Monday, October 29, 2007
Grammar Girl # 49
Again, I am tasked with writing about my weakest subject in the academic world, grammar. I envy the writers that can sit at a computer and create a beautiful passage without the red and green squiggles of stupidity. Well, that is how I feel sometime. Nothing stops my creative juices from flowing than a squiggle red or green. I feel great before I sit down to write, then as my thought flow faster than my finger can type they happen. Squiggle after squiggle, slowly changing my creative juices into paranoia and self-doubt. Last weeks Grammar Girl discussed comma splicing which was very painful. This week however, my confidence is back. I can truly say that I have a handle on run-on sentences. I have not received the crushing news that I have committed the writing sin of run-on sentences. My sins are that of comma usage or the lack there of, grammar sins such as using then instead of than (I am good at that one). However, my all time favorite has to be the lack of proof reading. I fear not for I know that writing is a work in progress and I am working to progress.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Grammar Girl
I must admit. I am not very good at punctuation. Especially commas and semicolons, when and where to use them confuses me. I think I have the basic usage of those particular punctuations down. It never falls that when I am writing something I misuse a comma. After listen to Grammar Girl, I have a better understanding of comma splices and semicolons usage; At least one of the uses. I know that practice makes for better results, so I am practicing right know. In this short passage I am trying not to comma splice has I type my response to the Grammar Girl lesson. I will not know how I am doing until I receive my instructor’s response. I hope that I have accomplished my goal of not utilizing comma splices in my writing.
Here is an example of a comma splice
Brian ran up the hill, holding his dog named Punisher.
I hope that is correct or I will have to go back to the drawing board.
Here is an example of a comma splice
Brian ran up the hill, holding his dog named Punisher.
I hope that is correct or I will have to go back to the drawing board.
Cause and Effect - Final draft
The numbers do not lie, according to the National Institute of Diabetes 68% of America is either overweight or obese. By definition, a person is obese when their body has enormous proportions of fat, concentrated mainly around the abdomen. Obesity has continued to plaque the United States year after year. Obesity increases a person’s risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity has no preference when it comes to color or gender. Age is not a factor either, because of technology and other outside factors, child obesity has increased at alarming rates. Although the United States has the largest obese population in the world, the daily convenience of the American lifestyle causes this condition because of the affect that fast food has on the body, the lack of physical activity and the lack of knowledge concerning a healthy way of life. When it comes to food, convenience is not always a benefit but a hindrance to your body.
As children, we were taught the four basic food groups: fruit, Legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture has implemented a food pyramid. The new food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meat & beans. It is recommended to consume these foods in certain portions but with the fast pace life that most of America leads, eating according the food pyramid is easier said than done. With the high pace lives that Americans lead, cooking duties have been relinquish to line cooks at restaurants like McDonalds, Hardees, and Carl’s Jr. All of which offer a large variety of foods, from cheeseburgers to salads. The daily recommend caloric intake for an adult is about 1940 calories for a women and 2550 calories for a man (plus or minus 200 depending on activity level) depending on your resource. The process of burning these calories is very complicated. To sum the process up, the body only needs the recommend amount of calories, the excess is stored as fat, which can lead to obesity. If a person were to have a cheeseburger meal at Hardees for lunch, which includes a cheeseburger, large fries and a large Coke-a-cola the amount of calories consumed would total 1350 calories. For women, that is more than ¾ their caloric intake for the day and for a man it is more than ½ their caloric intake. That does not include breakfast, dinner or any snacking that has been done. Children fare no better than their parents do when it comes to fast food. For children ages 4 to 6, their daily caloric intake is 1800 calories. Feed a child a cheeseburger Happy meal from McDonalds and they have consumed 710 calories in one meal, that is nearly ½ their daily intake. Remember the body processes what it needs, the rest is stored as fat. The nutritional value of fast food may contribute to obesity, but a person’s activity level plays just as big a role in this epidemic.
Technology has changed the way the world operates. With the invention of the Internet, anything a person desires is just a click away. From grocery shopping to writing letters, if a person has a computer it can be done. Television, video games and other electronic devices have replaced imagination and outside activity for both adults and children. Child obesity rates have increased year after year because children no longer go outside to play after school, instead they stay inside and play Xbox or Play Station for hours or they sit and watch television shows such as Sponge Bob. Technology has affected adult activity levels as well. Social chat rooms, online gaming and surfing the internet has taken the places of interaction with their children. Families no longer go to parks and play; they stay inside and remain inactive. Doctors recommend that a person take part in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to remain healthy. This activity can include walking, running, jumping; anything that increases your heart rate. Physical activity can reduce excess body fat caused by overeating, reducing the chances of obesity. The reduction of excess body fat increases the chance of a longer healthier life. Technology not only hinders body fats lose, but technology can also help attain the recommend amount of physical activity by using exercise DVDs. Not only can physical activity help to decrease the number of obese Americans, the basic knowledge about a healthy lifestyle is just as beneficial.
Although there are hundreds maybe even thousands of informative books, magazines and web sites about healthy eating and exercise, most people find them intimidating. The pictures of the perfectly shaped models, the complicated formulas used and the acrobatic exercise moves needed to stay healthy can leave a person feeling less then capable of what they read. The intimidation factor can also increase a person chance of becoming obese because the person may give up and not try. Some may argue that if a person does not have a genetic disposition for obesity then there is no reason for being obese. The information that is available on healthy lifestyles is complicated and plentiful but is necessary to maintain a healthy life and reduce obesity in America.
The lifestyles of Americans have contributed to the alarming numbers of obese people in the Unites States. The want for convenience has caused a decline in the activity levels of parents and children alike. The lack of knowledge pertaining to the affects of fast food consumed, the specifics of physical activity and an overall knowledge of a healthy lifestyle all contribute the obesity epidemic. If Americans do not find a way to control their lifestyles, their lives will end prematurely.
As children, we were taught the four basic food groups: fruit, Legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture has implemented a food pyramid. The new food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meat & beans. It is recommended to consume these foods in certain portions but with the fast pace life that most of America leads, eating according the food pyramid is easier said than done. With the high pace lives that Americans lead, cooking duties have been relinquish to line cooks at restaurants like McDonalds, Hardees, and Carl’s Jr. All of which offer a large variety of foods, from cheeseburgers to salads. The daily recommend caloric intake for an adult is about 1940 calories for a women and 2550 calories for a man (plus or minus 200 depending on activity level) depending on your resource. The process of burning these calories is very complicated. To sum the process up, the body only needs the recommend amount of calories, the excess is stored as fat, which can lead to obesity. If a person were to have a cheeseburger meal at Hardees for lunch, which includes a cheeseburger, large fries and a large Coke-a-cola the amount of calories consumed would total 1350 calories. For women, that is more than ¾ their caloric intake for the day and for a man it is more than ½ their caloric intake. That does not include breakfast, dinner or any snacking that has been done. Children fare no better than their parents do when it comes to fast food. For children ages 4 to 6, their daily caloric intake is 1800 calories. Feed a child a cheeseburger Happy meal from McDonalds and they have consumed 710 calories in one meal, that is nearly ½ their daily intake. Remember the body processes what it needs, the rest is stored as fat. The nutritional value of fast food may contribute to obesity, but a person’s activity level plays just as big a role in this epidemic.
Technology has changed the way the world operates. With the invention of the Internet, anything a person desires is just a click away. From grocery shopping to writing letters, if a person has a computer it can be done. Television, video games and other electronic devices have replaced imagination and outside activity for both adults and children. Child obesity rates have increased year after year because children no longer go outside to play after school, instead they stay inside and play Xbox or Play Station for hours or they sit and watch television shows such as Sponge Bob. Technology has affected adult activity levels as well. Social chat rooms, online gaming and surfing the internet has taken the places of interaction with their children. Families no longer go to parks and play; they stay inside and remain inactive. Doctors recommend that a person take part in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to remain healthy. This activity can include walking, running, jumping; anything that increases your heart rate. Physical activity can reduce excess body fat caused by overeating, reducing the chances of obesity. The reduction of excess body fat increases the chance of a longer healthier life. Technology not only hinders body fats lose, but technology can also help attain the recommend amount of physical activity by using exercise DVDs. Not only can physical activity help to decrease the number of obese Americans, the basic knowledge about a healthy lifestyle is just as beneficial.
Although there are hundreds maybe even thousands of informative books, magazines and web sites about healthy eating and exercise, most people find them intimidating. The pictures of the perfectly shaped models, the complicated formulas used and the acrobatic exercise moves needed to stay healthy can leave a person feeling less then capable of what they read. The intimidation factor can also increase a person chance of becoming obese because the person may give up and not try. Some may argue that if a person does not have a genetic disposition for obesity then there is no reason for being obese. The information that is available on healthy lifestyles is complicated and plentiful but is necessary to maintain a healthy life and reduce obesity in America.
The lifestyles of Americans have contributed to the alarming numbers of obese people in the Unites States. The want for convenience has caused a decline in the activity levels of parents and children alike. The lack of knowledge pertaining to the affects of fast food consumed, the specifics of physical activity and an overall knowledge of a healthy lifestyle all contribute the obesity epidemic. If Americans do not find a way to control their lifestyles, their lives will end prematurely.
Reading Response
In the article Poor Taste, the author is writing to the consumer. Consumers being people that while shopping purchase only specific foods. The specific types of food are locally grown, far-trade or organically grown also know has ethical foods. The audience the auth0r is writing to will agree and if not already well informed on the topic will gain insight on the subject. The author also is writing to the opposition because the author restates the opposition position. The author writes, “The magazine opens its critique by implying that the sustainable –food movement has abandoned politics in favor of enlightened consumerism”.
The main claim for both articles is that buying a certain type of food is not the way to invoke social change has many shoppers believe. The article voting with your trolley makes the stronger argument. Because the author gives specific examples such as “What I hear as I talk to people is this phenomenal sense of despair about their inability to do anything about climate change, or the disparity between rich and poor.” “But when they go into a grocery store they can do something-they can make decisions about what they are buying and send a very clear message.”
In the article Poor taste the arguments are not well organized, the author is more or less rebutting the made by the Economist regarding the sustainable-food movement. On the contrary, the article Voting with your trolley, is well organized and the reader will be able to follow the article. The information in the article Voting with your trolley gives in-depth information about the ethical food movement. Where as the Poor Taste article only refutes what the Economist stated.
I learned a lot from both articles. I consider myself well versed on produce, and the information provided has increased my awareness.
The main claim for both articles is that buying a certain type of food is not the way to invoke social change has many shoppers believe. The article voting with your trolley makes the stronger argument. Because the author gives specific examples such as “What I hear as I talk to people is this phenomenal sense of despair about their inability to do anything about climate change, or the disparity between rich and poor.” “But when they go into a grocery store they can do something-they can make decisions about what they are buying and send a very clear message.”
In the article Poor taste the arguments are not well organized, the author is more or less rebutting the made by the Economist regarding the sustainable-food movement. On the contrary, the article Voting with your trolley, is well organized and the reader will be able to follow the article. The information in the article Voting with your trolley gives in-depth information about the ethical food movement. Where as the Poor Taste article only refutes what the Economist stated.
I learned a lot from both articles. I consider myself well versed on produce, and the information provided has increased my awareness.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Cause and Effect 1st Draft- Obesity
The numbers do not lie, according to the National Institute of Diabetes 68% of America is either overweight or obese. By definition, a person is obese when their body has enormous proportions of fat, concentrated mainly around the abdomen. Obesity has continued to plaque the United States year after year. Obesity increases a person’s risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity has no preference when it comes to color or gender. Age is not a factor either, because of technology and other outside factors, child obesity has increased at alarming rates. Although the United States has the largest obese population in the world, the daily convenience of the American lifestyle causes this condition because of the affect that fast food has on the body, the lack of physical activity and the lack of knowledge concerning a healthy way of life. When it comes to food, convenience is not always a benefit but a hindrance to your body.
As children, we were taught the four basic food groups: fruit, Legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture as implemented a food pyramid. The new food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meat & beans. It is recommended to consume these foods in certain portions but with the fast pace life that most of America leads eating according the food pyramid is easier said than done. With the high pace lives that Americans lead, cooking duties have been relinquish to line cooks at restaurants like McDonalds, Hardees, and Carl’s Jr. All of which offer a large variety of foods, from cheeseburgers to salads. The daily recommend caloric intake for an adult is about 1940 calories for a women and 2550 calories for a man (plus or minus 200 depending on activity level) depending on your resource. The process of burning these calories is very complicated. To sum the process up, the body only needs the recommend about of calories, the excess is stored as fat, which can lead to obesity. If a person were to have a cheeseburger meal at Hardees for lunch, which includes a cheeseburger, large fries and a large Coke-a-cola the amount of calories consumed would total 1350 calories. For women, that is more than ¾ their caloric intake for the day and for a man it’s more than ½ their caloric intake. That does not include breakfast; dinner or any snacking that has been done. Children fare no better then their parents when it comes to fast food. For children ages 4 to 6, their daily caloric intake is 1800 calories. Feed a child a cheeseburger Happy meal from McDonalds and they have consumed 710 calories in one meal, that is nearly ½ their daily intake. Remember the body processes what it need the rest is stored as fat. The nutritional value of fast food may contribute to obesity, but a person’s activity level plays just as big a role in this epidemic.
Technology has changed the way the world operates. With the invention of the Internet, anything a person desires is just a click away. From grocery shopping, to writing letters, if a person has a computer it can be done. Television, video games and other electronic devices have replace imagination and outside activity for both adults and children. Child obesity rates have increased year after year because children no longer go outside to play after school, instead they stay inside and play Xbox or Play Station for hours, or they sit and watch television shows such as Sponge Bob. Technology has affected adult activity levels as well, social chat rooms, online gaming and surfing the internet as taken the places of interaction with their children. Families no longer go to parks and play; they stay inside and remain inactive. It is recommended that a person take part in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to remain healthy. This activity can include walking, running, jumping; anything that increases your heart rate. Physical activity can reduce excess body fat caused by overeating; reducing the chances of obesity. The reduction of excess body fat increases the chance of a longer healthier life. Not only can physical activity help to decrease the number of obese Americans, just the basic knowledge about a healthy lifestyle is just as beneficial.
Although there are hundreds maybe even thousands of informative books, magazines and web sites about healthy eating and exercise, most people find them intimidating. The pictures of the perfect models, the complicated formulas used and the acrobatic exercise moves needed to stay healthy can leave a person feeling less then capable of what they read. This also increase a person chances of becoming obese because. The information that is available on healthy lifestyles is complicated and plentiful but is necessary to maintain a healthy life and reduce obesity in America.
The lifestyles of Americans have contributed to the alarming numbers of obese people in the Unites States. The want for convenience has caused a decline in the activity levels of parents and children alike. The lack of knowledge pertaining to the affects of fast food consumed, the specifics of physical activity and an overall knowledge of a healthy lifestyle all contribute the obesity epidemic. If Americas do not find a way to control their lifestyles, health care cost will increase to an uncontrollable amount.
As children, we were taught the four basic food groups: fruit, Legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture as implemented a food pyramid. The new food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk and meat & beans. It is recommended to consume these foods in certain portions but with the fast pace life that most of America leads eating according the food pyramid is easier said than done. With the high pace lives that Americans lead, cooking duties have been relinquish to line cooks at restaurants like McDonalds, Hardees, and Carl’s Jr. All of which offer a large variety of foods, from cheeseburgers to salads. The daily recommend caloric intake for an adult is about 1940 calories for a women and 2550 calories for a man (plus or minus 200 depending on activity level) depending on your resource. The process of burning these calories is very complicated. To sum the process up, the body only needs the recommend about of calories, the excess is stored as fat, which can lead to obesity. If a person were to have a cheeseburger meal at Hardees for lunch, which includes a cheeseburger, large fries and a large Coke-a-cola the amount of calories consumed would total 1350 calories. For women, that is more than ¾ their caloric intake for the day and for a man it’s more than ½ their caloric intake. That does not include breakfast; dinner or any snacking that has been done. Children fare no better then their parents when it comes to fast food. For children ages 4 to 6, their daily caloric intake is 1800 calories. Feed a child a cheeseburger Happy meal from McDonalds and they have consumed 710 calories in one meal, that is nearly ½ their daily intake. Remember the body processes what it need the rest is stored as fat. The nutritional value of fast food may contribute to obesity, but a person’s activity level plays just as big a role in this epidemic.
Technology has changed the way the world operates. With the invention of the Internet, anything a person desires is just a click away. From grocery shopping, to writing letters, if a person has a computer it can be done. Television, video games and other electronic devices have replace imagination and outside activity for both adults and children. Child obesity rates have increased year after year because children no longer go outside to play after school, instead they stay inside and play Xbox or Play Station for hours, or they sit and watch television shows such as Sponge Bob. Technology has affected adult activity levels as well, social chat rooms, online gaming and surfing the internet as taken the places of interaction with their children. Families no longer go to parks and play; they stay inside and remain inactive. It is recommended that a person take part in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to remain healthy. This activity can include walking, running, jumping; anything that increases your heart rate. Physical activity can reduce excess body fat caused by overeating; reducing the chances of obesity. The reduction of excess body fat increases the chance of a longer healthier life. Not only can physical activity help to decrease the number of obese Americans, just the basic knowledge about a healthy lifestyle is just as beneficial.
Although there are hundreds maybe even thousands of informative books, magazines and web sites about healthy eating and exercise, most people find them intimidating. The pictures of the perfect models, the complicated formulas used and the acrobatic exercise moves needed to stay healthy can leave a person feeling less then capable of what they read. This also increase a person chances of becoming obese because. The information that is available on healthy lifestyles is complicated and plentiful but is necessary to maintain a healthy life and reduce obesity in America.
The lifestyles of Americans have contributed to the alarming numbers of obese people in the Unites States. The want for convenience has caused a decline in the activity levels of parents and children alike. The lack of knowledge pertaining to the affects of fast food consumed, the specifics of physical activity and an overall knowledge of a healthy lifestyle all contribute the obesity epidemic. If Americas do not find a way to control their lifestyles, health care cost will increase to an uncontrollable amount.
Big Idea
The greatest thing about the United States of America is that we as citizens have the freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is important because of the diversity in American. Not everyone shares the same values or opinions. To have the right to express ones thoughts without recourse is a wonderful privilege. Therein lays the problem, because America is so diverse the likelihood of offending another person’s value and opinion is inevitable. There will always be a person that does not agree with another and they have that right to disagree. In the interview with Ann Coulter, Donny Deutsch the host of the Big Idea asked Ann her opinion. Ann was attempting to express that opinion when she stated something to the effect that Jews need to perfect themselves. Donny expressed his difference of opinion and went to a commercial. Once the show returned, Donny gave Ann an opportunity to explain her thoughts further. Unfortunately for Ann the damage had already been done. With every statement that came out of her mouth, Donny fired back with both guns blazing. Donny no longer wanted to hear what she was saying, all he could hear was “Jews need to perfect themselves.” Ann Coulter’s freedom of speech caused Donny Deutsch to transform from an open-minded show host, to a close-minded practicing Jew. Because of the effect of Ann’s words on Donny, the viewers watching the show were forced to form their own opinion about Ann. Is she a racist or just misunderstood. This is the unpleasant side of freedom of speech, once a person has offended another they no longer listen with an open-mind. This is cause and effect at its best. The effect of Ann’s words Cause Donny’s reaction.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Plagiarism
Paraphrasing helps me to understand the material better also helps me broaden my vocabulary and beefs up my writing skills. Lord knows they need beefing up!!!
I have two questions.
Is writing one paper for two classes ethical?
If another student writes a paper for you and you turn it in, who is more to blame?
I have two questions.
Is writing one paper for two classes ethical?
If another student writes a paper for you and you turn it in, who is more to blame?
Postsecret
I enjoyed the site. Any time people can have a place to release their creative ideas is wonderful. Things like this give some people a reason to function. Sunday secrets give them a chance to release what they hold inside them, relieving the pressures of everyday life. I am not sure that it matters if the submissions are real or fake, the postings are there to provoke thought, emotions and feelings not judgment. How is to say what is real? What is real to one person may seem fake to the next. It is all about individual perception and experience, if a person reads a posting and can relate it to their life then that posting is real. If they cannot relate then that person will just move on, not wondering if what they just read was real. The functionality of the site is based on individual perspectives. Serving as a release for people to express feelings that they may not be able to express under normal communication, that element makes the site very valuable to the users. From the responses, you can tell that many people share some of the same felling and thoughts, which lets them know that they are not alone.
When my fiancé left me, I volunteered to go to Iraq hoping I wouldn’t come back. I got the Purple Heart instead.
I have experienced the lost of love and it hurts. Love hurts so much that you feel as if you cannot go on. This is the reason for volunteering to go to war and hoping not to come back. The person cannot just kill them self, although they feel like dying. So dying in war would be the next best thing. That is not what happens. They go to war, fight bravely; sustain wounds and transported home a decorated hero. Now their pain is doubled, physical pain from the wound and mental pain from the heart break. The only thing that heals heartache is time, not war or any other type of pain.
Pros and Cons
It is 2007 and parents and grandparents do not care how their children are treated. The only thing that they care about is the color of skin, sad but true fact that will never die out. Not every person is like that…I have to add that in there because it has gotten better.
When my fiancé left me, I volunteered to go to Iraq hoping I wouldn’t come back. I got the Purple Heart instead.
I have experienced the lost of love and it hurts. Love hurts so much that you feel as if you cannot go on. This is the reason for volunteering to go to war and hoping not to come back. The person cannot just kill them self, although they feel like dying. So dying in war would be the next best thing. That is not what happens. They go to war, fight bravely; sustain wounds and transported home a decorated hero. Now their pain is doubled, physical pain from the wound and mental pain from the heart break. The only thing that heals heartache is time, not war or any other type of pain.
Pros and Cons
It is 2007 and parents and grandparents do not care how their children are treated. The only thing that they care about is the color of skin, sad but true fact that will never die out. Not every person is like that…I have to add that in there because it has gotten better.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Logical Fallacies
Argumentum ad numerum (argument or appeal to numbers) – Attempting to prove something by showing how many people thinks it is true. But no matter how many people believe something, that doesn’t necessarily make it true or right. I have found this logical fallacy in contemporary magazines for both genders. Men’s health for example will have a survey stating that 60% of men think women are moody. The only problem with surveys like this is that the number of people actually surveyed does not accurately represent any given population. I have committed this fallacy before, I am sure that I have committed it more then once. At some time in my life, I have exaggerated the number of people in a story, the amount of work completed. I am now aware of what I was doing because it now has a name. Logical fallacies are something new to me, before the assignment I had never heard of this. Now I will be aware that what I am doing is called Argumentum ad numerum. http://www.csun.edu/~dgw61315/fallacies.html
Blog Review
First, I would like to explain my feelings about this topic. I do not understand the idea of designing a blog page, what is the function of the having a blog page that is designed? The time and effort put into looking for that perfect background or that picture that screams me is too much for me to handle. I have tried to sit at my computer and search the thousand or even millions of backgrounds and pictures that are on the net. In hopes of finding, that one perfect background or picture that defines me. It is only after I have searched the first fifety that I realize that I am fighting an uphill battle. All of the backgrounds start to look the same, the pictures become blurry and everything starts to fade to black. Soon, I am franticly clicking my mouse button trying to exit the hell that I have entered. At one point, I just turned off my computer vowing never to search the internet again. On the other hand, I do envy those that can stand the hours of searching to find the background that matches their lavender font. It takes a calm hand, a steady eye and most of all patients of a preying cat to sit and wait before pouncing on that perfect fit to the page. I am just jealous that my blog sucks!! With that said, I will give what I like about a few blog pages because there is not one that jumps out at me as the best there all equally good.
Welcome to Laura’s Blog – I like the pictures and the music
So this is what English is – I like the colors
Sarah Treulich’s blog – The best layout of all.
Pastafarian’s Noodly Mash – The picture on the lower right side of the blog is very interesting
Welcome to Laura’s Blog – I like the pictures and the music
So this is what English is – I like the colors
Sarah Treulich’s blog – The best layout of all.
Pastafarian’s Noodly Mash – The picture on the lower right side of the blog is very interesting
Stung
Kolbert argues the importance of the western honeybee, which is the single most important pollinator in North America. Kolbert also argues that the populations of honeybees in North America are in jeopardy of becoming extinct because of a disease called colony-collapse disorder, which may be cause by a newly introduced insecticide called neonicotinoids.
The difference between this essay and what a newspaper would report is the in depth investigation of the story. The detail, in which Kolbert depicted the story of the western honeybee and their keepers, came from a beekeepers point of view not a reporter. A newspaper would not have as much detail and would leave the reader wanting more of the story. Kolbert left no questions to ask.
Three sources
Mid-Atlantic Apiculture – Informational page about CCD also other links to more information. http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/ColonyCollapseDisorder.html
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) – Informational site on the honeybee. Includes links to more information. http://pelotes.jea.com/honeybee.htm
Advanced Beekeeping 301 – Informational page about commercial beekeeping.
http://www.beeclass.com/DTS/301commercialbk.htm
Insect Pollinators – Informational page about insect pollinators, other links to types of pollinators. http://hometown.aol.com/insectpollinator/
The difference between this essay and what a newspaper would report is the in depth investigation of the story. The detail, in which Kolbert depicted the story of the western honeybee and their keepers, came from a beekeepers point of view not a reporter. A newspaper would not have as much detail and would leave the reader wanting more of the story. Kolbert left no questions to ask.
Three sources
Mid-Atlantic Apiculture – Informational page about CCD also other links to more information. http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/ColonyCollapseDisorder.html
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) – Informational site on the honeybee. Includes links to more information. http://pelotes.jea.com/honeybee.htm
Advanced Beekeeping 301 – Informational page about commercial beekeeping.
http://www.beeclass.com/DTS/301commercialbk.htm
Insect Pollinators – Informational page about insect pollinators, other links to types of pollinators. http://hometown.aol.com/insectpollinator/
Monday, October 8, 2007
Exploratory Essay
As I child, I can remember running into the house headed straight for the bathroom sink, tuning the handle and plunging my head as deep into the sink as I could. My mouth open as wide as I could get it trying to get as much water as I could. I’m not sure when, but some years later I can remember the same scenario happing but with a different out come. As I run in to the bathroom turned on the sink, I could hear my mother calling me. So I turned off the water and went to see what she wanted. She told me that she wanted to show me something, and all I could think about what rapping my lips around the bathroom sink and drinking until my belly was full, not until my thirst was quenched but until I got my full. So, I cleared my head and asked what to you want to show me. She told me to get a clear glass out of the cabinet and go to the bathroom and get some water, do not drink it she stated. So in my confusion, I staggered to the bathroom wondering what the old wise one could possible trying to show me. In the bathroom, I had visions of dunking my head into the sink and shaking it back and forth, as if I were a pig at play. I filled the glass with water and as I walked back to my mother, I liked at the glass and noticed something floating in the glass. I thought the glass must have been dirty, so I poured out the water and rinsed the glass and filled it again. Gazing into the glass, I could still see things floating around in the glass. My mother could see the confusion on my face and in a motherly voice said, “That is what I wanted to show you”, still confused I asked show me what? She went on to explain as well as she could that the water that I just loved to drink had germs in it. As she was explaining how this could happen she handed me a bottle of water. The look was the same, the taste was the same but there was nothing floating. That was my first experience with bottled water Vs tap water. Although bottled water presents the illusion of a high quality product, the quality of some leading bottled water companies has come into question because of testes conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, controversies surrounding the Coke-Cola bottling company.
From that, point on I was a bottled waterman, refusing to drink anything but bottled water and when bottled water was not available, I cringed as I felt the water hit my lips. In the world of bottled water, we as consumers have a plethora of water to choose from, the difficult part is selecting which water to drink. There is spring water, purified water, mineral water, sparkling water, artesian water, well water, and my al time favorite municipal/tap water. I have tried all types of bottled water Dasani, Aquafina, Deer Park to name a few. The best water that I have ever tasted is Evian water; I think I am partial to Evian because I spent 4 wonderful months in France TDY for the Air Force. Evian was provided to us free of charge, so I drank until I could not drink any more. My experiences in France were I drank Evian every day has turned me into an Evian man. The only thing is in America Evian is very expensive. If given a choice I will always buy Evian. It was not until I started to become interested in the difference between spring water and purified water that I realized the aspects of bottled water. Spring water comes from the ground, purified water as been treated.
From that, point on I was a bottled waterman, refusing to drink anything but bottled water and when bottled water was not available, I cringed as I felt the water hit my lips. In the world of bottled water, we as consumers have a plethora of water to choose from, the difficult part is selecting which water to drink. There is spring water, purified water, mineral water, sparkling water, artesian water, well water, and my al time favorite municipal/tap water. I have tried all types of bottled water Dasani, Aquafina, Deer Park to name a few. The best water that I have ever tasted is Evian water; I think I am partial to Evian because I spent 4 wonderful months in France TDY for the Air Force. Evian was provided to us free of charge, so I drank until I could not drink any more. My experiences in France were I drank Evian every day has turned me into an Evian man. The only thing is in America Evian is very expensive. If given a choice I will always buy Evian. It was not until I started to become interested in the difference between spring water and purified water that I realized the aspects of bottled water. Spring water comes from the ground, purified water as been treated.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
How Far Does My Food Travel
Breakfast
Folgers Coffee – Distributed by Procter and Gamble
Cherry Lane eggs – National food corp. Spokane, WA
Lunch
Land O Frost Turkey meat – land O’ Frost Inc. Lansing, IL
OROWEAT 12-grain bread – Bimbo Bakeries. Fort worth, TX
Dinner
Hormel canned Breast O Chicken – Hormel Foods Austin, MN
While stationed At Eielson AFB from 1993 – 1997, I had little experience with shopping for food because I lived in the dorms. Once I departed Eielson and arrived at my next duty station things changed. Allowed to reside off base, started my obsession with fresh fruit. Warner Robins, Georgia, the home of the peach is the place where I first tasted fresh fruit. Fresh, meaning plucked right off the tree, sun ripened warm peaches. So rip that the juice squirts from both sides of your mouth when you bite down on it. At that time, the only fresh fruit that I experienced was from the store. Store bought fruit is not that bad, if you can get past the process before it hits the shelves. Plucked, processed, shipped, and stocked; freshness is not guaranteed. The cost of the fruit was another aspect that at the time did not affect me because it did not cost me anything, just the time to pick the fruit. A coworker and my aunt both had peach trees in their yards so access to the peaches was easy. I left Georgia with a basket of just picked peaches heading for Fort Walton Beach, Florida, state of the orange. I missed peaches for a while, that is until I eat a fresh orange. The brightness of the orange color made the orange seem wet. The juice, once I bit into the orange was the sweetest I had ever tasted. Only fresh fruit entered my mouth from that point on. The two southern states that I resided in spoiled me with fresh produce.
Now I am back in Fairbanks, AK, state of long summer and cold winters and no fresh produce. Not only does Alaska not have fresh produce, items that are here are so over priced that I have to think twice before I buy them. Fruits and vegetable are picked before reaching maturity to allow for travel time to Alaska. I love fresh produce; I will have to deal with over priced not so fresh produce. There is a bright side to all of this; it is only for 3 years.
Folgers Coffee – Distributed by Procter and Gamble
Cherry Lane eggs – National food corp. Spokane, WA
Lunch
Land O Frost Turkey meat – land O’ Frost Inc. Lansing, IL
OROWEAT 12-grain bread – Bimbo Bakeries. Fort worth, TX
Dinner
Hormel canned Breast O Chicken – Hormel Foods Austin, MN
While stationed At Eielson AFB from 1993 – 1997, I had little experience with shopping for food because I lived in the dorms. Once I departed Eielson and arrived at my next duty station things changed. Allowed to reside off base, started my obsession with fresh fruit. Warner Robins, Georgia, the home of the peach is the place where I first tasted fresh fruit. Fresh, meaning plucked right off the tree, sun ripened warm peaches. So rip that the juice squirts from both sides of your mouth when you bite down on it. At that time, the only fresh fruit that I experienced was from the store. Store bought fruit is not that bad, if you can get past the process before it hits the shelves. Plucked, processed, shipped, and stocked; freshness is not guaranteed. The cost of the fruit was another aspect that at the time did not affect me because it did not cost me anything, just the time to pick the fruit. A coworker and my aunt both had peach trees in their yards so access to the peaches was easy. I left Georgia with a basket of just picked peaches heading for Fort Walton Beach, Florida, state of the orange. I missed peaches for a while, that is until I eat a fresh orange. The brightness of the orange color made the orange seem wet. The juice, once I bit into the orange was the sweetest I had ever tasted. Only fresh fruit entered my mouth from that point on. The two southern states that I resided in spoiled me with fresh produce.
Now I am back in Fairbanks, AK, state of long summer and cold winters and no fresh produce. Not only does Alaska not have fresh produce, items that are here are so over priced that I have to think twice before I buy them. Fruits and vegetable are picked before reaching maturity to allow for travel time to Alaska. I love fresh produce; I will have to deal with over priced not so fresh produce. There is a bright side to all of this; it is only for 3 years.
Grammar Girl "100 Proof"
In the podcast Grammar Girl explains that typos are going to happen. Typos can happen to even the best of us. She stated that articles written in newspapers and magazines are proof read by three different editors before final print. She gave several suggestions on how to improve your proof reading skills.
· Read your work out loud
· Read your work backward, last sentence first
· Proof read only printed work
· Give yourself time before you proof read
Another thing that she mentioned that really hit home was that it is very difficult for the writers to proof read their own work. As the writer you know what you are trying to say, therefore when proof reading you will tend to miss errors because you know what it is supposed to say even if it does not read that way. This is something that I struggle with every time I have to write a paper on anything. Even when sending e-mails I have the hardest time proof reading my owe work. I have tried to print the work then proof read, same result. I have printed it and used a ruler trying to proof read, same result. Grammar Girl suggested the best way to proof read work is to have some one else proof your work if you can have two or three people proof your work before submitting it. I have found that the best way to have my work proof read is to have some one else read my work. I must admit that I struggled with having someone else read my papers, but once my grades started to improve, I swallowed my pride.
· Read your work out loud
· Read your work backward, last sentence first
· Proof read only printed work
· Give yourself time before you proof read
Another thing that she mentioned that really hit home was that it is very difficult for the writers to proof read their own work. As the writer you know what you are trying to say, therefore when proof reading you will tend to miss errors because you know what it is supposed to say even if it does not read that way. This is something that I struggle with every time I have to write a paper on anything. Even when sending e-mails I have the hardest time proof reading my owe work. I have tried to print the work then proof read, same result. I have printed it and used a ruler trying to proof read, same result. Grammar Girl suggested the best way to proof read work is to have some one else proof your work if you can have two or three people proof your work before submitting it. I have found that the best way to have my work proof read is to have some one else read my work. I must admit that I struggled with having someone else read my papers, but once my grades started to improve, I swallowed my pride.
Positive Black Images
Positive African American Images
The black race is struggling to find it’s purpose in society. The African American people have nothing to follow. Negative images flood the television stations and airways. Black athletes with no regard for their influence over the youth of America are continually in trouble with the law. Rap stars telling stories of days gone by, embellishing the life of standing on street corners selling drugs, running from the police, and “putting in work”. The same rap stars living in multi-million dollar homes far away from the street life they once knew. Driving cars worth more than five average families will make in a year. These are the people that are going to help the African American community grow help them reach new heights? Although the efforts of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Linda Brown made great strides, the lack of next generation leaders have caused the African American race to struggle in finding a place in American society. Because of the lack of parental support in the homes of some African American families, the promotion of negative people and images and the lack of positive role models in the media and local African American communities.
As an African American before and during the civil rights movement, it was easy to find positive role models. There were plenty of movements meant to improve the quality of life for African Americans. The Supreme Court case of Brown Vs the Board of Education ruled the segregation of public schools was illegal. The courage of Oliver Brown and the others involved in this case helped propel the forward motion of the African American people. These types of positive images helped continue the growth of African American people around the world. Today there are no such positive African American images in the media; instead, the images are of overpaid athletes pleading guilty running illegal dog fighting operations. After apologizing to his fans and teammates for not only lying but also committing the crime, tested positive for marijuana. This type of behavior sets the African American race back; because it overshadows any positive that has happened within the community. This recent situation and many more like it is the reason that the African American people need more positive role models. Some will say that the African American people have come as far as any one race could come. That their place in society has improved dramatically over the past 100 years. African Americans are no longer outwardly discriminated against, no longer shackled and whipped, no longer hung from the noose of injustice. It is the African Americans as a race that is promoting these negative images. By idolizing individuals that are convicted criminals and making excuses for inappropriate behavior and bad decisions. By accepting this kind of conduct, the forward progression made by generations before comes to a complete stop.
I would contend these statements, because the lack of positive African American imagery gives generation X nothing to hold on to, nothing to fight for. If the mass media flow of information were flooded with Malcolm X’s and Martin Luther King’s pushing for better education for the inner city children, asking for the halt of violence in the music or demanding that people take responsibility for their action and to stop blaming the “system” or “the man”. This will continue the forward progress of the African American race. Instead, images of “thugs”, “pimps”, and “ballers” bombard the radio and television stations. Artists claim “freedom of speech” when creating songs that glorify glorifying the killing of other African Americans. This only hurts the race; this tarnishes the image of those that lost their lives in the effort to gain equality. There are doctors, lawyers, firefighters, police officers, community programs that are doing positive things in their communities. Reports on these types of people and the positive things they are doing would greatly improve the future of the African American people
The lack of positive African American leaders and positive role models is greatly affecting the African American people. The available images send the wrong message to the communities. The images tell stories of violence, poorly educated people and mistrust in not only the law but of themselves. The effects of these images are felt every day as young African American men are dying in the streets, and young African American mothers are left to care for fatherless children. The affects are felt when the number of incarcerated African Americans has nearly reach 1 million.
The black race is struggling to find it’s purpose in society. The African American people have nothing to follow. Negative images flood the television stations and airways. Black athletes with no regard for their influence over the youth of America are continually in trouble with the law. Rap stars telling stories of days gone by, embellishing the life of standing on street corners selling drugs, running from the police, and “putting in work”. The same rap stars living in multi-million dollar homes far away from the street life they once knew. Driving cars worth more than five average families will make in a year. These are the people that are going to help the African American community grow help them reach new heights? Although the efforts of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Linda Brown made great strides, the lack of next generation leaders have caused the African American race to struggle in finding a place in American society. Because of the lack of parental support in the homes of some African American families, the promotion of negative people and images and the lack of positive role models in the media and local African American communities.
As an African American before and during the civil rights movement, it was easy to find positive role models. There were plenty of movements meant to improve the quality of life for African Americans. The Supreme Court case of Brown Vs the Board of Education ruled the segregation of public schools was illegal. The courage of Oliver Brown and the others involved in this case helped propel the forward motion of the African American people. These types of positive images helped continue the growth of African American people around the world. Today there are no such positive African American images in the media; instead, the images are of overpaid athletes pleading guilty running illegal dog fighting operations. After apologizing to his fans and teammates for not only lying but also committing the crime, tested positive for marijuana. This type of behavior sets the African American race back; because it overshadows any positive that has happened within the community. This recent situation and many more like it is the reason that the African American people need more positive role models. Some will say that the African American people have come as far as any one race could come. That their place in society has improved dramatically over the past 100 years. African Americans are no longer outwardly discriminated against, no longer shackled and whipped, no longer hung from the noose of injustice. It is the African Americans as a race that is promoting these negative images. By idolizing individuals that are convicted criminals and making excuses for inappropriate behavior and bad decisions. By accepting this kind of conduct, the forward progression made by generations before comes to a complete stop.
I would contend these statements, because the lack of positive African American imagery gives generation X nothing to hold on to, nothing to fight for. If the mass media flow of information were flooded with Malcolm X’s and Martin Luther King’s pushing for better education for the inner city children, asking for the halt of violence in the music or demanding that people take responsibility for their action and to stop blaming the “system” or “the man”. This will continue the forward progress of the African American race. Instead, images of “thugs”, “pimps”, and “ballers” bombard the radio and television stations. Artists claim “freedom of speech” when creating songs that glorify glorifying the killing of other African Americans. This only hurts the race; this tarnishes the image of those that lost their lives in the effort to gain equality. There are doctors, lawyers, firefighters, police officers, community programs that are doing positive things in their communities. Reports on these types of people and the positive things they are doing would greatly improve the future of the African American people
The lack of positive African American leaders and positive role models is greatly affecting the African American people. The available images send the wrong message to the communities. The images tell stories of violence, poorly educated people and mistrust in not only the law but of themselves. The effects of these images are felt every day as young African American men are dying in the streets, and young African American mothers are left to care for fatherless children. The affects are felt when the number of incarcerated African Americans has nearly reach 1 million.
Lead Sentences
People who feel chronically stressed on the job may face an increased risk of depression, a large study suggests.
This is a summary lead. I liked it because stress on the job is something I know all to well. Maybe not chronic stress, but stressed enough.
This is a summary lead. I liked it because stress on the job is something I know all to well. Maybe not chronic stress, but stressed enough.
YouTube: George Carlin: education and the owners of America
Comedians, have the best job in the world. They can say things that most of use only dream of saying or would only say in the comfort of our own homes. Comedians are able to do so by deliver their messages in a non-threating arena. There are many important aspects to this clip. Most of us walk around in our own little world not aware of the problems that surround use. When we become aware of the problems, they do not apply to us. We go about our lives with blinders on, only focused on what we know; work, home, family. Most of use are afraid of what we do not know trapped inside our limited minds. Unable to grasp that we are part of the problem. We need to become part of the solution. How we do this, through education, education opens doors that most of us never even dreamed we would see let alone open. By remaining uneducated, we feed the problem. We help pass laws that lower education test scores in our schools. We help pass laws that take our social security way. By remaining uneducated, we are slowly helping the rich become richer and helping the poor remain poor. If we would just stop for a second and remember that we are a nation ran by the people for the people. This is important because we all have a responsibility to our nations, to our families and to our self. The only way things will become better is through change. Change comes from educating ones self. By reading a book or taking a class, we will be able to make informed decisions. These decisions can range from voting to selecting the best insurance coverage for our families. Education is the answer to most of the world’s problems; we just need to remove the blinders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccYoVnBc_fk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccYoVnBc_fk
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