timeflux

Well, hello there ATS! I'm glad to now be part of this great forum; the topics are endless!

To start off, I go by Ulrich in real life (real name is Michael, though I plan to get it changed in due time). I'm a 20-year old male who goes to college in the mid-west (which shall not be named!) and I'm majoring in Sociology. Primary research interests include social stratification, economic sociology, formal organizations (especially corporations), and political sociology. At the moment I have no idea what I plan to do after graduation (currently a junior). I plan to go to grad school to get a Master's; public policy or sociology would be nice (of which I've no clue). I'd like to get a government job afterwards (boo to corporations!).

Other than that, I'm a pretty chill guy. I just recently overcame chronic depression (mild-moderate) that I've had since 6th grade with anti-depressants. I feel that my intellectual progress has been hampered a great deal by that obstacle. In terms of personality, I used to be very cynical and pessimistic (in HS); now I'm pretty laid-back and take things as they go. I just try to be happy and enjoy the life I have (until the next one, of course). I'm very interested in spirituality, especially New Age ideas. Though I'm not sensitive to the paranormal, I've experienced different bouts in my past. Not a practicing pagan or anything, but I feel that everything in life has consciousness; animism if you will (or from a Japanese perspective, Shinto even). I try to reach out to the subjective rather than immersing myself in (and being consumed by) the objective material culture that we Americans indulge in.

A few more facts:

I'm from North Carolina (yes, I have an accent; ironically, the only one at my college, from what I've noticed)
I am from the Lumbee Tribe; (yes, not federally recognized) though I didn't grow up around the culture
I like Japanese animation and video games (especially RPGs)
I collect healing crystals (I have a fair amount)
I used to play Endless Online when I was younger, then Ragnarok Online, now nothing.
I don't read much; I prefer documentaries instead, usually
I am called "Holocaust Survivor" by my partner (despite the fact that I'm not "that" slim)

I came to ATS because my girlfriend frequents this site quite a bit. Thought it would be interesting to join and see what topics I can get involved in. Lot of controversial stuff. Fun It's been a long time since I've even been on a forum (5-6 years maybe?) Considering that I spend most of my time watching anime or doing school work, I probably won't be very active (though I will try!).

Thanks for the welcome! I'm sure I'll enjoy my stay. =]

Hello and welcome. You might find that ATS has a way of hooking you.
btw what an intro
I look forward to seeing you on the boards.

Greetings Michael, or should I say Ulrich? I am Justin slowly climbing out of my solipsist hole. Lovely to meet you. Don't try to convince me you are real though. JK!

reply to post by timeflux



Hi timeflux, and welcome to the ATS community. For now, you can reply to any thread in any member forum you wish, as well as send & receive (PM's)Private Messages to Staff only.
Once you have achieved 20 posts, you will then be able to start your own threads and additionally send & receive messages to and from fellow ATS members.


Index of Important ATS Related Threads

Hey new members!! Come here if you need advice

Starting a New Thread ?... Look Here First

Avatar and Signature Guidelines

NEW! ATS Video Tutorials

Terms & Conditions Lite!

Terms & Conditions


Take your time and enjoy. If you have any questions just ask.

Sauron,
Moderator.

reply to post by timeflux


Welcome...





I plan to go to grad school to get a Master's; public policy or sociology would be nice


o.k. so check this out - I got my undergrad in poli sci with a concentration in Public Policy, did an internship at a city hall in the City Manger's Office, and have yet to land even a city job...


I won't bore you, but if I have 1 agenda item on this site it's Social Capital...


Point is - I think it's great (if your motives are righteous) that you want to go in that direction, but keep in mind...that area is becoming qutie saturated with 'those that don't care and just want a paycheck'...yes - that very demographic kinda ruins the luster of city/state work...


But please - don't let me deter you...





Enjoy it...

Originally posted by Chamberf=6
Hello and welcome. You might find that ATS has a way of hooking you.
btw what an intro

I look forward to seeing you on the boards.

Thank you! And yes, I’m already starting to realize that! I’m hooked on an alien thread. XD

I hope that I will have something meaningful to contribute (whatever it is). Usually I lurk…but no more!

Originally posted by The Endtime Warrior
Greetings Michael, or should I say Ulrich? I am Justin slowly climbing out of my solipsist hole. Lovely to meet you. Don't try to convince me you are real though. JK!

Yes, tis Ulrich! And you may be a figment of my imagination! Or are you…? You must be from a Matrix.

Originally posted by Sauron
reply to post by timeflux

 

Hi timeflux, and welcome to the ATS community. For now, you can reply to any thread in any member forum you wish, as well as send & receive (PM's)Private Messages to Staff only.
Once you have achieved 20 posts, you will then be able to start your own threads and additionally send & receive messages to and from fellow ATS members.

Take your time and enjoy. If you have any questions just ask.

Sauron,
Moderator.

Thank you! Indeed I will. :]

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by timeflux

 

Welcome...

I am honored!

o.k. so check this out - I got my undergrad in poli sci with a concentration in Public Policy, did an internship at a city hall in the City Manger's Office, and have yet to land even a city job...

Well, I’m only briefly thinking about it. More than likely, I might not pursue it. But who knows?

I won't bore you, but if I have 1 agenda item on this site it's Social Capital...

Ah, the only way to live in this world! Social capital is indeed necessary to get anywhere. Maybe I can make some connections too.

Point is - I think it's great (if your motives are righteous) that you want to go in that direction, but keep in mind...that area is becoming qutie saturated with 'those that don't care and just want a paycheck'...yes - that very demographic kinda ruins the luster of city/state work...

Reminds me of Weber’s “Politics as a Vocation.” He talks about the careerists who work in politics just for the paycheck compared to those who actually put their hearts into it. I don’t plan on getting entangled in the monster that is bureaucracy; though easy to say, I’m sure it’s probably difficult to avoid. A paycheck is nice (and necessary to live)…but I would prefer to help people over getting paid tons of cash (if I wanted money so badly I would’ve just went into big business). Let’s just hope I don’t become a Harvey Dent or anything. ^^;…

edit on 11-10-2010 by facelift because: once again, grammar becomes an issue...sometimes - just sometimes, I wonder if I was born in a 'foreign' land as I seem to be the number 1 contributor of mmaarrg issues.

Eh?

Welcome!

PS: A book tip for you, Zhuan Falun: www.falundafa.org...

Good luck!

reply to post by timeflux


Why do you collect healing crystals?

Originally posted by Gaussq
Welcome!

PS: A book tip for you, Zhuan Falun: www.falundafa.org...

Good luck!

Oh, thanks.

Originally posted by m1star76
reply to post by timeflux

 

Why do you collect healing crystals?

Let's just say...they've saved me numerous times from spiritual attacks. And well, they help drain out negative energy from my aura that I get from other people, places or from my own thought processes. They appreciate that I appreciate them too. Unlike some people, I don't treat them as mere tools; I respect that they come from the earth and in what they do for me (they watch over my girlfriend and I; she can tell how they feel). I've grown a great deal as a person because of them. They've been real eye openers to all sorts of problems.

Also...on a material note, they're really pretty. ^^