Thursday, December 4, 2014

Popeyes

In 1972 Alvin Copeland opened a traditional southern fried chicken restaurant called "Chicken of the Run'' however, it wasn't very successful so Copeland reopened it selling spicy New Orleans style chicken, and called it Popeye's. In 1983, Popeye's introduced their buttermilk biscuits which are now a signature trademark on the menu. In 1983, Popeye's opened its first restaurant in Canada in Toronto. Popeye's opened its 500th restaurant in Landover, Maryland in 1985. The 90's presented great prosperity for Popeye's, as the company truly went international in 1991 when they opened a new location in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then, in 1996 they successfully opened their 1000th restaurant in the middle of Atlanta, Georgia as the world traveled there for the summer Olympics. In 1999 the company exceeded the 1 billion dollar annual sales mark for the first time. In 2002, the Popeye's brand reinvented itself by taking on a new logo, covering everything in orange and red, and bringing on the new phrase "Louisiana Fast". In 2009 Popeye's unveiled their new spokesperson, Annie. Shortly afterwards, in 2010, Popeye's had a massive score by beating out KFC, a hard competitor,  in National Taste Test.  In 2011, Popeye's successfully opened their 2,000th restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. Popeye's announced in 2012 that they were celebrating their 40th birthday with a system wide remodeling of all their restaurants. Obviously, Popeye's has experienced great success, and they have many locations, so the question is: "Will they ever come to Huntington?'' We may find out very soon. Popeye's plans on opening 300 new restaurants in 2015, and if we're lucky our town just might make the list!

http://popeyeskc.com/about-us.html


 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

PlayStation 4 Features

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment, which was launched on November 15th, 2013. The PS4 competes with the Xbox One and Nintendo Wii U as the top system. With the PlayStation 4 you can do many things that the PlayStation 3 couldn't do. Their controllers are different and it also have many new features such as a built in camera, ability to  connect companion devices, voice controls, and a new internet browser.

The PlayStation4 is doing very well on the market right now. So far there have been 13.5 million PS4 units sold worldwide, which is very good compared to Microsoft's Xbox One sales of about 10 million. At GameStop, reviews of the PlayStation 4 give it an average user rate of 8.3, contrasted with the Xbox One's user rate of only 7.6.

The PlayStation4 also has many new hardware features. The PS4 controller, which is the DualShock4, is similar to the PS3 controller, but the DualShock3 will not work with the PS4. The PS4 also has a camera which is an optional motion sensing accessory that includes two 1280x800px lenses.  Now PlayStation4 has the ability to interact with other devices. Smartphones, tablets, and PlayStation Vitas can be a second screen for the PS4. PlayStation Vita allows you to be streaming video directly from the console to the handheld device. Also, Sony unveiled a project called Project Morpheus on March 19, 2014; a virtual device that features a head-mounted display with a 1080p resolution and a 90 degree field of view for the PlayStation4.


http://psmedia.playstation.com/is/image/psmedia/ps4-system-imageblock-us-13jun14?$TwoColumn_Image$





http://www.techradar.com/us/news/gaming/consoles/ps4-vs-xbox-720-which-is-better-1127315

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4#Sales

A Fire Inside

AFI is a rock band formed in 1991. The same men have been in the band since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both contribute backup vocals. Havok and Carson are the only two from the original band.

The band's first major success  came12 years after it formed, in 2003, with Sing the Sorrow reaching number five on the Billboard 200, and remaining on the chart for almost a whole year. The album was supported by popular singles "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold".

Three years later the band returned in 2006 with Decemberunderground, which featured the hit single "Miss Murder".

Gang Violence

In more heavily populated areas gang violence is a strong topic weighing heavily on some people's minds. Most of us are aware of the Ferguson riots, and what was involved with that, but recent reports show that there may be more dangerous issues underlying the causes for the riot. After the young man in Ferguson was shot and killed by an officer, it was said that he was once a member of a gang or belonged to a gang family. Local cops were confused as to why so many people got involved in the chaos, and the local police sat down and had a long meeting. After adding up evidence and thinking everything out, they came to a conclusion that a gang must be relevant to all of the destruction and violence. Gangs are everywhere, they are usually fairly organized, and have big connections with firearms and narcotics. Ferguson police fear that the violence could be much more intricate and on a much larger scale. Some people argue that all gang members should be arrested to put a stop to it all, but because of our first amendment rights, gangs not causing any trouble can meet and be in public without being arrested or criticized. In cities like Chicago and Los Angeles gangs are growing and getting more violent. And senseless crimes are being committed. Hopefully one day all this will die down, until then watch for any signs of gang activity in your neighborhood and keep yourself safe. It is not likely that gangs will just cease to exist, but we can only hope that the destruction is limited, and that people can stay alive and not fight over skin color. Take action, and if you spot any suspicious gang related business, do not get involved and report it if you feel the need to.

Far Cry 4

 Far Cry 4 is a game that just came out November 18th 2014. It is a open world game with a lot of things to do. The single-player campaign takes place in Kyrat, a fictional region based on the Himalayan regions of Nepal, which is ruled by the evil king Pagan Min. The main character is Ajay Ghale, he was originally born in kyrat but was raised in America and is back to spread his mothers ashes., either to escape Min's regime or as punishment for his mother having apparently sired a daughter with Min some time before Ajay's birth. When Ajay arrives in kyrat he is dragged into a civil war that is raging between Pagan Min's army and a rebel organization known as the Golden Path (started by Ajay's parents). The player can now have a free choice in choosing which force he sides with, resulting in different endings. In Far Cry 4 there is now a co-op campaign that you and a friend can enjoy, while the first player will play as Ajay Ghale and the second player will be playing as a man named Hurk.

 

Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6 is an amazing, hilarious, crazy, sad movie about a robotics prodigy kid named Hiro. He's a genius who lives in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo. Besides his older brother, Tadashi, Hiro's closest companion is Baymax, a robot whose sole purpose is to take care of people. When a devastating turn of events throws Hiro into the middle of a dangerous plot, he transforms Baymax and his other friends, Go Go Tamajo, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred, into a band of high-tech heroes. Hiro lost his older brother Tadashi in a fire when he went into the fire to save his professor, but sadly neither made it out. One day Hiro discovers a strange man in a mask who stole his robotic magnets. That is when Hiro gathers all his friends and Baymax to find the man and stop him. After finding him they attack and take off his mask. In a plot twist, the strange mans turns out to be Tadashi's professor who supposedly had lost his life in the fire. The only reason the professor survived was because of Hiro's amazing magnets which built a wall around the professor and saved him from dying. Hiro is angry with the man because his older brother, Tadashi, lost his life trying to save him. Hiro is so upset that he programs Baymax to kill the professor. To find out the rest, go and watch the film Big Hero 6 in theaters now! The movie premiered November 7th, 2014. Big Hero 6 seems like a film just for kids but it's a movie you don't want to miss. The film has earned $167,219,558 in North America, and an estimated $56,900,000 in other countries, for a worldwide total of $224,119,558.




Problem of the Week!


Do you have a difficult math problem that you just can't figure out? Submit it to The Timber Wolf and it will be blogged. If someone knows the answer or knows how solve comment below!



https://sites.google.com/a/clintonville.k12.wi.us/title-1-math/




The problem this week is:



A ladder is leaning against the top of a 7.0- foot wall. If the bottom of the ladder is 4.5 feet from the wall, what is the angle between the ladder and the wall 

http://www.aspiresa.com/math-mentor/

Ancient Norse Runes

Having trouble keeping people out of your diary? Wanting to write a note that no one but your friend can understand? Feel like too many people are getting nosey with your writings? Suffer no more! Here is a quick and easy way to write a secret note, a page in your diary, or a neat cheat on your upcoming exam.

  • =A =B =C =D =E =F =G =H
  • =I =J =K =L =M =N =O =P =Q
  • =R =S =T =U =V =W ᚲᛊ=X =Y =Z


The first thing you should know about translating this is that words and sentences are not written like we write them. Runic words matched to our alphabet are basically like a simplified English pronunciation. Everything is spelled exactly the way it sounds. For instance: Thomas would be spelled, Tomas, Write or right would be spelled rit, and would would be spelled as wud. Complex sounds like the X would be written like KS, the SH sound would be written as SJ, and the CH sound would be written like KJ.

Each Norse rune has its own meaning in the actual ancient language, and each symbol is actually an abbreviation for a represented God or Goddess. For example: “” is the symbol of Jera, the Norse goddess of harvest and fortune. This alphabet both has recreational and symbolic meanings, and I highly recommend that you learn it.

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Effects of Satire on Society

In an effort to provide variety to this blog, I have decided to blog an essay for AP Language and Composition, written by myself and classmate Carri Pertee, which highlights the effects of satire on society. 

The Effects of Satire on Society

In politics, general news, and entertainment, satire is undeniably present and ready to snap. Many people, blogs, television shows, faux newspapers, and magazines have climbed their way to the top by using the critical literary device, but few have mastered such a useful technique. Satire has become a unique institution in America; television programs such as SNL (Saturday Night Live), The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and South Park have intrigued audiences with their ironic humor and ability to go farther than anyone dares to go when dealing with serious issues. However, in other countries, mocking government or elected officials could result in severe punishment. By taking advantage of the First Amendment, nationwide issues are easily perceived and opened for further debate. Satire encourages mingling between various groups of people who would normally share nothing in common; it popularizes events many believe to be boring or unimportant, but calls for change when society is faced with a social issue.
    
Many people take pride in staying out of politics, but by combining political issues with satirical, or cynical, humor, some tend to have a better understanding of the events occurring in government and can form a structured opinion on which to base their own political decisions. How does this affect politics? “Political satire is ridicule dedicated to exposing the difference between appearance and reality in public life. The justification for this mockery, going back to Aristotle, is that by holding bad behavior up to ridicule we might, as it were, ‘Laugh folly out of existence.’ Syllogistically, a la Aristotle, it might be put something like this:
1) Politicians behaving badly will be mocked
2) Politicians don’t like to be mocked.
3) Politicians will stop behaving badly.” (Mankoff)
Therefore, cracking jokes is more than fun and games, it also inadvertently keeps slimy politicians in their place.
    
Satire is an art, allowing the artist to explore a realm of possibilities and push limitless boundaries when dealing with serious issues. Many satirical artists are ridiculed for taking the news so lightly, but that is not always the case. “I’m a satirist. All satirists make points. Satire is parody with a point; that’s all it is…I always have a point of view. I care about the news. We do 160 shows a year, 161 shows a year, and you can’t do that unless I guess you care a little about what you’re talking about, or I couldn’t…I’m not a politician, but I like playing political games to see what really happens in them.” (Colbert) Satirists, like Stephen Colbert, make a living doing what they love: revealing the injustices of the world by making others laugh. What many people do not realize is that comedians can sometimes be the most influential people when it comes to a topic for which they care about.
    
Satire defines America because, like our country, it is completely unique. In other countries, slamming the government or pointing out an elected official’s flaws is enough to get you killed. Freedom of speech and press is not allowed in counties such as China, Russia, or those in the Middle East. If Stephen Colbert tried to make a living in Iran, he would end up with his head on a stake. Americans are blessed with the right to speak out against the President, a senator, or anyone else. After the attacks on 9/11, comedy was hard to come by. After daily life got back to normal, The Daily Show came back on the air. Jon Stewart stated, “That is, a country that allows for open satire, and I know that sounds basic and it sounds like it goes without saying, but that’s really what this whole situation is about. It’s the difference between closed and opened, the difference between free and burdened.”
    
Many strongly support the argument that political satire promotes a narrow point of view due to its liberal tendencies. However, satirist Stephen Colbert provides the opposing viewpoints, as points made on his show lean toward conservatism. According to The Harvard Crimson, viewers of satire are more likely to take part in researching traditional news. Yes, the same people who are constantly quoting South Park could be the people making informed decisions at the polls. Even though the world of politics is often viewed separately from daily life, comedians such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert effortlessly tie politics into day-to-day life. In essence, it is not WSAZ, CNN, or Fox News that causes people to be effective citizens, it is the wise cracks made on primetime television.
    
Politicians are not the only social figures to be ridiculed by satire. Television programs like SNL or South Park focus more on entertainment news such as celebrity mishaps or athlete scandals. Recently, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s career was surrounded in controversy as a video was released of him assaulting his then-fiancée Janay Palmer. This was followed by an uproar of social media and news outlets, not just due to the domestic violence that took place, but the fact that the NFL (National Football League) attempted to cover up the incident. Megan Mackay, a Canadian comedian, made a short video, “Ray Rice Inspired Makeup Tutorial.” While the title sounds offensive, the clip brings to light the covering up done by the NFL, using makeup as an example. Cole Nicki stated, “[S]attire can be an effective tool of social criticism that highlights what needs to change in society in order to address widespread social problems.
    
The effective use of satire is a talent that few have mastered, but one to which anyone can relate. It binds together Americans from Wisconsin to Georgia to Alaska to West Virginia by giving them an opinion and a good laugh. It sparks movements and influences change in society regarding social issues. Satire is a gift often taken for granted, but it is one of the most influential aspects of American culture in history. It brings together liberal and conservative, young and old, Republican and Democrat, and politically interested and disinterested. Without satire, America would definitely be less American.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a5/Saturday_Night_Live_(Season_38_Titlecard).jpg


Works Cited
1. Colbert, Stephen. “David Gregory Chats with Stephen Colbert.” Interview by David Gregory, Meet the Press. NBC, 14 Oct. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nbcnews.com/video/meet-the-press/49407301#56332789>.
2. Cole, Nicki L. “The Ray Rice Makeup Tutorial and the Political Power of Satire.” About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://sociology.about.com/od/Current-Events-in-Sociological-Context/fl/The-Ray-Rice-Makeup-Tutorial-and-the-Political-Power-of-Satire.htm>.
3. Mankoff, Robert. “How Does Satire Influence Politics?” Moment Magazine. Nadine Epstein, 01 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. <http://www.momentmag.com/how-does-satire-influence-politics/>.
4. Stewart, Jon. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Comedy Central, 20 Sept. 2001. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/1q93jy/september-11--2001>.
5. Thai, Anthony. “Political Satire: Beyond the Humor.” The Harvard Crimson. Samuel Y. Weinstock, 06 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/2/6/harvard-political-satire/>.