Hard Cell? Report says Gates sees more computing by phone
Not sure on this one. We ought to stick to laptops. I love technology, but phones are for talking. Yes, I have a cell. Does it have bells and whistles? Yes. Do I use them? Never.
And more of the same comes out of his mouth.
Julie's post put it well, in terms of education.
Sadly, our government is so divided right now, nothing seems to be getting done. And it isn't like democrats have any really great candidates to put up next time either.
An update, random snippet style. It's been a good week...
Work...
Started job number two on Tuesday. Between it and the lab, with all this time spent around Apples and people who love them, I may yet become a true Mac Stud. (See link) We shall see. The other day I finally figured out what podcasts are--thanks to listening to the sales pitch.
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AA Committee Exists!
Had a committee meeting Tuesday, and for the first time have members, including a new recruit, whom it was an absolute pleasure to meet after months of emails and Facebook messages about the committee. I am so happy to have people, unlike last semester.
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The big debate...
I've been reading (and participating in) the blogging debate that seemed to envelop the Blogs and Wikis class. I think some people's comments might have been misenterpreted, but ojn the other hand most of us know each other (it's really a growing network of bloggers here at BSU. The debate wasn't like this in my section...it's interesting to note what a new group brings to the fore.
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Senate meeting...
Brought a bit more craziness than usual. Next week will bring some real fun as we attempt to find out why someone in networking is holding up the laptop plan.
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And finally...Kimmy Gibbler?
Yes, I saw the name on a Battle of the Bands poster. Why would someone name a band after the dorky neighbor on "Full House"?
Erin posted comments about being a "boring blogger"
I'll admit, some days I'm a pretty boring blogger too. But I think that's allowed. Not every post has to be exciting, because not every day or event in my life is exciting or something another person necessarily wants to read.
That's why it's my space and not other people's, I guess.
A couple of days ago, I remarked that I thought Facebook was the preferred alternative to MySpace.
Sue's recent posts illustrate a key reason why:
the day she joined
the day she said "No more"
Was just conversing with Michael and was informed that while I talked about his blog being in the sidebar in the previous post, I had neglected to actually add it.
See what happens when you write the post before you actually update the template?
Anyway, an official welcome once again to Carbonated Pop-Culture
Check out the new additions to the Berne's World sidebar...
In Websites I Visit:
Some call Bemidji a podunk town.
A search for BSU on Google turns up this result on epodunk.com
Tagline: "The power of place"
Study: College Students Lack Literacy For Complex Tasks
I think I'm pretty literate. Are you?
Had hoped to do some more substantial posting today, update the template, etc. Instead I have a headache and no energy. Go figure.
There's been an interesting discussion thread re: Facebook on Tech Rhet the last couple of days. Basically, they're discussing whether or not it and similar services are a good thing...privacy issues, etc. I rarely weigh in on this list, but here's my two cents, emailed in yesterday:
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As a student who's always been intrigued by "life online" I am quite interested by all your thoughts on this topic. Facebook was new to my University this fall, so it wasn't even part of the discussion a year ago when I was first learning about online writing spaces. Since it "arrived" in September, it has exploded...it seems like everyone has it.
There are certainly some drawbacks. As one of you pointed out, there can be some unflattering thingas posted that not everyone finds funny. I know a big controversy erupted last spring at another school in the state over some photos of a student government candidate looking...less than professional. But, one could run into the same kinds of pictures on a person's blog or MySpace.
There is, from a student perspective, some good to Facebook, despite it's detractors. Among the "good" things:
-It's a fast, easy way to get ahold of people
-It serves as a sort of online directory for emails and phone numbers, etc.
-Announcement/ Event feature, while used to announce keggers, is also often used by clubs and organizations to get the word out about meetings or events.
-People reconnect through Facebook...I've found friends I lost touch with 3 or more years ago, and we're back in touch because we looked each other up.
And is there a distinction between Facebook and MySpace? Yes, I think so. Facebook is restricted to people associated with your school (or your friends from other schools). MySpace, by contrast is viewable to the entire wold...I'd think Facebook would be the more "secure" of the two, if there's such a thing as security on the net.
For college students, I think Facebook is a great thing. Do they need it at the high school level? Maybe not.
What I should have done:
Study and read
What I did:
Hung out in the office and chatted w/ Peter from MSUSA while watching American Idol and Skating With Celebrities.
Yes, I watched those shows. At least I don't watch Laguna Beach like a certain Senate Pres. I know...that would be really bad.
Why blog? It's something I tend to think about every few months. Usually, something or someone provokes the thought. This time, it is a post from Lindsi contemplating the future of her blog... As well, I am sure, as the beginning of another offering of the class that started it all. Reading the Daybook and the new bloggers' blogs brings back memories.
Yes, when I began this blog, it was a requirement for a class. Within a few months, that class was over, and I had grown to love blogging. September maked my one year blogiversary. But why keep it up? What is my blog?
Sometimes, as Jess points out, I blog about everyday things. I also blog about Senate, MSUSA, politics and current events. This blog has been, and continues to be, about my life and the world around me. It is, after all, called "Berne's World."
Do I write knowing I have an audience? Certainly. But do I write what I want, when I want and how I want...without a doubt. Sometimes it may not be exciting...I know that. But as Aaron said in a Studio Tour back then...maybe it is. Maybe Berne: Uncensored and Uncut is better than any "purposed" blog could be.
So, I continue on. Maybe that's the purpose of these reexaminations...they energize me to continue. This blogging thing is an addiction...too goddam much fun!
I am back to my old tricks, exploring and commenting on new blogs from the class which I am no longer part of but still keep my eye on. Some of these new bloggers may soon make the Blogs I Read list.
As you can tell, I reverted back to this old template. I tried the last one on for size for a couple of weeks, but just did not like it. I am finding I have a bit of "Template OCD" at the moment.
So, readers old and new...help me out! Tell me what you think is the best look for Berne's World:
A. This One...keep it as it appears
B. Masala
C. Bryant
Vote via comment or shoot me an email...thanks!
Brought a spirited discussion of religion, politics and other things one might not have expected. Thought provoking, philosophical and on the whole quite enjoyable.
Fridays in the BSUSA office...one never knows what to expect.
Morgan's breeding a new crop of blogaholics and wikimasters over at Blogs and Wikis. It's what got me started and I'm still at it.
Watch what develops.
Well, my only class yesterday was cancelled. I know...who cancels the first day of class? So, today begins my semester, and it is my longest day of the week:
8-10: Work in Lab
10-3:15: Canadian, Stats and Analysis back to back, with the semi-useless 45 minute breaks between.
4-6: Senate
Yes, it's going to be a long day.
Returned to Bemidji last night after Mom and I visited my sister in Duluth. Even though she has a longer break than BSU's, she had to go back after New Year's to work at Red Lobster. We had wanted to see the Great Lakes Aquarium, but their power was out. Still, we had a nice visit.
We arrived back at my room around 11:30. I quickly noticed something was awry...someone unplugged all my stuff, including my refrigerator, which meant it was defrosted and mold had started to form! YUCK!!! After cleaning it with lots of Lysol, airing it out, and adding a box of baking soda to eradicate the smell, I think it's ok.
Now...two days of hanging out before beginning classes again.
Last week, I learned of the resignation of a colleague and friend from his position with student government at one of our sister institutions. While I knew he had been having difficulty in that job, I would not have expected him to leave it midyear. His is the third such resignation of a student senate president among our seven system schools this year, for varying reasons, both personal and academic.
Having worked with and become friends with this man over the last couple of years, I know of his great passion for leadership. I also know that his choice to step down and change schools is for the right reasons. I hope that the change will make him happy and allow him to better enjoy the remainder of his college experience. When I see him in January as a newly minted Beaver, I hope I see a person with renewed energy and spark…the person we all knew before the madness of the top spot, combined with personal pressures none of us know, took their toll. Still, I’m saddened at the loss of another colleague.
In the last few days, I’ve thought a lot about this year, and the burnout that seems to be taking its toll on so many of my colleagues across the state. It is indicative of a larger problem…the burden that we, and our organizations, place on ourselves as student government leaders.
I have been heavily involved for almost four years. In that time, I have served in a variety of positions, often concurrently. I’ve spent crazy amounts of time in meetings and the office, and given up weekends for trips to conferences that have often become long and contentious. I’ve endured tough losses in a campaign for Vice President, one for President, and a third for a board seat with MSUSA. I’ve missed many classes, yet still managed to pull out mostly As, a fact that I’m proud of.
I’ve worked hard because I wanted to make a difference, but also because it’s what became expected of me as my position and longevity in the organizations increased. I happily did more, and will continue to. But, the fact remains that we expect ourselves and our colleagues to be super people. Right now, we have a State and Vice Chair working their asses off in the absence of an Exec Director…putting in long hours with little compensation, all while still trying to be students. This is not right, these burdens should not rest on their shoulders.
At times, it’s almost as if we expect ourselves to put our work first, and that’s the opposite of how it should be. After all, we are in college to be students first. Student government is a job…an often thankless one at that. And sadly, it’s a job many people will care little about once we all leave our respective universities.
The experiences are great. The people are usually great, and so are the life lessons to be learned. What’s not great is the pressure we bring upon ourselves. At the end of the day, this is a job…a person’s life should not revolve around it. It is a passion, not a life.
Too often, we get caught up in the politics of it all. I’ve heard of and seen so much infighting and personal bickering…it makes me ill. And too often, as I told a friend recently, student politics will chew you up and spit you out One thing I think we do well at BSU is we always leave the meeting as friends—what happens in North Conference stays in North Conference, so to speak…we can disagree there and still get along. And that should happen in all cases everywhere, but unfortunately it does not.
I’m lucky, I’ve found a degree of balance and contentment with my life and my role. It hasn’t been easy at times, and is an ongoing process, but absent a balance, it’s just not worth it. Balance is the key so many of us forget.
Checked my grade report for Fall Semester yesterday. All As. I am quite pleased. 4.0 semesters are few and far between.
To everyone. New Year's Eve for us was spent visiting with neighbors, followed by a lazy day today.
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