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.