Is there anyone still out there?
It's a distinct possibility that you've left at this point (I had too, remember!), but if you're reading this, then head on over to kathyrudd.blogspot.com and check out my new blog! This project is much shorter-term, and I'm only utilizing it for my summer trip to Spain.
Things will really spice up when I leave on June 29, but until then I plan to post as my itinerary and travel plans develop.
Thanks!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Final Finale
When push comes to shove, I usually let sleep win over studying.
On the other hand, I got up early this morning to bunk our beds, because Jessica was leaving. GIRL POWER in the extreme, we bunked those beds like pros!
But she's gone now, along with all her stuff, and it is sooooo weird sitting in an almost empty room. It will be weirder sleeping in this almost empty room tonight.
Last final tomorrow, and I'm ending it with a bang: Physics! Haha, it's almost a pun! Get it? Bang... physics? Anyone? Anyone? BUELLER?
This is what studying does to me. Oh god!
On the other hand, I got up early this morning to bunk our beds, because Jessica was leaving. GIRL POWER in the extreme, we bunked those beds like pros!
But she's gone now, along with all her stuff, and it is sooooo weird sitting in an almost empty room. It will be weirder sleeping in this almost empty room tonight.
Last final tomorrow, and I'm ending it with a bang: Physics! Haha, it's almost a pun! Get it? Bang... physics? Anyone? Anyone? BUELLER?
This is what studying does to me. Oh god!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Congrats to Just About Everyone Else
So my weekend at home proved to be pretty useless in the blogging department. And I gave up on my "Once a day in May" philosophy, so we'll stick to a couple times a week, which is just sad because it doesn't rhyme.
Anyway, my sister graduated from college this weekend, which was an interesting experience for two reasons. 1) It was 50 degrees, we were in the shade, and the wind was blowing. And 2) I've never been to a college graduation before.
There was a lot of pomp and circumstance to the whole affair (although only a little of the actual song "Pomp and Circumstance. Thank God. You can only play that song 3000 times before you hate it.) There was a lot more tradition and ceremony than at a high school graduation and also a lot more recognition of alumni.
The whole thing made me very proud of my sister, because even though it has always been expected in our family to graduate from college, it is still a major accomplishment and a huge milestone in her life. Props to Kate.
Also, happy birthday to my brother who turned 20 yesterday. He's so old!
Anyway, my sister graduated from college this weekend, which was an interesting experience for two reasons. 1) It was 50 degrees, we were in the shade, and the wind was blowing. And 2) I've never been to a college graduation before.
There was a lot of pomp and circumstance to the whole affair (although only a little of the actual song "Pomp and Circumstance. Thank God. You can only play that song 3000 times before you hate it.) There was a lot more tradition and ceremony than at a high school graduation and also a lot more recognition of alumni.
The whole thing made me very proud of my sister, because even though it has always been expected in our family to graduate from college, it is still a major accomplishment and a huge milestone in her life. Props to Kate.
Also, happy birthday to my brother who turned 20 yesterday. He's so old!
This is DJ. Apparently, he's a lover, not a fighter.
And a huge HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my mama! She's the bestest!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Racing to the Finish
Tomorrow morning, I have 35 one-page journals due for my Middle Ages class. Here's a run down of what my evening looked like:
8:10- 17 journals remaining
8:17- 1 down
8:18- Begin conversation with Annie Dirks
8:26- Force myself to resume work.
8:42- Two more done, only 14 left. I’m in the twenties!
8:54- One more done. 4 for the hour. Moving to the library, too loud here.
9:18- Finally found a new location. Club Ellis is rockin’. 1 more journal down.
9:27- 1 more down. I am on a role here!
9:43- Two more down in 15 minutes. I’m beginning to have hope that I might get to sleep this evening.
10:02- 25 down! Success! The end is near!
10:23- two more done. Midnight looks like a good timeframe right now.
10:41- 29 down, starting magical number 30 right now!
11:02- two more, TWO MORE!!
11:21- only some minor revisions left…
11:24- SUCCESS!!! It’s all over folks, I’ve done it!
Monday, May 3, 2010
E-Generation
Magical post number 29 right here, and it's got me thinking about the internet a bit.
Since the creation of my account in June 2009, I have tweeted well over 300 times.
Since receiving my Mizzou email account I have received over 1000 emails, and probably sent out as many.
On top of that, I have a yahoo email account and a very busy facebook, both of which I can't even begin to fathom numbers for.
I think it's a little crazy how much information we pour into the world electronically. I know I never would have written 1000 letters or made that many phone calls, nor would I have written a book or something instead of these 29 blog posts.
But what makes the internet such a blank canvas for our society? Why are we driven to throw as much information about ourselves as we can out into cyberspace? Often this has negative effects like cyber-stalking and employees checking out facebook to make hiring decisions, but we still post every little insignificant piece of our lives online.
I guess I'm just pondering a little bit because I'm currently reading the book all incoming freshman have to read for next year. It's called "Generation Me" and it's about the current generation aged between about 10-30, and it's already been enlightening to think about our culture in these terms.
One of the most powerful points the author makes is that we are fundamentally selfish people, and our society has taught us to put ourselves first with everything from songs and movies to books and parenting styles. And yet, my generation is the most depressed generation ever recorded.
Just something to ponder.
Since the creation of my account in June 2009, I have tweeted well over 300 times.
Since receiving my Mizzou email account I have received over 1000 emails, and probably sent out as many.
On top of that, I have a yahoo email account and a very busy facebook, both of which I can't even begin to fathom numbers for.
I think it's a little crazy how much information we pour into the world electronically. I know I never would have written 1000 letters or made that many phone calls, nor would I have written a book or something instead of these 29 blog posts.
But what makes the internet such a blank canvas for our society? Why are we driven to throw as much information about ourselves as we can out into cyberspace? Often this has negative effects like cyber-stalking and employees checking out facebook to make hiring decisions, but we still post every little insignificant piece of our lives online.
I guess I'm just pondering a little bit because I'm currently reading the book all incoming freshman have to read for next year. It's called "Generation Me" and it's about the current generation aged between about 10-30, and it's already been enlightening to think about our culture in these terms.
One of the most powerful points the author makes is that we are fundamentally selfish people, and our society has taught us to put ourselves first with everything from songs and movies to books and parenting styles. And yet, my generation is the most depressed generation ever recorded.
Just something to ponder.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A Class Act
There are very few times when real people (as opposed to fictional characters) do something that makes me proud, and makes me want to live up to their standard. There are even fewer times when the person who makes me feel that way isn't a blood relative, or an inspirational teacher, or a humanitarian of some sort.
No, my inspiration today was, in fact, a comedian. None other than Mr. Conan O'Brien, former host of "The Tonight Show."
He was interviewed on tonight's episode of 60 minutes, and I was inspired by just how classy he was, by how much integrity he had in his decisions, and how he chose to live out those decisions with so much grace.
For those not aware, or perhaps wrongfully aware, of the situation, let me fill you in to the extent of my own knowledge.
In late June 2009, Jay Leno stepped down from "The Tonight Show" and handed it over to Conan O'Brien. Leno was moving on to his own show in an earlier slot, intended to interest adult viewers (his primary audience) who would then watch the nightly news after his show. O'Brien took over the traditional time slot for the show, and after only six or so months, had amassed a huge following of younger viewers, hitting largely on the 18-35 group.
But NBC was faced with a decision. Leno's early show was not making money nor being very successful in the ratings, and allegedly Conan's show wasn't either, although those are only rumors and NBC hasn't backed them with numbers. NBC offered to squeeze Leno into a shortened slot, and push "The Tonight Show" back to midnight (thereby making it no longer a show that happened at night).
Conan turned down the offer, and in a contract with NBC recieved 32 million dollars to terminate his contract, and was legally prohibited from appearing on television at all until May 1, and from operating his own show again for 7 months (so he could not have a show until after August).
Leno resumed his old post as the host of "The Tonight Show," a decision that shocked viewers across the country.
Since his leaving NBC, Conan O'Brien and many of his crew from the show have started touring the country on the "Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television" Tour. Conan has also signed a deal with TBS to start his own show in early November, appearing at 11p.m., and pushing George Lopez back to midnight, an situation that many sources, including the two hosts, have confirmed was Lopez's idea.
So now that you have some history, I think perhaps you can begin to see why I feel his actions were classy. Conan had the opportunity to continue his life-long dream of hosting "The Tonight Show," but at the expense of the history and principles of the show. He chose to leave gracefully, and has since continued to make us all laugh with his tour and his amazing Twitter account. If you have one, I suggest you follow him.
But as you can see from the interview, he genuinely feels no remorse for his decisions, and doesn't dislike the NBC executives or even Jay Leno. He refuses to say that they screwed him over (although, really, they kind of did), and instead maintains that things just didn't work out like they planned.
But the real test of his character, and the part I found inspiring, has to do with reversed roles. When asked what he would have done in Jay Leno's position, had he been offered "The Tonight Show" back, Conan replied that he wouldn't have made the same decision, that he would have chosen to leave that dream behind to act honestly and with integrity. And I think he is believable, because that is exactly what he did in January, in choosing to leave the show in the first place.
And although his new show will push Lopez back, he has said that he was reluctant to do that to someone else, and wouldn't accept the offer until Lopez himself called to explain that the situation was what he wanted.
It's truly inspirational to watch, and maybe more so for me because I have been an invested viewer of his show who watched the whole thing happen. But either way, I continue to look forward to Conan's return to t.v. in November and having him make the whole world laugh again. Because you can honestly tell from this interview that our laughter is all he wants in the world.
I'm going to choose to end this (LONG) post with a funny quote from the interview, since I've been very serious about a funny guy. Interestingly, this was his only form of revenge:
"That first day that I woke up and was no longer the host of "The Tonight Show" I remember the first thought I had is "I am not shaving." And that was my small victory. Ok, so I lost the Tonight Show, but I'll show them, I'll stop shaving!"
Please check out the full interview HERE.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6453980n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
No, my inspiration today was, in fact, a comedian. None other than Mr. Conan O'Brien, former host of "The Tonight Show."
He was interviewed on tonight's episode of 60 minutes, and I was inspired by just how classy he was, by how much integrity he had in his decisions, and how he chose to live out those decisions with so much grace.
For those not aware, or perhaps wrongfully aware, of the situation, let me fill you in to the extent of my own knowledge.
In late June 2009, Jay Leno stepped down from "The Tonight Show" and handed it over to Conan O'Brien. Leno was moving on to his own show in an earlier slot, intended to interest adult viewers (his primary audience) who would then watch the nightly news after his show. O'Brien took over the traditional time slot for the show, and after only six or so months, had amassed a huge following of younger viewers, hitting largely on the 18-35 group.
But NBC was faced with a decision. Leno's early show was not making money nor being very successful in the ratings, and allegedly Conan's show wasn't either, although those are only rumors and NBC hasn't backed them with numbers. NBC offered to squeeze Leno into a shortened slot, and push "The Tonight Show" back to midnight (thereby making it no longer a show that happened at night).
Conan turned down the offer, and in a contract with NBC recieved 32 million dollars to terminate his contract, and was legally prohibited from appearing on television at all until May 1, and from operating his own show again for 7 months (so he could not have a show until after August).
Leno resumed his old post as the host of "The Tonight Show," a decision that shocked viewers across the country.
Since his leaving NBC, Conan O'Brien and many of his crew from the show have started touring the country on the "Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television" Tour. Conan has also signed a deal with TBS to start his own show in early November, appearing at 11p.m., and pushing George Lopez back to midnight, an situation that many sources, including the two hosts, have confirmed was Lopez's idea.
So now that you have some history, I think perhaps you can begin to see why I feel his actions were classy. Conan had the opportunity to continue his life-long dream of hosting "The Tonight Show," but at the expense of the history and principles of the show. He chose to leave gracefully, and has since continued to make us all laugh with his tour and his amazing Twitter account. If you have one, I suggest you follow him.
But as you can see from the interview, he genuinely feels no remorse for his decisions, and doesn't dislike the NBC executives or even Jay Leno. He refuses to say that they screwed him over (although, really, they kind of did), and instead maintains that things just didn't work out like they planned.
But the real test of his character, and the part I found inspiring, has to do with reversed roles. When asked what he would have done in Jay Leno's position, had he been offered "The Tonight Show" back, Conan replied that he wouldn't have made the same decision, that he would have chosen to leave that dream behind to act honestly and with integrity. And I think he is believable, because that is exactly what he did in January, in choosing to leave the show in the first place.
And although his new show will push Lopez back, he has said that he was reluctant to do that to someone else, and wouldn't accept the offer until Lopez himself called to explain that the situation was what he wanted.
It's truly inspirational to watch, and maybe more so for me because I have been an invested viewer of his show who watched the whole thing happen. But either way, I continue to look forward to Conan's return to t.v. in November and having him make the whole world laugh again. Because you can honestly tell from this interview that our laughter is all he wants in the world.
I'm going to choose to end this (LONG) post with a funny quote from the interview, since I've been very serious about a funny guy. Interestingly, this was his only form of revenge:
"That first day that I woke up and was no longer the host of "The Tonight Show" I remember the first thought I had is "I am not shaving." And that was my small victory. Ok, so I lost the Tonight Show, but I'll show them, I'll stop shaving!"
Please check out the full interview HERE.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6453980n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
Packing Up
It's weird all the emotions I'm experiencing right now, as I'm moving the majority of my stuff out of my dorm room.
I'm down to the point where all my clothes fit in one dresser drawer, and I only have enough of them to get me through the week. I've stripped my walls of all the posters except the ones in frames, which will go home wedged in my mattress pad. I packed up my one extra table and put the coffee maker and toaster from it in a box.
But the strangest thing, and the one that made the most difference to the room, was picking up the rug. It's not something you would think of, especially if you've never lived in a small space like a dorm, but having a rug down makes a place a home. It's soft and warm for your feet, and comforting all around. Without it, my side of the room feels almost naked.
I say my side because Jessica hasn't started packing yet, and won't for another week or so. I'm taking the majority of my stuff home this coming weekend when I go home for Kate's graduation/DJ's birthday/mother's day, and then I'll come back for finals week.
And having her side still in tact has made the stark contrast even more defined. She's still got pictures up all over the place, her desk and closet still very much are her own. But my side could belong to anyone, a stranger. And it is creepy to think that next year it will belong to a stranger. Will they be a freshman, like I was? Will they experience a whole world full of memories and opportunities their freshman year, just like I did? Will the roommates who share this room be friends, like we were?
So sitting here without most of my stuff is weird, and I'm almost shocked that my freshman year of college is just about over. I feel like it was yesterday that I brought all this stuff in here for the first time, and I distinctly remember going out and buying that rug that made such a big difference to my temporary home.
I suppose most people are somewhat used to this feeling, having moved at some point in their lives. But I've lived in the same house for longer than I can remember, and I didn't realize how I would feel, packing up my stuff.
Part of me is sad because I've had some really great memories in this room, and it has been a home to me for the last nine months or so. But part of me is really excited because of all the opportunities that wait for me beyond this room. Next year, I'll be across campus in a different building, in community style housing, but without a roommate. And that's a whole new world to be excited and nervous about.
I'm down to the point where all my clothes fit in one dresser drawer, and I only have enough of them to get me through the week. I've stripped my walls of all the posters except the ones in frames, which will go home wedged in my mattress pad. I packed up my one extra table and put the coffee maker and toaster from it in a box.
But the strangest thing, and the one that made the most difference to the room, was picking up the rug. It's not something you would think of, especially if you've never lived in a small space like a dorm, but having a rug down makes a place a home. It's soft and warm for your feet, and comforting all around. Without it, my side of the room feels almost naked.
I say my side because Jessica hasn't started packing yet, and won't for another week or so. I'm taking the majority of my stuff home this coming weekend when I go home for Kate's graduation/DJ's birthday/mother's day, and then I'll come back for finals week.
And having her side still in tact has made the stark contrast even more defined. She's still got pictures up all over the place, her desk and closet still very much are her own. But my side could belong to anyone, a stranger. And it is creepy to think that next year it will belong to a stranger. Will they be a freshman, like I was? Will they experience a whole world full of memories and opportunities their freshman year, just like I did? Will the roommates who share this room be friends, like we were?
So sitting here without most of my stuff is weird, and I'm almost shocked that my freshman year of college is just about over. I feel like it was yesterday that I brought all this stuff in here for the first time, and I distinctly remember going out and buying that rug that made such a big difference to my temporary home.
I suppose most people are somewhat used to this feeling, having moved at some point in their lives. But I've lived in the same house for longer than I can remember, and I didn't realize how I would feel, packing up my stuff.
Part of me is sad because I've had some really great memories in this room, and it has been a home to me for the last nine months or so. But part of me is really excited because of all the opportunities that wait for me beyond this room. Next year, I'll be across campus in a different building, in community style housing, but without a roommate. And that's a whole new world to be excited and nervous about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
