Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings DS

So many good RPGs coming out for the DS.

100 - Centennial Schools Event

Well, I suppose I should have done something in my last post, being that it was my 100th, but seeing as how long I have actually had this posting, it is not all that momentous. I should have hit this long ago. But enough of that, no party planned, no big banner sales, this blog is going right to work to fulfill what is requested of it.

It has been noted that the list of schools has not been posted yet. Without further ado, here is that list. (in the order that they appear on my excel spreadsheet). U = University :) and SUNY means that it is part of the State University of New York system.

U of Missouri
U of Texas at Austin
SUNY Stony Brook
Rice University
Indiana University
Boston University
U of Massachusetts at Amherst
Tufts University
SUNY Albany
U of Rochester
U of Connecticut
U of New Hampshire

Oh, and some exciting news, or rather potential (especially since I did not suggest, nor even knew, about the school before it was added to the list - Rice University, as some may know, is in the heart of Houston, TX heh. That school was directly passed down from the grand professor Dr. K who expressed heart felt admiration for their program.)

Great Trip

Everything went very well on the trip to Oregon. There was nary a snowflake in the sky and none on the ground as we made our way both there and back. Got to see the new Bond movie, Casino Royale, and it was pretty good. Gotta love my families switch button fireplace. Flip on, ahhh that's nice, a little too hot? flip off, just right. It really was a wonderful time and they even got me the classic controller for the Wii. I can now use that for the virtual console games and Game Cube games :) let the good times roll.

But before they do, I must get applications finished up :)

Road Trip Christmas 2006

The weather looks fine today, sunny outside my window right now, which is not that surprising in beautiful California but something I welcome on the day we are to leave for Oregon, the land of wind and snow, or perhaps just snow and rain since I think Chicago has the wind thing covered. Sorry, that's Chi-town to you and me and everyone in the drum and bass community. The weather does seem like a God-sent, L and I were unsure of our holiday plans because there was some storm warnings over the pass and we do not have chains for the Probe. The reason for that being that the wheels are so close to the wheel well that they require a special cable system that runs somewhere around $250. The clouds seem to have parted and we will be off for lovely Eugene as soon as L gets off of work. Can't wait to see the family and have a lot of Holiday cheer, oh yeah, and the Wii is coming, too. It's looking forward to meeting the family as well.

It Begins

The new wave is here and, hopefully, it breaks the shore and finds an inlet. Applications are again upon me, I have what appears to be an almost final list of schools that I am applying to. I should post that up when it becomes definite. God has really been guiding me thus far, over a bit a rockiness and uncertainty, but I am back on track and ready to pour it on.

Rah rah enough for you?

"Ra, Egyptian god of the Sun!" - Space Ghost C2C

Amazon Wish List

Had to put up a link to my Amazon wish list. Some really good things on there, and the list keeps growing. Which, in a certain light, isn't really true. The list hasn't really grown for at least several weeks. I guess I just have everything I have ever wanted and it's hard thinking up those little treats to add. I have a gorgeous and lovely wife, loving and supportive family, great friends, a job, a cool little apartment, hot water every morning, cool coffee machine and coffee whenever I want it, a Nintendo DS and Wii (wow I'm lucky), and computers (lucky again! I am sure that there are many who have none).

Well, I suppose Thanksgiving is already over and we are on our way to Christmas, but I could not help feeling thankful for all of these things and an unending list of things on top of this and to come.

The Speaker Ulysses

"We are not that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

This, from the noted character in Tennyson's work, seems to speak well into our times. The idea, and the weight, of the sheer quality of those generations that preceded ours leaves its melancholy tone to linger over my thoughts. I hope those of us in the good fight do retain that rigor of will to yield not to this world; seek and find truth and beauty, and to know where the two derive their purpose.

Super Swing Golf

Well now that we have the Wii, this looks like a must have game. Come on, I mean golf on an aircraft carrier? What could be cooler than that. And you know this game will be all about that happy, very catchy, Japanese music... baa bee bee boo de baa :)

Wii Day

It was all worth it; the 36hrs in line at Target, the cold, the hardness of the ground, all were forgiving elements when you compare how fun this system is to play, how well wrought the design, and how sophisticated the content is. Got the three games because the store just had to do one of those deals where you get a pretty good price if you do. Have to say that each has its own style, appeal, and motif so I am very happy with our selection. L was an absolute trooper the entire time; there were times when she had more energy than I did and she never let the excitement fade. I have some cool photos from camp Wii, be putting those up soon. Met some very nice and cool people in line while we were there. We were truly blessed to have a good "line-up" I guess you would call it. Everyone there made it a really fun experience. Now for the excitement of bringing it home for Thanksgiving. Me hears the impending bowling/golf/tennis tournament; wow, we could really make it a Triathalon. 

Conference Acceptance

Really good news just came in today over the wire. The conference that I had sent my abstract to the other day, the PCA/ACA (Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association) conference in New Mexico, sent me an acceptance email. So I am really excited to get that experience and do my best in presenting my paper on Gibson. I will be presenting my paper in a panel most likely, although the panels will probably be assembled soon since they just made the selections today. The panel is in the sci-fi and fantasy area of the conference and, well, let's just say I'm pretty revved up for it.

New Call of Duty Trailer

Just looks at those innovative uses of the controller. Yeah, camping out is gonna be worth it, woo hoo.

Hmm, I need to post something of dramatic content; something philosophical. If anyone reading this didn't know me, they would think I was some gaming geek with a job at the 7-11. Way off, for the record, I mix paint.

Hmmm, next up: something from Thomas Mann, he'll help me recover some dignity.

Epic

As my good friend and company in this adventure would say; it was Epic! Then he would grab me by the sleeve until he had my undivided attention and stare the importance of the moment into my eyes and memory.

Indeed it was an incredible weekend. Although, due to lack of time, I will not go into all the details as of now: I have been trying to get more sleep lately even when I am not working the next day with the aim being better focus and productivity.

In an unrelated note; I sent off an abstract earlier today for the SW ACA/PCA conference in New Mexico. I would very much like to attend and present at that one. 

Happiness

Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness.

Robertson Davies

Taken from the daily quotations RSS I have on my home page; I think this to be a very clear distinction on what happiness really is. It is listed under their 'cynical' quotations and it is as such because of the last bit of unhappiness. Although I take issue with it being listed as cynical, I can see their point. It isn't cynical, however, because if you take the quotation in full the use of unhappiness at the end is layered in plurality: it is not really unhappiness but the personal label that one gives it that makes it so, it's semantic, signified by the use of "brand."

Chico - Half Life?

I had never really noticed before how much many parts of Chico looks like Half Life 2. Perhaps it is just my fandom kicking in and triggering hypnagogic images, but I think the evidence speaks for itself. While my wife has the car I have made a few walks from our apartment to the university to attend some study seminars on the upcoming GRE test. These were actually taken on a day that I went for the walk just to see how long it would take me and to clear my head of a lot of studying. It was very short. This made me realize that it is often a case of habit to simply drive everywhere when walking, escpecially in Chico's best season, Fall, can be very rewarding. Look, it can even trigger the inner gaming imagination.

 

Fuse

Meh.: October 2006

My good friend's blog, looks like it is under works in the best way. If it is one thing that can bring me to feeling giddy it's knowing my friends have found happiness. This looks like a wonderful post.

Michel Ancel Interview

This trailer is worth the entire last few seconds. Genius. I will be getting this game, go Wii. Hail Launch Day.

And he's French, tre chic. I have always loved the work of Prevost, so why not this guy?

Gaming Couples Event

Ruby Skye Calendar

Never thought I would see an event like this. Suppose it would fit in with our latest stint (or longer) in WoW. An interesting choice of venues given that Ruby Skye is the traditional site of world renown DJs and the like.

I am not thinking very seriously about going, in fact not at all. I will either be vacationing with my inlaws or hosting a friend. Events like this one should be something I attend in the future if I hope to get into the gaming theory industry.

World of Warcraft Music Video

Simply Amazing.. To critics of the game, ahem, I present this work of fine, nay, exquisit art. Listen to the words and let them take you away to 'whole new worlds' perhaps. Quite well done. To Tim; yes man, I remember the glory, and then I remembered some of the droll repetition and endless minor tweeking and lack of social interaction, well, not to go on a tirade, but needless to say, at least for now, it is time to move on. Only side effect of WoW so far is really long, sometimes too long, run on sentances, especially in instances where one or two short ones would do, like this one here.

WoW - Beginnings

As is said: "It Has Begun!"

This weekend marks the first time I have logged on to a persistent world MMORPG and I had the extreme pleasure of doing so with my wife. Here we are at a well outside of the main city, forgot the name but I am sure I will pick them up in time. It was a thrill and I am sure that I will blog about it from time to time. As Brett told me when I informed him, "Say goodbye to your life." I am sure it will not come to that and, although I am sure we will enjoy it often, it shouldn't dominate our lives. But I think some fandom might be cool to get into. More about my video game theory ideas later, however, I thought that, should I go into speaking/writing about them in the future, this is probably one game I could not excuse myself from not having played; and so I have begun.

Ah sorry, no Wii

Well, it is my sad news that I was unable to get a Wii Preorder this morning. Camped out in front of Gamestop this morning, although camped is used a little weakly in my case. Fact is my fervor was not strong enough, got there sometime around 7am, not early enough. The front pair has camped since 11:30pm the night before, then on down to two in front of me got there at 5am. Parents for their kids seemed to trump true fandom in this case. Although there was some controversy about their being all from the same household (as in limit one per), but they went ahead and did it anyway.

No matter; I had a really good time. The event helped me to see that I have really missed regular friendly contact. Sure, I have my friends, but these were people I just met, under similar circumstances, and we really enjoyed each other's company. Topics ranged quite a bit but all within the general interests of people who would camp for a Wii, although some went a bit further; not surprising given the higher age of gamers nowadays. We discussed regional traits, gentrification, homelessness, etc. on top of games, movies, and shows.

It was a very nice experience. I was even asked to exchange numbers with one attendee who thinks we might be able to organize a campout on launch day. This time, perhaps it will be truly epic (in length as well as grandeur).

Professor on Credentialism

I think for the most part this clip is spot on. I should have more to say on this but at the time I don't. There are, of course obvious exceptions, but in large part this is a facet of the University that I do not think is being fully discussed.

Added to that, my degree in particular is mentioned. hehe, bit o sting? nah, I would love to teach English.

The Vanity of Human Wishes

from *see above, by Samuel Johnson (lines 323-342)

Ye nymphs of rosy lips and radiant eyes,
Whom Pleasure keeps to busy to be wise,
Whom Joy with soft varieties invite,
By day the frolic, and the dance by night:
Who frown with vanity, who smile with art,
And ask the latest fashion of the heart;
What care, what rules your heedless charms shall save,
Each nymph your rival, and each youth your slave?
Against your fame with Fondness Hate combines,
The rival batters, and lover mines.
With distant voice neglected Virtue calls,
Less heard and less, the faint remonstrance falls;
Tired with contempt, she quits the slippery reign,
And Pride and Prudence take her seat in vain.
In crowd at once, where none the pass defend,
The harmless freedom, and the private friend.
The guardians yield, by force superior plied:
To Interest, Prudence; and to Flattery, Pride.
Now Beauty falls betrayed, despised, distressed,
And hissing Infamy proclaims the rest.

I encountered this while studying for the GRE subject test. I am taking it, for the third time, in November. I am really aiming for a higher score to aid in getting into a PhD program. This is just as excerpt, as the lines indicate, from Johnson's larger work, but how telling of our modern times. This is, of course, aimed at beautiful women, whom I believe are captured here in startling clarity given our 'modern' times. So often this is the case that is is a grief to remember it. How, so often, beauty is ruined in these ways. Not to mention how torturous the fall, especially given Johnson's verses. Previous to these lines he calls on the new born scholar, the recently graduated. I shall have to quote those lines in the near future and make some comment as to their relevance to my life. For now, I think these lines speak well to my perspective when encountering beauty in our culture.

The Beans That Bind

What I often find myself missing the most from friends that I cannot spend time with is the coffee that is shared. Phone conversations are terrific in their own right and a marvel of our modern times. But indeed, sharing of the perky beverage seems to have something of the mystical about it. Starbucks may have to start servicing something like a coffee-chat channel, but even with video feeds and an audio channel I think the effect would be lost somewhere in the middle.

This just came to mind after having a very nice conversation with Brett on the phone and, being a little drowsy, I brewed a pot in the coffee machine often used when we were pulling all nighters or staying awake for get together or party later that evening. The energy before going out was always highlighted intensely with the caffeine and a good night was generally assured. Good times. Somewhat startling to me what this thought. I know I am a pretty nostalgic person, but having these emotions about a coffee machine... hmmm well, nothing new on the grand stage of it all. Great authors muse about the pens they shared with colleagues; walking sticks that carry special honor et cetera.

I can still tell however, that despite this evening's coffee jumpstart I am still falling into the, I guess I should say new habit of writing in a little formalized style not quite conversational. I wonder: is this common of many people who start blogging? heh, perhaps it is.

Masters in Hand

It is a good day when something like this arrives in the mail. The experience of finishing the degree was a little convoluted. There were many instances of being "done." I know, despite what Michael from The Office says, that things on paper do not fully capture or signify what they represent. But I am always capable of looking deeper into the concept of representation: this, for the moment--and all the moments it stands for--feels very nice to hold.

Masters Degree in English -- Check

(kudos go out to the Office of International and Graduate Studies at Cal. State University, Chico who processed my degree, from final approval to the printed for depicted here, in about one month. Nice.) 

Ion iTTUSB

Amazon.com: Ion iTTUSB Turntable with USB Record: Electronics

Turntable that I am looking into getting. The first time around they sold out of these things in a day. Now it looks like they are back, on sale, and available for free shipping. w00t!

If the sale goes through it would take me a solid weekend getting all of my vinyl into the digital format. But I can't even begin to tell you how awesome that would be. Quite excited about the possibilies here.

Purity

The struggle to stay pure is never ending. In the minute I think I have control things can slip away. I had a talk with my Dad earlier this week and he had incredible insights into my condition and his words were of wisdom that I will be working to put into practice.

The Path to 9/11

The Path to 9/11

You may have seen this already, they played it over the weekend without commercial interuption. Chico is pretty bad as far as reception goes and I hate the look of rabbit ears. Needless to say this webcast, or I am not sure what you would call it, was a welcome treat. I have not finished it, only about an hour through the first night. But it is very well produced and has recieved a lot of attention. People have tried to censor it, get it shut down, propagandize (sp) against it; so I think it might be interesting to watch and discuss.

http://pathto911.abc.com/index.html

Nice stream too, I was playing it at 1003kbs and it looked good. It's a little hard to see, but when you use the larger view you can scale the player to your browser window using the tab in the lower right. I know, I'm a dolt and it actuallt took me a while to figure that one out :)

There are also rumors of unedited copies that may be circulating the web in the near future. It will be interesting to see how that pans out.

Conferences in Heaven

I was just going through my CFP (call for papers) updates in my email box this morning and had the thought, since I think I should enjoy these very much, especially if I move on for further education: what would the content be if they existed in some form or another in heaven? The idea here, be it a very fantastic one, follows the contemplations of the coffee lover concerning the nature of coffee in heaven or the scrapbooker on what cut-outs and backgrounds for scrapbooking may exist in the eternal.

So I thought it would be entertaining to think of some fanciful ideas for conferences and symposiums in realm of eternal light.

Bunnies in Clouds: A Discourse on the Nature of Clouds

Papers are encouraged to look into clouds and their resemblances as an element to observe the creative spheres of both God and humanity. How do they capture a specific element of God's vast palate? Also welcome are papers that explore the concept of free will as it relates to clouds and how God's concept of free will extends to an individual's creative power to see various cloud formations as images of representation.

Well as you can see it's a work in progress and quite a silly one at that; but fun nonetheless :)

Point Counter Point

I am currently reading Aldous Huxley's terrific novel Point Counter Point. It has within its pages some of the most insightful encounters with humanities many a semblance that it is often staggering. Reading through the thoughts of Spandrel is like dissecting this infectious wound embedded deep within humankind. In is this wonderful excerpt:

He hoped there was a hell for him to go to and regretted his inability to believe in its existence. Still, hell or no hell, it was satisfactory, it was even exciting in those early days to know that one was doing something bad or wrong. But there is in debauchery something so intrinsically dull, something so absolutely and hopelessly dismal, that it is only the rarest beings, gifted with much less than the usual amount of intelligence and much more than the usual intensity of appetite, who can go on actively enjoying a regular course of vice or continue actively to believe in its wickedness.

pg. 217 of the Dalkey Archive Press edition, 2004

Huxley is an expert in dealing with the complex inner workings of both conscience and soul. This novel is a masterpiece and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and entertaining its notions in my own mind.

Wash and Shine

Wonderful day this one. Just finished washing and waxing the car with my love and we are about to take a trip to do a little shopping. Probably play some games and watch a movie later.

Dinner will be the order of the evening. My parents are taking us out to celebrate the completion of my Masters degree. Feels tremendous and I am sure the food will be terrific, but more on that later.

Back on Track

I have recently been working with the program Writely in a personal attempt to keep up my writing by adding the technological incentive. Meaning, now that there is something cool and very useful that might help spur me on to putting fingers to keys.

This might also be part of a motivation to stave off negative commentary. The previous post, which remained so for too long due in inaccessibility to my blog, is an example of my mind set that was stuck for a time in blogging for relief instead of creative exercise. It is not that I am changing my thought pattern so much as it is a motivation to change my reasons for expression.

Writely (www.writely.com) has been unable to post from the files written there, but hopefully that will be worked out soon. In the mean time I am going to work harder on making this a writing exercise that is worthwhile as well as fun. I should start pretending that someone is reading this. Besides the only person that I know for sure has, at one time, Tim, and if you are reading this good friend, I hope you are well.

Hezbollah succeeds in impressing NYT

Hezbollah Leads Work to Rebuild, Gaining Stature - New York Times

Hat tip, as they say, to The American Thinker. This article from the NY Times was discovered through one of their recent articles.

http://www.americanthinker.com/

It is hard to think of my complete reactions to this article, but the total experience was distastefully. Good thing I don't read it often. This piece places such a hero's light on Hezbollah it's disgraceful. They even go so far as to account for the Lebanese government in this manner:

"Hezbollah reputation as an efficient grass-roots social service network as opposed to the Lebanese government, regarded by many here as sleek men in suits doing well— was in evidence everywhere."

This is the same government that is called upon to aid in bringing peace by the UN resolution, the same government that was tasked wistabilizinging their border and this, OH yeah!, not even mentioned as radical terrorist organization. The awe with which this piece paints them certainly puts that idea out of mindHezbollahlla is a strong--people driven-- grass roots organization.

Certainly they are doing none of this for the sake of building a base of supporters, soldiers, willing citizens. Certainly this is no power play.

AH, also importanIRAN is funding everything. Ah yes, this is the source of power. A country committed to seeing the destruction of Israel would have no heinous motive behind reconstructing a part of Lebanon that threw their weight against Israel. None...

This truly is pathetic.

Cootsona

Cootsona: Reflections on Culture, Life, and Faith: Wait No Longer! The Complete Links to My Lectures on "The Da Vinci Code"

A series of lectures on "The Da Vinci Code" that I intend to check out at a later time. The speaker is a pastor at Bidwell Pres. here in Chico. What is most interesting about the article is not its content but the response posted by a John.

Why are people so unwilling to condemn this obvious attempt to mislead people and fabricate a distrust of the church; especially so from within the church?

"I think you did a good job discussing canonization, but I think there could be questions about the validity of the current canon. In a later post on your blog, you point out that the validity of prayer is not based on the quantity of the pray-ers, but on the authority of the One. Could it not be the same for scripture? I think there are some people who question the "majority rule" and even ecumeninism of the canonization process. What if the majority got it wrong? What if the scriptures they selected were simply most compatible with their own goals and desires of the church?"

If he is serious then this could be borderline blasphemy. The Word, as we know it as Christians, is the inspired word of God. To worry about the "majority rule" of it, the very text with which we base our faith, seems false to the point of absurdity.

I could go on at length but suffice it to say that he incorrectly uses the Dada movement to describe Mark Twain and engages in other such ridiculousness.

I have decided to make it an effort to challenge these positions as I find them and educate myself in manner suiting that endeavor.

This is also coming on the heels of this review posted by a leader in the college group of this church.
Brokeback Mountain Review

The Ship Online

The Ship Online

The Ship

The Ship

Taking a serious look at this amazing new game concept. If it's anything like I expect it seems to be something in the lines of a mix between "Ten Little Indians" and "Clue."

The pre-order deal is also a bit hard to pass up, 25% off, making it a cool $15.

In other belated news, meaning again that I haven't been keeping up on my blog, I have officially defended my thesis. I did so a little over a week ago and the feeling, as tremedous as it is, is still settling in. It feels as though the reigns are slowing letting off and I can breath more and more.

Also, I even more belated news, I have DS Lite now as does my lovely wife. Currently playing:

Animal Crossing
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Ford Racing 3
Sonic Rush
(and some others) although I am not even sure you can have a list in a "currently" list. Would be like saying, "I am currently reading..." and listing quite a few, or what about "currently listening," perhaps more freedom there. Who knows.

Best Man - Best Friend  

Ruby Skye - San Francisco's Finest Nightclub and Special Event Venue - Nightclub, Club, Bar, Lounge, DJ, House Music, Hip Hop.

Ruby Skye

I was just thinking, since I was sick today from work, which this morning was actually a serious matter, that perhaps some of the time when I feel ill or down in general that it may in fact be a tremendous lack of electronica music.

I was just getting the post together for my SacLand google group together and was listening to the amazing music they have on Skye's web site and I just felt a thousand times better. If you were wondering, track 2 is my fav.

This is going to happen, will all the posititivity that I can give to an event like this right now. Have been meaning to get back to Ruby Skye and this sure seems like a good way to make another foray into the plush surroundings this SF based club has to offer.  

I love Role-Playing

Via: VideoSift

Unfortunate Item Not Included

I didn't post this when I received the news. I can honestly say that it was not from the shock of the blow, which was sizable, but nothing to knock me off my feet. I am holding firm in my belief that God will place me where it is best to be and that if I am not to go on to a PhD program right now then that is the right path to accept.

Well, I suppose then that it might go without saying except that I went without posting it for too long. I did not make it into any of the schools I applied for and so I will not begin pursuits of a PhD this Fall. But I am still hard at work in getting the thesis completed in the best form that it can. Which incidently is what I am doing right now and need to get back to. Not sure how the Gizmo picture ended up being posted before this bit of news, but there it is.

Me as a kid with Gizmo, a particularly cute hero of mine. This, I believe, was taked during a Halloween event of some sort. Gotta love the furry little Gremlin. Or, are they not considered Gremlins until they morph. Hmmm, this obviously needs some more thought.  

Had to post these up: this is the entrance to the dinning hall on the ship we took for our Honeymoon. The dinning room was called Aquarius, so this one is for all the A-Boys. It was terrific, too, because everything in it was themed after the sign, the walls had the design, the carpet, statues. Magnificent.  

Peasant's Quest

Peasant's Quest

Best Game Ever. I highly recommend it. Right now I am 64/150. Here I come Trogdor!

Photo Art: By Budiak
A Terrific work of art by a best friend and a member of the bridal party. This moment was captured as I went over the ceremony with my Dad before the wedding. The photo was taken in the History room of the church and the method of the photography I think suits the situation well.

Greetings from the Beautiful Mazatlan! I and my recently married wife, Lindsey, say hello in front of a grown up version of the first palm plant I bought her when we were dating. Lots more pics to come:) The honeymoon was wonderful, full of adventure, and I have some good stories that would make excellent blog entries. Gotta put some pictures on to illustrate them. So I will get to work on that.

I regret to inform you...

Brown University

Yes, a high prize in many eyes, Brown University must be added to the list of schools I will not be attending.

For those doing your brackets at home that leaves:
Oregon University & SUNY Stony Brook

It has come down to the polar opposited of this great nation. On one side the lovely town of Eugene, on the other the incredible locale of Long Island, NY.

Fuel for the Fire

::POWERade OPTION::

Right now I am in the midst of crunch time and heavy writing. My current fuel status charged and ready to keep on.
Fuel types for this evening are as follows:
Maxwell House Coffee (Original Smooth)
This litte Treat linked to above - POWERade OPTION
&
Last but not least - Mountain Dew

And, of course, some traditional H2O will make it into the mix.

A few more additions to the List

University of California, Santa Barbara

Well, it is my sad duty to now add to the list
University of California, Santa Barbara and
The University of Virginia

to the list of schools I will not be attending. What makes these decisions even more saddening is that they were schools that were near my top choices and on top of being excellent schools they were in terrific locations as well.

Beautiful Santa Barbara and the wonderful state of Virginia, I bid thee adieu.

I mean, just look at that campus...

Elgin Marbles

Just a quick little update while I am in the midst of thesis writing. Schools I have heard no from their doctoral committees:

Duke
University of Michigan
Indiana University
University of Southern California
Cornell

Underway - Undertoe

There are times, much like tonight, where I get so excited about where my ideas are headed that I derail. Tonight it was even worse. I was able to get so much of what was a very abstract idea from my head down into writing. This felt tremendous and I was thrilled at the progress. But, like I said, it drew me away from the writing momentum that I was in and into a kind of bleh. So here I am, filling a little time before bed. Now I have alotted some time before bed for some addition academic reading, so that will make a nice cap to the day and I can start fresh tomorrow; right after work.

Work has been somewhat tough lately. I am working it out with God to make it through and retain enough energy to finish the day out writing. After tomorow I will have a nice block of days strung together to get things accomplished.

Goal: to have a first rough draft of the thesis before Tuesday, March 14th. Wednesday I can then pack and recoil from the strenuous weekend of thesis work and prepare myself mentally for life changing weekend to come.

Wedding bells, to me they sound a music my soul have sought since inception. I love my God - I love my Family and that Family I am to enter into - and I love my fiancee - I love her with all my heart and everything that I am wants to be hers and to please her and be there for her in all things and forever.

I really need to find a more poetic voice when describing that. It is hard because just the thought sends me dizzy in rapture and verse form is harder for me to produce when I am like that. hehe, guess I am just twitterpated.

Current TV // Google Current - Venetian: Conor // Sharkey

Current TV // Google Current - Venetian: Conor // Sharkey

This was genius. Google is genius. Just a matter of time now before they take over the world. And I would also like to take this time to thank google for Blogger and Picasa, and of course, Hello.

I love politics.

Sponsorship

Maxwell House

I have always thought that being sponsored in something was a definitive sign of recognition in whatever field that may be. I have never seriously hoped to be sponsored by anyone like Burton, Quicksilver, or Airwalk; but what about the academic person like myself?

Now before I layout my idea, keep in mind that what I am picturing is a more popularized form of sponsorship; one with commercial implications. This may provide some insight into why we haven't seen any of this. There are, of course, numerous methods by which students are sponsored. You have your fellowships, recognition awards, Professorial letters of endorsement, etc. But I do think that there is an untapped market here that might just get the mouths watering in some corporate minds.

Think of it: when I browse for products, the ones I see are hawked by athletes, cartoon icons, attractive or influential spokesperson, and stars, none of whom I aspire to me. Most of us truly don't, but bear with me.

I think a new wave of advertising might take form in more realistic, albeit still unlikely to achieve, outlooks. Or, for my purposes here, in fellow-worship.

I take part of this cue from my own musings and hopes with the added fuel of the blog-o-sphere. Nothing to my mind recently appeals as much to the 'someone else out there gets it' mentality. Blogs also can have a sponsorship element to them allowing for the potential of profitability.

So - here it is. My pitch.

If I were to be elevated to such a status, allow me to give who I would choose, or perhaps because of my enthusiasm for their products, be chosen by were I to be looked to to endorse products that might fit my demographic:

Maxwell House - would want my testimonial of their great cup to cup taste and how numerous late nights doing literary research and composition are owed to their coffee. They might also want a picture of Mt. Coffulous. In fact, that will be a 'to add' for the blog at least.

HP - for the extensive printing of and composing of essays, term papers, and presentation. I am writing this on a HP Pavilion and currently am employing an HP Deskjet 3740. The benefits here might also yield good freebies from the company.
FedEx/Kinkos - For some mass printing work and especially for shipping. Shipped some writing samples to the Universities that I am applying to.

Microsoft - as a testimonial spokesman on their OneNote program of which ample use has been made in the preparation for seminars, symposiums, class lectures, and thesis research.

Many others have come to mind but duty calls and I must return to making good use of these products in my academic pursuits.

UN Wipes Israel Off the Map - Photos - November 29, 2005 UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

UN Wipes Israel Off the Map - Photos - November 29, 2005 UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

I will keep this in my blog as a rememberance; that there are those in power who should be questioned and that in general point of doing I have not done my part to persist in that effort. Sites like this, and other watchdog groups, are invaulable to the American spirit of the pursuit of Truth and justice.

A display like this is tragic and yet, in all its pomp the modern media sits silent on such topics.

Guild Wars - The Party

Guild Wars

The party is underway and we had our first Guild Hall to prove it. Thanks to Budiak for fronting a majority of the gold and Peetree for organizing it we have what we were looking for. A dream come true for some, for others, well perhaps just something that happened.

Wow - sometimes it becomes extremely apparent how much of a nerd I am sometimes. But hey, to those who think so, I have a Guild Hall and who else can say that.

Hmmm. Well, back to some more academic endeavors.

Picture from the big installment of GuildWars:Factions. Here is to a fantastic weekend. Friends are coming up and we are going to make an event out of the preview. New places, races, and abilities; should be entertaining for all who can attend. Several good friends are also going to join us in game from other locations.  

Finalized

Application are essentially done. Hooray! I just have to get the hard copies of the letters of recommendation to the professors providing them and get those sent off as well. It is a huge relief to have them completed. In the mail and going a variety of places: now the waiting game begins.

I was also thinking that as a New Year's resolution I would tell myself to make posts more often; especially since this wonderful thing is being provided for us for free. I will try to do so, but as far as a resolution goes, I think I will avoid that. Those, I have heard, as destined to fail.

Well, until tomorrow, I hope.