I do not attend church. This is because I am an atheist. This means that I do not believe in any deity or religion. This may seem simple, but it took me a long time to figure out that I feel this way. I am actually a confirmed Congregationalist, and I was confirmed in the Spring of 2009. I discovered that I was atheist after a discussion I had with another atheist friend of mine. In this discussion I had with a friend of mine, we talked alot about pure philosophy for hours on end.
During this talk, we talked about the philosophies of various religions, and their spiritual leaders and deities. This topic brought to light many questions I had about certain aspects of Christianity. At the end, I decided to ask him why he was an atheist. He told me that his main reason for basically disowning faith was because he felt that heaven, reincarnation, and nirvana were all purely incentives or rewards for being good in this life. I then realized, why should I have to be rewarded for being a good person? My reward comes in feeling good about myself. Ever since, I have not been to church.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Ten Things that are Bro (i.e. i am thankful for them)
I, Paul Hargrove, am thankful for the following ten things:
1. My family. These are the people that I love the most, and they mean the world to me.
2. My friends. My friends have been the kindest people in the world to me, and I would not be the person that I am today without them.
3. My health. I am a healthy teenager, and I am glad that I can experience life to the fullest as a healthy human being.
4. The band. Through the good times and the bad, the band, and especially the drumline has always been there for me, and I love them all so very much.
5. Nourishment. I am thankful that my father can provide me with food that nourishes my body to help me stay healthy.
6. Safety. Although we may live across the river from a very dangerous city, I am glad that I live in El Paso, in a safe neighborhood, that I can safely say comforts me to know that I can go to sleep at night knowing that I will be safe all night.
7. Education. I am glad and thankful for the ample choices of education that are provided for me, they will help me become a productive member of society.
8. Music. Ever since i was little, i have loved music. It has been such a big part of my life, and I am just glad that there are other musicians out there that feel the same way that I do.
9. Weather. I know this sounds strange, but one of my favorite things in the whole world is being caught in the middle of a huge thunderstorm, it just makes me so happy.
10. I am thankful for my bros, which indeed fit in a separate category then my friends, as they are such a huge part of my life, and I love them all!
1. My family. These are the people that I love the most, and they mean the world to me.
2. My friends. My friends have been the kindest people in the world to me, and I would not be the person that I am today without them.
3. My health. I am a healthy teenager, and I am glad that I can experience life to the fullest as a healthy human being.
4. The band. Through the good times and the bad, the band, and especially the drumline has always been there for me, and I love them all so very much.
5. Nourishment. I am thankful that my father can provide me with food that nourishes my body to help me stay healthy.
6. Safety. Although we may live across the river from a very dangerous city, I am glad that I live in El Paso, in a safe neighborhood, that I can safely say comforts me to know that I can go to sleep at night knowing that I will be safe all night.
7. Education. I am glad and thankful for the ample choices of education that are provided for me, they will help me become a productive member of society.
8. Music. Ever since i was little, i have loved music. It has been such a big part of my life, and I am just glad that there are other musicians out there that feel the same way that I do.
9. Weather. I know this sounds strange, but one of my favorite things in the whole world is being caught in the middle of a huge thunderstorm, it just makes me so happy.
10. I am thankful for my bros, which indeed fit in a separate category then my friends, as they are such a huge part of my life, and I love them all!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Veterans are Bro
Veteran's Day. A day meant to honor those who are currently serving or have served in the past as members of the American Armed Forces. Some people say their heroes are Superman, Batman, or other iconic superheroes of some kind. Me? My hero is the aggregate group of veterans in this country . Think about it, if we had no veterans, there probably wouldn't even be a United States of America! Because if there were no veterans of the Revolutionary War, there wouldn't have been a war in the first place, and all of the states we know today would be colonies in the British Empire!
This all started on September 11, 2001. I know this sounds cliche, but I don't think I could truly appreciate our vets until that fateful day when my entire elementary school had to have recess inside. I know that sounds kind of strange, but that day was definitely the day that I realized what our men and women in uniform do for us. That day, and several days following, I came to realize that although they may have been fighting for a cause that was discovered to be false, the Armed Forces do protect our liberty.
This all started on September 11, 2001. I know this sounds cliche, but I don't think I could truly appreciate our vets until that fateful day when my entire elementary school had to have recess inside. I know that sounds kind of strange, but that day was definitely the day that I realized what our men and women in uniform do for us. That day, and several days following, I came to realize that although they may have been fighting for a cause that was discovered to be false, the Armed Forces do protect our liberty.
Monday, November 7, 2011
My Life Is Bro....iin GA,KS, and TX
I was born in Georgia on November 16, 1994. In Griffin Georgia, to be exact. I lived there for the first two and a half years of my life or so, until 1997. Then, i moved to Manhattan, KS. We moved because both of my parents were on the faculty at Kansas State University. Then, as my mom finished her PhD in human nutrition from Kansas State, she was recruited as a faculty member for the University of Texas at El Paso in the College of Health Science. Today, i still live in El Paso, and I plan to graduate from Coronado in 2013.
As to where I plan to go after graduation, I am sure as heck not staying in El Paso. The scenery, food, and people that live here are wonderful, but i have no apparent vested interest in a future career in El Paso. As for higher education, I hope to attend Kansas State University as an undergraduate in either Music Education or Software Engineering. After undergrad, who knows?
As to where I plan to go after graduation, I am sure as heck not staying in El Paso. The scenery, food, and people that live here are wonderful, but i have no apparent vested interest in a future career in El Paso. As for higher education, I hope to attend Kansas State University as an undergraduate in either Music Education or Software Engineering. After undergrad, who knows?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
OCCUPY THIS, MONOPOLIZED BANKS!
The Occupy Wall Street protestors have some very valid points within their protests. However, I feel that it is not too reasonable to camp out on a street for weeks. This will in the end just create more chaos. It is completely unproductive to the cause of the Occupy protestors to live on the street. Security guards, SWAT team, and the police have been physically attacking protestors in an attempt to repress the protests.
As for protests in El Paso, I am unaware of any form of violence associated with these protests. Also, i am unaware of anyone camping out or anything of the like, similar to that within the Wall Street protests. Although i may not agree with the Wall Street protests or the protestors means to attempt to receive their demands, but I do think that their complaints are genuine, and need to be addressed.
As for protests in El Paso, I am unaware of any form of violence associated with these protests. Also, i am unaware of anyone camping out or anything of the like, similar to that within the Wall Street protests. Although i may not agree with the Wall Street protests or the protestors means to attempt to receive their demands, but I do think that their complaints are genuine, and need to be addressed.
If I were rich? Well, let me tell you......
Well, if only I were rich. If I had a million dollars, there are probably several things that I would do. First of all, I would set aside a portion of it to save in the bank, perhaps around 750,00. Then, I would take about 100,000 and put it into an investment firm. This would generate the maximum profit on my part. Should either my bank or investment firm fail me, I would have a backup method of restoring my original funds.
Next, would be the remaining 200,000. These remaining funds would go towards paying off any debts that my family have such as a house loan, car loan, etc. Then I would put at least 100,000 towards an education fund for my children, as I intend to have children. Should there be any money remaining, it would be definitely given away to a non-profit organization, such as the Susan G. Kohmen Foundation.
Next, would be the remaining 200,000. These remaining funds would go towards paying off any debts that my family have such as a house loan, car loan, etc. Then I would put at least 100,000 towards an education fund for my children, as I intend to have children. Should there be any money remaining, it would be definitely given away to a non-profit organization, such as the Susan G. Kohmen Foundation.
Friday, October 14, 2011
He discovered America........not.
Well, most of us learned in elementary school that "In 1492,Columbus sailed the ocean blue." this may be true, but Columbus did not discover the country we love and live in today. Many thousands of years before Columbus made this famous voyage, there were many different tribes of Native Americans living such territories as present day Kansas, Florida, and even our own Texas! Also, did you know that Vikings from the Scandanavian area of the world such as Norway and Sweden?
Also, Christopher Columbus was not Spanish, but Italian! The only reason Columbus sailed under the Spanish flag was because the Spanish royalty were thenonly royalties that would finance hit voyage, which many other nations believed was tomfoolery because at that time, everybody believed the world was flat. In addition to what everyone perceives as this great thic he did, Columbus also committed mas genocide of many of the npNative Americans that lived in this new world. Well, know that you know a little more about him, your opinion might change.
Also, Christopher Columbus was not Spanish, but Italian! The only reason Columbus sailed under the Spanish flag was because the Spanish royalty were thenonly royalties that would finance hit voyage, which many other nations believed was tomfoolery because at that time, everybody believed the world was flat. In addition to what everyone perceives as this great thic he did, Columbus also committed mas genocide of many of the npNative Americans that lived in this new world. Well, know that you know a little more about him, your opinion might change.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Scary Stuff, Man
The scariest thing that ever happened to me.....well, i would definitely say that the scariest thing that has ever happened to me happened yesterday, Thursday, October Sixth. Yesterday, I had forgotten my homework at home, and so my Dad had to bring it to me during lunch. when he brought it to me, he told me that my Mom's health was declining, and that the nurses and doctors at the Hospice El Paso facilities thought that she probably wouldn't make it through the night.
After my Dad told me this, I immeidiately went down to the attendance office and checked myself out to go to the hospice facilities. During the next few hours, my Dad and grandmother all cried together, and talked about the best memories of my Mom. After we saw that there weren't any major developments in her health, we went home. I didn't feel like doing my homework to any extent, so i went to sleep. Today is Friday, October seventh, and as far as I know her situation has not changed.
After my Dad told me this, I immeidiately went down to the attendance office and checked myself out to go to the hospice facilities. During the next few hours, my Dad and grandmother all cried together, and talked about the best memories of my Mom. After we saw that there weren't any major developments in her health, we went home. I didn't feel like doing my homework to any extent, so i went to sleep. Today is Friday, October seventh, and as far as I know her situation has not changed.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Higher Education.....Most Bro
In my opinion, higher education is most bro. You know that fancy cell phone, iPod, or computer you enjoy oh so very much? Well, for all of it, you can thank higher education. Without higher education, we would not have been able to create such awesome invention as a computer, cellular phone, or likewise. Therefore, I feel that higher education SHOULD be paid for by the government. I feel this way because in a sense, higher education pays for itself through income made through higher level jobs, and profits made from technologies such as a computer, etc.
However, I strongly feel that realistically, higher education will not be paid for by the government, at least within my lifetime. This is because our national debt is so ridiculously high that we cannot afford to simply give away high education like free candy. Despite this, it is my honest opinion that we should pay for higher education for all high school graduates.
However, I strongly feel that realistically, higher education will not be paid for by the government, at least within my lifetime. This is because our national debt is so ridiculously high that we cannot afford to simply give away high education like free candy. Despite this, it is my honest opinion that we should pay for higher education for all high school graduates.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Lame Changes...ALL AROUND
Well, it is true, there have been quite a few changes around school. In my honest opinion, all of these changes are pretty negative, and in the opposite direction we are looking to move in terms of quality of education at Coronado High School.
The first of these change is the implementation of......*cue dramatic music* THE WEARING OF I.D. BADGES! From what i have gathered, this is meant to resolve any security issues the school may have with regards to students that do not attend Coronado High School being on campus. Now, with that said, I feel that this is not as effective as many may think. I feel this way because although it is a very well-thought off concept, it is by no means possible to enforce it one-hundred percent of the time. I mean, we just simply don't have enough security staff and vice principals. However, if we had a larger security force, this rule would be much more effective.
The second change that I will write about is the addition of an eighth period to the regular school day. Now, many people don't seem to mind because as of right now, this only adds five minutes to our regular school day. However, the cafeteria is becoming unsafe and crowded as a result of the reduction of our time for lunch. This has several negative impacts. As a member of the CHS drum line, I perform at all of the pep rallies every week. This new change leaves me anywhere from 5-10 minutes generally to eat my lunch. This is not close to enough time, as you must know. Also, the concept of going off-campus for lunch has severely weakened, because there is not nearly as much time as there used to be for students to go out to lunch. This time has been the time where we get to take a break from class, spend time with our friends, and for the lazier students, do some last-minute homework. The administration needs to give us more time for lunch, plain and simple.
Now that you realize the impact of these two very important changes, I hope that you can realize how this school is travelling in its security, along with student satisfaction.
The first of these change is the implementation of......*cue dramatic music* THE WEARING OF I.D. BADGES! From what i have gathered, this is meant to resolve any security issues the school may have with regards to students that do not attend Coronado High School being on campus. Now, with that said, I feel that this is not as effective as many may think. I feel this way because although it is a very well-thought off concept, it is by no means possible to enforce it one-hundred percent of the time. I mean, we just simply don't have enough security staff and vice principals. However, if we had a larger security force, this rule would be much more effective.
The second change that I will write about is the addition of an eighth period to the regular school day. Now, many people don't seem to mind because as of right now, this only adds five minutes to our regular school day. However, the cafeteria is becoming unsafe and crowded as a result of the reduction of our time for lunch. This has several negative impacts. As a member of the CHS drum line, I perform at all of the pep rallies every week. This new change leaves me anywhere from 5-10 minutes generally to eat my lunch. This is not close to enough time, as you must know. Also, the concept of going off-campus for lunch has severely weakened, because there is not nearly as much time as there used to be for students to go out to lunch. This time has been the time where we get to take a break from class, spend time with our friends, and for the lazier students, do some last-minute homework. The administration needs to give us more time for lunch, plain and simple.
Now that you realize the impact of these two very important changes, I hope that you can realize how this school is travelling in its security, along with student satisfaction.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Economy is Currently Not Bro
Well, our economy is not so bro right now. It hasn't been bro for awhile now. But hopefully soon, the economy will return to being bro again. In my honest opinion, we will be fine. Our economy has dropped before, and just as sure as the pink power ranger is bro, our economy will be fine. It may or may not seem like it, but the economy will regrow itself eventually.
As for the presidential election next year, the economy will most certainly be one of the big talking points in bro affairs such as different debates and such. One of the biggest controversies among economists and amongst politicians is definitely how to rectify this not-bro economic situation. Some politicians think that we need to raise taxes, revenue, and work to create jobs. Other polititians think we need to do only some of those things. Some even believe in lowering taxes! Who is right? This bro has no clue. See you all next week!
As for the presidential election next year, the economy will most certainly be one of the big talking points in bro affairs such as different debates and such. One of the biggest controversies among economists and amongst politicians is definitely how to rectify this not-bro economic situation. Some politicians think that we need to raise taxes, revenue, and work to create jobs. Other polititians think we need to do only some of those things. Some even believe in lowering taxes! Who is right? This bro has no clue. See you all next week!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
This is Just My Life
My name is Paul Hargrove, and I am loving life. I was born on November 16, 1994 in Griffen, GA. My dad's name is Bill, and my mom's name is Paula. I find it odd that my name is just one letter short of my mother's, but maybe they just wanted to name me after her. Who knows? I have two siblings. My sister's name is Ann, and she lives in Dallas-Fort Worth with her husband Darrell Graham. My brother's name is Bob and he lives in Belton, Texas with his wife, Laura.
I have several hobbies. My biggest hobby is probably drumline and Drum Corps International. Drum Corps International is kind of like professional marching band. Next summer, i hope to march with Forte Drum and Bugle Corps from Burleston, Texas. I will probably audition in November. Another hobby of mine is video games. I love to play them. All kinds from shooters to RPGs, all but sports games really. I also like everything to do with audio and video editing. Hopefully soon i will be purchasing a copy of Adobe CS5 and a green screen so i can begin making some short movies. I have a few best friends. My number one best friend is definitely my girlfriend Amanda Gonzales. We started dating on November 1, 2010 and have been together ever since! She's the best and I love her so much! One of my other best friends is Victor MartÃn. He is also in band with me and we've been friends since our freshman year in high school. One of my other best friends is Kayla Uribe. We met freshman year, and we've been really good friends ever since. My favorite food is definitely chicken fried steak, no matter how unhealthy it is, I could eat it for the rest of my life. Well, i hope you've enjoyed getting to know me, if you wish to know anything more, go ahead and ask!
I have several hobbies. My biggest hobby is probably drumline and Drum Corps International. Drum Corps International is kind of like professional marching band. Next summer, i hope to march with Forte Drum and Bugle Corps from Burleston, Texas. I will probably audition in November. Another hobby of mine is video games. I love to play them. All kinds from shooters to RPGs, all but sports games really. I also like everything to do with audio and video editing. Hopefully soon i will be purchasing a copy of Adobe CS5 and a green screen so i can begin making some short movies. I have a few best friends. My number one best friend is definitely my girlfriend Amanda Gonzales. We started dating on November 1, 2010 and have been together ever since! She's the best and I love her so much! One of my other best friends is Victor MartÃn. He is also in band with me and we've been friends since our freshman year in high school. One of my other best friends is Kayla Uribe. We met freshman year, and we've been really good friends ever since. My favorite food is definitely chicken fried steak, no matter how unhealthy it is, I could eat it for the rest of my life. Well, i hope you've enjoyed getting to know me, if you wish to know anything more, go ahead and ask!
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