Module 2

Books-

I have lately become hooked on Cormac McCarthy. People may know him as the the author of No Country for Old Men, which was adopted into an Oscar winning movie. I think I enjoy his writing so much becuase he writes incredible descriptions, and riveting action, coupled with a deeper meaning that requires much contemplating. His work that best exemplifies this Blood Meridian.

I enjoy these physciological books, like Lord of the Flies, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Newspapers/Magaizines

I read multiple newspapers thoroughly everyday. I think I am part of a dying breed (more on this at the end of the post). I also recieve a lot of magazine and page through them for pure enjoyment. Some of my favorites are Scientific American and Sports Illustrated. I try to read from all these sources to see a relatively even point of view, although I think the newspaper part is largely out iof habit. I watched my Dad read the paper everyday, and I had an intrest in current events, so I just picked it up. I read the local paper everyday in the morning with breakfast.

This picture contributes to the "dying breed" comment, but again, more on that later.

Music-

I grew up listening to my parents music, so I have become a classic rock junky. This probably contributed to my dropping of cello and piano, which I studied for about 5 years each. I reached a point where I had to put in more energy if I wanted to advance my skills, and while I found classic music beautiful my heart is classic rock. I have longed thought that I should pick up guitar, but time hasn't allowed. I usually listen to music on my iPod, which is filled with The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zepplin. Despite my love for classic rock, I enjoy prettuy much any kind of music with the exceptions of country and rap.


Television-

I watch television for sports primarily. I am a pretty big professional sports fan, so I watch sports on TV relatively frequently. Outside of that, the only other thing I watch is the Colbert Report and sometimes the Daily Show. I have recently followed the Colbert Report religiously, as I honestly believe it is the most honest news on TV. Aside for it being absolutely hilarious, it is extremely intelligent satire.

Video Games-

From a young age, my parents never let me play video games. I am very happy with their decision now. I know a lot of people addicted to them, so I am glad I escaped this vice.

Computers -

There is no doubt that computers are an integral part of my life. When I really sit back and think about it, so much of what I do depends on computers. Really our whole society, economy, and government depend on computers. I use computers for entertainment, news, schoolwork, social stuff like facebook, and of course this program

Internet-

Aside from essays, everything I do on my computer, which is a lot depends on the internet. I use the internet to interact with others a lot via facebook, and this program. I have occasionally lost the internet, and the results have been literally devastating to the things I had to do when it went down.

Now more on what I was saying before about the internet vs. newspapers. It is amazing how quick newspparers are dying out. The Boston Globe will likely be out of business by the end of the month. The quickness of the internet can not be matched by papers. I think the real problem is though, that newspapers aren't trying to expose there advantage. There writing can be much more thoughtful than instant news on blogs. However, the articles that they recieve from the AP are not long thought out pieces - they are pretty much what you could have gotten last night on the internet. Newspapers have also had the "untouchable" arrogance that has gotten them into trouble. They did not make changes to accomidate the new world we live in, because they felt so safe. Now their livelihood is in jeopardy. I would be interested to here others thoughts on this.

Rankings
1.Internet
2. Newspapers Magazines
3. Books
4.Music
5. Computer (assuming this is the non-internet portion of computers)
6.Television
7.Video Games

DOTCOM Workshops
I can bring an open and eager mind to the DOTCOM workshops. I am always thinking and analyzing, so I can help develop new and better ways to operate. I can bring the perspective of a politician, because I have been around them, and observed them in many different activites. I will be willing to volunteer my time for virtually anything. Best of all, I can be an excited and enthusiastic leader.

Home Community
Although it is a worldwide issue, the environment affects everyone's home community in an idividual sense as well. It has always been an issue that is very important to me. Recently I became the first ever student representative to the Montpelier Conservation Commission. I will be working on helping making more houses energy efficient, conveying the beliefs of the youth, and many other things. The environment is such a large issue, but I think the best way to start making a difference is to help out in my home community.

Favorite Media
As you might have guessed from the last post, this post will be about the movie and book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. The book is about Christopher McCandless a college grad from a well off family that trys to escape society and ventures out into the West - he eventually dies in Alaska. This book/movie is so powerful to me becuase I think everyone can learn from McCandless' story. While what he did was extreme, I think it is important to remember to stick to your roots. In end, when it is sadly to late for McCandless, he realizes what really makes a person happy in life - part of it is not getting caught up in society like he did, but mostly sharing joy with others. I always love a book or movie that makes me think, and I have spent countless hours reflecting very deeply on Into the Wild.

Autobiography
I am a leader by nature, mostly because of my strong convictions. This affects me in every aspect of my life. This drives me to suceed in everything form school to cross-country running. If I don't do well on something, or lose out on some opporntunity, it kills me to know that someone is doing better. I think this is also why I love to run, and be outdoors. Running is a release for me - a time when I can forget about the rest of my overscheduled life and also release my inner competitive energy. As I mentioned before, I tend to be very opionated, which has led me to an interest in politics. I have volunteered for many things which I believe in as a result of my strong opinions. I like to read science, news, and sports magazines and virtually any kind of book. Recently I have become obessed with reading Cormac McCarthy, who I believe is one of the most brilliant writers of all time. I love particullary psychological books such as Into the Wild, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. I am political nerd in the sense that I get fired up by political speeches and events - this again relates back to what I was saying at the begining. I tend to be a fairly outgoing person - I like new settings and new people. I like to engage in long conversations with people - I really enjoy being intellectually stimulated. I am a super analytical person, and tend to be extremely logical. I like to play overally complex strategy games such as Axis and Allies with my friends. Usually, even when it makes sense to take the easy way out, decide to challenge myself because I think it is more fun. I hate going through the daily grind, so I am involved in as many things as possible to give a good sense of variety in my life. For this reason I love to travel. Although I like to be around other people, I can't do without some alone time. I like to go on hikes, walks, or especially hard runs by myself. I feel the best when I am getting away from it all. As I mentioned before I am a big fan of Into the Wild. I also loved the movie, and this song (society-see link) I think represents a big part of me. It will seem very ironic - I strive to be a leader in a political sense, yet I believe in what the song says. Here it is.