Ideate
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
by andrew.pogorzelski
I was born a Green Bay Packer fan and I will die a Green Bay Packer fan. It’s not a possibility; it is a fact for all those who consider themselves apart of the Lambeau faithful. You bleed green and gold and you despise blue and orange and purple and yellow. These are the facts of life. Three years ago, there were three certainties in this world: the sky is blue, Vince Lombardi could beat Mike Ditka in an arm wrestling match, and Brett Favre was the greatest quarterback to ever step on the planet Earth. Favre was larger than life, in fact, in Green Bay he was a god.
Then our Father left for the bright lights of New York and we swallowed our pride. He was gone, but he was still ours. He was simply having a Joe Montana moment, when he retired we could embrace him again, he would forever be a Green Bay Packer. Then, the unspeakable happened. Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay lost its messiah to the dark side. It’s essentially like your grandma telling you she never loved you and that she has always favored the “other” cousins, the ones who would come to Thanksgiving dinner in jeans and wearing Milwaukee Bucks shirts that were found in the clearance bin at Kohl’s. We lost a family member, who continuously brightened our weeks with a victory or made us cry because he has terrible decision making skills (got to strive for that interception record).
Now in my time of reflection, I have wondered if my initial hypothesis of my hero was presumptuous. Is Brett Favre really Jesus or was I simply blinded by the internal light that is Brett Favre’s white smile? Or is Favre the modern day Pontius Pilot to all those who supported the Pack Attack for sixteen years? If Favre is, in fact, the Second Coming of Jesus we must break it down.
The Miracles of Jesus vs. The Two Minute Drills of Favre
Jesus is well known for his miracles, you can do wonders when God is your PR man. This guy walked on water, turned water into wine because they ran out at a wedding, and he even cured the blind. No wonder why so many kids wear those “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets, Jesus is like Superman if he could grow a beard. Jesus Christ eats kryptonite for breakfast.
Compared to the Son of God, Brett Favre just bombed a ball into a designated area to score points. Sure, he added hope into the lives of those who live in Green Bay (Note to reader: besides the Packers, there is nothing in Green Bay), but Jesus told a man to walk and he did. Favre just told Donald Driver to catch a ball. Although his throw to Antonio Freeman to beat the dreaded Vikings was pretty spectacular…
Jesus: 1 Favre: 0
The Teachings of Jesus vs. Brett Favre Struggling to Get His Point Across to that “Rookie Receiver”
Jesus taught the world how to love our enemies, be good neighbors, and to just chill and not worry about tomorrow. Essentially, a lot of his teachings were the adult version of “Sesame Street”, which some saw as controversial. He just wanted people to know that God loved them, that’s all; he was in it for the long run for his home boys in Jerusalem.
Brett Favre could out throw the messiah, but he did not have the oratory skills to get his point across most of the time. Let’s just say, that when Favre (finally) retires, ESPN would not consider him as a commentator on their Monday Night games. The guy is just too stupid. He has been known for yelling at receivers who cannot retrieve a 100 mile per hour football lodged into their stomach or breaking four of their fingers. Oftentimes, we didn’t know what Favre was flappin’ his gums about most of the time. However, he did teach us that if you throw for 442 touchdowns, you are going to throw 288 interceptions. You can’t have one record without the other.
Jesus: 2 Favre: 0
The Resurrection of Jesus vs. Favre Retiring and Un-Retiring
We all know about how Jesus died for our sins, resurrected from the dead three days later, and so forth we get it. You call that making a scene, son of God? Get your notebook ready.
Brett Favre retired from Green Bay Packers after the 2007 season because he was “tired”. All the man wanted to do was nap, it’s understandable, he’s old. In the summer he wants to come back, but Green Bay has moved on to their up-and-coming quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Favre was acting like the crazy ex-girlfriend that never goes away, leaving endless voice mails and texting your phone begging to get back together. Green Bay was having none of it, they found someone else. Green Bay then traded Favre to the Jets where he had a decent season. Then he retires, again, this time figuring he isn’t fit enough for the game. This past summer, the Vikings offer him the starting job. He says “no, I’m fine, thanks”. Two weeks later, he wants the job. Who does that? Why can’t he think rationally for more than ten minutes? Because Brett Favre gets what he wants and if anyone gives him lip, you best believe he will roundhouse kick you to the face in his Wrangler jeans. And he’ll look damn good in them for a reasonable price too.
Jesus: 2 Favre: 1
Jesus may take the final tally, but Favre can throw one hell of a spiral and he is the quintessential definition of someone who has redeemed themselves from the terrors of pill-popping and alcoholism. Favre may not be divine, but he has proven that if you play in the NFL for twenty years in a remote area in the north, you can be compared to a religious deity. I guess all it takes to amuse people up there is to toss a ball around once a week. He may have broken our hearts, but he brought a lot of hope to overweight, middle-class workers in Wisconsin and we will always love him for that. But until then, I’m hoping a defensive end breaks his knees. So five years from now, he can salute Lambeau Field when they retire his symbolic number 4 from a wheelchair.
Photo Credit: DavidErickson
Photo Credit: midiman
Photo Credit: reb
Popularity: 7% [?]
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
by andrew.pogorzelski
There are some instances in life when you drop everything you’re doing and simply ask, “Did that just happen?” Millions
stared at their television sets and watched the moon landing, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the events of September 11th, and countless other occurrences to watch history in the making. After an explosion of Facebook status updates and Twitter posts, I believe that Kanye West has shoved his way into the forefront of our brains when he stole Taylor Swift’s microphone at the 2009 MTV VMAs. He didn’t just snatch that microphone, he snatched our hearts too.
Continue reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
by CaitlinB
In the 21st century we all seem to be glued to our cell phones, and are allowing ourselves to put not only us but the people around us in danger. As the number of fatalities increase from drivers using their cell phones, many are beginning to wonder if cell phones be banned while driving. Over the past few years many studies have been conducted about the risks of driving while using a cell phone, and the outcome has all been the same. Driving while on the cell phone is one of the most dangerous things you can do. When on a cell phone you are not only putting yourself at risk but also the cars around you. A study conducted by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society showed that accidents when on a cell phone caused 2,500 deaths and 330,000 injuries. If all states banned cell phones while driving, all of these deaths and injuries could be avoided. So far California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C. and Oregon have banned cell phone use, but this number needs to increase. If we can avoid accidents by this little act, why not take advantage of it? Continue reading »
Popularity: 5% [?]
Monday, September 21st, 2009
by Skylar SB
How many consumers would critically filter the advertisements of companies before they purchase items? How many teenagers would berate their body types based on mass media? According to the National Institute on Media and the Family, teens who watch TV drama or read magazines display higher dissatisfaction with their body images. Since World War II, popular media has increasingly held up thinner and thinner images of women as the ideal type for woman. These teenagers grow up watching thin models and movie stars, and symbolize them as a role models. Now, if people think about their daily lives, from the moment they wake up to right before they go to bed, we are constant targets of the media. From radio to daily news, companies that are trying to increase their revenues are subjugating the vulnerable eyes of the consumers. However, is it just the eyes of teenagers in the Untied States that are being influenced by the mass media? Certainly there are more. Continue reading »
Popularity: 4% [?]
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
by Antonio Viva
Good Morning. I am Mr. Viva, the Associate Head of School here at Worcester Academy. And I know for a fact that many of you recognize me more from my voice than anything else. Does this sound familiar? “Good Morning, This is Mr. Viva, due to dangerous weather conditions, Worcester Academy will be closed today.” Your personal 5:45 am wake up call on a cold and snowy February morning telling you that school is cancelled and that you can go back to sleep. For some of you, this may be the first time you are putting a face to that voice.
Mr. Morse couldn’t be here today so he asked me to step in on his behalf, and welcome all of you to the start of the 176th year here on the Hilltop. 176 years. Have you ever stopped for a moment and thought about what it means to be a part of a place that has been around that long? Go back in time with me for a moment and think about how much our world has changed in that time. Consider for a moment, that back then, in the early to mid-1800’s there were a group of creative thinkers, some would call them rebels, who were pushing the envelope by rebelling against what they saw as the current situation and what they were trying to be different from. They were call the Transcendentalists and another way to look at them is to see them as a generation of people who were struggling to define spirituality and religion (our words, not necessarily theirs) in a way that took into account the new understandings that the time they were living in made available to them. This movement brought us some of the most important and influential thinkers of their time. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. And while this moment in history was unfolding, in real time, Worcester Academy students were taking classes and learning from one another and their teachers. It was all happening right around them. Continue reading »
Popularity: 7% [?]
Monday, May 4th, 2009
by CaitlinB
New England is known to be one of the prettiest regions of the US throughout all of the seasons. Whether it’s seeing the changing colors of foliage, skiing down the slopes, or enjoying a nice summer day on the beach, New England is the place to be. Since I have lived in New England my whole life, I consider myself almost spoiled to be able to enjoy all the beautiful seasons. When visiting New England there are five places that are necessary to see in order to truly experience New England.
1. Cape Cod, MA
Cape Cod is located on the tip of Massachusetts. Cape Cod is known for its beautiful beaches, but there is much more to the Cape than that. Whether you enjoy shopping, biking, or surfing there is something for everyone here. Chatham, Falmouth, and Martha’s Vineyard are the best shopping destinations in all of Cape Cod, with their main streets filled with shops it’s a great way to spend the day away from all the sun. There’s 
nothing better than a nice early morning bike ride on a nice summer’s day, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail is the perfect place for it. Stretching 22 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet, it’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Lastly, the surf at the Cape Cod National Seashore Park is some of the best surf around.
2. Newport, R.I.
Newport is also another beach town, but is known for much more than that. The beaches and sailing in Newport are incredible and you could just spend a day itself watching the ships come in and out of the port. Another way to spend a day in Newport is to take a tour of the famous Newport mansions. Along the tour you will see some remarkable mansions including the most famous, the Breakers. If you are a tennis fan, then Newport is the place for you. Newport, R.I. is the home to the Tennis Hall of Fame. Not only can you get a tour of the hall of fame, but you can also play on the famous grass courts.
3. Stowe, VT.
Stowe is a quaint little skiing village located in the heart of Vermont. Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the top skiing resorts in all of New England. The scenery of Stowe, VT is enough of a reason just to visit this village. With a nice town center and excellent shopping there you have a great way to spend a day off the slopes, Stowe is a great place to visit.
4. Berkshire Hills, MA
Berkshire Hills is the perfect place to watch the seasons change. Since the Berkshire’s have almost a hundred lakes and acres upon acres of land for parks, golf, and other activities, this area calls for a perfect relaxing weekend. The famous Tanglewood music theater and the Norman Rockwell museum are among some of the famous attractions that draw many to this part of Massachusetts.
5. Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit is the last stop along this tour of New England, but is certainly not one to forget. With an incredible mile walk along the coast, great food, and amazing shopping Ogunquit is a perfect summer getaway. Many come from all over in the summer to experience the feel of Ogunquit. The beaches can get a little crowded, but the crowd is worth it. Great surf and nice weather can make for a perfect day trip. One of the best parts of Ogunquit is the hidden Perkins Cove, which is a scenic way to spend a night with great food, shopping and fun.
Photo Credit:
Chris Seufert
Popularity: 23% [?]
Monday, May 4th, 2009
by BrianL
If you are a baseball pitcher the chance that you make it to a division one college to play is slim. The chance that from there you proceed to the major leagues is even more rare. But to go from thinking of quitting baseball to work at a hardware store and then going on to become the number one major league prospect in America; impossible, or is it? It was not impossible for San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg. The 6’ 4” 220 pound right-handed pitcher has potential to be the most dominating pitcher in the MLB in the future. Currently he is pitching at San Diego State as a junior. His fastball that tops out at 103 miles per hour along with his devastating slider and pinpoint accuracy makes Stephen Strasburg virtually un-hittable to most batters.
In my opinion the thing that makes Strasburg the most valuable, more valuable than his physical abilities is his sheer work ethic. Strasburg was not always the stud pitcher that he is now. At one point his career in baseball was suffering and quitting became an option. As a junior in high school although he threw low 90’s Strasburg was not on any team’s need to have list. This is because he was not anything special and out of shape. Stephen was 250 pounds and would have trouble with his body’s weakness out on the mound. This would be a problem that most people would not be able to fix. For this reason Strasburg considered quitting the game to get a simple job. Fortunately for the game of baseball, he did not. Strasburg’s incredible determination and desire to get in better shape has gotten him where he is now. When coaches and trainers told him to quit and that he would never make it, Strasburg worked harder and proved them wrong. He was not born being able to throw 103 miles per hour. The only reason he can do that now is because he worked extremely hard.
Strasburg played for team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and was the only college player to do so. He is the projected number one draft pick in the upcoming Major League Draft. The Washington Nationals have the first pick in the draft. With the opportunity to pick a starting pitcher who could be a team’s ace in a couple years, the Nationals would be crazy not to pick Strasburg.
Strasburg struck out 23 batters in one game last year and is only getting better. Some people believe that Strasburg has bad mechanics similar to those of Mark Prior. This could cause him to have arm problems in the future. Hopefully he will not throw any harder than he does now as it could cause serious health problems. Strasburg has created a very bright future for himself through hard work and determination to get better. Has Strasburg reached the peak of his career? Will his faulty mechanics get him into trouble? Does he have records to break and batters to fan in the future? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Photo Credit: San Diego Shooter, Malingering
Popularity: 23% [?]
Friday, May 1st, 2009
by Antonio Viva
Share your thoughts, experiences and general impressions of your time at Worcester Academy.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
by AGermain
The shows we all remember…
8. CatDog
The show aired in 1998, and everyone who grew up in the 90’s has at least heard of it. It featured a cat and a dog, who were connected to each other. The body had a cat head at one end and a dog head at the other. Always being stuck together, they got annoying to each other, because of the cat’s up tight personality, and the dog’s stupidity. This added a comic twist to this show.
7. The Angry Beavers
It aired in 1997, and was a hit for a good amount of time. The show starred Norbet and Dagget, who are two beavers that live in the woods together. They left their parents, because their parents had another litter. Their parents didn’t pay much attention to them, because Norbet was the small one while Dagget was the stupid one. Throughout they show they encounter many obstacles with their house in the woods.
6. Rocket Power
Although the show started in late 1999, it was still one of the best shows in the 90’s. It focused on the friendship between Otto, Reggie, Twister, and Squid. The four friends would do extreme sports such as surfing, roller skating, and skateboarding in the city of Ocean Shores, California.
5. Rocco’s Modern Life
Airing in 1993, Rocco’s Modern Life is a classic. Rocco, a wallaby, is an immigrant to the United States from Australia. He lives in O Town. He is having trouble adjusting to his new life in America, facing problems in every single episode. The other main characters are Heffer, Ed Bighead, and Filbert. They are all close friends of Rocco and help him with his journey.
4. Keenan and Kel
The show aired from 1996, and lasted until 2000. It starred Keenan Rockmore and Kel Kimble. They are two teens that grow up in Chicago, Illinois, whose mischievous stunts lead to a comedic plot to the show. Kel is a clumsy, orange soda-loving friend of Keenan. Keenan is a high school student who works at the local grocery store. A lot of drama happens in the store, because Kel is always messing things up, for example he spills the orange soda everywhere. This leads the boss of the store to dislike Kel being present. They also starred in the movie Goodburger, which is also a classic.
3. Doug
Doug was only on Nickelodeon from 1991 until 1994. Its main character was a kid named Doug, hence the name of the show. Doug moves from a town called Bloatsburg to Bluffington, and the show follows how he adjusts to his new life. In Bluffington he meets Skeeter, Patti, Roger, and Beebe. They all become good friends of Doug. Doug writes in a diary and goes by the name Doug Funnie, and his dog Porkchop plays a big role in the show. The show was on Nickelodeon until 1994, and in 1996 was on Disney.
2. All That
All that was a hilarious sketch comedy show. It first aired in 1994, and it was a hit from the beginning. The first season featured actors such as Angelique Bates, Lori Beth Denberg, Katrina Johnson, Kel Mitchell, Alis Reyes, Josh Server, Kenan Thompson, and Kevin Kopelow. Throughout time the cast of characters changed, but the main sketches still existed throughout all the seasons. The show had many spin-offs including The Amanda Show, Action League Now!, Keenan and Kel, and The Nick Cannon Show.
1. Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold started in 1996, and lasted until 2004. It was the greatest kid’s show to ever air on Nickelodeon. The show took place in Hillwood, which was a place that represented Seattle, Portland, and Brooklyn. The show stars a fourth grader named Arnold. He lives with his grandparents Gertrude and Phil in the Sunset Arms boarding house. If Arnold is not running into problems of his own, he is usually helping his schoolmates with their problems. The show was an instant classic.
Photo Credit: David Zellaby, [RAWR]mero
Popularity: 27% [?]
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
by LindsayY
Would you want to make every day of your life meaningful and bring changes to you and your family? Would you want to try something new to let your life be filled with joy? Then, try these 13 things before you regret anything. They will act as a catalyst in making your life seem more meaningful and bringing changes to you and everyone around you!
1) Organize your old pictures.
Going through some of the pictures that you’ve had in your drawer for a long period of time, you will be able to recall some of your memories from the past. Be they good or bad memories, they will definitely make you smile!
2) Read at least one book a month.
It is important that you read, for it allows you to gain knowledge based on various subjects, such as world issues. Prepare for your future and build your knowledge by reading at least one book a month.
3) Visit your high school.
One of the moments that you will miss the most will definitely be the memory at your high school. It’s not a bad idea to visit your high school with your friends, have a little chat about what your school life used to be like, and look back on your youth for a bit.
4) Keep in touch with your friends.
Friends are the most important and valuable possessions in your life. Always try to keep in touch with your friends. They will always be next to you whenever you need help from someone. Remember! True friends last forever! 
5) Write your own diary.
Diary is a book that contains various stories of your life. Everyday, write down in your own diary anything that you experienced during the day. By the time that you get old, your heart will be moved when you read a diary that you used to write 60 years ago.
6) Write a list of your pros and cons.
It is very important that you learn about yourself. Getting to know better about who you really are as a person will let you be confident about yourself. Writing a list of your pros and cons will allow you to improve your personality and yourself as a person.
7) Wake up early in the morning to spend some time with “yourself.”
Early in the morning, when it is completely silent outside, is such a perfect time to spend some of your time just by yourself. It is very soothing to read a book, listen to some music, or take a walk just by yourself early in the morning. Also, it allows you to take some time off from all the craziness that you have to go through during the day everyday.
Go see a doctor to get your health checked.
I unfortunately happen have a lot of friends who have lost their parents due to illnesses, such as cancers. Had they once gotten their health checked by a doctor, they would have been still alive. Do not ever put yourself into a situation, where you happen to breathe your last breath, just for not having gotten your health checked by a doctor.
9) Tell those who you truly love, “I love you.”
Imagine that you got in a car accident, and by that time, you had someone that you’ve loved for such a long time but never had a chance to express your feelings to. How sad and depressing would it be? Being able to express love to another is one of the most important qualities and values that you can have for others and yourself as well.
10) Carry your camera with you.
Take pictures of every place that you go to and everything that you see. Sometimes, little things like pictures make you smile, for they bring back to you the images of what you have done in the past and where you have been to.
11) Be aware of the real meaning of your birthday.
It is always fun to have big birthday parties with people around you. However, at least for once in your life, try to be aware of the real meaning of your birthday. Say “thank you” to your parents for having been who they are to you.
12) Blood drive
Blood drive is such a meaningful activity that anyone can attend. Isn’t it amazing that your blood can save someone’s life? It can bring an absolute happiness to someone even on the other side of the world! Do it!
13) Plant a tree for your child.
Plant a tree when your child is born. Watching your child and the tree growing together will allow you to realize the true meaning and importance of a creature and a being. Besides, by the time that your child is all grown up, he or she will be very much be moved and impressed by the love that he or she has received from you.
Popularity: 13% [?]
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