The Pirates' Log

Microprocessors-R-Us

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

If Hollywood has taught us anything, it is that technological advances will eventually turn against us and enslave humanity. Just look at The Matrix and The Terminator. It seems fairly certain that the apocalypse will be brought on by man-made machines carrying machine guns.

MJC Interior Design exceeds expectations

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Appearances are everything.

While this old phrase may not hold abundantly true in many of our personal lives, such is not the case for the MJC Interior Design Program. Officially established in 2003 by predominant instructor and program head Ann Lowry, the program has grown from a small collection of design-oriented individuals to a thriving cornucopia of over 100 students.

Auditorium Opening

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For anyone who has set foot on the Modesto Junior College East Campus in the past three years, it has been quite apparent that the campus theater building is in the process of being utterly transformed.
"The theater is over 50 years old and badly in need of repair and renovation.

Autism Awareness

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When MJC student Elise Kennedy, 24, was a young volunteer at Doctor's Medical Center she connected with a 2-year-old autistic patient in such a way that this child began walking for the first time. "This was a turning point for me� I realized my path to follow and gift to give is to work with autistic children that are disadvantaged," said Kennedy.

I'm graduating, what next?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Grab your caps, gowns and maybe your umbrellas for MJC's 86th Annual Commencement Ceremony on April 25, 2008.

At 6 p.m. the bleachers of the East Campus stadium will be packed for the event that puts the finishing touch on a community college degree for all graduates who have finished their required units.

Student Services building may finally find a home�but where?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The proposed Student Services building now has a site�an old or new one, depending on who you ask. It's now back (or it never left) at the corner of South Drive, in the grassy area next to Art.
If you're confused, you're not the only one.
Although on March 3 MJC's College Council approved of moving the location of the new facility from the East Campus Quad to a new area next to the Art building, that choice was no less controversial.

Good night and goodbye, rifle man

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

He was an imposing man.

Whether he was on the screen or speaking at a National Rifle Association convention, you could feel that presence-even if you didn't particularly like the message he brought.

His funeral drew people from both sides of the spectrum-from Oliver North and Rob Reiner to Nancy Reagan and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Tecate wishes and fajita dreams

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I didn't think my Spring Break trip would include machine guns.

I pictured sparkling beaches stretching out as far as the eye can see, tan college students dancing in loud clubs and bars, and an orgy of young people downing beers and margaritas like there was no tomorrow.

There is no truth v. there is more truth than there is time

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A man is a fool who thinks he's found all the truth there is. The search for truth is eternal, timeless; it never stops, and the man who thinks he's found it all has stopped searching. He has therefore stopped learning. The man who has stopped considering that there may be more truth to find (even if it contradicts what he already knows,) must necessarily and will most assuredly either ignore or judge as false any truth he happens upon thenceforth.

Goodbye, farewell and amen

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Graduation is looming and for most MJC students this means moving on to bigger and better things. Some are going on to get better paying jobs and some will be going to a university to continue their quest for a higher degree.

However, for me, going through all the hoopla of getting ready to graduate and transfer to CSU Chico, has given me time to reflect on what I'm leaving behind.

OK, I'm out of the closet now

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I'm putting it in the FIRST sentence of this column that the headline on this article does NOT refer in any way to my sexual orientation. (See: subhead). The headline refers to the front-page article in the April Fools Day edition of the Pirates' Log describing how I had taken up residence in a broom closet in the journalism department.

Who needs slavery when you have "rehabilitation?"

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As if you didn't need another reason to be cynical, The New York Times has come along with another disturbing fact for Americans to chew on: one out of every 100 American adults is behind bars.

If that didn't just blow your mind, allow me to put that into perspective for you.

Pirate players lacking pride

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Over the past semester, I have become very aware of the fact that MJC athletics have fallen off of the radar, due to lack of student body knowledge. But that is far from the truth.
Just glance at some of the rankings and stats of all sports. Not just at the state rankings either, you might as well look over the national rankings while you are at it.

Marriage, rings, and pining for "him"

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Drew,

My boyfriend and I have been together for a while now and have decided to get married. We've discussed marriage many times and finally decided it is time. The only problem is our parents think we're not ready, but we have made our decision. How should we break the news to our parents? Please help us.

MJC celebrates 31 years of honoring student talent

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Since 1977 Modesto Junior College has been honoring and awarding students for their talents in the Celebration of Humanities, originally called the Humanities Contest.

Every year, the Celebration of Humanities brings out many students' creative sides to share their work with the entire school, in hopes of not just winning some money but also gaining recognition among their fellow MJC students.

Movie Review: Stop-Loss

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Stop-Loss" hits close to home but not close enough.

Directed by Kimberley Peirce, whose other controversial film, "Boys Don't Cry," made waves due to its racy subjects of sexism, sexual identity and rape, Stop-Loss follows the struggle of a returning Iraq War veteran being sent back to the war zone after he has been stop-lossed.