Jonny the Recovering Technophiliac

As I tiredly type on my iPhone in the comfort of my bed, it gave me time to reflect on the events of today. On a hot summer day in 2006, I graduated from CUNY Queens College… a huge milestone given the weight I was carrying ( i.e. mourning the death if my dad not too long ago). For the next two and a half years I have worked very briefly but spent most of my time running my business, JK Design. I didnt mind bieng my own boss, but the long-term persuit for me was always seeking a steadier job. My brother Kev was lucky and landed a job with Bank Of America. Mind you, I say “lucky” not as in literal luck. He worked hard and on his own steam for it. I say “luck” as in the timing. I won’t get into politics, but let’s just say that certain politicians and executives made some dumb decisions that caused a huge chunk of the nation to lose their jobs. So for all of us, the job market was and is essentially slim pickens.

The thought occurred to me to go for graduate school, but the first thing I thought was

where will I find the bloody money for it?

If I had a better job then that wouldn’t be a concern. More on that later. Today I visited NYU-Polytechnic University in Brooklyn for a graduate information session to get my feet wet in a possible return to academia. Well let me tell you, when I finished undergrad I did not want to know a damn thing about school…after straight studying since pre-k, I needed a break. But this time, my enthusiasm to return to grad school is purely out of my own will. I’m actually excited to study again. I know…let it settle in. I want to persue grad school NOT just to build up on my educational background while the job market heals. But above all, I want to return because I simply want to. And I’m a firm believer that when you enjoy something and show eagerness to do something, chances are you’ll end up doing it right. I recall one time during undergrad when I started a semester with a 7am calculus class. It was rainy, I was tired…but also unenthusiastic. Right then and there I had a feeling that the semester would not be so great…and I was right. The following semester I was eager and excited…the opposite effect was achieved.

So I’m seeking to take advantage of my eagerness and gusto to get back on the a ademic grind, and get into the mindset that anythjhg is possible…which leads me to that question that I’d always ask myself when thinking if grad school:

where will I find the bloody money for it?

The way I see it, we’re always going to be repaying something or someone (mortgages, car loans, bills, etc). To claim a debt-free life would be just lying. So if that’s the case, might as well get a loan…I can pay it back, and maybe the promise of a job will help make the payback process easier…always does.

Welcome to what will be the first of a few new additions to my blog…well in this case, it’s more like an organized addition to an existing thing, The Babbler.  This is where i condense and summarize what has happened in a period of time since my last post with brief and random thoughts.  Some may make sense, some may not…but that’s the premise, all the babble thats fit to blog!  So off we go:

- I have always loved the mannerisms of my friends.  sometimes the best quotes don’t always come from Pulitzer prize winners or deities, they come from my friends/family.  I remember re-posting up a facebook status from my friend Roger that caused a flurry of responses, most humorous:

I have always found women to be dificult, I don’t really understand them. To begin with they dont understand themselves and on top of that they make us crazier than we already are. – his uncle

…yet one person had to muck up the fun, so i removed said status.  But on my way to a radio shack to get an adapter for his stereo, i thanked him again for that quote…because i believe there’s still some truthiness to that theory…at least in terms of both sexes, depending on the situation.

- I love my iPhone 3GS, it felt so good to be back in the game with that phone…i planned the purchase and patiently waited for the jailbreak/unlock, and it has paid off.  And especially because of those warm days. i can turn the lappy off and save energy if i just want to check mail…the iphone can handle that task just fine.

- i must admit, i am loving guitar hero…not just because it allows me to return to my drumming roots, but also because it allowed me to release so much stress.

- tonight i saw Oceans 13, one of my favorite movies…this quote i loved in particular:

There’s a code amongst guys who shook Sinatra’s hand! — [Reuben Tishkoff to Willy Bank about being double-crossed, Ocean's 13]

- I’m pretty confirmed that as long as the job hunt is coughing up a spleen, i am pretty much decided on going to grad school…but not for computer science…i’ve grown bored with it.  This time i may be aiming more for journalism…after all, i love to write.

- finally, I hate foreign movies that have dubbing in other languages…i feel it just diminishes the overall quality of the movie and what it represents…i mean what’s wrong with subtitles?  I’d rather watch a film in it’s native tongue with all the raw emotions while following what’s being said below with discrete subtitles rather than canned dubs that talk so scripted like some poorly-made college film.

so i know what you’ve all been thinking…”where the hell have ya been?”…well ok, maybe not like that, but somewhat related to that question.  well folks the answer is simple, i decided to take a break from all things blogging/podcasting to take care of other business that needed my attention.  when the “other” priorities in life bog you down so much that doing the things you love turns into a chore, then something must be done to prevent it.  so call it a mini-sabbatical, a small break, a power-nap, whatever you like to call it.  I took time to re-arrange things, prioritize, and get them done.  And now, i can blog/podcast with the love and joy i’ve always had, and i have spare time to enjoy the smaller but better things in life.  Today was the graduation ceremonies @ Queens College, my old alma matter…and the first few things i thought was:

“does the band still sound crappy like they did last year?”
“where there any speakers making freudian slipups?”
“i hope the internet telecast works this time” <–and it did

Ah memories….this also reminded me how time flies so fast…hopefully summer will take it’s time, i got a lot to make up.

p.s. i also had to move servers, which was why the site was down for a few days as well…just thought i’d bring that up

at times, i usually stumble upon interesting things written by interesting people, but for the post part i usually tend to bookmark it on del.icio.us to read it at the end of the day. But i took a liking to this article in particular not just because it deals with my alma matter’s bookstore, but because it deals with how the employees deal with the intelligently-deficient…so lets us take a tip, from my friend of wisdom, Jamal:

Stupid Things Queens College Students Do At The Bookstore
-by Jamal Myers

If you are reading this note and you go to Queens College, pay attention. Let me as a bookstore employee be frank. Students can do some really stupid shit. I mean some really stupid shit. You probably don’t even know this but when you do this shit, we make fun of you when you leave. Here are some examples.

1. If we answer the phone, “Thank you for calling the Queens College Bookstore. This is (blank). How may I help you.”, do not respond “Is this the bookstore?” You stupid ass, I just said that.

2. Do not come to the bookstore and magically assume we know what book or books you need. We’re not psychics. Dionne Warwick isn’t our manager. Come to the bookstore prepared.

3. Yes, I am an employee here. That’s what the name tag is for.

4. The aisle is blocked because we have had thefts. We have some inconsiderate people. But will you stupid people read the fuckin’ sign that says the aisles are closed. DON’T GO IN, STUPID!!!! Don’t make me get you.

5. If you want a refund, follow the fuckin’ rules. If we tell you that you have two days after you buy the book to get a refund, don’t come five days later with a sobb story.

6. If we say it takes five days for a book to come, don’t come the next day and ask if it’s there now.

7. If the lights are out and the doors are locked, we’re closed.

8. It’s a bookstore. We don’t sell soda, you dumb ass.

9. Name dropping. We don’t give a shit.

10. Hey genius, don’t complain to me about the prices in the store. I don’t make them. I just fuckin’ work there. Unless you see the Myers Queens College Bookstore, I don’t own shit. Donzlt complain to me. it’s fallen on deaf ears.

There will probably be more for me to bitch about. But there won’t be if you smarten the fuck up and not do stupid shit.

For more wisdom, there’s his myspace and facebook…click on and enlighten thyself