Thank goodness we got a break from the drap retirement village rambling. that is, be thankful i have returned from meetings in Alaska, so i can shake your comfort zone! HA figure out what I'm saying and you might just be a PHD!

Well, here we go, down the proverbial rabbit hole! I have been in hiding for a bit now. Let us call it a social experiment. I have spent many of the past days closely monitoring the current “financial crisis”. I wonder quietly, what does this mean? How will this corrupt my style of living, if at all? And still I don’t know. Is everyone else as concerned as I am, as I slurp down my, high fructose corn syrup, injected Mountain Dew?

You know this confusion over our current economic situation reminds me of the confuse felt right after 9/11. I remember, no one knew what to make of it until all of a sudden we were hunting for Saddam Hussein. What a minute that still doesn’t make sense to me.

I would like to slam on the breaks right here….screech…..whew glad we missed that bullet.

Ok, so, my gig here at Lourdes College is not what-so-ever glamorous. However, it is what I love to do. Maybe, you have noticed that I seem to be everywhere, all the time, always. We recently (last week) had a coffeehouse in the Ebeid student center. I was the host-*cough cough*! Enough about me, right! So anywho, we had a lot of great performers share a lot of their personal, deep dark if you will, secret talents. The exciting part is that you never know what kind of goofy, fun or unique talent the person sitting right next to you might have.

I don’t want to keep you from your busy life so let me be brief and rap this nonsensical soap box up. à I’m Matt…..I think you miss out on a lot of great times if you hibernate all winter long…….get your friends together and come to some shows……THEY’RE FREE….. Don’t have any friend?..... Well you are not going to make any sitting in front of the computer reading this rubbish!....... oh and there is a cash bar at the comedian tomorrow night (did I mention)…… I leave you now readers true with a quote from a man unnamed!

Unknown G.I. When asked on patriotism

“Ask any dogface on the line. You’re fighting for your skin on the line. When I enlisted I was patriotic as hell. There’s no patriotism on the line. A boy up there 60 days on the line is in danger every minute. He ain’t fighting for patriotism”

I would like to ask you, can you tell me what war an American might have said this in? à If you know you might get a prize.

Ha-ha NOT

“When life throws you a bone, don’t be so damn hasty to bury it!” ß MCA ‘08

Tell Me A Story I Love You?

Thursday, October 16, 2008 3:46:52 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

I will write a non-traditional blog. This my dear readers is where i wish i was...............................................................................

It is a place of calm, relaxing air. When at the beach all the cares of the world seem to be lifted. Even the most important matters almost vanish as the wind rushes around. There is no place as beautiful as the beach. It is therapy enough to heal any quandary of a weary soul.

            Stepping onto the sun-warmed sand is like walking through a door to a much more magical place, with the grains of sand becoming one between every toe. Every step is greeted by the warm embrace of a caring gentle friend. Bending over to sift the sand through your fingers it is apparent all that exists is right here and right now.

            As each and every speck falls, the cool ocean breeze sweeps it away. The palm trees rustle with glee in the mid-afternoon's sun. The gulls all around seem to just float merrily as if not for the current of air they would be lost. It whistles through your hair as though to gently massage every woe away. The sea smells of salty air, so strong the taste is over whelming.  

            In the distance is a cabana, a little wooden paradise. The thatched roof made of old palm leaves glows in the sun light. It is so close on the horizon that it seems easily attainable while still so far off. Finally, reaching the cabana, sweat dripping from the brow; it is imaginable that there is no other place on earth with so much allure.

Underneath the make-shift roof is a cold refreshing beverage. The glass has condensation on every side. The drink hits your lips with a splash of sour lemonade, with the sweet after taste of mint. It is instantaneously refreshing like a cool mountain stream.

Gazing out from the hut there are two noticeably strong coconut trees standing with pure satisfaction. In their grasp sways a cloth held tightly on both sides, trusting these gentle trees. Languidly inside the hammock, the wind sways it to and fro. Images shoot through the mind as it wanders idly from this nonsense to that.

The noises all around ensure your security from all civilization. The waves rolling up onto the beach come to a calming rumble. The birds sing a gay tune in the air above. The rustling and bustling of the trees float in and out of idle ears. In the distance there is a thunderous roar from the waves smashing against mammoth cliffs. A soft Caribbean tune comes from the cabana down the beach where others enjoy their own personal heaven.

The healing powers of a private beach, on the soul, can be matched by no other. Whether it is here or there, the sights, the smells, and the atmosphere as a whole, stand alone. When troubles weigh heavy, there is only one way to go and that my friend is to the beach.

I just thought it might be nice to get away from all the crap politics. Have a drink, kick your feet up and having a good weekend. Come Monday Wallstreet will have opened back up and one can only wait to see what life will have in store.

                                                               Tell Me A Story I Love You?

Friday, September 19, 2008 3:05:19 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

Week number two is officially over now, only twelve more weeks to go. Let’s think about what has gone done this week…..

·        Labor Day was on Monday we all got that long three day weekend. The weather was amazing to boot.

·        The nation stopped to watch Hurricane Gustav slam into the Gulf coast region leaving millions with out power. Yet, thankfully, spared New Orleans a major calamity.

·        The RNC was postponed a day for the fore mentioned Gustav. Followed by a successful convention, where the nation was able to meet and fall in love with Sarah Palin. The Republicans where able to call out Barrack Hussein Obama and his party on their plan to raise taxes.

·        The nation’s unemployment rate rocketed to a 5 year record high of 6.1 percent. This coming after employers lay off 84,000 workers.

Enough about the outside world lets talk about our home front- What went on here at the college.

ü      Most of us have already had our first quiz.

ü      The Fall fest Luau went on successfully

o       If you missed it here is what you missed-

§         It rained really hard at about 3 O’clock, an hour before the event.

§         The rain stopped at quarter to four and only periodically drizzled

§         There was a hula hoop competition

§         I personally got to be the official hog hacker. This means I got wrist deep inside of a pig. I think that I am going to take a sabbatical from eating pork after that. It was a learning experience, and that’s what life is all about learning new things.

Well I hope that every one enjoyed the week. If you make it to the Greek festival this weekend I look forward to bumping into you. Don’t forget that next Friday, September 12^th at 8pm the improv comedy troupe “Around the Bend Players” will be in the Ebeid Cntr. So, come and visit me down there, as students you get two free tickets. Bring a date, friend or someone close and make sure to get your passport stamped.

As I leave you with this I hope your weekend is full, see ya’ll Mondayà A friend told me, “Life comes in seasons” after putting thought to that I finally understand. For every season in the year there is something to look forward to; Summer brings us the beach and BBQ’s, Fall blows in cool crisp air and the changing of the leaves, Winter brings Christmas and fluffy snow and Spring as we wrap our circle up gives us a release from the cold. So in effect love the season of life you are in now b/c before you know it the season can change. Accepting that you can’t stop the change will make it easier.

Tell Me A Story I Love You?

Friday, September 05, 2008 2:31:22 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [2] | 

Let’s see if I can drive you crazy with how many comma’s I can use!

At Lourdes College you are in a truly unique place. Today I was sitting in the Rec. office, where I spend a lot of my time, and a gentleman from the MOL program came by to check out what we have to offer. A discussion followed that I felt compelled to share.

            As it was I was following my usual pitch. Talking about all the great programs the SAR (Student Activities and Recreation, Dept.) has to offer. The comedy shows, concerts and most importantly the Passport program. It’s so awesome that just for attending sixteen SAR sponsored events, getting your stamps and coming to the Passport party after exams are over you qualify for a top drawing worth 3 free credit hours of class.

Wait, you say, isn’t that worth 1,400 dollars?

Indeed that is correct!

            This is not where the conversation stopped. The gentleman continued to tell me that every one he experienced here said hello. This is my next point; Lourdes College is a personable community. I bet you are wondering why community is underlined. Here it is- I define community as a group of like minded persons working towards a greater goal. If you will this group of like minded people is going to consist of your peers, professors, advisors, student service rep. and the administrators. (Don’t be offended, if you’re reading this you are included) The common goal that is shared from one to the next is simple, it’s your goal. As long as your goal is success, then this is your team.

In life you will find that most people are working for a pay check. Straight up, those people still exist here. Lucky for me they don’t know I’m talking about them (probably not reading this). This is the climatic part, hold on tight. Most every person around is truly here to help the students. “Matt how do you know?” is what you’re asking. Well to break it down, and be really blunt, people who work for private colleges don’t get world class pay and they sure don’t get the same benefits as a large state funded university. I’m not calling anyone a pauper, nor, insanely wealthy.

To wrap it up, could you imagine walking down a hall at The University of Toledo, seeing Dr. Jacobs, and having him remember your first name. HA. Laughable isn’t it? Well I can’t tell you how many times the president of Lourdes College, Dr. H., has walked passed me and said “Hello Matt” or asked me how everything is going.

It’s truth, At Lourdes College you are in a truly unique place.

Let me leave you with this à Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. So when you are stuck in a rut maybe it’s not the system that needs to change, its you!

                                                                                    Tell Me A Story I Love You?

Friday, August 29, 2008 3:22:55 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Alright the first week of fall ’08 is closing up. What a week it has been. For all the new and old students it can be a little intimidating; finding classes, working out a new schedule, buying books, pulling your hair out at FinAid, realizing how long 2 ½ hours really is, and of course making new friends. There are good things about the first week of classes, however, like FREE pizza!!!! How cool is that? There is one thing a Lourdes College student should always remember while at school: No matter how crazy life gets here, someone is always giving away free food.

Now that my passion for free food has been established I think that it is important to get to know the rest of what I’m all about.

My name is Matt. I have attended Lourdes College for about two years. I work full time, I go to school full time and I have a smile on my cheeks full time. My apartment is only a seven minute walk from the college. (SWEET, yeah I know) There are two major things that you should know about me: (1) It is super important to me that everyone gets involve outside the classroom. (it makes Higher Ed a lot more fun) (2) I am not shy whatsoever. I will talk to everybody and nothing can stop me. I am also a bleeding heart artist and a hopeless romantic.

Enough about me! Let’s talk about success in college.

.

The key to success in college is simple. Time management is the key. You don’t have to be the sharpest knife in the spoon drawer to get good grades. It’s all about showing that you can do the work in the time allotted. Don’t misread my words, hard work and determination goes into it. Just don’t get too stressed. college is just a way to show your future employer that “hey this guy/gal can get stuff done.”

So go out buy a day planner (I prefer a day-to-day) manage your time wisely and have fun doing it. What’s life if you didn’t have fun living it?

Also, get to social events around campus where you can meet people who share a common goal. To be successful you must surround yourself with positive, like minded people.

In conclusion I’ll leave you with thisà When people laugh at your ideas it is because they can’t understand. Try going about it a different way.

                                                            Tell Me A Story I Love You?

Thursday, August 28, 2008 4:06:29 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] |