Today was a much better day than yesterday. After an ECG and a blood draw this morning, there was nothing else scheduled. We had the day to ourselves, and it was much better than running back and forth to the lab. I got some reading done, wrote my column for The Newsletter, watched some TV, and just finished watching the debates. Adding to the freedom of the day was the fact that dinner consisted of chicken tenders and french fries. You all know that I usually don't ask for any more in a meal than that, so I was happy.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 2
Today was one of the two most invasive days of the study, the final day being the other. Basically, they had to establish baseline data today, which meant like 5 ECGs during the day, and about 8 blood draws. The amount of blood taken is a vial about the size of a pen cap, but taking one every few hours adds up to a lot of sticking. I have no love of needles, but no great fear of them. It's more annoying than anything else. But, after today we only give a blood sample once a day.
Otherwise, things here aren't too bad. The food is at East Quad level or higher, so I won't starve. But, we only get so much and have no other sources of food, so hopefully I can lose a few pounds without the temptation of snacking. The staff brought back movie rentals we had requested, so I'm going to watch Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, Jersey Girl, and The Punisher because I didn't have to pay for them. I'm still plugging away at The 9-11 Commission Report, and I started outlining the next issue of FreshMan this afternoon.
Other than that, I've still got 13 days to find the cheese at the other end of the maze.
Otherwise, things here aren't too bad. The food is at East Quad level or higher, so I won't starve. But, we only get so much and have no other sources of food, so hopefully I can lose a few pounds without the temptation of snacking. The staff brought back movie rentals we had requested, so I'm going to watch Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, Jersey Girl, and The Punisher because I didn't have to pay for them. I'm still plugging away at The 9-11 Commission Report, and I started outlining the next issue of FreshMan this afternoon.
Other than that, I've still got 13 days to find the cheese at the other end of the maze.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
My Life as a Lab Rat - Day 1
I checked into the Jasper Clinic for my study in K-Zoo today. I guess that makes it sound like some sort of Betty Ford detox... it's not. After collecting a sample from me, I got some lunch - just a turkey sandwich, fruit cup, and cookies, but it did the job. I spent the afternoon getting situated, and as you can tell I made sure that wireless access worked. Haven't really talked with the other lab rats much... it seems like most of them have done one of these before and I'm the youngest one here.
So far nothing unexpected or unusual that makes me want to run screaming. Really, it's like a combination of summer camp and the first few days in the dorm. We've got uniforms (scrubs), a community bathroom, and institutionalized food that is nothing special, but for the most part OK. The apple pie with dinner was actually really good... though not quite as good as East Quad's apple crisp.
I think I brought enough to keep me busy. So far all I've done today is use my computer. I brought half a dozen books with me, my Gameboy and a few games, and they have TVs with cable, VCRs and DVD players. They have a small video library, and it sounds like they can rent movies for us if we ask.
So, it seems like it won't be too much to go through in order to make $2500. We'll just have to see if I feel the same way on day 7.
So far nothing unexpected or unusual that makes me want to run screaming. Really, it's like a combination of summer camp and the first few days in the dorm. We've got uniforms (scrubs), a community bathroom, and institutionalized food that is nothing special, but for the most part OK. The apple pie with dinner was actually really good... though not quite as good as East Quad's apple crisp.
I think I brought enough to keep me busy. So far all I've done today is use my computer. I brought half a dozen books with me, my Gameboy and a few games, and they have TVs with cable, VCRs and DVD players. They have a small video library, and it sounds like they can rent movies for us if we ask.
So, it seems like it won't be too much to go through in order to make $2500. We'll just have to see if I feel the same way on day 7.
Requested Short Story
This was a short story I wrote for The Newsletter this summer. I tried to send it to Malis over IM, but it wouldn't work. So, he suggested I post it here. For those who have not read it in The Newsletter, I hope you enjoy.
~ Brad
“Thinkin’ and Drinkin’”
Neil Beckman stared absentmindedly into his beer, vaguely hearing the conversations around him. Seated net to him at their table was his friend Rob, immersing those around him in one of his stories from their undergraduate glory days.
“So then we hear the cops coming into the house, and me and Neil jump under the bed of this chick we barely even know, trying to hide from ‘em. Just then, the chick stumbles in with her boyfriend, and they start going at it on the bed above us, not realizing we’re there! You remember that, Neil?” Rob said as he nudged him with his elbow.
“Huh?” Neil replied, as if awoken from a trance.
“You remember that party sophomore year when we hid under that chick’s bed?”
“Oh yeah… great idea, dumbass.”
“Hey, shut up, you weren’t even paying attention.”
“Yeah, sorry. I was thinking ‘bout something,” Neil responded.
“Well less thinkin’, more drinkin’,” Rob replied, more like an order than a suggestion.
Neil couldn’t think of a reason to challenge Rob on it, so he chugged down a good third of the beer in his glass. As he set the glass back down on its coaster, his eyes met those of a girl seated a few tables away. Her eyes were a very pale blue, almost stormy grey, yet bright and piercing at the same time. She had that kind of cuteness about her that Neil always fell for, and she seemed to be equally distracted from her party as Neil was from his…
…when the sudden chirp of his cell phone made Neil jump as he realized he had been staring at the girl. He quickly regained his composure as he dug the phone out of his pocket, knowing that since most of his friends were seated at the table around him only one person could be calling him. He held the phone out in front of him, confirming that “Jen” flashed on the display screen before answering the call, her third of the evening.
“Hello? What… yeah, I’m at the bar… hold on, WHAT? I can barely hear you,” Neil all but screamed into the phone as he held a finger in his other ear in an attempt to drown out the ambient noise around him. “I’m gonna have to call you back in just a minute, OK? No, just let me get outside so I can hear you. Alright, bye for a sec,” Neil said in a frustrated tone apparent to those seated around him.
“Trouble with the little lady?” Rob poked at Neil, hoping to rile him a bit.
“Yeah, Idunno. We were arguing about something when I left to come here, so I don’t know,” Neil answered, not sure if he was even fooling himself. “I gotta go call her back,” Neil sighed as he made his way towards the bar’s back exit. Unconsciously, Neil directed his attention to the table where the cute girl had been sitting, only to find it empty.
“Poor bastard,” Rob offered to no one in particular as he took down the rest of his drink.
Neil tugged on the other sleeve of his coat as he stepped outside into the parking lot, angling himself towards the building in an attempt to put his back to the wind. He wasn’t sure which he was steeling himself against more, the wind or the voice on the other end of the line as he dialed Jen’s number. “Hey. Yes, I’m still at the bar, it’s only 11:30. I don’t know, probably about another hour or so. Well the bar closes at 2, so definitely before then. Yeah, I know we’ve got that thing tomorrow, don’t worry. No, I won’t forget to pick it up on my way home, that’s why they’re open 24-7. OK, I’ll be home in a bit. Love you too,” Neil said with a faint sound of defeat in his voice.
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind Neil, catching him a bit off guard. It was the unknown girl from across the bar, and Neil was the only other person outside. “Um, hi. Do you know anything about cars?” she asked, looking a little sheepish both because of her request and because she had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Jen. “I think I need a jump-start.”
Neil stared at her, slightly dumfounded, before he remembered to answer her question. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think I’ve got some cables in my car. Let me go pull it around next to yours,” Neil replied. He realized he was still holding onto his cell phone, and with a wry, private smile, turned it off as he put in back in his pocket and fished for his keys.
~ Brad
“Thinkin’ and Drinkin’”
Neil Beckman stared absentmindedly into his beer, vaguely hearing the conversations around him. Seated net to him at their table was his friend Rob, immersing those around him in one of his stories from their undergraduate glory days.
“So then we hear the cops coming into the house, and me and Neil jump under the bed of this chick we barely even know, trying to hide from ‘em. Just then, the chick stumbles in with her boyfriend, and they start going at it on the bed above us, not realizing we’re there! You remember that, Neil?” Rob said as he nudged him with his elbow.
“Huh?” Neil replied, as if awoken from a trance.
“You remember that party sophomore year when we hid under that chick’s bed?”
“Oh yeah… great idea, dumbass.”
“Hey, shut up, you weren’t even paying attention.”
“Yeah, sorry. I was thinking ‘bout something,” Neil responded.
“Well less thinkin’, more drinkin’,” Rob replied, more like an order than a suggestion.
Neil couldn’t think of a reason to challenge Rob on it, so he chugged down a good third of the beer in his glass. As he set the glass back down on its coaster, his eyes met those of a girl seated a few tables away. Her eyes were a very pale blue, almost stormy grey, yet bright and piercing at the same time. She had that kind of cuteness about her that Neil always fell for, and she seemed to be equally distracted from her party as Neil was from his…
…when the sudden chirp of his cell phone made Neil jump as he realized he had been staring at the girl. He quickly regained his composure as he dug the phone out of his pocket, knowing that since most of his friends were seated at the table around him only one person could be calling him. He held the phone out in front of him, confirming that “Jen” flashed on the display screen before answering the call, her third of the evening.
“Hello? What… yeah, I’m at the bar… hold on, WHAT? I can barely hear you,” Neil all but screamed into the phone as he held a finger in his other ear in an attempt to drown out the ambient noise around him. “I’m gonna have to call you back in just a minute, OK? No, just let me get outside so I can hear you. Alright, bye for a sec,” Neil said in a frustrated tone apparent to those seated around him.
“Trouble with the little lady?” Rob poked at Neil, hoping to rile him a bit.
“Yeah, Idunno. We were arguing about something when I left to come here, so I don’t know,” Neil answered, not sure if he was even fooling himself. “I gotta go call her back,” Neil sighed as he made his way towards the bar’s back exit. Unconsciously, Neil directed his attention to the table where the cute girl had been sitting, only to find it empty.
“Poor bastard,” Rob offered to no one in particular as he took down the rest of his drink.
Neil tugged on the other sleeve of his coat as he stepped outside into the parking lot, angling himself towards the building in an attempt to put his back to the wind. He wasn’t sure which he was steeling himself against more, the wind or the voice on the other end of the line as he dialed Jen’s number. “Hey. Yes, I’m still at the bar, it’s only 11:30. I don’t know, probably about another hour or so. Well the bar closes at 2, so definitely before then. Yeah, I know we’ve got that thing tomorrow, don’t worry. No, I won’t forget to pick it up on my way home, that’s why they’re open 24-7. OK, I’ll be home in a bit. Love you too,” Neil said with a faint sound of defeat in his voice.
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind Neil, catching him a bit off guard. It was the unknown girl from across the bar, and Neil was the only other person outside. “Um, hi. Do you know anything about cars?” she asked, looking a little sheepish both because of her request and because she had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Jen. “I think I need a jump-start.”
Neil stared at her, slightly dumfounded, before he remembered to answer her question. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think I’ve got some cables in my car. Let me go pull it around next to yours,” Neil replied. He realized he was still holding onto his cell phone, and with a wry, private smile, turned it off as he put in back in his pocket and fished for his keys.
Man I love Star Wars
This post is a few days old since I got my new Star Wars trilogy DVDs on Friday. I watched the bonus disc Friday, A New Hope on Saturday, Empire Strikes Back on Sunday, and Return of the Jedi yesterday. I don't think I had watched the original movies in years, since all the attention has been on the prequels since 1999. I like the prequels, I like the story they're telling, but it's a very different type of story. But I grew up on the originals, wearing out my Betamax player, pirating them off of TV, and then finally owning the THX versions in the early '90s. There was a period of time that my brother watched one every day after school for months.
I can't imagine what it's like to be one of those people who's never seen Star Wars. I could almost, maybe, barely understand someone who hadn't seen Episodes I and II (freak), but the original trilogy is part of our cultural heritage. May the Force be with us.
I can't imagine what it's like to be one of those people who's never seen Star Wars. I could almost, maybe, barely understand someone who hadn't seen Episodes I and II (freak), but the original trilogy is part of our cultural heritage. May the Force be with us.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Hail to the Victors!
Final Score -
Michigan: 30
Iowa: 17
Iowa fell apart in the 4th quarter, and we played like a Michigan team is supposed to. After losing to Iowa the last two years, vengeance is ours. I was glad to see Tate repeatedly sacked and eventually scared off the field. With all the talk about the 3 Michigan receivers, I think Avant has not been given the credit he deserves. Edwards does make some good catches, but he also makes some huge mistakes. I can't quote his record, but at least in my memory Jason Avant seems to be much more reliable because he's not trying to be flashy like Edwards.
Either way, Go Blue!
Michigan: 30
Iowa: 17
Iowa fell apart in the 4th quarter, and we played like a Michigan team is supposed to. After losing to Iowa the last two years, vengeance is ours. I was glad to see Tate repeatedly sacked and eventually scared off the field. With all the talk about the 3 Michigan receivers, I think Avant has not been given the credit he deserves. Edwards does make some good catches, but he also makes some huge mistakes. I can't quote his record, but at least in my memory Jason Avant seems to be much more reliable because he's not trying to be flashy like Edwards.
Either way, Go Blue!
Well, I guess halftime is not enough time to run to winds for dinner. I'm back here at the beginning of the 4th, and it appears that Iowa scored a field goal and were answered by a Michigan touchdown.
According to the announcer, that was Iowa's fourth turnover, and now we've got the ball again. Lloyd, I know it's the 4th quarter, I know we're ahead, but don't get lazy now.
According to the announcer, that was Iowa's fourth turnover, and now we've got the ball again. Lloyd, I know it's the 4th quarter, I know we're ahead, but don't get lazy now.
Running Football Commentary
Way to give up a touchdown on the Hawkeye's first drive guys. Come on defense, this isn't flag football! Sack Tate, dammit!
Should it stay or should it go?
I got a haircut a few weeks ago, and I'm not really sure how keen I am on my current floppy parted hairstyle. I balked at Wilson a month ago when he suggested I buzz it in Wilsonian fashion. But in the last week or so, I've been thinking about trying something radical, and wondered if I could pull off the buzz-job. Malis did it once, Wilson does it all the time, and it seems that a lot of the male teachers I see at Holland do the same.
So, I am eliciting responses from you, the blog-viewing public. I'm not holding this to a binding vote, but just gauging if this is a horrible idea or something others might think is worth a try.
Hey, it can always grow back.
So, I am eliciting responses from you, the blog-viewing public. I'm not holding this to a binding vote, but just gauging if this is a horrible idea or something others might think is worth a try.
Hey, it can always grow back.
Friday, September 24, 2004
I Can Scare Children!
Both this week and last week, I subbed about every other day for the Holland school district. Of these days, I only subbed at the high school once. Every other day, I've been at the middle schools. I have never wanted to do middle school, so I wasn't too thrilled with this at first. But as I've gone back a few times, I think I've been getting better at it.
I can put the fear of God into these kids. I raise my voice just a bit to get their attention, and they cower. What I really don't like about subbing is that it's all the parts of teaching I don't like. Instead of getting to know the kids and see them develop intellectually and personally, I spend all my time with classroom management and paperwork. But, I think I've come to terms with that, and try to have as much fun with each new class everyday. And if I have a crappy class one day, I can take a day off to regroup before taking another assignment.
And, most importantly, I'm getting paid.
I can put the fear of God into these kids. I raise my voice just a bit to get their attention, and they cower. What I really don't like about subbing is that it's all the parts of teaching I don't like. Instead of getting to know the kids and see them develop intellectually and personally, I spend all my time with classroom management and paperwork. But, I think I've come to terms with that, and try to have as much fun with each new class everyday. And if I have a crappy class one day, I can take a day off to regroup before taking another assignment.
And, most importantly, I'm getting paid.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
My New Toy
This is my inaugural post on blogger using my new laptop. After years of wanting one, and months of actually planning to buy one, I have succeeded. Between the combination of a sale price, 0% financing for a year, and the fact that I've actually been working in the last two weeks, I bit the bullet and did it. All of you computer geeks out there who may feel the need to critique my purchase, BACK OFF. I did not just stroll into Circuit City and buy the first thing I saw. I compared Dells, HPs, Gateways, Sony Vaios, Toshibas, and IBM thinkpads to this model before I decided. I also maintained my deep and abiding hatred of Macs and Powerbooks by not even considering them.
I am loving my new computer. I spent yesterday evening getting rid of the crappy Microsoft Works package and other assorted programs that it came with, and installed Microsoft Office 2003 and a virus program that wouldn't expire in 90 days. I spent this evening transferring files from my desktop over the network while watching BBC and ABC News. Now, I'm typing this while watching Tiny Toon Adventures. In case you're wondering, it's the one where Babs seeks out Honey, the black and white female cartoon mentor she's been searching for. As a side note, it's really interesting to see Bosco and Honey as predecessors of Yakko, Wakko, and Dot.
So now I'm going to go back and rewrite my Newsletter column since something screwy happened when I used Dave's computer to e-mail it to Mike.
I am loving my new computer. I spent yesterday evening getting rid of the crappy Microsoft Works package and other assorted programs that it came with, and installed Microsoft Office 2003 and a virus program that wouldn't expire in 90 days. I spent this evening transferring files from my desktop over the network while watching BBC and ABC News. Now, I'm typing this while watching Tiny Toon Adventures. In case you're wondering, it's the one where Babs seeks out Honey, the black and white female cartoon mentor she's been searching for. As a side note, it's really interesting to see Bosco and Honey as predecessors of Yakko, Wakko, and Dot.
So now I'm going to go back and rewrite my Newsletter column since something screwy happened when I used Dave's computer to e-mail it to Mike.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Am I a fair-weather fan, and if so, is that OK?
I was in Ann Arbor this weekend, staying at Dave and Tracey's apartment after Oktoberfest. I was planning to leave early Sunday afternoon, but ended up staying until the end of the Lions' game. Here at the start of the season Detroit is 2-0, and I'm excited for them. I cannot claim to have kept the faith as a Lions fan over the last 9 years I have lived in Michigan, but they have been the only NFL team I have even loosely followed. I catch a few games here and there, we always watch the Thanksgiving game at my Grandparents' house, and so I'd like to be able to follow the team more closely and support them more vocally this season without being branded as a fair-weather fan.
This summer I watched the NBA finals, and cheered for the Pistons over the Lakers. I don't watch basketball at all, but wanted to support the hometown boys and denounce the egos and assholes from Los Angeles. Living at 1213 and having numerous friends obsessed with hockey, I could not resist the pull of the Red Wings in 2002, and have been watching since then (except for this year, apparently... see previous post). I kept a tally of the Tigers' record on my board when I was teaching last spring, but would not consider myself a huge fan of baseball.
No matter how much I may ever get into watching sports, I will never be one to memorize statistics or player profiles. I don't watch the draft, and really I'm just happy that I can understand what's going on on the field most of the game. That's what kind of sports fan I am. I do not own any Lions merchandise, and I don't plan on running out and buying any. I do own a Red Wings hat, but otherwise the only team gear I have is for U of M. All that being said, what's the verdict?
This summer I watched the NBA finals, and cheered for the Pistons over the Lakers. I don't watch basketball at all, but wanted to support the hometown boys and denounce the egos and assholes from Los Angeles. Living at 1213 and having numerous friends obsessed with hockey, I could not resist the pull of the Red Wings in 2002, and have been watching since then (except for this year, apparently... see previous post). I kept a tally of the Tigers' record on my board when I was teaching last spring, but would not consider myself a huge fan of baseball.
No matter how much I may ever get into watching sports, I will never be one to memorize statistics or player profiles. I don't watch the draft, and really I'm just happy that I can understand what's going on on the field most of the game. That's what kind of sports fan I am. I do not own any Lions merchandise, and I don't plan on running out and buying any. I do own a Red Wings hat, but otherwise the only team gear I have is for U of M. All that being said, what's the verdict?
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Breaking the Ice
I should have known it would actually happen. After hearing about it ever since the post-season, the NHL has officially gone on strike. And while I am sad about that, the feeling is overridden by how much I am pissed off at the players for this. "Oh no, I'm only going to be making $1.3 Million instead of $1.8 Million." Yes, I know it's a tragedy. I know how hard it is to make ends meet when you're only pulling in a little over $1 million a year. They won't even entertain a salary cap. Fucking grow up. You're getting paid more than 95% of the population to play a game. What pisses me off about this even more is the timeline of previous players' strikes in other sports listed at the bottom of the article. Most of these assholes who think they deserve more money despite the fact that they're not playing any better are probably taking in twice that much on Gatorade and Nike ads.
Back to the NHL, though, I really would not be disappointed to see half the teams in the NHL eliminated. My rule has always been, if it doesn't snow in your hometown, you don't deserve a hockey team. Carolina Hurricanes my ass. Give Hartford back The Whale... It's a sad truth that the expansion teams were all losing money because Hockey is always going to rank below the NFL, NBA, and MLB in much of the country. But for those of us in the Great White North, cut out the riff raff, bitch slap the greedy whiny players, and drop the puck.
Back to the NHL, though, I really would not be disappointed to see half the teams in the NHL eliminated. My rule has always been, if it doesn't snow in your hometown, you don't deserve a hockey team. Carolina Hurricanes my ass. Give Hartford back The Whale... It's a sad truth that the expansion teams were all losing money because Hockey is always going to rank below the NFL, NBA, and MLB in much of the country. But for those of us in the Great White North, cut out the riff raff, bitch slap the greedy whiny players, and drop the puck.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Hail to the Chief
I got to see President Bush speak in Holland this afternoon. Woot! I had heard about it Saturday night, but figured that hearing about it that late meant there was no chance to be able to attend. But, last night my mom saw on the news that tickets were still available, so I went down to the Holland Republican headquarters and got myself a ticket.
I'm sure the whole event was monitored by a score of federal agents, but security seemed fairly low key. They checked my ID and ticket, I walked through a metal detector, but that was about it. I chose not to pick up a free flag or sign in order to keep my hands free for my camera, and because it would have been annoying trying to carry it back on my bike. But, there were 12,000 other people around me with Bush signs and cardboard Ws, so it was still an impressive show.
I got there about 11:00, and the President was scheduled to come on stage at 2:00. The rally began with a few speeches by a local Iraq veteran, the mayor, assorted state politicians, and some Congressional representatives from surrounding areas. The big musical act was a Country group, which I wasn't thrilled about but which didn't bother me too much. The President actually arrived 40 minutes early, and they played the music from Air Force One as the motorcade pulled up.
I like President Bush, and today made me like him even more. He got off the bus wearing trousers and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He thanked us for our Dutch hospitality, and got into his speech. He didn't have a teleprompter. but spoke for about half an hour about all of his major platform issues. As an audience we'd pause every now and then and yell "4 more years", just cheer and applaud, or yell "Flip-Flop" with hand gestures when he got a jab in at Kerry.
As I left I saw that all 7 Democrats in Holland had turned out to protest. Damn dirty hippies. They had signs that said "Don't Worry - Vote Kerry." Newsflash - "Worry" and "Kerry" don't rhyme, I don't care if Mikhail Moore told you they did. I know it'd be easier to stand for something about Kerry if Kerry stood for anything, but it's too late for you to convince me.
I'm sure the whole event was monitored by a score of federal agents, but security seemed fairly low key. They checked my ID and ticket, I walked through a metal detector, but that was about it. I chose not to pick up a free flag or sign in order to keep my hands free for my camera, and because it would have been annoying trying to carry it back on my bike. But, there were 12,000 other people around me with Bush signs and cardboard Ws, so it was still an impressive show.
I got there about 11:00, and the President was scheduled to come on stage at 2:00. The rally began with a few speeches by a local Iraq veteran, the mayor, assorted state politicians, and some Congressional representatives from surrounding areas. The big musical act was a Country group, which I wasn't thrilled about but which didn't bother me too much. The President actually arrived 40 minutes early, and they played the music from Air Force One as the motorcade pulled up.
I like President Bush, and today made me like him even more. He got off the bus wearing trousers and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He thanked us for our Dutch hospitality, and got into his speech. He didn't have a teleprompter. but spoke for about half an hour about all of his major platform issues. As an audience we'd pause every now and then and yell "4 more years", just cheer and applaud, or yell "Flip-Flop" with hand gestures when he got a jab in at Kerry.
As I left I saw that all 7 Democrats in Holland had turned out to protest. Damn dirty hippies. They had signs that said "Don't Worry - Vote Kerry." Newsflash - "Worry" and "Kerry" don't rhyme, I don't care if Mikhail Moore told you they did. I know it'd be easier to stand for something about Kerry if Kerry stood for anything, but it's too late for you to convince me.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Lions and Spartans and Wolverines... oh my!
Went to East Lansing this weekend to tailgate with my brother and the visiting Malis for MSU's home opener. We didn't have tickets to the game, and I didn't tailgate like a Spartan, but it was a good time nonetheless. Being in my brother's new house on campus, I can't say I felt nostalgic for 1213 at all. One nice thing about living in my parents' house... at least it's clean.
I could really have cared less about the outcome of MSU's game against CMU, I was just killing time until the Michigan game. And wow, did I get my hopes up only to be dashed in the 2nd half on that one. We did not play well by any definition of the word in the 1st half, but it was exponentially better than the 2nd half. While I can't really say that I was excited by Henne's performance, it was a welcome change from Navarre. He was no star, but he did a passable job. I do not blame him for the loss. I blame whoever was making the calls on offense and Braylon Edwards.
I don't claim to be an expert on football by any means. I'm just happy that I can understand what's going on during the game. That being said, I'm pretty sure that it's not a sound game plan to run the ball in the same pattern infinite times without gaining any yards. Maybe that's just me, but I'm pretty sure you can also throw the ball. Well, that is if you have someone who can catch it.
I read some article before the season started about how this year Michigan supposedly has the greatest 3 receivers to have ever lived. Maybe it's the same as the rest of the sports world's inability to see how terrible Navarre was as clearly as those of us in Ann Arbor, but there's no way this kind of hype can stand up against Saturday's performance. I think Breaston and Avant made a few important catches and played fairly well, but Braylon Edwards needs to sit the fuck down. If he was half as good as he thinks he is we'd be ok, but instead old butterfingers is going to spend the entire season mouthing off and costing us games.
In other news, I'm not sure what to do about the Lions. Growing up in St. Louis in the limbo between the Cardinals move to Phoenix and the Ram's move to St. Louis, I never had an NFL team to root for. When I moved to Michigan, the Lions were 4 hours from Holland and not really drawing a huge following. I have never wished ill upon the Lions, and always supported them in spirit as the hometown boys if not in actual following during the season. I want them to keep winning, but I don't want to be a fair-weather fan who jumps on only after a few Ws on the score sheet.
I could really have cared less about the outcome of MSU's game against CMU, I was just killing time until the Michigan game. And wow, did I get my hopes up only to be dashed in the 2nd half on that one. We did not play well by any definition of the word in the 1st half, but it was exponentially better than the 2nd half. While I can't really say that I was excited by Henne's performance, it was a welcome change from Navarre. He was no star, but he did a passable job. I do not blame him for the loss. I blame whoever was making the calls on offense and Braylon Edwards.
I don't claim to be an expert on football by any means. I'm just happy that I can understand what's going on during the game. That being said, I'm pretty sure that it's not a sound game plan to run the ball in the same pattern infinite times without gaining any yards. Maybe that's just me, but I'm pretty sure you can also throw the ball. Well, that is if you have someone who can catch it.
I read some article before the season started about how this year Michigan supposedly has the greatest 3 receivers to have ever lived. Maybe it's the same as the rest of the sports world's inability to see how terrible Navarre was as clearly as those of us in Ann Arbor, but there's no way this kind of hype can stand up against Saturday's performance. I think Breaston and Avant made a few important catches and played fairly well, but Braylon Edwards needs to sit the fuck down. If he was half as good as he thinks he is we'd be ok, but instead old butterfingers is going to spend the entire season mouthing off and costing us games.
In other news, I'm not sure what to do about the Lions. Growing up in St. Louis in the limbo between the Cardinals move to Phoenix and the Ram's move to St. Louis, I never had an NFL team to root for. When I moved to Michigan, the Lions were 4 hours from Holland and not really drawing a huge following. I have never wished ill upon the Lions, and always supported them in spirit as the hometown boys if not in actual following during the season. I want them to keep winning, but I don't want to be a fair-weather fan who jumps on only after a few Ws on the score sheet.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Holy Shit... Animaniacs!!!
For those of you just tuning in, it seems fairly certain that I have no chance at full time employment this fall. To any random new teachers who have jobs and happen upon this blog, you suck and I hate you. I hope your students make you cry, run screaming from the profession, and give me your job. Nonetheless, I am trying to make peace with my surroundings and look at the bright side.
I will admit that living with my parents does have the built in niceties of free room and board, utilities, and free laundry. Though it is often part of some weird temporary diet attempt, I do get free food as well. But perhaps the greatest luxury I have access to is digital cable on my dad's 54" TV with surround sound. While flipping through channels waiting for Adult Swim, I found one of the long thought lost treasures of television animation.
Animaniacs.
Channel 104 is the Nickelodeon cartoons (Nicktoons) channel, and apparently they have the rights to Animaniacs. I had heard rumours of it being played on the regular Nickelodeon at like 3 AM years ago, but had never found it. And so now, in my exile, I have found another brief avenue of animated escapism. Upon further examination of the programming lineup, I also discovered that Animaniacs is preceded by Tiny Toons, and followed by Pinky and the Brain.
And so now, weekday evenings at 9:00, I can go to my happy place. Or Acme Acres and the Warner Brothers Studio lot... does your happy place have Hello Nurse? I didn't think so.
I will admit that living with my parents does have the built in niceties of free room and board, utilities, and free laundry. Though it is often part of some weird temporary diet attempt, I do get free food as well. But perhaps the greatest luxury I have access to is digital cable on my dad's 54" TV with surround sound. While flipping through channels waiting for Adult Swim, I found one of the long thought lost treasures of television animation.
Animaniacs.
Channel 104 is the Nickelodeon cartoons (Nicktoons) channel, and apparently they have the rights to Animaniacs. I had heard rumours of it being played on the regular Nickelodeon at like 3 AM years ago, but had never found it. And so now, in my exile, I have found another brief avenue of animated escapism. Upon further examination of the programming lineup, I also discovered that Animaniacs is preceded by Tiny Toons, and followed by Pinky and the Brain.
And so now, weekday evenings at 9:00, I can go to my happy place. Or Acme Acres and the Warner Brothers Studio lot... does your happy place have Hello Nurse? I didn't think so.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
This is not a good start...
Went to a boring-ass pointless Substitute Teacher Orientation for 4 hours this morning. Yes, it means that should I conceivably get a subbing job (ever) I will get an extra $10 a day for having sat through this bullshit. And yet, the fact that I have been thrice certified as a teacher by the State of Michigan does not entitle me to more money and/or acknowledgement than other subs who have met the bare minimum of 90 college credits. So, there is a good possibility that after 4 1/2 years at the University of Michigan, I can lose out on jobs to community college drop-outs.
I don't mean to disparage those of you who attended community colleges... Lord knows that I don't feel like the exponentially extra cost of U of M really meant that much of a difference in education, but it's the principle of the thing. I don't want to be one of those high-and-mighty "I went to Michigan" pricks that we were all surrounded by in Ann Arbor, but where's all the networking and recognition that's supposed to come with putting up with a bunch of assholes from Long Island for 5 years? We're all told from the cradle to the unemployment line that if you do well in school and go to a good college, you're supposed to have earned a good job.
Well, I'll believe it when I see it.
I don't mean to disparage those of you who attended community colleges... Lord knows that I don't feel like the exponentially extra cost of U of M really meant that much of a difference in education, but it's the principle of the thing. I don't want to be one of those high-and-mighty "I went to Michigan" pricks that we were all surrounded by in Ann Arbor, but where's all the networking and recognition that's supposed to come with putting up with a bunch of assholes from Long Island for 5 years? We're all told from the cradle to the unemployment line that if you do well in school and go to a good college, you're supposed to have earned a good job.
Well, I'll believe it when I see it.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Back home and bored
The trip to Chicago did not go as planned on the previous post, but it was a good time nonetheless. We didn't do all the things we had originally intended, but that's fine with me. I often feel like I should be going out and doing more exciting and adventurous things, but when it's just me and friends together goofing off I have just as much fun as any tourist trap or hot new attraction to go to. The scenery may change, but the characters stay the same, and to me that's what counts.
While in Chicago my friend Joe lent me his copy of the 9/11 Commission Report, and I've been unable to put it down since I started just skimming the first chapter. Maybe it's the social studies and history teacher in me, but I finish one chapter and I can't wait to go onto the next. And what this book has also reinforced is how much I really hate all of the liberal media conspiracy bullshit that's been going on for years. All of these half-wits who have taken Michael Moore as their patron saint need to stop being liberal just because it's the latest fad and start thinking for themselves.
I feel a big political rant coming, but I don't think I'll get into it tonight. As we draw closer to the election, I'm sure there will come a breaking point which will result in said rant.
While in Chicago my friend Joe lent me his copy of the 9/11 Commission Report, and I've been unable to put it down since I started just skimming the first chapter. Maybe it's the social studies and history teacher in me, but I finish one chapter and I can't wait to go onto the next. And what this book has also reinforced is how much I really hate all of the liberal media conspiracy bullshit that's been going on for years. All of these half-wits who have taken Michael Moore as their patron saint need to stop being liberal just because it's the latest fad and start thinking for themselves.
I feel a big political rant coming, but I don't think I'll get into it tonight. As we draw closer to the election, I'm sure there will come a breaking point which will result in said rant.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
By this time tomorrow, I'll be at the bars in Chicago
Going to Chi-Town for the weekend. Tentative schedule sounds like this:
Day1
- Wait for all parties to arrive
- Head to Chinatown for dinner
- Head to nightclub to pick up chicks (place your bets on that one now)
Day 2
- Round of golf
- Lunch at Ditka's
- White Sox Game
- Unknown drinking most likely to follow
Day 3
- Face the wrath of I-290 and I-94 to get back to Holland
Day1
- Wait for all parties to arrive
- Head to Chinatown for dinner
- Head to nightclub to pick up chicks (place your bets on that one now)
Day 2
- Round of golf
- Lunch at Ditka's
- White Sox Game
- Unknown drinking most likely to follow
Day 3
- Face the wrath of I-290 and I-94 to get back to Holland
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
I love the Future(ama)
God bless you Mike Wilson.
You reintroduced me to Futurama, and it's a beautiful thing. Before I get too far into this, let me say that any episode of Futurama is better than any episode of Family Guy, no contest. That being said, I just finished watching what may be one of the greatest episodes ever made. "Luck of the Fryrish", which I think even won an Emmy, was on tonight. I'd like to see Seth McFarlane write an episode with as much actual humor and 1/1oth the heart this episode had. Oh wait, there aren't any Simpsons episodes to rip off in order to do that.
Being home without anything to really do until I either actually get a job or start getting sub calls, I can actually watch Adult Swim again. By Adult Swim, I mean half-watching Family Guy until Futurama is on, and then maybe watching Sea Lab 2021.
Well, the last bastion of hope for my fall employment is a school named Belding. Maybe it's a sign that there's a high school named for the principal on Saved By The Bell... They want someone with a degree in Social Studies and at least one other related field, and I have the additional majors of Psychology and History. Hopefully that will finally count for something.
You reintroduced me to Futurama, and it's a beautiful thing. Before I get too far into this, let me say that any episode of Futurama is better than any episode of Family Guy, no contest. That being said, I just finished watching what may be one of the greatest episodes ever made. "Luck of the Fryrish", which I think even won an Emmy, was on tonight. I'd like to see Seth McFarlane write an episode with as much actual humor and 1/1oth the heart this episode had. Oh wait, there aren't any Simpsons episodes to rip off in order to do that.
Being home without anything to really do until I either actually get a job or start getting sub calls, I can actually watch Adult Swim again. By Adult Swim, I mean half-watching Family Guy until Futurama is on, and then maybe watching Sea Lab 2021.
Well, the last bastion of hope for my fall employment is a school named Belding. Maybe it's a sign that there's a high school named for the principal on Saved By The Bell... They want someone with a degree in Social Studies and at least one other related field, and I have the additional majors of Psychology and History. Hopefully that will finally count for something.
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