Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Summer Time!
I was driving home tonight and man was it surreal. It was the fine edge between twilight and nighttime. I was driving north, back home after an evening class. The western sky was a mix of deep orange and red and to the east the sky was a dark blue. The air was dense with a cool foggy summer haze. And surrounding all sides of my truck were dancing fireflies. It was the best at the summit of a few hills I had to drive up. At this one point I was at the top of this hill with fields of corn on both sides with all the above scenarios. It felt like I had climbed out of Earth and into Elysium. With the soothing summer air whisping over my skin through my window I was nearly convinced.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
10 Songs from the Last 4 Years
The last four years have been perhaps the most life changing years of my life. I have finished my bachelors degree and am nearly finished with two masters degrees. I’ve lived in France, loved, lost, traveled, spent money, and everything in between. One thing that helps motivate me in life and cope with the good and bad, is music. In the last four years, the music I listen to has been impacted as much as my life. While I could go on and on about a number of bands and songs, I’ll abridge the list to 10 bands and 10 amazing songs that captivated me, in the order they came into my life.
Winter 2007 (January): Filter, “Welcome to the Fold”
I discovered Filter at an interesting time. The band was on hiatus and hadn’t released an album in years. It did not stop me from putting “Welcome to the Fold” on repeat. I didn’t get the cd right away, so I spent countless hours streaming the song off Filter’s Myspace page. I remember the spot I sat at in the library that year of undergrad and would listen to this song. I was a sophomore and was just beginning to grasp the kind of student I wanted to be and the goals I had for myself. This song empowered me while I pursued my goals and helped pick me up when I made mistakes which I was on a crash course to do. It’s also one of the catchiest riffs I’ve heard.
Summer 2007: Exit Calm, “Awake”
At the end of my sophomore year and into the summer I was in a shitty relationship and was too young and stupid to know the difference and do something. As my misguided feelings confused me to no end, I came across a band from England called Exit Calm and their song “Awake.” It was the first time I had heard a band with so much depth and atmosphere since I first heard A Storm in Heaven by The Verve. “Awake” captured my imagination and Exit Calm stole my heart during a time when I was hanging it out to dry. Exit Calm helped me stay true to myself at the core, while on the outside I was acting like an ignorant fool. Later that fall when I traveled to France, I managed to hop over to England to see Exit Calm perform. I even met the band!
Fall 2007 (In France): Lowline, “Sound of Music”
I discovered Lowline and the song “Sound of Music” while sitting in the corner near west entrance of the McDonalds in Cesson Sevegine, France, a suburb of Rennes. The main hook in the song was spellbinding to me. My host family’s Internet was broken for a time and I honestly went to McDonald’s everyday to listen to this song. I’d go the counter, by a pop, and grab a seat and log on. I even listened to the band live on radio one night. “Sound of Music” was a special song I listened to during a special time. When I hear it, it always strikes heart strings that help me recall the streets I’d walk, the people I met, and the amazing time I had in Rennes.
Winter 2008: Model Morning: “As Guilty As”
Model Morning is another band from England like Lowline and Exit Calm. The song “As Guilty As” became an instant favorite of mine. The song combined many of my favorite aspects of music: fat riffy bass, dynamic drumming, psychedelic guitars, and power chords. It was and still is a great song that I listen to almost every day. Unfortunately the band broke up and for a while I felt a sense of guilt for not buying a ticket to England to see this band.
Late Spring 2008: The Black Angels, “You on the Run”
The Black Angels brought a different psychedelic sound to my ears. It was a good sound. Hot, steamy, misty, cloud days will always be associated with this song. I took a trip to a winery with similar weather and was listening to this song. The Black Angels did not immediately become a favorite of mine, but this song did.
Summer 2008: Rosella, “Life”
“Life” was a song that I listened to during the winter, but it was not until the summer time did the song take on special meaning to me. Rosella is a Cleveland band which makes them a favorite by default. I saw the band live during the summer with a new love interest. We had a great time together. “Life” is a hard rockin’ song with a kick ass guitar solo. To me the song holds a special place for reminding me of fun times with great people and other ways reminds me of the melancholy of graduating from undergrad, even though that would a year later.
Summer 2009: The Verve, “Blue Pacific Ocean”
The Verve’s reunion was over in 2008 and the band was history for good this time. It was not until 2009 a high quality version of their B-Side “Blue Pacific Ocean” emerged and found its way onto my MP3 player. The song was easily the stand out track from all the songs recorded during the Forth era and was the stand out track on the soundtrack of songs that accompanied me and my girlfriend on road trip to Maine. Although the Atlantic Ocean is not the Pacific, the song was still fitting. “Blue Pacific Ocean” is The Verve at one its best and captures the greatness of every facet of the band. The song brings visions of costal sunsets, warm air, and clear water.
Winter 2010: Epic 45, “Ghosts On Tape”
“Ghosts on Tape” is a blend of genres that I don’t really know how to describe. The video for the song is heart breaking and imaginative. The song came around during a time when I had depressing feelings daily. The song helped me confront my anxiety and turn it into hope as the days got longer and spring weather began to appear.
Summer 2010: Memory Cassette, “Ghost in the Boombox”
Summer 2010 was the polar opposite of Winter. I had quit my job, my girlfriend returned from a trip around the world and well, it was summer. “Ghost in the Boombox” was sort of a therapeutic song that helped me escape into my imagination on late sunny afternoons. I’d often get the song stuck in my head just before going on long runs. The song also reminds me of Lake Superior. I listened to this song while driving along the coast in the Upper Pennisula.
Summer 2010: Ulrich Sschnauss and Jonas Monk, “Johnny (Sentimental Fool)”
Ulrich Schnauss produced Exit Calm’s debut album. He released an album’s worth of music with Jonas Monk. One of the songs was a song called “Johnny.” “Johnny” is essentially the kind of song that plays on an Asics shoe commercial or in a documentary about traveling and getting in touch with mother nature. It is an instrumental song that is simply inspirational.
Winter 2007 (January): Filter, “Welcome to the Fold”
I discovered Filter at an interesting time. The band was on hiatus and hadn’t released an album in years. It did not stop me from putting “Welcome to the Fold” on repeat. I didn’t get the cd right away, so I spent countless hours streaming the song off Filter’s Myspace page. I remember the spot I sat at in the library that year of undergrad and would listen to this song. I was a sophomore and was just beginning to grasp the kind of student I wanted to be and the goals I had for myself. This song empowered me while I pursued my goals and helped pick me up when I made mistakes which I was on a crash course to do. It’s also one of the catchiest riffs I’ve heard.
Summer 2007: Exit Calm, “Awake”
At the end of my sophomore year and into the summer I was in a shitty relationship and was too young and stupid to know the difference and do something. As my misguided feelings confused me to no end, I came across a band from England called Exit Calm and their song “Awake.” It was the first time I had heard a band with so much depth and atmosphere since I first heard A Storm in Heaven by The Verve. “Awake” captured my imagination and Exit Calm stole my heart during a time when I was hanging it out to dry. Exit Calm helped me stay true to myself at the core, while on the outside I was acting like an ignorant fool. Later that fall when I traveled to France, I managed to hop over to England to see Exit Calm perform. I even met the band!
Fall 2007 (In France): Lowline, “Sound of Music”
I discovered Lowline and the song “Sound of Music” while sitting in the corner near west entrance of the McDonalds in Cesson Sevegine, France, a suburb of Rennes. The main hook in the song was spellbinding to me. My host family’s Internet was broken for a time and I honestly went to McDonald’s everyday to listen to this song. I’d go the counter, by a pop, and grab a seat and log on. I even listened to the band live on radio one night. “Sound of Music” was a special song I listened to during a special time. When I hear it, it always strikes heart strings that help me recall the streets I’d walk, the people I met, and the amazing time I had in Rennes.
Winter 2008: Model Morning: “As Guilty As”
Model Morning is another band from England like Lowline and Exit Calm. The song “As Guilty As” became an instant favorite of mine. The song combined many of my favorite aspects of music: fat riffy bass, dynamic drumming, psychedelic guitars, and power chords. It was and still is a great song that I listen to almost every day. Unfortunately the band broke up and for a while I felt a sense of guilt for not buying a ticket to England to see this band.
Late Spring 2008: The Black Angels, “You on the Run”
The Black Angels brought a different psychedelic sound to my ears. It was a good sound. Hot, steamy, misty, cloud days will always be associated with this song. I took a trip to a winery with similar weather and was listening to this song. The Black Angels did not immediately become a favorite of mine, but this song did.
Summer 2008: Rosella, “Life”
“Life” was a song that I listened to during the winter, but it was not until the summer time did the song take on special meaning to me. Rosella is a Cleveland band which makes them a favorite by default. I saw the band live during the summer with a new love interest. We had a great time together. “Life” is a hard rockin’ song with a kick ass guitar solo. To me the song holds a special place for reminding me of fun times with great people and other ways reminds me of the melancholy of graduating from undergrad, even though that would a year later.
Summer 2009: The Verve, “Blue Pacific Ocean”
The Verve’s reunion was over in 2008 and the band was history for good this time. It was not until 2009 a high quality version of their B-Side “Blue Pacific Ocean” emerged and found its way onto my MP3 player. The song was easily the stand out track from all the songs recorded during the Forth era and was the stand out track on the soundtrack of songs that accompanied me and my girlfriend on road trip to Maine. Although the Atlantic Ocean is not the Pacific, the song was still fitting. “Blue Pacific Ocean” is The Verve at one its best and captures the greatness of every facet of the band. The song brings visions of costal sunsets, warm air, and clear water.
Winter 2010: Epic 45, “Ghosts On Tape”
“Ghosts on Tape” is a blend of genres that I don’t really know how to describe. The video for the song is heart breaking and imaginative. The song came around during a time when I had depressing feelings daily. The song helped me confront my anxiety and turn it into hope as the days got longer and spring weather began to appear.
Summer 2010: Memory Cassette, “Ghost in the Boombox”
Summer 2010 was the polar opposite of Winter. I had quit my job, my girlfriend returned from a trip around the world and well, it was summer. “Ghost in the Boombox” was sort of a therapeutic song that helped me escape into my imagination on late sunny afternoons. I’d often get the song stuck in my head just before going on long runs. The song also reminds me of Lake Superior. I listened to this song while driving along the coast in the Upper Pennisula.
Summer 2010: Ulrich Sschnauss and Jonas Monk, “Johnny (Sentimental Fool)”
Ulrich Schnauss produced Exit Calm’s debut album. He released an album’s worth of music with Jonas Monk. One of the songs was a song called “Johnny.” “Johnny” is essentially the kind of song that plays on an Asics shoe commercial or in a documentary about traveling and getting in touch with mother nature. It is an instrumental song that is simply inspirational.
Friday, October 8, 2010
What is a Grade?
When a teacher gives a student a grade, what does that grade signify? Does it signify the effort and care a student put into an assignment and/or class? Sure. Some students bust their hump to do they best work possible. Some students, for whatever reason do not.
But this is only what a grade represents, in the least bit. A grade's true meaning is the value a student has placed in a class. A student who got a D did not get it because he did not care. He got the grade because the class or the assignment stunk. Students do bad work because the work they are given is bad to begin with.
Under achieving students are a clear sign something is wrong with the quality of a course. The readings are vague and arduous. Assignments do not reflect a student's knowledge. Discussion is not moderated to filter out or stifle superficial and meaningless comments.
Teachers cannot assume students do not care or are poorly prepared. If they do, then they are letting too much opinion and full blown bias get in the way of compelling the student to grow. In this sense, grades are given, not earned.
Teachers need to look at a course, the material, the assignments, the lectures, and the discussion from students' perspective. Will the student find significance in the learning experience? Sometimes being able to understand the material is enough. Sometimes its not. Sometimes showing how the material can be relevant later in life can help, but probably not.
I'm not trying to solve the answer of how to get students to find meaning in a class and the work. I think it depends on the student and the class. The main point though, is grades should not ultimately reflect a student's achievement and how much they gave a shit in class. The grade is ultimately a reflection of how much a student was compelled by a teacher, enjoyed classed discussion, found quality in the readings, had desire to express learned knowledge through assignments.
Ultimately students are teaching themselves. Yes, teachers put lots of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears into preparing and delivering a class. But students are paying for a worthwhile experience. They have to decipher lectures, comprehend readings, contribute intelligently to discussion, and build elaborate assignments and projects. And they do not know anything about the material from the start! It is the teachers job to make this process awesome! If they do not and a student gets a good grade, well then shit-damn. If a student gets a bad grade, then their is a good chance the class has no value.
But this is only what a grade represents, in the least bit. A grade's true meaning is the value a student has placed in a class. A student who got a D did not get it because he did not care. He got the grade because the class or the assignment stunk. Students do bad work because the work they are given is bad to begin with.
Under achieving students are a clear sign something is wrong with the quality of a course. The readings are vague and arduous. Assignments do not reflect a student's knowledge. Discussion is not moderated to filter out or stifle superficial and meaningless comments.
Teachers cannot assume students do not care or are poorly prepared. If they do, then they are letting too much opinion and full blown bias get in the way of compelling the student to grow. In this sense, grades are given, not earned.
Teachers need to look at a course, the material, the assignments, the lectures, and the discussion from students' perspective. Will the student find significance in the learning experience? Sometimes being able to understand the material is enough. Sometimes its not. Sometimes showing how the material can be relevant later in life can help, but probably not.
I'm not trying to solve the answer of how to get students to find meaning in a class and the work. I think it depends on the student and the class. The main point though, is grades should not ultimately reflect a student's achievement and how much they gave a shit in class. The grade is ultimately a reflection of how much a student was compelled by a teacher, enjoyed classed discussion, found quality in the readings, had desire to express learned knowledge through assignments.
Ultimately students are teaching themselves. Yes, teachers put lots of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears into preparing and delivering a class. But students are paying for a worthwhile experience. They have to decipher lectures, comprehend readings, contribute intelligently to discussion, and build elaborate assignments and projects. And they do not know anything about the material from the start! It is the teachers job to make this process awesome! If they do not and a student gets a good grade, well then shit-damn. If a student gets a bad grade, then their is a good chance the class has no value.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Around the Corner
With warmer days ahead, I look forward to basking in summer air reading books and fighting off bugs. It will be great to revel in my romantic side during the long daylight hours of the year. I am reading my second book of the year which feature Theodore Roosevelt. As the warm air nears, I imagine myself voyaging at will and tackling the adventures that come as Teddy would do. I would love to pass my time hiking through woods and swimming in small lakes, taking breaks here and there to eat cheeseburgers.
There is no rest however, from my studies or my job. Four to five nights a week spent at a certain grocery store I no longer wish to name aloud. I have three classes on my plate for the summer. They will run, unfortunately, from May all the way into August. It may prove to be quite a long summer in fact. I hope at least, my classes are more compelling than what I have taken so far. My mind is in dire need of stimulation, something I feel it has lacked for some time now. My imagination still turns, but I ashamed myself in admitting that I have been lazy in exploiting it. It seems the lackluster courses at Kent State and the absence creative energy in Newbury has stifled my creative passion.
Yet with summer around the corner and the return of certain people in my life I cling hope that energy and passion laying dormant within me, will find some medium with which to escape. It also seems, that warmer air puts an extra step in my stride and adds an extra inch to my smile. It is difficult to be bored when the leaves are green and the grass is dry and inviting.
There is no rest however, from my studies or my job. Four to five nights a week spent at a certain grocery store I no longer wish to name aloud. I have three classes on my plate for the summer. They will run, unfortunately, from May all the way into August. It may prove to be quite a long summer in fact. I hope at least, my classes are more compelling than what I have taken so far. My mind is in dire need of stimulation, something I feel it has lacked for some time now. My imagination still turns, but I ashamed myself in admitting that I have been lazy in exploiting it. It seems the lackluster courses at Kent State and the absence creative energy in Newbury has stifled my creative passion.
Yet with summer around the corner and the return of certain people in my life I cling hope that energy and passion laying dormant within me, will find some medium with which to escape. It also seems, that warmer air puts an extra step in my stride and adds an extra inch to my smile. It is difficult to be bored when the leaves are green and the grass is dry and inviting.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Generation Gap
In a class I recently attended, a fellow classmate made the comment, "People like to see themselves in others. People go to people they understand."
When I take part in job interviews for open librarian positions, one thing I may say is that I believe I can have an immediate impact. I believe this because when I do have the interview I will be 25 or 26 (hopefully!) and fresh out of grad school. I will still be young, full of energy, full of goals, full of passion. Yet, I will still have the taste of confusion and uncertainty lingering on my tongue from my years in high school and undergrad. I believe I can be a person that students will see themselves in.
There is a generation gap between college students and many if not most librarians. Granted, most college students probably do not make great use of their libraries because they do not give a shit. I feel though, in part from my own undergrad experience, that there is a disconnection between students and librarians. It may be because there is no forced interaction between the two. I will argue still, however, that if you had given me a reference librarian 26-33 years of age, I would have consulted her or him more often than I did. Which was very little (and I am ashamed that I did not know better). And I bet you my classmates would have too.
Academic libraries need young librarians. The library needs young librarians to draw patrons to the library and to design the future. Students need young librarians. Young libraries may serve as the image which students relate. Through this connection students may then discover the possibilities the library offers. Young librarians are like a blossoming flower opening up and spreading its beautiful pedals for all to enjoy.
When I take part in job interviews for open librarian positions, one thing I may say is that I believe I can have an immediate impact. I believe this because when I do have the interview I will be 25 or 26 (hopefully!) and fresh out of grad school. I will still be young, full of energy, full of goals, full of passion. Yet, I will still have the taste of confusion and uncertainty lingering on my tongue from my years in high school and undergrad. I believe I can be a person that students will see themselves in.
There is a generation gap between college students and many if not most librarians. Granted, most college students probably do not make great use of their libraries because they do not give a shit. I feel though, in part from my own undergrad experience, that there is a disconnection between students and librarians. It may be because there is no forced interaction between the two. I will argue still, however, that if you had given me a reference librarian 26-33 years of age, I would have consulted her or him more often than I did. Which was very little (and I am ashamed that I did not know better). And I bet you my classmates would have too.
Academic libraries need young librarians. The library needs young librarians to draw patrons to the library and to design the future. Students need young librarians. Young libraries may serve as the image which students relate. Through this connection students may then discover the possibilities the library offers. Young librarians are like a blossoming flower opening up and spreading its beautiful pedals for all to enjoy.
Friday, January 29, 2010
What they don't prepare you for.
At the end of four years of intense schooling, I got a piece of paper that says my name and Bachelors of Arts. The idea was that I was an enlightened person ready to take on the world. Problem is, they do not know where you are going to go and what you are going to do. You are sent out to the world and you have got to make it.
What they do not prepare you for is life disconnected and the inescapable feeling of loneliness. Four years are spent with people who got to know you for you. After four years then, you are all supposed to go home and start your lives. What if your friends were your life? Now you have hundreds, maybe thousands of miles between you and the reason you gave a shit for four years.
I wish my inspiration for writing this was a result of boredom and to much time to think. And maybe it is. In the cold and compelling torment that is northeast Ohio, it has become common to feel like this daily. I do have my dreams and I am working towards them. Undergrad has most definitely prepared me for grad school. What I cannot seem to escape is the dullness of life between childhood and accomplishing ones dreams. You see, when children become adults and have to fend for themselves, they are thrown into a big muddy hole with everyone else who is an adult. Anyone who wants to make something of themselves has to get dirty and climb out of the hole. What they do not prepare you for is at school is this hole. Just because you made yourself a better person, does not mean you are exempt from the pit.
What they do not prepare you for is that you never get to take a break. You never get to be care free. You are not entitled to anything. There are always going to be stupid people. There is more meaning in your life than a party with your friends. They do not prepare you for how awful this all can feel. But they do show you something in yourself that you did not know was there and if that is not enough to get you through, then you're fucked. This is the brutal truth. It's not a happy story, unless you make it one somewhere down the road.
What they do not prepare you for is life disconnected and the inescapable feeling of loneliness. Four years are spent with people who got to know you for you. After four years then, you are all supposed to go home and start your lives. What if your friends were your life? Now you have hundreds, maybe thousands of miles between you and the reason you gave a shit for four years.
I wish my inspiration for writing this was a result of boredom and to much time to think. And maybe it is. In the cold and compelling torment that is northeast Ohio, it has become common to feel like this daily. I do have my dreams and I am working towards them. Undergrad has most definitely prepared me for grad school. What I cannot seem to escape is the dullness of life between childhood and accomplishing ones dreams. You see, when children become adults and have to fend for themselves, they are thrown into a big muddy hole with everyone else who is an adult. Anyone who wants to make something of themselves has to get dirty and climb out of the hole. What they do not prepare you for is at school is this hole. Just because you made yourself a better person, does not mean you are exempt from the pit.
What they do not prepare you for is that you never get to take a break. You never get to be care free. You are not entitled to anything. There are always going to be stupid people. There is more meaning in your life than a party with your friends. They do not prepare you for how awful this all can feel. But they do show you something in yourself that you did not know was there and if that is not enough to get you through, then you're fucked. This is the brutal truth. It's not a happy story, unless you make it one somewhere down the road.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A new year and a fresh start
In the past I have not been very found of the whole New Year's Resolution thing. This year however, I have bought into it. Although, I've given it my own moniker: New Year's Revolution!
There is much I want to do with my life but I find myself failing to live up to my desires be it starting or continuing. I do not like being a follower, but I tend to take notice of fine quality of character and will emulate a person who lives a admirable life. Someone I look up to is following her passions for science and travel, going on a round the world journey visiting numerous countries while studying biology. It makes me so jealous knowing what she will get see and do. It inspires me however, to live up to my own passions no matter how big or small they may be.
Follow your passions and let there be light.
There is much I want to do with my life but I find myself failing to live up to my desires be it starting or continuing. I do not like being a follower, but I tend to take notice of fine quality of character and will emulate a person who lives a admirable life. Someone I look up to is following her passions for science and travel, going on a round the world journey visiting numerous countries while studying biology. It makes me so jealous knowing what she will get see and do. It inspires me however, to live up to my own passions no matter how big or small they may be.
Follow your passions and let there be light.
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