Top Ten Things I Don't Miss About the Cold
1. Getting into the car before it has heated up
2. Having to constantly change clothes upon entering and exiting buildings and cars
3. Adding another reason to the list of why I don't feel like exercising today
4. Once it's dark, you stay inside
5. Inclement weather driving
6. Iced coffee and cream are not viable solutions to any situation
7. The beach sucks
8. The only things to do inside are watch tv and eat
9. Getting out of the hot tub is almost not worth getting in
10. There are much more cold alcoholic beverages than there are warm ones.
Other than that, it's nice to be home for a short period of time. I am very quickly finding out that all the things I like about home are not geographically fixed to the area, so in theory one day they can come back to California with me. As always, things seem to be pretty much the same. The one major difference is that the music, movies, shows, jokes, and general everyday things that I've been doing are different than almost everyone else I know here, so I'm constantly adjusting to conversation and inside jokes.
Main Point: I'm glad I live in Southern California right now, but I dont think I'd appreciate it nearly as much if I wasn't home for the holidays...and Im lucky enough to bring some of my favorite west coast things with me for a bit while I'm here.
Still not expecting any girls to come out of nowhere and suprise me so it should happen soon.
Saturday 19 December 2009
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Why I Love My Life
Thursday, November 19th- New Moon Midnight Showing
I dont expect this to be a good movie at all, but we get a theatre all to our own and I like to get caught up in hype.
Saturday, November 21st- San Diego Zoo Trip with possible behind the scenes tour
I've wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo for Quince years mas o menos! I love zoos, and I love animals!
Sunday, November 22nd- Tujunga Canyon Trip
Scout trip to a slot canyon tucked away in the mountains! Good people, no agenda.
Wednesday, November 25th- San Gorgonio Trip
Vivian Creek Trail 17.5 miles and 5500 ft. elevation gain.
Thursday, November 26th- Thanksgiving in 29 Palms
Great Friends, Great Food, Great Time!
Friday, November 27th-Sunday, November 29th- 3 day Sierras winter camping trip
My first trip up to Bishop and the evolution's! Three Days of snowy peaks, passes, and people!
Friday, November 4th-Monday, December 8th- Limfest in Salt Lake City
Weekend Celebration of my favorite Korean Roommate!!!! 40's, burittos, lube, puns, bananas, growlers, movie quotes, muse-ac, and beautiful people!
Saturday, December 12th-Sunday December 13th- Blauchfest in Joshua Tree
Weekend Celebration of my favorite african-american boss!!!! Tasty beer, classic dessert freezing evening temperatures, guitars, and good ol hippie fun!
Wednesday, December 16th- New York City
Eastern Standard Time for the first time in seven months! NYC means time to see the T Rex!!!!
Saturday, December 19th- Rhode Island
Home!
Friday, December 25th- Christmas
The day that I really really really really really really like to be with my family.
Saturday, December 26th- Watkin's Glen
Annual Trip to NoNew....York for my Aunt's Birthday and some time upstate.
Thursday, December 31st- New Year's in New York
Meeting up with CML and starting 2010 off right with a road trip baby!
I dont expect this to be a good movie at all, but we get a theatre all to our own and I like to get caught up in hype.
Saturday, November 21st- San Diego Zoo Trip with possible behind the scenes tour
I've wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo for Quince years mas o menos! I love zoos, and I love animals!
Sunday, November 22nd- Tujunga Canyon Trip
Scout trip to a slot canyon tucked away in the mountains! Good people, no agenda.
Wednesday, November 25th- San Gorgonio Trip
Vivian Creek Trail 17.5 miles and 5500 ft. elevation gain.
Thursday, November 26th- Thanksgiving in 29 Palms
Great Friends, Great Food, Great Time!
Friday, November 27th-Sunday, November 29th- 3 day Sierras winter camping trip
My first trip up to Bishop and the evolution's! Three Days of snowy peaks, passes, and people!
Friday, November 4th-Monday, December 8th- Limfest in Salt Lake City
Weekend Celebration of my favorite Korean Roommate!!!! 40's, burittos, lube, puns, bananas, growlers, movie quotes, muse-ac, and beautiful people!
Saturday, December 12th-Sunday December 13th- Blauchfest in Joshua Tree
Weekend Celebration of my favorite african-american boss!!!! Tasty beer, classic dessert freezing evening temperatures, guitars, and good ol hippie fun!
Wednesday, December 16th- New York City
Eastern Standard Time for the first time in seven months! NYC means time to see the T Rex!!!!
Saturday, December 19th- Rhode Island
Home!
Friday, December 25th- Christmas
The day that I really really really really really really like to be with my family.
Saturday, December 26th- Watkin's Glen
Annual Trip to NoNew....York for my Aunt's Birthday and some time upstate.
Thursday, December 31st- New Year's in New York
Meeting up with CML and starting 2010 off right with a road trip baby!
Monday 14 September 2009
JMT 2010
"When you develop an infatuation for someone you always find a reason to believe that this is exactly the person for you. It doesn't need to be a good reason. Taking photographs of the night sky, for example. Now, in the long run, that's just the kind of dumb, irritating habit that would cause you to split up. But in the haze of infatuation, it's just what you've been searching for all these years." - The Beach
Ahhh the haze of infatuation. That really hit home. I continually find that falling in love is so much easier than actually loving someone. There's the natural explanation that new emotion is more exciting, and new people are interesting, and the honeymoon phase is based on an ability to overlook the little things and enjoy the moment. I think it has more to do with the idea that I've potentially found what I've been missing, or at the very least, something I want. It's not easy to get antsy or goofy about something or someone, but once there, it's blinding. Not the "love is blind" blinding. More of a "see only what you want to see" blinding.
Enter you find it when you're not looking. I've heard this a lot, but until recently haven't really understood how it would work. Now I think it has more to do with avoiding the 'see only what you want to see' blindness, which makes sense. If you take out the idea of finally finding what you've been missing all these years, you take out the pressure to idealize the emotions. And then you're free to do all those cliche's that you hear in movies like accept someone the way they are, or be yourself around them, or be completely honest. Basically you're free to love.
The only thing I don't like about this thought is that first glance it takes away the excitement and spark of something new. Ultimately, I think that's true, but I don't think it's necessarily the worst thing. There is a distinct difference between excitement over something new and excitement over something special That difference for me is that I do everything not to spoil something new (hide flaws, accentuate strengths, re-enact positive moments), where something special pushes me to chase the feeling, even if it means growing with it and opening myself up to make mistakes in the process.
...And that, to me, is love. Love is what pushes me to explore who I am. Love is my safety net when I need to take a chance. Love teaches me to appreciate the whole instead of emphasizing and ignoring certain parts. And most importantly, love keeps me patient. I am not searching for the one thing I've been missing because ultimately I have it in my life. But at the same time, the love that I have opens me up to accept it from others because I'm not looking for it. And at this one point in my life, that's the security I need to know that I'll find someone, maybe even when I least expect it.
Ahhh the haze of infatuation. That really hit home. I continually find that falling in love is so much easier than actually loving someone. There's the natural explanation that new emotion is more exciting, and new people are interesting, and the honeymoon phase is based on an ability to overlook the little things and enjoy the moment. I think it has more to do with the idea that I've potentially found what I've been missing, or at the very least, something I want. It's not easy to get antsy or goofy about something or someone, but once there, it's blinding. Not the "love is blind" blinding. More of a "see only what you want to see" blinding.
Enter you find it when you're not looking. I've heard this a lot, but until recently haven't really understood how it would work. Now I think it has more to do with avoiding the 'see only what you want to see' blindness, which makes sense. If you take out the idea of finally finding what you've been missing all these years, you take out the pressure to idealize the emotions. And then you're free to do all those cliche's that you hear in movies like accept someone the way they are, or be yourself around them, or be completely honest. Basically you're free to love.
The only thing I don't like about this thought is that first glance it takes away the excitement and spark of something new. Ultimately, I think that's true, but I don't think it's necessarily the worst thing. There is a distinct difference between excitement over something new and excitement over something special That difference for me is that I do everything not to spoil something new (hide flaws, accentuate strengths, re-enact positive moments), where something special pushes me to chase the feeling, even if it means growing with it and opening myself up to make mistakes in the process.
...And that, to me, is love. Love is what pushes me to explore who I am. Love is my safety net when I need to take a chance. Love teaches me to appreciate the whole instead of emphasizing and ignoring certain parts. And most importantly, love keeps me patient. I am not searching for the one thing I've been missing because ultimately I have it in my life. But at the same time, the love that I have opens me up to accept it from others because I'm not looking for it. And at this one point in my life, that's the security I need to know that I'll find someone, maybe even when I least expect it.
Thursday 26 February 2009
10 Things That Would Make My Life Easier if Everyone Knew
1) If you're crossing a crosswalk and there are no cars coming, there's no need to push the crosswalk button in order to get the go ahead.
2) Winking is creepy...Always.
3) Handshakes are for interviews and first introductions. High Fives are for every other occasion.
4) More than 3 texts in one session merits an immediate phone call.
5) People in America should always walk on the right side of the sidewalk. Not on the left. Not in the middle.
6) Never complain about free food.
7) If you are walking by someone of the opposite sex, and you make eye contact, you have 3 seconds to start a conversation before you lose the right to claim that the other person was totally into you.
8) Once you've graduated college, you can only date people who can legally get a drink in public with you.
9) Any sport that doesn't offer scholarship money or a chance to go professional should not be taken too seriously.
10) Everyone in some way likes Emo music...Especially if they say they don't
2) Winking is creepy...Always.
3) Handshakes are for interviews and first introductions. High Fives are for every other occasion.
4) More than 3 texts in one session merits an immediate phone call.
5) People in America should always walk on the right side of the sidewalk. Not on the left. Not in the middle.
6) Never complain about free food.
7) If you are walking by someone of the opposite sex, and you make eye contact, you have 3 seconds to start a conversation before you lose the right to claim that the other person was totally into you.
8) Once you've graduated college, you can only date people who can legally get a drink in public with you.
9) Any sport that doesn't offer scholarship money or a chance to go professional should not be taken too seriously.
10) Everyone in some way likes Emo music...Especially if they say they don't
Sunday 1 February 2009
Which Brew Are You?
Well the Opinionator is back in action, flying high amongst the intellectual future of our country. After a solid month of observation and interaction, I can pretty much sum up everything that you need to know about being in college (as both student and staff). Countless (due to lack of effort) hours have been spent poking, friending, drinking, facebook-stalking, intramural sporting, drinking, chillin, and drinking, and as a result, I bring to you the Quality of Education Four Star Rating (QuEFoStaR). QuEFiStaR is a scale for both Business and Social standing within any school system, and can be measured for both students and staff members alike, using a simple system that's no harder than shotgunning a beer or ordering a cup of coffee (unless it's from a chain).
ONE STAR
Students: (Boxed Beverages) These are your 30 racks of Natty Ice, PBR, or whatever you and your roommates can afford. While these canned concoctions are a means to a common end, the fact that they are interchangeable in a King's Cup and that the cost is comparable to the reward for recycling them puts consumers at the bottom of the totem pole. Odds are you're just happy that there's free alcohol to help you get through the semester, so you don't mind. This category also includes boxed wines (although if you remove the bag from inside the box, you maintain slightly more dignity).
Staff: (Boxed Beverages) These are your Box o' Joe's that you find in the lounge room at about 10:00 every morning. Sure the coffee is luke warm and a little chewy, but you aren't important enough to care about that. Odds are you're just happy that there's free caffeine to help you get through the work week, so you don't mind. This category also includes plain Lipton 500 count Tea Bags (although if they have the little pully string to avoid finger straining, you maintain slightly more dignity).
TWO STAR
Students: (Glass One Stars) There's something about drinking the contents of a glass that says classy. Sure the actual glass may say Coors Light or High Life, and you may not be able to taste the difference in your beer, but while your can carrying compadres are playing with the tab, your snapping the bottle top, peeling off the label, and making fog horn noises with the open end. This category also includes Yellowtail, Jacob's Creek, and Arbor Mist wine bottles.
Staff: (Glass One Stars) There's something about drinking the contents...etc. etc. Sure your glass mug may say FBI or World's Best Secretary, and you may not be able to taste the difference in your coffee, but while your Styrofoam Sucking Secretaries are writing their names in pen on their cup, you're holding your glass phrase side out, refilling from the coffee pot and leaving it to be washed out by the following morning. This category also includes pully string tea in a glass mug.
THREE STAR
Student: (Specialty Brews) We have hit the point where your beverage costs more than a dollar a piece. You are now looking at domestic craftsmanship the likes of Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada, and Blue Moon. These beauties not only have alcohol, but claim that "hops" and "malts" are used to enhance taste and even cleanse the pallet. If that last sentence isn't worth $3 for a bottle, than nothing is. This category also includes regional wines like Sonoma and Napa Valley, although nothing over $10 bottles.
Staff: (Specialty Brews) We have hit the point where your beverage costs more than a dollar a piece. You are now looking at the likes of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Green Mountain. These beauties not only have a caffeine pick up, but claim that "roasted" and "blended" beans are used to enhance taste and even cleanse the pallet. If that last sentence isn't worth your soul...I mean $3 a grande, than nothing is. This category also includes your Chai and Herbal Teas.
FOUR STAR
Students: (Hard to Pronouncers) Hello Pinnacle. How sweet it is to be on top. These beers are not only specialties and bottled, but also foreign. Beers like Franziskaner and Hoegaarden rule this realm. Once you can afford them ($5+ a pop) and learn how to say them, you hold all the power you'll ever need. Friends will envy you, colleagues will admire you, and you can feel proud that you know a beer that most in your position can't pronounce, let alone appreciate. Look down upon those below you in rank, and fondly remember when you were unfortunate enough to be in their shoes. This includes foreign wines like Chamblis de Elysses, Muessenberg Riesling, and Bona Venturi Chianti.
Staff: (Hard to Pronouncers) Hello Coffee Snobdom. How Viennese it is to be on top. These coffees are not only specially brewed with labels, but also hard to order. Beverages like Half-Caf Mocha Latte Double Shot Espressos and Midi Columbian Cinnamin Roasted Cafe de Creme rule this realm. Once you can afford them ($5+ a pop) and learn how to order them, you hold all the power you'll ever need. Employees will envy you, Co-workers will admore you, and you can feel proud that you know your secretary didn't get to write down the full name and is going to struggle ordering your coffee in the morning. Look down upon those below your rank, and fondly remember when you were unfortunate enough to be in their shoes. This includes Herbal Remedy Teas like Acai Blends and Yerba Mates.
Well there you have it. The drastic differences in structural levels between adolescence and adult life. Be careful not to jump ahead, for each step in this system provides lessons (like hangovers) and learning tools (like Gatorade). Keep in mind as you transition into adulthood that much like your days in college, what and how you drink really represents everything that is important about you. To abstain from the process is to abstain from life, but to embrace it is to take full advantage of your situation. Who knows, you may find that one day you have all the answers, just like me...
...Now what am I going to do for the rest of my graduate career...
Andrew
Certified Social Analyzer and the Opinionator
ONE STAR
Students: (Boxed Beverages) These are your 30 racks of Natty Ice, PBR, or whatever you and your roommates can afford. While these canned concoctions are a means to a common end, the fact that they are interchangeable in a King's Cup and that the cost is comparable to the reward for recycling them puts consumers at the bottom of the totem pole. Odds are you're just happy that there's free alcohol to help you get through the semester, so you don't mind. This category also includes boxed wines (although if you remove the bag from inside the box, you maintain slightly more dignity).
Staff: (Boxed Beverages) These are your Box o' Joe's that you find in the lounge room at about 10:00 every morning. Sure the coffee is luke warm and a little chewy, but you aren't important enough to care about that. Odds are you're just happy that there's free caffeine to help you get through the work week, so you don't mind. This category also includes plain Lipton 500 count Tea Bags (although if they have the little pully string to avoid finger straining, you maintain slightly more dignity).
TWO STAR
Students: (Glass One Stars) There's something about drinking the contents of a glass that says classy. Sure the actual glass may say Coors Light or High Life, and you may not be able to taste the difference in your beer, but while your can carrying compadres are playing with the tab, your snapping the bottle top, peeling off the label, and making fog horn noises with the open end. This category also includes Yellowtail, Jacob's Creek, and Arbor Mist wine bottles.
Staff: (Glass One Stars) There's something about drinking the contents...etc. etc. Sure your glass mug may say FBI or World's Best Secretary, and you may not be able to taste the difference in your coffee, but while your Styrofoam Sucking Secretaries are writing their names in pen on their cup, you're holding your glass phrase side out, refilling from the coffee pot and leaving it to be washed out by the following morning. This category also includes pully string tea in a glass mug.
THREE STAR
Student: (Specialty Brews) We have hit the point where your beverage costs more than a dollar a piece. You are now looking at domestic craftsmanship the likes of Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada, and Blue Moon. These beauties not only have alcohol, but claim that "hops" and "malts" are used to enhance taste and even cleanse the pallet. If that last sentence isn't worth $3 for a bottle, than nothing is. This category also includes regional wines like Sonoma and Napa Valley, although nothing over $10 bottles.
Staff: (Specialty Brews) We have hit the point where your beverage costs more than a dollar a piece. You are now looking at the likes of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Green Mountain. These beauties not only have a caffeine pick up, but claim that "roasted" and "blended" beans are used to enhance taste and even cleanse the pallet. If that last sentence isn't worth your soul...I mean $3 a grande, than nothing is. This category also includes your Chai and Herbal Teas.
FOUR STAR
Students: (Hard to Pronouncers) Hello Pinnacle. How sweet it is to be on top. These beers are not only specialties and bottled, but also foreign. Beers like Franziskaner and Hoegaarden rule this realm. Once you can afford them ($5+ a pop) and learn how to say them, you hold all the power you'll ever need. Friends will envy you, colleagues will admire you, and you can feel proud that you know a beer that most in your position can't pronounce, let alone appreciate. Look down upon those below you in rank, and fondly remember when you were unfortunate enough to be in their shoes. This includes foreign wines like Chamblis de Elysses, Muessenberg Riesling, and Bona Venturi Chianti.
Staff: (Hard to Pronouncers) Hello Coffee Snobdom. How Viennese it is to be on top. These coffees are not only specially brewed with labels, but also hard to order. Beverages like Half-Caf Mocha Latte Double Shot Espressos and Midi Columbian Cinnamin Roasted Cafe de Creme rule this realm. Once you can afford them ($5+ a pop) and learn how to order them, you hold all the power you'll ever need. Employees will envy you, Co-workers will admore you, and you can feel proud that you know your secretary didn't get to write down the full name and is going to struggle ordering your coffee in the morning. Look down upon those below your rank, and fondly remember when you were unfortunate enough to be in their shoes. This includes Herbal Remedy Teas like Acai Blends and Yerba Mates.
Well there you have it. The drastic differences in structural levels between adolescence and adult life. Be careful not to jump ahead, for each step in this system provides lessons (like hangovers) and learning tools (like Gatorade). Keep in mind as you transition into adulthood that much like your days in college, what and how you drink really represents everything that is important about you. To abstain from the process is to abstain from life, but to embrace it is to take full advantage of your situation. Who knows, you may find that one day you have all the answers, just like me...
...Now what am I going to do for the rest of my graduate career...
Andrew
Certified Social Analyzer and the Opinionator
Saturday 10 January 2009
Greenlands Indoor Programs Graduate Assistant
Well this week started a new page in the Opinionator's book. Since the book that is my life has already won countless awards from the Hugo and Nebula awards for science fiction/fantasy, to the Heisman Award for best all around college football performance, this new chapter is bound to be a winner. That said, welcome to this new chapter entitled: Greenlands Indoors Program Graduate Assistant.
My job here at the University is to promote the idea of indoor activity among the increasingly outdoor prone young adults that are attending Greenlands. I'm hoping to ignite a spark in these eager, active, adventurous college students and introduce the young American ideals of chillin', relaxin', and chillaxin'. The Indoor Programs strives to remove the fire from under these students ass' and replace it with a comfortable cushion or a car seat. We promote sedentary, limited lives that revolve around weekly television programs, driving 3-5 minutes to class, and drinking high quantities of alcohol.
I arrived at my new position to find a room full of student leaders watching this dank movie of some surfers shredding some serious gnar. Now in the hour I spent with them before they diverted their attention from the TV, I learned half the vocabulary used in the previous sentence (words like dank, shredding, serious, and gnar). I was some-what immediately welcomed to this community of laze, offered the corner cushion seat, and given my choice of movie. I learned that movies are not the only choice I had. TV on DVD, Documentary, and Indie Film also rule this program of the indoors (most of which have corresponding drinking games). Who knew all these options were right at the tip of my remote!
So I begin this chapter with subdued anticipation. Indoor Programs will not only provide me with a paycheck, but it will also open the doors of entertainment cabinets and cars just a short, level, walk away. More importantly, it will empower me with the ability to pass my knowledge on to an impressionable generation, ensuring that they will continue to respect the indoors and develop their interest well inside the gates of Greenlands. So here's to you Indoor Programs. May your guidance help me experience action, adventure, comedy, romance, drama, and sports all from the comfort of my home.
Andrew
Official Greenlands GA and the Opinionator
My job here at the University is to promote the idea of indoor activity among the increasingly outdoor prone young adults that are attending Greenlands. I'm hoping to ignite a spark in these eager, active, adventurous college students and introduce the young American ideals of chillin', relaxin', and chillaxin'. The Indoor Programs strives to remove the fire from under these students ass' and replace it with a comfortable cushion or a car seat. We promote sedentary, limited lives that revolve around weekly television programs, driving 3-5 minutes to class, and drinking high quantities of alcohol.
I arrived at my new position to find a room full of student leaders watching this dank movie of some surfers shredding some serious gnar. Now in the hour I spent with them before they diverted their attention from the TV, I learned half the vocabulary used in the previous sentence (words like dank, shredding, serious, and gnar). I was some-what immediately welcomed to this community of laze, offered the corner cushion seat, and given my choice of movie. I learned that movies are not the only choice I had. TV on DVD, Documentary, and Indie Film also rule this program of the indoors (most of which have corresponding drinking games). Who knew all these options were right at the tip of my remote!
So I begin this chapter with subdued anticipation. Indoor Programs will not only provide me with a paycheck, but it will also open the doors of entertainment cabinets and cars just a short, level, walk away. More importantly, it will empower me with the ability to pass my knowledge on to an impressionable generation, ensuring that they will continue to respect the indoors and develop their interest well inside the gates of Greenlands. So here's to you Indoor Programs. May your guidance help me experience action, adventure, comedy, romance, drama, and sports all from the comfort of my home.
Andrew
Official Greenlands GA and the Opinionator
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