Mr. Alligator doesn't make much sense this morning. But hey, it is Monday.
I am writing to apologize to my giganic (by gigantic, I mean family and a few friends) readership. This is the longest pause in posting I have had in a long time. I would like to say that it is because I have been weaving together a magical new website which is now ready to go, and that this is the grand reveal for said website, but I can't. I have been putting together a new site, but it is not ready and when I put it up I will not be calling it a "reveal."
Not much news here. This is finals week, but I have no finals and am giving no finals. So it is sort of just "finishing up a bunch of manuscripts week." A week from today Daddy and I pick up Nick from the 2nd phase of Ranger school. I can't wait. This last weekend Tonya and I chopped down and decorated the Christmas tree with Mama and Daddy in Anniston, and that was awesome. My parent's fireplace is fixed, so we had fire, beer, Mata's, and a fresh Christmas tree. Best way to charge up for the final week of the semester. Ever.
This weekend I will see Carl and Drew in the midst of end-of-semester celebrations... I haven't seen either in a while, so ROCK ON. I want to eat at Surin West to celebrate. Mmmmm. Thai food.
So that is all from the T-town for now. One of my new year resolutions is to put up the new website and begin really posting again. We will see.
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
Monday, December 11, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
I love Plutonium
So says Mr. Aligator in his return to my posts. I hope he doesn't have any plans for it. We might have to go BACK TO THE FUTURE!!!
So, a few things to mention. First, my jump to my new and fancy website is taking a bit longer than I originally thought. Such is the way of things. I've love to take a whole afternoon to get it up and running, but that would require being ahead on all of my other work. And that is a funny thought.
Well, not so much funny as awesome, and not funny in a haha way so much as funny in a "like that is going to happen way." Yes.
Also, Fiddler's has come an gone again. But there are a few things of note to mention this year, out of the ordinary from other years.
First, the given things:
1) It was awesome, relaxing, and recharging.
2) The weather was amazing.
3) My fingers hurt like holy crap for the week following it from all the jamming. What a lovely pain to have.
And now, the out-of-the-ordinary:
1) Will, Meghan, Liam, and Liz all made it from various places around the country this year. The older I get, the more seeing family is my favorite part of Fiddler's. Still, Peeg, Stacy, and Nick were all missed.
2) The judges apparently drank a lot before Old Time Singing, because I won fourth place. Will backed me up with some fancy finger pickin', and the train rumbled through as I sang "Railroad Bill." As a Chandler, I had to say something about the fact that the railroad was rumbling by while I sang about it. I think that this "cheek" is what got me a place. Still, I got $25, a blue ribbon, and an awesome surprise.
3) I passed on the Harmonica to a new generation of Chandlers. Actually, to a Chandler. Liam got one of my old Honer's. Since then he has played for me on the phone. He is already better than me. Hooray!
Ok, so my post is being cut short by a service call. I must away!
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
So, a few things to mention. First, my jump to my new and fancy website is taking a bit longer than I originally thought. Such is the way of things. I've love to take a whole afternoon to get it up and running, but that would require being ahead on all of my other work. And that is a funny thought.
Well, not so much funny as awesome, and not funny in a haha way so much as funny in a "like that is going to happen way." Yes.
Also, Fiddler's has come an gone again. But there are a few things of note to mention this year, out of the ordinary from other years.
First, the given things:
1) It was awesome, relaxing, and recharging.
2) The weather was amazing.
3) My fingers hurt like holy crap for the week following it from all the jamming. What a lovely pain to have.
And now, the out-of-the-ordinary:
1) Will, Meghan, Liam, and Liz all made it from various places around the country this year. The older I get, the more seeing family is my favorite part of Fiddler's. Still, Peeg, Stacy, and Nick were all missed.
2) The judges apparently drank a lot before Old Time Singing, because I won fourth place. Will backed me up with some fancy finger pickin', and the train rumbled through as I sang "Railroad Bill." As a Chandler, I had to say something about the fact that the railroad was rumbling by while I sang about it. I think that this "cheek" is what got me a place. Still, I got $25, a blue ribbon, and an awesome surprise.
3) I passed on the Harmonica to a new generation of Chandlers. Actually, to a Chandler. Liam got one of my old Honer's. Since then he has played for me on the phone. He is already better than me. Hooray!
Ok, so my post is being cut short by a service call. I must away!
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
Monday, September 25, 2006
72 Degrees!
Nope, this is not the name of a new boy band.
Nor is it the low for this evening.
As I type, the temperature outside is 72 degrees. Not. Kidding. Fall is coming, and boy howdy I am ready for it. You see, for me, fall means a lot of wonderful things:
1) Mornings that feel like mornings. I have never felt like it was morning when you get to your car @ 7am and it is already in the 80s. Morning should have a nice chill in the air; perhaps enough to wear your favorite sweatshirt. Fall provides that.
2) Football. This one is three fold: 1. Alabama football (yes, I have become a rabid fan during grad school), 2. Dallas Cowboy football (yes, I pretend that T.O. is not T.O. but someone else, like perhpas Drew Pearson of old), and 3. playing football... on the quad, with my dad, with my brothers... oh man.
3) Working outside. You see, grad students work all of the time. At least during the fall you can sit at a nice picnic table with your laptop instead of the closet I sit in that is my "office."
4) Hiking. I can't during spring or summer because of the ants. But when it gets cold enough they retreat underground!
5) FIDDLERS. The fiddler's convention is on par with every other major holiday for me (at least in secular terms). Its in two weeks and I can't wait!
6) Family. We're talking Fiddler's, Peeg's birthday, Thanksgiving, and lately, the birth of children. Liam, Maddox, and soon... John Patrick.
I love fall. And it has put me in one of those mushy moods where you forget about the 4,000 pounds of work you have to do and sit outside in a giant captain's camping chair and grill Hebrew National hot dogs. Specific, I know, but I am a man who knows what he likes.
I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am (if not more).
Peace,
Joe
PS... Mr. Alligator will return next post.
PPS... I am considering moving my blog to my main website (which is currently under a brand new make-over thingie... you'll see). I'd like to know if my readers (i.e. my family and a few friends) like the current theme or think it is time for a change. If you think that I should re-work stuff, let me know. And if so, please suggest a theme. You know, like, "Tubby eats a Pound of..." or the like. Yes, and thanks.
Nor is it the low for this evening.
As I type, the temperature outside is 72 degrees. Not. Kidding. Fall is coming, and boy howdy I am ready for it. You see, for me, fall means a lot of wonderful things:
1) Mornings that feel like mornings. I have never felt like it was morning when you get to your car @ 7am and it is already in the 80s. Morning should have a nice chill in the air; perhaps enough to wear your favorite sweatshirt. Fall provides that.
2) Football. This one is three fold: 1. Alabama football (yes, I have become a rabid fan during grad school), 2. Dallas Cowboy football (yes, I pretend that T.O. is not T.O. but someone else, like perhpas Drew Pearson of old), and 3. playing football... on the quad, with my dad, with my brothers... oh man.
3) Working outside. You see, grad students work all of the time. At least during the fall you can sit at a nice picnic table with your laptop instead of the closet I sit in that is my "office."
4) Hiking. I can't during spring or summer because of the ants. But when it gets cold enough they retreat underground!
5) FIDDLERS. The fiddler's convention is on par with every other major holiday for me (at least in secular terms). Its in two weeks and I can't wait!
6) Family. We're talking Fiddler's, Peeg's birthday, Thanksgiving, and lately, the birth of children. Liam, Maddox, and soon... John Patrick.
I love fall. And it has put me in one of those mushy moods where you forget about the 4,000 pounds of work you have to do and sit outside in a giant captain's camping chair and grill Hebrew National hot dogs. Specific, I know, but I am a man who knows what he likes.
I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am (if not more).
Peace,
Joe
PS... Mr. Alligator will return next post.
PPS... I am considering moving my blog to my main website (which is currently under a brand new make-over thingie... you'll see). I'd like to know if my readers (i.e. my family and a few friends) like the current theme or think it is time for a change. If you think that I should re-work stuff, let me know. And if so, please suggest a theme. You know, like, "Tubby eats a Pound of..." or the like. Yes, and thanks.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Michael Jackson sweetly embraces around Sam.
Look, Mr. Alligator said it, not me.
Sometimes he can be downright prophetic. Also from Mr. Alligator today:
"You should have been wavering your divine aliens."
Well, you should have. No excuses!
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Sometimes he can be downright prophetic. Also from Mr. Alligator today:
"You should have been wavering your divine aliens."
Well, you should have. No excuses!
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Benjamin Franklin infuriates fantastical boogers.
Apparently, Ben Franklin and snot do not get along. So says Mr. Alligator today.
Rainy day, and starting to get a little cooler. The highs are no longer in the upper 90s / triple digits (although it is still hot). Rain no longer equals super steamy days where you walk outside and then get into your car (approximately 100 feet away) soaking wet. Today it is just a cool drizzle. Enough to make my walk over to the student center for lunch a bit wet. But nothing too bad.
In fact, I am about to walk over for an early lunch. I thought about going into the 5 year anniversay of 9/11, or talking about my abysmal research talk from friday. But I think that both of those deserve more time than I have to give them right now, so I'll wait. I know that usually means that I never get to talking about them full-fledged, but I'll try. Don't look at me that way! I really will try.
Well, its off to the cafeteria to see what I can scrounge up.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Rainy day, and starting to get a little cooler. The highs are no longer in the upper 90s / triple digits (although it is still hot). Rain no longer equals super steamy days where you walk outside and then get into your car (approximately 100 feet away) soaking wet. Today it is just a cool drizzle. Enough to make my walk over to the student center for lunch a bit wet. But nothing too bad.
In fact, I am about to walk over for an early lunch. I thought about going into the 5 year anniversay of 9/11, or talking about my abysmal research talk from friday. But I think that both of those deserve more time than I have to give them right now, so I'll wait. I know that usually means that I never get to talking about them full-fledged, but I'll try. Don't look at me that way! I really will try.
Well, its off to the cafeteria to see what I can scrounge up.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Every raspy cucumber wailed Monica Lewinsky.
Mr. Alligator came up with an awesome today, I tell you. The only question is: was Monica Lewinsky wailing "Every raspy cucumber?" OR were all of the raspy cucumbers wailing "Monica Lewinsky!"? The world may never know.
This past weekend Tonya and I took a trip up to Chicago to celebrate her birthday and about the 1 year mark for us dating. It was an awesome time. We went to all the museums we possibly could, saw the traveling King Tut exhibit, ate dinner at the Signature Room ( http://www.signatureroom.com/ ) on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building, and ended by gorging on deep dish pizza the night before we left. There are several regular trip stories I could share, but since the readership of this blog is mostly family and very close friends, I'll share one in particular that you all will sympathize with.
I love public transit. When I go to big cities I like to take the buses and trains, etc, and read a book and feel like "big city Joe." But the El in Chicago makes me a bit nervous at the same time. I am always scared that I'll get off at the wrong stop and be hopelessly lost forever. So, last Saturday, we took the El from Midway to the Loop to get to our hotel. I had printed out exactly what stop we should take and how many miles it would be to the hotel and an alternate bus route to take if it was raining. I was prepared. Oh yes. But then, the stops announced didn't match the one on the website. I started to get nervous, standing up every so often and almost falling on Tonya each time we took a curve around the tracks. Eventually we started to loop back toward the airport. My worst fears were confirmed. We got off at the wrong stop!
Tonya wasn't worried, but I was in high gear, imagining all the different ways we could never make it to the hotel. So we got off and walked to the corner. There stood a police officer. We asked how to get to the hotel and she told us. Simple enough, right? Wrong. We now had the option of walking 10 blocks or taking a bus, neither of which had I previously planned or mapped out. Tonya mentioned that we might look for a map. Then it happened. I said it. "What would you want one of those for? We are lost!" It left my mouth and traveled by slowly. I watched it float through the air, perfectly rediculous, until it hit Tonya's ears. She said "to know where we are going." I said, "oh."
Eventually we just walked and it was quite enjoyable. The rest of the trip we collected several maps. Lots and lots of maps. With the aid of those maps, we mastered the transit system, and all was Ok.
Ok, just one more.
Mr Alligator: "Bouncing and polkafying is fun."
It certainly is, Mr. Alligator.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
This past weekend Tonya and I took a trip up to Chicago to celebrate her birthday and about the 1 year mark for us dating. It was an awesome time. We went to all the museums we possibly could, saw the traveling King Tut exhibit, ate dinner at the Signature Room ( http://www.signatureroom.com/ ) on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building, and ended by gorging on deep dish pizza the night before we left. There are several regular trip stories I could share, but since the readership of this blog is mostly family and very close friends, I'll share one in particular that you all will sympathize with.
I love public transit. When I go to big cities I like to take the buses and trains, etc, and read a book and feel like "big city Joe." But the El in Chicago makes me a bit nervous at the same time. I am always scared that I'll get off at the wrong stop and be hopelessly lost forever. So, last Saturday, we took the El from Midway to the Loop to get to our hotel. I had printed out exactly what stop we should take and how many miles it would be to the hotel and an alternate bus route to take if it was raining. I was prepared. Oh yes. But then, the stops announced didn't match the one on the website. I started to get nervous, standing up every so often and almost falling on Tonya each time we took a curve around the tracks. Eventually we started to loop back toward the airport. My worst fears were confirmed. We got off at the wrong stop!
Tonya wasn't worried, but I was in high gear, imagining all the different ways we could never make it to the hotel. So we got off and walked to the corner. There stood a police officer. We asked how to get to the hotel and she told us. Simple enough, right? Wrong. We now had the option of walking 10 blocks or taking a bus, neither of which had I previously planned or mapped out. Tonya mentioned that we might look for a map. Then it happened. I said it. "What would you want one of those for? We are lost!" It left my mouth and traveled by slowly. I watched it float through the air, perfectly rediculous, until it hit Tonya's ears. She said "to know where we are going." I said, "oh."
Eventually we just walked and it was quite enjoyable. The rest of the trip we collected several maps. Lots and lots of maps. With the aid of those maps, we mastered the transit system, and all was Ok.
Ok, just one more.
Mr Alligator: "Bouncing and polkafying is fun."
It certainly is, Mr. Alligator.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Can I Get Wretched Sheep?
So asks Mr. Alligator, the newest addition to my collection of dashboard widgets. You click Mr. Alligator in the face and he comes up with a random sentence pulled from a set of syntax and vocabulary archives. I hope that using Mr. Alligator to kick off some blogs will help me write more. And look! It already has!
Its not like I don't have many things I would like to write about. For instance:
1) I have a plan to turn the Chandler compound into a reality. Seriously. I have researched some stuff, and this merits a very long entry soon.
2) On Sunday I became the proud Godfather of Maddox, Danni's rockin' son. This has given rise to some entries based on:
3) An examination of my own faith as a Catholic. I thought I might start by writing out my reponses during the Mass, seeing if I could call it all from memory. Then I thought I'd try to interpret what each call and response really meant. And along that same thought:
4) I'd like to write out prayers I commonly recite (like the Our Father) and see what I can make of them when I am not using a long established neural pathway in familiar surroundings to say them.
5) I have also recently started a year long fellowship, meaning that I am essentially my own research boss for awhile. That should provide a good bit of interesting stuff.
So there's a little preview, my friends. I know I have been a bad blogger lately. But with a little help from Mr. Alligator, I should get back on track.
And that leaves us with one question: CAN Mr. Alligator get wretched sheep?
That remains to be seen.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Its not like I don't have many things I would like to write about. For instance:
1) I have a plan to turn the Chandler compound into a reality. Seriously. I have researched some stuff, and this merits a very long entry soon.
2) On Sunday I became the proud Godfather of Maddox, Danni's rockin' son. This has given rise to some entries based on:
3) An examination of my own faith as a Catholic. I thought I might start by writing out my reponses during the Mass, seeing if I could call it all from memory. Then I thought I'd try to interpret what each call and response really meant. And along that same thought:
4) I'd like to write out prayers I commonly recite (like the Our Father) and see what I can make of them when I am not using a long established neural pathway in familiar surroundings to say them.
5) I have also recently started a year long fellowship, meaning that I am essentially my own research boss for awhile. That should provide a good bit of interesting stuff.
So there's a little preview, my friends. I know I have been a bad blogger lately. But with a little help from Mr. Alligator, I should get back on track.
And that leaves us with one question: CAN Mr. Alligator get wretched sheep?
That remains to be seen.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
IT HAS BEGUN!
Well, I am back in the saddle.
Today I started teaching Social Psychology for the Summer II term here at UA. I am pumped and a bit nervous. You see, I love teaching. But this is teaching 5 days a week for 2 hours a day for the next four weeks. I am supposed to smash the whole of social psych into that alloted time. This is daunting. I can't imagine properly covering all of social psych in a normal semester, let alone in a month. But it will happen.
My class seems to be a good bunch. We got to know eachother today and set out some semester goals. Everyone seemed laid back. It was good. An unfortunate result of having dissertation hours @ 8am closely followed by office hours, then teaching, then my hours at CMHA is that I am now done with this post, as my brain is offically mush. Perhaps after I work out in a bit it will unmush. If so, I will write more then.
Suffice to say, I am busy as hell and loving it.
Yeah, I am my father's son.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Today I started teaching Social Psychology for the Summer II term here at UA. I am pumped and a bit nervous. You see, I love teaching. But this is teaching 5 days a week for 2 hours a day for the next four weeks. I am supposed to smash the whole of social psych into that alloted time. This is daunting. I can't imagine properly covering all of social psych in a normal semester, let alone in a month. But it will happen.
My class seems to be a good bunch. We got to know eachother today and set out some semester goals. Everyone seemed laid back. It was good. An unfortunate result of having dissertation hours @ 8am closely followed by office hours, then teaching, then my hours at CMHA is that I am now done with this post, as my brain is offically mush. Perhaps after I work out in a bit it will unmush. If so, I will write more then.
Suffice to say, I am busy as hell and loving it.
Yeah, I am my father's son.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Monday, June 05, 2006
I'm Getting Older, Too
This past saturday my little brother Nick moved to Ft. Benning, GA, to begin his career as an active duty Army officer.
Just for reference, this is the same guy who once geared up to defend himself from his older brothers using a Wiffle Ball Bat and Milwakee Brewers baseball cap, making for the best baby picture ever. He was like 4.
Now he is a second Lieutenant, training to be an infantry officer and eventual Army Ranger. I could write a long post about all the things that this means to him, to his family, and especially to me (as this is my blog and consequently my perspective). But I'll just say that I am both scared and proud.
That combination of emotions has been pretty common with my friends and family as of late. Liz and Josh are moving from the good old Birmingham to Washington, D.C. Peeg and Stacy live in Japan! Will and Meghan have a beautiful son. My dad is back to his globe-hopping ways. All of these things make me immensely happy and intensely aware of getting older. Not older as in sign me up for the early bird special, just older. I am 25 now with a real job (I teach college!), and all of my siblings are moving on up in the adult world, too. Danni is a reporter and has a baby for goodness sake (Maddox isn't too bad, either :). Sometimes I wish we could all go back to the days of Tennis Racket Wars in the rain and football games at Sacred Heart and Goofy movies with Pizza and Chocolate Milk on friday nights. But then I think about the awesome things we are all doing now and can't imagine it any other way.
I helped Nick move on friday; in two weeks I'm helping Liz and Josh move. Three weeks after that I am moving. The times, they are a changin'. But it seems that its always for the good.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Just for reference, this is the same guy who once geared up to defend himself from his older brothers using a Wiffle Ball Bat and Milwakee Brewers baseball cap, making for the best baby picture ever. He was like 4.
Now he is a second Lieutenant, training to be an infantry officer and eventual Army Ranger. I could write a long post about all the things that this means to him, to his family, and especially to me (as this is my blog and consequently my perspective). But I'll just say that I am both scared and proud.
That combination of emotions has been pretty common with my friends and family as of late. Liz and Josh are moving from the good old Birmingham to Washington, D.C. Peeg and Stacy live in Japan! Will and Meghan have a beautiful son. My dad is back to his globe-hopping ways. All of these things make me immensely happy and intensely aware of getting older. Not older as in sign me up for the early bird special, just older. I am 25 now with a real job (I teach college!), and all of my siblings are moving on up in the adult world, too. Danni is a reporter and has a baby for goodness sake (Maddox isn't too bad, either :). Sometimes I wish we could all go back to the days of Tennis Racket Wars in the rain and football games at Sacred Heart and Goofy movies with Pizza and Chocolate Milk on friday nights. But then I think about the awesome things we are all doing now and can't imagine it any other way.
I helped Nick move on friday; in two weeks I'm helping Liz and Josh move. Three weeks after that I am moving. The times, they are a changin'. But it seems that its always for the good.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Mighty Forgetful
The word "belated" is a funny one. But at times, it is necessary to use it in a very serious way.
Today I wish a belated happy Anniversary to Will and Meghan. They were married my Junior year of high school. I am now a PhD student and my car insurance just got a lot lower due to my age.
They have been married a good long while now, and that is a good thing.
So congratualtions, Will and Meghan. I know this is way late, but at least it is still the month of May :)
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
Today I wish a belated happy Anniversary to Will and Meghan. They were married my Junior year of high school. I am now a PhD student and my car insurance just got a lot lower due to my age.
They have been married a good long while now, and that is a good thing.
So congratualtions, Will and Meghan. I know this is way late, but at least it is still the month of May :)
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
Monday, May 29, 2006
Memorial Day of AWESOMENESS
Why hello.
It is Memorial day and I am at work.
"Why?" you might be saying to yourself.
Well, UA does not recognize Memorial Day as a holiday, thats why.
Now look, as all of you know, I am not a man with strong opinions. Ummm, yeah.
But this is one holiday which should be recognized and respected. I am very thankful to have a job here @ UA, a job that I thoroughly enjoy (I am now working at the Center for Mental Health and Aging while continuing work on my PhD), but I do not feel right being at work today. I called my dad this morning to just talk for a little while and thank him. I prayed for Grandpa, and thought about all those Tigers he wrestled in India :) I thought about all the vets I've ever known, both related and otherwise. As soon as I gt my lunch break I'm going to call Nick (who thank God is not a vet, and Heaven forbid that he ever becomes one) to thank him for taking on such an awesome responsibility during a time of active war... for accepting a commission as an Army officer. I know that you can say to yourself: "what am I really doing by taking the day off of work, grilling, and drinking beer?" It can seem silly, actually. But after knowing Nick's friends for the last three years (not to mention Nick), I have discovered something. All the clichés and Lee Greenwood songs have their base in something both noble and admirable by nature: the propensity to allow others to act freely. We can take today off because, in an abstract and ideal manner, the individuals we honor today wanted us to be able to do so. The details and political motivations of war are debatable and often less than pure, but the ideas harbored by those who actually fight those wars are, more often than not, truly heroic. So, as much as it sounds like a made-for-TV special, I say thank you to all those who have risked and / or lost their lives defending my right to live the way I do. Nick once told me that he does what he does so I can do what I do. He's right. And the tradition of people doing just that in my family generation after generation makes me genuinely proud to be both of member of an amazing clan and a citizen of the United States. For all of the apathy, deceit, power-driven motivation, stereotyping, greed, unnecessary nationalism and thanklessness, there is an equal portion of basic good in people like my brother.
I hope everyone enjoys whatever they are doing today. If you are a member of one of the armed forces, past or present, and you are reading this, thank you for what you believe in.
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
It is Memorial day and I am at work.
"Why?" you might be saying to yourself.
Well, UA does not recognize Memorial Day as a holiday, thats why.
Now look, as all of you know, I am not a man with strong opinions. Ummm, yeah.
But this is one holiday which should be recognized and respected. I am very thankful to have a job here @ UA, a job that I thoroughly enjoy (I am now working at the Center for Mental Health and Aging while continuing work on my PhD), but I do not feel right being at work today. I called my dad this morning to just talk for a little while and thank him. I prayed for Grandpa, and thought about all those Tigers he wrestled in India :) I thought about all the vets I've ever known, both related and otherwise. As soon as I gt my lunch break I'm going to call Nick (who thank God is not a vet, and Heaven forbid that he ever becomes one) to thank him for taking on such an awesome responsibility during a time of active war... for accepting a commission as an Army officer. I know that you can say to yourself: "what am I really doing by taking the day off of work, grilling, and drinking beer?" It can seem silly, actually. But after knowing Nick's friends for the last three years (not to mention Nick), I have discovered something. All the clichés and Lee Greenwood songs have their base in something both noble and admirable by nature: the propensity to allow others to act freely. We can take today off because, in an abstract and ideal manner, the individuals we honor today wanted us to be able to do so. The details and political motivations of war are debatable and often less than pure, but the ideas harbored by those who actually fight those wars are, more often than not, truly heroic. So, as much as it sounds like a made-for-TV special, I say thank you to all those who have risked and / or lost their lives defending my right to live the way I do. Nick once told me that he does what he does so I can do what I do. He's right. And the tradition of people doing just that in my family generation after generation makes me genuinely proud to be both of member of an amazing clan and a citizen of the United States. For all of the apathy, deceit, power-driven motivation, stereotyping, greed, unnecessary nationalism and thanklessness, there is an equal portion of basic good in people like my brother.
I hope everyone enjoys whatever they are doing today. If you are a member of one of the armed forces, past or present, and you are reading this, thank you for what you believe in.
I hope everyone is well!
Peace,
Joe
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Back FROM THE DEAD!!!
Well, not really. But I do believe this is a new record for not having posted. I am sorry. I ran out of gas, I didnt have enough money for cab fare, my tux didn't come back from the cleaners, an old friend came in from out of town, there was an earthquake, a terrible flood, LOCUSTS! look it wasent my fault I swear to Goooooooddddd!!!"
So much has happened that I can't really talk about it all. Nick, Josh, and I all graduated, and Nick is now a 2nd Lietenant in the Army. My whole family and various friends were over for the celebration, and it was cool beyond words. Yesterday Nick got an award from the Governor, too. Wow. I have pictures and some detailed stories, but I am going to go home now. I'll post more later. Really! Stop looking at tme like that. I really will. Geeesh.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
So much has happened that I can't really talk about it all. Nick, Josh, and I all graduated, and Nick is now a 2nd Lietenant in the Army. My whole family and various friends were over for the celebration, and it was cool beyond words. Yesterday Nick got an award from the Governor, too. Wow. I have pictures and some detailed stories, but I am going to go home now. I'll post more later. Really! Stop looking at tme like that. I really will. Geeesh.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
So Confused...
I'm not sure about this: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/apr/05bootcamp.html
It feels sort of like the T.O. trade to Dallas. You know he is a good receiver, but he's just so EVIL.
Urrrrgh.
Peace,
Joe
It feels sort of like the T.O. trade to Dallas. You know he is a good receiver, but he's just so EVIL.
Urrrrgh.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
I am a ROCK STAR IN THE MAKING!
Hi all. Long time, no post.
I have no excuses.
I guess I could make one up. Here goes... Ummm, for the past month I have been the sole prisoner of an evil scientist monkey, whose evil experiment it was to prevent me from posting on my website. Also he was building a "laser."
There.
Anyway, pertaining to the titel of this post: My siblings got me the best birthday present ever. With a generous gift cetificate, I purchased the Moblie Pre USB audio interface for my iBook, essentially making me a ROCK STAR IN THE MAKING. It came with a free super microphone, so I have all the tools needed to work with Will and complete our album. ROCK. OUT.
Also on that birthday, I turned A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD!!! AHHHHH!!!! Yes, I am 25. It again happened over spring break, which was both awesome and relaxing. My lovely lady showed me a good time filled with food, guinness, MASH DVDs, and some beautiful road-trippin'. We drove highway 78 all the way to Athens, GA to see Carl, David, Vic, and Drew, and I'm never taking I-20 again. Yep.
Ok, so I have to go do real work now. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday and Spring Break so wonderful... presents, food, hanging out, etc. Now, on to the exciting world of GRADING PAPERS!!!
PAPER!!!
S.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
They Run And Hide Their Heads...
Its raining outside, and that is a nice thing.
I have been in this house now for almost three years, and one of my favorite sounds is the rain falling on the heating / cooling unit right outside my window. At first I didn't like it... it was too metallic. But now I know that the fact that its metal makes even light rain very audible, which I like very much. Its good for sleeping. Combine that with the chill in the house (thanks, Alagasco... do you guys take frozen tears as payment?) and you have some prime sleeping weather. The fact that Julie and Torrie and not both up tearing around the house is evidence enough for that. And Nick is wearing not only an old sweater, but also a hoodie over the sweater. We are exciting kids, I tell you.
In an unrelated note, I am sick again. Count this a number two for the season, not bad for me. And I'm actually feeling much better after some long sleep and A-1 care.
WAIT. Do you ever become oddly self-aware when you're doing something everyday? Right now, I became aware of myself sitting in my bedroom, typing on the iBook with only my desk light on. If this were a movie, softly soft guitar picking would be playing in the background, and what I am typing now would be an audible internal monologue. But it would be a very boring movie, and most people would change the chanel. Except for me, because look! I am in a movie!
Happy birthday to Liz, way late (It was the 16th). Nick and I got her a decorative Monkey box and Monkey hanger, along with some refridgerator magnets that say "Welcome to you vacation" with the eyes of the 1950s-ish folks on it blacked out. I know, I know. We are geniuses. On Sunday we had cake and Jim N' Nicks. It was grand. I never really want to leave when I get to hang out with my family. This sunday we'll do it again, only this time for Grandma's birthday.
Time for some reading and bed. I am finishing up my yearly reading of 1984, and man is that a scary book. If I were Winston, I'd have probably gone 'prole right off the bat. I mean, c'mon.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
I have been in this house now for almost three years, and one of my favorite sounds is the rain falling on the heating / cooling unit right outside my window. At first I didn't like it... it was too metallic. But now I know that the fact that its metal makes even light rain very audible, which I like very much. Its good for sleeping. Combine that with the chill in the house (thanks, Alagasco... do you guys take frozen tears as payment?) and you have some prime sleeping weather. The fact that Julie and Torrie and not both up tearing around the house is evidence enough for that. And Nick is wearing not only an old sweater, but also a hoodie over the sweater. We are exciting kids, I tell you.
In an unrelated note, I am sick again. Count this a number two for the season, not bad for me. And I'm actually feeling much better after some long sleep and A-1 care.
WAIT. Do you ever become oddly self-aware when you're doing something everyday? Right now, I became aware of myself sitting in my bedroom, typing on the iBook with only my desk light on. If this were a movie, softly soft guitar picking would be playing in the background, and what I am typing now would be an audible internal monologue. But it would be a very boring movie, and most people would change the chanel. Except for me, because look! I am in a movie!
Happy birthday to Liz, way late (It was the 16th). Nick and I got her a decorative Monkey box and Monkey hanger, along with some refridgerator magnets that say "Welcome to you vacation" with the eyes of the 1950s-ish folks on it blacked out. I know, I know. We are geniuses. On Sunday we had cake and Jim N' Nicks. It was grand. I never really want to leave when I get to hang out with my family. This sunday we'll do it again, only this time for Grandma's birthday.
Time for some reading and bed. I am finishing up my yearly reading of 1984, and man is that a scary book. If I were Winston, I'd have probably gone 'prole right off the bat. I mean, c'mon.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Better Late than Never
Happy Birthday to my brother Will! (On Monday). Sorry this is late, Will. But the siblings have an awesome present in store. Oh yes. You'll see.
So I realized today that I look into the windows of parked cars when I walk to my office in the mornings. I have started parking in the bigger-than-Cleavland parking deck so as to avoid parking headaches, and this affords me looks at a whole bunch of cars on the way. Why do I do this? I think its:
a) I like cars, so I look at them. But this is no explanation for why I look in them, so
b) I like to know what music people are listening to, so I look for CDs. Also,
c) Its fun to see what kind of junk folks have piled in the back of their cars. Is it clean? Are there clothes? Any old food? The other day I saw the most spotless interior in an mid-90s Mustang. The only visible object other than original car parts was a bottle a Febreeze. Now thats clean living.
Also, Spring and Winter appear to be having some sort of epic death match. One day its 75 degrees, and the next there is a winter weather advisory. I ask only this: please, would one of you let the other win? I am tired of wearing my very warm socks and then having to be all uncomfortable by mid-day what with the warm feet and all. Seriously. This is cramping my style.
I think Spring may win, though, because I am seeing much more of Pepe, Nick and my guard squirrel. He runs from under the back strairs whenever you come home, thoroughly freaking out all who enter. Pepe almost knocked me over the other day, so he's obviously gearing up for the warm weather.
I gave my first college test today, so its an exciting night of grading ahead. The students were greeted with this picture when at the top of the test as encouragement:
Beside it was the phrase: "don't think too hard, or you may end up like him. Good luck."
It got some laughs. Hooray!
Anyway, its time for Noon Mass. You'd be amazed how much resetting in the middle of the day can help your afternoon productivity.
Also napping. That helps, too.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
So I realized today that I look into the windows of parked cars when I walk to my office in the mornings. I have started parking in the bigger-than-Cleavland parking deck so as to avoid parking headaches, and this affords me looks at a whole bunch of cars on the way. Why do I do this? I think its:
a) I like cars, so I look at them. But this is no explanation for why I look in them, so
b) I like to know what music people are listening to, so I look for CDs. Also,
c) Its fun to see what kind of junk folks have piled in the back of their cars. Is it clean? Are there clothes? Any old food? The other day I saw the most spotless interior in an mid-90s Mustang. The only visible object other than original car parts was a bottle a Febreeze. Now thats clean living.
Also, Spring and Winter appear to be having some sort of epic death match. One day its 75 degrees, and the next there is a winter weather advisory. I ask only this: please, would one of you let the other win? I am tired of wearing my very warm socks and then having to be all uncomfortable by mid-day what with the warm feet and all. Seriously. This is cramping my style.
I think Spring may win, though, because I am seeing much more of Pepe, Nick and my guard squirrel. He runs from under the back strairs whenever you come home, thoroughly freaking out all who enter. Pepe almost knocked me over the other day, so he's obviously gearing up for the warm weather.
I gave my first college test today, so its an exciting night of grading ahead. The students were greeted with this picture when at the top of the test as encouragement:
Beside it was the phrase: "don't think too hard, or you may end up like him. Good luck."
It got some laughs. Hooray!
Anyway, its time for Noon Mass. You'd be amazed how much resetting in the middle of the day can help your afternoon productivity.
Also napping. That helps, too.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Hot for Teacher (ing)
Hi!
See? I am posting again. And not too far from when I said I would! Not too bad, eh?
And here is why I am posting. I love teaching. But first...
I have multiple stories from the break, but I am afraid there is not enough memory in my head nor room on this page to recount them all. So in lieu of such long-windedness, I will give summary shout-outs. These are, as I am well aware, pale ghost-like approximations of full accounts. But I have a lot to say, so shou-outs it is.
1) My nephew Liam is still aweseome. He has more hair than I have, has a vocabulary centered around the word CAT (like most Chandlers) and now shows empathy for other children. Ask my brother Will about this. Its a cool story.
2) My brother Peeg and sister-in-law Stacy still live in far-away Japan. But my sister Liz got to visit them recently, and I vicariously enjoyed it quite a bit. For coverage, see their blogs.
3) Tonya and I went camping. I love camping. In fact, you might say it is a close friend of mine. As soon as I can get them, I'll post pictures. That will be story enough.
4) My parents gave me perhaps the coolest watch EVER for Christmas. Check it out:
http://post-dispatch.readervalues.com/?sectionpath=1&pageid=336
5) Various family and friends were seen, and much fun was had. It was a great break.
Now, back to the teaching.
Today it occurred to me that I am a third generation college instructor. My grandpa taught engineering at Auburn, and daddy teaches communication at Jacksonville State. My brother Will and sister-in-law Meghan are also teachers. My brother Peeg is training to be a teacher, and mama has taught numerous classes in church, especially at RCIA. In fact, most of my family has at one point or another expressed interest in teaching. And let me tell you why... getting paid to talk to other people about cool stuff is perhaps the most awesome job in the whole f-ing world besides perhaps playing two-guard for the Celtics or being a rock star. It really shows you the pieces of your own profession that are easy to forget... the stuff that got you hooked in the first place. And watching others get excited about it for the first time keeps it fresh. I know I have been wavering on what I want to do now for almost a year, very heavily in the last few months. But I can say this: whatever I end up doing, its going to involve teaching. And also rocking out, if possible.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
joe
See? I am posting again. And not too far from when I said I would! Not too bad, eh?
And here is why I am posting. I love teaching. But first...
I have multiple stories from the break, but I am afraid there is not enough memory in my head nor room on this page to recount them all. So in lieu of such long-windedness, I will give summary shout-outs. These are, as I am well aware, pale ghost-like approximations of full accounts. But I have a lot to say, so shou-outs it is.
1) My nephew Liam is still aweseome. He has more hair than I have, has a vocabulary centered around the word CAT (like most Chandlers) and now shows empathy for other children. Ask my brother Will about this. Its a cool story.
2) My brother Peeg and sister-in-law Stacy still live in far-away Japan. But my sister Liz got to visit them recently, and I vicariously enjoyed it quite a bit. For coverage, see their blogs.
3) Tonya and I went camping. I love camping. In fact, you might say it is a close friend of mine. As soon as I can get them, I'll post pictures. That will be story enough.
4) My parents gave me perhaps the coolest watch EVER for Christmas. Check it out:
http://post-dispatch.readervalues.com/?sectionpath=1&pageid=336
5) Various family and friends were seen, and much fun was had. It was a great break.
Now, back to the teaching.
Today it occurred to me that I am a third generation college instructor. My grandpa taught engineering at Auburn, and daddy teaches communication at Jacksonville State. My brother Will and sister-in-law Meghan are also teachers. My brother Peeg is training to be a teacher, and mama has taught numerous classes in church, especially at RCIA. In fact, most of my family has at one point or another expressed interest in teaching. And let me tell you why... getting paid to talk to other people about cool stuff is perhaps the most awesome job in the whole f-ing world besides perhaps playing two-guard for the Celtics or being a rock star. It really shows you the pieces of your own profession that are easy to forget... the stuff that got you hooked in the first place. And watching others get excited about it for the first time keeps it fresh. I know I have been wavering on what I want to do now for almost a year, very heavily in the last few months. But I can say this: whatever I end up doing, its going to involve teaching. And also rocking out, if possible.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
joe
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Its Been a Long Time Been a Long Time Been A Long Lonely Lonely Lonely Lonely Time
Well, not really.
But it has been too long since I last updated. This post is to say a few things:
1) Christmas break was a much needed, relaxing time
2) I am now teaching my first PY101 class on my own, which is a blast
3) I am about to be late for another meeting. Yeesh.
Lots to say, and I will. Soon. Don't look at me that way. I really will. C'mon.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
But it has been too long since I last updated. This post is to say a few things:
1) Christmas break was a much needed, relaxing time
2) I am now teaching my first PY101 class on my own, which is a blast
3) I am about to be late for another meeting. Yeesh.
Lots to say, and I will. Soon. Don't look at me that way. I really will. C'mon.
I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe
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