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.
------------------------
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.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Last Mix II
[To read the first entry in this series, go here.]
As I'm working on the computer this evening, I have my Media Monkey player (the best music organizer / burner ever) set on random.
La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams just came on. I have always loved the song - and try to shoehorn it onto mixed CD's that I make for people whenever possible. I think the song is good enough to be part of my final compilation The Last Mix.
I looked around YouTube for the song. Here is the best live version of it that I found.
Or here is the original studio version - song only, no video.
As I'm working on the computer this evening, I have my Media Monkey player (the best music organizer / burner ever) set on random.
La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams just came on. I have always loved the song - and try to shoehorn it onto mixed CD's that I make for people whenever possible. I think the song is good enough to be part of my final compilation The Last Mix.
I looked around YouTube for the song. Here is the best live version of it that I found.
Or here is the original studio version - song only, no video.
Local Game Shows
My friends and I love to put together and play our versions of TV game shows.
Thanks to Jason, who started it all with Survivor Metairie I, we have played Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (supposedly simple trivia questions), The Amazing Race (a scavenger hunt around the city), Jeopardy, Steet Smarts (our version of the game show Street Smarts, so called because of Jason’s creative sign making), and other game shows that I can’t think of right now.
Tangent - Here is the introduction to our Survivor Metairie I video. Debbie put this together.
Recently, I put together Steet Smarts II. For those not familiar with the show: Weeks before we all got together, I asked our six players – Bart, Carlos, Debbie, Jason, Jason, and Julie – the exact same 43 questions. The questions that everyone answered correctly or incorrectly, I threw out. The remaining questions were used for the game.
The game was played in three rounds: Who Knew It (not including yourself, who do you think knew the question’s answer), Who Blew It (not including yourself, who do you think did NOT know the question’s answer), and the finale (one question asked – who knew it or blew it, with money won during the first two rounds bet on the outcome).
Correct answers for the first two rounds were awarded Monopoly-style money that Jason created for Survivor Metairie II.
Here are some of the questions and the quite creative answers given by my friends.
What is a subordinate?
- An employee or city worker.
Finish this old saying: “Men seldom make passes at girls who _______________.”
- Don’t have asses.
…are married.
Skydivers use what billowy object to land safely?
- a trampoline or a cushion
- a pillow
What do the letters NIMBY commonly stand for?
- Not In My Something or other.
- National Institute of Male Body Yearning
- National Immigrants Mothers Boys and Yahoos
- National Independent Market for Black Youth
In the Bible, Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of what popular seasoning?
- Cayenne Pepper
What are sisters Mary Kate and Ashley better known as?
- Johnson
What is noshing?
- Vomiting
According to the nursery rhyme, Jack Sprat could eat no what?
- Crap
- Sprouts
What is 9,999 + 1?
- 1,000,000
The name of the song played during Graduation is called Pomp and what?
- Grow
How is a Sadie Hawkins dance different from a traditional dance?
- Requires three.
- Form
What is the name of the first book of the Old Testament?
- The Bible
What was the name of the first pope?
- Pope Pius
- Pope I
- John The Baptist
- John Paul
- St. Thomas (St. Who)
Which war was originally known as The Great War?
- World War II
- The War of 1812
How many stars are on the current US flag?
- 13
In the movie Gremlins, the three rules are no bright lights, don't get them wet, and ___________.
- Don't feed them Skittles.
A satellite radio service is named for a star. Name it. (Correct answer Serius)
- Onstar
- Sun
In literature, who was Tom Sawyer's best friend?
- Becky Allen. I mean Becky Thatcher.
- His dad.
-----------------------------
Thank you everyone who played. You all had some great, creative answers.
Thanks to Jason, who started it all with Survivor Metairie I, we have played Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (supposedly simple trivia questions), The Amazing Race (a scavenger hunt around the city), Jeopardy, Steet Smarts (our version of the game show Street Smarts, so called because of Jason’s creative sign making), and other game shows that I can’t think of right now.
Tangent - Here is the introduction to our Survivor Metairie I video. Debbie put this together.
Recently, I put together Steet Smarts II. For those not familiar with the show: Weeks before we all got together, I asked our six players – Bart, Carlos, Debbie, Jason, Jason, and Julie – the exact same 43 questions. The questions that everyone answered correctly or incorrectly, I threw out. The remaining questions were used for the game.
The game was played in three rounds: Who Knew It (not including yourself, who do you think knew the question’s answer), Who Blew It (not including yourself, who do you think did NOT know the question’s answer), and the finale (one question asked – who knew it or blew it, with money won during the first two rounds bet on the outcome).
Correct answers for the first two rounds were awarded Monopoly-style money that Jason created for Survivor Metairie II.
Here are some of the questions and the quite creative answers given by my friends.
What is a subordinate?
- An employee or city worker.
Finish this old saying: “Men seldom make passes at girls who _______________.”
- Don’t have asses.
…are married.
Skydivers use what billowy object to land safely?
- a trampoline or a cushion
- a pillow
What do the letters NIMBY commonly stand for?
- Not In My Something or other.
- National Institute of Male Body Yearning
- National Immigrants Mothers Boys and Yahoos
- National Independent Market for Black Youth
In the Bible, Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of what popular seasoning?
- Cayenne Pepper
What are sisters Mary Kate and Ashley better known as?
- Johnson
What is noshing?
- Vomiting
According to the nursery rhyme, Jack Sprat could eat no what?
- Crap
- Sprouts
What is 9,999 + 1?
- 1,000,000
The name of the song played during Graduation is called Pomp and what?
- Grow
How is a Sadie Hawkins dance different from a traditional dance?
- Requires three.
- Form
What is the name of the first book of the Old Testament?
- The Bible
What was the name of the first pope?
- Pope Pius
- Pope I
- John The Baptist
- John Paul
- St. Thomas (St. Who)
Which war was originally known as The Great War?
- World War II
- The War of 1812
How many stars are on the current US flag?
- 13
In the movie Gremlins, the three rules are no bright lights, don't get them wet, and ___________.
- Don't feed them Skittles.
A satellite radio service is named for a star. Name it. (Correct answer Serius)
- Onstar
- Sun
In literature, who was Tom Sawyer's best friend?
- Becky Allen. I mean Becky Thatcher.
- His dad.
-----------------------------
Thank you everyone who played. You all had some great, creative answers.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Christmas Gift Giving
In my extended family, we pick names for Christmas gift giving (usually at an annual Labor Day party). We have 29 participants this year.
We also have a separate list for kids under 15, who buy for each other.
Carlos, now that we’re out to the family, is on the list for the first time. My Uncle Greg has his name this year. My Aunt Mary (shopping for her husband) has told me that she has grand plans. I don’t want to reveal anything here, knowing that Carlos reads this.
My immediate family also picks names. With my parents, two sisters and all spouses, there are eight of us on this list. This year, I picked my Dad’s name. I emailed my Mom to ask her for some ideas. The past times I have picked his name (and for Father’s Day), I gave him the usual ties and golf accessories. I’m trying to branch out this year.
Here is the email my Mom sent back. It struck me as quite funny.
Well, you know we both have more stuff than we really need - especially HIM. I know y'all think this is none too creative, but what about tickets to something? He loves Jazz Fest - we both do - but those tickets are kind of expensive.
Tickets to the show are good also - but Canal Place is closing for six months to be renovated by the Solomons. The Prytania is open, though, and they have fabulous shows. We never go to Elmwood, so forget that. (You know, the first show you ever went to was at the Prytania – you were about three months old and slept through the whole thing - 'cause you know, we only lived two houses away then).
We already have tickets to the opera, the symphony, Le Petit and UNO basketball so don't get those. We don't have tickets to The Saenger, but those are real expensive. Another idea would be food: A gift certificate to a restaurant or a basket of stuff he likes - like all that German stuff I hate: Bratwurst, liver cheese, smoked sausage. Hope this gives you some ideas. My people are sooooo easy this year: Karlie and Chad. Don't say anything, but both are getting the new Josh Besh cookbook - AUTOGRAPHED, and not just upstairs, but really, really autographed. Love Mom
Yes, she means John Besh.
When the actual author is not available, my Mom is known to change her handwriting and “autograph” a gift book. Our family knows this, but her friends must have quite a few fakes.
When she went to Rome a few years ago, she brought back a rosary blessed by the Pope. After some follow up questions, I found out that “blessed by the Pope” meant she bought the rosary in a store in New Orleans and put it into a small jewelry box. Ahhhh, mothers!
We also have a separate list for kids under 15, who buy for each other.
Carlos, now that we’re out to the family, is on the list for the first time. My Uncle Greg has his name this year. My Aunt Mary (shopping for her husband) has told me that she has grand plans. I don’t want to reveal anything here, knowing that Carlos reads this.
My immediate family also picks names. With my parents, two sisters and all spouses, there are eight of us on this list. This year, I picked my Dad’s name. I emailed my Mom to ask her for some ideas. The past times I have picked his name (and for Father’s Day), I gave him the usual ties and golf accessories. I’m trying to branch out this year.
Here is the email my Mom sent back. It struck me as quite funny.
Well, you know we both have more stuff than we really need - especially HIM. I know y'all think this is none too creative, but what about tickets to something? He loves Jazz Fest - we both do - but those tickets are kind of expensive.
Tickets to the show are good also - but Canal Place is closing for six months to be renovated by the Solomons. The Prytania is open, though, and they have fabulous shows. We never go to Elmwood, so forget that. (You know, the first show you ever went to was at the Prytania – you were about three months old and slept through the whole thing - 'cause you know, we only lived two houses away then).
We already have tickets to the opera, the symphony, Le Petit and UNO basketball so don't get those. We don't have tickets to The Saenger, but those are real expensive. Another idea would be food: A gift certificate to a restaurant or a basket of stuff he likes - like all that German stuff I hate: Bratwurst, liver cheese, smoked sausage. Hope this gives you some ideas. My people are sooooo easy this year: Karlie and Chad. Don't say anything, but both are getting the new Josh Besh cookbook - AUTOGRAPHED, and not just upstairs, but really, really autographed. Love Mom
Yes, she means John Besh.
When the actual author is not available, my Mom is known to change her handwriting and “autograph” a gift book. Our family knows this, but her friends must have quite a few fakes.
When she went to Rome a few years ago, she brought back a rosary blessed by the Pope. After some follow up questions, I found out that “blessed by the Pope” meant she bought the rosary in a store in New Orleans and put it into a small jewelry box. Ahhhh, mothers!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Quotes from the Family
Here are the latest quotes from my niece and nephew:
My 3-year-old niece Eden (who has an older and a younger brother, but no sisters): "I don't want God to make me a girl. I want to be a boy like Bennett and Nolan."
Bennett, the 4-year-old older brother: "When I get big, I am going to be an altar boy and a Monster Truck driver."
Bennett: Dad, who's playing?
Jeff, the Dad: The Bengals and the Steelers.
Bennett: Why are they the Steelers? Do they steal the ball a lot? Are they bad people?
My 3-year-old niece Eden (who has an older and a younger brother, but no sisters): "I don't want God to make me a girl. I want to be a boy like Bennett and Nolan."
Bennett, the 4-year-old older brother: "When I get big, I am going to be an altar boy and a Monster Truck driver."
Bennett: Dad, who's playing?
Jeff, the Dad: The Bengals and the Steelers.
Bennett: Why are they the Steelers? Do they steal the ball a lot? Are they bad people?
Friday, October 09, 2009
The Week In Food
From an idea at my friends Steve and Sheree's blog - otherwise known as He Said / She Said NOLA.
Disclaimer: I am in no way mocking them. This is merely a compare and contrast of the way he and his wife eat to how Carlos and I eat. Carlos wanted me to stress that.
Saturday Dinner: I had a bag of popcorn and a bowl of Cookie Crisp cereal. When Carlos came over, we each had a big ole slice of Julie’s cake.
Sunday Dinner: Pat - from work - gave me three bell peppers (one each red, green and yellow) from her garden. I cooked some meat sauce, onions, the bell peppers, lots of different seasonings, mushrooms and green onions – and ate it over pasta. Later in the evening, I had five pieces of cheesecake.
Monday Dinner: We had our Monthly Family Dinner at my parent’s house tonight. My mom made a salad – mimicking Carlos’s salad from last Wednesday’s Cooking Challenge, Shrimp Creole, and Jello for dessert.
Tuesday Dinner: In this order – three pieces of cheese cake (finishing off the cake, started with the 5 pieces on Sunday), a small piece of salmon (baked with some lemon juice on top), lima beans, and garlic bread.
Wednesday Dinner: Before Carlos came over, I had a plate of leftover Pasta and Meat Sauce (from Sunday’s dinner). Carlos arrived hungry so we split a Tony’s Frozen Pizza – the bottom rung of frozen pizza.
Thursday Dinner: I cooked up some Stove Top Stuffing, adding cut up sausage. It’s one of my favorite quick meals. (Carlos is off at his parent’s house tonight.)
Friday Dinner: I had four Coors Lights and a bowl of Cookie Crisp cereal.
Damn, I eat like shit. It never bothered me until a full week’s worth of dinners was laid out in front of me.
I think I would be much more motivated to eat better – and to cook more elaborate meals – if I weren’t cooking for just one. Carlos comes over the majority of the nights, but usually after dinner.
I’ll revisit this subject in a couple of months. We’ll see what I can change in the meantime.
Uh, Bon Appétit?
Disclaimer: I am in no way mocking them. This is merely a compare and contrast of the way he and his wife eat to how Carlos and I eat. Carlos wanted me to stress that.
Saturday Dinner: I had a bag of popcorn and a bowl of Cookie Crisp cereal. When Carlos came over, we each had a big ole slice of Julie’s cake.
Sunday Dinner: Pat - from work - gave me three bell peppers (one each red, green and yellow) from her garden. I cooked some meat sauce, onions, the bell peppers, lots of different seasonings, mushrooms and green onions – and ate it over pasta. Later in the evening, I had five pieces of cheesecake.
Monday Dinner: We had our Monthly Family Dinner at my parent’s house tonight. My mom made a salad – mimicking Carlos’s salad from last Wednesday’s Cooking Challenge, Shrimp Creole, and Jello for dessert.
Tuesday Dinner: In this order – three pieces of cheese cake (finishing off the cake, started with the 5 pieces on Sunday), a small piece of salmon (baked with some lemon juice on top), lima beans, and garlic bread.
Wednesday Dinner: Before Carlos came over, I had a plate of leftover Pasta and Meat Sauce (from Sunday’s dinner). Carlos arrived hungry so we split a Tony’s Frozen Pizza – the bottom rung of frozen pizza.
Thursday Dinner: I cooked up some Stove Top Stuffing, adding cut up sausage. It’s one of my favorite quick meals. (Carlos is off at his parent’s house tonight.)
Friday Dinner: I had four Coors Lights and a bowl of Cookie Crisp cereal.
Damn, I eat like shit. It never bothered me until a full week’s worth of dinners was laid out in front of me.
I think I would be much more motivated to eat better – and to cook more elaborate meals – if I weren’t cooking for just one. Carlos comes over the majority of the nights, but usually after dinner.
I’ll revisit this subject in a couple of months. We’ll see what I can change in the meantime.
Uh, Bon Appétit?
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Cooking Challenge - Week Seven and Week Eight
Carlos predicted that I could host our Cooking Challenge until December. I made it until the end of September.
For now at least, I am burnt out on the idea. We will definitely revisit it in the future. Both Carlos and my dad have requested that we continue - in some frequency, if not once a week.
Week Seven was a greatest hits package: Carlos made his Cabrese Salad, while I revisited a Pasta with Shrimp and Sun Dried Tomatoes dish that I've made in the past for our monthly family dinners. (The first Monday of each month, my mom, dad, sister Christine, her girlfriend Karlie, Carlos and I get together for dinner, rotating houses.)
We had our friends over - the same crowd as Week Six minus Jason K. plus Debbie and Bart.
----------------
I could tell that Week Eight was going to be the last week for awhile when I decided to serve Jambalaya - from a box of Zatarain's mix instead of from scratch. Carlos served a simple salad of baby spinach, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, nuts, and cranberries. Odd sounding but very tasty.
Jason S. brought the same delicious bread he had brought before. Debbie brought a dessert. Julie brought a huge home-made cake! We only ate about 1/4 of it Wednesday night. Carlos and I are still working our way through it.
Jason K. and Bart were unable to attend.
The last addition was my mom. (I invited my dad too, but he was out of town.) As Carlos describes her, "She's a character." I'll do a separate post one day soon with some stories about her.
----------------
The Cooking Challenge nights are on pause for now. We hope to start them up again, maybe in January.
I still want to tackle French and German food. I'd like to have my dad attend one of these. I'd like to have Christine and Karlie in the mix with our friends.
Until then, Bon Appétit!
For now at least, I am burnt out on the idea. We will definitely revisit it in the future. Both Carlos and my dad have requested that we continue - in some frequency, if not once a week.
Week Seven was a greatest hits package: Carlos made his Cabrese Salad, while I revisited a Pasta with Shrimp and Sun Dried Tomatoes dish that I've made in the past for our monthly family dinners. (The first Monday of each month, my mom, dad, sister Christine, her girlfriend Karlie, Carlos and I get together for dinner, rotating houses.)
We had our friends over - the same crowd as Week Six minus Jason K. plus Debbie and Bart.
----------------
I could tell that Week Eight was going to be the last week for awhile when I decided to serve Jambalaya - from a box of Zatarain's mix instead of from scratch. Carlos served a simple salad of baby spinach, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, nuts, and cranberries. Odd sounding but very tasty.
Jason S. brought the same delicious bread he had brought before. Debbie brought a dessert. Julie brought a huge home-made cake! We only ate about 1/4 of it Wednesday night. Carlos and I are still working our way through it.
Jason K. and Bart were unable to attend.
The last addition was my mom. (I invited my dad too, but he was out of town.) As Carlos describes her, "She's a character." I'll do a separate post one day soon with some stories about her.
----------------
The Cooking Challenge nights are on pause for now. We hope to start them up again, maybe in January.
I still want to tackle French and German food. I'd like to have my dad attend one of these. I'd like to have Christine and Karlie in the mix with our friends.
Until then, Bon Appétit!
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