#11 My thoughts about Blogging

Blogging has definitely provided an opportunity for me to immerse myself into an online community that I had never known of before. Before this class, I had no clue had blogs and bloggers went about with expressing their ideas, but now I actually enjoy reading what people have to offer. It's definitely a great resource for getting your idea out in an efficient way. I wasn't entirely sure of what I was getting myself into when I was told I was going to a create a blog account. But, I had the mentality to carry this out as best as I could. I took it very seriously because I knew that it was a community that could teach me knew things. It was also something that allowed me to write in a way that I wasn't able to in my previous English classes, so that was quite new and enjoyable.

It allowed me to see what other people had to elaborate about topics that I have never considered taking an interest, and I would have never found out about them otherwise. Like the technology topic, I wouldn't have considered whether it was good or evil if it wasn't for the assignment that was assigned. I found it entertaining to see what several other people had to say about a topic we all had to write about it and having multiple people giving me feed back on a post was always helpful. 

There's no advice in particular that I could give that could contribute to help better this method. So, it's a pretty nice and efficient system that doesn't need much change. Overall I have enjoyed using blogging it an educational way, it was definitely better way to do classwork.

Entry #10: What poetry did for me.

Now, most people might think of poetry as beautiful, boring, or something that is just confusing. Well just like every thing else in this world, anything can be all of those at the same time. A piece of poetry can be delightful, engaging, or just so complex that you question if the author intended this labyrinth of writing to actually have any in-depth meaning to it. 

That's all fine to keep in mind. Because trying to find out what any writing means is the key part in learning about whatever has been written and how you may apply it to yourself. That's what poetry has been for me. It has served as an opportunity for me to analyze something that has so many layers of possible meanings and interpretations.

 Trying to hone that skill of analyzing has been my greatest goal. But, this kind of mindset shouldn't only be withheld to writings, you can easily implement it to any part of your life. Socializing, communicating, observing and better appreciating things because you are consciously aware of them more. For instance, I actually enjoy movies and TV shows far more than I ever had before I learned the importance of poetry. I was able to enjoy things like that more because I thought of the purpose and meaning behind everything I watched and imagined it in written words before it was illustrated or acted out in scenes. Pretty much rhetoric lessons like I am learning in my Eng101 class. Being aware of the author's intentions can help you understand and enjoy whatever they created better.

Ultimately, poetry has served as a key to unlocking a better part of my mind that I am now able to use to my advantage. It feels like a door being locked to unforeseen potentials. Through poetry I have experienced some of the most important life epiphanies I will ever have, and maybe you can too if you are willing to give it a try. If poetry isn't for you, that's okay. Just try finding the key that fits that lock. 

 

Entry #9: Food Perspective Video: Pink Slime

How would you react if you saw an image of a beef patty (uncooked) on a menu at fast-food restaurant? Would you still have an appetite if you saw that your hamburger looked like pink play dough before it was cooked and had ammonia added to it? One would make the mistake that this is the image of strawberry ice-cream being shown, but no.... It's the non-glorified product of the cartilage remnants and whatever they could carve out to make this gooey substance of "lean textured beef."

'Pink Slime' For Lunch: Schools Can Opt Out Of Ammonia-Treated Ground Beef Filler

'Pink Slime' Is Making A Comeback. Do You Have A Beef With That?

From "Pink Slime" article, "When schools use that product, it shaves about $0.03 off the cost of ground beef, according to a 2009 New York Times report. ". I am so surprised that that is the sole reason to feed students that goop, but perhaps those fractions of a cent really add up. I really don't know much about business and the cost, but I even read in the article that it would be paid for if they joined the National School Lunch Program. So, there is no reason why schools should continue to serve this.

Always keep in mind that a burger you might be sinking your teeth into came from some gelatinous thrown-together glop that you would confuse for strawberry ice-cream. Something that isn't even considered to be meat.

Entry #8: Do we really give a flying care about birthdays?

Do we really acknowledge birthdays and appreciate them for what they really are? Or do we simply follow tradition and routine and continue with what we observe only? Are birthdays even important to most of us?

Absolutely we think it's important; to indulge ourselves, be happy to attend someone else's birthday, or be spoiled with delightful events. That's all absolutely fair game. But, I don't think we look at it on a deeper level like we really should...

Birthdays are the single time of a year in which you might be praised for simply being conceived. How freaking easy and sweet is that? We are being commended on the sole fact that we exist.
Relatives, friends, significant others may just go out of their way to purchase something for you, write you a letter, or send a message to let you know they appreciate you being alive on this day. They may celebrate it in massive ceremonies, or maybe perhaps your cup of tea is to spend it with a best friend or a significant other. Either way, you have at least one person acknowledging the importance of your birth.

Perhaps if we consciously thought about it like that, more people would appreciate it on a greater level instead of buying gifts out of heartless obligation, because that does happen. I am pretty sure we all have bought something for someone out of pure guilt or because we felt like we "had to".

Well, one warm thought to keep in mind is that when someone wishes you a "happy birthday" it really translates into "I am thankful you came into existence on this day." It is well advised that when their birthday comes around that you should say it with the same amount of love.

Entry #7: Fresh and how fresh our food really is!

Do people really care about how the food we pay for is treated with the proper care it needs? Whether the animals are being fed meat instead of grass like nature intended it to be? Or how about government laws that should be protecting the consumers?

The sole purpose of this video is to really bring it to our attention that we should definitely care about what we are buying and eating instead of mindlessly going about and never asking where it came from. Food Inc brings us to consciously  inquire about what is going on in the food producing companies, for example, the war between organic farmers and unsustainable industries that are more supported by the government who cares about making a marginal profit instead of the care of the consumers.

I think it's really important that everyday people like me who shop at supermarkets to watch this video and break from our routine of buying products that aren't organic. I recently started the habit of purchasing organic milk in hopes to be an increment of help to support organic companies. Hopefully more people will progressively make small to large changes and improvements on what they buy.

Extra Credit: Why Food Inc makes me hungry

I have always heard blips and fragments of information that is shared through gossip or one lined headliners seen on newspapers, but I never really paid any attention to what was being said about the treatment or quality of the food that was purchased from the local store and prepared on my plate. I just simply ate it and never considered the preparation steps (the ones before it was ready to be sold in store). After watching Food Inc, I am simply angry and disgusted by how nonchalant our government is toward food inspections and the consistent harassment of harassing local farmers like Joel Salatin. 

The government tried to crack down hard on how he slaughtered his own chickens. They tried to shut his operation down because they saw it unsanitary to be conducting such a business out in the open air and not in a secluded metal warehouse/factory instead. So, to combat such a heinous accusation, he took the appropriate stance and had his chicken meat and a store-bought meat sent to a laboratory to be cultivated/tested. His came back under 200 and the store bought had over 2000 bacterial colonies "and that was after they bleached it to clean it."  

I am just outraged that his natural and efficient process is being frowned upon by an "engineered food" supporting government that results in frequent cases of Ecoli bacteria that actually kills people, and yet they are still able to get away with it.

It worries me though that I have only learned about this by chance of taking my English 101 class. I would have never learned about such a thing otherwise, or at least not for a long time. Such events need to be broadcasted more so that we can be aware of such horrors to combat against it.

How to eat food, if you didn't already know #6

There are very essential factors to eating food. For instance, how you chew it and how long you chew it. Most motherly advice is pretty right to some extant, "Chew your food slowly, Dearie." Listen to that wise woman. Your food must be chewed for at least 30 seconds to let the enzymes properly break down the food in your mouth so that the digestion process will carry through with ease. So, your meal should last 20-30 minutes, 5-10 for snacks. If you gulf your food down like starved soldiers like me, just try to be conscious of slowing down. Huge plus of doing so is that you actually enjoy the food! Huzzah! Also, the longer you take your time letting your tastebuds enjoy the bliss of tasting rich delicacies, the more full you will feel after finishing.

Eating like this can lead to indigestion and disgusting and non wanted heartburn. Heartburn is just dreadful and nobody wants it. So be proud when someone says you eat like a bird, just know that you are the one who won't have acid reflux at the end of the day.

One other incredibly important thing to keep in mind when enjoying your divine meal is to make sure the temperature of what you are drinking is appropriate for you what you are eating. For example, freezing cold beverage is a negative for when you are enjoying any kind of meal. While you are digesting your food, it is a process of acid breaking down material to convert to energy. If you drink freezing cold water, you are disrupting this process. It can be equated to pouring water onto a fire. 

This is mainly the reason you will belch, you're body is not happy and is sending you S.O.S. signals in burp form to tell you to stop. Room temperature is the preferred choice. I know it isn't particularly stimulating, but it is better for you stomach. It's fine to drink cold water 30 minutes before you begin eating and an hour after eating. When it comes to room temperature, go crazy. 

Wouldn't you be more happy than disturbed if your stomach look like that? It's pretty darn cute.

Just keep in mind these two helpful suggestions next time you are about to engage in a feast fit for royalty and as a result you will have a happy stomach that doesn't want to participate in a mutiny. 

Inevitable seed of Technology for our future offspring #5

The way technology is presented in this clip disgusts me... I don't care how fashionable that impeccable blue hologram shirt is, even if it is the new red! But, it's not entirely their fault after all. Just like how our future generations are going to be, well similar at least, they are going to be born into a more advanced world where almost everything is more simplified and easier to do. They had specific bots for each and every use to make sure not a single person does more than a click on their armrests. Also, the way they are just not interactive with each other and just completely oblivious to their surroundings actually mimics what I am told and seeing today. The way they were doing "facetime" when two people where actually floating side by side on their way to the pool area that no one is aware of reminds me of how I see couples texting while waiting for their dinner to be serves at a restaurant, or perhaps when I was told how kids were playing on their Ipads while they were at an in-door trampoline place. The floating chair blobs with their mesmerizing cobalt blue suits aren't that much different from these kids who get lost in projection screen is in front of their eyes. But, once again, how can they help it when it's the kind of place they were born into? Unless they have an amazing eye-opener that helps them see the world, much like that fancy little garbage compacting robot, Wall-E, or parents or friends to show them a balance, a way to not abuse technology.

Why sleep is divine and should be respected as so #4

Although it isn't recommended to sleep in such an extreme manner(nor in anyway is that logical or safe. Simply don't mimic what that guy is doing),  we should take extreme care by following what our body wants to do when night comes and our bodies automatically begin slowing down the gears in our system so we can rest.

There are two key factors that play in our body that essential to sleep. They do not follow a certain order, instead they cycle between each other during sleep. The first one is NREM(Non-Rapid Eye Movement).  During NREM, muscle tissue is regenerated and repaired. and is known to strengthen the immune system. During this phase the body goes through 4 simple stages.

1) Wakefulness is reduced and this stage can last for ten minutes where the body can be awakened without feeling like they ever fell asleep.

2) At this point the body begins to enter deep sleep and conscious awareness of environment and sound begin to fade away. You and I know this feeling when after a nap or sleep you may forget where you are after awaking up.

3&4)  If awakened at this point, the person may feel slightly disoriented and very groggy. Some effects of disturbing a person at this point can cause them to feel depressed and angry.

REM sleep is when the body enters a state of intense dreaming in which the brain is highly active, but the body is temporarily paralyzed and immobile. So, for a moment, you are trapped in your paralyzed body without being consciously aware of it. Some people wake up into sleep paralysis where they can't move within minutes of waking up, but this is only temporary, so there's not much need for alarm. REM sleep  is essential because it stimulates the brain regions for learning and retaining information. We obviously need that and shouldn't abuse such a thing for watching videos late into the unforgiving night.

Lack of sleep entails:

• Depression
• Decreased immune response
• Fatigue
• Increased pain
• Impaired memory and thought process

I know it may seem impossible and incredibly difficult, but don't follow this example.

And it is never too late to fix your sleep routine. Well, if you wait too long, you can actually develop terrifying and severe sleep disorders that you have never heard of, but I am not using terror to persuade you, just simply informing you. The average person need a minimum of 9 hours of sleep every single night! I know research and mothers have said maybe "seven" at most a night will do, but as studies progress, the hours of sleep believed to be needed increases each time. So, at your very best, try to control the environment around you in a calm manner ( don't yell at grandma to turn down her video games). Just invest in some ear plugs and tuning down when the sun goes down. Treat your body with respect the night before because it is going to need it to function at full capacity the next day.

Technology's Future Potential #3

Machines, computers, or simple devices that have been created can possibly be used for many different actions for many different purposes. The video down below contains random information about current inventions or inventions in the making. The grand importance many of them is that they are first brought to existence with one sole purpose in mind whether it be for silly reasons that may not potentially be seen as progressive, or perhaps some do have the intention to assist mankind in making humans more efficient than they ever considered.

There are two inventions that really stood out among the rest to me. Those being, the Bug Juggler, a synthetic arm with sensors that mimic the movement of the wearer's arm in order to control a giant robot that juggles vehicles that is engineered by hydraulics. This machine is still in the making, but the concept of it is very real, and in the video it seems they are already well on their way. This machine could be used to forward the production speed of constructing a building, or loading heavy cargo onto a ship. The consideration of how we could implement this into so many branches of our lives and business should be appreciated with great gravity. Just imagine how it could even be introduced on a smaller scale to perform remedial every day house tasks.

The next noteworthy invention is able to produce energy through absorbing your sweat. I believe that such a device should be distributed globally to make such fluids perform multiple functions, more than what nature intended for them to be. The device is a patch that measures the production of lactate, a chemical that is naturally present in the body. The electrical currents are stored into the patch and are able to power small devices like a heart-rate monitor or a watch.

I would love to see the future advances of these devices and how they will improve their efficiency.
With my deepest hopes, I wish to see these wonderful things integrated into our everyday lives and replace methods that will be trumped by the ever upgrading machines to make possible what people could never do before, or just make it better.

Entry #2: Mantis Shrimp: creature, mystery, nightmare.

The Mantis Shrimp: This crustacean possess a very multicolored body that varies incredibly among their species. They are renowned for being ferocious and incredibly bold despite their growth average length of 2-7 inches.

As shown here, the typical image of a peacock Mantis Shrimp. They have multiple appendages that serve for cleaning, mobility, and for as an attack mechanism. Their legs act like a spring to launch towards their prey. This specific species of Mantis shrimp have what are known as two "bowler clubs" that they use for striking. The way in which their arms are retracted and extended are very similar to a spring-loaded trigger and they are known to have the fastest punch in the world. Such a punch is equated to the acceleration with the same velocity of a 22. caliber gun. From the mere impact of one of their strikes that can generate light and energy.They are the Bruce Lee of crustaceans. 

Here we can see the sheer awesome power the bowler club creating an underwater bubble. This is called a supercavitation. This occurs when their limbs moves so fast that the water actually boils around them as they extend their clubs to attack their prey. The bubble explodes and creates a second shock wave that will kill its prey even if it misses its target. Since the punch can be so devastating these beautifully destructive creatures are rarely held in aquariums behind glass because they can easily crack through inches of plated glass with their tiny clubs.

Despite their rainbow colored exterior that might give the impression they are strong, yet beautifully misunderstood creatures, they have a blood lust and will leave a quaking path of destruction, even if  it was a creature with no vicious intent happened to cross its path. Also, this is another reason they are not kept in aquariums with other sea-animals. They tend to try to murder everything in its surrounding if confined to a small space.

One last notable thing about this magnificent creature, is its capacity for observing colors. We humans have 3 color-receptive cones that allows us to see the colors red, green and blue. The mantis shrimp as up to 16 ( according to this website https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/stomatopods-mantis-shrimp/) Other will argue that they only have twelve. Despite that dispute, this creature possesses the most complex sensitivity for colors in the animal kingdom, colors we can't even imagine nor comprehend. 

This image was taken from my favorite comic author The Oatmeal at http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp

Entry #1: My First Step Into Blog World

I didn't realize a diverse community thrives in the partaking of everyday blogging. I didn't know how deep they were willing to immerse themselves in sharing their personal lives, random facts, or controversial opinions. This is something very new for me to experience, but it is definitely one of the intriguing things I have witnessed. I think blogs are a very effective way to get your thoughts and personal ideas out there in the world to be seen by randoms strangers who aren't solely your friends on whatever social media you use to give you insightful feedback, or generally take a random interest in what you have to say. I don't think it is quite something I would ever done if it wasn't for someone opening me to this direction, but it's definitely enticing enough to see what it is all about.

The very first blog I happened to stumble upon out of the fifty to choose from was this delightful blog called Dumb Little Man - Tips For Life. http://www.dumblittleman.com/

This was one of the most interesting blogs I have read on because it's full of helpful health related facts or how to sustain interest on tedious and extended tasks. They are chuck full of little tips and tricks of how to manage your everyday life better. There was even an instance where they suggested advice on way to dealing with your calorie intake. I found this personally intriguing because it's my dream career to become a nutritionist and it comes a long way listening to simple advice to a healthier lifestyle. This has a strong influence on me in regards of wanting to know certain details to manage stress and what I eat .

Post Secret at http://postsecret.com/ is a website that allows people to post whatever they want anonymously. This particular blog by title stuck out to me because I had to participate in a class project during my junior year of high school that was about writing a " Post Secret" and displaying them on a wall. I understand and respect the concept, but some of them are just a little too weird for me to comprehend some times, or I wonder whether or not they are real. To me, many of these posts are just too bizarre. Perhaps I feel that way because I have never heard of any such things until now. I find it very fascinating and new, but that doesn't get in the way of the complete obscenity of these anonymous secrets. Some of them are definitely terrifying. It gives way to a world I never really I would get a chance to see.

 Now, for my favorite blogger and comic author of all time. The Oatmeal at http://theoatmeal.com/blog. Matthew Inman, author and illustrator of The Oatmeal website, is a comic writer who makes comedic comics about his life, animals, grammar, and odd events. This website is absolutely my favorite. It brings me great delight and laughter, and even great information about things I never knew of. He is a very successful man and is very generous. He established a fun raiser to create a Tesla Museum in honor of one of his heroes, Nicola Tesla. He did so with an internet kick starter:

This is one of his comics that will be forever embedded in my brain. 

Hi! I am a freshmen year college student who long anticipated to be in college and leave that dreaded pit stop called high school. I adore and have a passion for literature, poetry and reading. I once despised these very things all throughout my life until I entered my senior year in high school when I finally met my mentor. This was a man who had never ending passion for teaching his students that he respected and investing time to teach them everything he knew about A.P. Literature. Him and I have become good friends and we still keep in touch. From his classes I realized literature was something to be appreciated and since then I have found an interest in becoming a poet. This started about several months ago when and is still very much apart of my life. I love talking about controversial topics and listening to what are ideal ways of life of each individual. For college, am pursuing a degree in Fire Sciences and Nutrition. My best and closest friend has convinced me to take an interest in becoming a Fire Fighter and we started this year with the buddy-system, meaning that we have the same classes at the exact same time, it's pretty ideal. The reason why I am seeking out a degree in Nutrition is because I began to have an obsession to know all about how to be healthy since middle school. That was around the time it was revealed to me that I come from a family that stems from health failures from the fact that they poisoned their bodies. This terrified me so I dedicated most of my time reading nutrition-related books so that I could advise my family how to prevent this from happening to them and myself. I realized that it was so satisfying being able to alleviate some of their ailments with simple advice and came to the conclusion that this is how I want to help people. Fire Fighter and Nutritionist/Dietitian allows me to answer calls to distress in the neighborhoods and being able to relieve distress of people's own bodies, it seems pretty hand in hand to me. One last thing that is very relevant and important in my life is that I love to sing. I had choir a part of my high school schedule for all four years and it was one of the best lasting experiences I have ever had. Now I just sing for fun wherever I roam since performing in front of an audience is not going to happen for a while.