Remember when... cuz' I sure don't

1960-1969.
So much happened. Now, in '69, when they first went to the moon, I'd argue that lots of people had been "going to the moon" that decade, if you catch my drift. There's a reason people say, "If you're old enough to remember the sixties, you don't remember the sixties." My brother belonged in the sixties, he's kind of a hippie. Unfortunately for myself and both of my siblings, we are not old enough to remember the sixties, and do not.

The 1970's, now that's where I belonged. I love the culture of America in the seventies. I should have been born back then, because that's what I love... I was not born in the 70's. I do not remember the seventies. I missed the seventies.

Now, the 80's, my brother was born in the 80's. Another great time in America! Great movies, great hairstyles, great music, who wouldn't love the 80's? There's a movie coming out called "Hot Tub Time Machine" (I know, some intelligent beings coming up with these screenplays, right?) where these fellas are hanging out in a hot tub in 2010, fall asleep, and wake up in 1987, or so. Looks funny, no Grammy for plot line, but probably funny. I digress.

What a time. Remember the 80's? I do not remember the 80's. I barely missed the 80's... I was made in the 80's!

February 27th, 1990. That's when I was born. Barely missed the 80's, just seeing how the 1990's were going to line up.

The week I was born, the #1 song was "Opposites Attract" as a duet by Paula Abdul and The Wild Pair. "Bust a Move" by Young MC had been on the Top 100 chart for 39 straight weeks, "The Bradys" failed 'Brady Bunch' spin-off had just started, and "America's Funniest Home Videos" was only about 6 weeks old.

"Home Improvement" wouldn't start for another year and a half, and "Full House" was 2 1/2 years old, and would run for another 5 seasons. 1990 was a good year. The 90's were a good time. The internet-- if you're reading this, you are probably familiar with the internet, which got very popular in the 90's.

In 1990, the 49's won the Super Bowl, The Cincinnati Reds swept the Oakland Athletics in the World Series, and strangely, there were no Winter Olympics held in 1990.

The culture of the time has had a huge effect on me. My parents emerged me in the culture, from Sesame Street, and my personal favorite, Thomas the Tank Engine, to my favorite childhood movie, The Jungle Book. We had cable, so I watched the child's network Nickelodeon religiously, and the radio was always on the pop culture stations, simply because my mother had just had her second child, and was trying to "stay young."

All in all, I'm glad with when I was born, because I've enjoyed my time here on earth. Thanks, America for all the changes and chances you've given me thus far.

If you have a legitimate, interesting, or in any way valid response, please leave it in my comments section.

~~Thought for the Day~~


Vegan: "I just don't have the strength to block out the screams in my conscience telling me that eating meat is murder."

Guy: "That's because you need more protein."


Until next time, stay awesome.

~B

Journalism 101, DAMMIT!!

"WE NEED JOURNALISM!!! Now that we have it, we're gon' show main what we got. They don't care none 'bout us all'th way up here in B.F.E. Kirksville, Missou-rah

Deadlines MUST be met on time, we WILL be published in the Kirksville Daily, and we BETTER DAMN WELL get into the Greyhound Express, or by gawd, I'ma be madder 'an a hen passing a goose egg."


Now, I'm not going to say who this sounds like, but all my Journalism people know who it is, I'm sure of it.

This class, Journalism 101 at Moberly Area Community College- Kirksville Higher Education Center, is a pet project for a few instructor/educator/faculty member/staff member/administrators (don't want to give it away), and they will have absolutely nobody stand in their way to have it.

These folks, I've got two in mind, are excited to have this class, but "excited" is not even close to the right word. These folks will do anything to get you a story because they like it. They are looking for students who are just as "excited" about the news as they are.

Most students, however, want a class that maximizes interest, while minimizing workload. Now, I'm sure there are a few who are outside the realm of this "Lazy Scale," but most people will not share the same fiery passion as the ones who got it going. The ones who started the program. The one whose "baby" the class is, and always will be.

These things always happen. The best way to deal with this issue is to just wait it out. By this, of course, I mean that after these folks are gone, the class will level out. Sure, it will still be some work... but once the "mother hen" is out of the coop, things will calm down. Personally, I can't wait until these two folks leave, because I can't hardly stand either one of 'em!

Just kidding Jean Sherer and Artie Fowler, we all love you and appreciate your enthusiasm.

So, if you have a legitimate, interesting, or in any way valid response, please leave it in my comments section.

~~Thought for the Day~~

"How long does our essay have to be?"

"A good essay is like a young gal's skirt...

long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to keep things interesting."


Until next time, stay awesome.

~B

The asian woman behind the wheel, watermelon and fried chicken, and the ditzy, drunkard blonde chick...the continuation...

...but I have never heard of "Black Independence Day." Is it celebrated? What is the accepted date? Why not celebrate "American" Independence Day as well? Aren't you an American?

In any case, how we identify with groups, and who we choose to identify with are very interesting and important to get into. Aside from those topics, the idea that we are put into certain groups by others is also interesting, especially when they are incorrect, which they often are.

So, if you have a legitimate, interesting, or in any way valid response, please leave it in my comments section. (or if you have an alternative and non-offensive word to substitute for "African-American")


~~Thought for the Day~~


"I'd rather be a crying pussy than some faggy goth kid." -Butters Scotch from South Park


Until next time, stay awesome!

The asian woman behind the wheel, watermelon and fried chicken, and the ditzy, drunkard blonde chick

Today in the social psych class, we discussed stereotypes, could you tell?

There is one young, black man in my psych class. Within the context of the class, in order to show that stereotypes are often incorrect, the instructor asked him if on the Fourth of July, his family gathers to dance and eat watermelon and fried chicken. He simply answered, no.

He was not upset by any means, but after class he said something very interesting that I have never considered. He said that when the Declaration of Independence was signed, back in 1776, it specifically did not include, but rather discounted, black slaves at the time. It was specifically noted that the black slaves would not be included, and in fact, the blacks were not officially liberated until the 60's, according to my instructor.

The interesting part was that he said his family does not celebrate the 4th of July, since their ancestors were not liberated on that date.

This is something I had never considered... I'll get back to that.

"German-Americans"- Nationally German people who emigrate to the United States.
"Italian-Americans"- People from Italy who then come to America.
"African-Americans"- black people, typically people whose ancestors are from Africa.
"Caucasians"- white people, typically people whose ancestors are from Europe.

Hmmmm? Okay, let's take a look at this now. My ancestors are from Italy, Germany, and Ireland, primarily. I am not an Italian-German-Irish-American. Hell, I'm not even a European-American. I'm a Caucasian. I'm an American. I'm white.

I understand if we're not comfortable with colors. "White people" "Black people" "Brown people" "Yellow people" Red people" et cetera. Let's come up with a socially acceptable word, that is also accurate. "African-American" is not accurate.

Okay, back to Independence Day.

Now, if we, the people born in America, are "American," then it is all of our freedom that we celebrate. I understand wanting to identify with your heritage, for instance, I make a big deal out of St. Paddy's Day because part of my lineage is Irish....

More to follow... have to go to class