Ah...
The subject of the days. Everybody is talking about it. How will it help your life? Well, this is the place where a possible United States President could make one of the most anticipated speeches ever. I live in Denver, and everyday traffic is starting to build up more and more from all the people coming in. This DNC is pretty huge. I mean, back in the day, I hadn't even known there was something called and Democratic National Convention. Now, everybody knows what it's about, and everybody wants in on the fun. Everybody wants to contribute their piece of their mind about how things will turn out.
The convention will take place mostly at the Pepsi Center, a multipurpose stadium for the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets as well as any other big event in town. However, the actual meat of the convention, the acceptance speech by Barack Obama, will take place in Invesco Field, the home of the Denver Broncos. It only fills so many people, so certain people were invited, and a lot of them sold the invitations, or tickets, to more willing people. Denver will be much more recognized and famous after this year's convention. The whole country is focused on this city. For now.
You know how Obama made such dramatic and great speeches throughout the campaign about different things. Some people are even comparing him to one of the greatest speakers ever in the history of the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Barack Obama's speech on his defense of racism and the Reverend issue can be considered phenomenal. If you haven't seen or heard it, go to MSNBC videos and watch it. It really does kind of remind you of the famous "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
So this year's Democratic National Convention should be fun. It's in Denver, and make sure to listen to the speech that everybody, absolutely everybody, is so dearly anticipating. It will help you for speaking practice, ideals, whatever. Obama's had a reputation for his speeches, and this won't be an exception. All those people studying the "I Have a Dream" speech? This could be the next one of those. Whether he wins the race or not is a different question.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Books That Make You Cry
I think that when you read a book that truly makes you cry, it feels like that book changed your life, even if it might have just been a good story. We feel more mature, enlightened of the way the world works now, after we read that sad book. Then we begin to think deep philosophical thoughts what we are in the world, what we are compared to this hugely sad story we just read, and so on. Anyway, sad books are definitely a must as an occasional read or so to help our lives and feel more mature. Just don't read them every day; you might develop depression or something...
Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
Sorry, I can't get the accents in. This book is a story about a man who undergoes a serious change and becomes really good. It's pretty long, but it's definitely worth the read. You can feel the emotions just coming out of you. I don't want to give a whole synopsis, but Victor Hugo will make you cry several times in the book.
A Walk To Remember - Nicholas Sparks
If I say anything about the contents of this book, I will spoil it. But... wow. This book was amazing. While this book doesn't have much deep meaning or allegorical meaning to it, it is driven purely by emotion. Go on, read it.
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
This books is set in Afghanistan about a decade ago, during Taliban turmoil and difficulties. From the very start powerful emotions are displayed, and the book ends with powerful emotions. Khaled Hosseini really captures the situation in Afghanistan and sends his message strongly with this and his previous book, Kite Runner.
Now for something lighter.
There's A Boy In the Girl's Bathroom - Louis Sachar
This is a children's book. For those kids, this book actually does get pretty sad towards the end. It's funny and humorous, but there are still some powerful themes of loneliness and growing up that are caught here. Read it as a bathroom read or something.
Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
Sorry, I can't get the accents in. This book is a story about a man who undergoes a serious change and becomes really good. It's pretty long, but it's definitely worth the read. You can feel the emotions just coming out of you. I don't want to give a whole synopsis, but Victor Hugo will make you cry several times in the book.
A Walk To Remember - Nicholas Sparks
If I say anything about the contents of this book, I will spoil it. But... wow. This book was amazing. While this book doesn't have much deep meaning or allegorical meaning to it, it is driven purely by emotion. Go on, read it.
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
This books is set in Afghanistan about a decade ago, during Taliban turmoil and difficulties. From the very start powerful emotions are displayed, and the book ends with powerful emotions. Khaled Hosseini really captures the situation in Afghanistan and sends his message strongly with this and his previous book, Kite Runner.
Now for something lighter.
There's A Boy In the Girl's Bathroom - Louis Sachar
This is a children's book. For those kids, this book actually does get pretty sad towards the end. It's funny and humorous, but there are still some powerful themes of loneliness and growing up that are caught here. Read it as a bathroom read or something.
Stress Relieving Puzzles
In all our lives these days, we have so much stress. From whatever it is from, we have to relieve or else we'll just.... explode. Divorce. Suicide. The possibilities are endless. So before you even think about these gruesome things, check out this list of a few puzzles and games that will intrigue and relieve.
Fifteen Puzzle
Have you ever seen these? The first time I even saw one, I was so amazed by it. It seemed like the funnest thing in the world! Plus, it was during a break during tests, so it was a major relief. You have 16 slots, and 15 of those are numbers from 1 to 15. You have one slot open, and you use that to slide the numbers around, trying to get the numbers in order. It is really fun, and it really makes you forget about anything.
The World's Hardest Game
This is an online game. I know. Kind of lame, but incredibly addicting. Doesn't the name just make you want to prove it wrong? Check out the link for a few minutes of relaxation and stress-relief. Thanks to Armor Games which is the host, though this game has been featured everywhere.
http://armorgames.com/play/1043/the-worlds-hardest-game
Building Puzzles
Visit your local hobby shop or something, and buy the first puzzle or building toy you see. So trivial, yet it could prove to be your lifesaver.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." Those spheres that you have to assemble with the odd pieces? Those 3x3x3 cubes which have to be assembled when they are attached in weird ways? Yep, those will take you breath away. Live your life.
Einstein's Puzzle
This is a pretty grueling riddle that takes even smartest Harvard graduates a few moments to think about. It will take away your time and stress. This puzzle is one of those case puzzles where they give you clues and you have to figure something out. Anyway, this will test your brain, and at the very least take your mind off the big things in your life. Try the link:
http://www.brain-fun.com/Brain-Teasers/EinsteinsRiddle.php
Rubik's Cube
I know. You've tried. And then some. But just try again. I promise, you will forget about everything in your life and take out all your anger, depression, whatever, into that little cube. If you really want, you can look it up on the internet. There are a huge number of sites made by kind, caring people teaching you step by step how to solve one. Then you can move on to the 4 by 4 by4 Rubik's Cube.
Fifteen Puzzle
Have you ever seen these? The first time I even saw one, I was so amazed by it. It seemed like the funnest thing in the world! Plus, it was during a break during tests, so it was a major relief. You have 16 slots, and 15 of those are numbers from 1 to 15. You have one slot open, and you use that to slide the numbers around, trying to get the numbers in order. It is really fun, and it really makes you forget about anything.
The World's Hardest Game
This is an online game. I know. Kind of lame, but incredibly addicting. Doesn't the name just make you want to prove it wrong? Check out the link for a few minutes of relaxation and stress-relief. Thanks to Armor Games which is the host, though this game has been featured everywhere.
http://armorgames.com/play/1043/the-worlds-hardest-game
Building Puzzles
Visit your local hobby shop or something, and buy the first puzzle or building toy you see. So trivial, yet it could prove to be your lifesaver.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." Those spheres that you have to assemble with the odd pieces? Those 3x3x3 cubes which have to be assembled when they are attached in weird ways? Yep, those will take you breath away. Live your life.
Einstein's Puzzle
This is a pretty grueling riddle that takes even smartest Harvard graduates a few moments to think about. It will take away your time and stress. This puzzle is one of those case puzzles where they give you clues and you have to figure something out. Anyway, this will test your brain, and at the very least take your mind off the big things in your life. Try the link:
http://www.brain-fun.com/Brain-Teasers/EinsteinsRiddle.php
Rubik's Cube
I know. You've tried. And then some. But just try again. I promise, you will forget about everything in your life and take out all your anger, depression, whatever, into that little cube. If you really want, you can look it up on the internet. There are a huge number of sites made by kind, caring people teaching you step by step how to solve one. Then you can move on to the 4 by 4 by4 Rubik's Cube.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Free Stuff Online
Have you ever wondered just how big the Internet is today? There is so much stuff, and so much of it can be used totally free. Here are some free things that can help you in some way possible, to help your life.
OpenOffice.org
You've probably heard of it. But have you tried it? It's essentially the same as Microsoft Office, but totally free. And it's compatible with Microsoft Office and other major office suites, making it easier to save and transfer to school or work. It's also multilingual, so you can type in some other language, make a spreadsheet in another language, etc.
www.openoffice.org
Mozilla Firefox
If you don't have Firefox, get it. It is so much more secure than Internet, and has a lot of safety features to prevent hackers and viruses. It also looks cooler too. However, the best thing - It's faster than Microsoft Internet. Want some faster loading pages and not buy and faster connection? Switch to Firefox.
www.mozilla.com/firefox
Skype
This is the new phone. It's been out for a while now, and it's a PC to PC free chatting system. It's like a phone conversation, minus the bills. It also has text chat abilities too, for the occassional link or spelling. You can also enable video conversation too if you have a webcam.
www.skype.com
ZoneAlarm
This is a great firewall. If you don't have an antivirus system, then you should at least get the free version of ZoneAlarm's firewall. It monitor your internet and prevent hackers from getting through to you. Much more efficient than Windows Firewall. Download the free basic firewall.
www.zonealarm.com
7-Zip
This is a great thing. All those zipped folders you get and somehow the Windows Wizard can't extract it? 7-Zip is for you. Also, you can compress all the folders you want to send yourself. It works both ways. A great file manager.
www.7-zip.org/
Google Earth
You've probably heard of this. This software is used by the pros. This thing is so well made, and so useful too. Real estate? Directions, travel Plans? Restaurants, hotels? You can find anything on Earth on Google Earth (minus the military zones, be careful).
earth.google.com
Audacity
Ever wanted to make a cool sound effect, or a remix of your favorite song to put in a homemade movie? You can do it with this powerful sound editing tool. It's really easy to use, and then you can pop it into any video to spice it up without trying to edit the sound on Windows Movie Maker. Did I mention that it records sound too?
audacity.sourceforge.net
These are just a few. More coming
Credit to PC World Magazine
Here's a full list:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/124883-16/101_fabulous_freebies.html
OpenOffice.org
You've probably heard of it. But have you tried it? It's essentially the same as Microsoft Office, but totally free. And it's compatible with Microsoft Office and other major office suites, making it easier to save and transfer to school or work. It's also multilingual, so you can type in some other language, make a spreadsheet in another language, etc.
www.openoffice.org
Mozilla Firefox
If you don't have Firefox, get it. It is so much more secure than Internet, and has a lot of safety features to prevent hackers and viruses. It also looks cooler too. However, the best thing - It's faster than Microsoft Internet. Want some faster loading pages and not buy and faster connection? Switch to Firefox.
www.mozilla.com/firefox
Skype
This is the new phone. It's been out for a while now, and it's a PC to PC free chatting system. It's like a phone conversation, minus the bills. It also has text chat abilities too, for the occassional link or spelling. You can also enable video conversation too if you have a webcam.
www.skype.com
ZoneAlarm
This is a great firewall. If you don't have an antivirus system, then you should at least get the free version of ZoneAlarm's firewall. It monitor your internet and prevent hackers from getting through to you. Much more efficient than Windows Firewall. Download the free basic firewall.
www.zonealarm.com
7-Zip
This is a great thing. All those zipped folders you get and somehow the Windows Wizard can't extract it? 7-Zip is for you. Also, you can compress all the folders you want to send yourself. It works both ways. A great file manager.
www.7-zip.org/
Google Earth
You've probably heard of this. This software is used by the pros. This thing is so well made, and so useful too. Real estate? Directions, travel Plans? Restaurants, hotels? You can find anything on Earth on Google Earth (minus the military zones, be careful).
earth.google.com
Audacity
Ever wanted to make a cool sound effect, or a remix of your favorite song to put in a homemade movie? You can do it with this powerful sound editing tool. It's really easy to use, and then you can pop it into any video to spice it up without trying to edit the sound on Windows Movie Maker. Did I mention that it records sound too?
audacity.sourceforge.net
These are just a few. More coming
Credit to PC World Magazine
Here's a full list:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/124883-16/101_fabulous_freebies.html
Math
A lot of people just frown when they hear the word. But really, math is the link to everything. So many jobs can be made so much easier if we could just do that little calculation, or understand the problem a little better. You wouldn't have to hire a mathematician everytime you needed something done. Also, math is just so much more than numbers. It helps you solve problems a lot better. Learning more math can help you think more and develop better problem solving skills. Maybe you don't want to pursue it; at least knowing and learning more math can definitely open doors and make life easier.
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