Connectivity. Since the first week of school I was noticed that despite having seven drastically different classes, they are all connected in some way. The central class seems to be theater, which relates to karate because the motions we go through during practice are essentially acting. Theater relates to the Law classes because of all the court room drama. In karate the teacher talks about the legal aspect of defending yourself against an attacker. Aristotle had significant findings in the study of theater and also in the field of psychology, law, writing and astronomy.

 Death has been a common theme in all of the classes. My Law professor often tells stories about people who are now dead, to remind us that someday we will be dead to, as he says, “This isn’t rehearsal.” My Astronomy teacher says it is the most depressing science because there is no happy ending.  An asteroid will hit earth, the sun will burn out, and we are all going to die. In psychology we learn the stages of life, which of course will end with death. Stories we read in college composition have a central theme of life and death, whether it be a person or a creature as insignificant as a moth. There are few things more theatrical then death; in fact he is the main character in a play we are doing. In karate the high level self defense movies will result in, what else…Death.

Everything and everyone is connected in some small way. The choices each of us make effect not only the people who are directly involved in our life, but they also could have consequences for people we have never met. It is so easy to believe each of us are an island of ourselves and we can do anything we want without intervention from others. While it is true that each of us creates our own destiny, we need to step back and look at the big picture.  The path you blaze for yourself will cross the paths of countless other people. Tread lightly.

Remember when MTV had their “Rock the Vote” campaign? This year the best slogan I heard was “Vote, it’s the right thing to do.” Coincidentally, that was the slogan for oatmeal a few years ago, but that doesn’t diminish its truth. I know all the arguments, there’s no time, there’s no point, there is no one worth voting for. I have used them all, and now I’m twice the legal voting age and I’m ashamed to say I have never once voted. In fact,  I know very little about it. (Since I’m twice the voting age, I get two votes, right?)

This year something possessed me to fill out the voter registration section when I was renewing my license at the DMV. They sent me a card in the mail to let me know I was a registered voter, and I suddenly felt like a grown up. I know, getting married, a house and three kids did not do it for me.I needed this card! Now, I have a post card on my fridge that tells me where I go to vote on Tuesday, and I’m kinda excited about it. It is another milestone in my life. Now, I’m not going to tell people who I’m voting for and attempt to convince them to follow my lead, that’s not the point. I just want everyone who is standing on the sidelines to consider getting in the game.

Top 10 Reasons to Vote

10)You will feel like the Wizard of Oz when you step behind the curtain.

9)Where else can you use a A “Sip-N-Puff” or paddle device, without getting arrested?

8)It’s just as American as Apple Pie, with much fewer calories.

7)Because the term “dangling chad” always makes you giggle.

6)You could be the swing vote, in which case your vote is the only one that matters!

5)All the cool kids (who are 18 and older) are doing it!

4)Because you love Freedom.

3) I heard you get cookies and juice afterwards. (That might just be for giving blood)

2) It will give you something to talk to Grandma about at Thanksgiving.

1) If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the direction of the country.

Hello everyone!

            Keith Compton here folks, literally reporting for duty. What duty? I’ve just become the new addition to the Student Blogging Team. Hmmm . . . SBT . . . sounds like something you’d want to stay far away from huh? Have to talk to my teammates about that, could drop the team part . . . wait a minute! That would leave just . . . well anyway back on the tracks here.

Graduated from Kendall Jr. /Sr. High in 1977 and less than a week later I was working a summer job in Pittsburg for the Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey branch. Landed that through a nationwide competition I had won that was sponsored by the Isaac Walton League. I had been accepted at Syracuse but fell short in making it happen that fall. Wasn’t time for me to go to college, not yet. So I moved to Houston in 1978. I was riding the bull at Gilley’s before the movie came out! For those of you who just said “what movie?” that would be “Urban Cowboy”. Enrolled part time (nights) at Lee College in Baytown, Texas in 1982. Home of the “Fighting Ganders”! What a mascot huh? One class for one semester and I was done. Still wasn’t college time for yours truly. From Houston to Dallas in 1986 for a quick twenty years, and they do go quick mind you, back here in ‘07. While residing in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex opened, owned, and operated a commercial installation company for a number of years. I did earn a small business management certificate from Texas Wesleyan University in Ft Worth. Quite the experience opening and running your own firm is oh yes!

 Upon returning to WNY, employment became an issue as the business I was involved with in Texas, for the better part of two decades, was practically nonexistent here. I might as well have been a palm tree salesman.  And once outside the industry that I was knowledgeable in my experience didn’t seem to matter anywhere else. After four jobs in three years enough was enough! I had to do something . . . . something besides suffer and whine about it that is. The plate was mine and I so needed to step up to it. Doing “what” and “where” about it becoming my questions to answer.

  I decided my “what” to be a higher education and my “where” at Genesee Community College.  I needed a ticket up so I went all in with my hopes, Texas Hold’em style for me of course, and pinned them on punching that ticket here at G. C. C. So in the spring of 2010 I turned myself into a 52 year old college freshman. There’s another “quite the experience oh yes” for ya! Being from Kendall, and starting at the Albion campus, I found myself attending class and doing homework with the children of the “kids” I went to school with! Could a brother please have another check in the “oh yes” column? There’s a life experience few can hold their hands up with me on. And of course a lot of these kids looked just like their parents did when we were in high school. That was borderline wicked spooky! Only time will truly tell how valid my choices, and of course there is nothing like ringing your own bell, but I can’t help but feel that I chose well on both counts, especially the “where” aspect.

In my time I’ve set foot in a lot of different places of business. In jobsites alone the number is well over 1000 not to mention all the peripheral dealings that surround that kind of activity. My ability to quickly “read” a place of business is quite keen. Never in my travels have I dealt with a firm the likes of GCC. A place where every ounce of energy and effort expended is focused on a single goal. This is a place where no one wears their badge of honor any more or less important than the next person, regardless of their position in this affair. The “show” that is performed here on a daily basis is cast with a set of characters that are cut from the most uncommon of cloths. Consummate professionals, many of whom I know for a fact could be plying far more financially lucrative seas. Yet they choose not to. Why . . . . ?  Student nation before you read any further I ask you to please take a moment and really think about that one.

 This facility is no less a jobsite than the commercial sites I used to frequent and it didn’t take me long to see what really goes on here either. What this place is all about. What it really has to offer all of us which is so much more than a higher education.  I’ve got news for you nation, the educational aspect, that’s just the iceberg’s tip around these here parts. Following is my answer to the question from the previous paragraph. I would love to hear yours.

But before I go there is one more question I would like all of you to contemplate or as they say in Texas, “ponder”. Why are we (you) here? I was sure I knew before I enrolled but I didn’t, not even close. We’ll chat more about that one next time.  In business, as in life itself, feedback is everything. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Shoot me an e-mail or just grab me in the hall, be just as fine with me. Actually I’d prefer it, far more personal, nothing like face to facing thoughts and ideas back and forth. I fear its becoming a lost art. Thanks for your time, glad to be on board . . . . Enjoy . . . . And really think about it alright?  

In the Middle of Nowheres

 

Lies a frozen, barren land

Where hope’s only constant is its elusiveness

Where the harshness of the elements put life itself on hold

There you’ll find an outpost, a bastion, emitting a beacon

Garrisoned with dedicated people who are driven by their passions

Whose tireless efforts and boundless energies

Are unified through oneness of purpose

That purpose . . . .  a gift  . . . . to those who seek out the light

The gift of hope

The hope of a new beginning . . . . a new way . . . . a new life

The hope of a chance . . . .

Humanities greatest self-bestowment  

So to All who play host to this magnificent endeavor

Know well that you are all cardholding members, as tenders

Of a most magical place . . . .

 In the middle of nowheres

 

P. S. – Mrs. Barbara Shine, Batavia campus, is caretaker of one of the two original copies of this appreciative acknowledgement. Mrs. Diane Palmer, Albion campus, the other. I’m sure either one of these ladies would love to show it to you. Until next time nation, be good.

The gift of hope. This place is so laced with it, so packed to the rafters with it that it oozes out of the very hallowed ground this facility rests upon.

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to walk in Abe Lincoln’s size 14 shoes? What would it have been like to live during such a time of turmoil in US history? Could you have risen from poverty and through only self teaching rise to the office of presidency?

What about the other way around, how would Lincoln fare in modern times? Would his “honest Abe” persona be charismatic enough to win over voters? Would people be able to see past the crooked nose and top hat to accept his revolutionary ideas? What would his campaign for the presidential election look like? 

It is those questions and more you have the opportunity to answer in the “Discover Lincoln” contest. The contest is free to enter and explores this concept in each of five different mediums.  You can make a one minute campaign video, an 8.5 by 11 poster, an up to 160 word speech, a 3 by 11 design of a bumper sticker, and a 1.25 by 3 diameter campaign button. The deadline is Oct 20th and there is no limit to the number of entries you may submit.  Winners will be announced Friday Oct. 26 and entries will be displayed in the Library. For details visit

http://www.genesee.edu/library/about-the-library/lincoln-discovery-contest/

On Wednesday October 17 at 12:30, Gcc History instructor Derek Maxfield with present a lecture “What’s so Great about Lincoln” in the Forum. Maxfield is also  founder and coordinator of the College’s Civil War Initiative.

Also on Saturday, Oct 20 at 12:30 pm the Excelsior Brigade Fife and Drum Corps will perform in the Forum. This performance of traditional music from the era of the civil war is often seen during re-enactments. The actors will also offer young people a “School of the Soldier” program, so they may join in the experience.

The month long celebration of Abraham Lincoln also includes a self guided exhibit in the Alfred O’Connell Library. The exhibit was organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute and includes a collection of pictures, memorabilia,quotes and brief summaries of his life.

There is so much to be inspired by when you consider the determination and overwhelming obstacles that Lincoln overcame in his lifetime. The work he did allowed this great nation to begin live up to the promises of  live liberty and justice for all, stated  in our constitution. Imagine the generations of revolutionaries and dreamers who could not have existed had he not paved the way. Lincoln truly was “a man of his time, a man for all times.”