Ha ha ha. Ho ho ho.

What you REALLY learn in mo pro...

As I tie myself to my chair on this beautiful Saturday morning, I can't help from hating on Mo Pro. Maybe it's because I need to crank out eight source analyses. Maybe it's because I'm heated we have a test, issues discussion and paper due date in the next 10 days. I couldn't tell you what we specifically talk about in class other than some politics, some sociology, and some economics. What I can tell you, is all the weird, messed up things we usually end up talking about. So here's a brief list of the random things Mr. Schmit has taught other blocks, and my block in the past three months...

• The YMCA song is a "gay anthem". The song came out during the first burst of the gay-lesbian civil rights movement, about the same time Pride festivals started. It's artists, the Village People, were stereotypes of iconic gay sex images. "They have everything for you men to enjoy, you can hang out with all the boys..." Just Google it. (courtesy of Block 3)
• The Happy Birthday Song is owned by Paul McCartney. Now the more I look into this, it has become apparent that this is rumor. Many sources say Time Warner owns the rights. Either way, in training at Pump it Up, we were informed we can start singing Happy Birthday, but as a worker we're not suppose to sing to the end since that would be copyright infringement. I still sing all of it. Get at me Time Warner. (courtesy of Concert Choir and String Orchestra Block 2)
• Mr. Schmit can do everything. His friend created a plane, so Mr. Schmit made an engine for it. Mr. Schmit fixes his own cars. Mr. Schmit doesn't follow the rules of high-class museums in Rome. Mr. Schmit doesn't sleep (he's literally at WHS for 12 hours a day). Mr. Schmit cuts his own daughters' hair. Mr Schmit is almost legally blind, but still is allowed to drive. Mr. Schmit...

 I could go on, but I should really get started on all this Mo Pro. And college apps. And Comp projects.

On Desk Divulging-- The Harrison Family's Computer Desk

My desk is a hot mess.

Thermometer, clock, piranha. What argument was my dad trying to make my placing a thermometer at the right hand of my computer monitor? I may never know. There isn't one or two, but rather three clocks in a 60 degree view centered on the flashing screen in front of my face. Nothing teaches time management in the Harrison household like a tick, TICK,  tickTICK TicTIICK TIIIIICKK consistently blaring at irregular intervals as three clocks compete to be heard. Piranha you ask? Who doesn't need a good scare to escape the vice-grip of Facebook. 

Meet Piranha Joe.

Baby pictures, books and bubble gum.

Oh these aren't three separate items. But rather a book of memories (a.k.a. pictures) stuck in a blank book by bubble gum.

It's amazing what you can tell about a family from just four things laying on their desk. You can often make a guess on how functional that family is. From our desk, I think all you take away from it is a crooked expression and a mutter of "dubbs - tee - eff".

Eenie Meenie Miney Mode... hehehe But Actually Good Luck.

1.Nationalism is broken into three parts by George Orwell in his Notes on Nationalism, and is similar to patriotism in that it’s devotion to one’s country. Positive nationalism is the most associated with patriotism, encouraging national pride and well being. Negative nationalism, is more of the extremes, which has ties to intolerance and exploitation of the people by its leaders. Transferred nationalism typically makes scapegoats, to put the blame elsewhere. This briefly outlines all the different possible definitions of nationalism, and shows patriotism is synonymous with positive nationalism.

2. Patriotism is devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty. In the words of George Orwell, patriotism is identifying oneself with a single nation, placing it beyond good and evil and recognizing no other duty than that of advancing its interests. It’s not what can my country do for me, but rather what can I do for my country. Without patriotism, we Americans would still be under Great Britain’s thumb, paying taxes up the whazoo.

 

3. Patriotism was a sole, biggest factor in pushing the United States into the superpower that it is today. The feeling of belonging that patriotism gives to its constituents gives people the incentive to work hard for a common goal. Manifest Destiny, the 19^th century belief for America to extend and enhance its political, social, and economic influences across the continent, would never have taken hold if people weren’t patriotic to the United States.

 

4. Moments of intense patriotism are often very successful in sending a chill down necks. For instance, look at the beginning of our war for independence, and the first battle at Lexington and Concord. In Lexington, colonists had begun backing away, but then someone fired a single shot. Eight colonials died and ten more were wounded. One wounded American patriot, whose wife and son were watching the spectacle, crawled 100 yards to die on his front doorstep (2). Now that’s patriotism.

5. I first discovered patriotism on a visit to colonial Williamsburg. Life in the 17th century was not something I was looking forward to, yet it turned out to be my favorite Thanksgiving ever. First settled in 1699, the entire township smelled of old books and candle wax. Everyone was working together to better Williamsburg, and hopefully expand into the outside world (east VA). I got to watch the first patriots in America make goods and trade them. It's an experience I'll never forget.

6. Many people wrongly consider patriotism to be synonymous nationalism. Nationalism means to give more importance to unity by way of a cultural background, including language and heritage. Patriotism pertains to the love for a nation, with more emphasis on values and beliefs. While a nationalist may view their country as better than any other, a patriot still sees there is room for improvement. A nationalist often is focused on the past, trying to explain past mistakes, while patriots focus more on the future.

 Works Cited

1. "George Orwell: Notes on Nationalism." George Orwell - Eric Arthur Blair. Novels. Essays. Articles. Reviews. Biography. Bibliography. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://orwell.ru/library/essays/nationalism/english/e_nat>.

2. "War in The American Revolution." Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://www.shmoop.com/american-revolution/war.html>.

3. "Difference Between Nationalism and Patriotism | Difference Between | Nationalism vs Patriotism." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-nationalism-and-patriotism/>.

Tis the Season

Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Doesn't that look great?

Two years ago, my best friend since Kindergarten had to move to Wyoming. Hunter wasn't too fond of his dad picking up a job in Jackson Hole, but on the third day of Summer they were off to a new home.

Why am I saying this now?

• It's snowing, and it's kind of a gross type of snow. Look at those Teton Mountains. You can see those from Hunter's porch, and that snow looks beautiful. He's already climbed to the top of one of them I know, and I wish I was there doing that right now!
• HE'S VISITING. I got a random text yesterday asking if he could crash at my place, so uhhh...I'm pretty excited

And in a couple days, MY WHOLE FAMILY WILL BE VISITING. Grandparents and all my brothers will be here under one roof. I imagine they're going to be asking me about college the entire time, so I better prepare a spiel for that. But I love Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot, eating, sleeping, a five day weekend, Black Friday (yes I'm one of those nuts...) it doesn't get much better than that.

Everyone who's reading this... All 2, maybe 3 of you,

Happy thanksgiving

The Rhetoric of Communication

Several arguments are unintentionally made, often through what's seen as disrespect considering "proper manners."

• A businessperson who leaves the restaurant table to answer a page is suggesting he would rather be somewhere else. This one page has more value to him or her than the other person's company.
• A doctor who leaves the table to answer a page however, leaves the impression that what he's doing is more important than socializing at that dinner. Someone's life could be on the line!

• Telephone solicitors who mispronounce your name is not a good way to start a conversation. This sale obviously isn't too important to him. Do you think he would mispronounce a future employer's name wrong? No, he would research pronunciation so he would appear more credible. 
• Robot-like telephone calls are as impersonal as it gets. The message is just trying to be distributed as far as it can. If the robot doesn't first state why it's calling or why it's message should be heard, the results could be disastrous. If it keeps calling, that can just be annoying! It's never a good impression.

Example example of interpersonal mass media I often see are those late night infomercials. They all follow the same formula. Someone painfully struggling. It's difficult. They're questioning why they're even doing it. It's almost backwards, for example their lives are in black and white, just like my grandparents childhood. Until we invented color a couple years before the filming of the Wizard of Oz. Next, flashy lights. Smiles, colors, success. How can you live without this product? You can't, so pick up the phone and dial now!

Pentad:
An act is shown, and it's so much easier after the introduction of the product.
The predicament takes place in a situation you often find yourself in, or fear you may find yourself sometime.
This adversity can be overcome, by everyday you! And the product...
The agency shows it with such precision and accuracy. This could change your life for the better.
They want to make money. Period.

It's scary how convincing some of these infomercials are. They can appeal to every audience, even if the product is completely irrelevant.

Excuse me, but I just discovered an Aqua Globe can water my plants for me.

On Studying for Finals, and Not Doing Awesome.

With so many finals, I'm in a rather sassy mood. So when I googled "studying for finals", I was shocked someone would make a blog post "How to Ace Your Finals Without Studying."

http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/about-and-contact-info/

So I'm going to do what any other exhausted high school student would do. Talk back. Sass. Rip this freakshow of an article to shreds. Bullying? Yes. But here I go.

"I’ve never been that keen on studying before an exam." - Alright, bite me. Who does? Way to start of with a strong ethos characterized by the word, Loser!

"I rarely study for more than a half hour, even for big final exams worth more than half my grade." - I hate you.

"For some of my math classes I have yet to do a single practice question for homework." - I hope your putting all the hours you're saving to good use. And not just writing these articles to make me feel bad about myself.

"Most people study by cramming in as much information before walking into the test room, whereas I consider studying to be no more than a light stretch before running."- Great. You're bringing running into this. It's official, I'm never going to run again. You run. You're a meanie. Therefore meanies run. Suck on that syllogism!

And now, he decides to give us advice. It's genuine. Kind. Almost... Sweet. I look to the box on the right...

And the hate comes back. I hope you never show up in my google search again. You are dead to me.