Tuesday, October 31
Monday, October 30
Tuesday, August 22
Wednesday, August 16
Hmmm
Sometimes you just have a day that you know you will remember as a marker in your life forever; a day that will always be looked on as a turning point for good or bad. Today was a one of those days. It is all good. It was memorable enough on its own. It is the day before my last first day of school ever! But that wasn’t enough. My room mates came back today and we are all ready for one more year in Studio 48. Par-tay! But all that paled in comparison to the way it ended..........
Pinch me... quick! They say that when something seems too good to be true, that it probably is. But I think this could be that good, and it IS true.
17 days!
Pinch me... quick! They say that when something seems too good to be true, that it probably is. But I think this could be that good, and it IS true.
17 days!
Monday, August 7
Gearin' Up...
Most of you regular readers (both of you) know that I don’t like to be too candid about my role and involvement with the RedCo@t B@nd. But this time of year, what else am I going to talk about. I have been hard at work at the ‘Hugh’ for three days and much has been accomplished. All the cases are ready to endure a season and I’m ready to stop all this logistical crap and work on all the stuff I love about this job. Gomez has (as usual) gotten in the way more than he has helped. But I keep telling myself that he means well and has our best interests at heart (sometimes). Keckles is coming into his own and I’m really starting to appreciate what he can do for the organization. The group of leaders seems to have a blast together and I hope that continues. I will be very busy over the next few days so supplemental Blogging could be few and far between. Once school starts, I can promise you all that I’ll do better.
25 days ‘till kickoff.
25 days ‘till kickoff.
Thursday, August 3
Summer Blogger
Before I had a Blog, I used to complain about people who did have one and never updated it over summer. I couldn’t figure why your life would just go on hiatus for two months. I am now one of those people and I totally get it. Tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new school year for me. Thus, I could possibly become a more faithful Blogger. I will be back in Athens for good tomorrow. Maybe it’s because I have more at stake this year and more to be excited about, but I am soooo looking forward to getting back. I miss my peoples. I miss pointless sports banter with Kyle. I miss pointless arguments about politics with Bob. I miss pretending to be the most uptight, conservative person on the Sousaline. I miss my roommates. I miss Athens. I miss football. This is the first year that I am completely ready to start it all up again. I got the impression from my friends that they might not be as anxious to get back to the classic city. I suppose the new turning point in my life could have something to do with my puppyish giddiness at getting to come back for (at least) one more year. But whatever the reason, I’m ready. I will not allow this year to go anyway but well. I hope
Sunday, July 16
Summer Update
All right,
By popular demand, I am going to do a rare summer Blog update. The reason for the long absences in short is just a sporadic schedule. I have no routine right now, and I love it!
Few details will follow each event, but it should be enough to catch you all up.
Went to China…
It’s been two months and I’m just now realizing how much I learned in China. Not as much about the culture as I had hoped., but tons about the people there. I learned even more about myself and the culture that I live in and how blessed I am and the people in my life. The camaraderie that I had been pushing for all year amongst the Sousas finally came to fruition and I hope that it carries over and even grows throughout this next season.
(Editor’s note: for more information on the China trip, check out my trip journal at http://mateogoestochina.blogspot.com/. It is a work in progress, but should be done by the time school starts.)
Went back home…
I was sure that I had spent my last extended time in the suburbs of Gainesville, but I was wrong. The opportunity to gain some class credit without having to actually go to class enticed me to look into a job here this summer. Long story short, the professor that I had lined up to proctor the internship left the University for more money at another school (thank you Mike Adams) and I was stuck with no way to get this credit. In short, I most likely will have to graduate at the end of next summer instead of next spring. So that is a big drag.
Took a class…
I took a commuter class at Piedmont College on Thursday evenings. It was statistics and it was easy. I should have taken more summer classes at community college… My GPA would suck less if I had.
Worked a bit…
I went back to an old job, but in a new way. I worked cleaning and maintaining swimming pools during the summers in high school. So, when my summer plans went bust and I needed money, I gave it another try. This time, I did it myself. I had a rotation of five pools to clean each week and made enough money to make the summer prosperous without working all the dang time.
Was a huge band dork…
I spent several days at the Hugh this summer getting the horns into shape for this fall. No money made, but I’ll be dang proud when 30 Sousas march through the Dawg Walk vs. WKU.
I am also working a high school camp and a half on top of my duties at UGA. Again, it will be a little fun and it will help to pay the bills.
The people…
This summer defined in a large way the direction of the rest of my life when it comes to people. It established the friendships that I know will be lifelong and the ones that were only of the time and circumstance. I had another roommate get engaged and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Two out of four have taken the plunge and they have really set the bar high for Bob and I. I suppose we better find a match to equal K-diddle and Renee. No rush though.
I got closer with my brothers as this will be the last time we ever live under one roof. I’m very proud of the way they are turning out. Ryan, though a dumb jock, has a nice direction for his life. Ham is still a work in progress, but he has time.
I met some new people and made some new relationships. Some are blossoming friendships; one could be much more ;-) For once, I am really focusing on not pursuing my agenda and tempo in this. Keith and Rusty have taught me much better through the way that they have handled similar situations in their own lives.
I am looking forward to getting back to Athens full time and seeing all the people that I have missed over the summer. The people that I shared the China ordeal with will always have a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to spending one more season between the hedges with them.
All in all, it has been a great summer of learning and of growth. I am now officially ready to close a chapter in my life and move on. It is past time to grow up and I think I might finally be mature to take a stab at it. Regardless, I am going to give it a shot.
Only 46 days ‘till kickoff. Go Dawgs!
By popular demand, I am going to do a rare summer Blog update. The reason for the long absences in short is just a sporadic schedule. I have no routine right now, and I love it!
Few details will follow each event, but it should be enough to catch you all up.
Went to China…
It’s been two months and I’m just now realizing how much I learned in China. Not as much about the culture as I had hoped., but tons about the people there. I learned even more about myself and the culture that I live in and how blessed I am and the people in my life. The camaraderie that I had been pushing for all year amongst the Sousas finally came to fruition and I hope that it carries over and even grows throughout this next season.
(Editor’s note: for more information on the China trip, check out my trip journal at http://mateogoestochina.blogspot.com/. It is a work in progress, but should be done by the time school starts.)
Went back home…
I was sure that I had spent my last extended time in the suburbs of Gainesville, but I was wrong. The opportunity to gain some class credit without having to actually go to class enticed me to look into a job here this summer. Long story short, the professor that I had lined up to proctor the internship left the University for more money at another school (thank you Mike Adams) and I was stuck with no way to get this credit. In short, I most likely will have to graduate at the end of next summer instead of next spring. So that is a big drag.
Took a class…
I took a commuter class at Piedmont College on Thursday evenings. It was statistics and it was easy. I should have taken more summer classes at community college… My GPA would suck less if I had.
Worked a bit…
I went back to an old job, but in a new way. I worked cleaning and maintaining swimming pools during the summers in high school. So, when my summer plans went bust and I needed money, I gave it another try. This time, I did it myself. I had a rotation of five pools to clean each week and made enough money to make the summer prosperous without working all the dang time.
Was a huge band dork…
I spent several days at the Hugh this summer getting the horns into shape for this fall. No money made, but I’ll be dang proud when 30 Sousas march through the Dawg Walk vs. WKU.
I am also working a high school camp and a half on top of my duties at UGA. Again, it will be a little fun and it will help to pay the bills.
The people…
This summer defined in a large way the direction of the rest of my life when it comes to people. It established the friendships that I know will be lifelong and the ones that were only of the time and circumstance. I had another roommate get engaged and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Two out of four have taken the plunge and they have really set the bar high for Bob and I. I suppose we better find a match to equal K-diddle and Renee. No rush though.
I got closer with my brothers as this will be the last time we ever live under one roof. I’m very proud of the way they are turning out. Ryan, though a dumb jock, has a nice direction for his life. Ham is still a work in progress, but he has time.
I met some new people and made some new relationships. Some are blossoming friendships; one could be much more ;-) For once, I am really focusing on not pursuing my agenda and tempo in this. Keith and Rusty have taught me much better through the way that they have handled similar situations in their own lives.
I am looking forward to getting back to Athens full time and seeing all the people that I have missed over the summer. The people that I shared the China ordeal with will always have a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to spending one more season between the hedges with them.
All in all, it has been a great summer of learning and of growth. I am now officially ready to close a chapter in my life and move on. It is past time to grow up and I think I might finally be mature to take a stab at it. Regardless, I am going to give it a shot.
Only 46 days ‘till kickoff. Go Dawgs!
Saturday, June 17
Chinese Journal (but in English)
I'm posting my journal entries from my trip to China on a separate Blog. The link for it is...
http://mateogoestochina.blogspot.com/
I hope to have the entire trip posted by the end of summer. Hope you all enjoy!
http://mateogoestochina.blogspot.com/
I hope to have the entire trip posted by the end of summer. Hope you all enjoy!
Friday, May 12
Saturday, April 29
Wednesday, April 26
Hmmm
I have a severe and perhaps terminal case of writer’s block / lack of motivation / genuine apathy towards the subjects that have dominated my life for the last four months. I have lots to do including exams to study for and papers to write and I can’t get rolling on any of it. I’m in deep.......
Wednesday, April 19
Random mid-week thoughts...
STUDIO 48 – Random mid-week thoughts.
Well, actually... these thoughts have very little to do with it being the middle of the week.
You know when someone has a wreck and people ask: “Did you total it?”, what does that mean. “Totaling” a car is very relative. It is actually possible to due more dollars worth of damage to a vehicle than the darn thing is actually worth. Just ask my downstairs neighbor who hit my room mate’s POS Trooper last month. He did it late at night and tried to play it cool and not tell anyone. The problem: He drives a black truck and my room mate’s Trooper is bright red. The red scrape down the side of his new truck didn’t give it away or anything. Bob paid like $1000 for the thing. The issue, the insurance company gave him $1600 for a dented door! That car should have been “totaled”. I guess our friends at State Farm didn’t do their homework. Bob isn’t complaining.
You know when you really want something; however you know that by getting yourself all excited in anticipation now that you are only setting yourself up for anguish later? I am there right now. Something could be brewing in my life, yet I’m nervous about getting pumped about it because of the multiple times that I have screwed things of this nature up by getting too excited. There is nothing there yet to be excited about, but I’m feeling it. Who knows?
As I write this, one room mate is shaving another room mates head on our balcony. Gosh, college life is just about as good as it’s ever going to get!
I watched my first ever episode of American Idol tonight with K-diddle and Rusty. I still hate reality TV in all forms, yet I can now appreciate Idol for what it is.
Am I dork for practicing my music for China so as not to make an @$$ of myself on Saturday when I stand in front on 21 highly judgmental musicians? Most definitely! And I don’t care.
I have 32 pages of papers to write by the end of the semester (two weeks). I’m gonna have less fun the next two weeks1
All for now. Life is good. Stay tuned.......
Well, actually... these thoughts have very little to do with it being the middle of the week.
You know when someone has a wreck and people ask: “Did you total it?”, what does that mean. “Totaling” a car is very relative. It is actually possible to due more dollars worth of damage to a vehicle than the darn thing is actually worth. Just ask my downstairs neighbor who hit my room mate’s POS Trooper last month. He did it late at night and tried to play it cool and not tell anyone. The problem: He drives a black truck and my room mate’s Trooper is bright red. The red scrape down the side of his new truck didn’t give it away or anything. Bob paid like $1000 for the thing. The issue, the insurance company gave him $1600 for a dented door! That car should have been “totaled”. I guess our friends at State Farm didn’t do their homework. Bob isn’t complaining.
You know when you really want something; however you know that by getting yourself all excited in anticipation now that you are only setting yourself up for anguish later? I am there right now. Something could be brewing in my life, yet I’m nervous about getting pumped about it because of the multiple times that I have screwed things of this nature up by getting too excited. There is nothing there yet to be excited about, but I’m feeling it. Who knows?
As I write this, one room mate is shaving another room mates head on our balcony. Gosh, college life is just about as good as it’s ever going to get!
I watched my first ever episode of American Idol tonight with K-diddle and Rusty. I still hate reality TV in all forms, yet I can now appreciate Idol for what it is.
Am I dork for practicing my music for China so as not to make an @$$ of myself on Saturday when I stand in front on 21 highly judgmental musicians? Most definitely! And I don’t care.
I have 32 pages of papers to write by the end of the semester (two weeks). I’m gonna have less fun the next two weeks1
All for now. Life is good. Stay tuned.......
Monday, April 17
Sunday, April 16
Happy Easter?
STUDIO 48 -- Happy Easter everyone! I have just arrived back in the Classic City after right at 51 hours back in GainesVegas. What an unproductive weekend, yet... exactly what I needed. I did a lot of thinking about a lot of things. I got some stout advice from some friends and my family. I am now ready to make some decisions about my future that I was completely not ready to even think about before. I guess it is fitting that I did this much pondering and reflecting on Easter weekend. It was good to get to go to church with my family. I have become one of those Christians that doesn’t always live my life the way I know to be best. Nothing like some time around my parents and then going to my old church to get me feeling guilty and tugging on my heart.
First) Can you really say “’Happy’ Easter”? I know that it is a happy holiday because Jesus died for our sins and rose again on the third day. I mean, it’s a friggin’ miracle. But, a man did die! I have trouble ‘celebrating’ death. I can see saying “Happy Passover”. After all... it is a holiday that celebrates the Angel of Death not taking the first-born of all the Jewish children in the bondage of Egypt. Then again, by celebrating the Angel of Death not taking the first-borns of all the Jewish households, aren’t we then celebrating the demise of all the first-born Egyptian children? Again, ‘celebrating’ death just isn’t my cup of tea.
Second) My worrying about my last two (or three) semesters at UGa is now over. It was my father, the same father who has put overbearing scholastic pressure on me since the second grade, who told me that “there are some things that you can control and that are worth worrying about, and all other worries are a waist of your time.” Poetic? Insightful? Interesting? Perhaps all of the above. Nonetheless, I am going to take the wiser Phillips’ advice and start worrying about the things that I can control and stop with my worries about the things of the past and the things of the future that I cannot control.
Third) I’m approaching a ‘DTR’ in my life. Some of you have heard me use that term and some have not. If you know what I’m talking about, then you can ask me about it. If you don’t, then stay tuned. I’ll update you all as soon as I achieve the juevos to go through with it.
Finally) Tomorrow should be the day that the RCB officers are announced for next fall. Needless to say, I am excited to get it over with. I like to maintain good, sold chemistry amongst the members of the section. Picking someone to lead them is rarely a way to achieve this. I can now say that no matter which direction the directors (kinda ironic that that is their title and their role in this process) decide to take our section, it will be good. We will move on from these bitter debates and be fine in the grand scheme. It’s like holding a job interview, except you rarely have to work with the people that you beat out when you get a job from an interview. Moving on when this is all over will take a lot of maturity from some people that don’t have much. For some reason, though... I have faith.
Stay tuned.......
First) Can you really say “’Happy’ Easter”? I know that it is a happy holiday because Jesus died for our sins and rose again on the third day. I mean, it’s a friggin’ miracle. But, a man did die! I have trouble ‘celebrating’ death. I can see saying “Happy Passover”. After all... it is a holiday that celebrates the Angel of Death not taking the first-born of all the Jewish children in the bondage of Egypt. Then again, by celebrating the Angel of Death not taking the first-borns of all the Jewish households, aren’t we then celebrating the demise of all the first-born Egyptian children? Again, ‘celebrating’ death just isn’t my cup of tea.
Second) My worrying about my last two (or three) semesters at UGa is now over. It was my father, the same father who has put overbearing scholastic pressure on me since the second grade, who told me that “there are some things that you can control and that are worth worrying about, and all other worries are a waist of your time.” Poetic? Insightful? Interesting? Perhaps all of the above. Nonetheless, I am going to take the wiser Phillips’ advice and start worrying about the things that I can control and stop with my worries about the things of the past and the things of the future that I cannot control.
Third) I’m approaching a ‘DTR’ in my life. Some of you have heard me use that term and some have not. If you know what I’m talking about, then you can ask me about it. If you don’t, then stay tuned. I’ll update you all as soon as I achieve the juevos to go through with it.
Finally) Tomorrow should be the day that the RCB officers are announced for next fall. Needless to say, I am excited to get it over with. I like to maintain good, sold chemistry amongst the members of the section. Picking someone to lead them is rarely a way to achieve this. I can now say that no matter which direction the directors (kinda ironic that that is their title and their role in this process) decide to take our section, it will be good. We will move on from these bitter debates and be fine in the grand scheme. It’s like holding a job interview, except you rarely have to work with the people that you beat out when you get a job from an interview. Moving on when this is all over will take a lot of maturity from some people that don’t have much. For some reason, though... I have faith.
Stay tuned.......
Monday, April 10
Weekly Reader...
STUDIO 48 – What a week! I’m swamped getting things ready for China. I have been on the phone all afternoon with high school band directors to inquire about borrowing their school’s horns for the last two weeks of rehearsal so that we can ship ours to China ahead of time. I may be speaking too soon, but this may work.
We had our first China rehearsal yesterday. I will say that I was impressed with how organized it all was. I was concerned that something was getting left out. So far, so good. My greatest achievement of the day was fitting all the horns and cases into the tiny, miniscule storage room in the basement of the coliseum.
Life is really good. Busy, but good.
I will be performing with the distinguished Tuesday/Thursday Concert Band tomorrow evening at 8:00. We are playing a decent program (as opposed to the last concert), but we’re not playing it well. This is the least talented of the non-music-major bands that I have been apart of. I might have to go back to the symphonic band next year.... who knows?
I got screwed by an academic advisor. It was like two years ago and now I have to take a class this summer to stay on tract to graduate next spring. Boo on her!!!
I’m finding out just how blessed I am to have the friends that I have.
Really getting random on here. I’m scatter brained. I’ll add more later.......
We had our first China rehearsal yesterday. I will say that I was impressed with how organized it all was. I was concerned that something was getting left out. So far, so good. My greatest achievement of the day was fitting all the horns and cases into the tiny, miniscule storage room in the basement of the coliseum.
Life is really good. Busy, but good.
I will be performing with the distinguished Tuesday/Thursday Concert Band tomorrow evening at 8:00. We are playing a decent program (as opposed to the last concert), but we’re not playing it well. This is the least talented of the non-music-major bands that I have been apart of. I might have to go back to the symphonic band next year.... who knows?
I got screwed by an academic advisor. It was like two years ago and now I have to take a class this summer to stay on tract to graduate next spring. Boo on her!!!
I’m finding out just how blessed I am to have the friends that I have.
Really getting random on here. I’m scatter brained. I’ll add more later.......
Wednesday, April 5
OASIS = BOOOO
STUDIO 48 – I don’t know why I assume every semester that class registration is going to be easy and stress-free. It never is. I always have a foolish faith that I can pull it off and get every class exactly when I want it. Every semester... Yet, it never happens. This Summer/Fall is no different.
I just want my diploma!!!
35 hours to go!
I just want my diploma!!!
35 hours to go!
Tuesday, April 4
Life is busy – But with good things – But still busy
STUDIO 48 – Life is busy – But with good things – But still busy.
I’m going to head back to ‘the Hugh’ in a few minutes and help Sam get the horns ready for G-Day. I’m excited about G-day, but I am nervous about the pending selection of my co-section leader for next fall. It doesn’t matter what happens, somebody is going to get pissed. Either because they didn’t get selected or because someone they did not want -- did. I’m trying my best to be professional, but it is hard. I like to have good chemistry in the section and people being pissed off over something as trivial as section leader is not a good way to achieve it. No matter who gets it (...and I really don’t care who gets it because I am pompous enough to think that I can work with anyone... well ... almost anyone), I will treat them the same as I would treat anyone in that position. This will be interesting. I like the drama, but I don’t like pissed off people.
There might be some big news in my future... I eluted to this event in an earlier post, but still no official word. So it will have to stay on the DL until then.
I may change my opinion next fall, but as for me and my situation and position right now... I really think that Mr. Keck is doing a great job. Nothing more, just thought I’d share.
Tomorrow is my dad’s birthday, yet for some reason I’m the one that is getting a free dinner out of the deal. Amazing!
Life is good, but helter-skelter. More to come.......
I’m going to head back to ‘the Hugh’ in a few minutes and help Sam get the horns ready for G-Day. I’m excited about G-day, but I am nervous about the pending selection of my co-section leader for next fall. It doesn’t matter what happens, somebody is going to get pissed. Either because they didn’t get selected or because someone they did not want -- did. I’m trying my best to be professional, but it is hard. I like to have good chemistry in the section and people being pissed off over something as trivial as section leader is not a good way to achieve it. No matter who gets it (...and I really don’t care who gets it because I am pompous enough to think that I can work with anyone... well ... almost anyone), I will treat them the same as I would treat anyone in that position. This will be interesting. I like the drama, but I don’t like pissed off people.
There might be some big news in my future... I eluted to this event in an earlier post, but still no official word. So it will have to stay on the DL until then.
I may change my opinion next fall, but as for me and my situation and position right now... I really think that Mr. Keck is doing a great job. Nothing more, just thought I’d share.
Tomorrow is my dad’s birthday, yet for some reason I’m the one that is getting a free dinner out of the deal. Amazing!
Life is good, but helter-skelter. More to come.......
Monday, April 3
Random post #11
STUDIO 48 – Nothing of note to report. So this entry will consist of short, simple, one-sentence thoughts.
I am in the middle of writing two papers that are due tomorrow and Wednesday, respectively.
I’m finishing up some last minute details to make sure that the Sousaphones don’t look/sound like crap at G-Day which is now only four days away.
Getting 350 people to China is more work than anyone anticipated.
Go to McAllister’s Deli on Broad St. tomorrow night (Tuesday) between 4 and 9 and support YOUR Redcoat Band’s trip to China.
Tonight is the NCAA Men’s championship, tomorrow is the women’s, the Braves are back in action, G-Day is Saturday and the Masters is this weekend -- boy, this is a really bad week for me to have lots to do for school because there are a lot of things that I would rather be doing/watching.
James Taylor had it right... “Whenever I see your smiling' face, I have to smile myself”.
More later, if I ever get any free time. Hang in there, guys (and gals), we are almost there.......
I am in the middle of writing two papers that are due tomorrow and Wednesday, respectively.
I’m finishing up some last minute details to make sure that the Sousaphones don’t look/sound like crap at G-Day which is now only four days away.
Getting 350 people to China is more work than anyone anticipated.
Go to McAllister’s Deli on Broad St. tomorrow night (Tuesday) between 4 and 9 and support YOUR Redcoat Band’s trip to China.
Tonight is the NCAA Men’s championship, tomorrow is the women’s, the Braves are back in action, G-Day is Saturday and the Masters is this weekend -- boy, this is a really bad week for me to have lots to do for school because there are a lot of things that I would rather be doing/watching.
James Taylor had it right... “Whenever I see your smiling' face, I have to smile myself”.
More later, if I ever get any free time. Hang in there, guys (and gals), we are almost there.......
Thursday, March 30
It is go time!
STUDIO 48 – I’m not gonna lie, I have no idea where I am going with this one.
As you faithful readers know, I have been in a self-induced world where I avoid females at all costs. It was time for a change. It was time to stop playing around and start focusing on my life and getting a little vision, focus and direction in it. I feel like I have reached that point. I know that I am on the fast-track to graduation, I know that I have some jobs lined up for after graduation if I want them and I know that I have never been quite this confident that I am going to make it and that God really is watching out for me. I’m telling you all that so that you will not judge me and question me if I make some radical moves in my personal life in the next few weeks. (Editor’s note: radical for a sheltered conservative boy may be nothing more than approaching a young lady with the intention of pursuing her.) I make this promise to all three of you reading this... I will no longer date for the sake of dating and I will no longer pursue relationships that I know to be negative or destined for dead-end. It may be fun at the time, but it is not worth it in the long run. From hence forth, if I go out with a girl and spend significant quantities of time with her, then you will no that it is more than just another girl. I’m venting at myself for being an idiot. No more! I have been tempted in the desert and I have come out on the other side stronger than before.
Thanks for reading my own Lou-Holtz-esk motivational speech to myself. “Ya gotta believe.......”
As you faithful readers know, I have been in a self-induced world where I avoid females at all costs. It was time for a change. It was time to stop playing around and start focusing on my life and getting a little vision, focus and direction in it. I feel like I have reached that point. I know that I am on the fast-track to graduation, I know that I have some jobs lined up for after graduation if I want them and I know that I have never been quite this confident that I am going to make it and that God really is watching out for me. I’m telling you all that so that you will not judge me and question me if I make some radical moves in my personal life in the next few weeks. (Editor’s note: radical for a sheltered conservative boy may be nothing more than approaching a young lady with the intention of pursuing her.) I make this promise to all three of you reading this... I will no longer date for the sake of dating and I will no longer pursue relationships that I know to be negative or destined for dead-end. It may be fun at the time, but it is not worth it in the long run. From hence forth, if I go out with a girl and spend significant quantities of time with her, then you will no that it is more than just another girl. I’m venting at myself for being an idiot. No more! I have been tempted in the desert and I have come out on the other side stronger than before.
Thanks for reading my own Lou-Holtz-esk motivational speech to myself. “Ya gotta believe.......”
Wednesday, March 29
A long Blogger drought
STUDIO 48 -- Do you ever wonder why I always seem to start my Blog entries with a hypothetical question? {That was a joke} Today I would like to welcome at least one new member to my Blog audience. Let’s see... there are now about three of you guys out there. I will, be careful what I put up here from now on because the new member is not afraid to dig for dirt when she wants information. I kid, I kid!
Life is swamped right now. I’m not complaining because it gets this way during March Madness every year. In case you live in a cave or just don’t care, my Lady Dawgs came up short against UConn the other day and ended another successful season on a sour note. But I am nothing short of proud of the way they played and way coach Landers and his staff coached. We will get to the top of the mountain someday; I was just selfishly hoping that it would be while I was here at Georgia. I will not take the time to complain about my fiasco in Stamford / Bridgeport / Hartford / Springfield, Connecticut last weekend because it is just not worth dwelling on any longer. If you wanna know, you can just ask me. But I will say that if you ever have the opportunity to NOT go to the state of Connecticut, then take it! You can look for pictures from all the Basketball band post-season trips in my Facebook pictures. (I'm not sure if this link will work, but you can go to my Facebook profile and navigate from there if it does not)
G-Day is only nine days away and I am surprisingly not stressed out. I know that something is getting overlooked, but I think that my section is ready to go and everything is prepared. I have delegated some of the work and I think that it is all getting done. We’ll see! I am going to use the morning rehearsal that day to let perspective section and rank leaders for next fall lead a warm-up and rehearsal so that I can see how they do it and so that they will know exactly what they are getting themselves into. Other than that, we are Eastbound and down with our preparation for China. Wow, it is going to be tons of hard work, but totally worth it... I think.
I am looking forward to getting through the politicking (ie: officer elections, drum major crap, sucking up to rich alumni... etc) of G-Day and actually getting to the game itself. I really wanna know who is going to be our quarterback and who is going to step up in the defensive secondary. I trust coach Richt. We will be fine, but I’m a little concerned about our lack of experience. My early pre-G-Day season prediction... We’re going 10-2.
I have three papers due and an exam in the next six days. Don’t expect too many subsequent Blog entries until that is all over. There may be some big news in my future, but we’ll just keep hoping and praying about it and not discuss it until it happens... or doesn’t. I could use some prayer from you guys as well. Thanks for being patient with me and I’ll try not to slip into a Blog drought.......
Life is swamped right now. I’m not complaining because it gets this way during March Madness every year. In case you live in a cave or just don’t care, my Lady Dawgs came up short against UConn the other day and ended another successful season on a sour note. But I am nothing short of proud of the way they played and way coach Landers and his staff coached. We will get to the top of the mountain someday; I was just selfishly hoping that it would be while I was here at Georgia. I will not take the time to complain about my fiasco in Stamford / Bridgeport / Hartford / Springfield, Connecticut last weekend because it is just not worth dwelling on any longer. If you wanna know, you can just ask me. But I will say that if you ever have the opportunity to NOT go to the state of Connecticut, then take it! You can look for pictures from all the Basketball band post-season trips in my Facebook pictures. (I'm not sure if this link will work, but you can go to my Facebook profile and navigate from there if it does not)
G-Day is only nine days away and I am surprisingly not stressed out. I know that something is getting overlooked, but I think that my section is ready to go and everything is prepared. I have delegated some of the work and I think that it is all getting done. We’ll see! I am going to use the morning rehearsal that day to let perspective section and rank leaders for next fall lead a warm-up and rehearsal so that I can see how they do it and so that they will know exactly what they are getting themselves into. Other than that, we are Eastbound and down with our preparation for China. Wow, it is going to be tons of hard work, but totally worth it... I think.
I am looking forward to getting through the politicking (ie: officer elections, drum major crap, sucking up to rich alumni... etc) of G-Day and actually getting to the game itself. I really wanna know who is going to be our quarterback and who is going to step up in the defensive secondary. I trust coach Richt. We will be fine, but I’m a little concerned about our lack of experience. My early pre-G-Day season prediction... We’re going 10-2.
I have three papers due and an exam in the next six days. Don’t expect too many subsequent Blog entries until that is all over. There may be some big news in my future, but we’ll just keep hoping and praying about it and not discuss it until it happens... or doesn’t. I could use some prayer from you guys as well. Thanks for being patient with me and I’ll try not to slip into a Blog drought.......
Tuesday, March 28
Back from Stamford, CT
I'm pretty swamped after getting back from the trashy state of Connecticut. I will post a full account of the trip as soon as I can, but just know that it was very interesting.
Friday, March 24
66 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME...
66 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME:
1. DO YOU SNORE? only sometimes, usually if I'm really really tired
2. ARE YOU A LOVER OR A FIGHTER? Lover... except at UGA Sporting events
3. WHAT ARE YOUR WORST FEARS? My life not amounting to anything
4. AS A KID, WERE YOU A LEGO MANIAC? Apsolutly... and still am
5. DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS? Yes
6. WERE YOU A CUTE BABY? Three words... Big Blue Eyes
7. IS THE SINGLE LIFE FOR YOU? I have been single for quite awile on purpose, but I might be comign out of that phase... who knows?
8. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KEYBOARD? Black/Gray
9. DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER? Yes—loud and proud
10. HAVE YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMPED? nope but it's on my list of stuff to do before I die
11. ANY SECRET TALENT? I am a no-talent @$$ clown
12. WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT? Hawaii, I wanna own a home there as well... someday
13. IS JAY LENO FUNNY? I think so, but Conan is soooo much funnier
14. CAN YOU SWIM? yes! and I love it
15. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE MOVIE "DONNIE DARKO"? nope... I have no idea
16. DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE OZONE? A little. I think “scientists” are feeding us some false truthes about it and its severity, though
17. HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE POP? It turns out that it is different depending on the quality of your lick
18. CAN YOU SING THE ALPHABET BACKWARDS? Not a chance
19. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON AN AIRPLANE? Yes
20. ARE YOU AN ONLY CHILD? nope, got two younger brothers
21. DO YOU PREFER ELECTRIC OR MANUAL PENCIL SHARPENERS? Manual, actually
22. WHAT'S YOUR STAND ON HUNTING? It’s not for me. I’m not against those who do it, but I don’t like shooting things for the sake of shooting them, or mounting their carcasses on my wall
23. IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE? I'm almost positive that it is. God knows... and that’s good enough for me
24. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It is very sloppy
25. WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO? The color orange
26. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID, "I LOVE YOU"? Yesterday to my mom on the phone
27. IS ELVIS STILL ALIVE? Get over it... the man is dead
28. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? a little underdone scrambled with cheese
29. ARE BLONDES DUMB? Some are, but I don’t buy into the steriotype. But I prefer brunettes for the record
30. WHERE DOES THE OTHER SOCK END UP? Please let me know if you find out
31. WHAT TIME IS IT? 12:45 AM
32. DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME(s)? yes...... Mateo, genious, daddy, etc
33. IS MCDONALD'S DISGUSTING? the fries are awesome, But the rest seems to cause a severe case of ‘481’
34. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CAR? Last night on the way to/from Wesley
35. DO YOU PREFER BATHS OR SHOWERS? Long showers make me happy
36. IS SANTA CLAUSE REAL? I hope so, or someone has been lying to me for the last 21 years
37. DO YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR NECK KISSED? Ummmmm... I think it all depends on who is doing the kissing
38. ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? Nope
39. WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO? Penut Butter
40. CRUNCHY OR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER? either is good with me, peanut butter is strait from Heaven
41. CAN YOU CRACK YOUR NECK? Nope
42. WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON? Fall -- It is all about the football
43. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH TODAY? Twice
44. IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE? For me it is
45. ARE YOU A HEAVY SLEEPER? I have slept through a tornado before... no joke
46. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES? North Carolina Blue
47. DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE? love it
48. WHOSE LIFE IS BETTER, CHUCK NORRIS OR VIN DIESEL? gotta go with the Texas Ranger
49. ARE YOU PSYCHIC? um, no
50. DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS? Euphonium, Tuba, Trumpet (not good), and piano (used to be better, but never work at it)
51. HAVE YOU EVER STOLEN MONEY? No
52. DO YOU LOVE SOMEBODY? Several people. But no one is THAT someone, yet
53. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW YOU SHOULDNT? I definitely do RIGHT NOW and it is pissing me off because she is really cute
54. DO YOU SNORT WHEN YOU LAUGH? No
55. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? Umm, no
56. ARE DOGS A MAN'S BEST FRIEND? If a dog is your best friend... then we need to get you some friends. But I do like dawgs
57. DO YOU BELIEVE IN DIVORCE? Yes, but WAYYYYY to many people get divorced because they 1) got married too soon or without thinking it through, or 2) because they are too lazy or selfish to work out their problems. But I do know of situations when divorce was the best solution
58. CAN YOU DO THE MOONWALK? Too white
59. DO YOU MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES? every minute of every day :)
60. IS IT COLD OUTSIDE TODAY? It is cool, but not cold
61. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Fried chicken from Peaches
62. DO YOU WEAR NAIL POLISH? I do some cross-dressign on the weekends... j/k
63.WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT? I guess last night, b/c of the plane trip back from Philly
64. WHAT'S THE MOST ANNOYING TV COMMERCIALS? The Capital One “No” commercials with David Spade. Get a friggin’ carrer ya loser!
65. DO YOU SHOP AT AMERICAN EAGLE? Nope... rip off city
66. FAVORITE BAND AT THE MOMENT? hmm...toss up between Simon & G and Billy Joel. I love the old stuff
1. DO YOU SNORE? only sometimes, usually if I'm really really tired
2. ARE YOU A LOVER OR A FIGHTER? Lover... except at UGA Sporting events
3. WHAT ARE YOUR WORST FEARS? My life not amounting to anything
4. AS A KID, WERE YOU A LEGO MANIAC? Apsolutly... and still am
5. DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS? Yes
6. WERE YOU A CUTE BABY? Three words... Big Blue Eyes
7. IS THE SINGLE LIFE FOR YOU? I have been single for quite awile on purpose, but I might be comign out of that phase... who knows?
8. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KEYBOARD? Black/Gray
9. DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER? Yes—loud and proud
10. HAVE YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMPED? nope but it's on my list of stuff to do before I die
11. ANY SECRET TALENT? I am a no-talent @$$ clown
12. WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT? Hawaii, I wanna own a home there as well... someday
13. IS JAY LENO FUNNY? I think so, but Conan is soooo much funnier
14. CAN YOU SWIM? yes! and I love it
15. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE MOVIE "DONNIE DARKO"? nope... I have no idea
16. DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE OZONE? A little. I think “scientists” are feeding us some false truthes about it and its severity, though
17. HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE POP? It turns out that it is different depending on the quality of your lick
18. CAN YOU SING THE ALPHABET BACKWARDS? Not a chance
19. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON AN AIRPLANE? Yes
20. ARE YOU AN ONLY CHILD? nope, got two younger brothers
21. DO YOU PREFER ELECTRIC OR MANUAL PENCIL SHARPENERS? Manual, actually
22. WHAT'S YOUR STAND ON HUNTING? It’s not for me. I’m not against those who do it, but I don’t like shooting things for the sake of shooting them, or mounting their carcasses on my wall
23. IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE? I'm almost positive that it is. God knows... and that’s good enough for me
24. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It is very sloppy
25. WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO? The color orange
26. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID, "I LOVE YOU"? Yesterday to my mom on the phone
27. IS ELVIS STILL ALIVE? Get over it... the man is dead
28. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? a little underdone scrambled with cheese
29. ARE BLONDES DUMB? Some are, but I don’t buy into the steriotype. But I prefer brunettes for the record
30. WHERE DOES THE OTHER SOCK END UP? Please let me know if you find out
31. WHAT TIME IS IT? 12:45 AM
32. DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME(s)? yes...... Mateo, genious, daddy, etc
33. IS MCDONALD'S DISGUSTING? the fries are awesome, But the rest seems to cause a severe case of ‘481’
34. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CAR? Last night on the way to/from Wesley
35. DO YOU PREFER BATHS OR SHOWERS? Long showers make me happy
36. IS SANTA CLAUSE REAL? I hope so, or someone has been lying to me for the last 21 years
37. DO YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR NECK KISSED? Ummmmm... I think it all depends on who is doing the kissing
38. ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? Nope
39. WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO? Penut Butter
40. CRUNCHY OR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER? either is good with me, peanut butter is strait from Heaven
41. CAN YOU CRACK YOUR NECK? Nope
42. WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON? Fall -- It is all about the football
43. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH TODAY? Twice
44. IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE? For me it is
45. ARE YOU A HEAVY SLEEPER? I have slept through a tornado before... no joke
46. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES? North Carolina Blue
47. DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE? love it
48. WHOSE LIFE IS BETTER, CHUCK NORRIS OR VIN DIESEL? gotta go with the Texas Ranger
49. ARE YOU PSYCHIC? um, no
50. DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS? Euphonium, Tuba, Trumpet (not good), and piano (used to be better, but never work at it)
51. HAVE YOU EVER STOLEN MONEY? No
52. DO YOU LOVE SOMEBODY? Several people. But no one is THAT someone, yet
53. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW YOU SHOULDNT? I definitely do RIGHT NOW and it is pissing me off because she is really cute
54. DO YOU SNORT WHEN YOU LAUGH? No
55. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? Umm, no
56. ARE DOGS A MAN'S BEST FRIEND? If a dog is your best friend... then we need to get you some friends. But I do like dawgs
57. DO YOU BELIEVE IN DIVORCE? Yes, but WAYYYYY to many people get divorced because they 1) got married too soon or without thinking it through, or 2) because they are too lazy or selfish to work out their problems. But I do know of situations when divorce was the best solution
58. CAN YOU DO THE MOONWALK? Too white
59. DO YOU MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES? every minute of every day :)
60. IS IT COLD OUTSIDE TODAY? It is cool, but not cold
61. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Fried chicken from Peaches
62. DO YOU WEAR NAIL POLISH? I do some cross-dressign on the weekends... j/k
63.WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU STAYED OUT ALL NIGHT? I guess last night, b/c of the plane trip back from Philly
64. WHAT'S THE MOST ANNOYING TV COMMERCIALS? The Capital One “No” commercials with David Spade. Get a friggin’ carrer ya loser!
65. DO YOU SHOP AT AMERICAN EAGLE? Nope... rip off city
66. FAVORITE BAND AT THE MOMENT? hmm...toss up between Simon & G and Billy Joel. I love the old stuff
Wednesday, March 22
And We're Backuhhhhhh!!!
STUDIO 48 – It has been awhile, a long while since my last entry. So much stuff has happened that I’m not even sure how to fit it all in, but I will try...
The trip to Nashville was fun. I have established that trips with the Redcoats are fun because of the people, not because of the locations. I know that Brett told us all that we would remember the relationships more than anything else from our time in the organization, but I can now say that I totally agree with that. The boys team got dominated as expected, so the trip was not a lengthy one, but fun nonetheless.
The Studio 48 Spring Break Backpacking Trip came off with little drama. I will admit to enjoying getting away from TV’s and cell phones and computers, even if it was for just a couple of days. We did make it out of the woods before the rain set in. I saw some pretty scenery that you just don’t see unless you actually get off the beaten path and make your own trail. (I believe that there is a life lesson in there somewhere.)
I could write twenty entries on the happenings in and around Trenton, NJ over the last five days. In case you didn’t know, I am in the process of following our women’s basketball team as they travel around the country on a quest for their sixth final four appearance. Our journey took us to Princeton (yes, THAT Princeton), NJ this past weekend. We left on Friday and I walked into my apartment at 4:30 this morning.
I will say, again, that it is not about the location, it is all about the people. Sure, I got to go to NYC for like the bizillianth time. Sure, I got to go to Philly again. But the bottom is that without the people, it would be empty. The team knocked off the Red Foxes of Marist and the Hartford Hawks consequently wrapping up yet another sweet sixteen birth. I roomed with Michael and we found this bizarre channel that shows nothing but highlights from past women’s tournaments. Needless to say, I expanded my knowledge of the women’s game this weekend. Did you know that Tennessee and La Tech have been to every NCAA women’s tournament? Did you know that Georgia is third in tourney appearances? Did you know that Andy Landers, Jodi Condradt and Vivian Stringer have never won titles even though they have like 13 final fours between them? D@mn you Pat Summit! I am now pumped about my upcoming trip to UConn to try to continue our tournament run.
The trip had many things out of the ordinary happen, yet it will go down as one of my favorites. Our bus driver was outrageous. He got in a near fist fight with a security officer at Sovereign Bank Arena, he drank six martinis in an hour at the hotel bar and then came up to our card game to brag about it, he took the entire band and cheerleading squad on a trip to his house so that we could take a picture with his granddaughter. Two words sum up these bizarre happenings... “OH BOB!”
I got to hang out with several people that I consider friends and make some additional friendships with people along the way. Again, its all about the people. I am now sitting hear on next to no sleep trying to get caught up on all the work that must be done. Holy cow! Its only 48 hours until I leave again.
Thanks for bearing with me. I’m sure some more stories that might be appropriate to share here might come to mind in which case I will do so. Back in the Classic City..........
The trip to Nashville was fun. I have established that trips with the Redcoats are fun because of the people, not because of the locations. I know that Brett told us all that we would remember the relationships more than anything else from our time in the organization, but I can now say that I totally agree with that. The boys team got dominated as expected, so the trip was not a lengthy one, but fun nonetheless.
The Studio 48 Spring Break Backpacking Trip came off with little drama. I will admit to enjoying getting away from TV’s and cell phones and computers, even if it was for just a couple of days. We did make it out of the woods before the rain set in. I saw some pretty scenery that you just don’t see unless you actually get off the beaten path and make your own trail. (I believe that there is a life lesson in there somewhere.)
I could write twenty entries on the happenings in and around Trenton, NJ over the last five days. In case you didn’t know, I am in the process of following our women’s basketball team as they travel around the country on a quest for their sixth final four appearance. Our journey took us to Princeton (yes, THAT Princeton), NJ this past weekend. We left on Friday and I walked into my apartment at 4:30 this morning.
I will say, again, that it is not about the location, it is all about the people. Sure, I got to go to NYC for like the bizillianth time. Sure, I got to go to Philly again. But the bottom is that without the people, it would be empty. The team knocked off the Red Foxes of Marist and the Hartford Hawks consequently wrapping up yet another sweet sixteen birth. I roomed with Michael and we found this bizarre channel that shows nothing but highlights from past women’s tournaments. Needless to say, I expanded my knowledge of the women’s game this weekend. Did you know that Tennessee and La Tech have been to every NCAA women’s tournament? Did you know that Georgia is third in tourney appearances? Did you know that Andy Landers, Jodi Condradt and Vivian Stringer have never won titles even though they have like 13 final fours between them? D@mn you Pat Summit! I am now pumped about my upcoming trip to UConn to try to continue our tournament run.
The trip had many things out of the ordinary happen, yet it will go down as one of my favorites. Our bus driver was outrageous. He got in a near fist fight with a security officer at Sovereign Bank Arena, he drank six martinis in an hour at the hotel bar and then came up to our card game to brag about it, he took the entire band and cheerleading squad on a trip to his house so that we could take a picture with his granddaughter. Two words sum up these bizarre happenings... “OH BOB!”
I got to hang out with several people that I consider friends and make some additional friendships with people along the way. Again, its all about the people. I am now sitting hear on next to no sleep trying to get caught up on all the work that must be done. Holy cow! Its only 48 hours until I leave again.
Thanks for bearing with me. I’m sure some more stories that might be appropriate to share here might come to mind in which case I will do so. Back in the Classic City..........
Wednesday, March 8
pre-SB
STUDIO 48 – Okay guys. It is finished. I am done with all classes and my personal spring break has commenced. Sure, there are two more days of school, but the UGA men’s basketball team finally did something for me. I have done nothing but cheer them on threw the worst three years in the history of the school. Two losing seasons, zero NCAA tournament appearances, two full seasons of NCAA sanctions, and I have been there to see it all. So they owe me one, and now I am going to cash in. I leave in the morning for a working vacation in Nashville, TN to witness our men’s team in the SEC tournament. Sure, we will most likely lose our first game and then promptly come home on Friday morning, but that is enough to extend my Spring break by two days.
This will probably be my last post until sometime after the break, but I will be sure to update you guys on the Nashville trip, the backpacking trip, my time and home and my subsequent trip to Tucson, Philadelphia, or Chicago as soon as I get back. Wow! Spring break is supposed to be a break. So much for all that........
This will probably be my last post until sometime after the break, but I will be sure to update you guys on the Nashville trip, the backpacking trip, my time and home and my subsequent trip to Tucson, Philadelphia, or Chicago as soon as I get back. Wow! Spring break is supposed to be a break. So much for all that........
Tuesday, March 7
Most of this is a re-post...
You asked for it (again), so here it is.
The things that tickle my fancy.
Read carefully.......
--sunrises/sunsets;
--sleeping in;
--meeting new people;
--north campus;
--swimming pools;
--the Florida game trip;
--deep conversations;
--Jell-O;
--spontaneous road trips;
--playing basketball;
--lake days (see also: water sports);
--roller coasters;
--K-bobs;
--Athens trivia nights;
--per diem;
--thunderstorms;
--trampolines;
--my family;
--eating peanut butter strait from the jar;
--Seinfeld re-runs;
--ridiculously long showers;
--scenarios;
--prayer;
--lasagna;
--foosball;
--classifying mullets;
--sweet tea;
--victory cigars;
--crisp autumn days;
--quoting movies;
--all-you-can-eat buffets;
--chilling out with friends (old and new);
--the yellow sauce @ Inoko’s;
--Jacuzzis;
--Krispy Kreme Doughnuts;
--Redcoats (it’s a love/hate relationship);
--grandparents;
--Oreo Blizzards;
--long walks on the beach;
--good backrubs;
--GAMEDAY!;
--afternoon naps;
--sitting in the car until the song is over;
--March Madness;
--listening to the rain as I fall asleep;
--casseroles;
--staying up for Conan;
--girls that have the personality and character to equal their attractiveness;
--UGA baseball games;
--driving in the mountains;
--the silent majesty of a winter’s morn;
--singing in the shower;
--tailgating;
--girls that think I’m oblivious, but really have no idea
--the antics of the Basketball Band;
--cuddling / snuggling;
--going home after a long time in Athens;
--getting back to Athens after a long time at home;
--bowl game trips;
--music! (country & rap do not qualify in this category);
--snow days;
--green Kool-Aid;
Now you know........
The things that tickle my fancy.
Read carefully.......
--sunrises/sunsets;
--sleeping in;
--meeting new people;
--north campus;
--swimming pools;
--the Florida game trip;
--deep conversations;
--Jell-O;
--spontaneous road trips;
--playing basketball;
--lake days (see also: water sports);
--roller coasters;
--K-bobs;
--Athens trivia nights;
--per diem;
--thunderstorms;
--trampolines;
--my family;
--eating peanut butter strait from the jar;
--Seinfeld re-runs;
--ridiculously long showers;
--scenarios;
--prayer;
--lasagna;
--foosball;
--classifying mullets;
--sweet tea;
--victory cigars;
--crisp autumn days;
--quoting movies;
--all-you-can-eat buffets;
--chilling out with friends (old and new);
--the yellow sauce @ Inoko’s;
--Jacuzzis;
--Krispy Kreme Doughnuts;
--Redcoats (it’s a love/hate relationship);
--grandparents;
--Oreo Blizzards;
--long walks on the beach;
--good backrubs;
--GAMEDAY!;
--afternoon naps;
--sitting in the car until the song is over;
--March Madness;
--listening to the rain as I fall asleep;
--casseroles;
--staying up for Conan;
--girls that have the personality and character to equal their attractiveness;
--UGA baseball games;
--driving in the mountains;
--the silent majesty of a winter’s morn;
--singing in the shower;
--tailgating;
--girls that think I’m oblivious, but really have no idea
--the antics of the Basketball Band;
--cuddling / snuggling;
--going home after a long time in Athens;
--getting back to Athens after a long time at home;
--bowl game trips;
--music! (country & rap do not qualify in this category);
--snow days;
--green Kool-Aid;
Now you know........
Welcome Kev-o
I would like to welcome my good friend Kevin to my Blog audience with a high-pitched “HEY DUDE!”
Saturday, March 4
Whatnot
STUDIO 48 -- Sorry for the lack of updates this week. I promise you loyal readers (both of you) that I’m not going to become one of those people that posts a Blog frequently when they first get it and then slack off to a once a week guy, and then a once a month guy.
This week has been very interesting. I guess the biggest piece of news is regarding my future here at UGA. I may have found a way around taking a full course load this summer. I won’t go into any of the details until it is official, but I could definitely use some prayer on this one. I used to pride myself on never letting my schooling run my life. When I was a freshman, I never let school get in the way of fun, and here I am three years later posting something about school as my BIGGEST story of the week. Kinda sad, but... Oh well.
The personal life is still pretty cut and dry, nothing too much to report. I’m still really OK with this. God is more than enough and He has blessed me by putting some people in my life that make every day totally worth it. I know that there are good things right around the bend.
The Diamond Dawgs are 7-1 and ranked #20. That’s exciting, I hate it when they aren’t good because going to the games are a lot of fun, but even more so when they win. I hope they can keep it up.
Last night, I went out to eat dinner with k-diddle, rusty, and her family and then we went to the Gymdogs meet. It was my first one this year. I will say that I am proud to be on a campus where women’s gymnastics is the second most popular sport. Every time I go to a meet, I am totally surprised by the support they get. It reminds us all that anyone will get support if they are good.
I got back here in time to catch the second half of the Lady Dawgs game in the SEC Tournament. Talk about a wood-shedding! They took Vanderbilt outback and beat the tar out of them. Tonight’s game will be a little less easy as they will have to play Tennessee and “It’s Pat” Summit. I hope they can beat them this time because I’m sick of the majority-lesbian-Tennessee-women’s-basketball-fan-base talking smack. Let me just tell you that hearing the antics of the basketball band on TV is pretty dang funny. I heard Sam call some girl an Ogre, the whole band sing the “all we are saying” song, and most of their post-game celebration. I laughed pretty hard. I’m sure that “It’s Pat” will get his/her fair share tonight. Go Dawgs!
I’m looking forward to getting out of town a few days early before spring break. In case you are wondering, Nashville, TN is the site of this year’s SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament this year which begins on Thursday morning. I get to stay there as long as our men’s team keeps winning which will not be more than two days because they are not very good. Wish us luck.
This weekend is the get-ahead-weekend so that going to Nashville next week, and then spring break, and then a trip to the women’s NCAA don’t ruin my (so far) decent grades this semester. I’m trying to finish a paper, a fun assignment for Euro-History, and start studying for an exam in Speech that I have to take early before we leave on Wednesday. Basketball band has it’s privileges, especially this time of year.
That’s all I’ve got for now..........
This week has been very interesting. I guess the biggest piece of news is regarding my future here at UGA. I may have found a way around taking a full course load this summer. I won’t go into any of the details until it is official, but I could definitely use some prayer on this one. I used to pride myself on never letting my schooling run my life. When I was a freshman, I never let school get in the way of fun, and here I am three years later posting something about school as my BIGGEST story of the week. Kinda sad, but... Oh well.
The personal life is still pretty cut and dry, nothing too much to report. I’m still really OK with this. God is more than enough and He has blessed me by putting some people in my life that make every day totally worth it. I know that there are good things right around the bend.
The Diamond Dawgs are 7-1 and ranked #20. That’s exciting, I hate it when they aren’t good because going to the games are a lot of fun, but even more so when they win. I hope they can keep it up.
Last night, I went out to eat dinner with k-diddle, rusty, and her family and then we went to the Gymdogs meet. It was my first one this year. I will say that I am proud to be on a campus where women’s gymnastics is the second most popular sport. Every time I go to a meet, I am totally surprised by the support they get. It reminds us all that anyone will get support if they are good.
I got back here in time to catch the second half of the Lady Dawgs game in the SEC Tournament. Talk about a wood-shedding! They took Vanderbilt outback and beat the tar out of them. Tonight’s game will be a little less easy as they will have to play Tennessee and “It’s Pat” Summit. I hope they can beat them this time because I’m sick of the majority-lesbian-Tennessee-women’s-basketball-fan-base talking smack. Let me just tell you that hearing the antics of the basketball band on TV is pretty dang funny. I heard Sam call some girl an Ogre, the whole band sing the “all we are saying” song, and most of their post-game celebration. I laughed pretty hard. I’m sure that “It’s Pat” will get his/her fair share tonight. Go Dawgs!
I’m looking forward to getting out of town a few days early before spring break. In case you are wondering, Nashville, TN is the site of this year’s SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament this year which begins on Thursday morning. I get to stay there as long as our men’s team keeps winning which will not be more than two days because they are not very good. Wish us luck.
This weekend is the get-ahead-weekend so that going to Nashville next week, and then spring break, and then a trip to the women’s NCAA don’t ruin my (so far) decent grades this semester. I’m trying to finish a paper, a fun assignment for Euro-History, and start studying for an exam in Speech that I have to take early before we leave on Wednesday. Basketball band has it’s privileges, especially this time of year.
That’s all I’ve got for now..........
Sunday, February 26
Three reasons to go home...
GAINES-VEGAS – Just to let you all know, I’m actually posting this from the Studio, but I wrote it at home, so that’s why it says “Gaines-Vegas” in the header.
I came home this weekend for three reasons, but gained alot more.
One) To watch my youngest brother play basketball. It was fun... I got to catch two games and see him do pretty well. I did realize that somewhere along the way, I forgot to teach my brother at least everything that I know about basketball. I think that that is why God puts some of us in the position of older sibling: to teach the younger siblings everything that you had to learn for yourself so that they can spend their time learning other lessons. I feel like, on the whole, I’ve done a good job as an older brother, but I found at least one area where I fell short. Sure, its just basketball. It’s not like I didn’t teach him how to pick up girls like his older brother (yeah right!) or anything important like that.
On a side note: I found a place where I am very happy...... sitting in the Jacuzzi with a tall glass of cherry-coke watching college basketball. The trip home was worth it just for that.
Two) This is my last chance to really go home for quite some time. With the upcoming basketball band tournament trips around this great nation, who knows when my next free weekend might be? So I took this chance and it was good. I didn’t get to go to church this morning because I felt like I needed to work on my Speech Communication paper that is due in.... 15 hours now. That was a downer, but I am really trying to put school at least closer to the top of my list of priorities. God will forgive me this once.
Three) I really needed to talk to my parents (especially my dad) about my strategy for graduation. It turns out that this major that I thought would be fairly easy is not so much. In order to graduate next spring like I am supposed to, I would need to take 18 and 17 hours respectively next fall and spring. It seems like a good way to kill an already suffering GPA. I am completely ready to sacrifice this summer in order to get back on track, but I wanted to tell them why and not just leave them thinking that I was like moving out forever (which, I guess I kinda have... Hmmm). So I’ve been asking around and there are enough people staying in Athens this summer that I wouldn’t be completely alone, but it will be hard sacrificing time with my friends that don’t go to school here and those lake days. But its not worth staying in school an extra semester and finding new room mates just for like two classes. So I have decided that I am going to go to summer school this summer or next summer so that I won’t be here for a fifth year with no place to live. However, that fifth football season is kinda appealing.
I realized along the way that I am once again choosing not to think about the future or commit to anything. I’m not afraid of commitment, I just haven’t found anything (or anyone) that I feel deserves my commitment (that sounds like I’m really full of myself, but... oh well). Only God knows where I will be in a year and a half. What will I be doing? Who will I spend time with? All my closest friends are on the fast track to marriage. I’m not. It’s not that I wouldn’t join up if I found the right girl, but I haven’t. It’s a little scary, but I’m not afraid of being alone. So then I thought... why be afraid of something that you aren’t scared of? That doesn’t make any since. I know that God has plans for me that are better than the plans I have for myself. So why rush into something and hope that it is what He has waiting for me? It makes more since to wait for him. But that gets difficult. I’m not afraid of being alone, but I am afraid of the unknown. So I guess I just assume that if I knew that I wasn’t going to be alone, then I wouldn’t be as afraid of the unknown. But that is not how God’s plan works. You have to trust him. That is something I really need to work on........
I came home this weekend for three reasons, but gained alot more.
One) To watch my youngest brother play basketball. It was fun... I got to catch two games and see him do pretty well. I did realize that somewhere along the way, I forgot to teach my brother at least everything that I know about basketball. I think that that is why God puts some of us in the position of older sibling: to teach the younger siblings everything that you had to learn for yourself so that they can spend their time learning other lessons. I feel like, on the whole, I’ve done a good job as an older brother, but I found at least one area where I fell short. Sure, its just basketball. It’s not like I didn’t teach him how to pick up girls like his older brother (yeah right!) or anything important like that.
On a side note: I found a place where I am very happy...... sitting in the Jacuzzi with a tall glass of cherry-coke watching college basketball. The trip home was worth it just for that.
Two) This is my last chance to really go home for quite some time. With the upcoming basketball band tournament trips around this great nation, who knows when my next free weekend might be? So I took this chance and it was good. I didn’t get to go to church this morning because I felt like I needed to work on my Speech Communication paper that is due in.... 15 hours now. That was a downer, but I am really trying to put school at least closer to the top of my list of priorities. God will forgive me this once.
Three) I really needed to talk to my parents (especially my dad) about my strategy for graduation. It turns out that this major that I thought would be fairly easy is not so much. In order to graduate next spring like I am supposed to, I would need to take 18 and 17 hours respectively next fall and spring. It seems like a good way to kill an already suffering GPA. I am completely ready to sacrifice this summer in order to get back on track, but I wanted to tell them why and not just leave them thinking that I was like moving out forever (which, I guess I kinda have... Hmmm). So I’ve been asking around and there are enough people staying in Athens this summer that I wouldn’t be completely alone, but it will be hard sacrificing time with my friends that don’t go to school here and those lake days. But its not worth staying in school an extra semester and finding new room mates just for like two classes. So I have decided that I am going to go to summer school this summer or next summer so that I won’t be here for a fifth year with no place to live. However, that fifth football season is kinda appealing.
I realized along the way that I am once again choosing not to think about the future or commit to anything. I’m not afraid of commitment, I just haven’t found anything (or anyone) that I feel deserves my commitment (that sounds like I’m really full of myself, but... oh well). Only God knows where I will be in a year and a half. What will I be doing? Who will I spend time with? All my closest friends are on the fast track to marriage. I’m not. It’s not that I wouldn’t join up if I found the right girl, but I haven’t. It’s a little scary, but I’m not afraid of being alone. So then I thought... why be afraid of something that you aren’t scared of? That doesn’t make any since. I know that God has plans for me that are better than the plans I have for myself. So why rush into something and hope that it is what He has waiting for me? It makes more since to wait for him. But that gets difficult. I’m not afraid of being alone, but I am afraid of the unknown. So I guess I just assume that if I knew that I wasn’t going to be alone, then I wouldn’t be as afraid of the unknown. But that is not how God’s plan works. You have to trust him. That is something I really need to work on........
Thursday, February 23
A cheap shot at UT
Q. Why don't they teach driver's ed and sex ed in the same semester at the University of Tennessee?
A. The mule just couldn't take it.
A. The mule just couldn't take it.
Wednesday, February 22
I am...
I am – an American!
I will – not go quietly into the night
I like – green Jell-o
I do – very little work when I don’t have to
I have – a hankerin’ for a K-bob
I licked – ...that’s none of your business!
I kissed – ...I’m not the kind of guy to kiss and tell. (That is my clever way of saying... it has been awhile)
I chewed – about six pieces of gum today
I drank – a lot of sweet tea
I ate – lasagna for dinner last night. Dang, I love lasagna!
I slept – not long enough last night
I watched – the Olympics last night
I listened to – Billy Joel and sang like I had a good voice
I danced to - some random song from my iTunes
I don't - like Georgia Tech, Florida or anyone that wears orange or calls themselves the Fightin’ Irish
I won't – worry about things I can't control
I love – days on the lake with friends and a six-pack of Mountain Dew
I hate – people who think too much of themselves
I miss – my grandmother’s cookin’ & football season
I wish – Georgia would win a national championship
I yelled at – ...Those on the Sousaline know the answer to this one
I got annoyed with – random school crap that isn’t helping me with the future
I cried over – ...I really haven’t cried in like a year. Maybe my lack of emotion is what’s wrong with me.
I visited - ... I need a vacation
I wrote to - a lot of my friends and family recently
I called – my mom
I fantasize – about how amazing my life will be one day
I wear – jeans almost every day
I hope – I make an impact on someone
I gave – my word to my little brother that I would come home and watch him play basketball this weekend
I received – a check in the mail today :-)
I will – not go quietly into the night
I like – green Jell-o
I do – very little work when I don’t have to
I have – a hankerin’ for a K-bob
I licked – ...that’s none of your business!
I kissed – ...I’m not the kind of guy to kiss and tell. (That is my clever way of saying... it has been awhile)
I chewed – about six pieces of gum today
I drank – a lot of sweet tea
I ate – lasagna for dinner last night. Dang, I love lasagna!
I slept – not long enough last night
I watched – the Olympics last night
I listened to – Billy Joel and sang like I had a good voice
I danced to - some random song from my iTunes
I don't - like Georgia Tech, Florida or anyone that wears orange or calls themselves the Fightin’ Irish
I won't – worry about things I can't control
I love – days on the lake with friends and a six-pack of Mountain Dew
I hate – people who think too much of themselves
I miss – my grandmother’s cookin’ & football season
I wish – Georgia would win a national championship
I yelled at – ...Those on the Sousaline know the answer to this one
I got annoyed with – random school crap that isn’t helping me with the future
I cried over – ...I really haven’t cried in like a year. Maybe my lack of emotion is what’s wrong with me.
I visited - ... I need a vacation
I wrote to - a lot of my friends and family recently
I called – my mom
I fantasize – about how amazing my life will be one day
I wear – jeans almost every day
I hope – I make an impact on someone
I gave – my word to my little brother that I would come home and watch him play basketball this weekend
I received – a check in the mail today :-)
Saturday, February 18
A much-needed day of Matt
STUDIO 48 – Today has been a longtime in the making. Today I have achieved nothing of measurable accomplishment.
To set up this completely useless day, let me start by telling of my fairly useful week. Keith, Rusty, and I took Ro-bear out for his 21st birthday on Wednesday evening. His celebration was much tamer than mine, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. To each his own. I have come to the realization that I am the biggest partier, drinker, liberal, and playboy in our apartment. The crazy thing is, I don’t really party or drink, I am staunchly conservative and I have only been out with four different girls this school year. The point of all this is to show HOW conservative our apartment is. After a nice dinner, we all returned back to Studio 48 where I watched the UGA-Kentucky game, Keith returned to his studies, Rusty went to check on K-diddle who has the flu and won’t take it easy or rest. Robert and Ally went into his room... etc.
Thursday was a LONG day. I went to all of my classes, got back here around 3:30, changed into some nice clothes for my concert, and then went to our last tune-up/rehearsal. I came back to the Studio to grab something to eat and get my jersey for the basketball game and then went over to Hodgson a little early to make sure I was really well-tuned. This turned out to be a good move because I got to spent a few minutes talking with some of the guys from the section that I don’t normally get to talk to outside of Redcoat stuff. I really need to work on keeping up relationships with the guys (and gals) in the off season because that can only help promote unity within the section next fall. I’ll work on it.
Perhaps the most interesting highlight on the concert was the fact that Cale and I wore the exact same outfit: all black with a red tie. Sam, Ryan, and Kyle gave me a lot of crap and told me that only gay people wear all black which is obviously not true since I was wearing black and I believe that my record is one of staunch, unblemished heterosexuality. Not only that, but I got more compliments from women about my attire than I have in quite some time. I’m not gonna lie, that was nice.
The concert itself went about as well as could be expected. To be honest, this is my first experience with an un-auditioned concert ensemble at UGA and it is better than I thought it would be. The horns and trumpets were weak as expected and the tubas had a few intonation issues, but the biggest concern of the evening was the music selection. Maybe it will improve before our next concert.
As soon as I cleared the stage, I was stripping down in the parking lot and throwing on my basketball band stuff. Normally, I wouldn’t have been in such a rush, but this was the Tennessee game. The Lady Dawgs played pretty well for about 35 minutes but forgot the last five. “It’s Pat” Summit had her way with coach Landers AGAIN and I left Stegeman with a sour taste in my mouth. I think that Landers is the second best coach in the SEC, but he’s not even close to moving into first because he can’t get the big win. Frustrating!
Friday was a normal day except that I had a professor cancel a class and not notify anyone except by WebCT-mail at 2:13 Friday morning. I’m an easygoing individual except when I get up early for no reason. The rest of the day was uneventful. I played ultimate at the intramural fields and then went to Foley Field for opening day with Rusty. The Dawgs won a close one.
Wow, sorry. I kinda got on a rambling-role there for a minute. Today has been a lazy day. I have watched some college basketball, some USA hockey, and a movie all while trying to get motivated to start a history paper. Not too much luck there. I am now on my way out to find some food, and then back over to Stegeman to watch a men’s basketball game that will have no effect on the outcome of our season. Our men’s team is like that president that is in the last two months of office. The constituents have already voted on his replacement. He is, in essence, a lame-duck. So goes the story of men’s basketball at UGA.
Have a good weekend everyone.........
To set up this completely useless day, let me start by telling of my fairly useful week. Keith, Rusty, and I took Ro-bear out for his 21st birthday on Wednesday evening. His celebration was much tamer than mine, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. To each his own. I have come to the realization that I am the biggest partier, drinker, liberal, and playboy in our apartment. The crazy thing is, I don’t really party or drink, I am staunchly conservative and I have only been out with four different girls this school year. The point of all this is to show HOW conservative our apartment is. After a nice dinner, we all returned back to Studio 48 where I watched the UGA-Kentucky game, Keith returned to his studies, Rusty went to check on K-diddle who has the flu and won’t take it easy or rest. Robert and Ally went into his room... etc.
Thursday was a LONG day. I went to all of my classes, got back here around 3:30, changed into some nice clothes for my concert, and then went to our last tune-up/rehearsal. I came back to the Studio to grab something to eat and get my jersey for the basketball game and then went over to Hodgson a little early to make sure I was really well-tuned. This turned out to be a good move because I got to spent a few minutes talking with some of the guys from the section that I don’t normally get to talk to outside of Redcoat stuff. I really need to work on keeping up relationships with the guys (and gals) in the off season because that can only help promote unity within the section next fall. I’ll work on it.
Perhaps the most interesting highlight on the concert was the fact that Cale and I wore the exact same outfit: all black with a red tie. Sam, Ryan, and Kyle gave me a lot of crap and told me that only gay people wear all black which is obviously not true since I was wearing black and I believe that my record is one of staunch, unblemished heterosexuality. Not only that, but I got more compliments from women about my attire than I have in quite some time. I’m not gonna lie, that was nice.
The concert itself went about as well as could be expected. To be honest, this is my first experience with an un-auditioned concert ensemble at UGA and it is better than I thought it would be. The horns and trumpets were weak as expected and the tubas had a few intonation issues, but the biggest concern of the evening was the music selection. Maybe it will improve before our next concert.
As soon as I cleared the stage, I was stripping down in the parking lot and throwing on my basketball band stuff. Normally, I wouldn’t have been in such a rush, but this was the Tennessee game. The Lady Dawgs played pretty well for about 35 minutes but forgot the last five. “It’s Pat” Summit had her way with coach Landers AGAIN and I left Stegeman with a sour taste in my mouth. I think that Landers is the second best coach in the SEC, but he’s not even close to moving into first because he can’t get the big win. Frustrating!
Friday was a normal day except that I had a professor cancel a class and not notify anyone except by WebCT-mail at 2:13 Friday morning. I’m an easygoing individual except when I get up early for no reason. The rest of the day was uneventful. I played ultimate at the intramural fields and then went to Foley Field for opening day with Rusty. The Dawgs won a close one.
Wow, sorry. I kinda got on a rambling-role there for a minute. Today has been a lazy day. I have watched some college basketball, some USA hockey, and a movie all while trying to get motivated to start a history paper. Not too much luck there. I am now on my way out to find some food, and then back over to Stegeman to watch a men’s basketball game that will have no effect on the outcome of our season. Our men’s team is like that president that is in the last two months of office. The constituents have already voted on his replacement. He is, in essence, a lame-duck. So goes the story of men’s basketball at UGA.
Have a good weekend everyone.........
Wednesday, February 15
The day after VD........
STUDIO 48 – Ok, so yesterday was my first Valentine’s Day as an upstanding member of the singles community since I was old enough to know that it sucks to be single on Valentine’s Day. I now know what all the singles have been complaining about all these years. It is absolutely no fun to watch other people exchanging meaningless, commercialized gifts. Sure, it is a nice enough day when you have a lovely lady (or guy, if that be your cup of tea) on your arm as you enter a crowded restaurant full of other couples. Is this festivity really about love, or is it about showing off your significant other or just showing off the fact that you have a significant other at all? The truth is that I didn’t really care for this day when I had a significant other. I believe it to be a commercialized excuse to do what we should do every day of the year: Treat someone that you presumably love as though you... well... LOVE THEM. If you need a box of chocolates and some over-priced flowers to prove to someone that you have feelings for them, then you might be in a shallow relationship. For the record, I have cleverly decided to substitute “VD” for “Valentine’s Day” and “February 14th” for the remainder of this Blog entry.
Seeing this day from the other side has taught me a few things:
1) Women control men 364 days a year and on that 365th (AKA: VD), they actually procure a pair of the man’s pants and put them on to signify the fact that the man has been officially neutered. Not that I’m against women or think that they are anything less than men, but I’m just pointing out the obvious.
2) 92.6% of all relationships are fabricated or disingenuous. This fact becomes blatantly obvious to the innocent bystander on VD. If only the ‘happy couple’ were able to see what the rest of us are seeing before it is too late.
3) I have a couple of amazing friends. They thought of me on VD and helped to make sure that I wasn’t stuck at home by myself. I like both of the girls that they are dating, so I hope the following statement is never applicable, but if they are ever single on VD, then I will surely return the favor. ytsuR, htieK, eeneR, and netsriK..... I love you guys!
4) Chocolate and those mint conversation hearts go on sale the day after VD. Yummy!
5) It is ok to be single on VD as long as you are ok with yourself. I know that being single right now is a choice that I am making. God has a plan for me and right now that plan requires that I not spend $45 for a dozen roses. I know that He has good things planned for me down the road, but to be honest, things are pretty good right now.
6) If I am ever blessed to be in a position to return to the “taken” side of VD, then I will remember how it felt as a single to watch people publicly behave in manners that are not acceptable the other 364 days of the year and will have enough respect for everyone around me to not do them.
OK, well... that’s about enough bantering about VD and all that goes along with it. I am really not bitter about it. Seriously! I will say, however, that this has been a good experience for me and I plan to use my newfound intellect of the issue in the future. Have a happy day after VD.........
Seeing this day from the other side has taught me a few things:
1) Women control men 364 days a year and on that 365th (AKA: VD), they actually procure a pair of the man’s pants and put them on to signify the fact that the man has been officially neutered. Not that I’m against women or think that they are anything less than men, but I’m just pointing out the obvious.
2) 92.6% of all relationships are fabricated or disingenuous. This fact becomes blatantly obvious to the innocent bystander on VD. If only the ‘happy couple’ were able to see what the rest of us are seeing before it is too late.
3) I have a couple of amazing friends. They thought of me on VD and helped to make sure that I wasn’t stuck at home by myself. I like both of the girls that they are dating, so I hope the following statement is never applicable, but if they are ever single on VD, then I will surely return the favor. ytsuR, htieK, eeneR, and netsriK..... I love you guys!
4) Chocolate and those mint conversation hearts go on sale the day after VD. Yummy!
5) It is ok to be single on VD as long as you are ok with yourself. I know that being single right now is a choice that I am making. God has a plan for me and right now that plan requires that I not spend $45 for a dozen roses. I know that He has good things planned for me down the road, but to be honest, things are pretty good right now.
6) If I am ever blessed to be in a position to return to the “taken” side of VD, then I will remember how it felt as a single to watch people publicly behave in manners that are not acceptable the other 364 days of the year and will have enough respect for everyone around me to not do them.
OK, well... that’s about enough bantering about VD and all that goes along with it. I am really not bitter about it. Seriously! I will say, however, that this has been a good experience for me and I plan to use my newfound intellect of the issue in the future. Have a happy day after VD.........
Monday, February 13
Cherry
STUDIO 48 -- Ahh, yes. The air is crisp. The sky is clear. Every mid-February, the cherry trees on campus begin to blossom. Sanford Drive is lined with them – hundreds of them. Are they really that beautiful, or is just that it has been four months since I’ve seen anything at all bloom and my senses are just so excited and stimulated to see some color in nature. I’m not sure, but I do know that I like it. It is comforting on some weird level. It is almost as if God himself is saying, “I’m still here, even though the winter is long, cold and dark. I’ve been here the whole time.” I guess I need a reminder like that sometimes -- we all do. I love it when the pink and white flowers rejuvenate. That, along with the beginning of the Diamond Dogs season signals that winter is nearly over and spring is going to make it to Athens, Georgia for at least another year. It gives a little bit of hope.
Thursday, February 9
Evil Shenanigans...
STUDIO 48 – I am very happy to be back in my apartment. After being trapped in my room studying like mad for the past 48 hours and being a little “sick” for the 24 hours prior to that, I was not thinking clearly and uttered “yes” when invited by one of my room mates to make a Wal-Mart run. It was a very eventful trip.
Things I learned from the aforementioned Wal-Mart run...
1) Don’t say “yes” when asked to make a Wal-Mart run when you have other and better things to do.
2) They now make shower curtains that make you think you are at the beach... very useful in the middle of winter. (Go to your nearest shower-curtain-retailer and check this out!)
3) Don’t allow friends to take you out to Oglethorpe County for any reason.
4) What exactly constitutes a felony.
5) How fast an Isuzu Trooper can go when forced.
6) How happy I am to stay in on a Thursday evening and study. It is much safer and more productive.
Have a good (and safe) night everybody.......
Things I learned from the aforementioned Wal-Mart run...
1) Don’t say “yes” when asked to make a Wal-Mart run when you have other and better things to do.
2) They now make shower curtains that make you think you are at the beach... very useful in the middle of winter. (Go to your nearest shower-curtain-retailer and check this out!)
3) Don’t allow friends to take you out to Oglethorpe County for any reason.
4) What exactly constitutes a felony.
5) How fast an Isuzu Trooper can go when forced.
6) How happy I am to stay in on a Thursday evening and study. It is much safer and more productive.
Have a good (and safe) night everybody.......
Wednesday, February 8
Priorities, Schmiorities
STUDIO 48 – Let me say before even starting that this entry will be brief. I have very little idea where this entry is going. I am swamped with a lot of stuff that I care very little for and will care even less for in ten years. Tests and papers are a big part of college and they seem to stress most people out. I try my hardest to not be one of those people. As I have stated on this Blog before, I try to live my college life by the mantra “What will be important in ten years.” It works well with my laid-back and at times lazy nature. When the situation arises “should I go out with my friends tonight or should I stay in and study to be sure that I don’t bomb that test tomorrow?”, I can always choose the friends option because I know that the memories made with the people that I care about and that care about me will mean a heck of a lot more in ten years than doing well on one bleepin’ test. The problem with this attitude is that the same dilemma comes up before every exam and the same decision is made every time. Consequently, my GPA could be better than it is.
I have three tests in the next 48 hours and a paper due on Monday. I feel okay on two of the three tests, but the ethics test could be ruff. The paper will definitely be crammed in this weekend sometime. Needless to say, I have plenty to do this afternoon and evening. But first, I’m going to take my own advice and do what I love because that is what memories are made of. Today, my love is of the outdoors and of ultimate frisbee, so I’m going to go play with Kevin, Jimmy and Alex. Sure, studying would be more prudent, but those books will still be there when I get back. ;-)
The good news about being so busy is that I don’t have time to think about any drama in my life. It is nice to have other things to bury myself and my time in then my future, my relationships, and my future relationships. So...ummm...yeah. I guess I’m the ultra-optimist. Hope you are all having a great day and week and I’ll holla atcha again as soon as I need another break from the grind.......
I have three tests in the next 48 hours and a paper due on Monday. I feel okay on two of the three tests, but the ethics test could be ruff. The paper will definitely be crammed in this weekend sometime. Needless to say, I have plenty to do this afternoon and evening. But first, I’m going to take my own advice and do what I love because that is what memories are made of. Today, my love is of the outdoors and of ultimate frisbee, so I’m going to go play with Kevin, Jimmy and Alex. Sure, studying would be more prudent, but those books will still be there when I get back. ;-)
The good news about being so busy is that I don’t have time to think about any drama in my life. It is nice to have other things to bury myself and my time in then my future, my relationships, and my future relationships. So...ummm...yeah. I guess I’m the ultra-optimist. Hope you are all having a great day and week and I’ll holla atcha again as soon as I need another break from the grind.......
Monday, February 6
Blah!
STUDIO 48 – I’ve stated on this Blog before that your attitude about a given subject directly effects how you perceive that subject and ultimately how that subject is (in your mind, anyway). I really believe this, yet I still have days in which I just can’t get past a negative attitude. I awoke this morning to a truly gloomy day. It was kinda foggy, completely overcast with a wintry mix falling from the sky. Yet, the temperature was over freezing, so nothing stuck to the ground which means that I had to go to class. Once I got there, it wasn’t all that bad.
When I’m having a negative day like today, I often judge the things that I am fond of, or even love in an overly-harsh manner. Today, UGA as a whole was my topic. Let the judging begin...
1) Why is there a staircase in Joe Brown Hall that literally leads to nowhere?
2) Why are the double doors on the front of Peabody Hall two different sizes?
3) Why is it necessary for every member of every sorority on campus to pull out there phone as soon as they exit a class to call an unknown on the other end of the line to say “I’m out of class now”. Give said unknown person a copy of your bleepin’ schedule.
4) What were the higher-ups at the University thinking when they hired the architects of the science buildings (chemistry, physics, biology, geography, statistics) on south campus? They are eye sores.
5) When you add on to a building, isn’t customary to try to duplicate the architecture of the original structure? Someone forgot to tell the people who added on to the law school, main library, and forestry school.
6) Why is it such a sin for creepy iPod kid to look up and smile at people as he/she passes them on campus?
7) When you go to a large, successful school, why do you find it necessary to wear crap from other schools? No one is stopping you, so go there.
8) I am the pedestrian... I have the right-of way!
9) Mike Adams is a great fund-raiser and an amazing politician, but when you get past all the fluff, he is not a very good president. (And why does his wife make 60,000 a year just for being his wife?)
10) Don’t drink/inhale/snort/inject stuff into your body that will kill you. It is just not smart.
I’ll be more positive later.......
When I’m having a negative day like today, I often judge the things that I am fond of, or even love in an overly-harsh manner. Today, UGA as a whole was my topic. Let the judging begin...
1) Why is there a staircase in Joe Brown Hall that literally leads to nowhere?
2) Why are the double doors on the front of Peabody Hall two different sizes?
3) Why is it necessary for every member of every sorority on campus to pull out there phone as soon as they exit a class to call an unknown on the other end of the line to say “I’m out of class now”. Give said unknown person a copy of your bleepin’ schedule.
4) What were the higher-ups at the University thinking when they hired the architects of the science buildings (chemistry, physics, biology, geography, statistics) on south campus? They are eye sores.
5) When you add on to a building, isn’t customary to try to duplicate the architecture of the original structure? Someone forgot to tell the people who added on to the law school, main library, and forestry school.
6) Why is it such a sin for creepy iPod kid to look up and smile at people as he/she passes them on campus?
7) When you go to a large, successful school, why do you find it necessary to wear crap from other schools? No one is stopping you, so go there.
8) I am the pedestrian... I have the right-of way!
9) Mike Adams is a great fund-raiser and an amazing politician, but when you get past all the fluff, he is not a very good president. (And why does his wife make 60,000 a year just for being his wife?)
10) Don’t drink/inhale/snort/inject stuff into your body that will kill you. It is just not smart.
I’ll be more positive later.......
Friday, February 3
A tool...
STUDIO 48 – Everyone I know with a Blog is doing this and (as you all know) I am a tool of trends, so.......
4 jobs I've had:
- youth ministry intern
- pool boy/man (I’m not kidding)
- high school band camp instructor
- landscaper
4 movies I can watch over and over again:
- My Fellow Americans
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- Office Space
- Animal House
4 places I've lived:
- Gainesville, GA
- Oakwood, GA
- Oakwood, GA (different house, same town)
- Athens, GA
4 TV shows I rather like:
- Sportscenter
- Late Night with Conan O’Brien
- The West Wing
- Seinfeld
4 highly regarded and recommended TV shows that I've never watched a minute of:
- The Apprentice
- American Idol
- Alias
- Grey’s Anatomy
(BTW: I’m not a huge fan of reality TV)
4 places I've vacationed:
- Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park (The most beautiful place I’ve ever been)
- The West (includes: New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. The Grand Canyon is amazing)
- New York, NY (really cool to be in the middle of everything for a few days, but wouldn’t want to live there)
- Chicago, IL (See the food category below for an explanation)
4 of my favorite dishes:
- prime-rib (preferably from Lawry’s in Chicago)
- sauerbraten (from Berghoff’s in Chicago or my grandmother’s kitchen)
- a good steak (medium)
- baby-back ribs (from Miller’s Pub in Chicago)
4 sites I visit daily:
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution <http://www.ajc.com/>
- ESPN <http://www.espn.go.com/>
- College Football News <http://www.collegefootballnews.com/>
- The Athens Banner-Herald <http://www.onlineathens.com/index.shtml>
4 places I would rather be right now:
- the beach
- out on the lake with some friends
- at the national championship watching my Dawgs take the field
- with your mom
If you have a Blog, list these categories and put your answers.......
4 jobs I've had:
- youth ministry intern
- pool boy/man (I’m not kidding)
- high school band camp instructor
- landscaper
4 movies I can watch over and over again:
- My Fellow Americans
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- Office Space
- Animal House
4 places I've lived:
- Gainesville, GA
- Oakwood, GA
- Oakwood, GA (different house, same town)
- Athens, GA
4 TV shows I rather like:
- Sportscenter
- Late Night with Conan O’Brien
- The West Wing
- Seinfeld
4 highly regarded and recommended TV shows that I've never watched a minute of:
- The Apprentice
- American Idol
- Alias
- Grey’s Anatomy
(BTW: I’m not a huge fan of reality TV)
4 places I've vacationed:
- Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park (The most beautiful place I’ve ever been)
- The West (includes: New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. The Grand Canyon is amazing)
- New York, NY (really cool to be in the middle of everything for a few days, but wouldn’t want to live there)
- Chicago, IL (See the food category below for an explanation)
4 of my favorite dishes:
- prime-rib (preferably from Lawry’s in Chicago)
- sauerbraten (from Berghoff’s in Chicago or my grandmother’s kitchen)
- a good steak (medium)
- baby-back ribs (from Miller’s Pub in Chicago)
4 sites I visit daily:
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution <http://www.ajc.com/>
- ESPN <http://www.espn.go.com/>
- College Football News <http://www.collegefootballnews.com/>
- The Athens Banner-Herald <http://www.onlineathens.com/index.shtml>
4 places I would rather be right now:
- the beach
- out on the lake with some friends
- at the national championship watching my Dawgs take the field
- with your mom
If you have a Blog, list these categories and put your answers.......
Serenity Now!
STUDIO 48 – The lesson for the week is quit worrying about things that you can’t change. I haven’t mastered this one quite yet. I’m not saying stay idle and watch things screw up, but don’t worry about things that you have no control over. Change what you can, understand what you can’t, and quit complaining. A new life lesson.......
Thursday, February 2
Ummm...
STUDIO 48 – I’ve got just some random thoughts today; don’t expect too much structure or anything...
The Alpha Sigma Sigma sports trivia team had an honorable showing at the 960 ‘The Ref’ trivia tournament the other night. Kyle, Scratch and I anchored the team with Sam taking care on Tennis and what ranking Champ Bailey came in the 1998 Heisman balloting. Ryan was there to ensure that our team had diversity and he played that role very well. We didn’t do well enough to take home any hardware, but we were the youngest team playing (by far) and I think we held our own.
The men’s team got a win last night against ‘Bama. It was there best showing of the year by a long shot. Unfortunately, the halftime festivities overshadowed the solid play of the team. A traveling group of trick dogs were the featured performance. They were very entertaining and some of the stuff they did simply blew my mind. However, I think that the crowd might have scared one of the dogs. You might say it was scared crapless. He lost control of his faculties right on the “G’ at centre court. To say the least, the “G’ was defaced. That was funny, but its not the best part. The best was when the dog kept running through the excrement and tracking it all over the court while chasing the Frisbee that the trainer was throwing. It took the athletic association cronies a long time to clean up the pile of crap in the middle court and then even longer to find and clean all the poop tracked from one end of the floor to the other. I laughed ‘till it hurt.
Yesterday was signing day. All I’m going to say is that Mark Richt is an amazing recruiter. The next few years are going to be very exciting.
I just got back from the University Health Center to get my pre-China immunizations. I will be the first to admit that I am typically a big baby when it comes to getting any sort of needle stuck into my flesh. However, today was the first time that I have had a shot without someone there to hold my hand. I stayed strong and took it like a man. I just kept thinking about going to china and it was ok. It really didn’t even hurt. I’m not sure why I used to make a big deal about it. It was all fabricated drama... In short, I’m a girl!
Ok, that’s about all I’ve got on my mind right now. You guys have a great Thursday.......
The Alpha Sigma Sigma sports trivia team had an honorable showing at the 960 ‘The Ref’ trivia tournament the other night. Kyle, Scratch and I anchored the team with Sam taking care on Tennis and what ranking Champ Bailey came in the 1998 Heisman balloting. Ryan was there to ensure that our team had diversity and he played that role very well. We didn’t do well enough to take home any hardware, but we were the youngest team playing (by far) and I think we held our own.
The men’s team got a win last night against ‘Bama. It was there best showing of the year by a long shot. Unfortunately, the halftime festivities overshadowed the solid play of the team. A traveling group of trick dogs were the featured performance. They were very entertaining and some of the stuff they did simply blew my mind. However, I think that the crowd might have scared one of the dogs. You might say it was scared crapless. He lost control of his faculties right on the “G’ at centre court. To say the least, the “G’ was defaced. That was funny, but its not the best part. The best was when the dog kept running through the excrement and tracking it all over the court while chasing the Frisbee that the trainer was throwing. It took the athletic association cronies a long time to clean up the pile of crap in the middle court and then even longer to find and clean all the poop tracked from one end of the floor to the other. I laughed ‘till it hurt.
Yesterday was signing day. All I’m going to say is that Mark Richt is an amazing recruiter. The next few years are going to be very exciting.
I just got back from the University Health Center to get my pre-China immunizations. I will be the first to admit that I am typically a big baby when it comes to getting any sort of needle stuck into my flesh. However, today was the first time that I have had a shot without someone there to hold my hand. I stayed strong and took it like a man. I just kept thinking about going to china and it was ok. It really didn’t even hurt. I’m not sure why I used to make a big deal about it. It was all fabricated drama... In short, I’m a girl!
Ok, that’s about all I’ve got on my mind right now. You guys have a great Thursday.......
Wednesday, February 1
Signing Day
STUDIO 48 – Today is the most significant day in the entire college football off-season... SIGNING DAY. I won’t elaborate for long, but I will say that UGA finished ranked fourth in all three major polls that rank these sort of things (ESPN, rivals,com, & scout.com). We picked up two blue-chippers at the last minute and moved up four spots overnight. Needless to say... I’m pumped... And now I must come off this Georgia sports high and go to the men’s basketball game.
Happy signing day everybody.......
Happy signing day everybody.......
Monday, January 30
A case of the Mooondays?
STUDIO 48 -- Not much to report on today. I’m pretty busy with school crap this week, several papers and such. Kyle and I are putting together a sports trivia team to compete in the 960 ‘The Ref’ trivia challenge tomorrow evening. I don’t think we have much of a chance of winning because I don’t know crap about soccer, tennis, or hockey. We’ll see how that goes. I should be watching the State of the Union, but I’m going to tape it instead. Thanks to Erin, Lizzy and Carmen for helping me discover the fun (and frustrating) world of Su Do Ku. It is that crazy Japanese puzzle thingy in the newspaper that I have always just looked over. I had never done one and today... I finished it on the first try. Boo-ya! Anyway, Erin was right, even if I accomplish nothing else today, I will feel as though I have been productive because I finished that dang puzzle.
Later.......
Later.......
Sunday, January 29
Star-struck...
STUDIO 48 -- In the middle of winter, there are several nights when the atmosphere is full of high pressure and you can look into the heavens and see forever. No matter the lights of a city or lack of lights in a hayfield can obstruct the most amazing painting ever fashioned. One of God’s masterpieces: the stars. They are only magnified if you are in the mountains or at the shore. Call me old-fashioned or soft, but a night just looking into the sky and simply pondering about things never gets old. I have solved the problems of the world many times over while star-gazing. Find a good spot, clear your mind and give it a try sometime.......
Wrongfully Accused
STUDIO 48 – Have you ever been pulled over by a member of local law enforcement for something that you totally didn’t do? Well, I am now on the list of people who have been wrongfully accused. On the way back to the Classic City this afternoon, I was pulled over for running a stop sign.
Let me paint the picture for you: I was approaching the intersection with plans to turn right. I noticed that there was a stop sign, but not for right turns... only a yield. I slowed down and checked to make sure that it was clear and then proceeded with my right turn. I noticed the cop on my left as I made the turn and thought nothing of it until he pulled a u-eee and turned on the blue lights. I pulled over and waited for him to approach my vehicle. Let me stress that I was completely respectful and not one bit sarcastic throughout our entire encounter. He asked me if I was aware that I had run a stop sign at the intersection. I responded with, “No sir, I didn’t know that you had to stop at that intersection to make a right turn. I though it was only a yield.” I could tell that he knew that he had made a mistake by the sheepish look now in his eye. He apologized and I shook his hand and the traumatic ordeal was over.
I’m not upset or anything, but let me ask you this: If we have to pay a fine, or serve a suspension, or punishment of some sort when a police officer catches us for breaking the law (even a traffic law), how come the officer does not have to pay me some money when he makes a wrongful accusation against me? If I have to fork over part of my bank account when I get caught in the wrong, then I think I should get to pad my bank account when I have to waist ten minutes getting pulled over for a something bogus. And I think the money should come from the young desperado cop’s own pocket. Just a thought.....
Let me paint the picture for you: I was approaching the intersection with plans to turn right. I noticed that there was a stop sign, but not for right turns... only a yield. I slowed down and checked to make sure that it was clear and then proceeded with my right turn. I noticed the cop on my left as I made the turn and thought nothing of it until he pulled a u-eee and turned on the blue lights. I pulled over and waited for him to approach my vehicle. Let me stress that I was completely respectful and not one bit sarcastic throughout our entire encounter. He asked me if I was aware that I had run a stop sign at the intersection. I responded with, “No sir, I didn’t know that you had to stop at that intersection to make a right turn. I though it was only a yield.” I could tell that he knew that he had made a mistake by the sheepish look now in his eye. He apologized and I shook his hand and the traumatic ordeal was over.
I’m not upset or anything, but let me ask you this: If we have to pay a fine, or serve a suspension, or punishment of some sort when a police officer catches us for breaking the law (even a traffic law), how come the officer does not have to pay me some money when he makes a wrongful accusation against me? If I have to fork over part of my bank account when I get caught in the wrong, then I think I should get to pad my bank account when I have to waist ten minutes getting pulled over for a something bogus. And I think the money should come from the young desperado cop’s own pocket. Just a thought.....
Friday, January 27
The best birthday ever?
STUDIO 48 – There are few nights in one’s life that you just know from the moment that it ended that it will become legendary, even if only in your circle of friends. Last night was surely one of those. It was the night that my roommates and some other old friends had designated as the night that they would take me out for my birthday. It was only four days late, but I was very understanding because we all have such hectic schedules.
The participants: Me, Keith, Rusty, Robert, Tom, Renee, Kevin, Kirsten, and Ally. The location: DePalma’s (downtown). We had a good time at the restaurant. It took along time to get a table and the service was typical of downtown Athens... slow... so you’ll (in theory) have more drinks. Keith and I did order a couple of drinks. It was my first time ordering one as a 21-year-old. We arrived at the establishment at about 8:00 and did not complete our meal and get the bill square until sometime after 11:00. It wasn’t so much that we were dragging our feet as it was that the waiter drug his. Luckily, the company was good and so the lengthy dinner didn’t cramp anyone’s style. After dinner, the gentlemen decided to venture out onto the back porch at our apartment and smoke cigars in honor of my birthday (editor’s note: as most of you know, I am very conservative and my friends are even more so than I, so we made a pact long ago that out cigar smoking wouldn’t become a habit and instead would only occur for ‘celebratory purposes’ [i.e.: Georgia victories, the end of finals...etc]. To be honest, ‘celebratory’ has been defined looser and looser as we have gotten older.). We were enjoying them and each other’s company when the ladies decided to join us out on the balcony and enjoy cigars themselves. It was quite odd and yet completely amazing. We all talked and had fun sharing old (and new) stories. I didn’t get into bed until around 3:00. Too bad I had an early morning class with Eva and the freshmen. Poor planning, I guess.
It was a good night for me and my friends. If any group had earned a night out, it was us. If nothing else the night reassured me that I am doing ok in life, that I should stop fretting about some of the things that I have been letting bother me over the last few weeks, and that I have some really cool friends. In the words of Billy Bob from Varsity Blue’s... I give last night “a ten!” One word... legendary. We will still be talking about it at our wedding receptions some day.
As you probably deducted, I overslept this morning and would have completely missed Eva’s class if it hadn’t been for Kirsten calling me to tell me that she too was running late. No harm done. I made it to class only five minutes late in my traditional over-slept look of tennis shoes, jeans, hooded-sweatshirt, and a cap along with glasses and an un-shaven stubble on my face. I looked good!
Do you ever have one of those moments where you make eye-contact in conversation with someone that you have (or had) feelings for, and she looks at you with the same look (kinda like puppy-eyes, but a little different)? Maybe you made an attempt with her and it just didn’t work out, or maybe there is something big (like a different religion, or belief, or background, or something) that is keeping you from making an attempt. But, nevertheless, you look at her and she looks at you and you wish things would have been or could be different. I had a moment like that this morning. It was weird, because I think we both realized that we were having one of those moments at the exact same time because we smiled at each other simultaneously. Moments such as these used to really make me frustrated. I have since been able to move past these situations and realize that there is a reason that we can’t get together and that that very reason would keep it from working if we ever did. It’s weird, but it is almost comforting to know that someone out there does actually have some sort of feelings for me that I share with them. They may never be spoken of and most likely never acted upon, but it is nice nonetheless. Smiles make everybody’s day better!
More later...
The participants: Me, Keith, Rusty, Robert, Tom, Renee, Kevin, Kirsten, and Ally. The location: DePalma’s (downtown). We had a good time at the restaurant. It took along time to get a table and the service was typical of downtown Athens... slow... so you’ll (in theory) have more drinks. Keith and I did order a couple of drinks. It was my first time ordering one as a 21-year-old. We arrived at the establishment at about 8:00 and did not complete our meal and get the bill square until sometime after 11:00. It wasn’t so much that we were dragging our feet as it was that the waiter drug his. Luckily, the company was good and so the lengthy dinner didn’t cramp anyone’s style. After dinner, the gentlemen decided to venture out onto the back porch at our apartment and smoke cigars in honor of my birthday (editor’s note: as most of you know, I am very conservative and my friends are even more so than I, so we made a pact long ago that out cigar smoking wouldn’t become a habit and instead would only occur for ‘celebratory purposes’ [i.e.: Georgia victories, the end of finals...etc]. To be honest, ‘celebratory’ has been defined looser and looser as we have gotten older.). We were enjoying them and each other’s company when the ladies decided to join us out on the balcony and enjoy cigars themselves. It was quite odd and yet completely amazing. We all talked and had fun sharing old (and new) stories. I didn’t get into bed until around 3:00. Too bad I had an early morning class with Eva and the freshmen. Poor planning, I guess.
It was a good night for me and my friends. If any group had earned a night out, it was us. If nothing else the night reassured me that I am doing ok in life, that I should stop fretting about some of the things that I have been letting bother me over the last few weeks, and that I have some really cool friends. In the words of Billy Bob from Varsity Blue’s... I give last night “a ten!” One word... legendary. We will still be talking about it at our wedding receptions some day.
As you probably deducted, I overslept this morning and would have completely missed Eva’s class if it hadn’t been for Kirsten calling me to tell me that she too was running late. No harm done. I made it to class only five minutes late in my traditional over-slept look of tennis shoes, jeans, hooded-sweatshirt, and a cap along with glasses and an un-shaven stubble on my face. I looked good!
Do you ever have one of those moments where you make eye-contact in conversation with someone that you have (or had) feelings for, and she looks at you with the same look (kinda like puppy-eyes, but a little different)? Maybe you made an attempt with her and it just didn’t work out, or maybe there is something big (like a different religion, or belief, or background, or something) that is keeping you from making an attempt. But, nevertheless, you look at her and she looks at you and you wish things would have been or could be different. I had a moment like that this morning. It was weird, because I think we both realized that we were having one of those moments at the exact same time because we smiled at each other simultaneously. Moments such as these used to really make me frustrated. I have since been able to move past these situations and realize that there is a reason that we can’t get together and that that very reason would keep it from working if we ever did. It’s weird, but it is almost comforting to know that someone out there does actually have some sort of feelings for me that I share with them. They may never be spoken of and most likely never acted upon, but it is nice nonetheless. Smiles make everybody’s day better!
More later...
Wednesday, January 25
Disingenuous Relationships
STUDIO 48 – Isn’t it funny how when you first meet someone, especially someone who you might develop romantic feelings for, you tend to over-analyze everything you do, say, and even think? By acting like this, you prohibit yourself from acting like... well... yourself. I think that if you are with a girl that you are uncomfortable being yourself around, or worse yet, strive to be something other than yourself around, then you are in a bad relationship. I’m not saying that trying to be a better person is a bad thing or that we shouldn’t strive to be better for someone of whom you have developed feelings for. If there is one quality that everyone (male, female, Black White, Hispanic, Asian, gay, strait) is looking for in their relationships and from those that they are in relationships with, then it is authenticity. Even if you can’t admit it, you don’t want to be with someone who will not be genuine to you. If two people are have feelings for one another, yet are not genuine with one another, then how do they know that they really have feelings for one another and not for the alias created by their significant other? The answer, in short, is that they don’t.
Those of you who are very close to me know that recent events in lives of a few people close to me have prompted the venting in the particular Blog. It really pisses me off when people try to baby me and treat me like less of a man because I have been more particular about who I have dated this school year. Don’t say things to your new girlfriend like “Don’t touch Matt (editor’s note: this was said after a birthday wish and light shoulder pat from said girlfriend), he hasn’t had a girlfriend in five months, he might get aroused”. That is asinine! In fact, just recounting that event from 24 hours ago is getting me all stirred up again. What kind of friend says something like that to a friend in front of a girl? That is a question I am definitely going to have to do some pondering on over the next few weeks.
Sure, there was a time in my life that I would go out with any girl and every girl, especially if she was cute. Call it a tug from the conscience, or call it general maturation, or call it a new found respect for the dating relationship and how God wants me to pursue it, but this year has been different. I have been wiser. It was not a lack in opportunities, in fact their have been several. However, I was able to look at the big picture and ... God forbid!... think about the future over the present. Even though things have been kinda rough, I have learned so much about myself and my purpose by not being with anyone for an extended period of time. I know that this time is coming to a close and that I will be all the better for enduring and staying true to it. In short, I will not date anyone that I honestly can’t see a future with. It is a waste of both of our times.
Life goes on. I have dwelled on this stuff long enough. Thank you all for listening to me complain and moan about all this, I’ll try to make the next entry about something a little more uplifting and positive. I can’t promise too much, but I will say that in all likelihood a meadow and a Karen Carpenter song will be involved.
More to come.......
Those of you who are very close to me know that recent events in lives of a few people close to me have prompted the venting in the particular Blog. It really pisses me off when people try to baby me and treat me like less of a man because I have been more particular about who I have dated this school year. Don’t say things to your new girlfriend like “Don’t touch Matt (editor’s note: this was said after a birthday wish and light shoulder pat from said girlfriend), he hasn’t had a girlfriend in five months, he might get aroused”. That is asinine! In fact, just recounting that event from 24 hours ago is getting me all stirred up again. What kind of friend says something like that to a friend in front of a girl? That is a question I am definitely going to have to do some pondering on over the next few weeks.
Sure, there was a time in my life that I would go out with any girl and every girl, especially if she was cute. Call it a tug from the conscience, or call it general maturation, or call it a new found respect for the dating relationship and how God wants me to pursue it, but this year has been different. I have been wiser. It was not a lack in opportunities, in fact their have been several. However, I was able to look at the big picture and ... God forbid!... think about the future over the present. Even though things have been kinda rough, I have learned so much about myself and my purpose by not being with anyone for an extended period of time. I know that this time is coming to a close and that I will be all the better for enduring and staying true to it. In short, I will not date anyone that I honestly can’t see a future with. It is a waste of both of our times.
Life goes on. I have dwelled on this stuff long enough. Thank you all for listening to me complain and moan about all this, I’ll try to make the next entry about something a little more uplifting and positive. I can’t promise too much, but I will say that in all likelihood a meadow and a Karen Carpenter song will be involved.
More to come.......
Monday, January 23
STUDIO 48 -- More and more people are mentioning to me that they are reading my Blog on a regular basis. It’s kinda cool, kinda humbling, and also kinda strange. I really need to be more careful about what I put on this thing. Hey guys... Don’t read too much into anything that I am writing on this Blog. It is just an outlet for me to vent about stuff and tell some stories from my world. But thanks for reading and I’ll try to keep it interesting.......
Too soon.......
STUDIO 48 -- Not much going on today. I can’t help but mention the tragedy that happened early Sunday morning in Russell Hall. On one hand, I feel terrible for that guy, his family and all his friends and hall mates. On the other, I can’t help but think... how irresponsible can a single group of people be? The guy (apparently) died of alcohol poisoning. You have to drink a whole friggin’ lot to get alcohol poisoning. What were the other people he was with thinking? They must have also been “tipsy” (or “hammered”, or “wasted”... etc) to not think: “Oh, my God. He’s pretty drunk. Maybe one of us should make sure he’s ok”. --or-- “We should take him to the hospital”.
It is an unfortunate turn of events, to say the least. I can’t help but worry that the new Athens-Clarke policy regarding underage consumption might have played a role in the group opting out a trip to the hospital. The policy now states that those who are underage caught drinking or drunk are no longer slapped on the wrist with a meaningless citation, but are now taken promptly to the Athens-Clarke Jail. Hey guys... a night in jail sucks and having to call your parents and tell them how you screwed up sucks worse, but both pale in comparison to untimely death. I hope that this terrible incident will wake up some individuals who abuse alcohol so that they can see how truly dangerous it can be. Please try to be responsible in the decisions that you make. I have been around people before who abuse alcohol on a fairly regular basis and I even consider some of them to be my friends. If I ever saw one of them in a situation where they had so much to drink that they needed medical attention, fear of punishment from the law would be the last thing on my mind.
Please try to take care of yourself and those around you. This is not the kind of story that I want to see on the front cover of the Red & Black. I want to see more in-depth, hard-hitting journalism like the article about the ‘Brumby Butt’. Anyway........
It is an unfortunate turn of events, to say the least. I can’t help but worry that the new Athens-Clarke policy regarding underage consumption might have played a role in the group opting out a trip to the hospital. The policy now states that those who are underage caught drinking or drunk are no longer slapped on the wrist with a meaningless citation, but are now taken promptly to the Athens-Clarke Jail. Hey guys... a night in jail sucks and having to call your parents and tell them how you screwed up sucks worse, but both pale in comparison to untimely death. I hope that this terrible incident will wake up some individuals who abuse alcohol so that they can see how truly dangerous it can be. Please try to be responsible in the decisions that you make. I have been around people before who abuse alcohol on a fairly regular basis and I even consider some of them to be my friends. If I ever saw one of them in a situation where they had so much to drink that they needed medical attention, fear of punishment from the law would be the last thing on my mind.
Please try to take care of yourself and those around you. This is not the kind of story that I want to see on the front cover of the Red & Black. I want to see more in-depth, hard-hitting journalism like the article about the ‘Brumby Butt’. Anyway........
Sunday, January 22
Random list about women.......
STUDIO 48 – There are the top 10 things (a la Letterman) that girls can do/say to me that make me pliable dough in their hands.
10) When she isn't afraid to make a move.
9) When she starts a conversation with “Hey you.” (in that sexy voice like on 'Friends')
8) She is just as cool spending a night in (with a movie or whatever) as a night out.
7) When her personality and character are on the same level as her looks.
6) Can give a good backrub, and knows when I need it without my inquiry.
5) When she knows what she wants and knows how to articulate it.
4) Red ribbon in hair.
3) When she wears a hooded sweatshirt with blue jeans and tennis shoes. (Not all the time and not with all girls, but when done properly, this is amazing.)
2) The nose-wrinkling smile.
1) When she rubs me in that special spot on the back of my neck, kinda right behind and below my ears.
I'm only doing this list becuase number nine happened earlier today and got me thinking about things that women do that drive me up the wall (in a good way). Ehh........
10) When she isn't afraid to make a move.
9) When she starts a conversation with “Hey you.” (in that sexy voice like on 'Friends')
8) She is just as cool spending a night in (with a movie or whatever) as a night out.
7) When her personality and character are on the same level as her looks.
6) Can give a good backrub, and knows when I need it without my inquiry.
5) When she knows what she wants and knows how to articulate it.
4) Red ribbon in hair.
3) When she wears a hooded sweatshirt with blue jeans and tennis shoes. (Not all the time and not with all girls, but when done properly, this is amazing.)
2) The nose-wrinkling smile.
1) When she rubs me in that special spot on the back of my neck, kinda right behind and below my ears.
I'm only doing this list becuase number nine happened earlier today and got me thinking about things that women do that drive me up the wall (in a good way). Ehh........
Jan. 22nd
STUDIO 48 – The Lady Dawgs came up short. They played pretty well, but couldn’t finish. Final score: 65-64.
I want to take a quick moment to tell everyone who took time out of their Sunday to wish me a happy birthday how much I appreciate it. It has been a great day. It really makes me feel good to know how many people thought of me today (even if it was the FaceBook that reminded them). Thank you all so much.
I went out with S@m, Deen@, Ry@n, K@tie and Ky!e last night to the bowling alley. As if my game weren’t evidence enough, I will be the first to tell you that I am not a bowler... at all! But I did tie S@m in the last game. It was nice spending time with a group of people that I usually don’t spend that much time with. None of their stories were re-runs like often happens when you hang out with your closest circle of friends.
This morning I went to church and to K-bob’s for lunch with our neighbors. Again, it was nice to hang out with some different people. It turns out that they are not just looks. They are actually fun to talk to and hang out with as well. After lunch I made my way over to the coliseum for the game.
It is now 8:41 pm and the closest thing to alcohol that I have consumed since turning 21 is the rum in my tiramisu at the Olive G@rden. My dad asked me if I wanted anything, but I felt weird ordering it in front of my parents and especially my brothers. I’ll get over that eventually, but for now, we’re taking baby steps. I still want to set a good example for my younger brothers. I have done a good job of being prudent in my habits prior to being 21 and I think I will now show them how to live a responsible lifestyle post-21.
I want to take a quick moment to tell everyone who took time out of their Sunday to wish me a happy birthday how much I appreciate it. It has been a great day. It really makes me feel good to know how many people thought of me today (even if it was the FaceBook that reminded them). Thank you all so much.
I went out with S@m, Deen@, Ry@n, K@tie and Ky!e last night to the bowling alley. As if my game weren’t evidence enough, I will be the first to tell you that I am not a bowler... at all! But I did tie S@m in the last game. It was nice spending time with a group of people that I usually don’t spend that much time with. None of their stories were re-runs like often happens when you hang out with your closest circle of friends.
This morning I went to church and to K-bob’s for lunch with our neighbors. Again, it was nice to hang out with some different people. It turns out that they are not just looks. They are actually fun to talk to and hang out with as well. After lunch I made my way over to the coliseum for the game.
It is now 8:41 pm and the closest thing to alcohol that I have consumed since turning 21 is the rum in my tiramisu at the Olive G@rden. My dad asked me if I wanted anything, but I felt weird ordering it in front of my parents and especially my brothers. I’ll get over that eventually, but for now, we’re taking baby steps. I still want to set a good example for my younger brothers. I have done a good job of being prudent in my habits prior to being 21 and I think I will now show them how to live a responsible lifestyle post-21.
Saturday, January 21
Basketball Wins
STUDIO 48 – OK, I was wrong. The men’s team got the win. Ole Miss was not ready to play and the Dawgs played very well and overcame some horrific (or as we say in the SEC... typical) officiating to procure their second SEC victory. Go Dawgs! Now, we will see if the women’s team can climb an even steeper mountain tomorrow against (#3) LSU.
12 hours, 17 minutes to go...
STUDIO 48 -- OK, so it is Saturday January 21st, I have little-to-no agenda for today outside of a basketball game and maybe catching up on some reading. I‘ve had a lot going through my head lately (as shown in previous Blogs), So, perhaps a day like this one with hardly anything to do will be good for me.
I would like to start off with an apology. It is no secret that I haven’t been my usual jovial self lately and the reasons for this attitude change are very obscure, random, and yet complex. So I am going to make an effort to start worrying about today and not so much about tomorrow and yesterday. I think that by looking at the here and the now, you will stop worrying about the things that you can't change anyway. That doesn't mean don't plan for the future, or even for tomorrow, just don't dwell on it. There is no use in worrying about what will happen tomorrow because you don't know what will happen tomorrow, you might think you know, but you don't know for sure. You can't know for sure. It’s not your place to know what will happen tomorrow. I’m trying to take this lesson to heart.
I got to spend some time with my dad yesterday as he was in town for JanFest. (Have I mentioned how nice it is having zero responsibilities with JanFest this year?) It was nice getting to see him and allowing him to purchase a couple of meals for me. He has some upcoming difficult decisions regarding his career and how it is going to conclude. It was nice to help him forget about all that, even if just for one night. My parents are currently on the road to Nashville, TN for my great-uncle Lewis’ funeral. I didn’t know him all that well, but from all accounts, he was a great guy. He is leaving his body to Vanderbilt University, which I think is kinda cool. Mom and Dad will be back in the classic city tomorrow for the conclusion of JanFest and to take yours truly out for his birthday.
I learned the other day about someone who had feelings for me throughout the fall, but never said anything to me regarding these feelings. It is frustrating because, apparently, I led her on even though I didn’t know how she felt. I’m not sure how things would have been different if I had known or if they would have turned out differently at all, but I never like having someone hate me because they thought I “maliciously ignored their feelings”. I take a lot of pride in being a gentleman who never leaves a girl with ill feelings towards me. But this time, that didn’t work out too well. This entire situation just reassures me that I have no idea what women are thinking, I don’t understand them at all, and that I am somewhat dense. If you are the individual of whom I speak, I apologize sincerely for hurting you however unintentional it may have been.
So, umm, yeah. Tomorrow is my 21st birthday. I usually don’t like to make a big deal about my birthday, because as the proverb goes: “birthdays are like @$$-holes, everybody’s got one”. But this year, it seems impossible to avoid. So I’m going to confess my intentions to both of you reading this here and now. I have never had more than a sip of anything alcoholic. I made a commitment when I came to UGA not fall in to peer-pressure when it comes to drinking. To make decisions based on what I wanted and not what everyone else wanted me to be. My grandmother made a pact with me when I was twelve years old that if I could look her in the eye on the day I turned 21 and tell her that I had never had a drink, that she would cut me a check for $1,000. Friends, it has not been easy, but tomorrow, I cash in! That money will go along way in the ‘Matt goes to China fund’.
When it comes to my drinking habits post-21, I will be candid. I am not as conservative as I am often accused of being, and I don’t think that drinking is a sin. After all, Jesus drank wine. I think all things can be erroneous when abused... and drinking is no different. I do intend to have the occasional drink now that I am legal. I do not intend to go anywhere for the specific goal of getting blitzed, hammered, wasted, tipsy, or any other adjective that UGA students use to describe their over-indulgence of alcohol. A drink every once in a while is ok, but getting drunk is just not for me. Now that my intentions are known and that is all cleared up, we can move on.
We are in the middle of the craziest week of the season for basketball. I have to work four games in six days. Let me just say this, no matter what you may have heard, the basketball band is as clever and witty as it has ever been. It matters not who is the director or how good or bad the team is, the band is going to have their fun. This season is no different. Today the men play Ole Miss and tomorrow the women get #3 LSU in Stegeman. I’m not picking Georgia to win either game, but I’m also not counting them out.
More to come....
P.S.: Thanks for the Birthday wishes!
I would like to start off with an apology. It is no secret that I haven’t been my usual jovial self lately and the reasons for this attitude change are very obscure, random, and yet complex. So I am going to make an effort to start worrying about today and not so much about tomorrow and yesterday. I think that by looking at the here and the now, you will stop worrying about the things that you can't change anyway. That doesn't mean don't plan for the future, or even for tomorrow, just don't dwell on it. There is no use in worrying about what will happen tomorrow because you don't know what will happen tomorrow, you might think you know, but you don't know for sure. You can't know for sure. It’s not your place to know what will happen tomorrow. I’m trying to take this lesson to heart.
I got to spend some time with my dad yesterday as he was in town for JanFest. (Have I mentioned how nice it is having zero responsibilities with JanFest this year?) It was nice getting to see him and allowing him to purchase a couple of meals for me. He has some upcoming difficult decisions regarding his career and how it is going to conclude. It was nice to help him forget about all that, even if just for one night. My parents are currently on the road to Nashville, TN for my great-uncle Lewis’ funeral. I didn’t know him all that well, but from all accounts, he was a great guy. He is leaving his body to Vanderbilt University, which I think is kinda cool. Mom and Dad will be back in the classic city tomorrow for the conclusion of JanFest and to take yours truly out for his birthday.
I learned the other day about someone who had feelings for me throughout the fall, but never said anything to me regarding these feelings. It is frustrating because, apparently, I led her on even though I didn’t know how she felt. I’m not sure how things would have been different if I had known or if they would have turned out differently at all, but I never like having someone hate me because they thought I “maliciously ignored their feelings”. I take a lot of pride in being a gentleman who never leaves a girl with ill feelings towards me. But this time, that didn’t work out too well. This entire situation just reassures me that I have no idea what women are thinking, I don’t understand them at all, and that I am somewhat dense. If you are the individual of whom I speak, I apologize sincerely for hurting you however unintentional it may have been.
So, umm, yeah. Tomorrow is my 21st birthday. I usually don’t like to make a big deal about my birthday, because as the proverb goes: “birthdays are like @$$-holes, everybody’s got one”. But this year, it seems impossible to avoid. So I’m going to confess my intentions to both of you reading this here and now. I have never had more than a sip of anything alcoholic. I made a commitment when I came to UGA not fall in to peer-pressure when it comes to drinking. To make decisions based on what I wanted and not what everyone else wanted me to be. My grandmother made a pact with me when I was twelve years old that if I could look her in the eye on the day I turned 21 and tell her that I had never had a drink, that she would cut me a check for $1,000. Friends, it has not been easy, but tomorrow, I cash in! That money will go along way in the ‘Matt goes to China fund’.
When it comes to my drinking habits post-21, I will be candid. I am not as conservative as I am often accused of being, and I don’t think that drinking is a sin. After all, Jesus drank wine. I think all things can be erroneous when abused... and drinking is no different. I do intend to have the occasional drink now that I am legal. I do not intend to go anywhere for the specific goal of getting blitzed, hammered, wasted, tipsy, or any other adjective that UGA students use to describe their over-indulgence of alcohol. A drink every once in a while is ok, but getting drunk is just not for me. Now that my intentions are known and that is all cleared up, we can move on.
We are in the middle of the craziest week of the season for basketball. I have to work four games in six days. Let me just say this, no matter what you may have heard, the basketball band is as clever and witty as it has ever been. It matters not who is the director or how good or bad the team is, the band is going to have their fun. This season is no different. Today the men play Ole Miss and tomorrow the women get #3 LSU in Stegeman. I’m not picking Georgia to win either game, but I’m also not counting them out.
More to come....
P.S.: Thanks for the Birthday wishes!
Friday, January 20
Shoot for the stars!
STUDIO 48 --
• “No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.”
– Orville Wright
• “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”
– Harry Warner (of Warner Brothers, 1927)
• “The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C,’ the idea must be feasible.”
– A Yale University professor’s comment on Fred Smith’s paper proposing an overnight delivery service, which would later become FedEx.
• “My imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocating its crew.”
– H.G. Wells
• “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
– Charles H. Duell (Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899)
Sometimes, we sell ourselves short. I’m going to try to avoid such actions in the future, less someday a quote of mine wind up on this list.
• “... and the sea will grant each man new hope, as sleep brings dreams of home,"
– Christopher Columbus (before returning to Spain)
• “No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.”
– Orville Wright
• “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”
– Harry Warner (of Warner Brothers, 1927)
• “The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C,’ the idea must be feasible.”
– A Yale University professor’s comment on Fred Smith’s paper proposing an overnight delivery service, which would later become FedEx.
• “My imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocating its crew.”
– H.G. Wells
• “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
– Charles H. Duell (Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899)
Sometimes, we sell ourselves short. I’m going to try to avoid such actions in the future, less someday a quote of mine wind up on this list.
• “... and the sea will grant each man new hope, as sleep brings dreams of home,"
– Christopher Columbus (before returning to Spain)
Thursday, January 19
Wednesday, January 18
STUDIO 48 – Do you ever feel like you are at a crossroads in your life? I’m not talking so much about a decision to be made such as where to go to school or a job or anything, but just a general crossroads in the way you are going to live and progress as an individual. I guess that’s kinda where I am right now. I know that I am at UGA for at least three more semesters, so that’s pretty much taken care of. I don’t really have an issue when it comes to a job (current or future). So what’s the deal? Why do I feel like something is about to change in my life? I hope that this impending change is for the better. I certainly intend to make good decisions that will lead to positive change, but who knows? I’ll keep you all posted on this because I have no idea what the heck is going on, but I’m getting that feeling when you know its going to be something big.......
Joy!
STUDIO 48 -- Bob talked about tapping into the fullness of God’s joy in my life tonight. I’ll be honest; it is something that I need to work on. I’ll try......
Monday, January 16
MLK Weekend...
STUDIO 48 – Ok, today is the day that we celebrate Dr. MLK Jr’s birthday. So in honor of this day I will open this Blog with an obligatory MLK day joke. “Today is a day of remembrance, of celebration, of honorarium, and of eating fried chicken, watermelon, chitterlings, and drinking Kool-Aid.” There, now that we have moved past that...
I feel like I spent the majority of this weekend on the road and that is because, well, I did. I went home Friday to watch my brother play basketball. Unless something strange happens, that will be the last game that I ever see him play because of my busy schedule, so I felt obliged to make the trip. He played a few minutes and the team looked sharp and upset cross-town (and by town, I mean village) foe Flowery Branch. They are 4-1 in region and tied for the lead.
On Saturday, I got to see my good friend Steven. He goes to school in Virginia, so we rarely get to hang out outside of some lake days during the summer when he is back in Georgia. This trip was different because he brought a girl with him. For those of you who don’t know him, dating the same girl to the point that he feels comfortable introducing her to his family is quite a mature step. We have both been accused of kinda... “dating-around” in the past (that’s a play on “sleeping-around” for those of you who didn’t catch that. But I don’t sleep-around, so I was a date-slut of sorts in the past). Heck, I guess the past is truly coming to an end, whatever that means. Her family is from Texas and her brother wants to attend the Univer$ity of Georg!a as soon as he graduates high school, so I brought her down here to show her around a little bit. It was the coldest it has been in quite sometime, so the majority of our tour was done inside of while driving. She is a music major so I took them out to East Campus to show her ‘The Hugh’. She was very impressed with the facilities. I think the size of the campus overwhelmed her. All-in-all, it was a good trip I could not be more excited for my friend. She is awesome and a great compliment for him. Upon returning to Gaines-Vegas, we decided to go to a local establishment and enjoy each others company and some good food. Afterwards, we went to Lakewood and (this may sound childish and immature) played Sardines. For those of you who don’t know, the game of Sardines is the inverse of hide-N-seek. One person hides and everyone else searches, only when you find the person that is hiding, you hide with them. This continues until there is one poor soul still searching and noticing that everyone else is gone. Oh, did I mention that the game is played in complete darkness? It is called sardines because the hiding spot gets pretty crammed as more and more individuals attempt to hide there. I returned back home around 1:00.
On Sunday, I was scheduled to speak to the college ministry at Lakewood. I got there on time and with no drama. I delivered my short, but poignant devotional, did some meet-N-greet with some people that I rarely get to see, and then had to get out of there. I changed into my basketball band uniform while driving (very briskly) down 129 to Athens. I made it to Stegeman to catch the bus to the Russell Athletic College Shoot-Out at the Gwinnett Center Arena in Duluth. The Lady Dawgs blew out the University of Miami (AKA “The U” for a bunch of tools on ESPN). The day was fun and I enjoyed the company immensely and even had a brief moment with Mr. K-ck. Maybe I should get off his back a little bit, he is still learning after all and he is very cool to talk to. I really do enjoy the people in RedCo@ts, but the people have never been an issue.
Today, I have been kinda lazy. I slept in, and then played Ultimate at SECP. It was very enjoyable. If I keep this up, I might get back into decent shape after all.
Tomorrow promises to be a LONG day as I will leave Studio 48 around 9:30 AM and not return until around Midnight. Wow, if I make it through this semester in one piece, I will have some amazing character built up.
I feel like I spent the majority of this weekend on the road and that is because, well, I did. I went home Friday to watch my brother play basketball. Unless something strange happens, that will be the last game that I ever see him play because of my busy schedule, so I felt obliged to make the trip. He played a few minutes and the team looked sharp and upset cross-town (and by town, I mean village) foe Flowery Branch. They are 4-1 in region and tied for the lead.
On Saturday, I got to see my good friend Steven. He goes to school in Virginia, so we rarely get to hang out outside of some lake days during the summer when he is back in Georgia. This trip was different because he brought a girl with him. For those of you who don’t know him, dating the same girl to the point that he feels comfortable introducing her to his family is quite a mature step. We have both been accused of kinda... “dating-around” in the past (that’s a play on “sleeping-around” for those of you who didn’t catch that. But I don’t sleep-around, so I was a date-slut of sorts in the past). Heck, I guess the past is truly coming to an end, whatever that means. Her family is from Texas and her brother wants to attend the Univer$ity of Georg!a as soon as he graduates high school, so I brought her down here to show her around a little bit. It was the coldest it has been in quite sometime, so the majority of our tour was done inside of while driving. She is a music major so I took them out to East Campus to show her ‘The Hugh’. She was very impressed with the facilities. I think the size of the campus overwhelmed her. All-in-all, it was a good trip I could not be more excited for my friend. She is awesome and a great compliment for him. Upon returning to Gaines-Vegas, we decided to go to a local establishment and enjoy each others company and some good food. Afterwards, we went to Lakewood and (this may sound childish and immature) played Sardines. For those of you who don’t know, the game of Sardines is the inverse of hide-N-seek. One person hides and everyone else searches, only when you find the person that is hiding, you hide with them. This continues until there is one poor soul still searching and noticing that everyone else is gone. Oh, did I mention that the game is played in complete darkness? It is called sardines because the hiding spot gets pretty crammed as more and more individuals attempt to hide there. I returned back home around 1:00.
On Sunday, I was scheduled to speak to the college ministry at Lakewood. I got there on time and with no drama. I delivered my short, but poignant devotional, did some meet-N-greet with some people that I rarely get to see, and then had to get out of there. I changed into my basketball band uniform while driving (very briskly) down 129 to Athens. I made it to Stegeman to catch the bus to the Russell Athletic College Shoot-Out at the Gwinnett Center Arena in Duluth. The Lady Dawgs blew out the University of Miami (AKA “The U” for a bunch of tools on ESPN). The day was fun and I enjoyed the company immensely and even had a brief moment with Mr. K-ck. Maybe I should get off his back a little bit, he is still learning after all and he is very cool to talk to. I really do enjoy the people in RedCo@ts, but the people have never been an issue.
Today, I have been kinda lazy. I slept in, and then played Ultimate at SECP. It was very enjoyable. If I keep this up, I might get back into decent shape after all.
Tomorrow promises to be a LONG day as I will leave Studio 48 around 9:30 AM and not return until around Midnight. Wow, if I make it through this semester in one piece, I will have some amazing character built up.
Friday, January 13
One Week Down!
GAINES-VEGAS -- One week down! It was perhaps the hardest, busiest, most difficult, most stressful first week of a semester that I have ever had and that includes four years of high school and my three years here at THE University of Georgia. I will say this: It started decent, went down the crapper to a state in which I assumed that I was doomed to suffer harshly for an entire semester and that it may cost me my very life, and then made a steep return over Thursday and Friday. Thanks to April Longsinger, who is my new best friend in the Speech Comm. Dept., I got the class that I spoke of earlier and, in the process, soundly defeated OASIS and the filthy nerds who created it for, at least, one more semester. In the immortal words of Leonard Pope, “I is on track of graduating”. Thank you Jesus that Mr. Pope is turning pro early and will never possess a diploma with both his name and that of THE University of Georgia on it. The value of my future degree still holds some weight.
As I read the AJC and took ten minutes to chill out this morning on the second floor of the SLC, a few individuals stopped by to chat and hang out briefly. I respect these people and enjoyed their company a great deal. To be honest, their visit was all it took to make today a good day. I hope that our path’s cross again at around 10:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! ;-)
I am at home tonight to watch the region-leading West Hall Spartans (my alma mater) play basketball against Flowery Branch. I rarely ever take the opportunity to come back and see them play, but decided that I would be a good brother and support Ryan as he continues to battle back from the broken leg. I’m not sure how much he will play because he is still considerably slow and the plate in his leg causes significant swelling if he runs on it too many minutes at a time. No matter his minutes it will be cool to see another Phillips donning the navy and silver. Plus I hope we pull out a win.
I’m taking a mini-road trip tomorrow with Kevo, Stevo and his new lady-friend. I’m looking forward to meeting her because he has alluded that he “really likes her” and (those of you that know Steve know that) those are serious words from Steven Pett-it. Stevo’s tract record with women is even more sporadic than mine. We once had a contest to see who could date a girl the longest. It’s not that we were being shallow, but that we both wanted to “settle down” a little bit and be a little less picky when it comes to women. I know, I know… keeping scores or records when it comes to women and relationships is wrong. So, needless to say, I’m looking forward to meeting this girl and judging her as harshly as I possibly can (just kidding, but not really). I would expect Kevin and Steven to do the samefor me if I ever find a girl that I “really like”. What are friends for?
I’m speaking at Lakewood this Sunday for the first time in a year and a half. This time, it is not in front of high school students (who thought I knew what I was talking about just because I was in college), but in front of my fellow college students. I never get nervous when speaking in front of groups (since that is what I want to do with my life), but I’m definitely a little more urgent and purposeful in my preparation for this particular engagement. I’m speaking on “Waiting Faithfully on God and His Will”. I’m using the story of Moses and how he became impatient with God as the he and the Israelites wondered through the Sinai Desert for forty years and some scripture from the first chapter of James. Maybe I’ll teach myself a lesson as I strive to get it across to everyone else.
Ok, well, that should about do it for today. I won’t write another entry until I return to the Classic City on Monday afternoon. Have a great MLK Day everybody!
As I read the AJC and took ten minutes to chill out this morning on the second floor of the SLC, a few individuals stopped by to chat and hang out briefly. I respect these people and enjoyed their company a great deal. To be honest, their visit was all it took to make today a good day. I hope that our path’s cross again at around 10:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! ;-)
I am at home tonight to watch the region-leading West Hall Spartans (my alma mater) play basketball against Flowery Branch. I rarely ever take the opportunity to come back and see them play, but decided that I would be a good brother and support Ryan as he continues to battle back from the broken leg. I’m not sure how much he will play because he is still considerably slow and the plate in his leg causes significant swelling if he runs on it too many minutes at a time. No matter his minutes it will be cool to see another Phillips donning the navy and silver. Plus I hope we pull out a win.
I’m taking a mini-road trip tomorrow with Kevo, Stevo and his new lady-friend. I’m looking forward to meeting her because he has alluded that he “really likes her” and (those of you that know Steve know that) those are serious words from Steven Pett-it. Stevo’s tract record with women is even more sporadic than mine. We once had a contest to see who could date a girl the longest. It’s not that we were being shallow, but that we both wanted to “settle down” a little bit and be a little less picky when it comes to women. I know, I know… keeping scores or records when it comes to women and relationships is wrong. So, needless to say, I’m looking forward to meeting this girl and judging her as harshly as I possibly can (just kidding, but not really). I would expect Kevin and Steven to do the samefor me if I ever find a girl that I “really like”. What are friends for?
I’m speaking at Lakewood this Sunday for the first time in a year and a half. This time, it is not in front of high school students (who thought I knew what I was talking about just because I was in college), but in front of my fellow college students. I never get nervous when speaking in front of groups (since that is what I want to do with my life), but I’m definitely a little more urgent and purposeful in my preparation for this particular engagement. I’m speaking on “Waiting Faithfully on God and His Will”. I’m using the story of Moses and how he became impatient with God as the he and the Israelites wondered through the Sinai Desert for forty years and some scripture from the first chapter of James. Maybe I’ll teach myself a lesson as I strive to get it across to everyone else.
Ok, well, that should about do it for today. I won’t write another entry until I return to the Classic City on Monday afternoon. Have a great MLK Day everybody!
Thursday, January 12
OMG!
FORT SUMNER, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- A mouse got its revenge against a homeowner who tried to dispose of it in a pile of burning leaves. The blazing creature ran back to the man's house and set it on fire. Luciano Mares, 81, of Fort Sumner said he caught the mouse inside his house and wanted to get rid of it. "I had some leaves burning outside, so I threw it in the fire, and the mouse was on fire and ran back at the house," Mares said from a motel room Saturday. Village Fire Chief Juan Chavez said the burning mouse ran to just beneath a window, and the flames spread up from there and throughout the house. No one was hurt inside, but the home and everything in it was destroyed. Unseasonably dry and windy conditions have charred more than 53,000 acres and destroyed 10 homes in southeastern New Mexico in recent weeks. "I've seen numerous house fires," village Fire Department Capt. Jim Lyssy said, "but nothing as unique as this one."
Wednesday, January 11
What is the philosophy of philosophy?
STUDIO 48 -- I have decided, after reading 45 pages from my Philosophy 2200 (Ethics) “text book”, that the entire field of Philosophy is a bunch of over-educated losers who possess the intolerable skill of writing down hundreds of pages worth of useless mumbo-jumbo and then getting suckers like me to purchase said mumbo for $50. The University system in America is flawed on so many levels and the fact that we recognize Philosophy as a legitimate class and major should be at the top of the list. (editor’s note: I apologize to all philosophy majors as well as general aficionados of the field of philosophy for my comments in this Blog)
More to come on this for sure as the semester advances......
More to come on this for sure as the semester advances......
Howard Dean, OASIS, Fat-A, Eva Longoria, and All You Need is Love (yeah random!)
SLC – I don’t care how crappy my day/week/life is going, when I listen to that clip of Howard Dean screaming after the Iowa Caucuses before the 2004 election, it just makes me smile. I mean, if I was a speech writer for Howard Dean and I was standing beside the stage when he delivered that calm, poignant, reserved speech after finishing THIRD in Iowa, I would have turned quietly and left the campaign to quickly update my resume and hopefully get on board with a candidate with less of a loose fuse.
I got another set back in OASIS-gate ’06 today. It appears that I am, in fact, going to be unable to get this class that I really needed. I’m going to take this in stride and blame myself (along with OASIS & the Speech Communication Dept.) for not knowing the rules and for being one hour short of what I needed to get to register for the coarse early. Lesson learned. Next time I’ll be smarter, wiser, and really pissed so I’ll work harder.
I got this fancy digital scale for Christmas. It has ‘Sharper Image’ written all over it. It tells you your weight, body fat %, hydration, and will calculate your BMI. Santa brought it to me and it has been a fun way to make friends and family feel awkward. My mother forced everyone to leave the room while she stood on it. I’m not sure what it said, but she promptly went outside to smoke a cigarette and then returned to declare that she was on a diet. News of the diet hit my dad and brothers hard as they now have to eat that diet crap too. They were not as pleased as I was with my new gift. Luckily, I’m back in Athens and can enjoy the true college way which includes eating crappy food while remaining inactive and exploiting my above average metabolism. For the Record, let me say that I am a (soon-to-be) 21 year old male, am 6’ 0” tall, weigh 169 lbs, my body fat is 12.2%, my body hydration is “normal-to-high” and my BMI is within the “very athletic” range. Thank you Sharper Image for making me feel better about myself.
Upon my return to Studio 48 after the break, all of my room mates and Renee voluntarily took a turn on the “magic” scale. I’m not sure how to say this, but apparently (and by “apparently”, I actually mean according to one particular room mate) being in the average category is no longer a good thing as one room mate took his readings, saw that they were in the “normal” range and then declared that he was a “Fat A”. Two of the Studio 48 boys (including myself) had a 13 or below body fat % and were considered to be “very athletic” by the scale. Nothing like a digital scale to completely bash your self image or make you feel great again. (Editor’s note: let it be duly noted that I didn’t reveal the identities of anyone’s actual weight, body fat % or BMI other than myself in this Blog entry. Also, it is completely ok to be in the “normal” category. That’s what makes it normal. Normality does not = Fat A.)
I’m taking Interpersonal Communication (SPCM 1500) this semester. It seemed like a step back, but I will end up needing it to graduate, so I humbled myself and did it. I’m up early on M/W/F with a bunch of freshmen taking this entry level coarse. I wasn’t looking forward to it until the professor walked in on the first day. I’m not saying that I fully intend to end up with anyone other than a local girl, but there is something really attractive about a foreign female. This instructor, who is a doctoral candidate (and only 23 years old), is nothing short of fine. She is of the same Latino flavor as Salma Hayek or Eva Longoria. Me Gusta! Needless to say, I will not have a problem with the attendance policy in this particular class.
I have received three emails regarding my previous Blog inquiring as to “how are you doing today” and “are you doing alright”. Let me take this opportunity to tell you all (Apparently I have more than two readers) that I will be ok and pull through this ‘slump’. I guess I’m just going through an emotional low, but all will be ok in time. I can’t tell you guys how appreciative, or flattered I was at the responses. It really helped make a dreadful day into, well, still a dreadful day, but on a lesser scale.
More later...
I got another set back in OASIS-gate ’06 today. It appears that I am, in fact, going to be unable to get this class that I really needed. I’m going to take this in stride and blame myself (along with OASIS & the Speech Communication Dept.) for not knowing the rules and for being one hour short of what I needed to get to register for the coarse early. Lesson learned. Next time I’ll be smarter, wiser, and really pissed so I’ll work harder.
I got this fancy digital scale for Christmas. It has ‘Sharper Image’ written all over it. It tells you your weight, body fat %, hydration, and will calculate your BMI. Santa brought it to me and it has been a fun way to make friends and family feel awkward. My mother forced everyone to leave the room while she stood on it. I’m not sure what it said, but she promptly went outside to smoke a cigarette and then returned to declare that she was on a diet. News of the diet hit my dad and brothers hard as they now have to eat that diet crap too. They were not as pleased as I was with my new gift. Luckily, I’m back in Athens and can enjoy the true college way which includes eating crappy food while remaining inactive and exploiting my above average metabolism. For the Record, let me say that I am a (soon-to-be) 21 year old male, am 6’ 0” tall, weigh 169 lbs, my body fat is 12.2%, my body hydration is “normal-to-high” and my BMI is within the “very athletic” range. Thank you Sharper Image for making me feel better about myself.
Upon my return to Studio 48 after the break, all of my room mates and Renee voluntarily took a turn on the “magic” scale. I’m not sure how to say this, but apparently (and by “apparently”, I actually mean according to one particular room mate) being in the average category is no longer a good thing as one room mate took his readings, saw that they were in the “normal” range and then declared that he was a “Fat A”. Two of the Studio 48 boys (including myself) had a 13 or below body fat % and were considered to be “very athletic” by the scale. Nothing like a digital scale to completely bash your self image or make you feel great again. (Editor’s note: let it be duly noted that I didn’t reveal the identities of anyone’s actual weight, body fat % or BMI other than myself in this Blog entry. Also, it is completely ok to be in the “normal” category. That’s what makes it normal. Normality does not = Fat A.)
I’m taking Interpersonal Communication (SPCM 1500) this semester. It seemed like a step back, but I will end up needing it to graduate, so I humbled myself and did it. I’m up early on M/W/F with a bunch of freshmen taking this entry level coarse. I wasn’t looking forward to it until the professor walked in on the first day. I’m not saying that I fully intend to end up with anyone other than a local girl, but there is something really attractive about a foreign female. This instructor, who is a doctoral candidate (and only 23 years old), is nothing short of fine. She is of the same Latino flavor as Salma Hayek or Eva Longoria. Me Gusta! Needless to say, I will not have a problem with the attendance policy in this particular class.
I have received three emails regarding my previous Blog inquiring as to “how are you doing today” and “are you doing alright”. Let me take this opportunity to tell you all (Apparently I have more than two readers) that I will be ok and pull through this ‘slump’. I guess I’m just going through an emotional low, but all will be ok in time. I can’t tell you guys how appreciative, or flattered I was at the responses. It really helped make a dreadful day into, well, still a dreadful day, but on a lesser scale.
More later...
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