A Winter Wonderland

A winter wonderland, that's what my dad called the outside when he phoned me the other day. But, here it has only been snowing a little bit. Apparently the whole of northern New York is covered in a thick blanket of snow. So basically they are trudging through it while I sit down here in the southern tier with a light dusting that will no doubt melt before the day is out.

My relationship with snow is an interesting one. When it first snows, I love it. The snow is something foreign and therefore interesting. However, after about a month of snow I grow tired of it. All of the luster wears off and I begin to become sick of seeing white everywhere. Now, don't take me for a racist. I just like to see greens and all the other shades of nature. I also become tired of the early nights and late mornings.

Also, this will be my first time driving in the winter and I am not looking forward to it. I am going to have to get some salt and sand for the back of my car, as well as a snow shovel and a blanket. Am I missing anything? Well, you can tell me if I am. Maybe a thermos filled with hot soup, or hot chocolate.

My Mother Does Not Scream

I just thought I should let everyone know that when I said she screamed up the stairs, in my last blog, or that I won't miss all the screaming I meant that she yelled which in my mind means raising your voice to be heard a floor away. So I guess my point is, my mother does not scream. She merely raises her voice to be heard.

That is all..

The Loophole

So, it is a requirement of my fraternity to have at least 12 to 16 hours of community service per semester, and I hate doing it. It's not that I don't like helping out those in need. Its just that I don't want to have to go outside and ring a bell, or knock on doors, or clean, or any of that boring stuff. So, in response to my need for hours and begrudging attitude toward doing it, I have come up with a solution.

I will hold a benefit dinner at my dorm, next semester. All donations collected will be given to the red cross, via a check from my account. It will be by invitation only and I will cook. The best part of it is, I can include cooking for me and my friends and cleaning my apartment as a part of the benefit and therefore part of my community service! It will not be anything fancy. In fact, the point of this thing is to only raise a few bucks while having dinner with my friends and spending my service hours in my apartment, instead of doing real work. I am going to talk to our community service chairperson about this before I do it. But, I am confident that I can do it. After all, I will be raising money for a good cause and there is nothing in the by-laws against it. Even if I raise one dollar, I still will have spent hours cooking, cleaning, eating, and making a very impromptu speech.

I found a loop-hole in our constitution and I am going to use it...

Mornings are terrible

I am having a really hard time with something. And that something is getting up early. I, for the life of me, cannot pry myself out of bed before 7:00 a.m. unless I absolutely need to. I don't know what it is, but sometimes I will plan on going into work early and I set the alarm for 6:00a.m. but I just hit snooze or set it to 7:00 a.m. Even when I go to bed at like 9:00 p.m. I still cannot get myself out of bed. I guess I just have to develop a habit, getting up a little earlier each morning. It would have to be by a matter of minutes each day to make the transition smooth, but eventually I would be getting up nice and early.



I know that I can develop the habit, because on weekends where I go to bed before 1:00 a.m. I can get up at 8:00 or 7:00 a.m. no problem. In fact, there was an occasion where I got up at 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday I visited my girlfriend because I couldn't get back to sleep. Needless to say she wanted to sleep in and was correspondingly upset that I was making a racket. But, I digress. My point is that I have a lot of trouble getting up early, and I am paranoid that my alarm clock won't work. I even have my parents call me at 7:00 a.m. as a back up wake up call. A bit much I know, but hearing their voices in the morning reminds me of when I was young and mom would scream up the steps or knock on the walls to get us up on weekends and mornings.

I certainly don't miss the screaming at 7:00 a.m...

Random Bablings

I am so excited to be going home. In the words of my girlfriend "you really have no idea." It is less than a month until I make my exodus, and I couldn't be more excited. It is kind of funny, I wonder how excited I will be when it is two weeks to go. Just thinking about that gets me all riled up. The thought that in two weeks there will only be two weeks left for me here, wow.

Have you ever had a favorite place in the whole world? Well, I have two. For me those places are my home in Massena and my school at Clarkson. And when I get get to my favorite place, I am going to have a whole month to relax after six months away. It is hard to believe that it has been six months. It seems like forever and it also seems like I just got here. It is a strange paradox.

I think that the only thing I will miss, when I am gone, is the steady good pay and the independence of living in my own place. However, the company of my family and a job at the university library will be more than enough to suffice for what I am giving up.

I am stuck in a strange dichotomy. Every time I think about how close I am to going home I become happy. However, after that I think about how much time is actually between me and my goal and I become disheartened. I guess I will focus on now until the now becomes then. But, it's not like I'm going emo or anything. Life is still pretty good even though I have to stick around this here.

Cherri-o ol' chaps...

I actually spent the weekend at my apartment

This is interesting because I have been in my apartment for two weekends of the last month and a half. I usually get this surge of euphoria on a friday, during the last hours of work when I think of what it would be like to visit Potsdam. Then I just take off and go. It is totally worth it, but it shows my lack of self-control.

Well, this weekend wasn't anything special. I spent most of the time sleeping and watching t.v. I did a bit of cleaning, but nothing spectacular. I mostly just called up friends and family on the phone to see how they were doing, when I wasn't lazing around. So there you have it. I have been a couch potato for this weekend, and it wasn't as boring as I thought it would be.

At least I found some interesting things to watch on the internet...

Style

I am very tired of people saying that men who have style are "metro" or in the closet. For those who don't know, "metro" is short for metro sexual. According to society a metro sexual is a young man with a high disposable income who has deconstructed his gender role and has begun caring about his appearance the way a woman traditionally does. A metro sexual gets regular manicures, pedicures, he goes to the spa, and he has an almost homosexual interest in fashion.



Now, back to the topic at hand. I think that a lot of guys are getting labeled incorrectly out there. Just because you like to make your hair look good for the ladies, or because you like to look good and make an impression does not mean you are any of the above. Why can't a guy just be himself these days? Women complain about being stuffed into roles by society, but from where I am standing guys are getting shuffled through labels so much that its hard to keep up. I think we all just need to take a step back and relax. Guys have been looking nice for ages and not been asked if they were gay or effeminate. Besides, the whole point of looking good is to show off your masculine traits and to impress. If it is giving the opposite effect then maybe men should stop showing style for a while. But if they did people would start complaining again.

we men just can't catch a break...

Fall

Fall is tied for my favorite time of year. It is such a nice time. I like it so much because of a couple of reasons. The first reason i like the fall so much is, the colors. All of the tree's leaves turn different bright shades. You could drive down the street and see one tree that is red, another than is orange, green, etc. Fall is also chilly, and chilly weather is also good for a number of reasons.



When it is chilly out after a long period of hot weather, you can relax a bit. If it gets to chilly you can put on a sweater and have an excuse to snuggle up next to you partner, or someone your interested in. Also, when it's chilly out you know that there won't be any bugs buzzing you.



Last but not least, you get all that good food. Yes, I am talking about Thanksgiving. The turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, the gravy, the stuffing, the mac-n-cheese, the pies, and the ice cream make you feel good all over. And while they may give you an extra five pounds, it is certainly worth it. I personally will be not eating on thanksgiving day until dinner time.

to save room...

Patience

I have decided something. I am going to try really really really hard, and not let my current situation affect me. I have realized that I am collapsing into complaining and social reclivity. So, like I said before, I am going to do what I normally do in situations such as these. When I say a situation such as this I mean a situation where there is a defined end and I can do nothing to change it. What I will do is relax and wait. I know it will be over soon and that if I have patience it will seem closer. So patience is the name of the game now my friend.

It is just a matter of time...

Hump Day

So, It is Wednesday. Hump Day. Hump day is the last of the three crappiest days of the week. They say that once you get through hump day the rest of the week is all down hill and easy. The week might be that way for some people for some people, maybe even me, but I know that if you have a good job, a good woman, and a good group of friends there is no reason why everyday can't feel as good as Friday.

Hope your hump day is going well...

My 100th Blog

As the title suggests, this is the 100th blog I have every written. This blog has been up for months now, and has chronicled the changes that have occurred in my life. It has been a great means of blowing off steam, and of informing others of the nuances of my life. I have really really enjoyed this having and writing in this blog. It is a rewarding experience that I would suggest to anyone.

In my opinion, a blog should serve the purpose of expressing some deeper emotions or truths while staying light enough to be picked up by a casual reader. You have to balance the size of your blogs, as well as their content. If you blog is too long or dry, well then you will be sure to have bored readers. If your blog is short and very airy, you will not be able to keep any readers. It's a tricky paradigm. And, I don't even know if I can use that word correctly.

In any case, the world has changed in these past few months and so have I. I have no idea where life is going to take me. But, you will sure be able to read about it in this blog. I look forward to both my future and the future of this blog with cautious anticipation.

What would your choice be?

Let's say for a moment that we live in the X-men universe and everyone is about to take an evolutionary step forward. However, you get to choose what your new power will be. It can be anything within the comic-book universe plethora of powers and you get to be specific down to the very last detail. Oh, and lets include for the sake of argument that everyone is going to use their power for good and you can use your powers in your every day life.

Now that we have set up that you are going to receive a super-power/mutation, what would you want yours to be? I know what I would want mine to be. I would want the power of flight. I would want the exact same kind of flight that superman has. I of course would need goggles so I could see at high speeds, and a body that could resist the g-force of ultra high speed flight; but superman flight it is. He can levitate, flight very quickly, he has ultimate control over his in flight movement, along with so many other great things.



I can just imagine what it would be like. I just got done with work and step outside. I put on a trench-like coat to keep me warm and some goggles so I can see. Then with a burst of power unlike anyone else's ability I jump up into the air and soar north. I gather speed and height as the houses and highways begin to zoom by. I hold onto my pocket watch and compass as everything around me blurs together as I approach the speed of sound, but do not cross it. Minutes later I begin to slow down as home comes into view. After a safe speed is reached I begin to descend doing lazy circles around my house until my feet hit the ground and I walk through the door to see my super strong dad and my mother with her amazing healing powers, if that is what they choose.

One of those moments

I am totally having one of those moments where you just want to stop what ever it is you're doing and go do something else. In this case, it is very easy to figure out what I want to do and what I want to leave. Now, I am not trying to be a complainer. I am only telling you how I feel right now.

In another dimension there exists a version of me where I act out my desires, and this is what they are. I get up from my desk and give the office one last look. I leave my cubicle, go out into the parking lot and get in my car. Without telling anyone, I leave company property and head to my apartment. I throw all of my clothes and my computer into my trunk and I take off with my fish. I barrel down the highway at breakneck speed. Hours later I pull into my driveway at home and I go inside. I walk through the empty house, mom and dad are out around this time, and I lay down on my bed. I close my eyes and don't wake up for a whole day.

While some other version of me is doing this incredibly dumb and satisfying thing, I am sitting here working away. I am choosing the smart thing instead of the thing I really want to do. Well, this escape has allowed me to blow off some steam. Now I can be more productive.

Feeling a bit lonely today

I'm feeling a bit lonely today. I don't know why. One of those moods I guess. I actually am starting to feel a bit excited, about how in two days I will only have six weeks left before I can see my friends and family again, oh well. I guess I will take apart the printer I was given, and remove the copper wire from the monitor I found on the side of the road later today.

Hope your Monday is going better than mine.

One of the best things ever

I love massages, a lot. Now, I'm not talking about the massage you get from a friend or partner. I am talking about the full blown professional massage that you pay out the rear for. The kind of massage that you remember for the rest of the week. I swear, that when I get a real and good paying job I will get a full body massage at least once a month if not more.



Let me tell you why I'm so jazzed up about them. A couple of days ago I woke up with my neck in pain. I rolled over and awoke several hours later with the same pain. After several days of this worsening situation, I could barely move my head side to side or up and down without some pain. My range of motion was very limited. Out of real need, I called up the masseuse and scheduled a half-an-hour massage for thirty bucks. She laid me down on the table and began massaging the areas I said where painful with essential oils. And, before I knew it the half our was over and I could move my neck again. It wasn't perfect as I still had some minor pain, but it was a significant improvement.

Now I can move my head and am taking her advice to make sure it doesn't happen again. I sleep with a pillow under my knees for lower back support and I sleep on my back for neck support. Moral of the story: Massages are like, one of the best things ever invented by man and you should totally get one if you can. If you can't you should guilt one of your family members or friends into getting you one. Non-professional ones are still good(but they are a pale comparison).

New Knowledge

I've learned something new today. My new knowledge does not lie in the arena of engineering, or anything technical for that matter. It has to do with people, and how they behave. More specifically, how individuals handle themselves in a corporate setting.

After chatting with an older work-friend for a few moments, our conversation strayed into different areas and he began talking about some of the less than adequate members of this corporation's workforce. Up until this point, I have seen few who do not get their work done. Well, according to this older gentlemen there once was a guy who would come in about an hour late, take a forty-five minute break, go around and chat for a while, go early to lunch, come back late, and do a lap of the office once before disappearing. Well, needless to say, he was eventually caught after months of this. He took a leave of absence and upon returning did the same thing all over again. He was eventually fired. Then there was a guy who would clock in and do about three to four hours of work before leaving for lunch and basically sitting at the bar for hours. He would come back an hour or two before time to leave, drunk, and pretend to do work. From what I hear, his neighbors only knew because of the smell on his breath. He did this for several weeks before being let go.



I was surprised to hear that this happened, at this level. Why, after get a good job, would someone do these things is beyond my understanding. In the course of my day I may take a couple of minutes here and there to get a coffee, or chat, but it will never compare to the degrees of the above individuals. Also, how do these people get away with it for so long? They either must have been in the company for years or where friends with someone important.

Nothing new to report at this time

So here are funny pictures for you to enjoy.

The Cube World is a Small World

When you work in a cubicle, you can hear what is going on all around you. You can hear what two individuals are whispering about others, you can hear the phone calls they make, and sometimes you can even hear the other person on the phone if they are loud enough. But, in my case, I can hear the goings on of the guy right across from me. We will call him Bill.

Bill is a large man, nay, a very large man. He is so large that he waddles. In fact, he has to lift his flabby little arm up sideways in order to bring a cup to his blubbering lips. Bill is also a loud man, who loves to talk on his cell phone. To top it off he has a short temper and will offer little help to anyone unless there is some sort of reward involved. As a result of his proximity and volume, I have gained personal insights into the current state of his relationships and his proprietary life. Let me share a few of the things I have learned.



He is divorced and has a son. His son spends time at Bill's mother's house while he is at work. Bill rents out a house and is having trouble renovating it. Bill is in almost constant contact with his ex-wife, whom he always argues with. Bill hasn't seen his buddies in a while, most likely he moved to where he is now after college and had to leave them behind. Loud, short tempered, and unhelpful; no wonder he's divorced.

All of this information was gained with out my permission. It was forced into my eardrum and into my brain, I don't even want to know about him. I guess this is what happens when you work in a cube next to a loud, fat man. And if you're wondering, The Cube World is at the intersection of Wonderland and The Twilight Zone.

No you are not imagining it

I did change the template for my blog. If I like it, then I will keep it. I'll give it a couple of days though. Feel free to leave me some feedback

Capsule Game Review: Canyon Defense

There comes a point in the day where all you want to do is just sit down and relax. Like many others, I usually spend this time playing a fun computer game. Now, I am not a huge fan of paying exorbitant fees to do it. Nor, am I a fan of spending a half of an hour loading software. So what do I do to both satisfy my need for a fun computer game, and not spend a long time loading it? Well, I just mosey on over to Miniclip.com and play one of their more sophisticated flash games.

Among my favorites is a game called Canyon Defense. As the name suggests there is a canyon and you have to defend it, but it is much more fun then the name suggests. As enemies drive through the canyon weapons systems you have set up along the ridges fire upon them in an attempt to destroy them. If they make it through, you loose a point. After loosing ten points the game is over. What makes this game special, is that the weapons are all automated. This means that you hit start and watch them destroy the enemy. It is a great mix of strategy and passive entertainment.

As you destroy more enemies, you receive more reward, allowing you to build more weapons and more sophisticated systems. And, as the game progresses you become able to build manufacturing plants and nuclear silos that aid you in your quest to destroy the enemy that continually become more difficult to kill with the passage of each battle. While it may only take up to a half-an-hour to play through, the beauty of this game is that you can set the game to it's most difficult mode and go through it a couple of times; still enjoying the second and third time as much as the first. This is a great game overall, and I will be making it available on my blog soon. If you want to play it, you can go to Miniclip.com or scroll down to the bottom of the blog; where I will be putting it soon.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Several trips around the sun ago, my father was born. And, thank God he was or I wouldn't be here! But in all seriousness, I hope you have a great birthday, dad. You deserve it. I'm sorry I won't be there in person, but I am there in spirit.



Everybody wish him a happy birthday...