For the first time I am blogging from home, good ol' New Brighton, MN. I forgot how much I missed home until I got here. Parents can still be annoying and a little overbearing but I don't blame them, they are my parents and haven't seen me since August 2nd. Well I actually saw my mom and brother in Des Moines over Labor Day weekend...whatever.
It is decidedly colder up here, and I really didn't think 8 hours would give such a big temperature difference, as its normally only about ten degrees. But tomorrow (Sunday) it is supposed to 70 in Warrensburg, and only 35 here in MN. But...I actually don't mind. The cold feels...good here. It isn't like Warrensburg. It is crisp and cool but it smells good and just makes me feel at home. I think this is one of those things that only people who are from and really love the upper mid-west can understand, and that's ok.
Something random I didn't realize I was missing...geese! I saw a few different flocks as I was driving into Minnesota yesterday and I realized I hadn't seen any down in Missouri. just a random fact that amused me.
Other random thoughts...Glee from the last two weeks. In general, I'm happy. I can definitely say that Glee feels like itself again. Though I don't love everything, I do think it is back where it needs to be. Now about Kurt's whole thing...I have mixed feelings...again. The decision to make Kurt's bullier (I don't know if that's a real world) gay and so far in the closet grandma's handcuff's (FRIENDS reference) can't even reach him to me feels a bit like a cop-out. I would much rather see the actual issues addressed between someone who is gay and someone who has probably grown up thinking homosexuality is wrong in all ways. Now I know this issue is not resolved and will be on-going for the rest of the season, which is awesome, but I'm not sure I like how they've gotten into it. Having said that, I'm glad it's this over nothing. This topic is important. I also know some interesting spoilers about the upcoming episodes, but I won't share them here. Other Glee tidbits: LOVED Gweneth Paltrow, she is amazing, ADORED Teenage Dream (though not as much as Boyce Avenue's version), Loved the choreography in Singin' In the Rain/Umbrella but am still undecided on the actual song. That's all for now on that topic.
Now lastly some sadder news. My cat Smokey, who will be turning 19 this week, is not doing so well. She is still very much there mentally, but we can tell her back end is bothering her more than ever and she has gotten extremely thin. She is having trouble keeping food down so we're hoping adjusting her diet is going to help. It's weird because she can still jump on our beds and she'll jump from my bed to my brother's bed at night, but we know she is pain. Even her meow has gotten weaker. We're trying a few different food options and I think/hope my mom is bringing her into the vet this week to see if there is something we can do. If we have to say goodbye her soon I will be very sad, as we've had her since just before I turned 4. She has always been my kitty and I know her better than anyone and she clings to me more than anyone. But, I think I will be ok once it happens. 19 is pretty old for a cat, and she has had a great life. I think I've been able to slowly let go because I've been at school the last few years, but Smokey is still my pet through and through and it will be hard to say goodbye. Hopefully she gets better and we still have some good time with her. Will keep the blogosphere updated.
That's all for tonight folks!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Living Above Average
Here's a short and happy post for you all (both rare).
Over the past few days I've just been...happy. For no overly big reason. I actually have a lot of things that are, or should be stressing me out right now. But they're not. I had actually a pretty good weekend. Saturday I went to our football game which was awesome, but ended in heartbreak, yet I was optimistic at the end. That night was pretty awesome hanging out with some amazing people. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Sunday nothing overly good or bad happened, and not really today either. We did have the University President as a guest speaker in our class tonight which was really good to have. And I just found a token from my amazing staff from 08-09 and that made me smile ear to ear. But yeah, right now, I'm good. I don't know how long it will last, and my next post will probably be not as happy, but right now, in this moment, I'm good.
Living above average is pretty awesome. Maybe that will be my new life philosophy.
Over the past few days I've just been...happy. For no overly big reason. I actually have a lot of things that are, or should be stressing me out right now. But they're not. I had actually a pretty good weekend. Saturday I went to our football game which was awesome, but ended in heartbreak, yet I was optimistic at the end. That night was pretty awesome hanging out with some amazing people. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Sunday nothing overly good or bad happened, and not really today either. We did have the University President as a guest speaker in our class tonight which was really good to have. And I just found a token from my amazing staff from 08-09 and that made me smile ear to ear. But yeah, right now, I'm good. I don't know how long it will last, and my next post will probably be not as happy, but right now, in this moment, I'm good.
Living above average is pretty awesome. Maybe that will be my new life philosophy.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
My Thoughts & Fears on Tuesday Night's Elections
I'm going to try not to make this long or over complicated. Also if it wasn't obvious already, I am a liberal and generally support Democratic candidates, however, not blindly.
So this must be what it felt like for republicans two years ago after Obama was elected. Defeated, scared, sad, almost hopeless. I get that, and maybe its deserved. But something is different this time. This isn't just a simple power switch with the main outcomes affecting the way government is run or its reach. No, this time our nation has elected a plethora of candidates who genuinely scare me because of their beliefs on Religion, Homosexuality, Education, and many other topics. I am fearful with what congress will do with the health care bill, but that's the least of my worries. I also have hope there since Republicans didn't take the Senate and we still have Obama, for now.
The people we have elected to "represent" us for the next two years have radical ideas on the topics I mentioned above. Many believe that we are first and foremost a Christian nation, that if you are a Muslim you are also a terrorist, that the Department of Education should be abolished, that being gay is choice and/or is "curable", that many of the amendments made to our constitution in the last 200+ years shouldn't stand. These things scare me. People like Michelle Bachmann from Minnesota, John Boehner from Ohio, Renee Ellmers from North Carolina, Rand Paul from Kentucky, and many others, scare me because they have been given power that they can and want to use to oppress minorities and carry out their own far right "morals". (I dislike the term agenda, everyone has an agenda with whatever they do, I have one in this blog)
Being from Minnesota I have much more experience with Michelle Bachmann in particular, and that... woman thrives on fear and the tears of the people she oppresses. She doesn't care about Minnesota, much less her own district. Last night she would only grant national, not local, interviews, and her event was held in an upscale hotel that was not in her own district. Why the people of the Minnesota 6th have sent her back for a third term I cannot comprehend. And I need to move on before steam starts pouring from my ears.
Speaking of Minnesota, for the second election in a row, the results are looking like they'll fall within a half percent, thus forcing an automatic recount. Minnesota has not had a Democratic Governor in more than 16 years. Mark Dayton was never my first choice for the Democratic nomination, as I was originally in favor of Matt Entenza, but I think Dayton would do fine. Much better than Tom Emmer, who seems to be a doppelganger, if not worse, than Tim Pawlenty. But now it looks like it won't matter either way, as both the MN House and Senate have gone back to Republican Control. I really do not understand, but we cannot afford to keep going in MN like we have the past 8 years under Pawlenty. Cities cannot afford more cuts. K-12 cannot afford more cuts. Higher ed cannot keep raising tuition.
I'm am not as concerned with the outcomes of this election on the way government is run, or even the most controversial topics like abortion. I'm concerned because we have been making so much progress especially in gay rights, and that progress is in serious jeopardy. We saw this past summer how people reacted to the Islamic Center in New York. That type of fear and hate is now in bigger positions of power. It scares me.
No, the results of this election are about much more than simple government and spending policy. We cannot let civil rights continue to be denied or taken away. We must stand up. I am cautiously optimistic that with a Republican House and a Democratic Senate the two sides will be forced to work together, but that light isn't very bright. I some take comfort that a few good people were elected, and we still have people who are doing a good job like Betty McCollum and Amy Klobuchar (a Representative and Senator from MN). I pray that my fears do not come to fruition, and that the next two years prove to be productive. But right now, sorry John Stewart, fear has taken control of me.
So this must be what it felt like for republicans two years ago after Obama was elected. Defeated, scared, sad, almost hopeless. I get that, and maybe its deserved. But something is different this time. This isn't just a simple power switch with the main outcomes affecting the way government is run or its reach. No, this time our nation has elected a plethora of candidates who genuinely scare me because of their beliefs on Religion, Homosexuality, Education, and many other topics. I am fearful with what congress will do with the health care bill, but that's the least of my worries. I also have hope there since Republicans didn't take the Senate and we still have Obama, for now.
The people we have elected to "represent" us for the next two years have radical ideas on the topics I mentioned above. Many believe that we are first and foremost a Christian nation, that if you are a Muslim you are also a terrorist, that the Department of Education should be abolished, that being gay is choice and/or is "curable", that many of the amendments made to our constitution in the last 200+ years shouldn't stand. These things scare me. People like Michelle Bachmann from Minnesota, John Boehner from Ohio, Renee Ellmers from North Carolina, Rand Paul from Kentucky, and many others, scare me because they have been given power that they can and want to use to oppress minorities and carry out their own far right "morals". (I dislike the term agenda, everyone has an agenda with whatever they do, I have one in this blog)
Being from Minnesota I have much more experience with Michelle Bachmann in particular, and that... woman thrives on fear and the tears of the people she oppresses. She doesn't care about Minnesota, much less her own district. Last night she would only grant national, not local, interviews, and her event was held in an upscale hotel that was not in her own district. Why the people of the Minnesota 6th have sent her back for a third term I cannot comprehend. And I need to move on before steam starts pouring from my ears.
Speaking of Minnesota, for the second election in a row, the results are looking like they'll fall within a half percent, thus forcing an automatic recount. Minnesota has not had a Democratic Governor in more than 16 years. Mark Dayton was never my first choice for the Democratic nomination, as I was originally in favor of Matt Entenza, but I think Dayton would do fine. Much better than Tom Emmer, who seems to be a doppelganger, if not worse, than Tim Pawlenty. But now it looks like it won't matter either way, as both the MN House and Senate have gone back to Republican Control. I really do not understand, but we cannot afford to keep going in MN like we have the past 8 years under Pawlenty. Cities cannot afford more cuts. K-12 cannot afford more cuts. Higher ed cannot keep raising tuition.
I'm am not as concerned with the outcomes of this election on the way government is run, or even the most controversial topics like abortion. I'm concerned because we have been making so much progress especially in gay rights, and that progress is in serious jeopardy. We saw this past summer how people reacted to the Islamic Center in New York. That type of fear and hate is now in bigger positions of power. It scares me.
No, the results of this election are about much more than simple government and spending policy. We cannot let civil rights continue to be denied or taken away. We must stand up. I am cautiously optimistic that with a Republican House and a Democratic Senate the two sides will be forced to work together, but that light isn't very bright. I some take comfort that a few good people were elected, and we still have people who are doing a good job like Betty McCollum and Amy Klobuchar (a Representative and Senator from MN). I pray that my fears do not come to fruition, and that the next two years prove to be productive. But right now, sorry John Stewart, fear has taken control of me.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Good Soup to Ease the Pain
So I'm not going to write about the elections at the moment. I need to think of something positive first.
Instead I'll rave about my soup I made tonight! Split Pea and Ham, made from scratch. First time using chicken broth but definitely won't be my last. Only thing I wasn't fond of were the bay leave flakes I added instead of a recommended Bay Leave which is removed at the end, but no biggie there. Still tasted awesome, possibly better than mom's! Here's the recipe, adapted from another website:
Split Pea and Ham Soup
Here is just after adding the broth and peas:
Add the carrots, celery and potatoes then cook for an additional 30-45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Final Product:
The original recipe called for garlic and the bay leave as mentioned, but garlic likes to upset my stomach so I omitted it, and I didn't miss it. Enjoy with Club crackers, they have just the right taste.
Instead I'll rave about my soup I made tonight! Split Pea and Ham, made from scratch. First time using chicken broth but definitely won't be my last. Only thing I wasn't fond of were the bay leave flakes I added instead of a recommended Bay Leave which is removed at the end, but no biggie there. Still tasted awesome, possibly better than mom's! Here's the recipe, adapted from another website:
Split Pea and Ham Soup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 lb ham steak, diced
- 8 cups of chicken broth or vegetable stock
- 1 1lb bag of dried split peas (rinsed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Here is just after adding the broth and peas:
Add the carrots, celery and potatoes then cook for an additional 30-45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Final Product:
The original recipe called for garlic and the bay leave as mentioned, but garlic likes to upset my stomach so I omitted it, and I didn't miss it. Enjoy with Club crackers, they have just the right taste.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Keep Your Head Up
This is the first music video or song I'm going to share here. It's by a new artist who goes by the name of Andy Grammer. I first saw him at the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Northern Plains Conference back in April 2009, where we booked him on campus for our Midnight Mayhem event in January. He was awesome both times, and I'm so happy he got a record deal and has a video out, which happens to be the first interactive music video on Vevo. I honestly can't help but feel happy when I listen to it. It's infectious, and all sorts of awesome. Take a listen, keep your head up, and let your hair down :)
http://www.vevo.com/video-evolved/andy-grammer/keep-your-head-up/
http://www.vevo.com/video-evolved/andy-grammer/keep-your-head-up/
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Cooking Bug Has Bitten Me...
So this Monday morning was rather excellent, and I came home and had a lunch of Split Pea and Ham soup courtesy of Campbell's Chunky Soups. While eating it, and though delicious as it was, I had the sudden craving for my mom's Split Pea Soup, and then I decided I wanted to make it myself. Not even just that soup, but many different kinds. My mom grew up on a farm and did a lot of cooking, much of which she taught me. The downside of growing up on a farm with ten kids is that your food choices tend to be pretty basic, no-frills. The only soups we ever really made were chicken noodle, split pea, or this chili-type concoction thing that isn't really chili. And this is fine, I love my mom's food. But I want to start learning how to cooking with chicken stock; rosemary, basil, and spices other than salt, pepper, and seasoned salt. I've always loved cooking, and I have a habit of making really good marinades or seasonsings out of whatever we have in our fridge or cupboards. I think it's time I refine my skills and begin to (sorry for the reference) kick it up a notch.
It's settled then, soon as we get the financial situation figured out, I'll be cooking to try new things. Oh boy, I'm excited. You should be too.
It's settled then, soon as we get the financial situation figured out, I'll be cooking to try new things. Oh boy, I'm excited. You should be too.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Randomness - Take 1
I added a "Take 1" to the title because I'll probably expand on that title when in blogs like this one, I talk about many things.
So this weekend was homecoming at UCM, and as I work in the Alumni office, between 8am Friday and 2pm Saturday I was on campus for over 20 hours. It was ok though, I really enjoyed Homecoming. Coming from River Falls where Homecoming was not at all that big of a deal, to UCM was such a difference, and I really liked it. I didn't even go downtown at night because of my never-healing foot, but just the energy around campus at different events was incredible. And I loved driving a $50,000 truck in the parade, I felt like a big deal for a minute. I know River Falls is in the process of trying to improve Homecoming and make it better, and I give props for that, but UCM was awesome, and I already can't wait for next year. Alumni here love their school so much, I don't even know how to describe it. It's like they have more of a passion for UCM then a lot of alumni from Division I schools have (we're D2). Love it. Still exhausted though.
Speaking of that never-healing foot, for those that don't know I have a stress fracture in my left foot that I've been seeking treatment for over the last 8 weeks. I go back in tomorrow morning where hopefully it'll be the last time I have to go back. I know it isn't 100% yet, but I know we're close, and I'd rather not have any more medical bills. Stupid insurance companies. That's another rant that I don't have energy for right now.
Next item of business, Brothers and Sisters. I don't know what is happening this season, but I don't know if this time jump was a good idea. Tonight's episode wasn't all bad, but it felt kind of predictable. Now they're screwing up Kevin and Scottie who were my second favorite couple and if they make they break up I may stop watching the show. They are one of the few good and realistic gay couples on TV. Leave them alone. Hmph.
Today I stayed in bed til 11:30am which was desperately needed, but I still haven't slept soundly the past 2 nights. Hopefully I do tonight. I don't feel like I accomplished anything today, and I hate that. It's the stupid achiever strength in me (If you haven't visit strengthsquest.org and learn all about it). I know I did accomplish things today, they just weren't things that were vitally important. I did laundry, dishes, cleaned up my room, the living room, took out some trash, essentially it was a cleaning day. I didn't work on any homework which I'll be regretting later, and I didn't write a cover letter for an internship position next summer. I did however upload my resume, so there's some good news. I'm applying for an intership through an organization called ACUHO-I which I believe stands for the Association of College and University Housing Officers International. Schools from around the country post summer internships for mainly grad students like myself and we apply and hopefully go and work. I think I've decided I want to go to the West Coast and a private school since I know when I graduate I want to work in the midwest at a public school. I figured this internship would be a good time to do something different. We'll see, I'm not applying for those areas exclusively because I learned last year when applying for grad schools to be open to anything and be happy for what you get, which I would be.
Lastly, this is probably going to be a recurring theme, but I don't like being financially responsible. I know not being responsible in the past is why I'm currently having issues, but that doesn't change the fact that new things are fun. Alas, this is the reality of being an adult, and just another one of those inevitable parts of growing up. Sometimes I just wish I was five again you know?
Mmk, that's all for today. Sorry for the randomness of this entry, and the total non-point of all it. Like I said, some of my entries will be thoughtful and interesting, others...not so much. Cheers!
So this weekend was homecoming at UCM, and as I work in the Alumni office, between 8am Friday and 2pm Saturday I was on campus for over 20 hours. It was ok though, I really enjoyed Homecoming. Coming from River Falls where Homecoming was not at all that big of a deal, to UCM was such a difference, and I really liked it. I didn't even go downtown at night because of my never-healing foot, but just the energy around campus at different events was incredible. And I loved driving a $50,000 truck in the parade, I felt like a big deal for a minute. I know River Falls is in the process of trying to improve Homecoming and make it better, and I give props for that, but UCM was awesome, and I already can't wait for next year. Alumni here love their school so much, I don't even know how to describe it. It's like they have more of a passion for UCM then a lot of alumni from Division I schools have (we're D2). Love it. Still exhausted though.
Speaking of that never-healing foot, for those that don't know I have a stress fracture in my left foot that I've been seeking treatment for over the last 8 weeks. I go back in tomorrow morning where hopefully it'll be the last time I have to go back. I know it isn't 100% yet, but I know we're close, and I'd rather not have any more medical bills. Stupid insurance companies. That's another rant that I don't have energy for right now.
Next item of business, Brothers and Sisters. I don't know what is happening this season, but I don't know if this time jump was a good idea. Tonight's episode wasn't all bad, but it felt kind of predictable. Now they're screwing up Kevin and Scottie who were my second favorite couple and if they make they break up I may stop watching the show. They are one of the few good and realistic gay couples on TV. Leave them alone. Hmph.
Today I stayed in bed til 11:30am which was desperately needed, but I still haven't slept soundly the past 2 nights. Hopefully I do tonight. I don't feel like I accomplished anything today, and I hate that. It's the stupid achiever strength in me (If you haven't visit strengthsquest.org and learn all about it). I know I did accomplish things today, they just weren't things that were vitally important. I did laundry, dishes, cleaned up my room, the living room, took out some trash, essentially it was a cleaning day. I didn't work on any homework which I'll be regretting later, and I didn't write a cover letter for an internship position next summer. I did however upload my resume, so there's some good news. I'm applying for an intership through an organization called ACUHO-I which I believe stands for the Association of College and University Housing Officers International. Schools from around the country post summer internships for mainly grad students like myself and we apply and hopefully go and work. I think I've decided I want to go to the West Coast and a private school since I know when I graduate I want to work in the midwest at a public school. I figured this internship would be a good time to do something different. We'll see, I'm not applying for those areas exclusively because I learned last year when applying for grad schools to be open to anything and be happy for what you get, which I would be.
Lastly, this is probably going to be a recurring theme, but I don't like being financially responsible. I know not being responsible in the past is why I'm currently having issues, but that doesn't change the fact that new things are fun. Alas, this is the reality of being an adult, and just another one of those inevitable parts of growing up. Sometimes I just wish I was five again you know?
Mmk, that's all for today. Sorry for the randomness of this entry, and the total non-point of all it. Like I said, some of my entries will be thoughtful and interesting, others...not so much. Cheers!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Purple: Color of Hopes and Bruises
Today I wore purple, like so many throughout the country, to show my support for those in the Queer Community. I was discouraged by how many people I saw that weren't. I understand not everybody knew about it, and some people simply don't own purple, and still others just didn't want to conform. But I still was hoping I would see more purple out there today.
Then tonight I just went to watch one of my favorite commercials, the Wanda Sykes "That's So Gay" commercial, and I wanted to read the comments to see if anything substantial had been said in the last day. This was a mistake. Here is the video link, go read the comments yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS0GVOQPs0
I read the first seven pages and saw only a few supportive comments. The argument that people shouldn't be offended because words change meaning all the time is ridiculous. It does not matter where the word came from, its original meaning. What matter is when people say "That's So Gay", they are meaning the word "Gay" to mean less-than, unintelligent, ridiculous, and stupid. This phrase originates from people using the term to purposefully put down gays. I don't understand how that was lost, and how people have come to accept it as a perfectly fine way of something is stupid. I honestly cannot comprehend how people think it is ok and not offensive, and I'm actually pretty angry right now. I've vowed to speak up but I'm only one person. I know one person can make all the difference, but right now it doesn't feel that way.
I can't help but go to sleep tonight, from a day that was meant to be inspiring, a little discouraged.
Then tonight I just went to watch one of my favorite commercials, the Wanda Sykes "That's So Gay" commercial, and I wanted to read the comments to see if anything substantial had been said in the last day. This was a mistake. Here is the video link, go read the comments yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS0GVOQPs0
I read the first seven pages and saw only a few supportive comments. The argument that people shouldn't be offended because words change meaning all the time is ridiculous. It does not matter where the word came from, its original meaning. What matter is when people say "That's So Gay", they are meaning the word "Gay" to mean less-than, unintelligent, ridiculous, and stupid. This phrase originates from people using the term to purposefully put down gays. I don't understand how that was lost, and how people have come to accept it as a perfectly fine way of something is stupid. I honestly cannot comprehend how people think it is ok and not offensive, and I'm actually pretty angry right now. I've vowed to speak up but I'm only one person. I know one person can make all the difference, but right now it doesn't feel that way.
I can't help but go to sleep tonight, from a day that was meant to be inspiring, a little discouraged.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
With Great Power, or Knowledge, Comes Great Responsibility...
Today was...interesting. I started off by trying to deal with my current financial situation and so hopefully that works out. Right away at 9 am I had my weekly area meeting in the office, and I spent the rest of the day working on a variety of projects in anticipation of Homecoming and some other upcoming Alumni events.
At 4:00, when I'm normally done with work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I went to a Safe Harbor Training put on by the Office of Community Engagement and the Queers and Allies Organization (sorry if I missed some people there). I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to get out of this session, but I knew it had to with LGBTQQIAA issues, and so I wanted to attend. Throughout the hour long session we reviewed some important information regarding the Queer community and did a couple of exercises. The session was a good attempt, though I was disappointed in the number of people who attended especially since the organizations involved did a great job of promoting it.
When I left the session I was happy that I had attended, but I realized that even though the info was a good refresher, I knew most of that stuff already from the Social Justice Series and Ally Training at UWRF. For me what the session really did was reinforce that I want UCM to be more proactive in its Social Justice efforts, and I once again got the urge to do something about it. I'm going to be speaking with one of my former advisers at UWRF soon about possibly starting some Social Justice type series here at UCM, but I can't help feel a littler overwhelmed by the prospect. Still, I feel like I've been given the opportunity to have learned so much about Social Justice issues, and I need to do something with that knowledge.
While I haven't felt at all that UCM is a place where community values aren't important, I do feel a lack of focus on the issues within the community. At UWRF I got sick of hearing the word "inclusiveness" because it just felt like it was overused, though it really wasn't. I honestly don't think I've heard inclusiveness used here at all, and that alone for me highlights the differences between the school. I don't want to sound like I'm bagging on UCM, because I do feel like there are definitely people and offices here who make a real effort to highlight issues within our community. I just feel like they need more resources, and there needs to be a more comprehensive focus geared toward the issues on campus. Unfortunately this is not an ideal time to be looking for additional resources here, as we are facing about a $12 million budget shortfall and money is strapped everywhere. Maybe if we can get several offices and departments involved we can pool our resources and develop some comprehensive programs instead of those programs being scattered.
I'm really not sure where I intend to take these thoughts, but I do feel like I need to do something. We will see what the wind blows my way in the next few weeks once Homecoming settles down.
On a lighter note, and where the inspiration for this blog title came from is I decided to watch the first Spider-Man tonight. The second one is my favorite movie of all time, and I really feel like the first two movies are owed a debt of gratitude from all comic book movies since them. In another blog I'll share my thoughts on the third movie and now the reboot that Sony is making and Spider-Man in general. That'll be a rant...
Anywho, Spider-Man is favorite superhero, and the movie just makes me happy...in a confused and conflicted sort of way. Its like I feel Peter Parker's pain. I should be him. If only I could get bit by a genetically engineered spider and get all buff and have special powers and such. Alas, I can dream.
Also, just before Safe Harbor Training today I found out I got a 15/15 on my second Think Piece for my Leadership and Org Theory Class, and I was ecstatic, as I got a 10 on the last one. Overall this was a good day filled with some interesting thoughts and experiences, and I think I come away from it feeling optimistic, despite all the stressors currently lingering over me. This is always a good thing.
At 4:00, when I'm normally done with work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I went to a Safe Harbor Training put on by the Office of Community Engagement and the Queers and Allies Organization (sorry if I missed some people there). I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to get out of this session, but I knew it had to with LGBTQQIAA issues, and so I wanted to attend. Throughout the hour long session we reviewed some important information regarding the Queer community and did a couple of exercises. The session was a good attempt, though I was disappointed in the number of people who attended especially since the organizations involved did a great job of promoting it.
When I left the session I was happy that I had attended, but I realized that even though the info was a good refresher, I knew most of that stuff already from the Social Justice Series and Ally Training at UWRF. For me what the session really did was reinforce that I want UCM to be more proactive in its Social Justice efforts, and I once again got the urge to do something about it. I'm going to be speaking with one of my former advisers at UWRF soon about possibly starting some Social Justice type series here at UCM, but I can't help feel a littler overwhelmed by the prospect. Still, I feel like I've been given the opportunity to have learned so much about Social Justice issues, and I need to do something with that knowledge.
While I haven't felt at all that UCM is a place where community values aren't important, I do feel a lack of focus on the issues within the community. At UWRF I got sick of hearing the word "inclusiveness" because it just felt like it was overused, though it really wasn't. I honestly don't think I've heard inclusiveness used here at all, and that alone for me highlights the differences between the school. I don't want to sound like I'm bagging on UCM, because I do feel like there are definitely people and offices here who make a real effort to highlight issues within our community. I just feel like they need more resources, and there needs to be a more comprehensive focus geared toward the issues on campus. Unfortunately this is not an ideal time to be looking for additional resources here, as we are facing about a $12 million budget shortfall and money is strapped everywhere. Maybe if we can get several offices and departments involved we can pool our resources and develop some comprehensive programs instead of those programs being scattered.
I'm really not sure where I intend to take these thoughts, but I do feel like I need to do something. We will see what the wind blows my way in the next few weeks once Homecoming settles down.
On a lighter note, and where the inspiration for this blog title came from is I decided to watch the first Spider-Man tonight. The second one is my favorite movie of all time, and I really feel like the first two movies are owed a debt of gratitude from all comic book movies since them. In another blog I'll share my thoughts on the third movie and now the reboot that Sony is making and Spider-Man in general. That'll be a rant...
Anywho, Spider-Man is favorite superhero, and the movie just makes me happy...in a confused and conflicted sort of way. Its like I feel Peter Parker's pain. I should be him. If only I could get bit by a genetically engineered spider and get all buff and have special powers and such. Alas, I can dream.
Also, just before Safe Harbor Training today I found out I got a 15/15 on my second Think Piece for my Leadership and Org Theory Class, and I was ecstatic, as I got a 10 on the last one. Overall this was a good day filled with some interesting thoughts and experiences, and I think I come away from it feeling optimistic, despite all the stressors currently lingering over me. This is always a good thing.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Beautiful Sadness, Found Sundays Weekly From 9pm to 10pm
So some of my blogs will be focused on a social topic or injustice I feel strongly about. This is not one of them.
After Glee, my second favorite show in the world is Brothers and Sisters. A lot of people have never heard of this show, but I've watched since the beginning of the second season (we are on season 5) and I've loved it ever since then. This is another ensemble cast, this time being led by Sally Field as Nora, the mother; and Calista Flockhart as Kitty, one of Nora's five children. Those two are all well and good (I actually love Sally Field in pretty much every scene), but my favorite couple on the series had become Justin and Rebecca, (Justin is Nora's youngest son). Rebecca is played by Emily Van Kamp who I first came to appreciate on Everwood, back in the days of my teenage angst and the WB. Now the details of how Justin and Rebecca came to be together are far too complicated and soap-operaish to explain here, but suffice it to say they had been through a lot in the last five years (well actually six as this year the series jumped ahead a year). Last season they finally got married, and I was a happy camper. Naturally they had their disagreements, but were obviously madly in love. Then the last five minutes of last season (Spoiler Alert!) the show killed that with a massive car accident that put Kitty's husband in a coma, and later died, and Rebacca's mother with some sort of recurring amnesia. During the year off Justin had gone and re-enlisted and gone off to Afghanistan, and he and Rebecca got divorced in the mean time. This made me very very sad. Between last week and this week they teased how they might be getting back together but then Rebecca got a job offer as a photographer in New York and left and now there is no more Justin and Rebecca. And I'm sad.
So now I'm sitting here conflicted because I want to be so angry at the show but I can't because the way in which it was done was so friggin beautiful. This is what the show does, presents serious issues in a such a beautifully dramatic and moving way, that you can't help be too mad at the show for long. Pretty much every week at the end of the episode I can't decide if I want to cry or smile. This week I wanted to cry because that's what Justin was doing while being comforted by Nora. It was just sad and all I want is for him and Rebecca to get back together and for there to rainbows and butterflies. But no, Rebecca is gone for good. Well at least til like the series finale or something where I hope they get back together.
The worst part is that I knew Emily Van Kamp was leaving this summer when Entertainment Weekly ran the story on their website. I still didn't care, I wanted them to work it out.
...I think the main point I was trying to get across here was the Brothers and Sisters is a beautiful and under-rated show, but it has a tendency like now to make me ever so sad.
And yes, I am aware it's just a TV show. Whatever. I still care about the stupid characters.
After Glee, my second favorite show in the world is Brothers and Sisters. A lot of people have never heard of this show, but I've watched since the beginning of the second season (we are on season 5) and I've loved it ever since then. This is another ensemble cast, this time being led by Sally Field as Nora, the mother; and Calista Flockhart as Kitty, one of Nora's five children. Those two are all well and good (I actually love Sally Field in pretty much every scene), but my favorite couple on the series had become Justin and Rebecca, (Justin is Nora's youngest son). Rebecca is played by Emily Van Kamp who I first came to appreciate on Everwood, back in the days of my teenage angst and the WB. Now the details of how Justin and Rebecca came to be together are far too complicated and soap-operaish to explain here, but suffice it to say they had been through a lot in the last five years (well actually six as this year the series jumped ahead a year). Last season they finally got married, and I was a happy camper. Naturally they had their disagreements, but were obviously madly in love. Then the last five minutes of last season (Spoiler Alert!) the show killed that with a massive car accident that put Kitty's husband in a coma, and later died, and Rebacca's mother with some sort of recurring amnesia. During the year off Justin had gone and re-enlisted and gone off to Afghanistan, and he and Rebecca got divorced in the mean time. This made me very very sad. Between last week and this week they teased how they might be getting back together but then Rebecca got a job offer as a photographer in New York and left and now there is no more Justin and Rebecca. And I'm sad.
So now I'm sitting here conflicted because I want to be so angry at the show but I can't because the way in which it was done was so friggin beautiful. This is what the show does, presents serious issues in a such a beautifully dramatic and moving way, that you can't help be too mad at the show for long. Pretty much every week at the end of the episode I can't decide if I want to cry or smile. This week I wanted to cry because that's what Justin was doing while being comforted by Nora. It was just sad and all I want is for him and Rebecca to get back together and for there to rainbows and butterflies. But no, Rebecca is gone for good. Well at least til like the series finale or something where I hope they get back together.
The worst part is that I knew Emily Van Kamp was leaving this summer when Entertainment Weekly ran the story on their website. I still didn't care, I wanted them to work it out.
...I think the main point I was trying to get across here was the Brothers and Sisters is a beautiful and under-rated show, but it has a tendency like now to make me ever so sad.
And yes, I am aware it's just a TV show. Whatever. I still care about the stupid characters.
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