Cheaper By The Dozen

Sometimes I look at people and wonder: 'What drives that person?' Is it ambition? Determination? Or chowder? Well, here's a little list of things I'm shooting for... those things that motivate me to git-er-dun! Hopefully, with hard work, self-denial, a little luck, and a miracle (see my highest goal), I will be able to accomplish these goals.

Life goals (list created on April 11, 2005):

In general:
- participate in an intense car chase on foot that involves running over the tops of cars stopped in traffic
- make someone laugh so hard that they pee their pants (almost successful with Brigid Sweeney, who had to run to a bathroom to avoid an embarrassing situation)
- run a marathon (tentative date is November 6, 2005: New York Marathon)
- learn to break-dance
- win a dance battle
- watch a full season of 24 in one sitting
- win an intramural frisbee championship
- own a monkey (second highest goal)
- spend the night in the library without getting caught (failed once)
- make a spontaneous road-trip to a random location without packing anything

Education:
- earn an A.A. and brag about having one, as if it's the coolest college degree to have (goal met in May 2002)
- begin and finish my senior thesis
- earn a M.A. in theology
- earn a MR. degree
- prepare myself well to become the primary educator of my children

Fashion:
- grow a beard (my highest goal)
- model in a fashion show (goal met on April 14, 2005)
- wear a button-up shirt with sweatpants
- wear a turtleneck with a suit
- wear a pair of rainbow sandals everyday until they are completely worn through
- popularize the wearing of the color purple by men, making it "the new pink"

Music:
- direct a music video (student video, not professional)
- become proficient on the guitar
- write a song
- see the following bands/artists in concert: Radiohead, Coldplay, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, Dashboard Confessional, Beck, Jack Johnson, and Smoosh.

Food:
- in imitation of the beef Ramen wrapper, eat steak and beef Ramen as a meal (goal met on April 23, 2004)
- eat a dozen Krispe Kreme doughnuts in one sitting (April 18, 2005)
- eat an entire meal out of food samples
- eat at Bahama Breeze (failed twice due to two-hour waits)
- hit a person with a balloon filled with clam chowder (goal met on April 13, 2005)

Qué Onda Guero

I am continually fascinated by the people around me. From the guy who falls asleep in my Metaphysics class, exposing his FTL briefs that don't quite cover his buttcrack, to the guy whose computer broke and who requests a copy of the Professor's lecture notes each class session, rather than hand-writing the notes (some guts). Franciscan University truly is a magnet, which pulls all interesting (and weird) people to itself. Only here (and maybe at Cal Tech), would a person wear an Anime button-up shirt with tapered sweatpants. But I give these people mad props for not buying into the cookie-cutter image of AE and A&F. Anime FOR LIFE!

I would now like to make a few CD recommendations for my loyal readers (all four of you). So here's a little sample platter, if you will:

1. Beck - Guero: Funky fresh lyrics over equally fly jams. A treat for fans and non-fans. Beck just received a convert yesterday. Welcome Russell Hoyt! We've been waiting for you.
2. Adem - Homesongs: One of folk's finest. Beautiful sounds that include xylophones and classic lyrics like "la-da-dee, la-da-dee." Truly music to chill to.
3. Smoosh - She Like Electric: Simply fun. Music written and performed by two pre-teen sisters from Seattle (ages 10 and 12). Upbeat and uplifting. D'Aug will get my back on this one.
4. A.C. Newman - The Slow Motion: Solid rock music. It's nothing innovative but regardless, it is rock done well. Plus, whistling in a song-- what a treat!
5. Tilly and the Wall - We Like Children: Unique, foreign-sounding, and choice! In the tradition of Belle & Sebastian, this group combines interesting vocals with simple and beautiful music. This is not heavy rotation music, so expect to hear quality that you can't exactly put your finger on (whatever that means).

I would like to conclude by giving a shout-out to Erin Holford. Happy Birthday, Sister! Remember: CRACK KILLS! Love you!