When I was little I remember when 32 inch televisions were the best thing to have. My father needed my help as well as my uncle and neighbor. Four guys to lift this giant anvil of a machine. As I grew up I saw the evolution of televisions as they started to come out of the wood work. At the risk of sounding old, what televisions can come to today is beyond what was once seen in science fiction. I went television shopping recently and what this Sony has come up with is nothing short of absolute scary.
I have a 42 inch Vizio that I saved up for 7 months to get because I love 3D and feeling like you're in the TV is a big plus. But I heard about Sony's newest invention, the 4K ultra television and I was immediately drawn like a child to candy. I went to the Aventura Mall in Aventra, Florida and headed straight for the Sony store. All I can say that I was taken for a loop and felt that I was pushed forward through time. Sony has really pushed the envelope when it comes to quality and resolution of motion pictures.
Nothing short of 42 inches, and the television is as slim as a sheet of paper but it's 10x more powerful than my Vizio. Built in wifi and sound system but the resolution is incredible. I seriously thought that I was inside the movie with Harry Potter and the rest of the gang. The sound was crisp and so sharp you can hear the rain as if it were right outside your house. Speaking of sound, I know that when something sounds so good, there's usually a catch. Well in this case unfortunately there is, a financial catch because with new technology comes big wallets.
Even with financing, the cheapest one is $2999 and that's not even including taxes. Being an independent writer and full time stock clerk, my budget won't permit that. Hopefully some day I will be able to afford something like that and God willing I hope to see that day. It's amazing how far televisions have come in such a short time. My father would tell me of how there were only 10 stations on the television and I can't wait to find out what I'm going to tell my son.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
The Problem with Education.
Education has many definitions and several purposes but the main responsibility is simple. To prepare the students who attend the institution for a world that will either be kind or cruel to them. This institution is filled with dedicated teachers and staff to ensure the students are safe and learning at an acceptable capacity. That the materials they need are adequate and sufficient to learn and keep up with daily requirements. So what's the problem, it all costs money and that's why students are suffering and some panic to the point where they just quit and drop out because of the pressure.
Somewhere along the line, schools forgot about education and cared more about running a business and that's why for students to get a quality education, they need to pay through the nose to get it. That's part of the problem with this system. If a student legitimately wants to learn and wants to reach their maximum potential then it's the school's responsibility to make sure that student reaches his or hers potential. Teachers should not be threatening to go on strike because they're not getting paid enough and having to work endless hours teaching kids how to pass a test instead of passing life. Programs that expand students minds shouldn't be cut just to save programs that "expose" the schools.
If you have a dropout rate of 50% of students then what's there to expose other than empty classrooms. It's bad enough education isn't respected as much as it is but you have to insult the purpose by saving programs that have nothing to do with education, just entertainment. The students reflect the schools and the problem is we have the schools but the students are showing up. It's not just the public schools that I'm speaking of but the private schools and institutions as well. Students shouldn't be denied entry simply because they don't have the money or the right pedigree.
Schools that do this aren't in turn living up to their potential. Why should education cost so much and why are so many barriers put into place to deny students? Students who hear of a place that can help them learn, but because they come from a different class or they just don't "qualify" they are left in the cold. If a person wants to learn from any institution, then that should be it and no questions asked. Money can be financed and their academic work ethic should be the only reflection of their potential.
I don't mean any offense to those in the system, I only offer my opinion that schools need to be about education and not budgets. Students shouldn't be denied a fair chance at life for any reason and teachers shouldn't be tossed around like expendable commodities. Now I don't know what's going on behind the scenes and I'm not a politician so I won't imply on how education should be handled but I will ask one question to anyone who will listen. Why should students want an education when all we show them is they just have to learn how to handle a ball or to learn how to entertain? Just food for thought.
Somewhere along the line, schools forgot about education and cared more about running a business and that's why for students to get a quality education, they need to pay through the nose to get it. That's part of the problem with this system. If a student legitimately wants to learn and wants to reach their maximum potential then it's the school's responsibility to make sure that student reaches his or hers potential. Teachers should not be threatening to go on strike because they're not getting paid enough and having to work endless hours teaching kids how to pass a test instead of passing life. Programs that expand students minds shouldn't be cut just to save programs that "expose" the schools.
If you have a dropout rate of 50% of students then what's there to expose other than empty classrooms. It's bad enough education isn't respected as much as it is but you have to insult the purpose by saving programs that have nothing to do with education, just entertainment. The students reflect the schools and the problem is we have the schools but the students are showing up. It's not just the public schools that I'm speaking of but the private schools and institutions as well. Students shouldn't be denied entry simply because they don't have the money or the right pedigree.
Schools that do this aren't in turn living up to their potential. Why should education cost so much and why are so many barriers put into place to deny students? Students who hear of a place that can help them learn, but because they come from a different class or they just don't "qualify" they are left in the cold. If a person wants to learn from any institution, then that should be it and no questions asked. Money can be financed and their academic work ethic should be the only reflection of their potential.
I don't mean any offense to those in the system, I only offer my opinion that schools need to be about education and not budgets. Students shouldn't be denied a fair chance at life for any reason and teachers shouldn't be tossed around like expendable commodities. Now I don't know what's going on behind the scenes and I'm not a politician so I won't imply on how education should be handled but I will ask one question to anyone who will listen. Why should students want an education when all we show them is they just have to learn how to handle a ball or to learn how to entertain? Just food for thought.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Which do you want?
This is a world in which you can either have freedoms and sacrifice order. Or you can have order and sacrifice freedoms. Which side of the coin would you like to call?
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
The Merlin Show! For free today on Amazon!
A year ago, I started to try one more time and run for my dream in being a successful author. Today I'm working on my 4th ebook which will be made available for free and soon, I'm going to start branching out of Amazon and start putting my work on the Nook. I'm very proud of my work to day even though they haven't sold much but like I said, it's only been a year so I'm hopeful. Now I release upon the world my first short play, The Merlin Show. A parody of modern day talk shows mixed with a legendary tale.
If there's 2 things people like to watch for entertainment it's parodies and talk shows so I figured, why not combine them to make a short funny play. What better tale to help bring this to life than the tale of King Arthur? Think about it, a child from a king who manipulated a woman, who then rises to be king himself and marry a woman who would only cheat on him with his best friend. To make matters worse he would be manipulated into having intercouse with his half-sister and they would have a child of incest. If that doesn't sound like something that would make a great talk show topic then I don't know what does.
With the hardest working wizard in talk shows with his trusty troll by his side, The Merlin Show is something good to read if you're looking for a break. A short and sweet piece for you to pick up, laugh and finish to put you in a better mood and enjoy your day. It'll be out sometime next month and I'll be sure to mention it. Until then, until the next is written.
This ebook is available till midnight today on Amazon. Get it now before your too late and if you don't then you have no idea what comedy is.
If there's 2 things people like to watch for entertainment it's parodies and talk shows so I figured, why not combine them to make a short funny play. What better tale to help bring this to life than the tale of King Arthur? Think about it, a child from a king who manipulated a woman, who then rises to be king himself and marry a woman who would only cheat on him with his best friend. To make matters worse he would be manipulated into having intercouse with his half-sister and they would have a child of incest. If that doesn't sound like something that would make a great talk show topic then I don't know what does.
With the hardest working wizard in talk shows with his trusty troll by his side, The Merlin Show is something good to read if you're looking for a break. A short and sweet piece for you to pick up, laugh and finish to put you in a better mood and enjoy your day. It'll be out sometime next month and I'll be sure to mention it. Until then, until the next is written.
This ebook is available till midnight today on Amazon. Get it now before your too late and if you don't then you have no idea what comedy is.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Alex Rodriguez is a moron!
I'm going to be honest and say that I don't follow baseball much but I do know who A-Rod is and I have to say, thoroughly disappointed. Like Lance Armstrong, this guy had the world at his feet and fame all around him. Now it's all going down the drain because of a stupid decision to take performance enhancement drugs. This may come off strong but then again, I really don't have much respect for someone who had the world in his hands and let it slip through his fingers. In equal stance I'm pretty sure A-Rod could care less about my opinion so I'm going to give it anyway.
This is a man who made over 130 thousand dollars a game! People would ask why would someone make such a poor decision and here's my answer. Lust for more money and power even though this man has more than enough to spend over another lifetime. Now I can understand the pro A-Rod supporters when they say, "Everyone is on some kind of performance enhancing drugs and they're just making an example out of him." Possibly true but in the end of the day, that doesn't make it right and to let the richest player in the MLB get away with it would be a disaster to the MLB Commission. All must be held accountable, even A-Rod.
Now I heard it's only for 211 games which basically means 2 baseball seasons and that doesn't seem like a lot but in the life of professional sports star, it means everything. Michael Vick was a professional football player that spent 2 years in prison for illegal dogfighting and when he came back into the game, it was clear that his day had already gone. The life of a sports player is very short because while they may play for 10 years or more, in the end it's a blink of a eye. Whether A-Rod will suffer the same fate as Vick, that remains to be seen but it's very clear that A-Rod will never see the Hall of Fame. For all of his accomplishments, A-Rod will forever be called a cheater, not a hall of famer.
This is a man who made over 130 thousand dollars a game! People would ask why would someone make such a poor decision and here's my answer. Lust for more money and power even though this man has more than enough to spend over another lifetime. Now I can understand the pro A-Rod supporters when they say, "Everyone is on some kind of performance enhancing drugs and they're just making an example out of him." Possibly true but in the end of the day, that doesn't make it right and to let the richest player in the MLB get away with it would be a disaster to the MLB Commission. All must be held accountable, even A-Rod.
Now I heard it's only for 211 games which basically means 2 baseball seasons and that doesn't seem like a lot but in the life of professional sports star, it means everything. Michael Vick was a professional football player that spent 2 years in prison for illegal dogfighting and when he came back into the game, it was clear that his day had already gone. The life of a sports player is very short because while they may play for 10 years or more, in the end it's a blink of a eye. Whether A-Rod will suffer the same fate as Vick, that remains to be seen but it's very clear that A-Rod will never see the Hall of Fame. For all of his accomplishments, A-Rod will forever be called a cheater, not a hall of famer.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
NFL 2013 Begins!
Growing up I always heard that baseball was America's favorite pass time. Today I have to say, I'm not so sure. Back in the great days of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, I could understand but there's something about American football today that I believe makes it America's new pass time. It seems that when that time of the year starts, the universe slows down and everything pauses for several reasons. It's too short, billions are spent on it, and there are so many superstars in the game that draw a crowd.
The NFL isn't like the NBA or MLB where they're are over 100 games because in the National Football League, there are less than 30 games. Four Preseason games, 17 Season games, and additional games leading up to the Superbowl. In a way it's the quickest sport in the United States because once it's over, people are already missing it after February which is when the Superbowl traditionally is. From a business point of view it's smart because when you make people miss something they love, they do anything to move time faster. People empty their wallets every year over football and that's the next reason for my thesis.
NFL owners spend millions of dollars bringing in new players, building new stadiums, and making new merchandise for fans to own and support their local or favorite team. Television networks are always bidding and working on maintaining the rights to show the games. Beer venders and supermarkets make millions off fans preparing for football get together whether it's over a friends house of tailgating which is when fans gather outside the stadium and watch outside. It's the only time of year were money is passed around just as much as Christmas shoppers on black friday. Owners are spending millions, if not billions of dollars and they do see a return through their superstar they draft or sign.
People will pay to see superstars such as Tom Brady and Eli Manning because they are the key players that make or break a franchise. Fans buy their jerseys and anything they have their signatures on. These are the guys that inspire our children to be great themselves and again, these aren't the only guys. It's not like Boxing who may have one or two great boxers that everyone wants to see, like the NBA, the NFL have a superstar on every team that inspires not only the team but the community. If you could find me someone in the United States who doesn't know who Dan Marino was, I find you someone whose been living under a rock.
If you disagree with me then that's fine but this is my honest opinion and that's American football is the new pass time for this country. I work full time in a supermarket and from what I've seen, more people care more about football and are willing to spend the money when it's that time of year. I don't see people rushing to the store during the World Series and I don't see people buying ice for the NBA Finals. I would love a survey to be done to let the people decide if I'm right or wrong. Who do you think would win the title of "America's Favorite Pass Time?"
The NFL isn't like the NBA or MLB where they're are over 100 games because in the National Football League, there are less than 30 games. Four Preseason games, 17 Season games, and additional games leading up to the Superbowl. In a way it's the quickest sport in the United States because once it's over, people are already missing it after February which is when the Superbowl traditionally is. From a business point of view it's smart because when you make people miss something they love, they do anything to move time faster. People empty their wallets every year over football and that's the next reason for my thesis.
NFL owners spend millions of dollars bringing in new players, building new stadiums, and making new merchandise for fans to own and support their local or favorite team. Television networks are always bidding and working on maintaining the rights to show the games. Beer venders and supermarkets make millions off fans preparing for football get together whether it's over a friends house of tailgating which is when fans gather outside the stadium and watch outside. It's the only time of year were money is passed around just as much as Christmas shoppers on black friday. Owners are spending millions, if not billions of dollars and they do see a return through their superstar they draft or sign.
People will pay to see superstars such as Tom Brady and Eli Manning because they are the key players that make or break a franchise. Fans buy their jerseys and anything they have their signatures on. These are the guys that inspire our children to be great themselves and again, these aren't the only guys. It's not like Boxing who may have one or two great boxers that everyone wants to see, like the NBA, the NFL have a superstar on every team that inspires not only the team but the community. If you could find me someone in the United States who doesn't know who Dan Marino was, I find you someone whose been living under a rock.
If you disagree with me then that's fine but this is my honest opinion and that's American football is the new pass time for this country. I work full time in a supermarket and from what I've seen, more people care more about football and are willing to spend the money when it's that time of year. I don't see people rushing to the store during the World Series and I don't see people buying ice for the NBA Finals. I would love a survey to be done to let the people decide if I'm right or wrong. Who do you think would win the title of "America's Favorite Pass Time?"
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Quote from Keith Richards
"The trick to immortality is not how to live forever but to live with what you've done and accepting how others will judge your labors."
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