From ashes to dipping sauces.

Article: “Man Scatters Fiancée’s Ashes in Fla. Lens Crafters”

Author: Gillian Mohney

Published: October 17, 2013

            In the article “Man Scatters Fiancée’s Ashes in Fla. Lens Crafters” written by Gillian Mohney, it talks about a man scattering the ashes of his late fiancé in a Lens Crafters.  Lens Crafters was located in the Westfield Southgate mall in Florida.  Due to the man scattering his ashes the mall had to go into shutdown because the people were not sure what the man was doing or what the substance was.  The man was quickly caught while the substance was confirmed that it was not harmful.  The man told police that his fiancée had a connection to the place.  The man was not charged with anything but he was offered grief counseling.  The article ends by saying that you can spread your ashes anywhere in Florida but the freshwater. 

            What can you really say to this?  A guy spreading his late fiancée’s ashes in a place where he knew she had a connection to.  That is like anyone spreading ashes of someone they love.  Do I think it was appropriate well I really have no answer to that question.  Who am I to say that place was not important to her or to him. 

Article: “Customer Flips Out At 25-Cent Charge for Dipping Sauce, He got away on a purple bicycle”

Author:  Laura Stampler

Published: October 16, 2013

            In the article “Customer Flips Out At 25-Cent Charge for Dipping Sauce, He got away on a purple bicycle” written by Laura Stampler she talks about how a guy makes trouble at a Seattle Jack in the Box.  He was being charged 25 cents for a third dipping sauce and he went crazy.  An elderly by stander was trying to calm the situation down when the man pushed him to the ground.  Stampler also states that while the guy was screaming at the cashier she gave the man the extra sauce for free.  The elderly man suffered no injuries but the screaming customer got away on a purple bike.

            As someone who works in fast food, I can sympathize with those workers who had to deal with that man.  I never realized how important sauce is for people.  How some people will not even get certain items from the menu if we do not have a certain type of sauce to go with that order.  But I must say that I am glad that where I work does not charge for dipping sauces because I am not sure I would be able to handle being yelled at like that.  My patience would go through the roof.  So kudos to anyone that can and has dealt with all those situations!

Middle School Girls and Paper Airplanes

Article: “Middle School Girls Caught with Terrifyingly Potent New Form of Meth”

Author: Madison Gray

Published: October 11, 2013

            In the article “Middle School Girls Caught with Terrifyingly Potent New Form of Meth” written by Madison Gray she talks about six eighth grades girls that were found with a new form of meth.  The girls were found with the meth when they started acting deliriously.  School officials notified the parents and the six girls and they were all suspended from school.  The new form of meth is so potent that it can be absorbed by a single touch. Madison Gray ends the article talking about Melissa Tortorici and how she told the Houston Chronicle that the district and the sheriff’s office are still trying to learn about the drug and find out how it got into the school.

            As if meth was not already dangerous someone had to go and make a new form of it.  It is so potent that if you touch it, it absorbs into your skin.  That is ridiculous and scary! When I was in middle school or even now, getting my hands on drugs was not and still is not on my mind. So I am sitting here wondering why you would want to try a drug like that let alone take it to school and try it there.  I would like to know more about how this drug came to be and if it has been found somewhere else.  I would also like to know what precautions that school district let alone any school district is taking to make sure that this does not happen again. 

Article: “Cops: Inmate plotted murder via paper airplane”

Author: Arden Dier

Published: October 3, 2013

            In the article “Cops: Inmate plotted murder via paper airplane” written by Arden Dier it talks about how an inmate accused of rape will not be charged with conspiracy to murder involving a paper plane. Patrick O’Sullivan offered inmate money to kill the victim and witness in his case.  They passed paper airlines back and forth.  In those notes O’Sullivan discussed what he wanted his fellow inmate to do.  That inmate in return who is due for release turned in those paper airplanes to the police.  Patrick Sullivan could face life in prison for raping a woman at gunpoint.        

            All I can say is that this is what that man gets.  Raping a woman then trying to turn around and have someone else murder her is stupid and quite ridiculous.  I am just glad that the inmate turned those notes in instead of trying to carry on with that vicious act.  

Lottery Tickets and Donations.

Article: Oregon bartender's tip turns out to be lottery ticket worth $17,500

Author: Associated Press

Published: October 06, 2013

            In the article “Oregon bartender's tip turns out to be lottery ticket worth $17,500” written by the Associated Press, they talk about a regular customer who tips Aurora Kephart in Keno tickets from the Oregon Lottery.  This time when the regular customer went to go tip her, he made her choose two tickets.  The first ticket was only five dollars but the next ticket would prove to be lucky winning 17, 500.   Kephart tried to give the man the ticket back but he refused.  He gave her the ticket and made her sign for it so that she could be the only one to claim the prize.  After her shift she claimed the money and gave the customer part of the winnings.  The article concludes with Kephart saying she as going to buy something she really needed (a couch) then save the rest of the money. 

            I cannot lie, I am a little jealous.  Not at the fact that she won 17, 500 or that her usually customer let her keep the money either.  More so in the fact that she actually won! Every time I buy a lottery ticket I ALWAYS lose!  It never seems to fail, but then again you would think that I would learn not to buy any more tickets after losing so much but I haven’t.   It is pretty awesome to get tipped in lottery tickets, even more awesome win they are winners! So congrats to picking two good tickets and for also not just taking the money right away.  Go buy yourself one amazing couch!

Article: Georgia Family Donates Cancelled Wedding's Reception to Homeless

Author: Christina NG

Published: September 23, 2013

In the article “Georgia Family Donates Cancelled Wedding's Reception to Homeless”, written by Christina NG she talks about Willie and Carol Fowler and their donation.  Forty days before their only daughter’s wedding, she cancels it.  Instead of losing the deposit and cancelling everything they decided to change the guest list to two hundred homeless people.  They called an organization called the Hosea Feed the Hungry.  They met with the organization to prove that it was not a joke and to work out the event.  They transported two hundred homeless individuals to Villa Christina for the event.  The Fowlers were involved in the entire event including their daughter.  They plan to do something like this on a yearly basis.  Christina NG then ends the article with a quote from Carol Fowler “"If you have cancelled an event, do not walk away. Pick up the phone and call your favorite charity and offer it to them”.

What can you do when your daughter cancels her wedding and you already have everything in place along with the deposits?  Well what the Fowlers did was amazing.  Feeding two hundred homeless people on a reception that was meant to be for your daughter’s wedding is admirable.  Most people would have turned around and got their money back.  But they didn’t and that is truly something special.  It was so inspirational that they plane to make this an annual thing.  To do that would go beyond far.  People always say that all of humanity is lost, but this article and family proves that wrong. 

Child Abuse and Heroin

Article: “Daughter’s brutally honest obit for her mom goes viral”

Author: Audra Schroeder

Published: September 13, 2013

            In the article “Daughter’s brutally honest obit for her mom goes viral” written by Audra Schroeder she talks about an obituary written by Marianne Theresa Johnson- Reddick.  Most obituaries are nice and are fond of the person who has passed away, but this obituary talk about child abuse and neglect.  Instead of writing how wonderful their mother was Marianne Theresa Johnson-Reddick and her brother decide to write about how abusive their mother was in hopes that it would raise awareness towards child abuse.  Schroeder then says that the paper holding this obituary took the listing off of the internet indefinitely until they have completed a review to determine what actions to take.  She then ends the article with the actual obituary itself.

            Being abused and neglected while growing up, I can only imagine how hard that could have been to deal with.  I cannot imagine the psychological affects that some children go through and have to deal with for the rest of their lives.  Raising awareness about this topic is important and well known.   There are people out there who are doing everything in their power to protect all the children they can and to raise awareness about this issue.  The people who were abused in this article are people who have personally dealt with this matter and who want to help other children.   Do I think they should have done it in a way like this, probably not but it is still getting the message across.

Article: “Two cases in Arizona are the first involving caustic, heroin-like IV drug that originated in Russia.”

Author:  Michael Winter

Published: September 27, 2013

            In the article “Two cases in Arizona are the first involving caustic, heroin-like IV drug that originated in Russia” written by Michael Winter he writes about a new drug called Krokodil.  It is a drug like heroin that rots the flesh and bones.  This drug is made with homemade opiate is made from over-the-counter codeine-based headache pills mixed with iodine, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol.  When this drug is injected into the veins it turns the skin scaly green.  Winter says this drug emerged in Russia around 2002 and the first cases in the U.S. just now hit in Arizona.  This drug became popular in Russia because it was cheaper similar to heroin but cost three times as less. Michael winter then ends his article talking about a Russian woman who was involved with this drug for years along with friends.

            Are you kidding me! This drug turns your skin green when it is injected then rots your flesh and bones? What are people thinking now a days or even at all.  I cannot even wrap my head around this.  It just hit the United States even though it has been around for years.  Let us hope this is where it stops and that people actually think about the consequences and the seriousness of this drug.  But then again if you are a hardcore drug addict and have gone too far, what more can I say to convince you otherwise. 

Beauty Pageants and Homecoming.

Article: “No Honey Boo Boos in France: Parliament moves to ban kiddie pageants”

Author: Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen

Published: September 21, 2013

            In the article “No Honey Boo Boos in France: Parliament moves to ban kiddie pageants”  written by Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen, she talks about how the French Parliament has moved to ban beauty pageants for children under the age of sixteen. She then goes on to talk about how the French are not known for not being “prude”, but sexualizing children goes too far.  Girls should be taught that what matters most is on the inside and their brains.  Instead children are being taught that all that matters is your beauty and winning a contest to succeed at that goal.  Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen then talks about a twelve year old named Margos Gianos who is already an entrepreneur that has her own line of lip balm.  She then ends her article by saying “Beauty pageants, who needs them? I say, toss the tiaras, we need more Margos.”

            I would have to agree with the French Parliament moving to end this kind of sexualization when it comes to children.  Beauty pageants are not something children should be concerned with.  They should be out playing and exploring the world.  They do not need to worry about whether or not they are pretty enough to win a contest. I mean what happens to their self-esteem when they lose that contest? Could it result it negative effects for years to come, possibly, maybe?

Article: “Transgender Teen Crowned Homecoming Queen Wipes Away Tears: 'I Can't Even Be Happy”

Author: Alexis Shaw

Published: September 22, 2013

            In the article “Transgender Teen Crowned Homecoming Queen Wipes Away Tears: 'I Can't Even Be Happy” written by Alexis Shaw she gives an overview on a video posted to YouTube by Cassidy Lynn Campbell.  The sixteen year old teen lets out her frustrations through this viral video.   She is the first transgender teen to be crowned homecoming queen in Huntington Beach, CA.  Alexis Shaw talks about how the teen received negative reviews on her becoming the queen.  This was supposed to be an exciting and memorable night for Cassidy Lynn Campbell but she could not enjoy it due to the backlash she was receiving.  She talks about how she was being criticized for who she was.

            I wish I could say that this type of thing happens rarely, but I cannot do so.  I can only imagine how Cassidy Lynn Campbell feels.  It is ridiculous that that she is receiving so much negative energy.  She is who she is and that is something that will never change.  She is the first transgender teenager to win homecoming queen in Huntington Beach, CA and I say props to that.  Though it was a bad experience that should have been great, she not only did this for herself but she did it for others across the country to set an example.  That will go far. 

Cheap Tickets and Resumes

Article: United to honor free fares

Author: Chris Isidore

September 13, 2013

            In the article “United to honor free fares” written by Chris Isidore, he talks about United Airlines honoring mistakenly sold plane tickets.  The company made a comment saying this mistake happened by human error not a computer glitch.  Tickets were being sold as low as five to ten dollars apiece.  Chris then quotes a man named Andy Farrimond, where he talks about how he noticed those prices and began telling coworkers around him.  His coworkers, along with himself, bought multiple plane tickets ranging from Las Vegas, NV to Honolulu, HW.

            Where was I when this mishap happened? Five dollars to go to Hawaii, I missed out! In my opinion it was awesome that the company is honoring these plane tickets, especially since it was a human error in the first place.  Of course it also sucks for the company to lose money because who knows how many tickets were sold for those low prices.  They can only hope that this mistake does not happen again. 

Article: Hiring managers reveal the biggest resume mistakes

Author: Aliah Git

September 11, 2013

In the article “Hiring managers reveal the biggest resume mistakes” by Aliah Git, she talks about the biggest and common mistakes found in resumes.  The study was conducted by a research firm Harris Interactive and it was published by CareerBuilder.com.  Some of the outrageous mistakes found were resumes using text language, the candidate neglecting to include his/ her name and baby pictures included in the resume.  The common mistakes in resumes had typos, inappropriate email addresses, missing information, the resume is too generic, printed on decorative paper and the resume was either too short or too long.  The article then concludes by answering the question” How long should a resume be”?

I think this article was helpful.  It gives more insight to the mistakes that happen in resumes. I know that I will double check my resume and have someone revise it/ and or give me pointers. “How long should a resume be” is a question that I often here and I never know the answer.  In the article it states that if you are freshly out of college your resume should be a page long.  If you have been around for a long time it should be two pages highlighting the skills you obtained over the years through your experiences. Resumes are the first thing employers see, therefore the most important thing besides a first impression. But initially that is your first impression. 

Lies and Sports

Article: Have Sports Teams Brought Down America’s Schools?

Author: Elizabeth Kolbert

September 6, 2013

                In the article “Have Sports Teams Brought Down America’s Schools?” written by Elizabeth Kolbert, she talks about a book called “The Smartest Kids in the World” by Amanda Ripley.  Kolbert then goes on to talk about Amanda Ripley’s book who tells a story about a young man who decides to spend his senior year in Poland.  She goes further into the article comparing the test scores of other countries whose schools have no sports versus America where sports are everything.  Of course the other countries had higher test scores because their main concern is school and education not sports.  Elizabeth Kolbert then ends her article by saying “American kids' performance on the field shows just how well they can do when expectations are high and they put their minds to it. It’s too bad that their test scores show the same thing.”

                In my opinion sports are important. Do I think sports are more important than education? Of course not but I do stand on the fact that they are important.  Sports teach valuable lessons as well as going to class to learn a different subject. But it is pretty sad that the test scores of our children are going down the drain, but people cannot blame just sports for that.

Article: How to Catch a Texting Liar

Author: Alexandra Sifferlin

September 5, 2013

                In the article “How to Catch a Texting Liar” written by Alexandra Sifferlin, she talks about a study that was done by researchers from Brigham Young University.  The researchers asked college students to respond to 30 questions that were generated by the computer and texted to the students.  Not only were they asked to respond to these questions, they were also asked to lie to half of them.  What they found,  Sifferlin claims is that it took longer for the participants to respond when they were lying and that more edits were done in the process.  She then goes on to talk about how it is much easier to lie through social media and digital conversations. 

                I would have to agree with this article.  It is easier to lie through social media because you it is not like you are reading the face of the person you are talking to, their facial expressions, or even hear that person talking.  When you are having digital conversations there is nothing you can do to know when a person is lying unless you are paying close attention to the details that you have been given.