I was lying on the sofa in my living room watching TV around
About 5 minutes later, I smelled this musty-type smell. I ignored it, but it started getting stronger. I put two-and-two together, and looked at the thermostat on the wall. It was set at about 70 degrees, but the actual temperature read about 60 degrees.
The drop in temperature and the sudden intensifying smell led me to one conclusion: the heater stopped working but the gas continued to run, thus creating a gas leak.
OH SHIT!!!
I went upstairs and woke up my one roommate who was at home. As soon as he stepped out of his room, he complained how bad it stank. I called the gas company and they turned off the gas to the house and told me someone would come out within an hour. I then called the landlord company to see what they could do.
So in the interim, I opened all the windows downstairs (had the door wide open til my roommate reminded me of the skunk that roams the neighborhood--needless to say, the door quickly closed).
The gas guys get here and look at me like I'm stupid and ask what the problem is. I told them what I thought and they went into the laundry room (with the heater) and they looked at the heater. They tell me it needs to be cleaned because it's full of dust and keeps shutting on & off (funny...this is the same problem we had multiple time last year--and the landlord decided to do minimal cleaning instead of the full cleaning the HVAC company recommended). And they said they didn't smell gas at all.
Now, the odor is still very pungent throughout the whole house and if it wasn't gas, what the hell was it? Suddenly, my brain started to function and I said I knew exactly what it was (it was only me & my roommate here at this point).
What was it you may ask? The dishwasher was running & a plastic spatula fell through the racks and melted on the heating element. Yup...something as simple as that.
It was just a great coincidence. The heater stopped working at the same time the plastic spatula melted in the dishwasher filling the house with a strong disgusting odor.
I had to call the landlord back and explain what happened as well as apologize to my roommate for waking him up for nothing.
Sometimes you feel like a nut....and sometimes you feel like a jackass!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Sometimes you feel like a nut...
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Project DUFF
Two years ago I started a program called Project DUFF where I adopt different families for the holidays and provide gifts and food. Project DUFF is back again this year and 2 families are being helped.
The first family is a father with a 12-year old daughter (there are actually 4 children, but the other children are already accounted for). The father works outside using his hands (actual job not provided) and is the sole provider for the whole family.
The second family is a mother with a 16-year old son. The mother is not able to work because she cares full-time for her son, who is wheelchair bound with cerebral palsy.
Both of these families haven’t had a real Christmas for years. They are barely making ends meet and need help to provide a good holiday this year.
If you are interested in helping these families have a normal holiday season, please let me know. I have a short list of items that have been requested for each person (parents and children) and I plan on helping these families extensively. If you would prefer, you can make monetary donations (checks made payable to “Project DUFF”). All money that is collected gets turned right around and used to buy gifts (including gift cards which I am trying to purchase this year for clothing). Every little bit helps and will help these families enjoy the holiday season the right way.
Please help make the holidays memorable for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
Project DUFF (includes thank you letters from last year)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Dell Customer Service Chats
FIRST TECHNICIAN
22:38:56SystemConnecting to server. Please wait...
22:38:56SystemConnected to chat2.us.dell.com
22:38:56Systemhttp://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/en/techchat_backup_media?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
22:39:16Systemhttp://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/en/techchat_doc?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
22:42:46SystemDhruv_01110995 has joined this session!
22:42:46SystemConnected with Dhruv_01110995
22:42:46Dhruv_01110995: Thank you for
contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Dhruv and my rep ID number is
01110995. How may I assist you today?
22:43:25You: I recently bought my
computer and just today I took it out of the box---the sound card I purchased
is supposed to come with a firewire (IEEE 1394) port, but I cannot find it on
the computer
22:43:46Dhruv_01110995: We regret
the inconvenience caused to you.
22:43:46Dhruv_01110995: Thank you
for the information. I’ll be glad to assist you. Please give me 2 to 3 minutes
to pull up your account information. In the meantime I would like to inform you
that you might get aninvitation to participate in a survey at the end of this
session.
You will be asked to
rate our interaction on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being very satisfied. In order
to participate in the survey, you must close the chat by selecting the
"Exit" button.
22:43:46Dhruv_01110995: Also, may I
have your telephone number, along with the area code to update our records?
22:44:00You: #########
22:44:46Dhruv_01110995: I would like
to inform you incase we loose connection, either due to a system restart or
troubleshooting, you will receive a call back to resolve the issue to your
satisfaction. Would that be fine with you ?
22:44:54Youok
22:45:16Dhruv_01110995: Thank you. I
suppose the no given by you at the start of the conversation would be the right
no to reach you, am I right ?
22:45:16Dhruv_01110995: Any
alternate numbers to reach you?
22:45:54You: i didn't say no
anywhere in the conversation--i'd be fine with somone contacting me at the
number i already provided
22:46:46Dhruv_01110995: I understand
your concern and I will personally attend to your matter and assure you to
provide you quality service.
22:46:52You: ok
22:53:36Dhruv_01110995: Could you
please give me 2-3 minutes while I check my resources to provide you with the
best possible steps?
22:59:27Dhruv_01110995: Thank you
for staying online. I appreciate your patience.
22:59:37SystemDhruv_01110995 pushes
page, http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/P77830/en/index.htm
23:01:59You: http://www.dell.com/content/learnmore/learnmore.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~id=audio_dimen&~lt=popup&~series=dimen&~tab=other&ref=CFG&ref=CFG
23:04:57Dhruv_01110995: I am
checking the link.
23:07:47Dhruv_01110995:I have
checked the link and I apologise for the inconvenience caused to you.
23:08:07Dhruv_01110995: You need to
contact customer care department in this case.
23:08:27Dhruv_01110995: The number
1-800-624-9897
23:08:27Dhruv_01110995: Is there
anything else I can assist you with the Dell computer?
SECOND TECHNICIAN
23:42:40SystemConnecting to server. Please wait...
23:42:40SystemConnected to chat2.us.dell.com
23:42:40Systemhttp://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/en/techchat_backup_media?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
23:42:49SystemGeet_01110983 has joined this session!
23:42:49SystemConnected with Geet_01110983
23:42:49Geet_01110983: Thank you
for contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Geet and my rep ID number is
110983. How may I assist you today?
for contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Geet and my rep ID number is
110983. How may I assist you today?
23:43:43You: I'm getting the run
around while trying to get parts for my computer--i contacted tech support, who
told me to contact customer service, who told me to contact tech support
around while trying to get parts for my computer--i contacted tech support, who
told me to contact customer service, who told me to contact tech support
23:44:13You: basically, the sound
card I ordered with my computer is supposed to come with a IEEE 1394 port and
that port is not on my computer
card I ordered with my computer is supposed to come with a IEEE 1394 port and
that port is not on my computer
23:44:19Geet_01110983: Thank you
for the information. I’ll be glad to assist you. Please give me 2 to 3 minutes
to pull up your account information. In the meantime I would like to inform you
that you might get an invitation to participate in a survey at the end of this
session. You will be asked to rate our interaction on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5
being very satisfied. In order to participate in the survey, you must close the
chat by selecting the "Exit" button.
for the information. I’ll be glad to assist you. Please give me 2 to 3 minutes
to pull up your account information. In the meantime I would like to inform you
that you might get an invitation to participate in a survey at the end of this
session. You will be asked to rate our interaction on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5
being very satisfied. In order to participate in the survey, you must close the
chat by selecting the "Exit" button.
23:44:19Geet_01110983: Also, may I
have your telephone number, along with the area code to update our records?
have your telephone number, along with the area code to update our records?
23:44:29You: #########
23:45:19Geet_01110983: Thank you
for the information.
for the information.
23:46:19Geet_01110983: As per the
records with me, you have a Dimension E 520 with windows XP. Am I right?
records with me, you have a Dimension E 520 with windows XP. Am I right?
23:46:32You: yes
23:47:09Geet_01110983: Are you
chatting from the same system on which you are facing the issue?
chatting from the same system on which you are facing the issue?
23:47:56You: no, I'm on another
computer---but I have the E520 beside me
computer---but I have the E520 beside me
23:48:09Geet_01110983: Okay.
23:49:39Geet_01110983: Erik, what we need to do is follow some simple steps
together for your computer and I assure you that I would guide you to the best
of my ability to provide you the resolution.
together for your computer and I assure you that I would guide you to the best
of my ability to provide you the resolution.
23:49:54You: ok
23:51:09Geet_01110983: Let me
check the system specifications please.
check the system specifications please.
23:51:19Geet_01110983: Please provide me 1-2 minutes to check that.
23:51:24You: sure
23:54:09Geet_01110983: Thank you
for staying online.
for staying online.
23:54:59Geet_01110983: Erik, I
have checked the order details and also the components list.
have checked the order details and also the components list.
23:55:06You: ok
23:55:29Geet_01110983: The IEEE
1394 was not ordered with the system, you can also verify the same in the
invoice.
1394 was not ordered with the system, you can also verify the same in the
invoice.
23:56:11You: i understand
that---however, the sound card i ordered (SoundBlaster X-FI Xtreme Music) is
supposed to come with one according to Dell website
that---however, the sound card i ordered (SoundBlaster X-FI Xtreme Music) is
supposed to come with one according to Dell website
23:57:29You: if you click on the following link (which is a link that says 'help me choose' in the ordering
process), you'll see there is a check next to IEEE 1394 port in the column of
the sound card i ordered
process), you'll see there is a check next to IEEE 1394 port in the column of
the sound card i ordered
23:57:30You: http://www.dell.com/content/learnmore/learnmore.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~id=audio_dimen&~lt=popup&~series=dimen&~tab=other&ref=CFG&ref=CFG
23:57:59Geet_01110983: Let me
check.
check.
23:59:40Geet_01110983: I am
checking the system original configuration parts information.
checking the system original configuration parts information.
23:59:40Geet_01110983: Please stay
online with me
online with me
00:00:48You: ok
00:01:39Geet_01110983: Thank you
for staying online.
for staying online.
00:01:59Geet_01110983: Erik, the
card comes in many types, the card installed on your system does not has that
feature.
card comes in many types, the card installed on your system does not has that
feature.
00:03:00You: Ok, then I think I
should be entitled to a free IEEE 1394 card because, as the link I sent you
shows, the system led me to believe that this card would come with that port
and I configured my system according to the misinformation
should be entitled to a free IEEE 1394 card because, as the link I sent you
shows, the system led me to believe that this card would come with that port
and I configured my system according to the misinformation
00:03:59Geet_01110983: Erik, did
you confirmed with the Sales representative about the card?
you confirmed with the Sales representative about the card?
00:04:24You: I ordered online. The
link I sent you clearly stated that there woudl be a IEEE 1394 port.
link I sent you clearly stated that there woudl be a IEEE 1394 port.
00:04:59You: And it listed the
sound card I ordered, not a different version of the same card
sound card I ordered, not a different version of the same card
00:05:39Geet_01110983: Erik, card
comes in many types and the card you ordered specifies in your invoice also
that it does not has IEEE 1394 port.
comes in many types and the card you ordered specifies in your invoice also
that it does not has IEEE 1394 port.
00:05:49Geet_01110983: You have
ordered a different card.
ordered a different card.
00:06:00Geet_01110983: Not the one
on the link.
on the link.
00:06:04You: No--the link i sent
you said "X-Fi XtremeMusic"---there is only 1 card with that name
you said "X-Fi XtremeMusic"---there is only 1 card with that name
00:06:19You: under that name it
says that the IEEE 1394 port is included
says that the IEEE 1394 port is included
00:06:39Geet_01110983: Erik, the
system was not built according to that link,.
system was not built according to that link,.
00:06:49You: Yes it was
00:06:49Geet_01110983: You can
even check your invoice which says as which card was ordered.
even check your invoice which says as which card was ordered.
00:07:08You: that link is directly
from the order process where it says 'help me choose'
from the order process where it says 'help me choose'
00:07:19Geet_01110983: Please
check the invoice, it will give you a clear picture.
check the invoice, it will give you a clear picture.
00:07:56You: i understand the
invoice--i ordered the X-Fi XtremeMusic card--that is the only X-Fi card
available on that system (according to the sound card options listed)
invoice--i ordered the X-Fi XtremeMusic card--that is the only X-Fi card
available on that system (according to the sound card options listed)
00:08:09Geet_01110983: If the invoice states that the card has IEEE 1394 feature , then we will more happily
replace it.
replace it.
00:08:19Geet_01110983: Please be
assured of that.
assured of that.
00:08:26You: Ok, is there a manager
that can call me to discuss this?
that can call me to discuss this?
00:08:50Geet_01110983: Erik, we at
chat support do not have the facility to call back.
chat support do not have the facility to call back.
00:09:04You: that is not true---the
last tech i talked to called me on my phone
last tech i talked to called me on my phone
00:09:10Geet_01110983: How ever
you can contact the Customer Care and they ill help you in this regard.
you can contact the Customer Care and they ill help you in this regard.
00:09:10Geet_01110983: The
Customer Care number is - 1-800-624-9897
Customer Care number is - 1-800-624-9897
00:09:44You: I received a call from
the last technican I talked to--how did he call me if there is no call back
feature?
the last technican I talked to--how did he call me if there is no call back
feature?
00:10:20You: he called from
1-800-289-3755
1-800-289-3755
00:10:53You: So i would like a call
from a manager there to discuss this issue
from a manager there to discuss this issue
00:10:59Geet_01110983: Erik, we do
not have permission to call back, how ever we also cant send the different card
as it is not on the order list, we can only send a part which has gone bad and
is in the order list.
not have permission to call back, how ever we also cant send the different card
as it is not on the order list, we can only send a part which has gone bad and
is in the order list.
00:11:09Geet_01110983: If the card
has go
has go
00:11:09Geet_01110983: Sorry for
the typo.
the typo.
00:11:29Geet_01110983: If the card
has gone bad then we can certainly repalce that card but then again it will be
the same card.
has gone bad then we can certainly repalce that card but then again it will be
the same card.
00:11:46You: Alright. I will call
customer care tomorrow and I will let them know that one tech on the chat
called me and the other refused to call.
customer care tomorrow and I will let them know that one tech on the chat
called me and the other refused to call.
00:12:22You: I just want it known
that I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I have gotten from Dell.
that I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I have gotten from Dell.
00:13:48You: There is an issue, apparently with the information on the Dell website, and the compnay is
refusing to fix the problem. This is horrible service and I will think twice
before I order another Dell product.
refusing to fix the problem. This is horrible service and I will think twice
before I order another Dell product.
00:14:39SystemThe session has ended!
Dell Customer Service
This will be a long post, but it is kind of interesting.
Last week, I ordered a Dell desktop computer. I got a good deal and have enjoyed good customer service in the past. Well, the same was not meant to be.
The computer I ordered was a Dimension E520. The one option I had to choose was a sound card. The options are below (NOTE that there is only one X-Fi sound card).
Last week, I ordered a Dell desktop computer. I got a good deal and have enjoyed good customer service in the past. Well, the same was not meant to be.
The computer I ordered was a Dimension E520. The one option I had to choose was a sound card. The options are below (NOTE that there is only one X-Fi sound card).
At the top of that section, there is a link titled "Help Me Choose." When you click on that link, the following page pops up:
If you look at this picture, the first column (in green) is for an X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card and looking down the column, you'll see a check-mark next to the bottom item (IEEE 1394 Port, which I highlighted). So it would mean that the X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card comes with a IEEE 1394 port.
Now, when I got the computer and opened it up, I could not find the IEEE 1394 (often called FireWire) port. So I went on Dell's website and went into a chat with a service technician. During the middle of the chat, he called me on my cell phone (a number I had given him earlier in the chat) and talked with me for several minutes while we remained on the chat session (NOTE: the number he called from was 1-800-289-3755). He sent me a link for the manual for a X-Fi sound card. Nowhere in this manual does it contain information about a FireWire port. However, I sent him the link of the 2nd picture above which shows that the port should be included. He eventually changed his view and said that I needed to contact Customer Care (customer service) to get the part and he gave me a phone number to call.
I called the number and was told that the call center was closed. So I went back online and was able to get into a chat with a Customer Care representative. After looking over the issue, this person informed me that I had to talk with Technical Support to get the correct part.
At this point, I started getting upset because I was getting the run-around. Nonetheless, I went back into a chat with another tech support person. This person informed me that I had not ordered a FireWire card. I agreed, but said the reason for this (since I wanted this port) was because the soundcard was supposed to come with the FireWire port. He proceeded to tell me that the card comes in many types and that the type I ordered did not come with a FireWire port. I told him that since the page said it came with a FireWire port, that I should be entitled to a card with that port (regardless of whether it was connected to the soundcard). He asked if I confirmed this information with the Sales representative, to which I said no because I ordered it online. He told me that according to my invoice (which I have included below this paragraph), I did not order a card with the FireWire port.
Now, if you look at the first picture above, there is only one card that is named X-Fi available for this system, and if the invoice says "X-Fi PCI Sound Card," it must mean the one listed (X-Fi XtremeMusic). His reply was that the computer was not ordered to the link I sent. (I'll attach the chat conversations from the three different people in a later post).
Now I was extremely upset, so I asked for him to have a manager call me. And he replied that at chat support, they do not have the facility to call back. Now, I had gotten a call from another tech support person about an hour prior to this, so I knew this wasn't a policy.
Needless to say, I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I received. If the web page is a typo, it is a typo on their part. They should comply with the information that the page stated, regardless of whether it is correct or not.
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Sleep study...or something else???
While riding in the car during the last week or so, I've heard a commercial on the radio that I have to comment on. The commercial is for a clinical sleep study that is being conducted and is looking for participants. The requirements for participation are that a) you can fall asleep, b) you have trouble staying asleep through the night, and c) the disruptive nights are having an affect on your daily life. The commercial goes on to say that you'll be given medication and may be eligible for money for travel or other expenses.
Now, I've heard several ads similar to this before that were looking for research guinea pigs...I mean participants. So there is nothing strange here.
However, the commercial continues. It goes on to describe the doctor in charge of the study, whose name I cannot recall. The doctor is a certified gynecologist. That’s right, a gynecologist.
Which leads me to the question, what the hell is a gynecologist performing a sleep study? It just strikes me as weird (and creepy in a sense), and leads me to wonder what the hell they're going to do to you once you take the medication and sleep through the night while at the study. (Actually, it makes me think it's the beginning of a bad and dirty joke...)
I could take this in so many different directions, but I'll hold off and just repeat the basic question for all to ponder----what is a gynecologist performing a sleep study?
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Sophomore Slump
Yeah, I've officially hit it. The dreaded sophomore slump. I'm just not feeling school right now. And the fact that I have 2.5 more years is dreadful. I dunno why.
I have to force myself to get homework done (and no, I don't always get it done). Paying attention in class is difficult. I zone in and out more times than I can count.
I just don't know. Hoping school gets better soon.
I have to force myself to get homework done (and no, I don't always get it done). Paying attention in class is difficult. I zone in and out more times than I can count.
I just don't know. Hoping school gets better soon.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Magazine article
Relating to my last post, there is an article in the current issue of Men's Health concerning physician assisted suicide. The one thing that stood out to me from the article, probably because many people mentioned it, was the concept of 'dignity.' The people who were interviewed, including one man who was planning for the p.a.s. (and who had died by the time the article was published), talked about dying with dignity. It's an interesting concept. Why can I not decide when my life has reached the point where it is more harmful (to myself and others) to live? A very interesting topic.
The gentleman who is going to do the p.a.s., talks about not wanting a 'life' where he just lies there and has no memory of being alive--he wants to go out remembering his family and friends. I cannot fault a man for this. He wants to be in charge of his destiny. The same thing they teach you early in life--be in charge of your own destiny. This man wants the same thing at the end of his life. Why should anyone be able to tell him he is wrong? Why?
Note: The magazine article can be found here.
The gentleman who is going to do the p.a.s., talks about not wanting a 'life' where he just lies there and has no memory of being alive--he wants to go out remembering his family and friends. I cannot fault a man for this. He wants to be in charge of his destiny. The same thing they teach you early in life--be in charge of your own destiny. This man wants the same thing at the end of his life. Why should anyone be able to tell him he is wrong? Why?
Note: The magazine article can be found here.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
"We treat dogs more humanly than humans"
"And you had the audacity to go on national television, show the world what you did and dare the legal system to stop you. Well, sir, consider yourself stopped." (Judge Jessica Cooper)
The above quote is from the sentencing order by Judge Cooper in the trial of Jack Kevorkian. As you may recall, Dr. Kevorkian made the idea of assisted suicide a famous idea.
The reason I'm bringing this up is because I recently had a conversation with my mother dealing with issues such as the one Kevorkian faced. Kevorkian helped terminally ill patients end their suffering and die. Why the conversation? Last week, my aunt had a seizure at work. She has been having seizures and migraines for the last decade or so. Medicine to prevent one triggers the other. Needless to say, after recovering (her seizures are more of an unconscious state than violent shaking) she drove home and swallowed a bottle of pills. She was found by family and taken to a hospital where she survived. They kept her in the mental health unit of the hospital and over the ensuring weekend, she twice tried to kill her self, once by ripping up a bed sheet to make a noose and once by finding a pen in a magazine she was given and trying to slash her wrists.
In talking with my cousin (aunt's son) my mother realized he now has come to realize that it is not a matter of if she will commit suicide, but rather when. So my mother and I got into a discussion and I told her that I don't believe I would still be alive in my aunt's shoes. For about a decade (give or take a few years) she's suffered from migraines and seizures. Doctors have no idea what causes them and medicine to alleviate one triggers symptoms of the other. This has affected her entire life, as well as the life of the entire family. She has had her license taken away thus not allowing her to drive (she currently has it back). It is one thing after another.
I told my mother, and she agreed in theory, that I probably wouldn't have lasted as long as my aunt. There is a limit of what a person can take. Each person is different, but each person has a limit. How long would you put up with debilitating seizures and migraines? 20 years? 30 years? 4 years? It's tough to say unless you're in that position. But I don't think I could take it for long. I often fear going to the doctor because I'm afraid of what he might tell me. If I got diagnosed with a terminal illness, I just don't know how long I would honestly take it.
Part of my consideration for not putting up with as much is family. Yes, dying would be hard on the family and be very emotional. However, assuming my aunt's situation, how hard is it to deal with someone with seizures and migraines? This sounds harsh and uncaring, but objectively think of the emotional toll each one of these episodes cause. And then figure that these episodes occur several times a month, on at least a weekly basis, usually more.
This leads me to the title of the post. For as long as I can remember, my mother has quoted my grandfather as saying "we treat animals more humanly than humans," and I believe this to be true. As soon as an animal gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, they are put down. With humans, it's usually trying vast amounts of medicine, both new and old procedures. But at what cost? Just like a sports star likes to go out on top, why not human life? Why not end life being happy (somewhat since you know you're gonna die) and leave a positive image for friends and family to remember? Why do we instead suffer for days, months, even years until at the end, we're a fraction of what we once were? Why go out like that and why suffer through all that. Modern medicine is great, but it's not always a good thing that the average life expectancy is so much longer than it was for our ancestors.
Note: I am in no way condemning suicide and I don't want my aunt to die. If you got that from this post, you've misinterpreted the entire thing. I just don't want her to suffer. Slightly off topic (but maybe to put this into perspective), I'm glad, on one hand, that my father passed away. I'm selfish to wish he were still here or would have lived longer, but he was really sick and in constant pain. Who am I do prolong that or wish that to be prolonged? To me, that wish is a worse crime than wishing him to die (at that point in life).
The above quote is from the sentencing order by Judge Cooper in the trial of Jack Kevorkian. As you may recall, Dr. Kevorkian made the idea of assisted suicide a famous idea.
The reason I'm bringing this up is because I recently had a conversation with my mother dealing with issues such as the one Kevorkian faced. Kevorkian helped terminally ill patients end their suffering and die. Why the conversation? Last week, my aunt had a seizure at work. She has been having seizures and migraines for the last decade or so. Medicine to prevent one triggers the other. Needless to say, after recovering (her seizures are more of an unconscious state than violent shaking) she drove home and swallowed a bottle of pills. She was found by family and taken to a hospital where she survived. They kept her in the mental health unit of the hospital and over the ensuring weekend, she twice tried to kill her self, once by ripping up a bed sheet to make a noose and once by finding a pen in a magazine she was given and trying to slash her wrists.
In talking with my cousin (aunt's son) my mother realized he now has come to realize that it is not a matter of if she will commit suicide, but rather when. So my mother and I got into a discussion and I told her that I don't believe I would still be alive in my aunt's shoes. For about a decade (give or take a few years) she's suffered from migraines and seizures. Doctors have no idea what causes them and medicine to alleviate one triggers symptoms of the other. This has affected her entire life, as well as the life of the entire family. She has had her license taken away thus not allowing her to drive (she currently has it back). It is one thing after another.
I told my mother, and she agreed in theory, that I probably wouldn't have lasted as long as my aunt. There is a limit of what a person can take. Each person is different, but each person has a limit. How long would you put up with debilitating seizures and migraines? 20 years? 30 years? 4 years? It's tough to say unless you're in that position. But I don't think I could take it for long. I often fear going to the doctor because I'm afraid of what he might tell me. If I got diagnosed with a terminal illness, I just don't know how long I would honestly take it.
Part of my consideration for not putting up with as much is family. Yes, dying would be hard on the family and be very emotional. However, assuming my aunt's situation, how hard is it to deal with someone with seizures and migraines? This sounds harsh and uncaring, but objectively think of the emotional toll each one of these episodes cause. And then figure that these episodes occur several times a month, on at least a weekly basis, usually more.
This leads me to the title of the post. For as long as I can remember, my mother has quoted my grandfather as saying "we treat animals more humanly than humans," and I believe this to be true. As soon as an animal gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, they are put down. With humans, it's usually trying vast amounts of medicine, both new and old procedures. But at what cost? Just like a sports star likes to go out on top, why not human life? Why not end life being happy (somewhat since you know you're gonna die) and leave a positive image for friends and family to remember? Why do we instead suffer for days, months, even years until at the end, we're a fraction of what we once were? Why go out like that and why suffer through all that. Modern medicine is great, but it's not always a good thing that the average life expectancy is so much longer than it was for our ancestors.
Note: I am in no way condemning suicide and I don't want my aunt to die. If you got that from this post, you've misinterpreted the entire thing. I just don't want her to suffer. Slightly off topic (but maybe to put this into perspective), I'm glad, on one hand, that my father passed away. I'm selfish to wish he were still here or would have lived longer, but he was really sick and in constant pain. Who am I do prolong that or wish that to be prolonged? To me, that wish is a worse crime than wishing him to die (at that point in life).
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Fear
"One of the things important to Emily was not the fear of death, but the fear of not living," the Rev. E. Faith Bell said after the service.
I started this post a week or two ago, so I unfortunately cannot remember who Emily is (while I could search the internet for the quote, I kind of like the anonymity). I was reading a news article and saw this quote. Now granted, I really enjoy quotations for many reasons. Most quotes have different layers of meanings and have the ability to mean different things to different people.
So when I found this quote, it just jumped out at me. I've long had a semi-serious fear of death. Often times throughout the day I picture my death happening. If I'm driving, I can see myself crashing the car. It just weird and sometimes freaks me out. But this quote is making me think about all of this.
Instead of fearing death, fear not living.
Not living. Each person presumably has their own definition of what this means. My definition of not living is letting life pass you by without capitalizing on the opportunities that come along. At times, I feel that is how I am going through life and I realize that's not what I want. In the moments before I die (whenever that may be), while I'm going through the customary life flashback (ok, might not happen, but it works in the movies so I'm going with it), I want my last thoughts to be of relaxation. Relaxation because I lived my life. Because I helped others less fortunate than me. Because the lives of all those around me are improved just for the simple fact of knowing me. Because I lived.
I started this post a week or two ago, so I unfortunately cannot remember who Emily is (while I could search the internet for the quote, I kind of like the anonymity). I was reading a news article and saw this quote. Now granted, I really enjoy quotations for many reasons. Most quotes have different layers of meanings and have the ability to mean different things to different people.
So when I found this quote, it just jumped out at me. I've long had a semi-serious fear of death. Often times throughout the day I picture my death happening. If I'm driving, I can see myself crashing the car. It just weird and sometimes freaks me out. But this quote is making me think about all of this.
Instead of fearing death, fear not living.
Not living. Each person presumably has their own definition of what this means. My definition of not living is letting life pass you by without capitalizing on the opportunities that come along. At times, I feel that is how I am going through life and I realize that's not what I want. In the moments before I die (whenever that may be), while I'm going through the customary life flashback (ok, might not happen, but it works in the movies so I'm going with it), I want my last thoughts to be of relaxation. Relaxation because I lived my life. Because I helped others less fortunate than me. Because the lives of all those around me are improved just for the simple fact of knowing me. Because I lived.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Labor Day
I didn't know if I wanted to write about this because I know some of the reactions I'll get, but it's been on my mind since it happened and I've spent a lot of time replaying it and thinking about it.
On Labor Day weekend, I was working at the bar where I work on Sunday night. We had a larger than usual crowd for a Sunday since most people had off the following day (this was expected and anticipated). Everything went well until the end of the night.
At about 1:55, a fight broke out inside. I was at the front door and heard about the fight from patrons leaving. One guy was escorted out of the club by another bouncer and when he got to the front door, he broke loose and a fight broke out in front of the club. Now, this stuff happens occasionally and it's not that big of a deal. However, this night was different. This night, the fight ended with one man getting stabbed.
I did not see the man get stabbed, but I tackled a guy who people were pointing at as the stabber. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) it wasn't the right guy & I had one of my security guys pat him down and go through his pockets. As I was holding this guy, I looked up the street and the real stabber was walking back towards us, right in the middle of the street. One of the security guys stepped into the middle of the street (I was in the street holding the guy I had) and told the stabber to get the hell out of there. Fortunately for everyone involved, he left.
Now I had to go deal with the guy who had been stabbed. I ran back into the club to get towels, gauze and gloves. Luckily the first aid I had learned when I trained to be a lifeguard (didn't know I was a lifeguard? Oh the secrets we all keep...). I got back out the guy and found the stab wound. He was stabbed on the left upper torso, right at the top of his rib cage. I had one of the security guys get me a chair for the guy to sit on and I applied pressure to the wound. Several people had called 911 and we were just waiting for them to show up.
I've often heard the phrase "life slipping out of him" but until this night, I never knew what that meant. This guy was covered in blood and as I'm holding a towel on the cut to slow down more bleeding, he literally was dying out on me. He was complaining of not being able to catch his breath and we (another security guard was holding his hand and helping me talk to him) had to keep calling his name because he was losing consciousness. I literally had this guys life in my hands. The ambulance eventually arrived and took the guy to the hospital. Several hours later we found out he would survive.
What an experience. Never have I been in a situation where I've had to essentially save someone's life. This whole situation put a new perspective on life for me. Before this, I've had a rough time thinking of a lifeless body. Just a pile of bones & flesh. I struggled with this concept of a person. Yet on this night, I finally understood. I watched a person slowly dying. Had he not been rushed to a hospital, I'm sure he would have died ten or fifteen minutes longer. Had he died there or even at the hospital, I'm not sure how I would have taken it.
I still have many thoughts running through my head Fear. Pride. Elation. Happiness. Disgust. Fear. What is a life??
On Labor Day weekend, I was working at the bar where I work on Sunday night. We had a larger than usual crowd for a Sunday since most people had off the following day (this was expected and anticipated). Everything went well until the end of the night.
At about 1:55, a fight broke out inside. I was at the front door and heard about the fight from patrons leaving. One guy was escorted out of the club by another bouncer and when he got to the front door, he broke loose and a fight broke out in front of the club. Now, this stuff happens occasionally and it's not that big of a deal. However, this night was different. This night, the fight ended with one man getting stabbed.
I did not see the man get stabbed, but I tackled a guy who people were pointing at as the stabber. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) it wasn't the right guy & I had one of my security guys pat him down and go through his pockets. As I was holding this guy, I looked up the street and the real stabber was walking back towards us, right in the middle of the street. One of the security guys stepped into the middle of the street (I was in the street holding the guy I had) and told the stabber to get the hell out of there. Fortunately for everyone involved, he left.
Now I had to go deal with the guy who had been stabbed. I ran back into the club to get towels, gauze and gloves. Luckily the first aid I had learned when I trained to be a lifeguard (didn't know I was a lifeguard? Oh the secrets we all keep...). I got back out the guy and found the stab wound. He was stabbed on the left upper torso, right at the top of his rib cage. I had one of the security guys get me a chair for the guy to sit on and I applied pressure to the wound. Several people had called 911 and we were just waiting for them to show up.
I've often heard the phrase "life slipping out of him" but until this night, I never knew what that meant. This guy was covered in blood and as I'm holding a towel on the cut to slow down more bleeding, he literally was dying out on me. He was complaining of not being able to catch his breath and we (another security guard was holding his hand and helping me talk to him) had to keep calling his name because he was losing consciousness. I literally had this guys life in my hands. The ambulance eventually arrived and took the guy to the hospital. Several hours later we found out he would survive.
What an experience. Never have I been in a situation where I've had to essentially save someone's life. This whole situation put a new perspective on life for me. Before this, I've had a rough time thinking of a lifeless body. Just a pile of bones & flesh. I struggled with this concept of a person. Yet on this night, I finally understood. I watched a person slowly dying. Had he not been rushed to a hospital, I'm sure he would have died ten or fifteen minutes longer. Had he died there or even at the hospital, I'm not sure how I would have taken it.
I still have many thoughts running through my head Fear. Pride. Elation. Happiness. Disgust. Fear. What is a life??
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Parking at Temple U
I went to Temple tonight for the chapter's general body meeting. For some reason, parking was horrible and there was no place for me to get a spot. I figured I'd bite the bullet and just pay to park in the lot next to the Student Center, even though I knew it would be a waste of money.
As I pulled into the lot, the sign said "$10 Exact Change." As I pulled up, the security guard was outside of his guard house smoking a cigarette. He asked what time I was staying til, and I told him about 9:30 (the lot was open til 10:30 or so). He told me the cost was $10. I started getting the money together while the guy walked around the guard house to go inside to take my money.
When he got near the door, he looked at me counting and said "I need exact change. Either two 5's, a ten, or a twenty." I told him I had a 5 and five 1's. He paused, then told me I had to wait until he finished his cigarette (or he said I had to wait until someone else pulled up). After a minute or so, he said "If you want to back up, go ahead."
I replied "you're damn right I'm backing out of here" and said "f*ckin security guards. Good ole Temple U" as I pulled out of the lot. I went around the block and fortunatly was able to get a spot. This also created the situation of me having to walk past the parking lot to get to the meeting I was going to.
As I walked by on the other side of the street, I hollered over "Thanks asshole" to which he replied with some comment. I answered with "So, were you born lazy or is that part of the job requirement?"
Then I went to the meeting and everything was over.
As I pulled into the lot, the sign said "$10 Exact Change." As I pulled up, the security guard was outside of his guard house smoking a cigarette. He asked what time I was staying til, and I told him about 9:30 (the lot was open til 10:30 or so). He told me the cost was $10. I started getting the money together while the guy walked around the guard house to go inside to take my money.
When he got near the door, he looked at me counting and said "I need exact change. Either two 5's, a ten, or a twenty." I told him I had a 5 and five 1's. He paused, then told me I had to wait until he finished his cigarette (or he said I had to wait until someone else pulled up). After a minute or so, he said "If you want to back up, go ahead."
I replied "you're damn right I'm backing out of here" and said "f*ckin security guards. Good ole Temple U" as I pulled out of the lot. I went around the block and fortunatly was able to get a spot. This also created the situation of me having to walk past the parking lot to get to the meeting I was going to.
As I walked by on the other side of the street, I hollered over "Thanks asshole" to which he replied with some comment. I answered with "So, were you born lazy or is that part of the job requirement?"
Then I went to the meeting and everything was over.
Irony
First off, today is a Gabe Day. Well, not officially, since I'm actually sick, but a slight variation of a Gabe Day.
Last night, on my way home from school, I drove past a bar (there is a big sign that says "BAR"). I've passed it almost every day going to and from class, but last night I noticed it. Right next door to the bar is a day care. That's right, a daycare. Now, when I say next door, I mean both establishments are in their own building, but there literally is maybe 20 feet (max) between the two (anyone else thinking of children wandering into the bar or worse, the drunks wondering into a daycare--and I know there are drunks that begin drinking early in the morning...).
Now, the irony of all this is the name of the daycare. The name? Thirst 2 Learn
Last night, on my way home from school, I drove past a bar (there is a big sign that says "BAR"). I've passed it almost every day going to and from class, but last night I noticed it. Right next door to the bar is a day care. That's right, a daycare. Now, when I say next door, I mean both establishments are in their own building, but there literally is maybe 20 feet (max) between the two (anyone else thinking of children wandering into the bar or worse, the drunks wondering into a daycare--and I know there are drunks that begin drinking early in the morning...).
Now, the irony of all this is the name of the daycare. The name? Thirst 2 Learn
Thursday, September 14, 2006
HEEELLLLLLLOOOOO Everybody!
Welcome back. I konw it's been a while since I've posted, but I've been really busy during the last month or so and in the choice between 15 minutes of sleep or posting, sleep has won out.
A lot has happened since my last post. I finished my summer internship. I had a 2-day class for 1 credit. I started my second year of law school. I went back to my internship for the school year (only part time). Throughout this time, I've been working and doing other work. So it's been a busy time and a rough adjustment from working 70 hours a week to going to school and studying.
Just an update for the past month or so...
A lot has happened since my last post. I finished my summer internship. I had a 2-day class for 1 credit. I started my second year of law school. I went back to my internship for the school year (only part time). Throughout this time, I've been working and doing other work. So it's been a busy time and a rough adjustment from working 70 hours a week to going to school and studying.
Just an update for the past month or so...
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
7 Deadly Sins
stolen from rachel...good way to pass the time at work
WRATH
1. Who did you last get angry with? Norm--some guy at Cav's who tried to bring a 17 year old into the club twice in one night
2. What is your weapon of choice? intellect
3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? No...
4. How about of the same sex? If I have to
5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you? I dunno--I try to not let that happen often
6. What is your pet peeve? People with no common sense--though I prolly fall into that category at times
7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily? Let things go
SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you didnt do? Sleep more than 2 or 3 hours
2. What is the latest you've ever woken up? This past Sunday it was 7:15pm (though I only got home around 9am)
3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but havent? I dunno--probably a few people I should contact
4. What is the last lame excuse you made? I have a headache ;-)
5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through? Used to watch them on Saturday mornings at 6am when I was a kid--better than cartoons
6. When was the last time you got a good workout? Too long for me to remember
7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarmclock today? Reset the alarm on my cell phone a half dozen times (that's what happens when you get wasted & get less than 2 hours of sleep)
GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced drink of choice? Jagerbombs
2. Meat eater? Absolutely
3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in onesitting/outing/event? Once killed about 4/5 of a handle of Jagermeister along with champagne & beer (New Years Eve at the Frontier)
4. Have you ever used a professional diet company? Nope
5. Do you have an issue with your weight? I'm content
6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods? Depends what I'm craving, but could be any of the three
7. Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"? Only one time--and the neighbors are still wondering what happened to their doberman
GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own? two
2. What's your guilty spending store? Dollar Store--everything is cheap, but adds up quickly
3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it? Pay off my debt & the debt of my family then save whatever is left
4. Would you rather be rich, or famous? Niether
5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks? Tough one--I honestly don't know--I would probably accept it, but who knows how long I would stay there
6. Have you ever stolen anything? I'm sure I did at some point, but can't remember
7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?: Is this a reference to the last question? I dunno, maybe about 1000 or so
PRIDE
1. What's one thing have you done that you're most proud of? Survived for 23+ years
2. What's one thing you have done that your parents are mostproud of? I'm not sure--weird subject
3. What thing would you like to accomplish later in your life? Hitting the lottery
4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place? Sometimes
5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than the other competitors? Does entering a jello-eating contest count? I won 2 years in a row in my age group...
6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score? Yep--back in high school i guess
7. What did you do today that you're proud of? woke up & came to work less than 2 hours late :-D
LUST
1. Do you like/love someone right now? Not in the way that the question insinuates
2. When was the last time you kissed someone? not sure what day--within the last week i think
3. How many people have you kissed? I dunno--I lost all the detailed records I kept when I moved into my current house
4. How many ex's do you still talk to? None
5. Do you watch porn? who doesn't from time to time? Though Goat Girl is enough to change one's mind...
6. Would you date a hot (but bitchy) person? No
7. How many people have you been sexually involved with? again, all the detailed records were lost
ENVY
1. What item of your friend's would you most want to have for your own? paycheck
2. If you could have any profession, what would it be? If i knew the answer to this, I'd have a lot more free time to think of other things---honestly have no clue
3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be? nobody--i like who I am most days
4. Have you ever been cheated on? Maybe (who can ever be sure)--but none that i know of
5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different? never wished...
6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself? good public speaking
7. Do you wish you'd come up with this survey?not really--not as fun as i first thought
WRATH
1. Who did you last get angry with? Norm--some guy at Cav's who tried to bring a 17 year old into the club twice in one night
2. What is your weapon of choice? intellect
3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? No...
4. How about of the same sex? If I have to
5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you? I dunno--I try to not let that happen often
6. What is your pet peeve? People with no common sense--though I prolly fall into that category at times
7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily? Let things go
SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you didnt do? Sleep more than 2 or 3 hours
2. What is the latest you've ever woken up? This past Sunday it was 7:15pm (though I only got home around 9am)
3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but havent? I dunno--probably a few people I should contact
4. What is the last lame excuse you made? I have a headache ;-)
5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through? Used to watch them on Saturday mornings at 6am when I was a kid--better than cartoons
6. When was the last time you got a good workout? Too long for me to remember
7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarmclock today? Reset the alarm on my cell phone a half dozen times (that's what happens when you get wasted & get less than 2 hours of sleep)
GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced drink of choice? Jagerbombs
2. Meat eater? Absolutely
3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in onesitting/outing/event? Once killed about 4/5 of a handle of Jagermeister along with champagne & beer (New Years Eve at the Frontier)
4. Have you ever used a professional diet company? Nope
5. Do you have an issue with your weight? I'm content
6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods? Depends what I'm craving, but could be any of the three
7. Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"? Only one time--and the neighbors are still wondering what happened to their doberman
GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own? two
2. What's your guilty spending store? Dollar Store--everything is cheap, but adds up quickly
3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it? Pay off my debt & the debt of my family then save whatever is left
4. Would you rather be rich, or famous? Niether
5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks? Tough one--I honestly don't know--I would probably accept it, but who knows how long I would stay there
6. Have you ever stolen anything? I'm sure I did at some point, but can't remember
7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?: Is this a reference to the last question? I dunno, maybe about 1000 or so
PRIDE
1. What's one thing have you done that you're most proud of? Survived for 23+ years
2. What's one thing you have done that your parents are mostproud of? I'm not sure--weird subject
3. What thing would you like to accomplish later in your life? Hitting the lottery
4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place? Sometimes
5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than the other competitors? Does entering a jello-eating contest count? I won 2 years in a row in my age group...
6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score? Yep--back in high school i guess
7. What did you do today that you're proud of? woke up & came to work less than 2 hours late :-D
LUST
1. Do you like/love someone right now? Not in the way that the question insinuates
2. When was the last time you kissed someone? not sure what day--within the last week i think
3. How many people have you kissed? I dunno--I lost all the detailed records I kept when I moved into my current house
4. How many ex's do you still talk to? None
5. Do you watch porn? who doesn't from time to time? Though Goat Girl is enough to change one's mind...
6. Would you date a hot (but bitchy) person? No
7. How many people have you been sexually involved with? again, all the detailed records were lost
ENVY
1. What item of your friend's would you most want to have for your own? paycheck
2. If you could have any profession, what would it be? If i knew the answer to this, I'd have a lot more free time to think of other things---honestly have no clue
3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be? nobody--i like who I am most days
4. Have you ever been cheated on? Maybe (who can ever be sure)--but none that i know of
5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different? never wished...
6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself? good public speaking
7. Do you wish you'd come up with this survey?not really--not as fun as i first thought
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Movie Lovers Challenge
Similar to an earlier post dealing with musical bands, the link below contains a picture with 100 movie titles creatively hidden.
I've only begun to look at it, but if anyone sees any, feel free to post them as comments
http://lovefilm.com/images/desktop/1280x1024.jpg
Here's what I have so far:
The Hills have eyes
Dancing with wolves
Big Foot
Pink Panther
Toy Story
Green Eggs & Ham
Scorpion King
Airplane
Beatle juice
Full metal jacket
Bend it like Beckham
Puff the magic dragon
Swordfish
Broken arrow
Saw 2
Crash
Anchorman
Man on the moon
Boomerang
Casino
Phone booth
Anaconda
Titanic
The ring
Blazing saddles
Snake eyes
Hand that rocks the cradle
I've only begun to look at it, but if anyone sees any, feel free to post them as comments
http://lovefilm.com/images/desktop/1280x1024.jpg
Here's what I have so far:
The Hills have eyes
Dancing with wolves
Big Foot
Pink Panther
Toy Story
Green Eggs & Ham
Scorpion King
Airplane
Beatle juice
Full metal jacket
Bend it like Beckham
Puff the magic dragon
Swordfish
Broken arrow
Saw 2
Crash
Anchorman
Man on the moon
Boomerang
Casino
Phone booth
Anaconda
Titanic
The ring
Blazing saddles
Snake eyes
Hand that rocks the cradle
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
GC Highlights
Highlights from G.C. (in no particular order):
- “It’s 5am and the pool is officially open. I am in the pool in my jeans.”
- Finishing up business on Saturday night
- Feeling satisfied with more than one of my speeches/presentations
- Listening to Gabe dodge Suzanne’s questions as to what “B.I.L.F.” on the back of a shirt stood for
- Getting to visit Warrensburg and see where we started at over 90 years ago (FUN FACT—the man who invented Cheerios was from the same school where PSP was founded)
- Swimming until 7am
- Brotherhood checks everywhere
- Winning reelection as VPCD
- Not missing my flight home because someone woke me up in time (see more in later post)
- Not being awakened by the multiple attempts by several brothers to send Wake-Up Calls to my room (see if I tell you what room I’m in next time!)
- Seeing all the new faces of Phi Sigma Pi and the dedication and phire in them all
- Being named Zeus for a day or so
A "Top Ten" Night...
What a great weekend. I spent the past weekend in Kansas City with Brothers from across the country for Grand Chapter. It was a excellent weekend. I had to give several speeches/presentations, and while I don’t ever consider my public speaking skills “good,” I would say that I am satisfied with several of the speeches/presentations and the ones that I wasn’t satisfied with, I know why.
There is so much I can write about the weekend, but the highlight for me was Saturday night. I have to say that the night is probably in my top ten, if not in my top 5, most memorable times with Phi Sigma Pi. The night started with Grand Chapter business finishing up—that’s right, business was finished on Saturday and there was no need for Sunday business. I won reelection and was in a good mood. A group of us went to the bar (ok, really a restaurant with a lounge section) on top of the hotel and had a few drinks. Slowly but surely, we succeeded in taking over the lounge area—Brothers were on both sides of a group of non-brothers and they eventually left. After this bar closed, a group of us went to Westport where the streets are shut down for the bars. We went to a local bar which was quite good and proceeded to have a grand ole time. I lost several games of pool (methinks Fresh is a hustler) but was forced by my roommate to do several shots. And yes, he tried to make me do the nastiest shots available (Prairie Fire, Wild Turkey, etc). Needless to say, I was a little banged up and other people were a lot worse (not mentioning any names J.G.). So we went back to the hotel after 3am closing and tried to order food from Munchiez. While they proclaim to be open til 4:20, they were closed. So I ate Gabe’s doughnuts instead. Then a small group of us decided to go to the sauna (not sure why) and instead, found a group of brothers in the swimming pool/hot tub area. Now it’s 3:15 and the pool is officially closed til 5. However, we took over the pool. More and more brothers kept showing up and everyone was going swimming in their clothing (some changed). Swimming went on until 7am. It was a fantastic time with over 75 brothers filtering through (high point had about 40 brothers present).
During this pool time, one of the greatest speeches of Phi Sigma Pi was given. It went something like this:“Listen up. Hey. Everybody. Listen up. It’s 5am and the pool is officially open. I am in the pool in my jeans. We’re going to do a brotherhood check. 1…2…3…Brotherhood check!”
It was short, sweet, to the point, and coming from JG, it was great. FUN FACT: the pool is on the 5th floor roof (2 buildings made up the hotel) and there are claims that the 5am brotherhood check was heard on the 23rd floor. Absolutely amazing!
Ok, that’s about it for this post—more highlights to come.
There is so much I can write about the weekend, but the highlight for me was Saturday night. I have to say that the night is probably in my top ten, if not in my top 5, most memorable times with Phi Sigma Pi. The night started with Grand Chapter business finishing up—that’s right, business was finished on Saturday and there was no need for Sunday business. I won reelection and was in a good mood. A group of us went to the bar (ok, really a restaurant with a lounge section) on top of the hotel and had a few drinks. Slowly but surely, we succeeded in taking over the lounge area—Brothers were on both sides of a group of non-brothers and they eventually left. After this bar closed, a group of us went to Westport where the streets are shut down for the bars. We went to a local bar which was quite good and proceeded to have a grand ole time. I lost several games of pool (methinks Fresh is a hustler) but was forced by my roommate to do several shots. And yes, he tried to make me do the nastiest shots available (Prairie Fire, Wild Turkey, etc). Needless to say, I was a little banged up and other people were a lot worse (not mentioning any names J.G.). So we went back to the hotel after 3am closing and tried to order food from Munchiez. While they proclaim to be open til 4:20, they were closed. So I ate Gabe’s doughnuts instead. Then a small group of us decided to go to the sauna (not sure why) and instead, found a group of brothers in the swimming pool/hot tub area. Now it’s 3:15 and the pool is officially closed til 5. However, we took over the pool. More and more brothers kept showing up and everyone was going swimming in their clothing (some changed). Swimming went on until 7am. It was a fantastic time with over 75 brothers filtering through (high point had about 40 brothers present).
During this pool time, one of the greatest speeches of Phi Sigma Pi was given. It went something like this:“Listen up. Hey. Everybody. Listen up.
It was short, sweet, to the point, and coming from JG, it was great. FUN FACT: the pool is on the 5th floor roof (2 buildings made up the hotel) and there are claims that the 5am brotherhood check was heard on the 23rd floor. Absolutely amazing!
Ok, that’s about it for this post—more highlights to come.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Random Q's
Random Survey--not sure why I keep posting these things, but maybe it gives a small glimpse into the world of Duff...or not
1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
Downstairs in the living room
2. Who are you in love with?
no one
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
can't be sure, but probably
4. Have you ever been drunk?
does 2 times in last week count?
5. When was the last time you went to the mall?
last tuesday--movie tuesday
6. Are you wearing socks right now?
No
7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
Yes & no--if I sold it straight out, yes--however, I owe more on it so I'd probaby not have $2000 if I sold it & paid off the loan
8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
Saturday to get tires in the suburbs
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
Nope
10. What are you listening to right now?
While You Were Out (on TV in background)
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Water
12. What are you wearing right now?
Shorts (which I just discovered have a hole in them), DUFF T-shirt, and glasses
13. Who do you think you are?
Not really sure---maybe not who I want...
14. Last food that you ate?
Rita's Blueberry Gelati
15. Where were you last week at this time?
I think sleeping, but I dunno--i don't remember what I did last night
16. do you like someone?
Since this is a vague...sure
17.Does anyone like you?
See above...sure
18. What's the last sporting event you watched?
not sure
19. What is your favorite animal?
Cow---Steaks are good
20. Your dream vacation?
just to get away and not have any responsibility to return to
21. Last person's house you were in?
Mike's
22. How old are your parents?
54 & 57---irronically, mom & stepdad have exact same b-day, only 3 years apart
23. Have you been in love?
I think maybe, but I'm hoping no so that love can be better than what I experienced
24. Last disappointment?
being lazy
25. Any pictures around you?
Nephew, niece, real father, sister, mom, step-dad
26. What do you think about james blunt?
who?
27. What jewelry are you wearing?
3 earrings & and tongue ring
28. What are your plans for the day?
sleep then wake up & work 2 jobs
29. Are there any sharp objects around you?
several (nail clippers, box cutter, dagger, couple of pocket knives)
30. Ever go to camp?
during elementry school
31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
still am in a sense (though not called honor roll anymore)
32. What do you want to know about the future?
nothing...it would ruin the suprise and I don't want to base the present on the future
33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
I was at start of the day, but that was about 17+ hours agao
34. Favorite Starbucks drink?
don't know if I ever had Starbucks
35. Where are your best friend(s)?
they know who they are...
36. What are you angry about right now?
nothing...worried about getting all the work done that I have to do, but not angry
37. Do you have a tan?
somewhat, but not really
38. What are you listening to right now?
commercial for Ready Strip (www.readystrip.tv)
39. Any new bands you've been listening to?
it's a commercial without music---in general, whatever is on radio
40. Where do you wish you were right now?
in bed
42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
I'm sure I have
43. What does your last text message say?
sent to me: "lol thats pretty amusing."
Sent by me: "Hes really banged up highly amusing"
44. Do you like hot saucE?
sometimes & depends how hot
45. Last thing you said?
Fuck
46. Do you need to do laundry?
nah, just finished up tonight
47. What is your heritage?
German is all I know
48. Are you someone's best friend?
maybe...I don't know
49. What do you think of rice crispy blocks ....
great invention
50. What do you think of the person who took this survey before you?
he'll never see it, but he's a decent guy--though he's been sorta getting on my nerves lately...
Ok, off to bed where I should have been a while ago
1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
Downstairs in the living room
2. Who are you in love with?
no one
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
can't be sure, but probably
4. Have you ever been drunk?
does 2 times in last week count?
5. When was the last time you went to the mall?
last tuesday--movie tuesday
6. Are you wearing socks right now?
No
7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
Yes & no--if I sold it straight out, yes--however, I owe more on it so I'd probaby not have $2000 if I sold it & paid off the loan
8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
Saturday to get tires in the suburbs
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
Nope
10. What are you listening to right now?
While You Were Out (on TV in background)
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Water
12. What are you wearing right now?
Shorts (which I just discovered have a hole in them), DUFF T-shirt, and glasses
13. Who do you think you are?
Not really sure---maybe not who I want...
14. Last food that you ate?
Rita's Blueberry Gelati
15. Where were you last week at this time?
I think sleeping, but I dunno--i don't remember what I did last night
16. do you like someone?
Since this is a vague...sure
17.Does anyone like you?
See above...sure
18. What's the last sporting event you watched?
not sure
19. What is your favorite animal?
Cow---Steaks are good
20. Your dream vacation?
just to get away and not have any responsibility to return to
21. Last person's house you were in?
Mike's
22. How old are your parents?
54 & 57---irronically, mom & stepdad have exact same b-day, only 3 years apart
23. Have you been in love?
I think maybe, but I'm hoping no so that love can be better than what I experienced
24. Last disappointment?
being lazy
25. Any pictures around you?
Nephew, niece, real father, sister, mom, step-dad
26. What do you think about james blunt?
who?
27. What jewelry are you wearing?
3 earrings & and tongue ring
28. What are your plans for the day?
sleep then wake up & work 2 jobs
29. Are there any sharp objects around you?
several (nail clippers, box cutter, dagger, couple of pocket knives)
30. Ever go to camp?
during elementry school
31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
still am in a sense (though not called honor roll anymore)
32. What do you want to know about the future?
nothing...it would ruin the suprise and I don't want to base the present on the future
33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
I was at start of the day, but that was about 17+ hours agao
34. Favorite Starbucks drink?
don't know if I ever had Starbucks
35. Where are your best friend(s)?
they know who they are...
36. What are you angry about right now?
nothing...worried about getting all the work done that I have to do, but not angry
37. Do you have a tan?
somewhat, but not really
38. What are you listening to right now?
commercial for Ready Strip (www.readystrip.tv)
39. Any new bands you've been listening to?
it's a commercial without music---in general, whatever is on radio
40. Where do you wish you were right now?
in bed
42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
I'm sure I have
43. What does your last text message say?
sent to me: "lol thats pretty amusing."
Sent by me: "Hes really banged up highly amusing"
44. Do you like hot saucE?
sometimes & depends how hot
45. Last thing you said?
Fuck
46. Do you need to do laundry?
nah, just finished up tonight
47. What is your heritage?
German is all I know
48. Are you someone's best friend?
maybe...I don't know
49. What do you think of rice crispy blocks ....
great invention
50. What do you think of the person who took this survey before you?
he'll never see it, but he's a decent guy--though he's been sorta getting on my nerves lately...
Ok, off to bed where I should have been a while ago
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Concussed
It's that time of year again. No, the Fourth has past & that's not what I mean. I'm referencing the 2nd (of 3) employee parties at the club where I work. What makes this party different from the others is that it is the "hot tub" party. Meaning, 2 hot tubs are rented & set up on the deck. We also have a small swimming pool to go along. It was this past Monday and the first half of the night was great. I had some drinks, got some decent food, and was enjoying hanging out with all the coworkers.
Everyone was trying to throw various people into the pool, so mid-way through the night, I decided to take one for the team. I emptied my pockets and plotted on who I was taking in the pool. One of the other security guys, fearing that he'd end up in the pool, also emptied his pockets. We decided that we were each going to grab one of the hostesses and run and jump in. They never saw it coming. No one was paying us attention. The girls came over to us & we started telling them we had this great plan to throw someone in the water. Mid sentence, I nodded at the other guy and we both picked up the girls and ran for the water. Everyone turned as they heard the screams followed by the big splash.
Last year, only about 5 employees got into the pool. This year, only about 5 didn't get thrown in. The rest of the night, everybody got thrown in. It was a highly entertaining time.
So far, the title to this post hasn't made sense. But here goes. The last thing I remember from the night was picking up one of the new servers and going into the water. The next day I found out that I had taken a knee to the head (specifically to the left temple) while in the water. I don't remember any of it. Supposedly I was dazed in the pool, got out, leaned on the bar, and somehow made it to the back of the property. While sitting down, I told several people that the DJ (think someone about my build, but only about 5'8") drilled my head with is knee (unintentionally I presume).
Like I said, I don't remember any of this. After going into the water with the server, the next thing I remember is waking up Tuesday. What happened during that time? I don't know. Everyone wants to know how I got home and again, that is a mystery. I might have driven myself, I might have had someone drive me. I really don't know.
Long story short, my head still sort of hurts, I have a good bump on the side of my head, and I believe it's highly likely I had a concussion.
The joys of an employee party!!!
Everyone was trying to throw various people into the pool, so mid-way through the night, I decided to take one for the team. I emptied my pockets and plotted on who I was taking in the pool. One of the other security guys, fearing that he'd end up in the pool, also emptied his pockets. We decided that we were each going to grab one of the hostesses and run and jump in. They never saw it coming. No one was paying us attention. The girls came over to us & we started telling them we had this great plan to throw someone in the water. Mid sentence, I nodded at the other guy and we both picked up the girls and ran for the water. Everyone turned as they heard the screams followed by the big splash.
Last year, only about 5 employees got into the pool. This year, only about 5 didn't get thrown in. The rest of the night, everybody got thrown in. It was a highly entertaining time.
So far, the title to this post hasn't made sense. But here goes. The last thing I remember from the night was picking up one of the new servers and going into the water. The next day I found out that I had taken a knee to the head (specifically to the left temple) while in the water. I don't remember any of it. Supposedly I was dazed in the pool, got out, leaned on the bar, and somehow made it to the back of the property. While sitting down, I told several people that the DJ (think someone about my build, but only about 5'8") drilled my head with is knee (unintentionally I presume).
Like I said, I don't remember any of this. After going into the water with the server, the next thing I remember is waking up Tuesday. What happened during that time? I don't know. Everyone wants to know how I got home and again, that is a mystery. I might have driven myself, I might have had someone drive me. I really don't know.
Long story short, my head still sort of hurts, I have a good bump on the side of my head, and I believe it's highly likely I had a concussion.
The joys of an employee party!!!
Thursday, July 6, 2006
The second one
For some reason, I'm really craving a tatoo. I have several ideas floating around in my head and I really don't know which one I want--if I knew, I'd probably go out tonight to get it.
Don't know why, but can't get this tatoo thing outta my head for the last few weeks...
Don't know why, but can't get this tatoo thing outta my head for the last few weeks...
Monday, July 3, 2006
Handcuffs and handguns?!?
This weekend overall wasn't bad, but I'd venture that Saturday was one of the weirdest and worst days of my life.
Saturday started with me making a really tough decision; one that I still am mentally debating. Did I choose right? I'm not sure there was a correct solution, and maybe it was more of which choice would do less damage. I don't know...either way was not good. But I made a choice and now have to live with whatever consequences might develop and only time will tell.
Later, I went to work and almost got arrested. No, that's not a typo. I almost got arrested for assault. What do I mean by 'almost?' Well, I was so sure I was going to get locked up, that I took off my radio & handed it to one of the other bouncers and gave him other stuff I didn't want to risk losing. I was convinced I was getting arrested. And why? Because an off-duty police officer thought he was invincible and after watching him shove two women to the ground (granted, they approached him & started arguing--not excusable at all, but not just something out of the blue), I pulled him off them and pushed him into a fence. I held him against the fence while uniformed police arrived and he was amazed I was treating him like I was.
Somehow, in the midst of everything, the off-duty cop cut his lip. This, of course, turned into the accusation that I sucker punched him. Right. Like I would punch someone and they would end up with something that looks like a paper cut. That's almost believable.
If the guy hadn't been a cop, I wouldn't have even been faced with the possibility of going to jail. But since he had identified himself as a cop prior to me pushing him against the fence, it was simple assault.
That's bullshit, and it pissed me off (though at the time, I was resigned to whatever fate might come). To make matters worse, the cops friends (who also were off-duty cops) came running out and kept instigating myself and other people. I don't care who you are. You can be a cop. You can be a celebrity. You can be the pope. You can be any damn person imaginable. I know my job and I'm going to do it. You're not above the law.
No disrespect to the good cops out there. I have a lot of respect for police officers and was even saved from arrest by another officer that was there who convinced the sergeant that I didn't do what I was accused of because he had seen me working before & saw how I handle situations. But I have no respect for cops who think that since they are a cop, they can do whatever they want. Bullshit to that.
Now, if that was the end of the night, that woulda been a bad night. But it gets even better. As we were closing, a fight broke out in front of the club and one guy reached for his hip. Yes, he reached for his hip. And no, I don't mean the actual bone of his hip, but what he was carrying on his hip, which is commonly referred to as a firearm. Some asshole reached for a gun. Luckily another off-duty cop (a decent and respected one) was there & stopped the guy. The guy had a license to carry from 2 states, but regardless--it's scary as hell to realize that the guy was reaching for his gun. Do I think he would have used it? I don't know--I wouldn't have pegged him as having a gun in the first place and think he might have had the balls to reach for his hip, but not sure if he woulda had the balls to pull it out or use it.
The problem is that if he reached for it, who else might have had a gun and saw him. They would pull theirs thinking he was pulling his and who knows what might have happened. Additionally, if the guy truly thought his life was in jeopardy (yes, the fight was basically started when someone tried to grab jewelry off someone else and rob them and the guy with the gun said "I wasn't going to die for this") then who knows what he might have done.
Overall, a very sombering and difficult day. It's not every day that you make an extremely difficult decision, almost get arrested, and see someone reach for a gun.
Confused and worried...
Saturday started with me making a really tough decision; one that I still am mentally debating. Did I choose right? I'm not sure there was a correct solution, and maybe it was more of which choice would do less damage. I don't know...either way was not good. But I made a choice and now have to live with whatever consequences might develop and only time will tell.
Later, I went to work and almost got arrested. No, that's not a typo. I almost got arrested for assault. What do I mean by 'almost?' Well, I was so sure I was going to get locked up, that I took off my radio & handed it to one of the other bouncers and gave him other stuff I didn't want to risk losing. I was convinced I was getting arrested. And why? Because an off-duty police officer thought he was invincible and after watching him shove two women to the ground (granted, they approached him & started arguing--not excusable at all, but not just something out of the blue), I pulled him off them and pushed him into a fence. I held him against the fence while uniformed police arrived and he was amazed I was treating him like I was.
Somehow, in the midst of everything, the off-duty cop cut his lip. This, of course, turned into the accusation that I sucker punched him. Right. Like I would punch someone and they would end up with something that looks like a paper cut. That's almost believable.
If the guy hadn't been a cop, I wouldn't have even been faced with the possibility of going to jail. But since he had identified himself as a cop prior to me pushing him against the fence, it was simple assault.
That's bullshit, and it pissed me off (though at the time, I was resigned to whatever fate might come). To make matters worse, the cops friends (who also were off-duty cops) came running out and kept instigating myself and other people. I don't care who you are. You can be a cop. You can be a celebrity. You can be the pope. You can be any damn person imaginable. I know my job and I'm going to do it. You're not above the law.
No disrespect to the good cops out there. I have a lot of respect for police officers and was even saved from arrest by another officer that was there who convinced the sergeant that I didn't do what I was accused of because he had seen me working before & saw how I handle situations. But I have no respect for cops who think that since they are a cop, they can do whatever they want. Bullshit to that.
Now, if that was the end of the night, that woulda been a bad night. But it gets even better. As we were closing, a fight broke out in front of the club and one guy reached for his hip. Yes, he reached for his hip. And no, I don't mean the actual bone of his hip, but what he was carrying on his hip, which is commonly referred to as a firearm. Some asshole reached for a gun. Luckily another off-duty cop (a decent and respected one) was there & stopped the guy. The guy had a license to carry from 2 states, but regardless--it's scary as hell to realize that the guy was reaching for his gun. Do I think he would have used it? I don't know--I wouldn't have pegged him as having a gun in the first place and think he might have had the balls to reach for his hip, but not sure if he woulda had the balls to pull it out or use it.
The problem is that if he reached for it, who else might have had a gun and saw him. They would pull theirs thinking he was pulling his and who knows what might have happened. Additionally, if the guy truly thought his life was in jeopardy (yes, the fight was basically started when someone tried to grab jewelry off someone else and rob them and the guy with the gun said "I wasn't going to die for this") then who knows what he might have done.
Overall, a very sombering and difficult day. It's not every day that you make an extremely difficult decision, almost get arrested, and see someone reach for a gun.
Confused and worried...
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Alphabet Soup for one
Haven't posted in a while, so what the hell...
A - Available: maybe--depends who is asking...
A - Age: 23
A - Annoyance: Stupid people. No I don't mean people who have diminished mental capacity, but people who act and do stupid thigns (maybe better term is no common sense?)
B - Best Location: whever I'm at!
B - Beer: any available, though usually Lager or Miller Lite
B - Birthday: 21st of January
C - Celebrity Crush: Elisha Cuthbert
C - Coolest band: The rubber ones
C - Candy: Red Twizzlers
D - Day or night: Night
D - Dream Car: Motorcycle or a huge truck
D - Dogs or Cats: Dogs moreso, but I can deal with cats
E - Easiest person to talk to: Myself (and let me tell you, the conversation is stimulating...)
E - Egg nog: No
E - E-mail: addicted
F - Favorite Month: May
F - Favorite color: Blue
F - Favorite Band Currently: Green Day or Linkin Park
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
G - Giver or taker: Give
G - Gum: Sure
H - Hair Color: brownish
H - Height: 6'4
H - Happy: Almost always--I don't like being angry
I - Ice Cream: Rocky Road
I - Instrument: I've played cello, saxophone & drums--perfer the sax
I - Idol: My mother
J - Jewelry: earrings only unless I get dressed up for something
J - Job: Security Manager at a night club & intern at PA Attorney General
J - Joker: I can be, though I think Jack Nicholson was better
K - Kids: Not that I know of. Just joking. But, if I did have kids, then I really don't know so maybe I'm not joking. I'll stick with no.
K - Kickboxing or karate: The kid of karate was good (Ralph Macchio)
K - Kindergarten: wish I was still there--no worries in the world other than making sure you don't get caught eating glue...
L - Longest Car Ride: Indiana (14 hrs straight--one way)
L - Lollipop Flavor: grape
L - Lamp or Natural Light: Natural Light
M - Milk: Skim
M - Most missed person: Father
M - Movie Last Watched: Antz
N - Number of Siblings: One sister, 2 step-brothers & 5 or 6 half-siblings
N - Number of Tattoos: 1, but anxiously waiting for #2 (& 3 & 4 & 5, etc)--almost got the second earlier this week...
N - Name: Duff
O - One wish: Happiness
O - One hope: Success
O - One regret: I don't believe in regret--my view on life: "It is what it is"
P - Part of your appearance you like best: eyes
P - Phobia: Kakorrhaphiophobia (go here to find it: http://www.phobialist.com)
P - Part of the world: having been to enough parts to have intelligent answer
Q - Quick or Slow: take life as it comes
Q - Quiet or Loud: depends on where & how well you know me :)
Q - Quirky or Dull: quirky when i can be i suppose
R - Reason to smile: life...
R - Reality TV Show: Trading Spaces or Inked or Miami Ink
R - Rain or shine: both are good
S - Song Last Heard: "Man in the Box" (Alice in Chains)
S - Season: the current one
S - Shoes: go on my feet
T - Time you woke: today it was about 7:08
T - Time for bed: last night was around midnight--usually around 3am
T - Tea: occasionally
U - Unpredictable: life
U - Underwear: wearing a pair today--thanks for asking!
U - Umbrella: haven't used one in years, but recently put one in my bookbag
V - Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts
V - Vegetable you love: broccli, corn
V - Vacation spot: bed
W - Worst Article of Clothing: socks with holes
W - Where are you going to travel next: Kansas City in July
W - Weather: raining & flooding everywhere
X - X-tra special someone: my mommy always told me i was special
X - X-ample of the ideal place to live: a house would be good
X - X-treme sport: competitive eating?
Y - Year you were born: 1983
Y - Year it is now: 2006
Y - Yellow: legal pad in front of me
Z - Zoo Animal: elephant
Z - Zodiac: aquarius
Z - Zebra or Leopard print: leopard print usually looks hotter
A - Available: maybe--depends who is asking...
A - Age: 23
A - Annoyance: Stupid people. No I don't mean people who have diminished mental capacity, but people who act and do stupid thigns (maybe better term is no common sense?)
B - Best Location: whever I'm at!
B - Beer: any available, though usually Lager or Miller Lite
B - Birthday: 21st of January
C - Celebrity Crush: Elisha Cuthbert
C - Coolest band: The rubber ones
C - Candy: Red Twizzlers
D - Day or night: Night
D - Dream Car: Motorcycle or a huge truck
D - Dogs or Cats: Dogs moreso, but I can deal with cats
E - Easiest person to talk to: Myself (and let me tell you, the conversation is stimulating...)
E - Egg nog: No
E - E-mail: addicted
F - Favorite Month: May
F - Favorite color: Blue
F - Favorite Band Currently: Green Day or Linkin Park
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
G - Giver or taker: Give
G - Gum: Sure
H - Hair Color: brownish
H - Height: 6'4
H - Happy: Almost always--I don't like being angry
I - Ice Cream: Rocky Road
I - Instrument: I've played cello, saxophone & drums--perfer the sax
I - Idol: My mother
J - Jewelry: earrings only unless I get dressed up for something
J - Job: Security Manager at a night club & intern at PA Attorney General
J - Joker: I can be, though I think Jack Nicholson was better
K - Kids: Not that I know of. Just joking. But, if I did have kids, then I really don't know so maybe I'm not joking. I'll stick with no.
K - Kickboxing or karate: The kid of karate was good (Ralph Macchio)
K - Kindergarten: wish I was still there--no worries in the world other than making sure you don't get caught eating glue...
L - Longest Car Ride: Indiana (14 hrs straight--one way)
L - Lollipop Flavor: grape
L - Lamp or Natural Light: Natural Light
M - Milk: Skim
M - Most missed person: Father
M - Movie Last Watched: Antz
N - Number of Siblings: One sister, 2 step-brothers & 5 or 6 half-siblings
N - Number of Tattoos: 1, but anxiously waiting for #2 (& 3 & 4 & 5, etc)--almost got the second earlier this week...
N - Name: Duff
O - One wish: Happiness
O - One hope: Success
O - One regret: I don't believe in regret--my view on life: "It is what it is"
P - Part of your appearance you like best: eyes
P - Phobia: Kakorrhaphiophobia (go here to find it: http://www.phobialist.com)
P - Part of the world: having been to enough parts to have intelligent answer
Q - Quick or Slow: take life as it comes
Q - Quiet or Loud: depends on where & how well you know me :)
Q - Quirky or Dull: quirky when i can be i suppose
R - Reason to smile: life...
R - Reality TV Show: Trading Spaces or Inked or Miami Ink
R - Rain or shine: both are good
S - Song Last Heard: "Man in the Box" (Alice in Chains)
S - Season: the current one
S - Shoes: go on my feet
T - Time you woke: today it was about 7:08
T - Time for bed: last night was around midnight--usually around 3am
T - Tea: occasionally
U - Unpredictable: life
U - Underwear: wearing a pair today--thanks for asking!
U - Umbrella: haven't used one in years, but recently put one in my bookbag
V - Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts
V - Vegetable you love: broccli, corn
V - Vacation spot: bed
W - Worst Article of Clothing: socks with holes
W - Where are you going to travel next: Kansas City in July
W - Weather: raining & flooding everywhere
X - X-tra special someone: my mommy always told me i was special
X - X-ample of the ideal place to live: a house would be good
X - X-treme sport: competitive eating?
Y - Year you were born: 1983
Y - Year it is now: 2006
Y - Yellow: legal pad in front of me
Z - Zoo Animal: elephant
Z - Zodiac: aquarius
Z - Zebra or Leopard print: leopard print usually looks hotter
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Deja vu
I just had a bad case of Deja vu--seriously, it was like 5 minutes of life that I swear I've already experienced--including certain email messages.
weird...
weird...
Knee Surgery Update
Knee surgery last Friday went well. I'm walking around fine and have gotten off crutches and am only using a cane. The doctors actually said I could have left the hospital without crutches and that I could put as much weight on the knee as I felt comfortable with. I took the crutches and used them mainly to help myself up from chairs and to keep balance.
I have a large Rx for pain pills, but fortunately haven't needed to take many. This is a major difference from when I had my ACL repaired 7-8 years ago...
Fun fact from surgery---I was in Pre-Op with Smokin' Joe Frazier.
Next post will be a recap of the fiasco at the K-mart pharmacy on surgery night.
Duff
I have a large Rx for pain pills, but fortunately haven't needed to take many. This is a major difference from when I had my ACL repaired 7-8 years ago...
Fun fact from surgery---I was in Pre-Op with Smokin' Joe Frazier.
Next post will be a recap of the fiasco at the K-mart pharmacy on surgery night.
Duff
Friday, May 19, 2006
24 hour days suck
Havne't posted in a while but that's because I've been super busy.
I finished my first year as a law school student, completing my final exam for the semester last week. Feel decent about my exams, but won't know how I did for a few weeks.
Additionally, I've been working at Cavanaugh's as the Security Manager. Meaning, I put in a lot of hours and get yelled at when any security guy screws up. But its a good time.
Additionally, I recently started an internship for the summer. I'm workign at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection. I've only worked there a few days, but I'm enjoying it and having a good time.
So yeah, if you realized, I'm working 2 full time jobs. It's going to be an interesting summer. I know I haven't kept in touch with everyone, but feel free to contact me--I'm up for hanging out nights that I don't work.
Busy busy busy...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
I finished my first year as a law school student, completing my final exam for the semester last week. Feel decent about my exams, but won't know how I did for a few weeks.
Additionally, I've been working at Cavanaugh's as the Security Manager. Meaning, I put in a lot of hours and get yelled at when any security guy screws up. But its a good time.
Additionally, I recently started an internship for the summer. I'm workign at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection. I've only worked there a few days, but I'm enjoying it and having a good time.
So yeah, if you realized, I'm working 2 full time jobs. It's going to be an interesting summer. I know I haven't kept in touch with everyone, but feel free to contact me--I'm up for hanging out nights that I don't work.
Busy busy busy...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Done
My first year of law school is officially over!!! Now I just have to wait to get my grades for this semester before I decide how successful it was.
I survived...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
I survived...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Update
I realize I haven't posted in a while, but I've been extremly busy. Classes have ended for the semester and I've been studying for finals (one more left). Also, Cavanaugh's has opened back up and I became the Security Manager which means long hours (I usually don't leave on the weekends until around 430-5oo am).
Long story short, I haven't had much free time. And the rest of the summer looks to be about the same, but we'll see what happens.
Living...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Long story short, I haven't had much free time. And the rest of the summer looks to be about the same, but we'll see what happens.
Living...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
White Castle Ban
Never again will I go to a White Castle. And if I ever see the movie about White Castle, I'm gonna burn it.
Last night, I went with Gabe up to Alpha Theta inductions (side note: watching 37 brothers get inducted and start a chapter is an amazing experience--one of the best so far for me with regards to PSP). After the ceremony, Gabe insisted we hit up White Castle again--we had gone there the last time we were up in the area. To make a long story short, Gabe & I split a 'crave case' which is 30 cheeseburgers. Granted, the burgers are smaller than regular, but 30 for two people is way too many.
The first 3, maybe 4 tasted good, and after that, it was just eating to try to finish--it was utterly disgusting. Pure filth. Therefore, even if Gabe buys a White Castle franchise to go next to his BoJangles franchise in Philly, I refuse to eat there ever again.
Still sick from W.C...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Last night, I went with Gabe up to Alpha Theta inductions (side note: watching 37 brothers get inducted and start a chapter is an amazing experience--one of the best so far for me with regards to PSP). After the ceremony, Gabe insisted we hit up White Castle again--we had gone there the last time we were up in the area. To make a long story short, Gabe & I split a 'crave case' which is 30 cheeseburgers. Granted, the burgers are smaller than regular, but 30 for two people is way too many.
The first 3, maybe 4 tasted good, and after that, it was just eating to try to finish--it was utterly disgusting. Pure filth. Therefore, even if Gabe buys a White Castle franchise to go next to his BoJangles franchise in Philly, I refuse to eat there ever again.
Still sick from W.C...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Religion II
As I was driving home the other day, I saw the following bumper sticker:
God is coming
And is she pissed
This brought numerous discussion points to mind. First off, this is suggesting God is female. Could be, I'm not sure--I don't believe in religion, so I'll skip this discussion.
Second, is this a pro-religion sticker? I honestly don't know. It sounds like a spoof yet it could be a sticker mainly saying that God is female. Is this person in favor of religion or are they just making fun of it?
Just thought I'd share...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
God is coming
And is she pissed
This brought numerous discussion points to mind. First off, this is suggesting God is female. Could be, I'm not sure--I don't believe in religion, so I'll skip this discussion.
Second, is this a pro-religion sticker? I honestly don't know. It sounds like a spoof yet it could be a sticker mainly saying that God is female. Is this person in favor of religion or are they just making fun of it?
Just thought I'd share...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Monday, March 27, 2006
Religion
I'm sitting doing work earlier today when the doorbell rings. I get up to answer it and it is two little old ladies. The one lady closest to the door asked me if I read the bible. As she is asking, she pulls out some little pamphlet. I tell her I don't read the bible and she proceeds to ask if I believe in the bible. I tell her I don't and she says "You're not an atheist are you?" to which I answer, "as a matter of fact I am." This throws her for a loop and it is the truth.
However she is not done yet. She starts telling me about the bible and how it is gods word and blah blah blah. Finally she say something like "you need to think where we came from. We had to have come from somewhere. We didn't change from monkeys." So I guess she's against evolution. So I give her an honest answer "Science has proven that we came from the monkeys."
By this point, she must have realized I wasn't buying it and started to leave. She still got one more try by telling me she would be coming back next week and I told her I couldn't wait.
I don't mind having a discussion/debate about religion and I actually quite enjoy it. However, I positively hate when someone preaches to me. You don't have to like my opinion, but at least respect it. I have done the same for you---I disagree with your view, but I respect your view & won't try to change your mind.
Irritated...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
However she is not done yet. She starts telling me about the bible and how it is gods word and blah blah blah. Finally she say something like "you need to think where we came from. We had to have come from somewhere. We didn't change from monkeys." So I guess she's against evolution. So I give her an honest answer "Science has proven that we came from the monkeys."
By this point, she must have realized I wasn't buying it and started to leave. She still got one more try by telling me she would be coming back next week and I told her I couldn't wait.
I don't mind having a discussion/debate about religion and I actually quite enjoy it. However, I positively hate when someone preaches to me. You don't have to like my opinion, but at least respect it. I have done the same for you---I disagree with your view, but I respect your view & won't try to change your mind.
Irritated...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Brother Bowl
I spent the weekend up at Penn State for Brother B owl. And like usual, it was a great time. This year we got up to State College on Friday evening and the fun began immediately. We went to a benefit concert (benefit for Make-a-Wish). Saturday was spent hanging out with brothers and participating in a scavenger hunt/tour of the campus. Note--if I had gone to PSU, I'm pretty sure I would have gone to class much less often than I had at Temple--who wants to walk that far in bad weather? After the scavenger hunt, we went out & had MonkeyBoys--what is a trip to PSU without one?
Only downside to the trip was that we had to leave at 7am on Sunday morning (after going to bed half-drunk at 330) so that I could come home and go directly to school for a study session.
other highlights include:
-Taking control of the pong table (snapping a 7-game monopoly by the other team)
-Hanging out with Temple brothers I didn't know all to well
-Meeting brothers from PSU and other schools while also renewing old friends
-Sleeping on a small loveseat
-Scaring the hotel room
-Seeing the Fonz (both in person at PSU and painted onto several electrical boxes back in Philly)
-Pictures worth a thousand words
-Too many more to include
great times and great brothers...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Only downside to the trip was that we had to leave at 7am on Sunday morning (after going to bed half-drunk at 330) so that I could come home and go directly to school for a study session.
other highlights include:
-Taking control of the pong table (snapping a 7-game monopoly by the other team)
-Hanging out with Temple brothers I didn't know all to well
-Meeting brothers from PSU and other schools while also renewing old friends
-Sleeping on a small loveseat
-Scaring the hotel room
-Seeing the Fonz (both in person at PSU and painted onto several electrical boxes back in Philly)
-Pictures worth a thousand words
-Too many more to include
great times and great brothers...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Monday, March 20, 2006
Logical Musing of the night
I was watching TV tonight and a commercial for Cialis appeared. For those of you who don't know, Cialis is an erectile dysfunction medicine. Anyway, I was doing other work at the time so I was really only listening to the TV. One of the comments at the end of the commercial was something like "If you experience , which is an erection for four hours or experience vision changes."
This I found to be interesting. So follow my logic for a minute.
If you have an erection for four hours, chances are something isn't right and possibly painful. What do you do at that point? I would assume you would masturbate to try to solve the problem. Sure there could be other alternatives, but masturbating doesn't sound like a bad idea to try (plus, if you're experiencing pain, you'll probably do just about anything). Now, there is an old wives tale that says if you masturbate, you'll go blind.
Maybe the scientists who created Cialis know something about the old wives tale they aren't sharing with the public...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
This I found to be interesting. So follow my logic for a minute.
If you have an erection for four hours, chances are something isn't right and possibly painful. What do you do at that point? I would assume you would masturbate to try to solve the problem. Sure there could be other alternatives, but masturbating doesn't sound like a bad idea to try (plus, if you're experiencing pain, you'll probably do just about anything). Now, there is an old wives tale that says if you masturbate, you'll go blind.
Maybe the scientists who created Cialis know something about the old wives tale they aren't sharing with the public...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Spring Break
Spring Break has come and gone and I feel like I didn't accomplish anything. Sure, I did Habitat For Humanity for a few days and spent hours at the library, but I feel like I could use another week to get caught up. This sucks.
Side note--I found this picture online and thought it was an interesting use of current events, both politics and entertainment (no matter what your view is on abortion).
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Side note--I found this picture online and thought it was an interesting use of current events, both politics and entertainment (no matter what your view is on abortion).
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Memory...all alone in the moonlight
It's been a while, yes I know. (and yeah, that's the lyrics from Cats & no, I don't know why I put that up there--just came to mind when I typed memory)
This is the first of many posts that are just random memories I remember. Let me rephrase that just a bit--I am not 100% sure I remember these things, they are just in my head. Meaning...for some of this ideas, I honestly cannot say if I remember them because I was there, or have just heard others talking about them and subconsciously adopted them as my own memory. This is a concept I grapple with pretty frequently.
Anyway, on to 'memory' number 1:
I don't' remember the year, but I seem to remember decorating a Christmas tree and watching diving on television--diving as in Olympic diving. This doesn't really add up because diving is a Summer sport. Maybe there was Olympic diving around the holidays (maybe prior to the summer and winter Olympics being 2 different events?) or maybe it wasn't a Christmas tree decoration--maybe we were moving furniture or cleaning. I'm not quite sure, but have been 'seeing' this memory frequently lately for some reason.
More remembrance to come...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
This is the first of many posts that are just random memories I remember. Let me rephrase that just a bit--I am not 100% sure I remember these things, they are just in my head. Meaning...for some of this ideas, I honestly cannot say if I remember them because I was there, or have just heard others talking about them and subconsciously adopted them as my own memory. This is a concept I grapple with pretty frequently.
Anyway, on to 'memory' number 1:
I don't' remember the year, but I seem to remember decorating a Christmas tree and watching diving on television--diving as in Olympic diving. This doesn't really add up because diving is a Summer sport. Maybe there was Olympic diving around the holidays (maybe prior to the summer and winter Olympics being 2 different events?) or maybe it wasn't a Christmas tree decoration--maybe we were moving furniture or cleaning. I'm not quite sure, but have been 'seeing' this memory frequently lately for some reason.
More remembrance to come...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Discount
I love running up a $65-$75 bar tab and then getting a bill for $22. (our food alone cost more than $22!)
sometimes life is really great...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
sometimes life is really great...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Movies
If you have yet to see Date Movie, don't go see it. It's a horrible movie. Sure there are three or four humorous moments, but they were few and far between. Most of the movie I just sat there and could get the spoof they were doing, but it just wasn't funny. If you're a fan of in your face humor where the jokes are designed for the audience member who is a complete moron, then this movie is for you. If I were comatose, I would still have been able to get these jokes.
I never saw scary movie, so I don't know how that movie is in relation to this, but this was absolute crap.
If you do want to see a good movie, here are 2 recommendations:
Good Night and Good Luck
this is a movie directed by George Clooney and deals with Sen. Joseph McCarthy when he was declaring everyone a communist. At the time, there was a newscaster for CBS who was the only person in the media to stand up to McCarthy's accusations and demand more proof then just a statement from the Senator. The movie is about the events between these two men. It is a black-and-white movie and while it has the potential to be boring and like a documentary, it really was the complete opposite. With a running time of an hour and a half, the movie kept on task and just when you thought it was going to drag on, the plot progressed. Overall, this is a really good movie that unfortunately has not ( and will not) gotten much publicity.
Another good movie is Final Destination 3. I only saw this movie because my heat was not working Saturday night and my house was freezing cold. This was a good movie, especially if you've seen the previous FD movies and enjoy them. The basic gist of the movie is like the previous movies where a group of people avoid death and then are killed in the order they would have died had the accident occurred. The great part of this movie is that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. As the movie leads up to each person's death (and no, this is not giving away any plot from the movie because it is the same concept as the previous versions), you begin to believe you know how the person will die. Then, right as the death scene begins, everything is thrown out the window and something completely different (that still meets the method of death needed) happens and the person dies in a way you would not have seen coming. Another method is when you don't see how the death can meet the necessary method, and a chain of events happen which lead to the method being met. Overall, this was a good movie and included some really amazing death scenes (but not in a real morbid way--gory, yes, but not really morbid) and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire movie.
Ok, that's enough of being the college version of Roger Ebert.
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
I never saw scary movie, so I don't know how that movie is in relation to this, but this was absolute crap.
If you do want to see a good movie, here are 2 recommendations:
Good Night and Good Luck
this is a movie directed by George Clooney and deals with Sen. Joseph McCarthy when he was declaring everyone a communist. At the time, there was a newscaster for CBS who was the only person in the media to stand up to McCarthy's accusations and demand more proof then just a statement from the Senator. The movie is about the events between these two men. It is a black-and-white movie and while it has the potential to be boring and like a documentary, it really was the complete opposite. With a running time of an hour and a half, the movie kept on task and just when you thought it was going to drag on, the plot progressed. Overall, this is a really good movie that unfortunately has not ( and will not) gotten much publicity.
Another good movie is Final Destination 3. I only saw this movie because my heat was not working Saturday night and my house was freezing cold. This was a good movie, especially if you've seen the previous FD movies and enjoy them. The basic gist of the movie is like the previous movies where a group of people avoid death and then are killed in the order they would have died had the accident occurred. The great part of this movie is that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. As the movie leads up to each person's death (and no, this is not giving away any plot from the movie because it is the same concept as the previous versions), you begin to believe you know how the person will die. Then, right as the death scene begins, everything is thrown out the window and something completely different (that still meets the method of death needed) happens and the person dies in a way you would not have seen coming. Another method is when you don't see how the death can meet the necessary method, and a chain of events happen which lead to the method being met. Overall, this was a good movie and included some really amazing death scenes (but not in a real morbid way--gory, yes, but not really morbid) and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire movie.
Ok, that's enough of being the college version of Roger Ebert.
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Mixed emotions
Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions.
On one hand, I finally got my last grade from the fall semester. I did fairly well, and managed to pull a 3.70 GPA and place 8th (out of 126) in my class (first year evening division students). That was exciting and was a positive note for the day.
Yesterday was also the one day of the year where I don't know what to do. See, yesterday was the anniversary of the death of my father. I dread February 18th each year not knowing how the day will be. I never know how I want the day to go and this is ultimately the bigger issue. I am torn over what I should do on this day. Before HS graduation, this was never a problem--it was just any other day. However, graduation day was a turning point in my life.
Most people go out to parties or hang out with friends following HS graduation. Me? I did neither--I actually went home, left my friends early, and spent the night in my room. It was a very very rough night. What made it hard was that my father's death finally hit home. It was like the last 14 years had caught up with me and his death sunk in. Almost like I was in denial for 14 years and it all came to a point on graduation night. I guess what made it real was that my dad was missing a milestone in my life, and on top of that, he'd be missing every additional milestone for as long as I live.
One problem I always have is how I want to spend the 18th of February. Since my revelation on graduation night, I've done various things around this time of year. Once I told my boss (as she was hiring me) that I needed that day off and would start the 19th. Another year, I got into a huge huge blowup with my mom around the time. However, almost every year, I've kept to myself and either stayed in bed all day or just be a complete wreck.
And that is the problem. Do I really want to spend one day every year in this manner? He's dead (and has been for 19 years) and wasting a day isn't going to change that. So I'm working on trying to change my attitude about this day, but it's rough. And it was especially hard this year after receiving good news with regards to grades, but having the death overshadowing everything.
ok, that's enough rambling--probably doesn't make sense but I'll post anyway.
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
On one hand, I finally got my last grade from the fall semester. I did fairly well, and managed to pull a 3.70 GPA and place 8th (out of 126) in my class (first year evening division students). That was exciting and was a positive note for the day.
Yesterday was also the one day of the year where I don't know what to do. See, yesterday was the anniversary of the death of my father. I dread February 18th each year not knowing how the day will be. I never know how I want the day to go and this is ultimately the bigger issue. I am torn over what I should do on this day. Before HS graduation, this was never a problem--it was just any other day. However, graduation day was a turning point in my life.
Most people go out to parties or hang out with friends following HS graduation. Me? I did neither--I actually went home, left my friends early, and spent the night in my room. It was a very very rough night. What made it hard was that my father's death finally hit home. It was like the last 14 years had caught up with me and his death sunk in. Almost like I was in denial for 14 years and it all came to a point on graduation night. I guess what made it real was that my dad was missing a milestone in my life, and on top of that, he'd be missing every additional milestone for as long as I live.
One problem I always have is how I want to spend the 18th of February. Since my revelation on graduation night, I've done various things around this time of year. Once I told my boss (as she was hiring me) that I needed that day off and would start the 19th. Another year, I got into a huge huge blowup with my mom around the time. However, almost every year, I've kept to myself and either stayed in bed all day or just be a complete wreck.
And that is the problem. Do I really want to spend one day every year in this manner? He's dead (and has been for 19 years) and wasting a day isn't going to change that. So I'm working on trying to change my attitude about this day, but it's rough. And it was especially hard this year after receiving good news with regards to grades, but having the death overshadowing everything.
ok, that's enough rambling--probably doesn't make sense but I'll post anyway.
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Thursday, February 9, 2006
Brought to you by the number 4
FOUR JOBS:
~Bouncer
~Associate at Turkey Hill (similar to a 7-11)
~associate at Staples
~Lifeguard (how many of you knew that?)
FOUR MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER & OVER
~Dumb & Dumber
~Kingpin
~Field of Dreams (and thanks to TBS, I can watch it over & over & over)
~Rain Man
FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED
~Ephrata, PA
~North Philly
~West Philly
~Southwest Philly
FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE
~Mythbusters
~24 (started watching this season & am enjoying it)
~Family Guy
~Trading Spaces
FOUR PLACES I'VE BEEN ON VACATION
this really depends on your definition of vacation
~Ocean City, MD
~Washington, D.C.
~no other 'traditional' vacations
FOUR FAVORITE DISHES
~Grasshopper Pie (only it is no longer made--oh, the agony)
~Spatzel (this is really a side dish--it's a type of noodle that is of German decent)
~Hamburger, green bean, noodle mixture (no real name to it)
~Almost anything with BBQ sauce
FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
~Sleeping in bed
~Visiting with my niece & nephew
~Out in a bar with Brothers/friends
~Widener law library
FOUR SITES I MUST VISIT DAILY
~MSN
~Yahoo
~NBC10
~Widener Law School
~Bouncer
~Associate at Turkey Hill (similar to a 7-11)
~associate at Staples
~Lifeguard (how many of you knew that?)
FOUR MOVIES I CAN WATCH OVER & OVER
~Dumb & Dumber
~Kingpin
~Field of Dreams (and thanks to TBS, I can watch it over & over & over)
~Rain Man
FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED
~Ephrata, PA
~North Philly
~West Philly
~Southwest Philly
FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE
~Mythbusters
~24 (started watching this season & am enjoying it)
~Family Guy
~Trading Spaces
FOUR PLACES I'VE BEEN ON VACATION
this really depends on your definition of vacation
~Ocean City, MD
~Washington, D.C.
~no other 'traditional' vacations
FOUR FAVORITE DISHES
~Grasshopper Pie (only it is no longer made--oh, the agony)
~Spatzel (this is really a side dish--it's a type of noodle that is of German decent)
~Hamburger, green bean, noodle mixture (no real name to it)
~Almost anything with BBQ sauce
FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
~Sleeping in bed
~Visiting with my niece & nephew
~Out in a bar with Brothers/friends
~Widener law library
FOUR SITES I MUST VISIT DAILY
~MSN
~Yahoo
~NBC10
~Widener Law School
Funny
haha--just found these humorous)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Monday, February 6, 2006
Productive day
Today was a very productive day:
Woke up early (initially at 830, reset alarm for 930) and went down & had breakfast and did homework.
I finished my homework and realized that I was doing great on time...that is until I sat down to put my shoes on and stupidly put on the TV. Well, almost 2 hours later, I actually got up after watching "I, Robot"
Anyway, I went out, got a hair cut and then hit up the gym on the way back. After a great workout, I came back and was relieved to see that my e-bay package had arrived (great PSP paddle from the 1950's).
After showering, it was a rush to leave to get to school. Class was ok (it seems to go slow and we belabor every little point, so I tend to zone out and get distracted). Class finally ended at 8:10.
Now, it's 8pm, and my night was only beginning. I rushed out of class, jumped into my car and took off to the North. 2 hours later (and 5 mins late), I arrived at Rutgers-New Brunswick, where the Alpha Theta chapter is being reactivated. Stayed in the info session til almost midnight. Got to reconnect with Rosie and also got to meet Paul Turchin (sp?).
After leaving, Gabe talked me into going to White Castle--why? because we were in middle of New Jersey & could go to a WC. Food wasn't bad, but wasn't the best thing for me.
I just now got home from Jersey (and was about 95% sure I was getting a ticket at one point) and I have homework to do. I have to do it tonight because on the way out of the mtg, Colleen reminded me of the Devry-Ft. Washington info sessions tomorrow afternoon--so I'll be up there all afternoon.
Gonna be a long night, minimal sleep, and long day Tuesday. Still, got a lot done today.
Tired...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
Woke up early (initially at 830, reset alarm for 930) and went down & had breakfast and did homework.
I finished my homework and realized that I was doing great on time...that is until I sat down to put my shoes on and stupidly put on the TV. Well, almost 2 hours later, I actually got up after watching "I, Robot"
Anyway, I went out, got a hair cut and then hit up the gym on the way back. After a great workout, I came back and was relieved to see that my e-bay package had arrived (great PSP paddle from the 1950's).
After showering, it was a rush to leave to get to school. Class was ok (it seems to go slow and we belabor every little point, so I tend to zone out and get distracted). Class finally ended at 8:10.
Now, it's 8pm, and my night was only beginning. I rushed out of class, jumped into my car and took off to the North. 2 hours later (and 5 mins late), I arrived at Rutgers-New Brunswick, where the Alpha Theta chapter is being reactivated. Stayed in the info session til almost midnight. Got to reconnect with Rosie and also got to meet Paul Turchin (sp?).
After leaving, Gabe talked me into going to White Castle--why? because we were in middle of New Jersey & could go to a WC. Food wasn't bad, but wasn't the best thing for me.
I just now got home from Jersey (and was about 95% sure I was getting a ticket at one point) and I have homework to do. I have to do it tonight because on the way out of the mtg, Colleen reminded me of the Devry-Ft. Washington info sessions tomorrow afternoon--so I'll be up there all afternoon.
Gonna be a long night, minimal sleep, and long day Tuesday. Still, got a lot done today.
Tired...
)*# !!^ !)% !)* !)* )*$ !!$ !)! !)& !)& !)% !!) !)#,
)^* !!& !)@ !)@
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