Joseph Tevanian

Miss Kim

English 10 (P1)

4 November 2009

Amazing. Sony has just released a new gaming system called Reality. Your character is controlled by your actual movements. If, for example, you want to shoot your gun you simply do it on your own simulator gun. If you get shot you can feel a slight tap resembling the shot but, without the pain. Critics thought it was an extraordinary step in gaming.

“Mom, you’ve got to buy me that new gaming system,” I begged.

“Those stupid games are a waste of time,” she told me.

But, of course, my brothers and I were able to pitch some money in to buy it. As soon as we started playing we couldn’t get off. It was like being in a warzone without the fear of dying or feeling real pain.

“Almost as realistic as an actual war! 5 stars out of 5!” Critics raved. They also estimated one in every two households would own this system. It seemed to only be a hit in the U.S. because we hadn’t heard about ratings or sales in other countries.

“Oh well, they are missing out,” we thought.

Turning Point. The next few days went by normally except we started seeing news reports that Reality could brainwash and control.

“How could that be possible?” I said to myself.

Not wanting to believe the reports I kept playing. After a while my brothers started acting really weird. They both left the house without saying a word. Curious to know where they might go, I followed them. They seemed to just keep walking forever like they knew exactly where they were headed. Eventually we ended up at a warehouse and that’s where I stopped them.

I took a look inside and the warehouse was full of people. I looked back and my brothers were running away laughing. As I caught up I realized they were laughing at me for thinking they were being controlled. It was all a joke. They told me they had planned that out as soon as they heard the news reports, and they knew I would be curious and follow. I didn’t find it so funny, but they were laughing uncontrollably and making fun of me for thinking they were brainwashed.

Total control. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who doubted this whole mind control thing was actually real. This was the point I realized the reports were real. More and more news reports told of many missing people, all who were gamers and owned Reality.

Warnings. All gamers were told that if they owned Reality that they should stop playing until everything is figured out. My dad found it was a perfect reason to take the system away. We didn’t object, but we just waited to see what would happen.

Power failure. Weeks after the news reports there was a power outage. My family and I thought it was only something small and it would be fixed soon, so we decided to wait it out at our house.

Two days without power seemed like weeks being in jail. We had no way to communicate with anyone except for our neighbors. We eventually gave up on waiting until the power came back. We decided to head out to another place, somewhere that might have power. We drove..and drove…..and drove.

Haggard's Deception

Joseph Tevanian

Miss Kim
English 10
1 October 2009

Ted Haggard is a pastor who openly preached against homosexual relationships. In 2006, a prostitute names Mike Jones said Haggard paid him for sex and used methamphetamine in his presence. They then found out he was in a relationship with a male named Grant Haas. During all of this, he had a wife and five children. He argues it was hypocritical and that has discussed his problems with his family and a therapist. He also said he felt like God didn't intend humans to have homosexual relationships but he couldn't control his urges.

Haggard lamented, "The incident was an indicator of compulsive behavior. However I have been undergoing therapy during the two years since"(CNN 2). He is trying to express that he is deeply hurt by his actions and regrets them. He also tried to establish that he has learned from the mistake and has discussed it with the necessary people. He raved," I think he rescued me. I am very grateful to him. I would have lost the support of his wife and family" (CNN 7). He is trying to thank Mike Jones for helping him by coming out and saying that information for him, so he could obtain help.

Haggard condemned homosexuality in his teachings only to be found in a homosexual relationship. Because Ted Haggard was a pastor you would first find him trustworthy and believable. But he was hypocritical and irresponsible in his actions. I think he is untrustworthy because he lied to his family. If he could lie to his family and disrespect his relationship with his wife and children, I wouldn't be able to find him trustworthy or believable.