I've got my things

parachuutes @ 2008-07-11T00:09:00

2008-07-11T05:09:36Z

I, I hope she's got a baby
I'm hoping someday, maybe
He'll come for me and break both of my legs
I'm not looking for trouble
I'd rather something subtle
To come along and carry me away
A class-5 hurricane
To clear away the slate
And clear the air so I can breathe again
The fog out of my head
The smell out of my bed
The creepy sound of her voice in the den

Cause loving her's not something that I find
Comes to me naturally but sometimes
Loving her's all I can do to keep
Myself together through the week

I, I hope she's got a husband
I hope that he is coming
To find me out and tear out both my eyes
I'd rather something subtle
Reducing me to rubble
To raze me so that I may someday rise
A human sacrifice
I think that it's be nice
To go down like a plane in flames tonight
The thing is I don't mind
I wouldn't miss the time
Reminding me of my life ticking by

Mary Desler, how I love thee

2008-05-30T05:17:11Z

I don't know, this just doesn't seem like something Mary Desler would write in an email:

"Windigo Kite Surfing will be demo-ing kite boarding and showing off their baller kites all day."

I don't know about you, but I'm down for baller kites.

Oh, and the Royals just lost their 10th straight game. My homepage is KansasCity.com (the homepage of the Kansas City Star) and they actually have a section called "How will the Royals lose today?". Personally, I'm sick of these fairweather fans in Kansas City. When the Royals finish in 3rd place, everyone will be acting like they were behind them the whole way and blah blah blah. When the Chiefs stop sucking, people will be acting like they had faith in them the whole time. When Kansas City finishes its transformation, everyone, especially shelter Johnson County residents, will act like they weren't scared to go down to 12th and Oak when it's nowhere near as rough as some of the places I've been to off of Prospect.

I'm going to go see them play next week against the Sox. It should be interesting as always...I'll even wear my powder blue Mark Teahen jersey just for them.

When I met you I was just a kid, hadn't built up my defenses.

2008-05-28T04:58:19Z

I have been oh so very busy for the past quarter that I haven't had time to update this. What's happened in the past three months?

School. I got the best grades of my NU career last quarter. I mean, they weren't straight As by any means, but I was beyond pleased. Who knew that once you switched majors, your grades would drastically improve? My GPA is more than a full point higher than it was at this same time last year. This quarter's going equally well. Maybe my days of C's are over?

Rugby. This season was amazing. I scored three tries, which is quite a feat for a prop, especially on my team with its back emphasis. I really feel like I understand the game and where I should be on the field at all times. We had a great season, performing well at the NIU tournament and equally well in individual matches. My dad came and saw me play in our last match of the season against U of C. We beat them pretty badly and also had quite a large crowd of fans. I'm sad that the season's over, but I plan to continue playing during the summer.

Boys. Overall, they're lame, especially here at NU. They need to get over themselves. That's all I'm going to say about that.

About three weeks left and I'm back to Kansas. I can't wait. Before then I have a shitload of stuff left to do including, but not limited to: finishing my study abroad application (Denmark here I come!), a fatty book review project that I realized was more complicated than it appeared over the weekend, Earth 101 report, and never ending Latin translations. I'm looking forward to Dillo Day...COMMON IS GOING TO BE HERE!! I'm so stoked/amped/any sort of synonym that means excited. I've been a fan of Common for years, going back to when he was still Common Sense. It rained last year and we were crowded into Patten (ugh), but I hope the weather cooperates this year (showers are in the forecast). I guess we'll see.

parachuutes @ 2008-03-06T01:12:00

2008-03-06T07:16:03Z

Big news in the Kansas City Star:

North Dakota now produces more wheat than Kansas.

Now I know two things about North Dakota, the other being that its capital is Bismark...

parachuutes @ 2008-02-19T03:06:00

2008-02-19T09:10:08Z

Why am I up at three in the morning...oh yeah, Linguistics.

Stuff White People Like.

Any truth? YES.

parachuutes @ 2008-01-28T18:54:00

2008-01-29T00:57:08Z

Subhead for an article on the front page of today's Daily Northwestern:

26 percent of NU's black men are athletes

Really? I thought it was higher. What's sad is I don't think this figure bothers many people.

parachuutes @ 2008-01-23T01:04:00

2008-01-23T07:06:22Z

stop sending me mixed messages.

parachuutes @ 2008-01-07T23:04:00

2008-01-08T05:17:36Z

I made it back from India in one piece, food poisoning and all. I can't say that I didn't expect it to happen, but the fact that it happened with two days left was sort of a slap in the face by the gods.

I was reading Sports Illustrated and came across this letter to the editor that made me crack up:

Did you see Kansas' collapse against Missouri coming when you added "so far" to the cover? The last time you pur one of our football teams on your cover (November 17, 2003), the 9-0 Chiefs also lost the next week. Please don't put Kansas City-area football teams on the cover anymore! ––someone from Lenexa (one town over from me!)

Good point.

Cover in question:

There is a God.

2007-12-18T06:36:38Z

Keeping abreast on Kansas City and Johnson County news:

After years of planning, a computer-coordinated effort to synchronize traffic lights on many main thoroughfares in the five-county metro area is quietly starting to change our driving experiences.

State and suburban traffic engineers who work with the system, called Operation Green Light, already have produced new timing patterns for one-fifth of the 624 traffic lights targeted. Many of the rest will be done next year. Synchronized lights for better-flowing traffic ultimately will cover more than 160 miles of road.

The completed roadway corridors include stretches of Shawnee Mission Parkway, 87th Street Parkway and 95th Street in Johnson County; Missouri 350 through Raytown in Jackson County; and Barry Road/Kansas Avenue through the Interstate 35-Missouri 291 intersections in Liberty.

Studies bear that out. One prepared by the Mid-America Regional Council, the metrowide planning agency that coordinates Operation Green Light, estimated that synchronized lights along a two-mile stretch of Shawnee Mission Parkway decreased travel times one to two-and-a-half minutes, or generally about 30 percent, depending on the time of day and direction of travel.

Along two miles of Missouri 350 through Raytown, the amount of time the typical vehicle was stuck at traffic lights dropped one-third, or about half a minute. Along a one-mile stretch of Lenexa’s 87th Street Parkway between Lackman Road and Renner Boulevard, the average vehicle went from generally stopping at three lights to stopping just once.

--------

Shawnee Mission Parkway has come a long way from the mess it used to be six years ago. And so has 87th Street...hell, I really don't mind driving on the major streets any more.

parachuutes @ 2007-12-16T12:07:00

2007-12-16T18:08:30Z

I just took my first typhoid fever pill...we leave for India in a week!

Christmas in India should be interesting to say the least.

parachuutes @ 2007-12-13T11:46:00

2007-12-13T17:52:28Z

The leaders of several black organizations want Kansas City Superintendent Anthony Amato placed on administrative leave pending investigation of a complaint that he called two school board members “bitches.”

Um, so he's not going to be suspended/fired over the fact that Kansas City schools are this close to losing their accreditation?

parachuutes @ 2007-12-09T23:03:00

2007-12-10T05:09:04Z

I don't want to be that Northwestern student, but I'm realizing that some of my friends from back home are dumb as hell.

Blah, blah, blah, I'm talking about myself

2007-11-23T07:08:33Z

I came to write an entry because I feel like I'm starting to become delinquent. It's not that I haven't attempted in the past couple of days, but every time I start to write, the entry always ends up with me talking about the same stupid guy. I'll admit, I think about him all of the time. I hate talking so candidly about this...I guess because I consider it pretty personal and it's shit that I'd rather keep to myself. However, I'm pretty sure that getting this off my chest will help.

If I were a bystander looking at this situation and I knew a bit of the history of this ordeal, I would tell myself that I don't have any room to complain about anything. Maybe that's true. Actually, I know it's true. That's why I think it's ridiculous that I'm still stuck on this. Every time I come home, he practically throws himself at me (this is not an exaggeration). Believe me, it's hard to pass on his advances. He's a great guy with a fantastic personality, plus he's easy on the eyes, but for whatever reason, I just can't give in. Back in high school, it was even worse. The excuse that I always used was that I was too busy to focus on someone else; I guess it was partially true. Really though, I think it mostly was a defense mechanism...it just kept things simple for me and them. Toward guys, I became super aloof and successfully kept myself relationship free. What's sad is that I still do it...four years later.

From what I hear, he's trapped in his current relationship. It pains me to hear it, but I can't do anything about it. She's such a little diva and is so demanding, I can't even stand it. I personally could never intentionally hurt someone. It's terrible that she can treat someone who would do anything for her so badly. But I guess she's the typical Johnson County princess.

So this is me leaving this alone. I know it's easier said than done, but I'm serious about this. There are way too many guys out there for me to be trippin' over this one.

parachuutes @ 2007-11-07T12:05:00

2007-11-07T19:07:01Z

Some questions that I have recently pondered:

1. Why do ipod headphones suck so much? The first pair broke after about a year, which I guess is kind of impressive, but the ones I have now I got spring quarter meaning that it hasn't even been six months. Maybe Apple loves the fact that with pair that breaks, the consumer is forced to pay $29 for a new pair. Well, forget that. You're not taking me for a sucker, Apple.

2. Why has fall quarter gone by so quickly? Maybe it's because the days of each week are all the same: go to class, collapse/take a nap, do five-six hours of homework, sleep, REPEAT. Of course, the weekends are far too short.

3. Since when has Shepard become a dorm of tea drinkers? I'm not saying that I'm any sort of connoisseur, but really, when you don't know the difference between black, white, and green tea, then that's an issue.

4. The question of all questions: Why do most people who own bikes lack the basic ability to ride them? A lot of them can't even steer. I'm tired of getting run over by people on bikes, and that's real talk.

parachuutes @ 2007-10-30T15:07:00

2007-10-30T20:10:39Z

What is there to say that hasn't already been said?

Absolutely nothing.

parachuutes @ 2007-10-12T01:14:00

2007-10-12T06:28:26Z

I just have to throw out there that In Rainbows is pretty amazing...almost as good as Kid A and even closer to OK Computer (one of my favorite albums of all-time). I cannot stop listening to 'Nude'; there's something so haunting about it...it sort of reminds me of drowning or floating underwater. Thom's vocals at the end...just wow.

parachuutes @ 2007-10-09T02:49:00

2007-10-09T08:03:08Z

I guess this is what it feels like to have people gossiping about you.

parachuutes @ 2007-10-01T17:04:00

2007-10-01T22:08:54Z

Holy shit, Radiohead's new album comes out in 9 days.

parachuutes @ 2007-09-27T15:10:00

2007-09-27T20:13:04Z

What am I getting myself into?

parachuutes @ 2007-09-18T15:50:00

2007-09-18T21:03:48Z

I'm finally back at NU and it's good to be back. The freshmen moved in today and I'm excited to get to know them. This year is going to be way different from last year, I can already tell.

Before I came back, I had a slew of tests for my ulcers because at this point, they're pretty sure that I have them, but they're not exactly sure what's going on inside. Last Thursday, I had a esophagogastroduodenoscopyat KU Med West. During the process, it wasn't bad...I was sedated and woke up in a recovery room with graham crackers and apple juice by my bed-- not bad if I do say so myself. The back of my mouth hurt like a mother though (and still does). Friday I went to the real KU Med (not that Med West isn't real, but really, it's in Shawnee, it's not the same) down at 39th and Rainbow for a CAT scan. I had to drink two bottles of a nasty drink that was 'vanilla milkshake' flavored. The scan went fine, but the aftermath was not so pretty. I don't think it had milk in it (I can't drink milk because I'm lactose intolerant), but it made me really sick anyway...it was rough.

On the bright side, my music works again and that means access to about 11,000 songs!

parachuutes @ 2007-09-16T02:01:00

2007-09-16T07:02:22Z

Larry Johnson freestyling...GO CHIEFS.

I love the Jay-Z song he's rapping over.

parachuutes @ 2007-09-10T23:36:00

2007-09-11T04:37:26Z

Britney's back.

Oops, I lied.

Completely unrelated–– Joey Gathright, who usually plays left field for Royals (he splits that duty with Esteban German and Emil Brown), has a video of him jumping over a car on youtube. I call him the gangsta of the Royals because I'm pretty sure he's gotten into a couple of fights although he didn't shoot a reporter in the eye like Emil Brown or get into a fight in the dugout like John Buck and Runelvys Hernandez.

He's a man with a plan/got a counterfeit dollar in his hand

2007-09-05T07:22:02Z

How have I been counting down the days until my return to NU?

By crankin' and listening to Stevie Wonder.

After visiting my dad in the UK, I came back with a bunch of music: lots of gospel and soul music–– that's what I was raised on. I guess I have a new appreciation for it, especially with all of the crap that makes it onto the radio these days.

My dad made sure that he sent me back with Malcolm X...I gotta stay militant, nah mean?

parachuutes @ 2007-09-02T00:50:00

2007-09-02T05:50:59Z

So, I was on youtube looking for the song 'Crank Dat Spiderman'. It's pretty catchy, though it's kind of sad to see where rap has headed in the past couple of years. I don't know if I would call it rap or just dance music. I noticed the large amount of Crank Dat [[insert name]]. I could barely keep them straight, so I made a list:

Crank That Soulja Boy [[video]]
Crank Dat Spiderman [[video]]
Crank Dat Spongebob [[video]]
Crank Dat Forrest Gump [[video]] (bad dancers, but this is funny)
Crank Dat Star Wars [[video]]
Crank Dat Batman [[video]]
Crank Dat Lion King [[video]]
Crank Dat Charlie Brown [[video]]
Crank Dat Pac Man [[video]] (talk about having no rhythm)
Crank Dat Yankee [[video]]
Crank Dat Peter Pan [[video]]
Crank Dat Bedrock [[video]]
Crank Dat Aquaman [[video]]
Crank Dat Jumprope [[video]] (really, did this one really need to be invented?)
Crank Dat Roosevelt [[video]]
Crank Dat Grandpa [[video]]
Crank Dat Roadrunner [[video]]
Crank Dat Robocop [[video]]
Crank Dat Fundip [[video]]
Crank Dat Jumpman [[video]]
Crank Dat Whatcha Call It [[video]]
Crank Dat Park [[video]]
Crank Dat Head Banga [[video]]
Crank Dat Cool Whip [[video]]
Crank Dat Mini Me [[video]] (the dance isn't shown, but still, the song exists!)
Crank Dat Jugganaut [[video]]

...These are all real, sad to say. The Lion King, Spiderman, and Forrest Gump are actually sort of tight, but really they all have the same beat and the dances are all the same with a little variation. I know how to do the soulja boy, but it's like the basis of all of these.

parachuutes @ 2007-08-16T19:37:00

2007-08-17T00:50:51Z

I've been running around doing a bunch of random stuff that I need to do before I leave tomorrow, one of them being going to get my hair done. The woman who does my hair has moved offices way too many times...she started out a 95th and Antioch and then out at 133rd and Quivira and now at 119th and Metcalf (I hate Metcalf, but that's neither here nor there) She was running on major CP time (second definition) today and I was getting impatient. Three hours later, she finally finished me when it should have taken an hour.

All I wanted to do was go home, but I knew that I couldn't go back the way I came so it was going to take me a while. 69 Highway had a lot of construction at I-435, so I ruled that out. I tried to take Nall home, but it had construction too. I cut over to Roe and things were good until I got to 75th. It was narrowed down to two lanes and people were acting a fool. After getting through the I-35 intersection with little more than a jerk who cut me off, I thought I was home free, but boy was I wrong. More construction, more cones, and more cops. I know I talk a lot about construction, but it's pretty much the worse thing that could be done in the JO. We're pretty dangerous drivers in the first place and when lane mergers and blinking signs are thrown in, it's a rough situation.

On a happier note, I'm get to travel from KCI (probably the least busy airport in the country) to O'Hare (one of the busiest and with some of the worst delays) tomorrow...the contrast is funny to me. There's so little traffic in KCI that they announce every flight that arrives. It's kind of endearing.