So, something odd is happening this morning. I went to get another quote on my car and I found a place that will do it cheaper. The person who gave me the quote was giving me "wholesale labor cost" - whatever that means and his name was Brian. I'll be dropping my car off on Monday to get it fixed. Finally! He gave me his card and recommended that I call Enterprise Rent-A-Car to get a car. I left to go into the office. The winner for some morning radio giveaway was named Brian. I made my usual stop at Sheetz and the person who rang me out at the register was also named Bryan. Then I get into work and call Enterprise and the sales associate was named Brian.
I've never had anything so eerie happen to me in a matter of 2 hours.
I think this issue needs to be addressed in steps because young people can mean so many things.
1. Young People can refer to the high school students that turn 18 during their senior year and are too involved with pep rallies, homecoming, prom and their high school sweethearts to follow the campaign trail. High school students are not a targeted age bracket in the election because they don't think their vote matters. Many of the students around them are not old enough to vote and have other matters to concern themselves with. In order to get high school students to vote, they would need to feel empowered as a group and have someone show them that what they think matters.
2. Young people can refer to college students - our future leaders. College students are much more in tune with the voting than the other groups listed. They, though not completely, realize their vote matters and have groups to empower their friends to vote. SHU has a Young Republicans group on campus because there are students who think it is important to spread the word. The portion of these students who don't vote, don't because they don't feel that their vote can make a difference and/or that politics doesn't interest them and therefore will not affect their lives. They are wrong. Whether they are interested in politics or not, the decisions of the politicians affect their lives more than they knew. If this was pointed out to them, it may change their views on voting.
3. Young people could refer to people who don't go to college. The under-educated individuals who are actually immersed in the working world may have a better view of the effect of not voting. They are already having to live on their own and make something of themselves.
Regardless of the category of voter, it is important to vote. Register to vote. I, because of my lack of knowledge of the political parties, registered as a non-partisan party. This basically means that I don't affiliate myself with a party, but I also can not vote in the primaries leading up to the presidential election.
Here are a few links that I found about young voters:
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Politics -- Pop music leads charge in urging youths to vote
Rock the Vote
Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and America Coming Together Launch National Get Out The Vote -GOTV- Tour
Young Voter Apathy
A co-worker and I went down the road to Sheetz for lunch today. He ordered his food and I ordered mine. He went to pay with a credit card. They handed him his receipt. He stood there asking, "Don't I have to sign for this?" They responded "No. You no longer have to sign for purchases under $20. Something new, as of last week." He just said "Oh." and walked away.
What? I understand that you don't sign for purchases at the gas pump (my purchase yesterday was $23.75), which still boggles my mind about how they determine an unauthorized transaction. In my mind, if you are using your credit card to purchase something at a convienence store, then you should have to sign for it. I realize that it takes an extra 30 seconds to make someone sign their name, but who doesn't have an extra 30 seconds?
It is new policies like this one that make credit card holders pay extra fees for credit protection from unauthorized purchases. Where do I see this going? Credit card companies are making money from this by charging the extra fee. Convienence stores are able to process a higher volume of sales due to the faster process. The consumers ... well. Is the 30 seconds that you save really worth the cost and hassle of the new convienence? I personally don't think so. Then again, you could opt to not purchase credit protection and jeopardize your credit. Again, not worth the risk.
Many posts have been going around lately about music piracy and internet file sharing. Could it really be worse than this phenomenon:
Nina Sky released "Move Ya Body" in May 2004. Three months later PitBull, a new protege from Lil' Jon, released "Culo." Both have been great club hits, but does anyone see a resemblance between the two songs? The beat is identical. I didn't notice until I played the two songs back to back. When I heard the second song begin, I thought someone put my stereo on repeat, but alas, it was a different song.
Perhaps the songs were done this way on purpose for easy "blendability."
Though people who download music are essentially taking money from the record company, artist and anyone else in the endless line of beneficiaries, in this case, someone is making money from copying the song beat. I would think that would be a greater offense than downloading the music for free. Afterall, somoene had to buy the CD to get it online in the first place. Whereas, they second artist could just be someone copying a radio/club song that they heard and are making 100% profit. (Yes, I realize a CD only costs $20 and the copycat would still be making 99.999% profit.)
Top 10 Worst Candidates for President
10. Ross Perot
He'd have a better chance at hitting the lottery.
9. Donald Trump
You're fired. because you are crazy. (I had to get a jab in about last night's Apprentice)
8. Me
I'm not exactly one to put up much of a political venue. I'm more of a computer geek / student government wannabe. I'm still working on running my own life. Forget running the country.
7. Martha Stewart
Though she'd probably get some votes from a few select people I know, she would turn the White House into a zoo with her Kmart products. Wal*mart would be in trouble if she got into office!
6. Michael Jackson
No Michael, you can't turn the Lincoln memorial into a water park for all of your little kid friends.
5. Nick Lachey
The pentagon is not a pentagram. You can't bring your Charmed witches with you. Yes, that includes Allyssa Milano.
4. Michael Moore
It would be open season for filmmakers in Washington. Documentaries of how the president just plays a lot of video games and is over weight. Would probably turn being president into Reality TV somehow.
3. Bill Gates
The White House will have never seen so many Windows.
2. Arnold
When it comes to the presidency, I'd rather see a woman in office than a "girlie-man."
1. Britney Spears
Does this need explanation? At this rate, the White House will have more First Men before she is out of term, than she has had number 1 hit songs.
Does anyone have any that would top this list?
Well, I was updating my blog today, cleaning out some old stuff, thinking about a new look and I looked at my monthly archives. My Blog will be celebrating its birthday in just 30 days. ... or should I consider it an anniversary?
If you were a blog, how would you celebrate?
Should I throw a bloggers party (may be a little dorky)?
Unveil a new design (more realistic)?
I'd like to challenge the Seton Hill bloggers, and any other readers I have. Give me a word that I must use in my blog post on October 22. (Donna can vouch for my ineptness when it comes to using a dictionary and being their are a lot of English majors out there, it may take me a month to write it if I get off-the-wall words.) Only 1 word per commenter, please.
I know that I have graduated, but I am still a part of the Seton Hill blogging community. To help all of the new bloggers out there, I have several tools which may be helpful in building your blog. I am very impressed with all of the customization that has gone on by some of Seton Hill's newest bloggers.
Props to Moira, Vanessa , Chris and Evan for being very creative.
Oh, and if you want added to my BlogRoll, just let me know.
Every candymaker has giveaways and prizes advertized on their products, but everyone has to wonder if real people actually win or if it is just a marketing ploy. Besides a Free 20oz Soda, has anyone ever won anything good from a bottle cap sweepstakes? How about the Hershey's Happiness sweepstakes?
I haven't heard of any winner. Eventually the marketing for it dies and they start a new campaign before people realize it is a hoax. -Or that is at least my take on it.
Here at work, they have instituted a Healthy Eating Sweepstakes. When you buy healthy items out of the vending machine, you get a raffle ticket from the item. The raffle will be done in-house and is for a DVD Player, Penn State football tickets and various other small prizes.
You'd never guess what is marked as healthy in our vending machine. Swedish fish, Lemonheads, Granola bar (of course), Twizzlers, 3 Musketeers, small bag of pretzels and SunChips. Now, I have to ask, what makes a bag of Swedish Fish better for you than a PopTart? Mmm sugar. Today, I went with Twizzlers.
Due to the healthy food initiative that the company has taken, they have also added orange juice to the soda machine. What did they remove - Sierra Mist - my soda (not pop) of choice. I don't drink dark soda, so now I'm condemned to Mountain Dew. Of course I had to drink Mt. Dew today - OJ and Twizzlers isn't my food combination of choice.
Healthy food initiative = at work sugar high. :)
Proud to be a Pennsylvania - no likely - but more proud not to be a New Yorker any more. Sometimes, people think of New York as being the Big Apple. In my opinion it is more like the Big Bad Apple - a little mushy on the inside. Not many people can stand mushy apples, it applies double for me right now.
it's OK to be drunk on booze or high on pot or cocaine while doing your civic duty.Riiight. So a New York judge said this. Luckily I have not had the pleasure of being selected for jury duty, but I don't think the experience would be so bad that it would drive someone to drink. There is no reason that it should be legal to be under the influence while on jury. Personally, I would view being a juror as driving someone else's life and that isn't a crime I would want a DUI for.
Now don't get me wrong. New York is an okay state - Pennsylvania isn't exactly wonderland. I'm sure all states have their problems. I just don't understand the view that the New York judge took on the case. It seems to be a lack of respect for justice. If you can't operate heavy machinery while using illegal substances, then how can you decide the verdict of one man's life?
Everyone, including Bush, is being sympathetic to Florida for all of the hurricane activity. Perhaps this year everyone in Florida will be too shook up from all of the commotion to be able to vote properly - not that they did a great job last time. Luckily for them, this product has come out:
How are you? I am back. My name is Mister Hamsi. I am seeing you. Haaaaaaaa. You must come to turkiye. I am cleaning your computer. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 0. Gule. GuleApparently this virus, a less famous Amus, will use Windows XP voice software to talk with you. The virus will, depending on the day of the month, delete system files causing your computer to fail.
The virus comes in an email titled "Listen and Smile" or "Hey. I beg your pardon. You must listen"
I guess if you get it, you better hope it isn't Mr. Fishy's time of the month.
::ill Will Press:: NEUROTICALLY YOURS CARTOON: FAT-KINS DIET
LOL. This animation is great!
Under ... the influence - not influenza, but of possibly some sort of adult beverage. This would calm my mood and make me sleep really well. Passing out at the end of a long drinking night is often the best sleep that I get lately.
Under ... Down under. Australia sounds like a great place to go. Especially after Beth O'Connor, Seton Hill Volleyball All-Star, played for Team USA this summer and brought back all of the pictures of her adventures.
Under ... surveillance. Heck, I've got nothing to hide.
Under ... my car. Fixing it. Being run over by it. Admiring the design. Hiding from the boogie monster.
Under ... the impression that lots of people read my blog. Yeah right!
But alas, I am under the weather. Which according to Idiomsite.com is because of all the bad weather. Then again, I am sure it is closer to the 'site visitor's' opinion about being below deck.
Every little kid jokes about growing up to be the president. Hopefully I don't end up like Clinton.
The key risks doctors listed were genetic predisposition, a history of smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, poor diet and inactivity. Having three or more puts patients at highest risk.
History of smoking - I have only ever smoked one cigarette and I'm told I didn't even inhale, however, my mom smoked all of my life and didn't care to move it outside or anything. Many of my friends smoke and I work in a bar. Smoke. smoke. smoke.
High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes - I haven't had a run-in with these but my grandmother on my mother's side has been having problems with the first two as long as I have known her. She also was diagnosed with diabetes this past summer.
Obesity - Well .. I prefer big-boned, or even portly.
Poor diet - I have been very cautious of my diet over the past few years, especially since moving off campus. This may be the best thing in the list I have going for me. However, I'm told that I would consume a lot less calories if I didn't drink - I'm down to 1 night a week if that.
Inactivity - I'm very active, but not the good kind, I guess. I have a tendency of getting involved with so much stuff that I don't leave myself the time to take care of myself - so that's what I tell myself. In reality, I'm just not motivated.
Ok, so I know that the title is a little mean, but I am still very irratated about my car. I was hit by a Mexican driver a couple weeks ago. I just got my pictures back and I figured I'd show the world the result of the Mexico-licensed lawncare worker's lack of road etiquette.
The quote to get it fixed is $2947. That doesn't include the loaner rental car.
For those of you who haven't seen pictures, I am definately my father's son ... not the milk man (though I am also the black sheep of the family).
Scientists grow hair with stem-cell implants in nude miceI'll be going to PetSmart today after work to get some mice so we can start this now. Did someone say they wanted a test human?
Wait, I'm glad I continued reading the article. Perhaps I won't want mouse fur on my head, though it will be better than nothing. The team "grew new hair follicles from mouse stem cells and successfully implanted them into the skin of nude mice, and they soon began producing ordinary mouse fur."
Once the test passes on gorilla's then I'll give it a shot. My hair is kinda gorilla color (Is that a crayola crayon color?)
I'm not one to be political, but there seems to be some shady stuff going around. First people said there is evidence that the moon landing is fake. Now this. I don't know what to believe anymore.
http://pixla.px.cz/pentagon.swf
Opinions?
A chain of private California schools that taught immigrants there are 53 U.S. states and four branches of the U.S. government.
Um ... Betsy can you just add a couple stars?
Oh, and I guess that means more quarters! My grandma will be thrilled!
If this means the presidential race will last longer, then shoot me now.
Students learned that Congress had two houses -- the Senate for Democrats and the House for Republicans; that the U.S. flag had not been updated to reflect the addition of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico to the "original" 50 states; that the federal "administrative" branch oversees the Treasury Department; and that World War II occurred from 1938 to 1942.
As a teenager, you always look forward to turning 18. You can then vote, go to strip clubs, but wait - you aren't old enough to read about beer.
In order to view the Pittsburgh Brewing Company Web site, you must enter your date of birth. The screen says that you must be 21 to access the site. The same is required for Corona, Budweiser and Miller. Why is there an age requirement to view information about a brewing company? Coincidence between brewing companies? I doubt it.
If it is a requirement from the government, I don't think it should be. An 18 year old is allowed to have a credit card, but it isn't like they will be buying kegs over the internet and therefore someone would be selling to a minor. What is the big deal behind not letting 18 year olds discover how beer is made, or info about certain brands?
As a 21 year old, I don't typically look at the age requirement for things anymore. I know that there is no longer anything that I am too young for by law, other than collecting my Social Security.
I'd really like opnions on this. I am going to look for information on it and see what I come up with. If it is a law, I don't think it is justified. Being that all distributors do it, I am thinking that I may have to write my congressman on this one.
So, I ran across the 100 Mispronounced Words in the English dictionary today. And I guess all I have to say once again is "English sucks - I'm a computer person."
I am definately champing at the bit that cardsharps aren't going to eat me while I'm playing poker.
How 'mischievous of the realtor to say the house was a spit and image of our old house across the street.
