Thwonk2

Sometimes in the most desprate of situations so of the weirdest people or things can help you out. In the book thwonk that i have been reading, A.J. and artsy girl living in Manhattan, is having a lot of problems in her school choices, family and relationships. She thought all of the help she was going to get was the encouraging words of her best friend but as the book goes on she finds that there is someone else there to guide her. While she was out driving she cam upon a ripped cupid doll and when she brought it home to use as a photography subject it suddenly came to life. As she comes to terms that the doll is actually talking to her he explains that he is there to help her. He said that he had come because he knowsa about all of her problems and has come to improve her confidence in herself and trust in others. As far as i have read she is still hesatant about the situation. So far this book is really weird and i don't really like it.

Thwonk

Sometimes you feel like no one understands what you truly want except you. This is the tough situation A.J., a senior girl at Benjamin Franklin High School is stuck in. She is a passionate photographer who wants with all of her heart to go to art school. Although the thing you may think is the toughest to do would be get but in her case it is convincing her dad to let her go. Her dad at one time was a creative film maker, with a lot of almost hit documentary's. In fact he is even the one who turned her on to photography, when they were on vacation in Italy she became attached to her camera and hasn't let it go since. Her school and family troubles aren't all thats going on in her life there is also a boy that she is convinced she is crazy in love with that she doesn't even know! I an only about one chapter into this book and i can't wait to see how it unfolds.

9-11 Heroes

For the hero in a box project i decided to do mine on heroes of the world trade canter attacks of september 11th 2001. I thought that that would be a good section of hero''s because they are current and i was alive when they were in service so i may have more of an opinion and idea about the attacks of that day. Also there were so many heroic stories to chose from and all of the people helping that day were truly heroes so i had great subjects to reasearch. The following articles are all things that i found online, there are videos, articles, songs and quotes describing and telling the stories of the heroes of those attacks.

Name: Welles Crowther
Age: 24
Residence: Upper Nyack, New York
Story: An equities trader on the South Tower's 104th floor, Crowther helped dozens of people to safety on September 11. His body was found in March 2002, alongside several firefighters and emergency workers bunched in a suspected command post in the South Tower lobby.
In their words: "I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day... People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did."

-- Judy Wein, who credits Crowther with directing her and several others on the 78th floor to safety on September 11

The man in the red bandanna

Family, survivors bonded by man's heroism

NEW YORK (CNN) -- They sat bloody and petrified -- the lights out, smoke engulfing the room and pain searing through their bodies. There was no escape from where they were in the South Tower, in pieces after being hit by United Airlines Flight 175 as far as they could tell. Then out of nowhere, a young man burst in and took control. In a strong, authoritative voice, he directed them to the stairway -- which was veiled by darkness, wreckage and haze -- telling the injured to get out and the healthy to help them down. "I see this incredible hero, running back and forth and saving the day," recalled Judy Wein. "In his mind, he had a duty to do -- to save people." "He's definitely my guardian angel -- no ifs, ands or buts -- because without him, we would be sitting there, waiting [until] the building came down," echoes Ling Young. Wein and Young were separated by a few minutes and a few floors that day, but they share a similar story and a single hero: Welles Crowther. Both women credit the equities trader and volunteer firefighter with saving their lives and dozens of others on September 11. But until a few months ago, Crowther was just an unforgettable face to Young. Wein remembered his penetrating eyes, firm voice and the red bandana he wore over his nose and mouth that late summer day -- but didn't know his name. That changed late last May, when a New York Times article featuring a description of the man in the tell-tale bandanna led Welles' mother, Allison, to Wein and then to Young. "Everything we shared -- all the details -- led right to Welles, so it was really beautiful," Allison Crowther said from her Upper Nyack, New York, home. "I am just so proud and gratified that he had the strength of character, the courage, the sense of duty to help others."

Family and firefighting

Welles Remy Crowther was born the oldest of three children, displaying his fearlessness, spirit and selflessness early and often growing up in the New York's northern suburbs, his parents say. He doted on his two younger sisters and followed his father Jefferson's lead, always carrying a bandanna in his back pocket (Welles preferred red, his father blue) and joining him as a volunteer firefighter as a teenager. A star student and lacrosse player at Boston College, Crowther joined Sandler O'Neil and Partners after graduation, settling into his office on the South Tower's 104th floor. While he loved his job, Welles told his dad that he really wanted to join the FDNY -- or possibly the CIA or FBI -- so he wouldn't be stuck behind a desk and would be able to help others. But that's where he was, behind his desk, on the morning of September 11. He made one final call to Allison from his office at 9:12 a.m., minutes after his tower was struck, leaving a brief, calm message saying, "Mom, this is Welles. I want you to know that I'm OK." That call was all the Crowthers knew about their son's final moments until police knocked on their door last March. Allison said the New York medical examiner's office told them Welles' body had been found intact, with no signs of burns, alongside firefighters and emergency workers then running a command center in the South Tower's lobby. Authorities speculated, according to Allison, that Welles was aiding the rescue effort as a civilian usher when he died, suddenly and painlessly, when the building fell. An official from the medical examiner's office told CNN the office does not release information on the condition and whereabouts of Trade Center victims, adding that relatives are welcome to share such details with the media. "We took great peace in knowing that [Welles] didn't suffer and that, up until the end, he was being very courageous, doing what he wanted to do," said Allison. "So he must have felt very fulfilled that day, knowing he was helping others."

'I wouldn't have made it'

Judy Wein was working for the insurance firm AON Corp. right below Welles, on the 103rd floor, when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the adjacent North Tower. Ignoring an announcement telling her building's occupants to stay put, she began heading downstairs. Ling Young, in her 86th floor office of New York's Department of Taxation and Finance, took an elevator to the 78th floor sky lobby. She was waiting there to board an express elevator to the street when the United jet tore through the floor, sending a rush of flames and debris that knocked her to the ground. When she got up and cleared the blood -- her blood -- from her glasses, Young saw "nobody -- almost everyone was dead." She and a few survivors huddled, waiting for help. After several grueling minutes, Welles popped onto the floor and made his remarks. Badly burned, Young and her fellow survivors obediently followed Welles, who was carrying a young black woman on his back. He dropped off the woman some 15 floors later and headed back upstairs, according to Young, saying that more people needed assistance. When he returned the 78th floor, Wein was waiting in pain, the impact having broken her arm, cracked her ribs and punctured a lung. Welles, now wearing his favorite red bandanna over his nose and mouth, burst into the room and, as he had with Young's group, loudly and calmly directed people to the stairs. This time, Welles went his own way as Wein headed down. "If he hadn't come back, I wouldn't have made it," said Wein. "People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did."

A day of action begets a legacy

As fall rolled into winter and 2002 began, the two women still couldn't get the image out of their heads. Wein said she'd go on the Internet and cover up the noses and mouths of those in the towers, hoping to identify the man in the red bandana. Young said Welles' face would pop into her head several times a day, because "he is the one who actually saved me from the start." The pieces all came together late last spring. Allison talked with Wein on the phone, then met with Young days later. One early summer Sunday, both women and their families went to the Crowthers' house for a picnic. While they're recovering from their physical injuries, both say the pure, powerful connection with the Crowthers has expedited their psychological recovery. "It does help me put myself in a lot more peaceful mind than I used to be, especially now meeting his family, who are like our extended family," said Young. "It really helped me tremendously, and helped me heal a little bit more, at least mentally." For the Crowthers, the details of Welles' final minutes reaffirmed their belief in his kindness and courage. And they are committed to making sure his life, and death, were not in vain. Jeff Crowther hopes his son's story will inspire people to become a volunteer firefighter, to give money to the homeless every day like Welles did, to set goals and follow through. "If Welles' story helps people to think of others then God bless them, God bless him," said his father. "He didn't live long enough to be head of a corporation or do good works or endow a museum. But what he did on September 11, that's his legacy." CNN correspondents Greg Botelho and Maria Hinojosa contributed to this report.

This article describes the heroic actions of a regular guy stuck in an unimaginable situation. Although it wasn't his job he still felt the need and want to help others while putting his own life in great danger. I think that this is a primary quality in a hero that when he or she is put into a situation they can instantly decide that others come first and thats a quality that Welles Crowther had.

OFFICER CHRISTOPHER C. AMOROSO
New York/New Jersey Port Authority

The last time anyone saw Chris Amoroso alive was the morning of September 11, 2001. He had just led a group of frantic office workers to safety out of the burning Tower One, and headed right back in. Just minutes later, the north tower collapsed. He lost his own life, but was credited with saving numerous others.]

Chris loved his job. "For Chris, it wasn't a matter of just enforcing laws, but being part of a community," his father said.

But more than anything, Chris loved his wife and infant daughter, Sophia. When Sophia was just 10 weeks old, Chris wrote a letter for her to read when she was older. He wrote in part, "I consider myself to be the luckiest man to ever walk the face of this earth. If anything were to happen to me, I could honestly say I've known true love and happiness ... because of your mother and you .... I love both of you more than you will ever know."
http://www.nleomf.com/911heroes/

This is another example about a hero who lost his life while helping others. Although his job was to go in and help he also had friends, family and a great life but he cared so much about others he was still willing to give his own life for others to keep living as long as his family knew that he loved them.

A Hero

A charity song for children who lost
a firefighter/police parent in the 911 attack.

The morning froze in silence
as the terror filled our hearts
we stared in disbelief at what we saw.
Through the dust we felt so helpless,
wishing that we could have known.
We hold our families close, as we watched them fall.

Some people didn't waiver, they had a job to do.
There was nothing that could keep them away...

Oh, it's a special kind of hero
who would sacrifice themselves - so I could spend another day with you.
And for all the fallen heroes who saved a life that day
your courage unites a nation, and we'll remember you.

So many people crying, walking in a daze
holding pictures of their loved ones
through an empty haze.
Our Heroes didnt falter, they held out a helping hand
remembering their own children, as they rushed inside again.

They didnt waiver, they had a job to do
and some never made it home that day.

Oooh well remember you. We honor you, salute,
respect and cherish you.
Not many people can do the duty that
you knew on that cold September day.

Lyrics by Amy Matthew ASCAP 2008,
music by Karen Mack from KAR Records.

This song expresses the amazing feats and bravery of everyone in the building while it was hit and expressing how we will never forget that sad day or the amazing people who saved all of the lives and all of the people who lost their lives.

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

These two quotes from president Bush describe what the whole nation felt when those brave men and women saved our loved ones lives and put down their own or put their life in danger but still survived.

This video is showing how everyday people with friends, families and jobs risked their lives that day.This shows that heroes of the 9-11 attacks were regular people laying their lifes down for others without a second thought.



This is a video of a song written by the band Yellowcard thanking and remembering all of the heroes and victims of the 9-11 attacks. The video shows the terror that the workers going in to help had to face. The video basically says that if they didn't hear it before we want to thank every rescuer for all that they have done.

The following video show the story of Seargant Thomas who had helped find two people hidden in the ruble of the world trade centers. After he finished helping he went home, he thought mission accomplish and didn't share any details of his heroic deeds with anyone... After a while producers heard about this story and turned it into a movie.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2006/08/18/tuchman.911.mystery.hero.cnn?iref=videosearch

He exhibited an important heroic quality, doing things for the right reasons. He didn't save people for the glory or fame but only to save them and to not make their friends and family suffer the loss of a loved one. You know he was in it for the right reasons because when he was done with his work he didn't go around and do tons of interviews of star in the movie but he went home and continued serving people in his community like a true hero.

Conclusion-

In my research of heroes of the attacks on the world trade center September 11th 2001 i came to many conclusions. The first idea that i came to was that no matter if the hero died or lived through their heroic deeds in the world trade center their memory lives on and stories are shared. Another conclusion that i came to about heroes is what qualities ar their most important. First i think they should be modest, because if you are only helping for the glory and fame then you are not a true hero. The second charicteristic a hero should posses is selflessness because if you think of yourself before others you would never be able to make a split second decision to save someone else and lay down your life for them like all helpers in the falling buildings. The third and final trait i found in the heroes of 9-11 was willingness to help anyone in any situation. Officials like Chris Amoroso or regular guys working in the building like Welles Crowther showed this quality. They were carrying around, calming down and helping any stranger that they saw who was no already being helped. Those are all traits found in all of the heroic rescuers of the 9-11 attacks. We will always remember the Heros and Heroines of September 11th 2001.

Hey! Who Put the Caffeine in My Soap?

For this blog assignment i read an article from the times about rising concern for caffeinated products on the market. Recently there have been many new products containing loads of caffeine and the main problem is the consumers are sometimes not even aware of the content. When you think of caffeine you usually think of coffee or pop but in this case it is a growing market with soaps, lotions and even caffeinated potato chips, the issue with the soap products are that they deliver about twice the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee because you are lathering it directly on your skin. The other main concern is that these products appeal to children like caffeinated jelly beans and energy drinks this is a problem because doctors all agree children should not have any caffeine. Although it is recommended for kids to have no caffeine some go to the extreme, four middle school boys had to go to the hospital because they drank too many energy drinks and were sweating so much they thought they may have been having heart attacks. Personally i think it is good to get this message because no one should drink or eat that much caffeine. I think this article will make people more aware of how much harm caffeine can do to your body and although it doesn't seem so bad there are chances of extreme and deadly cases.
link to article
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1851855,00.html

'SNL' encore as Gov. Palin, but you betcha she's busy

Recently read an article on CNN.com about Tina Fey and her recent appearances on SNL. Although she is no longer on the cast they have invited her back to portray Sarah Palin. Senator McCains running partner. The article was about how she doesn't know how much longer she will be asked to appear and how much longer she can handle it. She says she is so busy with her show "30 Rock" where she is a writer director and star of the show. That is a very demanding job and she may not be able to keep up with that and appearances as Sarah Palin. In the article she also talks about how she can work out her busy schedule, because SNL is on Saturday nights she goes in on Friday night and practices that goes Saturday and does the live show than the rest of the week she works on "30 Rock". I can see why she wouldn't be able to juggle all of this but i hope she can figure it out because i would love to see her on SNL again soon.

Concert review: Chicks dig Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift

This week i read the review for the Rascal Flats and Taylor Swift concert. The review was written in an interesting format, it was like you were listening to a boy and a girl talking about the concert. I thought that this was a good way to rate a concert because men and women sometimes have very different views on concerts. But the general opinion of the concert was that it was a girly concert, the guys opinion was that the music was like a bad boy band singing country. Also it said that it was mainly girls like a four girls per guy. I was actually at this concert and although i totally disagree with their opinion on the music their statements about the number of women are pretty accurate, if you look around there were probably only about 2 to 4 men in your row. Other things said in the article was that Taylor Swift really pumped up the crowd and got the show off to a good start. All in all the review sounds about right and it sounds like i wasn't the only one who enjoyed the concert.
click here to go to review on startribune.com

Link Between Creativity and Mood Disorders

It is said in a article on CNN.com that there may be a connection between creativity and mood disorders. Although it says that it is a loose link that it is somehow related. They said that having a mood disorder doesn't make you creative and being creative doesn't give you a mood disorder but that many who are one end up being the other.Examples used in the article was a writer who recently committed suicide who was bipolar and suffered from depression for 20 years. They found in his writing that he was obsessive and thought things over and over again, which made him an amazing writer but eventually lead to his death. They also did a study comparing students with degrees in the arts, people who are bipolar and people who aren't. The results showed that the bipolar group scored higher on the creativity tests as well as the art students and the regular control group scored average. This article clearly states that this is a connection but it is very loose and still needs further research.
link to CNN article http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/07/creativity.depression/index.html

Eclipse By Stephanie Meyer

This week i have been reading Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. I just started it, eclipse is the third book in the twilight series. The series is about a teenage girl from sunny Arizona who moves to a small always rainy and foggy town. While there she finds herself falling in love with a vampire and finding herself in unbelievable amounts of danger. In the beginning of the second book Edward leaves without a word of goodbye leaving Bella in a zombie state for months until she finally went to Italy where Edward was and saved him from killing himself and brought him back safely home. Beginning in the second book Edward and Bella are back together but without Charlie, Bella's dad's approval. As far as I’ve read Edward is aloud to visit Bella one a day for a few hours and Charlie is still worried Edward will take off again and he doesn’t' think that Bella could handle that. I am excited to get further into this book and see how this unfolds.