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FINALly

While studying for my last final at UL, I snapped a photo to capture the moment. I do not dislike studying. I have discovered that it is much more fun than working at a miserable dead-end job. Furthermore, studying is actually rewarding!

I have an interview this Wednesday in New Orleans. Hopefully all my hard work will pay off, and I can get into a program there. If not, then I do have a Plan B, but Plan A is so much sweeter.

Ring Tones

I'm sitting in the computer lab at the library, and someone's phone rings. Personally, I have never made the "mistake" of not turning my ringer off. To me, it isn't one of those things to easily forget. Anyway, as always, someone made the mistake.

Many of us are guilty of having a song as a ring tone on our phone. Well, this chick was no different. Her phone rang aloud, playing her song. I don't know the name of the song (and I will not rest until I find out), but EVERYONE in the computer lab burst into laughter. Then...we couldn't stop thinking about it, and the laughter continued for a good while.

The computer lab is fairly large, and it can accomodate about 70 people. She was standing and walking when her phone went off. Man, I know this chick was humiliated.

Then, the next phone went off, playing the tune, "You're Beautiful," and we all laughed at that loser.

2007 Kentucky Derby Winner

A local boy, Calvin Borel, from around St. Martinville, placed first in the 2007 Kentucky Derby. It was an amazing race for him. As you would expect, he was thrilled at the race's end. Here is an interview I got from youtube with Calvin after the race.

As you watch it, ask yourself the same question as the producer of the video. Were Calvin Borel and Bobby Boucher separated at birth?



Yes, it is always the most coonass of us all that get the opportunity to appear on national television.

The day after the race, he was scheduled to have dinner at the White House. Also, he had a one-on-one conversation with the Queen of England. Man, I hope that was recorded. I'm sure that she required a translator.

Mais...you can't make shit like dat up, non.

UL LAFAYETTE PRESIDENT RAY AUTHEMENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

UL Lafayette President Dr. Ray Authement, the nation’s longest serving public university president, announced his retirement Friday afternoon during a meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System in Lafayette.

He was named the university’s president in 1974, after serving as acting president for a year.

“I today announce my intention to relinquish the presidency of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as soon as the board can arrange a smooth transition from this presidency to the next,” Authement told board members at the end of their regular monthly meeting. The board was meeting at the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise facility in UL Lafayette’s University Research Park. Board committees met on the university’s campus yesterday.

“I thank you so very much for all you’ve done,” Authement said.“As you can see, we’re making tremendous progress. I can assure you that I will continue to work with all of you to continue this development and movement forward.”

Jimmy Long, chair of the UL System Board, responded that the board, “individually and collectively, is saddened” by the announcement. “I also want to say that we appreciate your statement that you’ll be here for as long as it takes for a smooth transition.”

Dr. Sally Clausen, UL System president, thanked Authement for his service. “You have served as our ‘dean,’ both as a leader for our system office and presidents. You’ve also been a friend – the best friend higher education has had. Thank you for giving us your life.”

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued a statement that commended Authement for his service to UL Lafayette and his work to improve higher education throughout Louisiana.

“ Dr. Ray Authement has given visionary leadership and service to the University of Louisiana, to the Lafayette community, and to the tens of thousands of graduates who are leaders across Louisiana and around the world. The university has thrived under his direction, growing from a small regional college to one with internationally acclaimed programs,” she said.

“Dr. Authement will always be the most beloved member of the Ragin’ Cajun family and I am proud to count him and his wife Barbara among my special friends. I thank them both for a lifetime of service to our people.”

Under Authement’s guidance, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has become a major economic force in Acadiana, while earning a national reputation in the fields of computer science, environmental and biological research, and Francophone studies.

He is responsible for the development of University Research Park, which houses numerous national research centers, the LITE facility and a hotel. Recently, the Carnegie Foundation designated UL Lafayette as a “research university with high research activity.” That puts UL Lafayette in the same category as Clemson, Auburn and Baylor universities.

During Authement’s administration, UL Lafayette became a selective admission institution and the first Doctoral II university in Louisiana.

He was a major force in successful efforts to change the name of the university from the University of Southwestern Louisiana to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Since Authement became the university’s fifth president, Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns have competed in NCAA Division 1, the highest level of collegiate athletic competition. The football team is a member of NCAA Division 1-A.

A $130 million construction boom on campus in the past decade produced the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum; Moody Hall, which houses the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration; a new computer science building; and Legacy Park, an apartment-style student residence on campus. Edith Garland Dupré library was expanded and totally renovated. A 400-plus parking garage and an indoor practice facility for UL Lafayette’s athletic teams are under construction.

Earlier in his presidency, Authement supervised construction of several other buildings, including the 12,800-seat Cajundome and an adjacent convention center.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s gifted assets surpassed $100 million during the Investing in Our Future Centennial campaign under Authement’s direction. UL Lafayette has 18 endowed chairs; each valued at $1 million. It has two endowed chairs funded entirely through private sources. The most recent addition to the university’s funded chairs is an endowed super chair in telecommunications, valued at $2 million.

The university has more than 140 endowed professorships, valued at $100,000 each, through the Board of Regents’ matching program and 29 endowed professorships funded through private sources.

When Louisiana’s oil industry virtually collapsed in the early 1980s, the university, under Authement’s direction, led efforts to diversify the area’s economy. For example, it helped existing businesses operate more efficiently, offered assistance to fledgling companies and showed businesses how to to obtain government contracts.

Since the mid-1980s, Authement established more than a dozen research centers, including the Louisiana Productivity Center and Institute of Cognitive Science.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1950; a master’s degree in 1952 from Louisiana State University and a doctoral degree from LSU in 1956.


Christine Payton
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Burnt at Both Ends

In the past two days, I have slept a total of five hours. I feel like my body is ready for a rest, but I have to work tonight until 11pm.

I picked up a shift at the hospital, in addition to my other job and school. I am thankful that this boring semester is almost over.

Tomorrow is my first shift in the bar. I am a little nervous because I was only trained for about an hour one night. I hope that I can find everything and that I do not totally screw up the register. The computer in the bar is different than every other one in the house. Plus, I have no clue as to what they do to open/close the bar. I'm just being thrown to the wolves, I guess. I think my nervousness comes with good reason.

Turtle In The City

I was at Rebecca's the other day. I let the doggies out to go potty. They would not stop barking. I knew something was up. Low and behold, there was a huge turtle outside, just trying to make a nest. I think Chance scared it away, but it was a HUGE turtle.

Beautiful Day

Today was a beautiful day at Girard Park. Too bad that the day had to be wasted with school and work.

I had a 5 hour break today between school and work. I got some much needed studying accomplished.

Spring 2007

I hate every class that I have this semester. If I would generally like the subject, I cannot stand the teacher. I will be quite happy come May.

Work has been keeping me very busy, and I have little time for much else. However, I guess that is good because I am making really good money. It's more that I ever made with a degree.

Blast from the Past

Those of your who are my friends on myspace may have noticed that I recently posted a bulletin titled "Blast from the Past." Mo, a nurse that I work with responded with her own answers. I got a kick out of them, so I decided to post them on here. Maybe they are more interesting to me because I know her.

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Who was your best friend?
Sonya, Tina, Toni, Chris...

2.What sports did you play
Track...for a while

3.What kind of car did you drive
Chevy Suburban

4. It's Friday night, where were u ?
Football game, of course.....Goooo Wolves!

5. Were you a party animal?
Officially or unofficially???? Hmmmmmmmm

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Hell yes..

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Band. Rifle Captain....Contest of Champions Best Rifle Line~
Community Choir....soprano/soloist

8. Were you a nerd?
No. BUT I was considered a brainiac....

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Nope. But I spent my whole senior year playing cat and mouse with the possiblity. Those of you who really know me, know why:)

10. Can you sing the fight song?
Um........Hail oh hail to thee Rayne High....

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Chief...better known as Mr. Waguespack, our band director

12. Favorite class?
Ok, this sounds nerdy, but English IV....we did a lot of writing, which is a love of mine

13. What was your school's full name?
Rayne High School

14. School mascot?
The Fighting Wolves

15. Did you go to the Prom?
Hell yes! We had about 3 inches of red wine covering the entire floor of the American Legion, and everyone's dress was ruined. There were ice chests everywhere...drinking age was 18 back then, and the after-party was at the Leonards' house in the Cove.
People lost lots of items of clothing that night......

16. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
YES..... YES .....YES!!!

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
Couldn't stop crying.....

18. Did you have any boyfriends/girlfriends?
Oh my......too many......

19. Where were you on senior skip day?
Due to some inside information, I was at school taking these really stupid "pop quizzes" that were worth stupid amounts of points and putting those of us who went waaaay ahead of the curve..there is something to be said about having friends in all the right places........

20. Did you have a job your senior year?
Nope

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Hanging out at the bandroom, or talking with the school's cutest coach when he had lunch duty. Lunch??? Did anyone really eat back then? I don't think I ever went inside the lunchroom except to order my senior ring.

22. Have you gained weight since then?
Um........yes, sure. Don't know many who haven't...or at least haven't had it sucked out, lifted or tucked....

23. What did you do after graduation?
Immediately.......party at The Sting! Don't know that I have ever danced that much in my life. My feet hurt just thinking about it...oh, if anyone out there knows what happened to my slip.....

24. When did you graduate?
Well, if you ask my kids...in the stone age ..LOL
But technically, we were still in the innocence of the '70's....but barely...1979!

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
Charles (Chuck) Fremeaux. Don't ask........it's a really long story.

26. Are you going to your 10 year reunion?
Been there, done that. In the days of "big hair.. short, and I do mean short skirts and lots of cleavage......." and I brought it all
to the reunion...I was newly divorced and having the time of my life.

27. Who was your home room teacher?
Mr. Waguespack

28. Who will repost this after you?
Dunno

29: Do you miss anyone you graduated with?
Sure, lots of people that I wonder about all of the time. We were a special bunch, in so many ways.

30: Are you friends with the person who posted this?
Yes. He's our monitor tech.....and a really cool dude!! Sometimes I feel sorry for him, though. Stuck in a room for 12 hours with all of us crazy women, having to listen to our girlie conversations, and put up with some of our antics...& by our, I really mean Connie's antics........one too many panty dances...again, don't ask...it's too jaded and sordid and tooo funny. You just have to be there when it happens. Luv ya B !!!!

OK....so I mostly wanted to share this with everyone because of #30. I've been working at the hospital for a little over a year. I felt like it took me a really long time to get to know people because I don't work very often. I'm PRN, so I just fill in when they have a need. Lately, I feel that they are very thankful when I work, so I'm thinking that they do like me, and her response to the last question just put a big smile on my face. I wanted to share.

I love working the weekends and nights...I am surrounded by the best crew at that time. I love you guys.

I Pay; Therefore I Am

I had to sit through an hour and 15 minutes of class listening to this small child babble, whimper, and cry. I pay good money to come to this class, just like everyone else.

My thought is that if you lack child care for the day...skip school. With a kid this age, a parent spends more time tending to it, than listening to the lecture. The bottom line is that it is just rude. Be considerate! Your baby is your responsibility, not my burden.

Mo

See...I am not the only one. This is Mo, and she is ready to go. We're just sitting around clowning folks right now. One hour left!

Workin' Hard 4 da Money

I am at work, and I am pretty freaking bored at this point. It is 05:26, and I have been sitting in this chair since 18:45 yesterday afternoon.

This is my little corner at work. I was recently moved, but the scenery doesn't change much, just the angle. I now sit on the side of a window, which is quite exciting in my little world.

Come on day shift!

LSU Basketball

Last Saturday, I attended my first LSU game. I enjoyed it. I got to see David St. Romaine, from USA's Nashville Star, perform at half-time. It wasn't that big of a deal, but something nonetheless.

Debate

I came to a religious debate at school, simply for 5 bonus points. Two hours later, I am still sitting here. Not only am I extremely ready to leave, but I have needed to use the restroom for 90 minutes.

So to stay on topic with this discussion: if there is a God, why am I suffering? Would a perfectly good being do that? I am not making a point; I just REALLY need a toilet.

Construction

It looks like UL is finally coming up in the world. Pictured above is the new parking tower. Twenty years overdue, but it has finally arrived.

However, keeping with tradition UL, has not found a sufficient solution to the parking problem. The tower will not be able to accommodate all students who commute. Many will find themselves still parking 3 miles from main campus and riding the bus.

State Examines Bubbling Water at Lake Peigneur

LAKE PEIGNEUR - A mysterious bubbling and foaming occurred again Thursday at Lake Peigneur, and state officials now are looking into what may be causing the activity.

Thursday's activity was spotted around 7 a.m., when Richard Suire, who lives along the lake, said he saw bubbles shooting one to two feet into the air. The activity occurred in an area about 10 feet to 15 feet across and about three feet wide, Suire said.

Although the bubbling soon dissipated, a larger area of foam could be seen in the same spot until around noon. Michael Richard Sr., owner of the nearby tourist attraction Rip Van Winkle Gardens, said the foam extended in a line several hundred feet long. Richard said he also noticed an unusual odor near the foam.

"There was a distinct petroleum odor," Richard said. "I could smell it when I was downwind from it. It was a strong petroleum smell, like crude."

This is the third time within the past few months residents have seen such activity. But until Thursday, representatives from AGL Resources Inc., the company that operates two natural gas storage caverns beneath the lake, had not seen the activity.

Keith Poston, AGL's managing director of corporate communications, said residents notified the company about the activity this morning, and AGL officials were able to photograph and see the activity.

"We really don't have any theories about what it could be at this point," Poston said. "We still don't believe it's coming from the caverns or our operations. The area where the bubbling occurred today is about a half-mile away from our caverns. It doesn't seem likely that the bubbling is associated with them, but we really don't know."

Poston said that although AGL found no problems when it checked its equipment several weeks ago, the company will continue to investigate the situation and may send divers to further check its underwater operations.

In addition, two representatives from the state Department of Natural Resources traveled to the lake on Thursday and met with Richard to try to get a better understanding of the situation. The state Department of Environmental Quality also is expected to investigate.

Nara Crowley, who also lives near the lake, said residents collected water samples Thursday morning and sent them to an area lab for testing. Crowley said she was unsure how long the tests may take.

In the meantime, Poston said AGL has no plans to stop its Lake Peigneur operations while the activity is investigated.

"We have no reason to believe that our operations are causing this, nor do we have any reason to believe that the bubbling could result in any kind of risk to our facilities," Poston said. "I'm sure the state will want to examine it further, especially now that we've pinpointed the location. But we have no plans to cease our operations based on what we've seen."

Amanda McElfresh
amcelfresh@theadvertiser.com

Mobile

Trying out blogging from my cell.

My First Mobile Blog

I decided to try out this mobile blogging thing. I am going to keep it short incase it doesn't work.

This is a picture that I took with my phone at Starbucks.

What? What's that??

At night, after things quiet down in the house, I have been hearing this persistent sound, coming from outside. I haven't been paying much attention to the noise, but I have noticed that it is a bit annoying.

Tonight, I decided to listen closely. Being the education person that I am, I concluded that the noise was a Long-eared Owl. Each time that I see an owl, I get pretty excited. They are nocturnal, so seeing one during the day is quite a treat. Although, they are very hard to spot during daylight hours because they are in a restful state.

Recently, I've noticed that I have become a little rusty on my avian identification, so I may leave my field guide out in case I feel the need to do a little birding.