School's winding down......

Hard to believe that after waiting all semester, school's about to end. In case you didn't know, I am a part-time student at Eastern Illinois University. I'm enrolled in a program called Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, which is a program for us old farts who have been out of school for a while. In this program you can do a portfolio of your work experience and earn college credit based on your experience. I actually was not able to do that since another requirement is college credits through Eastern at the junior/senior level, but it's still a good program. Since the degree is liberal arts, you are pretty much open to take whatever you want. I'm looking forward to my summer class, which is on J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm looking forward to it even more since it will be my last class. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't get cancelled on me!

Another interesting thing about this program is I've never set foot on campus. Eastern's about a 45 minute drive south of here, but all of my classes have been either over the internet or at Parkland's campus. Books are either mailed out or the instructor brings them, and I even have an ID card that allows me access to the online library (and student discounts!). So I will graduate from a college that I have never actually set foot on.

I've also been lucky because my employer is paying for this. I actually got the bug to go back to school in 2000, and started at Parkland College. I earned an associate's degree in business management while working full time, and I learned about Eastern's program when I saw a counselor before graduation. I wish I had known about this program sooner, since that would have saved some time. But either way, I'm glad I went back. It's funny I've taken credits at four different schools to earn this degree-Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Parkland, and Eastern. Guess I'm quite the mutt!

And on a side note-I know all you film buffs love Ebertfest, but for those of us who work downtown, what a pain in the butt!

An Open Letter To The Residents of My Community

To the occupants of the house on Springfield Ave: TAKE DOWN YOUR CHRISTMAS WREATH!! Today is April 19, not December 19. I'm sure that your wreath was lovely around Christmas, but now it's a dried out yellowish brown hunk of pine on your window.

And to those of you who still have your icicle lights up, take those down as well. That's just laziness.

Thank you.