Aboout Ryan
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- © 2003-2007 Ryan D Cordell
I'm in the process of making a year in review slide show to be shown later this week. Besides the fact that some of the photos have gone missing, all is going as usual. Everytime I try to put one of these together, I reach the quagmire of selecting music to go with the show. As I listen to my CDs I feel like I'm almost auditioning them for the covetted three or four spots to compliment the slide show. Some artists do not even get a time slot in the CD player, as I know that David Hasselhof, Buckman and Garcia, or "Weird Al" Yankovic just would not be appropriate. But that doesn't cut down the selection process down too much.
After working with kids for so long, I've come to the conclusion that some kids are just spoiled. Their parents have done everything for them, bought them what they wanted, and forced the school to get them into the clubs they need to be to pad their college applications. But if you are a parent of one of these spoiled kids, there is one thing that your kid does need you to provide for them. And those parents out there who have brought your kid up in a proper environment, don't think you don't have to check out this link. See every kid needs the tools to survive in the fierce world that they will soon face. How as a parent are you going to guarantee that they have the know how and training to be a success? As I see it, this might be the only good option you have. So go check out how you too can get your kid (or niece or nephew - for concern aunts and uncles) a bully of their own.
Well folks, if you haven't heard yet, I have been named a free agency missionary and can seek other opportunities in misisons around the world. After six years of devotion to the school I work at, it has been made clear to me that there are some in leadership here have expressed in poorly chosen words that I am not appreaciated here.
I wanted to share with everyone what was read about me at the Staff Appreciation Dinner the other night. I share them mostly so my momma and my supporters can see what was said. I don't really like getting praise, as I'm just doing a job that needs to be done, with the work ethic that was taught to me by my parental units.
Wow, there is a lady who gave birth to her 15th kid, and she herself is 38. The amazing thing is not that she has had that many kids, or that she was named "Arkansas' Young Mother of the Year" this year. No the amazing thing is she and her husband are responsible for a large portion of the population of their hometown. I know, as I used to drive through Tontitown many times during my college days. And believe me, it took about forty five seconds to drive through that town. Although if you are in that area, you must eat at Mary Maesti's for some darn fine Italian food. And if you are in that area, turn your radio to 101.1 KLRC, the first radio station I worked at.
The other night, a friend of mine offered me four tickets to see Gordon Sumner in concert. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to catch a concert, especially free, I took the tickets and three students to Zurich to catch the show. As concerts go, this was one of the better I've seen in a while. The lighting and graphics behind the band were stellar. And as expected the band was composed of great artists from across the globe. The only down side to the show was the opening act, who was a great piano player, but came across a bit bitter, not to mention attempting a song in German in front of a mostly German speaking audience.
Today I sent out some email from my newest account. Within minutes two students were in my office asking me about my email. Later a few more came and wanted to know about my email account. Now call me crazy, but email is email, right? In fact I have over eight different email accounts that I check on some regular basis (3 at bfacademy.com, 2 at yahoo.com, 3 at ryancordell.com, and this new one). But then again, if you start comparing them, there are some differences. The ryancordell.com have more space, but have pop up ads (which can be fixed), the yahoo is old school, but limited space, and the bfacademy.com address will soon be revoked. So I guess this new one is pretty decent, it has a fair amount of space, the ads are pretty harmless and not annoying, and the feature that sold me was that it can go for many months (nine I think) with out having to be checked. Most email accounts are deleted if they are not active after a month or so.
I've spent a little time in the last week doing some behind the scenes work on this blog to make your experience here the best that it can be.
Last night I saw Handsome Hank and his Lonesome Boys and Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle in Basel. I wasn't too sure what I was getting myself into, but Handsome Hank came quite recommended by a friend of mine. I was a little concerned when before the doors opened, I was surrounded by a weird mix of Emo kids, a few European dressed like cowboys, and a few metal fans. All in all, it was actually a pretty decent show, although I was a bit more impressed with Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle. Not to say that I didn't enjoy the bluegrass renditions of Daddy Cool and Paradice City.
It has come to my attention that it is a requirement and civic duty as a German resident to include a link to one of Germany's favorite artists somewhere on my blog. Just doing my part. Ooga chucka, ooga chucka.
For those of you who have followed this little blog, you know I've been taking part in a little thing called Blogger Idol. For those new, it is a little thing where every two weeks a topic is tossed out and a community of bloggers post something based on that topic. Well, I missed the last one, so I decided that I better get back up to the plate before I miss a whole month of this. The theme this week is "HOME."
Hey kids, as part of my creative and outside the box thinking here at BFA, I've decided to do an online auction to raise a few bucks, as well as a little awareness. So, if you are so inclined, go and check out the items we have for sale. And if you have an eBay sellers account, and have some junk laying around, feel free to "sell on behalf of this nonprofit." That way, I'm not the only one tossing things out there for the world to bid on.
As many of you might know, I am a bit of a music fan. Call it a product of growing up in the Eighties, call it a misguided youth allowance spent on the new technology of CDs, or just call it a fascination with a powerful medium. Either way, one of the things I like about music is the way it can bring people together for a cause. We all loved
This is post number 200 for me on Blogger. You would think I would say more in this monumental post. Oh well.
Well, I've done some searching, and found that part of my problem with comments was my stupidity. I did actually load another blogging tool, and even loaded it to my site, but due to all the work it would take to switch all the blogs over, change many links and stuff, I decided to stick with Blogger. But while I was doing some searching I found this very cool Risk template. If you need a new look to your site, might I suggest checking out Migraine Designs. I dedicate this look to Dan, a friend who I spent many days and nights discussing the great issues of life over a risk board.
Well the other day Blogger changed some stuff around in a way to be fresh and exciting. Well, they have messed up some stuff, and are about to lose a user. See my comment system is not working with their new programs. Sure I could use their comment system, but then anyone who would want to comment would have to go through two pages and a registry system. And I care about you the reader, and don't want to do that to you.
I'm sorry, but when I read stuff like this, I have to shudder, and hope that it is just a few nut cases out there. I was going to write a response, but as it is late, I figure I should just show you someone with an intellegent approach to the whole thing.
Well, I'm helping out in the dorm this weekend. It is always an enjoyable time, plus lots of cheap entertainment. Imagine, if you will, thirty high school aged guys living in one building, and you will get an idea as why this place can be a load of fun.
Ok, there is no real connection between any of the following thoughts, just thought I would share.
Well, I just got back from a little trip to Freiburg where I saw Fools Garden perform an unplugged show at the Isle of Innisfree. I went on a whim, as I liked their song "Lemon Tree," but man was I surprised. These guys did a great job and had the whole crowd singing along. And not only did they do a lot of their own songs, they did covers of some personal favorites including "Angels," and "Weather With You." One could tell these guys enjoy what they do, and they do it well. If you get the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it.
Alright, tonight as a treat I present links to two different short videos for you to check out. The first video is a 30 second reenactment of The Shining, one of the most frightening films I've ever seen. Don't worry, this version is not that scary, as it is acted out by cute little bunnies.
Here is a very cool idea. Some grad students have taken a game many of us loved as a kid and adapted it for the real world. In guess this means games have come full circle, as the first video game, Pong began by mimicking ping pong or tennis. But think of the fun this concept could generate, not to mention the chance to get all those couch potato kids outside and moving around.
I was reading this article, and think I've found my new gig. This guy gets paid $1000 tell you what music you should listen to, fill your iPod, and basically make you audibly cool. So I'm thinking I could do that for a whole lot less. So if there is anyone out there who has some extra coins to spare, and is still listening to the Backstreet Boys or NSYNC, I will gladly help transform your musical collection into one respected by friends and family alike. Give me a call or drop me an email.
