Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Term Paper Writing
During my Junior and Senior years of college (back in 1988 and 1989), I made extra money by writing papers for my fellow students.
I charged $10.00 per double spaced page – which included the contents of the paper and the actual typing. (Back then, I only typed about 40 words per minute. At my peak in 2000, I typed 93 words per minute. These days, I’m out of practice and am down to about 55 words per minute.)
Over that two year period in college, I composed about 40 papers. My clients originated as my fraternity brothers, quickly branching out to anyone else on campus. I guaranteed the student at least a B, but I reserved the right to refuse any subject or deadline.
I was thinking of this tonight because I came across one of “my” papers for a Marketing 4100 class called “Blacks and Higher Education: Strategies to Increase Enrollment”. That may be the only paper that has survived. I didn’t think I had copies of any of my work.
My business wouldn’t work these days; students have the internet to write their papers for them.
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For quite awhile back around the time we both graduated college, Steve and I used to hang out at Avenue Pub every Wednesday night. Getting drunk, telling stories, and concocting schemes.
One of the plans we devised was that he and I were going to open a term paper writing service. Advertising for clients on the local college campuses, he and I would start small – he would write the English/Literature papers; I would write the Business/Marketing/Management papers.
Once we got going, we would bring in other friends of ours who had their own specialized knowledge. Maybe a Shakespeare scholar who needed money, and so on.
We even had a pricing structure and a business plan formulated. After a few Wednesdays of serious talks and serious beer drinking, we moved on to another scheme.
We had a good idea, but no follow through. I wonder if we would have been successful.
I charged $10.00 per double spaced page – which included the contents of the paper and the actual typing. (Back then, I only typed about 40 words per minute. At my peak in 2000, I typed 93 words per minute. These days, I’m out of practice and am down to about 55 words per minute.)
Over that two year period in college, I composed about 40 papers. My clients originated as my fraternity brothers, quickly branching out to anyone else on campus. I guaranteed the student at least a B, but I reserved the right to refuse any subject or deadline.
I was thinking of this tonight because I came across one of “my” papers for a Marketing 4100 class called “Blacks and Higher Education: Strategies to Increase Enrollment”. That may be the only paper that has survived. I didn’t think I had copies of any of my work.
My business wouldn’t work these days; students have the internet to write their papers for them.
------------------------
For quite awhile back around the time we both graduated college, Steve and I used to hang out at Avenue Pub every Wednesday night. Getting drunk, telling stories, and concocting schemes.
One of the plans we devised was that he and I were going to open a term paper writing service. Advertising for clients on the local college campuses, he and I would start small – he would write the English/Literature papers; I would write the Business/Marketing/Management papers.
Once we got going, we would bring in other friends of ours who had their own specialized knowledge. Maybe a Shakespeare scholar who needed money, and so on.
We even had a pricing structure and a business plan formulated. After a few Wednesdays of serious talks and serious beer drinking, we moved on to another scheme.
We had a good idea, but no follow through. I wonder if we would have been successful.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monthly Family Dinner - November 2009
The first Monday of each month, our immediate family gets together for dinner - alternating houses.
This month Carlos and I are hosting at my house.
Carlos is heavily involved with Jacques Pepin and his cooking show right now, so we have decided to cook everything from Episode 208 of his cooking show.
The description:
Jacques loves all eggs, all ways! Cooking them correctly is an important technique, and who better to demonstrate the perfect hard-cooked egg than a master of technique! Jacques begins this menu with hard-cooked eggs used as a garnish for his Asparagus Fans with Mustard Sauce. Simply seared in moments, Scallops Grenobloise is the ultimate fast dish and when served with Potato Gratin with Cream, it makes a rich main course. Jam Tartines with Fruit Sherbet conclude the menu.
Carlos is making the asparagus and the dessert. I am making the scallops and the potato dishes.
This should be fun; we haven't tried French food yet in our Cooking Challenges.
Here is Jacques Pepin's video, complete with all the recipes:
After our dinner, we'll publish the recipes we used.
Until then, Bon Appétit!
This month Carlos and I are hosting at my house.
Carlos is heavily involved with Jacques Pepin and his cooking show right now, so we have decided to cook everything from Episode 208 of his cooking show.
The description:
Jacques loves all eggs, all ways! Cooking them correctly is an important technique, and who better to demonstrate the perfect hard-cooked egg than a master of technique! Jacques begins this menu with hard-cooked eggs used as a garnish for his Asparagus Fans with Mustard Sauce. Simply seared in moments, Scallops Grenobloise is the ultimate fast dish and when served with Potato Gratin with Cream, it makes a rich main course. Jam Tartines with Fruit Sherbet conclude the menu.
Carlos is making the asparagus and the dessert. I am making the scallops and the potato dishes.
This should be fun; we haven't tried French food yet in our Cooking Challenges.
Here is Jacques Pepin's video, complete with all the recipes:
After our dinner, we'll publish the recipes we used.
Until then, Bon Appétit!
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Best Movies of 2009 - So Far
I am working on this year's end of year Best of lists.
Here are – alphabetically – what I think are the best movies of 2009 - so far. (Main criteria for the list: A positive to “Would I see the movie a second or third time in the theatre?”)
(500) Days of Summer
Adventureland
District 9
Monsters vs Aliens
Star Trek
Where The Wild Things Are
Zombieland
I’m also working on my Worst of list. Coming soon.
Here are – alphabetically – what I think are the best movies of 2009 - so far. (Main criteria for the list: A positive to “Would I see the movie a second or third time in the theatre?”)
(500) Days of Summer
Adventureland
District 9
Monsters vs Aliens
Star Trek
Where The Wild Things Are
Zombieland
I’m also working on my Worst of list. Coming soon.
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