Thornton Academy – AP Language 2018-2019 – Page 2 – News, notes and more than a few stories from our classroom.

May 3, 2019

Nostalgia

As I sat down an hour or so ago to chip away at my homework, a song came on: Dance Floor Anthem by Good Charlotte. It was like someone slammed on the breaks in my head; my mind flipped, and my heart skipped a beat. Why?

Dance Floor Anthem is a good song. It’s catchy, has an energizing feel to it and some good messages depending on your situation. But it’s not penetrating enough to take my breath away.

What makes this song so personal and touching are the memories and feelings I attach to it. I discovered this song during the most difficult year of my life, and I still feel those hardships when the first notes play. As a seventh grader, I was experiencing the debilitating effects of mental health disorders for the first time. As someone who had never before witnessed such hardships I was finding it difficult to cope. What motivated me to keep going at the time was the music I discovered.

Soon after my mom created a family Pandora account, I was listening to it for hours and hours each day. I discovered Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, Good Charlotte, All Time Low, and so many more incredible bands who spoke to my struggles. These groups and the lyrics they produced were a testament to what I was experiencing, and that made a world of difference. The music by no means cured my circumstances, but it provided a world of happiness and relief at a time when, otherwise, I might not have had much at all. Patrick Stump, Pete Wentz, and Brendon Urie guiding me as I navigated my new mental reality.

Five years later, I still fight many of the same demons that haunted to me then, to a lesser extent. I’ve grown, emotionally and physically (still waiting for that five foot mark), as well as in my music taste. I still listen to a lot of the same bands as they grow themselves, but the occasional return to my music origins bring about a sense of peace as I remember both the happy memories they brought, and my growth since then.

Olivia

May 3, 2019May 3, 2019

Grounding

This is a post I wrote months ago but never published, for one reason or another. Though it is a bit hectic, and of course not a perfect representation of what I was experiencing, I believe it offers powerful insight into one possible manifestation of anxiety:

In terms of anxiety, and likely many other mental health problems, there are an infinite amount of skills and strategies to cope with and defuse moments of crisis. Grounding is among the more well known of them, and for good reason. The idea is this: connect to each of your five senses (or six, if Bruce Willis is out there reading my blog) to something around you, whether it be the smell of cookies in the oven or seeing a car going down the street. Doing so will provide concrete, tangible points to focus on while your mind is otherwise unable to grasp physical reality.

In honor of the panic attack currently rising in my stomach, here’s an attempt at grounding:

5 things I can see: Tom Selleck on the TV, my baby dog on my lap, an old Disney princess blanket, the fireplace next to me, my sister doing her English homework.

I feel the anxiety bubbling in my chest.

4 things I can hear: the blaring commercial teaching me about non-GMO chicken nuggets, Quita breathing rhythmically, my mom talking about the laundry, Megan washing her dishes.

I notice the feeling returning to my arms and legs.

3 things I can smell: puppy breath, the enticing aroma of my Hot Pocket, my grandparents’ detergent.

My heart reaches a normal rhythm.

2 things I can touch: the Patriots blanket on my legs, the homework I’m currently avoiding.

Finally, I feel myself coming to my senses.

1 thing I can taste: a crisp, cool apple.

My fingers stop shaking.

Olivia

May 2, 2019

Shifting the Balance, One Ounce at a Time…

Although not everywhere, I have personally discovered a disturbing amount of negativity on social media. Like with most things there are usually two sides of the coin, however from what I have seen this scale is largely tipped in favor of the down side.

Now this is not to say that I am not an advocate or lover of the technology and all the internet that comes with it. In fact I believe it to be one of the greatest innovations out there, opening our eyes to all sorts of possibilities while, keeping the public up to date. However, often times our human imperfections get in the way. Cyber bullying, inappropriate content, and self deprecation have also been sourced across the internet. This is what sparked me to start my own blog.

In addition to improving my writing skills, I felt as though a blog could be one of my contributions to this world. Everyone has many valuable things to offer and the power of positive writing, I thought could be one of mine.

The site is called Unicorns are Real, revolving around my experiences as an ambitious, young equestrian. While geared towards my sports community I actively incorporate the lessons I take away from each of my encounters with the highs and lows of daily life. A positive outlet and a constantly available source, I have high hopes that it could put positivity back on our screens and start to straighten out the balance of the internet.

May 2, 2019

Changing the Graduation Robes: Not that Big of a Deal

The decision to change the colors of this year’s graduation robes to a unified maroon struck up a debate that should not have happened. This was a move in the right direction.

It was not a violation of tradition, as some stated as part of their argument against the shift, as the practice of girls of the graduating class wearing gold and the boys marron has only been around for a few years. Additionally, the change was to create an environment at graduation that felt safe for all students. The two separate colors automatically assume a gender to a student based on what they were wearing, something that not all student were comfortable with. That should not be a problem.

The graduating class is made of graduates and robes that are all the same color unifies them, rather than dividing them into two classes. This change was one made to include everyone, no matter their gender, and avoid outing students or forcing them to feel uncomfortable.

It seems to me that the students who were upset with the change were not considering the wider scale, the fact that the change was not made to anger them or cause a major disruption. It was simply mae to solve a problem that had brought up by students affected by the separate robe colors.

Graduation is a place where every senior should feel comfortable and safe. Additionally, it’s only a couple hours of your life, and you’re going to look just swell in hat maroon gown. Save your passion for bigger issues, and let this one go. Let graduation be what it is: a day to feel good and acknowledge your accomplishments. You’ve made it this far, don’t let a robe color dissuade you.

May 1, 2019

Japanese Emperor Akihito Steps Down

In the morning of April 30, 2019, Akihito, Japan’s emperor since 1989, completed an abdication ceremony and will be officially stepping down from his position. Due to health reasons, the 85-year-old will be the first Japanese monarch to step down in over 200 years, and his first son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will be inheriting the position late Wednesday, May 1.

Japan’s hereditary monarchy has been the longest continuing in the world. Previously, monarchs were seen as gods, but after Japan’s surrender at the end of World War 2, Hirohito, father of Akihito, renounced their divinity. Additionally, political power was taken from the emperor, leaving him as a cultural figurehead only.

Since 2016, Akihito has hinted at wanting to step down. According to BBC, Emperor Akihito was “given permission to abdicate after he claimed he felt unable to fulfill his role because of his age and declining health.” In 2003, the emperor had surgery for prostate cancer, and in 2012 he received a heart bypass operation.

Akihito, throughout his time as emperor, has increased the amount of interaction with the public, which was previously nearly unheard of. The Emperor and Empress have tried to humanize the idea of the monarchy, though many in Japan still hold them to a god-like status. Akihito also advocated for peace, and was the first Japanese emperor to kneel to speak to commoners, who were survivors of a 1991 volcanic eruption in Nagasaki.

With Japan’s Heisei Era coming to an end, a new era will begin, called Reiwa, meaning order and harmony. In his final speech, the emperor said, “I sincerely wish, together with the Empress, that the Reiwa era which begins tomorrow will be a stable and fruitful one. I pray, with all my heart, for peace and happiness for all the people in Japan and around the world.”

April 30, 2019

Central Place Theory

In simple terms, the Central Place Theory states that the central place (city) exists mostly to provide goods and services to the surrounding population. Meaning that the city is the central business district. Additionally, low order goods need to be replenished often, so they can be bought regularly in small stores, in smaller towns (low order settlements). Then high order goods, which are more expensive, less often bought products (such as cars), are sold at fewer business selling these. This is because people need to purchase them less often, and too many establishments selling these goods in one area, would cause them to lack monetarily and ultimately close. That’s also why these high order steel bets would have to be located in large cities, where there is a high number of people to purchase things (I.e. threshold).

In relation to sample findings, it is evident that the base factors of the Central Place Theory, being threshold, range, low order goods/settlements, high order goods/settlements, and hinterland, apply as expected on a smaller (Maine) scale. In our Megalopolis of Portland for example, there are 16 banks. This is a threshold of about 3,420 people per bank to remain in business. As we move from megalopolis, all the way down to hamlet, the number of banks decreases to zero. This is because Dayton (hamlet) only has a population of approximately 488 people. This is below the threshold and thus a bank would not be able to be supported.

Regarding range, it was found that people in the megalopolis of Portland and city of Saco, had so many auto, banking, motel, etc., options that they’d be willing to travel the shortest distance from base for a service. They are surrounded by establishments and services and have no reason to travel further out to the town, village, or hamlet, if that service is even available there. Unfortunately people in the town of Waterboro, village of Arundel, and hamlet of Dayton, have a larger range, as they are forced to travel further distances for certain services. This is because they are unavailable closest to them.

Moving on, low order goods which need frequent replenishing, are located in low order settlements. This could be for example, the milk and general grocery products sold at the Dayton country store, in the hamlet of Dayton. An example of a high order good in a high order settlement, would be an auto mobile bought in the megalopolis of Portland or city of Saco. These high order products are more specialized, and bought less frequently. For these reasons, they need to be located in a megalopolis or city, where there are enough people to meet the threshold, and keep the business open.

Lastly, we refer to Dayton (hamlet) as our hinterland. Dayton is the surrounding area from the major city/metro area. It has a much lower number of residents, and thus less establishments and available services. People also travel a more extensive range to get what they need, and high order goods are rarely available here, compared to their availability in the metro area of Portland.

skyline photo of empire state building in new york city — Photo by Roberto Vivancos on Pexels.com

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019

Being a Queer Woman: Oy

Being one of the few queer people, or at least open ones anyway, in a small community is not what you could call superb. Sure, our fashion sense is excellent, and we have a defining trait that makes a stand out in a crowd, but it ain’t all that.

I have been lucky enough to not have faced any blatant or violent homophobia in my time, and I love who I am, but in this tiny town, being a queer woman hasn’t been easy. It’s the little things, things that may be called trivial, that have made me more than aware that I’m an “other” in this place. Take school dances, for example. You don’t tend to see gay, lesbian, or any other form of queer couple dancing to a slow jam in a tight embrace. Instead, it’s a sea of boy-girl couples who don’t think twice about swaying romantically to “Slow Song at a School Dance No. 5.”

There’s also that bizarre relationship with some girls when I do tell them I’m gay, a fact that, with some, makes them uncomfortable with me. It’s “don’t come on to me, teehee,” or “ohmygod does this mean you’ve been in love with me,” or “how would you know if he’s hot, you’re a lesbian.” It’s these tiny interactions that are particular to me, things that wouldn’t be said to their straight girl friends.

It may seem silly of me to complain about such small things, belittling even of those who have suffered treatment far more severe than mine. It is not my intention to belittle those experiences. What I’m trying to call attention to is the subtle things, the things that aren’t as talked, or aren’t viewed as queerphobic behavior.

All I’m asking is that we think about these things. Think about what you say, the way you act, what have you. Try to pinpoint those things that only further distance queer people in small communities, because trust me, we don’t need to be pushed out anymore.

April 30, 2019

Possible Russian Spy Whale Discovered in Norway

In Norway, fisherman have discovered a white beluga whale that may have been trained by the Russian navy. Last week, fishermen near Inga, Norway were approached by the whale, who wore a harness and a camera. The phrase “Equipment of St. Petersburg” was inscribed inside the harness, leading experts to believe that the whale had most likely been trained by the Russian Navy.

According to Audun Rikardsen, professor of marine biology at the Arctic University of Norway, Russia has had domestic whales in captivity, some of which have recently been released. However, Russian researchers contacted by Rikardsen denied involvement. “They tell me that most likely is the Russian navy in Murmansk,” states Rikardsen.

If allegations regarding the Russian military are true, this is not the first time that they have trained animals for military use. In the 1980s, dolphins were trained for underwater weapon detection, though the program stopped when funding was lost in the 1990s. Additionally, sea lions, walruses, seals, and dogs have been trained by Russia as suicide bombs throughout history.

Regarding the white beluga whale, the harness and camera were removed. However, Rikardsen wonders whether or not the animal will be able to survive on its own. “This is a tame animal that is used to get food served so that is why it has made contacts with the fishermen,” he said. “The question is now whether it can survive by finding food by itself.”

April 28, 2019

Bear Attack

When viewing the spectrum of any one person life their will always be one struggle. One time, place, or memory that is nearly impossible to overcome, similar to a bear unexpectedly walking on to a campground. No matter how good the camper’s support system is, no matter what supplies or plans they have set in place to get rid of the so called bear, no one is truly prepared. In situations such as these their is no time to phone in a friend, no time to ignore the situation, and no time to give up; in doing such actions the person is only putting themselves into more danger or into a position in which the bear can hurt them more. By ruling out these other options, the only reminding choice is to get rid of the bear using that person own mindset, own actions, and own ability. Such factors hold true for life. When faced with such a huge struggle, no matter how strong the person’s surroundings are the only one who can truly fix what’s hurting them, is themselves. No one else is going to be able to magically appear and come up with the solution that will make the “bear” disappear. No one else is going to know to get that one “bear”, unique from the rest, out of the campsite and out of that person’s life. The only way to fight the struggle, to fight the mood, memory, or past, that is able to hurt the body to the very core, is by doing such actions independently with your own person. Their is always going to be camping guides, or experts who can tell of their own experiences, tell what happened within their story, but such sentences will only apply to the camper reading them when placed into accordances with their own adventure, by them. For frankly, the only people who manage to survive a bear attack are those that are willing to fight to save their own lives.

April 28, 2019

Cobra Kai

Many people have seen, or know of the famous film in 1984, the Karate Kid. Where the now kid, and the underdog, Daniel Larusso, defeated the defending karate champion, and bully, Johnny Lawrence. In the next two films of the trilogy, we saw Daniel Larusso overcome more challenges, but we never saw much of his original adversary, Johnny Lawrence. Now, with the YouTube Premium original series, Cobra Kai, you can.

The first season of Cobra Kai was released in the spring of 2018, and now, the second season has been released. Me, being the cheapskate I am, used the free trial of YouTube Premium to watch season 1 last summer, and am now trying to find a way to watch season 2 without spending any money.

The series takes place in modern times, where the original Karate Kid characters are now all grown up. Daniel Larusso is living the good life, with a wife and two kids, while being rich from owning an auto dealership. However, this series is from the perspective of Johnny Lawrence, who is currently at rock bottom, having peaked when he was in his younger days, before Larusso ruined everything.

Johnny and Daniel’s paths cross once again, as Johnny reopens his former dojo, Cobra Kai, and Daniel tries to stop him because he remembers how it bad it was. Johnny has good intentions, trying to teach kids to fight back against bullies, but by teaching them the way he was taught, he is making them bullies, just like he once was.

At the end of season one, Johnny realizes this, and tries to change, only when his former sensei returns for season two. If you are a Karate Kid fan wanting to experience the nostalgia, or are just looking for a show to watch, I would recommend Cobra Kai.

Now, time to find a way to watch season two for free….