OK, I'm right in the middle of finals week, so I'll make this quick, but I saw another thing on the Today Show only a few minutes ago that again made me think, "What the...?"
I posted a few weeks ago about a segment on the same morning program that suggested ways to "go green." This is an even dumber idea.
Today's bit discussed ways to wrap oddly shaped gifts for the holidays (Christmas). I didn't really understand the premise behind this one. Well I guess I did, but the whole idea overall was just really sad.
As I said, the topic was gift wrapping, and they got to small shaped gifts, like gift cards. It was suggested that you should reuse old coffee cups (you know, the ones you drink out of, put your mouth on) and put the gift inside it. Add a bow and you are the biggest cheapskate on the block.
Somehow, these coffee cups were all holiday decorated. I don't drink coffee all that often, so Starbucks may have themed cups this time of the year, but really, is that even relevant? You're putting a gift in a piece of garbage. Literally.
The only reason the host had behind this odd technique was that it supports the whole "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra. There's gotta be a better way to do this, other than give your trash to the people you care enough about to get gifts.
Now, I wouldn't really mind getting a gift card or something like that in a coffee cup (that sounds so weird, doesn't it?), but here's what takes the cake (yum, cake): they actually suggested putting jewelry in there. What? No, I'm not kidding. Doesn't most jewelry already come inside a case? If it doesn't, did you just buy it from some guy in an alley? How would you display that inside the cup? What an awful idea!
Imagine this: you and your sweetheart and cuddled up next to the fire to stay warm. You hand her what appears to be a piece of trash and she says, "Honey, the garbage can is in the kitchen." You give her a look and she finally figures out that there's something sliding around inside.
Tada!
You have just created an overly-awkward situation because you were too cheap. Or else you were just too dumb to keep the original case.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
It's Not the Writer's Strike
Sometimes things happen that you just have to write down after they are over. When things don't go as you planned, they make a pretty good story much of the time.
To keep some sort of sane overall college schedule,I need to get in to this class I really need. I decided to spend the wee hours of the morning in the Journalism office to get on the "Wish List" for said class. I am always the earlybird and thought I could get there early enough to get high enough on the list to get a good chance of getting a seat.
It was to be a good cold walk to Haley Center, so I called the Night Security Transit to get a ride. I have never been on the "Drunk Bus," but I've heard that it can get pretty interesting.
It lived up to its expectations.
I got on and explained where I was going and why, then realized I was the only sober person on that van. Besides the driver.
A few minutes into the drive, I recognized a guy on there who I graduated with from high school. "Duuuude I didn't recognize you man, you've lost a ton of weight, whats uuuup?" It was good to catch up, but I don't think he'll remember me in the morning.
I was finally dropped off in front of Haley Center nice and warm a little before 2:00 am. A short trip up the stairs leads me to notice that every single door is locked. It's cool, there has to be a card-swipe somewhere so that students can get in, right? Score, there's one on the other side. Swipe. Green light. Plus a red light. Access denied.
Something just had to go wrong. I really didn't know what to do, but I had to decide fast because I was getting cold. And staring down at a final exam for two hours is sure to induce many-a runny nose, especially fall semester.
I thought about going to the library and coming back in a few hours, but it didn't seem worth it. What if it were still closed then? What if there were lots of people gathered? What would I study in the library? How did I think of all this in less than one minute?
I decided to walk back to my apartment on the chilly Auburn night. There was a breeze that made the lightposts cry. I did a lot of thinking on the way back and realized that my life is great as of now, and that I should focus on what is at hand. Pace yourself, young grasshopper.
The whole night was a sham. The sugar and caffeine I consumed during the hours leading up to the affair is kicking in right now, when I need it least.
I have never really stayed up all night (besides a couple bus rides from hell), and it's funny, because at this point, I feel more awake right now than I have been all night.
To keep some sort of sane overall college schedule,I need to get in to this class I really need. I decided to spend the wee hours of the morning in the Journalism office to get on the "Wish List" for said class. I am always the earlybird and thought I could get there early enough to get high enough on the list to get a good chance of getting a seat.
It was to be a good cold walk to Haley Center, so I called the Night Security Transit to get a ride. I have never been on the "Drunk Bus," but I've heard that it can get pretty interesting.
It lived up to its expectations.
I got on and explained where I was going and why, then realized I was the only sober person on that van. Besides the driver.
A few minutes into the drive, I recognized a guy on there who I graduated with from high school. "Duuuude I didn't recognize you man, you've lost a ton of weight, whats uuuup?" It was good to catch up, but I don't think he'll remember me in the morning.
I was finally dropped off in front of Haley Center nice and warm a little before 2:00 am. A short trip up the stairs leads me to notice that every single door is locked. It's cool, there has to be a card-swipe somewhere so that students can get in, right? Score, there's one on the other side. Swipe. Green light. Plus a red light. Access denied.
Something just had to go wrong. I really didn't know what to do, but I had to decide fast because I was getting cold. And staring down at a final exam for two hours is sure to induce many-a runny nose, especially fall semester.
I thought about going to the library and coming back in a few hours, but it didn't seem worth it. What if it were still closed then? What if there were lots of people gathered? What would I study in the library? How did I think of all this in less than one minute?
I decided to walk back to my apartment on the chilly Auburn night. There was a breeze that made the lightposts cry. I did a lot of thinking on the way back and realized that my life is great as of now, and that I should focus on what is at hand. Pace yourself, young grasshopper.
The whole night was a sham. The sugar and caffeine I consumed during the hours leading up to the affair is kicking in right now, when I need it least.
I have never really stayed up all night (besides a couple bus rides from hell), and it's funny, because at this point, I feel more awake right now than I have been all night.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Ladies Channel
During Thanksgiving Break, college students like yours truly love to spend time relaxing and getting their minds off of their studies. For me, the relaxation has given way to boredom and many hours indulging in the wonderful world of television.
When your World Lit professor assigns the class to read "Don Quixote" over break, does she really expect anyone to do it? I'll just check the TV Guide to see if it comes on this weekend.
Let's face it: TV ain't what it used to be. The days of wholesome game shows have given way to Howie Mandel and Monday nights filled with NFL football have been replaced with countless hours of blabbering by ESPN's finest.
Over the past few days I've seen a lot of strange and really quite disturbing things on the tube.
Remember when TLC used to stand for "The Learning Channel?" Oh wait, it still does? Well then could someone inform me of what I could possibly learn from watching "Fashionably Late with Stacy London" on Friday nights? I think this show could be so bad it could quite possibly invent a new phenomenon known as "unlearning." Seriously, this garbage doesn't even belong on Lifetime.
Sure, some if not most of the shows aren't the traditional Bob Vila-esque type, but the network has lost its touch and has gone south.
And though most programs on TLC are a bit more off the wall than in the past, some are great. "Little People, Big World" is a throwback to the good ol' family on the farm hits of yesteryear and shows like "Flip That House" actually include learning. I could watch these all day (I will probably watch the L.P., B.W. marathon tomorrow).
But come on, this hype over an estrogen packed "stay-in-on-Friday-night" women's power-hour is more than enough, TLC. If I see another advertisement for it, I might "Flip That House."
When your World Lit professor assigns the class to read "Don Quixote" over break, does she really expect anyone to do it? I'll just check the TV Guide to see if it comes on this weekend.
Let's face it: TV ain't what it used to be. The days of wholesome game shows have given way to Howie Mandel and Monday nights filled with NFL football have been replaced with countless hours of blabbering by ESPN's finest.
Over the past few days I've seen a lot of strange and really quite disturbing things on the tube.
Remember when TLC used to stand for "The Learning Channel?" Oh wait, it still does? Well then could someone inform me of what I could possibly learn from watching "Fashionably Late with Stacy London" on Friday nights? I think this show could be so bad it could quite possibly invent a new phenomenon known as "unlearning." Seriously, this garbage doesn't even belong on Lifetime.
Sure, some if not most of the shows aren't the traditional Bob Vila-esque type, but the network has lost its touch and has gone south.
And though most programs on TLC are a bit more off the wall than in the past, some are great. "Little People, Big World" is a throwback to the good ol' family on the farm hits of yesteryear and shows like "Flip That House" actually include learning. I could watch these all day (I will probably watch the L.P., B.W. marathon tomorrow).
But come on, this hype over an estrogen packed "stay-in-on-Friday-night" women's power-hour is more than enough, TLC. If I see another advertisement for it, I might "Flip That House."
Thursday, November 8, 2007
You don't know what you want 'til you have it
You've probably heard the old saying, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." I enjoy that one, but lately I've felt more like "You don't know what you want 'til you have it."
I always thought I knew what I wanted. For my major, my profession, girls. But I have learned lately that mistakes must be made to realize what our hearts truly desire.
Architecture seemed perfect. Go to Auburn, graduate, design things for a living. Something happened. I tried it, the real architecture process, and it was not right. Something was off.
I met a girl. She seemed like the girl I could be with for a long time. Suddenly, things changed and it all faded away.
When you want something, it is really just an ideal of some way of your life that you think needs to be changed. When it actually does change your life, you may see that it really is not right for you. It wasn't what you expected.
Things always change. No matter what. People, places, time. Learning to cope with the change and adapting to it is key.
I believe that we must accumulate all the lessons we learn from the mistakes we make in order to become people.
/emo_rant
I always thought I knew what I wanted. For my major, my profession, girls. But I have learned lately that mistakes must be made to realize what our hearts truly desire.
Architecture seemed perfect. Go to Auburn, graduate, design things for a living. Something happened. I tried it, the real architecture process, and it was not right. Something was off.
I met a girl. She seemed like the girl I could be with for a long time. Suddenly, things changed and it all faded away.
When you want something, it is really just an ideal of some way of your life that you think needs to be changed. When it actually does change your life, you may see that it really is not right for you. It wasn't what you expected.
Things always change. No matter what. People, places, time. Learning to cope with the change and adapting to it is key.
I believe that we must accumulate all the lessons we learn from the mistakes we make in order to become people.
/emo_rant
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Green Dating
I just watched a bit on the Today Show about "going green." On "date night."
Apparently, saving the world just got easier.
Or did it?
I'm really no expert on the science or ethics of this new trend of replacing old materials and methods with new environmentally friendly, or "green," ones. And even though those who introduce all this new stuff seem to be on the right track, it really just seems almost trivial.
I want to save the planet from pollution, but some things that were said on the tube this morning didn't really make any sense. Well, to me that is.
First of all, if I go on a date with a girl that goes this crazy to save a piece of paper or two, I will probably just leave. A date is usually a laid back experience, unless you're paranoid and hire your roommate to tell you what to say via an earpiece. It was his idea after all.
One proposed idea was to print out tickets at home on your own printer, on recycled paper. What's the advantage of this? Apparently, you just save the theater the hassle, and you're stuck with a piece of paper that is seven times larger than the one they give you there at the movies. And I'm pretty sure that ticket is still recyclable, unless you think that "Bee Movie" ticket stub is going to be worth something in a few years.
I think that really you're just being green by saving the Earth from all the hot air your date would emit when she complains that you didn't buy the tickets earlier before the movie was sold out. Global warming is dangerous, boys and girls.
I try to be Earth friendly, I recycle, I conserve water, but I think that by using so much energy to conserve so little, some practices are best left undone until better means arrive.
Until then, if you go on a date, please shower. If it goes well, you can save twice as much water by showering with each other!
Apparently, saving the world just got easier.
Or did it?
I'm really no expert on the science or ethics of this new trend of replacing old materials and methods with new environmentally friendly, or "green," ones. And even though those who introduce all this new stuff seem to be on the right track, it really just seems almost trivial.
I want to save the planet from pollution, but some things that were said on the tube this morning didn't really make any sense. Well, to me that is.
First of all, if I go on a date with a girl that goes this crazy to save a piece of paper or two, I will probably just leave. A date is usually a laid back experience, unless you're paranoid and hire your roommate to tell you what to say via an earpiece. It was his idea after all.
One proposed idea was to print out tickets at home on your own printer, on recycled paper. What's the advantage of this? Apparently, you just save the theater the hassle, and you're stuck with a piece of paper that is seven times larger than the one they give you there at the movies. And I'm pretty sure that ticket is still recyclable, unless you think that "Bee Movie" ticket stub is going to be worth something in a few years.
I think that really you're just being green by saving the Earth from all the hot air your date would emit when she complains that you didn't buy the tickets earlier before the movie was sold out. Global warming is dangerous, boys and girls.
I try to be Earth friendly, I recycle, I conserve water, but I think that by using so much energy to conserve so little, some practices are best left undone until better means arrive.
Until then, if you go on a date, please shower. If it goes well, you can save twice as much water by showering with each other!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Series Notes
What: The 2007 October Classic
Where: Boston MA; Denver CO
Who: Boston Red Sox vs. Colorado Rockies
How: The Rockies have won 21 of their last 22 games dating back to the regular season and are 7-0 in the playoffs. The Red Sox beat the Angels and came back from a 3 games to one deficit against Cleveland to make it to their second World Series in four years.
Who wins: Boston Red Sox in 6 games.
Why: The Colorado Rockies have not played in over a week, and while they say that this will not affect them, there is a good chance it will derail their championship hopes. They have relied on their momentum throughout the playoffs but tonight in Game 1 it comes to a stop because of Josh Beckett. If Beckett can pitch yet another postseason gem, he will put his team on the path to another crown, while taking all the air out of the Rockies' sails. A Boston Game 1 win would bring Colorado back down to Earth. If Boston sweeps both games at Fenway, the Rockies must come up huge back home. If the Rockies steal one in Boston, they have a good chance of making it a good series. What is most important as of now is Game 1. It is a must win for Colorado to prove to themselves that they are still the real deal.
My take: Beckett shines in Game 1, Boston then makes it a 2-0 series as they head to Colorado. The Rockies find their tune back home and win two of three, then the Red Sox take Game 6 back home for an remarkable end to an outstanding season.
Where: Boston MA; Denver CO
Who: Boston Red Sox vs. Colorado Rockies
How: The Rockies have won 21 of their last 22 games dating back to the regular season and are 7-0 in the playoffs. The Red Sox beat the Angels and came back from a 3 games to one deficit against Cleveland to make it to their second World Series in four years.
Who wins: Boston Red Sox in 6 games.
Why: The Colorado Rockies have not played in over a week, and while they say that this will not affect them, there is a good chance it will derail their championship hopes. They have relied on their momentum throughout the playoffs but tonight in Game 1 it comes to a stop because of Josh Beckett. If Beckett can pitch yet another postseason gem, he will put his team on the path to another crown, while taking all the air out of the Rockies' sails. A Boston Game 1 win would bring Colorado back down to Earth. If Boston sweeps both games at Fenway, the Rockies must come up huge back home. If the Rockies steal one in Boston, they have a good chance of making it a good series. What is most important as of now is Game 1. It is a must win for Colorado to prove to themselves that they are still the real deal.
My take: Beckett shines in Game 1, Boston then makes it a 2-0 series as they head to Colorado. The Rockies find their tune back home and win two of three, then the Red Sox take Game 6 back home for an remarkable end to an outstanding season.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Checkpoint
Of the many things students learn in college, most, and all for some, are learned outside the classroom. For some it is how to socialize. Others advance their skills in the workforce. Today, I was the one who learned a little bit more about public transportation. More specifically, Tiger Transit.
Tiger Transit is usually monotonous in nature, same routine every day for the most part. Students sit as far away from one another as possible. Of course, we must do this without making the mistake of sitting too far away from someone, only to end up that much closer to that smelly kid who lives in D building.
There are deviations to the unwritten rules. Some actually sit together! Most of these specimen are fraternity members, sport teammates, or the cute girl you talked to once. For these folks, the Tiger Transit is a further branch of their social world.
There are also the people you don't sit next to. These are the ex-roommates and the I-think-I-saw-you-folding-your-underwear-in-the-laundromat types of people. They make Tiger Transit so much fun.
Aside from the usual banter on Tiger Transit, funny and awkward situations usually arise. One such instance happened to me today on my way back from Lit class. I grabbed a seat near the back door, took a sip of water, and waited for the bus to depart. Nothing unusual. Some guy sits next to me. Nothing out of the ordinary. A few seconds later one other guy sits on the other side of me and the two begin conversing. As the bus leaves the Haley Center, I'm stuck in the middle of a dull conversation between two people I don't know.
Keep in mind, this is one of those big-boy buses; everything is moving sideways when I look out the window. It's very disorienting.
It wouldn't have perturbed me so much if the discussion were about fun, hip subjects, but the two guys were talking about a food drive. Don't get me wrong, I love community service and try to do it as often as possible, but in an awkward situation such as this, I was hoping for something more spicy.
Finally they get off the bus. Another guy gets on, sits a couple seats over to the left of me, and slings his backpack which is uncomfortably nestled between my elbow and thigh. Said guy does not notice and I am left to scooch over a bit. Luckily, the driver slams on the brakes at the next stop, causing the backpack to speed towards the front of the bus and away from my delicate shaken body.
I could only sit and laugh, not because it was some completely horrifying experience, but because it was really, really awkward. I was pretty lucky; it did end up livening my day. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket.
I suppose this just further proves that several things are just learned better outside the classroom.
I think this is really why I believe in Auburn. And love it.
Tiger Transit is usually monotonous in nature, same routine every day for the most part. Students sit as far away from one another as possible. Of course, we must do this without making the mistake of sitting too far away from someone, only to end up that much closer to that smelly kid who lives in D building.
There are deviations to the unwritten rules. Some actually sit together! Most of these specimen are fraternity members, sport teammates, or the cute girl you talked to once. For these folks, the Tiger Transit is a further branch of their social world.
There are also the people you don't sit next to. These are the ex-roommates and the I-think-I-saw-you-folding-your-underwear-in-the-laundromat types of people. They make Tiger Transit so much fun.
Aside from the usual banter on Tiger Transit, funny and awkward situations usually arise. One such instance happened to me today on my way back from Lit class. I grabbed a seat near the back door, took a sip of water, and waited for the bus to depart. Nothing unusual. Some guy sits next to me. Nothing out of the ordinary. A few seconds later one other guy sits on the other side of me and the two begin conversing. As the bus leaves the Haley Center, I'm stuck in the middle of a dull conversation between two people I don't know.
Keep in mind, this is one of those big-boy buses; everything is moving sideways when I look out the window. It's very disorienting.
It wouldn't have perturbed me so much if the discussion were about fun, hip subjects, but the two guys were talking about a food drive. Don't get me wrong, I love community service and try to do it as often as possible, but in an awkward situation such as this, I was hoping for something more spicy.
Finally they get off the bus. Another guy gets on, sits a couple seats over to the left of me, and slings his backpack which is uncomfortably nestled between my elbow and thigh. Said guy does not notice and I am left to scooch over a bit. Luckily, the driver slams on the brakes at the next stop, causing the backpack to speed towards the front of the bus and away from my delicate shaken body.
I could only sit and laugh, not because it was some completely horrifying experience, but because it was really, really awkward. I was pretty lucky; it did end up livening my day. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket.
I suppose this just further proves that several things are just learned better outside the classroom.
I think this is really why I believe in Auburn. And love it.
Friday, May 4, 2007
The Outlook
I have not updated this piece in a while, not because I haven't had time, just because I haven't felt all that motivated. Until now, I figure.
Right now, I am one final down and two to go in my second semester here at Auburn. I believe I came close to acing my science final today, so that's good. It's hard to believe that I've been here for so long, especially when I notice how many hours I have taken; kinda seems like I just got here, meeting my roommate and trying for the life of me to find the damn Engineering Shops during Welcome Week. The room is growing empty, my posters are down and nothing but furniture sits in the room adjacent. I didn't even get a goodbye. Brutal. The grades are good, and this Summer (in about two weeks) I'll be embarking on the biggest challenge so far in my life: Summer Op. If you don't know what that is, well I'm about to tell you, and not because you were just going to read the rest of this anyways. To avoid a long boring description, I'll sum it up by saying that I'll pretty much be doing architecture projects all day. And all night. For about four weeks straight. Then they cut people, like, getting voted off the island, "You're fied!" [Donald Trump hand gesture], you get the idea. After that, there are six more weeks of more intense work in the studio. To paint a more vivid picture, the studio will actually close from 12am-5am every night (morning) so as to force us students to, well, you know, get some sleep. I'm sure there will be many nights where sleep will just not be an option, so I can avoid the possible over sleeping ... thing. So I'm gonna be up all night, sippin on tea and coffee while watching Ron Popeil at 3:30am so I will be able to finish that drafting that project that is due at 9am. I'm not exaggerating either. Why would I put up with this inhumane lifestyle while I could be back in Mobile earnin dolla dolla bills and goin to the beach? Because getting a degree in architecture would mean the world to me. I want to prove to myself that I can do this. What if I don't make the cut? I've actually thought about that, and it is certainly a very real prospect. I won't be upset, but proud that I had a chance to pursue my dream. And so what if I don't make it? I would still be at Auburn working my way towards a very successful career, and probably change my major to Building Science, though I've heard of some crazy scenarios with minors in Business and another year of architecture. I'm staying positive though. I am extraordinarily lucky to have this chance. So much for just "summing it up." Oops. All berries.
The RSA Tower is complete and tenants have begun to move in. I will be lucky enough to attend the lighting of the crown a week from tonight down in Mobile. I cannot freaking wait, it will truly be something to remember.
Anyways, I guess I should be working on something more productive, like the baseball stadium I'm designing in Google Sketchup. Heh.
Right now, I am one final down and two to go in my second semester here at Auburn. I believe I came close to acing my science final today, so that's good. It's hard to believe that I've been here for so long, especially when I notice how many hours I have taken; kinda seems like I just got here, meeting my roommate and trying for the life of me to find the damn Engineering Shops during Welcome Week. The room is growing empty, my posters are down and nothing but furniture sits in the room adjacent. I didn't even get a goodbye. Brutal. The grades are good, and this Summer (in about two weeks) I'll be embarking on the biggest challenge so far in my life: Summer Op. If you don't know what that is, well I'm about to tell you, and not because you were just going to read the rest of this anyways. To avoid a long boring description, I'll sum it up by saying that I'll pretty much be doing architecture projects all day. And all night. For about four weeks straight. Then they cut people, like, getting voted off the island, "You're fied!" [Donald Trump hand gesture], you get the idea. After that, there are six more weeks of more intense work in the studio. To paint a more vivid picture, the studio will actually close from 12am-5am every night (morning) so as to force us students to, well, you know, get some sleep. I'm sure there will be many nights where sleep will just not be an option, so I can avoid the possible over sleeping ... thing. So I'm gonna be up all night, sippin on tea and coffee while watching Ron Popeil at 3:30am so I will be able to finish that drafting that project that is due at 9am. I'm not exaggerating either. Why would I put up with this inhumane lifestyle while I could be back in Mobile earnin dolla dolla bills and goin to the beach? Because getting a degree in architecture would mean the world to me. I want to prove to myself that I can do this. What if I don't make the cut? I've actually thought about that, and it is certainly a very real prospect. I won't be upset, but proud that I had a chance to pursue my dream. And so what if I don't make it? I would still be at Auburn working my way towards a very successful career, and probably change my major to Building Science, though I've heard of some crazy scenarios with minors in Business and another year of architecture. I'm staying positive though. I am extraordinarily lucky to have this chance. So much for just "summing it up." Oops. All berries.
The RSA Tower is complete and tenants have begun to move in. I will be lucky enough to attend the lighting of the crown a week from tonight down in Mobile. I cannot freaking wait, it will truly be something to remember.
Anyways, I guess I should be working on something more productive, like the baseball stadium I'm designing in Google Sketchup. Heh.
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