Adventures in Work:
The last couple of days have been relatively calm at work, the office has a little more buzz to it as the other RLCs (Residence Life Coordinators) return from their various conferences and vacations. As the project starts to heat up, I get to start meeting with many of the RLCs to get their input on things and to hear what they want.
As much as most Computer Hardware/Software Developers hate client meetings, I LOVE them. I love being able to tell a customer that some task they would love to have automated, can be easily automated. I love being able to help them improve the way that they go about their business. I'm a firm believer that computers should enhance your life in all the different aspects of it. From the way you work, to the way to you play, to the way that you communicate, computers should never be a detraction from that. If I, as a developer, can create a system, a process, or a piece of software that will make your life easier, so you can focus on what is important to you, then I have done my job.
In Residence Life, this is a very simple task. Allow the computer systems that the staff (both student and professional) use to allow them to do their jobs easier, so that way they may focus on what is really important in their roles -- providing as much support as they can for their residents. That is what I am here for. Yes, I'm making a cool website for them, but it's not about the website, it's about improving the quality of their work life.
Today I got the chance to go to the professional staff department wide meeting. It had everyone from housing, reslife, dining in one room. Quite a boisterous bunch. I was introduced and all the formalities and such, but two things really stuck out to me at this meeting.
1) The staff does an appreciation program at all of their meetings where ANYONE gets a chance to stand up and recognize a ANY co-worker of theirs for something. It literally look the department of about 20 people, about 40 minutes to go through. Very interesting to sit back and watch.
2) For those of you who are living under a rock, the economy is in the crapper. California is getting hit especially hard with their inability to have a budget that they will pass. Basically, the Governator is threatening to basically shut the entire state down until things get straightened out. As someone who has never seen in the inner-workings of a public school in higher-ed, it was interesting to hear about the budget problems facing Humboldt this coming year.
At Marquette, they just find more donors, find another funder, raise prices, etc. Here, things are a little more complicated and as someone who plans to enter into the Student Affairs field, it was eye-opening and helpful for me to experience that discussion today in the Department Meeting.
Adventures in Entertainment:
I've now finished two complete seasons of 30Rock and I must say that I love Tina Fey. As if I didn't love her enough, the Fey/Baldwin/Morgan triple-threat makes this show probably the most under-appreciated comedy show on TV. Some of that might be the fact that it is on Thursday nights with The Office, but part of it is just poor promotion.
I'm thinking that next will be finishing up Season 4 of Weeds, and then back to 30 Rock for Season 3.
Adventures in Cooking:
After my grocery shopping adventure of Sunday, it was time to cook a little. Last night, I tried a recipe for a Tater-Tot Casserole which was baller, but a little too greasy for my tastes. I've also busted out the rice cooker which made a whole lot of rice very quickly. (Mike, Nate, Chris, are you out there? We may be investing in one of these....I mean, seriously. I think this may be a necessary evil in our apartment next year! *insert your favorite politically-incorrect joke about my Asian roommate here*)
Adventures in Roommates:
Still not here.
Where is he?
No one seems to know.
Adventures in Weather:
It rained. ALL DAY LONG today. I walked to work in the rain. I walked home from work in the rain. But hey, if you want it to be so green here, it's gotta grow somehow...
It's supposed to rain for the better part of the next 4 days. We'll make it work. So for everyone that I know that thinks I go out and sit on the beach in 90 degree weather every weekend...you are WRONG.
Adventures in Chinese:
After my exciting ethnic experience on Friday at Hey Juan's, and my American-style cooking that has been going on all week, I decided it was time to consider probably the most important thing about living anywhere -- the local flavor of Chinese Food Establishments.
Having done a little exploration myself through The Goog, I knew of some Chinese Restaurants in the area. After asking around, I the response from one person was a "severe lacking in quality Chinese food in this area." Needless to say, I got excited.
Let me explain, an ongoing joke that I have with my brother is about the Happy Wok in Beloit, WI. The food is mediocre but it's cheap and the portions are HUGE -- so we continue to patronize this relatively shady establishment because we always leave with a story to tell. When I moved to Arcata, naturally I started looking for something similar.
From the students that work in the "Housing + Dining Office" at Humboldt, the clear campus hangout for Chinese is the "Hunan Village" in town. However, from my own personal explorations, I have discovered that there is another (equally close) Chinese Restaurant in Arcata called the "New Fortune". After much deliberation, and a slight craving this afternoon, I decided to try the "Hunan Village" first, in the Arcatan Chinese Food Brawl.
It was quite the experience. The service was good, the food was tasty, the portions were big, there was the obligatory old Asian woman present. Overall, it was a fun experience. I had enough for a doggie-bag and I'm not sick from eating there....yet. (It's only been like 4 hours...knock on wood.) However, what this place lacked is that something that was clearly lacking. I mean, yes, it was relatively shady walking into the place, but it had all the makings of a legitimate restaurant and that is NOT what I'm looking for.
I think the entire experience can be summed up in this Tweet:
The next installment of this adventure will take place soon at the "New Fortune", hopefully it has what I'm looking for.
And on that note (5 paragraphs of rant on Chinese Food!), I think I'm going to take an adventure in sleep now.
Until next time,
M
No comments:
Post a Comment