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Showing posts with label Zack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zack. Show all posts

Two Blog Entries for the Price of One!!

5/13/2009 09:01:00 PM • , • 0 comments


There has been a new addition to my little household just recently...

Yep, that's my new baby in the picture there, its Canon Rebel XS and it is probably the best graduation gift I could have ever gotten.  Thank you Mom & Dad! This is definitely going to be my new passion project I can't wait to take what I've learned to do in Photoshop and combine with the photos I will be taking myself.

Now I've got one more thing talk about. Something completely different. I almost had an internship this week that is until I found out it was unpaid. To any employers out there who may be reading this, can I just ask - why in the world would you offer an unpaid internship? Do you not realize we have bills? We have things that need to be paid, yes the experience is valuable and blah blah whatever.  You want to know what more valuable than your "experience" paying rent so we aren't sleeping on the streets! When you offer an unpaid internship it just makes people think you're cheap. Don't be cheap.

There you have it, I'm going to go take some pictures! Am I the only one still blogging here?

Where do i go form here?

5/10/2009 11:07:00 PM • • 0 comments

As this final week of classes at AC begins I can't help but think what I am sure so many in my position have thought before....

Where do I go from here?

During my time I have had many successes and few failures, but overall its been a great experience.  When I first started at AC I came here from a rough semester at WT - I had no direction in my life. I didn't have any idea what I wanted to do or where I thought my life was going to go. After I transfered to AC a few things started to click and quickly found out exactly what is was I wanted to do and from that point on it was easy sailing thanks in large part to all of my instructors. Now I am 100% career driven - I know where I want my life to go and I know what I have to do in order to get to that point.
Where do I go from here? Back to WT and I'm not the same person that went there before. If I had the "me" today way back then I wouldn't even recognize me, in a good way though.

For a long time I have had an interest in photoshop, editing photos and even creating graphics from scratch.  For so long that has satisfied the creative hunger until now - while I still love doing do those things - I am now in search of something new to do creatively.
Where do I go from here? I'm thinking of getting into photography! not as a possible career idea though, nope Amarillo has way too many photographers trying to make a living without me throw my hat into ring. I'm just going to do this for the fun of it! any ideas of what kind of camera I should get?

Those are some the things that have been on my mind for a while here now. 

Good News, Bad News

5/08/2009 10:17:00 PM • , , • 0 comments

hey everyone! how are all my friends doing today!

Well today all of my hard work this semester paid off in a really unexpected way. Today was the Mass Comm awards ceremony and I got 9 awards! woo hoo!
my awards were:

Outstanding 2nd Year Journalism Student
Best Cover - AC Current
Best Page Background-AC Current
Outstanding Service - AC Current
Best Headline - AC Current
Best Critical Review - The Ranger
Best Page Design - AC Current
Best Website - AC Ranger

It was a good day it really picked me up and put a jump in my step - especially after what happened yesterday! My boss and his office manager decided they only want me to work two days a week, and those days are friday and saturday. yay... the office managers direct quote is "we still really want you to work, just on friday and saturday." Yeah like 15 hours a week is really gonna give me enough money to live on - the whole situation is stupid. I don't know what I'm gonna do...

Oh well graduation is only a week away and my resume is looking better and better!

End of the semester - insanity ensues!

5/01/2009 12:26:00 AM • , , • 0 comments

So let me get this straight, on top of finals, getting the exclusive online edition on The Ranger uploaded (now with videos FYI), writing stories, getting ready to graduate and transfer; now I have to worry about the swine flu?!?

What alternate world did I fall into? All of sudden I wake up in a world where there is a "virus" taking lives left and right. Schools are shutting down and foregoing TAKS tests. City wide press conferences are being called. News stations are adding a ticker to the bottom of TV shows with live updates. I feel like I woke up in a remake of "Dawn of the Dead" staring me! This is the craziest thing. I have been taking extra steps to help boost my immune system - extra dose of vitamin C. Everyone should go to Natural Grocers and get some EmergenC - I don't know if this will make any difference one way or the other, but it gives me peace of mind and makes me feel like I am better preparing myself for the virus that will wipe the human race off the face of the earth. Now I'm just waiting for the first reports of people getting up and feeding off the flesh of humans and it will be official my Dawn of the Dead zombie movie like remake will be coming true. But in all seriousness this thing is insane and not to be taken lightly - use common sense people if you have flu like symptoms go to the doctor. DO NOT wait! and please stay way from people no one wants what you have.

I just turned in my last story for The Ranger for this semester - Oh geez! I just turned in my last news story at AC! I just realized that - its kind of sad. No its really sad. Wow....  - There is a video on The Ranger website where you can get to know The Ranger Staff a little better. Its a good laugh - check it out. While you're there take the poll and tell us what you think of the idea of incorporating videos. Speaking of which - I've hear rumors (which I hope are true) that AC may have a more converged student publication/media department very soon. If anyone out there is thinking about getting in Mass Comm this would be a good time if all of this is true.

The magazine is coming along nicely I'm gonna post more about this tomorrow and maybe even sneak peak of the cover - stay tuned!

Well I need to go do a report for my Life Science Lab

Hold on to your sanity everyone we've only got two weeks we can get through this in one piece.

Creative Minds and Random Thoughts

4/21/2009 12:10:00 AM • , , • 0 comments

Got some good news today: I'm designing the cover for the AC Current. I pitched my mockup for the cover today and I think it was a total success. I actually think I am going to involved in some other design elements for the magazine as well. I'm really excited about getting that done - I think all of you guys are gonna be really surprised by this years magazine. Its gonna be awesome.

I'm planning on applying for a position at WT Newspaper. The ideal position for me would be working on the advertising stuff, but if that doesn't work out then doing the website stuff would be fun. So I guess we'll see, that's much further on down the road.

I think I'm doing things backwards this semester - as the semester starts to come to close it seems like students start to do less and less in hopes of just getting the semester over with, but here I am taking on more and more.

Well I thinks that's all I got for now - its almost 1am time for some sleep.

Things Coming Up

4/19/2009 08:23:00 PM • , , , , , , • 4 comments

I can see the light at the end of the AC tunnel. It's less than a month until graduation and then I'll be starting work on bachelors degree at WT. I'm pretty excited about graduating, its been a long time coming, but I'm also not really wanting to leave either - AC's Mass Comm department has been really great to me and I'm sure if you go talk to any other student in Mass Comm they will say the same thing. Too bad we can't get our bachelors degree from AC.

Oh Well on to WT - I got my schedule made the other day and as I looked at the classes I can take I started to realize wow I'm really taking some advance courses - I'm getting a little nervous now... oh well I'm ready, excited.

The classes I am taking at WT are:
   Public Relations and Publicity
   Advertising and PR Research
   Advertising Copy Writing
   Economics

Anyways guys I gotta go study - I think I have test tomorrow, I need to find out about that.

TIPA Dallas, Day 2 and 3 (several days ago - sorry)

4/14/2009 11:24:00 PM • , , , , • 0 comments

Hey guys I'm sorry but I just realized I suck and I forgot to post day 2&3 so here we go!

Day 2 was pretty fast paced, well the entire trip was a face paced, in the morning I went to couple of seminars.  The first one I went to was a seminar on how to write a good resume and how to get rid of unneeded information, I learned that my resume needs a complete overhaul. Up until this point I thought mine was reasonably good. The next seminar I went to was The 'Knows' of Public Relations and it was basically a telling of the PR world from a PR Professionals point of view in today's business world, very insightful.  After that I went to one seminar which was about branding yourself to match your resume - very good stuff there.  The there was luncheon, and after that it I went exploring the city and then did a little shopping with some of the others from the trip.

Day 3 was our last day and day that we came home.  It was fun trip but I was ready for some sleep in  my own bed. On day three however we go our awards - I won and award for Radio Advertising Copywriting from the competitions from day 1! I was superstoked about this because I was completing with student from 4 year universities as well as 2 year.

This whole trip has shown me a lot - it showed me that my passion definitely lies within advertising, I'm not too crazy about PR it seems a lot like cleaning up other people's messes while in advertising its a little bit more fun.

we'll see I have a feeling there are going to some blogworthy things coming up within the next few weeks.



Coulter Landing - My Experience

4/13/2009 12:08:00 PM • , , , • 1 comments


Last month I paid my rent and accidently paid the rent out of the wrong checking account and so my check was returned - I then took money from savings and transfered it to my checking account in hopes of getting the check to go through, it did not.  That was my mistake, I'm a big enough person to admit when I screwed up. I did, I screwed up big time by writing a check from the wrong account.


When I went to the leasing office to discuss all of this I first met with the office assistant, she was really nice and really helpful - she could not help me out in this situation but directed me to whom I was supposed to speak with about this issue.  So I had to go meet with her boss, she was very short and very rude to me, her demeanor really reflects in the way the apartments are kept up. Maybe this is why she had two employees quit last week?


They were going to charge me an additional $275 on top of my $525 monthly rent!!! Again I made a mistake and I realize sometimes in the real world we have to pay for our mistakes - but hey lets not kid ourselves its not like I live in The Colonies here, not even close! This whole thing might be an entirely different story if Coulter Landing set some kind of standard for the way they wanted their apartments to look as opposed to just “getting by.”


Here are my main issues with Coulter Landing:


- Maintenance: I have a roof with cracks that looks like its on the verge of caving in, a broken dead bolt lock, and the only washer in out laundry room has been broken for the past two months.

Their Response: Well you never put that in writing.

My Thoughts: No, its hard to a phone call in writing.


- Grounds Up Keep: Beer bottles and trash litter the parking lot.

Their Response: I’ve been doing this for 25 years and there has been a trash problem at every place I have worked.

My Thoughts: What is the common factor in this equation?


- Other Issues: Noisy Neighbors and people smoking in the Halls

Their Response: You have not complained to us about any noise issues lately.

My Thoughts: Well when I did before you basically said call the cops it isn’t our problem.


One Other Issue: I had a member of their Maintenance Staff come barging through my patio door one day about 9 months ago to fix my broken lock - I live on the second floor.  The guy didn’t even bother to check the number, he supposed to be on the third floor.


After going over all of my issues with them the best they could do is reduce the amount I owe by $125.00. Gee thanks.


I have been in these apartments for close to two years now and haven’t really had any problems until the new management took over. It seems like they might have taken over about a year ago - that’s when the problems really got bad.


Three days prior to all of this, April 10, I got a letter addressing the issue of them knowing that cars are being broken into and general security issues. Their letter wasn’t to say we are installing security cameras or hiring some for of security, which they could afford since they have two salaries they don’t have to worry about paying anymore.  The letter said to be sure when you are going to or coming from your car be sure you have a group of people with you. Yeah that works out well when you live by yourself, are you kidding me?! these apartments are so bad you need to travel in groups to keep from getting mugged, robbed, or whatnot? 


In my opinion: If you need a place to live immediately and these are the only apartments available in 100 mile radius I would suggest you go sleep downtown on the sidewalk - its pretty close to the same experience and it’ll save you a couple hundred dollars.

TIPA Dallas, Day 1 (yesterday, FYI)

4/10/2009 04:08:00 PM • , , , , • 0 comments

Hey everyone I finally found a place where I can get on the internet having to pay for it. YAY!!

Day 1 - I had to get up at 3:00am! yes that's right 3 o'clock in the morning! did you know that 3:00 comes in an a.m. version because I didn't I could have gone my entire life without finding that out.
 
Anywho - one incredibly long, cramped drive later we arrive in Dallas!

After being on the road for the last 7 hours we have to get out of the van and run to our designated competitions for the TIPA Convention.  I had the worst migraine headache, due to little sleep, little food, and too much driving. By the time I got to my PR crisis management competition my head was pounding, I was proud of the work I did - but I feel I could have done better.  Afterwards I ran to the gift shop and got some migraine medicine, a coke, and chips for the low low price of $12. oh yeah I paid $12 3 things that should have cost about $6 total.

I took my medicine and was feeling pretty good before I went to my Radio Copywriting competition and I'm not sure if the judges thought I did good, but man! I am so proud of the work I did in that competition. I worked really hard so I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.. regardless though I am getting into advertising not win awards, but to make money (of course I'm not gonna try to pretend that I'm not) and to create effective ads. That one would have moved some units though!

After that I went wondering around Downtown Dallas for a few minutes, but I it was really windy so I didn't get to see nearly as much as I wanted.  I then went back to hotel room (@ the Dallas Sheraton) and relaxed for and hour so. 

We ate dinner at The Spaghetti Warehouse in the West End.  Then we all went back to rooms and crashed, hardcore. Everyone was worn out!  

That was Day 1 - if your think Day 1 was long blog post, you should have lived it! ha ha but it was fun too!

Day 2 is coming soon, I hope before the end of the night.

Twitter & Blog Coverage

4/08/2009 09:03:00 PM • , , , , • 0 comments

Hey guys - 

For the next three days we going to try a little experiment in some live blogging.  You may or may not know, but I am going to Dallas (we leave at 4am tomorrow morning - yikes!) for the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association or TIPA.  There will be a lot going on for the next few days and I am going to do my best to bring it all to you in three blog entries covering each day of the convention. 

If you want to know what we are doing as it happens check this twitter page for immediate updates

Local Talent: Jernakin

4/06/2009 12:12:00 AM • , , , • 0 comments

It’s the middle of the afternoon and I’m in line at Starbucks about to order my drink as I wait for my “interviewee” to show up. 

If you’re a regular to this blog then I’m sure you’ve seen some of my previous entries where I go out and meet young people in Amarillo who are doing really cool and amazing things. Jonathan Hart is no exception.

Music has been part of Hart’s since he was in preschool. Not just listening, but actively participating, creating, and experimenting with music. Now it consumes him completely. Back in high school he won a battle of the bands competition one year.

Jernakin is a nickname of Hart’s from way back when. “I have 50 million nicknames”

“I just like to make music, I’m no different than the next guy” says Hart “I’m not trying to be the next big thing, I just want people to hear my music.”

Sax, guitar, vocals, dabbling in drums and producing music are the tools in Hart’s toolbox. His apartment looks more like a recording studio than a home.

“Everything you hear is pretty much done by me.”

Hart’s hopes to release a 6 song EP in about 6 months to a year - his musical style is indie and electronica tastefully blended together. If his cover of Damien Rice’s “9 Crimes,” a collaboration he did with Jen Williams, is any indication of future songs to come his EP will be one you can just put on and let play without skipping any songs. 

“I just want to make music people like and respect,” says Hart. “I’m trying to do something unique to what is out there already,”

Aside from being an extremely driven artist, Hart is an active member of Trinity Fellowship Church as well as manager at The Buckle.

Hart’s sound would a combination of Temposhark, Muse, and Radiohead and the production style of Imogen Heap.

Seeing Hart’s dedication to his craft has been a very inspirational experience, it makes me want as hard on my writing and graphic design skills as he does with his music. Hart has a passion for music that burns brighter than sun – I am supremely confident that we will see great things from Jernakin in the future.

So what’s next for Jernakin?

“Possibly working a track for a local fashion show here in Amarillo.”

Keep checking his MySpace page for new music!

Advertising vs. Journalism

4/01/2009 11:52:00 PM • , , , , , , , • 0 comments

Hello hello hello

How is everyone out there?  This has been a day! And not a good one either.

Let's start off by talking about The Ranger - I wrote a really good story (at least I thought it was good) about a student here at Amarillo College who is living out of his car until the day he graduates.  I was really proud of it and as I adding all of the stories to The Ranger website this moring I realized, "hey my story got cut, man that's awesome...(not really)" I think it may have gotten cut because we didn't have any photos and I am under the impression I was expected to provide photos too? hmm....

There is more drama on The Ranger front - I really feel like no matter how hard I work on that website there is always someone comes along and says "hey good try, but you screwed this up!" maybe not exactly like that, but you get the idea. I just get the feeling I'm not doing a good enough job.

The more news stories I write the more I realize that news reporting/journalism is not for me - I'll stick to advertising & PR thank you very much - I want a job where I can make REAL money!

So now that all of this is over where do I go from here? I can't dwell on a bad day any longer - so I'm gonna make some changes! The Ranger didn't like my story - oh well - its their loss I'll be posting up here very soon, but in a new format. I what bore you with typical journalism/newspaper style writing. oh no this will be all me I'm gonna rewrite it.  Be looking out for a new blog entry entitled "Drew Griffin's Guide to Living Off the Grid" 

I talked with this real cool guy a couple of days ago, a musician, Jernakin. I'll have more info on that up here very soon too.

Well that's all for now.

good night!

oh by the way I am starting a "company" designing promotional materials, logo, flyers, business cards, etc I don't have much up on my site yet but please check it out!

Something on my mind

3/27/2009 11:38:00 AM • , , , • 0 comments


There is nothing better than a cup of coffee on a snowy day.

WOW look at that snow!!! Can you believe it? as I hear it there is still a lot more to come, we haven't even been hit by the eye of the storm yet. Fun stuff. No work boss called me at noon yesterday and we're closed which is good, because I have a lot to think about right now.

I went the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour yesterday, it was completely amazing and awe-inspiring! I'm telling you if you didn't go really missed out on something spectacular! I can't say enough good things about the tour and these guys who came to speak to us.

After the EETour yesterday it really got me thinking that I don't do enough with photoshop skill that I have and people the people I know who are into marketing and promotion around amarillo.

hm... I have to think more about this.

HAPPY SNOW DAY! HA!

STRESSIN' ME OOOUUUUTTT!!!!

3/24/2009 02:59:00 PM • , , • 0 comments

Wow! It’s been like two weeks since I’ve blogged anything and it feels likes only been a few hours! I have been busy in a MAJOR way here lately.

 

Here’s what has been going on…

 

I have been trying to write two articles at the same time.  One is for The Ranger about a student who has been living out of his car not because he has to, but because he is choosing to.  This guy has great story, be looking out for that in a about a week or so.

 

The other article I am working on is for the AC Current – the magazine – about Jen Williams.  That’s right my blog entry has gained a little interest enough for me to write and official story about it! I am pretty excited about this story also.  Let me tell you this girl works hard – she is always on the phone talking to people trying to get good musicians to Amarillo!  In fact there is show tonight at THE REFUGE with The Wedding  – great band be sure to check then out.  That’s tonight at 6 at the refuge!!!

 

What else is going on…

 

OH!

 

The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour this THURSDAY!! YAY! I am really excited about this and I am definitely attending.  My parents started their own business when I was in High School and it has really paid off for them so I am a believer in the taking chances and starting your own business. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish with enough hard work and ambition.  As I understand it the itinerary says there will be a time for networking so get those business cards ready this will be a good opportunity to make connections and advance your career.  If you’re ready for success then you should think very hard about showing up for this event.

 

THURSDAY FROM 3:00 – 7:00

AC POLK STREET CAMPUS

 

PREPARE TO HAVE YOU MIND BLOWN AWAY!!!! 



now its time to start applying for transfer schools

I'm Just Saying....

3/03/2009 11:13:00 PM • , , , , • 1 comments

NOTE:  This blog entry is based upon a rumor I heard today.  It may or may not be true - so I don't want to see any comments like get the facts first, you don't know what you're doing, this is not real reporting none of this true - duh like I said its based on a rumor and this a blog. Watch me blog now.

So I heard a rumor today that some of the labs on campus (specifically 4th floor parcells hall) will be getting upgrades very soon. Good news right? Wrong, apparently some of the labs will be upgraded from Macs to PC, meaning Windows. Very bad idea.

I don't know what lab or how many, but its what I heard from quite a few different sources.

So here's what's going to happen.  A student is going to enroll in Mass Communications Ad/PR (great major if I do say so myself ha ha).  This student will go to AC for about 2 years and get their associates degree and the whole time they are here they will be trained to use PC's/Windows platform.

Let's say this student decides to transfer to, say, WT.  The day this student gets their acceptance letter to WT they will instantly fell behind all of the other students. Why? because this student doesn't know how to use a Mac; whereas all the other students at the exact same level who have been at WT,  while our student has been at AC, have learned how to use them (macs) well.  The professors I'm sure will expect the students use and to already know basics of Mac if not much more than that.  I know that WT students in Mass Comm use Macs a lot!

IF THIS RUMOR IS CORRECT THEN....

(And I hope for the sake of future AC students it is not)

AC students in Mass Comm/Graphic Design/etc. will not be fully prepared to transfer to a University.  Well what if they go straight in to the workforce after AC, then what? well more and more businesses are using Mac  because they are more secure, user friendly, great for creative departments - knowing how to use a Mac is practically required before anyone will take you seriously in Advertising or any mass comm field. Thus, AC will not be preparing students for the workforce either.

Also maybe (if the rumor is true) AC should get a new slogan like "where the students come right after the budget" to think AC would sacrifice such a huge staple in Mass Comm and/or Graphic Design just save a few extra bucks makes me glad I got here while its still easy to find a Mac on the 4th floor of parcell's hall - they might become relics around there before too long.

I'll close with this... an "apple" may be an "apple" anywhere you go, but will AC's "apple" taste as sweet as the Universities "apple"????

(Once again let me say everything above is based on a rumor I have heard from multiple sources as of 11:45pm on 3/3/09 the rumor has no been confirmed or denied.)


burning out - need to re-ignite the fire

2/26/2009 11:40:00 PM • , , • 1 comments

Oh man, the last couple of days have not been so great for me.  There hasn't been one really big thing has gotten me down just series of things that has really been pulling my spirit down.

So here we go...

First of all, my latest story for The Ranger was a complete failure.  I don't mean "oh nice try, better luck next time" kind of a failure.  We're talking about full on crash an burn nuclear explosion hindenburg of a disaster kind of failure.  I could not get anyone to return any of my phone calls for an interview it was insane! In all fairness the people I was trying to contact are busy people, but you would think after 4 messages they would make time to give me an interview so I'd shut up and leave them alone. So now I am going to have a zero for a grade in my news reporting and writing class - great.  But what is worse I really disappointed myself more than anything else.  I know I did everything I could, but ..... I don't know - I guess sometime these things just happen or at least that's what I have  been telling myself.

I haven't been sleeping much at night either.  I'm usually awake until somewhere around 4 in the morning and then I have to wake at 7 everyday.  Its intense! I'm feeling more and more like a zombie - I got some medicine to help me sleep though everything should be good tonight, in fact I think I can feel it starting to work as I type this.  If this blog starts to make less and less sense, you'll know why, ha ha.

There have also been little things here and there that have made these last few days worse like the biggest mistake I have been making here lately is getting out bed.  If I would just stay in bed and not leave my apartment my days would have been great! 

Feels like the only thing I have done right this past week is breathe and right about now that's taking a lot of work too! My nose is so stopped up! ha ha - WAY RANDOM MOMENT THERE. (that was the RX)

Works kind of a drag. Isn't it always though?

... oh well what's past is past. 

Time to move forward! 

This weekend I am going to turn my computer ipod tv and cell phone off.  I plan to sever all ties to the internet technology and the outside world.  That's right no email, phone calls, texts, facebook, I'm done with all of it for the next three days.  

Its time for a technology detox - I'm gonna get my on head straight. I need a complete reprogram.

Too Busy

2/23/2009 08:56:00 PM • , , , • 0 comments

Busy, busy, busy...

This last week feels like it has just flown by!  Any extra free time seems to be spent either updating The Ranger website or working on a new blog entry, doing homework, studying, applying for scholarships & internships, working, etc.  I feel like I am becoming a little bit of a workaholic here lately, but in a good way. I think I am too busy.

I like the idea of being too busy - I'm not one of those people who are good with a lot of down time. I really like always having a project going on or a place to be or meeting to go to.

This is by far probably one my most A.D.D. "what is point?" kind of blog entries - so what is my point? There is no point.  Just a random thought I've had rolling around in my head for the past few days.  Does everyone else feel this way or is it just me?

By the way -
Well, I'm sure by now everyone has heard the very sad news of Dr. Steven Jones passing away.  I'm sure I speak for my fellow bloggers by saying we will be keeping Dr. Jones' family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

anyways, movies!

2/17/2009 09:27:00 PM • , , , • 0 comments

I went to a movie tonight with my brother, its a thing we do at least once a week to keep in touch since we live in different towns and don't see each as much.

My brother and I went to watch Friday the 13th tonight and there were like three or four people sitting down at the very front talk and texting throughout the entire movie.  Don't you hate that? Why did they even bother spending their money to go watch a movie if they were just gonna chat the entire time.

Anyways - the movie it wasn't bad - I have definitely seen better movies but it was pretty entertaining.  If you're looking for a movie worth wasting an hour and half on then this is your movie.  If you looking for movie so touching it will change your life then save your $8 for something else.

Anyways I'm just bored and decided to check in with you guys - oh hey guess what, I'm the new Web Editor for The Ranger. Yay! 

students SHOULD be in the loop

2/16/2009 01:09:00 PM • , , • 2 comments

Alright, just incase you haven’t heard – Richard Howard, science instructor and fencing extraordinaire, has become ill and will not be finishing the semester and reportedly won’t be coming back at all.

Howard teaches most life science classes at AC.  Life science is the science class that a large majority of non-science majors take, which means a lot of people have taken a class with Howard.

As a result, all of Howard’s classes have been reassigned to student teachers.  Which brings to my issue…

Why when it comes to issues such as this are the students not consulted?  We pay for these classes, we agree to begin a class with a certain instructor then unfortunate circumstances occur and then we handed a new instructor without any prior consultation.

I’m sure the student-teachers/instructors that AC has chosen are more than qualified, but we paid for these classes and I don’t think it’s asking too much to be kept in the loop in situations such as these.

Why when it comes to our own affairs such paying for classes, getting books, studying for test does the school view us as adults, but then when it comes to situation like this are we treated as children and pushed off to the side as the decision is made?

I know things like these can’t be helped and life isn’t perfect.  All we can do is roll with the punches.

I know I speak for all of AC when I wish Dr. Howard a speedy recovery. 

UPDATE: I want to make one thing very clear just in case it is not.  The replacements for Howard, I can't speak for all classes (because I am only in one), but I think  they (whoever made this decision) made a great decision - the replacement instructor for my life science class seems very personable. cant wait to see how the rest of the semester goes.

Bummer!!!!

2/11/2009 09:06:00 PM • , , , • 0 comments

Well it looks like Lacey is done with American Idol.

At the end of Idol tonight it showed the top 36 and I didn't see Lacey. This however hasn't been confirmed yet.

Once I hear something official I will update.

Either way we wish her the best!!!

UPDATE: Its official she is finished with American Idol - Now it will be interesting to see what she does from here.

Hopefully I will have a one on one interview very soon with Lacey!!!