So how many blogs do you read?

For those of you who have migrated to the other blog site with "The Wall" and to those of you who remain loyal to the literary content of Xanga I wish to offer a professional "heads up."  

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend a presentation and Q&A session with Michael Dell in Oklahoma City.   For those of you who have not looked at Dell as an organization, permit to encourage you to inest the time for a serious review.  I am hard to impress, but Dell has managed to puch all of my "wow" buttons.   In 22 years Michael has taken a dorm room start-up with only $1000 in cash to a global organization with over 76,000 employees worldwide.  Last year Dell had revenues of more than $56B.   To reach the "B" level in the business world on an annual basis is quite an achievement.  Think of it, last year, Dells revenue in one year has exceeded the cumulative gross revenues of most nations over many decades. 

From a professional perspective in the I.T. and I.S. realm, I have been consistently impressed with the quality and performance of their products. 

OK, so why the lengthy commercial?  As you know, my role at ORU is to help connect graduates with career opportunities.  The reason we attended an event with Dell was to celebrate the opening of thier new National Customer Service Center in Oklahoma City.  Michael announced he need to hire 1800 employees and they are looking to new college graduates to fill these positions.   This is an awesome opportunity to start a great career with a solid organization.   Incidentally, we learned at the Q&A meeting, Dell is not only open to hiring international students (OPT), but given their global expansion and phenominal growth around the world, hiring from other cultures is an established component of their cororate culture. 

So how do you get your foot in the door?   Dell has a JOB FAIR scheduled for Saturday, April 8th in OKC from 10:00 to 4:00.   Take a resume, be prepared to interview, and make sure the HR people know you learned of the opportunity through ORU.

The Dell facility is located at 3501 SW 15th Street, OKC.   If you don't have time for a MapQuest:   Take Hwy 44 from Tulsa to OKC, (remember cash for the turnpike), in OKC take the Northwest Expressway (44W) until you reach the I-40 (West) loop to Amarillo.  Immediately after exiting on I-40 take the Meridian exit.  Go south (left) on Meridian until you come to SW 15th St.  It is less than 1 mile.  Turn left on SW 15th, proceed east for about 1 mile and you will see the DELL dacility on the left (north) side of the street.  I would say, "only a caveman" could miss it, but that kind of comment got Geico in trouble.   :)

If you come to our office saying, "I need a job" the first thing I am going to ask you is, "did you attend the Dell Job Fair?"  

OK, "Nuff Said!"

HTOITA †

StrategicWoo

a/k/a jayefbee

Welcome to Philosophy Night.  At times I find myself pondering the most unusual questions for no particular reason.  Tonight, in making a blog entry I decided to present a few questions to the world just to see what turns up.  Please note that should an extensive series of posts and comments follow these initial questions and result in the solution to a major quandary of life, I hereby claim all rights, title, and interest to any resulting commercial proceeds.  Of course, my intentions are completely philanthropic and a substantial portion of all subsequent earnings will go toward humanitarian purposes worthy of your participatory efforts.  For example, a research grant to determine if a Triple Stuff Oreo would exceed the potential level of enjoyment presented by a Double Stuff Oreo.

Without further delay:

Question One:  If there were no Heaven or Hell and the value of our lives were only measured during the course of our physical lifespan would you improve the quality of your life or would you live completed devoted to self-gratification?   A follow-up to that would be, what would be the greatest change you would make in your life if this were the case?

Question Two:  Have you ever considered how things would be different if certain defining moments in history were altered?  Would everything change, like the ripples upon the surface of a pond or do you believe the outcomes and eventualities would still result?   For example:  If Japan had not attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, and the U.S. never entered World War II; a treaty eventually struck between the Atlas and Europe; what would our world be like today?  If Rosy Riveter never needed to work in the factory and subsequently not entered the workforce in the 50's, would our society be different?  What about our economy? 

Question Three:  If you maintained a certain theological uncertainty regarding a question that you simply did not have the answer to and later learned that it was VERY important to God, what would that question be?  For example:  What of God REALLY were to hold us accountable for working on the Sabbath, would we change how we view this day? 

Question Four:  If you could be granted any single desire or series of desires involving your life but those desires cost you 10 years of life, would you be willing to trade?  If so, for what and how many of these desires would be willing to exchange?  For example:  If you could have turned back the clock of time and selected a different profession, such as an MD, would that be worth a decade from your life? 

Question Five:  If our animals (pets) had cognitive abilities and could suddenly talk, what would they say about us?  

Well, that should be enough to get the ball rolling?

HTOITA

StrategicWoo  a/k/a jayefbee

I will try to be more balanced today.  There are just a few things that "push" my "rant & rave" buttons.  Admittedly, I am aware of them and am praying for the Lord to give me more strength to walk in self-control with respect to these areas, but it is a struggle at times.  The buttons include gross stupidity, especially in the realm of business or governance, inequity or unfairness (unequal standards), and ignorance.  Let me explain ignorance.  Ignorance involves not a level of IQ but taking a public stand on something but ignoring the facts of a subject and/or rejecting the logical correlation of those facts.

Those who know me commonly hear me refer to these things as "The McFly Syndrome."

But enough of that.  It is fall outside, the leaves are turning, there is a nip in the air and it won't be much longer until we see God's blessing of renewal in the form of snow covering the face of the hemisphere.   Yes, I confess.  I am a winter person. Pray for me...

John

I would like to pose a rhetorical yet highly sensitive and politically incorrect series of thoughts and questions that surfaced today.  While these thoughts are not earth shattering and carry no real redeeming social value or importance in the eternal scheme of things, writing them down for all to see provides a form of satisfaction by publicly venting.

Tonight, the several of the television news stations reported a major controversy regarding the outcry to change the names of many of our high school football teams simply because they relate to a specific ethnic heritage.

In my 46 years of observation, I have keenly observed that high school athletic programs have always sought to find a mascot or icon that symbolizes a fighting spirit, boldness, pride, heritage, and victory.  The fact that some schools have utilized the names Braves or Chiefs should be considered an honor and commentary for the original cultural spirit behind those names.

I myself am 1/8th Blackfoot Indian.  Yes, I said Indian not Native American.   Historically and Biblically, we all must recognize that it is likely the early inhabitants to the North American Continent traveled her through the Alaskan Land Bridge from northern Asia and were themselves foreigners to the Americas.  While the term Indian was an erroneous assumption of finding a sea route to India, it was simply an early term of ethnicity with no real value or measure except for family heritage.  (But enough history...)

When growing up, my Father (of mixed Irish & European descent) taught me to respect and admire the original Native American Culture and heritage passed down through my maternal Grandmother.

Since moving to Oklahoma, where all the "civilized tribes" find their nations, I have become fully disenchanted with where things have gone.  As a culture, "we" (those of "native" descent) have become determined that the only way to survive has been to segregate from society with an original form or racism against those who later settled from Europe.  I am also distressed that "our" primary contribution to society is in the form of vice.  Tobacco, Casino's, Bingo and a refusal to cooperate with the accepted government of these United States.  While it is most common to adopt and claim the paternal ethnicity, had the "native" heritage originated from my paternal ancestors, I now personally understand how and why many of Indian descent felt during the 1800's who sought asylum and the concealment of their ethnicity and heritage.  Then for reasons of discrimination, now for shame.

On my paternal side of the family, some of my Father's fathers were immigrants to the United States from Ireland and treated just as poorly as nearly any immigrating people to this nation.  The only realm where Irish immigrants were treated differently was as a direct result of the language.  When new cultures immigrate, often a language barrier serves as the primary impediment for the ease of societal integration and subsequent economic prosperity or poverty.  Further, those of Irish descent on the paternal side of my family tree were Non-Catholics.  This itself opened the door for discrimination and extensive personal suffering.  In fact, my generation (my siblings and I) were the first to completely forsake the family occupation of farming.  I myself was the first in our immediate family to secure a college degree.  To this day, none of my first cousins, nor my immediate family have joined me in these educational pursuits.  Where I travel as a believer is new territory for our family.

I shared these facts to say, that in spite of all the generational curses and economic adversity passed to me by my father, the concept of seeking reparations for the sins of those who repressed my ancestors is illogical and ridiculous.  At what point in time do we say, "the past is past?"  Even the scripture provides a limitation to only the second and third generation with respect to the consequences of sin. 

I am not responsible for the sins of my great-grandfather nor do I hold anyone accountable to me for wrongs and suffering imposed upon my family before me. Were even.  Forgiveness brings blessings. Let go of the past, stop feeling entitled to the essentials of life, and stop looking for ways to further separate each other because of our family background.  There is absolutely NOTHING we can do about who are parents and grandparents were. 

(P.S. Seeing people drive around with Indian vehicle tags on their cars who likely have fewer "native" genes than I, has the same internal effect upon my emotions that result from seeing a perfectly healthy, able-bodied individual utilize the "handicap" sign in their vehicle only as a means for securing prime parking spaces.  If you are not truly disabled, leave the space for the elderly and those who really could use the spaces.  As for the tags, if you have been to a Pow Wow and speak an original Indian dialect, feel free to buy the tags if you qualify.  But if your only exposure to the "native" culture results from having driven through Indiana or consumed fry bread at the State Fair, may I suggest you purchase tags like the rest of us.)

So, I have said (wrote) what was on my mind and I can now focus my thoughts toward a lighter subject like: New Orleans, Rebuild, Relocate or Relinquish?  Your thoughts?

That is all...

StrategicWoo

Ahhh serenity...!  Four weeks and 662 students later.  Time for some relaxed writing, reflection, and rambling.  For those who felt rushed for the ePortfolio lab assignments, my apologies!  The most important thing for me was that everyone has the opportunity to truly spend time with the Holy Spirit and begin considering paths, directions, and the future.  It all happens sooo... fast.  It seems like only a short while ago I was just starting out in life and would have been satisfied if my ministry involved taking a backpack and a simply walking across the U.S. witnessing to lost souls about Jesus.  In fact, when I started my ministry I traveled in a 1975 Chevy Luv Pick-up with a topper on the back and pulling a homemade trailer with all I owned in the world "in-tow."   My first stop in Tulsa was at the KOA campground in Catoosa!  Wow - bad images there.  Have you ever looked at the public restrooms in a KOA Campground?  I have seen less mold in EMR.  

But enough about work....

Have any of you considered the current level of conflict we are facing as a nation?  I am more convinced every day, what we are seeing with our natural eyes is a mere reflection of what we cannot see happening without spiritual eyes.  I am not one to attribute tragedy, disaster, and evil to God in any way, but I wonder if we haven't moved as a nation out from beneath the shadow of the Almighty.  Perhaps our lack of support to Israel in the Gaza Strip was another turning point for as nationally.  Pray for Godly voices to gain the ear and heart of our President.  (I mean the Commander In Chief, not "P-Rob.")  By the way, I don't know who came up with that term, but it is kind-of-catchy.  Is he aware of this term?  Typically, CEO's like these kind of terms if they are meant with endearment.  At church I have been calling our pastor (John) "PJ"   Thankfully, there is not a "B" in there - that would take on a whole new meaning.     (A PBJ would be pretty good right about now.)  For those who are working on academic assignments, know that these same afflictions are accomplished among your brethren!   When in Rome - hopefully when I manage to get a "D" included with my academic credentials (as in doctorate) there will not be a new layer to secure.  (We all run screaming into the forest!)

Next question:  Is anyone up for a sociological experiment if it has a good purpose or cause?  We all have read about Web-events.  I would like to propose the following experiment:

I mentioned to Theresa (in the Deli) the idea of getting one of those Hot-Dog and sausage broilers for the lunch hour.  I don't know about you but a reasonably priced hot dog on occasion would provide a quick solution to a time crisis when the lunch hour has passed me by without the opportunity to eat.  So the idea is, on TUESDAY of this week, everyone ask Theresa about a Hot-Dog broiler.  Also, share the idea with at least two friends.  I am interested to know just how far reaching Xanga is within the University.

If this works out, we may have the potential of developing a new form of change agency...   This is a highly technical term for the Tag Office when the break a dollar.  Just thought I would share that for Non-business students. 

Could you imagine what it would be like if each week there were a Xanga cause.  For example, give "Miss Pansy a hug week."  Everyone knows her and everyone loves her.  Perhaps it will be Feed the Squirrels week, or Everyone wish Jeremy Burton a Happy Birthday (when it's not his birthday.)  ::::::: My wheels are turning already::::::

OK, everyone that's "IN" to this little experiment, wake up your roommate and say, "I AM IN!"   

Of course he or she will not know what "IN" means so it will give you a secret!  Refuse to share it unless they have a Xanga user account.

By the way, this is not a Xanga Chain letter, nothing bad will happen to you if you refuse to participate in this little experiment.  For those over-achievers, this is not a multi-level promotional program and you will NOT become any form of Diamond by getting 5 people to agree to be "IN." 

This is also not an assignment and should not in any way be confused with ePortfolio.  There will however be a test.  We will all pass if the Hot Dog broiler shows up by the end of the month!   If this works, I will change my name to Yoda! 

Enough for now....

JB

a/k/a StrategicWoo

HTOITA†