Comments on a Collegue's Blog Post #2

     In her blog "Politics A la The Lone Star", my colleague Jessica posted an extremely well written and undoubtedly true post titled "Sex, Lies, and the Classroom." With Texas having the 4th highest rate of teen pregnancy, sex education should have it's own core curriculum. In my opinion, it's just as important as math, history, science, english, and whatever else is thrown into "education" these days. Throughout this post, my colleague stresses the fact that Texas focuses sex education solely based on abstinence instead of pregnancy and disease prevention. 
     I remember in my science class at the end of 8th grade year, we had "the talk" that accompanied a signed form by my parents allowing me to attend the discussion. Abstinence was forced down our throats and slide shows of various sexually transmitted diseases scarred us for life. We were told how to say no to someone who wanted to have sex with us, but we weren't told how to protect ourselves. This is where the system is going wrong. 
     The most interesting piece of information to me in her blog is the huge differences between Texas' and California's sex education. After first taking a sex education class in Texas, and then in California afterwards, my colleague felt as if information was twisted and withheld from her. 

     Our sex education programs are sweeping the root of the problems under the rug instead of facing them head on. Telling teenagers not to have sex is only going to make them more curious, not more cautious.

    

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2014!!!!!

   

     Starting in 2002, Austin has held the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park. As of last year, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday massive event has now evolved into two weekends starting the first weekend in October. I always look forward to this awesome music festival, and I have been going for several years now. The event company I work for allows me to get a behind the scenes view at the VIP lounges as well as free tickets to the festival.

     The best part of ACL is its uniquely diverse environment that brings over 75,000 people a day to this festival from all over the world. In addition to the hundreds of artists that the fans come to see, ACL provides local tasty eats and treats, local artists with interesting items for sell, and they even have various kid friendly areas. This festival has so many activities in addition to the great music, which allows anyone to have a great time.
     During the festival recycling is encouraged and there are many opportunities to donate to various charities. In the previous years, you are given the chance to receive a free ACL t-shirt by filling a trash bag full of recyclable items. Because so many people come to Austin specifically for this event each year, it brings in so much money to our city. The tourists and Austinite's like to shop local which keeps our Mom and Pop stores running.
     I'm most excited for this year's lineup that was recently released. In my opinion, this should be one of the best years yet. Artists such as Eminem, Pearl Jam, Outkast, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, and Interpol are scheduled to preform. This widely known festival goes beyond the music. It's all about us coming together from all over the world into one city to really feel the good vibes of Austin.