tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20837683248757709852024-03-18T23:08:19.440-05:00The BlurbThe Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-54309623176569272862009-11-02T16:04:00.008-06:002009-11-02T16:36:19.024-06:00Chicago Is Yours for $40<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Really.</span> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">You can't beat this:</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;">Motorcoach round trip from the campus to Chicago and back, with an overnight at Chicago's landmark Palmer House Hilton Hotel on December 5-6, 2009. The cost for UW-Manitowoc students is a mere $40. Non-student price is $70.</span> <span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sign up in the Adminstrative Office by November 6th.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Student Senate has been sponsoring this annual excursion to the <em><span style="color:#66ffff;">Windy City</span></em> for 34 years straight. Be part of this great tradition: </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Take a taxi. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Ride the "L." </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Shop Michigan Avenue. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Go to the top of the Sears tower. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Take in a dolphin show at the Shedd Aquarium. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Gawk at the great art in the Art Institute. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Visit the Field Museum and seek out the mummies. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sample some of the world's best caramel corn. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Order breakfast in bed. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;">Ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;">Promenade down the avenue amid millions of little white lights. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">It's the first weekend of December.</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;">It's Chicago.</span> <span style="color:#ffff00;">It's your turn.</span></span></div>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-37994227896094038572009-09-21T15:53:00.005-05:002009-09-21T16:08:57.250-05:00It's Never Too Early to Cram<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">The Fall semester is well underway. The way some people look at things, it's over 20% gone. For the glass-half-full types, there's nearly 80% left to go. But no matter which way you look at it, the meter is running. And the BLURB has a bit of advice for students:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>It's never too early to cram</strong></span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Seriously, do yourself and your test scores a favor and set aside a chunk of time in the next week or two and study as if your finals were the next day. It's a great way to solidify what you know, while identifying weak spots.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Give it a try and let the BLURB know if it works for you.</strong></span></span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-52982124160264715882009-08-21T16:08:00.006-05:002009-08-21T17:04:36.808-05:00Telephone Rant: Or, Ma Bell, Where Art Thou?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This isn't exclusively a college issue. But college students seem to be on the cutting edge of the matter. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>So here's the rant:</strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Students don't really want professors or parents or counselors on Facebook, right? That's cool. Or on MySpace, either. That's fine, too. And it seems that email messages from school-related sources get largely ignored, if they even get opened. (Not so cool, but okay.) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But what's worse is that if you call college students on the phone number they provided at the time of enrollment, you'll get one of three annoying results: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ffff99;">1) The number has been disconnected or is no longer in use.</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ffcc66;">2) There is an answering machine (good, so far), but the message is so quirky or cutesy that it is impossible to tell if any message left on this machine will ever reach the student in question. (Many a message has been left for Connie Co-ed or Frankie Freshman on an answering machine located in a place that neither Connie nor Frankie have ever set foot!)</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or <span style="color:#ff6600;">3) a sibling or cognitively-impaired visitor from another planet--someone, in brief, who has never heard of the student or of the university and who can't find a writing utensil to save the life of a child--answers the phone and, despite great efforts on the caller's part to comm-un-i-cate s l o w l y and clearly, really has no intention of or capacity for delivering any part of the important message to the aforementioned student. (Really, putting a message in a bottle and tossing it upstream in the Manitowoc River is about as likely to get there.) </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As a result of any of these three things, Connie doesn't find out that she didn't sign a necessary paper for financial aid or Frankie doesn't respond to the offer for a newly vacated spot in the class he's dying to get into.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mail? You say, mail? Don't get me started!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So the BLURB's advice for anyone, but especially college students, who want to get their messages: <em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Give the school the number of a <span style="font-size:180%;">phone you are likely to answer</span>. College officials will not crowd your digital space by texting or twitting or tweeting or gurging you anytime soon, if you will just answer your phone once in a while and, Mon Dieu, maybe even read their good old-fashioned email messages, too.</span></em></span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-40394224814067992742009-07-28T14:24:00.012-05:002009-07-28T15:21:36.313-05:00The BLURB is back!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">The BLURB</span> is back after a terrific three month hiatus. We finished out the semester, did some traveling, some sleeping in, and some cooking out. And we're looking forward to another month of the same before the Fall Term begins.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Speaking of things beginning, the <span style="color:#ff0000;">Fall Semester starts on September 2nd</span>, which is about the same date as previous years, <span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">but</span> </span>this year the 2nd falls on a <strong><em>WEDNESDAY!</em></strong></span> Labor Day comes late this year (weird, isn't it?), on Monday, the 7th of September. So we'll start with a three-day week, and follow up with a four-day week. before we take on a full week. Odd as it is, it will give all of us a chance to ease back into the swing of things.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Between then and now, there is still time to hustle on in to the Office of Student Services to apply for admission and/or register for classes. And if you get on the stick, you can still apply for Financial Aid. The BLURB suggests that you contact Student Services for help with any part of this process<span style="color:#ff9900;">--(920) 683-4707.</span> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">TODAY!</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">There are some downright friendly people in that office and they'll go the extra step to help you out (or in). (LOL. Well, maybe STY.)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-80540721168194334332009-04-24T16:09:00.002-05:002009-04-24T16:38:56.798-05:00So little time . . . So much to do<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's getting to be that point in the semester when everyone is feeling <span style="color:#66ff99;">overwhelmed</span>. Right? What students may not realize is that faculty and staff have just about had it, too. Well, <span style="color:#ff6600;">the </span><span style="color:#ff6600;">BLURB </span>has some advice for you on how to cut corners, save time and energy, and survive the end of the term in one piece.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Identify at least one thing per day that you <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">can</span> </strong>say "<span style="color:#ff0000;">no</span>" to, and then say (however politely you want to be about it) "<span style="color:#ff0000;">no.</span>" </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Instead of spending time and energy to go off-campus to get food, take advantage of the <strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">Blue Devil Grill</span></strong>. There are inexpensive items on the menu and it's "<strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;">hot and now</span></strong>." </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Supplement lunch by tossing an apple or orange or banana in your backpack for <strong>a quick and convenient snack.</strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Figure out which assignment or deadline you are dreading the most, and, if at all possible, take it on <strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">first</span>. </strong> You'll feel free and energized by getting it off your back.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(This may sound strange.) <strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Plan what you're going to wear</span> </strong>for the week, so that you don't waste time everyday fussing about it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Except for <strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">basic hygiene</span></strong>, forget about how you look until finals are over--unless you're in hot pursuit of romance at the same time as you're trying to finish the semester, in which case, <strong><span style="color:#9999ff;">you're doomed</span>.</strong></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lay <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">off of Facebook and Twitter</span></strong> for two weeks. (You'll make everyone wonder if they did something to upset you or if you're sick or if you've run off to Tahiti. You can catch up after finals are over.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Stop reading The BLURB</span></strong> this very minute and do one part of one assignment instead</span>.</li></ul>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-58416751529479148742009-04-03T11:11:00.004-05:002009-04-03T11:24:58.672-05:00Mayoral Election--Vote Local<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, okay. There was a great turn-out of young voters in November's presidential election. And that bodes well for an engaged and concerned electorate. But we'll have to see if this translates to a good voter turn-out for the <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>April 7th</strong></span> election, which for Manitowoc voters will feature a mayoral election. Regardless of the outcome, Manitowoc will have its first new mayor in over 20 years. The two candidates are <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Dave Soeldner</strong></span> and <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Justin Nickels.</strong></span> Both candidates have made themselves available to the public, and, in particular, to students here at UW-Manitowoc. They each want your vote. The BLURB just wants you to vote. It's the smart thing to do.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-3088211581032245482009-02-25T17:39:00.003-06:002009-02-25T17:59:05.359-06:00Cures for the Mid-Winter Blahs<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, first of all, unless you have the means to head someplace <span style="color:#ffcc00;">warm and sunny</span>, you're sort of stuck. But here are three things that might actually help.<br /><br /># 1. Take megadoses of <span style="color:#ff6600;">Vitamin D</span>. Really, it helps. You should be taking 1000 to 2000 units a day in this climate.<br /><br /># 2. Splurge on some <span style="color:#ff0000;">fresh flowers</span>. It doesn't have to be long-stemmed roses. This time of year a bunch of tulips or daffodils can bring on a real "spring is in the air" feeling.<br /><br /># 3. Do something <span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"><em>different.</em></span> For example, you might want to give Campus Life Nights a try. This week it's an Annex tournament. Next week it's Texas Hold'em and a Taco bar. March 11th is Karaoke night. And the 18th is a Bowling outing at Meadow Lanes North. This stuff is sponsored by Student Senate. It's free. And it's no pressure fun. Or you could try to learn how to juggle watermelons. </span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-80108895360049731932009-01-29T13:53:00.002-06:002009-01-29T14:13:32.424-06:00Jabali Afrika is performing here February 4th!Check out a sample of their stuff!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JvT9gXXpH_M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JvT9gXXpH_M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-83189570501528230692009-01-26T19:24:00.004-06:002009-01-28T15:04:40.003-06:00'Cause, Baby, It's Cold Outside<div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Check out these hot ideas for staying warm on campus.</em><br /></span>#1--Get to campus early to snatch up a parking spot near a building entrance, or get to campus late after the early birds have left and vacated their prime spots.<br />#2--Once on campus, stay put. The food in the Commons is pretty decent and they take debit cards, so save the gas and the chill.<br />#3--Bring one of those blankets with arms in 'em--like they advertised on TV as perfect Christmas gifts for people who want to read, or knit, or change the channels without having to take their arms out from under the cozy warmth--and slip it on whenever you sit down.<br />#4--Invest in a case of those hand and foot warmer things that people use for Packer games or deer hunting and ducttape them to any body parts that you want to keep especially warm and that you don't mind removing tape from.<br />#5--Eat really spicy food.<br />#6--Wear a goofy hat. (Why is it that all the warm hats are so dumb looking?)<br />#7--Sit very close to people. (This may require their express consent, of course.)<br />#8--If you have to leave a warm spot you've managed to secure, move very quickly to another warm spot--run if necessary.<br />#9--Do something that is terribly embarrassing because it will make you sweat and/or blush.<br />#10--Read something really spicy. (Even if it doesn't help combat the cold, it might take your mind off it.)</span></div>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-86424108260053149602009-01-13T13:09:00.001-06:002009-01-13T13:14:31.568-06:00Inauguration or bust!Two of our students are Inauguration-bound! Check it out:<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yrfXDUJkIqU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yrfXDUJkIqU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-76873982095401207292008-12-15T17:33:00.004-06:002008-12-15T17:51:20.725-06:00Study Night, Study Night, Stud-Stud-Study Night<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tuesday, December 16th, 2008</span></strong> may well go down in history as your last crack at getting help in preparation for Fall semester <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">FINAL EXAMINATIONS</span></strong>, which begin bright and early December 17th. So our strong advice to one and all is to don your comfiest apparel and come take advantage of the Student Senate sponsored campus <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">STUDY NIGHT</span></strong>. Over 30 faculty and staff members will be here to answer those last questions and to explain again that vexing issue, formula, phenomenon, or process. To feed the body--if not the mind and soul--there will be sub sandwiches aplenty and healthy as well as corn syrup-laddened accompaniments. The camaraderie alone is worth the trip to campus</span>.The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-70948221437660195322008-12-09T17:08:00.004-06:002008-12-09T17:16:33.632-06:00Last Minute Reminder--JOHN RUSH on campus<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just like we've been saying: <strong>John Rush</strong>--voted <strong><em>campus entertainer of the year</em></strong> in the national <em>On Campus</em> magazine--will be performing <strong>here </strong>at UW-Manitowoc <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Wednesday evening, December 10th at 8:00pm.</span></strong> It's<strong> free</strong> for UW-Manitowoc students. $8.00 for non-students. So come. Bring a date. Bring your mom. She'll think it's very cool to be asked and she'll love the concert</span>.The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-85716916909753233922008-11-26T16:10:00.004-06:002008-12-09T17:17:20.385-06:00Finishing the Semester with a Flourish<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It probably doesn't come as news to anyone that the end of the semester pressures are mounting. Papers are coming due. Project deadlines are looming. And <strong>Finals begin on December 17th.</strong> Of course it doesn't help that most employers are hoping that you'll work extra hours at this time of the year. Then, too, there are those annoying people who seem to appear right about now who are so well-organized and diligent that they are all caught up with everything and want you to join in on some perfectly enjoyable, but time-devouring Christmasy thing: "Let's go shopping in Appleton."<br /><br />Well, the BLURB has a suggestion or two (or three or four) for you.<br /><br />#1--Record on a calendar all of the tests, papers, projects, and assignments that you need to deal with before the end of the semester. Then, backing up from the due dates, block off the time you'll be devoting to each of those items. If you can't find the time on the calendar, you probably won't get it done. Be realistic about this. By this point in the semester you know how much time and effort is required. Plot it out.</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#2--Don't take on extra hours at work. In fact, if you can give up some hours that you would really spend on studying, you should probably give up some hours in the next three weeks. Remember that spring semester doesn't start until the 26th of January, so you'll have lots of time to put in extra hours after finals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#3--Have fun with a last minute Holiday Challenge. If you're feeling pressure to do holiday preparation when you really could/should be hitting the books, tell yourself that you'll do a concentrated Christmas thing this year <strong><em>after your semester is completed</em></strong>: all your shopping in three hours, baking in one big push, wrapping in a flurry, etc. And, while you're at it, stay local--save time and money and help the local economy. </p></span>#4--If you are taking a break from school work--make it a good one! There are some great events coming up on campus in the next couple of weeks. Check the campus calendar for the things that will appeal to you most.The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-83166233514173285592008-11-07T13:43:00.003-06:002008-11-07T13:54:05.740-06:00Don't miss the music--December 10th<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wednesday, December 10th at 8:00 in the University Theatre the campus is hosting JOHN RUSH--guitarist, vocalist and all around very cool dude. Check out the promo video and then pick up your free ticket (if you're a UW-Manitowoc student) or shell out the paltry 8 bucks for a ticket if you're not a UW-Manty student.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pvWDIES86yQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pvWDIES86yQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-12290848938453247082008-10-20T15:20:00.004-05:002008-10-20T15:46:19.762-05:00Smoking is So Yesterday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF22RJUf3SNTbHx2Wtx0UoTF64Z7jW98XWZ39vCFFHnMnP1TD9q1z7Flj-KhZle9iatSAU5-rR-6vQC7zz-VTj6f7Mgcn0cqzkIW86ewu2t64VBRgltDlytB4FPoneuUzLFkRl1wCfi_h/s1600-h/Poster+(Manitowoc).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259340227457664146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF22RJUf3SNTbHx2Wtx0UoTF64Z7jW98XWZ39vCFFHnMnP1TD9q1z7Flj-KhZle9iatSAU5-rR-6vQC7zz-VTj6f7Mgcn0cqzkIW86ewu2t64VBRgltDlytB4FPoneuUzLFkRl1wCfi_h/s400/Poster+(Manitowoc).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The BLURB says: "<em>Smoking is so yesterday</em>." The Great American Smoke Out can help you make it so.</div>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-31974581322932430882008-10-10T16:30:00.004-05:002008-10-10T16:45:50.958-05:00Did You Ever Notice . . .<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Did you ever notice how clean and well-maintained this campus is? Not that a campus should be a pig sty, but UW--Manitowoc is downright spiffy. And what's more, the people who keep it spit-polished to a nifty shine are really pleasant people. Oh sure, they may get a little nervous each year when Student Senate decides to have a Pumpkin Carving Contest--that's a lot of pumpkin guts to deal with--but all in all they actually seem to like the students and staff. So not only do they do a great job, but they are willing to go the extra distance to make the place look good. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Maybe that accounts in part for the low incidence of grafitti, littering, or general slobbitude by students and staff. Good going to the custodial crew and to you and you and you and you and you and . . . </span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-61315504861946407892008-09-30T16:07:00.003-05:002008-09-30T17:09:57.449-05:00Study Tip No. 1--Bite off a little bit<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Who says this BLURB thing is worthless? Here, for example, is a priceless study tip for you. And it's free for the taking.<br /><br />Spend less time and energy worrying about and hoping about and complaining about something you have to do or learn, and more time actually trying to do it or learn it. Sometimes it helps to take a little time to complete just one little step in the process. Write the first sentence. Do the first math problem. Study and memorize one key term or concept. Read the first three pages. Just crossing the boundary between <em><strong>avoiding</strong></em> it and <em><strong>doing </strong></em>it, can make a big difference. Then when you come back to the task with the necessary time, you've already started.<br /><br />Go ahead. Give it a try.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-63060313352599051982008-09-22T16:54:00.004-05:002008-09-22T18:01:32.396-05:00Love the Local Flavors<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This week Wednesday night is the Kick-off of the "Locavore Challenge." Check out the "Blue Devils Go Green" Blog on the campus homepage for all the particulars. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course, some of us think we have a great chance at winning the challenge simply based on the fact that we eat a lot more than other people, and therefore will also likely eat more <strong><em>local </em></strong>food than skinny little picky eaters. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hmmm . . . there may be something wrong with this logic.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But, contest or not, eating locally grown or made food has its own rewards. Compare the taste of your granny's homemade pickles to any kind you can get at the store, or the taste of fresh apple juice or cider from the farmer's market to commercially made stuff, or the taste of a plump juicy tomato you pick off the vine to the kind that arrives hard as an eight ball in a carton from God-knows-where. They're not even the same species! So whatever other good things come from eating locally, one thing you can bank on is that the local, homemade, fresh stuff will reward you with tasting great. </span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-66590455512586351872008-09-17T17:26:00.005-05:002008-09-17T17:53:08.859-05:00Get Ready. Get Set. Vote!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Every four years college students are on the receiving end of a big push--to get out and vote. Duh! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And in Wisconsin, they make it pretty easy. This week there's even someone on campus from the League of Women Voters who will register you on the spot so that you're good to go and vote on November 4th.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But the BLURB goes it one better: <strong>be an <em>informed</em> voter. </strong>If you've been checking out the national news/opinion forums--CNN, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, etc.--and any of the bazillion shows covering the Presidential Election, you know that the slant, and even the story itself, that you get depends so much on the channel you happen to be watching. So what's a body to do? Easy. Watch a couple of different channels <strong><em>and </em></strong>watch the upcoming debates. Then, equipped with at least that much information, cast your vote. 'Cause, you name the issue, a lot is riding on this election. </span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-86594118033148084472008-09-10T15:29:00.002-05:002008-09-10T15:35:42.152-05:00Is anyone out there?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Most BLOGS have a response feature built in, but for some reason this BLURB doesn't. But if you want to respond--compliment, complain, suggest, or just comment--to any of the posts on The Blurb you can do so to </span><a href="mailto:theblurb@uwc.edu"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">theblurb@uwc.edu</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. The Blurber is waiting to hear from you!</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-24493232134596394432008-09-08T15:06:00.003-05:002008-09-08T16:06:08.339-05:00campus life nights<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the last ten years, UW-Manitowoc's Student Senate has been pulling off this cool series of events or programs that they call Campus Life Nights (or maybe it's Campus Night Life's). Usually they start at 9:00 on Wednesday nights because by that time most students are done with class and work for the day, and it sort of marks making it over the hump of the week. It's a time to kick back with some sort of friendly gathering or maybe a cut-throat competition like Battle of the Sexes or a dessert-making contest. (That one can get especially messy.) There's almost always something to eat or drink, and there is often a cheesy prize or two involved.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This week they're sponsoring one of dubious pleasure for some of us and of great adventure and excitement for others--Capture the Flag in the Park in the Dark. To date they've only had one sprained ankle and one lost person, and the ankle healed and the lost one was found. The losing team has to serve pizza and soda to the winners. Serious competitors come in ninja or night gear, but the only real advice on what to wear is something you don't mind getting dirty and serious footwear--NO Flip-flops! Save them for "jammies and a chick-flick" night.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-22833987693038927942008-09-08T10:42:00.007-05:002008-09-08T16:10:02.462-05:00Join in on Co-curriclars: It Pays Off<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It used to be that "joining" anything had a bit of a dorky edge to it, but there has been a definite shift in attitudes toward joining. Now it has more of the air of "stepping up" or "contributing" to the greater good, or, at the very least, acting on our social instincts by being part of the group, the clan . . . the human race. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At UW-Manitowoc "joining" is, in most cases, pretty effortless. If you put your name and contact information on the sign-up sheet (located in the curved corridor on the way to the Commons) for, say, Future Teachers, or Extreme Outdoors, or Goin' Green, or Sheepshead Anonymous, or any of the dozen or so active campus organizations, someone from the group will contact you to let you know when and where the organizational meeting will be taking place. You show up. You check it out. You decide if there is something in it for you, and you take it from there. If you didn't sign up for anything in advance, you are still welcome to attend meetings and join at a later date. Just check out the TV message monitors for meeting times and places.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Privileges come with joining:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#1) It's a very competitive world out there. Being involved in clubs and organizations can give you an edge. At the very least, active participation in a club or organization tells the person looking at your resume down the road that you're the type of person that does <strong><em>more </em></strong>than what's required. And that's always a good thing. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#2) Participation in co-curriculars--athletics, clubs, service programs, creative and performing arts, student government, pre-professional organizations--provides you with opportunities to build your interpersonal communication and leadership skills, and establishes important networks of information and support.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#3) You meet people with common interests and don't have to go through eHarmony.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#4) Joiners (engaged students) get better grades. It's true. They do.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">#5) It's frequently fun. Sometimes exciting. Occasionally demanding. Often rewarding. And, frequently FUN.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At a small campus like this, it is very easy to get involved. And, really, it's a win-win-win sort of thing.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-5630070123884411922008-08-26T15:14:00.003-05:002008-08-26T15:38:43.776-05:00Professor ranked #2 in the nation!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is very cool. Really. UW-Manitowoc's Physics professor, Mike Sherman (<em>not</em> the former Packer coach), is ranked #2 nationally in Men's Sport Mountain Biking. I suppose I have to add "in his age group," which is 60 and over. But he can put most people half his age to shame. And the word on the street is that he is a terrific teacher, too.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-27161576642572128492008-08-20T11:18:00.002-05:002008-08-20T11:41:57.048-05:00Orientation. Orientation. Orientation<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New students probably got a postcard in the mail about the New Student Orientation and Kick-off event that's happening on Thursday, August 28th starting at 6:00pm. New students who didn't get a postcard, or who didn't see or <em>read</em> the postcard, are still welcome. There is always a pretty decent (and not too long) presentation from a rep from Monster.com, and you get to meet the faculty, and this year they're having brats and burgers and all that stuff, and there are some really good "give-aways" and sign-up tables. All in all, it's a fairly painless way to break the ice before classes start. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But really somebody should come up with another word for it. We already get an "orientation" when we show up to register for classes during the summer. And "kick-off" seems like it should be followed immediately by a game. "Start - up" seems better suited with the Indy 500. And the academic expression "convocation" may be accurate, but, frankly, it sounds sort of off-putting for an event that is supposed set everybody at ease. At least they haven't started to call it:"boot up." (I would break into tears.) Any suggestions? "Welcome"?</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2083768324875770985.post-19717365410044575842008-08-19T14:38:00.005-05:002008-08-20T11:04:25.919-05:00Going Green--A Little Rant<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know we’re supposed to be going “green” and all on campus this year (along with everybody else--Yeah, right, Walmart, which doesn't sell <em>anything </em>that's not from China,--is "going green"). But I tried cutting the lawn with a push mower the other day, thinking that it would be good exercise and save on the carbon emission and all that rah-rah stuff. Well, I thought I was going to die! Now maybe I’m just a wuss looking for an excuse, but I think I’d be better off using up the one-fifth of a gallon of gasoline it takes for me to mow with internal combustion power than having to spend a half hour in the shower and an hour in front of a fan in order to recover from heat stroke. Or maybe we should just let our lawns revert to prairie. But then the City will fine us for not maintaining our property.</span>The Blurberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06929269014998230102noreply@blogger.com