Days get shorter and I get stronger

The ability to post pictures sometimes detracts from my ability to communicate the impressions and the true depth of some of my experiences here in NOLA.

I often go to a Hare Krishna temple on Sundays for free Indian food. They serve a whole shmorgashboard (sp? lol) of tasty, spicy food. It's all vegetarian too. This past Sunday was a particularly spiritual experience even though I can't say any particular event triggered that off. I think I was just enamored by the silence of the house that evening before I left for dinner. I felt kind of just sitting in one place in time and it didn't matter whether I moved from that place or not.
I had worked that Saturday from 7am until about 5:30, and I had Sunday and Monday off--I think this contributed to my state of mysterious euphoria.

But enough of the crazy talk. We have this amazing Po-Boy place about 3 blocks away from our house. A Po-Boy, stands for Poor Boy, is an anything sandwhich using a crispy and soft French Bread and with lots of fixings on it. My special is a Roast Beef (with gravy) and Catfish Poboy. I want everyone to come down so they can try some -even though half of you guys are vegetarian. The price is great too, it's only 6 bucks for a 16 inch poboy. It was like I was marauded by flavor today, just like in 300.

Anyway, you all know how much I love to talk about food. New Orleans has a lot of it! This coming Monday I am going to apply for Food Stamps, which is going to really take some pressure off my bank account.

Since I have temporarily stopped playing WoW (due to lack of money), I have become a lot more avid about fitness. I can't say my diet has improved a lot, but once I have the food stamps I will be able to get more fruits and veggies and make healthier food. On top of the biking to and from work, I am trying to get out and jog as often as I can. I am thinking of getting WiiFit but I know that all it will be is a fancy scale (and a fad) for 90 bucks. I will definately get Wrath of the Lich Kind when that releases though, Tom, so no worries.

The other day I went for a jog and listened to some new metal songs Dan sent me over email. Thanks Dan, I had a blast! "I will return, much stronger than before, this is my chance to grow beyond the past!"

I felt Autumn in the winds today. This is the first time I have been in a different climate for the changing of the seasons. I can't say Galesburg was very much different than Chicago. There are a lot of little things I miss about home: catching falling leaves, the silent arrival of snow, my glasses fogging up after getting back from a walk, the smell of dead leaves, Chicago style pizza, Enchi's, you guys, other people that listen to metal.
But don't get me wrong! This place rocks, and I finally feel like my own individual person. I don't know if I can ever do without some things living on my own in NOLA gives me: quiet reading space, my own bathroom/shower, my own traffic free room, live music a walk/bike ride away, sensational food, time time time for exploring all I can do. I guess it's kind of wierd that working long weeks still makes me feel like I do more than I did when I was at home or at school (though school was spent worrying/working on papers).

Love and Peace.
Tones

Wednesdays are probably my least favorite day of the week. I have to work the lunch and dinner shift at the dining hall. Despite my trying to make the most of it, it's not very fun.

I took my first midterm today. It was for Astronomy. I studied over the weekend, yesterday, and today. In general, I've been doing really well in that class. I had an A before the midterm, but we'll see about after... :-\. There was one problem on the exam that I had no idea what the answer was... and the problem was probably worth a lot. There were a few I was sort of shaky on/had reservations about what I thought the answer was. I tried anyways, but in the end, what can I do. School is kinda tough.

I have to write a paper for my women and gender studies midterm. It's due Tuesday so I hope to start it either tomorrow or Friday. Judging from all of the work I did on my English paper, I know the revision process will be long and onerous :( Speaking of which, I turned in my paper yesterday. I actually didn't save my final draft on the computer (by accident).... so right now... it's really REALLY out of my hands. I can't even look over what I've turned in. I'm being driven crazy by this. DLKFJDSFLKAJSLSKDLJLSCJSLCMdlc>#@(#.

Yeah, school is definitely kinda tough.

I'm having a lot of fun whenever I'm not reading, writing, or studying. Last weekend: I went apple picking last Friday. I actually still have a bunch of apples left. They're really good snacks for between meals or late night studying. My friends baked me two birthday cakes (which they surprised me with at a SURPRISE party). The homecoming football game (which we won, raising our record to 5-0!! go knights!!) and a St. Olaf/Carleton Sayles Dance were on my birthday too. And as is normal for me... I don't shower here on Sundays! Instead, I do homework basically all day.

This weekend mom and dad are coming to visit. I heard rumors of Jim coming too (?). I'm really excited to show everyone around. I know that Dad really wants to see the arb. I haven't explored it much myself, so it'll be somewhat new to me too. Sunday is the heaven/hell dance... you basically choose to be either an angel or a devil (and dress accordingly) and then there are two levels (one is Evans and one is the Cave.... not that I think that explains anything... sorry :( ) Anyways, they play different music on the two levels (the cave is hell and is the lower level) and have different food at each. I hear it's one of the best dances here, so I'm really excited. The girls and I... well, we love our dances. Monday is midterm break, so I'll be able to sleep in after all of this.

Sorry that this entry is falling pretty flat. I haven't been sleeping much/have a lot on my mind. That's where the lack of emotion, enthusiasm, overall gusto is coming from. I feel like I just wrote a frozen-over spark notes version of what's taking place in my life right now.

Just know that I'm breathing, loving school, and staying healthy despite the lack of sleep. I'm going to go eat an apple, start some reading for women and gender studies, and then go to work.

October Surprise

Hi everyone. I just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for using the blog. I was at the house the other day and Dad was saying how it's nice that we all keep in touch, post pictures, etc... sometimes Dad'll go years without hearing from his siblings and it's cool that we have and use this.

I was at Ridgemoore today, it was a beautiful experience. I played the first four holes (pared numero dos). I was delighted to find out that Margaret, Gramma, G-pa were going to come out and pick apples. I was able to snap a few shots with my celly, but it's nothing too snazzy. Apparently there was a pumpkin fest or something yesterday at the g-string (g-string = "golf course" for all of you who don't understand the vernacular).

Also, I caught wind that cousin Nick is coming into town for a week, and there is supposed to be a get together. If anybody has any info on that then please post.

Happy Columbo Day!

- Dan, chillin' @ 1800 all day

Home

I haven't posted in a while so i decided to write. The past few weeks have been amazing! High School is great and I'm having so much fun. I go to the teen center every Friday i get the chance, they have rock band there and its awesome to walk in and jam out. For everyone who doesn't get to see the house a lot I included a handful of pictures to give you an idea how things are. The house is really not crazy how it used to be. In fact Sundays, the most hectic days, seem to be the most peaceful and drawn out days of the week. Coca is the same cuddly ball of playfulness that she is. I took a few pictures of her too.
This Friday is Mass Band Night so i won't be able to jam out at the teen center but I'm going to on a field trip for Spanish class, Tina says its a lot of fun. I recently wrote a paper to demonstrate the logical law of Sylligism, man i totally mutilated that, the paper was to be on any topic at all. So i chose Star Trek! The Scroll reads:
Postulates:
1. If the captain of a ship's name is Picard, then the show is Star Trek.
2. If the show is Star Trek, then it is science fiction.
3. If the show is science fiction, then it is intresting.
4. If space is black, then it is realistic.
5. If Starfleet academy exists, then space is black.
6. If Space is realistic, then the warp drive exists.
7. If the warp drive exists, then warp ten is capable.
8. If a show is intresting, then space is black.
9. If warp ten is capable, then Picard is a legend.
10. If Picard is a legend, then he is better than Captain Kirk.

Theorems:
Captain Picard is better than Captain Kirk
1. If the captain of a ship's name is Picard, then the show is Star Trek.
2. If the show is Star Trek, then it is science fiction.
3. If the show is science fiction, then it is intresting
8. If a show is intresting, then space is black.
4. If space is black, then it is realistic.
6. If Space is realistic, then the warp drive exists.
7. If the warp drive exists, then warp ten is capable.
9. If warp ten is capable, then Picard is a legend.
10. If Picard is a legend, then he is better than Captain Kirk.

Stark trek makes warp ten capable

2. If the show is Star Trek, then it is science fiction.
3. If the show is science fiction, then it is intresting.
8. If a show is intresting, then space is black.
4. If space is black, then it is realistic.
6. If Space is realistic, then the warp drive exists.
7. If the warp drive exists, then warp ten is capable.

Picard is a legend because warp drive exists

7. If the warp drive exists, then warp ten is capable.
9. If warp ten is capable, then Picard is a legend.

The warp drive exists if space is black

4. If space is black, then it is realistic.
6. If Space is realistic, then the warp drive exists.

If the show is Star Trek then space is black

2. If the show is Star Trek, then it is science fiction.
3. If the show is science fiction, then it is intresting.
8. If a show is intresting, then space is black.

Yes, i know my logic is flawless. =)

Below are the pictures.


This is a picture of the house as of Thursday October 2nd, 2008


Coca searches for her long lost sister.


Coca realizes that Tina is nowhere to be found and has no one to save her from me....oops....

Coca is caught in the act of the crime.


My grade on the Logic paper posted above. Who would've thought!?


Good lil' Coca Chillin' outside.

That's it for now family enjoy the remainder of your day.

Beardsmanship_2008

Hi Family of Mine: I am in a beard growing contest. Don't judge me too harshly. xoxo, Jim