Short Skirts of Summer

My Comparative Politics professor is blasting Billy Joel in class right now.

"We Didn't Start the Fire"

This is so surreal

Well, whodathunk it? I mean, no one has ever pointed out that the power granted to Federal agencies might be used for an individual agent's own gain? Or that unchecked authority irrevocably leads to abuse, right?

Oh, wait. Yeah, I think someone said something about that.

I had my Econ exam yesterday and, I'm going to be honest with you, I was pretty boisterous leading up to it. I mean, I went to class and all, but I wasn't totally, completely paying attention. I opened the textbook once, to look at the pictures. Because of that, I wasn't sure what was on the test. I knew we were doing neo-classical theory, but what parts eluded me.

But that didn't stop me from bragging. "I could probably write the exam," I'd say. I was sure of it. But just in case, just to cover my bases, I went to a review session. I didn't study at all after that, because I was pretty confidant. Overconfident, some would say.

So how do I think I did?

Dude, I could've aced it with my eyes closed.

I would like to state, for the record, that my weather wiget says it's 1 degree right now. If that wasn't bad enough, there's 20mph wind. Oh Springtime Menstruations.

Walking to class feels like getting scratched in the face by a million angry baboons.

Rabid baboons.

Weather this week looks to be moderately- to extremely-fucking-crazy. Yesterday was a cool 35/40, and today I'm walking through a goddamn blizzard on my way to class. If that wasn't enough, my weather wiget is telling me it's supposed to get up to the 50/55 range this weekend. Apparently, as we get closer toward spring, Mother Nature starts going through "that part" of her regular cycle. You know what I mean.

Yup, that's right.

It's Springtime Menstruations.

Best use of a children's vehicle. Ever.



Where do I sign up?

"Held at FedEx location for recipient pickup" That's what my package tracking is telling me, and I am furious.

I'll back up a bit.

I ordered some things on the Apple Store, using the gift card my family got me way back at Christmas. Since ordering, I've been tracking the cross-country trek of my purchases, via FedEX's website. I've followed the little box to Chiopee, MA, where it stops in a FedEX facility for, as you might've guessed, recipient pickup.

Chiopee is about 20 miles south of Amherst, just past Holyoke. I could probably grab a bus and pick it up, just like they want me to.

Which is why I'm so infuriated.

The point of the shipping business, is that I am paying you money to deliver a package to me. That is the overall crux of the exchange. Money for a box on my doorstep. Not 20 miles south of, or a busride away from my doorstep. My doorstep. Furthermore, they're holding it at their facility over the weekend, and won't deliver it; or rather, do their job, until Monday.

Ok Mother Nature. It's March now. A whole new month. Can we put this snow and freezing wind stuff behind us now? It'd be really helpful if you could, cause then I can finally start playing frisbee. It's not that I don't love snow, but ultimate on grass is a lot better than a round of SnowDisc. Thanks

Love,
-James

Dear Livejournal,
I'd love talk about what's going on in my life, but I have to go to ZooDisc practice. So in lieu of a real post, here's some fainting goats.

With the weather being the way it is, we haven't touched any frisbees yet. We are, however, running. 5 milers to be exact. I finished in 35 minutes, good for 6th place. Today we just do a free-for-all, make your own route run (for 35 minutes).

Despite the distinct lack of discs, I am loving atmosphere and overall feeling ZooDisc permeates. I crossed paths with one of the upperclassmen on todays run, and he volunteered to accompany me. Really friendly bunch of guys.

Rool Zoo.

I'm speeding up. 1 Mile: 6:22

Life is good. Why? Two hours for frisbee, with a post game beer.

and bowl of cookie dough.

I wuv cookie dough.

7 and a half miles - 1 hour and 14 minutes. Bitches!

It's not exactly olympic pace, but I've never ran that long, or that far before. Aside from muscle tightness, and general soreness, I feel better than I have in years. I can't wait for ZooDisc.

So how was my new years you ask? Well, I watched some football with some peeps. And drank.

Then drank some more. And went to First Night. I ran into a train. Seriously, ask Faisal.

Here's a video of PhiBD doing Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo a la Turk".

For those of you who are curious, the first half of the song is in 9/8, while the solo section is in 12/8, with 9/8 fills.

Back in 617 for the month.

So we lost. That's life, really. Even in defeat, I couldn't be happier. The team tried their hardest, and we cheered the loudest. The trip was defiantly worth the all the hassle of airline security, having a gym floor for a bed; and above all, the total lack of sleep.

No matter where life takes me, I'll always be a Umasser.

Win or lose, Go UMass

...yeah

So you may, or may not have heard that UMass is in the NCAA Championship game. Not only that, but the band is being flown out to Chattanooga, TN to help cheer them on (and perform!). So, go UMass!

Here's UMass's opponent for the nation title.

( Seriously! )

( Another semi-unrelated shot )

Go UMass

Dear EMS,

Why do you sell such cool, yet expensive stuff? Stuff I could never really use, but I want nonetheless? Seriously, it's a real pain.

Thanks,
— James