MAP Tests

Since my last post about MAP testing, my feelings have changed just a bit. As I said, I liked MAPs but now, I hate them even more. Ok, here's my story: I had already finished the math and language exams, the last one I needed to finish was my reading test. Everybody hates the reading exam, just because you take at least 2 minutes to answer a question... So, we al started, and right about the end, all the computers crashed. Fortunately, just that program, the people who had already finished got lucky, those who didn't, like me, had to repeat the whole exam... AGAIN! Wait, there's still more, I was at number 38, out of 42. That had really pissed me off. That is why, I hate even MORE those wretched creators of MAP.

PowerPoint FAILURE

When I was in 6th grade, we had to present book talks. These are power-point presentations that support a book that you've read. Anyways, the presentations were going pretty well, until he came up. All I have to say, is that the book was too good to be ruined by his presentation. It had this image as a background and dark font. I couldn't see a thing, also, the way he presented it made me fall asleep. But I couldn't or else the teacher would mark points of my grade. I did not understand the story AT ALL. The characters seemed so boring. I just wanted someone else to go. I wonder how high or low his grade was for that assignment.

Rotoball Mania!

I loved this Rotoball video, especially the effects... they were amazing. Also, I simply could not imagine how much creativity was added to the film. There was one that took most of my attention. That one was Sebastian´s clip, it looked like a battlefield and that ball, transformed into various weapons. I found that really creative, strong, funny, but most of all, amazing. I can´t figure out how much patience it took to edit the video. Overall, I was truly amazed by this short film. :)


Link to the video is in this click---------> http://vimeo.com/10118234

30 Excuse Day!

Dear Boss,

I know that today I got a very important meeting with you and the most important people of the company. I'm sorry I have to say this, but I won't be able to go because one of my closest friend's father died. Also, this morning I was finishing taking a shower and my cat lunged to my feet as I was stepping out of it, I broke my wrist trying to hold on to something as I slipped... Anyways, I have to leave town for a few days and go to Las Vegas. And NO, I am NOT making this up.

I also couldn't finish the scaled building you gave me as a project. The reason was because all the stores were closed cause it was "The international day of not-opening-any-store". I know, it was really weird, I searched everywhere. Also, my son had this very important school play. Obviously, I HAD to attend to keep my reputation as a father high. And I also had to take care of my daughter, she is 4 months old, my wife left to Indiana to a congress, she arrived yesterday.

I sincerely apologize for this terrible inconvenience. I guess you'll have to present the project alone, If I were you, I'd get started on making the scaled building. I think you're completely capable on finishing it in under 2 hours. Good Luck. I gotta ask you one more questions... when's my paycheck going to arrive?

Sixth Sense

My reaction to this new technology was simply amazing. I can't believe that humans have been this developed on modern technology to help in life. I think that this will help alot because when we use desktops or laptops, we use alot of electricity and energy to power 'em up. But now, with the SixthSense, it will be easier to carry it around, save energy, and to save documents. I really enjoyed knowing that you can carry it around anywhere and interact with the human world at the same time.

What I feel that are the greatest things about technology are the iTouch and iPhone. Those things are simply amazing. Its like carrying a laptop in your pocket. Except that this, is miniature-sized and can store the same information as a normall PC. Also, there is only one button which is the back button. the rest, is a touch screen which is really sofisticated and can produce really good graphics.

I think Open Source means that anybody can get this software or machine anywhere, anytime for free. The good thing, is that anyone can get it free and that it will be available. The bad thing is that users could violate the terms of the author and modding or forcing people to buy the software to get it. This can be extremely bad becuase it isn't fair and nobody would do anything about it.

Christmas Break

My Holiday Break was exactly what I expected. Right after we got out of school, I stayed home and enjoyed playing CoD: Modern Warfare 2 which is a truly amazing game. Also, I went to Guadalajara starting the second week of vacation. There, I spent having fun with my younger cousin, and two older ones. We spent Christmas there and all I got was an Ibanez Gio GRX20, with a Joe Satriani strap, and a Peavey Rage 158 amp. I really rocked the heck out of them. I was learning Carlos Santana - Samba pa' ti, Bring Me the Horizon - Suicide Season, and The Spill Canvas - All Over You. They are great and easy to learn songs. Anyways, my young cousin got many gifts in which he liked alot. I played with him for quite a while with his "Avalanche", a type of go-cart that is self propeled. We all ate turkey and ham, I couldn't believe we didn't finish them, cause after all, we were 8 people. After a few days, we came back home and brought my two cousins, Brenda and Karen. I really enjoyed my gifts and spending time with family.

Time home was great and relaxing. The day after I came home, my friend J.P. invited me to his place to stay for a night. I did, my mom let me stay for the night instead of just for a while. When I was there, we went bike riding all over the neighborhood, ate at an Asian restaurant, and too the beach. I really like spending time with him, he's cool and funny. Also, we tried composing more songs and he taught me a complicated yet great piece he made while practicing. he has this dog, named Luka that has about 8 months and he's a really crazy and sometimes annoying. I tried taking him for a walk, at first, it was all great and peacefull. Then, he started running all of a sudden and I got really tired. Also, J.P. brought his bike so we started taking turns playing "S.K.A.T.E." and watching the dog. I had a great time with J.P.

New Year's Eve was really fun. All of my cousins from Guadalajara came. My aunt, uncle, and cousin slept in my room where as my other girl cousins, slept in my sisters room. We ate turkey, mushroom cream and other traditional foods. After that, we all took about 20 pictures besides the christmas tree. Also, when it was 1:15 a.m. we went downtown to see how everything was going. We stayed near a beach where we threw rocks for quite a while. Then, we came back to our house and played some videogames then, went to sleep.

FaceBook Security

I understand that Facebook wants to increase our security. Many weird people are gaining access to Facebook hacking and looking at our profile. Facebook security was created because of these purposes, to keep unknown people away from us. I think this is really good because it makes me feel safer. Also, it prevents bad people from entering our space. Third, who knows how many viruses are in the internet... but with this security, maybe they'd block them. I don't think that they'd be THAT successful. Although, they've kept up the good work on trying to prevent these hackers. Maybe, in a few years, they'll have the best security EVAR!!!1!!!!11! This will affect the way I use Facebook in many ways. I would do more stuff there, now that its all "secured".

Band: UnderΦath

Underoath's webpage is really great and creative. The background is an inmense image that has a great explanation of who they are. The page doesn't scroll, instead, you click where you want to go. For example, if you want to go to their album history, click the tab, then it magically send you to that part of the image background. They've got everything that I'd expect... and even more! They have News, Shows, Band Members, Music, Media, Photos, Journal, Links, Contact, eNews, and Merchandise. Also, its very colorful, is just cheers you up, in a certain way... ? Anyways, its got all the information you need to know this band.

T.V. Show: Fresh Prince of Bel Air

F.P.B.A is a fantastic website. The first page of the site is intruducing while playing it´s theme. Also, the tabs are funny and creative. If you move your mouse to a tab, it pops-up with a stylish new font. Second, its only one page instead of a complex one. Its easier because your computer could work better that way. Third, it is really helpful if you want to know about the show. Its got their bios, video clips to let you know how they act, and images.

Movie: YES! Man

Peer Evaluation

I graded Natalia's Blog

Points:

• Different Font Styles> 0
• Different Font Colors> 2
• Pictures> 3
• A Table> 3
• Two Anchors> 0
• Links to Websites> 2
  
• Background Image> 4
• Embedded Video> 4
• Saved Correctly> 1
• Overall Effort & Effect> 2
  

2+3+3+2+4+4+1+2= 21/30
.
Natalia... you could've done better. It was difficult reading the explanations, they were the same color as the background

MAP Testing

I used to love MAP Testing now, I don't. The reason's because they put non-sense questions. For example:

Martha has a green basket with cherries.

With the information given, how many cherries are in the basket?

A. 2

B. 56

C. 6

D. 94



So, OBVIOUSLY you had to choose one, and of course... you don't know wich one to choose so your score lowers. Now you get what Im saying? Besides in the reading MAP, the questions are soo long! Your eyes get dry and they itch, ALOT. In language testing, it talks about math, its just random! I never knew why they tested us with this. Why can't they just give as a test themselves, not these dumb computers.



Also, people cheat on these test. Im NOT going to state who, but they just go on guessing the answers and finishing first than others. Not only that, but the worst part is that they get a REALLY high score. But those who don't cheat, get an average or low score. Thats really not fair. Thats why we should do a written or someting similar test.