Dripping Yellow Madness

My First Kick! (I don't know why, but this automatically showed up in my title box, so I decided to use it)

2007-11-19T21:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I suppose my long-contemplated return to blogging has been spurred on by my somewhat distant partner in crime and co-dictator. I kept putting it off, despite periodic thoughts of updating, for various reasons. You know, feelings of guilt for blogging when more productive (and dare I say "immanently important") things abound for me to do; lack of motivation for picking up a project which in previous instances has literally demanded hours of my attention and devotion in attempting to create the *perfect post.* But mostly, it's that I really didn't know what to write about.

Frankly, describing the everyday details of my life does not seem that extraordinary or entertaining.

But then I remembered: Hey, I'm going to be giving birth in a few months. What could possibly be more extraordinary (and entertaining) than sharing with friends and family the metaphysical wonder of bringing another life into the world, and all the fabulously ridiculous things that go along with it? And besides which, do I not still possess the creativity, wit, and somewhat sardonic outlook on life that enabled me to comment upon class, papers, and staying up all night to a small but loyal fan base?

And maybe more importantly, doesn't Google still have funny images for me to insert into my posts so they can be entertaining even when the subject matter is boring?

So on that note, be advised that this blog is returning to it's place in glory for all to see. I will be following up shortly with a real update, that hopefully will not violate my previous limit lengths.

We've got a lot of catching up to do.

The Intarweb: Newer, Faster, Funnier (NatalieDee Edition)

2007-04-04T02:20:00.000-04:00

In celebration of the newfound Wireless Internet Connection recently installed at the President's House (as of 3:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time), this Blog is Up and Running! I for one am incredibly excited to have access to a non-dial-up connection, and plan to fully exploit the opportunity provided by the Ave Maria Foundation. Woohoo.

For those of you who, for various reasons, do not share in my rejoicing, there is yet another cause for celebration: Brigid is home! I fully intend to take advantage of that fact by spending as much time with her as possible, and coercing her into keeping me sane during the next month or so. And maybe we can even get a job together!

And so the countdown begins. As of May 16, there is officially one month until wedding time, although it has been brought to my attention that this summer is inordinately preoccupied with weddings of various parties. Congratulations also to Bernadette Roth, who is getting married on June 16th as well. As our preparations begin, there will be wedding showers to attend, receptions to plan, flowers to order, gowns to be altered, hair to be styled.... yes, the list goes on and on. Hopefully none of it will be the cause of any mental breakdowns or hallucinations (though it may be the cause of much consternation and conflict- especially with my Bridal Shop), and we shall, for the most part anyway, remain unscathed.

The school year is over (SCORE), and the summer begins- is everybody else as stoked as I am?

*all cartoons courtesy of www.nataliedee.com. Not for the faint of heart.

Toys R Us Kid: Educational: With Pictures!

2007-03-10T15:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, well, since blogger is being a little retarded right now, not with pictures. But hopefully with some cool links. And my profile picture is new! Check that out! ^^^^

Well, it's Tuesday, which means with my newly altered schedule that today is my class day. It's nice to take care of all your school obligations on one day, but on the flip side, it's kind of obnoxious to be in class for an indefinite period of time, have a 2 1/2 hour break where you have to stay on campus, and then come back to school for a 3-or-more hour long class. Oh, and the vending machine is broken. I've decided that I'm going to start using my break period to do the reading for my class that I haven't done previously because I was too busy doing my other work for the class. Funny how that works out.

The best part of the day, though: it's WARM outside. The snow is almost completely melted up at school, as is the lake, and I can freely wear flipflops without fearing for the lives of my writtle toes.

In other news, I've applied for a youth ministry position at Old St. Pat's, and I should be hearing back from them by the end of this week, so say some prayers. Otherwise, Justin and I just might move to Hollywood to pursue our careers and ultimately become a couple of those crazy California-types. You know what I mean.

And last but not least, I'm getting back into the habit of Word of the Day. Although I do get depressed when I realize that I already know the words from the last several days:

coterminous \koh-TUR-muh-nuhs\, adjective:
1. Having the same or coincident boundaries.
2. Having the same scope, range of meaning, duration.

effete \eh-FEET; ih-\, adjective:
1. No longer capable of producing young; infertile; barren; sterile.
2. Exhausted of energy; incapable of efficient action; worn out.
3. Marked by self-indulgence or decadence; degenerate.
4. Overrefined; effeminate.

nonplus \non-PLUHS\, transitive verb:To cause to be at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; to confound; to perplex; to bewilder.

trepidation \trep-uh-DAY-shuhn\, noun:1. [Archaic] An involuntary trembling; quaking; quivering.2. A state of dread or alarm; nervous agitation; apprehension; fright.

cogitate \KOJ-uh-tayt\, intransitive verb:1. To think deeply or intently; to ponder; to meditate.2. To think about; to ponder on; to meditate upon; to plan or plot.

That's all for now!

Another Countdown: Anxiously Awaited Thaw: Axis of Evil

2007-03-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

Well, today is March 8th. Which means, if I am counting correctly, that there are 3 months and 8 days left until June 16th. Which, for those of you who are interested, is the day that one Justin Enfield will be marrying the party of the second part (hereafter referred to as ME) at the designated place and time, those being Christ the King Catholic Church, Ann Arbor, and 1 O'Clock in the afternoon. Those who feel the inclination ought to freely attend.

So, given the alluring sound of icicles dripping outside and the deceptively bright sunshiny days that occasionally recur, I think it's altogether understandable that I wait in eager anticipation of Spring Fever. Every once in a while, the temperature goes unbelievably high (say, around 27 degrees) and I fool myself into thinking, "Now, this has to be the big thaw." You know the one I mean. The one where everyone finally brings out their shorts and skirts and flipflops, actually manages to stay outside in the sun for more than half an hour in the hopes of getting a jump start on their summer tans. And the smell... yes, that unbelievably amazing smell of fresh air and sunshine and damp dirt. It's funny how the smell of dirt can be so invigorating, but it's not the dirt itself that is exciting; it's everything that comes along with it. Growth, life, distraction from the winter doldrums, that inescapable temptation to stare out the window rather than paying attention in your afternoon lecture. Am I the only person experiencing this right now?

And then you open your door or window in the morning and realize that it snowed again last night. And the best you can hope for that day is a really spectacular snowball fight. But hey, that's not too shabby.

The Axis of Evil is managing to branch out; not in its membership, per se, but in its actions. It has collectively decided to buckle down and entrench itself into the world of self-motivation and initiative. And probably an unhealthy amount of activity, considering how lazy it was to begin with. In fact, I know from concrete evidence that it is causing a certain co-dictator to lose a certain amount of weight; but don't worry, we will be monitoring progress closely to ensure that we don't waste away to nothingness. But Kalish, this is a far cry from being fat with power.

To close, the ever-recurring Word of the Day:
malapropism \mal-uh-PROP-iz-uhm\, noun:
The usually unintentionally humorous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound; also, an example of such misuse.

Hey, It's My Two-Month-iversary!

2007-01-30T12:13:00.000-05:00

Yes, today I decided to celebrate the last two months (to the day) of not posting by actually updating my blog.

And the peasants rejoiced. (yay!)

So many spectacular things have happened in the last few weeks- like, finals, then Christmas break, then going back to school. Which sounds extremely boring when I say it like that, but trust me, there were several entertaining episodes within that time.

I managed to make it all the way through last semester with insomnia while avoiding failing out of college. I was pretty impressed by that, and you should be too. With that in mind, I would like to inquire about the subsequent lack of congratulatory cards, cakes, and assorted surprises. Well, I guess we were all kind of busy at that point, and with all the holiday food present, I'm not sure I could have stuffed down any congratulatory cakes anyway. So consider yourself forgiven.

Spent an extremely busy, but altogether entertaining Christmas vacation with the fam (and the McNallys). Played T-Her-A-Pie! (so, tell us...) and did the New Year's Eve thing at the Zmuda's. Went to a couple of B-Mac's basketball games at Gabriel Richard to RING IT UP, and that was awesome- there are still some games left, so contact the McNally's if you want to go! Still have to set up a date night with Justin so we can use the gift card to Macaroni Grill... which I have to say sounds extremely delicious right about now.

On my way back to school after my brother's birthday party, managed a little altercation with my automobile. But it's a long story, so suffice it to say that I'm alive (and still have all my appendages), my James Bond car is still intact, and Justin's brother managed to take all the attention away from my almost-accident by managing one of his own while rescuing me.

Went to David's Bridal with a couple of my sisters the other day and (FINALLY) decided on a bridesmaid dress that should work for everybody. Get stoked.

Anyway, I guess that's most of what's going on, aside from my classes, my internship, my thesis, and (hopefully) a job at some point. If you'd like more details, feel free to contact me- after all, this is what cell phones, email, blogger, and facebook are for, right? Hope you're having an amazing day/week/month/year/whatever!

A Birthday, A Surprise, and A Countdown

2006-11-30T17:43:00.000-05:00

So, as you know, Justin's birthday was on December 2nd, and due to my laxity I failed to blog about it. Sorry, Justin- I love you, I really do.

So for his birthday we went to NFP class (probably not much of a birthday-worthy event, but at least we've graduated from it now), went to (a slightly unimpressive) Handel's Messiah at the Hill Auditorium that evening, and then went to B-Dubs for dinner (where we had to crowd in to fit everyone, but had a lovely conversation about TV locations). A bunch of people showed up for dinner, and I'm sure Justin was encouraged by that friendship. Plus, the day after his birthday was the first day of Advent- and that HAS to be good. His fam threw a small party for him too, with delicious chocolate cake. It's making me hungry thinking about it.

Now, it should also be put forward that as always, the week BEFORE finals is inevitably the most stressful one of the semester. Generally, I deal with this stress by a good deal of avoidance, but I don't really have that option this year, because I've got so many papers to do before the end of the week. But luckily, Launchcast saves my life, or maybe my sanity.
-So, in highschool I used to listen to this song "Denise," by a band I didn't know because I found it on a random mix tape of my sisters'. I didn't hear it again for years, and it bothered me that I didn't even know where to begin looking for this song... until the other night, on launchcast, and it turns out the song is by Fountains of Wayne on their album Utopia, from 1999. Problem solved.

Also, a Countdown begins this week- namely, the one that every college student is familiar with: the end of the semester. For most, we count not only the last days of classes, but also our final exam days, until that last second we can finally say "I'm DONE!" I won't lie and claim I'm not counting those days (hopefully I'm done by next Tuesday), but this semester it also includes a later date- the day a writtle bear returns to Michigan. I think my family might end up trying to kill me this year because of all the non-immediate family activity I've got on my plate, but frankly I think my co-dictator and I need as much catch-up time as we can get.

That being said, feel free to call me anytime after next Tuesday so we can all hang out!

Are You Bored Yet?

2006-11-29T18:28:00.000-05:00

In response to Monica's question: "Update?"
I answer: "Update."

I've got too many papers to write, so what better way to get them finished than by blogging about what I do while procrastinating?

Sometimes, I look at pictures, like the one above.

Sometimes, I go on Facebook, and stalk people via "networking."

Sometimes, I play Xplorers, except you need Java 1.5 to play.

Sometimes, I find funny little sites online, and blog whatever I find.

For Justin, whose birthday is on December 2nd.

For Brigid, who keeps me company while I write my papers, even in a different state.

For our Awesome Dam-Building Friends' mascot, who got away.

So What Does It Feel Like To Be Older?

2006-11-08T15:10:00.000-05:00

In the words of a certain Co-Dictator, it "Feels like kissing an old man's wrinkles."

Pretty apt description, I'd say.

But, in the interests of being completely thorough (Thoreau?) I've added an addendum (that seems redundant) to Brigid's honorarium. Also on November 7th:
-The October Revolution, in which the Bolsheviks stage a coup against the previous revolutionary republic of Russia, begins on Nov. 7
-The Munich Uprising in Germany, just prior to the signing of the World War I armistice on November 11, rioting breaks out.

Any other historically significant November 7th happenings?

I need sleep.

Ode To A Birthday Dictator

2006-11-01T13:09:00.000-05:00

It has been called to my attention that one Brigid Moira McNally and I have less than a week left until our respective birthdays. Because she so clearly holds seniority over me, I have decided to devote this post entirely to recalling her spectacular verbal quips, and, probably, indecencies. Honestly, somebody should do a study on the long-term effects of Mountain Dew: Code Red.

"Cheesy Bread... when did you guys develop that????"
...
"Word of the Day: Cantankerous. As in, 'Brigid, I wish you weren't so cantankerous when you wake up in the morning.'"
...
"Jimmy!!! Where ARE you?!?!?!"
...
"I'm only teasing, but I can see you're not responding, so nevermind."
...
"I'm a twelve year old fat girl!!!"
...
"I can't be sneaky about anything- I'm like a buffalo!"
...
"You're getting fat with power."
...
"I'm going to draw a diagram of the Strategic Defense Initiative.."
"...But that looks like a UFO..."
...
"Ooh, hold on! I have to depress my emergency break!"
...
"FANTASTIC!"
...
"You bring out the Down's Syndrome child in everyone."
...
"What if your leg got stuck between the seat and the toilet paper dispenser?"
...
"Thinking about desserts makes me uncomfortable."
...
"Not enough people are running so you are STUCK WITH ME! Muahahahah..ha."
...
"Adolf, you're so linear!"
...
"Communication is essential to all relationships- don't plug your ears, and don't contracept."
...
"Sometimes I wonder how people can look at my face and not throw up."
...

Yeah, that was pretty hilarious.
So, here's to almost 21 years of proving our worth to the world, by any means necessary:
Happy Birthday!

Hopefully Awesome

2006-10-25T15:49:00.000-04:00

In the words of somebody awesome, it's been a while since some awesomeness...

So here's a little update as to what's going on:
-It's still residual midterms time around here, which means all of my professors have suddenly realized they've been making our lives too easy, and assigned gargantuan amounts of reading and writing homework. Thus my conspicuous absence in the digital realm. I'm still trying to play catch-up, and my school does not grant us the luxury of all-school reading days during exam time. *sigh*

-It's getting extremely close to election time (and also my birthday) so the pressure is on with Catholics in the Public Square. We're in heavy need of some volunteers to help spread the word about the contradictions between Governor Granholm's actions and the teachings of the Catholic Church, so I've been given the responsibility of making the phone calls for Macomb County. Top that all off with the fact that my Macomb County leader's e-mail doesn't work, and that he somehow holds me personally responsible for our incommunication, it becomes a fairly stressful time for this writtle intern.

-We've made some great strides with regard to our wedding plans. Justin was nice enough to get in touch with the powers that be at Christ the King, so we've confirmed that Fr. Ed and Fr. Pat will be concelebrating at the wedding. We've also put a plot together to have our reception in a tent, and gamble on our nice June weather. We still have to confirm our permission with the families whose yards we will be borrowing for the event, but it should come together nicely.

-Natural Family Planning is harder than I thought. The main problem is that I have no regular sleep schedule (as you all know well) and it gets to be very difficult when you're supposed to be taking your waking temperature at the same time every day. I'm left there asking what I'm supposed to do when I don't even get to sleep by 7 am every day. Woops.

-To Emily: I've found that the best way to deal with certain unnamed professors was to simply give them no excuse to dislike you in any way. Don't be discouraged at the extra work this may cause; it will actually build your case against them for treating you unfairly. In the meantime, before any grades get sent out or whatever, I would also try and contact whoever is superior to this professor, to give them a heads up that you suspect some kind of favoritism in the classroom. It may be that the professor has a precedent for this, and other students have complained as well. And if not, if the pattern continues, your testimony will aid future students. Also, writing biting humorous commentary about them can't hurt.

-To Havilah: I'm so glad you're back in the country! This means I have a much better chance of getting together with you sometime! And don't worry, you're definitely coming to the wedding. Even if we have to force you. I believe I have your e-mail address, so I can send my addy along to you whenever I remember it- I've been staying up in White Lake, MI during the school year, and I'm still used to my Ann Arbor address. Keep in touch in the meantime!

-To Anyone Who's Interested: Orchard Lake is having a costume halloween party/dance, for FREE! Feel free to come up and visit with me, at least- it could be tons of fun! And relieve me of boredom!

I may add links to this post later, but in the interest of saving my academic butt, I'll have to put it off until after my papers are done. Have a great week, everybody!

HaHa- He Said "Professorial"

2006-10-03T11:58:00.000-04:00

Newsflash: I've officially reached the point in the semester where I have to convince myself upon waking up every day that going to class is a good idea.

I think I've finally gotten over that 3- or 4-week High at having something to do with my brain, resulting in a mind-boggling downer. Although I must admit that going to class today turned out to be a great idea, as the Moral Theology class debated the Principle of Double Effect as relating to Nyquil and M*A*S*H. Get stoked, everybody. I might be able to get my hands on seasons 1-10 sometime soon, and waste my valuable homework time watching M*A*S*H with Justin's stepdad. Weee!

Things I'm still working on:
~Getting my car taken care of. This includes the title, insurance, and registration; although happily there is a specific car in mind when I speak of this.
~Planning the wedding reception. Hopefully we'll get this taken care of in due time, but first I have to get a confirmation from our place and put down a deposit to guarantee it.
~Figure out how much money I have to spare toward getting hi-speed internet at the house. Frankly, I think I would spend as little time as possible outside of my room if that were the case.
~My internship. Getting a set schedule for this thing is ridiculous, and at this rate I'll have to continue even after the semester ends to get the proper hours in.
~My birthday. Having your 21st in the middle of the week and living at least an hour away from the people you want to spend it with is a bigger hassle than I realized. Boo.

Anyhoo, I have to run, in hopes of finding some lunch and getting some work done before the little girls go completely crazy at having me home with them. You have no idea how hard it is to study when you have 2 girls sitting right outside your door asking you every 3 minutes what you are doing and if they can show you something really pretty.

Cheers!

Addendum: Everything I Do Is On Purpose

2006-09-28T13:45:00.000-04:00

In the interests of coming off as condescending, rather than faintly idiotic and absent-minded, I thought I should inform everyone that the blank post from before was undoubtedly, undeniably, openly and unquestionably totally my fault. My bad. I hit the "publish post" button without realizing it, and by the time I looked back at my computer I didn't even notice what had happened.

But, as it stands, having a completely empty slot in my blog seems to add an element of interesting unexpectedness to the overall layout of the page. Thus after a great deal of conferring amongst myself, I've decided to leave it.

And for those of you that are concerned, a real update is pending. I promise. But we're still workin on that whole hi-speed intarweb thingy.

-Melissa "I Am the Fortunate" VandeVoorde

Awesome: I Miss My Music: Too Unfunny For A Real Post

2006-09-27T15:19:00.001-04:00

The creative juices are definitely not flowing at the moment... hopefully things will pick up soon, but my brain is probably fried from my latest seminar, and I'm still trying to figure out when I can get access to high-speed internet and a good hard drive.

In the meantime, this is fairly awesome.

-Melissa "Quit Obfuscating the Question" VandeVoorde

2006-09-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

Survival of the Fittest

2006-09-12T12:17:00.000-04:00

Darwin posited (not altogether inaccurately) that the ability to adapt would allow for a greater survival rate of a given species. This standard is especially applicable in the case of college students. We, as a not-yet-endangered species, must cultivate our abilities to cope with mass amounts of sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits, myopic reading and computer usage, all while braving winter weather conditions; in short, sacrificing ourselves to the elements to pursue the legend that is HIGHER EDUCATION.

That being said, there are several other changes that occur in the meantime; this blog's template is one of those changes. You like? I think I may continue with the experimentation- this might just be too much blue for me, which heretofore I would have thought impossible.

So, kids, how is school/work going? Are we surviving outside of the bubble?

A Yup of a Different Color

2006-09-06T11:29:00.000-04:00

Yup.

So... classes just started yesterday at Orchard Lake, and I've talked to a couple people from Ave about school starting. It seems that none of our schools are, in fact, Ave. Go figure.

Of all of us though, I'd say I'm pretty lucky. Not only are my teachers orthodox, but they also don't demand a pound of flesh stapled to the top of each of the papers we turn in. I might actually be able to DO all of my homework this semester. Weird, eh?

I also found a girl (a sophomore) who, in addition to being in three of my classes, has also been here longer than me and we're helping each other figure things out in the strange world of college-dom. Haven't met tons of people yet, but that's the sort of thing that happens when nobody but seminarians live on campus. That, and there's only been 2 classes so far. And the second consists of me and the sophomore girl (which has been turned into an independent study). Oh well- I hold out hope that there will be more than 7 students in attendance in my Seminar later today. In another perspective, I find it rather refreshing to go through actual beaurocratic red tape in order to get something done around here. It's like I'm accredited or something.

I'm living with Justin's parents in White Lake, which has been cool so far (although I've only been there a couple of days). They said they were going to use my first month's rent toward getting a TV for the front room, so I can watch it whenever I need to veg after studying too hard. I think spending the money of me kind of defeats the purpose of me giving it to them in the first place, but I'm sure I won't complain : ). I haven't worked myself up to the challenge of organizing my multidudinous papers and handouts for reference during the school year, but I HAVE got my room in some semblance of order, and possibly more importantly, a lock on the door so I can keep myself barracaded from a certain 5-year-old and 3-year-old for studying purposes.

Keep your eyes peeled for a car for me (yes, even if you're in Texas!) so I can use my own car instead of Justin's mom's sometime soon.

-Melissa "If You Have Syphilis You Don't Need LSD" VandeVoorde

Does Anybody Want To Go To Abe's?

2006-09-03T00:44:00.001-04:00

No really. I got this sudden craving for Abe's, probably because I just started getting hungry, but I don't want to cook anything. And the knowledge that I can't just go to bed and wait until morning is getting to me as well, since I'll be up quite late packing. Probably the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow for school and Abe's will no longer be readily accessible has something to do with it too, although I do understand that the quality of food leaves something to be desired. One does not go for the quality of food or drink, but the quality of company and amusement of the other customers who frequent it.

Anyway, I guess I'll console myself by eating some mint chocolate chip ice cream and realize again later that I need something more substantial, and end up making myself eggs and bagels or something like that.

So, this is my "farewell" message. Ironic, considering that once I get to school I will have high-speed internet access and will be blogging with more frequency. And more pictures. But the fact remains that I'm going to be living almost an hour away and won't be around to see anybody except for the occasional weekend. Maybe this cell phone thing really will come in handy.

Anyway, this will serve as a reminder for everybody to keep in touch; either call me or e-mail me- somebody you know has the number or address. :-)

-Melissa "How about some ninja assasins?" VandeVoorde

2 Days: 10 Days: I Don't Know What Day It Is

2006-08-17T03:52:00.000-04:00

No, seriously. I don't. Nor do I intend to worry about it.

But really, you have to admit- this follow-up two days after my last post has to be a record for the inactivity we've all experienced on SuperKarateMonkeyDeathCar over the summer. Yay me.

Well, as we all know and have probably been in denial about, the crew is finally breaking up to go back to school or on to other things. Moussolini is in Texas; Milosevic is going home tomorrow for a brief sojourn, then is on to Texas; Kalashnikov leaves for Texas in 10 days; her brother leaves for Texas around that time as well.... hmmm. It seems to me that this is not so much a "breakup" as it is a "fleeing for the hills" (in a manner of speaking. I doubt there are really many hills to be spoken of in Texas, and those that ARE present are not particularly noteworthy). It's like we won at the Alamo or something.

Just kidding.

Anyway, we just had a party over at Meghan's to celebrate her departure. I probably didn't say that right. But you get what I mean. Lots of game-playing, competition, and team angst all around. Good times.

However, remembering all these early departure times has made ME a bit angsty about when I'm supposed to be leaving; this is primarily due to the fact that the school year fast approaches and I am in a continual state of not having a clue what day it is. My point is, I might have to leave tomorrow, but I wouldn't know because dates are meaningless to me throughout the summer. Something should be done to rectify this situation.

My proposition is, that I take a shower because I can't shake the dubious feeling that I carry the smell of the skunk that was recently run over on I-94, between the Jackson Rd. and Zeeb Rd. exits. No, I was NOT the one to run the skunk over. But I definitely passed in close proximity, and anyone who knows me knows that I have a ridiculously strong sense of smell, especially late at night. Yep, shower it is.

Nighty night, folks!
-Melissa "Skunks Sometimes Do Handstands" VandeVoorde

Manifesto: White Wedding: Death Approaches

2006-08-14T22:46:00.000-04:00

...and with it, comes the school year. Brief show of hands: who still has tons to do in preparation for school this fall? ... Yes, that's what I thought. But this school year may bring what it has never brought before: a car. Won't that be exciting? Now, I'm not saying I can actually afford to use a car, gas prices and Middle Eastern conflicts being what they are; but at least I have the option open to me this time. All the same, I still have to get my registration, orientation, and living places completely arranged in the next couple of weeks.

With all of this planning going on, wedding plans are progressing steadily as well. We've got the dress, we're working on reception halls and catering, and still have to figure out when we'll have the time to take all the classes required for marriage prep. We'll see how it goes- at least our sponsor couple (The Cousino's) are way awesome.

In unrelated news, the dictators and I have managed to gather all of us together before everybody goes their separate ways. This, as you may expect, resulted in none too few raised voices, fists of anger, and all-around crimes against humanity. But it also resulted in something that none would suspect: a rough draft of our dictatorial constitution, complete with mission statement and several amendments. I think, given our status as high-ranking officials with anti-cultural bents, we should relabel the constitution The Manifesto. A final draft will be available soon, most likely as a warning to all those who cross our path. Also, we bid a warm welcome to Natalie and Joe, who have joined us as Rasputin and either Genghis Khan or Mao Tse Tung. We haven't quite decided yet.

Anyway, my computer does not have the wherewithal to put up with me searching for links for this post, which I promise will improve with the school year. I hope. If not, I will find a white flag of surrender and offer myself up as defeated by dial-up.

-Melissa "A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking" VandeVoorde

So... how's your summer been?

2006-06-29T21:22:00.000-04:00

This summer... not exactly my favorite thus far. As I'm sure most of you know, jobs are somewhat scarce. Speaking of, Brigid- we need to write me a resume. So due to economic stresses, I've been working for Justin's friend Jimmy, cleaning the State Theater downtown. Cleaning isn't a bad job, and I'm generally of the opinion that even menial jobs are a service to someone and therefore worthwhile. However, having been doing cleaning jobs consistently ever since I've started working over the past few years, I have to say that I really need to find another area of expertise. Janitorial does not really look impressive on a resume for somebody interested in a teaching position; it doesn't provide me with a mental challenge on a day-to-day basis; and really, it won't provide me with enough of an income to provide me with financial stability. So I guess what I'm saying is- I need another job. Any ideas?

Other than that, things have been going fairly normally. I've got a few projects I'm working on, like a book I'm slowly but surely writing, some artwork for Socceresque, the perpetual room-cleaning, looking into my senior Thesis, and of course wedding plans. So I'm managing to keep pretty busy, even with work only going on twice a week.

The wedding is set for June 16, 2007 at Christ the King in Ann Arbor. Feel free to come, although Justin and I hope you understand that we'd love everybody's company at the ceremony and reception, but we can't afford to feed anybody. I think our rule is going to be "drop in for some dancing and good company, but don't expect to get food or a seat at a table if you didn't RSVP." We also just started our marriage prep meetings with our sponsor couple, and the other classes are in the works. We'll keep you updated.

Also- Justin and I just got a cell phone plan together- so I'm actually accessible now. Weee. Although I must say I'm not much of a phone person anyway, so don't expect too many changes in that regard. :-) But call me if you want to make any plans.

Hope this satisfies the need for an update, and keep in touch everybody!

So It Goes Like This...

2006-06-22T23:53:00.000-04:00

I need to go to bed right now if I'm going to be worth anything tomorrow...

My plan was to update when Justin and I got our date set (which was supposed to happen last week sometime) but it hasn't happened yet. But FYI, it might be moved to this December instead of next summer, depending on what happens. Anyway, I'll probably be up late tomorrow night, so I'll update way better then.

Hope this appeases the masses for the time being. :-)

2006-05-25T20:35:00.000-04:00

Two Names You Go By:
1. Missy
2. Thing 2
Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. Belgian
2. Scotch-Irish
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Contacts
2. Green belt (with a pear on it, no less)
Two Things You Would Want in a Relationship:
1. Hilarity
2. Sincerity (They Rhyme!)
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Sketching
2. Watching Kung Fu
Two Things You Want Really Badly At The Moment:
1. My new desk- it's over a day late, now
2. Some real, non-diet, non-off-brand Cherry Coke
Two pets you had/have:
1. Miss Kitty. She was a homeless ratty old cat who ran away sometime after I fed her a whole can of Mrs. Dash.
2. Peanut. The awesomest shorthaired miniature peanut-shaped dachsund ever.
Two people who will fill this out:
1. Monica
2. Brigid. Because I will force her to.
Two things you did last night:
1. Wasted Justin in Soul Calibur at Pinball Pete's
2. Knocked over my CD tower
Two Favorite Places to eat:
1. Joe's Crab Shack
2. Mongolian Barbeque
Two things you ate today:
1. Pasta
2. Cheese and crackers
Two people you Last Talked To:
1. Justin
2. My dad
Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. Rearranging furniture
2. Practicing for Jacob's wedding
Two longest car rides:
1. Cross-Country road trip with my fam in 1989 (we went all the way to California... and Mexico)
2. Through 5 different countries on the same bus in Europe. We switched buses when we got to England.
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Easter
2. Thanksgiving

I'll probably give you a real update later, folks. Have a great night!

LOTR ~ Career Opportunities ~ On the Truck

2006-05-24T15:18:00.000-04:00

I've spent a good unhealthy dosage of my time during the last couple weeks alternatively reading the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and watching the extended editions. And their special features. I'm getting the idea that I need to find more valuable ways of spending my time. Like finishing my unpacking. Or filling out more job applications. Or getting pumped for Pirates of the Carribean, coming out in July. Who wants to go see it with me?

Speaking of finishing my unpacking, my new computer desk is supposed to be arriving today. Which means I get to (finally) figure out where I want to arrange everything in my room, and set up my iMac, so I can spend more time... playing video games, instead of watching movies. Great.
I don't actually know what this is, but I found it on my computer, and I'm positive that I'm the one that saved it. If this doesn't make you guys want to never eat fish again, I don't know what will.

And if my boredom around here continues (i.e. if I don't hear back from some of these employers soon), don't be surprised to see something like this going up in your local police stations and 7-11's:

Can You See Me Now?

2006-05-17T13:37:00.000-04:00

Definitely wishing I was here right now....

But anyway, it appears (on my computer at least) that the techinical difficulties are over for this blog. For probably the next five minutes.

No, I did not delete my blog. No, I did not change the template to be a blank page. No, it was not taken over and massacred by my significant other.

My blog is back on the radar! And I can post pictures! And add links (when I feel like it- you guys have no idea how much time it takes to find suitable picture links for these things). AND I have real stuff to update you about!

But that will have to wait for tomorrow, since I'm supposed to be productive right now.

Happy Summer!

Freedom, Almost: Blogger Stalking: Your Mom

2006-05-05T01:18:00.000-04:00

So, you may have noticed that in the last few weeks I've been somewhat neglecting my blog.

Which is why I intend, now that the semester is over, to gently nurse it back to health. (Insert your own pet-smothering-with-over-enthusiasm joke here).

But first things first: Sleep.

The only man that rivals Justin

2006-03-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

Oh, those Happy little Trees.

I Think I left My Dignity Over In the Corner Somewhere

2006-03-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

You know you're in bad shape when you start thinking of ways to use what you learn in class against your professor. Namely, the nature of the Triune God- the three Persons live in an intimate communion. Man, being created in the image of God, experiences this same orientation toward community. It is therefore our obligation to ensure that this facet of the human personal life is nurtured, and should inform the professors that any homework assignments which interfere with the social life necessary to encourage community are superfluous and in fact improper to the dignity and calling of the human person.

You think that's bad, you should hear about my ideas for my other paper topics. (Anthropology- The salvific nature of human suffering; Sacraments- the development of Catholic teaching on marriage, or the complimentarity of the sexes. I think the complimentarity thing is more of a thesis than anything else, though....)

Anyway, I've come to the recent conclusion that I've got more of the fight of the Fight Or Flight syndrome in me than otherwise. Why, do you ask? Because while I can let things slide all the time, deeming them not worth the effort, the second the shit hits the fan, I'm out there trying to figure out which wire to cut in the fan. Weird analogy, I know- but hey, it's first thing in the morning here. It's not like I'm more productive in class this time of day.

By the way, Emily- hope you have a great day too!

Four Eyes: Elitism: Open Season

2006-03-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

So, as I sit next to Corwin in the computer lab, smelling like something similar to a wet dog, it occurs to be that I have not updated in ... a while. And far be it from me to ignore the creative and dramatic outcries of my devoted fans, purely to appease my own desire to veg in front of my Mac playing Super Mario World.

By the way, in keeping with Super Mario, this is a great song.

This is turning out to be (as Corwin would say) the Spring Break... OF DOOM!!!! Promptly on Monday night, my Lymph glands decided to inflate like balloons and my sinuses tried to suffocate me while I slept. I haven't even been able to wear my contacts without my eyeballs trying to secede from the union. I'm not trying to point fingers or anything, but given the flu-like symptoms demonstrated by my nephews, and the general propensity of children not to wash their hands, you can tell where my suspicions lay. As breaks go, this one is somewhat non-existent. I've got a paper due the first day after break, I haven't had time to do my reading for classes yet, and I've got 6 other papers due within the 6 weeks left of school. Yippee.

On that note, I've also figured out the essence that is Ave: Academic Elitism combined with Kindergarten Snack Time. The bizarre paradigm created by Father Roy and Suzanne Abdala, which in other circles might cancel each other out, join forces to mutate into a strange and mystical monster. Probably something like a minotaur. Or a goatface.

Later today (actually, in like a ten minutes) the fiance and I will be heading over to my parent's to do our taxes. Tax Season, for those of you not yet familiar with it, is that wonderful time of year in early Spring when our accountants and IRS agents hunt down the working masses and use them as target practice. Weeee!

Eucharistic?: Brain Aneurisms: Kinsey V. Freud

2006-02-20T12:13:00.000-05:00

So, having spent an unusually large portion of the weekend with my family (a raucous birthday party and Sunday mass- which is alot for me) I came away with the feeling that yes, I do in fact have the blessing of a non-dysfunctional family. Not that we don't have our quirks, to which Justin has often been exposed. But it's a healthy weirdness. We spent the majority of the party playing card games and reminiscing about the good ol' days- like when Phil stole the car (repeatedly), Katie ruling the house with an Iron Fist, and me stealing Jenny's cigarettes when I decided I didn't approve of smoking.

And what's more, our weirdness is being passed on to the future generations- as demonstrated perfectly by my nephews. TJ is now learning to read and write; he can put letters together to form words. The first word he came up with? Rum. Yes, Rum. And he proceeded to pretend he was drinking Rum at the party, which culminated in him staggering around and acting drunk. I'm still not quite sure where he learned this from (oh, the corruption of today's youth- it comes from too many pirate movies, i'm sure) but nevertheless, we had to explain to him that drinking too much is not something to joke about.
Ian (who is only 3) is still at a more innocent stage, wherein he says things that seem bizarre but must make sense in his still developing mind- things like, during the Consecration in Mass, "I'm too young to kneel!" which cause us too look at each other over his head, and become bemused at what should be expected from young children during the Mass.

Anyway, in addition to the fun and games of this weekend, I've been having a jolly good (read: boring) time doing my extensive reading for my theology classes. We've got midterms coming up. Not that this causes our professors to cut down on our workload. We've still got as many assignments as ever, but we're expected to take even more time to study during the next two weeks. I'm convinced that this could not be accomplished unless we implement my patented plan for the 30-Hour-Day. But at least I can rest secure in the knowledge that I'm not being indoctrinated with false principles, which is more than I could say if I were doing the same workload at just about any other college. Woo for Orthodoxy! And also, where could I get fabulous quotes from my professors to keep me entertained during the 3-Hour class time?

And finally a question: In a death match between Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey, who would win? And more importantly, if either of them were to die, would we care?

Copyright Infringement: Quadcumque: Engrish?

2006-02-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

So... I guess... blogger hates me now. After working swiftly and adeptly on a new update, my blog spontaneously decided to screw with my html, thereby deleting sporadic phrases within my post. Pretty much the only thing that worked as it should was my title, the pattern of which was in fact stolen from Corwin. Whatev.

So, to make up for my lack of postage (39 cents my butt!) here's a few Engrish links that might have made it into my blog if I'd been able to post it. But don't worry, the real update is coming as soon as my motivation increases in reverse proportion to my despair at the lack of fruition of my effort. :-)

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=toiletwash.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-03

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=incas.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-10

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=pachinko.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-03-11

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=lifewithcreap.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-05-13

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=sticktocoffee.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-06-27

http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=freak.jpg&category=Signs/Posters&date=2003-09-01

The Illustrious Fightgar: Past, Present, and Future

2006-02-01T15:44:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a family VonBuelow.

The VonBuelows, in traditional Catholic family fashion, decided to have enough children to take over and eventually populate a small country. And in order to make it seem as though they already had enough men to populate the country, the parents gave each of their sons seven names.

The one which concerns us today is **deep breath** Roland Theodor Dominic Niklot Bernhard Edward Pepin VonBuelow, younger brother to the lovable Jaspar Friedrich Joseph Peter Howard Werner Hartwig and Carl Andreas Christian Ernst Bodo Alexander Johann (otherwise known as Twinz), and older brother to such enjoyable characters as Josef Albert Augustin Wolfram Georg Otto Leopold, Stefan Alan Waldemar Anton French Wilhelm Raphael, Johannes Franz Paul Hubertus Eric Justin Michael, and Francesco Eric Christopher Marcus Gottfried Gabriel James.

Now aren't you jealous?

Anyway, Pepin, in his stellarly amazing ways, has gone on to excel in the military, dancing, breaking people's limbs off, playing computer games, harassing younger siblings, eating dinner, and messing around with hazardous members of the animal kingdom.

What more is there to live for? Like, other than dinner at the Von Buelow house?

(::)

-Melissa "Not Quite An Enfield" VandeVoorde

That Old Post That Noone Looks At Anymore

2006-01-28T21:52:00.000-05:00

So- I couldn't find the original picture from that March For Life link a couple posts ago, but these kids are almost as cute as the first one, albeit without the meaningful quote from Mother Teresa underneath it. Ahh well, can't win 'em all I suppose.

Coming Soon: Seven Names For Seven Brothers. Or something like it.

So.. I Was About to Blog, When...

2006-01-27T15:44:00.000-05:00

I realized that I should be heading over to the cafeteria for dinner.

Hopefully update later tonight, when I'll be working on my papers due next week. Yippee!

By the way, come to the Fedoryka's tonight to read Deus Caritas Est!

Poo.

2006-01-25T13:18:00.000-05:00

It appears that some of my links aren't working the way I planned- I'll fix it when I get a chance, just pretend like you never saw it.

In the meantime, enjoy this nifty little article. If you've never read The DaVinci Code, don't bother buying it, I don't want Dan Brown to get more royalties. Just borrow it from me or the library or something so you can be informed about the idiocy that gets published around here.

"Sneer Quotes"

2006-01-24T19:58:00.000-05:00

So in this lovely little college where I'm taking nothing but theology classes- I've learned probably... a few things... in class over the last week or so. Like, for instance, how Tertullian easily slipped into a heretical sect in his later career, and eventually got SO good at it, that he split off into his very own sect of Tertullianism.

Would that I could have such lofty goals.

But the recurring theme in my classes (probably a result of having Dr. VanSlyke for 3 of my classes) is the proper care and feeding of Sneer Quotes. No seriously. He talked about it in all three classes. Whatev.

Anyway, most exciting thing in the last week? March For Life. We got free T-shirts. And lobbied at our senators. Oh, and there's that whole standing up for the dignity of human life thing. : )

Gotta get crack-a-lackin on my homework (writing assignment on the Apostolic Tradition due tomorrow morning. woo!) so I'm off for now.

Thanks to Justin for the use of his laptop in this endeavor.

My Eyeballs Hurt

2006-01-18T00:16:00.000-05:00

Well, they do.
I am having a bad day. Don't ask me why, because I don't know- I am just currently experiencing one of those inexplicably bad moods. And of course, I consequently act like a jerk and am unrepentant for it. Don't worry- I realize I'm acting like a total brat, and that I shouldn't be. I'm trying to cut it out.

So when all else fails to cheer me up, I do it myself. And you know what cheers me up the most? Discount hormone prescriptions available online!!!

Well, these are pretty good too.

But I like them alot too. Mostly the guy in the middle there.

K, time for bed- hope you were as amused as I was, and I promise the next post will be happier!

Back In the Saddle Again

2006-01-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

more updates as the semester progresses- or at least gets funnier (-looking!).

Reasons for Not Updating During Christmas Break

2005-12-26T16:20:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-12-15T16:54:00.000-05:00

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

2005-12-11T03:20:00.000-05:00

yep.

Does anybody want to write a paper for me?

2005-12-09T03:49:00.000-05:00

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

The Dreaded MAC/Grateful Dead Complex

2005-12-08T03:52:00.000-05:00

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

2005-12-07T01:32:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-12-05T16:38:00.000-05:00

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?

2005-12-02T08:38:00.000-05:00

How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Half a Post

2005-12-02T03:58:00.000-05:00

I want one.

Can't Improve On Something Perfect...

2005-12-01T07:10:00.000-05:00

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?( ! )

2005-11-29T03:08:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-11-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

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

now get the crap off my arm.

Where Is Your God Now?

2005-11-22T19:47:00.000-05:00

Take that, Corie.

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

Fogged Up Contact Lenses

2005-11-22T17:34:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-18T00:15:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-15T05:26:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-11-15T01:44:00.000-05:00

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!!!

2005-11-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

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

2005-11-07T01:45:00.000-05:00

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...

2005-10-28T02:45:00.000-04:00

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:

2005-10-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

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 Chipmunk What 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!

2005-10-22T21:13:00.000-04:00

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

2005-10-19T17:43:00.000-04:00

... 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

2005-10-17T22:05:00.000-04:00

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

2005-10-13T15:54:00.000-04:00

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

2005-10-13T07:49:00.000-04:00

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

2005-10-12T20:31:00.000-04:00

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...

2005-10-10T22:21:00.000-04:00

messy

Consider It a Hostile Takeover...

2005-10-10T19:39:00.000-04:00

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!

2005-10-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

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

2005-10-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

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?"

2005-09-22T13:41:00.000-04:00

...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

2005-09-19T20:24:00.000-04:00

..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.

2005-09-07T01:25:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-27T22:19:00.000-04:00

...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!!!!!!!!

2005-08-27T15:59:00.000-04:00

*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!

2005-08-19T15:26:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-12T08:42:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-09T21:03:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-08T08:38:00.000-04:00

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...

2005-08-06T01:50:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-04T21:19:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-02T02:35:00.000-04:00

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???

2005-08-01T10:06:00.000-04:00

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

2005-07-29T12:34:00.000-04:00

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

2005-07-28T19:21:00.000-04:00

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