The Tyma Report

Site Visit #1: Hot Shops

2011-01-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

Since I assigned my students to keep a blog during the Visual Communication and Culture course this semester, I decided I should do something as well. So, as we visit various places both on and off campus, I will shoot pictures and video - all with the phone - to capture some of the ideas and moments that come up. My students are going to do so much better at this than me ... I can already tell!

Site Visit #1: The Hot Shops Gallery and Artist Spaces in North Downtown Omaha

Here is video of the Curator discussion the reasons that she chose the artifacts she did and her creative process while constructing a show like this

Social Media, Social Commentary, and being "Social" - a Semester in review

2010-05-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hello, fellow travelers and readers -

It has been some time since I wrote here. There has been a lot going on. So, as any good Public Speaking student will agree with, I shall break it down into main points and ask you to follow along:

1) This semester was a little more challenging than most, not because of the courses being taught but because of some of the realities that are setting in re: my role. I am happy to report that the honeymoon between me and UNO is now over. It typically does not take long for me (far too cynical for my own good), but I am starting to see everything and just beginning to recognize the internal workings going on. My students have such potential, but not all of them want to be pushed. My students bring such insight to their discussions ... but not all of them bring it to their work. This is something that I struggled with. I lucked out in that - at least it seemed to me - the latter students strived to become the former. It was excellent. I start to wonder why others are not challenging their students as well. I hope they are, but the amount of red on the paper when I am done might speak to the contrary. Perhaps I am tricking myself into thinking my own work is that important or influential. If I am, that happens. I just want my students to be the best they can be. If I can help in that ... even if that means backing out and off ... then I will do that. Our job is to push our students further than they have ever gone before. Imagine if each of our instructors did that during our education experiences. Where would we be now?

2) I find myself really, REALLY digging around in various social media applications and "worlds." I wonder if I can write this Twitter/Blog/Facebook/Online TV/CreativeCommons/NewsSurfing reality off as "Research"? I certainly hope so. I am really interested in seeing how relationships are developed and maintained in 140 characters (that is a Twitter reference, BTW). I think meaningful relationships, though very target and intention-specific, can happen. You may not speak with that person everyday, or even every week, but you read their words, perhaps respond (or at least re-Tweet), and learn something you did not know before. Isn't that what communication (and the World Wide Web) is supposed to be all about? I think so. I look forward to your thoughts.

3) Perhaps a 2b rather than a 3 - I find that I am discussing (read "complaining") social situations more and more and wondering what I can do about it ... I mean really DO about it. I hate the idea that, because I have carved out my dusty, book-riddled, dimly-lit corner of the Ivory Tower, I cannot REALLY enact change in my immediate and global society(-ies). So, outside of the classroom, I just post things on Facebook or Twitter and wait for the conversation to get started. It is fun to watch. Sometimes, nothing happens, and my statement or link sits dormant and flaccid. Other times, however, the responses, rants, yelling, exasperations, agreements, extensions, alternatives, and discussions come pouring in. I love it. This is exactly what is needed. The question becomes "what is the next step?" I am hoping that the conversation does not end there. I hope that people keep thinking about what they said - that is was not just a rant but something that gets brought back with them back to the offline discussions.

4) I think I may be in Omaha for a few years. I see the potential here. I have people in my life that I care about deeply here. Of course, if something calls me home, then I go. Having said that, and in reference to 1), the honeymoon is over. I am here. Time to make the most of it. Watch out, Omaha! You just inherited a Tyma. What you gonna do now?

That is all. Oh yeah - bangs are at 11 inches. Thinking either September or New Year for the hair donation. Also thinking the new ink comes this summer. Stay tuned.

Cheers and be excellent to each other!

Adam.

UNO Counter Protest - rough page to get images up.

2010-02-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

Here are the photos I took. Still working on the video.

1) Westboro Baptist was supposed to show up at UNO

2) Lovefest/Counterprotest was planned

3) Said event was HUGE!

4) Aforementioned hate-mongers did not show

Some things to definitely think about ...

2009-12-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

So, a friend of mine just sent this email out. I have edited a little bit of the material (it's MY blog, after all), but I think you will agree. The following does a nice job of capturing, in my mind, why it will be interesting to see what the current "digital native," "millennial," or not-quite-out-of-formal education generation is going to come up with. These are interesting times we live in, ladies and gents ...

Oh, Keep in mind that I am not saying that the world is going to hell because everyone is stuck to a screen (by "everyone," I really am pointing the finger at myself). However, it will be interesting to see how this new generation of our global community works together. Honestly, I hope they do better than some of our peers have done.

Those of You Born
1930 - 1979

TO
ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE

1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers
Who smoked and/or drank while they were
Pregnant.

They t ook aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,
Tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles,
Locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode
Our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & childr en,
We would ride in cars with no car seats,
No booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day
Was always a special treat.

We drank water
From the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends,
From one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon.
We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.
And, we weren't overweight.
WHY?

Because we were
Always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day,
As long as we were back when the
Streetlights came on.

No one was able
To reach us all day.. And, we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps
And then ride them down the hill, only to find out
0AWe forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes
a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes.
There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,
No video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's,
No cell phones,
No personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.
WE HAD FRIENDS
And we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth
And there were no lawsuits from these accidents..

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt,
And the worms did not live in us
Forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and,
Although we were told it would happen,
We did not put out very many eyes..

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's hou se and
Knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just
Walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn to deal
With disappointment.
Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law
Was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best
Risk-takers, problem s olvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years
Have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility,
and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them?
CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others
who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the
lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives
for our own good.

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know
how brave and lucky their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house
with scissors, doesn't it ?

Nothing big ... just a hair donation update.

2009-11-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone -

Well, as some of you know, I started growing my hair out for donation a little over a year ago. I have only had it cut once since then. Some of you asked for me to post pictures with updates. So, for you, here you go! A little while to go but I am so glad I am doing it! Updates as the mop gets longer ... and longer ... and longer!

And the new year (Academic) begins ...

2009-08-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Good morning, readers -

Well, the new year has begun. My second year on faculty at UNO is in full-swing. I wish I could say that I feel completely comfortable and calm ... but I don't. This is a good thing. The week prior, I had two articles come back with rejection notices. This, of course, means that I now am adding two more projects to my list of things to get done yesterday.

At the same time, though, it feels good to know that I have a pretty good idea of how this campus works. Granted, there will always be surprises, but that is what makes things worth living, right? I definitely have noticed that my willingness to stand up for things has gone through the roof ... or, for those that know me, back to normal. When I was an RA at Mankato State, I explained in my re-application materials that "during my first year, I learned the ropes. Now, I want to see how far I can make them swing." Yeah - trouble is brewing :-)

I am excited about the classes I am teaching. I do miss not having first year students this year, but that is replaced with the work that my upper division and graduate students are going to be accomplishing. I have high hopes for them ... and for myself. This should be an excellent and thought-provoking year.

More to report later. Good luck to all my people who start their coursework (as students or teacher) in the next few weeks! Take care!

Adam.

It's been a while ... but here we go ...

2009-06-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hey there, everyone!

So, I have been thinking about what to discuss on here for a long time. I think I shall follow the advice I gave one of my graduate students yesterday while setting up his comprehensive questions response: "Organization!" Here we go -

1) The first year is done

I finished my first academic year as a faculty member at UNO after the PhD. I was hoping for some massive revelation on life, some shining light or trumpets or something to mark this milestone. When none of those things happened I realized that, well, I have actually been doing this for a long time. The biggest difference is that a) I was not thinking I really need to get that PhD started (because it is done! See previous posts for details :-) or b) I really have papers to write for class or my dissertation to continue to work on (same as previous). All of that is done. Now I have other things to worry about - where to go out tonight? I wonder what shows are in town this weekend? I really do need to get started on those revisions. For the first time in a LONG TIME, I am quite happy with what is happening now. This is what I signed on for, right? The biggest thing now is the tenure clock.

One year down, five to go (at least, depending on location)
six papers presented,
several panels organized,
conference events headed up,
chairing committees on campus,
teaching classes,
getting research going,
still need to get a 2009 publication date on the CV.

This is now what is in my mind. At the same time, though ... I can breathe. I can live. This will be discussed more thoroughly in main point #3.

2) Being in a long-distance relationship with my nephew

I miss Owen. I find that weird. I have only seen the little one for at most a few hours of his entire life, yet I think about him often. I think, perhaps, that my missing of my family (by blood or bond) gets projected on him. I know life for the rest of the family is cooking along at mach speed ... and I am down here. I just want to be the best Uncle I can be. Since there is no manual for such a task, I simply keep him in my thoughts, worry about him, and will find ways to spoil him as much as possible (sorry, Peter and Melissa, but that's my job. If I ever have children, I am sure you will be the same way).

3) "Living" where you are, not where you might/could/imagine yourself to be.

This has been a tough one. When I first accepted the position at UNO and moved to Omaha, I figured it would be a short term gig and I would start hunting for positions closer to the home country as soon as possible. As the year has progressed, however, I am not so sure on that. I have a really unique opportunity here, something that is not often handed over to first-year faculty. I am getting to teach, for the most part, those courses that I do so enjoy teaching ... and it sounds like folks (including me) are finding out that I am good at it. The biggest thing has been relationships. Whether friendship or intimate, we often hold onto people from our home or our last port of call when we move somewhere new as a touchstone, a way for us to navigate the new world we are in. Over the last month, I have come to the realization that that touchstone is me. It is internal, not external. Home is not where you hang your hat, it's where you choose to live. If you choose to live in your mind somewhere else, even if the possibilities are wonderful and you see that idyllic reality calling you, you are intentionally splitting yourself into parts. It took a while and some difficult decisions to recognize that I am here, now. I have arrived here and must keep that focus if I am to become who I am. Call it Adam V3.0. My family is always with me, my friends are near to my heart, but life has blown me to the dead center of the country. I have to recognize that "home" simply signifies those places that just feel right. I think it is ok to have more than one.

So, there are my musings. Sorry it took so long, but I have been on the road, finishing up a semester, and coming to some realizations about my life. Take care, be well, love and respect to all of you!

Cheers! Adam.

Moments that change everything.

2009-03-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone -

So, on the fourth of March, the next generation of Tyma came into the world. My sister (in law) Melissa, with the assistance of my brother Peter, brought Owen Walter Tyma into the world. I don't even know how to begin on this. Just writing these words out brings a smile to my face and my eyes start to well up. Of course, as the uncle, I may be biased, but the kid is absolutely amazing. Of course he is - he is Tyma ;-) During that day, I was teaching ... ok, I was actually checking my phone every five minutes for updates, bouncing in my chair in my office (more than usual), and trying to focus on lesson plans and meetings. Not easy. The next morning, I ran frantically to the Cities, slept briefly, then went to see the little one at the hospital, not quite 24 hours old yet. Over the next couple of days, I was able to spend a fair bit of time with him. Don't worry, conspiracy theorists, I have not started indoctrinating him ... yet. Heading back to Omaha sucked; just had to say it.

I don't know how to describe how quickly and permanently things changed for me at that moment. Granted, the chances of me having a child are dwindling, and that is fine. More to the point - I think about how Owen is the 3rd generation of Tyma in our line - and that is it. My father and I talked about how, given our interesting family history, this is a unique moment. For me, I just relish in the fact that I will be able to watch him grow, change, become strong (in mind, body, and spirit), and be part of that experiment. Because, at the end of the day, we are all experiments and processes ... really.

Yeah ... I am a pretty damn proud Uncle! And I will spoil that kid ... but in my own instructive, educational, and disciplining way :-D

The Lanky Hair

2009-02-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon -

I have been meaning to post on this for a while, but I never get to it. Ok, here it goes: I am currently growing my hair long. Why, you may ask? Glad you did. I am growing my hair long because I plan to donate it when it is long enough (not sure where yet, but there it is). I am doing this for my aunt. Auntie Jean died just about a year ago. This was due to complications from COPD, cancer, and a host of other things that were ravaging her. Due to her treatments to fight, she lost her hair, grew her hair, lost it again, wore wigs, did not wear wigs, the whole nine yards. She always said she loved my hair and that I should always let it be free. So, for her, I am doing just that. I will do this as many times as my own sanity and that of those close to me will allow. So, for those that see me at conferences and the like, and wonder why I am shaggy or I have suddenly started wearing a ponytail, now you know.

Everyone in? Good!

Cheers! Adam.

A New Year ... A New Direction?

2009-01-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

Good morning, fellow readers!!!

Well, 2009 is here. Have you started thinking about the past year? For the first time in a long time, I actually have. The past year (or, really, two years) has been insane in too many ways. I will spare you with a recap. Let's just say that I have had more highs and lows than the best, most ferocious roller coaster ever created. And I actually LIKE roller coasters.

So, with 2009 comes realizations, right? We have a young, vibrant, non-White man about to take over the office of the POTUS (those fans of West Wing or in the know will understand that). Many people make a resolution for "No Drama" or "To Work Out And Lose A Ton Of Weight" or "To Become Financially Secure." Yeah, I am thinking that those things, those wonderful, are out of reach. We all slip on our workout routines, we get involved in something that will cause our blood to boil, and, well, have you seen the economy?

For me, here is my resolution - To Seek Balance and Equilibrium.

I have a pretty darn good life thus far. I have a job that I both appreciate and enjoy, I think I might actually have a couple of articles to come out of the diss, my sister-in-law is due in March (let the next wave of Tymas be unleashed onto the world), and my parents are still going strong. My friends are amazing (I think we are all starting to hit our stride), I am meeting new and fantastic people all of the time. My goal is to just find that balance of heart and head that I am always looking for. I think it is possible.

What is your goal for this year? List it, make it official, and post your progress. Force yourself into the public sphere so that it holds you accountable!

Now - if I could just find a way to make my student loans magically vanish. I am NOT looking forward to March ... damn bills! :-)

Cheers! Adam.

Someone I am excited and proud to call my friend

2008-11-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

So, this is not by me. This is by my dear friend Najla who I went through (perhaps am still going through) the PhD process with. You need to read this, you need to share it ...

Wearing the Hijab

... and the next President of the United States is ...

2008-11-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

I am excited, I mean REALLY EXCITED, about President-Elect Obama. I have been waiting for an actually eloquent, intelligent, and real president for a long time. I would argue that, even in Clinton's second term, we lost that. I have many hopes, I have concerns. We all should. What we should not do is think that he is going to solve all of our liberal-leaning woes. He won't - he can't. Here's why.

If you listened to both he and McCain's speeches Tuesday night (and you really should. Heck, if THAT McCain had shown up during the campaign, I may have voted a different direction), they both have this underlying narrative, this permeating argument, of unification. This country is broken, cracked, shattered. The overt challenges of two wars, the economy, the disdain for present-day politics in the US - all of these simply signify the underlying systemic failures that are occurring all of the time. Watch the news, read the paper, open your eyes and look around the community that is yours. Rather than people excited about their futures, they are frightened by their next 24 hours. Obama cannot change that. You can - We can. I think he said it best when he pointed out that this will not be easy. There is work to do. All of us have to roll up our sleeves and do the work.

So, what kind of work is that? Not bitching about it, that is for sure. It is time to ask for a little less and do a little more. Whatever work you are doing, whether it is in your job or in your community, make it count. When I teach my students, I always ask them to consider the following - What's in it for me? (The WIIFM?) What does this theory tell me about the world? What does this argument strategy help me achieve in the end? Now it is time to update that precept - What's in it for Us? What does the work I choose to do accomplish for the greater good? How does this act serve something more than me? I will be the first to say that the individual needs to be happy with her or himself before they can serve the greater good (you cannot build something with a tool that does not work right!). Once you have reached that, through working out or meditating or finding the right job or what have you, what is the next step? THAT is what is important. And THAT is the question I pose to you now.

Be well, have fun. Live the moment and Enjoy life! But remember to work towards the greater good. There is work to be done - are you ready?

Nosdrovie! Adam.

... and it is done ... and it is ... green?

2008-09-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

So, this afternoon, after returning from my over 5 hour writing extravaganza with Lynnette (See previous post), I see a large package waiting for me in the apartment lobby ... from NDSU. Inside, protected by the strangest packing material I have ever seen, are two bound copies of my dissertation. One is mine, the other goes to Dan and Kara, who wanted a copy on their shelf.

Yep, there it is, bound in its glory.

So, does that mean that it is done? Does this mean that I am official now? I still have not received my diploma in the mail, so it is hard to say. What I do know is that it looks pretty darn cool on my bookshelves (which you can see behind me), I think I may end up reading through it once (then wish I had edited just a little bit more), and afterwards, well, I think it will be an interesting piece to have on the coffee table for some light reading. I will say this, though - having your name on a bound copy of something that you wrote ... it is pretty darn cool :-D

Now, I just have to figure out something witty to write in the copy that goes to Dan and Kara ...

And here we go ...

2008-09-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

New town, new job, new people ...

That is what I have been experiencing since July 1. A quick rundown of the way things have been progressing:

1) successfully defended the dissertation in May. A week later, I walked in graduation. However, I was not fully declared and officially "Doctor Tyma" until August 2008, when my degree was actually cleared, approved, and posted to my transcripts. They want to keep their hooks in you as much as possible.

proof that I really do get the goofy cool stuff.

2) I am now the assistant professor of visual communication and culture at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I am living in the School of Communication. The people I work with are pretty darn cool. My students are excellent. They are so motivated that it makes me almost jealous, like I am not good enough for them.

3) As can be determined from 2, I am now living in Omaha, NE. I dig my apartment and my neighborhood, which is like this near-perfect blending of Grand Avenue, DinkyTown, and NordEast. In other words, I am extremely comfortable there.

4) I have met some pretty cool people. Mark and Lynnette are both faculty on my campus.

Mark is in the College of Business, and Lynnette is down the hall from me. They are married, by the way, and crack me the hell up. The third in the picture (from your left to right) is Lori. She teaches Art in two area schools (k-12). We are trying to convince her that she needs to apply for a position with our Art and Art History department, so the three of us are not the youngest faculty on our campus. It is ridiculous!

5) Now my life starts again. Learning a new town, trying to keep in contact with my old friends, making new friends, figuring out what this town has to offer me. All in all, I am very happy with my decision. I could have been closer to the people that I know in Fargo, but I would have been limiting myself drastically. And, anyway, that is what roadtrips are for, right?

Just starting this one up ...

2008-09-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hey there! So, I was blogging a little bit on MySpace. However, since I am not using that too much anymore, but wanted to start up the blog again, I thought I would construct this here. There will be more to follow. A lot is happening in my life, so I need to lock it in somewhere.