TPOL rough draft....

Rockin’ in the USA:
This project was intended to be used to research music in context with the history and the events during that time. In addition to historical research we also were asked to write and performance original song. Writing a song is much different than writing a paper or a poem or even a personal diary and performing the song was even harder. We practiced for so many hours for a three minute performance and we didn’t get the chance to try again if we messed up. I really enjoyed writing the song though. My group also made it really easy to work together to write the music so everything went really smoothly. When I was younger I always loved to write songs for fun and to get different emotions out. As a group we all decided to study the genre of Indie music. I know I like indie because of the wide variety of sound that indie bands and artists have written and composed. I never realized how new indie music is and how unique of an idea it was. I always thought that artists wrote their music because it was something that they truly believed in. I now realize that there are so many artists out there that would give up their original sound for a bag of gold, so to speak. Indie is defined as an independent artists that won’t sell out their sound for any price. It first originated from punk rock in the 1970’s and 1980’s, a bunch of people who had something to say about anything would create a band and sing about what was on their mind. At first indie was a lot more of an abrasive sound rather than now, where it is more of a guitar pop sound. Once indie became more mellow it was also becoming more mainstream and that led to commercial success. In the 21st century there were a lot of indie bands playing free concerts for universities because college students could relate to the lyrics and liked the music.

The main reason I am so passionate about school is partially because of my goals in the future, I want to have as many options as possible. I love spending time learning, studying, and researching animal behaviors and sciences. If I do choose to persue veterinary medicine as I hope, I know I can never be too well versed on any material having to do with animals. I chose for my TPOL to study, understand, and compare animal instincts versus human instincts. Edward Wilson, a credited ---------, discorvered the theory of sociobiology: the -----------------------------------------------------------------------.

Current Events- Keeping SUVs?!

URL: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/06/12/suv.irpt/index.html

Summary/ Significance: People are finding a bright side of our very dark and unfortunate climate situation. Unfortunately, the bright side they found isn't going to help our environment. People in Texas are buying the SUVs and trucks that so many Americans are deserting for more fuel efficient cars. The low prices on the older models mean, lower car insurance rates, and smaller, if any, monthly payments. One man in Texas said he was snatching up the used cars as fast as he could so he could sell them in south America for double the price and they are in high demand there because of the lower gas prices.

I personally believe that it is important for our economy and our earth that people continue selling their big cars for smaller cars with better gas mileage. But I would rather see those older cars be recycled and reused then have car companies putting even more energy into making more cars that we shouldn't need. Is recycling bad in this situation? hmmmm..... ?

Music Project- Indie

New Indie: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=107443193
MySpace Girl
by Bubble Boy

Middle Indie: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=1244976
Don't Cry Out
by Shiny Toy Guns

Older Indie: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=20745745
Familiar Ceiling
by Phil Spector



Indie-- also known as independent artists and record labels-- has been played and recorded for as long as popular music has been. Though some indie musicians were frowned upon by major record industries and others, these musicians weren't in the business to make tons of money but to play what they were passionate about. And really isn't that what music is all about?

The thought behind indie, or alternative music, is that the musician has the freedom to play and write music that is completely genuine unlike some Pop bands that will play anything for a bag of gold. It really wasn't until the mid-1900s that indie song writers began popping up every where. Now there are hundreds of bands classified as indie.

Indie was first sparked after punk rock in the UK during the 1970's. They were bands supported by small independent labels; this is why they were classified as indie because they were on independent labels. They gained their popularity from the independent magazines; their music was popular among a small group of music lovers. Indie rock music was inspired by punk music, '60s pop music and counterculture, and occasionally electronic music and European pop. One of the first indie bands to become successful was The Smiths; their music influenced other Brit pop bands during that time. In the US indie was classified as music that branched off from alternative that was inspired by movements from 1970's and early 1980's. Also indie music was associated with abrasive, distortion-heavy sounds. Then in the 1990's in the UK indie music was connected to mainstream music as a result they got commercial success. During this time many indie bands were signed to major record companies or major independent companies were bought by major record companies. So during that time the label "indie" was applied to commercial guitar pop. During the same time in the US, the events were quite similar to the ones happening in the UK. Then in 2000 the indie music attracted many college students so bands like Silversun Pickups, The Kooks, etc offered to play shows for free to gain recognization. It may seem ridiculous to some people that the bands aren't signing with major labels but that shows that they aren't there for the money and they are just out to have fun, do what they love, and share that with the rest of the world.

http://fluff.info/blog/arch/00000158.htm

cover song:
http://www.jamglue.com/search?category=All+of+Jamglue&query=Kooks
Seaside
by The Kooks

We chose to use The Seaside because of its simple but beautiful lyrics and music. The kooks are a great example of one of the many indie bands to make it big in the 21st century. The Kooks made it big in 2004 after playing free concerts at colleges and universities. The song, The Seaside, we believe was inspired by the the lead singers home town, the Yorkshire seaside town of Saltburn.

With all of us soon to be leaving for college I know I personally can relate to loving my home town and all the memories I have had hear.

Seaside - The Kooks
Tabbed by: Alex Branchini
Tuning:EADGBED
#m F#
Do you want to go to the seaside?
B# C#
I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go
D#m F#
I fell in love at the seaside
B# C# G# F#
I handled my charm with time and slight of hand
D#m F#
Do you want to go to the seaside?
B# C#
I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go
D#m F#
I fell in love at the seaside
B# C# G# F#
She handled her charm with time and slight of hand
D#m B# C#
But i'm just trying to love you any kind of way
D#m B# C# G#
But i find it hard to love you girl when your far away ... away

O Pioneers!

Cather, Willa. O Pioneers! New York. Houghton Mifflin Company: 1995.

Reason, Type and Setting:This book was recommened to me by my librarian based on the other books I have read. This is a book that takes place in the late 1800s to the early 1900s in Nebraska and is about the hardships a pioneering family face.

Plot: At the beginning of the novel we find that Alexandera Bergson, the main character, is in town talking to a doctor. Her father is on his dying and after his death her mother also passes away leaving the four kids to live alone on their farm. Everyone in the county seems to be leaving because of how difficult it is to farm the land there but the Bergson family sticks it out despite the brother's unintrest and they eventually hit it big and make tons of money on their crops. Alexandra is constantly being faced with problems of loosing a loved one, whether they must move awaya or pass away, she is constantly in rough positions.

Character:Alexandra is the oldest of the siblings and she is described as a strong and independent young woman. As the book goes on I saw that she was indeed physically and emotionallystrong but the more that happens in her life the reader sees that she has a lot to deal with and it isn't as easy as she makes it seem. I feel like I could relate to Alex in a few ways and that was what really captivated me.

Evaluation: I did enjoy the novel and I found the plot interesting and emotional. The novel wasnt one I would say kept me wanting to read, but I did feel like it was interesting and I was able to have more insight into life in the 19th century. I also liked the aurhors message to never give up on the things that are important to you, like the land to Alexandra and to her father. If there is something you truly love or care about you should do your best to preserve it and to work towards saving it.

Even though the book takes place two centurys ago I still felt like it had a lot of important information that could be translated into our work and lives today. There arent many people I know now that are farmers but I do know people who have hardships at home and in their work and it has made me realise that despite how hard things get we shouldn't always fight them, we should try to fix them and stay strong like Alex. I would have liked to see more closuer on some of the ending issues but other than that I did think the novel ended well.

SAT changes Current Event

More colleges move toward optional SATs

as of right now about 30% of national unviersities are making the SATs optional. The schools are hoping to be able to encourage students with mediocre SAT scores to apply to their establishment so they can have a more well-rounded student body. This is a contreversal issue because many people believe the test is "fair" for all students and it provides a standardized way of comparing students to each other. this is very applicable to our student life right now. Especially as juniors it is important for us to be studying for the SAT so we have time to do well and then submit our scores. This change would reduce stress in junior year and allow the students to focus on their studies and extra cirricular activities. i don't think that the college process should be easy but it doesnt have to be unreasonable, just challenging.

My Architect

When it comes to someone's achievments socially, why should what they have done personally matter? If one of the most talented archiects was able to become something from literally nothing, i think that is impressive enough. Although I do not praise or approve of Louis' behavior, i also would not condem his actions. I would never want to be in a family or in a relationship with someone like Louis, but it isn't for me to say whether or not what he did was right or wrong. If he Doesn't feel any guilt how can someone else make him feel that way? I found his story interesting and unique but also a little depressing. It is always sad when a family can't work out the way we think it should. It is impressive how far one person will go just to learn more about their heritage and family. There is no way i could honestly relate to that feeling of being betrayed by a parent. As a young child it is even more confusing having a parent in and out of their life. It's important for everyone to have consistancy and balance in their life. Regardless, it is too hard for me to say what Louis had done was wrong. Everyone has a reason behind their actions. Was it fair for him to have betrayed his wife and first daughter? He wasn't exactly a responsible or commited father or housband, but he provided his city with revolutionary ideas and designs and that was his job and all anyone should ask from him or expect from him.

What Happened to Ethics?

I think ethics are important but it's too difficult to actually ask someone to have the same values as someone else. If you are doing something you think is "right", shouldn't it come from the heart rather than because you think it is what you should do?

Why would I want someone to apologize to me if they didnt mean it? I would usually rather honesty than what someone thinks is morally the right thing to do or say.

What Do You Hear?

The buzz of a lawnmower and the roar of a plane over head. The wind rustles the umbrellas and the papers wrinkle in the breeze. The muffled sound of a student led tour passes by the opening. Doors are slamming in the distance with no pattern and it all reminds me of a home. Things are happening and life is moving forward, though most people are running around in a hectic state the building stands peacefully. No matter what mood anyone is in the building is calm and when I watch from within but I seperate myself from the choas, I can feel at peace too. Those are the places that make me feel like I am at home.

Our website !!!! support CEED

http://hthi.hightechhigh.org/~atorrero/organization.html

Current Event- Report: Money fears might have led to bridge collapse

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/21/bridge.collapse.ap/index.html

Who do you blame when a huge bridge collapses causing death and financial issue that were trying to be avoided in the first place. When transportation officials thought that maintance for the minneapolis bridge in minnesota would be too large of an expense they began to neglect the bridge until it's recent collapse. With 13 killed and $75 million dollars in repairs and replacements. It would have cost about $40,000 for the bridge to have just been repaired before the class.

It's scary when we are paying tax money and don't know that our basic safety is being cover. When we put our lives in the hands of so many other people and organizations, the least they can do is think ahead.

Vocabulary- 17

The interminable roachs were so persistent that it almost seemed intuit to simply leave them alone.

As long as you can throw the dime within the relative proximity of the circle you are just as likely to win the game.

She worked laboriously throughout the day and night.

The situation was calm and relaxing and everyone seemed to be in a state of tranquility.

The plan was to synchronously begin singing "Happy Birthday."

The tortuous road caused a few people to feel sick, it put others to sleep.

(my personal photos for extra credit)

1.interminable - (adjective) incapable of being terminated; unending.
2.intuit - (verb) to know or receive by intuition.
3.laboriously- (adjective) requiring much work, exertion, or perseverance.
4.proximity- (noun) nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.
5.reticence - (adjective) disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.
6.senescent- (adjective) growing old; aging.
7.shroud- (noun) a cloth or sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for burial.
8.situation- (noun) manner of being situated; location or position with reference to environment
9.synchronously- (adjective) occurring at the same time; coinciding in time; contemporaneous; simultaneous.
10.tortuous- (adjective) full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked.
11.tranquility- (noun) quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity.

Too "high-tech" you say?!?!

http://www.mercurynews.com/community/ci_9034769?nclick_check=1&forced=true

Everyone has an opinion about the way that schools should be run and how subjects should be taught. Using relevant technology and updates in our teaching methods could only benefit the student. I have used both ways of learning, the traditional textbook way that most students resent and the modern computer way, which is exciting ever changing and allows for unfound creativity. Not only would we as students not be able to access more relevant and current information every single day with individual laptops at school, but once a school spends the initial expense of purchasing a good class set of laptops, the cost is fixed. When a teacher assigns a research project a student has a few options. If a student reads a book in the library like every other student in the past had and every student in the present class will, well, there is only a few amount of books. The information may be biased, over used and not very broad. Not only that, what does the student do when all the other books are checked out. The Internet offers a convenient and valuable portal into the past worlds of some of the most heroic men and women on earth. While learning about one great person anyone could accidentally stumble upon someone they will admire even more. All computers do in the classroom is give students and teachers more convenient, efficient, effective, creative and useful learning tools. As long as a student is watched and it is insured that they are using their computer for the assignment then it is hard to find a downside. Information is constantly changing and so is the Internet and computer programs. Getting young adults comfortable with change in their learning patterns will only make them more flexible people in the future. It is easy to ask for help and work together when we can all share information on the computer and the best way to learn social skills is while working in groups. Though it can be argued that computers make students less social, I think that is a personality trait that would have been expressed with or without technology as an excuse. Like the expression says, don't shoot the messenger, it seems like everyone is looking for something to blame on lax education and school policy, low test scores and lack of motivation in the youth. It is more depressing for a group of young individuals to walk into a classroom open their books to chapter 13 and continue on with the same drills as yesterday's math problems. When I walk into my math class I am applying math to childhood games and using computers to design brochures and communicate with my partner. I eliminate the stress of wondering if my printer at home is working when I have a huge paper due because I know I can always use the schools set. Their is something inspirational about walking into a room and feeling comfortable and at home and knowing I can express myself any way I want. That has never happened to me in a classroom before I came to High Tech High International and i truly believe the environment and the relationships are what make me feel that way.

Persuasive Outline

• American Environmental Policies:
• The Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html
  
• About 30 acts: The Atomic Energy Act, The Clean Air and The Clean Water Acts, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Endangered Species Act, Energy Policy Act, Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments, Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act), National Environmental Policy Act, National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Occupational Safety and Health, Ocean Dumping Act, Oil Pollution Act, Pollution Prevention Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act.
• Laws are lax and unclear, easy to find loop holes: The Atomic Energy Act (AEA) established the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to promote the "utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes to the maximum extent consistent with the common defense and security and with the health and safety of the public." When EPA was formed, the AEC's authority to issue generally applicable environmental radiation standards was transferred to EPA. Other federal and state organizations must follow these standards when developing requirements for their areas of radiation protection.
• In other words, atomic energy plants can if they want to change their policies for the benefit of the environment. Just one example of the rules.

• Pollution:
  
• water, air, and land.
• public and private prevention of pollution/waste of resources.
  

Current Events

A 7.9 earthquake destroyed a middle school in China causing about 900 students and teachers. 60 were fund dead and soldiers are still trying to recover any more people stuck in the rubble. The collapse of the building was due to the weak structure and has a lot of parents scared for their captive children.

It is important that we have relife programs in place so that we can help people in these situations, even if it isnt in our own country.

Source: CNN.com
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/13/china.school.ap/index.html

Book Report- Ender's Game

Book Report / Novel Summary

Scott Card, Orson. Ender's Game. United States of America. Tom Doherty: 1985.

Reason, Type and Setting: This book is an exciting and entertaining science fiction, adventure novel. The book takes place in both outer space and earth. There is no definite time period but it is set in the future.

Plot: The book is about the difficulties Ender has a young boy being tormented by adults, children and teens and as a young man coping with the crimes he later learns he has committed. It also is has a strong focus on the war between the Buggers and Humans which later turns out to just be a miscommunication. Ender has to basically live his entire childhood as a tool for the army. He is challenged mentally and physically everyday and he always complies despite the fact that he hates being used by everyone above him.

Character: Ender is a strong and young boy through out the book. Though his physical appearance isn't very important. Ender is compassionate yet violent when necessary, a perfect mix of his brother and sister. Ender is a good example of what many teens are, though they are neither completely good or evil everyone has a little devil in them and Ender is a nice example of that. As the main character I learned a lot about him and i could often feel like i had sympathy for him and I was proud of him when he was successful.

Evaluation: I did enjoy the novel and found it extremely entertaining and interesting. There were many morals and values tied into the plot especially when it came to discriminating and killing an entire race of buggers. I think the author was really trying to encourage the readers that despite how brilliant you are, a person can be detrimental if they don't think for themselves, especially when they don't believe in what they are doing. I would definitely recommend this book. If i were Ender I would hope i would be more outspoken and fight for what I truly believed rather than what someone asked me to believe in.

Author, Context and Trivia: Orson Scott Card also wrote a squeal to Ender's Game called Ender's Shadow. Although I am not a big SciFi fan i really did enjoy Ender's Game and would even read it again.

Vocab

The aroma from the kitchen was hardly appetizing and despite that, the awkward chef seemed as if he were in a state of ectasy from the excitment of cooking her first meal. Her infatuation with cooking began that night but her food was no longer deleterious, rather she constantly insured that everything she made would consummate her standards. No one who ever was a guest at her home would deny food and there was nothing less than acquiesce urge to taste anything at all. Judging by the first night no one would have guessed the inevitable in this case.




acquiesce- to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent.
amorous- inclined or disposed to love, esp. sexual love
aroma- an odor arising from spices, plants, cooking, etc., esp. an agreeable odor; fragrance.
awkward- lacking skill or dexterity; clumsy.
consummate- to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill.
conversely- opposite or contrary in direction, action, sequence, etc.; turned around.
deleterious- injurious to health.
delirium- a state of violent excitement or emotion.
ecstasy- an overpowering emotion or exaltation; a state of sudden, intense feeling.
enamored- To inspire with love; captivate.
futile- incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful.
incantation- the chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power.
inevitability- unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped; certain; necessary.
infatuation- foolish or all-absorbing passion or an instance of this.

Book Report- The Picture of Dorian Gray

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. London. Ward, Lock & Company: 1891.

Reason, Type and Setting: The Picture of Dorian Gray is a mystery that takes place in the late 1800's in London. I selected this book because I have always like Wilde's style.

Plot: In the beginning of the novel the main character Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry on the day he was going to have his picture painted by Basil Hallward. Henry "corrupts" Dorian's innocents and introduces him to a new world of pessimism and doubt. At this point Dorian wishes that all the evils would portray on his beautiful painting rather than on his own face and body. He also wishes all his ageing and any signs of deteriorating health will show on the painting as well. Dorian learns this and soon figures that he can live a sinful life and it will never be reflected on to him. The Painting is a mirror of his soul. Eventually the evil consumes him so much that he eventually gets so upset by the person he has become that he decides to stab the painting and as a result he kills himself.

Character: Dorian Gray is a handsome young man at the beginning of the novel and a handsome young man at the end. The only difference is that over the years his soul has become an ugly, old and mean person. I chose this character not only because he is the main character but more because his life and the things that he does become such a powerful metaphor. While Dorian is innocent his soul is pure and it wasn't the knowledge that he could change that changed him but more the path he chose that had made him such ugly person figuratively even though it wasn't literally. In the end of the novel he finally realised how horrible of a person he had became he tried o kill his soul and by doing so he just killed himself.

Evaluation: I did really enjoy the novel and the witty style of Oscar Wilde. Not only was the book entertaining it also had a strong moral and ethical themes. The author tried to show the reader how despite how clean and nice you may look to others, if you have an ugly soul and mind then that will take over the type of person you are. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone interested in a captivating and unique book.

I'm not sure if I would have acted the same way as Dorian. It is hard when you are never taught to think for yourself and then you all of a sudden you are given insight that you don't know what to do with. I have never been in that position so I couldn't know how I would react. Hopefully it wouldn't be the same as Dorian.

Author, Context and Trivia: Oscar Wilde also wrote: Ravenna, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, The Decay of Lying, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories, Intentions, Salome, The House of Pomegranates, Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, The Duchess of Padua, The Sphinx, An Ideal Husband, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Oscar Wilde was an existentialist and well known during his time. I have not read any other books like this one but i would like to read more.

Indict America

I would like to indict the American government on their environmental and conservation policies.

Current Event- Crazy Coffee!!

URL: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/04/10/coffee.dung/index.html#cnnSTCText

Source: CNN.com

Summary: This special and unique coffee comes from the feces of an Indonesian jungle cat. After the cat eats only the best coffee beans, the beans go through the cat's digestive track. Only 573 pounds of this coffee is produced each year. The beans are sold in London for a high price (of $100 per shot), but on the other hand the profit from this luxury coffee all goes to charity.

Vocabulary- Week 13

The young intern revered her mentor and was impressed with his knowledge.


I was in a state of vertigo after i got off the crazy roller coaster.


The man threatened to sue the woman for the way she slandered him and his religion.


My mom always told me not squander away my money.



As people get older they begin to quell their old habits, like my habit to say "like".



revere - to regard with respect tinged with awe; venerate
vertigo - a dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in tilting or spinning surroundings.
punitive - serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment
slander - serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment
squander - to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully (often fol. by away).
panache - a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair:
forlorn - desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable, as in feeling, condition, or appearance.
quell - to suppress; put an end to; extinguish
concision - concise quality; brevity; terseness.
libel - defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.
defamation - the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny
misdirection - a wrong or incorrect direction, guidance, or instruction