Monday, August 21, 2006
Start of school top 7...
So, with the advent of another 9 months of much study and learning, here's the top 7 (I was going to do 10, but ran out of time before class) reasons why I'm glad to be a college student...
1) School schedule - my body likes to sleep from 12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. People who work full time (like I did during the summer) sleep 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Being in school lets me choose option #1.
2) Professors - you would have to work hard to convince me that there is a more intriguing group of people than college professors. Bow ties, dissertations, and lecture quirks all combine to make personalities that are both interesting and valuable to know.
3) Football - the NFL can keep their $12 million salaries. There is no sport in America as interesting to follow and as fun to spectate as college football. Rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State and 'Bama-Auburn, the love-hate relationship with the BCS, the speed of the SEC, the big hitting of the Big Ten...and being at UNI, you gotta love the Dome.
4) Four week long winter break - while it can get a little boring towards the end, what other stage in life offers four full weeks off in the winter?
5) Student discounts - theater and concert tickets, store specials, and most importantly...two for one at the University Ave Coldstone Creamery. I may not be making a lot of money, but I'm glad vendors know that.
6) Friends - not to get cheesy, but there really are few other times in life that allow as much time and as many different and unique opportunities to be spent with the people you like. Camping, sporting events, music concerts, late night conversations, Apples to Apples (if you don't know what this is, check out this website ) and much, much more are all available for the experiencing.
7) Learning - if you're in college, I hope you like learning. The environment on campuses is designed to develop thinking and learning processes (most of the time), and to allow students to delve into subjects they may never be able to study again. While it can get tedious, it's great to be a part of.
Off to my class that starts in 5 minutes...
1) School schedule - my body likes to sleep from 12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. People who work full time (like I did during the summer) sleep 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Being in school lets me choose option #1.
2) Professors - you would have to work hard to convince me that there is a more intriguing group of people than college professors. Bow ties, dissertations, and lecture quirks all combine to make personalities that are both interesting and valuable to know.
3) Football - the NFL can keep their $12 million salaries. There is no sport in America as interesting to follow and as fun to spectate as college football. Rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State and 'Bama-Auburn, the love-hate relationship with the BCS, the speed of the SEC, the big hitting of the Big Ten...and being at UNI, you gotta love the Dome.
4) Four week long winter break - while it can get a little boring towards the end, what other stage in life offers four full weeks off in the winter?
5) Student discounts - theater and concert tickets, store specials, and most importantly...two for one at the University Ave Coldstone Creamery. I may not be making a lot of money, but I'm glad vendors know that.
6) Friends - not to get cheesy, but there really are few other times in life that allow as much time and as many different and unique opportunities to be spent with the people you like. Camping, sporting events, music concerts, late night conversations, Apples to Apples (if you don't know what this is, check out this website ) and much, much more are all available for the experiencing.
7) Learning - if you're in college, I hope you like learning. The environment on campuses is designed to develop thinking and learning processes (most of the time), and to allow students to delve into subjects they may never be able to study again. While it can get tedious, it's great to be a part of.
Off to my class that starts in 5 minutes...
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Root, root, root for the home team...and Jesus
This article describes the expanding trend of "Faith Nights" at minor, and now major, league baseball games. I had no idea these even happenned. Apparently, minor league teams in Bible Belt states started including player testimonies, pre-game "fellowship", and prayer at specified games that were themed "Faith Nights". The purpose? Two-fold - minor league teams that were grasping for fans get increased attendance, and Christians get to send the message, "Hey, we don't all stand on the corner and wave a Bible and say if you don't come to Jesus, you're going to hell", as stated by a Faith Night participant. Now, the Atlanta Braves have scheduled three such nights for this season. Hmmmmm. I can't say I'm very comfortable with this idea. Altar calls would definitely take longer the 7th-inning stretch usually lasts. Seriously, though, I don't know if this is good for Christianity in America. Maybe this satirical article isn't as far-fetched as I hoped.
