Uncouth PerspectivesNot on the rug, man.

Allright, this week I’m teaming up with some friends of mine to put some more work into the logistics and look of Uncouth. I will be, I think, making my own forum-type application rather than going with my ever loved phpBB just because I want to keep the user interface the same and not have to need two sets of logins.

While we are working on this, I may post some articles that are more forum-esque in that they are more like “What do you think/discuss/etc” type pieces.

What I would REALLY like, though, is some feedback. Please tell me your thoughts on the site.. what you like (so I don’t take it away)… what you don’t like (so I CAN take it away)… what you would like to see (so I can add it).. and the like..

Thanks!

Isaac

Well, after all of this time, I finally have my first certification. Next semester I will have two more and my AA. I guess I’ve actually almost accomplished something–at least according to society.

Instead of writing more.. I’d like to pose the question: What are your thoughts on degrees?

Are they important?

How do they compare versus an actual education?

Should one be compared to one’s talents and abilities or should we simply work off things like degrees?

So, I spent all day vomiting yesterday.

What reall sucks about this is that I also threw up in the corner of my room. And… it smells putrid. My dear friend brought his steam cleaner over and I go to try to clean it up, but because it was in the corner it’s been a complete pain in the arse. I think I’m going to try to get a professional clean-up-vomit-in-the-corner company to come clean it up. I hope that doesn’t cost too much.

Anyways, enough of my vomit. I have recently been introduced to two wonderful shows that I think I’m the last person in the world know about: Red Dwarf and Twin Peaks. I’m sure most people out there are scoffing at me for one or both of those.. whether in a good way or a bad way, I don’t care. You -must- get your hands on the tapes of these shows and watch them. I have been seriously so inspired by these that I may take my hand at writing something up for a TV series. I have high doubts of doing anything with it, but it would be a grand ole experience.

As I was sitting here trying to hold my solid food down and not feel like my intestines were trying to crawl their way out of my abdomen, I really am saddened, again, by the state of art and creation in America today. I watch something like Twin Peaks or Red Dwarf and I am amazed at how wonderful it is… but it is because they did not hold back. Both of those shows took risks and had neat, interesting, and while cooky and crazy, -real- characters. Even Agent Cooper.

Why do we allow art to be forsaken for consumption?

You see, I have been trying to get certified in Religious Studies. I’ve been working very hard to achieve this, only to discover that the school does not offer three of the classes required to get this certitification.

Upon discovering this, about three months ago, I tried to contact the dean of the department. Much to my dismay, not only was he never in his office, nor answer his phones, the division secretary treated me like I was the plague come walking in. I saw her twice a week. For 6 six weeks in a row. Everytime I saw her, she merely got more and more rude. At first I was told “Call him and make an appointment” (As if I could becaise he NEVER answered his phones or returned phone calls) and it soon became “He’s not here. You should know!” and then it became “He’s not here, go away!”.

Well, eventually I got a hold of him and got permission, PERMISSION, to do independant study to get the required classes. After much fighting, I’ve got one of the teachers to agree… but I’m still working on the other. (Again, apparently professors do not get compensated for independant studies..) However, noone seemed to know what paperwork I needed to fill out to make me happen. This, eventually, took me back to the dean’s office, where I had.. a show down. I was treated so rude I cannot even begin to express it.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because my institute of learning claims to be for the students and, essentially, student “owned”. Yet, as my consultancy project and personal experiences both proved, THIS IS NOT TRUE.

And I am going to become very vocal about this. Because of this project, I have been introduced to many people who are very high up and I plan to take their ears.

If you see things like this… do something about it. You do not need to be harrassing about it, but use your voice. And if you run a team or organization… know your goals and values and live them.

Don’t just say them.

I often find myself saying something along the lines of “I hate being sick”. Which is quite ridiculous, given the obvious perception that very people actually LIKE to be sick. However, my intention for saying this does not have to with sharing my views on being sick… but rather that I get all whiney and want to be pamperped when I’m sick.

For me, this is often worse because I have no one to pamper me, so I just instead whine even more. Which, when it comes down to it all, I really don’t like. I don’t like other people whining and I don’t like myself whining… yet, when I become sick, there I am, whining.

What does this have to do with anything?

Nothing, really. I just want to be curled up in bed, with some soup in my belly and a warm body next to me.

I suppose this does have a point. Everyone needs to be pampered and loved just a little bit. When I was whining to someone yesterday, I was told “All men become babies when they are sick.” I brustle, even now, at this comment just because of the gross stereotypes .. however..

As most men try to negotiate their position in daily life, they strive to show no weakness. It MUST create a snapping point, especially when one IS helpless and weak… as is such when one is sick.

Aah screw it.

Don’t be afraid to admit it’s time to weak and helpless.

Just don’t whine as much as I do about it.