I had a pretty good weekend if I do say so myself. I'm broke now because of it, and that is RIGHT after I get paid! But, anyway...whatcha gonna do?

We FINALLY won a football game. It was a game we should have won, but there have been a couple of those. For some reason though, we finally came together and did what we needed to to win....SCORE! Final: Cleburne 28, Mansfield 14. That's Marshall throwing.

I don't have too many hot opinions for today. I've been up all night putting together the highlight video for the team party this weekend. I'm genius...you can say it, because as it turns out, it's true. No really, don't be shy...say it... Here, let me spell it for you - G E N I U S. Genius. Thank you. ;-)

Cadence had her pictures made this weekend too...here's one for all of you that haven't seen her.

With that, I have a ton of stuff to do. I gotta get out of here!

Be good and have fun...oh, and have a GREAT HALLOWEEN! BOO! BOO! Ha ha! Scared you!

Professor Chad

There are two sides to everyone - the professional side, and then there is the personal side. It is funny how different people have different perspectives about the same people. I talk about one person, because what I see in class, and on the professional side has been a positive thing. Yet, I have to work with other students, so yeah, names come up. And when they do, sometimes it is odd what I hear. Sometimes the best students are deemed the worst because of what happens out of class. And then, some of the worst students turn out to be student leaders for the same reason...So you never really know.

I was talking to a professor yesterday, and he told me something that I would like to get info on if possible. The professor told me a student came and said that there are several professors here that are a joke. There are few that are thought provoking, there are few that are challenging at all, and that we dumb everything down to the lowest possible denominator. Now, I have heard this before, though I prefer to close my ears when names are mentioned. Is this the case? Are we not doing enough WITHIN the classroom to make it worth your 2 hours to come? Do we inspire deeper thinking, and critical analysis? Are we doing the jobs we need to do? One or two is fine, but if we aren't doing things as a whole, then are we succeeding in our mission? For anyone that may be reading this, from whatever school...Go ahead and send your comments - anonymously if you need to, but it is something that matters, and needs to be corrected if it is a problem.

There may be new ways to do things - and mix traditional aspects with a new philosophy. There are traditional elements that have to be covered - but if we don't inspire the ability to think and think deeper, then what have we really done to educate at a higher level?

We'll see what happens from there. Oh, and by the way, congrats to both the Sox and Stros for a great World Series. Unfortunately, the way it works, it will go down as a 4 game sweep. What I saw was 3 or the four games coming down to a play or two. And if you missed it, you missed some great heart and great play. THAT is good for baseball.

Professor Chad

Okay okay okay...I have a lot of stuff going on today, so the chances of this being a good entry today are pretty slim. As I listen to the "Wild Thang" on the radio (I thought that song died in 1991) I think that there are two things going on right now that are fairly disturbing...

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY????

Why in the WORLD are people relying on FEMA in Florida? Have they been where I have? Watching the TV as hurricanes have been all over the place the last 3 months? I don't know...is it me? Why would you...if you KNEW a hurricne was coming...not have basic supplies for a MONTH? Check this article out as people are frustrated with FEMA's response (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/10/26/wilma/index.html). I have come to the realization that people are ENTIRELY tooo reliant on government entities. Then, when the press shows up, they complain that they have to wait in line for supplies that THEY didn't prepare for. I don't get it. You knew for a week that it was a bad storm. It even took a vacation in Cancun to show you what it could do. Don't bitch when it comes to your house and then you don't have any water or ice. You had a week to freeze milk jugs and fill up bath tubs if you needed to. Hell, you have a water hose - get a damn trash can and fill it up!!! But no...if you don't have 3 bottles of water for the week, then it is better to bitch to the Associated Press...congrats people of Florida, you screwed something else up. First an election, now this.

Second...yes there is something else on my mind...I think that there are some things that we can do differently as a student body and as faculty. We have been charged with doing "more". Just a little bit more is fine. But, I think we also need to make sure it is the "right" more. Every now and then, we need to take a step back and take a look at everything...personnel, process, structure, etc. Do we need an overhaul? No - absolutely not. Can we change everything in a day? No. Can we, however, work smarter and for the betterment of things that help us keep the students we have, and then get more to make us bigger and stronger? Absolutely. The key is this: Everything revolves, and each department has to work together to make things run smoothly. If this happening? Yeah, I think so...at least for the most part. The good news is that I think we are at a point to where we can nitpick things to make us better. There used to be a time where we needed the overhaul. I've been here a long time...and have seen tremndous transformations. Most of these for the better.

The students are the key. How much do YOU want to do? Do they have the DRIVE and AMBITION to push the faculty to be that much better? Do they want more? Do they demand it? Should they? If we aren't being pushed, then what is making us better? Answer: NOTHING. Quit being complancient - push for that "extra yard" and things WILL get that much better...

Professor Chad

At some point, people will listen. At some point, I will listen to myself. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people do something even though they know better. Sometimes I should listen to my own advice. Not that I have done anything serious, but overall, I should take some of my own advice. You would think that life would be simple. You would think that everything would be fine. I have a great job, fabulous friends, a great wife and two beautiful kids. Sometimes things are exactly what they seem...sometimes they aren't. I'm in the process of figuring some things out. I'm in the process of evaluatiing what I need to do to make ME better. I've been so busy analyzing others, and helping them, that I've forgotten what I need to do.

I need to be working out - every day. I need to be busting my ass at work - every minute. I need to be better at staying in touch with people - more often. I need to refrain from spending more money - when I don't need to spend it. I need to eat right - today, not 'starting tomorrow'. I need to get more sleep - at night. I need to get the house clean - before people come over. I need to get the yard mowed - before it rains. I need to get the papers graded - before people are asking for them. I need to ask myself everyday...."Did I make myself better today?" If the answer is no, then I have wasted a day.

If time is so precious, then why does everyone waste so much of it? If there are never enough hours in a day, then why do we spend so much of that time watching television? My advise...if I take it...is to change the habits...get it done, then play. Work hard, play hard. Things should run a lot better that way.

Prof C

HA HA HA HA HA -

Not sure if I should laugh or cry about this weekend. I think sometimes you just have to be humbled. Well, if I need humbling, I got it this weekend! First - Saturday came bright and early, and our little 1st and 2nd grade football team ran the gammot...we got shutout in 8 consecutive games! We played the number one ranked team out in a pasture. They put out some pretty good hits. It was pretty ugly. We travel to Mansfield on Saturday to take on the also 0-9 Mansfield team. Should be entertainingly ugly. That night the Astros took one...yesterday the Cowboys took a HARD one...and the Astros took a WORSE one! Wow...and then the Eagles won too...DAMNIT!

I think that I have found a little bit of motivation to start getting things done. I'm keeping the motivation a secret at this point, though. Usually, if I mention the motivation, it goes away. I think that overall it will help me get a few more things done at work, then get a few more things done at home...AND get my workouots in. The biggest thing on that is the workouts. I have to get back into working hard at the gym. I think that is the crutch. When I am doing more, I get better...and it has taken a little while to get into "mode". I am still running 4 cylnders, but looks like I'm starting to shift gears. Maybe with this damn football season coming to an end, it will go full speed.

I'll have another hot opinion about something tomorrow. Let's see how today turns out first. I have a feeling there will be a few things to bitch about...we'll see how that goes.

Prof C

Stars suck. I've never seen Marshall so excited about anything in his life. We head out to the hockey game, and I think somewhere a basketball game broke out. Where do you get 4 goals in the first 5min? WOW! The bad part is, most of the goals scored were via the Kings. Not cool.

Hot topic of the week actually turns to the National Basketball Association. If you haven't heard, they have implemented a press release stating a new dress code. Here is a link if you haven't seen it (http://www.insidehoops.com/dress-code.shtml).

Here is the long and short of it...Players will no longer be able to wear:
_Sleveless shirts
_Shorts
_T-shirts
_Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes.
_Sunglasses while indoors
_Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room).
Also jerseys and baseball caps will no longer be acceptable attire for postgame press conference.

Now, I am reading articles that there are players that think this is racially motivated (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9730334/), and that the players are saying that the market is the NBA Hip-Hop crowd, and they are marketing the wrong way.

I have two thoughts on this...number one - the NBA isn't marketing to the worng crowd. If you look at it, they are still out there trying to get ratings and sponsorship dollars. Appearently, the players are making all the money yet don't care where the revenue comes from. Sorry to say, but that revenue comes from television, corporate partners and high priced suite buyers. Something tells me those aren't your typical hip-hop markets (note: there are exceptions to every rule...but you don't market to 20% of your demographics, you market the the other 80%.) They are marketing to the right players. Number two - the last time I checked, I have a dress code that I carry in class. I have to abide by a dress code while at work, or in certain situations. It is fine that I don't agree with it and it is fine that you may not agree it. However, do I not agree with it enough to have to find another job? Probably not. I would think, also, if I had the arangements to play sports for multiple millions per year...then I would dress in a pink tutu if needed. It's just part of the job.

Besides, at what point does society get better BECAUSE of this? Look the part, act the part. Look professional, act professional. I think this is all the NBA is looking for.

Professor Fagan

Had an interesting day yesterday. For those of you that didn't see me...YES, I was actually dressed up. I haven't heard that many "wow's" in a while. Maybe I need to go shopping and get me a new suit or four? The best part of the day came from Kelly Ryan of minor league baseball. She has the charge of producing the baseball winter meetings in December. That has to be one of the toughest tasks out there. Any slip, and you have some billionaire with an ego getting pissed. Well, I talked to her yesterday and she says she needs a personal assistant. That's a heck of an opportunity for someone...and that someone has to be the right one because if it isn't, then PTTTHHH on us and baseball at that point. I'll give her a limited number and a couple that have been there and done that...should be a good fit for someone.

Congrats to all of you Astros fans. Um...bout time! LOL! But it should be a decent series.

I have Stars tickets for tonight. It's been a rough fall for Marshall because of football and a new sister. He deserves it. I'm fairly ready for this football season to end anyway. We're 0-8 and going up against an undeated team this week. I think we literally have the roughest schedule in kid's football on the planet. I just hope most of them still want to play after this year. Marshall is a 50/50 for next year I think. He's a baseball guy...that's not a bad thing! :) He's got more talent than I ever did!

Have good day!

Professor Chad

After one day of this, I know I have at least ONE reader. I'm not sure if that constitutes a following yet...but that day is to come, you never know.

You know, funny things happen when you start sending emails out that people MAY be interested in. For starters, I've been forwarding different internship opportunities to my students for a while. It's what I believe is one of the most powerful things they can have. The opportunity for advancement is critical. Well, as it turns out, since I am teaching the Advertising class next term, I also ran across an oppurtunity with an up-n-comer called Juice. You can find them at www.thejuiceagency.com. I sent this opprtunity to the adv students as well. I'm wondering if any will bite. If not, I may bite...I could always use extra experience and extra cash!

I would like to personally thank www.thefacebook.com for getting me in contact with a few people I haven't talked to in a while. In fact, I probably wouldn't have talked to them at all had I not found them there. I'm not even sure how I found my way there...nor am I real sure I should be there. But, since I'm there, I might as well take advantage. My rule is this, though...I'm on the other side of the fence. I'm still the professor. It makes it tough to go and request friends because it could always make things wierd. This is one thing I'll be fairly passive on...No reason for that odd moment. I'm not real worried about it. Right now, it stays fun, and I'm still all about having a good time. If it ever backfires on me, then we'll go from there.

Professor Chad

By the way...I think this ball is STILL going! Maybe it will hit the airplane on the way to St.Louis?

As it turns out, I've come to the BLOGGER for my new posts. I'm not sure why I went away from the Xanga...maybe because it didn't have the impact that I wanted. Then again, maybe it did, but I wanted a different impact. Plus, this one seems a little easier to use. With that, it is a brand new day for my "blogging opportunities." Now, will anyone read? We'll see. The problem in the past was that I would write, but nobody would care...who knows? Maybe I didn't want them to care anyway.

Regardless - things are picking up as the term moves on. Mostly, I'm EXTREMELY excited about teaching the ADV 211 course this winter. Not that I don't want to teach the ESM courses anymore, because I love those students like no other. However, I really need to see where we are with them. I can't do that unless I evaluate what else is out there. For those advertising students - let's see what you got, eh!?! I think they are fairly excited about me teaching it, too. I've talked to a couple of them...some are asking about textbooks, etc. Others are just asking what we are going to be doing. I'm not going to say I don't have a clue...though we are about 6 weeks out...but it is a progression. As we get closer my mind becomes more and more settled on a direction. I guess we'll all see if we are on the same page pretty soon.

With that, I'm starting on the application process for my doctorate today and tomorrow. Looks like I've got a lot todo to make that happen for this spring. I've got to take the GRE. My GMAT score was so low (considering I only had a week to prep for it) that I am surprised that I even got into grad school to begin with. I HATE standardized testing. There are goods and bads to the theories behind it...but I fall short when it comes to that area. Looks like I better start studying!

Until next time...have a nice f'ing day!!!

Professor Chad