On Valentine's Day: The Bonus 2/14/14 Post.

So this is an alternative post to the one on on the main site, which you can read later.

Today is Friday, February 14, 2014: Valentine('s, s'?) Day. I'm not exactly sure what that is supposed to mean. Last year for me it was a show-your-girlfriend-you-care-despite-the-fact-you-see-her-nearly-every-day* thing, but even that felt a bit hollow (though I planned it at least for a week ahead of time). It seems like a lot of emphasis is put on proving things. Proving that you're right, that they're wrong, that you truly love XYZ, that you are loyal to such team or such person, it all seems like it all hinges in this innate distrust people have for one another.

That being said, I think that if you're going to show someone affection, just do it. Don't wait for some arbitrary date to tell someone how they feel (especially holidays, because then those holidays will become associated with said response), use holidays like Valentine's Day as an excuse to go over-the-top. Get him or her two flowers instead of one, I don't know. If you're looking for sound relationship advice from a single, high school junior/web designer, you are doomed.

Nevertheless, I think the holiday is brilliant for expression, a random bright spot in the middle of winter, and here's the best part: not necessary to participate in. But if you want to eat some chocolate, or send some hobo some flowers or whatever, by all means do it!

It has been my experience thus far that the human experience is an experience that requires interaction, and that people rely upon each other to keep moving forward and to stay sane. It seems counterproductive, but who ever said humans were logical?

For the Main Site Post, Click HERE!

*Yeah, so I never talked about this relationship. At all. Honestly, I don't feel it was necessary; she was quite private about the whole thing so I never acknowledged it here, my blog, my choice.

Side Note to the 2013 Review

To those asking me why I didn't try out for 2014's musical, the answer is twofold: 1) I want to focus on SATs/that Junior Year Stuff Everyone Talks about and Hates and 2) Well, here's my final realization posted shortly after we ended 9 to 5:

I am glad that I'm putting it in my past. I realized that I love performing, but I abhor dancing and and singing at the same time. The real reason I even tried out was to try my hand at acting, which apparently I CAN do, but I'm still keeping my sights set on radio. But why, you ask?
Well, the first answer is obvious - WYEP! The second is a realization I came to tonight. It was the annual Powder Puff football fundraiser for the Junior class. I ended up, you guessed it, announcing. I love doing it, and I can't pinpoint why. I mean, everyone has that inner want to say something over a loudspeaker, right? Well, I think so.

Now that has changed from radio to some form of something else, but nevertheless the point is this: It's not a pointed personal attack, it's not some sort of silent protest against something.

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It's a Beautiful Day - Don't Let It Get Away

So I'm going to go on a rant. Apparently people like that. Fair warning.

So as the title of this site may hint, I am scheduled to graduate high school in 2015. But apparently in order to do that I need a certain amount of credits earned by June of 2015 in order to do so. I'd hope that my school has been keeping track of this, and as a result can provide guidance as to what I should do as a course of action to that aim. 

I am still in talks about my schedule for next year. It's July 13th. 

I am not sure how complicated the process is, I understand that building a master schedule is extremely difficult (this per our superintendent) but what about for an individual. Two facts I want to make sure are there: Fact 1) I graduate in 2015. Fact 2) I don't need to go to summer school or something to make up credits. 

Should seem like reasonable requests, but I'm not certain of anything. Scheduling has changed hands twice since I entered the 7th grade, and thrice since my fourth grade year. I guess more than anything I'm just frustrated. I'm not that difficult of a case - I have scholars/honours level courses and want to maintain some arts program (which is in conflict with a separate choice, which I understand). 

Now there's a movement to fix the scheduling coming from the fine arts department, which I can respect, considering I am the announcer for the Marching band, am a two year member of the Guys Ensemble, four year member of the chorus, and my brother is in the band, But I think the issue isn't unique to the arts. I think it's a system wide issue, where I can't even get a straight answer as to how many credits I have earned IN THE SAME SCHOOL. 

Education is a unique industry in that people who have gone through it run it and the people in it have no control over it, and are at the mercy of people who were elected to make sure the industry works. 

No Child Left Behind was a good theory - let's try to standardize education so students everywhere get the same (ideally the best) education. But it was poorly executed. Instead of building a common set of curriculum or books or something, it was executed through testing. 

And now it appears to me that that's what it's boiled down to. I'm worried about getting enough credits to graduate with my class when I'm labeled "gifted" and the district is worried about attaining a certain AYP status through (in my honest opinion) bogus tests.  

So what am I proposing? Well, I'm not overly qualified to propose anything considering I'm still in the system. But I will anyway. 

I think that educators and legislators should get together and create a nation wide common core. This would leave things like scheduling and the sort to the individual districts, and the 'AYP' stuff is no longer a benchmark, but something that is used as a tool to better the education of all. 

The sad thing is, there isn't one "right" or "proven" way to protest, or to get the attention of the people in power. Sometimes standing up, other times sitting down and more often than not people need to be violent and loud to get the attention the issue deserves.

This is an issue that I think needs to be resolved, but what do I know? I'm just a junior in high school.

Re(imagiNATION) Announcement 2013: ART!

PITTSBURGH, PA – WYEP’s Youth Media Project, Re(imagine) Media is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the art division of its annual youth music and arts festival, Re(imagiNATION). The festival will be held on May 4.

This is a chance to be a part of a unique display of all mediums of art in a creative atmosphere. The art will be showcased at the music and arts festival, and will be judged by a panel of local art experts.

The artist must be from Southwestern Pennsylvania, and must be high school aged (14-18). All art must be original. Art can be in any medium. A photograph of the work or a digital copy of the work should be submitted in the application. Applications will be accepted until March 29.

For more information, and to get the application, visit WYEP’s website, wyep.org. Applications can be submitted online, or emailed to Matthew Spangler. For more information, please contact Matthew Spangler at matthew@wyep.org

Re(imagine) Media is a teen-led organization centered on media creation and advocacy. The program is designed to empower participants as the voice of today's youth. Participants hone leadership skills as they become spokespeople for issues that are important to them.

91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh, the first green station in the nation, is a nationally recognized Triple A public radio station and leading Pittsburgh arts organization. The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is a LEED- Silver Certified building and is located on the Pittsburgh’s South Side. 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh is an independent voice, inspiring our community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.

Re(imagiNATION) Announcement 2013: Music

PITTSBURGH, PA – WYEP’s Youth Media Project, Re(imagine) Media is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the music part of its annual youth music and arts festival, Re(imagiNATION). The festival will be held on May 4.

Whether a novice solo act or a band that’s been together for years, this is a great opportunity for exposure in the Pittsburgh music scene. The top five acts that are chosen from the audition videos will perform in front of a live audience and win a mentorship with a local artist. The winning act will also receive recording time in a professional recording studio and a customized press kit.

At least one member of the act must be from Southwestern Pennsylvania, and at least one member of the act must be high school aged (14-18). All songs performed must be original; meaning no covers. Acts can be of any genre, as long as that act contains some form of instrumentation. Applications are due by April 5^.

For more information, and to get the application, visit WYEP’s website, wyep.org. Applications can be submitted online, or emailed to Matthew Spangler. For more information, please contact Matthew Spangler at matthew@wyep.org

Re(imagine) Media is a teen-led organization centered on media creation and advocacy. The program is designed to empower participants as the voice of today's youth. Participants hone leadership skills as they become spokespeople for issues that are important to them.

91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh, the first green station in the nation, is a nationally recognized Triple A public radio station and leading Pittsburgh arts organization. The WYEP Community Broadcast Center is a LEED- Silver Certified building and is located on the Pittsburgh’s South Side. 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh is an independent voice, inspiring our community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.

The Christmas Letter

So, we sent out a full version of this to my friends and family as a Christmas Letter, so I decided to adapt it a twinge for here. Enjoy, or cringe:

Hello!

            So last year we sent out one of these Christmas Letters. Apparently someone read the letter, and enjoyed what was intended as torment. So, back by popular demand, here goes nothing:

This year was a challenge to see how full a schedule could be, and how much we could change.

Matt and I are still very much involved with scouting. We went to summer camp again this year, and it seemed like the same thing over again, only this time we knew a tad more of what we were doing. We started this tradition where our troop invites the staff into our site on Wednesday night at camp, and we have a bonfire, sing songs, and have this awesome scouting fellowship night. It’s a unique part of scouting that I’ve found very enjoyable.

We also took our first real “vacation” for seven days on the Delmarva Peninsula (which I maintain isn’t real) in Bethany Beach, Delaware. It was nice to get away from the nonsense of life for a week, take close to 1,000 pictures, and marvel at the ocean. It was my and Matt’s first time seeing the ocean, and it was something I won’t soon forget. We plan on going again eventually.

What little remained of the summer was spent in the form of weekends at my Grandma and Pappy’s camp. I made pizza mountain pies nonetheless, and Matt had his turn at taking a whack at the art form of golf cart driving. There’s nothing better than spending a Friday night around a campfire with your family and some new friends. Between the many runs to the store and golf cart parades, we’ve probably put a good hundred miles on that golf cart.

Summer gave way to fall, and Matt entered the 8^th grade, and I entered the 10^th.

Matt is involved with the marching and concert bands. He plays the saxophone like nobody’s business, and was even chosen to participate in an honors band. Matt marched in Pittsburgh’s Celebrate the Season Parade, and he is going to Disney this March on a seven day adventure with the marching band.

I have been involved with the high school chorus and Guys Ensemble. I’ve also delved into the world of announcing with the Carlynton Marching Band. I’m still involved with the WYEP project, and love every minute of it.

            My grandmother, Baba Popichak, celebrated her birthday in November. She had a good laugh at the rest of us when her team, the Pirates, started a winning streak this summer that ALMOST got them above .500. She still has a fantastic memory that is far better than the rest of ours, and she and I have talked aimlessly for hours over at her house.

            My father celebrated 15 years as a priest at Slickville along with our parish family. We had a breakfast in his honor, and earlier in the year we had the pleasure to welcome Bishop Daniel and a few seminarians out to our humble parish.

            As for my mother, she took a new job in Crafton working at a company called Chartwell. She said that it’s strange to have coworkers after working at home for 15 years, but she loves it all the same.

            Rotor the Killer Weiner Dog is easily confused. As of late, he’s continued his tradition of running around chasing an inflatable ball, and this year we’re quite convinced that he will knock over the Christmas tree one of these days.

So here’s to hoping we can make 2013 even busier, and better. That is, unless the world ends before you get this letter. I’m sorry if you don’t get it, but then again I won’t know if you didn’t. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

The Popichak Family

(Written by me, Alexander Popichak)

WYEP R(i) Press Release: WYEP’s Re(imagine) Media Is Now Accepting Applications

Tuesday, October 16, 2012
WYEP’s Re(imagine) Media Is Now Accepting Applications
A Teen-Led Advocacy and Leadership Program Centered on Media Creation

(Pittsburgh, PA) - Re(imagine) Media is currently accepting applications to join the
Re(Imagine) Media team.

Re(imagine) Media is a teen-led organization centered on media creation and advocacy.
The program is designed to empower participants as the voice of today's youth.
Participants hone leadership skills as they become spokespeople for issues that are
important to them.

This year Re(imagine) Media will work on a new project: Teen Spotlight. The idea is to
interview local teens about unique independent projects--be it a business, newspaper,
album, or anything--and shine a "spotlight" on their work.

Also, our students will plan and execute Re(imagiNATION) –our annual high school
band competition. Each spring, high schoolers are given the chance to enter the
Pittsburgh Metro Area-wide competition.

Find the Re(imagine) Media application under the Education tab, Re(imagine) Media at
wyep.org. Email your finished application to alexa@wyep.org.

91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh, the first green station in the nation, is a nationally recognized
Triple A public radio station and leading Pittsburgh arts organization. The WYEP
Community Broadcast Center is a LEED- Silver Certified building and is located on the
Pittsburgh’s South Side. 91.3fm WYEP Pittsburgh is an independent voice, inspiring our
community with diverse music and vibrant ideas.

Wuthering Heights: An Overview: Wuthering Heights Journal: Part Ten And One Half

So I recently finished the novel Wuthering Heights.

If I were to describe it in a few words, it would be summed up as a dark love-story in reverse. I can see how this was hailed as a classic because for its time, this love-story-in-reverse is a revolutionary idea.

I guess I should explain why it is a love story in reverse. It seems that the only time everyone was truly happy was in the beginning of Mrs. Dean's tale. As the novel progressed, all of the characters seemed to get angrier in countenance as their stories and injustices deepened.

This novel basically follows the life and times of the (extremely) evil Heathcliff, incited by Lockwood meeting him, and asking Mrs. Dean about him.

If I were to assign a generic theme to this novel it would be: Don't be a Heathcliff. However, I don't think that serves as a theme as much as it serves as just good advice. So, I guess in a broader sense, a theme could be that love can prevail only if both parties pursue it.

Another could be along the lines of that of Romeo and Juliet, where the inevitability of fate plays a rather huge role. It seems that every character is realistic in the sense of how they are their own person, and organically make decisions of their own accord without realizing how it affects one another.

Love plays a role in this novel in complicating itself. (I need to explain this...) Heathcliff loves Catherine I, and that's plain as day. However, because of his three-year absence, Catherine I moves on and marries Edgar Linton, writing Heathcliff off as escaped and possibly dead. He comes back, and is essentially told "you snooze, you lose" and he cannot find it inside of himself to move on. His life's mission is avenge this doomed love.

It appears that Heathcliff was doomed from the start with this love, after all, why couldn't he have just written her off as a sister, and loved her in that sense? It probably would have made him less a devil and less a tortured soul. (Remember that in this universe, it is apparently okay to marry your cousin?)

I have been looking at this novel through the eye of a high school sophomore in the United States in 2012. My guess is that some of the goings-on in this novel would make more sense to me if I were a fifteen or sixteen year old living in the late 18th century. Nevertheless, it stands out to me as a reverse love story which Mr. Lockwood played as a vessel, and not a pivotal piece (I am still a tad bummed about that part...).

I see love as an understanding between two people that there is something more between them. Love is this concept one cannot quantify in mere words, but rather through this mental understanding. There are ways of showing this love, but in the end the love itself is this understanding of one another. It seems that neither Heathcliff nor Catherine I ever understood that part.

Stuck in Reverse: Wuthering Heights Journal: Part Ten (the last one)

So Heathcliff was evil until the bitter end.

Mrs. Dean finally finishes her tale, and this is what we gather:

• Heathcliff takes her back to the Heights almost immediately after her father dies.
• During this visit, he voices to Ellen his plans of how he wants things to go: He plans to be buried with Catherine (opposite side of Edgar), and already worked it out with the undertaker
• Linton dies. (I didn't particularly like him anyway...)
• Lockwood decides to meet with Heathcliff again once more to discuss his rent

So Lockwood goes to Heathcliff and basically bids him adieu. I don't particularly blame the guy, considering the situation regarding his place of residence and, well, how insane Heathcliff truly is. He also has this fantasy of sweeping Catherine II off her feet and rescuing her from Heathcliff. Yeah, right.

Flashforward to the following September, when Lockwood finds himself near the Heights and the Grange. He decides to visit Mrs. Dean again. He visits the Grange, where they last spoke, and finds that the place (technically still his under rent) is A) Occupied by a family and B) shockingly devoid of Mrs. Dean. The housekeeper explains that she is up at the Heights, and plans on getting him some form of bed.

So he goes to the Heights and steals around back, and finds Ellen on the porch. She is delighted to see him, and proceeds to tell him the following:

• Heathcliff is dead (more on that in a little)
• Hareton and Catherine II are to get married
• The Circumstances by which Heathcliff dies.

Heathcliff (shortly after Lockwood left) started acting strange. Within a few months, he goes on a strange all-night walk, and comes back happy.

This is strange because Heathcliff is considered a DARK and depressed character.

This happiness extends through a hunger strike of sorts in conjunction with a sleeping strike. He talks to Ellen about death, and striking up a will.

He is noticed talking to people that are not there, and at long last, he decides to sleep.

The next morning Mrs. Dean notices the windows to Catherine I's room are open, and it was raining. She goes to open the panels of the door, and notices Heathcliff, dead. His eyes are open and there is a grin upon his pale face.

Joseph's quote is that "the devil took away his soul".

And so ends the tale of Heathcliff, and the novel ends with Lockwood visiting the three's graves.

My final thoughts will come in a separate posting below (or above...)

He Shan't Be Buried In The Chapel: Wuthering Heights Journal: Part Nine

A lot happened in a little bit of time, as we hurdle further towards the present.

So Linton and Catherine II get married. This is under the bizarre circumstance where Heathcliff essentially kidnaps and imprisons both Ellen and Catherine II.

The idea: if Catherine II wants to see her father again before he dies (he'll keep her there until he dies) she is to marry his son, successfully giving Heathcliff all of the property both Edgar Linton own(ed) and Hindley owned. It's a dark circumstance, indeed. However, Catherine marries the dying gentleman anyway and sees her father again.

Character Analysis: Linton Heathcliff: In a word: brat. Linton is sickly, and most people think he will kill over any minute. He uses this to his advantage, successfully getting sympathy from passersby. He has the temper and evil nature of his father.

I made the mistake of thinking that Heathcliff was just a bitter person. No, he is downright evil. He locks Ellen in a room for five nights and four days straight... giving her nothing but breakfast each morning. What's more? Rumour has spread throughout the town that she was swallowed up in a bog and the brute saved her and Catherine II from the brink of death. (okay, I'm done ranting now).

So Edgar dies peacefully after talking with his daughter. Ellen describes this as "blissful" and so dies probably my favourite character (other than Lockwood... because I don't think he is as full of hate as everyone else seems).

Catherine II is now technically Mrs. Linton Heathcliff, and the will couldn't be finalized before Mr. Linton passed. Which begs the question, who owns the Grange?

My guess is that, considering the present situation, Heathcliff weasels his way into owning the Grange.

I am anxious to see what Lockwood thinks of all of this. However, I feel I may not get the satisfaction of seeing that through. This blogpost covers through the end of 28, giving 5 chapters for Lockwood to react...

You Didn't Get To Heaven But You Made it Close: Wuthering Heights Journal: Part Eight

So, it appears that Catherine II is falling in love.

The catch to this is that she is falling in love with Linton. This poses some issues, as he is 1) Her cousin 2)Heathcliff's son and 3) He is dying.

So Ellen falls sick, and Edgar is already kind of sick. Edgar fell sick a few chapters back of a cold, but it appears that he isn't going to get better any time soon. Catherine II makes the most of this, and whilst they are sleeping, she steals out and meets up with her forbidden lover Linton. He is also becoming increasingly ill.

Ellen is back to normalcy within three weeks, and discovers that Catherine II had been stealing out of the Grange to go and meet with Linton. She betrays Catherine II's wishes, and Ellen meets with Edgar about all of this. But first, there is a portion worth noting here where Catherine II finally comes to terms with being the actual first cousin of Hareton. (Uhm, Hello, you want to marry your own cousin? There are a few issues here...)

Edgar proposes a vision to Ellen. He wish Catherine II marry someone that can console her when he passes. He sees the latter happening quite soon. He voices that he doesn't particularly mind that Linton is the son of Heathcliff, but rather he cares if the man he gives her up to is strong enough to provide and console his daughter.

This speaks volumes as to what point Edgar is at in his life. He sees that he had it all, without ever enjoying its entirety. He had a wife whom he adored, a daughter whom he adored as much, and so much more.

I have a feeling that this vision will come true to a certain degree. However, Mrs. Dean (Ellen) explains that these events happened within the past year. So we know for sure that Linton dies, for he is no longer at the Heights when Lockwood visits. Lockwood also voices to Ellen for the first time that he is considering courting Catherine II.

Lockwood is the first part of the end of Heathcliff's story, I gather. Lockwood is the realization of his vision of owning both the Heights and the Grange. It seems like an interesting twist or two as we snap back to currency are ahead...