The good old days...

5 -an alien from outer space

1 -near a National Forest

2 -after a fight

7 -reminiscing on how things have changed

Confused and lost, Johnny wandered the woods trying to figure out what to do next. He could hardly walk from the fight from earlier and he didn't understand why he was attacked. All he did was ask a couple where he was, and then the girl screamed. The guy with her starting kicking and punching him, and now every step he took was painful. After 30 minutes, Johnny finally understands where he is. In big bold letters, a white sign said, "National Forest, stay out!"
Ignoring the sign, Johnny entered. He started thinking of his family, and friends. The times when he was happy, when he had something worth fighting for. Then...everything changed. He lost his home, and the only one he ever loved, and just like a flash of light, everything came back to him. He remembered running away with his dad's spaceship and losing control. He looked around and saw a fire in the distance. It must be his spaceship! Hopping on one leg, he moved as fast as he could towards it. Maybe he could signal for help there.

PREFECT LIAR

Violent video games, is there really any reason to stop it?

How can scary video games be the same without the blood and horror of trying to survive an unstoppable evil? It's not like they are real life or anything; your not going to grab a gun and shoot an entire mall full of people because they are zombies. It's only for entertainment and the fun of beating the game...but some parents think other whys.

The gore just adds to the fun in the video games, but parents are complaining that there is no need for fighting and blood. They believe that their children shouldn't be shown this kind of behaviour. They seem to forget that there is ratings on this games, however. If they don't want their children playing these games, then buy games that are rated E! There is no gore and it's still fun to play.

Games should include killing and blood since for one, it's not real. I'm sure the people playing the games understand that killing in real life is wrong, and will not actually go out and kill someone just because it was in a video game. Seeing fake blood isn't the end of the world! I mean it's only fun, no one is actually getting hurt.

Video games are getting more and more realistic, and the graphics in a horror game need to be the best they can be. If you shoot someone and there is no blood...it wouldn't sell. The game has to be a life-like as possible; you need to feel the fear, and laugh at how much the game scares you. If you enjoy being scared from playing a video game, a blood-less game isn't going to cut it.

Parents do have a reason to worry though. Gore isn't the best for children, considering that they get scared easily. Even with that in mind, parents can stop their kids from buying or playing these games. It not like they should banned all bloody video games because parents think the their own children shouldn't see this kind of violent.

If people can't understand that these games are just meant for fun, then soon other forms of entertainment will be banned just because they don't seem right. If a large amount of people enjoy something harmless, while a small party don't think it's seem fits, then they're the ones who should change their life style to live without it. Don't make others follow your path, if at the end it only leads back to the beginning.

For Love or Money?

The title of this article is called, "For Love or Money?", and i found it on Teenink, written by Kaleigh L. The opening paragraph does include the thesis, letting the readers know this article is about artificial impregnation. The first paragraph could use some work, but it wasn't horrible, since it gave an example of a popular television series involving it. The article includes 7 paragraphs, and they all relate to the thesis. To back up her opinion, the writer uses an example of a woman and the fact that she had artificial impregnation. The writer includes the woman's reaction and what the news thought about this. The writer is against artificial impregnation, but she also shows the she understands want a mother would want so many children to call her own. The writer does convince me that artificial impregnation is not good, for the fact that it's usually single mothers would can't afford to take care of the children. To improve the article, the writer could have included the mother's reactions to all the gossip and their first reaction when they hear of artificial impregnation. I thought the conclusion was effective because of her last line,"Clearly, the necessary measures must be taken to ensure that parents’ reproductive rights – or media ambitions – do not come before their child’s right to a decent life." I didn't notice any errors. I liked this article since it showed why it's bad for the mothers, but also showed that child services might approve of it because it puts more in their pockets.

Fatkat Animation

I seen the logo for Fatkat's animation before, but thats about all i knew about them. I had no idea that they were from New Brunswick, or that they worked on Family Guy. They're blog was very well done, showing some clips that they worked on. I liked how they included a lot of ads and link, and how they make the blog look like it's always visited and updated. I don't like how plain the background is. The header is the only thing that looks well worked on, but the background is so empty.
A few questions i would like to ask Robbie Anderson on his visit would be if it's easy to learn how to use animation. Also, how long does it take to make a 30 minute animated video.

How To Throw A Card Through A Window

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-throw-a-card-through-a-window

The title for this How-To Video creates curiosity which makes the viewer want to watch it. In this video, they show clearly what you need, and how you can do everything. It also has some humor so the video isn't completely boring while showing the steps. Something they should have added was some ways this trick could go wrong. In our video i'd like to use some humor like this video.

Amazing Works of Art: All Artists Had to Start Somewhere...

Have you ever wondered how people can make such beautiful works of art so easily? The truth is that they all started out as beginners, and anyone can become just as great with a little work. After reading this article, you'll become just that much more closer to artistry!

First things first, you'll need the right supplies. This depends on what kind of art your interested in. Lets deal with sketching. You might want to start with a 6B, 4B, 2B, H or 2H pencils since they're cheap and easy for beginners. You may also like to buy graphite for quick shading. You can buy these at any art store, and after getting more experience, you'll soon know what brand suits you best.

Even though you have everything you need, your not ready to start yet. Before you even start drawing, you need to imagine exactly what your going to sketch. Every detail, every line. You have to imagine your actually seeing it, and believe that you can draw it. Looking at photos is a good way for beginners to begin imagining. Once you do this, drawing it will become so much easier.


OK, now you can start drawing! Lets start by drawing something simple like a face. Start off by lightly drawing a circle. Don't worry about details right now, you'll have time for that near the end. If you don't want to add much detail, it'll look less realistic.


Next, draw a vertical in the middle of the circle lightly and a horizontal line that's curved downward a little. One that horizontal line, draw an eye on both sides of the vertical line. Make sure they are evenly spaced out. How ever you picture an eye in your head, draw it like that.
After your done drawing the eyes, make a nose between the eyes right on the vertical line. The mouth should also be drawn on the vertical. The outer circle, eyes, nose, and mouth should be darkened harder.

Now to get rid of the lines on the face. Carefully erase both the vertical and horizontal lines with an eraser. If you made them light, they should come off easily.

Now it's time to add some detail. Lightly shade the outer line on the right, and don't shade too much. With your finger, smudge carefully around the right side of the face. This adds shadow and a 3D like affect. You can also add eyebrows, rosy cheeks, wrinkles, anything you desire.

After practicing with different drawings and having the will, you learn and train, you'll become better in no time. All artists started out with the basics, and kept moving forward to greater art. Sooner or later, you can too.

When ninjas attack

Allan

Exercise 2 of 3

Question 1
correct

Question 2
correct

Question 3
correct

Question 4
correct

Question 5
correct

Question 6
correct

Question 7
correct

Question 8
correct

Question 9
correct

Question 10
incorrect

Question 11
correct

Question 12
correct

Question 13
correct

Question 14
correct

Question 15
correct

Exercise 3 of 3

Question
Your Answer
The Correct Answer
Your Response is:


Question 1
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 2
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 3
Correct
Correct
Correct
Question 4
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 5
Correct
Correct
Correct
Question 6
Correct
Correct
Correct
Question 7
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 8
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 9
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 10
Correct
Correct
Correct
Question 11
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 12
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 13
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 14
Correct

Correct
Correct
Question 15
Fragment
Fragment
Correct
Question 16
Fragment
Fragment
Correct

EXERCISE 1 of 3

1- The team won (its) (it's) game. Did you win (yours) (your's), (to)(too) (two)?

1- The team won its game. Did you win yours, too?



2- They left (their) (there) books (there) (their) (they're).

2- They left their books there.



3- I hear (your) (you're) about to graduate.

3- i hear you're about to graduate.



4- (Its) (It's) nice that (there) (their) (they're) friendly.

4- It's nice that they're friendly.



5- Although I get (alot) (a lot) of colds, I feel (all right)(alright)now.

5- Although I get a lot of colds, I feel alright now.



6- (Whose) (Who's) prettier (then) (than) you?

6- Who's prettier than you?



7- Are you tired? I'm out of (breathe) (breath), (too) (to) (two).

7- Are you tired? I'm out of breath, too.



8- Run back and (fourth) (forth) from (hear) (here) to (their) (there).

8- Run back and forth from here to there.



9- (Your) (You're) about to (loose) (lose) (your) (you're) book.

9- You're about to lose your book.



10- Everyone will (accept) (except) the prize (accept) (except) you.

10- Everyone will accept the proze except you.



11- Do you know (weather) (whether) or not he will give me the prize.

11- Do you know whether or not he will give me the prize.



12- Many people (choose) (chose) to live in large cities.

12- Many people choose to live in large cities.



13- Is the doctor (through) (thorough) (threw) with my exam?

13- Is the doctor through with me exam?



14- What (affect) (effect) does the school (principle)(principal) have on you?

14- What affect does the school principal have on you?



15- What did he (advice) (advise) you to do? Did you take his (advice)(advise)?

15- What did he advise you to do? Did you take his advice?



16- (There) (Their) (They're) are (alot) (a lot) of (your) (you're) friends in the boat.

16- There are a lot of your friends in the boat.



17- I will (buy) (by) a book (buy) (by) Ray Bradbury.

17- I will buy a book by Ray Bradbury.

The Extreme Treasure Hunt

The morning started like any normal Saturday. Birds chirping, dogs barking, same old boring morning. I got out of bed, turned on my Saturday morning cartoons, and went to the kitchen for some cereal. But to my surprise, when i poured the cereal, a white piece of paper fell out. In tiny letters, the note said,"Whoever follows the clues and finds the X that marks the spot, will be VERY rich! Do you have what it takes? The first clue will be hidden in a large silver object. Remember, someones trash is someone elses treasure."

As soon as i finished reading the note, i ran up stairs, got my lucky hat, and ran out the door. A large silver object? What could that be? "Someones trash"...i looked around. The garbage can! I dived into the garbage can, and sure enough, i found the first clue. "The next clue be hidden in an upside down ice cream cone."

I started looking for ice cream cones, but couldn't find any. This clue didn't make sense. But then i started thinking. What if the upside down ice cream cone was just the shape of the object. I looked around for anything that was cone-shaped, and then i saw the old teepee that we kept in our yard. I ran inside and just as i thought, there was another clue. "The next clue can be found at the tallest peak of the highest tree. Hope your not afraid of highs."

The tallest tree? I started looking all over out neighborhood. The only trees i saw weren't really that tall, and i knew i could find taller ones. And then i saw it. It was located in our neighbors yard and it was huge! Lucky for me, i loved climbing trees, and i started making my way to the top. Half way up though, i lost my lucky hat, and almost fell trying to catch it. Five minutes later, i made it to the top and found the next clue at the very top branch. "The next clue is waiting for you near the base of the tree. Just look around but hurry. The grass and the clue won't be there for very long."


As i climbed down the tree, i wondered why the clue would be gone...i then hear the roar of a lawn mower. Oh no, Mr. O'Hara is cutting the grass, and soon the next clue! As if i was falling, i slid down the tree and landed on the ground. I looked everywhere for the next clue and saw it inches away from the lawn mower. Like a cat, i pounced on the clue and leaped out of the way of the lawn mower. The clue was safe."Great job, your almost done. Just one more clue left, but be warned, it's inside the lair of a tiny demon."


Tiny demon....that's our nickname for our dog. I slowly walked towards his doghouse, and heard him snoring. His huge furry body lay still next to a giant treasure chest. How was i going to get the chest? I chose to take a chance and crawled in the dog house quietly. His snoring was so loud, it sounded like thunder! I made my way to the chest, and started making my way out, but there was a problem. I couldn't help but sneeze because of the fur, and the dog woke up. I ran out of there as fast as my legs could take me, and as the dog chased after me, the chain caught him and stopped him in his tracks.

I finally got it! The treasure was all mine! As i open the chest, i didn't believe what i saw. The treasure was chocolate coins. A little note was in the box and it said," I knew you'd find it! I knew how much you liked these chocolate coins, so i got you these for an early birthday present. Happy 3 months early birthday present! From your friend, Jimmy."

"Push" has no pull.

This review is very well written, telling the main details but not explaining too much. The review states, that the film "Push" has no pull, and is not a movie with huge shockers. He does describe how well the main character was, and compares this film with series like X-files and Heroes. The review paints a prefect picture in your mind of the type of movie this will be, but explains that it will not be something original. The review also comments on the director and his wonderful use of screenplay.

Pure Determination

Freedom Writers, directed by Richard LaGravenese, had both it's strong points and weak ones.

Hilary Swank, playing the role of Erin Gruwell, was eager to begin her new career as a high school teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. Her enthusiasm quickly vanished when she realized that the cheery children she expected to teach, were unprivileged shadows with astonishing lives. Determined to help her students and with her marriage on the line, Erin goes out of her way to try and do what everyone thinks is impossible.

Unlike Richard LaGravenese's film, P.S. I Love You, Freedom Writers had low levels of romance and relationships. I'm disappointed at how the relationship with Erin and her husband, played by Patrick Dempsey, was shown very little throughout the film. Although there was similar conflicts in both movies, Freedom Writers swayed away from romance factor.

Hilary Swank showed pure determination, dedication, and power in her role. She had her questionable moments, but overall great acting. The students, in my opinion, were even better actors and actresses. They showed the feeling and sadness of their real lives, and would make the real people in this true story proud. One of the students, Eva Benitez, played by April Lee Hernández, showed her heart-breaking life and stabbing pain as if it was her own real life. The writing in the film was good for the most part, slightly over did it at some moments with their love for the teacher.Good lives on, leaving the past behind. Did all the children's lives change for the better like the movie makes it seem? Do good things truly happen to those who deserve it?

Caitlin Sturgeon
Miramichi, New Brunswick
CaSt00240@student.nbed.nb.ca

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Mr. Carter
Chief Editor
Blackville Talon
12 McLaughan drive
Miramichi, New Brunswick

Dear Mr. Carter,

I’m interested in applying for a position in the Blackville Talon. My main interest is the Gaming field in the Entertainment section because I’ve always been involved in gaming and it’s the only choice that I find appealing on the Talon.
One of my strength is my people skills, which I can use to understand what people want to see and what they don’t. I could also use it while working with others, and as I share ideas. Another skill I have is responsibilities. I’ll work forever if it means reaching my goal, and once I have an objective it’s hard to turn away from it. I also take in account what my actions are, and know I’ll be held responsible.
I’d like to thank you for considering me for this position. I appreciate the consideration and hope you’ll think about me for an interview.

Respectfully yours,

Caitlin

Flaming Freedom

My new house, all my memories, my new life…all gone. Moving into a new part of the world didn’t seem like a bad idea at the time. All the new sights of never-ending fields, sun-fulled waterfalls, and mountains that could reach the heavens. The smells of sweet roses and creamy tulips fluttered about. It was a taste that I never knew before, the taste of freedom. Within seconds…it all changed.

People acted strangely. Every glare, every stabbing look made me feel like moving back home. People would snicker when I walked by, trying to hide it when I glanced back. All these cruel things hurt way too much, and my eyes got tired of crying. This nauseous feeling of not being wanted was beginning to be too much for me to bare. All I wanted was to be accepted into this new land, but now I can’t believe how naïve I was.

I returned home late one night, expecting to get a good night’s sleep, but what I saw was too unbelievable to believe. My new house was ignited in a blaze of fire. The luminous red flames destroyed everything I owned, everything I had. People cheered out in victory as they burned the flag of my old country. These people. These faces. The same faces that shot me time and time again with their heart stopping glares were now happily screaming at the fact that they slaughtered my new life.

The sorrowful tears ran down my cheeks, and as I fell to my knees in the moonlight, I wondered how people could be so narrow-mined and senseless. How is it people can care so much about their own lives, and think only about their happiness? I stared into the burning bright light that used to be my home and my belongings but no matter what they can’t burn my will to live on. I turned my back on the laughter and gigantic flame, knowing that somewhere I have the right…the right to be accepted.