson for traumatic brain injuries, this was never his goal. He was thrust into the position when he wrote a book detailing his own experiences. It inspired people to work through their disability.
I really wish that I could’ve gone to his reading or even just stayed a little while longer for his interview, but class and drunk friends come first, I guess.
His writing process, so he says, has changed somewhat since his illness. He now carries a notepad around with him wherever he goes because he will not remember what he wants to write otherwise. Also, he has slowed down when he writes. It’s not just about getting the work published anymore, it’s about getting “good” work published. This is better in a way. He may not make as much off of his writings, but he seems very fulfilled when he talks of the more recent works that he has written. He even has people proofread his work now. Nothing leaves the house without his wife’s seal of approval.
Though he has become somewhat of a spokesperson for traumatic brain injuries, this was never his goal. He was thrust into the position when he wrote a book detailing his own experiences. It inspired people to work through their disability.
I really wish that I could’ve gone to his reading or even just stayed a little while longer for his interview, but class and drunk friends come first, I guess.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
DEBATES DEBATES DEBATES
Class was quite interesting today. WE GOT TO DEBATE! I absolutely love to argue, so when the assignment is to simply state and defend an argument, I’m all over that. I thought that the other two teams that were arguing didn’t really have all that much to say. They just had a lot of fluff. I shouldn’t say that about both teams. The team that put forth the argument did not seem to plan very well. The group tearing their argument apart did an excellent job.
As for me and my group, I thought we did pretty good. We defended ourselves relatively well even despite the fact that the team against us got us off subject a few times. They were holding their own until I mentioned the piss-poor graduation rate at Bartlett High School.
All in all, I’d say that the experience was a good one. I would really like it if we could repeat the assignment again sometime. It sort of breaks up the monotony of the day.
I hope that I am not the only one who held this opinion. After all, it would be nice to have a debate every once in a while, even if it’s just to let off a little steam. The best part about this whole thing is the fact that it can’t end in a fist fight like so many other arguments.
As for me and my group, I thought we did pretty good. We defended ourselves relatively well even despite the fact that the team against us got us off subject a few times. They were holding their own until I mentioned the piss-poor graduation rate at Bartlett High School.
All in all, I’d say that the experience was a good one. I would really like it if we could repeat the assignment again sometime. It sort of breaks up the monotony of the day.
I hope that I am not the only one who held this opinion. After all, it would be nice to have a debate every once in a while, even if it’s just to let off a little steam. The best part about this whole thing is the fact that it can’t end in a fist fight like so many other arguments.
Monday, March 17, 2008
HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!
I hope that everyone out there has a happy and a safe St. Patty's Day. As for myself, I will be having a sober one.
There is nothing as great as having an Irish heritage. Take it from me. There's the rich background, the history, and the awesome accent (which I fake very well). However, there is nothing as awkward as being Irish and not drinking. Think about it. The Irish are known as being drunkards. They have a history of drunken rages and random fights.
I don't drink. It's true that I feel left out at a party or on a day like today, but I have a long history of alcoholism in my family. Basically, I am scared that I will like the booze just a little too much if you know what I mean. I have had alcohol, but I have never been "drunk". I've watched drunk people. They look like they are having fun, but they never seem to realize how stupid they are being. People are laughing at them.
The things that keeps me from drinking the most is the thought of ending up like my uncle. He drinks and drinks and drinks. he does awful things and then he refuses to take any sort of responsibility for them. Anyone who has put his family through as much grief as he has isn't really worth thinking about. I would really hate to be like that. He's probably getting loaded right now.
That's enough of my shitty family. I hope that you all have a happy St. Patrick's Day. Hopefully, you don't party too hard (especially you, Wendy).
There is nothing as great as having an Irish heritage. Take it from me. There's the rich background, the history, and the awesome accent (which I fake very well). However, there is nothing as awkward as being Irish and not drinking. Think about it. The Irish are known as being drunkards. They have a history of drunken rages and random fights.
I don't drink. It's true that I feel left out at a party or on a day like today, but I have a long history of alcoholism in my family. Basically, I am scared that I will like the booze just a little too much if you know what I mean. I have had alcohol, but I have never been "drunk". I've watched drunk people. They look like they are having fun, but they never seem to realize how stupid they are being. People are laughing at them.
The things that keeps me from drinking the most is the thought of ending up like my uncle. He drinks and drinks and drinks. he does awful things and then he refuses to take any sort of responsibility for them. Anyone who has put his family through as much grief as he has isn't really worth thinking about. I would really hate to be like that. He's probably getting loaded right now.
That's enough of my shitty family. I hope that you all have a happy St. Patrick's Day. Hopefully, you don't party too hard (especially you, Wendy).
Friday, March 14, 2008
Outside Event No. 1
Today I had the privilege of getting to see Andrew Couch speak. Going in, I expected that he would be some droning old man. What I got was an intellectual, charismatic, and somewhat quirky man, who drives a ’96 Nissan, which he lovingly named “Terdlet.” Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Andrew is a member an, from what I can tell, the primary spokesperson for the West Tennessee Clean Cities Coalition. Their main goal is to spread knowledge about alternative fuels and their uses. They track legislative activity, provide grant assistance, help market development, help develop alternative fuel gas stations, and provide education about alternative fuels.
Though the coalition began in fuels, they have since moved on to stationary energy. This involves different building structures and different thought processes when it comes to structural development.
They have plenty of sponsors. As Andrew put it “ We’ll take money from anyone.” This may seem somewhat greedy, but certain sacrifices must be made when things are changing. If a petroleum company wants to fund something that could potentially put them out of business, then so be it.
People need to realize that there is an actual problem with the current way that things are run. Biodiesel is in its beginning stages and is receiving a lot of criticism, but, as Andrew pointed out, so did the computer. Don’t count it out just yet.
Andrew is a member an, from what I can tell, the primary spokesperson for the West Tennessee Clean Cities Coalition. Their main goal is to spread knowledge about alternative fuels and their uses. They track legislative activity, provide grant assistance, help market development, help develop alternative fuel gas stations, and provide education about alternative fuels.
Though the coalition began in fuels, they have since moved on to stationary energy. This involves different building structures and different thought processes when it comes to structural development.
They have plenty of sponsors. As Andrew put it “ We’ll take money from anyone.” This may seem somewhat greedy, but certain sacrifices must be made when things are changing. If a petroleum company wants to fund something that could potentially put them out of business, then so be it.
People need to realize that there is an actual problem with the current way that things are run. Biodiesel is in its beginning stages and is receiving a lot of criticism, but, as Andrew pointed out, so did the computer. Don’t count it out just yet.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Help me, please. I'm spent.
For anyone who is wondering whether or not Jeff got into Stanford, or any other school for that matter, the decision is up to you. I honestly didn't know how to complete that story so I decided that it should be like a cliffhanger on the last episode of a show that got cancelled. However you want to finish the story is up to you. It's like one of those books where you can choos a different ending based on what page you flip to.
I am sorry to say that my creative muse has left me somewhat wanting today. It really sucks because I feel like writing something amazing, but there is absolutely nothing that springs to mind. The worse part is that my day was uneventful, so there is nothing interesting to talk about on that topic either.
I have an idea. Why don't some of you send me a comment or something that gives me a story idea. That way I'll have something to write about and you'll get to fell like part of an actual writing brainstorm session. I would really like to getb some of your ideas. It doesn't have to be anything fictional. You could ask for advice. You could give a subject for debate. Criticism works too of course, but I have to warn you. When it comes to my fiction writing i don't really take any sort of criticism to heart. if you don't like it don't read it.
I am sorry to say that my creative muse has left me somewhat wanting today. It really sucks because I feel like writing something amazing, but there is absolutely nothing that springs to mind. The worse part is that my day was uneventful, so there is nothing interesting to talk about on that topic either.
I have an idea. Why don't some of you send me a comment or something that gives me a story idea. That way I'll have something to write about and you'll get to fell like part of an actual writing brainstorm session. I would really like to getb some of your ideas. It doesn't have to be anything fictional. You could ask for advice. You could give a subject for debate. Criticism works too of course, but I have to warn you. When it comes to my fiction writing i don't really take any sort of criticism to heart. if you don't like it don't read it.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Baseball in the Park
Today was awesome. I went to the park today. It wasn't for a workout or a run or anything like that. I went there with a friend and played baseball. Well, actually we just threw it around, but it was still fun. Both of us used to play when we were younger. I quit when I was around ten and he quit when he was like fourteen. He was a pitcher so he kept wanting to throw fastballs to me. I declined when he asked, but he sneaked a few in there. Needless to say that my hand hurt pretty bad.
As for myself; I played outfield for the most part. It's been so long since I played that i had trouble getting the distance at first, but it got there. My elbow started to hurt a little, but if you have ever played baseball after any sort of hiatus, then you know what that's like.
It brought back some really good memories and made me wish that I hadn't ever quit. Hindsight's 20/20 I guess. I love that nostalgic feeling. It seems like I'm too young to feel nostalgia, but hey, it is what it is.
As for myself; I played outfield for the most part. It's been so long since I played that i had trouble getting the distance at first, but it got there. My elbow started to hurt a little, but if you have ever played baseball after any sort of hiatus, then you know what that's like.
It brought back some really good memories and made me wish that I hadn't ever quit. Hindsight's 20/20 I guess. I love that nostalgic feeling. It seems like I'm too young to feel nostalgia, but hey, it is what it is.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Oh, High School!
It was his senior year. It was almost over. FINALLY! Jeff had waited so long to get out of the placidity that was his hometown and get off to college. He had made sure that he could get as far away as possible by assuring his place as valedictorian, by trying for all the scholarships he could, and by applying to every major school in America. He had the all: Harvard, Penn State, Boston University, and Stanford. He had also applied to state as a safety school.
Weeks passed and graduation was over with and done. Jeff had delivered a wonderful speech which received a somewhat unusual standing ovation. Letters from most the different schools had come through his mail slot. All of them were unopened. Jeff decided that he wanted a sort of ceremony in which he would open all of them at once and celebrate. This way all of the joy would flood him at once. Then the day arrived. His letter from Penn State arrived. This completed his collection. He and his parents sat down in the living room. They were all quite unprepared for what was to come.
Denied. Rejected. Not what we are looking for. We regret to in form you…Accepted…to State. Jeff thought he was about to cry. His whole life had depended on what was in those letters. There must have been some sort of mistake. He bolted out of the house and toward his school. “The faculty was still on hand, right,” Jeff thought as he ran. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn’t hear the truck coming right at him as he crossed the road. By the time he looked up, it was too late and…
Jeff awoke in a cold sweat. Had it all been just a dream? The relief was like a hundred pound weight being pulled off his chest. He looked at the calendar. It was the last weekend before graduation. He got dressed and ran downstairs. A letter from Stanford had come for him. He opened it… … …
Weeks passed and graduation was over with and done. Jeff had delivered a wonderful speech which received a somewhat unusual standing ovation. Letters from most the different schools had come through his mail slot. All of them were unopened. Jeff decided that he wanted a sort of ceremony in which he would open all of them at once and celebrate. This way all of the joy would flood him at once. Then the day arrived. His letter from Penn State arrived. This completed his collection. He and his parents sat down in the living room. They were all quite unprepared for what was to come.
Denied. Rejected. Not what we are looking for. We regret to in form you…Accepted…to State. Jeff thought he was about to cry. His whole life had depended on what was in those letters. There must have been some sort of mistake. He bolted out of the house and toward his school. “The faculty was still on hand, right,” Jeff thought as he ran. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn’t hear the truck coming right at him as he crossed the road. By the time he looked up, it was too late and…
Jeff awoke in a cold sweat. Had it all been just a dream? The relief was like a hundred pound weight being pulled off his chest. He looked at the calendar. It was the last weekend before graduation. He got dressed and ran downstairs. A letter from Stanford had come for him. He opened it… … …
Monday, March 10, 2008
Spring Break: Part Deux
Have you ever noticed that Americans are geared towards being lazy? It seems like everything is made too easy. Have you ever looked at an alarm clock? The biggest button on the damn thing is the snooze button. You set the alarm for the time that you want it. Why not just get up at that time? Or how about this. You could set the alarm for the time that the snooze goes off at. There is no point in getting up just to go back to sleep.
Now that that little rant is over, I can tell you about my spring break. It was actually pretty uneventful for the most part. I went to McMinnville to visit my cousin who goes to school out that way. It was pretty cool. We took a tour of Cumberland Caverns, hiked a mountain and just hung out in general. It was nice to catch up since we hadn't really hung out in about a year. So, yeah that was nice. The rest of the break was spent trying to catch up on exercise and with friends. Very little homework was done, save for the English stuff. The couch became a pretty good friend of mine. I renewed my drawing and actually came up with some pretty good stuff.
The highlight of the whole thing was when i got FRIGGIN SNOWED IN! I suppose that i could've driven home, but it didn't seem safe at the time. So i spent the night at his house, which was cool i guess. Yeah so that was my spring break.
Now that that little rant is over, I can tell you about my spring break. It was actually pretty uneventful for the most part. I went to McMinnville to visit my cousin who goes to school out that way. It was pretty cool. We took a tour of Cumberland Caverns, hiked a mountain and just hung out in general. It was nice to catch up since we hadn't really hung out in about a year. So, yeah that was nice. The rest of the break was spent trying to catch up on exercise and with friends. Very little homework was done, save for the English stuff. The couch became a pretty good friend of mine. I renewed my drawing and actually came up with some pretty good stuff.
The highlight of the whole thing was when i got FRIGGIN SNOWED IN! I suppose that i could've driven home, but it didn't seem safe at the time. So i spent the night at his house, which was cool i guess. Yeah so that was my spring break.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Healthcare: A History
Ryan Manning
Wendy Sumner
English 1020
Healthcare: A History
The healthcare industry has a long and sorted past. How is it that something meant to help and protect the citizens of the
Frustrated by its failure to keep pace with European countries on social issues, the government formed the American Medical Association in the late 1800s. It was not until the early 1900s that the AMA became a major force in American healthcare. By 1910, over half of the physicians in
Prior to 1910, American hospitals were dirty and crawling with uncontrolled disease. After the AMA established itself as a major organization, hospitals cleaned up and became pillars of health. Due to the reforms that hospitals made, medical procedures became more expensive. The rise in the price of a procedure was necessary in order to keep the hospitals sanitary and in business. As a result, many people could not afford to go to the hospital. Many laborers were sick and could not work. So, the American Association for Labor Legislation organized a nation conference on what was known as social insurance. Despite opposition by American physicians, the health
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insurance movement began to gain momentum. Unfortunately, the advent of the First World War distracted the nation from any such social reform.
Health insurance was largely a forgotten topic until the 1930s. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as a part of his social reform program during the Depression, brought it back into the public spotlight. He wanted to offer it in his Social Security plan, but it was eventually omitted. Thus, private companies began to offer health insurance. The first of these private companies was the Blue Cross organization.
During the Second World War, companies competed for workers by trying to offer better health insurance than the competition. During this same period,
In the 1950s the rising healthcare costs are overshadowed by the outbreak of war in
In the 1960s over 700 companies now offered health insurance. All of these companies had their own rates and their own terms. Americans that were unemployed, many of which were senior citizens, were having trouble affording any kind of health insurance. As a result, President Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid into existence. These programs diverted some of the tax money into a fund that provided for some of the medical expenses of those in need.
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Richard Nixon renamed the prepaid health programs as health maintenance organizations or HMOs. This provided for federal assistance for the healthcare programs. In effect, this meant that the government now had a stake in the healthcare programs and their profits.
Under the Reagan Administration, healthcare coverage was changed from payment by treatment to payment by diagnosis. The effects of this were misdiagnoses which meant a refusal to pay by the insurance companies. Unfortunately, for many Americans, this meant that if the insurance companies did not feel like paying out, their doctors could just say that there was no real medical emergency.
In the 1990s, inflation caused healthcare rates to skyrocket once again, healthcare reform bills were rejected by Congress, and over 16 percent of the American population had no form of healthcare whatsoever.
Now Americans have plenty of choices for their healthcare needs. There are over forty well know health insurance companies, including the still standing Blue Cross. There are government subsidized healthcare options. These include national organizations such as Medicare and Medicaid, whose futures do not look so steady, as well as local and state subsidized. A good example of local would be the TennCare program. On
None of these programs is perfect of even near it. They all have flaws and they are all subject to different forms of corruption. However, for the time-being, they are the
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options that we as Americans have. We just have to deal with it and accept the fact that change comes slowly. Perhaps it will be better one day or perhaps greed will get the better of us once again. It is up to us to look to the past and decide if the way that things were then is the way that things should be now.
*All information pertaining to healthcare history came from http://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/history.htm.
*All TennCare information came from http://www.state.tn.us/tenncare/news-about.html.
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