Saturday, November 19, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Network Journal Article
What Does The Future Hold For Apple?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The recent death of Steve Jobs, the tycoon behind Apple computers, has people wondering what the future of the company will look like.In 1976 Steve Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniak, established Apple computers in Jobs’s parents’ garage. On the Apple website today, there is a large picture of Jobs and the years of his birth and death; 1955 to 2011.
Today, Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and on Oct. 4 the company released its latest addition to Apple’s catalog: the iPhone 4S. Critics who were expecting the iPhone 5 to be released instead gave the product mixed reviews.
While Apple is known to be secretive about their product development and release dates, it is true that they also do not tell many of their own employees about the newest gadgets until they are about to be debuted.
Noah, a consultant for Apple said, “We did not know that the iPhone 4S was coming out until the 4th. We are not privy to any information that isn't released to the public."
Although this may add to the allure and mystique of Apple, it also keeps its consumers from finding out what the company has to offer.
Apple customers appear to be divided in how they think Apple will maintain its hold on the electronic industry.
Keath Brown, Apple computer user and iPhone owner said, "I think they [Apple] built it up enough. There's not going to be another Jobs but I think that he was creative and he thought outside the box. I think they have people in place that will bring something to the table,” said Brown who has been using Apple products since the 1990’s.
When asked what he thought Apple’s best contribution to our world has been Brown replied, “So far it has to be that they've helped to revolutionize music with the iPod. It really changed the music industry. Think about music before the iPod and after the iPod... you could have 600 cds in your pocket."
An Oct. 6th article in USA Today written by Scott Martin and Jon Swartz, entitled “Apple’s Future Looks Secure,” talks about Jobs’s overwhelming influence on the company and how there are still bright prospects for Apple.
“Many say that Steve Jobs' influence is deeply embedded into Apple's DNA. Experts point out that there are many capable executives able to carry the torch for Apple…” wrote Martin and Swartz.
Much like its product development, Apple’s future remains a mystery. Some say that Jobs left behind an empire that was built solidly enough to withstand the tests of time. Others say that Apple may suffer some tribulations with him gone because he had such a major impact on the company. Only time will tell, but for now, Mac aficionados await the latest release from Apple, the iPhone 4S which is rumored to hit the market on Oct. 14 of this year.
My First Obituary
Beloved Custodian Passes On
By Deandra Mouzon
Editor In Chief
On Saturday Oct.1 Nadya, “Shorty” Colon, a custodian and well known member of the York College community, passed away at the Rehabilitation Hospice in Jamaica Hills after a long battle with cancer.
Colon had worked at York College for over two decades and in many ways was like a family member to many of the college’s administration and staff. A host of students also grew to know and love the woman known affectionately as “Shorty.”
“I think I was the one who gave her the name you know,” said Professor Stephen Tyson who had been friends with Colon for nearly twenty years.
She is remembered as being a very feisty person with a huge spirit and generous heart. Tyson, among others, recalled how Colon was always willing to help someone. One time she began a collection for a colleague Julissa Contrasas because of a fire that had occurred in her home.
“One of her colleagues here’s house burnt down and she came to me and said we need to take up a collection for that person and she initiated everything… and gave her the money,” remembered Tyson.
Professor Mark Blickley, like others at the college, said that he’d met Colon in a hallway years ago where they exchanged some playful banter.
“I’d always get on her. I’d always bust her chops.”
Blickley also divulged that when Colon was not working, which was rare because she had maintained at least two jobs (the other in a doctor’s office), she took the time to understand real estate. More importantly perhaps was the driving force behind this interest.
“She was a pseudo real estate tycoon. She was very smart,” said Blickley. “She had an obsession with Maine. She was looking for properties by a lake. I said ‘but Shorty you don’t even like the water’…it turns out that what her dream was was to open up this home for kids with cancer and disabilities.”
In support of this dream, Blickley recalls running around all over New York city one Christmas season looking for a book on real estate in Maine. Happy to find one Barnes and Nobel he said giving it to Colon was “the highlight of his Christmas.”
Another good friend of Colon’s who saw her right before her passing, College Office Assistant CadyAnn Parris David, spoke about the spunky personality and warm heart that Colon always possessed.
“She [was] a die hard, DIE HARD Mets fan. My son is a Yankee’s fan. So they always had a little light banter back and forth.”
Aside from their personal friendship Parris-David also recalled how Colon was always willing to help while she was working; often taking the time to do extra work that was not asked or required of her.
“She would come in here and do things above and beyond her job.” “She had a big heart for her little size,” said Parris-David remembering the woman’s stature.
Being one of the last few people to see Colon alive Parris-David said that although she was sick her personality did not change at all. She was still up talking about her plans for the future and making jokes as she normally would be.
“She still went out with a bang, that fighting spirit in her,” said Parris-David nostalgically.
“The campus has already changed without her.”
Colon was such an integral part of the community that colleagues at the college had donated some sick days to help her while she was in the hospice.
Shortly after her passing Nadya “Shorty” Colon was cremated as per her request. She was 58 years old when she died. Actions toward having a memorial here at the school are being discussed.
Colon was a staple figure on the York College Campus. Her fun and spirited personality will be greatly missed.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Occupy Wall Street, Not AYITI!
Editorial
It was well after 4pm when I arrived at Cadman Park in Brooklyn. I had heard through a friend from York College that the Haiti Coalition of NYC would be gathering with others to protest in solidarity with the thousands of people occupying Wall Street. When I arrived I saw that there were about 25 people standing by listening to a man speak and preparing the banners and signs for the march over the Brooklyn Bridge to Liberty Plaza. As the fire in the small contingent and in my own spirit began to rise I was handed a sign that read “Afghanistan: Just Another War For The Rich.” Clearly this march was multifaceted. While the brutal honesty of the sign sunk in I peered around the crowd to observe my fellow demonstrators. Some of the faces were familiar from York College, others were older and I could tell by their partially warm partially stoic expressions that this was but the latest of many marches that they had been apart of. As 5 o’clock crept up and the crowd began assembling to move through the park toward the bridge a spark ignited inside of my chest that led me to the front of the contingent. It would be my self-enforced duty, along with three others, to hold the large black and white banner that read “Stand With Haiti Coalition,” and underneath: “Kowalisyon Pou Kore Ayiti,” with the phone number for the organization. As we began to make our way through the small park we were lead by a small group of four police officers who seemed to be in quite a hurry. Often times throughout the march a man named Ray would nudge us and say “slow down, let them rush…they want to get this over with.” This statement did not strike me as ironic until much later. Here we were walking toward the occupied streets of New York’s financial district, chanting against the UN military occupation of Haiti but being led by members of the NYPD who had recently arrested hundreds of demonstrators not even a week before. What a democracy!
With us chanting non-stop “Occupy Wall Street, Get Out Of Haiti,” and Ray reminding us every so often to slow down our stride, the 45 minute journey began. Although we were a fairly small group compared to the thousands on the other side of the bridge, we had a shared reason for working and a righteous cause (we felt) and for those few hours we were a family united.
Once we got onto the bridge I began to hear and see a blend of feelings from the people that passed us. Many were on bicycles and probably, if it were not for the police leading us, would have thrown innumerable expletives our way because we were making it difficult to get by. However, that same mindset was what we felt we needed to stand up for the many sick and homeless people in Haiti so we pressed on. After the first half hour I had determined that there was a pattern to the many faces of the onlookers. There were those who were confused and looked as though we were speaking some sort of alien dialect with our chant. There were those regular old New Yorkers who were so angry that we made them pause their ferocious strides that they barely even bothered to look at our signs and cut there eyes a soon as we neared. There were the YouTube video aficionados who could not wait to get a still or moving image of the contingent at work (possibly to post on a blog or pitch to a news organization). Then there were the few that just smiled or put their fists in the air as if to say “I’m with you in spirit.” Whenever we saw those guys we smiled warmly. It was sweet to have their company even in passing. Right before we were about to exit the bridge a man in a black Mercedes Benz honked at us a few times. I was not and am still not sure if he even knew why we were marching, but he fulfilled his purpose of getting our attention and cheers.
Once we exited the bridge and walked a block and a half toward Wall Street we were met by an enormous crowd of occupiers from all age ranges and backgrounds. Although our group was happy to see them, happy to see us we did not forget why we had began our journey from Cadman Park earlier that day. Led by a bright-eyed young woman who said she had organized the group to have them meet us when we got off of the bridge we walked around nearby Zuccotti Park. By this time when I turned around there was a sea of people chanting “Occupy Wall Street, Get Out of Haiti.” So many in fact that we now had to do it in groups like Christmas Carolers. By this time Ray himself was also being reminded to slow down so that our newer and much larger contingent could remain as one group.
After we walked around the park the entire crowd stuck together and marched directly toward Wall Street where hundreds more were sitting, kneeling and standing. The looks on their faces told me they may have been doing so on and off since the protest began there three weeks prior. When we arrived it was well after seven o’clock in the evening. Ray spoke on camera in front of the entire group about how monumental the entire movement had become. “We can not fail!” he said with vigor and a knowing tone that I could not pinpoint. How did he know that we all felt as close as kin? That, in many ways, we had suffered as one and now we were as tight as a fist, ready to go forward to bring these financial tyrants down from their money tree canopies? How did he know that although our sign read Haiti Coalition we were bonded by a glue that spanned from Port Au Prince to Liberty Plaza that night? I may never understand.
One thing I do know, however, is that Occupy Wall Street is spreading like wildfire and if that fire is anything like the one that was stirring in us all that evening the Federal Reserve had better have another think coming.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Activate Consciousness
The Afghanistan War, Ten Years Later
Friday, October 7th, 7pm
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
(2/3/B/C trains to 135th Street)
2295 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
(2/3/B/C trains to 135th Street)
October 7 marks the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed since the war began. On Aug. 5, police opened fire killing at least four people protesting another U.S. attack that had killed three civilians.More than 2,600 U.S. and other NATO troops have been killed and more than 12,000 wounded—many suffering catastrophic brain trauma or amputations. At a time when health, education and other vital programs are being slashed, and 30 million Americans are jobless or under-employed, the war in Afghanistan devours $330 million per day. A recent study estimated that the total cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will exceed $4 trillion—$4,000,000,000,000.
Join us to discuss why the anti-war movement needs to be revived and learn how you can get involved on October 7th to demand end all the wars & occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, Libya, Haiti... and everywhere!
Abolish the racist death penalty!
Troy Davis was executed on Sept. 21 and pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m. Davis had been falsely convicted of the 1989 killing of a Savannah police officer. Despite a complete lack of physical evidence, recanted testimony by seven out of nine eyewitnesses, and a widespread international campaign to spare his life, the state of Georgia murdered an innocent Black man. The Obama administration was silent on the issue, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused at the last minute to save Troy Davis’s life.While there is much to be said about the case and the implications of the Save Troy Davis struggle, there are lessons worth highlighting. Join us to discuss the racist character of the death penalty.
Contact us for information and to get involved
212-694-8762
nyc@PSLweb.org
Visit us on the web at PSLweb.org
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
How to Give a Good Presentation.
Whether your occupation is in retail, food and beverage, or you are a student preparing to enter the workforce, the ability to deliver a good presentation is almost always beneficial to your career.
In a business setting, employees are often asked to give presentations. These presentations may be for a supervisor to evaluate the progress that a company has made over a certain period of time. They may also be used rhetorically to persuade a potential client to work with the company. Similarly, students are often asked to give presentations in class on work they were taught in the course. Many presenters can find themselves ill-prepared or nervous before they have to present. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of your time in the spotlight.
1. Evaluate the setting of the room.
One thing that is helpful for public speaking is knowing the space in which you will be presenting. Getting a preview of the room allows a speaker to plan where they will be standing, the type of lighting you have to work with and the acoustics of the room. This helps to understand how loud you will have to speak for the audience to hear you.
2. Make cue cards.
Begin creating your speech ahead of time. Make cue cards so that you can familiarize yourself with the work that you are presenting, the wording and the order in which you will be delivering it. This will make the pace of your speech seem more natural once presentation day comes.
3. Know the statistics.
Whether it’s a pie chart, a graph or algebraic equations, knowing the numbers is vital to a good presentation. This shows your audience that you know your subject well and it establishes some credibility between you and them.
4. Be familiar with the equipment and software.
If you know that you will be working with a projector screen or using Microsoft PowerPoint, make sure that you are familiar with how they work. Not knowing the technology that you are working with can take away from the seriousness of your speech. It is also beneficial to get to know the software capabilities and how they can make your presentation come to life.
5. Dress accordingly.
Dress professionally but comfortably. Speaking in front of a crowd can cause one’s body temperature to rise so it's wise to wear layers that you can put on or take off as necessary. Be careful not to cause too much distraction if you do need to make adjustments to your outfit.
6. Make eye contact.
This helps you to connect to the audience. Although the visual part of your presentation plays a major role in your overall lecture, you are the face of the work. What you do and say determines how the information you present is absorbed.
7. Avoid the quirks.
Try to avoid saying the words “like” and “um”. They can make you sound unprepared. Also keep your fidgeting to a minimum. Remember to speak slowly and pause if you need to gather your thoughts. Also, try not to sound robotic. Instead, you should build a rapport with your audience and make the speech interactive.
8. Finish strong.
Briefly review what you went over and ask the audience if they have any questions. If you do not know the answer to a question you can ask to speak with them personally and explain how you may be able to find the information somewhere else.
These tips are designed to give some structure to any presentation. Feel free to add your own flair and charisma.
In a business setting, employees are often asked to give presentations. These presentations may be for a supervisor to evaluate the progress that a company has made over a certain period of time. They may also be used rhetorically to persuade a potential client to work with the company. Similarly, students are often asked to give presentations in class on work they were taught in the course. Many presenters can find themselves ill-prepared or nervous before they have to present. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of your time in the spotlight.
1. Evaluate the setting of the room.
One thing that is helpful for public speaking is knowing the space in which you will be presenting. Getting a preview of the room allows a speaker to plan where they will be standing, the type of lighting you have to work with and the acoustics of the room. This helps to understand how loud you will have to speak for the audience to hear you.
2. Make cue cards.
Begin creating your speech ahead of time. Make cue cards so that you can familiarize yourself with the work that you are presenting, the wording and the order in which you will be delivering it. This will make the pace of your speech seem more natural once presentation day comes.
3. Know the statistics.
Whether it’s a pie chart, a graph or algebraic equations, knowing the numbers is vital to a good presentation. This shows your audience that you know your subject well and it establishes some credibility between you and them.
4. Be familiar with the equipment and software.
If you know that you will be working with a projector screen or using Microsoft PowerPoint, make sure that you are familiar with how they work. Not knowing the technology that you are working with can take away from the seriousness of your speech. It is also beneficial to get to know the software capabilities and how they can make your presentation come to life.
5. Dress accordingly.
Dress professionally but comfortably. Speaking in front of a crowd can cause one’s body temperature to rise so it's wise to wear layers that you can put on or take off as necessary. Be careful not to cause too much distraction if you do need to make adjustments to your outfit.
6. Make eye contact.
This helps you to connect to the audience. Although the visual part of your presentation plays a major role in your overall lecture, you are the face of the work. What you do and say determines how the information you present is absorbed.
7. Avoid the quirks.
Try to avoid saying the words “like” and “um”. They can make you sound unprepared. Also keep your fidgeting to a minimum. Remember to speak slowly and pause if you need to gather your thoughts. Also, try not to sound robotic. Instead, you should build a rapport with your audience and make the speech interactive.
8. Finish strong.
Briefly review what you went over and ask the audience if they have any questions. If you do not know the answer to a question you can ask to speak with them personally and explain how you may be able to find the information somewhere else.
These tips are designed to give some structure to any presentation. Feel free to add your own flair and charisma.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Music or Me?
My Music Doesn’t Make Me
By Deandra Mouzon
Arts and Entertainment Editor
and Kimberly Small
Reporter
In today’s world people are judged for all sorts of personal qualities. It could be anything from the way a person dresses to the way they speak or even the level of education that they have. Believe it or not people are also judged by friends and strangers alike on their taste in music. The conclusion that one comes to about someone else, based solely on their own opinions about that person’s musical taste, is often stereotypical and downright incorrect. Yet, that does not stop the scrutiny from happening to anyone who dares to don a pair of headphones with the volume too high. With all of this rating and criticism going around in our society one must wonder what the music they like to listen to says about them.
“I think that it [music] reflects my personality… that’s how I see myself,” said Freshman Irena Dubroja who says she likes classical and pop music but would never listen to rap because she finds it to be more talking than singing.
As one aspect of a culture’s art, music can also be an indicator of how a person feels they fit into another culture that is unfamiliar to them. Similar to other aspects of a foreign culture music can be a way to either assimilate or differentiate.
Dubroja went on to give her reasoning for why other people enjoy music that she does not.
“I think it depends on their taste… age is most concerning to me. I think I belong to a more mature group…also the background too. I’m from Croatia and kind of still a newcomer here, adjusting to the culture.”
Sometimes people are not comfortable listening to music that is from another era or culture. That culture may be from a completely different country across the globe. Or it could just be from a different sub-culture in their very same neighborhood. Perhaps it’s both.
When asked what kind of music she would never listen to Freshman, Nikkie Aroh said “probably music from another country that I’m not familiar with… and death metal because it’s just loud and obnoxious to me.”
Aroh identifies herself as “an all around music person” but says her favorite genres are R&B and pop. Although she doesn’t care for death metal music she does recognize that people listen to music for their own personal reasons. Aroh speculates that people who like death metal may see it as a release of tension.
“Maybe they feel that’s a way to get out your anger,” said Aroh.
York College history professor George White Jr. agrees that people have different incentives for listening to the music they choose.
“I think people listen to music for lots of reasons. One of the wonderful things about music is that it can mean lots of different things and serves lots of different purposes. Some people listen to music because it reminds them of home or it reminds them of a life they want to have. I think some people listen to music because it creates a mood… I think it’s very difficult to judge from the outside unless you know exactly how they interpret the song.”
In reaction to being judged for the type of music he listens to White says that if anyone tried to analyze him based solely on his musical preferences they’d have a hard time identifying him.
“I’m crazy… I think that’s what it says. I listen to many different things. People can pass by my car and hear different things and not know who I am.”
Some feel that musical preference can tell the tale of a person’s day or even their whole life story. A song may have the power to turn the worse day into something bearable. In this way different types of music can influence one’s mental state.
“Music has the ability to say what you want to say,” said Junior Kerbie Joseph. “It’s relatable…I don’t know how they do it,” the History major continued.
Joseph’s sentiments are shared by others.
“I listen to all kinds of music… it all depends on my mood,” said Shana-Kay Kettle, a York Junior. “I’ll listen to certain music for certain days.’’
It may seem easy to give someone the once-over and automatically fit them into a mold based on their physical appearance. However, more often than not, a person’s musical preference can be a surprise.
“I really like Lil’ Wayne and house music,” said Sophomore Sebastian Lasserre.
In some cases, painting everyone with the same brush can have music lovers taken aback when they find out that their not-so-expert evaluation was wrong. People tend to get labeled or lumped into one category when really they represent a broader spectrum.
Sophomore Jonathan Boyce, an avid listener of reggae, testifies to this fact with evidence from his own experience.
“They get a lot of misconceptions. First of all they think I’m Jamaican… but I’m from Barbados and they think I’m trying to be something I’m not,” said Boyce.
Although it may be an unexpected selection for York students an emerging genre, alternative, seems to be a growing trend in the music industry and in the iPods of York students.
“I’m a fan of electronic music,” said Junior Sebastien Fequiere. “My least favorite kind of music is country.”
When asked why he believes people listen to country music, the Math major said, “because they don’t know about electronic.”
In response to their least favorite types of music, York students did not shy away from giving their honest opinions.
“I’ll listen to anything but country,” said sophomore Sebastian Lasserre. “I think people listen to it because they were raised listening to it. It’s far from my culture,” continued the Haitian Biology major.
“I’m not much a of classical music fan,” said Shana-Kay Kettle. “It’s too boring and slow. I guess people listen to it for relaxation,” the Marketing major said.
Today’s radio stations are filled with a variety of music genres. A quick look at Billboard’s Top 100 will reveal a plethora of options. With so many forms of music, it’s easy for each type to gather a fan base. Whichever type of music someone prefers it is important to keep in mind that a person’s inclination to one form does not immediately call for them to be pigeonholed by the “average” mold of that genre’s listeners.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Degree Value : The Network Journal
What's More Valuable: The Time or The Degree?
By: DEANDRA MOUZON
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Career
In today’s job market a college degree may not be as valuable as the time spent acquiring it. Recent research shows that having a college degree does not guarantee a graduate will find a job, much less a job in their field of study. Furthermore, many positions are being replaced by computer technology and the positions that are available go to people who have earned Masters degrees.
Karen Best, the Assistant Principal at McKinney secondary school of the Arts, said that when she graduated from college “it was hard to find anything in teaching right away.“
That did not stop her from finding other work although the way she found it was not based so much on her level of education.
Networking has become a relatively useful way of getting a job. It may be unspoken but having a common source in many fields is better than knowing no one at all.
“I wanted something that I could be assured of. [Something] more substantial so I went to work for a non-profit. I was able to get that job through a connection.”
Having a business card shows professionalism and a willingness to work with others regardless of what field they are in.
Shonique Salmon is a junior at CUNY York College who said that she decided to pursue a degree in a field that she is passionate about as opposed to one that would get her a “decent job” with a good salary.
“I know that if I were to study marketing I’d have jobs waiting for me but my passion is theater, “ said Salmon.
Like other students her age Salmon is maintaining two jobs as well as carrying a full load of classes. She said that when she decided to go to college her mother refused to pay for it because she didn’t have the means to do so. While in high school Salmon excelled at the internships she did with various companies, one of which she still works at today. Her idea of a decent job is something with a salary and benefits and she knows fairly well that acting does not always guarantee a steady income. However, she will not allow that variable to dictate how she spends the remainder of her time in school.
“Once you fall in love with something, nothing else matters. You’ll invest your time and money into it.”
Michael Chamblee is 62 years old and has been an artist and contractor for the majority of his life. For a year he attended New York City Technical College but has made most of his living through freelancing and commissions for his artwork. He is a painter by trade but still believes that the time spent in school can be valuable when interviewing for not only jobs but life in general.
“It shows that you’re the type of person that sticks with something until it’s finished. That takes a lot of intelligence and discipline.”
Not only does Chamblee believe that the employers get a chance to evaluate the interviewee’s commitment characteristics but higher education teaches you a lot about the real world outside of classes.
“It teaches you how to think. Problem-solving. Like with algebra your mind is trained to take things one step at a time, systematically.”
According to Chamblee time does matter a lot in any field but today it isn’t just about the time one spends acquiring a degree. The time spent getting to know others in the field, the time spent on getting to know a company’s history and even the time spent on putting together one’s clothing and resume are important as well.
Many of these skills come from trial and error. Also things like volunteering and fundraising show dedication to potential employers.
In Chamblee’s opinion a person can learn more from books than they can learn from experience because one is able to digest information that they did not get first hand. He gave the example of ancient Chinese philosophy. However, he did mention that there are some things that will only be learned socially through life experience and for those people must spend time learning the ropes.
By: DEANDRA MOUZON
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Career
In today’s job market a college degree may not be as valuable as the time spent acquiring it. Recent research shows that having a college degree does not guarantee a graduate will find a job, much less a job in their field of study. Furthermore, many positions are being replaced by computer technology and the positions that are available go to people who have earned Masters degrees.
Karen Best, the Assistant Principal at McKinney secondary school of the Arts, said that when she graduated from college “it was hard to find anything in teaching right away.“
That did not stop her from finding other work although the way she found it was not based so much on her level of education.
Networking has become a relatively useful way of getting a job. It may be unspoken but having a common source in many fields is better than knowing no one at all.
“I wanted something that I could be assured of. [Something] more substantial so I went to work for a non-profit. I was able to get that job through a connection.”
Having a business card shows professionalism and a willingness to work with others regardless of what field they are in.
Shonique Salmon is a junior at CUNY York College who said that she decided to pursue a degree in a field that she is passionate about as opposed to one that would get her a “decent job” with a good salary.
“I know that if I were to study marketing I’d have jobs waiting for me but my passion is theater, “ said Salmon.
Like other students her age Salmon is maintaining two jobs as well as carrying a full load of classes. She said that when she decided to go to college her mother refused to pay for it because she didn’t have the means to do so. While in high school Salmon excelled at the internships she did with various companies, one of which she still works at today. Her idea of a decent job is something with a salary and benefits and she knows fairly well that acting does not always guarantee a steady income. However, she will not allow that variable to dictate how she spends the remainder of her time in school.
“Once you fall in love with something, nothing else matters. You’ll invest your time and money into it.”
Michael Chamblee is 62 years old and has been an artist and contractor for the majority of his life. For a year he attended New York City Technical College but has made most of his living through freelancing and commissions for his artwork. He is a painter by trade but still believes that the time spent in school can be valuable when interviewing for not only jobs but life in general.
“It shows that you’re the type of person that sticks with something until it’s finished. That takes a lot of intelligence and discipline.”
Not only does Chamblee believe that the employers get a chance to evaluate the interviewee’s commitment characteristics but higher education teaches you a lot about the real world outside of classes.
“It teaches you how to think. Problem-solving. Like with algebra your mind is trained to take things one step at a time, systematically.”
According to Chamblee time does matter a lot in any field but today it isn’t just about the time one spends acquiring a degree. The time spent getting to know others in the field, the time spent on getting to know a company’s history and even the time spent on putting together one’s clothing and resume are important as well.
Many of these skills come from trial and error. Also things like volunteering and fundraising show dedication to potential employers.
In Chamblee’s opinion a person can learn more from books than they can learn from experience because one is able to digest information that they did not get first hand. He gave the example of ancient Chinese philosophy. However, he did mention that there are some things that will only be learned socially through life experience and for those people must spend time learning the ropes.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Haven't Yets
I was watching this documentary called Guns, Germs and Steel the other day and had a small revelation. The idea stayed with me and blossomed little by little into a tiny braid of questions. Queries if you will. The kind I love to pose if only to fulfill my hunger for wonder. First it occured to me, from watching the film, that early civilizations were affected by Westerners in more ways than a million. Ultimately I feel that the people in these communities were literally duped out of their own understanding of self-sufficiency and fulfillment. In the film the narrator, Jared Diamond, said that some of the earlier peoples of New Guinea spent most of their days gathering food. Together these communites of gatherers would collect the nutritionous parts of trees and plants to use for food and basically it took up too much time. This got me thinking about the relativity of the phrase haves and have nots. Why is it that those who come with a faster aparatus or machine to gather food are consider haves and those who gather the SAME food slower with their bare hands are the have nots? The question arose again later in the film when Diamond spoke of the Spanish conquistadors and how the Mayans and Incas were shocked and in some ways amazed to see the way these men had trained these large animals to let them ride around in battle. They had horses, fancy steel swords, metal hats and an air of indignance and entitlement that the natives had never seen. Clearly these people had to HAVE errr something, right?
The troubling part in both instances to me is the fact that before one is introduced to an idea of deficiency there is no real doubt or void to speak of. In other words we are neither the haves or the have nots unless there is some outside introduction of that "other." This idea to me seems very rudimentary and yet still fascinating because I believe you can apply it in most cases of satisfaction and desire. Its like when two little babies are playing with a bunch of toys side by side and one is having a lot of fun with their toy and the other kid catches a glimpse of the sparkle in the eyes. It could be the exact same toy in a different color but the child automatically sees the other's as being better because they haven't found the same satisfaction within their own achievement. They haven't mastered contentment. So what usually happens is the one child tries to take the other kid's toy for themselves only to find that there really isn't anything different about it.
Western ideology is guilty, in my opinion, of robbing that idea of self-fulfillment from a job well done. Today we, yes even us on the wealthy end, are guilty of the have not mentality. We get fly with our paper-light phones and computers and are part of the group of haves for all of five minutes until the newer version explodes on the market and then we're back at the bottom wishin for another chance at the rattiest race we can get our minds around. Granted I am using Americanized references and my people in Somalia would not hesitate to correct the spectrum of needs and wants (Food & Computers). I just find it interesting that in this day an age many of us western folk are so quick to run toward the love of deficiency that relatively does not exist. Meanwhile the people that really do not have food and clean water are fasting for Ramadan. Hear me now... Fasting. HAVE you NOT wrapped your mind around this yet? Its a new era... Our goods may not be able to define us for much longer folks. Its time we get talented, ease up on the blame, the vanity and the filling of unnecessary voids. Work together with what we all have. Brainpower.
The troubling part in both instances to me is the fact that before one is introduced to an idea of deficiency there is no real doubt or void to speak of. In other words we are neither the haves or the have nots unless there is some outside introduction of that "other." This idea to me seems very rudimentary and yet still fascinating because I believe you can apply it in most cases of satisfaction and desire. Its like when two little babies are playing with a bunch of toys side by side and one is having a lot of fun with their toy and the other kid catches a glimpse of the sparkle in the eyes. It could be the exact same toy in a different color but the child automatically sees the other's as being better because they haven't found the same satisfaction within their own achievement. They haven't mastered contentment. So what usually happens is the one child tries to take the other kid's toy for themselves only to find that there really isn't anything different about it.
Western ideology is guilty, in my opinion, of robbing that idea of self-fulfillment from a job well done. Today we, yes even us on the wealthy end, are guilty of the have not mentality. We get fly with our paper-light phones and computers and are part of the group of haves for all of five minutes until the newer version explodes on the market and then we're back at the bottom wishin for another chance at the rattiest race we can get our minds around. Granted I am using Americanized references and my people in Somalia would not hesitate to correct the spectrum of needs and wants (Food & Computers). I just find it interesting that in this day an age many of us western folk are so quick to run toward the love of deficiency that relatively does not exist. Meanwhile the people that really do not have food and clean water are fasting for Ramadan. Hear me now... Fasting. HAVE you NOT wrapped your mind around this yet? Its a new era... Our goods may not be able to define us for much longer folks. Its time we get talented, ease up on the blame, the vanity and the filling of unnecessary voids. Work together with what we all have. Brainpower.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Celebrate Love
The Warding (Le Petit Mort)
Mostly it was the ghost inside that pursued you. The thought I embraced and it's absence was not understood and yet ill-fated. It died a hundred deaths that I respirated. The love was too strong, my yearning too long. I pulled away and it followed. Not like a lost puppy but more like a routine, the way the dawn meets the morning sun. I would pull, it would collapse into a small ball. I had no right to be frightened so I dared not pretend that I was prepared. There was no form of preparation that could ready me for an occasion such as this. Dirty bliss. I was not wrong and I knew I was not wrong because for once I saw dearly my own presence in that room. In that bed. In my own head. But only in your words could I realize my own disturbing beauty. My own false identity. Aspirations wrapped in fears, tied together with the kind of hope that only the young possess. Lastly garnished with misinformed courage that had laid dormant in such a remote area of my being that even I did not know where it had come from and yet when it was revealed it was embraced with the kind of natural hug that you give a stranger down on their luck.
-D. Mouzon
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My first Health related article
TNJ LINK: http://www.tnj.com/lifestyle/how-eat-healthy-starved-economy
In a suffering economy it can be a nuisance to find food that is both healthy and affordable. What’s more, an unbalanced diet can add to any physical stress brought on by being out of work or living from check to check. Too often one’s overall health will suffer because of it. Here are a few ways to eat healthy in a starving economy.
Consume more vegetables that are fresh or steamed.
Eating vegetables is a great way to assure that meals are well rounded and that you are providing your body with the proper amount of vitamins. Try customizing a salad for lunch. Also, wilted spinach or steamed broccoli spears make excellent sides for dinner. Vegetables gain most of their nutritional value from the direct interaction that they have with the sun. The longer they cook, the more vitamins and nutritional value they lose. For salads, it is important to be aware of how much salad dressing you are using. Too much works against a healthy meal and using less can save you money at the grocery store. Washing vegetables and fruits properly is also important. For tips, check out veggie-wash.com.
Opt for water when possible.
Although it has been said time and time again that water is vital to life, too many minorities are addicted to sugary drinks that pale in comparison with the benefits of drinking water. Not only does water help to refresh and revitalize your entire body, it also helps keep you regular. It aids in flushing all waste and cleanses your cells and organs. More than 60% of the human body is made up of water so replenishing it with its own natural source is a major part of a healthy diet.
Another important factor to keep in mind when preparing a meal for yourself and your family is portion size. According to statistics from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, portion size for foods have increased drastically over the past two decades. Twenty years ago a cup of coffee with milk and sugar was served in 8 ounces and was about 45 calories per serving. Today the average Grande coffee at Starbucks is double that serving size and packs about 350 calories. Twenty years ago a cheeseburger was 333 calories and today they are about 590.
http://www.visualeconomics.com/food-consumption-in-america_2010-07-12/
Many Americans often struggle with cravings and how to handle them. Snacks can be a good addition to a diet and for many people they help regulate urges until the next meal. For those who have an insatiable sweet tooth some good ideas for snacks are smoothies, granola and fresh fruit salads. Dry cereal is also great and easy to take along in a Ziploc bag. There are many ideas for inventing your own treats on allrecipes.com.
Lastly, a great way to stay healthy while conserving your energy and preserving your budget is to eat foods that are high in energy. You will capitalize on their benefit factors. This is where it gets scientific. Research foods that adhere to good blood sugar levels and keep them around the house. To increase iron intake, eat foods such as apples with peanut butter, oatmeal with walnuts, eggs or Edamame. Foods with high protein are also good sources of energy. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds are rich in protein. Incorporate some into an already healthy diet to boost your energy levels. Beware of foods that are high in sugar and artificial sweeteners because although they give you a temporary lift they can send you crashing as well.
Adopting some of these methods can help save you time, money and energy as well as keep your body in tune with your mental and spiritual health. Vitamin supplements in the morning are a great way to get your essentials in, especially on days when you may be too busy to eat with your best fork forward. Happy saving!
How To Eat Healthy In A Starved Economy
In a suffering economy it can be a nuisance to find food that is both healthy and affordable. What’s more, an unbalanced diet can add to any physical stress brought on by being out of work or living from check to check. Too often one’s overall health will suffer because of it. Here are a few ways to eat healthy in a starving economy.Consume more vegetables that are fresh or steamed.
Eating vegetables is a great way to assure that meals are well rounded and that you are providing your body with the proper amount of vitamins. Try customizing a salad for lunch. Also, wilted spinach or steamed broccoli spears make excellent sides for dinner. Vegetables gain most of their nutritional value from the direct interaction that they have with the sun. The longer they cook, the more vitamins and nutritional value they lose. For salads, it is important to be aware of how much salad dressing you are using. Too much works against a healthy meal and using less can save you money at the grocery store. Washing vegetables and fruits properly is also important. For tips, check out veggie-wash.com.
Opt for water when possible.
Although it has been said time and time again that water is vital to life, too many minorities are addicted to sugary drinks that pale in comparison with the benefits of drinking water. Not only does water help to refresh and revitalize your entire body, it also helps keep you regular. It aids in flushing all waste and cleanses your cells and organs. More than 60% of the human body is made up of water so replenishing it with its own natural source is a major part of a healthy diet.
Another important factor to keep in mind when preparing a meal for yourself and your family is portion size. According to statistics from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, portion size for foods have increased drastically over the past two decades. Twenty years ago a cup of coffee with milk and sugar was served in 8 ounces and was about 45 calories per serving. Today the average Grande coffee at Starbucks is double that serving size and packs about 350 calories. Twenty years ago a cheeseburger was 333 calories and today they are about 590.
http://www.visualeconomics.com/food-consumption-in-america_2010-07-12/
Many Americans often struggle with cravings and how to handle them. Snacks can be a good addition to a diet and for many people they help regulate urges until the next meal. For those who have an insatiable sweet tooth some good ideas for snacks are smoothies, granola and fresh fruit salads. Dry cereal is also great and easy to take along in a Ziploc bag. There are many ideas for inventing your own treats on allrecipes.com.
Lastly, a great way to stay healthy while conserving your energy and preserving your budget is to eat foods that are high in energy. You will capitalize on their benefit factors. This is where it gets scientific. Research foods that adhere to good blood sugar levels and keep them around the house. To increase iron intake, eat foods such as apples with peanut butter, oatmeal with walnuts, eggs or Edamame. Foods with high protein are also good sources of energy. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds are rich in protein. Incorporate some into an already healthy diet to boost your energy levels. Beware of foods that are high in sugar and artificial sweeteners because although they give you a temporary lift they can send you crashing as well.
Adopting some of these methods can help save you time, money and energy as well as keep your body in tune with your mental and spiritual health. Vitamin supplements in the morning are a great way to get your essentials in, especially on days when you may be too busy to eat with your best fork forward. Happy saving!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Justify My Thug Motivation will ya?
These are some of the things that I want to do in life...
1.) Own a magazine (like a Teen Vogue geared toward women of color)
2.) Travel to different countries, learn from the native people and hopefully teach arts and crafts and moccasin making to them.
3.) Learn how to make moccasins. lol
4.) Create a cartoon. A silent one for children, teens that is based on morals. (I think the silence will allow for interpretation through different languages and therefore can be worldwide. Of course there will be some music though)
5.) Own a clothing line and tie it to a foundation for people who have been sexually assaulted.
( peep : http://www.denimdayinla.org/ )
6.) Begin a new political party.
7.) Educate youth on our past and good habits to keep.
8.) Write a book dedicated to their future and our history.
(allow the last pages to be for scrapbooking)
9.) Pray, Cook, Excercise, Dance, Grow Healthy food.
10.) Somehow make dashikis come back into style. :D
11.) Develop the different characters I have for myself.
Oh and get merrrried and hopefully have kids. lololololol < wow when did that happen.
1.) Own a magazine (like a Teen Vogue geared toward women of color)
2.) Travel to different countries, learn from the native people and hopefully teach arts and crafts and moccasin making to them.
3.) Learn how to make moccasins. lol
4.) Create a cartoon. A silent one for children, teens that is based on morals. (I think the silence will allow for interpretation through different languages and therefore can be worldwide. Of course there will be some music though)
5.) Own a clothing line and tie it to a foundation for people who have been sexually assaulted.
( peep : http://www.denimdayinla.org/ )
6.) Begin a new political party.
7.) Educate youth on our past and good habits to keep.
8.) Write a book dedicated to their future and our history.
(allow the last pages to be for scrapbooking)
9.) Pray, Cook, Excercise, Dance, Grow Healthy food.
10.) Somehow make dashikis come back into style. :D
11.) Develop the different characters I have for myself.
Oh and get merrrried and hopefully have kids. lololololol < wow when did that happen.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I Needed An Official Rant Space.
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