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.