money, money, money

Today, I will evaluate a money system commonly used in most countries (An interesting subject, you might say)

I don't like the idea of money exchanging hands, determining a person's status, and everything else. When I stopped to think about it, money pretty much controls everything. You know the saying, "money can't buy happiness". Oh, if only it were true. In some cases money can buy happiness. Just as a little example, that shows how early a greed for money can start:
A little girl walking down the street, her hand in her mother's (you know how cautious they are, and for good reason!). The sun is exessively bright, and everyone is uncomfortably hot. She turns to her mother a begs and whines for "just one ice cream cone." The mother gives in and buys the ice cream. The two walk off, happily. The mother enjoys the peace and quiet and the kid slurps at the ice cream.
Huh? So money can't buy happiness, riiiiiight.
Money is everything. And everyone seems to have accepted that because when was the last time anyone lived without this money system (well they aren't alive today!). I can't believe how much money controls us, it controls what we wear, what we eat, what we watch, who we are friends with, and overall self-esteem. Anything you talk about, you can relate it back to money! But now, especially, in this bottomless pit that the economy has become, we all worry more about money and, as I like to argue, less about things that matter. How many people lay homeless on the streets, how many people starve or go without proper medicine/health care, how many people are hanging on the edge trying to hold on to their job, etc. for their kids and family? No one knows, because there are too many to count. We all, lower class and middle class mostly, stare at the newspaper or news on the tv/internet waiting in fear for news that will ruin our lives, and for some that has already happened. But what can we do? We are all suffering, and I don't have an answer, I really wish I did, but I don't.

I got really interested in this topic just now because I thought about a book I read (typical me). In the book, there was this trust system, no money exchanged. People took what they needed from the stores, and the only reason there were people at the front counter was to make sure that they weren't running out of anything. Then, again the book was about an alien race. But wouldn't that be great? I mean if we, people in general, could be trusted not to take too much. In the end I realize that nothing can change what we are now, we are all corrupt in some way, we are all greedy and jealous sometimes. (I'm not trying to be mean, just truthful)

Anyway, my evaluation: I think that the money systems run throughout the world are fine. Do you have an alternative that would work for the general public? (I didn't think so) ;)

Chuck (TV Show on NBC)

10/10 STARS

I love this TV show, I watch it every single monday (even if I have homework that I should be doing).
Chuck is about this guy with an intersect in his mind, and if he sees something relating to various government stuff, he "flashes" and what to normal people seems...normal, is something else to him. For example, he flashed on this one guys face and he learned that he was a part of some crime against the US. Cool, huh? I know! Basically it's about his life, his spy girlfriend, his nerdy friends, and other stuff.
This show never gets boring, something cool always happens that gets your attention. So of course, I am addicted to it. I definitely suggest this show to anybody that has time on Mondays at 8pm.

The Amulet of Samarkand (oooh..9/10 stars!)

Book Review!!!!
(I can explain the multitude of exclamation points in three words: I love books! I read books as often as I can, just ask my friends!)

Rating: 9/10 STARS
Background info: The Amulet of Samarkand is about a boy and a djinni. The boy, Nathaniel but known by his magician name John Mandrake, is an extremely smart and competent apprentice even though his master doubts his abilities. Thanks to his master’s abundant library he has plenty of reading material to sustain his thirst for knowledge and thus becomes far more advanced than most at his level. The djinni, Bartimaeus, is extremely sarcastic and his personality really spices up the story. As a djinni, he can change into any form- be it human or animal, he can also see on multiple planes- humans can only see on one plane but all the other planes, perhaps a countless number of them, there are hidden entities or other magical artifacts and barriers. Like Bartimaeus, there are other essences from the “Other Place”, many lesser beings and many greater entities of such extraordinary power humans do not even try to harness it. Of course, how could I forget? Magicians get their power from these entities, without them they are normal humans. Magicians must summon the djinni and so forth from the Other Place through a ritual, then they order them to do whatever they wish. The entities cannot disobey or else they risk permanent confinement or they explode. Naturally this summoning and forced obedience induces a natural enmity between the two races.
Summary: Nathaniel summoned Bartimaeus, and ordered him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand. Throughout the book, there is an underlying plot, which has to do with the Resistance, who want to overthrough the magicians in charge of London. The Resistance has stolen many magical artifacts from the magicians, but no one knows who makes up the Resistance. Anyway back to the main plot, Simon Lovelace a very prominent magician, he discovers his amulet is missing and goes in search of it. Now you are wondering why Nathaniel stole the amulet, simple, he wanted revenge. I would say way more, and believe me I want to, but I think you should read it for yourself! It's a great book and I hope what I have written so far will convince you to open this book, because once you do you won't be able to put it down.

If you haven' t guessed by now...I loved this book. I really liked the characters, especially Bartimaeus. I mean who doesn't enjoy a sarcastic being from the "Other Place"? I mean really! The setting also enhanced the characters and assisted in developing the plot. This author is brilliant at imagery. I could picture every scene and every character. Oh, and there were definitely those moments when I was biting my nails and jumping in anticipation of an event, and moments when I laughed until I cried. To conclude this review, I suggest everyone reads this book, it is super good. After your done with this book you can move on to the next to books in the series, I haven't read them yet but don't wait for me!