An American Finale

My final blog post relates back to our final exam. For the exam propmt I chose to write about materialism and its relationship to our past, present, and future. I think that materialism is a value and cultural concept that is really relevant in my life and at my high school. Every day I see a new product that I feel I need to have. Material possesions mean a lot to me and although it seems selfish, I can't imagine a world without my computer, Ipod, cell phone, and Tivo. Though I think materialism means even more than the clothes, cars, electronics, and other consumer goods people own. I think it relates further back to the motives and advertising that make these products so inviting and necessary. What's more, materialism relates back to competition amongst individuals. By this I mean the concept of keeping up with the Jones'. I think a lot of us are involved with these ideas. Lots of people in the Chicagoland area and throughout the US are always looking to purchase and aquire the newest product. It seems no one is contempt with the current technology and resources we have. There is a thirst for more. I know that as a consumer I abide by these trends and all though I look down on them, I cannot seem to resist them. Our current consumer trends are looking very similar to the roaring 20's wear materialism was a growing trend amongst Americans. Though these trends led to an economic depression. Eighty years later we are in a similar less dire economic scenario. We are at a breaking point which has left many Americans wondering where we are moving next.Will we plunge into depression or survive the current recession? I used a picture of an Iphone to represent this growth. Five years ago Americans were content with having a computer, phone, and mp3. With the iphone, we can get all items in one and the trend isn't stopping there. New applications and technology make internet faster and the phone more efficient. I think the continual movement of the iphone technology represents an aspect of materialism. The idea that consumers always want more and more,no one is content. My final I wonder question is what will it take for consumers to be content? I wonder if this will ever occur and if so I wonder when? The bottom line is that this trend dominates our society. For now I honestly doubt that I will be able to control some of my consumer habbits. Though I think being aware of personal habbits is the right start.

Far From Finals

With finals right around the corner I find myself distracted from my main goal, studying for my exams. For the past three years I have set aside designated time for studying during the week before and of finals. Though during these periods, I always find myself distracted and finding ways to get out of studying. This year has been no different. I think that finals seem to fall during the two parts of the year that are the most fun. By this I mean, first semester finals are during the heart of the winter. They conflict with vacation time, exciting outdoor activities, and sports. I always seem to have something fun to do during first semester finals. And then there are second semester finals. The summer is right about to begin, the weather is great, part-time jobs are beginning, and sport seasons are in the playoffs. These activities always seem to get me out of my room and away from my books. I think many New Trier kids will agree with me that it is really hard to study for finals (second semester especially). In a blog post by Fretzilla, he references how many schools out east don't give finals to students with an A or higher in a class. I think this is an interesting alternative to our current situation. Having the incentive to get an A so you don't have to take a final could be a huge motivating factor for students. This idea could possibly increase the all-year work ethic of New Trier students. Often times students will be extremely flustered with four or five finals to study four. Though with the new system, they may only have one or two finals depending on how many A's they have. I think New Trier needs to re-think finals and their overall effectiveness. I believe our school should look to other schools who use the A system for advise in order to re-evaluate their current system.

The Brat Pack

This weekend I swallowed my pride. On a monday afternoon I sat down, swallowed my pride, and watched the movie Sixteen Candels. Originally, I thought this movie was a complete chick flick and I was embarrased at the fact that I was watching one of the infamous "Brat Pack" movies. At the time, I didn't know how much I would end up enjoying several of these movies especially Sixteen Candels. The movie stars Molly Ringwald as a teenage girl turning sixteen years old. Though her parents forget her birthday and she goes through an entire day of struggles including staying quiet about her crush, Jake Ryan. I know that so far, this sounds prett cheesy, but the movie has a good message. The main character, Samantha is no more than a confused adolescent. I think that a lot of high schoolers can relate to her character, which is why the movie has been so succesful. She embodies the less than perfect teenager who is living day to day in the suburbs. She is nervous about her family, the opposite sex, and other students who are constantly disrupting her day including one individual played by Anthony Michael Hall. In the end, she is able to work things out and rise to the occassion by confronting AMH and her crush. At the end of the movie, she is clearly in a better state than she was at the start. It's as if she has been on a redemptive journey that starts with her as a fifthteen year-old and ends with her as a much more mature character at sixteen. I think a lot of teen movies embody the idea of redemption. I think as teenagers, we are naturally drawn to this concept. Who doesn't want to become the best athlete, grow as a student, or get the hot girl in the end? These are all common themes I see in movies. Though I am beggining to wonder how realistic these dreams are. I think these movies may be giving some teenagers false hope. Because many teens can relate to brat pack characters, I think they believe they can make similar transformations during high school. MTV was able to utilize teen lust through their reality show, MADE. The show pairs teens up with motivated stars and experts in certain areas to help these teenagers become a star athlete, prom king, a rapper, violinist, or a pageant girl. At the end of the show, the main kid usually suceeds and does something well. They may not become the best, though they always partially accomplish their goal. Either way, I think that not every American teen will get the chance to be on MADE. I still think it is interesting how media and film have teenagers hooked on the redemptive art. I am now wondering whether or not you the reader believe this art is truly possible for teenagers?

Old Glory, Keeping Kenilworth Safe

I took this picture of the flag outside of the Kenilworth Police station. It seemed conditions were perfect for the photo. The wind was blwoing just the right amount, which helped me to capture the flag stretched out completely. Everything about this picture seems nice and crisp. The landscape of the police station is well manored and the building is sleek and has a clean apperance. Then there is the flag, the flag sits well above the roof of the station. It is almost there to look over Kenilworth. It's as if the flag is protecting the town and keeping things safe. This sunday, things were very tranquil in Kenilworth. My friends and I were over at a near by school shooting lacrosse balls and the entire town was very still. I think this may be the flag's doing, it is making the job of Kenilworth's policemen easier. Because of this, I named my caption: Old Glory, Keeping Kenilworth Safe.

Why Do I Hate You?

A couple weeks ago we played our biggest rivals, Loyola Academy in Lacrosse. The past three years we have beat them to win the state championship, though this year they beat us in overtime in a regular season game. Before the game I noticed everyone was getting motivated through their hatred of Loyola's players. I myself am not fond of Loyola's lacrosse team and I often hear myself and my teammates saying, "I hate these kids." The rivalry between New Trier and Loyola has been occuring for the past century. It is a rivalry that extends to all sports and academic decathalon. It is one thing to be competitive against consistant competition, though it is another thing to hate your opponent. The New Trier Loyola rivalry has made me wonder why we hate each other. When ever my friends and I see Loyola lacrosse players we always make rude jokes about their attire or social habbits. The truth is when I have hung out with Loyola players at lacrosse camps I have gotten along well with them. Regardless, I still find myself disliking their team, coaches, and school. Now I am beginning to wonder why many New Trier kids dislike Loyola kids. From the Loyola kids I have spoken to, their is definately hatred for New Trier at Loyola. At the same time, it is easier for me to make generalizations about New Trier than it is Loyola. Now I am left wondering how this rivalry began. Take a look at some of sports' other rivalries, UNC DUKE, Yankees Red Sox, and Cubs and sox. How were these rivalries created? What has fueled these athletes to hate each other over the yaers? Looking back, this may have been a decent JT question. Either way, I think it is an interesting question to look into. For now, I don't really think I can answer it.

Why is the drinking age 21?

For my Junior theme I really wanted to tap in on a current event that I can relate to myself and my community. There are a great deal of significant historical and current events though I wanted to find the right one that would give me an oppurtunity to relate and connect to. I found my answer while watching the Colbert Report. Stephen Colbert had the former president of Middlebury college, John McCardell. McCardell is one of many University heads who is in favor of lowering the drinking age to 18. This and some helpful blogging from Cpatt helped me to form a topic question. Why is the drinking age 21? This topic has correlations from the 19th century, the 20th century, New Trier, and the current event itself of lowing the age. In my paper I'm hoping to make some of these connections. The drinking age was originally 18, but in the 1980's all 50 states changed it to 21. In addition to the change in age, I plan to tie in the age of prohibition when alcohol was illegal. What's more, I am banking on drinking at New Treir and college campus' to be a significant aspect of my paper. There is plenty more to go, but I feel I am on the right track.

Transition Time

The March to April transition is in full spring. (No pun intended). The weather is getting better, we are approaching fourth quarter, and spring sports have just begun. It seems New Trier especailly is at a transitional phase. As students, we have several hard choices to make. The improving weather is always luring us away from our homework and outdoors. This is the time where we can choose to buckle down, or slack off. The past three years, I have chosen to slack off and seen a significant decrease in my gpa. Now, it's Junior year and I need to string together a couple more grades. This is really the time where we can all define the rest of the year. And not only in the classroom. This tuesday, I am going to get surgery on my broken knee cap. After the surgery, my goal is to make it back to lacrosse for the state playoffs. Though if I want to get back in time, it is going to take a lot of hard work, just like in school. I think we are all at somewhat of a crossroads. The next couple of weeks have pretty big implifications over the rest of my year. I encourage everyone to think about the phases of the school year and the year in it's entirety. Right now, I am convinced we are about to make a big move. For some of us, this move can make or break or grades, social lives, love lives, sports careers, etc. So think about how you are going to finish out your junior year. Are you going to ride the back row in the slums of Winnetka or finish strong?