The Russian Reversal. A (Not Quite) CM VidShizzle.

sent in by an anonymous community member...

The Lighter Side of the Force...

WHY DID NO ONE SHOW UP TO MY PANEL?!?!

TK-421 reporting from my post here in Podunk, Nowhere, an ahhh...what a treat!  I had to check my vitae to be sure, but it was the first time in six years that I got to present an academic paper at an honest-to-baby Jesus academic conference!  I got to express my love of European Hamster-fur Weaving in a Maritime Environment.  One person showed up to my panel.  One tea-partying person!  But it was still glorious.  The panel, our moderator, and one very enthusiastic attendee had a great talk anyways! 

It was all glorious!  From the disorganized registration desk, to the cross-legged academics eating crappy sandwiches during the "lunch provided," to the late, late nights drinking copious amounts of beer, tequila, and vodka with friends whom I had just met and may never meet again.  They were all beautiful people, and I love them all.  I just wish I could remember most of their names. 

Sure, I've been to plenty of professional conferences during the past six years, talking about "assessment" and "accountability" and all the rest of the dark side of the Force, but it is not exactly the same.  Its a different vibe with those groups.  Much like space, they are cold and professional.  Certainly not the types to be doing tequila slammers while debating the historical impact of the South-Italian rebellion on the production hamster-fur based goods in the 19th century!  So it was nice to take off the armor and masquerade as one of the Rebels, if only for an all to short weekend!  Alas, it is back to work this week.  The Empire needs me...

Best,
TK-421

Let's Play, "Dear Suzy, You're a Total Bitch and Here's Why...."

Poor Suzy Weiss. She didn't get into the college she wanted. She's taking it pretty well though. She wrote this op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. She'd like us all to know how she's been wronged.

I'd like to go after her like she was an entitled, bitchy, pinata:

Like me, millions of high-school seniors with sour grapes are asking themselves this week how they failed to get into the colleges of their dreams. It's simple: For years, they—we—were lied to.

Colleges tell you, "Just be yourself." That is great advice, as long as yourself has nine extracurriculars, six leadership positions, three varsity sports, killer SAT scores and two moms. Then by all means, be yourself! If you work at a local pizza shop and are the slowest person on the cross-country team, consider taking your business elsewhere.

What could I have done differently over the past years?

For starters, had I known two years ago what I know now, I would have gladly worn a headdress to school. Show me to any closet, and I would've happily come out of it. "Diversity!" I offer about as much diversity as a saltine cracker. If it were up to me, I would've been any of the diversities: Navajo, Pacific Islander, anything. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, I salute you and your 1/32 Cherokee heritage.

Oh, there's more...