H-C Nation

Steve H-C Website

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:41:00 +0000

I just wanted to let those of you who follow the Holden-Corbett.com website that I have a new page of my own. The address is SteveHC.com. That and my Facebook account are better ways to keep up to date with what I'm doing.

Thanks.
SHC

Running Mates

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:40:00 +0000

I have a brilliant idea. We should go back to the system used in the beginning of our country and have the runner up be vice president. It would bring much needed balance to a corrupt executive branch. Since when did we stop voting for the vice president? Since when did we stop having a say? Having the runner up for the presidency be vice president would include the other half of the country's votes in the executive branch. Maybe that's the way to go...

opening day

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:31:00 +0000

The Chicago Cubs. The most lovable losers. The last time they won a World Series was 1908. Tomorrow is opening day of the 2008 season. Is this the year? Please let it be so. I'll be wearing my Irish Cubs hat for luck.

Per Request

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:28:00 +0000

There has been a request from a friend for me to post.

This is the post, it is a shameless promotion of Eastman Opera Theatre. Come see me and Ben Schmitt in Lehar's The Merry Widow on Friday, April 4, and Sunday April 6. The other cast is good too.

-shc

The Top 10 Problems With Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:37:00 +0000

10.) Amendments at the end of bills

9.) Not many represent younger voters

8.) It's about the money

7.) Not enough real work experience

6.) Appearance of impropriety: special interests

5.) Unwilling to compromise

4.) Unwilling to tackle the tough issues

3.) Always trying to get re-elected

2.) Everyone wants credit

1.) The Two Party System

Think of all the money...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:06:00 +0000

Think of all the money we spend and what we spend it on. A much debated topic, as always is the Iraq War. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent so far, with more to come. Think of what we've accomplished in spending that money. Are we more safe? Is the price of oil cheaper? But can you really put a price on being free of a cruel dictator? Do the benefits outweigh the costs of engaging in a war in Iraq. Would we have benefitted more by putting that money elsewhere? Could we have changed over our economy so that it would be based on energy from hydrogen, rather than an oil?

Think of the money taken out of our paychecks every week. Are we okay with where that money is going? Are we okay with that fact that we won't even see any of the money we put in for Social Security and Medicare? For taxpayers, the benefits of paying Social Security and Medicare do not outweigh the benefits. I, for one, am tired of being disappointed by the inability and unwillingness of Congress to work on what matters most to the taxpayers. We, after all, pay them. Of course there are different opinions and disagreements between members of Congress, but that is what makes our system great. A plan that has gone through the rigors of getting through a difficult body of people is more likely to be effective than one that has gone through unopposed. The key is that the people who serve us have to WANT to do something difficult (that is what we pay them for after all). We pay them to ask the difficult questions and make the tough decisions. We expect that they make sure the benefits of a decision outweigh the costs.

There are many bills currently before Congress that put some of our freedoms at risk. Is this something we are willing to lose so that we are supposedly more safe? Let me know if you want me to delve into some of these bills.

In the end, money doesn't matter. They say it does, but when we hear reports about how airport screeners miss items that could endanger our lives, that money has gone to waste. What it comes down to is responsibility for our own actions and willingness to work with one another. That is what makes the difference and means more than money ever will.

Catch up

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 05 May 2007 15:10:00 +0000

So a lot has happened since my last post nearly 5 months ago.

-I auditioned for grad schools at Boston University, University of Maryland, and Eastman School of Music.
-I successfully completed my economics minor.
-I performed the role of Baron Mirko Zeta in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow.
-I got into and decided to go to Eastman School of Music next year. I will be receiving my masters in voice performance.
-I went to New Orleans, LA, for spring break with a few of my friends.
-In NOLA we explored the French Quarter, went crabbing (I caught 2 crabs), ate a lot of Po' boys, went to a museum of odd things, toured the damage from Hurricane Katrina, went to the opera and saw Lucia di Lammermoor, and further explored the city.
-I learned that you can take your drinks from bar to bar on Bourbon Street.
-I was exposed to drive through daquaris in NOLA where you can get your drinks to go.
-I performed in Benjamin Britten's The Beggar's Opera.
-I will be performing my senior recital on May 20th at 4PM. Let me know if you would like to go. I'll give you more information about it.
-I'll be graduating on June 16th. One more month, then all will be well with the world.
-I have also been playing a lot of tennis. Since I got my surgery my serve has gotten wicked awesome. Let me know if you wanna play. I'm up for it any time.
-Other than that, I've been trying to enjoy life and my friends before I leave for Rochester.

See you in another 5 months.

-shc

Back In TC

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 05:17:00 +0000

So, I've been back in TC for a few days now and have been pretty bored. Not bad bored, but good bored. I needed to take a little bit of time to just relax and do nothing. I finally had a chance to rent and watch Hotel Rwanda, Munich, and Inside Man. BTW, if you open up a new account at Family Video in TC you get movies for half off for a month!!! Anyway...I've paid 3 bucks to see those three movies. Perhaps I'll get more.

Last night was relaxing with Alex in the hot tub. We played darts after that...too bad I suck.

Tomorrow I have surgery on my wrists to have the ganglion cysts removed. Hopefully all goes well. I plan on being immobile for a few days so my plan is to watch all three extended Lord of the Rings either tomorrow or Friday.

Other than that, we got a new DVD burner/DVD/VHS player so we can convert all of our VHS tapes to DVDs now. Also, there is no more skipping when we play DVDs!!!! It's about time!

I'll let you know how the surgery goes when I can move my fingers without it hurting.

-shc

Bye Bye, Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:30:00 +0000

I'm leaving Chicago today for three weeks to go hang out in the Great White North we like to call Northern Michigan. To think, I still need to pack all of my stuff, workout, eat, and clean before Dad arrives at 2...which is 3 and a half hours away!

Anyway, my stint in Chicago the past two weeks was lively. Yesterday, I saw Cousin Tom for the first time since the Michigan, Notre Dame game (he jinxed them!!!), and second cousin (same generation) Boyd. We hung out and good times were had by all. I don't know where the time went between 3 and 7 yesterday, but I think it had something to do with the shooting that took place not more than 4 blocks from where we were on Monroe during that time.

Yes, Chicago has been abuzz the past couple days. They arrested a suspected independent terror plotter who was planning to use four grenades to blow up a suburban mall, and then the shooting downtown. I'd rather the Bears just go to the Superbowl (if Grossman gets his act together). It'd be much safer. If the Cubs were to ever play the White Sox in the Series, Chicago would blow up off the face of the earth. Those fans HATE eachother...well mainly, it's the White Sox fans who hate Cubs fans. The Bulls are doing better now, having won 6 in a row.

I must go get ready to leave this great city so I don't keep the pops waiting. I'll keep you posted on fun times in TC.

-shc

Time To Start Posting

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:27:00 +0000

So...no one seems to post anything on the H-C website. I know there are those of you who check it every day hoping that something will be new and exciting. To those people within the H-C household that do that my message to you is FREAKING POST! If you have nothing to write about it probably means your life is dull. Soooo... go do something interesting in your life. For those of you who feel like you don't have any time to post, rest assured, you do. Stop being lazy. Thanks.

-shc

Give Blood

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 22:11:00 +0000

I gave blood for the first time yesterday. It was actually really easy. I felt a little prick in my arm no worse than a honeybee sting and that was it.

Now, I usually don't go around campainging, but giving blood is one of the best things to do if you'd like to do something for society but can never find the time. It took me a little less than an hour to complete the entire process. Giving blood can save up to three lives each time you donate. Believe me, no one used to be more scared of needles than me, but I got over it. Who am I to stand in the way of life just because of some petty fear or personal reason. Buck up and do it. You never know, you may need blood someday, and you know what they say....karma.

So if you've always wanted to give back but have never known how, give blood. Visit this website for more information. http://www.givelife.org/

One more thing...Bristol Myers Squibb is donating $1 towards AIDS research every time someone lights this candle on the internet. Please go to this website to support the cause. http://www.lighttounite.org

-shc

I'm Back With A Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 16:21:00 +0000

Happy December!

I'm back (7 months later) and I'm going to bullet point everything that has gone on in 2006.

+ Attended my cousin's wedding and unsuccessfully planned to pants Dad.
+ Sang at Leah and Walter's wedding and unsuccessfully tried to pants Dad at the reception. (Best time of my life).
+ Finished my Junior year at DePaul.
+ Turned 22. Didn't do anything for my birthday because I had to take the LSATs the next day.
+ Took the LSATs and cancelled the score.
+ Spent the summer in Traverse City as an intern for a Michigan Supreme Court Justice, played tennis, golf, and tried to get tan.
+ Decided not to go to law school at this point in my life.
+ Got an apartment in the heart of Lincoln Park, Chicago, right next to the El.
+ Moved into the apartment and spent a whole week getting everything set up.
+ Decided to apply to grad schools for voice performance in opera.
+ Started my Senior year at DePaul.
+ Learned how to juggle.
+ Finally finished The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway.
+ Recorded audition material for grad schools.
+ Turned everything in for grad school. I applied to Yale, Eastman, Maryland, and Boston. It's a waiting game now.
+ Went to the Notre Dame v. UCLA game with Walter's dad, Tom, and almost died until the savior of the team scored the game winning touchdown.
+ Celebrated Thanksgiving in Stevensville with the Holden side of the family.
+ Played the Nintendo Wii.
+ Played Cornhole and lost every game, except one, and I NEVER lose.
+ Was cast as Baron Mirke Zeta in the DePaul Opera Theater production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar. This will be performed in March.
+ Played in, and won, most Scrabble games I participated in.
+ Learned to play some weird games that Walter and Leah like.
+ Became a tea fanatic.
+ Decided that I still have no clue what I'm going to do next year and I need to learn how to be okay with that.

That's my life in a nutshell. Of course, all the fun and salacious cannot be made available to the general public and those of you who know me well, know them. If you want to find out though, it doesn't hurt to ask.

-shc

Blogging vs. The Law

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 04 May 2006 18:40:00 +0000

This is the last big post on blogging. I've been thinking a lot about whether or not blog writers should be held responsible for what they write. Should they be subject to the same libel and slander laws as printed publications? The short answer is yes. The internet is public space and should be subject to the same laws as physical public space. That includes online behavior, fabrications, and indecency.

However, there are ways to get around these laws. By privatizing one's site or forcing a viewer to pay to access a site it becomes subject to a different set of laws.

Is this how things are? No. But they should be this way. There is so much crap out there on the internet that it is almost impossible to distinguish the true from the untrue, the good from the bad, or the right from the wrong. I don't suggest to censor the internet, but rather to treat it in the same way we treat the real world.

Re: Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:55:00 +0000

The blog has the potential to be as great a breakthrough as the printing press. However, the outcome of the blog depends on how it is used. Currently, there are many uses: a personal online journal, a news commentary, everything I mentioned in my previous post. Blogs have the potential to attract people from all over the world, thus, inviting a diverse range of expertise and opinion into a conversation. While this is a good thing, because it exposes a person to other viewpoints, it replaces the development of face to face communication skills. It is easier to hide behind your computer and say what you think than it is to say what you think in person.

Most blogs have their own agenda. Each reader must decide if it is credible or not. Similarly, each reader of the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, or Washington Post must decide if he or she thinks the newspaper is a good source of information. The same can be applied to television news, both network and cable, and again with online news.

You, the blogger, are being given the opportunity to change the way we see the world. The question is: will blogs be used for good, or evil? ... I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 02:35:00 +0000

I decided my blog is going to have a new theme. I'm going to talk about some of the articles I've read in news magazines and provide a forum for discussion.

The first topic is on an article I read in The Economist on The New Media. Coincidentally, blogging was part of the article. So, what is a blog? Is it a personal online journal? A news commentary? What? Should bloggers be taken seriously if they are trying to cover the news? Or is it another form of a conversation, such as IM, text, email, or the telephone?

One thing to point out is that a blog can serve as a shelter for anonymity. Is that why it has become so popular? Is mainstream America becoming too scared to say what they actually feel in person?

Here's what I think. Wait...let's hear what you think first...then I'll tell you what I think. So participate. I'm opening up to everyone. Hide behind the computer and say whatever you like. I won't hold it against you, I promise.

Spring Break Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 05:35:00 +0000

So far Charlie and I have had a lot of fun going to Disneyland and climbing mountains. There is still much more to do but here are some photos of what we've been up to.

This is us after getting drenched by Splash Mountain.

This is us on the way up the mountain. We finally made it. Check back later for more spring break fun!
-shc

Quck to Criticize?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 23:29:00 +0000

Politics isn't something I like to discuss in these blogs. However, I feel the need to say something because I do not think some of my friends and colleagues are being fair to President Bush. I'll probably catch some flack for this entry, but I'm not trying to defend the President in this instance. My purpose is to attempt to defend the system and the office which he holds.

President Bush has always been criticized for being "stupid." When people try to convince me that he is indeed stupid, my response is usually along the lines of, "Have you ever spoken with the President?" Then they say, "No." Well then how on earth do you know that he is stupid? Because the media shows clips of him studdering? Making up words? 2.75 at Yale is a bad GPA in the 70's? Let see you do it. Do you ever studder? Make up words? How's your GPA? Wait...that's not fair, we have grade inflation. But grade inflation doesn't exist? Ask any professor, they will tell you it most certainly does.

On the other hand, let's think about how a Presidential candidate is chosen. A party is not going to nominate a candidate whom they deem to be "stupid." Along the way, someone who has talked to Mr. Bush must have said, this guy isn't smart enough to be President. Wait, that didn't happen? Well if it did, why didn't they speak up about it? How in the world did over half of U.S. voters vote President Bush in office if he is stupid? Are you bold enough to say that half of the voting population is stupid?

The fact is that President Bush had to withstand trials and tribulations on his journey to the office of President of the United States, and he passed. Maybe he didn't pass with flying colors, but he passed none the less. Maybe he isn't the most knowledable person on earth, but he does the best to inform himself before he makes a decision. Just look at the people with which he has surrounded himself. Are they stupid too?

I guess what I'm asking is to think about who you might be offending before you call someone stupid. I'm proud of our system and the initiative and hard work Mr. Bush has shown throughout his political career. Maybe we should all take a lesson from President Bush. He may not know everything we think he should, but he does the best with what he has at any given time while remaining true to himself and his country. Next time you see him on television, listen to him and try to see that. Maybe then you'll give him the respect he deserves as our President.

-shc

Recent Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 03:43:00 +0000

So, another month has gone by and much has happened since the last post. Today, we completed staging for Le Nozze di Figaro. This week also marked the end of midterms. I really only had two of them. They went alright, but I guess I'll find out how I did when I get them back next week. Last night I found a cheap flight to Burbank from Chicago for spring break so I booked it and will spend the break in Cali with Charlie. I'll get in on the night of St. Patty's day and then the fun will begin. Disneyland, mountain hiking, wine tasting, baking in the sun (if it's nice). I look forward to a good break because I really don't have a lot of time to relax since the opera is nearly every evening and I need to keep up with my classes. Mom and Dad may come out to California too, so that would be fun to hang out with them on the west coast. I also had the chance to hang out with Tom last weekend. We ate some good pizza and had some good conversation. Tomorrow him and I are going to the gym to work out. I'll let everyone know when I find out what cast I'm in for Figaro.
-shc

2 Months Later...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 01:22:00 +0000

So what? It's been 2 months since my last post, but who really noticed anyway? I guess I'll sum up events from the past 2 months.

Thanksgiving was a good time. I won the biggest plate award! I thought some of those guys would be able to eat a little bit more than me...there's always next year.

Then I had break. It was nice and relaxing. I went to Hope College for a weekend and hung out with Alex and Stu. I met some cool people and appeared at some social gatherings. I worked at Huntington Mortgage for four days and met some interesting people. I enjoyed getting to know them while learning a little bit about being a receptionist. Oh yeah, I took a little time to learn my role for The Marriage of Figaro. For those of you who don't know, I am playing the role of the Count in DePaul Opera Theater's production of Le Nozze di Figaro to be performed on March 11.

Then came Christmas and the week the H-C's were united. It was a good week filled with building snowmen, adventures through the seven levels of the candycane forrest, and snuggling. Well, not really. The snow melted the day after Christmas pretty much just in time for Nora's birthday. I also celebrated Stu's birthday with him and all was merry.

For New Year's I went to see some of the old choir friends and then went to check up on Nora's party to see what they were up to. We watched the ball drop and 2006, my 22nd year on this earth arrived.

As 2005 came to a close, my time at home came to an end. I left on the 1st with one of my new couches for my apartment to come back to Chicago and embark on many ventures here. I am now currently immersed in rehearsals for Le Nozze di Figaro and homework for my International Trade class, U.S. History class, and planning my junior recital. Needless to say, I'm a busy boy.

I leave you now with the words of my french diction professor.
iwouldlikeaneggedate. say it outloud to yourself, legato like...

-shc

Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:01:00 +0000

So I don't know where the time went this quarter. I'm already finished with finals and am pretty much just waiting for Charlie to come in on Wednesday so we can catch the train to South Bend for Thanksgiving. It's a little weird having all this free time because I've been so busy I have had pretty much had my life dictated to me for the past month so I need to adjust and tell myself what to do, the relaxation is nice though. Once I go home I'll find something productive to do over break - I'll have plenty of time to myself then.

Stu is coming home shortly, he may already be home actually. I can't wait to see him because it's been six months since the last time I saw him, I can't believe it. And so I've entered into the reflective part of my quarter looking back on what is different about my life now from when I began this quarter and even into the past six months of my life. I've been on the go for so long I haven't really had a chance to think about all that's happened. I think we all need to remind ourselves to do that every once in a while.

I guess the best way to summarize everything in my life over the past six months is that things have changed and I've just beginning to realize that they have. Things are always going to be different from the way they used to be and they may be better or worse, but there's nothing you can do to about it most of the time, no matter how hard you try. After much thought I've decided that I think our general goal in life is to get back to the way things were when we were kids, when we had no worries and were free of responsibilities. But I think we need to realize that this isn't going to happen unless we become senile, and none of us want that.

So I challenge you if you haven't already done it to just take a step or two back from your life in the past six months to realize just how much things have changed, are changing, and will change.

-shc

This is ALMOST why I'm in Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 05:09:00 +0000

So I come to Chicago for college hoping the Cubs will convienently win a World Series. I guess that's too much to ask for since they haven't been in a World Series since 1945 and haven't won since 1908. So what's the next best thing? A White Sox World Series sweep. They hadn't won since like 1917. Either way...I have that happy sad feeling like the first song in Dichterlieber by Schumann, Im wunderschönen monat mai. But the one thing that did make me happy was Journey. Don't Stop Believin' was the playoffs theme song for the Sox. It brings back happy memories from the summer and images of Family Guy. I will leave on this note: party like it's now.

shc

On My Own (Not the song)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 02:37:00 +0000

It has been over a month now that I've been living on my own and there are a couple of very important things I've learned. Number one: do all of your apartment decorations right when you move in, otherwise they aren't going to get done for a very long time. Two: clean up after yourself right away otherwise the clothes, dishes, and trash are just going to pile up and you won't be able to see the floor for two weeks. Three: it is very hard to go to the grocery store, but it is necessary to do so you don't eat out all the time and get fat. Four: If you want to do something you need to call someone. People can forget about you when you're living by yourself but it is up to you to make sure they remember you. This happens in the real world too. Finally: everything you do is done by self motivation. It is easy to get lazy but you have to resist the temptation to stay in and watch a movie or tv by yourself and go work out, practice, go to the library, do hw, etc.

These are five things to remember when living on your own. I've learned through experience so that you don't have to.

shc

Back to work

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 03:20:00 +0000

Well sort of...

The past couple weeks I've been in Chicago. I moved down here Sept. 1 and got together with a lot of my friends down here over the weekend before school started. Now that I've had a chance to go through all of my classes at least once I'm starting to get settled. I was a little upset that I had to read a 60 page excerpt from a chapter on conducting and write a 4 page paper about it last night, but you learn to deal with it.

shc

Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 05:34:00 +0000

It has been nearly four months since my last post; a lot has happened since then. I spent the summer in Washington, D.C. doing an internship for my Congressman, Dave Camp. I will try to highlight some of my experiences in a stream of posts.

Now that summer is coming to an end, it is time for me to move down to my new place. I got an apartment to myself in Lincoln Park about a half a mile from campus. I'm moving down there tomorrow and am looking forward to being done with the move. Once I'm settled I'll try to start posting on a regular basis again (have I ever done that?).

shc

School Should Be Over

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 16 May 2005 17:48:00 +0000

Well, here it is, halfway through may and we're still barely past midterms. It is time for school to be over. I feel like summer is never going to arrive.

Last week I went to the U2 concert at the United Center. It was amazing...absolutely incredible. I was about 10 ft from the Catwalk where Bono started the concert and walked by several times. If you ever have the opportunity to go see U2, take it! It will change your life.

The 21st is less than a month away and I'm counting the days. Charlie is flying in and Leah will be home too. Nora's graduation party is the night before my bday and her graduation is on my birthday. But after that, (or during) the party will be going on. One thing is for sure...that weekend will be pretty interesting.

Well I'm averaging about one post a month so next time you'll hear from me will probably be after my bday.

Til then.

shc