Texsox

QUOTE (Kid Gleason @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 09:05 AM) Probably not, but I'll bet a shiney quarter that they're idiots. Calling them idiots is an insult to the decent an hard working idiots out there

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 09:00 AM) I know you had another thread on this topic, but what is your ultimate goal after the program? Will it be something that will look favorably upon the thesis? I've always been a very good writer, but academic research writing is a real pain in the butt (working on my dissertation currently). You mentioned that very few people took the thesis route. Why is that? Maybe the "class" route is easier or better suited to non-traditional students like yourself. That was Psy or English, I decided English. From what I can tell, at least here (UG not Grad for me) there are no TA or RA positions until you have 18 hours. So the classroom route gets you paid quicker than the thesis route. It also seems our library is not well known for resources, like at a major University, so that may, or may not, be an additional hurdle. So most of the research would be internet based or inter library. Plus the no thesis route does seem easier. Just show up and do what you are told. As far as what PhD programs are looking for, I've received mixed advice. Some believe it is good experience prior to their dissertation, others believe it doesn't make a difference. I'm guessing they probably preferred the route they took. I also receive mixed advice on going directly to a PhD program or doing it in two steps. Looking at the credentials of many of the professors here, and at the colleges I've narrowed my search too, it seems most stayed at one University for two degrees. Either B.A. and M.A. the PhD somewhere else. Or B.A. and then M.A. and PhD somewhere else. Only a few have three different listed. Until I select one, and see the library, the decision is tough. The research is the key and if they happened to have 100 feet of letters and journals from an author I'd want to research, that would be one thing, if I was stuck with someone or some genre I'm not passionate about, that would be a long and sucky project. Afterwards? Teaching probably. Hence the eventual need for a PhD. What are you studying?

For light reading Baseball's Most Wanted (I or II) by Floyd Connor mostly lists and such. Great bathroom read.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 08:39 AM) LOL, I used to LIVE in Rolling Meadows at Algonquin and 53, two streetlights from the 53 exit ramp (carraigeway drive). My father used to work at Hewlett Packard in the 90's back in the industrial park that was in the corner of 90 and 53 as well I was on the north-west corner. So 53 north to Dundee than a crawl to Wheeling Road (IIRC)

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 08:08 AM) Some customer service you guys have around here. There is a "one month cooling off" period before name changes take effect.

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 08:32 AM) What is your option if you go NO THESIS? More hours of classes. The thesis route is 30 hours with 6 being the thesis itself. So 24 class hours versus 36 class hours. I would still be looking at 2-3 years. Just a lot more time on research and writing. Where I am at for my undergrad, in the M.A. program, only 1 of 25 who graduated took the thesis route. His was about the language that Bush's press secretaries used. The title hinted at the propaganda or b.s. slung by the Press Secretary. LOL sounded interesting to work on.

QUOTE (qwerty @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 01:48 PM) I generally prefer for a black and white not be transferred into color but they did a really nice job on Holiday Inn. I, like a very small group, actually saw the colorized version several years ago to go along with ''The Bells of St. Mary's''. Recently a colorized version has been mass produced and it looks simply awesome. Holiday Inn colorized... The colorized version is fantastic and it really brings to life all the costumes and dresses. Bing Crosby official site... Just click on ''video player'' and you will get a sample version of what i speak. I need to see the colorized version. The art has come so far since the early days. I am sensitive to the artistic argument that the film makers would have used different lighting, effects, for color and it isn't true to their craft, but hell if I like it better, why not. The downside is the nostalgia of watching the b&w.

For those of you that had a choice in Grad School, did you go the Thesis or No Thesis route and why? How did it work out? My undergrad profs are all encouraging me to go thesis route because they believe I am a good, efficient, writer. Also the oral defense should not be a problem after 30 years of public speaking and sales experience. Still a major independent project like that, along with being a dad and working a "real job" seems daunting.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 08:08 AM) Mine is def. a career, but I don't go into TOO much detail, neither does anyone else, but we still tell funny stories. I told ppl about the time when I was 21 and I got smashed and passed out in the street in Atlanta once, but I make sure to emphasize that was years ago and now I'm an adult. Or more recently I told people how I was at home by myself drunk and I somehow hit my head on the top of the door frame and ended up on my ass kind of stunned wondering how I got there. We all have senses of humor so it's cool. There's work, and then the other stuff... I share some of it but I keep it PG-13 for work. Exactly. It's the doofus that doesn't understand that, and adds your name to his dumbass story, that is a danger.

I think we have a blind spot to other forms of government. From an early age we are taught that democracy is the greatest form of government. And of course it has worked well here. But for some countries, other forms will work just as well. We all work for companies that function just fine without electing officials every year or two. The problem is not in the form of government, but in the nature of man. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. There is something that happens when men, and it always seems to be males, obtain this power. For some reason, hubris and ego take over and unless there are some powerful reigns, they become unbearable as rulers.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 07:43 AM) Last night it took me an hour and 15 minutes to get from my house in Schaumburg to my fathers house in Buffalo Grove, normal commute time for me 15 minutes. On the way back, I was in bumper to bumper traffic on Rt 53 from Dundee road until Euclid road, and this was at 8 in the evening. Thank you for that bit of nostalgia. My office was at Algonquin and 53. I lived in Wheeling and Wildwood while working there, so I traveled that stretch a lot. From my house in Wheeling, the drive was always about 30 minutes. Then one night at 3 am the alarm was triggered and I had to go to the office. Ten minutes. After that my drive sucked knowing how fast it could be without stopping at every light.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 07:39 AM) We discuss after-hours partying at my job, but then again we're a bunch of 20-somethings and we have pretty cool bosses. And of course there is a difference if it's just some job you are working, or starting on a career path. Yeah, I was at a company like that. Then after a few promotions went to the guys that were not "team players" and hanging out after work partying with us, we took notice. Something about trusting a $2,000,00 client with someone who was trying to out run the cops last night when they caught him taking a leak on the side of a building. When I realized how much rides on b.s. images, you tend to find a different group to party with. Now it's more warnings about what is on your Facebook page, etc. It sucks when you try for that great position at XYZ Corp and your image is partying every night. Far better to keep your private life private around work.

What-a-Burger >>> any other fast food burger Getting back to the ads, it does seem to be exploitative. I'm not outraged, but mildly uncomfortable. But they are, in a way, just actors playing a role.

The list of things not to do Burning anything, especially popcorn, in the microwave No custom blends of coffee. No double bags unless agreed upon by everyone (we did an afternoon two bagger) No discussing off hours partying that involves other co-workers (burn your own ass) No smelly foods in the lunch room. (that means your momma's kielbasa) No bring me back something if you never go yourself No put my name on the card I'm good for the $5 when you ain't ever been No signing the card if you didn't chip in on the gift you cheap bastard Cut the cake so everyone has a piece (Office lol) If loading special paper into the copier, replace the paper and set it back to 81/2 x 11

I was at an interpretive dance club entertaining a client. You know the kind where the employees interpret each song as an opportunity to strip. I never laughed so much as when I watched two of the women do a birthday/bachelor dance for this poor s.o.b. He was on a chair, on stage, with his hands cuffed behind his back. Twenty minutes, and about $150 later, well I'll stop there.

I use to think it was a curse that my parents named me Texsox. But I found acceptance here. Any chance that family is Jewish?

Beers. Back in the day, suppliers would come in for after hours product meetings and it would be beer and pizza usually. I'd grab the extras for the ride home. Kids, I was a highly trained professional, do not try this today.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 11:40 AM) From what I remember, it's a fairly easy assessment. What math have you taken as an undergrad? You might want to brush up on that, but the math section is actually really easy if you have covered the material. I just finished a stats course for Behavioral Sciences that sharpened some math skills. And unlike a lot of my core which was 25 years ago, algebra was just a couple years ago. The two main choices I have right now are much more concerned about my last 60 hours of class work and writing samples than anything else.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 09:32 AM) I just laugh when i hear people complain about the suffering of Iraqis now, totally ignoring the facts about what life was like under Saddam... What was life like for the average Iraqi under Saddam? Did 100% live in fear of a bomb destroying their homes or killing themselves? 100% of the people are affected by living in a war zone. There was food in the stores, goods available to purchase. There were jobs to go to. It will be a long time before Iraq is back to the level of normal they had under Saddam.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 09:35 AM) Funny thing is, if Hussain were still in power there and he stood up and threw a shoe at him, he would be visiting his virgins by now. Hussein had higher approval ratings. There weren't bombs falling from the sky, blowing up on roadways, etc.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 12:01 PM) Please, God.... do not let this man get off scott-free. Jesse Jr. is guilty, people don't just raise 500K for no good reason, and he should be held accountable on some level. He wont go to jail, but in the public eye... people must remember. They raise far more than that. Every candidate has to for major offices.

Cool, thanks for posting

And what are you doing to achieve that dream?

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 02:48 AM) False, but I talk a lot of bulls***. The person below me is the absolute best at something. True The person below me will right a wrong today

Based on my transcripts and likely Grad schools, the GRE may not even be required. If I take it and do exceptional, it may complicate my life as I look at upper tier schools. Sp I believe I have a couple defense mechanisms working here. I wish I was 20 something again.