Macro Blog 11 - Drug Testing for Welfare

With a weakening economy, more and more people are resorting to government programs as a way to make ends meet. It is understandable for citizens to support one another in times of financial crisis; however there has been much concern with how the money from tax payers is used. As stereotypical as it is, many hard working tax payers feel the economy can re-flourish if the unemployed simply abandoned their drugs and stop being lazy. Though these characteristics do not apply to all members of poverty, it is not reassuring to tax payers if their money is going to the members of poverty that are addicted to drugs and lazy. Therefore, the controversial idea of drug testing welfare recipients has been suggested. This plan helps reassure tax payers that their money is going to people who need it; not to those who will spend it all on drugs. What makes this idea controversial, however, is that some argue that it is an unreasonable search and seizure and therefore a violation to the rights of the American citizen. When deciding if drug testing should be administered for welfare recipients, several components should be considered, including financing, the outcome of a tax payer's money, and the violation of constitutional protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

While the country is already in debt, there doesn't appear to be any sense in spending money to drug test the unemployed. Although it does increase government spending, what must also be considered is the amount of money saved due to unpaid benefits. According to the article States Adding Drug Test as Hurdle for Welfare, "Only 16 out of 64,000 answered yes; 931 did not submit the form. The state estimated the savings on benefits had totaled $116,000" (Sulzberger). This amount of saving is caused by a mere thousand unpaid benefits and has much potential to benefit the country. According to Sulzberger, drug tests "cost up to $40." This means that the price for a drug test can be found for a reasonable price the unemployed can pay themselves. Florida has thought of this, and Sulzberger writes, "people receiving cash assistance through welfare have had to pay for their own drug tests since July, and enrollment has shrunk to its lowest levels since the start of the recession." With people paying for their own drug testing and money spent on unemployment benefits decreasing, drug testing welfare recipients appears to be beneficial.

The hard working American citizen only hopes that their hard-earned money is spent to support the country and not gone to waste. A common reason for unwise spending is the drugs purchased with unemployment benefits. How can the government know whether or not the money they provide people in need goes to drugs? Drug testing is a way of reassurance to prevent spending on drugs. And although not all impoverished people are drug users, according to the article Unemployment Drug Tests: Republicans' Unprecedented Pursuit Of Drug Testing The Jobless, "unemployed people were more than twice as likely to use drugs than people with full-time jobs" (Delaney). This supports the fear of tax money likely being spent on drugs. Many working citizens have a similar fear of how their money is spent, and as Sulzberger says, "'Working people today work very hard to make ends meet, and it just doesn’t seem fair to them that their tax dollars go to support illegal things.'" Therefore, if drug testing for welfare recipients was enforced, the money spent would more likely support families in need of financial aid rather than drug addicts.

Macro Blog 10 - Offshore Drilling

In an age of technological advancements, people rely on some sort of energy resource to carry out their daily activities and among the most common energy resources are oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas have been obtained through drilling into the earth and coastlines in areas available for leasing. However, with the demand for more oil results in the demand for expanding offshore drilling. This has been a controversial debate for years but despite what environmentalists and oil industry leaders have to argue, the factors that are most important when considering expansion of offshore drilling in the United States are the increase in production of jobs, the risks it has on the environment, and the lasting effect it will have on the United States.

During economic struggle, jobs can be scarce. Expanding offshore drilling may very well increase job production and replenish the economy. According to a USA Today article, "at least 18 billion barrels of oil can be produced from areas that are off-limits" (Jervis, Welch and Wolf). With this much potential work, people can be expecting plenty of jobs. However, it is still unknown whether or not expanding offshore drilling and creating more oil rigs will be beneficial in creating jobs because "oil production in 2010 was at its highest level since 2003" (Broder). Since oil production was at its highest in 2010 since 2003, there was already a lot of labor involved and there is no guarantee that expanding offshore drilling will create enough jobs to make a difference. Although there will be work available, there is no telling whether there will be enough to prove expanding offshore drilling as beneficial, and so it is up to the individual to decide. The individual must also consider the harmful effects new oil rigs may have on the environment.

Environmentalists are constantly concerned with the dangers offshore drilling has with the environment. There have been spills and incidents since the first oil rig, including the recent BP explosion that Broder from the New York Times explains, "which killed 11 workers and poured nearly five million barrels of crude into the gulf." This spillage contaminates the water and could possibly affect several animal food chains. This has a negative effect on the environment as it pollutes the water and may harm its inhabitants as well. However, there is a chance the expansion of offshore drilling eventually won't harm the environment. According Jervis, Welch and Wolf, "Today's technology...has greatly reduced the risk of oil spills." With improving technology, the effects of oil may be reduced so much to the environment that it eventually may not even harm it at all, due to safety precautions. This is, however, once again up to the individual to decide whether or not taking the risk to expand offshore drilling will be worth it. This will then affect our future.

Before acting upon anything, we as a nation must consider what will be best for the country overall. Drilling offshore may have some benefits and risks now, but how will it affect our future? There are several risks that may prove disastrous if the benefits do not outweigh them. For example, it would not be worth expanding if the, "new drilling would produce only 7% more oil in 2030, and the impact on oil prices would be 'insignificant'" (Jervis, Welch and Wolf). The risks can prove disastrous and oil spills may cause a disruption in food chains. Factors such as these must be taken into consideration before deciding whether or not expanding offshore drilling is beneficial.

Macro Blog 9 - To Succeed or Not to Succeed?

As children in our modern day society we are led to believe we can grow up to be whatever we desire. We are fed the ideas that any of us can easily become an astronaut or a professional athlete. As we grow, we learn that this is only true to an extent; we have the potential to become whatever we desire so long as we work hard towards our goal, although the likelihood of success may vary. With this new realization in mind, we abandon our hopes of becoming president or solving world hunger for more practical occupations such as becoming a dentist or a teacher. And although we have lowered our expectations to succeed by seeking a more probable lifestyle, there still exists a common question: will a college degree help a person whatsoever in the work world? In his blog, "Will Dropouts Save America?" Ellsberg argues that college does not provide students with the entrepreneurial skills they need to succeed, and people are better off starting a business without a college degree. He says, "You don’t need a degree (and certainly not an M.B.A.) to start a business and create jobs, nor is it even that helpful" (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/opinion/sunday/will-dropouts-save-america.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=opinion). It is true that a person does not need a degree to succeed, however it most definitely helps.

Ellsberg explains that the reason colleges are not helpful to entrepreneurs is because they are not taught "skills like sales, networking, creativity and comfort with failure." Although these skills are not taught directly through courses and may in some areas be lacking in the college educational program, they are better learned with a college experience than without. Ellsberg states that colleges do not teach anything about sales, networking is best learned through talking with others, education stifles creativity, and colleges encourage the safe road to avoid failure. This is not entirely true. There are colleges that may offer business or entrepreneurship classes to educate the basis of sales. College is an opportunity to broaden one's horizons, to meet new people and make new connections. In addition, college students are encouraged to join forums and school-based networking sites to stay updated with recent events. Education may be prioritized over creativity, but it does not stifle it. There are boundless extracurricular activities for a college student to express their creativity in. Finally, it is true that failure is hardly ever encouraged. However, failing in the safety of a college curriculum rather than failing as a lone business owner appears far more comforting, and thus appears more suitable in developing an acceptance of failure. Though college isn't specifically about entrepreneurial skills, it provides far more for a person than having no further education whatsoever.

In her blog, "Does College Matter for Entrepreneurs?" Tice discusses how colleges benefit the entrepreneurs of the future. She explains that "college-student entrepreneurs today can often take advantage of plentiful campus-based resources" (http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/220306). In the technological era, business will be centered more and more around technology, and so a college education will greatly prepare an entrepreneur with the education they will require. Furthermore, as Tice explains, colleges have resources that may benefit an entrepreneur such as "incubators, mentoring and connections to possible funders." Colleges open new doors and opportunities for not only entrepreneurs but anyone looking to work. Also, Tice mentions that over half of business owners have a college degree. If the majority of business owners found success through obtaining a college education than why would an entrepreneur risk starting a business without a degree when they are more likely to succeed with one? Though it is possible to aspire without a college education, it is more beneficial with one.

Macro Blog 8 - The Keys to Freedom

When the automobile was first invented, few people were able to afford one. Time passed, and driving became integrated with our daily lives. Nowadays, just about every family owns at least one car. The need for driving has increased, as well as the number of drivers. I myself became a licensed driver approximately fifteen days ago and I am very pleased that I did. Driving can be fun and convenient, however it can be very dangerous. As people commonly say, "driving is a privilege, not a right." A driver must assume full responsibility and take precautions when behind the wheel. Since the first automobile, many regulations and laws have been passed to help create safer driving. A few of these laws include no texting and driving, a new driver must have his or her license for six months before driving other people who aren't part of his or her immediate family, and a new driver is punished more severely for driving violations. I agree with the majority of these regulations, however I feel a few aren't quite necessary. Texting while driving can be lethal and I have never nor will I ever text while driving. I agree that it should be a law to help prevent it from happening. I also agree that new drivers should be punished more severely, but to a limit. New drivers can be punished with large fines, the revoking of their licenses and may have to retake any driver’s education classes they have received and pass the road test once again. I only agree with the large fines portion. With large fines, drivers should be influenced to drive safely and properly. It truly intimidates me knowing that I can easily lose my license with a simple mistake. I do not feel that that is required in certain circumstances, such as speeding by perhaps 10 MPH. I also disagree about not being able to drive other people. It would be much more convenient to be able to drive friends, and it may even help the new driver learn to drive safely with distractions within the vehicle while that driver is still cautious and safe rather than six months later when that driver may have become overconfident and cocky in their driving capabilities. It is understandable that the additional consequences for unsafe driving will help encourage safe driving, and the restriction on who a new driver can drive will help prevent accidents early on, but as a new driver, I feel far too intimidated by the consequences and yearn for the permission to drive my friends. However, the law is the law and must be obeyed. I can only hope that in the future, safe driving can be encouraged through other means.

Macro Blog 7 - Fright Night

With Halloween coming up, people are out buying candy and costumes. They are decorating their houses and preparing for a wondrous night of fright. Recently, Halloween has not been the only popular source of fear. A few horror films have been released into theaters, some resulting in terrified customers. One of these films happens to be Paranormal Activity 3. I have yet to see Paranormal Activity 3; however I have seen Paranormal Activity and Paranormal Activity 2. From my past experience, the Paranormal Activity series do not seem frightening. Most of the "scary" events, in my opinion, tend to be predictable. I do admit that based on the box office sales and the previews, Paranormal Activity 3 appears to actually be scary. It was only a $15,000 project but last weekend it received about $54 million in ticket sales. I have heard good remarks about Paranormal Activity 3 from friends and critics alike, however I have also read of some disappointments. It is truly up to the individual alone to determine what that individual considers scary, however many people will preach of how scary or not scary a movie is anyhow. Some people have said Paranormal Activity 3 has a sturdy plot and can be unpredictable and frightening. Others argue that it is just the same as its previous films and wasn't really worth it. Although I did not find Paranormal Activity or Paranormal Activity 2 to be frightening, I did find them entertaining and Paranormal Activity 3 appears promising so you can expect me to contribute to their revenue, once it comes out on DVD of course.

Trinket 3, Day 4 - Treated Worse than Dirt

I am but a lonely plastic ball. My intended purpose of creation was to be a practice golf ball, to be swung at with passion and lounging in the intense sunlight. Instead, I have been treated like dirt, maybe even worse. I am paid no attention as I sit in the bottom of my owner's backpack. At least he takes the time to actually empty any dirt he finds in his bag. I dent very easily, for I am made of plastic, but even if I were made of steel, it would not protect my heart from being broken by the negligence of my owner. I must stay strong, however, because I know that in three weeks I will be with someone else, and hopefully he or she will show me the compassion and attention I deserve.

Trinket 3, Day 3 - Documentary: Plastic Ball Edition

Today marks the beginning of Plastic Ball Awareness Month, or P-BAM. We will celebrate this day with the examination of an actual plastic ball in its natural environment. Imagine the plastic ball of the white variety, also known as plastique whiticus, in the gentle forest. Though small in stature, the plastic ball can be very deadly. It appears to be scavenging for the winter, when all of a sudden the natural predator of the plastic ball pounces. It is of course the 3 iron, or ironius ter. It prepares to swing at the plastic ball, but the plastic ball has a unique defensive maneuver. The plastic ball crouches and uses its many holes to produce a high frequency sound wave that stuns the 3 iron in its tracks. The plastic ball uses this opportunity to force the sound wave through a single hole, causing said hole to expand one hundred times its size. The plastic ball engulfs the stunned 3 iron and sends it spiraling into an eternal abyss of oblivion. The plastic ball then resumes its search for food and continues its role in nature.

Trinket 3, Day 2 - The Sad Little Golf Ball

Life on a golf course can be brutal. Once the sun emerges into the sky, the humans gather on the course for a friendly game to take their minds off life's problems. All goes swimmingly; the humans choose a club, set a ball down and take a shot. There are even carts and rinsing stations to make the game more convenient. Everyone appears happy on the golf course, that is, everyone except for a single golf ball. This golf ball isn't actually a golf ball. In reality it is a plastic ball made to be the same size and color of a golf ball. It has several holes, and it cannot travel quite as far as the other golf balls. This little plastic ball has always dreamed of being a golf ball, but no one ever chooses it to play with. Only on occasion does the plastic ball see action: when the small children are practicing. Yes, it is quite a sad life for the plastic ball indeed.

Trinket 3, Day 1 - The Least Bit of Excitement

As I return home from a hard day of school, soccer, and work, I think to myself, "I can't wait to just relax and go to bed." That is, until I saw my trinket that reminded me of the Micro Blog I had to complete for AP English as I unpacked my bag. I stared at that round, white ball with holes all around it, exhaled a deep sigh, and trudged my feet as I approached the computer to write about my trinket. I suppose it could be a fun trinket, with the hours of catching I may invest into it. More likely, it will sit either in the bottom of my backpack for at least a month or upon my desktop. In either case, it appears it will be quite a boring trinket.

Macro Blog 6 - First Appearances

Throughout history, appearance has made an impression on those around them. Appearance is a way to predetermine the personality of a person, which is especially true nowadays. If a person attends a job interview in filthy, baggy clothing and has food stains on their face, their appearance gives off a vibe that that person is a lazy slob. In contrast, if a person applies for a job in professional attire and properly groomed hair, then their appearance gives off a vibe that that person can be professional and commit to their job. Many people are known to say that the first impression is the most important, however it has also been said to judge a book not by its cover but by its context. I feel these two statements contradict each other, however in the world of today, they both seem to coincide with one another. Many if not all of us judge others for how they first appear. Some of us will make an attempt to know others before making a concrete impression of them. Therefore, I believe that the majority of the world makes a judgement of others from their appearance, then if they take the time to know them better, they will have a different outlook on them. Appearance is definitely important in first impressions, so we try to look and dress our best for the occasion.

Macro Blog 5 - How to Succeed

Jobs can be very scarce lately. With a recession going on, there are less jobs and more people unemployed. This affects everyone, from old veterans in the work world to young newcomers just released from high school. Students who attend a technical high school is trained to prepare for the world of work So this may prove intimidating towards students who graduate during this recession. Some people may consider it is pointless to go to a school who prepares you to pursue a career when there aren't too many career opportunities available. I disagree, however. I feel that we have the potential to make opportunities for ourselves so long as we work hard towards our goal. These people are bound to find a job somehow, somewhere, even if they come from a technical school during a recession. Others may argue that technical school graduates will most likely not be able to find a job right after high school. It is understandable that a student who does not apply themself will have much difficulty in pursuing a career. That is why a person must apply themself in order to succeed. This applies to much more than mere high school graduates, however. I feel that this applies to life in general.And hopefully my fellow students and I are smart enough to work hard towards our dreams.

Trinket 2, Day 9 - The History of the Paperweight

Everyday, there are thousands of papers out in the world that are blown away by the wind. Those of us who are smart enough use some variation of the paperweight to prevent our precious papers from blowing away. The paperweight has been around for as long as mankind. During the Prehistoric Times, cavemen used rocks. During the Ice Age, Eskimos used chunks of ice. During the Scientific Revolution, inventors used scrap metal. Today, the paperweight has evolved so far that we can form a paperweight to appeal to anyone. The most popular paperweight of our time is the blue heart-shaped paperweight. Its beauty is adored by many and analysts predict that it will be quite difficult for humanity to improve the paperweight any further.

Trinket 2, Day 8 - Silent but Deadly

If paperweights could talk, I'm sure the one locked away in the darkest corner of my backpack would be screaming for help right about now. I received a blue heart-shaped paperweight as a trinket for several writing assignments, and ever since I received it, it has been buried in my backpack, only to be taken out for short time intervals on a daily basis. I'm sure the paperweight would be screaming for some time in the sunlight, as sunlight does compliment its beauty quite nicely. It would also probably yell for some polish of some sort, because what paperweight wouldn't want to remain shiny? Last of all, once it gets what it wants, it will probably wish to abandon me despite all I've done and take advantage of a new student. Yes, this paperweight would be quite the devious little trickster, if it could only talk.

Trinket 2, Day 7 - A Contest of Champions

Today, I decided to have a staring contest with my trinket, the heart-shaped paperweight. It stared right back at me with its several air bubbles. The lighting of the room is reflected off the center of the paperweight and cast into my eyes. As I see the rich blueness of the paperweight, it reminds me of water. At this, my eyes begin to water, and it appears that the paperweight just might defeat me in this ultimate competition of intelligence and strategy. I lift the paperweight up, glaring at it with a threatening stare, but the paperweight retaliates by averting my attention towards its magnifying ability, causing my fingers behind it to grow in an appealing manner. Struck in awe, I finally blink, leaving the paperweight as the victor.

Trinket 2, Day 6 - Multifunctional

Paperweights are typically useless and boring. Well, my paperweight is different from the rest. It is blue and heart-shaped. It is very smooth and quite lovely. It is expected to be used only as a simple paperweight, but this paperweight is special. It can used to play catch. It can be used as an ice pack. It can even be used as a hammer. This paperweight has much more purposes than just weighing down paper. It is quite unique and amazing. I am sure other paperweights aren't nearly as amazing as this one. My paperweight can also act as a decoration, or a doorstop. The possibilities are endless for something quite as gifted as this paperweight.

Trinket 2, Day 5 - A Secret Life

Hello. My name is Shimmers and I am a blue heart-shaped paperweight. I am not simply just a paperweight, however. I am about to share with you the best job in the world. Aside from being an ordinary paperweight, my true profession is being the arrowhead of Cupid's arrow. Now, I know what you're thinking: Cupid's arrows are typically red or pink, not blue. Well that was the case, up until about one hundred years ago. Since the beginning of time, Cupid had used arrows forged from the metals of the gods to bring about love in the world. Over time, the arrows seemed to have less and less of an effect on humans, and eventually, humans were immune to the arrows. That is how I can about. Zeus had forged the older arrows, but I was forged by Neptune. I had a full love effect on humans, and I am expected to perform at peak performance on humans for at least another million years. After that, Helios is to forge the next arrow. I enjoy bringing love to people, and it brings joy to my very being. But, the humans will never know of what I truly am. To them I am just an ordinary paperweight, and perhaps it is better that they don't know.

Macro Blog 4 - Technological Brawl for Dominance

We live in an era where we rely on technology and constantly focus on improving it to make life simpler. Just about every household contains at least one computer. And when people buy their computers, there is always one question that is in mind: are you a PC or a Mac? This refers to the two major operating systems of computers sold in retail. PC refers to Windows, which is produced by Microsoft. Mac refers to Macintosh, produced by the rivaling company Apple. When it comes to computers, I would have to say that most people are Windows users, including myself. Windows is the operating system of the computers in most public schools, so we grew up learning to use Windows. It also is noticeably cheaper. Many people would rather pay $500 for a new Windows laptop rather than $1300 for a new Mac laptop. Finally, Windows appears to be more user friendly. It is rather easy nowadays to navigate through a Windows computer and figure out how to do everything you need, whereas Mac computers have an unfamiliar style and design to them that might make it difficult for some users to find what they need. Mac is a major operating system for a reason, however. Although more people purchase Windows, those who buy Macs can enjoy an operating system that is much more protective against viruses and is probably more advanced, but again that may make it difficult for new users to operate. Overall, I feel like Windows will always be the operating system of the average home, and Mac will belong to the users who will rely on high-tech equipment to perform tasks that an average computer user will not be performing. And so individuals will always be asked, are you a PC or a Mac?

Macro Blog 3 - Is Spongebob Right for Young Children?

Spongebob has been around for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching countless episodes of Spongebob Squarepants, to the point that I can even quote a few lines from an episode as I watch it. As many of the other kids of my generation would agree, the classic Spongebob episodes were so much better than the newer ones. Episodes such as the Hash Slinging Slasher and the Krusty Krab Pizza episodes will always be embedded into the minds of those who have witnessed such brilliance. The newer episodes will never be quite the same, yet they still draw the attention of young children everywhere with nothing to do. Spongebob has, and always will be, targeted towards young children. Yet, people from various age groups will enjoy to sit back and relax as they watch their favorite episodes from their childhood. In some cases, people will continue to tune in for the newer episodes. This is a strong point in arguing that perhaps Spongebob Squarepants isn't specifically designed for just young children. In fact, some critics and reviewers argue that Spongebob may not be appropriate for certain children until they have matured a bit. This is because the episodes constantly use words such as "stupid" or "jerk" that a parent may not want their child repeating. Also, when a character becomes angry, some sort of physical violence erupts that may not end up hurting anyone in the show for long, but if an unknowing child should imitate such violence they may be injured. Finally, much of the humor is from the antics caused by Spongebob and Patrick's stupidity. Their stupidity can be quite annoying but funny, and children shouldn't be learning that being stupid is funny. Perhaps Spongebob should be targeted towards 9-12 year-old children rather than 5-8. However, I feel that it is up to the parents, who should decide whether or not their child is mature enough to be able to watch Spongebob Squarepants and know the difference between their comical fantasy, where creatures can get hurt and brush it off as if it was nothing, and reality, where people can get hurt for a long time.

Trinket 2, Day 4 - To Love and Be Loved in Return

You know, growing up I never expected to become a heart-shaped paperweight. I was once a handsome young man. It was just after college that my life was changed forever. I was off living out in the middle of nowhere to try and find out who I really was and what I wanted to be. I had some servants around the house to help me, of course. Yes, in my tremendous manor is where I was living happily until one stormy night I heard a knock at the door. I answered it immediately, hoping it was the hot tub I had just ordered. Instead was an old hag standing within a foot of me. She asked if she could spend the night to avoid the storm, and being the selfish and pompous idiot I was at the time, I told her to take a hike. She soon pointed a crooked finger at me and said my residents and I would be cursed until I learn what it means to love and be loved in return. And thus I was transformed into a heart-shaped paperweight, a symbol of the love I must seek. The servants were all transformed as well, into various trinkets such as golf balls and Beanie Babies. It appears we all have been gathered and assigned to some high school students. They are young, but hopefully there stands one that can understand love, and break the curse.

Trinket 2, Day 3 - Bluetopia

On the planet of Bluetopia lives a simple man named Carl. Everyday, Carl goes to work in his standard cubicle and comes home to his lovely wife and kids. One day, he begins to question the world around him. It has always been known that that live in one of the few gaseous planets that have oxygen, and the rest of the matter appears to be a blue substance that is quite hard. This substance makes travel from planet to planet impossible, therefore they do not know what lies beyond their home planet of air. Eventually, Carl cannot contain his curiosity any further. He is determined to find out what lies beyond their home, no matter what the cost. He develops a nuclear-based transportation module that dissolves anything that touches its exterior. The drawback is that there is a 95% chance it will implode after being active for one hour. Carl takes this risk and ventures through the universe. He makes his way through the blue substance without discovery for almost an hour. Suddenly, a bright light appears. Carl breaks through the universe and takes a good look at his surroundings. He cannot believe what he has discovered. Unfortunately, Carl died at that instant from the implosion, leaving no evidence of his discovery to his home planet. Maybe it's for the better. Maybe the Bluetopians could not possibly grasp the concept that they were living on a blue heart-shaped paperweight, and that the "planets" that they have always known were merely air bubbles. No, it's for the best that they are kept from the truth.

Trinket 2, Day 2 - Two Faced

Have you ever thought you knew someone but that someone turned out to be completely different from what you thought? People are not always as they appear. As the saying goes, "don't judge a book by its cover." This heart-shaped paperweight is a constant reminder of that saying. The top side of the paperweight is nice and smooth, rounded out so nicely to take the form of the heart. Its beauty shines magnificently, and it appears to be the most delicate object in the world. On the bottom side, however, is where it is cut up to form a flat surface. The corners do not appeal well to the touch of them, and the scrapes and scratches are visible on this side. It appears that this side can definitely do its job despite how rough it may be. This is just the same as people. There are people who look as delicate as a flower but can lift ten times their own weight. This paperweight has two sides to it, as do people. Books should not be judged by their covers and neither should people.

Trinket 2, Day 1 - My Heart Belongs to this Heart

Blue, translucent, and smooth to the touch. This object has several qualities that just tug at my heart strings, which coincidentally is precisely what this object is: a heart. Not the kind of heart that every human possesses that pumps blood throughout their bodies. No, I mean a heart-shaped paperweight. A beautiful, calming, heart-shaped paperweight. Just holding it gently in my hands sends me into a tranquil state of mind where I am one with the world, and my worries fade away. I can see a few scratches and dents, which tell me the previous owner must have abused this wonderful heart in horrendous ways. But have no fear, I shall nurture this heart with love and care for as long as it is in my possession.

Macro Blog 2 - Overly Dependent

The discovery and harnessing of electricity changed the lives of everyone. It promoted further advancements in technology and has made everyday tasks simpler for us. We grew up with electricity, and so our generation relies on it to power the many technological devices we often use. Whether we're heating up a quick breakfast or checking our E-mail on the computer, we are using technology that relies on electricity. We depend on our technology, therefore we rely on electricity. But what if we suddenly lost that very thing we depend upon? Electricity has always been available to us, so what would happen if we suddenly lost it? This previous Sunday, Hurricane Irene caused thousands of power outages. Some families only lost power for an hour; others may not even have it back yet. I was fortunate to have only lost power for two hours, but I was without cable, phone or internet services for almost three days. Many of the things I did for entertainment at my house required cable or internet, so I was at quite a loss. All I could do was sit and wish for the technology I use everyday to become available once again. We take electricity and our technology for granted, so when we find ourselves without it, we don't know what to do. In an age of ever-expanding technology, we will constantly rely on the latest advancements for everything. Eventually, we may not even remember what it's like to just go outside and play catch or sit around and play a board game. I believe that we should limit ourselves to how much technology we use and never obsess with it. It is understood that technology makes life easier and fun, but there are other means of fun that are overall much better for you. If we can control ourselves for using technology to the very minimum, then we can enjoy ourselves even if we end up in a future with no electricity or technology. It is something that shouldn't be relied on for everything, especially if hurricanes or other natural disasters are causing people to be without electricity for an unknown amount of time.

Macro Blog 1 - Like Going to McDonald's for a Salad

Music is a very common interest in people. It helps one relax and have fun, so long as the person enjoys it. People have different taste in music, but when it comes down to what the best recent songs are, people are generally interested, regardless of genre. I can remember watching the best and latest music videos on MTV, which stands for Music Television. Makes sense right? Well, nowadays MTV shows nothing but reality television. I think there are two solutions here: MTV should air all of its reality shows on a new network made specifically for them, or MTV should change its name to RTV, which sounds ridiculous but that's precisely what this is: ridiculous. People should expect to experience music when they turn to the Music Television Channel, not stories about teenage mothers. It's quite pointless, going someplace only to receive something unorthodox to the standards of said place. It's like going to McDonald's for a salad. McDonald's is a very popular fast food restaurant known for its greasy burgers. Why would someone who wants to eat healthy go to McDonald's and order a salad? Why not go somewhere that actually promotes healthy dining? Well, people should go to MTV and "order" the music, not the reality television. That should be "ordered" elsewhere. I suppose the new reality shows must get better ratings and more views, but then the name of the channel is unrelated and thus should either be changed or should bring music back and move the reality to another channel. I am a fan of at least one of the reality shows, and I think they should definitely continue to air, I just don't think MTV is where they should be.

Trinket 1, Day 6 - PATA

Good evening. My name is Phil McClain and I am a representative of the PATA, or People Against Toy Abuse. Now, toy abuse may sound ridiculous but in reality, it is quite serious. Toys are found everyday tossed onto sidewalks, cast into local woods, and even deteriorating in dump sites. These toys that have once brought smiles onto the faces of every child that has played with them are now shunned from society as garbage. Today, are main victim is Seaweed the Otter. Though she is a toy and cannot speak, she has quite a tale that we will be sharing with you today. Seaweed was once a beloved toy, assembled as part of the Beanie Baby Collection and sold to one of the millions of children excited over the new craze. But after the years passed and the child grew tired of Seaweed, she was sold to a complete stranger at a yard sale. Her new owner was not one that favored Beanie Babies. No, it was the owner's dog that loved Seaweed. It would chew her up everyday, until the very fabric was soaked in its entirety and the stitching was becoming undone. After that, Seaweed was replaced by a new doll to be abused in the same way, while Seaweed made her way to the town dump. She was rotting there until we were able to rescue her. She is currently in the process of recovering, having her stitching redone and such. However, she will never be the same. Please, for the sake of Seaweed and all toys out there, love and cherish them as long as you can, until you can give them to another deserving family.

Trinket 1, Day 5 - The Otter Guys

In the most dangerous lake in the world, nobody fights crime like those guys. And then, there are the otter guys. From the directors of Step BrOtters, Atlantic Ocean Pictures presents the hilarious tale of Detective Blake Denzir, a dedicated accountant who prefers to stay in the office, and Detective Sherry Quinton, a cop yearning to return to the action around her but instead is stuck with Blake as her partner in the office. This summer, watch and laugh your hearts out as these two unlikely heroes in the Animal Detective Agency step up to their biggest break yet...but things don't go exactly as planned. Seaweed the Otter stars as Sherry in...

"I'm a penguin, you gotta let me fly!"
"Pick another bird. Penguins, they don't fly Sherry! They don't, do they?"
"Just let him have it captain."

The Otter Guys. This film is not yet rated.

Note: The information on this page was based off of Columbia Picture's The Other Guys.

Trinket 1, Day 4 - Amazing Offer!

Attention people of the world! Have you ever been overcome with so much boredom that it practically drives you insane? Have you ever felt like there is absolutely no one in the world that can ever truly understand who you are? Well, we've got the answer to your prayers! Introducing, Seaweed the Otter! This little fuzzy buddy is everything you could ever want in a toy and more. You can hug it, you can squeeze it, you can even play catch with it! The adventures you'll have are endless! You can never outgrow Seaweed the Otter. A cushion to sleep the night away as a toddler or a best friend to have heart to heart conversations with as a young adult. This toy is for everyone, boys and girls! Get yours for only $19.95! But wait, order within the next ten minutes and you'll also receive Kenny the Kangaroo! That's right, all the fun of Australia packed into another plush toy of your very own, FREE! So that's Seaweed the Otter AND Kenny the Kangaroo, a $40 value for only $19.95! Call Now!

Trinket 1, Day 3 - A Day in the Studio

"Alright, let's do this y'all.
My name is Seaweed
and I'm the freshest of otters.
There's no one better than me
when it comes to being a blogger.
I bench three hundred and three,
don't even need a spotter.
I move so magically,
not talking Harry Potter.
Yeah, I'm a sight to see,
I'm getting hotter and hotter.
Don't like the way I speak?
I'll blow you out of the water!"

"Alright, I think we've heard enough. Come on out of the studio now."

"So, how did I do?"

"...Listen, Seaweed was it? I feel like you have the passion for music, and your rap was alright, but I don't think you're quite what we're looking for."

"I don't understand. The ad required someone between the ages of 8 and 14 who can act and sing and I feel I meet those requirements."

"The thing is, this is for a Kidz Bop commercial."

"...So?"

"We were kind of looking for human kids, not otters."

"Oh..."

Trinket 1, Day 2 - Famous Relative

Hi. My name is Seaweed Otter. Though I am a mammal, I spend much of my time in the water. Whether I'm scavenging for seaweed or lounging in an octopus' garden, you can most likely find me in the water. Most people I meet often confuse me for a beaver. I'd like to take the time to point out that I am definitely NOT a beaver, nor would I ever like to become one. Beavers are so very different from us otters, I don't understand how we get confused for each other. Now a squirrel, I can understand. I mean, my figure practically screams "squirrel." In fact, my distant cousin is a squirrel. Her name is Sandy Cheeks. She spends all her time in the water, too. She's absolutely nuts, but whenever I tell that to people they must mishear me, because they go right ahead and whisper that I'm nuts. I am clearly not, but it doesn't bother me. Anyways it was very nice talking to you, Mr. Coconut.

Trinket 1, Day 1 - The Otter

In my hands, I hold an otter belonging to The Beanie Babies Collection. Her name is Seaweed and she enjoys eating seaweed. She is currently gnawing on a fine piece of seaweed, nibbling at it with greed. My reflection is cast back at me as I stare into her beady, little eyes. An extravagant strip of white ribbon acts quite nicely as her scarf, proving that Seaweed is an otter of luxury. Her soft skin sends sensations throughout the spine, and her tail, as beautiful as it is, is designed to smite any opponent that is foolish enough to provoke her in her natural habitat.