In our lifetime there will always be big obstacles that no matter what, we cannot escape. Both Ray Bradbury and Kesha express these obstacles and the mental and physical challenges they present. Ray Bradbury’s book “Fahrenheit 451” follows Montag a fireman and his struggles with realizing that society is set against what is right and only a few other people realize that.  In Kesha’s song “Praying” It follows her on her road to recovery, and forgiveness for an abusive relationship. In both pieces we are shown that no matter how hard or big the obstacle is, we are made stronger because of it.

A common theme in both texts is that the hardest challenges give the biggest rewards. In “Fahrenheit 451” Montag can’t comprehend the ignorance of the people around him. In “Praying” Kesha is faced with an abusive relationship and the scares it leaves, she doesn’t know how to deal with the pain. But both Montag and Kesha persevere. In “Praying” it says, …”you brought the flames and you put me through hell, I had to learn how to fight for myself…” This shows that at first Kesha didn’t know what to do, then she stated to figure it out. In “Fahrenheit 451” Montag wants to change society but doesn’t know how to start. He knows that man would be better with books but man does not believe he needs books. So Montag is hunted and pursued. But learns that books will always be here.

Although both are great examples of this common themes there are differences in how the theme is presented. In “Praying” it’s more of an internal and personal thing for Kesha. While in “Fahrenheit 451” it’s a struggle of society and it’s blind ignorance towards the truth and saving grace. In “Praying” Kesha shows the cruelty of some people and how you have to forgive them. In “Fahrenheit 451” Montag has to learn that society destroys its self once in a while, and you have to go with it or get away with what you can. But Kesha shows more of a personal relationship and Montag’s situation is like a war of attrition.

In both texts, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and Kesha’s “Praying” both show that life has big obstacles and sometimes you have to face them. You can’t run or hide from them. It’s on the people being faced, in both of these situations, to decide. Do I go with the norm and let the current take me? Or do I stand up for what I believe in and say “…We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight!…” (quote from Independence Day, 1996). In the end it is up to you.

What is a concussion?

Also called a MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury), a concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body. A concussion is a serious injury and can cause vomiting, dizziness, double or blurry vision, bothered by light or noise, feeling sluggish, and memory problems.

What is Being done to protect athletes?

The current helmets only protect against skull fractures. They do protect against skull fractures very well but they don’t dissipate energy. Which only leaves the brain to do that. It often ends in a concussion for that player because of this. But researchers at Michigan University were recently funded by a group including the NFL.

However, a new helmet called the Zero1 is number one in the NFL 2017 Helmet Laboratory Testing Results. VICIS is a Seattle based sports equipment company and the originator of the Zero1. In a statement they said that 25 of the 32 NFL teams bought the helmets before spring practice, the company also said that at least 20 NCAA teams will hopefully have them in this upcoming season. The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Doug Baldwin is also working with them. He says that participation in football as drastically declined for fear of concussions. Also the link to CTE that concussions have. The hope is that this new helmet will change all of that.

The Zero1 has 4 protective layers as opposed to the normal 3. The first layer deforms like a car bumper when hit. The second is a layer of pillars that bend and buckle on impact. The third layer is a thin hard shell to protect against skull fractures. The fourth layer conforms to the players head for comfort. Other helmets cost between 200-500 dollars. But the Zero1 costs $1500. The price is part of the reason that teams don’t buy them. They don’t have the money.

In conclusion concussions are very serious and have lifetime lasting effects. All helmets do today is prevent skull fractures. While they do this very well. Skull fractures are no longer the big issue. We need a new helmet that heavily reduces the impact of hits and reduces the number of concussions and still protects against skull fractures. Along the Zero1 by VICIS. But teams can’t afford them. But some organizations like Play 60 are looking for ways to get the helmets out to teams. Especially in Middle and High School teams.

Guy Montag is a fireman in a futuristic Chicago. His lives in the nicer part of town where all the houses are fire proof. Its a very quiet neighborhood. Guy starts fires rather than extinguishes them. It is worse than murder to own a book. So Guys job as a fireman is to destroy all the books. But he owns several himself.

Late this afternoon a 40 year old man tripped and fell down the stairs in his quiet home on the northeast side of Fort Wayne, In. His three kids ran to his aid. The youngest of the trio reportedly said” All we heard was big thumps… It was really scary.” He was taken to the hospital to get x-rays. The doctors have reportedly said that he will need three major knee surgeries.” We will have to take the cartilage out of his knee.”

His wife is just happy for him to be alive. “I’m just happy it wasn’t a more serious injury.” The doctor says that he will be just fine in a few months.

I read The Knife of Never Letting Go over the summer. The title is very misleading but I liked regardless. It was a very good book about a colony on Earth 3. But a disease kills all the women and what you think comes is said for all to hear. I chose IT from home because the library didn’t have the book. It’s about a clown named Pennywise. I chose IT because it was recommended to me by several friends.