iPhone 5

I cannot put into words how excited I am for the new iPhone to come out! I have had the iPhone 3GS for 2 years and am ready for an upgrade. I put off getting the iPhone 4 (mainly because I didn't have the money at the time to buy it) and now am ready for a new phone. So ready, in fact, that a friend of mine and I are planning on camping outside of a local Apple store prior to the release!

This will be my first time ever camping out front of a store for a product, and I feel it is well worth it. I would have to say I've slowly become a Mac addict over the years. It all started with an iPod mini, and has now turned into an iMac, and iPhone, with desires for more products (just not the budget!).

I will be sure to post pics and information about my journey through obtaining my new iPhone 5, and might even post a video or something of the sort showing it off!

9/11, 10 years later

September 11, 2001, will forever be remembered by those who were alive to witness the events unfold. It'll be one of those moments where any two strangers can meet on the street and have a lengthy conversation discussing where they were that morning, what they had planned for the day, and what they were thinking as they watched the events occur.

Personally, I was only in 5th grade. 10 years old at the time I remember the day vividly, but thinking back on it, I wasn't exactly sure what was going on while everything was happening. I remember I was getting ready for school in the morning when my mom was sitting watching the news quietly. I remember seeing the photos and videos of planes crashing into the towers. The smoke, the terror, the unknown. When I got to school I remember everyone talking about what they'd seen on television. However, we were a bunch of elementary school kids and we couldn't exactly grasp the nature of the events.

After 10 years of looking back on that tragic day and remembering those who were lost, one can't help to think but how brave the men and women were who helped save as many lives as possible in our country's greatest time of need. The 9/11 memorial is on my list of things to see before I die. To honor those men and women who lost their lives.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and victim's families.

Alyssa Otremba R.I.P.

This past weekend brought shock and sorrow to many in the Las Vegas area. A young, innocent life was brutally and abruptly taken. Alyssa Otremba, 15, was a student at Arbor View, but unfortunately will not be back. Friday night she was attacked on her way home. According to police reports the killer, Javier Righetti, admitted to robbing, raping, killing, and burning the body of Alyssa.

I do not understand how someone could bring themselves to do such harm to another human. Righetti is a disgrace to human kind and doesn't deserve to live his own life. He took the life of an innocent young girl, and did unacceptable things to her body in the process. I can't imagine what Alyssa's last 24 hours must have been like, but one thing is certain, she didn't deserve any of it. How someone can bring themselves to commit such terrible acts against another human evades my mind.

Another thing, which is more frightening than anything, is how close to my own home this all happened. I drive down the road the was attacked on all the time. I have driven past the spot where her body was found dozens of times. To think this all happened so close to my home gives me chills.

As for Righetti, the justice system will surely put him in his place. Whether that be 6 feet under, or in a cell for the rest of his miserable, worthless life. That decision will be up to the DA and the jury hearing the case. I'm torn between him getting the death penalty and living the rest of his life in prison, but I lean towards the first choice. I don't want my tax dollars going towards keeping this piece of shit locked up for the rest of his years. However, I'm sure his time in the cell would be anything but pleasant. A scared little 19 year old kid who raped and killed a helpless 15 year old girl, in jail with hard criminals, certainly wouldn't play to Righetti's favor. I say give him the death penalty. He'll probably sit in jail a while waiting for his turn to come. During this time he'll surely get his share of punishment and pain. Maybe then he'll feel sorry about what he did to that young girl.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, loved ones, and close friends of Alyssa Otremba. I did not know her personally, but I did attend Arbor View. We all have to stick together in times of need, and right now her family needs us. Rest in peace Alyssa Otremba, you will never be forgotten.

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

After watching the first movie I couldn't wait to watch the second one. The first was so entertaining and well put together it held my full attention to the very end. Unfortunately, the second movie let me down. It seemed to drag on FOREVER and parts just felt irrelevant to the entire storyline. Part of this dragging on feeling may be attributed to the time which I watched the movie, 2 AM. But, had I watched the first movie the same night at the same time I'm 100% sure I would have been wide awake and fully engrossed. It looks like I'm going to have to go back and watch the first movie again to remember how good it was and try and repress the memory of having watched the second one.

Blogger for iOS FINALLY!

When I first started writing on Blogger I didn't own an iPhone, but it was not longer after that I bought one. One of the first apps I tried finding was an app for Blogger, but there was none to be found. Needless to say this led to me writing some posts from the web browser on the Blogger web-page. While this got the job done, it was a HUGE pain. Constantly having to move the page around and zoom in and out so I could read what I had written got old quick.

I was surprised it took Google so long to create a Blogger app, but I am sure glad they have. It will allow me to post so much faster!

The Boondock Saints

I recently watched The Boondock Saints for the first time and I have to say it was an awesome movie. I had heard a lot about it from friends, but never got the chance to watch it. Thanks to Netflix I was finally able to (although the second one isn't available through Instant Watch).

I enjoyed the movie from beginning to end. I found the idea of a couple guys taking the law into their own hands a rather appealing one. Everyone thinks the same thing when we see somebody go in a big trial or get released on bail, when they should be locked up behind bars. I'm sure more than a few people have had the very idea this movie portrays run through their head when watching these types of things on the nightly news.

2 thumbs up for sure! I'm going to have to search around now to find the second movie and watch it as well.

College Football!

The college football season has finally started and this can only mean one thing, my homework will suffer. After all, how am I supposed to concentrate on homework with these amazing games going on?

My school, UNLV, isn't known for it's football team. Their season opener came against number 10/11 ranked Wisconsin. The only thing we accomplished during the game was covering the spread (barely!). But, this doesn't deter me from watching other college games.

AUBURN vs. UTAH STATE
- Did anyone else see this game? I thought Utah State had it won for sure going into the final minutes of the 4th quarter, but they weren't able to close out the game. Auburn drove down the field to score a touchdown, bringing them within 3 points of Utah State. Then, they executed a perfect on-side kick and drove down the remainder of the field again to score and go up by 4 points.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store!

Vegas's Hottest New Star!

Sam V. If you haven't heard the name yet you are sure to in the not too distant future. This kid has talent. He's currently an unsigned artist doing all he can to get his name, and most importantly his music, out in the open. His passion for music shows through in his original lyrics and catchy hooks. With punchlines that rival some of today's biggest rap artists he's sure to make it big sooner than later.

Nobody I know works harder to achieve their dreams than this kid. Every time I talk with him he's in his studio either producing new beats, or throwing down some new lyrics. He's posted many songs already on the internet (which are free to download, links provided below) and has began gaining recognition. With some of his songs playing on the radio in various parts of the United States it's only a matter of time. Don't miss out on getting to hear a rising star, and being able to follow his successes from the beginning. I'm confident once you listen to some of his songs you'll be hooked and wanting to hear more.

Follow him on twitter: @_SamV

Like him on Facebook: Sam V

Check out his songs: http://www.reverbnation.com/samv

Vacation's Over

I had a wonderful 8 days with my family, camping in Chula Vista. San Diego has to be my favorite city and I leave knowing I'll return for many vacations and hopefully as a permanent resident in the not too distant future. The weather is amazing and I absolutely love the beach. But now I'm left with the bitter-sweet taste of vacation ending and going home. On one hand I do not want to leave this beautiful city. On the other hand I'd like to be home, sleep in my own bed, and get to see my friends. Until another time, goodbye, San Diego.

The Dark Tower

A friend of mine recently told me about a book series he was reading entitled The Dark Tower. After a brief conversation about the main ideas and characters I decided to give the series a try. Starting into the first book I was a bit confused and lost with the characters and setting, but upon reading further I was hooked. Now on the second of what I believe is a seven or eight book series, I can't set the book down. The many twists and turns add to the depth of the plot while keeping your mind thinking about everything that could happen. I may only be on the second book but I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading stories which make the mind stop and think.