Pneumonia

Well third year is under way. Looks to be full of interesting challenging material. Side note: blogging on my new mac computer. Which is quite awesome. Been pretty tired lately. School has definantley started.

Was driving the other day when I began to think about how precious life really is. There is so little in life that you, yourself, are actually in full control of. Every person has the capacity to destroy life by choice or on accident. There is so much to be thankful for and not a day goes by that I don't remember that. Sure, I get caught up in the frivilous things in life. But I appreciate every second that I am alive to experience every feeling that I feel. Even in the most negative of times I appreciate that I have the mental capacity to have the opportunity to understand and feel those emotions. There is so much beauty in the world if you choose to see it. However, it is a choice.

Another year down; I made it to 25.

Alas, quarter century I am. Can't believe I have lived this long. I don't feel old or anything but I remember being younger and not being able to fathom living past 16. Now I can officially have my quarter-life crisis. One of my first undertakings as a green 25 year old was a kick-ball tournament this weekend. I wanted to prove to myself that I am not the old fart my parents keep proclaiming. Well, 2 days later, I am sore as all get out but still kinesthetically functioning. So, it was a success.

School starts soon. Social life ends soon. Tis' the season to be stressed. Wicked.

it's coming to an end

I have 4 more weeks remaining at my current job. Been here for almost 3 years. And as I have done before, I am writing while waiting for some samples. I will be sad to leave; for the most part. There are a few individuals that I will be able to live without having to mask my contempt for their behavior. Nice people I'm sure but they will not be on the list of those I will miss. I will have to bring in a box to clean out my office. Just like they do on tv. Something of which I have yet to have to do when leaving a job. In part, because I have never had my own office. Actually, its a glorified cubicle. But to someone such as myself; it's an office.

Also the Harry Potter series is coming to an end. I think being aware of that fact has made me read the book much slower. I am a week into the new one. Usually I have them finished by now. I am only half-way. And thus far I am not disappointed with the story. I guess there are still movies to look forward to.

Persistence

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccesful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Picture of me climbing down the steep wall to get to the bottom of that waterfall in Maui. Thanks to Wayne for that one.

Deep in thought

I am embarking upon my 3rd week of summer vacation, of which will be my last. It's amazing to me the thoughts a mind represses in response to 4 months of constant, varying degrees, of stress. AKA Vet school. My mind has left a state of hyper-stimulation to nearly stagnant; relatively speaking. Now I have time to dwell on worries, crap, etc. In the face of having to officially declare my track, I am now feeling as though I am in the midst of a quarter-life crisis. All of a sudden I don't know what the heck I want to do, don't know what I am going to do after I graduate, blah blah blah. Some of these concerns have probably spawned from realization that my altruistic mindset isn't quite realistic. So, in turn , I am experiencing some internal struggles. It is unfortunate that society has to revolve around monetary gains. Such is life I suppose. On a lighter note...Getting quite excited for my dog acquisition and Hawaii excursion. Two events of which will be well documented with my camera!!

Ehh

Some pictures which are of random assortment but moderately stimulating to the optics.

I think they were all taken last year. I add these in an attempt reconcile the trend of lacking visuals in the past.

My 5 min no nonsense unorganized update

First off, I would like to criticize my blog for the lack of visual material.

• Moving was a blast...I am lying. I hate moving. But I'm moved. Our upstairs residents seem to believe that the only way to shut a door is to use such excessive force that the whole structure shakes at 6:10am in the morning, every morning.
• Addendum to above: although it may be noisy and my room is tiny, this may be the best living situation that I have been in since I moved out of the parents abode.
• I have decreased the amount of swear words I use daily by 94.21%. This has been quite a feat.
• Escaping to Hawaii in 33 days.
• Hoping to get Forest in 42 days.
• Attempted an ovariohystorectomy in a dog that already had one; little Potato as I call her.
• Have developed a liking for Guinness Extra Stout beer, its like awesome.
• Just a little less than 2 years until I am a doctor of veterinary medicine.
• Just a little over 2 years until I am "broker" than I am now.
• I have 3 months to ameliorate my moral after this horrendous semester.
• I do NOT want to be a poultry vet.
• My roommate is going to Europe for a month.
• This is the last summer at my current job.
• My car's "check engine" light is on, which is causing me to experience some intense bouts of paranoia.
• The new Incubus album is alright.
• At times, a simple egg sandwich can be the highlight of my day.
• Goal for this blog this summer: write more than once.

Word.......

Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

Kind of been neglecting this thing for awhile. But honestly, between the rigors of Facebook, Myspace, and all the other online experiences, who has time to just blog??? This semester is pretty insane. Free time is definitely a thing of the past and apparently sleep as well. Coffee gets me through the days, most anyway. Really, this hot water with an attitude I am very thankful for. Moving in the next few months...hopefully the last one for my duration of vet school. Kind of looking forward to the homestead change though. Hoping for a home filled with a little less drama, action, stress, etc, and more space in my room. But as I always say, "it'll be what it'll be." In the scheme of things it doesn't really matter that much.

Going to the Brand New concert in March and am quite thrilled at that. Also planning/hoping to head over to Jersey for Bamboozle fest in May to catch Muse & MCR along with some others. Unfortunately MCR & Muse are not stopping in the cities on their tour. Guess I'll just go to them.

Happy Valentines day. Another day created to generate more money for the economy. Yes, ba humbug to ye holiday. Although, I must admit, I am baking valentine cupcakes so I am a hypocrite. It's still a stupid holiday. My mind is feeling like a box of crayons in a car on a hot day...just getting all soft and mushy and melting. I am worthless right now. Summer and green grass can't get here soon enough.

Where have I been?

Alas, 2nd semester has graced me with its presence. Only 42 hrs of class on the first week. Uh, yeah um right. Winter break went all too quickly but overall, was pretty good. Did the annual ski trip thing. For the fourth year in a row the trip was a success. Success being that our car got us from A-B to B-A with no problems and everyone returned home with no injuries to speak of. The skiing was good, although, no waking up to 15" of fresh powder this year. I did not have any spectacular follies...but I saw this dude eat it huge. He lost both skis and ended up having to trudge about 100yds through waist deep snow to retrieve them. I couldn't help but laugh. We took a day off from skiing to venture over to Yellowstone to enjoy the hot springs. It was very neat. I think I am going to get there over the summer if I can.


Now I am back in the "real world," well pseudo real world as I am still a student. There is no snow here and it is cold. I am anxious for the first hints of spring.

Yeah

I'm done with this semester Yay. I just finished my last final today Yay. I am listening to music Yay. I am drinking some new castle beer Yay. And that is about the end of the sentences I am able to end with Yay. Oh, last week with Mark I went to the Triple Rock and listened to a new band that I hadn't heard of before. Snowden. They are pretty sweet. The bass player is absolutley the most awesome chick bass player I have seen. I got their CD and haven't taken it out of my CD player since. Now I can enjoy them fully with my brain since it is no longer devoted to my studies for the remainder of the year. Cheers to that. It has been quite the semester. Next semster will stretch me and my sanity. Until then I will be skiing in Big Sky, Montana, chilling, and working. Yay to that. Well, It's late...Next time I write I will put up my lovely pictures of Ed. He loves to be dressed up in xmas costumes...LOL. Not really. Oh also check out the new Brand New album. Absolutely wonderful. Word to ya motha!

This ship is taking me far away

Anything I can do to keep from studying. I have been pondering quite a bit this weekend. It's wierd. I'm totally ready for a break from school. These next few weeks will go by pretty quick. I need to keep my motivation up so that I don't slack just because it is the end of the semester. Pathology is the bane of my existence. Really. I hate studying for the exams. They suck. Or maybe I suck. Or maybe both. My cat is totally staring at me. He's probably congering up hypothetical situations where he is making me wear stupid hats or chase a laser pointer or something. I got Ed an x-mas hat. I'll take some photos and post them on my next post. He just loves it....almost as much as I do pathology.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is amazing.

Holy moses!

Well...been a while since I visited. The days happenings have left me tired and in a state of peturbation. Note to self; don't choose to go to work after going TB testing and having to study for a pathology exam and then taking the exam. I am beat. Toga party tonight that I am not sad I am not attending. Went TB testing this weekend. It was...well...I made some money; which is a plus. Don is my new DNR hero. The weekend was long. The work was bloody. The time marched on. This is begining to sound like something epic here, which, unfortunately it is not. Although, now I can find retropharyngeal lymph nodes with ease.

My cat is his normal. My home is normal, which isn't saying much. Sometimes I think my life could be made into a movie. Some of the shit that actually happens; stuff I actually manage to be involved in amazes me. Of course I am not talking about anything noteworthy like saving a life or anything...just crazy, crazy crap that if it didn't happen to me I don't think I'd believe it. Example:

2003-2004 school year. at river falls. eating at steve's, a non-traditional classmate, house. this dude is 29 and still lives at home. went there for a group project. we're eating dinner and the dad asks me and mark if we were dating. and we replied no. actually mark said no because i shoved a huge mouthful of food into my oral cavity. then the dad proceeds to say something to the effect of: you know young people's relationships these days. everyone is in heat and it is all lustfull and intense but these relationships will not last a life time. This. during dinner. fricken akward. then we all watched some disney movie and played electronic uno. we were prisoners(we being me, mark, and jess). we didn't have the heart to leave....6 months later i had to go to the same house to drop off something for steve. his mom invites me in. and then proceeds to show me her bunyons...wow...this can't be happening to me. i sat the duration of her show and tell and then left as soon as the opportunity arrose....crazy crazy crazy

Looking forward to my annual ski trip. Well, not the drive but the skiing and friends. Going to Big Sky again. Can't believe this is the fourth year in the making. When we started the trip we joked that it would be cool to keep doing it and to our amazement we are still going. It is something that is special to me. The concept that is. Some of my closest friends they are. I have so many good memories. Memories are a wonderful thing. It is something, God willing, that no one can take from me. Oh yes memories...

Also have some moderate expectations for AAEP this year. It should be warmer than here so I guess this is a plus. It will just be nice to get outta town per se. A motivator to keep trudging through vet school. Next semsters schedule left me feeling quite despondant. WOW. It is going to be insane. Well, I am hungry. So I will eat.

Follow through make your dreams come true don't give up the fight you will be all right because there's no one like you in the universe.....

Uno

So, a date with some Jack Daniels has prompted this entry. Don't look into the contents of this message. Although I will pose a bit to cogitate about; from my point of view any way. Which, I am not even sure what I am posing. Just some lyrics to a song...Speaking of which...have you ever been, well I just don't think I can explain it...

"Uno"

This means nothing to me'
Cause you are nothing to me
And it means nothing to me
That you blew this away'

Cause you could have been number one
If you only found the time
And you could have ruled the whole world
If you had the chance
You could have been number one
And you could have ruled the whole world
And we could have had so much fun
But you blew it away

You're still nothing to me
And this is nothing to me
And you don't know what you've done
But I'll give you a clue

You could have been number one
If you only had the chance
And you could have ruled the whole world
If you had the time
You could have been number one
And you could have ruled the whole world
And we could have had so much fun
But you blew it away

You could have been number one
And you could have ruled the whole world
And we could have had so much fun
But you blew it away

Patiently waiting

Well, the last week of summer is here. School starts back up on the 5th. It is crazy how fast time goes as you get older. Work is a bit dull. Found out MCR's releasing thier new record in a little less than 2 months. Kinda pumped; also means they will be touring soon. Hopefully they'll be in the cities before next semester. First single is realeased in 2 weeks. I'm almost looking forward to studying sessions at Dunn Bros...they have the best coffee.

Goal for next summer: plan a road trip.

Mini-update

First off, I just found out how to spell prima donna. It is not pre-madonna. Wow...I feel dumb. Summer is still going by. Went to Kansas City for Hill's student rep training. Some may call me a sell out. Maybe I am. But I was treated like I was a prima donna for the whole 4 days I was there. Ha ha, along with the 20 some other students. I learned a ton almost as much as I ate. I have never been offered so much food (and by this I mean people food folks). I ate shrimp!!! Holy crap!!! Got a lot of free stuff and met some pretty impressive people. Overall an awesome experience and I am looking forward to it again next year!!! I am really feeling like I have a slew of opportunities ahead. This is a bit onerous at times; only because it is hard to choose when you have an undecided heart. But it is also a blessing because I can choose from so many things. Oh...I now have buisness cards(random).

So, I am pretty excited for Tapes 'N Tapes making it big. I met Erik Appelwick(bassist) at a Vicious Vicious show(he's the lead singer for them too) last Sept. It's cool to see a local band do awesome. They played Letteman!!! Been kinda stuck on Muse's new record along with Taking Back Sunday, and "Over and Over," by Hot Chip. Still patiently awaiting MCR's new record release. When this event takes place all will be copasetic in my music world. I'm also diggin' Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek." I love to stream MTVU while I am analyzing data at work.

My love affair with coffee continues to blossom. No matter how much I try to deny myself of this pleasure. I do believe a Dunn Bros coffee ice-creama can make a dull day exciting and full of joy. I crave them. I believe I might hold the record for the speediest consumption time for a 24oz...LOL! I love them. Six months ago, I wouldn't go near coffee. Wow, how quickly things can change. I love coffee....

"We are all self-made. But only the successful will admit it." --Anonymous

Food for thought...

Your best thinking got you where you are today, this very moment...sometimes this is a scary thought.

P.S. I did find a pre-owned, new to me, car. A Volvo S60. I am finally getting used to it. Muhaaaaaa......No more car shopping.

Brand New

Saw Brand New in concert last night...wow. Live music is amazing to me. It's far better than any drug or booze. Definantley worth seeing. The place was sold out. It was hot. People sang along to almost every song. Enjoyed some New Castle for the first time. I got into the thick of the crowd; got sprayed by water to keep the people cool. Was pretty wet at the end of the show; didn't care. Got semi lost leaving the Quest. Stuck my head out the window going down the highway. Didn't have a worry. Had a late night breakfast at Perkins. Just like old times. I have not lost my youth....

If my family were South Park characters

So, here is my rendition of my family in South Park land. Kinda funny. And yes, it is slow at work this week.

On another note, nothing related to my family, I have realized that no one is free of personal problems. I mean I already knew this but now I think I feel it. I really am fairly "normal," if there is such a thing, compared to some people I know...lol...well, I guess it is all relative.

Have you ever felt agitated??

Current mood: agitated. Why??? Um, dunno. I guess I really shouldn't be since I can't really validate why. Just am. Sometimes there are things in life that I wish I didn't want to understand or have to. I wasn't really refering to my agitation. I'll be honest; I think lack of sleep has warranted me cranky. I wish I had life all figured out. The whole trial and error crap can be fun but there are times I really don't want to piss around with things that I don't know the outcome of. I'm thinking I may be getting allergies. This is annoying. But there are much worse things to aquire...lol. Oh, there's a song that I like by Panic at the Disco. But I can't remember it. It's stuck in my head. "I chime in, haven't you people ever heard of, closing the God damn door, no...

Ahhhh....

The joys of car shopping. I won't lie...I think it sucks. Not quite as bad as jean shopping but it is still pretty darn time consuming. Also frustrating is thinking that at any moment your current car is going to malfunction. So, every odd noise and squeak it makes you jump and think your car is dying. Maybe car shopping would be fun if I didn't have any financial limitations and had air conditioning in my current whip to go and look at the cars. Yeah.

I recently aquired the Against Me CD, Searching for a Former Clarity. I have just really started to enjoy it. The lyrics are pretty good. Overall a pretty good CD; worth what I paid anyway.

Time is just flying by. I am not far away from the world my parents live in. No more summers. Being grown up. Every now and then I dwell on that. I know most people my age are in the real world and have faced this fact. Being in vet school has preserved that last little bit of youthful lifestyle. I mean don't get me wrong, I am happy here at 23 but there are times when I wouldn't mind being 18 again. A senior in high school. Playing pranks on friends at school. All I did was have fun, work a bit, buy CD's, and really didn't worry too much. This is probably a classic sign that I am getting older. I mean, technically, assuming I live to be of average age I have lived a quarter of my life already. Whoa....