Inner Ring response

The quest to be a part of the inner ring is ever present in life. I definitely agree with what he says.  I notice myself always wishing I was a part of this or that "inner ring" when I walk around our school sometimes. When he talks about how the whole idea of the inner ring is to get in, then try to keep other people out, I see where he is coming from. This is the whole reason that cliques form, and so it is totally understandable how he comes up with this idea. Most cliques emerge as a desire to keep others out, and because the people in the clique want to feel powerful. I think that is part of the appeal of the inner ring.  Everyone always wants to have more power, whether it be leader of a group or President of the United States. This quest drives the idea of the inner ring.

If I were a student at King's College hearing this speech, I think I would probably relate even better. College seems like it would a time where the inner ring grows smaller and smaller until you only have a few people in your inner ring. And to have C.S. Lewis come to your school to speak to your class would be something to remember, so you probably don't pay attention to what he says and just agree with him because he is famous.

Something that occurs in my life tomorrow will be driven by the quest for the inner ring. It will happen the day after that, and the day after that, and will continue forever. I know that the inner ring is not necessarily evil, but I feel like the idea (at least in my mind) has a negative connotation to it. It just sounds bad to me. I wish that I could live my life without the inner ring being ever present, but I will face the facts and just acknowledge it's a necessary evil. And besides, everyone else has to deal with it too.

Speech

This speech was delivered by Kennedy when he was visiting West Berlin during the Cold War. It is one of his most well-known speeches, titled Ich Bin Ein Berliner (I am a Berliner).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6nQhss4Yc

Another favorite, but less so for the class than for laughs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

Words and Words and More Words, O My!

Word: Surprised

Definitions:

1.

to strike or occur to with a sudden feeling of wonder orastonishment, as through unexpectedness

2.

to come upon or discover suddenly and unexpectedly

3.

to make an unexpected assault on (an unprepared army, fort,person, etc.).

4.

to elicit or bring out suddenly and without warning

5.

to lead or bring unawares, as into doing something not intended

Part of Speech: Can be verb or noun, for this blog we will deal with it in verb form

History: First used in 15th century. Modern version meaning "attacked unexpectedly" first used in 1610.

Examples: 

1. The troops were surprised by an attack from the north.

2. They surprised everyone by moving to the Bahamas.

Synonyms

1. Shocked

Definitions: 

1. to strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust.2.  to cause to undergo a physical or nervous shock.3.  to subject to the action of an electrical discharge.

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First appearance around mid 1500s. From roots choquer-to clash (in battle) and schokken-to shake, jolt, jerk.

Example: He shocked many people with his knowledge.

2. Intrigued

Definitions:

1.

to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, orotherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal stronglyto; captivate

2.

to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy,or interest

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First use-1612

Example: One day during math study period, after I'd finished my regular assignment, I took out a fresh sheet of paper and tried to solve a problem that had intrigued me: whether the first player in a game of ticktacktoe can always win, given the right strategy.

3. Awestruck

Definition: : filled with awe

Part of Speech: Adjective

History: First used in 1634

Example: They were awestruck by the sheer size of the project.

4. Astonished

Definition: to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First used sometime between 1525 and 1535

Examples: Despite the hype, there was nothing in the book to astonish readers.

The garden's beauty never fails to astonish.

5. Amazed

Definition: to fill with wonder

Part of Speech: Verb

History: Early 13th cent. is first known usage

Examples: He has amazed audiences around the world with his magic tricks.

It amazed me that no one noticed the error.

6. Astounded

Definition: to fill with bewilderment or wonder

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First used in 1603

Example: What astounded me was that they never apologized.

7. Perplexed

Definition:  filled with uncertainty

Part of Speech: Adjective

History: First used in late 15th century

Example: He gave her a perplexed look.

8. Stunned

Definition:

1 : to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow

2: to shock with noise

: to overcome especially with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First used 1250-1300. From root estoner-to shake, make resound

Examples: The angry criticism stunned them.

She sat in stunned disbelief.

9. Flabbergasted

Definition:  to overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First known use-1772

Examples: It flabbergasted me to see how many people still supported them.

10. Bewildered

Definition: to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations

Part of Speech: Verb

History: First usage occurred in 1680s

Examples: the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers

Sources: Dictionary.com
Merriam-Webster.com
Online Etymology Dictionary

Netflix on Xbox is so great!

Recently, I downloaded the Netflix application on my Xbox, and I signed up using my dad's account. I have since become addicted to all the programming avalible on the system. I have watched a movie (Blackhawk Down) and episodes of television shows (namely Family Guy and South Park). After all, I'm a teenage boy.
But my favorite thing about Netflix is the insane number of documentaries they have avalible. I really love learning about the military and the technologies they use, and I have watched documentaries on the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the role of Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to watch Ken Burn's documentary on the Civil War next, because we just learned about it in AP US History this past week. However, we never got into the battles, and I want to watch this documentary so that I can see what they were like (looking forward to 4th term 3rd block military history with Berndt!)
It is just so nice to have the option of streaming this directly from my Xbox, rather than having to make a trek to the store in a snowstorm such as this just for a movie. This system is definetely the system of the future, as Netflix has noticed. Recently, they announced a new plan that only includes streaming. Already the video rental industry has taken a sharp hit, and now there will be even more competition for them. This system has changed and will to continue to change the video rental system as we know it.

Until next time followers, peace out. E-Sutts signing off.