Last week, a promotional company called me at IU South Bend and said they had delivered a bunch of cartons of Twix bars to Notre Dame to give away (this was a new Twix made with peanut butter and chocolate wafers). They ended up with more than they needed so they asked me if I'd want some to give away at new student orientation or any other events. I said sure. I asked how many they had, and he said, "20 cartons." I assumed this to mean 20 cartons of 24 candy bars.
The delivery came, and in comes 10 BOXES of candy bars. Each box had 12 cartons of 24 candy bars. Furthermore, that was only half of the delivery. The delivery guy goes out and brings in 1o more boxes. So, I now have 20 boxes of Twix bars in my office. If you want to do the math, that is a total of 5,760 candy bars.
I like Twix, but not that much. For my family reading this, don't be surprised if Twix bars end up as presents this year.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Listen to Your Body
On Friday morning, Dorene woke up with some severe pain in her lower abdominal area. She first thought it could be appendicitis, but wasn't sure. She took the day off work and decided to go see her doctor later in the afternoon. The pain subsided a bit but was still there throughout the day, although she went with a friend to some garage sales.
At her doctor's appointment, she was told she needed to go to the ER to get tested. Dorene questioned it and was asking, "well, what if it's just some intestinal thing?" The doctor said that she had to play it safe and go get tested. So, somewhat reluctantly, Dorene went to the ER.
I joined her there after work as she was waiting the results of the test. After a couple hours, the nurse came in and said, "You have appendicitis, the surgeon will be down in about an hour to talk about the surgery tonight." Actually, the surgeon came down in about 15 minutes and the preparations were immediately made. He said it was "early" appendicitis. I figured that meant real trouble was a few weeks or months away. He said, no, real trouble was 48 to 72 hours away.
So, Dorene was wheeled up to surgery. One of the surgical assistants on duty that night was a woman named Esther, a good friend of Dorene's and Bible Study regular. Another assistant was part of a family from our former church. So, that was nice. Neither of us was worried about the procedure, and Dorene was especially shocked that she even needed to have surgery, she just didn't think she really had appendicitis.
Surgery was over in about 20 minutes. Dorene came home yesterday and under doctor's orders, will be off work this week. We've already had one family from our church bring us dinner and have been told not to worry about the rest of the week. That's certainly nice.
I am so glad listened to what her body was telling her. Sometimes we can tell others what they should do when it comes to medical issues, but ignore the same advice when it comes to us. Dorene followed through and because of that, prevented what could have been a much more dire situation later in the weekend.
At her doctor's appointment, she was told she needed to go to the ER to get tested. Dorene questioned it and was asking, "well, what if it's just some intestinal thing?" The doctor said that she had to play it safe and go get tested. So, somewhat reluctantly, Dorene went to the ER.
I joined her there after work as she was waiting the results of the test. After a couple hours, the nurse came in and said, "You have appendicitis, the surgeon will be down in about an hour to talk about the surgery tonight." Actually, the surgeon came down in about 15 minutes and the preparations were immediately made. He said it was "early" appendicitis. I figured that meant real trouble was a few weeks or months away. He said, no, real trouble was 48 to 72 hours away.
So, Dorene was wheeled up to surgery. One of the surgical assistants on duty that night was a woman named Esther, a good friend of Dorene's and Bible Study regular. Another assistant was part of a family from our former church. So, that was nice. Neither of us was worried about the procedure, and Dorene was especially shocked that she even needed to have surgery, she just didn't think she really had appendicitis.
Surgery was over in about 20 minutes. Dorene came home yesterday and under doctor's orders, will be off work this week. We've already had one family from our church bring us dinner and have been told not to worry about the rest of the week. That's certainly nice.
I am so glad listened to what her body was telling her. Sometimes we can tell others what they should do when it comes to medical issues, but ignore the same advice when it comes to us. Dorene followed through and because of that, prevented what could have been a much more dire situation later in the weekend.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Football Headlines
So, do you think the latest O.J. story will gone on for a while? Consider this an early Christmas present for Nancy Grace and Geraldo Rivera.
Bill Belicheck is in t-r-o-u-b-l-e. Mr. NFL Commissioner not too happy with what he did in stealing coaching signals. A very stupid move on his part. Belicheck said in a press conference that he's said all he's going to on the subject. Not so fast, I imagine there may be more to come on this one and this could really taint his legacy of 3 Super Bowl wins.
The Arizona Cardinals lost in week 1 because they couldn't recover a fumble. They won this week because of a bonehead play by the Seahawks, fumbling a snap as they drove for the winning field goal. Finally, they are on the right side of a lucky break. If they can keep it going, this could maybe, just maybe, be an interesting year for them.
I heard Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weiss speak at a luncheon back in the spring. Talked about how he and his wife were truly dedicated to planting their roots in South Bend and staying here for a while and being dedicated to giving back to the community. He'd better be careful not to plant those roots too deep, because the fans may be getting out their lawn equipment to pull out some weeds real soon. Weiss says that "God should strike me dead" if he ever uttered the words that this was a rebuilding year. I guess he views an 0-3 start with a total of 10 points scored and not one offensive touchdown as being on the verge of something great. Hmm, wonder if he helped steal signals while he was with the Patriots?
Bill Belicheck is in t-r-o-u-b-l-e. Mr. NFL Commissioner not too happy with what he did in stealing coaching signals. A very stupid move on his part. Belicheck said in a press conference that he's said all he's going to on the subject. Not so fast, I imagine there may be more to come on this one and this could really taint his legacy of 3 Super Bowl wins.
The Arizona Cardinals lost in week 1 because they couldn't recover a fumble. They won this week because of a bonehead play by the Seahawks, fumbling a snap as they drove for the winning field goal. Finally, they are on the right side of a lucky break. If they can keep it going, this could maybe, just maybe, be an interesting year for them.
I heard Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weiss speak at a luncheon back in the spring. Talked about how he and his wife were truly dedicated to planting their roots in South Bend and staying here for a while and being dedicated to giving back to the community. He'd better be careful not to plant those roots too deep, because the fans may be getting out their lawn equipment to pull out some weeds real soon. Weiss says that "God should strike me dead" if he ever uttered the words that this was a rebuilding year. I guess he views an 0-3 start with a total of 10 points scored and not one offensive touchdown as being on the verge of something great. Hmm, wonder if he helped steal signals while he was with the Patriots?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Three Good Movies about Germany (in German)
Over the past few months, I've seen some really good foreign films, all of which are in German. So yes, they are subtitled, but if you'd like a good story, you can't go wrong with any of these.
The Lives of Others
Winner of the Oscar for best foreign film of 2006. This is about the "Stasi," the East German secret police that utlized thousands of informants to keep track of just about everyone in the country that was seen as a threat (during the cold war years, a threat was very loosely defined).
This movie tells the story of a Stasi officer and his latest assignment of spying on a playwright and his girlfriend. This isn't Hollywood, so don't expect non-stop action, but it is a very involving story, very well told, and since the movie is in German, gives it a very authentic touch. In fact, I just read that the actor portraying the Stasi officer was in fact kept under surveillance by the Stasi himself from age 16.
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Wow, what a woman! I had never heard of her, and her story is certainly one of those sidebar items in the whole of World War II that gets tucked away. Sophie Scholl, her brother, and some other students formed the "White Rose" movement. This was a student-led movement of German college students that wrote and distributed anti-Nazi literature.
Scholl and others get caught distributing the information very early on in the movie (this movie starts quickly and is quite suspenseful early on). The rest of the movie is Scholl's interrogation and trial. In fact, a large chunk of the movie is simply Scholl sitting in front of an officer's desk being interrogated. So, this is a very dialogue heavy movie, but boy is it good. I read that the actual transcripts of Scholl's interrogation and trial were just recently discovered, so what you see on screen is almost verbatim as to what happened.
Justice was swift for those that dared to stand up against Hitler, and you'll see what I mean. But Scholl comes of as one courageous figure. Kinda reminds me of that lone Chinese student standing down the tank in Tianemen Square back in 1989. One lowly student, temporarily bringing a whole evil regime to a momentary standstill.
Downfall
My favorite movie of the three. This is the story of Hitler's last days in the bunker. Yep, you've seen it before, but never like this. I think what really helps is having it in German. Instead of English speaking actors portraying Hitler and his henchmen with fake German accents, you have German actors speaking in the native language. That to me really made a difference.
The opening scene kinda throws you a bit. It shows Hitler interviewing several women to be his next secretary. This isn't Hitler the monster, but Hitler the kind superior (his secretary said he always treated her well). But, never fear, Hitler the paranoid maniac does come out before long, and it is just a fascinating portrayal of what all went on in that bunker. Not all of the German officers were convinced of Hitler's strategy during this time, and while some were committed to fighting to the death, others felt quite differently.
With all the maniacs that ran Germany, the one that comes across as the most icy and cold blooded may be Mrs. Goebbels. If you are not familiar with what she does in her final moments, you'll find out. Forget any other portrayals of Nazi Germany you've seen. This is the real deal and I strongly recommend it.
The Lives of Others
Winner of the Oscar for best foreign film of 2006. This is about the "Stasi," the East German secret police that utlized thousands of informants to keep track of just about everyone in the country that was seen as a threat (during the cold war years, a threat was very loosely defined).
This movie tells the story of a Stasi officer and his latest assignment of spying on a playwright and his girlfriend. This isn't Hollywood, so don't expect non-stop action, but it is a very involving story, very well told, and since the movie is in German, gives it a very authentic touch. In fact, I just read that the actor portraying the Stasi officer was in fact kept under surveillance by the Stasi himself from age 16.
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Wow, what a woman! I had never heard of her, and her story is certainly one of those sidebar items in the whole of World War II that gets tucked away. Sophie Scholl, her brother, and some other students formed the "White Rose" movement. This was a student-led movement of German college students that wrote and distributed anti-Nazi literature.
Scholl and others get caught distributing the information very early on in the movie (this movie starts quickly and is quite suspenseful early on). The rest of the movie is Scholl's interrogation and trial. In fact, a large chunk of the movie is simply Scholl sitting in front of an officer's desk being interrogated. So, this is a very dialogue heavy movie, but boy is it good. I read that the actual transcripts of Scholl's interrogation and trial were just recently discovered, so what you see on screen is almost verbatim as to what happened.
Justice was swift for those that dared to stand up against Hitler, and you'll see what I mean. But Scholl comes of as one courageous figure. Kinda reminds me of that lone Chinese student standing down the tank in Tianemen Square back in 1989. One lowly student, temporarily bringing a whole evil regime to a momentary standstill.
Downfall
My favorite movie of the three. This is the story of Hitler's last days in the bunker. Yep, you've seen it before, but never like this. I think what really helps is having it in German. Instead of English speaking actors portraying Hitler and his henchmen with fake German accents, you have German actors speaking in the native language. That to me really made a difference.
The opening scene kinda throws you a bit. It shows Hitler interviewing several women to be his next secretary. This isn't Hitler the monster, but Hitler the kind superior (his secretary said he always treated her well). But, never fear, Hitler the paranoid maniac does come out before long, and it is just a fascinating portrayal of what all went on in that bunker. Not all of the German officers were convinced of Hitler's strategy during this time, and while some were committed to fighting to the death, others felt quite differently.
With all the maniacs that ran Germany, the one that comes across as the most icy and cold blooded may be Mrs. Goebbels. If you are not familiar with what she does in her final moments, you'll find out. Forget any other portrayals of Nazi Germany you've seen. This is the real deal and I strongly recommend it.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
9/11 Remembered?
In years past, I've always watched several documentaries, reflections, etc. as we approached the anniversary of September 11. This year, didn't watch a single one. There didn't seem to be that many on either. Maybe there's not much more to be said that hasn't been said already.
Kinda interesting how such a major event will now probably start to disappear from our memories. Last year was the 5-year anniversary, and a lot was done to commemorate that. But now, the years will keep going by and less and less will get said about it. But maybe that's the point. President Bush urged everyone after the attacks to return to doing what we've always done, not to alter our way of life.
Anna asked me why the flags yesterday were at half-mast. She's too inquisitive to brush her off, so I told her that some very bad people crashed airplanes into some buildings in New York City and a lot of people died. That seemed to satisfy her curiosity and she moved on and didn't ask anymore about it.
Kinda interesting how such a major event will now probably start to disappear from our memories. Last year was the 5-year anniversary, and a lot was done to commemorate that. But now, the years will keep going by and less and less will get said about it. But maybe that's the point. President Bush urged everyone after the attacks to return to doing what we've always done, not to alter our way of life.
Anna asked me why the flags yesterday were at half-mast. She's too inquisitive to brush her off, so I told her that some very bad people crashed airplanes into some buildings in New York City and a lot of people died. That seemed to satisfy her curiosity and she moved on and didn't ask anymore about it.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Headline of the Week
From USA Today, in a preview of next weekend's Notre Dame v. Michigan game: "Clash of the Titanics."
Friday, September 07, 2007
In Front of the Class
For the past two weeks, I've been in class. But unlike the past 10 years as I slowly pecked away at getting my Master's Degree, this time was different. I'm in front of the class . . .in the role of instructor.
I am teaching a class called Threshold Seminar, which is is a learning strategies/study skills class designed for first semester freshmen. More specifically, it's designed for students that are coming in underprepared and need some extra help. This past summer, myself and several other staff were recruited to teach the class. In the past, the class was taught by part-time instructors who taught the class, then left. The idea was now to use full-time employees to teach the class, thus fostering a better connection between student and instructor.
Beginning in early May, we all went to workshops led by Dr. Randy Isaacson, Education instructor extraordinaire, to learn the ropes on teaching the class. A great deal of the time spent in the summer was learning about the new generation of student, known as "millenials" and how they differ from past generations, such as baby boomers and my own, which is "generation x." They think different, learn different, and have different expecations coming in.
It has been both rewarding and a little nerve-wracking teaching thus far. I have a class of 20, ranging from students right out of high school, to those that are older and returning to school after being in the "real world" for a while. At times I'm not sure if they are getting anything I'm telling them, and at other times they've been very responsive. It'll get easier as I go, and I'm looking forward to connecting even more to these students as the semester progresses. They are a great group, and my role is to see them succeed not only this semester, but to lay the foundation that ensures their future success in college. A lot of responsibility there, but it's a challenge I'm glad I took up.
I am teaching a class called Threshold Seminar, which is is a learning strategies/study skills class designed for first semester freshmen. More specifically, it's designed for students that are coming in underprepared and need some extra help. This past summer, myself and several other staff were recruited to teach the class. In the past, the class was taught by part-time instructors who taught the class, then left. The idea was now to use full-time employees to teach the class, thus fostering a better connection between student and instructor.
Beginning in early May, we all went to workshops led by Dr. Randy Isaacson, Education instructor extraordinaire, to learn the ropes on teaching the class. A great deal of the time spent in the summer was learning about the new generation of student, known as "millenials" and how they differ from past generations, such as baby boomers and my own, which is "generation x." They think different, learn different, and have different expecations coming in.
It has been both rewarding and a little nerve-wracking teaching thus far. I have a class of 20, ranging from students right out of high school, to those that are older and returning to school after being in the "real world" for a while. At times I'm not sure if they are getting anything I'm telling them, and at other times they've been very responsive. It'll get easier as I go, and I'm looking forward to connecting even more to these students as the semester progresses. They are a great group, and my role is to see them succeed not only this semester, but to lay the foundation that ensures their future success in college. A lot of responsibility there, but it's a challenge I'm glad I took up.
Monday, September 03, 2007
A Big Pile of #*^#$, Part II
Last year, I went to the Notre Dame v. Michigan game. At the conclusion, a fan uttered, "That was a big pile of suck." My friend Peter called me late Friday night and said he had a ticket for the Georgia Tech game the next day, of which I quickly said yes.
After about the second play from scrimmage, it was obviously going to be a long day. This will be a rebuilding year for the Irish. Notre Dame doesn't do rebuilding years very well, so coach Charlie Weiss isn't gonna have a great time. They went through three quarterbacks en route to a 33-3 loss. The one bright spot was when the third quarterback came in, a freshman by the name of Jamie Clausen, who was the #1 recruit last year. For a freshman, he looked very poised and made some great throws. My friend and I said that maybe if this kid becomes a star, we can look back and say, "We were there when . . ."
The biggest cheer of the day? That was simple. When they announced that Division I-AA school Appalachian State beat #5 Michigan, the place went crazy. Sorry Michigan fans, but it's gonna be a very long time before you live that one down. That's a team Michigan brought in on opening weekend as a sacrificial lamb to beat up on. It's been rightfully called the biggest college football upset ever.
After about the second play from scrimmage, it was obviously going to be a long day. This will be a rebuilding year for the Irish. Notre Dame doesn't do rebuilding years very well, so coach Charlie Weiss isn't gonna have a great time. They went through three quarterbacks en route to a 33-3 loss. The one bright spot was when the third quarterback came in, a freshman by the name of Jamie Clausen, who was the #1 recruit last year. For a freshman, he looked very poised and made some great throws. My friend and I said that maybe if this kid becomes a star, we can look back and say, "We were there when . . ."
The biggest cheer of the day? That was simple. When they announced that Division I-AA school Appalachian State beat #5 Michigan, the place went crazy. Sorry Michigan fans, but it's gonna be a very long time before you live that one down. That's a team Michigan brought in on opening weekend as a sacrificial lamb to beat up on. It's been rightfully called the biggest college football upset ever.
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