thebeach.]*

Sitting on the oceans waters edge, I dig my toes down deeper and deeper into the soft grainy sand until they reach the  cool underground layers. I gaze out at the never ending horizon where the blackened waves seem to touch the rich navy blue of the sky. The powerful crash of the waves against the shore along with the faint music from nearby resturaunts nearly consume the voices of the late night stolling vacationers. A light breeze blows through my hair and caresses my skin, sending the smell of the oceans salty water so forcefully to me I can almost taste it.

Techno Addicts.

Addiction-
The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice forming to such an extent that its censsation causes severe trauma.


Addiction in any aspect can cause a multitude of problems. At the mention of an "addict", most assume the involvement of drug or alcohol abuse. What isn't realized is the fact that technology will soon be the leading cause of addiction. 
The overload of technology access such as cell phones, internet, and the availability of music and movie downloads has people everywhere obsessed with the digital world. Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are just a few personal websites that are being abused and can lead to major problems in relationships, the workplace, and can even cause death due to cyber bullying.
Education is playing a vital role in contributing to this issue. Students are required to use technology on a daily basis. "Paperless classrooms" are becoming very popular among many teachers nationaly and even globally. Many students complain and argue that technology is not the best way to learn. The availability of technology also leaves a number of students at a disadvantage.
The positives of living in a digital world are still cucial to society, however, the rapid rise of our dependency on technology is frightening.

Vector.

In Dr.Robin Cook's book, Vector, the use of biochemical weapons is an inconspicuous threat to New York City. A Russian immigrant by the name of Yuri is under the impression that he has been denied the "American Dream" by the government and is now working to get his revenge. His previous job at the Soviet biological weapons industry gives him the advanced knowledge he needs to create the ultimate terror: a modern bioweapon.
As I read Vector, I became more aware of the fact that each and every breath is important and you never know when it might be your last. Terrorism is widely known all over the world, but most people think of it along the lines of  a bombing or a catastrophe such as 9/11. Many people do not realize that bioterrorism is widespread in many parts of the world.  I was shocked at the unbelievable number of organizations that are actively supporting certain types of terrism today. People worldwide live thier lives blindly, not knowing what is happening around them; not realizing that today could be thier last. Others live in denial, not wanting to accept the facts. As evil begins to slowly take over globally, Americans will continue to live in fear. I believe everyone should live each day to the fullest, as if it truely were thier last.