November 2004 Archives

I haven't seen The Polar Express movie yet, but I just might check out the author of book Chris Van Allsburg (a Michigan graduate) who will be speaking @ the Chicago Public Library on Wednesday December 8th @ 6 p.m. Thinking this reading should definitely get me in the mood for Christmas. Space is somewhat limited, so if anyone out there is interested in going, note that you are ecouraged to RSVP by emailing polarexpress@chipublib.org or calling (312) 747-4097.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

This email icon generator uncovered while visiting Sasoozie's Secret Blog is pretty cool.

I'm not surprised to learn that enrollment of African American students at some major Universities across the country has dropped.

Universities Record Drop In Black Admissions

By Michael Dobbs
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 22, 2004; Page A01

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite winning a marathon Supreme Court struggle last year to continue using race as a factor in admitting students, the University of Michigan is reporting the smallest class of African American freshmen in 15 years.

A similar decline in the number of incoming black students has been recorded at many state universities across the country, from California to Georgia to much of the Midwest. The trend has alarmed and puzzled college admissions officers, who place great importance on targeting and recruiting talented minorities.

"You don't see many people of color in the dorms. I feel a little isolated," said humanities student Ashley Gilbert, one of 350 black freshmen enrolled this year at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus, where there are 5,730 students in the entering class. The number of black students is down from 410 last year and nearly 500 in 2001.

The pattern is by no means uniform -- both the University of Maryland and the University of Virginia report steady numbers of African Americans enrolling -- but it is sufficiently widespread to cause concern among university presidents and students alike. State flagship institutions appear to be experiencing the biggest declines, while some private universities and many community colleges and second-tier state schools are reporting an increase in minority enrollment.

There is no single explanation for the drop in African American enrollment, officials at the University of Michigan and other colleges say. But one important factor is the unexpected fallout from the June 2003 Supreme Court decision, which required the University of Michigan and many other schools to change their entrance procedures to evaluate applicants individually rather than automatically award extra admissions points to minority students.

Other factors include the sharply rising cost of college tuition, which has an intimidating effect on low-income groups, and a restricted applicant pool. According to the College Board, 1,877 African American students nationwide scored higher than 1300 out of a possible 1600 on the SAT last year, compared with nearly 150,000 students overall who achieved that score. Minority students with higher SAT scores have become the target of frenzied competition between state and private colleges.

A notice for anyone in Chicago who wants to help reduce hunger while getting themselves a Potbelly sandwich which I hear is quite delicious.

This holiday season, Potbelly is joining with America's Second Harvest and their local member food banks to help reduce hunger in our communities. So get your friends together and each bring in at least 3 non-perishable food items to receive a FREE sandwich on Tuesday, November 23.

Limit one free sandwich per person and all of our stores will be taking part in this day except for Midway Airport and 520 N. Michigan, Chicago, Illinois.

The best foods to bring in are high in protein, such as peanut butter, canned tuna or beans.

Just a quick shout out to nephew # 1. An Air Force Airman 1st Class, he turns 20 years old today. So happy birthday nephew #1!

While cruising over at Gaper's Block, I learnt that Dame Couture was offering sewing classes. I thought about signing up for a class since they are so reasonable priced, but then I caught myself. I have no time for new hobbies. Heck, I don't even have time for all my current list of activities. Plus the goal these next few months is to get rid of some of my stuff, not acquire more things that could potentially become clutter. Having said that, it sure would be nice to learn how to sew. My mom was very good with a sewing machine and I know it would warm my heart to make a dress or two. But for now, I must resist the urge. I still haven't finished knitting that blanket I started over 4 years ago.

I'm a little late in posting, but looks like Michigan and Ohio State backed away from renaming their annual football game: SBC Michigan-Ohio State Classic. Somewhat surprised, because when I blogged about the deal, I got much of my information from the official Internet site for Michigan sports. Heck, they had put out a press release and linked to the SBC site specially created to play up the rivalry. Therefore, if I had to guess, I would suspect that some alums got wind of the deal and expressed their displeasure. Granted I too had some objections to the deal, but those were put to the side when I found out that each school would get about half a million for the two-year deal. Therefore, I think they should have pressed on. Heck, the money could have paid for the President’s salary for a year. Hmmm. I’ll definitely have to make sure that all future donations sent to the University are specifically earmarked for scholarship.

OSU-Michigan naming-rights deal dropped

October 28, 2004, Chicago Sun-Times
Forgoing more than $1 million, the University of Michigan and Ohio State on Wednesday walked away from a naming rights deal that would have renamed their annual football game the SBC Michigan-Ohio State Classic.

SBC Communications had offered each school $260,000 for each of the next two years. A logo for the Nov. 20 game featuring SBC's name was to have been displayed on the scoreboard and on signs around Ohio Stadium, but not on the field or players' uniforms.

The order of the two school names was to be switched for next year's 102nd annual meeting in Ann Arbor.

Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said he and university president Mary Sue Coleman decided that giving a formal title to what has been known to generations of fans as simply ''The Game'' was unacceptable.

''The money was not the issue,'' Martin said during a telephone interview. ''It was a matter from president Coleman's perspective and mine in the final analysis that this was inconsistent with the values that we share with the greater Michigan family.

I am disappointed to learn that the University of Michigan President is on the list of 17 at public universities who earn more than $500,000 per year. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Mary Sue Coleman. I met her back in 2002 after she was installed as the University's 13th President. She was personable, warm and quite engaging. Moreover, her vigorous defense of the University's affirmative action program totally won me over. However, when you consider that the Michigan legislature has cut funding to the University by close to $40million over the last two years, I think her salary is a bit over the top. Particularly since this reduction in funding has also meant some job losses as well some cuts in the number of classes offered. Sure Michigan is a complex organization and we want someone of her caliber to run the school, but that sort of salary in these difficult times even if privately funded it a bit much.

The book proposed below is a bit corny, but hey, I'm about all things Maze and Blue!! So if you are a Michigan graduate, consider submitting a story. According the the alumni Internet site, "suggested story length is 1,000 to 1,500 words. Submissions should be received by the Alumni Association by December 31, 2004."

Chicken Soup for the Michigan Soul
The Alumni Association has partnered with the publisher of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books to create "Chicken Soup for the University of Michigan Soul," and we're looking for stories from alumni. Did a University professor change your outlook on life? Did you make the friend of a lifetime in the dorms? Was your life changed by a U-M alum? We are currently accepting heart-warming, engaging, unusual or funny stories about your Michigan experience---whether as a student or an alumnus/a.

"Chicken Soup for the University of Michigan Soul" is scheduled for publication in August 2005.

A number of bloggers have recently dropped me from their blogroll. I am disappointed, but I totally understand. My writing has stalled. Whereas before I would talk about what was going on in my life with great enthusiasm, I have being very quiet these last few months. I do not talk about job because that is not really a good idea to begin with and I don' talk about my personal life because Racquetball Guy's boss starting reading my blog. That sort of creeped me out. In addition, I am trying to be more considerate of people's feelings, which to some degree means not being so open about everything that is going on around me since some people do not come off in the best light. Therefore, I've been holding back. Nevertheless, I am trying to make a comeback. I am trying to find my voice again. So to those of you that have kept me on your blogroll, know that I am quite appreciative.

Surprise! Surprise! Well not really....

You are 73% Leo

How much do you match your zodiac sign?

Quiz uncovered over at Funkalicious.

For all you Michigan football fans out there in Chicago, consider attending the 73rd Annual Sports-O-Rama Event. In addition to honoring the football program as well as a few stellar student-athletes, we'll also be using this event to raise money for scholarship through a silent auction. I'm on the silent auction committee -- so I'll definitely be there praying and hoping that the items I got donated these last few months go for big bucks. Here's hoping some of you will too.

Who: Michigan Football Coach Lloyd Carr

What: 73rd Annual Sports-O-Rama Event

When: Thursday, December 2nd 2004 @ 5:30pm

Where: Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Why: Each year since 1932, the University of Michigan Club of Greater Chicago has celebrated the fall sports season with a Football Bust in downtown Chicago on the Thursday following the final Football game in late November or early December. This event, nicknamed "Sports-O-Rama, Chicago's Football Banquet", features the current Michigan Head Football Coach, current Michigan Athletic Director, current and former Wolverine players and other Sports Personalities. The event attracts a venerable who's who of Michigan alums and Michigan Sports fans in the Chicagoland area. Several hundred true blue Wolverine Fans convene to celebrate all that is Michigan and what is means to be a true supporter of the Maize and Blue. The Chicago Football Banquet and Sports-O-Rama event also has become an excellent networking event as several of Chicago's most prominent business owners, professionals and community leaders who also happen to have ties back to Ann Arbor, Michigan regularly attend. The spirit of Michigan is alive and well in the Windy City and that spirit is best experienced with other Michigan supporters and leaders. Hail! Hail! To Michigan! The Leaders and Best!

Btw, a prominent local Chicago sports anchor will be the emcee for this event.

I am slowly getting over my depression related to the election results. Sure, it would have been wonderful if Kerry had won, but the people have spoken so it is time to move on. With that in mind, looking forward to 2008. Yeah, it is early but I do think that the Democratic Party needs to reflect and then work towards a winning strategy for the next election. Therefore, here is a bit of advice I would like to send out -- please, no more East Coast liberals -- especially none from Massachusetts. That was hard for me to say since I grew up in the Dorchester section of Boston, but I just think another candidate from that state or any other state on the East Coast is a losing proposition. That means, no Hillary Clinton. Yes, I like her a lot and she would make a great candidate but I do not think that the Democrats can win with her at the top of the ticket. So please, go find a Southern Democrat...someone who can actually win his or her own state and maybe a few other Southern ones. Basically what I'm saying is to the Party brass, go find another Bill Clinton.

I'm not one for spreading rumors, but looks like Arafat might have had a terminal illness that has affected millions of people around the world.

I went to my share of frat parties at Michigan but I never joined one of them. Truth be told I was more geek than greek. I bring all of this up as Newsweek recently name the University of Michigan the hottest "college" for greeks with brains.

America's 25 Hot Schools

By Barbara Kantrowitz

Newsweek Kaplan College Guide

HOTTEST FOR GREEKS WITH BRAINS
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Michigan took the lead in the recent affirmative-action case that went to the Supreme Court, and has been an innovator in multidisciplinary approaches to everything from music to medicine. "A smaller university might excel in one subject but not everything," says spokesman Julie Peterson. "We give our students everything." That includes a lively social life. About 15 percent of undergrads go Greek, which students say helps them find a friendlier community within the vast student population (23,000 undergrads). Fraternities and sororities are especially popular with the many out-of-state students, says Mary Beth Seiler, the Greek-life director. "If you're far away from home and looking to connect, it provides an opportunity," she says.

Choo-Choo doing what Choo-Choo does best: lick himself!

I was trying to log on to a site that shall remain nameless, and the following came up. It made me chuckle.

This Country of Last Location cannot be displayed The country you are looking for is currently unavailable. The country might be experiencing electoral difficulties, or you may need to adjust your expectations of the next four years.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:

Click the Administration change button, or try again later.

If you are George Bush and won a majority of the vote of the country's voters who could be bothered to show up at the polls, make sure that you don't mistake the outcome for a mandate.

Cannot find hope for future or way to wake up
International Explorer

I feel silly. I'm crying because the realization is setting in that Senator Kerry is not going to win. I can feel a depression of sorts coming on. I really wanted him to win. For reasons that I cannot explain, I really needed him to win. This country is so divided that I really thought a Kerry Presidency would make things better. I thought he could unite this country and bring some our allies back into the fold. But it wasn't to be. I sort of came to this realization around 9:30pm last night. Frustated with the coverage on TV, I started checking the Secretary of State Internet sites for all the battleground states. Once I saw the numbers in Florida and Ohio I knew we were in trouble. Damn those exit polls. Damn! Damn! Damn! Things might be quiet around here for a few days. I need some time to process and reflect on what happened. Not only did the Republicans win the White House, but looks like they also won more seats in House and Senate.

On a brighter note, mega congrats to Illinois Senator-elect Barack Obama.

I thought I would share an election poem, as heard today on NPR's Morning Edition show.

The Poor Voter on Election Day
by John Greenleaf Whittier

To-day, of all the weary year,
A king of men am I.
To-day, alike are great and small,
The nameless and the known;
My palace is the people's hall,
The ballot-box my throne!
The rich is level with the poor,
The weak is strong to-day;
And sleekest broadcloth counts no more
Than homespun frock of gray.
To-day let pomp and vain pretence
My stubborn right abide;
I set a plain man's common sense
Against the pedant's pride.
The wide world has not wealth to buy
The power in my right hand!

The election coverage in 2000 was a little crazy, but I've got to say that I really enjoyed listening to Dan Rather's colorful commentary. Below are a few of the more colorful quotes from that night. I can't wait to hear what he comes up with tonight.

Ratherisms

"This race is shakier than cafeteria Jell-O."

"Turn the lights down, the party just got wilder."

"It's cardiac-arrest time in this presidential campaign."

"He swept through the South like a tornado through a trailer park."

"Don't bet the trailer money yet."

"It's too early to say he has the whip hand."

"Now Florida, that race, the heat from it is hot enough to peel house paint."

"It's a ding dong battle back and forth."

"If he doesn't carry Florida Slim will have left town."

"If a frog had side pockets, he'd carry a hand gun."

"They both have champagne on ice, but after the night is over, they might need a pick axe to open them."

"This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach."

Pictured below is my three month old nephew. He is so adorable!

Tonight feels like the night before a big exam. I'm anxious and I can't sleep. Granted I have a lot of things on my mind, but the election is top and center. It's no secret I want Kerry to win but with the polls so close in all the battleground states, it's hard to tell if he will be the one with the passing grade. Of course, watching MSNBC isn't really helping but I can't seem to pull myself away from the election coverage. Something tells me its going to be a long day and even longer night.

I'm trying to add more low carb products into my diet, so when I saw Krusteaz CarbSimple Harvest Wheat Bread Mix at the grocery store, I decided to give it a try. So following the directions earlier tonight, I made a loaf of bread. It's so delicious that I'm not sure how long it will last. Having said that, I'm really proud of myself. The bread taste just as good as it looks.

Btw, in case you were wondering, a slice of this bread has 60% less carbs (9 carbs per serving) and sugar than traditional baking mixes.