Haha. I haven't really been keeping up with my blogging, what with all the starting high school and being a freshie-ness. Ha.
Basically, I started high school. Taking Honors, Geometry, French, Science, Band, all that jazz (see what I did there. Ha. Band. All that 'jazz'. Ha-ha. *clears throat*)
Previously, Geometry was a 10th grade class (so it looks better on college applications. Heh.), but right after the deadline for signing up for classes, it turns out they increased the standards: Geometry=9th grade, and Algebra 2=10th grade, and I couldn't get into Algebra 2 because I didn't take Geometry yet. WTF? Thanks, ISD, thanks for ruining the life of an over-achiever.
Anyway. I'm also willing to tutor, in order to increase my experiences with kids and increasing on my understanding of their cognitive/spatial learning abilities. Plus it's better than babysitting.
Uh so yeah. That's a basic rundown of what's up.
Au revoir, person.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The design for my former middle school's website make me cringe
Okay, whoever is in charge of this web design is a retard:
http://www.blms.issaquah.wednet.edu/
What. The. Crap.
All of the info is on the left, which makes the right side completely empty, and the whole thing unbalanced. In terms of font selection, I would have to say that ComicSans is never a good choice for a webpage. Also, clip art? Really?
I know you're not supposed to look like you're trying too hard for a design, but don't just throw whatever random crap into it just because you saw it that way in your head. I always go for minimalism/simplicity in my designs, simply because I don't want the result to be a slobbering mess of clip art, glossy buttons, glittery features, horrible fonts, and exclamation marks.
This is what I would do for the design:
Sure, it's not the best, but at least it's simple and the links are easier to find, and it doesn't have clip art.
http://www.blms.issaquah.wednet.edu/
What. The. Crap.
All of the info is on the left, which makes the right side completely empty, and the whole thing unbalanced. In terms of font selection, I would have to say that ComicSans is never a good choice for a webpage. Also, clip art? Really?
I know you're not supposed to look like you're trying too hard for a design, but don't just throw whatever random crap into it just because you saw it that way in your head. I always go for minimalism/simplicity in my designs, simply because I don't want the result to be a slobbering mess of clip art, glossy buttons, glittery features, horrible fonts, and exclamation marks.
This is what I would do for the design:
Sure, it's not the best, but at least it's simple and the links are easier to find, and it doesn't have clip art.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
How not to say "Happy Father's Day"
In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would post some ways to not say "Happy Father's Day". Enjoy. Yeah.
"Hey dad, so uh, remember the flamethrower? And uh, remember your collection of Encyclopedia Britannica's? And remember how paper is flammable? Well, anyways, happy fathers' day. Don't look towards your bookcase."
"'Dear parent/guradian of _____
We regret to inform you of the fact that since your child was caught lighting fire to the toilets, he/she will be expelled. Effective immediately.
Many condolences on your behalf.
Also, have a happy fathers' day!
Warm regards,
[principal's name withdrawn]"
"Wait, you mean I shouldn't tell people your social security number over facebook?"
"Hey dad, if you want to see a couch on fire, you're in luck."
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD. You know, all it takes to be a father is biology that I would rather not delve into, but to be a dad you have to be awesome. AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE. So have some dumplings and mooncake, and be...uh...happy.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Carpe diem!
(Good golly gosh, Latin!)
"Hey dad, so uh, remember the flamethrower? And uh, remember your collection of Encyclopedia Britannica's? And remember how paper is flammable? Well, anyways, happy fathers' day. Don't look towards your bookcase."
"'Dear parent/guradian of _____
We regret to inform you of the fact that since your child was caught lighting fire to the toilets, he/she will be expelled. Effective immediately.
Many condolences on your behalf.
Also, have a happy fathers' day!
Warm regards,
[principal's name withdrawn]"
"Wait, you mean I shouldn't tell people your social security number over facebook?"
"Hey dad, if you want to see a couch on fire, you're in luck."
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD. You know, all it takes to be a father is biology that I would rather not delve into, but to be a dad you have to be awesome. AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE. So have some dumplings and mooncake, and be...uh...happy.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Carpe diem!
(Good golly gosh, Latin!)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A negative utopia (a dystopia)
Dystopian literature has been around for as long as fictional Utopian literature. As illustrated in "Nineteen-Eighty Four" by George Orwell, a dystopia is a society which would be the opposite of a utopia, or a negative utopia, if you will. Subjects live under the totalitarian rule of an oligarchical collectivist party. They are oppressed and most are held under slavery.
Some speculate that a dystopia is more likely than a utopia. In the struggle for power, government will go to extremes to keep their political standing in check. As shown by Mao Ze Dong, Nazis, or the Soviets, they could start with good intentions and promises of a political revolution which they say will ultimately lead to a Utopian society. That, however, is not how it ends up.
Chariman Mao had at first started a cultural revolution meant to cleanse and purge the minds of the subjects. They started burning books, disallowing children to attend school, and either imprisoned or killed the teachers. All of this because they wanted to change the past in order to create their own present. Now they are paranoid and discourage any outside contact while at the same time falsely encouraging diplomacy (Although, China has bitchen food and the value of the Renminbi is increasing. I liketh China).
Karl Marx predicted that capitalism would inevitably turn against itself and self-destruct, which would make way for socialism.
Now, some people would see that as a change for the better, while others dread it and do whatever they can to prevent such a calamity. I would say I'm neutral. On one hand, the idea of equality for all is appealing, but it's not so much political as it is psychological. I can still think that so-and-so is inferior, even if the law dictates that everyone is the same. Ergo, that kind of state of Union would not last long. On the other hand, socialism is a foundation for Communism, in which everyone gets an equal share of everything and everything belongs to the Party.
In my opinion, an earthly Utopia is unreachable because of all the social, economic, and political upholding that come with it. A negative utopia is more imminent and easier to reach, though is better avoided.
What do you think? Which would be easier/harder to maintain, a utopia, or a dystopia?
As an afterthought: Do you think that our basic liberties are decreasing, even in America? Just compare some recent news with the Constitution and how the actions and decisions vary from the principles of the Founding Fathers. Up yours, government.
Some speculate that a dystopia is more likely than a utopia. In the struggle for power, government will go to extremes to keep their political standing in check. As shown by Mao Ze Dong, Nazis, or the Soviets, they could start with good intentions and promises of a political revolution which they say will ultimately lead to a Utopian society. That, however, is not how it ends up.
Chariman Mao had at first started a cultural revolution meant to cleanse and purge the minds of the subjects. They started burning books, disallowing children to attend school, and either imprisoned or killed the teachers. All of this because they wanted to change the past in order to create their own present. Now they are paranoid and discourage any outside contact while at the same time falsely encouraging diplomacy (Although, China has bitchen food and the value of the Renminbi is increasing. I liketh China).
Karl Marx predicted that capitalism would inevitably turn against itself and self-destruct, which would make way for socialism.
Now, some people would see that as a change for the better, while others dread it and do whatever they can to prevent such a calamity. I would say I'm neutral. On one hand, the idea of equality for all is appealing, but it's not so much political as it is psychological. I can still think that so-and-so is inferior, even if the law dictates that everyone is the same. Ergo, that kind of state of Union would not last long. On the other hand, socialism is a foundation for Communism, in which everyone gets an equal share of everything and everything belongs to the Party.
In my opinion, an earthly Utopia is unreachable because of all the social, economic, and political upholding that come with it. A negative utopia is more imminent and easier to reach, though is better avoided.
What do you think? Which would be easier/harder to maintain, a utopia, or a dystopia?
As an afterthought: Do you think that our basic liberties are decreasing, even in America? Just compare some recent news with the Constitution and how the actions and decisions vary from the principles of the Founding Fathers. Up yours, government.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Literary over-analysis
Almost every Language Arts/English class has had to go through this process:
-The teacher tells the class to read a book.
-You read the blurb on the back, or you flip through it and decide it will be an okay book.
-The teacher assigns you to read 1 chapter every two days or so, for the sake of the students that still read at a third-grade level, albeit the fact that they are in middle school/high school.
-The day after reading the chapter you were assigned, the teacher lectures on the importance of semantics, allusion, metaphors, or underlying themes in the book.
-The teacher pulls out any random sentence and over-analyzes any "underlying themes" hidden in that one sentence. This step is repeated for every portion of the book.
-You start to despise the book, even if it were a good book. Ex: "Of Mice and Men" and "Tom Sawyer"
-You are assigned to write an essay on the book/story. Everyone uses Sparknotes.
-You receive a bad grade because you interpretation was "wrong"
or
-You receive an 'A' because you just copied down whatever crap the teacher says about the book.
Prior to the seventh grade, I was an avid reader, but then our L.A class had a teacher who would find meaning that wasn't intended in the book, and would make the class do the same.
Before long, my interest in reading was dwindling and I was ridden with anxiety anytime I went to the library, because the books caused me anxiety and I could no longer read without getting a headache. A minor headache, but a headache nonetheless.
Now I'm wondering, is it just me, or is literary over-analysis a rising problem?
Also, interpretation is all based on the interpreter, so if someone had a different interpretation, they're not necessarily wrong.
I get A's reluctantly, because I copy down whatever crud the teacher says.
I hate essays.
-The teacher tells the class to read a book.
-You read the blurb on the back, or you flip through it and decide it will be an okay book.
-The teacher assigns you to read 1 chapter every two days or so, for the sake of the students that still read at a third-grade level, albeit the fact that they are in middle school/high school.
-The day after reading the chapter you were assigned, the teacher lectures on the importance of semantics, allusion, metaphors, or underlying themes in the book.
-The teacher pulls out any random sentence and over-analyzes any "underlying themes" hidden in that one sentence. This step is repeated for every portion of the book.
-You start to despise the book, even if it were a good book. Ex: "Of Mice and Men" and "Tom Sawyer"
-You are assigned to write an essay on the book/story. Everyone uses Sparknotes.
-You receive a bad grade because you interpretation was "wrong"
or
-You receive an 'A' because you just copied down whatever crap the teacher says about the book.
Prior to the seventh grade, I was an avid reader, but then our L.A class had a teacher who would find meaning that wasn't intended in the book, and would make the class do the same.
Before long, my interest in reading was dwindling and I was ridden with anxiety anytime I went to the library, because the books caused me anxiety and I could no longer read without getting a headache. A minor headache, but a headache nonetheless.
Now I'm wondering, is it just me, or is literary over-analysis a rising problem?
Also, interpretation is all based on the interpreter, so if someone had a different interpretation, they're not necessarily wrong.
I get A's reluctantly, because I copy down whatever crud the teacher says.
I hate essays.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Doctor Pan, what are the chances of my getting arsenic or cyanide poisoning from an apple?
As many of you might know, apple seeds can cause cyanide poisoning if ingested. Apple seeds contain a compound called amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound that degrades into hydrogen cyanide when ingested. To expand upon this subject, cyanide can kill the subject within minutes, has no effective antidote, so you if happen to ingest some, there's no way you can reverse the effects.
But does this mean that every time you eat an apple you're fringing on death? Not necessarily, and we turn to math for the answers and explanations.
Number of apple seeds(Percentage of amygdalin in a seed x Mass of apple seed in comparison to the apple) = Amount of amygdalin in an apple
On average, there is usually 2% amygdalin in an apple seed.
The average mass of an apple is 136 grams, and the average mass of an apple seed is 5 milligrams, the percentage of seed to apple would then be 0.000367647%.
So, lets say there are 2 apple seeds in an apple:
2(0.02 x 0.000367647)=0.000014706
Basically, every time you eat an apple, there are 0.000014706% amygdalin in an average apple.
But...the effects can set in only if the seeds are pulverized and then masticated, therefore, you have to put the mastication speed into the equation:
0.000014706 x Average chewing speed = Actual chance of poisoning
Hmm...let's say the chewing speed was about 0.5 mph (wait, what? That can't measure chewing speed...oh well).
0.000014706 x 0.5 = 0.000007353
Only a 0.000007353% chance of cyanide poisoning in an apple.
Basically, you need to eat 1359989.912 apples seeds reallyreally fast, and not throw up.
BUT! Does the person's body size count? It sure does, but I need to get back to my homework now.
Kthxbai. Au revoir.
But does this mean that every time you eat an apple you're fringing on death? Not necessarily, and we turn to math for the answers and explanations.
Number of apple seeds(Percentage of amygdalin in a seed x Mass of apple seed in comparison to the apple) = Amount of amygdalin in an apple
On average, there is usually 2% amygdalin in an apple seed.
The average mass of an apple is 136 grams, and the average mass of an apple seed is 5 milligrams, the percentage of seed to apple would then be 0.000367647%.
So, lets say there are 2 apple seeds in an apple:
2(0.02 x 0.000367647)=0.000014706
Basically, every time you eat an apple, there are 0.000014706% amygdalin in an average apple.
But...the effects can set in only if the seeds are pulverized and then masticated, therefore, you have to put the mastication speed into the equation:
0.000014706 x Average chewing speed = Actual chance of poisoning
Hmm...let's say the chewing speed was about 0.5 mph (wait, what? That can't measure chewing speed...oh well).
0.000014706 x 0.5 = 0.000007353
Only a 0.000007353% chance of cyanide poisoning in an apple.
Basically, you need to eat 1359989.912 apples seeds reallyreally fast, and not throw up.
BUT! Does the person's body size count? It sure does, but I need to get back to my homework now.
Kthxbai. Au revoir.
Hmmm...
I just read over my old posts, and I have to say; they were definitely not up to snuff! *coughcough*
Therefore, I have deleted the year's worth of posts, and starting anew.
So, the next post will be kind of a new beginning, a resurrection of sorts, I guess.
See you there.
Therefore, I have deleted the year's worth of posts, and starting anew.
So, the next post will be kind of a new beginning, a resurrection of sorts, I guess.
See you there.
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