Back By Popular Demand

If you told me a few months ago that after this blog was no longer a school assignment I would still be writing in it, I would definitely say you were crazy. But apparently, I am the crazy one. Why do so many of you enjoy reading this? I haven't the slightest idea. Wow. This blog is off to a terrible start. Without the structure of school assignment requirements, this blog could get really un-interesting. I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who once said, "If you are a racist, I will attack you with the North." And those are the principles that I try to carry with me in the workplace. So this blog didn't really have a subject-matter, but don't worry they won't all be this worthless. Take Luck.

Stay Tuned This Fall!

To those of you still out there who read this, if there are any of you... I'm not quite finished. . .YET. Stay tuned this fall because there is an exciting new lineup planned of all-new blogs just for your reading delight. That is, if someone comments on this blog and tells me they are still reading this. If such an event occurs, I will be back shortly. So let me know if you want some more, and you'll be sure to get it . . .

Larry's Last Stand

Larry's finished. Yes, I know we never thought this day would come, but it's here. Larry's last concert was on Wednesday, and even though I attended, it seemed more like a dream than reality. Yes, it was an emotional night for all of us. Larry was special, in more ways than 3.

I guess the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Larry would have to be the loving way in which he taught. While too some it would seem that yelling, kicking people out of the class, and shooting with imaginary pistols would be hostile actions, those of us who knew Larry best know that these were the only ways Larry could express the deep musical admiration he had for each of us.

The second thing I think of is Nuance. Larry was always talking about "Nuance". While I still don't know what nuance is, and nobody else does either, I know that Larry was full of it.

Lastly, Larry's "Quiet Bus Ride" was superb. I think this attribute had the most lasting and profound effect on me. I even named my Jr. Jazz team after it, and we all know what an honor that is. Larry's contributions to my character cannot be calculated. Let's just say, I'll be a forever dogmented person.

Text Messaging

I think I've written a previous blog on the many pitfalls of text messaging, but I could be mistaken. Either way, this subject requires our immediate attention. The problem with text messaging is, there is no communication. Several studies have shown that 90% of human communication is NOT done verbally. So you're basically taking out all but 10% of normal communication. As you can formulate, this can provide for some strange misunderstandings.

For purposes of making fun of Jake, we'll also throw instant or "msn" messaging into this equation, as it's basically the same idea. I once heard a story about a young man who asked a girl to prom over msn messenger. The young man's name was Jake Glenn, and it happened for this very prom at Mountain View High School. Don't ask me what was going through his head, but apparently it was not much.

I once tried to carry out a text-messaging only relationship. It didn't work out too well. So in summary, text messaging sucks unless it's to Hank.

Collecitve Soul

What's the deal with the calendar? It's totally useless. Collective Soul, on the other hand, is absolutely, positively, the most ridiculously awesome band ever to walk the earth. If you don't believe me, just go and watch the news.

There was a time, like I'm sure many of you are experiencing now, when I didn't think Collective Soul was the best band in the universe. I also thought I was happy. But then a little thing called DirecTV opened my eyes. While aimlessly flipping through the many, mostly useless channels, I stumbled across a live Collective Soul concert . . FOR FREE. Well at that very moment, my life was changed forever.

I can't say what it is exactly about C*SOUL that I love so much. It just makes me feel good. It's like the spirit or a drug trip. When you hear the sound, all your troubles just melt away. You feel like you could jump off a cliff and not even get hurt! So to all you people out there with drug problems, substitute crack with Collective Soul.

Western Wats (only 1 T)

I work at Western Wats, yes that's with only one "T". It's not Western Watts. Western Wats stands for Western Wide Area Telephone Service. What we do, basically, is complete marketing surveys over the phone for various clients. It's a real hoot.
I started work today and let me just say, I was not disappointed. In fact, I liked it so much, I'm going to do it all again tomorrow. Why do most people hate this job? It's quite simple really, they just can't stand to sit in one chair for 3 or 4 hours at a time, and frankly, neither can I. That's why I love this job.
Several of my associates at school told me that my newfound job "sucked". While this may be true, from their perspective, I see it as nothing but a step or two or maybe even three up from my previous job at Orange Julius in the University Mall. Yes, sub-6.00 wages and grueling tasks made that job no fun. I do believe, however, that it was at the top of the fast-food job chain, which doesn't say much for the industry.
I believe a fast food restaurant job is the worst form of job you can have. I was surprised at work today that most people whom I spoke to on the phone were actually quite kind. This was not what I expected, as I know most everyone hates telemarketers, (though we are not telemarketers, we are interviewers). At Orange Julius, I thought most people in this world were rude. Therefore, Western Wats has been good for my overall outlook on life.

Laziness

I really need to town done my laziness a few degrees. It is taking a toll on my grades. As you read about in my previous blog, my grades have been slipping. I can attribute that falling off of my g.p.a. to one factor: Laziness. If I don't de-laziate soon, I may be in trouble.
I am extremely overqualified to achieve a 4.0 every term. The problem is, that I just don't. I know I can, but somehow the will is not there. I underachieve on every report card. Why? I've gotten ridiculously lazy. It's hurting my g.p.a., and I've got to find a way to reverse it before it's too late.
Back in the 6th grade, even the 8th grade, I was lazy. But not lazy enough to where it ruined my grades. I would ALWAYS do my homework before going to bed, even if that meant staying up till 4 a.m. or later. Nowadays, I find myself sometimes missing school to complete assignments, a sure way to fail.
How can I reverse the trend? Well, it won't be lazy. When I actually focus and work on my homework and pay attention in class, I find a 4.0 just completes itself. I can do homework extremely quickly when I focus, it's just . . . That dang "TV" has ruined my imagination and my attention span. I'll work hard to reverse the trend, however, and soon I'll be rolling in the A's.

4th Term

Well, here we are at 4th term. Finally. This term, I am going to get straight A's. Guaranteed. Of course, I have said such things at the start of each term this year. The 4.0 never seems to materialize, however. This term, however, things will be different.
I don't know what happens to me midway through the term. I just lose sight of the goal at hand. How can such a lapse in focus be avoided? I'm not sure. I must just stay consistent day by day, and not get lazy.
I'm very capable of getting straight A's. In fact, it would really be no problem for me to get a perfect report card every term. The problem is, I seem to forget this at 7 A.M. on some mornings. Those mornings when I decide to just sleep in instead of go to first period don't really seem significant at the time, but it adds up. By the last week of the term, I am asking myself what I was thinking back on those cold winter mornings several weeks earlier.
No. That's not going to happen this term. I will not allow it. I did miss first period today and yesterday, but that's not significant. It won't come back to haunt me in a couple months. No, 4.0 is in the books. Not just this term, but from now until I graduate. No Doubt.

Risk

I like to play Risk. It's pretty much probably my favorite board game. Sometimes I play it 2 or 3 days in a row until the wee hours of the morning. I have a problem, though. I also hate the game. It's so frustrating, it ticks me off hard core.
The first time I played Risk was about 5 years ago up at a cabin in Idaho with my boy scout troop. It was a great game. I was immediately hooked; I knew I would spend the rest of my life trying to master the beautiful game.
After I got a few games under my belt, the game started to bug me. No, I still played it, but it bugged me at the same time it enthralled me. I just can't stand to lose. Not all the time, though. Sometimes I don't care, but sometimes I can't stand to lose. Don't ask me why. It's not just losing that ticks me off, however, it's the way I lose.
This past weekend I was enjoying an excellent game of Risk with 3 of my "friends". I deserved to win, I really did. I was stuck in South America between 2 opponents, 1 had control over N. America, the other Europe and Africa. What the heck would you do in a situation like that? I did what I felt I was obligated to do, for the good of me and the other player. I spent all my guys trying to stop them from their guys. I was quite successful at this, but it had a drawback. The other fella just built up his guys while we were all weakening each other, and he just swept through and won. It wasn't fair. To top it off, the other players, instead of trying to stop him, just attacked me over and over out of spite. This was not conducive to winning.
I wasn't that angry when I first lost, but then something extraordinary happened. I asked for a little recognition from the winning party. All I wanted was for him to say that I was the reason he won. He would not admit it. It was ridiculous! I obviously beat him, but he took credit for my hard work. It was very frustrating.
Well I hope you enjoyed that, my blogs have officially reached the bottom. See you at the Risk board.

Why My Grades Suck

I have crappy grades. Really crappy grades. I haven't made honor roll once yet this year. How can this be so? 3-time spelling bee champion Cuyler Frisby doesn't get a 4.0? I know, it's shocking. I still don't even believe it. It's not that I'm not smart enough. I'm probably the smartest kid in school. I've just got some procrastination/motivation problems.
All through 7th and 8th grade, I posted a perfect mark of 4.0. I had every intention of carrying this trend on through my senior year. Then something terrible happened. I got an A-. I tried as hard as I could to avoid it. I even scraped gum off chairs for my band maestro, but it was not enough. Actually, it was. Mr. L. Hill, just broke a promise. He told me he would change my grade if I would shape up my act in second term. As it turns out, he never did, and I never bugged him about it. This proved to be a fatal error, and a turning point in my high school career. I lost my will to get perfect grades.
I got through the rest of 9th grade posting upwards of 3.9 marks, which are very respectable. I also got through 10th grade without too much of a hitch, making honor roll each term. But here I am in 11th grade, yet to make the honor roll this whole school year. It is really ticking me off. I start each term with the intention of getting a 4.0, but then something happens. I don't even understand exactly what it is, but I slowly lose focus of the goal at hand.
Here I am, near the end of the 3rd term of my junior year, once again staring sub-honor roll marks in the face. I keep telling myself, I'll shape up next term. But will I? I posted a 31 on the ACT assessment, which, if you read my blog on the subject, you will know I did poorly on. This was a lightning bolt to me, reminding me how smart I really am. I was once again motivated to get good grades, retake the ACT, and get a scholarship. This goal is still probably not out of reach, but I can't let my shaping up go one more term. My cumulative has slowly been slipping, and I must reverse the trend now. I will try to finish high school with a 3.8 gpa or higher, and score like a 33 or better on the ACT. I only hope I feel this motivated in a couple months time.

The Problem with Jr. Jazz Refs

Well, the Quiet Bus Ride was finally defeated. Our high hopes were dismantled as we saw the Eagles take our rightful place in the next round of the tournament. While I would still regard this season as a success, it was also a disappointment. I was not disappointed in my team, however, they pulled together and did an excellent job making a recovery to our slow-starting season. I was grotesquely disappointed with the league-mainly the Refs, but also the score keepers.
We deserved to win our last game. It shouldn't have been our last game. We deserved to win. The game started out decent enough. While there was the usual amount of questionable calls in the game, nothing happened which is uncommon at a Jr. Jazz game. We cruised out to a comfortable 12-point lead at the half. The second half is when the trouble started, however.
While I can't pin our second-half breakdown on 1 thing, it was most definitely not Jake leaving to go to work. I think I can point the finger at two main causes: the 2 referees. Allow me to explain.
55-53. That was the final score. In a close game like that, there are always crucial points in the game which you go back to and think, "If only..." In this game there were about 5, and they were more like, "If only the refs..." The bus ride made about 3 or 4 layups, on which they were fouled. This should have given us 3 or 4 possibilities for 3-point plays. However, on each one, the ref called the foul on the ground, thus giving us the ball out of bounds. If any one of those calls would have been RIGHT, we would have won the game, no doubt.
Now the team we were playing, the ALA Eagles, were not a good team. They had one like 6'5" black kid, and that was it. All he did was sit under the basket and get second-chance points. Not once the entirety of the game did the refs blow a 3-second violation on him, but they did call one on us.
But why would the refs have it in for us? The answer is simple. We kept asking them to make certain calls which they did not. The psychology of a Jr. Jazz referee is, "if they ask you to watch the other team doing something, call it on them, just to spite them." Case and Point: (excuse my improper use of a colon) We kept telling the refs, "Watch their screens" because they pushed, grabbed, and used their arms whenever they set one. The referees reaction? "They're not setting very may screens." At a crucial point in the game, I set a screen for my teammate, only to be whistled for a moving screen call. This happened with less than a minute left in the game and is a perfect example of the way Jr. Jazz refs will shove a call in your face. They are so immature.
Overall, the Jr. Jazz season was a success. We started out 0-4, but rallied to post a 4-7 record. Not elite, but ok, seeing as we were a younger team. I don't know what I'm going to write by blogs about now that the season is over, but I'll find something. Next year, we're winning the championship. NO DOUBT.

Student Teachers, Part II

When I wrote my blog last week, I thought I knew what disgust for a student teacher was really like. I was wrong. This past week, I experienced an experience that made my dislike for my unnamed student teacher much deeper.
The date was March 1, 2006--Last Wednesday. I was enjoying my lunch break, when I received a phone call from my mom. She was extremely upset. She ranted and raved about how I was so disrespectful to my teacher, and gave her "defiant" looks, and made a fool of her. in front of the class. While I don't deny doing some of these things to some extent, she took it totally out of context. She asked my mom for permission to send me to the principal's office, to which my mom gave her consent. Can you believe this? I submit that you cannot.
By disrespectful, I guess she meant that I talked in class or something. See, the problem with Mrs. Blank and many other student teachers is they think they have to have total and complete control over every tiny aspect of the classroom. They will not allow you to speak a few words to your neighbor, even though you are diligently working on your assignment.
I do admit to giving her defiant looks, but I think they are in order. Everytime she tells someone to stop talking for no reason, I roll my eyes. She totally deserves this though, she needs to tone it down.
While I may have contributed to making a fool of her in front of the class, it was basically her fault. She asked a question, "What does 'fiscal year' mean?" When no one responded she simply said, "You guys should take accounting," and preceded with the lesson. Out of my curiosity, I asked her, "Are you going to tell us what it means?" She said "No." As you can see, she brought that upon her self.
But why do student teachers feel like they have to inflict such strong dominion over their pupils? My conclusion is this: they feel insecure about their teaching capabilities, and therefore have to make up for it by being in absolute control. It's a downward spiral that can only be reversed by...It can't be reversed. We'll all just have to deal with it.

Student Teachers

I do not like student teachers. I haven't since perhaps elementary school. Back in those days I didn't know any better. But now I can see what student teachers really are: power-hungry wannabes who have no idea what they're doing.
The first time I strongly disliked a student teacher would have to be in my 7th grade TLC class. I don't know why, but she had it in for me. She often took me aside, and asked me why I had an attitude problem. That's right, Mr. Rich. Me. Attitude problem. Perhaps you can see how absurd this notion was. I guess she thought I didn't like her. This is one thing I should give her credit for being right on.
I had a few more of this type of student teacher, but none I disliked as Trixy. This was not her name, but it is the only way my colleagues and I ever referred to her. Don't ask why. Now she actually had somewhat of an education. One would have to to teach a high school math class. However, she did not have much of an idea on HOW to teach. Many of the students in the class had problems comprehending the material due to her teaching. Why should the education of many students be jeopardized for the education of one?
Well this year I am faced with a student teacher who is even worse than any I have had before. Not only does she not know the material, (which she teaches straight out of the book) she is so bold as to tell me not to talk in class. I am losing participation points daily due to her thirst for power. She will not allow me to speak at all while I am dutifully completing my assignments. This would not bother me so bad if she actually knew her stuff, but I am quite sure I know more of the subject matter than her. She has even gone so far as to move me and my friends to opposite edges of the room.
Why do student teachers behave in this way? They are simply trying to feel more sure of themselves as teachers by exhibiting dominance over the students. This should not be a part of the learning process. Student teachers should not be given such total control over the classroom. The education of 30 is more important than the education of 1.

ACT assessment

I took the ACT this past Saturday, and I'd like to tell you about my experiences. While the questions on the ACT are definitely not very difficult, the test can actually be quiet testing. Testing of my patience that is. I definitely would have liked more time to complete my test. What is the purpose of timed tests anyways? With just 5 or 10 more minutes for each section on the ACT, I guarantee my score would be several points better. Timed tests are LAME.
Why do we have to have timed tests? I understand that there needs to be a standardized time for everyone to take the test sometimes, but why is it so short? Get this. On the ACT, you have 30 minutes to complete 40 questions. On the reading section, this wasn't too much of an obstacle, as all you had to do was read a short passage and ask straightforward questions about the context. However, on the Science and Reasoning section it is a little more difficult to move at this pace. Each series of questions consists of several charts, graphs, and tables with paragraphs of text to boot. It is quite impossible to read all this data, then the question, and then go back to the charts to find the answer. I figured this out after about the first set of questions and so I didn't read the data before the questions. I still was quite pressed for time.
Now, I am no dummy. If I had problems with this, there are countless others who had similar troubles. I noticed, however, that many of the students in my testing room seemed to be finished with their tests comfortably before the time expired. My conclusion of this is that these students either A) Guessed or rushed through at least several of the questions. Or B) Are smarter than me. Now, since we all know that option B is quite improbable, the only feasible option is that they had the same problems as me.
It is my belief that the ACT Testmakers should reconsider the amount of time they allow on the test. I also cut my English and Mathematics times quite closely. If I do not receive an outstanding score the only reason is the time allotment. Since when is intelligence a race? If given the proper amount of time, I believe I could achieve near 100% on the ACT. If only.

Jake's Church Ball (Sorry Excuse for a Team) Team vs. Quiet Bus Ride

Well, Jake is pretty confident that his "team" of the Orem Park Stake 12th ward is pretty good. But he's wrong. He's also pretty sure that his "team" could beat my church ball team, or even our Jr. Jazz Team, the "Quiet Bus Ride". I know you're probably thinking that this is absurd, and does not even need an explanataion, but as I have to complete an assignment, I will tell you what you already know. It's common sense.
First of all, there is no conceivable way for Jake to prove his team is better than any other, except for the teams which he allegedly "dominates" every Thursday night at the stake center, and we all know that these "teams" are ridiculously medio-core. Until he somehow clones himself and his team plays our jr. jazz team, our my chuchball team, he should not claim superiority over any other team. I , on the other hand, have earned the right to do so, by my perennial domincance in both leagues.
Now you may think that I am being hypocritical, but to you all I say is you are the hypocrite. When you claim I am ignorant, all I can say is I'm right, and you're wrong. But back to the subject. Yes it is true that the Quiet Bus Ride is currently at the bottom of the rankings with an 0-3 mark. But we're still the best. Yes, we did play the worst teams in the league, which you would think would make us worse than them, but in fact we are just in a funk which will correct itself this Wednesday at 7:30. Jake's team just sucks.
I know what you are thinking, Mr. Rich. Cuyler sucks at writing blogs, and just writing in general. You're right. There was a time when I was at the top of the writing world, as it were. Back in 3rd grade, I wrote a short story entitled "Sign Here, Please" and it went on to when multiple awards, including runner-up for my class in the "Whale of a Tale" competition. I would have won 1st prize but Rachael Anderson included horses and "sparkling things in the sky" in her story, and the rest is history. Third grade teachers always fall for crap like that. Thanks for your time, and tune in next week.

THE UTAH JAZZ

It's happening again. Every season is the same. Depite all of my excuses and reassurances to myself the Jazz are finally starting to obviously suck. And the worst part is, I'm starting to lose interest in the team that I've grown up with. Despite all my reassurances that this would not happen to me as it had my older brothers, I fear I have finally reached that stage where Jazz games no longer entertain me.
I have been a Jazz fan for as long as I can remember. From my earliest days, I loved John Stockton and Karl Malone with all of my little boy heart. I was positive that my feelings and devotion for the Jazz would never change. My Jazz-loving reached its peak 2 seasons ago, when my beloved Jazz defied all expectations and nearly reached the playoffs. I was positive as the Jazz had an excellent offseason, (a first in franchise history) that last year was going to be superb.
It started out excellently, but injuries, and stupid players like Carlos Arroyo ruined the year. About midway through the year, I lost interest. For the first times in my life, the prospect of watching a Jazz game didn't sound all that interesting, and what's more I even TURNED OFF games before they were over. It was schocking.
So far this year, has been a similar story. I fear that this time around, my lack of interest isn't going to be reversed. I have missed about 3 or 4 jazz games in a row, perhaps not inconsequentally all losses. I see no hope for my newly afflicting illness. I belive that my only cure is for the Jazz to reverse their inconsistency and be consistently good. And if Jazz history is any indication, that won't be happening anytime soon.

Analytical Essays

I am sick of the analytical essay. I know this blog is a little late-coming, but I have to get this off my chest. Who decided that this 5-paragraph essay was the best way to write a paper? It seems to me that it was somebody who wanted to eliminate as much creativity as possible from the writing process. While it may make writing a paper easier and more organized, the 5-paragraph essay format does more harm than good by restricting the author's creative writing style.
If I was writing a 5-paragraph analytical essay right now, I would have already broken a plethora of rules. First off, the word "I". Who decided I can't put "I" in MY papers? I happen to like how I use the word I, and I would like to use it as much as I want. Does it really sound so horrible to write in the first person? I think not.
However, writing in the first person is the least of the 5-paragraph essay's problems. Overall, it is just too structured. I have to admit, I like the way they were going with the establishment of this "standard" of analytical writing. However, the man overdid it this time. Sure, having a nice, general outline to guide my ideas would be nice, but it's like they want to write the paper for me. I absolutely have to have a topic sentence and analysis supported by concrete detail. There are just too many rules to follow, and this is why I will never become a professional 5-paragraph analytical essay writer.
I know there are many young students out there who share my point of view. However, the educational system continues to shove this writing format down our throats. Writing is supposed to encourage creativity, not restrict it. Down with the 5-paragraph essay. Just let the students write how they want to for crying out loud!

Orange Julii

Orange Julius. A delicious ice-blended beverage, and an American icon. Right? Or is there something more to this treat than it would immeadeately appear. What goes in these drinks that makes them so good? Are they really good for you? Do they use real fruit? These are just some of the questions I will answer through my use of first-hand expereicne and analysis.
I have, regrettably, been working at Orange Julius for over 1.5 years. I am currently the 3rd longest tenured blendtender in the ranks. While some may be proud of this accomplishment, I am not. Working at a fast food establishment is one of the worst jobs one can have. Near-minimum wage pay, dealing with jerky people, and having unusual coworkers are just some of the trials I encounter every day I work there. These politeness of customers can vary greatly. From the tipping, gracious patron to the ronchy, dissatisfied buyer.
Some of these shoppers ask questions which do not have a plain answer. For example, "Do your smoothies contain real fruit?" While I usually answer yes to this question, I don't really know the answer to the question. It depends on your definition of "real". It was real, once upon a time. But then it was picked, shipped, smashed, sweetend, pureed, packaged, shipped, frozen, thawed, and finally blended and poured into your cup. You decide.
So what is it about these drinks that people like so much? I don't think they are all that great. I mean, of course I'll drink them for free, but I would never pay $4.00 for a sub-par drink, when Jamba Juice is 20X better.
You may be asking yourself what the point of this paper is. Well, in short, it is about the psychology of the human race. While going to the mall and purchasing a drink to quench your thirst may seem like a simple, inconsequential act, it is actually a complex mathematical equation, involoving many factors which eventually lead the customer to their final decision. And while I still haven't necessarily figured all these factors out, I know a few: advertising, thriftiness, fatigue, hunger, and the size of ones pocketbook all weigh into the decision.
So next time you walk by an Orange Julius and consider purchasing a Julius, or perhaps several Julii, think about what you are doing, and don't be brainwashed by corporate advertising. Just keep on walking.