(Don't Worry- need to read the beginning? Just Scroll Down- you'll know when to stop.)
Yes, the long, cold semester is over. And what do I have to show for it? Let's find out.
Honors Sociology:
Who knew two days of putting endless newspaper article quotes together could get me an A in class? The greatest lesson learned, however, is that there is a definite difference between the terms "nerd" and "geek". To illustrate this point, I will ask a simple question.
Q: Define American Civic Tradition.
The Nerd: Well, like, our Constitution declares liberty and justice for all, so really, American Civic Tradition is all about what we're all about as Americans: loving each other, taking care of our environment and telling the truth at all times. People are just naturally good, and life is wonderful because we're Americans, you know?
The Geek: Heh, why don't you ask Lucy and Desi. After all, they were the all-American happy couple, right?
Lesson #2 learned in the anals of Sociological Mischeif: when a door needs opening, don't ask a library employee for the key and/or electronic password. Just sit in the hallway, strip down and begin shaving your legs. Maybe then they'll notice the door to your classroom is locked.
To end the class, our professor told us that he hoped this class would make us question the government, the media, the very institutions that surround us and tell us what to think 24 hours a day. I have the feeling, however, that most of my fellow students just think that means they have to ask Dick Cheney or Rupert Murdoch what they like to eat for dinner.
TV I:
To quote Bridget Jones, "am broadcasting genius." I managed to pull off two insane projects and an A in the class. Hah, H.P. Lovecraft Jr., FACE! Now I know why people in the TV industry have IV pumps of Pepto installed in their late 30s and die in their late 40s. My opinion remains the same- I am NOT getting into live TV production in my life. EVER.
Adolescent Development:
Let's just say the guy liked me a lot better before I spouted out a certain comment. For your entertainment, I'll reprint a summation of the class discussion here.
Scene: A bored student with her head buried in her notebook, doodling away or attempting to learn a foreign language. She is not paying attention to the plebian conversation around her, but one comment pricks an eardrum.
Professor: ...but isn't waking up next to the same person day after day nervewracking? Isn't it boring?
Student: Is that why you have an apartment next to campus instead of living at your house in the next town?
The Professor looks at the student with a dropped jaw, and the class WOOs in shock. They begin laughing, and the student realises what she'd just insinuated.
Professor: (jokingly, but not) Oh, you're going to pay for that one.
Student: But I didn't mean that you- I just meant-
Professor: (jokingly, but not) I know exactly what you meant. But really, I keep an apartment because I stay here late at night advising and such, and I just can't drive at night. I don't have the vision anymore- too many soccer balls to the head, I guess.
Student: I was just kidding, really.
Professor: (jokingly, but not) I know, I know.
Later, outside class-
Classmate: So you really let him have it today.
Student: I didn't mean anything by it. I just meant that he doesn't live at home all the time- I didn't mean he's sleeping around.
Classmate: Hah, ah, don't worry. He deserved it, talking about his apartment all the time.
All in all, I'm not going to complain about my A- one darn bit.
Persuasion & Social Influence (PSI):
How the hell I pulled off an A- in that class I could not tell you. All I can say is, when given the option to go double or nothing, don't. Keep your Persuasion dollars because they REALLY raise your grade.
Physics of Everyday Life
Best lab class EVER. The one equation I did learn was:
Open book tests + attendance doesn't count = A for ME!
Introduction to the Bible
So the guy was a crackhead, and I spent my Monday nights doodling and doing other work for other classes or clubs. The result: I didn't learn one thing and I got an A. HAH.
All in all, I did learn many valuable lessons this semester. The most important one that I will take on to my graduate career is that compiling quotes and putting in absolutely no conjecture will get you an A on any paper. I've also learned that endearing professors works best when wearing cool hats.
The Clubs:
Women in Communications went National this semester, and has a great membership list. Our website rocks thanks to the new Web Chair, and we're keeping the anality down to a minimum.
Cinema Workshop is also doing very well, despite the fact that our co-advisor thinks the club is going down in flames. Well, we aren't tanking until after the Anniversary shows on Feb 1st when I get to wear the schnazzy new outfit I got over break- if we're going down, we're going down in style.
All in all, a terrifically busy semester. Nothing beats working off of four hours of sleep and a handful of reduced-fat Cheez-Its. For a week. And a half. Although my favorite is Corn Flakes straight out of the box with a spoon. Stay tuned for Spring 2002, and my last semester as an undergrad!
(See, told you you'd know when to stop.)
Ahh, another semester. At least one thing's changed over the summer: I dropped all the ugly Chartwells weight, and purchased pans so I can cook for myself and not gain it all back. YAY!
Classes:
Honors Sociology:
The Good: Dr. Miller is probably one of the most interesting gen. ed. professors I've ever had. He has a sense of humor, he's intelligent, and he doesn't have to check his pulse every five minutes.
The Bad: Service project required. I wonder if the WiC Breast Cancer Walk counts.
The Ugly: Narcs are funny. Especially when they masquerade as students.
TV I:
The Good: It's my last production class, and I know about ten people in it.
The Bad: The class is mega high pressure, and the projects don't exactly look interesting to say the least. I need to find talent for my first project; do you know how hard it is to find TALENT on this campus? I also know what I want to do in 'real life', and Television Production isn't it.
The Ugly: A certain person in the class. Oh well. Oh friggin well. It's not so much ugly as pesteringly annoying.
Adolescent Development:
The Good: "So, you're a senior, you've got all the tricks up your sleeve. I'm looking forward to having you in class." Wow, a professor who appreciates ingenuity. A gen. ed. professor nonetheless!
The Bad: A research review paper. Ten pages minimum. I've never written a ten page paper in my LIFE.
The Ugly: The annoying morons who are in my class. Brainless twits diagnosed on the first day. I should be the doctor.
Persuasion & Social Influence:
The Good: Ed Streb rules.
The Bad: For a limited time only, I'm actually amused on Wednesdays and Fridays!
The Ugly: Why can't this be my 2 hour and 45 minute class? WHY???
Physics of Everyday Life:
The Good: Uh, looks like I'm going to pay attention as much as I did in high school physics. Heh, at least here it's getting me an A.
The Bad: It looks like I'm going to pay attention as much as I did in high school physics.
The Ugly: It's physics. And it's MAN-MADE.
Introduction to Bible:
The Good: It's once a week, and Jerry Falwell Junior is entertaining in his mishaps.
The Bad: Personally, I don't believe you can separate theology from history when discussing the Bible.
The Ugly: It could get ugly if Jerry Jr. doesn't shut up. Really, there's nothing more volatile than college students at night.
11/18/2001
Check out The Lessons of Kolige. Yes, soon there will be a Punkin' Chunkin' page. For now, sleep. Must sleep. Four hours a day...not...working...
10/26/2001
The greatest thing about being underslept and overworked is that you can eat an entire bag of Hershey's Kisses and not gain a pound!
10/05/01
Let's see, what's new? Ah, yes, my Sociology Professor cancelled our ten page paper in favor of a survey about imaginary friends. Hahahahaha, yes. Check out my article on TV's New Season of Spy Shows so you can be an informed viewer. If I ever learn how to work Macromedia, I'll get my new comic Celluloid Angel up and running. If I ever get to the scanner, I'll put up some doodles and driftings, so you can see what I really do in class.
Clubs: Cinema Workshop: We're cracking the whip this year on greenlighting projects, and hopefully Punkin Chunkin will get approved by the rest of the film community. We're also making service projects a mandatory event for members.
Women in Communications: As of 10/24- we're going NATIONAL!!!!!!!
Recruiting members. NEED MEMBERS. Heck, just check the page for the minutes: WiC.
Dorming:
10/26/2001
So my suitemate's finally cleaned the bathroom, and left the cleaning supplies in there, I guess to give proof that she did something besides streak the mirror.
9/17/01
My suitemate exists! And she's cool! YAY!!
9/5/2001
I have a suitemate who is anti-social at best, but at least she's not invisible, or the germaphobe I thought she was when she first got here. I knocked three times, and no one answered, so I figure hey, she wants her space. I haven't heard her shower here yet, but she does have a mat down and towels on her bar. Other than that, she's quiet, and from what I can tell, clean. As long as she doesn't blast gospel or have lots of gross guys over, I don't think I'll mind.