Thursday, February 22, 2007

Here I am...

Sorry for not keeping in good contact. :( I thought I'd make a post to let you all know that I am still alive and well (for the most part), and almost caught up on my homework.
Two weekends ago was winter carnival which meant that we had Thursday and Friday to party and work on snow statues. The theme was "ancient worlds come to play in snowy drift of today". There were a couple of trojan horses, babylon, poseiden...etc. I worked on Solomans Temple with St. Als as an all-nighter. Winter Carnival was insane craziness beyond your imagination. There were people all over campus working on snow statues all night long in -25 degree wind chills. The audio engineering students made a wicked huge sound system made from snow and people were rocking out/dancing all night long.



St. Als ended up getting first place (or maybe second, I'm not sure) in student organizations on our snow statue. I also played on a snow volleyball team when there was a -35 degree wind chill. It was pretty intense!!




In other news, I like it up here. I have been incredibly blessed with an awesome Catholic group of friends and good roommates. I'll actually be getting a house with someone from St. Als and her friend, along with my current roommate, so I'm pretty excited about that. (I signed the lease Wednesday!)
Weather up here has been pretty nice lately...we've had enough sun to keep all 3 of my plants alive, so it must count for something.
In my spare time (which is really nonexistant, but I sometimes neglect my homework...) I've been snowshoeing, snowboarding, climbing (see photo @ left) and working 2 jobs. I work in a env. eng. lab doing lake superior water research on nutrients and carbon activity and at the outdoor adventure program leading snowshoe trips, hikes etc. and renting out equipment.
Oh, I also have a pretty incredible friend (boy), Dan, who I get to spend a lot of time with...he's pretty amazing. :D
This summer, I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I probably won't be home much. In June, I'll be in Bolivia doing some research/developing a drinking water system/sanitation system for a rural village. (That leaves the month of May for cramming Espanol!) Whew! I think that's all.
No, it's actually not. Classes are super tough!! My brain is in constant overload!! Haha. I'm not the brightest crayon in the box (or the most intelligent person at an engineering school), I've found, but I do the best I can. Ideally, I'd like to use my future degree in the missionary field, so it's always nice to have a higher goal to look to (and daydream about when I want to throw a tantrum in calc class!!).
I think of ya'll back home and pray for you often. Know that you're welcome to visit anytime! I promise you would have nothing less than a Keewenawesome time, eh. ;)

Monday, February 19, 2007

Goodbye Blog!

Yes, my personal blog is now gone. So for all of your who rarely or never checked it anyway, since I don't keep it updated, you can now be glad you don't have to think about checking something you didn't want to anyway.....

Anyways, enjoy this beauuuuuuuuutiful weather and don't let thoughts of Spring Break distract you from your studies (like I am :).

Sunday, February 11, 2007

new cell-phone

We now have a new cell-phone service in our family. The new addition was met with great glee and excitement. We didn't name it though cause it already had a name and besides that is just creepy. It is verizon. So now all you friends of ours with verizon phones can call and talk for free...and you probably should because my shiny new phone is begging to be used. I've told it to be patient, but it is young yet and still has lots to learn. Like how voice recognition should work, "call jen"
"Do you wish to call Rachael ( pronounced raw-cheAl)"
"no"
"Please state the name or number you wish to call"
"call jen"
" your an injun?"
"Shut up you stupid thing, and call jen"
" I'm sorry that command is not recognized"
"gahhh"
"Do you wish to call Josh? ( pronounced Joo sh)"
"No"
I have found it is easier to just find the number in my contacts....
The camera on it is sweet tho, even has a flash...
my number is still the same number, but Joel and Daniel have new numbers....

Monday, February 05, 2007

hmmm....




hmm... I need to find a new church...

The Ark is a bad place

According to the NFL.

I heard on 88.1 this morning that some Baptist Churches had Super Bowl parties, and according to the NFL, the church couldn't collect money for entering the party. Now, I am not saying the Ark is Baptist, but the Ark did collect five dollars from everyone to eat, so does that make it wrong? Well, what about betting on the game? You are in deed collecting money from someone if you win (like I did with my dad), so does that make it wrong according to the NFL. If anything, not only the betters and/or the party doers, the NFL is benefitting because people are watching them. Who cares NFL.

Go Colts!

Thursday, February 01, 2007

he's still alive

so heres the news. I haven't been putting anything in his water, by the way. I did some research an I think Shvown has something called "the bloat". In normal people terms, its fish constipation. You may laugh and say "ew." But it's actually not that uncommon and can kill them. I tried helping Shvown out yesterday by warming his jar up some because he has been lethargic and it was discovered that bettas, being tropical, prefer warm water. It doesn't take a scientist to tell you (well it might) that when gasses are warmed up they will expand more than liquids. So, for example the gas stuck in Shvown would expand more than say, the water he is swimming in when the whole system is warmed up (this is also why cold water can hold higher concentrations of air). So, in conclusion Shvown became more boyant (spelling) when his jar was warmed. I figured his "near-deathness" had something to do with the temperature change and allowed it to cool, and apparently that did the trick. Now I just got to fix his "being plugged up". The best system I've heard is don't feed them for a few days to a week. Don't worry animal lovers, that isn't a big deal for a fish, he'll be fine, or at least better than dead.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

RIP

by the time you read this, it'll probably all be over, but as I type, Shvown is taking his last fishy gulps of water. He's dieing. It's kinda sad. He hasn't been eating normal for about a month and the conclusion was that held "get hungry and start, or die". well... judging by the large bump on his side and his preponsity to floating to the top and laying on his side, I think this is the end.

As a matter of irony, my fish family expanded two nights ago with the purchase of two gold fish, promptly named Oscar and Wilde. For the record Shvown hated them and while the plan was to share a tank, seeing as he tried to rip them apart through the glass, we decided otherwise for the health and wellbeing of Oscar Wilde.

A few last words about Shvown, a "eugueguly" if you will.
He was a good fish. A small fish. An angry fish, but then again he was a fighting fish. Shvown I will miss you bright red color and unnecesary shows of aggression, and I know it will make you unhappy Shvown, but I'm sure that the goldfish will be happier without you around to scare them.

Shvown, rest in peace, and sleep with the fishes.

Monday, January 29, 2007

I'm still alive : )

Good news world, I am still out there, alive and well. I keep getting e-mails from people asking me if I'm still around, and the answer is yes, I'm not dead yet!

I don't know when the last time most of you got an update was, but after my job with the city ended, I took up residence in the basement of my girlfriend's parent's house and painted it while I waited for Chris to finish with her final exam (this was last December). Then rounds about the new year I took off and headed out to California where I met up with my brother and dad. We chilled and went to Whistler, Canada to ski for rounds about a week. Here's a pic


That was cool except I missed Christine, and my brother doesn't like skiing, and by day 4 it got so warm it was raining instead of snowwing, so not only could you not ski, but walking around sucked because it was 2 inches of slush.

After returning from that trip (and smuggling an apple through customs. "Ha, take that American Security!"), I spent a few more days with Christine and my fam and stuff before having to come back to Kalamazoo for school.

And now I'm here. I'm taking 20 credit hours, so my life is studying. The list consists of: Calc II (honors), Linear Algebra, Foundations of Modern Worldview, Jogging, Physics I, and Engineering 2020- service learning in design. Its not to bad though, I like all this stuff. Chris and I are together perpetualy too, which makes it okay, because she has to work as hard as I do, so we get to not have social lives together.

I got a fish too, his name is Shvown (pronounced sh- like "sh.. be quiet" -von like "von maur") this is him


and I got a whole bunch of plants. I like plants, and so does Chris's mom so she got me the hook up. This is shvown and his cactus


and yes, shvown lives in a mason jar. I also got a plant here on my desk which is growing in one of Christine's coffee mugs (I wasn't thinking when I grabbed that mug). If Ben Phol still reads this, can you guys in St. Paul bring back my cactus from the second floor some time? that'ld be cool.

We go to the campus catholic church which is very hippie. The "halleluia" is definitley not right, seeing as thier version has verses and in the third one all the instruments cut out and everybody starts clapping and swaying. They also have a picture of Jesus in the lobby that looks suspiciously like Bob Marley, I'll have to take a picture of it and post it.

But I'm rambling so here's one last pic from campus

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

LCC is back.

woo woo.

Only one day a week, hopefully.

I guess that is, I will update later; if LCC becomes the bomb or something.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Comment dit-on...i hate french...en francias?

Yeah pretty much...I am totally confused in this class. Instead of teaching us French like a normal teaching class where you teach stuff, the professor is using the class like a refresher for people who already took French in high school. Which was about half of the class, before the other half of the class ( the non-french speakers) dropped out. Today she was going over some grammar stuff like we already knew it and she was just reminding us. Well hey, how bout all those French speakers join the class ahead of this class....gahhh I am going to have to study for this class a bunch and that makes me angry. Other than that I hope that I get good enough grades in my other classes... I think that I might p/f this class so that it doesn't show on my GPA ( I can do that for two UP classes).

Thursday, December 21, 2006

A simple request... to plan ahead

Alrighty, I was at home last sunday. It was a little after noon, and I received a phone call from none other than Marney. The request was simple, "wouldest thou be inclined to travle great distances to come hither for a social gathering?" The clincher: its in a few hours. The real clincher: I live a few hours away. I do apreciate that you thought of me and invited me, and I do know that history tells us that I do not plan ahead and do things on the spur of the moment, and that resonablity has no room with me, but I still feel as if I have some small room to hassle you for contacting me so late. If I was someone other I would think that perhaps you didn't realy want me to come at all, and you waited untill the last second to invite me just to seem curtious, just as a wise man offers to help his wife with the dishes just as she finises.
Actually I don't care it was an honest try. And just in case anyone is wondering I'm curently living in the basement of my girlfriends parents house. And you can try to invite me again, but on saturday I'm getting on a plane to goto California, then to Canada.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Hello, anybody home?

Of course not, half of us are still up, or over at college.

Just got done with my Pyschology final exam and she graded it on the spot, and I got an 84 on it. That puts me to a 4.0 in the class with a 93%. And I know in drawing I got a 3.0 (I don't if Kenric and Sarah know this or not, but someone was complaining because they got a 3.0 in the class, because he was talking during class. He had like 3 10 point drawing, and still got a 3.0. What was your teacher's method for grading?) And film, I probably got a 4.0, Photoshop-no idea, Philosophy-still up in the air. But a good chance for a 4.0, if not, 3.5.

Anywho (I did see the Grinch the other day, both versions, the cartoon version and Jim Carrey.)

What is everyone up to, besides getting significant others or losing theirs (Paco, Ben, Tom, Sarah, and Marnee are not included.)?

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Overpopulation Concerns Force U.S. To Reopen South Dakota

Here

I want to be the first citizen there, and open a business up, so the state will be better off than Michigan.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

if my head breaks....

Ok so here's the plan....I just finished a geography exam and I just wrote a 3 page sociology paper...
tonight I will write my whole english essay complete with secondary sources and post it on the peer review board to get extra credit....( which I really need in that class)...
Then I get up early tommorrow and do my sociology exam, then I go to work at 11am.
On my lunch I study for my math exam and finish some homework.
When I get home from work at 9pm I crash into a little heap on the floor...then I go drink a glass of wine.
Then I go study some more for math. Then I sleep. Then I get up and go to school take a math exam and then finish my annuity project.
Then I watch tv for 5 hours straight....

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Sunday, November 05, 2006

I am going to get rid of my blog

My life has become too busy to operate a blog.

I am going to get rid of my blog

My life has become too busy to operate a blog.

Monday, October 30, 2006

Where's Rachaela?

I haven't heard from Rachael in a long time. Haven't been seeing many comments if at all. I just want to know if she was eaten by a polar bear or something.

Monday, October 23, 2006

hola

The last few weeks I have been hearing all kinds of things that I find confusing. First there was someone who told me that Graphic Design didn't pay well and not to go into it. Then someone told me that it is not a "hot" field right now. Someone else told me that they were told by a career guidance person that it was a 'hot' field. My aunt is in graphic design and she was making around $35 an hour when she used to work full time....in fact when she tried to quit, her boss paid for setup in her house so that she could still do work while at home. Dad says that it all depends on how good you are. Part of me just wants to quit and go into an easy money career like nursing where I know I would be good and wouldn't have a problem finding a job. But another part of me says "screw the critics, I'll be good if I have to draw 50 hands and 500 buildings a day." I will get a job....will...
Or I could just go be a missionary in some third world country...so many options....I wish that God just dropped a letter from the sky that had the instructions for your life written on it. I want to follow his will... but I don't know what it is...I just guess and go with what seems right...mmmm that sounds highly subjective...anyways art...graphic design...just seems right. Even if it doesn't make sense all the time. Of course there is always the fear in the back of my mind that I am just doing what I want and ignoring all the signs telling me to go in the opposite direction.
This has been your "Sarah is thinking out loud and putting it into writing for the whole world to see" session. Hope you enjoyed it.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

A Ringing Animosity

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7933050993541682664

This is a link to the movie trailer I edited in Film class. That's right, Google has even accepted this great masterpiece.

Spoilers:
Just to tell you, I shot the matrix scene, and pay attention to what happens 38 second into it, and I am a runner too.

Spring Break in Quebec

Your first reaction to this post might be about drinking, but that is actually not the intention of it. I was just talking to a girl I recently met, Kathleen Hilker, and since both of us have some French education (me almost none, but still) we were thinking about how great it would be to go to nearby Quebec to get some French culture experience. (Now Jill Thelen wants to go too). Of course I remembered how y'all want to go to Canada anyway, so we thought maybe it would be a good spring break trip. It seems like it won't work out for this semester, and since 4 of us (her included) go to LCC, we have the same spring break. Now, I don't mean to exclude John or Paco or Ben, but I think that with that many of us having the same schedules, we can work something out for all of us. We will have to get the spring break dates for Western and St. Thomas as soon as we can. So, what do you think? And Kenric and Rachael, you should come also! If you are interested, tell us your spring breaks, and we will make something happen! Oh wait, I forgot Sarah will be at Central...well we will need to get their dates too, so that she and Jennifer can come also. And Kyle and Jarud, if you guys check this, make sure you don't have to work and get us Baker's dates. Wow, there are a lot of people and colleges represented here! This is crazy. Wouldn't it be great to have one big convoy heading out to Quebec for a week? Yes!
Even if only a few days...whatever we can work out. Is that everyone? Hey, invite anyone else you can think of too!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Whoot!

Alright, this is John rejoicing, life is officially good. Not to say it was bad, but I'm officially out of the danger zone. As of a few hours ago I am a full time employee of Portage city for the next few months. John is no longer a poor sap who is a barnacle on the under belly of society, slowing down the ship and sucking up valuable resources while contributing nothing. No, this is the case no longer, I shall now be a value adding particpant in the world, making sure that our streets are free of leaves! I can now buy food without fear that I wouldn't be able to pay rent. I no longer have to stay awake at night deciding who I would rather not pay, Dad or the government. I have an income now, and more importantly, something to do all day. Sitting around with nothing to do sounds like fun, but it gets old after awhile. And with that said, I bid you adu.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

What's up with this?

Alright guys, driven priniciply by the fact that no one has made a half decent post, let alone apost in a while, and because I haven't seen or spoken to any of you in a while I'm making a post. I'm also going to tell you all what I'm doing because it'll fill some space. I think I got a job (thats right, I'm still unemployed. "how is the rent getting payed?" you ask. Well... I don't know but it seems to and I'm still alive), but any way I think I got a job. Fall leave pick-up. I'll be that guy who works for the city carrying a leave blower and riding on the back of a garbage truck picking up leaves, but its a 7-3 kinda job only five days a week which means plenty of time to go on awsome trips and hang out in the evenings with my girlfriend.

Thats a picture of her too, we went to a doughnut shop and that doughnut she's holding is about the size of a dinner plate. Her name be Christine Venner, and I'm trying to get her to come out to Fowler to meet ya'll. She's game, it just that she actually has a life and things to do, unlike me.
So now I'm going to post another picture... This one'll work,

we were making puppy chow in her room. We didn't use a recipe, so we didn't knwo how much sugar to use. It turns out that you only need, like, two cups, but we used almost the whole bag.
And I just remembered some fun stories. Right now I'm not a student as you all know, but Christine is, and she gets all sorts of e-mails about coloqium talks. She doesn't like to goto these (or more specificly she'ld rather do homework) so she tells me about them and go (they aren't mandatory or anything, I just think they are so cool). So, I'm going to the talks with titles like "auto-ionizing states and their relevance to ion-electron interactions" and others that I don't recall. But so first off it's funny that I'm going because even the students don't go, but to top it off I keep showing up at the receptions and these people are so cool about it. I'm standing around talking to professors and the chair of the physics department and they ask things like, "what classes are you in?", or "how long have you been and western?", and I just laugh and say, "I'm not even a student". Then the best one was when I went ou to dinner at Olive Garden after one of these talks with a bunch of professors, graduate students, and a visiting proffesor from Berlin. I had so much fun, these people are so freeking smart.
And now I'm goign to throw down some song lyrics because it reminds me of dancing in the park, and then take off because I'm in the library and I'm expecting a call from Christine in a sec.

it's her hair and her eyes today
that just simply take me away
and the feeling that i'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way
all the times i have sat and stared
as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
and she purses her lips, bats her eyes as she plays,
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say
coz i love her with all that i am
and my voice shakes along with my hands
cause it's frightening to be swimming in this strange sea
but i'd rather be here than on land
yes she's all that i see and she's all that i need
and i'm out of my league once again

Great song; Out of my league by stephen speaks

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

homework is totally freaking me out guys. argggg i don't have enough time. my shoulders hurt from being on a computer so much.

Monday, September 25, 2006

The Onion

They should at least try to make the second picture look realistic.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/53239

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

howdy...

So I had to do this report on spanking...Sweden banned it in 1979..weird...yet 26% of parents in that country still practice it, or at least that was the number that admitted to it. The article we had to read annoyed me because it was trying to argue that because Sweden is "progressive" in matters such as marriage, sex, and taxation...they must be right about spanking too. I mean clearly any belief that is progressive is right. Anything old and non-progressive smacks of the primative and is automatically wrong. duh...idiots...
Well anyways, I really don't get why I can write a 3 or 4 page paper for this class in less than an hour...and yet I still have to spend hours writing english papers of the same length...it makes no sense.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Life-a roadtrip without directions

Alright, it's about time I did a couple of things: let everybody know whats up. Some would say I need to settle down and see a psycologist, but, we'll see... Anyway, here's whats up, right now, today, untill the plan changes, someone gets shot, something gets blown up (literaly or figuritively), or I get arrested (I don't know why it would happen, but hey, this is life). Right now I am in Saline, MI (my home town) at the library. I'm sleeping at my parents and eating real food (those of you who have been kept up-to-date know that this is unusual). Tomorrow I plan on driving back to Kalamazoo in the afternoon/evening and moving in with the notorious Computer Tom so that I may continuae the search for employment come monday. It's beginging to look like the trip to Tenesee with never come to be, at least not right now, although I'm now the proud owner of 56,000 frequent flier miles which may just become the spring board for the greatest spring break trip ever.
My stories are many, long, dramatic, and funny. If you guys want me to (if you wish to listen) I could start a blog and recount them to you. Things such as the motel from hell, the nights in the car, my first kiss, dodging the parking police, trying to learn to skateboard, getting lost in indiana, talking philosophy in Cincinatti, living down by the river, the perils of a camp stove, the drama of being afraid of emotion, or the strugle of objectivity in an all to subjective world.
If you guys want to hear 'em pipe up. I have this hunch you will, but may it be the people's choice!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

New Addition to Our World...

As you may have noticed, we have another member of our blogger community now. John Novak has proven himself to be a worthy member of our group over the past few months so he has now been initiated into our exclusive blogging thought exchange....yeah...well I'm not very good at speeches, so anyway, John is now on this blog, and he can be called John because the previous John (my brother) is now dubbed Paco by his affectionate seminarian buddies. And because Paco will not be contributing to this blog for the next few months due to the strict policies of the seminary...or something like that. So I am sure John will post any time now to complete his addition to our ensemble (I think that is supposed to be French). Wow, that makes 11 of us! This must be the best blog...ever! Is there a blog like this with more poeple on it? Well they aren't as cool.
Even though most of you are gone and we don't see you and we get bored and sad, it's good to know you are still out there. (Not to be sappy...but it's true that we feel lonely without everyone. Right, LCC people? That's what I thought.)

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Bonnie's Place

Live from J.J.Wohlfert's:

That's right, this is coming during the last 3 minutes of my lunch break at work.
My co-worker (to use a Tomism) Tony told me about a restaurant near LCC campus called Bonnie's place, which sells really good food at very reasonable prices. For instance, he said that last Monday he went and got a 1/4 hamburger, fries, and a drink for $3.50!! I guess it is some Monday special where you get a big discount. So all that food, and really good food he says, and close to campus (about a block from LCC). We should go check it out sometime, my LCC buddies (and anyone else who would like to). I hope everyone is having a good life and is enjoying school. Peace out!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

money...

Since the last two posts have come from my lovely fingertips, I figured I would post again.
I talked to a lady from Finlandia last night and she said that she would work on getting the finacial aid stuff sent to me. She said I was getting some $3500 scholarship and maybe another scholarship, but she wasn't sure what I was getting for aid. I think that tuition is 16,000, so I'm at around 12,500 right now. Central would be around 8000 I think...I'd have to look at the thing again. Northern would be around 11,000 plus whatever aid they would give me. I really don't care...I really just want to be on my own again, and at college. I wonder what I should do if the colleges end up all costing around the same amount...I haven't really thought about what I would do then. Sorry for thinking out loud, and I'm really sorry if you actually read to the end of this.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

I saw my cousin Rapheal today...didn't even know he went to lcc...then i saw this really annoying guy from my art history class last semester...grrr he is sitting in the computer lab. I talked to Sarah from IL today on gmail chat. And I am not pleased with facebooks new features...they are stalkerish and creepy...too much info. Anyways ya'll are coming to the Italian thing right? Ok this has been another boring day in the life of Sarah. c-ya

Saturday, August 26, 2006

little people

Um the last few days have been interesting. We mostly hung out with seminarian people and mostly ate jade garden food. I smoked a cigar on thursday. It was pretty much gross...like i said at the time, it's like drinking a bonfire. I did, however, smoke most of it. Last night we had a long discussion about what we all thought of each other in high school. I think I was not really friends with you guys during some of the drama that went on...cause I don't remember it at all. It was funny to hear now though. School is started and I am a little freaked out with all my online classes. Monica wants me to be manager, so I'll probably do that too, on top of classes. I'm sorta kinda teaching myself Italian though I haven't got that far....too lazy. I think that the next thing I make/paint will have Italian words in it.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Events in the Life of Marnee










Here are pictures from my road trip to D.C. and some sisters we had a retreat with. They are the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará. Wonderful sisters! Also there is a glimpse of our re-modeling, a picture of Kenric and Joel using their musical skills and a really neat Catholic Cathedral in Toledo.
The Brian Flynn one may come later.

One more thing, if you haven't heard yet, Angela Koenigsknecht and Jerome Waldron are getting married!!! He proposed on Saturday and now she is wearing a beautiful diamond ring :)

Weather (Got Idea from Kenric's blog)

It is such a beautiful thing.

Many times it is sunny and hot and humid (like today, and yesterday, and tomorrow, 90s), and other times, it is cloudy, thunderstorms, just not what you want to be in most of the time, you could get killed!)

Time for some serious stuff, I guess.

Up until recently, it has been nice and easy on this blog much like the sunny weather we have been having. Now, we have had thunderstorms like crazy. I don't want to point fingers at anyone, but it isn't me. I am trying to stay out of this argument, maybe I created this post to have people not pay attention to the taunts/whatever of the other post. But since that won't work, I guess I have failed. Now, for the mushy stuff: since SKR left, not much has gone on, so I miss them whether I show it or not. Ok, I told you it was mushy. Well, I am going to go to B Fly's concert tonight. See ya in 10 or so days.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

To our Buddies far away!!















Hey Guys! It feels like you have been gone forever! You all need to come home...why does it have to be another month away?? Well it looks like you are having some crazy fun over there though, that is good. We are still not doing anything crazy over here...I haven't even seen Pirates of the Carribean yet! (Which means I have to shut myself in another room when everyone else wants to talk about it). Anyway...here are some pictures from the Grand Opening at the Ark (since that is the only major event that I can think of). Actually, when I went to get these pictures, I realized these are not the ones I wanted, so I will have to get those other ones to send you. But these are a small taste I guess.
Also we are doing a lot of re-moldeling on our house, y'all will have to come see it when you get back. And we will have to do lots of other things too!

Okay...here are some better pictures.

Monday, July 10, 2006

I found this interesting on a page from Myspace.

How on earth can they expect students to pass?

It's not the fault of the student if he fails, because the year ONLY has 365 days.

Typical academic year for a student:

1. Sundays - 52, Sundays in a year, you know Sundays are for rest.
Days left 313.

2. Summer holidays - 50 where weather is very hot and difficult to study.
Days left 263.

3. 8 hours daily sleep - 130 days GONE.
Days left 141.

4. 1 hour for daily playing - (good for health) means 15 days.
Days left 126.

5. 2 hours daily for food & other delicacies (chewing properly & swallowing) means 30days.
Days left 96.

6. 1 hour for talking (man is a social being) - means 15 days.
Days left 81.

7. Exam days - per year at least 35 days.
Days left 46.

8. Quarterly, Half yearly and festival (holidays) - 40 days.
Balance 6 days.

9. For sickness- at least 3 days.
Remaining days=3.

10. Movies and functions - at least 2 days.
1 day left.

11. That 1 day is your birthday. How can you study on that day??????!!!!!!!!!!
Days left = 0

How can any student pass?

Monday, July 03, 2006

GAHHHHH!!!!!!

hey people seriously, what is going on at home...and you can't call to tell me...or email I demand real mail...now...ok...now...actually i miss home...everyone is leaving here and it is going to be us and a bunch of non-english speaking people.

Friday, June 16, 2006

liver sandwich

Did you know that working in a dinning room is a good way to get weird compliments? I have been told that I look "studious" ( by japanese people), "very pretty" ( by little kids), " slender" ( also japanese people), and that I am a "hard worker" ( german people and chinese people). Yeah, I also get called "dearest", "sweetheart", "sweety", "hun" and "hunny" by the servers. I feel like a dog, or else a doll. Mmmm... I had strawberry short cake after dinner and it was good.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

We're still alive I guess?








Hey, I guess I haven't posted in awhile, so it's about time. Thought I'd let you know I'm doing well out here. I love my job, the people and the environment. Almost every chance I get within reason, I go hiking. I've included some pictures of hikes. On my last weekend, I went with some people from the Lake House where I work on a 13 mile hike through Black Canyon. It was a great hike, but it was tough because my pack weighed about 40 pounds and I wasn't used to the weight. The others didn't pack enough water, so we had to filter some. The water was the tastiest, most chillin mountain snow runoff water I've ever had!
Ok, so the first picture is of a hike that Sarah went on with me and my co-workers. We ended up 8 miles away from where we thought we would be and there were bear prints all the heck over the place. To scare off the bears, we sang the whole way and took this crazy picture. Ooo we also forded a small river because we're just sweet like that.
Lets see, the second picture is of the campsite we stayed at in Black Canyon. There was a waterfall about 50 yds. down, so we watched the stars come out while we went to sleep to the sound of water...it was wondrous. Hehe, great word.
Third picture, me with some people hiking to Shoshone Lake. The last picture is of someone I went hiking to Fairy Falls with. We were crazy and climbed up the side of a cliff, seriously. On the way up, I was using a rock about the size of a basketball to pull myself up, it came loose and almost fell on the guy that I was hiking with. On the way back down, I fell about 5 feet and scraped up my legs pretty bad. Good times. At the top, we found hidden falls that no one else sees and sat at the edge of the waterfall pondering life. Further on on the trail, this crazy guy did a breakdancing flip thing over a boiling mudpot and almost died. This is the same guy that told a van full of British people that he just proposed to me and I said no. Weird. The British people proceeded to give me their advice on marriage and asked us to send them a wedding invitation. Yeah, it was great.
Anyway, I hope you're all doing excellent. Keep me in your prayers. I'm having a sweet time out here, but there's so much evangelizing that needs to be done! And of course, I keep ya'll guys in my prayers! Send me out some burned cds if you want...I could use some songs...and Tom, enough of the "this is what guys look like when they see Rachael." Yup. God bless and peace on earth.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Command and Conquer

Sarah, your picture looks great on the wall of the Ark! We are now planning on re-upholsering the boothes, so we will probably look to your picture for color ideas. Everyone loves the room upstairs Kenric!! They think the colors are great and a lot of people have been impressed with your pictures. Way to go!
I hope you guys are not tired of work yet. What will you do for the 4th? Big parties?
Remember, don't drink, but you can smoke all the cigars you like!
Now it's off to work I go. Oh yeah, Healing Mass tonight!

Sunday, May 28, 2006

So I will post again?

Yesterday was Neil and Amber's wedding. I had a fun time. Didn't really dance that much until the very end. Neil and Amber hit a deer right before they got to their hotel. And now they are on their way to Hawaii (yup, they are going to the hospital in Hawaii).

Ben is back. Saw part of the game two of Pistons and Heat with him. They won, but the Heat stalled the pistons in the third game.

We saw X-Men 3, with 15 or so people. I saw Nick Pobocik from Veritas there and we talked for like a minute.

I think that is all that happened since I last posted.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

So I am the only that is posting now?

Adam said this, but I think it shouldn't be true.

The Reasons:
1. There are 10 people who can post on this blog, and only 3 of them can no longer post. But are you sure, they might be alittle busier, but if they don't talk to us on the phone, this is the only way for communication. Granted, these three people probably post the most, especially Rachael (you post hog)

2. Ben is coming back soon, so he will posting like crazy, maybe.

3. Because I decide who posts and doesn't posts.

Monday, May 08, 2006

May 8th

Well Today is Rachael's birthday...as many of you already know...so well what are we going to do about it?... I haven't been shopping yet so I still can get her a present...any ideas EMAIL me. Mmmm.... I really feel like painting. But I need to study...gahhh well HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHAEL!!!! YOU ARE NOW 19 YEARS OLD WHICH IS PRETTY OLD....AND STUFF.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Work is a lonely place to be...

but it's my last day, so I can probably deal with it. File cabinets are being carted out all around me while some of my coworkers stand by and watch. The tables once full of deforestation pamphlets are now empty and only the mohagany tabletops remain. People keep giving me random tasks like vacuuming or moving boxes. The walls once plastered with satellite images of Baghdad before and after the bombing, the Amazon rainforest over the years and other satellite maps are now just empty and way too white. The group in my office space is splitting up; half are moving across the hall and the upstairs are moving in. People are gossiping about who is taking whose stuff and other petty stuff like that. Earlier today, I had to train someone who is almost a grad student to do my work and I've had to train the higher-ups how to use the copy machine, how to send faxes and how to get the mail! (yes, they've been in this building for 10+years and don't know where the mail room is) So, today is just a weird day and I wish I was along with the crew going to get John. 3 hours 10 minutes left and I'll see ya'll tonight!!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

So here I am...



Not doing anything. I am in the computer lab bored out of my mind. And I don't have any exams to study for. Well, I could study for Design and Communication, but no. I already took my math test. It only took me about 2 hours. And now Gmail isn't working, the only communication I do have is gone. No, I didn't lose my cell phone, even though you weren't thinking about that. I will be very bored come next week. I only have one exam next week and then what? Nothing. Well, I didn't warn you guys of this rant of my boredom, but you hardly comment on my posts anyway. Well, you will comment, maybe something other than what I am talking about, maybe Jennifer will comment saying she has a new post. Yup, there is no sign of intelligent life anyway, besides me of course. :) I will probably receive more comments about that last sentence than any other. Well, what movie was that from? The intelligent life sentence.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Its Movie Time!


man, i feel like making a movie. we've all been saying we have to make a movie. well, if we want a movie, we need a script and thats what this post is all about. we gotta make this thing before rachael, sarah, and i leave and when jennifer and john are here. put your ideas here and we'll discuss them. or has this been discussed already? didn't sarah say something about writing a scipt. i dont know. anyway, this movie is going to be great.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

What a Walk...

I not only lose like 4 calories, I had three things happen to me in less than 10 minutes.

1. Well, I first noticed that I had tons of parking spots to choose from, that never happens when I drive to LCC, but the problem, I had to park in the "cheap" parking because someone forgot their change.

2. Someone asked for a quarter. I didn't have one.

3. Someone asked me if I wanted a Monster drink. I declined.

And all of that occured in less than 10 minutes.

And one more thing, two people were talking in the TLC building when I walked in, and one sounded a lot like Napoleon.

And now my story is to the present, when I am typing this amazing 10 minute adventure.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Confessions of a rachael


Skokie Sun
Originally uploaded by fotoFANATIK.
sorry, i keep posting. i haaaave to though. i finally put in my two weeks at work today...i hate doing things like that, so i put them off until the last minute. my boss had already heard it from someone else in the office though, which isn't good. he was like, "why are you leaving? do they pay good in yellowstone? are you leaving because you don't like it here?" i told him i wanted to get out and have some fun. he replied in all seriousness, "aren't you having fun here?" anyways...i took my writing final today and i just wish i knew now if i was going to get the gpa that tech wants from me or not so that i could plan. today at work, my boss and this other guy wanted me to see this video on global warming (with will ferrell) and how bush is so ignorant of it. and I watched it. i may be on the opposite side of all of you on global warming, but bush is still my boy. this clip really makes fun of him and religion and there's a quote where "bush" says, "of course it's warming up, the earth goes through warming cycles. why do you think adam and eve didn't wear any clothes?" because both my boss and the other guy have ph.d's and think they know it all, not to mention they already look down on me, i didn't feel like arguing with them. aren't i awful?

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

im most likely the laziest person youll meet

today anyway, and i blame it on giving blood. ive wanted to sleep all day...and ive accomplished absolutely nothing. i could have taken my writing final...but i didnt finish my papers. i guess ill take it tomorrow after work. and right now, i should be in math class, but im not. i'm trying to work up the ambition to run, but its cold out and cold weather makes me feel like staying inside. (freshmen 15 could be a problem at tech lol) thats about all i have to offer for a new post. no global warming/climate change anything allowed on my post!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

28 hours

Well, didn't sleep at all (besides the ocassional dozing off in The Ring) last night. This morning, while I was watching cartoons, I dozed off again. I wonder how I will feel later today with the 28 hours of no sleeping.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

So I'm here at work...chillin' while my data model processes. My face is having an allergic reaction to something. It's swollen, really red, itchy and hot on one side and spreading! I've never had a reaction to anything, so it's freaking me out. What do you do when you have a reaction? Just stick it out and wait till it goes away? If I smile, it feels weird. Anyway, I'll leave soon.
What I really want to post about...I'm trying to get into better shape, just to be healthy, but being healthy (and fitting into my summer clothes!) isn't a good enough incentive for me. Anyone want to train for a half-marathon/triathalon/duathalon with me?? Seriously! I've always wanted to and I think it would be great if I could be in on it with a couple of other people. I could probably even settle for just a 5K (3.1 mi) if people wanted to. See, the object wouldn't be to compete in these races, most people don't, they just do it for themselves. Completing the race is an accomplishment in itself. And we would have at least 3 months to prepare which is quite awhile. I've found some cool races both in Wyoming and in Michigan. Or Sleepy Hollow is holding the Lansing Legislator triathalon and half-triathalon again mid-August so that would be cool too. They even have these things called adventure races that are like marathon camping/hikin/biking/mapping even rock climbing races through the wilderness. Anyway, any takers for some physical activity?

Monday, April 17, 2006

poem composed in a short manner to other poets

with all of this radical ridiculous rhyming
As if all poetry pertained to positions
Of letters left at ends of lines
I am quite quickly sure
That our poetical poets, have no working
Knowledge of knowing poetry.
They fretfully forget fresh sounding vowels
Sweet simpering consonants as well.
Personification, simile, are left
As if their sweet names had never been heard

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

April Fools Day comes once a year...

Here
The best practical joke ever?


Ok world, help pay for these guy's bill.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

A Poem to a Friend

My dearest cousin Rachael:

you need to chill!
readily I can hide,
but I can get down a roof ever more faster.
improving, my ankle is.
beating you is my biz.
It is now the hour
that your blog may be called our
for I have posted this poem
and I really want to go home
so would you please
get here before I make a bunch of Zs.
I want some cheese with that whine.
but after this poem which is fine,
I have the more lines,
so there are many signs
that I am indeed better than you,
but for the sake of rhyming schemes you are great too.


With love,
your cousin Tom

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Naïve or is it really possible to be friends with a guy?

No one else posts but me. Oh well. It annoys me that people think it's impossible/not allowed to be friends and go out (as in go places) with a guy without dating. So you go out with a guy, not a date, just going out like you would go out with a girl except (gasp) it's a guy?? Is it a date just because it's a guy, not a girl? I don't think so. My family does. Tell me what you think. (Jennifer, I may need some help on this one.)

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Get the M n' M's dude.


smc tree
Originally uploaded by lil aNNa.
Random News at LCC: Some guy was standing in front of the vending machine so long that that's what I wanted to say. Ummm...teachers might go on strike in the middle of April. Too bad it's going to be on a Wednesday, not a Tuesday or Thursday. And I was eating pizza in the cafeteria after my math exam, trying to recover from brain drain (taking an exam after skipping 2.5 weeks of classes...) when I was shocked and appauled to see a monster cooler!! Monster energy drinks couldn't go in with SoBe, apple juice and pepsi? Weird. Some day, you sickos will realize that it tastes like cough syrup.
So, there was a MTU rep. in the A&S today and I asked him if all the scholarships are awarded...fast forward through my anger...MTU IS NOT GIVING ME ANY FINANCIAL AID or scholarships. Any. So...I'm faced with some issues. Ugh, I just feel like, "God, what am I supposed to do now? I'll continue to trust you, but I'm going to need $17,00 pretty quickly or completely change my life path." Tuition is way too much to take out a loan for. My mind is already compiling other options, which do not include LCC or any other college besides MTU. Read into that one all you want. That's my life and remember the most charming way to let someone know they're beautiful is to stalk them...hehe. Oh and Kenric, check out this persons photostream, it's pretty cool.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Monday, March 20, 2006

"Tom Logic"

Ode to Tom (The Better)

Note: Spelling may be wrong, but this is only a rough draft

Messemerize the not simple minded
Tom-logic is leavin us blinded
Tom’s thoughts we can’t comprehend
He has a great philosophy.
‘Tis truely a great place
this room, this hall,
is where his thoughts get lifted off their feet &
dance in this place called conscious
is where it all happens
chance, it’s all we have to comprehend it.
Our chance of comprehension is the same as lottery
The odds of winning and our chance of catching is =.
We are the lottery. We are the fuse and the ammunition
Tom’s thoughts are like the wind
And our heads are bald.
We can’t catch it.
These dreams of his, Don’t…
Why should our conscious understand? Get…
Many sages of old try to discover, Me…
Meanings. Hunt them down, Wrong…
And capture them with bow, staff, &, he’s
Bowstaff, cool…

By: A-d-a-m Pohl and El Joe Downes

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

PARTY!!

Hey sorry to post over your post Kenric, but I wanted to announce PARTY AT OUR HOUSE Wednesday night after mass. Sarah and I have cabin fever and need to do something social so everyone is invited AND obligated to come. Even if you have a backpack on wheels (someone just went by me with one). We're just going to get a movie and hang out. Comment and tell me what movie you've been wanting to see so we can decide on one and I'll pick it up after work tomorrow.

HEY EVERYONE

i just need to know, for those who are going up north, is a monday appointment at NMU at 10:00AM ok? also, would we be leaving early saturday morning if i get out of work?

You want a new post...

you got a new post.

I HAVE SHAVED!!! Maybe that is only shocking, and but not interesting, oh well.

Monday, February 20, 2006

yeah, so new post. here it is. i'll even include a link to blogger for someone to post. i'm so flippin bored. free birthday to anyone who can post something interesting.

(we should add more people to this site, so there is more stuff to read!!)

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

This is pathetic

It is funny how we all have our conversations over facebook. It is just not right. Kenric is 10 feet away, Sarah, I don't know where she is, but it is just so funny. And Kenric, no.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Oh my gosh...

I thought I saw Craig Simmon today. He looked just like him, his hair, even his pants looked like what he wears. That is all. But man, did anyone else see this guy? Rachael saw "Ben" the other day too, so someone should have seen him. Ok, now that is all.
kenric, check your e-mail. top secret. actually, it's just about my books.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Those Baptists...

Four more Baptist Churches in Alabama burned.

I wonder who did it.

LS-ARC

Wow, two posts in a row, I'm impressed with myself. LCC dudes, if you're super sick of hanging out in the computer lab like a facebook junkie (like me), the LS-ARC is the place to be. I went there today for help in math and I saw a ton of people. Actually, I just saw Monica, Tyler B., Ryan Weber and Garret Miller, but that's a lot of ppl. Anyway, it's kind of a fun place to be. Just thought I'd promote it ;)

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Rambles

hey, i haven't blogged in awhile, so i'll update ppl on my life quick...meanwhile putting off studying for chemistry. (it all works out good) for people out of state, i have a job at msu, global observatory ecosystem services. they work on grants from nasa with landsat (a satellite system) to study changes in the carbon cycle and how it is effecting the world ecosystems. my job isn't as important as what that sounds. i'm basically a secretary/ research assistant(for little things at a low level). other than that, school which is really tough for me right now. ugh, as sarah and i have discussed, it's annoying to not be able to just go to class and do well anymore, i actually have to study. i still have not decided on a college. (surprise) it's between michigan tech and msu. i'll probably wait for financial aid packs to come out and if one is significantly cheaper, i'll ahve to go with that one. that's about it for me right now. except that mom bought this room scent stuff for my car and i left it in my room, then unconsciously piled my clothes on top of it, so i smell like that. it's making my throat hurt and it smells like baby powder. gross. mmm and i want a vanilla latte. so, that's all. i haven't been getting much sleep lately for certain reasons. we should all get together this weekend and go to a movie or out to eat. adios!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

This is weird

In case you guys don't get my email, or you check this first.

Tristan and I were surfing the internet before class today and we came on this weird ebay listing. The guy threatens to burn a picture of Jesus if someone does not meet his demands. It would take to long to detail these requirements, so read for your self. http://cgi.ebay.com/Jesus-for-Ransom-Buy-this-or-I-will-burn-it_W0QQitemZ7384875341QQcategoryZ357QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you have any coments, I'd like to hear them. I don't know what to make of this.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Update From Florida

Well, it's been about a week since I got here so I figgured it was time I started blogging again.

First off, the weather is beautiful down here. Last week it was just warm enough and we had just enough wind. It was the kind of weather that we dream about in Michigan; and only see for a few weeks in spring. That being said though, it is starting to get hot here and the humidity is starting to rise. I hope the air conditioning is better that it was last semester.

Secondly, my roommates are back as well. Miguel was sick all of this week. He is feeling better today, but he still is not in perfect health; I hope he does not pass it to the rest of us. Tim is Tim. I really don't know what to say about Tim, he is what he is. And, neather him nor I have girlfriends. Oh well.

Now to the most important part of my life: Schoolwork. My classes are going great. I scheduled almost all of may class to start after noon. The only class that starts before noon is my choir class, and that meet only one a week.

As for my classes, here goes. My history class is going to be a breeze. There will be one or two short papers, and that's about it. I kinda feel bad taking the class, but I really can't help it i need the class. Next, I have Latin class. That class is going to be hard, but there is not much I can do about that. Than, I have Sacred Scripture. That class is great, my teacher is hilarious and he knows his stuff too. Than I have Choir, which will be easy, and a class on how to perform Shakespeare. Finally, I have Modern Lit. That is my favorite class. My teacher is from Canada and he is an expert in Old English literature, especialy Beowulf, which is what we are currently studying. he is also kind of old, but he is funny and a great teacher; and practicly everything he says is interesting. All and all, this is turning out to be a good semester.

That is about it for my life so far. I'll try to write more than I did last semester, but I make no promises.

Till Next Time

-John W

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Steve Carell

Another big winner at the Golden Globes was Steve Carell, for his show "The Office." This is basically the greatest new show on television. I love it and my roommates had better let me control to TV tonight, it comes on ABC at 9:30, right before "ER." Thursday is my favorite night for TV. (Its basically the only time i watch TV now.)




Biography for Steve Carell
Height
5' 8" (1.73 m)
Spouse
Nancy Walls
(1995 - present) 2 children
Date of birth (location)
16 August 1963Acton, Massachusetts, USA
Trade mark
Frequently works with Will Ferrell.
Trivia
Daughter Elisabeth born in May 2001.
Graduate of Denison University, which is in Granville, Ohio
Married to actress/writer Nancy Walls, whom he met while both were writer/performers with the famed Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, Illinois.
Son John born June, 2004.
Frequently plays news reporters.
When he attended the premiere for Bruce Almighty (2003), he came to the screening with the impression that his scenes were left on the cutting room floor. However, his scenes were in the film and he was pleasantly surprised.
Of Italian descent (original family name was Carello).
Was once a reporter for "The Daily Show" (1996).
Provides the voice of Gary on "The Ambiguously Gay Duo" cartoons on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
Orignally wanted to be a lawyer, but he reached a question on an application form that said 'Why do you want to be a lawyer?' He couldn't think of anything.
His alma mater, Denison University, is also the alma mater of Jennifer Garner.
Has the rare distinction of being in two movies that opened on the same day in the U.S. - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and Sleepover (2004) (July 9, 2004).

Salary
Evan Almighty (2006)
$5,000,000
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
$500,000
Filmography
Dan in Real Life (2007) (announced) .... Dan
High T (2007) (announced)
Juvenile (2007) (announced)
Untitled Steve Carell Project (2007) (announced)
Get Smart (2006) (announced) .... Maxwell Smart
Evan Almighty (2006) (pre-production) .... Evan Baxter
Over the Hedge (2006) (filming) (voice) .... Sammy the Squirrel
American Storage (2006) .... Rich
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) .... Frank
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) .... Andy Stitzer
Bewitched (2005) .... Uncle Arthur
"The Office" (2005) TV Series .... Michael Scott
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (2004) (V) .... Brick Tamland... aka Anchorman: Wake-Up Ron Burgundy (USA) ... aka Wake Up Ron Burgundy (USA: closing credits title)
Melinda and Melinda (2004) .... Walt
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) .... Brick Tamland... aka Anchorman (USA: short title)
...
"The Daily Show" (1996) TV Series .... Correspondent (1999-2005)... aka The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (USA: new title) ... aka The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Global Edition (International: English title: cut version)
Suits (1999) (as Steven Carell) .... United Standards 2
Tomorrow Night (1998) .... Mail Room Guy Without Glasses
"Over the Top" (1997/I) TV Series (as Steven Carell) .... Yorga Galfanikos
"The Dana Carvey Show" (1996) TV Series .... Various Characters... aka The Mug Root Beer Dana Carvey Show (USA) ... aka The Taco Bell Dana Carvey Show (USA)
Curly Sue (1991) (as Steven Carell) .... Tesio
Life As We Know It! (1991) (TV) (as Steven Carell)

Monday, January 16, 2006

Into Great Silence

There is a very austere order of Monks in the French Alps. Their order is called the Carthusian order. They live a very silent and contemplative life. They are very frugal and do not waste anything. A few years ago the first documentrary ever was made on their life.
The film is called "Into Great Silence" .
According to the website, the film is:
" Silence. Repitition. Rhythm. The film is an austere, next to silent meditation on monastic life in a very pure form. No music except the chants in the monastery, no interviews, no commentaries, no extra material.

Changing of time, seasons, and the ever repeated elements of the day, of the prayer. A film to become a monastery, rather than depict one."
Although the film will probably only come to theaters in Europe. It should come to the US on dvd or vhs.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Steve Ray

*Note: I guess Al Kresta is no longer coming, but Mark Shea is.

Many of you may recall the situation that went on in our area this fall involving Fr. Tim, Fr. Cecilio, the Catholic apologist, Steve Ray, along with his apologist friend Gary Michuta, and some Baptists. They had a debate which is recounted by Steve Ray here and is taken from his website. Steve, Gary Michuta and Mark Shea will be coming to Westphalia on March 18th and will give a series of talks on apologetics. He (along with a few other guys including Frs. Tim and Cecilio) is planning to challenge them to a public debate which would occur on the same day. But that is not final because they of course have not been formally challenged and therefore have not been able to accept/decline. So do not go telling people that there is going to be a debate.

More Stuff:
His Blog

His Books
His Online Writings

Monday, January 09, 2006

Peter Kreeft

So I've been listening to Peter Kreeft a lot lately. He's a philosophy professor at Boston College University and has some of the best talks on philosophy and the study of religion that I have found (though he also has talks on other topics). Now, I know most of you might not listen to any of his talks, or read any of his online writings, but maybe you can use it as a reference if, for example, you have a question regarding priestesses, ecumenism, homosexuality, etc.

And if there is any one topic that I would especially recommend, it would have to be his discussion of The Culture War.

Book: How to Win the Culture War
Writing: A Defense of Culture Wars: A Call for Counterrevolution
Writing: How to Win the Culture War
Audio Lecture: How to Win the Culture War

Yeah, so this is a promotional post. So what.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Us the Movie 2


Marnee could be played by Lisa Jakub.
Lisa acted in quite a few movies as a child and teen, including Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, and Bermuda Triangle. She also was in an episode of the Twilight Zone in 1989. She has quit acting and was married in 2005 in Italy. She lives in New Jersey with her husband Jeremy. Most sites I saw said she was mysterious and they didn't seem to know much else about her. Although other actors that she has worked with said that she is "kind" and "easy to get along with". This reminds me of Marnee because people have commented to me before that although Marnee is nice, she is also a little mysterious. Perhaps Marnee could also be portrayed by Liv Tyler.

Daniel could be played by William Moseley. William played Peter in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. He was born in the United Kingdom in 1987. He has not had many other roles and in fact only has been in
two other movies. I saw him on Late Nights with Conan O'Brian. He seemed to be kind of goofy and a little uncomfortable with all the attention. I imagine Daniel would be somewhat the same way. Although I doubt he would take his responsiblity as seriously as Peter did.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Us the Movie

Matt brought up an interesting concept, who would play us in a movie? I have some suggestions, but I would really love to know what u think.

Bruce Campbell as John
This Michigander began acting professionally as the King in a production of "The King and I" at age 14. He attended Western Michigan University for about 6 months before leaving to pursue film making. He went on to make the great B-movie series, and cult classic, "Evil Dead". His character, Ash, is the hero and has a chainsaw in place of one hand. His official Biography is titled: "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a 'B' Movie Actor."

Bruce would play a great John because he is very sell-educated, funny, not the coolest but still a great hero. And do you know any actor who looks MORE like John?

Jane Seymour as Rachael
Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg was born in Middlesex, England. She is most known for her role as Dr. Quinn on the TV series "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" which debued in 1993. She has done many well-received TV movies but her big screen success has been limited. She appeared in a movie called "Somewhere In Time" which the late Christopher Reeve set on Mackinac Island. Two of her sons are named after family friends Johnny Cash and Christopher Reeve. She appeared most recently in the film "Wedding Crashers." Jane is an official spokesperson for UNICEF. She is also odd-eyed, hey right being green and the other gray.

Well, not that Rachael has gray, green, or odd-colored eyes, her eyes do remind me of Jane's. Her long hair and half smile also remind me of Rachael. Her character, Dr. Quinn, was always strong, smart, and independent, characteristics right at home in Rachael as well.

Matt Damon as Jarud
The Massechusett's native, and friend of Ben Afleck rose to stardom with the movie "Good Will Hunting." The tale of the genius janitor lead to other great films for Damon. The Bourne movies, a third one in the works, and Ocean's 11 & 12 were great box office successes. My favorite movie of Matt's is "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Damon plays Ripley, a man who lives a life of lies in Italy, leaching onto Jude Law's character and killing the people Ripley loves most.
Matt Damon is a very talented actor. I don't think it is a coincidence that he seems to play curiously inteligent people role after role. Behind his wide smile, through his eyes, there is a very complex mind. Jarud has always seemed like a bit of a mystery to me as well. Just when you think you can predict him, he falls in love with "Phantom of the Opera."

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Harry Potter

Ok this is the main problem I have with Harry Potter: The morality is wrong.
I was thinking about my discussion with Kenric and John and I realized I did not explain something the correct way. The problem with Harry Potter's law-breaking is that he is not usually breaking unjust laws. There is a difference between breaking a law because it is unjust, or just plain wrong, and breaking a law because you 'feel' like you should break it in order to remedy a situation. Many of the laws Harry breaks are not unjust, in fact they are quite good laws, such as the laws reguarding underage magic. There are other times when Dumbledore ( or some other person on the 'good' side) will tell Harry, "stay here for your own safety and the safety of others" and Harry will disregaurd them and, by some fluke, save the day. I don't have examples right now but I will find them...not exactly excited about going back into the books, but I'll let Kenric have his say.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Harry Potter

Well i read the first two books...not impressed not at all...will update later...

Saturday, December 10, 2005

The Chronicles of Narnia


20050222_prague_angel, narnia
Originally uploaded by zyphichore.

Ok, if you guys didn't go see the movie yet, you have to. I just saw it tonight and I was fantastic. I wouldn't say that it's better than any of The Lord of the Rings movies overall, but in some ways it is.

Anywho, I have finals this coming week and will be arriving home Friday night. I will be home until January 16th.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

"Snow Baller"

Yeah, this is pretty much genius...or maybe pointless. But, take a look at it anyway.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA!


TSO 5
Originally uploaded by jcasabona.
we have to see this, i think. maybe. it would be so cool. if we want to see it we have to get tickets asap. the shows are this sunday @ 2:30 and 7:30. let me know if you are interested and i will order tickets. its at grand rapids @ van andel arena. the only bad thing: tickets are $39.50 and $49.50.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Money and Lights...

Well, today was very interesting after mass.

I went to the computer lab and then decided to go eat, so I started eating around 1:00 in the TLC lounge area. I was about done with my lunch when somene walked in and asked me for money. He didn't threaten me or anything you guys are thinking of. He said he needed money for, I forgot what he needed it for, but I decided to give him 5 dollars, but I only had a 20, so I went to get change. And then he told me he would pray for me, after I gave it to him. Hopefully, he really needed the money, and not cheating me. But I felt kind enough to give it to him. And then, I read some Harry Potter before I took my math test. And then I paid for my classes, and coming out of the building, I finally saw the "smoke tent" or whatever, which I didn't see until today. And also (keep the post going, Tom), why do they have signs all over saying LCC is a "Smoke Free" campus, when really it isn't. The Campus, includes the walkways too, right? So that is so dumb. Anyway, that is all I have to say, besides Rachael is mean.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Contest

A free birthday shall be awarded to the person who can correctly identify what would be considered courteous to a meter maid in the event that she was backing up to write you a ticket while you were going towards your car to put money in the meter. (sorry sarah, but you can't play)

back pain

Alright...we are not going to michgan's adventure this summer...my back is still screwed up from that and i am tired of it bugging me...i can't get comfortable sleeping at night and even sitting in a chair is bugging me...so no mas michigan...mmmm we should go camping though...maybe us girls will take a trip to maine...HEY lets go ice skating sometime...like soon...cause it would be fun and i love ice skating...rachael and kenric...does your pond freeze over? cause then we could play hockey or something...we wouldn't even need skates....boot hockey is awesomnessly fun....just a tennis ball and some sticks..or a puck if my brothers still have one.