Rachael Jurek - Yikes!

We are Producing a Signatureless Generation

12/11/2014

The ideas expressed in this article, Why the Debate Over Cursive is About more than Penmanship, hit me today.

I was reading a letter from the President of a national student organization. I looked at her signature and it reminded me of my social security card that I signed in third grade.

The letters looked painstakingly designed with unnecessary loops and wobbles. I felt pity that this poor young lady didn't have a signature.

No signature. How can you not have a signature? I remember people who signed their name with an X when I was a waitress in a small farming community because they had never learned to write. But this is an entirely different issue.

It also brings to light an answer to one of my HUGE frustrations with students when composing their cover letters for internship and job searches. They do not sign the letter. It's progressively getting worse no matter how many times I tell them that even in an electronic copy have a PDF of your signature on file to insert above the typed name. Nope. They don't do it. Now I know it may be because they don't know how.

Let's just add this to the remedial crap we end up teaching instead of what University students should be learning.

Sincerely,

_______________________

When you shouldn't -

8/7/2014

Today I told a friend on FB that I liked the new hair style she was displaying on her feed. When in actuality I wanted to ask if she got a boob job.

I think she did. I've noticed this in about 6-7 of FB friends my age.Crap, are my friends hitting their mid-life crises?

I guess it shouldn't matter, unless of course she got it because she had cancer. Then I was a bad friend for not being there for her. But I never saw posts about cancer on most of these "notice-ables."

Believe me, I understand the body altering happenings that take place after breastfeeding a baby. But for me a boob job ranks about nowhere on the list of things I'd like to spend my money on. Plus, I don't particularly sit around playing with my boobs thinking, "oh boy, if my boobs were more perky I'd be so much happier."

Why is it okay for people to post (and expect reply comments) about their new hair styles but not about their boob jobs and botox? Are they not a means to the same intended end?

The moral of this blog to me is that - I'm getting old. Hopefully I'm getting there gracefully. I know I can lose a few pounds and tone up. But I'd much rather buy a nice big truck, horse trailer and barn than pump my body full of crap so others will notice, but not say anything.*

Next time I'm just gonna ask as if they got a new shirt or hair color. I'll let you know how that goes over ;).

*Anything, but (possibly derogatory) remarks behind her back. Or blog posts, I guess.

You know you have a toddler when

7/31/2014

You're talking to the Assistant to the President (at your work) and advise him, "Don't forget your sunscream." After he announced they have a work retreat out at a camp the next day. Oh my.

MOVE OVER!

3/17/2014

For peace's sake, or Pete's sake, of God's sake, whichever will cause you to heed this message - when you hear an emergency vehicle siren (especially one blaring its horn and lights on) - slow down and MOVE OVER.

I was headed back to New York after teaching at Champlain College today. I was driving up US-2 headed to I-89 and an ambulance was laying on its horn trying to get off the UVM campus, also turning onto US-2. No one slowed down or pulled over. They just continued going through their green light.

Then I pulled over (in between the on/off ramp entrance/exit) in case the ambulance needed to exit onto I-89 - which it did. I actually had a VT plated jackwagon SUV coming off of I-89, flick me off, and zoom past me (cutting in front of the ambulance).

Now, I like teaching in Burlington. I enjoy visiting the city. But the drivers there are the most selfish I've ever seen. It's ridiculous. Please note that people DIE because ambulances can not get to them fast enough. I was nearly one of those statistics.

Don't be that jackwagon who doesn't pull over and yield for emergency vehicles. Thank you.

My Life - Don't pinch me (The past sixteen months)

12/30/2013

So much has happened in the past year (and 1/3).

We moved half-way across the country (with a baby and a cat in the car).
I started a new job (that I really, really like). And I'm finally a professor (not because of anything I've done, but in NY I can hold this title).
I became a homeowner. And in my wildest dreams I couldn't have designed a more unique home, nor one that was more conducive to raising a young cat (seriously, we live in Cat utopia).
I got a (little) Subaru. This is not all it's cracked up to being. I do like the four-wheel drive, but I miss my Kia.

I sent Robby out to be started by Nita Jo Rush. He was finished by Sarah Paripovich. Cantering on him for the first time was what I thought a dream come true, but the dream just kept building. In January we cantered. In May, we showed at our first show - here we didn't place, but Sarah qualified him for Regionals. We qualified for regionals at the pre-show and jokingly said we'd go to Canada if both Sarah and I qualified. Gosh darn it, Rob and I earned two Top-5's and Sarah won reserve champion. OH Canada. In Canada Robby and I earned a 1st, 2nd, and 2nd in our cut and I WON my cut. It was the first class he'd ever won. Well, we know how the rest of the story goes, Robby made my dream come true. In his third show we were named Canadian National Champion in AA/HA Hunter Pleasure Select Rider. WOW.

Some other highlights -

Colton talked, crawled, walked, ran and is not playing "Ba-BeBaaa" (basketball). And we stopped breast feeding! Whoo hoo. He's amazing and my biggest dream come true. I'm lucky that his daddy loves him as much as I do. We're a pretty good little family.
I became an auntie (and Godmother) - to little Sutten Mae.
We captured (the wrong) feral cat last Easter and she hid in the electrical wires down in the basement for months. But she's finally an upstairs cat. Maybe one day (soon) we'll be able to actually touch the infamous TOC (the other cat).
Charlie was temporarily a "real" dog when Grandpa Richard came to visit. He enjoyed freedom a little too much and is back to being a Dog-on-a-rope.
No one has fallen off of Brahma since I moved to NY. That's good. He likes his home, but hopefully we can move him to Jersey Swamp Road in the spring.
I made blueberry jam! Colton helped with the picking.
I landed an adjunct job across the lake at Champlain College and am teaching a digital media class.
Fingers crossed, I'll soon have my first published scholarly research piece.

The challenges -

Colton was made frequent visits to the ER again this year. His breathing problems can be very scary, but he's getting better.
Colton is a bully, but this seems to be lessening as his vocabulary grows. We're hoping it's just growing pains.
I had to let a friendship go. This is a person who means a lot to me and I feel bad she thinks I used her (which I didn't know as she never told me, but she blogged about it and talked to others…). When I reached out I was ignored, then blocked. So i wish her the best.
I miss my family and friends in the midwest. Being home for so long this past summer was awesome, and I miss not being able to jump in my car and be "there" in 6 or less hours.
Living the lifestyle of a rich horse person ended my zero balance on my credit cards, but that's why I picked-up the part time teaching gig - right? I lived my childhood dream!

Ending thoughts -
This past year and a few extra months were amazing. I was able to see so many family members and friends. I was in Sarah's wedding, got to snuggle with Spooky in his final year of cat-life, made a pit-stop in Milwaukee and Morris, and did I mention won a Canadian National Championship! I met many new friends and reconnected with old ones. It was a wonderful year(ish).

There were friends I did not get to see during our frequent travels, hopefully we can fix that this summer. If you find yourself going to Montreal or Maine -- stop by. Or heck, plan a trip to visit, we have plenty of room. Cheers!

Doomed as a society - Another example of the brilliance bred in Wisconsin

7/4/2013

Seriously? Come on people. Here's a prime example that there should be a simple common sense test before people are allowed to have children.

http://bit.ly/14u91mT

From Startribune.com
Wis. parents leave 9-month-old in hot car for 20 minutes while shopping at Ill. sex-toy shop

Updated: July 4, 2013 - 2:02 PM

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Wisconsin couple is facing misdemeanor child-endangerment charges for leaving their baby in a parked car while they shopped for sex toys in northern Illinois.

A WTMJ-TV report (http://bit.ly/12JcDkT ) posted Wednesday says the parents were shopping at Lover's Lane in Libertyville, Ill., on June 22. Libertyville police say the couple left their 9-month old son in the sweltering car for 20 minutes without air conditioning.

Police say the baby was crying and sweating profusely. They say he doesn't appear to have suffered any long-term effects.

The father is an 18-year-old from Kenosha and the mother is a 20-year-old from Pleasant Prairie. They told police they left the boy in the car because no one under the age of 18 is allowed inside the store.

They're due in court August 2.

Got myself out of another ticket today...

5/29/2013

The last time I received a "warning" was when I had both tail lights out. I knew about one, but not the other.

I had taken a cat that was roaming the streets (I didn't want him to get hit by a car) during our volleyball game at the WhiteHouse in Milwaukee.

So, when the officer asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over I replied quizzically, "Because I stole someone's cat?" To which the officer was taken aback and said, "Did you steal someone's cat?" as the black cat CC stared at him. I think there's a complete blog post about this in an earlier entry...

I took the same approach today when I realized I was going 40 in a 30 and a Big Lake copper whipped a Uey and flashed me down. I pulled over and motioned that I was going to go onto the side street - out of traffic. He must have appreciated this gesture.

I made no excuses and apologized to officer L. Olson. He told me he clocked me at 42 in a 30. I again apologized and said, "I'm trying to get to Buffalo to ride my horse, I think it's that way..." and I pointed West. There was a storm brewing in the sky in that direction.

The officer asked me if I lived here (um I have NY plates and handed you a NY license), but I wasn't going to turn smart assey as I could see my owning up to my actions was being taken favorably. So, I said, "No, I live in NY." (the only possible backfire is the Twins license plate frame on my back plate). He didn't question it. He said, "Yes, if you keep heading that way, you'll run into Buffalo. It looks like it's raining there..." He took my license and insurance and came back right away (This is always a good sign to those of you being pulled over). He said, "Thank you for moving over right away. I'm only going to give you a warning. Please pay closer attention to signs."

Thank you Big Lake Officer L. Olson. I know Elk River 5-0's aren't as forgiving :) - got a ticket for the same damn thing back in 1997.

Oh and I was NOT cute. I was going to the barn, hadn't washed my hair and had no make-up on. So it had nothing to do with looking even semi-cute ;). MOTB (moral of this blog) - Be respectful, take responsibility for your actions, apologize when you do something wrong, and for GOD Sake Don't CRY!

Plan Ahead When Using the Restrooms at SUNY Plattsbugh

3/15/2013

The toilet paper rolls do not fit with the dispensers. I don't know if they're trying to save money by using extra-large, very inexpensive 1-ply sheets or not. No matter, it is impossible to actually get anything to come out. It makes it harder to finish your business in an expedient manner. #womanissue

Beaver Bottom Side Gland Juice - we consume this?

2/13/2013

According to this Yahoo article - http://bit.ly/WlV5XW we are consuming beaver gland juice when we consume food with the item Castoreum. The "juice" excreted from castor sacs, located next to the anal gland and between the pelvis and tail, is used to mark beaver territory... It is not anal gland juice as noted in this article. Darn sensationalists in journalism.

The tricky thing is that it's typically not noted on in the list of ingredients but is labeled "natural flavoring" for raspberry, strawberry and vanilla flavored products. Hmmm

My thoughts

1. Dear Beaver hunters in Canada - It seems like a lot of work for only 200 pounds of annual gland juice (based on the always accurate wikipedia).

2. I can understand putting the scent into something like perfume, but who on earth thought that you should taste it?

3. How does it help things smell like leather, yet taste like raspberry/strawberry and/or vanilla? - Really I think these artificial "naturally flavored" tastes taste more like the color "red" - a derived flavor in my head - more than their actual natural counterparts.

4.How big really is the beaver hunting industry? Is it part of an animal population control measure? Are beavers being harmed simply for their glands (that would be rather wasteful).

5. Why did I just spend precious life time blogging about beaver gland juice? I have a kid now, there are more important topics to consider.

Headlights in Plattsburgh

2/7/2013

People are overall very polite here in Plattsburgh. This applies to the towns folk and the students. This is with most gestures, but when it comes to headlights, well the same doesn't hold true.

Driving with brights on is standard, even when you flash the offending driver.

The other issue around here is driving with your lights off, especially at dusk. Not one driver has turned their lights on either after being flashed.

Some people's kids.