Am I beginning to sound like some bitter old guy? At the risk of that, I am taking advantage of this massively popular blog (yeah, right) to espouse another one of my diatribes.
Morons. I actually find them cute. I mean, so they are stupid, but I chalk it up to ignorance. For example, those who believe profit maximization is a thing. Or those who think the poor choose to be poor. Or those who think it's okay to throw shit on the road. OK, maybe not so much the latter, but still...
Assholes, on the other hand, well, there's no excuse for that. These people (to be generous with the term) OUGHT to know better. In many cases, they DO know better, but choose to be wrong. These are people who should be skinned alive and hung up to dry. With salt on their wounds.
What are some examples of assholes? Let's do this:
YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE IF YOU...
1. Ride a bicycle but think traffic laws don't apply to you. You're one of those who ride on the sidewalk, never stop at stop signs, think you have the right of way over pedestrians, or think you're superior because you ride a fucking bike. Well, guess what, you're not. I bloody walk, and that's more work and more eco-friendly than your motherfucking bike.
2. Walk while doing shit on the phone. You don't fucking OWN the sidewalk. Watch where the fuck you're going, you shithead. I NEVER give way to these motherfuckers. They can bump into me if they want. Well, I shouldn't say NEVER, because they are bigger than me, I don't want to be the Titanic hitting an iceberg. I'm not that stupid.
3. Drive while texting and shit. You know you're not as good a driver as you think you are. You might care about your life, since you're basically a worthless piece of shit anyway. But others do. If I were a cop, I'd ticket every motherfucker who text while driving. No shit.
4. Drive on the left lane as if you own the fucking highway. No need to say more.
5. Complain about being poor while drinking your $6 Starbucks Latte and wearing designer jeans. Shut the fuck up. Start paying your own bills and you're quickly find out what being poor means.
6. Look down on other people because you think you're above them. The fact you do so means you're not superior.
7. You take a perfectly fine College and run it to the fucking ground.
8. People who write blogs and trash other people (I never said I'm not an asshole, right?).
There are others, I'm sure, and dear Reader you can feel free to add more types of assholes in the comments.
BUT, you know what, folks, there's another category that's worse. I don't remember who said this, but, "The only one worse than an asshole is one who doesn't know he's one."
Yeah, and don't give me this shit about gender here. I am not going to say she/he in something like this, nor will I bastardize a singular by using "they." Yeah, I do READ and I know things.
I must be having a bad day. Or perhaps just lacking caffeine....
Friday, 27 September 2019
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
NIMBY
My building is across the street from a public park. Great view. Lots of green. At night, there are softball games being played in some sort of a public league. They often go on till maybe 10-ish. I find it really neat to see people having a great time outdoors, especially as fall sets in and winter is just around the corner.
Some don't feel this way. There's this circular in the building, asking people to complain to the city about noise from the park, and how it affects some people's enjoyment of their views. See below:
I don't know about you, but I see nothing wrong with a public space being used by, eh, the public, for their enjoyment. And since the games generally end before it gets really late, I think it's commendable that people are taking advantage while the weather is still mild enough to be out.
If one wants a park for their own enjoyment, that others can't do so, maybe one needs to buy a really large property and own the damn thing outright.
Renting an apartment in a building that just happens to be opposite a park doesn't make the park your own, and certainly one has no right to expect any kind of exclusivity.
But at least give the person credit. They even give their name and their apartment number and not hide behind anonymity. The whole thing smacks of entitlement, IMO, and it's another example of our NIMBY mentality that's so pervasive these days.
Some don't feel this way. There's this circular in the building, asking people to complain to the city about noise from the park, and how it affects some people's enjoyment of their views. See below:
I don't know about you, but I see nothing wrong with a public space being used by, eh, the public, for their enjoyment. And since the games generally end before it gets really late, I think it's commendable that people are taking advantage while the weather is still mild enough to be out.
If one wants a park for their own enjoyment, that others can't do so, maybe one needs to buy a really large property and own the damn thing outright.
Renting an apartment in a building that just happens to be opposite a park doesn't make the park your own, and certainly one has no right to expect any kind of exclusivity.
But at least give the person credit. They even give their name and their apartment number and not hide behind anonymity. The whole thing smacks of entitlement, IMO, and it's another example of our NIMBY mentality that's so pervasive these days.
Why am I so f*$king busy?
Wasn't this school thing suppose to be all fun and games? Hell, it has become some self-inflicted form of intellectual torture. An enjoyable one, no doubt, but FUCK, so much to do!
All right, tell me you're actually surprised I'm saying that.
I dare say on average, I spend (outside of class time) 25 hours a week on this school stuff. I have never done that before. EVER.
So why am I spending so much time on school stuff? Hell, it doesn't even matter. I didn't work so hard when grades actually mattered. But now I work my butt when they don't? How does that make sense?
Folks, if you know me at all, you should know that I subscribe to the realistic view that people are NOT rational. An economist I'm not. Damn their eyes.
Anyway, back to me (it's all about me, no? This IS the 21st Century, and I AM in college).
I think what spoiled things for me was the kind of grades I got the first year, especially the first semester, when I got four A+ and an A. Unnecessarily, I felt challenged to keep that up (for no reason at all). But of course, as the level of courses goes up, it's harder and harder to do so. So I need to spend more and more time on the shit. Seriously, think what does it take to get an A+ in BA416 if I'm teaching it? I mean, that's like getting 100 on every single fucking assignment?
And also, well, there's me and my Type A personality. All my life I have always finished my term papers early in the semester. Like within the first month. So I am repeating that pattern. Only now I actually want to do really well, as opposed to settling for A- and Bs. See my problem there?
Let me show you an example. On October 2 I have to hand in a two-page term paper proposal for a history class. Yes, you read that right. TWO FUCKING PAGES. Guess how much work I've done to write these pages? Take a look:
And this is only the hard copy stuff I got. I have spent UNTOLD HOURS doing library research to write a two page proposal. That, my friends, makes me completely insane. But if you seriously know me, I don't think you would be surprised by it.
I also had to hand in a four page mini paper for a sociology class on October 4. Ok, well, I don't need to show you a picture. I think you can visualize what THAT pile looks like.
And then towards the latter part of the semester, I have four real papers due. Shit, I'd better get a move on NOW!
Hey, remember my CB class (if you were a student of mine)? Remember how our expectations change things? Classic case.
Maybe I should take a couple of marketing electives to reduce my workload! :)
All right, tell me you're actually surprised I'm saying that.
I dare say on average, I spend (outside of class time) 25 hours a week on this school stuff. I have never done that before. EVER.
So why am I spending so much time on school stuff? Hell, it doesn't even matter. I didn't work so hard when grades actually mattered. But now I work my butt when they don't? How does that make sense?
Folks, if you know me at all, you should know that I subscribe to the realistic view that people are NOT rational. An economist I'm not. Damn their eyes.
Anyway, back to me (it's all about me, no? This IS the 21st Century, and I AM in college).
I think what spoiled things for me was the kind of grades I got the first year, especially the first semester, when I got four A+ and an A. Unnecessarily, I felt challenged to keep that up (for no reason at all). But of course, as the level of courses goes up, it's harder and harder to do so. So I need to spend more and more time on the shit. Seriously, think what does it take to get an A+ in BA416 if I'm teaching it? I mean, that's like getting 100 on every single fucking assignment?
And also, well, there's me and my Type A personality. All my life I have always finished my term papers early in the semester. Like within the first month. So I am repeating that pattern. Only now I actually want to do really well, as opposed to settling for A- and Bs. See my problem there?
Let me show you an example. On October 2 I have to hand in a two-page term paper proposal for a history class. Yes, you read that right. TWO FUCKING PAGES. Guess how much work I've done to write these pages? Take a look:
And this is only the hard copy stuff I got. I have spent UNTOLD HOURS doing library research to write a two page proposal. That, my friends, makes me completely insane. But if you seriously know me, I don't think you would be surprised by it.
I also had to hand in a four page mini paper for a sociology class on October 4. Ok, well, I don't need to show you a picture. I think you can visualize what THAT pile looks like.
And then towards the latter part of the semester, I have four real papers due. Shit, I'd better get a move on NOW!
Hey, remember my CB class (if you were a student of mine)? Remember how our expectations change things? Classic case.
Maybe I should take a couple of marketing electives to reduce my workload! :)
Thursday, 12 September 2019
Organized Chaos
There's no room to walk! Just trying to figure out what's what... A day in the life of a student :)
Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Funky Feeling
I must say this year I am a lot more ambivalent. Only one course really excites me. The other four I'd say are "yeah, well, ok." I even changed some of my courses hoping to come up with more palatable combinations, but to no avail. Now in the second week of classes, I still haven't been able to get myself in gear.
Perhaps this is a case of sophomore slump. Who knows. How should I deal with it?
I have decided that I will try to write a term paper in the next couple of weeks. I also have a couple of term paper proposals I am supposed to do. I can do those instead. Perhaps some small measure of accomplishment will help pull me out of the slump. Stay tuned. I'll see if that works out.
Dropped out of a class last week, after the first session. It's the class on the foundations of liberalism and socialism. I like the subject, but I can't stand the prof. She tried too hard to be one of the students (who are mostly 19). And her assignments are way too kiddy for me. Perhaps because I am too old for that shit. I am jaded. But let me give you an example. One of the assignments to write a children's book, complete with illustrations, describing and explaining one of the theories in the class. Ok, a fucking children's book? What are we? In middle school? I think university should be more serious than that.
Anyhow, I dropped that, and picked up a 19th Century European history class. OK, don't you HATE profs whose lectures are straight from the book? Really. Assuming one reads the fucking book, why does one want to sit there and listen to someone going through that shit again? OK, I will continue to go to class, just in case I miss something, but I am starting to work on the term paper proposal (due Oct 2) and the paper itself (due in Nov) now. And reading ahead.
And this French class I'm taking. Some of you may know that I don't have much affection for France. And increasingly, Quebec's racist politics antagonize me so. My desire to learn the language is now solely driven by the challenge of learning a language. But my dislike of the source of this language is something I have to contend with. To worsen things, it's still a third year class (even though it's the third in the series) so it doesn't count towards my degree, though the grade will be included in computing my GPA. So in other words, if I don't get an A+ in the class, my GPA goes down. What a deal, eh?
Maybe I should take an Intro Marketing course for fun... (and flunk it, haha).
Food for thought.
Are there happier notes I can share with you?
Oh, I found out that at UOttawa, if you have laser toners to recycle, you can take it to any of the campus recycling stations and they will take care of it! Nice! I don't have to go find a Best Buy anymore.
Looks like summer is about over. While today it will still get up to 20 C (that's just under 70F), the balmy days of summer are probably gone for a while. Not that I really miss them that much. Certainly I don't look forward to the frigid cold, and all that ice, in the winter. More on that in a couple of months.
Till next time!
Perhaps this is a case of sophomore slump. Who knows. How should I deal with it?
I have decided that I will try to write a term paper in the next couple of weeks. I also have a couple of term paper proposals I am supposed to do. I can do those instead. Perhaps some small measure of accomplishment will help pull me out of the slump. Stay tuned. I'll see if that works out.
Dropped out of a class last week, after the first session. It's the class on the foundations of liberalism and socialism. I like the subject, but I can't stand the prof. She tried too hard to be one of the students (who are mostly 19). And her assignments are way too kiddy for me. Perhaps because I am too old for that shit. I am jaded. But let me give you an example. One of the assignments to write a children's book, complete with illustrations, describing and explaining one of the theories in the class. Ok, a fucking children's book? What are we? In middle school? I think university should be more serious than that.
Anyhow, I dropped that, and picked up a 19th Century European history class. OK, don't you HATE profs whose lectures are straight from the book? Really. Assuming one reads the fucking book, why does one want to sit there and listen to someone going through that shit again? OK, I will continue to go to class, just in case I miss something, but I am starting to work on the term paper proposal (due Oct 2) and the paper itself (due in Nov) now. And reading ahead.
And this French class I'm taking. Some of you may know that I don't have much affection for France. And increasingly, Quebec's racist politics antagonize me so. My desire to learn the language is now solely driven by the challenge of learning a language. But my dislike of the source of this language is something I have to contend with. To worsen things, it's still a third year class (even though it's the third in the series) so it doesn't count towards my degree, though the grade will be included in computing my GPA. So in other words, if I don't get an A+ in the class, my GPA goes down. What a deal, eh?
Maybe I should take an Intro Marketing course for fun... (and flunk it, haha).
Food for thought.
Are there happier notes I can share with you?
Oh, I found out that at UOttawa, if you have laser toners to recycle, you can take it to any of the campus recycling stations and they will take care of it! Nice! I don't have to go find a Best Buy anymore.
Looks like summer is about over. While today it will still get up to 20 C (that's just under 70F), the balmy days of summer are probably gone for a while. Not that I really miss them that much. Certainly I don't look forward to the frigid cold, and all that ice, in the winter. More on that in a couple of months.
Till next time!
Wednesday, 4 September 2019
First day of classes
A brand new semester begins. I had two classes today. Both seemed okay. The first one was a course on the foundation of liberalism and socialism. The second is on political sociology. There ought be a fair bit of synergy in them.
You might have noticed that my interests go way beyond marketing, indeed business. I think the basic premise of human civilization is informed by things outside of business. What illuminates our systems of government, for example? What casts long shadows on how we see and negotiate our daily lives? If you were a former student, you may recall that I love bringing in things from other disciplines. We are humans, after all, and social animals. So I relish understanding and appreciating knowledge that speaks to the human condition.
But there's another reason for doing this wide-ranging academic exploration that I embark on. Only by learning what different perspectives REALLY say can I truly agree or disagree with them. One needs to be informed, in order (1) not to be duped by rumours and falsehoods, and (2) intelligently critique what the other party is saying.
Ok, so much for pontification. I must remind myself that I am no longer teaching. I am a student.
I have signed up for five classes this semester. Tomorrow I have a history class, which I really look forward to. I had that same prof last semester, and he was great. And after all, history is probably my favourite subject.
Still to come is a class on the Interdisciplinary study of the Arts, and the topic there is a critical analysis of popular culture. As long as they throw in some Stephen King and Meat Loaf, I'm happy. Let's hope they do!
And then there's a continuation of my French classes. I am not 100% sure about it. I did just fine in the first two, but you know, learning a language is hard. Especially when one is older. Besides, I have now exceeded my allowable 1000 (first year) courses. That means that while I can still take them, they don't count towards my degree, BUT the grade I get goes into calculating my GPA. In other words, if I don't get an A+, it will bring my GPA down! That's a bit of pressure, eh?
But why should GPA matter at this point?
Well, I have been thinking that I can graduate in May 2021. And then what? Probably not another BA. So I've been thinking about the possibility of law degree. Not that I plan to be Perry Mason or anything. But if I get in, and I finish, maybe I can do legal clinics and help the underprivileged, that sort of thing? Before my mind goes completely.
I've even signed up to do LSAT in Feb. Sounds like it could be fun!
Of course this may not happen. I may do poorly on LSAT (who knows, shit happens). My GPA may go down. They might look at my age and say WTF! So who knows. But it won't be for lack of trying.
The kicker, too, is that I plan to apply to only one school -- the one in Ottawa. So that narrows my opportunities quite considerably. Well, more on that later.
So, to the two or three people who actually read my blog, wish me luck!
You might have noticed that my interests go way beyond marketing, indeed business. I think the basic premise of human civilization is informed by things outside of business. What illuminates our systems of government, for example? What casts long shadows on how we see and negotiate our daily lives? If you were a former student, you may recall that I love bringing in things from other disciplines. We are humans, after all, and social animals. So I relish understanding and appreciating knowledge that speaks to the human condition.
But there's another reason for doing this wide-ranging academic exploration that I embark on. Only by learning what different perspectives REALLY say can I truly agree or disagree with them. One needs to be informed, in order (1) not to be duped by rumours and falsehoods, and (2) intelligently critique what the other party is saying.
Ok, so much for pontification. I must remind myself that I am no longer teaching. I am a student.
I have signed up for five classes this semester. Tomorrow I have a history class, which I really look forward to. I had that same prof last semester, and he was great. And after all, history is probably my favourite subject.
Still to come is a class on the Interdisciplinary study of the Arts, and the topic there is a critical analysis of popular culture. As long as they throw in some Stephen King and Meat Loaf, I'm happy. Let's hope they do!
And then there's a continuation of my French classes. I am not 100% sure about it. I did just fine in the first two, but you know, learning a language is hard. Especially when one is older. Besides, I have now exceeded my allowable 1000 (first year) courses. That means that while I can still take them, they don't count towards my degree, BUT the grade I get goes into calculating my GPA. In other words, if I don't get an A+, it will bring my GPA down! That's a bit of pressure, eh?
But why should GPA matter at this point?
Well, I have been thinking that I can graduate in May 2021. And then what? Probably not another BA. So I've been thinking about the possibility of law degree. Not that I plan to be Perry Mason or anything. But if I get in, and I finish, maybe I can do legal clinics and help the underprivileged, that sort of thing? Before my mind goes completely.
I've even signed up to do LSAT in Feb. Sounds like it could be fun!
Of course this may not happen. I may do poorly on LSAT (who knows, shit happens). My GPA may go down. They might look at my age and say WTF! So who knows. But it won't be for lack of trying.
The kicker, too, is that I plan to apply to only one school -- the one in Ottawa. So that narrows my opportunities quite considerably. Well, more on that later.
So, to the two or three people who actually read my blog, wish me luck!
Tuesday, 3 September 2019
Face it, we're scum
Not a day goes by without reading about yet another thing we regularly do that damages the environment. My take on it? Face it, people, we're scum. Go and off yourself now.
But wait, it's not that simple. This is a classic damned if you do, and damned if you don't kind of scenario. Let me elaborate.
You must have heard or read that any of the following is really bad for the environment.
1. Eat meat.
2. Use anything plastic and rubber.
3. Use anything leather.
4. Use anything with chemicals.
5. Wear anything that is not organically grown.
6. Drive.
7. Fly.
8. Doing laundry.
9. Flossing.
10. Throwing away ANYTHING.
And so on.
Okay, people. So I should not drink Diet Coke (heaven forbid!), fly to London, drive to work, use plastic bags, wear sneakers, wear leather shoes, eat steak....
What is it that people do that does NOT hurt the environment? So I don't use those plastic shopping bags from supermarkets. OK. Now I can't use them as garbage bags. I go BUY fucking garbage bags instead. How's that for helping the environment? Oh, would you like to reuse them too?
And if you ever use a condom... well, maybe you should just have babies galore. Oh wait, do you want to NOT use disposable diapers? Have you EVER tried to wash off all the shit? And how is that supposed to be good for the environment?
Walk to work and shit, shall we? Ah, do you walk bare foot? I bet you your precious shoes have rubber crap on them. Like the sole? Or maybe it's leather. That better? Hell, no. Bare foot it is then. Of course if you cut your foot and stuff, don't be using a bandaid. Guess what, it got PLASTIC!!!!
Ever been on a holiday? Do you just go to your backyard and sit there? No? Did you go to Europe? Asia? South America? The West Coast? Did you fucking walk there or swim? And if you did, did you do so in the nude? I don't think swimsuits are biodegradable. Nor are your shoes.
Oh you ride a bike then? To LA? Nah, just to work? Well, are your tires rubber? Is the bike made of recycled wood? And if you live in MD and work in PA, would you do the same?
Face it, everything we do hurts the environment. We are scum. The only way for humans to not hurt the environment is for humans to NOT exist. But don't be killing yourself now. Why?
Because death is very destructive to the environment too! Think methane. The decomposition. The ashes if you are cremated. The smog. The coffin if you're buried.
There's just no easy way out.
Does that mean we just go nuts and rush to kill the planet? No. But the nutcases who only whine and complain about EVERYBODY else is doing should take a look at their own lives. Don't be throwing rocks if you live in a glass house. And we all live in a fucking glass house. So just do things in moderation. And stop telling others how they should do what you do. No one died and made you god.
There, I feel so much better now.
But wait, it's not that simple. This is a classic damned if you do, and damned if you don't kind of scenario. Let me elaborate.
You must have heard or read that any of the following is really bad for the environment.
1. Eat meat.
2. Use anything plastic and rubber.
3. Use anything leather.
4. Use anything with chemicals.
5. Wear anything that is not organically grown.
6. Drive.
7. Fly.
8. Doing laundry.
9. Flossing.
10. Throwing away ANYTHING.
And so on.
Okay, people. So I should not drink Diet Coke (heaven forbid!), fly to London, drive to work, use plastic bags, wear sneakers, wear leather shoes, eat steak....
What is it that people do that does NOT hurt the environment? So I don't use those plastic shopping bags from supermarkets. OK. Now I can't use them as garbage bags. I go BUY fucking garbage bags instead. How's that for helping the environment? Oh, would you like to reuse them too?
And if you ever use a condom... well, maybe you should just have babies galore. Oh wait, do you want to NOT use disposable diapers? Have you EVER tried to wash off all the shit? And how is that supposed to be good for the environment?
Walk to work and shit, shall we? Ah, do you walk bare foot? I bet you your precious shoes have rubber crap on them. Like the sole? Or maybe it's leather. That better? Hell, no. Bare foot it is then. Of course if you cut your foot and stuff, don't be using a bandaid. Guess what, it got PLASTIC!!!!
Ever been on a holiday? Do you just go to your backyard and sit there? No? Did you go to Europe? Asia? South America? The West Coast? Did you fucking walk there or swim? And if you did, did you do so in the nude? I don't think swimsuits are biodegradable. Nor are your shoes.
Oh you ride a bike then? To LA? Nah, just to work? Well, are your tires rubber? Is the bike made of recycled wood? And if you live in MD and work in PA, would you do the same?
Face it, everything we do hurts the environment. We are scum. The only way for humans to not hurt the environment is for humans to NOT exist. But don't be killing yourself now. Why?
Because death is very destructive to the environment too! Think methane. The decomposition. The ashes if you are cremated. The smog. The coffin if you're buried.
There's just no easy way out.
Does that mean we just go nuts and rush to kill the planet? No. But the nutcases who only whine and complain about EVERYBODY else is doing should take a look at their own lives. Don't be throwing rocks if you live in a glass house. And we all live in a fucking glass house. So just do things in moderation. And stop telling others how they should do what you do. No one died and made you god.
There, I feel so much better now.
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