Who's More American?

What determines how American a person is, How do you decide? There are many different things that a person can do to show their patriotism. Multiple time this year we have talked and discussed this question in my American Studies class, and I am still without an answer. During my lifetime there are things that I could do to be more American, but I don't feel the need to have to say out loud my patriotism. I think that I am a patriotic person who supports America. I do not stand for the pledge. I sometimes will say the pledge in my seat, but that's all. I do not where an American flag. I do not have any obvious ways of being patriotic or American. I don't know if you noticed, but during Barack Obama and John McCain's campaigns and debates, they would sometimes where an American flag pin and sometimes not. I noticed that one time I was watching John McCain speak and he was not wearing a pin, but he was wearing a red, white, and blue tie. I thought that this was interesting. What if a person is in the Army or some kind of unit protecting our country, does this mean that they are more patriotic than me. What about people with an American flag on their house, I personally have one, because my Dad leaves it up all year, but does that make me more patriotic. Ever since this topic was brought up in class, I have been trying to find an answer. What exactly makes a person more patriotic and American than another person?

Weather is Crazy!

For the past four years my dad has ran the Chicago Marathon in October. Throughout those years the weather has always been drastic in both hot and cold. The first year that we went to go and watch him it was almost perfect, like 60s which is good for running and good for spectating. The next year that he ran, it was 40 degrees and pouring rain which was like sleet, and the rain was cold. I was wearing my winter coat and gloves, it was so cold. Last year when he ran it was 88 degrees which is so hot that after a certain point they had to close the marathon because it was too dangerous to run in. I was sweating and I wasn't even running, I can't imagine running 26.2 miles in that heat. Yesterday when he ran and we went downtown to watch him, it was about 78 degrees, which is hot for the runners, but not as hot for the spectators. You would think that in October the weather would be pretty consistent with fall weather. That may be true, but then the marathon is cursed. It is weird how the weather could change so much, for being the same Sunday in October every year. 

POLITICS!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH

I am sick of politics. I think that they are really interesting and that it is an especially cool election this year, but I am so sick of everything politics. There are those people who no matter what they talk about politics is involved. I know that my Dad is very affectionate about politics. It is all he talks about especially with the election coming up. He is so biased and it isn't fair, because no one can say anything about politics especially the other party without him getting really offensive. I will be watching TV and he will come in and see that they are not being fair to both parties and he gets so mad and says that I can't watch that show anymore. I hate it. People are so opinionated which is a good thing but they are overly offensive about their opinions. While I was watching the vice presidential debate, Icouldn't make up my own opinions, because my Dad has brainwashed me to think what he thinks. He keeps saying that he wants me to make my own opinions on which candidate that I like, but if I chose his opponent then I would be wrong and he would tell me all the bad stuff about that candidate. Secretly he wants me to just chose the opponent that he likes. I am just sick of everything involving politics, I understand that politics are important, but why do people have to get so offensive. I like freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean that you have to be so biased that you cant even listen to the other side. 

Pirates in Africa

Somali Pirates are asking for ransom of 35 million dollars to release a Ukrainian vessel and its crew. Who knew that pirates were still out there. When I heard about pirates being off the coast of Somalia I was really surprised I thought that there were no more pirates in the world. The pirates were discovered by a US naval ship called the USS Howard. In the article on BBC News it states that Pirate "mother ships" travel far out to sea and launch smaller boats to attack passing vessels, sometimes using rocket-propelled grenades. I thought that it was cool that there were pirates still in the world, but apparently I am the only one to think that. If I were to see a pirate ship now I don't think that I would be afraid I think that I would want to see if it is like the ones in all the movies.

what would the world be with out computers

In my opinion computers are good, but have many flaws. They are good, because it is a way to research and find information in an easy way. They are good to write essays and stories. They make school a lot more easier. Some flaws are the internet doesn't always work. In resent times (today in class), I tried to upload some pictures to a website called voice thread and it didn't work. I was very upset. It turns out that i inserted the pictures wrong into the power point. Stupid computers. It shouldn't matter the size of the file it should just know what you want and should upload. I think that people are expecting too much of computers these days. Personally i think that our world relies too much on technology and computers. My sister who is in fourth grade has a whole class on just how to use a computer. When i was in fourth grade barely anyone had a computer. She already has an Email set up and Emails her friends. I think that there is no point to have your whole life based off of a computer. I feel like everytime i go on to a computer something always goes wrong.

NL Central Division Champs!!!!!!!!!

The Cubs clinch their division yesterday. While sitting at the game in anticipation i did not know what to expect. I knew that if they won then they would be the champs. The crowd was wild. It was ridiculous. I had never seen anything like it in my life. In a sense i think that i am good luck. The last game that i went to was the no hitter pitched by Zambrano and now this wow. Kerry wood was the closer and he is not that good, so we were all worried that he was going to blow it for the Cubs. It was a really intense game. At the end no one left. We left about an hour and a half after the game ended and we were one of the first people to leave. It was crazy. All the excitement. The players came back on to the field with their NL Division Champion t0shirts and hats. They had champagne and were spraying each other and the fans. It was so exciting to be there live and watch it happen. It was exciting no matter what but to be there and witness it first hand was awesome. I will remember thus day for the rest of my life.
Below is a video of pictures from the game!!!
GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Ike

As you know there is a hurricane named Ike in the Houston area. I feel bad for the people who are having to deal with the problems of the hurricane. I am also very happy. Because of hurricane Ike the Houston Astros who were supposed to play the cubs in Houston, had to play their game at a neutral field. The MLB association decided that Milwaukee Brewers stadium Miller Park, would be a good place to play, since there is a dome and you could play in the rain. When they announced the game in the Tribune that the Cubs would be playing in Milwaukee, almost jokingly i asked my dad to buy tickets. Then I decided that i really wanted to go. We bought really good seats, the whole game was amazing. Zambrano had a no hitter and the Cubs won 5-0. It was so cool. To be able to watch a no hitter live. The experience was unbelievable. With one day notice there were 23,000 fans and 23,000 Cubs fans. I don't think that i saw one Astros fan, which is sad because it is supposed to be their home game and they are supposed to have all the fans. So with that i thank hurricane Ike for being in Houston and letting me see Zambrano pitch his first no hitter and the first no hitter for the Cubs in 36 years. GO CUBS!!!