Way back in the spring of 2000 when all my friends were in college, I took my one and only overhyped Spring Break party trip. We stayed in a couple of cabins at a KOA campground for next to nothing, took a few trips to Daytona beach, fucked around and whatnot. To be honest: I was normally drunk or stoned anyway, Daytona was one long strip of head shops and frat kids, and the weather was overcast most of the week. It didn't suck, but it wasn't any sort of magical nonstop party (MTV, you promised bared tits and alcohol flowing from the faucets!).
But that's not what set a precedent. The day we left, I started feeling...off. We packed up about 8 or 9 in the morning, and by the time we pulled out of the camp I was doubled over in my friend's backseat. I didn't get out when we stopped at the beach for a while. I didn't even smoke the whole trip back, 10+ hours. We got back at 1 a.m. that night and I went straight to the E.R.
Fucking kidney stones!
I hindsight, it could've been much worse; I was sure it was a burst appendix. Nevertheless, once I started college a few years later and had my own legitimate spring break, I would be cursed with illness every single time. Usually it's a sinus infection, since the weather starts swinging 20 degrees twice a day and allergens are reintroduced around March. Three years ago it was a double case of strep (which, at 26, I'd never gotten before). Last year, miraculously, I was fine- although my SO was in Germany and I had no money to do anything with.
We were supposed to go to the zoo today, and of course I'm blessed with an abundance of snot and a desire to do nothing but sleep. I just want to see some fucking bears. I don't think that's too much to ask.
But that's not what set a precedent. The day we left, I started feeling...off. We packed up about 8 or 9 in the morning, and by the time we pulled out of the camp I was doubled over in my friend's backseat. I didn't get out when we stopped at the beach for a while. I didn't even smoke the whole trip back, 10+ hours. We got back at 1 a.m. that night and I went straight to the E.R.
Fucking kidney stones!
I hindsight, it could've been much worse; I was sure it was a burst appendix. Nevertheless, once I started college a few years later and had my own legitimate spring break, I would be cursed with illness every single time. Usually it's a sinus infection, since the weather starts swinging 20 degrees twice a day and allergens are reintroduced around March. Three years ago it was a double case of strep (which, at 26, I'd never gotten before). Last year, miraculously, I was fine- although my SO was in Germany and I had no money to do anything with.
We were supposed to go to the zoo today, and of course I'm blessed with an abundance of snot and a desire to do nothing but sleep. I just want to see some fucking bears. I don't think that's too much to ask.
Well. Looks like I'm here for a while still. Sometimes indecision decides for you.
My grandfather died last Saturday. I was pretty upset about it; between classes, work, and three shows last week there was no way I could make it to the funeral in Mississippi. He played clarinet in several jazz bands, so my folks brought back some of his records, some great New Orleans-style jazz.
So far the semester is going well, and my first batch of projects is done. I have a crit tomorrow, which should go well in spite of my poor sculpting skills. As soon as I can get the much-needed camera I'll post a bunch of pictures.
My grandfather died last Saturday. I was pretty upset about it; between classes, work, and three shows last week there was no way I could make it to the funeral in Mississippi. He played clarinet in several jazz bands, so my folks brought back some of his records, some great New Orleans-style jazz.
So far the semester is going well, and my first batch of projects is done. I have a crit tomorrow, which should go well in spite of my poor sculpting skills. As soon as I can get the much-needed camera I'll post a bunch of pictures.
Things are pleasant, if quiet. The next couple of weeks will be busy, which follows along with taking classes and working at the campus bookstore. My subscription's up in February, and I'm considering bailing, at least for a while.
I'm not a terribly active community member, more of a fond lurker. That sounds kind of creepy, but I mean well.
And if I was only here for the tits, I wouldn't have been here this long. Not to put down tits by any means, but if a guy can't find tits for free on the internet... there's really no way to say that and not sound like an asshole.
Maybe I've outgrown whatever interest I had here. I feel the anonymity of the internet tends to slowly polarize people into either loud antagonistic people or silent wallflowers. I don't wish to be either of those, so maybe it's time for a break.
And it's not like I can't reactivate my account down the road.
*ponders*
I'm not a terribly active community member, more of a fond lurker. That sounds kind of creepy, but I mean well.
And if I was only here for the tits, I wouldn't have been here this long. Not to put down tits by any means, but if a guy can't find tits for free on the internet... there's really no way to say that and not sound like an asshole.
Maybe I've outgrown whatever interest I had here. I feel the anonymity of the internet tends to slowly polarize people into either loud antagonistic people or silent wallflowers. I don't wish to be either of those, so maybe it's time for a break.
And it's not like I can't reactivate my account down the road.
*ponders*
To update, in case someone accidentally read my last post, I did switch. I'm leaning toward a BFA, which is geared toward people who want to be artists, which is me. Even if I've been painting for a decade already.
The advisor I went to see wasn't actually an advisor, but the woman in charge of what's essentially the freshman art seminar, but she was incredibly helpful and she offered me tea!
And now the semester's almost over- just a critique today, and tomorrow I have to turn in a paper and take one exam, and that's it for a few weeks. My current band , which I was not responsible for naming, has it's first show next monday. I'm not banking on a big crowd, but it's always a crapshoot during the holidays. Aside from that and making small paintings for Christmas gifts, I'll mostly be working until the spring semester starts.
If you accidentally wound up reading, I hope you have a Bill-and-Ted-caliber excellent Christmas. I just want the fucking music to stop already.
The advisor I went to see wasn't actually an advisor, but the woman in charge of what's essentially the freshman art seminar, but she was incredibly helpful and she offered me tea!
And now the semester's almost over- just a critique today, and tomorrow I have to turn in a paper and take one exam, and that's it for a few weeks. My current band , which I was not responsible for naming, has it's first show next monday. I'm not banking on a big crowd, but it's always a crapshoot during the holidays. Aside from that and making small paintings for Christmas gifts, I'll mostly be working until the spring semester starts.
If you accidentally wound up reading, I hope you have a Bill-and-Ted-caliber excellent Christmas. I just want the fucking music to stop already.
I've decided to pull an eleventh-hour switch to studio art. I'm not sure whether I'll go for a BA or a BFA, since I know absolutely nothing about the program, or even the classes, but the first step is to find the secret hidden undergrad advisor. She's new this semester, and thus unlisted in the University's online directory, and the department page, and the printed hard-copy directory from work . I wonder how rampant this is at other colleges.
On a different topic, the campus just banned smoking. There was a small protest, but I suspect the student body, like everyone else in this state, will eventually roll over and accept it. It's the usual apathetic nature of Kentuckians. Oh, they get mad and bitch about it, but I don't see anyone purposely defying rules to make a point. It's odd...I've been cutting down anyway, so I'm less inclined to smoke during the day- but I fucking dare someone to give me shit when I leave work (which is on campus).
On a different topic, the campus just banned smoking. There was a small protest, but I suspect the student body, like everyone else in this state, will eventually roll over and accept it. It's the usual apathetic nature of Kentuckians. Oh, they get mad and bitch about it, but I don't see anyone purposely defying rules to make a point. It's odd...I've been cutting down anyway, so I'm less inclined to smoke during the day- but I fucking dare someone to give me shit when I leave work (which is on campus).
Two posts in one month, that's a scary kind of special.
I've never been more half-assed about my plans than right now. I'm attending what I know to be a shitty university, trying to decide between trench-crawling to a BA in psych, or accepting that I don't have the mental state to finish and taking art classes until the money runs out. Or switching majors to studio art this late in the game, which still leaves the possibility of failure on some level. But it's about all I have confidence in anymore, and I can actually get more out of that learning-wise than I'll ever get out of the psych program here.
The biggest issue I've got is all the bullshit admin kinds of problems. It's pulling teeth trying to get my former college (less than a mile away from this one) to actually send a fucking final transcript. Four requests, a dozen phonecalls...and I absolutely can't register for the spring without it. Trying to talk to professors whose offices are in a different dimension, and whose listed office hours have NO bearing on their real hours. Getting a straight answer about anything.
*sigh*
On the plus side, I'm going to see Voltaire play tonight. It should be a fine show, as long as I remember not to punch any frowning goth kids in the face for taking themselves too seriously.
I've never been more half-assed about my plans than right now. I'm attending what I know to be a shitty university, trying to decide between trench-crawling to a BA in psych, or accepting that I don't have the mental state to finish and taking art classes until the money runs out. Or switching majors to studio art this late in the game, which still leaves the possibility of failure on some level. But it's about all I have confidence in anymore, and I can actually get more out of that learning-wise than I'll ever get out of the psych program here.
The biggest issue I've got is all the bullshit admin kinds of problems. It's pulling teeth trying to get my former college (less than a mile away from this one) to actually send a fucking final transcript. Four requests, a dozen phonecalls...and I absolutely can't register for the spring without it. Trying to talk to professors whose offices are in a different dimension, and whose listed office hours have NO bearing on their real hours. Getting a straight answer about anything.
*sigh*
On the plus side, I'm going to see Voltaire play tonight. It should be a fine show, as long as I remember not to punch any frowning goth kids in the face for taking themselves too seriously.
I guess this is...two months since I bothered to post anything? I've been kind of busy, with school mostly. It's been a struggle, this semester. I'm definitely burned out again. I wonder if I'd gone to college properly, or at least sooner after high school, would it still have taken this long? I think this is my 6th year as an undergrad (granted, I was never in a hurry to finish).
I've still got at least 3 semesters, due to Spanish... I'm not really sure I'll make it that long. I barely made it through the first Spanish class. Trying to learn new vocabulary when you're nearly 30 is a fucking trial.
*sigh*
On a better note, my girlfriend and I finally made it to the zoo. We've been wanting to go since we started dating, just about a year ago, and we never found the time until yesterday.
Unfortunately, the Louisville zoo has NO BEARS. What fucking zoo doesn't have a bear? A lame zoo, that's what. So we'll have to dig around Cincinnati pretty soon; according to their site, they have no less than 3 bears, and that's three more than zero.
I've still got at least 3 semesters, due to Spanish... I'm not really sure I'll make it that long. I barely made it through the first Spanish class. Trying to learn new vocabulary when you're nearly 30 is a fucking trial.
*sigh*
On a better note, my girlfriend and I finally made it to the zoo. We've been wanting to go since we started dating, just about a year ago, and we never found the time until yesterday.
Unfortunately, the Louisville zoo has NO BEARS. What fucking zoo doesn't have a bear? A lame zoo, that's what. So we'll have to dig around Cincinnati pretty soon; according to their site, they have no less than 3 bears, and that's three more than zero.
I got moved. Unpacked. Back on the internet. I have noticed my internet withdrawal is twice as bad as my cigarette withdrawal. Speaking of, I've been on the same pack for three days now. *score*
That's a small victory I know, but I've been smoking a pack a day for twelve years. At this juncture, pot is finally truly cheaper (and apparently more acceptable).
My new place is more of an actual apartment and less of a storage closet, and more importantly has been under the same management (as opposed to the previous place having five different property managers in the last 3 years, each a little more shitty than the one before) for a long time. It's clean, quiet, air-conditioned. The only problems are the fridge, which used to be methusala's- the "freezer" is a tiny metal box that frosts up- and the stove, which doesn't even have an oven knob. I know some people eat out of the microwave, but those people just don't know how to cook.
That's a small victory I know, but I've been smoking a pack a day for twelve years. At this juncture, pot is finally truly cheaper (and apparently more acceptable).
My new place is more of an actual apartment and less of a storage closet, and more importantly has been under the same management (as opposed to the previous place having five different property managers in the last 3 years, each a little more shitty than the one before) for a long time. It's clean, quiet, air-conditioned. The only problems are the fridge, which used to be methusala's- the "freezer" is a tiny metal box that frosts up- and the stove, which doesn't even have an oven knob. I know some people eat out of the microwave, but those people just don't know how to cook.
I'm moving on Saturday- two buildings over. It counts. It's amazing how much shit I own. Especially considering how much I've thrown away in the last few years. It's almost as though I have a certain quota of possessions, and if I'm under, the universe will remedy it.
Anyway, I figured since it was so close and there was no reason to rent a truck, I'd send out invitations to a party. Free beer (something better than, say, keystone) and pizza. All you have to do is carry a few boxes. Not a bad deal, right? It's on a weekend in August. Nothing else is happening.
So I posted an event thing on facebook. I've got 80-something friends, at least half who actually live in this town. You'd think out of 40 people, at least 10 or 15 of them would take me up on the offer. Five or six would actually be plenty.
So far...two. One of whom had a hip replacement a few years ago, so stairs and furniture are a little out of the question for her.
This isn't even counting the people I invited who aren't the internet-social types. No one's biting from that group either.
Is this some kind of faux pas? Should I be providing strippers as well? If no one else shows, there will be three of us thoroughly plastered on the lawn with a trail of boxes and crap from this place to the new one by seven in the evening.
Anyway, I figured since it was so close and there was no reason to rent a truck, I'd send out invitations to a party. Free beer (something better than, say, keystone) and pizza. All you have to do is carry a few boxes. Not a bad deal, right? It's on a weekend in August. Nothing else is happening.
So I posted an event thing on facebook. I've got 80-something friends, at least half who actually live in this town. You'd think out of 40 people, at least 10 or 15 of them would take me up on the offer. Five or six would actually be plenty.
So far...two. One of whom had a hip replacement a few years ago, so stairs and furniture are a little out of the question for her.
This isn't even counting the people I invited who aren't the internet-social types. No one's biting from that group either.
Is this some kind of faux pas? Should I be providing strippers as well? If no one else shows, there will be three of us thoroughly plastered on the lawn with a trail of boxes and crap from this place to the new one by seven in the evening.
I forgot I have a birthday. Not in the literal sense, but there's so much going on between work and moving, and my girlfriend is back from another continent; I just haven't given it thought at all.
Suddenly, people want to know what I'm doing for my birthday.
I'll be 29. I'm not one to get anxious about aging or any of that bullshit, I look far younger anyway. It's just not a landmark occasion, and I don't have the time right now to plan anything. Next year I'll hire a mariachi band to play ridiculous covers, and maybe get a clown crying-drunk, but this year I don't give a shit. I'd just like some fall weather.
Fortunately I happen to have some close friends, one of whom is taking me to see the Old 97's on Friday. I think that's a well-deserved way to celebrate one more year of refraining from punching most people I meet in the face.
Suddenly, people want to know what I'm doing for my birthday.
I'll be 29. I'm not one to get anxious about aging or any of that bullshit, I look far younger anyway. It's just not a landmark occasion, and I don't have the time right now to plan anything. Next year I'll hire a mariachi band to play ridiculous covers, and maybe get a clown crying-drunk, but this year I don't give a shit. I'd just like some fall weather.
Fortunately I happen to have some close friends, one of whom is taking me to see the Old 97's on Friday. I think that's a well-deserved way to celebrate one more year of refraining from punching most people I meet in the face.
