What to do in an empty cubicle June 3, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: CBS3, Cubicles, Philadelphia Phillies, Random Rubbish
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Today, I had the pleasure of starting an internship at SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. I was placed in a cubicle that had nothing in it except a notepad and a few pens. So what’s an intern to do?
Make lists.
No, not lists relevant for the job at hand. After all, it’s only Day 2. No, make lists to challenge yourself.
First, I sat down to list the entire staff of The Temple News. I proudly scored a 25 out of 25.
Next, I wrote down a list of the Owl Ambassadors. I’m assuming there are also 25 of them. If so, I’m 25 for 25.
Third, I decided to recall the entire active roster of the Philadelphia Phillies. I did pretty well — the pitchers got me, as I forgot Condrey and Durbin. And Jayson Werth also threw me off. I forgot he was on the DL, and should have replaced him with both Bruntlett and Snelling.
Last – and both my proudest and most embarrassing – is a list of the on-air talent of CBS3. And you know what? I got every one. I even added the two extra CW members on the list, as they occasionally report for their sister station.
Next time you’re stuck in a tall cubicle surrounded by push-pin material, make a list. It’s the only thing that can keep you sane.
Life’s pleasure that only costs $1 May 25, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Dollar Store, Random Rubbish
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I never realized one of the greatest joys in life despite it being right around the corner from my house.
Garnet Valley, Pa., is one of the best places to live because we’re in Pennsylvania, the greatest state of the union, yet we’re a stone’s throw from Delaware, home of tax-free shopping.
While preparing for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which is coming up in two weeks!!!!!, I decided to run to my local Delaware Dollar Tree to pick up some posterboard. The deal that they’ve had for as long as I can remember is 2 for $1.
So…I park my car, walk into the Dollar Tree, pick up my four sheets of posterboard, walk up to the cashier immediately, hand her $2, and walk back to my car. The entire process took about 43 seconds.
If you have a list of things you need to do before you reach a certain point (21st birthday, 30th birthday, death), going to a dollar store in Delaware should be in the top five.
Oh, and get a receipt as a memento.
Mommy, I have a stomachache… May 19, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Babies, CBS3, Random Rubbish
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Some posts just don’t require an accompanying photo. Example…here.
Every now and then, CBS3 has a completely random, thought-provoking story on their Web site. And here’s one of them.
Long story short: A 9-year-old girl in Greece had a stomachache. She decides to go to the doctor, who operates and finds that girl’s embryonic twin inside her stomach.
WHAT?!?
Apparently, this happens in one of every 500,000 births. Now, according to WikiAnswers, obviously the most trusted source in embryonic studies, the population of the earth increases 200,000 every day. That means that every 2.5 days, a twin is born in its twin’s stomach.
So, do I live in a rock, or do these twins just never surface?
The rising cost of a…postage stamp? May 12, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Random Rubbish, Wikipedia
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Apparently, the cost of a single stamp has risen yet again today.
I remember when the price used to be 29 cents. According to this handy chart from Wikipedia, that tells you such a price occurred between 1991 and 1995.
I am all for the support of the fine men and women of the United States Postal Service, but is this money solely going to their salary? If not, what’s it going toward? Answer me, government!
I’m calling it now – stamps are the new gas. What once cost us just a few cents per parcel will soon be costing us our lunch money.
On the plus side, Wikipedia has another cool list of people on stamps.
Alarm Will Sound. Really? May 9, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Fire, Random Rubbish, Temple University
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Temple people – help me out here.
You know those fire exits with the signs that say “ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN OPENED” (or something of the like) in big, bold red letters?
I know of a few of these exits – east side of the Student Center, east side of the TECH Center – that are complete lies. It’s how I get to my class in Anderson when spending a day in the newsroom. Going out the back way through the emergency exit and avoiding the crowd is totally worth it.
Despite the natural fear that comes along with the thrill of setting off a fire alarm, when opened, the alarm does not go off.
So why have these blocked off? For some buildings, security is a factor. But a place like the Student Center? Unnecessary and inconvenient.
Next time, think about going out that emergency exit. Let me know if an alarm goes off. If not, we’ll add it to our list of secret exits. If so, I never recommended you to do such things.
Fire alarms = bad omen. May 9, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Fire, Random Rubbish
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I think God might be out to get me.
While studying for my final in the Student Center, a fire alarm kicked us out about a half hour before the exam.
Sure enough, in the middle of the exam in Anderson Hall, the alarm goes off. Of course, we’re more concerned about finishing the exam than our safety in a fire, so we decide to stay in the building and continue writing.
Finally, as I’m on the phone with my mother at 8:57, the fire alarm goes off in my apartment. Outside for 20 minutes, I met some friendly neighbors, but I missed the comfort of my couch.
If ever there was Random Rubbish, this would be it.
Seasons greetings May 4, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Random Rubbish, Rants
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As I ran errands for my mom today, I figured it would be the best time to purchase the necessary greeting cards – a happy birthday for my brother and a mother’s day for that special time of year.
The unorganized chaos of greeting cards aisles – particularly in supermarkets – don’t make purchasing a note that will bring joy a pleasant experience. There are way too many and no categorical order. Step-brother to step-sister, Funny son to mother-in-law, Distant second-cousin to third uncle, twice removed.
How about Brother to Brother or Mother to Son? No such luck? The result: supposedly funny cards that aren’t so funny after all. And who’s the one at a disadvantage?
Me.
Breaking News: Child star breaks arm? Seriously? April 25, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Child Stars, Random Rubbish
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Yep.
The most popular story on CNN.com right now (April 25, 2008, 5:09 p.m.) is that former child star Shirley Temple broke her arm.
I like to keep up to date on all areas of news, including entertainment, but I think the Associated Press has to take a lesson in newsworthiness.
I have nothing against Shirley – God bless her at 80 years old – but who cares if she broke her arm? I’m sure she’d enjoy it if half the world didn’t know she broke her arm – not necessarily because of privacy, but because many people every day break their arm. BIG DEAL!
This is your Random Rubbish for the day.
A welcome home April 24, 2008
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Random Rubbish.Tags: Garnet Valley, Random Rubbish
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I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Garnet Valley High School induction of the Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honor Society.
As a former editor of the Jaguar Journal, it was a great experience to return and see all of the talented writers. The newspaper adviser, Heather Arters, gave me a very thoughtful introduction. Editor in chief and future Temple student Wajeeha Choudhary did a great job organizing the event.
Click here to view my speech (I diverted a few times, but these blocks of paragraphs guided me along).
