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  • New Samsung Epic 4G Phone for Sprint

    Current mood:tired

    Samsung EPIC 4G

    Sprint's getting another 4G phone that does HD video!

    The quick and dirty...

    operating system - Android 2.1 (Samsung custom)
    screen size - 4" SUPER AMOLED
    camera - 5 megapixels, 720p recording with VGA cam on front (like iPhone 4)
    keyboard - slide out keyboard for those who prefer buttons
    speed - up to 10 mbps in theory
    wi-fi - 802.11b/g/n


    Should you buy?

    No, stick with the Evo 4G if you're on Sprint for the bigger screen. Samsung phones are good, but I don't see any reason to buy this phone over the Evo unless you have an affection for AMOLED screens, which is understandable.

    Phone suggestions by network:

    Sprint - HTC Evo 4G
    AT&T - Apple iPhone 4
    Verizon - Droid X (coming July 15)
    T-Mobile - MyTouch 3G Slide

    The other guys...

    MetroPCS - Samsung Caliber
    Boost Mobile - Motorola i1
    Net10 - Samsung R355C
    ..


    4:15 AM

  • Crucial Conversation

    Making it happen...

    People spout off the exhausted line “I'll get around to it” superabundantly. This phrase indicates a lack of motivation, purpose, and deadline. Procrastinators utilize the saying for homework, projects, weight loss, self improvement, goals and all sorts of things. Perhaps, the use of this one-liner could be forgivable if it was used sparingly and only for truly negligible tasks. However, dilly-dalliers all over have adopted some version of “I'll get around to it” for authentically paramount issues in their lives. I attest that the application of insouciant attitudes in regards to critical matters can have a detrimental affect on the fulfillment of life goals.

    Thomas Jefferson once said, “Never put off tomorrow what you can do today.” The quote demonstrates life learned wisdom and applies to everyone still living today. Why does Jefferson's remark still have relevance? Well, procrastination did not appear during our lifetime. It didn't result from the creation of modern technological distractions (i.e. social networking websites, video games, smart phones). On the contrary, idling existed in the earliest of times. Variations of the proverb, “Idle hands are the work of the devil,” have been around for centuries. The correlation between the 'devil' and procrastination conceptualizes the harm that habitual stragglers often cause themselves by avoiding responsibility. The  proverb proves its modern applicability when considering the umpteen diversions that consume the twentieth first centurion's consciousness. However, the increased distractions themselves don't hold the blame. The individual who allows him/herself to be led astray is at fault, for no one can blame others for their own actions. Fault, however, is not the topic of this discussion. Desire, responsibility, accountability, planning, and action are what bring me here today. A combination of these qualities and actions is the proven formula that leads to success.

    If you find yourself contemplating “Why am I doing this?” often, then maybe it's about time you answered that question. Why are you in college? Why are you in that relationship? Why are you following this career path? If the answers to these questions are unclear or come from a sense of obligation to someone else, then maybe it's time to consider making a change. The purpose of this exercise is to find out if the reason for avoiding work is seeded in indifference, disinterest, or actual dislike of the tasks you're required to do. If that's the case, I suggest changing something quick! Apathy towards life leads to the unraveling  of everything you hold dear and tips you over the edge into depression until you get excited about life again. Believe me, I've been down that road. It's dark, rainy, and hard to find your way back to the light that made life worth living.

    If you've found your true desire/passion in life, congratulations! It's often hard to find because it gets buried under family/societal obligation, external pressures, lack of support, and missed opportunity. Only when you light the fire of passion does the pathway of life become clear. Frequently, irresponsibility and inaction become things of the past. Why? It results from actually wanting to do the tasks you previously avoided. Obviously, not everyone is as 'responsible' or as much of a 'go-getter' as some. Nevertheless, you must 'up your game' to win. Common sense says, “In order to change your life, you must change yourself.” Don't let idleness consume you. Remind yourself of what you love, or find it for the first time. If you don't, you will probably spend your time circumventing the real issues that absolutely need to be addressed. Have that crucial conversation with yourself that poses the question “What am I doing here?” or more importantly, “What am I not doing, that I should?”
    8:07 PM

  • Full Spectrum - SMU Specific

    SMU’s reputation for having little to no diversity is beyond annoying. Maybe SMU does have a bad score on being accepting and inclusive to all people. That fact doesn’t mean SMU can’t change or that it isn’t changing now. So many people write off our school as being elitist, racist, homophobic and spoiled. Yeah, that pretty much sums us up, not. General statements like these damage our school’s unity and halt the air of hope for future betterment on these matters. What good does denying the diversity that actually does exist on this campus do? It does us no good; it reinforces the SMU stereotype; and it perpetuates the problem. The lack of diversity might just be a blind eye that many people have to the diversity that is here on campus. There are a handful of diverse organizations that many students have never even heard of. However, just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or make a difference on campus.

    To get you in the loop, I’m going to tell you about one of those often overlooked organizations, Spectrum (which I happen to be the co-President of). If you have never heard of this organization, keep reading because you’re missing out. To help you get a better idea of this student group, I’m going to answer some frequently asked questions about Spectrum. I hope you enjoy and learn a thing or two.

    What is Spectrum? Is that like the rainbow?

    Spectrum is SMU’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) organization on campus. The name Spectrum is used for a number of reasons. First of all, Spectrum is defined as a ‘broad range’ of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities. So, the name is meant to be inclusive of all people whether they belong to the LGBT community or not. It’s also popular to refer to Spectrum as an LGBTQQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allies) organization. Secondly, Spectrum does make reference to the Pride Flag aka Rainbow Flag.

    Where do you meet? Can anyone go?

    Spectrum meets in the Women’s Center every Thursday from 5:30 to around 6:30 p.m. The Women’s Center is located on the third floor of Hughes-Trigg right next to The Daily Campus offices. Any and everyone is welcome to attend our meetings.

    What do you do?

    Our primary goal is to create an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can speak openly about their concerns and help partake in the stand for equality among the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. We also host events on campus that anyone can attend. You can visit: people.smu.edu/spectrum to see a full list of our upcoming events for 2009.

    Will people think I’m gay or lesbian just because I go to the meetings?

    No. We have many straight allies that are active in the organization. There is no ‘typical’ Spectrum member. You can expect to be accepted no matter what your identity.

    I don’t want people to know I’m involved with Spectrum. Is that OK?

    Of course it is. There are a number of reasons why people want to keep their involvement with Spectrum confidential. Your reasons are your own. Just let our advisor know if you don’t want anyone outside of the organization to know about your involvement. We’ll make sure that all Spectrum publications and communications (website, newsletter, e-mails) exclude your name and image.

    Why do LGBT people have organizations? There’s no ‘straight’ organization?

    LGBT organizations exist to protect the interest of an often marginalized and oppressed group of people. LGBT people are still beaten up, fired from their jobs, kicked out of their homes, and killed for being who they are. It’s often argued that the world at large is the ‘straight’ organization.

    Why should I join Spectrum?

    It’s up to you whether you should join or not. It’s not for everyone, but we have something for everyone. The best way to gauge whether you would like to become a member or not, is by sitting in on one of our meetings.

    Is there a membership fee?

    There are no membership fees to join Spectrum. The only thing you might spend money on is buying a Spectrum T-shirt or other Spectrum branded item.

    I would like to end my column this week with some quotes that might make you think about how society treats homosexuality.

    When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.  ~Epitaph of Leonard P. Matlovich

    Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?  ~Ernest Gaines

    No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love.  The only queer people are those who don't love anybody.  ~Rita Mae Brown

    War.  Rape.  Murder.  Poverty.  Equal rights for gays.  Guess which one the Southern Baptist Convention is protesting?  ~The Value of Families

    If you have any other questions about Spectrum or anything, please e-mail me or twitter me at twitter.com/bpax.



    4:58 AM

  • Rude-o-Meter

    We all have a fuse. How long is yours?

    I’d say most human beings are thinkers. Maybe not everyone thinks deeply, but they probably do question or analyze the experiences they have on this planet. There are so many thoughts that run through our heads that we never verbalize. I have a particular interest in human interaction that I think about a lot, but rarely speak up about. One particular aspect of human interaction that has bee on my mind lately is rudeness. That is the topic of my article today.

    A wise man might say that there is never an occasion to be rude, because it solves nothing. He’d probably be right. Despite this fact, people are rude. Not everyone and not all the time. Unfortunately, it happens. So, what does someone do when they have been treated rudely? Do they quickly forget about it and move on? Do they speak up and call the other person out?

    There’s no easy answer as to ‘how to act when someone’s rude.’ We all have a buffer zone of acceptability. Certain levels of rudeness incite certain actions or inactions. For kicks, I have made a model of rudeness that seems to be my natural way of categorizing how rude someone can be. Not to worry! It’s not an obsession, I just think entirely too much. I hope you find it interesting.

    Please note: Each level is based on the perceiver’s perception, so it is subjective and not scientific.

    Level 1 - Mild Irritation: This is when someone says or does something that is inappropriate, but immediately forgivable. These commonly consist of evaluative statements/questions about personal appearance. Thoughts that run through the receivers head might include, “This person just doesn’t know that’ rude,” or “Okay, this person is just weird.” Example: “You look like you just rolled out of bed this morning.”

    Level 2 – Hurt Feelings: This usually occurs when someone is behaving outside the lines of obvious acceptable behavior. Usually, it’s comes from a derogatory statement about someone’s identity or life choices. On this level, the perpetrator is almost definitely aware that s/he has been rude. The victim may roll their eyes or attempt to end the conversation quickly without “calling the perpetrator out” on their actions. Example: “You and your boyfriend aren’t exactly made for each other.”
     
     Level 3 – Fight or Flight: These statements are either attacks or completely uncalled for. They are meant to be hateful, hurtful, or degrading. Nothing productive comes from these statements. The victim may chose to stay and figure out what just happened (fight) or immediately walk away (flight). Example: “What do you know about dating; you’re fat,” or “I didn’t invite you to go out to eat because I know you’re poor.” A particularly smart person might calmly let the perpetrator know that their statement/actions were rude. Many people, however, may retaliate with an attack or leave hot headed. This level transcends the realm of rude and becomes the beginning of a fight or even the creation of an ‘enemy.’

    Sadly, some of these conversations are unavoidable. The best thing to do is ‘act’ and not ‘react.’ Anger is an emotion that harms the person feeling it more than anyone else. Although feeling is a wonderful gift, in these situations you might want to use your head more than your heart. My experiences have taught me one thing: the longer your fuse, (or tolerance for rudeness) the better off you’ll be. Avoid the rude people in your life, and choose to happy no matter what.

    Here are some famous quotes about anger that we could all learn from.

    “A man is about as big as the things that make him angry” – Winston Churchill

    “When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear.” – Mark Twain

    “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
    “Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.” – Dr. Laurence Peter

    “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha

    “Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.” – Benjamin Franklin

    “When anger rises, think of the consequences.” – Confucius

    If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please tweet me at twitter.com/bpax.
     
    4:56 AM
    • Post a comment...
      • Ruth Tiller

        well written brent!....your articles simulate my mind.....;D

        4 years ago

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