Steroids and The Miller Report

I finished writing this two dayss before the miller report was released…pretty ironic huh?

Bobby M

Performance Enhancing Supplements:
In Relation to Their Uses, Consequences, and Numerous Other Harmful Effects
The world of sports has always been competitive, but in the past several years numerous athletes have turned to the use of performance enhancing supplements such as anabolic steroids, human growth hormones (HGH), beta agonists, and insulin growth hormones, among others, in order to increase their abilities and excel in competition. However, experts argue as to whether the use of these supplements hurts the athletes’ physical and mental well-being, and reputation, or if they increase competition in these athletes and allow them to train and push themselves to their limits. But experts who warn against the use of performance enhancing supplements, make a stronger argument because ultimately their use is considered inappropriate and irresponsible because these supplements are illegal, can have damaging physical and psychological effects on the body, and are unsafe if taken in excess.
In light of many recent sports scandals, one that has stood out above the rest is the use of performance enhancing supplements by athletes in Major League Baseball which many experts claim has had damaging effects on both the athletes’ reputations and well-being. Experts cite that the most prominent case of this misuse of supplements is that of San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds who recently shattered the home run record, just shortly after being discovered to have used performance enhancing supplements. Freelance reporter George Will cites Barry Bonds as the prime example of what the steroids (performance enhancing supplements) scandal has done to baseball (Will) as Bonds frequently began to be accused of denial and misconduct. When compared to Hank Aaron, who previously held the homerun record, Bonds was described as “the lesser of two baseball gods,” (Saraceno) because Hank Aaron had achieved the record by his skill, while he had used a combination of skill and supplements. Criticisms like these became commonplace when Bonds broke the home run record, and Bonds saw his popularity rating begin to plummet. He may now hold the home run record, but many of his critics refuse to hold him in the same respect as Hank Aaron. Bonds himself suffered as well. Experts like George Will assert that players should try to perform unusually well, not unnaturally well. Bonds’ performance was indeed unnatural, not just only of his increased ability but because of the steps he took to achieve that ability. He risked “jeopardizing his body and mind with radical and impermissible [damaging] chemical intrusions” (Will) with symptoms that included increased irritability, libido, agressivity, hypomania, infertility, and chronic fatigue among others all by as much as 40% (chart by Argosy). Bonds had put his own personal performance before his health, possibly as a result of the symptoms of the supplements he used, and both the MLB and Bonds had been hurt severely by the supplements. Numerous other athletes in the MLB as well as in other major sports organizations have all also suffered similar consequences.
Others claim however that increased steroid use amongst athletes increases competition, by helping them to train and further push their limits. According to writer Craig Freudenrich, “Athletes are always under the constant pressure to excel if either for their own personal gain or the gain of their team,” (Freudenrich) showing that athletes will use an means necessary to excel and increase their performance, and also implying that more athletes are using these supplements than just the select few that have been accused. In fact, opponents of steroid use have even admitted to the large number of those who use steroids for training (Perry). Ex baseball player Jose Canseco even admitted that the reason that so many power hitters and amazing plays were happening across major league baseball fields nationwide was because more than 80 percent of players were “juicing” or using some performance enhancing supplement (Yuhas). Because athletes have these drugs to turn to for help in increasing their performance, experts assert that they can more powerfully push themselves to their limits by training harder, and thereby increase the level of competition amongst each other. Writer Malcom Gladwell said, “No drug can magically transform performance.” (Gladwell). According to those who advocate performance enhancing supplements, these drugs do not make the player, but rather push him to his limits, and at the same time can bring more entertainment to those who watch these players strive to be their best.
It is evident though that performance enhancing supplements present more negative than positive effects. George Will said, “Not all that is possible should be permissible.” Because of their negative effects on an athlete’s physical and mental well-being, illegality, and growing rates of abuse, the use of performance enhancing supplements is irresponsible and inappropriate. In 2004 “legislations [against performance enhancing supplements] were introduced officially passing [most of] them of as illegal drugs,”(Gendin). Those who now use any substance are now subject to incurring fines, serving prison sentences, among other consequences. In addition, after being proven to have used steroids and returning her gold medal, Olympic swimmer Christiane Sommer proclaimed, “Steroids destroyed [her] mind and body in ways [that] couldn’t be imagined,”(Gladwell). Symptoms of performance enhancing supplements that cause the body and mind to become unstable as well as a quickly growing rate of increased use, such as in the case of Sommers, amongst numerous other athletes, render the use of these supplements as unsafe and inappropriate. Performance enhancing supplements may give athletes the ability to increase their performance, but the athletes who use them have to pay a terrible price.

Scooby Doo

Scooby Doo
From animated movies, to real life movies, to multiple animated TV shows, Scooby Doo has done it all. Unlike most cartoons, he has made it in show business for nearly thirty years. In the many years of his long life Scooby Doo has changed very little since his original creation in 1969 by Will Hannah, and Joe Barbera.
Personification plays an important role in the character of Scooby Doo. In many other ways is more like a human, than a dog. For example, Scooby can talk, however when he does talk his words come out differently. When Scooby says cats, it come out as rats, and when Scooby pronounces the name of his best friend Shaggy, it comes out as Raggy. Scooby does however remain some characteristics of normal dogs. For one thing, he wears a collar with his initials on it, and for another he has a strong dislike of cats. In “Scooby Doo on Zombie Island” he is often seen quarreling with the cats that belong to the owner of the island.
Scooby Doo has always been known to be a brave, yet cowardly dog. When there is a mystery to be solved, and a scary house in sight, Scooby is always scared stiff, and shaking all the way down to his paws. Don’t think this makes him completely cowardly, though, because with the help of Scooby Snacks he is a completely different dog. Sometimes one Scooby snack is not enough, but when danger calls, Scooby answers, and more then one Scooby snack will always get the job done. After Scooby eats his Scooby Snacks he often tries to back out of his duties of helping the gang, but in the end he always plays an important role in solving mysteries, and unmasking villains.
Scooby, and his best friend Shaggy give new meaning to the term “A dog is man’s best friend. In every TV series, and in every Scooby movie, him and Shaggy are seen doing everything together. From chowing on food, to wrestling, to hiding, Scooby, and Shaggy are always together. .Legally, Scooby belongs to Shaggy, but in reality Scooby is his own dog, and is more of a friend to Shaggy, then a pet. Shaggy loves Scooby, and Scooby loves Shaggy, and together they surprise even each other. When the gang splits us no one dares to separate Scooby, and Shaggy, and when one is lost, the other will be there to find him. Scooby, and Shaggy are friends for life.
Special effects have recently brought Scooby Doo to the real world. So far he has appeared in two real life movies with real life characters, rather than the animated ones that Scooby fans have come to know, and love. Special effects are the only change that Scooby has undergone in his long life, and even in 3-d he resembles the original Scooby Doo that made is TV debut in 1969.
Today, Scooby Doo is a national icon, and a household name. He has been represented not only by television, but also by cereal, fruit snacks, and many other products. Through this he will be remembered for years to come, and kids of many more generations will enjoy Scooby Doo.

Restaurant Review – Sudie’s Catfish

Check this place out if you are in the Webster Texas area

Bobby Murphy

Sudie’s Catfish and Seafood house is not only one of the only seafood restaurants in League City, but also a great place to go when people anywhere want a bite to eat. Located at 352 North on the Gulf Freeway the restaurant is in an ideal location where people can just turn off the freeway, into the restaurant parking lot, and come in and enjoy a bite to eat.
The restaurant takes pride in its seafood delicacies including their farm-raised Mississippi catfish and also their hand dipped butterfly shrimp. According to the menu long-time Sudies’s customers rate their shrimp and catfish as the best anywhere, and the restaurant owners hope that new guests that come to visit will think the same.
For the fish lover, restaurant managers suggest the house special that is all you can eat catfish. The special comes with pinto beans, fries, coleslaw, and also hushpuppies, which are served with every meal with tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. The special is available every day unlike most other seafood restaurants who only offer all you can eat specials as a promotion. For guests that do not have a very large appetite Sudie’s has many other menu items that are both smaller and more affordable than the all you can eat catfish special. The shrimp gumbo is a popular favorite amongst guests that are looking to save some money. It is both tasty and affordable. The Sudie’s Duo and Trio are two more menu favorites. The items allow guests their choice of either two or three fried seafood items. Finally, for those who do not like seafood, come visit Sudie’s anyway. Not only does Sudie’s offer great seafood but also a variety of other menu items like chicken fried steak and Rib-eye steaks and many more all prepared just as well as the seafood. However, for guests who visit the restaurant it is important to have a love for fried foods. At Sudie’s almost everything on the menu is fried, with a few exceptions including five different salads and deserts. Apart from that, most of the food is fried.
Sudie’s offers five different deserts that also go great after any meal, but not only will guests be satisfied with the way that the deserts taste, but they will also be satisfied with themselves because the restaurants donates a portion of all desert sales to local charities. However, the restaurant has two locations so the menu does not state how much, or to which charity money is contributed to, leaving guests with less satisfaction because they know that there money is going to a charity, but they do not know which one or how much is being donated, but this feature of the restaurant remains unique and is not done by any other restaurant in the gulf coast area.
Another unique feature about Sudie’s is that not only is it a restaurant, but it is also a candle shop. Sudie’s sells a variety of different scented candles with scents that range from French vanilla all the way to pumpkin. When guests walk in to the restaurant they are greeted by a shelf full of candles even before they reach the hostess podium. On most days guests might find Sudie’s a little crowded, and they may have to wait a while. Looking at the many different candles provides a diversion for those who visit the restaurant and find them waiting for a long tome.
In the rest of the restaurant the walls are decorated with many different fishing items and frames newspaper articles proclaiming the restaurant’s accomplishments. The restaurant has been featured in many local newspapers including the Chronicle, the Citizen, the Galveston Daily News, the Bayrunner magazine, and now the HiLife newspaper. Anywhere guests sit, they are sure to find these newspaper clippings.
Sudie’s has been serving the gulf coast area for twenty years from it’s location in Pasadena, and the restaurants owners hope the same will happen at their restaurant in League City. For more information the restaurant will be glad to answer any questions and take reservations. Call them at 281 338 5100.

Movie Analysis – good night, and good luck

In a time where the country was plagued by the fear of communism radical accusations were made against people with the smallest ties to communism. Senator Joseph McCarthy led the ring of those who accused others of being communists using the fear of the general population to his advantage. During this time however, CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow dared to stand up to Joseph McCarthy using his position on the CBS station to his advantage in order to expose the tactics of the junior senator from Wisconsin.
Early in the movie Murrow moves to expose the tactics of McCarthy very indirectly through the story of relieved former air force officer Milo Salunovich whose father was accused of being a communist for reading a Serbian newspaper. Although this story did not relate directly to Joseph McCarthy it did relate to his tactics. Salunovich was relieved without a trial and without any evidence presented against him as being a security hazard.
When McCarthy received false information that Murrow had once had ties to the communist party Murrow moves to stage a controversial show that directly attacks the tactics that McCarthy is using on the senate examination commission before McCarthy has the chance to attack him with the false information. By appealing to the reasoning of his viewers he is able to convince them in this attack against McCarthy that the accusations an manipulations of the senator have begun to go to far.
During his attack on senator McCarthy, thought, Murrow takes a very subjective stance, however his actions against McCarthy were warranted. Although he agrees that communism is bad like most other Americans he feels that the accusations of Joseph McCarthy go to far because anyone who moves against the senator is subject to being accused as a communist even if there is no evidence against said person. In a time where no one dared to stand up to the senator for fear of being called a communist, Edward Murrow felt it was his job and his necessity as a journalist to expose to the people what senator McCarthy was actually doing, despite the protests and pleas not to by his colleagues and friends.
In his story against McCarthy, Murrow warrants his behavior firstly by taking full advantage of the first amendment giving him every right to expose McCarthy, and secondly by establishing his ethos by conceding on several points about the necessity to eradicate communisism, such as that of the need committees in order to detect plots against the country’s government and also to get rid of “true” communists . He also warrants that he does not expect to be correct on every matter of his story and invites the senator to appear on his show to correct any flaw or shortcoming he may have made. He further justifies his actions by having a firm and adamant belief in them and by running more stories of accused communists such as that of Amy Lee Moss. Throughout the movie McCarthy refuses to back down in his claims against the senator despite a growing controversy which arises when the senator attempts to slander Murrow as a communist but fails because of false information.
In the end Murrow’s persistence pays off as McCarthy is put under examination by the commission and many others tried without evidence like Milo Salunovich and Amy Lee Moass were restored their good names.
BM

Analysis of the crucible and communism

The Crucible and McCarthyism

In Arthur Miller’s novel The Crucible tensions builds as the very religious and superstitious townsmen and leaders of Salem, begin to suspect the use of witchcraft is present in their humble village. Thus as the tensions grow between the villagers and more questions of strange behaviors surface, persecutions of alleged witches in the village began to develop leading to the loss of the lives of many innocent people. In the 1950s Senator Joseph McCarthy began to renew these persecutions, but not to find and destroy witches, but rather to eradicate communists in America, many innocent people may not have lost their lives, but suffered much time in prison unjustly due to the false radical accusations of senator McCarthy.
In the small village of Salem in 1692 the inhabitants lived holy, strict and seclusive lives. When things begin to differ to from the ordinary with the affair of John Proctor and Abigail Williams, the town girls dancing in the forest to cast a spell on Elizabeth Proctor, and the sickness of Betty Parris and Ruth Putman after the dancing, a fear of witchcraft began to develop in the town provoked and furthered by prestigious townsmen like Thomas Putman. Ironically though, it was the girls who were dancing who later claimed to see the light of God later and began the persecutions of innocent others like John and Elizabeth Proctor who fell victim to the paranoia present in the town of Salem, John because of his dislike for the church and Parris, and Elizabeth because Abigail wanted her gone so she could marry John Proctor. In the 1950s a fear of communism in America existed just as there had been a fear of witchcraft in Salem. The constant threat of Russian spies and Nuclear war left people living in fear day to day as the people of Salem had done. While none of these events were strange or out of the norm for society at the time, unlike the events that led to the Salem persecutions, American propaganda against communism, fear of a counterattack after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the presence of Russian spies in America, and the space race, led important figures like Herbert J. Hoover and Senator Joseph McCarthy to persecute others who were thought to be communists merely by assumptions. Important figures like scientist J.R. Oppenheimer and movie director Herbert Biberman fell victim to this propaganda with their refusal to cooperate with the court the same as John Proctor. Oppenheimer also had many who wanted him out of their way like Abigail wanted Elizabeth, however both had some tie to communist party of America at one time while neither of the proctors ever had any tie to witchcraft.
As a result of the persecutions in Salem, John Proctor loses his life after refusing to publicly display his confession of witchcraft, while Elizabeth spends much time in jail with the others that are accuses until Reverend Hale persuades her to have John confess and she is released herself. Oppenheimer and Biberman also spent some time in jail for refusing to release the name of other communists, or to admit that they themselves were communist spies, but neither of them ever suffered death. The accusers; Abby Williams, Mary Warren, and the others, were never exposed as frauds, and persecutions continued after the death of John Proctor in other places, but before he died John Proctor was able to expose Abby to the court for the whore that she was, leading Abby and the girls to be driven to exile from Salem. The accusations of senator Joseph McCarthy and Herbert J. Hoover were eventually exposed to be false, and persecution of communism came to a more abrupt end than that of witchcraft which persisted for many decades. Accusations of communists were proven to be heinous after McCarthy accused many state and army officials of being communists when evidence had been proven that they were not. As in Salem though McCarty suffered exile from the political world once he was exposed as a fraud as Abigail and the girls were exiled from Salem. Society in Salem itself had also suffered several consequences because of the persecutions. Cows wandered the streets and land was left unclaimed because nearly everyone was in jail and many innocent people had lost their lives because of the ignorance of Danforth and Hathorne had caused the sufferings of many individuals and families in the courts. In society in the 1950s no major disruption to order had occurred, and no one may have lost there lives, but thee ignorance of the accusers led to the unnecessary suffering of many families and individuals as had occurred in Salem in the courts when Danforth and Hathorne refused to listen to certain evidence and testimonies.
Of course many things could have done to prevent the persecutions in Salem and in the 1950s. If Deputy governor Danforth and Judge Hathorne had been more prudent in their judgement of the evidence presented to them in the courts, particularly by Francis Nurse and Giles Corey less people would have been tried guilty of witchcraft. Likewise if Joe McCarthy would have provided evidence for his accusations rather than just accusing members of the communist party less people would have suffered unjustly. Also, if the people who supported McCarthyism; particularly republicans, Catholics, blue collar workers, and protestants, would have been more willing to check the legitimacy of McCarthy’s accusations less people would have been accused. The same in Salem. If the high court, Parris, Hale, and the other townspeople would have been willing to check the legitimacy of the accusations provided by the girls by actual rather than supernatural methods, less or no people would have lost their lives.
If I were in the position of the accusers I think I could have handled the cases of the accused in a more prudent manner, in the place of the accused in a more calm and settled manner. However in both Salem in 1692 and America in the 1950s, times were very rough and conditions were not the same as they are in the present. Given these conditions it is possible that I would have handled the situations any different than the accused or the accusers, however despite all that, it would be against my honor to reveal the names of others as many facing persecution had done, it is not right for one to put a fellow colleague in danger. And unfortunately during the persecutions of Salem and America in the 1950s both accusers and many accused were forced to do just that.

Queen of Angels

This is the history of a chapel in dickinson TX…very old…it was chosen as the hstorical place of the year in 2005 for the christmas ornament of the Dickinson Historical Society.. it was also featured in the Regina Coeli report and Angelus magazine at the time of its 30th anniversary. It is one of many famous landmarks in southeast Texas
Bobby Murphy & Mike Hatem

Queen of Angels Church is an old landmark in the small town of Dickinson, Texas on State Highway 3, between Houston and Galveston. The parish church has served Northern Galveston County for many years, and was originally formed in 1909. The present church building was constructed in the early 1940’s during World War II. The parish was first placed under the patronage of St. Joseph Church at its first dedication. Later, when the church received relics of the Holy Cross, it was renamed Shrine of the True Cross.

After Vatican II the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, in favor of the building of an ultra-modern style church a few miles away that was more suitable for the new theology that it symbolized, abandoned the church. The beautiful Spanish-mission style church was then put up for sale.

A group of dedicated Traditional Catholics purchased the property, and originally had masses said in the parish hall during the time that the church was being prepared for dedication. The parishioners installed an Italian marble altar with the corresponding statues, altar rail, and Stations of the Cross during this time. The Altar, along with rail, Stations of the Cross, and statues of the Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the evangelist, were obtained for the St. Joseph’s hospital chapel in Kansas City when it closed down. The side altars dedicated to Ss. Joseph and Mary complement the main altar with the same marble structure. On July 10, 1977, the church was dedicated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, attending was an overflow crowd of nearly one thousand people. Father Carl Pulvermacher O.F.M. Cap., who’s Requiem Mass was offered at Queen of Angels in June of 2006, served as the first pastor from the time of the dedication until 1991.

Queen of Angels was also the site of the humble beginnings of the Angelus Press, which Father Carl founded soon after the church was dedicated. Fr. Carl utilized his printing skills to this end, and the Angelus Press originally occupied several rooms of the current school building and bookstore. Traditional Catholic materials were printed and distributed around the world from here until the Angelus Press moved to a newly built, modern facility in Kansas City in 1991.

After the consolidation of the American branch of the Society of St. Pius X into one district in 1984, Queen of Angels also became the site of the District Headquarters of the Society (1983-87), with Father Hector Bolduc as the District Superior. Father Francois Laisney succeeded him as District Superior in 1985. The District Headquarters and Angelus Press were moved to Kansas City upon the completion of the new Regina Coeli House in 1991.

Queen of Angels has been pastored by Fathers Carl Pulvermacher, Daniel Cooper, Craig Bufe, Eric Simonot, Jason Huvar, and now by the present pastor, Father Stephen Stanich. It is the home to Queen of Angels Academy, one of only two Traditional Catholic schools in Texas, the well-stocked Queen of Angels Bookstore which is open daily, as well as the priory for the Society of St. Pius X in this part of the state.

10 tips for writing better in Spanish

I did this in spanish…it has proved to be a big help for all of my clasmates and now it can help you to

ü Have a thorough knowledge of what you are writing about before you begin to write.

ü Develop a list of 10-20 vocabulary words that will help you with your reading and writing.

ü Keep your sentences short, around 12 to 15 words.

ü Avoid using too many cliché transition words like porque and también.

ü Limit your use of unfamiliar words.

ü Try to use words you can say and words other people can understand.

ü Double-space so you can revise, but remember, you can’t do this on the AP test.

ü Check to make sure all of your sentences flow clearly and neatly.

ü Always proofread your writing to check for errors.

ü Most importantly, get feedback from other Spanish-speaking students to evaluate the quality of your paper.

Creado por Bobby Murphy

A murder mystery and the scientific method

Bobby Murphy
Per. 6 Physics
Desk E-1
9-10-07

Scientific Method Report

As I walked into Room 217 of the Nassau Bay Hilton Hotel I immediately noticed the body of one T.J. Visentini, a former member of the National Physics educators association, on the ground. From my primary observations there appeared to be no sign of death, apart from the dead body lying on the ground. I determined from these observations that the cause of death must have been internal.
I further scoped the room for any other detail that could help me determine the cause of death. I noticed a shot glass missing, as well as several bottles of alcohol which were half empty at the exposed mini bar. But what caught my eye more than anything else was the small residue of dust that I noticed near the body, later determined to be from the drug placebo monocarbonate.
I determined from these observations that there could only be a several few causes of death. Mr. Visentini could have died of an alcohol overdose, but that was unlikely. A background check revealed later that Visentini had never had a drink in his life, nor had he not previously had any drug overdose problems, meaning suicide was out of the question. He was content about life, and even more content about receiving the AP physics teacher position at Clear Creek high School, leaving him therefore with no motive or reason to commit suicide.
However, the hotel authorities later informed me during my investigation that a certain Miss Marthy Buzzworth, the previous AP physics teacher at the high school was found loitering earlier about the hotel trying to discover the whereabouts of T.J. Visentini. I conducted research to determine if Buzzworth had a motive. She Did! Visentini, who had demonstrated surperior, skills in the area of physics at the high school was granted a promotion leaving a jealous and envious Marthy Buzzworth out of a job. Hardly a motive to kill, but a motive, nevertheless. Buzzworth did carry a grudge against Visentini, and she was found at the hotel at the time at the murder. Just one thing remained before I could prove my hypothesis, was Marty Buzzworth present in or around room 217 at the time of the murder? Hotel footage later proved the answer to be yes.
I ultimately determined from all of my research, that Buzzworth had entered into visentini’s room and forced the placebo monocarbonate drug down his throat, which ultimately took effect and caused Visentini to die. To cover up her crime, buzzworth emptied the alcohol from the mini bar and stole a shot glass to make it appear that Visentini had died of an alcohol overdose. But she neglected the fact that Visentini had never had a drop of alcohol in his life, leading to her exposition. Therefore Miss Marthy Buzzworth is your killer.
Reference:
T.J. Visentini – Mr. Jim Vissentine, Physics CCHS
Marthy Buzzworth – Ms. Martha Bosworth, AP physics CCHS

Poem about Canada’s flag

The Canadian Flag
By: Bobby Murphy

1 A poem about the American flag is quite cliché
So listen here to this about the Canadian flag
Something very important have I to say

4 A glossy red-and-white banner that flows
As majestic as the wind across the terrain
So graceful in the sky is the manner it blows

7 The red maple leaf, and the color’s of St. George’s cross
Glimmer blissfully in the breeze
O’er Canada’s beautiful wooded land

10 From Niagra Falls to the barren Northern Frontier
From the Pacific coast to the furthest Islands of the east
The brilliant maple is something that all Canadians hold dear…EH!

The chupacabra story…

I wrote this my freshman year

enjoy

“It Hypnotized my Chickens”
By: Bobby Murphy
Grandpa Viejo sat in his rocking chair on a regular Puerto Rican day. He always sat there. He didn’t say much, he just sat there, and stared into the sky. He had done a lot in his life, but not now. Now he sat there all the time, reminiscing. He sat there constantly, reminiscing.
On that same regular Puerto Rican day Grandpa Viejo spotted a small boy running up the hill towards the house. He recognized the boy as little Vicente, his grandson. Vicente was a small little boy of around seven years old, he was short, even for his age, and he had a very dark head of hair. As Vicente ran up the hill Grandpa Viejo could hear him calling his name. He seemed very excited to see his grandfather, and likewise Grandpa Viejo was delighted to see his favorite, and only grandson.
When little Vicente finally reached the top of the hill Grandpa Viejo was waiting for him. “Hola Grandpa Viejo,” he said. “Oooooooooh little Vicente, you are getting so big.” “Come give your grandfather a hug,” he heaved in a deep, worn out voice. Vicente rushed over to his grandfather, and gave him a hug. Vicente loved to see his grandfather, because every time that Vicente visited Grandpa Viejo he would be entertained by one of his many stories. Grandpa Viejo, though he didn’t talk much, was full of stories, many of which Vicente had heard at least twice, but there were others. Others Vicente had not yet heard. Today was no exception. As soon as Vicente reached the top of the hill, still huffing and puffing from the long run up he asked Grandpa Viejo to tell him a story. Grandpa Viejo responded with this, “Little Vicente you are going to wear your old Grandpa Viejo out. He took a sip of his rum, “But none the less I guess i will tell you a story,” he sighed. “ Hmmmmmmm what story will it be today, he thought.”I guess I could tell you the story of Puerto Ricos most famous myth, El Chupacabra.” Vicente flinched, but he wasn’t scared, but he thought he might be after the story. “Well do you want to hear the story or not?” he chuckled. “Of course, Grandpa Viejo, your stories are the best, he answered. “Whellllp, fetch me another glass of rum, and lets get started then.”
As Vicente ran into the house Grandpa Viejo laughed softly again, and said, “ Im sure you’ll enjoy this one Vicente, Im sure you’ll enjoy this one.” Grandpa Viejo was ready to tell the story that all started at the same house, on the same hill of El Rancho Viejo.
Vicente returned, and after taking a sip of his rum, Grandpa Viejo started his story.
Wellllllllllllllll 50 years ago my friend Hector, and I sat in this same spot throwing rocks into a bucket. Nothing ever happened in the in our lonely town, that was a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nothing at all. It may seem like a great place, but when noting exciting ever happened, it got pretty dull. That was all soon to change though, that was all soon to change.
It had gotten dark, but Hector and I were still outside throwing rocks. We spent the early mornings feeding the cattle, milking the goats, and collecting the chicken eggs on each others farms. It was a form of mutualism. Once we were done with our farm work we would throw rocks into a bucket for the rest of the day for fun, and now at night Hector had one last chance to beat me in rock throwing. He fired one hard at the bucket, we heard it bounce of the rim of his bucket, and bounce into my bucket, he had lost.
“Ok, I lose,”he sighed.
“Yeah Im worn out,” “Gunnight” I broke out.
“Good Night, 5:30 tomorrow morning?”Hector asked.
“Yeah 5:30, see you then,” I answered.
I retired to my bedroom for a good nights sleep.
The next morning I woke up to a strange figure on the local newspapers front page. I noticed the scenery around the picture as the farm of my neighbor Jaime Jiminez, but the mysterious creature in the article, I couldn’t tell what it was. So I picked up the article to see what the mysterious creature was.
The article was long, real long. That was probably there was really no other local news to put in it.
As I read I found out that old Jaime claimed to have lost half of his flock of chickens, and about three or more of his goats to a monster he claimed was El Chupacabra. I didn’t know much about this “Chupacabra” but the paper cleared that up for me too. It said that in English Chupacabra translated to goat sucker. It also said that it was about 3-4 feet tall with fangs, and reptilian legs. Not only that, but it also had small beady eyes, and the ability to change colors. It also said that it smells like sulfur. It went on, and on, and on, but those were really the only things about it that really mattered.
Point being, I decided to set a tap to catch it, with the help of Hector, of course. I really don’t know why I decided to try and trap the legendary Chupacabra, its probably just because there was just nothing better to do. None the less we set the trap. Hector and I bought a large cage, and name it the Chupa-Cage, we put a stuffed goat in the cage, and named it Bob. We were probably the only men that would name a stuffed goat.
With the trap set we sat throwing rocks into buckets for the rest of the day, because it wasn’t like the monster would expose itself in daylight.
Night came, and Hector and I sat looking out of a window from which the cage was visible. Nothing happened until late at night, when both Hector and I were dozing off. There was a snap, and a rattling sound in the cage outside. I woke up Hector, who was snoring, and we ran outside.
Now at this time of year it was very very cold. At least for Puerto Rican weather. So you could imagine how eerie it felt outside in nothing but a t-shirt and jeans.
The first thing we noticed was an extremely large amount of chickens lined up in about four or five rows. All of them seemed to be in a trance. There eyes were blue, and they just stood there like they were waiting for something. “It hypnotized my chickens,” I said. Hector started to laugh, but i didn’t think that was very funny.
Meanwhile the so called Chupacabra tried,to fly out of its cage, but it would always hit its head, fall back down, and start to change colors. It was actually real funny, but Hector broke my thoughts of jumping chupacabras, by saying this, “We cant just leave it there, help me bring it in.”
The next morning I went out half asleep, and in a bathrobe, with my cup of coffee to get my newspaper. When I opened the door I was standing face to face with my neighbor Jaime. The first thing I did was close the door. I guess I thought he was an illusion, or that he would simply go away. I don’t know.
When I opened the door again I was greeted with a sarcastic “ Very funny,” from him. His face then got very serious as he said “ I want the monster dead.” After that he left.
I woke up Hector and told him that Jaime knew about the Chupacabra. “We’ve got to get rid of it,” he said mumbling in his sleep, and continued “ Puerto del sol, boat 8, tonight;” after that he fell back asleep.
I looked at a boat schedule that I found, and saw that boat 8 left for Chile, in South America. Well better them ten me I suppose.
That night Hector and I put a box with a cage, with El Chupacabra in it on boat 8, which turned out to be a cargo ship. We claimed the box had Mexican Jumping Beans in it, because El Chupacabra was still jumping up, and hitting itself on the head.
The boat went off, and we never saw El Chupacabra again, but I bet he(or it) had a muy grande headache after hitting its head so much on the cage.
By: Bobby Murphy