Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Last night, Laura and I went to a wonderful show at SUNY New Paltz. We saw “The Pirates of Penzance.” Good thing we did, because last night was the last show.
As you may know, I have a little problem when I get frustrated. I tend to complain about it. People don’t like to hear me complain, so sometimes, they fix my problem for me. Laura is one of those people. The other night, I was complaining that we don’t do enough with the resources we live near. One of those resources in the college up in New Paltz. The college was actually one of the things we were excited to have nearby when we first came to this area. I am always thinking, “How the heck do we get away from the losers who ride out tails on the roads…the ones who just seem to be mean spirited? How do we hang out with people like us?” I guess all we had to do was to go to a show up at the college.
There were all types of people up there, from students to retired to us. I guess we were middle of the road folk. There were a lot of parents coming to see their kids put on a performance too. It felt so good to be on a campus again, feeling the buzz of excitement of all that college has to offer. I really do miss it.
Anyway, about the show…it was really good. I was so impressed by what these kids could do. I mean, it was like they were professionals. I like the casual atmosphere of the audience and the way the performers catered to them. They really seemed to connect.
I think there are two performances each semester, so from now on, we are going to go to them. How’s that for an idea to get out of the house to chill with people like us?
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
I actually read quite a bit last night. I don’t know…I guess I was inspired. My frontal lobe is getting a workout and, believe it or not, I feel better.
I am almost done with “Wobegon Boy” by Garrison Keillor. Let me tell you, this book had good reviews. Even what they said on the back cover was good. HAHA, what they say on the back cover is always good. When I first started reading this book, I was having fun. The story made sense and all was nice in the world. I think, about half way through, when “John’s” father died, things got a little weird. To me, the story lost track. It seems like Garrison is almost just trying to get all the punch lines he had in his head for all these years on paper. It almost doesn’t make sense. I have to admit that I have been only reading a few pages each night, but it is hard to get back into the story when I do decide to pick up the book again.
Have you ever read, “It” by Stephen King? That book is kind of fat. That is, “thick,” not “phat” with a PH. I think I got about half way through it when I looked deep into my soul and told myself I had absolutely no idea what this man was talking about. I was slightly sad about that because Stephen Kind is so famous and I really tried to enjoy his writing. I had to put the book down forever. Now, I am not saying that what I write makes any sense either, but then again, I am no author. All I can claim is that I am an amateur blogging hack.
So, back to the frontal lobe. Yeah, it feels better. It has been a while since I did anything educational-wise-ish and I miss it. I get so excited when there is something to learn. I have been very focused on business lately that I almost gave up on intellectual stimulation. The most I have done in the past year was to complain about my problem during dinner.
I can tell I am a new man. Can you believe that the whole transformation has happened in less than a week?
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Monday, September 24th, 2007
What was the American Civil War all about? I think if you ask a lot of people, they would tell you it was about slavery. I guess it was, but it was about a lot of other things too.
The whole reason I am thinking about this is because I saw a bit of the movie, “Cold Mountain” yesterday. It is always so depressing watching things like this. In many cases, you can’t help but to take the Southern side of things. I feel like this especially when I think of “Gone with the Wind.”
Anyway, I think that you, yes you, should read about the Civil War and tell me more about it.
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Thursday, September 20th, 2007
I opened my birthday present early.
My mother emailed me a few days (or weeks) ago and told me that I should be receiving a box from Amazon. She told me not to open it, and I didn’t…until last night. I was so proud of myself too. I even called her up just to tell her that I didn’t open it.
The box was just looking at me. It was kind of like that box of donuts looking at Mickey from all the way up there on the counter. What am I…a robot? I have feelings. Of course I am going to open the box!!! I felt like this venue would be the best way to break the news to my mother. I am a horrible person.
Anyway, for some time now, I have been aware that I have not been using my frontal lobe. It is kind of like mush. This has been hindering my thought process and decision making. The lack of activity, I suspect, is due to my lack of reading and continued education. I am nowhere near the level I used to be. I even have trouble writing these days.
Good thing I opened my birthday present early. It was just in the nick of time. In the box, I found two very interesting books. The first one is a thick paperback entitled, “1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die.” I started reading this last night. It felt very good up there in my frontal lobe. I am not sure if it was from reading the book or the thirty push ups I did. Yeah, that’s right.
What’s interesting about this book is that the author, Patricia Schultz, grew up in Beacon, NY. She even mentions Walnut Street. I thought that was pretty cool, since I eat lunch in Beacon quite a bit.
I read the first few sections…right now, we are in Connecticut, somewhere near the Connecticut River. It seems like a very interesting book and it feels very good to sit on the couch and read.
The second book is entitled, “The World Without Us,” written by Alan Weisman. I haven’t read anything in this book yet, but I am sure it will be good. If my mother ordered it from Amazon, she surely read the reviews. That’s just the way she rolls.
Anyway, since I opened my present early, it might be a good idea to get me something else that I can open on my actual birthday. Ok, just think about it.
And finally, THANK YOU!!! The gift was very thoughtful. Also, don’t feel too bad, I opened Stephanie’s gift early too.
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Monday, September 10th, 2007
I was talking to my mother last night, when I asked her if she liked my idea on how to learn Spanish. I’m not sure anyone has really liked my idea. They will see the light one day.
Anyway, I was telling her about Rosetta Stone’s method of learning…the way they use words and pictures. Then she said, “Oh, isn’t the Rosetta Stone interesting?” She started talking about this stone with ancient languages written on it. I had no idea what the heck she was talking about. She explained that yes, there was a real Rosetta Stone. I thought this was pretty clever, the way the company used this as their name. Clever indeed.
Here is a sentence or two from Wikipedia…
The Rosetta Stone is a Ptolemaic era stele written with the same text in two Egyptian language scripts (hieroglyphic and demotic) and in classical Greek.
You can read all about it here.
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Sunday, September 9th, 2007
After visiting High Falls, NY last weekend, I thought I should really find out what I had just done. I hate visiting places and seeing a bunch of history I know nothing about. When I looked last weekend online, I really didn’t find anything. I must admit that my search lasted about thirty seconds.
Well, I found a great website that has a clear history of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The site is run by the D & H Canal Historical Society in High Falls, NY.
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Thursday, September 6th, 2007
I had this epiphany last night. I think it came from a commercial for Rosetta Stone that I heard on the radio.
Rosetta Stone teaches different languages by using pictures of things along with exposing the student to different words. They link the two together for an interesting combination.
Well, the idea that I had was for the student to read a book, such as a novel. The first page would be totally in English, just to get the person going. Then, the second page would have a Spanish word thrown in there, but in a way that’s obvious to its meaning. The third page would have a Spanish word and something like “Yo” instead of “I.” This would go on and on and by the last pages of the book, the student would be reading complete Spanish.
Well, what do you think? I think this is a stellar idea.
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
Now, I am not one to say that the English language makes sense and I really don’t want to come off like the Queen of England. I am not even saying that I am any good at what I say. All I am saying is that I hear a whole bunch of words being mispronounced from time to time. You may have even witnessed spelling mistakes in this blog. I do try to check over my spelling as much as I can, but sometimes I just don’t care. I mean really, who cares? Sometimes I feel like just throwing my hands up in the air and joining those who say, “Oh, you know what I meant.”
A big one is “often.” I always thought that the “t” is silent. Maybe I am wrong, or maybe the English say it differently, but even my ninth grade English teach said it incorrectly.
I found a great website that lays out the most mispronounced words. Here is what they say about “often” or what should really read, “offen…”
We have mastered the spelling of this word so well, its spelling influences the pronunciation. In fact, T drops out between F and N regularly in English (compare soften).
More times than not, I hear people say, “Oh, that happens often.” They say it with the “t” in often. Who can really blame them? I mean, if people want to hear that word with a silent “t” then why not take the damn “t” out of the word? Would that really be too much trouble? Hey, that’s a novel idea…say it like it’s spelled. I have another idea…why not just say the “t” with often? What harm would that be?
I think this English language needs a bit of cleaning up. What do you think?
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Friday, August 10th, 2007
Well, there are many reasons.
There is one thing I really don’t talk about in my life, and that’s being a vegetarian. I still eat seafood, so I guess I’m not really all the way there yet, but I try damn hard. The reason I don’t talk about it is because every time I do, I get in a fight with whoever I am talking to. Why? I have no idea. Here is how it goes…
ME: Yum, this is good.
THEM: What, are you some sort of vegetarian or something?
ME: Yeah, but I don’t talk about it all that much.
THEM: GET OVER IT DUDE!!! It’s freakin nature!!! I LOVE MY STEAK!!!
ME: Um, ok, but I don’t remember asking.
Well, it doesn’t happen exactly that way, but it really does end up that way. I hear snickers all the time. I always wonder why people care so much about something I don’t do. I don’t eat meat. How is that bad for others? It’s like saying I don’t drive fast. “What, are you some sort of freak or something? You old granny!!!” People don’t generally care too much about that, unless they are in back of me on the road, I guess.
I remember once I was in an uninvited discussion about being a vegetarian with someone and they blurted out the nature argument. They told me all about their fangs (you know, their pointy teeth). Yeah, that worked well. I almost picked up a hamburger after that.
I think I have come to the conclusion that people argue with me about it because they somehow think I am going to take their meat away from them. Somehow, I will break in to their houses at night and steal all the meat from their freezers. Then, all the vegetarian policemen out there and I, will come and get them and lock them up in our PETA sponsored prisons. After they are whipped with asparagus, we will stone them with brussel sprouts. We will only release them after they promise to only wear hemp and live in self sustaining neighborhoods.
Let me tell you the reason I made the switch. It all comes down to a few occasions. I remember one time when I was eating a chicken drumstick, I bit in to a vein. I asked what it was, but came to the realization by myself. That struck a nerve. I was a little kid, so I didn’t actually know what a vein was doing in my food. I also remember this one time when I made dinner for Laura. I made chicken, but mistakenly didn’t cook it all the way through. I put the plates on the table. We cut in to the chicken and noticed some raw-ness and a vein. That struck a nerve. The final straw was when I was mowing the lawn one day. I came in to cool off and Laura wanted me to watch a video online. It was called, “Meet Your Meat.” That did it for me. You couldn’t even imagine how many people refuse to watch that video. I don’t know why.
There is this guy I know who likes to start with me from time to time about this whole topic. I think the last time he came over, he told me that I wasn’t getting enough protein. Funny, I have been a vegetarian for years now and I am still here and kicking. Weird. Maybe he is wrong.
So, enough about me. Let’s look at some links that give good reasons why becoming a vegetarian is good…
- Why be vegetarian?
- Animal Rights and Vegetarianism
- 21 Reasons for being Vegetarian
- 49 Reasons Why I Am a Vegetarian
…and here are some general vegetarian websites…
- GoVeg.com: Vegetarian and Vegan Information
- Vegetarianism – Wikipedia
- Vegetarian Times – Great Food, Good Health, Smart Living
- The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG)
I do have to say that eating differently is more expensive. I can’t just go grab two pounds of ground beef anymore for .99 per pound. I am eating more diverse foods, though, which is good.
As I write this post, I am imagining all the nasty comments I am going to receive. I don’t know why I am thinking that, but that’s the way it goes. Unless there is another vegetarian around me, I feel kind of overpowered.
I am pretty happy with my choice to be this way, but it has caused a little resentment towards society as a whole. I now comment to myself about other people’s actions much more. I think more people are “wrong” now. I am not sure if it’s my fault. I guess it’s like anything. Say your cause is to clean up a certain lake because it’s polluted. As you are sitting in a rowboat on that lake, you are going to think that every car that drives by is polluting the lake. I bet if you never started cleaning up the lake, you wouldn’t care about those cars. That might not be a great comparison, but I am sure you get the idea.
Well, I’m off. Peace out.
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2007
Hmmmm…what am I going to do next? As you may have noticed, I need to have a steady flow of personal projects to keep me happy and motivated in life. I am very high maintenance.
I remember back in middle school, I started learning my first foreign language…French. I took French for three years in middle school and then Spanish for one year in high school. I never thought the French language stuck with me very much, but to my surprise, I kept inserting French words in to my Spanish. Oh well, I guess I am tri-lingual. Yeah, right. I virtually know nothing in either language, but at least I know enough English to be harshly critical of other people’s grammar. Thanks mom.
Later on, I took one more year of Spanish during my 3 1/2 year stay at the local community college. I am not sure I retained any of that either.
I always wondered why, on the first day of class, the teacher has to walk in blurting out ten minutes of trash in another language. How does that help anyone? All it ever did for me was to completely turn me off and make me think that I would never learn what they were going to try to teach. Also, why do they find people who’s native language is the language you are trying to learn? I have the hardest time trying to learn the language, but also trying to decipher the person’s accent just puts me over the edge. How about a nice clear instructor who speaks perfect English with a nice English introduction. Then, slowly move into the language you will be learning. That would put me at ease.
I remember I was taking an accounting class at Westchester Community College. I had to drop it (or maybe I failed it) because I couldn’t understand a word through the thick accent of the Indian instructor. He was probably a genious, but that didn’t do me any good.
This has nothing to do with anything, but I just feel like telling you this, as long as I am on a roll. For the longest time, I would fail any math class I would take. I had sucky instructor after sucky instructor. I started to think it was me. Well, I guess I always thought it was me. Well, the strange thing is…the first class (College Algebra) I took with Dr. Rick Dilsizian, I got an A. Yes, an A. Can you believe it? We covered the same amount of material as in all the other classes, but this guy did a bunch of extra things that made learning a lot easier. I couldn’t believe it one day when he handed back a bunch of exams and I was the only one in the entire class who scored 100%. This is coming from a guy who failed every other math class he ever took. So thanks Rick.
I guess my point is this…the instructor and type of instruction matters. Probably more than how smart and capable the instructor is. They gotta get the stuff across to the student.
I have done some research on how to learn to speak Spanish. I wasn’t too impressed with what I found. Laura has a Spanish book sitting on a shelf at home. I might as well just chuck that thing through a window. I learned more in five days in Punta Cana than I did in all my classes. That doesn’t say much for the classes.
I saw a commercial on TV the other day for Rosetta Stone Language Learning. They seem to have a nice tactic on how to get the information absorbed into the student’s head. I took a look at the online demo and was impressed. They mix listening, repeating and visuals. It worked for me. I think I might order the first CD…Spanish (Latin America) Level 1. The only problem is that I have no one to talk to…to keep it in my head. Laura is taking another Spanish class in school next semester, so maybe we will make an effort to be bi-lingual.
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