INVICTUS

Invictus, Latin for unconquered, became an essential piece of Nelson Mandela continually motivating him through his presidency of South Africa. Through these words that he held so dear, that were his way of life, he managed to unite a strongly divided South Africa.

A movie was released this past Friday to show the tale, show it did. Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and directed by Clint Eastwood, I highly suggest the movie.

William Ernest Henley was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone at the age of 12. As time went by the illness merely worsened, troubling him academically. As a finishing graduate, doctors told the young man the leg needed to be amputated from the knee down. During recovery Henley wrote this inspiring piece:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus, Latin for unconquered, became an essential piece of Nelson Mandela continually motivating him through his presidency of South Africa. Through these words that he held so dear, that were his way of life, he managed to unite a strongly divided South Africa.

A movie was released this past Friday to show the tale, show it did. Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and directed by Clint Eastwood, I highly suggest the movie.

The First Snow Storm

The air is crisp, the wind chillingly felt, and the snow now layered on the solid soil, yes folks winter is here. The storm slowly worked its presence from across the country dumping inches upon inches of snow on unexpected towns. Last night and early this morning, Danbury got its taste.

There was a reported 3-4 inches in the area. The storm brought sleet, rain and snow that made for messy driving. There were seventeen accidents between Danbury and Waterbury on I-84, fortunately no one was severely injured in any, along with various police calls for assistance.

Plows were out early and the storm was fought off by local city-workers plowing the streets during the early hours, and it seems they have won the battle. However the war still wages on and we will see how the city fares.

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Seventeen-area-accidents-on-I-84-281369.php

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Snow-rain-blankets-region-with-slushy-mess-281021.php

Eurotrip

Over winter break, I will be partaking in a trip overseas with a couple cousins and eventually my brother.

Saying it, alone, makes me want to run around in excitement! There will be various new things to see, whether it be buildings, lands, stores, bars, and people, I look forward to every last bit. For the most part my cousin has mapped out our trip, I have all faith in him and have been more than willing to just wing it from the start.

The trip will start in England, arriving at Heathrow Airport in London. From here we will go to my Aunt's home and spend a night there before traveling north to Scotland. Here, we are spending a few days in a hostel then going back to London for Christmas.

On the 26th the three of us have a flight booked to Madrid. After a few nights in Madrid we are taking the train to Barcelona, where we will spend another couple nights. New Years Day, my cousins and I will meet with my brother in Paris and continue to the following year there.

After Paris, it will be two Days skiing/snowboarding the Swiss Alps.

Somewhere along the equation Dublin, Ireland fits in and Amsterdam is working on being included.

The reason I am even describing this is because of the possibility I will be updating this Blog from Europe, with pictures etc. etc. to document the trip.

and for everyone to be envious...sorry.

Energy Draining TV's

In the average home, televisions account for approximately 10 percent of the electricity bill. With this realization, the California Energy Commission has placed a new set of energy regulations on TV's smaller than 58 inches.

By improving the TV's energy usage, California is estimated to save a little over $8 Billion, or provide power to 864,000 single-family homes.

While this action seems eco-friendly, is it consumer-friendly? The restrictions on the TV's could effect the prices and possibly driving current customers to on-line or out of state stores.

The Governator, I mean Governer Schwarzenegger, "Applauded" the efforts of the commission and his states continuous strive to lead the country.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091118/US.California.TV.Energy/

What a Hooby

I retired school teacher who used to collect model cars switched to a different vehicle to collect. Planes.

I am curious as to how someone stumbles upon such a collection, and how they afford it? Apparently, Lynn Brown sold off her old school cars-Corvettes, Shelby's, Camaro's-to gain new toy.

Strangely enough, she doesn't have her pilots license, but the fighter plane (MiG-17) would need numerous hard hours to be regulation approved. Brown merely enjoys its artistic structure.

The former teacher is well respected and known for her muscle cars on those beautiful days. Once she joked to a class about the traffic being so terrible she flew her plane in and landed it on the roof!

What a character.

http://www.newstimes.com/localnews/ci_13756196

Rugby Dominates

Western Connecticuts sports have not faired well this season, our football team suffers a tremendously heavy burden for a record, and our Mens soccer team is nothng but average.

The best record of the season belongs to a club sport, WCSU Rugby. The Men's rugby team is currently undefeated with 5 victories and one unfortunate forfeit. The 6-0 team is preparing for the playoff season.

The first match will take place Saturday, October 31st at 1:00 , against Tufts University from Boston. Tufts is not far behind WCSU with a record of 5-1. With an outstandingly athletic and versatile team, we are hoping for the best possible outcome.

Westconn Rugby will fully appreciate any support given, so please come out and enjoy a fantastic sport that is renowned world-wide.

Danbury Deteriorating?

At one point in time Danbury, CT, was one of the safest cities in the United States. The city had low crime rates and few complaints. Have things changed? Off of memory alone, recollections of events regarding drive-by shootings outside downtown bars and gas stations have plagued the cities title of safe.

In mid October, a man grabbed a woman outside her apartment, dragged her inside, and raped her. Afterwards, he left with her tied up with duct-tape and carrying her credit cards and cash. By far, this is the most dramatic, intentional crime I have yet heard of in our area.

Locally, there have been repeated "brawls" set up between schools, fortunately none escalated to the point where action was taken. During my highschool years there was an ordeal between Danbury High and New Milford, where a love triangle sparked a feud that had various participants.

Bordering Danbury, Bethel, recently had an event that lead to the drawing of weapons and the death of one man. The call made was to a despondent armed person, the man eventually took off into the woods where police officers pursued. While attempting to convince the man to drop his weapon, he leveled his weapon at the police officer causing him to take action and release his firearm.

On top of this, in Brewster not too long ago, a 17-year-old leaving a party was enraged by a 19-year-old resident leading the 17-year-old to slash the resident with the knife. The knife managed to cause a wound on the face and hand of the resident who recieved 17 stitches.

When the new census comes out, it would be an interesting idea to compare the criime rates.


http://www.newstimes.com/search/ci_13603561?IADID=Search-www.newstimes.com-www.newstimes.com
http://www.newstimes.com/search/ci_13635217?IADID=Search-www.newstimes.com-www.newstimes.com
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13656675?source=most_viewed

Lumenhaus

Take a guess at the word. Lumenhaus, seemingly simple. Lumen-light illumination, haus-house.

In this case the name is referring to a solar powered house being constructed out west in Washington state, on the National Mall.

Multiple universities, from the US, Canada, and Europe are competing to contruct the most efficient solar powered home. Each team starts with $100,000 to create the eco-friendly home. After the houses are finished they will be tested and awarded on 10 different categories, some being architectural design, comfort, and marketability.

The competition is being hosted by the Federal Department of Energy, with sponsors for certain teams. Lumenhaus is being sponsored by Siemens.

Solar powered accessories are not a terrible concept for homes. Lumenhaus took a total of 20 kilowatt-hours out of the system, however it sent back three times that amount from the roof alone.

A competition is an ideal way to make sparks fly and create innovation. Events like these inspire the future of technology and broaden the possibilities of our societies current norms. I can personally envision an "off-the-grid" home that has electricity in the most impossible of places to deliver it. For example, maybe a house in the mountains with solar powered shingles and energy converting thermal blinds that shift according to the suns position to allow the most heat.

The idea is not far off, inspiration and possibly price are the only elements holding society back from a seemingly successful future home. This kind of stimulation needs to take place more often, allowing for more practical ways to live freely and reliably.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/science/earth/13solar.html?ref=science

Animal Officer Dies

I notcied a quick article in regards to a Connecticut animal officer that died after an encounter with a pitbull. According to the News Times, the officer responded to a call made in regards to an aggressive dog that had trapped a family in their home.

Officer Theresa Foss, was not bit by the pitbull rather knocked over and hit her head. It was reported that the death was not caused by the pet, Yale-New Haven Hospital did not release the cause of death.

The circumstance seems to be worst case scenario for an animal officer. Fortunately the owner of the pitbull was respectful and understanding of the matter by immediately having his pet put down. I am sure there are many pet owners who would be incapable of doing a task like this especially with such immediacy.

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13523099?source=most_viewed

"A High-Tech Hunt for Lost Art"

A prestigious piece of art, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, has been thought to be hidden within the walls of City hall in Florence, Italy. As the New York Times puts it, truly something out of a Dan Brown novel.

A small portion of the vast painting currently on the wall, Battle of Marciano, has a flag with the encryption of "Cerca Trova" that translates to seek and ye should find. The words were discovered in 1975, however no means of looking behind the wall painting without removing it completely have been found until recently.

One scientist, Dr. Seracini, has at last managed to figure a way of looking behind the painting by shooting neutrons through the painting and by feedback discovering what materials lie behind it and the wall. The fact we are capable fo doing such a thing is impressive in itself.

The lost painting, The Battle of Anghiari is likely to be present in between the previous wall that was once showing and the present wall. A tight chamber was formed and because of the absence of outside forces it is expected that if there is a painting it will be well preserved.

What I find truly remarkable is the living legend of people like Da Vinci. The man is known for his scientific studies which were far more advanced for his time and spectacular art that takes the breath away. Essentially Da Vinci has lived through history and made one hell of a name for himself! Are there any modern thinkers in the worl dof today that will be looked back upon as we do upon Da Vinci?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/science/06tier.html?_r=1&ref=science

Outside Class on 9/23

Towards the end of class I recall hearing a large magnitude of different wails and cries echoing their way through the windows. My curiosity was sparked, however classwork kept my head somewhere else. It was not until after rugby practice that my roommate informed me a WCSU student was hit by a car that night.

An article today describes the situation and stability of the victim. Apparently the 59 year old Waterbury resident was crossing the road when a fellow student, 17, failed to stop at the crosswalk, striking the pedestrian heavily enough to ricochet her off the windshield. Thankfully the woman is now in, "Fair condition," as The News Times quotes a Danbury Hospital representative.

The campus seems to be getting rather crowded, with more students this year arriving than ever before. Overpopulation on campus can result to more accidents like these and other possible conflicts. Traffic has increased a fair amount around school making parking andeven getting to a parking garage a much more difficult practice. Granted I am not aware of the amount or persons allowed or even if there are such regulations, but it definitely deserves some more looking into.

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13410668?source=most_viewed

Auto Shop Speakeasy

An interesting story appeared in today's news involving an auto repair shop and a bar, the problem was they were the same place. The shop was a rented garage that was filled with anything but mechanical tools and repair equipment.

A citizen complaint sparked an investigation of the repair shop that led to its police raid. Multiple people were sitting at a bar enjoying their alcoholic beverages when the raid took place, seemingly having a good time.

Obviously the act was illegal considering there was selling of alcohol without a license, along with numerous hazards. The question I ask is what drove the owner of the "bar" to do everything illegally? The idea of the bar in an undercover repair shop reminds me of the speakeasies in basements and below businesses of the 1920's. Sure some paper work would be necessary, as well as a proper building, but it isn't an impossible feat. It even seems as if he already had a wide variety of customers considering about a dozen people were at the bar drinking.

Is this a reaction to overly expensive bar drinks or, a simple way deviated to make a couple extra bucks?


http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13413806?source=most_viewed

News Writing on Withering News Writing

As an adolescent, Paul Steinmetz was one, of surely many, California students aspiring to move forward and take the college route. With the usual family drive and expectations he attended a local community college to discover a News Writing course which changed his mindset around completely.

Eventually Steinmetz managed to transfer schools and graduate from San Francisco State. On the prowl looking for any available reporting positions he was willing to accept the midnight shift at a local news service. Steinmetz gradually climbed his way into the days lastly ending up in Connecticut holding a career with the Danbury News Times for 24 years as a reporter and later editor.

"Newspapers have not figured out how to make the transformation," Steinmetz said in reference to the national move to on-line news and reporting.

In previous years newspapers earned enormous amounts of profit-for-product unlike other businesses, for example grocery stores. When local grocery stores earned 3%-5% profit newspapers gained 20%-30% profit. The substantiality of profit being from local businesses, particularly car dealers. Before the time of the widely used internet there was no certain way to reach vast numbers of customers besides local papers.

With the presence of the internet businesses refer to websites of their own in order to contact the customer directly, and for a mere fraction of the price. With the drop in advertisements in the papers the major concern became in boosting the profit margin rather than the actual writing. Newspapers are cutting employees and enhancing the workload for an even more stressful environment.

Paul Steinmetz was fired after 24 years of dedication to the Danbury News Times, and is glad for the oppertunity it gave him at his current position of Director of University Relations with Western Connecticut State University.


Regarding the new news atmosphere Steinmetz advises the News Writing class that the first question to be asking is, "How am I going to get on-line?"

"Eight Years After 9/11" -Michael Yon

The conflict of our generation belongs to the Middle-East, specifically Iraq and now Afghanistan. Michael Yon, provides vivid detail and spots his article with vibrant photography to capture the readers eye and allow more perception.

From Iraq, now moving to Afghanistan, the article captures the foot soldiers daily obstacles and dangers throughout each day overseas. A reflection of brutal, yet necesary, progression since the tragic day.

To be in the field risking his own neck each and every day Yon shows phenominal dedication to his country and Allies in order to spread the reality few are burdened discovering. More than the text, his pictures bring the reading to life.

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/eight-years-after-911.htm

Raising The Valley

As a heavily enthused reporter and writer Eugene Driscoll appeals as a very dedicated individual to his craft. Being one of only two people responsible for valleyindy.org his accomplishments pour from the pages posted throughout the website.

Driscoll expressed his concern for the current Newspaper industries, focusing on the lack of interest becoming more and more abundant as time draws on. Through printed newspapers funding and advertising, as well as profit, are the primary goal of the paper since it is a needed element in funding the business itself. Although, this advertisement disrupts the distribution of the real words trying to be delivered. Not to say all newspaper employees goal is to acquire profit, but it is an obvious requirment.

Through the internet, many expenses may be eliminated and a broader crowd may be reached. Driscoll highlights the importance to readers of local news over that of a larger scheme ranging from county to state. It is clear that a readers concerns are those that will directly effect his/her self and local community, Driscoll also, "Lives in the community they cover".

For one, just about every time I lay my hands on a local paper such as the Danbury News Times, my focus is mainly on events regarding the Danbury area rather than that of Newtown, New Milford or New Fairfield.

Referring to the actual neccessity of press is another matter. If all paper presses were to fall, which is a concern especially with the current econoomy, where would the "News" come from. Would it be right for government to directly deliver propaganda...sorry I mean news? The news would inevitably be biased and lack freedom of speech the people may offer.

The idea of an imediate news source from a local man determined to deliver the news to his fellow peers is a much more comforting thought.