ZOMG Robotz Are Taking Ovar Teh Worldz! Oh Never Mind its Just Daft Punk (Music Review)

          Look at the music you listen to, now back to mine. Now back at your music, now back to mine. Sadly it isn’t mine, but if you listen to Daft Punk it could sound like mine. Look down, back up, where are you? You’re searching through their album, listening to the music  your music couldn't sound like. What did you hear? Back at mine, it’s an album playing something you want to hear. Look again the album is now diamonds. Anything is possible when you listen to something new.
         
          See them two robots robots over there? -->

Their actually two French musicians called Daft Punk who happen to be an electronic music duo. And yes they do go everywhere wearing those helmets (They like light up and everything but are $65,000 a piece, ouch). Now back to the music. 

        

    Now if your into lets say techno or electronica,then your right at home. If not then bear with me or they'll find you(look they even have a map out). Just kidding (or am I?). Now does music need lyrics in order to be music? No because many of Daft Punk's songs don't really have any lyrics. You just sit their and enjoy their musical creations. Did you know that Daft Punk had created a animated movie based entirely on their Discovery Album? There is literally no dialogue. Its all music thats been perfectly blended into a story.  If you wanna get the most out the album then I recommend  watching the film ( heres the link, Full Length Movie( Don't Worry its just Google Video))

         
         I do however find some of the songs to be a bit repetitive at times. Like as if some parts drag on longer then necessary. A good way to cope with this is to treat it like background music. These songs are good to have in the background or listen to while your busy. You can listen to it while walking, on the train, doing work, or just waiting to pass the time. Sooner or later you won't notice the small details in the song and you might even notice that you were moving to the rhythm of the music.
      
        One of the main reason I find Daft Punk's  music so amusing is that its unique. Compared to todays music theres nothing that stands out above the rest. Daft Punk though seems to keep a variety from one song to another.

         Yet its not up to me to say whether or not their music is "good". I think its great but thats my opinion. So you have to listen yourself so you can find out yourself. You've might of already heard of them before. They were featured in Kayne West's song "Stronger" and even provided the sound track for the upcoming film "Tron Legacy" ( You could notice them in a few scenes). So give a try won't ya? ;) wink. Also a fun song try try to sing along to is Technologic :P

Jay & Nick

                  Jay & Nick are our two main character in The Great Gatsby. Though they are neighbors they seem to live two completely different lifestyles. Jay lives a life of luxury due to his vast amount of wealth while Nick is more of a loner who only goes to where he is wanted. Yet despite that fact I actually find them to be quite similar. They both seem to try to stay out of trouble if you may have noticed. Nick is always feeling like he has to apologize for his every action while Jay sees to throw money at his problems to fix them. They are also very unsocial. Jay may throw these huge parties but he doesn't really get to know anyone. Same goes for Nick who just seem to be there.
                 Now not until recently in the story have the two gotten  to know each other. Yet I feel that Jay is really using Nick to get to Daisy. Yet he tries desperately not to show it. Much like how in Chapter five where he asks Nick to invite Daisy. He clearly want Nick to do it but tries to hide it by saying " I don't want to put you to any trouble". Yet besides Jay's purpose in befriending Nick for Daisy they don't seem to be like a bad match. I haven't read enough to see if they become true friends or not but it seems like a start. They both seem like kind gentlemen and would gladly enjoy helping each other.
              

~~Winter Poem~~

Although the cold of the winter stings,

Be aware of the arrival of other things.

Children like up with glee,

As they start their letters with" Santa, this is what I would like from thee".

This is a time of Harmony & peace,

Where families gather in their warm sweaters of fleece.

Some get up and do their holiday jig,

While others indulge themselves like little pigs.

Some say its all about the presents,

Which I find very pleasant.

Yet spending time with the people we love is precious,

Which affects a person's mind deep within their conscious.

As the children gather around the Christmas tree,

They can only  imagine what they will see.

Go find that Christmas sweater that lies dormant in your attic,

But be careful because I've heard that they can cause static.

So goodbye and goodnight,

Maybe you'll here the arrival of Santa's sled tonight...

Thankful for a Classmate

                        Thanks Giving has come and gone yet as it passed it reminded us to be thankful. Not only to be thankful for the food(which I say was quite delicious) but to the people around us.  Yet must we be truly thankful for only one person? I can't decide for who to be thankful for. I am equally thankful for the class as I would be for each person. I'm not saying it to just be cheesy but it's true.
                        We all know that we would probably be most thankful for those we sit next too but what about the people across the room? They could be just as great as the people on our side without us knowing. So I am thankful for the class as a whole. If i can't choose one then why not all of the above? Also by the whole class that includes Mr. McCarthy too. So enjoy the holidays!

Am I a Plow?

        Lets start of by defining what a plow is.
               
             -The plough (American spelling: plow; both ) is a tool used in farming for initial  
              cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic 
              instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major 
              advances in agriculture. ...


        It seems to me that I can very much relate to a plow(though not physically). I may not plant seeds wherever I pass but I do plant something. To every person I meet, no matter how brief the moment, I always leave behind a memory. In time that memory may eventually fade but in some cases that memory will grow and be forever permanent in a persons mind. It may be a good memory or a bad one, nonetheless my encounters with any person I meet will leave a memory.
       
         I'm pretty sure I myself am not a major advance in agriculture yet I am a major advance from previous generations. I'm not trying to brag but its true. Compared to previous generations I have been pretty successful. Not just me but almost everyone. Today many people have had a superb education if you compare it to education 20 years ago.
          
         Saying that we could be considered as instruments. Every actions we do has some effect for the future. Whether it be large or small but we always leave something behind for the future. Some say the the purpose for the present is to improve our future. A bit ironic ain't it? Much like how a plow cultivates the land to prepare for the seeds that will be planted in the near future. So a plow and I have some things in common.
           
         

A Direction the Class Needs( Maybe that way ---> or that way <-----)

                 Our class start 2nd period meaning for many of us, the start of the day. Yet I don't seem to mind. American Lit is a great way to start up the day. When we start up with our journals it allows us to slowly but surely get our minds into gear. It's like breakfast for our minds because it stimulates our minds. Plus there no big rush in the class. When we arrive everything is mellow and calm with music in the background as an added benefit. Also I find the weekend stories enjoyable.
                Then we get into our class disscussion. I love that everyone has the oppurtunity to speak there mind. Few agreements and disagreements but it adds to the conversation. You get everyones opinion and not just the teachers. I also enjoy how our teacher adds humor into the discussion which gives everyone a chuckle here and there.
                I personally find the class fine as it is. I don't really see any need for improvement. It's a great way to start the morning and it's enjoyable too. So keep up the great work!
               

I Sentence You to 26 Hours of Work, 9 Days a Week! No Overtime...

                        Does slavery truly exist nowadays or is it in terms in which we cannot see?
Definitions of slavery on the Web:

• bondage: the state of being under the control of another person
• the practice of owning slaves
• work done under harsh conditions for little or no pay

            Now lets see this definition "bondage: the state of being under the control of another person". We can still see this today but instead of just one person, it is several. Many U.S citizens are in dept through credit cards, tuition, bills, payments, and much more. So what do they do? They work days and night trying to pay off such depts and hardly make enough profit to sustain themselves. There is no choice of whether or not to pay those dept, they have to.
           If they decide not to pay , they'll lose everything they have including personal possessions. The credit card companies don't care whether you only get 4 hours of sleep or if you become homeless, they only care if you pay them what you owe. So these companies or dept collecters don't directly have slaves but in a sense they do. They have people working throughout their lives to make money for them, whether or not the person working for them is making a living or not.
          So is slavery truly gone or it has just taken a new form?


(Continued)


     I am aware that there is "real" slavery in the world but i'm really focusing on a version of slavery that is considered to be overlooked. It may not be life threatening but certainly could be devastating. Also you don't have to use credit cards but some people have no choice but to. Either use a credit card now so your family has something to eat or cut into what little savings they have. Yet there comes the question of "why borrow money you're not sure you can pay back?". Easier said then done. Doesn't the United States alone owe trillions of dollars to other countries which it hasn't paid back? 

Puritan Society Vs American Society ( Siblings or Distant relatives?)

                Nowadays Americans see puritans as a harsh, aggressive, strict, and overly dramitic people. They feared anything that would change the ideas of their society and had a strong sense of holy justice. Those who are considered to be witches or those who disagree with their way of life are executed or brutily punished. When we see that from an American stand point it seems completely barbarish. Yet is it really succh outlandish behavior?
                To this day Puritanism has played some role socially, politically, and culturally in our society. Their ideas have only been shifted or modified to go along with modern society. Such as the sense of justice and fair trial. Usually if someone was convicted of a crime or witchcraft, they are subject to a trial where they can try to prove their innocence. That is now also available in todays American society but modified to remove the witchcraft portion of it.
               Puritan society may also appear to be grusome yet it worked. People behaved and society went on with little crime or destruction. This slightly shifted into American society since is not really the wrath of god the people fear but fear of breaking the laws in America. So instead of using gods wrath and  testaments to be the peoples rule, America has created laws similer to those testiments or of based of the testaments to create their laws. Whether people know it or not but American laws have some slighly connection to religion. Such as people who believe that stealing is wrong because of their religion so it becomes an international law.
             
(continued)

             I do agree with that the legal system has their flaws and is taken advantage of. Yet its not exactly the Puritans fault. Puritans have left behind a legal system that I say was beneficial. Yet its flaws can't be entirely their fault. Over the years people should have added reforms to the system. The Puritans basically left behind the frame and over the years society should of built upon it. So the legal system of our country do have some flaws yet I don't feel that they are entirely outrageous.

            

The Moment i Knew I was An American

                    American is such a vague term. There is no single explanation on what an American is. Ask any two people on what an American is and you'll get two different responses. Yet the moment I knew I was an American was the day I was born in Chicago. Just living in the United States and becoming one with  community I knew I was an American. The moment I went to school with everyone else I knew I was an American. The first time i said the pledge of Allegiance, I knew I was an American.
                   To me being an American doesn't come down to silly papers and identification. To be an American you must of assimilated into society where you accept all others and others accept you. I knew I was an American when the people around me saw me as a person. I know I'm an American when i'm not known as a foreigner but as an equal. When people in America see me as Luis and nothing else, I know i'm an American.
                   So I've always been an American. I know because I was born and raised here. Raised among every other culture that lives within the U.S and I didn't see them as Asian, African, or Middle Eastern. I saw them as Americans because we are all part of the society in America. Sure people may separate you from others but they can't say your not an American. So any really can become an American, it just takes longer for them to realize it themselves.

Us vs. Them... Us and Them

                   Which side would truly win in " Us vs Them". They have the law on there side, but we do whats best for the people. So is doing the right thing over following the rules truly the right decision? This situation come up several times across the Crucible. Mary can't decide to be with them (Abby & the girls) or us(Proctor & the innocent). She could either follow authority but it may result in the loss of innocent lives. She could always do whats right and testify against Abby and save the people but it may fail and she may lose her life. So kill lives and live with it on your conscience or save lives and die trying. In my opinion it might seem better that you died trying to help others by doing the right thing compared to living a lie that will follow you forever. Decisions, decisions....
                  This event exists beyond the Crucible in everyday life. Many times at school itself. Such as peer pressure. Would you be with them (Do everything that "cool" people do) or with us ( Do what you feel is right and let no one decide for you) or vise versa. There is always a decision between that group or this group in life and sometimes it seems impossible to decide. Yet sometime neither group is correct. It really depends on the person that decides.
                 Yet honestly can't Them and Us just get along at time? Just arguments and arguments trying to dispute which group is right. For once can't both actually look into what the other has to say before shunning their opinion? Can Us vs Them = together? People should just get along. Yet it is a natural reaction to feel that your beliefs are considered true compared to others. Yet people have to be open minded in order to get along with others. A positive and  a negative may be opposites but remember that they attract.
              

John Proctor, Hero or Stooge?

                    John Proctor has earned my respect as a hero. He would truly deserve it. He stands for what he believes in and he lets no one else tell him otherwise, even if it puts him at risk. He always fights for himself and those around him and always seeks to help those in need. Such as Elizabeth and his friends in court. He clearly goes to save his wife and friends from execution. even if it put his life on the line. Someone who is willing to risk everything to help others is a hero in my book.
                  
                   I also like the fact of how he seems to always go with reason instead of making abrupt accusations. He always tries to think logically first instead of yelling out witch or "devil worshiper!"  at every incident. He stands by what he believes in even if it goes against the priest, which is a very risky move in his community. I also admire how he desperately tries to proof his wifes innocence  and doesn't care if people found out about their affair. As long as she was safe it would be fine to him.

                  He in not a puppet for others to control. he doesn't "go with the flow". Much of a free spirit going by what he thinks is right. Instead of playing it safe and following the priest and town, he blatantly tell Parris how he would rather appose him and his teachings. Being on the reverends bad side seems like a very bad idea. Yet it doesn't concern the mighty Proctor. You can learn many things from this man. Though reckless at times I must admit, he doesn't do it out of stupidity but to protect his beliefs. He is a man of principles and any one who wants to change who he is will find it very difficult. He is as hard headed as he might be reckless.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

                  This sounds outrageous. If any of this were true then it would defy common belief that god is a good being.  If people truly believed this then they would be living in constant fear every day. Honestly with something like that in my mind I could go crazy just from the fear. Any mistake could cause a panic attack, I wouldn't get any sleep at night trying to think if I did anything wrong, and I'd lose whatever freedom that modern civilization would offer.
                  Yet what kind of a life like this is worth living. Devoting your life to a god who would probably just want to destroy you at the second you make a mistake. Another thing is that even though Puritans know what kind of punishment their god gives and how he really just despises all people, how do they know if Heaven would be any better? If he truly believes all people are sinners then why would he create a Heaven? Yet their fear probably keeps them from questioning their god. It seems like a very sad life to me.
                 Despite this belief i think otherwise, I do believe there is a god out there somewhere watching over us, but I doubt that he hates his creations. Depending on what religion you choose, most gods would be considered opposite to what is mentioned in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". So I find it a bit ridiculous. If all people truly believed in this then I wonder how society would of been now...

There Goes The Neighborhood!

                     People in my neighborhood most often keep to themselves.Yet most of my neighborhood is mainly Hispanic. Though we always get along during block parties. Everyone seems to get along just fine since we're all Hispanic. Yet I'm not sure how my neighborhood would react if we threw Asians or Middle Easterns into the mix.
                     Sure we're not considered racist but people are naturally scared of what they don't know. My neighborhood is mostly quiet and peaceful so I wouldn't expect a large reaction from the neighborhood.  Yet if we kept to ourselves even though we have similar culture, they may treat the new neighbors as outcasts. People would most likely avoid them at first. Yet my opinion differs from my neighborhood.
                     I for one have many friends of many cultures and I enjoy having them. Instead of fearing diverse cultures I welcome them because their diversity is what makes them interesting. You've got to know them before you have the right to dislike them but sadly my neighborhood might not have had the chance to do so.  School really does help you in these situations for it is full of many diverse students of all kinds.
                     Yet over all my neighborhood would not create an angry mob with pitch forks and torches and chase our new neighbors out. Well at least I hope they don't. My prediction would be that the new neighbors would most likely be ignored for a while. Yet sooner or later we would grow used to their presence and get to know each other during our neighborhood events such as block parties. In the end i'm sure it would all end fine.

Introduction

                 Hello everyone. My name is Luis Mendoza. I was born in September 25, 1994. My hobbies consist of fishing, sometimes reading (depends if I find a good book or not), video games, and much more. To be the honest I was known by everyone in my old school (I mean everyone, students, staff, and teachers) so I’m a nice guy.


My favorite sport would possibly be basketball (My height does help) but that doesn’t mean I won’t try any others. I’m an open minded person. I listen to all forms of music consisting of rap, pop, techno, and any other thing you could think of. People have known me to be trustworthy, friendly, and funny if you get to know me and I stand to withhold that title. So feel free to approach me.

I do however have distaste for teenaged pop stars. I don’t know why but they just annoy me. My favorite subject would be math. I am very handy at solving puzzles and such. I am also of Mexican decent but I speak fluent English and a decent amount of Spanish.

I also love the outdoors. Sure I may be cooped up at home many times but I do love walking about the parks or forest preserves. Nature is just awesome to me. So that’s all I got to say. Hopefully if everything goes well American Literature will be a blast.