Freshmen Move-In

Today we move in about 25 freshmen! Indeed, we are definitely a returner building. Our work is cut out for us tomorrow, as we will check in about 120 people.

One move-in day to go :).

Other News:

1. Brewers sweep the Pirates!
2. Fantasy Football draft is tomorrow night. I should probably figure that out.

Move-In Day #1

Today is Early Move-In Day here at UW Oshkosh. We have greeters, Odyssey leaders and desk workers moving. They get to avoid the rush of move-in days so that they can help us move in all of the residents of Webster Hall.

So far, everything has gone pretty well...no major issues with the move-in process. This means Jim gets to spend a lot of time in his office getting things done. :)

Other News:

• The Badgers won today...against Akron. Seriously...they always have such a cream puff non-conference schedule. But, their Big Ten schedule is rough. They can probably use all the victories they can get!
• The Brewers won! They are 22 games over .500. That is crazy. ESPN.com lists them as having an 89% chance of making the playoffs. Yes, these are the Brewers we are talking about.
• ESPN does not seem to have all that much faith in the Bucks. They have them set to place 12th in the East and finish under .500.
  

Last Day of Training

I have tried a few times this week to post something on the blog. Many times, I have been so busy that my mind is racing and it is difficult for me to concentrate on writing an entry. Other times, I was so tired I didn't have the energy to finish. Today...is the last official day of training. Students begin to move in tomorrow.

The hall leaders have moved in and are busily decorating the lobby for move-in. The staff have their floors ready to check in about 180 students in three days. I have done what I can to have everything ready for the residents of Webster Hall.

I have mixed emotions about the end. In some ways, I am thankful that I will not have to complete again some of the arduous components of training. But, I will miss the bonding time with staff and hall leaders and many memories.

Let's begin another year...

A Few Links

There was some definite improvement for the Packers.

The US basketball team struck gold. Definitely a "redeem team."

Biden? Really?!? McCain needs to take this opportunity to pounce. Too much ammunition. Let's start here.

Camp Onaway

The first week of my final Residence Life Staff Training is over. In all honesty, it is a mixed bag of emotions. I can safely say there are certain sessions that I will be happy that I don't have to attend. But, there are also some yearly rituals that I will miss as well. It will be tough around this time next year when I will anticipate them and they will not be there.

A week from today the residence halls will be opening up for the early move-ins that help with our two larger move in days on Sunday and Monday. One more time...

Tomorrow, my staff and I leave for Camp Onaway. It is an overnight retreat where staffs really get to bond. Camp Onaway is also a beautiful and scenic environment where one can truly relax and by at peace. I have enjoyed the many opportunities to be at camp and will not realize until I leave the island how rejuvenating it can be for me.

The Upcoming Weekend

And now a taste of what's to come for Jim this weekend:

1. Working...a lot. I suppose I deserve it for missing the first week of training. I have to finish getting things ready for the Webster CAs as well as work ahead toward opening. It's not insurmountable, but it will make for a busy Saturday and Sunday.
2. Hopefully, if we get out work done, Christa and I will be seeing the new Star Wars animated movie. It looks good, but we'll see if it turns out to be good. It couldn't be any worse than their attempts at live action movies ;).
3. While I'm working on Saturday morning, I'd like to catch some of the USA/Spain game as part of the Olympics. We'll see if the Redeem Team can keep up their winning ways.
   

Ready or Not, Here They Come

This afternoon, the Fox Valley Technical College PAs and my Webster Front Desk PA are moving into their respective buildings. This means that training has really begun. I meet with my PA at 4:00 PM and then I meet with my FVTC staff tonight and over the next two days. On Sunday, my Websters CAs move in...and it just goes from there.

I want to make it clear that for the rest of August, you may not hear from me all that much. It starts to get really crazy for me until we open the building on Labor Day. Wish me luck!

Monday Softball

Monday's game was a tough loss...24-23...in eight innings. The bats were definitely going for us. We were patient and it paid dividends in walks and hits. Unfortunately our fielding left a little to be desired. We also had an injury that left us one fielder short for an inning. I managed to draw two walks, get one hit, score a run and get an RBI. Not bad, not bad. Too bad we lost.

My dad had talked a little bit about this photograph, and after sending it to me, I am truly amazed.

This is a still photo of the play in the NFC Championship where Favre threw his final pass as a Packer...an interception.

Favre threw the pass to receiver farthest to the left...where the coverage was quite tight.

If you look at the other receivers, they have the defense beat and could easily catch a Favre pass. For a QB with so much poise and experience, it really seems like he forced this one. Just interesting...

Other News:

1. I had my first day of RHD training. It was a little overwhelming when you've been gone for the first week. But, it's all gonna get done one way or another.
2. Tonight is my first softball game in about three weeks. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
   

Transition

I have gone through the RHD Office and Webster Hall and am trying to get things cleaned out. Tomorrow, I jump back into the role of A/RHD training. I better be ready...my Webster PA and FVTC PAs move in on Wednesday!

I have gotten a few good nights rest and am beginning to feel more in the flow of things. The last few days have been quiet. I am sure things will pick up soon.

Traded

I was in class when it all went down, but it didn't take me long to find out the Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets. I can't say that I'm not surprised and I am definitely sad that Brett wasn't able to finish his career in Green Bay. However, I think this is best for the team.

Think about it:

1. Brett Favre retired....emotionally. The Packers acknowledged the retirement, thanked him for his service and moved on.
2. They put Rogers in the driver's seat and encouraged him to get to know his teammates. He did so and has been considered the started for four months.
3. We drafted Rogers for this eventuality and moved on.

It was Favre that decided to "un-retire." Is Favre the better quarterback? Possibly. But, the Packers are a young team and they need to develop this team with a young quarterback that can grow with them. In a few years, this team could be really good.

As for Favre, he did have a good year. But he also majorly benefited from a great running game and some great receivers. He also had a few stinkers during the season, especially in the cold. Let's not forget the interception to lose the NFC Championship game. Whow throws a pass like that?

I have great memories of Brett. I hate to see him in another uniform. But the Packers moved on and I support their move. We'll see how things turn out for the Packers and the Jets.

Tuesday Update

The University of Dubuque has some strange policies when it comes to the internet. Their software download requirements to use their internet is way too cumbersome. They also have these strange limits that they place on web usage. If the university goes over a certain amount, access to certain sites in cut off...sites like Facebook and Blogger. So, posts on here may be a little less frequent than usual. Tonight I got lucky! :)



Things are going well here in Dubuque. I am down to just two assignments left to complete. I need to write a sermon manuscript and an order of worship for a church service. For the most part, these are fun activities, but I am pretty burned out. After a full day of classes, it is hard to get motivated to keep reading and writing papers.



I have kept up my running and got a new pair of shoes while I was home. Mine are orange, not pink. They are working out great!

Weekend Respite

I realize it is a lot of traveling, but I decided to drive back to Oshkosh last night so that Christa and I could enjoy Sunday together. We may see a movie, do a little shopping or perhaps play a little Rock Band :).

Otherwise, all is well...a relaxing Sunday of rest.

Priorities

It is amazing to me how productive you can be when you don't have a television and your internet access is limited enough that you need to get it all done in 45 minutes. I can read, relax and exercise with time to spare. What will it be like in two weeks when I have all this stuff back?

Anyway, all is well in Dubuque. I am close to being done with one week. It has been wonderful! I am almost done with three classes and we have four next week.