It’s not a holiday tree

Call Christmas like it is
By Amanda Throm

Political parties and the government do not have the option to show religious bias when it comes to decorating for the holiday season; that I understand. But when does a Christmas tree suddenly become a “holiday tree?” One tree, decorated in the Christmas image, does not a holiday tree make.

Every year on HGTV (Home and Garden Television), the White House allows a short preview of what the Christmas decorations for the year will look like. (Note the use of the word Christmas in that sentence).

This fiesta of ornaments, trees, garland and all that shiny stuff is topped off with a gigantic Christmas tree in the Blue Room, according to the Visitors Center web site for the White House. So, if political parties aren’t allowed to have religious affiliations with their decorations, jargon or religious artifacts, how can the President call his “holiday tree” a Christmas tree?

I will also mention that not once in this article can you find the words “holiday tree.” You can find “holiday” and “tree” in there, but they’re not together.

It’s a Christmas tree, people. If you want to be diverse with the holiday, then at least put up decorations for all the holidays. A holiday tree might as well just be a cop-out. It makes the holiday season trivial and meaningless if we’re only going to represent one religion and generalize it in this way.

Emma Sonney, a freshman, works at the Milwaukee Art Museum. When asked if the tree in the foyer of the Museum was a Christmas tree, she answered plainly, “No, it’s a holiday tree,” as if the question was ludicrous. This gigantic tree even has presents below, clearly marking it as a Christmas tree.

It boggles the mind how people manage to subliminally slip in religion when they use a different word for it. Suddenly it’s just a pretty tree with tinsel and ornaments and boxes wrapped in bows and all that frilly stuff. No way would it ever be a Christmas tree! How could you ever think that!

Those administration people sure do know what they’re doing.

Why, oh why, would you generalize a tree, predominantly made for Christmas, and label it for all holidays during the winter season? I can’t imagine how many people that offends when the closest thing to a tree that many religions get it a bush. Are we going to end up calling the Menorah a “holiday candle” soon just to appease to every different religion?

Instead of signs that say “Happy Holidays” why not do some amalgam, making a huge sign that says “Meppy Christmahanakwanzikkuh” That would make one hell of a sign.

Love the Job, Hate The Perks

Enrollment Services does disservice to sophomore class
By Amanda Throm

I work in the call centers in the Department of Enrollment Services as my other job on campus. Until last week I kept getting the question “When can I register for the spring semester?” Well, last week Thursday enrollment dates were put up on every student’s PAWS account, and I was shocked when I saw that my sophomore self was set to enroll four days before open enrollment on Dec. 15.

Now here's the hitch: I work in Admissions. I have the ability to get an earlier registration date as one of the “perks” of the job. I know that doesn't sound fair, but when you have to get into really hard classes, and you have to be one of the first to add those classes or you’re screwed, it becomes an issue.

Sophomores are the last people to register for classes, and I just don't see how that makes any sense. Don’t worry - my enrollment date changed only slightly for the spring semester, so I’m not getting an easier chance to get into classes than the rest of my fellow sophomores.

According to the Undergraduate Catalogue, registration for the spring semester follows the pattern of seniors, freshmen, juniors and lastly, sophomores – with special students and open enrollment being the final addition to the enrollment dates.

Why is it that a freshman, still taking his/her GER classes, gets to register before a sophomore who may be in need of a class that fills up quickly, especially when that class is crucial to said sophomore’s major and is only offered once a year? It just doesn't make sense.

Now, I'm not saying they should put sophomores at the top of the list. Obviously juniors and seniors need to get those higher-level courses to finish their majors and graduate. But why do freshmen get priority when they are usually only taking 100-level courses? Doesn’t it make more sense if the pattern for registration goes in descending order based on credit level?

The people in Admissions understand that sophomores probably have the hardest time getting into their classes, because all classes above the 100 or 200 level are full or useless to them. That being the case, why is it the pattern has never changed to better help those ailing sophomores who are in desperate need of getting into a course with one section that only accommodates 25 students?

A friend of mine, a senior, was actually complaining that he was registering for classes late. His enrollment date is November 28 whereas my date is more than 10 days after his, and he’s frustrated he’s registering late.

I would love to take this issue up with whoever instituted this pattern, because they probably should have taken into consideration the courses some students require in order to graduate on time. I know I’m not going to graduate in the expected year, but either way, a little alteration in the plans would have been nice.

I know I sound like a grieving student who just isn’t happy with her registration date, and that’s partly true. Still, it honestly doesn’t make any sense, and I’m sure many other students agree with me, even if they don’t want to voice their opinions.

Why should the technically-stated “upperclassmen,” which include anyone over freshman status, get a lower priority than the new freshmen who can easily take that GER class that seats 200 students and still have the chance to sign up for it two weeks into the semester? I’m just going to have to sit here and fume until I see either a new enrollment date or junior status. Chances are junior status will happen first.

MaeTeaming it up!

Mass Technology has Hidden Cost

Our society is hiding behind plastic

By Amanda Throm

I’ll be the first to say that the moment I leave a class, ear buds are in and the iPod is turned up to a pretty loud volume. I fully realize that this form of “artistry,” as I’d like to call it, makes me completely inaccessible and hard to approach.

When I’m not fiddling around with my iPod, I’m on the phone or reading a book. (Yes, I read when I walk to class. I don’t bump into things...usually.) I can’t walk down the street without seeing 90 percent of other students with an iPod or cell phone attached to their ear(s). Regardless of my involvement in the problem, it almost disgusts me that our society has become this technologically dependent.

I wouldn’t say I’m a follower by any means. I was the very last in my circle of friends to own an iPod, after all, and I had my reasons for finally buckling down, spending the exorbitant amount of money and buying the little green iPod that now barely holds any of my music.

In addition, I love my little flip phone and use it constantly. It’s another device which I paid an exorbitant amount of money for. But it only adds to the inaccessibility that, not only me, but everyone feels all over campus.

Boredom, I think, has taken a huge toll on students today. We get bored during class so we text with friends. We get bored walking to our classes so we listen to iPods. We get bored doing anything, and we automatically have something within our reach that we can depend upon to get us out of the boredom. I can attest to the fact that I, on many occasions, have sent texts during classes, but really, who hasn’t?

I feel that I’m not helping the problem any when I listen to my iPod and make myself inaccessible. That awkward silence or stare with a stranger is much more easily alleviated by the use of the cell phone or iPod.

I’ve even used my cell phone to get me out of a horrifically boring date. I had a friend call me pretending he was having boyfriend troubles so I could slip out without having to shut my date down. In a way, it’s a great help.

Music is the pulse of life. I like to say that because it’s almost a justification for what today’s society is doing. We’re cutting ourselves off from making connections with other people and broadening our social networks at the same time.

So, everyone, try it for a day: Leave the iPods at home and put your cell phone on silent for 24 hours. See how things change. You might just surprise yourself at how many strangers are willing to strike up a conversation with you.

Sometimes I Can't Make It Alone

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Mae and the week from hell

I finally got to see Mae's new video for Sometimes I Can't Make It Alone-- It's awesome!
I don't know what people are talking about when they say they're so disappointed in the new CD. I'll admit I don't LOVE all of it, but there are songs I just cannot get enough of. I think people just listen to the sound and don't actually think about what Dave is saying when he sings... his words have such a deep meaning to them; and when he goes up in falsetto-- oh man... it makes me melt every time in Release Me when he does it... it's just so gorgeous.

If I get around to it... I'll write a review for Singularity here... I probably won't get to it though

This is what happens when I get bored and start clicking on things

I'm only human

I'm only human...
I don't say the right things
I don't hold my tongue all the time
I laugh in uncomfortable situations
I can't tell when you're angry on AIM
I can't tell what you really mean when you don't tell me whats wrong
I don't know how to not get angry with you sometimes
I can't tell you whats wrong because it feels like you don't care
I can't be nice when you aren't to me
I hate it when you talk behind my back
I hate it when I talk behind your back
I hate it when you lie to me
I can't be there for you when you put yourself in bad situations
I can't help you when I don't know whats wrong
I am a terrible liar
I talk when I shouldn't
I am too blunt for you
I can't help you when you don't help me
I hate that I can't be myself around you
I hate that I can't tell you how I feel
I hate that I have to choose my words wisely
I hate that I have to wait for you to come around
I hate that you are the one that calls the shots
I hate how I never get advice from you
I hate that I help you all the time
I hate that you never want to hang out
I hate that you talk about me to others
I hate the way I find out these things
I can't be there for you when you don't tell me whats wrong
I hate how you are never there for me
I hate how I give so much to make you happy
I hate how you don't give any advice for my problems
I don't know how to be perfect
I can't be perfect
I don't know how to fix things
I don't know how to be your friend while being your friend
I don't know how to say the right thing
I don't know why I bug you
I scare you when I'm happy
I lose you when I am excited over something

I just want my friend back...