Wednesday 23 April 2003
Ah, yes. Procrastination at its best...on the internet! So, I've been staring at this word document for the past several hours and have managed to find a number of different ways to distract myself. Checked my mail several times, deposited a wonderfully-appreciated check from home(hopefully by tomorrow, I'll have more than $11 to my name), had some edamame for the first time (they are pretty good, and good on the WW scale--yay for Pelican Plan), and wandered around the bookstore for a little while. But, the pinnacle of this procrastination effort has to be that I am now watching Dr. Phil. Yes, I'm comfortable admitting that. It has been an interesting show--he's funny, and so seemingly simple and sensible.
Just two more days until I go to the Reagan Ranch!! Woo hoo. I am thankful to be able to get away for a little while before finals begin. Got a couple of papers to do in the meantime, though. They shouldn't be too difficult, just need to get going on them!
For those of you who might be interested, here's my final exam schedule:
Wednesday, April 30: Interaction Analysis, 1-5 p.m.
Friday, May 2: Interpretations of American Politics, Due at 12:00 Noon
Saturday, May 3: Political Parties, 1-5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6, Rhetorical Theory, 9-12 noon
Wednesday, May 7, Film and the Politics of Writing History, Due at 12 noon
Not too much else going on. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) begins tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts for the next two weekends. The schedule is pretty impressive again this year as always. It's gonna be hot, though!
Well, back to work, I suppose. I can't think of anything else to write. Send your prayers this way that I find an internship for the summer!!!!!
===
Monday 14 April 2003
Wow. What an absolutely beautiful day! It was in the mid-eighties all day, I got to sleep in (my class was cancelled this morning) and I've gotten a decent amount accomplished. My room is rearranged, relatively clean, and my desk screams "WORK ON ME," which is really fantastic because I have a lot of work to do this week!! It's crazy. Between now and NEXT friday (4/25), when I leave for Santa Barbara, I have three 10 page papers due, one fifteen page paper due, one 2-page essay and one 1-page essay due! Insane, huh? We're really hitting the home stretch. But, basically, it's a three-day week for me. Nothing today and we are off on Friday for Good Friday. And, my one class on Wednesday is a guest speaker. So, not too bad. Just got to get myself motivated for these papers. But, with the weather so nice (and it's supposed to be be like this for all week), it's so very hard! But, I will get it done and be ready to go on a pre-final retreat to the Reagan Ranch April 25-27!!! Woo hoo! I'm so excited!
So, Conservative Awareness Week is over, and I'm so thankful! It went wonderfully, but it was really draining. We had 50 people for each of the first two nights and about 300 for Phyllis Schlafly on Thursday night. For our Second Amendment Fair on Wednesday, it was difficult to gauge numbers, but we gave away all 150 of our snoballs and had more people than that, as well. So, overall, I would call it a rousing success, and one of which I am very proud to have been a part!! In short, it rocked! Then, we had an excellent turn out for the Louisiana Federation of College Republicans state convention in Baton Rouge! Absolutely wonderful. You can check out pictures of some of these events (all of them, before long, as soon as I get pictures back) on the Tulane College Republicans Website. Check them out and let me know what you think! We worked hard, and I'm proud of our result!
What else is going on? Not much. I have ONE opportunity left for an internship in DC this summer, so I'd appreciate some prayers that everything will work out. I'm starting to get very worried, and I just don't know what to do really. I'm still searching for more options, so if you know of any, let me know. It's been an interesting ride, and I'm ready for it to be done with!!!
One other thing. My nephew, Tyler, got an early Easter present from his Grandparents (aka my parents): DUCKS!! Crazy huh? Check out this picture too!
And finally, one last thing. I've really started to get into country music. Crazy, huh? I don't listen to anything else in the car anymore. Of course, I still have other music on my computer and cds and whatnot, but I've really started listening to country music on the radio. I highly recommend "I Just Wanna Be Mad" by Terri Clark and "This Is God" by Phil Vassar, as well as the patriotic ones that have come out since 9/11! I love it!!
Not too much else from me today. Going to the end of the year HRL banquet. Should be at least moderately entertaining. We shall see. Getting geared up to be ARD next year. My duties are already starting (they should pay me for it, too...but they don't :) ). It's going to be a wonderful experience, I can tell! I just hope I'm up to it. :) Hope your week is going well. It's nice to get those emails from my Cambridge buddies! I hear the spring semester folks are already home! That means you need to come and visit!! Have a fantastic week, and may your weather be as beautiful as ours is here in NOLA.
===
Sunday 06 April 2003
T minus one day until insanity!! Conservative Awareness Week begins on Monday. It's going to be wildly insane (I know...you don't often put Conservatives in the "wild" category...but we are the "Best Party on Campus!" Make sure you check out the webpage and see what it's all about, and if you are in the New Orleans area, stop on by.
Hmm, that's been pretty much consuming me of late. That and the crazy schoolwork stuff. I swear. It's as if the professors know that I'm ridiculously busy, and decide to make all assignments due then. ;)
Exciting news: I learned a new song on the guitar today! "The Load Out" by Jackson Browne! Excellent tune!
The other exciting news is that Emily redeemed her many Sharper Image points to buy a tiny little digital camera/webcam. It's great fun. So hopefully, you'll be seeing the fruits of that investment in the near future here on this webpage!
Alright, kids...back to work for me if I'm going to get ready for CAW. I'll let you know how it all turns out! Much love. Sign the guestbook!
===
Sunday 23 March 2003
There are two topics I wish to address today. One lighthearted, and one, well, not. So, I'll start with the lighthearted...
I do believe that Spring has arrived in beautiful New Orleans. The azaleas, camelias, japanese magnolias, and a host of other flowers and plants are in full bloom and the weather has been absolutely impeccable. The ladies of uptown have broken out the sundresses and fancy hats, and the wealthy houses have replanted their gardens with flowers and plants of all kinds. Anyone who claims that God doesn't exist has not seen New Orleans in spring. It is truly beautiful. I have enjoyed almost every afternoon with my balcony door open on into the evening, and it makes this room so much more liveable. Just a note, and a brief comment on the beauty of this season.
Now, on to more unpleasant things. Indeed, Operation Iraqi Freedom is becoming a great deal more difficult, and our troops are facing more challenges in the past few hours than they did in the first few days combined. However, this is not unexpected. Our administration prepared us for a difficult battle, and we must remember that this is war, and difficulties should be expected. However, this does not make it easier to watch or learn about.
A great deal of hoopla has been made about collegians protesting the war. However, this is empirically not true. From my observations, as well as research by the Young America's Foundation, most of the protesters are NOT students, as the media and myth would have you believe, but rather leftovers from the Vietnam era. Apparently they didn't get enough protesting in then. Now, I don't begrudge anyone the right to protest. I don't particularly understand what the three people in the tents on my quad think they are accomplishing with their hunger strike, but I say, more power to you. I just think it's immature and rather silly.
In any case, the latest poll numbers I saw had, I think, 70% of Americans supporting the president. That's pretty good. I hope that Americans don't lose heart and they remain supportive so that our administration and our troops have the prayers and support they need to complete their mission.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Don't forget to sign my guestbook!
===
Wednesday 19 March 2003
Well, it has begun. Now is the time for all Americans to unite behind the men and women fighting in our name in a land far, far away. I watched our President's speech with the members of the College Republicans Executive Board, and it was a stirring feeling. It brought back somewhat distant memories of sitting and watching President George H.W. Bush announcing the commencement of Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s. Of course, military (and media, for that matter) technology has improved greatly since then, and this is a much different conflict. Also, on a slightly superficial note, it was nice to see Fox News being broadcast on the local Fox station and not have to rely completely on CNN! What a relief, and a great thing to think that we'll have Fox News on the campus cable network next year after the hard work of the College Republicans!!
It is difficult to do schoolwork during a time like this. There is an odd feeling about. It is a mix of sadness and pride. Sadness that war had to happen, that lives will be in danger and an idealistic view of the world must be left. Yet, tremendous pride in our troops, our courageous President, our country and the wonderful ideals of the United States of America. We now await the "shock and awe" campaign in the coming days. May the troops and leaders of our country be in all of our thoughts and prayers.
Got to talk to my parents today for the first time in a while. It was nice--we had played phone tag for a while, but finally caught each other. I've been feeling a little homesick the past few weeks. Not really sure why, but it's there. Also, two bits of news for today. First, Emily was chosen as the new editor of the Sports Lawyers Journal for next year. That's a really big deal: it's a national publication in its 11th year and the preeminent journal for the Sports Law industry. Congrats, Em! Also, on my side, I will hopefully be interviewing for an internship at the National Republican Senatorial Committee tomorrow. Still haven't heard from Sen. Alexander's office, so I am beginning to give up hope on that opportunity, but hopefully this will pan out. I am ready for the waiting and the nervousness to be over, though. I believe it will all work out in the end, but I really hate to wait!!
It will be difficult to sleep this evening, but tomorrow holds a great deal of activity. Much schoolwork, and lots of activity. Have a great day tomorrow, and I'll check back in when I have some more time.
===
Tuesday 18 March 2003
The waiting continues. My TV has been on (mute) CNN all day today. But, as world events continue to unfold...my life goes on. Today was a fairly uneventful day--went to classes, worked on homework, was on duty for HRL and updated this here webpage. I was a good boy and went to the gym to work out, and I finished A Painted House by John Grisham. It is very good, and I highly recommend it. I even got a little teary-eyed at the end.
Not too much else going on. Still playing the waiting game with internships for the summer. I'd appreciate any prayers in that area. I want things to be over--I don't really want to have to think about it any more.
Not too much else going on. Back to work I go. Just wanted to check in. Hope all is well with you and yours! Have a great week!
===
Monday 17 March 2003
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today we can be proud of our President and his resolve in dealing with world affairs. Who would have thought in early in the 2000 campaign that the legacy left behind by George W. Bush would be one of foreign policy and not his domestic agenda. Incredible.
Tonight's address to the nation was a well-articulated argument for the necessity of action to force Saddam Hussein and the Nation of Iraq to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and join the the world community of peace. The President did a masterful job relaying his message to both the American people and the few Iraqi people who will sneak access to the speech past the totalitarian Iraqi regime. We are blessed to have such a courageous president in office who will stand by the words he says and put action behind policy. To use author David Frum's phraseology, Bush is indeed "the right man" in office at the right time.
My hope is that the American people will remember who the enemy truly is. This is the time for all of our countrymen to unite behind our troops. I don't ask people who object to the war to silence their voices. Our men and women in uniform are in distant lands protecting that right and spreading that right to free speech without fear of prosecution. Just remember when you are protesting that the people of Iraq don't have that opportunity.
No one wants war. Not anyone in their right mind, anyway. So, I don't associate myself with the "pro-war" crowd, and I resent media coverage that presents the Right as "pro-war." However, I am one who can recognize that there are times where force is both appropriate and necessary. The President, as Commander-In-Chief of the US Military is charged with protecting the safety of the citizens of the United States of America. This is one of those times. The Iraqi regime conclusively possesses weapons of mass destruction and has proven that it is willing to use them on "enemies" foreign and domestic. Saddam Hussein is a madman and an insult to freedom-loving people around the world. This war is both justified and just, and I am confident that history will show that this was indeed the right thing to do.
In any case...enough ranting. I was about to start on the French, but I have homework to do, so I don't have time for that. Perhaps another day. Hope all is well with you and yours. Please keep our military personnel and elected leaders and their families in your prayers. It is certainly needed. And, if you are Catholic, remember that this year has been declared the Year of the Rosary by PJPII. So, a rosary or two for a peaceful solution and for the above mentioned might be helpful as well. God bless!
===
Saturday 15 March 2003
Greetings, all. Just some song lyrics and a few words for you today. I don't know if you've heard this song, but it's really fabulous! Also...stay tuned for some rantings coming in the next few days about the world situation!
Otherwise, I'm doing very well. It's been a nice relaxing weekend so far. I'm all caught up, and I may get a little ahead academically tomorrow. That would be a first. I've gotten a lot done this past week, and I'm happy. Monday starts workout plan, take 2. I did great in January, and I'm gonna go again! Go me...I hope! Hope all is well with everyone! Drop me a line sometime.
Here are the aforementioned lyrics. Just as a note, some great things (aside from the Dixie Chicks) have come from country music these past few years. We have finally found a "celebrity genre" that tends to lean conservative. It's great! Enjoy...
"Have You Forgotten"
by Darryl Worley
I hear people saying we don't need this war
I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start preaching
Let me ask you this my friend
CHORUS 1
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it every day
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right
CHORUS 1
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet they remember
Just what they're fighting for
CHORUS 2
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
===
Tuesday 04 March 2003
Happy Mardi Gras, everyone from the fabulous City of New Orleans! Woo hoo!
Also, I will welcome myself back to the world of online journal writing. Crazy stuff, this is! I was unsure what I thought of it for a while, but people seemed to enjoy reading my Cambridge journal, so I thought that I'd jazz up everyone's lives (including my own) once again, and start baring my soul to the online world. Ok, so maybe it won't be that in depth, but at least it'll be something. I'll try to at least make it entertaining!
Hmm...what has happened since my last Cambridge entry in November! Crazy, huh? Time has flown, yet it also seems like forever ago that I was far away across the Pond in Jolly Olde England! In any case...Christmas was fabulous--it was great to be able to spend some time with the fam--and there were a lot of them! (This will be somewhat of a crash course in the past few months!)
I'm back doing the RA gig at Tulane. It's good fun--I'm in an upperclassman residence hall, so it isn't nearly as labor intensive, but I like it just the same. Also, I found out last Friday that I will be the Assistant Resident Director of Community Development next year for my quad. It's a senior staff/management position, and I am really excited about it. I think it'll be a fantastic opportunity for me--a lot of work, but fun, too. I'll keep y'all up to date. Work on that starts soon!
Been doing a heck of a lot of work for the Tulane College Republicans. I am the fundraising officer--been working to raise money for Conservative Awareness Week. It's our big year-end event (April 7-10). It will feature as our keynote speaker, Eagle Forum founder and pro-family activist Phyllis Schlafly. Also, we will host Floyd Brown from the Young America's Foundation, to speak about the War on Terror. We are also working to secure a speaker from the Competitive Enterprises Institute to speak on Conservative environmental policy. Go Republicans!
Also, it is really good to be back at church here in NOLA. The Catholic Center truly is my second home (although I haven't been spending nearly as much time there this year as I have in years past). But alas, it is good to be back.
Not too much else going on. Just sitting here working the JL front desk for lovely Mardi Gras. :) On duty tonight. Should be great fun come about 1 a.m. That's when the drunkards will return from the Quarter. Yay... Hope all is well with you. Make sure you sign my guestbook. I think I've also decided to use this space to publish my own mini-editorials and opinions. Yay. Finally. I'm very excited about it, but don't worry. I'll still be doing mostly rants and raves and whatnot here. Have a good night! :)
Home * Biography * Poetry * Quote of the Month * Ryne Sandberg * Links * Chat Room