We Are... Penn State!

Penn State is now 4-0. They won their Big Ten opener against Northwestern. They shouldn't have won the game, however. Michael Robinson accounted for four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) in the first half. Fortunately, Northwestern only scored 13 on those turnovers. Oh yeah, Robinson also had two fumbles that PSU recovered. This game was pathetic. PSU did not deserve to win this game. Robinson had many terrible passes. Considering his first completion was to Northwestern should give everyone the hint that he can't throw the ball. Most of his passes were short or long. He couldn't seem to throw anything on target. Even that amazing game-winning touchdown was underthrown. He couldn't catch his receiver in stride. The receiver had to stop in his route to catch the ball and then dodge a tackle for the TD. This team will not compete in the Big Ten for a bowl bid if it keeps playing like this on offense. Joe Paterno needs to consider using Anthony Morelli as a starting quarterback. Obviously Robinson has no idea how to play the position--he's the second leading rusher on the team. If he wants to be a running back, let him. Let a real quarterback have a chance and maybe the offense will finally do something.

Stupidity

Are people really this stupid? Why do people believe in such idiotic consipiracy theories?
If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this news story:
http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2005/09/23/news/local/news05.txt
Some local weatherman in Idaho believes the Japanese mafia is behind Hurricane Katrina as retribution for the atomic bomb attacks of WWII. Usually I'd say, "Don't quit your day job." But it's too late. This guy decided to pursue his stupid theory full time. How much time can you devote to lies and BS?

fun for the literati

Here's a wonderful site for anyone interested in literature (mostly beat poetry). It's the Naropa University audio archive (yeah, I'm promoting of my graduate program). Lot's of great readings are contained in it, as well as classes and lectures. I've listened to a bit of it, but there's just so much there to discover that I can't tell you where to begin. Some more interesting readings contain Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Anselm Hollo, and Jack Collum. If I find anything to seriously recommend, I'll post it. Until then, just browse through it for yourself. Check it out. You can hear a whole lot of Allen Ginsburg and friends.
NAROPA AUDIO ARCHIVE

The Job Search

I thought I had a job lined up in Japan. I was wrong. They asked me to e-mail copies of documents (diplomas, TEFL, passport) last Saturday. Well, due to my grad school's stupidity, I had to wait until Monday to find out what was going on with my diploma. I explained the situation and sent all the other documents to Japan. Apparently that took too long. A school couldn't wait between Saturday and Monday to get documents? Well that's a load of crap.
So, now I'm looking at other teaching opportunities. These jobs are all in Japan and China. Although most are in China now because Japan doesn't seem to be hiring at this time. Fortunately, I have received two responses saying that I will be contacted for a phone interview. One is in Shenzhen (southern China) and the other is in Changchun (northeast China).
At this point it's first come, first serve. I just need an excuse to take some time out of the country and learn a second language (seeing as I gave up on Spanish some years ago). Not only that, but I don't feel like editing or proofreading anymore. Teaching sounds a little more interesting.

Over There, part II

It's getting near the end of the first season of FX's new series "Over There." After the first two episodes I didn't think much of the show--it didn't show much promise as a enjoyable entertainment (at least not up to par with "The Shield" or "Nip/Tuck"). I continued to watch the series in the expectation of viewing something compelling. It was wrong to think that.

"Over There" lacks. The actors do a fine job at protraying their stereotypical, one-dimensional characters, but that's about the only redeeming quality. The problem with the show isn't that the actors are flat or that the direction is bad (these aspects are terrific); the problem rests squarely on the writing. So far, only "Dim" has shown true emotion and character development (and this just developed in tonight's episode). The remaining characters are exactly how they were at the beginning of the series. Their emotions don't change much and neither do their attitudes and insight. Characters need to be more than one-dimensional. These people are not compelling. They are not forming what could become meaningful relationships. These characters do not create enough interest to keep viewers.

The storylines aren't much better. The first few episodes sounded vaguely like news reports. From then on the show has tried to incorporate more Iraqi life and culture--too little, too late. In tonight's episode, the crew finds $5 million dollars and debates what to do. There are ethical conversations, as well as questions of trust. Funny how this sounds a little like "The Shield" and its money train storyline. The difference being that "The Shield" slowly dealt with the money in a much more intriguing way.

Unless "Over There" can come up with some better storylines and a lot more character development, I don't see the series lasting. If I really wanted emotion to connect with the war in Iraq, I'd turn on CNN or talk to some recently returned soldiers.

As a side note: I may be a little biased in viewing this series as I have a few friends in the military--including those who have been to Iraq and are going back there.

War on Words

This is a little sickening... probably because I'm an editor. Most people I'm sure don't care much about this, but I do. I keep hearing about the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. It's terrible. It's a tragedy. But why must people call it "a terrible tragedy"? A tragedy is terrible in its own right. It is simply redundant to say terrible tragedy. Please cease this redundancy.

University Stupidity

Here's the deal: I graduated with an MFA in July. I was told that my diploma would be mailed to me within 30 days. It is now Sept. 19 and I have no diploma. I need said diploma to obtain a work permit in Japan. I called the registrar at Naropa and told them to send it to me immediately. They told me they can't. Why? It's simple really. The diplomas were all printed up and ready to get sent to the graduates. However, the new vice president of the university who was hired in July decided he wanted his name to appear on the diplomas rather than the VP who was there for the time that the students were. The diplomas all had to be reprinted. On top of this, some school official who has to sign every diploma lives in Canada. Why is he in Canada? What sort of stupidity is there in the world that one man can screw up my life so easily?
I am calling for the resignation of the vice president of Naropa. He's obviously too stupid to work in academia. And if he doesn't resign, I'd like a formal apology and tuition reimbursement. I spent $40,000 on that degree and I better have it soon.

Apologies

Yeah, I'm sorry for not posting sooner. I will write my review of Nova shortly. I've been busy with moving to NJ and job searches (any job offers out there?).
Along with that, I received troubling news about my friend's brother in Iraq--he's now in a hospital in Maryland. I typically would go off on a rant about W. but I'll save that for another time and place. In the meantime, we have to hope for the best for James.