Andrew


 * __I Believe __**
 * 1) I believe in having fun whenever you like
 * 2) I believe baseball is the best sport
 * 3) I believe in never giving up in life and everything you do.[[image:andrew1-summerschool-2011-semester2-.jpg width="480" height="317" align="right"]]
 * 4) I believe that you can’t survive without friends
 * 5) I believe that friends will be there for you whenever you need them
 * 6) I believe that everyone has dreams and goals.
 * 7) I believe in the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the world series before I die
 * 8) I believe in going to college
 * 9) I believe in being a good friend
 * 10) I believe in a family who loves you
 * 11) I believe in having a dog
 * 12) I believe in trust loyalty and respect
 * 13) I believe that being on time is important
 * 14) I believe in Christianity and God and Jesus
 * 15) I believe that teachers should help you and care about your grades and education
 * 16) <span style="font-family: 'Impact','sans-serif';">I believe that Ventura high school is better than Buena high school

** What I Know **
 * I know that baseball is my favorite sport. Baseball has been my favorite sport since my very first season of t-ball, at the age of four. Although, I did play many other sports, such as football, basketball, and soccer, baseball always seemed to stay on my mind. **
 * As I child 5-12 I always wanted to make it into the MLB. That was my main goal and dream. Even when I had birthdays, what I wished for when I blew out my candles was to be a professional baseball player someday. I never lost sight of my dream and what I could accomplish and achieve. **
 * Seventh grade was when I came back to reality. Making it to the professional is almost impossible. 0.1% of kids that want to play ball in the big leagues achieve their dream. How could I be in that 0.1% of people? My expectations seemed way out of proportion. If I couldn’t make it to the big leagues then why not college? And that is now my goal today. College ball seems reasonable if I work hard and practice every day, then I’ll be on my way in no time. **
 * I’ve been doing well in high school. For summer ball I play on Varsity as a freshman and have proved myself a spot on the roster. Perseverance is the key. Having baseball almost every day for ¾ of a year is exhausting. There are times when I don’t enjoy it, but I never lose sight on a college team inviting me to their school, to play ball. **
 * Most kids want to be a doctor or lawyer. I still don’t know what I want to be today. Anything involving some kind of sport would be nice. I know something will catch my interest, sooner or later. **

Who’s to Blame

On February 12, 2008 Brandon McInery shot and killed Larry King. Most would believe that Brandon is one to blame for murdering his classmate. Larry who was gay had harassed Brandon a number of times. Larry walked up to Brandon on the basketball court in front of all his friends asked Brandon to be his Valentines. This pushed Brandon past his breaking point. Being gay Larry’s effeminate personality reflected on his wardrobe. Joy Epstein also gay encouraged Larry to dress his ways, fueling the fire to Brandon’s anger. I believe everyone is to blame for Lawrence King’s murder. Brandon Mcinery a 14 year old 8th grader had endured a tough life. His father was drunken mess who his mom, a crystal meth addict. Obviously Brandon didn’t have the easiest life growing up. But this does not give Brandon the right to murder his fellow classmate Larry. After Larry’s accusation to Brandon on the basketball court, Brandon acted like a cold blood killer and had 24 hours to plan his attack. This was obviously the wrong decision. Although, Larry played a major role in his own death. Because he was gay, Larry wore makeup, high brown stilettos, dressed and acted like a girl. He also had a crush on Brandon and always told people they just broke up in their relationship. None of this was true; Larry did all this just to get attention. Brandon was passed his breaking point and was tired of Larry’s false accusation. On February 11th Larry harassed Brandon for the last time by asking him to be his valentines and embarrassing him in front of all his friends. Joy Epstein, their principal should have told Larry to tone down his wardrobe. Many other teachers were fed up with the situation because it caused a distraction in the classrooms. Epstein lied to the administrators. Telling them she’d enforce the request, but never did. Epstein should of known Larry was endangering himself by dressing and acting the way he was. In conclusion this murder could and should have been avoided. Larry never needed to harass Brandon or any of the other boys on campus. Joy Epstein should have made Larry tone down his wardrobe and to be less flamboyant. Obviously Brandon could have solved his problem differently, by not killing Lawrence King.

My 30 List
 * 1) Go to San Diego State College
 * 2) Be a professional baseball player
 * 3) Hit the lotto
 * 4) Meet Lebron James
 * 5) Dunk on Lebron James
 * 6) Be on T.V.
 * 7) Go sky diving
 * 8) Retire from work
 * 9) Go watch the Olympics in some far away country
 * 10) Save a dog from the pound
 * 11) Get a six pack
 * 12) Go treasure hunting in Peru
 * 13) Become an assassin
 * 14) Go to the moon
 * 15) Find alien robots there
 * 16) Get with Rose Hunington
 * 17) Own the biggest movie theatre in the world
 * 18) Beat Eminem in a Rapp battle
 * 19) Catch a mermaid
 * 20) Go to Vegas and get married to someone I don’t know
 * 21) Get unaddicted to facebook
 * 22) Own my own yacht
 * 23) Go on a cruise to the Caribbean
 * 24) Be president for a day
 * 25) Become the world’s strongest man
 * 26) Have a family
 * 27) Own a mall
 * 28) Own a Ferrari
 * 29) Swim with a whale shark
 * 30) Get done with this class

Adult court or Juvenile court ? On February 12, 2008 Brandon McInerney shot and killed fellow classmate Larry King. Larry was gay and had been harassing Brandon numerous times. Because Brandon was only 14 I believe he should be trialed in Juvenile court. Out of anger Brandon shot Larry at point blank. Brandon’s actions were clearly out of proportion. At the age of 14 Brandon is not mature as an adult. Brandon was a kid. Kids brains have not fully developed like adults have. Why charge him as one if he is not entitled to the same rights or get the same privileges. Normal was not the word described for Brandon’s life. At home his dad was a drunken mess who shot his crystal meth addict mom. Living with these conditions are difficult to live by for any child. School was Brandon’s only place to get away. But Larry harassed Brandon embarrassing him and making his life harder. In my opinion Juvenile court is just for both sides. 11 years in Juvy is a long time to spend a place in. When Brandon turns 18 he should go to jail for the remainder of his 7 years. All in all Brandon should be tried in juvenile court. He should get a second chance at life. He was 14 for 15 days. As a kid he committed this crime, not an adult.



Photography vs. Text

Susan Sontag is a very vivid writer. She contrast text vs. images. Sontag tries to persuade many that text narrates stories, situations, senses, and surroundings better than photographs. Sontag states only that which narrates can make us understand, and photographs is the most irresistible form of mental pollution. What I believe is that images can show more than words and have stronger meaning. Susan Sontag does have a point. Writing tell us a whole story of what really occurs during a situation. Words are abstract. They can describe in great detail and make us think, and imagine the actions or movements. Writing is great. Although, the flaws outweigh the positives in many ways. Today we live in the 21st century, where technology is booming and inclining rapidly. Most Americans are busy in their lives and technology helps. Instead reading, pictures show what really happens. The emotions, the surroundings, and what is going on in a visual sense. We learn more from photos. Having that feeling of actually being there is the x factor between the two. For example in a federal court what would be more effective evidence: somebody’s word of accusing someone, or the actual visual evidence such as a picture? A picture shows reality. Lastly without pictures and photography we couldn’t have know about our history like the civil war. Things writing could never do. Another example image captured was the Great Depression. You can’t write about the filth of the city of New York, or the orphans on the street sleeping in the alley ways with no shelter, no money, and no place to go. Unless you see it for yourself then you will know what really happened.

** Love or Chemical **

There are many reasons why we are physically attracted to the opposite gender. But why? Some would say the chemicals in your body or just good ole fashion love. In my opinion it is a little bit of both. Chemicals are a reactant. We cannot help how we feel, how brains work, and the facts of biology. Although, chemicals are not included with love. Wedding vows, law, religion, commitment, and trust, that is what makes love. What I believe is that it is a mixture between the two that we all have. Testosterone and estrogen are two natural chemicals that humans get. It is completely normal and both lead to maturity. Our purpose in life as humans is to reproduce. Without these chemicals sex and reproduction would not be possible. Dopamine drives us to have and sex and almost get addicted. For example, dopamine is in cocaine and crystal meth, some of the most addicting drugs it gives you a good feeling inside your body. You also get oxytocin which is a sense of well being. These chemical responses are evidence of how the body feels. However men and women won’t just have sexually drives for anyone both man and woman have much to offer before one has physical attraction to one another. This is called evolutionary anthropology. What a man desires from a woman is large breasts and wide hips. These characteristics show a male that they can keep fertile, healthy offspring. Women also have desirable characteristics in a man. They include large muscles, broad shoulders and tall diaphragm. This shows a female that the man can protect her and fertilize healthy offspring. Although there is some great arguments for chemicals, love needs to be recognized. Love is an interesting part in life. But what is it? Love shows the devotion of a couple and how much they will do to please on another. Also religion has to do with love. The way you believe can differ in a relationship. If you really have love for someone you will do anything for them and be with them forever. Marriage for example shows these traits of devotion. Also in the play Romeo and Juliet, a love story that shows the true meaning of love. Both kill themselves because of love thinking the other is dead. This isn’t chemical it is all true love. Scientist and biologist would think it is all chemical. Hormones have to do with everything. But people who have fallen in love would disagree. In my opinion you have experience in love to fully understand it. Over all I think it is a little bit of both chemical and love. Without chemical we wouldn’t feel the way we do and without love then people wouldn’t be married or stay faithful for their lives.he

“One Thing” In Mr. Geib’s class he gave us the “one thing” assignment. This task included us to choose one object that meant the most desirable to us. I knew this had to be a difficult decision for me to make. Not knowing what to choose for the longest time, I finally singled out one object that I believe is most interesting. My handcrafted wooden baseball bat customized for me. This work of art isn’t just any old baseball bat. I purchased the extraordinary bat in Cooperstown, New York where the baseball hall of fame is located. The bat is customized the name of my team, the players and coaches, and my team pin. The reason I happened to be in Cooperstown was because I had a huge baseball tournament there. 35 team around the country were invited to the tournament. It was an honor to be chosen. We were very successful during the week long tournament. Going 10-1 and making it to the championship, however we lost by 1 run in the last inning. I decided to buy this bat after this tournament and knew it would be something very special. This bat is important to me because it represented the journey of my team and I went through. I will never forget about the amazing opportunity I was given. This bat won’t just remind me of the fun, my friends I met from different states, and the great times baseball has done for me throughout my young life. But it will always show me what I have gone through and the experiences I have endured throughout my young life. This bat will be a historical object in my life. I will have great thoughts and memories I will carry along throughout my whole life. Clearly baseball has been a huge passion in my life. I am glad I have had the experiences and bought the customized wooden baseball bat.

** Traditional Love or Romantic? **  There has been much debate on whether arranged marriages are better that romantic marriages. I for one, do not believe in arranged marriages and concur with the fact that everyone should choose who they wish to merry. Falling love is a huge part of life. Why should anyone deprive you of that? Although arranged marriages are wrong they do present some pros to the table. For example divorce statistics are the highest they have ever been, rising rapidly off the charts. Arranged marriages chosen by your parents will dissolve this matter even though you may not love the person or be happy in your life. Parents are older and wiser. In some cases they can choose what is best for you and what will be best for you in the long run. But what if they are wrong. What if your parents who suposively know best for you are not accurate in their decision. These sort of mistakes can ruin some one’s life. The point of getting married is to love and care for, and never leave your spouse’s side. How can you do that with a stranger you have never met before? Second, if you are an American citizen you are no one’s slave you should have the freedom to marry as you please. Some may rebut that nobody knows you best like the who people who nourished you, your whole life. This can be true, but when humans grow older they tend to stray further away from their parents. Changing as life goes on. In my opinion romantic love is the way live. Arranged marriages can torment one for the rest of their life. Anyone should be happy as long as they live. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, they are a part of two different families that have hated each other forever. However Romeo and Juliet were deeply in love. They would rather die than be apart from one another and merry someone they do not wish to be with. As I stated before romantic marriages is the only way to love. Not fake love. I have displayed many positives for both arranged marriages and romantic marriages, but in the end arranged marriages presented thy self with more cons then romantic marriages and that is what I believe in. How can you be forced love someone if your heart is leaning towards somebody else.