Me at the End

Wow, the last blog entry. I didn't think that this time would fly by this fast. Not just this class, but all 6 years of my Whitney Young experience. This class has fortunately been one of the highlights in my high school career, as far as classes go. I am a bit sad, but I am much, much happier that I am leaving Whitney Young and going to start something completely new. College is actually the first really new thing in my life for quite some time and I am excited to dive right in. Of course, I want to savor the long summer break that it around the corner (school doesn't start until Sept 26),  but I am looking forward to all of the opportunities that will pop up as I start college this fall. After 6 years at Whitney Young and several summer programs at colleges across the nation, I feel prepared to leave home and "move" out to California. I do feel a bit anxious, but I'm guessing that's because I am about to join something so much bigger than myself. I have the feeling that I want to try to do a bit of everything and it's starting to be a little bit overwhelming. I just have to take each day at a time and find a way to settle into college. I've had a great experience at Whitney Young and it will be interesting to come back and see what has changed. Thanks for the class, Mr. McCarthy!

Letter to the Prospective Philosophy Student

Dear prospective philosophy student,

Be ready for a great class! Like me, you're probably thinking that this class will be nothing but reading about old men and their opinions on life. There is some of that and it is interesting to a point, but what really matters is all of the other stuff that you'll be doing throughout the year. If you have McCarthy for philosophy (pray that you do!), you will be exposed to several pieces of art that you will enjoy and several movies that will open your eyes to new things. The books that you read actually are thought-provoking and the in-class discussions will be fascinating. Mr. McCarthy is a teacher who really enjoys deep thinking and philosophy and because of that, his philosophy curriculum is quite successful. Everything that is picked to read or watch has a meaning and it will be enjoyable. The balance that is struck between hard work and casual discussion is perfect, and that's why the class isn't really painful. You're about to enter a unique class. It's interesting, it will make you think, and you'll enjoy just about everything Mr. McCarthy puts in front of you. My word of advice is to keep your blogs in order because we're in the tech center catching up right now. Also, I would strongly advise that you participate in the discussions. Sometimes it's nice to sit back and listen to other people's opinions and perspective, but try to jump in at some point. Good luck, and enjoy your philosophy class!

Thoughts About Earlier Thinking

At the beginning of the year, I was tossed about between fifth and sixth period for a bit. Once I was actually in the right class, I could start to think about the class and form my opinions on how the year would play out. My first thought of the class was that there would be a ton of busy work. I am glad that the class was more of a thought-provoker than a mindless, endless writing assignment. I definitely didn't expect all of the movies, artwork, and other forms of art. I'm glad that all of the art we viewed and discussions we had were about meaningful topics that most of us could relate to. The path that the class took was way different than the path I thought it would take. I've learned a lot from this class, from my peers' opinions to the names of reputable street artists. Now that I think about it, the class was kind of what I expected for a while, when we were reading out of the textbook. Once we started reading Candide and discussing the themes and ideas, the class began to take a direction separate from what I thought it would be. I appreciated that we expressed our ideas through discussion than just on paper.

Surrounded by Cuckoos, but I was the crazy one

I'm having a hard time figuring out what to write on this topic but the first thing that came to mind was arguments and how people sometimes lose sight of what they mean to say when they become defensive. We're all guilty of it, some of us more than others. From that type of person's perspective, everything their debating "opponent" says sounds crazy simply because they stop thinking rationally. In reality, the person who thinks everything they hear sounds crazy could be the one who is spewing insane thoughts. My next thought about this topic is the book, which is an obvious thought now that I think about it. At first glance, McMurphy seems sane compared to the patients at the mental institute. "Normal" society would consider these patients to be "irregular" and "crazy", which is why institutions such as mental hospitals were created. Mack, coming from this society, sees the patients in the same way. As the book goes on, the reader starts to see Mack lose it little by little. He's not necessarily acting "crazier", but he starts to go to greater lengths to prove how rebellious he really is. In the institute, Mack is seen as the truly insane patient because of how he acts toward Nurse Ratched, regardless of the possible consequences. The other patients, in my opinion, start to see Mack as society would view them.  I guess the point that could be made from this is that everyone that seems "normal" may not be and that they will show how crazy they really are once their pressured to do so. Still not quite sure what the topic really means though...

Together

My family is small and, as I mentioned in the last post, I am an only child. These facts only make me love the time that I spend with my family more. Fortunately, I get to see my parents everyday and my grandparents quite frequently, as well, but I don't see other members of my family very often. In fact, I met some members of my family for the first time last August. I remember being so excited to meet new relatives on the way to New York. These relatives were on my Father's side and from Panama. While my grandfather went from Panama to Indiana years ago, his sisters went to Brooklyn. It was great to be with them, even is for a short time, and ask them about the experiences they have had in New York and those that they remember from their home. Usually during the winter, I get to see my family that is still in Fort Wayne, IN, where I was born. This is pretty much my Father's side of the family, including my grandparents and cousins. Just being around family that I don't see often is a good feeling because everything else that keeps me busy at other times hinders me from staying updated with how my family is doing. On the other hand, I have probably began to take the family that I do see often for granted. I'll soon be leaving to go to college and I won't exactly be around the corner. It is then that I'll really realize that all of the time I had and will have with my close family is precious, and that I should treasure it. That time is a blessing that everyone doesn't have.

Alone

I am an only child. In our society, this is probably the situation that is most closely related to loneliness. I have wished that I wasn't an only child and, at other times, have been quite happy that I don't have any siblings. I'd say that the happy and not-so-happy times cancel out, for the most part. I don't really think about it too much anymore, as I've come to terms with my situation. As busy as I've been with college decisions and visits and regular work in and out of school, I really don't find too much time to be sitting around wishing that I had siblings. Besides, the family that I have is great, no matter how small it is. I have two first cousins who have been like brother and sister to me, as long as I can remember. One is a few months older than me, and the other is a week younger. I grew up very close to each of them and I still regard them as close enough to be brother and sister. My Father really has been great, in that he kind of picked up the slack of me being an only child. Most of the time, he acts more like a brother than a Dad, which can be funny and sometimes a bit annoying (of course, he is Dad when he needs to be). To say it simply, other family members of mine have been like siblings to me, which is why I never really became sad about not actually having a brother or sister. In fact, I don't think that I ever had a real problem with being a loner. I chose golf as my sport of choice, and no other sport is as individual a sport than golf. Sure, there a golf teams but, at the end of the day, golf is a one-man sport. There are some things that just aren't meant to be, and I suppose me having siblings is one of those things. I've made the best of it, and I don't think that I would change anything, even if I could.

Save the Earth, Do This!

With the idea of a withering planet filling our heads, we all ,at one time or another, think of ways with which we could reduce our carbon footprint. Even if we find the smallest ways to reduce our energy consumption, we can help extend the life of our planet. One of the best examples of energy-saving technology and methods lies on Chicago's Southside, at the famous Museum of Science and Industry. It has been dubbed "The Smart Home", because it is a practical, aesthetically pleasing home that gives its owners peace of mind about how they might be impacting the Earth. There are many features of the house that lead to its ability not only to have low energy consumption, but also to throw energy back to the grid. By way of a personal wind turbine and solar cell technology, the energy produced by the home can, at times, outweigh how much energy is actually needed. Some other impressive features of the home include bamboo flooring, an inductance surface in the kitchen, and the fact that the entire hose is modular. The house is actually several components that were put together with cranes. This opens up the idea that houses could be mass-produced and shipped to their future owners. But, if you don't feel like ordering a house right now, there are simple things that you can do to reduce energy consumption. Such things include, unplugging any electronics that pull power from the outlet, even when they're not in use. These items include all kids of chargers, coffee pots, game systems, or anything that uses a standby light, really. Also, by recycling water, one can start to reduce their impact on Earth. Rainwater or any water that has been used throughout the house (except toilet of course) can be used to water plants in the garden. There are many ways to reduce how much energy we use up; it's up to us to decide how active we'll be in this initiative.

MSI's Smart Home 

Invisible

As a black male in America, it is easy to feel that I am invisible at times. Sometimes the evidence of strangers' thoughts can be obvious and at other times, not quite so easy to detect. Stereotypes of black men cause people to think things about me that aren't necessarily true, especially before they even know me. Of course, there is no way for everyone to get to know me, but it would be nice if people wouldn't pass judgment without any kind of evidence except appearance. It is important that people recognize the personality and potential of each and every person they meet. Even if one has a bad experience with one person from a certain race, there is no reason to assume that the next person that one meets from that race will have the same behavior. We are all individuals with widely different views, goals, and aspirations. Personally, I have chosen to focus intently on the academic part of my life. Sure, I have participated in several different activities throughout my life, but I have felt for a long time that taking my education seriously would take me where I want to go. When I see people in stores or just walking down the sidewalk, I feel that they are thinking about the stereotype that black men don't care about education and would rather be on the streets, instead of just seeing me as a young man that is in school and moving forward in his life. I realize that everybody that seems like they are thinking something may not be, but I'm quite certain that I have been a victim of certain stereotypes.

Book Review

One of the most interesting books that I've ever read is Freakonomics. The authors, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, combine their talents to enlighten readers about economic oddities that most people don't ever think about. The book is composed of seemingly random stories, which include economic anecdotes about school teachers, real estate agents, sumo wrestlers, and drug dealers. This mix of unrelated people are unified by the fact that they all have a basic economic incentive, no matter what their respective "profession" is. The other interesting aspect of the book is that the authors come from completely different walks of education, but found a way to work together, in harmony, to produce a best-selling book. Levitt is theoretically the "brains" of the operation, as he is the one who is a professor of economics at the University of Chicago. Not to say that the other author does not contribute much. In fact, without him, the book probably wouldn't have been created. Dubner is the writing half of the operation. He is an award-winning author and journalist, and the one who takes the ideas of Levitt and puts them into words that laypeople can understand and relate to. I read the book a while ago, so I only remember the big ideas of the book. I do remember that the book give great insight into some of the economic activities that a lot of people don't know about or about which many people have major misconceptions. It's a creation that gets people a little bit closer to finding out more about somewhat secretive activities and I recommend for everyone to read it.

Movie Review

Galdiator, featuring Russell Crowe, is just about my favorite movie of all time, with Inception as a close runner-up. The movie has great action, as well as an excellent plot. The general is named to become the next emperor of Rome, but the emperor's son isn't having it. He's so angry that he kills his own Father so that he would become the emperor immediately. This shows the viewer that the son is a coward and does not really have the bravery to lead Rome. The general, who should have become the emperor is taken into slavery, which means that he becomes a gladiator. Because he is such an advanced fighter, he gains the attention of the son, who is not yet aware that the excellent gladiator is the former general. I don't quite remember if the emperor finds out that the gladiator is the general before or after the emperor had killed the general's family, but this was another act that showed how cowardly the emperor really was. I suppose I really like this movie because it shows that those who fight with valor and with purpose eventually win the battle. The emperor was able to lead Rome for a short period of time, until the emperor and the gladiator had to face off. Even before the match, the emperor had the gladiator constrained and he stabbed him. The gladiator wins of course, despite being injured prior to the match. By the end of the movie, the Senate and other politicians realize what the son really was and they glorify the gladiator after he has died. They leave the emperor in the middle of the Coliseum and carry the gladiator away to salute the "true emperor of Rome". While it's sad that the gladiator had to die, it is a happy ending because his greatest wish after his family is killed is to join them in the "after-life". Great movie, with excellent action, and an equally tremendous story.

Art review

Just as the street art in the movie, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was an example of great art, the movie itself was a great piece of art. Therefore, I will review the movie. I loved the style of the movie,  especially how it was like a home video. The travels and "adventures" of Thierry Guetta were exciting and it was very cool to see the best street artists doing their work in the middle of the night. The mysterious encounters with Banksy throughout the movie were both mysterious and comical. The voice change and the mask may have been a bit over the top, but this showed how much Banksy cared about his street art and the message that it was sending. Some of my favorite works by Banksy include his painting of the girl having her crayon house boarded up by a worker. I really enjoy how the detailed drawings of the people contrast with the rudimentary drawings of the house and the flowers. Another piece of street art that follows these lines is the work that shows what appears to be a Vietnamese child with a huge machine gun, with crayons hanging out of it instead of bullets. I also really like the funny tags of the British police officers, mainly the one that displays an officer with a balloon dog on a leash. Again, this is a contrasting picture because of the seriousness of the officer and the lighthearted mood that the balloon animal adds to the scene. Another one of my favorite pieces by Banksy is the vulture in the middle of nowhere with a gas pump nozzle for a head. Here are a few of the pieces that I have talked about.

We Have the Right

We all have the equal right to express ourselves in creative ways. I don't think that we should be able to put our creations anywhere because we must respect each other's individual space. I am still on the fence about whether street artists should be able to put their art in public spaces, but I am leaning towards them being able to. If the artists are actually contributing to the beauty of the city, I believe that they should be able to add their pieces. Pieces that are controversial and tarnish the property of others' (Mickey and Minnie billboard) really shouldn't go up, even though they convey a strong message and raise awareness about certain issues in society. Thierry, on the other hand, really shouldn't be putting up street art anywhere! He is only doing it because he envies the adventures of the street artists who he had followed with a video camera. At the end of the day, this is his main motivation, which means that he isn't really adding any beauty to any of the walls where he puts up his work. Banksy actually plans out his work so that it makes a statement and also looks great. People also have the right to interpret art how they want to see it. At banksy's art show, the reporters say that PETA was worried about the painted elephant, which was ironic because the media missed the big point, which is also known as the "elephant in the room". Not only was the piece extremely creative, but was practically a slap in the face to anybody that didn't really see the point of the art.

Mr. McCarthy's Birthday Weekend

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a good time, whatever you did to celebrate your birthday. Fortunately for you, you got a three-day weekend as a present. Not many people receive something that great for their birthday. By the way, are you still thinking about getting that smoker? Maybe your family should get you that for your birthday. I'm sure you'll put it to good use with your soon-to-come catering duties and all (I think that's what you want to use the smoker for, if I heard right). I'm not quite sure what else to say here...I'm looking forward to watching the film about the best tagging and street art. It's amazing how people can take creativity to an all new level and express that creativity to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this art is illegal, which can make for some funny getaway scenes, I'm sure. This also means that some of the most artistic and expressive people out there are limited in how much street art they can actually put out there. Does this movie have anything to do with your birthday? My guess is that it doesn't, but you never know! I'm trying to think about this blog in philosophical terms, but it's not really working out right now. Well, I hope you had a great birthday and I look forward to the rest of the year!

X is Known

At this point in the book, Malcolm X has make quite a drastic change in his lifestyle. The main reason is because he can't keep up his regular hustling life while in prison. When his brother introduces Malcolm to Islam, he plants a seed that grows exponentially over a relatively short period of time. This time allowed Malcolm to formulate his own beliefs about what being a Muslim means, and gave him the opportunity to educate himself. He took the latter very seriously and eventually became a very well read person. Malcolm's interaction with Elijah Muhammad really motivated him to look further into the nation of Islam and make the journey his own. After a while of reading and exploring, Malcolm came to the point where he had strong convictions about how the modern world had been formed and had his own opinions about the condition of the black American. This is actually the point where Malcolm has made a 180 degree change in his thinking. It's amazing to think that only years before, Malcolm had never put any thought into books, let alone reading about religion and faith. He was only about hustling and living life as dangerously as he could. The reformation that Malcolm is going through in prison brings out the Malcolm X that is known and remembered now, the Malcolm that risked and gave his life to change the condition of the black American. For this reason, I could say that at this point in the book, X is known. X is known for both Malcolm and the reader.

X Marks the Spot

I'm having trouble deciding what this topic actually means, but the first thing that came to my head was the idea that the Autobiography of Malcolm X is probably one of most influential and powerful books ever printed. This means that it is a book that everyone really need s to read, maybe even more than once. In this context, I suppose the title of this blog can mean that out of the millions of books out there, this book is one that really stands out and can make people rethink their beliefs and their view of the world around them. In more specific terms, this topic could be referring to how all of Malcolm's actions up to this point in the book are leading up to some climactic point where he learns something significant about himself and his outlook on life. Right now, Malcolm is just getting deeper and deeper into the trouble that was to be found in Harlem at that time. Eventually, all of this must lead Malcolm to a point where he decides to completely change his lifestyle and beliefs. Maybe, without even knowing it, Malcolm has picked out a point of crime, drugs, and alcohol that he won't go past. This could be the point at which all of the negative things he has done come to a head, and he is faced with a choice: change his ways, or end up facing serious jail time or maybe even death.

Album/Track Review

Now that we have just finished a movie on the topic of sampling music and creating new tracks and albums, I'd like to bring up the song, "Dark Fantasy" from Kanye West's newest album, "My Dark Twisted Fantasy". This song is one of my favorites off of the album, but one little bit of the song had me thinking about sampling copyrighted materials, and what portion of that sampled music is "OK" to use. One line of the hook is, "Can we get much higher?", and this line was taken directly from another song. This song is Mike Oldfield's, "In High Places". The line sounds exactly the same in Kanye's song as it does in Oldfield's. I bring up this particular instance because it occurs in a relatively recently released album, which I think should receive recognition as one of the best albums of 2010. This obviously means that I really like this album, but the movie that we just watched had me thinking about the fact that West directly took someone else's idea and sound without actually recognizing that person. I suppose I'd be completely ok with it if Kanye actually included the names of the artists whose works he sampled. I definitely respect Kanye as a producer, but I'm somewhat apprehensive to recognize his genius without recognizing all of those who added to his album.

I Know This Means Something

I don't really want to write about religion for this blog; I'd rather write about something that I am a bit more certain about. That subject would be the help and support my Mother and Father have provided me with for the past 18 years and the fact that I will have to thank them in a tremendous way someday. They may say that I have repaid them already because of who I have become and how I have done in school and everything, but I don't really think that this is enough. They have been there for me countless times and I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without them. For this reason, one of many motivations to become successful is to attempt to show my parents how much their support meant to me and how large of a role they played in nearly every step of my life. I'll have to show them that the minor arguments that we've had over the years meant nothing next to trust and reliability of our relationship. At the end of the day, they are the only people I know that will have my interests on their mind even before they think of themselves. As time passes, I think that this concept should flip the other way around. One of my biggest wishes is that my parents can live life exactly how they want to when they are older and I'm on my own. I would love to call them in the future and hear that they are taking a trip to the Caribbean or to Europe. If I can be part of getting them to that point, I'd be a much happier person. Right now, I see the best way of returning their tremendous favor to me as helping them get to where they want to be, once I can of course.

Ultimate Recipe

This is the recipe that I use to make pizza dough. I've enjoyed cooking for several years now, and pizza has become one of my favorite things to make. It is a time-consuming process, so I don't get the chance to make it too often, but it's great whenever I do. I would really like to have a wood-fired oven to bake the pizzas, but those are a bit expensive. I'll settle for a regular pizza oven for the time being, I suppose. Here's the ultimate, hand-made pizza dough recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 package yeast
• 1 cup warm water 
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

In a large bowl, combine yeast with water, olive oil, salt and stir well to proof. After 5 minutes, add half of the flour and mix well to thoroughly incorporate. Add all remaining flour except 1/2 cup and mix well with your hands. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead dough for at least 5 and up to 7 minutes, adding enough additional flour as necessary to form a smooth and elastic dough. Dough should not be sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled 2 or 3 quart bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, usually at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. and if you have one, place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven.

Divide dough into 2 portions and form into balls. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Let rest for 15 minutes, then transfer to a lightly floured surface, shape as desired and roll out to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Transfer dough to a pizza peel and top with toppings of choice. Transfer to the preheated pizza stone and bake until crispy and golden brown, usually 12 to 18 minutes (depending on the toppings). Remove from the oven with a metal peel or spatula and serve immediately.

Good Food Review

Last night, my Mother made the best fajitas that I've ever had. Obviously, this was not food that came from a restaurant, but it was very good food. The key to these successfuk fajitas was Rick Bayless' seasoning marinades. We had used them before for just seasoning chicken, steak, or seafood, but we had never tried the fajita mix. The packet takes care of the flavor for the fajitas, but the chef has to add all of the other components. These include poblano, red, and green peppers, all of which are mixed into the meat and the marinating sauce. Of course, this is not where it stops. You can't just take that mixture and wrap it in tortillas and call it dinner. Whenever we have tacos or fajitas, we have to have the real deal. This means guacamole (homemade if I have time), pico de gallo, chihuahua cheese, fresh limes, fresh cilantro, and sour cream. I wouldn't have it any other way. All of these things have unique flavors and, along with the delicious tortills, combine to make an amazing taste. I've been searching for the perfect tortilla for a long time now and I finally found it at Hyde Park Produce. They have a great taste and don't require that you double them up. Overall, Hispanic foods are amongst my favorite food because of the how the textures and flavors of all the different ingredients mesh together. Although I enjoy making foods and seasoning those foods myself, Rick Bayless has created a great product with the seasoning packets. They make for quick Mexican dishes and turn tacos and fajitas into something closer to what you would get from a Bayless restaurant, as opposed to Taco Bell.

King Still King?

When I think of King, I think of Martin Luther King. As th day dedicated to the civil rights activist approaches, I imagine that he is the topic of this blog entry. If the question is if Martin Luther King's presence and impact on society is still existent, there is no doubt that the answer is not quite. Dr. King chose a life to lead that would affect the world for centuries. Every public action and word of his has been analyzed since his untimely death and this is because he was and still is a figure that people look to for inspiration and strength. Unfortunately, Dr. King's legacy has faded a bit over time, mainly for high school students who treasure every minute that they have to be in school. Another reason why his presence is fading is because we were born into a time when the impact of Dr. King's actions had been set in history for quite some time. We aren't truly able to fully recognize what Dr. King did for civil rights because we were not around to see, step for step, the progression of his work. Our grandparents, or parents, probably appreciate Dr. King and the day off much more because they may have suffered from prejudice and felt that Dr. King was fighting for them. The closest this generation will get to that is sitting in history class and learning about the marches and speeches. Fortunately, the day that is dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. is also dedicated to service so that we do not forget that Dr. King's main purpose was to create societal change and serve the people. The idea is that he gave his life for this cause, so we are expected to uphold it by serving at least on our day off.

I'm a Shoe

If I am a shoe, I am either a pair of Vans or some dress shoe (maybe Cole Haan or Ferragamo). I would be a pair of Vans because they are comfortable, have a subtle design, and very versatile. I like to think of my self as a subtle person that is pretty laid back. I work hard, but also really enjoy to take time off and relax when I need to. I also identify with the versatility of Vans because I am pretty good at adapting to certain situations. Whether I'm talking with different groups of people or dealing with different teachers throughout the school day, I find that I'm able to successfully communicate and work with different people. The reason that I said that I may be a dress shoe is that I work hard and always try to do things as professionally as possible. I am very interested in learning more about the business world, in addition to learning more about engineering. The dress shoe and suit is the standard for the business world, no matter what aspect of business you look at. This is because how people dress really represents wherever they come from, whether this means from a family or a business. Dressing professionally, when appropriate, is how everyone represents what they have learned about how to present themselves.