The 80's

There are obviously so many options to choose from going back in time and choosing which time period I would want to see. But I think that of all the choices, I would like to visit the 1980's. Mostly because of the famously known 1980 Winter Olympics. These Olympics changed American lives. The game known as the "Miracle Game" occurred, this game brought peace to Americans and made them live easier. The "Miracle Game" for those who don't know was the very game where the USA defeated the Soviet Union team. The most improbable win brought the Americans to closure. Mainly because there was a ton of tension between the two countries. Other big things that gone on, well the famously known game or toy called the Rubik's Cube, and the game Pac-Man game was invented in 1980, both big games today that are very entertaining. The current President at that time Ronald Reagan, was being attempted for assassination, but he was luckily able to get away unharmed. The NBA had a new star and boy was he a sight to see. Michael Jordan became arguably the greatest player ever to play the game in this decade. These years were his big ones, the ones he is known for. Michael Jordan graduated from North Carolina and immediately showed he could play with the big boys right away in the pros. The 80's are a time known for a lot of change around the world and wealth and production became easier to find and helped a lot of people out. I think that I would love to see what life was like back in this time, with all the different music and sports and wars and culture. I think it would be really awesome and to see all of the adults that were in their teens and 20s back then.

How Long?

There are many problems going on in the world, and most of them are unable to be changed.  I think that the most important of the problems, is the homeless and jobless population.  There are way too many people in the cities and downtowns that do not have homes.  It is ruining society and if I had the chance that would be at the top of my list.  The jobless population also is affecting many people throughout the world.  The main reason for these problems though, has to be the economy.  The economy has gotten so bad and people cannot afford anything anymore.  I think that if I had a chance to change the world it would be to lower many prices of anything and everything.  I know that this task would not be easy but it must happen for these goals to be accomplished.  The worst part is the economy and the jobless and the homeless populations are triggering other downfalls to our world.  For example, world peace and bullying and the ability to be equal are all still big problems we cannot change.  As much as we think it is all gone it will not go away.  I hope that one day is able to realize what is happening and all of the problems will be erased.  It will take a lot and a long time but who knows what will happen.  Maybe one day a bully starts to become nice and wants to change.  Maybe many people will follow him.  It only takes one to start a chain reaction, as we learned a few years ago in the Rachel's Challenge assembly, hopefully the world can accomplish this one day.  It will take many to want to change but I believe that one day something big will happen.

Jessica Insinna

So Mr. Currin set up the entire class to interview one other person and get to know them a little better, or learn who they are.  Well I was originally assigned Emily Cole, but some changes were made and I had the great opportunity to learn about the very nice and loving young lady in Jessica Insinna.  Jessica is currently a junior here at Alden High School, and is very excited about her upcoming senior year.  Now obviously she hasn't really decided on what she wants to do when she's older and is undecided on college, although she is very excited.  Jessica was born on June 27th, and has an older sister named Emily who is also in our school.  I didn't really know that much about Jessica aside from the fact that she does go to my church which is St. John's on Sandridge Road.  But during this interview I discovered so much about her.  For starters, in her free time she loves to read, and watch movies.  Her favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  A series that is huge around the world especially for kids and teens.  It is a comedy that is illustrated with some funny pictures to keep people interested.  Also while at home, Jessica loves to cook and bake, as long as she has a recipe and knows what she’s doing.  She also enjoys pizza, but not from the pizza shop, she likes to make her own.  In school, she loves English, mainly because she loves her teach, the one and only Mr. Currin, who also teaches this very class.  She loves him and so do many other people. I had a very nice time getting to know Jessica Insinna and hope that I can learn more about her and other classmates in the future through this class.

First and Last Loss

For my choice blog I am writing about the disappointment of our first loss against the Cleveland Hill Golden Eagles.  More importantly the fact I have never beaten Cleve Hill in the 7 games I have played them in basketball, which dates back all the way to 7th grade.  I am very unhappy with this and with our effort against this team in the last few matches.  Honestly, I can't even tell you the last time the game has been within 10 points.  We always seem to stick with them going into halftime, sure we'll be down by a couple buckets but it always seems like were right there.  And then the margin gradually gets bigger and bigger.  Last night we were able to get it down to about 6 or 7 and we would have the ball, and the next 3 possessions would all end up in turnovers and they would score and all of a sudden the lead would be back up to 10 or 12 and the game would be out of hand.  I am very disappointed with myself and the team from this game but we are going to have to buckle down for the rest of a long season, starting with the Eden Raiders and Friday.  Eden usually isn't the best team but we always have to take a very long drive which affects our play.  Last season we played the same team, and we ended up losing the game.  A very disappointing game which from then point on out our season down the drain.  Hopefully we are able to avenge this loss and turn the Cleve Hill loss into some inspiration for the rest of the season.  We will be able to get back at Cleve Hill late in January, and we will come back for them.

Miner Island

The last choice blog is about my favorite place to be in the whole wide world, where I dominate, Miner Island.  You may be wondering what’s Miner Island?  Well Miner Island is the backyard of the Zach Miner's house.  The place where we play football, Al Darrow, Austin Zelasko, Zach Miner, Leyton Miner, and myself.  It is always the Miners versus the Austins while Al plays all time quarterback.  Miner Island though comes from the nickname of New York Jet cornerback, Darrelle Revis.  It is called Revis Island because he is such a good cornerback and shuts down the best receivers in the game.  And so receivers are supposed to be scared to go into Revis Island.  Now Miner may not be a great defender mostly because I dominate him and I cannot be stopped.  But, he seems to think he shuts me down, hence the name Miner Island.  Every weekend I am usually at Austin's house and MIner Island is the place to be in the morning no matter what day.  The most recent game we have played was the Turkey Bowl.  The day of Thanksgiving a ton of kids come the Zach's house and we played a big 7 on 7 football game, in a game where I had 4 interceptions off of Darrow and 5 touchdown receptions.  Probably the biggest game in my career, even though we ended up blowing the lead late.  It was a very disappointing ending especially since we had a two touchdown lead and the ball.  Well I guess I will have to wait another year for my Turkey Bowl Title.  But, on the positive side, it will give our team a want for revenge.  Hopefully we will come out with the intensity on the field and we will come out on top.

My Team

For my second choice blog I am going to write about my favorite college basketball team, the Syracuse Orange.  I have been a Syracuse fan since at least 5th grade and each year my passion for them grows stronger and stronger.  Almost to the point that I am a diehard fan, and I watch every game I can.  Syracuse is off to another phenomenal start ranked number 3rd in the country and currently at 9 and 0.  Their big win coming against the then ranked number 9 team, the Florida Gators in the Big East/SEC Challenge.  The only problem this season is off the court.  Former assistant coach Bernie Fine was accused of rape charges on former ball boys over 20 years ago.  Fine was removed from the coaching staff, but no charges have been filed.  On the court Syracuse has not skipped a beat, and hasn't looked to be bothered by any of the allegations.  The Orange will participate in 4 more non-conference games before Syracuse takes on the Seton Hall Pirates on Wednesday December 28th, the first of their 17 straight games against Big East opponents.  Syracuse has 10 players returning including stand out forward Kris Joseph who is leading the team in scoring.  Coach Jim Boeheim has a very deep team which is what it is going to take to get through a long season.  Syracuse is looking to win their 2nd National Title, the last one coming in 2003 with Carmelo Anthony running the show.  The Orange next play on Saturday December 9th, against the George Washington Colonials at home at 7 pm.  The Colonials stand at 4 and 4 and may have a rough time against a lanky Orange team that forces over 15 turnover a game, Syracuse should cruise to a 10 and 0 start.

Cinderella Story

Well since this week we have to write three choice blogs due to Bill Penny, my first one is going to be on my fantasy football team.  My team has made the playoffs on a miraculous comeback.  First of all it looked like it was going to be another below average season but my team came up clutch and proved they were the "comeback kids" in the league.  It all started when for the first year we decided to have an offline draft at league owner Al Darrow's house.  Well this was going to be great right but there was one problem.  I had a baseball game that day and forced me to miss our draft, another reason why I was not excited for this season.  The amazing thing is my first 8 draft picks from that day are not even on my roster.  And after starting the season off at 0 and 3 I decided there were a lot of changes to be made.  I made an 8-player trade with Zach Miner which changed my entire season.  In this trade I got my leading scorer who carried my team to victory each and every week, rookie quarterback, Cam Newton.  A playmaker an athlete who can run, throw and even catch.  After my 0 and 3 start I got back into the race winning 3 in a row putting me at 3-3, after some up and down games I finished off the season on a 3 game winning streak and snuck into the playoffs after a very close race.  4 of the 5 teams in my division going into the final week stood at 6-6 each team with a chance to make it to the playoffs.  This might have been the closest race ever; at least that I've seen.  Cam Newton was clutch and ripped off an astonishing 42 points and put the team on his back.  Now I have to prepare for Al's team who is 12-1, team full of the Green Bay Packers and is led by Aaron Rodgers the number one player in fantasy and this year has already recorded 61 points.  It will take everyone on my team to play their best to have a shot in this two-week long matchup.