Group Project: Individual pt. 2

I didn't get as much done early as i wanted because i became ill thursday night and caused me to be 'out of action' for the better part of the weekend. But previously in the week (I forgot to state this in my last Group Project Meeting post) we had divided the project with me being the lead guy who is going to start off our presentation giving a intoduction to the class and our 'pitch' for our cause. Joe was over the Jeopardy game. Cory and Brian are to find their own roles in the conclussion of our project after the game. By Sunday night i was feeling well enough to work on a small slide of photos that i wanted to be playing while Cory, Brian, and I were speaking. I helped Joe when he needed it. I had given our group a kind of 'gameplan' of how we were going to present our topic. Monday night I checked to make sure people were ready to go. I've also settled that our project is not to sell a game, but rather we are giving a presentation to raise awareness of Today's Treats that involve Nuclear weapons. hope all goes well

Group Project Meeting: Final Meetings

This is a small overview of our group progress heading into our presentation: this weekend our group talked about what we'd do with the jeopardy game since we were still having trouble fnding out how we wanted to do it and do it about. Saturday and Sunday we worked completing the game. Monday we spent our time wrapping up our preparations for Tuesday's presentation. Things seemed to have come together nicely and hopefully it works well tomorrow.

Terrorist Trial

I'm dumbfounded by the decision that President Obama made to put the terrorist responsible in the September 11 attacks in Civil Court. How can you give these people rights? These people are prisoners of war who carried out an act of war and were caught in enemy lands. How can you possibly give them rights?! Even after the fact one of them admits to everything and the others of their participation and only wants to be killed to go meet his 72 virgins..... If you put these people in Military Court, all the evidence can be used to incriminate these people. Evidence about facts and details that you can't use in Civil Court because that's a threat to National Security. Better yet, if you hold this case in Military Court rather than Civil, it won't cost the people some $50,000,000 (expected). That's my thoughts on the short.

Monument Circle, lighting of the tree

I went down to see the Cirle of Lights and the Tree being lit. It was so cold lastnight. I'm glad i went though because going in I thought it might be kind of lame. But there were some decent performaces on stage. After the lighting, the friends i was with and i went into Circle Centre Mall. I was just glad to be inside cause i was so cold. But it was just nice to be down there with some friends that i haven't seen in a long time.

Anderson, Indiana

When i go home, I have to drive through Anderson. Anderson has suffered majorly from GM's departure and futher this economic downturn. Going back, Anderson used to be a very prominant city in the area. It was active, had a lot to offer in jobs and recreation, and had money. Since the two GM plants have closed down, as well as some other small industies, Anderson has taken a major hit. Anderson today, is falling apart. Infrastructure is starting to be run-down, once nice kept up neighborhoods are starting to be unkept and turned over to those with poor incomes. With jobs leaving town and no real source of a rebound there (even though Nestles has a plant now operational there) much of the wealthy have left town as well as a large part of the ciy's stable tax base. Schools have closed and consolidated, athletic standards are on the decline, and the state of those schools are delcining as well in quality. Anderson's struggles have brought down the county around it. (Madison Co., which i live in) At the beginning of the 1990's, Madison was ranked as third wealthiest in means of income, jobs, etc.. now it is near last. I'm writing this cause it's just something i think about when I'm driving home. I see it, and it's sad that this place that once was such a high quality kind of place to live has crashed and is struggling as a whole to make ends meet.

Wind Mills

For Thanksgiving, my family and I are spending the day in Chicago with family. As we were driving up I-65, between snoozing, I saw an area filled with huge wind mill generators. I've seen these before but only three or four plaved in random areas. This was so different, because there were windmills everywhere. The interesting thing about this, was that these wind mills were generating electricity for New Jearsey. I think two things are kinda interesting coming from this. One, are power generating windmills going to be something that are more of the norm to see as your driving down the highway? Two, are the state going to lease lands or partake in practices such as this to raise revenues for their home state?

Group Project: Individual Thanksgiving Week

Before I left for school for break, i was able to catch another show on the History Channel. In that it was talking about the Cold War and the Nulear threat. This show didn't go into exstensive detail but it did a good job going in a kind of timeline order of events regarding the nuclear standoff. I'll be keeping an eye out for anyother shows if I stumble across them.

Group Project Meeting: Thanksgiving Week

With it being Thanksgiving week and people having a lot of family plans, group wise we weren't able to meet. Hopefully we can take this time away from school to relax and get recharged so that we can take on this project. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Thanksgiving Break

Can't wait for Break. Weekends are not enough time off from class.... but hopefully this upcoming week can help me get through the strech run to Christmas Break. Plans for Thanksgiving are to go up to Chicalgo and spend time with some family. I wouldn't mind going downtown; it's been a while since i've been up there. A quick trip to NIKE TOWN wouldn't be too bad either... After Thursday i have no clue what the plans are. Hopefully some of the guys back home will be be able to get a day where we can play Paintball! Not much to say about break other than that...

Senior Euro Trip

This weekend one year ago, my senior class was landing in Chicago's Midway Airport on our way back from Europe. I went to Lapel High School and for ten years or so the Senior Trip has been a two week trip to England and other surrounding European locations depending on the year you go. When we went, we visited Killarney, Ireland (Southwest coast of Ireland)for several days; drove across Ireland to Dublin,(Ireland's Capital) where we spent i think three days. From there we took a ferry across the Irish Sea to Wales. Wales is very rural and mountainous so there wasn't much to see in modern sites but the landscape and the old castles were unbelievable. In Wales we spent the night in a hotel that was over 300 years old. From Wales we drove through the English Countryside. I was able to spend a day at Oxford University which was an awesome experience. (Also was able to visit the homes that Shakespeare was born in and later lived in) We spent close our trip by spending four or five days in London. Can't say enough about London!!! That trip was so awesome and I can't wait to get back over there!

Group Project: Individual

Our subject is decreasing 'Nuclear Weapons.' At this early stage, it's about getting facts that we can build on. I was able to catch a show on the History Channel that talked about the Nulcear Threat concerening Terrorist. It is something that the world is now percieving more as a threat (at least in the west) than a government lauched weapon. The show was a what if scenario U.S. being hit by a terrorist bomb weapon. It's not what our project is based on but using this can be great support.

Group Project Meeting: Tuesday

Our group was able to meet and we were able to accomplish several things. We were able to fill out the work sheet that we were supposed to complete. Our plan for our presentation is to use a jeopardy format and then have a small presentation using the facts the class learned while playing Jeopardy. That's the gist...

Colts Season: Patriots Game

Surely if you didn't see the game you saw the highlights. 4th and 2... 4th and 2!!!! I get Bill Belichek (sp?) was thinking you convert and the game is over..... but Peyton Manning is going to be automatic in that situation. I can't believe the Colts played so bad for three and a half quarters! I thought we were lucky to escape this with a 'w'. Looking at it, where does this win stack up compared to our other RIDICULOUS comebacks??? Examples: Tampa Bay, MNF 2003 (21pts. in the last 4 mins); AFC finals in 2006, the comeback in Houston last season..... i'm sure i'm missing others too!

Group Project Meeting: Last Thursday

Last Thursday we were given a group assignment about a proposal. That day, we really couldn't make much of our topics: nuclear weapons, the state of Germany, Illegal Immigration, Drug Trafficing. Didn't get much done because we could not decide on what to do. Then our topic was the the illegal trafficing of nuclear weapons over the Berlin Wall....

Berlin Wall

November 9 marked the twenty year anniversary that the Berlin Wall came down. It is interesting to see how many problems the people of Germany are facing. Wouldn't you think that a people who wanted to be reunited for so long, that things would go very streamlined and seamlessly. It isn't the case however. A lot of the problems have to do with that Eastern Germany fell behind decades in infrastructure, technology, and general livelihood. It will be decades longer till the country finds themselves fully unified and over the cultural, economical problems they face.

Colts Season

I hope that most of you are Colts fan's. I am a huge fan of the team and i think that this could be a special team and a special year! So far, they are undefeated and are dominating the division. This season hasn't been smooth by anymeans. They have had some struggles and had to push and break through to get the 'w'. (i'll have a post on the houston and pats game) It really does feel wierd not to see Marvin Harrison out there on the recieving in of Manning's throws. He was my favorite player and still is my favorite player of all time. I wish he was still part of the team but at age 37, it was time for him and the colts to move on. The defense this year is getting to be a little scetchy.. we are so banged up it is unreal. Bob Sanders is out for the season, what a suprise. Love the guy but he almost needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap. oh, well.... GO COLTS!!!!!

First Post In Quite Some Time

Hello Bloggers! After a long leave of absense, I am back to blogging. I think it has been four weeks since i've last blogged and i don't know why i haven't blogged in that time. Homework?...possibly, but these don't take that long to write about. I just forget to do them.... Now that i have most of my papers, projects, and several test out of the way. On a side note, golf is finally over... FINALLY!!! But I am for here on out getting caught back up and writing on various subjects.

Fantasy Football

Who all plays fantasy football?? I think it's a lot of fun testing your managerial skills and putting it up against some of your friends. In the league I play in, i've finshed second as well as third. This year I really like my roster but there are a few players who are really frustrating. Matt Forte lost his 'forte' at scoring touchdowns this season, Marshawn Lynch's suspension is killing me along with Fred Jackson playing eating up his time, Ray Rice is scoring nil touchdowns......... those are the main ones. Just my thoughts after week four.

Golf....................

The fall season started off really well. I was low on the team during the qualifiers but eventually lost by one in the overall count. We were playing for three spots and one coach's pick. If you read the Wolf Run blog, you'll see I played well but took some bad scores. It really wrecked my confidence on the course and since then, I have missed making the top five in the last two events. It very frustrating to go from playing so well to playing so poorly in such a short amount of time. But I do feel i see some light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully i can build off this frustration and hate of not being on the top five and get back to bing there and doing some damage in these tournaments!!! Three more tournaments to go!

Shales Hall, room 322

Raise your hand if you play rockband? Raise your hand if you think you're any good? .... or bad? Those of you that said bad, do you care when people can hear you? Isn't there some unwritten code when you're awful you have to keep your awfulness on the low..... so people can go about their daily rountines and not have to listen to what amounts to noise?.... Yes i'm calling you out room 322, you guys are aweful at Rockband! period. We don't mind the music but as soon as you hit your first note (which is almost always off pitch) you annoy about everyone within three floors... so my advice, close your door and sing reallll quietly!!!

Ping Pong

I want everyone to know that my roommate and I have a reord going of how many games both the both of us have won. I have beaten Joe 35 times to his 5. He's not very good... He tries his best and just comes up short. The best thing is, when he get's mad he starts yelling, shouting obscenities. Did you know he once broke a paddle?? I just don't ever think he'll catch up to me? I know our neighbors can definately beat him. It's not even a match when he plays Cory. He's just that bad....

Ishmael Beah

I was really glad that I went to the Ishmael Beah convo. I thought it was one of those experiences that will stay with you for a while and holds some food for thought. More than that, it puts a face to the story that we read in a personal way, rather than just a picture on the back cover. I was surprised that he as small as he was, but even more surprising was his presence. His past seemed to behind him and not in control of him. His insight to what happened around the book and how it came about I thought was interesting. Lastly, I thought it was great touch that the audience and Beah both brought up music.

Messy Dorm Room, Etc...

It's 12:03 and i have nothing to write about. I've been away for the weekend play in a golf tournament and I am mentally spent. Really the only thing that comes to mind, is that I have a huge pile of clothes that need to be put up. When I say huge pile, i mean a huge PILE. I'm so disappointed. The room has looked pretty good and clean... it's now a mess and I am in no mood for cleaning. Just another thing to put on tomorrow's 'to do' list. I really need a break. I hate playing in a tournament that took up a whole weekend that completely drains you, get back late sunday night, and it's back to class monday. I need to catch up on some sleep so unfortunately this will have to be a short one. If there was any good news today, it was that the Colts won. Hopefully another 12 win season. I like the chances.

Wolf Run Invite

I finally made it to the moment I've been waiting for, playing collegiate golf. Team wise, we faired well in the first two rounds but stumbled coming down the stretch. Overall we placed twelfth. As for me, I stumbled onto the sceen with eight birdies, five under par at one point. Only to watch it slip away with a terrible stretch of holes. I ended up shooting 74, 83, 82. The tournament ended up being a train wreck when it started off so well... Hopefully I can get it going before we play the EY Invite this upcoming week!

Memoir Idea pt. 2

I still like the idea I have. I might incorporate Regionals. I really think this a year that really propeled me to become both a better athlete and player. There is something about it that i want to discover because i believe it means too much to be anything ordinary. Again, what i'm tryin to find is an answer to the question of why I play the game of golf. This question seems simple enough until I try to answer it. There is the easy answer that skims the surface. But what I'm wanting to find is the truth behind all this, or at least a glimmer of light that might help later shed some truth. I'll just have to wait to see what turns up.

Memoir Idea

It's not set in stone or anything but i am thinking about writing my memoir that has to deal with golf. In our readings it says that a memoir serves purpose, in part, to be a revelation for the author to be able to reflect and drawl further conclusions on the topic. Today in golf practice, we were asked by our sport psychologist, "Why do we play the game of golf?" At the surface, I have answers to this question but if I scratch away at the surface enough maybe the answer to this riddle will be more clear. A point in time i would focus on would be Sectionals of my sophmore year. In that year, i had to fight back from an injury that required weeks of physical therapy that held me out of play till the week before. The idea would be having the last hole that i played at sectional to be the setting in present time. (I had to birdie the hole/ take 3 strokes on the hole to advance to regional. Something i did that ended with a very long putt that was made.) I think if I used this and threw in flash backs of some of the struggles with rehabilitation process, i could better understand why I play the game of golf. Truely a perfect season that shares both struggles and triumph.

Mike Vick

If you have turned the channel to ESPN stumbled across the sports page, you probably have heard about Mike Vick's return to the NFL. Controversial, yes. But i do believe he deserves his second chance at a professional career. What he did was unarguably heinous and you could go on and on..... We all have our skeletons in our closet that we do not dare want to be shared with the rest of society. The man, however, paid a serious price for his crimes. He is some twenty million dollars in debt, he has an unerasable blimish next to his name, he has lost the loyalty and respect of millions, and not to mention the twenty three months of both prison and home confinement. He has served and paid his debt to society in a very painful way. All of us want second chances to reestablish who we are after mistakes. A second chance in one thing, a third is a completely different matter. Yes, we presumably all know that 'Saint' Tony Dungy is in his corner and that he is convinced Michael has turned that new leave. In time we shall see and that is why this is so important. By giving Vick a second chance, he can both prove to others that it is not in vain, and be a symbol to all that convicts can have their second chance. As always, time will tell and we shall see how this all unfolds. Personally, I'm pulling for the guy.

about me

Hello all you fellow bloggers. I'm a freshman at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. A little about myself: I am from Lapel, IN which is about an hour away, I have played golf for most of my life and have landed the opportunity to be on the Men's Golf team here at BSU, and I am an undeclared major. Hopefully, by time this semester or freshman year ends, I will have decided upon a major. Time will tell. My goals for this year are to earn at least a 3.5 GPA, figure out how survive class and a busy sports schedule, and make it to summer. That's it for now, enjoy!