Sherlock vs. Elementary: Why CBS Isn't Getting It Right - Part 2

*Before continuing, be sure you have read Part 1 of this blog series. The article can be found here: http://julyburnsred.blogspot.kr/2012/10/sherlock-vs-elementary-why-cbs-isnt.html

   Welcome to Part 2 of the blog series "Sherlock vs. Elementary: Why CBS Isn't Getting It Right." In this part of the series, I will be looking at the pros and cons of the television shows, Elementary and Sherlock. Well, there really aren't any cons for Sherlock. But in the interest of fairness, we will look at both shows equally. Allons-y!

   In part one of this blog series, I remarked that when Elementary was first aired, Sherlock fans everywhere groaned. It was with good reason. Elementary gives a bad first impression to any true fans of Sherlock Holmes. Just looking at the name, Elementary refers to the non-canonical phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary"; non-canonical meaning that it doesn't come from the original stories. No one knows where exactly Holmes' famous line came from, but many people speculate that it originated from the films of the 1920's. The point is, if you are going to jump on the Sherlock Holmes bandwagon, you'd better make sure you are keeping it true to the original stories. This brings us to CBS's next mistake.
   
   With Warner Brothers making Sherlock Holmes films, and BBC making a Sherlock Holmes television series, there wasn't much room left for CBS to try and make their own mark on the screen. But that didn't stop them from trying. The problem is, however, that they came along and had to make theirs so fundamentally different than the other current adaptations. They made Watson a girl, Sherlock now lives in New York, Captain Gregson instead of Detective Inspector Lestrade. It was mistake after mistake. Although, admittedly, Aidan Quinn as Captain Toby Gregson was the one character in the show that made me laugh. He nailed his role perfectly as the student attempting to learn from the great Sherlock Holmes, just like in the original stories. But overall, CBS changed so much that Elementary is barely recognizable as a Sherlock Holmes story at all.

   The list continues on and on. Dr. Joan Watson was sent by Sherlock Holmes' father to watch over him in his rehabilitation. Really?! His father?! The Sherlock Holmes I know doesn't have Daddy watching over his shoulder, breathing down his neck. There shouldn't have been any mention of his dad at all. Miller's Sherlock is also not opposed to having casual relationships with women for no other purpose than as a distraction. The real Sherlock Holmes would never be so shallow to do such a thing, nor so immoral, for that matter. 

   The final problem with Elementary is the mysteries themselves. They don't seem very Holmesian. They're too common; too regular. Sherlock always solves mysteries that no one else can. The mysteries he solves in Elementary are a little too normal for me. Take the pilot episode as an example. Its your standard murder by a man manipulated by the victim's husband. There was no great challenge for Holmes.

   But for all its mistakes, Elementary succeeds in some places.The format of the show is in CBS's favor. The weekly, 45-minute episodes work well for it. Sherlock Holmes' personality was just the same as ever with the insults and arrogance and temper-tantrums. Watson wasn't bad. She didn't really feel like a female inverse of Dr. John Watson; she was more like her own character, a whole new person. Just the same, though, she made a good companion. As I've already said, Aidan Quinn was great as Captain Toby Gregson. The one part where I smiled and actually felt for just a moment like I was watching Sherlock Holmes was when he was on the roof writing the "Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen" in his head. I enjoyed that part because it was the Sherlock that I knew and loved.

   That's what it all comes down to. That's why I like BBC's Sherlock so much. It departs from the known just enough to keep us excited, but overall, it stays true to the original works. Elementary doesn't do that. It strays too far away from the true Sherlock Holmes. As a crime-drama, Elementary is actually pretty good. But as a Sherlock Holmes story, it falls much too short. It just isn't Sherlock Holmes. It's Elementary. I, for one, won't be wasting time watching it. I'll be waiting impatiently until Sherlock Series 3 comes around in 2013. 


Until then,
Ryan McLellan, Jr.

Sherlock vs. Elementary: Why CBS Isn't Getting It Right - Part 1

  

On July 25th of 2010, the first episode of the BBC drama, Sherlock, was aired. A Study in Pink it was titled, a nod to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story and the original Sherlock Holmes' first adventure with Dr. Watson,  A Study in Scarlet. Pink was followed by two more episodes, The Blind Banker and The Great Game.  The first season of Sherlock received much attention from both the U.K. and the U.S. Not long after, the go-ahead was given for a second season to be aired in 2012. Season Two consisted of A Scandal in Belgravia, The Hounds of Baskerville, and finally The Reichenbach Fall. With an enormous cliff-hanger in the season finale, fans are left waiting until summer of 2013 for a resolution.

   Then, September 27th of 2012, the world was introduced the CBS crime-drama, Elementary. Sherlock fans everywhere groaned collectively. So far, six episodes of the show have been aired, with more to come. So far, Elementary has received relatively positive critical reviews, with Metacritic giving the show a 73% based on 29 "generally favorable" popular reviews. ^ "Elementary: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. http://www.metacritic.com/tv/elementary/critic-reviews.
But its number of U.S. viewers has been declining episodically, with an initial 13.41 million viewers for the pilot, and eventually retiring down from 11.13 to 10.91 to 10.31 million for the fourth and most recent episode, Rat Race. The fifth episode will air on November 1st.

Finally, a poll by entertainmentwise.com shows that 6.16% prefer Elementary over Sherlock, while 93.84% voted vice versa, placing Sherlock far above Elementary.

   Allow me to explain why I have presented you with the facts I have. I am, if you haven't yet figured it out, a Sherlock Holmes fanatic. Not just of the BBC show, but also of the Robert Downey, Jr. film adaptation and, most of all, the original works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I like to think that I know Sherlock Holmes very, very well. I've been a fan for many years now, beginning with my first reading of the Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes, which I have since reread twice. Then, I saw Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law take on the role of the Victorian-era consulting detective and his loyal biographer. RDJ added more of an action-adventurer feel to it, a popular ingredient in today's films. RDJ's Holmes, however, still retained every bit of the classic Bohemian's arrogance, intelligence, and unfailing loyalty. Then, only a few months ago, I came across BBC's Sherlock series on Netflix. In three short nights I had devoured all three, 90-minute episodes. Very much impressed, I quickly jetted over to iTunes in order to purchase the full second season in HD. Only a week later, I had watched the full series on my iPad. I have since watched them a second time. Then, mere weeks later, Elementary was introduced to the airwaves. I, for weeks before it was shown, had been denouncing Elementary with everything I had. As far as I was concerned, no adaptation of my favorite book, film, and television character could be successful with such mangling as was given to Elementary.
"Watson is a girl?!" I cried. "Blasphemy!"
Not to mention New York. Spider-man stops crime in New York. The Avengers take down criminals in New York. The NYPD put men behind bars. Not Sherlock Holmes. He belongs in London, on Baker Street, pacing 221B, in a dressing gown, smoking a pipe, bemoaning the idiocy of those around him, and pondering the sheer intelligence of Professor James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime.
But my arguments against the appeal of Elementary were lacking. I could only base them off a thirty-second TV spot. However, the second I found the pilot episode to be free on iTunes, I quickly downloaded it. That night, I sat down, grinning mischieveiously to myself, anxious to begin denouncing every place CBS got it wrong. How surprised I was when I was able to watch through the first ten-minutes of the episode with nothing to scoff at, besides the obvious Dr. Joan Watson. But I still had 35 minutes of material left. Believe me when I say, I was scrutinizing every word Johnny Lee Miller said, cross-referencing it against every bit of Holmesian knowledge I had at my disposal. I wasn't wasting my time. As the credits began rolling, I sat back, thinking hard and analyzing every second of the show. Suffice it to say, I was disappointed. I had been desperately wanting to be proven wrong; I was begging CBS to give me something Sherlock to whet my appetite until Benedict Cumberbatch of BBC's adaptation returned. But they let me down; big time. Thus, the reason for this blog post. But, as it is unraveling to be much longer than I had anticipated, it will now become a two-part argument. This will become the introduction. Tomorrow's post will be the main piece. In part two, I will break down both shows and compare the pros and cons of each.

Until then,
~Ian James~

Three Signs Telling If You're Turning Into Your Parents

   As teenagers, it's important that we realize that our parents aren't here to be our friends, they are here to be our parents. They deserve our respect and they deserve our obedience.Now, this doesn't mean that we can't get along with them, it just means that we need to obey their rules. And, more often than not, their rules are not ones that we agree with but hopefully obey anyway. Because of these rules, teenagers never get along with their parents as well as they do with friends. Those rules just get in between. Adolescents are just naturally stubborn and rebellious. Generally, however, as we get older that stubborn rebelliousness wears away as our parents good teachings rub in. Now, maybe its just me, but I'm wary of turning into my parents. Don't get me wrong, they're cool and all, but they aren't perfect like me. If you don't already know that teenagers are perfect, check out my other blog post, Perfect, at this link:

http://julyburnsred.blogspot.com/2012/03/perfect.html

I don't want to be an adult until I have to be. Sure I'll be responsible, but just because you're responsible, does not mean you've grown up. So, if you're worried you might become your parents, read on. Here are the three signs telling if you're turning into your parents.

   1.You've Started To Sound Like Your Parents
If you've started to sound like your parents, you're on the road to growing up. Man, I feel like Peter Pan or something! But seriously, if you're correcting your friends' grammar or telling them that you think its a stupid idea to stay up until three in the morning, you may be too far gone. And if that's the case, there's not much that can be done. Speaking professionally, I suggest you take a dose of adolescent hormones and call me in the morning.

    2.You Start To Wake Up Before 12 a.m. On The Weekends
You're not staying up late enough. Adjust your sleeping schedule to match the true teenager; sleep during the day, stay awake all through the night.

    3.You Remember
A good responsible teenager forgets important things. That's just the way it goes. So if you find yourself remembering when your next doctor's appointment is, I suggest that you start remembering to forget instead. Otherwise, how are you supposed to have room in the brain for sports stats, random annoying facts that will get you nowhere in life, and lines from all your favorite movies?

   Hopefully these few telltale signs will help you to remain a teenager for as long as possible. The results are guaranteed to last until your eighteenth birthday and, if your lucky, the effects may not wear off until sometime after. Remember, you may need to respect and obey your parents, but you don't need to be them.

4 Things The Twilight Saga Can Teach Us About Girls...

    A few years ago, my mother found the Twilight saga. I'm sure that all the guys out there are feeling sympathetic for me and I thank you. But it hasn't been as bad as it could be. I've survived, to say the least. In fact, at one time, I felt brave enough to read the series myself. After having plowed through four books of vampire/human/werewolf love-triangles, I emerged enlightened. I learned four things that guys could learn from the Twilight series about girls. These things don't necessarily solve the feminine mystery, but they bring us closer to understanding it. I have decided to share these four things with you in the hopes that you may utilize them in such a way as to make you more informed in your interactions with women. Here, then, are the four things the Twilight saga can teach us about girls:

1) Girls Cannot Make Up Their Minds...
   This is the first thing you should know. Girls cannot make up their minds, period. Not easily, anyhow. They take much time deliberating especially, as it would seem, when choosing between two guys. Take Bella for example. I realize that the girls reading Twilight never like her, but maybe its jealousy... I'm not sure. However, I digress. Bella cannot, for the life of her, stop leading Edward and Jacob on. She can't just make a decision, and I've noticed that this happens to carry on to most other females. Now that you have this knowledge, hopefully you can take advantage of it by having patience when dealing with those of the indecisive nature. Also note that girls like keeping men guessing.

2) Girls Like Men Who Are Neat...
   I don't mean neat as in 'mildly cool'; I mean neat as in 'organized'. One of the attractions Edward has to all the infatuated female readers across the country is his organized nature. His room is not all out of place, for example. He doesn't have random junk scattered all over his bureau. In addition, he has good penmanship; his own calligraphy, too. Now, not every woman can expect every man to be so inclined as to spend his time creating his own form of handwriting. But, it wouldn't be amiss for them to expect every man to take time improving his penmanship. Make of it what you will, but it would seem to me as though it might improve one's attractiveness.

3) Girls Like Men Who Are Physically Fit...
   We won't have superhuman strength in the way of a vampire, but keeping yourself in shape could certainly be in your favor. Running, push-ups, sit-ups; that sort of thing. In addition to being physically fit, girls also like men who are accomplished in some sort of way. The guitar, for example. Or the piano. Edward even goes so far as to compose a lullaby for his girlfriend. Chances are, however, she won't be impressed by your number of headshots in MW3. Just sayin'.

4) A Non-fiction Girl Doesn't Want A Guy Who Is So Obsessed With Her That He Watches Her While She Sleeps...
   Need I say more?

   If I haven't made any of these things clear enough, I recommend reading the Twilight saga for yourself. I've found them to be very instructive. Hopefully, you find them to be likewise.

~Ian James~

Pasta Stravagante: A Review

   Yesterday, I found myself in the mood for some good Italian eats and, having had a certain restaurant recommended to me by a good friend, I decided to head downtown the the newly opened Pasta Stravagante. Pasta Stravagante, Italian for "extravagant pasta", is seated in the perfect neighborhood. Arriving at 17:30 on an early summer night set the mood very well. The setting sun cast an orange glow upon the bricks adorning the face of the pasta eatery, as well as a beautiful reflection on the river situated behind the restaurant. As soon as I walked through the door, I was assaulted with many first impressions and, as those are the most important, I took my time to soak it all in. For a downtown, just-opened restaurant, the decor wasn't bad. The obvious vegetable paintings were hung on the wall; tomato, celery, onion... all done in a classical oil-painting style. This, along with ceramic chef statuettes, gave the place a decidedly American feel, as no eatery in Italy would be caught dead with such decorations on display. But decoration isn't everything. People come here to eat, after all, not to sit and stare at a porcelain chef wielding whisk and mixing bowl.
  
   After being shown to my seat, (I chose an indoor table, although outside tables overlooking the river were available.) I proceeded to examine the menu. It was chiefly composed of pasta, but this came as no surprise, nor was it amiss. Raviolis, tortellinis, macaronis, fettuchinis, and of course spaghettis dominated the pages, in coordination with a monster amount of sauces and ingredients. White sauces, red sauces, light sauces, heavy sauces; all were present. Shrimp, chicken, beef, and pork each took their places among the dishes as well. A good amount of kid's meals were included in the restaurant's available fare, too. Drinks were served in good number, to include wine, soda, beer, and assorted umbrella beverages. A Coca-Cola sat on the table as I scoured the menu once more in an attempt to find which dish would give me the best feel as to how this eatery's food was to be rated. The waiter recommended to me the Italian Sausage Fettuchini with Cream Sauce, but I ended up choosing the simple, yet seemingly elegant, Spaghetti with Red Meat Sauce. One thing that was certainly in Pasta Stravagante's favor was the English menu. Instead following in the footsteps of Olive Garden and others with an Italian menu that makes you feel stupid and uncultured while ordering, Pasta Stravagante gave straightforward, English titles to their dishes. How many times, I lament, have a been at a restaurant, ordered and then have the waiter correct my pronunciation? Not a good way to go. Pasta Stravagante managed to keep things simple, and rightfully so.

   While waiting for my food, I sat back and looked around the room. While I was doing so, strains of Frank Sinatra reached my ears. I payed more attention and, sure enough, I was hearing "Luck Be A Lady" emanating from a speaker in the corner of the ceiling. As time passed, other similar favorites sweetened the airwaves, including the well-known "Lazy Mary" sung by the even better-known Lou Monte of said fame. This particular song got me smiling and reminiscing. But I wasn't left to myself for long, as a steaming plate of pasta was placed before me. A generous pile of spaghetti, combined with a staggering amount of red meat sauce, threatened to collapse the table. The waiter served me a helping of freshly-grated Parmesan before departing to the next table. Not wasting any time, I grabbed a fork and dug in. The pasta was well cooked, with an excellent texture that spoke of its quality. The sauce, however, was what lent the dish its perfection. A tomatoey flavor mixed with that of Chardonnay and meat and an unknown assortment of seasonings. Beyond this, the flavor became increasingly difficult to describe and much easier to wolf down.

   I soon became full, and was left with enough on my plate to warrant a leftovers container. Quite satisfied, I moved on to pay my not overly large bill, grab an after-dinner mint, and step outside, full and happy. Pasta Stravagante did not fail to deliver, food-wise. Over-all, they gave me a very good experience. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good pasta dinner. It's worth it.

Marvel's The Avengers: Movie Review

   

   Its time that I get around to reviewing the newest superhero action film. Marvel's The Avengers was released into theaters May 4, 2012. The film was directed by Joss Whedon and sported a cast of stars. Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson reprised their roles as Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow respectively. Jeremy Renner (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) took on the bow and arrow of Hawkeye. In Thor, we got a small glimpse of Hawkeye, but he never actually did anything more than say a few lines. In the Avengers, he was incredible. Mark Ruffalo stepped into the shoes of Bruce Banner and the 10-ton body of the Hulk; very successfully, too, I might add. And, of course, Samuel L. Jackson is back as a determined Nick Fury.

   The movie opens circling around the Tesseract, the cosmic cube, jewel of Odin's treasury. We were introduced to the Tesseract in Captain America: The First Avenger. The Red Skull used the Tesseract's galactic power as a weapon to vaporize his enemies. It was lost in the Arctic when it "consumed" the Red Skull and transported him to who knows where. Howard Stark, however, finds the cube when searching for the lost Captain America, and the cube is entrusted to S.H.E.I.L.D, a top-secret government security force, for safe-keeping. At the end of Thor, after the credits, we see Nick Fury petition Dr. Selvig, friend of Thor, to find out how it works. As we find out later in the Avenger's movie, S.H.E.I.L.D has plans for the Tesseract's use. What they are is better found out by watching the movie.

 The plots of Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Iron Man 1 & 2 all come together to form Marvel's The Avengers. As far as I know, there is no connection with the plot of The Incredible Hulk with this story beyond the fact that Dr. Selvig used to work with Dr. Bruce Banner. The main story of The Avengers is this: Loki, demi-god brother of Thor, has teamed up with a mysterious alien force known as the Chitauri in order to become the sole ruler of Earth. The brains seem to be all Loki but the "leader", I'll call him, of the Chitauri is no dummy and, from a flashback of Loki's, it would seem that the demi-god fears this alien king. But this stops Loki's determination in no way. Loki goes around getting stuff he needs to utilize the Tesseract's power in such a way as to create a portal to the outer-space-like world of the Chitauri. Nick Fury feels threatened by Loki and, against the wishes of his directors, gets the Avengers together, hoping that as one they will be a strong enough force to beat Loki once and for all.

   When the portal begins to spew forth flying snake-ish monsters longer than skyscrapers are tall, the Avengers, who haven't exactly gotten along before now, band together to go into "destroy all aliens" mode. This last battle is, by far, the most exciting part of the film. Joss Whedon does a very good job of juggling six superheroes and their various superpowers as they rocket all around New York City on a Chitauri beat-down. The Hulk, predictably, smashes. Iron Man blasts aliens with his various weaponry; Thor electrocutes and hammers his way to victory, very impressively. Captain America teams up with Black Widow as the ground force; the Widow, by the way, sports a very interesting wrist-Taser. Hawkeye, though, is the most interesting, with his high-tech bow and arrow. He can toggle various attachments on his arrows and his quiver serves him the arrow so he can grab without looking. A very interesting take on the character of Hawkeye, and thoroughly enjoyable.

   Eventually, the Avengers prevail and save the day and everyone lives happily-ever-after. Or so we are led to believe. But a mid-credits snippet shows us that the battle is not over. An old face returns, ready to lead the Chitauri to victory, as well as successfully building up excitement for an undeniable sequel.

   Overall, the Avengers rocks. The plot took a backseat to the action, but this was not amiss. No one goes to see a superhero movie that makes them think; they'd rather see Iron Man taking down alien baddies with his repulsors. The CGI (computer-generated imagery) was incredible. The Hulk, the Chitauri, Iron Man, the pyrotechnics, it was all very well-animated. The action scenes were wicked awesome. Who doesn't want to see Thor and Iron Man going at each other? Marvel's The Avengers is a job-well done, and absolutely worth going to see this summer. Now, we wait for the sequel.

~Ian James~

Where Have I Taken My Faith?

   For today, I have a more serious theme than those in recent posts. I am asking the question, where have I taken my faith? This introspective topic was born from a train of thought induced by my youngest brother's recent First Communion. Last Sunday, my sibling walked up to the altar, before the congregation and before God, and received for the very first time, Jesus in the Eucharist. It was, as a First Communion always is, a very joyous occasion. He was most excited by the ability to become an altar server. But beyond all the aesthetics of his growing age and physical and mental maturity, there is a certain spiritual maturity which is also required in order to receive Jesus in the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.

   Thinking of this started me down a path of thought back to the time when I was making my First Holy Communion, receiving the Eucharist for the first time. I felt incredibly responsible, mature and grown-up in every way. I knew that I loved the Lord more than anything. Granted, I was a child and I preferred reading and playing Legos over going to Mass, but God had a special place in my life. He still does. There is that particular youthful innocence, however, that makes one dedicated to following the commandments. As a young adult, I understand the consequences of sin and am therefore wary of it, but as a child, I refrained from sin simply to not hurt God or my parents.

   Many years after my First Communion came Confirmation. Now I was older in the Church's eyes; old enough to decide for myself whether or not I would remain a Catholic, a follower of Christ. I, of course, chose to remain; chose to continue to walk in the footsteps left behind by our Lord. And, while I was Confirmed with no less conviction than when I received Communion for the first time, it was different. A different feeling, a different sacrament. I had no more of that youthful innocence which I had all those years ago. I fully understood 'what I was getting myself into', per se.

   Now, less than two months away from turning eighteen, I'm asking myself the question, where have I taken my faith? I'll be honest with the answer: I'm not sure. Allow me to clarify here. I know who God is; I know His Law and His Word. But practicing the faith is a whole 'nother animal. Just at home, trying to be loving to my siblings even when they are driving me crazy, being respectful to my parents despite how angry I might be, and just plain following in Christ's footsteps. It's a daily challenge, and sometimes I feel as though I'm coming out ahead, but other times I can tell I've fallen behind. I find that such introspection as I have in this post can help you find where you need to change. So if you find yourself wondering "where have I taken my faith?", try reading the Bible to see what God expects of you as His child and compare these guidelines he shares with us against how you treat others as well as yourself. Only He can show you the way, and He does. However, He can't make you follow. You need to take that step yourself. I pray that you do.

~Ian James~

Why I Love Senior Year - Part 2

   Welcome, friend bloggers, to part 2 of Why I Love Senior Year. We previously discussed how high school is not all that the Disney Channel makes it out to be. It's hard work filled with stress and Algebra-test last-minute cramming. But we also discussed some of the pluses of high school. Or the high-school-years, anyway. Youthful recklessness, youthful ignorance, and the like are vital ingredients to the 4 years of high school. They serve to teach wisdom to the future generation. In my experience, they do their job well. I have made my own fair share of mistakes, and have learned from them.

   But all that is past me now. I currently look forward to my eighteenth birthday this summer, among other things; most prominent of them being my enlistment in the the U.S. Army. After a one or two years enlisted, I look to be accepted into West Point. But that's a bit farther into the future. For now, I focus on finishing up my senior year of high school. My final year of, shall we say, conventional schooling. It's been an adventure for sure. Homeschooling the past four years has been an experience all by itself. It hasn't been easy, and many a time have I just wished that it's over. Now, however, that it's so close to being that way, I almost wish I had a longer time of it. At the same time, I look forward with interest to my career in the military. It's a sort of bittersweet feeling. I'm getting ready to leave home, in order to make another. Preparing to abandon one way of life so I might discover another.

Deus custodiat animam meam in hac nocte, ut vitae suae vires Evangelia cras.

God watch over my soul tonight, that I might have the strength to live His gospels tomorrow.

~Ian James~

Why I Love Senior Year - Part 1

   While some middle schoolers out there might expect high school to be the way Troy and Gabriella had it, those of us who are actually in it know the truth: High school is not that fun. Sure, there are friends, assemblies, and school dances but they are never held in song with choreographed basketball movements. The individual years can also be broken down. Freshman year is a time of going from oldest and coolest in the school, to youngest and most looked down upon. Sophomore year is better; you know what you're doing and you know have students younger than you. Junior year could arguably be one of the best; driver's ed is a definite plus, not to mention that you are still enjoying youth, but are getting older and more mature.
  
   But to me, senior year trumps all, hands down. A shorter school year accompanies getting prepared to choose a career; searching for scholarships precedes the college experience. It signifies one of the largest turning points in life. For me, senior year has been the greatest time of my life. So far, anyway. I've had trigonometry, the first type of mathematics I have begrudgingly enjoyed. I've studied prose and poetry from the beginning of the English language to its present, gaining knowledge from such masters as St. Thomas More, William Shakespeare (of course), Robert Burns, Geoffrey Chaucer, Ben Jonson, John Donne, John Milton, Lord Byron, John Keats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, T.S. Eliot and many more besides. It has also been an adventure writing this very blog. Business Technology has enlightened and prepared me for my future career. I have studied American Government, learning about the inner-workings of our country's bureaucracy. The History of the Constitution has also been very enjoyable. Over all, it has been a very successful year, and it's not even over yet. I look expectantly to the future.

Surviving Adolescence = Mission: Impossible? - The Three-or-Four Steps to NOT Dying Before You're 20!

   All six of the teenage years are guaranteed to encompass copious amounts of anger, frustration, stress, and confusion. Arguments, with both parents and siblings, are sure to be a common activity in your life. High-school, and possibly the beginning of college, will take up much more of your time than you would ever want. Community service, scholarship applications, and planning for the future will also be prominent ingredients to the recipe of your adolescent life. It's a constant mess of confusion and disagreements and misunderstandings and hormones and disaster and drama and tragedy and pain and horror and destruction and distraction and many other things besides. Now, not EVERYTHING is gloom-and-doom; there are parts of being a teenager that are to be enjoyed, but the rest remains true, also. You may be wondering the point of me saying all this. Well, I'm here to tell you that it what has previously been referred to as Mission: Impossible

is now possible, due to my new process called: The Three-or-Four Steps to NOT Dying Before You're 20! Allow me to introduce...

Step 1) Think Positive When Regarding The Future...

   I know that this is a difficult thing to do, be positive, but its absolutely necessary to survival. It's a teenager's best tool for motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Use it.

Step 2) Be Cool, Stay in School...

   While school may be the root of a lot of your frustration now, it will be the source of most of your success in later years. Need I say more?

Step 3-) Stay Out of Trouble... Of All Kinds!

   Trouble with your parents, trouble with the principle, trouble with the law or whatever; stay out of it! Otherwise, your only causing more stress in your life. The avoidance of trouble is the avoidance of stress; the avoidance of stress is the act of advocating relaxation.

Step or-Four) Procrastination...
   Its harmful to survival. It often allows a huge-blind side of disaster to sneak up behind you and take you out. Some people have said things like...

But I disagree. We all know Boromir was all about personal gain, not teamwork, anyway. So, in order to survive, I recommend not procrastinating. Why put off until tomorrow what can be done today?

   Well, there you have my three-or-four steps to NOT dying before you're 20. Hopefully you can put them to good use. They work.

~Ian James~

The Time Paradox: The Guide to Headache City

   The idea of time travel has always fascinated me. The ability to experience the past, our history; and the chance to see the future, what will someday be present reality. Man has dreamt of this possibility for hundreds of years, and the various literary works of the 1800's to present day display this. Scientists have long theorized at the possibility of time travel and have unofficially decided that travel to the past would never be possible, but time travel to the future might be. Still, this doesn't stop filmmakers, authors, and artists from exploring various types of time-travel stories. To me, the most interesting part of time travelling is the time paradox theory. Let me describe what a time paradox is.

   A time paradox (temporal paradox) is a theoretical paradoxical situation that is created due to time travel. For example, the grandfather paradox:

    A man goes back in time in order to kill his grandfather before the grandfather has any biological descendant. If the traveler were to succeed, either his mother or father would exist. In consequence, he would not exist as well. Thus, he would not be able to travel back in time in the first place (because he no longer exists) and his grandfather would  live and have a child who would  become the currently non-existent traveler's parent. In this way, the time travel would now exist again, and be able to go back in time to kill his grandfather. This would restart the situation. If the time traveler were to fail to kill his grandfather, however, the grandfather would still exist, produce offspring and eventually the time traveler would be born and the whole scenario starts over.

   It's in this way that we come to a paradox. The situation just keeps restarting itself. It's an infinite loop to nowhere.



   The purpose of the time paradox is to argue the impossibility of time travel. There are many theorized solutions, however. Below, I will highlight a few. They all suggest ways in which time travel could still be possible because the timeline avoids looping into infinity.

•  The Multiple Universe Solution.

This theory suggests the possibility of multiple universes, infinitely created whenever someone travels back in time. The example here is as follows: Were you to travel back in time to kill your grandfather before he had any descendants, an alternate identical universe would be created. Therefore if you successfully eliminated your grandfather, he would be dead in Universe 2 as would you be. But once you returned to your own time, you would be back in Universe 1, thus you'd still be alive. So you're dead in U2, but alive in U1.

• The Timeline Protection Solution.

This theory states that the time line would protect itself, thus protecting the universe from a paradox. This means that, no matter what a time traveler does, he would not be able to do anything to change the timeline. Back to the grandfather paradox. If the traveler were to attempt to kill his grandfather, time would have him fail. His gun would jam, be in the wrong place at the wrong time, be caught and thrown in jail, etc.

• The Novikov Self-consistency Principle.

This particular principle details a timeline which does not allow for a paradox because it defines a hypothetical scenario where nothing can be done to change time, because whatever happens must already have been part of the past. For example, say I went back in time to before the atomic bomb had been developed and gave Oppenheimer the plans to build one. Nothing would change. Because this has been a part of history all along. And if I went to kill my grandfather, I would fail for some reason; gun jammed, wrong time/place, etc. This part of the principle is similar to the Timeline Protection Solution.

• The Butterfly Effect.

This solution protects the universe from a time paradox, but that's all it protects it from. The butterfly effect is described as a physical effect on math, weather, and even time where a small change in the root definition of the subject grows exponentially to be a huge change to the original subject. This is easier said with an example. A man travels back in time to the 1940's, simply lights a cigarette, smokes it, then leaves. When he returns to 2012, he finds that the United States is now known as the United Communist Republic, we have a dictator, and he is a fugitive on the run from the law. In this example we see how one tiny change to the fabric of time (smoking a cigarette) can hugely change the rest of the world. And the farther back in time you travel, the larger the changes are to the present time. For another entertaining example of the butterfly effect, read Ray Bradbury's A Sound of Thunder in which an actual butterfly causes the butterfly effect.


   These are just a few of the many solutions to the time paradox. As of right now, we don't actually even know if time travel is possible, but someday it might be. When that happens we will need to be prepared. We will need to know what we are doing. When time travel is possible, we'll need a Guide to Headache City. Hopefully the one you just read will do. But until we have a definite yes or no on the possibility of time travel, we will continue to dream. Of the past. Of the future.

Why I Love My Country-Part 4: In God We Trust

   God is important to me. If you've been reading this blog for more than a few posts back, you probably already have noticed this. God is important to me for many reasons, most prominent being that He is the reason I am here today. He is my Father, my Creator, and my King. I owe Him everything.

   Because God gives me all that I need, I have consequently come to trust in Him and His ways. As long as I work hard and worship and respect Him, He will reward me with what I need. This is what God does and will do for all of us. The Founding Fathers, and those who came after, realized this. That is why our government is set upon the Bible, which is God's word and teachings. In God We Trust.

   The Constitutional Convention saw that is was necessary to separate government from religion. But they also saw it was needed to found our country upon God's word. They literally set our country's foundation upon our Lord. This is the largest part of why I love my country. Respect for God is fundamental in making a success out of a country. God rewards those who deserve it.

   Some people might say that the U.S. isn't very religious. I do not hold this to be true. A 2003 joint poll by USA Today, CNN, and Gallup showed that 90% of Americans support the inscription "In God We Trust." This is but one example of the American people showing their belief in something beyond this Earth. I know that not everybody believes in God, but it is my opinion that with witness, we can spread God's word even further than it already has been. The United States of America has been so successful for so long ( 236 years...) because of its founding on God. He has rewarded us, and will continue to do so as long as we respect Him, love Him, and trust in Him.

   So, now you know how I feel about my country, as well as why. I said in the first post of this blog series that I take great pride in my country. These are the three main reasons. America may not be perfect, but its close. She's a land of opportunity, with a hard-working military, and in God she trusts. She's the land of the free, kept safe by the brave. God bless her evermore. Her stars and stripes watch over us, ever may they wave. She's the land of the free and the home of the brave. May God bless her forevermore.

~Ian James~

To read the previous posts of this blog series, click on the links below:

Why I Love My Country-Part 1: Introduction. http://julyburnsred.blogspot.com/2012/04/why-i-love-my-country-part-1.html

Why I Love My Country-Part 2: Land of Opportunity. http://julyburnsred.blogspot.com/2012/04/why-i-love-my-country-part-2-land-of.html

Why I Love My Country-Part 3: The Military.  http://julyburnsred.blogspot.com/2012/04/why-i-love-my-country-part-3-military.html





5 Surefire Ways to Win A Sibling Argument

   Every house has sibling arguments, no exceptions. I know this from experience. Its inevitable that you won't agree with everything your brother(s) or sister(s) say(s). Sometimes it'll be something legitimate, like whether or not your brother should be flipping knives around in the kitchen. But we all know that sometimes (okay, most of the times) it'll be something ridiculous like whether or not cats always land on their feet, or over who's fault it is that the house is a mess. Like I said before, I know how it is. Its foolish to think that siblings would get along perfectly. I'm sure that there are a select few that get along with almost no arguments, but most of us aren't that way. And, if you're like me, winning the argument is important. It could be a situation of life or death; whether or not you get taken apart when dad comes home from work. Thus, winning that argument might allow you to live to see another day. If you are interested in knowing how to come out on top in any argument with a sibling, read on to discover the 5 Surefire Ways to Win A Sibling Argument.

   1) Use Your Age To Your Advantage...
   This is an important first step to successfully convincing your brother or sister that they are wrong and you are right. If you are older than they are, use that to your advantage by saying stuff like "I didn't get to 12th grade by not knowing how to multiply!" or "I'm four years older than you! Do you honestly believe that I don't know what I'm talking about?" And if you are younger, there are still ways for you to pull weight that way. For example, try to act innocent, or play dumb/ignorant of the rules... Stuff like that.

   2) Remember Everything Your Mother Says Concerning The Rules...
   My younger siblings have an annoying knack for remembering my mother's exact words concerning various things and they are able to easily use this as leverage over me in order to convince me to share my personal stuff with them. I still haven't figured out to use this to my own advantage and have it backfire on them, but I'm working on it.

   3) Reference The Commandments...
   If possible, reference the commandments.
"The commandments say not to hit, and that's exactly what you just did!"
But be careful... Things can get thrown back in your face REAL fast.
"You hit me first..."
 See what I mean?

   4) Involve Another Sibling As A Witness...
   Get another sibling involved, if you have one, as a witness. They can often tip the argument scales in your favor. Just be careful that they don't switch sides, and help your opponent.

   5) When In Doubt, Blame Someone Else...

                                                             It works.

   With these five guidelines, you will be empowered with the ability to win any argument with any sibling. Use this ability wisely. By the way, results are guaranteed to work on a sibling, however, this guarantee is not valid when used on parents. Hmmm... Maybe I'll have to write guidelines on how to win an argument with parents. Nope. Forget it. A child never wins an argument with a parent.

~Ian James~

Why I Love My Country-Part 3: The Military

Three years ago, my father announced to the family that he was joining the Army. In that instant, my life was hugely changed. Two years later, here I sit in South Korea. Traveling in the military is not a privilege everyone can enjoy, but I have been lucky enough to have that experience. I have, through my father, experienced the Army life first hand. As a soon-to-be-high-school graduate, I am looking to go enlisted in the Army myself. To say that I am proud in my country's military is almost an understatement. Words cannot describe it adequately. I know that saying that might sound odd, but I write it in all honesty.

  

   The Army, created June 14, 1775, has survived over 200 years as a successful branch of the military. The Army itself employs around 1,129,275. I do not have the experience nor the time to include all the other branches of the military, therefore, for simplicity's sake, I will only detail the Army. But I know enough of the other branches to recognize their sacrifice for their country. And that is where my pride stems from. Millions of men and women, leaving their regular day-in-and-day-out lives to instead put those same lives on the line to protect people they have never met. The military is a profession that certainly deserves a lot of respect. I think that sometimes we as Americans take our soldiers for granted. Even if they aren't deployed, they are still working hard to keep our country safe and secure. Most countries have their own organized militaries, but ours stands out. For several reasons. We protect not only our own country, but aid other countries as well, the most notable being South Korea. There are those who would say that this makes the United States look nosy and bullying. Maybe this is true a little bit, but I think its important that we help those who need it. If we have the ability to help, we should.

   When I got the idea to write this series, I was thinking of the top three reasons that make me so proud of my country, and I almost overlooked the military. But once I thought long and hard about it, I realized just how important the Army is in my life. I've enjoyed experiencing the Army second-hand so much, that I want to become a part of it. I want to protect and defend my country from the terrorism of groups in the Middle East, and from the Communism of North Korea. I would be ready and willing to give up my life at a moments notice; and, while that's slightly gruesome, I mean it. The United States is a part of my family, and I feel that it's important to keep my family safe. I will continue to be proud of our military; I will continue to be proud of our country.

~Ian James~

Why I Love My Country-Part 2: Land of Opportunity and Freedom

   As humans, having 'stuff' is important to us. I admit to being this way; my guitar is very important to me. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least, not on the offset, anyway. If you are obsessed with your stuff, then maybe it's time to spend some more time caring about people. To have stuff, though, you need money, right? And, unless you just inherited a bunch of money from your Great-Uncle Chester and Great-Aunt Bessie, you have to work in order to have money. Now, in a third-world country, jobs and, by extension, money are hard to come by. But in America, even with our 'end-of-the-world' unemployment rate, there are jobs out there for everyone. They just may not always be easy to find. So, we are much more lucky than a lot of other countries out there. That's definitely something to be grateful for.

   America is the Land of Opportunity. It's the land of HD-flat-screen TV's, which I have nothing against. It's the land of drive-through and fast-food. It's the land of iPods, iPhones, and Ikeas. In America, very few things are in short supply. I'm hard-pressed to think of any. The rich get richer, and if the poor are smart, they get richer too. This doesn't necessarily mean that life is rosy for everyone, but for the most part, it is. America. It's the land of a strong military; life with which I've experienced firsthand. It's the land of Wal-mart and Target. It's the Land of Opportunity.

   You have to realize that opportunity goes beyond having physical stuff. It goes beyond having a job. There is one big thing, as Americans, that we have. This thing should be our most prized possession. You may be thinking freedom, and if you are, you are indeed correct. Our Freedom is our most valuable component. It makes America what it is. The United States wouldn't be half of what it is without our freedom. Our religious, our political, our personal freedom. It's certainly something we take for granted, maybe not all the time, but every once in a while for sure. I am honestly bursting with pride as I write this. I just keep thinking how I would be a totally different person, living in a totally different country if, all those years ago, the Founding Fathers did not set this country atop Freedom's Hill. The countries which share this beautiful hilltop town with us number few, and none shine so brightly as we do. Of course, there is a downfall to shining brightly, as it attracts attention, but not all attention is bad. May we shine so brightly for much, much longer.

   In the Land of Opportunity, I can thrive. I am able to grow as I should, without unnecessary restraint, without unnecessary regulation. Instead, I roam freely, not hindered by monarchies or Communist regimes. I am protected by the Stars and Stripes, along with Her appointed leadership. Sometimes, to protect Freedom, there must be war, but She never seeks it. Today, I am safe; tomorrow, I will be safe. I am grateful for what I have been given, and I hope to one day pay Her back. Just recognizing all that she has done for me is a step in that direction. May America stay strong and continue to enjoy the Freedom it has worked so hard to protect and defend.

~Ian James~

Movie Review: The Passion of the Christ

   Today, I am reviewing Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. This is a difficult movie to review for several reasons, but I will do my best. This Friday is Good Friday, the day which marks Jesus' death upon the Cross. The Passion of the Christ is the perfect movie to be watched on Good Friday night. It reminds us of Christ's sacrifice that we might have eternal life with Him in Heaven.

   The story of Christ's Passion is obviously taken from the Bible, so the story itself is not tampered with. Screenplay is well put together, and the lines flow well. The entire movie is set in Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles, which gets points for artistic originality. The costumes are well done, and as far as I know, true to the period. Directing is good, camera positions are well set up. Over all, aesthetically, the movie gets about 4 out of 5 stars.

   Some points to note are the 'R' rating. Definitely, this movie is not something to share with kids under the age of 12. The movie is bloody and gory, but let's bear in mind what the movie is about. The Passion of the Christ looks to accurately recount just that; Jesus' crucifixion and last few hours of life before. This subject, Jesus' death, is one to be treated with respect. To say that the movie is awesome and really cool would be disrespectful, seeing as this is a true story of God dying for our sins. But I would be remiss to say that this movie is not a good one. It inspires and rouses the soul. It makes one ask the Lord for forgiveness, and strengthen their resolve to not sin again. So, despite its controversial gory depiction of the flogging and crucifixion of Jesus, The Passion of the Christ definitely succeeds in strengthening the spiritual relationship between man and God. I absolutely recommend it.

~Ian James~

Why I Love My Country-Part 1 : Introduction

   Pride in your country is important. In the words of President Theodore Roosevelt:

"The man who loves other countries as much as his own stands on a level with the man who loves other women as much as he loves his own wife."

   I have always taken pride in my country, for many reasons. The United States of America have not stood strong for this long without good excuse. I think that, while there are many things in our government that are not right, there are still many parts to be proud of. Our system is not perfect, but it's on the right track. Many conservatives may look at the current state of the democratic system of the States and be disappointed. But I think there is cause for rejoice at the heart of it all. Our leadership may sometimes be leading us wrong, but the foundation they stand on still remains. It has not crumbled beneath their weight.

   I feel the need to share why I still have faith in my country. I think that people, not all...but many, have forgotten what is good about our country, our government. They instead focus only on the negative; what is imperfect and flawed. Therefore, I will be sharing with you why I love my country in a four-part blog series. This introduction is part one. The rest I plan to have released every Monday for the next three weeks, so keep on the lookout. Hopefully you will find it interesting, as well as enlightening. I do not pretend to be some sort of expert on the inner workings of our government, but I do know what in this country keeps me proud. I do know why I love my country.

~Ian James~

Perfect...

   This word can be used to describe me and every other teenager on the planet, with good reason, too. Three reasons, to be exact. Let's begin with one...
  
 1) Our Extensive Knowledge...
       As teenagers, we know everything. We even know more than people who have been around longer than we have, gone to college, and accumulated wisdom that only comes with age. That's a fact. That's why I try to tell my parents not to bother ever arguing with me. I know way more than they do, so its kind of pointless for them to even bother, especially when they should know they're going to lose the argument. Our extensive knowledge also includes our proficiency for technology. My parents aren't totally fossilized and my mom is actually quite apt, but still, there is no way that they could possibly be more intelligent than me. I'm a flawless 17-year-old. Right?

    2) Our Physical Prowess...
        My father is in the Army, so he has to keep in really good shape. But while he may be stronger than I am, I don't get sore back and knees. I can sleep on the floor without being as stiff as plywood the next day. And that's if I sleep at all. But beyond physical strength, there's something else. I can eat and eat and eat some more, and not gain a pound. My elders are not so lucky.

    3) Our Incredible Skill At Everything...
        Whatever your good at, we're better. This is, by far, the biggest part of what makes us so perfect. Need I say more???

   So, the next time you have to deal with a teenager, just roll your eyes and accept the fact that they are right and you are probably wrong. It's just life; there's no way around it.

~Ian James~

Great Expectations: 21st Century for Teenagers~Part 2

*** If you have not read part 1, then do not continue. Instead, scroll down and read the first part of this blog duo. ***

   Welcome to part two of Great Expectations: 21st Century Edition for Teenagers~Part 2. I'll get right down to business right after a quick recap. In the previous section, we discussed the main story idea of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. I stated that I found it to be relatable for certain reasons. I understand what Pip, the main character, is going through. He has great expectations placed upon him, by others as well as himself. Every teenager does. It's something every person has to deal with in their life as they make the stressful, awkward, and, often times, difficult transition from child to adult. Adolescence, which we all know is what comes in-between, is just that; in-between. Sometimes, its great; going to the movies with friends, staying up all night, eating endless amounts of food and never gaining a pound. Sometimes, its no cake walk; high-school stress, pressure to be cooler than the next guy, and just plain emotional meltdowns. And while that sounds extreme to say out loud (or on paper), it happens. If you haven't had said experience, good for you; your life is under control. As for the rest of us who aren't perfect and face struggles in our life, keep reading.

   There are literally countless things to be said on the subject of adolescent life. Many suggestions to happiness and steps to success can be given, but who has time to read it all? Therefore, I have put together three easy, all-encompassing steps which will easily guide the reader to 7 good teenager years (or however many you have left.) Listed least-to-greatest importance, the three steps are as follows...

   1) "Prepare ye the way..."
        The first step is to always be prepared. Literally, expect the unexpected. Sounds impossible to do, yet it's not, whether its being prepared for the pop quiz in Algebra II or to recite the first act of Romeo and Juliet. It may not even be in the schoolwork area that you need to expect the unexpected. It could just be regular life. Maybe you or a family member gets seriously sick, or maybe Facebook goes down. ( I think we all know how tragic that is...) But seriously, be ready, because life always has something to throw your way.

   2) Understand Yourself.
       The second step may seem unimportant, but it's a mistake to think so. Understanding who you are and what you believe in are important components to shaping who you will grow into. So when you find yourself confronted with great expectations, have no fear, because you know your own abilities, your own heart, mind and soul.

   3) PRAY!
       This is the most obvious part, and is of paramount importance. Pray when you're eating, pray when you're working, pray when you're sleeping if you can. God can only help you if you ask Him to. He wants your permission, because He gave us all free will and wouldn't even thinking of changing our life without you saying so first. Always remember, when in doubt, PRAY!

   Well, there you have it. The three steps to surviving great expectations. May they help you and serve you well. There will always be things expected of you, and you may have to rise up and meet these expectations. When you do, remember that the Lord loves and cares about you. Wherever you go, He follows. Never try to outrun Him. He can and will help. You need only ask. As it is written in Matthew 7:7-

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Peace in Christ,
   ~Ian James~

Endnote: I just want to give a shout-out to my cousin, Theodore, as he is graduating eighth grade and will be entering his freshman year of high school this fall. Good luck and may God be with you as you take this next big step in your life! 

Great Expectations: 21st Century Edition for Teenagers~Part 1

   Charles Dickens has never been a favorite author of mine. The only book I truly like of his is the Christmas Carol, and then only for its shortness and originality. I enjoy the story idea, but not his writing. The same went for the book Great Expectations. I respected and was interested by the plot, but his style of writing kills me. Saying that his style is over descriptive doesn't do the thing justice. Try uber-mega-super-unnecessarily-descriptive. Apparently, the reasoning behind this is because his publisher payed him by the word, and Dickens wanted be rich, I guess. He must've been, taking Great Expectations and David Copperfield into account. But anyway, despite my absolute loathing of the swampy, overcrowded use of adjectives and run-on sentences, I still minimally enjoyed Great Expectations; again, only for the story. And, before I move on, if you think that I only find Charles Dickens difficult to read because I'm an ignorant 21st century teenager, think again; much of England in c. 1860 felt the same way, thus hurting his sales. Hmmm... So, are we saying that Dicken's greed actually made him poorer? Food for thought.

   Why do I find the storyline of Great Expectations so interesting? Because its relatable. I understand what the main character is going through, for the most part. For those of you who have not had the ridiculous pleasure of reading Dickens' work, Great Expectations is basically about the life of a young man from age 7, onward. Thus, I can relate in some ways. Pip, however, becomes friends(more or less) with an escaped convict; I, on the other hand, have never had the pleasure of doing so. Pip also is an orphan; I gratefully own two parents, with extended warranties both (just in case of accidents).Back to relatable, though. Pip has trouble just with growing up. Hormones and inexperience plague him like they do all of us. And, of course, he deals with having to live up to great expectations. We all face this problem. We've all seen the dad who forces his son to practice, practice, practice until he's perfect (My dad, while very encouraging, is thankfully not obnoxious). Nobody enjoys parents who care more about their child's appearance than the child himself. Pip is forced to go and be a gentleman, a big deal in the 19th century. Only the very wealthy could afford to do so, and only those who wished to make something of themselves ever bothered to do so. Thus, Pip finds himself having much required of him. Much expected.

   As a teenager, thirteen through nineteen, stress is to be expected(no pun). Pressure will be exerted and, at times, threaten to crush you. But with the right attitude, and the right tools, dangerous levels of hormones will never be reached and you may just survive. In part two, I will discuss HOW to survive the great expectations of the teenager years. Don't touch the dial.

~Ian James~

"Doesn't Mean We're Like That Guy..."

   Homeschoolers. We're different than most, and in many ways. We catch a lot of flak just because we do things differently. But really, we are just the same as every other kid our age, just educated in an uncommon way. The norm is, obviously, to actually GO to a school. Homeschoolers stay home. That's really the only difference there is. Unfortunately, people who think they know all about homeschooling, but actually don't, have woven this web of falsities around the practice of homeschooling. This, as is to be expected, annoys most homeschoolers.

   Recently, a video surfaced on Youtube that I would like to share. It is titled "Messy Mondays: The Seven Lies About Homeschoolers." This video is very well done. Nobody seems to realize the truth about homeschoolers except other homeschoolers, or people close to those who homeschool. This guy lets everybody know what's what, in a casual, comedic way. So, without further ado, I present to you: "Messy Mondays: The Seven Lies About Homeschoolers." Enjoy.

~Ian James~

Friday: An Essay

   Everybody has a favorite day of the week. For a lot of people, like me, Friday is that day. If Friday is not your favorite day of the week, this blog post probably won't interest you. For those of us who love Friday more than any other day, read on!

The goddess Frigg, spinning the clouds.

   First, to fully understand the awesomeness of anything, we first need to know where it comes from , and a little bit of what it's about. So, the name. There are two conflicting hypotheses on the origin of the name. The first guess is that it comes from the Old English Frīġedæġ, meaning "day of Frigg". Frigg was a Germanic goddess equivalent to Venus/Aphrodite.
The other idea is that the name comes from the Old Norse goddess Freya(or Freja), goddess of beauty. Both of these goddesses are very similar with close origins, so it is difficult to tell which is the original.

   The use of Friday varies from country to country. In America, of course, it is the last day of work before Saturday and Sunday, two days of weekend. Friday is therefore associated with freedom and rejoicing (at least in my house). Some other countries, however, are not as fortunate. In Saudi Arabia, Friday is the last day of the two-day weekend, with Saturday as the first day of the working week. In Iran, Friday is the only day of the weekend. I would not give up my two-day weekend without a fight. Not that I'm lazy, but who doesn't need a break?

   Friday, in some cultures, is often considered unlucky. This is especially so in maritime circles, as it is considered unlucky to set sail on that day. In the 19th century, writing in his nautical lexicon The Sailor's Word-Book, Admiral William Henry Smythe described Friday as
    "The Dies Infaustus, on which old seamen were desirous of not getting under weigh, as ill-omened."
    Dies Infaustus means 'unlucky day'. It is said that this superstition is rooted in the well-known urban legend of the HMS Friday. If you don't know what that is... Well, maybe I'll write about it some other time.

   Friday, however, is not always considered to be an unlucky day. This opinion is found mostly in Scottish Gaelic culture. To quote the Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary:

"Though Friday has always been held an unlucky day in many Christian countries, still in the Hebrides it is supposed that it is a lucky day for sowing the seed. Good Friday in particular is a favourite day for potato planting—even strict Roman Catholics make a point of planting a bucketful on that day. Probably the idea is that as the Resurrection followed the Crucifixion, and Burial so too in the case of the seed, and after death will come life."

    So we see that, while Friday is often given a bad rep, at least its a good day in two cultures (American/Scottish). Friday the 13th, however, will always be considered unlucky.

   On a somewhat happier note, Friday is also renowned for its religious significance. In Islam Friday is the equivalent of the Christian Sunday. In Christianity, Good Friday is the day of Christ's crucifixion on the cross. In Roman Catholicism, during Lent, followers must abstain (refrain from eating) meat on Friday's, though fish is acceptable. Quaker tradition refers to Friday as the "Sixth Day". This is to eschew any relation to the pagan origin of the day's name.

   So, there you have it. A history on the day Friday. At the end of it all, I'm just grateful for Friday night; a night of relaxation, as I prepare for two more days of doing nothing. I know, I know, I live a hard life. Thanks for reading.

~Ian James~

References:
Name Origins: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday 
Adm. William Henry Smyth Quote: Smyth, William Henry (1991), The Sailor's Word-Book, Conway Maritime Press, ISBN 0-85177-972-7
Gaelic History Quote: Dwelly, Edward (1988), Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary, Gairm Publications, ISBN 0-901771-92-9, http://books.google.com/?id=dP1eIAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:%22Edward+Dwelly%22
Friday Cat Pic: profilebrand.com