Alana

People are caught up in the latest electronics By: Alana  I was in Breckenridge, Colorado at the restaurant Rasta Pasta. We just got our food served to us. When these girls walked in, they were talking on their cellphones and they kept talking on their cellphones non-stop. By the time we left they were still on their cellphones. This made me realize that people just don't communicate like they used to. People text instead of talk. I was at Oodles Of Noodles, I was eating the mac and cheese, when these girls walked in and ordered. But right after they ordered they got out their cellphones and were just texting nonstop, they didn't even say a word. People have a difficult time getting off their cellphones or computers. I talked to my friend Theresa, she said that her sister texts all the time and doesn't really talk face to face with her friends. Theresa thinks that talking face to face is better than texting. My friend and I were talking about how she just got her first cellphone, and how she had unlimited text. I went upstairs to get a drink. When I came back downstairs, she was texting. I told her to stop but she wouldn't. She wouldn't even talk to me. She wouldn't even stop until ten minutes later. People talk on their cellphones instead of face to face. My mom was at a doctors office, she was waiting to see the doctor. But then this woman came in, and she was talking on her cellphone(it was on speaker). The doctor came in and told the woman that she needs to get off the phone, and get checked but she wouldn't get off the phone. So the doctor had to take the phone from her and disconnect. People have a difficult time getting off their cellphones or computers. I talked to my friend Theresa, she said that her sister texts all the time and doesn't really talk face to face with her friends. Theresa thinks that talking face to face is better than texting.

People e-mail instead of sending letters. My grandma always sends letters, I feel good when she does, but no one else sends letters. I always get e-mails. But if I were to send a letter to each and everyone of my friends that would take a long time. So people e-mail instead.

My friend e-mails me so much all the e-mails I get are pretty much from her. I sent her a letter about my birthday coming up. She e-mailed me back and said why didn't you e-mail me? People are getting so caught up in the latest electronics they think about what the latest electronics are and they get caught up in it and don't think about what they used to do. People usually text because they have unlimited text, people usually e-mail because stamps are getting really expensive and people talk on their cellphones because they probably still need to pay for their phone bill. People just don't communicate like they used to.

**DOUG CLARKSON** While were stuck here in Annandale, Virginia dad gets to go to the Beatles concert In Salt Lake City, Utah he gets to take the plane and guess what kind of plane it is the type of plane that has a swimming pool! I kept asking him if I could go with him but he said that he has only 1 ticket for the plane and the concert. My dad started packing, because his plane leaves at 10:00pm and it's already 9:30. Once it was time to leave all of us said goodbye and gave him kisses. We were all pretty sad because usually the Beatles concert is here in Virginia but now it is in Utah. Two hours later dad called and said he was fine and it is so nice in Utah we were all very jealous because here it is freezing and all we have been wanting is sunlight and warmth. Dad said that it was time to go because his concert is starting and he wants to get a good seat. So we all said goodbye and goodnight. I should probably start telling you about myself because all I've been doing is talking about my dad leaving for a Beatles concert. Okay here I go. My name is Doug Clarkson I live here in Annandale, Virginia, I love soccer I'm short and have blue eyes and blond hair I love sushi and pizza my dislikes are raisins, candy corn and being sick. I have one sister named Isabelle a dad named Tom and a mom named Angela. I like drawing but I'm not very good at it though. Well enough about me on with my life! The bright sun woke me up also because it is Saturday and I want to watch cartoons. My mom came just as I was getting out of bed. I could tell something was wrong because she had her gloomy face on and didn't say anything. I asked what was wrong but she just went over to my dresser and started packing my stuff. I asked again what was wrong and asked where dad was so I could say good morning. My mom says “that’s why I'm sad because your dad died in plane crash after the concert. Right after my mom said that I started bawling my lungs out. I just couldn't stop crying. My mom started patting me on the back when my sister Isabelle walks in and already was crying she knew before me because she is in high school and knows everything before me because she is older. Isabelle said that she should of not let dad go to the concert because everything would have been fine if he didn't go to the concert. But my mom said that we can't change history and that dad will always be gone. After mom said that I started bawling again except this time I was louder so mom and Isabelle started covering their ears. My mom said that it was going to be okay but I knew it wasn't going to be because now we have to move to Oregon and go to a new school and that I would have to make new friends. So we started packing and getting ready to go because are plane leaves in a few hours so we got ready as soon as we could so we could say goodbye to all our friends and so we can catch the plane. When we got to the airport I was so sad that I started crying in front of the flight attendant she started asking me what was and asked if she could get me anything. I don't know why but I was mean and said that all she had to get me to get me in a good mood was that she had to make my dad come to life. She thought I was actually being literal so she said she would have to be a miracle worker to do that. After she said that all I did was sigh and get on to the plane so I could find my mom. When I got off the plane I stepped out and I could feel the warmth of the sun even when I was inside! I was still getting over the fact that my dad died and I have to start a new school and everything but then I just took I big breath and then exhaled, much better. I moved over so everyone could walk by me and then I caught up with my mom and sister and then we went over to a restaurant to get some food because we were starving and haven't eaten for 3 hours. After we got our food and then we went over to a table. Right when we were about to eat this kid walks up to us and asks if we live here so we said no and that we were going to live here now. So the kid asks my sister and me what grade we were in I said 10 grade and my sister said that she was a senior. The goes straight over to me and asks what school I was going to go to and I said Ridge View High school he was in awe and said that he went there to and that maybe we could be friends. This was my first opportunity to get a friend so I wasn't going to let this pass! Before he could say anything else I said yes off the bat. My mom said that was great because I just made a friend who was from school and I wasn't even in school yet! It was time to go get are luggage so we all got up and started heading that way. The whole time we were walking Bob and I were talking away by the time we got there Bob and I knew everything about each other. When we all got home Bob and I started talking about school and telling me all about the mean teachers and how to avoid them. But before we could start talking about sports my mom said that Bob had to leave because we needed to unpack and get organized. So when Bob left I started unpacking and tried to find cool stuff throughout the house. I was so glad that I already made a new friend especially since this is my first day in Oregon! When I was done unpacking I went to get new sheets, got my pj's on and went to sleep. When I woke up I was so excited for school today that I got my clothes on as fast as I ever have. When I got down stairs I looked to see what we had for breakfast. There was a ton of cereal so I got a bowl and spoon sat down and had a bowl of Rice Krispies. When my sister got down stairs she was still in her pajamas and her hair was still messed up. I said that we still have to go to school today so she needs to get dressed and ready for the day. She said okay and she went up stairs to get dressed. I finished eating my cereal and started walking to school. When I was a block away from school Bob came up to me and started walking next to me. We started talking about who the bullies were and how to avoid them. When we got to school I asked Bob where the classes were so I don't get lost. By the time we got to the class rooms everyone was already there and settled I to go find a seat near the window because the class room was cold and outside it was really warm. I was walking to my next class with Tom and I was just about to bet Tom about soccer, when these kids walked up to us and started calling us names and shoving us I was getting so angry that I wanted to punch them so hard that they would break something but before I had the chance a teacher walked up to us and asked what the commotion was all about. So I started telling him what happened and right after I did the teacher started holding are shirts and took us to the principal’s office. When we got in the principal asked us what happened and why the bully was doing that. The bully lied and said that I punched him so he started punching me and calling me names. I said that was not true and that the bully was lying. So the principal said that the bully could go and that she wants to talk to me alone. So the bully, which I now know is named Frank went out of the office and started walking to the next class. So the principal started talking to me saying that she knew that Frank started the fight and you were just protecting yourself. But then I asked how she knew that Frank started the fight and she told me that he is always coming to the principal’s office and always looking for fresh meat. So the principal told me that it was okay and that I could go to class and forget about it, so I said I would and that I will just stay away from Frank and if he starts picking on me, ignore him and that I will walk straight to your office and say what happened. After that I said goodbye and that I will see you later. I just got up to go throw my lunch away when Mr. Howard's (my science teacher) class monkey came out of his room and started eating everyone’s food apparently Mr. Howard accidentally forgot to lock the monkeys cage. I ran outside just about to barf because the monkey started to spit food out and it started jumping on people’s heads. After I started to feel better I went over to the soccer field. The kids just started to pick teams so I ran over there and said that I was going to play. The kids started picking teams I got called last because I'm new and no one knows how I play, and was on Franks team. Me and some other guys were called to be in first. The first shot one of the other guys shot and got it stolen away from the other team and instead they got the goal. Now there are only 10 seconds left in the game. Bret has the ball he gets covered he passes it to me! I start dribbling the ball storming passed everyone my heart starts beating super fast my adrenaline starts pumping. GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Everyone starts cheering my name my team picks me up and starts chanting my name Doug Doug Doug!!! After the soccer game everyone was still pumped up about that goal I made everyone was patting me on my back giving my high fives and buying me stuff. I started to realize that I could live like this and not get bullied if I started to play my best and start winning every game. So the next recess I went over to the soccer field I was a little late because they already started to play but right when they saw me, the team captains started fighting whose team I would be on. I started yelling, “Stop the commotion! I'll flip a coin to see whose team I will be on!” So the left team called tails so that means that the right team will be heads. The coin landed on heads that means I will be on the right team. When the game started again they would only pass to me. It was a miracle I started scoring goals like a maniac by the end of the game it was 18-0 and I scored all the goals! When I got back inside everyone was cheering and calling my name. People started buying me food, T-shirts and even some kids were coming up to me asking if they can have my autograph. I felt like I was famous or something. When I got home from school I asked my mom if I could buy a new soccer ball she said that was fine but that I have to buy it myself. So I went to the mall and went and got a really cool professional size soccer ball. When I was driving home I told myself that I should not be a ball hog but still be the best I could be. I got home and showed my mom the ball she said that it looked nice and told me to go outside and play so I won't bug her. So I went over to the pine tree next to our house. I figured out that it was pretty hard to climb but I would still try. I started climbing I thought it was going to be hard but it was surprisingly easy! In 5 minutes I was already at the top of the tree getting comfortable when my sister called and said she was on her way and she got me a present! Right after she called I bolted down the tree telling myself that I would go back up later. By the time I got back down the tree in my house and done with my homework my sister was at home and settled. My sister wanted to tease me but I said I needed to go outside and do something. My sister asked what and so I told her that was climbing the pine tree outside and that I was timing myself. 5 weeks later

I am so excited; I get to go to my first tree climbing tournament! But I've been pretty bored because it is a four hour drive, my iPod just died and I can't go to sleep. My mom says it will be worth the drive because when I get home I will be caring a giant trophy! But I said I probably won't win because it is my first time, but my mom thinks that what I've been saying is nonsense. So a few hours later we get to the park where the tournament is and I got out of the car like there was a serial killer in there and it was trying to hurt me. My mom says don't rush because it doesn't start for another hour, but I didn't care I just wanted to practice because I wanted to get a head start. I told my mom that I would meet her back in the car in 30 minutes because I wanted to practice and get a head start. So my mom said okay and gave me a few dollars so if the ice cream truck came by I could get something as a present for sticking in when my dad died. So I started walking over to the trees and I looked at the tree I choose to see how tall it was and the width. I got my watch ready and I bolted straight up the tree when I got down I guess someone was walking me because they were staring at me in awe. I asked what he was staring at and he said that he was watching me and he said he was in the competition and that he has never ever seen a person go that high before and that fast. But I said that was probably the worst timing I've gotten for a long time. But before I could say ice cream he said his name which was Bill and then he asked if he wanted to be friends I said sure because I wouldn't let an opportunity like that just slip out of my hands. So I said yes and introduced myself. It turns out that he live in an apartment up in Washington D.C and so he told me that my guard kind of got knocked down because I wasn't allowed to go out of state unless my mom comes with me and I don't want my mom to be bugging us while were hanging out. So after about 10 minutes I told Bill that I will see him at the tournament and that all go easy on him when he and I are competing. We said goodbye and we headed separate directions and I had to go straight to the competition because it is starting in 3 minutes so I started running over there so I could still be in the tournament. Good thing I ran because right when I got there it was about to start. The person who was running the tournament told me to get ready because I was going to be up first against the undefeated champ I thought it was going to be very easy because Bill said that he has never seen any climbing like before and he has been climbing for 5 years so I was going to trust Bill and not be scared. So after about ten minutes the guy came back into the room and he said that he was ready for me to go up there. So I got my stuff on and went out there smiled and put my game face on. The guy that I was going against didn't look like he has been climbing for a long time. But I beg to differ right when the shot clock when off he bolted up the tree I was going faster and my time was better but he was always right on my tail. When I got everyone was in awe I was kind of confused because the clock said that it was the highest record nobody has ever broken not even the best people in the world when I turned back to the crowd they burst out in clapping I was so happy that I started bragging to my competition. The person who was running the tournament said to stop because I was hurting his feelings so I finished saying it out loud but I was still saying it in my head. After everything was over I had to wait a few hours because they were still finalizing the scores so instead of being bored like I used to be I talked to Bill about sports, movies, books and are favorite things to do. Bill had some really cool things to say like how much a shark weighs, how his great great great great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and how he killed so many redcoats he got an award and 50,000 dollars. “Ladies and gentleman I would like to present the winners of the tree climbing tournament!” “For 3rd place the award goes to Bill Hayes!” I screamed out loud, “The 2nd place award goes to Jessie Johnson!”(My competition.) “And 1st place goes to Doug Clarkson!” I started screaming so loud people started looking at me weird, but I was just so happy because it's my first tournament and I beat Jessie Johnson and he's the undefeated champ! I decided that I would write a letter to the Olympic people about the tree climbing Olympic sport. So right now I'm sitting in my room on the computer typing a letter asking the people who are running the Olympics asking if there can be an Olympic sport which is tree climbing. But right now I am drinking lemonade thinking of what I could write. But right before I could type something on the computer Isabelle comes into my room and asks what I'm and if it is important because she needed to get on to the computer. I told that it was important and I needed some space to think but all she did was twitch. I told her to go away but she wouldn't budge, I screamed at her and I think that did the trick because after I screamed she stomped out of the room screaming to mom saying that she needed to get on the computer. My mom came up stairs and asked what was going on and I said that I needed space because I was typing something important. My mom said all right and said you can work but you only have an hour because Isabelle needs to do her homework. So when my mom left I went right into typing I knew exactly what to right because Isabelle gave me an awesome idea what idea she gave me I didn't notice till later but then I found out. This is what my idea was so you know that when you want to be in the Olympics you have to train your whole life well I made a new thing you can do well so what you could do is that you could still train for a while but then you can do other things to build up strength in other parts of your body. I told my mom and she thought it was a great idea. So I went back to writing my letter. When I was finished I wasn't totally satisfied but then I went to my mom to see if she thought it was a good letter. I started walking down stairs when I was on the 3rd to last step I heard a creaking noise I went back up to that step and I fell right through it to a very hard place I started crawling around for I light or something then I remembered that I had a flashlight in my back pocket. So I got my flashlight and turned it on. I started staring if you saw what I saw that day you would be in awe. Everything around me was gold even the little chair that was sitting in the corner. I screamed my mom came screaming back to me where I was I screamed back saying that I'm okay and go to the stairs she followed my instructions. Found sitting in that little chair I told her the story and told her to come down her with buckets so a few minutes later she came back with the stuff so she came down the ladder and when she saw what I saw she did the exact same thing. We started shoveling gold into are buckets climbing up the ladder singing the exact song that the dwarves from snow white sang when they found the diamonds. When my sister came home from the library she started calling for us we started yelling at her but she kept asking where we were so finally we came out of the gold pit and found her walking around the living room. We told her all about it. But for some reason she didn't believe it so we dragged her to the pit and showed her. By then we put flood lights up so we could see well. When we showed Isabelle she did exactly what mom and I did. But right when I was about to show Isabelle around my mom said that we have to go to bed. I started complaining but then my mom just said that we had a long day so we should get some rest so we are able to go to town tomorrow and see how much money we get from the gold. When I was all done changing and I brushed my teeth and everything I climbed into bed thinking of what I could buy with all that money. But right before I started thinking about the kind of plane I could buy I fell asleep. When I woke up my sister was yelling at my mom because she said that when we got the money she wanted half of it because she deserves it. I ignored her and started getting dressed and ready for the day. When I came downstairs my sister gave me the glare that means she is going to kill me. I asked what she is mad about because I didn't do a thing. “You little brat” my sister said “ Your making me only get a third of the money and you get half just because you found the gold.” I was kind of confused because first of all because if I didn't find the gold she wouldn't get money at all. My mom apparently told Isabelle to stop because now Isabelle was in a very grumpy mood. But I didn't care I was just happy that I'm getting money. So after breakfast we decided that we would drive to town because we have so much gold. Brrrrrrrrr when we backed out of the driveway the car rumbled because it hasn't been used in a long time because we used to walking to work, walking to school and walking to town. But I wasn't mad about that I was very happy because then I get my exercise all year round. A few minutes later we arrived at the jewelry store and we unloaded the car. By the time we got to the door we were sweating. When we walked in the clerk was in awe but I didn't care. So before I could say that the clerk needs to get on with his work and that he needs to inspect the gold my mom asked if this was a good time and if we should bring in all the gold. The clerk said that this was a good time and asked how much gold we have. My mom answered and asked the clerk if it was alright if we paid him later on he said that was fine as long if he gets some of the gold. I answered because it was actually my gold and said that was fine. So the clerk didn't say any more but just got right into his work. We went to go sit down because we knew it was going to take a long time because do have a huge amount of gold and even inspecting a speck of gold is hard to see what it is worth. I don't know how many hours it took to find out the price of the gold because I fell asleep. When I woke up I was at my house on the couch my mom must have carried me to the car and then put me on the couch after we got home. When I got all settled waking up I went to my mom and asked how much money we got for the gold. “40 billion dollars!” said my mom, I screamed so loud I think my mom's ear drum broke because then her hand started clinging to her ear. But I was so happy that I couldn't even see if my mom was okay. So for about a minute or so I was in joy but then I realized instead of standing hear jumping I could be at the mall getting knew cleats for soccer. So I went over to my mom and asked if I could take the car to go to the mall. My mom said it was okay and to be careful but I didn't get to hear the rest because I was out the door in no time. When I got back from the mall my mom was in the shower so I went to go upstairs so I could finish my letter because I didn't get to finish it yesterday because I found the gold and all. Clack clack clack clack. I started going upstairs so I could get to the computer to type. So when I got there I had so many good ideas that it took me another hour just to finish the paragraph I needed. By the time I was finished I was so tired that I just fell asleep on to the computer. When I woke up my sister was already at the mall getting a new outfit for everyday of the year. But I have made a smart choice, I'm not going to spend my money, I'm saving it for college because I really want to go to Colorado University in Colorado because it has a beautiful campus and just a school I would want to go to. But back to the point I just going to save my money for stuff I need. I started walking to the office so I could send my letter and see if there really could be an Olympic sport of tree climbing. So I went upstairs and got to the computer as fast as I could so I could send it. So when I got there I logged on as fast as I could and sent it so fast that I almost sent it to the wrong people! When I was finished I went downstairs to get some breakfast so I could get more energy for my tree climbing because I going to start practicing more and more because if they do make it an Olympic sport I really want to win. Five Hours Later I went upstairs to go check if they sent a letter back to me yet and they did! I jumped for joy. I Right away clicked on the message and before I could even stop myself I screamed. They said yes they would do that for an Olympic sport and so I clicked out ran downstairs to go tell my mom and sister. When I told them they were so proud of me that Isabelle gave me a huge hug (It was really weird.) They told me that I should start going to a tournament every week so I would get better and better so I can actually win the Olympic sport. 5 years later I was walking through the dark alley my heart pumping the blood walking through my head and I get to the end, this is my last chance to retreat but I won't I have been training for 5 years and now is definitely not the time to retreat. I walk into the tree room it was so loud in there my head started throbbing but I didn't care I just wanted this to be over with. But before I could see the competitors, a person came up to me and said that I was up next. My body got tense I have never felt this way in my life, but before I could take deep breaths this guy came over to me and started dragging me over to the tree I was supposed to climb. It looked pretty easy but the problem was that I had to climb it in the fastest time. So here I go I started climbing up the tree but it wasn't hard it all I got back down in 10.3 seconds which was the fastest time in the world ( I beat the world record!) I waited until it was time to go then I went to the award ceremony to see what place I got in when all a sudden the announcer said I got in 1 place. I didn't get to see the rest because I fainted but when I did wake up everyone was crowding me and asking if I was alright. I said I was fine and asked if I could go back home and celebrate with my family. Everyone said that was fine except for the reporters because they really wanted to ask me questions. When I got back to my house all my grandparents, parents, siblings and friends jumped out at me and yelled at me for doing such a good job. I started crying I was so happy. I had the best day of my life right here right now. And whenever I am sad I just have to remember this day and to remember the friends I had who guided me through to get here and win!