Thursday, October 28, 2004
Gotcha!
I found it! While it took me a whole lot longer than I had anticipated, I found demographic information for the US Military. Presently I haven't got enough time to analyze it for y'all, but I'll post it and promise to run a few calculations this weekend. Hope you enjoy it.
http://www.dior.whs.mil/mmid/M02/fy03/M02_2003_Census.pdf
http://www.dior.whs.mil/mmid/M02/fy03/M02_2003_Census.pdf
US Military Demographics
Here's a fascinating article I dug up online. It's somewhat dated, however, I think you'll still find it engaging. I'm in the process of searching for US military demographics, specifically, the percentage of Mississippians in the US military and the percentage of Mississippians serving in Iraq presently. If I find anything, I'll be sure and post it.
http://www.pfdf.org/collaboration/army/report.html
http://www.pfdf.org/collaboration/army/report.html
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Late nights & straight blights
Real quick; I apologize for not having posted in nearly three weeks. I'm assuming everyone sent their inquiries Benjamin's way (if you remember, early on, he exhibited his willingness to field any number of complaints regarding the frequency or content of postings) because I didn't hear from anyone regarding the dearth of updates. It's either that OR, no one is checking up on me!
As many of you have heard, the program down here has me swamped. The latest in my perpetually evolving theories asserts that the clinical department here asks roughly the same amount of reading as Macalester did, but long gone are the days of one hour tests. In what seems like a very logical progression, I've come a long ways from high school social studies classes with open book for ten minutes or open "all the notes you can cram onto a 3' X 5' notecard." I never laid eyes on a final exam until I attended Macalester and now, well, if I leave the classroom two and a half hours after starting, I say a silent prayer and throw my two index fingers to the heavens. Say nothing of the preparation involved!
So...I got taken to town on my first Quantitative Methods exam (along with several others) and had to reevaluate my game plan in time for the first Adv. Behavioral Neuroscience exam. While it wasn't a whole lot of fun landing a whopping 77 % on that first exam, there is a pattern here and sufficient reason for suppressing the innate panic-button reflex. I can't say, with 100% certainty, if this phenomenon stretches back to high school (although I doubt it...reference earlier comments about social studies courses,) but most assuredly at Macalester. It seems nothing I can tell myself will convince me that I do, in fact, have to study hard wherever I am. Exams do not, all of a sudden, get easier and especially not when you move on to graduate school. That being said, I have always rebounded quite proficiently and salvaged very respectable grades in the end. Which, of course, is what I have every intention of doing once again.
The Neuroscience exam lasted three hours (my roommate was in the classroom a total of four and a half hours) and I managed 87%. Now seems as good a time as any to point out that anything below 80% for a final grade forces the individual to retake that class and if this is your fate three separate instances, well, you fail out of the program...and yes, there are folks who suffer this humiliation. Also worthy of mention is my largely "middle-of-the-road" academic performances thus far, which gives you an idea what at least half my peers are facing. The other half, of course, are kicking my butt and doing just fine.
In preparation for that Neuroscience exam I pulled my first all-nighter right before the exam. Class is typically held at 8 AM and on that particular day, testing commenced at 7 AM in an effort to avoid having our class run into the 9 AM class. The attempt, while noble, was futile as one out of twenty students had finished the exam before 9 AM rolled around. Today we had our second of four Quantitative Methods exams and I must admit I feel it went much more smoothly, although the rumor is that, you never really know until you get your exam back. I would share the cumulative number of hours spent studying for this exam, but I'm afraid it would jeopardize everyone's good health. Oh, and our Advanced Psychopathology class had both a take home and in-class the other week. We'll learn our test scores either this Thursday or next week Tuesday. My take home portion consisted of eleven pages single spaced and the in-class portion lasted two and a half hours. I'm beginning to tire again, just writing about it.
As many of you have heard, the program down here has me swamped. The latest in my perpetually evolving theories asserts that the clinical department here asks roughly the same amount of reading as Macalester did, but long gone are the days of one hour tests. In what seems like a very logical progression, I've come a long ways from high school social studies classes with open book for ten minutes or open "all the notes you can cram onto a 3' X 5' notecard." I never laid eyes on a final exam until I attended Macalester and now, well, if I leave the classroom two and a half hours after starting, I say a silent prayer and throw my two index fingers to the heavens. Say nothing of the preparation involved!
So...I got taken to town on my first Quantitative Methods exam (along with several others) and had to reevaluate my game plan in time for the first Adv. Behavioral Neuroscience exam. While it wasn't a whole lot of fun landing a whopping 77 % on that first exam, there is a pattern here and sufficient reason for suppressing the innate panic-button reflex. I can't say, with 100% certainty, if this phenomenon stretches back to high school (although I doubt it...reference earlier comments about social studies courses,) but most assuredly at Macalester. It seems nothing I can tell myself will convince me that I do, in fact, have to study hard wherever I am. Exams do not, all of a sudden, get easier and especially not when you move on to graduate school. That being said, I have always rebounded quite proficiently and salvaged very respectable grades in the end. Which, of course, is what I have every intention of doing once again.
The Neuroscience exam lasted three hours (my roommate was in the classroom a total of four and a half hours) and I managed 87%. Now seems as good a time as any to point out that anything below 80% for a final grade forces the individual to retake that class and if this is your fate three separate instances, well, you fail out of the program...and yes, there are folks who suffer this humiliation. Also worthy of mention is my largely "middle-of-the-road" academic performances thus far, which gives you an idea what at least half my peers are facing. The other half, of course, are kicking my butt and doing just fine.
In preparation for that Neuroscience exam I pulled my first all-nighter right before the exam. Class is typically held at 8 AM and on that particular day, testing commenced at 7 AM in an effort to avoid having our class run into the 9 AM class. The attempt, while noble, was futile as one out of twenty students had finished the exam before 9 AM rolled around. Today we had our second of four Quantitative Methods exams and I must admit I feel it went much more smoothly, although the rumor is that, you never really know until you get your exam back. I would share the cumulative number of hours spent studying for this exam, but I'm afraid it would jeopardize everyone's good health. Oh, and our Advanced Psychopathology class had both a take home and in-class the other week. We'll learn our test scores either this Thursday or next week Tuesday. My take home portion consisted of eleven pages single spaced and the in-class portion lasted two and a half hours. I'm beginning to tire again, just writing about it.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Predictor
1. St. Olaf
2. Carleton
3. Macalester
4. St. Thomas
5. Hamline
6. St. John's
7. Bethel
8. Gustavus
9. Concordia
10. Augsburg
11. St. Mary's
The Oles will edge the Carls in a heated battle at the top and Macalester will finish a very respectable third, but not ever "really" in the mix. The Carls will of course suffer a let down at the regional meet and here, both St. Olaf and Macalester, will defeat them. I refuse to venture a guess at to the order here. St. Thomas won't crack the top three for the first time in a very long time and Hamline, followed by St. John's, I believe, are safe picks for 5 & 6. After that, I'd typically say I don't much care, however, I've predicted Bethel to bring it on home with a rockstar 7th place showing and THAT is worthy of extra mention. Hotly contested though, with Gustavus threatening to land them in 8th place. We'll see if I'm right.
Also worthy of mention and a good chuckle too I suppose:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3763712.stm
Gotta love the Chinese Track and Field Association!
2. Carleton
3. Macalester
4. St. Thomas
5. Hamline
6. St. John's
7. Bethel
8. Gustavus
9. Concordia
10. Augsburg
11. St. Mary's
The Oles will edge the Carls in a heated battle at the top and Macalester will finish a very respectable third, but not ever "really" in the mix. The Carls will of course suffer a let down at the regional meet and here, both St. Olaf and Macalester, will defeat them. I refuse to venture a guess at to the order here. St. Thomas won't crack the top three for the first time in a very long time and Hamline, followed by St. John's, I believe, are safe picks for 5 & 6. After that, I'd typically say I don't much care, however, I've predicted Bethel to bring it on home with a rockstar 7th place showing and THAT is worthy of extra mention. Hotly contested though, with Gustavus threatening to land them in 8th place. We'll see if I'm right.
Also worthy of mention and a good chuckle too I suppose:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3763712.stm
Gotta love the Chinese Track and Field Association!
Friday, October 01, 2004
Riots
Y'all don't realize how much fun this has been for me. Reading the responses and discussion that ensued has been a riot. I apologize for having waited so long to address everyone's comments, but I was busy having my ass tanned a sunset-red by our 40-year-old statistics professor. Let us start at the beginning.
Per, damn good to hear from you. Your input is always welcome and encouraged. The only real stipulation I'd like to make is that your input really isn't welcome when you go about tanning my ass a somewhat less robust sunset-red. Alright, so I'm kidding. However, I must say, "Well put kid, well put." I hope that drafting this response to the many critiques of my post will prove beneficial when I set about composing papers for class again. I was having flashbacks to the red-inked term papers I'd get back while at Macalester.
Most often, I write about things that either amuse me in the moment or will amuse me upon receipt of an anticipated reaction. I'm well aware that the general consensus regarding my status as a funny man is wanting, but I DO enjoy the way I think and DO amuse myself. I'm perfectly willing to ignore certain sides of an issue or story if I find it makes me smile. I also recognize this notion flies in the face of much of how other folks observe my character.
Officially, I'm clarifying this is for Per's sake, however, I suspect there are others who don't recognize what I'm alluding to and are confused. My understanding of the impression I give off when confronted with seemingly unformulated opinions and ideas is one of an unforgiving and ruthless nature. I reckon this is the product of a self-conscious/defeating streak pertaining to my own capacity to form compelling ideas and arguments. Often times, when presented with partially formed ideas, I'll respond in a less than mature fashion and berate both the individual and their argument vehemently. The most simple and logical reason being because it's rude and irresponsible to be uninformed (and yes I typically assume they are, even if it's unfair to assume so quickly,) but the second and somewhat less likely reason is because it makes me feel good. Something like how a thirteen-year-old man/child belittles his prepubescent peer. Hey, we're all human...ain't a single one of you who hasn't done something similar. For the record, I don't always feel good about it afterwards.
However, it is true, I do hate it when others fail to integrate the "whole story" into their opinions and ideas of the world. Not to beat a dead horse, but nothing annoyed me more than folks who flat out refused to watch Michael Moore's, "Fahrenheit 911." Others know that I am equally incensed by Michael Moore's decision to portray half the story. I feel he did a disservice to our country and likely further jeopardized the liberal agenda by being a jackass for far to long. Why is it then that I could write about a portion of the "whole story" and not Michael Moore. Well (stick with me now,) I know what I know and knowing what I know about what I know, I feel comfortable in citing only half or perhaps two thirds of the story because I believe I already know a great deal about what the other side has to say. Why can I do this and not Michael Moore? Damnit, he was in a position to educate millions, if not billions of people...really show them his closest approximation of the truth and he didn't do it. Michael Moore, yes, has made his millions as a provocative filmmaker pushing the liberal agenda, but when that film came out and all eyes were affixed on him, he could have made a real difference, a bigger difference, by telling the closest approximation of the "truth." As for me, well, I've got about six readers who already agree with most of my own sentiments and so I write first to amuse me and secondly, to amuse you.
Wow, I have got to be about the most tangential writer ever to have walked to face of the earth. Again, I'm gonna leave the print as it falls because I believe it provides y'all with the most food for thought. And so, to a certain healthy extent, yes, I do wish I was African-American. This conviction is unswayed by the fact that African-Americans face a great deal of persecution in present-day society. It's not cool that African-Americans are persecuted and if I had my choice, I would wish they weren't persecuted, but aside from the hip-hop, blues, r&b, style, fashion, walk, rhythm, humor, greetings, pimped rides, women with nice big round asses, fast twitch muscles, beautiful skin, voice qualilty, being cool without being a thug, all of which I enjoy to a large extent, I admire their confidence in the face of adversity. A dim witted white man, as far as I can tell, belittles the black man because they're intimidated by how powerful this culture has become. Confidence is infectious and in my estimation, African-American culture has an abundance of it.
The Asian-American minority, likely because they are considered the model minority, appeals to me less. The allure in being a part of the minority, for me, is in exclusive community. I know the argument doesn't make this world a better place, but I'm particularly drawn to the African-American culture because it is a predominately exclusive culture. Whole scale integration frightens me because I foresee distinct cultures disappearing if we become to homogeneous as a society. Of course, on the other hand, the likelihood of racism and adverse stereotyping goes down as integration increases. Like most things, some place in the middle is where we want to be on this one I guess.
Damn, there's to much to address. I was going to try and respond to it all in one post but, I'll be here forever. Why doesn't everyone ruminate on this a bit and I'll warm up the comments section...thereby making it nice and cozy for everyone. I promise to address more of your inquiries before Monday. Peace out everyone.
Per, damn good to hear from you. Your input is always welcome and encouraged. The only real stipulation I'd like to make is that your input really isn't welcome when you go about tanning my ass a somewhat less robust sunset-red. Alright, so I'm kidding. However, I must say, "Well put kid, well put." I hope that drafting this response to the many critiques of my post will prove beneficial when I set about composing papers for class again. I was having flashbacks to the red-inked term papers I'd get back while at Macalester.
Most often, I write about things that either amuse me in the moment or will amuse me upon receipt of an anticipated reaction. I'm well aware that the general consensus regarding my status as a funny man is wanting, but I DO enjoy the way I think and DO amuse myself. I'm perfectly willing to ignore certain sides of an issue or story if I find it makes me smile. I also recognize this notion flies in the face of much of how other folks observe my character.
Officially, I'm clarifying this is for Per's sake, however, I suspect there are others who don't recognize what I'm alluding to and are confused. My understanding of the impression I give off when confronted with seemingly unformulated opinions and ideas is one of an unforgiving and ruthless nature. I reckon this is the product of a self-conscious/defeating streak pertaining to my own capacity to form compelling ideas and arguments. Often times, when presented with partially formed ideas, I'll respond in a less than mature fashion and berate both the individual and their argument vehemently. The most simple and logical reason being because it's rude and irresponsible to be uninformed (and yes I typically assume they are, even if it's unfair to assume so quickly,) but the second and somewhat less likely reason is because it makes me feel good. Something like how a thirteen-year-old man/child belittles his prepubescent peer. Hey, we're all human...ain't a single one of you who hasn't done something similar. For the record, I don't always feel good about it afterwards.
However, it is true, I do hate it when others fail to integrate the "whole story" into their opinions and ideas of the world. Not to beat a dead horse, but nothing annoyed me more than folks who flat out refused to watch Michael Moore's, "Fahrenheit 911." Others know that I am equally incensed by Michael Moore's decision to portray half the story. I feel he did a disservice to our country and likely further jeopardized the liberal agenda by being a jackass for far to long. Why is it then that I could write about a portion of the "whole story" and not Michael Moore. Well (stick with me now,) I know what I know and knowing what I know about what I know, I feel comfortable in citing only half or perhaps two thirds of the story because I believe I already know a great deal about what the other side has to say. Why can I do this and not Michael Moore? Damnit, he was in a position to educate millions, if not billions of people...really show them his closest approximation of the truth and he didn't do it. Michael Moore, yes, has made his millions as a provocative filmmaker pushing the liberal agenda, but when that film came out and all eyes were affixed on him, he could have made a real difference, a bigger difference, by telling the closest approximation of the "truth." As for me, well, I've got about six readers who already agree with most of my own sentiments and so I write first to amuse me and secondly, to amuse you.
Wow, I have got to be about the most tangential writer ever to have walked to face of the earth. Again, I'm gonna leave the print as it falls because I believe it provides y'all with the most food for thought. And so, to a certain healthy extent, yes, I do wish I was African-American. This conviction is unswayed by the fact that African-Americans face a great deal of persecution in present-day society. It's not cool that African-Americans are persecuted and if I had my choice, I would wish they weren't persecuted, but aside from the hip-hop, blues, r&b, style, fashion, walk, rhythm, humor, greetings, pimped rides, women with nice big round asses, fast twitch muscles, beautiful skin, voice qualilty, being cool without being a thug, all of which I enjoy to a large extent, I admire their confidence in the face of adversity. A dim witted white man, as far as I can tell, belittles the black man because they're intimidated by how powerful this culture has become. Confidence is infectious and in my estimation, African-American culture has an abundance of it.
The Asian-American minority, likely because they are considered the model minority, appeals to me less. The allure in being a part of the minority, for me, is in exclusive community. I know the argument doesn't make this world a better place, but I'm particularly drawn to the African-American culture because it is a predominately exclusive culture. Whole scale integration frightens me because I foresee distinct cultures disappearing if we become to homogeneous as a society. Of course, on the other hand, the likelihood of racism and adverse stereotyping goes down as integration increases. Like most things, some place in the middle is where we want to be on this one I guess.
Damn, there's to much to address. I was going to try and respond to it all in one post but, I'll be here forever. Why doesn't everyone ruminate on this a bit and I'll warm up the comments section...thereby making it nice and cozy for everyone. I promise to address more of your inquiries before Monday. Peace out everyone.
