"Don't Judge Whats On The Outside Its Whats On The Inside That Counts" (continued)

I hope after reading my detailed summary about this book you are inspired to go out and buy your own copy of the book so that you become further educated on this important topic. Remember do not be turned off by the cover just because a good-looking man is not posesing on the front cover!... ITS WHATS INSIDE THAT COUNTS !! In addition, after you read this book I hope that you will be able to react to the several main points that McPhee presents the readers with. Here was my reaction to the book and the issues that I found most influential, feel free to comment!!

Throughout the world today people often overlook important issues that could negatively affect their lives especially if a direct message is not presented to them as a warning signal. One issue that should be a concern to many involves the nuclear industry which continues to expand due to the increase of technology. In John McPhee’s book, The Curve of Binding Energy he presents the issue of nuclear bombs to his audience. In the beginning of the novel he sends a direct warning to his readers, telling them that nuclear materials are easily accessible and there is a lack of safeguards which does not help to improve the dangers of nuclear bombs.

Before McPhee introduce the person whose life story the book is based upon, he stresses the fact that not only the six nations that have been tested have access to nuclear bombs but smaller groups of people that may not have good intentions do as well. By doing this it sends a clear message to the readers and allows them to understand the importance of the book. I know when I read that first statement it opened my eyes and made me realize that this is an issue that should not be disregarded and individuals should be warned about the dangers of atomic bombs. Another point that McPhee tells his audience to support his warning is that not only physicists but one person alone can build a bomb, due to the fact that the materials are easily accessible. This instills a sense of fear knowing that these mass destructive bombs can be placed in the hands of individuals such as terrorists, who are willing to destroy our homeland. When I read that, the first event that came to my mind and probably others was the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the World Trade Center. McPhee ironically on the next page mentions the attacks of September 11th and although it was not an atomic bomb that exploded it does support his warning that safety precautions should me improved to reassure our safety.

Theodore B Taylor, whose life story emphasizes the importance of McPhee’s message is, one of the most well known scientists who is strongly involved in the field of nuclear bombs. He dedicates his later years of his life in hopes to improve the safeguards and trying to get materials such as Uranium -235 and Plutonium -239, which are used to create bombs. Taylor raises the issue that since the materials are not strictly contained in areas that have high security every civilization is going to witness an atomic explosion. For example, McPhee uses the explosion of the bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki to provide the readers with the emotional and physical affects that an atomic bomb has on a country. In addition, this shows that atomic bombs can actually happen to a nation and it is only a matter of time until our nation is next to be attacked. Due to this we are in a sense obligated after being presented with the information to improve safeguards. Taylor is one individual that has taken the first step in achieving the goal of ending this furious cycle of violence. He started the International Research and Technology firm, which main function involves safeguards which is still in existence today.

Another issue that was presented in the book was the importance of privacy which will help in providing safety. Every time Taylor gives information to McPhee during their interviews on various accounts he states that he can not go into details. The book takes place during the 1970’s and the concern of privacy is mentioned imagine how much easier now in the year 2008 it is for an individual to find out information on atomic bombs. Technology has increased tremendously since the 1970’s which should make our nation even more worried and concerned. In today’s society televisions, cable, websites, and internet access makes the issues of safeguards an even more challenging task. Our nation just like Taylor has attempted to improve safeguards by forming international organizations, such as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), to prevent their diversion to bombs. The goal is to prevent nuclear proliferation, that is, the possession of nuclear weapons by more and more groups.

After reading this book, one becomes informed of the dangers of atomic bombs and can now understand the importance of safeguards. McPhee’s warning can be beneficial to many nations and can encourage others to take that first step like Taylor, and try to improve safety precautions in our country. However, we must remember that if we do not continue to enhance security our civilization will be next to experience a catastrophic atomic bomb.

"Don't Judge Whats On The Outside Its Whats On The Inside That Counts"

When it comes to reading I only find an interest in reading gossip and juicy love stories about celebrities and other famous icons. I enjoy flipping through the colorful pages of magazines that are filled with hot new fashion tips, new and improved makeup products, and drama stories about the crazy lives of my favorite celebrities. However, over Spring break my English class was assigned to read the book The Curve of Binding Energy written by John McPhee When I first picked up the book and saw the cover, which did not have a gorgeous male model on it I thought to myself I am never going to be able to get through this book. To my surprise after reading the first page I was drawn to the book because the author clearly stated the purpose of the book which was never brought to my attention before. Moreover, since the main purpose of the book is of great importance I was interested to see how the author would provide a book that would answer all my eerie questions that where racing through my mind.

In this book, McPhee provides historical information about the dangers of nuclear energy. McPhee has written the life story and career of Theodore B Taylor, who is one of the most well known theoretical physicists. During the book Taylor walks McPhee through a nuclear energy journey and through his interviews McPhee excessively describes the dangerous of nuclear energy. Due to the dangers that McPhee has encountered and learned about through Taylor’s observations, he sends a message warning his audience about the issue of nuclear energy and uses the life story of Theodore B. Taylor to emphasize the importance of the message. In addition, McPhee speaks about the poor security of the nuclear materials and the easy access of the materials.

As the book, The Curve of Binding Energy, opens up McPhee states both the main point and theme of this book, which is to stress the dangers of nuclear bombs. McPhee immediately in the beginning of the book warns the audience that not only the six nations that have been tested have access to nuclear bombs but smaller groups of people that may not have good intentions do as well. The tone and mood of this book is posed in a sense like a desperate cry out for help and concern to alert others that their safety may be jeopardized by the lack of nuclear control. Moreover, McPhee continues to inform the audience that the issue of nuclear control is not a subject that should be taken lightly because not only physicists but one person alone can build a bomb, due to the fact that the materials are easily accessible.

As the book progresses McPhee introduces his main character Theodore B. Taylor, who was one of the most ingenious engineers of the nuclear age. Taylor’s life story and career is essential to the purpose of the book. He was born in the nineteen-twenties in Mexico City and lived in an extremely religious home. When Taylor was ten years old he received a chemistry set which showed that at a young age he had a strong connection with the subject. While he was growing up Taylor became interested in music, chemistry, and billiards. He developed a true passion for the game of billiards and played for ten hours a week. Taylor was an intellectual individual and even when he was playing billiards he relates it to the fields of science. He states that “I have thought of billiards ball as the examples in physics as long as I can remember, as examples of types of collisions from Newton’s mechanics to atomic particles.” To strengthen his argument, McPhee shows that science is a subject that has always been present throughout Taylor’s life.

In 1948 in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Taylor began to build atomic bombs that were said to be the most creative designs. His motivation and determination for both building and improving atomic bombs stemmed from the explosion of the bombs Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After these bombs McPhee implies that Taylor was inspired to put an end to the cycle of violence but ironically he never rejected nuclear energy. He built the miniature atomic bomb known as the Davy Crocket, which was less then 50 pounds. The Davy Crocket was the smallest and lightest fission bomb ever created in its time. In addition, he also created the largest-yield fission bomb that has ever exploded anywhere, which was called Super Oralloy Bomb. As a bomb designer he built the most sufficient fission bomb that was created in the Kiloton range. This powerful bomb was named Hamlet. Each time he constructed a bomb Taylor states to McPhee that he can not go into detail for various security purposes.

Taylor became fascinated that weapon-graded uranium and plutonium are alarmingly available to anyone who wants to get their hands on these materials. McPhee states that the main reason why plutonium is easily accessible and can be used as a main element in building a bomb, because it is a product of uranium based nuclear power industry. In addition, he warns the readers that it is not hard to steal plutonium because uranium is extremely abundant in nature. During this part of the book the chemical progress that is needed to build a deadly bomb out of plutonium is described. The availability of uranium is portrayed as a main concern because it can lead to the rise of terrorist acts that can inevitably affect the world. Taylor tries to put an end to allowing individuals to have the ability to access these materials by starting the International Research and Technology firm, which main function involves safeguards. Taylor want’s to increase awareness to better the safeguards, which as a result will prevent to some extent the dangers of bombs and availability of nuclear materials.

McPhee’s main purpose in writing this book that is based on the life and observations made my Taylor is to inform and warn the audience. Although he tries to alert the world that the access of nuclear weapons is available to all individuals he concludes that it will always be an existing problem. In the world, terrorist’s attacks unfortunately, are events that individuals will always have to face, but by warning the audience of how close we actually are to these events, allows individuals to take certain safety precautions.

D.C. TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY OF JLO

For those of who are not familiar with Jennifer Lyn Lopez, you must be living in a BUBBLE for the past decade! But since Drama Central is here to enlighten your mind with celebrity gossip I will tell you first about Jennifer Lopez’s personal and career life. Then we will put an end to the rumors that were being spread like wildfire throughout the tabloids about her pregnancy.

Jennifer Lyn Lopez, also known as JLO, was born on July 24, 1969 in Castile Hill section of South Bronx. As a child her family struggled tremendously with financial stability. However, this never got in the way of JLO achieving her goal of taking over Hollywood’s spot light becoming a multi-tasking superstar. Lopez’s started her career off as a dancer and eventually got recognized for her amazing singing voice. Today JLO is publicly known as a dancer, singer, actress, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and television producer. Throughout her career she has accomplishment a tremendous amount of success. Since 1999, the beginning of her singing career she has released 7 albums. Two of the seven albums were number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and four were listed number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, she won American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Actress (2003) and American Music Award for Favorite Latin Artist (2007). JLO’s acting career has sky rocketed with her unforgettable performances in films such as Angel Eyes, Selena, Out of Sight, and Wedding Planner. In 2003 JLO took her career to a new level of success and produced a clothing line that was geared for young women. Her clothing line includes jeans, t-shirts, coats, belts, purses, jewelry, hats, gloves, scarfs, and much more! As a result of her achievements in 2007 Lopez made Forbes magazine's list of The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment, ranking ninth. Her wealth is estimated to be $110 million and is still growing!

Although JLO’s career life has been a great success and stable we can not say the same for her personal life. Lopez love life has been a rollercoaster rider with many ups and downs. Her first marriage was to Ojani Noa in 1997 and short a year later in 1998 the couple was divorced. Next Lopez had a two and a half year relationship with R & B legend Sean Combs aka P Diddy. This relationship ended after a gunshot was fired at P Diddy one evening when the couple was out having a good time. Her next marriage was to her back-up dancer Criss Judd. Judd and Lopez were officially married on September 29, 2001. Hollywood thought that she had finally met her “prince charming” but surprisingly once again JLO filed for divorce in June 2002. Just when JLO’s life could not get more publicized she was wrong. She began dating handsome actor Ben Affleck who proposed to her with a 6 carrot pink diamond ring. However, their relationship spun out of control and the public witnessed every moment of it.

Finally, it seems that Jennifer Lopez has found her “prince charming” after all the frogs she has kissed! After her heartbreaking break up with actor Ben Affleck JLO began dancing Latin singer Marc Anthony. The couple had a small quiet wedding on June 5, 2004. Practically since their wedding day rumors have been spread about JLO being pregnant and if Marc Anthony is finally the one. The rumors can finally be put to rest because in November (2007) JLO announced in front of a crowd of fans that she was expecting a child and ready to be a mother. Little did she know she was not expecting a child but two children because she was having twins! On February 22, 2008 JLO gave birth to twins; a girl and a boy. Lopez and Marc Anthony named their children Emme and Max. The twins were born at a Long Island hospital with 5-pound, 7-ounce Emme arriving about 15 minutes before her 6-pound brother. It has been reported that she sold pictures of her children to “People Magazine” for 6 million dollars!!

TRUE or FALSE

Has reality television gone too far with invading people’s personal live?

This January the premiere of the new hit reality television show The Moment of Truth aired on Fox Five. The Moment of Truth is a game show that quizzes contestants on their personal questions and using a lie detector to determine if they are telling the truth or not. The main goal of the show is for the contestant to answer 21 questions without lying once. If this goal is achieved the contestant win $ 500,000, which is the grand price. The catch to this show is the level of difficult of the questions unfortunately grows more difficult with each correct answer given. However, if the tension and stress level becomes too high for the contestant they have the opportunity to withdraw from the game and walk away with the money they have won already. On the other hand if the contestant chooses to continue playing and answers a question incorrectly he or she has just jeopardized their price money and walk away from the game show empty handed.

One rule of the game is the contestants are allowed to have family members, friends, a significant other, and any other loved one there in the “safe zone.” In this zone the have a button in which they can choose to press if they do not want the contestant to answer the question being asked. However, once they press this button it forces the contestant to now answer a challenge question which may be easier or harder than the previous question. Owning up to the truth in front of family, friends, loved ones, the audience and millions of viewers is not an easy task and the suspense is thrilling. Due to the built up of anticipating that follows each question The Moment of Truth has had great reviews and rating since its first episode that was aired on January 28, 2008. The show had originally aired on Wednesday at 9PM ET/PT after American Idol, but on March 12th the show will move to its regular time at 8PM ET/PT on Wednesdays.

Some Sample questions that the contestants are challenged to answer and tell THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH are:
*Have you ever lied to get a job?
*Do you like your mother-in-law?
*Do you really care about starving children in African?
*Have you ever stolen anything from work?
*Have you ever cheated on your spouse?

One episode that I was completely speechless after watching premiered last Wednesday. I felt that this show completely ruined her relationship with her husband because she confessed that she was in love with someone else on her wedding date, that she cheated on her husband, and if her ex-boyfriend asked her to marry him she would marry him. The surprising twist to this episode that shocked everyone was her ex-boyfriend came out to ask the questions. The host of the show, Mark L.Walberg, admitted that some of the questions on this particular episode were out of line and was literally begging the contestant to STOP!

* TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO CLIP I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH AND WATCH THIS PARTICULAR EPSIODE … WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO REVEAL ALL YOUR DEEP DARK SECRETS!!

Myself as a Celebrity

We all flip through the pages of our favorite magazine looking at the celebrities and their lavish lifestyles, and imagine what our life would be like if we had all the glamour. Often times we envy the way they live and feel that if we had their lifestyle our lives would be much more improved. Moreover, many people dream of their lives being in the spotlight and the center of attention, having paparazzi capturing every move we make each and everyday. People sometimes go through extreme measures to resemble their favorite celebrity. However, we have to realize that even though our lives are not written about in magazines or our face is not posted on a billboard, our lives are just as important. Each one of us can be our own celebrity at different points in our lives; whether you believe it or not we are all have the potential to be a star. Also our families, friends, significant other, teachers, and peers are our paparazzi because their the people that always provide us with attention and concern.

One time where I felt like a celebrity in my own life was at my Sweet Sixteen party which took place on June 17, 2005 at the Vanderbilt. I was very excited about this place because it had just opened up and it was located right off the water. My party took several months to prepare for I had to get invitations made, choose centerpiece arrangements and decorations, make a decision on the type of cake, pick out the table clothes and napkin colors, make a seating chart, book the DJ and dancers, schedule the video man, book a hair, makeup, and nail appointment, and write out seventeen candles. On top of all this my mother and I decided to get my dress made by a dressmaker from Italy. My dress had a sweetheart neckline and came low in the back. It was made out of Versace silver lace, had a long train and sparkly crystal hung everywhere to make the dress breathtaking. My dress was like no other the detailed work was absolutely amazing.

At the party, I was announced in and escorted by my older brother, all of my guests eyes’ where on me. With the music blasting, lights flickering, and cameras flashing, I felt like a celebrity on the red carpet. In my dress with my hair and makeup done, and completely the center of attention for the whole evening I thought to myself I feel just like a celebrity. The room was decorated in such an elegant fashion with extravagant flower arrangements in huge vases that where also fish tanks as the centerpieces of the tables, accompanied by floating candles, and gold and white table cloths and napkins. The entire night was dedicated to me and I felt extremely special. For that one night I was the celebrity at the party and no one could take that away from me!

WHAT'S HOT !

One of the most talked about and talented fashion designers of this decade, is Christian Audigier. Audigier was born in southern France in the city of Avignon and grew up with a strong passion for rock and roll style. His career over the past twenty years has been extremely success by designing numerous clothing lines with his unique style such as American Eagle Outifitters, Diesel, Lee Levi’s, Liberto, Kookai, and Naf Naf. After becoming a well respected designer in the fashion industry Audigier was not finished contributing his style to the world. He collaborated with Don Hardy and created Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier, which is known as one of the hottest new brands worn by various celebrities and people all over the world. The Ed Hardy clothing line allowed Don Hardy to elevate his tattoo artwork on clothing that was produced and supervised by Audigier. Audigier stepped up his fashion sense and created his own clothing line which is more expensive then the Ed Hardy brand. The new fashion line was named after himself “Christian Audigier”, which reflected his California-French perspective and rock and roll style. He expanded his fashion line and is producing bags, shoes, sunglasses, and belts. Some of the celebrities that have been caught wearing Christian Audigier’s clothing are Britney Spears, Jessica Alba, Mariah Carey, Mickey Rourke, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Usher, Marilyn Manson, Madonna, Shakira, Ciara, Heidi Klum, T.I. and Jaime Foxx.

When I went to Miami over Spring break with my friends I saw Chrisisian Audigier at the Palms hotel. He could not even enjoy the sunny day because people where going crazy over him!! I guess he is use to the attention because right now he is the hottest fashion icon on the market. Both teenagers and adults pay outrageous prices for his clothing because after all who doesn’t want to dress in the clothes that celebrities rant and rave about and are wearing!!!

* click the websites to check out Ed Hardy clothes and Christian Audigier clothes = )
http://www.stylerocket.com/ed-hardy-clothing.html

http://www.djpremium.com/shop/G1-V84798-R54334/-collection-.html

"SPICE UP YOUR LIFE"

In the mid 90’s the first major British all girl singing group was created; “The Spice Girls.”The group consisted of five unique and extremely talented women; Geri Estelle Halliwell, Melanie Janine Brown, Melanie Jayne Chisholm, Victoria Adams, and Emma Lee Bunton. Each Spice Girl member had a specific identity and where given a stage name based on their personalities which would help lead to their success in the marketing industry. Geri Estelle Halliwell,(“Ginger Spice”) Melanie Janine Brown, (“Scary Spice”) Melanie Jayne Chisholm, (“Sporty Spice”) Victoria Adams,(“Posh Spice”) and Emma Lee Bunton(“Baby Spice”) This powerhouse group began their career in Britain and decided in 1997 to take the next step and bring their “Spice World” to the United States. The group’s main ambition was to show the world the importance of women and in order to catch people’s attention they used the phrase “Girl Power”, to reinforce the message they were trying to covey. Their proud, all girl-image and catchy dance pop- appealed to younger listeners, while their colorful sexy personalities and sense of humor appealed to older music fans which lead to their enormous success. The combination of pop hits, cartoonish personalities and clever marketing made the Spice Girls a global phenomenon, selling more than 55 million albums, breaking all sorts of British chart records and taking their song "2 Become 1" to Number 1 in 53 countries.

The Spice Girls had several money making products on the market such as their famous Spice Girls Barbie dolls, lollipops with stickers in the inside, t-shirts, perfume, lip gloss, posters, umbrellas pretty much EVERYTHING. However, the Spice Girls fame in the United States started to fade away and the members started to drift apart around 2001.

But the Spice Girls could not stay out of the spotlight for long and this year they started their 2007-2008; 25- date global Reunion Tour. The tour began in Vancouver Canada, and continued to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, London, Cologne, Madrid, Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town, and Buenos Aires, etc. The shows will be their first concerts since breaking up in 2001, and the first with all five of the original group. Tickets where sold out for the London shows in 38 seconds!! It was reported that over one million people in the UK signed up for the tour and over five million worldwide for the ticket ballot on the band’s official website. Sixteen additional dates in London where added to accommodate their fans; and were also sold out performances. In America all of the concerts where sold out too!!! On their very first concert in Vancouver they performed in front of an audience of 15,000 people. The Reunion Concert consisted of twenty songs both their number hits and fan favorites and eight costume changes.

When I was little I was a huge Spice Girl fan; I collected all the posters, dolls, and stickers. So once I heard about the reunion tour I knew I needed to go, so my friends and I got tickets to the show in Madison Square Garden. The concert was a night to remember filled with mixed emotions. As I danced and sang along to the song that I grew up to the child inside of me came alive again. The energy in the stadium was indescribable because many girls my own age felt like a kid again and where filled with excitement. However, it was sad to realize that we have grown up and have entered a new time in our lived and we where no longer the little girls who idolized and only cared about singing to the Spice Girls.

The part of the concert that made me realize that the Spice Girls where no longer just a female-singing group but incredible individuals; was when they sang their song Mama. They dedicated this song to their children, and it showed the audience that they where saying goodbye to their singing careers because they have opened a new chapter in their own lives as mothers. Before they sang the song their children where brought on stage and they sat down and began singing to them. It was a very moving experience for both the Spice Girls and their fans.