UCF’s Amazing Football Season In Fall 2013

Posted on December 2, 2013 by bosimpson

This semester UCF had really brought on the competition with football. We now can be seen on national television which had not happened yet in the other seasons, we are playing in a harder division, and we only have one loss for the whole season! We lost to South Carolina by 3 points, they were nationally ranked and then we beat Louisville, another nationally ranked school during their homecoming game. That must have been embarrassing for them! So after those two high lights in our season, we also became nationally ranked and recognized by universities everywhere. We started off ranked as 23 and now we are ranked 19 and still moving up.

I went home this weekend for Thanksgiving Break and as I was walking in Bayside I passed by a television that had on the UCF vs USF game. Not only does that mean that we were on national TV, it means that we were important enough for them to be playing our game all the way down in Miami. It made me really happy, it was almost like seeing a glimpse of spirit even away from my school. I am really happy that we’re doing so goos not only because it’s awesome and I like winning but because I believe that UCF is an amazing school that’s very underrated and I;m glad that we are now getting more of the respect that we deserve.

I chose to go to UCF as my first choice and it annoys me that it was so many people’s second choice that didn’t get into FSU or UF, which isn’t even ranked at all this season, by the way. Don’t get me wrong, FSU and UF have been around for a long time and they deserve respect for keeping up their schools the way that they have but I believe that for UCF being open for only 50 young years, we have accomplished a lot and we are only continuing to grow and become bigger and better and there is no doubt in my mind that in the next coming years and decades, UCF is going to have a a lot of respect and it going to be known as the school I see it as today.

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Pensions, Real Wages, And Paid Vacations Are Vanishing From American Culture

Posted on December 2, 2013 by brookeadams91

America is not the same way it used to be back in the day. The norms of our older siblings, parents, and grandparents are disappearing as the United States continues to evolve. These evolutions are being seen in lifestyle, habits, and especially in workforce benefits. Pensions, real wages, and paid vacations/ holiday time are becoming things of the past and are things that newer generations will not be as familiar with.

Pensions used to be the norm when it came to American government and corporate retirement plans. American pensions have been declining as Wall Street companies are swapping high costs for more bottom-friendly 401ks, putting burdens on workers. According to Donald Bartlett and James Steele’s book, “The Betrayal of the American Dream,” the United States has lost about 85,000 pension plans between 1985 and 2012. The numbers continue to decline.

Real wages are also declining. According to October statistics from the Social Security Administration, “America’s median wage has dropped to levels not seen since 1998.” Half of the workers in the United States made less than $27,519 in 2012, a decrease of four dollars from the previous year. Total real wages per American are six percent below their levels from 2007.

Paid vacations and holiday time haven’t completely vanished from American culture, nor is it close to completely becoming a thing of the past, but it is definitely declining. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 77 percent of Americans receive paid vacation days, a three percent decrease from a couple of decades ago.

Of all full-time workers at small businesses consisting of 100 workers or less, only 69 percent are granted paid vacation time, and only 35 percent of private part-time workers get paid vacation. The Center for Economic Policy and Research stated that the United States “is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation.” The same also applies to paid maternity leave. Developed European nations and Australia requires at least 20 paid holiday/ vacation time and guarantees paid maternity leave.

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American Foxhound Wins Best in Show at National Dog Show

Posted on December 2, 2013 by robert sutton

Jewel, an American foxhound took best in show at the National Dog Show this year. The foxhound displayed poise and finesse that earned her the title, beating out the other finalists for the top award.

Each Thanksgiving Americans across the country gather together to give thanks, enjoy food, be with their family, watch football and cheer for their favorite breed in the National Dog Show. This year was no different as fierce competition trotted its way across millions of television screens and into the hearts of those watching at home.

The American foxhound won the hound group and proceeded to the best in show deliberations where it was matched up against the winners from the herding, toy, terrier, sporting, non-sporting and working groups. For a moment it seemed as though a Pekingese named Rodger, winner of the toy group, might steal the show as his stubby paws dashed about under posh layers of straight fur. In a way it was fitting that the American foxhound won on this most American of holidays, Thanksgiving. While the foxhound may not have displayed the personality of some of the other breeds, she was a prime example of a hound, fit and focused with maturity and grace.

While most viewers hoped for a particular favorite breed to take the prize, it seemed acceptable that the American foxhound won best in show. I personally found myself rooting for the Bernese mountain dog (a personal favorite) and later for Banana Joe, an Affenpinscher who won the Westminster Dog Show earlier this year but failed to win even the toy group at the National Dog Show.

Host John O’Hurley said it best when he told the viewers at home that no matter which breed won, the real best in show is the dog beside you at home. For more information about breeds and shows visit the American Kennel Club website, found below.

http://www.akc.org/

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Eight Dead After a Helicopter Crashes into a Glasgow Pub

Posted on December 1, 2013 by evannebersberger

This past Friday, a helicopter crashed down into a Glasgow pub killing eight people.

The Police Scotland aircraft collided into The Clutha pub at 11:30 P.M. It is estimated that about 120 people were in the pub at the time. All three of the people inside the helicopter and five of the people in the pub are confirmed to have died. The three in the helicopter were a civilian pilot and two police officers.

Thirty-two further people were taken to local hospitals. Eighteen have been treated and discharged, while an additional 14 people are still being treated for “very serious injuries.”  Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, medical director at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said, “The main injuries we have seen include chest injuries, head injuries, long-bone fractures and lacerations.”

Many of the pub’s patrons either escaped or were rescued, but a collapse on the left side of the building trapped the others. Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House told a news conference that they would remain on scene “for many days yet” to rescue them. He said, “This is a complex and ongoing rescue operation. It will not be a quick operation. It is a very complicated and indeed dangerous scene.”

William Byrne, 45, from Coatbridge, recounts his experience in the pub.”There was a loud bang. Then there was dust and the lights went out. It was surreal. We didn’t know what had happened. At our side of the pub at least two people were trapped under the gantry. Myself and others lifted it up and managed to get them out. I spent some time with one injured man.”

According to the BBC, a significant number of personnel from Police Scotland, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service are still at the scene. The Air Accidents Investigations Branch is conducting a major investigation as to what caused this fatal crash.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon showed her empathy for the Scottish people: “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been bereaved. It is impossible to imagine the grief and loss that they are experiencing. They should know that the thoughts and prayers of everyone across the city, and indeed across Scotland, are with them at this unimaginably difficult time.”

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Fast and Furious’ Star Paul Walker Dead At Age 40 Due To Tragic Car Accident

Posted on December 1, 2013 by loganperatla

It was sadly confirmed yesterday that Fast & Furious’ leading man Paul Walker has passed away.  Reporters say Walker was on the way to his charity event Reach Out Worldwide in Southern California just 30 miles north of Hollywood when the tragedy took place. According to the website for the charity, the Saturday event was intended to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The wreck took place around 3:30 pm (6:30pm ET) just 300 yards from the office park where the event was being held, and according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office speed was definitely a factor in the crash. It is also being reported that Walker was the passenger in his friends 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, and that the speed limit in that particular area was 45mph. When deputies arrived at the scene they found a car engulfed in flames. Once the fire was extinguished, “all that remained was the burnt mangled metal of the red car and a light pole that had been knocked down.” Deputies also noticed burned rubber and doughnut marks up and down the street relatively close to the crash site. Although they are unsure if the marks in the road are related to the crash, they were able to confirm (once the fire was put out) that two occupants were found and pronounced dead on the scene. Even with all of this information being presented, the county coroner says “given the condition of the bodies, it will take some time to definitively identify them.” Walker passed away at the young age of 40 and is survived by his 15-year-old teenage daughter Meadow.

It saddened me to hear news of Paul Walker’s passing and I was really wishing this was just another hoax. I was most definitely a big fan of his who grew up watching the Fast and Furious Series, so I was able to watch Walker grow into a successful and very talented actor over the years. His presence on camera was undeniable, and I believe he was on his way to becoming one of the greats. According to the numerous tweets and Facebook statuses from his celebrity costars, Walker was a very sweet man with a magnetic personality that drew everyone to him. Close friends tell of the great deeds he performed while still on earth as well as how big of a heart he had. His death impacted not only those who were close to him but also his fans as well. My condolences go out to his family, especially his teenage daughter, and to the family of the friend who was driving Walker to the event.

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The Best Deals from Black Friday

Posted on December 1, 2013 by gabriellemotto

I feel like I’m the only one who hates Black Friday! It’s specifically designed to target people like me: people with credit cards who can’t resist sales. This Black Friday I told myself that instead of shopping, that I would work. I did work all night on Black Friday, but this did not stop me from spending my money. I spent hundreds on clothes and electronics because the sales were irresistible.

I work at American Eagle and they had an awesome sale going on. Everything in the store was fifty percent off! At Hollister, everything was forty percent off. If you didn’t get jeans from either of those places, you missed out on an awesome sale. If you were looking for WiFi Bluray players, Walmart and Best Buy had the best prices. They had Blu-Ray players for under fifty dollars. Best Buy also had great prices on the Mophie cases. These are cases that charge your phone and usually run for over one hundred dollars. I was able to snag one for only sixty-five dollars. There were also great deals on media streamers. Apple was giving away a $25 gift card with the purchase of an Apple TV. The Netgear NeoTV’s were all on sale at Radioshack, Walmart, and Staples. I got mine from Staples, because they took an extra $10 off for ordering it online. Now I’m looking forward to Cyber Monday, the day when you can shop from the comfort of your own bedroom! I don’t need anything in particular, but I’m sure that’ll change once I see all of the deals!

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Growing as a Person While Traveling the World

Posted on December 1, 2013 by jlhemingway

I often find myself at odds when defining what a vacation actually is. Well, today I had a bit of a revelation. I guess it all started when I was young and felt this wanderlust spirit building in my gut. My heart always knew I wouldn’t be a stagnate person, the world is my home and I want to see all I can possibly see. As this wanderlust coalesced into an all out part of my psyche, I began to wonder what possibilities travel could offer. Mental and emotional growth are definitely two products of changing latitudes. Not to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience gained from seeing how others live compared to the life you think is so “natural” at home. This, to me, is the main difference between vacation and traveling. Vacation is a way to escape the stresses of the everyday life while travel is something that grows you into a very different human being.

When you travel, the world is yours. You are free to search around and explore the nooks and crannies of the cultures in which you find yourself. Eating and drinking your way through a country actually has a great potential to teach you a little something about the world, and yourself. In the end, travel is something many folks see as a distant pipe dream with no way to fruition. Well, get this thought out of your mind. Anyone can and should get out on their own before settling into a life full of restraints caused by family and work. It may seem selfish but I think it’s vital to transforming into an informed person. So get out there and see what the world has to offer!

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Adrenaline Film Star, Paul Walker Dies in Car Crash

Posted on November 30, 2013 by marissanclark

Arguably one of the most popular actors of the 2000’s has died earlier this week in a car crash related accident near his home in Southern California. Paul Walker, the lead character in the hugely successful Fast and the Furious will be remembered as an actor that played characters that always pushed the envelope.

Paul Walker passed away Saturday afternoon at a charity event to benefit Typhoon victims in the Philippines. He went outside to be with some of his fans and friends as there were cars being tested outside. He and a friend were testing out his friends car, a Porsche GT3 when the friend and driver lost control of the car as it slammed into a nearby tree killing both Paul and the friend.

Two of his current film projects, a seventh Fast and the Furious and an independent film about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are still to be decided whether or not to be released. It has not been announced how much of the seventh Fast and the Furious was filmed with Paul and whether or not the movie will have to be re-filmed. I believe the film will still include him as he was an enormous part of the franchise.

Paul Walker was an actor that typically shied away from the spotlight and instead let his action films describe the way the public viewed him. This is a dying trait in today’s world with big name actors sharing opinions in politics and social media. I believe that he will be greatly missed for the demeanor he brought to films.

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Poor Start To The NBA Season In New York City

Posted on November 30, 2013 by jperez110

For the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks, the start to the NBA season hasn’t gone as planned. Both teams have played 13 games each, and they each have only won 3 games. New York City’s NBA teams have a combined record of 6-20. No one saw this coming, especially the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets are coming off a season where they lost in the first round in the playoffs, but they made the necessary moves in the offseason to become a true title contender. The Nets acquired Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics. They also signed Andrei Kirilenko, who played for Minnesota last season. The Nets also have a new head coach named Jason Kidd, who retired from playing in the NBA just last season.

The offseason for the Knicks wasn’t as exciting as it was for the Nets, but they did sign Andrea Bargnani from the Toronto Raptors. The Knicks are getting all-star caliber performances from their star Carmelo Anthony, but he hasn’t gotten much help from his teammates. There are some rumors swirling about the possibility of the Knicks trading their 23 year old shooting guard Iman Shumpert to the Nuggets for power forward Kenneth Faried. Whatever happens, it is clear that the Knicks need some help.

The Nets and Knicks were projected to be in the running to knock off the 2-time defending champion Miami Heat, but instead they find themselves tied for the second worst record in the eastern conference, only 1 game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. It will be interesting to see whether the 2 teams in New York City can turn their seasons around moving forward.

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Move on over Thanksgiving, Black Friday is Here!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by stephaniemmuniz

Holiday spirits have been cut short this year as Black Friday shopping has created more chaos than expected. Thanksgiving typically consisted of spending an evening with family and loved ones having dinner together and being thankful for all they were blessed with. However, dinners now became lunch as Black Friday shopping started as early as six PM on Thanksgiving evening this year. A traditional day of unity turned into fighting over the last X-Box One this year. Stores such as Walmart, Target and even shopping malls opened their doors on Thanksgiving evening to those who simply couldn’t pass up a deal, no matter what day of the week it was. Shoppers pushed, shoved and even fought their ways into stores to get a hold on deals that couldn’t wait till the next morning.

Deal snatchers stood outside of stores such as Best Buy and HH Gregg days before the deal day opening. Police officers and security officials closely stood by as the doors opened Thanksgiving evening to host hundreds of early shoppers. In previous years, shoppers have been known to cause riots, fights and even deaths that have resulted from this shopping extravaganza. Black Friday shopping is the busiest night of the year for some companies so they make their deals worthwile for those who seem to put aside their Thanksgiving holiday. It seems as though this holiday itself gets more aggressive each year and many Americans would rather save some money than being thankful for what they already have. In today’s economy, saving is a virtue, but it is worth giving up a traditional holiday? To an extent, some might argue that the deals are worth the chaos, it’s the price you pay for the price you’re getting. Others believe that Black Friday is not worth the madness.

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