Entry #6 Video Games

 Playing video games is a way for me to escape reality. It's a way for me to step into different worlds where I can forget about my stress for a bit. I play Fortnite and Call of Duty most of the time and I can feel the excitement of competing against other players. It's fun and helps me forget about any stress I might have. I also play FIFA and this game lets me pretend I'm a professional soccer player, controlling my favorite teams and players, and in my last favorite game, Skate 3, I can skateboard around cool places, doing tricks and having fun without any real-life consequences.

In Fortnite and Call of Duty, you really have to outthink your opponents to win. FIFA is awesome to score goals and win matches against my friends and family, even if it's just in a game. Skate 3 is more relaxed. I can explore the virtual city, skate around, and do tricks without worrying about getting hurt. It's a chill way to have fun and escape from reality for a while which is what I do a lot. I take breaks between games since I'm aware that playing too many video games can occasionally make me feel tired or less interested in socializing. I feel better when I go outside and spend time in nature rather than spending all of my time playing video games. Maintaining a healthy balance between gaming and real-world activities is necessary for me. Otherwise, video games help take my mind off things in the real world while having fun and enjoying things in my interest. 

Basically, I chill and take a break from life by playing video games like Skate 3, Call of Duty, FIFA, and Fortnite. These games allow me to enter into new worlds where I can have fun and briefly forget about my problems. But I am aware that to maintain balance, it's important to take pauses and spend time outside. In general, playing video games allows me to relax, enjoy, and truly engage myself in my interests in a video game. 

Entry #5 Local Story Respond

 As someone who goes to college and lives in Arizona, thinking about higher education is important. When I read the articles, "Ducey: Why Arizona needs more college grads" and "Earnings potential goes up a lot for Arizonans with college degrees," I feel a lot of different things. These articles talk about why it's so important to get a college education in Arizona, both for your own success and for the state's economy. But they also make me think about how not everyone has the same opportunities to go to college. 

I know from my own experience and from watching my family and friends that having a college degree can make a big difference in someone's life. My mother is always telling me how good having a college degree is because it's something good and sure to fall back on. It can help you get better jobs, make more money, and feel successful. The first article talks about how Governor Ducey believes we need more people with college degrees in Arizona to help our economy grow. The second article gives numbers that show how much more money people with college degrees can make. As a college student, this helps me understand how valuable getting a higher education is these days. So, going to college is like investing in a better tomorrow for yourself and for everyone around you. 

In the end, while these articles show how important college is in Arizona, they also remind me that not everyone has the same chance to go to college. I think it's really important for our state to make sure that everyone has a fair chance of getting a college education. We should support ways that help more people go to college and overcome the obstacles that are holding them back. By doing this, we can make Arizona a better place for everyone to live and succeed in.

Entry #4 Skateboarding

 Over spring break, I decided to give learning how to skateboard a try. I wanted to explore new hobbies, rather than just relax and do the usual things. I thought, "Why not give it a shot?" because skateboarding always looked fun and cool. I spent the break improving my learning skateboarding skills and performing tricks on my own. Although it was really hard, I could feel my skills becoming better after each attempt. It was a great way to spend my break, and I can't wait to see what I can do after a year of practice. 

 

I became interested in skateboarding because of a movie called "Mid 90s." I felt strongly motivated after seeing it, great movie by the way! The characters in the film seemed to be enjoying the time of their life while skating around and having a good time. Therefore I decided to attempt skateboarding. Like the movie's characters, I wanted to experience the same adrenaline and sensation of freedom. Even though there's a chance of getting banged up, the thrill of skateboarding makes it all worth it! Some tricks I got to learn were an ollie and pop shuvit. Skateboarding gives you a sense of freedom and opens your eyes to new perspectives on looking at the world. Skateboarding is also a thrilling way to pass the time when I'm not in class or on the soccer field. This helped me stay entertained and active. 

 This movie can be found on HBO Max or YouTube.

Overall, I took advantage of having a whole week off from my regular schedule to explore this strong passion.  Not only did I learn how to skateboard over spring break, but I also enjoyed the opportunity to follow new interests unrestricted by my usual routine. The thrill of skating is common to everyone, regardless of skill level, making it a constant source of adrenaline and enjoyment for people of any age. Skateboarding is a lot of fun and I would encourage everyone to give it a try! 

Entry #3 TMZ Slanted Reporting

Many news sources provide information by creating stories that focus on a single side over the other. In the environment of news reporting, there are hidden opinions that influence the audience's understanding and result in possible bias. The goal of news reports is to provide information. Still, there is always the risk of personal opinions being included without being noticed, which can lead many readers to believe one way about the facts as they are presented to them. An example of slanted reported news I found was TMZ, the biggest stories in celebrity and entertainment news. 

https://www.tmz.com/

 

TMZ regularly tells stories about celebrities in an inaccurate or biased way. They frequently emphasize the most shocking or embarrassing aspects of a topic, rather than providing every important detail. For example, instead of just stating that a celebrity couple split up, they may exaggerate the reasons or spread rumors without providing proof. This can lead to people believing things that are not necessarily true, as well as misunderstandings regarding the individuals involved. In short, TMZ's reporting occasionally distorts the reality to make stories more intriguing, which is not honest or accurate.

To sum up, TMZ is a great example of how slanted news can be since it frequently presents a twisted perspective that doesn't always give the full story. Understanding this slanted information is important given the power of the news industry nowadays. Receiving slanted news can have serious effects, just as hearing only one side of a situation in daily life can cause misconceptions and poor decisions among people. To gain a greater understanding of a specific situation reported, it is necessary to use awareness and look for information from many sources. We can better understand the complicated ways of the media world and make better decisions if we are educated and cautious of the news we receive.