CHEESE: FOUND, Wu-Tang Clan Finds a New Path to Cheesy Success

CHEESE: FOUND, Wu-Tang Clan Finds a New Path to Cheesy Success

By: Kelsey Wray

Recent CNN interview with Wu-Tang Clan's, RZA reveals the untold story of RZA of how the hip-hop group almost never was.

The "Wu-Tang Clan" is a major successful hip-hop group from New York that has generated millions of fans and hit albums as well as multiple solo artists and some acting careers. The band continues to count their blessings each day, for there nearly wasn’t a hit group "Wu-Tang Clan" after one fateful day.

Wu-Tang’s chief producer, RZA now writes in his upcoming book, "The Tao of Wu" of the tragedy that took place and how lucky Method Man aka "Meth," the most recognizable rapper in the group, is to be alive. Before the hip-hop group was created, RZA claims that he saw Meth in Staten Island buying marijuana. According to "The Tao of Wu," RZA writes that he yelled to Meth across the street to come over. Not a moment after Meth came running across the street there were several shots coming from an ongoing drive-by shooter. RZA and Meth watched an innocent friend of theirs die right in front of them from being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

In 1993, one year before the "Wu-Tang Clan" was officially created, RZA also had some bad luck and was accused of attempted murder but was released and found “not guilty.” If RZA had not been acquitted, he could have potentially been sentenced to eight years of jail-time. According to "The Tao of Wu," RZA claims that if he had been charged guilty and sentenced to prison and Method Man had been killed the band would have never been created nor triumphed with their billboard topping success.

Like Haw, in the book, "Who Moved My Cheese?," RZA and Meth had their eyes reopened and their focus changed. They were both fortunate enough to realize that they were in a bad place when they were. Such as Haw was with Hem when they were in a rut. After RZA escaped imprisonment, he knew he had to take himself out of the familiar equation, which was the same bad scene with negative relationships. Meth did the same and was re-born when he survived a drive-by shooting. They both decided to take this new outlook and re-focus their future on finding success. The two once troubled young men knew that though it would be easier to stay in their comfortable familiar surroundings, the only way to find success is to find new cheese by making a new change in direction.

For more details of RZA and Meth’s stories from the past, go to cnn.com and take a look at a recent interview taken place this month with RZA. One can also check out RZA’s new book, "The Tao or Wu," which will be sold in stores October 15, 2009.

Photo taken by Elliott C. McLaughlin,cnn.com

It's Time to Search for New Cheese

It's Time to Search for New Cheese

By: Katie Whittern

Today an article on the front page of the Oklahoma Daily told the story of a University of Oklahoma student that just would not take no for an answer… until he had to.

Last April, Jay Cooper, a petroleum engineering junior, was elected to serve his second term as vice president for the Housing Center Student Association. But, over the course of the summer, Cooper was removed from his position when a member of the HCSA administration realized his GPA did not meet the minimum requirement of a 2.5. Cooper believed he was treated unfairly because he raised his GPA over the summer and believed that since HCSA was not in full session until August, it should not have counted against him. When Cooper went to his advisers to discuss the situation at hand, they showed no signs of rethinking their decision. Cooper even tried to reapply for the position but the HCSA president did not accept his application or allow him an interview.

Although Associate Director of Residence Life, Johnnie-Margaret McConnell, gave Cooper 24 hours to resign before she removed him from office, he did not. McConnell had stated in an e-mail earlier in the year that officers serve from the time they are elected until the end of the next school year. Since Cooper did not meet the required GPA during the summer, McConnell had no choice but to remove him.

The President of HCSA, Hannah Moore, said the final decision was made by McConnell and there was nothing else that could have been done. Even after the decision was made, Cooper along with another member of HCSA, presented a bill to HCSA to overturn the decision, but that too failed. HCSA decided to elect Eddie Shimp, who was already elected to serve as programming director, as the new vice president for the 2009-2010 school year.

What Cooper is facing right now is a prime example of what happened to the characters in Who Moved My Cheese?" Cooper had already been a part of this organization for a year and had planned to spend another year, if not two, serving HCSA. His cheese was suddenly moved when he did not meet the grade requirement and was removed from his position. Although he did everything in his power to overturn the decision, he could not. Cooper must realize his "cheese" is gone and it is time to aspire for new and better cheese somewhere else. As the book says, "The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese."

Photo taken by Teeko Yang of the Daily

Homeless to House Owner

By: Alex Marcus

October 9, 2009

An article in the Dallas Morning News describes the incredible story of a man who “moved his cheese” from a life on the streets to having a job and his own home.

Mark Choice had lived in a cardboard box under a freeway in downtown Dallas for 15 years; in fact, he was identified as “mayor” of the freeway under which he lived. However, this past Wednesday, with the generosity of David Timothy, Choice was given the keys to a new town home.

David Timothy runs the nonprofit organization SoupMobile, which distributes food to the homeless. SoupMobile was such a success that Timothy developed the idea for a housing program called SoupMobile Village.

Back on April 1, Timothy also known as the “SoupMan” hired Choice as an assistant warehouse manager, where he received his first paycheck in 20 years. Choice had done such a great job that Timothy wanted to make him the first resident of the new SoupMobile Village. Choice, who had his home made of boxes torn down countless times, knew it was time to make a change in his life.

Choice’s situation about change can be applied to Spencer Johnson’s book “Who Moved My Cheese.” In the story, four characters, 2 mice, Sniff and Scurry and 2 little people, Hem and Haw face unforeseen change when their cheese is suddenly gone. Sniff and Scurry go their own way and find new cheese while Hem and Haw try to figure out where the cheese went. Haw eventually put aside his fears and begins looking for new cheese, while Hem keeps to his regular routine. Haw quickly adapted to change, having to find new cheese and once he found it, he realized he must enjoy what he has, but continue to “move with the cheese.”

In Choice’s situation, he was a little like Hem at first, continuously rebuilding his box home, living under a freeway, but once Choice was offered a real job with responsibility, he realized he must step down as “mayor” of the freeway, change his life and “move with the cheese” he was offered. By “moving with the cheese,” and taking the job opportunity, Choice showed that he is worthy of employment and in turn received a home in which to live through the help of donors and a very kind man. By doing this, Choice has found himself in a better living situation and is now able to keep “moving with the cheese” to continue living a better life.

Article taken from The Dallas Morning News
Picture taken by Courtney Perry, Dallas Morning News

Arizona Sheriff Gets Cheese Moved by Federal Authorities

By: Kati O'Kelley

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, also known as "America's Toughest Sheriff," is facing an investigation by the Justice Department into allegations of civil rights abuses and American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona is suing the sheriff over immigration raids conducted by his department. The ACLU's class-action suit alleges that Arpaio abused the power given to him under the agreement he had with Homeland Security. In this agreement, that has been held since 2007, Arpaio and the Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff's department were allowed to enforce federal immigration laws.

Sheriff Arpaio has built his reputation as "America's Toughest Sheriff" by the way he treats his inmates, by housing many of them in tents, humiliating them by making them wear pink underwear, and bragging on being able to feel them for less than a dollar a day. Now, Arpaio's is saying that Homeland Security is revising their 2007 agreement by limiting his power to checking the immigration status of inmates already in his Phoenix jail.

As for the suit brought against Arpaio by the ACLU, they are alleging that Arpaio acted unconstitutionally and racially profiled many people in the Maricopa Community that appear to be or are of Latino decent. They say Arpaio has held many high-profile raids to appeal to his supporters.

Sheriff Arpaio says that the allegations against him are "garbage" and contends, "We do not go on street corners and grab people that look like they're from another country. Pursuant to our duties, when we come across illegals, we take action." Arpaio says that he will continue to crack down on illegal immigration.

In the book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, the four characters get their cheese moved. The moving of the cheese represents a problem arising in their life and all of the characters react differently to this. Hem, one of the human characters, is the least accepting of change and refuses to change his behavior. Sheriff Arpaio's behavior parallels the character Hem with his refusal to change his behavior that is obviously harmful. Though it has been pointed out to him by multiple sources that his actions have gone too far, Arpaio has no plans to change his ways. This kind of attitude did not work well for Hem in the book. Hem's refusal to change his behavior even though things were changing around him lead to problems in his circumstances. Arpaio's refusal to see that he has been doing wrong and change change his behavior is sure to have negative consequences.

Image via CNN.com and Getty Images

Brett Favre also known as Haw

Brett Favre also known as Haw

By Kacie James

Doesn't this quote sounds familiar, "Brett Favre, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers."

No, not anymore! As of Winter 2008, Favre was asked to resign from his position as the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. After playing for 16 years, Packers management had to make a decision to keep Favre for a couple more years and risk losing their current quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, or ask Favre to retire. Obviously, they believed it was in their best interest to let go of Favre and focus on Rodgers.

This decision led Favre to move his cheese and prove it was a wise decision. At the age of 39, he now plays for the Minnesota Vikings, the team that defeated the Green Bay Packers on Monday, October 5, 2009.

Although Favre was unhappy with the incident that took place last Winter, his performance on Monday showed that he adapted to the changes in his career and continued to play with passion. Favre's football career is a great example of the principles illustrated in Spencer Johnson's book "Who Moved My Cheese?"

Just like Hem and Haw, Favre was complacent in his career for 16 years and then faced with an unwanted change. Initially, Favre had the same negative attitude as Hem and Haw. He wondered how they could do that to him and claimed their decision was not fair, but soon he developed the same thoughts as Haw and decided to "look for new cheese."

As Haw found his new cheese, so did Favre. Through his maze, Favre has found a new team that is currently undefeated and relit his flame that originally made him such a great player.

Photo received from google images.

Corzine's Cheese Moves Off Wall Street

Corzine’s Cheese Moves Off Wall Street
by Rebekah Husted

In 2000, when Jon Corzine first ran for governor of New Jersey, his résumé seemed stellar. His years as chairman of Goldman Sachs (as well as the fortune he earned while on Wall Street) boded well for his ability to handle the states’ finances.

Then the economy went south. Goldman Sachs was cast as the villain in the country’s fiscal tragedy. Suddenly, faced with a fiscal crisis and a reelection campaign, Corzine’s résumé is tainted by the very accomplishments that recommended him only a few years ago.

To put the situation into the language of Spencer Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese?, Corzine’s cheese has been moved by the hand of fate (or perhaps by his and his Wall Street associates’ mismanagement). Corzine and his advisors are now faced with a decision. They can remain mired in the past like Hem in the story, scrounging for moldy crumbs, reliving the glory days and lamenting the circumstances, or they can venture out into the future like the wiser Haw, accepting that times have changed and reacting to that change. In a business like politics, where staying current and connected to voters is the key to success, it is fairly clear which choice would be more profitable.

Of course, even if the governor’s campaign does decide to move on – as they seem to have done – success is anything but certain. Corzine’s past and his association with a now discredited and loathed organization will not disappear. Indeed, his current opponent is unlikely to let voters forget. However, staying in the past, harping on accomplishments that now only condemn him, will guarantee failure. Only by moving on, taking a risk and following the cheese can Corzine hope to win reelection.

Photo: Jon Corzine and Henry Paulson, co-chairmen of Goldman Sachs in 1998. Associated Press photo via nytimes.com.

These Hands are Not My Own, but They Seem to be Working

Man Receives First Double Hand Transplant in US

By Morgan Dickerson

In May 2009, Jeff Kepner was the first person to receive a double hand transplant in the United States, after losing both his hands ten years ago from a bacterial infection. Kepner’s lead surgeon was Dr. W.P. Andrew Lee, who led a team of ten surgeons to successfully complete the transplant. The surgery was projected to take approximately 20 hours, but was finished in less than nine hours. 

Since Kepner’s double hand transplant, he has continued to have a successful recovery. According to Kepner’s doctors, nerves grow somewhere around one inch every month. Kepner does not have feeling in his fingers yet, according to his mother Doris Schafer. To help Kepner re-learn how to pick up items and use his hands he is playing catch and only picking up small items.

Kepner’s ‘cheese’ was moved a decade ago when he lost his hands and his feet, and this has put through a tough time. Jordan Kepner, 13, is Jeff’s daughter who recalls good and bad memories of when her dad got sick. Jordan gets sad when she knows her dad will be gone for a long period for either surgery or rehab, but she looks forward to doing normal stuff with her dad that has been on hold. Losing any appendage to one’s body could only be devastating, at first. But, this story exemplifies how some choose to find new ‘cheese’ and move forward in life. Kepner not only moved on to find ‘new cheese’ but he set out to find ‘better cheese’. Kepner took on the role of Scurry in our assigned book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” Being Scurry, Kepner dealt with his life-changing loss and continued to live and find other options, which were real human hands.

Kepner is not the only person in this world who has experienced this type of tragic loss, but he is the first and only person in the United States to ever receive a double hand transplant.  Kepner appeared on NBC’s, Today Show, to let all of America see how the surgery has changed his life for the better. Kepner demonstrated that he can bounce and pick up a tiny bouncing ball and slightly move his fingers. Kepner’s story and other stories like his show how individuals who experience tragedy are determined to live life fully and happily by finding newer and better ‘cheese’ for themselves; even though there are those who are too scared to move forward and rebuild their lives.

Image Information: Courtesy of Fox News. Jeff Kepner with Therapist Kim Maguire.

Web Source: Fox News.

Family Searches for Sister

Family Searches for Sister

By Melissa Chasteen

After two failed attempts at in vitro fertilization in 2001, Maryann DeSimone and her husband Robert had given up all hope of becoming parents. At that point in their lives they were against adoption, so they thought they would find happiness in their lives through material possessions such as a new boat or more vacations.

Little did they know their lives would soon be changing dramatically. While the DeSimone’s dreams of parenthood were diminishing, three girls from Ukraine, Katie, 9; Darya, 7; and Irina, 6, were in dire need of a family. The girls’ mother died in childbirth and the stress proved too strong for their father, leading him to a life of alcoholism and the girls being placed into an orphanage. With one more attempt at parenthood, the DeSimones signed up with an adoption agency and one year later received an E-mail about the three girls.

The adoption process started in 2003 with many setbacks along the way. In order for the adoption paperwork to get filled out, everyone in Ukraine that was involved in the adoption—clerks, notaries, police officers—had to be bribed before they did anything. Also, the girls’ aunt and uncle, who had nothing to do with them beforehand, showed up to delay the process even more. Fed up with the bribes and setbacks, the DeSimones had considered stopping the adoption process, but instead battled on, with the adoption being finalized in early 2005.

Not long after the girls settled down in their new home in Huntington, N.Y., Darya pleaded with her new parents that they find their youngest sister, Vera. Darya said, “When Mommy went to heaven, Vera never came home.” The DeSimones immediately starting searching for the child, fearing that she may have been sold on the black market. They are continually working with officials in Ukraine, consequently paying more bribes and incentives. Though they’re faced with more setbacks than before, the DeSimones said they refuse to give up looking and will continue to share their story.

In Spencer Johnson’s “Who Moved My Cheese,” two mice and two little people are faced with change when their cheese disappears. The DeSimones’ journey is a prime example of having your cheese moved. Instead of giving up hope of having children, they searched and ultimately changed their lives in order to provide for their new family. They can be compared to the two mice, Sniff and Scurry, because of their commitment to “finding the cheese” and doing whatever it takes to get it. Even more so, the three girls—who before coming to America had never eaten a banana, nor used or even seen toilet paper—had to change their lives dramatically, learning a new language and adjusting to life in a new country and new family.

Image provided by Foxnews.com

Williams Owns Up to Mistake

Williams Owns Up to Mistake
By: Jason Bodin

Women’s tennis sensation, Serena Williams, was recently on the end of a controversial call at the 2009 U.S. Open. Williams was called for a foot fault on a serve, giving her a double fault, which put her a point away from a loss. After the call Williams approached the lineswomen and reportedly said, “If I could, I would take this…ball and… shove it down your throat.”

In a previous set, Williams received a warning after breaking her racket. Thus, the second outburst towards the line judge cost her a penalty point and, in the end the match.

Following the match Williams was fined $10,500 by the International Tennis Federation for “unsportsmanlike conduct” and racket abuse. Many wondered if Williams would lose her sponsorships after the outburst. However, because Williams acted on the change that occurred, due to great public relations work, she was has not seen those ramifications.

This situation is a great example of how people deal with change. Some people do not deal with change well, or at all, while others embrace change and make the best out of each situation.

The book Who Moved My Cheese? written by Spencer Johnson, is a story about how four mice deal with change in their maze. Williams is like the mouse Haw, who faced many challenges but came out on top because of the way in which he dealt with those challenges.

Williams turned a potential crisis on her career into the best situation she knew how. Williams released a statement later that night and again the next day apologizing for her actions claiming, “In the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly.”

One little call moved William’s cheese, but she was able to overcome the challenges she created by owning up to her mistake.

Photo received from google images.

Ewww, wash your hands!

By Ciara Amir

“Wash your hands, right now” is probably a phrase that was often repeated in your home as a child. Well, at least in my home it was often shouted at me after coming in from a long day’s worth of fun and games.

Washing your hands is such an easy task that most children can complete the task by themselves, however may adults still fail to take this task serious.

In the earlier part of 2009, many new cases of the H1N1 influenza were reported and had the Nation wearing mask that resembled modern day gas masks. However, Americans are still failing to use their number one defense mechanism against this National epidemic.

"Hand washing is a simple thing to do and it's the best way to prevent infection and illness," said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey found that 54 percent of people surveyed said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently in public restrooms since the H1N1 virus emerged.”

Hand washing is something that American’s have had previous problems with. A research study conducted by the American Society for Microbiology in 2007, found only 77 percent of Americans washed their hands after using public restrooms. Another study conducted in 2004 by the Minnesota Department of Health, found that hand washing at the Minnesota state fairgrounds were even more frightening. The studies showed that only 75 percent of women and 51 percent of men washed with both soap and water after using public restrooms.

The trends found in this research correlates with a character from the book “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life” written by Spencer Johnson.

Throughout the book, the character Hem is faced with many life-changing experiences, but yet he did not change. The character refused to accommodate his life to his current situations. He was even warned by a friend that if he didn’t change his ways, he wouldn’t survive.

We are facing unusual times and disease is continuously running ramped around us. Perhaps someone should chisel in our walls, "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct!"

Bradley Corporation is currently doing its part in helping chisel this message in the minds of many Americans. If you would like to know more about their healthy hand washing tips campaign please visit. www.bradleycorp.com