Carleton

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

2006-04-24T18:11:00.001-04:00

So, with the exception of those who made it to the Twin Cities for the NCAA, and Becky who receives an occasional desperate plea for attention, most people think I live in a hole/cave/top secret graduate school that cannot be named. Not far from the truth. Which is actually that for the past three years I have been through grad school, done two years as an AmeriCorps member, taught in a high school, and worked for a mayor, all of which meant my e-mails and computer use were being tracked and blocked, or some weird grad student was spilling ramen down the back of my chair, making me want to finish my stats and get a beer.

But I am a little more settled these days. A new job in an old office (I am now a program coordinator for the non-profit where I worked as an AmeriCorps member) which is pretty great as jobs go. And a new office, which means no one is looking over my shoulder at my computer. Ever. Ah Freedom. Makes me want to paint my face blue and fight for it.

So, potentially, I am back. Thank you for your patience. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Why is GM Losing Again?

2006-04-04T09:02:00.000-04:00

I don't know how long they'll keep these links up, but if you can catch them, they are hilarious.

Chuck Norris Facts

2006-03-25T21:21:00.000-05:00

Truly amazing. You must check this out.

rita- six months later....

2006-03-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

well, realizing that this blog is semi-defunct at the moment, I thought I would take a minute anyway to go into a rant, since this was the forum I ranted on initially when I first headed down to louisiana (so there is perhaps some context here for some poeple <-- or see the september archives if you forget). I just wanted to voice that my experience and frustrations with the red cross and having to leave the shelter I was working at without saying goodbyes affected me much more than I ever thought it would. I don't know if the issue was the 'unresolved' feeling of being forced out without getting to say goodbye.... the anger that I was kicked out based on my age and compassion level for something I did not do, the frustration that the redcross and fema could have made a huge difference and handled the disasters much more effectively, or the fact that these people are still being dicked around, etc.... whatever it is (or maybe the collective of all of that), my experience has somewhat (and not to be dramatic) haunted me.... there is literally not a day that goes by when I am not thinking about louisiana.
I tried to get information from the redcross in boston about my file.... I was told that there is a 'file' on me and that it won't effect me in the future. that being said, I kind of want to meet with the redcross guy who I have been dealing with since my return, although I have NO idea what I would say, to close that chapter of my life... as it is I am literally angry and upset everytime I see something that says redcross on it (which sucks, because it is such an omnipresent organization). I am somewhat comforted by the mass quanities of articles and shows criticizing the redcross (culminating with the head's reseignition) <-- just helps to know that I am not alone in my frustration. and, while I am incredibly frusterated by my experience, I think the most frusterating aspect of the whole thing is the organization, or total lack there of....
anyway, today, literally 6 months later, I was finally able to track down the residents from the shelter and talk to them. it was helpful to sort of 'close' that part of my life, rather than just leaving in the middle of the night.
louisiana is still f- up, far worse than that is the gulf coast of mississippi (where I went on my day trip to new orleans) <-- maybe you have seen the cnn piece on the area..... that is where I was and it still isn't healed. when I asked the resident (who is now living in a fema trailer) how she was doing she said 'we're surviving' (she went on to tell me about violence, and a 12 year old who was raped, etc.).

I am not entirely sure where I am going with this rant or tangent..... and perhaps you all think I am making a mountain out of a mole hill or intentionally dwelling on issues I should get over.... again, as I said, I too was surprised just how much this affected me. I have literally stay up at night thinking about how f-up the whole thing was. thankfully, talking to the residents today I think really helped. I wish I could just close that chapter... if you have a suggestion on what I could say or if there was a point to meeting with the redcross guy, I would greatly appreciate it. appologies for the rant.... but bottling it up has obviously not been helping! I would love to intellectualize this experience and move on asap.
thanks.

and since I am going blog happy.....

2006-03-07T11:04:00.000-05:00

can we get an update on how everyone is doing/how new jobs are going/any future exciting plans? cool.

and speaking of....

2006-03-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

speaking of cash..... since the oscars just aired, what are some movies that you might recommend for the year?

with the exception of 'brokeback mountain' and an independent documentary 'the boys of baraka' (both worth seeing), oh, and the 'chronicals of narnia' <-- I don't think I have seen any movies in the theater in a while! has anyone seen 'block party'? that was going to be my next theater excursion.

what's your favorite cash song?

2006-03-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

it is so trendy to like johnny cash these days, isn't it..... but I love this cover of his, LOVE it:
http://www.universalstudios.com/cgi-bin/g2script.cgi?nashville/losthighway/440063339_2.rm

this is funny!

2006-02-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

these websites made me laugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfODSPIYwpQ&search=brokeback%20to%20the%20future
this one is pretty good too:
http://www.youtube.com/w/shining?v=1J9ufqCoqyo&search=shining

Being locked in the garage.

2006-02-09T13:48:00.000-05:00

Yes, I was one of the 200 locked in the West parking garage of the Russell Senate Office Building last night. We were there for about three hours (from 6:45pm-9:45pm), which wouldn't have been a problem if we had had some food and...well...we weren't in a garage. When they started rolling out the showers, I thought we might be in trouble. I managed to stay fully clothed, though, and made it home by 10pm. So yeah. It was a long night. Here are my photos. They aren't very good, but I didn't want to be obvious when I was taking them.

Congrats

2006-02-06T18:57:00.000-05:00

Carrie. Hope your first day went well. Can't wait to hear how you like it.

File this under weird

2006-02-03T01:18:00.000-05:00

Hmmmm.... gotta love Detroit. This from Sports Illustrated. When does Osama get his key to the city?

• "Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick gave homeboy Jerome Bettis a key to the city this week, reportedly only the fourth time that honor has been bestowed.

The other three recipients? Well, let's see. There was actor James Earl Jones. Detroit neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, of Johns Hopkins University. And ... oh, yeah, somebody named Saddam Hussein, who got one back in 1980, before he seemed to fall out of favor with certain members of the U.S. government. And the U.S. Army for that matter."

By the way, what exactly is a "key to the city"? I mean, does it open all the doors? Can you just walk up to a random house in detroit and open the locks?

Brokeback Mountain

2006-02-02T00:33:00.000-05:00

After watching Duke and BC for about thirty minutes and 27 of those minutes of hearing Vitale praise Redick over and over again, I'm wondering if some time ago, Duke Vitale and J.J redick didn't herd sheep somewhere together in Utah.

Vitale looking deeply into J.J's eyes- "I wish I knew how to quit you..."

I'm (Almost) Famous

2006-02-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

Click on the title and it will take you to the ol' college basketbal mailbag on SI.com, where yours truyl submitted a question...and it was answered!

I wonder, can this become part of my portfolio for the journalism degree?

I also wonder why no one will place Stan Heath on the Hot Seat where he definitely belongs. I mean, it's year four Stan, you've got 2 maybe three road wins TOTAL, and not even an NIT berth to show for it. Where's the passion, Hogs? I give up. Go SLOW and BORING Badgrers....oh wait, nevermind. Screw them too.

Love,
-Bitter in Badgerland.

Great question

2006-01-31T11:13:00.000-05:00

Click the title for some great questions from past Super Bowl Media Days. My favorite is the one to Joe Montana.

Quote Of The Day

2006-01-31T10:31:00.000-05:00

Ahhh Superbowl Media Day...home of great reporting.

As proof, check out this exchange from a few years back...

Reporter to Titans DT Joe Salave'a: "What's your relationship with the football?"

Salave'a's response: "I'd say it's strictly platonic."

You can't make this stuff up, people!

Oh....and Sansone and Richard and Carrie, congrats all on your new jobs.

But Sansone, I don't think the NSA cares if you're needlessly secretive, I mean
you could probably tell your friends what state you're in every now and then
and they'd be okay with that.

Now I work in Motown

2006-01-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

It's final. I got a great job offer from Harman Becker automotive. They make Harman/Kardon speakers, Infinity Speakers, JBL, and a ton of others. I'll be writting the code for thir "infotainment" stuff (DVD players, GPS recievers, mp3 players/controlers). It should be exciting and MUCH better paying. I'm nervous and excited. Wish me luck.

2006-01-26T01:59:00.000-05:00

Sleepy Daniel Horton...God bless you, you are the man!

81

2006-01-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'm not going to spout any nonsense about Kobe being better then Jordan, that was mostly just to annoy Sansone, but 81 is unbelievably impressive. What I've been most amused with is the reaction to the feat. What do you guys think? Feat of a lifetime to be appreciated? Or selfish ball-hogging? Or both?

I Got a JOB!

2006-01-23T15:28:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you all know that I FINALLY got a real, stable job! I will be working for Epic Systems, Inc. It's a healthcare software company (By the way, Rick, if Michelle gets a job in Madison, you should check it out) and I'll be a project manager. It means that I'll pretty much be the liaison between the client and the IT department at Epic. Not exactly my line of work, but I'm willing to give anything a try after working in the food service industry for the past 6 months.

A new job posting...

2006-01-16T22:38:00.000-05:00

If anybody is interested, Carleton has just announced that the job of head football coach has become available. Interested candidates must have thick skin and the ability to euphemize/speak in cliche extensively (we're on the right track/just need to keep giving 110%/we've got a lot to build on for next year/etc.) .

Chris Brann is taking the head coach job at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

Here's hoping GY gets his chance.

Brady is a Bitch

2006-01-13T14:30:00.000-05:00

Fear the Mountain Man!!!

You're next Peyton (or Big Ben)!

oh e-bay....

2006-01-06T23:26:00.000-05:00

go to e-bay and search for 'reborn' <-- and then tell me that is not the most disturbing thing you have EVER seen. who buys these things?

Finally...marine mammals and dynomtie....

2005-12-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

I once read that matter can neither be created nor destroyed….but it can be blown into big, fat, smelly, bits!

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=eb44d23f-bceb-4b72-98f1-ec20f2b6333b&f=email

Happy Holidays! Rick, I'm thinking about your quotes...but I don't want to just write anything down there...

Quote Me Not

2005-12-20T08:18:00.000-05:00

I thought it might be fun to compile a list of the best quotes from this year. I'll seed it with my favorite from the SI Story(follow link above).

"Because there are no fours."
-- NBA long-range gunner Antoine Walker when asked why he shoots so many threes

"The only thing that keeps this organization from being recognized as one of the finest in baseball is wins and losses at the major league level."
-- Devil Rays GM Chuck Lamar on his team

"When you can get a discount at Denny's, it's time to retire."
-- Charles Barkley, discussing the retirement of 41-year-old Karl Malone (rick's note: I think this was a typo. It should read 410-year-old Karl Malone)

Any others?

Feeling hot, hot, hot

2005-12-14T13:44:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture
I spent a week in Montreal
stop global warming

That was my Climate Change Haiku. Ok, so I spent last week in Montreal at the UN Framework Conference on Climate Change. Thought I'd pass along a little photo I took of a Greenpeace demonstration. Those ice blocks lasted all week because it was so frickin' cold up there. All in all, it was a great learning experience, but now I'm exhausted. At least I can talk about immigration for a while now and forget about CO2.

Some College Hoops Poetry

2005-12-08T09:37:00.000-05:00

Wow, as if I needed any more of a reason to hate Duke or UNC.....I'm such a playa hata'

Who writes better poetry: J.J. Redick or Rashad McCants?
-- Devin Gordon, New York City

You be the judge (both selections printed with permission from the authors):

Redick:
September 5, 2004:

My life story is read in poetic stages
I was once weak-minded, now I'm courageous
The cause and effect of a thousand actions
The mathematical breakdown of micro-fractions
It's difficult to fathom the coming of the rapture
What if I awoke in an empty pasture?
Suddenly every ounce of passion had been depleted
And all my determination had been defeated
The rain pours, my tears fall
The pain subsides, I stand in awe
A lightning bolt strikes, I feel a sudden energy
Thunder clouds approach, I can't run from destiny
A tornado tears me down, but I will stand again
My life is a hurricane, but I'll weather it to the end

McCants:

Why is my life so hard, yet extremely easy? The things that I do are so easy to me that people make things hard just so it can be even. Well, everything is not fair. But right now as we speak I am the most criticized athlete ever. Feels like I'm under a microscope, everything I do someone has something to say as if they were waiting for a reaction. Just to see what I would do.

It seems like every girl I meet, they have the same exact thing to say. "I HEARD ABOUT YOU!!!" Like damn, how much can people really be talking about me? It's not like I do anything wrong. I get up, shower, get really fresh, go to school, lift weights, go home, sleep, wake up and do it all over again. So what is so bad about doing all of this?

Is it because my car is nice, clothes are nice, because I listen to Jay-Z, cuz I'm kinda cute? Or is it just "jealousy"? This has got to be the weakest emotion that anyone can have. To be jealous that I have what you don't have. But what I don't understand is why hate on just me? Then I thought, ain't no one fresher than me, no one flier than me, no one realer than me. So I am the reason people hate, prime reason you should hate anyone like me. I think it's cuz I was "BORN 2 BE HATED.

Giving Thanks

2005-11-28T15:38:00.000-05:00

I thought it might be nice for each of use to give thanks for something.

2005-11-16T03:08:00.000-05:00

Hey Rick, remember two years ago sitting in Michigan stadium watching Braylon and Chris Perry run wild on Ohio State. I think watching that game with you and Reider that day may be one of my most favorite memories of the past five years. I wish I was in Ann Arbor right now. Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

check your license

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

This is insane!-- thought I should pass it along. Check your drivers license... Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the Internet, including your own! I just searched for mine and there it was...picture and all! Thanks Homeland Security! Privacy, where Is our right to it? I definitely removed mine, I suggest you all do the same..... Go to the website and check it out. Just enter your name, City and state to see if yours is on file. After your license comes on the screen, click the box marked "Please Remove". This will remove it from public viewing, but not from law enforcement. http://www.license.shorturl.com/

Pat Robertson=Crazy

2005-11-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, actually, many times, Pat Robertson makes me embarrassed for my faith.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051110/ts_nm/religion_robertson_dc

plumpy -nut <--any ideas?

2005-11-10T16:25:00.000-05:00

hello kids,
a relative of mine, Bob Faber, sent me the following e-mail. he is a fairly intelligent man, he was, I believe, highly into politics in Ann Arbor for a while (<-- jeong, dan and alex all went to brunch at the faber's house while they were living in ann arbor, and apparently alex did a very good time bitting his tongue while being lamblasted with liberal ideas). anyway, what would you do with this information? I really am curious.

Dear Katy, It really was wonderful having dinner with you and your family in Yardley. Of all the variables in life, not many can touch the joy and satisfaction of family, so it is something to be treasured. But meanwhile, I have an idea. I'm too old to call it childish, but at the very least it's naive -- but so am I. Some time ago, Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times wrote about a speech by Senator Brownback (R, Kansas - very conservative) in which reference was made to a new product to help feed the starving infants of Niger. Assuming (with much justification) that without a profit motive the issue dies with the speech, I've tried to come up with a beneficial program that might be adopted by an appropriate agency or pursued by some political figure. I've tried -- writing to a couple dozen newspapers and political figures and agencies, but meeting with not a single response (which should have told me something about it's worth). For no particular reason, except for your interest in the region and the problem, I send an article I wrote that has since died with me. If you think the idea has merit, and because your upcoming time with the Peace Corp may give you access that I lack, I send this to you to change or ignore or claim authorship or burn -- as you see fit. Or you may have a better idea. It's just that the problem remains massive and tragic, and the idea (or some modification of it) does make at least some sense. Love, Bob

THE POLITICS OF AID: INFANT STARVATION IN NIGER The starvation of infants and children in Niger is a tragedy beyond our most morbid imagination, but the sad reality is that it is neither rare nor inevitable. Effective low-cost humanitarian relief is readily available but is largely mired in the realm of politics. If this were a perfect world, of course, there would be no starvation, and even if the world were a bit less than perfect the humanitarian instincts of most people would come to the fore and resolve the problems of needless tragedy. But because the world is as it is, and because overcoming mass tragedy is not a universal priority, we must rely on the self-serving benefits of intervention in order to achieve more noble ends. In this instance, if played properly, American politics can be on the side of relief. A new product and procedure, hailed by independent aid agencies worldwide, transforms emaciated Nigerian babies dying of starvation into healthy young children in a matter of weeks—at a total cost of $20 per child. Called “Plumpy-nut,” it is a paste made of peanuts and fortified with assorted nutrients. It requires no additional water to prepare (an important issue in the third world where most water supplies are polluted) and no trained medical staff to administer (another important factor in a region in which medical personnel are rare and treasured). All the evidence indicates that “Plumpy-nut” (despite the commercial tone of its name) really works as advertised ... saving the lives of babies and the minds of their distraught and otherwise helpless and hopeless mothers. The problem is not with the product, but with how to expand the project beyond the relatively few beneficiaries currently being served and beyond the borders of just the one nation. The best hope for a full-scale attack on this problem of infant starvation lies with the participation of the United States, but competition with other relief programs and with the rapidly rising military costs in Iraq ... and with the traditional political hesitation to expand welfare funding ... makes gaining the necessary congressional support for such a program’s implantation highly unlikely. But that need not be the end of the story. It all depends on making participation in the program politically attractive, on providing benefits to our nation beyond the satisfaction of helping destitute populations around the world ... and for that there is hope. Both diplomatic Washington and the Pentagon recognize the increasing importance of maintaining good and mutually beneficial alliances with the rest of the world community. They are also aware of the dangerously delicate relationships we now maintain with the developing nations of the third world. As a means of ingratiating ourselves with the people of those areas, and very much cheaper and infinitely more effective than sending more troops to protect our interests against increasingly antagonistic populations, would be to make highly visible moves servicing the basic needs of those most impoverished people. If we were to support a massive increase in the production of “Plumpy-nut” (which would incur a very modest expense) and use our highly visible military forces to distribute the product within the villages (achieving the propaganda advantage of exhibiting our largess in full view of a grateful and admiring local population), and further train and encourage those servicemen to help in other such community services as the restoration of damaged school-buildings and repair of water supply facilities and in other such humanitarian projects, we could enhance our standing among the third world populations immeasurably. The point of this effort is that at least some of the more hesitant legislators, given the opportunity to maintain our military presence in those nations for commendable purposes and endorsing the aid in the context of further support for our military establishment, may well choose to do good as a healthy adjunct to doing well. An additional, slightly more self-serving basis for supporting this humanitarian project is the opportunity it offers to expand the market for the peanut crops of our Southern and Southwestern states, potentially valuable allies in the promotion of this venture. The American peanut industry, located in states generally antagonistic to providing aid abroad, is under increasingly difficult and costly competition from foreign competition (industry officials say that for this year alone there are still 800,000 tons of peanuts left over from last year’s crop). Encouraging the use of the American peanut crop for this humanitarian project could be a powerful political plus for its adoption. It is just that this is too good an opportunity to miss—saving thousands of lives at minimal cost and perhaps improving the international standing of our nation in the bargain. Even our military establishment and our most narrowly-focused politicians should endorse that.

time for a couple elephant jokes!

2005-11-07T23:31:00.000-05:00

Q: What does Tarzan say when he sees a herd of elephants in the distance?

What's with the glue?

2005-11-04T15:38:00.000-05:00

That these stories are side by side today in yahoo strikes me as bizarre.

Story One

Story Two

I think we should start banning glue. This is getting out of control.

Questions

2005-11-04T12:42:00.000-05:00

Okay team, I have a few questions. As we all know, Michelle and I have been on a diet. Michelle has reached her goal weight (In fact she did that a while ago), but my goal weight has been a bit of a moving target. Initially it was 200 lbs. Then the doctor said, "No I told you 200 lbs, when I thought you couldn't do it. You should shoot for 180." Then he told me, go for a BMI between 20 and 25. Well, my BMI has dropped to 23.6. However, I still have some extra fat around my belly. I've been told by several people to stop (some people close to me, some spooky women at school who say a little to emphatically "You look really good. You need to stop." Okay, so. To the point.

How skinny is too skinny? Should people be Average (I'm two pounds above average)? Should they be in the middle of their BMI (Mine would be 157 lbs)? Should they listen to the health insurance companies (MetLife says 157 - 170)? Should they go by feel (do I look too skinny or too fat)?

I pose this question to the group not because I think it'll change my actions (I'm stopping unless I am convinced not to), but because I'm interested to hear the different answers to this question. We talk about this country's obesity problem, but have a very difficult time answering the question, "what should I weigh".

So. The question is: at 5 ' 11", what should I weigh?

Marathon

2005-10-31T16:29:00.000-05:00

I went to the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend. I've never seen anything like it! It was incredible! I've decided to run it next year. Usually training is only supposed to take about 4 months, but I think I'm going to need the whole year. My first goal is to run the Cherry Blossom 10 mile on April 2nd. Has anyone ever run a marathon? Any suggestions on training? Well now I've posted it, so I have to do it.

The real decline in American Values

2005-10-31T09:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, both cnnsi.com and espn.com have posted bowl schedules. I don't mean to alarm anyone, but . . . (sob) . . . there are . . . (sniffle) . . . no bowl games . . . (whimper) . . . on January 1, 2006. I understand it's a Sunday, but Churches open early! Catholics are allowed to go Saturday after sundown! What is the first day of the New Year if not a day for lounging around in underwear, eating snacks your New Year's resolution won't allow you to eat, and rooting for teams you've hated the rest of the year because it brings honor to you're chosen conference! Ladies and Gentlemen, the terrorists have won. 'Tis a sad day. Becky, will you go check the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, I bet you'll see marble tears pouring from their great stone American faces.

What does this say about men?

2005-10-27T00:17:00.000-04:00

I learned in my psychology class that married men are less likely to be depressed if they are married. However, married women are more likely to be depressed then single women. Hmmmm......

If this doesn't excite Katy...

2005-10-26T02:49:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051026/ap_en_tv/tv_muppets

I can hear her yelling all the way in Minnesota....I'm kind of excited too if it happens I suppose.

a little piece of politics

2005-10-20T12:16:00.000-04:00

I usually hesitate to bring up politics, but I found this NYT's piece kind of amusing and interesting...

The New York Times
October 20, 2005 Thursday Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section A; Column 5; Editorial Desk; Pg. 27
LENGTH: 757 words
HEADLINE: Scenes From a Meltdown
BYLINE: By DAVID BROOKS

BODY:''This country is in one heck of a mess.''

If there is a single sentiment members of Congress heard while back in their districts this month, that was it.

In the past few days I've been speaking with Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill (mostly Republicans) about the mood back home. I've learned that it's one thing to read in the paper that two-thirds of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. It's an altogether more bracing experience to go to town meetings and church and the supermarket and find this sentiment blasting you in the face.

The most interesting tales came from Republicans elected from districts President Bush carried by fewer than 10 points. Those districts were once moderately supportive of the president, but now, as one member of Congress said, the anger at Bush is so deep it's almost indescribable.

It's a generalized feeling of betrayal. At town meetings, big subjects like Iraq and the deficits barely come up. But there is a sense that this guy Bush promised to make us feel safe, and it's clear from the Katrina fiasco and everything else that we are not safe.

For Republicans from vulnerable districts in the Northeast and Midwest, the president has become, as another member put it, radioactive. These Republicans return from districts where they are being called upon to give back the money Tom DeLay raised for them, and go back to a Washington where G.O.P. indictments, and hence trials, promise to stretch on for years.

And yet Republicans are not panicked. They know that if the election were held today, their base would stay home, but they look over at the Democrats and say: Thank God for Nancy Pelosi. Thank God for Howard Dean. They see that Dean refers to his base as ''merlot Democrats,'' and it confirms their suspicion that the opposition party is really run by imbeciles.

The odd thing is that the Democrats, who have the self-assurance of a beaten dog, feel this way about themselves. Most sense, in their heart of hearts, that they are the Palestinians of American politics: they'll never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The most common word I hear from Democratic partisans to describe their own party is ''pathetic.''

Indeed, when you look at the graphs showing both parties' approval ratings, it's like looking at a pair of expert-only ski slopes. A Pew Research Center poll showed the parties' approval ratings plummeting to around 32 percent -- below their own bases.

So politicians are not panicked, but they are mobilized. They have just a few months to redefine themselves and avoid catastrophe. Over the next weeks, we are going to see an ideas race, as both parties hustle to get out new, positive agendas.

On the Democratic side, the party leadership is in control. To nationalize the election, Democrats are about to roll out a big agenda. Unfortunately, their big idea consists of Spending for Everything and a Return to Fiscal Restraint. The Democrats are promising universal health insurance, college for all, a Manhattan Project on energy and an end to runaway spending. This is using Teddy Kennedy means to achieve Robert Rubin ends. In a country disillusioned with parties, it's going to be a tough sell.

On the G.O.P. side, this is a moment of Republican glasnost. After years of following the leaders, Republicans are suddenly rebelling and innovating on all fronts. Conservatives like Mike Pence and moderates like Mark Kirk are joining forces to battle the old DeLay institutionalists to actually cut spending, including cuts in defense and veterans affairs. Orthodox conservatives are meeting with the renegade Wayne. Members from marginal districts are putting together agendas that will distance them from the dominant G.O.P. voices from the South and West.

The Republicans are going to end up localizing the election. Listening to constituents, these Republicans sense that people are exhausted by big visions and grand dreams. They want small, achievable ideas. The best ones I heard were from members who wanted to promote open-space initiatives and suburban livability, members who wanted to reduce medical paperwork. This is politics on the alderman level, but it's probably right for the moment.

Congress is polarized, but this isn't an ideological moment, liberal or conservative. It's a moment when voters want to know someone is running the country, that there's someone to project authority and take responsibility, to establish international and domestic order, so they can get on with their lives.

2005-10-11T23:59:00.000-04:00

So, I found this on my sister's blog. I'm bored and pathology sucks so I'm doing it.

10 years ago... "I was 16 and 140 pounds. I can't believe it looking in the mirror now, I mean how skinny was I back then?...ridiculous. I was afraid to talk to girls back then so really, not much has changed.

5 years ago.... I was in Davis 104 entering into a great year ever with some of the best people in the world. I remember losing some football games, but repression leaves lots of blank spots in my memory. Oh, and all the keg stands Reider and I did in our room, when he wasn't sneaking out with Barbara. The jerk....

1 year ago...I was seriously depressed in medical school because of the ugly class known as histology. I HATE microscopes.

Yesterday...I got 30 out of 30 on my pharm exam. No es malo....

5 snacks I enjoy...I think I'll go with the new burger king breakfast sandwich, with meat, piled on meat, piled on meat with that really weird commercial with the lumberjack. No wait, that sandwich looks disgusting. By the way, why are americans fat?

5 songs I know all the words to...Lots of hokey camp songs...

5 places I would run away to...MIchigan stadium on a football saturday, although perhaps not this year, Hawaii, maybe?

5 things I would never wear...Manpris...although Sansone would!!!! Heels (why?), any Ohio State, Michigan State or Notre Dame apparel.

5 bad habits...leaving stuff around, stealing Reider's clothes

5 biggest joys...Michigan beating Ohio State, fall weather, beating Reider in anything

5 favorite toys... My car:"Whitey", i love whitey. My laptop...getting me through med school. My new swim goggles...anti-fog, very cool.

5 fictional characters I would date... I don't date, scared of girls, even fictional ones.

2005-10-07T14:19:00.000-04:00

Professor Frink has some advice for the Lions, Vikings, and for the Michigan Wolverines of September...(not the sweetness that is Michigan of October!)

2005-10-03T00:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, the day was dark....dark. Mike Hart's hamstring was broken and talking to him in his sleep telling him to do strange things like sleep. An alien had stolen the Chad Henne we knew from the Rose Bowl and replaced him with some god-awful Craig Krenzel throwing machine.

2005-09-29T17:10:00.000-04:00

Oh the horror, the horror!!!!!! I can't look...

off I go...

2005-09-26T18:42:00.000-04:00

to louisiana for a while in case you miss me. wish me luck.

ps. dan is left in charge of my team.

What's the scoop?

2005-09-21T13:50:00.000-04:00

Several of us have started new educational endeavors. How is it going?

Adam, have you learned to ask softball questions and not follow up on blatant mistruthes yet?
Orem, what bone is connected to the knee bone?
Jeong, what happens if the answer for me is the head bone?
Bobich, can I sue Orem for attaching my knee bone to my head bone?
Sansone, is the CIA at the heart of it?
Becca, is you're baby a CIA agent at the heart of a conspiracy to attach my knee to my head?
Alicia, Where the hell are you?
Becky, Will Wayne support my anti-Alicia and new baby attaching people's head to their knees Law?
Anyone else?
Carrie, how do you feel about all of this.
Michelle, would you still love me if my head were attached to my knee.
Katy, have you ever seen a head knee person? Would they be allowed in Pentwater?
Kate, What's wrong with Green Bay (no head or knee issues aside from Javon Walker)?

Keep us together.

I love Peyton

2005-09-13T12:46:00.000-04:00

I love me some Peyton! I hope everyone was watching he game on Sunday night. I can testify that Raven's fans are CRAZY and boo and throw things like food at people wearing colts gear. I opted for keeping my jersey in my bag until after the game.

new year's

2005-09-06T18:42:00.000-04:00

while I am on a tangent.... it was great to see y'all in august... does anyone have any plans for new years?

what's up with U.S.?

2005-09-06T18:38:00.000-04:00

why has this blog all but fizzled! for those of us who have very little to do with our time..... we should start this up again.

I would like to hear what I assume are some strong oppinions on:
a.)the u.s. response to new orleans
and
b.)bush getting to pick supreme court members (pretty big news that is being eclipsed in the media by the hurricane in my neck of the woods)

Music

2005-09-01T09:15:00.000-04:00

Earlier this summer I got some great suggestions for great books, and we made a great CD. The next step? Suggest music! What are you listening to right now? Is it good. What should I get? Please include several genres (as not everyone likes everything).

Soup's On

2005-08-10T14:04:00.000-04:00

Adam,

Okay, Michelle has been talking up that soup recipe to everyone she sees. Is there anyway we can get the recipe? It was really good. If you want to trade, I've got a veggi pizza with corn and stuff, a tomato sandwich, and a feta-basil sandwich. Anything else they might like Chelle?

Rick

moving on...

2005-08-09T12:02:00.000-04:00

Just so you all know, after Friday I'll be residing in the office of Senator Wayne. I'll change all of my contact info on the group email-thingy, but you won't be able to reach me at my mail.house.gov address anymore. Look for the update on the list serve. Till then!

Fantasy Football

2005-08-08T10:35:00.000-04:00

Did everyone get the Fantasy Football invite? If not, tell me so I can send you one.

Fit as a Fiddle

2005-08-02T08:03:00.000-04:00

For those who saw me this weekend, thanks for the words of encouragement. They really do mean a great deal.

For those who didn't see me. I've lost well over 70 lbs (closer to 75 or 80) in the last five months.

My secret? Exercise and moderation. Anyway, here are the pictures.

Richard Gere Part II

2005-07-18T10:42:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Rick I am now able to post my evidence of another brush with celebrity. Enjoy! :)

Richard Gere

2005-07-15T15:05:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to post a picture but I can't figure out how to do it... It's a funny picture, though, if someone wants to teach me how.

Well We all have stories

2005-07-13T08:10:00.000-04:00

I just can't think of any right now. People, give me a funny story to help entertain me for the next few days.

One Question (with 2 parts)

2005-07-01T00:34:00.000-04:00

How do you know if a friend is loyal? Do you have to go through an experience where loyalty is tested before you can be sure?

Hello?

2005-06-22T12:07:00.000-04:00

where is everybody? I'm stressed by the lack of response lately.

You learn something new every day

2005-06-17T17:00:00.000-04:00

I would like everyone to write one thing that they learned today. That way we'll all learn that many more things!

Today I learned...
That Edward Norton is in the movie Kingdom of Heaven! Who knew? Not me!
I also learned that economies grow faster the more immigrants are let in to the country.

There...I learned two things.

Michigan <-- final details

2005-06-16T11:09:00.000-04:00

okay, sorry to keep adding all new posts on this, but I keep switching computers and it has gotten to confusing for me. anyway, I am off to summer camp on monday (hehe) so if anyone has ANY questions, now would be an ideal time to shoot them my way. otherwise, I will expect to see you all the times we agreed on in the last posting and adam and carrie, I am hoping to call you for a ride up from chicago. I will be out of the woods on the sunday before we all planned on meeting, at that time I will send you all an e-mail with directions and phone numbers. does anyone need any information sooner than that, or does that sound like a good plan.
p.s. feel free to write me at summer camp.

Getting Political Again

2005-06-15T13:32:00.000-04:00

So I guess being out of work (my last day was last Friday when the high school let out for the summer) is giving my political side plenty of time to feel like I don't do enough for what I feel is right. Here's another petition, not as constitutionally crucial as the whole fillibuster thing, but PBS and NPR are two things I have come to value greatly. I just wanted to give you the opportunity to sign if you agree (the link is connected to the title).

Alicia?

2005-06-14T07:54:00.000-04:00

Are you there? I got the e-mail that you accepted, but your name doesn't show up. What's the deal?

We All Have Stories

2005-06-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

Anyway, what with everybody posting their big news, both good and bad, I thought I'd share some of my own... I finally made it happen, guys! That's right, my new album drops next Tuesday at selected music stores across the country! It's a collection of romantic tunes called "Loving You Again for the First Time". Cover art features me on the cover sitting by a fire holding a glass of wine and looking seductively at the camera wearing nothing but a pair of silk boxers and a chest wig.* Definitely one for the ladies. I hope you all check it out. After all, a boy's gotta put food on the table...

* Yeah, I would like to express my hearfelt regret for this post. I am deeply, deeply sorry and I hope we're all still friends. If not, I understand.

Is it too late . . .

2005-06-07T08:33:00.000-04:00

I know we normally use the blog for posting news and humor, but I have to relate what I saw yesterday.

I was at the Hospital (just routine tests and in light of Becky and the subject of my story, I feel ashamed for even having been there at all). My ultrasound was at 1:00 and I had a follow up appointment at 3:15, so I decided to stay around and read the paper. I bought a soda, an apple, and was on my way to by the daily copy of the Detroit Free Press when I had one of those life altering moments. You know those moments that fundamentally change you outlook. I saw a young woman, no older than any of us, wearing a blood soaked white shirt pushing a stroller with her right hand and pulling with her left hand a metal tree of machines, iv's and other wires that twisted around the sad little poll behind the stroller and into a frail young child. I stood transfixed by their faces. No different than any other mother and child combo I have ever seen. The child was curious and attentive and the mother just needed a nap. I followed them for 100 yards or so watching the stroller swerve back and forth like that shopping cart I always avoid at the grocery store. And then the woman stopped, brushed something from her face and left the cafeteria. I don't know what it was on her face, and that question has haunted me since it happened (I even dreamed about it last night). Was it a tear? Did this woman remove the tear that had breached the sturdy facade she'd built? Or was it just a hair? An irritation she just didn't have time for on her way to the child oncology department.

I sat and read the paper, but I'm not sure I understood any of it. My mind instead wondered why we need more than one way to fix erectile dysfunction, how many teeth whitening strips are necessary, could we do with fewer appetite suppressants and smoking cures. Why can't we as a society focus on those things that really matter. Cancer, AIDS, Diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's. Why do we revere Joe Montana more than Jonas Salk? The questions that bothered me the most however, I turn to you guys. How can I help change things? With a BA in CS and an MBA, is it too late for me to make a difference?

hey you guys

2005-06-06T11:17:00.000-04:00

guess who drove 4 and a 1/2 hours each way to go see the goonies house this weekend. guess!

2005-06-03T17:28:00.000-04:00

So you know how we talk about how there are some stuff people say where you can't really say anything back...like "You have an ugly soul" or "Yeah...that's something Hitler would have said."
I think we have a new winner. Check out what Kris Jenkins, a Carolina Panther said about Warren Sapp.

-As hard as it is to believe that one rival player could send Jenkins into such a funk, he said that all his problems escalated after that game.
"I hate him. Everybody says I'm supposed to be polite when I talk to you all, but I hate him," Jenkins said. " He talks too much, he doesn't make sense, he's fat, he's sloppy, he acts like he's the best thing since sliced bread. He's ugly, he stinks, his mouth stinks, his breath stinks, and basically his soul stinks, too. Not too many people have personalities like that and survive in life. I don't know how he does it."

But then again, that might take a back seat to..."Will you marry me?" ....."YOU?????"

How about a Quiz

2005-06-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

I thought it was a good time for a quiz. This one is over/under rated kind.

1) Deep Throught as a hero:

2) Larry Brown as a "distraction"

3) A High Quality education (Carleton instead of Olaf or University of Northern Colorado or something)

4) Family wealth as a means for social movement.

5) BMI or Body Mass Index as a measure for overall health (look here for more info)

Good Luck!

2005-06-02T02:01:00.000-04:00

So, I was looking through the Carleton Website because I love their pictures and I stumbled on this one. Who is that girl? She looks so happy? And man, is she cute...I bet the man she is with is something else. Or he is holding some dark secret over her. Probably the latter.

GONE...

2005-05-27T16:05:00.000-04:00

Hey Kids! Sorry, but I'm going to be MIA from the Blog thing for a while. I'm going to Nebraska this weekend for a family reunion and then I'm getting my gallbladder removed on Wednesday. I'll be back to work part time on the 6th. So if anything superduper fun or exciting happens in the next 10 days, email me at my work email and I'll get it on my blackberry.

CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE BECKY, SANSONE, OR REIDER

2005-05-26T13:32:00.000-04:00

Okay you three, everyone else is in, and I remember verbal agreements... so please, please, any amount will do.

Jammitin

2005-05-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

So, we had this two day sexuality seminar for our medical school. Two days of talking about nothing but sex, and not just normal sex since this is a medical school, but weird, abnormal problems involved in sex. I have learned things that I would rather not have known or have any idea why some people would be aroused by these things.

They kept on saying they were going to show some sexually explicit video at the end of the day. Given all the things they mentioned, I was prepared for anything...a threesome, gay porn, R. Kelly's video...but actually, I wasn't prepared for this. They showed us two ninety year olds having sex for like 15 minutes to ELTON JOHN MUSIC! ARRRRGGGGH! Why????? WHY MAMA, WHY????

Now I understand that sex is a beautiful thing...a man and a woman, or a man and a man, or a woman and a woman or a _____ and a ______ in love....enjoying each other, being as one...but I don't want to see ninety year olds doing it. I haven't been able to get it out of my head. If this pops up in my head when I am with someone, I am going to be really pissed off.

Heads Up!!!

2005-05-25T12:16:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody, just an FYI that tomorrow (Thursday) is Carrie's Birthday. Around here we call it Carriemas. Anyway just to let you know. You can click on this heading to go get an e-card or something. Now get to it you slackers!

Filibuster Petition

2005-05-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

So this whole Filibuster thing is driving me crazy. If you're interested, I linked this post to a petition that MoveOn created that needs to be signed within the next 72 hours. I can't believe they're trying to get rid of this. Becky, I'm happy your old boss is voting against it-tell him I said thanks the next time you see him.

Michigan in July

2005-05-10T13:35:00.000-04:00

okay guys, I know it is early but let's start talking details. I am somewhat stressing/panicking about my recent decision to leave my apartment and seattle at the end of May. I am going to be pretty busy through then and then I will be back in boston for a couple days and then off to Vermont to work at camp in the woods through the 24th, so I might be semi-difficult to reach. I thought it might be a good idea to start to peg down some logistics so I will be able to answer any questions, etc. again, I will have no phone and limited e-mail for the months of June and July.

so, let's get organized!

here are a few things I thought I might like to know from you:
when exactly are you coming?
will you bring a car (or cat or anything of the like)?
do you NEED a bed? (there are 8 beds.... 2 of which are in the "batroom" and lots of floor space)

here are a few things I thought you might like to know from me:
once you get to pentwater, I can give you directions to the cottage, I have tried attaching a link to the chamber of commerce website, should tell you some things you might want to know.

if you have a sleeping bag, and would like to bring it, that would save us from spending a couple hours washing sheets (although either is a fine option). and if you have a bed that inflates, unrolls or whatever, please bring that.

DON'T FORGET YOUR BATHING SUIT!!!!

and bring lots of layers, it can get pretty cold (and very hot) on whim.

anything I am leaving out? I am not trying to sound dire.... I will be reachable, at least through the end of may and then intermittent, but I hope it isn't to early to get the ball rolling. thanks!

Davis104- The Sequel

2005-05-07T21:53:00.000-04:00

Well, its four years after Carleton. All of us have had some really profound experiences and some of us are in places we never throught we would be and through it all, it still remains the same when I said to Adam, "Man, our lives should have soundtracks". The thing is, there has been some sort of music running through our lives and show, four years later, we should make Davis104-II, with music from the past four years. So, everyone, send in two songs that kind of define the last four years for you...hopefully, not so obscure that I can't find it somewhere on the internet and I'll send a copy of the CD to everyone. It's time for a new CD!!!!!!

Rick, could you dial up a new "MC Satan" for us?

My two songs:
"Life on a Chain" Pete Yorn
"Stoned" Dido

Call To Quorum

2005-04-27T13:33:00.000-04:00

Okay kids. We need a final count. Who will definitely be going to Katy's this summer? Some people are looking at buying tickets and need to make sure this is still a go.

At my count, the following will be attending:

Rick, Michelle, Becky, Katy, Adam, Carrie, Dan

Probably:

Sansone

Probably not:

Kate, Bobich

No:

Jeong, Will, Becca, Sarge, Alf

Has anything changed? With the number of yeses it sounds like a go. Orem and Kendra are the only questions remaining.

Happy Anniversary!!!

2005-04-26T09:51:00.000-04:00

This is a shout out to Rick and Michelle on the occasion of their second wedding anniversary! Here's lookin' at you kids!

If Oprah can do it . . .

2005-04-22T20:48:00.000-04:00

Well kids, as most of us face our last summer of freedom before returning once more to the sweet embrace of the classroom, I for one would like to read a few books for fun. So, I'm starting a book club. You are all invited to become members. The only dues? Suggest a book. Something the whole group might like and something we might not have picked out ourselves.

No seriously. I want to read a lot this summer, but I don't know what to read. Suggest some book you read recently that you liked and tell us why. Try to pick a book we may not have heard of. I'll get us started.

Moneyball

It's about the Oakland A's and how they use statistics to build playoff caliber teams with a fraction of the money of the other playoff teams. I wrote a description, but I erased it because it didn't do the book justice. I know people who don't like baseball who live this book. It's about how brains can challenge the establishment to succeed when everyone thinks you should fail. If anyone has read this book, I'm crawling with ideas about how the techniques could be used in Basketball or Football.

Don't cry for me

2005-04-20T08:24:00.000-04:00

I sustained an injury this past weekend that I think you should all know about. I've informed my parents and of course my wife, so I thought I should tell you all.

I was out, riding my new bike when there was suddenly a nasty incident with the ground (my breaks were much tighter than I expected). For days it seemed like I'd been fortunate enough to walk away with only a few little cuts, but alas, it appears it's more serious than I thought.

Guys, I bruised a rib.

I know, I know. Your thinking, "Rick how can you go on? What will you do? Can you type at work?" Well let me tell you something. I am no quitter. I will fight through the pain. There may be times when the tears render me incapable of seeing the screen, but I'll show my true grit, press on, and go down in the lore of General Dynamics Software Engineering as another in the long like of coding heroes.

WWDD

Top Ten Reasons Jeonger Won't Return My Calls

2005-04-15T13:59:00.000-04:00

10. After a 9 year battle with his conscience, just realized he hates white people.

9. Secretly went semi-pro in Arena Football, changed name to read "Sir Smacksalot" on jersey.

8. Hard to manage time between all the hot med-school "bitches and ho's"

7. Lost my number. And his phone. (They're under the bed, Jeonger. Always under the bed.)

6. Has been labled "Enemy of Freedom" and queitly removed from States.

5. Found new token white friend. This perfect sidekick is shorter, dumber, and much less attractive.

4. In rehab to kick nasty caffiene-pill habit.

3. Passioate believer in the Minnesota Med-School Student/ Wiisconsin J-School Student Rivalry.

2. Abandoned med school for the ministry. Will soon emerge, much to the schock of the world, as Pope Jeong-Sup I. Forever uniting Korea and Italy as a holy superpower.

1. ..... Insert reason Here ......

O.K., people, let me hear the Number 1 Reason that Jeong has stopped speaking to me. Good luck.

Please Go Away....

2005-04-14T23:56:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one that is physically repulsed by Britney Spears? Personally, I think she is kind of pathetic.

Sorry, that was random, but Yahoo, my homepage always has a picture of her and she always has that stupid, trying to be seductive look on her face. Stop... just stop...

Confusing Blog

2005-04-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

Ok. So I think this blog is kind of hard to follow. Is there any way to organize it differently? I have added stuff to topics way down on the page, but it seems like people only respond to the subjects at the top. I don't really know how this thing is set up, so Rick, do you have any ideas?

50 cent: Kid at heart or Sexual Deviant

2005-04-12T15:39:00.000-04:00

Okay, so first comes "Magic Stick". A nice song about magic I can only assume was inspired by Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.

Next comes "Candy shop". An obvious appeal to the sweet tooth in all of us.

I'm not sure what to make of this new song, "Just a lil bit".

All a nigga really need is a lil bit,
not a lot baby girl just a lil bit..
we can head to the crib in a lil bit..
I can show you how I live in a lil bit,
I wanna unbutton your pants just a lil bit,
take 'em off pull em down just a lil bit,
get to kissin' and touchin' a lil bit...
get to lickin' and fuckin a lil bit...

I mean. Here I thought 50 was a fine guy singing about Wizards and Whoppers, and he goes and sings about sex! I'm shocked! Yes Shocked! SHOCKED!!!

A quick test

2005-04-06T12:48:00.000-04:00

Match the person with the cartoon character they inspired?

Good Luck

Breaking News....

2005-04-05T18:13:00.000-04:00

Apparently, James Augustine was called for his sixth foul walking off the court and his seventh foul while taking off his jersey in the locker room. Then he got called for his eighth foul getting on the bus and his ninth foul when he took a seat on the bus. He fouled out with his tenth foul after setting his gym bag down. Meanwhile, Sean May ran over someone in his car out of the arena and Billy Packer commented on how strong and powerful he was and how his dad played won a national championship. And don't forget all those "moving" screens...

2005-03-31T00:13:00.000-05:00

That was the greatest college basketball comeback I have ever seen in my life. Sansone, I bet you felt like I felt watching Michigan comeback against Michigan State, but this was BIGGER! FINAL FOUR! My heart was racing during those last four minutes...now be honest, when the Illini went down 15, did you break some furniture? I know when Powell's shot was blocked down 77-68, I said it was over. Wow...boy...man...

if there's a will there's a way

2005-03-26T19:37:00.000-05:00

so, michigan.... last I heard, people were excited for july, then I heard, unfortunately, that will/becca cannot make july due to being due.... then conversations sort of turned to basketball and so I am reposting to make things "definite". are we still on for July 28th ish - August 1st? I checked again and it is still fine (although I think my mother might be under the impression that it would only be 10 people max..... I am fine with more but we will need to claim a mix up or something). I think, if people are excited about this idea, that y'all should start booking your tickets now. I'll be there. anyone else in for sure? let's try figure it out and try to limit the number of cars etc. this might take a little planning..... just thought we should start now.

One week and no posts

2005-03-22T08:09:00.000-05:00

How depressing? Someone say something. I'll Start.

"Rick is a genius for calling the West Virginia over Wake game."

"Why thanks Rick."

"Don't mention it Rick"

Are You In? Or Are You Out?

2005-03-14T23:25:00.000-05:00

Okay, people. It's time to prognosticate, pontificate, and summon forth the Muse of Madness. Who's going to dance all night with the hotties and who's going home alone?

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/i/ncaa/05mens_bracket.pdf

So....I'm not sure how we "bet" on this, because last year's "send me money was a flop." So someone shout out a wager and we'll hold everyone to it. My Dad and brother want in on the action, and i know the rest of you do, so let me know what's on the line, then get your predicimentations out in the mail POSTMARKED BY THURSDAY.

Removed by Rick to protect Adam. Remember, other people can see this stuff.

Say what you will, but I call Oakland first!
(Sweet Sixteen, baby!)

2005-03-14T11:55:00.000-05:00

There he is...the Illini's worst nightmare. Nick Fazekas...the Greek God of Exercise. Look at him hold the basketball in his hand much like he holds power and domination in those mighty biceps. There is no stopping Fazekas. He is terror personified. After he stomps on the Illini and the rest of the field, he will do calisthenics and push-ups in celebration.

Gonzaga baby....

2005-03-14T00:54:00.000-05:00

I have decided I am going to pick Gonzaga to go to the final four every year for the rest of my life. One day, those boys from Spokane are going to make me proud.

My ridiculously off-base, not going to happen final four
Illinois, Gonzaga, N. Carolina, Syracuse

"In Rony Turiaf and Adam Morrison I trust"

Watch Gonzaga lose to Wake Forest and Vermont upset Syracuse...

CAN YOU FEEL IT???

2005-03-10T12:36:00.000-05:00

Whoooaaa, doctor...do you feel that tide comin' in? It's March, baby, and the player better drink their OJ. I'm wishing all the best of luck in their respective tournaments this week and can't wait til we have to fill out those brackets.

Michigan in July

2005-03-07T11:49:00.000-05:00

okay y'all, I checked again, and it seems to be fine if you would like to come to Michigan for a long weekend in July. here is a bit more information:
when I said it was on a lake, I meant lake michigan, about half way up the coast.
I checked mapquest for driving times, it says that it is 4 hours to chicago, 3.5 to ann arbor and 10 to msp.
there are two airports that are close-ish: Muskegon and Grand Rapids..... muskegon is closest at about 40 minutes away. you can typically get puddle jumpers from chicago to either airport.
I looked up flights quickly (not necessarily the best deal) and I came up with a 250 dollar flight from msp to muskegon, 200 from chicago to muskegon and a 475 dollar flight from oakland, 2000 from taiwan and 220 from dc. really, it might just be cheaper to fly to detroit. who knows.
as for stuff to do: picture a quaint town (kind of a la northfield..... minus the two colleges and a bit smaller) with a whole bunch of free recreation stuff (basketball courts, tennis courts, hikes, etc.), you can walk for miles on the beach and the water is great to swim in.... like the ocean if you have never seen a great lake.... minus the sharks..... and the beach is typically wide, lest you want to play football....and we can have fires and fireworks on the beach as well.... the antler is in town.... kind of a less raucus rueb. we have a vcr and stuff like that but the best bets for entertainment typically are bored games and puzzles. perhaps a poker match.
you can walk to town and I would say that once you get there, cars aren't really necessary (we can only probably park 5 right by the house.... something to think about). it is pretty rustic and the showers will run out of hot water..... there really are bats sometimes (and an occasional flying squirel). we have a bunch of beds, but one or two people might get stuck on the floor. the kitchen space is somewhat limited, but we have two grills.
since the weekend of the 29th/30th sounds like it works best for everybody, I could get there on around the 25th or 26th and be there if anyone has that thursday or friday available..... we would probably want to clear out late sunday or early monday (with my goal to be out on monday as well) as my extended family likes to be there in august.

there, now that I have verbally assaulted y'all, let me know if this sounds good and like it might work or if you have questions.

O.K. Plan B

2005-03-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

So, if Uncle B's cabin is a no-go, do we re-think location? I have no idea about places in Minnesota, but is it possible Bobich's parents could swing us a deal on the resort life? It seems to me that the simpler we keep this the better. I think that, if Jensen can make it, then the later weekend in July might be ideal. We could do a Saturday, Sunday thing and leave Monday morning. OR, how about just renting something out Friday through Monday and everyone shows up when and for how long they can???

What is wrong here?

2005-03-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

I had a few moments today so I read espn.com. I found the latest in a long line of articles about CU. I mean, maybe it's just me, but why has this story been as relatively small as it has. Now two assistants are claiming they were sexually harassed by a coach. Another claimed she was "coerced to perform sexual favors for players and recruits repeatedly over a two-year period." The department had a "slush fund" financed by Barnett's football camps. It doesn't say what the fund was used for, but (quoting Deep Throat) "follow the money". What is going on in CU? Why are they still allowed to compete. I have two words for the NCAA and CU: Death Penalty. All scholarships to male athletes should be pulled from the school. We can debate the female athletes, but punish the football program and the athletic department as a whole. Seriously, this just makes me sick. Why did it take so long to get any coverage and why did the coverage die off so quickly?

So....About this summer.

2005-03-01T12:21:00.000-05:00

C'mon, people. What's the story? It seems that most of of West Coasters are headed back to the center of things, and Rick's Uncle's cabin would be a cheap place to stay. (I still think it's weird to be chaperoned at this age, there goes skinny dipping and naked Twister....sigh) Anyhoo, what's everyone thinking about this? When does school start, etc. We need to plan this thing out.

2005-02-27T03:40:00.000-05:00

Hmmm....when does Dr. Orem join the cast of ER???? Congrats BIG FELLA! Accepted to UIC, and an interview at Minnesota! The Big O is on FIRE!

2005-02-24T01:43:00.000-05:00

I was checking out www.subservientchicken.com and making the chicken do things like moonwalk and I thought to myself.... hmmm, if only they had a subservient president, that could be pretty funny. so I searched yahoo (I swear, I have been outside today) and someone else came up with that idea too! my flash player is too slow to actually make bush do anything, but I can imagine it would be funny. I also was amused when he did nothing I asked him to do (ironic?) and thought that might be part of the joke. tell me if you can make him lay an egg!

Announcement

2005-02-22T12:13:00.000-05:00

Hi Adam.This is the email you were SUPPOSED to get. I have too much stuff on my desk! I'm sorry for the confusion, at least I have better news...

We are pleased to inform you that the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will be recommending your admission as an M.A. student to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School.

I just wanted to let you know of the status as soon as I could.

Congratulations and we hope that we will see you next fall!

Regards,Corinne AhrensGraduate Program CoordinatorSchool of Journalism and Mass CommunicationUniversity of Wisconsin – Madison

Homer making out

2005-02-21T18:35:00.000-05:00

Did anyone catch the Simpsons last night when Homer starts to make out with Homer? I almost fell out of my chair laughing. That was SO bizarre. I'm not really sure what the Simpsons yesterday was all about, which side they were taking on the gay marriage thing. I guess that's the great thing about the Simpsons, they ridiculed each side equally. I'm sure plenty of people will be upset, but oh well. Keep up the good work....