Although I can't beat 10 gallons of mead, I CAN say that I've just returned from viewing the presidential debates. I must say that I found them quite silly with most of it becoming a "he-said she-said" type of exchange. However, I did think that Kerry came off as very clear on his opinions and he provided the better argument on most topics, citing facts and quotes. Bush, on the other hand, spoke in more general terms and did not seem as prepared to answer the questions thrown at him. He was searching for a direction throughout the speech and came off as quite arrogent. (Especially when they were doing the split screen view). When Bush spoke, Kerry was very attentive and jotted down notes. However, when Kerry spoke, Bush looked arrogent, his eyes wandered, and sometimes he even looked guilty. He tried to play the role of calm hot-shot who doesn't think that Kerry is a real threat and I believe that it failed for him.

Ohhh....and the Poland thing...good God. Poland got quite the beating in that debate.

Debates are stupid, but if someone made me pick a winner I would say it had to be Kerry by a large margain.

The most troubling thing was when the republican side was analyzing the debate afterwards, they continued to lie, blatently. They tried to make it seems like Kerry actually flip-flopped during the debate which is totally false. They have absolutely no qualms about just looking into the camera and saying things that Just Aren't TRUE! Apox on thee!

Then we watched the Daily Show afterwards and that made me feel better.

In other college news, I showed a group of people a couple of archived Albatross Hour shows and they thought it was great stuff. I've applied to get a radio show here, but it's kinda up in the air and no one could beat Pat as a co-host. And now, if we did the same style show, I would be the one who supplied the rants...and I am no match for Plange's ability to manipulate the English language to such a great extent. But the current co-host I have lined up (Jeff) would still make things pretty interesting.

Listening to the archives, I realized I fired Pat on air almost every episode. God knows why he kept showing up again and again.

Hmmmm....

Does anyone even read this blog anymore? Oh well.

Peace Out,
The Colonless Wonder

Zach: "Did I dream this, or are they actually making ten gallons of mead across the hall?"

Me: "They are making ten gallons of mead across the hall."

Zach: "I love this school."

Technically down the hall, but otherwise, this exchange is accurate. Yes that's right, mead, a drink composed of fermented honey, most literarily famous in Beowulf, and overall popular with the vikings. This mead is being brewed in plastic two-liter bottles, which bottles have all been given names such as "Samuel L. Jackson", "Bloodric the Bad", or "Nelson Mead-dela".

Just another typical day at U of C.

Okay. wow. College is crazy. I just had aconversation in the hallway about God, religion, packing peanuts, the model UN, and "penis Mario". Woo.

And finally, I just saw Emo Phillips on Conan tonight. Truly, a remarkable man. Also, with an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Quinn, especially in vocal patterns.

And for those of you with no idea who Emo Phillips is, for shame. Go watch UHF.

College tomorrow. Orientation and whatnot. Wish me luck people. I hear great things about this "college" stuff. I suspect it will be cool.

Well, There I was, on the twenty-ninth, ready to start blogging about Maciej's departure, and how truly, summer was over, and how the dramatically-appropriate rain started falling just as we said goodbye to him. Unfortunately, by the time I got home, the dramatically-appropriate rain had intensified to a thunderstorm, and soon after I got home, knocked out my power.

And then the next day I was going with my mother to Michigan on the sudden news that my grandfather (mom's side) was dying. The good news is it was mostly painless for him: stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and then a few days in a coma. And nearly everybody in the family got a chance to say goodbye, either in the hospital or at the wake or funeral. I saw a lot of cousins I haven't seen in a while, so that part was good. Anyway, I've made peace with things; I wasn't as close to him as some, but he was definitely a good guy, as clearly evidenced by the sentiments of my mom's large and somewhat wacky family.

And then, at the wake I learned that my dad was in the hospital, with pancreatitis. Fortunately not a life-threatening condition of any sort, but still requiring my dad to stay in the hospital for a few days for recovery and testing. And he's pretty much recovered at this point, but it was a rough week-and-half period there.

All this, of course, set college preparation back considerably. Finally finished getting everything together today, but alas, the nothing-better-to-do-tour was not to be. It's something I may try some weekend down the road. Anyway, y'all out there are awesome folks, and it been considerably more boring around here without you (at least, while I've been in this state).

Finally, I will note that this is not being posted from one of the greatest perks of going to college: my new computer. Thank you, discount rates for Unversity students! I have a 17" flat panel monitor which was the default option. Jesus, that is a lot of screen-estate. But it's not hooked up to the internet yet, so I'm posting from the old computer right next to it.

Finally finally, message boards are neat-o.

Not the Cayman Islands!!!!!!!Noooooooooo!!!!!


Bad Hurricane. Very Very Bad.

I learned this week that I do remember how to speak German which I consider to be a minor miracle.

The Advanced Swing course starts for me today, and the Cleveland exchange is next weekend---so by the this time next week I won't be able to walk.

I hate being on duty on Saturday.

Swimming goes well. The NCAA is intensely annoying.

I figured out what kind of research I'm going to do for my Criminology class: how the demolition of CHA housing has affected gang stability.