"How I Spent My Summer Vacation" Pt. 2

THE FINAL PUSH
I've been joking with friends and family that I feel like I've had a sleep deficit since Rotblatt. And that's because from Rotblatt to Graduation, I was sincerely trying to milk Carleton for all its worth. I slept very little, but I think I truly lived up those last weeks on Campus. So without further ado, lemme share some highlights from Rotblatt, Spring Concert, Senior Week, and Graduation.

SPRING TERM

Señor Year

I haven't really checked in this year. And a lot has been going on in my life. So here we go:

Lets start with what's first: Location, Location, Location.
I've been settled in at 519 College for a little more than 2 months now. And its been pretty good. Some of you have been able to see and stay here, and saw that Pete's mom really did-up the place. We actually have been pretty good at keeping it clean too. Pete is a clean freak and Eric is just tidy. Dinger probably is the messiest, with me close behind. But I keep the messy to my room, not public spaces. There haven't been any conflicts yet, except Pete and Erin arguing over whether Frisbee is a sport (REALLY fun to watch - Pete doesn't consider diving or swimming a sport, btw). We've had some fun pre-gaming here, and the Alumni Party has been the only big rager. That's mostly because there's been big stuff goin on every Saturday night.
Other notables:
-We all, cept Pete, wanna bring Louise's dog down for a few weeks
-Pete never walks or bikes into campus - he drives.
-We call it our "Fake Nice House" because every once and a while something goes wrong or breaks or leaks (our front door literally fell off with the wind storm last week), but our landlord is a jolly guy who comes down the next day

Skool
I'm taking 3 of 12 credits of comps. Those three credits were gained when my comps proposal was accepted last week. Writing the proposal was difficult because it involved doing a lot a secondary research and finding a set of primary sources I was going to use. Something I should have done more in the summer, but did none of. So now I have 10 pages of my comps due the first day of Winter Term. We'll see how that pans out because currently I have not touched my comps binder since I turned in my proposal 3 weeks ago...

Next term is nice. One class (a 100 level African History Course) and 9 credits of comps. Holla.

I also decided that I am going to graduate early. Finances have a big role to play in the decision, but I also think that it will provide me with a lot of really cool options and opportunities with how to spend my time. I may audit a class, play around in Boliou (especially in the wheel-throwing studio - I miss it!), volunteer a lot more, study for and take the GRE, find a job, attend lectures and presentations, walk dogs, etc. I went in to talk to Hudlin Wagner and she said, "I think you should do it. It would give you an almost spiritual experience during your last few months here than many students don't get the time to have." Hm.. Dunno about the spiritual part, but it would give an experience that most people don't have while at Carleton (and during great weather). There is the other side of it too. For example, Hannah N. said, "Well that means, whenever I or anyone wants to drink, no matter what or when, you're gonna have no excuse not to." My pocketbook and my liver are cautiously excited.

Other Shtuff
A lot of personal shit has been going on too in my life. My dad is getting married this month. When did he decide to schedule the wedding for? Oh, just during Finals. Thanks dad. It is no doubt going to be a show. He also is moving from OP to Chicago - somewhere on the redline. The condo he just moved into a few years ago isn't big enough for him and his new wife (That sounds like a fat joke, but its not). I don't know the fiance very well, but she is a VERY good polish cook. And then my grandma died too? Did I mention I have pneumonia? That prevents me from being in the pool for at least 10 days. VERY frustrating. What an eventful month already!

But it's been a fun term though so far. Some of us tubed down the cannon the day before classes. Stevie P threw a hell of a inauguration ball, fireworks and all. Swimming was going great before I got sick. The freshman are a fun bunch. We had one of the better cocktail parties I've been to. And I attended the best Sayles dance ever (and I normally hate sayles dances) - lemme just say it was a big swimmer contingent in the core of the dance, we a had a fancy bottle of some pink drank, and the next day everyone called it "Sweatfest 2010" and was very sore.

Aight. That's all for now. I'll leave you with this:








Also, Elliot have fun in da OP!

Throw Caution to the Wind: Spring Term 2010

It's spring term! I thought I'd share some of the great times we've had so far here at Carleton and keep you guys in the loop of the fun that is soon to come.

Let me say that its been great so far. I have a little more work than last year's spring term, but that's also because I took BS classes (except for Harry's class). So one of my classes is a lot of reading ALONG with a big ongoing research paper (25-pages) that is supposed to get us into the comps-mindset. It blows. But hopefully my comps will come out of this paper, which would make my fall next year so much easier. The important thing to remember as I do work is to "Throw Caution to the Wind," which is what Alfredo, Anna and I decided is the theme for Spring Term 2010 (Although Anna rarely complies).

The Synchro Show was first weekend. It was the weekend after my birthday, so I personally was still emotionally, physically and mentally recovering. But it was still quite fun. Except for that glass breaking and me having to change from drunken synchro member to head guard.

We haven't been back to Froggies, but thats mostly because Mia and Alfredo have been working on their Chem comps and have been too busy on Thursday nights. But Joe and I were just discussing how we will soon make our triumphant return to Froggies and start to take over Ole-Night.

Easter was the other weekend. Very fun times. I had to be sober for the first half, but I took great photos. I'll put them on the ol Facebook sometime soon.

Tim's been down on weekends and we've went to the bars a few times. It's been good times. They are still exciting for me. So has paying for alcohol at the liquor store - which I have been doing too much... $ does NOT grow on trees... well sometimes.

The swim team is involved in a record number IMs this term! Softball is obviously the biggest hit (no pun intended... okay it was intended). But we also have a Frisbee, Basketball team, and supposedly a beach volleyball team in the works. Our softball team name this year is "The Maize and Blue Balls," which is what we first tried to name the Bowling Club, but CSA rejected it because the Admission Office wants to put clubs on their website. [*** EDIT: This just in: we DO have a volley ball IM team. The name is "The Beached Whales" - how timely]

Speaking of Bowling Club, its going well! We keep expanding, and we actually have THREE non-swimmers, so we are a legit club now and we aren't embezzling. But some members of the budget committee are starting to question whether to keep funding us as we expand. I believe one member said, "Guys, aren't we just giving them money to go bowling for free?" That is exactly what they are doing and its awesome.

Last weekend was battle of the bands and a bunch of us did a power hour. But the real good times are ahead for students at Carleton:
This weekend: OleBall, we are starting at 2pm and going until we drop. 3 kegs, 2 taps. A few handles for the after party. and then Ebony/Sayles Dance at night (like we'll make it that far).
5th Weekend: Midterm break. Holla. Some burrito/crow's nest action is gonna occur. Maybe I'll find some more ancient money in a Scientology book like last year.
6th Weekend: Progressive (anyone got good ideas for themes?)
7th Weekend: Rotblatt (Switched Weekends with spring concert!!! I fear change...)
8th Weekend: Spring Concert. Brother Ali is headlining. Should be great.
9th Weekend: Superhero Party

Good times? I think so. So even though Stadium is not my home currently, I'm still workin hard to live in a way that embodies "life under the bleachers."

Spring Term Rap

"you know we on the bald spot with that midwest charm
"oh shit its a tornado better sound the alarm
better go in the dorms and f*(k with that girl you hooked up with in
sayles when you were drunk
cause lets face it thats how relationships start
man either that or you are one of those nerds who stays in and plays mario kart

In Spring Term people like to go cheer for CUT
Oh sh*t I forgot everyone would rather drink and work
on gettin their beer gut
Yes times like Joe's Easter and Rotblattare the best'
Cause when the cops give you that breathalyzer,
you certainly aint gonna pass that test.

Now for the ladies its the time when the coats come off and the skirts
come out

And like the flowers its like beauties spout

Everyone seems to fall in love

Good thing the health center gives a lecture on gloves

For the guys they sum up the courage

cause for so long they have felt discouraged

Cause in the winter they had no love to keep warm

But as the months went on they began to learn

Sh*t son, its all about Spring Term.

Yeah that guy sang I love

College he obviously wasn't at Carleton based on his lack of knowledge

For as our moto states

The Revelation / Announcement of Your Words Illuminate

Just like after finishing that keg you tend to self deprecate

So give it up for 10 weeks of fun

cause we will all be chillin in Spring Term under that Midwest Sun

Spring is in the Air

With spring among us its time to get the shorts and sandals out of storage unless your name is Andrew Meering, in which case you never put them away. Yes spring calls for barbecues, baseball, and most importantly 16-inch softball. No, that wasn’t a typo I said 16-inch softball. A ball that has a 16-inch diameter, don’t think about it to hard. It is one of the Chicago’s most underrated and historical sports, and it is finally coming to Northfield.

Yes the sport I grew up playing in our backyard lot, without gloves, and hubcap bases will be enjoyed by those who chose this spring term. After all like Tim said before, spring is to play, and if your not sure just listen to I Love College. 16-inch softball is great because anyone can play. The ball is so big its difficult to swing and not hit it, and no matter how hard you hit, it probably won’t go past the outfield. The large softball allows for easy catching with both hand and without the use of a glove. If my 9-10 year old boys and girls summer group could do it, I’m sure we all can do it 10 years later. Stay posted to hear about pick up games that will most likely be held on the stadium field or behind west gym.

The 12 Steps to the Best Spring Term Ever™

I have been thinking over this spring break and I have come up with The 12 Steps to the Best Spring Term Ever™.  These are guidelines we may choose to follow that will help us along in having the best spring term that anybody at Carleton has ever experienced.  If we follow these guidelines, I'm confident of our success.  This is a living document, much like the U.S. Constitution, and we may make changes and interpretations as needed.  Thankfully, it will be the men of the Ocho (and any acquaintances lucky enough to be invited to join us) that will experience this Best Spring Term Ever™ as outlined.

The Best Spring Term Ever™ consists of the following:

1. Good music.  We will enjoy good music at all times.

2. Outdoor cooking.  We will cook outdoors as much as possible.  We have the grill, which is great, but we can also cook other ways outdoors.  I'm not sure how, but it is imperative that we take advantage of this. Alfie has already been thinking in the right way with his carne asada BBQ.  This is absolutely necessary. 

3. Outdoor sports.  Remember vortex football in the fall?  We must do that again, and this time our feet won't freeze off.  We will also play stick ball. And every other possible outdoor sport.  Whenever we can.  Barefoot.  As much as possible.

4. Minimal studying.  Winter term is for studying.  Spring term is for the opposite.  So, if we don't study, our fun factor will inevitably increase, and after all, that's why we're at college.

5. Good weather.  Given that we are omnipotent in the Ocho, we will control the weather.  It will always be 70+ and sunny.  This is as much about mindset as it is about the actual weather.

6. Rotblatt.  We will do our best to be in the running for the Rotblatt All-Star Team.

7. Spring Concert.  Enough said.

8. Baseball Challenge.  I don't know how many of you know about this, but Alfredo and I discussed it and both agreed it was necessary for some Friday or Saturday night this Spring.  It consists of the following: Watch a baseball game.  Drink a beer and eat a hot dog for each and every inning that passes.  Do this until you are unable to.  Follow #2 when preparing hot dogs.

9. Plenty of Ocho parties.  These are a given, but will definitely contribute to our fun factor as well.  See Stadium 110 whiteboard for ideas. Party over here!

10. Live blogging.  This has been discussed.

11.  No inhibitions.  If we throw ourselves fully into everything, we will enjoy it more. Don't hold back.  We're only here for ten more weeks.

12. Beer (or other booze).  We must do everything that is listed on this, uh, list, with the accompaniment of some type of refreshing beverage.