Happy Hanukkah

So I recently started working for Best Buy as "Loss Prevention." That's basically an overblown title for the guy who stands up front and greets all the customers, checks receipts, and follows you around with cameras and sends employees to bother you incessantly if you look suspicious.

Well, last night, it was near closing, and an older couple was waiting for their son to check out. I suppose the father got bored, because he came over after wandering around aimlessly in the register area, and asked me where the 'Merry Christmas' signs were. I looked up and said, "We have our 'Happier Holidays' signs," pointing to them with a smile. "What about Christmas?" he asked, and seemed a little perturbed with me. I told him we hadn't been provided with any, though we did have our Christmas music (which had been blaring from speakers above my head for 8 hours O_O). He shook his head at me and started rambling. "If your bosses don't believe in Christmas then they're not Christians..." He continued on at some length before wandering off in somewhat of a fit. I admit that I stopped listening to him after that first phrase. Sometimes, when you deal with Customer Service, not listening is the best way to maintain sanity, and stay out of trouble.

I heard a news story on the radio recently, as well, that Utah Senator Chris Butters was proposing a bill to promote the use of Christmas in public places to "combat the war on Christmas."

War on Christmas? Eh? Last time I checked, Christmas was the biggest...thing...of the year. I realize that a lot of it is commercial (I've adopted the title of "Annual Debt Renewal Season"), but still. It's not like, for the Christians of the nation, Christmas is in some kind of decline. That businesses insist on saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" doesn't mean that its owners or employees have anything against Christmas. They just want to avoid insulting those Americans that don't follow the Christian faith, and there are plenty. (I'm not sure myself why "Merry Christmas" would insult someone of another faith. As you are simply wishing them a happy season, in my opinion, but they may have their reasons. I, personally, would not be insulted if you wished me a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanza). You could look at it the other way, as well. "Happy Holidays" could be a very Christian thing to say, in the right context. You could argue, because there are so many different religious holidays this time of year, that saying "Happy Holidays" embraces the Christian ideal of acceptance by recognizing those other events.

Anyways, what are your thoughts on the "War of Christmas" or have you even seen anything like this?

Happy Holidays.

This holiday season...

With Christmas rapidly approaching, I'm wondering how the economic downturn is impacting everyone's holiday traditions. What is going to be different this year compared to last year? Many of my friends aren't traveling this Christmas because the costs are too high, and the money could go towards other things, like medical bills. I am donating plasma in order to get some extra cash to buy presents for my family, and a lot of people are ceasing to buy presents altogether. Is this Christmas going to be more spiritual than material? I think so. I think there's going to be more of an emphasis on spending time with family, and not "what did you get for me?" Also, I think that the roots of Christmas are going to be more evident, in that we are all very fortunate and should be thankful for what we've been blessed with. So even with the credit crunch and downfall of the U.S. economy, what is it about Christmas that is going to be special to you?

Thursday and Friday

Hi everyone. This is just a reminder that I will be in my office all day on Thursday and Friday to meet with students and answer any questions you may have regarding the Classical Argument paper or the Genre Translation assignment. My flight from England was delayed, and I am just now getting home, so I will be coming in a bit later than I had anticipated tomorrow, but I will still be there all day. I will be in my office from 10:30 AM to 8 PM. (I may be there a little earlier, but I will be there by 10:30 for sure.) On Friday I will be there from 8AM to 8PM.

Oh, and my dissertation defense went really well. Thanks to those of you who wrote me about it.

-Dr. Westover (still sounds a bit weird, but I'll get used to it)

Controversial

So i was thinking we have not had a controversial blog topic in a while and since we dont have class i am missing the thrill of sharing and hearing feelings on controversial topics :). I am wondering if any of you know much about stem cell research and what your stance is on the subject. I recently learned a little more about it in my biology class and it really intrigues me. Is stem cell research "playing god" and "messing with human life", or is it a "positive scientific exploration" to help further and sustain human life? Let me know what you think.....

1 Page Reflection & Group Evaluations

Hey guys i was just looking at the syllabus for the next week and saw that we have a one page reflection on our paper due next Wednesday...I was going to start writing mine today but i don't know what it needs to contain in it. Does anyone remember what we are suppose to include in it?

And the Group Evaluations..does anyone remember if he said we needed to type something about the people in our group or is he going to give us a paper to fill out in class?...if anyone knows please post a comment on this blogg... Thanks ( :

Homeschooling

Hey Guys...i was just thinking about when i was little and being home schooled myself. My mom pulled me out of elementary School in 5th grade because the teacher was going to fast for me and i couldn't understand the material he was presenting in the math lessons. Being home schooled for a year was a great experience for me. A lot of people think that when kids are home schooled they just watch t.v. all day and that can be true in some families i was taught all the subjects taught in a public school but it was done so at my individual pace and my mom included a morning devotional where we would read scriptures and sing a song to start the day before we started studying. Some of the things i learned a lot of people our age still haven't learned. If it wasn't for my mom pulling me out to mainly teach me math i would've HATED math at a very young age.

So my question to all of you is what your opinion of Homeschooling is? Have you been home schooled before? what was your experience like? do you know someone who was home schooled? Did it work for them? I just wanted to see what your thoughts were on this topic.

Credit Cards

I work at a place that often calls people up without notice and asks them to purchase something over the phone. I have been surprised to see that many people actually go through with giving there credit card information right over the phone. I have asked myself if I would give some random person my credit card over the phone even if what they were selling was a good deal, or a great product. I want to know if you think there should any type of laws or circumstances about calling people up and asking for their credit card number or other personal info over the phone. I know I never would.