Holiday Spending

The Holiday season is a time of giving, and apparently, giving means spending. In 2012, the average family spent $854 on Christmas gifts. To most, this number is far too much and I’m guessing that the majority of these families didn't realize how much they spent until afterwards. I think this is important because it shows how people, for once, aren't conscious about their money. With the economy the way it is, people are stingy with their money more than ever. I think it’s very relieving to see that the average family is still willing to spend on the people that they care about. It’s easy to take a step back and look at the staggering 135.16 billion spent on Christmas in 2010 and laugh at the excessive nature of our country, but giving gifts is not necessarily excessive. Giving a gift is an act of love, appreciation, and gratitude. The friendly atmosphere of the Christmas season is priceless, even if that price is high. Now, every cent spent on Christmas is not a financially wise investment. The 13.24 billion spent on cards and the 13.34 billion spent on decorations are absurdly high numbers. Those are the numbers that characterize society’s excess. Giving gifts is a pastime that shows love between friends and family, sending cards and decorating doesn't have the same value.

Summer Response

The structure of the traditional school schedule is being challenged due to America's concern with our academic performance versus the rest of the world.  Some journalists such as David Von Drehle have proposed that summer vacation is the problem. Drehle accuses summer as "a season of boredom, inactivity, and isolation". He goes on to explain how Summer is a time of learning loss for low income students, "while low income students slip as many as three months in reading comprehension compared with middle income students". However, Drehle doesn't seem to offer an alternate plan and instead relies on research, "first documented in 1906" that states the obvious; that low income families are at a disadvantage. Somehow, Drehle feels that providing basic facts about the economy, he can make "a case against summer vacation" when in reality, he's only creating a case against Capitalistic America. Fixing school schedules is a social issue that will be talked about forever, but the problem is no solution is being propose and arguments such as Drehle's fall sort of offering incriminating evidence against traditional vacations.

Hawaii Woman with 40-Character Surname Not Allowed License, Vote

Lokelani Khineuhanilahenualkiaklekiliamaenanelili, a young Hawaiian woman, was not issued a license or identification by the Kauai County government because of her 40-character surname. The county could not fit the woman’s full last name on a license card, much less her first name or middle initial. Deciding not to issue her any license or identification at all, Kauai County found itself a victim of its own indiscretion when Khineuhanilahenualkiaklekiliamaenanelili was pulled over for a routine traffic stop and was promptly taken to the town’s police station for driving without any form of license or identification, despite her protests that she was denied identification due to her lengthy surname. The county realized that they had denied license and ID because of the length of her surname, and Khineuhanilahenualkiaklekiliamaenanelili also claimed that she had been denied the right to vote for the same reason as her arrest: no form of license or identification. The indiscretion has since been corrected and Lokelani Khineuhanilahenualkiaklekiliamaenanelili is now a fully licensed, registered citizen of Kauai County, as well as an easily identifiable citizen thanks to her impressive last name.

Company that sends stuffed animals on vacation is launched

A company in Tokyo is sending stuffed animals on vacation. The business is run by a 38 year old woman who feels that providing vacations for stuffed animals is therapeutic for people who can’t experience vacations for themselves. Apparently, clients who aren’t able to afford vacations or have disabilities are often relieved when they receive pictures of their plush toy in the center of Tokyo, or other landmarks. The best part is the cost of sending your stuffed animal around Japan is only about $50. 

Words

Words to be added

1.) Vine (noun)- A short 6 second video of random stuff, usually ending with a girl making a face 

2.)No Shave November (Noun)- A month long process that occurs throughout November where, most commonly, high school and college males refrain from shaving all month

3.) tbh (noun)- an acronym for "To be honest" usually used in internet terminology and often followed with a phrase of honesty. Ex: "tbh i dont kno u but ur rly funy nd chill"

4.) Hate-Mosher (noun)- A large person, usually a male, usually with no shirt and large muscles that goes to rock, metal, and hardcore concerts and hits, spin-kicks, and intentionally hurts other concert goers 

5.)Post up- (verb) (not the basketball move)- To stand or chill in a particular area for an extended period of time. Ex: "I am posting up at Hess standing on the sidewalk" 

6.) Hess-Rat- (Noun) A teenager student that will often be seen standing outside of Hess Express, generally doing nothing. They are often smoking cigarettes or selling illegal drugs in broad view of others. They are seen at all hours of the 24 hour day. 

Made Up Words

1.) literallygirl- (noun)A female who uses the word literally in sentences where it does not belong, most commonly at the beginning of their sentence that is expressing their current annoyed state of mind. Ex: "Literally, I literally hate my mom for taking my phone literally."

2.) Nortonlate- (Adj)- Referring to being promptly on time for Norton High School at 7:39 when school starts at 7:40, but still getting screamed at by administrators and locked into the front office. A student will end up being actually 5 minutes late to class instead of on time due to this process.

3.) Croosh (Adj)- Refers to a person in the hardcore music community that constantly insults different bands on the internet but doesn't have an established band. They also stand outside during concerts and never support other bands. They are often "drug free" and preach it to everyone. Even though they supposedly have morals, they often mosh violently and hurt other people.

4.) askfmer- (Noun) A person, usually a teenager who frequently uses the website "ask.fm" and wants people to ask them anonymous questions

5.) Baghiding- (Verb)- The act of placing a bag on a desk or table during school hours to hide the act of texting. It's usually done by females and is a very obvious technique used to hide texting.

Response to limiting teenage use of Technology

While I may agree with the idea that teens are much too absorbed by senseless media, such as texting and tweeting, I disagree with the overall recommendation. It’s obvious that media, especially social networking, has led to bullying that ends in tragedy, but simply “limiting” a teenager will not stop them from entering the darker areas of media. In fact, limiting a teenager from using media will only cause them to spend more time on the social aspect of media, and almost no time being productive with it. As the article challenges parents, “This is the 21^st century and they need to get with it”, I think the doctors need to understand that teenagers will go great lengths to obtain media, regardless of any restriction.

 

-          Sean Mathews (Norton High School)

Question 11/6

What is your opinion on tattoos in the workplace? Do you think that people with tattoos should be turned down a job because of them? Why or why not? What factors should employers consider when dealing with tattoos?