Warning! This post is all about me (as always). Better yet, each paragraph starts with I. Bad writing. Semi-good “my heads about to explode because I’m writing papers again” ranting…

I woke up quite early this morning – for a Saturday – and toddled down to my office to get down to the serious business of writing my History paper. I’ve decided to put the past (lower than desired discussion marks) behind me. At least for the moment. I need to focus on trying to figure out just exactly what I’m supposed to be doing to get a decent mark on papers. See, this is the class where I’ve already been chastized for doing “too much” research and going “outside of the bounds” of the original assigned readings.

I’m still trying to figure out how you can over research a paper. I guess that’s one of the things I still need to learn about formal education. Me, I tend to read the assigned reading. Then I head off to the university library or the online journals available through the library and start searching for additional articles relating to the subject. I want to know as much about it before I start pontificating about the topic. More importantly, I want to read the criticisms and alternate views. I want to be well armed before I make the frontal assault on my paper and start typing.

I just don’t by into forming an opinion about anything without having viewed at least two different versions of events or thoughts on a subject.

I tried very hard to remedy that in paper #2. I stuck to the assigned readings and barely ventured off the paved path set in front of me by the prof. This, of course, was based entirely on the feedback I received from paper #1. I have no idea if I was successful since it has yet to be returned to me. Paper #3 is due on Tuesday. I had wanted to complete it by Monday but I don’t know if I’ll be 100% comfortable submitting it without seeing any feedback on #2 first. *sigh*

I’ve been typing snippets of phrases and points I want to cover in my paper all week. I’ve made notes and got my citations in order. I’ve even got a few paragraphs put together (though not ordered). This weekend is supposed to be dedicated to getting all that junk into some reasonable facsimile of coherence. Knowing how I normally write papers, I expect to be spending about 10 hours today and 10 hours tomorrow putting everything together and writing the final product. I’m sure it’s not the recommended method for writing papers but it’s the one that works for me.

I’m about 50% complete but still uncomfortable at the thought of walking blind through the process as I’m worried I may have once again “over researched” my subject. Worst still, I’m worried that I’ll feel this way all through the remainder of my university experience.

Nothing seems to be going right today. Both profs are late getting my grades back in my classes and I’m suffering from crappy discussion answer grades lately. Could be worse. Could be crappy grades on papers. I’m sure both profs would argue that all would be well with the world if I just worked harder. Problem is, I’m not sure it’s a case of working harder as opposed to a case of not towing the party line when it comes to making or responding to arguments. I just can’t seem to stay in the box they’re trying to put us all in.

As a result today I’m full of questions.

Why am I the only one stupid curious enough to ask questions and demand we look at all sides? Why do I do this class after class? Would it be easier to just fall in step? Would my interest and motivation to complete slide even lower if I fell in line? How badly will B’s impact applications to grad school? Why can’t I go back to learning and acquiring knowledge the way I have in the past? When did education stop being about learning and become all about credentialization and fitting into a little slot?

It’s hard to stay motivated today. Guess I need to work on that…

It’s a few days past the big election here and we’ve recently been swamped with news stories about low voter turnout in the cities. After listening to weeks and weeks of “human interest” stories burbling on about how so many people want to see change in the political landscape we see the PC party gain seats rather than lose them. The NDP lost 50% (2) of their seats and are on the cusp of losing official party status. The Liberals lost seats as well. Rather than change, we’re in for more of the same.

Not that I’m complaining as I’ve yet to really find any government appealing at the moment…

However, I’m stunned by the excuses people are giving on the news for their missing votes. “I was out shooing pool“, “I had a hair appointment“, “I was watching the latest episode of XX TV show“, etc. Despite these pathetic excuses people still feel it’s their dawg-given right to complain about the election results.

Of special interest to me are the students. Yep. You know the ones – constantly complaining about the high cost of student loans and education but who can’t be bothered to show up and vote. It amazes me how any student can consider their issues important enough to complain about everywhere (verbally, blogs, student newspapers, TV and radio interviews) but can’t take the 10-20 minutes to show up at a polling station and VOTE.

Note: Been there, done that. Paid off the student loan after 7 years and am now paying for my degree course-by-course while working full time.

Even better, I’m tired of hearing “I don’t know enough about the political process, parties, platforms, etc.” excuse from students. You’re attending college or university. You have access to computers and libraries – and in some cases poli. sci. courses – there’s no reason on dawg’s green earth why you can’t take a few minutes to RESEARCH parties and their platforms or read about the provincial political system!

Political parties know they can ignore student issues because students don’t tend to vote. According to posters placed all around campus prior to the election (provided by the student union) less than 5% of eligable students voted in the last election. Lucky me. In a few decades my future will be in the hands of these students. I wonder how much lower the voter turn out will be then.

If you want change, if you want to make an impact on the world around you, if you want issues that matter to you to be taken seriously you can stop complaining and start with the simplest of tasks. Change your own behaviour. Get out and vote. Take instruction from Gandhi and “be the change you want to see“.

My doctor said…

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… Don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! …. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one hand – chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO, What a Ride’

For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.  

We made it. We’re home. The truck is muddy and gross from driving through slush and storms. There will be time enough to wash it tomorrow.

There was an incident at the puppy sitters (Hypnos was bad! Sorry Wendy) so we didn’t take the time to stop in town and pick up gifts and sweaters this morning before heading home. A thank you dinner will have to suffice this time ’round. I’m thinking wings and beer at Brewsters just might begin to make up for it. If not, Wendy and Drew can compare scars…

Today is election day in Alberta. Drew and I voted at an advanced poll last week. We weren’t sure if we’d make it home in time to cast a vote today but didn’t want to miss out on the excitement of scribbling an X on a thick piece of paper. Oddly enough, I was registered to vote in our riding but Drew wasn’t. He had to be sworn in at the advanced poll in order to vote. Since both of our names are on the city taxes, mortgage and utilities bills, we’re not sure why he was missed from the voting roster.

Hiding out in the wilderness sometimes means you miss important news. Arriving home today I caught mention in the news that Jeff Healey has passed away. I remember seeing Jeff play live well over a decade ago and being in complete awe of his talent and joy for music. His skills will be missed.

Checking in with my class schedule has reminded me that – once again – I have but a few days to work on my latest History paper. Why is it that weeks just seem to fly by in that class? At least it’s not due until Tuesday of next week so I may actually get it finished early this time… At least I have another 2-3 weeks to get the next Psych paper in. For once they’re not both due on the same day!