I recently had one of those moments when I could’ve sworn my thoughts appeared to everybody else in a bubble above my head and my environment was really drawn by the same people who did Bugs Bunny for Warner Brothers. (best cartoons EVER, by the way.)

I wanted to borrow a CD from the excellent Toledo Lucas County Public Library system. They have so much stuff and have made it incredibly easy to do. I’ve done it hundreds of times—go online, access the catalog, find the wanted material, and request it sent to the branch of my choice. Hundreds of times.

This time was different for some reason.

I had to get the song Purple People Eater. Just had to. Don’t worry, it’s a real oldie and it’s never coming back. The One-Eyed, One-Horned Flying Purple People Eater. The question about that song was never “Why are we listening to such awful stuff?” (answer: it’s fun) but always “Is he himself purple or does he eat purple people?” There really isn’t any way I could start wondering and then stop wondering.

I found the disc I wanted after searching just a little. I asked for them to have it ready for me at the Washington branch; it’s pretty close to my home. I was encouraged because I noted that there was a disc available in a few places, one of them being the Washington branch. Should I just go in there myself and get it from the stacks or should I order it online, make them walk out, retrieve it, and bring it back to the desk for me? I actually thought about it for a minute before I ordered it.

Then I waited for the call to tell me my disc was ready. And I waited. And then I waited some more. Five days I waited. Checking back on line, I saw that this item was marked IN TRANSIT on my account. In transit? They have a copy in the building!  

After a week I went to the library to take care of this. I’ll walk back to the stacks myself if I have to, but I’m getting to the bottom of this.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah, thanks. I have a disc ordered; I’d like to get it please.”

“It says here that it is in transit. That means…”

“I know what that means, thanks. I was wondering if you could tell me why it’s been in transit for a week now.”

“Sometimes it just takes a while.”

I thought ‘Oh come on. Toledo isn’t THAT big.’

I said, “It takes a while, huh? Ma’am, isn’t it true that this item is available right here in this branch?”

I couldn’t stop thinking about this poor disc in the back of the library. It probably hadn’t been requested in years and years, and now that he’s needed again, no one knows he’s here. I envisioned this poor disc thinking that ‘if no one knows I’m here, I’ll have to get to the front desk myself,’ forcing himself off the rack, and trying to walk to the desk. Of course he’s been in transit for over a week. He doesn’t have legs!

I realized she had been speaking to me this whole time. I’d better listen.

I hear “It’s coming from Toledo Heights.” “Sir? Sir?”

Of course I was now thinking ‘Toledo has Heights? I’ve lived here my whole life and now I hear that Toledo has Heights? Where exactly? I thought that the 3 foot rise on the way to the front door of The Learning Center was the highest elevation in NW Ohio’

Back to the present, with a note to myself to take the time to find these heights and climb them.

“Sir? Are you alright?”

“Ma’am, listen very carefully, please. I believe you should see that you have a copy of this disc right here. Why can’t I just have that one?”

“Well, that’s highly unusual.”

?????????????????? I thought, 'It isn’t unusual that you have people bringing this disc down from The Great Heights of Toledo and “transited” across town when you have one here? You say THIS is unusual?' ???????????

“Sir? Sir? I think I’ll just get that for you, ok?”

“My thoughts exactly. Thanks very much.”

Turns out I remembered it correctly; it is a pretty fun tune. Dated like all get out, but fun. I wondered how many other tunes have faded into my memory waiting to be remembered and enjoyed again, but those are thoughts for another time.

And incidentally, he says in the song that he eats purple people. Of course he does.

Friday, April 04, 2008 3:29:43 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

Running for Bob has joined the LourdesWorld Blog Center as a new Student blogger!

Friday, April 04, 2008 8:55:38 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Lourdes College alumnus Matthew Horen has been named Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Association of Teacher Educators (OATE). During the 2008 OATE banquet on April 3, Matthew was presented with an award for this honor.

Last December, Matthew graduated from Lourdes College with a Bachelors Degree in Adolescence to Young Adult Education. As part of his undergraduate program, Matthew served as a student teacher at Sylvania Northview and completed a 20-day field experience at Whitmer High School.

“The College's high level of technology and teaching methods combined with the outstanding faculty has prepared me for teaching today’s youth,” says Matthew. “The drive for excellence that the College stresses has challenged and pushed me to achieve new heights in both academic and professional areas of my life.”

OATE’s Outstanding Student Teacher award recognizes a student teacher who has demonstrated innovation and exemplary practice during his or her student teaching and who has been identified by faculty as an “outstanding” educator. Nominations were limited to one student teacher candidate per institution.

The Ohio Association of Teacher Educators is a professional association, open to all who work with the preparation of teachers. The OATE promotes quality teacher education programs for initial preparation, induction and continuing professional development and is one of the two founding members of the Ohio Confederation of Teacher Education Organizations (OCTEO). 

Matthew Horen with OATE Award

Thursday, April 03, 2008 10:25:07 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

I have found it hard to break away from thinking about Dr. King and our nation’s trek toward equality after my last blog. I would so love to believe that “The Dream” has gotten closer to reality, but I see mixed results at best. How do you make sense of some of this stuff?

We all know about the remarkable journey of Senator Obama. He keeps going, getting ever nearer the goal, dealing with race in ways I didn’t think would happen in my lifetime. Every American now has to deal with his/her convictions, no more putting it off. It’s wonderful.

At the same time, I can’t get past the stats released by the Department of Justice recently. In case you haven’t yet seen it, let me explain why I bring it up here. The numbers describe who exactly is in our jails, and it is a real eye-opener.

There are many numbers here, and almost all of the stats make you scratch your head, but let me focus on just a couple.

First, the DOJ says that of all those incarcerated in the U.S., over 40% are black, 36% white. What is that all about? 13% of the population as a whole, 40% of the jailed population? I don’t know, statistics students, would that be significant?

Next, take a look at this. 1 in 106 white men age 18 or older are in prison. I guess that seems about right, but I don’t really know what the optimal number would be except maybe 0. What I do know is that this next number, even with different age parameters, puts it in a different perspective.

1 in 9 black men age 20 to 34 are in prison. 11%? Impossible. How can that be? When I heard these numbers first on NPR I thought that surely I had heard it wrong. Maybe I was actually paying attention to my driving and not listening carefully. I know, that doesn’t sound much like me. Of course I then checked it out and there it was.

I guess it would be prudent to mention the female totals, they are interesting as well. In case you wondered, about 11 out of every 12 prisoners in America are male. (Oh good, something we can joke about.) Using that as a basis, let’s look at the racial makeup: 1 in 355 white women age 35 to 39 are in prison, while 1 in 100 black women of the same age bracket (35 to 39) are likewise incarcerated.    

There have to be reasons beyond the obvious. I’m not sure how to understand this especially in light of the presidential race. Any thoughts? Any comments? Any solutions? Li'l help.

Maybe we’re just still dreaming.

Sources: U.S Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006.

              Pew Public Safety Project

              Time Magazine

Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:40:13 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [3] | 

Lourdes College is offering entertainment in the form of comedic one-act plays. On Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, the Lourdes College Drama Club will present A Night of One Acts starting at 7 p.m. in the Ebeid Student Center located in the lower level of Delp Hall. Performances will include the following scripts:

                        1-900-Desperate            by Christopher Durang

                        Babel's in Arms            by David Ives

                        DMV Tyrant                  by Christopher Durang

                        The M Word                 by Alan Ball

                        The Philadelphia          by David Ives

A Night of One Acts is free and open to the public. Reserved seating is available. For more information, contact Keith Ramsdell, Drama Club Advisor, at 419-517-8881.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008 10:22:07 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

This week is the 40^th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s hard to believe that the number 40 is correct. Really? Could it have been that long ago?

There are reminiscences and interviews, tributes and ‘what-ifs’ galore, and you’ll have to try hard to avoid them. Well, if you want to avoid them, stop reading this now.

I remember that day well. I was a young man (yes, it’s hard to believe, but I actually was young at one time. Stop it) and I think I lacked a bit of perspective. Looking back, I think the whole country did as well. Surprised but not shocked. It felt as though the event had a certain inevitability to it.

I remember the times. It’s hard to believe, but assassinations were, while not commonplace, occurring with some regularity. President Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas, and his alleged assassin was himself killed days later, all of this live on television. Three New York Civil Rights workers were murdered in Mississippi while pushing to register voters. Malcolm X was similarly killed earlier that decade. Horror seemed to simply change to anger and angst, but not righteous outrage. If you were trying to change the mindsets of people who were benefiting from the status quo, apparently death was going to be a part of the equation. It was more than just a symbolic risk you took, there was a good chance.

Violence seemed to be everywhere; war in Southeast Asia, riots in Watts and Detroit, political upheaval everywhere you looked.

Amid all of that, I do remember how the idea of Nonviolent Resistance took hold of people. What a powerful message for all of us. What courage it took to do what he did! This was truly someone I could use to measure myself and my life against, always striving to be better. I got courage from watching him face constant anger and violence with calm purpose. It was hard to believe that anybody could do that knowing what could happen.

Of course, the manner of his death unleashed that message and keeps Dr. King alive. Nonviolent Resistance still communicates and accomplishes where violence doesn’t. His son delivered that thought to us here at Lourdes College recently and brought all of this back to me.

40 years ago. It’s hard to believe in so many ways.

Monday, March 31, 2008 2:27:02 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Here is the way an interview with Chris Matthews would really go:

Chris: Welcome to the show. I am THE Chris Matthews. Let's play Hardball - That is I throw the fastball and you get hit.

Matthews: Professor Lanigan, welcome to MY show

Lanigan: Thank You. I am...

Chris: Now, wait a minute. Why do you you professors always start out a sentence with I ? It's as though you think that the world really cares about you and what you have to say. Now, who are you supporting for President?

Lanigan: I am supporting Senator Obama. I..

Matthews: Now, wait just a minute. Do you really think that you, as a professor, should be indicating who you are supporting for president? Are you one of those professors who tries to shove his beliefs down the collective throats of students who have paid a lot of money to sit in your classes? Anyway, why do you support Obama?

Lanigan: I believe that his vision for...

Matthews: HOLD ON. There is that word vision again. That means nothing. People aren't interested in vision. Vision doesn't put food on the table or pay the electric bill.  Anyway, do you believe that Hillary Clinton should drop out of the race at this point?

Lanigan: It would probably be good for the party if she....

Matthews: Come on. There you go again. It sounds as though that is your party. Are all professors Democrats? That is what is wrong with this country today. There is no unbiased objective commentary out there, except , of course, on MY show. Now, calling upon the enormous amount of collective wisdom that you and other professors think, unjustly so, that they possess, please inform those of us who aren't as brilliant as you are, who will win the presidential election that the country will be experiencing come this November, and keep in mind that the election will not be until November so all that you say at this point is really meaningless.

Lanigan: Regardless of who gets the nomination of the Democratic Party, the general election will be close....

Matthews: Stop now. You are not saying anything that I don't already know. Have some substance to what you say. I could have brought on someone from the Fixed News Channel for that brilliant analysis. Why do you professors always hedge your bet? Come out and take a stance. But, I am afraid that we will have to wait until your next appearance on the show, which will occur when the Cleveland Indians win the World Series, to learn what nobody really wants to know anyway and that is who you think will win the election, which by the way I would like to inform those in the largely uninformed public will be held next November. Now, of course, if they tuned in every other hour to MY show, they would not be as uneducated as they are. I have found this to be very enlightening but then again everything that I say is enlightening. Now, I hesitate to say this because I know that professors have a tendency to talk too much, but do you have any final word to say to the public that is on the edge of their seats waiting for you to actually say something that will be of some value as they try hard to make it in an economy that is frankly in horrendous shape thanks to politicians who have no understanding of what is happening in the lives of ordinary people and to television commentators who are afraid and unwilliing to ask the tough questions of their elected officials?

Lanigan: Yes, thank you for having me on Mr. Biden. Now you can go.....

Matthews: See, I knew that you couldn't end this spectacular interview with just one word.

Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:09:44 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

I am so tired of shoveling the snow and wearing big coats with my signature hats, when is it gonna stop snowing ! I am ready for the warm weather and the flowers to bloom! I can not wait to start flying the new Kite I brought my nephew a week ago I think I am more excited then he is . lol :)

I hope eveyone stays warm this weekend !

Friday, March 28, 2008 11:14:50 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

The Lourdes College 2008 Commencement Ceremony is being moved to the SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Avenue, in downtown Toledo. The College has experienced enrollment increases over the last four years which has culminated in a record number of graduates for 2008.

 “The decision to move from the Stranahan Theater to the SeaGate Convention Centre was based on the available seating for the graduates’ family and friends who want to attend commencement,” offers President Robert Helmer, Ph.D., J.D.

Known for the personalized and caring education it offers, the new venue allows this year’s graduates the opportunity to invite as many guests as they wish. “The May 17^th Commencement Ceremony is a day of celebration for our graduates,” adds Dr. Helmer. “It was important that Lourdes not lose sight of what makes us distinct. When students attend a larger college or university, they often receive a limited number of tickets for commencement. Lourdes does not issue tickets and the SeaGate Centre allows us to carry on that tradition.”

Friday, March 28, 2008 10:19:24 AM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

You know I don't about spring break, it makes me not want to come back to school I almost forgot we were still in shcool ! I love the two week Spring break it was great, but I have to admit I was getting a little restless just sittting aroun the house ! I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring break !

P.S. Sheena and Dawn G. I hope you guys got a chance to catch up on your school work, because I didn't lol !  :)

Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:10:35 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Hello All! We are back from our fabulous trip to Jacksonville, Fl. What a trip it was! Yes it was a long drive, but not bad at all when you are surrounded by all your loving buddies!

Once we arrived at the church, we were greeted by a man named Bob who showed us where we could rest our sleepy, tired little heads. Where you ask was that? In a lovely little office building next to the church where we all pulled up a piece of the floor to take a power nap! (all except for princess Krystal who was hand delivered a fluffy mattress!)Don't get me wrong, none of us cared that there were giant dead bugs laying with us or that it was 80 degrees in there, we were just happy to finally be able to stretch out!

Once we woke, we headed over to the hall to eat an awesome lunch with about 300 people.  The funny thing about that was I had a shirt on that said: "Pick one: A. I don't care / B. I don't know " I did not feel real comfy at this point in the trip. But, still funny. Then after we all ate and located our swimsuits, we showered and headed off to the beach! What an awesome beach it was! Most of us went in the ocean and all of us received some sort of a sun burn.

The work week was hard work, but we loved it! My favorite part was siding! We were able to side almost an entire house the first day we worked. It was great to see the result of all our hard work. My least favorite task was landscaping! That consisted of leveling the yard and then laying sod.  The sod down South however is not at all like the sod up North! Their sod is cut into rectangles, brown crab grass, and filled with ants that bite you (just ask Brittany, they got in her pants as soon as we arrived at the work site!) and lizards that jump into your face without any warning! But, it was a fabulous time while we listened to Billy Gene on the radio and sang to other workers on their work sites via cell phones.

I will post pictures of our trip at a later time only because they are not on the computer I am blogging from.

More on the whole trip later......

P.S. Buddies....."Get r Dun"

Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:35:49 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [3] |