Unnecessary Baggage??

 I admit, I have the tendency to have difficulty letting things go. Some objects simply seem as though they might come in handy in the future. However, about ninety-eight percent of the time, I end up forgetting I ever even had the object in the first place. Everyone has prized possessions that they could never give up. For most young adults, more than half of the objects on the list would be technological. I would have to agree with most of those people because unfortunately we are all hooked on this modern world of electronics and its advancements. The truth is, that as a society, we keep too many unnecessary and useless things in our lives. They keep us from moving forward with our lives. In a sense these things that we hang so tightly to give us stress and anxiety, though we may not notice it. I have countless amounts of objects that I could get rid of, instead of stashing them away somewhere in a box. I would have to admit that I clothes in my closet with tags on them for as long as I can remember. The honest truth is that in todays world, people buy thing that they may never need. They keep objects that no longer have meaning for them. Sometimes we need to realize that getting rid of these "weights" that keep us down, will end up leaving us with a happier and healthier life.

Environmental Blog

"'Ooho,' Tiny Edible Water Blob, Could Be A Major Solution To Plastic Bottle Waste"

-The Huffington Post

March 29, 2014

One of the many problems this world acquires is pollution. A group of Spanish design students may have a solution that can help diminish this issue. It involves the production of a water bottle, that one can actually eat. Designers Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, Guillaume Couche and Pierre Paslier call their creation "Ooho," a gelatinous blob that is a membrane that encapsulates water like a bladder. When one is thirsty, one simply punctures the membrane and drinks it. The gooey membrane, made from brown algae and calcium chloride is edible, hygienic and biodegradable. 

"Ooho" is formed through a process called "spherification," a method first used in 1946 and still used by some chefs in modern cuisine. Water is frozen into ice before being encapsulated to ease the process and prevent the water from mixing with the membrane ingredients. Ooho is the first container of its type designed specifically to for replacing water bottles. 

One immediate use for these membranes are during sporting events such as running or jogging. Runners usually hydrate themselves by picking up disposable cups of water as they run by spectators handing out water. The disposable cups may come in handy at the time, however lead to litter and pollution. Ooho could be used as a waste-free alternative. This membrane design was the winner of the second annual Lexus Design Award and will be featured during Milan Design Week. In other words, Ooho is on its way to the top, preventing pollution and saving the world. 

Colbert Nation

Barbie on the Cover of Sports Illustrated

On this segmant of The Colbert Report, an interesting controversial discussion takes place. On the cover of the March 2014 edition of Sports Illustrated Magazine, a quite different approach was taken. Since March is Women's History Month, it would have been appropriate to display a highly influential woman on the cover. However most readers did not expect to see Barbie posing for the cover shot. A news reporter claimed that the sole purpose of Barbie on the cover was for the "objectificaton of women." Colbert seems to grasp the concept in a more exotic way. He claims that they are achieving the exact opposite by the "womafacation of object." Using his sarcastic humor, he suggests that a plastic children's toy attracts the wrong kind of male attention. No normal man wants to pick up a swimsuit magazine, used to sexualize women, and think of their little daughters. After a press release with Sports Illustrated they stated that swimsuits are a source of empowerment for women. Colbert retaliated by humoring the fact that all female models loved the feeling of empowerment, when they are replaced by a piece of plastic. The photographer of the shot compliments the poses and the direction taking skills of the doll. As if Barbie had any other choice, then to do as they say. To help the photographer out for next year, Colbert has another "model" ready, with many distinct features, Mrs. Potatoe Head. Go figure. 

The Onion News Article

"Dog Doesn't Consider Itself Part Of Family"

-The Onion

March 14, 2104

A small family in Thomasville, Georgia has been having connection issues with their six-year-old Golden Retreiver, Pepper. The dog complains that he does not feel as though he belongs to the family. They are disconnected from each other and from him. He explains how they all seem to be taken in by the technology and cell phones, not even bothering to speak to eachother at the dinner table.  He refused to speak about his adoption six years ago, however denied being apart of the family at all. He constantly feels the need to seclude himself from the O' Donnell's in the backyard. The poor dog does not receive the attention that he thinks he deserves. The children do not even dare to play catch with Pepper. Not a single tennis ball has been thrown. Pepper, alone and disheartened can only hope for change. 

This news article, clearly fitting into the satirical category of news conveys a message through the humor. It obviously has a sarcastic element to it because of the fact that the dog is expressing its emotions through words, as if it were actually being interviewed. Overlooking the fact that dogs cannot speak the human language, there is a deeper meaning. This article shows how technology has taken over people's lives. One no longer has time to play sports outside or play fetch with their dogs.   This blog succeeded in relaying a deeper message to the people, in the form of a funny and sarcastic satire. 

Economy

Whether one realizes or not, the economy is part of our every day lives. The economic state in which people live in dictates their lives. It consists of production, distribution, trade, and consumption of goods. One may think that they have nothing to do with this, but little do they know that they live under the power of the economy. Based on the economy, people build their lives, buying houses, starting developments and buying stocks and shares. To put it in a simpler form, the prices of the clothes and shoes that I may purchase rely on economics. The groceries and gas that my parents pay for are all under the wings of economics. Peoples paychecks and wages are also affected by the economy. The economy results in processes in culture, education, technological evolution, history, social organization and political structure. All of these aspects that are vital to our lives are strings attached to the current economic state. These factors set parameters and conditions to how the economy functions. While these factors rely on the economy, the economy relies on higher standards and circumstances. Whether our countries economy is at a good or bad resting state, dictates how we as a society will go along living our lives. By stating that mere fact, it is safe to say that the economy has a remarkable role in our lives.

Business

"California positively gets a negative from Tesla on battery factory"

-Los Angeles Times

by Jerry Hirsch

The world has slowly fallen in love with the new Palo Alto electric car, Tesla Motors. The vehicle has been turning heads and emptying pockets since last year, when it first became popular. Californians bought more than a third of Teslas sold globally last year. California pollution-control policies enable Tesla to take in millions of dollars each year from selling environmental credits to their automakers. However, Tesla is not returning any love back to the Californians. On the motor company's hunt for the perfect location to build a four billion to five billion dollar battery factory that will employ six thousand five hundred people, Tesla is turning its head the other way.  The automaker is looking for land that is about five hundred to a thousand acres in Arizona, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico. Although the exact locations have not yet been decided, California is not even in the running. The company has refused to give reasons as to why. States officials are also keeping their lips sealed. The only piece of information given was that Governor Jerry Brown had presented a proposal to the company with multiple factory sites, but the automakers simply refused. Costs and politics are the two main reasons to why Tesla is not budging on its decision. Land prices and wages are more expensive than any other region they are looking for, and for that reason, they are out. 

March 9, 2014

Get Off Your Phones!!

What is this world we live in, where people cannot have a normal conversation at a dinner table because everyone is on their phones. I thought about this as I sat outside my door, on top of the long staircase below me. Taken away by my clouded brain filled with thoughts of school, worry and stress, I was unable to see what was right in front of me. There was nature and beauty surrounding me. Immediately my dog zoomed down the stairs ready to run a marathon. He was distracted by the constant song of the birds resting on the trees casting the shadows in which I was sitting under. A little spider was accompanying me while spinning a web, on the side of the railing. I ended up taking its life, but that is besides the point. As I was sitting on the warm steps with nothing to do, the cars passing by seemed as if they were trying to catch the last plane flying out of the airport. People were in an unbroken trance in their daily lives, going from point A to point B. Not one person passing by stopped to realize the beauty and simplicity around them. I realized, that when I blocked out the things that do not matter out of my head, I was quick to grasp what really did matter. The Instagram posts and  Twitter updates are not what make a person. The people and environment surrounding each and every one of us, is what shapes who we become. I came up with this idea within the thirty minutes I was sitting outside of my door, shut away from my phone and computer. I wonder what life would be if we were completely and permanently shut out from the unimportant things in life.

In A Barbie World

"Blondie Bennett, Barbie-Obsessed Woman, Uses Hypnotherapy To Make Herself 'Brainless'"

-The Huffington Post

Women nowadays strive to achieve "natural beauty" by avoiding chemicals and surgery. The less beauty products, the better. However, a California woman who describes herself as Barbie-obsessed certainly disagrees. This thirty-eight year old woman changed her name one year ago to 'Blondie' Bennett, hoping to make her name sound a bit more "barbie." Ever since she was a little girl, she wanted to mirror her life to the life of barbie doll. Since age eighteen, she hoped to live the same and exciting life that Barbie lived. Throughout her life, she spent twenty-five thousand dollars on five different breast enlargements. She moved up from an average C cup to a 32JJ, definitely grabbing people's attention. Besides the breast enlargements, Blondie gets botox and lip fillers to finally reach the perfection she wants in her face. She does not mind looking "plastic," instead it is a quality which she admires and reaches for. 

Blondie's family is extremely against her decisions and lifestyle. The only supporters she seems to have is of the opposite sex. She has many male supporters which want her to reach the level of perfection which she dreams of. They pay for her surgeries and hypnosis sessions. She recently began hypnotherapy, with the idea of making herself "brainless." Blondie wants to lower her IQ in order to completely capture being a doll. She goes to her hypnotherapy sessions twice a week and she claims that it is working. She is becoming incredibly forgetful and ditzy. 

All women want the feeling of being perfect and living in a perfect world, but not necessarily the world in which Barbie and Ken live in. 

"I don't like being human, if that makes sense... Natural is boring... I would love to be like, completely plastic."

-Blondie Bennett

February 19, 2014

Community

A community consists of a group of individuals associating with each other because of common interests, talents, physicalities, races, religions and ages. This list can go on forever because of the diverse world we live in, giving its people unlimited amounts of opportunities to be who they want to be. Communities involve interacting with others, sharing thoughts and ideas, learning new things and helping one another. We all belong to a community even though some may not realize it. Students all over the world are in communities at school. They are placed in classes with other students of the same age range. Communities such as fan bases are a major part of our society. People who are madly in love with singers, actors and other celebrities come together and create "fandoms" where they can discuss and obsess over their idols. Throughout my life I have been in and continue to be in many various communities. I am in the same community as many teenagers around the world. I consider myself to be a part of the Armenian community since I have been educated in an Armenian cultural school pretty much my whole life. Being apart of this community is important because this is how people keep their culture and traditions alive. Being apart of the dance community is extremely important to me. Dance is a major aspect of myself and I cannot imagine my life without the community. Dance and the people involved in it are a big part of who I am today and surely without it, my life would have been different. This is how a community should feel like. Communities are what create and help people figure out who they are and give them a sense of belonging somewhere. Without communities, humanity would truly be lost.

Fix-a-Flat

"Rajee Narinesingh, Victim Of Fake Doctor, Gets Relief For Her Cement Face"

-The Huffington Post

by David Moye

A forty-six year old transgender, Rajee Narinesingh was ashamed to show her face in public after a fake plastic surgery. A supposed unlicensed doctor named Oneal Ron Morris carried out a surgery using his special technique. He specialized in cut rate but injections by using Fix-a-Flat and cement to shape the buttocks. Morris is currently serving his sentence in prison for practicing medicine without a license. He is also facing manslaughter charges for the death of Shatarka Nuby, a thirty-two year old, who paid about two thousand dollars for treatments to enhance her buttocks, thighs, hips and breasts. The trial for this case is still pending.
However Rajee is furthermore trying to deal with the repercussions of the surgery. Rajee, being a transgender activist, paid Morris three thousand dollars to make her look more feminine. Well according to Morris, cement was the answer to all of Rajee's needs. Rajee described herself as "a monster." She said that initially the injections looked and felt perfectly fine. However as time passed, the injected areas gee bigger and bigger until one day they seemed to explode with green pus and blood. Rajee stated that she felt betrayed. She is now being treated by licensed Dr. John Martin, trying his best to recover her monstrous figure. Rajee is now finally ready to go out and find herself the perfect partner.

"Recently this guy said that being with me is like being with a sexy dragon. I didn't know whether to slap him or kiss him."

- Rajee Narinesingh

- February 16, 2014

Movie Review

The Great Gatsby

After seeing the movie for the sixth time, it is safe to say that it is one of my favorite movies of all time. Every aspect of the movie is simply brilliant. The cinematography of the film is truly breathtaking. It seems as though the movie was filmed in the 1920's but with more glamour and more extravagance. Baz Luhrmann did an amazing job recreating such a world renowned book into a blockbuster movie. I expected much more from a book that is talked about by many. Unfortunately I was greatly disappointed after reading the book. I feel as though it did not capture the readers emotions into the events of the story. The movie succeeded in telling the story of Gatsby and his love for a woman who once belonged to him. The soundtrack of the movie was one of the most amazing soundtracks to ever be created. Each of the songs completely captured each and every moment of the story. Contradicting the era of which the story took place in, the music was modern. The actors and actresses did a phenomenal job fitting into the characters of the novel. Leonardo Dicaprio as always left me wanting more. He never fails to emotionally attach the viewer to his own emotions and feelings in the movie. Overall I completely adore this film and will most probably watch it again in the near future. It was absolutely fantastic!

OOO! OOO! AAA! AAA!

"Chandre Oraon, Man With Tail, Worshipped As God (But Not By His Wife)"

-The Huffington Post

by David Moye

A thirty-five year old man in Alipurduar, a town in India, is considered a god. But why? Is it because he can read minds? Is it because he has super strength? How about considering the fact that this man, Chandre Oraon has a fourteen and a half inch tail growing out of his back. Oraon has had his tail since birth and the Hindus believe that it is a sign of reincarnation of a monkey god known as "Hanuman." The tale of the monkey god is not the only convincing factor. The man's job consists of picking tea leaves while climbing up trees like monkeys. Worshippers from all over India, travel long ways to be able to see and touch his tail for a blessing.

A woman named Monika Lakda said that she travelled overnight  to be able to see Oraon's tail. She had high hopes that his tail would cure her nephew's fever. The baby recovered soon after her visit. However not all people believe in Oraon's tail as a sign of a god. Bhushan Chakraborty, the local medical officer, told the Indian Express that the man was no monkey god. Oraon's condition is actually a form of spina bifida, when the spinal column does not close all the way down. Some people with the condition develop growths on their lower back or tufts of hair, according to Dr. Scott Meyer. Most doctors recommend patients with tails like Oraon's have surgery to put it back into the body, but he refuses to have any work done on his vestigial tail. Maybe he likes the idea of being someone that people see as a god.

- February 7, 2014

Miss Harper

"Pit Bull Puppy 'Miss Harper' Recovering After Leg, Ears Cut Off"

-The Huffington Post

by Sebastian Murdock

January 31, 2014

A pit bull puppy in New York was found abused and left for dead. She was discovered back in September because of an anonymous tip. She was found with her hind leg and both ears cut off. The event was described as the "butchering" of the helpless pup. The pit bull was named Miss Harper, by the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cr

uelty to Animals. Police are searching for at least one suspect for the vicious abuse of the five month old Miss Harper. Fortunately the SPCA states that they are close to making the arrest case for the person responsible for the atrocious act of violence.

While the police are moving forward with the case, the SPCA is trying to raise funds for Miss Harper's long road towards recovery. Doctor Kim Barlow from My Pet's Vet is in charge of the rehabilitation of the puppy. The surgeries include amputating the remaining of the butchered leg in order to restore balance in her walking. A prosthetic leg will take the place of the missing leg. Besides helping the pup fully recover, the SPCA is trying to find the perfect and loving home for the broken soul. No animal should ever feel abandoned and abused. The person responsible for the horrible actions taken against this helpless creature will get what they deserve in the end.

You Are Cordially Invited...

All the money in the world has been handed to me, to throw the most grand and glamorous event anyone has ever seen. Try to imagine, through my words, a beautiful, glass, modern mansion on the hills of Hollywood, overlooking the glimmering city lights. Women in long elegant gowns, flowing like water behind each step mingle with handsome men dressed in chic suits. Carefully selected waiters and waitresses walk around with a variety of rare and lavish drinks. The chatter of the crowd is pacified by the soothing beats of the DJ's soundtrack. One may not know the other before attending this party, but surely every one will feel as if they had spent their entire lives together. The event will be an intimate one, full of people who are meeting for the first time, A-list celebrities and of course those who are dear to me. The mansion includes a grand patio looking at the priceless view. There will be private rooms on the deck by the pool with a glass covering, allowing the stars to shine through. The party consists of white furniture, dim lights and a romantic setting. The food will be endless, allowing the minds of the guests to roam over their options. People will be dancing, singing, mingling, laughing, and crying. It will be a volcano of emotions, erupting at any second. My guests will have the time of their lives at this event. 

Hourglass Figure?

"Spanx And Other Shapewear Are Literally Squeezing Your Organs"

-The Huffington Post

by Rebecca Adams

"Shapewear couldn't do its job, if it wasn't tight," says Rebecca Adams. Women all over the world hope and dream for a body that they will finally be satisfied in. Unfortunately the satisfaction rate is extremely low, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to make money. One might ask what the purpose of Spanx are. Spanx specializes in foundation garments, including undergarments and bodysuit shape wear, intended to give the wearer a slim and shapely appearance. After wearing the garment, one might look at themselves in the mirror and look "good." However it leaves one's stomach, intestine and colon compressed, which can worsen acid reflex and heartburn. Dr. Erickson explains that the digestive tract is affected, causing the flow of digestion to be stifled. This damage can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas. Another affect of Spanx is shallow breath. When one inhales, the diaphragm expands and the abdomen flares out, but shape wear restricts this movement and decreases the excursion in respiration. 

Spanx also compress one's bowels which can bring about bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Sitting in the shape wear can lead to a reversible condition called meralgia parasthetica, which is when the peripheral nerve in the thigh is compressed. This can cause tingling, numbness and pain in one's legs. One aspect that most people do not realize is that by wearing shape wear, they are prone to infections. It traps moisture and almost anything else that is under it. The shape wear can cause yeast and bacterial infections. The bacteria could get stuck in between hair follicles, causing red puss-filled bumps and other skin conditions. 

After reading about the symptoms of wearing shape wear, it is imperative that one decides if it is worth the risk and damage, for a night of looking slimmer. 

-January 20, 2014

Sleep Tight

"Meet the Bed of the Future"

-The Huffington Post

by Timothy Stenovec

Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sleep Number introduced the X12. When one thinks of a mattress, they usually think of cushions and springs, not sensors and voice recognition. Sleep Number is known for their custom adjustable firmness. However their newest technology tops that. The advanced X12 mattress has built in sensors that track how well one sleeps, responds to voice commands, gives massages and can control snoring. The X12 goes on sale throughout most of America starting from next month. It features some of the most popular advancements at the 2014 CES, such as embedded sensors that track movement and give biofeedback. The company created a feature called SleepIQ, which monitors movement in the bed as well as average breathing rate and heart rate to determine how well one actually sleeps. People who use SleepIQ  can keep track of diet, exercise, caffeine intake or having a sick child. Based on biometric information, the bed gives an overall sleep score and recommends ways to improve health and sleep. Other features of the bed include the ability to elevate each side of the bed independently and voice-activated lights on each side that will help light one's way in the middle of the night. If one's partner is snoring, they can use a voice command to raise his or her head, which can help stop the snoring. With all of these features included, the mattress is expected to have a pretty heavy price tag. The X12 starts at $7,999 for a standard queen sized mattress and moves up to a high $10,500 for a king sized mattress. The new mattress seems a bit expensive for most to be able to buy, which brings the company to come up with a new line of X12 mattresses, starting at an affordable price of $999. Sleep Number's new X12 mattress was one of the highlights of 2014's Consumer Electronics Show. 

Flappers and Trousers

1920's Fashion

During the Roaring Twenties, fashion and glamour were true spectacles to the eye. Women wore beautiful and elegant outfits with priceless accessories as men looked dashing in their stylish suits. Fashion was remarkably different in the twenties, then what it is today. To go along with the glamorous lifestyle with the parties and booze, people needed to dress the part, and money surely was not a problem.

During this era, women's clothing drastically changed after the first world war. Losing the bustles and corsets, designers had more freedom to create spectacular designs, introducing "the flapper." These dresses were lighter and shorter than ever before. Designers were playful with the colors, textures and patterns of the dresses. Evening coats, dresses and jackets were more elegant and often trimmed with fur. Shoes and stockings needed to make a statement now that the dresses were shorter. Silk stockings were made in various amounts of colors to go along with the stylish outfits. 

Society had been going through many political and economic changes during the end of the war. Society decided to do the same with fashion. Men's clothing became sharper and more comfortable. Many admired the new three- piece suits that the twenties introduced. The unflattering trousers before the era were replaced by narrow, straight and cuffed trousers. The coats and jackets were influenced by the garments worn by the military force. Tuxedoes and bow ties took the place of long tail coats. The tuxedoes were usually black and designed with fine material. To top off the look, fedoras and bowler hats were introduced. These elements of fashion represented a dashing man of the 1920's.

http://roaring20sfashion.com/20s-style-for-men/

http://www.1920-30.com/fashion/