Bama Hockey

Ending Words

2006-05-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

For my last blog I wanted to share something with everyone. When I found this poem, I was at my younger brothers eighth grade graduation, and I kept it because it meant alot to me. I want everyone to know what has molded me so far into the person that I am. I hope that it can touch just one person like it has touched me. Anyway, here it is.

"If" For Boys

by Rudyard Kipling

----

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting, too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting;

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies;

Or, being hated, don't give way to hating;

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

----

If you can dream and not make dreams your master;

If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,

And treat these two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools;

Or, watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build them up with worn-out tools;

----

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk on the turn of a pitch-and-toss;

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothin in you,

Except the will which says to them, "Hold on;"

----

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or, walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;

If all men count on you, but not too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth

and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son.

----

There is one for girls, but, because I'm not a girl, it doesn't mean as much to me. I hope everyone has a safe summer, and to Ms. Ashley, thank you for expanding our writing and giving us as much information as humanly possible. Thank you.

Friendship For Life

2006-05-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

I don't really know what to talk about right now. I'm fresh out of ideas and nothing is really on my mind but finals. I feel drained, totally. This semester has been an emotional and physical roller-coaster. I've been tired to the point of delirium. I've been down to the point giving up. I've been pressing and pressing for help from SGA officers here at school, but it never comes. All in all, it seems this semester was one of the best times of my life, I never want to have again.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." What a powerful statement. As college students, we want to change everything around us. We live in an environment that stresses changes. We are encouraged everyday to change ourselves for the better, and to become better people. I think that changing yourself starts with you realizing whats wrong with the world. Knowing your surroundings is one of the most powerful tools you can ever have, and no one can ever take away from you.

Change, as we have all heard millions upon millions of times, is a good thing. I think we may have heard it so much that it's just like everything else we do, breathing "make a change", blinking "change the world", moving "see a change, make a differnce." But stop and think. If you held on to your cup for a few extra minutes and actually found a trashcan, someone wouldn't have to pick it up again. If you dropped everything you were doing just to help a friend, wouldn't that make them more grateful. If you were quiet for two minutes and listened to the world around you, do you think you would appreciate everthing that has happened?

Making a change in yourself can alter the world. Lets help one another make changes in this world. Lets commit to a life full of change. Lets make friends with the world for life, it only makes logical sense. Lets make friends, and changes, for life.

Building

2006-05-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend I was building all these structures for my fraternities big spring party. We built about five different stages in our backyard some of them connected by wooden walk-ways. We put sand in our backyard and put up a volleyball net. We also built a tower that was ten feet tall, but put a person six feet off of the ground. It was also connected to a stage. We had tiki lights set up all around the "volleyball court" and a string of lights around the entire walk-way. It was an awesome set up.

The party is call Riverboat Gamblers (no riverboat this year, and no gambling either), so we had to do our best to make it seem like we were on a riverboat of sorts. We had a ton of people come and three really good bands come and play in our band room. It was amazing.

While we were building all of our structures, I couldn't help but think of building houses for Habitat. We cut wood at odd angles, just like for the roofing planks. We had to get exact lengths for boards to stand on and the correct support system underneath so they wouldn't collapse when people stood on them (although we did have one raise walk-way collapse, no one was hurt). We marked off wood and nailed down boards. We even put tin roofing on some of our stages (which was good because it rained a few times).

All in all, I think the party was a success. Alot of people working on building one thing correctly works out. It doesn't take long at all, and it actually can be alot of fun while you are doing it. I think it brought me closer to some of the guys in my fraternity, and I think Habitat works the same way. I think it can pull strangers together to work on houses and form bonds between people. What a great organization.

P.S. But i'm still not cool with them cause they won't send me any information.

Easter Weekend

2006-04-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

I read something this weekend that reminded me of my project. I was reading in the commercial appeal about all the new buildings going up and coming down and about all the houses being demolished and I thought about Habitat.

In a city in which Habitat is so active, there is still a great need for housing. Many people in Memphis are homeless, jobless, and hungry. They need help. Habitat is supposed to be doing that in the area, but it seems that they've hit a wall. They must need more wood, or more volunteers.

If they are as hard to deal with in Memphis as they are in Tuscaloosa, I can see why they aren't being as helpful as they are supposed to be. I still need the information from them, but I dont see it coming anytime soon. I've been badgering them constantly, but they say that it would be easier for me to drive to them, than for them to send something in the mail to me. I still don't see the logic in that.

My point is, Habitat, in all it's good and helpful ways, still has a downside, as does every philanthropic group. I don't mean to bad mouth them everyday that I get on here and write, but it's just frustrating. I see things that need to be done, that aren't hidden from anyones sight. Things can be done, but they must have hit some sort of wall, because I haven't seen any progress, here or in Memphis.

Happy Easter!

In the Strawberry Fields

2006-04-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

A great short, explanitory essay. It highlights the troubles of an illegal strawberry field worker in Orange County, California. It makes you think twice about what you have.

Reading about Francisco, an 18 year old Mixtec from a village in San Sebastian Tecomaxtlahuaca, who works in the feilds for about $5 a day and sends all of his saving to his parents, was inspiring to say the least. Francisco gave up a bed and dry shelter to come here and live, in hiding and sleep on the dirt under a roof that leaks when it rains. What does he have to say about it? "I have a good blanket." What an amazing answer.

And yet, the people of Orange County complain that so many illegal immigrants come over and lower their property values. All they care about is the country clubs and tennis courts in their area. Why are people so mean to eachother? The possibility for framworkers housing is available, but not possible, because "permanent fixtures in the area would lower property values beyond belief." I'm sorry, are we placing the price of land in a higher position than the lives of HUMAN BEINGS?

Is that really a ligit answer? Can we be so cruel? Or maybe the better question, Why are we so cruel to eachother?

Robotic Iguanas

2006-04-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

Julia Corbett, an environmental communications professor at the University of Utah, has written a combination restaurant review/plea for environmental awareness, which I never thought was possible. She ties the two in beautifully and very vividly.

I have been to the restaurent "The Mayan" that Julia is describing in the paper. The three levels are confusing to navigate. The lighting is of no help, and a patron would be lucky to find their way to and from the restroom without asking for help several times. The food is mediocre with a service to match. The show is directed to all audiences with a few hidden messages for the adults. The divers are amazing, but their lack of fabric may make you loose your appetite (if the food doesn't first).

The wait-staff's uniform is colorful and flashy, which is nothing to say for their attitude. If you want to talk to someone, don't come here. The show lasts your entire meal and is loud, i.e. prepare to be distracted.

The surroundings suggest a rainforest, with tiki huts over registers and sometimes tables. With wooden poles supporting the levels, and with wicker chairs. The entire restaurant is made up to be similar to the outdoors, but is sufficeintly air-conditioned. The place is like something you'd see on TV.

Which is exactly Julia Corbetts' point. We are a people set on TV, fast food, and cool air. We want predictable rain, cold fronts, and warm weather. We want easy money, easy women, and easy thrills. We want plastic cups and fake plants. We want greasy chicken, a soft heated chair, and a big screen TV.

We don't want to work. We don't want real deer, unprocessed meat, or an overgrown lawn. We don't want to go to the gym to lose weight (we'd rather take the pill). We don't want to worry about nature so we buy big cars and spend thousands of dollars on gas to kill it faster. We don't want anything real, we want everything fake and easy.

Nature is the most humbling experience. To know that your existance to the world can be as minisucle as a rock, or as important as air is unexplainable. To keep yourself intune with something that is so big, and so important, yet so taken for granted is amazing. We need to understand that we are loosing ourselves in a high powered world that is concerned only with fast cars, fast food, and fast service. Get back in touch America, and lets stay away from robotic iguanas.

Teach For America

2006-04-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

So, we had to read these three articles out of our book, and the first is called, Teach For America. It's basically about this lady who went to Princeton and is in her senior year and searching for something to do with her life (a little late to be deciding on that). She worries and worries about it and finally comes up with this idea about starting a national teaching corps.

I think the idea is very noble and is very, very much needed, but I don't see many people being for it. I mean, teaching seems to be just one of those jobs that not alot of people do simply because of the pay. I mean, alot of people want to teach, and probably would, if it paid better. Not to many people, coming out of college (alot of money out) wanting to teach (basically no money coming in).

I would imagine being a teacher is an all around tough job. I couldn't even begin to imagine how a teacher makes it in the world. I just can't wrap my head around the finaces. They are very noble people. And there is a great need for them. I wouldn't mind teaching, I think I would have alot to offer kids, I think that I could be a great influence on them. All of my teachers have influenced me, I think I've taken certain traits from each of my teachers and molded myself to accept them, or never be them. I think I would enjoy that job, more simply because I want to mean something to someone in my life. I want to be the reason someone is the way they are. I think it would be amazing to know that I was as big an influence on someone, as my teachers were on me. I don't, however, want to get paid $25,000 a year to do it. I couldn't live. It just wouldn't happen.

All in all, teachers are great. Everyone needs one, everyone is one. I think a national teachers corps would be a great idea, but I'm not sure just how many people would be as enthusiastic as Wendy Kopp (the author) about teaching.

Autism Article

2006-04-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

We read this article about a woman in New Mexico that had a kid that is superbly smart. I don't know the title of the article but it had to have been one of the best articles that I have read in a long, long time.

The article starts off with this woman talking about her genius baby. Alex, her child, was speaking at 7 months, but was not walking before 18 months. It was amazing to read her story. Alex, was naming (more than 200 at a time) and making replicas of dinosaurs out of Legos when all the other kids were still playing with blocks and riding big wheels. He wasn't interacting with the other children his age though.

Remarkably, his parents saw nothing wrong with this, they were still spoon feeding him "past the point he was able to feed himself." Alex was more focused, and more interested in grown-up things around him than in the children on his block or in his school classes. He became extremely interested in sprinkler sysytems by the time he was 3, and was taking it up out of the yard and tearing it apart to see how it all worked.

His interaction problem with kids and his slow learning of walking, first caused his parents to doubt their child's genius status. He was tested, and diagnosed with autism. What followed was disaster. Suicide attempts, classes, crying, depression. But one day Alex's mom researched her son's disease on the internet. She found that Alex's diagnoses is often confused with that of a child that exhibits signs of being extremely smart.

She took him in to be tested, and it turned out that Alex was indeed a genius and not Autistic. He was able to feel empathy and love. He understood everything that happened around him. His only problem was that his parents had babied him to the point of absolute insanity. An example was given that while being tested, Alex took his fathers wallet and dropped a credit card out of it, to which both of his parents jumped up to get the card so Alex, sitting right next to it, didn't have to pick it up. The "doctor" immediatly knew the problem and told the parents to chill out, and let Alex do things for himself.

Alex simply rebelled the only way he knew possible, by making his parents do everything for him, because that was the only thing he knew. From the time the session was over, to the next morning, Alex had changed. After a few corrections from his parents, he quickly picked up on the fact that he needed to change, so he made the change.

I think it's ironic that such a small child can understand that his parents are spoiling him, and take it to the next level. He was so smart that he rebelled in a way that no one could see as a rebellion. It was impossible for anyone to see that Alex was completely normal, but extremely smart. The kid is a genius.

"Red is not a color. Red is a word to describe a color." -Alex

Narrative Essay

2006-04-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Luckily the paper we just turned in had little to do with Habitat for Humanity. I've tried and tried again to get them to send me information in a packet but they are stubborn and not willing to help.

When I picked this organization I felt that it would be the most willing out of all of them to send me information and create a relationship with anyone interested in trying to help. So far the only thing i've gotten from them is a relationship, and it's not so hot. The lady that I have sent emails to continuously tells me that it is easier for them to not send things and for me to come in. I feel differently, I mean how hard is it exactly? All you have to do is gather up some brochuers from around the office, put them in an envelope, and send it on over to my P.O. box on campus. It's not hard.

Not true. It's a lot easier for me to take time out of my day to find the office downtown, get out into university traffic, use my gas and money (which i'm running low on), talk to people, and then turn around and get right back into the mix of crazy tuscaloosa drivers. Yeah right. Mailing something, even if it does take a couple of days, is alot easier because those people do it for a living. I don't want to waste time out of my day trying to find the office. Trying to get around in this traffic. Trying to put more money back into my car which I want to stay out of anyway.

I wish they would just send the information because now, believe it or not, I have a project due which requires information that they could have sent me at the beginning of the semester and been through with. I have a collage due at the end of the semester and I need brochures on Habitat for Humanity. How hard is it to send brochures? Pretty hard, evidently.

Working Back Into It

2006-03-31T08:36:00.000-08:00

SO, I just realized that I am supposed to be doing these blog posts like once a week. I did not know that at all, so I guess you guys will be hearing a lot more from me now.

Lately I've been trying to figure out what needs to get done around me (thus this and the journal entries to follow). I've noticed that i've kinda gotten behind in school, which isn't a surprise seeing as how all my time is dedicated to pledging and going to work. I need to get a time set out for me when I can do work (homework, research, studying). It's kind of getting to me. For instance I got about 4 hours of sleep last night (March 29th-30). It's working on me.

This, plus my allergies are getting to me. I didn't even know I had allergies. I hate it though. All this pollen in the air is making my eyes itch like crazy, I sneeze at random times throughout the day for like 5 minutes straight. It's ridiculous. I need to find something that is going to help me. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I need some big time. I dont even know where to start.

Life is hard. I need alot of sleep to catch up, but I need money, and I need good grades. I need to figure out my situation and get a schedule set up. Oh, by the way, I haven't been to the gym in ages. I feel sluggish, and unhealthy. I really wish this semester was over, it would be a blessing.

Narrative Arguments

2006-03-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

In this paper, we are supposed to appeal to our readers (you and our classmates) through narrative arguments. If you asked me, which i guess you sort of are by reading this, i would say that pretty much everything you read is a type of narrative argument.

Anyone who writes about anything they feel passionatly about is going to have some sort of experience in the field or no one is going to listen to them, thus the purpose of ethos. When you write about something you feel passionatly, most of the time you will let slip a small story that will make your story/argument stronger. It just appeals more to your reader and makes the group seem more alive and real.

When i start writing this paper, i plan on incorporating some sort of story. Since that is the assigment i know i will have absolutely no problem finding one and explaining in a type of descriptive narrative. Stories, like those in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail," (the one about his small daughter not being able to go to an amusement park because she is black) make people realize your point more clearly.

Habitat For Humanity

2006-02-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

Working with a charitable organization is a frustrating thing, especially when the charity is seemingly unwilling to work with you. Working with a charity can be EVEN more frustrating when you are in college with a full load on your plate, and the organization you choose doesn't seem to want to do what you ask.

I have had a great experience working with the organization Habitat for Humanity in my home town of Memphis. I did some work on a house in the Memphis Metropolitan area and had a great time making friends with a group of people I would have otherwise never met or associated with. Working with Habitat for Humanity is one of the more rewarding experiences I have ever had. I recieved nothing but good, as a result of the time that I worked on the house in Memphis.

I came to Tuscaloosa wishing to have a similar experience that I could possibly get my friend interested in and create a following. Unfortunatly, (like one of my classmates) I have been unable to get any information from the Habitat office in the Tuscaloosa area. They have been in contact via email but reccommend that I drive to their office, as they seem to be unwilling to send me anything in the mail because it is "better for us and quicker for you" (unless, hypothetically, the you in question does not have a car in his or her current possesion).

I used to believe that asking charities to send you information so that you could become more involved with them was something that any charity would happily jump for. Habitat for Humanity is being difficult enough to make even the most fanatical Habitat-er discouraged enough to give up and find another organization more willing to work with their volunteers.

Supehero = Nerd ?

2005-11-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Our assignment this week was to read an article by Neal Gabler entitled "Inside Every Superhero Lurks a Nerd." It is about the debut of Spider-Man (the first movie) and how it grossed $114 million by appealing to the teenaged masses.

Thinking of superheros makes me reminisce the good old days when I read comics. Actually it wasn't to long ago that I was doing just that, and, in fact, I am no stranger to the comic scene. Yes, that's right my English 101 class, Will still enjoys comic books. Although, I was never quite the fan of the superhero books (I always favored Archie or Richie-Rich or something not so violent). I left that violence to TV and my imagination when I played with my G.I. Joes.

But I digress, this blog is about a movie and not my childhood although it may sneak in without my willing. Spider-Man...sounds creepy to me. If I were a stranger to the comic genius of today, I would think him an evil doer who orders his trained, monstrous spiders to attack cities and take damsels in distress to the tops of building and swat at old 1930's war planes. But then again, who wouldn't after seeing the recent trailers for King Kong.

Lets talk about the most famous superhero (in my opinion). Lets talk about the one superhero who really doesn't need a name, only a letter, and is worldly recognized for it. If you have not picked up on the superhero of whom I am talking, let me share with you a few lines from his introduction....

"Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. (womanly voice) 'Look up in the sky! It's a bird! (manly voice) NO, it's a plane! (everyone together) NO!! It's SUPERMAN!'"

And, so there you have it, a complete character description in two lines of text. Who could ask for more? Who would want more? Who would want that name? Superman? What are you? Cocky?

Why would anyone name themselves "Superman"? Unless they could back it up. But once again, why would anyone want to hide in the dorky "human suit" that is Clark Kent? Does Superman see us as nerds? Is America, or for that matter the entire human race, nerdy?

In my highschool drama class, I began to think in a way that challenged my perception of Superman. Let me know if you agree. If Superman is the real "man," then that makes Clark Kent his alter-ego. Therefore his costume wouldn't be his Superman outfit, no sir, it would be his Clark Kent "suit". And why would he dress like he does? With his brown suit, his top hat and his glasses. Why would he work at a newspaper? (those being notorious for housing geeks and nerds alike) Why would he portray himself as weak and dismal? Because, he sees us as these things. He is only trying to fit in with the rest of the human race. He doesn't want to stick out. He wants to look just as everyone else. And everyone else looks like a nerd.

But, what does this give us? It gives us hope! For if Superman dresses like a nerd, and harbors superpowers, then why couldn't one of us?

So what if we're not faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive. Maybe we could change the world with one idea. Maybe we could save a life with one decision. Maybe, anyone one of us, could make this world one hell of a better place if we just opened our eyes and changed one bad thing about ourselves.

Being a superhero doesn't mean we all have to slap on capes and pretend to fly everywhere we go (besides according to the movie "The Incredible's" capes just get in the way and can be a downfall). Tutoring smaller children after school, during high school, made me a superhero to a couple of kids and a ton of parents and teachers. Who knows, one of those underprivileged kids could grow up and find a cure for God knows what diseases that lurk out there. But what I do know is, that just because we aren't Superman, and just because we don't hide out in the human race, doesn't mean we can't reach out and become a superhero to just one person.

In my humble and modest opinion, everyone needs a superhero. And thats why, even though I know I am a massive nerd, I know that inside this nerdy guy, lurks a superhero. And whether you be a nerd yourself, or the self proclaimed Superman reincarnate, inside you also lurks a superhero. So, let him or her out and be someone's superhero, the world only knows we could use a couple more.

(and for those of you scared that you'll be on your own always know that that is the reason that The Justice League and The X-Men were created, even though you're a superhero someone will always have your back)

First Blood Review

2005-11-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

Our assignment this week was to evaluate a movie of our choosing. Since my girlfriend was required by her English 101 teacher to watch a movie as well (but she was assigned one) I decided to just watch hers and judge it (come on people thats basically what I'm doing, evaluating is just a fancy word for it, everything has to be politically correct nowadays).

So the movie opens (being filmed in an earlier decade I'm not going to kill direction or screen shots, but they do leave a bit to be desired) anyway, the movie opens on "Rambo" walking down a road wearing a Vietnam army jacket. He's got longer hair, and his muscles are still bulging. He has a look of contempt on his face and although he's obviously been on the road for awhile, he looks as though he just stepped out of a nice warm shower.

Although "Rambo" doesn't say much in the movie, the few lines he does say should not have been given to him. In my humble and modest opinion he is not a Emmy award worthy actor (and I'm not sure if I'm back by the academy or not never having become a big "Rambo" fan). "Rambo" was doomed from the word go but for some reason, some hyper-masculine guy somewhere thought it a good idea and it obviously gained a reputation.

Never having seen a "Rambo" movie before, I was, admittedly excited. After the first couple of scenes however, not so much. The movie droned on and on and it seemed like it would never end. It did however end in the not so surprising blowing up of the entire town (which in the beginning was not so welcoming and rightly so). Overall, the movie was not a movie I would recommend to anyone excepting a meat head or two at the gym back home where I work out.

C- (I've always wanted to do that!)

Snoopy!

2005-11-07T20:57:00.000-08:00

The comic strip "Peanuts" by the oh-so-creative Charles Shultz (R.I.P.) has got to be one of the greatest comic strips ever comidically written. I went to his webpage tonight and read the comic strip on his opening page. It showed Snoopy (whom I keep wanting to spell Spoony for some reason), sitting on top of his doghouse (once again) taping a hockey stick and talking to himself. In the first block (?) he describes himself as "the world famous hockey player taping his stick." And he goes on to say world famous hockey players are "very fussy" about how they tape there sticks. Then in the last pane, he has taped himself to the doghouse and says that sometimes world famous hockey players have trouble with the tape. Silly Spoony, (see, gah whats up with that?) I mean Snoopy of course.

Why does he always refer to himself as "World Famous?" I think it must be that he craves attention, I mean, he is always sitting on top of a doghouse. He's always dressing up in WWII flying aces uniforms and attorney/psychologist suits and surgeons' scrubs and stuff. But he always seems to crave attention. But then again, Snoopy is no ordinary dog. He has a crush on a human being (and a snobby, mean one at that), he always askes for his food, and if I recall correctly, he likes to be asked if he wants desert, although he would never eat it.

Snoopy...what a crazy dog. But maybe Snoopy is more than just a dog. Maybe Snoopy is everyone of us. Maybe, embodied in Snoopy, is a little bit of us, and, in us is embodied a bit of Snoopy. Do we not all want to be "World Famous" at some point in our lives? Don't we all dream, at one point (usually younger) of being the President, or flying a space shuttle, or being Miss America? Being "World Famous" is appealing to everyone. I know I would love to be appreciated worldy for any accomplishment that I recieved. Being recognized is fun, it makes us feel important. And, maybe for Snoopy, thats all he wants.

Snoopy's quirkyness is something everyone longs for. It's human nature. Knowing that I'm a human, and that I long for quirkyness, and (I think everyone I know can attribute to this) I have my ways of being quirky, I know that a little random action here and there makes you feel good about yourself. Making people happy makes you happy, and with Snoopy although he's not trying to make anyone happy but himself, he makes everyone happy that reads what crazy thing he has done on any specific day.

I think that Snoopy should serve as the perfect model for anyone who wants to be "World Famous" because, well Snoopy is world famous. For a time, I called the "Peanut's" cartoon "Snoopy" simply because he is the most memorable character. Snoopy doesn't need to act world famous, he simply believes that he is, and he is.

I think Snoopy deserves a new title. Something more fitting to him. Something that embodies Snoopy. I think Snoopy doesn't need to be something more than what he is. Snoopy's new title from now on should be..."Snoopy, The World Famous Dog"

Cliches

2005-10-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Cat got your tongue?" "It's raining cats and dogs!" "Easy as pie!"

Clichés can be fun or interesting or annoying. More times than not, they fall under the infamous catagory of annoying.

Most often used by the smartass in your lives, clichés have roamed the oral english language, searching for ways out into the world. They light up any conversation. They may bring a giggle or chuckle to the unsuspecting, but overall, they plague our ears.

When used to describe something ("It's raining cats and dogs!"), everyone usually knows its raining. I mean, really, who can't hear the rain falling harshly on the roof? Why would anyone want to get a reply from someone about animals when the inquiry is about the weather? Who thought of that answer anyway? I wonder was the initial question about animals, then quickly and cunningly turned into weather so the answer came out a bit of an answer to both?

(ex.
Q: What animals do you keep in your house and outside, by the way hows the weather?

A: (dumbfoundedly) umm...It's raining. Cats and dogs. )

Clichés, who likes them? Who wants to hear them? I say kill the cliché, and use euphemisms in their place, at least our feelings wouldn't get hurt.

Euphemisms

2005-10-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

"He threw in his towel." "She is a working girl." "I think we should see other people." Euphemisms. Why is it that when we talk, we use them? Why do we feel it necessary to hint around something instead of just coming out and saying it? Why do we feel the need to make someone feel better, or want to look out for someone else's feelings when talk. Why is everything politically correct?

Most people might use the above phrases in a semi-formal situation or conversation. While watching a rerun of "Full House" in my girlfriends room today, I heard DJ say to a boyfriend (supposedly her "...first love...") "I think we should see other people." On that show, everything seems to be fake. But this circumstance is unfortunatly real. People always want to look out for the other persons feelings, and frankly that sickens me.

I think being politically correct is dumb. Watching out for someone else's feelings, so they live in a dream world isn't reality. Why tell something one way, when really, it's quite another? I believe I would rather be told that my grandmother died, than be told, and I quote, "...passed on to a better place." Now, no offense to anyone who has lost a loved one, but sugar coating a death doesn't make that person come back. Death is a hard time for everyone, and it sure as hell isn't sugar coated, so why even try? I think this world should be more politically un-correct so that people will wake up one day and realize, that sometimes things aren't ok, and you can't just go to bed and sleep it all away.

I think way to many people live in dream worlds. I also think that we support living in a place where everything is happy and bunnies hop around and butterflies swing by your ears and land softly on your shoulders, because of euphemisms. Saying something politely is always appreciated, but "beating around the bush" is very, very agitating.

Wanna know me?

2005-10-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

My current assignment is to interview myself. So without further adieu, I will ask myself four questions and answer them. At the current moment, I am sitting in my dorm room suite (a three room set up, with three men). It is 12:34 at night. I am wearing an Alabama pull-over sweat shirt that I bought for an amazing $27.75 at the Supe Store on campus (reg. $75.00). I have just finished 4 pieces of a large ham and cheese pizza from Domino's, and am listening to my room-mates conversation with his girlfriend, because my door is open. Also, his TV is on, and the sounds of the comedy "Super-Troopers" is coming through the speakers.

I am setting this up a lot like the story "Homeless Man Interviews Himself" by Albert Bliss (Seeing & Writing, pgs. 354-357), because I found it very enjoyable to read and liked his format. So that no one gets confused the interviewer will be Mr. WilliamJ, and the interviewee will be Will (both of whom will be one person, myself).

Mr. WilliamJ: Tell me a little bit about your current conditions at The University of Alabama, (i.e. school, relationships, parties).

Will: Well, school is amazing. Being this is my freshman year in college, I'm adjusting to school and the changes as well as I imagined. I'm trying to balance everything as best I can. Our football team just beat the ever living mess out of The University of Florida and their classless fans, 31-3 (chomp on that, Gators). Needless to say, I'm very hoarse and VERY pumped about our next two games (Ole Miss (boo) and UT (BOOOOOOOOOOOOO OO OO OOO)). My relationships are growing. I'm meeting new people as well as getting closer to my girlfriend. And, in meeting new people, I'm obviously going to fraternity parties.

Mr. WilliamJ: You seem very enthusiastic about Alabama football. Has this team always interested you? Was it the reason you came to The University of Alabama?

Will: Haha, well no Mr. WilliamJ. It wasn't at all. To tell you the truth, I could have cared less about what type of football was at this school when I came. Football was never a deciding factor in my choice of schools. I wanted to go to a school that I thought I would enjoy for four years. I was never a big college football fan, but knew I would grow into it, when I attended college. Fortunatly, I came to the school in the SEC that has class, fashion, and football to brag about. I believe I have become an Alabama football fanatic now that I have seen the home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium. So, in answer to your question, I didn't come here for the football, and I was never interested in college football until I saw the Crimson Tide play this year.

Mr. WilliamJ: Thats very interesting, I find that that was my stance on college while I was in attendance. I think you'll find that the love you have now for Alabama football will follow you into your years after graduation.

Will: I think so as well.

Mr. WilliamJ: In talking about after graduation. What is it you plan to go into at the current moment, given that the average college student changes majors 3 times while in college?

Will: Well, I am currently very interested in Finance. I don't really know why I want to do that other that the fact that I've seen money in it. I also may follow my mother in becoming a Lawyer. I have always had a way with words and find it exhilarating to be in an arguement and win. I really want to be wealthy as I get older, and I want something that is going to hold my interest. I like helping people, and I'm good in math (I actually surprise myself sometimes with numbers). I'm not 100% sure as to what I want to do, but one of those two appeal to me at the current time.

Mr. WilliamJ: Well, I think we are coming to the end of the interview here. Is there anything you want to add that may interest some of the readers?

Will: Um, well, I would like to add, that my father (Buddy) and I have successfully started a club hockey team. We plan to be on the ice either this week or next. We do need players for this season, so if you know of anyone, put them in contact with me. Also, I enjoy eating out, watching movies, going to---

Mr. WilliamJ: Thats nice Will. I'll be sure to put anyone I know of in contact with you. Thank you for you time. You are quite an interesting person, with no lack of wit (which, because of the content, could not be printed).

Anyone wishing to be in contact with Will can reach him on his facebook account. Run a school search for Alabama and then type in "playin hockey" in "Search All Feilds." I'm the first entry. Thanks!

Picture Perfect

2005-09-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

While considering my assignment I reviewed all three of the works by Tim Gardner. I then decided to choose the work entitled "Untitled (Bhoadie in Hot Tub II)." After writing a complete description of this work, I attempted to post it and the page timed out. So I am now going to describe Tim Gardner's "Untitled (Sto and Mitch: Daytona)."

At first glance, all of Tim Gardner's works seem to be photograph's. If you were to assume this, you would be very wrong, and thus receive the long speech that everyone has heard over and over again about making asses out of each other, and looking dumb, and nobody wants to hear that. So, you would obviously look again, but something would seem disproportioned or look a bit off. Something might seem to have to hard of a line, or a line may be a little to straight (or not straight).

In the case of this painting (that's correct, painting) the one thing that may bring you to a second glance, and possibly further study would be the "main" character's right hand, which is clutching a beer can. His wrist against the car he is standing on, seems to have a hard line on it that would not exist is a natural circumstance. Although, you could never tell this painting is a painting. Even though I have looked it over several (several? what am I crazy? more like 50 million times) times, it still is a photo. I can't imagine how something this awesome could not be. Obviously it was copied from a photo, but the excruciating detail put in is unbelievable.

The main subject is standing on a car, quite obviously in a tropical city, for there are a few palm trees in the background. Also in the back ground is a white motel, with red doors, and a balcony. It serves as the perfect backdrop for any Florida tourist city. There are three boys in the painting.

One is standing on an older brown car, holding a beer can with his arms spread wide as if to suggest "I'm all here, and its great! Come and join us!" He is wearing a wildly tacky blue tropical shirt with a white undershirt and a yellow wristband as if he had just gotten back from a bar or club. His shirt seems to sum up his personality quite well as the look on his face is lacsidasical and his hair is long and blonde, like a typical California surfer.

His friends are on the ground infront of the car, holding one hand up (each) with the "We're number 1" signal. One of his friends (shirtless and well tanned) is wearing a red bandana around his dark brown if not black hair. His other friend (to the bottom left of the painting) is wearing a black shirt, and could very easily be the tall goofy one in the group. He has a ponytail and is also wearing a yellow braclet on his wrist.

Overall when looking at the painting, I feel as if I would be the friend in the bottom right hand side of the scene, wearing my bandana, my right hand sticking up, giving the "We're number 1!" signal, my left hand clutching a ice cold adult beverage. I can picture myself in a similar situation as the three in the scene. I can see my adventures on the beach in FLA and the friends I was with. I see all the good times we had, and after looking at this painting I'm sure it will bring back memories of old road trips, and crazy friends.

You can see some of Tim Gardner's works on this web site as well as the image I described above "Untitled (Sto and Mitch: Daytona)." (scroll to the bottom to see this painting)

Alabama Advertising

2005-09-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever been to college knows there are ALL kinds of people roaming around on campus. They ALL have different tastes in music, food, studies, and clothing. I sat in "The Ferg" for about 20 minutes and was absolutely bombarded with the diversity at Alabama.

Now, I know what y'all must be thinking... "What is this guy talking about? He's in Alabama, all they wear there is seersucker, polos, and overalls." Well in response to that, I am very proud to say that, yes, we do wear seersucker, but only in the correct season, and yes we do wear polos, because they just make you look nice, but no, we do not wear overalls (those are kept in the backs of everyone's closets until we all have to go out and bail hay from the remnants of grass after the Quad and the football feilds have been mowed).

While, some of us do know the meaning of the term "classy" it seems that others about our school would hold back and scrunch up there noses with surprised faces and ask what that term meant, as they had never heard it before. During my short time spent at "The Ferg" (the student union), I sat and noticed what I had never noticed before. Looking at my peers, I saw real people. I saw personalities coming out in dress styles, walking habits, talking habits, cell phone etiquette, and general conversation.

All these people, all these people I had never noticed, and I would only know a select few of them. I would only know the people I chose to know, I would only meet people and start relationships with 1 out of every 100 of these people. And, coming from a class of 215, where i knew everyone, that blew me away as well.

The one thing that I noticed about all these people, take away everything except for their personalities, they all knowingly or unknowingly are walking billboards. Every person I saw was brandished by a logo, a catch phrase, a store name, a recognizable image that was easily associated with a certain brand, that was there for the sole purpose of pulling in more people, like myself, to spend more money, so they could essentially get free advertising.

While sitting and watching all these people, I saw colors, I saw logos, I feel like I saw every t-shirt, polo, blouse, or sweater walk by me all with logos I knew. Not one person walked by where I was asking myself "I wonder what that shirt said." Band names spralled arcoss tie-die t-shirts, camps of all sorts on solid shirts, fraternity and sorority parties that were lucky enough to have shirts made for them, and of course...polos. Polo's of every style, horizontal lines, vertical lines, fat lines, skinny lines, two tones, 100 tones, and the ever popular solid. I even had the pure joy of seeing a polo with a flying duck pattern on a solid navy blue background made exclusivly by Ralph Lauren.

There was also no lack of movie shirts. The ever so popular Napolean Dynamite's blank expression stared me down several times. The most popular movie t-shirt, was back then, is now, and ever shall be, the infamous Star Wars. Even walking back to my dorm I took notice of three walking towards "The Ferg" and simply smiled to myself. In the elevator to my room I was in the honorable company of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia.

I saw every clothing store's label in the mall, walk by me, except (to my dismay, but for obvious reason) Miss Victoria's Secret. Although, I am almost certain, she walked by me more than I knew.

So anyone who comes to Alabama and wants to look like any other college student running around campus on any given day, slap on a polo and some short vibrant shorts. Slip into something more "down to earth" like that tie-die Grateful Dead t-shirt you vowed never to throw away (because that concert was "JUST TO GOOD DUDE!"). Or, if it's more your speed, move on over to "the dark side" and show off your movie prowess. But never forget, when you stop and look around you, you are no better than the next person, because no matter what we do (unless we have a strike on clothing) we are all advertisments. We are all marketing droids.

First Blog

2005-09-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

So, this whole concept (blogs that is) is brand new to me. I have never done one of these before but my Eng 101-050 suggested (required) us to create a blog. We had a whole class on it, and now i'm starting. I hear they are fairly popular in the web world, so i'm guessing somebody will read this somewhere in the world, and hopefully they will give me a comment. I'm just starting college (university for y'all guys oversea's) at the University of Alabama so, i'm adjusting to all that college stuff. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks y'all!