"Why I Love My Job" by Rick Reilly (SSR)

In Rick Reilly's ESPN article, "Why I Love My Job" he explains the numerous reasons to why sports should be seen differently. When people think of sports they think of competitions between people, extreme actions taking place, a winner in the end but there is far more to sports than we realize. The reason for Reilly to write about sports all started when one of his professors told him "You're better than sports." Reilly strongly disagreed with his professor because he believed that sports had a much bigger impact on people's lives. He felt as though soorts were the reason for him being a good writer. He would write journals and articles about all different types of sports. His professor thought that if he were to focus less on sports and more on his writing he could possibly become more noticeable and earn more money from his writings. However, Reilly thought otherwise.

In almost every paragraph, Reilly gives a different description of sports near the very beginning. Before he further explains his position, adding these descriptions help the audience to know what exactly he is going to talk about. They also help people to know of the reasons why sports mean more than we think. Reilly correlates sports and human life by using personification in his article. This is very helpful for someone who may know nothing about sports because it'll allow for them to identify and visualize Reilly's descriptions more clearly. Reilly was also able to compare sports to other well-known things to help give a better understanding of what Reilly was trying to explain. For example, Reilly says "sports is Oprah for guys," meaning that they get so caught up in sports and what they have to say about them it just becomes a habit to want to keep watching more.

Reilly also uses many short stories and personal experiences involving a professional and amateur sports to support his argument. He includes stories to demonstrate the emotions and meaning sports can have for people. For instance, Reilly says, "I knew a Boston dad and son who hadn't spoken in five years...But when the Red Sox win it all in 2004, the son came home." This goes to show that sports can bring together families and create new memories with them. These feelings we get from reading such sad stories create emotional bonds towards sports that further grab our attention. In some circumstances, we can instantly relate to any one of these short stories or descriptions and begin to realize why Reilly enjoys writing about sports and why they make him such a good writer. By taking such a simple subject and describing it as a part of life really shows how deep Reilly can be as a writer.

Throughout his article, Reilly includes anecdotes that help to build his credibility. His anecdotes can relate to any audience because they describe average people's experiences and feelings, such as anger, joy, and disappointment. Everyone has experienced these types of emotions, not only when watching sports but just in general. Sports can alter so many different feelings for so many different reasons. If one's favorite football team lost to their rivals they would be devastated and full of anger. If the team made a good play, or a touchdown, everyone would jump for joy and cheer. All sets of emotions can be experienced in just one game and that helps to prove Reilly's argument that sports are more meaningful.

All of these devices helped to convey Reilly's message that sports could be more than meets one's eyes. Reilly chose to do what makes him happy and not listen to his professor's advice, or anyone else's in that matter. Even though he could have probably made more money and fame if he were to write about "bigger and better" things, he still went with what he loved. His passion for writing about sports made him the writer he is today, so why would people want him to change? Reilly wants people to see just how important sports can be in many different ways to many different people. He wants people to be able to enjoy sports without having others tell them they shouldn't. Make your own decisions that will benefit you and make you happy.

Baltimore Protests Gone Too Far (SSR)

Recently, there have been many stories, interviews, videos, and photos concerning the outbreak of protests in Baltimore. After reading this article, and a few others, I've come to realize how tragic and sad our world is turning in to. With these riots forming in all different areas of Baltimore, many events have been pushed back or forgotten about because all anyone can think about nowadays is whether or not the chaos will spread from Baltimore to other cities and eventually around the entire country.

The outcomes of these riots have been devastating and out of control. So many innocent people get severely injured because of someone's reckless behavior. In fact, police officers who try to settle things down and try to prevent anymore danger coming in the near future, have been sent to emergency hospitals. Sometimes, those policemen don't even get to make it to the ambulance because their injuries were so severe, they passed away instantly. Families and dear friends of those who passed away now have to suffer through the pain of their lost ones. The people who began the protests and riots may have no idea of the true pain they are bringing to others, and even themselves. They're not only hurting other people mentally and physically, but they're hurting themselves emotionally. Why did the world take a turn for the worst? Why the innocent? Just why in general?

These riots are ridiculous and unnecessary. It's almost as though Baltimore is trying to recreate the movie "The Purge" by acting out of context and destroying everything in sight. In this movie, people not only destroy homes, buildings, and businesses but they murder innocent children, families and animals. This relates back to the stories told about the Baltimore riots because people are just destroying everything like no one could stop them, just like in the movie. The gain a new perspective and view on how they should live their life, which causes emotional damage to one's brain when given the wrong impression. These protests need to be stopped and dealt with right away. Obviously, having a few policemen trying to stop them by arresting them is not solving the situation, it's only making matters worse. More people get offended because they feel like they have the right to do what they are doing and people trying to tell them they're wrong creates more anger brought among other people. This is how the riots build up in numbers while gaining more support. The ones who start the protests manipulate the minds of those wanting to make a change and do something to make them stand out.

Is going to jail really worth it? Do they realize how much pain they have put so many people through, including themselves? These questions are very important because they show that some people don't care of the consequences they could encounter from their actions. This just goes to show that our society is crashing and burning, becoming dust. More chaotic events are happening now and continue to happen because it seems as though we don't really try to put an end to them in the first place. Yes, we are sending policemen and patrolmen to try and calm down the neighborhoods filled with chaos, but it is them who are doing more harm than good. These people will do anything just to get their point across, even going against those who protect us and fight for our safety. For people to just go out and do careless, wreck less things just to try and prove a point shows that they are weak. They don't have the sense or maturity to use words, they have to use actions, strong inappropriate actions that are a waste of time.

My views on the current situation have not changed since the first time I heard about what was going on in Baltimore. I lost a lot of respect for people because of  their stupidity and childish behaviors. So many people could be living in a safe environment without having to worry about whether or not it's safe to just look out the window without a brick crashing through it. Ever since these Baltimore protests started, they have created so much unnecessary drama and chaos that could possibly be solved by just speaking up. But no, violent and wreck less behavior is the way to go for these inhumane individuals. I just hope that one day, all of these people will realize what their actions have done to our society, our world that we live in, the lives of every human being on the planet and know that what they had started could very well turn into something much more dangerous.

We Can Do It! (SSR)

As the end of the school year slowly begins to approach us students, all we can think about is sleeping in, hanging out with friends and family 24/7, and the fact of having no school for a few months. The thought of warm weather, fun in the sun, vacations, and everything unrelated to school builds up our excitement for the year to end faster. All we can think about is summer, summer, summer and that's what's causing a major problem for students during the end of the school year.

Recently in school I have noticed that a lot of students are complaining about the end of the year becoming more stressful, which builds up their anxiety and can cause emotional damage to themselves. They're complaining about teachers giving more homework, projects, quizzes and tests that could possibly lower their grades, even their GPA. Most students thought that since the school year was coming close to an end they could relax and become lazy with their work, thinking that they don't need to try anymore because summer is just around the corner, but they have never been more wrong.

Although the school year may be ending students should still give it their all to finish out the year as strong as they started it. School work should be one of the most important subjects to worry about. Students need to stay focused on their work and keeping up their grades, not daydreaming about summer; that time will come soon enough, but for now, we must stay on task. Some may think "why should I still bother if school is ending in a few weeks anyway?" Well, to answer this question it is VERY important to still try and do well in school. There is still the possibility of failing the last semester, which can mean failing for the whole year. This will lead to having to take summer classes to be able to graduate with full credits. No one wants to have their summer ruined because they have to wake up early and go back to school so that they can earn back the credits for the classes they failed.

If we were to stay focused on our education then we wouldn't have to worry about all of these consequences. Every test, and every homework assignment is just as important as it was in August. You cannot give up and become lazy just because you think you're grades will be able to balance out the work you didn't put any effort into. If you push yourself, you will succeed. Giving it your all, and doing the best you can is all anyone can ask for. School doesn't need to be stressful towards the end of the year; only you can determine how your school year will end.

School can be stressful, and hard, and challenging, and drive you to the point where you want to rip out all of your hair, but everyone has to realize that once you start slacking off in school during anytime throughout the year it's very difficult to get back on track. Many seniors figure that they already have a future for them and don't need to worry about their grades because they'll be graduating. Wrong. Yes, as a senior it is expected for you to graduate but that doesn't give you any excuse to become lazy and push off your work. You end just as strong as the way you started. Many students need to be more aware of how easily their grades and future life can be affected if they start slacking off. Although we may want summer more than anything, especially when it's so close that we can almost taste the freedom from school, we still must push ourselves to finish the year strong.

I am one of those students who just wants summer to come more than anything else in the world. But I know that I have to focus on my school work and grades before getting too caught up in summer. It will be challenging but I know I can push through it. With the help of other classmates and family supporting you and helping to push you to finish the school year strong is all it takes. With their help, the school year could end much faster; going out and doing some fun activities can help clear your mind away from stress and pressure making it a little easier to go to school and suffer through the seven drastic periods. It'll all be worth it in the end. All the blood, sweat and tears we put into school is well rewarded through our summer vacation. We can do it!

Listen To The Sound Of Rain (PB)

What do you think about when you see rain or hear thunder and lightning? Most people will look at rain as just being wet and slimy. When they hear thunder, they usually become afraid of it because the noise is too terrifying. When people see lightning, they usually become worried and concerned about the outcomes lightning could cause. People are afraid of lightning, thinking that they could get struck and become severely injured, or even die from the hit. Thunder creates such a loud and scary noise that someone may be able to actually feel how strong the vibrations are coming from each strike. However, there's more to rain, thunder and lightning than fear and death.

When there are days where it just continuously rains, and thunder and lightning begin to occur, I find myself at peace with the world. Hearing the rain drop down on the gutters of my roof, or hitting the puddles it already created, or even on the concrete streets is such a soothing sound in my ears. I love rain, thunder and lightning. I love how each of these three elements are able to work together to create, what I would call, art. It's so fascinating to see such little things coming together to create something beautiful.

In my opinion, when I hear of a rainy day slowly approaching us, all I can think about is how I am going to enjoy it. Some people may not enjoy rain as much as I do but the feeling of having cold rain splash on your face, covering your whole entire body from head to toe, allowing you to become mesmerized in your own thoughts is just a pleasant feeling to experience. I could take a long walk in the rain because it allows me to calm down and actually take some time to think about the events occurring in my life; to take a look on my surroundings that I may not have ever noticed before, and realize how peaceful I am when covered with the water sent from the heavens. I feel so free and alive, like I could walk on water or fly through the high sky. I feel so refreshed when the coolness of the rain washes away all of my negative thoughts, allowing me to have a clear mind to only think about the positive things in life.

Now, thunder and lightning may seem like a scary and horrifying thing to some people, but they can be seen in a much better point of view. When I hear thunder, I feel as though I am listening to the rain's heartbeat. It can be powerful or weak, beat fast or slow, and never have the same pattern. Lightning can be seen the same way as thunder. The most common fear of lightning is getting struck by a bolt of lightning. Lightning can have much more to offer. Look at it this way, imagine how powerful a stroke of lightning can be; imagine the colors being combined to create such a bright and vibrant strike of lightning. Lightning can be a fascinating object to gaze upon, but only if you can get rid of your fear of it. 

When it's pouring outside, and there's nothing to listen to but the sound of rain falling from the sky, I feel so relaxed and comfortable. If people can sit down and take a minute out of their day to just realize how phenomenal rain, thunder and lightning are, then maybe the world could become a more peaceful place. I'm not saying that everyone should feel this way, but I strongly recommend giving rain another chance. You may never get to realize what benefits rain, thunder and lightning could bring to you. Don't let your fears get in the way of exploring new things.

You may find out that what you were afraid of at first was something that only looked frightening, but was actually beautiful. I fear nothing, for there is nothing to fear. Everything in nature, or brought upon by nature, has no intentional purpose to hurt someone/something. Listen to the rain, feel it's heartbeat, let it express its feelings to the fullest, and maybe you will soon realize that there is a deeper meaning and purpose for rain, thunder and lightning. 

Freebie!

Since this week has already been stressful enough I sadly have to use my freebie. Sorry guys!

Open Your Eyes and Look Within (PB)

Everyone has a different perspective, or way, of viewing certain objects, creatures, human beings, and even specific events. For example, if someone were to look at a picture of a rain, that may be all that they see- a rain. However, for some individuals they may look deeper into the picture and see more. Seeing rain could symbolize a tear of sadness, or depression, or failure. A picture of rain can be calming and peaceful, depending on the surroundings and setting the rain is portrayed in. Let's go to the extreme and say that the rain is a sign of God crying. "A picture is worth a thousand words" and I could not agree more with that statement because it is true, one cannot simply describe something in just a few short words. A picture can have multiple meanings to people. 

Looking at a picture and only seeing one perspective of it cannot help one to fully understand why the picture was taken in the first place. Yes, some people just take pictures to take pictures. To others, taking a picture of something or someone can mean so much more, not only for the memories behind the pictures but for the satisfaction of having someone understand the purpose for taking the picture. Pictures are more than just pretty objects hoping to entertain the eyes of an audience. 

I love photography. To me, photography allows one to open his/her mind and look at something completely different than how others would see it. When I see something that captures my eye I have to take a picture of it. I want to remember and think about why I thought that scenario was so important that I had to capture its beauty within a seconds notice. I especially love taking pictures of nature. Seeing the beautiful aspects that nature brings among the world is so ravishing. It's beyond amazing how nature can be seen so differently through a pair of lens. 

With the help of a camera, I am able to change all kinds of settings to make the picture show more of what I saw. Changing the colors can make a more dramatic effect; changing the background can make the picture stand out more; changing the shape can show how much of it I thought was necessary to see. For all of these different reasons, and for many more reasons, I get the experience to wonder out and about to explore nature's true beauty. I discover so many hidden things from taking a look through a camera's lens and adjusting the view to make it more noticeable. 

It's fascinating how one can see something else within an object or person. I love knowing that when I take a picture I know why it was taken, but some people may not understand quite as fast. I could take a picture of a rock and no one would really be able to comprehend my reasoning behind it. Photography allows for me to show how I see things, how I see the world. It also allows for other people to take on a different point of view on things. People can't just "judge a book by its cover," they have to explore to find the deeper meaning behind it. 

The appearance of a picture can make a first impression, but it cannot fully explain the story behind  it. Try and take a look on how someone may see something you never thought of before until now. 

"Education" -Ralph Waldo Emerson (CRR)

Throughout this week, our class has discussed the essay "Education" written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. We discussed the message behind writing his essay and the many rhetorical devices he used: metaphors, allusions, rhetorical questions, different sentence structure, and so much more. With the help of these devices, Emerson was able to really convey his message that children should learn at their own pace and people need to be patient with them if they expect anyone to learn the material. Time is a very important asset to the learning process. Trying to learn so many different types of literature, culture, and writing techniques can be very frustrating for someone to comprehend at first.

Emerson does a very nice job of explaining how people get frustrated while trying to learn new material. He uses an analogy to compare nature itself to the nature of education by using an example known as Genius and Drill. Emerson portrays the Genius to be the intelligence of an idea or thought, while the Drill is the action(s) put forth into the idea. Without both, the Genius and the Drill, one cannot commit and successfully work without the other by its side. For example, Emerson brings up the time he became acquainted with a young gentleman, Sir Charles Fellowes, who was struck in awe at the beauty of a sculpture. Sir Charles Fellowes wanted to learn more about the sculpture and decided to educate himself. This refers back to Genius and Drill because Charles thought about doing something and actually went out and executed it. Another example of Genius and Drill is when Emerson says, "Alas for the cripple  Practice when it seeks to come up with the bird Theory, which flies before it." The cripple Practice is the genius, the process it took to create the bird Theory, and being said, the bird Theory is the drill. Without trying and attempting to do something, how can one hope to get something done?

I believe that Emerson did an excellent job of explaining how difficult and challenging it is for someone to try and learn so many different types of material. Without patience from others, one may feel stressed and pressured and way out of their comfort zone that they push away the education being taught and focus on trying to keep up with everyone else. Emerson's message and purpose for writing his essay is to show that people need to give others more time and to wait for them to catch up to where they need to be. If teachers are more focused on just getting through the material needed to be taught in a classroom, are the students actually learning the material or are the teachers just trying to keep their jobs? Is teaching education more important than learning the education?

Also, when Emerson mentioned that nature is patient while some people aren't really got me thinking about how nature is very excepting of those who need more time to understand certain things. If nature can wait why can't we? This made me realize how, in some situations, actually learning new things isn't as important as it should be. With this being said, Emerson has a very valid point with our educational system and how it works. If people want to learn something, others should be patient and give them a gentle push so they don't get too far behind or on the wrong track. Now, when something new or challenging comes in my way, I will think back to the Genius and Drill process and put it to my advantage; I'll think more about what I want to do and how I will execute it. If you want something done, do it yourself, but at your own pace. That's what Emerson wants- for children to actually learn.