Life as CriagsList Jobs' Biggest Fan

Well, I know the excitement of a new quarter has been squandered when I resign from taking detailed notes to blogging in class on my laptop. Oh well... last quarter.

So, instead of focusing on the professor's lecture on DNA, RNA and other scientific letter things, I'm surfing Craigslist looking for jobs.

Now, I've designed a very thorough method for CL job searching.

Step 1: Select city.
Step 2: Select job category.
Step 3: Peruse jobs.

My relationship with CL has developed overtime. It began 6 months ago when I was excited and confident about the prospect of finding a job.

July 2008 CL Search

Step 1: Cities
SF Bay Area
New York City

Step 2: Select categories
Marketing/PR
Writing

Step 3: Peruse jobs
Only cool ones
-
Now, my job search as of today's Biology class:

Step 1: Select cities
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Houston
Los Angeles
New York
Orange County
Sacramento
San Diego
Seattle
SF Bay Area
Washington D.C

Step 2: Job categories
Admin/Office
Human Resources
Legal/Paralegal
Marketing/PR

Step 3: Peruse job
Look at all that I could minimally qualify for.

Giants Suffer "Unexpected" Loss in Playoffs

On Sunday, the New York Giants suffered a shocking and season-ending loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles by the score of 23-11. At halftime the score was 10-8, as both offenses struggled. However, it was the Giants offense that remained stagnate in the second half and the Eagles' that stepped up. In my mind the Eagles won for three main reasons: they converted on third downs, they did not have as many mistakes, and they scored touchdowns.
Even though I consider myself to be a hardcore Giants fan here at SCU, I can honestly say that I did not feel as confident about the match-up as I would have liked. Therefore, I don't consider the upset to be that shocking. Ever since the Plaxico Burress incident, the Giants' passing game has been pretty mediocre. I definitely think they are a talented group, but none of them strike fear into the opponent's defense like Burress did, which allowed Philly to really focus on the run. I am hopeful that the Giants acquire a big time wide receiver in the offseason, so they can make another run at the Super Bowl next season.

Call a Cab in the City

San Francisco has some of the best public transportation around. With Cal Train and Bart to get you into the city and Muni or the various streetcars and buses to get you around within, it's easy to plan an evening out in Golden Gate City, even if you're coming from Santa Clara.

But, if you're headed to the Sunset or North Beach this winter, you may want to call a cab to travel to your destination quickly and warm. Try the Yellow Cab company: (415) 333-3333 or for a more environmently friendly option, call Green Cab: (415) 626-GREEN.

The city is literally crawling with taxi drivers, so keep your eye out, check the corner of the Cal Train station at 4th & King, or call a cab in advance.

This is a test post.

Hail to the Chief

Katie Powers, the editor-in-chief of The Santa Clara, reflects on her first quarter running Santa Clara University's student newspaper in an interview with Managing Editor Sophie Asmar.

Omaha for Obama

This is a big election for Nebraskans.

For the first time since 1964, we might have one electoral vote going to the Democratic candidate. Since Nebraska, being the crazy/great state that it is, it splits its electoral votes by congressional district, so not all 5 will go the overall winner in the state. Obama has the lead in the second congressional district, where Omaha is. This is a big deal for everyone, considering if you are a Democrat in Nebraska the feeling is you might as well just give up, all the time.

I voted absentee, hoping this may be possible. I can't wait.

Obama actually campaigned in Omaha. And that's what I love. Many other presidential candidates skip Nebraska. In fact, Clinton had never even BEEN to Nebraska until his last year in presidency. (My grandmother took me out of school to see him at the Air Force Base, it was great). But skipping places in the Midwest because 'they are Red States' perpetuates regionalism and snotty divisions in our country. And it's just plain wrong. There are many Democrats in Omaha, and now, we are proving it.

We all know Obama is going to be the next president. It inspires hope and patriotism around the country. But for us liberal Nebraskans, it also inspires the hope for local political diversity.

Barack Obama

I am proud to be an American tonight.

Really, B?

Before I get onto representations of women in the media from a historical perspective, have you seen Beyonce's new music video? I used to think of her as an empowerer, jelly and all, someone "who wouldn't dis you on the internet." But this put a ring on it is a little anti-feminist? No?

She's just bragging because she's marry Jay-Z I guess.

I'm skeptical, B.

"Blog it Out"

Touching on Nicole's last blog, I just arrived in the library. Or moonbase, as I like to call it.

I'm about to transcend into the mindset of a historian, writing my introduction pages to my historical writing paper. So to warm up in the most opposite fashion, I started with a blog about college life.

One of the biggest components of college life is stress management, or so I've realized. I  just got off the phone with my best friend from American University, and she too is experiencing some major stress-filled battles. It's like, senior year should be fun? That or the scariest time of your life?

No that is exaggerating. I guess when it's May and I am unsure what I'll be doing in September is the scariest part...But really. We manage so many full-time roles. Student. Editor. Job applicant. Trying to have a personal life. I dunno.

By the way, the loose leaf coffee in the library is $2.00. Steep. Yikes. I forgot to mention one of the roles of the college student is frugal budget manager.

Uhhh...onto Soviet women.

Library - 12:57 AM

You know when you watch a movie and there's that scene at the beginning when the main character is walking down the streets of New York City and the whole world is zooming around them?

That's how I feel right now sitting in the library. I've been in the same seat for hours, and the people have changed, the murmur of the room has quieted and the sky has turned dark.

But I'm still here.

First Blog

Is this going to work?

I used to be a paid blogger. Just putting it out there.

Welcome to mah worlllld!

What kind of car could your tuition buy you?

Could the economy be affecting students' choice in college? Seems like it. According to an article by neighbor school San Jose State's newspaper, the California State University system has already received approx. 50,000 applications thus far, a 21% increase from last year. According to the CSU website, in-state tuition for SJSU, including all fees, room & boards, books, etc. is roughly $20,000, while the cost to attend Santa Clara University is roughly $50,000.

Update with Santa Clara application numbers to follow soon...

Ivy Leagues Debate ROTC Program

After Barack Obama and John McCain spoke at Columbia University in September, controversy regarding bringing the ROTC program back onto Ivy League has been at the forefront of students' minds.

Both candidates criticized the universities for banning ROTC programs on-campus, which is partly in reaction to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This article, published in Dartmouth's student newspaper, provides a pretty good explanation of the situation.

Sure, I can do that too...

I'm going to be honest - I'm blogging in class.

But I'm also listening to a great lecture, taking notes, texting with my friend, reading about the economy on CNN.com and... yes, I'm also checking Facebook.

There are about twenty students in my class, and at least a third of them have their laptops open and are attempting the same multitasking routine as myself. Yes, our ability to click between screens is amazing, but are our non-plugged-in classmates learning more than us?

Who knows. But I was inspired to google "college students" and "multitasking", and ran across an article published in TIME magazine in 2006. Pretty interesting, especially this statistic:

Today 82% of kids are online by the seventh grade, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. And what they love about the computer, of course, is that it offers the radio/CD thing and so much more--games, movies, e-mail, IM, Google, MySpace. The big finding of a 2005 survey of Americans ages 8 to 18 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, co-authored by Roberts, is not that kids were spending a larger chunk of time using electronic media--that was holding steady at 6.5 hours a day (could it possibly get any bigger?)--but that they were packing more media exposure into that time: 8.5 hours' worth, thanks to "media multitasking"

I rarely even sleep 6.5 hours a day.

New reporting crew

It's a new year with a new team of Streetbeat Reporters ready to start blogging. Introducing...

Sophie Asmar: Back in action after blogging last spring. She's interested in profiles of photographers.

Katie Powers: New to the team. She's from Omaha. She's interested in personal essays and interviewing seniors. She's concerned about finding a job in journalism.

College Reporters goes on vacation

With the academic year coming to a close at SCU, it's time for the College Reporter's crew of bloggers to head home for the summer. Thanks for all your hard work and engaging writing this year.

Saying Goodbye

My range of emotions in the past week have been out of control. I'm graduating college in six days. I've woken up crying, I've had moments of panic, and I've had evenings of pure celebration. I'm excited, I'm sad, I'm nervous, and I'm thrilled about leaving the world of Santa Clara. Everyone seems to be handling this time in our lives differently. Change is accepted by people in a variety of ways. My one roommate has spent the past week scrap-booking, reflecting on photos from our four years and packing up the pieces of her life that has made her college room. Another roomie has chosen to go out almost every night and catch her last drinks at our favorite local watering holes. I am currently receiving daily phone calls from my dad, "eight more days"...."seven more days"...I don't want to be reminded. He called today and said my name "Marjorie McLeod McAteer" like a graduation speaker while humming "Pomp and Circumstance" . I tried on my cap and gown yesterday and while I look ridiculous it was bittersweet to see myself ready for the stage. I can't believe I made it. What an amazing experience. Its hard to believe that Saturday my career as a student here at SCU will come to an end. These four years went by in a blink but I know I will remember them all forever. Thanks for everything!

-Maggie

Pat Semansky, photographer extraordinaire

Pat Semansky is a former photo editor of Santa Clara University's undergrad newspaper The Santa Clara. He was such a wonderful part of the paper, took on so much responsibility and went out of his way to make sure the paper ran smoothly, the staff moonlighting award is now named after him.

Since he graduated in 2006, he has spent his days in New Orleans shooting for the likes of the Associated Press and doing who knows what else. I admire his talent and ambition.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of his:

Besides the fact that this boy is adorable, which always adds to a picture, his expression captures the moment. He's watching the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade with such wonder and awe. The angle of the barrier and the blurry background draw the eye straight to the little boy's face. The boy is obviously the focus with only an out-of-focus float, scattered beads on the floor and in his hands to give the photo some context.

Kat Ryalls and Lindsey Ott are the two volunteers in this school buidling damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The light coming through the broken roof gives this photo an eerie feel. You really get a sense of the ruins left behind in New Orleans in the dingy colors. Again the angle of the walls and the shadows draws the eye to the girls' corner, along with the brilliant white face masks among the dirt and ruins.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the hope of renewal eventually came from help from the nation. The stark contrast between the strength of the nation in the symbolism of the flag burried in the the grime and rubble is powerful. The contrasting light and dark areas add to the dramatic aspect of the photo.

This is an example of capturing an exact moment, which makes for the best sports photos. The cornerback's hand is still in a fist inches away from the jersey he was just clasping. As the tailback sticks his hand out in the opponents' face and gets away, his jersey still hangs where it was being tugged. It takes a lot of talent and luck to get such a perfect moment -- with the players even facing the camera.

For more great shots and to see where else Pat's work has been, check out his Web site: http://www.patsemansky.com/

- Sophie Asmar

(Photos taken from http://www.patsemansky.com/.)

Megz & Drue!

My roommate Meghan (a.k.a. Megz) took her boyfriend, Drue, to the Delta Gamma Senior Banquet dance last Friday. Prior to their departure, Alexa, James, and I took priceless photos of the couple outside of Sobrato in front of the fountain. Then, a luxurious party bus took the couples to the Hilton Hotel in San Jose, which is where the dance took place. Megz and Drue had a wonderful time dancing the night away. Meghan was impressed with Drue's dance skills, especially since he previously told her he couldn't dance. She also said she enjoyed the music and appreciated the oldies songs that the DJ played, such as "Footloose". Megz and Drue had a truly memorable night!
-Karina Grobelny

Wierdest College News Articles Part V

• College bans hat throwing at Graduation
• Bush commencement speech & chest thump
• Cincinnati water sprayer strikes
• Northwestern's pickiness on commencement speakers
• A college student's worst fear: cursive handwriting
• Wake Forest gets rid of SAT/ACT admission requirements

Another week, enjoy!

-Collier King

Mixed Emotions

Over the last week I have been thinking a lot about the end of my Freshmen year here at Santa Clara University and to be perfectly honest I have mixed feelings about leaving for Summer vacation. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited to head back to my hometown of Albany, NY in another week and a half. I look forward to seeing my family and my old friends. I also am excited about my two Summer jobs; as I will be working for the the Ayco Company, one of the nation's leading providers of comprehensive financial counseling and education services, and for the New York Giants as well. However, I can't help but feel saddened and dismayed about not seeing my new friends for about three months. Over the course of the school year I definitely feel like I made some real lifelong friends this past year and it will be hard not to see them for such a long period of time. To help solve this problem I will hopefully be going to visit my friend Alexa, who is coming to New York City twice this Summer. Also, my friend Pat will hopefully be coming up for two Dave Matthews Band Concerts as well. I wish I could visit all of my friends at least once this Summer, but it is unlikely because of everyone's busy schedules and the lack of flexibility I will have from the Giants when they arrive in the middle of July. I wish everyone a wonderful Summer vacation, and I cannot wait to see everyone again in the Fall.
-Ryan Kutey

Madden 2009 Player and Team Ratings

Every year EA Sports will allow various Madden websites to play the game before it comes out. This year, the screenshots of some Madden 09 ratings have been leaked extremely early. Keep in mind that these are very early ratings, and it is very possible that they will change before release. With that said, here are the team ratings:

Patriots 97
Cowboys 96
Chargers 95
Colts 95
Giants 94
Steelers 94
Jaguars 93
Packers 91
Eagles 91
Bucs 91
Vikings 90
Browns 88
Redskins 88
Seahawks 87
Saints 87
Panthers 86
Broncos 84
Titans 84
Bills 82
Ravens 81
Bengals 80
Bears 80
Cardinals 78
Texans 78
Lions 78
Rams 77
Jets 76
49ers 72
Chiefs 71
Raiders 71
Falcons 67
Dolphins 67

As for player ratings, in this post I will discuss the only team that I actually care about- the Oakland Raiders. Some key player ratings for the Raiders are:

Offense
QB- Russell 84
HB- McFadden 85 (According to the guy who posted the screenshots, McFadden has 97 Spd, 96 Agi, 99 Acc)
WR- Walker 87

Defense
LE- Burgess 92
DT- Kelly 91
MLB- Morrison 92
OLB- Howard 91
CB- Asomugha 96
CB- Hall 93
SS- Wilson 85
FS- Huff 84

If you are unfortunate enough to be the fan of another team, you will have to search for your team's players on your own. Heres the link:

http://www.pastapadre.com/2645/madden-09-player-and-team-ratings?nggpage=2