Living in the present tense

About once every semester I get tense. Some people freak out one or more times, but me, I get tense... albeit Mix style. I only allow it to happen once, so it's just a matter of when. This semester it happens to be right this moment, which is less than optimal with finals coming up. Finals are going to be brutal. The start of my first final and the end of my last spans a mere 55 hours. Going to have to use some good olde fashioned time management.

Something you said, it made me step outside the moment
I spin left and right around my world
open yourself up to the possibilities
aware of some reality outside your world

A side dish to have with morning tea

Syria's 29-year military presence in Lebanon ended Tuesday when Syrian soldiers flashing victory signs crossed back over the border, completing a withdrawal brought about by international pressure and massive Lebanese street protests. (NYTIMES)

Trials and Tribulations, seen through the short glorious lives of Precious and Fluffy

This past weekend I was in Austin, Texas to visit some friends. Because of this event of a large group of friends converging in one place, the hosts had taken it upon themselves to raise two chickens, Precious and Fluffy, in order to ensure a delectable meal on the evening of April 23rd.
The first step of preparation entailed the confinement of the chickens into a cardboard box so they could be transported to the place of our barbeque, which was across town from where they were being confined. It was a difficult task to catch the chickens. I found out that running at them is not a desirable way to capture your dinner. Soon enough we had them at the barbeque with a nice fire awaiting their arrival. I took my perch on a balcony above a cement slab where Precious was the first to be slayed. One person held down the body, while another held its neck out and up in order to provide a nice target for the knife. In two quick swipes, the neck was cut and the chicken was pinned down while blood flowed into a small dish. I was surprised to see that Precious didn’t do as much wiggling as I had always heard they do when they meet their end. He was held down for about three minutes until he gave his last convulsion. Fluffy followed suit to the holy land.
After grilling our victory meal, it was decided that I have eaten better chicken. They had lost considerable weight from when they were purchased several weeks before, so there wasn’t a lot of fat to provide delicious flavor. Apparently they didn’t eat what they were fed, but merely relied on bark and small bugs for nourishment. I think at some point another attempt will have to be made. While eating my meal, much thought was provoked when I considered the fact that I had just seen that particular bite walking around the grass but a few short hours ago.

Colliding roads, diverging paths

The ensuing financial strife will not be for naught, this weekend was awesome. A few familiar faces, a few new ones, all good times.
I failed to procure many of the items I had set out for, but I do now have the knowledge to write the extra credit essay in my animal science class. Precious and Fluffy did not die in vain. I think I'm reaching my 6th hour of conscienceness for the day, which should give clues to the awesomeness we had to endure. Asian food is on the burner, though I don't think I've ever eaten that well at a reception weekend. Probably never will again either.
It was great to see all the crazy cats again (some of which were chrome-plated, I might add). I achieved one of my ultimate goals, so now I may die at any point without struggle. The funniest part was no one stayed at Jesse's. Ruthless efficiency.

I was reminded that I proposed a nomadmeetup in Turkey for next year. Faces were more easily recongnized when blog titles were discerned. Now there are several voices to pin to the text.

Austin Navidad

I turned in my math assignment three problems short of being done. Only nine of eightteen are graded, I think my chances are good. The proper ingredients have been procured. Dody, don't forget the ice crusher.
What I need from you:
cheap sandles, like under $3
limes
animals
aviators
asian food
more than 2 drinks at whatever that place is, in the a.m.
no regrets

let us do it

Team Beer Bong

Global Village
Originally uploaded by Mike W..

The rose inbetween the two thorns in the picture is Marina. She, along with Andrew (DC) and Me composed Team Beer Bong at Expros in Brazil. We made sure everyone had the proper levels of suave to approach other girls or dudes in order to sleep well that night. she is in the US right now, so I spoke with her on the phone yesterday.

P.S. I am hoping I don't have to eat the meat in my High Society clothes this weekend. Also, don't forget about the animals.

When the water takes me home

So I walk up to an apparantly empty, dark house...
Then I see the bum sleeping on one of our porch couches. Slight hesitation. Lock door.
Then I see some girl on one of our living room couches. Alright, Jane Random.
Then I see the coffee table skewed and the Messiah sleeping on the hardwood floor next to said couch. Repeat slight hesitation: we own 6 couches.
Then I don't see the hookah. All I wanted when I got home...

There was at least one memo I did not receive here.
Awesome.

A minimum of 8 hours with my physics starting...

Cachaca
Originally uploaded by Mike W..

now.

There is a fine line between love and illusion

This is the week where my grades reap the benefits of focusing the last few weeks on ULDS.
It was a minor success, a good foundation for others to build on if they so choose. I could have done several things a lot better.
The Global Village, that was the real success.. organized by two newer people to the organization. That's what happens when you have the balls to hand the reins over. I need to do it more often. They envisioned and created it. All I did was get the venue.
I will have to recap the successes and failures for myself at a later date. I have about 8 hours of physics to study tonight.
I offered The Godfather a proposition. Tatoo for sponsorship of one plane ticket. It awaits an answer.

Another day, another dollar

ULDS is in two days. The Global Village is going to rock so hard I can't believe it.
I have to pick Dody up at 11:15pm in Kenosha, 2 hours from Madison. We'll make it back in time.
St. Cloud is here tonight, along with one Eau Claire member. They decided not to stay with us because they thought they'd "get more sleep" staying with jenna.
Katie arrives tomorrow.
Keep on Keepin on.

I got my hair cut

Verdict: I look twelve.

BUT, it is now easier to place my headphones around my ears.

Bag it, tag it, sell it to the butcher in the store

I made the purchase, that precious chicken is getting fucked up.
Dody wins special recognition for excellent comment, needing only one word. There's plenty inbetween the lines, know that for sure.
My physics is done prior to its due date, unprecedentally.
This ULDS conference is a lot of work. Getting facilitators is easy. Getting students to attend is where the real challenge is.
I've decided a business start-up might be a better graduate degree than an MBA.

And if the music stops, with only the sound of rain

What is that word that describes when the weather reflects your mood?

If we burn our wings flying too close to the sun

If the moment of glory is over before it's begun..

A most heavenly estate

This weekend was all about revisiting our roots. In some sort of sick irony, the first nice consistent porch weather of the season found our house once again a house of singles. We've come full circle in many ways, but Friday we rediscovered why this porch is the best thing you don't have. We met Shawn, a sort of free-styling musician/artist who loves knocking down the 'brick house,' Shaggy, who says he has 2 houses but chose to sleep on our outdoor couch that night, Cody and Pain who MC and scratch, random offers to buy various drugs, rando's stopping by for a blessing from the hookah, and the usual d-bags walking to the party next door. I love it.
I need to remember to bring food to the library. I'm going on hour six of being here, but I was hungry back at hour two. If only I had an ounce of foresight.

When asked what he wanted to do with his life, Shawn replied, "I just want to be happy."
Simple, satisfying.

Excellent

My office is in the basement of the physics building. I am in my office. Outside the office is the lab. Outside the lab I hear voices. It is 12:30am.


Update: It was a grad student. For a second I pondered giving my last farewell. Oh, the irony.

What are you doing here at 12:30 in the morning?
Workin. What are you doing here at 12:30 in the morning?
Workin. I don't usually hear voices outside my pitch-black lab at 12:30am.
I don't usually hear voices outside my lab at 3 am, but that's neither here nor there, is it?

Oh! What's that word for throwing out the window?
(smirk) Defenestration.
Oh.

It's hard to stay together through these revolving doors

I have been accepted to the Salaam Program.
Just over a week in Brazil changed me in unimaginable ways. What will this behold?

A universe so distant becomes so real you can't stand it

I echo the sentiments.

Through most of my life most of my friends have been older than me. Even when I was in early middle school, I had friends in early high school. It's a fact I've come to observe through most of my life. When I came to college I finally had the opportunity and breadth of options to really pick and choose the friends I wanted to hang out with. As a result, I am pretty blessed with the people that have surrounded me for the past 3 years.
Therein lies the issue.
AIESEC has impacted me, like many others, through the friendships I have forged. I still can't get over all the different regions in the US and now the world that I have connections with. With this heavenly blessing comes the proverbial curse.
As this year reaches its final sunsets, I find myself watching so many friends move on to the Next Step as I hang back, still finishing my own adventure. This weekend marked several partings... and several questions. When will we see each other next? It is a question dreaded by most, but really holds its very own beauty, something AIESEC leaves for the beholders.
Next.
The friendships that matter end that question with that word. And so, as the curtains closed on this weekend, it was not with glossy eyes that I parted ways with my friends. We parted ways with the smirk that only we could hold, knowing all that had just transpired, and with the knowing glances that sometime, near or far, we would relive those moments and create new ones. It is because we parted ways with that bond, a promise to cross paths again whenever and wherever it may be, that we could walk away not with slumped shoulders, but with twinkling eyes and optimism.
It's the only way you can handle so many good-bye's.
The Nomad Life.

As the irony of life would have, this weekend did see one 'good-bye' pass me. Friday night I received a phone call that a girl from my hometown, whom I'd known for about 7 years now, passed away in a car accident. By the accounts, it was a mid-day crash. The fragility of life is something I forget all too often and things like this put it right back in your face. I will not claim that she was a close friend by any means, but it is one color of my life that will now only sit on the windowsill of my memory. It makes you think about what you do for those who are in fact close to you. Big or small, you begin to realize the importance of simple kind actions and simple times spent together. Real friendships need no catalyst. Nah, it is sitting on a quiet porch watching the night give birth to stars or sitting in the car watching the miles roll by that you realize where true friendship is wrought. It is only then that the adventure shall find you.

Maybe because you get bored?

Gigity Alllriight

Yessss
Originally uploaded by Mike W..

I got a professor from our executive education program signed up for ULDS today. We will be in great shape if we stop here, but we'll keep scrapping for more.

Notice I have two cups in my right hand.

Brazil: A chronicle

It would appear the Turks are the least patient people in this universe, so by popular demand, I present my photos of Brazil.
My camera cashed out half-way through the conference, so I "only" got like 385 photos. I guess it couldn't handle the intensity.
They are here.

Ann Arbor Navidad

We are about to roll out to Ann Arbor, Michigan to meet up with some of the best friends I've known. It could be a while until we meet up again.
Fuck it.

Let's get wasted.

Shaq made more money at LSU than I ever will

It is 12:08am. I am still in the lab, finishing my last run. I will be outta here by 12:20.
Nothing like capping off the day with a little bit of shisha and some day dreaming.