Chivalry is dead, and Loyalty is on the chopping block

[insert deep over-thought essay involving commentary on society and our current economy]

Lyric of the Day:
"I'm all ears and I'm all scars
to hear you tell me "Boy's like you, you try too hard
to look not quite as desperate". I'm hanging on.
But I still know the way to make your makeup run."
-Fall Out Boy:"The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes"

Random Story of The Day:
When we were playing Halo, I could not for the life of me get a kill. I would put 20 bullets into someone, and then a teammate would steal my kill. I was essentially the Steve Nash of Halo.

While playing Halo:
Dude: "I guess that is what sex must feel like"
Other Dude: "That's like an 'end the night' phrase right there"

Note to Future Self: You were once speechless, and it was exhilarating.

Weekends in the summer

This weekend felt like how I wanted my entire summer to be. On Friday I went out with a couple of friends in DC. Clubbing is one of those things that you build up in your mind, but ends up to be not as fun as it is in your head. Whatever, good company made it pretty fun anyway. After that I came back and hung out with a couple of my neighbors who are getting ready to move out. Its funny how you don't appreciate having people around until they are gone. Seeing people outside of work is also pretty awesome :P

Saturday was a Potluck with a bunch of people from college, and a couple HS friends. It is kinda odd being the only one of my friends from HS who did not end up being in a steady relationship in college. It was pretty great meeting everyone's GFs, and reconnecting with all the people who had spent their summer abroad. Winning settlers using a Monopoly card was sweet.

Sunday was just hanging out playing games with new people. It reminded me how glad I am to be in college still, and how scared I am of the real world. Maybe I should just go to grad school :D

Lyric of the Day:
"Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes, now
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas"
-Katy Perry:"Waking up in Vegas"

Random Story of The Day:
One of my friends threw a party so that this guy she was interested in would be able to come over in a more casual situation. It turns out that he was busy, so it turned out to be just ten of us having ridiculous fun. Good times.

Note to Future Self: Drink more often. That might need different punctuation XD

Ghosts of future pasts

When I look back at this part of my life I feel like I will have far too many regrets.


But then again there is so much I have done. I guess its just impossible to do everything.

Lyric of the Day:
"By the light of the moon
She rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night
Can make you blind
I can just imagine
And I don't know what I’m supposed to do
But if she feels bad then I do too
So I let her be"
-Rob Thomas:"Her Diamonds"

Random Story of The Day:
We were out at a pizza place, when we started talking about funny date stories.

My friend was asked out by this guy in high school. When he called to ask when he should pass by, she told him she would just meet him at the place. Her mom overheard her, and told her to change it so he would pick her up. My friend has to call the guy back and changed plans.

Her picked her up and took he to a movie. When they went into the theater, he refused to buy popcorn, choosing instead to give her gum he brought in. As the movie went on, he tried the "wide yawn move". Needless to say this experience may have stopped her from dating for a while...

Note to Future Self: A Michael Jackson-based musical. When it comes out, you called it.

Inspiration

Across the Universe is a pretty awesome movie. I'm surprised there hasn't been more rock musicals after it came out. Maybe I should figure out one. But after I decide if PV cell research in Australia is what I want to do with my life.

Lyric of the Day:
"Can't you tell that this is all just a contest?
The one that wins will be the one that hits the hardest
But baby I don't mean it
I mean it, I promise
Da da da, da da"
-Pink:"Please don't leave me"

Random Story of The Day:
Types of Drunks I have encountered:
- Belligerent Drunk
- Friendly Drunk
- Sleepy Drunk
- Philosophical Drunk
- The "I'm not drunk" Drunk
- Fake Overacting Drunk

Note to Future Self: People rarely want the truth, and even less uncompromising truth.

Though we try so hard just to make it better, there is always blood.

I am just a boat,
floating on a vast ocean,
without a compass.

Haiku post.

Lyric of the Day:
"It all comes down
to sex or love.
I hate to choose"
-The Static Age:"Trauma"

Random Story of The Day:
Switching from stories that I would like to keep "just in case". Here is one I hope I never have to use.
My friend was interested in this girl, and they were friends. They decided to take a class together. Things were fine until she and her friend decided that they should have him take notes for them when they didn't show up for class. They started getting bitchy with him for not having the notes the way they wanted, and it basically ruined their friendship. The icing on the cake? She was always up on his floor yelling at him, until one day he couldn't find her for notes a day he missed class. He found her in the bedroom of the guy across the hall...

Note to Future Self: You think too much.

The World is on Fire

The world is retarded. For every Fox News, there is a Huffington Post. For every Heritage Foundation, there is a Heartland Institute. People ignore the Iranian election and report on Letterman talking about Palin's daughter. This is madness, and not the kind that gets you free spells.

Lyric of the Day:
"Say that it isn't so
How she easily come, how she easy go
Please don't tell her cause she don't really need to know.

That I'm crazy like the rest of us
And I'm crazier when I'm next to her."
-Jason Mraz:"Please Don't Tell Her"

Random Story of The Day:
Continuing my previous idea of telling stories that may be good to have in hindsight, I give you the best breakup story.

My friend's GF was going to study abroad for nine months. Not wanting to be a burden to her while she was away, he told himself he would break up with her and if she was single when she came back they could consider dating again. Two days after their "breakup" he was skyping her at eight in the morning. After two visits to her in Europe, and the most ridiculous care packages I have ever seen(one including a CD of him singing/playing a song from Wall-E), it looks like they are still together :P

Note to Future Self: Supreme Court Justices can legislate from the bench...

24 Hours in the life

Earlier today I hung out with my friend for his birthday. Its amusing to me that kids who go to a top tier school get their kicks by drinking in the parking lot of a mall. Well at least that made them easier to beat in laser tag(Number 3 on the winning team :D). Karaoke is a ton of fun, and I'm glad I got to hang out with my friends before they leave for the summer.

I just came back from the first Hindu prayers that I have been to for a while. I think Dogma had it right, faith is a glass that needs to be periodically refilled. Everytime I go to a place of worship, be it a temple or a church, I find myself feeling spiritually fulfilled. But even as satisfying as that is, I guess I feel pulled towards feeling the chaos in the world than living contently.

Lyric of the Day:
"Tell your boyfriend,
if he's got beef,
That I'm a vegetarian,
and I ain't fucking scared of him"
-3oh!3:"Don't trust me"

Random Story of The Day:
Today I learned a new drinking game. Watch Mulan, and drink every time they say "Huns" or "Man". "Someday I'll make a man out of you" will pretty much destroy you :P

Note to Future Self: Law school?

Airport Internet

So, I’m at the airport waiting for my flight. Thanks to Southwest’s comfy chairs with electrical outlets, I have my laptop in commission. I even have internet access so this can be posted when I'm done writing!

Today I go back to Maryland. This has been a pretty good break. Even though I missed a couple of possibly crucial phone calls, getting away from last semester was necessary. When I get back, I have a ton to do, including staying with my grandparents, and hanging out with people who are leaving for Europe, and who got back.

I'm even looking forward to going back to the lab. Summer means I can be ridiculously productive, heck I may even be able to cite my mom :D

Lyric of the Day:
"Lets get this party started right,
Lets get drunk and freaky fly,
You with me so its alright,
We gonna stay up the whole night."
-Justice:"The Party"

Random Story of The Day:
For a while, I’m going to be doing a little something different. In case any of the couples I know in college ever get married, I’m going to start putting up amusing stories about them. That was I have a funny story for the wedding :D

One of my friends met this guy in one of her classes. He asked her if she wanted to come with him and “a couple of his friends” to see a movie. Being a cautious person, she asked her roommate if she would come with her to see the movie.

After word trickled to the rooms next door (and to friends who lived even on the top and second floors of the building), a lot of people realized that we all wanted to see that movie. We asked if we could come, and our friend, being the nice person that she is, told us that it probably wouldn’t be a big deal if we all came.

When we got to the theater, she got a call from the guy saying that he was at a restaurant nearby, and that she should join for a pre-movie dinner. As our group walked to the restaurant, I realized something. Dinner and a movie? This kind of felt like a date…

When we got to the restaurant, we met up with the guy who was sitting with his best friend. It turned out that he thought that she was bringing a friend. Our group of eight people accompanied our friend on her first date with this guy :P

Note to Future Self: You once had a list of ten possible jobs. Remember when you had no idea of what you were going to do?

Back Home: Part 4

Yesterday I watched Ghost Town and played Valkyrie Chronicles. Its a pretty fun game, too bad its only on ps3 :'(

Today is Vik's graduation. Its kind of weird seeing my little brother getting ready for college. I hope they are ready for him :P

Lyric of the Day:
"I'm in love with a fairytale
Even though it hurts.
'Cause I don't care if I lose my mind
I'm already cursed. "
-Alexander Rybak:"Fairytale"

Random Story of The Day:
My little brother once took a running leap to catch the garter at a wedding. He was 16 at the time.

Note to Future Self: 23 credits of A. That's all I'm saying.

Back Home: Part 3

Went to the beach today. It was pretty fun, though even after my shower I still smell saltwater. When we got back home I watched Taken(which was better than I gave it credit for), and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button(less awesome than I thought it would be). Sounds like the Eastern Conference championship might be up for grabs, with the Magic actually giving Lebron James a fight for his money. That could be interesting.

I actually checked my grades on Blackboard, and so far I have six As. While I'm still waiting for two more grades back, the fact that I could pull of a 23 credit semester while working 3(?!) part-time jobs is pretty exciting. Too bad it looks like next semester will be more of the same.

Which I guess is fine, because I.am.pulling.it.off!

Lyric of the Day:
"And all I (all I)
Need to know (need to know)
Is that I'm something you'll be missing
(is that I'm something that you're missing)
Maybe I should hate you for this
Never really did ever quite get that far
Maybe I should hate you for this
Never really did ever quite get that..."
-Taking Back Sunday:"You are so Last Summer"

Random Story of The Day:
I was telling one my friends(who I haven't seen in far too long) about the wreck that was me during finals. My post-final destressing involved me finishing a bottle of wine with a friend, watching Angels and Demons with her, and making homemade pizza with her.

Him: So look who found himself a girlfriend in college.
Me: We're not going out.
Him: Wait, really?
Me: Yeah....why?
Him: You had more dates in the past week than my girlfriend and I have had this past month.
Me: They weren't dates. We were just hanging out.
Him: Whatever, just don't tell my GF is all I'm saying.

Addendum: Frikin spellcheck. Destressing is a word.

Note to Future Self: After freaking out about your "worst semester" you somehow managed to pull off better grades than freshman year. You slacker bastard.

Back Home: Part 2

Today I watched Role Models and Mrs. Doubtfire. I also met our neighbors. They are pretty nice people, though it seems the entire family(4 brothers, 2 sisters) just had daughters.

I've started looking at stuff for the GREs, but I'm not as concerned as I should. I gues getting this far in my life has killed the need to aspire that was the driving force for me through high school. Is it better to be driven or to be happy with what you are doing?

If my roommate asked that question I would totally be a dick and say you have to weight the opportunity costs in something that situational.

Lyric of the Day:
"Dig deeper.
Remember all you've been and all you've left behind.
Wave goodbye, my dear.
Dig deeper.
Remember all you've been and all you've left behind.
Welcome home, my dear."
-Coheed and Cambria:"The End Complete III: The End Complete"

Random Story of The Day:
I was looking up random articles on CNN, the BBC, and the Times when my friend IMed me. As I was about to switch from tabs in Mozilla, the article loaded. I was reading an article on the hell that is becoming a doctor when my pre-med friend IMs me XD

Note to Future Self: This summer was supposed to be it.

Back Home

So, the FL chronicles begin anew. The day of my flight, I was @ Chris's until 4am. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

First day here I had steak and potatoes for dinner. Twice. I also started watching Kings, which is a great show.

Day 2 was finishing off Kings, and playing PS3. I got farther in my DS games. Dinner was wings with the little brother.

Day 3 was watching "Marley and Me" and "Bedtime Stories". Both movies I got a kick out of. Too bad when they came out I was swamped with work. I also got a new haircut. My mom made macaroni pie and I had some deer salami.

Lyric of the Day:
"I went to a shrink
To analyze my dreams
She says it's lack of sex
That's bringing me down

I went to a whore
He said my life's a bore
So quit my whining cause
it's bringing her down"
-Green Day:"Basket Case"

Random Story of The Day:
My brother and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings to hang out. When taking our order the waitress seemed unintentionally critical of my order as she confirmed our order.

Her: "So its one order of Jalepeno Mango Wings, and one of Honey BBQ...You guys realize that the Honey BBQ has no pepper, right?
Me: Yeah, I cant stand pepper.
Her: And a root beer and a Hurricane?...You do realize that that is a girl drink, right?
Me: Yes. Yes, I do realize that.
Her: Well your order will be ready in about ten minutes.

I need a more badass palette.

Note to Future Self: Having your blog is kinda like the scrapbook in Marley and Me. Good Idea.

I'll be better when I'm older

I've realized that the longer I'm in college the more I change as a person. But going back to things the way they were before is easier than I would like for somethings, and harder for others. I've been fairly good about shutting in my inner yellow(mainly because it comes with some black), but it seems that whenever I'm stressed it comes back. I wish it were that way with my conviction.

I had this great discussion with a friend about what it means to be Catholic, and his amusement at my leaving the church because of the new pope was refreshing. Having a difference between how you live and how you expect others to live is an idea that i think I have trouble accepting because of my belief in the idea of the philosopher king. There shouldn't be dynamically different standards for different people, should there?

Lyric of the Day:
"And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above"
-Edwin McCain:"I'll Be"

Random Story of The Day:
One of my friends loves the movie My Sassy Girl. Her roommate didn't remember it being as great or romantic as she was making it out to be.

My friend rationalized it: "Well that last time you saw this movie was with your old roommate and her estranged boyfriend - not the best company for a romantic movie."

Note to Future Self: Pachabel's Canon is kind of romantic :P

Overcommited

I just took two of my finals and I think I may have spread myself too thin this semster. You know how they say ambition is the enemy of success? Maybe there is a reason no one takes 23 credits in a semester.

Lyric of the Day:
"I'm so 3008
You so 2000 and late
I got that boom, boom, boom
That future boom, boom, boom
Let me get it now"
-Black-Eyed Peas:"Boom Boom Pow"

Random Story of The Day:
Our professor explains to the class during a review session that the final exam will be fairly simple. He concludes with "So it should not be a problem for any of you to get a C in this class".

His daughter who he is babysitting, and who has been in the back row raises her hand at the end of class. "Isn't C a bad grade?", she asks in a sincere naive voice.

The entire room of engineering students burst into uncontrollable laughter for 15 minutes.

Note to Future Self: You can learn stuff without taking classes. Remember that.

You can blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose

This week has been spectacular. Monday I was at work until 9 after three group meetings. Tuesday I had coaching, and then a Vibs problem set. Wednesday I was working until 3 am on Finance. Last night I was at work until 8, then I had to grade a HW set.

It has gotten so bad that TK thought I had a secret GF :P

At least I can go into ASME and spin broken bearings for an hour to relax...

Lyric of the Day:
"Oh Mother of Pearl
So, so semiprecious
In your detached world

Oh Mother of Pearl I wouldn't trade you for another girl
Oh Mother of Pearl I wouldn't trade you for another girl"
-Roxy Music: "Mother of Pearl"

Random Story of The Day:
We got back assessments in my Management class. Apparently I lack anything resembling initiative and make poor thoughtless decisions. Who knew? I thought I had a natural +7?

Note to
Future Self: Marry the girl who gets the above reference, and isn't embarrassed to say it.

Time is up

Its the end of the semester, and I'm caught up in the deluge of work. Working on group presentations until 4am, problems sets all night, and stress cooking. Looks like its Showtime.

Lyric of the Day:
"Would things have changed if I could've stayed?
Would you have loved me either way?
Dressed to the blues
Day to day with my collar up."
-Coheed and Cambria:"The Suffering"

Random Story of The Day:
Today a post-doc asked me if I was a grad student. When I told him I was an undergrad he asked why I was in the lab at 8 at night. I had no good answer :P

Excerpts from gtalk:
"sorry for using you as a sounding board for my moral dilemmas :-p"
"fuck science man...I need some me time"

Note to Future Self: Shih's video. Remember it.

It never seems to last

Yesterday I hung out with someone who I haven't had the chance to see in a while. I guess being hyper-involved in as many things as you can leaves little time for old friends. Being with them I had flashbacks of a time of my life where things were different and I was a lot less jaded. The sad thing is that this was only two years ago, in my freshman year.

Its also funny how much people can both change and stay the same over time. People can keep the things that made you glad to have been close to them, while at the same time maturing in ways that make you think that they have become totally different people. Heck, sometimes people end up losing the little mannerisms that annoyed you.

Lyric of the Day:
"Clock is ticking while I’m killing time
Spinning all around
Nothing else that you can do
To turn it back"
-Lacuna Coil:"Our Truth"

Random Story of The Day:
I spent this entire weekend trying to find my lost credit card. As I was pulling out my cell phone to call and cancel it, it fell out of my pocket. FML.

Note to Future Self: You are a baller. Don't even think you're not.

Double Posting

This is written only 10 mins after my previous post(The date on the post is irrelevant). I just had an amusing conversation with my roomies about random stuff, and I was told something. "You need to stop making excuses". I do, and it turns out that I have no one to blame for my crappy love life(or lack thereof). Well, things are changing.

I actually started this thinking about telling all the parents of the world to keep their daughters inside because big D is on the prowl. I was considering a resolution to work on my personal upkeep and being more careful with what I say. But then I realized that at this point in my life I refuse to compromise. In my management class we watched Steve Jobs's commencement speech to Harvard, where his main message was "Don't settle". I don't want to be in a relationship where my girlfriend cringes whenever I bring up DnD, Magic, or something dorky. I don't want to have an SO that runs off in the rain leaving me worried. When I'm old and burned out, I guess I'll have to change my opinon, but until then I am the human wrecking ball. of ideas.

Lyric of the Day:
"They say that kid he's got soul.
I’m everywhere that you go.
And I’ve been there, seen that, and I ain't taking you home.
No-o-o."
-Cobra Starship:"Kiss my Sass"

Random Story of The Day:
I have no idea what the hell is happening in class right now. Sadly, I don't care because I got the second best grade on the first exam.

Note to Future Self: Just because ambition is the enemy of success, you should not sacrifice ambition for the sake of success.

Red Dragon

I may think too much. While that may seem like a good thing(and to me it usually is), it comes with a serious set of drawbacks. I end up thinking about things that are touchy for some(Does organized religion make it easier for people to just accept philosophies), to the depressing(How much potential do we lose every year of our existence?), to the demoralizing(Is our purpose to ensure that our children live in a better world, or just that they have more opportunity than we did?).

This causes me to dwell on things I should have moved on with years ago(or at least months). Its just so hard to tell which things have more to it than I have figured.

I also end up giving everything some credit. There is no undefendable assertion in my mind. This becomes a problem because whenever someone dismisses something, I feel the need to defend it.

Well at least I got some stuff going for me. A sweet lab job, amusing roommates, a great view, and 21st birthdays all the time.

P.S. The title comes from a How I Met Your Mother episode where the main character realizes he has the same problem so he does shots to kill his brain. This solution will be investigated further.

Lyric of the Day:
"I’m just a curbside prophet
with my hand in my pocket
and I’m waiting for my rocket to come
I’m just a curbside prophet
with my hand in my pocket
and I’m waiting for my rocket y'all"
-Jason Mraz: "Curbside Prophet"

Random Story of The Day:
When playing video games, we get out of control sometimes. One of my roomates swears, while I end up getting scared that Hunters are going to spring on me if I don't check rooms before I enter. When playing a competitive game, I once told my roomie, "suck it". His response: "I'd rather not"

Note to Future Self: Make sure my wife does not let our kids play hockey.

Best Day Evar!

Today was an interesting day. It started off with my last ever Friday sleep in until 10 am. I had coffee with a couple people which was pretty fun, but then I had to do a simulation thing for my business class. Because I over analyzed the problem we were given, I ended up with a 60% rather than a 100% that I should have gotten. I guess I'm like Ted in that way(This brain can not be stopped!).

I went to a team meeting where I realized that I was the only one with skills necessary to do multiple parts of the project. This means that I have a ridiculous amount of responsibility. Never mind this is a team where I was told that I needed to let other people take control.

My boss also decided that we need 7 am group meetings. This was fine with me until he told me he needed a 7 am individual meeting with each of us.

Finally, I went to a friend's for her b-day. We hung out for a while, which was great fun since I haven't seen a bunch of them in a while. They decided to go to the bars, which I decided to tag along for since I hadn't ever gone. Not only was I told I couldn't go in, I was also told that even if I got my ID there would be a $10 for guys. *begin rant* The next time a girl talks about not getting equal pay, I need to point out that we do not live in a gender equal society. *end rant*

And to top it all off, I've decided to forget about giving up something this Lent. Apparently I'm too opinionated for my own good. Especially since I feel people in steady relationships would hang out on a Friday night...

Lyric of the Day:
"Please understand
This isn't just goodbye
This is I can't stand you
This is where the road crashed into the ocean"
-+44:"No It Isn't"

Random Story of The Day:
Today my friend told me she was having a get together at her place. I had made a cake yesterday so I brought it over so that we could snack on it. The only people who had cake were my roommate and his gf. FML.

(Those two and one of her awesome friends who has similar tastes as me in terms of candy :D)

Note to Future Self: At 37, single women will want to settle down and have families. Too bad they'll still be crazy control freaks. Thank you Baby Momma.