It's been a while

Hey guys. It's been a while since last post. So I've decided, after much fear and trembling, to remain a Computer Science major. Cool, that's out of the way. Now comes the hard part. Passing Calculus 2. We have our first test on Monday. I don't think there's any way I could pass it. I have not kept up with the homework thus far, and therefore am really behind. That's the bad news. The good news is that our lowest test grade gets dropped anyways. However, I still need to go back and do the homework so that I can be up to date with the class. Sound like fun? Anyone want to come help me with L' Hospital's rule? What was that...no one...yea.

New band. New song.

The sound quality is terrible. If you put ear phones on then you can hear the bass better but the guitar gets washed out. The band has no name and no singer. We hope to acquire both in the not so distant future. To be honest, the only reason I'm posting this here is so that the other two people in the band can see it. But feel free to leave your thoughts.

Did I fail already?

I've been really on top of this whole gym thing. I've been going everyday since we joined. An hour or more each day. Excluding Sunday's and the day after we joined. One day 30 minutes of cardio then about 30 minutes of weights. The next day 1 hour of cardio, 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill. Well today, I'm sick. I've got sinus problems and it feels like someone is tap dancing in my sinus cavities. So I'm not going to the gym today. I went yesterday and I felt pretty crappy afterwards. Then I sat through an entire work day feeling crappy. Then I sat through a Calculus Class feeling crappy. Then I came home and went to bed. I don't want to call into work sick today because I have too much stuff to do. I'm trying to "crank it up" or something like that. So am I a sissy or am I just human? You decide.

Also, about this whole "cranking it up" business. I'm trying. Really really really hard. But do you know how hard it is for me? Enough complaining. Sally Forth...

I beheld History Today

Today I witnessed an important event. The inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama. I have heard so much talk leading up to today. Ranging from the importance of the election of our first African American President to the election of our most liberal President. However, this is not what I saw today. We have seen an entirely new leader come to power and no one died. No rebellions broke out. No one's head was cut off. If you, even briefly, read over a World History book then you should understand why this is important. I also want to say that I do understand the history of racial tensions in our country, therefore the importance of President Obama's election from that stand point. But I believe that his election is bigger than that. Every Presidential Election is bigger than the man who is holding the title. So good luck President Obama. With the utmost sincerity I wish to see you succeed.

A Statement on Civil Liberties

The following is not a response in any way to the election of Barack Obama. It is quite the opposite. It is a response to the government who passed the Patriot Act, yet still claims adherence to the Constitution. But especially the Republican Party, which has shown that it cares not for the ideals of true conservatism, but pushes a moralistic agenda that pays no attention to the idea of personal liberty. With this being said, here is my statement on our civil liberties.

We are guaranteed our civil liberties based not on the notions and whims of the government but based on the idea that we are all human, equal in measure through our being and our citizenry, and assured to us through the Bill of Rights which is installed within our Constitution. Therefore, if any government agency infringes upon those rights not only are they hoarding power they should not be allowed, but they are denying the existence of your citizenship. For they did not dole out such rights to you therefore they cannot withdraw them. The rights are ours due to our very existence, and it is the Bill of Rights, which guarantees the government's vigilance of them. To accept the concept of security at any cost and to allow the government limitless authority with which to bring that security about is to allow government to run, unrestrained, crying wolf at every turn to keep the citizens in their place. It is this scenario, which has led to the allowance of such legislation as the Patriot Act. Under the guise of a more secure state, we have allowed the government to loot our guaranteed civil rights, and instill within itself all the power it wishes. Furthermore, we have become so terrified of the wolf that it has become commonplace to not question, lest you be considered unpatriotic. Maybe it's time we start being unpatriotic again.

An Early Morning Encounter of the Grumpy Kind

So now that I am paying for a Y membership I have to go. Normally I would just go at night around 7:30 or 8:00. However, I am not normal nor is my schedule. This week school has started again. So I am going to the gym in the morning. When I say I am going in the morning, don't be fooled. I went this morning. So in my "I can't believe I'm not at home, in my chair, reading, and drinking coffee" stupor, behold, I see a Rob Sheppard. He's one of the few people from our new church who I've met, and not only met, I actually like. But at that hour and in that situation, I was not in top form. Normally I would be down to discuss things of importance like the possible spirituality of aliens, or the wonders of the yoga ball, or even football. But nope, he gets none of that. So Rob, next time we meet I will try to on top of my game. Unless that meeting is at the gym in the morning again. In which case I'll just go ahead and apologize ahead of time.

In other news, I started class tonight. When I say class I don't mean something fun like Object Oriented Programming, or History of the Mongoose in Eastern Europe, I mean Calculus 2. Oh, the horrors. Well...maybe not. My professors seemed like a nice enough person, and having taught for 31 years, he seems to understand how to teach the students. But, most importantly, he's got a great New York accent. Not Yiddish, but maybe a little. Last semester my saving grace was a great study partner. I've already gotten a few people interested in a Thursday night study group. But I'm not certain if they are the "ride or die" type, to put it in the modern vernacular. But we'll soon find out.

The Wait is Over

I present my Pedal Board with wires, new pedals, and all. Please try to not drool on it.

...I didn't die.

• Treadmill- check
• Weight Machines- check
• Sweat- check
• Muscles being used that haven't ever been used before- check
• Muscular Dudes walking around like they have nothing else to do- check

All in all, it was an enjoyable experience. Just need to get some headphones.

Oh Geez

Ok guys. Here's the deal. I've got really bad heart problems on both sides of my family. That said, I'm a touch over weight. Last year I made an attempt to give up fast food...well...all the burger and taco places at least (I allowed Chic Fil A and Subway). I made it until November without buying any. So this year I'm going I am going to do it again only this time I am adding 7-11 food to the list. Seven days down 349 more to go. Also, Jess and I are about to leave to go join the YMCA. Yea, I said it. We are going to join the Y. If you don't hear back from me later, know that I went down in blaze of uncordinated, out-of-shape, glory.

Random Occurrences of Musical Outburst

When you are in a band that has actual songs, the band gets together during the week for PRACTICE. When you are just a bunch of friends who get together to make music, then it's not so much practice, but I don't know what to call it. Or at least I didn't until now. Last night we had a "Random Occurrence of Musical Outburst". Unfortunately my bass wielding friend Matt could not make it. However, my not-so-bass-wield friend Steve could. For 2 hours the music poured fourth. It was great. I know that eventually we are going to have to start writing music if we are going to start playing anywhere. But it's just so fun right now. We will be doing it again on Monday night. This time a new person will be joining us. I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully I'll have some video to post of it as well. For now you'll just have to accept a picture of my stuff from last night. Notice my new pedal in action...or not. I just got up to get my phone and I guess I didn't hit save. Grrr... Instead you get to look at someone else rocking out. Later kids.