Update: College Football

So UF beat FSU, thank God!

Notre Dame beat USC, that could have gone either way.

And Alabama is going to the SEC Championship again but against Georgia, finally some good football.

As with most sports, the last week of college football is the most important; the crunch time as some say. Each team is now vouching for their spot in their conference championship or the BCS title game, which are here in South Florida. The favorites are obviously the undefeated team of Notre Dame, however, Alabama/Georgia are also ready for the bowl.

Both southern teams have a strong tradition in college football, and both have gone against formidable opponents but the playoffs are always extra stress and pressure on players. Alabama has experienced players from last years championship winning team so these players will clearly lead. The only unknown is which players will rise more, the Bulldogs young team or the Alabama veterans.

Madrid Moves on To Round of 16!

I just got out of my Chem Lab class and immediately searched through the Yahoo! sports section to find out on the game today between two European football powerhouse: Real Madrid and Manchester City.
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"...We tied!" I shouted in the middle of the halls of the 3rd floor in the Building 2.
Some must have looked at me questioning why I was so happy over a tie, and this would make sense. In any other sport, a tie is useless in rankings or does not exits. However, in soccer, a tie gives both teams one point in the point system. That one point has eliminated Manchester City and pushed Real Madrid into the Round of 16.

From now on the games will be in the ultimate stage with a rise or fall ultimatum. Madrid has what it takes to win let alone reach the final, but other teams like Barcelona and Manchester United also have the cup within their reach.

Notre Dame's Rise to Fame

In the history of the school, Notre Dame's football team has never been ranked No. 1 in the national football rankings. Well that was until this season. Notre Dame has gone undefeated this season and topped the list comprised of strong football universities like Alabama and Oregon. As a school more known for its academics than a strong sports program, Notre Dame fans are flying high.

The Fighting Irish, as they are commonly called, were steadily rising this year in the rankings as they extended their undefeated record. The team has not ben regarded as a football powerhouse since it's last title-winning team in the late 80s. However, this season they have been headlining the collegiate football games as the team that can be the underdog strong enough to beat the Alabama team which is expected to one the title again. Although Alabama has been regarded as an "NFL-worthy team,"I am hoping Notre Dame can achieve this tremendous feat.

I am not Cousteau, but who cares?

As a student at MAST, I was expected to be the Jacques Cousteau of my class, grade, even generation.

I may be exaggerating but even today when I am asked what high-school I went to and answer MAST I still get asked why am I not a Marine Biology major. This hasn't bothered me but today it maid me wonder, why am I an engineering major and not marine bio?

So I made a comparative list of what I like about engineering and what I life about marine bio:

Pro of Engineering- involves use of creative thinking and model making

Con of Engineering- usually involves boring meetings over semantics

Pro of Marine Bio- I would work with submarines and beautiful coral reefs

Con of Marine Bio- I wouldn't be able to do another career besides marine biologist with the degree.

I know I love the sciences, and both involve the use of my deductive and inductive skills so the choice isn't really clear. But, I think I decided this afternoon what I will do: integrate marine studies in my engineering pursuits. What does this mean? Good question. I completed an underwater unmanned vehicle sophomore year that could sample spores from reefs and such. This is a perfect example of something I can do to integrate both studies. This also can lead to some submarine building and hopefully other cool discoveries.

Stay Strong Mr. Prez

The red states are still sulking after the landslide electoral vote victory of President Obama over Governor and Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.

Many of these states are so distraught about the decisions that most Americans made about our President that they have signed petitions to secede form the Union in a deja vu American history moment of the 1800s. These petitions are hosted on the White House's website where you can petition pretty much anything to fall in the appropriate committee or group's hand for approval or even legitimacy.

Hopefully, this passes through as the joke that it is. Many of the red states that are still sour about the loss still do not understand that although more states voted for Romney these states have a far lower population (and clearly access to political/government books). Regardless whether who won or who lost, the American public decided and we must stay unified and believe in our chief leader. As other nations look to us as not only a financial but military world leader, we must understand that displaying distrust in our own leader causes other nations to not trust him either.

Many say that Lincoln was hated so much in his victory that many more states threatened to secede and multiple attempts at his life were planned, but he stuck through it and produced some of the greatest legislature ever written. I hope and believe President Obama can do the same.

Two Reasons Why I Love November

The month of November is a moth filled with sports: the NBA season, NFL, UEFA soccer, and NCAA football and basketball are all on during November. On any day of the month you might find yourself stuck between which game to watch or even which sport with such an ample amount of match-ups.

Sports have taken over my life since middle-school. As an aspiring MLB player, I spent years collecting baseball cards and even practicing my ability to give post-game interviews. Some might say I was obsessed but I was determined. My love of baseball became a love of sports in general and I got hooked on every sport. From soccer to hockey, my Saturday mornings were spent watching English soccer teams and my Friday nights watching the great match-ups between two international hockey teams. The greatest of these watch parties were usually on my birthday where I would join my dad and the rest of the dads in watching the local game.

My birthday is a couple days from Thanksgiving so I am always caught in the awkward mix of giving thanks and getting thanks for being born. My second reason to love November: I have two Christmases. My birthday and Christmas are exactly one month apart so I receive a lot of gifts in that span of one month.

Unexpected

It's crazy how the ones you would not expect to be smart, funny, or even evil are the ones who have considered or are these qualities the most. Many think that football players are dumb jocks but the average athlete in NCAA Division I sports has around a 2.9 GPA. Not too shabby, especially if these players have dedicated their life to excelling in sports not in school.

This reality has led me to wonder what if I have stumbled across a person that might run the next Fortune 500 or even be a Senator/governor/presidential hopeful. I also wonder if people think I am one of these people you would not expect to be smart or good at sports or even talkative. Clearly, I wonder a lot.

These kind of things about relativity and our perception, and sociology in general, fascinate me. They keep me passionate about science and the ability of our mind to find out so much and relate so much information into something so simple as this theory on quiet individuals.

Music Update

I usually am not a fan or new age rap music, but new artits 2Chainz and Big Sean are growing on me.

These two emerging artists have spawned from Kanye West's ability to find rising young artists and take them under his wing. Under his label they have produced chart topping hits known for playing in cars and clubs alike. This rejuvenation of rap to be music that excites and is to be enjoyed in a party setting is one of Kanye's most influential influences in reaching a new frontier for the genre.

Big Sean and 2Chianz are both classified as "pump up or party rap." They have released tracks that have now become the songs that one qwould listen to on the way to a party, club or night-out. This change in listening environemnt of rap is infringing on the established environemtn for House and Lectronic music. Where EDM (electronic music) is commonly listened to in clubs, artitsts like Kanye and Big Sean have begun to tap into the market.
I hope this continues to happen because the songs are enjoyable and a variety in music played is always the best type of music environment.

Underwater

Underwater-

Everything looks different when you're underwater. The normal images of life: the sun, clouds, even the sky mix with the imaginary shapes and colors your brain develops. I guess this can happen anytime really. When you feel so overwhelmed with emotion, whether it be joy or sorrow, and you cannot clearly delineate the reality from the fallacy.

It actually reminds me of when I got my dog almost five years ago. Although the whole day I had known that I was going to get a dog, but actually holding and taking care of this little rascal was the one of these moments. Ownership was daunting but the happiness quickly overcame this emotion.

But, most commonly people feel underwater when they have "too much to handle." A family member passed, a speeding ticket issued, a test you thought you aced is returned with a C+ on the front; all of these day-to-day occurrences can bring your mood down and bring you down overall. I know it may sound cliche to never to forget to gasp for air, but those seconds above water can become the ones where you learn the most about you. You are not the same when under all the demands of this modern world, so take a breath and learn who you really are.

Stop and Think

Contemplate the thoughts that venture in others' minds. This painting of what I believe is the Sistine Chapel makes me feel like I, too, am going through the Age of Enlightenment and knowledge. An age that sometimes I wish I lived in or experienced. The scholars of this time posed such great questions that have yet to been answered.

Russell Brand was in an interview about music and the industry when he posed a similar question. He was talking about something that I think about all the time: the complexity of life. An example he used was that when we speak the words are just assorted vibrations that our ears pick up and synthesize in a remarkably short amount of time. Some of these givens of life are overlooked when they should be marveled at. The fact that our eyes process waves of light and can differentiate the color still makes me feel like a young child learning about the wonders of our world from the microscopic light waves to the enormous existence of our suspended planet with a working ecosystem for life.

Some believe the answer is simple. That God created everything to work and coincide perfectly but as an aspiring member of the science community I still want more more than that answer. 

VTech Hokies

I recently went to visit my friend at Virginia Tech for Fall break. I was able to watch a football game at the stadium and feel the first college town atmosphere for a football game. Honestly, it still gives me goosebumps.

The stadium was filled to the brim, a full crowd of 65,000 jumping fans and students. Soon over the speaker system I hear the Hokienation anthem: "Enter Sandman." Suddenly the crowd rises as a I see what seems to be the largest player on the Virginia Tech team run across the field with the American flag. This is the real 'Murica.

The experience was pretty enjoyable just because I love how excited people get from their team scoring a TD or stealing a pass. The ambience of the city revolving over this game for two or three hours at a time, reminds me of Super Bowl game days or FIFA match days when everyone's pride is as high as their hopes for victory. I hope I can go to a school with the same school and team enthusiasm.

Mini-Beethoven

I hardly fall for the child prodigy type videos that pop up on the Today SHow and such but this kid has honestly inspired me to go back to music.

I do not know whether this child is a prodigy or even if his skill at the piano is remarkable for his age. What I do know is that his music is moving and that is what ever artists searchers for; whether, it be a poet or a rock-and-roll cover band. This video made me smile from beginning to end because I saw the face of the others as they enjoyed the music and the child's ambience. Obviously, as a guitar player I will never ever admit that the piano is a better or more elaborate instrument but I can admit that the talent he has far surpasses mine. Eventually, I hope this little man produces or composes his own music and contributes to the musical world as I hope too.

Only time can tell.

Titrations on Titrations

Chemistry has taken a turn on the wild side and become very entertaining. This week alone  have done multiple titrations which are basically added acids to bases and turning them different shades of pink.

This lab is the most common lab in any chemistry class at any university across the United States. Next semester, the other student will learn why the color change happens and find out what is happening at a microscopic level.

Thankfully, my major only requires one chemistry class and I will never have to record how many drops of base are needed to turn acid pink.

I'll Play Rugby...I guess

I wanted to start a new team sport similar to soccer but that involves more training. Luckily, my best friend's dad is an ex-rugby player and now referee and referred me to the sport for exactly what I wanted. As part of my research, I found that although many people think rugby is extremely dangerous it actually is much safer than football. The rules are more complex, but in short the tackles must be made with the arms first never the body. So after reading this, I at 5'9" 150 pounds knew I would not break my clavicle or backbone in practice or even a match. So I decided to sign-up and watch some intra-mural games at UM.

After watching the games I am extremely pumped and excited. The games are raunchy but civilized. Like baseball, there is an immense amount of tactic and in-play decisions that every player must make to score points and win the match. The game also involves a lot of sprinting, which I love. Overall, I am excited to start the sport and build on my burly man attitude and beard. Hopefully, I will have an update in the coming weeks on how practice is going.

Our Dysfunctional Relationship

As an engineer or even a scientist, math is expected to be an accomplice, a best friend, or a respected side-kick. However, me and math have not been that good of friends.

In middle school, I was limited to pre-algebra which has affected my math background all-the-way until now in college. As an engineer, I take more calculus and physics courses than a math major and am expected to maintain a 3.0 in those core courses. For this reason, mathematics and it's ranging friends and studies and I have never really hit it off. Geometry, specifically, is my arch-nemesis. It deceives me into thinking I understand but when it comes to the moment to display knowledge not just copy-paste what the teacher did on the board.....I stare at the paper, eternally.

This difficulty I have with spatial geometry has led me to understand that I am an extremely kinesthetic learner. In other words, if a teacher tells me to prove that a square is not a rectangle by manipulating variables instead of showing with a model; I give up. This is not something I ever do. However, me and math aren't ever-lasting friends. I hope one day I can find a subject in mathematics that I can understand and grow fond off, but until then math and I are like two ex-best friends at a party: avoiding each other unless it is absolutely necessary to acknowledge each other.

Sailor

Every year before Halloween, I sit and think whether I will dress up as something for Halloween. This year, as most of us have, I have chosen to not select a costume until the last second. Thankfully, my friends are well connected.

It is commonly said that women like men in uniform, so why not dress as a sailor? My best friend's brother is in the Navy so I have a guaranteed costume. However, he is 6'4" and weighs something around 250 pounds so it might be slightly bigger. So I think I have learned my lesson on Halloween costumes and next year I will definitely chose something cooler and more creative more than a week before.

iPhone vs. Android

The Apple Iphone vs. Android

As a Macbook user my opinion on this debate is slight one-sided. However, the statistics on how many Americans buy iPhones over Androids is startling.

In the last decade, many flip-phoners have now assimilated into the new age of smart phones. However, many of these users are scared away from the Android in its capability to be customizable and virtually, infinitely programmable. This coupled with the aesthetically pleasing design of iPhones has led to the rise in sales of iPhones since the first iPhone.

Over time, the market for iPhones has fluctuated depending on the amount of features of the newest iPhones compared to the values associated with a new Android phone. For example, the Smasung Galaxy has directly attacked iPhone users and Apple with a political-type commercial on the lack of modifications and new technology.

Overall, I still think the iPhone is the best phone because it is so user-friendly but as a technology savvy user I would consider the Android.

Time Flies

As the deadline for early voting, and voting in general, inches closer I am noticing that just four years ago this topic was not relevant to me or even on my mind. "Four score and seven years ago" I was too a freshman but more fresh than man.

I was a middle-schooler jumping into the ever-complicated world of politics and an integral time.

The possibilities of the first black president or first female president had set the states into a frenzy. The tantalizing smell of opportunity was rich in the local and national air. But now, this election cannot promise the same. The smell is gone, the hairs are gray, and the bags under our political and economic policies how signs of tiredness. Yes, the presidential race may be the most influential in some time but the real battle is not for the Head of the iceberg but instead for the mass underwater.

The average citizen will vote for who they want to take over and take care of this fiscal situation. However, those who have stood up to the challenge must remember that they too are freshman, and in four years all they have done will be challenged at a new level.

Snow Day in Miami

As the end of October approaches and the cold months of December and January draw near, I wish (ever so slightly) that I lived farther North.

Snow has been described with countless adjectives because of it's ability to bring smiles and wonder to children and adults alike. Most people love snow because it is the  of the holidays. When the most frustrated or adverse men smile at the idea of Christmas Day football. This promise of vacation and an overall lax attitude has given the idea of Snow Days and snow in general a great connotation.

When I think of snow I too get that feeling of excitement that holidays are soon. That I can whip out my fancy clothes because they are so thick or look better layered. That I can walk outside in the sun and not sweat but instead feel the cold gentle breeze of the Miami winter. Sure, we don't have snow, but that has only caused me to see snow as an experience appreciated in its rarity. Eventually, I hope to find the city with its perfect mix of snow days and sunshine, but until then I will enjoy the sunny-chilly mornings of my winter.

The Fiscal Cliff

This year the circulating term for the crisis of the year award is "The Fiscal Cliff." What exactly is the fiscal cliff? Most people don't know except that it means ultimate doom and armageddon.

The fiscal cliff is not a real cliff. The term is just a political term for the end of the Bush tax cuts. These tax cuts have been in effect for many years and have slashed taxes for lower and upper class alike. However, the taxes are favored toward the upper class or top tax bracket. These individuals already had low tax rates and were reduced during the Bush era. Whether you beleive this or not based on your political opinion or belief in political history is not important. The cliff is only a cliff because the markets will collapse if nothing is done and tax rates spike.

Now the question is have we elected the proper "lawmakers" to deal with this challenge or will they fail once again at our cost?

Dead Rabbits vs. Bowery Boys

One of my all-time favorite movies is Gangs of New York. Recently AMC has been showing the movie on random Saturdays in aticipation for movies of both Daniel-Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio, and it's a good thing they are doing it.

The reason I love the movie is because I watched once when I was younger and now as I'm older and have read the history behind it. The movie itself is addicting and may be even too gorey for some, but I correctly depicts immigrant-fille burroughs of early New York. Besides historical context, the movie also has the literature connection. The story of Amsterdam trying to avenge his father's death by killing the Butcher is similar to Shakspeare's Hamlet. Although many movies have roots in Hamlet, Gangis in New York  is definitely one of the most creative and interesting films with the motif of revenge. The final reason I am completely attached to this movie is that the final fight scene between the self-proclaimed Americans and the immigrants is one of the greatests fight scenes in cinematic history. The use of color and the smoke made me, as a student in film/literature class, find more than the superficial meaning of the actions by both sides.

In short, I love Gangs of New York; not because of the action but beecause of it's style of telling an almost true story.

The Apex Predator

An apex predator is an animal that is at the top of the food chain. It has no predators over it. The King of the Food Chain as we like to call ourselves. However, the moments when other humans lose their life to the infection caused by a tiny bot fly can really show how we are not the Apex Predator we think.

I am very philosophical. I like to think about theories of life and inspect the larger and smaller picture of any subject. Some call it being cynical, I call it being realist and critical. Regardless, I like to understand and scrutinize these smaller details on the abilities that we have and the abilities we think we have. One such ability is man's idea of control of the animal kingdom. We believe we understand animals and our predators because of zoos and animal preserves yet we have discovered only about 10% of the animals in this world. It is easy to consider yourself King of the Hill when the hill is the smallest one in sight. Although we are the most developed animals, we are not as strong and abled as we believe. So next time you see a spider or fly, consider that they two have their own abilities.

Rap It Out, White Boy!

I renewed my love for rap music and hip-hop.

After several years apart, my old hip-hop library and I have been reunited. Albums that are currently circulating in my mind are Graduation and Late Registration by Kanye West and Bastard by Tyler, the Creator. Two very different albums. The Kanye West album is very upbeat, very old-school Kanye where he talks about himself. The Tyler album on the other-hadn is dark, demonic and downright genius. Instead of talking about himself Tyler paints scenes, more like a poet than a rapper. These scenes have been contorversial like one recent verse that depicted an an old, white man raping young girls. However, most of his other songs are less controversial. I would post a song by him but he is extremely explicit.

These albums have been on replay on my iPod because I have needed some pump up music to get me to do my homework. Between online math homework, english blogs, and chem labs I have not had a chance to just chill when I get home for a while. These songs, although some find them crude, are amazingly poetic and are perfect pump-up music to any activity.

I like Talking

As a tutor in the STEM Lab I get a lot of different kinds of students walking in for my help.

Many of them are just confused to the point that if I use any large word, they quit listening from there. This gets frustrating when I am answering a question very eloquently and efficiently and I get a blank stare back, like Kanye West at a meeting for particle physicists.

Surprising at it is though, my patience has increased, and hopefully my maturity too. The more people I deal with, the more comfortable I get with having to explain and publicly speak about any course relating to my major. I was hoping this would happen, but didn't know whether it would. Now I am recommending everyone become a tutor or go to the STEM lab.

Mary Jane

"It's for school," I retort as people pass by and see that on my screen is the research paper I am finishing for Chemistry, on marijuana.

I understand them. Marijuana, weed, whatever you want to call it is one of the most controversial topics in the recent history of politics and drugs. So controversial that in the upcoming elections many states will make breakthrough decisions on legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Raising the spirits of both medical users and culture enthusiasts across the U.S. But, as I do this project I notice that the simple divide between and pro and anti weed Americans is not as solid and straight as it seems.

At least, 1/3 of the population has tried it once or more times. This number suggests that even those who do not support it have tried it. Quite hypocritical if you ask me, but maybe it take some time to know if you don't like it. Regardless, this proves that marijuana has a diverse history that is still being developed.

Dolphins Sink

It has become apparent that the only sustainable team in Miami is the Heat. The Dolphins and Marlins should be sold out in an auction and just forgotten.

SInce the glory days of Dan Marino and Mike Lowell, either team has been extremely lackluster and at times an outright embarrassment. Hopefully, something can be done about it because my friends from Miami who are going to schools in Boston are slowly turning into Red Sox fans.  And, the shift from Dolphins fans to any team besides the Dolphins fans has already happened.

I think we should fire all management of either team and start anew from the inside, but I have not vote...yet.

Too Many Pills

 

     Recently, I have noticed that both my parents and even some of my friends take several different pills in their morning regiment. One for their blood pressure, one for lactose intolerance, one for stomach pains,  and so on; each pill has a purpose, but can always give undesired effects. Even the commercials keep going on endlessly with the long list of side effects for prescription drug X! Well, I think there are too many pills we are taking, and everyone should cut down. Granted it is much easier to swallow a small pill in the morning compared to eating a healthy diet everyday, but just removing one pill and exchanging it with a fruit or liquid that will do the same is better. I have always stayed away from pills and medications because I was taught that we are exposed to enough chemicals as it is. Therefore, I have been trying to spread this mentality to my friends and relatives. I don't expect a revolution, but hopefully I can help at least the ones close to me not have to worry about 60 pills when they reach sixty.

Listen Between the Silence

Today is the first of three presidential debates between the two main political candidates. Where candidates can become internet sensations for hilarious rebuttals, or turned into cartoons for accidental slip-ups. The stakes are high, as is commonly said, but these stakes are higher than ever for these two in my eyes. I am still an undecided voter, with no political affiliation in the state of Florida which has been notably influential in presidential elections. So, as I watch the debate I am making sure that I can see between the key terms that the candidates use like: jobs, taxes, and businesses. Honestly, I have no interest in jobs, taxes or businesses because I am not directly affected by any of these. I do not have a job, I do not pay taxes, and I am not opening or running a business. What I will listen for is either candidate admitting they are human, or showing their true beliefs on a topic and risking some voters or some contribution money. In short, I want either president to "show their b***s" as my grandpa said. I want to vote for someone who in addition to wanting the best for the general population (which includes gays, lesbians, transvestites, democrats, liberals, republicans, immigrants, etc.) and will fight against anything to pass something that will show that generations will look back and give us the thumbs up.

Madrid vs. Barca

Hala Madrid! Hala Madrid! Hala Madird!

     You can hear the chants from the thousands of supporters at El Bernabeua through the television audio. They scream, chant and join together to support el Merengue against the biggest rivals in Europe, Barca. Although many of the fans of either team do not know how extensive the rivalry between the twi cities are, they certainly display how partisan they are to either on the day of the Casico.

    On the day the two Spanish soccer powerhouses play, the game is called El Classico. The classic game between the rival cities, the capital city and one of the infamous cities who seeks independence. This game splits friendships and even families on game day. Each supporter in the crowd grew up with the players, and learned how to play from watching the teams battle. In this, teams develop fan bases that last generations and extend to the millions watching outside of Barca or Madrid. This is where I fell in love with soccer, and specifically these teams. In watching how passionate the fans and even players were, I knew I had to get into the action; and, I did. I am now a proud Madrid fan and will wear my white jersey on Sunday in support of the team that taught me how to be passionate about a sport.

Midnight in the 50s

One of my favorite movies of all-time is Midnight in Paris. Just the reality that Enest Hemingway, Slavador Dali, Pablo Picasso, The Fitzgeralds and countless others were neighbors is downright ridiculous. I love the film mostly because of Owen Wilson's character, the typical man who feels lost in life and wishes they could live in another time where stress is less and life is more. Yet, in the end (like all of us do) he figures out that everyone wishes they lived in another time where they believe the stresses of life were nonexistent. But, life is just like that. You wish someone would give you some expertise before every decision you must make, but sometimes everyone's opinions is not enough. But, just once I wish I could travel back in time, without changing any of the present, and see what it was like to live in the 50s. When cars were loud and seat-belts were optional, and when every man could drink all day and party all night without the cops interfering. I would go honestly have the time of my life, and enjoy what the saying "work hard, play hard" actually means. Just as a not though, I wouldn't want to go to a bar or college fraternity hangouts, but the places where men gather to converse about rock and roll.

Gone Till November

Yesterday I went to the Books&Books presentation of Wyclef at Wolfson. Honestly, I went in thinking Wyclef Jean was the typical, arrogant musician. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Besides the fact that he is a master storyteller, he is also a very honest and energetic man. Throughout the interview he would act out scenes of his childhood and even did impressions of his Haitian parents. Besides being a great guy he was also the most encouraging presence. A celebrity that makes sure that everyone knows that hard work ends up getting you somewhere, and that any idea can be a breakthrough idea. More than anything, his goal was to inspire others to pursue their goals in the way they please. His involvement on Haitian politics was just an example he said, that any one of us can do the same for our country, city, even neighborhood. Now it may seem that I am partial to Wycelf, and I am. But, this is only after I heard him play. As a fellow guitarist, I am very critical of anyone who decides to exhibit this not so rare talent in public. yet, I couldn't pick at Mr. Jean's playing ability because he played too well. So well that I felt connected with his words, his preaching better said. From political awareness and social revolution, Wyclef knows how to express any feeling with his guitar and voice better than any man.

Be the Spirit in the Sky

   

     The other day on NPR I heard a writer talking about one of his most recent novels and articles. He focused on the human perspective of light, the sun, clouds and other natural elements. He had extensive research on each of these subjects and was answering questions from callers. In his response of one of these questions, he gave an anecdote of a recent conversation with his wife on the subject of the sky. They had spent hours looking at the sky and analyzing all the different colors of the sky, and then spent the same amount of time trying to find out why people say the sky is blue. In doing this, I found a similarity in one's perception of the sky and of others. Like the sky, every human is a complex combinations of emotions and thoughts; and like the sky we can sometimes describe someone with one word. In doing this, we lose the ability to find what is unique about this person. Whether you think this is because we have loss individuality because of the internet or social media, or some other reason is irrelevant. The fact is it is becoming ever-more difficult to have a lasting impression on someone. So, we should all take this too heart, because no one ever just wants to be know as just blue.

Poetry of Science

09/25/2012

In the science community, a well-written essay does not consist of the artistic manipulation of language. This is why science articles are boring. A writer's skill in evaluating a topic, and simultaneously creating a pleasant read, with images that transcend the barrier from paper to reality is what defines a great writer from a mediocre one. However, scientists have deemed themselves too scholarly to vary, even slightly, from the norm of a vocabulary of science terms and opinions. But, they are not. In this I mean that scholastic individuals pride themselves on extensive vocabulary, and so do writers. Scholars boats of the skill of understanding the most convoluted subjects and explaining simply, just as poets do. In short, I hope, nay, I plead scientist to not view art or poetry as a distant cousin of science; but, instead view it as their artsy twin brother.

The Black Keys: Original Please

One of my favorite bands, is possibly ruined. The greatest comeback of rock music, may be defamed. These were my feelings when I heard that the band The Black Keys was given a huge record contract and was playing at huge venues. Of course, I was also happy the the once garageband had now made it big enough to sell-out Madison Square Garden in minutes. However, this happiness was bitter-sweet in lieu of the greater picture. I love finding bands online that have a strong, small support. It makes every song feel more personal, and every lyric more poetic. Once these bands get discovered and mass produced, they usually lose this personal sound. They are given effects and new looks to increase the image of the band. In the end, what once was a nerdy duo with mohawks and too much guitar effects ends up as mainstream and gelled-up as Justin Bieber.

So, I pray. pray to God, Allah, Muhammad and the Rock Gods themselves that The Black Keys stay true to themselves and to rock.

An Eye for Class

     The ultimate expert on all things Mercedes, that's how my friends know me. I am proud of my ability to name any post -1980s Mercedes by model number just by the front and rear bumpers. This skill has been developed over years of watching the UK's Top Gear and falling in love with the car company. I love the bran, but I love what they produce more than the badge of the vehicle. The Mercedes company has been able to produce elegant vehicles that also produce hundreds of horsepower when needed for years now. They have become the face of fine-tuned german engineered vehicles, and have been sustaining their quality for years. 

     I may sound like a representative for Mercedes but I still have my own problems with the brand, for example the price. Yet, everyday I dream of the day when I can race every one of my favorites down a road and park it for people to look at and take pictures of.

How clean is clean..?

Read for more info.: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_myth_of_clean_coal/2014/

     Over the last couple of months, this term "clean coal" has been floating around thanks to news agencies. This oxymoron is just another excuse to keep coal technology to keep electricity bills artificially low and Americans feeling like they aren't one of the main reasons for climate change.
     The fallacy of clean coal has become such a trending topic that it has silenced some of the critics of coal being clean energy and in need of replacement. This term should be illegal to use for fals advertisement, and the coal companies who paid for the advertisement of this term should be fined a nice chunk of their profits. This term has confused more Americans than the IRS tax code. Many citizens now walk around with the idea that the coal that is being produced to charge their phone or laptop is not hurting the environement and our bodies. Therefore, until the necessary hint of nature fighting back like in The Happening we are stuck for four more years of zero development of clean, efficient energy.

Love Kills

Over the last two decades, the on-and-off relationship between the United States and the Middle East has been quite eventful. Terrorist attacks, drone assassination, and political upheaval--all events that were directly proportional to each country's involvement with either the US or the Middle East.

The CIA and FBI have been directly involved in many undercover "experiments" in these regions and have cost the modern taxpayer millions in surveillance and defense money. This topic has become famous currently, in the Democratic and liberal platform of cutting defense spending. Drastically. This has become my sole political view for a while. The rest of the topics are extremely convoluted, but the fact that we spend more money on defense than the other four permanent security councils countries is ridiculous. For this reason, on election day I will not waste my vote on someone "who will win" but on someone who will fight for what I find important.

Samuel

09/19/2012

Samuel is dead. Nothing can be undone. Samuel's mother cannot tell Samuel to come home, his friends cannot go back inside the train, and the man cannot remove the brakes. Guilt is an understanding entity;  it is not racist, sexist nor age discriminational. Everyone involve in Samuel's death has some sort of guilt, whether they were influential on this tragedy or not. Even his mother who just simply let her son visit a scientific missile exhibit feels she is at guilt for his death. The reader then analyzes everyone's position in the death of Samuel. The friends were just boys, where monkey see, monkey do. The riders of the train were innocent bystanders, some wanted to say something but did not have the bravery. They are partly at fault. Finally, the man who decided to kill Samuel because he was done with the tomfoolery. Well, his guilt might be enough to send him into a reclusive state and enough for the reader to consider his part of the story as one of more interesting effects of the story.

Short Stories Have Big Influence

09/18/2012

On the day-to-day basis, my friends and I love to tell and re-tell stories about 3 A.M. adventures or just funny situations we unexpectedly got caught in. Short stories, in this informal form, have surrounded me since I was a young child on the laps of my grandpa and uncle. Both are considered the master storyteller of the Alvarez and Guitierrez side of the family, respectively. Both of them have been telling me stories of the first Venezuelan to visit France or how the Alvarez family reached Spain. Each story with it's own individual lesson. Each story taught me how to be a man, how to never act as a tourist, and most importantly how to adjust your speech for the right audience.

The Newest of New

     Every year, a new "it" phone is released. A phone that has every geek and gadget magazine writing and raving about it, before even obscure pictures of the device are released. Recently, this phone has been the iPhone and most of the population of smartphone users have loved it. But, a similar population also says it is a useless paper weight that appeases the masses of uneducated buyers. Regardless of who one agrees with, the smartphone development is becoming ridiculous.

      If you want a phone, either it is touchscreen or not; there are no more options in between. Each phone now wants to sync everything in your life into a device that will probably fail at many points when you need it the most. This is the fallacy of the smartphone. The smartphone is only as smart as the user who is apt for the phone. Some enthusiasts use the phone to it's full potential, however many just use it because it is a statement of how hip they are. Obviously, this will never change with any technology. Yet, hopefully, phones will eventually become so advanced that any user with one can actually use it to benefit more than their personal email and bank accounts.

More Than Just Chords and a Field

09/16/2012

My definition of torture is the three months when English Premiere League and UEFA Champions League (all of Europe) is on break. This love affair with professional soccer began after spending three months playing none stop in both Venezuela and Disney World with my cousins. I was intensely passionate about the game and culture, FIFA frenzy some call it. So passionate that I decided to try out for soccer, and I made the team but just barely. By barely, I mean my coach told me I only made the team because I could run as much as the veterans. Being part of this team made me part of something much bigger than me, something with a bigger goal than my personal goal. This feeling is what fascinates me about sports, and especially makes me enjoy the Olympics and international soccer. The innate feeling of companionship and competition giving millions of people the rush of being part of something exclusive to themselves, and yet shared with the rest of their nation. This contradictious phenomena was recently highlighted in a GQ article on the electronic dance music movement. Where the article explained that the unchanging rhythmic pattern of rising and crashing sounds make each listener feel like they are the only one predicting the next note, yet the whole crowd does too and they dance together to the music. This unity of people without the loss of individuality, that is what I have learned to love about sports and music.

Things Changed, So Let's Change Some More

"Change is never fine."
                            - Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

As most of my friends send back texts home to see how I am doing, I wonder. I wonder what would have happened if I left the state. If I went North and found out how south the South is. Or if I like Lewis and Clark discovered the West Coast. But, most of all I wonder how things would be different if everyone stayed here. Sure I miss my friends, but more than anything I miss being part of groups, societies, sports teams, et cetera. Although the Honors College has cool clubs and sweet societies, there isn't a real sense of unity among all these students that previous to a couple semesters ago probably did not know (and did not care) that these others existed. Change is never fine, I guess. I could probably be saying the same in another school, assuming there really are other dimensions with different possibilities. But, I am going to change this. This I promise to you, Honors College. I will make a soccer club, a FIFA frat, a social society, I don't know exactly what but I will make it. My legacy for this school will not be limited to my academic excellence,  but to what I left for future students to enjoy.  Because sometimes change isn't just fine, it is necessary.

The Never-Ending Story

A violent break-up, what every relationship wants to avoid but sometimes caves into. Break-ups themselves not only separate the two who were in it but they separate the groups of friends that surround the two. Friends must choose sides, and usually guys need to tell their bro-in-need to "forget about her, there are plenty of fish in the sea." However, both members of the now non-existent relationship are never really the same. The problem with relationships is they are lifelong.

Even when you are happily married and living in a suburb somewhere, you will find yourself with an ex. SOmeone you date in high-school, college, or even a couple years ago. After catching up, there is a rush of feelings and this is why relationships are eternal. What happens between two individual in the course of the private relationship is so intimate in nature that the experiences become great memories. Even if the break-up was horrible, earth-shattering even, the two will still smile and remember what caused them to even spend so much time on each other.

Fourteen-Day Dream

09/11/2012

Accompanying Song: 40 Day Dream by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

It's been a fourteen day dream/adventure/spiritual journey. Just fourteen days ago, I was at home lounging in my aloof summer mode that, oddly enough, switches on easily but lacks an off switch. A mode that spent days hijacking friends' Netflix accounts, which I consequently got kicked off of, and meeting up with my friends for Taco Tuesday, everyday. Summer always seems to be memorable and yet, not at all. It would take me several moments to collect my thoughts on what to tell you what I did over summer break. However, the last fourteen days have been like the Caribbean waters, so clear that every detail and contour of the vast ocean floor is visible and accessible. Obviously my summer was not lack-luster, but the things I learned starting August 28th have permanently appended themselves to my cerebrum. From the lesson on how to find a parking spot in the student parking lot, to how to ask others for much needed help on the still confusing IDH forms. Each day presented itself with challenges that were fixed, but never easily. Yet, the most memorable obstacles and challenges are the most rewarding and teach you the most. The clarity of these challenging two weeks is somewhat creepy but also encouraging me that it is all worth it.

History's Holding Us Back

09/10/2012

"We are locked in history, and they were not."
                                                              -Werner Herzog

The modern man's most formidable battle is with the acceptance of his place within the world and it's history. With knowledge summed from the theories of previous generations on the past and the future, we have involuntarily inherited the feeling of being "stuck" in the present. The cavemen of the Chauvalet Cave did not have this. They saw a blank canvas when truly blank canvases existed, there was no history so they created it. Our generation has history in every particle surrounding our bodies. From 18th century paintings and buildings to inventions that make daily life tolerable, our life is surrounded with someone else's legacy and work. We are aware of all the history encompassing us, and to use the most cache of caches; "with great power, comes great responsibility." With every work we create, we must analyze if it has been created before. Attempting to validate our own originality. Thus, we are trapped in history, glaring at the cavemen who were free to create it without a single limitation.

University of Me

09/09/2012

College - (noun.) A place where myriads of people go to pass, and possibly fail, their way into their own personalized future.

One's college life seems to always come up, whether retelling a classic story about parties at Omega Chi or applying for a job and mentioning that summer spent rebuilding the Panama Canal. The events that happen in four years seem to be so unique and diverse that sometimes it seems ridiculous to pick a school. Sure, Harvard Law will "open doors," but what if I don't want to open doors? What if I want to open caves in France? Or open a restaurant in New York? What I'm trying to say in this convoluted message is that the Junior and Senior year of my undergraduate career will undoubtedly be awesome and develop me into a cultured, educated citizen. However, the details of what, when and where are the things I wish weren't unknown.

The Bridge

09/05

My first honors english class is in about five minutes, and I'm stuck at the light for the now lifted drawbridge. A bridge that in my eighteen years of life I have never seen anything close to vertical. After my first few minutes of rage at the light and the millionaire yacht owner who decided to pass at this very moment, I have a sporadic, long laugh. "How ironic," I audibly say. This class is one of the many that are requirements for me to transfer to a top-tier engineering school, and what stands obstructing my path towards this goal is...engineering. My engineering forefathers designed this bridge, the yacht passing under, the light system for the streets, and even the very car I am currently have a psycho-laugh attack in. All my anger and stress is gone. This driving debacle made me really think. I, like any college freshman, have doubts on whether I want to be an engineer or whether I can endure another day of pre-cal/trig and chem lecture.  However, now when these doubts try to surface I'll laugh it out because even the man who designed the MRI or CT scanner pulled his hairs because of a question on molecules.

Le Maison en Petite Cubes

09/04/2012

The short film reminds me of Up, the movie by Pixar. An elderly man, alone in a home he built himself being pushed to change, but the two aren't exact...Le Maison is better.

Let me start out by saying that I am not a big fan of movies without dialogue, or even cartoons actually. But, the short film grew on me so much that I did grow to love and sympathize with the old man. I mean, he's a normal old guy. Alone in his little house, that he built with his bare hands, and from the picture frames on his wall you know he wasn't always alone. A reality of life. His loneliness is the same loneliness that affects everyone. A malicious disease attacking the memory, and developing into some  autoimmune disease that uses your own special, happy memories to make you nostalgic. The old man feels the nostalgia, but he overcomes it by taking the memory of his past (in the form of his wife's glass) and enjoys his last moments, hours, possibly years with the memories and his wife.