AU Fiasco Update

Read this article about how Benjamin Ladner made out big-time, to the tune of almost $4 MILLION dollars. Yes, folks, crime and a complete lack of ethics does, in fact, pay and how! And take a wild guess who gets to foot that bill - yep, students. Not surprisingly, the students are up in arms about this.

Misc Update

Now that I'm unemployed, I've designated Saturday as "Super-Happy Fun Day," also known as "badly needed stress relief day, that doesn't involve school work at all." It will be a day to go to the museums, try new (reasonably priced) restaurants, etc. So, why am I hitting here talking to you? Because part of the fun is that I get to blog and vent about things!

Panda Love. This is an ongoing joke between Jeff & me: We look each day in the paper for those adorable photos of the panda baby at National Zoo. He's just so cute, looking like he's dubious about all the measuring and weighing procedures. Just so fluffy and cute! Ok, it's a silly diversion, but what the hey?

A Pleasant Friday

Yesterday I headed home without a stomachache, without nervous tension, but with the warm, fuzzy knowledge that I had aced my latest Criminology exam (remember, it’s not called a “mid-term exam,” just another exam) and with the distinct feeling that I had been really on top of things at Chem Lab and . After having lunch, I took a nap. Happy & sleepy was I.

Bush’s Stupid Immigration Plan

Washington Post gives us an idea of the amnesty program (called a “guest worker” program) proposed by Bush. I’m fuming as I’m typing this. What it comes down to is a completely unenforceable system that just means the status quo will be observed, minus billions in taxpayer dollars to support such a program. No increase in border security, no holding employers accountable for hiring illegals. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) has it right when he says,

Bringing workers out of the shadows is simply another way of saying we should legalize illegal immigrants…Yes, we should bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows, and then return them to their home country.

And shame on you employers for selling out your country! Shame on you politicians who institute and maintain safe-haven policies – also selling out your country!

Anyway, go read the article for yourself.

AU Debacle

A follow-up article in the Post about outgoing American University president Benjamin Ladner and whether or not the university should pay him up to $4 million dollars in severance or dismiss him for cause with nothing. This is the guy who, with his wife, spent lavishly on American University’s dime during his tenure as president of that university. For those of you unfamiliar with this story, while ago an anonymous letter was sent to the trustees questioning Ladner’s spending habits and thus, an audit was launched. You can only imagine the extent of the spending. As a result of the audit and its findings, the school board dismissed Ladner, but now they’re deciding what to do with him. AU is hemorrhaging trustees over this and frankly I don’t blame them. Students are up in arms because their tuition funded this lifestyle. Can’t say I blame them, especially since I’m currently paying an arm and a leg for tuition and it would incense me to know that the university president was living large while I was struggling to pay tuition. The worst part about this situation is that Ladner has this breathtaking sense of entitlement about past and potential funds and seems clueless about what all the fuss is about. I really think that university presidents should understand that they exist for students, not the other way around, huh?

Updated Lunacy

Well, it's not really a good sign when you leave class and the only development is a tight, hard knot in your stomach and a keen (keening?) sense of panic. Yes, you guessed it - chemistry will be my utter demise. I can't emphasize enough how much I hate it. Did I mention that I loathe and despise it? On the more adult side, I just sent an email to learning center at school seeing how to sign up for a tutor. I'm literally pulling my hair out because of this class - and have another delightful semester of it to deal with - assuming I survive this one. Hopefully the tutoring will help.

I made the decision to quit my job at bookstore. Sadly, I could definitely use the additional 8 hours on a Sunday for school work. I'm just going to tough out the semester and see if I can get a better schedule next semester to get a decent and unobtrusive part-time job. I meet with faculty advisor tomorrow to discuss my proposed school schedule.

It's official: school has taken over my life. Anyhoo, gotta eat something and study for 2pm stats test. Pray, gentle readers for my continued sanity.

School Observations

Curious how many of the girls at my small Catholic college wear the hijab. Just sayin'.

The student union burger place actually makes decent burgers and fries.

My criminology textbooks are riddled with typos...especially the text for my Juvenile Justice class. Makes you wonder if some delinquent offed the proof-reader in a fit as a result of Strain (heh. as in Agnew's GST. ok, it's sociology crap already, geeze).

I'm periodically freaking out still. I'm going to quit my job because, frankly, I'm more desperate for that eight hours time than the paltry sum I'm making for that eight hours. Next semester, I'm going to have a much better schedule without so many large gaps in between...which make getting a better paying part-time job that much easier and workable.

Ok, I must sign off and do lab prep. Did I mention I can't wear my contact lenses to lab - so I have to wear my glasses???!!! Beyond that, the lab is a shrill, shreaking nightmare.

Oh must I go now??? Yes. Reactions with copper await my conclusions.

Cosi Issues

This was totally unbelievable. I went into Cosi at Ballston Metro to get a latte before class. I had a frequent coffee-drinker card filled up (no surprise), so I was going to get my free-bee. Only they wouldn't honor it because in the words of the manager, it looked like a forgery. Yes, you read right - a forged stamped card. He said with an absolutely straight face that "see, all the stamps are facing the same direction, so it looks like a forgery." I was not pleased.

Almost every weekend, Jeff & I go across the street to Cosi for bagels and coffee. He usually finds a seat and I stand in line to pay and get my card stamped. I buy 2 coffees, I get 2 stamps. Makes sense, huh? Next week, same deal. Many of the same baristas are there every week, stamping with the same stamps. Does it really surprise you that the stamps look similar? That they face the same way? Well, the bonehead youngster who was so astute as to catch the nefarious forger saved his store a whopping $3.33...and lost a customer. Thanks, but I'll stick to the Cosi in my neighborhood, wherein the baristas remember us, accept full cards without the suspicion, and make an attempt at customer service.