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Lessons From Stillwater
What I Took Away From My OSU Days
With my nephew Holton about to start his first year at Oklahoma State University, I’ve caught myself thinking about my own time there. It was an important part of my life, but I have lost touch with it lately. It’s just one of those things. Life gets moving, and losing track of old connections is easy. I used to have season football tickets and made a point to get back to OSU for games. Then the kids started playing sports, weekends filled up, and those trips to Stillwater faded into the background. Now, Holton’s gearing up to study aerospace engineering, and I guess I’m living a little bit of those college days again through him. Seeing him get ready for the year ahead brings back all kinds of memories. Stillwater felt like the right fit for me back then. I grew up just a state away, so it was far enough to feel like I was on my own, but not so far that a trip home was out of reach. That mattered more than I realized at the time. The town itself always stood out. Stillwater embraced its students — that was obvious. Local businesses knew the college was the heart of things, so they treated us like part of the community. You could feel it. I remember plenty of late nights spent around town, whether
studying or just unwinding with friends, and it was always a good time.
My original plan when heading into OSU was to become a vet. I enrolled in the College of Agriculture on the pre-vet track. Ranching ran in the family, so large animal work seemed like a natural path. I was sure that’s where I’d land, but it’s funny how plans can change. About halfway through my sophomore year, I realized vet school probably wasn’t the right fit after all. The program was competitive, and my grades were solid, but my interests were shifting. I have always been interested in politics so when I saw a pre-law track within the Ag-economics department, I decided to give it a shot. That choice ended up shaping a lot more than just my major. I stayed busy outside of class, too. I joined Alpha Gamma Rho, an agricultural fraternity that played a significant role in my time at OSU. We had fun, but the fraternity encouraged us to stay involved and focus on our schoolwork. I served as president of the Agri-Marketing Association for a couple of years on campus, helped out on the university dairy farm my first year, and spent more weekends than I can count working
on homecoming decorations and helping with campus events. Stillwater really came alive during homecoming. The entire town showed up, and being a part of it was fun. Keeping my grades up mattered, too. One thing a senior in the fraternity told me stuck. He said to treat college like a job. Show up, do the work, and stay consistent. That mindset helped considerably. I ended up graduating with a 3.98 GPA. If it hadn’t been for that dang art history class, it would have been a 4.0, but that’s life. With Holton headed off to OSU, I’m glad to see the next chapter starting. I hope to visit the campus again soon and see how much everything has changed. If I had one piece of advice to pass along to him or anyone else starting college, it would be simple: Get involved, show up, and enjoy it. The years go by faster than you think.
– Patrick R. Kelly
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The Original Anti-Tech Movement
What Caused the Luddite Uprising?
Most of us associate technology with progress. Ideas and inventions like electricity, computers, and the internet allow us to live more comfortably, communicate better with the world, and progress toward a more advanced and well-rounded future. However, not everyone looks at technology as a good thing. In today’s society, we refer to these individuals as Luddites. This is not a new term; it originates from the 19th-century Luddite movement in England. After mechanized looms and knitting frames became popular, British weavers and textile workers with years of training feared that unskilled machine operators would replace them. As machines spread throughout England, these workers broke into factories and destroyed the new technology. They referred to themselves as Luddites, in honor of Ned Ludd, a supposed weaver from Anstey who was rumored to have wrecked a textile machine in 1779.
While Ned Ludd may sound like a hero to the Luddite movement and similar to other historical rebels like Joan of Arc or William Wallace, he was more like Robin Hood than anyone else. There’s no proof he ever existed. He was a mythical leader whom many referred to when trying to inspire other Luddites or strike fear in the companies replacing artisans. Although the term “Luddite” has survived the test of time, their movement was relatively short-lived. The first major attack on a factory occurred in 1811, and similar events followed across England for the next few months. By the following year, machine- breaking became illegal, and 17 men were executed for their actions. By 1813, the movement was essentially dead. Modern Luddites may hate technology and think it interferes with the traditional ways of life, but most won’t go to such extreme lengths as breaking into factories and destroying all the equipment.
Strange Rules in a Tropical Paradise HAWAII’S UNCOMMON LAWS
When you travel outside the continental United States, you often have to research the laws and customs of your destination to ensure you stay out of trouble. While this is certainly a good idea when visiting Europe, Asia, or another continent, you should also do research when visiting somewhere closer to home. Even Hawaii has strange laws you might not know about until it’s too late. Here are three of the weirdest laws you must follow when visiting Hawaii. One at a time. Many people who go to bars, concerts, or sporting events have a habit of getting two alcoholic drinks at once to ensure they don’t have to wait in line when they need their next drink. However, doing so in Hawaii could land you in trouble. To curb people’s drinking habits, the Aloha State does not allow people to have two drinks in front of them at one time. You also cannot order a multi-serving drink,
such as a pitcher of beer, unless you’re with another person. Don’t take it with you! Many people like to take a memento of their vacation home, such as a seashell or a rock. If you plan to do this while visiting Hawaii, you must be careful where you grab from. You cannot remove rocks, plants, or wildlife from state or national parks. Not only is this action illegal, but it also invokes the “Curse of Pele” upon the individual. Many who take rocks home with them end up mailing them back later after facing bad luck or misfortune. It sounds like something out of “Moana,” but it’s probably not worth the risk. No skyscrapers. If you want to build a home or business in Kauai, you’ll have to keep the building shorter than four stories. It’s illegal for buildings to be taller than coconut palm
trees on this island, which is how it has retained its natural beauty. Other Hawaiian islands do not have this law, which is why many high-rise hotels and resorts line the coast of Waikiki Beach.
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While some kids love school and eagerly start their homework when they get home, others dread everything about it. They might not enjoy what they’re learning or have a difficult time sitting down to study. You could try countless strategies, such as hiring a tutor or offering rewards, but the solution might be simpler than that. If you don’t have a dedicated homework area in your home, now is the time to create one. Start by determining the best location in your home. Ideally, choose a location without distractions, such as a bedroom or office. However, if your child does not work well without supervision, put them in a central location. If you don’t have the space in your home to set up a dedicated homework area, you can create a homework basket or cart to break out whenever it’s time to do schoolwork. You also need to gather supplies and set them up for success. Consider the assignments your child will need to complete during the school year and provide them with the necessities for each assignment. Younger children will likely need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue, while older kids should have access to pencils, erasers, a calculator, and a dictionary. No Room for Distraction Why Every Kid Needs a Homework Haven
TAKE A BREAK
Summer Chickpea Salad
Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
Ingredients
All that’s left is organizing everything they’ll need. Separate everything
• 2 (15-oz) cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • 2 ears grilled corn, cut kernels from the cob • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered • 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed • 1 lime, zested and juiced
into bins, cubbies, or baskets by their subject. You could apply labels to each bin to
ensure everything stays organized. This will help your child focus only on the task at hand.
Once you establish the space, you must set ground
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
rules to ensure your child does their homework. Restricting the use of phones or tablets is a must in today’s day and age. They may say they
need it for their studies, but it will distract them. If possible, set specific times your child should be at the desk doing schoolwork. Even if they don’t have homework that day, they can still benefit from studying. While it might not fix every school woe, creating a dedicated homework area for your child could help them foster a love of learning!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Back to School, Back to Memories
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Who Were the Luddites?
Hawaiian Laws You Have to See to Believe
3
Summer Chickpea Salad
The Homework Game-Changer Hiding in Your Home
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The Value Menu Joke That Cost Taco Bell a Lawsuit
TACO BELL TRIED TO REBRAND 50 CENT It Ended in a Lawsuit
Rapper 50 Cent was seemingly everywhere in the mid-2000s. His hit albums, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and “The Massacre,” took the country by storm, and nearly everyone was familiar with at least one of his iconic songs. He appeared in commercials for
Reebok, Vitamin Water, and other consumer goods, but one popular fast food enterprise attempted to use his name without the artist’s approval. As you might expect, 50 Cent didn’t take kindly to this and promptly sued the chain. In 2008, Taco Bell unveiled an ad campaign promoting the low cost of items within their Why Pay More!? Value Meal. Offering burritos, nachos, and other signature Taco Bell items for 79¢, 89¢, or 99¢ got people’s attention, but their marketing experts thought the campaign needed more punch to drive business. The brand suggested that 50 Cent change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent, or 99 Cent. Unfortunately, Taco Bell did not contact the rapper to see if they could use his name while promoting their new menu. He was bothered by this and filed a lawsuit against
the fast food giant. The lawsuit claimed that Taco Bell made 50 Cent the star and focus of their nationwide campaign without seeking or obtaining his authorization. A spokesperson for Taco Bell claimed that the company “made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.” 50 Cent sued Taco Bell for $4 million. He won the lawsuit, but the settlement terms were not disclosed. This case serves as a great lesson to any business owner. Do not use a celebrity’s name or likeness for a marketing campaign without permission!
Photo: RiverNorthPhotography
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