Favorite Website

MMAweekly. It is a website that focuses on Mixed Martial Arts, or what many casual fans know it as - Ultimate fighting. I have been a fan of MMA since its beginning. Despite what many think of the sport, MMA is truly a thinking mans game. It requires skills in a variety of martial arts, like jiu-jitsu, kick boxing, and wrestling. Despite the skill it takes to compete and the massive amounts of training involved, many opponents of MMA call it "human cock-fighting", which is an unfair attack.

The website MMAweekly keeps me up with the latest news, upcoming events and also features a discussion forum where many fans get together to give takes on fights. I goto this website at least once a day. The website also features fighter interviews and a streaming radio show. Out of all the MMA websites out there, it is truly my favorite.

Does my Zodiac sign traits describe my personality?

For many years I believed what I read under the sign, Libra, was an accurate description of myself. This belief in astrology came from my mom who told me about the signs at a young age. A Libra is supposed to be balanced, and be very social, and is also indecisive and can have mood swings. I thought that those traits described me very well.

Now that I am older, I believe that since you read horoscopes from a young age on, you shape yourself to fit the traits you read. I saw a documentary where as a test, a professor gave students a "horoscope" and told them that was their sign. What the professor didnt tell them was that he gave everyone the same horoscope. Turns out, the majority of students felt the horoscope was an accurate description of who they were!

So, I no longer subscribe to the notion that the stars you were born under influences who you are as a person.

Something that caused me to drastically change my way of thinking

Maybe the biggest thing that caused me to change my way of thinking was becoming a home owner. I rented for many years and it truly is a different way of thinking. As a renter I had no issue with renting or hanging out with my friends on the corners. My friends and I would get loud at night and then not understand when neighbors would complain.

Now that I own, I am now the angry neighbor! I spend a lot of time cleaning garbage up around my house. I find beer bottles, empty Cheetos bags and sometimes even old corn on the cobs in my front yard garden. At night, I deal with renters making noise and being inconsiderate of their neighbors. Having a house to actually take care of truly gives you a different way of thinking.

Films vs Text

I have to make a choice? Tough one to make and I actually cannot give you a definitive answer! I love films: action, sci fi, adventure, martial arts and comedy! Some of my favorite movies: Kung Fu Hustle, Fight Club, The Prestige, and The Matrix off the top of my head.

Books on the other hand; I tend to stick to one particular genre - Fantasy. I am a huge fan of Robin Hobb, George RR Martin and Patrick Rothfuss.

I watch a lot of movies. At least 5 a week if not more, but at the same time, I also read a great deal -books, magazines and online content.

If I had to make a choice between the two, I would choose text. Why? Because it requires far less technology to utilize. Could you watch a movie on a deserted island? Or during a power outage? Nope and that is where the simplicity of books is superior.

My favorite form of entertainment is neither books or film however. My favorite is video games; a genre that is blurring the lines between film and books.

But in terms of learning: I learn far more from books than I do in movies. I am able to process the information better from books and it is easier for me to remember facts.

Education in the US: Are We Falling Behind

I do think the U.S. is falling behind in education. Our public schools systems are broken. The curriculum is being dumbed down for one. I have spoken to international students at NEIU and for the most part, they have learned many concepts in High School that the American student learns at the University.

When it comes time to balance state and municipal budgets, education is one of the first things cut. Teacher's are not paid enough, so the best and brightest move towards higher paying careers. Public education needs to be seriously overhauled to help get the United States back on track.

Another reason the United States is falling behind is our lack of a free public option for students looking to go to college. Many other industrial countries offer free higher educations for students and this gives them an edge over the US citizen who has to pay or take out loans for their education.

The US needs to catch up and to do so it will need to take drastic action.

Thoughts on Plagiarism

Plagiarism really angers me. Why do it? The main reason, in my opinion, is that students get lazy and look for a quick fix. And with the internet at a young students disposal, it must be an easy move. I wonder how much plagiarism goes on between students for different classes. How much plagiarizing goes on at the University level? With all the means available it must be an increasing problem. I have never been tempted to plagiarize because I have always wanted people to read my work and know I wrote it.

Is there a difference between racism and classism

Yes, there is a definite difference. Racism is the view that no matter where you stand economically, your skin color and ethnic origin define your actions as a person. Classism is the view that your economic status defines your actions as a person. Both are forms of prejudice. But racism has to do with discriminating by race while classism is about discriminating based on money and possessions. Neither are right, but they will always exist.