Category: question for you
01/12/06 12:37 - 45ºF - ID#25311
is my thinking elitist?
My argument is that the professional is absolutely a separate entity and should be entitled to live their life as 'normal', not bound by those rules set in place for students. As a live-in professional, this place is your home. You don't have anywhere else to go, you LIVE there. Now don't get too excited, I'm not talking about breaking the law - I'm talking about small simple things, like the ability to have a shot of vodka in your cranberry juice, or burn incense while doing yoga. I think there is always some hierarchy in the working world, and you earn and deserve certain privileges.
The opposing argument was that this view of small privileges is elitist and that every human being on that campus should be treated exactly the same. That the professional should not have one ounce of luxury above what any student has. That my privilege in this situation is that I get paid to live here. I disagree a thousand percent.
Perhaps I am simply biased because I actually LIVE this scenario. Yet even when I was a student in the residence halls, I didn't have an issue with the fact that my Hall Director was allowed to have a candle burning, so maybe I'm not biased after all.
What's your take on it?
P.S. Jim, I'm a hall director (the professional in charge of the RA's).
Permalink: is_my_thinking_elitist_.html
Words: 320
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: potpourri
01/10/06 12:42 - 36ºF - ID#25310
truffles
Random thought: I spotted truffles at Wegmans, on 'sale' for $799.00 a pound!!! I almost crapped my pants.
P.S. I found a coupon for a buy one get one free piercing. I want to get my eyebrow redone. Anyone interested?
Permalink: truffles.html
Words: 93
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: potpourri
01/09/06 06:18 - 36ºF - ID#25309
a sliver of pie
So I went into work today and bitched at my boss about how unsatisfactory this situation is. Well, it was much more diplomatic than that, but it yielded results. They filled my gas tank and she's letting me do work from home for two days. Yay me! Ciao.
Permalink: a_sliver_of_pie.html
Words: 104
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: potpourri
01/08/06 04:27 - 36ºF - ID#25308
holy mojito batman!
Yet the day was not to be wasted. We headed up to Hertel Avenue and checked out some cigar shop as well as Terrapin Station. We decided we were hungry and through the Virgo psychic connection both suggested Amy's Place. This is highly amusing to me, since neither one of us had actually BEEN there before. So, (e:Theecarey) treated me to a super delish lunch. We both had tasty bowls of potato-leek soup. She had some kind of spicy lentel wrap and I had this fantastical creation called the Barb Special. It was fried eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, french fries and a sauce rolled up in a toasted pita. Absolutely divine, and a huge serving! Someone had told me this place was 'Timika friendly' and they were so right. I couldn't believe the vegetarian choices.
After indulging at this retro little dineresque joint we trudged on over to Spot coffee and read some papers. We were looking for new and exciting things to do in the new year. Browsing the Art Voice we came upon the Geek Meet announcement and our very own master of ceremonies, Paul Visco's name! Go Paul!
We decided to head back home, throw a colourful log on the fire, smoke some cigar like things and made mojitos for the first time. I have to say, that refreshing sparkle of lime and mint is going to be my new favorite summertime drink! To make, simply crush about 4 sprigs of mint with 2 teaspoons of sugar in the bottom of a glass. Add the juice of a whole lime and stir. Fill with ice. Add 2 ounces of light rum and top with seltzer. Enjoy! Ciao.
Permalink: holy_mojito_batman_.html
Words: 379
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: rant
01/06/06 11:25 - 21ºF - ID#25307
on my own
Envision that puppet on Sesame Street that always played Yankee Doodle on the piano, would make a mistake, then start slamming his head on the keys. That's how I feel today. I had started my post with, 'I'm a little cranky this morning'. I was almost done writing when this bitch of a computer decided it needed to restart and I lost the whole thing. Now I'm pissed. I don't feel like re-writing it so here is the Cliff's Notes version:
- I only got 3 days of vacation; my cohort friends got an entire month
- I work 24 / 7; they work 20 hours a week
- I had 12 residents back early living in the residence hall
- I had to move them into spare apartment bedrooms because...
- They are shutting the heat off to the residence hall
- Everyone had to vacate, myself included
- I was missing all the keys I needed to do this
- This screws up the entire move-in process for next weekend
- It will be chaos in a 3 ring circus
- I should hire clowns and sheep to run around campus
- I requested space heaters so I could continue working / living there
- They are using gas powered heaters that will fill the place with lethal levels of carbon monoxide and no one can enter the building all week
- I had a great deal of work to complete next week inside the building
- My office is inside the building
- They are giving me no accommodation or financial assistance toward food
- They don't seem to grasp the concept that this place is my 'home'
- This really chaps my ass!
- My boss expects me to fend for myself and show up every day next week full-time
- Technically I'm part-time but I already work 24 / 7 as it is
- I have no money
- I didn't realize my car registration and 6 months of insurance are due today
- My credit card payment is due today (no luxury option of not paying)
- Even with today's joke of a paycheck I don't have enough
- I also need gas in my car
- I will need more gas in my car now that I have to commute for a week
- I won't get paid for another 2 weeks
- No really, I don't have ANY money
- This blows big fat goats
- It's not a cry for sympathy
- I think the line 'it could be worse' is condescending
Permalink: on_my_own.html
Words: 437
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: family
01/05/06 07:56 - 33ºF - ID#25306
warning: cool and adorable photos inside
the first few were beauties and went off without a hitch
then one of them tipped over, sending brilliant blasts of orange and blue right at us
and a mayhem of explosions that set the yard on fire
but painting with sparklers is much more intoxicating to the eyes
'7 days' ....(prize to the first peep that gets that)
this one reminds me of a chinese new year dragon
It was nice to see my whole family together again. I guess we were together at my brother's wedding in August, but it was nothing but chaos. This was a much more relaxed visit surrounding the sweet aura of a newborn baby: William Maximilian!!!
does this diaper make my butt look big? love it
asleep with his auntie mika on Christmas morning
too sweet
Other things I miss about the south, besides fireworks, is Sonic. I have never been much of a fast food enthusiast but man I love their cheese tots and slushies! Moreover, how fun is it to order from your parking space and have someone bring it out to you on a tray? They don't wear roller skates anymore, but I love that nostalgic 50's feel.
my older sister ordering
my cherry-lime slushy and cheese tots...yum!
who knew the middle of nowhere mississippi was home to this fantastic find?
but you knew you could find an entertaining statement like this
my brother-in-law and me
his dog cali, that i fondly called 'fur pig bear', because i think she looks like a little black bear, and she grunted like a pig...or maybe an ape, i'm not sure
my little sis and max
the obscene paparazzi that typically accompany a newborn
my dad saying 'heeeeey'
max answering him with 'heeeeey' - this one cracks me up!
my brother and sister-in-law
my mom on diaper detail
my older sister and me
oscar the miniature wiener dog...i think he looks sort of like an anteater
but his shadow reminds me of Crow T. Robot from MSC 3000
the glorious warm sunshine made me smile - and i love putting flowers in my hair
me and max on Christmas day...yes, those are little antlers on his head
his proud parents
Then it came time to return to Buffalo. My little sister's plane was four hours ahead of mine, so I had to kill time in Memphis.
so we did a Graceland drive-by
bordered by the graffiti wall
near another of my southern favorites, piggly wiggly - it's just a grocer, but i still giggle each time i say it
then i stumbled upon mecca....oh how i wish i had a whole day......
i was listening to 'recycled air' by the postal service when i took this
Lastly, I had the ultimate joy of babysitting my nephew one night. Who should happen to be playing on FSC but my boys in red, Liverpool. Max and I watched our first soccer match together! My heart was overflowing.
Permalink: warning_cool_and_adorable_photos_inside.html
Words: 609
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: new year
01/05/06 03:55 - 39ºF - ID#25305
welcoming 2006
Now...I have so many photos to post I didn't know where to begin. I decided to go with my strange little New Year celebration. (e:Theecarey) already posted some photos [inlink]theecarey,76[/inlink] so I will try not to make repeats. Ciao.
P.S. The 'Nocturnal State' show on VH1 plays amazing music sets. Death Cab for Cutie, White Stripes, James Blunt, U2, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Eminem.....
it all started when i found korbel on sale at premier
which we complimented with delicious dried green apples
but one bottle wasn't enough, so carey opened another
and we started to get silly
so we headed to the movies
and i got my beloved chapstick stuck in my glove
after filling our sprites with 99 proof orange liquor....
carey somehow broke the seat in front of her
and i passed out yet managed to take a picture in my sleep
so we rang in the new year in the ladies lavatory
i like dark hallways and exit signs
we went to denny's for a little sustenance...then headed home
where we celebrated by puffing on some spicy cloves, mmmm
puff puff
puffety puff
Permalink: welcoming_2006.html
Words: 268
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: potpourri
01/04/06 01:19 - 37ºF - ID#25304
the dirt says hot, the label says timika
Tonight, Let it be Timika.
Smart. Beautiful. Timika.
Behold the power of Timika.
Out of the strong came forth Timika.
Super Timika is almost here!
For a hard-earned thirst, Timika.
Ladycroft saves your soul.
Get the door - it's Ladycroft.
Drinka, pinta Ladycroft a day.
Try Ladycroft, you'll like it!
For the Ladycroft you don't yet know.
What's yours?
me and max
Permalink: the_dirt_says_hot_the_label_says_timika.html
Words: 134
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: gifts
01/03/06 12:43 - 38ºF - ID#25303
craftsman tool kinda girl
Ciao, timika
Permalink: craftsman_tool_kinda_girl.html
Words: 229
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Category: potpourri
01/02/06 04:07 - 37ºF - ID#25302
if you love someone set them on fire
Oh - and I'm allowed to reveal my news now. I just became Auntie Mika for the first time, but I shall have another niece or nephew in July!!! Yes, I found out my little sister is pregnant. It was a shock because none of us even knew that she had a boyfriend. Which she really didn't, but I guess they've decided to become an item now. It's weird enough seeing my older sister with a baby, but now my little sister?
Random thought- song titles that make me laugh:
Lesbian eskimo midget left-handed ninja albino
Taking retards to the zoo
If you love someone set them on fire
Let's go smoke some pot
The puking song
Detachable penis
Photos of my trip to Mississippi to follow soon! Ciao.
Permalink: if_you_love_someone_set_them_on_fire.html
Words: 163
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
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that being said, I am incredably kidding. This conversation just seemed to need a little levity.
My beliefs is that you should have to follow the same rules. I do admit that you should be treated better then the students and you should get perks and you should be able to come and go as you please. But I assume that the rules that they have are rules that pertain to the building (the students just stay there). For example no candles and no cooking are both to prevent fires. But rules that have to do with being responseable could be differant. I think one problem with having to sets of rules is that it alienates the students. How can you break up a party where there is drinking when you drink in your apartment. (assuming it is legal drinking) When rules are differant it takes away the creditbilty of the RA.
I don't think the employee should not be seen as a student. I think they should be able to live there during breaks and during the summer as long as there are classes.
I admit that the situation is differant at differant schools. I never lived in the dorms. But My understanding was that Hall Heads where students who showed that could watch over the dorms or at least a floor in the dorms. For doing that they got some kinds of perks.
you ask an easy question, employment-based health insurance is by definition elitist since it results in a group that does have health insurance and a group that does not merely on the basis of the type of employment one has.
A better question would be - "Is it morally wrong to accept health insurance under such circumstances?"
And before I could answer, I would feel moved ask a question or two more about the exact circumstances.
Historically, some employers have offered health benefits to workers not to join unions. In other words, selective health benefit offers were used as a union-busting weapon. In such a case, it might be wrong if a union is really necessary in that industry to protect employees.
And of course, if unions are good or bad is whole 'nother kettle of fish.
I am sometimes amazed how I can make the simplest thing complicated. Go me.
If someone is offered health insurance through their job, is it elitist to accept it unless everyone is offered insurance?
It's vary rare that everyone living in the same space has to follow the same rules. Whether or not that's a bad thing is dependent on the context. I don't think this is a case worth getting upset about.
Ladycroft has a good position to negotiate better conditions for herself. I don't think she should feel bad trying to get a better deal then the student population. She's not one of them, and they're not being treated badly. If she sacrificed their freedoms to further hers, that's one thing.
Solidarity is great and all, but not everything has to be equal. If the President of the college was given a house that was on campus, you can bet he'd have different rules.
I know someone could take my justification for this situation and apply it to other situations where it would make me appear to advocate evil things. But I don't care. Shades of grey and all that.
She runs the RA program right? She's a staff member, not a student. She's above them organizationally. What's wrong with that?
But I do agree there needs to be a certain amount of discretion/propriety etc. E.g. just because you're >21 doesn't mean you should be allowed to be wasted in front of the studs all the time. But duh.
but yeah- i see no problem in a different set of rules for post-graduate students/advisors etc. I don't think it's so elitist and awful to say students can't have stoves but ladycroft can...
I forget what the question was...
I am so fucked here if that is what people think...
Do you have a contract with the college? Does it give any of the particular rules? If it's not in your contract that you have to obey the student rules, then you probably don't.
This doesn't really help you with the question you asked, but I don't think you are being elitist in the negative sense. You aren't a student, you're a staff member. Don't worry about putting yourself above them, you are above them - it's in your job title.
I never once claimed the person who is employed by any school should not be treated like a separate entity. I think everyone should be treated like a separate entity. Hence the reason i think everyone should have the same rights and priviledges that lives in the same space. Whether it is a choice to take a job or be in a chosen feild of employ. Or to live on campus in residence.
Doesn't matter why they are there. That they are a professional. Or a student. Not all proffessionals are resposible. And not all students are irresponsible. The rules apply. To all people. Period. Anything else is elitist, by definition.
The students live there, too. Is a home any less of a home because it is temporary? Do they deserve less from the temporary home they are trying to create simply because they will be there less time? I don't think so.
If a student is 21, they should be able to have the same shot of vodka in their cranberry juice as anyone else who lives there.
Because you lived both sides and didn't have a problem with being a resident student and not having the same things your hall director had doesn't mean you don't have a bias. It just means that you were ok with the status quo, and still are. Doesn't make the status quo any more right or even wrong.
Because i didn't live it, do not live it and can't live it, i see from the outside perspective how unfair it is. Life is unfair. Why perpetuate that? Why not give students the same little things that make a home a home that would make your home a home?
(e:Kangarooboi) -- Just because grade 9 students got treated like shit, does it mean they have to turn around and treat grade 9 students like shit in later years? I mean, who cares if resident life was crap then. More reason to make it better now.
Thus the bulk of previous comment should have been addressed to (e:Kangarooboi) and not (e:ladycroft).
My apologies to both worthies.
You say that you deserve more priviledges than the students you oversee because you are adult, because you "already paid your debt society," because you have several degrees, etc.
This is prima facie evidence of elitism.
The dictionary defines elitism as "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."
On the other hand, elitism isn't necessarily always negative. In our society, we act as if we believe that excellence and achievement SHOULDbe rewarded - in other words our society tends to be meritocratic. Meritocracy is, of course, elitist. But how many of us really believe that the achievement and excellence shouldn't be rewarded? Shouldn't the best and brightest be rewarded for their achievements?
"elitism" is a sticky wicket, indeed.
I'm tending to think that you should be allowed to have liquior and candles and incense in your "home" at Hilbert even though it leaves me a bit uncomfortable.
My view on this matter is very simple and is actually very similiar to you. As you know, here at UB, the RHD/AHD apartments are considered to be seperate
entities of the Residence Halls. We are allowed to cook in our apartments (ie: they provide us with a stove, fridge etc)whereas the students are not. We are allowed to have and use candles as long as we are not careless with them. We are allowed to have alcohol, microwaves, george forman grills etc.
It is the stance of the Professional Staff here at UB that we are adults. Much like you have said in your post, this is our home. We LIVE here, not just stay
here. With that being said, we are entittled to the benefits and luxeries (sorry for the mispelling) of any home that we would be living in if we were not
working/living here. The same should be allowed for you as well.
You have paid your debt to society. You have gone through the terror of residence hall living, and the perils of achieving your bachelors and your first masters degree. For your institution to tell you that you are unable to excerise your rights as an adult, in your OWN home is ridiculious. I would fight that to the very end. I cannot believe that they woudl expect you to abide by the same rules as the students. Your apartment is that of your own. You do not pay anything to go there. You are doing them a service and get paid for it (if you can call it that). You should be entitles to having the luxeries of a regular home living.