Drinking and getting Drunk v. Drinking TO get Drunk

Partying at Witt: what hasn't been said about it that you probably don't already know -- even if you've never actually been to a party? I'm going to switch focus for that reason and concentrate on one, big aspect of Witt's party scene: McMurray's.

Many of you have heard the shouts: "Midnight means bar time!"
Like a mass exodus, people leave the house parties or their pre-gaming (which can turn into the game depending on how much one drinks) and go to this overcrowded bar, which is more like a club than an actual bar.

McMurray's is not typically my kind of party scene: I'm not a huge dancer unless it's for comical purposes, and it's very overcrowded -- and sticky (I'm not going to elaborate here). There is some pretty awful Top 40 music played and if you're there sober, let me tell you: it's not fun. 

Don't get me wrong, I love beer. I love friends. But I like pubs a helluva lot better. Yes, pubs -- originating from the term "public house," where people go to sit with friends, shoot the breeze, and talk about things that matter -- all while enjoying a pint of beer and listening to some good folky music.

I just described a typical pub in Ireland. Two summers ago I studied abroad there and what struck me was how friendly everyone was; sure the alcohol helped with the extraverted-ness, but the atmosphere of the pub was so... relaxed yet extremely fun.

I wish Wittenberg had more of a pub scene; one where friends can go, listen to some good music (not just the newest Katy Perry song), sit at a table with friends and de-stress from the week. Not just a place that's actually stressful to go to and where you pretty much have to be drunk to even tolerate walking through the door.

Now, not all McMurray's-type of bars are bad. Actually they are quite fun to go to while bar hopping -- but that's just it, there's one place to choose from instead of a "bar district" commonplace in most downtowns. (I'm not going to include Station in this, because you can get into McMurray's underage with a cover).

What I'm trying to say is this: I like the company of others and drinking with friends -- which can lead to perhaps getting drunk along the way. But, I think it's important to savor the drink and the times you spend with friends.

Thus, I enjoy drinking but not exclusively to get drunk.

Here is a picture of my study abroad group's first drinks in Dublin, Ireland, summer of 2011:

Wittenberg: Too Concerned with PR?

Students at Wittenberg found out about Dr. Hollant "Max" Adrian was put in jail for sexual assault charges with over a million dollar bail -- but they found out through the Springfield News Sun, not from their own Wittenberg Administration.

Article here.

It disappoints me, and a majority of my peers, that we had to find out this way as opposed to being informed directly. I know that the alleged incidents didn't happen on our campus, but he was(is?) a Wittenberg professor! To give us a vague email about an "unfolding situation" doesn't help us too much -- why do they word the emails the same for notice about the crow guns going off and when a Wittenberg professor is accused with rape?

However, I am pleased that the faculty has taken matters into their own hands to talk to us about how we, as students, are reacting to this news. Last Friday, my poli sci professor Jody LaPorte said we were going to cancel what was on the syllabus that day and instead sit in a circle to talk about our "emotional well-being." As a class, we agreed that Wittenberg Administration didn't handle the situation well -- we understand that it's an investigation and he is innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn't mean we can turn our cheeks and pretend this isn't a big deal. I've heard of many professors who have done something like this -- either through reassuring class emails or discussions in class.

In addition, at my tour guide monthly staff meeting on Thursday, Dean Kelly went on to say to not talk to the media because "it's not our investigation, the victims weren't Wittenberg students, it didn't happen on our campus, and except for a traffic ticket, he had a clean criminal record when he was hired -- plus we do a thorough background check."

While this all may be true, I hope Dean Kelly --and the Administration-- doesn't use these facts as a cop out when keeping their students informed and safe -- which is their prime responsibility.

Defiance, OH: Is Candy More Important Than a Presidential Candidate?

Backgroud: Defiance, OH was just featured in the Washington Post under the section Campaign 2012. The auto bailout affected this small town, centered around a GM plant, which is still experiencing the economic downturn. It also affected the political atmosphere there, which is located in a predominantly red area in a (perhaps the) key swing state.

Here is the link: GM is alive in Defiance, OH. But Obama's hopes here may not be.

And here is an accompanying picture slideshow and video of Defiance, OH:
Portrait of a small town in a swing state.

Here is a piece also published in the Washington Post about Gov. Romney's visit to Defiance: Mayor: Mitt Romney to visit Defiance, Ohio.

There is an uproar in my hometown of Defiance, Ohio, because Mitt Romney is making a campaign trail stop there, this Thursday (10/25/12). One might assume it's because Defiance is a predominantly blue area -- but it's not, it's actually a historically red portion of the state.

The reason for the uproar is actually a little embarrassing to me: it's because trick-or-treat has to be moved due to Romney's visit. Defiance has always had trick-or-treat earlier -- not actually on Halloween. I understand some parents have to take time off of work and reschedule their nightly plans to take their kids out. But in the grand scheme of things is moving it to Tuesday really a big deal?

It saddens and hugely disappoints me that some people in my hometown are more concerned with a night to get candy rather than having a presidential candidate stop in Defiance. I don't care which way you lean - this is a huge part of history in the making! No matter what political perspetive one may have, this election is important.

I hope that parents see the value in taking their children to see Romney speak and learning about the importance of exercising your right to vote, whether you plan to vote for Romney, Obama, Gary Johnson, or whatever candidate you choose -- or have chosen.

When those kids become adults they can look back on the experience and be thankful. I know we all can think of  an experience we didn't appreciate at the time, but then realize the importance of it when looking back.

Defiance is a small middle-of-nowhere town with a population of 17,000 -- literally inbetween cornfields. We should be proud a presidential candidate is visiting our community -- I know I am, even if I don't necessarily agree with a lot of what Romney has to say.

Is candy more important than this election? Some people in Defiance seem to think so. People always complain how nothing happens in Defiance -- and when something big finally does, some people still complain.

Story Ideas

Students at Wittenberg recently returned from fall break -- while some R&R benefited many students, it still hasn't completely helped with the stress of mid-semester. Based off of this, I've been thinking of a few story ideas:

1. Scheduling - maybe one of my least favorite parts about Wittenberg (and possibly yours, too). I never seem to be able to fit in all the classes I need and/or want. I could possibly explore this story idea by talking to the Registrar and finding out how much trouble students actually have in getting into classes and/or taking ones they need. Also, I could talk to some students about classes they feel Wittenberg should offer but aren't - especially within certain departments, and if there are departments missing at Wittenberg students feel we really should have.

2. Habitat for Humanity - Mid-fall semester means it's about time to start applying for the alternative spring breaks offered for spring of 2013. I could talk to the habitat officers about places they are considering going to build and to students who have gone on past trips. Are there advantages/disadvantages (if there are any!) of going on one of these trips? -- especially in comparison to going on a typical college spring break ( like Daytona Beach). This may be too far in advance, but I personally think it is relevant because applications are due soon and if students don't know about it, they won't apply and therefore couldn't go!

3. Reaction piece to Dr. Cornell West - I could talk to some professors and students about their reactions to West's radical approach to preaching/thinking about injustice and how to conquer it. I went to this and it was unlike anything I've ever heard.

4. Piece on LCWS (Lutheran College Washington Semester) - I did this program, so I don't know if it'd be a conflict of interest. Especially with election season, I think it'd be interesting explore what life is like as a student/intern in Washington. A common misconception is that you have to be a poli sci major to do this alternative semester -- the answer is no! It was my favorite semester so far and I learned so much about the professional world and about myself. Like study abroad, I think interning is one of the best experiences a college kid can do in order to get out of his/her college bubble -- and we all know a Witt bubble definitely exists.

Having Natty Light, We Pass It On To Others

Drinking. Oh, where to begin with this one? I could take multiple different avenues here, but I’ll stick correlate two relevant topics in this blog: drinking and the upcoming election.

I know that as a whole, Wittenberg students are sick of hearing about the election, are sick of politics, are sick of the YouTube political ads; the list goes on. Our class found that there is an aversion to politics at Wittenberg – so how do you make politics more appealing? Why, just add alcohol!

The recent debate between the two candidates for presidency, Obama and Romney, really hit home at Witt. No, not because of politics –but because it happened to fall on a Witt Wednesday.

Many students here made the debate into a drinking game for some comic relief. Okay, so maybe it’s not the most “appropriate” or “mature” way to engage in some active political conscientiousness, but I think we should take what we can get –at least people are watching!

Even I sipped a cold Sam Adams Oktoberfest while watching the debate. All I have to say is this: Mr. Moderator, you got walked on. Actually, you got stampeded on. And overall: Romney=1 and Obama=0. Hopefully we can still keep Big Bird, though.

Here is one game that was played:

Dr. Allan, wanna grab a brewski?

The thing I have to say about Wittenberg is this: it’s rare a student has to take a bad class. Sure there are some bad classes, but mainly it’s because of the way the professor teaches it/them.

Having said that, though, I think the professors at Wittenberg really set it apart from other schools. The professors I have had really have taken the time to get to know me on an individual basis, and we’ve formed a relationship beyond the instructor-student relationship.

One comes to mind: Dr. James Allan, political science professor.

I have a profound interest in all things Irish, and as a poli sci major, that includes Irish politics. He is Scottish (and yes, he has a glorious accent – maybe one of the reasons I started to like him in the first place) but knows a lot about the British Isles and Ireland. I chose to do my Methods poli sci paper on religious affiliation and views on Nationalism in Northern Ireland. The idea came from my experience abroad in Ireland and the history of the sectarian divide there.

He sat down with me to help me find sources/evidence and generate a really interesting research question that turned into a 35 page paper –which was eventually published in this edition of Levitas, Wittenberg’s political science journal. I am humbled to have been published as an undergraduate and now, as a co-editor of the journal, I hope to submit another piece before I graduate in 2013.

Dr. Allan helped me find my passion in comparative politics and last semester, in Washington, DC, I was able to intern at the Embassy of Ireland as press and information assistant. I don’t think that would’ve been possible if he hadn’t taken the time to help me discover an area in political science that I didn’t hate (aka American politics – I’m just as sick of this election business as you are).

Methods was, ironically, my favorite and least favorite class –simultaneously. It SUCKED to work on a paper all semester long, work with computer data and recode variables to come up with statistical tables to then back it up with all sorts of literature. This class made me question my abilities/knowledge as a poli sci major and caused many sleepless nights.

But –it was worth it. In the end, it actually made me solidify my decision to major in poli sci, and I really started to believe in myself as a researcher. It pushed me like no other class I had taken at Witt before, and I came to truly appreciate the field I was studying. It was not just academics pontificating about politics; it was real-life, fascinating research. I felt like I, a lowly junior, made a significant contribution on this topic. Thus, the means definitely justified the ends.

Moreover, I came to appreciate Dr. Allan as a person. He has a very dry, self-deprecating humor which I appreciate very much. Dr. Allan is a cool, normal guy and I don’t view of him as my professor –I view him as someone I’d want to go grab a beer with, who just so happens to be my professor.

The Avett Brothers: in Harmony with Humility

First off, I need to let you know that in no way do I think I can write a blog post that does justice to this duo of brothers.

As a music connoisseur (of some sort), I believe that the Avett Brothers -two humble brothers/musicians from North Carolina- are changing the Americana/folk music scene; not just because of their power ballads, but because of their personalities as well. Perhaps even moreso because of their personalities. (Speaking of the folk scene, let me note that they were around way before Mumford & Sons -if we're talking actual music style here).

I am so put off musicians these days, who seem to always strive for glory or try to do the next “weird” thing to get himself/herself noticed (hint: Lady Gaga). 

But not Scott and Seth Avett. 

I could go into details about how their music is unlike anything I had heard before, how it makes me feel like they connect to a listener like me on a much deeper level. They are not just musicians; they are poets. 

Instead of taking up blog room, read about them/more of their background HERE.

I think the beginning of the article says it all for me:

 “Halfway down the driveway to the Avett family farm in Concord, Scott Avett slows his truck to a stop. His father, Jim, watches as the 36-year-old jumps out, grabs some bales of hay from the side of the road and tosses them into a trailer. Scott wasn't asked to help out. That's just the way he is. Since he was a kid, he's pitched in until all the work is done — just like he's doing on this hot day earlier this summer.

The difference is that today, Scott Avett is a rock star — he doesn't really have to load hay into trailers or work construction in the sun. And yet his willingness — no, his compulsion — to do so is part of the work ethic that's helped catapult him and his fellow Avett Brothers into one of the country's strongest live acts. But the Avetts are now more than just a great live band.”

            Last night I saw them in concert at an outdoor pavilion in Indianapolis. The whole concert was great, but the last act really moved me. Seth Avett announced he would like to invite his father, Jim, on stage to sing with the band. With Jim’s arms around his two successful sons, they ended the concert with The Salvation Song (link to song). 

Here are some of the lyrics:

“And I would give up everything 

And if you were to come up clean 

And see you shine so bright in a world of woe 

And they may pay us off in fame 

But that is not why we came 

And if it compromises truth then we will go 

We came for salvation 

We came for family 

We came for all that's good that's how we'll walk away 

We came to break the bad 

We came to cheer the sad 

We came to leave behind the world a better way.”

And that’s just what the Avett Brothers are doing.

The Avett Brothers are honest-to-God musicians; they make you want to be a better person but make you feel like it’s okay that you’re not there yet.

Give a few of their songs a listen and you’ll know what I mean –trust me. And why not start now?

music video: I And Love and You by The Avett Brothers.