More to come soon

Where have I been? Same old place, except for this weekend when I was in Portland, but I haven't felt like blogging lately. It's too bad because interesting things have occurred, like this and this.

I wrote a few blog posts out by hand during my classes, but then I never feel compelled to actually put them on my blog. I'd be better at keeping a diary than a blog, as Lisa pointed out, but that means little now.

Posts about Portland will be up shortly. I was going to put them up now, but just realized I forgot the notebook in my room. Photos from my phone will also be delayed because I hate technology and Bluetooth confuses me.

I'd hoped for a smile ...

Yesterday, I was elected to be The Daily Evergeen's editor-in-chief for fall 2008. The experience was surprising. I became more nervous than I thought I would be and I didn't feel at all like I thought I would when I heard I had won.

I thought long and hard about the decision to run. The paper has become my life. As I noted in my presentation, this past year I've spent more time in the newsroom than out of it. I ran for editor-in-chief because I believed it was the best thing I could do for the paper I care about so much.

More experience would always be nice, but I know myself well enough not to do something I'm not ready for. Reactions were not what I expected, but at the end of the day I'm looking forward to next fall.

I know I can do it, and not just because I have to. I wouldn't have run otherwise. I'm glad to be editor-in-chief. I've had great examples to learn from and I hope to be as successful as the editors before me.

Farewell Diamond

My father called this morning, when he knew I would still be sleeping, to tell me my cat died last night. I was relieved that she wasn't attacked or sick, but simply died in her sleep. She was a very old cat. I remember holding her when she was kitten and I was about 3. That made her 16 when she finally went to sleep and never woke up. She was a barn cat and an excellent mouser. I named her Diamond, because the way she had different colors of brown in her coat reminded me a scene from the Rescuers when a flashlight hits a diamond. It will be strange to feed the animals without her trailing after me.

On catching my attention

As News editor I get 20 to 50 e-mails a day, depending on the day of the week. I am annoyed by most of them and delete at least half. Others I flag to return to at a later time and the handful of useful ones I print and add to my clipboard.

Today I got a cute little card in my real mailbox about the College of Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition. "I guess I'll send a reporter to this," I said to Lisa. She in turn pointed out how this is a perfect example of contradictions in my character.

"If you had been e-mailed the same information, you would have deleted it," she said. "But because they sent an actual invitation, you're going to send a reporter."

This is true. Had it been an e-mail, I would have ignored it and the student body would never hear about the poster competition. But because the College of Sciences put in the extra effort to make me feel like they really wanted the Evergreen to be there, I'm more willing to comply with their request.

I should note that telling me in an e-mail that a story is VERY NEWSWORTHY does not count as putting in extra effort to catch my attention. When I receive 50 e-mails a day, if you want coverage your event better actually be newsworthy or you should do something to make me like you better. Cute cards are apparently effective, though nothing can make up for a story that has no relevance to our readers.

Snow in March

That's right. It's snowing.

I will post updates from spring break and my first week back after I get the bluetooth set up on my phone. The posts won't be complete without the photos I have stored there.

However, I had to share that it is snowing outside. It was nice enough this morning that Victor didn't wear a coat when he came to campus, but then, coming back with dinner from the newly opened dining center, we got snowflakes in our sandwiches.

Mother Nature has issues.

Song of the Day

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. They still got it.

Song of the Day

"TNT" by ACDC. Just get outta my way.




The guitar player is definitely on something.

Song of the Day

"Voodoo Child" by Jimi Hendrix. This isn't the best version of the song, but I love watching him play.

Life This Week

So much time and so little to do. Wait. Strike that. Reverse it.

Song of the Day

"Revolution" by the Beatles. Last night I watched Across the Universe for the first time. Now the songs are stuck in my head and I have a new appreciation for the music of the Beatles. I liked a few of their songs before and now like a couple more. I think that the actors in the movie did a better job with several of the songs. Aside from a couple of over the top phychedelic moments I recommend it.

Chance of a lifetime

Many of the players on the WSU basketball team are tall. One is particularly so. I have long desired to stand next to him to see just how tall he is. Lisa, her brother, and I went to watch basketball practice today. The last home game of the season is on Saturday and then the seniors will graduate. I mistakenly thought the very tall player was graduating, and the thought that I would never have the opportunity to ask again, gave me to courage to request a picture with him. Thankfully, Lisa takes her camera everywhere with her.


It made my day and I was so happy to get what I've wanted for some time. I couldn't stop smiling I was so pleased. I also got to shake hands with Tony Bennet.

Once I returned to the newsroom, I realized he is only a junior and not graduating. He did not correct me though, which was kind of him.

WSU Elections

We made it through ASWSU elections last night. It didn't feel as stressful as I remember last year being, but perhaps that was because I was on the other side of things. It may also have been because I was not as enraged by the results.

I know exactly how Jimmy felt as he sat at the computer frantically flipping through his notes. The ASWSU reporter, Alex, was surprising calm. Rikki and I both covered elections night last year. One year later, we're both in editor positions. It seems like a fast transition and it makes me nervous to think where I'll be another year from now.

I made it back to my room at around 11:20 p.m. and I discovered that the Elections Board did not call senators who won. A write-in candidate was stressing out in my suite and thought he'd have to wait until tomorrow to find out the results. I told him that he had won and said I was surprised no one had called him. "How were they supposed to get my number?" he asked.

I thought it was funny that people unfamiliar with tracking down contact information for individuals don't realize how usually, it's pretty easy.

Song of the Day

"Rock You Like A Hurricane" by Scorpions. NASCAR has started again and with it (like baseball season) comes great commercials. I give you one of the best ones so far. Starring Kasey Kahne, one of my favorite drivers.

"I think we're satisfied." Genius.

Journalism and College

Yesterday, I did something I haven't really be able to do in a while. I wrote an update to the fraternity in trouble story the Evergreen broke on Thursday.

In the middle of my day of reporting, making phone calls and waiting for people to return them, I had to go to COM 295 (the news writing class), where I was supposed to learn to do exactly what I was already doing. It was speech writing day, so I had to listen to a speaker for 30 minutes. All I could think about was how my time could be used much more beneficially elsewhere. I had my article for the class finished before the speaker was done talking. I waited for him to finish before I turned it in, but the prof still gave me a very skeptical look for being done so quickly. At the time, I didn't care. I had more important things to care about.

This is part of the difficulty of being a student journalist. We try to do everything any other newspaper would do, but we have to fit classes in each day also.

In the evening, I moderated The Daily Evergreen ASWSU Presidential Debate. Brian was the timer. Afterward, I had another rare experience. Someone interviewed me for his broadcast class. I didn't want to, but in the end, decided to help him out. It was weird to be on the other end of the questions.

Song of the Day

"Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys. Classic.



Why you ask? Because I can and because it's SWEET! This is my childhood. Gotta love those mad choreographed dance scenes!

Cereal diet continued

I had my breakfast dry this morning because I was running late. I tried it first yesterday morning. It didn't make the cereal taste more appetizing, but it did force me to eat the cereal more slowly.

Today's problem was that I tried to eat during my first class. I ended up giving up because I wasn't sure how loud my crunching was and I didn't want everyone listening to me eat. I know from experience how obnoxious that can be.

So far the diet has not really been difficult. Yes I'm hungry, but as I've mentioned, I can always eat fruit. The diet is really just more annoying. I don't hate eating a lot of cereal, I would just prefer other food.

I also feel no lighter.

Special K Day Three

Written at around 3 p.m. so tenses are odd.

I had my boring Original Special K breakfast. It doesn't taste good but it doesn't taste bad so it's not a problem to eat. I also still try to race the effects of the milk so I eat it rather quickly.

Due to classes and a trip to the clerk's office in Colfax, I don't get to eat anything again until 2 p.m. Cereal is not meant to tide you over that long. I was quite hungry and though the second meal of cereal helped somewhat, I don't expect its effects to be long lasting.

I still get to have a snack today so I imagine that will help get me to dinner.

Later

I made it to dinner without a snack, but because I was busy not because I wasn't hungry.

Special K Day Two

Original Special K is still not very tasty, but not too bad. I had an apple before lunch so I wasn't hungry during the morning. I forgot to bring milk to the office, so I had my second meal of cereal dry.

At 2:30 I was very hungry so I had my first snack of the day. Special K cereal snack bars do nothing to satisfy hunger.

I watched the clock until dinner time.

The lack of variety in the diet isn't that bad because I get to have as much fruit as I want. I've been eating apples and oranges. Unfortunately, I think I will run out in the next couple days and then I will just be hungry.

Getting Eachother

Have you ever thought about why you're good friends with someone? I've often wondered that about my being good friends with Christina and with my mother. They are my best friends, but why? The answer is simple. They get me and I get them. I rarely need to explain myself to either and vice versa.

It's not that we are similar, which my mother and I happen to be to a weird extent, but that we are different. I like to think that Christina and I complement each other. We balance our two personalities by overlapping them slightly. Someone once said that we "make at least 1.5 eccentric personalities." It's so true. I think all close friends are like that. We are each enough of our own person to be unique but when we come together it's like another mini-personality if you will.

I hope that made a little sense.

Trains

At OSU last year there were train tracks about 300 yards from my dorm. The train was loud. It came by frequently (several times a day) and blew it's horn the whole way through campus. Sometimes it would come at 6:30 AM sometimes 11:30 PM, those were rare times but did happen. At first the train was a nuisance, but then it grew on me. I liked waking up to it in the morning and falling asleep to it at night. I liked hearing it while I was watching a football game or studying outside. It was a comforting constant throughout my day.

There is also a train here. It is not so frequent. On my birthday it came through town. It was about 1:00 and we (my friends and I) had just laid down to sleep. I smiled as I laid there remembering the train from the previous year. The familiar sound lulled me to sleep and filled me with nostalgia.

The next morning at breakfast my friend asked if we had heard the train. I told her with a smile that I had. My other friend responded angrily and said that she as too. I was confused. I asked them why they were angry and they said because it had gone by three times in the night and had kept them awake. When I explained that I liked the sound and how it helped me fall asleep they didn't understand. I found it interesting that something that was such an annoyance to them was like a birthday present to me.

Rejection

I am rejecting winter. I'm sick of it and I'm pretending it doesn't exist anymore. When I told my father this he said "let me know how that works out for ya." Thus far, it's working. Thus far, it hasn't rained. Thus far, I've only been uncomfortably cold twice.

How am I rejecting winter? I'm cutting down my clothing layers from three to two and every morning I think about wearing flip flops. I've also started to wear t-shirts that are visible to others. I'm betting it rains tomorrow.

Song of the Day

"Could You Be Loved" by Bob Marley.

Special K Day One

I was excited about eating cereal for breakfast because as it was only the first day, the diet still seemed novel. The excitement wore off as soon as I add the 2/3 cup of skim milk to the cup of cereal. All the flakes instantly went limp. I hate soggy cereal with a passion so I shoved the cereal into my mouth by the heaping spoonful as quickly as I could before the flakes completely dissolved.

The first meal was Original Special K. It tasted like slightly soggy air. Lunch on day one was a bit better. I had Vanilla Almond flavor. These flakes had a sugar coating which acted as a better milk barrier.

The roof of my mouth is getting torn up from the frantic flake chewing.

After lunch snack, I have an apple.

2:30 p.m. I was hungry again so I had a snack bar. Snack bar disappoints. They crunched up a bunch of Special K flakes and held them together using a little bit of frosting on top. Couldn't they have put oats or granola in the bar or something else soft?

A real dinner came as a welcome relief. I ate pasta and broccoli.

A Question of Hue

My random thought for the day.

Pink is really just a light red, like a light green or light blue. Why does pink get its own designation as a new color and light shades of other colors do not? Not that I'm complaining. I like pink, but it seems curious to me. Also, why have I never noticed this before?

A Newsroom Experiment

For the entertainment section, MiX, the newsroom staff has decided we will each try "Fad diets" for a week. I have volunteered to try the Special K diet where I replace two meals a day with cereal and get to have a normal third meal. I am into day one, and hungry, but I suspect most of the hunger is probably in my head at this point.

My first complaint:

Part of the appeal of the Special K diet is that although you are eating cereal for two meals a day, there are a variety of cereal flavors. I do not like fruit in my cereal, so that eliminated many of the options for me, but I had high hopes for their Chocolatey Delight flavor. Unfortunately, it was not in the two stores I looked and I am now bitter about it. This means it'll be Original and Vanilla Almond for the next week. I was, however, able to find Chocolatey Delight Special K cereal bars. I get two snacks a day.

More complaints will follow in the coming week.

Other diets staffers are trying include a raw diet, a red, green, or white diet excluding food from countries with flags of those colors, and a grapefruit diet.

By the end of the week the staff is going to be very crabby.

Song of the Day

"American Girl" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. This is my favorite song.

Happy Birthday!

It's Ariel's birthday today.

She's the best friend someone could have. Being separated for most of the year, we don't talk as much as we used to, but that never seems to matter. Friends are easy to find, but the same is not true of best friends. It might be a little corny to say, but thanks for being there Ariel. I'll do my best to return the favor.

Not a morning person

I am not skilled when it comes to technology. I am not a morning person. Thus, I am even less skilled with technology in the morning. I am even less of a morning person before coffee.

Now that these premises are established, the following story hopefully sounds a bit less mean.

When I came to the office before class this morning, a reporter was trying to get in. I unlocked the door and went to check my e-mail and drink my coffee. The reporter need to print something.

"The printer is not working," he said. "It cut off the page. Can you fix it?"

This reporter knows I do not do technology.

I gave him a blank look, which soon became a silent glare. He left my desk, which was my goal all along.

Don't worry though, the glare impact will not be long lasting. He'll be back soon enough.

Recent Thoughts and Things

Chemistry

"...they decided to shake the poop out of the milk." ~ prof. It grossed me out a little.

"Woods are pretty bad places for humans not just because of the vicious raccoons but there are dangerous chemicals in the air." I'm sorry but are you kidding me??!! I always thought the woods were good for you but if the air is worse in the woods than in the city then my whole life has been a lie.

I truly wonder how many times my chem. prof. has almost died. He's told so many stories...it's unbelievable he's made it this far.

For biology lab I had to collect a sample of dirt and bring it to the lab. Well I forgot and had to get it on the way to lab. I happened to have a plastic bag in my backpack. So I put the dirt in the bag and put the bag in my pocket. For some reason while I was sitting in chemistry with the bag of dirt in my pocket I found the situation hilarious. That was a bad story. I'm sorry.

This week we had a guest lecturer in chemistry. We were each given a sheet and asked to evaluate her presentation. Let me just say that debate has destroyed my ability to evaluate presentation givers. I've become way too critical. Everyone around me was giving her 5s (high rating), but I was giving her tons of feedback and rating her a bit lower than everyone else. Now that I think about it however, that might not be from attending all those debate meets but could just be my critical personality...

Math

"Don't worry. These are going to get trickier." ~instructor Andrew about trig problems. I was so worried.

"We're multiplying 3 things to get zero! Either 2 is zero...unlikely..." ~Andrew

Have you ever wanted to turn to someone and say "Dude, you're obnoxious"? I have.

I like the word "compose."

Biology

The word "parasite" gives me the shivers.

The word "fungus" is weird.

How did people figure out which mushrooms were okay to eat? Just trial and error? I hope not.

Did you know there is a thing called "mushroom prospecting"? It's true.

Me: "It's like, a peanut."
Friend: "That was deep."

Other

"Yay for fat girls!" ~ Davielle Taken out of context that sounds way worse than it actually was.

Song of the Day

"February Song," by Josh Groban. This song is beautifully confusing.

Best Presidents' Day by far

Over 800 miles in four days
In a wet and moldy car
With a friend I see every day
To visit a friend we haven't seen in a while

The CD player was annoying
Lisa read aloud from Unreasonable Behaviour
I tried to turn up her volume
It did not work

I had Irish cream
But not in coffee
To celebrate St. Paddy's Day
He is better than St. Valentine

After grilled cheese, we visited the ocean
Played in the waves and on the rocks
Then looked at Tom Cruise while eating burritos
Before learning where the blood will be

We ate ice cream at Billy's
And felt like small children
But we beat Oregon
And later mocked a stupid truck

I visited home
To de-mold my car
So my friends could visit my farm
Where a goat skull greeted us

Later there were guns and a goose
Thumbless emus and a green egg
We visited the bone yard
My father offered Jacob a cow pelvis

We began our return early
Got giant pancakes at The Rusty Tractor
Lisa took someone's drink (by accident)
Adventure over, we made it back in time for work

Song of the Day

"Here Comes The Sun," by The Beatles. This is one of the few Beatles songs I like. It's quite fitting for today. Go play outside.

Song of the Day

"Drive" by the Cars. Because I'm driving home...tonight. The girl in this video has issues. I'm sorry.

Song of the Day

I wanted to do something in honor of Valentine's Day. This is the best I could do without being corny. "Whole Lotta Love," by Led Zeppelin.

Different Valentine

My Valentine this year goes out to Les Schwab, for coming and bringing my car back to life and not getting mad when I turned it off, right after they jumped it. Thanks to them, I can now travel home for the three day weekend. Their customer service is amazing and I applaud them.

Song of the Day

"These Dreams" by Heart. In honor of the many I had last night.

Dream Marathon

Last night I had about 5 dreams all rolled into one. I'll give you a quick summary.

Dream 1) I was on a school bus with all my friends and we drove past Josh Groban who was walking along the side of the road. I pulled down the window and told him happy birthday.

Dream 2) It was my birthday and all of my friends from the clinic and elementary school were there. Mom, my friend, and I drank champagne.

Dream 3) I was in a restaurant and some people were smoking next to me and the people I was with. They kept blowing their smoke in my face so I stood up and challenged the "leader." He yelled some profanities at me and blew more smoke in my face so I beat him up. Then a bar fight erupted. My group won.

Dream 4) It was Bear Festival. I was walking around McCleary and seeing all of my elementary school friends.

I know there were more, but those are the ones I remember.

I know I had the first one because I was talking about that guy yesterday. I also chatted with an old friend from McCleary last night so that could explain the Bear Festival and birthday dreams. My birthday is coming up so that could also explain my birthday dream. The fighting dream however, I have no idea. This is the second one in a week. Well the first one I didn't physically fight anyone but I did use some offensive language.

Pause

If life can't have an undo button, then I think a pause button would also be useful.

It would be nice to once in a while pause life and take the day off. This may in fact sound just like taking a day off, but the problem with vacations and weekends, is that life continues to move forward while you are relaxing. You have to do a lot of catching up once you return. With a pause button, you could actually escape your worries for a time. You could take a moment and collect your thoughts without neglecting any other duties and obligations. That'd be nice.

Song of the Day

"The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson. This is the song from the Old Navy sweater commercial and it always gets stuck in my head. I like it. It's got a need little melody.

That Josh Groban Guy...

There's a guy who goes to school here who looks just like Josh Groban. I see him all the time and he intrigues me, naturally. I wonder if anyone has told him he looks like Josh. My friend and I were walking into the library today and he walked past. I always feel like I stare at him when I see him, but he never looks back so I'm safe. Anyway, my friend said "Wow, that guy looks like Josh Groban!" I explained to her that I often see him and think the exact same thing. I really want to say something the next time I see him, but don't want to come off as a creeper/stalker.

Recent Decisions

I've decided that because I should write a song of the day. After I start my rock 'n' roll career.

I've decided that I have really good problem solving skills and that's why I do so well in math. So, I'm going to start applying those skills to chemistry and thinking about the whole class the same way I do math class. If I change the way I view the class maybe it'll change how ell I do in the class. Perhaps this way I'll do better.

This isn't really a decision, but more of a person observation. I tend to forget the 'e' at the end of "change" and I tend to add and 'e' to the end of "both." Isn't that weird?

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

My chemistry professor looks just like Mr.Rogers. He talks similarly, he wears the sweaters, it's weird. However, based on the strange stories he's told us about the chemistry experiments he's done I would definitely not want to be his neighbor. Here's a story to better illustrate my point.

He used live in Colorado and his drive way would freeze in the winter making it impossible to drive on. So, he decided that the logical way to get rid of the ice would be to pour gasoline on it and set it on fire because gas burns and fire is hot thus the ice would melt. Well, he lit his drive way on fire but the ice didn't melt. Know why? Because heat goes up not down. Apparently it was cool though. I'm sure, but I still don't want to be his neighbor.

Song of the Day

"Anticipation" by Carly Simon. I'm going home on Friday and I can't wait. The anticipation is making me CRAZY! The anticipation of my upcoming chemistry exam is also making me crazy, not to mention the anticipation of the sunny weather that seems to be taking its sweet ol' time getting here. Perfect song for today, for my life basically.

Sorry about the psychedelic colors. It's the only good one I could find.

This Week's Quotables

Quote of the day: "I can basically kill one bird with two stones...I'm bad at aiming." ~Jacquie

"I'm getting off on a bit of a tangent." ~Math prof. We were talking about sine, cosine, and...

"but nobody does long division anymore! We've got calculators!" ~ Math prof.

"This is just saying 'Hi I'm theta - pi/2. What's my x-coordinate?'" ~Math prof.

Note to teachers: Don't try to be tricky on tests and exams. Unless the trickiness was discussed in class it's just not cool.

Chem Prof: "You usually have a lot of solutes. So my breath has-"
Student: "Ew."
Prof: "I understand that."

"Dog comes by and licks it [antifreeze] he'll be dead. Cat comes by...that's all right. We'll forget about that." ~Chem. Prof.

"The senility in old folks, kinda like what you're seeing in me, is not natural. It's from lead." ~Chem. Prof.

"I have so many stupid stories I wish we could have a class on stupid chemistry stories." ~Chem. Prof.

"All I can do is apologize and laugh when you miss it on a test!" ~Chem. Prof.

I think it's interesting that whenever my professor says the word "alcohol" in lecture at least two guys laugh.

It bugs me that my chemistry professor says "all-gebra" instead of algebra and "molecliar" instead of molecular. It bugs me a lot.

During biology lecture my professor was talking about autosomes and I started thinking about autobots. Nerd.

There's no such thing as a stupid question unless you're the kid who sits a few seats down from me in biology. And boy can he come up with 'um.

"They're largely small...no that doesn't make sense..." ~Bio Prof.

My teacher said tertiary during lecture and I thought of Seven of Nine (Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One'). Nerd. Again. I'm sorry. It just happens.

Me: "I'm definitely a hybrid. I'm in flannel jammies so there's the inner redneck...I'm wearing two hemp bracelets so there's the inner wanna be surfer...I'm wearing black nail polish so there's the wanna be rock chick...I've got my chemistry book open in front of me so there's the inner nerd...and I've got my cross on so there's my inner church girl...I think I'm just confused."
Mom: "I'd say so."

Undo! Undo!

I think the Staples commercials with the Easy button are stupid, but I've decided life would be much improved if people had Undo buttons. Like the use in word documents, you'd only be able to undo so far back into the future, but at least if you made a mistake and immediately realized it, you could undo and try again. The world would be better for it.

... as long as it wasn't used for evil, as most useful things seem to be destined for.

Song of the Day

"E O Mai" by Keali'i Reichel.

Superior Footing

Campus pathways are icy. Slipping and falling is common. I have fallen once. Today, as I was walking from class to the newsroom, I was behind a guy wearing tennis shoes. He started slipping as he tried to walk up the hill and couldn't catch his footing. He slipped down and had to choose a different path. I walked up where he couldn't in my hiking boots and it made me happy to know my footwear was superior. I felt like I had triumphed.

I've decided this story illustrates a not so pleasant aspect of my character.

October Tragedy

My original intention for posting was to write about the very strange dreams I have been having of late. However, just before I posted, I went through my daily ritual of checking the state's top newspaper headlines and discovered some shocking news.

In October, a woman died at the plywood plant where I worked over the summer. I learned this now because the plant was fined $3,850 by the Department of Labor and Industries. When I saw the headline, I wondered if it was the same plant, but didn't think it could be. I'm not familiar with the area where the accident happened, but I know where I worked in the plant, safety was always stressed as the highest priority, often annoyingly so. Accidents like this just go to show you why.

My condolences are a bit late now, but I wish her family and co-workers the best as they struggle to overcome this tragedy.

Courage

Courage is a funny thing. It's there when you least expect it but when you want it, it's impossible to find. There are times when I feel brave enough to polca across red square and times when I'm brave enough to answer a professor's question in front of the whole class. What about when I'm not brave? What happens to me? I feel like I disappear or become someone else watching my life. What gives one courage? What gives one fear?

There's a quote from a Josh Groban song that is "someone I am is waiting for my courage." How long will I let myself wait? When will I finally just jump into the water knowing full well that I can swim? How will it feel? Will I be satisified or will I be slapped down? It's the not knowing that gives me fear. The possibility of failure.

"Jump!" I tell myself. Then I reply "I don't think I can."

Song of the Day

"Feel So Bad" by Elvis Presley. "Feels like a ball game on a rainy day..." Sorry, I don't usually post the slide show ones, but I don't own the song and this was the only decent video.

Snow Day 2

Campus will be closed tomorrow too and this time I won't have to work. I actually did fit in a little bit of play time today though.

Snow Day

We have yet to determine when was the last time the university cancelled classes, but it was at least a decade ago. All week was spent trudging through snow but today it finally became too much. Campus was closed at 10 a.m. The newsroom is currently staffed by five, those of us who could make it in. The rest of the staff is covering their respective locations however so it's like we have mini bureaus. I don't know if I'll have any time to play in the snow, but at least I don't have to go to class.

Song of the Day

For Clinton and Kyndra, to educate you.

"Centerfield" by John Fogerty. I love this song. I makes me want to play ball so bad. Anyone want to play catch?

Song of the Day

"Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray.

Internal Conflict

This is why I do so poorly in chemistry.

Me1: "Okay time to study!"
Me2: "Gimme a sec."
Me1: "No. Come on."
Me2: "Just let me check my Facebook really quick."
Me1: "Okay, really quick."
Me2: "Oh, and I need to write a blog post."
Me1: "We're going to fail."
Me2: "Would that really be so bad?"
Me1: "What? Failing? YES!"
Me2: "Oh look! A new email! I should check that. It could be important."
Me1: "*sigh* Fine."
Me2: "Spam."
Me1: "Study, study, study, study!"
Me2: "Let me go warm up some coffee first!"
Me1: "Oh! I love cof- NO! YOU ALREADY HAVE COFFEE!"
Me2: "Crap. Fine. Where's my book?"

note: this conversation didn't actually take place.

First Set of Winter Quotations

My math teacher has been great so far for good quotes.

"This is the meat of the set notation sandwich, you just need to put the buns on there right?"

"What's another way to say born? Birds aren't born..."

"Does the wingspan go on forever? I hope not, that would be like a scary Alfred Hitchcock movie."

"IT'S LIKE MAGIC! Math magic..."

"Wait a second...that can't be right...I must have plugged something into my calculator wrong...ohhhhh that's embarrassing..."

"Oh boy! Look at all of these solutions!"

"This is kind of a guess-what's-in-my-head kind of question."

This guy get so enthusiastic about what he's teaching us. One time it was so bad I said (to myself and the people near me) "My. God. This is blowing my mind." I got a couple chuckles.

My chemistry professor isn't nearly as funny as last term, but he has some really good stories that he likes to share. I managed to get a couple of quotes.
Prof.:"There are three phases (i.e. liquid, sold, gas)...well actually four but we won't talk about that."
Me:"WHAT?! Everything I ever learned about science is wrong!"

"Gotta be careful about putting yourself in a a vacuum."

He also tends to say "all-gebra" instead of algebra, and molecliar instead of molecular. It bugs me.

There have been quite a few good quotes in my biology class but I'm always too shocked to write them down. They're not from the professor, they're from this obnoxious kid that like to ask the most bazaar questions. Not only are the questions odd, but he takes forever to actually get to the question. That too bugs me. Here is the only question I managed to write down.

Kid: "Do you think reptiles will ever fly again?" (There was a picture of a turtle on the overhead. That's the only connection I could find.)
Prof.: "I doubt it."

I'll try to write them down from now on. They're crazy.

Troubles With Anecdotes

Everyone loves a good story but what everyone loves more is an anecdote, good or bad. Not only do I love hearing anecdotes (especially from relatives), but I love telling them too. They add sometime special to a conversation (i.e. comedic relief). My problem is that I forget my best ones when I have the perfect situation in which to tell them. When I finally remember the short story I'm usually in a different location with a different group of people, so telling my story is pointless. Sometimes I'll tell it anyway just to get it out of my system. I would provide an example, but naturally I can't think of one. It's interesting that I'm so fond of something I have trouble properly executing. And still I try.

Song of the Day

"Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley. I couldn't find a video of the duet, but here is one of just Stevie. This song is dedicated to my parents. For some reason it brings tears to my eyes...yup here they come...

Calm and Peace

I was hanging out with friends over the weekend and talk turned to the topic of yoga.

"Do you think you'd like yoga," I was asked.

"No, I'm not a very peaceful person," I replied.

I meant to say I'm not a very calm person. I'm just a little bit high strung. You would think yoga would be good for me and help me relax, but I think my frustration at trying to relax would cancel out any of the good. I can't turn my mind off to go to sleep. I doubt I could do it for yoga.

Tale of the Tudors

Winter Break Post 3 - sometime over break

As I was tucking my youngest sister into bed last night, she asked me if I had heard of the book, The Other Boleyn Girl. I said of course I had. It’s a book involving King Henry VIII. “Did you know they’re making a movie from it,” she asked. That bit of information I did not know.

I have had a fascination with King Henry VIII since middle school. One of my expository speeches during high school was on him and his wives. I wrote a 14 page paper on his second and my favorite of his wives, Anne Boleyn, during my senior year. Last year I wrote an 18 page paper interpreting Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale as the story of Anne Boleyn. Over the years I’ve continued to learn more about Henry and his wives as I find his story to be an intriguing one.

I have mixed feelings about the author Philippa Gregory. I was excited to read a book set during the Tudor period of England. She seemed to find Henry’s story just as interesting as I did. I enjoy her books. On the other hand, I feel like she beat me to the punch. I doubt that when I grew older I would have written books about Henry VIII, but it was a daydream I had more than once in my years. Now if I did it, I would feel like I was just copying her. Similarly, I’m excited for the movie, because I did like that book, but I also think I’ll be a little bitter about it.

I didn’t think I was the only one in the world who knew about King Henry VIII, but I knew more about him than anyone else I knew. It was an interest that made me unique. Now, with the popularity of her books and possibly the movie, more people will be familiar with the tale and my knowledge on the subject will no longer make me stand out.

I will continue to read her books and I plan on seeing the movie, but I want it known, for the record, that I liked and knew about King Henry and his wives before they became popular entertainment.

This Commercial Makes Me Sick, Sick, Sick

I drew a picture on my white board of Mr. Yuk. The picture was placed under "I HATE CHEMISTRY." Then I decided to research Mr.Yuk. Here is what I found (among other things).

The Man on the Bus

The man on the bus was asleep.
I didn't know he was asleep.
Then he started to snore.
His arm was wrapped around the back of the seat.
He did not want to fall.
He snored again.
The bus when over a bump.
Still he slept.
"Buchanan Towers," the bus driver said.
The man woke up.
He looked around.
Went back to sleep.
"Seahome High," the bus driver said.
The man woke up.
He looked around.
He grabbed his sack.
Full of prescription pills.
He tried to put his arm back behind.
He touched me.
It scared him.
It scared me.
"Oh, sorry," said the man.
I nodded.
"Birnam Wood," said the bus driver.
The man went back to sleep.
I got off the bus.

Midnight Trivia and Song of the Day

At a quarter to 12:00 last night I received a text message from one of my friends. The text read "What Disney movie is the song a dream is a wish your heart makes". My reply "Cinderella." Next message received "When does she sing it". "In the beginning. When she wakes up to the clock." Then I wrote "Any more questions (I wanted to go back to sleep)? I'm glad I'm your go-to Disney guide." The response: "Lol no thank you...I'll facebook you an explanation." I'm still awaiting an explanation, but it makes me happy that my extensive knowledge of Classic Disney movies is useful to somebody.

Song of the Day

"Imagine" by John Lennon. It's not as good as the original, but Josh Groban recorded a version for "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur." It's nice. And for charity.
This song makes me a little sad. I'm not sure why.

Schnitzel and Song of the Day

I went out to dinner with my father again last night. We drove to a little German restaurant in Everson. It was called Black Forest Schnitzel and Steakhouse. If you're ever on your way to Canada and need some food go here. You can sit and watch the chef prepare the meat through a window in the dining room. The food was AMAZING! In fact, I can't wait to get back to my room and heat it back up! The red cabbage was sweet and delicious, and the schnitzel makes my mouth water just thinking about it. It was stuffed with blue cheese and ham and the smokey goodness was beyond delicious.

This new exposure to the food of my family has inspired me to make the song of the day...
"Wooden Heart" by Elvis Presley.

Fungi and Song of the Day

Last night I went out to dinner with my dad. We went to this little Italian place that I love in Fairhaven called Mambo Italiano. I decided to have the "pollo cacciatore." I was a little hesitant because it has mushrooms in it. I have never been a fan of this eatable fungus. A few of my new friends are appalled at this. My mom has always told me that it doesn't make sense for me to be so enthusiastic about food and not like mushrooms. She says I can't go anywhere in the food world if I don't like them. So, I had some last night to see if my pallet had changed and guess what...it has. They were beautifully cooked in garlic, butter, and zucchini. Delicious. I was shocked. Mom was proud.

Therefore, because of my new fondness of garlic smothered mushrooms the song of the day is "Chinese Dance" by Tchaikovsky. Warning: if you are watching this video and assigning family members to be each mushroom, don't assign your step mom (that hates you) to be the "fat" one. Bad idea.

They're a little late

Winter Break Post 2 - about a week before Christmas

I have issues with my mother. I recently sent her a letter gently but firmly and explicitly explaining that I did not wish for her suddenly to become a part of my life. I know, this sounds a little harsh, but I really was as kind as I could be about it. It didn’t matter, because she disregarded my wishes and sent me a Christmas card anyhow. She said she hoped I changed my mind and then, in the same card, was kind enough to let me know that my sister and I are susceptible to Gardner’s syndrome. Just the kind of present everyone wants for Christmas.

Winter Break Post 3 - December 25, 2007

I got many Christmas gifts this year. As long as I keep coming home for Christmas, I think my father will keep getting me presents. I got several new CDs and movies, pajamas, a Jane Austen collection, and a pair of tennis shoes. My favorite gift, however, was my new iron and mini ironing board. I thought I would be sad to receive practical gifts, but no, I’m quite pleased with them. I really needed an ironing board and it’s a gift I know I’ll use.
I also got a lovely bit of coffee and Ariel gave me a couple books. It was a very satisfying Christmas.

Winter Break Post 4 - January 2, 2008

For New Year’s, it was the traditional celebration at Ariel’s house minus one. We had sparkling cider, Funfetti, games (Cranium, Pictionary, and Apples to Apples), and a new addition this year to help us stay awake, a special blend of coffee which we made full use of. It was not a bad way to start off the new year even if the fireworks at the Space Needle malfunctioned and the anchors acted like fools. It did seem more difficult than usual to stay awake though. If I can’t stay up till midnight when I’m not even 20, I bet I’ll sure be a blast on New Year’s when I’m 30.

Two days till the weekend

The snow has not killed me but this week of 16 hour days just might. I learned in my economics class that currently I am functioning outside of my Productions Possibilities Frontier. The feat is possible, but not sustainable. After I get into a routine of newspaper and classes again I expect things to calm down. Until then, this has been a long week. I don't have the energy for a review of my classes. Also, my computer is mildly malfunctioning so more tomorrow.

Song of the Day

"Dream On" by Aerosmith.

Thanks Todd. If there are any other requests feel free to email them to me.

Old Man Winter

There is too much snow, and it is only increasing as time goes on. I have short legs. It is not easy stepping over three foot snow drifts and the snow being blown in my face, is just not nice. Review of my classes this semester to follow later in the day if I do not slip and fall to my death.*


*You may think I'm being overly dramatic, but you haven't seen this build up of snow and ice.

Song of the Day

"Wanted: Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi

Here are two videos. One is Bon Jovi and the other is Josh Groban at the concert I went to this summer doing Bon Jovi. It's surprisingly good.

Back To Bellingham

I am now back at school and feeling a little blue. Big surprise right? I understand more and more how Christina feels about home vs away. I love being at home because I love being with my mom. However, I like coming back to school because that means I leave the craziness behind. I feel like I'm constantly battling with myself inside about where I want to be.

School isn't fun for me anymore (I guess that's what happens when you're a science major) so I've thought about just taking some time off. But when I think about how my life would be, and I apologize for the vagueness, I just couldn't handle being at home that much. It would be too hard (emotionally). I'm hoping that once I get through this year, my classes next year will be ones I like.

I need a sign or something to reassure me that I'm where I'm supposed to be. I think about the future way to much and it makes me sad, I should make a point to not do it so much. "The Future" seems so far away, like something I'll never actually achieve. It's like I'm jumping over hurdle after hurdle and as soon as I can see the finish line the race is made longer.

Soymilk Changes

Winter Break Post 1 - December 21, 2007

Just about a week after I wrote my last post, I realized I was wrong. Things have changed. It’s not that coming home is any different or that my role when I come home has changed. As cliché as it may sound, it is me who is different. I know it’s all part of growing up, but it’s still strange. For the first time, I feel a bit of resistance. It’s not quite so easy as I thought. I’m not the exact same person I once was so it’s impossible for me to go right back into the shoes I wore at home.

I’ve become partial to the little boxes of vanilla soymilk they sell at the dining center. I’ve never had any soymilk until this year, but the vanilla at least is tasty and I like it. My family doesn’t drink soymilk. On our farm we have cows. We drink real milk. I told my father about my newfound appreciation of soymilk and he stared at me. A look in his eyes made me realize I have changed. It seems like such an unimportant thing, me liking soymilk, but it represented more. In the eyes of my father, the person I think knows me better than anyone, save perhaps Ariel, there was a mixture of confusion and shock. “Who have you turned into?” my father asked jokingly. While on the surface, the situation was hardly worth notice, there were undercurrents that I continued to think about long after the discussion had changed course. The simple conversation turned into a moment of realization that I have indeed changed, there are things about me my father doesn’t know now, and I’ll probably only change more as time goes on. I felt a strange sadness, almost a sense of loss. Life apparently only gets more complicated as one goes along.

Another semester begins

Newspaper training has actually kept me a bit busier than usual. Posts from over winter break will arrive shortly.

I had training on Thursday and Friday and today I came into the newsroom to clean the newsroom's fish bowl. Woodstein should be a happy fish now.

I have the same position as last semester, but everyone else is in new positions. I thought my job would be easier this semester since I've done it before, but I think in reality it will be about as difficult, just different. I'm trying to bring back a strong beat system and it's going to take me a while, I've discovered, to adjust to the managing editor and editor-in-chief.

My classes start on Monday and there was finally an opening in the class I wanted to take so my schedule should be quite manageable. I'm expecting more homework than I had last semester, but that's not saying much since I didn't have any homework last semester.

My suitemates are beginning to arrive and the dining centers are finally open. Everything is becoming routine again and the newness of my return is beginning to wear off.

Holidays are over

I am back in Pullman, but more importantly, I again have access to the Internet. I am sorry for the lack of posting in recent weeks but our dial-up Internet at home wouldn't behave. I wrote posts, even though I couldn't post them, and will now post them in the next several days. That is, if newspaper training doesn't keep me too busy.

How is Pullman? Snowy and cold and deserted. Finding food is difficult.

Christmas Song of the Day

"Believe" by Josh Groban

Same ol' Same ol'

It’s funny how some things don’t change. Every time I come home from school, I worry about things being different, about having to readjust. I feel like at school I’m a different person than when I’m at home. I’m always amazed at how seamlessly I revert back. At school, other than the paper, I have few responsibilities. I’m rather self-indulgent. Being home is different. I stop being an independent college student and sometimes it seems, I go back in time.

I got home yesterday evening. As soon as I walked in the door, I became daddy’s little girl again. Leaving school, I put all my bags in my car by myself. Soon as I got home, in a sweet voice I asked my daddy to get my suitcase. He spoils me. I was also hungry, so I began making a sandwich. But my father can cut and toast the bread so perfectly, I got him to do that for me also. While initially it seems I return to being a spoiled little girl, I revert back into other roles as well.

I’ve always been more of a mother to my little sisters than a big sister. As my youngest sister went to bed, I checked to make sure she had brushed her teeth and washed her face. She hadn’t, so I made her get up and do it. This morning, as I was still sleeping and she was getting ready for school, she woke me up because she was concerned my father’s outfit didn’t match. I found him, and made him change his tie. By the time I did wake up, my sisters were both at school and my father at work. I had my cup of coffee and an English muffin and then got to work myself cleaning the house.

When I left for school, I wasn’t sure how my family would get along without me, but they’ve proven to be capable. At the same time, as soon as I come home, it’s like nothing is different at all. People often seem surprised when they find out I don’t desire children, and that even if I did have any, it wouldn’t be for quite some time. It’s not only that I’m just 19, but also that in some regards and to some extent I feel like I’ve been there and done that already. I’m not complaining. I like it. I like being needed and I like taking care of my father and sisters. And it’s not all bad. When I’m want a break from playing mother, I can always go back to being daddy’s little girl.

And I’m still a college student too. I have three weeks worth of dirty laundry on the floor of my room waiting to be washed. That’s right, I managed to go three weeks without doing laundry. It wasn’t easy. I’ll get to it after I make some banana bread from the old bananas on the counter.

It's good to be home.

Christmas Song of the Day

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Dean Martin...

Josh's version makes me cry (the one on the album, not this one).

Staff Awards again (Toot Toot)

I am still not above telling others about my accomplishments. Expect a post like this once a semester until I leave the paper. My Fall 2007 staff awards:

Most likely to achieve future Evergreen glory

Newsroom dweller (apparently me living in the newsroom hasn't gone unnoticed)

Most helpful

Outstanding underclassman

Most likely to find her phone dead in a ditch (I always leave my phone in the newsroom while I'm at class and everybody hates my ring tone)

Also, I am returning next semester as News editor. It's unusual to hold the same position two semesters in a row, but not really that unusual for me since I'm not a fan of change.

Last semester's awards here

Christmas Song of the Day

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby of course.

The Chemistry Gods

The Divine Forces are working against me today.

Reason 1: Earlier this week I found out that today's hockey game was cancelled. I was totally bummed because I've only been to one and we had a whole group of people planning on going too. Plus the game was supposed to be a way for me to break up my studying. Nope.

Reason 2: I was also supposed to play in a soccer game today at 4:00. However, I found out a few minutes ago that the game was rescheduled for 11:00. I have been talking about how excited I am for this game for two weeks! Therefore, all of my special plans for the day have been cancelled.

Reason 3: Josh Groban fell on me this morning. I have this giant poster of him on the wall next to my bed. I woke up this morning at exactly 10:00. I looked at the clock then rolled back over and decided to sleep for a few more minutes and try to finish the weird dream I had been having (I'll spare you the details). Then the poster un-sticky-tacked itself from the wall and fell on me. I think this was a sign for me to get up. Did I follow the sign? Nope. I stuck the poster back to the wall and fell back asleep.

Reason 4: I wanted to meet Kyndra for dinner around 6:15. However, the bus was 15 minutes late and therefore dinner ended while I was on the bus.

Reason 5: I wanted to go to the pool after dinner, but because the bus was late and the pool closes at 7:00...no pool.

Are the forces working for me or against me? I'm expecting my computer to crash at any momen-

End of Term Quotations

Okay guys, last set of quotes for this term. Hopefully I will have some funny professors next term too!

"Little smart sperm." ~Anth. Prof. We were discussing genetic selection/engineering. I hope.

"Feel free to take the cap off and take a snort!" ~Chem. Proff. We were passing around viles of aromatic oils.

"I can't show you a unicorn. I don't have one...but...*writes on board*:
'Rhino + Horse -----> Unicorn' "So then what does a hippo + an elephant + a rhino equal? *pause* A helephino! *pause* "Hell-If-I-Know...it's a joke" ~Chem. Prof.

"What is a bond? A debonair British assassin?" ~ Chem. Prof.

Here is the best one:

"I'm already in the end of the quarter party-mode...I'm done...take me to the bar! I'm dressed!" ~Chem. Prof. today, who was wear a very Margaritaville/Aloha shirt.

Here's one that has nothing to do with school:
"I hate doors! They're stupid and awkward!" ~Christina

Christmas Song of the Day

"Here Comes Santa Claus" by Elvis.

I wish I could find a clip of this song. Sorry guys.

A Tired Look

As I was leaving my residence hall this morning, someone else was trying to enter. He was on the phone so I paid him no mind. I opened the door and exited, but then I heard, "You look tired." I thought he must be talking to the person on the phone. He was a complete stranger I had never even seen before. He couldn't possibly be talking to me. Still the sound of his voice made me look up. His phone was off to the side of his face. He had indeed been talking to me.

I was tired. Former editors can into town Wednesday so a group of us stayed up rather late catching up with them. I then got up and went to class at 9:00. Yesterday night was the Evergreen Christmas Party so I was up late again. I woke up this morning feeling tired, it's true. But I don't want to be told I look it, especially by a stranger.

Because I was in fact quite tired, I was more appalled than I would have been otherwise. I turned and just stared at this mouthy stranger. After a few seconds, "What," he sheepishly asked. "I was just making an observation."

I turned and left. But who does that? Why would you tell a stranger they look tired?

Two of Hearts

Last night I had a dream I was swimming in a pool. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra were standing in the shallow end watching me. Then Frank said "you wanna see a card trick?" "Sure," I replied. He pulled out a deck of cards and asked me to draw one. I picked the two of hearts. I put the card back, then dove underwater. As Frank was shuffling the cards he and Dino started singing me a song.

I stayed underwater (apparently having grown gills) trying to hide in the shadows that had appeared in various parts of the pool. When they finished singing Frank said "okay I'm done. Was this your card?" It was indeed the two of hearts.

Christmas Song of the Day

"Silver Bells" by Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley...


Can you tell who my favorite singers are?

Christmas Song of the Day

"Grown-Up Christmas List" by Michael Buble, Amy Grant, and Kelly Clarkson.

This song is beautiful.

Haiku Round 2

Another day of extreme weather calls for another Haiku. Imagine adding a night of rain to six inches of built up snow.

Now the rain comes down
Slush on the ground, inches deep
Weather is unkind

Don't worry, my next post will not be about the weather.

Anthropological Word of the Day

"Assimilation: a form of culture change in which a culture is thoroughly acculturated, or decultured, and is no longer distinguishable as having a separate identity."

The first thing I thought of when I read this word..."We are the Borg..." I really hope at least one of our readers gets that. I find it really amusing.

Winter Haiku*

Snow falls from the sky
A white blanket on the ground
I stay warm inside

I felt inspired watching snow flurries through the newsroom windows. There has been snow on the ground in Pullman since I returned after Thanksgiving. The roads are maintained fairly well, but I almost got stuck in a parking lot yesterday.

Moments after I finished the Haiku, the editor walked in dripping wet. She even pulled snow out of her pockets. I was inspired a second time.

Attacked by winter
Travelers come dripping wet
Warm ice slicks the floor

*Disclaimer: I am not a poet. I don't have the right kind of creative talent for it. I always just feel like I'm trying to imitate poetry, so I rarely write it. As a child, I was however, very fond of Haiku and wrote many of them. They're simple and easy enough to be one of the few forms of poetry to which I will contribute.

Christmas Song of the Day

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Michael Buble

It's finally snowing here in Bellingham. I'm not sure if I'm happy about that or not.