Slow Technology

As I sit here in the WHS library, it's really dawning on me how much I hate technology that can't keep up with the person using it. Technology is supposed to assist and guide people on making work easier; not make them want to kill themselves. I feel that technology should be helpful, not slow you down and give you enough time to walk upstairs, get a snack, go to the bathroom, make a phone-call and mow the lawn... all before your page loads. Personally, I get severely frustrated when I see the "spinning wheel of death". I get the urge the throw this computer out of the library's 2nd story window; but I can't, because then I would have a lot of explaining to do, although I would feel much better.

I hope that someday, technology in schools will actually be adequate. Students should be able to get five minutes of work done in five minutes, not fifteen. People in this day and age work at fast paces. With all the "technological advances", shouldn't something like Microsoft Word be able to keep up with the typing speed of a high school student?

Maybe I'm just impatient. But I can't help it when I type in a website, and have enough time to grow a beard before the page loads. When I'm in a scramble, that's when I get really frustrated. I rely on computers more than I previously realized. Now I'm finding ways to obtain information without computers. Simply because I just don't have the time or patience to watch a rainbow-colored wheel make thousands of revolutions. It's very discerning when your page finally loads, but then nothing on the page functions. I'm sorry, I don't know how anyone can have the tolerance or patience wait a solid 3 minutes to open an e-mail.

FOR MORE ON SLOW COMPUTERS: http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/03/whypeopleseemtohavefreetime-1.jpg

PICTURE: http://www.webdesign.org/img_articles/2395/The_Cost_Of_Frustration1.jpg

New Favorite Aspect

As I was working today at Molly's restaurant, in Hanover, I realized that I have a new favorite aspect of my job.

When I started working at Molly's in May of 2007, I thought the best part of working was the people I worked with and the fact that if I ever got thirsty, the soda machine had my name on it. I soon realized that, just like every other "cool" thing, free soda kind of lost its appeal to me. When I work at Molly's, I run food to tables. Think of going to a restaurant and receiving your food... from someone besides your server; that's me. So I'm trapped in the kitchen waiting for food to come up so I can move around. While down there, I got to know not only the waitstaff, but the kitchen crew as well. Let me tell you, I was really loving the environment and the variety of people my job had to offer.

Today, June 13, 2009, I delivered food to a table and something jumped out at me. I realized that what I vividly noticed, is something that happens often, I just never paid much attention to it. As I called off the names of the plates of food in my hands, I noticed that some tables have a very difficult time remembering what they ordered no more than 15 minutes ago. Some costumers treat matching plates of food with who ordered them like a complex calculus problem. I came to realize this and started to think of how often it happens... My day continued.

Then it happened again, and again, and again. I started to look at the expressions on people's faces after I asked a simple question like "Who had the bacon cheeseburger?". Some of the expressions I saw were so funny I had to hold myself back from cracking up and dropping the food all over the table. The intelligent expressions some people present make you feel good about yourself. I told some co-workers of mine to look at some faces while their calling out food, within 10 minutes, I had half the restaurant staff laughing at the discovery I had made.

The confusion you can put on a group of people with a simple question is astonishing. When I work, I usually hear "Uhh", "Uhm..." or some other form of confusion. Sometimes, people also tell me that wasn't what they ordered, until I continue to give off food and they finally realize that the only plate I have left... might just be what they ordered. "Oh! I guess I did have that!" All I can do is smile...

FOR MORE ON MOLLYS: http://mollysrestaurant.com/

Down 3-1

The sad reality is that there are few that really expect the Orlando Magic to be able to outlast the Los Angeles Lakers, lead by arguably the best player in the world, Kobe Bryant. Most feel that it's Kobe's time to shine and show the world that he can win a championship without his former partner-in-crime and co-superstar Shaquille O'Neal.

Personally, I like the Orlando Magic in the series, but just like the rest of the sports followers, I have my doubts. Orlando is a dominant team when they play at their own pace, and control the game-tempo; easier said than done against the Lakers, I'm aware. The Magic lack something the Lakers have possessed for over a decade, a "lights-out" shooter. They simply perfect the art of solid, fundamental, team basketball. Position players like Mickael Pietrus, Rafer "Skip to My Lou" Alston, and Courtney Lee do all the little things to perfection, and the Magic's play is a direct image of it. What seems to go untold is that Orlando is keeping up with the Laker's in every category, they've just gotten the short end of the stick in 2 games (excluding their 25-point "get it together... quickly" blowout in Game 1). Magic coach Stan van Gundy can't point out many negatives in the locker room or while watching game film. Every member on this team has played their heart out every second on the court. Dwight Howard is more physical than he's ever been in the low block, Rafer Alston has become a "play-maker" and always seems to make a big play, and Hedo Turkoglu is taking over the offense when necessary. However, LA has gotten the crucial plays to go their way when the game's on the line, that's something the Magic need to find a way to stop (again, easier said than done).

If the Orlando Magic can get everyone to contribute something a little extra on offense and/or defense, continue to have solid games from Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis, and play THEIR game, I see a victory in Game 5. If the Magic can dig deep and full out a "W" in Los Angeles, they would get something even nicer... a trip back home to Orlando for pivotal Game 6.

FOR MORE ON ORLANDO MAGIC: http://www.nba.com/magic/

PICTURE: http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/4979/20080510HedoComfortJameer_DougBencGetty.jpg

Back from a 5-year absence

Alright, I have heard numerous people give their intake on Eminem and his new album. So I feel that it's my turn. I have heard some say that it's terrible. While others say it's some of his best work. I have listened to the album numerous times and feel that I have formed a pretty solid opinion. Eminem hasn't been in the studio for years. Some rumored that he had retired, while others just waited patiently. Between his best friend getting shot in a bar fight, his drug problem and the nagging media, I can't say I blame him for taking a little sabatical. The genius is still alive in Marshall Mathers, Relapse was a solid album, this is what I think...

1. Dr. West (skit)- The intro that has Eminem talking to a doctor who's about to release him, Eminem says he's nervous about re-entering society after his "Relapse", the doctor is obviously some twisted character who encourages him to Relapse... AGAIN. It ends with Eminem going besurk.

2. 3AM- Perfect song to follow the intro. It tells a story about a patient who goes on a killing spree in a hospital, most likely following the encounter with the doctor. Eminem's controversal "accent" is displayed for the first time in this song. ***

3. My Mom- We've all heard Em bash his mother throughout his career. This song is about her addiction of Valum. Vintage Eminem... controversal and unfiltered. ****

4. Insane- Hands down the most twisted and perverted song I've ever heard. It's almost disturbing to listen to. The song is about a twisted pedophile father... You need to hear it to understand what I'm talking about. ****

5. Bagpipes From Baghdad- This song is my personal favorite. Great flow, great lyrics, catchy beat. This song is about his relationship with Mariah Carrey and how she left Eminem for Nick Cannon. Em feels the need to destroy both of them in this song. *****

6. Hello- This song is solid all around. Eminem's flow is exploited in this piece. He has this incredible talent to rap about nothing and still make you bob your head. This is a prime example of that. ***

7. Tonya (skit) - About a girl whose car breaks down in the rain. She flags a car down and thanks them for stopping. The next thing you hear in duct tape stretching out and her screaming. Great intro to Same Song and Dance.

8. Same Song and Dance- This is another one of my personal favorites. He raps about all the celebrities that have been his "victims", and why he chose to go after them lyrically. The true genius of Eminem comes out in this song. *****

9. We Made You- This song is more "goofy" Eminem, similar to "Without Me" and "Just Lose It". This was a simgle off the album, therefore it was overplayed way too much. It's also a song where his new "accent" is displayed. I'm not very fond of this song. **

10. Medicine Ball- Another phenominal rap. It has a great beat and a great flow. It's all about how he knows he can say whatever he wants and get away with it. He knows some people hate him and he acknowledges that. He claims that everyone is in his "Medicine Ball". You can make the metaphoric connection... *****

11. Paul (skit) - This is an actual voicemail from Eminem's music manager. Saying that he just listened to the entire album and... "you've got to be f**king kidding me" He claims that he doesn't have his back on this one and he's on his own.

12. Stay Wide Awake- Another song basically saying that Eminem will go anywhere lyrically to get his point across, no matter what borders he has to cross and who he offends. ****

13. Old Time's Sake - This is a rap with Dr. Dre that doesn't have much of a message but it's a

great "head-bobber". ***

14. Must Be the Ganja- This song actually has a ridiculous beat. Eminem's flow great in this song. The title is pretty self-explainitory as far comprehending the lyrics. =) ****

15. Mr. Mathers (skit) - This skit starts with a very "psychodelic-sounding" voice calling out "Mr. Mathers", it clears up eventually and you learn that it's relating to an overdose. The voice is a medic who finds him laying on the floor of his house. They load him into the ambulance, which leads into the next song.

16. Deja Vu- This song answers all the questions about what Eminem had gone through the past 4 years. Covering everything from his pill addiction, to people's accusations, to the death of his best friend "Proof (a fellow rapper). ****

17. Beautiful- The most inspirational song on the album. Telling people that life is hard, but you have to keep your chin up and fight through all the hard times. "Don't let them say you ain't beautiful" *****

18. Crack a Bottle- Another overplayed single that includes Dr. Dre & 50 Cent. I listened to this song once... and that was enough. *

19. Steve Berman (skit) - This skit is about Eminem's lawyer telling him what he's done to the music industry, he's tired of Eminem's excuses and legal trouble. He wants nothing to do with him and kicks him out of his office.

20. Underground- This song exploits the Eminem we all love. The Eminem that gets fired up and just "goes". Once Eminem starts his "furious"-style of rap, there's nothing that can stop him. This song is about where he has been for the last 4 years. It's also full of analygies about topics of his life. Great concluding song. ****

This album was great in my opinion. The great Marshall Mathers did it again, even after taking time off away from the "rap game". He never seems to disappoint. I look forward to his next album... the heavily anticipated "Relapse 2". Overall Rating: 8/10

FOR SONG SAMPLES FROM "RELAPSE": http://www.eminem.com/

PICTURE: http://www.culturebully.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/eminem-relapse-cover.jpg

411 on Game 1

As the world prepared for the heavily anticipated best of seven series between Kobe & LeBron, the Orlando Magic slowly creaped past the Celtics and continued their winning ways to send LeBron home early. The media was in awe. It was SUPPOSED to be a battle of the two most dominant players in the NBA. Orlando had different ideas.

Thursday night came and the 2009 NBA Finals were underway. The big question everyone asked was "Can Kobe win a ring without Shaq? Or will the underdog Magic steal yet another series to earn their first championship in franchise history?" The Orlando Magic played great basketball to keep up with the LA Lakers all through the first half. This was going to be quite a series.

I'm not sure what Phil Jackson said to his Lakers at halftime, but it obviously fired up Kobe. At the start of the 3rd, Kobe came out with a bang. No member of the Magic could defend the deadly-accurate Kobe Bryant. Kobe ended the quarter with 17 points, en route to a 40 point game.

The Magic not only couldn't contain Kobe, but had problems of their own. Between the mindless turnovers and forced passes, the Magic gave the Lakers way more scoring chances than they worked for. Mickael Pietrus was the LEADING Magic scorer with 14 points. When that happens, the end result usually isn't pretty.

For the Magic, it wasn't. When the final buzzer went off all the Magic could do was look at the heckling fans and accept their 100-75 defeat. Which was the bigger Game 1 blowout since the late 80's. The Magic need a different game plan in Game 2, or they will be finding themselves in an 0-2 hole... heading back to LA.

I would call this a must win for the Magic. Get Dwight Howard the ball in the post, and get role players like Turkoglu and "Skip to My Lou" going. Stan van Gundy needs to find a way to keep the ball out of the hands on Kobe Bryant. How you do that is anyone's guess.

I feel that the Los Angeles Lakers have a huge advantage in this series. With solid contributers like Fisher, Ariza, and Gasol helping Odom and Kobe do all the dirty work, I feel that the Laker's will prevail in the end. The Orlando Magic aren't going to just roll over though, when they execute their "jump shot" game approach (by not forcing shots, making the extra pass, and finding the open man) they can be dominant. But is Kobe too much?

My Prediction: Lakers in 5 Games. Simply due to the fact that Kobe has a better supporting cast than Dwight Howard. Although Howard is the most athletic "big man" in the NBA, he can't do it all. His teammates need to pick it up play 48 minutes of solid defense. If not, Kobe will earn his 4th championship ring.

FOR MORE ON THE 2009 NBA FINALS: http://www.nba.com/finals2009/