Degree, or Not Degree...

Well, I’m still pondering “name-brand” graduate schools. Granted, I still have a few more bachelors’ degree classes left, but there’s nothing like getting a head start and I don’t want to lose any momentum! I’m afraid that if I fall too far out of my scholarly routine, I’ll never go back!

This degree will be about income security, personal accomplishment, and having a diploma that will be a return on my educational investment. Not to mention, I would like to set an example for any spawn I produce…even if they choose to pursue a trade instead of higher education; I want them to aim to be as knowledgeable and capable as they can.

Speaking of potential children, I have also decided to pursue my next degree entirely online in order to give me the greatest amount of flexibility. So far, it’s between Boston University and Penn State, with a lean towards Boston; even thought both have a fine reputation for academics. This is mostly due to the fact that Penn State forces you to go to one week residency programs, and that’s NOT how I plan to spend my vacation days! Aside from that, they did not offer as many degree choices that I am interested in, and I’m more comfortable with the interface BU uses.

If you would have told me ten years ago that I would be sitting here today trying to decide between online based graduate schools, I would never have believed either aspect.

Decisions

Man, I’m still trying to decide on a graduate degree program. This, along with the other challenges life throws at us, have conspired to keep me from blogging!

Back to the former; I’m still trying to pick a graduate degree program. This is the quandary I find myself in: trying to decide between a program that suits my interests, my budget, my lifestyle, and my family’s future. It’s a tenuous balance between all of these factors. Not to mention, I feel pressure to go to a “name brand” university

Do I go for the creative writing program at Rosemont? The project management degree sat Penn State, or the International Management Degree at Boston College (any university that has a Boston Terrier as its mascot HAS to be close to my heart)?

Decisions, Decisions.

Pond

I’m very pleased to inform you about a positive result from a previously negative situation.

Some of you may remember my story about a certain old man and his pond. I’m happy to report all is well.

The fish were saved, the pond was essentially rebuilt, and baffles were installed to prevent future damage. Sometimes, you just have to make your own luck.

Jury Duty

The other day, I performed my civic duty…otherwise known as jury duty. This was my second time being summoned as a Chester County juror. I managed to weasel out of my first selection; as I was doing an internship at the time. I probably could have avoided the summons this time, as I believe I have enough credits to be considered a full-time student. Nonetheless, I went.

I felt a strange mix of excitement and foreboding; I was getting a day away from work, but I was venturing into the unknown. Even though it’s been a while since I have lived in West Chester, I managed to navigate rush-hour traffic like a pro. I was surprised to find a space on the second story of the Bi-Centennial Parking Garage, due to the fact that I was over a half-hour early. Everything seemed to be going well…too well.

Sure enough, my arrival at the entrance to the courthouse was a harbinger to things to come. There I encounter a security person that would make any trip through a Philadelphia International Airport’s TSA checkpoint seem like a walk in the park. If I had wanted to be screamed at for inconsequential things at 0800 hours, I would have joined the Marine Corps after high school. Semper Fi, you poser douche-bag.

I had thought my new job was a sad and miserable place to be…until I went to jury duty for our fair county. We were crammed into a small room, and I’m certain we were violating at least one fire code. The stench of overheated bodies filled the air; which was combined with the fear of the unknown, and lashed to my natural distrust of strangers: this was a recipe for disaster.

After everyone had arrived (there’s always a bunch of people who feel the need to be fashionably late; no matter what the venue) and a pep-talk from one of our county judges; we were informed that we were the largest group of jurors ever at the courthouse, and that there were at least six jury trials to be had that day.

TGB was selected to an early civil trial. Unfortunately (?) for me, I wasn’t selected to be a juror on this case. I suppose the lawyers in the trial were frightened off by the aura my superior intellect casts. Ha-ha.

After being cast out of Judge Gavin’s court room, I was “recycled.” I sat in the overcrowded room for five more hours, and through three “false-alarms,” waiting to get my chance to fulfill my obligation to society. Even after enduring sheer, mind-numbing boredom, it wasn’t to be.

To my estimation, only two of the six jury trials began that day. Has anyone in the county judicial system heard of Six-Sigma, or efficiency? Likely not.

Let’s hope the new Justice Center at least has nicer juror accommodations; like liquor, show-girls, and gambling.

Sound Off, Part Deux

While I was perusing the Daily Local News this week, my attention was once again drawn to the “Sound Off” section of the editorial page. Previously, I had made comments about how positive this feature of the publication can be, and gave some tips on how contributors could make the most of their comments. Since then, I’ve altered my opinion.

From the standpoint of the newspaper, keeping this section is a great idea. This is apparent from the fact that people (like me) take the time to read it; thus, having things in the paper that generate reader interest, both positive and negative, equates to sales of both copies and advertising. It seems pretty logical thing to do from their perspective; good for them.

Even though I will continue to be sucked into reading “Sound Off,” I’ve decided to address some issues I have with it (again). First, it seems like it’s the same people using the feature all of the time. If it’s not the usual political bashers, or “Sue from Caln,” it’s the guy who feels obligated to remind all of us to turn our wipers and headlights on when it rains (I certainly wish this was my primary societal worry).

Secondly, as someone who writes material that can be rebutted, refuted, and criticized in a very personal and public manner, I feel that “Sound Off” is the easy way out for the intellectually lazy among us. If you feel strongly enough about a subject to scream into an answering machine, you should be able to develop your point of view in a concise written format, and put it into a forum where its merits can be debated.

Keep it real.

Busy

Things have just been so busy lately, that I have not had much time for leisurely writing. I foolishly thought my workload would be reduced once I sold “The Beast,” but it hasn’t been so. I’ve just been bogged down with the new job, school, and all of the little home things that “spring” up with the change in seasons…and we haven’t even gotten into picking out the new furniture and paint colors yet! Daylight Savings Time isn’t all it’s cracked-up to be.

Oh well, there are certainly much worse problems to be had than lack of time. Now, I just need to spend the next couple of months deciding on a graduate program, and sticking with my choice!

Rain

Ah, the rain. It’s one of the most powerful weapons in nature’s arsenal. It can form rivers, sustain life, or melt away monuments carved in stone. For as innocent as it may seem to some; it can be just as disastrous to others.

Unfortunately, it’s my duty to report upon these negative effects of our atmospheric friend. The ongoing and, at times, torrential rains our area has seen have wrecked havoc on my father’s fish pond.

To you this may seem insignificant, but then you don’t understand the love and physical toil this lone man has invested in this small piece of heaven on earth; this psycho-physiological oasis. You can never hope to understand…at least not until you look upon your own legacy, or lack thereof, here on Earth and realize how fragile it really is, or could be.
Remember, pray, or meditate for this man who is doing all he can to save the lives of fishes and his own little piece of Nirvana; for whatever you have done, or will do, this man is you and I