Hoping upon hope

The end of the semester gets me every time. For months I keep a running list of what needs to be done and when. I organize my books, papers, assignments, homework, and projects. Yet, it never fails, the mad scramble at the end of the semester to prepare for final tests, complete final projects, basically know everything that was supposed to be absorbed over the course of 3 months.
I know I am not alone, you can see the apprehension in the faces of students who are not ready for the end. Hoping upon hope that the professor will, for some reason, ignore the carefully constructed syllabus where the grading structure is clearly spelled out on the first day of class.
Sometimes the mad scramble to make up for a semester of neglect pays off. The ever looming deadline awakens the sleeping productive self. That's what I'm counting on anyway.

-mm

The Greener Side

It really must suck to be grass. At this very moment, a billion dollar industry is gearing up to see people millions of dollars worth of stuff to torture grass. There is fertilizer, that combined with the rain and warming rays of the spring sun help you to grow big and strong.
Then the games start. After grass gets the royal treatment for a few weeks, the lawn-mower makes an appearance, loudly decapitating you and all your friends.
Green thumbs pull at the dirt, and bare feet trample. The weed whacker circles like a shark. 
And after all this torture, everything grass goes through…the neighbor’s yard always looks better.

-MM

Friendly Customer Service

I work at a local grocery store and also go to a gym locally as well. Chances are that I will run into someone I know at one place or the other. I expect if or when that happens, a friendly hello would do just fine. However, for some people it doesn't.

A frequent customer that comes into my job saw me at the gym and decided a friendly hello was not good enough. He had to introduce himself to my gym partner, and work out with us. Then when I walked away to use the cardiovascular machines he followed me. This had to happen on the one day I forgot my iPod. He continued to talk my ear off until I had to cut my work out short and leave the gym.

Please customers of Best Yet Market, do NOT disturb me when I am working out. Thank you.

-JR

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite was well before my time. Like almost everyone, i have seen replays of his broadcast announcing the assassination of JFK. It was a man, behind a desk, reading the news. Like everything else regarding technology and communication, the way we get our news has changed. The 24 hour news cycle employs every type of new technology; interactive maps, use of social media, even holograms. Unfortunately, the telling of the news suffers. Opinion is rife in what is supposed to be an impartial profession.

Politicians make what can only be described as stupid comments. Rick Santorum includes his opinion that everyone having the opportunity to go to college is for "snobs". Now, depending on the news channel you frequent, I have heard him described as a true American, a real American, a regular joe. The option of the viewer to make their own opinion has been taken away. i could go on all day about Santorum.

The controversy over the shooting of Trevon Martin has turned into questions about the criminal intent of everyone in a hoodie, questions about why black on black crime is under-reported, and a slew of opinions on self defense and Florida's "stand your ground" law.

I'm tired of the news, I don't want to be riled up or outraged to increase ratings. I can't imagine Cronkite spending time talking about cute puppies. I want the news.

Onlookers jeer as man is beaten, stripped and robbed in Baltimore

    Of late a lot of Posts from XC have been white on black related crimes or incidents. Today's post stands to change this notion, I seem to find a lot of racial situations, not because I look for them but the news sources I subscribe to seem to always have great news topics. 

     This weeks Topic is an incident in DC that would be blown out of portion if it were the other way around. I was extremely disgusted while watching this video. We. (myself included) have complained about the way the whites have treated the blacks in  the past months, but to see this video and what was done also makes me sick to my stomach. This poor man in the streets of Baltimore standing on his own is harassed by women coming up to dance with him  in his drunken state. He is then robbed and assaulted by the other bystanders. Those that aren't a part of it recorded but did nothing to help the poor guy. he eventually walks back to his hotel room only to wake up the next day with no recollection of any of this happening and him losing almost 2000 USD worth of items he had on him. sadly this video has already hit YouTube and twitter, it might be the break in catching the perps in the video that did this heinous crime. 

KFC & Respect

I hate it when people on FSC campus bring their KFC to class. It is so hard not to pounce on them like a lion. I am trying so hard with my diet, and these daily struggles are horrible. Please do not eat your KFC in front of me. The smell of those greasy fries and deep fried chicken will haunt me in my sleep. They have a nice little eating area, and even tables outside where you can consume your food. Please do not bring it to class unless you have enough for everybody. Please have some respect for the other people in your class that are also hungry. Eat after class, or before. Please do not eat it DURING class time. I don't work my butt off to afford a college education only to not pay attention because of YOUR fries. Thank you.

-JR-

Buffalo police office Littere

In light of the trayvon martin shooting and cover up, one would think that racism would be something people would shy away from. I went to a local lounge/ club called "Bottoms up" out in buffalo for the weekend for a friends birthday. The bouncers at this spot seemed to be very eager to start a fight or an altercation probably due to boredom, because every one just seemed to be focused on just having a good time. The patrons were the ones doing the guiding traffic in the club that was more packed than a sardine can. While enjoying ourselves in a corner of the club, a dread headed bouncer approached us, accusing that one of our guest pushed a random another guest, so we confronted him and told him that he had the wrong person because we were all just standing and enjoying each others company. After the club we went out for hotdogs right in front, to wait for everyone leaves the club or "Let out". While waiting we saw about 8 bouncers 7 of them white and one black the same dreaded young man from the club, who were chasing 3 black men, mobbing them and kicking them. While they were already on the floor.

In lieu of all this a random driver got his drivers side mirror knocked out of his white 2011 Buick. When this happened the driver stopped "because if I kept moving I would end up running them over" said Chris the driver "Once he approached the club with his complaint they played dumb" said michale E of buffalo "we proceeded to explain to their management but ended up being the marks, for being witness to the whole thing". Comes in Police Officer Littere who just pulled up from lord knows where, and started yelling degrading insults like " move you [bleeping] retards, you cant even speak english morons." I wasn't moved by any of the prior racist remarks from the club management but hearing this from office Littere, I was pissed, someone with that power would stoop so low as to be racist to us. We are all college educated people and come from respective homes. After all this was said and done officer Littere decide to take force to come to our packed car and arrest one of our friends that was speaking back to the a club staff member that insisted he was a cop; last I checked club security wasnt in any way related to being in the force and by law stating that you are an officer is a felony for impersonating of a law official. When my friend was arrested we asked about 3 or 4 of the arresting officers for the address for the holding cell, but they all gave us different addresses, Wouldn't you know where this is as an officer? I think that is just as bad as not knowing your Miranda rights. By the way which was not read to him upon arrest. These buffalo cops don't seem to be we suited to be the ones to protect the community with their stereotypical and racist mindset.

XC

Willpower

It has been four months and three days since I started my diet. I have come across many people that have annoyed me during this process. However, none of them annoys me as much as myself. I struggle with myself on a daily basis. Everyone says how simple I make it look. Let me tell you right now, this process is definitely not easy.
                I went to visit my grandmother, which is a bad idea when I am on a diet. She loves to bake. She made cookies, brownies, and a cake. That was after the three course meal for dinner. I have cheated on my diet. As much as I am embarrassed to say, I loved every bit of it. I am now angry that I have tasted the sweet glory of baked goods again; it has been very difficult for me to jump back on the diet train.
                So here is to you willpower: AAAarrrrggggg!!! Get stronger!!

-JR-

PINK Method

As you may know from my previous blogs, I am on a diet. As of today, I currently lost 20lbs. People are noticing and it makes me feel great. However, others are asking me how I did it, because they want to lose weight as well. I tell them my secrets (P.I.N.K. Method) and they complain and ask me if they can change "my plan" around.

You can do whatever you want to do; I am not here to be your mother. I tell you what worked for me, I am not you. You may not want to give up carbs, I did. If you don’t want to do what I did, that is fine, but don’t yell at me about it. I am not a personal trainer, I do not work for a gym, and I am not majoring in health care. I am just a normal person, on a diet.

Here is to the people that yell at me after asking for advice: leave me alone and do your own thing. Thanks.

Hate Crime: Trayvon Martin

Once again. We are quick to pick up Hoodies... sorry i mean arms, Trayvon martin was killed a month ago by a racist self appointed neighborhood watchman.He was heard saying during the 911 call "Fucking Coons", Yes this is a big issue and shows that racism is at its best even in 2012, but does this have to be the Kony of this week? why are we as a society so quick to hop on band wagons and the Media again is the medium used to fuel up the anger in our hearts. There are other things that we need to fight for and bring to the attention of the congress and court systems in the United States.

Mr Zimmerman i guess saw it fit to take power into his own hands even after being told NOT TO FOLLOW the supposed perp, but he persisted and and killed Trayvon and is now claiming to be innocent.

"The reason why he was following this suspicious person that he saw was because the neighborhood had a rash of break-ins," he said. "George had no intention of taking anyone's life. He cried for days after."

People Like P. Diddy and the Miami Heats and others seem to have taken up their hoodies in lieu of this situation to call awareness of this racism.

LinkedIN more like LinkedOUT

I hate linkedIN. If you were around Monday, you created a linkedIn profile in class. The "business" facebook. In connecting my e-mail to linkedIn, it automatically invited all mys past correspondence to join, both business and professional. Networking is key to success in today's business world. I am more angry with myself for not turning off email notifications. Within 6 hours of joining, i received 30 connections, that means 30 e-mails in 6 hours. I came close to throwing my phone, thanks linkedIn.  mm

The Fads of Society.

 

Yet again the media has found a way to get the masses to support a CAUSE with no real agenda. KONY 2012 has hit the waves; YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, instagram, and E-mails have been flooded with the net. People spent a good thirty minutes of their lives watching a video on YouTube about Joseph Kony who was said to have committed a bunch of hate crimes in Uganda. People were quick to rush to the aid of KONY2012 without actually doing any research. The get KONY campaign  had people buying posters, wrist bands and so on to help the cause. I would like to see more people question what they view on TV or get from the media, and do more research to before you decide to take up arms.

Be careful who you call your Leader

Before i leave you, I would like for you to take a few minutes of your time to view this video to show, how stupid we can be when we are quick to help a cause with no concrete information, and try to use it to gain "fame" instead of "aid"

X.C.

Naked For KONY

Must be 18+ to view

Responsibilities

Instead of going to the gym today, I decided to take Chance (my dog) to the park. I just couldn’t pass up the beautiful weather. While I am running with my dog, I noticed many signs saying, “Please pick up after your dog.” I always bring a doggy bag to pick up what my dog leaves behind. I wouldn’t want someone to step in Chance’s droppings and I wouldn’t want to step in another dog’s droppings either.

However, as I was jogging around Gardiner Manor Park in Bay Shore, there were so many un-picked up dog droppings. Did these people not see the thousands of signs posted everywhere? If you are going to the park just bring a plastic bag. They give them out free at the super markets!

Here’s to the people that don’t pick up after their dogs: PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG or I will bring my dog over to your house and have him go to the bathroom on your front step.

-JR

Can't do two things at once? FOCUS

I woke up this morning thinking about my blog. As if fate was hearing my thoughts something amazing happened.

I went to the gym, like I do every Wednesday morning because it is usually quiet. (Love getting on a machine right away and not having to wait) I decided to do a little jogging since all the treadmills in the back row were empty. About five minutes into my workout, a gentleman decides to use the treadmill to my right. There were many machines open, I hate that he chose the one directly next to me. However, I shrugged it off and kept doing my thing. Exactly two minutes later, he started talking on his cell phone. He was extremely loud and it annoyed me. I turned my iPod sound all the way up and still could hear his rants about his job. I was very irritated.

I was about to quit my running and go on another machine when luck had my back. He was too focused on talking and I guess was not aware that his shoe lace was untied. He then tripped and fell on the treadmill. As he rolled off the machine, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I quickly stopped my machine and asked if he was alright. Wiping his bloody nose he responded, “Yes, Thank you.” He then walked away.

Here’s to you, Mr. Let Me Talk on My Cell Phone While Running Guy, GET OF YOUR PHONE AND FOCUS!

-JR

Stop and Smell the Roses

I hate people that don’t appreciate the gifts they have. I don’t mean this in a hippy way like, “you don’t live every day to the fullest,” or people who forget to, “stop and smell the roses,” I don’t even mind the people that do in fact “sweat the small stuff.”

I’m talking about appreciating the truly cool aspects of life when they are dropped in your lap. When off campus, I do a lot of consulting for many types of businesses. By far the most interesting business out there is the self-storage facility. Tucked within their walls are hundreds of mysterious items that the owners hold dear enough to pay to store. These places have come on the radar only recently due to the popularity of shows such as Storage Wars.

I have witnessed a bunch of truly cool finds, and have seen some good stuff get neglected.  An old school, monster camper from the mid 80’s, a land yacht of a generation past, sits unused and neglected in a corner of the lot. Owned free and clear, holding unlimited potential.

This thing could be fitted to be an excellent zombie survival rolling command center. Some barbwire and chainsaws are a cost effective way to be prepared for the end. Why this guy doesn’t go A-Team on this thing and armor it is beyond me. Too bad he won’t appreciate what he has until a zombie is chewing on his intestines. 

-mm

Facebook Update: At The Gym

As per my New Year’s resolution, I told myself I would lose weight. (Isn’t that what everyone does?) I have lost a total of 17 pounds since January 1^st; which is not so bad. I did run into an obstacle however, that has gotten me really frustrated. It is not preparing my foods ahead of time, it is not giving up junk food, it is not the lack of alcohol I have been consuming, it is something far worse; The gym.

I don’t mind making time to go the gym, or even paying for it. It is my lack of patience when waiting to use a machine. I understand that people need to use the machines too, and I support them 100%. It is the fact that you are sitting on the abs machine that I want to use, while you are on your phone. This machine is to help me gain muscle in my core, not for you to use it as a chair and update your Facebook status. Yes, we all must know you are at the gym, maybe you should get a good workout in. Or maybe, just maybe, let me use the machine for something more useful.

Then, what aggravated me even more is after the ten minutes that I have waited patiently for you to get your reps in, (which you weren’t doing) I kindly asked, “Are you done with this machine?” The response I received really grinded my gears. You actually said, “Not yet.” You are CLEARLY done, go home. So, this is to you “gym user,” you really need to buy an abs machine for your house, so you can sit on it and text the night away. Stay out of my gym. Thank you.

-JR

Financial Aid at Farmingdale state College

In the four years I have been at FSC, one continuous problem I kept hearing was the satisfaction rate of the financial aids department. I wasn’t fully aware of these problems till I actually had to process my FAFSA information myself. Although the school and financial aids office’s motto is “Student First”, we have come to question if they really feel that way or if this it’s all a gimmick to make the incoming students transition easier. 

During my last semester, I was told that I had a hold on my account because of a document needed from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After a grueling 3 months of constant calls, person to person conversations, and meeting with provosts and dropped classes, I asked for another review of the documents they had at hand. Only to find out that they actually had the information they had been asking for. 

Fortunately; I was able to get 4 of my 6 classes prompting me to take summer classes in other to graduate. That being said, I am one of the few students that has had a happy ending with this issue, like I said earlier others who have come front with their problems have had to stay out a semester or two because of last minute errors that could have been handled if the financial aids office took that extra 5mins to look through their documents.   

- XC

I hate and I know it

Common Sense, authored by Thomas Paine in 1776 argued that the American Colonies had a common identity and should not be subject to British Colonial rule. Paine wrote in a straight forward and simple way, appealing to a common audience. At the time of its publishing, many colonists were undecided about independence.

 How does an aged piece of parchment, printed on defunct presses by hand compare to our modern, high tech, fast paced world?

In many ways, Paine’s work can be considered a past version of the modern day blog. He was a pissed off trouble maker with a sharp pen, writing about how the world around him made no sense. He felt strongly about what he had to say and shared that opinion.

Without the assistance of an Dramatic Chipmunk video or a picture of a wardrobe malfunction, his words went viral in the colonies. 25 editions were printed in the first year; over 500,000 copies were distributed in the days when a fast horse was considered instant communication. His words changed the minds of many undecided colonists, leading to a fight for American Independence.

A lot of things are worthy of pissing people off in our society. Maybe they don’t have the far reaching scope of inciting rebellion…maybe they do. From the mundane to the infuriating, we are going to share what pisses us off, perhaps you agree.