OK, so here I am, a week and a half before I turn 20 years old. That means I've been on this planet for two decades. And I'm beginning to wonder, am I getting too old too quickly?
I'm wondering this because:
-I now prefer collared shirts to t-shirts.
-I prefer "quieter" music now (both in volume and style).
-I want to be out of college and married.
-etc.
So I want to know your thoughts. Am I getting too old too quickly? In 20 years, am I going to be the guy who yells at youth to cut their hair and turn down their music? And is this a bad thing?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
The (Last) Rite(s) of Spring (Break)
So, it's all over. That glorious spring break, which stretched across 10 days for me, is done with and now it's back to school. But here's what happened over those wonderful 10 days:
Thursday, Mar. 13:
Marie came to pick me up after my last class and dropped me off at my house to get my stuff together. We made it into Austin about 7 o'clock and headed straight for Spoon. The concert was pretty good, but it included two things that bring out the best in humanity: free events and alcohol {end sarcasm}. Then the car overheated (due to what we would later discover was a lack of coolant and thus a broken radiator), but it gave us no trouble the rest of the trip.
Friday, Mar. 14:
Went to Book People (just the coolest bookstore ever) and Cheapo, where I only spent $4 (outrageous!). Marie and I ate at Kerbey Lane (my first time). That night we went to go see Assassination of a High School President, and there was a Q+A with the director, writers, and star afterwards. We took the bus to and from home because there is absolutely nowhere to park downtown, especially during SXSW. Amazingly, everyone in Mitch's apartment was asleep by 12:30 every night. That's really odd because whenever my dad and I go down there, we're always up til at least 2 in the morning.
Saturday, Mar. 15:
Ate "brekkie" at the always delicious Lone Star Kolache and then went to SoCo, where my search for a gift for Mal was fruitless, although I fell in love with Monkey See, Monkey Do, this great little toy store. Later, we ate at Chipotle only to later discover that there was a Freebirds over on 41st. D'oh! We decided to do a bit more shopping since neither of us spent anything at SoCo. We went to End of an Ear and there was a concert in the parking lot! This crazy band called Peach Tree (or peachtree) had all kinds of antics, including jumping off the roof of the store! There was this "classic rock" store behind End of an Ear and they had a "glass-blowing studio" in the back. Lemme tell ya: they weren't making trinkets. Later, we had "din-din" at EZ's, but I didn't eat much because I was saving up for ice cream at Amy's (Mexican Vanilla with Nutter Butters!!!). We went to the Village Drafthouse to see Rocky Horror at midnight (my second time, Marie's first). Always a great time.
Sunday, Mar. 16:
Got up super-early (7:30-ish) and ate "brekkie" at the amazing Omelettry and then had to head home so Marie could be back in time for her ride. It was hard to stay awake, but Marie helped a lot.
Monday, Mar. 17:
Woke up to...overwhelming nausea and sickness. Gross. Had to follow Mallory to Jaime's to get the car fixed and got sick on the way back. Ick. I just lay around all day after that. Watched Miller's Crossing that evening in honor of St. Patty's Day.
Tuesday, Mar. 18:
Didn't get sick but didn't do anything.
Wednesday, Mar. 19:
The whole fam went to Grand Prairie/Arlington. My dad and I to Forever Young (this fantastic record store) and Mal and my mom to the ultra-ghetto Six Flags Mall/Dillard's outlet.
Dad: "It says there's a food court. Go check it out."
{five minutes later}
Me: "Dad, the only thing that's open is Cozumel Seafood, and I don't think you want to try that."
I also spoke in church that night about my missions trip to South Africa. They're going to take up an offering for me soon, which is just incredible.
Thursday, Mar. 20:
Hung out with Calvin for awhile. We watched Van Wilder and Boy Meets World, which is more awesome than it sounds. Also went to Hollywood to scour the remaining DVDs. I got 13, at about a dollar apiece. (I know, I know. Overboard, but what a deal!) Later, I went with Mallory and KayLee to the thrift store, where we met up with Billy, Tyler, Matt, Richard and his girlfriend Anna. Good times. I got a sweet new dress shirt, a dop kit, Gone Baby Gone (the book), a vest, and a Hello Kitty skullcap for Marie!
Friday, Mar. 21:
Went to see Vantage Pointwith Daniel and it was pretty dern good. Then we just walked around the mall and I realized how truly worthless Firewheel Town Center is. Had lunch at Friday's (Daniel's pick) and grabbed some Dublin DPs at Popcorn Papa, which was surprisingly busy. Had to mow the lawn when I got back (fo' free!) but that evening I got to go over to Marie's and we watched Interview.
Saturday, Mar. 22:
Helped my dad with the siding and just waited til Marie came over. My parents and we went to see Run Fatboy Run and it was really funny. Then Marie and I went to get a sundae at Braum's, where we ran into her ex, which was not nearly as awkward as it could have been. I miss her already.
Sunday, Mar. 23:
Went to a very pretty Easter service (and dressed up!) and came home and had a wonderful feast of my dad's heavenly brisket, queso, and banana pudding. I got to take a nap and got The Simpsons Movie as a gift, so it was pretty much one of the best Sundays ever.
Why does it all have to end so quickly?
Thursday, Mar. 13:
Marie came to pick me up after my last class and dropped me off at my house to get my stuff together. We made it into Austin about 7 o'clock and headed straight for Spoon. The concert was pretty good, but it included two things that bring out the best in humanity: free events and alcohol {end sarcasm}. Then the car overheated (due to what we would later discover was a lack of coolant and thus a broken radiator), but it gave us no trouble the rest of the trip.
Friday, Mar. 14:
Went to Book People (just the coolest bookstore ever) and Cheapo, where I only spent $4 (outrageous!). Marie and I ate at Kerbey Lane (my first time). That night we went to go see Assassination of a High School President, and there was a Q+A with the director, writers, and star afterwards. We took the bus to and from home because there is absolutely nowhere to park downtown, especially during SXSW. Amazingly, everyone in Mitch's apartment was asleep by 12:30 every night. That's really odd because whenever my dad and I go down there, we're always up til at least 2 in the morning.
Saturday, Mar. 15:
Ate "brekkie" at the always delicious Lone Star Kolache and then went to SoCo, where my search for a gift for Mal was fruitless, although I fell in love with Monkey See, Monkey Do, this great little toy store. Later, we ate at Chipotle only to later discover that there was a Freebirds over on 41st. D'oh! We decided to do a bit more shopping since neither of us spent anything at SoCo. We went to End of an Ear and there was a concert in the parking lot! This crazy band called Peach Tree (or peachtree) had all kinds of antics, including jumping off the roof of the store! There was this "classic rock" store behind End of an Ear and they had a "glass-blowing studio" in the back. Lemme tell ya: they weren't making trinkets. Later, we had "din-din" at EZ's, but I didn't eat much because I was saving up for ice cream at Amy's (Mexican Vanilla with Nutter Butters!!!). We went to the Village Drafthouse to see Rocky Horror at midnight (my second time, Marie's first). Always a great time.
Sunday, Mar. 16:
Got up super-early (7:30-ish) and ate "brekkie" at the amazing Omelettry and then had to head home so Marie could be back in time for her ride. It was hard to stay awake, but Marie helped a lot.
Monday, Mar. 17:
Woke up to...overwhelming nausea and sickness. Gross. Had to follow Mallory to Jaime's to get the car fixed and got sick on the way back. Ick. I just lay around all day after that. Watched Miller's Crossing that evening in honor of St. Patty's Day.
Tuesday, Mar. 18:
Didn't get sick but didn't do anything.
Wednesday, Mar. 19:
The whole fam went to Grand Prairie/Arlington. My dad and I to Forever Young (this fantastic record store) and Mal and my mom to the ultra-ghetto Six Flags Mall/Dillard's outlet.
Dad: "It says there's a food court. Go check it out."
{five minutes later}
Me: "Dad, the only thing that's open is Cozumel Seafood, and I don't think you want to try that."
I also spoke in church that night about my missions trip to South Africa. They're going to take up an offering for me soon, which is just incredible.
Thursday, Mar. 20:
Hung out with Calvin for awhile. We watched Van Wilder and Boy Meets World, which is more awesome than it sounds. Also went to Hollywood to scour the remaining DVDs. I got 13, at about a dollar apiece. (I know, I know. Overboard, but what a deal!) Later, I went with Mallory and KayLee to the thrift store, where we met up with Billy, Tyler, Matt, Richard and his girlfriend Anna. Good times. I got a sweet new dress shirt, a dop kit, Gone Baby Gone (the book), a vest, and a Hello Kitty skullcap for Marie!
Friday, Mar. 21:
Went to see Vantage Pointwith Daniel and it was pretty dern good. Then we just walked around the mall and I realized how truly worthless Firewheel Town Center is. Had lunch at Friday's (Daniel's pick) and grabbed some Dublin DPs at Popcorn Papa, which was surprisingly busy. Had to mow the lawn when I got back (fo' free!) but that evening I got to go over to Marie's and we watched Interview.
Saturday, Mar. 22:
Helped my dad with the siding and just waited til Marie came over. My parents and we went to see Run Fatboy Run and it was really funny. Then Marie and I went to get a sundae at Braum's, where we ran into her ex, which was not nearly as awkward as it could have been. I miss her already.
Sunday, Mar. 23:
Went to a very pretty Easter service (and dressed up!) and came home and had a wonderful feast of my dad's heavenly brisket, queso, and banana pudding. I got to take a nap and got The Simpsons Movie as a gift, so it was pretty much one of the best Sundays ever.
Why does it all have to end so quickly?
Monday, March 17, 2008
But I didn't even have any green beer!
So this second part of spring break is probably the worst ever. I've never been this sick in my life and I don't know why. I really hope I can keep food down. This is so not fun. I miss Marie.
Happy St. Patty's Day to everyone else though.
Happy St. Patty's Day to everyone else though.
Monday, March 10, 2008
F'n'Amazing! (and the F stands for Fellowship)
So I finally got a hold of the ResNet people, and they apologized for being so unprofessional, something I referred to them as in my angry voicemail. But my ethernet cable was bad AND the port wasn't working. And right before the guy left he spewed some B.S. about my connection possibly being discontinued because of having LimeWire on my computer, which I never use on campus. Oh well, I may have a landline working as early as tomorrow, but as unreliable as this organization is, I wouldn't count on it. Luckily, my wireless connection is strong again, so hopefully it won't be a big deal.
Had our Hupomone fellowship night at (drumroll please...) CiCi's Pizza! Woot-woot! But of course it was super-awesome, but sometimes I feel like I'm always the only one with a Y chromosome, but it still rocks.
I think my journalism midterm went well, but that story was a little difficult because the topic was stupid (middle school soccer team crashes bus to avoid a deer, no one hurt), so we'll see.
I wonder if the guys on my wing realize how disgusting they are. Holy cow, you should've seen how terrible the bathrooms got when no one cleaned them for three days. Even today, just about 12 hours after it was last cleaned, it's already awful. Geez, people. Do you treat your host's bathroom like this? Ugh.
I'm watching The Daily Show right now, and I was just reminded how much I love it because Rob Riggle had a segment about all these people protesting a Marine recruitment station in Berkeley, California.
Code Pink lady: "We're all about free speech."
Rob Riggle: "If only there was an organization sworn to uphold that freedom..."
That's what I love about them. They get both sides. Keep up the good work.
That's all for now.
Good night, and good luck.
Had our Hupomone fellowship night at (drumroll please...) CiCi's Pizza! Woot-woot! But of course it was super-awesome, but sometimes I feel like I'm always the only one with a Y chromosome, but it still rocks.
I think my journalism midterm went well, but that story was a little difficult because the topic was stupid (middle school soccer team crashes bus to avoid a deer, no one hurt), so we'll see.
I wonder if the guys on my wing realize how disgusting they are. Holy cow, you should've seen how terrible the bathrooms got when no one cleaned them for three days. Even today, just about 12 hours after it was last cleaned, it's already awful. Geez, people. Do you treat your host's bathroom like this? Ugh.
I'm watching The Daily Show right now, and I was just reminded how much I love it because Rob Riggle had a segment about all these people protesting a Marine recruitment station in Berkeley, California.
Code Pink lady: "We're all about free speech."
Rob Riggle: "If only there was an organization sworn to uphold that freedom..."
That's what I love about them. They get both sides. Keep up the good work.
That's all for now.
Good night, and good luck.
Don't look back in anger
So it's only been a few hours since Marie left, and I'm already angry. Not at her, or anything that happened this weekend, mind you. It's the stupid internet. Well, the connection really. See, I'm not supposed to be able to get wireless in my room, yet I have been all year long. Well, now it's stopped working so I've called and called and submitted work orders for the land-line connection and haven't heard from anyone. Their business hours, according to their voicemail, are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Well, guess what? I called today at 10am only to get their voicemail AGAIN! So I walked all the way to their office at the College Inn and NO ONE IS IN THE FREAKING OFFICE and there's no explanation as to why. It's just very frustrating when people aren't helpful, especially those who have been hired to help. I just want this problem resolved so I don't have to keep walking across campus to get access and then walk back to my room with my laptop open just so I can keep the connection going. They have no idea how aggravating they're being. Oy.
/END RANT
/END RANT
Friday, March 7, 2008
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
So I don't know why I'm like this lately.
But it's just I get into these funks when things don't go according to plan.
When people cancel things I'm looking forward to, I feel like they're bailing on me.
When I'm not having a good time at something, I feel like it's my fault.
When I don't have my own vehicle, I feel trapped.
When Marie's not here, I feel lost.
When I'm bored, I feel lazy and prone to do something stupid.
And when I complain about this stuff, I feel like a baby.
So I'm open to suggestions: what should I do? What can I do?
But it's just I get into these funks when things don't go according to plan.
When people cancel things I'm looking forward to, I feel like they're bailing on me.
When I'm not having a good time at something, I feel like it's my fault.
When I don't have my own vehicle, I feel trapped.
When Marie's not here, I feel lost.
When I'm bored, I feel lazy and prone to do something stupid.
And when I complain about this stuff, I feel like a baby.
So I'm open to suggestions: what should I do? What can I do?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The battle rages on
So Barack Obama did not win Texas, but he didn't lose by much. The Clintons are notorious for their low tactics and win-at-all-costs mentality. So here's what I think this all means now:
-Obama's still leading in pledged delagates, and it's nearly impossible for Hillary to overtake him.
-Obama's still going to take the high road and not resort to negative campaigning, even though Hillary's campaign gets more aggressive.
-Obama's still going to raise more money than Hillary, and won't take any money from lobbyists or PACs.
-Obama's still in this race, but so is Hillary. This baby's going all the way to the convention in August.
Don't give up, Obamaniacs and Barackstars!
Obama represents change we can STILL believe in!
-Obama's still leading in pledged delagates, and it's nearly impossible for Hillary to overtake him.
-Obama's still going to take the high road and not resort to negative campaigning, even though Hillary's campaign gets more aggressive.
-Obama's still going to raise more money than Hillary, and won't take any money from lobbyists or PACs.
-Obama's still in this race, but so is Hillary. This baby's going all the way to the convention in August.
Don't give up, Obamaniacs and Barackstars!
Obama represents change we can STILL believe in!
Monday, March 3, 2008
It's just emotions taking me over
So yesterday I cried and I have no idea why.
Sob Session #1: OK, so I didn't cry that much, but I did tear up during the sermon, which I never do. It was Right-to-Life Sunday and Bro. Gary shared a story about a girl in the church who got pregnant and her parents encouraged her to get an abortion and he pleaded with them to let the baby live and they kept the baby and he graduated from high school last year.
Sob Session #2: I got the parentals to leave a little early so I could go see Marie off but I called her and she had already left and there was no way for her to let me know ahead of time because her text messages wouldn't activate.
Sob Session #3: After I got in a fight with Mallory over using her car for Spring Break. It's just a frustrating situation because hers is the only car I can use because our other vehicles suck and I have to pay her to use it and I got really stressed because if I have to pay for two fill-ups and $10 a day to borrow it, I won't have any money to do anything in Austin once Marie and I get there.
But then I got back to Denton just in time so Bryan was able to pick me up and go to OverFlow, and boy did I need that message. It was one of those messages you here all the time (about how God's blessings are just that: God's, not yours), but the way it was conveyed made it feel fresh and tailor-made for me to hear. I don't need to worry about paying for Austin; it'll be taken care of. I may not get to do everything I WANT to, but the expenses will be taken care of.
I already miss Marie but she'll be here on Saturday and I am so so excited, especially because she gets to stay longer and go to OverFlow with me and meet all my friends.
And super-exciting news: I don't have the dreaded Journalism Lab today, so if I'm studious, I can get another paper or two written, which means less time I have to stress about them this week, which is less time I have to stress about them this weekend.
Sob Session #1: OK, so I didn't cry that much, but I did tear up during the sermon, which I never do. It was Right-to-Life Sunday and Bro. Gary shared a story about a girl in the church who got pregnant and her parents encouraged her to get an abortion and he pleaded with them to let the baby live and they kept the baby and he graduated from high school last year.
Sob Session #2: I got the parentals to leave a little early so I could go see Marie off but I called her and she had already left and there was no way for her to let me know ahead of time because her text messages wouldn't activate.
Sob Session #3: After I got in a fight with Mallory over using her car for Spring Break. It's just a frustrating situation because hers is the only car I can use because our other vehicles suck and I have to pay her to use it and I got really stressed because if I have to pay for two fill-ups and $10 a day to borrow it, I won't have any money to do anything in Austin once Marie and I get there.
But then I got back to Denton just in time so Bryan was able to pick me up and go to OverFlow, and boy did I need that message. It was one of those messages you here all the time (about how God's blessings are just that: God's, not yours), but the way it was conveyed made it feel fresh and tailor-made for me to hear. I don't need to worry about paying for Austin; it'll be taken care of. I may not get to do everything I WANT to, but the expenses will be taken care of.
I already miss Marie but she'll be here on Saturday and I am so so excited, especially because she gets to stay longer and go to OverFlow with me and meet all my friends.
And super-exciting news: I don't have the dreaded Journalism Lab today, so if I'm studious, I can get another paper or two written, which means less time I have to stress about them this week, which is less time I have to stress about them this weekend.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Home, James
So today was semi-interesting...
Stayed up late last night watching Spike Lee's Bamboozled. It doesn't all work, but it's very thought-provoking (i.e. Would a TV network broadcast a live execution for the sake of ratings?)
WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT
Ate lunch with Lea. Only the second time I've seen her all semester, which is pretty ridiculous considering we ate together all the time last semester, but it was good to catch up with her. We mostly talked movies, which I of course could've discussed for hours.
Went to Spanish. Worthless as always.
Went to work. Did about 2 hours of manual labor, and an hour and a half of sitting around. Works for me, eh?
Got home. Had to go grocery shopping. Ugh.
But later I got to see Marie which was the highlight of my month because it's been that long since I've seen her. I love you so much, baby!
Finally, this was really weird: my parents didn't give me a curfew. I know, huh? I was gonna hang out with Cal after Marie and I exchanged our belated Valentine's gifts, but he couldn't for whatever reason, which was a slight bummer, because I really could've stayed out for awhile. C'est la vie.
Well, that's all for now.
Good night, and good luck.
Stayed up late last night watching Spike Lee's Bamboozled. It doesn't all work, but it's very thought-provoking (i.e. Would a TV network broadcast a live execution for the sake of ratings?)
WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT
Ate lunch with Lea. Only the second time I've seen her all semester, which is pretty ridiculous considering we ate together all the time last semester, but it was good to catch up with her. We mostly talked movies, which I of course could've discussed for hours.
Went to Spanish. Worthless as always.
Went to work. Did about 2 hours of manual labor, and an hour and a half of sitting around. Works for me, eh?
Got home. Had to go grocery shopping. Ugh.
But later I got to see Marie which was the highlight of my month because it's been that long since I've seen her. I love you so much, baby!
Finally, this was really weird: my parents didn't give me a curfew. I know, huh? I was gonna hang out with Cal after Marie and I exchanged our belated Valentine's gifts, but he couldn't for whatever reason, which was a slight bummer, because I really could've stayed out for awhile. C'est la vie.
Well, that's all for now.
Good night, and good luck.
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