A big thank you to the students that I was able to work with this year in the apartment area. Special thanks to the Community Advocates who are graduate students living and working with me in the apartment area.
Each year in May, there is a large banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the staff and to award those who have worked hard to connect and enhance student life. In addition to these awards and acknowledgments, there is also a "Res Life by the Numbers" in which funny and sentimental numbers are provided on the work all the staff did. This year myself and the great Matt Colaprete stepped up to the mike and did our best. Below is the video taken by Uche Okereke, one of the CAs in the apartment area.
Thanks again to the students and staff for a great year!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Brief List Of Things To Say Before I Die
I think a lot of us have those moments we remember when we've said the perfect thing at the perfect time. Whether it was helping out a friend or taking a stand on something, the right phrase can create a lasting memory.
Now, I'm not talking movie lines or pick-up lines (I'm good at one of those...), I talking about those statements that the world seems to just stop for. It's a moment when there's a dramatic pause where the person who hears it takes a brief moment to let it marinate in their mind before reacting.
Don't know when I might be able to break these out but I'm hoping that, at some point, I can say these without flinching or second guessing it's use:
Thanks for reading....
Now, I'm not talking movie lines or pick-up lines (I'm good at one of those...), I talking about those statements that the world seems to just stop for. It's a moment when there's a dramatic pause where the person who hears it takes a brief moment to let it marinate in their mind before reacting.
Don't know when I might be able to break these out but I'm hoping that, at some point, I can say these without flinching or second guessing it's use:
- "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch"- Who says that nowadays? Everything in our lives is so planned out that we can't just interrupt a meeting or event to say this line. Usually what gets said is, "Hey, can we make this quick, I've got to get somewhere." I picture saying this line after successfully handling a heated debate, putting on my suit jacket, and walking out the door. Problem is that my next line would probably be, "Now where the heck did I put my suitcase..."
- "No, that's ok. I'm going to pay cash"- I'm hoping in the future that I can walk onto a car lot, pick out a nice convertible, listen to the salesperson give their speeches about the features. Then, as they break into the financing discussion, I can politely put up my hand to stop him/her, dramatic beat as he/she thinks, "Who the heck does this guy think he is?", and I give them the line that will change their thinking to, "Jackpot".
- "You're going to need to push me out of this thing"- I was chatting the other day with someone who's been skydiving. I told him I could never do it. Kinda true. I don't think my legs could get up from the side of the plane, walk over to the door, and take the leap. I'd really have to have the tandem guy/girl carry me like a baby over to the door. Or maybe I can get knocked out somehow only to have them give me an epi-pen (not in the heart!) right as I'm standing in the door.
- "I think a pool would look nice back here"- My grandparents had a pool in their backyard. It was home to birthday parties, graduation parties, huge 4th of July parties, and epic battles involving a beach ball and someone jumping off the diving board (going to be the subject of a whole other blog post). Granted, we were only there for the fun times, so I imagine there was a lot of other times where it was a big frustration to them. But I have always wanted to be looking inside a new home, starring out from a back glass door, with my arm around my wife, and saying this line. Which would be even cooler if after we both looked at each other, we turn to the realtor, and in unison, say, "We'll take it!" (ok, it's cheesy, but it's my cheesy)
- "I have all the time in the world"- Just to make someone's day to know that they have my full attention no matter how long they need it.
Thanks for reading....
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom!
"Because I said so..."
She'll probably kill me for starting off her birthday post with that statement but, Mom, give it a few minutes. It'll all come full circle in a second.
"Because I said so" seemed to be her favorite term when I was growing up. I vowed many times, as I was stomping up the stairs, that I would never, ever, use that phrase with my kids. Well, lo and behold, I actually broke it out today in dealing with a few students on campus. "Because I said so" was a mantra that I could never buy into. I kept thinking, "Who the heck does she think she is?" (STOMP) "Why does she think she's so smart?" (STOMP) I honestly just pounded my foot against the floor instinctively.
So, to the topic at hand, your birthday. I have some birthday thoughts using that favorite statement of yours...
Love,
Jeffrey
Thanks for reading...
She'll probably kill me for starting off her birthday post with that statement but, Mom, give it a few minutes. It'll all come full circle in a second.
"Because I said so" seemed to be her favorite term when I was growing up. I vowed many times, as I was stomping up the stairs, that I would never, ever, use that phrase with my kids. Well, lo and behold, I actually broke it out today in dealing with a few students on campus. "Because I said so" was a mantra that I could never buy into. I kept thinking, "Who the heck does she think she is?" (STOMP) "Why does she think she's so smart?" (STOMP) I honestly just pounded my foot against the floor instinctively.
So, to the topic at hand, your birthday. I have some birthday thoughts using that favorite statement of yours...
- Because I said so, my mom is a darn good cook. Cookies, cakes, dinners, lunches, picnics, parties, etc. All egg free, nut free affairs. Covered many times before but, because I said so, she's a darn good cook.
- Because I said so, my mom is a darn good nurse. ER was one of those shows that connected with a lot of people. For me and my family, it gave us one more insight to my mom as she grew through her 20s and 30s. As an ER nurse herself, I remember turning to her to see her face during some of the episodes we would watch as kids. The stories she would tell about her friends, about the doctors, and about some of the patients were priceless. One story I remembered as I called her during the series finale was that she was involved in a historic surgery. Serving as a nurse during the first artificial heart transplant, she was in and around the room as medical history was unfolding.
- Because I said so, my mom is a good driver. I have no idea where we were coming back from but my friend Joe was in the car with my brother, my sister, my mom and I. I was ticked about something that day and Joe and Chris knew it. Seizing the opportunity, they didn't just sit around and let the opportunity pass by... nooooo... they grabbed it by the horns and rode it right on through. I then say something stupid and my mom starts in on me. As I sat there, very politely, hands crossed like a good little angel... yea who am I kidding, I was spewing out words with the arms flailing, being all sorts of dramatic in the middle seat of the van. But then those magic words came out of my mouth, "That's it. Pull the car over. I'm getting out and walking." A little setting background for you. Wynantskill is at the top of a hill, ney, a mountain, that begins in Troy where this is taking place. About 15 minutes away from my house, I blurt out these words not even thinking she'll stop the car. BBRRRRRRUUUUUTTTTTTT. Car stops. Without even a beat, her head turns around, and I think it was Joe who slides open the van door right on cue. My bluff had been called. My drama level went from "Melting Wicked Witch of the West" crazy to jaw dropping silence. To be honest, I think that was the turning point of realizing, this woman doesn't mess around. Sure there were some incidents after this but, I don't know if she ever knew the impact that driving moment of clarity had on me.
- Because I said so, my mom is a darn good mom. It's true in many ways that I wouldn't be here without her. When people ask about how I found out about my allergies, I tell them the story and include that on the way to the hospital, I had to be thrown in the air in order to get me to breathe (it's apparently a baby's instinctive reaction to take a breath at the top of the throw). If I had been born to any other person, would I still be here? Those late nights of breathing treatments where I dug my teeth into the mouth piece as I could barely breathe from asthma, angry that she was making me do those, she stuck by me and rubbed my back at 3am while saying, "Take deep breaths." Because I said so, I think I don't have major asthma and allergy issues because she was a darn good mom in staying strong through some tough times.
Love,
Jeffrey
Thanks for reading...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ode to Seasonal Allergies
French horn bellows from the orchestra... Violin tuning... Flutes and clarinets play a run.... and the drum section does a wicked solo that amazes the crowd (ok, so maybe that last part would never happen...)
Tap, tap, tap from the conductor that gathers the attention of everyone. He/She raises their hand and the instruments come to a ready position.
The Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel begins to play. (For those who might not know this classic, here's a reminder)
Hello seasonal allergies my old friend
It seems that we have met again
The pollen outside is just starting
The grass that once was yellow is now greening
And the sunflowers that are slowing growing in the grass
Soon will change
To the bane of my existence
In restless weather, my nose alone
cannot avoid the yellow storm
Neath the buds of the treetops
I turned my car to supermarket
Where my body and my cart dashed right to Kleenex aisle
Split the family
That blocked my Puffs without lotion
And let's not forget my aching head
Ten pounds of pressure, maybe more
Nose spray doesn't do the trick
Nose spray kinda makes me sick
It's the ache that Tylenol just won't cure
twice a year
In the spring and in the fall
Oh and I hear about that Neti-Pot
People left and right talk about it a lot
fill the pot with warm salt water
then one end goes in which ever nostril
Let me stop you right there because that just isn't natural
I could drown
from this contraption that's really a torture device
And then people thought I was crying
actually no they called it sobbing
all that pollen made all these tears?
Itching them was not helping
and the doctor said "Don't itch them cause you'll only make them worse"
what's he know
about the bane of my existence
Thanks for reading...
Tap, tap, tap from the conductor that gathers the attention of everyone. He/She raises their hand and the instruments come to a ready position.
The Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel begins to play. (For those who might not know this classic, here's a reminder)
Hello seasonal allergies my old friend
It seems that we have met again
The pollen outside is just starting
The grass that once was yellow is now greening
And the sunflowers that are slowing growing in the grass
Soon will change
To the bane of my existence
In restless weather, my nose alone
cannot avoid the yellow storm
Neath the buds of the treetops
I turned my car to supermarket
Where my body and my cart dashed right to Kleenex aisle
Split the family
That blocked my Puffs without lotion
And let's not forget my aching head
Ten pounds of pressure, maybe more
Nose spray doesn't do the trick
Nose spray kinda makes me sick
It's the ache that Tylenol just won't cure
twice a year
In the spring and in the fall
Oh and I hear about that Neti-Pot
People left and right talk about it a lot
fill the pot with warm salt water
then one end goes in which ever nostril
Let me stop you right there because that just isn't natural
I could drown
from this contraption that's really a torture device
And then people thought I was crying
actually no they called it sobbing
all that pollen made all these tears?
Itching them was not helping
and the doctor said "Don't itch them cause you'll only make them worse"
what's he know
about the bane of my existence
Thanks for reading...
Monday, April 13, 2009
It's Been a While
No excuses for not posting other than not much to report. Things continue to go well with the family. My Dad is back to work. My Mom is diligently solving the world's problems. Chris is graduating in a few weeks from law school (and the lucky punk not only played Trump National but also picked the winner of the Masters Tourney). And Amy is still having fun out in Boston. No complaints.
But one update to pass along. Starting in Junior High, acting became a big part of my life. I did a few shows a year both at whatever school I was attending and in community theater. As life has continued to change recently, I found myself getting back into somethings that I sacrificed.
One day I hopped on Craigslist and ended up in the actors wanted section. As I looked through, a lot of jobs were asking for a headshot. I'm still at the point, and probably will be for many many years to come, when I think to myself, "Hmmm... Maybe I should go back to a cheaper hobby?" Headshots are expensive. So for a while, I put the thought in the back of my head.
Fast forward about a month and I'm sitting in a club meeting for a group I advise. At the end, I randomly pipe up with, "Anyone know of someone who takes headshots?" The only thing heard in the room was the "whoosh" of everyone's head as they turn towards a woman in the room who laughs, dramatic beat, then says, "Um, yea. Me?". Come to find out, she needs someone to model for her for a class project. So we agree that she takes the headshots, I'll do what's needed for the pictures she needs.
Now, side story, yes, the face did turn red (about a 2 on the Red-Face-O-Meter) as I said, "But you know, there's just some stuff I won't do...". To which she turned red and said, "No! It's not that type of project." Laughter, laughter, laughter, and Jeff's face getting even redder (bump it up to a 6)...
Below are some of the outtakes from the headshots and from the pictures for her project. Thanks to Katie Gio for her awesome photo taking abilities.
Thanks for reading...
But one update to pass along. Starting in Junior High, acting became a big part of my life. I did a few shows a year both at whatever school I was attending and in community theater. As life has continued to change recently, I found myself getting back into somethings that I sacrificed.
One day I hopped on Craigslist and ended up in the actors wanted section. As I looked through, a lot of jobs were asking for a headshot. I'm still at the point, and probably will be for many many years to come, when I think to myself, "Hmmm... Maybe I should go back to a cheaper hobby?" Headshots are expensive. So for a while, I put the thought in the back of my head.
Fast forward about a month and I'm sitting in a club meeting for a group I advise. At the end, I randomly pipe up with, "Anyone know of someone who takes headshots?" The only thing heard in the room was the "whoosh" of everyone's head as they turn towards a woman in the room who laughs, dramatic beat, then says, "Um, yea. Me?". Come to find out, she needs someone to model for her for a class project. So we agree that she takes the headshots, I'll do what's needed for the pictures she needs.
Now, side story, yes, the face did turn red (about a 2 on the Red-Face-O-Meter) as I said, "But you know, there's just some stuff I won't do...". To which she turned red and said, "No! It's not that type of project." Laughter, laughter, laughter, and Jeff's face getting even redder (bump it up to a 6)...
Below are some of the outtakes from the headshots and from the pictures for her project. Thanks to Katie Gio for her awesome photo taking abilities.
Thanks for reading...
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
One of those days
Need to preface this post with the fact that I recognize there are many people out there that have had many bad days. There are friends out there right now who are in much worse places than me and this post is in no way, a comparison to some of the days you're having.
But today wasn't necessarily a bad day. It was a combination of the guy from Office Space who was just rolling with the punches, and a series of events that I cocked my head to the side and said to myself, "Huh... That didn't go as planned."
A few minor things happened in the morning but we're going to skip ahead to the new bane of my existence, ITunes one touch ordering. Most of the days, I admit, the ordering is completely by choice. I have no excuse for some of the music I've spent music on. Yes, your Honor, I did click the button. BUT, today, yes at work (I had a lunch meeting! I get make up time right?), I was looking through the catalogue for a long lost song (Eric Carmen, Make Me Lose Control, can't wait to hear what my brother Chris has to say about that one) and ended up in the movie section. Wanting more information about a movie, I clicked what I thought was the link to see more. Nope, all of a sudden, I see download start pop up. Huh... That's not right...WAIT! DAGNABIT!!! Cancel button! Cancel button! Hell any button! Yep, caps lock does nothing...
$14.99 later, I'm the proud owner of My Best Friend's Girl. Um, yea? But I smiled...
A few hours later, I walk into my boss's office and see some baked goods on her desk. I'm always up for finding a new tasty treat so I ask to take a look at the ingredients. What do you know? No eggs! No nuts! Jackpot! I turn to her, not in a cool, calm, or collected way. Nope, it was more of the way a five year old looks when their parent take the cookie out of the jar, places it on a napkin, and hands it down to them. Not exactly when it hits their hand, but that moment as the cookie is in the air. (Side story, can't wait to see this look on my own child's face... one day...) Quickly grabbing one of these tasty treats, I take a huge bite and think they're not half bad. Chatter back and forth soon followed that I have no recollection of because I was thinking, "Sweet! New treat to put on the list!". I left her office and finished. About five minutes later, I cocked my head to the side and thought, "Huh... This doesn't feel right." I could mentally picture the name of the item being crossed off the safe list as I could feel my mouth swelling and my teeth start to hurt. I go back to take another gander at the ingredients and they look safe. But sometimes that's just the thing. As best as people try, sometimes things get tossed around and something not Jeff friendly ends up in the wrong place.
This wasn't an epi-pen type of incident. There's a protocol for that if it were to happen at RIT.
But the Benedryl that I did take contributed to my next incident. I've started cooking more and tonight was a nice herb tilapia and salad. A few minutes after taking the Benedryl, I put the fish in. Well, the drugs take about 20 minutes to kick in and the fish was done in 15. Yep, didn't time this one out right. As I go to grab the pan, it slips and the fish falls to the bottom of the oven. Cue the freak out about the fire alarm going off. Thankfully it didn't but dinner was ruined. I put the pan, with the destroyed, unintentionally blackened fish, on top of the stove, cocked my head to the side, cracked a little smile, and thought, "Huh... That didn't go according to plan"
To be honest, I should have expected that last one. Same, exact thing happened the last time I tried to cook tilapia. I blame the drugs for clouding my memory. So maybe it did go according to plan? Third time will be the charm!
Thanks for reading...
But today wasn't necessarily a bad day. It was a combination of the guy from Office Space who was just rolling with the punches, and a series of events that I cocked my head to the side and said to myself, "Huh... That didn't go as planned."
A few minor things happened in the morning but we're going to skip ahead to the new bane of my existence, ITunes one touch ordering. Most of the days, I admit, the ordering is completely by choice. I have no excuse for some of the music I've spent music on. Yes, your Honor, I did click the button. BUT, today, yes at work (I had a lunch meeting! I get make up time right?), I was looking through the catalogue for a long lost song (Eric Carmen, Make Me Lose Control, can't wait to hear what my brother Chris has to say about that one) and ended up in the movie section. Wanting more information about a movie, I clicked what I thought was the link to see more. Nope, all of a sudden, I see download start pop up. Huh... That's not right...WAIT! DAGNABIT!!! Cancel button! Cancel button! Hell any button! Yep, caps lock does nothing...
$14.99 later, I'm the proud owner of My Best Friend's Girl. Um, yea? But I smiled...
A few hours later, I walk into my boss's office and see some baked goods on her desk. I'm always up for finding a new tasty treat so I ask to take a look at the ingredients. What do you know? No eggs! No nuts! Jackpot! I turn to her, not in a cool, calm, or collected way. Nope, it was more of the way a five year old looks when their parent take the cookie out of the jar, places it on a napkin, and hands it down to them. Not exactly when it hits their hand, but that moment as the cookie is in the air. (Side story, can't wait to see this look on my own child's face... one day...) Quickly grabbing one of these tasty treats, I take a huge bite and think they're not half bad. Chatter back and forth soon followed that I have no recollection of because I was thinking, "Sweet! New treat to put on the list!". I left her office and finished. About five minutes later, I cocked my head to the side and thought, "Huh... This doesn't feel right." I could mentally picture the name of the item being crossed off the safe list as I could feel my mouth swelling and my teeth start to hurt. I go back to take another gander at the ingredients and they look safe. But sometimes that's just the thing. As best as people try, sometimes things get tossed around and something not Jeff friendly ends up in the wrong place.
This wasn't an epi-pen type of incident. There's a protocol for that if it were to happen at RIT.
But the Benedryl that I did take contributed to my next incident. I've started cooking more and tonight was a nice herb tilapia and salad. A few minutes after taking the Benedryl, I put the fish in. Well, the drugs take about 20 minutes to kick in and the fish was done in 15. Yep, didn't time this one out right. As I go to grab the pan, it slips and the fish falls to the bottom of the oven. Cue the freak out about the fire alarm going off. Thankfully it didn't but dinner was ruined. I put the pan, with the destroyed, unintentionally blackened fish, on top of the stove, cocked my head to the side, cracked a little smile, and thought, "Huh... That didn't go according to plan"
To be honest, I should have expected that last one. Same, exact thing happened the last time I tried to cook tilapia. I blame the drugs for clouding my memory. So maybe it did go according to plan? Third time will be the charm!
Thanks for reading...
Monday, March 2, 2009
it's all about the lines in our lives
Didn't really see this theme until a few updates in but it can't be denied. We all cross some lines in our lives. Whether by tripping, pushed, or testing the other side, it's how we get back to the other side of the line that defines us. So with this, some updates:
- My dad is doing much better. The lines cut in his chest and arms are healing nicely. While a still a little sore, the whole family is happy to report that he's doing well.
- Just got back from a placement conference in my field. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh hosts an an annual placement exchange in which a number of schools come together and interview a large number of candidates seeking a position in residence life. Year after year, schools try to one-up each other with the different swag or advertising idea. RIT came up with a pretty neat idea involving a grade school right of passage. Ever do those origami fortune tellers? For example, sometimes after asking a question, you pick a color and for each letter you fold the paper a certain amount of times, then picking a number, you fold it that number again, revealing your final choice of number. VOILA! Future. Well, we changed it up a bit to make it RIT specific like "You'll find your career in RIT Res Life!" I might invent an origami paper folder because after a few times of trying to fold the darn things, our minds turned a little batty, and eventually, a throwdown was issued. It then turned into this:
- We probably have all been there whether through our parents yelling at us in the back seat saying, "Hey! Look it! I'm drawing a line down the center of this seat. You stay on this side, and you on the other. Don't cross it!". Or it's the awkward knees or elbows touching where you pull away quickly once you realize they're touching. But on an airplane, there's only so much room to play nice. In addition, they build two separate seats. There's already a line built into the row! And you'd think people would have the sense not to cross it. Oh no. On this recent plane trip, it happened twice. First time, I think the guy only gave me half a seat. Literally, Mister I'm going to spread my legs like I'm doing a ski jump and cross my arms like posing in a music video, decided to ignore the line. Then, his half brother sat next to me on the way back trying to emulate the ski jump (He skipped the video). Ever once in a while there would be a shift of position and I'd quickly reclaim some space. It was an ongoing battle that I didn't do so well in.
- This brings up another airline traveling question. Are you the type of person to rush onto a plane once they start boarding? Me, I'm thinking, "Why rush on there only too sit for another 20 minutes while I wait for everyone else?" Maybe they're trying to stake their claim in the seat space war? I like the lobby and the 20 minutes of fresh air and open space I'm going to get. Maybe it's just me?
- Love is like hopscotch. You get some friends together and draw out the pattern of lines you want to go with to start, always having a place for two feet to land somewhere along the way. You throw the pebble and jump through course skipping the square where you landed the pebble. I thought I was at the end of my course having done the whole one foot, two foot thing. But if you're playing in my game, you miss some steps, there's a crack in the pavement you trip on, you miss the square you really want, and you've always got to watch out for the school bully who's there clapping with a big smile on their face only to knock you down when right as you think you've reached the end. So here's what I've decided, I've worried for too damn long about the pebble, the crowd, the cracks, heck, even the rules. I'll draw the board how I want it to start. And when I get to the two feet, I'll turn, grab my partner, break the chalk in half, and we'll go the rest of the way together. Our rules. Our game. Now where did I put the chalk...
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