Proud Member of Procrasination-nation!

Just what you need...another blog by me. That makes the count up to three for the day today! Geez, either I must have not life, or I'm procrastinating the copious amounts of final papers I have to write.

Survey says! BOTH!

I have to write a 15 pager for my Hemingway/Fitzgerald seminar on a "choose your own topic" basis. Even though my obsession with Fitzgerald borders on a form of religious fervor, I am writing about Hemingway. Odd, huh? You'd think I'd take this opportunity to delve more into the life of Mr. Fitz, but I'm too afraid. I don't mean in an intimidation sort of way, more so I don't want me to get so frustrated writing a paper about him that I end up not wanting anything to do about him after I finish the class. Hence good ole Ernie! I'm playing with a three-tiered thought that plays with the women portrayed in his novels, their real-life counterparts, and his alcoholism problem. This guy wasn't just an alcoholic, he's an aficionado of the strong drinks (I tip my hat to the people who've read The Sun Also Rises).

I hope the whole Maryland thing all works out. I'm trying to get my leg in to something neat for the year I have off till Law school starts. I know I'll be a shiftie for the Bux (as if I COULD pull away from the Ristorante di Darth Vader), but I want to do some sort of niche thing while I'm there.

My passion for soccer is something that I'm even willing to wake up extremely early to watch (no earlier than 10am on Saturdays, but it IS the weekend). Since the MLS is not just gaining speed, but passing many old American sport leagues, I feel that I have something I can offer to the soccer-fanbase of America. So here it goes....I'm trying to get ahold of the Washington Post. While it is a recession and it seems that they would rather have college interns helping them out (probably because the kids can be their bitches and not complain thanks to the credits they're earning) I have something that most sports writers in the area don't have. An extreme fanaticism for the beautiful game. It's a long shot, but even if they didn't pay me, I would love the oppurtunity to spill my guts and see my words on official ink and paper.

Ok, I gotta get back to this paper. Stir-fry is in the works, and don't want to eat too late.

The Green Wall for the Sahara

For my Environmental History of Africa class, we discussed a proposition being brought up by the African Union regarding a sort of "Green Wall" to prevent the spread of the Sahara desert.

So how does one do this?

Well, the proposed plan is to plant basically tons and tons of trees to create, for a lack of better words, a "buffer" of vegetation to further prevent indicators of a coming desert (ie: soil erosion, loss of rain water). However, the ideas proposed

This approach is also coming from a "top-down" proposal. Seeing as it starts with the higher-ups in the AU (African Union), it seems that they are making too much predictions, assumptions, and a type of go-get-em type of attitude without even looking at the people living in these areas. While preventing a desert sounds logical, the people living on the fringes of this area have already adapted to a way of life in this climate zone.

The problems can even become more problematic: the term "desertification" is tossed around countless times without regard to the original research conducted on the spread of the Sahara. Rich, white Europeans originally conducted the research in the early 1900's in order to survey their colonial holdings. Basically, any early research done on the African environment (based on the countless reading for the class) has shown many generalizations. Those early white visitors LOVE to portray the people and the environment of Africa as a barren wasteland full of de-evolved brutes. It sickens me.

I am happy that they are trying something in order to offset the spread of the Sahara, because it is spreading. I just hope they don't mess this up. The world criticizes this continent too much.

Finding Peace in South Africa

We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low.
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In my religious ethics class, we finally approached the subject of Christianity. Hooray! Let's talk about one of the biggest facets of my life through the viewpoint of liberal Christ-haters...right? Wrong, actually. There were a few times where I didn't agree with the generalized diet-coke outline of my personal religion, but I didn't have too many qualms.

Every time we tackle a religion in the class, we are assigned popular people from that religion who have written ethical teachings. I got one of my favorite Christian writers: Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This guy is epitome of kick-butt-ery. He became an advocate of nonviolent protest against the atrocities of the South African Apartheid. Hence he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. More to come on this guy once I read his Nobel speech. you can find a copy of it here if you want to read it. He's such an amazing man of God, who wasn't even afraid of witnessing to the Dalai Lama.

Oh Geez, Just What We Need, ANOTHER Writer!

I have finally started what could later become a book in my life. While this one is NOT a fiction piece, I hope people could still find it funny enough to buy it and possibly put me on the map. It'll end up being called (way tooo early to really name it anything. but...) "The Rants of an Observant American". I already started writing certain chapters, where I'll give my own thoughts about personal subjects. While I know this will never get finished, and I might as well end the whole project now, I can't help but dream. I already put my humor into this...here's the first few chapters

1-Soccer
2-Soccer Moms
3-Soccer Players
4-Soccer Hooligans

Too much soccer? Don't worry, this won't really ever be finished anyway. However, I am on the outline stage for an actual book. Seeing as I have been writing paper after endless paper on other people's novels, it is my greatest desire to torture future college students by writing about my books someday. Maybe psychoanalytical criticism will still exist and I can laugh at them trying to determine whether I had mommy issues!
I really want to write a novel soooo bad it kills me! At night, I flop from one side of the bed to the next wondering whether I can actually write one. I get these amazing ideas, but I can't seem to write good endings. In the outlines, they just kind of end. Stupid Margaret Atwood, ruining the way I think about books! Hemingway once got advice from Sherwood Anderson, saying that the best way to write is to start on what you think is the most difficult part and work from there. So instead of starting plots, I should begin with the ending and see how people see the characters and work from there. OoOo, I really like that!

What do you think? Based on my blogging, do you think I have what it takes?

Masculinity Aborted

The things I do for my lady.

Not like I'm complaining really. Actually I quite love Liz and enjoy making odd sacrifices for her. This one today was a bit weird though. Following all of the Hoorays for Ben's B-day, Liz and I had to make the trek back to the beloved city of Richmond. I enjoy the drives back because of our odd conversations (come early and leave late [inside joke]) and religious fervor for NPR's "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me...". Towards the mid of the drive Liz and I talked about plans for the night:

L: So, what do you plan on doing for the rest of the night?

R: Well Ben wanted to meet up on xbox live later and possibly play some games later on...you?

L: Well, I do have to open...would you mind if I spent the night?

Thus the piano music softly playing during the romance comedy that is my relationship came to an abrupt halt at the question emanated from Liz's lips. Honestly, it was an innocent question and it does need some background info. I am a proud, current owner of an amazing tv (thank you now deceased Circuit City) that makes my life that much cooler when watching an Arsenal game. However, the two downsides to this when you're a beautiful woman about to marry me is that it is:


a) in my bedroom, all 42 inches of it
&
b) mega-super-ultra bright if there's no light on to offset the TV.


Well, what was I going to say when she asked me this?


R: Sure, as long as you have your work clothes for the morning.

This became great for Liz, because she is now closer in vicinity to her store AND doesn't have to drive threw scary-Richmond to get to her place. I was glad to help her.

We get home. She curls into bed. I hit the lights and fire up the xbox.

L: Could you turn the volume down?

I decrease the volume.

L: more?

I decrease the volume again...making my TV, mute? This can't be! I'm a man, I NEED my tv to be blasting while I kill zombies, not some little whimper of sound. It de-masculinizes (i know, big word) the entire experience!

After the first problem, I realized that if I were to help out Liz anymore I would go ahead and rest my guns on the shelf and retire from the gaming world for the night. Where am I now? I'm sitting in the living room, Hemingway next to me, charged with iced coffee (I was supposed to be up all night playing video games...remember?), and finding some satisfaction that Liz is catching z's while I'm catching up on homework.

Thank God for nights like these, where I can appreciate the silence needed to read!

Taking the Horizon on My Shoulders

The days are flowing on by. It feels like yesterday when I last wrote a blog.

By the way, if you're looking for a refreshing Christian band, check out this guy Kristian Stanfill. He does an amazing job of keeping the music focused on Jesus through praise. I'm not saying the majority of Christian music doesn't do that, it's more of a feeling I get when I listen to him. It makes me feel that if King David were alive today writing modern-day Psalms for Jesus, they would sound something like this; spirit filled:

"You satisfy this hungry child with your love, you satisfy me for all eternity, you satisfy me"

Lyrics like these are even fun to read aloud. I like what this guy is up to, and I hope God continues to bless his music. I can't wait for his first full album to come out.

Man, I tell you, being English major can be rough emotionally. It's really hard for someone to understand the odd types of stress I get, but I want to try to explain what I'm talking about. I am currently reading at the moment, three novels (Their Eyes Were Watching God, Beloved, & A Farewell to Arms) that all have some form of melancholy. I mean seriously, I am starting to believe that if I want a novel of mine to last after I die, I should write some extremely sad work. But add having to write papers about these novels, and it's kinda hard to keep your mind off of some of the saddest parts in these books. So this is how, even though I pick myself up constantly through God and prayer, it seems that these books are trying to keep me down. Oh well, I know that everything is fine and that there is no murdered ghost baby haunting my house, nor does Liz have rabies, nor am I fighting in the trenches of WWI.

I need a coffee now.

Dried Kleenexes

Life is the way it is because God deems it be so. Or I think that's the way I wanted to say it. Anyways, nothing has really happened lately. I woke up late, thus making classes that much more interesting when I didn't hafta go to them!

Liz and I watched David Schwimmer's first directed film "Run Fatboy, Run!". It was a good British romance comedy that had me roaring at parts. It was no "You've Got Mail" (F...O...X) mind you, but the themes were cute. To tell the truth I was just glad to hang out with Liz and do a little detoxing. This whole Grad School situation has set me on a God-reliance purge, and it was good just to be with Liz and realize that there are some fun small things that we do together that I fail to recognize at times. For example, one of the best things for someone to have is a sick buddy. Recently, I became sick with the cold. My side table was filled with the snot-crusted rags of a dull, flem-filled day. Then to my own felicity Liz entered to take care of me! What would come next after her constant runs for more medicine/ soup, but for her to catch it after I started to feel better. That's why I love relationships! You share EVERYTHING, even your sicknesses.

So now came my turn today to help her feel better. She's so much easier to take care of than I was. Well, at least, she's not as needy as I can be when I'm sick. Really all I had to do was watch a movie with her and give her the remnants of my medicine. Thank God, the movie wasn't the A&E Pride and Prejudice though, I can't stand 6 hours of "Will they get together?" "Oh NO! Mr. Darcy wrote Elizabeth Bennet a LETTER! What will she EVER DO!" arg! I love Liz and I don't mind Ms. Austen much, but I just didn't want to deal with that movie/book at any time today. Maybe this weekend Lizzie, but NOT anytime this week.

This aversion for such sappy/predictable stories is birthed from the recent Hemingway writings I have been reading. That guy does not know how to write a proper woman. I feel as if he writes the female in a way that he would want them to act, instead of how actual women act. In fact, after having read "The Sun Also Rises" twice this year, and now reading "A Farewell to Arms", I have come with this idea as a Senior Seminar topic.

Allow me to explain:
A senior seminar is something that English majors at VCU have to write in order to show that they have understood the many principles and schools of literary criticism by writing a paper situating oneself in an academic discourse over a certain literary work/author/concept. Though I have already written two 15 pagers (thank you independents studies!), this one should only have to be around 13-15. I hope that it doesn't take me too long. However, I guess I better start writing big papers now if I want to get a leg up for Law school!

I'll leave you with this thought: which would be a better topic to write about?

a) certain situations about my life in a cynical tone (even if the character curses and can be a jerk in his own thoughts)

b) things I dream about during my own musings (ie: saving a person's life during WWI [thanks Hemingway!])

OR

c) a story about a man forced to take care of his son, after the death of his wife. (ie: learning all the cool new toys and what a PTA meeting is and so forth.).

I just need a cool topic to write about during this whole year-off thing, and so I'm brainstorming. But alas! I can only read the greats, and I may never become one.This is Ernest Hemingway when he was an ambulance driver in Italy during WW1. He got the crutches because he was wounded on July 8, 1918.
He once said "There is no friend as loyal as a book". I take that to heart and hope to make one friend-worthy one of these days!

New Horizons

The sun still shines on and on, yet the sun seems different for me more and more lately.

If you would have told me 6 months ago what was going to happen in the month of March, I would have simply laughed at you and called you crazy. However, I have begun to realize that God likes to readjust my life almost 180 degrees at the very last minute. Allow me to explain what has traversed:

Thanks to the (what I am calling) the "Clinical Recession", more people than usual have applied for Grad School. Where Graduate school two years ago would have been mostly for freshly graduated Undergrads, the schools are seeing more and more older people apply. The reason for this is the many layoffs around the country.

So where do I fit in here?

Well, one of the most common schools for people to apply to is the English Department. This is due to many teachers that are getting laid off, and realizing that if they receive a Masters Degree, they'll get more money when they return. Graduate schools have seen a 49% increase in applications because of older applicants. So where there should have been me and 600 other people applying there are now 900. On top of that, the schools get more governmental money from older married people. Plus, they are experiencing budget cuts. These budget cuts mean instead of the traditional 45 new students, they can only afford 20.

Based on all of this information, my chances at Grad School decreased even though I'll be graduating with at least a 3.6!

I have been respectfully declined by every school I applied to, except for South Carolina. (I haven't heard from them as of yet).

However, I am determined for this not to bother me. As of this moment, I am networking myself to the maximum! Liz and I have talked, and it seems that we are moving to College Park Maryland, because she got into UMD! This school is number 7 in the country for her degree and only about 4 hours away from home. It seems only logical to go there.

God's perfect orchestration of this story is not over yet though. I'm beginning to realize certain small things, that are just now starting to manifest.

The DC/Metro Area (attached to the College Park metrorail) has over 6 law schools. Law school has always intrigued me, seeing as I like to hear myself talk and have always wanted more trustworthy people in our law system. I never thought that Law School would be a reality. But, as it seems now at least, I'm being more and more lured in that direction. No, it's not because of the money.

For kicks, I took a practice LSAT questionnaire. (the LSAT is the GRE for Law School). I only missed one out of 20! I know I can do this, and I love the argument part of it all. I'm beginning to feel that this is where I'll be pushed toward.

It's too late to apply for this Fall semester...so the plan for us is as follows (that is, unless I get an awesome job somewhere in-between): I'll transfer as a Shift Supervisor for Starbucks somewhere up north whilst taking the LSAT, possibly twice depending on my original score. Then I can apply and start schooling it up in a year and a half from now!

I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do. Oddly enough, it has always been something where someone I love has said some small encouraging thing in my life that lifts me subconsciously. When I was younger, Melinda was sick and I fixed her her coffee. She said I do a great job fixing up a cup of coffee. Now look at me! I'm a Barista at Starbucks and have been for an extremely long time (4 years). My mother once told me, when I said that Law school could be an option for an English major, that she has always thought of me as one, saying that I "could argue the sky is purple, and people would end up believing me!". I don't know if I could do that, but it seems that these small blessings have affected me to a degree.

Here's a pic from my recent trip to Toronto, Philly, and NYC (sorry i know it's random, but I had to leave a picture...there hasn't been one lately):
The little thing in the middle is the Statue of Liberty.













This one is from FAO Schwartz!

Whatever God has in store for me, I have realized that it is better than where I wanted to be!