I hate stairs   In case of a fire, use the elevator. Quickly.

I received my usual Friday email alert from The Reflector, Mississippi State’s newspaper. Since my brother is the Opinion Editor (you know, he edits writers’ opinions), I often check out the Opinion section to read the political-finding-of-self Lazarus Austin, the I-had-to-write-about-something-so-I-picked-this Matt Watson, and the satirical breath of fresh air, R.L. Scribner.

But today, I found hapiness in another Opinion writer. Bailey Singletary introduced me to a film called “Darius Goes West,” a film about a guy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and travels from his home in Athens, GA on a cross-country trip to be on “Pimp My Ride.” There is going to be a screening here on campus at Lee Hall. From what I can tell Darius is going to be there, and he and his crew are going to take questions after showing the film.

The project is raising money for DMD research by selling DVDs for $20 each. Out of the twenty, $17 is for DMD research and the remaining $3 is used for making more DVDs. They are also taking donations as well.

It sounds like a great story and the film appears to be rather entertaining. I’ll know more next week. I know that some in the disability community do not like touchy-feely, sympathy-inducing stories about disabled people, espescially when used to raise money. But I don’t think this film is going to rub them the wrong way. I don’t think the focus of the film is going to be about how horrible his disability is, but rather about how life goes on and we make the best of it.

There has also been debate about cures. Some have said that they would not accept a cure because their disabilities help make up who they are. They don’t find cures to be the solution to the “problem.” It isn’t wrong to deny or accept a cure. Individuals have the right to make that decision for themselves. Personally, I would gladly accept a cure. Why? To be frank, my disability will kill me (all else equal). SMA is a progressive disease.

So I hope even the skeptical will give this film a chance, at least on the good chance that it will be entertaining. I’m planning on writing more about the film after the screening. Cheers.

In the mostly quiet hallway of Mississippi State’s Disability Support Services (DSS), sits a square table that has been the source of many a legend (think Knights). But this time. The forces of that square table will push its popularity to a new height. A group of students, including the beloved Blake Watson, are planning a reality show based on the daily activities of the square table. Except scripted.

The show will be much like The Office. In fact we’re pretty much copying the format to the letter. Our group is already kind of funny, so exaggerating our personalities and throwing in some fictional attributes will make for some hilarious scenes.

I’m still coming up with the characters. The show will be built on Jimmie (my student attendant). He’s going to be the “normal” character who’s not too silly or dramatic, but still has a personality (think Jim). I’m going to be a “disabled elitist” (my term I think) who calls people out on every potential degrading thing they could do or say. Even if what they say or do has to be construed. Matthew, a friend of mine who has low vision, is going to be our “blind friend” who constantly worries that he’s being excluded from our group because we use wheelchairs and he doesn’t. And when I say worry, I mean conspiracy theorist.

Shooting it is the next issue. Obviously, my standards aren’t high. I’m thinking a digital camera that does video would probably be good enough. I think we have one. I’ll check the library as well. What I’m worried about the most is people’s voices picking up. Anyone got some advice there?

We also need a name. I thought about The Square Table, but I think it should be something a little more descriptive.

Any ideas?

I was doing a decent job of keeping up with my writing schedule (okay, I was a little off) until about two weeks ago, when I got bombarded with school. And I mean bombarded. Due dates and deadlines came at me like linebackers after a quarterback. My email inbox began to overflow. My extra-curricular involvement fizzled. I started missing assignments. I turned in below-average homework. I did kind of bad (I think) on an Accounting exam and then bombed miserably on a Finance exam. On top of all that, I’ve had a sinus infection and some stomach issues. The past two weeks have been some of the worst weeks I can remember having in my college career. I had to regroup. So I came up with a plan.

I was originally taking four classes this semester. Marketing Research is full semester and in-person. Finance 1 and Accounting are intensive, 8-week classes that take place first term (i.e. the first half of the semester). Management of IT and Systems is also an intensive, 8-week online class scheduled for second term. Like this:

Fall 2008 Class Schedule

I decided last semester that online classes would be better for me since I work well using a computer. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider the disadvantages of online classes. The first is that I retain most of the test material during lectures. I don’t retain a lot from reading, especially if I read through entire chapters. If I skim, I tend to miss everything. Well, online classes don’t have much lecturing. Accounting does have some useful video lectures, but Finance is lacking.

The second disadvantage is that exams are usually open-book and open-note. Obviously, distance learners cannot be proctored as well as their in-person counterparts. Most professors assume that students will use the book and or notes. To compensate, professors write more difficult questions. Open book tests are usually a disadvantage to me because it is difficult for me to flip through a book, much less at the same time I’m writing or typing. I hate textbooks. While it is possible to get digital copies, it can take weeks or even months of dealing with large, bureaucratic publishing companies. So I end up not using a book, but still having to answer tough questions.

Combined, these disadvantages (and the fact that some of the classes are intensive) left me taking a Finance midterm for which I was completely unprepared, without my book and notes, having to use a mouse, keyboard, and financial calculator at once. I nibbled on it, realizing I was getting nowhere, then turned it in mostly incomplete. I talked with my advisor today and dropped the class. The unfortunate result is that it is not offered in person next semester (my last). I will be forced to take it online again. But at least Accounting will be done. And now I know what to expect. I will plan out my tests with DSS so I can get some accommodations (writer and extended time).

As you can see, I’ve been busy. But some of the pressure is off now.

A break from disability blogging today.

Ron Paul, his supporters, and like-minded individuals have gathered in Minneapolis today amidst the Republican National Convention to “rally” behind the idea of a free America. The Rally for the Republic has come at a crucial point in United States history. Many voters I know are students who are going to be voting for the first time. And they don’t know who to vote for. One candidate promises change, but proposes policies that furthers federal government control. The other candidate promises to not raise taxes, but plans to keep investing in an American empire all over the world, including a possible conflict with Iran.

Today, 10,000 people came together in Minneapolis to say “enough.” Those who could not be there, are with them in spirit… and watched the live video at Ron Paul’s Campaign For Liberty.

I was one of them.

As of only a few days ago, I knew not for which candidate I would vote. Today I am proud to say that my vote will not likely go to John McCain or Barack Obama. I have not yet decided whether I will vote for the Libertarian Party candidate or the Constitution Party candidate. Or who knows, I may write-in Ron Paul. But whoever it is will share my beliefs about the economy. I fear we are headed for a depression as bad or worse than the Great one.

Ron Paul has addressed problems with our economy (e.g. inflation). He has plans to cut federal spending by not letting the federal government overstep its boundaries, set forth in the Constitution. The government’s involvement in healthcare has helped to drive up medical costs while putting more red tape between doctors and their patients.

I’m tired of beurocracies. I’m tired of government waste.

I want an America that doesn’t rely on the government to fulfill all its wants and needs. Power should lie with the people.