Semester in Review: from starting a mission to the "Last Midnight"

DISCLAIMER: Since this is the last post, for now, I am returning to my long post roots.  Enjoy!

Over the semester, I have tried to discover how involved are people on campus.

My intended plans did not exactly come true, but I have had fun through it all.

At the start of the semester, I did not expect to be in a crowded room learning about IRS Criminal investigators, observe people acting out scenes from an anime, and understand both groups as people investing time in what they love, even if photos do not tell the whole story.

I was not expecting to find out a smoker can be inside and not get warned about lung cancer.

I learned goals can be met if one is willing to wait long enough for your voice to develop.

I was able to get introspective and explain who I am and what I believe and display where work.

I was one of the few who took notes at an improv show (and got my suggestions used) after hearing heartfelt music about a developing relationship.

I was able to report on "the varsity sport of the mind" and promote the Taqueria (great value and community, even if your digestive system might not agree.)

I got to drive a golf cart and raise the scoreboard!   I might still feel the strain from that weekend, but the ability to see this campus from a different perspective was definitely worth the risk.

I discussed ASUP Senate Resolution 11-03, (funding the fundraising efforts for the new rec/wellness center from Fall Capital Improvement Fund money for the next three years), running a debate and expressed my views about the Beacon. 

Though those two entries proved to be among the most popular, I am mixed about my work on each. 

Call me naive but I do not want attention, views or whatever passes for social capital these days through arguments and controversy.  Though I might go into the field of journalism for a career, I want to stand on my own and attempt to build a reputation through what I wrote about 11-03, uncovering facts and pointing out solutions to problems rather than blithely complain about issues.  If I cannot survive in the field without resorting to unsubstantiated viewpoints with limited bias, then I am skeptical of a culture that supports people putting their own goals ahead of their subjects.  Journalism should be about displaying new ideas and perspectives so people can realize the world is full of new and different ideas that can shape their lives, hopefully for the better.

I cannot retract my views from either entry, but I must acknowledge those views were valid at the time of writing.  I will deal with whatever comes from the reaction and if that costs me opportunities, so be it. I will always try to keep the perspective of subjects in mind and remember to aim toward story not opinion (unless the situation somehow requires a sledgehammer instead of a camera.)

Even in that 11-03 post that recieved positive reactions, I feel I got a little too personal and opinionated about the meeting and discussion.  The post might have been able to shed light on the 2010-2011 ASUP Senate experience, but the meeting made me weary, frustrated and bitter toward the senate, democracy and even myself.

Several of my views about this semester can be supported/emulated in the Steven Sondheim production "Into the Woods" which wrapped up its UP run on Sunday the 17th and was profiled over at UP in Theater.

Possibly the only spoiler-free photo I took, unless you did not realize trees exist in the woods.

Warning: some spoilers abound!

Like the main characters, I wished to see how involved people, specifically students, are on campus.  Like Little Red Riding Hood, I strayed from the path, but was able to learn things I never knew before making the journey.

Like the finale "Children Will Listen" points out, children and people will look up to everyone of us and develop plans of action from what they see us do. I feel this blog tried and succeeded every once in a while by showing clubs and activities people would otherwise ignore.  Maybe people will try to start their own club or decide to attend an event or join a club just because the name is odd or for a new experience. 

When I strayed from my original goal, I acted in ways that might have harmed others and have to keep those transgressions in mind to avoid repeating those mistakes. I must always remember people are reading and not always commenting.

What does the future hold for this blog and myself after I leave this wood of supervised writing?

We will have to find out together. I might focus on some things more (ASUP Senate, clubs gone by) and not be as personal.  Depending on what the reader wants, this entity could shift toward crowd-sourced reports about clubs or events or wither away into the digital ether.

I must go for the summer but like the song also points out, no one leaves for good.  This experience through the woods allowed me to discover people can enjoy my work, regardless of length and amount of links.  I guess to them, I was doing something right. The important part is we all survived and hopefully are richer for the experience.

Thanks again to everyone who allowed me to profile them or allow me access to materials surrounding clubs and especially the commenters.  The perspectives have allowed me to gauge content reactions and improve my writing/storytelling skills.  Without you, this blog could or might have turned into random ramblings that only I and future family will see to mock or enjoy.

What did you think of this first journey through the woods?  What would you like to see more or less of in the future? How has this blog helped your journey through the woods of line on UP's bluff?

Inaugural Week in Review

This busy week offered several activities, many of which I sadly was unable to attend due to ASUP Senate proceedings and prior commitments.

I was unable to attend the African-American Read-in, the Anti-Valentine's Day Reading held by the English Society, a lecture about graphic novels, the Trashin' Fashion show, in which students submitted clothes made from recycled materials, the Campus Community Emergency Response Team session, a group preparing the campus for survival in case the community is shut off from resources via an emergency, the CPB movie Hereafter, or the Pilots After Dark event "Dance Your Heart Out."

I was fortunate to attend the Alaskan Immersion Plunge Concert/Bluffoon Improvisation performance and the ASUP candidate information meeting.

The concert, which raised at least $400 from $3 admission prices, featured student Sam Wegman and a group including April Vanderkamp, the event organizer.
Sam performed a cover of The Beatles' "Something", his own "Behind Closed Doors", "Never Perfect" and an untitled song that discussed the use of white lies to hide the truth of the subject's addiction.

Vanderkamp's group took a more humorous approach with their covers of Weezer's Sweater Song, the Band's "The Weight", "Maybe" and "I'm Sorry", the latter two being Vanderkamp originals about a couple's progression in a relationship culminating in living in a house built for four and a blunt but still respectful way of ending a relationship.

The Bluffoons performed some of their usual games like "Presidential Debate" in which two "candidates" have to say "A vote for me is a _____ for a ____", "I promise a _____ for every ____" and a closing quote, which was "And My Axe".  A team of three people mime the words that go in the blanks  and the first person to complete the phrases "wins" the election.  As easy as it might sound, ten minutes worth of using Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Man" from the Sistine Chapel fresco so the candidate could get "I-pod" managed to produce more laughs than I thought.

I managed to accomplish the highest goal for a spectator, getting a suggestion used, during the game "3 Rooms." This game features three different scenes happening, but the last line of one scene must be used in the next, word for word.  The scene featuring my suggestion "nice pants" had the trials of alleviating the pain of too tight pants. 

One of the interesting games was their starter, "My Movie", in which Bluffoon members pitched their ideas, provided a synopsis if prompted, then had their movie performed if the "studio executive" wanted to see it.  The participants provide some interesting ideas like "The Movie about the Thing", the tale of a multi-armed creature; "The Spoon Diet: a How-to Guide" where eveerything is eaten with a spoon, "The Legendary Benches of Azaroth", and "Orange You Glad?," the tragic claymation tale of two oranges that exist peacefully until one of them gets squashed.

The two hours flew by and was a solid investment of $3 and two hours on a Friday night.  The next Bluffoon show is Friday, February 25th, so take advantage of your Friday night by investing in laughter.

The candidate meeting for Executive Board positions was a harbinger of the week within ASUP Senate with one candidate concerned about personal attacks aimed at her.  Since I am acting as the coordinator and producer for the debate, I am concerned on how it will go, especially with the CST 363 class attending.

It should be fine, but the activity surrounding the newest resolution over allocating Capital Improvement Funds toward the construction of the new Recreation Center says it will not be easy. Activities includes facebook groups on both sides of the issue, strong opinions on how to discuss it during this Monday's meeting, a compromise meeting held after the Beacon deadline, a Beacon story that was unable to discuss the proposed compromise and a petition to move the decision to a student vote, for which I helped obtain signatures, all create a sense of tension and stress for the next week. The petition hinges partly on the resolution discussion being tabled, an uphill task.

If I can survive the next few days, the week should be smooth sailing until Junior Parent Weekend, which might present its own creative circumstances.

Take care, and have a safe and efficient week!