A renewable energy

In another Action Project of this term, a new type of assignment arose in the Fuel class, integrated science and math studies. In the unit 2 Action Project we were to create a report or a script with a partner, then to make a video. There was a choice between two renewable energy methods, wind power and solar energy. In this collaboration I worked with a fellow C2 blogger, MH. He and I thought that the wind power would be more suitable than solar energy panels because of it's constant availability and super efficiency.

Beforehand of this project, we analyzed the cost and efficiency of a non-renewable resource and I chose petroleum, and at that time I had a different partner. The purpose of this Action Project was to compare non-renewable and renewable energy sources.

Through the process of the project, the work was split evenly. As I researched and gathered information, MH worked on the video, while I also created the script, and he would interpret and revise it. The way we completed it was nearly as efficient as one of the wind turbines themselves.

MH's choice of visuals and quality of video was truly what really helped this project become what it is. A special thanks and a link to his blog, with his version, will be inserted here.

Click me to go to partner's blog

The final product is present on here as well, hope you enjoy it, and maybe consider the savings yourself.

A Time Machine memory

    

In another action project, the second one of this term, we find out more of our experiences and take you back in time with ease. The essential goal of this action project is to take the viewer back in time, to experience what we once did as well. How this is done is fairly simple, just use sensory details like adjectives and you'll be traveling back in no time. With vivid descriptions, any picture can be painted.

    My memory took place when I was a mere 5 year old infant. I was on vacation to visit my family in Brazil in 2004 winter (here in the United State). A pleasant trip that was then followed by deception and pain. It was quite a surprise to me about what happened however I won't discuss this here. There is going to be a copy of a detailed event accounting below. I just believe I should also include one more thing... that being how horrendous the waiting for flights were, three hours minimum each flight and practically nothing to do at all, but the flight itself did make the trips even more worth traveling to Brazil. Here's the direct copy of the time machine, enjoy.

A memory that takes me back a long way was when I traveled to Brazil on vacation but got bitten by a large, old, and sick dog. However, I suppose before I get into that, I should start back from the beginning. It was the year 2004, the same year that George W. Bush defeated John Kerry and won re-election for presidency. I was on vacation to Brazil because that’s where a majority of my family lives whereas only my brother, parents, uncle, and 2 cousins live here in Chicago. My family; which this time only included my brother and  father, were off to O’hare airport. Our schedule consisted of us going to Atlanta to then go to an airport in Sao Paulo, and then headed to Rio de Janeiro As we had very long waits for our flights, we were thrilled, ecstatic even, to be in the wonderful weather of Brazil. I’ve been to Brazil multiple times, but this trip is my earliest memory of it. I went there before but only when I was very young, around 2 years old or less.

Our plans were to visit as much family as we could, but that’s quite impossible due to the enormous size of the rest of my relatives. I think at the time I had two generations of cousins and 3 uncles along with 3 other aunts. The air was fresh and brisk, there was usually the great scent of backyard barbecues and the cities looked bright, tall, and fairly unique in architecture. After we arrived at Rio de Janeiro, we stocked up on supplies like toothpaste and other hygienic items. We also enjoy the sights like the Cristo Redentor and the amazing beaches. We were then picked up by our uncle and headed to Joao Monlevade, where we saw the majority of our family, about eight-teen cousins and all of my aunts and uncles. It was great to see my ever  expanding family for the first time that I could remember, even though it may not be the case chronologically. Our next city, which was in the same state in Brazil called Minas Gerais, was to  visit my grandmother in Belo Horizonte. This is where  that dog, a weimaraner, bit me. He was short haired, floppy-eared, and generally droopy dog.

The dog’s name was Bob and he was one of the two dogs my dad used to own, one of them, who was also a weimaraner, died, so there was only one left. The dog, Bob, had an accident in his youth where he was hit by a car and half blind, meaning he could only see out of one eye. During of the first few days of our visit, Bob was very docile, however his easygoing nature didn’t last too long. One afternoon I was in the kitchen just sitting there petting Bob, but then he suddenly and unexpectedly attacked. A blur of my own vision and a loud snarl later, he latched to my face and nearly hit my eye. Luckily for me and my young, frail, body, his bite only lasted a couple seconds, although it felt like minutes, especially when in the jaws of and such a large weimaraner. My feelings mixed between confusion of why he launched at me and fear for my head. I was instantly rushed to the hospital so my wound could be healed, the marks of injury were an inch below my eye and another inch above it. After that day, rather than have an encouraged fear of canis familiaris (scientific alias of dogs), I wanted to learn more about why would he attack me. Plus after those nine years, I think that there was a range of reasons, one being as an old, sick, dog, he might have just snapped, or maybe it was something primal. I was staring at him in the eyes, grinning, and near his food, so primal instincts could’ve made him feel threatened, however after that one instance, he never showed any harm again. My next visit, a few years after and Bob was back to being friendly. I suppose we’ll never know why he attacked.

The plight of petroleum

VG

    In one of the two classes for the new term at GCE, Fuel, a new Action Project came to be. This time around I was assigned to speak of petroleum, and where it's future is headed. In the following slideshow there are several key details, such as how petroleum is depleting, where it comes from, how it's obtained, and when it's going to run out completely. In the presentation of the slideshow, I've also included other general facts such as the multiple terminology for oil and types of pumps. I apologize for the over exposed photos but none of them were cut from the production. Hopefully this subject will shed some light on the more than just my visuals.

This is what I believe podcast

VG

As the new term of GCE comes, so shall the work. In one of the two classes I have, Who am I? (is the name of the class), I was assigned to create another project based upon a controversial subject, such as Nurture vs Nature, and express our feelings upon the subject. Similarly to how when one express his/her beliefs, it is their truth or what they believe to be the truth. This is the goal for the class, what is your truth, to connect with yourself and realize who you truly are. Essentially, I chose the topic of Evolution vs Creationism. This is a very controversial topic, but both beliefs, whether of science or religion, are still only beliefs, opinion that can and will differ amongst each other. Along with an essay, also part of the assignment was to create a podcast of you reading what you have written down and just stating your point through audio. A podcast is similar to a radio broadcast, and audio file that contains a conversation or dialogue. These podcasts can be made for plenty of reason, whether it's stating a point or retelling an event, there's a multitude of them that include information about a multitude of subjects. The essay does revolve around how I believe in evolution rather than creationism and the podcast is simply restating what's written down in the text. The file to download the soundcloud will be place below and the essay shall appear below this introduction aswell.

Evolution, Creationism, or both?

Soundcloud audio

soundcloud.com  VG evolution or creationism

creationism-versus-evolution

Evolution vs. Creationism text:

To have been made, cerated into life, but how. The truth can be interpreted in many ways, but how I see it is simply our perspective on our own lives. Yet some truths are disputed amongst each other, like the controversial subject of which is true, which is better, and which makes more sense, creationism or evolution. It has plagued the relationship between scientists and christians for a long time now. However, between the actual theories, which one is better in the sense of evidence or possibility of happening, these are simply beliefs.

No matter how demeaning it can be for monkeys to be a human’s previous state, or how illogical it is for an angelic being to have made everything the way it already is, these are all beliefs. Theories that both have been created as their own explanation for where humans have come from or how we live. These beliefs are a human right but here’s why I’ve come to favor over evolution. However coming to mind I will briefly introduce myself, I am a student from GCE Chicago and I am creating this podcast to express my beliefs

The bible is a book that was made by whom exactly? A greater being from the sky or heaven, but is there any proof of the being they call god? Whereas in the scientific theory of evolution, despite the same lack of evidence, it has the power of logic by its side. It’s already a proven fact that animals adapt to their environment, so doesn’t it make sense that throughout a long period of time (like millions of years), it would only be natural to adapt even further  turning into something else, something new? 

The theory of evolution simply has so much reason and logic put into it, even if it states that we were created from the gathering of bacteria and evolved into new creature who then walked upon land and slowly developed to later become humans through a transition of mammals and primates, isn’t it odd how monkeys have an uncanny resemblance to humans.

That versus the theory of an all powerful being from the sky (who came from what or where? Those are the questions that need to be asked) and simply creating everything as we know it from nothing, plus the only evidence is a book that can easily be modified and has no recordings or visual proof within it. As Democritus believes so shall I, nothing can come from nothing.

Class 82 the best NBA team ever

VG

The Miami Heat during the 2012-’13 season is what I believe is the best team and play in the history of basketball. The Miami Heat were in the top of the NBA leaderboards two years in a row and recently. They have achieved many, many titles over the years such as LeBron’s MVP awards, most wins in a month (March 2013), and highest scoring average. Their value may just be bordering at #6, but in a majority of value that relies on skill they are ranked as #4 or higher (out of the 30 NBA teams listed). The team has shown their skills and achievements throughout the NBA and in many cases, have been awarded plenty of MVP titles to their individual players.

Global Peace and a drama of corruption

VG
Final Action of term 2

In the final action proctject that took place this term, we were to create a form of satyagraha to demonstrate a fight against an issue we dissaprove of. In my case, along with two other fellow bloggers, we made an act of government corruption. The skit was meant to be five minutes or less, so we couldn't create a more elaborate plot. A mayor of a small anonymous town is using taxpayer money for his own selfish wants. He was then visited by two ghosts; one of the past and one from the future. (Below is the recording of the skit)


(A link to the script shall be placed here aswell)

The general purpose of this was to display government corruption and how those who have done wrong should change their ways. Though ghosts may be that of the supernatural, it's still a motivation of why the poeple should govern themselves.

WNBA Chi. Sky infographic

VG

In GCE a new project set afoot. The project was to choose a basketball team and to complete report about them. We were asked to include information on several subjects. One general subject was the team. Which team, how the salaries have grown, arena information, and performance data too. Other data consists of the franchise itself. What has the team done for the community, what relation do they have with politics, and what have they helped with economically. 

I chose the WNBA Chicago Sky, why? A women's basketball team that's local to me. The team is also interesting as their attendance and values rocket up at some point in time. The true point of this project is to debate whether or not the team is worth having in the city, like if the Bulls are worth having as a Chicago basketball team.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/easel.ly/all_easels/194863/WNBAskyinfograph/image.jpg

As the infographic above displays, the WNBA Sky have proven to be beneficial towards us. Chicago already has famous landmarks & teams, but with another basketball team attracting tourism, the city is likely to gain a large profit out of them. With this reasoning, it's easy to find that having the Chicago Sky is truly worth it, though the expenses of the stadium are unknown, with one weighing in at only 7,000 seats, can most likely not be more than $25 million. When multiplying ticket prices and attendance together, the sum will vary between 50k & 100k, but also multiplying the number of games in a season (82) you get the variants of 4.1 million - 8.2 million. Then once again multiply the past 6 years they've been around, you receive $24,600,000-$49,200,000. That well enough, covered the costs of the team. The math states just how much the Chicago Sky is "worth it", which in this case is very.

infographic by VG on https://s3.amazonaws.com/easel.ly/all_easels/194863/WNBAskyinfograph/image.jpg
information displayed from www.wnba.com/sky/
attendance statistics  cited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Sky