What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is defined as “an intense, rotating oceanic weather system of strong thunderstorms that possesses maximum sustained winds exceeding 74 miles per hour.” Most of the hurricanes that we witness are in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Atlantic. Hurricanes are very dangerous storms and can cause severe damage to areas of impact. Cities that have been hit by hurricanes can take years to recover, and some may never be the same. When the hurricane center sees something in the ocean that looks as though it has potential to become a hurricane, they begin to broadcast the information on the news.
Hurricane season for the Atlantic begins June 1st and goes to November 30th. During this time there is potential for a hurricane, but most seem to occur during the fall season. Some hurricanes can be up to 600 miles wide and have winds around 200 miles per hour. Hurricanes can last a little over a week and tend to travel only about 10-20 miles per hour across the ocean. They are formed over warm water temperatures, around 80 degrees, and increase heat and energy as they move across the ocean. A storm becomes stronger as the evaporation for the warm saltwater rises and helps the storm to build or maintain its speed. Near the “eye”, center, of the hurricane winds move in a clockwise motion, and as the storm gets closer to the eye the weather is much calmer.
There are many classifications of hurricanes as they are in their stages of becoming a deadly storm. First, a Tropical Cyclone is formed. This is classified as a “generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics accompanied by thunderstorms” (weatherchannel.com). Tropical Cyclones are the lowest level of the formation of a hurricane, but should still be taken seriously when preparing for safety. The second classification is a Tropical Depression, “an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 miles per hour” (weatherchannel.com). This storm is much more serious and can be create damage to the cities that it hits. We usually hear of these in the Caribbean as the storms are gaining energy and power as they are making their way up to the Gulf of Mexico. Thirdly, a Tropical Storm is classified as “an organized system of thunderstorms with a well defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 miles per hour” (weatherchannel.com). After the storm has been collecting more energy over a few days it can maintain these strong winds for a few more days in order to next be classified as a hurricane. A hurricane is of course the strongest and can range from Category 1, which is the lowest level, to a Category 5, with the strongest winds and severe damage.
About 30 years ago the hurricane center adopted a way of naming the hurricanes in order to be more clear when talking to viewers and just to help classify which storm they were talking about when more than one would occur. The naming system is a six-year rotating list of names that alternate between male and female and are alphabetical for each of the six-years. As a hurricane is formed a name is given to it and if another hurricane occurs as the same time they use the next name on the list, and it helps to cut down on the confusion when talking about more than one storm. Meteorologists are very serious when it comes to notifying people about bad weather in their area. They watch to see if it looks as though a hurricane could begin to form and then make announcements filling viewers and listeners in on the details of the storms. A hurricane watch is carried out when there are indications that the possibility of experiencing hurricane conditions within 36 hours exists. If sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour are expected within 24 hours or less, a hurricane warning is issued. Precautions should be taken when anything related to a severe storm has been issued. For people that live in areas of potential hurricanes, families should have evacuation plans, or plan of action so that there is not chance that something could happen to them.
Hurricanes can be very deadly and if not taken seriously tons and tons of people can be killed. The devistaion to homes and buildings is enough, we don't need for there to be a significant loss of individuals, because we can evacuate, and there is no sense in staying for the storm if people are capable of leaving. It is best for people to begin boarding houses and traveling to safety when they first hear that a hurricane is approaching their area. Even if the hurricane by some miracle changes direction and misses your city at the last second, at least you and your family were safe. Being safe and taking care of yourself and family is probably the smartest thing you can do in times of a hurricane.

Hurricane Katrina

When Hurricane Katrina hit no one knew how big of an affect it would have on the gulf coast. Being from Birmingham, Alabama, located only four hours from the gulf coast, we were also preparing for the bad storms that were to come with the Hurricane. We have a condo down at Orange Beach, Alabama, and had gone down to prepare for the enormous storms that were headed our way. School was canceled for two days for the storm and we were located only a few hours from the coast.
It is very strange to me why some individuals would refuse to leave their homes. If I knew that an enourmous hurricane was coming I would be packed up and ready the second I heard that it was headed my way. Some people say that they cannot leave their homes that they have occupied for years, that there are too many memories. I just don't understand how someone could want to stay and know that they may not come out alive.
I do understand that some people cannot afford to travel the long ways to a safe area, or they may be unable cause they are in the hospital, or handicapped, but for those that can I find it very interesting. Even if you have little children I would be out of there early because I couldn't control myself if something were to happen to them. In a way I think that is selfish for someone that has children to stay behind and try and survive the storm. Yes, traveling may take long, but if they were to leave early enough then they would be able to make it inland to safety.
There are many reasons as to why some people decide to try and make it through Hurricane's in their own house, but for me it is stupid to even try. I do not think that it is worth risking your own life and even the life of your family members just because you are attached to your house. If your house is destroyed, rebuild a house that you can start more memories in. For me, I don't understand how when people know an enormous Hurricane like Katrina is coming and they are able to try and get to safety, how they couldn't pack up and try and get your family to safety.

Doubled Air

Saturday, March 29, at three o’clock, I took my 7 year old cousin to a performance at the Birmingham Civic Center that she was required to attend as a school assignment. I was not really looking forward to it, but didn’t really know what I was getting into. We walked into the huge auditorium and were seated ten rows away for the orchestra pit directly in the center. The stage was decorated with bright fabrics, and the orchestra was warming up. I could tell that there were many different instruments that were used to create the wonderful music. The flute, piccolo, piano, and soprano singer, helped to create the mood of the pieces. All of the different instruments and the singers were all very different sounding and we found it very fascinating that these strange noises could make such beautiful music.
There were many different sections of this concert, but the second was my favorite. As it fell upon a Day by Aaron Copland seemed to stay in my mind through out the entire concert. In this piece there was a flute, clarinet and soprano singer. The voice was very high and was amazing. It was unbelievable to hear the pitches that were sung. This kept my attention through the entire piece and I found it very enjoyable.
All of the songs were very different and my cousin even enjoyed them. It is amazing to me that even though she is so young she still can enjoy that type of music and at times think some of it is boring, but it is opening her eyes to a different type of music. Most people her age are listening to what people my age are the typical hip music that is on TV and radio 24/7. She was very impressed with all the different songs and thought it was so funny when some of the instruments would make strange noises on purpose. For someone of her age to enjoy a show like this it is very impressive. I was actually shocked that at there age teachers were asking them to write reports on performances of this level.
Being able to attend this concert keeps me open to listening to more of this type of music. I have never really enjoyed these pieces but when I would hear them live and see how intense the musicians are, all I could think about was how much they appreciate what they are able to do. I highly enjoyed this experience and am so happy that I was able to take my cousin to something that would let me experience this with her. I didn’t think that I was going to enjoy it at first but once we got in the auditorium and saw all the musicians and singers warming up and preparing for us to see, I became very interested. I think my favorite part was when the soprano singer hit the really high notes and could hold them for minutes at a time. I am so happy to have had this experience and am glad that it opened my eyes to this style of music.

Country Biscuits

The year was 1997 and it was one of those unusually cold Thanksgiving days. My entire family packed up the cars and drove from Birmingham, AL to Collman, AL, for lunch at the farm. My great grandmother was famous for her country cooking, but more specifically her delicious biscuits. She had been cooking them for years. It was a recipe passed down form her great grandmother, slowly making its way down through generations. I had always wondered how she made these biscuits taste so good, and I was finally about to learn.
She used the same wooden bowl every time because “it enhanced the taste” she said. She pulled all the ingredients out of the pantry and placed them in the order of which she would add them along the counter. She poured the flower into the bowl, which made a beautiful white fluffy cloud rise from the bowl into the air. Mixing all the dry ingredients together we noticed she wasn't using any measuring cups. When we asked she said, “I don’t believe in measuring cups, I judge the consistency by the feeling of the doe.” As all the ingredients were getting mixed together she would already we prepping the pans for baking. She used four pans that she placed in the big old fashion ovens. After she placed flower on the counter and made an even bigger mess, she rolled the doe out to make sure all the air bubbles were crushed. This is a very important step, because when the doe has bubbles in it, it causes the biscuit to be airy and not as perfect. Then she pinched off the perfect amount and rolled it into a ball and placed it on the pan. After rolling hundreds of little balls she placed the pans into the oven and pulled up a stool to watch them bake. They baked for nearly thirty minutes and smelled more fantastic every second they were baking. She never set a timer or even opened the oven during the cooking time, she could judge when they were ready by the smell and how they looked through the class in the oven. By the time thirty minutes was up the entire family was drooling and anticipating biting into the biscuits.
My grandmother's biscuits had something that store bought biscuits didn't have. I had always wondered what exactly that was, and I finally came to the conclusion that it was because they were homemade. I never really knew the process of technique, and now that I know it, I am amazed. The process itself takes about an hour and it is well worth it. The most important thing about these biscuits is that you have to make sure that you don't miss a step, if you miss one than the whole batch is ruined.
The days at the farm for Thanksgiving are no longer the same. My great grandmother’s passion for her biscuits will be remembered as long as my family is using her recipe. Today the recipe is still being passed down and my children will someday get to see just how delicious and special these biscuits are. Every time I bite into one of those outstanding biscuits I think of the love that is put into them. I know that the one thing that made my greatgrandmother's biscuits so special and delicous was all the love that she put into them. I can’t wait until the day that I start making them, although I know for sure they wont live up to my great grandmother’s.

Torture and the Holocaust

Torture, by definition is the infliction of sever physical pain as a means of punishment. In many places around the world torture was a way to punish people for wrong doings, and was not questioned within the many cultures that practiced torture. One of the most remarkable and most suspenseful times for many, was the Holocaust. Torture was the main use of inflicting pain towards innocent Jews. Millions of innocent Jews lost their lives while in concentration camps as a result of the Nazi murders gassing, shooting, and torturing them. Torturing of any kind is unmoral and degrading to the societies that have used or are continuing to use any form of torture.
Many Jews were separated from their loved ones and could only hope that someday they would see their families again. Once they were divided among the many different camps throughout the country, they were stripped and had their heads shaved. Many walked into what they thought would be a refreshing shower, when in reality was a gas chamber. The gas chamber was only one of the ways in which the Nazis would torture the Jews. Jews were forced to work all day doing various chores while being starved to death; which was a much slower technique of torture. The uses of torture throughout the Holocaust were disgusting and very unmoral. Using torture as a means of punishment, the Nazis created for themselves a reputation of being cruel human beings whom only wanted power and didn’t care what they had to do to get it.
Many people look at history books and read about all the ways of torture in these concentration camps, but we will never understand the pain those people felt. Chester Bennington states that "[T]he most common ways of torture used during the Holocaust were gas chambers, whips, cremating heaters, and lining Jews up in a line and shooting down the line”. Witnessing these types of torture had long lasting effects on these individuals. This torture was not just physical, but mental torture as well. Many Jews that survived the Holocaust not only dealt with loosing their families, but had to cope with the reality that they had to move forward with their lives. Most survivors suffered from post dramatic war syndrome, which was a result of being tortured throughout the harsh years in concentration camps. People despise Hitler and the Nazi people. We will never forget the awful stories that we hear from the few that survived.
It is so hard to understand why after so many years of hearing about torture and hearing about how people have suffered; some individuals still have the desire to use some of the techniques. The immortality of the concept of people using torture in today’s society is unbearable to grasp. Many people may say that torture is the only way of teaching someone the "right way". To me it seems that the people that feel they have to go out and bomb countries or kill millions of people each day have no morals. The need to hurt someone to feel powerful is wrong and no matter how the issue is argued everyone knows there is wrong in torturing individuals.
The use of torture is morally wrong. The world is a great place to live and does not need to be messed with by individuals that want to gain control. Torture was used very harshly during the time of the Holocaust. In this day in time torture is rarely heard of in the United States. To look back and see the unbelievable events that took place, and to watch documentaries on the Holocaust always makes me sad. Torture is wrong! Even though some sick people in the world may say it is ok, it is hard to imagine how skinning people alive can make any individual feel good about what they are doing.

Why do people give chocolate on Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on Feburary 14. It is a day on which people in love express their love for eachother; sending cards, flowers, and chocolates. For me, this holdiday has always been one that I have dreaded, mostly because I don't have anyone to share it with. I personally think the holiday is over rated and some people tend to get way too into it. Even though I don't have anyone to share it with, there is one reason that makes me so excited; all the chocolate that I get to eat. Chocolate is a major plus to Valentine's Day. It is said by the food network that "every year individuals consume at least ten pounds of chocolate". Chocolate flies off the shelves around Valentine's Day because of how it makes people feel, and can let someone know how much you care.
One of the most pleasant effects of eating chocolate is the "good" feeling that many people expierence after they eat it. Chocolate is said to "contain have over 300 known chemicals in it" (food network). The most ovbious chemical is caffeine. The mixture of certain chemicals in chocolate makes people feel somewhat "high" after indulging it. It is hard to find someone that doesn't like chocolate, and for most, Valentine's Day is an excuse to eat as much as you want.
For me Valentine's is not too important, but I think of it as a countdown to a day that I can give myself chocolate and not feel bad about eating it. I looked into why chocolate is so popular for this holiday, and the answers I found were somewhat the same for most. The most well-known reason that people give chocolate on Valentine's Day is because chocolate enhances women's sexual drive. I couldn't help but to laugh when I heard this statement, but I feel that it has something to do with the "good" feeling people get after indulging it. Some people think that chocolate is a good thing to give because it fits into a heart shaped box, or chocolate can be formed into hearts. One person said, "because it is good!" There are many reasons as to why people tend to buy chocolate on Valentine's Day, but for me it seems that it is just a known gift to buy someone.
The reasons are somewhat the same as to why people tend to give chocolate on Valentine's day, but for me it is just a day that I can send myself some flowers and eat tons of chocolate. In Elementry school we always used to make little mail boxes for our desks and an hour before school got out we would exchange Valentines. Everyone always gave chocolates of every kind. My mom would hate it because I would come home from schooling acting crazy due to all the chocolate I had eaten. Most adults try to limit the amount of chocolate their kids eat because of how it makes people feel "high" to a certain extent. I could eat chocolate everyday and not feel bad about it, but for some reason eating it on Valentine's Day gives me somewhat of a rush. I have always found it interesting that people give chocolate on Valentine's Day, but one thing I know for sure is that I am not going to complain.

The Prestige

The Prestige is a movie that came out in 2006 about two famous magicians. The movie takes place in the end of the 19th century in London. The two main characters Robert and Albert are friends that have grown up loving magic and helping famous magicicans with their acts. Their lives revolve around figuring out the ultimate magic trick, and being the best.
The title of the movie comes from the process of all magic tricks. The first act of any magic trick is call the pledge, which is when the magician shows the audience the what is to come. The second act is called the turn, when everything is unexpected and gets the audience questioning. Finally, the third act is called the prestige is where the magician pulls out all the twists and turns and completely wows the audience. These two magicians become overly obsessed with the prestige as they try and figure out eachothers tricks and attempt to do them better.
During a performance Alfred accidently ties a knot too tight around the arms of Roberts wife, the young lady who attempts to escape from the ropes while sumerged undet water, and it ends in her death. Robert becomes so angry that the two friends become rivals and try to win the support of audiences everywhere. These men disguise themselves and go and sit in on the others performances trying to see what they are doing and to sabatoge their tricks. As they continue to sabatoge one anothers tricks, many of the outcomes lead to murder. One night Alfred performes the ultimate trick and Robert becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the prestige. It begins to take over his life even after he figures out a way to preform Alfreds trick even better than when he did it. Alfred will not have it and ends up sneaking back behind stage to see how Robert is performing the trick and ends up getting charged for Roberts murder. The movie is nothing what it seems. There are twists and turns throughout the entire movie that shock its viewers.
It is crazy to me how some people become obsessed with trying to be better than others at something. Both Robert and Alfred love magic and let it take over their life. These men let the competition between them get so strong that they forget about how much they love performing and getting attention from the audience. This happens to many people in the real world. Some people thrive off competing and can become so competitive that they forget how much they love something. It is crazy to me how often this problem comes up. This movie is one of my favorite movies and each time I watch it I figure out something new that helps for me to better understand. Every time I watch the prestige I can't help but think about how crazy it is that some people can become so obsessed with something they enjoy doing.