Freak the Mighty Intro

Please respond on your own blog.  Any questions or quick thoughts you can comment with on this post.

Think about and list several qualities you look for in a friend.  Please rank the qualities in order of most important to you to least important to you.  For example:

1. Loyal
2. Kind
3. Honest
4. Fun
5. Smart

After your list is completed think about meeting new people, Max, the main character in the novel, makes the wrong first impression on the people he meets. How important are first impressions? Do you think that they are accurate? Have you ever made judgments about people without really knowing them? Have people ever misjudged you without taking the time to get to know you?

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

"All across the nation, schools are debuting new lunches featuring smaller portions, more fruits and vegetables, and fewer calories, mandated (PDF) as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act."  

The above is the gist of the new mandate that requires schools to serve healthy lunches to kids.  In theory it is a great idea, and I want to go on record STRONGLY agreeing with the premise.  I put a lot of thought into what I eat and even more thought into what my children eat.  Much of what we discussed while reading Chew on This revolves around Americans as a whole eating poorly, the effect of fast food on us, and the causes as to why we depend on it so much.  I think that should, and eating habits in general should change.  That should, in theory, start in schools.  Since schools are made up of children, and teaching children there should be no better place to teach children how to eat.  We teach them how to read, write, add, subtract, about history and science, how to play games and draw.  Why not teach them how to eat as well.  Then, maybe the next generation of Americans will grow up to be healthier.  The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a good start, a good premise.  This is what a school lunch should look like:

But as students here know all too well, unfortunately, it does not.  I've been down to the cafeteria many times for one reason or another and (to no fault of anyone here) the lunches are pretty similar to what they were when I was in school pre-Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  So what is it really accomplishing?  I understand it is supposed to add vegetables to the menu, but pizza is considered a vegetable.  A great idea, but not (yet) implemented perfectly.  Long story short, it is not perfect, maybe doesn't go far enough, but this mandate is a good start, or at least a good talking point.  So in my opinion, I begrudgingly support the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids act.  Do you?

FREE CHOICE!!!

By this time you should have written anywhere between 6-8 blog posts either agreeing or disagreeing!

For this blog, you can CHOOSE the topic.

In the comments below, leave a comment about what topic you would like to write about.

What moves you? What are you thinking about today? What do you like? Dislike?
Anything current, controversial, debatable... anything with 2 sides!

If I approve your comment you are good to go.

Open your blog and begin writing!!!

Fast Food

I can't remember the last time I ate fast food.  As a rule I generally try to avoid it and try to make my kids avoid it as well.  In the book, "Chew on This" Eric Schlosser really makes his opinions on the subject known.  He is strongly against too much fast food (if any at all).  He recently spoke to ABC News and echoed his thoughts from the book, "The best seller, just out in paperback, contends that fast food has changed the way Americans eat, and is partly to blame for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and deaths from E-coli bacteria. Its author proposes that people essentially boycott fast food until restaurants start preparing healthier food.

"People should know what they're eating, and how it's made; they should spend their money at places that make food well," Schlosser told Good Morning America. "Nobody is forcing people to eat this stuff, and fast food places will change when customers demand changes."

I agree with Mr. Schlosser and feel that we as Americans should have more of an interest in what we eat.  It is very easy to eat a piece of fruit or add some vegetables to meals.  Look for foods in the grocery store that aren't processed or bad for you and most importantly, cut out fast food.  

Who do you believe is the better DIVA?

Beyonce and Rihanna both have been recording since they were teenagers and both became major worldwide popstars on the strength of R&B and funk.it would seem that both singers have had a very good 2011, but upon closer inspection, it’s clear that the two stars are at very different places in their career: While relative newcomer Rihanna, 23,  is still in the process of establishing herself as a superstar with an abundance of singles in a bid for total radio domination, record industry veteran Beyoncé, 30, is using what she has worked towards and accumulated over the past decade to pursue a more personal vision with her most recent material.  

In my opinion, I feel as though Rihanna is the better singer. Rihanna’s incredible success at pop radio, outstanding digital track sales and overwhelming popularity on YouTube isn’t simply a matter of having her finger on the pulse of popular culture. It's partly the result of unflagging momentum – there has been hardly any time since Rihanna broke big with "Umbrella" in 2007 when she has not had a hit on the radio, either as a solo act or featured artist. People want new music and Rihanna is constantly working on new material that seems to be a hit.

Football Vs. Futbol

World football and American football.  Same name, lots of differences.  Living in America I grew up watching American football, college and pro.  I have always been a big Eagles fan.  My grandparents went to the University of Tennessee and have had season tickets on the 40 yard line since the 1950s.  I have always been a big Vols fan and grew up with SEC college ball AND the NFL.  The Super Bowl is the biggest event in the country each year.

However, times are changing.  Deflate-gate, highly publicized incidents of domestic violence, the concussion scandal, tedious rule changes, a league run by out of touch older men who do not think about player safety, fair play and most importantly - the fans.  There is so much research about CTE (a brain syndrome research pins on repeated head trauma) yet the NFL turns a blind eye.  Parking at an Eagles game is $40.  I just went to a concert downtown in Philadelphia - same lot - $15.  Why is it $25 extra for the privilege of leaving my Mazda in a parking space for 2 hours.  Not to mention the yearly corruption in the NCAA regarding college football.  I think more and more sports fans will start to look beyond American Football.

Today, just about every home has an HD TV with cable pulled in from around the world.  I can watch the Champions League, English Premier League, La Liga, the German Bundesliga, Serie A in Italy, Ligue 1 in France, and Liga MX on a variety of channels all in high def at any time.  The MLS here in this country is growing.  Each year more and more big teams come over and tour the country in preseason, either staging big name friendlies in major cities or warming up vs the MLS all-stars.  More and more people here are gravitating to World Soccer.  In fact, the Copa America, South America's biggest international tournament is taking place in the United States this summer.  Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Chicarito, Alexis Sanchez are among the world class names expected to take part.  World Football is global, easily accessable and still puts fans first.  Over 300 million people worldwide play soccer - ten times the ammount who play American Football.  The sport was already huge everywhere else.  It is now becoming the same here.  These are among the many reasons why I feel it is a better game going forward, around the world, and here in America now, too.

Which is America's favorite sport??!! YOU DECIDE?!

                            Football vs Baseball

Baseball is slow, low-scoring and quiet—the opposite of the fast, loud and violent game of football. But is baseball really dying in the shadow of its flashier rival? While baseball maybe popular, football has always been my favorite sport to watch on tv and go to watch in person. In 2014, 35 percent of fans call the NFL their favorite sport, followed by Major League Baseball (14 percent), college football (11 percent), auto racing (7 percent), the NBA (6 percent), the NHL (5 percent) and college basketball (3 percent). Something about the crowd going wild when you see a "TOUCHDOWN" or even when you watch your team dominate the game makes you get excited and wanting to see more. More people who live in rural areas on the East coast say they're fans of the NFL than the general U.S. population. 

Want an ineffective cell phone? Choose Galaxy!

The Apple Phone offers many benefits to both the remedial and expert users.  The screen display is very sturdy and covers help prevent damage.   With the iPhone 6, lost calls are rare and the technology is always available. My experience with the Galaxy was the opposite.  Lost calls, easily damaged, and useless/non working technology made the phone a nightmare.

Barbie finally becomes a REAL!

"With her tiny waist, stick thin legs and petite frame, the Barbie doll has been accused of promoting an unhealthy body image for over five decades. But now, in her biggest update since 1959, it’s out with the skeletal frame, and in with the curvy figure that looks like a real woman as the company has revealed three new body types for the dolls to reflect a “broader view of beauty.  Mattel, the creator of the toys, said the new range – which also boasts seven different skin tones – was designed to promote a healthy and realistic body image and would better reflect the diversity of those who play with the dolls." 


I grew up playing with Barbie dolls and as a parent I have purchased Barbies for my daughters.  Growing up, I was not a stick figure like Barbie and I had a head full of curly dark hair, which Barbie  did not have. I remember wondering why they didn't look like me, but I never put much more thought into it.  However, as a parent, the slender anorexic looking Barbie did bother me.  Both of my daughters are very athletic and love food.  I always feared that they would develop a complex when they played with their dolls or wonder why most "real" girls are not that skinny.  We live in tough world! Today, boys and girls struggle to feel like they belong due to social media and what they see on TV.  Power to Mattel for recognizing this and promoting a more healthy and realistic looking body image.

ADROID VS APPLE WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

Android was always my go to phone.When you choose an Android phone, you have what seems like an endless amount of choices for phones.My favorite part about Android phones -- customization. If you enjoy being able to customize your phone, then Android is the way to go.The Google Play Store is fantastic. It is well laid out, extremely user-friendly, and offers about any type of app that you can think of. Android also offers expandable memory with and SD card that apple does not provide. In all I feel android is the way to go. I had my one phone for 4 years and never had a problem with the screen cracking and having to replace it and I am one to ALWAYS drop things. Be smart when choosing a phone and choose android!

Android -vs- Apple

Android -vs- Apple!!!!! Which smartphone do you think is the smartest???

Is this a real question? Apple and Android do not even compare. Apple is definitely the Einstein of today's smartphones. The features iPhone's provide are far superior to Android phones. Apple has the TouchID, FaceTime, Apple music which blends perfectly with iTunes, and Apple's Spotlight search searches more than Google does. Furthermore, iPhones's last way longer than Android's do and they are free of viruses and bugs. As you can see, Apple has mastered the smartphone industry, while the Android is still trying to play catch up.

Android

You know what?  I think the Android is a much better phone.  I've owned iPhones since they came out 10 years ago, but eventually got sick of my iPhone.  It seemed as if the battery just didn't last the length of the contract.  I'd have a two year plan and by the end of year one I had to charge it all the time.  The other downside is the constant updating and syncing.  Between the iPad I use at work, the MacBook, Apple TV, iPad cart in my classroom, my daughter's iPod, my wife's iPhone there was always some cross clutter and my storage would fill up and I would have to delete apps, music, and pictures constantly.

So, I broke down and bought a Galaxy last spring and have not looked back.  The battery lasts all day and it even comes with a "Power Saving" option so keep it going.  My power was out for three days last June when we had the major storm and my phone stayed on the whole time under "Extreme Power Saving."  It is durable, I stepped on it in cleats and, yes, there is a crack, but you have to look real hard to see it.  The phone still works fine.  And as far as storage, you can buy more memory so now I can keep all my music on my phone and don't have to worry about deleting old songs every time I download a new album.  Critics agree calling the new Galaxy, "the most impressive piece of smartphone hardware I’ve ever held. It’s so polished, so well put together, so smartly designed, and so beautiful to look at that it’s a joy to pick up over and over again."  I'm glad I switched.  

I disagree, Mrs. Davila.  I like Vans much more.  As the slogan says, they're "Off the Wall."  Now don't get me wrong, I own Converse and think they are classic, but these days I probably wear my Vans much, much more.  Converse are nice to throw on with anything, but they all look essentially the same.  With Vans you get many more options.  In my closet right now, I have Vans I can wear when I go out.  I have Vans I can wear in the summer.  I even have Vans I can get away with wearing to work.  Vans has the classic, boat shoe, and a wide variety of casual shoes to go with any outfit.

WHAT ARE THOSE?!?!?!

Sneakers seem to be a popular topic of discussion at Landis!!! You decide!!! Which sneakers are the best and why!!!

CONVERSE -VS- VANS
             

Converse is known as as one of America's most iconic footwear companies. The company was founded in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse and has been a subsidiary of Nike, Inc.since 2003. !! Not only are they versatile, but they create an authentic look to any outfit be it dressy and sophisticated or trendy and casual.  I understand that the "Off the Wall" Vans might provide more of a variety; however, you can't go wrong with the classic Converse, aka Chucks!! 

Trump for president!

VOTE FOR TRUMP! He will make our country a MUCH better place!!!
Thoughts? Opinions? Comments??