For my photo class, our final project is a portfolio of our best work. Since my photography is great and wonderful and awesome, I decided to post it here.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Where has all the time gone?
Once again, I'm staring at the end of a semester. All of my papers and most of my projects are done, and all I have left is my photography portfolio, one exam and one week of class. As nerdy as I am and enjoy the learning part of school, it will be nice not to have to worry about papers, projects, getting my ass out of bed for my 8 a.m. class, balancing paper deadlines with other work, etc.
The next "stressor" is the holidays. It gets frustrating to run from here to there and everywhere else, but it is nice to have all kinds of family and friends to celebrate with. There is nothing better than eating, drinking and being merry. I'll take the stress of finding time to spend with each and every one of my loved ones over the stress of papers and exams any day of the week.
Cheers!
The next "stressor" is the holidays. It gets frustrating to run from here to there and everywhere else, but it is nice to have all kinds of family and friends to celebrate with. There is nothing better than eating, drinking and being merry. I'll take the stress of finding time to spend with each and every one of my loved ones over the stress of papers and exams any day of the week.
Cheers!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
All of my majour projects are due this week and next, leaving me with less time to do the things I enjoy, like being lazy. Of course if I could bring myself to plan ahead and not be a procrastinator, I wouldn't nearly be so stressed. Oh well. Such is life. On the upside, after these two weeks, the rest of the semester will be relatively easy.
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I took for my photo class during the photo 2 shootout. During the shootout, we worked in pairs and had only had the class period to go out and take pictures of anything, edit them and upload them to the class blog. My partner and I came in first place and gained extra credit! Here are the photos I took that day.
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I took for my photo class during the photo 2 shootout. During the shootout, we worked in pairs and had only had the class period to go out and take pictures of anything, edit them and upload them to the class blog. My partner and I came in first place and gained extra credit! Here are the photos I took that day.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The election has finally come to an end!
After nearly two years of continuous campaigns, the election is finally over. I'm relieved. The last couple of weeks were just ridiculous. Very little new ideas came out of the campaign trail, and I, for one, was sick of hearing the same old same old. I'm also relieved that nobody will be mobbing me asking if I'm registered to vote, if I know where to vote, or if I'm voting at all. The entire thing was getting out of hand.
Yes, I did vote. I voted third party, much to the dismay of just about everyone. I know many people would say that I wasted my vote, but I felt that my vote should go to the candidate who I felt most represented my beliefs, not just the lesser of the two evils that make up the majour parties.
Also, voting third party left me free to criticize whoever would win without someone trying to paint me as a hypocrite by saying, "Well, you voted for him," because I didn't. Further, since I took the time to cast a ballot, I am also free to bitch, because I "participated in democracy."
I want to believe that Obama will live up to his message of hope. I sincerely want him to make good on his promise of healing the wounds of the last eight years. But, I also know how politicians tend to deviate from campaign promises once elected.
The next four years have already been written. Fixing our economy and deciding which direction to go in our "War on Terror" are going to be the main focus. These are not easy issues to deal with. Obama's ideas sound great on the campaign trail, but who knows what implementing them will actually do.
At the very least, the next four years will indeed bring change to America. I just hope it's positive.
Yes, I did vote. I voted third party, much to the dismay of just about everyone. I know many people would say that I wasted my vote, but I felt that my vote should go to the candidate who I felt most represented my beliefs, not just the lesser of the two evils that make up the majour parties.
Also, voting third party left me free to criticize whoever would win without someone trying to paint me as a hypocrite by saying, "Well, you voted for him," because I didn't. Further, since I took the time to cast a ballot, I am also free to bitch, because I "participated in democracy."
I want to believe that Obama will live up to his message of hope. I sincerely want him to make good on his promise of healing the wounds of the last eight years. But, I also know how politicians tend to deviate from campaign promises once elected.
The next four years have already been written. Fixing our economy and deciding which direction to go in our "War on Terror" are going to be the main focus. These are not easy issues to deal with. Obama's ideas sound great on the campaign trail, but who knows what implementing them will actually do.
At the very least, the next four years will indeed bring change to America. I just hope it's positive.
Monday, October 20, 2008
So Angry!
I found this picture of the angry cookies on the hilarious blog, cakewrecks.com.I could definitely go for some of these pissed-off cookies. They are the funniest thing I've seen all day.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Adventures in Journalism
As soon as I receive my Social Security card in the mail to complete the paper work it will be official. I will be a paid journalist! I'm mostly getting paid to copy-edit, as that is my main job there, but I will also get "bonus" pay ever week I publish a story. It's not much money...I'm not quitting my main job over it, but I've been happy doing this work for free. Now i can officially call myself a journalist! Horray!
I haven't had much time to write too many things that are going on in my life, as I've been researching and writing about things that are impacting other's lives. That combined with school and work leaves little time. Such is the life of a college student though.
Here is an article I published back in September. It's not my absolute best work, in my opinion, but I wrote it and it made it to print. Enjoy! I have articles in the works to be published in both the Monday and Thursday issues of the paper next week, so I'll post them when they're published.
McCain Focuses on Tax Breaks
by Shayla Brooks, of the Advance-Titan
When asked what the most important issue facing America in the upcoming elections, many will say that like the 1992 election that marked the end of George H.W. Bush‘s term, “it’s the economy, stupid.”
Andrew Evenson, chair of the College Republicans, said in this election, the “things that hit the pocketbook” were going to determine the outcome of this election, specifically naming gas prices and job outlooks in addition to the economy in general.
Natalie Whitman, a junior at UW-Oshkosh, also said, without hesitation, the economy is the most important issue she will consider when voting in November.
According to Project Vote Smart, John McCain is the current senior senator from Arizona and the Republican nominee for President. Prior to first being elected to the Senate in 1986, McCain also served in the House of Representatives from 1982 through 1986.
Evenson said Sen. John McCain has the advantage in this election because of his stance on the economy, despite the criticisms of those that say he doesn’t understand the economy.
“He understands that bureaucrats won’t fix things,” Evenson said. “You have to work with business, not try to take them over.”
Whitman disagreed and said not only does McCain not understand the economy, he even admitted to having little knowledge about how it works. She also said he changed his viewpoint on economic issues multiple times, proving that he is not the best candidate to help in these troubling times.
According to ontheissues.org, a non-partisan Web site focused on allowing voters to research voting records and positions of candidates, when it comes to the economy, McCain said despite current tough times, we are better off than we were eight years ago, specifically pointing to low unemployment and inflation.
Evenson said McCain would give businesses incentives, such as tax incentives, such as tax breaks, to make it easier for the businesses to further innovate and thus create jobs and boost the economy.
Using cars as an example, Evenson said that with tax breaks and other incentives, the quality would get better and cars will be come more efficient.
Creating jobs is important for college students because they need to look at the long-term, Evenson said. With reports of job losses becoming all too commonplace in the news, students need to wonder if there is going to be a college-level job for them after graduation, he said.
According to factcheck.org, McCain voted against the first round of Bush’s tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, saying there was no cut in spending associated with the tax breaks.
In 2006, he voted to make these tax cuts permanent and said that government spending was out of control and raising taxes would only worsen the growing economic situation, according to ontheissues.org.
McCain also said that raising taxes will eliminate jobs, and that producing more energy in the United States will create more jobs and help offset the cost of rising fuel prices, according to ontheissues.org.
In his years in the Senate, McCain has gained a reputation of being a political maverick, one who is able to reach across party lines to get things accomplished in Congress. He worked with Democratic Sens. Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy on bills relating to campaign finance and immigration, respectively.
Whitman said this image was false and that McCain wishes to appear bi-partisan, but ultimately he votes with whatever is popular instead of “fighting for what’s right.”
In 2007, voting records indicate that McCain voted with the Republican Party 90 percent of the time, according to factcheck.org.
Attack ads from the Obama campaign have brought this up and state that voting for McCain would be like voting for President Bush’s third term, a statement Whitman said she agrees with.
Despite being on opposite sides of the political spectrum, both Evenson and Whitman agree that this election is one of huge importance, and the issues that Americans must deal with every day, like the economy, will be the issues that decide who will be the next in the White House.
I haven't had much time to write too many things that are going on in my life, as I've been researching and writing about things that are impacting other's lives. That combined with school and work leaves little time. Such is the life of a college student though.
Here is an article I published back in September. It's not my absolute best work, in my opinion, but I wrote it and it made it to print. Enjoy! I have articles in the works to be published in both the Monday and Thursday issues of the paper next week, so I'll post them when they're published.
McCain Focuses on Tax Breaks
by Shayla Brooks, of the Advance-Titan
When asked what the most important issue facing America in the upcoming elections, many will say that like the 1992 election that marked the end of George H.W. Bush‘s term, “it’s the economy, stupid.”
Andrew Evenson, chair of the College Republicans, said in this election, the “things that hit the pocketbook” were going to determine the outcome of this election, specifically naming gas prices and job outlooks in addition to the economy in general.
Natalie Whitman, a junior at UW-Oshkosh, also said, without hesitation, the economy is the most important issue she will consider when voting in November.
According to Project Vote Smart, John McCain is the current senior senator from Arizona and the Republican nominee for President. Prior to first being elected to the Senate in 1986, McCain also served in the House of Representatives from 1982 through 1986.
Evenson said Sen. John McCain has the advantage in this election because of his stance on the economy, despite the criticisms of those that say he doesn’t understand the economy.
“He understands that bureaucrats won’t fix things,” Evenson said. “You have to work with business, not try to take them over.”
Whitman disagreed and said not only does McCain not understand the economy, he even admitted to having little knowledge about how it works. She also said he changed his viewpoint on economic issues multiple times, proving that he is not the best candidate to help in these troubling times.
According to ontheissues.org, a non-partisan Web site focused on allowing voters to research voting records and positions of candidates, when it comes to the economy, McCain said despite current tough times, we are better off than we were eight years ago, specifically pointing to low unemployment and inflation.
Evenson said McCain would give businesses incentives, such as tax incentives, such as tax breaks, to make it easier for the businesses to further innovate and thus create jobs and boost the economy.
Using cars as an example, Evenson said that with tax breaks and other incentives, the quality would get better and cars will be come more efficient.
Creating jobs is important for college students because they need to look at the long-term, Evenson said. With reports of job losses becoming all too commonplace in the news, students need to wonder if there is going to be a college-level job for them after graduation, he said.
According to factcheck.org, McCain voted against the first round of Bush’s tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, saying there was no cut in spending associated with the tax breaks.
In 2006, he voted to make these tax cuts permanent and said that government spending was out of control and raising taxes would only worsen the growing economic situation, according to ontheissues.org.
McCain also said that raising taxes will eliminate jobs, and that producing more energy in the United States will create more jobs and help offset the cost of rising fuel prices, according to ontheissues.org.
In his years in the Senate, McCain has gained a reputation of being a political maverick, one who is able to reach across party lines to get things accomplished in Congress. He worked with Democratic Sens. Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy on bills relating to campaign finance and immigration, respectively.
Whitman said this image was false and that McCain wishes to appear bi-partisan, but ultimately he votes with whatever is popular instead of “fighting for what’s right.”
In 2007, voting records indicate that McCain voted with the Republican Party 90 percent of the time, according to factcheck.org.
Attack ads from the Obama campaign have brought this up and state that voting for McCain would be like voting for President Bush’s third term, a statement Whitman said she agrees with.
Despite being on opposite sides of the political spectrum, both Evenson and Whitman agree that this election is one of huge importance, and the issues that Americans must deal with every day, like the economy, will be the issues that decide who will be the next in the White House.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
St-st-st-studio! / I lied.
Another sweet photography project I did for my class was working in the school's photo studio. It was actually kind of fun, and I produced some sweet pictures.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. I loved the colours.
Here's another still-life. I had these metallic cups in my cupboard and used them just because they are colourful and this class has a focus on colour. On both of these, I got positive comments from my professor on my great use of colour and how I made interesting photographs out of very simple subjects.
The third is a portrait of my sis. She hates this picture, but I like it better than the other ones I took of her. She tried serious looks and class-picture smiles, but all of them looked fake. We were joking around when she started laughing on the set, and I kept snapping the camera. I think it works, especially if you know her, because she is pretty goofy and laughs a lot. Those who know her also know that she probably would not be wearing those necklaces. I made her wear them for the portrait.
Off topic, I was re-reading some of my old posts on this wonderful blog of mine, and I wrote one year ago that I didn't like writing as much as I thought I did at the time. I take that back. I started writing a little again for my campus newspaper this semester, in addition to the copy editing I have been doing since the prior, and I love it. I want to be a journalist again, at least that's what I say today.
Cheers!
This one is pretty self-explanatory. I loved the colours.
Here's another still-life. I had these metallic cups in my cupboard and used them just because they are colourful and this class has a focus on colour. On both of these, I got positive comments from my professor on my great use of colour and how I made interesting photographs out of very simple subjects.
The third is a portrait of my sis. She hates this picture, but I like it better than the other ones I took of her. She tried serious looks and class-picture smiles, but all of them looked fake. We were joking around when she started laughing on the set, and I kept snapping the camera. I think it works, especially if you know her, because she is pretty goofy and laughs a lot. Those who know her also know that she probably would not be wearing those necklaces. I made her wear them for the portrait.
Off topic, I was re-reading some of my old posts on this wonderful blog of mine, and I wrote one year ago that I didn't like writing as much as I thought I did at the time. I take that back. I started writing a little again for my campus newspaper this semester, in addition to the copy editing I have been doing since the prior, and I love it. I want to be a journalist again, at least that's what I say today.
Cheers!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Photo class fun!
I'm in another photo class, and one of the requirements of that class is to have a photo blog with our work. Mine is here: http://shaylasphotoclass.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
When Daddy Wins the Lottery, I'll Run for the Senate
The other day, I had a nice conversation about politics with my dear old Dad. I told him that someday I would love to be a senator or congresswoman, as I think it would be a means for me to try to change things in a government that I believe is so fundamentally flawed.
We talked about the idiocy of politics and elections today, especially about how everyone is bought and sold to the highest bidder. I mentioned how I would love to be in the government, but I am neither a democrat nor a republican. I would also not be willing to compromise my beliefs for the interest groups who would basically finance my campaign.
That's when we came up with the brilliant idea. My parents play the lottery every week. As soon as they win, my father promised to finance my run for the Senate. If they every do win, I have every intention to hold him to it. =)
We talked about the idiocy of politics and elections today, especially about how everyone is bought and sold to the highest bidder. I mentioned how I would love to be in the government, but I am neither a democrat nor a republican. I would also not be willing to compromise my beliefs for the interest groups who would basically finance my campaign.
That's when we came up with the brilliant idea. My parents play the lottery every week. As soon as they win, my father promised to finance my run for the Senate. If they every do win, I have every intention to hold him to it. =)
Monday, April 28, 2008
People Over Profits!
Today in my Foreign Policy class, we approached the topic of outsourcing jobs. I have a lot to say on the subject, thus I left the class angry and with inspiration for this post. I personally believe that outsourcing jobs has everything to do with profits over people.
These companies and corporations move overseas and to Mexico because they do not have to provide their workers with benefits--including a living wage. It is only in the interest of profit. Nothing more. It has nothing to do with the fact that these workers may be harder workers or that the foreign country has natural resources that are more equipped for that industry. It is so that the heads of the corporations can make more money.
This comes at the expense of the middle class. Outsourcing destroys the middle class. Without these manufacturing jobs, Americans are stuck with two options: be wealthy or be a part of this service economy that serves the wealthy. And do not think for a moment that these people in the service economy can somehow become wealthy. Generally speaking, they cannot afford the education that will get them the jobs that could lead to wealth. Which should not be the case, but that is a subject for another time.
One of my classmates argued the point that the issue is not all black and white. His point was that corporations do not have to be socially responsible, because profit is the motivation for business, and that a lot of upper-middle class individuals may own stocks in these corporations and they will benefit from moves overseas.
Corporations do not have to be socially responsible? This notion is completely reprehensible to me. I cannot comprehend how corporations should have the right to pay their employees the least possible wage and not provide benefits so they can make a profit. If the company's trade is really that great, it will make plenty of profit while allowing the workers a decent living. But, I suppose greed is the American way.
As far as the stock issue goes, who will be hurt more by this? The people who do not make extra money on stocks because the company remains in America? Or the person who lost his job to someone in another country because the company and stock holders need to make more money? Both the stock holders and corporate heads will have a more than adequate living if the company stayed in this country. The worker will not have such a great living should his or her job be taken away so a rich person can get richer.
I admit that I am extremely biased. My father has one of these manufacturing jobs. While my family is far from wealthy, there is always food on our table, a roof over our heads that met building codes, insurance to allow us proper health care and every other basic necessity has been met. There were never a lot of extra and extravangant things while I was growing up, but all of our basic needs were met. If his job were to get shipped overseas, my family would economically fall apart while the CEO could buy another mansion in Europe. I think food and shelter are much more important than another mansion.
That is the problem with America and the world today. It clearly favours profit and greed over people and cooperation. I wish people would just see that the opposite holds true. People over profits!
These companies and corporations move overseas and to Mexico because they do not have to provide their workers with benefits--including a living wage. It is only in the interest of profit. Nothing more. It has nothing to do with the fact that these workers may be harder workers or that the foreign country has natural resources that are more equipped for that industry. It is so that the heads of the corporations can make more money.
This comes at the expense of the middle class. Outsourcing destroys the middle class. Without these manufacturing jobs, Americans are stuck with two options: be wealthy or be a part of this service economy that serves the wealthy. And do not think for a moment that these people in the service economy can somehow become wealthy. Generally speaking, they cannot afford the education that will get them the jobs that could lead to wealth. Which should not be the case, but that is a subject for another time.
One of my classmates argued the point that the issue is not all black and white. His point was that corporations do not have to be socially responsible, because profit is the motivation for business, and that a lot of upper-middle class individuals may own stocks in these corporations and they will benefit from moves overseas.
Corporations do not have to be socially responsible? This notion is completely reprehensible to me. I cannot comprehend how corporations should have the right to pay their employees the least possible wage and not provide benefits so they can make a profit. If the company's trade is really that great, it will make plenty of profit while allowing the workers a decent living. But, I suppose greed is the American way.
As far as the stock issue goes, who will be hurt more by this? The people who do not make extra money on stocks because the company remains in America? Or the person who lost his job to someone in another country because the company and stock holders need to make more money? Both the stock holders and corporate heads will have a more than adequate living if the company stayed in this country. The worker will not have such a great living should his or her job be taken away so a rich person can get richer.
I admit that I am extremely biased. My father has one of these manufacturing jobs. While my family is far from wealthy, there is always food on our table, a roof over our heads that met building codes, insurance to allow us proper health care and every other basic necessity has been met. There were never a lot of extra and extravangant things while I was growing up, but all of our basic needs were met. If his job were to get shipped overseas, my family would economically fall apart while the CEO could buy another mansion in Europe. I think food and shelter are much more important than another mansion.
That is the problem with America and the world today. It clearly favours profit and greed over people and cooperation. I wish people would just see that the opposite holds true. People over profits!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
R.I.P. Hamtaro 2006-2008
My hamster died today. As sad as that is, I don't think anyone was surprised. She hadn't been running around her cage as much; she hadn't been running on her wheel as frantically.
People were never her favourite. The day I got her, she chewed her way out of the cardboard box the petstore gave me just before I got home. I didn't know what else to do, so I put her in the glove compartment thinking that I would be home in five minutes, so she would be fine. Five minutes later, I opened in and she was gone. I didn't want her to freeze in the Wisconsin winter cold, so I put a dish of food on the floor of my car and went to look for her every few minutes. After a couple of hours, she finally made it out. I kept trying to grab her, but she skillfully evaded my moves for quite some time. I finally got her in a cage and in the warm house.
Hamtaro wasn't very nice, but damn she was adorable. I miss that silly hamster.
People were never her favourite. The day I got her, she chewed her way out of the cardboard box the petstore gave me just before I got home. I didn't know what else to do, so I put her in the glove compartment thinking that I would be home in five minutes, so she would be fine. Five minutes later, I opened in and she was gone. I didn't want her to freeze in the Wisconsin winter cold, so I put a dish of food on the floor of my car and went to look for her every few minutes. After a couple of hours, she finally made it out. I kept trying to grab her, but she skillfully evaded my moves for quite some time. I finally got her in a cage and in the warm house.
Hamtaro wasn't very nice, but damn she was adorable. I miss that silly hamster.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Car shopping
The people in my family are characters. Chances are, if you are reading this, you know me personally. If you know me, you likely know my family and can attest to that statement. I don't mean this in a bad way at all. I love my family dearly. The fact that they are all interesting people makes anything I do with them that much more newsworthy.
Today I went car shopping with my folks. I need a new car for a myriad of reasons I will discuss later. My father is pretty much my personal mechanic, thus he knows a ton about cars. For this reason, I would never buy one without his blessing. My mother loves shopping for anything and everything, so she just had to come.
I saw an offer for a brand new 2008 car that I could actually reasonably afford. I found it on a television commercial. The car is fabulous. I just needed the green light from my father, and all would be mine!
We went to the dealership today and talked with the salesman. I basically knew what I wanted, but he went through his salespitch anyway. My mother was insanely excited about every little feature. A jack to plug my ipod into? Side air bags? A cd player that was standard? My mother was ooohing and ahhhing at all of it. Her favourite part of the car is the little bar on the dash that works as an odometer and gas mileage, tire pressure and oil life information centre. When the salesman went over that, she was insanely excited. My father just nodded his head continuously in approval. Don't get me wrong, I was excited about the car as well, but my mother just gets extremely excited over everything. Anything good or somewhat exciting gets my mother acting like a child on Christmas.
After I was sold on the car and had my father's approval, then came the details part. I got to decide on the colour. I was fine with blue or black. Both are equally wonderful, but my mother kept urging me to make a decision. The way she was talking, one would have thought it was a life or death decision.
I ended up with the black one. It's nice to drive a car that I don't have to worry about an imminent breakdown. With my former car, it wasn't a matter of if. It was a matter of when.
I ended up with the black one. It's nice to drive a car that I don't have to worry about an imminent breakdown. With my former car, it wasn't a matter of if. It was a matter of when.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Street-by-street pizza tracking?
http://www.informationweek.com/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206102079
In this article, the author writes about how pizza delivery drives at Papa John's are required to carry a GPS-enabled handset that allows customers to track their pizza deliveries street-by-street, in real time. This is an advancement of a similar pizza-tracking service offered by Domino's. The difference is that with Domino's system, it only shows where the pizza is in the store, or if the driver is on his/her way. There is no GPS tracking device.
Customers seem to be enjoying these developments. The article pointed out that there was a surge in online ordering at Papa John's after they unveiled this service.
As a pizza delivery driver myself, this terrifies me. I personally feel this is an invasion of privacy, pushed by big business in order to drive up profits. Should this come to the company that I work for, my boss can expect my resignation. The idea of allowing a customer to see exactly where I am at any particular moment from the time they order a pizza until said pizza arrives at the door is absurd. I do not think it is fair that drivers should be tracked and followed in order to provide the "best service possible" to a customer. What's next? Surveilance cameras and sensors in my car to relay details about my driving on the job to my boss/corporate headquarters? My car is my personal property, and I do not feel the company has any business tracking me.
It would be funny, however, if a customer who is known to not tip should happen to stumble upon this service. By not tipping, a customer basically demands the lowest level of service possible. If I get one of those orders, I joyride for quite awhile. Sometimes I stop at the drive-through for some food. Other times I stop to fill up my gas tank and get coffee and candy. Still other times, I just drive aimlessly. I know quite a few other delivery drivers who do the same. If you don't care enough to tip me, I don't care enough to make sure your food is hot. Plain and simple. The moral of the story? Always tip the driver.
Tracking a pizza alone isn't all that intrusive, but this development lends itself to a slippery slope of further surveilance. That is what terrifies me the most. Should somebody at work need to know where I am at a specific time, I have a cell phone. The number is posted on the bulletin board. Should a customer wish to know when the pizza will arrive, he or she can call. A manager can tell precisely what time I left and approximately when I will arrive. Nobody needs to know what particular street I am on and which route I choose to take.
In this article, the author writes about how pizza delivery drives at Papa John's are required to carry a GPS-enabled handset that allows customers to track their pizza deliveries street-by-street, in real time. This is an advancement of a similar pizza-tracking service offered by Domino's. The difference is that with Domino's system, it only shows where the pizza is in the store, or if the driver is on his/her way. There is no GPS tracking device.
Customers seem to be enjoying these developments. The article pointed out that there was a surge in online ordering at Papa John's after they unveiled this service.
As a pizza delivery driver myself, this terrifies me. I personally feel this is an invasion of privacy, pushed by big business in order to drive up profits. Should this come to the company that I work for, my boss can expect my resignation. The idea of allowing a customer to see exactly where I am at any particular moment from the time they order a pizza until said pizza arrives at the door is absurd. I do not think it is fair that drivers should be tracked and followed in order to provide the "best service possible" to a customer. What's next? Surveilance cameras and sensors in my car to relay details about my driving on the job to my boss/corporate headquarters? My car is my personal property, and I do not feel the company has any business tracking me.
It would be funny, however, if a customer who is known to not tip should happen to stumble upon this service. By not tipping, a customer basically demands the lowest level of service possible. If I get one of those orders, I joyride for quite awhile. Sometimes I stop at the drive-through for some food. Other times I stop to fill up my gas tank and get coffee and candy. Still other times, I just drive aimlessly. I know quite a few other delivery drivers who do the same. If you don't care enough to tip me, I don't care enough to make sure your food is hot. Plain and simple. The moral of the story? Always tip the driver.
Tracking a pizza alone isn't all that intrusive, but this development lends itself to a slippery slope of further surveilance. That is what terrifies me the most. Should somebody at work need to know where I am at a specific time, I have a cell phone. The number is posted on the bulletin board. Should a customer wish to know when the pizza will arrive, he or she can call. A manager can tell precisely what time I left and approximately when I will arrive. Nobody needs to know what particular street I am on and which route I choose to take.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Marriage, etc.
Marriage is a subject that has been on my mind a lot lately. Not because of any changes or possible changes in my status, but it seems as though everyone in my age group is running to the altar. A few former classmates, co-workers, even the boyfriend's little sister have either gotten married or announced engagments in the past year.
This terrifies me. It isn't because I'm anti-marriage or want to get married myself. The thing that scares me is that most of these people aren't old enough to legally drink! That said, I'm not judging anyone. I don't know everything about each individual relationship. Everyone has different reasons, circumstances, etc. I just think it's a little too early. I honestly and sincerely hope that I am wrong, and that everyone/anyone I am currently thinking of never has to deal with a divorce in five years.
Most of these couples have been together for less time than my boyfriend and me. I don't know if we're just freaks of nature, but we've pretty much decided that after three years and a few months, a wedding is nowhere on the radar. After one year or so, (which is how long most of these people have been together) , how can anyone, especially someone under the age of 21 know that he/she wants to be with this person forever?
Granted, none of these people are going to school at this point. Perhaps that makes a difference. Perhaps school is just a way of prolonging immaturity and delaying "true" adulthood. I'm not sure; however, I think that regardless of any sort of advanced schooling, most people change immensely in their beliefs, ideas and ambitions in their late teens and 20's. How many people were the same person at 26 that they were at 20? If this significant other is really "the one", won't they still be there in a few years?
This sudden wave of marriage is also putting a lot of unwanted pressure on me. I know that nobody who has ever made a comment really means anything bad by it, but it still annoys me. A former co-worker recently announced her engagement, and I made the joking comment that it's been three years and I still don't have a ring. She replied, "I was actually thinking about that. You two have been together for a while longer than us. When are you two finally going to get married?" As I say to every other person, never.
As I mentioned earlier, the boyfriend's little sister has a wedding coming up this spring. This guy has only been in the picture for a little over a year or so. I can only imagine the comments there will be following that day. Granted, they have a son together (born just Tuesday!) so the circumstances are quite different from mine.
I feel as though in the past year there has been all of this pressure on me to get a ring and have a wedding and all of that other wonderful stuff little girls dream of. Honestly, I think that I am still far too young and immature. I've only been able to buy alcohol for three months. I still have (at least) a full year left of school. I have no idea where I will be in two years from now, much less the rest of my life. Although we have been living together for two years and are probably as close to marriage as people can be without ceremonies and children, I see no need to make things "official". I do see this boyfriend in the long-term future, but I don't think I need a ring to keep him there. If he really is "the one", he will still be around sometime in the distant future when marriage is on my mind.
This terrifies me. It isn't because I'm anti-marriage or want to get married myself. The thing that scares me is that most of these people aren't old enough to legally drink! That said, I'm not judging anyone. I don't know everything about each individual relationship. Everyone has different reasons, circumstances, etc. I just think it's a little too early. I honestly and sincerely hope that I am wrong, and that everyone/anyone I am currently thinking of never has to deal with a divorce in five years.
Most of these couples have been together for less time than my boyfriend and me. I don't know if we're just freaks of nature, but we've pretty much decided that after three years and a few months, a wedding is nowhere on the radar. After one year or so, (which is how long most of these people have been together) , how can anyone, especially someone under the age of 21 know that he/she wants to be with this person forever?
Granted, none of these people are going to school at this point. Perhaps that makes a difference. Perhaps school is just a way of prolonging immaturity and delaying "true" adulthood. I'm not sure; however, I think that regardless of any sort of advanced schooling, most people change immensely in their beliefs, ideas and ambitions in their late teens and 20's. How many people were the same person at 26 that they were at 20? If this significant other is really "the one", won't they still be there in a few years?
This sudden wave of marriage is also putting a lot of unwanted pressure on me. I know that nobody who has ever made a comment really means anything bad by it, but it still annoys me. A former co-worker recently announced her engagement, and I made the joking comment that it's been three years and I still don't have a ring. She replied, "I was actually thinking about that. You two have been together for a while longer than us. When are you two finally going to get married?" As I say to every other person, never.
As I mentioned earlier, the boyfriend's little sister has a wedding coming up this spring. This guy has only been in the picture for a little over a year or so. I can only imagine the comments there will be following that day. Granted, they have a son together (born just Tuesday!) so the circumstances are quite different from mine.
I feel as though in the past year there has been all of this pressure on me to get a ring and have a wedding and all of that other wonderful stuff little girls dream of. Honestly, I think that I am still far too young and immature. I've only been able to buy alcohol for three months. I still have (at least) a full year left of school. I have no idea where I will be in two years from now, much less the rest of my life. Although we have been living together for two years and are probably as close to marriage as people can be without ceremonies and children, I see no need to make things "official". I do see this boyfriend in the long-term future, but I don't think I need a ring to keep him there. If he really is "the one", he will still be around sometime in the distant future when marriage is on my mind.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Notice
Well, I finally did it. I put in my notice at the company where I have worked for nearly three years. I spent two years at the Oshkosh store, where I worked the last month of high school and the first two years of college. Then the company opened up a store in Appleton, so I transferred there. In the past few months, I have only been working one day a week for the sole purpose of keeping a benefit where the company will help me out with school. I finally decided it was no longer worth it. That one day a week was one day too many. So, after much deliberation, I gave it up. I could make much more money taking up another day at my main job.
I suppose I should clarify that technically I put in for a "leave of absence", citing my next semester at school as my reason. I wanted to keep my options open, in case I feel like working there over the summer for some extra cash.
I won't miss the job at all, but there are a few people that I will miss a lot. I will also miss my boss. I know that sounds rather odd, as most people hate their bosses, but I actually liked mine. She was great about my very particular scheduling needs and giving me the jobs I hated least. If I decide to come back in the summer, I hope they are still there.
It's been a great almost three years, but it was definately time to move on.
I suppose I should clarify that technically I put in for a "leave of absence", citing my next semester at school as my reason. I wanted to keep my options open, in case I feel like working there over the summer for some extra cash.
I won't miss the job at all, but there are a few people that I will miss a lot. I will also miss my boss. I know that sounds rather odd, as most people hate their bosses, but I actually liked mine. She was great about my very particular scheduling needs and giving me the jobs I hated least. If I decide to come back in the summer, I hope they are still there.
It's been a great almost three years, but it was definately time to move on.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The New Identification
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/11/real.id.ap/index.html
This terrifies me. In short, the government is planning to create a new federal ID card as a way to help prevent terrorism. To me, this just looks like another way to invade everyone's personal privacy.
I don't believe that doing background checks and creating one official form of identification is going to do much to prevent terrorism. I'm sure there are numerous people who are legal citizens with clean backgrounds that will pass all of the checkpoints, yet still be terrorists.
However, the thing that terrifies me the most about these identifications is the idea of a central database. It starts out as just things such as my birthdate, criminal/driving records, address, etc. That's not so scary. Police have access to that any time they run my license plates or current drivers license. But, I really don't think that will be the end of it. I believe that in time, this new identification card will collect data on my habits. If I buy something or go somewhere that I will need an ID, such as entering a bar, buying alcohol, tobacco, even taking some exams, this could be entered in a permanent record, so to speak. I don't want the government knowing when I buy alcohol and what kind it is. I don't want people knowing when I go to specific bars.
This ID is just another step in our march towards a total surveilance society. I personally believe that I should not have to give up my civil liberties and right to privacy in another half-assed scheme to "prevent terrorism". I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best when he said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. "
If only our current administration could understand that.
This terrifies me. In short, the government is planning to create a new federal ID card as a way to help prevent terrorism. To me, this just looks like another way to invade everyone's personal privacy.
I don't believe that doing background checks and creating one official form of identification is going to do much to prevent terrorism. I'm sure there are numerous people who are legal citizens with clean backgrounds that will pass all of the checkpoints, yet still be terrorists.
However, the thing that terrifies me the most about these identifications is the idea of a central database. It starts out as just things such as my birthdate, criminal/driving records, address, etc. That's not so scary. Police have access to that any time they run my license plates or current drivers license. But, I really don't think that will be the end of it. I believe that in time, this new identification card will collect data on my habits. If I buy something or go somewhere that I will need an ID, such as entering a bar, buying alcohol, tobacco, even taking some exams, this could be entered in a permanent record, so to speak. I don't want the government knowing when I buy alcohol and what kind it is. I don't want people knowing when I go to specific bars.
This ID is just another step in our march towards a total surveilance society. I personally believe that I should not have to give up my civil liberties and right to privacy in another half-assed scheme to "prevent terrorism". I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best when he said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. "
If only our current administration could understand that.
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