So today, we had Franco "Dok" Harris speaking to us at Chatham.

First of all, he was late.  So that was frustrating.
Secondly, he arrived wearing a suit over a casual shirt and JEANS.  I understand that he was trying to present a "casual" image, but it was so obviously fabricated and that ticked me off.  Do something because you sincerely mean it, not just to pretend to connect to the everyday person, cause we all know you are not, and that this is all part of your campaign strategy.  Grrrrr.

He went to Princeton, and then became involved in entrepreneurship, as a small business owner. 

He rambled veeery boringly a lot about various business and marketing strategies.  It was all money money money, money was the solution to everything.  It got very old, very fast.

"If you give a child a job at 13, he won't pick up a gun at 15." 
So uh, you're into child labor, then?

He also brought up the whole "taxation of students and the sick" along with a lot of other digs at the current mayor.  Really, guys, it just makes you sound as desperate as you probably are.  Sick of it, and I don't even know the current mayor's policies or anything.  I don't know if it's merited or not, but it's annoying.

He wants to use casino money to pay the city's pension.

He talked about crime, and how it is about personal relationships.  Kids used to swap baseball cards with officers, youth felt comfortable around the police.  The only way to solve violence long term is to create a sense of community. 

He is the only one limiting campaign contributions.

He wants to be a mayor that will go into the schools.
He encourages business owners and the community to go into the schools and speak to the children. 
He wants support given to single mothers.
He wants fathers to take responsibility, but recognizes that current programs are failing at this.
He believes that "school doesn't end at the door"
He IS a fan of some charter schools, which really irritates me, 'cause I'm strongly against those. 
Also a fan of the Pittsburgh Promise overall, but he has his issues with it.  How do you address the kids who do not want to go onto college, who do not really see themselves living to that kind of age?
Again mentions mentoring, start motivating the children at a much earlier age to go into college.
Early childhood education phone line to find out information.

As for the libraries...
He says he would have had a plan way ahead of time for what to do, again namecalling Ravenstahl. 
He will set up computer & internet centers in communities, as a temporary solution until economic stabilization.  
The libraries being shut down are in neighborhoods with low access to begin with. 
Rec. centers, parks, and pools closing down.

His temporary solutions will involve places for seniors to come together and enjoy themselves as well.
15% of his time as mayor would be spent devising contingency plans.
Just because they have the lowest circulation rates in the city, it doesn't mean those specific branches are being used less.

He will work for new revenue services.

Pittsburgh is losing population & revenue for 30 yrs. due to few job opportunities.

He wants a bookstore in every community (!!!) 
but then a girl asked about B&N closing in Squirrel Hill and there basically being no independent book sellers in the city, and he dodged the question entirely.

Believes there are only 3 causes of crime:
-Structural poverty
-Substance Abuse
-lack of economic opportunity.

EVERYTHING was about economic opportunity for this guy.  SO ANNOYING.

He wants a program for high school athletes where they'd be PAID to play with kids.  O.O  I...am in shock about this one. 

Poorest areas are most obese, so where is the hunger?
BAD FOOD IS CHEAP.
It's not hunger, it's food insecurity. 
Programs teaching kids how to urban garden and having vegetables in the community as a result.

A girl named Amber (who I am going to e-mail after this) made a statement about how she volunteered at the library since she was in elementary school, and she got really frustrated with all his money talk as well, cause she called him out on it, clearly asking if he was or was not going to bring the libraries back.  She wanted to know how he would incorporate youth as working for the community for more than just money.

He just replied that he wanted community service to be stronger, particularly to youth. 

Oh, it would have been so annoying were it not for the EDU majors.  Dr. Johnson called her class out to pester him with education related questions, and it was so awesome watching them corner him and hassle him xD

Re: the environment, he wants to work on green technologies to reduce carbon emissions, clean water, and clean air. 
Also wants measures in place for simple home things to do, such as insulation. 
He says we are the right sized city to launch new environmental technology tests. 

So far, Acklin is the better of the two to me, although I know pretty much nothing about Ravenstahl except he allegedly wants to tax students and the sick.  I do not know if I want to believe this, alright, because it seems like mudslinging to me.  But I'll look into it. 

I have to read this and this, which is why I'm elljaying instead. 

Today, we had Kevin Acklin, the Independent candidate for Pittsburgh mayor, come to Chatham.  Tomorrow, we're going to have the last of the three candidates, Franco Harris. 
He was...interesting, I guess.  There were some things that are a little dodgy, some that made me really happy. 
First of all, he called us Chatham College.  And while that was a minor slip-up, it's something that was a little annoying, since he should know the name of the venue and one of what could be his city's college's NAME. 

His family was Democratic, but he rebelled at an early age.  For the longest time, he was a Republican, until he received negative comments on his supportive attitude toward the GLBT community, at which point he turned Independent.  He claimed that he is "more of a Democrat than the current mayor" which got a little annoying.
ALL his jabs at the current mayor, who I did not get to hear speak, got really irritating after a while.   He kept going back to the point that Ravenstahl, if elected, is going to tax "students and sick people" (I do not know the details of this, so I will not comment.  Conveniently enough, he didn't stop to explain the details, so people could be mislead by that.)  But yeah, his entire platform seems to be about dissing the current mayor.  It's very annoying.  You should win on your own merits, not the other person's weaknesses. 

At one point, he pointed out that he was on his third pair of shoes from all the houses he'd visited, which just ticked me off.  I wondered how much money he'd given to any of the people whose houses he visited, vs. how much money he spent on his shoes.  Bet that's an interesting ratio, don't you?

There were lots of Pittsburgh references, and I'm sure the native Pittsburgher's were happy to hear them, but I understood none and that ticked me off.
Then again, I'm not voting, so I'm not someone they really need to appeal to...

He did mention about investing money into the crumbling library system, and that made me really really really really really happy.

His discussion on schools: His wife is a schoolteacher.  The mayor has no control over schools, that is all up to the school board.  He does, however, have contact with the school board.  
He supports the Pittsburgh Promise, a program where high school students who keep their GPA up get scholarships.
Stressed the importance of mentorship.  He is a "Big Brother" to a 15 year old and has been working with this boy for 6 years now.  It ticked me off that he bragged about this and then said that he is a Big Brother "without fanfare."  Braggery constitutes fanfare, donutbrain.  (What the HECK is a donutbrain?  I do not know where that came from...)
He talked about the disturbing statistic that 1/2 of the African American high schoolers in Pittsburgh do not graduate. 
Trouble at home is important to education, because dealing with that kind of stuff ruins concentration.  Reform should begin at home (hah, that one sounds EXACTLY like what our project for EDU is!)
Umm, so yeah, there needs to be political support & power behind the education system (also part of my presentation). 
He talked about how a lot of parents are up and moving to the Fox Chapel district (which, for those of you who do not know, is where the fancy spoiled rich kids live with their fancy spoiled schools)

He said in regards to the environment that he is a "conservationist at heart."

He ended on the note that "being mayor of a post-industrial city is the hardest job".  I strongly disagreed, and would like to suggest that he live a day in the life of a teacher or a good parent (which, he has two kids, but he is out at Chatham Col--oh, wait, UNIVERSITY promoting his agenda, so what does that tell me about his parenting skills?  Yeah.) so that got on my nerves.  

Alright, I'll write another entry in a bit, this one will be public. 

YES!  I found my address book!  I've been looking EVERYWHERE in my room, and turns out my mother left a chunk of my stuff outside my room.  So I found THREE things that I've frantically been looking for and that's great :)
Anyways, so, the point of this is, comment (or e-mail if you're uncomfortable with people seeing) your addresses & phone numbers so I can SEND YOU STUFF from collegeland! 

Hey guys,
irradescent  is trying to get this scholarship, mind voting for her entry?  Only takes a few seconds!

http://www.brickfish.com/GoToPage.aspx?qsi=14735935

I'm bored, so I'll shower you guys with EPIC QUOTES.
x-posted on FB

"So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity."

"We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism. In fact, faith should bring us together. "

"And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world."

"All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings."

"The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Applause.)

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth."

I'm blatantly (with her permission) stealing this idea from irradescent .  I want everyone to pick five books that they loved, and request them for me through our library's catalog.

So browse through www.jmrl.org

Pick 5.

Click on "Place Hold"

Type in:
Last name: Zaman
Card #: 21743003368180
Pickup Location: Northside or Central, doesn't matter which.

Go crazy, I want some awesome book recs! =)

ETA: forgot to mention a couple of things
-It's all anonymous.
-Any book that is recommended MUST be read, or at the very least attempted.
-Feel free to do this whenever, feel free to do it  more than once :)  Random book recs are the very best!

Book contest! 
http://ya-bookaholic.blogspot.com/2009/02/100-posts-contest.html

*is being a horrible self-promoter*

Nov. 3rd-bookstore browsing with kazulwashere  **LATE**
Saturday, Dec. 20th-Bookstore browsing with luckavery  **LATE**
Monday, Dec. 22nd-pick up graded papers from library loft...if they EXIST. **LATE**
Thursday, Jan 1-FAFSA **LATE**
January 19th-Work, 8:15-12
January 20th-Classes begin.
January 27th-Soup Swap @ Louise's

</lj></lj>

to the...I guess TWO over 18 peoples I know on LJ, GO VOTE :D  

They're talking about what would happen if Obama lost and it's making me depressed :(
That cannot happen . So VOTE VOTE VOTE. 

ooooh

Vote, Vote, Vote
Vote, Vote, Vote,
Unless you are a potted plant,
cause potted plants can't vote.

Vote, Vote, Vote,
Vote, Vote, Vote,
unless you are a can of yams,
 cause cans of yam can't vote!
:D  I mean, if Charlotte says it, it must be done!

I'm supposed to be advertising these like crazy, so I figured, hey, why not post about it in my ell-jay? 

The Virginia Discovery Museum is sponsoring some concerts soon, and I'd love it if you guys could come.  Here's a schedule, you can find more information on vadm.org or by calling (434) 977-1025

If you know anyone who might be interested, PLEASE bring these up =D    Also, mention them to your parents, if you're not interested, your parents might be, or they might know people who might be interested.  Just spread the word as much as you can.
And seriously, I'd LOVE to see you there!  LET ME KNOW if you'll be there.  

AWESOME meme stolen from ginnylcsw !  Thanks :D

Your Debut Album

1 - Go to (random) Wikipedia
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Random quotations: Click Here
The last four words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

If you want to do this again, you'll hit refresh to generate new quotes, because clicking the quotes link again will just give you the same quotes over and over again.

3 - Go to flickr's "explore the last seven days" Click Here
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

Here's mine...



Through the Children's Eyes by 1962 in Brazilian Football

What is Your World View? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Romanticist Romanticism encourages society to look backwards to find our solutions. Your rationale is that things were much better a few hundred years ago so we should thus look back to those times and replace them in our modern society. You believe in a simple life and that the complexities of the modern world have turned it upside down. Romanticist 88% Fundamentalist 75% Cultural Creative 50% Postmodernist 50% Idealist 50% Materialist 31% Modernist 25% Existentialist 13%

 A very happy topic.

So let's see, I got 
A DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A PINK DIGITAL CAMERA
and Photoshop, but it's not compatible with my computer, so I've gotta wait another year until i get a new comp. for college.
and I got a random weird book from my dad
and CLOTHES
and an awesome coat
annnnd socks 0.o (which, yes, I did need, but...SOCKS?)
Heroes season 1!!!!!!!!!!!  YAY THANK YOU RAHID.
and money.

This was an awesome Eid.  Mostly due to the fact that I spent ALL day sitting in my beanbag chair and relaxing and watching DVDs and just seriously not caring or thinking about anything.  
This will undoubtedly prove to be a mistake, seeing as my Physics exam is tomorrow.  Oh well, whaateeever.  I think I know all I need to know, and the stuff that i've struggled with is on my 3x5 inch notecard that we're allowed to bring in, thank you mr. wayne.

Okee doke, I'm off to eat leftover deliciousness.
Love,
Me

p.s. FREE HUGS T-SHIRTS, COMING IN THE MAIL NEXT WEEK, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

So, I've been seeing all these lists lately, like, 101 reasons to watch TWW, and such. (actually, I just saw three of those, heh =D) and I am avoiding math homework, sooo...I believe it is time to make a list of my own!
ANNOUNCING...101 REASONS TO SHIP JOSH & DONNA!

1. Because she was the one who guessed.
2. Because philately's fun!
3. Because she's not going anywhere.
4. Because who said anything about talking?
5. Because she misses him--especially during the nights.
6. Because he got her moose meat.
7. Because he went to Germany.
8. Because that was one hot kiss.
9. Because she's the girl he made fun of in Elementary school.
10. Becuase she talks to his Mom more than he does.
11. Because the Alka Seltzer, Mylanta, and Red Bull need to go.
12. Because of the snowballs.
13. Because he had a truly excellent notion.
14. Because she won't bring him coffee
15. Because she wants to take a walk...or something.
16. Because girls like to be wooed.
17. Because he was there through the good and the bad.
18. Because he gets jealous.
19. Because his fan club will get in a huge uproar about it.
20. Because she knew how he liked his burgers.
21. Because he won't have to tumble into girls sideways and hope they'll break up with him anymore.
22. Because she's invaluable.
23. Because if Dr. Freeride ever finds out, it'll drive him crazy.
24. Because he's the only guy who can send her flowers to be mean.
25. Because it IS what it looks like.
26. Because Donna Calley, Donna Reese, Donna Ayres, and Josh Gardner just sound WRONG (thanks, englandorbust76!).
27. Because he snarks her.
28. Because the other gomers don't deserve her.
29. Because she thinks he doesn't miss her everday...
30. Because it took them 9 years to get it together (7, if you go by "real" years).
31. Because Josh's mom really wants those grandkids.
32. Because she's impervious.
33. Because that's what a smack high feels like.
34. Because the flowers really did the trick.
35. Because those stories made him like her.
36. Because last night was nice, really nice, you know, on the scale of...niceness.
37. Because he left his blackberry behind.
38. Because she looks amazing.
39. Because he took her to Hawaii.
40. Because then he can drink from the keg of glory.
41. Because she told him to "gather ye rosebuds".
42. Because she tied his bow-tie.
43. Because we live for those "odd moments".
44. Because skis would have killed him.
45. Because if you polled 100 Donnas, they'd have to cover themselves with misdirection, because she likes him, and she knows it's starting to show.
46. Because they have matching scars.
47. Because Mandy's off to MandyLand.
48. Because he put her parents' cats on the Supreme Court.
49. Because he shows up at her apartment drunk and yells at her roommate's cats.
50. Because he just can't open hotel doors without her.
51. Because she's going to have to sit on somebody's lap.
52. Because they sing very well together.
53. Because she seeks to control him--and succeeds.
54. Because he has a sensitive system.
55. Because he wants to put her on a stamp.
56. Because he has a remarkable interest in her revolving door of local gomers.
57. Because he sucked her into his life of crime.
58. Because he's the only one she finds handsome. And powerful.
59. Because she steals his fries.
60. Because she's calling him Deputy Downer from now on.
61. Because he says she has no future with that other guy.
62. Because he's missing the signs.
63. Because she needs that raise. Also the DVD player.
64. Because his watch sucks.
65. Because it's going to be fine.
66. Because it's gonna be Bambi.
67. Because she's in charge of shopping.
68. Because it's a tragically unconsummated love kept at arm's length by Puritanical American workplace ethics.
69. Because he got the fuzzy end of THAT lollypop.
70. Because he hopes not.
71. Because Jack sure was getting in between something.
72. Because it's not the White House--it's HIM.
73. Because how can you NOT like Donna?
74. Because he'd look cute in a toga and a dog collar.
75. Because he wrote the memo.
76. Because he knows what women like.
77. Because she goes out with too many Republicans.
78. Because hers is obvious.
79. Because she GOT him.
80. Because she chose to stay.
81. Because in the world of Donna Moss, we should all love each other.
82. Because what did he say about addressing him as "Wild Thing"?
83. Because he took her to see Yo-Yo Ma.
84. Because she's NOT a 40-something soccer mom.
85. Because he bellows.
86. Because she has distinctive penmanship.
87. Because of the rules.
88. Because she hired herself.
89. Because they have lots and lots of anniversaries.
90. Because she's an attractive woman waiting to be entertained.
91. Because Amy Gardner is Satan.
92. Because Sam and Cathy are not like him and Donna.
93. Because she's finally "come onboard".
94. Because she looked really great in that dress tonight.
95. Because they all want to know--Are you dating your assistant?
96. Because their relationship is about to change...
97. Because he's still here.
98. Because the going with her part was all him.
99. Because she said she wouldn't stop for red lights...
100. Because he didn't.
101. Because they love each other, for Heaven's sakes!