Monday, April 25, 2011

Wrapping Up April and Nearly the School Year

The end of Spring semester is quickly approaching and I am finding myself taken back by the speed of life, once again. It seems every fall couldn't come any slower and everything no quicker. But so what? So, I'm also noticing that my semester schedules don't align with this shift in speeds. My fall schedule is always the less interesting, more tedious, excursion while the spring being the thought provoking and exciting one. The possibility also looms that it is in fact my schedule that gives this apparent change in speed. After all, we do tend to lose ourselves in those topics and activities we enjoy and that gives the impression of time flying by. I suppose my upcoming fall schedule will lend further insight as it looks to be a very stimulating semester.

Anthro 201 - History and Theory
Anthro 312 - Prehistory of North America
Anthro 330 - Osteology
Anthro 425 - Medicine, Disease, and Culture

The latter two looking to be the more difficult of the four but I mustn't enter with too many preconceptions. This next semester will also be the biggest test for me in terms of degree workload. In the past, I tend to get bored with the electives outside my major, a habit that I hope to dismiss, and end up procrastinating and deemphasizing those assignments. This semester I do not have any outside electives so I will be finally focusing fully on Anthropology, and it will require fortitude and passion. I think I have it.

The close of the year is also a time to prepare for non-profit work next year. Our soccer schedules are beginning to solidify, elections are being held for numerous organizations, and budgets are being approved.

- Boise State Men's Soccer Club looks to have a very good third year. We have lost some seniors but with the replacement of our old coach, we have gain a new group of recruits and the possibilities are looks very wide ranged. We have also lost a very good manager in Jesse Tribby, but gained another good one in Dallas Albretsen. This next year we look to implement more structure and talent onto our squads and I am very confident that staying and Presiding over this club was the correct decision.

- I am currently in the running for Anthropology Club President. I do not know who or if there are any other nominees but for the sake of the club, I hope there is a plethora! Competition is the driving force behind progressive organizations and while I have the utmost confidence in myself, I am also sure there are many out there with skill and innovation in administration.
- If elected I look to expand club membership first and foremost by providing stimulating projects, service, and discussion of everything Anthropological.
- I also look forward to extending our goals and contact with other schools and organizations of the same vein.
- But the most exciting thing will be to work with Dr. Ziker and other Anthropology faculty more closely. Yes, there input is sometimes minimal like their time, but I feel it is a great opportunity for me to enlighten my perspective and take a step forward toward scholastic excellence.

- I was recently offered an opportunity to work with alumnus and student leaders to found a chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity in Boise. I am a little sad to say that I am financial and temporally unable to contribute to this endeavor but I do wish it luck as it is an organization founded on philanthropic principles and not completely inebriate ones. Thought I am sad, I am also confident that I made the right decision to stick with Soccer and Anthropology, two large chapters in my life that have only briefly begun.

Final Projects:
I have 3 term papers the finish in order to conclude this semester. Here is the likely direction I am going:

Anthro 200 - Kinship, Social Organization, and Networks: Communalism and Hierarchy: The Aymara Paradox
Anthro 314 - Environmental Anthropology: Pre and Post-Agrarian Reform Subsistence of the Altiplano Aymara
Physics 105 - Stars and Cosmology: Telescopic Evolution, Paradigm Shifts, and Singularity: Necessary Concepts and Foresight (Extra Credit)

I hope to do well and I have but in a substantial amount of effort and research, as best I know how, to do well on these final portfolios. Best of luck to anyone else finishing school, projects, or work before summer!

CHEERS!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Introduction

This is an anything and everything existing blog by Shane Anthony Scaggs, Boise resident and enthusiast. It is meant to be a medium to voice and share opinions in an effort to gain feedback, contacts, and structured criticism.

Lets keep it simple shall we?:

What: A blog about anything that exists in what we, as humans, perceive as reality.
Where: The internet? Boise, Idaho? My Macbook? Earth? antholism.blogspot.com
When: It's my blog, I'll blog when I want to but you should read it all the time if you know what's good for ya.
Why: Several reasons, namely:
1. To prevent ethnocentrism in my beliefs and opinions.
2. To share what I care about and see if others care for it as well.
3. To improve my writing skills and expose them to the world (anyone that will read this...)
4. To reduce boredom with something semi-intellectual and stimulating for me.
5. But mostly because of the first few lines in this post, to gain feedback, contacts, and criticism for my work and interests.

Well what's the phrase people use? Oh, "Happy Blogging."