Better By Nightfall

Happy Birthday Lacey!

I know you are using today as your day off, as you should before your LSAT. Take the time to relax and prepare yourself for the test (without practicing the practice tests). Then, KICK THE LSAT's ASS! Get that 167! Haha!

When it's all over we'll hang out and party. Remember the saying:

"AH FUCK IT (FUCK IT) I'm gonna have a party!"
--Blankest Year by Nada Surf

I also figured out what's up with your gift and it should be on its way soon enough ;) Rock out!

• Zox's The Wait -- Rockin' rad violin-laced indie punk rock.
  
• Nada Surf's This Weight Is A Gift -- Indie California "Surf and Sun" feel good rock.
  
• The January Taxi's Keep Quiet, They Might Hear Us -- Emo-esque indie punk and rock; ranging in sounds from Bright Eyes to Days Away (I actually own this CD, it's the others that I do not own.)
  
• Jason Mraz's Mr. A-Z -- With as much variety as a compilation album, Mraz combines different styles and genres to create an awesome mix of upbeat songs each with their own message.
  

Maintain the image that your website is "up all the time," but take it down often for repairs, upgrades, and God knows what else every time I want to upload photos.

You realize, of course, that I am a PAYING customer for your services (or lack thereof, sometimes), right?

This weekend's tournament went very well, much to the surprise of many on the team. Though, I have to say that once most of us got into rounds, I think we realized that we were more prepared than we thought we were. That realization alone, I think, propelled many of us to do better. In the end our team took 1st place at the tournament with almost every team member taking home at least one award. I took home 3rd in CA and 3rd in Impromptu Speaking (which was especially great because I won every round with the number one speaker and only lost out on second by 2 points and first by 3 points).

Aside from that, though, things were different. I never realized how much I relied on Lacey being around as someone to talk to be about anything, to joke with, complain to, and, when things were going bad, to hug. I know that sounds kind of lame, but when you're on trips like this and things aren't going well, at least in my case, you need someone there to let you know that things are going to be okay. That you're probably just being to hard on yourself or just taking things way to seriously. I didn't have that this weekend though, and while it turned out well it was strange. I think the weirdest and "toughest" time was during the awards ceremony, the time Lacey and I usually listen to "The First Single (You Know Me)" by The Format because it's "our song" and it's so much better than listening to Queen in the Auditorium. Instead, the awards ceremony was kind of dull. Sure, it was great to be awarded those three awards, but it didn't feel as good or rewarding as it has been before. Such is the changing dynamic of the team, though.

After I got back this weekend I did as I said I would before: crashed. It was great too. I don't think I've had 11 hours of non-stop sleep in a LONG time. It's just what I needed too. After being so busy, the downtime to chill out and tune into "The Housewhores" was what I needed. (Bree Van De Kamp is hilarious but utterly crazy.)

Today's page for Questionable Content is hilarious (either that, or Eastern Civilizations has invaded my mind--Buddha, haha!).

I've been in a hectic cycle with narrowing walls. All my time, motivation, and energy are being devoted to each thing in their own time with me pushing everything through the narrows walls where everything is slowed, congested, and nearly stalled. The narrowest point in the walls, of course, are this weekend's upcoming tournament. I'm not worried or nervous about the tournament, nor my homework or other items to take care of before I leave. I'm just exhausted. I've been so busy and totally wrapped around this cycle (going to classes early, lunch, work, class, homework that keeps me up into the late night; repeat) that I'm feeling like I need to crash.

I'm not saying I want things to stop or go in to some crazy hiatus. I just want to breakdown for a while and go of everything--actually have some leisure time. Time that I've wanted for the last two to three weeks, but haven't really gotten. I can't crash now, though. I have so much to do and so little time that it would be detrimental to attempt it. And, in truth, most of my friends are also in a similar cycle (one with an LSAT test coming up, one with work, and others with course work to keep them severely busy and borderline crazy), so I wouldn't (and will not) be able to hang with them too much.

I know I'll be able to crash soon enough, though. And when I do I plan on playing video games, watching television (and, yes, that includes watching Desperate Housewives. I can admit it. I like it, especially Eva Longoria!), and SLEEPING for hours on end in a cool darkened room without any interruptions or alarms.

Soon enough, soon enough!

Every one has one (or has had one) of them in their class. That one person who seems ever so inquisitive, so interested. Peaked by everything they hear and see, they yearn for more and, as such, ask questions incessantly.

Today's episode centers on my Abnormal Psychology class, which I have found fascinating over the last couple of weeks. Now that we are talking about mood disorders, specifically Bipolar I and Bipolar II, the class seems to be in full attendance with almost everyone enjoying themselves. Except for, of course, having to wake up and attend class during the early hours of the morning (i.e. anything before noon [seriously]). Class was excellent today. Not only did we watch a video of a diagnosed Bipolar I patient, but we also got to field many questions to our professor. Of which, QUESTION MAN, fielded the most. Not only did he not stop at three, but he went on to ask a record six questions during this class--much to our dismay.

Thank you QUESTION MAN, you make class so much fun by diverting from the original plan!

New episodes of Full Metal Alchemist are on Saturday nights again on Adult Swim!

Addiction continuing.

Girl 1: So this guy says "Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?" and I actually had to think about it, I mean--
Girl 2: What do you mean did they have belly buttons!?! Of course they did, they were human, right. So, they had to have had belly buttons!
Girl 1: Right...I thought that to, because, well, yeah, they're human. But then the professor goes on to say "Well, that's in integral question that many have asked about Adam and Eve. When God created them, did he give them belly buttons or were they created without? The world still questions and will never know."
Girl 2: OH YEAH! Because they weren't born of a woman so they wouldn't have belly buttons! I see. Yeah!
Girl 1: Yeah, that's so what I thought too!
Girl 2: Though, it's funny because I know this guy who doesn't have a belly button and it's like, so weird. I think he was born without it.
Girl 1: Uhm, (Girl 2's name), that's not possible.
Girl 2: Uh huh! It's not there. There's a, a kind of, er, indent in the skin; but there is no belly button.
Girl 1: Did you ever think that maybe he got it removed for some reason? Surgery or something?
Girl 2: Oh! Hmm, I didn't think about that. (laughs) Maybe he could be "Adam?"
Girl 1: Right...


Ah, the philosophical questions of life, paramount to every thing we think or do. Especially belly buttons.

After hours and hours of writing for weeks on end I FINALLY finished my Communication Analysis. It seriously shouldn't have taken so long, but I got lazy for a while and then, when school started, I started to focus on my other assignments in place of everything else (in speeches, that is). At least it is done now, though. Of course, there will be more speeches to write and more events to enter after the first tournament next week, but that will come in due time.

Aside from speeches, which, I'm sure most of you just love hearing about, I've been working on organizing the apartment. It's still slightly white trash, but it's coming along slowly. At least I got my storage shipment yesterday, so that has helped. I now have my pots, pans, plastic-ware and blender to boot. Now, if Brandon would pay for a microwave and some other items for the apartment, we'd be set. Though, I doubt the feasibility in all of this as he is extremely lazy and, well, fiscally irresponsible. Not that I'm complaining or ranting, but he need to grow up and become responsible.

For example, for the last four days my brother has driven MY car around because his car has had so many problems, I don't even know where to begin. Not only has he guzzled the gas that I paid for, but he has also been totally inconsiderate in regards to my time and schedule. He's made me drive him around on two separate occasions. Perhaps I'm being a stickler though?

All I really need for him to do, aside from be considerate and responsible, is PAY for things in this apartment since he has so far yet to do that at all. I'm being patient, but I'm not holding my breath.

Today our family's beloved dog, Brandi, passed away. My sister was at her side, petting her and talking to her in her final moments, letting her know that our family loved her and that if it was her time that we'd all miss her. And with that, she passed away.

No doubt, it is always sad to lose a pet. Even now as I type this up I'm flooded with all the good and bad times with Brandi, and, of course, tears. The days she used to run wild after cats and birds in the yard, or how she always used to love to chase butterflies, though she could never catch them or get to them. Even as she aged, she would still express this vigor towards the cats, birds, and butterflies that came through our yard. Running to the back door, barking, wanting to be let loose in her old age to rid her space of "the intruders." For, even though her body was old, her spirit was young and full of that drive and vigor she held in her youth. She always expressed it at one point or another, reminding us that she still had that kick, that spark of life.

So, that's how I'll always remember her: chasing after those butterflies--happy, full of life, loved, and part of the family.

I'll miss you Brandi, especially when I return home and I know you won't be there to come to the door, gingerly waging your tail in your excitement and age. You'll still be there in some way though. In thoughts, and always as family. I love you.

I'm starting to think that my weekends are nothing but awash. I plan out what I'm going to do, but somehow I never meet my goals. This weekend in particular was disturbed by my brother who, on two occasions, decided that his schedule came before mine. Needless to say, whatever I was working on or planned to work on got thrown on the back burner so I could drop him off, pick him up, move my car, let him borrow my car, and buy things for him.

Honestly, my brother is a good guy, but at the age of 23 he apparently has not learned how to have concern for anyone else but himself. For all the time I lost this weekend, especially to these stupid excursions, he offered to "pay me back" in money as if it can simply make up for lost time or time not well spent.

Perhaps I'm getting to ranty, maybe even egotistical to some in thinking my time is worth so much. I know it's not. I'm just worried. I'm worried that with each passing minute I'm falling further and further behind with failure creeping up to consume me. My classes aren't the problem, though. I'm ahead in almost all of them. I'm just not where I should be or would like to be in my speeches. And that, my friends, is failure to me.

I don't think God is punishing me, but recently I have found it slightly odd that I've gotten sick so easily. It started with my departure from Germany to Idaho where I had a beyond mild (more like sickly severe) "bout" with food poisoning. After about two weeks, though, it cleared up and everything was going well again.

Or so I thought.

This weekend I managed to contract some weird throat and stomach attack on the immune system. I don't think it's bad, but when I was drinking water after having some green tea to soothe my throat, my stomach felt nauseous. So now I'm kind of afraid to eat or drink anything for fear it could be some crazy sickness or food poisoning similar to what I had before. Dear God, I hope not!

So far, I'm hoping that things will get better. It really is not the end of the world, but getting sick totally sucks. Hopefully it's just a mild one-to-two day cold.

UPDATE: I am now on the "TEA IV" as I like to call it. Basically it is as it sounds: drinking lots of "Lesbo" Lemon Zinger Tea to soothe the throat. Joy. At least it feels like it's all getting better.

Artist: The January Taxi
Song: The Hellos
Album: Keep Quiet, They Might Hear Us

You're one of a kind
You're special, be gone with you
I'm doing something else right now

Obviously we're just wasted and weak in the knees
The hellos, they hurt all the way down
Once in a while I like to look to the wild blue yonder and pray
You're not as lonely as the rest of us
We're going down, down, down

The emotional radio keeps changing its tune
but don't touch that dial cuz' its bound to come soon
The doors keep on swinging to new ways of dreaming
and I tried, I tried
but your element of surprise keeps on waking me up
for an unwanted goodbye

I'm one of a kind
I'm special, will you play with me?
Are you in something else right now?

I'll happily be just wasted and weak in the knees
The hellos, I feel them all the way down
All the way down

Although debate practice turned out to be almost an entire waste, with exception to the great Impromptu practice brought on by Lacey, today still managed to turn out to be a good day.

After practice was over, Chad, Lacey, and I decided to go to Quizno's because it sounded good. We each ate and talked about everything under the sun for about an hour when we were approached by one of the Vocalists from Darci Cash (You can hear their music by clicking this link). Her name was Ashley Powell, and she was totally cool. She said she approached us because we looked like the kind of people that listen to indie music and she was curious if we'd be interested in listening to their band. I know I wasn't going to pass up the chance to hear their music, so I obliged as did Lacey and Chad. While listening to their music, Ashley told us that she and the band had been traveling, where they had been, and all the cool and crazy things that go along with it. I kept thinking how cool but chaotic it must be to be in a band. She was an awesome person to chat with: confident, kind, and personable. What's even more cool is that they'll be back in Boise on November 1st performing at my college. Had I had money on me, I would've bought the CD but I hardly ever carry cash. I'm a debit/credit person. Lacey bought their CD though, and I'll buy one for sure at their show in Boise on our campus. They really do have a great sound. It's like Straylight Run meets Death Cab For Cutie. Rock out! I wish them the best of luck!

And if Ashley ever reads this, though I doubt she will, thanks for being so cool. It was nice meeting you. Good luck to you and the band, again!

Bush has moved to make Roberts succeed Rehnquist as Chief Justice.

It was announced earlier this evening that Chief Justice Rehnquist died battling thyroid cancer. Hence forth, another battle ensues on Capitol Hill, the battle for another Justice position. Whether or not this position is filled by a decent proper person largely depends on who Bush picks, even after nominating John Roberts in what already looks like a long way to the Supreme Court. I only hope that there is some hope for our Justice System in wake of this tragic news.

Also, my heart goes out to all the families and people affected by Hurricane Katrina. My prayers are with you all. I can't believe there are people still looting and killing people if they get in the way. How horrid humans can be to one another, especially during such a tragic event. I only wish there was more that I could do instead of donating money to the Red Cross. Donate to the Red Cross.

1. A good coffee maker for those morning classes where I drag ass in. This usually only happens on Tuesday and Thursday for some reason. I'm not sure why.
   
2. A dresser and some shelves. Currently my walk-in closet stores some of my stuff, but the rest of it is on the floor. I also need the dresser or some sort of sturdy surface to put my TV on.
   
3. More money. The job is good, but I could always use more money. More money means I can buy more things.
   
4. Some living room furniture. The living room is fairly white trash right now given the fact that we don't have any furniture in it, and we've contemplated using boxes and stealing milk crates to use for a table. (Though we haven't yet!)
   
5. Some Pots. Apparently my storage is going to take forever to get delivered to me, so it looks like it's time to buy some more pots. The wok isn't cutting it!