Among the many blogs I read, today’s curious case was from the latest post in Quiet Babylon and the Scott Adams’s blog.

Tim Maly, the author of Quiet Babylon, in today’s post dated Sept. 3rd 2010, talks about the concept, history, fiction, and reality of Cyborgs. He said:

So when you think about cyborgs, [...] Don’t think about total loss of self, bodies encroached and erased by technology, humanity swallowed whole. Instead think of cellphones. Think about off-loaded memories, of constantly renewed enhancement and new abilities. But also think about insistent ringtones, and demanding interruptions, think of externally controlled access, and a reliance on a sprawling infrastructure. [emphasis added]

Curiously, Scott Adams, on the same day, talks about cell phones and the need for renaming the device. He said:

My suggestion, which I offer simply to prime the pump, is to call the phone your “head.” This term recognizes that you are essentially a cyborg with a detachable brain. You offload a lot of your memory into your device, and it helps you communicate and gather information, just like the other parts of your general skull area.

Also, neither post links to the other or even acknowledges the other’s existence. I think it’s really curious that two people would elucidate identical ideas on almost the same subject on the same day. If it’s a coincidence, it’s one hell of a coincidence. Plagiarism anyone?

I took this photo in my backyard the other day. I love the contrast between the leaves and the sky. Shadows make us more aware of light, and even in those dark places there is beauty.

**********

This weekend, I’m heading “home” for the first time in several months. I’ve been invited to the wedding of a couple friends and fellow DJs from Vanderbilt, and I’m so excited for them! Tennessee is gorgeous this time of year, and fall weddings in Tennessee are especially perfect. A hearty congratulations to Kelly and Sam – may your lives together always be filled with beautiful music.

Texas News
Texans Will Get New Savings on Energy-Savers

Texas Politics
Chet Edwards Among Vulnerable Democrats in Congress

International News
Israel and Palestinians Agree to More Peace Meetings

Foreign Policy
Secret ‘Kill Lists’ Fly in the Face of US and International Law

War & Peace
US Troop Deaths in Afghan War Up Sharply

Economy
CEOs of Top 50 Job-Cutting Companies Earned $598 Million in Compensation

Poverty
No Port After the Storm

Health Care
Employers Shifting Health-Care Costs to Workers

Environment
Another Oil Platform Explodes in Gulf of Mexico

Climate Change
Effect of Clouds on Climate Are a Key Mystery for Researchers

Civil Rights
Rights Groups File Challenge To Targeted Killing By US

Immigration
US Sues Over Arizona Immigration Practices

Human Rights
Sexual Abuse and Harassment in US Immigration Detention Centers

Reproductive Rights
Women Forced to Go to Mexico to Take Care of Unwanted Pregnancies

Women’s Issues
Study Finds Some Young US Women Earning More Than Men

GLBT Issues
Gay Couples Can Now Adopt Kids in Mexico City

From the Blogs
Mean Rachel:
And they say they're not racist.

OK, so I’m not one to normally listen to Country Music, but living in Texas, it’s inevitable. I mena, I guess as inevitable as hearing any kind of music, but the truth is, around here, if you are doing that scan thing on your radio, a good percentage of the stations are gonna be country. [...]

“What do we do when we fall off the horse? …..We get back on!”-Maury Ballstein

“Sorry, Maury, but I’m not a gymnast.”- Derek Zoolander

This was the excerpt of dialogue running through my mind as I prepared to compose today’s entry. Zoolander is a very inspirational film. That’s right; I went there. I said “film”.

Anyhow, let’s see if we can’t recover from yesterday’s blog debacle.

I keep talking and talking and talking about Northgate Vintage, and it remains to be seen how long I can extend the subject. Methinks awhile, as the shop and its patrons have challenged me, unbeknownst to them, to step further out of my fashion comfort zone and into an arena of style I’ve only admired thus far.

For years now, my paramount goal in my own personal styling has been to perpetuate the classicism of old Hollywood bastions such as Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, and Natalie Wood. How my executions had been, I’m not certain. Still, I have always strived for a more tailored, sophisticated look with these inspirations lingering in my mind.

As of late, I’ve felt a tug in a different direction. By no means do I plan on abandoning my Audrey Hepburn classicism, or at least my love for it, but I am increasingly interested in developing more of a boho chic look. It’s a thin line to walk, though, and one must proceed with caution. In attempting to look like a whimsical yet sophisticated gamine, I could easily envision myself just looking sloppy. Or, as in the literal meaning of the word…like an urchin.

So far I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my venture out into bohemian fashion…or at least my translation of it. I believe it may be crucial, at least for myself, to meld the two styles together. I think them mutually inclusive, Classic and Bohemian. Clahemian? Nope, not appropriate. Scratch that. We’ll stick with Classic Bohemian.

Last night, B. Lacy performed a set at Northgate Vintage’s First Thursday musical gathering. If you reside in our vicinity, you need to come to one of Ranger’s (owner of NGV) First Thursday events. Awesomocity. Be ye warned, though. Thou shant find any other recourse for departure other than to purchase stuff. Not that you’re required to; the event’s free. But you will purchase stuff; that I can promise. The giddy influence of local musicians and complimentary Pabst Blue Ribbon will see to it. And so they did and are responsible for my Fashion Forum item of the week.

I’m loving this with capri leggings and simple wedges. I also like that it doesn't encompass one particular decade. The print is very late 70s or early 80s. The halter cut has been around since Jesus walked the earth.

One key factor can make or break the boho look. Less is more. Choose your statement piece and fortify it with other minimalist items. I could see one piece of statement jewelry complimenting this dress well. Perhaps a bangle.

If you superfluously layer on various stand out pieces, your ensemble has no focus point and attention is diverted in far too many directions. Results: Slapdash Thrifty Nickel or Little Girl Playing Dress Up. Neither of which are desirable. And it’s surprisingly simple to want to do. Watch out!

Carrie Bradshaw may be burned in gen X’s brain as the paragon of daring panache, but let me clue all you Gen Y-ers in on something groundbreaking. Often, the character was over accessorized. Daring and groundbreaking? Yes. Verging on clownishness? Often. The stylist was trying far too hard to be off beat and shocking. I respect the attempts and do like to challenge myself and others, but let’s all remember how easy it is to just look…drunk.

I love layering clothes, and I love layering jewelry. But the same rules apply.

Okay, I’m off my soapbox and want to know what your anticipated weekend wear is. Also, any tips you can give me? I love to hear the thoughts of others.

Bon Weekend!

Some A&M Staff Laid Off
By Vimal Patel

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Roughly 30 Texas A&M staff members were laid off this week, including seven in the College of Geosciences, and a "handful" -- but fewer than 10, officials said -- in human resources.

"We anticipate that these kinds of personnel decisions on an isolated basis will be ongoing," said Jason Cook, a university spokesman. "Each college is handling it differently because of their own budget situation and own timing."

University-wide plans released in July called for the elimination of 93 faculty and 117 staff positions -- along with 100 vacant faculty and 175 vacant staff positions -- to help meet a "worst-case" state reduction of $39 million and an internal $21 million reallocation plan to bolster a centrally administered pool to fund strategic priorities.

The cuts are for the next biennium, the two-year period that begins September 2011.

Tuesday was a key date for non-tenured faculty members. It was the last day before the new fiscal year began, and a university rule requires a year notice to some lecturers that their contracts won't be renewed. To give them a chance to plan ahead, university officials have said, all faculty who would be let go received that notice.

The date had no such significance for staff members, who the university isn't required to give any notice to. But for several reasons, including college leaders not wanting to have a cloud hanging over the remaining faculty for a year and wanting to complete the faculty and staff cuts in one swoop, some decided they would lay off staff members Tuesday.

Some colleges, like the College of Science and the College of Architecture, have not laid off any staff in this reduction process.

"We're still waiting for the results of the voluntary separation program, so we haven't had any decision yet," said Architecture Dean Jorge Vanegas.

He referred to the buyout program for eligible tenured faculty members that seeks to free up funds that could provide flexibility in reduction plans. The program -- which has an application period until Sept. 24 -- offers a year or two year's pay up-front and saves on recurring salary payments. Interim Provost Karan Watson has said deans will be allowed to alter their reduction plans after the success of the program is known.

The College of Geosciences was forced to cut deeper among staff because its disproportionate number of graduate students means it has more tenured faculty, who are protected from the cuts. Roughly a third of the college's 1,043 students are graduate students, whereas about a fifth are university-wide, Dean Kate Killer said.

She also said that enough eligible faculty wouldn't have taken the buyout for the college to go without a staff reduction. "We did a pretty careful analysis of who we thought was likely to take the voluntary separation program," Miller said.

Some, like Bob Bednarz, a geography professor whose department will now have two people at its office instead of three, said that staff reductions also impact the mission of the faculty.

"It just shifts more of the burden onto the faculty, and they will accept that burden, but it means they will be doing less of other things like teaching, research and publication," Bednarz said.

Published on Friday, September 03, 2010

I don’t ever have the “falling dream,” and I’ve never dreamed that I’m naked in front of my classmates. Instead, I frequently dream that I’m trying to get somewhere but can’t. I’m running through the halls of my middle school and there is obstacle after obstacle keeping me from getting to class. Or I’m on some windy road trying to navigate to a place without directions. Or I’m the lead in the play, but I’m stuck backstage. It doesn’t matter what the situation is. I always feel a swell of panic during these dreams. I always wish I could lift my body off the ground and fly to wherever it is I’m going.

Today has been one of those dreamlike days.

All day today I’ve been late to wherever I need to be. I’ve felt completely uncentered and unbalanced. I spent a half hour trying to find the box for my new cell phone (the Droid Incredible really is incredible, by the way) so that I could turn in the rebate, but the box was M.I.A. (Thank goodness for kindhearted Verizon call-takers who take pity on frazzled customers). I was late for my appointment to get my tires rotated because I underestimated how long it would take to get there. I was late for a run with my friend Dean because I was stuck trying to solve a problem with a spreadsheet. Late, late, late. It felt like I was The White Rabbit all day… only sans cool pocket watch.

I know in the grander scheme of things, these are all just miniscule problems, but sharing these experiences here makes them past tense. I can shelve my problems neatly on the pages of this blog, clearing my cluttered mind to make room for the new challenges I will face tomorrow (i.e. a 9-hour drive and a cooler full of brisket across three states – more on that later). Now, if only I could find my car keys…

Residents of College Station will not only be going to the polls in November to vote in the Congressional midterm elections, they will also be choosing a new city council member. College Station Place 5 City Councilmember Larry Stewart passed away in June from pneumonia while in South Africa, and two candidates have filed to campaign to serve the rest of his term. Jana McMillan and John Nichols will be the two candidates on the ballot in November; Timothy Delasandro withdrew his candidacy before the filing deadline.

McMillan is a retired paint contractor, who has been involved with several nonprofit and political organizations. According to her campaign web site, McMillan is campaigning for city council to “improve its approach to governance and expenditures.” McMillan contends that College Station needs “common sense solutions that provide sustainability for existing projects; respecting sensible long range planning,” and that the city needs to “reduce its debt and curtail its involvement in the housing business, recreational tree business, and land acquisition.”

During an interview on WTAW 1620AM, McMillan noted that she had planned to run for city council during the 2011 municipal elections. McMillan said that one of the reasons she is a candidate is to ensure that the city “stays fiscally sound” and “creating jobs, and keeping taxes low, and encouraging businesses to College Station.” Most of what McMillan focused on was that the city should support business by providing a “hands off environment.” When asked if she would pursue a second term on the city council McMillan said she was “curious why you would ask that” and said that “it’s a kind of wait and see,” but when asked again she said that she would seek another term.

The other candidate, Nichols, is a Texas A&M University professor and head of the department of agricultural economics. Nichols has been chairman of the College Station planning and zoning commission, and has also served on the city's community appearance committee, the parks and recreation board and several local organizations. According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Nichols believes that it is important to serve the community, and the fact that he has “demonstrated commitment to serving the city of College Station and its citizens is the cornerstone of my campaign.”

In an interview with WTAW Nichols noted that the main reason why he is running for city council is to see that the city’s long term vision comes to fruition. Nichols called the College Station compressive plan a “complex document but an important one,” and wants to make sure that the city’s focus is maintained on the “long term.” Nichols also touted his experience on the planning and zoning commission and said that it is all about “listening and then studying the issues and not being afraid to take action.” Also, Nichols noted that if he were to win a seat on the city council that he would run for another full term.

This campaign looks similar to the campaign for City Council Place 2 between Jess Fields and Tony Jones, which pitted the “outsider” against the “voice of experience.” Nichols has an extensive record of votes to be judge by from the planning and zoning commission, while McMillan has never served in a public office. It should also be interesting if either candidate will be able to name specifics when pressed on the issues. Let the campaign begin.

Misread "barnstorming" as "brainstorming" and then write a superfluously opinionated entry about how wearing high heels doesn't make you dumb. Then feel dumb for misunderstanding the actual point another blogger was trying to make which was: You don't get around in politics as much in heels as you do wedges. Which is still a dumb statement.

Then just delete your entire day's entry because you just disproved your main point which was: I can too brainstorm in high heels!

Today's new point: I can brainstorm in heels, and I can certainly barnstorm in heels, but I can't read regardless of my attire.

I still want these shoes, though. If you take nothing else from this entry (which how could you; it's a veritable mess), take this. These are awesome shoes.

so... i am exhausted. i didn't even stay up very late last night, but i need more sleep. i'm like a puppy. i go, go, go and then crash and need a nap.
we were super late to class this morning (and by super late i mean ten minutes). i was on time getting up and getting jill, but then we had to wait on bobster and then we had to wait on a train. boo trains. i've never caught that train before, but now it's on my list.
so i was planning on just writing my train of thoughts (that tends to be pretty entertaining), but i can't complete one to write it. i get bored halfway through it and then decide it's not worth it to waste energy.
hmm. well i'm starting to get sick/get a headache from someone sitting next to me who has waaaaaaaaaaaay too much perfume on. it's terrible. really. it doesn't even smell good.
jill cooked breakfast this morning. eggs, cheese, and sausage breakfast burritos. and i had my cranberry juice. yum :)
i want an oreo ball. i thought about packing one, but it would melt walking across campus and that's just not right. you can't have a melted oreo ball.
i think our class is talking about pictures? i'm not really sure. it's not exciting at all, which is not good because we have a quiz over this stuff on tuesday and it's only the second day of class. yeah....
that's really all i've got. wow. that was really boring. i'm disappointed. maybe i'll write more later and it will be more exciting.

Artists' Studio Bringing Culture to B-CS
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

It's not just a studio where art is created or a gallery for visitors to stroll through.

Downtown Bryan's new artBAC is a working artist studio.

An assortment of artwork hangs from the walls while artists carry out their craft. People pop in and out of the gallery to buy, observe and learn.

College Station native Sky Chevalier, 24, opened the studio in early June after six intense days of renovating the site off Main Street to be open in time for the city's First Friday event.

But let's be clear about this: Chevalier doesn't view her studio as a business.

She describes artBAC several ways: A power-house for artists. A cohesive cultural community. Art dialogue.

"The community is starving for the culture," said the petite, blonde, blue-eyed owner as she sat on a red couch inside the studio in a polka-dotted skirt.

Hundreds of pieces of paintings, sculptures, photographs, stencils and other works line the walls and floor surrounding studio space, couches and a corner designated as spot to take photos.

"Come here. Let's paint together," she said.

Inspiration

Chevalier said Bryan-College Station sometimes feels like a wasteland for artists, pushing many to Austin or Dallas. She should know: Her art has been featured at the Dallas Museum of Art, as well as elsewhere across Texas and Savannnah, Ga. She said she went on a trip a while back "to find my place in the world." Chevalier, who has a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design, said she was inspired after visiting a friend in South Carolina who was working for a gallery. An idea was hatched.

"The further I got, the more I realized that this is my home. My family is here. The downtown Bryan community has really become my family," she said.

She moved back to the area and started asking around to see if there was an interest in a location that would allow artists to create and hang their work to sell. Chevalier said she wanted to create a place that the musicians, photographers, painters, sculptures and thinkers could come together and bounce ideas off one another, work and laugh together while growing as individuals and creative artists.

Creating at home often stifles inspiration and creativity, she said. Being surrounded by those who think "outside the box" helps an artist create things he or she might not have imagined or even improve, Chevalier said.

"If you're in a room full of people, and someone else is also painting, you feed off one another. It's contagious," she said.

Chevalier said she'd eventually like to start offering classes at artBAC as a way to educate inspiring artists and the community. She said they are doing a fashion show Sept. 23 and hope to find people interested in teaching things like how to make a stretch canvass, or mixing exact colors, as well as doing demonstrations and giving workshop lessons.

"I see this as becoming more powerful, more of a force to be reckoned with. It's kind of like exacting your recipe. You have it. You know it in your heart. It's just getting the mixture right," she said.

'Breathing it'

In the three months artBAC has been open, it's grown to 11 members who are donating funds, helping with clean up, sharing ideas for promotion of the gallery, offering to teach lessons and, of course, making and selling their art.

She said the studio allows the community to peek into the world of an artist and learn what it takes to create a masterpiece.

"It's not just paintings and drawings and things you've seen 80 million times," she said. "It's being art, being an artist, living and breathing it."

Chevalier said she hopes the collective is able to demonstrate that it's OK to be different.

"Growing up here, the only thing to do as a small adolescent was to go to a field and drink or do drugs or go to the movies and to the mall," she said. "There's absolutely no outlet. Here, you can come to the mall of your mind."

Members pay monthly fees that range in price based on whether they use wall space to hang art work or studio space to create their masterpieces.

Chevailer said she hopes to attract visitors interested in seeing the level of talent available in the community, while also offering support to local artists.

Making art may not be a way to pull in a lot of money, but Chevailer said she had no other option.

"The scary thing is when you realize you can't do anything else," she said.

Chevailer said they not only design their own pieces to sell, but customers can commission work from members through the studio.

"The beauty of it is it is what it is. It is what you make. It is what you allow it to be," she said about the definition of art.

Educating the Community

Greta Watkins, who works at The Frame Gallery and is the vice chair of the Downtown Bryan Association, said over the last several years she's witnessed the art scene blossom.

"I'm excited about that," Watkins said. "I think art brings something special to our lives and it would really be a dull world without art in all of its forms."

Downtown is an exceptional place for that to happen, she said, describing the close community and layout of the area.

Watkins said it means a great deal to local artists to have the community support them.

"Supporting local art doesn't always mean buying a painting. It could mean coming out to hear a performance or being willing to stop and talk to them about their work. With their artwork, the artist are exposing themselves, showing their heart and soul on the wall."

artBAC isn't the only local art venue downtown.

Watkins said original art by many local residents, as well as local performances, can be seen at The Frame Gallery, 216 N. Bryan Ave.; Art 979 & The Village Café, 210 W. 26th St.; Revolution Cafe & Bar, 211 S. Main St.; Forsyth Center Galleries, 110 N. Main St.; Timeless Designs, 104 S Main St.; and Brazos Glassworks, 202B W. 26th St.

During First Fridays and Art Step events in downtown, many other local businesses help support local artists by displaying their work, she said.

Jerome Riddle, artBAC member and stencil artist, said his goal is to live off of the sale of his art this year instead of getting a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job.

"I've never been as poor as I am right now. But with other artists around you, it's a lot easier to justify that and keep going," he said, describing how it will force him to work harder and improve his pieces.

Riddle said he was considering moving to Austin; however, the Bryan scene is developing and he likes the idea of being a part of that, while helping nurture its growth.

His stencil art medium is spray paint and a more contemporary pop art.

"You can do the iconic stuff like Johnny Cash or basic musical or political figures, but also to take current events and twist them. Like with BP, you could have a BP logo dripping blood or oil. It's good to be current with art is my theory," he said.

Amanda Hughes, painter and artBAC member, said despite having only known the artBAC community for a short time, they've become family.

Hughes said she hopes the studio can help the community learn that "art is cool, and it's good."

She said she loves the idea of creating a piece of art inside the studio and then being able to turn around and hang the piece on the wall to sell.

"It's pretty incredible," said Hughes, who also works for Forsyth Center Galleries. "That's what sets us apart. It's messy. It's creative. It's beautiful and it's perfect."

Published on Thursday, September 02, 2010

In one word: dubitatio. It is a rhetorical device in which the person starts with the impression of being helpless, not being able to speak well or articulate their points of interest.

Lincoln used it brilliantly in his Cooper Union speech that made him an instant political star. He was politically a nobody when he gave that speech, and he started with “The facts with which I shall deal this evening are mainly old and familiar; nor is there anything new in the general use I shall make of them.” He started by lowering expectations and making the contents of his speech sound like something anyone could have come up with. It couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it is argued that this speech was responsible for his nomination and eventual victory in the presidential race.

George W. Bush was a master of dubitatio. He started off many of his public engagements as a knucklehead and sparking the meme “bushism“. But no one can argue the success of this rhetorical move because it make him ‘likable’, ‘relatable’, or in rhetorical terms virtuous, to his audience. Once he had his audience seeing him favourably, and trusting him to lead like they would have liked to, he (by definition) became an effective leader. Now, whether the leadership was merited, or  how this leadership was utilized, is an entirely different matter.

The fact remains, both were masters of dubitatio, and they used it well.

Often the question purposed to me is “Why is SEO important?”  The answer is best described in the image below.  Notice this screen capture of the visual portion of the browser.  What do you see?  You see two sites that rank organically.  The rest is info Google has crammed in.

Now if you are ranked 1 or 2 things are looking good for you.  But if you are number 3, 4, 5 or lower how much harder will it be to get clicks? This picture also shows that organic is hard place to win even if you are number 1.  Google has images below the number one ranking taking your eye away from it.  Also it has images in the upper right hand corner to steal clicks.  Prices, stars, reviews, specs are all given before you click on a site.

Now this is not seen when you go to a mobile browser.  And this is where many companies can win. In 2 years, they predict that 50% of all internet traffic will be on a mobile phone.  If you have a high ranking site, the quick to click, high ADD mobile user will easily see your site and click.

So think not just about what they will see, but how they will see it.  Do not think about ranking just your site, but perhaps your images, videos and more.  SEO will always be a challenge, because now you can be seen by not just the url, but the content you produce.  My job is harder, but the clients possibilities are amazing.

Here’s a handy tool to help you troubleshoot busy servers — TCPRSTAT, beta software from the guys at Percona, who see a ton of problematic servers under load. Quality stuff.

>>studio VIST 305 — bienko. What are Little Boys Made Of What are little boys made of? Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails That’s what little boys are made of ! “
What are little girls made of?
” Sugar and … Continue reading →

This week on Biased Transmission our studio guest is Cody Marx Bailey, the co-founder of SMUT: Subversive Manifesto for Underground Technology. Our topics of conversation will include the genesis of SMUT, upcoming speakers at SMUT (including our own Michael Alvard and Srikanth Sastry), and the future of SMUT.

Listen to Biased Transmission every Wednesday on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Michael Alvard, Danny Yeager, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.

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can i please just go to colorado? and see switchfoot, neon trees, and onerepublic? maybe they can all play together in colorado? because that would just make my life 10000000000000% better.
man. classes just started and i am already miserable. my classes are either terribly boring or terribly painful, except graphic design. oh well. maybe it will be another one of those ridiculously hard semesters where i get all a's. i could deal with that.
on a lighter note, i filled out my papers for study abroad today! whoop! i would like to just go now. kthanksbye. yummy belgium chocolates c:
that's all for now. i can't focus long enough to write. which is not a good sign. especially when it's only been three days. yikes!

Sorting a ListBox the C# WinForms way:

lstFooBar.sort = "true";

Sorting a ListBox the C# 4.0 Widows Presentation Foundation way:

lstFooBar.Items.SortDescriptions.Add(new System.ComponentModel.SortDescription("Content", System.ComponentModel.ListSortDirection.Descending));

… this is an improvement?!

Note: You can also do this in the XAML. I haven’t tested it, but it’d look something like:

<CollectionViewSource.SortDescriptions>
   <dat:PropertySortDescription Direction="Descending" PropertyName="Content" />
</CollectionViewSource.SortDescriptions>

So after my first couple days of class in my final semester of grad school, I’ve had a sudden change of heart. In the recent past, I was perfectly fine renouncing all studies related to finance and accounting and ready to fill my whole world with nothing but strategic management. Needless to say, I was [...]

While morosely trudging along into my office hurt my heart...because I'm more or less useless to students for a month now but still have to take them back into my office to relay to them this information, which is typically followed by a vacant stare or frustrated cursing...it was immediately lifted when I remembered what today is. What joyous occasion could overcome the affliction of being an ineffective (read: abused) advisor? Becoming a published columnist, that's what!

Maroon Weekly's second volume for the fall semester has gone live on the internet. Therefore, if you were to pay a visit to www.maroonweekly.com you would find two articles written by moi featuring crucial information about Northgate Vintage! Did you see how I used some French, there? Just another reason why you should probably consider my fashion opinions valid. I attained a majority of my knowledge of French from Eddie Izzard...so...yeah...just another reason to throw on the pile. (I'm confusing myself at this point so don't feel out of the loop.)

Check out the website today, and then pick up a hard copy off the racks tomorrow. You'll probably want to start collecting my stories now, as who can predict how valuable they'll be in several years? 50 cents now could easily escalate to $50...in my own personal alternate universe where even Anna Wintour cares about my opinion.

I have always had a fascination for mythology. Greek and Indian mythology have been my favourite mostly because they have everything that makes for great story telling regardless of your intentions. Be it allegories, or moral pontifications, or spiritual preaching, or even pulp fiction and good ‘ol smut: they have it all! Very few mythologies are as rich and diverse as the Greek and Indian.

Interestingly, there has been cross-pollination of stories between these two. I know of at least one instance where the ‘plagiarism’, if you will, is all too evident. The Indians plagiarized the Greek when telling a story from the life of Adi Shankaracharya. Specifically, the story of Adi Shakaracharya and Kollur Mookambika has been ripped off from the story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Let us start with the story of Adi Shankar and Mookambika. The following has been quoted from the wikipedia article on the subject, dated Aug. 31, 2010:

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya had a vision of Sri Mookambika Devi and installed the deity here. The legend goes that Adi Shankara mediated at Kodachadri hills and Devi incarnated before him asking for his wish. He revealed his wish to install the Devi idol in a place in Kerala to worship where he wanted. Devi agreed but put forward a challenge that she will follow Shankara and he should not look back till he reaches his destination. But to test Shankara, Devi deliberately stopped the voice of her anklets when they reached Kollur whereupon Shankara turned and looked back because of doubt. Devi then asked Shankara to install her vigraha, just as he sees her, at that very location in Kollur.

Here is Virgil‘s account of Orpheus and Eurydice copied from (again) the wikipedia article on the subject, dated Aug. 31, 2010:

The most famous story in which Orpheus figures is that of his wife Eurydice (also known as Agriope). While walking among her people, the Cicones, in tall grass at her wedding, Eurydice ran into a nest of snakes which bit her fatally on her heel. Distraught, Orpheus played such sad songs and sang so mournfully that all the nymphs and gods wept. On their advice, Orpheus traveled to the underworld and by his music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone (he was the only person ever to do so), who agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to earth on one condition: he should walk in front of her and not look back until they both had reached the upper world. He set off with Eurydice following and in his anxiety as soon as he reached the upper world he turned to look at her, forgetting that both needed to be in the upper world, and she vanished for the second time, but now forever.

Now, who copied who? As it turns out Virgil lived in 1st century BCE whereas Adi Shakaracharya lived in 9th century CE. You do the math.

I love mythologies and the many dots you can connect with it.

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Communication is such a funny thing. Sometimes it’s easier to say the things we can’t normally say when we’re talking to people we hardly know. I read an amazing post today by Girl’s Gone Child. I was humbled by the honesty of her words and the beauty of her metaphor. It was easy to tell a stranger that I fear for my own relationship sometimes, that I, too, have felt the foundation slipping, and I felt comforted by the words of a woman I have never met.

Relationships are exhausting. We keep score, we hold grudges, we reveal our greatest weaknesses. It’s such a relief to know that I am not alone.

It can be so easy to overlook all the good things. We find faults in favors, and we lose patience even though most often our only real pressure comes from within ourselves. “You cooked dinner, but you made a mess.” “You put your clothes away, but your left your shoes everywhere.” We focus on the “you did nots” versus the “you dids.”

We are human and we take the things we love for granted. But sometimes, if we’re lucky, we pick ourselves up and learn from our mistakes. The truth is that love doesn’t need to make a grandiose entrance. Love just needs little coos of appreciation from time to time to nurture it. It is a shared popsicle, it is driving and letting the other one sleep, it is running at a slower pace so your partner can keep up, it is letting one more stray cat stay.

In a way, I’m glad it isn’t easy. It’s like a good soup. What fun would plain onions be or boiled lentils or a spoonful of salt? You’ve gotta give it time to simmer until one flavor makes another one better.

Among the issues that voters are concerned about during the midterm elections, energy may not be a deciding factor in how they cast their votes. However, energy is often considered to be a component of the economy, and the economy will easily be the most important issue during the midterm elections. According to a recent Gallup poll, 30% of those survey said that the “economy in general” is the most important problem facing the country, and 28% said that “unemployment/jobs” are the most important problem. Where do each of the candidates for Congressional District 17 stand on the issue of energy?

According to his campaign web site, Flores believes that America should focus on fossil fuels and develop “more of our own oil, natural gas, oil shale, clean coal, and geothermal resources.” Also, Flores argues that nuclear power should be developed and we should eliminate “barriers to create new nuclear power plants” because “it is proven to be safe, clean for our environment, and a cost effective energy source.” However, Flores does endorse alternative energy and states that “expand incentives to allow more wind, next generation solar, and other energy technologies to emerge.” While Flores states that he supports alternative energy he also is against Cap and Trade and argues that it would “stifle domestic energy development, kill our economy, and cause the export of American jobs.”

Edwards makes the case on his campaign web site that there “is no one silver bullet to ensure more energy independence” and that it “includes more domestic production, research on renewable energy and clean coal technology, robust expansion of America’s nuclear power and sensible conservation.” Also, Edwards supports “tax incentives such as oil depletion and intangible drilling costs” as well as supporting “domestic gas producers to use hydraulic fracturing,” and Edwards also supports “increasing nuclear loan guarantee programs.”

While Edwards and Flores have similar positions on energy the campaigns have disagreed in the press of the issues. The Edwards campaign strongly criticized Flores for remarks he made during an interview about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, saying that BP had done “a reasonably good job in trying to kill that well under very adverse circumstances.” Flores criticized the Obama Administration for the drilling temporary moratorium on deep-water drilling claiming it would have “a hugely adverse impact on jobs in Texas and Louisiana.” However, the New York Times has reported that the moratorium did to have the drastic effects predicted by the industry, and that “unemployment claims related to the oil industry along the Gulf Coast have been in the hundreds, not the thousands.” According to an article in the Waco Tribune-Herald, Edwards stated that Congressional hearings were “an important way to hold BP accountable and protect the American people,” while an article in the Madisonville Meteor quoted Flores as saying that he didn’t think it would be helpful to “having a bunch of Congressional hearings and trying to make victims out of the companies involved.”

While what the candidates say about the issues is part of how you can judge their positions, who they receive campaign contributions from, is another important indicator of their positions on the issues. According to records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, both Flores and Edwards received significant amounts of campaign contributions from the oil and gas industries. Edwards received $133,630 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry that represents 5.1% of his total campaign contributions, and Flores received $73,452 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry that represents 4.5% of his total campaign contributions. However, it must be consider that Flores made the majority of his personal wealth in the oil and gas industry, and has contributed $670,867 to self-financing his campaign which represents 42% of his total contributions.

Overall both candidates have similar positions when it comes to energy, and both candidates present problematic positions for ensuring a transition for American to an alternative energy and a green economy. While Flores supports the myth of clean coal, Edwards supports the environmentally catastrophic process of hydraulic fracturing. Both candidates oppose the American Clean Energy and Security Act which would reduce America’s green house gas emissions by 83% by the year 2050. Flores has criticized Edwards not for voting against the legislation but for “silently voted no on Cap and Trade,” even though Edwards criticized the legislation for increasing “gasoline and utility costs for families, farmers and businesses during tough economic times.” Neither candidate presents real policy ideas for how America can move to clean energy and a green economy. However, Congressman Edwards is somewhat more likely than Bill Flores to support policies encourage the development of alternative energy and protect the environment. Either way, it is unlikely that leadership on the environment, clean energy, and climate change will come from Texas Congressional District 17.

The post by Patrix on (an linking to a post on) Marathi English reminded me of a flyer that a good friend of mine  (who now lives in Gurgaon, India) had emailed to me for my amusement. The text of her email said, “Folks, here in Haryana, we are accustomed to language of the finest quality. Here’s your first lesson in ‘Elegant English’… see attached.”

And here is the attached flyer [transcript follows]:

Transcript of the solicitation text:

Dear Sir, Madam
We understanding that your esteemed concern has a considerable requirement of travel service during your office/VIPS visit of Delhi and other places. We are pleased to introduce our selves to you as renowned tourist travel Agent. We have a fleet of brand new tourist/A/C cars and already handing Travel business of various reputed commercial houses and hotels from all over India. We are anxious to enlist your esteemed concern along honored [sic]¹ clients. We are sending our rates as under, which are sute [sic]² you would find as reasonable & acceptable.

So, did you figure out what exactly is being offered and how? :)

---

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Last Sunday evening I was entranced by the television set…watching True Blood. Monday morning, I was a bit regretful for not watching the Emmy’s, but that regret immediately dissipated as I clicked through photos of supposedly best and worst dressed celebrities on the red carpet. What. A. Yawn Fest. Just bunches and bunches of bland, dreary, ill-fitting dresses. No vibrancy or creativity. Just boring. I was thrilled to learn that Claire Danes won for best actress after appearing in Temple Grandin, and while her performance was absolutely superb, I suspect another reason she may have been selected is the fact that she was one of few women wearing an interesting dress that wouldn’t bore viewers to death. And she has a really cute husband so I don’t doubt that the camera crew took the opportunity to jolt slumbering ladies awake with a riveting shot of Hugh Dancy applauding his talented wife.

So needless to say, Claire Danes gets my pick for best dressed. One hardly misses the fashion target when wearing Armani Privé.

Worst Dressed: Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera. I never ever ever ever would have predicted in a million years that I would choose this actress wearing this designer as "worst dressed". But...I just don't know what to make of this Carolina Herrera creation. I normally adore Herrera, as she impeccably joins "pretty" with "tailored", but someone was drunk in Herrera's design house one evening because there's just no other excuse. Fortunately Dianna is young and has years to rectify this unfortunate mistake.

My I.D.K. Moment: January Jones in Versace. I lurve the shape this sculptured dress creates, and the color is striking. It’s the strange disk like material that’s throwing me off. I don’t know. Do I wear it or put it in my hard drive?

I’m Over Your Crap: Heidi Klum. I’m just over your crap. I normally love Marchesa dresses; they are nostalgic and whimsical. But look what you’ve done, Heidi. Marchesa for street walkers. Victoria Secret model street walker, who has like 22 kids. Would it kill you to find a hemline not directly below your lady parts? We get it. You’re on Project Runway. We’re supposed to believe you have as valid an opinion as Nina Garcia and Michael Kors because you prance down a catwalk in underwear. Alright, already! But we get to see enough of you plastered on inappropriate Victoria Secret ads in every flippin’ mall so can you keep it covered for one evening at a formal event.

This has been Sarabeth’s Obligatory Red Carpet Opinions.

Don’t forget, the next publication of Maroon Weekly hits stands tomorrow. Pick up a copy and visit us online at www.maroonweekly.com!

A&M Gives Notices to Lecturers
By Vimal Patel

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

Walter Daugherity, a 24-year Texas A&M senior lecturer with a Harvard doctorate, knew his job could be cut, but it still was jarring to be called into his boss's office last week.

"I assumed it would be about the budget reduction," he said about the meeting with his department head, "but it was still a bit of a shock to see it in black-and-white like that: Your last day will be...'" -- Aug. 31, 2011.

The budget plan released in July that called for a reduction of $60 million has quietly inched toward reality. Tuesday is the deadline for colleges to give senior lecturers notice that they won't have a job next year.

Though the cuts aren't scheduled to take effect until the next biennium -- the two-year period that starts September 2011 -- a university rule states that some lecturers must be given a year's notice. Officials have said all lecturers who won't be reappointed will get that notice, to give them a chance to plan ahead.

Daugherity, a computer science and engineering instructor, is one of four senior lecturers in his department who has been given notice. The four represent roughly 10 percent of the faculty in the department; however, they teach a quarter of the classes, he said.

"Our senior lecturers are highly qualified professional teachers," he said. "Sure, it would be cheaper to replace them with a new graduate or even an advanced doctoral student, but I think it's safe to say it wouldn't be better for students."

The university-wide plans had called for the elimination of 93 faculty and 117 staff positions -- along with 100 vacant faculty and 175 vacant staff positions -- to help meet a "worst-case" state reduction of $39 million and an internal $21 million reallocation plan to bolster a centrally administered pool to fund strategic priorities.

Across the university, non-tenured faculty have been given notices.

On Monday afternoon, all nine lecturers and senior lecturers in the biology department were set to receive notices of non-renewal.

Joseph Newton, dean of the College of Science -- which oversees the biology department -- confirmed the move when reached after hours. He said he didn't feel comfortable discussing specifics until he had a chance to speak with the department head.

"We will have to make up for the loss in teaching power of the non-tenure track faculty by larger class sizes, and increasing the load on the tenured faculty," Newton said. "It will hurt to some extent the research and service they're expected to do."

University officials also said that some of the lecturers could be asked to come back as part of spending on strategic reallocation. The process for deciding how the reallocation money will be spent should be decided in coming weeks, officials said.

"Now the question will be 'What's the process for reallocation?'" said Bob Bednarz, former Faculty Senate speaker.

Another key factor could impact reduction plans and save jobs. A buyout program that seeks to offer tenured professors a year or two year's pay, depending on the college, is accepting applicants until Sept. 24. Interim Provost Karan Watson has said deans will be allowed to alter their plans once the program's success is known.

By spending "one-time" money up front -- administrators set aside roughly

$16 million for the effort -- the university saves on recurring salary payments. But administrators and deans are anxiously awaiting how many people will sign up. Only tenured faculty -- who are typically paid more than their non-tenured counterparts -- are eligible under the buyout program.

Daugherity is hopeful that his job could be saved if the buyout program -- called the voluntary separation program -- is a success. But he said he won't know until October for sure whether he should look for another job. Either way, he's not ready to retire.

"My Social Security wouldn't cover the mortgage," he said.

Published on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The weekend has come and gone, and somehow in the brief time I haven’t posted fall has set in. The air has that sun-scorched grass scent of fall and the trees look different — more ready to throw in the towel after a long summer of trying to resist the heat.

Friday night, though, brought with it one more opportunity for a summer meal. I made a quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and grilled salmon. For anyone who has known me long enough, eating fish represents a serious departure from my lifelong diet. Despite this, I am trying to come to terms with the idea of being a pesco-vegetarian. I have been feeling a lag in my energy levels, and I’m hoping that the introduction of a new protein to my diet will give me the power surge I need.

The fish was simple. I coated it in olive oil, lemon zest, minced garlic, dill and salt and pepper. Then we grilled it on a cedar plank. It turned out surprisingly delicious, and I ate more of it than I expected.

The quinoa was fresh and satisfying. Quinoa (pronounced key-nwa) is a seed predominantly eaten in the Andes with a high protein content and an abundance of essential amino acids. It’s easy to cook and can be prepared in a variety of different ways. It’s also gluten free! I enjoy this salad best at room temperature. Judging from the picture below, it doesn’t look like there’s any quinoa in the dish, but it’s there, believe me, buried under a mound of veggies.

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup zucchini (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 cup yellow squash (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup quinoa (soaked for 15 minutes and rinsed thoroughly)
1 red bell pepper (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 red onion (halved)
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (I prefer the spicy ones in the olive bar)
2 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1 handful feta (crumbled)

Dressing:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat the zucchini, squash, red pepper and red onion in oil and salt and pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread out the squash and onion halves. Place the pepper in a smaller oven-safe dish, and put all the veggies in the oven to roast for 15-20 minutes. The squash and onion will be slightly brown around the edges when done. Remove the squash and onion and turn the oven to the broiler setting. Broil the pepper until the skin is blackened. Carefully place the pepper in a zip-lock bag, seal and let cool for about 20 minutes. Once the pepper has cooled, peel the skin and slice the pepper into strips. Peel the top layer off the roasted onion and slice.

Meanwhile, cook the quinoa according to package instructions and let cool slightly. Combine the veggies and quinoa and toss with oil, vinegar and spices. Top with feta cheese.

Are we all Matrix drones? Cambridge economist Ha-Joon Chang argues that “there is a reality where things could and should be better…In order to wake people up to that alternative reality, you need to show them that it isn't impossible.” In his new book Chang debunks the myths that people are paid what they are worth, that the "trickle down" effect of increasing wealth among the rich helps the poor, and that education makes countries more prosperous.

Wildfires and drought in Russia are destroying wheat crops, and floods and widespread crop destruction in Pakistan are creating a massive humanitarian crisis that has left more than 1,600 dead and some 16 million homeless and hungry. John Podesta and Jake Caldwell from the Center for American Progress and argue that the United States must commit $3.5 billion to food security assistance to countries such as Niger, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and northern Nigeria, as only $812 million has been allocated since 2009.

There is more scientific evidence that shows that human caused climate change is affecting the world as predicted. A particular variant of the periodic El Niño warmups of the tropical Pacific Ocean is becoming more frequent and stronger as show in a study published by scientist from NASA and NOAA. This provides more evidence that the climate system is being changed by the buildup of greenhouse gases.

While combat troops have left Iraq, the United States has left something behind besides the world’s largest embassy. More than $5 billion was wasted in Iraq on unneeded construction projects. The projects included a $40 million empty prison in the desert north of Baghdad, a $165 million empty and unfinished children's hospital, and a $100 million waste water treatment system in Fallujah where there is still sewage in the streets.

The Empathic Civilization

The Texas Progressive Alliance sure hopes that Harris County has a disaster recovery plan for the loss of its voting machines as it brings you this week's blog roundup.

Off the Kuff had three more interviews this week, with State Reps. Armando Walle, Ellen Cohen, and Kristi Thibaut.

Meet Jeff "The Trucker" Evans, an unemployed 49-year-old whose unemployment benefits were restored by Congressional Democrats after a Republican filibuster caused the payments to temporarily cease. Eye On Williamson explains how misdirected Tea Party anger causes Jeff the Trucker to vote against his economic best interest.

John Cornyn, known as a rapist enabler, decides to waffle on 14th amendment to the constitution. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is certain that Cornyn doesn't care about civil rights - just his fat a**.

Over at TexasKaos, lightseeker summaries the latest scandals at TYC. The more things change over there, the more they remain the same, sadly.... Check it out : Texas Youth Commission Abuses Make the News Again.

Neil at Texas Liberal attended press conferences held by both Houston Votes and by a local so-called Tea Party group, as a possible pattern of harassment and intimidation against likely Democratic voters in Harris County may be at work. Also, Neil announced that he will now also be blogging at The Daily Hurricane as well as at Texas Liberal. Neil is also a featured politics reader-blogger at the Houston Chronicle.

WhosPlayin reports that the local school district sent a letter to the Attorney General's office requesting exemption from release on the grounds that some personal expenses on district credit cards were too embarrassing to release.

The warehouse where election machines are stored erupted in flames last Friday morning, and PDiddie at Brains and Eggs had the early line on what it means for Houston and the surrounding area, which represent 15% of the statewide vote tally. Coupled with the histrionics of Leo Vasquez vis-a-vis Houston Votes, it's going to be a real lively election season (and that's before a single race gets mentioned).

Leave it to me to purchase a Suzuki and then move to Bryan/College Station less than two years later. “Wha’ Happened?” you ask “Fred Willard from Best in Show” style? No Suzuki dealership exists in B/CS, and when your car is supposedly still under warranty and your transmission arbitrarily chooses to work only now and then, you find yourself desperately seeking Suzuki.

So Saturday found B and me cautiously steering the Forenza haphazardly toward Houston while launching sarcastic quips at other cars. I never said that we were nice. I was content, though, to showcase my Fashion Forum Friday item of the week in Houston. Curtis and Rachel rescued us from our carless plight and chauffeured us to The Grotto for a calorie fest and then back to BCS for more calorie consumption at Church Street Barbeque.

Sunday, we got down and holy at church, and I became aware of some kind of telepathic fashion memo that must have gone out amongst me and my two friends, Jess and Max. Jess elatedly ran up to me as I scoped out potential church seats and exclaimed that we were both wearing Tiffany blue heels.

Oh, the endless joys of gorgeous shoes! And to be blessed with friends who partake in that joy! Jesus and Tiffany Blue shoes; what could be better!?! Well, I’ll tell you. Max entered the crowd gloriously modeling…wait for it…a Tiffany blue shirt! The stars had aligned and Christ, Himself, hath most certainly blessed our Sunday attire.

More calories awaited at our friends’ (Sam and Sarah) place. Sarah anticipates the arrival of their first baby any moment now, and as she must consume enough nourishment for two, and as we would never wish for her to feel insecure about that, we went ahead and ate more than her. Purely in an altruistic spirit. Church inspires you to be a better person like that.

And then followed my weekend’s pièce de résistance: Maroon Weekly’s photo shoot at Northgate Vintage! B and I chatted with Editor in Chief Chris Shepperd, as the photographer, Gabe, compiled artistic shots of NGV’s owner, Ryan Ewing, in the his natural element. My fashion/writing/being all swank and what not-type of elation reached its pinnacle as Ryan offered me even more assignments for Maroon Weekly. Not only shall I cover fashion, but I am free to write about music as well! This is excitingly ideal, as the two are nearly impossible for me to separate! Copious amounts of calories, Matching Tiffany blue shoes and shirts, and more writing assignments than I had hoped for…how can this weekend get any better!?!?!

It can’t. It’s over. Monday, the bane of weekend bliss, rears its ugly head along with students who seem to have forgotten that it’s ideal to actually register for fall courses before fall courses commence. As they say about all good things…I was never partial to that saying.

www.maroonweekly.com
fashionweekbcs.com

I came across this at the local half-price book store:

I find it hard to believe that such excrement is still sold like it is worth something. But, to Half-Price’s credit, its priced at less than half the original price. In fact, $5 is more like 25% of the original price.

Seeing that price tag, I couldn’t help but mimic Palin saying, “sucky, sucky. Five Dolla. Me love you long time!“

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Today I caught myself singing Hanson in my car. Old school Hanson. They weren’t on the radio or on my iPod. Without any prompting, I felt the urge to belt out “Man From Milwaukee” in the private safety of The Little Blue Gem. (There’s nothing safe or private about the Blogosphere, though, so I guess the secret is out now.)

Patrick and I had an interesting discussion the other day about the way the music you once loved can never really leave your system. If you really, really LOVE a song or an artist, you’ll always love it. I can’t think of a song that I used to like in my younger days that doesn’t still strike a chord in me when I hear it today.

Music is nostalgic. It is visceral. It conjures up memories. It makes you dance like Snoopy. When you love something, it never really leaves you, even if you feel ashamed about ever having loved it in the first place. Am I embarrassed that as a 13-year-old I sobbed like a baby when my VHS tape of Hanson clips got taped over? A little. But Middle of Nowhere got me through my awkward middle school years, and I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for those three blonde brothers.

International News
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Foreign Policy
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Veterans Issues
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Economy
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Poverty
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Health Care
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Education
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Religion
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Immigration
Arizona Immigrants Create New Model of Organizing

Human Rights
Hunger-Striking Guantanamo Detainees Force-Fed During Ramadan

Reproductive Rights
Virginia to Impose Tougher Abortion Clinic Oversight

Women’s Issues
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GLBT Issues
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Race & Racism
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From the Blogs
Burnt Orange Report:
Editorials From Across the State Say Rick Perry Should Debate

Eye on Williamson:
Democratic Party Chairman at Odds With Other Party Leaders

Latina Lista:
Is political rhetoric fueling attacks on Latino immigrants?

Tomorrow afternoon shall find B and me in Houston, and boy howdy, am I excited about my fashion forum item of the week!

“Boy howdy”, ay? Yeah, I guess I talk like that now.

I’ve been waiting with baited breath ever since Monday to wear this shirt:

So remember when I told you to go shop at Northgate Vintage? Yes, well this proves that I follow my own advice and don’t just arbitrarily list demands for you to follow. I want you to look cool too. And I know exactly what you’re thinking, “I need to definitely look as cool as someone who writes ‘boy howdy’ in her blog, IMMEDIATELY!” I’m flattered that you feel this way.

And if you read my fashion column, which will premier in Maroon Weekly next Wednesday at local newsstands as well as www.maroonweekly.com, you’ll learn more about the clothing line Material from which this shirt hails. Sounds like you need to check that shiz out.

Did you ever think you’d see “boy howdy” and “shiz” joined together in one place? Yeah, well…there’s a reason Maroon Weekly hired me…clearly I’m a brilliant writer who isn’t scared to go there.

Now that I’ve officially stripped myself of any remaining coolness I may have possessed, it’s your turn to talk. Leave a comment below telling me what you’re excited about wearing this weekend! I loved loved loved…nay…lurved the feedback I got last week! Y’all are great so keep it coming!

www.maroonweekly.com

http://fashionweekbcs.com

Twitter: @maroonweekly, @fashionweekbcs, @sarabethlacy

Do you consider yourself (or aspire to be) a computer scientist, a licensed Softwar

read more

Last night, while I was watching TV, I heard loud crying. I walked out of my apartment to find myself in front of a crying cat! So I looked at it and said “What?” In response it just walked in and claimed the apartment as its own!

I guess it has adopted me now :| Here he is:

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I vacillated for a good long while tonight about whether I would post something. The words in my head aren’t fusing together the way I need them to. It feels like there is a wall holding everything back.

Instead, I’m facing the conniving companions to over-analyzing: insecurity and self-doubt. In an attempt at diagnosing my creative block, I realized that I haven’t cooked at all this entire week. It’s just been one of those weeks where I’ve eaten out, eaten leftovers or eaten nothing for dinner. Cooking is my yoga. It’s my happy place. It’s my zen rose garden. It’s my chop-these-onions-until-I-forget-all-the-things-that-bother-me zone.

So tomorrow I will do some fun Friday night grocery shopping. And hopefully soon I’ll have some more recipes to share and lovely words to offer for dessert.

oh my goodness. this has been a ridiculous summer. so i’ll start off by telling you what i did.

summer started on may 12th for me and since then:
i went home, then back to cs, then home, then houston, to cs, to home, to houston, to home, to houston, to home, to cs, to chicago, to cs, to dallas, to cs, to home, to new mexico, to arizona, to utah, to colorado, to new mexico, to home, to cs, to jourdanton, to cs, to home, to galveston, to cs, to houston, to cs, to home, to cs, to home, to cs, to austin, to new braunfels, to austin, to cs, to brownsboro, to cs. all driving, mind you.

i have learned more about love and life and who i am this summer than in my entire life. i witnessed three weddings, each with their own story and each with their own lesson. i got an internship designing a&m shirts, had shirts printed, found out that that is not what i want to do at all, and made a new friend. i found a place on my shoulder that didn’t look right, found out it needed to be removed asap, and got 5 stitches and a sweet new scar. i got to design a shirt for my friend evin’s youth group. i got to celebrate lauren’s birthday and my brosef’s birthday. i got asked to rebrand an organization. i got to go to dallas to spend time with my great uncle. i bought milton (my uber camera) and can proudly say that that is the most expensive thing i have ever purchased on my own. i got to go to my dad’s 32 year banquet and got to witness friendships that have followed him through the years. i discovered my love of photography and the connection i have between it and my Diidii and with my dad. william and i decided it would be best if we weren’t together and it's hard, but both of us have already grown tremendously. i decided to go to germany in the spring, even though my heart was set on colorado. i got to go on another awesome vacation with my family and made even more memories, which i will never forget. i moved into a new apartment, and didn’t freak out about the change as much as i normally would. i have a massive closet (almost as big as mine at home) that i can hide/nap/think/read in. i started learning how to knit, mixed martial arts (complete with pink boxing gloves), and yoga. i have rediscovered playing my guitar, reading, crafting, and designing. i went luging again. i have gotten more involved with aiga and the officers and it’s been awesome getting to know them. i visited a friend in the massive city of jourdanton, texas and learned a lot about people and learned a hard lesson about life. i got to have my trust broken, and to learn that i should not be so quick to believe. i got to go to galveston with lauren and spend time with her and her family. i had my first frieniversary with jill and she got a me a schweet card, some goodies, and made me an awesome passport cover. i got to go spend a few amazing days with maddy in austin and we went to schlitterbahn, i learned how to sail, got to ride a motorcycle, and made some new friends. i started running and taking flinstones gummy vitamins again. i got to have my heart broken and then try to fit the pieces back together, but you know what? i might be a little more jaded, but i needed that for God to show me support through my friends. i got to experience so much love from each of them in their own way. i got to really get to know jill and have found so much comfort in having her around this summer. but most importantly, i got to be completely broken, ripped to pieces, shattered by God, and now i get to watch Him put me back together, piece by piece.

I was browsing Etsy last night and discovered a dress that I need to be allowed to wear every day of my life, or at least variations of it.

I swoon for Monique Martinez’s designs and deeply mourn the fact that she resides in Arizona. I have a profound desire to run into the nearest Phoenix boutique that carries her line dubbed Ouma and twirl around in one of her gorgeous tulle confections singing “I Feel Pretty.” While I relish the day I found a chic, black pencil skirt that fit over my not-so-pencil-shaped lower half, the little girl in me that loved hoop skirts, parasols, and pink satin toe shoes my never grow up. But I don’t think I want her to. Twirling around in layers of gauzy fabric singing “I Feel Pretty” keeps one sane.

But Ms. Martinez has done a commendable job in making this potentially adolescent look very polished and mature. The striped Parisian tank top and T-strap ballet flats bring class and sophistication to the whimsical skirt. Seriously, why can’t I look like this every day? “Love” doesn’t adequately describe my sincere ardor for the Cirque Party Dress. Lurve…I Lurve it! Check out her online boutique at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ouma

Speaking of lurving things, I’ve submitted my first column to Maroon Weekly for editing, and things seem to be running along smoothly, and I lurve it. The first publication of the fall semester already hit stands this week so pick up a copy, and also visit www.maroonweekly.com for even more news on B/CS culture.

Spreading the Lurve: Don’t forget about BCS Fashion Week! It’s quickly approaching,and I can’t wait to begin the official blog! You can check out the schedule and more info at http://fashionweekbcs.com/.

Twitter Lurve: Show us all some lurve by following us on Twitter. @maroonweekly, @fashionweekbcs.com, and @sarabethlacy.

Lurve ya!

Bryan, City Manager Watkins to Part Ways
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The Bryan City Council voted Wednesday night to work toward a separation agreement with City Manager David Watkins, but council members offered no explanation for their unanimous decision.

Councilman Paul Madison, who has been a supporter of Watkins, was not at the meeting for the vote because of illness.

Watkins, who will leave after four years as the city's top administrator, wasn't at the meeting and heard about the council's vote from an Eagle reporter.

"I serve at the will and pleasure of the council. Whatever they do, I have to abide by that," he said, declining to comment further.

Three council members reached by phone after the meeting declined to explain their vote and referred questions to Mayor Jason Bienski.

The mayor said Watkins wasn't being fired. Once terms of the separation agreement were finalized, he said, the details would be made public, he said.

"We'll be in discussions with David Watkins and his attorney immediately to try and find resolution to this situation," Bienski said.

He said he didn't know how long it would take but hoped it could be finalized by the end of the week.

"We do hope to bring resolution and conclusion to this as soon as possible for the benefit of the city of Bryan," he said.

Deputy City Manager Hugh Walker will serve as acting city manager, and the council will consider appointing an interim city manager when the separation agreement with Watkins is finalized, Bienski said.

"We'll cross one bridge at a time," he said.

Bienski said the city attorney had advised council members not to discuss the matter.

When asked what the problem had been with Watkins, Bienski said, "I didn't say there were problems with David. ... It's hard to say anything until after the thing is negotiated."

Bienski has said for weeks that repeated City Council executive sessions pertaining to the city manager's employment contract did not represent a lack of confidence in Watkins.

The City Council has met in closed session for more than 30 hours in recent weeks, with Watkins' employment contract always on the agenda. Wednesday's executive session from 3 to 5 p.m. did not include discussion of Watkins, Bienski said. A discussion that convened at 8 p.m. and lasted about 40 minutes was entirely about Watkins, he said.

As has been the practice since Bienski became mayor in May, city officials played a radio outside the closed door of the City Hall meeting room to prevent reporters from hearing the conversation. Wednesday night's meeting also included a barrier preventing anyone from coming near the room.

Watkins hasn't been at work since early last week after a closed-door meeting with Bienski. He showed up briefly at City Hall on Tuesday with his attorney and wife, but did not attend any of the council's meetings.

Mayor Pro Tem Ann Horton said Wednesday night that Bienski had been appointed to speak on behalf of the other council members, and she refused further comment.

Councilman Chuck Konderla said essentially the same thing.

"We as a council have asked the mayor to be the spokesperson on this, and I really don't have a comment," Konderla said.

Councilman Richard Cortez said he was not allowed to talk about the issue because Bienski had directed him to refer "anything and everything" to him.

"You'll find out about it next week," Cortez said.

Council members Mike Southerland, Art Hughes and Madison did not return phone calls after the meeting.

Madison and Cortez had recently voiced support of Watkins.

"I would think, and I would hope, that anything that the City Council does would be done in light," Madison said last week.

Hughes said in early August that some things regarding Watkins' contract haven't been done well -- including his annual evaluations.

"I know the reviews haven't been very comprehensive, and so I think that's probably a mistake. Any time we review a city official, I think it needs to be a comprehensive review so he knows precisely where we feel he's lacking and knows what we believe he does well," he said early this month.

Watkins has received "excellent" ratings on his past three performance evaluations. He makes $165,000 a year with an annual $7,800 vehicle allowance.

The eight-page contract signed in 2006 when he was hired calls for him to receive a year's salary and car allowance, accrued vacation and sick leave, insurance premiums for a year and conversion of life insurance to an individual policy if he's terminated -- which Bienski said wasn't the case here.

Some outside the City Council believe that the council's displeasure with Watkins was because of his persistence in obtaining financial information from the city's electric utility.

Until last month, Bryan Texas Utilities had been the only city department not to share its complete budget -- including employee salaries and bonuses -- with the city manager, who said the information was needed to properly draft a city budget proposal.

Discussion of Watkins' employment contract did not show up on executive session council agendas until the dispute with BTU General Manager Dan Wilkerson about the utility's budget information became public.

Bienski has said the repeated executive session discussions involving Watkins had nothing to do with the struggle between the city manager and BTU.

Last week, Bienski said in a WTAW radio interview that his closed-door meeting with Watkins during a recess of an executive session was nothing unusual.

"But I often meet with staff, often meet with our city manager. This was not part of the City Council meeting today. We were actually in recess at that point, wasn't part of the executive session. It was just a meeting between the city manager and the mayor," Bienski said.

Bienski said the two were simply discussing "city business."

After that meeting between the two, a city spokeswoman said Watkins had gone home "to spend some time this evening mulling things over."

Watkins hasn't received a raise in two years due to

city budget constraints. He received a 4 percent raise in 2007 after less than a year on the job. Elected officials at the time touted his personnel expertise and economic development experience.

Watkins is formerly of Auburn, Ala., and was one of more than 200 applicants for the city manager position in 2006. He came to the job with more than 30 years of municipal government experience, including 19 years as manager of Lenexa, Kan. He replaced Mary Kaye Moore, who retired in early 2006.

He formerly was a finalist for assistant city manager posts in College Station, Arlington and McKinney.

Published on Thursday, August 26, 2010

Here’s a quote:

Contrary to common belief, the American export of terrorism or terrorists is not a recent phenomenon, nor has it been associated only with Islamic radicals or people of Middle Eastern, African or South Asian ethnic origin. This dynamic belies the American belief that our free, open and integrated multicultural society lessens the allure of radicalism and terrorism for US citizens.

Who do you think said that? Micheal Moore? Noam Chomsky? Nah! ‘Actually, its the CIA. That’s right, the American Central Intelligence Agency. Wikileaks has more…

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This week on Biased Transmission our studio guest is Sheri Allen-Wright, a nurse and prominent local activist. She along with her deceased husband Flynn several founded the local chapter of the Green Party, in addition she is on the board of the Brazos Valley Peace Watch. We'll be discussing the nurse's union, which is spreading in this "Right to Work" state, the Green Party attitude on corporate personhood, and single payer health care.

Listen to Biased Transmission every Wednesday on 89.1FM KEOS College Station-Bryan from 6-7pm, to hear Teddy Wilson, Michael Alvard, Danny Yeager, and Ann Preston. If you have a question or comment you can post it here, or call the KEOS Bell Studios: 979-779-5367.

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I kid! It’s not horrifying, but it’s most certainly urgent. (Did you like my Anchorman line? It’s best if you imagine Ron Burgundy’s voice reading this blog to you.)

My first journalistic endeavor in fashion has led me to this conclusion: You need to be shopping at Northgate Vintage, and if you read my column in Maroon Weekly, which will hit stands September 1st, you will find out why…in detail. Seriously, though, just go over there and buy stuff. Owner Ryan Ewing has put a lot of thought into his collection of clothes and music. Vintage clothes and records await your perusal. If you live in B/CS, go! Now! If you don’t live in B/CS….I don’t want to hear your excuses, Winey McWinerson. Just go!

I’m concerned that a bit (read: MAJOR!) of info may not make it into the column, though, so I’m going to use the blog as a sounding board. Oh, the joys of writing one’s own blog. You can do whatever you want! Seriously, though, pay attention. Ryan’s creative shop is fueled not only by retro adornments, but by music as well. He wants to host singer/songwriters and bands at the store every first Thursday of the month, and the first musical event will be September 2nd.
Wait a minute! Did I just say September 2nd?!? By Jove! That’s the day after the next publication of Maroon Weekly, which will feature my column about Northgate Vintage, will hit the stands.

Sounds to me like people need to take advantage of this providential occasion and pick up a copy of Maroon Weekly on their way to Northgate Vintage’s musical extravaganza on September 2nd. Why would you not?
You need more reasons? Then you’re like the most demanding reader of a blog ever! Lucky for you I have another reason that should pretty much seal the deal. I’m working on getting a certain B. Lacy out there to astound the crowd with his melodic concoctions.

Sold it! See you out there.

Watkins' Job Still Up in the Air
By Cassie Smith

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The Bryan City Council has spent more than 27 hours -- including 41/2 on Tuesday -- in the past two months behind closed doors discussing the employment of its highest-ranking official: City Manager David Watkins.

Council members recessed their executive session meeting just before 10 p.m. Tuesday without making an announcement and will reconvene at 3 p.m. Wednesday to continue discussing Watkins' employment contract.

Mayor Jason Bienski said the council didn't complete discussions of all the items on the executive session agenda and, after meeting since 1:30 p.m., members were feeling tired.

Tuesday night was the first time in recent months that the duties and responsibilities of the city's internal auditor were included in discussions during the council's executive session.

Bienski said all of the council's five appointees will appear on the executive session over the next few months as the elected officials prepare for their evaluations.

"We hope to be through with the evaluation process of the city manager in the near future, and we'll continue then talking with the city auditor and other appointed directors over the next 60 to 90 days," Bienski said.

Elected officials have said that matters discussed in executive session cannot be revealed to the public unless a vote is made and that matters pertaining to the city manager are personnel-related.

The executive session agenda also included discussions over Bryan Texas Utilities competitive matters, consulting with an attorney regarding nursing homes and personal care facilities, loans, the city contract with the Brazos Animal Shelter and economic development negotiations.

Watkins, who hasn't been at work since early last week after meeting in a closed-door session with Bienski, showed up at City Hall for a few hours Tuesday with his wife and attorney. The three met briefly in Watkins' office behind closed doors. Watkins did not attend the council's workshop or regular meeting.

If the City Council dismisses the city manager as expected, members will not be obligated to give a reason, but Watkins' contract is specific to the benefits he will receive upon termination.

According to the eight-page contract signed in 2006, Watkins will receive one-year salary and car allowance, all accrued vacation and sick leave, insurance premiums for a year and conversion of life insurance to an individual policy.

Watkins makes $165,000 a year and receives an annual $7,800 vehicle allowance.

He hasn't received a raise in two years due to city budget constraints. He received a 4 percent raise in 2007 after serving less than a year when elected officials touted his personnel expertise and economic development negotiations.

The only public disagreement involving Watkins was with Bryan Texas Utilities General Manager Dan Wilkerson and the BTU board of directors over the city-owned utility's financial records.

The City Council eventually sided with Watkins in the dispute and ordered BTU to hand over the documents.

Bienski has said the repeated executive session agenda item involving Watkins has nothing to do with the BTU dispute.

Published Wednesday, August 25, 2010

It’s amazing how the human mind works. I have distinctive memories of various moments from my childhood, and I find it fascinating that I’m able to remember so many seemingly mundane occurrences.

I can easily recall the day I finally learned how to ride a bike. I didn’t finish my dinner that night, and as a result, I was promised no dessert. After dinner, my dad took me outside to continue our two-wheeler training. My parents had attached an old broomstick to the back of the bike so they could hold on and keep the bike steady. My dad would occasionally let go of the broomstick to see if I had gained my balance. Most often, I realized he had let go, and the bike would topple over. I’m sure it was 90% psychology, 10% physical coordination.

That summer evening when I finally succeeded at riding the bike without assistance, the dessert rule went out the window. When the ice cream truck came by, I got my treat.

I’m not sure what changed in my mind at that moment I started pedaling. I’m not sure how I went from fear to faith in such a split second, but after that, riding was easy. I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was exhilarated. Again, I have to attribute this to the boundless potential of the human mind.

I have a lot of thoughts on parenting when I conjure up this particular memory as well as a lot of thoughts on being a kid again. Yesterday was the first day of school here in town, and I’ve been hearing parents’ stories about letting go. There are many mixed emotions for parents as they see their children grow up. They want to protect them from hitting the pavement when they learn how to ride a bike, but they also want to see them flourish. They want them to feel the euphoria of a great ride. It’s so easy to want to reach out and grab that broomstick when you start to see the bike wobble, but I’m glad my parents let me learn to trust my own abilities to ride on my own. And I’m glad they are always there to pick me up whenever I fall.

The ground zero mosque (Park51) controversy has cleaved the media and the public along predictable partisan lines in the US. The Left is screaming “First Amendment” and “Islam does not equal terrorism”, and the Right screams “sure they have the right to build the mosque, but it is insensitive.” Cracked.com pretty much dismisses the whole deal with three simple and sensible arguments. Kathy Kattenberg doubts the validity of the insensitivity argument. I have a different take on the issue. This might border conspiracy theory, but bear with me.

After reading this exposition on the issue by Great Bong. I realized that if Park51 were actually an effort by terror-loving organizations, then it’s a master stroke indeed! I find it hard to believe that Soho Properties did not foresee any issues or controversies with announcing a major construction project to benefit Muslims so close to Ground Zero. Knowing the tea baggers, Fox News, Sarah Palin, and their ilk. It is preposterous to claim innocence to not having anticipated such a backlash. So what forced them to proceed ahead with the plan?

Consider this: let some radical Islamic terrorist organization X want to indulge in a negative PR campaign against the US. Specifically, create a propaganda that depicts US as an intolerant nation, thereby denying US its moral high-ground in the so called “war on terror”. All X has to do is create a political catch-22 situation for US by capitalizing on the severely polarized political atmosphere near an election season. The Park51 fits the bill perfectly. The Right and the republican party simply plays into X’s ploy and is vituperative in its opposition to the construction despite having no constitutional or legal basis for doing so, whereas the Left and Libertarians play their part by opposing the Right. The catch-22 here is that if Park51 does not come through, the the US is demonstrated as a bigoted nation with none of the freedoms that it is putatively defending through its “war on terror”: bad PR. On the other hand, if Park51 does come  through, then Islamic organizations like X can claim victory in Islamization of the US (again potentially bad PR if not handled well), which will further enrage the Right to act Islamophobic (definitely bad PR!).

So are the entities responsible for Park51 unfortunate victims of the far Right’s bigotry? It is entirely possible. But are we sure that there not more than what meets the eye here? That’s something to think about.

P.S.: Even if my conspiracy theory was true, IMHO pulling the curtains on Park51 is a far worse proposition then letting it go through and then engaging in a careful discourse and PR campaign to mitigate the damage from the far Right’s Islamophobia.

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It’s been a long hot summer in the Brazos Valley, and the air has been heated by the weather and the politics. The campaign for Congressional District 17 has been heated since the primaries ended, and over the course of the summer the two campaigns have traded heated words. However, most of the campaign has been exactly that: hot air. The campaign has centered around politics, and not issues. While the Bill Flores campaign has focused on associating Congressman Chet Edwards with the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats and the policies they have instituted that are opposed by a significant portion of the predominately conservative Congressional District 17, the Edwards campaign has focused on painting Flores has a Republican insider and who is attempting to use his personal wealth accumulated in the oil industry to buy the election.

In June the Bryan-College Station Eagle reported on the campaigns sparing over federal loan guarantees for a nuclear power plant in the northern part of the district, and over Edward’s congressional voting record and Flores’ election voting record. Recently the campaigns did engage in some debate over policy. According to an article in the Eagle, while touting his support for veterans Edwards criticized Flores support for allowing privatization of the health care system for veterans, while Flores said that his statements where mischaracterized and that he supports giving veterans more choice in their health care.

The campaigns have spent a considerable amount of time disparaging the other campaign through press releases, and few press releases have been dedicated to addressing issues or proposing specific public policy. According to the Flores campaign web site, since the general election campaign has begun the Flores campaign has issued 28 press releases. Those press releases included 14 specific criticisms of Edwards, three criticisms of the Obama Administration, three about endorsements, two about campaign fundraising, two where campaign announcements, two where about national issues, one was about district specific issues, and one was about public opinion polling numbers. According to the Edwards campaign web site, the campaign has issued 12 press releases. Among those press releases six where specific criticisms of Flores, two where specific to issues within the district, two where campaign announcements, one was about campaign fundraising, and one was about endorsements.

Over the course of the next two months Left of College Station is going to breakdown the issues, and drill down into what the positions of the candidates are on all of the major issues. From foreign policy to the domestic policy, from immigration to health care, and from energy to the economy; I will break down where the two candidates stand on all of the issues. Also, I will take a look at voting records, issue group ratings, and campaign finance. Beginning next week I will analyze a new issue every week, and the week of the election I post an overview of the two candidates. While Flores would like to make this election about the Obama Administration, and Edwards would like to make this election about Flores, Left of College Station is going to make this election about the issues.