Alphabetical Advice

Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.

Be humble.

Change your thoughts and you change the world.

Drugs are bad.

Expect things of yourself before you can even do them.

Fear failure.

Get on the right track and stay there.

Help others in need.

If you put in the work, the results will come.

Jealousy is a symptom of insecurity.

Know no limits.

Leave your legacy.

Make it happen.

Never be satisfied with just basic.

Obstacles do not have to stop you.

Play to win the game, not to just play it.

Quitting is not an option.

Remember where you came from.

Stay on the grind at all times.

Tebow time is still always the best time.

Use common sense.

Value everything that you have.

When in doubt, snap out of it.

X-out all of your problems.

Yell Kobe every time you try to throw something in the trash.

Zero in on what is important.

Public Display of Disaffection

1. What are three main points in this article? Support each point with a properly integrated quote

         

          There are three very important points made in the article "Public Display of Disaffection" by Anne Kingston. First off, Kingston states that cell phones are "an addiction" which puts both "personal and business relationships […] at risk" [Kingston]. She also states that people are losing their "one-on-one people skills" [Kingston] as a result of this addiction. Furthermore, Kingston goes on to state that people have the tendency to use cell phones in extremely offensive places and at unreasonable times. Technology related rudeness can range from anywhere like the "distracting glow of PDA screens in theaters  to "loud cell phone conversations in elevators" [Kingston]. Finally, Kingston points out that bans are now beginning to be placed in certain public areas as businesses are refusing to "serve digital multi-taskers" [Kingston] in order to discourage the use of mobile devices. Ultimately, this unacceptable behavior has gotten much worse over time.     

2. Agree or disagree with each of her points. Please back up your ideas with specific examples.

           

            Personally, I agree with most of the points made by Kingston. It is very true that most people have become addicted to their mobile devices over time and are beginning to lose the ability to keep real-life, face to face conversations going. Throughout the day, there are countless occasions where I see people are too busy with their cell phones to even realize what is going on around them. Also, we see it all the time in the classroom where the teacher is busy teaching and there will be someone sneakily trying to text or check their twitter, completely oblivious to what is actually happening in the class. That is one of the cases of cell phone use that shows both disrespect and bad timing. However, I disagree with the point Kingston makes about banning cell phones in certain places. That is not really a valid point that is made by Kingston because I have yet to see any restaurants discouraging cell phone use, or a restaurant refuse to serve food to a customer who happens to be using a cell phone. It just does not happen. If anything, restaurants actually encourage the use of technology. This is obvious because many restaurants advertise the fact that they have free Wi-Fi available for the customers, which clearly shows they have no problem with technology in the restaurant.    

3. When are times when you believe that cell phones are acceptable? How about  Unacceptable? Should schools, movie theaters and other public places consider bans or cell phone jammers like Europe?

          There are many situations where cell phones are acceptable and believe it or not, even necessary. In the world we live in today, having a cell phone in your pocket could possibly save lives, as it makes calling for help during emergencies much faster and more convenient than ever before. Also, cell phone use can be acceptable when someone is alone or has some free time on their hands, like during a lunch break at school or work. I see nothing wrong with using a cell phone in these situations. On the other hand, in most situations, the presence of a cell phone can be seen as both rude and disrespectful, as it displays a vast lack of interest and carelessness by the cell phone user towards their present situation. Cell phones are deemed unacceptable in many public places which include movie theaters, restaurants and even some hospitals. Also, at some events such as important ceremonies or business meetings, the use of a cell phone would be especially irresponsible and out of place. However, banning cell phones all together or installing cell phone jammers to limit the use of cell phones is a bit excessive. Although they may have some great benefits like preventing the use of phones during class time or during movies, they could be dangerous, as it would become very difficult to contact anyone during emergencies. In the end, the user of the cell phone should be responsible enough to know when it is or is not acceptable to use a cell phone.           

Journal Entry #1-"The Road"

 “You wanted to know what the bad guys looked like. Now you know. It may happen again. My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God. I will kill anyone who touches you. Do you understand?

Yes.

He sat there cowled in the blanket. After a while, he looked up. Are we still the good guys? He said

Yes. We’re still the good guys.

And we always will be.

Yes. We always will be.” [77 McCarthy]

            The father and son’s mentality of being the “good guys” is very similar to the attitude that is held by real life soldiers. In the novel, the man and his son both truly believe that they are the "good guys", but what they do not realize is that their actions are almost identical to those of the “bad guys”. Both the "good" and "bad" are simply just trying to survive during the difficult times they are forced to live in. In order to ensure the safety of his son, the man is forced to kill one of the cannibals, but in reality, the cannibals are also only trying to ensure their own survival. Besides, survival is the only reason they have been forced to become cannibals in the first place. This quote displays the similarities between the father and the army in a multitude of different  ways. During the story, the father is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his son, which is very closely related to the mentality soldiers encompass during war. Soldiers are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their country. Also, the man places his son's protection above absolutely anything else. Likewise, soldiers place the protection of their country over everything else. Furthermore, the man is willing to kill "anyone who touches" [77 McCarthy] his son, while soldiers are also willing to kill anyone who brings harm to, or is even a possible threat to their country. Clearly, many similarities can be noticed between the attitudes of soldiers and the man in the novel.  

            In the end, some of the father's actions really leave the reader asking them self if the man and the boy can really call each other the "good guys" in the situation. Although the man and the boy do not participate in any of the horrific deeds most of the survivors do to continue to exist, their mentality is the same way, which ultimately exhibits that the man and the boy cannot fully be considered the "good guys". 

A Typical Tuesday Morning

                "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP." On a typical Tuesday morning, my alarm sounded vigorously at the crack of dawn. The thing was driving me crazy, and, to be honest, it was the last thing I wanted to hear at this ungodly-early hour. It was really starting to get on my nerves. If there is a definition of "grinding someone's gears" this had got to be it. As per usual, I turned the unpleasant rumbling of the wicked contraption off so I could get some shut eye, when all of a sudden my mother burst through the door in a white hot rage. I thought to myself "do not tempt fate" and try to fight back in this one-sided dispute. My mother was about to lose her cool about my feeble attempt to get some extra sleep. "I have had it up to "here" with you" she bellowed, "how many times do I have to tell you?" Apparently, I had really done it this time with my unavoidable morning sluggishness. After this usual morning outburst had subsided, I decided to gather my thoughts in order to get ready for the upcoming events that awaited me during the day. "Every dark cloud has a silver lining" I optimistically reminded myself, maybe one day these tongue lashings will all make sense. This statement reminded me of another point my mother always made "one of these days when you are a parent, you will understand" and, all of a sudden, it was as if all the happiness in the world had disappeared in one swift snap of the fingers.

The Force

            If I was given the choice to select any superpower imaginable, I would definitely choose to have the force, like from Star Wars, which would allow me to physically move objects with the simple wave of a hand. Additional powers that come along with the force would be strength, accuracy, speed, telekinesis and enhanced reflexes. This extraordinary power would be extremely helpful for not only myself, but also for others. As far as specific benefits go, with this powerful force at the palm of my hands, I could effortlessly become the greatest athlete of all time. I could use my ability to make myself an unstoppable player in a handful of different sports including: basketball, hockey, football and even golf. If I were a basketball player, I could use my unique ability to mold a ridiculous jump shot to make the ball go through the hoop every time. Or in hockey, I could use the force to add an unearthly power and accuracy to my shot to snipe it whenever I please. Even as a hockey goaltender, I could force the puck to slow down and direct itself right into my glove. On the football field, I could become a relentless wide receiver by forcing the football into my hands every time the quarterback decided to throw it, providing a touchdown on every drive down the field. In golf, I could get an absurd number of hole in ones by forcing the ball to fall consistently into the hole. Along with my fantastic athletic ability would come great fame and a mind-boggling sum of money from all the enormous contracts that I would be signed to with various sports teams. This is also how my power could help the world, as a lot of that money could be very useful as a donation to many different charities and relief programs. Another way my power could help others is if there were ever any disasters around the world, anything from extreme weather conditions to oil spills, I could use my incredible power to play a vital role in helping with the rescue of people and with the cleanup of the mess caused by the catastrophic event. I would just have to stand in one spot, and from there I could use the force to effortlessly lift all of the debris and rubble out of the way. Ultimately, the power of the force would be an exceptional power to have as it would benefit myself, and better yet, the planet.  

The Question that is Life

It loomed in front of me, the darkness

The light seemed to disappear in the shadow

If I could offer you the light

Would you put it to good use?

Light the way to the sound that surrounds you

Drip…drip…drip went the water from the tap

It created a beat so sick; it was like the Asiatic flu

It would have been too easy, to begin a rap

But that is not the purpose of the sound

The purpose needs to be found

It is difficult to find the purpose

It cannot just be bought by a British pound

This poem is an understatement

The difficulty involved with the finding of the sound

Needs to be put into a restatement

If you expect to find the reason for the sound

Could this sound be the answer?

Not to the solution of cancer

But to the question that we call life

Which you my friends will have to find

Write for Your Life

Sohail Sidhu

117 Rogers Cres

Penticton, B.C.

V2A 8E6

February 2, 2012

Captain Draude

Commander

HMS Princess Margaret

O Captain, My Captain:

            There has been some talk around the ship recently about you having to make a decision that concerns our lives. As soon as I heard about this unfortunate news, I decided to send you a letter explaining why I should be chosen among one of the survivors of this ill-fated situation. I hope this letter will somehow help impact the very difficult decision that has been presented to you.

            First and foremost, I would like to inform you about my plans for the future. If you choose me to survive, I will be extremely beneficial to not only you, but the entire community, and possibly even the world. After high school, I plan on going to a post-secondary institution to further my studies and pursue a career in the medical field. It has always been my dream since I was just a young child to become a doctor. I have two goals that I plan on reaching by accomplishing this. Firstly, I have always had a passion for helping others. It is extremely satisfying to be given the opportunity to help someone make their life better. I believe that saving someone's life is one of the most noble deeds a human can achieve. Coincidentally, you are being given this same opportunity through the choice you will have to make. My second goal is to be able to make my parents proud. They have both worked so hard to raise me that it would not be fair to them if it all went to waste at the bottom of this ocean.

            I understand that other students are also planning on sending you letters with their own plea for mercy. I can assure you right now that those letters are going to be chalked full of lies, bribes and unrelated facts. The others are going to tell you that they will change their way of life positively if you let them live, or that they will give you gifts for the rest of your life, but the harsh reality is that they are just going to run away from here as far as they can. My letter on the other hand is just the simple truth. Those are my goals and I plan on achieving them for the betterment of our world. I hope that you can find it in your heart to spare me so I can continue my journey to reach these goals. If it really does come down to it, and I do not make the list of survivors, I hope that my passing can somehow improve the lives of the other students by letting them live, and giving them the opportunity to do great things. Lastly, I thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this letter. I know you have a lot of thinking to do before you make your final decision, and I truly hope that this letter will assist you in making that decision correctly.

Sincerely,

Sohail Sidhu