R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Respect. The word we all have come to know and love. School rules always have something about respecting teachers and peers. One must respect the law, their elders, etc.

Today, I was being the ever-so-studious student, studying for SATs and doing homework at the library. All of a sudden, in the middle of an exciting critical reading problem, I heard shouting from across the room. I turned to see a group of young men (maybe even in their late teens) taunting a crippled elderly man, I was pretty mad. Yes, the elderly gentleman was a bit out of his mind as he rambled on about freedom of speech, but that doesn't give anyone the right to tease him. It's called respect - I wish more teenagers these days would learn the definition of that word. As I saw this man being ridiculed by these boys, I wanted to go over to the other side of the room and give them a piece of my mind. However, it wasn't my place to interfere - especially since I am: 1) Only 16 years old. 2) A female who doesn't know martial arts to protect myself (in case something went wrong).

I asked myself, what was so fun about teasing this man? What was so great about bothering someone else? Does it make them feel good to tease someone who might not be in a stable mindset, to provoke them to the point where the person is upset? What is gained from this situation? The answer is this - nothing. So why do people do such cruel things? I really don't know.

Maybe people should stop watching Family Guy (where concepts such as respect don't exist), and start watching healthy T.V. shows that don't encourage the use of foul language and other inappropriate behaviors.

Until then, I guess I'll have to learn some martial arts so I'll be prepared for another situation like the one I witnessed today.

Going Green

Everywhere I look, the "Let's be earth-friendly movement" seems to be advertised. Disney Channel has its own song "Send It On" with tween stars Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and the Jonas Brothers. The message to "send it [the message to be environmentally friendly] on" is repeated throughout the song multiple times - repetition is key to remembering things. Even in fashion magazins such as Teen Vogue, there are eco-friendly beauty products, bags, and clothes advertised by celebrities. I wonder if these people actually care about the environment, or they like being advocates of such helpful movements and of course, being paid for the advertisements. I hope it's not the latter.

I'm quite enthusiastic about being environmentally friendly, but only to a certain extent. Yes, I recycle often and don't leave lights/running water on, but I probably won't be standing on the streets holding up "GO GREEN" signs during a protest. However, while waiting for my mother outside of Whole Foods the other day, I saw a group of people wandering around, asking for people to sign petitions and give donations to an environmental group foundation. As I saw these people, I asked myself - I wonder if they own anything made from animals/hides, or if they use animal-tested make-up/hair products. For me, I think that if you stand for environmental protection, then it's only fair that you protect the creatures of the environment, too - just my opinion.

But I digress. What I mean to say is that these environmental movements are slowly getting repetitive and annoying. Yes, I know it's important to conserve energy and not destroy the ozone layer anymore, but it's not going to happen suddenly. Over time, people will all come to realize how important it is to preserve the earth; but I don't believe in the idea that the world will dramatically end (especially anytime soon). It's true that one person can make a difference, but having protests and making people feel angry and creating tensions probably won't help the cause. Aren't there any other way to get the message across? I'm sure there are.

So, will I unplug the plugs that I don't need tonight? Yes.
Do I try not to use non-biodegradable styforoam objects? Yes.
Will I help to plant trees with Key Club this year? Yes.
Will I stop using automobile transportation alltogether? Probably not.

However, I definitely encourage you to initiate and incorporate any changes into your own daily lives - I commend you!!
Have any interesting ideas about the environment, and what we can do to help it? E-mail wwatcher21@yahoo.com.

POP! Goes the iPhone

Do you have an iPhone, or maybe an iTouch? My parents do, as do a significant portion of my friends and even my sister. What's so fantastic about the iPhone or iTouch? The games are addicting and amusing, while the applications on the iPhone are always handy. With portable GPS systems, wi-fi access, and much more, these Apple products are hot on the market.

Did I mention that there is a slight chance that your wonderful Apple gadget will explode in your face? Don't worry, you won't die - they're not bombs. Perhaps some glass shards all around you from the screen, and a burning hot piece of metal in your hands. I'm hyperbolizing; the injuries that can be inflicted are minor. The reported incidents of exploding iPhones are few, but this article definitely caught my eye.

Don't get me wrong, I love Apple. I am a PC and Mac-user, and I do love my white MacBook, along with my iPod - I can't live without these things. However, the fact that these objects,produced from the very same company that made my MacBook and iPod, might explode in my hand does put me on the edge a little. No, I won't hold my dad's iPhone with a pair of tongs and oven mitts, but maybe next time I'll hold it a little farther away from my face. I'd say...maybe at arm's length?


For the nitty gritty scientific details and more information, click here!

Photo Credit: TouchTip

UnLEASH the Child Within!

Have you ever seen parents holding child-leashes as their toddlers attempt to run around in circles at the mall? I do believe I despise those child-leashes. Some may say that these leashes are security measures so that the little children cannot run wild or injure themselves. Some parents who have triplets, or multiple children, find it easier to connect all of them with leashes when going out for a walk. Regardless of the reasons given, I still don't find these leashes humane.

Leashes are for dogs, cats, maybe even little bunnies - but not, children. If your child is that out-of-control, maybe it's high time to sit him/her down and have a talk, or maybe this would be the opportunity to teach your child a lesson in good behavior. I know that toddlers can be very out of control and hard to manage, I have two little sisters. However, I really don't think it's necessary to tie your 4-year-old son or 3-year-old daughter to a leash when you're out shopping for milk at the grocery store. There are several different tactics that can be used to keep order and discipline in your household when in public.

How would you like it if you look back on your child's photo album and there are hundreds of cheerful photos of your family at the amusement park, but your poor child is held back on a leash while in line for the Teacup ride at Disneyland? I'm not so sure this feeling would make you smile and laugh.

So, next time you feel like you're going to go insane because your toddler won't stop running around, don't pick up the leash...Unless you're going for a walk with your dog, of course.

1 x 1 = 1. 25679 x 31456 = ??

As we get older, it's important to keep exercising our brains. At age 16, and still in high school, I am forced to constantly utilize my brain in everyday math problems and chemistry equations. However, for the elderly, or for people who just want to prevent Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia, stimulating the brain little by little daily can be tiresome. These brain teasers can range anywhere from simply brushing one's teeth with the non-dominant hand, to practicing math equations and spelling words on a Nintendo DS on the airplane.

For 75-year-old Albert Clay, his daily brain exercise consists of multiplying pairs of 5-digit numbers in his head. I don't know about you, but the most I can multiply in my head is probably the normal times table - the highest I can go up to at this point is basically 15 times 15 (which is 225). How is it possible that Mr. Clay can multiply numbers such as 25679 x 31456? Which, according to my calculator, is 807,758,624! Clay's method can be learned for $33 - How to Multiply Any Number by Any Number in Your Head.

I wish I could do that kind of math in my own head...maybe it'd help me pass Pre-Calculus this year.

Click here for more information.

Take a Chill Pill, Yeah Yeah?

If you didn't know, the quote "Take a chill pill, yuhhh yuhhh" comes from the MadTV character Miss Swan. How do I know this? My school adores this woman's comedic accent and odd humor.

Do you have an older sibling who all your teachers just happened to know because this sibling was their previous star student, or your coach's star athlete? Or perhaps, Aunt Jane and Uncle Bob always happen to mention, "Oh, your sister always knew how to bake a mean pie," or "Oh, your brother could catch a good-lookin' fish." Well, I can't say I know the feeling of being in someone's shadow, because I am the oldest in my family (lucky me), but I know one person who must strongly dislike standing in a shadow - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

With her husband, former President Bill Clinton, just returning from a successful trip to North Korea to free the two journalists, Secretary Clinton seemed to be quite annoyed when she was asked to give her husband's opinion of a Chinese loan to Congo. According to Yahoo! News, she told the student, "I am not going to be channeling my husband."

I, for one, can understand how frustrated she must be to be asked about her husband's opinion, rather than hers, at her own press conference. She did, afterall, stand in former President Clinton's limelight for eight years! It's time for the Mrs. Clinton to be in the spotlight! ...Right?

For more information, click here or here.


To watch the Miss Swan video where she says, "Take a chill pill!" click here!

Off With Their Heads!

In the classic Lewis Carroll novel, Alice in Wonderland, the infamous Queen of Hearts would shout a mere, "Off with their heads!" and her next victim would be immediately executed, just because she had no other idea what to do with these people. Is this the solution to the 21st century problems of overpopulation?

Throughout the years, there have been several cases of overpopulation - whether it be humans or animals. Since I just got back from my trip to Sydney, Australia, I was looking into some interesting articles about Australia, and what do you know, I find an article discussing camel population.

Apparently, Australia is home to a vast amount of camels in its region. These camels are harmful to the natural environment as they eat much of the vegetation and scare the locals when hunting for water. According to Yahoo! News, the population doubles "every nine years"! Camels can grow up to seven feet tall and can even weigh up to 2000 pounds! That's a lot of weight. Therefore, the Australian governments have decided to spend millions of dollars to hunt down these camels and minimize the population. However, this solution may only be temporary? How many camels can you really kill? What makes you so certain they won't just repopulate in the next several decades? Nothing is permanent, but can Australia really afford to spend another $16 million (U.S.) when the population starts to increase again?

Poor camels, it's not their fault they breed rapidly and have large bodies!

Is it right to just kill these animals to help prevent damages and protect the people living in camel-territory? Send in your thoughts!