I bought two Target branded 'eco-friendly' bags a couple years ago. They were red. One could be folded and zipped, handily fitting into a purse. The other was like a paper grocery bag with handles.
The small bag started to decay, bits of the Target motif flaking, eaten by who knows what. The large bag shed red, staining everything it came into contact with. Cotton had to be washed to remove the usurping dye.
The piece de resistance was when the large bag began to tear. I was toting nothing heavy (the heaviest item being a bottle of astringent), yet by the time I got to my car, a hole was forming, like when the sacred stones burned through the bag in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Now, I kept the bags in the back seat of my car, exposed to sunlight and heat and whatever else. And perhaps 100% non-woven polypropylene should not be in such an environment for an extended period of time. (Without the benefit of handling instructions, there was no way I could ascertain the proper storage locales for such treasures.)
A two-year life cycle on a bag does not shout "eco-friendly" to me. One more reason to practice my sewing by making bags.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Criminal Minds - Aftermath
It's done. JJ is leaving, and this will be Prentiss' last year.
The whole Prentiss issue made the new CBS commercial irritating in its irony. Why use Prentiss' image to represent Criminal Minds if you're plannig to reduce the number of episodes she'll appear in?
I don't know how things are done in Hollywood, but did it really take a petition to get producers to close out JJ's storyline? Were they really going to have the character disappear with little explanation? Were they really going to leave JJ's position (communication liaison, aka media wrangler) empty?
This clearly caught the actors off guard. They might've been told before the news got out, but the anger and frustration lead me to believe that at the very least, some common courtesy was violated. Actors (or writers or anyone else for that matter) shouldn't feel like they've been slapped in the face or stabbed in the back.
The effect on the rest of the cast cannot be underestimated. Part of the reason they appear to be a loving work-family on-screen is because they are a loving work-family off-screen. Yes, they're professionals. Yes, the show must go on. But it is often harder for those who remain than it is for those who leave.
The whole Prentiss issue made the new CBS commercial irritating in its irony. Why use Prentiss' image to represent Criminal Minds if you're plannig to reduce the number of episodes she'll appear in?
I don't know how things are done in Hollywood, but did it really take a petition to get producers to close out JJ's storyline? Were they really going to have the character disappear with little explanation? Were they really going to leave JJ's position (communication liaison, aka media wrangler) empty?
This clearly caught the actors off guard. They might've been told before the news got out, but the anger and frustration lead me to believe that at the very least, some common courtesy was violated. Actors (or writers or anyone else for that matter) shouldn't feel like they've been slapped in the face or stabbed in the back.
The effect on the rest of the cast cannot be underestimated. Part of the reason they appear to be a loving work-family on-screen is because they are a loving work-family off-screen. Yes, they're professionals. Yes, the show must go on. But it is often harder for those who remain than it is for those who leave.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
School's Out for Summer-An Edem Update
My first year of the MBA program is done; I have a year and half to go. I earned my first B (B+, actually) courtesy of Managerial Accounting. A hallelujah moment, as I got a solid C on the midterm.
My 'soft' class (i.e., no math) was Business Communications, a marketing course taught by a management professor. There was a lot of reading, but the professor chose books worth keeping. We had to do a Pecha Kucha style presentation - 3 slides, 1 minute per slide, the slides automatically advancing. The topic was "My Business Communication Culture", and I learned a lot about China, India, Mexico, Thailand, Iran....one guy even had a step-by-step diagram of the 'man-hug'. It was awesome.
Thus far, group work has been the bane of my MBA existence. But a friend pointed out that what I'm experiencing - throwing strangers together to complete a project in a month - is common in the real world. Unfortunately, I've been spoiled by my past experiences; we knew what we needed to do to make it happen. At school, half the battle is getting everyone close to the same page. It's probably the most valuable thing I'll learn in school.
My employer signed up with a wellness plan earlier this year. Through the plan, we're participating in a patriotic wellness challenge. We try to walk at least 2.5 miles a week, with a goal of walking 5 miles or more. They give us forgettable tidbits about the American Revolution and the War of 1812. So now I walk for 30 minutes at lunchtime (weather permitting). I plan to keep it up after the challenge ends. Though I'm not sure what to do when winter comes. Dark & cold is why I could never get into excercising in the first place.
The optometrist says my eyes are getting better, so I got a new pair of glasses. I opted for transition lenses; I thought they would do a good job of doubling as sunglasses on super sunny days. What I didn't realize is that they slightly darken (grayen?) in moderate sunlight. So on an overcast day, it's a little too dark.
Now, the lenses don't darken when you're driving. Refraction something something. But, depending on the time of day and the direction I'm driving, the sun shines through my driver's side window and darkens my lenses. Unevenly. The left lens gets really dark, while the right lens gets barely gray. A framed pirate patch, or A Clockwork Orange for everyday living. I wish I could take a picture of it, (if you thought driving while texting was fun, wait 'til you try driving and taking self-portraits!) but alas, I'm not reckless in that way.
To a restful summer,
My 'soft' class (i.e., no math) was Business Communications, a marketing course taught by a management professor. There was a lot of reading, but the professor chose books worth keeping. We had to do a Pecha Kucha style presentation - 3 slides, 1 minute per slide, the slides automatically advancing. The topic was "My Business Communication Culture", and I learned a lot about China, India, Mexico, Thailand, Iran....one guy even had a step-by-step diagram of the 'man-hug'. It was awesome.
Thus far, group work has been the bane of my MBA existence. But a friend pointed out that what I'm experiencing - throwing strangers together to complete a project in a month - is common in the real world. Unfortunately, I've been spoiled by my past experiences; we knew what we needed to do to make it happen. At school, half the battle is getting everyone close to the same page. It's probably the most valuable thing I'll learn in school.
My employer signed up with a wellness plan earlier this year. Through the plan, we're participating in a patriotic wellness challenge. We try to walk at least 2.5 miles a week, with a goal of walking 5 miles or more. They give us forgettable tidbits about the American Revolution and the War of 1812. So now I walk for 30 minutes at lunchtime (weather permitting). I plan to keep it up after the challenge ends. Though I'm not sure what to do when winter comes. Dark & cold is why I could never get into excercising in the first place.
The optometrist says my eyes are getting better, so I got a new pair of glasses. I opted for transition lenses; I thought they would do a good job of doubling as sunglasses on super sunny days. What I didn't realize is that they slightly darken (grayen?) in moderate sunlight. So on an overcast day, it's a little too dark.
Now, the lenses don't darken when you're driving. Refraction something something. But, depending on the time of day and the direction I'm driving, the sun shines through my driver's side window and darkens my lenses. Unevenly. The left lens gets really dark, while the right lens gets barely gray. A framed pirate patch, or A Clockwork Orange for everyday living. I wish I could take a picture of it, (if you thought driving while texting was fun, wait 'til you try driving and taking self-portraits!) but alas, I'm not reckless in that way.
To a restful summer,
Thursday, June 17, 2010
On Criminal Minds
While searching to find out what Wednesday night Criminal Minds episode would be airing, I learned that the contract for A.J. Cook (who plays JJ) would not be renewed, and that Paget Brewster's role would be reduced (she plays Prentiss) .
The first reports said it was for "financial reasons". An unfortunately logical but no less upsetting excuse. Then it was emphatically clarified to "creative reasons".
You want creativity? Have a few more episodes where no one is saved (e.g., A Shade of Gray or Tru Night); have a few more episodes where men are the victims; have Reid start dating; explore a possible relatioship between Morgan and Tamara Brown (and have him tell Garcia she was right); give Prentiss a shock to her self esteem (I know in the end she can handle it). But lose JJ? And 'replace' her with someone else? This is not Law & Order, this is not Monk. JJ is a pillar of the team, the Voice. You can freshen the series without main characters disappearing or (in Prentiss' case), fading.
Which leads us back to the initially reported reason. Money. We're all adults here. Why can't CBS just call it what it is?
The first reports said it was for "financial reasons". An unfortunately logical but no less upsetting excuse. Then it was emphatically clarified to "creative reasons".
You want creativity? Have a few more episodes where no one is saved (e.g., A Shade of Gray or Tru Night); have a few more episodes where men are the victims; have Reid start dating; explore a possible relatioship between Morgan and Tamara Brown (and have him tell Garcia she was right); give Prentiss a shock to her self esteem (I know in the end she can handle it). But lose JJ? And 'replace' her with someone else? This is not Law & Order, this is not Monk. JJ is a pillar of the team, the Voice. You can freshen the series without main characters disappearing or (in Prentiss' case), fading.
Which leads us back to the initially reported reason. Money. We're all adults here. Why can't CBS just call it what it is?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Almost Over
I'm extremely excited about getting an A on my Decision Modeling midterm…I wasn't sure that I would get higher than a B. We're now in the home stretch in my classes – a few more quizzes, one more case study, a few more chapters, a presentation, and then the final. (Not all in one class, mind you.) Then a week off before the next quarter starts. What a whirlwind!
The university budget problems are severely affecting many of the students. Not as many classes are available, and if you didn't register when your registration time started, you were likely waitlisted (I'm 2 & 4 on the waitlist for the two classes I've signed up for next quarter. I'm confident that I will get in…but one never knows.)
The university budget problems are severely affecting many of the students. Not as many classes are available, and if you didn't register when your registration time started, you were likely waitlisted (I'm 2 & 4 on the waitlist for the two classes I've signed up for next quarter. I'm confident that I will get in…but one never knows.)
Pierced Ears
I read this article about little girls having pierced ears,
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14410861?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com&nclick_check=1
and was disturbed by the absolute lack of awareness of the multiculturalism that is America. No mention of the little girls whose ears are pierced as infants because it is part of their cultural tradition. Some of us have never known life without pierced ears.
But then, the author is writing from her experiences, and the experiences of her primary reference. I can't fault her for writing about what she knows; it is, after all, a commentary. But it does irk me.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14410861?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com&nclick_check=1
and was disturbed by the absolute lack of awareness of the multiculturalism that is America. No mention of the little girls whose ears are pierced as infants because it is part of their cultural tradition. Some of us have never known life without pierced ears.
But then, the author is writing from her experiences, and the experiences of her primary reference. I can't fault her for writing about what she knows; it is, after all, a commentary. But it does irk me.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
An Edem Update – Tis the New Year
Abstract (for the super busy folks): Got A's for my first two classes of business school. Am taking a decision analysis class, and my first ITM (information technology management) class. (Current plan is to get an MBA w/an ITM specialization.)
Prayer Requests (for the praying kind): Wisdom for school and work. Direction, and the courage to walk that path.
Okay, here's the update:
I made it through the first quarter of graduate school. To my relief, I earned an 'A' in both of my classes (one class's grade was based on the group project and a final; I had no idea how I would do). I was just getting used to not going to school when the next quarter started. All I knew for sure was that there would be group work.
For my Information Technology Management (ITM) class, there is a minimum 10 page paper (excluding title page, references, table of contents) that is part of a group project. I hate page minimums. In high school, I always had to bs to make the requirement. Seriously, it you can't be concise, then do you really have something to say, are you just blowing smoke?
Our group has five members. Hopefully, it will be a better experience than in one of my other classes last quarter. That was ultimately stressful for me. What happens when you put a person who is organized and likes to stay on top of things with people who are more 'go with the flow'? And when the organized person tries to play nice instead of being her normal take charge self? Deviation from parts of one's essential character is a stressful proposition.
So this quarter, I started off with my take charge self. I still want everyone to have a voice – that's very important to me. But I do not want to run around at the last minute if I can help it. We'll see…at the very least, I need to work on listening.
The often longwinded professor brings props with him to class. Like vacuum tubes and floppy (not 3.5", but true floppy) disks. (Though he did bring the 3.5" as well.) Last week he showed us a coaxial cable, among other things. I love the props. The class, so far, is otherwise laborious.
My other class is a decision modeling & analysis course. It's basically a math class masquerading as a management course. So far, it hasn't been so bad. Midterms are coming up the 2nd week in Feb, though, so we'll see how much I really learned. {Again, if you're the praying kind, please pray for me. I mean, it's math.}
In that class, the 'group project' is actually a team of two and two case studies. We pick our own teams, so of course I was one of the kids who was picked last – most everyone else had friends in the class and had coupled up fairly quickly. Ah well.
Otherwise, things are plugging along. The rain or cold we've had for the past month and a half makes my daily ritual of escaping to my car at lunchtime extremely difficult. Reading in the lunchroom, sitting on plastic chairs that are uncomfortable despite my ample cushioning is not ideal. I need to get away from the building, not just my desk. And turning on the heater in my car every day is probably not the best solution. Besides, who wants to go outside when it's raining? But turning on the heater may be the only viable option. If I have to stay in the office at lunchtime, I will go stir crazier.
Until next time,
Prayer Requests (for the praying kind): Wisdom for school and work. Direction, and the courage to walk that path.
Okay, here's the update:
I made it through the first quarter of graduate school. To my relief, I earned an 'A' in both of my classes (one class's grade was based on the group project and a final; I had no idea how I would do). I was just getting used to not going to school when the next quarter started. All I knew for sure was that there would be group work.
For my Information Technology Management (ITM) class, there is a minimum 10 page paper (excluding title page, references, table of contents) that is part of a group project. I hate page minimums. In high school, I always had to bs to make the requirement. Seriously, it you can't be concise, then do you really have something to say, are you just blowing smoke?
Our group has five members. Hopefully, it will be a better experience than in one of my other classes last quarter. That was ultimately stressful for me. What happens when you put a person who is organized and likes to stay on top of things with people who are more 'go with the flow'? And when the organized person tries to play nice instead of being her normal take charge self? Deviation from parts of one's essential character is a stressful proposition.
So this quarter, I started off with my take charge self. I still want everyone to have a voice – that's very important to me. But I do not want to run around at the last minute if I can help it. We'll see…at the very least, I need to work on listening.
The often longwinded professor brings props with him to class. Like vacuum tubes and floppy (not 3.5", but true floppy) disks. (Though he did bring the 3.5" as well.) Last week he showed us a coaxial cable, among other things. I love the props. The class, so far, is otherwise laborious.
My other class is a decision modeling & analysis course. It's basically a math class masquerading as a management course. So far, it hasn't been so bad. Midterms are coming up the 2nd week in Feb, though, so we'll see how much I really learned. {Again, if you're the praying kind, please pray for me. I mean, it's math.}
In that class, the 'group project' is actually a team of two and two case studies. We pick our own teams, so of course I was one of the kids who was picked last – most everyone else had friends in the class and had coupled up fairly quickly. Ah well.
Otherwise, things are plugging along. The rain or cold we've had for the past month and a half makes my daily ritual of escaping to my car at lunchtime extremely difficult. Reading in the lunchroom, sitting on plastic chairs that are uncomfortable despite my ample cushioning is not ideal. I need to get away from the building, not just my desk. And turning on the heater in my car every day is probably not the best solution. Besides, who wants to go outside when it's raining? But turning on the heater may be the only viable option. If I have to stay in the office at lunchtime, I will go stir crazier.
Until next time,
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