Online "Training"

Finally, they got the "registration" procedures shaped up so we could actually register. Why is Savannah Technical College always like Savannah Non-Technical College at its roots?

Two More Showings

My "former Bed and Breakfast" is being shown twice more in the next week -- out-of-town bed and breakfast buyers from the North!  Anything is possible -- but not likely.

There is a certain amount of work to be done on the property -- primarily on the Carriage House and all the vegetation engulfing the yard. I will do my best to keep up with it all and even get ahead of it, if at all possible.

If only I were ten years younger!  If only...

New Eduspeek Regulations

We now have to take training on sexual harassment called "HAVEN." If the website ever allows for our registration, that is.

Slowly, Very Slowly, the Summer Returns

If anyone thinks that there is no such thing as "global warming" -- then come to the South. We are still stunningly hot and humid -- but now, each year, the process begins earlier and settles in for a longer period of time.

Our temperatures and humidity are currently tolerable in Savannah, but every day brings a little more warmth, and with that warmth comes the "water content of the air -- the basic humidity." I has begun in earnest.

HB BC

You know who you are -- and you know what day it is!  Enjoy it.

2016 Politics in the United States --The New Reality

Over the past few Presidential cycles we have seen some strange things happening -- the first black candidate for President, the first female candidate for President, the first business "mogul" running for President!  We have seen "political decorum" die a horrible death; personal attacks have become normal; social media has replaced the news cycle; and candidates now use "logical fallacies" as if they were true.  Making the "media bite" on a lie or a half-truth controls the argument!

Perhaps this all stems back to the use of "the big lie" (West Virginia ministers told by GOP officials that Obama would burn all their Bibles back in 2008); Obama was actually not a US citizen (Nigeria being his true birthplace no matter what his birth certificate said -- Hawaii); Sarah Palin is smart enough to take over for John McCain should be become incapacitated as President!

What are the oncoming elements of this "campaign for nothingness" in 2016?  More senseless name-calling; base and real innuendos of sexual, moral, political, or other indiscretions; complete lack of realistic plans to solve problems? Will we just come down to the difference between "making American 'great' again" and "stronger together?" What is our fate from now until November -- and beyond?    

Confluences

So many many things happening at the same time. House things, school things, life things, work things. Lots of pressure to complete -- things. All carry a layer of stress with them.

This stress weighs on a person -- weighs them down so much that they cannot function without thinking, about the stress. About the STRESS!

Turned On Its Ear

Scientists tell us that the earth's "magnetic poles" are actually shifting. So the North Pole will no longer be where we, as humans, have placed it within our time in human history. Ditto with the South Pole.

But other "shifts" are also happening -- Donald Trump has shifted the political compass to ingratiate his way into the Republican "Presumptive Nominee" status even though he has insulted all his competitors, most of his potential supporters, and the intelligence and good will of every manner of Americans who could vote. And now the press has pivoted and treats him as a legitimate and "alternative outsider" candidate -- when actually he should be handled as a deranged and ridiculous psychotic.

And now Bernie Sanders, with his delusional "revolution" (which houses an increasingly delusional anti-establishment without sufficient reason group of millennial outsiders) threatens to "blow up" the democratic side of the election -- and allow someone like Trump to actually gain the presidency.
Yikes. The world is indeed "on its own ear."

If We Actually Elect Donald Trump...

If America actually elects Trump we will have earned the title of "the lost Empire." Trump would end any remaining feelings for America as the "righteous, compassionate country" willing to help anyone and everyone in need.

America does need to change. But not to change into Trumpland. Trumpland is a place where only bullies and hardheads win, where women are devalued because they are women, and all issues are decided at the last minute -- by Trump-thinking (ignorance).  And so it goes...

Rotary Forever

Just completed participating in the Rotary 6920 Region Convention over the past weekend at the Desoto Hilton Hotel in Savannah, GA.  It was great and gave the opportunity to learn a lot more about Rotary, the variety of reasons why people are in Rotary, and to choose one's own reasons as to "why you are in Rotary."

Rotary is a dual organization -- it is a "business organization" that draws together leaders from all aspects of business and the professions, to function as a group and create fellowship with one another; it is also, through its Foundation, one of the most successful charities and engines for change in the entire world -- and yes, it is worldwide. Groups and local organizations help other regions of the world, and other cities, and other communities, on the macro and the micro scale. They offer disaster relief -- in times of health, welfare, weather, and war-related disasters. They offer personal interaction -- through visiting groups from country to country, student exchanges, and other personal diplomacy opportunities.

Rotary takes on big projects -- like the elimination of Polio worldwide; and sticks to it until the job is done. (It is nearly done as I write this.) Rotary is a function of brain and heart -- of friendship and brotherhood amongst all. It is an organization I am glad to belong to, and participate in.

Is "Trump" Punishment?

If there is to be an "idiocracy" in our future, surely his name will be Trump! Know-nothing; policy for everything; not understand the limits of WH power; foolish in the extreme; unorthodox without realizing the harm he is doing; willful and selfish; and a liar and name-caller to boot; your worst nightmare of a bully: welcome to god's punishment for America!

It was unthinkable to imagine a Donald Trump Presidency. Now it is requisite. There are enough stupid and willful white men in America, enough racists, enough women-haters, enough anti-intellectuals, enough foolish young people, enough anti-gay people, enough Evangelical "end timer's," enough anti-feminists, enough morons, enough ... enough ... enough ... -- to possible elect this man in November of 2016. Pray for each other in this time of horror.

Non-Professional Non-Faculty Non-Development

As the PowerPoint session that was to close our morning inspirational program (see title above) ground to a halt -- and the microphone that was to carry the soft-spoken voice of the final "acknowledgement" refused to amplify -- I, once again, congratulated our school on its flawless record of "programs with errors" now continuing for nearly a full year.  We should be renamed the Savannah Nontechnical College -- because our technology is 20 years old and often, most often, it simply doesn't work.

Ten minute delays (where nothing happens) -- 5 minute downloads of 2 minute videos -- multiple occasions where people who should be using microphones don't, and people who use microphones use them badly -- welcome to the faculty world of which I am a member.

Grades Determine Self Worth for Many

Why does someone think of themselves as a "B" student rather than an "A" student?  Does a grade, given in an imperfect and often biased world constitute a true test of worth?

I don't think so.

When I was in school (just after the creation) -- grades were only important to sort out effort, not inherent value. It was widely believed in my "set" that anyone could get "great grades" with the right kinds of techniques, effort, and focus. Coming to class, taking notes well, looking at one's notes, doing assignments: those were the keys to a successful grade (and learning). Nowadays we want to be on "automatic" --- learning without any effort on our part. The old joke about "sleeping with your textbook under your pillow" has now been tried and used as a typical "study technique." And that is why we are entering the "age of idiocracy." Long may it wave -- welcome, Mr. Trump.

Careless Students -- But Not About their Pictorial Portfolios

Some of my students spend more studious time on Snapchat or Facebook editing their swimsuit pictures than they do on their academic progress.

I have several students who are missing one speech from this term --- and who will get a C rather than an A because of it -- who talk constantly before class  about their picture posts on social media. One student was so proud of her bikini shot on the beach this week (exam week)  than she was of anything else ("Finally my buns look toned and tan!!!!") These students are insultingly shallow and will likely stay that way since they haven't gotten the message -- any message for that matter -- about responsibility, growth, focus, etc.

I have now sent emails to them informing them of their situation -- which I am sure they will not read, alas.  

Too Pale?

One of the group presentations in one of my Public Speaking classes dealt with "diversity." What are the recognizable differences between people (physically) that are used to "troll" them by others.

Too black, too big, too fat, too dumb, too pale! Yep, that's right --- too pale. It's amazing what children (and the likes of Donald Trump) will use to disparage others. Beauty is actually in everyone's face -- too black is not an issue, nor is too gay, nor too bearded, nor too anything.  The amount of color you have, or size, or roughness, or smartness, or anything --- is your distinct feature and to be cherished not disparaged. You are what you are -- magnificently -- and should be appreciated for it, no matter what. 

Smart, or Too Smart, or Not Too Smart

Politics is like our own special national education process!  We think we know who and what ideas are going to "win" in an election, and yet we are oft defeated by seemingly random circumstances.

Trump has all but won the GOP nomination for President in 2016. What a tremendous loss for the Republican Party (and the nation) -- throwing away its own history to nibble at the fascist table of an oligarch maniac (Donald Trump by name). The Party of Lincoln is now the Party of Trump. All hale racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and multiple other kinds of hatred and small-mindedness.  Trump has "trumped" the field and "trumpeted" his own success story. Yikes.

Someone please pray for the United States and the continuing health of Hillary Clinton!

The Crucible of Exams

It's another exam day -- the second in a series of four.  And the students who have to take the exam, are hard at it. They probably should have done the Research Project instead...but that was their choice. 

My people from Wagram, NC, John and Celeste Lewis, are on the way to San Francisco today (by car) to pick up their cruise to Alaska. It should be the trip of a lifetime for them -- for me it would be another episode of Dangerous Catch on the tube. Not that much to say in "wild nature" I'm afraid, especially by boat. There are so many other things to see in the world --- Alaska would not be a first choice for me. No food culture -- very limited access to local people -- too much danger. Like taking a trip to Syria to see the ancient ruins (hah).

Year of Living Dangerously

Women are always difficult to "read" -- especially if you are male. They (women) do not ever think like men do. Even if a man tries to anticipate how a woman thinks, and then guesses the opposite -- he will be wrong. Women are hard-wired differently than men. Accept it. Get over it. Live with it.

Men are simple and not very complex creatures. They head for something, say, the food bowl in the corner, and little will deter them from achieving their goal. No matter what, they have to get to the damn food bowl, and by golly, they will get to it. Men are hugely "dumb" in that regard, and hugely successful in getting the simple things they want. Anything more complex than that, and men have to break down the "quest" into many, many simple straightforward little quests. And that is always problematic.

Women, on the other hand,... oh, what do I know!