Why does this economy hate me and all the stores I love? In the past year, four establishments I love have either closed or are in the process of shutting their doors forever. This post is a quick shout out to these companies.
1. Ottavio's. Easily one of my favorite Italian places EVER. I used to take my bakers there at the end of a semester to congratulate them on working hard. Also celebrated Mo's graduation there.
2. Borders. Some of my favorite childhood memories involved going through the fantasy and science fiction part of Waldenbooks (partners with Borders) in Jefferson City, MO. The news that they started closing stores last year around this time broke me heart. Another special connection is that some of my maternity pictures were taken inside Borders.
3. Roberts Arts & Crafts. It's a pity they're going to "online only" sales, since I don't know how productive that will really be for things like scrapbooking supplies.
4. F.Y.E. When I got the news about this chain closing, I got very upset. I mean, where else could I buy TV series for not $40 - 60 a season?
::sigh::
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Random Rants, the Honor Code
If you attend BYU (or any of its affiliates), you're aware that students must adhere to an Honor Code.
Considering how specific this code is, there is an awful lot of debate about what it means to follow it. And the BYU-Idaho campus has even more restrictions.
Today, a new rule was set up there. (See this article.)
I have a few thoughts about this. But first, let me share a couple of personal examples:
1. Walking on campus, I passed a girl who was wearing modest attire: a long-sleeved top, boot-cut jeans, boots, and a jacket. However, her jeans had horizontal slits up past her front pocket lines. (I have actually seen the horizontal tears more than once, but this was the highest up the leg that I'd ever seen them. Usually they stop mid-thigh [which is technically still against the Honor Code]. I've also seen them on both endowed and non-endowed students.)
2. While visiting Clark on campus, I passed several girls who wore long-sleeved tops, boots, skirts, and leggings. However, their skirts did not even extend past the reach of their hands. (Did your mother ever enforce that rule?)
3. I remember that it started raining one night while I was headed home. I had a lot of trouble walking because I was wearing flip-flops (permissible on BYU-Provo campus) but they had no tread. I also remember silently denouncing the Honor Code because it specifically states, "shoes should be worn in all public campus areas."
Now, I don't share that last example to say what a saint I am compared to these other girls I have mentioned (and don't worry, while all my examples include females, I've seen plenty of guys try and flout the Honor Code, too), I just wanted to share it because it's not always clothes that are in question. Also, to say that I don't always have warm fuzzies for the Honor Code.
However, I was a student then and I had signed the Honor Code which meant I had agreed to follow the rules. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to come to school here, so I just went with it.
I was listening to a talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson a couple of months ago and he said the following: "There are times we honor our agreement simply because we agreed to it." A few minutes later, he continued, "obey them [the rules] because you signed your name, saying you'd obey them."
What other argument can I make? When an apostle of the Lord says that you should hush up and buck up, you do it. No arguments.
Considering how specific this code is, there is an awful lot of debate about what it means to follow it. And the BYU-Idaho campus has even more restrictions.
Today, a new rule was set up there. (See this article.)
I have a few thoughts about this. But first, let me share a couple of personal examples:
1. Walking on campus, I passed a girl who was wearing modest attire: a long-sleeved top, boot-cut jeans, boots, and a jacket. However, her jeans had horizontal slits up past her front pocket lines. (I have actually seen the horizontal tears more than once, but this was the highest up the leg that I'd ever seen them. Usually they stop mid-thigh [which is technically still against the Honor Code]. I've also seen them on both endowed and non-endowed students.)
2. While visiting Clark on campus, I passed several girls who wore long-sleeved tops, boots, skirts, and leggings. However, their skirts did not even extend past the reach of their hands. (Did your mother ever enforce that rule?)
3. I remember that it started raining one night while I was headed home. I had a lot of trouble walking because I was wearing flip-flops (permissible on BYU-Provo campus) but they had no tread. I also remember silently denouncing the Honor Code because it specifically states, "shoes should be worn in all public campus areas."
Now, I don't share that last example to say what a saint I am compared to these other girls I have mentioned (and don't worry, while all my examples include females, I've seen plenty of guys try and flout the Honor Code, too), I just wanted to share it because it's not always clothes that are in question. Also, to say that I don't always have warm fuzzies for the Honor Code.
However, I was a student then and I had signed the Honor Code which meant I had agreed to follow the rules. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to come to school here, so I just went with it.
I was listening to a talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson a couple of months ago and he said the following: "There are times we honor our agreement simply because we agreed to it." A few minutes later, he continued, "obey them [the rules] because you signed your name, saying you'd obey them."
What other argument can I make? When an apostle of the Lord says that you should hush up and buck up, you do it. No arguments.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Random Rants, the Sports version, pt. 1
One of the things that bothers me about sports is how overly-passionate/juvenile some people can be. I know it's not everyone (just like anything else that happens out there) but, hey, isn't the saying that "one bad egg can rot the whole barrel"? (I got it wrong on purpose to help lighten the mood of my rant. Name the movie and you win!)
Some stories I've heard recently:
1. The USU student section not cheering for the first three minutes of the basketball game in protest. Why would you deny your team (the whole reason you're there) of your support? It's just dumb. (See one of the articles about this here.)
2. The U of U "fans" booed their team when they came back from halftime, due to a "poor" performance during the first half. (I couldn't find an article to link to, sorry.) Why would you do that to the team you're there to support? Sure, they're not winning, but do you really think negative reinforcement is going to help them improve? Do you think they went into their halftime chat saying, "hey, we don't have to try any harder because we're doing everything right"? No. Show them you SUPPORT them. Maybe you don't feel like cheering because you're upset but, guess what?, they're upset, too.
3. Found this article about the need (yes, it's a need) to teach kids about sportsmanlike conduct and do things as simple as shake each others' hands at the beginning and end of a game. If the athletes, coaches, and referees aren't going to do something as simple as congratulate/wish luck to each other, then why would the fans?
4. I went to a rivalry football game and was hoping to prove others wrong about how bad the "other" fans were. However, when accident involving a vendor-bought soda and several fans happened, I wasn't treated nicely or with forgiveness. I really hope that, away from the game and the high tensions, those people found it in their heart to forgive me/the vendor and brush off the incident.
I believe the point of a sporting event is to support a team of athletes into doing well. This means sticking with them through the end of the game (win or lose) and also appreciating good opponents (why boo them? They're just trying their best, like your team is).
Some stories I've heard recently:
1. The USU student section not cheering for the first three minutes of the basketball game in protest. Why would you deny your team (the whole reason you're there) of your support? It's just dumb. (See one of the articles about this here.)
2. The U of U "fans" booed their team when they came back from halftime, due to a "poor" performance during the first half. (I couldn't find an article to link to, sorry.) Why would you do that to the team you're there to support? Sure, they're not winning, but do you really think negative reinforcement is going to help them improve? Do you think they went into their halftime chat saying, "hey, we don't have to try any harder because we're doing everything right"? No. Show them you SUPPORT them. Maybe you don't feel like cheering because you're upset but, guess what?, they're upset, too.
3. Found this article about the need (yes, it's a need) to teach kids about sportsmanlike conduct and do things as simple as shake each others' hands at the beginning and end of a game. If the athletes, coaches, and referees aren't going to do something as simple as congratulate/wish luck to each other, then why would the fans?
4. I went to a rivalry football game and was hoping to prove others wrong about how bad the "other" fans were. However, when accident involving a vendor-bought soda and several fans happened, I wasn't treated nicely or with forgiveness. I really hope that, away from the game and the high tensions, those people found it in their heart to forgive me/the vendor and brush off the incident.
I believe the point of a sporting event is to support a team of athletes into doing well. This means sticking with them through the end of the game (win or lose) and also appreciating good opponents (why boo them? They're just trying their best, like your team is).
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