Pi
Just go watch the movie Pi. Then you’ll know what my thoughts are like right now.
Busy Bee
Though “mosquito” would be more appropriate, given the environment in which I live. This past weekend I made my Florida West Coast tour, hitting such locations as Tampa (well, Lithia to be precise), Sarasota, and all the necessary points in between. In Tampa, I visited with some friends and we went to Busch Gardens. Oh, a note on the past few days: rain. Driving to Tampa on Friday was close to some of the worst weather I’ve ever driven in, at points not being able to see 100 yards in front of you due to the rain. Yes, it also rained at Busch Gardens, it rained, and rained, and rained. Apparently when it rains at Busch Gardens, the majority of the park closes down, but we still managed to have a great time anyways, and at points, the weather cleared up permitting us to ride almost all the rides we wanted to anyways. Favorite quote from Busch Gardens, “I’m sorry sir; the boat doesn’t work well when it’s raining, so we had to close down the ride.” “So you’re saying the boat doesn’t operate well in wet conditions?” “Yes.” However, our proudest moment was getting everyone to boo in the line to the R.L. Stein Experience (spelling on “Stein?”). After waiting for about 30 minutes, they began to repeatedly open and close the doors without letting anyone in. So, after about the third occurrence of this, a friend and I started booing, and the whole crowd chimed in with like sentiments. While in Tampa, we stayed at a friend’s house, were fed incredibly well, reminding me of a former vacation, and both watched and made fun of the films High School High and Harry Potter.
Prediction for the next film: Harry and his friends snoop around, hear some stuff they shouldn’t hear, get caught in some places they shouldn’t be, one of his friends goes unconscious, the Malfoy’s get more evil, and Harry saves the day on no merit of his own. Oh, and Gryffindor wins. And no, I have not read the book.
After our fun in Tampa, I drove my friend to his hometown of Sarasota on Sunday. I’d say it’s been about, at least 10 years since the last time I was in Sarasota, so I thought it was nice to go there again. Before I left, we drove to the beach and looked at the “world’s most beautiful beaches” after a semi-hurricane had just passed through. I dropped my friend off back at his house and proceeded to drive in the worst driving conditions of my life on I-75 back up to Gainesville. I’ve never used my hazards before on my car, ever, so this was a first, driving with my hazards on because I couldn’t see 20 yards in front of me. North of Tampa, everything thankfully cleared up for the most part, and I’ve made it back safely to Gainesville. Yes, I prayed on that car ride, and yes, thank God.
Today I’ve been working outside for most of the day. We’re trying to get grass to grow, so today I spent hours raking a yard, revealing soil that hasn’t seen the sun since at least last fall. After finishing up with the raking, I swept and mopped the kitchen and the foyer. I’ve got to head off to do Preview in a few moments (it’s the event where new UF students get acquainted with the campus), then drive to some nursery and buy some more plants, and tomorrow we’ll be planting and throwing down the new grass seed. I’ve been busy as a “mosquito,” or that ant pile I raked earlier today.
Super Cheap Music
All I’ve got to say is wow. I got three CDs for $15.50, that’s after shipping and handling. If you’re into Christian music, check it out, you may find some stuff you like. I’ll let you know how good they are with delivery.
Thank God
I said it would be a miracle if it happened, and it has: I got a C on my accounting test, a D in macro (so far), and I finished my CGS assignments. This was the 46 from before. I didn’t do all 46 hours, but I can still pass with B’s in all my classes. It is a miracle, thank God.
Requiem For a Dream
Wow, I don’t think I’ve seen a more disturbing movie. Seriously, when this movie was over, I literally could not think straight. In fact, I’m still unsure of how clear my thinking is. If you ever want to get a perspective on your life, or are tempted to do drugs and want to do some research, watch this movie. All of a sudden, my life seems like a huge blessing, which it is. It’s one of those movies that will shake you, but make you appreciate just how meaningful your life is. Oh, and I’m not necessarily recommending you watch this film, but I’m definitely saying it will give you perspective on a lot of things.
Between Park and Reverse
After seeing a horrendous movie a month ago, but having quite an enjoyable time making fun of it, I drove back a great friend to her house. She was heading off for the summer and I wouldn’t see her again for a few months, so it was kind of a last sera for the summer. Driving her back, I knew this, and as I traversed the sinews of her neighborhood it saddened me that this was the last quality time we may spend together before she would depart, Wednesday, of the following week. Upon pulling into the driveway I asked if we could just sit in the car and talk for a while, having nothing really on my mind, but wanting to extend the moment as long as possible. Well, after the first few minutes being initially awkward as they often may be, we managed to find some awesome stuff to talk about, and two hours later, were still going strong. Looking at the clock and realizing the time that had passed, and that I had a class at 8am the next morning, or rather “this morning” as the date had changed, I felt it was time to end the evening and retire to bed. We said our goodbyes and she went inside, and I started the car and put it in reverse. And then, I stopped. Strangely enough, I looked at the shifting column and my gaze vacillated between the park and reverse positions.
With my foot on the brake, this debate continued for another few, in actuality seconds, though seeming minutes. “Park:” Stay, stay and say what I’ve wanted to say for so long, but am so incapable and scared of saying: What will it mean? What will happen to us because of it? “Reverse:” Back up, retreat leaving things unsaid but with the security of knowing at least I didn’t mess anything up; perhaps the coward’s departure, or perhaps the sage advice. After the debate had taken its course, I finally grew enough courage to put the car in park, but though the car was stationary, the engine still ran and I lingered inside. Eventually I managed to turn off the car and draw myself out. With my cell phone in hand I approached the front door. After a few attempts, walking back and forth on the path that lead to the door, I finally found myself at the door, cell phone still in hand. I pick up the phone, sped dial her number, not wanting to knock due to the hour of the evening, or rather, at this point, morning. As the phone rang once, I hung up, but, again I called back, and this time I let it ring. She answers and I say I’m still outside and I have one last thing I’d like to say before the close of the evening. She comes to the door, and my tongue swells in my mouth to this lifeless lump of flesh. I stumble through my words starting, “I have a hard enough time telling my own family this…” and then come the stutters, “I, I, I…I…I love you.” But immediately, so not as to be misunderstood, I follow with “as a friend, and as a sister in Christ.” I begin to back up, ready to defend myself from an onslaught of anger for claiming such strong emotions, or ready to apologize profusely when she finds offense in my words. And then nothing, a wonderful nothing happens, she just stands there smiling, maybe a “thank you” escaping her lips. As we continue in the moment, her cat darts out of the house, which provides a nice release for me, as my tongue has chosen to continue in its inert form. We make our way around the house to capture the cat, and after our success head back towards the door. I hear her say “Whoa, awesome,” and then I direct my gaze towards where she is looking and see this incredible moon, hidden in shadow, looking like a silver crested orb in the night sky… what a wonderful evening.
This was our outing, our last “sera” for the summer, the first time I’ve ever told a non-family member that I love them. There are many before who were, and some who still are, well qualified to be dubbed that honor, but she, she deserved it. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I love you as a friend. Have a wonderful summer.
Oh, and happy birthday.
Briered Cold
From an old journal entry.
June 16, 2002,
“…and today I had quite a swim in a cold lake.”
The jagged Alps, claiming home to “Eagles Nest” and countless ski resorts, shelter my desire. In a place where locals laugh at the thought of air-conditioning, even in their warmer summer season, lasting only one to two months, lays a lake nestled in the pristine beauty of these mountains. The middle of this translucent, aquamarine entity contains this desire, a solitary dock surrounded by brigades of defensive, ice-cold water thorns.
After my friend’s brave leap into the patch, and quick removal there-from, I fling myself headlong into this briered cold. Upon entry, a thousand needles sting my body. As a precautionary matter, I stay near the dock until my body acclimates to the new temperature, and then I begin swimming towards the desired middle. I’ll be there in five minutes…
Five minutes later, I am only halfway there. Every tensed muscle in my body aches as the cold creeps in. I test to see if I can stand on the visible bottom, Nope, no luck, too deep, and persevere forward.
Infinitely later, I am dragging myself onto this floating dock, my desired haven. As I pull my weakened body onto its wood, a drizzling rain refuses warmth to my chilled form. After a brief reprieve of rest, lying on the dock, I get up and begin to scope the shoreline, searching for my land re-entry. I find my destination, and plunge back into the cold needled liquid.
Ten minutes later, I am out. I feel like kissing the soil beneath my feet. The Austrians query me with looks, but I walk on, ready to get back, take a warm shower, and entomb myself in blankets for a nap.
Worst Test Ever?
I was thinking about how my upcoming tests on Monday and Wednesday are probably going to be my worst testing experiences thus far in college, then I remembered this, and suddenly, I didn’t feel any better.
Time Wasted
After coming out of about 4 hours of so of no internet usage, I have realized just how much my life revolves around the internet. In my plans for the day, I had intended to do some serious homework (see the last post), but, without the internet, my homework ability was effectively limited. I could no longer do any of the monstrous CGS2351 homework which I had, and I could also not work on macroeconomics, as they are online lectures. So, I took my losses and did my intro to financial accounting homework, right? Or did I waste two hours of my life on the phone with Cox trying to fix the cable? Sadly, my time went to Cox, and here I am, hours later, with the number 46 still ringing in my head.
Oh, between the time I started typing this, and now, the internet has once again cut in and out multiple times.
46
I did the math in class today, and the results are in: I have approximately 46 hours of homework to get done before Monday, wish me luck.
