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.
It's the Holiday season, and thus a time to give thanks. I've been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to have the good friends I do. There was a time in my life not too many years ago when I had few, if any...I know I've blogged about that before.
In short, I hope everyone in my life realizes how thankful I am for them.
Ok, well, not really Santa, but here's what I got for Christmas:
To all out there celebrating. We had a relaxing and laid back day here at the Christiansen household.
It's hard to believe. I'm sitting here, after being home two days, and it still doesn't feel like the semester is over. this fall passed by so quickly.
I think I'll miss English Methods most. Of all the possible 8 am classes to have, that was the best. What a group...laughter permeating every day. It makes me a tad sad to know that it's my last methods class, and very likely my last class with Mark.
Time does fly. I can only wonder what next semester will bring.
This afternoon. Have the Environmental take home to finish yet, which may take significant time this evening and tomorrow AM. Due tomorrow at noon. Hopefully I'll get it emailed by the deadline...
Of the get together for Julie G., taken by Julie A. Quite possibly the first time I've been in pictures on someone else's blog.
See them here.
The first, a very nice service celebrating the life of Sadie's grandma, who along with the rest of that family has always been very good to me. She'll be missed.
The second, a celebration of the completion of Julie's time in Bemidji. A good time with good people. I need to get out more. See ya later, Julie...
He shows up at the reading day midnight breakfast...and makes it a family affair as his wife joins him.
He actively works the room, introducing himself to many students who might not otherwise get the chance to meet or work with him.
And he actually sits down for a game of spoons with one group, generating a round of applause from nearby tables, as he jokes as if he's simply another player sitting down for a hand.
Yet another sign that BSU's administrators are a cut or two above the "norm."
Ticking things off the to-do list.
Been very busy the last two days. The Methods class liked my presentation. I still need to get my essays in order for the portfolio, my goal is to turn that in Friday morning. Not gonna mess with the wiki too much, for now. I realized that this was my last class with Mark. Kind of sad, I will miss them.
Sent off most of my Christmas cards this morning. Still have about a dozen to do. People think I'm crazy for taking time to do them, but I like letting people know they are in my thoughts at least once per year. Also attended the Senate party this afternoon before studying for and taking my Urban Politics test, which I should have done well enough on to keep an A.
Next up...Content Area Reading. From looking at the study guide, we've covered very little of the material for this test, As we've spent most of our time for the last month on teaching presentations. As such I feel completely unprepared, and after talking to a classmate today know I am not the only one. It should be interesting.
In other news, it's official...I filed the form so the University knows I'm double majoring.
Oh, and we all get a free meal tonight! Yeah!!
I'm sitting here in the lab. There are students using the whiteboards in the back for a penmanship test. That's right...they are being evaluated and graded on the quality of their handwriting...size. shape, alignment.
One more reason I'd tank as an El Ed major.
Yeah, it's here. Finished the Lit Crit paper early this morning (about 1 am). Not sure if the paper makes any sense, but that's what I said about the last one, and got an A, so who knows.
Things to do this week:
Took pledges for Lakeland Public TV from 6-9 tonight. I think the camera flashed our faces 4 or 5 times. Did anyone see?
Who am I kidding. I'm a college kid, as are a great number of my readers. College kids watch MTV, not PBS. Red Green is pretty funny though.
In Methods yesterday, Mark mentioned he was blogging again. So, as I was doing my daily reading, and sure enough, after what appears to be a two year hiatus, he's back at it. I have to wonder if perhaps all the talk about them from his blogaholic students like me had a part in prompting him to give it another shot.
Check out this CrustyProfessor--he's a man with lots of interesting insights and wisdom to offer. Now, if we only had audio clips of some of the exchanges we all have in his classes...those are priceless.
Long weekend...MSUSA in St. Cloud. Had a good time despite the fact that December conference is always rough on account of the fact it is so close to the end of the semester, and I have a shit load of work to do.
I think everyone had fun, and no one told me afterwords they're never going back. There were a few dramatic moments as usual, a fairly long General Assembly meeting, Internal Affairs, and as an added bonus (or maybe added pressure?) filling in at the Board stuff. It's always interesting to do those kinds of "extra" things. Overall I quite enjoy it, although it is a very different, slightly nervous feeling being the one at "the" table. I know there were probably some people irked by one particular stance we took, "but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do"
Every month I come back from these things with a myriad of thoughts in my mind. I am frustrated by some things, energized by others. Overall, the organization never ceases to facscinate me. The people, the dynamics, the good, bad and in-between.
We were talking afterwords today as we ate lunch before returning to Bemidji, and I think Nicole summed it up pretty well: as crazy as these conferences can be, and as much as I may complain about the little things, I still love them. Why else would I keep going back after 3.5 years? I think some of it stems from the fact that at one never knows what will happen next.
MSUSA...a great advocacy group, but also part social org, soap opera and suspense novel. How could anyone not love it?
Well, after dreading its inevitable arrival for the past week, winter has arrived in a big way.
Yesterday, freezing rain and glare ice made for a long trip back to Bemidji. Today, as half the town shut down, BSU stayed open, albeit with far fewer students and professors around than usual. Tonight, 4-6 inches of snow expected. Yuck.
Surprisingly though, all the people coming in for the Dining vendor interviews are planning to be here as scheduled tomorrow. Lucky thing, as I'm sure any reschedule would have been a mess. It will be an interesting day.
Got up late and spent most of the afternoon reading RFP proposal responses. Only got through about section two in each. Imagine the biggest three-ring binder you've ever seen full of material. Multiply that by three, and that's how much I have to read by next Monday. I had hoped to avoid lugging stuff home over the Thanksgiving break but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
This evening, ate pizza while watching part of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Have never read those books, or seen the movies in their entirety. Will have to remedy that one of these days.
Well, don't have to "caress" winter quite yet...the ground is still bare. But it IS rather cold and nasty...
Ok, the picture is from Google Images, but by this time tomorrow the cars in B-Town could look like this. The season's first winter storm is upon us. God I hate winter--I hate the snow, the ice and the cold. So why the heck do I live in Bemidji, people ask? Well, I didn't exactly come here for the climate.
Perhaps I need to follow a friend's advice earlier today:
"Winter's gonna feel bad if you keep knockin on it. Love it. Caress it."
Somehow I don't see that happening. (Nice try though Brad.)
A couple of interesting articles, that prove blogging is for all ages.
From CNN:
Senior Citizen bloggers defy stereotypes
From BBC:
US youths use internet to create
(found on Morgan's Log)
So, election results bring the wrath of God? Well, according to Pat Robertson, the residents of Dover, PA better watch out, Because He will not be pleased with a recent vote to oust members of the school board in a controversy over intelligent design...so displeased that he will bring disaster upon the city.
Is it just me, or does controversy follow that guy every time he opens his mouth?
Last night's Senate meeting brought great news...
After more than three years of asking, pleading, and begging...public computer access is FINALLY returning to the student union! Starting spring semester, laptops will be available for checkout, and they are planning for wireless access to be available in most of the building.
New Union Director + Old Promises + A Motivated Student With an Idea (and a desire to sell people on it fast)= Results!
Oh, and I saw Steph this morning in the variety store for the first time all semester. Could another string of great days be starting?
It's 2:15, my committee meeting was supposed to start at 2...
Why am I the only one here??
Yesterday I went back to BHS and finished off my practicum. And for a couple of hours, I took off my Berne the College Student hat and became Mr. Christiansen the English teacher. The lesson with the ninth graders went well, and there's more about it on the Methods wiki.
I'm sitting here commenting on blogs and I just realized the "words" used for word verification aren't really words at all.
So, why call it "Word Verification"?
A question only an English major would ask...
Spent the weekend in the cities at MSUSA Fall Conference. It was an odd feeling being in the audience and not being a delegate.
Unfortunately the Board election did not go my way. While I'm happy for the winners, I am certainly a bit bummed that neither Nicole or I got a seat. I didn't even care which of us, I just wanted one of us in there. Oh well, there is always Spring. I will say that I did receive a lot of compliments, which reminds me that there are people there who value me even if I did not win.
We also had a little bit of fun. Mom did a Halloween themed dessert social for our group on Friday, and everyone had a good time...scared the hell out of Julie more than once, it was great :) It was nice to have the chance to introduce the 'rents to more of the Senate crew, plus we were joined by Brandon and Brent and Derek, which made for a good time.
Oh, and the pic above is of some of the group "crashing" a wedding in costume...apparently they were a hit.
So I couldn't resist this quiz....
You are Scooter.
You are a loyal, hardworking person, better known
as a doormat.
SPECIAL TALENTS:
Going for stuff.
LEAST FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Go For Broke!"
QUOTE:
"15 seconds to showtime."
LAST BOOK READ:
"300 New Ways to Get Your Uncle to Get You a
Better Job "
NEVER LEAVES HOME WITHOUT:
Coffee, clipboard, and Very Special Guest Stars.
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Not sure what's worse...that I'm apparently a doormat or that I've never heard of this muppet.
A sure sign of things to come. I finally had to break down and switch the clothes in my closet. The warm weather polos are now in a tote under the bed, replaced by sweaters and long sleeve shirts.
Ugh. I hate the onset of cold weather.
Well, yet another few days have passed without a blog update. This has actually been one of very few times thus far in the semester when I can say I've had a stretch of very good days.
Tuesday I returned to classes and the office with stories from Monday at the high school, which almost made up for the lackluster response to my Methods paper. I don't know what it is this term, but some of my writing is not at its usual level. I'm definitely in a personal writing slump. But the day redeemed itself again when I realized we had all the conference arrangements done in record-early time.
Wednesday's Senate meeting was a riot. I've said it before and I'll say it again...BSU administrators are the best in the system. The Pres. and a VP came and stayed for the ENTIRE MEETING. They'll do this occasionally, and it's great. At most schools, the Pres. rarely shows up to Senate meetings, let alone stays the entire time and seems to enjoy it.
Yesterday continued my streak of good days. I found out I was reelected to Senate. #1 with 150 votes of 401 cast. Pretty good percentage on a ballot with 24 people. It is nice to know that students recognize the work I do. The results made the day doubly awesome because I also got my Lit Crit paper back that had worried me so much...and I got an A!!
Finally, today I think I did well on my Urban Politics test. And when I went up to turn it in, Beech says "I like your new scooter. It looks like Xzibit pimped your ride or something." It was funny, and I wish more people would've heard...that guy cracks me up.
We had the day off yesterday, and aside from going to the bank and grocery store, it was fairly unproductive.
Today I've just vegged out. Maybe I needed "Fall Break" to recharge.
Last year, I posted about meeting Nicole after reading her posts on CAL Dialogue. Just yesterday, the same thing happened with someone on Facebook.
You see, there's this thing with Facebook. Anybody can add anyone else to their list of friends. I have all kinds of people on my list, from good friends and colkleagues I see every day to those who I've met only a few times. Of course, there are a couple who it took me a moment to "place"...as in I know I know them from somewhere...but where?
Yesterday, I received an email. "BW has added you as a friend." Of course I clicked confirm and noticed he was a Maple resident, so that's how we were connected.
Last night, following hall council, I checked my mail before finishing my Lit Crit paper...which I'm not very happy with by the way. As I did so, a guy approached me and was asking some questions about Senate. I KNEW I had seen him before, and I've likely talked to him, but I am terrible with names and it takes me a few encounters to recognize a face.
Me: "Remind me of your name again?"
Guy: "BW"
Me: "Ohh...from Facebook!"
It was quite funny...maybe you had to be there.
Could it be that wiki use at BSU is catching on beyond Morgan's courses?
Case in point: Liberal Education Task Force
Kudos to this group for an attempt to use technology in their work.
Yesterday my parents visted after the Senate retreat, and we went to dinner. It was very nice and somewhat unexpected...I had found out late Friday night. Generally they don't get the chance to visit together because of work schedules.
Today, I slept late and just finished shredding the pile of old mail they brought. Now, I think I ought to do a little template updating, read, and get crackin on that Lit Crit paper. Exciting.
Today I spent the afternoon observing a ninth grade English class at BHS as part of my Methods practicum. It was fairly enjoyable, since when I teach, I want high schoolers. Of course, a lot of kids were wondering who I was. After my introduction came the quote of the day from one of the boys in the class:
Student (to teacher): "That's my new buddy." (directed at me).
Teacher: "How come?"
Student: "Because he's got a pimp cane!"
So there ya have it folks, I'm the class pimp.
Saw the following quote linked on a couple of other blogs:
"walking through the union is like driving on the interstate.
you have to keep up with traffic and cut people off. there are people with trailers (briefcases/backpacks on wheels). if you miss your exit, you're screwed."
-From Truth
Darn right. Try riding through at peak lunch hour on an electric scooter!
Sunday, when I last blogged, it had been a fabulous fall weekend. Yesterday, while on a conference call, I listened to people in southern MN rave about it being 85 and sunny. Today...wind, rain and 40s. Tomorrow and Thursday... snow forecasted.
It's October in Minnesota.
A pretty low key weekend for me, as I am not a big game or party freak. I did enjoy being at the carnival, and watching people get plates of whipped cream in the face at Senate's "Pie" throwing booth. It was an absolutely beautiful October Saturday, which was great.
Today I did absolutely nothing, which to some would sound like a great day, but I am having way to many of them recently. Especially weekends...I have no motivation.
It's time to change that.
September is over...which is good. This has seemed like an especially crazy and somewhat stressful first month of school. Adjusting to this Semester's pace has been more difficult than usual. Sleep has been in short supply...I think my internal clock must be goofy.
On the plus side...the scooter is ordered and on its way. Here's hoping sooner than later. I'm gonna guess two weeks.
Oh, and Facebook is addictive.
So, I'm trying to join this thing called the Facebook that everybody is on now, and it keeps telling me to enter a vaild email address...which I've done. Why does it not like my BSU email?
Any tips out there?
This has been a busy week. For the last several days, we have been involved in a big recruitment drive to bring up the Senate numbers, so I've done some tabling, class presentations, made a flyer, etc. Today we got 7 applications, which I believe must be a record for a single day...at least that I can recall.
In these past few weeks, as I've given my "pitch" to students telling them what a great opportiunity Senate is, it's gotten me thinking;It's brought back memories. Memories of my last-second decision to try for that MVHS Student Council seat. Memories of MASC's 2001 Summer Seminar, and the year that followed...the year that began my "career" in student government. And of course, so many memories of the last 3 years, and the beginnings of more, at BSU. All of the experiences I've had as a student leader have come about because of a series of choices that, at least in the early stages involved big risk and leaps of faith...when one has never been involved, the first steps are always the hardest. There have been good times and bad, and a great deal of work mixed in with the fun. Through it all, the decisions I have made to get involved...and stay involved, in things which I am passionate about, have impacted my life in the best ways possible.
Yesterday evening, while visiting with a friend, I was reminded of some of the other great things students are doing on campuses and in communities that those of us doing "official" business in the belly of the beast lose sight of on occasion. He is attempting to get a chapter of an organization focusing on community service and leadership development going on campus. After hearing the story and checking out the website, I am impressed by the concept, and think we will see good things from that group.
Leadership opportunities abound for students. Sure, not all people want to be in student government, but should be able to find at least one thing to be involved with. If we all did that, the idea of "student apathy" would go the way of the dodo.
Getting involved...it's the best choice a student can make.
I spent the weekend in Moorhead with Nolan and Nicole attending the MSUSA conference for the month, hosted by the MSUM Senate. They always put on a good meeting, and I think most of them are quite fond of us BSU Beavers...after all, their fearless leader is "a Dragon by academic year, Beaver by summer session" as I believe he put it in reference to his recent summer stay in B-Town.
Of course, the weekend started off with one of those beloved icebreaker activities everyone does at different leadership things. Actually, this one wasn't too bad. At least I didn't think so, because an ice breaker without strenuous physical activity is a good thing in my book. The evening was capped off with a nice dinner and an early bedtime, which made the 7 am wake up call on Saturday a bit easier to take.
Upon awaking Saturday, we spent the better part of two hours listening to a training followed by the always envigorating Board reports, and our second crack at General Assembly, which was cut short and continued this morning. While it made for a longer day today, the early out did allow Nicole and I time to enjoy a delicious meal along with two great campus organizers and a colleague from Metro. A steak dinner-not something I get on a regular basis, and a departure from the usual fast food fare. Yumm...well worth it.
This morning brought the usual routine of discussions and a continued Board meeting. It also brought something else that has become synonymous with Sunday mornings at MSUSA meetings...a bit of drama and an unexpected twist. Every year we hope for smooth sailing, and we never seem to get it...not since December 2003 at least. I'm told I came in at an odd time...the organization hasn't always been in flux. Oh well, it makes things interesting.
Suffice it to say that big changes are in store once again. We're evolving, as the State Chair put it. Meanwhile, I continue to do my work with the full confidence that said evolution is for the best.
My English Methods Wiki...papers and such from the methods class I'm currently in.
Elements of E-Rhetoric...I'm not in it, but some cool people are, and it looks like they're doing some interesting things. Pay them a visit.
Actually, it started last night. The recruits we had expected to show up at the Senate meeting did not. Even the girl who called less than a half hour before to confirm the location was nowhere to be found. Recruitment is incredibly frustrating at times.
This morning, I overslept...was 20 minutes late to English Methods. Of course today had to be the day the clinical experiences director came in to get information so he can set up the practicums. Luckily, he caught up with me later in the Ed Lab.
Finally, I learned that the folks at MeritCare have not received the information I need from my doctor, which I requested a week ago! So, hopefully I'll reach the office in the morning so they can get it done and fax it, and the people up here can order the thing so it gets here before I'm too much older.
Long, tiring and frustrating...that sums today up.
Did the Senate "Class Rap" at two evening classes. Seemed like there might be a couple people interested in one class. Also put in a plug at Maple Hall Council tonight and one person asked for an application. The big question is: How many of these interested people will show up on Wednesday?
Is anyone out there interested in academic issues on the BSU campus? If so, I need you!! Two weeks into the semester and I have been unable to pull together an Academic Affairs meeting. Granted, we only have like 5 senators and all the committee chairs are in the same position I am, but it's frustrating. I can not live up to my title as Chair if there is no committee in existence TO chair.
I've never liked having to be a "one man show." Add to that the fact that I myself am new to the position. Sure, I have areas I know we should focus on, but I can't get anywhere by myself. I need members to provide some direction. I am a capable chair and leader, but without a team to back me up, what good is that?
On the plus side, I think that after three years of being bugged about Senate by me, one friend has FINALLY decided to join.
The BSUSA Student Senate needs a few good men and women to serve the student body. If that's you, Apply!!
Well, in celebration of my one year blogiversary, I decided it was time for a new template. So, after much tweaking, welcome to the new Berne's World. What do you think?
Went to MeritCare this morning and put in the order for my new scooter, a viper blue Pride Victory. It's not a Cadillac, as Torin asked, but it is quite nice, and extremely functional.
I was then told it will take 4-8 weeks to arrive...lots of papers to process and insurance crap to do, plus the scooter has to be ordered. Luckily, they are letting me use their rental scooter free of charge until my new one arrives. Most of you who have seen me on campus lately know that my current scooter is essentially non functional and I have spent almost as much time pushing it as I have riding it for the last 2 weeks. I'm excited for the new one to come in.
This brings up another interesting thought. I am routinely asked if the scooter I have is mine or BSU's. This question perplexes me to no end, especially when it comes from staff. Why would anyone think that the University would provide that? Granted it would be nice, but also way beyond any responsibility they have. I will give major kudos though...maintenence has changed my tires, and IT regularly adds air to wheelchair tires. Very nice of them.
Yes, it is time. After almost 9 years, my trusty Pride Sundancer, also referred to as simply "the scooter", or sometimes the BerneMobile, is dying. The motor (third in those 9 years) has no "oomph" left.
It's been a long time coming. I realized over the summer that it's days were numbered. We decided the time was right for a new one rather than sinking another $3-400 in another motor. After all, the scooter has lasted me almost twice as long as we thought it would, and let's face facts, it's been 9 years of HARD use: Rain, snow or shine, every day.
So, I'm pleased to say that assuming all goes well in the next few days, and everything gets approved, I will soon become the proud owner of:
A Pride Victory, hopefully in blue.
In a testament to how quickly things get organized in today's wired world, Check out Katrina Help Wiki.
(via Morgan's Log)
Also, a bit of a Public Service Announcement to my BSU readers...If you want to get involved with upcoming relief projects, come to the Crying Wolf Room of HMU at 2 pm Friday, or contact the union staff.
The Web Team Blog and the Student Services Blog have died. Actually they were dead a long time ago, I just never deleted them.
The Senate Weblog is still alive, and I'm hoping it'll make a comeback.
I've enabled verification to stop the spam comments on recent posts. The extra step won't take that long...
Class wise, the first week of school was fairly routine. My classes all seem like they will be fine. I always begin the year with a certain degree of nervousness, but I know it is largely unwarranted.
First Senate meeting was this Wednesday. I was happy to receive conformation as Academic Affairs Chair and MSUSA Campus Rep, but I was more shocked than ever by the low number of people in the room. Just like last year, we lost people, but the surplus of empty seats this time around surprised even a seasoned veteran like me. With membership hovering around ten, we need more people, as quickly as possible. About 2o applications were handed out at the club and org fair yesterday, and it will be interesting to see how many are actually turned in. If experience is any indicator, I'm guessing 5-10.
Finally, just like everyone else, I've been watching a fair amount of news coverage this week. I am shocked by photos of utter devastaion and chaos left by the hurricane in New Orleans and beyond. It is barely comprehendable.
Is great! We've got new computers in the Ed Lab (where I am right now) and they are loaded with Firefox, which of course I already use on my PC...but finally, a browser that supports Blogger Compose mode fully on a Mac. About time.
Everybody seems to be starting new blogs...
A Teacher in Transition
Perhaps I ought to group all the teacher blogs on my sidebar under one heading? Hmmm...a thought
I've done some updating to my sidebar. Check out the new additions:
Teaching and life:
Suspension of Ego
Head First
Matt in the Middle
An adventure in the Peace Corps:
What's Jake Doing?
Some Others::
Veracidad
Broadcasting Life
Illusions, Delusions...
Wikis:
English Methods
Berne's Experimental PB Wiki
Arrived back in Bemidji this afternoon to begin another school year. Classes start on Tuesday. I have discovered the summer passes very quickly when most of it is spent taking classes. It is also hard to believe I am now a Senior. Granted, I'll probably be here an extra year, but still...the three years I've been in college so far have flown by.
Moving in was so easy, since I've been here all summer and my room is all organized. The building is full again, and activity has resumed. And here I sit, preparing for a fourth year certain to pass just as quickly as the first three.
Was pretty uneventful. I hung out, did a little shopping etc. Had a nice lunch with Julie on Thursday. I also went to the dentist, which, in contrast, is not an activity I enjoy. We did find my sister a truck, which is good news, and made me nearly as happy as it made her, seeing as it was kind of the "mission" for the last couple of weeks.
Yeah, I haven't updated much this week, but that doesn't mean I haven't been glued to the computer. I've been helping my sister search for a new vehicle and have become all too familiar with CarSoup, KeepitLocal, and the Kelley Blue Book. Takes longer than one realizes when given specific parameters and a tight budget.
Hopefully, we'll find one soon.
On Sunday night, I talked to my sister online and she told me she was heading to Duluth again on Tuesday to do some more work on her bedroom in the house she'll be moving into this fall with some friends from UMD. Six girls in one house...imagine that. So, after getting back home Monday, I decided to go up there with her.
It was actually a really nice couple of days. She gave me a tour of her house, and a "driving tour" of the campus and the town. We shopped around and found her a small stereo and desk chair for her room. Also ate at a couple favorite haunts... Erbert and Gerberts and Grandmas.
What was the most interesting though was just the fact that we actually spent time together, and as we talked about college, and friends, and jobs, I realized we aren't kids anymore. We're more on the "same page" at this point in our lives. She's no longer the little brat I constantly sparred with.
It was great.
Our Minnesota Governor might actually have come up with an idea that...wait for it...makes sense!
Governor Proposes Performace Pay For Politicians.
Seems more than fair. After all, I don't get paid if my job duties aren't fulfilled on time, so why should they?
Teacher Reprimanded for Licking Wounds
Any teacher who is caught licking his/her students has got to have some serious issues. Eeeww.
Upper 80s/ Low 90s and humid + no air conditioning= ICK.
Last night was terrible. Up till 3. Glad to see it cooling down for a couple days.
Once again, over a week between updates. I'm slacking. I imagine the blogging will pick up as the pace of life picks up, which won't be long. It's hard to believe that next week will already be August, but I'm admittedly ready for the school year...to go back to a regular schedule of classes, Senate, MSUSA and the other things I usually do.
Finished up with classes this week by taking my last Health and Drugs exam and posting a review of the film Blow. Online learning was an interesting experience. I'd taken some classes before with an online component (obviously Weblogs and TWWT), but taking a class through D2L was new. It worked well for me in this instance, but I would not choose to do it as a regular thing.
Worked a full day in the lab today. Saw all of two people, and that was in the last half hour. Watched Mean Girls in addition to Blow, and it was pretty funny.
No, I am not talking about the New U program at WSU that my colleagues down there love so much (NOT!), but rather the MSUSA conference this past weekend. As always an interesting and good time was had by the BSU crew.
We departed Bemidji Friday around 6:15 am AKA the crack of freaking dawn. It was to be a long but fun ride down, and I found myself laughing hysterically on several occasions. I was happy to see that the weekend got off to a promising start. We arrived in Winona and after dropping off Billy at the Rev Fund meeting, Tessa, Nicole and I headed to Kmart for a few essentials. We then got back to campus and spent a good 25 minutes looking for the correct building, and after some craziness that involved driving on sidewalks (oops!), we determined that we had passed the building 2-3 times without realizing it.
Internal Affairs that afternoon was painless, and then we headed over to check into the dorms...yes, we stayed in the sixth floor of a dormitory with no air con in 95 degree heat. It was crazy! But, alas we survived. We then sat through two hours of board meeting before heading to supper at Erbert and Gerbert's...good subs, and capped off the evening at a bar/restaurant across the street, where I had two beverages, and Nicole figured she'd annonce it to the whole world seeing as I just recently turned 21 and it is a "new thing" for me. LOL.
Saturday brought a day of quite productive brainstorming. We attempted to figure out what projects and campaigns the association will undertake over the next year or so. A couple were pretty hotly debated and it will be interesting to see how they turn out. MSUSA is running quite differently than it used to and it will certainly be an interesting year, with a lot of firsts. We also went to see Wedding Crashers, which was rather funny, and the movie theatre was a perfect escape from the heat.
Oh, and during Saturday's discussion I learned that the State Chair reads my blog...now I know a lot of people read this blog, but it was the first time someone from MSUSA has told me they do. Wonder where he came across it?
So, I'm channel surfing and come upon MTV's The Andy Milonakis Show... WTF?
It looks to me like some stupid teenager, and if I didn't know better I'd think hat he was mentally delayed. Come on...that's supposed to be funny? What the hell?
A couple weeks back, I spent some time perusing the Wikis listed on my sidebar, as well as the English Methods Wiki for the course I will take this fall. I came upon Melissa Bartlett's page entitled TheBookOfMark. I was reminded of the portfolio she did for Writing for Secondary Teachers, which was an earlier version of the quote log. Some of these quotes impart wisdom, others are just plain hilarious
I've copied and pasted it below in case the wiki disappears before this blog...too priceless to lose.
--------------------------------------
Mark Christensen Quote Log
5 March 1996 – Present
“Being a poet is a habit of attention.”
“In poetry you control where the line ends.”
“. . . control (influence/affect) your future self.”
“Use something you’ve overheard by someone else.”
“How much of you is your body?"
“Increased consciousness of the stuff you identify with equals increased consciousness of your identity.”
“How you see the world is your choice.”
“You can’t describe an object without describing you, in a way.”
“How much of ourselves do we give other people?”
“Poetry equals the tension between living internally and materially in things.”
“There is no reason for us to settle for boredom.”
“Stuckness is pessimistic.”
“Sometimes it’s really hard to be the one who watches.”
“Remember a person who hasn’t been as lucky as I am. . . a profound difference of perception.”
“Try to merge with –23 degree weather.”
“Eliminate vision to heighten it.”
“Being a writer is a state of mind.”
“I like it when something just pops out.”
‘Writer’s mode is ‘you are free to choose.’”
“Be quiet as strangely as you can.”
“Why are you doing that?!?”
“Just let one strike you.”
“I wonder how you see light.”
“Let them fall out – think about that for awhile.”
“Try to get yourself out of yourself.”
“What does it feel like to write a poem?
“. . . pushing yourself over the edge to make sure you’re still there.”
“I want to be in your brain now.”
“Searching for the right word to match the proverbial image. . . “
--- “Most people who are taught writing are taught in building blocks.”
“The only thing linear is time.”
“It’s not enough to be a ‘conventional’ good writer.”
“Don’t write things you don’t want me to know.”
“High school students are intellectually competent.”
“In your teaching lives you’re going to have to live with the fact that no one else will ever know what you’re doing . . it’s just one long set of stories that will die along with you.”
“We use writing to get business done.”
“Writing is a means of thinking.”
“When did I ever have the balls to show anybody else this crap?”
“Teaching writing is the greatest gift you can give someone.”
“Writing’s reward is in the doing of it.”
“Society’s lost the sense of doing something for it’s own end.”
“Life isn’t for schooling, schooling is for life.”
“Learning is the natural human condition.”
“Great teachers use their own demons productively.”
“Great teachers commonly relish their environments.”
“There is nothing more intimate than a person’s language.”
“Be open to find out stuff about students as they choose to reveal it.”
"They may progress, but it may be in spite of you."
“I know that there will be oddballs like you.”
“You are weirdos as far as the rest of the world goes.”
“Surface features are not to be ignored, but he does think that they are tinkerable. To tinker means, something already exists and you adjust. When you're done adjusting, and you have opportunity to adjust, uh, you've cleaned, polished that surface, and so that isn't any longer an issue, and then you think about quality. Quality has to do with details that evoke response, sense of purpose, the sense of the presence of the author, the nature of arguments, propositions, speculations, wonderings, uses of emotional appeals. These matters constitute the makings of quality. Surface features tell you how close to the final edit you are.”
"When people are talking about great literature, they are insisting that it is old."
“My main concern is what writing does to and for the psyche.”
“I don’t think it’s particularly good. . . I wouldn’t say that if you weren’t pushing me.”
“Sometimes I know I need to start one when my head starts feeling flat.”
“One tactic I used is that mine was always available – if they wanted to read it, they could.” –journaling
“Lots of writing gets done for purposes of façade.”
“Why, some poetry has to be read out loud because it is a performance and looking at it visually makes no difference.”
“You can’t embrace the poem if you can’t see it.”
“A lot of writing is performance.”
“I sound educated but I also sound foreign – not part of the group.”
“Our language, individually, gives us strengths and also separations. Membership and exclusion.”
“Assume the position.”
“Making the most of your moment. I’m all for that.”
“Carpe Diem is the argument that the guy uses on the girl in the backseat. It isn’t an argument that is always appropriate.”
“Now that I got you to open up a little.”
“You filthy minded critter.”
Fall Semester, 2004 – Methods
“Searching for meaning makes our lives meaningful.”
“If teaching was predictable I would have quit a long time ago.”
“Tell her to just fuck off.”
"There is no one right way to teach."
"Everytime is the best time to restart."
"If teaching were predictable I would have quit a long time ago."
"The best thing we can do for ourselves is to have a sense of mission."
"Teaching is like jumping off a diving board -- you just go at it."
------------------------------------------
Pretty good, huh. Unfortunately for me, I think I inspired the quote in red with this less than stellar piece. His and the class' feedback did however help me to become a better writer.
Ahh...memories.
Jobs calls family of stabbing victim
Kids dying over iPods...now that's sad. What is this world coming to when people are willing to kill for some popular gadget?
Mr. Cruise has done it again. This time he says he believes in aliens.
Crazy man.
(link courtesy of Froyd)
For causing the first ever government shutdown in state history.
Citizens of Minnesota, we should be proud. (Or how about NOT)
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