September 2009 Archives

The other day I was skimming through the latest Wall Street Journal when an article caught my attention. The piece entitled "Kids Eat Few Fruits, Veggies" brought to the public's attention the lack of nutrition absent from many children's diets. According to research found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 1 in 10 kids get enough of a combined serving of fruit and vegetables daily. Furthermore, only about 32% of students get the recommended 2 servings of fruit per day. This is especially disheartening compared to the Federal Nutrition Goals for 2010 in which 1 of the goals for this year is for at least 75% of all Americans to get two servings of fruit every day. This data speaks for itself as to why Obesity is on the rise in the U.S.

Food for thought, the next time you're scavenging your refrigerator for an afterschool snack, consider a piece of fruit or some veggies instead of the leftover brownies from the other night. It'll pay of in the long run, trust me!

The other day I was thinking that Teen Takeover should be a group on facebook (If it isn't already). I think one of our five (count 'em five) leaders should start it. It might be fun.

Seniors at my school were allowed to nominate songs for class song. I'm not sure how the system for picking the songs worked, but I would assume that the songs with the most votes would appear on the ballot. I received said ballot today and the songs listed were:

"I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelley
"You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Atkins
"Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)" by Green Day
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

My first thought after seeing this was "Wow. What a crap fest," or something along those lines. My senior class was able to pick the most generic group of songs I've ever seen. To be fair, "I Believe I Can Fly" is not an awful song, but I certainly would not say it is good either. Modern country all sounds the same and the songs have terrible lyrics that try to mean something but fail by being completely unoriginal or by sounding like they were written by a ten-year old child. Believe me, I have no issue with country music like Johnny Cash or Townes Van Zandt, but Rascal Flatts is probably one of the worst bands of all time. The main problem with "Time of Your Life" is that it is most likely a nomination at every school every year since the song was released. It's an okay song, but I got sick of it long ago.

I have decided that I will either vote for "I Believe I Can Fly," the lesser of four evils, or do a write-in vote for something better, but that's probably not allowed. My advice to Dallastown's Class of 2010 would be to broaden your minds beyond the modern mainstream music that is played on the radio, and see what happens next.

My five favorite animated movies as of right now, with a brief description of each. Honorable mentions go to "Wall*E", "Dumbo", and "Up".

5. "Castle in the Sky" (1986) Two young friends travel through the air with pirates and robots looking for the famous castle in the sky. An amazing story by Hayao Miyazaki.

4. "The Lorax" (1972) Based on the Dr. Seuss story of the same name, and not actually a feature length film, The Lorax is about a Lorax who tries to stop the Once-ler from destroying all of his trees. It's kind of like Wall*E, but I like it better, because Wall*E felt too similar to other sci-fi movies.

3. "The Sky Crawlers" (2008) This movie may seem like a slow story about pilots who never age, but there is an incredible ending that really makes the rest of the movie make sense.

2. "Spirited Away" (2001) My favorite Miyazaki film, about a girl who enters a magical world where she forgets her name and meets a lot of very interesting and unique characters.

1. "Waking Life" (2001) This film follows a man through a lucid dream, a type of dream where the dreamer knows he is dreaming and can control it. In his dreams, he meets a lot of different people who present some very interesting ideas to him about life, dreams, and death. Essentially, this movie makes you think about a lot of things and question reality. Another amazing ending in this film.

5. O.D.B. (1968-2004)
4. Frank Zappa (1940-1993)
3. Jeff Buckley (1966-1997)
2. Nick Drake (1948-1974)
1. Elliott Smith (1969-2003)

I'm busy lately. This is extrememly strange for me. Usually, my afternoons are wide open. But right now, it feels like I never get a break! I'm writing this blog quickly, because I have to babysit in 15 minutes. Ten minutes ago, I got home from REACH rehersal. It's been crazy. Then I remembered I have to write my article for teen takeover. I also have to read a book for the youth leadership team at my church. We have a meeting Thursday. On one hand, its great being busy, it keeps my mind off of other things. But, I really would like my afternoons back.

I was practicing for the SAT a couple days ago and one question was asking whether to correct the phrase "one of the legislators who are going" or leave it the same. I chose to change the phrase to "one of the legislators who is going." However, the book said that the answer was to keep the phrase as "one of the legislators who are going."

Does anyone know which answer is correct? I was positive I had the right answer until I saw what the book said.

Also, there was a math problem in the book that forgot about negative numbers. I thought that was amusing.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, should go to the Strand Capital for the showing of [500] Days of Summer. Reasons to go:
1.) The Strand is wonderful and everyone should support their support of performing arts in York.
2.) [500] Days of Summer is a wonderful movie, with a fantastic soundtrack.
3.) Bring friends, and you'll have even more fun.
4.) What else can you do on a Sunday night at 3:00 or 7:30, for just $8? Not much.

While your downtown why not explore the delicious reastaurants? Just a thought.

Well Fall has finally arrived and that means one thing...the Homecoming Dance! During this time the hallways are usually filled with endless chatter about finding that perfect dress, which then leads to the just the right shoes, jewelry, and so on. Every other girl is freaking out about what hairstyle looks best with her features and of course what guy will ask her to be his date. While there are some benefits to going as a couple such as discount tickets and corsages galore, the reality is having a date just adds unessasary tension and stress. My school just had our Homecoming over the weekend and while a couple of my friends went with dates most of us decided to go as a big group instead. In particular, the hostess of the pre party I attended was asked by an upperclassman to the dance. This of course led to the dilemmas of what color corsage looked best, finding a tie to match her dress and how high her heels should be. Of course all those weeks of planning and prepping didn't really matter once the actual dance began. Her date ended up being painfully shy and she spent the whole night avoiding him instead of just jumping on the dance floor and having fun. Even though she was guaranteed a dance partner for the slow songs it appeared that the girls without dates ended up having the most fun after all. Just think a roomful of single guys who may be too embarrassed to ask a girl out, but not to dance. Without a date, no one is obligated to hang out with only one person; in fact, you get the pick of the dance floor! It's much more casual and low key to be able to dance with multiple guys as friends instead of being tied together by the waist all night. Chances are twenty years from now you won't even remember your date's name but the memories and friendships you make that night will be the stories you'll tell your grandchildren. Honestly, why go with a date when it's just as cool to go stag?

"Stargate Universe," the newest television series in the Stargate franchise, premieres on Friday, October 2 on Syfy at 9pm with a two hour episode. The show is about a group of people who are sent through the Stargate, a large, ring-shaped wormhole generator that allows people to travel to any planet with a Stargate on it, to the Destiny, an abandoned space ship in the outer portions of the universe. The people are stuck on the Destiny as it travels through space.

The show sounds like a combination of "Star Trek Voyager" and "Stargate Atlantis." From what I've seen from commercials, "Stargate Universe" looks like it will be darker than its predecessors.

When I was walking my dog today, I had a revelation: I take things for granted. Now, I'm sure a lot of us do, but something about today made me realize just how lucky I am. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and loving friends and family around me. There's really not much else I need. I guess sometimes I just forget that. I tend to look at the bad in situations, instead of the good. Maybe some of you feel that way too? There's really no need to. I guess what I'm trying to say is, everything looks better if you're optimistic instead of pessimistic.

'Aeroplane Over the Sea' haunting, beautiful

When asked what my favorite album of all time is, my answer would have to be Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea."

Released in 1998, this was Neutral Milk Hotel's second and, unfortunately, last studio album. I would categorize the music on this release as simple and folksy indie rock.

While the basic instrumentals are really nothing to write home about, the listener gets to hear some nice and unique instruments like trumpets and bagpipes, among others.

One of the biggest criticisms that "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" often receives is that Jeff Mangum has an awful singing voice. I would have to agree that the quality of his voice is certainly not the best, but I don't think that really matters.

Mangum can hit insanely high notes that I could only dream of reaching with a lot of heart in his voice. He brings a lot of emotion into the already wonderful lyrics present in every song, particularly the title track, "Holland, 1945" and "Two-Headed Boy."

This has to be one of the only CD's that I've ever listened to and felt that every song is near perfect, even the instrumental songs like "The Fool," which at first listen I wouldn't have expected to fair against the other songs with Mangum's magnificent singing talent and songwriting.

My favorite song by Neutral Milk Hotel would have to be the closing track, "Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two." It is probably the most beautiful song I've ever heard and the closest to ever bring me to tears.

"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" is an album of majestic proportions. There are some upbeat triumphant songs and some hauntingly beautiful slower songs as well. I feel that some of the best lyrics ever written are on this CD. One of my favorite lines is "The Earth looks better from a star/ That's right above from where you are" from the song "Holland, 1945."

Anyone looking for something new and emotionally stirring should give Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" a listen.

-- RYAN RUSER, Dallastown Area High School

Seeing children return to school
Seeing parents pulling on sweaters at soccer games
Seeing pools with winter covers
Seeing trees morphing from green to red
Seeing the sky grow dark at six
Seeing the summer clothes going on sale
Seeing life drain from the beaches
Seeing lights due to high school football games illuminate Friday night
Seeing hay mazes built at farmer's markets
Seeing people shivering because they misjudged the weather

DreamWrights is truly a wonderful place. For those of you that haven't heard, it's a local theatre on Carlisle Rd. I am currently involved in my, well, it's not my first show! (Sorry, I stop when I have to go to a second hand.) Some people may say that acting isn't their thing, but you never know until you try. Sure, the shows are fun, but it's the people that draw me to keep coming back. It's not like school, where most people think they're better than all the rest of us. At DreamWrights, however strange it may be, people tend to get along. I highly recommend either coming to see or trying out for a future show. I guarantee you will have a blast!

A "Chipotle" restaurant just opened in York. The Mexican food restaurant has a variety of great food that almost anyone would enjoy. I have had burritos from the restaurant twice and they were the best I have ever eaten. The burritos are huge, but they have a lot of rice and beans in them.

One of the most surprising things about the Chipotle burritos is the salsa that is put on them. I got the medium sauce and it was very spicy. Another thing I liked about the burrito was the fact that it was very good as a leftover.

We first heard about Chipotle when they were sponsoring a cycling team that was competing in the Tour De France. What made us like Chipotle so much was the fact that every time the British announcer said the team's name, Garmin Chipotle, he would mispronounce the middle part of "Chipotle" and say pot, as in the container.

Did you know, Roberto Clemente was the first Hispanic player to serve on the Players Association Board and to reach 3,000 hits? He was the first Hispanic to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Did you know, Desi Arnaz was the first Hispanic to star on a network TV show, "I Love Lucy".

-64 percent of Hispanic-origin people in the U.S. are of Mexican background.

-Nine percent of Hispanic-origin people in the U.S. are of Puerto Rican background.

-In 2050, Hispanics will make up 29 percent of the U.S. population.

Hispanics are the fastest growing minority.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Hispanics or Latinos are people who classified themselves in one of the specific Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino categories. These categories include; "Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano," "Puerto Rican", "Cuban", and "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino."

In September of 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week of September 15. In 1988, it was expanded to a month-long celebration.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a way for America to celebrate the culture and traditions of residents whose roots come from Spain, Mexico, Spanish speaking countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15.

Sondre Lerche. I'm not sure how many people have heard of him but his most recent album, Heartbeat Radio, is fantastic. Its always a wonderful day when you listen to the music of an artist you already know you love. If you haven't listened to him, I definitely recommend that you give him a try. He has a pretty likable sound with catchy lyrics that have meaning, and are slightly poetic. I saw him in concert earlier this month, in Philadelphia and loved the new material live. Funny thing being, it was his birthday the night I got to see him so he was the album before its official release date. He's a singer songwriter from Norway. He did most of the music on the "Dan in Real Life' soundtrack. The title track 'Heartbeat Radio' is a fun listen and is all around destined for radio play. My personal favorite would either be 'Words and Music' which is the token cliche song or 'I Guess It's Gonna Rain Today' in which he depicts a conversation as he does in other songs.

The York Fair is back and Barney Fife has come with it. Deputy Fife walks around and interacts with the people of the fair. He is very inconspicuous and quiet.

However, his friend and fellow deputy, Gomer Pyle, is the exact opposite. He is loud and annoying. Everywhere we went, Gomer Pyle was behind us yelling the phrases "Golly," "Shazam," and "Surprise, Surprise." Even though having Gomer Pyle and Barney Fife at the fair is an interesting idea, the man playing Gomer Pyle took his part too seriously.

On the eve of student day at the fair, I am continuously bombarded with the same inquiry of "Are you going to the fair?". The answer remains a less than regrettable no. Not meaning to take away from others enjoyment of the York Fair, but I find little entertainment in such a place. Crowds of people and an overwhelming amount of noise from various sources do not appeal to me. Also, I remain a bit apprehensive of large metal structures (also known as rides) that can be set up in a short period of time. I find myself questioning their stability. To anyone going to the fair today, tomorrow, or any day, I sincerely hope you enjoy yourself. However, you will not see me there.

Before today's teen takeover staff meeeting, I was in Winterstown coaching the U13 Raptors soccer team with my dad and two other assisstant coaches. When the center referee arrived, I thought she looked extremely famillar. My dad suggested she took her referee class the same time we did. That may have been true, but that wasn't where I was remembering from. After the game, I made my dad drive so we would get to the meeting on time. During the 30 minute drive there, I kept thinking, Did she go to dance with me? Did I play soccer against her? Was she at the same volleyball camp? I arrived at the meeting at 2:58, thinking I was the last to arrive. However, four or five people came in after me. One blonde girl in athletic shorts and a t-shirt was among the last to arrive. She looked a lot like the ref at the game I just rushed away from. This girl seemed to appeared a bit shorter, than the ref at the game, so I just figured they had simillar features. Later, when signing up for stories, I just happened to catch the name of the blonde girl signing up for the Diary story: Laura Detter.

Brett Favre is back playing football again; this time not with the Packers, nor the Jets, but with his ex-division rival the Minnesota Vikings.

Is this all that surprising? Not really, given his repetitive -and rather notorious--history of finishing the year crying at press conferences, announcing his retirement and then quickly returning to the game, expecting teams to take him back.

And sure enough, teams lacking a quality quarterback are more than happy to have the legendary future Hall of Famer quarterbacking their team, in hopes that he can help bring them a Super Bowl.

This is what the Vikings hope Favre will do this year. But this is also what the Jets thought Favre would do last year and the team finished the year missing the playoffs, with a locker-room in disarray, and with the Head Coach Eric Mangini being fired.

It was quite a tragic season for the Jets, and so far the outlook for the Vikings seems to be about the same, if not worse, as the team is already embroiled in controversy with Favre joining the team late.

Of course, this possible tragedy could turn into something great if Favre is good enough to take this already talented Vikings team, lead by star running back Adrian Peterson, to the next level, which would mean winning at least one playoff game, reaching the NFC title game, or perhaps even reaching and maybe even winning a Super Bowl.

But do I think that this will pan out this way? No.

Favre is simply a washed up quarterback who has played way past his prime.

His body cannot take the pounding of a 16 game season and his ability does not enable him to make the same kind of amazing plays that he once was able to do.

Frankly, if anything, it should be insulting to Packer fans, who have loved him his entire career, to see him playing with their division rival.

Some even suggested that Favre is playing with the Vikings in order to get back at his former team, but I do not believe that. I think he is just someone who does not know how to quit the sport he loves.

Whatever his intentions, this story has grown tedious and boring.

Most likely Favre will have another unsuccessful season. He will retire and return again, forcing us to endure another off-season of meaningless drama.

I love fashion. I'm not one of those buy-into-every-trend type people, but I like to look good. A few years ago, I joined Barbizon's Modeling Agency. I was thinking I needed a few test shots done, so I asked my friend Myles if he'd take some for me with my digital camera.

"Country Current," a country- bluegrass band made up of sailors from the U.S. Navy, is coming to the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 9. The band has performed with various country and bluegrass acts and has also performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

The concert is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center ticket office. Unfilled seats will be given to people without tickets at 7:15 p.m.

Learning how to do computer animation is usually a daunting task, to say the least. There are many very expensive programs that are almost impossible for the beginner to use. But I found one program, Blender, that makes it easy to learn how to animate. And it's free. Simply go to www.blender.org , click on "download", find the specifications of your computer, and download the program. I spent the summer exploring this program and, while there are some difficult parts of it to understand, you can either figure them out by playing with it, or by going to Youtube and searching for instructions. Another useful tool to learn how to operate Blender is the book, Blender for Dummies. I really like this program because it is easy to use and you can make great animations.

Gabe Ryan-- Home-schooled

I decided I'd post one of my poems, so here it goes.

Follow me to a wonderous place,
between sleep and awakeness.
Where the dreamer is introduced to reality.
I'll hold your hand and you'll hold mine,
we need to guide each other through this labyrinth.
Because no one knows of here.
Be quiet now,
I'm not sure we're allowed here.
Oh look there comes some others.
One looks like you,
the other looks like me.
They introduce themselves with our names.
And they dare to ask the question,
"Are you the dreamer or the real one?"

When we visit my grandparents in Kentucky, we usually buy bottles of an interesting soft drink called Ale-8-1. Ale-8-1 is only sold in Kentucky and parts of the surrounding states. The beverage tastes a little like ginger ale, but it has more flavor.

The most surprising thing about Ale-8-1 is the fact that not long after we got back from Kentucky, we saw someone at the West York Target who was wearing an Ale-8-1 t-shirt. We had not expected to ever see someone outside of Kentucky with an Ale-8-1 shirt.

By MELISSA COLON
Central York High School

One in three.

One-Third.

Thirty-three percent.

No matter how you read the statistic, it's still the same.

One in three teenagers report being sexually abused, physically abused or threatened, according to Stacy McDonnell of Access-York.

"I tell teens that domestic violence can be any type: family member to family member, intimate partner, formally intimate partner," said McDonnell, who is the Community Education Specialist for Access-York, a program of the YWCA of York with the goal of eliminating domestic violence in York County. It offers services, including a 24-hour hotline, shelter and education.