An end to finals

Dear Finals,
Fuck you. See you again in May.


Best regards,
John Engrav

The biggest question of them all: Why am I here?

I like the city that I live in. Farmington has been my home for my entire life. Even when I moved out for a year (I only moved away 2 miles). Unfortunetly, lately I have come to find out that there is not a whole lot going for me here. I moved back home because I am now going to he U of M (I am not working that many hours as before, so I could not afford rent). I want to go out friday and saturday nights with friends but none are around. My friend Rich is in the army and stationed in Georgia, my friend Dan is in the national guard and in Iraq as of right now. My friend Nico, I have called many times to see if he wants to go out. He never calls me back so I stopped trying to get in touch with him. My buddy Jon (former roomate) has his girlfriend tag along when we go out. It's okay that she comes along sometimes but, it would be fun if it was just us guys gong out drinking. That would be about it for friends to go out for a fun time on the weekends.
You may be asking "Where are you going with this?", well I was talking with a guy in my English class last tuesday. He said that he also commutes to school from Forrest Lake. He said he was thinking of staying on campus spring semester. So I think I will talk to him and see if he wants a roomate. I really dont like living at home so that might be an option. It kind of depends on what the kid says. Later

I guess i'm it.

I got tagged by Dawn so here we go.
Five things you may not know about me:
1. I watched every episode of the Office during finals week.
2. I really dont study for my finals. I basically just wing it.
3. I'm really not that much into office supplies like Dawn I guess.
4. I am the hugest procrastinator ever. I spent like 4 hours doing a 3 page paper. I got sidetracked by watching the Office sitcom.
5. I wish I owned my own farm.

To whoever is taking finals, I hope this helps

It was the night before finals,And all through the college,The students were praying
For last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy,But none touched their beds,While visions of essaysdanced in their heads.
Out in the taverns,A few were still drinking,And hoping that liquorwould loosen up their thinking.
In my own apartment,I had been pacing,And dreading examsI soon would be facing
.
My roommate was speechless,His nose in his books,And my comments to himDrew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee,And brewed a new pot,No longer caring That my nerves were shot.I stared at my notes,But my thoughts were muddy,My eyes went ablur,I just couldn't study.
"Some pizza might help,"I said with a shiver,But each place I calledRefused to deliver.I'd nearly concludedThat life was too cruel,With futures dependingOn grades had in school.

When all of a sudden,Our door opened wide,And Patron Saint Put It OffAmbled inside.His spirit was careless,His manner was mellow,He started to bellow:"What kind of studentWould make such a fuss,To toss back at teachersWhat they tossed at us?"

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!On Last Year's Exams!On Wingit and Slingit,And Last Minute Crams!"His message delivered,He vanished from sight,But we heard him laughingOutside in the night."Your teachers have pegged you,So just do your best.Happy Finals to All,And to All, a good test." -Author Unknown

My 100th Post.

Finals begin next week. And school has been a HUGE blur the entire semester. Half the time I am in a daze while at a lecture. I even notice people in my classes are either zoning out or sleeping. Today in my 20th century Europe class I zoned out. Now I don't mean like regular zoning out, I mean the type where you literally blank and look at the clock an all of a sudden 15 minutes have gone by. This has been happening a lot. I guess it's basically about finals and all the work that's going into them. Tomorrow I work with poncho, and I work with her again on Saturday morning so that'll be fun. Then on Sunday I get to work with Dawn finally. I think she started back at our store like a month ago, and I havn't got to work with her yet. Well let's all hope I can stay awake for my classes tomorrow. Later

Heeeeeeeeeeeeey

This is who I really am.

Deer Hunting, my seventh year

I got back from deer hunting last night. We went out on saturday, didn't see anything in the morning. In our party one guy got three, another got one. Then in the afternoon we made a push on 2 seperate hills and I got 2 does. At the end of the day we had a total of 9 deer including my dads 6 point buck. The next day, half of us decided to sleep in. I had stayed at my uncles house for the weekend and we decided to show up at the farm where we hunt at arounf 9 a.m. We made another push on a south 40 acres of scrub brush and forrest. Nothing came out of there and then we decided to go register our deer and then go butcher. It took us about 5 hours to butcher all 9 of the deer. the entire weekend was really windy. Everytime I got ready to shoot my shotgun I took my gloves off, and then the wind would start to howl. So my hands were really chapped.
So now I am in school and really really really tired. And I just noticed one of my work boots has deer blood over it. Gross.

A Pretty Good Joke

A man sold a religious horse. He explained to the buyer that since it was a religious horse, you had to say "Amen" to make the horse stop and say "Praise the Lord" to make the horse go.The buyer got on the horse and said "Praise the Lord" and the horse started trotting. "Praise the Lord" he said again and the horse began galloping. "Praise the Lord" a third time and the horse ran even faster. Suddenly, just up ahead was a cliff — "Whoa! Stop!" The rider yelled, but the horse kept running. "Amen!" he finally remembered. The horse stopped right at the edge of the cliff. The buyer took off his hat, wipped his brow, and said, "Praise the Lord!"

SWEEP!

Well I am glad on how the Election turned out. The Democrats have taken control of the Minnesota house and senate. They have also won the U.S. House and the so far the the senate. Webb from Virginia was declared the winner by NBC, CBS news, and CNN. But Allen could ask for a recount of votes, so it could still be undecided as of yet.

A Beer infused weekend

My weekend was really fun. Definatly the best one I have had for a couple of months. Friday after my dad came home I practicaly had to drag my dad out of the house to get going to Winona. On the road down we listened to the world series game. After we got to my uncles house, we bullshited fo about a half hour and then we headed down to a bar called Charlies. Now this is a bar that is not frequented by college kids. My aunt called it "divorce city". We started off with a pitcher of Leinenkugals, had some popcorn while we waited for our burgers. We watched the Cardinals win the game, and had another pitcher of beer. Now that night I think I had about 3/4 of a pitcher. Then the next day I went to the Winona state football game. We sat in one of my dads frat brothers press box. Was really nice, he ordered pizza and chicken wings. Another guy brought some beer, I had about three cans. After the winning game, my dad and uncle had to go rake leaves at a duplex that they rent to college kids. While they were doing that my aunt wanted to take me to the Winona county historical society building. We went and was pretty cool. They had a scale model of a lumber yard set on the river. After that we went to the coffee shop and had coffee and some kind of a chocolate peanut bar. We left back for my uncles house. About 2 hours later my dad and I went to go visit my grandmother in Rushford. When we got back we had deer steaks and of course more beer (I only had 1). The next day my dad and I went back to my grandmothers house to rake her yard and do some other yard work for her. She made us this huge feast for lunch. When we left from there, we went to a farm that we hunt at every year for deer hunting. Mouse is the guys nickname, his real name is Wayne. So we scale the hills and check where all the deer stands are and other good lcations to move them to. We then went to a place where Mouse had his newly made wood cabin. He really decked it out, in front he had a open pit grill made, and an outhouse made.


Going right to left their is: Dale (my uncle), Mouse the farmer, his wife Jeannie, one of our hunting buddies Dave Perkel otherwise known as just Perk, me, my dad with the wood stick in his hands, and Mouse's mother. And of course all of us in the front have a beer.

After my dad and I got home, we took my brother tom back to St. Thomas. After we dropped him off my mother decided to go to Green Mill brew pub. We find out that you can get a 23 oz. beer for a 16 oz. price. So we both order some local brew they have there. Once we get it, I take a sip and like it where as my mother doesn't like hers. So I end up drinking both and having a pretty good Guinness hamburger to go with it. And that was my weekend. I also never once had a hangover. Pretty cool eh?

I got bored at school

So I saw this on Rachel's blog.I thought I would give it a try:

1. My uncle more than once: Taken me hunting.

2. Never in my life have I: done drugs. wow really?

3. The one person who can drive me nuts: my brother tom. Arrgh.

4. College is: half way done with the semester, Woo-hoo!

5. When I'm nervous: I think either about the Boston Red Sox or about tanks.

6. The last time I cried was: When I got hit in the nads by my brother tom playing paintball.I got him back though

7. If I were to get married right now my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be: My brothers, my ex-roomate, and my best friend Rich Yaeger (If he could get leave from the army)

8. My hair: Is long not as long as a hippie, but getting there. I need to get a crew cut.

9. When I was 5: I was in Kindergarten.

10. Last Christmas: I got loaded at the party.

11. When I turn my head left, I see: people looking at their school work

12. When I turn my head right: same thing (Im in the school library)

13. When I look down I see: My shit kicker books (Catapillar boots represent!)

14. The craziest recent event was: I went for a pint after school at like 2:30 in the afternoon (I know lame)

15. If I was a character on Scrubs I'd be: Dr. Cox

16. By this time next year: Still in school Arrgh!

17. My favorite Aunt is: Laurie (on my mom's side) or Lynn (on my dad's side).

18. I have a hard time understanding: people who are intentionally and knowingly cruel to others.

19. One time at a family gathering: I butchered deer with my cousins and uncles.

20. You know I like you if: I tell you?

21. If I won an award, the first person(people) I'd thank: My parents.

22. Take my advice: Life's tough, get a helmet.

23. My ideal breakfast is: pancakes and scrambled eggs

24. If you visit my hometown: A new McDonalds. Hey come on it's our first one in Farmington!

25. Where do you plan to visit anytime soon: Winona,Mn to see my uncle. First the Bar, then the next day tailgate, drink, and football.

26. If you spend the night at my house: You would probably want to stay in a hotel.

27. The world could do without: Mean people

28. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Go to class

29. Most recent thing you've bought yourself? The 2004 Boston Red Sox World series 12 Dvd set. With all 7 ALCS games and the 3 World series games and loads of other stuff

30. Most recent thing someone else bought for you: My mom bought me breakfest this morning
31. My favorite blonde friend is: Kelsey from work.

32. My favorite brunette / black hair friend is: Dawn

33. The last time I was high: never been.

34. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: cows. Just think of squadrons of cows. Wow.

35. I should have been: Born on the 4th of July.

36. Once, at a restaurant: I got a free beer

37. Last night: at Farmingtons close victory over Rochester football game

38. A better name for myself would be: Duke.

39. If I ever go back to school: wont be for a while after I graduate if I can help it.

40. My birthday: is smack dab in the middle of the year, June 30th.

41. And by the way: I'm still bored at school

I got to update this more

I only update this thing once a week. I think I can do better. Well I made it through midterms. I think I bombed my english one. We had 8 excerpts from different essay that we read. We had to name the author, date when it was published, and the title of the piece (of shit). That was on thursday, on friday I took my 20th century Europe midterm. That one I actually think I did well on, I wrote it out for like 40 minutes. Now I get to finish working the rest of the weekend, and on monday and tuesday I have off. Little while ago I wrote about a weekend I was going to take off, and asked "Where should I go?" Well I am giing down to Winona with my dad, and possibly my brothers to go see relatives. If any of you have been down there, you know that the scenery is just beautiful. It should be a good time. Well I have to go finish my laundry and then clean up my room. Later (hopefully not to far)

One more round and it's bottles to the ground, smashing up some things and do another round.

On saturday night my brother mike and my dad and I are going to go to the Farmington Eagles for some beer and burgers. Of course my brother isnt having beer since he's not 21. My mom is coming home from Boston on sunday. Thats why we are going out that night, have some fun before mom comes home, and then it's back to work. Also I found out yesterday that my english professer is canceling tuesdays class so we can study for the midterm, which is on thursday. The only class that I have left that day is German at 1:25 p.m. So I will be skipping german and taking the whole day off. I dont even have to work that day! So I can get my paper done for my Europe class and study for the english midterm. On my moms trip to Boston she took a tour of Fenway park and got me a Jason Varitek jersey (favorite Red Sox player). She also got my brothers and I ash wood baseball bats from Cooperstown. It's where the baseball hall of fame is. Ok I have to finish my english paper and then study for my german quiz. Later.

Bummer

Ok soI got the tickets and then I got to work and fin out that I have to work that friday night. So naturally im pissed, and I am looking to see if I could switch a shift with one of the other two managers. After about five minutes of trying different theories, I find out that it nothing would work out. I guess I will have to scalp them, I know a girl who used to work with me at the bookstore that is also going to the UofM. Maybe her or somebody she knows will want the tickets.
I work about average about 26-29 hrs. a week. Which I think might be a little too much while also going to school full time. That is why after midterm week I am going to take the following weekend off. I have not decided what I will do though. I might want to go either to New Ulm and tour a brewery or two. Or I might just decide that I want to stay at home and just chill out. Im sure someone that reads this can tell me if New Ulm is worth going to or not. If not where do you think I should go? wellI have to go get ready for work. Later

Tickets

Flogging Molly is playing at Coffman union at the UofM campus on friday, oct. 20th. It's going to be so awsome. I still have to see if I am off work that day or not. Not much is happening around here lately. I am still getting a barrage of studying done, and more piling up. My mom left for Boston this morning with here friend Jan. She said that they were going to try to get a tour of Fenway Park. I gave my mom my Red Sox Nation membership card so she could get a discount at the souviner store they have their. Hey, how bout that win last night for the twins. That was sure a close one. Well there's nothing else so I am off to read some and then work on my German. Schonen Tag noch!

craptaculer

I just had a cheeseburger and some fries from the UofM union. It was so gross I'm having stomach aches now. I really dont like my 20th. century Europe class. It is way too boring right now. I got in and try to take notes but end up nodding off. I think I need to go to sleep much earlier than 10 at night. Gee, 10 o'clock sounds pretty lame doesn't it. But getting up at 5:30 in the morning kind of makes that necessary. I oredered a new laptop on saturday. It should arrive either thursday or friday. This saturday I am helping a kid in my scout troop with his eagle project and possibly going out with my ex-roomates. Then on sunday, I work and then going to start writing my paper on the book "The Immoralist" by Andre` Gide. Has anyone read this? I am about half way through the book and am waiting for something to happen. Well I have to get to one of my classes that I actually like: Peoples of the American Revolution. Later.

My dads sick

My dad was complaining of stomach pain last weekend. He thought it was from some hot dogs he had eaten from kwik trip (and rightly so) but then it got continually worse. So on tuesday he went to ridges emergency room. The doc said he had a kidney stone. He also said that there was 3 stages of size 1-3, 4-6, 7-10. My dad had a 7. So today he is having surgery to get the kidney stone out. Heck right about now (10:38 a.m.) he should be having the surgery. My dad is never a fan of surgery. Last night before I went to sleep he told me that all the life insurence and all the finances and stuff are on his desk in case something is wrong. Then a little before that I was downstairs and my mom was pissed of at my grandpa for not letting her know until a couple of hours before that they were not in fact staying at my parnts camping trailor. My parents couldn't go anyways because my dad's surgery. But she said that ever since she came how from her trip last year she has been taking care of sick people whether it be her parents or other relatives, giving advice, and most recently my dad. She said that my dad was filling her in about everything. I told her that my dad wasn't very knowledgable about medical stuff and that he was scared as well. But she just kept on going on how going up to the trailer is like a stress reliever to her. I told her that I dont even have that. Then I got tired of listening to her and went to sleep. So to recap the week: It just plainly sucked. And probably will until the end of may comes next year for summer vacation. well I am going to go study some more. Bloody hell

I am so tired

I really cant remember what I did on friday. On saturday I went to work. After I got off work (4:30), I went to my buddies house because he was having a party with his family because he is heading off to Ft.Dix for training, then off to Iraq. I got home around 10. Then on sunday I had to drive all the way to Buffalo, Mn to drop off my brother at a paintball tournament. Then after that I went to work. When I got home I got a call from my brother telling me that he needed a ride home. His friends parents had a suburban with only 3 kids in the back seat, and said they didn't have "room" for him. Basically what my brother told me was they said that and then slammed the door in his face and sped off leaving him in the cold rain without a ride home. So my dad and I and my other brother went to go pick him up. We brought my other brother with and some of his stuff because he had to go back to St. Thomas. So after all that I didn't get back home again until 10 p.m. Now today directly after school, as soon as I get to the Apple Valley Transit Station I have to go to work. Then I wont get home until yes, 10p.m. So as some of you people can see that I am a bit tired. I work every weekend and monday for the rest of this month. That really really sucks ass. Oh well it could always be worse.

So many textbooks so little time

I have a lot of reading since class started. I have an official count of 12 textbooks. Only 1 is really what I would consider a regular textbookand thats German. The rest are just academic type books. I really dont know what else to call them. Also 3 of my 4 classes have online material as well. So the professer will assign us some reading that can only be found on their website. Which isn't all that bad, but still, it's more reading.
I am taking the metro valley transit bus up to the U of M every morning. I kind of like it. Downside is that I have to get up at 0530. Then leave at or a little before 6 to make it to the bus which leaves at like 0632. I dont get back to Apple Valley (transit station) until like 4 p.m. Then if I work I dont get back until close to 10 p.m. Oh well that's how it is I guess. Well my break is over, back to reading.

Im getting tired of this.

I had a pretty good weekend. Wednesday night I took Becca from work out for her birthday. We both had some pretty good food and a good time. Then later that night I went up north near Two Harbors with my family. It was my dad's birhtday on friday, and we went to old country buffet for supper. Then on saturday my family and I went to Gooseberry Falls and had a picnic lunch and chilled out my the lake and walked to some of the waterfalls. Sunday we came home. I finished 2 books while I was up there.
Then when I got home I checked all my e-mail accounts. when I got to my U of M account I found out I had and e-mail from the financial aid office. It turns out that the SELF loan I applied for got cut by $3,000. I called them up at work yesterday to find out why. It turns out, a credit that I got free from high school from Dakota County Tech College was not transferable. And therfore I am at 59 credits and labeled a sophmore. I am supposed to have 60 and be a junior. I actually have been having trouble with this credit for some time. I recieved a letter from the office of admissions a couple of weeks ago saying that they need transcripts from DCTC. Well I never went there. So I talked to a transfer specialist and he said get a letter from the DCTC stating that you never enrolled or took classes and it will be resolved. Well the next day I got an e-mail from him, and he said that he talked to his higher up and the issue is resolved. I was fine with this until that damn e-mail about the financial aid. So I am going to the campus on wednesday to see if I can get the credit re-instated. I actually found the certificate for the free credit. It is actually from Inver HIlls Communit College, where I went for my A.A. degree. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's now a week before school starts. I really wish they didn't pull this crap this close to the start of school. Oh well I am off to the state fair today with my buddy Dan Heintz. Later all.

I am a news junkie

Yes that's right. I get it from my dad. I try to read the Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, and if time permits the USA Today. When I dont work, I try to catch Kare 11 broadcasts at 5,6, and 10. I dont watch channel 5,9,or 29. I watch channel 4 news sometimes but not a lot though. I was at summer camp reading the Trib and the Press, and one of the other leaders asked me why I read both newspapers. I told him I try to view both sides of the political spectrum. I told him though I like the Star Tribune more though. All he said was "Huh, must be an Engrav thing". I laughed and he walked away.

I think I need a pint!

The date went ok. Nothing big/great happened. She was kind of quiet alot of the time. We went to the Walker Art Museum and walked around for about an hour and a half. Then the rain let up for a little bit and we went out to the sculpture gardens. After that I took her home. When we got to her house, she turned to me and said that she really had a good time, and told me to call her later. So I called her later that night and told her that I had a good time today and was wondering if she was free thursday night or friday night. She told me that would be great. I told her to call me when she found out her work schedule. So either of those two days we are going to go see the Descent, then it's off to Applebee's or something.
My laptop is busted. Great 3 weeks before school starts and my fracking laptop is broken. It could be the power unit in the cpu, or the cord, or software, or even some part of the hardware.
I signed up for classes last week at the U. I signed up for a Peoples in the Revolution class. It's all about the American revolution, it also has some mililtary history in it which I am pretty excitied about. I also signed up for a American Lit. class, another history class titled "20th. century Europe: 1900-1945", and German. I originally signed up for Norwegian, but after seeing how much the textbooks were and I that I had German in high school, I signed up for German. well thats all for now.

A second chance is all I'm asking for.

On wednesday about 2 and 1/2 hours into my shift this girl comes up to my counter and checks out. She, I admit, was pretty hot. Hot girl started telling me that she got these blank books because she likes to write. Then she tells me thank you and then leaves. Becca meanwhile was at the other register and listening to the entire conversation. After hot girl left she turns to me and says "John she was talking you up why didn't you talk to her more?" I told her that I had blanked out. See a fact about guys is when they are talking to a really good looking beautiful girl this is probably what comes out of their mouths: gholahbnbd snw hj whdf jadfhfnehoom. In their head they are saying: Hi my name is ______, nice to meet you. After talking to Becca I saw a magazine that was to be sent back. So I went in the back put it in a box and went back up. As I went back up to the front I was given a second chance. With all of the worlds luck, hot girl had came back. I entered the register area and Becca turned to me and with a half smile asked me "do you want to handle this?" I of course said yes trying to hide my happiness. Hot girl had come back to return one of the books because she wouldn't have had enough money to go shopping. So as I am doing the return I am asking her what she likes to write and stuff like that. She tells me she likes to write poetry (that's great becuase I like to write poetry too, No really I do.) and then she told me that she likes to write screenplays and that she has one started. Then she told me that she likes horror movies too. I tell her that I like to write and that last semester at college I took a creative writing class. I told her that I wrote a detective story and a little piece on World War I. She thought that was cool. And then I think I caught her off guard when I asked her out. She looked at me and kind of had a smile on her face, there was a brief pause and then she said yes. Hooah! I gave her my name and cell, and then hot girl gave me her name: Autumn. I told her that was a beautiful name, and she grinned and said thanks. So this sunday I am talking her to the outdoor art center, the one with the huge spoon and cherry. I forgot what it is called. She came up with the idea. She had said that she hasn't been there for a couple years, I told her that I have never been there. She want to go early in the day so i guess we can grab coffee's and/or lunch. wish me luck ;-)

Best weekend since I moved

My roomates went up to Silver Bay this weekend with her parents. I have the entire place to myself, it is so great. The dogs went down to his parents house in Cannon Falls, so all that is left is the cats. But the cats are fine, so I can turn my music up loud without anybody complaining. I have set up my retro record player in the living room and have been playing my records since they left. Right now I am watching the Twins game, and monitoring the Red Sox game. I looked at the wildcard standings and the damnyankees are not on it anymore, which is great but why aren't they? can someboby explain it to me? But I see that the Red Sox are on top now so I cant complain. I went to half price books today to sell some stuff, and pick some stuff up. I saw this book titled "Reversing the Curse" its on the 2004 Red Sox. Then I saw this other baseball book titled "Rebel Baseball" its about the Northern League and the St. Paul Saints. Here is a passage from the book:

Top 10 reasons to watch the St. Paul Saints:
10. The team wont be moving to Dallas anytime soon (when this book was written the North Stars just moved to Texas).
9. The green stuff in front of you is grass, not "turf".
8. at these prices you can afford to bring your mother-in-law.
7. Chance to point out constellations between innings.
6. Self-serve car wash right down the street.
5. Can sing "Take me OUT to the ballgame" with a clear conscience.
4. Owners care more about fan interest than compund interest.
3. No guys in suits asking what a DH is.
2. You're in the same tax bracket as the players.
1. Baseball, baseball, baseball.

Well thats it, I have to get back to the game. The royals just surpassed us. Crap.

I dont want to go to work

I work from today through August 2nd. My store manager is going on vacation for the rest of this week and all of next week. On Tuesday after work Becca and I went to applebee's for some food and some beers. We both had this Leinenkugals summer wheat. It had a taste of blueberries in it. It was soooo good. We talked for a while and caught the tale end of the twins game. Wednesday night I saw the Prairie Home Campanion movie with my brother. We both thought it was a good movie.
I have come to realize that I have too many books to read. It's a problem that anyone who works in a book store. I see a book that looks interesting and I say "ooh, this looks good/interesting", then I purchase it. When we have to zone the areas and we do strips, its like christmas. Everyone at our store hopes something comes of the shelf that we want. Cause after we strip the book we either throw it away or we keep it. I have so many books to read it's crazy. I'm trying to cram in as many books as possible this summer before school starts. So far I have completed 6 this summer. Ok back to my book.

It wasnt really that hot.

Saturday and sunday were hot. Other than that it was pretty cool for the week, and there was a breeze as well. Camp was pretty fun. I finished a book and got half way through another one. I had to work this weekend and so my whole family went up north. I watched the twins get mauled tonight. I think they will do better next time though. Now I got nothing else to do. blah blah blah.

Hot as Hell

I am going camping with my scout troop this weekend. It's the troops annual week long stay up at Tomahawk Scout Reservation (TSR). I got a call from our scoutmaster saying that they needed an extra adult to go with and want to know if I was considering going or not. I told him that I actually had saturday through thursday off, and that I could go up there for that long. He said thta would be okay because some of the other kid's dads are coming up on friday. So I scrambled to get all my camping gear ready. I just need to get everything packed now. I really like camping alot. My troop keeps records of how many nights each scout/adult has camped out. I think my last tally was 270 nights. I just calculated that out and it's like 3/4 of a year, wow.
From all the peope I have talked to and looked at weatherchannel.com, it's going to be scorching outside for like the next 9 days. Crap. Just when I am at camp, mother nature decides to dump out all the heat. The type of tents we are staying in are old Korean war canvas A-frames. So with the heat it's going to be even tougher. We will make do though, everyone knows how to keep hydrated. Also it was like 4 years ago that cory stringer died of heat stroke. When ever we have a campout and its hot someone always brings that up and we end up drinking like a liter of water right there.
One of my friends from my troop is working at TSR, specifically Souix subcamp, this summer. So I know he is going to conduct a raid one of the nights we are there. Why you ask? well I will tell you the story.
A couple of summers ago I went to a leadership camp, for our troop. Each day our patrol would have a new senior patrol leader. Well one of the other patrols were being complete dicks the entire time I was there. They would constantly make fun of everybody and push people around. We had saved our oranges for snacks. Wednesday was my day as partrol leader. So I told my patrol we were going to conduct a raid. I told them we are going to silently surround there campsite while they are at there picnic table doing what ever. So the time came, we each grabbed 3 oranges (6 people in my patrol, including me) and I told when I blow the whistle start throwing oranges at them (I forgot I had my whistle in my backpack from the previous campout). So we got into positon and I blew the whistle. The ringleader stood up and I remember those classic words he uttered "what's that sound?". Just then an orange hit him square in the head. He went down and the barrage of oranges opened up. After I was out of oranges I blew the whistle, and we went back to our campsite. For the rest of the week the other patrol never bothered anyone.
So I told that story to my buddy and he laughed his socks off. Although what he will be planning will be alot more tame than what I did. Mostly just going by our campsite and yelling like yahoo's. We'll be ready though, I plan on putting one of the older scouts out in the bushes near the road as a sentry. So it should be a good week at camp. I'll tell you all how it turned out when I get back.

A month and a half to go

A new dog. My roomates got a new dog. That would make the tally of animals in the small townhome to: 2 dogs (1 ten months old, the other 6 months), 4 cats, 2 rabbits, and numorous fish. It is like a friggin zoo over here. Every morning one of the cats decides to lay on its back right in front of my door. I know the cat just wants attention, but I almost stepped on him this morning. Then there is the money part. The dog is a chocolate lab and they got it from some dog kennel in Eden Prairie. So we know that wasn't cheap. They got him last thursday. Then on friday when I was at work jon calls me up and asks if I can pay him any money at all this week. From what I would say wednesday through friday they were going over all their bills. I wonder what it's going to be like when I am gone. They don't manage their money that well. For instance: Early last week jon bought a new sub for his car ($150) then they get a new dog, then as stated before jon asks me for any money I can spare.
But all is not lost though, I move out at the end of august. That's gonna be pretty cool. I'm watching the All-star game right now, it's been a good game so far. Sunday I am going to go to camp with my scout troop. I'll only be able to go from sunday-thursday. I heard the heat is literally going to be killer. 100 on saturday! holy crap. Hopefully it'll rain a couple of times to cool it down. Well back to the game.

The frogs lost

Well the French lost the world cup. My brother dragged me with and my other brother with too. Aparently Ving Raimes was at Brit's Pub today. Neither of my brothers bothered to tell me this. That was pretty much all that happened this weekend. Saturday, I went down to Rushford for my aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. Then my family and I went to my Uncle's house and watched the twins game and bullshitted. It was pretty cool. Other than that nothing happened.

Good coffee and old stories are two of life's glories

I have had a pretty good weekend. It started on friday my birthday. I went to work and jackie had brought a cake and a card. I told her she didn't have to do that for me but she said she wanted to. Then after work I headed back to my place. My roomate jon was vacuming the steps and I wanted to see if he would remember if it was my birthday or not. Of course he didn't say anything, I really didnt care if he did or not I just want to see. So after I left I went to my parents house and we then went to Famous Dave's in Apple Valley. I love Famous Dave's. It has to be thee best BBQ joint around. I had some ribs and some of their BBQ chicken. During supper I guess it was Apple Valley's Freedom Days. They had a car show going on as well. I saw this 1947 chevy roadster with purple neon lights underneath. I absolutley fell in love with that car. Oh they also had this 1977 black Chevy Chevelle SS there to. When the owner of the car left, he left with the peddle all the way on the floor. It roared like a fucking banshee. The sheer power that car has would bring a man to his knees. It was sheer heaven listening to that car drive. After we left that, we went home for some cake. My mom wanted my brother to make the cake. So he did. Just not that well. He added 2 boxes of mix, and double the ingredients for the 2 boxes. When he took it out he took this package of frosting and put all the frosting in the center. So it made the middle of the cake sink, so he then spread it all over. But thats not hte end of it. The frosting began to melt and pool in the center. After it cooled he got out another package of frosting and spread it on the cake. This time it stayed. When I originally came over he showed me the cake. We both laughed so hard, our stomachs hurt. I told him it was the best cake ever, and I meant it too. As we were eating the cake later that night. My mom heard about this and took a fork and stuck the middle of the cake. She picked up a huge gob of forsting. Now everyone really started laughing hard.
Saturday my brother and I went to Brit's pub in Minneapolis for the world cup soccer game, England vs. Portugal. They had 2.50 pints of Budlight and Bass Ale. I forgot to eat breakfest so I had a pint to replace that. Now I have never had beer for breakfest, nor will I probably ever have it in the future. But all the English Soccer hooligans there were already plastered. After the hurtful loss England had, we went to MOA and had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. After that we went to the Puma clothing store and I went to Lake Wobegon USA, and bought a mug. After that we went to B&N and looke around. I saw one of my old managers from B. Dalton that worked there now and talked to her for a while. I told her about the game and then this older guy with a grey mustache came over and wanted to know who one. I told him and he said " Oh god, my niece just flew in from England, and she doesn't know how the game went,I guess i have to break it to her gently". When he said that he sounded kind of panicky. After we left the mall I went to Walmart and bought a laptop power cord, because mine crapped out. That was my weekend so far.

There is light at the end of the tunnel

I did it today. I told jon my roomate that at the end of August that I will be moving out. We were siting outside grilling some burgers and I told him that I had to move out cause I had to help pay for part of my tuition that my loan wasn't covering. I am also happy because the Redsox won against the Mets. Whooooooo!

Real women don't date yankee fans

I saw that t-shirt on this Redsox clothing site. Today I covered alot of ground on my way to the U. This morning I drove up to Inver Hills Community College and had them transfer my spring grades, I had my dad mail my enrollment fee, looked into getting a U-pass bus card thing, and applied for my S.E.L.F. loan. Now how to tell my roomates I am moving out at the end of the summer hmmmmm.......

About time

After applying in january, and being put on a waiting list in march, I finally heard from the University of Minnesota. I got in.

Mein sehr schön Fräulein

Well I passed my ISO test at work. Aparently Lucy, the district manager, said I passed with flying colors. Although the store did not. That was only because of some paperwork. My store manager thought that was okay, because we passed all the other big stuff.
I got an e-mail last week saying I could get a Redsox e-mail address. As soon as I saw it I signed up. The twins keep winning as do the Redsox, my two favorite teams.
I also went to a wedding this weekend. I didn't think I was going to have fun but I did. The beer and wine were compt'd. So the wedding was even better. Also the bride's family (my cousins) also had there former German foriegn exchange student there too. I got in a slow dance with her, and then we talked for a while.
So the weekend was pretty fun, and i'm glad I went.

Got to keep looking

Well she actually called. She told me that she had lost her phone. She told me that she wasn't playing the game were you see the message and hit delete. Well at least she didnt do that. But I got the notion she only wanted to be friends, because she told me that she didn't want me to spend alot of money on dinner. She also told me that she only wanted to hang out. Oh did I tell you that she is moving to an apartment up in Duluth to go to UMD at the end of the summer? God I hate that city. I have nothing but bad experiences up there. It's been a long time since I actually asked a girl out or even went on a date. And now finally when I do, she's going up there to go to school. What are the fucking chances of that? This really sucks, cause I kind of like this girl. She said she wants to do something on friday, I guess thats cool. Whatever. Im tired, goodnight.

I spoke to soon

So I told you people about the girl I asked out. Well I cant seem to get a hold of her. I went in to visit her on saturday night, and we talk about what we wanted to do when we went out on monday, she also said she was going to call me when she got off of work. Well it's monday the day we are supposed to go out and I still havn't heard from her. So I figure she's probably avoiding me. meh, oh well. I got better stuff to do than put up with that crap.

Feel pretty damn good

I feel pretty damn good. Tonight I took my brothers out for pizza, and we went to the Barnes & Noble in Burnsville. Well we went in there to check out their Buy 2 get the 3rd free Dvd's. While my brothers and I were looking, the girl that was working the media department was kind of hanging around us. I asked her a couple of questions on movies if they had them in the store. Then when I checked out we started to talk about random stuff. I told her I work in the B. Dalton in the mall across the street and she told me that she used to work in the mall too. After a little bit of talking, I asked her out for saturday night. She said she had to close that night, but would like to go out on monday night. I got her number and e-mail address. So again I feel pretty damn good. I think I am going to have an ice cold pint of Guinness. Good night

John

Karma sucks ass

I don't know what I did. I learn right now that my roomate Jon got free tickets to the Red Sox vs. Twins game on Thursday. god dammit

I'm Back

I'm Back. Saturday I drove 15 hours from Bohzeman,Mt to Farmington,Mn. Holy crap was it boring too. It was the Prairie all the way home. I listened to Garrison Keillor for 2 hours when he had his radio show on the air. But after that it was just rain and open road. We got back around 12:05, and literally made 4600 miles on the dot when I got home. So that was pretty cool. So next morning I went to work and was pretty much dead to the world. I felt exausted, but all I did was drive. So yesterday morning I got up and took a shower, and ate breakfest. I brought my laptop and 2 entertainment weeklies out to the table to read and wait for either of my roomates to come out. Well jon came out first and I said "mornin' Jon" being kinda cheery. Well all he said was "mornin'" almost grunting it out. Then he went to the bathroom and then went back downstairs. The about 20-30 minutes later he Infamous "Liz" came upstairs and I said the same thing "mornin' Liz" and again all I got again was another grunted "mornin'". I'm gone for a week and That's all I got. It was about 11:15 a.m. and they still were in there room. Well I thought I had better stuff to do. I had to take my brother to get his license renewed, then off to Apple Valley to help my brother look for a job, then I had to take my other brother to his drivers training, then off to the weekly scout meeting.
I thought about how much longer I want to stay here. From all the blogs about my roomates you can kind of tell how much I really dont like my roomates. Well If I get in to the U of M I think I might move back home and save some money while I go to school. Even though I dont really want to move back home I really dont make enough money to get an apartment with one of my other friends. Oh well living rent free has it's benefits. Later

So Far

SO Far we have been having a good time. Not too much rain out here in Washington. The gas price is so far up the ass out here it is crazy. $3.29 for a gallon. That's normal. Wednesday my brothers and I are going to Safeco stadium in Seattle to watch the Mariners and the Twins play each other, and hopefully sit in right field and yell out LLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (that's for you dawn!! I'll take pictures). Tomorrow we are going to hike the Hoh rain forrest in Olympic national park. Wednesday the game and walk around seattle. Then on thursday probably go see Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainer. Well I will post pictures when I get back. Talk to you guys later. Johnny ;-)

Ok Im not bored anymore

So on saturday morning, I opened the store and had to wait for 2 guys to come and pick up the Bookapotomus (I know I suck at spelling) fixture out of the store. Well they didn't have a furniture dolly so we had to call maitenance for one. So we lifted it on there and started to move it out of the store and as we are doing this the weight of the thing is make the wheels grind on the wooden floor. Well the wood is fine but after the whole fiasco was over with I had to go find some surface cleaner and get the rubber of the wood. Well before the cleaning, we were still trying to get this out of the mall. So we go into the service corridor and notice that this grabastic piece of shit isn't going to make it around the corner. With luck on our side another maitenance guy is coming through the hallway and says he has a better dolly for us to use. So after we get it onto the other dolly , it travels smoothly out of the mall. So then they needed help getting it in their trailer, so I helped them. After this was all over I noticed I had sweated through my favorite rugby jersey I wore to work that day. It was before the mall even opened too. So I went to Steve and Barry's and got a really cool t-shirt for like 7.98.
Then after work I call my dad up like I always do, and my mom answers and askes me whenI work next and I tell her not until tuesdays. She tells me to come up north to there camping trailer. It's a little past Duluth and just south of Two Harbors. So I said "uhhhhhhhh ok" So I did some laundry before I left and went up there. Was pretty cool up there. Last night (sunday) was like 55 degrees. I thought this was perfect weather to sleep under the stars, so I did. I grabbed my blanket and got on the porch and *slept*. It was the best sleep I have had in about 6 months.
Well 2 more days of work and then my vacation. Ocean Shores, Wa with just us Engrav boys, no mom or dad. Gonna be pretty cool. I will try to post pictures on here while we are on our trip. It all depends if we can find an internet connection. Well thats all for now, I will post again before the trip begins. Goodnight and happy Memorial day.

I am so bored

YesterdayI went to work on my day off. We got a new barge for the childrens area. Diana wanted me to come in at 0830 to be there for the movers. Well I got there at 0815 and they showed up when I did. So we got it in the store in pieces and Raulie and I put it together in about 4 hours. when we were working on it sometimes we would realize that we had to screw in a bolt before, so we had to take some parts down and redo them. My family is up north this weekend at their camping trailor in Two Harbors. I am down here looking after their house. I have to work this weekend so I cant go with them. It sucks. I have nothing to do. But I have a whole bunch of movies to watch and books to read. Later

Old Time Radio

Well the new "cold war" is still going on over here as far as I know. I was sleeping last night when she came home around 1, and then she left again after 10-15 minutes. I bet jon didn't like that. I have a pretty easy week. Monday, Megan and I are supposed to do something, dont know what though. Tuesday I have to work. Then on Wednesday and Thursday I have off and then Friday and Saturday I work. I have to start reading the ISO stuff for the bookstore again. I think the certification stuff happens when I am on vacation. So I will have to do it either before or after it. On Monday May 15th's Star Tribune, there was a section in the source page where you can send electric "Retro-grams". Basically sending a telegram only through e-mail. They also showed a website that you can listen to old time radio shows. I just finished listening to "The Shadow", it was pretty cool. I also have to work today. Kind of a short shift too, 1-6:30p.m. Normally I open and close on a Sunday. Well I think I am going to take a nap or read a book before I go to work. Later

Well this is going to be an interesting summer

Well I found out today that my friend's girlfriend who are both my roomates, sleeped with another guy. Yep, when she was at work he spilled the beans on his relationship. I feel really bad for the guy, cause he said he loves her to death. I didnt really like her to begin with, now I really dont. He said that she told him she sleeped with the other guy because she was angry at him. Well they have been on a break for about a week and a half. She even told him that he can date other women. he told me that he doesn't want to, he said he doesn't want to date anyone else but her. He even said that he is willing to give her another chance. I dont think it will work out. Then he said if it doesn't they will have to sell the house and me and him will get an apartment.
He later told me that they will have to raise my rent another 50 bucks. He said that beccause aparantly they are spending more money then they bring in. Well duh, going to target and walmart 3-4 times a week doesn't help. That wont be so bad I guess. It's just that I am going on vacation on the first week in june, so I might be late that month with the money. I told him I could do that in the summer, but when the fall comes and I go back to school (hopefully), I would not be able to cause I have to help pay for some of my tuition. He said that would be alright cause by that time they should be alright with money. That is if they are still together.
Overall, she is controlling of him and he loves her dearly. I dont know were this is going to go, but I hope it works out for him. Later

Baseball

I use to follow baseball all the time. I folllowed it when I was a kid. I used to play in summer league and collected baseball cards. I still have them and should probably look at a becket price guide and see how much they are worth. Then I think it was after 7th. or 8th. grade I just quite following it. Then when the Red Sox were in the ALC games against the Yankees, I followed it all 7 games and then the world series with the Cardinals. My mom was actually in Boston before the ALC chamionships and got us all Red Sox hats and t-shirts.
Then on Saturday, I got home from work and saw that there was nothing on tv but a baseball game with the Washingtion Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. So I watched it and enjoyed it. I then wondered why I had stopped watching it. I thought I would give it another try. So the next day at work I went to lids in the mall and bought a new Red Sox hat. I also bought MLB 2006 for PS2. I also told my dad that we should go to a baseball game this summer. So We are definatly going June 14th. or 15th. to go see the red sox play against the twins. My dad taught with a guy who played with the twins in like the late 70's. His name is Craig Cusack or Cusick. I think I have his last name spelled wrong. If there is a datebase for past twins players you guys should check it out. My dad also said that we should invite him with, I said that would be really cool and that I would have to stow away my red sox hat.
Now I have nothing against the twins. I enjoy seeing the twins play. Just somehow I have payed attention to the Red Sox more. I think I know what dawn is thinking as she reads this, lol. So I am going to start watching baseball again. I can tivo the games I miss when I am at work because we have a DVR at our place. In fact there is a Red SOx game on tonight against Baltimore. Well I have to go get ready for work. Later.

Im Punk in drublic

I sawe a hole bu8nch of peo-ple doin dubnk post so I thoght I do one tooo, I fukin gradamatated yesterday. is fuikn awsum i hadddd a 40 and lik 4bears and like 3 shots of wisky is si awsom. I dont guv a fuk no more. im doneee. im don wih wormin for the futre man. I dont fookin care \. igot wrok toomorrrroww, prolly show up hung ovedr. good ting i oopen and dana aint working. good nightttt. Johnf Rengtrav

Sitrep (situation report)

Ok almost done. I have to do one more lecture guide and then the quiz and I am done with finals. My god I cant wait till I am done. I just saw an ad for the New season of Rescue Me with Dennis Leary. Its on May 30th. at 9 p.m. central on FX channel. I love that show I have the first season dvd. I think its hilarious, well theres alot of crude humor, so if anyone has a problem with that stuff probably shouldnt watch it. Okay back to work. Well, after maybe a beer or two. Later

Even Moses couldn't stop this flood

I went camping with my scout troop this weekend. Friday It started off on the wrong foot. I went to my car and noticed I had left the lights on. I called my dad and told him what happened, he told me he couldn't pick me up so I got all my gear together and hiked it all the way to the scout room in town. It was only 2 miles, but still, I felt like a hobo. And I think everyone that looked at me thought I was. It was raining while I hiked to the room, it rained all weekend. In between raining, it rained. Everybody was cold and wet. Then the scoutmaster wanted me to lead a hike in the rain. So I took the new scouts and the adults on a small hike lasting about 5 miles. It wasn't that bad, if it was sunny we would have done about 8-10.
So I get back today more tired than I should be from sleeping in water all weekend. And I start to do my homework. Well let me give you the schedule of events for this week, oh and remember this is finals week for me. My first one is friday:

Chemistry- Final is on friday, girl in my study group want to study after classes every day this week to be ready for the final. I have all my quizzes (12) and the answer keys that the teacher provided for us, and the 3 exams. I hae to look at those by friday.

Creative Writing- We have to have 20 pages or more of poetry and fiction done by wednesday. I have more than 20 pages, but 2 of the stories I haven't had time to edit yet. Then we have to have a place were we want to send our stuff to get published ready to go by that day also. We also have to have all of our journal assignments done out of 2 books. She has said that she will accept them on monday the 8th as well. but that might not help anyways. read on kind reader.

Holocaust fimlms class- last class is on wednesday. Have to have our final typed up and be ready to hand in on that day also. Wont be too hard, a couple of pages I can get done in about an hour.

Biology of Woman- has been a thorn in my arse the whole semester. No offense intended ladies! I am learned more about the female body then 10 common men this semster. I have sent in the assignment that was due today. We have a final test that is worth like 63 points. Doesn't sound much does it? Well it covers 4 lectures and their guides that go with them. the last 2 guides are 13 pages and 15 pages. I think that might be due this coming sunday. She hasn't released it yet. Then with our powerpoint presentations that we made and the guides get evaluted by 3 people in our groups that were assigned. I have to evaluate the 3 other people and ask them 2-3 questions about there presentation. They also have to ask me 2-3 questions and I have to answer those as well. All that crap has to be finalized by sunday and sent in to her. She has repeadedly said that there will be no exceptions.

Again on Sunday my brother is getting his Eagle scout award. Its really great, now all three of us brothers are Eagle Scouts. And the first ones in our troop to have three brothers be Eagle scouts. But getting back to the story, his court of honor is from 12-2 my dad said. So make it around 3 or 4 because some of the extended family will be there as well. My dad also wants me to give a speech about my brother mike. It'll be a funny one alright. It will never top my other brothers though, I really reemed him a good one that time. But again, it's just another thing to add to the list. But there is good news on this long walk. Monday for the final in our creative writing class we are supposed to bring food and/or drinks for a little party. We are also reading off something to the class that day as well. Then on May 11th I graduate. I will probably be way to burned out that day, But I qill be happy. Ok enough of the chit chat, I have to get plugging away or I will drown in this great deluge. I might be able to post later to tel you guys what happened so far. Later

Ok seriously this time

I really fixed the comment thing. All with the help of Dawn. Yes thank you dawn for your help it is much appreciated. I hate spelling. Oh well back to drinking and playing loud punk rock to annoy my roomates and neighbors. enjoy all

I'm graduatig bitch

I will graduate may 11th. This is the last day for me at Inver Hills Community College. It has been too long. I think that day or one of the next days I am going to get roaring drunk, I mean roaring drunk. I fixed the comments thing so leave some, so I know people are reading this lol. Things have changed in my life. When I graduated from high school it was weird not going to class everyday and seeing all the friends I have had for my whole life. Now I am graduating from college and hopefully going to the U of M in the fall. This was a good experience and am almost sorry it has to end. But life goes on, so I do too. I have so many things I have to look forward too, mainly my road trip with my brother to Washington state the first week of june. Oh I just remembered I have a cuban cigar stowed away, so that will go with graduation night. Wow it still surprises me I will not go there anymore. Well I am going to go have a pint of Guinness or two and go finish up my work for school. Slainte`

I am Spartacus

Yesterday was among one of my great days at work. Yesterday I caught a shoplifter red handed. This guy had tried to steal from us before. I was walking around the store to see if anybody needed any help. I saw this guy round a corner in the kids non-fiction section. So I went ahead a bay and then went to the otherside of the bay he was in. I slowed down to hear if he was doing anything, and sure enough he was. I rounded the corner really fast and caught the guy with 3 hardcovers in his hand, he also had a Marshell Fields bag filled with harcovers (religous ones even). Then it was like and eternity. I stared at him, and he stared at me. It was like that for at least 15 deathly silent seconds. Then this is what happened next: "Sir, this is what we're going to do; We are going to go up to the front desk and call security". Then he responded "I wasn't stealing, I was just going to go up front and pay for these". Then I told him "Okay then, I am going to take this bag and we are going to go up to the front so you can pay for those books". I had him walk in front of me, then he set the books on a shelf and took off. I would have gone after him, but he could of had a pistol or a blade hidden and that would have not done me any good. We called security and then had an officer come into our store. The officer asked how many books and how much money was it worth. It was like 10 or 12 hardocvers and like 296 dollars worth of books. he said it was a felony. So I gave him a description of the guy. After that I bought a new harmonica, and little instruction book. Well I have to go do the rest of my homework and studying for finals. Later.

They say If you dont want to be found, move to North Dakota

Well I got a letter from my bank in the mail coouple days ago. It says that my loan application to get a new car got denied. From what I read, it was because of my dad, he was the co-signer for it. The letter said he was late on some kind of a payment in the past. Doesn't matter though it wasn't really his fault. It said to put what other extra expenses you have so I put down my monthly tuiton. It ends after May, but yeah I think that got me shot down too. So my dad called around and checked on Jeff Belzers on some cars. They said they have a new Chevy Cobalt, and for first time buyers they have really good lease packages. Like no money down, but the payments were killer. 230 a month for a 48 month lease. I couldn't swing that, come on i'm a pour college student living away from home. Oh well If I dont get into the U of M, that means I can get a second job and save up for a new car. I would just apply for the spring semester also.
So far this week end I have just done homework and studied. I have so much crap I have to have done, before school gets out. Here is a list: Finish up writing for Creative writing class (1 more 2-page paper, and probably more more poem for good measure), Write up final for Holocaust films class, Biology: start and finish powerpooint presentation, study 3 lecture and there guides that go with them, study for the quiz on those lecture guides, then do assignment for Biology, Then got to study for one more quiz in chemistry, and study for the final exam. It's comprehensive, I have all my quizzes and tests so I can just study from them. I am gradutaing from Inver Hills this semester. After way too long of being there I am finally done. I cant wait for summer and my road trip, it's gonna be reall bitchin'. Well ui have to get ready for work. Later

Pitching a Tent

I bought a new tent today. It's a 3 person, 3 season tent. It's made by Jeep (the car manufacturer0. Origanlly it was 130 dollars but I got it for 50 bucks. I go tit at Dick's sporting goods in the mall. It has an all encompasing rain fly and a sky light in it as well. I am so psyched to camping with my scout troop in 2 weeks. Then after that I am going out west with my brother to Washington state. So I will use it there as well. 2 days ago I went out to the mall and got some new shoes. They're Etnies and the color is black. Well I am going to go to sleep, cause I have'nt really had a good night sleep since, well, last july. later gators

An important message

poop

Oh Danny Boy

Well he got the call. He's heading to Iraq. I'm talking about my friend Dan Heintz. we meet in scouts and have been friends ever since. He goes to scout meetings when ever there isn't school for him in mankato. He also comes on all the campouts he can. He signed up in the national guard as soon as he turned 18. He is a Cavalry scout. That's were they go behind enemy lines and scout the enemy positons. He told me that he would probably be a truck commander or a gunner. He's going to be in a humvee running security for convoys he tells me. Also that he might be part of a Quick reaction force or something like that. Basically he told me that when shit starts to happen he'll probably be there. Well I hope he invests in some Kevlar stock before he leaves. He also told me that instead of the standard 6 months desert training, they are only getting 2 months. Stating that they can get everything learned in 2 months. Well I'll be sending him books upon books to him over there. He said he'd really like that. Well Dan I hope you stay safe over there and get home
A SAP. When you do get home we'll play with some airsoft guns and and go get liquored up pretty good at a nice pub.

I'm going to throw a coup at Barnes and Noble

Stupid Barnes and Noble. We now have to follow what B&n does as way of the store operations. After my store manager came back from a meeting in chicago she told us we are going to do this thing called Internal Store Operations (ISO). We have to follow what B&N does as: shelving, recieveing, zoning, Returns, and bunch of other useless crap. This is going to generate a whole bunch of paperwork that doesn't make sense and just eats up time and wastes paper. For example: After I zone a bay of books(scan a book with our ray gun, if it beeps it gets returned), I have to sign off on a sheet of paper saying I got let's say bay 23, rows 1-6 done. Since I am a key holder I have to get certified on how to do my job. I have been doing it close to 2 years now without being certified. This is the biggest load of shit I have ever recieved from B&N. This was mean't for a store the size of B&N, our store is way smaller compared to them. They want us to get more work done, with less people, and they won't let alot us enough hours to get all of this junk done. Oh well, I have to roll with the times.

My plan of attack

I just got done with a heavy week of school and work. I worked every night this past week. Blah! I stopped a major theft from our store. A guy was trying to steal like 100's of dollars of books by stuffing them on the back wall and then while were not looking stuff them in a Marshell Feilds bag. Then after a grueling 3-hour chemistry lecture, my base group got together and worked on our poster topic for the class. Then on friday my base group and I worked on some homework at Caribou coffee. Then today I work on my biology lecture and guide that goes with it for about 3 hours and only getting half done. Then I went to St. Thomas to watch my brother run in his track meet. Tomorrow I have to finish the other half to the lecture guide cause I have to take an online test which I get to use the guide by midnight tomorrow night. Then following that I have to start working on my powerpoint presentation for my online biology class. Plus studying for my chem quiz and have to finish a homework asignment by wednesday. Aw crap I totally forgot about all of the shit I have to do for my creative writing class. I have to have 20 pages of poetry and fiction done ( I have around 13 or 14), have to have 2 creative papers that have to have a length of 2-4 pages. Holy crap!!!! After getting through this hellish semester I better get into the U of M. I think another can of Miller guneine draft followed buy a pint of Guinness is in order. Later people.

Well, Doesn't that fucking suck

Alot has happened since I last updated. Last friday night I got a letter back from the U. It says that I am on a waiting list and will have to wait up to July 1st. until they make there decison. So I wait 2 months to find out I have to wait another 4 months. the letter said that they don't want to over enroll people, which is understandble. It just sucks being in limbo until July. They even suggested I apply to another college inside the U incase I dont get into The college of Liberal Arts. Well were am I suppost to go? The farm college? Learn to shear sheep? there that's what I want to do. Yes be a sheep farmer.
The next time I work I work with Kelsey. She's fun, her friend is going to bring in Inta juice. I guess it's like a fruit smoothie place. Then the next time I am working with her after that, I am going to to Mrs. Fields and getting us some chocolate chip cookie smootie's. We have a buy 1 get 1 free coupon at work. I really dont like my Biology class. It is really technical and is almost like a medical type class. I am really struggling with the class. I think I am going to go to the professers office and see if I can get some help. TOnight I went ot Half Price books and got some more records. The one that I cant wait to listen to is the Steve Miller Double album. Space Cowboy oh yeah! Well I better go I got to go study for my realy lame chem class, because I got a test tomorrow. Later

A ghost like substance

I woke up thi morning and decided to make some coffee and work on my biology class stuff. Well about 20 minutes into studying liz wakes up and lets the dog out and came up stairs. I was at the kitchen table studying. I said good morning and then she mumbled something, I saw earlier that they had got a new cappichino maker. I told her that I saw that they got one and it looks nice and then she mumbled something about it being broken. I thought well ok I think I will go back to studying. Well the whole time she was there she talked to her cats and dogs and fiddled around the place. Not once did she act like I was there. Not that there wasn't anything wrong with that. I really didn't want to talk to her, but I was trying to be nice. Oh well, screw it. I really dont spend much time over at my place anyways I am either working or out with friends or my parents want me over. If I am home I am in my room listening to my records or studying.
Today in my Holocaust films class we had a speaking of an old little woman that was a polish jew but had gained fake papers to pass her off as a catholic. Her and her sister traveled to a town called Regensburg or something in southern Bavaria in Germany and got work working in a high class hotel untill the end of the war. She had also wrote a book called "Hiding in the Open". Her name is Sabina S. Zimering. I bought a copy and it is really good so far. I suggest anyone read it and learn about a survivor of the holocaust. The ISBN# is 0878391711. It truly is really good.
The class is a really good one. I can stand blood and gore. I deer hunt and butcher my own deer. But the stuff in some of the movies is just down right horrid. The worst part is, is that all of these happened for real. 2 weeks ago we watched the movie "Escape from Sobibor" It's about one of the only mass break outs of a concentration camp. Out of 600 that fled 300 wear mowed down from mg42's (machine guns with a high rate of fire) in the gaurd towers. And of the 300 left like only 17 or 20 made it to saftey, all the rest were re-captured. What really bothered me about this movie was one scene. It started out as the trains got to the camp and the men and women seperated into 2 lines. Then the nazi fucks asked people if they had any special abilities. One young man stood out and said that he was a goldsmith, and showed him his tools. Then he mad sure that his littler brother stood out as well stating that he was a goldsmith, and he was. Then the older teenager asked nazi fuck if he could had his father come with. The father had his arms around his two sons and look hopeful. Well the godamn nazi said no and that for the fathe rto get back into line. Then the line of the women moved down a road. Then the line for the men moved down the road. The father was next to the last in line. As he was walking away towards the gas chambers (unknowingly to everyone except the fucking nazi's) he turned to his boys and shook his fist not that high in the air, like showing to keep tough. Then the man walked past the bend in the road.
The older boy kinda looked like me and the younger boy looked like my borther mike. The father character looked exactly like my dad. As soon as I saw that I immediatly got choked up and had trouble breathing. If something happened like that to my family I wouldn't be able to handle it. After that class it took me like 2 hours to calm down. It was just that guy who looked like my dad, that drove me over the edge. I am still glad I am taking the class. I am truly learning alot more of the Holocaust then what I knew before. It's really sorry to see that we really havn't learned from past mistakes. In the Darfur region of the Sudan, genocide is occuring as of right now. The world is aware of it, alot of the news media has covered it, but no one has stepped in and tried to stop it. Later folks.

John Engrav

I need a new place to stay

Well this is starting to sound like a broken record. Today I made a pizza for lunch, after I was done I put the rest on a plate and was going to put it in the fridge. Well there was no room, so I decided I would free up some space. There was a fridge pack of miller light (hey it was cheap ok?) and it only had 6 cans left. So I got it out of there. I decided to put the cans in the vegetable crisper, because before we had our beer in there. Well when I had to go pick my brother up, I was just about to leave when liz started to pitch a fit. She yelled out loud for everyone in the neighborhood to hear "Beer does not belong in the vegetable crisper, I am sick and tired of fixing stuff after you guys" Well i immediatly told her that it was me and I was just trying to free up some space in the fridge. I think I caught her off guard by telling her that because she was really quiet afterwards.
Saturday my dad was telling me if I get accepted to the UofM twin cities I could possibly stay on campus. I told him If I did I would have to give up my manager position at the bookstore, because to be a manager I need to work at least 18 hours a week. If I did that I would only be able to work on wekends. But living someplace else away from the beast from the east does sound really appealing. I told my mom what happened and she laughed and said I should move someplace else, like back home. I told her thanks but no. Then she suggested some apartments in farmington. Well I dont make enough money to live out on my own yet, so I would have to get another roomate. Oh well, after we pick tom up on friday night from St. Thomas my dad wants to go to this pub called O'garas. Its a brew pub, so we'll see how good there beer is. Later

The Old Scout: Is it time to impeach?

Garrison Keillor
Published: March 05, 2006

These are troubling times for all of us who love this country, as surely we all do, even the satirists. You may poke fun at your mother, but if she is belittled by others it burns your bacon. A blowhard French journalist writes a book about America that is full of arrogant stupidity, and you want to let the air out of him and mail him home flat. You hear young people talk about America as if it's all over, and you trust that this is only them talking tough. And then you read the paper and realize the country is led by a man who isn't paying attention, and you hope that somebody will poke him. Or put a sign on his desk that says, "Try Much Harder."
Do we need to impeach him to bring some focus to this man's life? The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever, plus being blind.

The Feb. 27 issue of the New Yorker carries an article by Jane Mayer about a loyal conservative Republican and U.S. Navy lawyer, Albert Mora, and his resistance to the torture of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. From within the Pentagon bureaucracy, he did battle against Donald Rumsfeld and John Yoo at the Justice Department and shadowy figures taking orders from Dick (Gunner) Cheney, arguing America had ratified the Geneva Convention that forbids cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners, and so it has the force of law. They seemed to be arguing that the president has the right to order prisoners to be tortured.

One such prisoner, Mohammed al-Qahtani, was held naked in isolation under bright lights for months, threatened by dogs, subjected to unbearable noise volumes, and otherwise abused, so that he begged to be allowed to kill himself. When the Senate approved the Torture Convention in 1994, it defined torture as an act "specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering." Is the law a law or is it a piece of toast?

Wiretap surveillance of Americans without a warrant? Great. Go for it. How about turning over American ports to a country more closely tied to 9/11 than Saddam Hussein was? Fine by me. No problem. And what about the war in Iraq? Hey, you're doing a heck of a job, Brownie. No need to tweak a thing. And your blue button-down shirt -- it's you.

But torture is something else. When Americans start pulling people's fingernails out with pliers and poking lighted cigarettes into their palms, then we need to come back to basic values. Most people agree with this, and in a democracy that puts the torturers in a delicate position. They must make sure to destroy their e-mails and have subordinates who'll take the fall. Because it is impossible to keep torture secret. It goes against the American grain and it eats at the conscience of even the most disciplined, and in the end the truth will come out. It is coming out now.

According to the leaders of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, our country is practically as vulnerable today as it was on 9/10. Our seaports are wide open, our airspace is not secure except for the nation's capital, and little has been done about securing the nuclear bomb materials lying around in the world. They give the administration D's and F's in most categories of defending against terrorist attack.

Our adventure in Iraq, at a cost of trillions, has brought that country to the verge of civil war while earning us more enemies than ever before. And tax money earmarked for security is being dumped into pork barrel projects anywhere somebody wants their own SWAT team. Detonation of a nuclear bomb within our borders -- pick any big city -- is a real possibility, as much so now as five years ago. Meanwhile, many Democrats have conceded the very subject of security and positioned themselves as Guardians of Our Forests and Benefactors of Waifs and Owls, neglecting the most basic job of government, which is to defend this country. We might rather be comedians or daddies or tattoo artists or flamenco dancers, but we must attend to first things.

The peaceful lagoon that is the White House is designed for the comfort of a vulnerable man. Perfectly understandable, but not what is needed now. The U.S. Constitution provides a simple ultimate way to hold him to account for war crimes and the failure to attend to the country's defense. Impeach him and let the Senate hear the evidence.

Day of Days

Well yesterday was kind of a long one. It all started out when my roomates and I went grocery shopping. We got like $200 dollars worth of food. So that was cool you know?, after 5 weeks of scrounging with no food we finally have something else besides mac and cheese and ramen noodles. I would have bought some food for me If I had any, but going to college kinds drains most of my funds away. So then after I get home and get done bringing the groceries in. I go to my room and see if one of my brothers are on. Well it looks like my brother was traing to talk to me, cause he ask if I was there(I wasnt I was grocery shooping, then I replied that I was back and asked what had he wanted? he told me that the paramedics were over at my parents house and so were the sherrifs. The only reason the sherrifs would be at my house I though unless someone had died. So I immediatly thought of the worst. But mike told me that everything was fine now and that the medics got her stablized and that they were going to take her to the hospital in Burnsville. So she stayed there for around 5 hours and passed out once. That was kinda scary. But she pulled through, they think it was a severe case of the flu. She was vomiting and had diareha before all this was happening so she was severely dehydrated as well. She takes these migraine pills that also acts like diet pills, so she hasnt been eating alot lately also. So toda she is having an Atkins meal. Steak with a little bacon wrapped around, red russet potatoes and some greens. She is also only resting today, no work, no nothing. As for homework I have to get 10 sources for my biology of woman class (were doing power point presentations on different women issues, mine is Anorexia Nervosa) So that I dont think will take too much time maybe 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Well later

Easy day

Today was a pretty easy day. I went to my stupid Chemistry lab for 3 hours. The lab was simple but just took way too much time. I went to work after that. I worked with Becca tonight. She's so much fun, we talked for like half an hour before we got to our jobs that we had to get done for the night. Near the end of the night we were talking about different beers we've had before and then she said "Hmm I could go for a beer after work, want to come with me?" I said I would but I only had like 5 dollars to my name so I would have some water. She said she would get me one. We went to Apple Bee's in the mall. They still have the $1 taps. So we talked for a while and thenI went home. She's a really cool person to work with. I really would not hesitate to ask her out, unfortunetly though she has a bofriend. But being her friend is just as cool. Tomorrow after class, I have to pick up this really cool writing desk that my mom bought at the Bombay Company in the Suthdale mall. Then its over to my buddies house for supper with his family and girlfriend. Later

Week Of Tests

Well my buddy Rich is home from the army for 2 weeks. This is so cool, cause the last time I saw him was early june of last year. Tomorrow we are going to go up to brits and then to the local. There I am going to buy him a shot of 18yr jameson Irish whiskey. We should have a really good time. This saturday he is having a party and there is going to be so much booze, its going to be really fun. Then on Sunday We are going to get our tattoo's. This week is really hecktic too. Today in chemistry, I had a lab quiz that took and hour and a half. I realized half way through I was doing it wrong and had to start over. Then we had to do this demo in front of the prof. of showing how to get the best frlame from a bunson burner. I know for a fact I crapped that up. Then tomorrow I have a quiz in in chem and then on friday I have our 1st. exam in the same class. Then on top of that I have a biology quiz and I still have to do 2 lectures and post a note on the discussion board. Thank god that is an online course, but still with working 3 days and spending most of my off time with rich I dont know how I will get all of the studying done and the accomping test and homework. Oh well I guess I will just have to take my time and do things ine at a time. Later

My short story

Ok I said I would put my short story up here as soon as I finished it. A couple of warnings though- This piece of work is not to be reproduced with out the direct consent of the author. It does get a bit gory in parts so, just to say I warned you. Here you guys go:

Eternal Glory

Patrick walked to the line to his dugout in the trench. He was scared of what he just saw. Three men that came up with him to the front yesterday, one was Timothy Fitzgibbons his friend he had made during training, have just gotten there faces caved in, by snipers in no man’s land. He was talking to Fitzgibbons, about why they had just joined up with the 13th London Irish regiment. He was eager to join up and see the Huns get punished for what they did to poor little Belgium. Patrick just wanted to escape the lonely life of living on the street.
            Patrick had just asked him if he had a cigarette, when Timothy looked above the parapet when the bullet entered his eye just below the helmet. It had caused a hole the size of a fist to come out the back of his head. The gore was more then Patrick could have handled. The bully beef he had for lunch was all sprayed out on to his boots and the floor.
            “You stupid fuck!” said Sgt. Green. “You goddamn fresh fish don’t know anything. If you just listened to your mommas about this whole dirty Sunday picnic you wouldn’t be fucking dead!”
            Patrick didn’t know what to say or do so he just stared at his puke on the ground. The other men, who have spent months in the trenches, were picking through Timothy’s gear and personal items. After he had sat down he saw a pack of muddy cigarettes next to his feet. He took one out and lit it with a match from a care package that a minstrel group had sent to the soldiers. The cigarette was a little wet but produced little smoke. The smoke that had exited his lungs was a midnight blue. He didn’t smoke it long; the shelling had started up again.
            The shelling was the worst sound he had heard in his entire life. The sound was like a high pitch then a huge rumble with a loud pop. The shells rained down with reckless abandon. It sounded like the entire German army was aiming just for him. He had heard stories from the other veterans. One was how a squad was in a dugout huddling and waiting for the shelling to be over when a lucky hit, made the entire dugout cave in and explode. He shuddered at that thought actually coming to life.
            That thought didn’t last long. He heard faint train whistles being blown. The other men who been here a while, suddenly grabbed there rifles and got to the parapets.
            “Get on the line Private!” screamed Sgt. Green.
            “Sgt. what’s happening?”  exclaimed Patrick
            “The Boche are paying us a social call” said Sgt. Green rather sarcastically. “What the fuck do you think is happening? jerry is making an assault on our stretch of trench. No do what I said before and get on the parapet, private!”
            Patrick thought that Sgt. Green had it in for him. He didn’t             think of it long because rifles start to crack away. Patrick had never heard the sound of a rifle before joining the army. He had heard pistols going off in pubs before, that is when he had enough money to buy a schooner of ale. The pistols would make a short pop sound, this was different. The rifles made a sharp crack as they exited the rifle.
            He had just gotten on the parapet when the machine gun started chattering away. It spewed lead death down field, eviscerating men charging the line. These were deadly violent weapons. He had heard stories that mad his stomach queasy, stories of men literally getting chewed to pieces by the hot lead.
            He put in a fresh clip. Pushed the bolt forward and paused. He saw the Huns coming straight at him, but he couldn’t come to terms killing another man. He thought what would happen to his soul when he actually did die? He was sure he would spend the rest of eternity in hot fiercely depths of hell.
            He had just heard a bullet whiz by his head to realize that he wasn’t ready to meet his maker just yet. He took aim and said a silent prayer for forgiveness on what he was about to do. The recoil of the rifle was still sore from when he fired it from training. He saw the man tumble down from impact of the bullet. He worked the bolt to put in a new round and fired again at another soldier. He missed that time but kept firing until he was empty. He put in a new clip but only fired 3 more rounds when the Huns were getting to the wire entanglements. Thank god that was out. The Huns were tangled up and it turned out to be like shooting fish in a barrel.
            Although there wasn’t enough time to shoot them all, a second wave had followed their comrades. All of a sudden he heard a shout down the line that the Huns were inside the trench. Fear had crossed through his body like lighting. He thought “What am I going to do?” He saw some of the men grab what ever they could. A lot of them picked up short field spades.
He saw the first Hun jump in and attack a corporal. The corporal had one of those spades in his hand, and when the Hun was about to throw a punch he hefted that spade right into the mans area where the collar bone and the neck meet. He fell like a sack of potatoes. The same thing was happening all along the line. A man dropped what look like a short billy club with spikes on it. It had already been used by the previous owner for it had pieces of brain matter and hair in between the spikes. He didn't have a choice but to pick it up, when the next German fell into his trench. Before the man could realize what hit him, Patrick swung the club at the mans head. The mans helmet flew off instantly with a giant dent into it. The man had fallen over but was in the process of getting up. Patrick didn't want that to happen. With a deep and dark rage that had never pulsed through his blood before took over his body. He yelled like a fury bent on raining death were ever he willed. He swung the club with all his might. It had entered his temple and proceeded to enter the mans head. After the man's left leg quit twitching, reality had came back to him.
He stopped and looked at the man he had just killed. He heard a distant whistle being blown. After the whistle, he heard out loud “The bloody jerries are turning high tail and running back”. Men where cheering and hurrahing all around him. Not Patrick. Patrick couldn't help but stare at the gory mess that he had caused. And for the second time today he had vomited.
After about 35 minutes of cleaning up the dead bodies and repairing the trench a little bit, Lieutenant Straubing came up out of nowhere and had a roll-call. He answered his name with little enthusiasm. He was grateful to be alive, but couldn't help thinking of the men he had shot and above all the man he had butchered with the club. A man whispered next to him “It gets easier boy. You never forget your first time, but believe me, it gets easier”. Patrick wished he could believe what the man said. All he could think was the mans deathly blank stair. It haunted him. It would haunt him until the day he died .
At the end of roll call Lieutenant Straubing said, “Good job men we turned them back. And for the replacements that made it through, welcome to the Somme.”

Pretty Good Weekend

This has been a pretty good weekend. It's Liz's birthday today, and she is up north with her family. So yeah its pretty good. But thats not all. On thursday night I applied to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, then on friday I sent them my transcripts. So hopefully I will get accepted. Also today my brother is moving to his dorm at St. Thomas. He is really excited to be there. I think he will have a good time, alot of his friends already go there so he's happy. Last night we went out to Buca De Beppo. It was really good food, I havent been there in like over a year. So I also got alot of homework to do and help load up tom's stuff so later.

John Engrav

A whole lot of sweet nothing

Well I haven't updated in a while. Thats probably because nothing has happened worth writing about. I am starting to watch Shawshank Redemption. Its a real good movie but its long. I studied for like 4 hours today. I didn't have anything else to do. So I bored myself with textbooks and facts. well theres nothing else. Later all

John

Can I get a Hell Yeah?

As soon as I got off from work tonight I called my dad to see what was going on. He told me told me that he was going to applebees because one of the people he works with had his last day and was going there to celebrate and wanted to know if I wanted to come with. I didn't know if I wanted to or not because I had to work the next day at 9. Well I went anyways and had a really great time. And the guy that my dad worked with was pretty cool. We of coarse had the specials (half price appatizers and $1 tap beers) and had a really good time there. So on the way back, my dad wanted to have me oopen my mail because one was from Fidelity investments ( I have my 401K plan through them and B&N), after that I checked a letter that I had recieved from Inver Hills. I thought it was a another bill or something but no it wasn't. It was something better. It actually told me that I had made the Dean's list!!! Well I was just f-ing excited and said out loud "Holy shit, I made dean's List". My dad said "Holy shit, your kidding?" then he followed that with "I'm framing this Fucker" and that was his exact words too. Well I am really tired and really buzzed and really excitied at the same time. Like I said before I have to work tomorrow mornin so good night all.

John Engrav

A New Semester

Well a new semester has arrived. I started classes on monday. My first class was chemistry. Boy am I going to hate this class. The book itself cost me $96. and then there are optional books including one that has all the answers and ways to get the answers to the main textbook. Also I had my 3 hour lab for chemistry yesterday. That totally sucks! Although my creative writing class I think I am going to enjoy. I also have my online bioilogy class, and on wednesdays I have my holocust films class. So with 4 of these classes I have ALOT of reading to do. The chemistry teacher said that we have to keep up in the ready and not to start studying on the weekends or you will fail the coarse. Well it's nice that she puts a nice spin on things. We also picked out our lab partners. I ended paired up with a kid who went to milwakee school of engineering last semester.
Liz is probably the biggest bitch I know. A couple of days ago she went on another one of her food purges. So she was all pissed off about something. And then it happened. I didn't put a chip clip on the bag of chips. So she deemed it necessary to put up a little not "reminding" me to put a chip clip on the chips, also to eat up the entire bag if it is low. Well I kind of laughed to myself when I say this. Since all the chips were mine, because I bought them I brought them in my room. So they cant have them anymore. I know this sounds dumb but, I dont really care. I keep my head held high because I know in 10 years I will be making at least 30k a year teaching, and she will still be making 11 dollars an hour working at kwik trip gas station. Well I better start reading some more of my textbooks if I want to stay with the game. Later all

Cheers Mate! 

Anybody want a fucking cat?

I hope everybodies new years was good. Mine was fun, we had alot of beer and we played poker all night. Well yesterday was a day of days. My roomate Liz is a piece of work. She brought two new cats over to the townhome yesterday. So the tally for the zoo over here is 1 dog, 4 cats, 2 rabbits, and 3 humans. It close quarters over here. I am literally tripping over cats. Also yesterday Jon and I, decided that we were going to cook up these pork spare ribs. There in the oven cooking when liz gets home from work and she is pissed off because Jon did not answer his phone on time when she called him. So the ribs were done and I set the table. Aparently her plate was dirty because she got up and huffed and puffed and got a new one. She then complained that her portion was too big, so she cut it into a smaller piece. Now she is the type of perso that can't have anything touch on her plate, she also can't have fat on the ribs either. So she is cutting up her piece and then complains that she will be there all night cutting it up so she is having simething else. I thought that was good because it would be more for me and Jon. But all is not horrible. I found out that she is not going to school this semester or in the summer either; she said that she was going to go get her certificate in childcare in the fall. Well I know that its harder to go back to college once your out for a while. So we'll see if she really will go back. Also I talked to my buddy rich last night. He's lking being 21. He said that his buddy just dropped 3 g's on a flat panel plasma 40 inch tv. He said when we move in to a townhome, he would have to get one of those. I was like "oh yeah that would be good" only I had a huge smile on my face. So thats that. My roomate is a total bitch and my buddy is doing just fine. Im glad that things are staying the same. Well I will let you know what happeneds later at the ranch. Later