Reasons for Not Updating During Christmas Break

1. Really slow dial-up. Really.
2. Sister visiting from Chicago for the holidays.
3. Two families to visit instead of one.
4. Family harassing about not spending enough time with said family.
5. Shopping for 10+ people to be done in the space of 3 days.
6. Seriously, this connection is way too slow.
7. Computer not available due to family members previous reservation/occupation of computer room.
8. Did I mention the slow internet here?
9. Catching up with friends over break, having barely spoken during the semester.
10. Newfound addiction to things other than being online.
11. Now dividing time online between several different email accounts and blogs. Damn myspace.
12. Distracted by shiny stuff.
13. Sole holiday decorator in household.
14. Fingers injured in tragic Christmas tree accident- attempts to type with teeth unsuccessful.
15. Not enough time to check other blogs, thus resulting in lower motivation and creativity in mine.

Hope Christmas is treating you all well, and hopefully I'll be up and running online sometime soon!
-Adolf

Come the Revolution...

We will have no tyrannical authorities (?) to assign us ridiculous reading and writing topics! We will have freedom and equality! And we will have these as pets!

Only a couple more hours until Christmas break!!!

Overstimulation

yep.

Does anybody want to write a paper for me?

It's almost to the point where things like this make sense to me.

The Dreaded MAC/Grateful Dead Complex

Well, Metaphysics turned out alright I guess. Still have 4 more papers and 5 more finals to study for, Advent Angels and a few more 3-hour-long choir practices before I'm done for the semester.
Funny, the workload seems to continue even after classes are finished. How riddikulus.

As a side note, the roommate has finally snapped, Cor is showing signs of meth abuse, Angie is probably considering finding a hired assassin, and Creative Juices are in high demand and low supply all across the board.

Who's ready for Christmas break ?

Feddie-physics

Well, it's paper-writing time again. No sleep for this little lamb, got a 10-pager due in about 8 1/2 hours, and am desperately hoping for a case of logorrhea. Being qua being, here I come!

More as the insanity develops!

Too Close For Comfort...

It came to my attention today that as a human race, we have some dangerously similar sounding phrases with disturbingly different meanings. A couple of my favorites?

Extramental Existence / Excremental Existence

Erschiessungstode / Erscheissungstode

Have you ever noticed (much in the way that Eskimos have extensive vocabulary for snow) we have way too many words for poop? Feces.. fecal matter.. poo.. sh*t.. and many more.

So my point is, this is the latest and greatest Dr. Fedoryka Quote of the Day:
"My love is like a brown, brown cow pie."

If Hannibal Lector Were A Book, Which Would He Be?

How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Half a Post

I want one.

Can't Improve On Something Perfect...

Reading through this one, I realized that it can't possibly match up to the one before. But then again, that's what happens when you try to be funny while you're coming down off a caffeine high at 7 am. Many improvements to follow, don't worry-

Captain's Log, Stardate: 1 Dec. 2005

Would have updated on 30 Nov., but as the official changeover occurs promptly at 6 a.m., this blog missed its deadline.

Stress levels continue, although no exponential increase has been observed. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms, while brief, have been temporarily alleviated by the presence of non-intravenous energy inducements.

A. Grutter has once again been observed maintaining abnormal sleep patterns, although one suspects given her apparent lack of deprivation signs, she has been compensating for nocturnal activity through diurnal somnolence.

Beginning to fear for my own ability to cope with conditions. Must be monitored closely for safety and sanity. Must maintain insomnia until mission is completed....

Not An Enema?( ! )

Ewey. (for all of you concerned readers, no this post is not about enemas- I stole the title from the ever-so-ingenious mix CD I listened to while writing this.)

Captain's Log, Stardate: Nov. 29, 2005
Second day of late-night paper writing sessions this week. Hope to continue the pace through Friday, when the assignments will decrease in volume and pressure. Morale is somewhat low amongst the others in the lab. Must remember to monitor A. Grutter for signs of fatigue and/or derangement. T. Ferrant demonstrates high degree of stability under these conditions.

Resources are running low- it will soon be necessary to find other sources of caffeine, if carbonated beverages are not replenished.

Sporadic activity on the preferred instant messaging system has been observed, results inconclusive.

More as the study progresses.

Consider It a Lesson Well Learned...

I think being at Ave (more than anything else) has taught me that some people like to shove a stick up their ass to make up for the spine they don't have. To be perfectly honest, I do love it here, and I hold the education I've received as invaluable; I frankly am not even particularly misanthropic where the college is concerned right now. (Although I will be the first to admit a certain degree of ambivalence at times). But it has recently come to my attention that two of the problems here most worthy of reprimand are [1] that certain members of the community have difficulty relating to others in an appropriate manner, respecting the gift of the human person and remaining charitably considerate of this relationship, and [2] that many of the students (although not necessarily through any fault of their own) severely lack the confidence to see the truth for themselves and stand up for it in the face of opposition.

As a great and worthy philosopher once said, "Cowboy up and grow some balls."

That being said, I'm discouragingly busy this week, with a massive number of pages to write (and even research before the writing can begin). It is this time of year which frequently begs the question, "Can I be done yet?"

Which I suppose does little except motivate me to procrastinate by pursuing happiness for myself and others until I have no other choice but to finish the assignment and pray that by the time I have to turn it in, I've at least been writing in a consistent language the entire time. If we're lucky, I'll be able to to this by the end of the week.

I'm a Terrible Friend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

now get the crap off my arm.

Where Is Your God Now?

Take that, Corie.

Behold, the power of Bruce Campbell's Chin. This is my boomstick.

Fogged Up Contact Lenses

For those of you familiar with staying up late, you'll recognize this all-to-common symptom of keeping your eyes open too long: the rebellious contact lens. I begin experiencing this fairly early on in the night, although for various reasons I procrastinate in actually remedying the situation- like a severe lack of motivation to walk all the way upstairs to where my glasses are. Especially when my legs are so sore from kicking my butt on the dance floor on Saturday. (Literally???) Maybe I should get implants.
I live for this kind of thing.

But luckily, friends are always willing to encourage me when I have to push myself so hard to get my work done:
HighlandsGirl83: good night!
HighlandsGirl83: sleep well
HighlandsGirl83: get some sleep when you do get the chance you weirdo
HighlandsGirl83: I can't massage you all the time!
HighlandsGirl83: what do you want?
HighlandsGirl83: Mary Poppins
HighlandsGirl83: I mean that would be cool
HighlandsGirl83: but I don't think we can afford her

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGGIE-BEAR!!!!!!!!

And for those of you studying for the Purgatory test: orthodoxy isn't everything.

g'night, folks!

Cabin Fever, Fear of Change, and Professorial Nutjobs

It has recently come to my attention (through strict observation) that a strange phenomena at Ave Maria College results in the following equation:

given that 1 day<>
and that average student income < $500/month

(small populus)/(limited campus area) + (psychotic authority figures + large amounts of homework) - (steady drug supply + extracurricular activities) + (-food) = neurotic tendencies and eventual nervous breakdown

Thank you, Corwin, for providing such endless entertainment this week with Project: Daybringer. Methinks we all need something beyond classes and transfer applications to worry about in our times of high stress. Distractions, I've found, are somewhat necessary. And for all of you who depend upon late-night dining for study-time maintenance, I recommend you look into your local Coney Island.

Kel: sorry I neglected you in my previous post. my only possible way of making it up to you at this point is by increasing traffic on your xanga. Oh, and maybe inviting you all to a dance this saturday??

Everyone else: yeah, I know you were looking forward to a better post the other day, but my only defense is that I was way behind on my paper and blogger hates me too much to allow me to post pictures for some reason. not my fault.

Sugar, We're Goin' Down

Well, things aren't progressing so well with the paper, so in the interest of time, I've decided to give you some highlights from my friends AIM profiles:


Courtesy of Lillie:
LILLIE! STOP PUTTING CHEESE ON THE DOG! -Mom

Why the guidance wing thinks I'm "suicidal", ala my essay for Dr. Love:
"Because of proportionate equality, there are no fixed and unchanging sentences for individualized crimes. For example, when a student is found guilty of murdering her theology teacher, corporal punishment is not immediately hoisted upon her. Instead, a jury looks at the circumstances of her act of murder (which may involve being bored to insanity during a class-thus causing the student lose all rational thought and then proceeding to chop her teacher into small pieces and store his body in a Wednesday Box) and decide that she was acting upon the heat of the moment and upon insanity, and may instead put her on parole with heavy guidance."

Courtesy of Miguel:
Ninja, Ninja, RAP! Ninja, Ninja, RAP! GO GO GO GO!
Go Ninja, Go Ninja, GO: Go Ninja, Go Ninja, GO!
Go Ninja, Go Ninja, GO: Go Ninja, Go Ninja, GO!
GO GO GO GO!


"yeah [thanksgiving music] just doesn't inspire as much artistic cheese as christmas music"
---ping

meegaman01: MAYbe if i tALKed like thIS
meegaman01: no WOman would be ABle to reSISt my wooING

meegaman01: i want to look exotic and mysterious, not disgusting
meegaman01: trying to WOO not repel


Courtesy of KatieMa
DanMan4779: lamps don't use technology, they work by magic
skaduck1: oh good point
skaduck1: see im not a science major, so i dont know these things
skaduck1: i only learn useless knowledge

-if my knowledge is useless, class must be too...i should just stop going.
classes till 8.

"Animals have two primary purposes in today's world: to be delicious, and to fit well."

Our soul waits for the Lord
Who is our help and shield
For in the Lord our hearts rejoice;
in Your Holy Name we trust.
May Your kindness, Lord, be upon us;
We have put our hope in You.
-Psalm 33:20-22

"That is the only really satisfactory way of dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it can do no harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good."

"For He loves each one of us as though there were only one to love."

"Love is like cancer, it randomly shows up and then it grows."


Courtesy of Dan:
Quote of the Random Time Period
"Son, a woman is a lot like a... [looks around] a refrigerator! They're about six feet tall, 300 pounds. They make ice, and... um... [spots his can of Duff] Oh, wait a minute. Actually, a woman is more like a beer. They smell good, they look good, you'd step over your own mother just to get one! [downs the beer] But you can't stop at one. You wanna drink another woman!"
-Homer

Peer To Teen Choice Behaviors...

So yeah, lots going on lately- had my mind on serious topics, which has put me in a rather deep contemplative mood.

I blame Dr. Russel and Dr. Fedoryka. And Corwin.

But in any case, my desire for discursive cognition and an upcoming allnighter will give rise to one, if not more, procrastinative blogger updates. Go grab your reading glasses just in case.

GET OFF MY BACK ALREADY!!!

Geez, being popular and in high demand leaves so little time for lounging in front of a computer composing witty and visually stimulating Blog posts.

it's not my fault I haven't updated. Honestly.

It's Hell Week- i.e. the week of The Play, where I have no free time to go to the bathroom, let alone spend countless hours in front of the computer playing solitaire. I feel this week like I'm sleep deprived, even though I've been ensuring myself at least a few hours every night so I don't crash and burn in the middle of performance.

I've got 5 papers due next week.

Father Roy hates me- interestingly enough, this fact has now been emphasized by him calling me "Mel" repeatedly, and looking awkward and correcting himself each time. Weird. Anyway, at least I got him to let us put on the play (since he was threatening to shut it down) and I'm pretty sure he'll let me get through the rest of the semester with minimal harassment about fictional notes I've been writing during class to Tom VanRiper.

Oh, I almost forgot- for Halloween (aside from the all-important Ave Halloween party) Justin and I went to his mom's and went trick-or-treating with his little sisters. Good times, good times.

Too lazy and hungry to update more right now. I'll get back to you after the play.
or after i kick justin's ass.

Quick Update on the Update

Sorry guys- I know I haven't posted recently. Trust me, a really cool post is on its way! Hopefully this week but no guarantees- but I promise you (or even pinky swear) that the next one will somehow, someway, include pictures!

Happy Birthday BwiggyBear!!!!

Talk About Jumping On the Bandwagon After the Wheels Fell Off...

Hmm. Tonight has been the first night in a while that I feel more like myself again. It's an obscure sort of feeling- but I've definitely been a little off for the last couple weeks. It's also rather unfortunate- it's taken me sleeping through most of the day and avoiding my classes in order to get back up to par. I guess this fall break is going to be a much-needed vacation. Too bad everybody else around here is either too busy or too tired to celebrate the finding of my long-lost Mel-ness with me. I'll have to find some headphones and some Mountain Dew and stay up most of the night playing Free Cell in the computer lab- that would be fairly reminescent of how I spend most of my time on a normal day. And clearly, I use the term "normal" very loosely.

Anyway, apparently I failed to mention the Co-dictator's latent coolness in my last post, which was made manifest last weekend by Meghan and I parking in an intersection at a red light, cranking music, and dancing next to the car, much to the enjoyment of the 5 or so cars full of guys behind us. In the words of one J. Enfield, "Shake what your mummy gave you." (I say in response: That is one of the worst things I've ever heard.) Also fun last weekend: turning what should have been an early night into a 2 1/2 hour photo shoot while playing dress up. This Tuesday night was fun as well, Meg and I stayed up until like 5 looking at photos and putting them in a book. I live for this kind of creativity.

Latest and Greatest:

You Are A: Puppy!

Beloved by all, puppies are energetic, playful, and loving. Your playful and friendly nature is part of what makes you a puppy. Known for their loyalty, puppies make great pets for young and old alike. And an innocent puppy face can melt anyone's heart!

You were almost a: Duck or a Parakeet
You are least like a: Groundhog or a ChipmunkWhat Cute Animal Are You?

excellent. my affinity for puppies is finally being recognized (hint hint). but don't ask me where the duck or parakeet come in, i've never thought of them as particularly adorable, nor do i identify with them in any way. maybe it's because i bite but not effectively enough to do any lasting damage. meh, better luck next time me.

anyhoo, had a fantastic weekend of not being quite productive enough, trying but somehow not succeeding in catching up on sleep, and a trip to the mall with Meg and Corwin. ooh, and Theo, Corwin and I harassed Ripper at work, too. Twas good times. Sometime in the next hour I'll be leaving to pick up my other me, but first i'm thinking it will necessary to find food- no wonder i'm tired, i only had a serving of mac and cheese about 5 hours ago. I need to figure out this whole "eating more than one meal a day" thing.

2 items remaining,
Mel

Ich werde dein Gesicht kaputtmachen!

Well, the insanity continues for about the next month. I've got a huge bibliography and presentation due Wednesday, and overdue Dante paper, and 5 or so papers due in the next 4 weeks, along with the play and other assorted activities. But on the plus side, plans are progressing well for my birthday party. I guess.

On that note, far be it from me to stop the latest blog fad:
7. Mel Needs: to see the doctor… The reckless
approach of copying a glaze out of a mag and then glazing 10 bowls as a
test will have smoke coming from RRs ears.
6. Mel Needs: to become more tolerant, especially of emotions.
5. Mel Needs: to make the most of these cycles, and establish goals with corresponding
deadlines.
4. Mel Needs: an English class.
3. Mel Needs: to take a chill pill.
2. Mel Needs: YOU!!!!
1. Mel Needs: to Handle the Sales End While Someone Else Runs the Company.

so technically #7 would have been different, but I had to edit for content by skipping to the next one. sorry kids.

now, i think i'm going to do laundry and take a nap to make up for the sleep missed during midterms week.

Schoenes Wochenende!

In Case of Rapture, This Car Will Be Unmanned

... a bit presumptious, perhaps, but entertaining nonetheless. Also, probably the most positive thing I've said all day, except maybe "I love you."

Hey, the other options were "2 Generations of Jesuits Who Don't Know a Proper Christology From a Hole In the Ground" or "A Hungry Abortionist Always Runs Faster Than A Pregnant Woman."

Anyway, I'm supposed to be studying for Triune God right now (midterm tomorrow night, followed closely by 2 other Theology midterms on Thursday morning and early afternoon). But of course, in the midst of cramming I always find new and creative modes of procrastination. Among these we find the mandatory blogthing:

Your Fortune Is

Man who run behind car get exhausted.

Wacky Fortune Cookie Generator

A random old picture pertaining to the times.

Humerous away messages created.

Contents of AIM profiles read. For example: ."I am the curse of the market, people think it was because of Hurricane Katrina, but no it was because I, Ben Panning bought stock"

And, of course, threats of zombies investigated.

Here's to all nighters and a decent supply of caffeine! (for today)

P.S. (is what part of the alphabet would look like if you removed Q and R) it’s ok, kalish, I think I’ve figured out a new source for my caffeine. Upon hearing that I won’t be sleeping the next couple of nights, Corwin suggested that he supply me with a liter of Code Red every time he sees me this week.

Ex Nihilo, Nihil Fit

I feel like I've been a total bummer lately. Granted, some would say that I have good enough reasons to be a bit overwhelmed and therefore despondent (or even doleful, dispirited, melancholy, glum, heavyhearted... yeah, in general unenthusiastic). But I say in reply: I hate being that way. Absolutely hate it. There are too many people counting on me to be my usual peppy (or at the very least, overly caffeinated), laid back (read: comatose), ingenious self. So I've decided to reclaim my sanity and take charge of the situation.

Will I mope? No. Will I get bogged down in the stress of having too much to do in too little time? No. Will I fail my midterms? ... Possibly.

On the plus side, I was totally excited about having Metaphysics today, and by God going to class was worth it. Wish I could say the same about some of my other classes, but I'm willing to settle for having my primary motivating factor for those courses to be fear of retribution. In the meantime, I'll study my brains out, rehearse like a madwoman for the play, clean the academic building (and at some point, my apartment), and have all the fun that anybody can possibly have on a half-a-block campus.

*Mel passes out on the floor of the library, then wakes up slightly delirious*


Wow, guys that post looks incredibly inspired and empowered. It was probably written by someone else, or was influenced by the lack of drugs in my system right now. I'm telling you, there is no Code Red in my apartment anymore, and this is a problem. It's only a matter of minutes before the headaches and shakes kick in... nope, here it comes. Ahh well, it was fun while it lasted. Now I have to run out to The Keg for some emergency caffeine and then go to drama practice.

Good luck in your studies, kids!

Minor Accusations and a Busy Schedule

I'm tired. I'm way too busy for my own good (or sanity). I have blood on my shirt. I have a test due tomorrow that I don't feel prepared for. Midterms are next week. I don't know what I have to read for class tomorrow. My dad has been pissy for the last few weeks and I don't know why. I need good food. I miss Bwiggy Bear. My brain hurts.

I guess that's it for now. Thanks for listening to me complain. : )

Signs of the Times

Yeah... so it's 4:48 am, and I just finished my Dante test. and am still fully lucid.
guess it's time to start on that theology reading assignment, eh?

Boredom and Procrastination Are Inspirations

Because I'm too lazy to come up with my own post, quiz results courtesy of Alloy:]

Who Are You in the Band?CONGRATULATIONS!You are:53 % Lead Singer 23 % Bassist 15 % Lead Guitarist 7 % Drummer (attention seeking? who, me??)
Lead Singer: When your parents had guests over when you were little, you used to come downstairs in your jammy's (or that year's ballet costume) and put on a full-fledged show -- opening act, intermission and encore. When it comes to performing and getting noticed, you're no joke. You like to be the center of attention, but you don't let being the head honchette go to your head. While sometimes you take little things too seriously, you are a terrific leader and can easily turn that little nothing into a big something. (pat on the back, me. apparently i'm a perfect person)
Inspiration and Guru: Amy Lee of Evanescence. (just cuz she's so darn hot and cadaverous looking)
Studio Snack: Pizza. (i think that goes without saying)
Favorite On-stage Moment of all time: The Madonna and Britney kiss at the MTV Awards. (NO! i mean, NO!!!)
Must-have Stage Style: Satin Ribbon Tube Tank (question mark? ?)

Meh, so it may or may not be accurate, but slacking off by taking pointless quizzes is fun AND rewarding! Now if you'll excuse me, I have a room to clean and a Trinity to study. You stay classy, Southeastern Michigan!

Even More Hostile Takeover...

messy

Consider It a Hostile Takeover...

So you may or may not have noticed, the previous post was not in fact made by yours truly, but by another who happened to have access to this blog. Any claims made therein are not to be held as legally binding, nor do they necessarily reflect the opinions of this blogger or any of it's associates. Except, apparently, for one.

Anyway, I'm looking into mental health clinics in the area... there are surprisingly few good options, although this is coming from someone who's 3 aunts are trained nurses and are very familiar with modern health standards. Don't worry, if I go crazy, I'll make sure they lock me away in a place that has decent internet access.

Kalish, it was so awesome talking to you the other day; I'm sorry I had to cut our conversation short for drama practice. Let's keep in touch more regularly ok? I know we're all busy and you're in a place decidedly more exciting than Ypsilanti, but this pain inside me cuts like a knife. And let me tell you, that knife does not have a Double-D edge. Did I tell you my plan for my birthday? I'm totally making my mom get a banner that says "Happy Birthday Brigid and Melissa!" and I'm inviting most of Ave and your family to come. If I'm lucky, I can find a hideous picture of the two of us and blow it up... or maybe even get a cardboard cutout of you and set it up at the party. And this is why I shouldn't plan these kinds of things when I'm totally cracked out. Anyway, moral of the story: Keep In Touch(e?)!

Whoa... there are sounds of shrieking demons down the hall, I think I should go investigate...

Oh ok, it's just Thea and her cousin... I could have sworn it was a minotaur or something. And yes, I have been spending too much time with Dante.

Anyway, too much to do, not enough time to do it in... This, unfortunately, leads me to something which I have wanted to avoid. The All-Nighter. Now, granted, there are those who might point out, "Mel, you've already pulled several all-nighters this semester alone." But I say in reply (if this isn't Begging the Question, I don't know what is...) "Those were NOT in fact, School-Related." In any case, I have 5 classes to read for, lines to memorize, several papers to start working on, midterms coming up, and a Dante test due preferably tomorrow. So I'm fully justified in staying up all night for this one, just so I don't fall incredibly behind and end up wondering when we were assigned that paper for Ecclesiology that I never knew about two days after it's due.

And I still want baked goods.

My blog is in foreign hands!

Blame this guy for why I haven’t posted lately.

I’m currently watching Equilibrium over at the Twins house. Man I need to do some homework or Meghan is going to kill me. Well I have to go now because I’m going to make some delicious Barbe-Q spare ribs for my boyfriend. I love him so much and would do anything to make him happy. Stay classy Ypsilanti.

Mentally Unstable and Socially Unhinged

That's right. MUSU.

Yes, it's (finally!) time for an update from yours truly. To be perfectly honest, it's not that I haven't had anything to update about, nor that I haven't had time... I just haven't felt like it. So there.

Methinks since such a large amount of time has lapsed, I might have to resort to bullet points, so as not to force you all into reading through endless paragraphs of nonsensical prose. So since last Thursday I have:

~Gone to a Tiger's Game. We lost. Big surprise there. But everybody had fun nonetheless, and we have the pictures to prove it. And by we, I mean Justin- check out his blog if you don't believe me.

~Went to Stratford to see The Tempest with various Ave persons. Met a mutant duck named Harold, got some sweet pics- also not mine, but as soon as people get them developed, I'll steal some and post them. Also held hands with John Klobe and Matt Ryan for no particular reason except that Monica and I feel like mixing things up in the Ave circle. Father Roy hates me.

~Don't actually remember much from Sunday on- I assume that I didn't sleep enough, made it to at least most of my classes, watched movies, procrastinated on homework, and went to various drama and chorus practices. Went to B.A.'s not-so-surprise party, which was tons of fun. Oh, and I caught the cold going around campus. Exciting.

~May or may not have to name my firstborn after Tiger Stadium- further updates as this situation progresses.

~Went this last weekend with Meggie Bear and Justin to her family reunion in southern Ohio. Her family cracks me up. As do Meg and Justin- the car ride was about as entertaining as the actual reunion. *nasal laugh*

~I just got out of Metaphysics class. Dr. Fedoryka came up with an idea for a bumper sticker: "Acorns do it for their own sake." You wouldn't get this unless you've had Feddie for a philosophy class before. Also notable quotes: "My nature doesn't give a damn about me- it's just trying to save the species!" and "How 'bout pretending you're a student in Dr. Fedoryka's Metaphysics class?"

~I need to clean and get to a Meijer at some point so I can get food and develop photos. Dangit.

Does anybody else want to quit school right now?

Don't Ask "Why?"- Ask "How?"

...is what Meghan said to me the other day. So don't worry, Bwiggy Bear, we haven't forgotten you and the impact you've had on our lives. Which apparently has mostly to do with sharp objects. Oh, and we used Whitestrips on Saturday too. : )

I guess there isn't a whole lot to update on, except to say that I need a regular sleep schedule, a way to get my cleaning crew stuff done in between all of the other crap I need to do, and possibly some food.

Mostly food.

Anyway, had an awesome night hanging out with the girls a couple days ago- freaking hilarious. All I remember is something about "monolithic" "cyclobian" and "ceramics". The rest is all a blur- perhaps if we start recording these conversations, reminescing would be more effective. Starting to get worried about the looming projects and papers I have coming up, although Dr. Russell has yet to make me recite my lines from Dante. Thank God for small favors- although now it may have been so long that I can't even remember the lines correctly.

Things to look forward to this weekend:
~Tigers game Friday evening (with fireworks after?)
~Stratford trip to see The Tempest on Sunday
~Researching colleges that might be merciful enough to accept credits from Ave
~Too much homework for comprehension
~Sleep?

Your Mom Goes To College

..hehehe... it's funny cuz it's true.

Anyway, sorry I'm so lazy about posting, but my only defense is that usually when I remember I haven't updated yet, I'm too incoherent to spell my name correctly to sign on to one of these computers. And of course, the never ending cycle of our server being down at all my normal times (like 4 am).

So then- been non-stop action for the last week or so. Havilah came by to visit a few times, and actually stayed 2 nights in my room over the weekend. Came to the Ave semiformal, hosted a brunch in our room (while Meghan and I weren't there- go fig) and even lent (and later gave) me a shirt that nearly caused riots among all of the campus. Ok, so I'm exhaggerating.

Got to hang out with Sheila a bit too, which was fairly awesome. We make a very dangerous team, her and I, when you combine our propensity for wrestling, bravado, and the "boob tap". Yeah, don't ask.

Too many inside jokes for me to remember- I'll try again when I've had more than 3 hours of sleep a night for 4 nights in a row. But leave me comments anyway, because we all know that those are the only reasons for blogging!

I'm one of a hundred cops,
Adolf

Wow. Just wow.

So... sorry I haven't updated in a while, but... Hurricane Katrina is ruining my life. Does that sound a little selfish? Maybe. But I miss staying up all night on the internet, dammit. And worst of all, I miss having carpeting in my computer lab... makes the whole place seem more cozy, as if I can almost justify staying up obscenely late.

Not that I need to be in the computer lab to do that anymore, eh Panda Food?

Anyway, Ave's been fairly awesome the last week and a half- although my workload is steadily increasing at a somewhat alarming rate, and Meghan and Monica and I are slowly but surely... ok, not even slowly, but DEFINITELY surely becoming the weird ones on campus. You know the type. The Instigators. The Goofs. The... Gunivators. Yes, you heard me. We were threatened by guns, and by God we were awesome. And I am once again totally motivated to go wandering around by myself at insane hours of the morning.

And if it weren't for that stupid 8:40 am class, I would.

So yeah, we've been doing an admirable job of instigating wrestling matches, water fights, trips downtown, awesome dinners, and hopefully kickass fall production (Arsenic and Old Lace, please God let it be Arsenic and Old Lace). Too lazy and fried to put much more effort into this post, guys. So no Word of the Day or Quote of the Day for now. Sowwy.

I miss you Bwiggy Bear! Don't chase after too many "sophisticated European" types!
-Adolf

Pandas Invade Midwest; Millions Maimed

...is what an awesome headline would be.

Yeah, things are still insane around Ave, but it's a relatively boring insanity... as compared with what will happen later in the school year.

But I swore I'd give you a Word of the Day, and when you swear, it's your promise, unless it's profanity:
Word of the Day: descant \DES-kant\, noun: 1. (Music) (a) A melody or counterpoint sung above the plain song of the tenor. (b) The upper voice in part music. 2. A discourse or discussion on a theme.
Quote of the Day: He who strikes first admits he's lost the argument. Chinese Proverb.

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

*gasp* AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Hokay, so I have a bit of anxiety about the uncertain future. So would anyone else in my situation, right?
Accreditation of their college being sketchy enough to consider transferring to another school- provided, of course, that the school in question would accept the credits from the other college. Possibility of being paid to go to another college by people that want the school to close? There's a moral dilemma...
Severe frustration at the Austria situation- the girl ahead of me on the waiting list might be dropping out last minute, so in theory I'd be able to go if she doesn't, but I'd still need to scrounge up $2,000 so I could afford to live there for 3 months. Besides, I'd also need to convince the powers that be that I should go- these powers being my parents (whom I would need to cosign on a personal loan for that $2000) and the people in charge of the Austria Study Abroad Program.
This is all timed perfectly as well- since I just got back from Germany and right away moved in to my dorm- poor Meghan would have to go through the hassle of a new rooming situation if I went to Austria anyway, and my dad's really sick right now so I'd feel bad springing this on my parents. Guess there's really nothing to do but wait for somebody or another to hear back from Liz about whether she's committed to going to Austria. Ahh well.

No worries if things stay the way they are- I have incredibly confusing classes to look forward to, Swing Dancing on Wednesday nights, buying a Laptop, and maybe even my parents getting me a cell phone (if I'm lucky).

Yep, you can tell I'm back at school because I actually have something to write about on this blog...

I'll work up some motivation to do Words and Quotes of the Day later on, in the meantime I have to finish unpacking so the room is inhabitable for the Hall Parties later tonight, and go see Brigid off at the airport. TTFN!

Herzliche Wünchen von Bayern!

Hey kids! It´s about 12:30 in the morning here in Neunkirchen- the perfect time for an update :)

We´ve been keeping busy- visiting a few of the villages around the area, rock climbing, hiking, shopping, going on tours, visiting Nürnberg, swimming illegally in quarries... yeah, that´s about normal for us. Got some pictures, too; hope they turn out, and more to come!


Hobbits like holes.

In the highest room of the tallest tower...

Wunsiedel from the mountain.

Sprechen Sie Spanglish?

Ruined hermitage.

NOT FOR EATING!

"Do you think my butt looks big?"

Der Hassenpfeffer liebt Pilzen.

Precious?

What is this..´German` you speak of?

Swamp people.. are the happiest people.

Is that a Hobbit in the distance?

How do I end up with a picture like this on every camera?

I have moss on my butt.

wtf?

Hanna´s "Princess Picture".

Hanging out at the top of the mountain at Felsenlabyrinth.

Gelato after a traditional Bavarian dinner- oh, and I´m riding a Gelato pony, too.

Met at the airport by Hanna, the coolest German foreign exchange student ever.

I Love Spam

And by that I mean.. not the food, or the junk e-mail. But seriously, I checked my blog this morning and saw that I had 7 (count 'em, seven) comments... but 3 of the 4 new comments were, in fact, spam. And then I had a flashback to Christian Marriage class, of Brigid leaning over and telling me "No one loves us,"- and it's true.

Only a couple more days until The Hobbit gets here, and then we'll be leaving for Germany. I started freaking out last night because I realized I still have so much stuff to do- I have to get my room cleaned, my stuff packed both for the trip and for Move In Day at Ave the day after I get back, go to the bank to withdraw obscene amounts of money, buy a sweater (*ahem* Brigid...), and all sorts of other crap... I'm getting a little stressed.

But at least through all of this I have my Crest Whitestrips, and the assurance of a brighter, whiter smile.

Word of the Day: Ubiquitous (adj.)- Existing or being everywhere, or in all places, at the same time. As in "As a Catholic, I habitually fall back upon the word 'omnipresent' where 'ubiquitous' would suffice."

Quote of the Day: "Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately... it kills all its pupils." - Hector Berlioz

East is east and west is west and never the 'twain shall meet. However, if two 'twains meet, you will have a 'twain weck,
Adolf

Rule #43- Anything which can be done as an Axis of Evil, must be done as an Axis of Evil

Accordingly, Kalishnikov and I gave blood together today. Much to our delight, we found that we have matching blood- and are soon to celebrate by obtaining matching sweaters. Are we dorks or what?

On the plus side, Fr. Roy's apartment is clean, so I don't have to worry about that, and should have time to devote the rest of my week to cleaning up John Vianney before I leave for Germany. T-6 days on that count. Wooo!!!

Other cool plus- dictionary.com is back up, so I can look up my word of the day again. Of course, I'm too lazy to do that right now, but I assure you that I remember the word starting with the letter C and meaning something to do with being argumentative. And no, Axis, it was not cantankerous. I'd have remembered if it was.

Shut your mouth when you're talking to me!
-Adolf

Disillusionment Runs Rampant In Ypsilanti

It's a sad sad day for the news world: Peter Jennings has died of lung cancer : ( He's seen me through quite a few headlines. Damn you, Walter Kronkite!

I think I speak for both myself and Kalishnikov when I say we're somewhat depressed about the recent turn of events concerning Austria. But as two discouraged codictators, we certainly do know how to make ourselves feel better. And that, my friends, is by wearing Crest Whitestrips to the movies and freaking people out.

For those of us travelling in the next few months, something to help you learn more about the system of government you may be visiting:

Systems of Government, As Explained With Cows
FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.
PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.
BUREAUCRATIC SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. They are cared for by ex-chicken farmers. You have to take care of the chickens the government took from the chicken farmers. The government gives you as much milk and as many eggs as the regulations say you should need.
FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.
PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.
RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.
DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both and shoots you.
SINGAPOREAN DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. The government fines you for keeping two unlicensed farm animals in an apartment.
MILITARIANISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.
PURE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors decide who gets the milk.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: The government promises to give you two cows if you vote for it. After the election, the president is impeached for speculating in cow futures. The press dubs the affair "Cowgate".
BRITISH DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. You feed them sheeps' brains and they go mad. The government doesn't do anything.
BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. After that it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows.
ANARCHY: You have two cows. Either you sell the milk at a fair price or your neighbors try to kill you and take the cows.
CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
HONG KONG CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax deduction for keeping five cows. The milk rights of six cows are transferred via a Panamanian intermediary to a Cayman Islands company secretly owned by the majority shareholder, who sells the right to all seven cows' milk back to the listed company. The annual report says that the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Meanwhile, you kill the two cows because the fung shui is bad.
ENVIRONMENTALISM: You have two cows. The government bans you from milking or killing them.
FEMINISM: You have two cows. They get married and adopt a veal calf.
TOTALITARIANISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and denies they ever existed. Milk is banned.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: You are associated with (the concept of "ownership" is a symbol of the phallo centric, war mongering, intolerant past) two differently - aged (but no less valuable to society) bovines of non-specified gender.
COUNTER CULTURE: Wow, dude, there's like... these two cows, man. You got to have some of this milk.
SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

Word of the Day: was supposed to be castigate, but dictionary.com is down today, so I guess we're shit outta luck.

Looks like no Austria for this wittle wamb...

Guess it's finalized- my archnemesis has taken the last spot for the Austrian Study Abroad program.. which, I suppose, is nothing more than we expected. But unfortunate nonetheless. It will put an indefinite pause in the Axis' plot to take over the world, one continent at a time. I can't help but feel this is highly unjust.. Adolf was Austrian, wasn't he???

Meh, on the plus side, this means a continuation of all those plans I made before trying to go to Austria. I mean, I did have my courses all planned out, a job lined up for the semester, and probably tons of potential hours entertaining Justin(ius Enfieldus Rex Maximus the Third). Might be taking a trip to Chicago to visit my sister around Labor Day, too; we'll have to see what my parents have to say about it.

Is it really obvious that I'm trying to convince myself that not going to Austria this semester is a good thing?
Because that's what I'm doing...

We'll travel 'round the world, just you and me,
-Adolf

Thank God my parents got cable.

Ok, seriously, if it weren't for the fact that my parents got cable, I would probably be going insane right about now. It appears to me that other than the mundane activity of watching dumbed-down television, I've got nothing but stressful, must-be-done-NOW stuff to do. Like get my application stuff ready for Austria, despite the fact that I probably won't be able to go... I've got to meet seriously with Torie for a while to get all this stuff figured out, and all the... "What If" situations covered. Like, what if I don't find out I can go in time to send out my VISA application form? Can I just sneak into the country? Maybe apply for a shorter term immediate VISA when I get there, and wait until my long term one arrives? When am I supposed to come back to the US? I can't get my VISA without telling them when I want to leave and giving them proof of my plane tickets. Ironically, proof of financial stability is at the moment the least of my worries. That's gotta be a first.

On the plus side, World Youth Day plans are coming into order- The Hobbit and I plan on visiting Dachau, the World Famous HoffBrauHaus, if I can convince them that it's not too expensive, Neuschwanstein, and otherwise get my friend Hanna to show us around. Oh, and actual World Youth Day will be happening too. Should be cool.

Having a reminescing night- randomly came across a collection of inside jokes from highschool while rummaging through the mounds of junk in my bedroom (hence the latest and greatest tagline- which is apparently changing about as frequently as my xanga taglines, if not more). I'd post all of the infamous one-liners, but I'm afraid they would leave you all as nothing but dazed and confused. Ask me again sometime.

In the meantime, I hear my mother dearest beckoning me to teach her how to use her new cellphone... I love being the only electronically and technologically competent person in the house. :-P

--
Mel

Mr. Scholand Rox My Sox

I really need sleep, but I had to express my elation at the latest and greatest: our phone lines are working again! Mr. Scholand apparently showed up at our house after my brother-in-law informed him of our dramatic plight, figured that there was indeed a problem between the phone box and our indoor lines, and helped my dad fix them, at least temporarily. He'll be coming back Wednesday to make sure things are ok. Hopefully we'll still be getting internet cable, the amount of time I spend tying up the phone lines being online is just ridiculous. And I better be freaking getting a cell phone if I don't end up going to Austria...

gratuitous pirate picture:

What the Hell is going on here???

Well, for those of you who haven't been keeping up on these things (meaning everybody but Brigid) I'm trying to get my arse in gear to study in Austria this fall. I just got an e-mail back from Torie Zmuda (She-Who-Is-In-Charge-Of-This-Kind-Of-Thing) saying, in so many words, definitely not, maybe. Basically, she pointed out that there's alot to the application process and there's a waiting list, and apologized for not being able to say yes. My sources claim that there is no more waiting list, however, and the application process be damned, I can totally pull this off if they let me. So not that I really expected to be able to go, I'm not a complete lunatic. But if they'll change their minds I need to know ASAP so I can get my crap ready to go, or else it'll be too late to even try.

How frustrating..

In any case, had a blast this weekend (despite lack of internet and phone service) hanging out w/ Bwiggy Bear while ..*cough*.. house sitting. Free cable and swimming? and Cherry Coke? and her brother fetching things for us? What's not to love?
Also spent some time with the fam this weekend (unavoidable because of the phone thing) but it was cool, played with the nephews, goofed off with my brother in law, stuff like that. Good times.

I love using company time for my own purposes, but I should probably get something done today or Marita will once again suspect my slacking. Poo.

T-17 Days

Well kids, got 17 days left until Kate and I leave for Germany- which means, of course, there's still way too much planning to do, and I'm desperately hoping that I get my last couple of paychecks from Ave on time. World Youth Day will no doubt be awesome, and touring around Bavaria will be amazing as well. Museums, castles, pubs, and train rides- and all this accompanied by one of my greatest partners in crime. We're so getting arrested.

Work has been cool the last couple days, I've been working with Dube, who's leaving town on Monday, never to be seen or heard from again. Just kidding, I'm sure he'll come back and visit. And if he doesn't, we'll hunt him down and kill him.

Keeping on top of updates and e-mails has been tough the last couple days, our phone lines went out at home for an unknown reason, so I'm stuck trying to do everything while at work. The problem, supposedly, will be fixed next Thursday- but anybody who knows me knows that I'm addicted to the internet, and this leaves me without my main source of communication. How will I ever survive??? I'll have to keep myself entertained by catching up with my reading and getting decent amounts of sleep for once. I'll be a whole new person by next week. Weird.

Word of the Day: Refulgent. (adj.) Shining brightly; radiant; brilliant; resplendent. "Getting up in the morning this summer has provided me with an opportunity to see the world in a new, refulgent light. Daylight."

"He must pull out his own eyes, and see no creature, before he can say, he sees no God; He must be no man, and quench his reasonable soul, before he can say to himself, there is no God." -John Donne

Jumping On The Bandwagon

Welcome. Wilkommen. Linjani.

Too lazy and in a hurry to make a real post right now, but needless to say, this is gonna be flippin' sweet.

-Adolf

P.S. Word