I Believe...

Throughout our entire lives, there are things we have believed in. These things range from the utterly simple to the complex ideas that we formulate over the duration of our existence. The challenges with these beliefs each individual holds are, that at any moment in time they can be challenged and argued over. The most difficult thing about our beliefs, however, in regard to these challenges is the ability we have to defend what we believe in. I mean it’s easy to poke holes through someone’s opinion no matter what it may be, but if someone can defend their beliefs it makes them even more believable.

This topic comes to my mind because my entire life I have encountered instances where my beliefs have come into question. These times have occurred from when I was a young tyke, to my present state of a young adult. These events have caused me to defend my beliefs, as well as question them, and have helped me become the man I am today. 

The first instance where my beliefs were questioned, I remember, was when I was eleven. This was the time in my life when I realized something catastrophic... that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny didn’t exist. Now you can imagine an eleven year old boy thinking to himself how that could be, but I ended up accepting it because it was a pretty farfetched belief that there was a giant bunny hopping around, and that a fat man could fit through a chimney. I mean come on! From then on, I had the ability to question my own beliefs, and view from my own perspective which ones were logically correct in my opinion, of course. However, there has always been one belief of mine that has always been present in my mind. One that no matter what I do seems to get more complex. This belief that remains is the one I have known since a young age: my religious faith.

Since I was a young boy, I have been raised as a Roman Catholic, and I have followed these beliefs my entire life. These beliefs have given me examples to live by and helped me become the person that stands before you today. Nonetheless, I have questioned this belief before, but I end up believing in it no matter what comes into question. This strong belief in the religious doctrines of Catholicism, or faith, has allowed to to stay true to my beliefs. Over the recent years, though, my faith has come into question more frequently, because I have met people who have no faith, Atheists if you will. They have made me question my faith, and have made me seek into the depths of my beliefs what is fact and what is fiction. The struggle seemed to go on forever, but no matter what I couldn’t make up my mind. Eventually, I reached a point where I didn’t know what to believe in. Nevertheless, my faith prevailed in the end. Along with this, it did help me realize one important thing: that it is our faith that helps us understand what we believe in, not the logic that comes from those same beliefs.

This intrigues me to find out what others believe in, religiously and in any other aspects. It also makes me wonder what other people believe that the definition of faith actually is. For my readers, I ask you to express your opinions about the subject at hand and feel free to comment on my opinion as well. Speak your mind. Feel free to say whatever you want, because after all, it is your own beliefs.

Assessing my Blogging... Nail or Fail?

Over the course of my senior year at St. Marks High School, this blogging project has been the most interesting. For one, it allows me to express my opinion over certain matters that I find relevant to the world. It also allows me to see the opinions of other students in my class, which is interesting because it lets me get another perspective on a subject. 

I have been blogging for nearly two quarters of my senior year, and as the year has passed by, I have learned many things about blogging that have influenced my blogs. For instance, I have learned that blogs are more popular if the writer has a certain theme, or they write about certain topics. It is also a great idea to tag certain subjects in the posts. Over the course of these two quarters, my blogging has been quite sporadic. By this term, I mean that during both quarters I have a certain month that has an increasingly greater amount than any other time, like November (2nd quarter) and February (3rd quarter). This sparks my curiosity and makes me wonder why I have so many views then but not at any other times. Maybe it’s the topic I chose to write about? For example, in November I talked about the football team’s championship run, while in February I talked about the power of music, which got many more views than any other post that month. All in all however, my blogging has not changed at all over the passing of the two quarters. Now I must persist with my blogging in an attempt to gain viewers from the rest of the globe.

Like I mentioned earlier, the most popular post I had in the third quarter was my one about the diversity of music, which is always an entertaining and interesting topic to write about. This is the case because many people like different kinds of music, and there are always opinions and ratings about new songs that come out or about new artists. These reasons probably made it the most popular. The other posts that were popular were the one about my unique contribution to our literature class (because it was required to post on it), and the post about how the football team was back in the championship for the second consecutive year. This post was popular because most students were going to attend the game, and many were excited for what was about to happen, which is understandable. There will be plenty of posts like this to come in the future of the Realm’s blogging.

From looking at my referring sites, I realize that most of my viewers came from google and facebook. This could be the case from when I posted on facebook for people to view my blog in desperation, but the google views could be from if someone was looking up something, or if they were going to Healigan’s site because I tagged some of my posts under Healigan (it worked really well). What I learned from this is that people look up a wide range of subjects, and will view whatever if it is interesting enough.

Right now, as the quarter comes to a close, I do not think I have any questions about the blogging. I feel this is the case because I now know what to do correctly in order to get more viewers. What did work for me was the labeling of subjects in my posts, but I am not sure what did not work (topic for another post, maybe?). Honestly, however, I believe that I deserve a B. The reason is that I tried in every way to get more viewers, but to no avail it didn’t work as well as I thought. As I tried harder, though, I found out that I was getting more views as time went by, which began to get my hopes up. This makes me wonder what the audience likes. What I learned from them is that they like certain topics that are of interest to them; things that are interesting to talk about; or things that someone can express their opinion about (music for example). This makes me think that for my future blogs, I must think of a controversial topic that sparks interest in both myself and my viewers. My writer’s persona, on the other hand, has not changed in my mind. The reason is that I have not changed how I write, I merely change what I am writing about. This change in my topics has opened me up to new viewers, which I hope to keep on getting. Until then, I will keep on blogging and hope to attract new viewers in order to bring my blog into fruition.

OverviewRefresh Now Day Week Month All time 2010 May – 2011 March

Posts More ▸ My Unique Contribution(s). Nov 4, 2010, 6 comments 16 Pageviews The Power of Music Mar 6, 2011, 3 comments 13 Pageviews We're Back Nov 27, 2010, 6 comments 12 Pageviews Seasons Greetings Dec 23, 2010, 6 comments 9 Pageviews Senior Superlative Stress Nov 11, 2010, 4 comments 8 Pageviews Traffic Sources More ▸ http://www.google.com/reader/view/user/16905741489257546624/label/111%20BOOK%20NEWS 17 http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flougenealessandrini.blogspot.com%2F&h=61630 3 http://r1rk9np7bpcsfoeekl0khkd2juj27q3o-a-fc-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/ifr?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Ffriendconnect%2Fgadgets%2Fmembers.xml&container=peoplesense&parent=http%3A%2F%2Flindseywashall.blogspot.com%2F&mid=1&view=canvas&libs=google.blog&d=0.549.6&lang=en&communityId=16162028457847915017&caller=http%3A%2F%2Flindseywashall.blogspot.com%2F 2 Pageviews by Countries United States 249 Denmark 10

Rules...Rules...Rules

Throughout my years at St. Marks High School, I have noticed one change apart from the general decrease in the number of students applying to St. Marks, and that change is the strict increase of rules and regulations at the school. I mean I understand how rules are meant to create a fair balanced society, but right now I believe that St. Marks is trying too hard to get the students to follow the rules. The worst part is that some of the rules are pointless, and that some of the regulations are so meaningless and have nothing to do with anyone.

For instance, in reference to the dress code, I believe that it is pointless to enforce this. The reason is because the dress code does not make a student act differently or perform differently in school. I mean just because someone doesn’t have their shirt tucked in doesn’t mean they will act differently or perform worse on a test. Other pointless regulations are the ones posed in the senior lounge. For example, the TV has a security code on it. Why!?!? What could possibly go wrong when people are watching the TV. I mean even though the security code is 0000, there is still no reason to have it. Then there is the fact that the Nintendo 64 is not allowed to be played with anymore. What’s the deal with that?! It’s not like it was causing harm to the administration or the student body. It was just meant to give enjoyment to those students who wanted to play it. The other thing that offended me was that they called it a game box (really??...what’s a game box anyway), we should get it back just because no one knows what it is called.

These are only some of the rules that St. Marks is pressuring onto us. The problem is that most seniors do not care, because they are done with the school in two months and that most of them do not care what they do wrong. So there is no point to the rules and they should just let up a little on the detentions and demerits. That’s all I’m saying.

Finally... It's Over

Upon my latest research paper completion, I have finally realized that I will never need to write another research paper. Well, that’s not entirely correct. I will have to write many other research papers probably, but none of them will ever need however many notecards or numerous drafts. They will just need one final copy to evaluate my grade.

Upon this momentous event in the course of the completion of my senior year, I finally realize that I am officially done, and free from the worry of having to complete another project or paper. This can only lead to one thing, that senioritis has finally kicked into full effect. I have been waiting for this moment for three weeks, and I couldn’t be more happier to know that my senior year is almost over. Now I get to look forward to only a few things: baseball season, spring break, the end of classes, prom, graduation, and last but certainly not least SENIOR WEEK. 

These events mark the end of a four year period in my life, which culminate into the greatest week of my teenage life. I am so excited I can hardly stand it, which again means that I am going to be so unfocused for the rest of the school year, but yet I still have to seem amused so I don’t need to take most of my finals.

The Power of Music

As I sit here, typing on my mac, trying to think of what I should write about this week. Now usually it takes me a good few minutes, maybe an hour on a bad day, so to pass the time I play my music. It then hits me... I should talk about something with a music oriented theme, so here I go.

In my mind, there is nothing like music. It has so many uses in today’s society. For instance, it is a way for people to convey what they are trying to say without actually saying it or they just don’t want to cause any legal strife. It also is a way for people to say what is going on and asks them to help out the cause. Even background music in movies has a basic idea, which is to show what is going to happen or what is about to happen. It also can be used as a way of foreshadowing what’s about to happen, like if something scary is about to happen an eerie or intense tune comes on.

Apart from all these uses that music can be used for, there is no definite use for music, because there are so many genres. I mean let’s look at them. There is: rap, hip-hop, country, pop, R&B, disco, rock & roll, reggae, electric, metal, and classic. Now I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s a lot of music, and each specific genre sings about certain things. 

Now I don’t really have any musical preference, and I’ll basically listen to anything, except country (not a fan). My favorites, however, are: rap, hip-hop, r&b, and rock. I don’t know why but those are the genres that attract my attention. Now with so many genres there are bound to be different opinions, so I would be delighted if others would post their musical preferences. I don’t judge either, so just say what you like and possibly list some of the songs that you like so I can share your interest in them.

P.S.: A few of the songs that I have found lately that I think are really good are: Look at Me Now by Chris Brown and Uptown by Drake featuring Bun B and Lil’ Wayne (rap); Rocketeer by the Far East Movement, Out of my Head by  Lupe Fiasco featuring Trey Songz, and Young, Wild & Free by Wiz Khalifa featuring Snoop Dogg (hip-hop); and Yeah 3X by Chris Brown (R&B).

BIRTHDAY!!!

So another week has gone by, and as the month of February comes to a close I realize one thing... that tomorrow is finally my birthday!! Woohoo!! I mean it’s about time I’ve been waiting for this all month, but the sad thing is though that I almost forgot that tomorrow is going to be my birthday.

Now that’s sad, but that’s only because I’ve been busy over the course of the past month thinking about the various things I have to do. For instance, baseball tryouts start in two days; I’ve been visiting colleges left and right; and I have finally started my scholarship applications. So now that I have gotten some stuff done on my to-do list, it’s time for me to relax for one day. Then I go back to the old grind... again, but it’s ok because this year is almost over.

That’s not the point though. What is the point is that I’m excited for this year. The reasons for the excitement for my birthday this year is that reaching the age of eighteen is a year where you are finally considered an adult. On top of the reaching of adulthood at age eighteen you can finally vote... and go to jail... and some other stuff that will go unnamed, so yea I’m excited. Also, there is another reason my birthday is exciting, and that’s the fact that I am born on my grandfather’s birthday. Thats right two Gene’s were born on the same day, what are the odds. I am especially grateful for this because my name wouldn’t be Gene if I wasn’t born on his birthday. My name would be David instead, yea that’s a scary thought for those of you who know my brother, but that’s besides the point.

Now other than my birthday, this week isn’t that bad. I mean on Tuesday most seniors are off, so I can finally take my car to the shop to get the flat tire I’ve had for three weeks fixed. Then, comes the soon-to-be highlight of the rest of my year... baseball season. So yea, I’m gonna be pretty pumped this week. GET EXCITED!!!

Tis the Season

Well it’s almost springtime, and on everyone’s mind is the thought of the eventual warmth that will be coming our way. However, spring brings about only one thing in my book. What is this one thing that excites me more than warm weather... that’s right, BASEBALL!! 

This is the one time of the year that I actually look forward to (aside from Senior Week this year). It’s the time where every person in Delaware begins to prepare for their season in hopes of bringing home a championship at the end of it.

Now I’ve been playing ball since I was three years old, so this is kind of a big deal for me. It’s like Mark Burgess and swimming, they were meant for each other. All I remember is that every year I would go out with my dad and we would bat and field together, but as I have gotten older and my skill has increased I have had to get ready in new more efficient ways. Now I go to the batting cages at Vince’s or I go to Wockenfuss or go to throw the ball around with my friends where ever possible. 

What’s even better this year though, is the fact that our very own St. Marks baseball team is defending our championship title. It’s just motivating when everyone who you play just wants to beat you. Basically, it’s like walking around with a target on our back. On the other hand, baseball is a great time where you just hang with your friends on the field during practice, on those long bus rides to and from other schools, and even winning some (or all) of your games...or a championship isn’t too bad either. So what is it that makes me excited for this time of year? Is it the feeling of the field beneath your cleats, or the feeling of the bat and glove as your glide your hand up and down them; it could even be the feeling of holding a baseball for the first time during the season or playing the first game. No matter what it is that gets a player going though, there is always one feeling that each baseball player has in common. This is the excitement and the thrill of the upcoming baseball season... to watch and to play. So remember everybody and to all those who play or are fans of baseball: It’s about that time.