Saturday, October 30, 2004
Back on the Horse
One night after a disappointing Halloween party, I will be attending a different party here in Albany. I'm going with a slightly different costume, as the Michael Moore look didn't win anyone over. Hopefully this one will produce more excitement, even though I won't have any "friends" there, relatively speaking. I'm going with people I know here at school but my "friends" from home won't be around. At the very least I'll have some drinks.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Feit...IN...bewilderment
Back from the uneventful events of "Hampshire Halloween." I drove over there around 6PM, preventing me from attending a small gathering to honor Kazu's birthday. The trip took about an hour and a half, just like Mapquest said it would. First stop was the Red Carpet Inn in West Springfield, which we all booked rooms in separately. Pretty nice considering the cheap rates. I waited for my other friends to arrive before heading to the party for a number of reasons. First, I needed a little help with my costume. Secondly, the party started at 7:30 and everyone knows you don't show up for a party at the very beginning. Thirdly, and most important, I didn't want to roll in there all by myself. Given these reasons, I opted to wait in the motel and watch TV.
Two full hours passed and no one was there. I was dismayed, as I could have stayed for Kazu's birthday dinner and left later if I had known we would be going to the party this late. I called cell phones just as everyone pulled in. Many laughs were had and we got down to business. It was very funny to everyone that the vending machines were right in front of my room; such is the burden of being overweight, I suppose. Irregardless, everyone got ready. Mike and his band, Force Theory, left first as they had to perform at 11:30. The rest of us left once we changed. My costume was relatively simple: an oversized shirt stuffed with pillows (held together with tape, hence I needed help), reading glasses, a cheesy baseball cap I bought at Wal-Mart for 50¢, and a few days of beard stubble. That's right, I went as Michael Moore.
The party was, of course, total chaos. Problem number one was our own: we had trouble finding the college as our directions were unclear, so Mapquest isn't perfect. Once we arrived, we couldn't enter the property because a guard told us "there's an emergency." So we parked on some side street and started walking in. Then we noticed that they were letting people drive in now, so we turned around and got back in the car. Once we drove in, we were in a long line of cars that wasn't moving. It was decided we would drive back out to park and walk in, but I got out because it was already almost 11:30 at this point. If I walked from that point, I had a shot at catching Mike perform, which was 90% of the reason we were all here anyway.
I walked along the long driveway and found a lot of people there. Supposedly, our names were on a guest list, but I walked right in without any challenge. The party (or parties?) were in these tents set up on the lawn. Mike was performing in one particular tent, but I think there were other tents with other entertainment. I made it in time to see Mike perform, with everyone else arriving moments later. The big surprise was that our law-school friend, Dan, showed up to the party as promised. He has a funny way of declaring his intent to hang out with us and then not showing up for one reason or another, not to mention he's in law school and really busy, so we hadn't seen him in months. I finally got to meet his fiance, Erica, whom he has been dating for years. She seemed very nice although given the level of noise we couldn't have much of a conversation.
The problem I had was the problem I always have at gatherings: I was very uncomfortable with myself and my surroundings. Everyone else at the party seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, which should make me feel at ease but it actually makes me feel more awkward than ever. I wasn't in a mood for alcohol which all of my friends began to imbibe in great quantities. This only made me feel more uncomfortable as now I felt completely alone. I did my best to enjoy the show and participate in conversation, when possible, but I felt like I had wasted an opportunity to enjoy myself as I frequently do.
The party wrapped up around 2AM so we went back to the motel. Some humor was found, especially with Dylan and Dave engaging in a series of comical, mock-sexual positions. I tried to take pictures; hopefully one will come out, as there was a lot of fumbling about. We turned in around 4, as check-out time was at 11AM. Mike and his band opted to pay the extra day so they could sleep in, but there was no way I was paying for a second night for an extra hour or two of sleep.
Everyone but the band was with me, so at 11AM we were up and about. We started looking for breakfast but instead located a local seafood restaurant, Schermerhorn's Seafood. Ben and I quickly fixated ourselves on the idea of lobster. I think Dylan was really uncomfortable with that idea, as his girlfriend Dani isn't a big seafood fan, maybe. She didn't express that opinion when I asked her about it but she definitely didn't have any fish. Ben opted for a lobster salad on a roll, a.k.a. a lobster roll. However, for the same price I got an actual lobster, supposedly weighing one-and-an-eigth pounds. I hadn't eaten lobster in a long time, possibly three years, so I was eager to have some. The experience clearly affected Dani, as she reacted in horror as I tore off the first claw. Eating lobster is a violent act, but she looked at me like it was still alive or something. Trust me, it was dead...and delicious.
After a brief stop in a mall and a Barnes & Noble's, we went our separate ways. I probably won't see anyone until Thanksgiving, so I'll probably be spending my birthday alone. Better hurry up with that "making friends" deal I've been putting off.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Two full hours passed and no one was there. I was dismayed, as I could have stayed for Kazu's birthday dinner and left later if I had known we would be going to the party this late. I called cell phones just as everyone pulled in. Many laughs were had and we got down to business. It was very funny to everyone that the vending machines were right in front of my room; such is the burden of being overweight, I suppose. Irregardless, everyone got ready. Mike and his band, Force Theory, left first as they had to perform at 11:30. The rest of us left once we changed. My costume was relatively simple: an oversized shirt stuffed with pillows (held together with tape, hence I needed help), reading glasses, a cheesy baseball cap I bought at Wal-Mart for 50¢, and a few days of beard stubble. That's right, I went as Michael Moore.
The party was, of course, total chaos. Problem number one was our own: we had trouble finding the college as our directions were unclear, so Mapquest isn't perfect. Once we arrived, we couldn't enter the property because a guard told us "there's an emergency." So we parked on some side street and started walking in. Then we noticed that they were letting people drive in now, so we turned around and got back in the car. Once we drove in, we were in a long line of cars that wasn't moving. It was decided we would drive back out to park and walk in, but I got out because it was already almost 11:30 at this point. If I walked from that point, I had a shot at catching Mike perform, which was 90% of the reason we were all here anyway.
I walked along the long driveway and found a lot of people there. Supposedly, our names were on a guest list, but I walked right in without any challenge. The party (or parties?) were in these tents set up on the lawn. Mike was performing in one particular tent, but I think there were other tents with other entertainment. I made it in time to see Mike perform, with everyone else arriving moments later. The big surprise was that our law-school friend, Dan, showed up to the party as promised. He has a funny way of declaring his intent to hang out with us and then not showing up for one reason or another, not to mention he's in law school and really busy, so we hadn't seen him in months. I finally got to meet his fiance, Erica, whom he has been dating for years. She seemed very nice although given the level of noise we couldn't have much of a conversation.
The problem I had was the problem I always have at gatherings: I was very uncomfortable with myself and my surroundings. Everyone else at the party seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, which should make me feel at ease but it actually makes me feel more awkward than ever. I wasn't in a mood for alcohol which all of my friends began to imbibe in great quantities. This only made me feel more uncomfortable as now I felt completely alone. I did my best to enjoy the show and participate in conversation, when possible, but I felt like I had wasted an opportunity to enjoy myself as I frequently do.
The party wrapped up around 2AM so we went back to the motel. Some humor was found, especially with Dylan and Dave engaging in a series of comical, mock-sexual positions. I tried to take pictures; hopefully one will come out, as there was a lot of fumbling about. We turned in around 4, as check-out time was at 11AM. Mike and his band opted to pay the extra day so they could sleep in, but there was no way I was paying for a second night for an extra hour or two of sleep.
Everyone but the band was with me, so at 11AM we were up and about. We started looking for breakfast but instead located a local seafood restaurant, Schermerhorn's Seafood. Ben and I quickly fixated ourselves on the idea of lobster. I think Dylan was really uncomfortable with that idea, as his girlfriend Dani isn't a big seafood fan, maybe. She didn't express that opinion when I asked her about it but she definitely didn't have any fish. Ben opted for a lobster salad on a roll, a.k.a. a lobster roll. However, for the same price I got an actual lobster, supposedly weighing one-and-an-eigth pounds. I hadn't eaten lobster in a long time, possibly three years, so I was eager to have some. The experience clearly affected Dani, as she reacted in horror as I tore off the first claw. Eating lobster is a violent act, but she looked at me like it was still alive or something. Trust me, it was dead...and delicious.
After a brief stop in a mall and a Barnes & Noble's, we went our separate ways. I probably won't see anyone until Thanksgiving, so I'll probably be spending my birthday alone. Better hurry up with that "making friends" deal I've been putting off.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Feit...Out!
I am leaving for a party at Hampshire College. Given the amount of time and money invested in this, I hope it's worth it. Of course, that's largely up to me. Will I have fun in a strange environment? I can, but will I?
I'll tell you all about it on Saturday. I don't plan on spending more than 24 hours in Massachussets if I don't have to. Hopefully I'll get a picture taken of my costume so you judge whether or not it was funny.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I'll tell you all about it on Saturday. I don't plan on spending more than 24 hours in Massachussets if I don't have to. Hopefully I'll get a picture taken of my costume so you judge whether or not it was funny.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Flip Side
One of the things that always makes me uneasy concerning politics is my inability to understand other sides. It's not that I think everyone is wrong besides me, but when I have a viewpoint it is difficult to understand how other opinions are maintained in the face of what I perceive as the only logical position.
I found a link to this fascinating article where a guy went and volunteered for the Republican party to try and get his own understanding of what goes on there. Since he is only one man, his experience is hardly a scientific survey of all Republicans, but it is a very amusing and interesting look "behind-the-scenes" of the Right.
I guess the problem with logic is that it is ill-prepared to face people who ignore it. Hence the continuing existence of racism, homophobia, and Neo-Conservatism.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I found a link to this fascinating article where a guy went and volunteered for the Republican party to try and get his own understanding of what goes on there. Since he is only one man, his experience is hardly a scientific survey of all Republicans, but it is a very amusing and interesting look "behind-the-scenes" of the Right.
I guess the problem with logic is that it is ill-prepared to face people who ignore it. Hence the continuing existence of racism, homophobia, and Neo-Conservatism.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Gloomy Bastards
Just as I predicted, the Red Sox fans are already complaining about finally winning the World Series because they don't know what to do with themselves anymore. They are no longer "special," certainly not like Chicago baseball fans who have two teams to root for, neither of which have won the World Series in the past 87+ years.
I, for one, can shed some optimism on the subject. The Yankees/Sox rivalry won't go away. Lots of teams have rivalries without 86-year title droughts. As one of the Boston fans quoted in the article says, "maybe it will just become about a baseball rivalry instead of a humiliated city."
That's the spirit! Cheer up and enjoy the Patriots' winning streak already! If you have to fret, worry about the Celtics or the Bruins or something. Or better yet, turn to politics, where there's bad news every day!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I, for one, can shed some optimism on the subject. The Yankees/Sox rivalry won't go away. Lots of teams have rivalries without 86-year title droughts. As one of the Boston fans quoted in the article says, "maybe it will just become about a baseball rivalry instead of a humiliated city."
That's the spirit! Cheer up and enjoy the Patriots' winning streak already! If you have to fret, worry about the Celtics or the Bruins or something. Or better yet, turn to politics, where there's bad news every day!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Sleepy
Iron Thursday may be no more, but it's still my busiest day of the week. The kicker is getting up for an 8:45AM class and still being awake for my Russian/Soviet Cinema class which ends and 8:35PM. I've got plenty of time in-between the classes, but it's still a very long day.
This week, we were watching very odd clips from films by Andrei Tarkovsky, supposedly one of the greatest Soviet directors. I'm more of an Eisenstein man myself. After a long night of writing last night, I was really goddamn tired. My neighbor in class said she saw me "twitching." I'm just glad I didn't start snoring.
I grabbed a late supper at the sandwich place on campus where I had an outrageous encounter. As I walked up to get it line, I made eye contact with someone who joked to his friends "Looks like Halloween started early." I'm not sure what exactly it was about my clothing that made him make such a crack, but it really pissed me off. I try not to let things like that get to me (like I used to) but who the fuck does that shitbag think he is to judge me like that? And then to say it aloud like I can't hear him talking? It's not like he was wearing a Brooks Bros. suit or anything, nor was I wearing something outrageous like clown shoes.
As soon as I got home tonight I had to play a little GTA:SA. I was a good student yesterday and didn't play at all so I could work. Now that the weekend is here I had to get some pimp action on. After today's presentation, I only have three major grades left (not counting finals in December), so I've got plenty of time this weekend to have fun. Most of that fun will be had tomorrow night at Hampshire College's Halloween party. I'm told it's a really big deal. The only reason I'm going is because my friend Mike is performing with his band, Force Theory.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
This week, we were watching very odd clips from films by Andrei Tarkovsky, supposedly one of the greatest Soviet directors. I'm more of an Eisenstein man myself. After a long night of writing last night, I was really goddamn tired. My neighbor in class said she saw me "twitching." I'm just glad I didn't start snoring.
I grabbed a late supper at the sandwich place on campus where I had an outrageous encounter. As I walked up to get it line, I made eye contact with someone who joked to his friends "Looks like Halloween started early." I'm not sure what exactly it was about my clothing that made him make such a crack, but it really pissed me off. I try not to let things like that get to me (like I used to) but who the fuck does that shitbag think he is to judge me like that? And then to say it aloud like I can't hear him talking? It's not like he was wearing a Brooks Bros. suit or anything, nor was I wearing something outrageous like clown shoes.
As soon as I got home tonight I had to play a little GTA:SA. I was a good student yesterday and didn't play at all so I could work. Now that the weekend is here I had to get some pimp action on. After today's presentation, I only have three major grades left (not counting finals in December), so I've got plenty of time this weekend to have fun. Most of that fun will be had tomorrow night at Hampshire College's Halloween party. I'm told it's a really big deal. The only reason I'm going is because my friend Mike is performing with his band, Force Theory.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
The Sun Still Rises
Between last night's lunar eclipse and Red Sox title victory, my Dad was seriously concerned about the sun rising today and life returning to normal. Hell may not have frozen over, but here in Albany there was a pretty serious layer of frost on my car this morning. At night it can get really cold, but the daytime is usually comfortably cool and occasionally too hot.
Today's English presentation went well. How well? The teacher will tell us next week, I hope. Considering it's been nearly a month since we handed in our first paper, I'm hoping to get graded on this assignment sometime before Thanksgiving. I felt good about it, as did the rest of my group. I think it's a good sign when the teacher commends you for a "different perspective" on a text she was very familiar with. Of course, "different" can easily mean "totally wrong," but that's out of my hands now.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Today's English presentation went well. How well? The teacher will tell us next week, I hope. Considering it's been nearly a month since we handed in our first paper, I'm hoping to get graded on this assignment sometime before Thanksgiving. I felt good about it, as did the rest of my group. I think it's a good sign when the teacher commends you for a "different perspective" on a text she was very familiar with. Of course, "different" can easily mean "totally wrong," but that's out of my hands now.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
You Can Shut Up Now
Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox and their fans. You are now ordinary. Don't kill anyone, don't burn anything down.
I wonder what will come of www.soxsuck.com, a repository of Boston's 86-year losing streak? Will they close their doors, or will they keep a running tab on Boston's future foul-ups?
Oh, and did anyone else notice that everytime FOX cut to the troops in Iraq, the graphic said "multi-national forces" rather than correctly identifying them as Americans? Like the Polish give a shit about the Red Sox! Fucking FOX can't stop spinning. I hate them like poison.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I wonder what will come of www.soxsuck.com, a repository of Boston's 86-year losing streak? Will they close their doors, or will they keep a running tab on Boston's future foul-ups?
Oh, and did anyone else notice that everytime FOX cut to the troops in Iraq, the graphic said "multi-national forces" rather than correctly identifying them as Americans? Like the Polish give a shit about the Red Sox! Fucking FOX can't stop spinning. I hate them like poison.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
No News...
...is not necessary good news. I found out I won't get my English paper back until next week, and no matter what the teacher says I have trouble believing it won't reflect at all on my group presentation this Thursday. Speaking of my group, I also haven't heard from one of our members in several days, nor did she come to class today. Looks like our foursome is down to a pair. Well, I'd like to think this can only work to my benefit so long as the teacher believes in a "pity curve."
What won't need curving is my GPA. My quarter course grades are in: Two A's, 4.0!! The streak is alive, and one of the classes was in my major!!
Billy feels awesome!!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
What won't need curving is my GPA. My quarter course grades are in: Two A's, 4.0!! The streak is alive, and one of the classes was in my major!!
Billy feels awesome!!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Monday, October 25, 2004
Grand Theft Auto: Capital Region
Besides spending most of the afternoon fumbling about with William Faulkner, today was another low-activity day. The biggest chore I had to complete was going to the mall to get my copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. I had to wait in line for an hour which wasn't fun at all. There was a trio of kids behind me who were the most ignorant, filthy-mouthed youths I've ever encountered. One woman was watching them, and I know she was trying, but they were quite unruly. At one point they even mocked a passing Asian couple by shouting "ching ching chong" at them. This got one kid a punch in the back by Mom but frankly, I don't see why she didn't just leave. Obviously they cannot buy the game without her consent, so don't buy it if they misbehave.
These rotten kids don't know how lucky they have it today. My parents never bought me a video game. I had to save up my allowance for weeks to buy them, and not a single one featured drive-by shooting.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
These rotten kids don't know how lucky they have it today. My parents never bought me a video game. I had to save up my allowance for weeks to buy them, and not a single one featured drive-by shooting.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Color Change
I'm in an autumn mood as things look great outside, and the "Fall Classic" has begun. Eventually I will have to give this site a total overhaul instead of merely changing the colors. But that takes time, and I've got a whole lot of William Faulkner to read. Not to mention I haven't yet decided what to be for Halloween this year. Last year's costume will be hard to beat given my meager budget.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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