The Unmissables Vol. IV

Prepare yourself for movies 31 through 40 of the Unmissables List.

1.
The Matrix
The world is under the control of robots called Machines. Humans are slaves of the Machines, living in virtual reality created by the Machines. A computer hacker named Neo finds out the truth of his existence and joins a group of rebels in order to fight back against the Machine's regime.
Starring
Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Laurence Fishburne.

2.
Fight Club
A lonely insomniac is living his miserable existence, when he meets a soap salesman named Tyler Durden, and man with revolutionary ideas and a unique outlook on life. Together, they start a fight club, a way for men like them to vent their aggression. But something strange is at work and Tyler Durden may not be who he seems.
Starring
Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter

3.
Kill Bill Vol. I and II
When one woman breaks away from the group of assassins she belongs to, The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, to settle down with the child still in her womb, she is marked for death. The rest of the squad and their leader, Bill, massacre the entire wedding party, killing everyone. Or so they thought. The bride lives on, and she's out for revenge. One of Quentin Taratino's best works, Kill Bill is a tribute to the karate movies of old and the suspense builds to the climax, until there's only one person left to kill-Bill.
Starring
Uma Thurman

4.
Star Wars, the original trilogy
A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...lives Luke Skywalker, a young farmer boy who soon discovers he is one of the last remaining jedis. He must receive training from Jedi Masters, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Yoda, and he must face his nemesis- Darth Vader, the evil sith lord who wants to rule the galaxy- in order to fulfill his destiny and help the Rebel Alliance bring peace to the galaxy once more. On his adventures, Luke teams up with Han Solo, rugged pilot and scoundrel extraordinaire, and Princess Leia, leader of the resistance.
Starring
Mark Hammill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fischer

5.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
King Arthur sets off with the Knights of the Round Table to find the Holy Grail, the chalice that Christ drank out of during the Last Supper. They will face much danger, including a Black Knight who refuses to die, a killer rabbit, and some very unfriendly Frenchmen. Join King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on this hilarious adventure of British humour.
Starring
John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin

6.
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
Ferris Beuller is the guy everybody likes. But for once he's determined to have a day off from school. So he and his two friends skip school to have the time of their lives, despite the principal's threats and Beuller's sister's jealousy. Ferris Beuller's Day Off is a classic that no one should miss.
Starring
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, and Jeffrey Jones.

7.
Princess Bride
Once Upon a Time there lived a farm girl named Buttercup whose servant boy, Wesley, fell in love with her and she with him. But he was forced to leave her and in his absence, Prince Humperdink took Buttercup to be his fiance. Wesley must face all dangers to find her again and win her back from the cruel Prince Humperdink. But he'll need a little help from his friends. Funny, and gallantly sweet.
Starring
Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Andre the Giant and Robin Wright.

8.
Ace Ventura
Ace Ventura, pet detective, is on the job, whether the case is missing dolphins or missing bats, no case is to small or too large for Ace Ventrura. Jim Carrey at his best, no doubt about it, as Ace Ventura must face all odds to rescue those he loves-the animals.
Starring
Jim Carrey.


9.
Babel
Four stories from four corners of the earth are mysteriously intertwined. Each story is told, each story is ordinary and epic. Ordinary lives, extraordinary people, inexplicable circumstances. In this large world we live in, if only we would listen more and try to understand the people around us. Babel is about this message.
Starring
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.


10.
Memento
Ever since he was hit over the head trying to save his wife as she was being raped and killed, Leonard has had one mission in life: to track down and kill the man who did it. The trouble is, Leonard is incapable of making new memories and everything he does he must remember by taking photos or making notes. It is impossible to tell who is good and who is evil in this twisting tale of revenge. You'll never see it coming.
Starring
Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss

Great America

I visited the Paramount's theme park in Santa Clara, California, called Great America, this past weekend with my youth group. It was amazing. Let me tell you about the rides I rode.


This particular roller coaster is called Top Gun. According to the sign posted every twenty feet in the line, it is a "Level 5 aggressive thrill ride." Our group got into line around ten in the morning, and we actually entered the cars around 11: 15. We were lucky. When we got off the ride, the line was exponentially longer.

Top Gun is a suspended roller coaster, meaning that when you do loops, the car is on top of the track and the screaming riders upside-down.

Absolutely fabulous. If you can keep your lunch, Top Gun is a must for all roller coaster lovers.






This is Demon, a coaster full of loops, twists, corkscrews, and tunnels. One tunnel's ceiling was so low, I thought my decapitation and death were at hand.









This ride was my favorite. Each car has four people in it, two on each end, facing each other. This way, when the cars move up the left track, two riders of the car are going backward, and the other two are forwards. The coaster speeds down the track, loops, corkscrews, loops again, and the riders have switched. If you were facing forward, now you're backward, and vice-versa. Scary because you don't know what's coming, exciting because the second time is best, and fast.

Art History

He was, and still is, considered one of the greatest late Renaissance painters of Spain. His style was colorful and imaginative, his work inspirational and easily recognizable. Famous during his own lifetime, he painted biblical scenes and religious themes. Although Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as “El Greco,” was one of Spain’s most beloved artists, he was not even Spanish.

Born in 1541 on the island of Crete, El Greco’s talent was recognized early on. At twenty-five Cretan records call him a master painter (WebMuseum). El Greco moved to Venice and then to Rome. Six years later he again relocated, this time to Spain. Finally, in 1577, El Greco settled permanently in Toledo, Spain.

During the sixteenth century, Toledo was a hub of the Renaissance. El Greco lived in this vibrant center of art and religion for the rest of his life. After his death, El Greco was largely forgotten. However, his unparalleled genius was rediscovered in the early 1900s.

The people of Toledo claimed Domenikos as their own, calling him “El Greco,” or “The Greek.” El Greco always signed his real Greek name on his paintings, however. Even still, the painter also married a young Spanish noblewoman by the name of Jeronima de las Cuevas. She gave birth to his illegitimate son, Jorje Manuel, who would later become a renowned Spanish architect.

El Greco’s distinctive paintings are prime examples of what is called European Mannerism. Ackland.org describes this art movement as “A style that developed in the sixteenth century as a reaction to the classical rationality and balanced harmony of the High Renaissance; characterized by the dramatic use of space and light, exaggerated color, elongation of figures, and distortions of perspective, scale, and proportion. Sister Wendy, an acclaimed art critic has said of the Mannerism master, “El Greco’s elongated figures, ever straining upward, his intense and unusual colors, his passionate involvement in his subject, his ardor and his energy, all combine to create a style that is wholly distinct and individual (Story of Painting).” One art critic compares El Greco’s distorted figures to leaping flames that “express intense religious feeling (ibiblio.org).”

Indeed, as we can see in Christ Driving the Traders From the Temple (1570), Christ seems to be the heart of a flame radiating outwards. His position, frozen in time, echoes that of the angel driving Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, seen in the stone carving behind Christ.

In The Holy Trinity (1577), El Greco shows a recently crucified Jesus in the arms of the Father, as the dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit hovers above. From El Greco’s use of color we see that Jesus has left the darkness of the world behind for the beauty and light of Heaven.

It is in Baptism of Christ (1596), however, that we see a very classic El Greco. The long, distorted bodies are nearly ghastly, but they point upward, to the Holy Spirit in the form of the dove, and further up to the Father in the heavens. We see the red cloak over Jesus as being symbolic of his separation from God. We also see the fire descending from the Father, engulfing the dove, coming down to the Christ. This imagery is a very obvious reference to Luke 3:16m when John the Baptist (whom we see here baptizing Jesus) says, “’I baptize you with water. But One more powerful than I will come…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’” And this is what we see here.

Undoubtedly, El Greco was one of the most imaginative, most influential painters of the 1500s. He died in 1614 and was laid to rest in the Church of St. Thome. El Greco has been called eccentric, determined, respected, and devout; surely we must add enigmatic and fantastical to this list.

The Iraq War

Much of the American public, myself included, believe that America's involvement has to do with ulterior motives, not the interest of the Iraqi people. However, no matter what you believe, it's important to remember that our boys are over there fighting in Iraq. It is our responsibility, our privilege to be the ones to support them, to believe in them, to let them know we care. In a recent issue of Newsweek magazine (that I would not recommend to those emotionally connected to Iraq), letters and notes left by fallen soldiers were published. Some of them express love, others gratitude, all miss their families. But all the same they're going through hell. One soldier says, "I don't even recognize myself anymore." Another, "I don't want medals or to be a hero. I just want to come home and be a husband and daddy again." Still another says, "Sometimes I don't know what to think about all of this. It seems so senseless..."

Most of these soldiers were close to returning home before they were killed in action.

This letter particularly struck me.



"Well if your reading this I guess this deployment was a one way trip. I just have a few things to ask. Please don't be mad at the Marine Corps. It was my choice to join and come here. I honestly belive this is what I was meant to do. I don't care what the media says we are making a difference here. Know that I did not die in vain for some worthless cause. I died in memory of all those who gave their lives before me. We are fighting for those who can't fight for themselvs. And I think that is the right thing to do. Not all the people here are bad, so please don't fill your hearts with anger and hate. When I was a kid my dad gave me a Louis Lamour book, in the bak of this book was quotes from all his books. One that really stuck in head and I tried to live by since the day I read it was on courage. 'When ever there was trouble you never had to look back to see if he was there, you knew damn well he was.' I hope I lived up to that.

Another thing I ask is that at my funeral the Marine Corps Hymn and Amazing Grace is played with bag pipes. Nothing sounds better than the bag pipes playing Amazing Grace. I know that I haven't been the best son, brother, friend or boyfriend and I'm sorry. I f you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Ashley can keep my H5 if he wants. Another thing I ask is at least one of you travel to see the world and do the things I never got to do. This is really hard writing ths. There's so much I want to say and I'm at a loss of words. Just know that I have God in my life and I'm ina better place and Marines guard the streets in Heaven. Who else would God trust? Tell Ashley, Nathan, Kevin, Jason, David, Denis that I could not have had better friends. Tell Ashlea that I was sorry and I'm stupid and I really did love her.

To my family I love you all.

Semper Fi

Love Lance






This letter was written by Cpl. Lance Graham of San Antonio. He was 26. On May 9, 2005, near Haditha Dam, he was killed when a pair of suicide bombers hit his convoy.

Film Fancy

Check out my new blog called Film Fancy. It's all about movies. I'll post the rest of the Unmissables here and there, but from then on, I'll post movie stuff only there.

Go to www.filmfancy.blogspot.com

Thanks!

"Thou Shalt Not"

Want to know how to live life?

How to succeed?

How to stand out?

How to make something of yourself?

Check out this video from YouTube and you'll finally know the secrets to life, the universe, and everything.

The Unmissables Vol. III

These are Unmissables numbers 21 through 30. Enjoy!



21.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
When the earth is destroyed, one man embarks on a journey that will take
him far beyond his wildest dreams, not to mention his galaxy. He meets the
president of the universe, an depressed robot, and the love of his life along
the way. If you like and understand British humor (ie. Monty Python),
Hitchhiker's Guide is a must.
Starring
Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, Mos Def, and Sam Rockwell
Tagline
Don't Panic

22.
Rat Race
Nine people are chosen at random to race across the country where two
million dollars awaits the first to cross the finish line. Rat Race is hands down
one of the funniest movies you will ever see as the incidents that occur along
the way become more and more full of unbelievable hilarity.
Starring
John Cleese, Whoopie Goldburg, Seth Green, Rowan Atkinson, Amy Smart,
Brekin Meyer, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Jon Lovitz
Tagline
563 miles. 9 people. $2 million. 1001 problems!


23.
The Sixth Sense
In M. Night Shyalmalan's masterpiece thriller, a psychologist must help a little
boy, Cole, who believes he can see dead people. The ghosts don't know
they're dead, but Cole must find out why they haunt him. Excellent, filled with
suspense and intrigue.
Starring
Haley Joel Osment, Bruce Willis, and Toni Collette
Tagline
Not every gift is a blessing


24.
Airplane!
At 41,000 feet, the two pilots and the navigator are dead, and the
passengers are falling ill as well. It seems as though the only ones who can
save the dayare an ex-pilot who hasn't flown since the war, a stewardess,
and a wacky doctor. Despite its apparent seriousness, Airplane! is a
comedy that willleave you rolling on the floor laughing.
Starring
Robert Hays, Leslie Nielson, and Julie Hagerty
Tagline
What's slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall buildings at a single bound?


25.
Blades of Glory
After being banned from Men's Singles Ice Skating for life, Chazz Michael
Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy must work together to be the first mens team
in the history of Pairs Ice Skating. It won't be easy, since Chazz and Jimmy
are polar opposites. This is Napolean Dynamite meets Talladega Nights. On
ice.
Starring
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder
Tagline
Kick some ice


26.
300
The Persians are hell-bent on ruling all of Greece, only Sparta stands in their
way of complete domination. King Leonides and only 300 faithful soldiers
stand up to the Persian army, numbering more than one million. Based on
Frank Miller's graphic novel, 300 is a gory, stunning, and stylized
Unmissable.
Starring
Gerard Butler and Lena Heady
Tagline
Prepare for glory


27.
Sin City
In the city of sin, trouble is brewing. A serial killer is on the loose, the fragile
peace between the prostitutes and the police is about to be broken, and the
only heroes are the worst of criminals. Sin City is based on Frank Miller's
graphic novel and is a stylized portrayal of true justice, honor, and loyalty.
Starring
Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Elijah Wood, Anthony Hopkins, Alexis Bledel, Rosario Dawson,
Benicio Del Toro, Brittany Murphy, and Mickey Rourke
Tagline
There is no justice without sin.


28.
Sleepy Hollow
In the town of Sleepy Hollow, a monster has awoken: The Headless
Horseman rides again, claiming the heads of those involved in a secret
conspiracy. Inspector Ichabod Crane is sent to investigate, but he must
uncover the truth before the Horseman comes for him. One the best Tim
Burton/Johnny Depp collaborations, full of thrills, chills, and plenty of morbid
humor.
Starring
Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, and Christopher Walken
Tagline
Heads will roll.

29.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
In the sleepy town of Endora, nothing much happens, especially for Gilbert
Grape, who must care for his obese mother and handicapped brother after
his father's death. When he meets Becky, everything changes and he begins
to see that life can be beautiful.
Starring
Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Juliette Lewis
Tagline
Living in Endora is like dancing to no music.


30.
Top Gun
Maverick is a student at Top Gun, the best flight school in the nation. He is
determined to live down his father's reputation and make a name for himself
as the best pilot in Top Gun history. But he won't get there without a little
help from his friends.Dramatic and funny.
Starring
Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis
Tagline
I feel the need, the need for speed.

Out of these last ten, I would especially recommend Sin City or Rat Race- completely opposite films, but superbly done. Second choices would be Sleepy Hollow and The Sixth Sense. (Or 300 if you like gore.)

The Unmissables Vol II

This is Vol. II, numbers 11-20, of the 100 movies you can't miss and must see.


11.
Braveheart
The story of how a man became a legend and how the Scottish people
fought back against tyranny.
Starring
Mel Gibson


12.
Lord of the Rings, the Trilogy
Join Frodo, Aragorn, and their friends as they embark upon an epic
adventure to fight for good and destroy evil forever. Based upon the beloved
masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkein.
Starring
Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortenson, Hugo Weaving, Liv Tyler, and Ian McKellen


13.
A Beautiful Mind
A mathematician, possibly the most brilliant in the country, finds himself at
odds with his own mind. Will he overcome, or will madness consume him?
Starring
Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly


14.
Last Samurai
When American military captain Nathan Algren is recruited to train the
Japanese army to fight against the uprising Samurai, he never could have
dreamed that it was his destiny to become one of them.
Starring
Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe


15.
Garden State
A young man returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral. He must come
to terms with his father, whom he hasn't spoken to in ten years. When he
meets a girl named Sam, he may just realized that life is worth the living.
Starring
Zach Braff and Natalie Portman


16.
Titanic
This heartwrenching tragedy is seen through the eyes of Jack and Rose, two
passengers on the great oceanliner, Titanic. They find themselves madly in
love with each other although their social status forbids such union. Will love
triumph?
Starring
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet


17.
Chocolat
When a woman and her daughter come to town to open a chocolate shop,
the townspeople find that such sinful temptation will teach them about love,
acceptance, and forgiveness.
Starring
Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, and Johnny Depp


18.
War of the Worlds
Aliens are attacking the earth, and it's one man's mission to keep he and his
family both alive and together.
Starring
Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Justin Chatwin

19.
Pay It Forward
A class assignment to better the world becomes a nation-wide movement.
One boy decided to change someone's life for the better and instead of
asking for a favor in return, he asked that the favor be passed forward.
Starring
Haley Joel Osment, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Jim Caviezel

20.
Mission:Impossible
Ethan Hunt, a top spy for his agency, finds himself under suspicion of being a
mole. Hunt must discover the true mole before it's too late- without his
agency's help.
Starring
Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, and Jon Voight


Recommendations: Titanic, Braveheart, and A Beautiful Mind

The Unmissables (Vol. I)

The 1-10 of the 100 movies you MUST see in your lifetime. According to me.

1.
Boondock Saints
Two brothers are determined to rid Boston of its worst criminals, but they
must avoid the FBI agent hot on their trail.
Starring
Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, and Willem DaFoe.


2.
V for Vendetta
The hero is a terrorist who fights for freedom. The heroine is a girl uncertain
of where she stands in the fight.
Starring
Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, and Stephen Rea


3.
Forrest Gump
Forrest tells the story of America through his eyes; from JFK to Elvis to
Vietnam. All the while he is searching for his one true love, Jenny.
Starring
Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, and Gary Sinise


4.
The Notebook
The story of two young lovers, separated by time. The story is read to an old
woman by an old man in a nursing home. Dramatic and romantic.
Starring
Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, and James Garner


5.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
El Mariachi, his two partners, a corrupt government, an errant CIA agent,
and one too many lovers. Not to mention blackmail and betrayal. Love
hurts. But revenge is sweet.
Starring
Johnny Depp, Antonia Banderas, and Salma Hayek


6.
Gladiator
A Roman general is betrayed by a emperor, his family brutally murdered. He
He returns as a gladiator to seek revenge, defying emperor and empire.
Starring
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and Connie Nielson


7.
Snatch
Everyone, including ruthless hitmen, bumbling burglers, bare-knuckle boxers,
crooked collectors, and clever gypsies, are racing to possess a diamond
worth millions. The confusion makes for one of the most hilarious movies.
Starring
Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, and Stephen Graham


8.
Armageddon
Time is running out as a Texas-sized meteor heads for earth. The world
depends on a team of deep-core drillers who must nuke the meteor from the
inside.
Starring
Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thorton, Liv Tyler, and Ben Affleck


9.
Orange County
When his dreams of going to Stanford are shattered, Shaun Brumder sets out to put those dreams back together with the help of his brother and girlfriend.
Hilarity ensues.
Starring
Colin Hanks and Jack Black


10.
The Fifth Element
Far into the future, a corrupt bussinessman, Mr. Zorg, wants to destroy
Earth. It's up to a former military man, a clueless priest, a warrior princess,
and a clueless talk show host to save the day in the funniest action movie
you'll ever see.
Starring
Bruce Willis, Mila Jovovich, Chris Tucker, and Gary Oldman


The movies above all deserve at least four out of five stars. Superb acting, real plots, excellent storylines, comedy, drama, romance, and action. Stay tuned for the next ten!

Special Recommendations: Boondock Saints, Snatch, and Forrest Gump (And the Notebook.)

Cirque du Soleil

On April 13^th, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada, I received the opportunity to attend a performance by a world famous company. This company currently has five separate shows performing at five of the most luxurious casinos in Las Vegas, doing two performances a day. “Ka”, “O”, “Mystere”, “Zumanity”, and the Beatles “Love” are unbelievable presentations of the beauty of the human body, music, and interpretive dance by Cirque du Soleil (Serk doo So-LAY).

“Love” is a phenomenal Cirque du Soleil exhibition of grace and fluidity. Set to various Beatles songs (original tracks only), “Love” is a flurry of activity. Featuring “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, “While my Guitar Gently Weeps”, and “Yesterday”, dancers show their skill in more and more astonishing ways. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, think again, because Cirque du Soleil is about to bring out something so fantastical, you won’t believe your eyes.

Ethereal fairies descend from the heavens, octopi leap from the depths, Eleanor Rigby makes multiple appearances, and ever more colorful dancers emerge from the curtains. Blackbirds swoop overhead, hippies bounce away from policemen, and mourning lovers twist and tumble in ways you’ve never seen before. Nothing will prepare you for the spectacle that is Cirque du Soleil.

A true tribute to the Beatles and the phenomenon known as Beatlemania, Cirque du Soleil brings to the stage a performance that will blow your mind. The psychedelic colors and the classic rock with a twist highlight the dancing styles, which include (to name only a few) break dancing, stomping, and ballet, will take your breath away.

All in all, the Beatle’s “Love” performed by Cirque du Soleil is a performance no one should miss, Beatles fan or no. Afterwards, you’ll have to reassure yourself you haven’t been dreaming. Welcome to Cirque du Soleil.

Shooter

Wind speed, humidity, temperature, location, “even the rotation of the earth” are all important. No, this isn’t the weather channel, this is Shooter, an action film starring Mark Wahlburg, Michael Pena, and Danny Glover. Filled with eye-popping explosions, car chases, and gun fights, Shooter is a movie with a message: any problem you have, no matter how big or how small, can be solved with a really big gun.

Mark Wahlburg is Bob Lee Swagger, an ex-Special Operative who happens to be one of only a few snipers in the world who are capable of hitting a mark from over a mile away. When the government comes knocking on his door, asking him to foil a sniper’s plot to assassinate the president, Swagger is unknowingly framing himself. Realization hits and Swagger is off, running from the government he trusts, accused of a crime he tried to stop. The pressure mounts, a girl enters the picture, and so do lots of bad guys. Again and again Swagger proves the movie’s message right. Guns are the answer. Always.

Luckily, Shooter has a pretty good plot, excellent special effects, and superb acting to make it on the whole a good movie. When you think you have everything figured out, you’re probably wrong. Make a special trip to see this film because it’s definitely worth it.

The Epidemic

There is an epidemic in my school, a disease that creates a rotting stench in the air. As I walk down the halls I want to cover my nose and mouth because of the pungent fog that hangs low, but I refrain. This plague has destroyed lives, ruined relationships, and been the cause of countless cases of violence. This sickness has infected at least half of the student body of my school, but it affects everyone who crosses their paths.

This particular disease has appalling side effects, which include uncontrollable hate and violent outbursts. The epidemic has bee affecting my school since its inception and has now reached a critical stage: normalcy. The infection has survived so many generations and infected so many people that it has become second nature to this town to ignore its presence and turn a blind eye to the frightening side effects.

Many citizens attempt to rationalize the behavior of the infected. They try to pretend as though the contagion is not an issue that needs to be addressed. Instead, the infection is allowed to spread its vile filth unchecked. There is no vaccine to protect against the illness, nor is there any way to tell where it might strike next. Young and old, male and female can all be infected. No formal cure has been approved by the FDA, but it is my opinion that our only chance against this horrifying sickness is education.

You may be wondering what disease I’m talking about and why you have not been informed of such an epidemic. The disease is called racism, and it affects men and women of all nationalities.

Moving to rural Nevada has opened my eyes to the repulsive reality of this ailment. I try my hardest to show respect to those of all ethnicities and beliefs. I was stunned to discover that so few my age feel the same way. Here, the sad reality is this: anyone whose skin is dark, despite their true ethnicity, is stereotyped as a Mexican, and all others are labeled as racist, whether on not they truly are

This ugly disease brings nothing but hate and misery, yet those who even recognize its existence are too afraid to speak up. I, however, can no longer remain silent, but feel I must express my utter disgust for those who cling to their illness and refuse to open their eyes. So I charge you, reader, with this responsibility: If you are a follower, follow a leader who fights against this nauseating disease. And if you are a leader, be one of the few brave enough to stand up for what is right. And for all of you reading this- show some respect to your fellow human beings and have the courtesy to assign names where they belong. Don't prejudice yourself against the people who walk by you in the hall based on the color of their skin.

A Century Plus One

This letter was written to me by a woman whom I knew as Grammy Darling. She was one hundred and one years old when she wrote this letter, six months before her 102^nd birthday and her death. I met this great woman only twice, but I felt a connection to her because she was the only grandmother I had known at that point. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents had passed away. Grammy Darling was an amazing woman who had more than her fair share of incredible experiences under her belt. Born in 1900, she passed on in 2001. This is her New Year letter, in which she reminisces about the past 100 years that she had experienced, attached was the first and last letter she ever wrote to me.

A millennium has just flown by

A new one has begun

The world has altered a million ways

As be begin two thousand one.

Realizing the miracles of this century, it seems only a moment compared to the marvels and advancement of progress worldwide.

My daydreaming returns to the horse and buggy days- the open-air carriage that slowly sputtered over unpaved streets. Curtains with fasteners that hooked to the interior partially shielded the new invention from rain and breezes.

A fortunate few added crystal radio sets with earphones to their possessions

An electric light bulb dangled from a cord, which entered the room from the ceiling, offering the luxury of light that now replaced the oil lamp.

Intellectual geniuses were stretching their busy brains to create delicate flying machines to become airborne.

This mode of travel is now a convenient means of commuter travel plus circumventing the globe that has become too small.

Outer space is the challenge – even a man on the moon was a present day accomplishment toward exploring other planets.

And now we speak casually on a hand-phone via satellite.

May I expect in the future, space travel as a sport or hopping to another planet as a vacation holiday?

All this has been or is on the verge of accomplishing during the 100 years of my life, which includes a mere portion of the past millennium.

Dear Katy

It was taken quite a long time to answer your letters, which I appreciated, and how very pleased I am that you are taking an interest in cursive writing. I am proud of you!

My writing is not improving as it has become more difficult to write plus a problem with my vision. I was so pleased to hear from you.

I have been in the hospital again. This time- a virus which has left me quite weak. I must use my three-wheel walker at all times now and my trips are limited. It was a three-day “stay”. My apartment is fortunately close to the dining room where I take only my evening meal.

I expect the earthquake was quite an experience for you. It has been many years since I had experienced another. When I lived in El Salvador, we had many. San Salvador was called “Hammock Valley” then.

Thank you for your very thoughtful letters and I am so pleased to have known you.

Much love,

Grammy Darling (Elmamae Olsen)

Under the Knife

It's Saturday and I have an appointment with an oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth extracted. I only have two, they're on the bottom. Unfortunately, the teeth are "impacted", meaning that they're facing sideways instead of straight up, and not only that, but they're growing that way and pressing on my other molars. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause all sorts of problems, cysts, infections, not to mention destroying other teeth. So I have to have them removed before any of that stuff happens. So far I've had a lot of toothaches in that select area in the back of my mouth, and some popping noises when I chewed, which is incredibly annoying. Most problematic, I get cramps on one side of my jaw. It usually happens when I'm chewing gum, and my jaw will just lock and I'll have this shooting pain up my jaw. It sucks. So anyway, I'm going to this oral surgeon guy to get them fixed.

My dad and I get there at 12:45, the time of my appointment, and then sit around for 45 minutes while the receptionist does nothing after checking us in. Finally a nurse comes out and takes me and my dad to a room. We sit there some more, then the nurse plays a video about informed consent. (If the patient doesn't know the risks of the operation they're about the have, the doctor is liable for any complications.) The video is incredibly cheesy, but it goes on and on about all of the awful things that my happen to me while I'm out. (ie. My jaw could be fractured, the nerve in my jaw could be damaged, other teeth might be ruined, I could get an infection, my face could be badly bruised, and oh yeah, I'm going to be in a hell of a lot of pain.

So I'm a little more nervous now, but the doctor puts me at ease. He lowers the chair back, and the nurse takes my right arm and takes my blood pressure and puts something on my finger to monitor my pulse. The doctor takes my left arm and straps it to the arm of the chair. I'm confused, but then I realize that he's about to insert the IV needle. I look away, but I can still hear the paper being torn off of the syringe. He tells me to make a fist like I'm going to punch someone. I do. Then he does a pretty good job of distracting me by asking me about my Christmas vacation. He says there will be a little sting, but I barely feel anything as he inserts the needle into my arm.

He tapes the needle to my arm, then turns around and connects the needle to the bag of fluid by a tube. I'm expecting the doctor to say something like, "Count backwards from ten" or, "you're feeling veeery sleepy", but neither he nor the nurse say anything. The nurse smears some vaseline on my lips so that they won't dry out too badly during surgery. She gives me an oxygen mask that only covers my nose. She tells me to open my mouth, and then she shoves something into my mouth, I can't remember what. The last thing I remember before I went out was her opening a glasses case and taking out a pair of glasses.

I remember nothing after that. I'm told they completed the surgery without complications, so no broken jaw or damaged nerves. I woke up in a different chair. I was pretty groggy, I think the nurse and my dad were talking to me, but I can't really remember what they said. My dad went out to get the car and pull it around to the back. The nurse helped me to the door because I felt like I was gonna pass out. I got out to the car okay, and my dad and I started driving home. I was fine for about half of the car ride. The lower half of my face was so numb, i could feel anything. I thought my face was wet, but I guess that's a common reaction to the anesthesia.

The second half of the car ride was terrible. The numbness was beginning to wear off, and we hadn't gotten the Vidcodin the doctor prescribed, so I could feel my jaw just fine. Let me try to explain the pain to you so you can understand. It felt like someone had ripped open my gums with their fingernails, ripped my teeth out with a pair of pliers, then sewed them back up with fishing line. After that someone had smashed my forehead with a hammer and given me a strong right hook to the jaw. I was hungry (you can't eat/drink 8 hours prior to surgery) and thirsty, and even the Starbucks frappe tasted bad because it was mixing with the blood still coming from my gums.

When we got home I had some of the Vicodin and promptly threw it back up. Apparently nausea is one of the side effects. So it's straight motrin and ibuprofen for me. I'm feeling much better now that I have pain killers in me. My jaw is still pretty stiff and I can't open my mouth very wide because it still hurts, but all in all I'm okay.

The End.

Guess What I'm Craving?

I enter the restaurant of my choice tonight, Morton’s, and leave the noxious smells of the street behind There are dozens of people waiting already, but I’m not too worried. A hostess, as well as dozens of delicious smells greets me. The smells are an augur of the wonders to come. The hostess asks if I am alone, and I reply to the affirmative. Without looking up from her clipboard, she informs me wearily that the wait will be as long as forty-five minutes. I nod agreeably, but she doesn’t see because her head is still ducked close to the clipboard. She asks for my name, and when I give it, she perks up. Immediately, she reaches for a menu and tells me that she’s sure she can find something for me. I smile, thanking her for her consideration.

She leads me through a bevy of tables. The sight of succulent steak and palatable mashed potatoes with sautéed asparagus assaults me. Morton’s has some of the finest gourmet cuisine in the United States. Fresh dough for rolls is flown in everyday from Texas. Morton’s employs only the best chefs. The beef these chefs use is not just any meat; it comes from the finest meatpackers in Chicago. After this premium beef is procured it is aged for a period of two weeks, allowing it time to become naturally tender.

Needless to say, Morton’s is famous for its incredible steaks, and I cannot wait to get one bite into my watering mouth. The head chef himself leaves his station in the kitchen to welcome me, and to my delight, he does not come alone. He rolls a cart along with him, which has a beautiful display of raw, crimson steak. I let my eyes rove over the selection before choosing one that is the perfect thickness with the right amount of marbling. The chef murmurs his assent before rolling the cart back to the kitchen.

As I wait for my steak, I munch on a warm roll and sip icy water. As I watch the waitresses go back and forth from the kitchen with steak after juicy, dripping steak, I can hardly stand it. The scents issuing forth from the kitchen are divine. I am about to stand up from my seat and burst into the kitchen when a waiter appears. He carries with him a tray, and on the tray? My filet mignon, cooked to perfection, mashed red potatoes with butter, and those wonderful asparagus. I am in heaven.

Slowly, I torture myself further by carefully cutting a small piece of steak away from the rest. I impale this piece on my fork and carefully bring it toward my mouth. I can feel it in my mouth, though it is not there. I can feel the juice running down my throat. I can feel the warmth of the steak and the release of flavor mixing with my saliva.

The steak is almost in my mouth, when out of nowhere, my mother appears. She stands next to me, her hands on her hips, and cries, “What are you doing still here? Get out of bed!” Confused, I look around, but Morton’s is melting away. The smells and the steak I was about to enjoy are now gone, replaced by the drab colors of my room. It was a wonderful dream all the same, I suppose. I smile to myself as I catch a whiff of that warm steak.

American Culture

American Culture is so weird, you know? Our children believe that a fat guy slides down their chimney once a year to give them presents. If that's not weird, I don't know what is. What's with the Easter bunny, you know? What about the tooth fairy. I mean, what strange and odd things Americans value. A fat dude, a giant bunny, a someone who steals your teeth in the middle of the night. Kind of says something about our country. We're a country of people who eat out all the time. We watch television, we spend time on the internet.

When was the last time you picked up a book? Kids these days don't care about literature. What will happen to greats like Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, and Alexander Dumas? How many people reading this entry even recognize those names? What will happen to classics like "Pride and Prejudice" and "A Tale of Two Cities"? Who will read "The Man in the Iron Mask" or "The Count of Monte Christo"? I very much doubt that any of today's youth have read those books, it's unlikely that they've even seen the movie. Authors like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George Owell are forgotten in the new world of science fiction and fantasy begun by Rowling and Paolini. What will happen to Chaucer, Homer, and Shakespeare? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, O'Henry, and Agatha Christie are lost among a myriad of contemporary mystery authors. John Steinbeck is known only as a cursed name by high school students "forced" to read his masterpieces.

Art is disappearing into a black hole. Who painted the Sistine Chapel? Who carved the David? Who painted Madonna on the Rocks and the Last Supper? What about the Mona Lisa? Do you have any idea who built the Guggenheim? Do you even know what that is? Quick, tell me who painted Starry Night! You don't know, do you?

Art and Literature cannot be appreciated by a generation who has no interest, no knowledge, and no hunger for such things.


Am I the only one?

Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire was a master at what he did. His elegance and grace have never, and could never, be matched by another dancer. Astaire brought charm to film and a delightfulness to song. Fred Astaire was a singer and an actor, but most of all an dancer. The fluidity to his dance numbers is awe-inspiring. The key to Astaire's success was that he made his dances look easy. An incredible amount of strength is necessary to dance like he did, but Astaire made each number a masterpiece. Watching his movements, the perfection of each step, the grace of his hands, is something so beautiful it's hard to take in.

If you're interested seeing beauty interpreted through dance by one of the greatest dancers to ever set foot on a stage, I would encourage you to look into Fred Astaire's collection of movies. I highly recommend his films with Ginger Rogers, but especially "Top Hat", "Swing Time", "Shall We Dance", and "Follow the Fleet". With a signature smile, and his regular top hat and tails, Astaire is astounding in each of the above films.

Tap and ballroom, ballet and swing are encompassed in his dances. In "Shall We Dance" a scene that took 150 takes, in which Astaire and Ginger tap with a twist-in roller skates. In "Carefree" A scene in which Astaire taps-with golf balls. Two weeks and six hundred golf balls later, the scene was finished. In "Follow the Fleet" Astaire and Rogers raise the roof with the song-and-dance number "Let's Face the Music and Dance". In "Swing Time" both a gorgeous tap tribute to Bojangles and one of Astaire and Ginger's most amazing dance numbers ever choreographed, which appears effortless after 350 hours of rehearsals. Each one of Astaire's performances is utterly delightful and, as always, incredibly beautiful and astoundingly choreographed.

In tribute to one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen, I salute you, Mr. Fred Astaire.

"Can't act...can't sing...balding...can dance a little"-review of Fred Astaire's first screen test

I'm Speaking Out

Dear Teachers, Staff, and Administration of Albert M. Lowry High School:

I feel that my classes are not fair in grading students. I put in about twice the amount of work as my fellow students, yet even those who put in no effort to their projects receive an equal or better grade.

Some classes (ie. Spanish classes and social studies classes) are ridiculously easy. This allows students who do not understand the material to receive a passing grade. This passing grade sends the student on to the next level when the student has not really learned anything from the class at all.

Cheating at Lowry is rampant. Teachers know it, but are often incapable of proving the fact, or they do not care. Students know it and see it, but never speak up to tell someone. As a student, I have often been approached before a test and asked if I will allow someone to cheat off me. I have always replied to the negative, but that doesn't prevent the student from cheating off of someone else. I know students who regularly copy homework from someone else and cheat on tests, but I don't know what to do about it or who to say something to. If teachers really want to make cheating more difficult, they should appeal to the students.

Winnemucca has a reputation. It's town of drug-abusers. Most of these drug-abusers are students. Teachers often see this and do nothing. Or, in most cases, students walk across the street to smoke their pot, putting them off school property and out of the school's jurisdiction. I opt for a closed campus. Not only will this allow the school to benefit because students must eat on campus and most will buy their lunches, but a closed campus would also keep drug-abusers and smokers from leaving campus for their habits.

Fighting is common at Lowry; there is at least one everyday. Teachers are often not privy to the information of the whereabouts of the fights, but I don't know how they could possibly be blind to the fact that there is fighting. Oftentimes, teachers respond slowly, and arrive on the scene long after a fight is over. Other times, teachers are afraid to come between two students because they are afraid of being hurt. If this is the case, teachers should get help, not just stand there and watch helplessly. If the teacher believes the fight will be over by the time he or she comes back, the teacher should send a student.

Less fighting, fewer druggies and smokers, and less cheating will make for a better learning environment for students such as myself who would actually like to learn something in school. Teachers must take the initiative and make some radical changes. I don't know if this means interrupting your lives to help students, or changing the system, or employing a closed campus, but something needs to be done. The students of Lowry High School, and I, depend on you.
I appreciate a chance to voice my opinions.

Sincerely,

Katy

Letter to the President

Dear Sir:

I am seriously concerned for the future of our country. Just the other day I was informed that you had signed a new space policy stating that the United States has given itself the right to deny people access to outer space if they deem said people to be hostile to U.S. interests. Sir, the United States cannot own space. It is space. One doesn't own it, one can shoot astronauts into it, orbit satellites in it, or launch probes into it, but one simply cannot own space. The other day a man paraded an elephant an a mariachi band back and forth across the mexican border, and didn't get caught. How is it possible for the United States to regulate who enters and exits outer space, Sir?

By saying that space now belongs to us, the United States is displaying a dangerous amount of arrogance. This arrogance is exactly what makes Americans believe that everyone in the world speaks English, rides in airplanes, and drinks from the faucet. This arrogance, therefore, is also a pathetic show of ignorance and a ridiculous grasping of straws. The United States government has trouble controlling its own country, let alone many other countries around the world. We cannot also govern space.

Ignorant people make for a country of ignorance, Mr. President, that should be pretty self-explanatory. Sir, please make an effort to reduce the amount of blind ignorance that shrouds this country. Please attempt to be a leader in humility instead of arrogance. Practice peace, not warmongering. Show respect in place of condescension. Model leadership, instead of idiocy. And please realize, Sir, that I mean this letter with all due respect. And please realize that the respect that is due you, Sir, is draining into the hole you've dug yourself.

Sincerely,

Me

Abracadabra

"The Prestige" will dazzle you. It will show you the impossible and you'll love it. It will impress you. It will flabbergast you. You will sit in the theater after having seen it and try to figure out what you just saw. You will want to run back to the ticketbooth and buy another ticket to watch it again. You will want to watch it again, to catch it. One question will haunt you. Was it magic?

"Prestige" is certainly movie magic, there is no doubt about that. After having waited in anticipation for many months for "Prestige", I was pleased to have it exceed my expectations. Starring Christian Bale ("Batman"), Hugh Jackman (Wolverine from "X-Men"), Scarlett Johansson (The Island), Rebecca Hall, and Michael Caine (Secondhand Lions, Alfred from "Batman"), "Prestige" is certainly filled with prestigious people. The cast also include Piper Perabo, Andy Serkis (Gollum), and David Bowie.

Chris Bale and Jackman play two magicians who begin as friends, but the friendship turns to obsessive rivalry when tragedy strikes. Bale is obviously the better magician, but Jackman has flair. When Bale performs "the greatest magic trick he's ever seen", Jackman decides to get even and the make a name for himself at the same time. Their hatred for each other puts Bale's wife and child and Scarlett Johansson in the middle of it all. The danger increases and the intensity rises as the men make attempt after attempt to outwit the other.

Chris Bale and Michael Caine had the most impressive acting, and I loved every minute they were on camera. That's not to say that Johansson and Jackman aren't great too. Surprisingly, Bowie gives a pretty good performance, not at all reminiscient of "The Labyrinth", which is a relief.

According to Caine's character, "Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called "The Pledge"; The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn"; The magician makes his ordinary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you're looking for the secret... you won't find it, that's why there's a third act called, "The Prestige"; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you've never seen before."

The magician of this movie is the director, and the actors who make his film come alive. When you see "The Prestige", you will see something shocking you've never seen before. You will look for the secret, but you won't find it. Because of course, you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. Interestingly enough, movies, just like illusions, consist of three acts. "The Prestige" converts a film into a magic trick. If you think you have it all figured out, think again. Because the only parts you've seen are the Pledge and the Turn. The Prestige is still to come.

Survey #10

Survey Question 10-3-06: The real reason we invaded Iraq was terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), neither, or both?

Number of surveyed: 84

Guys: Terrorists 5%
WMDs 5%
Neither 39%
Both 50%

Girls: Terrorists 10%
WMDs 15%
Neither 23%
Both 52%

Totals: Terrorists 8%
WMDs 11%
Neither 30%
Both 63%

Unfortunately, considering that the Iraqis do not have WMDs, never had WMDs, and never will have WMDs, and the 9/11 tragedy had nothing to do with Iraq and everything to do with a terrorist network called Al Qeda, our country really invaded Iraq for no reason at all. Very few people who said neither actually thought our invasion was for good reason. Most of them just hate Bush, but a few said, "We went to IRaq to set up a new government for them."

Just think about that for a minute. It is any of our business what other people's governments are like. It is not our business to replace all monarchies, dictatorships, etc. with democracies. If we were going to replace a government with our own, why not Cuba's? Cuba's DICTATOR, Fidel Castro, has been ruling in that country for how long? Here's another example: Darfur. Darfur is a region in Sudan, which is in Africa. An ethnic cleansing is going on in Darfur. FOr those of you who don't understand the term "ethnic cleansing", think Hitler and the Holocaust. A radical Muslim group is forcing the Christians and those who practice traditional African religions out of the country. The key word there is "force". This force involves raiding, burning and pillaging defenseless villages. Kidnapping children and forcing them to watch their parents be killed. Giving the kidnapped orphans guns and forcing them to shoot people. Using children as sex slaves.

The whole world has just sat back and watched this atrocity go on. And America, the self-named "peacekeepers of the world" have ignored it too. We can't just leave Iraq, it's too late for that. But doesn't this speak volumes about the US priotities and values? Doesn't this make you think twice about our government and our goals as a country?

Is anyone else crying for Darfur? Is anyone else speaking out? I am.

Survey #9

Survey Question 10-2-06: Do you think our country is doing the right thing in Iraq or do you agree with the Iraq War?

Number of surveyed: 98

Location: Lowry

Guys: YES 38%
NO 49%
NUETRAL 13%

Girls: YES 19%
NO 53%
NUETRAL 28%

Totals: YES 30%
NO 51%
NUETRAL 19%


At last, survey results that please. Most of those who voted neutral didn't know enough about the Iraq War to choose anything different. Many people said yes and then when I asked why told me that the Iraqis had bombed our towers, so of course we were going after them! I would close my eyes and slowly shake my head and then inform them that no one bombed us, and the Iraquis hadn't produced those terrorists, nor harbored them. Confused, they would attempt to argue, but it was no use. "Why did we declare war on them?" They'd ask, and I had no answer for them. Is there an answer to that question? A justifiable, reasonable answer for the war in Iraq? You tell me because I can't think of one.

Survey #8

Survey Question 9-29-06: Can you name the 8 continents?

Number of surveyed: 52

Location: Lowry

The Results:

Guys: YES 48%
NO 33%
There's 7 19%

Girls: YES 32%
NO 23%
There's 7 45%

Totals: YES 48%
NO 27%
There's 7 35%

Does this make any of you think twice? Considering that there are only 7 continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica) it should. Girls spotted the trick question from a mile away, but it took guys forever to figure it out. I had to tell them to count those continents again. Usually they said Africa twice. Or named the North Pole or India or Canada. Sadness, eh?

Survey #7

Survey Question 9/28/06: Of these three actors, whose autograph would you get?

Number of surveyed: 67

Location: Lowry

The Results:

Guys: Johnny Depp 30%
Samuel L. Jackson 63%
Orlando Bloom 7%

Girls: Johnny Depp 60%
Samuel L. Jackson 8%
Orlando Bloom 30%

Grand Totals: Johnny Depp 50%
Samuel L. Jackson 30%
Orlando Bloom 20%

This survey proves that guys will choose the macho action hero over everything else. Girls on the other hand will choose the cute, smooth, and romantic. AKA, Johnny Depp. Poor Orlando Bloom got slammed by all the guys I talked to. He ended up getting about 14 votes in all to Johnny Depp's 32. I voted for Mr. Depp.

Survey #6

Survey question 9/27/06: Beatles or Rolling Stones, which is better?
Number of surveyed people: 122
Location: Lowry

Guys: 36% Beatles
29% Rolling Stones
11% Both
25% Neither

Girls: 47% Beatles
24% Rolling Stones
10% Both
18% Neither


Making for the grand totals of:

40% Beatles
27% Rolling Stones
11% Both
22% Neither

Sadly, classic rock has lost much of its appeal. And just as sad, the majority of the girls had no idea who The Beatles were. When I mentioned Paul McCartney they understood, but they didn't recognize The Beatle's name. How unfortunate, how much they're missing out on.

Survey #5

Question: Do you think Timbuktu is a real place?
Number of surveyed people: 121
Boys: YES 73%
NO 27%

Girls: YES 72%
NO 28%

Total: YES 73%
NO 27%

Well at least we know something about geography. Timbuktu, also spelled TOMBOUCTOU, is a city in the West African nation of Mali. (source: http://thesalmons.org/lynn/wh-timbuktu.html just in case you'd like to read more about it)