Blogging

I have a number of different views about blogging. First off, I would like to say that it is usually fun. I like being able to express myself in a journal kind of format. I especially like sharing information about the outdoors. It comes natural to me and it's fairly easy to write about. It is also nice to be able to write about other topics that interest me. I don't always have to stick to the blog topic and that is good when I can't think of anything to write about. It is also cool to look back at early posts and see how I have progressed as a writer. There is one thing in particular that I do not like about blogging. My opinion is that we have to write too many posts per week. Three posts is a lot because I have a lot going on every week. For example, I have show choir practice, work, musical practice, and show choir competitions on the weekends. Add in some homework every night and I don't see a whole lot of extra time to write three blogs every week. Even if we just cut the amount of posts down by one it would help a lot. Two posts a week is much more reasonable, and would help the busy students out a great deal. I agree witht the word count restriction because if you didn't have one then peopel would just write a few sentences and call it good. It also makes it fair so some students don't end up doing more than others. Besides the number of posts, I think blogging is a great way for students to practice writing skills that will be useful in the future.

Show Choir Rankings

1-Wheaton Warrenville
220.00
2-Linn-Mar
212.00
3-Urbandale
208.00
3-Waubonsie Valley
208.00
5-Findlay
202.50
6-Cedar Rapids Kennedy
192.50
7-Fairfield (OH)
191.00
8-La Crosse Central
190.50
9-Franklin Central
190.00
10-Buffalo Grove

These are the top 10 show choirs in the nation. Happiness is lucky to be number 6! The rankings are done by a point system. Groups receive points for how good they do in competitions. The most points go to the grand champions of the competition, then 1st runner-up, then 2nd runner-up, then 3rd runner-up... and so on. There are also points for caption awards. Caption awards include things such as best cheorgraphy, best vocals, and best band. This is an accurate way to rank show choirs, in my opinion, because it is fair. Numbers don't lie and there are no biases toward groups. This is a great way to compare your schow choir to other ones around the nation. It just gives us more incentive to keep working hard and doing the best show that we can!

Iowa State Parks

Iowa's state parks are a thing of beauty. They provide campers with a number of different activities to do and sites to see. These wonderful creations need to be preserved. The state and DNR are working together to try and accomplish this. Beginning Feb 1, campers are allowed to reserve a spot in an Iowa State Park for the Camping Kick-off Weekend May 1, 2, and 3. During these days campers will receive a bonus package that includes a camping coupon good for one night of camping at an electrical site, a free issue of Iowa Outdoors magazine, recipes, camping tips and more in a reusable mesh trash bag (Iowa DNR). This is supposed to help promote being a green camper. Last year the State Parks Bureau spent around $750,000 on utilities of the parks, so this year they are providing information on how campers can reduce the amount of water and electricity used in the campsites (Kevin Szcodronski, chief of the State Parks Bureau for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.) "We will be encouraging the use of the reusable trash bags to collect trash around the campsite, recycle what we can, and put the rest where it goes, then keep the mesh bag for reuse," said Kevin. During the past few years, Iowa's camping numbers have been around 700,000 in the 53 state parks that offer camping (Iowa DNR). As you can see Iowa is full of great camping opportunities. The parks are located on focal points of the areas. Throughout the years Iowans have stayed close to home during rough economical times, and we can expect the next few years to be the same. This will increase the number of campers because it is a good way to relax without speding you whole wallet. I am hoping to get out to at least one of these great parks this year. They really are a place where anyone can go and have a good time. So let's keep them that way. If you do decide to take advantage of these parks just remember to keep them looking healthy and beautiful.