IDCIDWIW

Well ... there are several reasons for the brazen hiatus of this publication. I shall spare the gruesome details, but suffice it to say that NU Daily

*WILL*

continue to be updated. Period. End of story.

If there are problems, discrepancies, or complaints about the content, feel *free* to leave a comment or email me at the address provided. I welcome feedback. I abhor backstabbers.

Weekly Highlight:

One can only imagine why the CIVILIAN Ring Committee has decided to use the CORPS side for their ring this year. I doubt that'll make it past the initial stages, due to the obvious uproar. Either they were completely out of ideas or looking for attention. I presume the latter.

It's comparable to how Hollywood has run out of ideas and has been using comic books, video games, and sequels to produce new films ... has the civilian population run out of ways to represent themselves?

If they would like to put "NUCC," "MCV," and the rook piece on their junior ring, I would recommend going through rookdom first.

Is it hard? Of course not. Not anymore anyway. Plus, I doubt the majority of the civilian population (which I happen to get along with, thank you) wants the Corps side on their ring ... or they would have "Checked the Wrong Box" as we lovingly refer to it. My thoughts? Don't hate on the civilians - they want a ring, too - but their Ring Committee is 'out their damn minds!'

Endstate?

Rumor: 2010 is the year for "standardized class rings."

Because there's no difference between the Civilians and the Corps.

Remember the Cadillians?


Look for a new poll on this in a week or so ... after I've evaluated your alcoholism. ;o)


Oh, and it's Hundreds Night. Meh.

This publication was brought to you by Norwich University and the Corps of Cadets, myself, and by viewers like you!

Giant Big Enormous Update

Gah! So much has happened in the week I have failed to update.

Besides the FIRST snow --



-- which is now gone

First, another example of the disasterous results when Norwich tries to host a "social" event. Two Saturdays ago was the BRAWL (yes, brawl) at the "Tiki Bar." Unfortunately, I had already stumbled out left when the fight between the ... ahh ... "Urban Performers" and the general student population went full-swing bar fight. Gosh, I miss everything. Anyone have pictures??

Second, a classic tradition happened on Monday, 4 December - Saint Barbara's Day. As one of the Arty boys so eloquently put it, "You're gonna hear it anyway, so you might as well go out and watch it." Exactly. Love it every year. Nice job, boys.






More pictures are here - definitely check them out. Courtesy of Johnson!


Third, some crazy things have been happening among the freshmen companies, and all I can do is laugh and shake my head. It does, however, result in a very crowded TOUR STRIP ... two companies ... impressive.




Lastly, for now, whose bright idea was it to put candles inside paper bags and place them around campus? I mean, the fire department may be bored, but come on!

This report was brought to you by Norwich University and the Corps of Cadets, myself, and by viewers like you!

Not-So Fouled Up

Behold, there's at least one band on campus that hasn't died.

Norwich University's own faculty jazz band, SNAFU, gave two Note-worthy (ouch, that pun hurt) performances this evening in Milano Ballroom. The group features seven university professors whose talents include drums, bass, vocals, saxophone, piano, trombone, trumpet & cornet.



The Fall Semester's program was comprised of Latin jazz from the late forties through the sixties.



It may take a few extra-credit points to lure Norwich students away from an early Happy Hour on a Friday, but the Credit tonight really goes to SNAFU - tapping feet spread faster than Alumni Hall's plague of 2006!

The military has "mandatory fun" ...

The Corps has "Rent-an-Audience" (read as: FAP/TMT guest speakers & football games) ...

And the professors have points-based culture.



The difference being no one snuck out of the latter. (not that anyone would ever sneak out of the former of course)



Sounded good!

Tonight's report was brought to you by the talented musical stylings of SNAFU's professors: Chevalier, Clements, Ehly, Jagemann, Pennington, Ryan, Tallman, and Ehrman; by myself, the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, and of course, viewers like you. Photos taken by me and published with permission ... sort of. ;o)

On a Serious Note

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the family and friends of former NU men's hockey captain Mike Serba, who was beaten to death in an alley last Saturday by Nicholas Crowdis, 22. The violence of his death is shocking and tragic.


The Toronto Sun had the best account of the story.

The Burlington Free Press has more of a bio.

CFRB had the short version.

NU has sent out an email concerning funeral transportation and times.

I'd like to encourage everyone to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers, especially during this year's [amazing] hockey season. I will be.

The Food Poll

The new poll is a result of several people, both Corps and Civilian, bringing this to my attention.

One case was an engineering student trying to get from class to lab to work, but couldn't utilize the grab 'n' go option because of the line of rooks out the door, up the road, and beyond.

Another was a Corps cadre member noting that there's nothing preventing the rooks from using that option to get out of going to mess and dealing with what might be the only annoying part left of their freshman year (slackers).



For once, I'm completely neutral since I pretty much gave up eating in general. I have been in the "chow hall" exactly five times this year, having abandoned Sodehxo entirely, as I predicted earlier.

If it's really impacting you, vote away. Someone might give a shit eventually.

Stories? Leave in the comments section for this post.

This entry was inspired by the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, created by your favorite WebMistress, and as always, designed for hungry viewers like you.

Two Cents Tuesday

IMHO, people who talk about news, issues, problems, or even other people that they don't know a thing about are naive at best and elitist at worst. Yes, this includes casual conversation, and here's why:

Even statements beginning with "I think ..." are subject to scrutiny, because honestly, what you think may be completely wrong, idiotic, and deserving of incessant abuse. You are entitled to think all the wrong things you like, but don't expect to be free from criticism. For example,

"I think the world is flat."

"I think we never really went to the moon."

"I think I'll vote for John Kerry." (ooo ... zinger to the liberals)

Even just,

"I think."

For some of you, those two words alone are a flat out lie. You can think what you want, you can say what you want, and you can have your own opinion ... but if you can't back it up with any substance, who's going to listen to you? Perhaps your family or close friends humor you, or you can always try a chat room, but most creatures with opposable thumbs will see right through you.

That's my Two Cents for Today on:

People that are missing the filter between brain and mouth.

Four Famous Words ... and Stories

This entry is to clarify (for the underclassmen), refresh (for the departed), and explain (for the outsiders) two important Norwich rules.

One, is the truth around the four infamous words that result in the most havoc, chaos, and hilarity on campus. These four words ... any guesses?

"You won't do it."

The response: "WHO won't do it?!"

The requirement (upon clairfication, "YOU won't do it."): following the utterance of those words, the person targeted MUST perform whatever was challenged. There are no excuses for danger or embarrassment, but a case may be made if the challenger is an idiot. Disputes are settles by popular vote of group present.

The result: (IMPORTANT!) Any and ALL consequences, credit, blame, damage or otherwise that occurs as a result is inflicted upon the person who said, "You won't do it." It is important to adhere to the direct, unconditional, and immediate transfer of responsibility, just as it is important that the challenged not back down.

Those are simple, steadfast, and well-tested rules. If you have any pictures or videos that were the direct result of those four words, send them over and I'll post them.



Second is the mystery and intrigue of an Official Norwich Story. What makes it Official?

Fine, I'll tell you - it's how you start it off.

The requirement: All Norwich stories, to be Official, must begin with the words, "So there I was ..."

This is often expanded to, "So there I was, knee/balls deep in [whatever] ..."

You get the idea.

Official Norwich stories often end in either (in the case of the anti-climactic)

"And then I found 20 bucks!"

or,

"And that's how you make great pancakes."




Comments? Leave 'em.

This post was compiled for your viewing pleasure by the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, your favorite WebMistress, and as always, by viewers like you.

Official Safety Brief

Since it's already Tuesday, and everyone's had sufficient time to misbehave, I will now give the resident student population the Official NU Daily Classic Norwich University Safety Brief.

"Don't Do Stupid Shit. It's stupid."

"Don't Do Anything Your Cadre Will Read About in the News."

"Don't add to or subtract from the population at large."


And from last Thursday's Jackman speech,

"It's called drinking after driving. Don't Do It." (Thank you: VSM/SGM)

Funny, I thought it was the other way around ...

Leave your favorite safety brief advice imparted to you (or invented by you) in the comments section. Everyone's cadre had some good ones ...

These safety brief excerpts were collected from the past four years of stellar Norwich University leadership, the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, your favorite WebMistress, and of course, by viewers like you.

On Recognition

Pictures to be posted at a later date. Expect the entries to be light on photos for a while ... long story.

To the freshmen:

Congratulations. You are the newest cadets here. Today is your first chance to show the Corps, yourselves, and anyone else that you came here for a reason. This is when you show us that it means something. This is when we see if it was the right decision. Remember that military customs and courtesies are not for Rookies alone, and she that giveth can also taketh away.

The the sophomores and juniors:

Quit whining about the fact that they're recognized in November. Quite frankly, no one wants to hear it. It isn't about the recognition date itself, but their progression into functioning members of the Corps. If that's not happening, address that issue. Piss and moan about the lack of training, discipline, whatever ... but stop splitting hairs about the date. They don't have so many privileges that they'll be wreaking havoc in mass ... hopefully.

To the seniors:

If they really can't handle it, they'll be kicked back in the gutter. It's that simple. There is no impact on our daily life resulting from recognition. If there is ... that's a sign of a serious problem which would need immediate attention.


To the CDT Staff:

Good planning and execution on the part of the ceremony. (Yes, that's a real compliment)


To All:

It's a fact of life that the Corps gets easier every year. The alums from the "Old Corps" had it harsher than this generation, who trained more than the recent alums. The young alums had more difficult accomplishments than this year's seniors. Our seniors had it harder than the juniors, who did more than the sophomores who had it rougher than the freshmen. This year's freshmen get to complain about the recruits next year having a cakewalk. It is the nature of the beast. The Powers that Be are afraid of training injuries and lawsuits, the freshmen are more out of shape, and to quote the only thing I remember from any CSM meeting freshman year,

"We can't make up for 18 years of bad parenting."

Blame it on Society. ;o)

This entry brought to you by Norwich University's newest cadets, a group of rowdy upperclassmen, ie: the Norwich University Corps of Cadets, myself, and by viewers like you.