Finial Blog

            The one person that has given me some advice is my cousin, Ashley Kelley.  She told me at the beginning of this semester “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it” or “You’re not going to make it”.  My favorite thing that she told me was “I can do whatever I set my mind to and study hard”. I have any had people tell me oh your too old to go back to school. Well, I should listen to my cousin.  There are days that I just want to give up, because I am not happy with a grade I got.  So, I think back and look at the words that she sent me and has told me.  My point is don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do it or why are you wasting your time.  In my opinion they say that because they don’t have the desire to better themselves.  For me, that is what I really want to do.  Ashley’s word stick with me every day.  So, when someone tells you something negative just remember they are not happy with their life.  Everyone must take account for own life so, if you set your mind to something, you may get knocked down, but you are determined enough to get right back up and keep going.  Life is short and it’s what we make of it.  So, if you want to get a degree in education the set that as your goal and don’t let anything stand in your way.  If you have a disability you can overcome it and master your disability and get what you have set out to do.  For me, I am coming back to school at the age of 49and I am on oxygen, it has been a challenge for me but I have set my mind to it and I am going to get my degree in Medical Coding and Billing.  It may take me years to do it, but I will not give up and I will have met my goal.  So, I hope the words of wisdom that my cousin gave me will help you out.

Dana Thomsen

Blog #9

Drinking Age

                Should the drinking age stay at 21, that is the question between Hanson text and DeJong text.  In my opinion, I agree with Hanson.  I think they should do classes on drinking alongside of driver’s education classes.  It will make them aware of the causes and effect of what can happen if you drink and drive.  So, DeJong wants to drop the age to 18 is that really a good thing?  DeJong gives us facts about New Zealand dropping the age to 18 in 1999.  Shortly after they did a study and found out that there was a big increase in traffic crashes and injuries among 15-19 years old.  So, this argument really answers his question for him.  Drinking age should stay at 21 like Hanson has argued.  It really doesn’t matter what the age is for drinking.  If they are going to drink they are going to drink no matter the age. I a high school student is put under peer pressure they are going to join in with the drinking and the drinking games and it goes the same for college students.  Peer pressure is something you should learn to stand up to if you know what they are trying to get someone to do is wrong.  But, I am one of the teens that fell into the drinking age of 18 was legal and here is how it goes for me.  One month before I turned 18, they raised it to 20, and the right before I turned 20 they raised it to 21.  I was one of the party kids back when I was younger, so if I wanted to drink I did, and I can say there was times I should have not drove home.  I think Hanson has the right approach to this drinking age battle the is always going on.  Drinking age should remain at 21 and they should give alcohol classes alongside of Drivers Education.

The 2017 Grammys  Have No Answers

    

The 2017 Grammys have no Answers was very enlightening.  I did not watch it this year, but the artitcle was very eye opening.  Amanda Petrusich, talked about the night of what she thought was important.  First, she talked about what everyone thinks about the Grammys.  Some of her comments where she thought it was trifling.  Amanda Petrusich also thought that she hopes that the show will come together with Zeitgeist (the spirit of the age) of music and the value in art.  She also talked about the different clothing that everyone was wearing.  CeeLo Green wore a gold lame outfit and a gold face mask.  Other were wearing crystals.

Second, she talked about how Beyoncé and Adele where up for the same award and Adele won.  But, Adele attempted to give her award to Beyoncé and she would not take it.  So, Adele broke it in half and gave Beyoncé half of the award.  Frank Ocean, did not get his albums released in time to be in the running for any awards this year.  Amanda Petrusich said the most shocking contender got the biggest honor – Album of the Year- was the least known country singer Sturgill Simpson.  He was nominated alongside of Adele, Justin Bieber, Drake and Beyoncé.  Simpson sold around a hundred and fifty thousand copies of his newest album “A sailor’s Guide to Earth”.

Third, there were some rule changes this year that allowed for the inclusion of albums that where only on streaming services.  Academy members are famously conservative voters.  Amanda Petrusich said around the three-and-a-half-hour make, the Academy president said, “What we need so desperately are more reminders of all that binds us together.” 

So, my question to Amanda Petrusich is does she think they need to restructure how they pick the winner of each catorgy or does she feel like it is working the way it is?