My Education Solution

THERE IS NO DOUBT that childhood obesity is one of the most significant problems facing this country today. (add boring statistics here). Experts have proposed a myriad of solutions ranging from healthier school cafeterias to an increased emphasis on physical fitness programs. Although many of these solutions are well-intentioned, they face serious restrictions. The prevalence of fast food restaurants and the barrage of junk food advertisements may overwhelm the influence of a healthy school lunch. Additionally, the increasingly competitive global economy has placed an emphasis on communication and technological skills which may eclipse time devoted to physical education. I have come up with a solution, however, that will allow children to not learn effectively but to become healthy as well. And the answer doesn’t come from Washington, DC or an education think tank: it comes from the gym.

Ever since it was introduced in the 1980s, indoor cycling, or spinning, has become a national phenomenon. This form of exercise involves a room of individuals pedalling along to the commands of an instructor. Although spinning has been done almost exclusively in the gym setting, it has many aspects that would be useful in the nation’s education system. By replacing traditional desks with modified stationary bicycles the leaders of this nation could wipe the childhood obesity problem off the map. With students exercising for hours a day, educators could combine valuable learning time with essential and much needed physical education.

An immediate concern evolving from this change would be logistical. Countless desks would have to be discarded and millions of bicycles would have to be acquired. Although the initial costs of this conversion would be high, the long term medical savings would be substantial. Not only would it save thousands of lives a year from heart disease, diabetes and a number of other ailments, but it would also provide the country’s students with a new and unique set of skills. Students would be proficient in multitasking after years of combining movement with learning. The change would also herald a revolution in the sport of cycling. The American domination of the Tour de France, started by Lance Armstrong, would continue for decades to come as millions of American cyclists would enter the world stage. With so many cyclists there would also be a decreased use of automobiles and other fossil fuel based forms of transport. Bicycles in the classroom could also be used to create electricity in order to power the school and surrounding buildings. These innovations would significantly reduce America’s already disproportionate carbon footprint and create cleaner, more liveable cities and towns.

Surely objections will arise to this proposal that exercise and learning cannot be combined. These doubts may be valid with activities such as football or basketball, but are flawed with regards to cycling. Spinning is a relatively mindless activity, especially at comfortable levels, that can easily be mixed with education. The presence of bicycles in the classroom will also give the instructor a harmless and effective method of discipline. Instead of corporal punishment or forcing the child to leave the classroom, the teacher can simply increase the difficulty on the pupils bicycle.

This plan may ultimately prove to be effective, but it is still merely a suggestion. It should be implemented slowly in pilot programs across the country and detailed mental and physical results should be recorded. Although the link between spinning and learning may be undocumented, it has been proven that children in better physical shape are more motivated to lean then unfit children. If this proposal becomes the standard, children may finally be allowed to not only have their cake, but to eat it as well and still remain healthy.

Yet More Arsenal?

I know it may seem that every one of my posts about Arsenal, but I just can't help it. After seeing maybe a few games a year in the States, I am now in a country where every game is broadcast and I can actually see the games. Which I did. Twice.

The first game was this past Sunday against Bolton in the FA Cup. Emirates Stadium was packed and the crowd was pretty into it. The game was pretty good and ended in a 1-1 tie. Arsenal very easily could have won with all the chances they missed, but I was satisfied with a tie.

The game I was most looking forward to was tonight against Tottenham Hotspur. For those who don't know, these two clubs have a fierce rivalry going. They are located only 4 miles apart in London and have been rivals for decades. A good analogy would be the Yankees and Red Sox in the States, except here it might be worse. In America, Yankee and Red Sox fans sit side by side in discontent, but in relative harmony. Here they separate Home and Away fans because if they don't then a riot could break out.

This game was different then Sundays. I wasn't in the upper tier anymore, I was only 9 rows back from the pitch (field). The crowd was also much louder and meaner. It is truly something that has to be experienced first-hand, but hearing 60,000 Arsenal fans screaming "If you hate Tottenham stand up!", and then seeing everyone standing up, is something I will never forget. Nothing even comes close to this atmosphere in the States.

The game was exciting but scoreless up until a 77nd minute Arsenal goal. I thought the match was over and was almost ready to go when Tottenham scored in the 85th minute. So, the match went into extra time. Arsenal scored in extra time to take the lead and never looked back. Excited, we all pointed at the Spurs fans and chanted "You're not singing anymore!" As I left the stadium chants of "We beat the scum three to one" echoed throughout North London.

It is experiences like this that made all the Study Abroad paperwork bullshit worth it. All the forms, essays, meetings, stress required to go abroad is finally paying off. Being in London, eating amazing food, watching amazing football, it's just indescribable. I miss the States, but right now there's no place I'd rather be.

I promise to do a non-Arsenal post soon, but it's very late in the UK and I need some sleep.

Europe and Arsenal

One of the main reasons I came to Sussex is the month long break in between the two terms. I plan to go all across continental Europe and see as many cities as possible. Since this trip is less than two months away, I decided to do some preliminary research as to the feasibility of my trip. As of now, I plan to visit the following cities:

-London
-Paris
-Amsterdam
-Copenhagen
-Berlin
-Leipzig
-Prague
-Vienna
-Bratislava
-Munich
-Venice
-Florence
-Rome

I'm not sure if I can humanly do more than that, but I will try to.

On another note, I will be traveling to North London on Sunday to bear witness to the mighty Arsenal. They are playing Bolton in the FA Cup and it should prove to be a memorable experience.

Also, Arsenal are playing their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, in the Carling Cup Semi-Finals tomorrow. I will be at East Slope Bar for all the action! Should be a great game...

ARSENAL!!!

So I just got back from watching one of the best football (soccer) games of my entire life. Arsenal v Manchester United. Man U came in as the favorites, but Arsenal had a fighting chance. First half produced no goals. In the 53rd minute Wayne Rooney scored a nice goal for Manchester. All seemed lost, but in the 83rd minute Van Persie scored for Arsenal. I would have been satisfied with a tie, and thought the next 10 minutes would be scoreless. In about the 91st or 92nd minute (with basically two minutes left in the game) Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal. To say East Slope Bar went wild is an understatement. Football is such an amazing game of suspense and instant gratification. As much as I would like to be in America watching the NFL championships, I think i can very easily get used to this...

ESHC

East Sussex Hardcore Represent!

Punker Bunker and El Taco

So, it’s been a while since my last post. Let me try to sum up what is going on…

I found a lot more cool places in Brighton. I went to this organic market, Infinity Foods, and got some good vegan food. They have a café too that was closed when I got there but looks good. I was walking down the street from there and found a vegetarian fast food place! Granted, it is no Foodswings, but it’s not bad. The hotdog with caramelized red onions is fucking amazing. I also found a place open late that had decent falafel and a 5 pound all-you-can eat vegetarian Indian food buffet.

In that same area I stopped by this basement record store aptly called the “Punker Bunker” (the punks in Brighton really got their shit together when it comes to naming things. There’s also a piercing place in town called Punktured). It’s a really cool record store but all the records there are at least 9 pounds ($18) so it’s a bit pricey.

On a similar note I went to a hardcore show Friday at this place called the Engine Rooms. Well, there was only one hardcore band, but it was still pretty good. The headlining band was this folk/ska group from London, the King Blues, and was pretty good. I would have appreciated a little more folk and a little less ska, but that’s just me. The band I really wanted to see, Phinius Gage (melodic hardcore from Brighton), only played four songs because their van broke down and they showed up way late. Regardless, I felt at home hearing some solid hardcore. I’ve been feeling some culture shock and homesickness over the past 10 days or so, but when that first chord hits all those feelings go away.

On a sad note, I don’t think the Earthquake show is happening. It’s been TBA forever and the supporting band removed the date from their Myspace calendar. Oh well…I picked up a bunch of flyers for some other good shows coming up, so not all is lost.

The British do a lot of things well, but imitating American things is not one of them. I’ve found only one “Mexican” restaurant in Brighton, “El Taco,” and the burrito was definitely below par. I miss Chipotle, Cal Tor, Mariachi Loco, and every other place I have had amazing burritos in America. One thing the British do right: “poundstores.” They’re like dollar store in the States but all the products are much nicer and way more amazing.

I saw a brakeless track bike outside Arts D the other day. My faith in this University has been reestablished. The ride from campus into Brighton is only 5 miles, but the entire time going into town (towards the sea) is a headwind. It will let up for about 10 seconds only to come back twice as strong. Conversely, the ride back to campus is quite nice with a constant tailwind. The wind in this town is ridiculous. If you go down to the waterfront the headwind will almost stop you from walking and the tailwind will almost push you over. The weather in general is pretty absurd.

Arsenal is my favorite football (soccer) team in England. I saw an amazing match with them against Liverpool earlier this week in East Slope bar. Drinking a pint in an English bar watching football with English fans is an indescribable experience. I also paid 40 quid (slang for pounds) to become an Arsenal “Red Member” this week. That means if the season ticket holders don’t buy up all the tickets to a match then I have an opportunity to buy some. Hopefully I will be able to see one or two matches and this won’t be a giant waste of money.

I think that’s about all I have to say for now. Cheers.

Europe Rules

Today I remembered that Skittles and Starburst are vegan in Europe...I've eaten 3 bags of each in the past 12 hours. I feel sick but oh so satisfied.

Oh, and carrying 8 cans of beer, a liter of apple juice, a bag of apples, other groceries and a 5 lb ulock 5 miles from Brighton to East Slope is not fun. My left arm got numb about 2/3 of the way through my ride from my messenger bag cutting off circulation. I'll post more later about this weekend and this past week, but now I need to have some dinner.