The Wealthier One

In response to mr. sjrjala's blog, my answer would be Bill, hands down.
I think it's more important to be wealthy in health, family, and friends than it is to be wealthy in money. It seems like money can do ugly things to people and Bob sounds like he should be miserable. Bill, on the other hand, has a family to keep him company and that must serve as motivation to keep going. If he can keep food on the table and clothes on their backs, he's not doing so bad after all. Bob won't even be able to share a meal with his family or see what clothes they're wearing. This is all from a family stand point, but if someone was more materialistic, Bob would take the cake.

Present

"STEPPKE!"
-"here"
-"TAYLOR?"
-"HERE!"

Poor

People can be poor in different ways; from health to money. The biggest concern across our country is an economic issue.

It's not just a concern in our country, but all over the world. The biggest factor, i think, will always be what your country can offer you. A good economy, opportunities, and a stroke of luck always help. However, it's what men and women choose to do with those opportunities that can make or break them. Most people will work their hardest to become successful, while others may blow their chance. Some people in our society get lost in their addictions and poor decisions and dig a grave for their economic well being. I think it's terrible if a poor person does not have money to take care of their family but will gather enough change to buy a pack of cigarettes or a beer. Nonetheless, i am not afflicted by these addictions nor do i know what it's like to be truly poor.

Many people are not even given the chance to really fulfill their lives. They could be born into poverty and just as well have no opportunities to even try to get better. Not all poor people are lazy. Either way, everyone should have their shot at a decent life.

The $700 Billion question

I was apparently oblivious to all of this up until 2 minutes ago. but here it goes.
700 billion. Just think of the immensity of that number. Then think of it as money. Crap, hey?
So, that much money put towards the hardships of the American people and their debts sounds pretty good. Until you look into it. Who is going to come up with all that money? Us, the people already in debt. The taxpayers. On top of that, I think it'd be a good idea not to effect the people who already know how to manage their money, the people who are on top of things. Why should they have to help bail out their neighbors and people all around the country? Some are just unfortunate and some just don't manage their money well. So, can America handle another potentially bad economic plan?

The Prezzzz

I think we are part of something amazing and historical this year. However, i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. If anything, i guess i would have voted for McCain even though neither of the two are my favorite people. With the amount of young people involved in this 2008 election, it was apparent Obama was going to win. Whether he was qualified or not, i feel that it was an "anti-Bush" election, meaning people wanted to steer as far away from the Bush organization as possible and what do you know...Obama is the farthest thing from it.
Quite frankly, I will support my president no matter what even if I don't agree with him. He is running our country and taking on a great responsibility. I don't give a crap about anyones wardrobe and how much money they spent on it, what the First Lady is wearing, or anything like that. I care about our country's safety and the direction we're heading. I'm just scared Obama hasn't had the experience in security or leadership that is needed to run our country. However, I feel terrible saying that I think Obama might be assassinated. It's a shame that a country like the U.S. would kill over skin color. I don't know, hopefully I'm wrong.
Either way, I'm happy to witness history but I'm not sure I'm ready for the "change" he promises.

Negative Campaigning

or is it...negative McCain-ing..? just kidding, I don't even know. All I've heard is McCain is beyond disrespectful to Obama, referring to him as "that one," but i'm sure it goes both ways. I know you're not supposed to make your opponent sound appealing, but negative campaigning probably goes way beyond that. You can still make your opponent sound bad while being respectful, how ironic. I'm just sick of the election and its candidates already so to be honest with you, I'm not even paying attention. I'll hear enough about it when one becomes president the voices of America are negative.. and loud.

To Be or Not to Be

To be tall or not to be short? To be big eyed or to be tiny eyed? To be funny or not to be serious? To eat junk or not to eat healthy? To be comfy or not to be dressed up? To laugh or not to cry? To be in black and white or not to be in color? To stand or not to fall? To hug or not to kiss? To push or not to pull? To play basketball or not to play basketball? To go big or to go home? To be fashionably late or not to be on time? To be happy or not to be happy? To have ketchup on your chicken nuggets or not to have honey on your chicken nuggets? To walk it out or not to jock it out? To be good or not to be bad? To smile or not to frown? To be in Florida or not to be in Ishpeming? To write in black ink or not to write in blue ink? To dance or not to sing? To be tired of to be's or not to be tired of not to be's?

"Ath-a-lete? That's Ama-za-zing!"

This weekend was great, until Saturday rolled around. Friday was a good day, got home early from vball, the boys won the football game (first one with typical 40 degree weather), and we all enjoyed a little dancing and BK afterwards. 6 short hours after getting cozy in bed, my world was rocked with the thought of being at a volleyball tournament in marquette for 8 hours.

We're a good team, solid. But we get set up for failure every single tournament. Since when does a coach sit her starters for two and a half straight games? Close games. It's not even about us caring about our own personal playing time like she thinks, it's us caring about winning. We lost to teams that we've killed in the past. Yeah, whatever..you may want to get everyone some playing time, but this is Varsity in high school. You play to win, not to be nice. That's why there's a score board. You put the winning combination on the floor. You don't treat tournaments as "practice." You practice for the tournaments. Plus my aunt and uncle from florida were up, and came to the tourney. And didn't get to see me play, to say the least- i was bummed. Anyway- we ended up winning one game the whole day. Go Ishpeming.

The day went better as a few friends and I ventured back to Marquette to meet up with some of the guys and chow down on some T Bell. Where else can you eat a whole meal for $2.50? No where. I love you, Taco Bell. We finished off the night with movie night in the man cave. Sadly, I slept through most of a great movie due to emotional and physical exhaustion. Thank you volleyball. All in all, i think i split even this weekend.

Now watch me YOOOOOU!..?

ahh yes. Crank That Superman. This is what ridiculous music with zero meaning and lack of sense does to you at 2 in the morning. Kaylee just feels the need to enhance it, just a little more.

Ah, The Candidates

Sadly, i miss eligability to vote by a few weeks. I was really disappointed when I realized this years ago. And now, years later, I'm happy my mom had me a few weeks late.
Thank God. In the past, i've usually been able to distinguish between the candidates who i lean towards more. The candidates for the '08 election seem impossible. I would have no idea who to vote for, I'm not happy with any of them. From the start, I never wanted Hillary Clinton to even have a chance. I do not think a woman should be a president of a country. Personal opinion maybe, but I think it's a smart choice. Barack Obama, nice guy maybe but i don't agree with his views. He has no experience in the huge responsibility of leadership, which is a big part of presidency. Also, he's pro-choice and i don't agree with that. John McCain. I've always leaned towards conservatives in elections. But I don't want another President Bush. I could get much more in depth in my opinions, but that basically sums it up.

Hurricanes

I like having control over every aspect of my life, or at least thinking i do. I couldn't deal with the helplessness i would feel if i ever experienced a hurricane. I can't even handle the weather we've had the past three days, just average rain fall, nothing big. I get depressed just from the grey skies and not being able to do anything outside. I can't even imagine what a hurricane would be like.

I think the victims of these massive things are brave. I would never be able to tough it out and stay near my home, let alone come back to see the damage done if i had left. It would completely devastate me to actually be able to see the loss, knowing that all the things i had once owned are gone. Every single thing i have in my possession is important to my well-being, no matter how small. Most of all, i'd completely lose it if anyone i knew was lost to the hurricane. I would never be able to stop thinking about it. There's no doubt in my mind that i'd pack up and leave as soon as i could, just to leave it behind.

"The I, The I, The IHS!"

Our last year of homecoming, too scary. It's always been ridiculously fun to deck out in hideous clothes for 80's day, superhero day, and opposite day. But most of all it's about decking out in blue and white. In the past, homecoming has always meant a lot to us; freshmen year and up. It's so disappointing to see the freshmen class this year show virtually no support for our varsity team. While it may not mean much to them and it may just be another football game to them, that's not the way we think of it. They aren't even in the stands at the game, it's empty.

As seniors, we've earned our stripes and it's our year to show them off. I think that in high school, it's one of the best feelings and experiences you can have; to watch the boys you've known for 12 years finally have their hard work pay off destroying westwood, negaunee, and any other team for that matter. And you're there for it. When you're a senior, you realize it's your last shot at a big win or just to go all out as a fan because none of us are all going to be together again, most of us won't go on to play college sports and we won't have the solid fan base like we do here at IHS. I know as a class, we get amped for homecoming and that's the way to go your last year. Leave an impression on the other classes and make them live up to something.

"DROP D"

I'd say i rang in the new school year pretty well this weekend. Friday night was a blast with the exception of volleyball practice and well..the loss of the varsity football game. Either way, it was fun to indulge in yet another hematite football game sporting Kyle McCullough's jersey. I then went and danced the night away of course at the old gym which was unusually packed. But what was not unusual was..i was really feeling the beat. I even broke out my "sci-fi alien movie" dance move. No, really. Did i mention i had a krispy kreme doughnut? Yeah, that's a good friday.

The next two days weren't that special but powder puff practice was. We're into it. While it may be 'flag football,' we still come up with some pretty nice tackles. But hey, you know what they say: Pain is temporary, Pride is forever. We're hoping to come out victorious like last years game against the class of '08. I think we've got the total package: good hands, fast legs, creative plays (well, the names at least), and um..have you seen our line? watch out. better yet, just get out of the way.

If I was President...

First off, i'd probably have the least expensive campaign ever because i'm a frugal person. But i'd still be elected. I'd most definitely try to have people aged 60 and over take their drivers test again because i think there are people on the road that shouldn't be. I would adress gas prices and figure out a way to lower them. I'd help the adults and children starving in our own country first rather than people elsewhere. Best of all, i'd have my personal chef cook me chinese 4 days out of the week - orange chicken, general tso's, and crab rangoons. A mini-golf course in the backyard sounds like a plan, too.