College: Stealing Music, Building Shit, and Acting Like an Idiot

Hello again.

I'm back.

College is going pretty well. I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing, but I am having a proper kind of fun. Proper as in "fun with classes" rather than "fun partying and screwing up". There are a lot of cool things here, like a campus-wide file sharing (aka music pirating) network, a class where we made derby cars, free bread day, everyone snickering at the mention of St. Pats, and living in the neatest dorm on campus.

I'm getting along well with my roommate. She's from Chicago (and lets you know it) and she's really sweet - except for the fact she can't make up her mind. ever. Not even for what to eat for dinner.

Living in our "co-ed" wing has proved perfect. I'm in the only girl's suite, surrounded by boys. I'm a fan of this arrangement - boys are much better to live around than girls - we create too much drama. Also, boys make better stories -they're prone to off the wall antics. Having the dynamic of the passive roomie and crazy hallmates keeps me sane. I get to be more outgoing and crazier than her, but not lose my head like the boys.

My best activity right now is Perfect 10 Improv. No mother, It's not related to my major whatsoever. Sorry. But it is tons of fun. Improv is a base for exercising creativity, keeping up my acting, having friends outside the dorm, and, as the president would say, "general shenannery". Don't check my spelling on that though.

That's something else - my English is blossoming. I will never have to take an English class in college, but I have become a stickler for the proper rules. I even edit my friend's papers for fun. I love it - but not as a career, mind you.

That's all I can think of for now. This bit of personal update should tide you over for a while. Perhaps the creative writing will begin again.

"I'm an engineer!"

facemeltingbook

Why is Facebook addicting?!? I just joined to say somewhat connected to people that i've loved spending the last four years with and now - BAM! - I can't stop.

HELP!

The New '24'

If you had only one day to live, what would you do? Would you go around meeting celebreities and traveling to exotic places? Or would you stay at home to enjoy a peaceful day? Rather than accomplishing life goals at a frightening pace, i would would have a day all to myself. Going to a pool, sitting in the sun, getting fancy beverages, drawing on the sidewalk, and especially people-watching would all be on my list. But also, i would try to do something radical for another person - save a life or something. If i'm absolutely not going to be here tomarrow, why waste time doing everything i've ever wished to do? There would be no time to appreciate life or reflect on the day. Life would end too quickly if you maxed out your last day. Just to take the time to appreciate the feeling of being alive would be enough, for me anyway.

What would you do?

Simple Embrace

Ok. So here it is. The most powerful thing that any person can do for another is give them a good hug. A simple, strong embrace can encapsulate every emotion a person ever needs. In good times: "I did it""I'm proud of you""I am inexplicably happy""congratulations." But more importantly, in the not-so-good times a hug can make everything right: "I missed you""I am so sorry""I understand""I love you." All the feelings that are otherwise difficult to convey verbally can be achieved through the language of a hug. Even if you don't know what to say. And because there are so many meanings, a hug is always correct. A good hug is a full embrace - two people joined together, safe in the hold of the other - that lasts but a moment. And that moment can correct eons of issues the participants may not even comprehend.

One good I-miss-you-everything-will-be-ok-you-are-safe-here-in-this-moment-and-I-will-do-everything-in-my-power-to-alleviate-your-suffering-if-not-but-for-an-instant-you-are-meant-to-be-happy-I-don't-want-to-let-you-go-you-are-mine-and-you-are-loved hug can save a life.

If but an instant...

Phony

There are three phones on the desk of the Target Portrait Studio of Olathe, Kansas.

The store phone is an off-cream colored device with a slew of buttons. In the right hand corner a inch-by-half-inch light perpetually blinks like a siren. Despite all the options and features, the store phone has no answering machine, and so has been known to perpetually ring as well.

The studio phone is attempts to sever the Target tie. It appears classy and sleek, but has obviously been through a lot. It has black rubber sides and a dark silver body that give an impression of studliness (obviously bought by the overweight, bossy male manager). Closer inspection, however, yields a layer of grime and a faulty speaker.

But the third phone is different. It is plain, simple, and unassuming. No incessant flashing, no fancy answering machine or extensive keypad. Just a plain white shell and a small white base. But one must watch out for the quiet.

The third phone, in all it's majestic solitude, is the most intriguing. Standing ready at post, the phone is not connected. No wires but to an outlet. Never ringing, never beeping, and never calling, the white phone stands. More interestingly, the phone wears a button proclaiming "turbo mode." What would happen when that button is activated? No soul will know because the lone soldier is disconnected.

I think its magic.