It may not be a surprise to hear that I don't give a crap about the Hollywood writers' strike. They're already getting paid too much to create an enormous amount of crap and now they are paying homeless people to stand in the picket lines for them. If they're looking for my sympathy, they need to change their methods.
People are going to watch TV regardless of what's on. If writers strike, that just means more shitty reality shows to numb and dumb the masses will be created by producers who already save money by making the reality shows in the first place.
I understand that Hollywood producers get paid a lot of money, probably more than they deserve. But they're still going to get paid a ridiculous amount of money even after the strike. Shit, they're still getting paid a ridiculous amount of money during the strike!
Hollywood writers - your profession is shallow and pointless. You should be happy to receive pay at all. And I know, insurance is expensive on a Corvette, but we all have to make sacrifices.
It would be nice if the American public went on strike from TV, to show the writers and executives where the real power lies. Everyone is forgetting that the consumer is the most important aspect of the entertainment world. Unfortunately, TV is just entertaining enough to prevent everyone from turning their sets off.
If you have cable, I urge you to not pay your bill any longer. You don't need TV; TV needs you. I've been boob-tube free for about seven years, and it's one of the best things I've ever done for my life. I guarantee that after a year or so you won't need to know - and more importantly you won't care - what happens on Days of Our Lives. You can live the days of your own life instead.
30 November 2007
27 November 2007
College Is All Business
I have quite effectively lost all faith in the college system. It has become yet another capitalistic enterprise, putting more emphasis on business affairs than education. Aside from the price of tuition, which escalates every year no matter how many more students attend than the previous year, the book store, the coffee shop and the cafeteria at Utica College have all gone to the highest bidder - big corporations.
Personally, the interest of this college in turning profits has caused me much grief. What I am about to say is just about the dumbest thing I've ever had to go through. I have to re-take classes I took at MVCC because I did not obtain an Associates Degree from there. Although I got an A in English 102 at MV, the fact that I didn't get a degree there means I have to take it again here. Why? Because it costs money to take a class, and this is some retarded loophole that was created in order to squeeze another semester's worth of tuition out of transfer students. Now they're telling me that I have to take another math course, because the one I took at MV (pre-calculus) transfers over as an elective. Again, if I had an Associates from MV, this would not be a problem. I only transferred to UC because they told me these credits would all be transferred. I don't think I'm alone on this issue.
Adjunct professors make up about half of the professors at UC. Hiring two part-time employees instead of one full-time employee saves money by paying two people less money than one, and not having to offer benefits. But where does all that saved money go? I thought that Romano Hall was paid for by a donation from Mr. Romano. How about hiring an adjunct president? Surely that would save a bundle. Maybe paying the president and administration less would be a good start to saving even more!
At this point, the only thing keeping me at UC is a relatively cheap trip to Ireland. So what do I have to look forward to when I return? Obtaining a degree seems to me more trouble than it's worth. I feel I've learned what I need, and would rather spend my time reading and learning what I want, not going through English 102 again.
Handing in my application to this decrepit institute is now my biggest regret. Utica National Insurance even looks better than this dump, and that place is the reason why I went back to college. At least insurance companies are transparent about why they exist - for profit. Hiding behind the illusion of education to turn bigger and bigger profits anually is dishonest and disgusting. I've learned more from books - free books, not Barnes & Noble textbooks - than in a year and a half at UC.
It will be interesting to see what happens upon my return from Ireland. Will I quit? Maybe. I think the administration would be pleased with that, so I might stay out of spite. Then again, not paying them tuition would make me feel better. Stay tuned for what happens next, as I'm sure I'll be pissed off - and that always makes my blogs more interesting.
Personally, the interest of this college in turning profits has caused me much grief. What I am about to say is just about the dumbest thing I've ever had to go through. I have to re-take classes I took at MVCC because I did not obtain an Associates Degree from there. Although I got an A in English 102 at MV, the fact that I didn't get a degree there means I have to take it again here. Why? Because it costs money to take a class, and this is some retarded loophole that was created in order to squeeze another semester's worth of tuition out of transfer students. Now they're telling me that I have to take another math course, because the one I took at MV (pre-calculus) transfers over as an elective. Again, if I had an Associates from MV, this would not be a problem. I only transferred to UC because they told me these credits would all be transferred. I don't think I'm alone on this issue.
Adjunct professors make up about half of the professors at UC. Hiring two part-time employees instead of one full-time employee saves money by paying two people less money than one, and not having to offer benefits. But where does all that saved money go? I thought that Romano Hall was paid for by a donation from Mr. Romano. How about hiring an adjunct president? Surely that would save a bundle. Maybe paying the president and administration less would be a good start to saving even more!
At this point, the only thing keeping me at UC is a relatively cheap trip to Ireland. So what do I have to look forward to when I return? Obtaining a degree seems to me more trouble than it's worth. I feel I've learned what I need, and would rather spend my time reading and learning what I want, not going through English 102 again.
Handing in my application to this decrepit institute is now my biggest regret. Utica National Insurance even looks better than this dump, and that place is the reason why I went back to college. At least insurance companies are transparent about why they exist - for profit. Hiding behind the illusion of education to turn bigger and bigger profits anually is dishonest and disgusting. I've learned more from books - free books, not Barnes & Noble textbooks - than in a year and a half at UC.
It will be interesting to see what happens upon my return from Ireland. Will I quit? Maybe. I think the administration would be pleased with that, so I might stay out of spite. Then again, not paying them tuition would make me feel better. Stay tuned for what happens next, as I'm sure I'll be pissed off - and that always makes my blogs more interesting.
19 November 2007
THE AIR CAR!!!
http://www.theaircar.com/
Something about a car running on air...why didn't they think of that sooner? I have a feeling that the assholes in charge will try to squash this, you know, doing what they usually do - making unnecessary laws so oil companies can continue to turn record profits because they pay for campaigns...
But man. Buy an air-powered car for god's sake. Gas is ridiculous, and will only get worse. We have the technology, let's do something good and trade in all our SUVs for these light, fuel-efficient, clean cars. What do you say?
Something about a car running on air...why didn't they think of that sooner? I have a feeling that the assholes in charge will try to squash this, you know, doing what they usually do - making unnecessary laws so oil companies can continue to turn record profits because they pay for campaigns...
But man. Buy an air-powered car for god's sake. Gas is ridiculous, and will only get worse. We have the technology, let's do something good and trade in all our SUVs for these light, fuel-efficient, clean cars. What do you say?
02 November 2007
I like my major!
After my sixth try, I think I finally found a major I can stick with. Maybe it was that after a year and a half, there was finally an article worth writing on this campus. I had a busy week, but it was worth it. I was lied to as a journalist, and it felt great! I exposed some minor corruption on campus. It may have put my moneys in jeopardy for my trip to Ireland, but I really don't give a fuck. If I can't get money through the Office of Student Financial Services, I'll just get it somewhere else.
So about this major, it got me all worked up. I was running all around, interviewing the head of every department and important faculty member here. My favorite part of the day was when I went into Barry White's (not the singer) office (he's actually white, and pretty lame) and tried to make an interview with him. He's like the UC accountant or some bullshit like that. His secretary told me he was busy all day and probably wouldn't be in the office. As I turned to leave, he walked in the door. I asked if I could have a minute with him, very briefly, so he could answer some of my questions.
"I would prefer not to comment," White said. "We haven't been pleased with the coverage at the Tangerine." Fair enough, but I think he was already warned about the article I was trying to write.
Some thought I went too far with the article while others thought I didn't go far enough to expose the executive director of student financial services. BUT SHE TOOK OUR PAPERS. And that's personal. To read the article I'm referring to, go to www.uctangerine.com and read 'Dude, Where's My Tangerine?' Also, read the one from the previous issue (lead story) and Keith Henry's response, called 'Tangerine Drops Ball On Story.'
The Tangerine had more hits for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 than any other days this semester, and I have a feeling the paper is going to get better every week.
So about this major, it got me all worked up. I was running all around, interviewing the head of every department and important faculty member here. My favorite part of the day was when I went into Barry White's (not the singer) office (he's actually white, and pretty lame) and tried to make an interview with him. He's like the UC accountant or some bullshit like that. His secretary told me he was busy all day and probably wouldn't be in the office. As I turned to leave, he walked in the door. I asked if I could have a minute with him, very briefly, so he could answer some of my questions.
"I would prefer not to comment," White said. "We haven't been pleased with the coverage at the Tangerine." Fair enough, but I think he was already warned about the article I was trying to write.
Some thought I went too far with the article while others thought I didn't go far enough to expose the executive director of student financial services. BUT SHE TOOK OUR PAPERS. And that's personal. To read the article I'm referring to, go to www.uctangerine.com and read 'Dude, Where's My Tangerine?' Also, read the one from the previous issue (lead story) and Keith Henry's response, called 'Tangerine Drops Ball On Story.'
The Tangerine had more hits for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 than any other days this semester, and I have a feeling the paper is going to get better every week.
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