The Ol' Fart Is Gettin' His Edumacation At The University of Phoenix

I continue on at the University of Phoenix. We just finished up PSY/211. Like they say it is all "pissalogical". I am not much of a fan of therapy, psychoanalysis and trying to figure out why I am the way I am. Like Popeye says: I ams whos I ams". In my opinion Freud was a nut case fixated on sexual deviations. I bet the guy did it with his clothes on and called out for his mama when he got excited. Well that is my opinion but I am stickin' to it.

What I went away with from this class was increased knowledge of how to create power point presentations. I am gettin' pretty tricky with this medium. My power points now include animation, transitions, audio and soon to include video. Hey you say big deal. Well when you are 61 and have never been exposed to the creation of a power point it is a big deal. Besides my degree is in Internet Information, Multi Media and Visual Communications. So there. I don't know what the hell I going to do with my degree perhaps I will teach other ol' farts how to make power point presentations.

I and what is left of my classmates all got through the class. I am sure that I will continue with my 3.87 GPA average. This group of folk have been dwindling down. I think that we have lost four pupils here this last week for various reasons. With the University of Phoenix and their system you can only miss one class in a five week period.  If you miss more than that you are automatically dropped. I mean it is twenty hours out of a month so unless you are on your deathbed there are not to many valid excuses.

I have in past posts talked about my learning team. Learning Team E. The team was (the key word is was) comprised of four individuals. The team had to give one member the "boot" this last class. It was unfortunate but when the team depends on each other for a grade then all peoples must communicate and participate unless the rest of the team is notified so we can make adjustments. So that was a stressful situation but it had to be done. I will say that the team handled it in a very professional manner.

This class was enjoyable with a informed, engaging instructor. Ms. Lebens, is just a wisp of gal, from Scandahovian heritage, and a Minny Sota accent. Yah Hey. Kinda cute too. But at 61 (me not her) they all are kinda cute in their own way. 

I move on to a composition class where the final is going to be an essay. I think I might just give the teach a link to this blog and say "there ya go sweetie" (yes another female instructor). I don't call them sweetie in class.

Thanks for reading my rambliings........Solidarity to those workers in Wisconsin

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails

Duane

The Ol' Farts Gettin' His Edumacation The Learning Team Experience Part 2

Well some of you have surmised that at 61 years of age I went back to college. I say went back or I should say started college because I never went to college in the first place. By the time that I had graduated from Coquille High (Coquille, Oregon) in 1967 I was a licensed journeyman meat cutter. Having entered into the Meat Cutters Union when I was a junior and completed the two year apprentice shortly after I had graduated. Back in 1967, in our country, you could leave high school and go to work making a fairly decent wage. If I remember correctly gasoline was 25 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread was 30 cents or less (can you believe how much bread costs today) and ground beef was 39 cents a pound. Things have certainly changed, and not necessarily for the better, in our country today. So I had no intention to go to college which in today's economy it may have not made much of a difference anyway. There are college graduates with Masters Degrees that are unemployed today.

So with that being said I am now enrolled at the University of Phoenix here in Albuquerque. If you are unaware of the UoP's format we attend class once a week for four hours and each course is for five weeks. Students at the UoP go all year round with a two week break during the holidays. With that format you can obtain your bachelor's degree in 3 1/2 years instead of the normal four years at a regular University. This requires you to do most all of your assignments and homework on-line. You are also assigned a "team" that you do team assignments with. The UoP is trying to get future corporate workers to be able to assimilate into the work force and the corporate team concept. At 61 years of age I really buy into that program.....not. This takes me to my team. Learning Team "E".

Learning Team E (the E is supposed to stand for Excellence) is comprised of an unemployed bank manager,  an Iraqi Vet struggling with severe PTSD,  a widowed mother of two grade school kids and me a crusty ol' fart that demands excellence. So three guys and a gal. All learning teams at the UoP are required to submit a team charter. Team E's charter is comprehensive including language that identifies the responsibilities of each member of the team to the other members. The UoP is attempting, here again, to assimilate future corporate employees into the realm of the corporate world by requiring them to come up with a charter. Well charters are all well and good but at this level of our academic careers as bought as worthless as "tits on a boar hog". You can encourage excellence, you can demand responsibility, and you can describe consequences if there is not compliance but if a team member does not want to follow the guidelines of the charter there really are not a lot of avenues to take to resolve any issues.

So with that being said I take you to last week (Jan. 26th - Feb 1st). The team was to make a team power point presentation on Tuesday evening on Feb. 1st. I guess I should tell you that the class is psychology/211. the presentation is to be based on Adult Social Development which I find interesting because of the events that transpired. My initial duties were to find an article in the UoP library (no books everything is PDF files on line) related to the subject that we were to present. The article I found was basically about the reciprocity of negative affects between parent and child and how that can affect the child's early adulthood (yawn). It is my opinion that Psychologists like to pin labels on individuals particularly children. We are extroverts, introverts, interpersonal, intrapersonal, popular, rejected......and all of the rest of the clinical terms that the so called experts like to pin on us. I guess it is a good thing otherwise the unemployment numbers would be higher. The team was going to use that information but illustrate how bad people can be raised in good families and how bad family situations can produce successful people. Everything is going well except that one team member has decided to go A.W.O.L. on us. There has been limited communication and input from this member and you must keep in mind that this is a "team effort" and graded accordingly. The class is on Tuesday evening and we finally get a email that the member in question will have her portion of the power point with her when she gets to class that evening. Just a little to late. So through an act of God we get a pass. The weather front that strangled a major portion of the United States hit New Mexico as well. In Albuquerque 3-4 inches of snow and some cold weather pretty much shuts the whole damn town down. So the Tuesday evening class was canceled and we did not have to make our presentation because of an act of God.

So I fast forward to Saturday February 5th, 2010 where we had a make-up class. Pretty cool of the University of Phoenix where those that did not attend the makeup class get the same credit as those that did. I wonder what brainyack thought that one up? In order to do this the proper way the three participating members of the team had a private conversation with our instructor. At this point, with the team, we are all pretty much done with this non-participating member. It is to bad that the situation had to come to this but there did not seem to be much choice in the matter.

So another saga in the on-going "Edumacation" of the ol' fart at the University of Phoenix. If there are any other "Phoenixers" out there that read this let me know what your experience's have been.

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails

What Was Goin' On In New Mexico In The 1970's

Or
 "Put Your Clothes Back On Ethel"

As many of you know I sell "stuff" on eBay. Well sometimes you run across some pretty unusual stuff. Before I go any further I must warn you that the pictures are of naked women. This is not pornography but pictures of a nude contest put on by, at that time, a local nudist club. So if you find such material offensive ya better turn away now.

I normally don't sell this type of merchandise but when I came across it I couldn't resist the social and historical value of the history of what was going on in the early 1970's. some of you may remember 'Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll". I vaguely remember...parts of it....and after looking at these "nekked girls" I remember some of those parts also...I still have my memories.

Any way a little background of the event that was held in Corrales, New Mexico. Corrales is a town just north of Albuquerque. Gathering from some brochures and souvenir programs that I acquired this contest was sponsored by the Yucca Naturist Club who claimed that "nudists were everyday people". sure they are they just don't have any clothes on. The organization also promoted that the contest was the "only nude beauty pageant in New Mexico". 

According to a brochure that was part of this collection the Yucca Naturist Club had their own camp ground located at Lava Lakes which was located near Algodones, New Mexico which is about 15 minuted north of Albuquerque. There is no lake at Lava Lakes but the camp was a former commercial trout farm and had several canals for the members to enjoy. This organization was a member of the "American Health Alliance and promoted a family atmosphere. I found interesting when reading the brochure was that the camp was rudimentary with few facilities but had space for travel trailers and camping. Short order meals were available and most importantly "cold showers" I am sure that like many nudists clubs throughout the U.S that the Yucca Naturists Club was a fine organization. I tried to research the club but was unsuccessful  and am unaware if they still exist today. Well enough with this babbling and on with the show.......

Miss Sunbather '71 Contest Official Souvenir Program

My cheap little camera does not the natural beauty of the flora and fawna of New Mexico very well but you get the idea. All of the photos are black and white. The young ladies on stage are all displaying their "assets" for the sake of the good. If you think about it I am sure that today that the ladies are all still very attractive but are more than likely Grandma's. Unless they have discovered the miracles of modern cosmetic surgery things have probably gotten a little less firm and some parts are probably not where they use to be. Damn gravity anyway.

This lovely specimen of gods handiwork (note the big hair popular in the '70's) is Heidemarie Rathke who was the 1970 beauty pageant winner. I did a little research on Heidemarie and discovered that she was a semi-finalist in the 1969 Miss World-USA contest. The information provided in the program also states that Heidemarie was a contestant in The Miss Nude Cosmos pageant held in San Bernardino, California in 1971. so ol" Heidiemarie liked to strut her stuff all over the place.

Calenders, Photos, Souvenir Programs

I acquired these items from an estate. The estate was from the gentleman was a professional photographer and a member of the naturists club. I was able to acquire several copies of the programs, several calendars promoting the pageant and several proof photos of some of the individual contestants. You can go into my eBay store AnuDirection and find listings of these items under category Collectibles Nude Photos

You must be 18 years old to view or have the permission of a parent to view these items. If you are not 18 or you are taking viagra or have a heart condition complications may "arise" from viewing these photos. I am not responsible for any undo slobbering, smacking of lips, or repeating the phrase "will you look at that". consult your medical physician or take a cold shower what ever is the least expensive.

I will have more photos to share with you in a future post. I have on of the adult film star Candy Samples that will "peak" your interest.

Thanks for reading my post and go into my eBay store and buy something.

Remember Valentines Day is jut around the corner and I have a bunch of nice gifts available for you Valentine at very reasonable prices.

Until We Meet Again

Happy Trails





New Arrivals To My eBay Store AnuDirection

New Arrivals to My eBay Store

I have just added a new section to my eBay store "Art Glass Decor". Here are just a few of the many selections

Just Out Of Reach Cat & Birdhouse Spun Glass Figurine

Eloquent Swooping Patriotic American Eagle Glass Figure

Elegant Art Deco Inspired Frosted Glass Flamingo Figure

Fascinating Fairy-Tale Glass Dragon Collectible Figure

Those are just a few of these glass collectibles that are available.

Go to my "on Sale" Page

You will find over 80 different items on sale

Thanks for looking at AnuDirection

Hello: Back From My Break or I Have Been Slackin' Off

Hello. I have been remiss in posting on my blog. In fact I didn't post anything in December and here it is January and this is my first one. Me Bad. I do hope that all had a fine Christmas and a happy new year. My wish for 2011 is that it will be better than 2010 which was pretty bad in a lot of ways. I had a break from my "Edumacation", over the holidays, but returned on January 4th to resume my "learin'" ways. I and my classmates are ending COM/170 in which we will have spent five weeks reviewing sentence structure, adverbs, adjectives, superlatives and so and so forth. The teacher is excellent the subject matter is borrrrrrrrrrring. The next class will be some kind of psychology course. Perhaps that may be of interest. I will see and keep you posted of transpiring events.
  During my down time I have been working diligently on my eBay store AnuDirection. You may want to check it out since I have added many new and exciting projects. The weather in Albuquerque has been very chilly so I have not been able to do any upholstery projects since my work area is unheated and I am getting to the age where I appreciate the creature comforts in life such as heat and being warm when I work.
  Some of you may watch and are entertained by the History Channel's "American Picker" program. The other day I had the opportunity to meet the "First American Picker" who is located right here in Albuquerque. The gentleman's name is Dale Groder and he has been "picking" well before ol' "Mutt and Jeff" ever came along. Dale always has some interesting items and so I have purchased a few items from him that I would like to share with you.



Western Union Resonator With Double Pivot Arm

The hood is attached to a double pivot cast iron arm which was manufactured by the D.C. White Company of Worchester, Mass. There is a patented date of August 1, 1911, stamped on one of the arms. On the inside of the hood is a remnant of a label which states "Railroads are vital to National Defense...Do your part....Keep them rolling. This is an interesting find and the resonator is in remarkable condition. I am pretty sure that it still works if installed correctly.

Antique Western Electric 160AR Oak Box Telephone Ringer

 This antique Western Electric telephone ringer, model 160AR, is equipped to accommodate two incoming lines. I researched this ringer and was not successful in finding any other information about it. The ringer comes equipped with  a "spark killer" "for use on a "fone carrier ckt". This information is on the schematic inside the lid.

Antique Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Oil Dispencing Can

 I was able to determine, on the bottom of the can, stamped "ToSF" So from my research that would indicate Topeka & Santa Fe RR.

Antique Atcheson Topeka & Santa Fe Handlan Coal Oil Can

Made by Handland of St. Louis Mo. USA. The can is stamped AT & SF on the bottom. This black screw top can would make a fine addition to anyone's collection.

These are just a few of the antiques that I purchased from "The First America Picker" I have some more for another post but I need to get them cleaned up first.

That's it for now. My news years resolution is to be more diligent in my postings to my blog.

Until then

Happy Trails

Duane

My University of Phoenix Experience or The Ol' Fart Just Shakes His Head

Hello all. I hope that, those of you, that celebrate Thanksgiving Day had a pleasant day. Those of you that don't celebrate Thanksgiving I hope that you had a pleasant day also. For the two of us, in this household, that have been battling crude that has been going around, it was a day of laying around, watching TV and trying to get better. I finally went to the store and purchased  a bottle of vodka to see if that could get rid of this crap that I have had. Nothing else seemed to be working.
   On Tuesday evening I and my classmates finished the last class of HUM/186. The evening was, to say the least, enlightening, interesting and really illustrated to me how ignorant that some of the "whipper snappers" that attend class with me are. Let me give you an illustration. The subject of art (not Carney) came up in our discussion. Two of the brainyacks piped up and commented on how the arts really didn't have any value in our society at all. They went on to comment on how if a "fagot pussy" came up with some art form and how this "fagot pussy" was a "fagot pussy" really didn't have any rhyme or reason to be on the face of the earth and how these "fagot pussy's" and their art was irrelevant in the whole scheme of things. I sure was glad that I was in college at the moment. I have told you before that the Ol' fart is 61 years old. I have been around the block a couple of times but can anyone tell me what a "fagot pussy" is? Now I know that a "fagot" is a derogatory remark about a gay man and a "pussy" is either a kitty cat or a vulgar slang term about a certain area of a woman's anatomy. So what the hell is a "fagot pussy? A homosexual male cat? A gay man that has had a sex change? See what you all are missing by not being a Phoenix. I get to pay for this edumacation. Fear not it gets better as the evening rolled on. The one idiot, that shall remain anonymous, shortly after he declared his disdain for the arts, homosexuals and women got up and walked to the door and proclaimed he was dropping out of the UoP. Well thank God for small favors. One less moron that I have to listen to.
  In retrospect I should have spoke up but I didn't. For one thing I was in a state of shock that the instructor did not say anything to these homophobes but he may have been in a state of disbelief also. The class is around twenty people and at least half are women and not a peep from any of them. I am constantly reminded that I am attending a class of albeit only twenty something "whipper snappers" but I do find the level of homophobic rhetoric and disregard for women quite amazing. But I must keep this in perspective that the class is only twenty people and we are in New Mexico.
  The other jaw dropper that evening was a classmate whom I refer to as "knowitall". I anointed this classmate with this tittle because he knows it all (just ask him) and it kinda rhymes with his name. His brilliant comment was the "flowers don't have any value in our society". WHAT, could you please repeat that remark? I am old and my hearing ain't what it used to be. So the asinine remark is repeated. I shake my head. My question to him was "do you like to breath? Do you ever eat honey, tomatoes or strawberries? How about those jeans ya have on...where did they come from. Duh. His retort was that he was talking about flowers that you put in a vase and look at. Oh "so you have never received or given flowers to anyone to express gratitude, grief or joy"? I have told you about the "deer lookin' into the headlights" response that I get when I sometimes voice my opinion. His response was that I would need to take a psychology class to understand. My response was I didn't need to take a psychology class to understand that flowers do have a value in our society but that I may need to take a psychology class to understand his idiotic remark. About that time the teach changed the subject.
  I shake my head. I am constantly amazed at the level of disconnect with this group about our environment, our Constitutional rights, respect of women, homophobia and a lack of grasp of the English language. It will be interesting to observe if this changes as we progress in the University of Phoenix experience.

All for now.

I wish you all the best of the holidays.

God be with you and yours.

Until we meet again.

Happy Trails

Duane

Collectibles I Have Found or I Got Out Of The House And Found Some Stuff

I found some more interesting antiques and collectibles, the other day, that I would like to share with you. all of these items are listed for sale in my eBay store.



Dere Mable Love Letters From A Rookie

This WWI book contains illustrations and humoures, unabridged letters from the war front back home to Mable. The interesting thing that I found about this book is that it has an ownership inscription, on the inside cover, with the owners name, including his battalion and company that he was with. 

 

Fifty Two Sunday Dinners

A cookbook printed in 1913 and compiled by Elizabeth O. Hiller. The book has recipes and cooking hints from that time but was also promoting "Cottolene" as a substitute for butter and lard. The cookbook has endorsements of Cottolene from cooking experts and eminent physicians.

Vintage Battery Operated Marx Bengal Tiger

This is a hard to find collectible. The Marx battery operated toy was produced in the late 1950's or early 1960's. The made in Japan toy was a must have for many kids of that era. For a full description and price click on the link and it will take you to the eBay listing.

Vintage Happy Santa Battery Operated Toy

This is a very hard to find vintage battery operated toy from the 1960's. For a detailed description and price click on the link.

Antique Diamond Match Company Tin

Antique Diamond Match Company Tin

This tin is a very rare find. The tin box was produced in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. For a full detailed description and additional photos click on the link above.

That is all I have found of late. I wish you all the best of the holiday season.

Until we meet again

Happy Trails

Duane