Christmas at Highlands Ranch

We're visiting family in Colorado.  The weather has been springlike.  Is that a word?  The community is Highlands Ranch.  It's a large community.  Ninety thousand residents.  It's so perfect.

There are no poor people in Highlands Ranch.  Well, you never see them, or if they are poor you can't tell by looking.  This helps me think less about the money I spend on presents.  There are no minorities in Highland Ranch.  This is nice because you don't have to worry about being politically correct.  When everyone looks the same you can joke about everyone else and they never know!

If someone parks illegally on your street, like the end of their car hangs over into your driveway, you can call the police and they'll come pronto to ticket the criminal.

Christmas Eve there was a Santa Claus standing on a main street corner in Highlands Ranch.  He was perfect.  My guess is that there were several such Santas planted throughout this large community.

We always come to Highlands Ranch to visit Micah, Rachel, and now Noah.  It was a meaningful Christmas because of the people we visited.  Christmas is like that.

Mean Works

I hate it when others use it.  I hate myself when I use it.  Mean Works.  Mean Works best when you have some type of power over another person.  Take heart-we all have power over someone.  If you have lots of money you can be mean.  Without saying a word a money person can insinuate, "It's my way or we stop traveling together," or, "Didn't quite work out the way you planned, bet you wish you had me on your side." 

Teachers use Mean.  "You didn't like what I had planned-take this!"  Oh, the teacher seldom says it outloud, but the Meanness is there.  Do teachers ever use assignments to be mean?

Students can be Mean.  Male students use money and their physical strength as their weapon of Mean.  Female students assault with their groupies and words.  Generally, other students stand by and watch as these weapons are drawn.  After the emotional bleeding the bystanders can be heard to say,  "I never said one bad (Mean) word," or, "It wasn't any of my business."  Parents, teachers, pastors, employers, and employees, who allow this style are instructors of Mean.

Meanness works well as a motivator, yet is emotionally destructive, and fails long term.  The fear from Mean remains, sometimes forever, but it destroys relationships, and exiting Mean's space becomes a priority.  The obedient child who was motivated by mean, can't wait to leave home.  Unfortunately, the leaving is more than packing a suitcase.  Meanness also makes the Heart move out.

Predictions

It's fun being right.  People love predicting the future.  This predicting doesn't have to be about major events, or life determining issues.  In fact most of our predicting is related to everyday occurances.  Will the teacher be on time to class?  Will my dad remember to pick me up immediately after school?  These questions quickly turn into predictions: "My dad will not remember to pick me up after school, he's always late."  Mr. Worley is always late to class, and you watch, it won't be any different today!"

Our predicting statements soon become very self-revealing.  In the everyday turn of events we either become positive or negative in our predictive nature.  In order to avoid disappointment we down play, or predict an outcome that will not cause us frustration or personal hurt.  It is easy to develop this negative approach to living.

This negative approach is also seen in our humor.  This humor takes the form of hurtful statements about people in which we are emotionally invested.  These are people with whom we live, work, and attend school.  We would not consider many of these people "close" to us.  In our minds, this makes it acceptable when we use negative predictive statements.  "I would never say that about you, or anyone else with whom I felt close."

Yes, you would.  It's fun, we're in the habit, we're overcome by the opportunity to say what we think might happen with someone, and since it's just a prediction-we don't mean it.  This form of ridicule changes our approach to living.  It was funny with Jerry Seinfeld-it is soul hurtful to the one using this cool style-and behind the back belittling to the one about whom the comment is made.

Be the one who practices resisting making negative predictive statements, whether in moments of anger, or in opportunities to exhibit your comedic skills.

John Denver

Goodbye Blog I'll Miss You

The Blog has been a great experience for me. I have learned to expand my knowledge as a person, and in an educational sense. I have learned more about myself and others through blogs. My writing skills have improved, and I took time to think about what’s really important in life; I actually thought about things that matter, like what is life really about. I never really took time in my day to think and just wonder. I think people should take more time and break away from their routine, I did and it helped me a lot. In blog class it wasn't an ordinary class, because I didn’t just get told to fill in the answers on a paper or write an essay on this. I got to write on what I wanted to, my options were endless. I learned many new things I may have never learned before. So thank-you Mr. Worley for a great class, this may be my last post for a long time. It’s been a joy writing for whoever’s been reading. So here’s one last goodbye.

-Classic KiD

A Look Inside NFL Week 15

This week in the NFL could mean winning a division for some teams, trying to stay in the hunt for being in the playoffs for others, to try and end a losing streak for others, and for others to beat a rival team in their division. This year in the NFL has been full of season ending injuries along with the hopes for some players to return before the end of the regular season for the teams in the hunt of the playoffs.

Tonight we have the San Diego Chargers at home against the visiting San Francisco 49ers. This is a California state rivalry, which should end up in a Chargers win over the 49ers. If the 49ers lose tonight they will be almost out of playoff run in the NFC West (which by the way is the worst division in the NFL, not a single team is over .500 in the division). A win for the Chargers would pull them into a tie for first place with the Chiefs at 8-6 if the Chiefs lose this week. A funny thing about the Chargers, they start out weak at the beginning of the season but always seem to pull it together, and make a run at the playoffs but never can really beat the other teams in the playoffs. Maybe the Chargers might have God with them on their side this year and make it to the Super Bowl this year, but they would have to go through my boys, the NEPP (New England Powerhouse Patriots).

Come this Sunday, we will have some great games on our hands: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants, New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers vs New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings. I am recommending to all of you that you watch at least one of those games, they will all be great games to watch as teams fight it out for the playoffs. Watch online newspaper headlines for stories about injured players, because teams will be defiantly tough this week.

This is ColdWaRrior out

A Beautiful Cellphone-2

After the first half of the Boys Jr. Varsity game I headed to the new gym to watch the Girls Varsity take on the Ladies from Darrington.  This is a rebuilding year for the Orcas Ladies.  The season will provide lots of good character building experiences as they develop into a new team, under a new coaching staff.  As I was sitting there and the score continued to be lopsided, I was about to leave.  Suddenly, Anika Thomas comes down from the top of the grandstands and says hi.  Anika was in my classes for four years-and survived!  While others became attached to all the latest in devices of communication, for some reason Anika went without.  "Why do I need it," she would say when people asked.

As we talked, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone.  It was beautiful.  It was shiney.  She had received a message and was returning the contact with a message of her own.  I couldn't resist teasing her, by remarking how she finally had a cell phone.  We continued to visit through most of the second half of the game and with a few seconds left I made my exit.

I  thought about Anika's cell phone.  I thought how excited the Jr. Varisty players were to be playing their first game.  I thought about how hard it would be for some of the Varsity players who would be part of a rebuilding year.  I  thought about the parents of the players on the home and visiting teams.  I  thought about all the students over the years I've watched play in differing sporting events.  I thought how they all move on past high school, into a world vastly different than their teen years.  How sooner than later they realize that what seems important now, is a fleeting experience as one grows and matures.  I thought how it's easy to discount what teens think is important just because I've moved on to other life experiences.  And then I thought again about the cell phone and how life is about connecting and working at connecting with fellow life learners.  I  thought about being sad that I haven't stayed connected with more of my students.  But how could I be sad when all of these students have engaged my mind with learning and building new relationships.  I could only be happy that they have gone on to be positive contributors to their communities, and continue touch the lives of people everyday.

So, what if Anika would not have come down and said, "hi?"  I would of missed more than the sight of her cell phone, I would have missed an opportunity to re-connect with a person who impacted my life.  I drove home with the rain pounding on my windshield.  I drove home remembering that the happiest people are the ones who work at having healthy relationships.  Don't believe that some contacts are insignificant encounters.  Believe that every hello was meant to be.  Be on the lookout for those opportunities, and then step down and say, "hi."

by raw

Video Games



Computer





Headset for Computer gamers





Playstation 3




XBOX 360

 

Parents today are asking themselves and their kids "Why do you play video games?" The answer kids will usually reply is "Because it's fun and theres nothing else to do". True the kids are "frying" their brains, but what if they are a teenager and its midnight. What are they going to do? Some will play video games and others will watch movies. Kids most likely went over to a friends house and played on a system of somekind and a certain game and they come home asking for them both. Some of the more common games are sports, FPS(first person shooter), and anime from tv or a movie. Most boys will probally stick to the sports and FPS games, some won't like them. Girls play those games too, but some will play different games that boys would die before playing them. Ways to stop kids from playing video games at home: give them chores to do, a time limit on how long they can play, don't give them certain games if you don't like them, tell them to read a book, make loosing playing video games for a week (or some other amount of time) a consequnce, or just don't buy a system that they can play video games on. Video games are a way to relax for some kids or to just have fun with friends when they are over. Some games require teamwork with other players or your friends in the room, these are probally the best type of games. The pictures on this blog are systems that kids play games on. Personally I prefer sports and FPS games, they require skill and teamwork which I prefer to focus on.

This is ColdWaRrior out.



PSP



DS

Anika, That's A Beautiful Cellphone!

I usually sneak into the basketball games at the public school.  Everyone is with someone, or with a group of someones.  I usually attend without a someone.  My someone is usually home using her time in a more profitable manner.  Last week I asked Tom Roosma to go to the game with me-he said no.  I sit on the front row at center court.  A center court seat at a pro-game would cost several hundred dollars unless you were a somebody and you got free tickets.  If you're not sure what a pro-game is, well, that's where really tall guys run around wearing tons of tatoos on their arms, legs, necks, and maybe their feet.  They don't play by the rules-maybe they're too big to play by the rules.  They jump around like huge rabbits, and when they do basic things like make a basket, they grab their shirt and yank on it, or pound their chest.  Another thing they like to do after making a average play, is jump into the air at each other and either bump their sides, hips, or chests together. But if someone gave me courtside tickets to a pro-game to watch these huge rabbits jump at each other-I'd take them.  But of course, being just a someone means that's not going to happen.

So Saturday I went to the public school to watch some games and watch my students and former students play.  I first went to the old gym.  That's where they let the beginners start their careers.  I really wish someone would just once, say, "Tonight the beginners get the young (new) gym, and the big shots will use the dirty, dark, scruffy, old gym."  It would be so much fun to watch the reaction of the players and their parents.  "What! My Child Play In The Old Gym!"  "What! I'm not a beginner! I'm A Somebody! And Don't You Forget It!"

I decided to sit with the visiting team's fans.  This is really fun for me!  The visiting fans don't recognize me and every now and then they glance at me and wonder where in the world did I come from?  "Do you think he's one of us?" is the look they have on their face.  This was even more fun Saturday night because I still had on my go to church clothes.  When you wear dress slacks and a dress shirt to a sporting event on Orcas, well, that's like wearing a speedo to a wedding.  Even the Orcas people didn't want to sit by me.  Now, one of the reasons it's fun to sit with the visiting team's fans is because I can't root for either team.  This is so good for me on my quest to be a self-disciplined person.  If I root for Orcas then Darrington's fans will want me to leave (which is ok, but visiting fans often sneer at you as you move to the other end of the stands, and I don't like it when someone sneers at me-all my childhood insecurities begin to rise up and laugh) and sit with the Orcas people.  If I root for Darrington I might as well pack my bags and rent a U-Haul.  Sports are very important to the people who live on Orcas.

I can't write anymore.  I have papers to grade and this blog post is too long.  The cool thing about the OCS blog is no one reads it so we bloggers can do short, long, or moderate posts.  I guess I'll have to do part 2 of this blog.  My apologies to Anika-now she'll have to read part 2 in order to feel the pride of being on somthingcatchey.blogspot.com.

by a someone

It's that time of year

A star in the East has appeared, three travelers and their camels have finished their long  journey. An angel appeared to a Shepard and his flock of sheep just outside the town of Orcas and told him about the good news of Jesus being born. Mary and Joseph found shelter in a local barn in the little town of Orcas. You can see everyone of these people from the road as you drive through Warm Valley on your way to the ferry. Four angels have shown up on the scene of Jesus's birth also along with the mysterious travelers baring gifts and the Shepard

Here's some background on the Nativity scene that is in front of Warm Valley Farm's barn. The original life size portraits of the people use to be down at the ferry landing. When they remodeled the ferry landing they didn't have the space anymore for the Nativity scene so they asked Bill and Barb (the owners of the Warm Valley Farm barn) if they would take over the responsibility of putting up the Nativity scene during the Christmas season. Bill and Barb said yes and had been putting up the scene till it became harder and harder for them to put it up. This is where my family and I became involved.  Our warm valley friends gave us the job of putting up the scene during the Christmas season. Every year until last year I dreaded putting up the scene because it took forever (at least it seemed to take forever-probably 2-3 hours)  The partical board on which the Nativity scene characters were drawn, was slowly, but surely falling apart.  During last winter my family, with the help of a friend, cut out the characters on marine plywood. Then we put a primer coat on the wood to keep the rain and weather from affecting the characters. Then began the long stretch of painting the new characters according to the right colors on the old ones. Boy was that fun... Anyway, after painting all of the characters over the winter/spring/summer the scene was ready to be put up. We had come up with the idea of putting PVC pipe in the ground and having metal pipe on the back of the characters that was smaller than the PVC pipe. That way we could just slip the characters into place instead of having the place them correctly and tie them to the barn (we still do but its easier with the pipe in the ground). So the next time you head to the ferry, take a look on the left side of the highway and you'll see this great nativity reminder.

This is ColdWaRrior out

C.S. Lewis' Masterpiece

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Synopsis: Lucy, Edmund and their cousin Eustace are drawn into Narnia through a painting. Return to the magic and wonder of C.S. Lewis’ beloved world – via the fantastic Narnian ship, the Dawn Treader. In this new installment of the blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia" motion picture franchise, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their cousin Eustace, and their royal friend King Caspian, find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to the Dawn Treader. As they embark on an incredible adventure of destiny and discovery, they confront obstacles beyond imagination.

Information found at link below:

http://www.themovieinsider.com/m4332/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/

I'm excited about seeing this movie.  The last movie, Prince Caspian, wasn't thrilling or action packed, not like the first one, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Some fans of the series that was created by C.S. Lewis are wondering if this is the last installment of the movie series.  C.S. Lewis created seven books.  To me, the last two movies were introducing the characters and helping watchers understand the storyline that the books created. Another opinion, fairy tales are spectacular to read and watch, but the books always make your mind run wild with imagination.

Liam says and I quote: "It looks really good, I am excited to see it when it comes out in theaters."

Herbie says and I quote: "I think that it will be a great adventure story and a good family movie."

Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will come to theaters in digital 3-D on 12/10/10

-Santa's Elf

Photography

I enjoy taking a few photos of random things I come across. The majority of the photos I've taken have been based around the sun, just because it is a great focal point in photos. Taking photos isn’t something I truly love, it is just a fun thing to do to pass time for me. For some people photography is their life, always taking pictures of everything they see.  I’m not one of those people.  I have been told that I have a good eye for photography, and I think that if you want to be a good photographer you do not have to take pictures of famous places or things.  A great photograph can be of the simplest thing, and in my opinion that is the beauty of it.  I do not own a digital camera besides the one on my phone.  The quality of my phone photographs is average.  I haven’t yet been able to understand what a “good” photo is, but I try my best and take pictures of what I think will make a good picture. I do not like to use Photoshop to enhance pictures, and I believe pictures shouldn’t be edited to give it a false appearance.  So here are some photos I've taken over the past two and a half months.

-Classic KiD

Teenage Drinking

Many teens are curious to experiment and try alcohol. Soon some get addicted and have drinks with friends. College students are said to drink more alcohol than those who aren't in college. For me, I don't particularly agree with teenage drinking, or drinking at all. Drinking can lead to hurting yourself, others, and it can alter your personality; make you do things you wouldn't normally do. I think I am very fortunate to live on an island and not be subjected to all of the drinking. I have surrounded myself with friends of my choice that I like to be around; then again I was brought up that way. I don't like to hang around people who drink or smoke all the time.

Still a major problem today, but facts tell us that the statistics are declining in the amount of alcohol consumed by young adults/teens.

-An average of 11,318 teens try alcohol for the first time in life

-11.4% of alcohol is consumed by teens in the U.S.

-Americans drink the heaviest between their teen and mid twenties

-Three out of four seniors in high school have drank in their school years

-Eight teens die everyday from alcohol based car crashes

-More than 3 million teens are alcoholics

If you are experiencing problems with drinking, or you're hanging around people who might be a bad influence on people, including you, try these helpful ideas:

-Group Counseling

-Education on Teen Alcoholism

-Medical Treatment

http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/teenage-alcoholism.html

-Santa's Elf

My Weekend Plans

This weekend I plan on doing the following: work on the farm with my family, do homework, play with my dog, play some video games (not a lot), eat pretzels and other junk food, and hang out with my family.  Hanging out and working with my family are numbers two and three on my list behind homework. Then I can do anything else I want to do. Since I have fallen behind in my school work, I will not do anything but homework until I get caught up. My dog has been hyper recently becuase I have been so focused on homework, so I will take breaks once and awhile and play with her. 

This is ColdWaRrior out                  

Bible Promises

"If your parents reject you, I will take you in."
Psalm 27:10

This is a perfect bible promise for everyone, especially those who have grown up in an abusive atmosphere. Bible promises are cool because you can claim them for yourself and apply it to your life. Many will undoubtedly help you in life. Bible promises have helped me throughout my lifetime. Do you ever have those times where you just feel like God isn't with you anymore, or that no one loves you? I know I have, so the best thing to do in a situation like that would be to look up a bible promise. You can always count on God keeping his promises.

"You can enjoy freedom because Christ has set you free."

Galations 5:1

"My love for you will last forever."

Jeremiah 31:3

"All of mankind can find protection in the shadow of My Wings."

Psalm 36:7

"When problems arise, call to me and I will answer you."

Psalm 86:7

"I am near to you whenever you cry out."

Deuteronomy 4:7

-Santa's Elf

Media Fast CHALLENGE

Liam, participant in Mr. Foxes Media Fast

Julia, participant in Mr. Foxes Media Fast

Mr. Fox, challenged the American Literature class to a media fast last week. What media fast means is no more than 2 hours TOTAL of listening to your iPod, listening to the radio, playing video games, texting, internet use, watching TV, and watching movies per week. We also have to journal about how it impacted our day and read from the bible(anywhere in it) and journal about that too. This might seem very severe to most of the teenage kids today, but when you get bonus points for doing it and you need to bring your grade up its a BIG help. I can tell you that after nearly a week that it has improved my life in so many ways. I am not on the computer very often anymore and I get all of my homework done(for the most part) and get to hang out with my family.

I am challenging the people who read this blog to take on this media fast and take note on how it affects your life. Try doing this media fast till the day before Christmas break(you can continue into it if you want), be sure to journal nightly about how it made an impact in your life that day(don't make it too personal, because if you want to win a prize you have to turn your journal into the Blog class). Also grab your bible and open it randomly, read a chapter or section and reflect on how this might be pointing something out to you. Please submit your journals to the Blog class on Tuesday the 14th of December. The person that the blog class thinks the media fast impacted the most will receive a $15 gift certificate to Teezer's.

This is Cold WaRrior out

Jake Locker You Will be Missed

Jake Locker has been the Huskies quarterback since the 2007 season. He was the Huskies only glimmer of talent for many years, the only chance we had of winning a game.  He would bull his way through defenders like a running back when no one was there to pass to, or throw the ball to a receiver while being chased by the entire opposing team's defense. He gave fans hope, motivation to watch the Huskies play. Now in his senior season he has taken this young team to a bowl game, sure his stats aren’t amazing, but it’s the way he plays the game-with so much heart. Jake Locker loves the game and he gives it everything he’s got, no matter the score of the game he will not stop trying his hardest. I remember one season I went to see the Huskies play number one in the nation USC.  The Huskies were underdogs by far, they were just another easy win for USC, or so they thought. The Huskies gave it everything they had that day and almost won the game, we blocked a punt with 30 seconds left, and Locker ran it in for a touchdown.  He was breaking tackles and diving between defenders for the score.  The UW tried an onside kick which was unsuccessful. The Huskies lost that day, but it showed that they were a better team then most people had thought.  Jake Locker put the team on his back most of his career at UW, but this season his team helped him out when he has struggled.  The hard work of the team has paid off and the Huskies are going to a bowl game for the first time in 8 years. We’ll miss you Jake Locker, Husky football won’t be the same without you.

-Classic KiD

The Team and College I've Always Loved

As a young boy growing up I had two siblings that went to the University of Washington; my brother Cole and sister Molly. I had many great trips visiting them in Seattle, and touring the UW campus. My first journey was to see my brother Cole, he showed me Drumheller fountain. I then went around Seattle with him.  That was 10 years ago, but it is still fresh in my memory. A couple of years later my sister Molly went to UW.  I spent a night in her dorm with her and she took me around Seattle’s famous “Ave”, and showed me different places on campus. It was a great adventure and I will never forget it. My siblings always taught me to root for UW and they would give me shirts with the schools mascot on it. I had many great memories throughout my life at UW.  Even if I never go to UW it will always be one of my favorite colleges.  I started following UW’s football team through the years; I used to watch the Huskies play on most Saturdays. I have always loved them, win or lose they are my team. So after many terrible seasons including one without one win, the Huskies are finally going to a bowl game for the first time since 2002-when Cody Pickett was the quarterback. The team has had many bad seasons, but I have always enjoyed watching them play throughout the years, and finally they have done what people said they would never do again-participate in a end of the year bowl game.  Congratulations Washington Huskies!  

-Classic KiD

December 7, 1941 Flashback

Sixty Nine years ago today, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the US Military Bases on the Philippine Islands. The Japanese caught the Americans off guard at Pearl Harbor. Four Navy Battleships were sunk, two were eventually raised from the bottom of the ocean and put back in service. Three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, a mine layer, and 188 US aircraft were destroyed also in the attack. 2,402 military personnel were killed and another 1,282 were wounded in the attack of Pearl Harbor.

Hours after the attack of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Declaration of War against Japan. He also declared December 7 a day to remember. One of the Hero's of Pearl Harbor was Dorie Miller. He is famous for shooting a 50-caliber anti-aircraft gun aboard the USS Virginia for 15 minutes at Japanese planes. He shot down four Japanese planes until he ran out of ammunition. He was killed in service aboard the USS Liscome Bay.

Never Forget Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941

This is ColdWaRrior out

My trip to Portland

I had a great adventure this last weekend to Portland Oregon. I started my travels on Friday when I left school at 11:30; I then took the 12:10 ferry to Anacortes. During the ferry ride I worked on my homework and napped. When I arrived in Anacortes my sister Sophie was there, she picked me up and we drove to Seattle, once in Seattle we met up with my brother Cole and other sister Molly; we then headed for Portland. The traffic was terrible from Seattle to Olympia, and it took us much longer to get to Portland then normal. Once we got to Portland we went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant. After that we walked the streets of downtown Portland, I went to the world famous voodoo donuts and got there most famous donut: a maple bar with bacon on top. It was great! Then we headed back to our hotel, we had a great view from our hotel and we could see the city very well. The next day we woke up and headed out around the city, we shopped and ate some delicious street Thai food. We couldn’t find the Apple Cup on our TV so we had to watch it by a bar; I just saw the end of it from the doorway. Then later in the night we went to the Al-Amir Lebanese restaurant which is one of the most famous Middle Eastern restaurants in the northwest. It was great; we had lots of different dishes with humus, lamb, and chicken. The next day we headed back to Seattle but ate at a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch; I had pho soup. Thank you: Cole, Molly and Sophie, for helping to make this trip possible.

-Classic KiD

OCS Formal

                                                                            What a mystery!

This year at OCS, the teachers were nice enough to put on a murder mystery for the entertainment section of the evening. People started to arrive around 5:00 with their dates and friends gathered round. Just inside the high school was a white isle with candles placed upon the edges of the white sheet. One end of the hall was blocked off, and the sheet continued to the left of the hall and into the lunch/Worley's room. Inside the room, strings of Christmas lights were hung from the overhead lights. A big Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments and all manner of decorations; a bench was placed on the floor next to it; this was the area Mr. Claus took pictures of everyone. Our dinner was comprised of pasta, garlic bread, caesar salad, alfredo and red sauce. Altogether, the food was amazing! Christian Bailey played his violin while everyone was chatting to one another. Out of the blue, Ms. May screams and runs into the room saying there is a dead man in my cleaning closet...the mystery begins!

-Santa's Elf

 

Are YOU Afraid of the Teacher's at OCS Highschool?

Most kids during high school are afraid to ask the teachers for help after school. Why is this? They feel like the teacher might think they are dumb or their friends are going to make fun of them. Sure some of your friends might make fun of you, but if you explain to them that you didn't understand the material, they should understand. Teachers after school are more relaxed then they are during the school day.The teachers here at OCS are WILLING to help and explain to you what you do not get. Teachers want to help you along your way to becoming what ever you want your dream job to be. If you are behind in work, go and actually ask the teacher for help and ask your parents. Both will do their best to get you back on track. If one of your friends offers to help you in a subject, take it! They might be able to help you also. Always be on the look for help, because you never know when you might need help.





Roger Worley Teacher



Tom Roosma Teacher and Principal





This is ColdWaRrior out



Brady and Pats Best NFL Team???



 Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady




Patriots Wide Receiver Deion Branch



Are the New England Patriots the best team in the NFL right now? After last nights 45-3 win over the New York Jets, it looks like they are. What has inspired the Patriots this year? After they lost in Cleveland to the Browns 34-14, Quarterback Tom Brady told the whole team that they would not be embarrassed like that again. He got up in every one's faces showing pure leadership. Even after the team owners decided to trade Randy Moss to the Vikings(who's now with the Titian's), the Patriots have been able to win all of their games since their lost to the Browns. Another question that most NFL fans are asking themselves is "Is Tom Brady the best QB in the league this year?" In my opinion Brady is by far the best QB in the NF right now. He has thrown 4 interceptions and 27 touchdowns this year. That is the least amount of interceptions that a quarterback has thrown and the most touchdowns a quarterback has thrown so far this season.

This is ColdWaRrior out

The Lord of The Rings

The Lord of The Rings is an epic tail of adventure, friendship, greed, glory, and fighting for what is right. It is a story that will always stay with me for the rest of my life. The story was written by author JRR Tolkien, who was one of the greatest fantasy authors of all time. If you have never read or seen Lord of The Rings, I suggest you you give it a try. It has many great life lessons in it, and you become one with the book; when you’re reading it you get to know the characters and it is almost like you are there. The book centers on a magical ring that gives people great power, and if you have it you become obsessed with it and never let it go. The Lord of The Rings is a trilogy series, and is most enjoyable to read. The Lord of The Rings has so many great adventures in it that you won’t be able to stop reading, or watching the movie! The book has had a big impact on my life, will it impact yours? Only one way to find out!
Ps. The link below is part of the Lord of The Rings soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OvmsZ5-gYw

-Classic KiD

Rain or Snow?

What do you think? Will a chilling winter hit Orcas Island this year, or will we have barely any snow like last year? Judging by the cold outside and the early snowfall that we had during Thanksgiving break, I think maybe we'll get snow on Christmas. For those of you who don't like the snow, stay indoors and drink hot chocolate, or bundle up when you go outside. Look at the forecast for tomorrow and next week:

Tonight:
60% chance of rain

Friday:                                     Saturday:                          Sunday:                             Monday:
30% chance of showers.          Fog in some areas             Fog/Mostly cloudy            Chance of rain

-Santa's Elf-



Why Do We Have Homework???

Most kids these days are getting loads of homework, even 2nd and 3rd graders are getting two to three hours of homwork per night. When I was in 2nd and 3rd grade I sure didn't have that much homework assigned. The Classic Kid says "If a parent gives the school their kid for 6 1/2 hours, I expect the kid to learn all he needs to know in that amount of time. Just like if I give my car to a mechanic I expect it to be fixed when I get it back." The Midshipman "Hates it." Santa's Elf feels that "If a kid doesn't finish what is assigned in class, then they should finish it. But a teacher should not assign more work for kids to do after class."

This is Cold WaRrior Out

Smiling at Work

We're all for happiness, joy and all that good stuff, but with all that positive energy going around we never bring it into our workplace. Some of us go home and talk to our mom, dad, sibiling, spouse, son or daughter about how dreary our day was. We need to consider this fact: It's up to us to help make the fun and happiness we all desire.  If we lighten the day of our boss, or teacher, with a joke, they might be a little friendlier back. So why not jump over tables in rejoice, why not throw coffee at your friend when they're in trouble. Why? Because if we do that we will likely get in trouble by someone. Except there's no reason not to tell jokes and smile at your workplace. If we all  bring joy into our workplace then I think that's a small step to make the world a better place.

~The Midshipman

Why Did Liam Nutt Buy Pretzels?

Liam bought pretzels today for no apparent reason. Or so we thought… It turns out he ventured over to Island Market with twins Sean and Sierra. He decided to walk there instead of fly because he had no means of wings at the time, and he had used up all his fairy dust. So as he walked to the place known as Island Market, he thought up of things to acquire with his currency. He arrived and was tempted by candy and other treats. In the end he chose pretzels, because they were more of a real tasting food. They cost him $2.50, but it was worth it, worth a half hour of toiling over hay bails in the cold wet rain. He bought them and enjoyed them. Pretending they were Cuban cigars and sharing them with friends. In the end Liam learned a valuable lesson, its not just about the pretzels, it’s about the experience and the time you spend with friends.

-Classic KiD

Good Ridance to a Nasty Brand

Blackout in a can. How else can you describe an alcoholic energy drink that has hospitalized 23 students from Ramapo College, New Jersey? This product, Four Locko, is an alcoholic energy drink that has the equivalent of four glasses of wine, and a cup of coffee to equal its sweetness and caffeine.

Alcohol poisoning has been found in these 23 students, the beverage keeps people conscious, but wasted to the bone. Four Locko's manufacturer, Phusion Projects, has said they will modify their drink and take out the caffeine...mind you they won't take out the alcohol instead of the caffeine. Because what's in energy drinks? Caffeine!

~Santa's Elf

The vehicles DB has owned throughout his life

The list starts when I first lived in Washington. Then I moved to California, after which I came back to Washington.

93' Toyota 4runner
88' Ford F-350
99' Ford F-350*
95' Ford F-150
93' Cadillac SeVille
86' Toyota Pickup (green)*
86' Toyota Pickup (blue)*
67' GMC C10*
06' Nissan Frontier
07' Honda CRV*
88' Suzuki Samuri
92' Ford Escort
93' Subaru Loyale
07' Lexus IS350
79' Nissan 280Z
86' Chevrolet 3500
70' Ford Bronco
83' Ford Aerostar
95' Jeep Cherokee
03' Ford Explorer

(asterisk indicated vehicles I still own)

i refuse to title this

I don't know why I cant think of a blog idea. I'm just bored and a little lazy and since Obama is trying to tax me i don't have the ambition to get up and spend my unemployment benefits but that's besides the point I guess. So? What is the point, the point is that it is hard to run a country and its a crazy job because everyone hates you, but you can turn that around, hint, hint. Maybe give tax cuts to big businesses when they in source or stop wasting 2 billion dollars a day for Obama to play soccer with children from 3rd world countries. Anyways we can all agree that money is being wasted, money which we don't have. Finally, everyone needs to take responsibility and take hold of their own lives. The government does not own you, nor should they act like it.

FAILFAIL

Elf Yourself Blog Class and Mr. Roosma

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/AeLAe0UrF0zvclsl

Blog class dancing to some sweet hip hop.
Happy Holidays

~The Blog Class