Random rants or posts by a Brown Guy who is not always Angry. Usually about politics, sports or games but every now and then comes along a post completely off the wall.
I haven’t really gotten a chance to post recently, been busy with classes and finals and what not but I’ll put up a couple of cool clips I saw recently below the Facebook rant.
Anyways, I had been collecting my “application” requests on Facebook for maybe 2 or 3 months now and finally late last week it cracked triple digits. I have gotten random invitations bid on what my friends are worth in “friends for sale”, another application that is titled “how many kids” and certainly the “which swear word are you?”. Sure every now and then there is a good one like “Oregon Trail” or a March Madness Bracket Selection but the other 100 or so that have stayed on my sidebar to rot (take a look at the thumbnail here) really start to make me angry. Facebook has become littered with these nonsense applications, ridiculous ads and useless features like the chat that they just added. I totally agree with what my roommate said the other day, “Like I don’t have enough ways to instant message someone already? Why do I need this chat?” The “People You May Know” feature on the side that suggests people you may know by looking at common friends is a good addition and you have the potential of meeting with an old friend from another country or elementary school so I will not criticize that but these other things are really making me an ABG.
To view the videos regarding the awesome kick save by a pitcher, a great way to get into home plate without being out and an awesome penalty shock in hockey, please read on.
“Sick Penalty Shot” - I think this was showed to me by Matt Rothberg, a friend from HS. Just an awesome play on the ice, not sure where the rule book stands on the play but it’s awesome regardless.
Just when it seemed like things were getting back to normal on campus, there is another arson incident in Davis Hall – 4th floor.
Updated April 25, 2008, 9:20 a.m.
There was another arson incident in Davis Hall early this morning. No one was injured.
As a result of the ongoing investigation all residents of Davis Hall and their guests are currently in Canavan Arena.
We do not have an estimate of when they will able to leave so they have been excused from classes for the day. We appreciate the co-operation and support of all faculty.
In addition, the Schaefer Center is closed until further notice.
We will send out an update this afternoon.
Maureen Weatherall
This time it is reportedly a book that was set on fire that led to a fire alarm in the building. Personally, I think it is the work of just a single kid getting seriously carried away. Not too much information available yet, but we’ll see what comes of this.
Update (10:58 AM): A friend of mine told me that the people relocated to Shafer Center since about 5 AM this morning and have been there all days without any pillows, access to their computers or anything. Also, as of about an hour or so ago my friend said “They haven’t even started questioning (anyone) yet.” It’s pretty safe to assume this event is related to the one the other day and it seems a little too convienient that is happening the last Friday before Finals Week starts.
Update (12:45 PM): According to a “Hoboken Now” article from NJ.com, “Classes and final exams have been canceled for those students who live in Davis and will be re-scheduled.” Article goes to say as I mentioned in the previous update that this seems to be an extreme way of getting out of final exams or at least getting them pushed back.
Update (5:20 PM): Another update from Stevens was recently emailed saying the residents of Davis Hall have been allowed to return to their rooms and security personnel will be at each hall from 10 PM to 9 AM
Thank you to the students of Davis Hall for their cooperation and good spirits during a difficult day. The students have now left the Canavan Arena. They will be allowed back into Davis Hall at 6:00 PM tonight. This schedule is at the request of law enforcement so they can complete their investigation of the scene.
Stevens Campus Police and the Hudson County Prosecutors Office are meeting with a person of interest. We will send a further communication when we have additional information.
Davis Hall is restricted to residents only. There will be security on each floor from 10:00pm to 9:00am until further notice. Davis residents will be asked to use the main entrance and be prepared to show campus ID.
We appreciate the assistance of Stevens Campus Police, the Student Support team and most of all our students. The safety of our campus community is our highest priority and their cooperation has helped us continue to maintain it.
I would like to offer a special thank you to Stevens Dining Services and the Greek Week Committee for providing beverages and food for all of us. The Schaefer Center will reopen at 7:00 PM. The Men’s lacrosse game will begin at 7:00 PM.
The lacrosse game was scheduled for 4 PM today which got pushed back to 7 PM. I’m gonna go shortly to broadcast the game and hopefully more things will return to normal later on.
Update(9:15 PM): Finally I think we reach the point where we can put this whole ordeal behind us.
An arrest has been made in the Davis Hall incident. The individual involved is a student who resided in Davis Hall and has been suspended effective immediately. He will not be allowed to return to campus. He is in the custody of the Hudson County Prosecutors Office.
The leadership of our Campus Police and the cooperation of our students has resulted in the rapid conclusion to the investigation. We are fortunate that there were no injuries and no damage to the residence hall.
As an extra precaution, we are continuing our heightened security at Davis Hall. We want our students who live in that facility to feel safe and return to normal as quickly as possible. We are available throughout the weekend to talk with our students and address their concerns.
Thank you again to all those from the Stevens Community and the surrounding law enforcement agencies who helped us resolve this situation.
I’m glad an arrest was made and hopefully there aren’t any follow up incidents with anyone. I also hope this kid gets what he deserves. From what I’ve heard it was lighting up an object and throwing it into an electrical outlet… I have no idea what would cause someone to do such a thing but it is certainly unwarranted and down right dangerous. That could have caused some serious damage. Oh well, honestly I’m tired about hearing all the news about this stuff, I’m tired of blogging about it. It’s time we move on and just get this semester over with as smoothly as possible.
Finally got around to fixing up the header and template and by fixing I mean having Brian do it. Being able to use Adobe Photoshop would porbably be a nice skill to have in the long run but I am more than satisfied with what Brian did fixing up the header. I also want to thank Hilary Keegan for the awesome header that she designed (link to her blog in the bottom right of the side bar).
Let me know what you guys think of the blog and if there is anything to improve? Was the old one better, personally I think this one is much better and I should last me a little while with this design.
Update (4/25/08): There has been a second Campus Alert issued today after another arson incident. For more details, please click here.
Update (2:27 AM): Not sure what to feel right now but the “incident” was supposed to take place at 2AM and nothing has been heard since and I really doubt anything happens now. There was a short span of time where it got unnerving about 15 minutes ago as fire trucks sirens could be heard from outside our window and from the rooftop as well but that amounted to nothing. It’s 2:30 AM now and I really don’t expect anything to happen. I have a 9 AM class in the morning and we’ll see where things from there.
Update (9:00 PM): This update was issued about two hours ago outlining the security plans for the night. There are Resident Hall Assistants located outside each entrance of the Davis Hall from what I have been told. There were additional details that there was a specific threat made towards the building that was supposed to take place overnight tonight. Overall the security measures taken on campus seem to be relatively well and not overreaching. Considering the things I have been told, I think I am satisfied with what has taken place and I am sure every student and faculty member will be willing to forgo a little bit of leniency to move around and visit the buildings as they please for the sake of the security of the entire campus. There will always be a limit on how much you are willing to give up and for how long but that’s a whole different topic for a different day.
As of 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, all on campus residence halls have been swept and secured. We are continuing the security measures currently in place through out the night. Stevens personnel or a Hoboken police officer will be stationed at each residence hall entry.
Students must have campus ID. Only the residents of each dormitory will be allowed into their building. Visitors are not permitted into the residence halls at this time.
We are now able to provide more information regarding the note left this morning in Davis Hall. The note specified the April 23rd/April 24th overnight period. If there are residents of Davis that are uncomfortable sleeping in their building, Jacobus and Canavan Arena will be open. Please bring your own blankets and pillows.
If observe any suspicious behavior, please call the Center Desk 24hrs a day at (201) 216-5105. Please call Dean Ken Nilsen if you have any information about this incident. His number is (201)745-8216.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
Update (4:26 PM): Just saw this update on Hoboken411… So maybe a door was not lit on fire and it was just a piece of paper? Keep in mind all these information are from third party as I have not verified this last one from anywhere. Way to early to presume anything but maybe it’s a little bit of an overreaction with these police forces coming from all over the State for one piece of paper being lit. But as I said, it’s way to early to presume anything. A set of pictures have been added courtesy of Hoboken411 all the way at the bottom of the post.
“A piece of paper on a door was lit on fire. During the course of the investigation a note mentioning a bomb was found in the communal garage can in the communal bathroom. Dorms are resident-only; campus is locked down – all persons wishing to enter must show ID.
The police are sweeping every residence hall, and once cleared will be checking bags of students entering their dorms. Through the coordination of the NJ State Police – bomb sniffing dogs were called in from JC, Bayonne, Hudson County, NJ Transit, and outside counties – including as far away as Monmouth County.”
Another Update (4:16 PM): I just took a walk through the entire campus with my roommate and they are all entrances closed where you can’t enter the campus without proper ID. All vehicle traffic is only allowed up through the main entrance through 9th street. Just an interesting note that there is plenty of police activity through the campus by all the dorm buildings but not so much outside the academic buildings. If you want to over look the heavy police presence, you can say that everything else looks like business as usual. Plenty of kids on the lawn tossing a ball around, playing volleyball, walking throughout the campuses from the athletic facilities to the library and what not.
Update (2:51 PM): Here is another email that was just sent out to the Stevens community.
Stevens Campus Police in cooperation with the Hoboken Police Department, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and the NJ State Police, as well as other jurisdictions, has activated our campus emergency plan.
As a precaution, all access to Residence Halls is being monitored by Stevens personnel. Students will only be allowed into their own Residence Hall after showing ID. There may also be bag searches prior to entry. Please cooperate in helping us maintain the safety of our community.
As an additional precaution, canine units are canvassing the Residence Halls.
All visitors to campus are being required to show ID prior to entering the grounds.
These safety procedures will be in effect until further notice. We will be following the directions of law enforcement experts and will issue a further update early this evening.
Again, please call Dean Ken Nilsen if you have any information about this incident. His number is 201-745-8216.
We are fortunate to have an outstanding campus Police Department and strong cooperation and support from Hoboken, Hudson County and the State of New Jersey. Our primary concern is the safety of every member of our community. We are taking and will continue to take every appropriate action. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Posted (2:38 PM): I’ll update more as I find things out but here is a Campus Alert that was sent out at 10:24 AM this morning.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, there was a case of arson on the fourth floor of Davis Hall, the Hoboken Fire Department responded and there were no injuries or serious damage. An arson investigation is underway. In addition, a threatening note was found in the fourth floor bathroom on Wednesday, April 23rd at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Effective immediately campus police officers will be posted at the main entry way of Davis Hall and all bags will be checked. The side doors will be closed for entry. Only Davis residents with valid IDs will be permitted in the building.
All members of the campus community are asked to have their Stevens ID available on their person.
Any members of the Stevens community with information about this incident are encouraged to contact Dean Ken Nilsen, 201-745-8216.
An email update will be distributed by 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, April 23, 2008. Please contact Maureen Weatherall, 201-216-5190 with any questions about this advisory.
It’s good to see that the Stevens Administration did not consider this a joke by a kid and are taking things seriously. They started setting up a campus-wide alert system after the Virginia Tech tragedy last year and this is the time first it has been used.
Hoboken411 also has this story along with photos provided by David Pfeffer from The Stute if you you want to check it out. I’ll probably head out after lunch to grab some photos myself.
Just a quick post before I head out to a couple of classes. An interesting op/ed piece from the New York Times’ columnist Bob Herbert that I saw on reddit earlier today. Totally coincidentally, my roommate earlier mentioned that there are dumb people everywhere and that the American ones are just magnified in the media nowadays. Point well taken. Another sarcastically remarked “dude, the dumb kids make me look good, don’t ruin it.” You can take that for what it’s worth.
I’ll share a small piece of it below, but the link is provided above.
An American kid drops out of high school every 26 seconds. That’s more than a million every year, a sign of big trouble for these largely clueless youngsters in an era in which a college education is crucial to maintaining a middle-class quality of life — and for the country as a whole in a world that is becoming more hotly competitive every day.
Ignorance in the United States is not just bliss, it’s widespread. A recent survey of teenagers by the education advocacy group Common Core found that a quarter could not identify Adolf Hitler, a third did not know that the Bill of Rights guaranteed freedom of speech and religion, and fewer than half knew that the Civil War took place between 1850 and 1900.
