Our local "news"

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

Quite Interesting :) 

Ashley G.

Happiness is a Warm Gun

On February 19th, 2009 Just Books held an event for Alice Schroeder, the author of Snowball, a biography on Warren Buffet. The event was held at a very modern furniture store right on Greenwich Avenue. My coworker and I were taking down names of all the members of the Junior League, which in other words is a club for the very VERY rich and bored women of Greenwich. Now this was our second event with Alice but at this one Warren was not present and we were also not at a museum, so now we were actually included in the event and not pushed to the side. As the short hand on the clock reached seven, and the long hand reached the thirty, it became very quite. The 200 people in that room suddenly became still and focused. As I handed Alice the microphone, a huge diamond ring blinded me. I just rolled my eyes because the ring was not just noticed by me but by some of the money thirsty wives in the corner. She began talking about all of her lunch ins with Mr. Buffet and all of the fancy things she got on Christmas from him. When question and answer time came, a middle age woman asked, "It has been reported that Mr. Buffet wont leave any money for his children, is that really going to happen?" And the answer. "Well, he plans on leaving about 10 million for each child, which I don't agree with because he has billions of dollars. He should give his kids enough so they don't have to work and can do anything that they want." I sat there with my mouth hanging to the floor. Earlier that day when I woke up, I watched a documentary called, Born into Brothels, which was basically about children in India living in the red light district, and who didn't really have any way of getting out because there mothers were prostitutes, and in India this is very much looked down upon. This brings me to the point I was trying to make. Most of these women are more concerned about how many diamonds they can wear  or ways they can be better and richer than all these women, than actually giving there money away and there time to people who need it. One little boy in the movie said, "I could have all the money in the world and live in the nicest place but that wouldn't make me happy, I am happy where I am." So, why is it that people who already have more, want more, and the people that have nothing are happy?

By: Ashley G.

Lingering questions...

I think it's strange that when Travis went wild, the only way Sandra Herold could subdue him was by repeatedly stabbing him with a kitchen knife. She should have had a tranquilizer gun... or at least a taser. MAYBE this should be investigated more closely as homicide... just saying.

*cue conspiracy music*

I also think this blog has given the monkey situation too much attention... Let us move onwards.




BTW VW: This blog is set to Californian time, and though I can relate with your current mindset... stop teasing us. It ought to be EST -5:00.

February 21: A Day That May (Or May Not...?) Live in Infamy

Today is February 21...let's check out some important things that have happened on this day over the last few centuries.

On this day in...

1440, the Prussian Confederation was formed. For those of us who take or will take European History...this means that the long, confusing line of Fredericks began on this day. Oh joy :)

1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published the Communist Manifesto. This 86-page (depending on the Publisher...there are some nifty editions on Amazon in case you're interested) title lays out the various tenets of Communism, which would eventually become the major conflict in the Cold War between the US and USSR. For further information see Barack Obama's website (JK!).

1918, the last Carolina parakeet died at the Cincinnati Zoo. This is actually false, and the last one died in 1994 when Lloyd and Harry's pet parakeet lost its head to the whim of a madman in the classic film, Dumb and Dumber. "Pretty bird..."

1948, NASCAR was incorporated. I read somewhere that NASCAR racing is the most popular sport in America, but I have to bite my thumb at that notion. I cannot understand the appeal in watching cars zoom around a racetrack 500 times, but I suppose to each his own.


And that is your historical reflection for February 21.

LP :)

New Look of the Stamford Times

Every Friday I always look forward to reading the Stamford Times. For those of you who don't know what The Stamford Times is, it is an addition to The Advocate printed out every Thursday, delivered on Friday. It is set up exactly like The Advocate except it covers issues on a more weekly level rather than daily. To be honest, I'm not so sure why I enjoy The Stamford Times so much. Maybe because the fact that my parents only order The New York Times and Nowy Dziennik (yes, it is Polish) I have seemed to develop a craving for local news. Anyway, I think it covers the local news well.
So when the mail came yesterday I dug through all my college mail and couldn't seem to find it. But yet, I uncovered some newspaper that resembled the Westword (with the way it was set up) and decided to see what it was. Indeed, it was the Stamford Times. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty devastated to see my beloved paper have a complete new look. Turning to page 2, there was actually an article named "Introducing the new look of The Stamford Times." Reading it I discovered that this was primarily for the "on-the-go" lifestyles of today, making it easier to read with new fonts chosen along with each story on the same page. Most meaningfully, one wouldn't have to fold and "crinkle" the paper as much where now, you read it like a book.
Will this new paper be truley effective? Personally, I got over my grudge after a couple minutes, realizing that it's just a paper and will still have the same news. Additionally, I do think it is now easier to read.
.....Secretly, I believe that the Stamford Times must have read the Westword and realized what a fine paper we have and stole our look. Who knows, the Advocate may develop the look and next thing you know, we'll have the New York Times copying us as well.

Media in Florida!

So, as I was baking away in sun on the beach (obviously) in Florida, I overheard my mom discussing the chimp scenario that occured just recently in Stamfrod. Like Ari's and Craig's post, this issue is probably the most drastic one that I've heard on the news within the past week of vacation. I found it quite an interesting story and was surprised to hear about it while vacationing in Florida. The new was broadcasting this event everywhere. For literally the past two or three days it's been the main story on all the news channels. Now of course i'm not that interested in the news and much rather be on the beach or by the pool, but I've noticed how much coverage the press is making of this story. Personally, I don't feel it's that big of a deal. I mean animal attacks are constatnly occuring. I believe people overall simply shouldnt be allowed to own chimps or any type of monkey. Now i haven't been in Stamford since Monday so I'm not aware of other news occuring in Stamford. However other events the news have been covering has been the whole Alex Rodriguez case, and him admitting to using steriods. Also, the abduction of the little girl Haley (Im not sure of her last name). As I'm typing this, an update on the story is playing on the news in Florida and how sitting of her may have been taken place. I've also seen her picture on AOL news as well. Overall, the media has been broadcating many of the same stories it seems you guys have been hearing up in Stamford.
Unfortunatly the sun is setting in Boynton Beach, Florida however tomorrow is another day.
That's all for now!
-Sam

It's Animal Attraction

It's Animal Attraction

If anyone else has a pet in our class, I'm sure they can understand where I'm coming from when I say that this article is completely and utterly skewed to make the reader think that Sandra Herold had an odd and disgustingly intimate relationship with her chimpanzee, Travis.  No matter that this woman might've had a few screws loose, that doesn't give the "New York Post" or any other newspaper (i.e. "The Stamford Advocate") any right to scrutinize the relationship.  I am relatively certain that most people who have a pet dog can say most of the same things that Herold said about her chimp.  Let's go through the list: 

1. Fed him high quality foods

--I can't tell how many times my family and I have given leftover steak or any other food to our dog after our meal was finished

2. Shared glasses of wine

--Okay, well that's one thing that is weird, but chimps are one of human's closest relatives, so it's not that out of the ordinary

3. Bathed and slept together

--We bring our dog to have a bath once every five weeks, but sometimes he gets ridiculously dirty between those weeks, so I bring him in the bath and clean him up.  As for sleeping, I invite my dog onto my bed or couch daily

4. He tenderly brushed her hair

--Again, the chimp is very close to being human, there just aren't many animals in the world capable of doing that

5. She gave him gifts and sweet kisses

--My family and I give our dog treats all the time, and sometimes, yes, even kiss him

Some sources are even criticizing how protective the chimp was over Herold when he attacked her friend.  When a dog sees someone that he does not recognize, does he not bark and seemingly go a little crazy?

So besides all of the odd circumstances of what happened over the week, can't people just put this idea of an overly intimate relationship to rest? This is irresponsible journalism at its height.

Craig T

Stamford Bank Robbery

So another local story, but a little different from Ari's. Today I was driving around downtown with my dad, just getting some hours in as my license test is on it's way! Anyway, we were heading up north as I was on my way home and I couldn't help but notice all the different police cars and such around the banks. Of course, as soon as I came home I turned on News 12 Connecticut to see what was happening. Once again, they didn't fail to displease me as I saw stories about Stew Leonard's wonderful working conditions and on a more international level, Usher was released from Brazil? These stories were not what I was looking for so it wasn't long before I clicked off the tv and checked online. To test my luck, I went on the News 12 Connecticut and after a brief search, I found information about a bank robbery at First County Bank on High Ridge Road. My mom came home shortly after, confirming this as she was around the area at 12 noon (around the time that the robbery happened). So, did the media do a good job at covering this story? Really, I think it wasn't too bad. Obviousily this local story can't have everything out within 3 hours but at least there was some information online. Hopefully we'll hear something later on tonight but at least I was able to find a brieft synopsis of the story online. Not much, but sufficient enough for my curiousity.
Here is the link to what I found:
http://www.news12.com/CT/topstories/article?id=226082

Rating, Our Media

Today 12 cop cars, 2 ambulances, and 1 mini EMS truck drove my dad and me off the road (several times, as you can imagine) on High Ridge headed up towards Scofield Town Rd. I was super curious. We were at Nico's Foreign Car Repair (Nico is the man) at the time and the guy seated behind the counter, leaning back in his aged rolly chair, said "you wanna know what's up?"
He continued to tell us that a 200lb chimp attacked a guy up on Rock Rimmon. According to the website he was reading off of, it was "still on the loose" after several attempted shootings.

14 governmental vehicles? a 200lb chimp? (chimp... not gorilla...)
I guess we'll find out soon.
Until then I'm watching channel 12 news, which is, might I add, god awful.


So for today, day 3 of my killer vacation in Stamford, I'm going to rate the media a 5.5/10. 4 points for sparking my interest, 1 point for having SOMETHING online within minutes, and .5 for being eff-ing ridic.

with love, ari


edit:
(1/17/09)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/nyregion/17chimp.html?_r=2&hp0

I guess that solves it.

That Guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-7EKT2GT6A

Everyone knows who "that guy" always is (Mr. Von Wahlde).
FINALLY, a non-Super Bowl commercial that made me laugh.

There aren't enough commercials like this anymore.  They don't focus on reality, the makers focus on their own contrived reality.  Most commercials I see nowadays are about medications in which "normal" people somehow know everything about said meds.  I just wish there would be some creativity to catch my attention every so often, and that's what this commercial did.  And it's not like there was a catch phrase in the commercial that included the name of the jeweler (i.e. "Every kiss begins with Kay"), the commercial just happened to be so effective that I was able to remember the name of the jeweler (Helzburg) , without any aide.  As I said before, I am truly thankful that the company didn't wait for the Super Bowl to release a memorable commercial.

Craig T

That's just how it goes in the Big East...

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290440277

Tonight we saw another exciting Big East contest as the 13th ranked Villanova Wildcats visited the unranked Mountaineers of West Virginia. As has been the recent general trend in Big East basketball, unranked teams have trumped over ranked opponents in conference play, especially with the home court advantage. I am of course alluding to Notre Dame's upset over seventh ranked Louisville on Thursday night, among others.

However, as one of the greatest weeks in college basketball comes to a close, the unranked Georgetown Hoyas travel to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY to hopefully end their current slump and defeat longtime rival. The 22nd ranked Syracuse Orange are a great team this year, led by point guard Jonny Flynn, and have always been a strong home court team, especially when playing the Hoyas.

Let us hope that we don't see a sea of orange flooding the court at the final buzzer tomorrow (as is the tradition for Syrcause fans if they are lucky enough to defeat the Hoyas). Tune in at noon to watch what should be a great game of basketball. It is after all being played in one of the most enthusiastic arenas in the country, in the best conference in the NCAA, for the biggest rivalry in said conference.


I know I'm a huge loser but I really just love college basketball; you all should too. Enjoy vacation :)

Swedish flag? Cinder block?

Ari Myg

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Ashley G.

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Spoon

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Nicole F

Joe the plumber

Joe c

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Class Mascot

Cutest kid EVER.

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craig tobin

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