Last Week/MWA

     It's been almost a week since my last post. I was getting so used to it being a part of my week-daily routine and then my computer went on the fritz. I suppose I could have written my posts in Shimer's computer lab (which, although small, is quite nice), but to write I need my own computer, my own space.

     Last Week's thoughts (condensed):

The Wordiness of Worddom

     Being around words all day can make a person a little flustered. There are just so many to be remembered, thought about, argued over. Pronunciation can get a little confusing when people are from all over these states (and from around the world).
     So, making up words just adds to the confusion.
     As a general rule, certain words, that already have meanings, should not be re-defined. My roommate really hates it when I say 'triangulate' and mean 'a meeting between three people, thus making a triangle'. Seeing as that is not even close to the correct definition, I suppose I can understand her annoyance when I exercise my creative linguistic license.
     However, there are times in class when a well made-up word can really capture the essence of what needs to be said. Like when a certain Shimer student, when speaking of an omelette, says, "The omeletteness of the omelette is what makes it pure." Or, "the chairyness of the chair makes it seem more red."
     We all understand what he means when he says it, he (usually) follows the rules of English grammar. Sometimes it is actually helpful in class because once in a while there really is no one word that captures the meaning of what we are discussing.

Haiti

     The last Community Tuesday we had featured Erik Badger, an alum, who spoke about Haiti. He, along with Professor Steve Werlin, have been working down in Haiti for a while now and are especially busy since the recent devastating earthquake.
     He told us about all of the help Haiti could use right now, not just donations but volunteer work as well. He also filled us in on the current political situation and connected us (via Skype) with Steve Werlin who is still in Haiti.
     To read Steve Werlin's statement about the aftermath of the earthquake go to: http://alumni.shimer.edu/s/1028/index.aspx?sid=1028&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=1154&ecid=1154&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=772

Midwest Worker's Association

     Many Shimer students volunteer with the Midwest Worker's Association (MWA) on a weekly basis. "The Midwest Worker's Association's purpose is to provide a wide range of social and health survive-and-get-on-your-feet services and referrals to organize advocacy of working families not covered by traditional labor laws and organizations" (from Loyola University's Website).

     Shimerians help out by distributing food donations, getting in contact with other organizations that can help the people of Chicago and collecting supplies like food.
     People are encouraged to help out in any way they can, like donating clothing or canned goods or participating in drives like the Super Bowl Sunday Tamale Benefit. Students and other volunteers worked many hours to make vegetarian and meat tamales and then sold them around the community to raise money for the people in need of help in Chicago.
     Currently, many people in the dorms here are planning on donating clothing to the MWA to be distributed throughout Chicago.

Playing: Still Mass Effect 2
Classes Today: Nat Sci 2, Soc Sci 2 and Hum 2