Quote of the Day

"The great danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high, but that it is too low and we reach it." – Michaelangelo

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Hope you had a good one.

-Kyle

Never Ending Google

Google has yet again unleashed a new development. This time it's a calendar. It sounds quite easy to use and, of course, it's compatible with Gmail. Read more about it here.

First Result for PS3 Search

Yesterday, I found out that when "PS3 Date Moved" is searched on google my blog is the first result.

Check it out:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ps3%20date%20moved

Thought that was pretty cool. In the past, I've never really had any recognition for any of my blogs or webpages.

I'm tired and feel like crap so off to bed for me. Big track meet tomorrow.

-Kyle

Quote of the Day

"Some of the shells that wash up on the beach were once very beautiful, you don't know what kind of journey they had to take to get them in there fragile shape, same with people, be kind."
-Linda Gifford

Books to Read

I went to Barnes and Noble two days ago. Yesterday, I browsed through their online store. From two days of window shopping, I have come up with a list of books that I want to read. The list is as follows:

Tuesdays with Morrie
Blink
American Gospel
The Da Vinci Code

A while back, a short clip on the CBS Sunday Morning Show sparked my desire to read Tuesdays with Morrie . It sounded like a worthwhile book and seeing it at the store reminded of that. Blink intrigues me because I enjoyed reading Malcolm Gladwell's other book, The Tipping Point. American gospel sounds appealing because it recounts the role religion has had in the shaping of the U.S. government. When doesn't the conflict between religion and government make for an interesting ordeal? A few people have told me about The Da Vinci Code and I think it sounds interesting based on their recollections of the book.

There you have it! Four books that I think would be interesting reads.

The MySpace Spectacle

The most recent chapter of the MySpace phenomenon includes the website deleting over 200,000 user's profiles. Basically, they deleted pages with controversial material or malicious content. Their exact words: "...it has deleted pages that it considered to be hateful or risqué." More details here.

This must be a pressing issue if the government is attempting to intervene.

I think the deletion of these profiles was long overdue. In the short history of the website, people have been arrested for content in their profiles, and pedophiles have used these profiles to find victims. Two examples of pedophile incidents can be found here and here. Other bad news about MySpace includes students getting suspended from school.

Although there are negatives to Myspace, as there are with most things in life, I think it serves a lot of good. It is good way for bands and musicians to spread their name (example). Also, it is a great tool people can use to communicate with their friends online.

I think the idea to delete the accounts was great and had perfect intent, but the problem was that it was long overdue. At least they deleted them now because as they say:

Better late than never.

For more information on this subject check out the article "The MySpace Phenomenon" over at The Daily Record.

Quick Links

Here's an easy fix for some cheap, DIY photography lighting.

Ever wondered about the legality of poker? If you have, and if you want it to stay legal, become a member of the Poker Players Alliance. "As a member, you can provide critical support to protecting and preserving the game." Check out the Poker Prof's stance on the pressing issue.

-Kyle

The American School System Sucks

I have long wondered why our American school system sucks. I want to know why we, here in America, are so far behind academically compared to our counterparts all over the world?


This article has some insight as to why:

"Fingers are pointed at various aspects of the schooling system—overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding, teachers who can't pass competency exams in their fields, etc. But these are just secondary problems. Even if they were cleared up, schools would still suck. Why? Because they were designed to."

I think the article has some valid points. One aspect of the public school system that I believe presents a big problem is the structure. It is very systematic and inflexible and, thus, promotes conformity. Also, the systematic structure has negative repercussions such as the alienation of some students. I don't know if that was comprehensible since I didn't provide any examples, but I hope you at least get the jist of what I'm saying.

-Kyle

Quote For The Day

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent."
-Barbara Bush

Spring Break

My spring break started last Friday. Consequently, my posting has been quite lethargic as of late. I am going to attempt to resume regular posting starting later today.

I'm still alive...

-Kyle