I recently saw that there is a group on the internet named The Young Conservatives. Understandably, they post things with a slant towards the conservatives and I think that they could serve a great purpose in the world of debate, but there is one problem. In the process of abbreviating their name for their URL, they decided to go with youngcon.com. Young Con. Cons are not positive things, in fact they stand in opposition to the pros. When Cons are people, they are convicts or confidence men (which are also convicts). Just saying.
As you probably know, a police officer was not indicted on murder charges in the death of a young man this past week. You already have your opinions on this case, and I will not place mine out there. Because my opinion on a court ruling will not bring a young man back to life, will not help a police officer feel safe in his home, will not heal a city/state/country in turmoil. Side note: yours won't either.
Moving forward.
November is over. Thanksgiving and its consumerist sibling Black Friday (named for the surge in business pushing companies out of the red and into the black) have passed. Advent has begun and the Christmas cards are being created, printed, and pinned. The Christmas season is upon us.
With the end of November, comes the end of Movember, No-Shave-November, or Hipster Holiday Month, whatever you want to call it. To those of you out there using your face (or legs, ladies) to bring awareness to a good cause, thank you. You are doing a good thing for those that want someone to notice and care for them. To those of you simply continuing your facial forest: stay beardy and beautiful. To those of you that are lazy and just waited for an excuse to make your morning routine shorter: no comment.
Another thing December symbolizes: the end of the fall semester. This means papers, tests, projects, and cramming galore. For those of you with group projects left to do, my heart goes out to you. Everyone dreads them, with their scheduling and their extra effort and their scheduling and that one kid that doesn't do anything. I remember when a couple friends and I drank in order to care less about a project and just do it.
So my question this week to move into December and the end of this semester is:
What is your worst group project memory?
As always, if you would like to comment on something here, do it. Also, let me know if you want to hear my views on something or would like me to address something specifically, regardless of what it is. Follow (@a_m_whitehead), Like (on Facebook), Share (with the world), and be well. Until we meet again, goodbye world.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Truth in Dare
In the most recent issue of Outside Magazine, the cover story focuses on a Spaniard named Kilian Jornet Burgada, a man that, aside from being one of the fastest ultra-marathoners (100 miles) on the planet, takes part in a movement called Fastest Known Times (FKTs). The point of FKTs is to - well - achieve the fastest known time in an extreme activity, such as ascents of the highest peaks in the world, something that Jornet accomplishes in under a day. He is currently preparing for his FKT attempt on Everest, the world's tallest and most well-known summit. Jornet is revered as both a trendsetter and a looney, but neither definition concern him. He dares in order to achieve greatness.
This reminds me of a t-shirt I had when I was younger. It showed two cartoon monkeys standing on the ground and a third hanging from a tree limb by its tail while wearing wayfarers and a Hawaiian shirt, and underneath this depiction, it read, "Dare to be different." I have been thinking back to this shirt a lot recently, and how its mantra manifested in my life since. I never really wore "crazy" outfits or delved into Satanism, but I also didn't bother worrying much about the thoughts of others. Well, except for in middle school, but I mean - middle school. Aside from that, I've always tried to live by my own definition of myself.
Daring to be different and define oneself is not something I created, nor will I ever take credit for doing it well. Instead, I will point to other people that did.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867). One of the many people in the line of technological advances that brought the world into the 21st century, Faraday discovered properties of electromagnetism and is one of the greatest chemists in history (he invented one of the Bunsen burner's predecessors). None of this would have been possible had Faraday listened to what those around him said about him. Born to a poor family during a time of extreme classism, Faraday had to fight stand against the turned-up noses of the affluent, even being made to ride outside of carriages after rising to a bit of fame.
Nikola Tesla (1856-1953). He argued with Thomas Edison about the benefits of A/C power over D/C power, citing that A/C power was far more effective and less dangerous than D/C. Edison brought about fake claims of deaths due to A/C power and said that the only suitable purpose for it would be death row. It would take many years and a mass of house fires due to D/C power for Tesla to be righted and D/C to become the electrical supply for the chair.
Temple Grandin (1947-). Diagnosed with autism would fail to get at the definition of who Temple Grandin is. She fought against a culture of chauvinism in ranching and farming to revolutionize the US livestock industry. She continues to be a proponent of animal welfare and autism rights activism, and is in one of Time's lists of top 100 most influential people...ever.
So what's your takeaway?
Don't give up. Dare to try news things, despite what people may say, because those people aren't you. The world is a ever-changing and, dare I say, evolving place with new ideas and people and places left to see and meet and explore. Also, don't say someone can't do something, because you're probably wrong.
If you would like to see me talk about something in particular, post a comment below. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @a_m_whitehead. Until we meet again, goodbye world.
This reminds me of a t-shirt I had when I was younger. It showed two cartoon monkeys standing on the ground and a third hanging from a tree limb by its tail while wearing wayfarers and a Hawaiian shirt, and underneath this depiction, it read, "Dare to be different." I have been thinking back to this shirt a lot recently, and how its mantra manifested in my life since. I never really wore "crazy" outfits or delved into Satanism, but I also didn't bother worrying much about the thoughts of others. Well, except for in middle school, but I mean - middle school. Aside from that, I've always tried to live by my own definition of myself.
Daring to be different and define oneself is not something I created, nor will I ever take credit for doing it well. Instead, I will point to other people that did.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867). One of the many people in the line of technological advances that brought the world into the 21st century, Faraday discovered properties of electromagnetism and is one of the greatest chemists in history (he invented one of the Bunsen burner's predecessors). None of this would have been possible had Faraday listened to what those around him said about him. Born to a poor family during a time of extreme classism, Faraday had to fight stand against the turned-up noses of the affluent, even being made to ride outside of carriages after rising to a bit of fame.
Nikola Tesla (1856-1953). He argued with Thomas Edison about the benefits of A/C power over D/C power, citing that A/C power was far more effective and less dangerous than D/C. Edison brought about fake claims of deaths due to A/C power and said that the only suitable purpose for it would be death row. It would take many years and a mass of house fires due to D/C power for Tesla to be righted and D/C to become the electrical supply for the chair.
Temple Grandin (1947-). Diagnosed with autism would fail to get at the definition of who Temple Grandin is. She fought against a culture of chauvinism in ranching and farming to revolutionize the US livestock industry. She continues to be a proponent of animal welfare and autism rights activism, and is in one of Time's lists of top 100 most influential people...ever.
So what's your takeaway?
Don't give up. Dare to try news things, despite what people may say, because those people aren't you. The world is a ever-changing and, dare I say, evolving place with new ideas and people and places left to see and meet and explore. Also, don't say someone can't do something, because you're probably wrong.
If you would like to see me talk about something in particular, post a comment below. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @a_m_whitehead. Until we meet again, goodbye world.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Hello World
Interviewer: Andrew, welcome back to the league, what made you decide to come out of retirement?
Andrew: Well, I'm not sure I ever actually retired...
I: No posts in months, after a good run of postings, what were you doing if not retired?
A: Biding my time.
I: So this is just a well-timed resurgence?
A: I just want to stay present on the internet.
I: Don't we all.
A: Do any of the other interviewers have any questions?
I: I'm the only one here.
A: I imagined you, I'm sure I can imagine someone else too.
Interviewer 2: So why come back to blogging?
Interviewer 1: Yeah - what is this, 2007?
Andrew: No heckling!
Interviewer 1: You want to hear a joke?
Andrew: No.
Interviewer 1: Blogging.
Andrew: Whoa now. Loads of smart people blog.
Interviewer 1: So why are you?
Andrew: I think we're done here.
***
I'm back!
I decided that I couldn't just up and leave the blogosphere. I still need to keep writing and putting my words out there for you, the world, to see. Speaking of you world, I'm going to need some of your help in keeping this train running. You see, I'm going to be posing questions to you. No not reading comprehension questions, because I want you to enjoy reading. These are going to be polls about certain topics, what movies to watch and critique, and what topics you would like to hear my views on. I like to hear your thoughts on things in a nice civilized manner, so post them. I just ask that you think before you post.
So what can you expect to see from this:
- a weekly terrible joke
- a weekly recap on news (both my news and news news)
- a bit of topical writing (it is what I do)
- maybe some special guest appearances
- the presence of food
- a weekly poll question
- other miscellany that I find fun and/or relevant
What you shouldn't expect:
- slander
- posts driven to get a rise out of people in a bad way
- any derogatory remarks about any groups or persons (states are still fair game)
- topless pictures of me (well, maybe one or two)
- selfies
- txt tlk lol
- fast food delivery
- a cure for lobotomies
If you would like to stay on the cutting edge, and get all of the blog deets before anyone else, watch for a new posting every Sunday night (Charles Osgood said I couldn't have Sunday morning). If you miss it, don't worry, a social media blast will go out Monday morning, just as you are sitting at your workstation and regretting getting out of bed.
For the news about me, here's what has happened since I posted last:
- I never wrote that musical
- I was in one show
- I designed the set and lights for another
- I wrote, directed, and produced my own piece
- That piece was my senior thesis
- I got engaged!
- I graduated from Eastern University
- I didn't get into Carnegie Mellon or NYU
- I did get into Rosemont College's Dual-Degree Program (MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Publishing)
- I moved to Philly
- I started working at Eastern Mountain Sports
- I started my graduate schooling at Rosemont
- I was promoted at EMS
- I designed another show at Eastern (which premieres November 13, 2014)
- I am helping to build a tree house
- and somewhere along the line, I grew a beard.
That's all for now. If you would like to see me talk about something in particular, post a comment below. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @a_m_whitehead. Until we meet again, goodbye world.
Andrew: Well, I'm not sure I ever actually retired...
I: No posts in months, after a good run of postings, what were you doing if not retired?
A: Biding my time.
I: So this is just a well-timed resurgence?
A: I just want to stay present on the internet.
I: Don't we all.
A: Do any of the other interviewers have any questions?
I: I'm the only one here.
A: I imagined you, I'm sure I can imagine someone else too.
Interviewer 2: So why come back to blogging?
Interviewer 1: Yeah - what is this, 2007?
Andrew: No heckling!
Interviewer 1: You want to hear a joke?
Andrew: No.
Interviewer 1: Blogging.
Andrew: Whoa now. Loads of smart people blog.
Interviewer 1: So why are you?
Andrew: I think we're done here.
***
I'm back!
I decided that I couldn't just up and leave the blogosphere. I still need to keep writing and putting my words out there for you, the world, to see. Speaking of you world, I'm going to need some of your help in keeping this train running. You see, I'm going to be posing questions to you. No not reading comprehension questions, because I want you to enjoy reading. These are going to be polls about certain topics, what movies to watch and critique, and what topics you would like to hear my views on. I like to hear your thoughts on things in a nice civilized manner, so post them. I just ask that you think before you post.
So what can you expect to see from this:
- a weekly terrible joke
- a weekly recap on news (both my news and news news)
- a bit of topical writing (it is what I do)
- maybe some special guest appearances
- the presence of food
- a weekly poll question
- other miscellany that I find fun and/or relevant
What you shouldn't expect:
- slander
- posts driven to get a rise out of people in a bad way
- any derogatory remarks about any groups or persons (states are still fair game)
- topless pictures of me (well, maybe one or two)
- selfies
- txt tlk lol
- fast food delivery
- a cure for lobotomies
If you would like to stay on the cutting edge, and get all of the blog deets before anyone else, watch for a new posting every Sunday night (Charles Osgood said I couldn't have Sunday morning). If you miss it, don't worry, a social media blast will go out Monday morning, just as you are sitting at your workstation and regretting getting out of bed.
For the news about me, here's what has happened since I posted last:
- I never wrote that musical
- I was in one show
- I designed the set and lights for another
- I wrote, directed, and produced my own piece
- That piece was my senior thesis
- I got engaged!
- I graduated from Eastern University
- I didn't get into Carnegie Mellon or NYU
- I did get into Rosemont College's Dual-Degree Program (MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Publishing)
- I moved to Philly
- I started working at Eastern Mountain Sports
- I started my graduate schooling at Rosemont
- I was promoted at EMS
- I designed another show at Eastern (which premieres November 13, 2014)
- I am helping to build a tree house
- and somewhere along the line, I grew a beard.
That's all for now. If you would like to see me talk about something in particular, post a comment below. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @a_m_whitehead. Until we meet again, goodbye world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)