30 September 2006

What a Beautiful Day

Please note the title is intended to be laden with sarcasam.

I got up at about 11, after waking up around 10. Dave was not in my house. Firefly marathon officcially cancelled. I was pissed. So what did I do about it? Tried my hand at a good deed. I demanded that I cook breakfast for the McWhiteson house. It was okay.

Then everyone abandoned me to study, or do assignments. Fine, that stuff happens. I spent several consecutive hours watching M*A*S*H and contemplating the meaning of life. I also smakced myself for wasting so much money yesterday.

I was soon after called by cousins, allerting me that Dayna would be picking me up at 3:30 to help her move homes. Not a problem, I don't mind helping. Except that I was not aware that moving day was Saturday, instead of the planned Sunday.

Upon hearing roommate plans to watch Pretty in Pink, I made it known to my cousin and other relatives, that I would be needing to get home by 7:00. Not a problem, I was told.

After eating my supper (I had skipped lunch) I called the McWhiteson home. My Pretty in Pink compatriots, decided on another social event, a girls night, which I thought they were going to skip. These things happen. At least they're out of the house, but my night is down the crapper.

In a last ditch effort to find someone to do something with, I discovered that I am seriously lacking in social powers here on the East Coast. I ended up with my family untill 8:30ish, which, while great, was not my plan.

I got home, and resolved to fight off the "Poor Me"s by watching the surly but amusing Dr. House on his show ... House M.D.

I get "Insert a disc" blaring at me from my DVD player. Suspecting a problem, I open the tray. The DVD is missing. No problem, I must have put it in the case. I open the case.

2 of 3 disks are missing!!! What the hell?! Where did they go? I don't know! But you know what that means? That means that I get to 1) explain to my cousin that the DVDs I swore to protect with my life, have gone missing, and 2) spend another $50 replacing said disks.

Ugh. Seriously, after YC, I am planning my Saturdays with fun but reliable people. I'm going to grab someone at church tomorrow, demand an email address, and inform them that in two weekends time we must "hang."

I will use a firearm if needs be.

Oopsie Day

So last night, I was all ready to go to bed at around 10:00. Then Specker came online. Call of Duty 2 skillz were discussed, and I just felt I had to bring it.

Two hours later, I got to sleep.

Not as a direct result of, but no doubt partly related, I slept in this morning to 7:30. A few things went wrong, such as forgetting to turn on my lamp, and not realizing that Robyn had already taken a shower, thus throwing off my own routine. Not blaming, just observing.

So I did get to school on time, though I was fully expecitng to miss my first class. Turns my flippy-out-ey-over-lateness thing could be diagnosed to a watch that was ten minutes fast. The morning was saved. Math was blah. Computer Science was the usual. Liai asked me to meet him at the Library at 11, but since that's when I eat lunch, we settled on "Some time between 10 and 11." By the time he found me, there was too little time for me to be of any help.

I ate a "Taste of Mexico" pita as lunch/breakfast, since I didn't have time to pack a lunch, or eat much of a breakfast.

German was okay, I feel better about today's quiz, but that doesn't mean much.

I went to the Avalon mall. Actually ... Chapters, and ordered a book I've been wanting for a while: Battle Royale, a sort of Lord of the Flies to the tenth degree. Went to the trade, bought a new tie, since I lost mine sometime after church last sunday.

Got home, and STARTED my CAPA assignment due at midnight tonight.

Then the McWhitesons went for groceries. Then there was a lovely supper prepared by Sarah Smith. Then there was planned a Lecture on Islam and Democracy. Since there was no garuentee that my only friend attending would be there, I ditched it, and went to a movie with Meagan, Sarah, and Robert.

A mini review of The Last Kiss. Incredible, involving, and spectacularly real movie. Ruined only by several graphic sex scenes. There was probably 4-5 minutes (accumulitive) of the movie that I forced myself to stare at a neatly folded napkin on my knee. Too bad. Other than these moments, an incredible movie.

Came home, attempted to make snow-cones (before which I had tried to crush ice, failed, and ran to the store to aquire more). Got more like really cold syrup, and drank it anyways.

Night ends at near 1:00 a.m.

CAPA was due an hour ago.

I've only got 14-15 of 25 done.

Whoops.

Next time, I won't forget. It's not worth THAT much.

28 September 2006

Imagined Conversation, and my Spiritual Gift

So I had an imagined conversation one day, a few weeks ago.

It was just after I did imaginary awesome stuff, and a girl came up to me. She was all like "Hey, you're pretty cool, Josh. I thought God's people were lamer than that!" And I was all like "I think we're supposed to be. But I swear, I'm awesome completely by accident!" Then I think there might have been a sportscar, a beach, and a lovely (wholesome) end to a Disney-esque movie.

But seriously, I think that might be my spiritual gift: being awesome. (Humble of me, I know.)

What can I do? I suck at teaching. I'm not a terribly good player of anything other than X Box, and that doesn't go well with a worship team. I could probably get by speaking from a podium, or something, but what I love to do, and what I think I'm good at doing is meeting people. I guess I'm like my father in that way. Meet somebody and talk.

I've made the observation that I'm not as good a conversationalist to people I already know well. And I'm a bit abrasive sometimes, depending on who you are. But really, I love to get to know people. I love to hear, and to listen. And then I love to talk.

I just need to get out there is all, I guess. Example: I noticed a girl on the bus was totally checking me out*. So I was like "uuh." and I sort of looked away. I glanced back here and there, but really, I didn't know what to do.

*might not have actually been checking me out. But she was kind of cute, so I'll operate on the assumption that she was.

Where am I going with this? Nowhere, honestly. It's just a little bit of ego self-inflation to end the day with. German quiz tomorrow. Hopefully I do better than last friday's 3.5/13. I've been doing flashcards. Seriously, I rock so much. People on the bus must have thought I was crazy tonight, because I kept muttering things like "Amerikanish," and "die Leute," just loud enough to hear myself over the engine.

This must obviously mean I'm the sexiest man alive.

27 September 2006

I blog too much.

I blog way too much. Ironic that my fourth post in a day is stating just that.

What am I trying to replace with all this? There's just too much time in some days, but not enough in others.

I've got two assignments due on Friday, and I've barely started one. Not a problem, since they'll only take an hour or two, but you know how it is. I've GOT to do some tonight, and then some tomorrow.

To the world that has taken me for granted too long ...

Fine.

I'll interject. I'll impose. I'll include myself. I'll disrupt.

Because waiting for invitations, or assuming you'll get back around to me isn't working.

When you complain to me, I feel happy. Because I'm important then. You confide in me. But when you confide in each-other all the time, and forget that I care, I wonder what I'm here for.

When you say you don't care, it hurts my feelings. I don't expect you to understand Java. I don't expect you to learn German. But I always hoped you would listen. Because I really don't understand theory. I'll never use chemestry. But I'm interested because you're interested.

When you blow off what I'm interested, I'm hurt. I haven't asked anybody to go to the arcade with me, because everyone always says no. I haven't forced any X Box Playing, because it lasts five minutes, and then we want to move on. So how can you be confused when I only ask once or twice to do things with me? One or two "No"s so often means "never." Ten minutes of X Box. Go to the resturaunt once. A dollar's worth of Arcade Games.

These past three weeks (most of this week excluded) I've felt very much an island. Especially for a guy who is ALL ABOUT community.

Family is something I've always taken for gratned. I've always worked hard at it, but I've always worked hard at being there, because everyone I've ever loved seemed to know I was there. They would come when they need me, and be there when I need them. Now I just need to re-focus my attention. Simply being here doesn't seem to be enough. It looks like I have to invade to show love to you people.

Though I hate being assertive, I'm fine with that. Because you're my friends.

x 06

So ... it's 45 minutes untill Microsoft's annual video game press event starts this year, in Barcelona, Spain.

Aber, Microsoft ist Amerikanish. Hmm. (Did I say/type that right?)

Be excited. Hopefully we'll see more Mass Effect, Call of Duty 3, and awesome hardware. I love hardware.

I feel giddy.

Here at School Again

So. I'm here at the University again. I'm kind of watching my back, since I'm not sitting where I normally do. I fear the others'll show up for lunch, and not see me.

I didn't bring a lunch today. I figured I'd be home by 1, so I'd eat then.

I miscalculated. I'm very hungry right NOW and it's only 10:30. I might get a pita for lunch.

I've been thinking about everythin I've been ranting about recently. When friends say they want to go to University of Ottowa, or wherever else, my first thought has been "I'll go to Vietnam." Why Vietnam? Mostly because everybody knows they're in a bad way. It could be Iran for all I care.

But the feeling has died down a little bit. What AM I going to do next year? Probably stay in University. Is that what I should be doing? I really don't know.

I've been struggling with this misisons idea for a week now. My first thought is about how that feels like where I'm being led. My second thought is about all I'd be giving up. My third, fourth, and fifth thoughts, are about that too. Sixth thought is something about stability.

If I could author my life, I'd start a company, or a coffee shop, or something. I'd manage it for a few years, then pass it on to somebody else. It'd still be mine, and I'd still make money from it, but somebody else would take care of it. I'd then have stability. A foundation of a life I can come back to, in the developed world.

But should I worry about stability? It's nice to have, but whether I'm the next Bill Gates, or the next Mother Teresa, God will provide what I need. Besides, perhaps stability is exactly my problem right now.

I remember the story someone told me about when the Spanish, or the French, or someone, was colonizing a certainc country. They tried a few times, and gave up, came back home, to their foundation. Then the General, or the leader, or whoever had an idea. When everybody went on shore to colonize for the fourth or fifth time, he burned the ship behind them. They were stuck. They HAD to colonize, because there was no way back home.

How long would I stay in North Korea, when I have a Mac, X Box 360, dog, internet etc. in Newfoundland?

Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts. There is another option that feels almost as right as abandoning the developed world: Officership. It's an idea I've rolled around my brain here and there, but never considered for too long. Perhaps that's what I should do? I joked yesterday with a stranger about wanting to have a wife lined up before I went to the Training College, if that's what I'm going to end up doing.

A thought just occured to me again. Europe. Not the third world, but the Army does work there, and I've heard they need people. Is there an Army in Switzerland? Then at least I'd be able to put my German course to use.

Now THERE'S an idea.

Prayer and meditation must be the only answer right now. For now I'll put it out of my mind, and do well in School. I can't honestly say I know I'm going to be an officer or missionary. It's just been an extremely persistant thought this past week. And hey, it could be just a mental retaliation to everybody running away from MUN. I want to run too. If I'm going to be alone, I want to be REALLY alone.

Ugh, why won't this post just end.

Just hit submi*-*

26 September 2006

Bill Clinton

Oh my. I never really liked Bill Clinton, but I didn't know why. There was no real reason. So I would be willing to give him a chance.

Not. Any. More.

What a crazy dude. This guy had his finger on the button?!

25 September 2006

Dropping Everything

So. Here I am.

Everybody seems so bummed out about University. Am I the only one who enjoys learning?

The only thing I'm not so much enjoying is what I'm learning. I mean, seriously. German, when am I going to use THAT? Well, at least it's more useful then Computer Science.

Well, that's not true. I'm actually getting excited about writing up some javascript, because I think I've got a good grasp on the concept. It's just ... how am I going to better humanity with Javascript?

I used to be the one who always went nuts when people talked about going on missions trips and stuff. You work up for 50 weeks of the year, and serve humanity for 2. Remember fractions? That is not a big thing. Why does it feel big? Because to most people, it's a trip. A retreat. Not a way of life. It's a break from the norm.

So my big thing was "Make sure you minsiter in everything you do." My way of doing this, I always thought, could Be St. Francis of Asissi's concept. But, it's difficult to do all the time.

Where am I going with this? Honestly, i don't know.

I'm not doubting that I should have done Computer Science. I'm just wondering why I did. I honestly belive I'm following God's will. But did he want me to do CS to learn CS, or to minister to the people I'll come in contact with? Hopefully I'll do both.

I've also noticed how strange I am in my spirituality.

When it's time for church, I'm one to drop everything, and go for it, unless I will literally die if I stop. When it's time for friends, it's the same way. And yet I don't expect, or nessecarily want other people to do the same thing.

When I want to talk to Robyn, or Meagan, I sniff out the situation first. Are they busy? Then I'll wait. Maybe that's why I haven't talked to them about anything of worth. I don't give anyone the chance to tell me to shut up.

Well, at least, not about anything serious.

If any of my homeboys from CB are reading this, the monday after the Thanksgiving weekend, we're going to have to do something. Break out a big 'ole round of Halo 2? LAN party at Josh's?

I realized this week that of 4 days off University, 2 days will be packed with YC, and one will be filled with Driving.

One day, to hang with people from home. Plus I've got to fit family in there too.

How am I going to swing that?!

Anyways, back to the point of the post (Alliteration, fools!) Last night, during the sermon, Major started spouting off quotes about outreach. One of them was to the effect of "When the call comes to minister [or save souls, or something] we must be willing to drop absolutely everything to do God's will."

So here I am, about to drop my Friday nights, by going downtown, and hanging with people of the world. Here I am, ready to drop University the second the call comes.

But I wonder. Am I ready to drop University because I desire to do God's will, or because I'm lazy? Am I honestly beliving that doing God's will will be easier?! Am I chasing a romanticized version of missionary work?

In a year, when everybody else is switching Universities, I see myself in Vietnam.

Should this scare me? Should I wonder why, or should I just take it as it is?

At least I'd have to go Cold-Turkey on my internet addiction.

24 September 2006

Missin My Homeboys

So this weekend I dragged my TV, and X Box 360, and Microwave Stand downstairs, so I could physically wire into X Box Live. It was great.

Tonight, however, my homies from Corner Brook, are apparently playing a game over X Box Connect (A pirated and free version of X Box Live). I was dissapointed. Then I remembered that a simple download would mean I could get in on the game!!!

Then I remembered that they don't support Macs.

Dissapointment. For an instant, I was willing to spend every last cent I have, in order to play with my friends from Corner Brook. Thank God I don't have the opportunity to spend all that money.

I miss gaming with Scott, and Specker (whom I can actually game with, if we ever meet each-other online). Devin, and Penny. Wow.

I think I'm going to go drown my sorrows. Or rather, kill random strangers on X Box Live untill they go away.

But alas, I have CS stuff to read over, as well as some German to study.

Tomorrow's a busy day too. And Tuesday looks like it will be too.

Ugh. What would I give for the days where work was treated with the same disdain as leporacy. But this time it counts.

For what? I'm not sure.

23 September 2006

Thrift Store Excelence

I don't know why I haven't spent more time in thrift stores before?

While searching for [Censored] costume pieces, Andrew and I decided to sort through some thrift store CDs.

12 dollars later, I posess:

a Burlap to Cashmere CD (Anybody Out There?)
- I had heard about this band just this week, but I don't remember from whom, or how. Goood stuff.

a Silverchair CD (Frogstomp)
- It had a frog on the cover, how could I leave it? That and the title of the band intrigued me/sounded familiar.

a Michael W. Smith CD (the first decade, 1983-1993)
- I don't really know why I bought it. But hey, a dollar fifty!

a Compilation CD (Red Hott Dance)
- Because I just love to shake my booty.

an NSYNC CD (Celebrity)
- Because it was there, and it was a dollar fifty, and if all else fails, I can throw it at someone.

a New Kids on the Block Casette (Merry Merry Christmas)
- Just 'cuz.

a Tape Player.
- Because mine doesn't have an output. We're going to put the new kids on the block tape on a computer.

Shortly after this I was dumped within walking distance to the mall. I proceeded to search the mall for some index cards, and a sharpie. I found some, plus granola bars. Picked it up, and caught the bus back home.

Now I'm going to write German on them. Yay.

Then I'm going to Aaron's. Glee.

Dreams

I just had a very wierd dream. Well, not so much wierd, but you know.

It started off with a bunch of us going to a Best Buy. It's been a very long time since I've been to a Best Buy, but I'm pretty sure none of them were in castles. While I was looking at some DVDs, a girl came over and was talking to me. She was cute, or something, and my age. She made it clear that I was the best thing since sliced bread. I didn't get her number, she just suggested I come by her church, and we could do somehting from there. Score. She told me her name.

I forgot it ...

So I got seperated from my people, and was shopping in this labyrinth. I accidentally fell into a bouncy castle, where store associates quickly jumped in and bounced too. Finally everyone left except for me and this one guy, who, somehow, managed to bounce in such a way that I was launched out of the bouncy castle, and into a display of fridges.

While I was righting myself, when Jim Moulton came along. We chatted about fridges and stoves, when I asked the question. "Do you know this girl?" and I proceeded to describe her. He said yes. I asked "What's her name?" He said "Name? She doesn't have one!"

I am royally confused, when Jim explains that her parents gave her the most retarded name ever, with like, a bajillion consonants, and two vowels or something. I stand in dissapointment and intrigue.

So somehow, from the basement I look out a third story window, and see this girl and her mother leaving the store. "The store is closing anyways," and I race out to catch her. "What was your name again?" I asked in a roundabout way. She said it was like Ligstopver or something. Something retarded. I say "Cool, well, I'll see you later." She leaves with her mother, and I'm like, wa-chaa.

Then, out of nowhere, Sarah S, Sarah W, and Meagan whip around the corner in a cross between a humvee and a dune buggy. I get in the back, and we whip around the parking lot, which as I look closer, is actually an off-road racing track. We go nuts with the driving, and I fall out. I start walking out of this track, along with somebody who fell out with me. Who it is, I can't remember.

We chat about stupid stuff, untill we get to the exit to the parking lot/off road course. There we get into Meagan's normal car, and proceed to the strangely-named-girl's church. I comment about not wanting strangely named children, and the whole car discusses wedding plans, or something.

We get to the church, and her car is in the driveway. Yes, her church has a driveway. Apparenlty she lives in the church.

I roll over, look at the clock, discover it's only 8:45, and try to get back to sleep, disappointed such a wierd dream was brought to such a sudden end.

Any interpretations? I have to say that dream was probably the most elaborate I've had in a long time, and the only one I've remembered since I got to St. Johns.

That Boy ...

So, living with two teenaged girls has provided some insight.

There is a situation, with a dude, liking one of the afforementioned girls, and her not liking him back. Things get akward. Jokes are made.

I feel for this dude, seriously. Because several months ago, (and some might argue, a similar situation right up to now)I was in the same boat. It was akward for me, and now I wonder what jokes were made at my expense.

One thing this dude's got going for him that I didn't: Signals didn't get muddled. They were recieved loud and clear, and were replied to with a big fat "No."

So at least there's not any confusion for him.

Just the getting over part.

My father sent me an envelope with a pamphlet for the MUN student councelling. I had hoped I'd be able to chat things out with friends, but that really hasn't happened, probably at my fault. So now I consider finding a stranger to listen. And I've got to fit THAT into a schedule, which is already cluttered with learning Javascript, and pounding out Essays.

I'll hold out untill YC. If I can't clear the air by then, I'll contact somebody.

An open letter to myself,
~Josh

22 September 2006

Sunny Friday

So I did my German quiz today. Not so good. I've really got to figure this memorization thing out.

It's sunny here today. I was done at 1:00. it's 2:15 right now. I think I might go down to that gelato place soon.

I'm addicted to wierd al.

Aand.

Ghandi's Back!

21 September 2006

Remembering Vocab

How does everyone remember vocab? I'm doing German now, and drawing pictures about the words, and repeating the words to myself doesn't work. Labeling everything I see doesn't help. Yelling it at myself seems to work at a rate of one word per hour or two.

Next attempt is Cue-Cards, but I'm too late to learn my second page and a half of vocab for tomorrow's quiz.

Ugh, this is garbage.

And I think I'm a John Reuben fan. Need iTunes money.

20 September 2006

Back-issue Issue

So I just read a post on my friend's blog, which I missed the first time around. Here is a line that really grabbed me:

"It was good (for the most part), but Jane and Jim were unable to bridge the awkward gap of religious/non-religious people (try as they might) ..." [Names Changed, because I can]

Wow.

What gap? I didn't see a gap. Was I the one making it? I don't think so, but you can never be sure.

I talked with Jim, and whatever "gap" was there felt like hardly a crack in the sidewalk. Obviously we don't share the same views, but there was no rift, and it actually spawned a good conversation, I thought.

If we are being "Good Christians," would there even be a gap to speak of? Is the gap from not being in the world, or is it from not being of the world?

A lot of the time we make our own Christian subcluture. We listen to "Good" music. We "Court," not date. There's even a "Christian" version of Threadless out now. That is a gap, because then we can't relate to people.

I will go to Dooley's. I will be in the world.

I will drink pepsi. I will not be of the world.

Also, "Religious People ..." "Religious People" start holy wars, fly planes into buildings, tell Marlyn Mansen fans they're going to hell, and bomb abortion clynics. Deciples of Jesus Christ bridge gaps, and love enemies.

It's too bad that the only word we have for these deciples, that people will understand is "Religious." Because religion brings so much death. And that's not who I want to be.

And for the record, this is not a rebuttle, attack, or correction to the original poster. These are my own thoughts, sparked by your work.

Forgetting Physics

So I borought a printed version of my CAPA assignment to school today, which I thought I could do during my hour alone.

I forgot to bring my formula sheet.

Again.

So I can't do that. There's only so much web-surfing one can do, and I can't deal with more than 1/2 hour of German right now.

Any suggestions (I'll be home by the time I read them, but still go ahead)

And has anybody heard how much I love Wierd Al lately?

19 September 2006

Not A Music Student

Somebody observed something about one of my friends once. They constantly tried to get into obscure, and unpopular things. Why? The theory is that this person would rather be the best at an obscure thing, than second best at a popular thing. It was all about the recognition.

This is something that I thought was confined to Musical Instruments. I mean, I knew it could extend farther, but I didn't think it did. And here I am, feeling the same way.

There's always been somebody better. Don't tell anyone, but for one summer, I wanted nothing more than to be the Sr. Honour student at music camp. I was all set to give it a shot, the year that I was a senior, and Erika wasn't. So I was all psyched up to go, in my head. Then Meagan decided to go to camp. I didn't even try. She's great at what she does, so I probably wouldn't have gotten it anyways, but I just didn't try.

I resolved that I was the biggest gamer, and greatest nerd in Music Camp. That was good enough for me.

Then I got to University.

We were informed in our second class that we would need to use Linux. Where I would have asked "How does that work?" another dude asked which release they were using. People were done a full hour ahead of me in my lab on Monday.

Now, that doesn't bother me too much, but it sucks that my Alamo, my last-resort-for-a-thing-to-be-awesome-at, my last line of defence before mediocraty, has been bombed straight to hell. What am I?

I'm a Christian, with a decent knowledge of why. But I feel like an idiot when talking to some people, and a know-it-all to others. I'm a great friend, but I alwas fear my motives are being questioned, even when I'm sure there's nothing sinister.

I'm confident in myself, as long as I don't have to compete. To fight. Unless it's a videogame, because nine times out of ten, I rock. The other time, I, uh, sneezed, at the worst, um, possible moment.

And even that I can't do.

What do I have right now? A pathway that ends in a degree I'll probably never use. An X Box with no friends to play with. A room, with only one important decoration: a computer, which I use to complain, write crap that nobody'll read. A bed, on which I sleep.

All I've got right now, it feels, is my family, my friends, and my God. All those things are awesome, but as always, a man will always ask for more. And if a man will always ask for more, what's a boy like me to do? Throw a tantrum for more.

I had a look at my budget the other day. If I don't start living like a monk, my bank account might not live past YC. I've got more money on reserve, in my long term savings (earmarked for a golden aniversary honeymoon, or retirement gift to myself), but I'm not sure I really want to dip into that. Because that means I'll have to replace it during the Summer. And nobody wants to work for money they can't spend.

Something good did come of my CS class, though. I met Liai. He's from some country in Africa, I can't recall which one off hand. He doesn't have a computer, and he's in my Computer Science class. He asks "What?" after every sentance. He calls me "Jeshwa." He is possibly the best thing to come of my Unviersity so far. And I've spoken a total of five minutes to him.

I'm feeling very jaded (and obese ... a private joke, I suppose) right now.

I wrote this entry in like, three parts. Expect no coherence.

I have German excersises to do.

Wunderbar.

18 September 2006

Spiritual Steroids

On Sunday, I was part of some of the most intense worship since YC, I've been a part of. THE most intense worship I've been part of, while in my uniform. I don't know if that distinction deserves presentation, but there you go.

Tonight, I got the bus to the Arts and Culture Center, and arrived for The Known Soldier fourty five minutes early. Passing the trees on their lawn, I heard birds, like today. I stopped and listened to their unyielding chatter for ten minutes. I went in, picked up my "Play Admittance Pass" since I had lost my ticket, then listened to the birds again for five minutes.

The play was incredible. Well, as much as TNL can be. When I read the paragraph from the directior, I scoffed at the notion that it was a tale of "the loss of innocence." Obviously, what a cliched thing to put on paper! But then I saw the play.

If you get the chance, go see it. It's here in St. Johns again tomorrow night, and then it moves on. It's inspired by a real soldier, the youngest man ever to get the Victoria Cross, and a Newfoundlander. I don't recall his name. I'm terrible for those things.

Then I went to go home. Instead of waiting for the bus, as I was originally intending, I walked home. I took an incredibly slow pace, so it took half hour, to forty five minutes.

I can't call it a prayer walk, but it was a hardcore reflection, meditation, and prayer time. Two huge men were walking at me at one point. I felt inspired. I smiled. Their faces split into a smile as well. That, and similar things to it happened three or four times. Another were a young couple, looked like they were afraid of me. Another older lady with a dog.

I've been feeling as if St. Johns is faceless for a while. But I smile. And people smile back.

When a person smiles, there is no choice but to have a face.

Placidity is the word of my day. I'm feeling very ... I can't say content. There are alot of things I'd like to have right now, but I don't. Plenty of money, a happy family, my puppy doggers, stronger, or more relationships with people. But I don't worry. Not right now at least.

[Now, in the more material world ...]

I've also gotten into the habit of downloading lots of music. I've got 40¢ left on my iTunes, and about five albums I want to buy.

I think I've given up on hard-copy CDs. It's nice to have the booklet, and the case, and the CD, but it's also $5-15 more expensive. And I'll only be putting it on my iPod.

Once I manage to fight more wiggle-room into my budget, I'll probably buy a $50 iTunes Card.

Nintendo Wii also has a release date. If you want one on day one, pay for it NOW.

Hint hint Santa.

Incredible Birdies

As I sit here typing this, all I can hear is the unrelenting chirping of possibly hundreds of birds.

I noticed it while I was on the phone with a woman from the Arts and Culture box office. When I took a look out my window, I hung up the phone immediately, and stole Meagan's camera. I've captured a short video, which will be youtubed soon.

I looked out and saw maybe thirty birds in the trees. I couldn't pick them out in the pictures though, so I was dissapointed.

Then more came. And more. I estemated possibly one hundred birds in three different trees.

All at once, possibly five to six hundred birds exploded out of the trees.

All I could do was allow my jaw to get tangled in my feet, and keep staring.

They just came back, and left again.

I can't belive I was the only one home to witness that.

17 September 2006

Complaints and Jars Of Clay

I spent an hour in bed today.

What induced this hour? Well, indirectly, Robyn. We got to talking about Jars Of Clay, and she mentioned a song she really loved by them, called frail. I can't even describe it right now. It's 6 1/2 minutes of song, but only 1 minute of vocals. It's just so peaceful. I was studying, and it came on. I had to drop everything and listen. It made me go to bed, where I listened to it on repeat for somewhere between thirty minutes, and a full hour. I'm not even joking.

I just laid there, blocked the sun from my window, closed my eyes, and listened to it: over. and. over. and. over. and. over. It's actually almost depressing. I hugged my pillow and wished it would hug back.

Made me miss Corner Brook:

Where friendships were everywhere, and the important ones were less complicated.

Where school was easy to blow off, and my doggie always annoyed me.

Where mommy would always hug me, and my brother would always hit me.

Where my looser friends never had decent relationships, so I never thought I was missing anything.

Where my hated job provided the means to buy things, but my city never provided the things to buy.

Where I could hop on X Box Live almost any time.

Where all I wanted to do was watch movies with people, and I assumed talking would come naturally all the time.

Music is so powerful. I must profess my newfound love for Jars of Clay. And my profound wishes to have my summer back.

I'm already thinking about June. I still haven't learned that the future won't nessecarily be more fun.

"... The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion."
~Einstien

Poetry: Oh My God

Oh my God, look around this place
Fingers reach around the bone
You set the break and set the tone
Flights of grace and future fails
In present pain
All fools say, "Oh My God"

Oh my God, why are we so afraid?
We make it worse when we don't bleed
There is no cure for our disease
Turn a phrase and rise again
Or fake your death and only tell your closest friends
Oh my God

Oh my God, can I complain?
You take away my firm belief
And graft my soul upon Your grief
Weddings, boats and alibis
All drift away and a mother cries

Liars and fools, sons and failures
Thieves will always say
Lost and found, ailing wanderers
Healers always say
Whores and angels, men with problems
Leavers always say
Broken-hearted, seperated
Orphans always say
War creators, racial haters
Preachers always say
Distant fathers, fallen warriors
Givers always say
Pilgram saints, lonely widows
Users always say
Fearful mothers, watchful doubters
Saviors always say

Sometimes I cannot forgive
And these days mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be
Maybe I could get some sleep
While I lay, I dream we're better
Scales were gone and faces lighter
When we wake, we hate our brother
We still move to hurt each other
Sometimes I can close my eyes
And all the fear that keeps me silent
Falls below my heavy breathing
What makes me so badly bent?
We all have a chance to murder
We all feel the need for wonder
We still want to be reminded
That the pain is worth the thunder

Sometimes when I loose my grip
I wonder what to make of Heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give
Babies underneath their beds
Hospitals that cannot treat
All the wounds that money causes
All the comforts of cathedrals
All the cries of thirsty children
This is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers
This is our greatest offense

Oh my God
Oh my God
Oh my God

~Jars of Clay

=====

There's an entire new element to this song when you hear it. At 2:37 the song just builds to it's fifth minute climax. It clocks in at just over six minutes.

Listen to it.

Seriously.

Only a dollar on iTunes.

16 September 2006

Respect

Think of a person, or people that you respect.

What qualities do they have? Is that what makes you respect them? Why do you respect them, and what qualities do you deem respectable.

Discuss. Reply anonomously if you wish. I just want some feedback right now.

15 September 2006

On Conspiracy, War, and Bush

So first of all, I'm at the university right now. And I'm not typing notes. Why? I've decided I won't type notes unless they're incredibly confusing. The slip has begun. Soon I'll be kicking puppies, and harassing old people.

So a friend of mine sent me a link to a video the other day. I no longer have the URL, but basically what it was, was a 40 minute compilation of all the evidence people have that 9/11 was a controlled demolition. Much of this comes from 911truth.com (or something). Some of their argumetns that stood out to me were:

A plane has actually flown into one the towers before, but the tower did not collapse.

If all three buildings collapsed because of internal fire, it would be the first three times in history towers have collapsed due to fire. All three "first times" on the same day.

Building 9 (or was it 7) collapsed hours after the twin towers, and some argue that it didn't fall due to structural damage caused by the twin towers, since it was the only other building to fall, and was not the closest. Building 9 (0r 7) was also where alot of CIA data was stored for some reason.

Parts of the building had burned at 2 500 degrees (not sure if it's ferenheit or celsius). Jet fuel burns at 1 500. A common demolition chemical burns at the required 2 500.

It was a well thought out, and put together video, and it makes me wonder. But I have to wonder. How many planes have THEY flown into buildings like that?

It reminded me of the video where people claimed that it was a missile, and not a plane, that flew into the pentagon. It's an interesting thought, but I'm not sure I buy it just yet. I'll have to be satisfied with my mantra of "I'll know the truth someday."

I was going to make this a longer post, but I've got to meet with my faculty advisor in 10 minutes. I'll edit the rest of this post in after the meeting (probably after I get home, at 1:30ish)

In a nutshell: War is inevitable. Torture isn't as uncommon as we'd like. Bush isn't a bad president, and where the heck is Harper?

EDIT:

Alright, so I'm off for the day. Let's start with War. Why does every get thier underwear in a bunch when war comes around? Because war isn't plesant. Should we be upset at war? Yes, of course. People die, whether it's theirs or ours, life is lost. So we're in agreement so far?

I can't really get too deep into this, because I'm honestly not sure how to say what I'm feeling right now. Other than, we can dislike a war all we want, but as long as your elected government is around, you have to deal with their decisions. If they decide to go to war, and you don't like it, have a quiet protest.

One thing that really bothers me is when you read a newspaper, or read the news, and a father or mother of a killed soldier is protesting the war, or when people inform us that "so-and-so" the killed soldier didn't want to be in the war.

Soldiers fight wars. It doesn't matter if they like the war or not. I'm a student, I have to do assignments. If I fail, would I protest "We shouldn't be learning English anyways!" Different situation, I know, but you get the drift.

I was very impressed with the televised funeral of one Canadian soldier I saw. I forget her name, but she was the first female Canadian soldier killed in a very long time. Her father stated that he disagreed with the war, or somthing with that nature, but went on to say that his daughter thought it was nessecary. He made it clear that it was her choice to become a soldier, whatever the cost. THIS is a very good attitude, ESPECIALLY for somebody who just lost a daughter.

I'm just sort of rambling here. I can't form a coherent work of literature, so I'm just sort of doing the best I can.

Now Bush: Don't get me wrong. He's not the best president ever. I never said he was. However, he is certainly not the worst. What the heck did Bill Clinton do after all? Besides that.

I belive Bush is genuine, though. Why is that? It's not because he looks so good on TV, because he absolutely doesn't. It's actually exactly the oposite. He screws up while speaking. He seems real to me. Not as confidence-inspiring as other presidents, but he does what he's supposed to do: lead his country. And he really hasn't done too bad, I don't think. You can't say the War in Iraq was a mistake, because we havn't been around long enough to look back through history and determine that. You can't say 9/11 was his disaster, because honestly if anybody knows it, nobody is telling. You can't say the Katrina screw-up was his fault. Things failed at the bottom, and the domino effect continued the action upward. And then Bush gets the blame.

I have to say, I have respect for anyone who takes controll of a country like the 'states. So diverse, so powerful. If anything happens badly they stare straight at the President. But when good things happen they're proud that "America Did It!"

And speaking of George Bush, I haven't seen his brother Stephen Harper recently. I don't have a TV, and the only newspaper I've read recently is The Muse. I like Harper. He doesn't seem as genuine as George Bush, but that's probably because he's a crazy introvert. I have incredible respect for the fact that he can stand with men like Bush, born into the elite, taking a few extra steps, and leading a country. Harper came from the middle class. He was like me. That's inspiring.

EDIT2: A Rex Murphy commentary on conspiracy theories. Related to the 9/11 stuff I mentioned at the beginning of the post.

14 September 2006

Love?

I literally feel sick after watching this. I almost threw up in my mouth. Seriously.



I stopped watching it, but had to come back to finish it.

This is done in the name of my Jesus?

I'm almost thinking this isn't even as bad:

Mountain Dew


So while I was on iTunes the other night, I wandered into the American store. In it, I found a KJ-52 remix album on. Intrigued, I asked Andrew if he had any of the songs. He told me he didn't have any KJ-52, but promptly downloaded some. I was most interested in The Mullet Song but after hearing Mountain Dew Anonymous, I was hooked.

I listened to it on repeat for 30 minutes last night.

The song played about 13 times. I was craving Mountain Dew by the end of it.

I had to settle for Pepsi.

=====
Selection from "Mountain Dew Anonymous"

...

Ohh what am I gonna do,
I’m addicted to mountain Dew,
When I drink just one to two
These people say “what’s wrong with you man?”
I start acting like fool,
from all the caffeine and the sugar too.
I’m feeling like I aint got a clue.
And it’s just what I’m gonna say to you,

...

I’ve got a problem I just can’t help it,
Somebody help I think I’m addicted,
Every day I gotta just have it,
I can’t help it it’s just a habit,
I’ve got a problem, I get it
I’m an addict I’ll admit it
And I promise I’m gonna quit it
Hey, that Mountain Dew over there, anybody gonna finish it? ...

...

=====

I also just checked my email. I haven't done so in a day or two, and already I had seven emails piled up. I didn't realize the volume of mail I got. Three were newsletters, one was an online recipt, and three were from my father.

What does that say?

13 September 2006

Crowded Childhood

I couldn't imagine growing up here in St Johns. Well, at least not in the city. I was walking the other night, and I passed rows of houses with absolutely no space between the house and the street. Space barely wide enough for a quarter between houses.

As I passed a stand of houses, they all had those little wooden boxes filled with soil, meant for flowers and plants. To beautify the house I suppose.

There was a single dead bush, weeds everywhere, and two big yellow dump-trucks.

The two by three foot space was some kid's front yard. I never used mine, but I can't imagine not having a place to run if I wanted one.

There was a park nearby though. About twice the size of my yard. For an entire street.

Is it crowded?

I'm also angry at my brain today. I've been sitting here for three hours now, and I'm hardly 1/3 through my German vocab, which has to be learned for Friday. I haven't even started looking over other notes yet.

I also need to read "Hills Like White Elephants" for English tomorrow.

Glee.

12 September 2006

Juice!

So the title isn't meant in that utterly moronic "JUICED!" way that the morons of Herdman often used it.

I'm literally talking about juice here today.

I just went to the grocery store because I'm all out of beverages besides Pepsi. Colemans is one song away. About three minutes.

I looked for my favourite grape juice, but they don't carry it. President's Choice White Grape juice is most excelent. I've only ever found it at Dominion though. Instead I bought my backup juices. McCain's Apple and Orange juice. Them's good stuff.

I just looked at my reciept, and noticed an 8¢ "Government Deposit" tacked on after my juice. What's up with that? Is it like a tax? There is no tax added on for my juice, so that could be it.

Well, Government? Where is all this money going?


Oh. Right.

University Daze

So I'm here at University again. I've already got a map in my head, of the Food court, of where the Wireless sucks, and where it's good. Unfortunate: secluded, less-noisy places generally have terrible wireless.

I'm listening to a Skillet single I bought on iTunes last night. It's very good. "Rebirthing."

I'm planning to buy my lunch today. I also need to drop my computer off at the service centre, to have the drive repaired. I got the message on the answering machine yesterday.

In English we needed an example of a "Tall Tale." Somebody shouted "David and Goliath."

Incredible how history can be taken as fable, isn't it? Another thing that bothered me was that the teacher said that Fables came before "Tall Tales." Aesop was around 620-560 B.C. 01 and 02 Samuel was written somewhere from 1000-800 B.C., I thought. So even if "David and Goliath" was an example of a "Tall Tale." it predates Fables. Which is a problem if what she's teaching is supposed to be true.

I love Professor Bobby though. She's so ... Indian.

11 September 2006

Poetry: Boy Soldier

boy soldier
by: Robert King

Before class starts, John sharpens a pencil,
and fills his box with crayons. Opening
to page one hundred, he complains.
"Math is hard."

At recess he has to stay inside. His
loud voice, his teacher explains. It's so unfair.
How could he be punished
so harshly?

At lunch, the jungle-gym sways under
his weight. A half-eaten tuna sandwich
lays discarded. Animla cracker crumbs
line his face.

Fifth period is French class: method of
torture if there ever was one. The teacher
is kind, but Johnny fails.
The price of his mistakes.

His battle ends at three o'clock.

Yohan's battle just ended too.

It was seven thirty, but he never knew. His
failing grade: shrapnel through the neck. He bleeds
to death in a puddle of mud. The teacher:
an enemy soldier.

His last lunch was some sort of animal, caught
three days ago. The meat left stains on his
face, even after being beaten, and bruised:
a bloody mouth.

Last week he stayed two nights inside a dark
shelter. His punisher was kind, even without a
cause for the punishment. He was allowed
half a bowl of water.

Before his last lesson, Yohan sharpened a knife,
not pencils.
Filled his boxes with bullets and explosives,
not crayons.

There was no textbook.
no rulers
no blackboard
no desk

Just
A soldier
A Gun
An unlucky chance.

Yohan was born to a struggling nation.
Not an ungrateful America.

=====

Not sure why I decided to put that there. I just thought I'd share it.

10 September 2006

Light Gives Heat

So, I typically hate giving titles that don't summaraize a post, because if I ever look over everything I've posted, I won't know what I'm getting on with. But honestly, my titles have been getting a bit dull. Not that this is exciting ... it's just different.

I'm not even sure why I'm blogging. I don't have much to say, really, other than I bought the new Jars Of Clay CD on iTunes, and it's great.

I need to eventually buy some Skillet too.

I also bought that Omnibus I was talking about. It's volume 1, and volume 2 is due out in November. I was very excited to re-read the comics again. I love Rouge Squadron.

I've officially stated I'm not going in the band now. We'll see where life goes here in St. Johns now, I guess. I suspect I'll stop typing my notes up sometime soon, 'cuz it takes just as long as a class to do so, and that's besides the time in school. It's crazy.

We'll see how long I can go.

Unexpected Thoughts and Situations

So, I've pretty much settled into this new life in St. Johns.

It hasn't been as easy as I had hoped it would be. But it hasn't been as difficult as I had expected.

One thing I didn't expect, but really should have, is how lonely I've been feeling. I never gave much thought to the idea that the only friends I would really know would either be very-busy St. Johnsers, or living with me. Robyn and Meagan are all buddy-buddy girlie-friends though, so that sort of ... makes me feel like a tag along, a pain, or just not belong. And at least home I could pet my doggerz when I was lonely, but he's certainly not here either.

I don't really know. It's great where I am, and in some ways I'm glad to be away from the situation at home, but being alone here makes me realize how much I miss my family. It also sort of forces me to realize the state my family is in, when I have to make two seperate calls to speak to my immediate family.

I woke up today on a depressed-like downswing from last night. After MUN CF I just wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Not sure why, since MUN CF was awesome, but there you have it. That compounded with the fact that nobody was trying to cheer me up (or doing so accidentally, like my doggie sometimes does), and I really, really, wanted to stay in bed untill June.

Another thing I've been mising is communication. I talk with the McWhitesons alot, I guess, but most of it seems to be along the lines of "What do you want for supper?" and "Can I use your cheese?" Robyn's friend (who is also a friend of Kayla's) who's name I still do not know, came over, and we chatted a bit. It was a good talk, and we had a bit in common, but I'm really not looking forward to building completely new relationships, and accepting that old ones will probably never be the same.

And I'm staring at a Math assignment, and 1 1/2 subjects worth of notes that still need typing.

I've been given until Monday to decide whether or not I want to join the band. Having such a close deadline forced on me sort of made my decision for me: "no." I understand that they need to know, but that doesn't change the fact that it's difficult for me to make up my mind on this. I've decided that in the grand scheme of things, a possible year off of Salvation Army banding isn't so bad, and I'm not thinking the Good Lord will take an eraser to my name, on that page in the book of life over it.

I'm going to go talk to buddy bear and go to sleep.

08 September 2006

First Friday

Today has been a Friday full of firsts.

Today was my first hardcore day of school. There were no labs, but all my clases were past the "I'm you're teacher, this is what you're going to learn, and how," stage. Every class was hardcore for notes. Math, I took four pages, Computer Science, another four. German I took only three, but then in Physics I took a whole six!

After all this I did my first bit of assigned work, and checked out my first book simultaneously. The textbooks for Computer Science haven't come in yet, so I went to the library and read the copy they had on reserve. After forty five minutes of reading, I headed to meet Meagan and Robyn at the car.

As I passed the bookstore, I decided I'd get the bus home, and ducked into the book store. I bought my English books, some rulers, and a deck of cards.

I came home, typed up Computer Science notes, cried a little about not being able to do all four subject's worth of notes before supper, and then went to cook balogna cups for supper. They went over relatively well.

Tonight I had my first Christian Fellowship group meeting. I was unable to get to the Chi Alpha bonfire last night, but word has it it was cancelled anyways. Tonight MUN Christian Fellowship started up, and I had a good time with that, meeting new people. I don't remember their names anymore, but I'm certain I'll do well with that, since I'm making a point of it now.

We went out to get a snack after all that, and I'm sucking down an A&W Chocolate Milkshake preparing to call mom. After this I think Meagan and Robyn will be watching Full House. I'll probably join them, though I'm a bit dissapointed that they're not very receptive to watching Firefly.
Seriously guys! Best. Show. Ever.

Also, I found this funny. Watch it and smile.

In the same vein, but not as hilarious.

07 September 2006

Colour Coded

So I need to assign binders to subjects now.

The Binders I have are:

Black
White
Green
Orange
Blue

The Subjects I have are:

English 1080
German 1000
Computer Science 1710
Math 1000
Physics 1020

Which subject should be with what colour? I need to sort this out soon before my stack of notes gets too big!

Yes, it's the end of the second day and I already have a STACK of notes. I'm looking at a pile of about 15, which I just finished typing up.

Shared Music

This is great.

I'm sitting in the University Food Court, and listening to somebody else's music.

I'm on the internet, talking to friends in a university a whole province away, reading blogs of people as far as china, and listening to somebody else's music over the "Shared Music" feature in iTunes.

I wonder if anybody is listening to mine. Does my playlist proclaim the glory of God? Should it matter? I honestly don't want to tackle these questions, they just sort of jumped into my brain.

We live in the future, my friends. I'm tapping buttons on a silver box, and communicating with the entire world. We have wireless internet. iPods that can fit in a child's hands carry more music than jukeboxes of years ago.

And yet these things are still fiction to many people in Asia. How blessed are we? How can we share that blessing.

I'm just in a state of "wow" here, from listening to other people's music.

I love my Mac.

06 September 2006

First Day of University and a New iTunes Philosophy

So I started my post-secondary (what does that really mean, anyways) education today.

The day began bright and early. I set my alarm for 0630, but woke up at 0610. I kind of laid around while I waited for Meagan to finish her shower. Yes we have two bathrooms, but two showers going at the same time is not equivalent to awesomeness.

So I waited, then showered, and then ate a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Following my exciting breakfast, I journeyed with Meagan to MUN. It was an adventure.

I'll only post interesting things about my classes, because this can get really boring.

I have 279 classmates in my Math 1000 class. I think the professor might be "that terrible one" that my cousin warned me of. Meagan, I will be bugging you to teach me calculus. Count. On. It.

I immediately knew I was in the right place when I wandered into my "Object Oriented Programming 1710" class. Most everyone was the stereotypical nerd. Nobody spoke while we waited for the professor, untill I started chatting with the dude next to me. Even then we were pretty much the only two speaking. My Prof's a woman. I knew that, but people seem suprised to hear it.

I walked home, waited around, did up a schedule for my first term, and then bussed back to the school for 12.

German looks like it'll be fun. It bothered me that one of my classmates was already pretty much fluent in German. This IS an introductory course, miss. There's also an older (30ish, sorry if that makes you feel old) lady in the class. That's neat. First German words were spoken, and somebody tried to impress the teacher with an internet translation. I hope I do well.

Physics and English are tomorrow. Yay.

Also, I finally broke down and bought some Regina Spektor songs on iTunes. I didn't want to spend a full $10 on the whole album, so instead I picked the songs I'll actually listen to, and downloaded those five. Now I still have $15 on iTunes to last me a while.

I've decided I'm going to start living like a monk to save up a buffer, and then buy that X Wing: Rouge Squadron Omnibus I was talking about a post or two ago.

Captain Amazing is coming over soon. Be excited.

05 September 2006

Funds

So this is my second post today, but whatever.

Living in St. Johns is going to kill me. Timemasters Inc (an excelent comic book store) is just a half hour walk away, and the mall is right next to that. There's a food court at my school, and money is just trying to FLY out of my bank account.

Example: I've spent $27.50 on eating out already. Since I discovered this, I've stopped buying food out around, but it's still crazy. I've taken to spreadsheeting what I've spent, to make sure I'm within the allowable limits, so I'm good now.

However, I went to Timemasters, like I said. The DVDs I were looking at are $38 each. $10 more than buying them online from the states, even after the conversion rate, shipping, AND customs. NUTS!

Also, I saw the omnibus for X Wing: Rouge Squadron. It's a comic series I liked as I was younger, and a year ago I looked into getting the whole set. Well this Omnibus contains the first half of the comic series, bound together, on glossy paper. Thirty something dollars though, again. Something to look at later, but not now.

Ugh, I thought I was doing awesome with a budget of $50 a week, but now it feels like it won't be enough =(

Too bad.

Interweb

We now have the internet at the McWhiteson household.

There is much rejoicing.

School starts for real tomorrow.

Can you wait?

04 September 2006

A Relic From My Childhood ...

A relic from my childhood just died.

I remember some days, coming home from school, and turning on the Discovery channel. I remember watching in joy and terror when Steve Irwin defied death at the hands of different reptiles and other animals.

From Wikipedia:
"On 4 September 2006, Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia while filming an underwater documentary."

He will be sorely missed.

02 September 2006

New St. Johns Resident

So, I've moved in and spent an entire night in "my" new house. My room is decked out, and I don't think I could have asked for a more awesome space. Half my room is my X Box, DVDs and computer desk, and the other half is my bed. Pictures may come later.

Unfortunately, there was a bit of drama with people being not-so-pleased with their rooms, but hopefully it's all past now. Who knows, maybe when the second term hits, those dissapointed with their rooms can change rooms, if anybody is willing. I'd hate to see my room go away, but then again, if somebody is absolutely not having very much fun in their room, we should see what we can do.

I'm posting from my Aunt's computer, because our internet won't be available untill tuesday. When that hits, expect pictures, and much X Box Live-ing for me.

And YES, I'm taking German. People are always either delighted or horrified when they hear that. It should be exciting. Maybe I'll blog in German some day. And Susan, remind me, and I'll definitely email you in German.

EDIT: Also, MSN names are driving me nuts now. Read this:

"Jeff - We pledge allignce to McDonalds, to our killers, our murderers, our life enders. To the theft, we give, the innocent we take."

Umm ... okay.