Rotation 7 - Cross Country/Track and Field

Warning: Rant enclosed

To say I didn't learn anything would be inaccurate. To say I didn't want to be there, most of the time, would not be.  Relax.  Whatever it was that caused me to be lax was surely justifiable.  At this point, I have had enough of everybody's rights and priviledges and feelings and urges and matters -- what am I gonna do? 

So I recieved 2's and 3's on my evaluation.  Hmmm that taste good haha!  Sorry I can't help but to laugh at that; I couldn't resist!  Really? Who cares about a 2 or a 3 -- I sure don't, especially when it is absolutely silly to think that was all my time was worth!  I'm glad I have the capacity to think through this and look right past the numbers.  All one has to do is look at my previous evaluations; the numbers speak for themselves! I know I am a helluva student!  But what you don't know is I also know, and recognize a challenge when it spits on my shoes, and I will not back down.  Rational folk like myself have a tendency to call out bullshit when I see it, hear it, or even begin to sense it.  For example, if someone says some outlandish statement like "Obama will take away all of our guns," that is some bullshit that needs to be called out.  However, there isn't much you can do for a person who believes this, except for give them a hug and tell them to back away from Fox News.  Put down the remote, and back away...from....the...Fox......News....!!!!

So what I mean is...a 2 is BS and 3 as well.  Yes, there are two sides to every story, but all you need is mine because I have no reason to lie.  As proof, the directors say the more feedback, the better; and I believe they take our criticisms into consideration in order to improve the program.  Good, because I believe in feedback, too! I feel I was evaluated on one-day, and one-day only.  You mean to tell me, for 9 days, I only did 2 & 3's worth of work?  Really?  Not even you can believe that!  On day one, I was 30 minutes late (1:30p), okay.  

But then, how can one be criticized for something they didn't know they were supposed to be doing?  If you are never given a formal/informal introduction to your job duties, orientation to protocol, introduced to the population you will be serving, etc., how can you be fairly criticized for not knowing?  I don't think you can.  Should I have already known those procedures? That's debatable.  I say no because I, for one, will not allow others to influence my judgement on someone I have never worked with, or had the opportunity to get to know and experience on my own, or at least, enough to formulate my own opinion on.  Ironically however, this is exactly what I feel happened to me.  Based on previous students, I was unfairly labeled and pre-judged to be a bad student.  Nothing would overcome that.  I am tired of writing now.  If only you can hear what the athletes really think.  That's why I don't have to explain anything.  Are you listening? 

Rotation 5 - Lufkin High School

Lufink HS was a cool rotation. I first have to give a big ups to Josh for providing the transportation to and from Lufkin, which is about a 30 minute drive south along Hwy 59.  And now that I think of it, this rotation could not have worked out any better. Me, being the only one in the  program who doesn't drive, had to get a ride every time we went there, whereas others would spilt the driving duties.  But luckily, the price of gas went down so dramatically, it didn't have as big of an effect as it would have, say had this rotation been scheduled in September. Mike W. and Sylvia H. are the Athletic Trainers here, and they staff about 10 athletic training students. Fun fun fun, as Jai would say. I liked this rotation, though! Mike, or as everyone knows him as Doc, is a very knowledgeable person, and he seems to genuinely take interest in what you [AT student] have to say. It is very refreshing to have someone like that.  Congratulations to Lufkin High Panthers winning District and making the Playoffs!  Good Luck 'Pack, even though Panthers do not roam in packs ;-)

Happy 45th Birthday Mom!

She loves me, and I love her.

Chocolate Affair - Poetry Night

It happened again!  I went on early in the show, and the room was half-filled.  As most people know, I can't stand performing to empty rooms.  Even though the room wasn't technically empty, I was just a little upset at the organization because the absence of others forced me to go on sooner than expected.  Important to note, those scheduled performers who were late, did infact go on - when the room was much fuller, I'd like to add.  Sounds a little selfish, doesn't it?  Whatever!  I'm not apologizing if I know I have something to say, and I want it to be heard.  I think a lot of these folks need to hear it.  Sounds arrogant, but not really, because there's just so much BS going on (especially in mainstream music), that I needed to get this out.  I specifically wrote this piece just for that, and it upsets me that it didn't get heard by more folks.  Hahaha I sound upset, don't I??  Please, if you are scheduled to perform, then show up!  So people like me can go on at their regularly scheduled time (conviently, in the middle) when most scragglers are walking in, and just before folks become bored and leave early.  Other than that, it was a good night :0)

I guess the best part of the night came when the crowds' response to a certain profane line in my poem confirmed my initial thoughts of the culture down here [Texas].  Was I surprised? Not at all, I knew I was entering into the beginning of the famed Bible Belt of America, where teenagers are open their religion, faith, and beliefs, so when I openly spewed a string of curse-words, I wasn't sure how it would be recieved.  The line went..."

"...spoken words WORDS....SPOKEN...evoking a pain being strummed by fingers// Lauryn Hill calls it "Killin' em Softly"// I call it FUCKING a muthafuckin' John McCAIN muthafucka up BADLY....but in a nice way!........"

And after that part, oh baby, you should've been in this room hahahaha. I don't think they've ever heard anything this simply.  I thought we were at a Spoken Word event, right?  Well, like I said, I went up 2nd or 3rd, and everyone after me, as I realized, had poems that were about the standard-default love situation, or something representing Jesus.  No problem there, I was just broadening their horizons to some Bay Area flava.  I could do those Jesus poems and talk about how much I love God and all, but why not offer up some alternatives, because judging from their responses, they need some alternatives. Nobody shoot me 8-)

Hired!

This has been one helluva week! First, my guy wins the most important, most historical, election ever!  That wasn't just good for America, that was great for the world!  The entire human race will benefit from having this genuine, smart, giving, loving, man in office!  Thank you to the Obama women for sharing your father and husband with us.  

Second, I recieved notice of my selection to be a Community Assistant, also known as Resident Assistants at other institutions.  This was huge for me.  As a Graduate student living in dorms right now, I have been looking for a way out of this place for a long time.  No joke.  I'm emancipating myself.  And what's best about all of this is, I'm practically moving from the worst building on-campus, to the most luxurious suites on campus.  No joke.  All I wanted was a place of my own, and I got the Presidential Palace!!!! This may not seem like much, but being 23yrs. and rooming with a 19yrs old is not the most conducive environment to my learning. And he's pledging right now, and have been all semester.  He's a cool guy, it's just me! I need to be OUT!  So my days are numbered here...I can't wait until next semester to move on up.

And the only perfect thing to end this week would be a Oakland Raiders win over the Carolina Panthers! Just win, baby!

Nice...

-The Dreamer