Michael Jackson

Last thursday I recieved the breaking news stating that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was death after suffering from cardiac arrest. To me, a huge fan, it was really hard to realize that a great idol of mine no longer excisted. A great singer, composer, dancer and producer - in other words a complete entertainter - is no longer with us.

Jackson was, as mentioned, without doubt one of the greatest artists of all time. Beginning his career as a five year-old, his musical repertoar spands over five decades, including 56 awarded songs, 13 number-one-hits and more than 750 million albums sold. His first studio-album "Thriller", provided the world with more than 7 number- one-hits, and is the world's most selling record being sold in more than 109 million copies.

Jackson's excentric personality has made him a target for the tabloids his entire life, causing him to have no private life. This situation finally made Jackson withdraw from his career, his last tour was the "HIStory Tour" which ended in 1997. He released the album "Invincible" in 2001, but was not an immediate success.

However, Jackson was scheduled to make the ultimate comeback with his tour "THIS IS IT", a series of 50 concerts which were intened to be held in 02 arena, London, premiering this summer on July 13th. I was lucky enough to get tickets to this event, and now it really hurts knowing that with the death of Michael, the world has not only lost an artist of outstanding character, but I will never have my dream of watching him perform live achieved. A dream which for many years seemed impossible to achieve suddenly became a goal possible to reach when I got the tickets. It was almost to good to be true.

And as it turned out, it was...

I'm back

Hi! This blog was originally made because blogs were an important part of our curriculum at school last year. Now, that the school is over, it is no longer mandatory to update this journal. I've chosen to do it anyway. My plans for this blog in the future is to update it with important news (like I've done the whole time), scientific articles about something that captivates my interrest (also like I've done this entire year) AND non-important, trivial posts that may not have any serious aspects by it at all (New from this day on). My posts will provide text with a combination of seriousness and objectivity, but also my thoughts and mood of the day as well as personal meanings and emotions.This blog hasn't been updated since the end of term, but now I'm starting up again.

Oh, it sure was a nice feeling writing on this blog again.

... just hope there are some people out there who wants to follow it?

Important aspects of the American political system

The following paragraphs will explain different aspects concering the American political system. Let's start with federalism:

FEDERALISM is a keyword in modern, western politics and is basically a political philosophy. Normally the term describes a system in the government in which sovereignty is divided constitutionally between a central authority and other political units like states (or provinves). The system contribute to a democratic way of leading. In our case, the United States is most important, and federalism in the United States is the evolving relationship between state governments and the federal government of the United States. Watch Fred Thompson talk about the imortance of federalism:




THE CONGRESS is the bicameral (bicameral: several houses) legisalature of the federal government of the United States (wikipedia). As said, the congess consists of two houses: the senate and the house of representatives. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election.


THE SEPARATION OF POWERS
The French philosopher Charles de Secondat Montesquieu and his declaration "De l’esprit des loix" from 1748, is widely acknowledged as the philosophical and idealistic foundation of the principle of the separation of powers.
Montesquieu disliked the fact that the legislative power often acted as the executive one as well, and he worked hard to prevent this; for one thing he wrote an assertion stating: “When the legislative power is united with the executive authority in one and the same person (or in the same higher organ of a state), no freedom can be found because there will be tyrannical leaders who create laws only to execute them in a tyrannical way”.
His views and visions were a reaction to France’s more noble community’s massive waste of money and state resources. Montesquieu himself was exceedingly critical to the way that the king and his associates – richer persons like businessmen and the aristocracy– had governed the French state. His declaration and public disparagement of the state were both the forerunner and the actual triggering factor to the French revolution.
He introduced the world to a new way of dividing powers in a state, and I intend to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages (if there are any), of the principle of separation of powers.

WHAT THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVES
Here’s the deal: there are three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The executive branch is the governor. The executive’s job is to carry out the laws and make sure they are obeyed. Branch two: the legislative. Think legislature! Their job is simply explained: they are making laws. Thirdly, the judicial branch, made up of courts and judges. Their job is to make sure that the laws are fair.
So, what it is that makes this system special and has done it ever since 1789, is the fact that the US government actually works because these branches balance each other out. If one division goes too far, the others can simply pull it back. Let me exemplify it this way: each branch is responsible and conscientious for the things the other branches are not. Not only responsible, but so in charge that none of the other branches can do the other thing. For example; the executive branch can not make a law, the legislative branch can not decide whether a law is reasonable for everybody or not, and the judicial branch can not carry out a law.
There are some real benefits for you and me with this sort of deal. Think about it: if every branch could do the job of every other branch, then one could possibly take over. In other words, in a scenario like that, you would only need one branch, which means no more democracy. And no democracy is no good.
So, the next time somebody says that one branch or another should step in and set another branch aright, like telling the court how to do justice, think about what’s at stake; the answer to that is basically everything.

ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES AT ALL?
I have discussed the principle of separation of powers with lots of different people lately, and when it comes to whether there are any disadvantages connected to this system or not, the opinions seem to differ. There are no known disadvantages of this system, but after several discussions I have decided to mention two aspects that may appear and be looked upon as if they were disadvantages.
1. Costly
Running and administrating the three branches of the state is often considered to be far more expensive and resource-demanding than maintaining one single government like in a unitary state.

2. Time-consuming
The branches are independent of one another, but sometimes new laws, requests and initiatives have to be negotiated through lengthy consultations between the three branches. Bureaucracy equals to slow processes.

The principle of separation of powers, which is the foundation of both the Norwegian and American state and constitution, is doubtlessly a system with more advantages than disadvantages. The system confines corruption and prevents any abuse of authority. The principle ensures that the execution of power is dispersed on three independent authorities.
One of the most popular benefits with this system is the fact that some of the power belongs to the people itself. They elect senators for the senate, and representatives for The House Of Representatives.



SOURCES:
(1): Wikipedia Norge - http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maktfordelingsprinsippet
(2): Wikipedia US - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers
(3): Den norske domstol – http://www.domstol.no/DAtemplates/Article____3060.aspx?epslanguage=NO
(4) http://www.chateaulabrede.com/img/gallerie/esprit_des_lois.jpg (bilde 1)
(5) US election – www.uselection.com (bilde 2)

To first year students

Dear First Year Student!

I hope you are satisfied with your choice of High School, nevertheless can I promise you a great time here at Sandvika. You are probably a bit anxious about beginning on a new school, but do not worry, the next three years will almost certainly be the best three years of your life.

As you soon will experience you have no limitations when it comes to using the internet. You are free to visit Facebook, MSN and so on if you want to, but my advice to you is to pay attention during classes as well as using your pc to take notes. I guarantee that this simple, but still effective method will save you for lots of work later and improve your grades =)

These years will change your life and you'll discover who you really are=)

Enjoy your time at Sandvika!

K.

Presentation Day - again!

Today I'm going "On Air" again! I am presenting a project I have been working on for a while, it's about the use of critcism in English Literature. Kind of interesting to see if there are any differences from how criticism was uttered some centuries ago compared to today. My slides are simple and the only reason I'm using them is to illuminate some points.

Today's presentation

A very simple presentation. Just needed to illuminate some important points and show a few pictures.

Sizzlers

Sizzlers: Although I created this blog to write about news in our world and the society, I need to express my joy over the new Les Mills programs. This post is for those of you who haven't participated in a BodyPump 70- or BodyAttack 65-class yet. Awesome tracklists and choreography!

BODYPUMP 70 Sizzler: The key focus of BodyPump 70 is perfect timing. This means your body spends more time under tension and this will get you shape fast! The music in this release really ‘goes off’ - and keep an ear out for beats you’ve never heard before in BodyPump.Game on in the Squat Track! Challenge yourself with more resistance. Don’t be fooled by the slow start and the Pop-Rock nature of the track - the back half bites hard with four sets of Singles and Bottom Halves back-to-back to finish! Go a little bit heavier in the Chest Track - Infinity 2008 is awesome and builds anticipation before you pump it! The new tempo means your muscles will be under tension for the maximum amount of time.True Believer will inspire you to give it all you’ve got in the Back Track, before Christine Aguilera’s Keeps Gettin’ Better drives you through the Triceps Track. You don’t need but get ready to feel the burn in the Pushups and Kickbacks! Rock through the Biceps Track with Nickelback’s Gotta Be Somebody where Singles are the name of the game.
Take a deep breath before the Lunge Track. Sash! is back for this endurance track that is VERY intense and includes Lunges and Squats with heavy weight. Ouch! Another classic Rock track is in the house with Thunderstruck motivating you through the Shoulder Track. There’s a new move in the Abdominals Track - The Rotator Plank. Kanye West’s Love Lockdown is unlike any Abs Track - get ready for a dark, dim, sexy beat!

BODYATTACK 65 Sizzler: BODYATTACK® 65 is about challenging yourself and your members, and providing enough options so everyone can achieve their personal best! The music will keep your energy levels high and you’ll be moving continuously with hits from Fall Out Boy, Vanessa Hudgens and Lady Gaga. That’s Not My Name provides the perfect energy for Track 2. This track has something for everyone with numerous options for both beginners and advanced members. You’ll be on fire in Track 3 with a huge amount of energy coming from the big moves and big music. You’ll reach your first peak with the new Squat Jump in Track 4, Tubthumping, before hitting the upper body with the Walking Back & Forward Plank in Track 5. This is a different way of conditioning the core and shoulder girdle stabilisers with gentle lengthening of the hamstrings as you move backwards and forward. Sing along to Rhythm Of The Night in Track 6, while getting up close and personal with your members as the class comes together on the floor for the Running Track. There’s work to be done in Track 7! Welcome on the tennis court! Be light and lifted in the Run and low and strong in the Bounces, like you’re waiting for a serve! Track 9 is challenging, with the energy pumping all the way from start to finish, but you’ll be motivated to keep at it with the aptly named Jump. An awesome peak for an awesome result!

Tracklists:
BODYATTACK 65:
1. Everywhere - Master Blaster
2. That’s Not My Name - Kopy Katz
3. Baby I’m On Fire - DJ Razorsharp
4. Tubthumping - Smash & Grab
5. I Don’t Care - Fall Out Boy
6. Rhythm Of The Night - Amber Luck
7. Don’t Want To Go To Bed Now - Southern Light
8. True Faith - Kelly Duncan
9. Jump - Tony Moroni & The HardOutCrew
10. Sneakernight - Vanessa Hudgens
11. Pokerface - Lady Gaga
12. The Best Is Yet To Come - Hinder

BODYPUMP 70:
1.Warmup: Don’t Leave me with the Light On - Danzel
2.Squats: It’s All Your Fault - Pink
3.Chest: Infinity 2008 - Guru Josh Project
4.Back: True Believer - E-Type
5.Triceps: Keeps Gettin’ Better - Christine Aguilera
6.Biceps: Gotta Be Somebody - Nickelback
7.Lunges: Raindrops (Encore Une Fois) - Sash! feat. Stunt
8.Shoulders: Thunderstruck - Hinder
9.Abdominals: Love Lockdown - Kanye West
10.Cooldown: If I Were A Boy - Beyonce