Category Archives: JBlogger

http://nicholasnigro.blogspot.com/2011/12/rip-christopher-hitchens.html

RIP Christopher Hitchens…
Friday, December 16, 2011
Nigro, Nicholas [MC1984] — The Write Angle

*** begin quote ***

What I most revered about Christopher Hitchens was his mental dexterity— his fearlessness in the face of any and all comers. His passionate defense of freedom of speech against both the apoplectic left and right was most appreciated in this dangerous age of political correctness. While vociferously attacking and ridiculing religious extremism, when it merited being attacked and ridiculed, Hitchens never once bowed to the PC juggernaut or capitulated to its ludicrous syllabus. Contemplate this: Christopher Hitchens was the subject of very real death threats for merely standing in solidarity with Salman Rushdie—a novelist whose crime was penning a couple of sentences in a work of fiction, and who ultimately was forced underground courtesy of some insane and murderous religious decree known as a fatwa. How could a single creative sort or freethinking person in a free society like ours not throw in with Rushdie and his plight? Well, that’s a very fair question. Christopher Hitchens did in a very big and courageous way, but so many others did not. His faithfulness, nerve, and erudition will be sorely missed at a time when they are needed more than ever before….

*** end quote ***

[JR: Yup, you don't have to agree with someone to respect their courage. I thank my fellow alum for pointing this out to us.]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Dec-17 @ 10:20

http://vrod62.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-has-begun.html

Vincent Rodriguez Street Photography: Christmas Has Begun

vrod62.blogspot.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/vrod62 – All photos are for sale or to commission Vincent Rodriguez to photograph any event, location, portraits, pets, etc. call (914) 552-6732 or email vrod62@yahoo.com.

# – # – # – # – #   

Rodriguez, Vincent (MC1984)

[JR: Looks like our fellow Jasper is "shooting" dogs. I imagine for a fee he'll do naughty kids and cheatin' wives. (Have to stop listening to so much Country music.) ]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Dec-06 @ 07:26

http://musingsofafemalecollegestudent.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-i-do-what-i-do.html

Friday, November 25, 2011
Why I Do What I Do
Vacca, Nicole Marie (MC2013)
Musings of a Female College Student

*** begin quote ***

I write blog entries in hope that someone actually does care enough to read. I rarely get any actual comments, but I like to think that someone I know read the entry and understands how I feel (I know I do get occasional readers because I check my stats).

*** end quote ***

[JR: I detect some "holiday depression". So I've given her some "link love" (i.e., when one blog points to another blog). Get you minds out of the gutter. And, you can pay her blog a visit and leave an encouraging comment. What else do you have to do on Black Friday.]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-25 @ 09:08

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/11/brian_kortovichs_hoop_dreams_b.html

Brian Kortovich’s Hoop Dreams Blog: Killing NBA lockout time by playing against Carmelo Anthony
Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 1:56 PM Updated: Wednesday, November 02, 2011, 3:30 PM
By Starting Blocks, The Plain Dealer

*** begin quote ***

Our team went on winning a few more games, and it was a total team effort. Then the sleeping giant woke up. At one point Melo shouted out my way “I’m guarding you, now you are not going to score,” and it was clear his competitive side was coming out.

What came next? Well, like I said, we woke up a sleeping giant! At one point, he nailed a seemingly no-look 40-foot game-winner in my face. There was nothing I could do but give the man his due. Dude’s got game.

Anyway, just another day at Chelsea Piers. Good day of run, great day to get my game tuned up.

*** end quote ***

Kortovich, Brian [MC2006]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-17 @ 09:41

http://ownitliveit.blogspot.com/2011/11/sometimes-i-wonder.html

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Sometimes I wonder

Sometimes I wonder if things should have been better left unsaid,
or if I hold them inside forever and pretend,
I wonder if things would have been different
If I wouldnt have have gotten myself into the mess I created,
Now, I feel like I am hated,
This isnt just one situation its many,
But no matter what happens, I’ve had enough already
Now I have to move on and carry this pitty
That all of this has made me feel so shitty
If things are never right and I am always wrong,
Then more the reason I need to move on,
Just like my sister and my relatives,
Theres no reason that things should be as is,
Now I can only remember the past,
and how long these memories will last…

Posted by Ownit Liveit at 7:57 PM

# # # # #

[JR: Miscia, Dana (MC2009) is listed as doing "Nov 27 IRONMAN COZUMEL". Let's all wish her the best of luck in a grueling event ... ... (Goes without saying, any Jaspers down there might consider giving her a round of applause as some point in the race; might make all the difference. I'd go, but I'm giving platelets the day before. Each to our own challenges. I'll applaud from here. Always amazed at what our fellow Jasper accomplish.) ... ... and hope that her memories last only as long as she wants them too. Donna Nobis Pacem]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Nov-12 @ 08:13

http://pattigibbons.com/?p=1281

[JR: Worth a read, imho.]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-28 @ 09:31

http://harrythelibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-psa-by-harry.html

*** begin quote ***

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011
A new psa by Harry

Here is the copy for my 60-second ad for this Sunday’s “Nature” concert by the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. You can click on the player below to hear it, with music from two of the pieces they’ll be playing.

*** end quote ***

[JR: A great radio voice. Considering this is mostly a silent medium. Other than the clack of keys being punched! Thought it was interesting even if there's no going for me. Maybe you will.]

[JR: Interesting from a technical pov, you can't link directly to the PSA. It's embedded Flash. Interesting since everything on the net tries to be as "linkable" as possible so you can get "buzz". Hmm, why would someone do this or why did Google's Blogger software permit it. Interesting?]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-23 @ 09:58

http://musingsofafemalecollegestudent.blogspot.com/2011/10/ive-fallen-and-i-cant-get-up.html

Vacca, Nicole Marie (MC2013) Musings of a Female College Student
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011
“I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!”

*** begin quote ***

You’ve probably seen the commercial–or at least you’ve heard the phrase that became a piece of minor pop cultural humor.

*** and ***

I do not know why, but the image of an old woman on the floor being unable to get up really saddens me. I guess it’s partly because I think of my grandmothers. It’s also because maybe I’m scared that will be me one day–sprawled out on a floor, alone, feeling hurt and unable to call for help.

The line can also have underlying spiritual implications. Obviously, the advertisers did not intend for that. How often, though, have we fallen in life and felt like we can’t get up? Either because of a lost job, or the death of a loved one, or facing a tough physical illness, or even–especially–after we make a big mistake.

I’m not going to lie–I’m at a pretty low point in my life right now. Not too low–I know I’ve had much lower points in the past. But right now, I feel a little lost and a little down. This semester has been tougher than the last one in terms of workload. I don’t get to see my friends on campus much these days because of time, work, and schedule constraints.

*** and ***

I’m just lonely …

*** end quote ***

[JR: This struck a chord. Hopefully, alums reach out to those that need a friend and visa versa. I'm struck by how insightful this young future alum is; much more so than I was at that point in my life. Some of my friends and faculty at that time might even had a more blunt opinion. Well written. ]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-14 @ 09:00

http://musingsofafemalecollegestudent.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-name-is-nicole-vacca-and-i-endorse.html

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
Musings of a Female College Student
My Name is Nicole Vacca, and I Endorse These Products

*** begin quote ***

Within the past year of my life, I’ve been through some pretty tough things–ulcers, IBS, panic disorder, and the wonderful side effects that come with taking meds. Throughout these minor hardships, however, I developed an appreciation for products I would have otherwise never used.

*** and ***

Anyway, when I was sick (both physically and mentally) I had a lot of ups and downs in my relationship with God–I felt hopeless, angry, confused, and despaired. Yet I cannot tell you how many times my mom would read InTouch, and she’d find a devotion in there that related to what I was going through at that time. It really encouraged me to keep pressing forward and not give up.

God bless and goodnight. <3

-Nicole-

*** end quote ***

Vacca, Nicole Marie (MC2013)

[JR: I found this motivating. And a reminder that everyone has their own set of challenges.]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-01 @ 08:59