Bloomington or Bust

A New Beginning

2007-12-21T20:13:00.000-05:00

As the year 2007 closes, we are once again brought to the fact that we will ceremoniously wipe the slate clean and hope for better in the coming year. Though 2007 was not a bad year, and far from it in fact, there is always room for improvement. And improve we will. The start of my new year will coincide with a new blog shortly thereafter.

Seeing as I am an art student, with a great interest in computer driven art, I will be designing my new blog and hosting it on a website. That's right, farewell Blogger. This website is easy to use and has been a great place to write down thoughts, express ideas, and just plain rant sometimes, it is time for something bigger and better.

The website is in developing stages at the moment and this being the holiday season (and my semester break) things will probably move slowly for a while. But soon enough, my blog will return in a much greater fashion.

Expect more news on this soon. And trust me, you former readers will definently wish to return when we make our triumphant return.

So here's to a great 2007, and the joys of 2008 that wait just around the corner.

Happy Holidays, all!

This Isn't Right!

2007-11-29T16:49:00.001-05:00

I think I have finally decided why people love Christmas. It's because when the day finally arrives it means you you have absolutely nothing you have to do except recieve gifts. That's not hard at all. As I was walking around campus the other day, probably going from one thing only to start another, Silver Bells began to play on one of the clocks on the hour. It made me happy, but I also took it as a reminder that Christmas is coming and the song is helping us march on to the day.

I am swamped by work, and whenever I see something that reminds me off Christmas I can't help but be a little more happy and push myself that much harded. The end is coming, and there is plenty that keeps me from forgetting.

Beyond Pysch tests, 3D projects, short stories, and papers there are cookies, boxes of presents, and Christmas Eve dinner. There is family, all together for one time out of the year. There is cool nights that turn into mornings with a layer of white snow covering the ground. There is sledding instead of studying, hot chocolate instead of energy drinks. There is sleeping in til noon under three covers, instead of waking like a zombie, cold at 8 in the morning.

I do not like the end of the semester. Teachers feel as if they need to cram everything in before we slip away. I learn little, because I have to find someway to fit it all in. I can't complete things as well as I should, and I forget about them the minute the go from my hands to theirs.

So I may not remember what was on my Pysch test, but I do no what is on my Christmas list (thought not much right now). In the end, we are all just working for the break. That's the stuff that really matters.

It can't come soon enough.

Scoff Now, Laugh Later

2007-11-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

The college season is underway. Derrick Rose is a GOD! The top is stacked. Blah, blah, blah.
So, it's new and fresh and I'm already tired of the talking heads at ESPN.

I've been listening, reading, and checking in on everything college basketball for the last couple days, and its all the same crap. And that is the fact that we are getting NO LOVE.

Honestly, I think I like it that way.

On ESPN College Gameday Preview, the opening question was which teams are favorite to win it all. The announcers mentioned every time, EVERY, Top 10 team except my Hoosiers.

I'll watch the season, laugh later, and write them a little e-mail when they all claimed they called us at the beginning of the season.

Eric Gordon gets love as potentially the best player in the Big 10 this year. D.J. is just outside the votes for All-American. But we ZERO chance of winning the title.

Ha.

With Mich. St, Ohio St. and Kentucky losing in the early stages....and not only losing, but putting up pathetic amounts of points, I don't understand why we are still off the charts.

We are explosive. We are talented.

You'll see us in March.

I called us now, the heads will call them later.

They didn't call us now. That's for sure.

Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

Yeah, Its Back

2007-11-05T21:34:00.000-05:00

First off, I'm back. Slight delay in posting but there is no reason to panic.
So is winter. How do I know?

1. I have worn my hoodie way too much the past week.
2. Walked out of Pysch today to darkness. At 7. Ugh.
3. Bought Chapstick today. Dry lips. Such a nuisance.
4. I don't want to leave my three blanket layer of protection in the morning.

5. And the good reason. I watched some Hoosier basketball on Sunday.

It was a busy week. Wait. It has been a busy semester. A quick, but oh so busy semester. I've already had to register for my classes next semester. And maybe I should probably be putting thought into where I want to live next year, or what I want to do for spring break. But you know what, I'm not. And I'm okay with that. There is plenty going on constantly to take my attention.

School is always there. However, I'm sure you all know that the IU basketball team has taken the majority of my attention. I went to see their first game of the exhibition season this weekend, and it seems rightfully so. This is not your last years Hoosier basketball. This isn't 11 point half time scoring.

No. This team is explosive. This team is raw talent. This team has unlimited amounts of potential. It's Mr. Basketball Eric Gordon. It's DJ Whites leadership. Its talented frosh. A deep bench. It's slam dunk in your face front court and its drive or shoot the deep ball backcourt. Hoosier basketball is back and I'm going to be there to see it all.

If you thought I was excited last year, hear me talk about the potential for this year. Who knows, maybe the beach won't be in my spring break plans, but instead Indy to see us in the Big Ten Tourney.

To kick off the season I will rank the games I am most looking forward to:
1. VS Kentucky Dec. 8...The Wildcats come to Assembly Hall for a potential Top 10 faceoff. Self explanatory.
2. VS Illinois Jan. 8...Eric Gordon came here. Not there. We have to rule the roost in our Assembly Hall. Huge Game.
3. VS Michigan State Feb 16...Would be 2, but we didn't get tickets to this game. Most likely to determine who wins the the Big 10.
4. VS Connecticut...They will most likely be a Top 25 team then. Huge non-conference during conference season.
5. VS Purdue...Rivalry. Underrated Purdue team. 10th Row Court seats. Looks like a damn good time.

So now to back story news.
Halloween was on a Wednesday this year, meaning me and Kiernan dubbing it a 12 day weekend, Thursday to the following Sunday. It didn't quite play out that way, but we had a killer week of Halloween celebrating. There were plenty of parties to attend and plenty of slutty girl costumes. But beyond that, there were tons of creative, awesome, hilarious, etc costumes.

So my favorite costumes...
1. Three Hole Punch Jim (from The Office for you who don't watch. Shame on you.)
2. His buddy, Dwight. The guy just had it down.
3. Matt as Tourette's Guy. (watch YouTube Tourette's guy if you are lost.)
4. Tomb Raider (yes a girl with a great costume. Spot on with the costume. Skin, but not slutty.)
5. I'm gonna be conceited and put me at here. Wario got some mad props all week.

Other random news:
- The Hoosier Football team is bowl eligible. Not for sure bowl bound, but this is a huge step. First time with 6 wins since 1993. Oh happy day. With Northwester and Purdue remaining, bowl aspirations are still very much alive.
- I really like the new Matchbox 20 song. Rob Thomas is much better in a band then by himself.
- I bought Guitar Hero III last week. Its badass.
- I hate the clock change. So primitive. Can we get rid of it already.
- Theresa is coming to Bloomington on Thursday. So a shout out to a sister visit to rival the brother visits. Haha.
Looks like I won the quickest visit to a brothers respective college. Hooray me!

That's all I got.

I'm a Wario! Im'a gonna ween!

Chimp in my Pumpkin

2007-10-23T20:38:00.000-04:00

My Design:

Why Should the Fire Die?

2007-10-22T15:56:00.000-04:00

Two summers ago, Nickel Creek's album "Why Should the Fire Die" was nothing more than that. However, earlier this year Nickel Creek decided they would disband, and after seeing them perform once more, it remains a question in my head. Why exactly is the fire dying right now? I walked away from the concert stunned and mesmorized by the sheer talent and quaility of their music, and can't help but wonder why they could disband now.

Nickel Creek chose to close their encore with this song as well. Playing completely acoustic, with no microphones and their instruments unplugged, the hushed crowd listened in amazement as their incredible musical talent mixed with their perfectly harmonized voices softly filled the Brown Theater. It was an intimate moment with a band that is leaving everything they've got on stage at every performance. Chris Thile said they played it this way to show how good the acoustics were in the theater, but part of me beleives it was a gift to the fans that had supported them for so long, especially after he said we were the best, most attentive audience they had ever had. It was a special song, and it seems as if my gaze is still stuck on them singing that song with pure talent. They left the stage after singing the song, but not before Chris Thile seemed to gaze back with a sort of sadness that signaled the journey would soon end. I know he isn't sure he wants to let it go.

Before this incredible end, Nickel Creek played to a packed, and strangely older audience, for a solid two hours. There was the expected, but there was much more that kept me intently mesmorized by the show at every turn. This was not just a concert, it was an interaction between the band and their most loyal fans. They didn't just play songs, they told stories, joked, and laughed. They let us see past the band and to the individuality that makes them Nickel Creek. Stage presence is key to a great concert, and the charisma the three members of the band show is second to none. They are not afraid to poke fun at each other, themselves, or even the crowd. And they seem genuinely proud of and thankful for the fans they have. Sara explained that her newest song was inspired by the fact that she had too many cups in her cupboard; it was a break up song. Chris explained that his breakup song had a simple proposition that every Ex should consider. The refrain stated.."If your gonna leave me, set me up with one of your freinds." It was yet another surprise in the show, showing a lighter side of the band compared to their deep, thoughtful lyrics that spread across all three of their CD's. Sean joked that his break up song was on the lighter side; one of it's lyrics says "I hope you meet someone your height, so you can see eye to eye with someone as small as you."

The funniest bit may have been when Chris's explained that he regrets naming the first song on their debut album Ode to a Butterfly. He said its hard to name a song when it has no lyrics, but maybe they should have considered using the muscial notes of the main chord as the title. But then he said he knew DJ's would never play a song titled like that. He assured us though that they never played it anyway.

Each song was played with special care, filled with the special attention to detail that makes the music soar. Each note was accompanied by one, two, or all three of their amazing voices harmonizing their beautiful lyrics. They knack they have for writing such powerful songs amazes me. None was more impressive than a slightly changed but more powerful rendition of "House Carpenter." I have become especially fond of this song lately, and when they began to play it I was extremely excited. Chris's voice on this song was so pure, and the edited lyrics were awesome. They jammed between the stanzas and finished the song with a couple minute instrumental that had everyone in the crowd gazing in awe. It was simply amazing.

The set included Nickel Creek staples such as "This Side", "When You Come Back Down", and a soft, simple version of "The Lighthouse's Tale" before the final song of the encore. Favorties of mine such as "Out of the Woods", "The Fox", and "Reasons Why" were stellar as well. And what would a Nickel Creek concert be with out a few showcases of their first class musical talent with a few of their instrumentals.

It was the complete concert. Filled with their best songs, and new ones that everyone enjoyed. A humble band, and a thankful, awe-filled audience. It was like a conversation with your best friend. When they started the encore with "Ill Be There" by the Jackson Five and followed with their now cult-hit cover of "Toxic" by Brittany Spears you knew they were comfortable with their audience. They gave us everything we could handle and we got everything we could have hope for. The band was humbled by the response they recieved after the final song before the encore, and hurried back on stage to reward the crowd. No one sat back down until the set was finished.

I'm saddened by the fact that I may never see Nickel Creek again, or buy another album. But I am happy to say that I have seen them twice and have listened to their music and been a loyal fan. I wish them the best in their future endeavors and hope one day I will be purchasing their fourth album. Though the fire must die, as they sing "you have to go alone, you have to chase your dream" I wish the didn't have to. But in the same song they reassure us, "I'll still be there, when you come back down." Maybe its all written in their lyrics. Maybe we just have to wait.

Weightless Waiting

2007-10-14T18:42:00.001-04:00

The doorbell rings,
And the ghosts of the house awake at the sound.
A silence has persisted for only a few days,
But it seems like years
The living but half empty residents arise too,
But only enough to walk to the door
Half hoping to see their son,
Half hoping for Death,
In his dark hood, coming to take them, too.

Down the hall was another
Past wood planks that squeak with life
Under feet pressing them down.
The hallway was dark, void of the former life

This door was shut tightly,
A cross hanging from its knob,
Above, The Lord’s Prayer nailed to its frame.

Two were now staring down this passage,
A mother and father,
Seeing only a void now.
Mirroring the one torn through their hearts-
Hearts aged twenty years this week.

Their heads turn back to the front door,
With their hearts still staring blankly down the hall
Death was not waiting at the door, or their son,
But instead another nameless face, aching with a void.

A motion, come in, another, a hug
Eyes meet, nothing can be seen
They stare through each other
To the void that pierced the others heart
Tears follow, they mean nothing

Silence falls once more
Like the world dropped out from under them
The wood planks, leaving blackness below them

In her eyes, the boy changes for an instant
The scene moves far away, far from her present prison
Her boy, shoes unlaced and loose
Dragging a Scooby Doo backpack down the sidewalk
A bus, yellow as the sun he had finger-painted the day before
Stopping, turning, smiling, waving his small hand

A larger, much colder hand grasps hers
Tugging her back, back to the present,
The hand leaves hers and beckons
The boy moves forward
The father whispers
The boy understands

The boy leaves them alone,
Just as they were before he walked away
Climbing the stairs, he stops, taking a breath
Collecting his thoughts, he is weightless

He enters a room, though it doesn’t feel right
Something screams at him to turn back
There is nothing he will like here
The room is a mess, restless almost
Maroon walls
The bed is made, though, seeming out of place
It is big enough for two
But no one had slept in it for days

On it, a newspaper article,
An obituary
Wet with tears and crinkled
As if it had been clutched for many hours
His mouth falls open as he reads it
A small gasp shoots through the room
Reverberating just long enough for him to shuffle to the mirror
Nothing reflecting back

At the front door, a weary woman
Clutching the knob and peering outside
A shout from the kitchen rouses her
“Anyone there, honey?”
She collapses to the floor in grief
There was no one there

The Fair

2007-10-14T01:14:00.001-04:00

Purple and yellow buzz by
Followed by blue and red flashes.
The colors race after one another
Shining brightly on marquees.

Eyes dart from place to place
Overwhelming barrage of color.
From balloons exploding at dart point
To ribbons decorating the winners.

Tongues peek out of slightly open lips
Reaching to touch the sweet smells in night air.
Amid others thwarting the nostrils
While still more dive straight for taste buds.

Every step reveals more of this festive welcome.
Clouds of spun sugar, soon sticky to the touch,
Fingers jabbed forward, pointing to the treasures
Sizzling and tantalizing at each concession window

Youth simmers here, boiling to excitement in every person.
A mysterious passion for the thrills they seek.
The moon swung bare, staying just beyond
The rides climbing high to reach it.

Family Ties

2007-10-12T11:20:00.001-04:00

(One of the poems I submitted in my portfolio today.)

My tie was knotted tight against my neck
Seeming more like a noose to a boy my age.
A warm smell floated from the kitchen,
The women of the house with aprons over their dresses.
A cool breeze swept through the porch,
The men of the house taking in the fall day.
I was there too, though
Not quite a part of the ritual, not quite a man.

I took a seat next to my grandpa.
His aura was warm and comforting,
Oozing the love he had shared with so many.
He sat there quietly, taking in the scene,
Collecting his thoughts, waiting to speak.
He said few words now, but I could still
Remember the stories he used to tell.
Sitting in his presence, they flooded out of him.

His eyes spoke of the lands he had seen
But only one could tell the story.
The other moved but said nothing.
It was glass, and instead told one story.
His wrinkled, tough hands told
The rest of the stories from his working days,
His feet tapped on the porch,
Almost as if he was surveying his work decades later.
His skillful hands built this place,
And lovingly he raised seven of his own here.

His gaze met mine,
I was embarrassed,
But he slowly reached down, adjusted my tie
Then patted my head as I smiled up at him.
I looked from him to my own father,
Gazing at the unmistakable resemblance
Remembering I have always looked like my dad.
He was the tie that connected me to my grandpa.
I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be.

Symbol Project, Octopus

2007-10-11T13:57:00.000-04:00

Assignment:
We were given a number that corresponded to a floor of an fictious museum. Each floor housed different areas of natural history. My number, seven, was ther floor that housed sea life. After knowing our number and topic, we had to choose an animal or object that would be used to represent the floor as a whole. Next, take that chosen animal and intergrate it with the number of the floor we had. The objective is to create a fluid integration that does not emphasized one part over the other. Your eyes should catch the number and the animal almost simultaneously. Thus, the visitor will know exactly where they are and what they can expect to see. It should be easily recpgnized from a distance as well.

So without further ado, my project:

Lots to Say

2007-10-10T14:13:00.001-04:00

Okay. I just want to let the loyal viewers of Bloomington or Bust that there will be much read and see in the coming days. I have been uber-productive lately and I'm preparing to post some things on here. Starting later tonight you can begin to read and/or see these posts:

1. The State of Hoosier Basketball
2. What Rap Isn't
3. Each day a new poem I wrote for my Creative Writing Portfolio
4. My latest 3d Project Pictures
5. My Graphic Design Symbol Project

This is for you to get excited for the coming events...and for me to remember.

Check back often.

Gus-terrific!

2007-10-03T01:12:00.000-04:00

Guster had an easy time warming up the crowd after the guy in between acts called us Purdue. After a flood of boos, Guster came out, said they were happy to be in Bloomington, IN at Indiana University and everyone liked them. They did a lot to keep the crowd happy and entertained for the rest of the night, too.

Dustin, Matt, and I had stellar seats right down the middle, in row 25 with no one blocking our view because we were the second section of seats about the entrance tunnel. Doesn't get much better than that. The set got off to a quick start with one of my all time favortie Guster songs, and actually the first one I ever heard. Then it was in Matt's room at Dayton, but this time Demons was playing live on my own college campus.

The set continued with an ecletic mix of new and old, and very old. But I knew and loved them all, except for one. Brian noted that he saw a lot cornhole sets while driving around the campus so they did an impromtu song about cornhole. It was interesting to say the least.

They gave us a choice between Either Way and So Long, with Eden being the "we aren't going to play it even if it wins the vote" song. I voted for So Long, but Either Way came out on top. In the end, I liked that they played it. They mixed in the new songs, but my favorite live song is still Happier, and it did not disappoint.

They did not sale any tickets to the balcony, so the ushers went to sit there when the concert began. At the end of the set, Brian said before they came out for the encore he wanted only the 20 or so people in the balcony to chant for the encore. After a stellar performance of Fa Fa, the crowd could not resist but cheering and they returned seconds after they left stage knowing their plan was not going to work.

They closed with a crowd favorite of Airport Song which i was especially excited for. The crowd through ping pong balls. Odd, I thought an IU crowd would skip this tradition in lue of loosing their beer pong balls. Oh nevermind, it was Guster. Good 'ole Guster.

It was a stellar show, which the entire crowd enjoyed thoroughly. No one left the Auditorium disappointed.

Can't wait to see who they brin in for the Little 5 Concert.

Time Flies By in Seconds

2007-09-28T14:13:00.001-04:00

Wow. Bye September, it was nice knowing you, even if it only seemed like it was two weeks instead of the four alloted. Anyone else think September flew by at an alarming rate? I think someone needs to test if time is no longer passing at the same rate it used to.

It has been a quick month here in Bloomington, and I am definently enjoying my sophomore year. This past weekend was a highlight with the Brothers Dowell coming down for a visit. Matt said it best by saying the details are foggy at best, but you can rest assured we had a fantastic time. Soccer, football, being lazy, and hanging out. Who could want more?

There are some very exciting times on the horizon as well. So the fun is sure to last for atleast a bit longer. Soon, I am leaving to see the one and only Kiernan at Purdue. No real reason except to take a break from Btown so its fresh when I return, and of course to have a great time. Here's to hoping Purdue and Notre Dame find a way to both lose the game.

I bought my basketball tickets today! Now that is maybe the most exciting thing I've done all year. And thats without even going to a game yet. Are you ready for some college basketball, cause this Hoosier fan is.

How'd your fast Semtember go?

But on a happier note...

2007-09-20T01:34:00.000-04:00

It's already time for yet another renewal of The Brother's Dowell College Invasion Weekend (Theresa you really need to get in on one of these...). On the football field, the rivalry of the Fighting Illini and the Hoosiers will be renewed, and the sibling rivalry of Matt, Greg, and Mark will continue in who is the most awesome brother category. The latter will be much of the same, but hopefully the former will be a bit more athletic than the last attempt.

I have no clue what will and could happen this weekend, but its always exciting. So check back on Monday for a recap.

Fuck Threadless!

2007-09-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

Yes, my one true love in life is on my shit list. Big time. That's right, way down there at the bottom.

It took two tries, and two weeks for my last shirt to get to me. Well, the last one I ordered never came. And it never will come. It was the shirt I was most excited about from all the shirts I have bought from Threadless. Don't look for me wearing it though, cause it never came.

They tried to sway me with a $5 coupon, and 5 Street Points which equals $7.50. You know what that doesn't equal though..the price of a shirt. They fuck up my order twcie in a row and don't even offer me a free shirt. I say, screw you. That's not very good business.

But, if you are wanting shirt I do have that coupon for $5 off every shirt in the order.

Guess I'll take it.

But I still want my shirt.

The First Time I Ever....

2007-09-09T22:11:00.000-04:00

Our second poetry excercise for Creative Writing Class.
By the way, I love this class.

"A World So Distant"

The first time I imagined myself as a brave explorer
I was a curious boy of no more than five
Set on letting my mind take me places
No man had seen or ever would.

My imagination took me to thick jungles
Dense with lush draperies and lumpy couch cushions
Over tall mountains no larger than my bed
And caves cramped below box springs.

I jumped from table to chair
Narrowly escaping the perils of carpet hot as bubbling lava.
A distant voice cried out of danger
But as a brave explorer I knew I must continue.

Continue because I knew these lands
Though endless in my mind would someday vanish
Just as the décor of the rooms changed
So did the gears of my imagination
Clanking slowly to a stop
And quickening then in the opposite direction.

No more lush jungles, just stone jungles.
No more imagined lands, just the cruelly real world.
Every day the worlds faded
Deeper in the back of my mind.
They had been there for years,
Ever since the first time I grew up.

Defend the Kingdom

2007-08-30T20:23:00.000-04:00

So, the year has begun. My fifthteen year of being academically challenged by the education system is underway. It has promise to be one of the better years of learning, seeing as I have finally gotten to the point where I can take classes that strictly pertain to my favorite areas of study.

If you were unaware of what I am taking this semester, here is the list.
Intro to Creative Writing
Graphic Design 1
Intro to 3D
Art History: Rennaisance to Modern
Intro to Psychology

Now a few facts for you to chew on:

1. I am taking the single largest class taught this semester, Psych 101, with 418 enrolled. Now, we all know not that many are going to show up. It is being taught in the largest classroom on the IU campus. The first day we didn't have AC. It was 95 outside. Dwell on that for a while.

2. I get to use the most awesome computers ever in my Graphic Design class. Huge 24" Macs, with the CPU and monitor all as one sleek looking machine. I get excited about using them every time I walk into the room.

3. For 4 years of my life, I went to class knowing there would be nothing but guys in the room with me. Well the coin has flipped. There are 22 people in my Graphic Design class, and there is one guy other than me. That leaves the rest as girls. Thats a new one for me.

4. My Japanese 3D teacher says she has been speaking English for 15 years. I don't believe her.

5. Guster is coming to the IU Auditorium on October 2nd. Bob Dylan was announced, and he is coming to Assembly Hall on October 19th. I'm going to see Nickel Creek in Louisville on the 20th, and hope to see them in Bloomington on the 18th. That is the greatest month of concerts ever. You are jealous.

6. <---The number of wins IU to play 13. I'm sitting, waiting, wishing...

...for some hoops.

On the Up and Up

2007-08-27T16:44:00.000-04:00

My long-awaited, lost Threadless shirt has gotten here. Guess I get to show it off when I head to class in a bit. Which means, that classes of course must be in session. I've been to two, but you can never get a real good feel from sylabus day. 3-D looks like it will be engaging and fun, but I'm not a real fan of my teacher yet. She is funny, but I'm not sure.

Creative writing will definently be fun and will get my creative juices flowing. The more I can stay in that mode, the better. Getting to class doesn't seem like it will too much of a hassle either.

Is it wrong to be excited about my check from the bursar office that I eventually have to pay back?

In definent good news, Guster is coming to the IU Auditorium on October 2nd.

Good things abound.

Store One Away, Create Another

2007-08-21T15:28:00.000-04:00

Americans, perhaps the rest of the world, too, love to mark the end of one thing and the beginning of another. To throw away the past, store the good parts of it away for safekeeping, and wipe the slate clean for what is to come. Well, I'm here to join in the fun and mark the end of this latest summer of my life. The box marked "Summer 2007" has been filled to the brim with the people, places, events, and all the memories of them it included, shut, taped, and stored away only to be brought out from time to time when its needed.

A new box has taken its place: Indiana University, Year 2. It's empty as the middle of the Sahara. No part of it has been filled, leaving it open for infinite possibility. Nothing but potential as far as the eye can see. I'm prepared to overstuff it though. Maybe we'll have to pull out a second box. A third?

I can't say I'ver ever been so excited for one thing in my whole life. And yet, all it is is potential. It could be the best year ever, but potentially it could be just another run of the mill year of existence. But I'm betting a trip to the box store has better potential.

I'm moving into my very own apartment on Thursday. Here lies a whole world of potential in itself. Much better potential than last year. I come into my space this year knowing both of my roomates, two guys I get along with very well and have a great time with. I'm excited to live with them, and I think we'll have tons of fun. And maybe get our studying done.

I'm excited for the potential of an exciting, if only in the tailgating lawn, football season. I'm excited to watch the soccer team build on a good finish last season. The potential laying dormant within Assembly Hall is maybe at an all time high. I can't wait for basketball season. I'm looking forward to seeing the potential of my classes, the people I will undoubtedly cross paths with, the friendships I will make and build on, and the opportunities I will build for future years.

Here's to year 2 filling a couple boxes. The potential alone fills up a few, so all I need to do is replace the potential with tangible memories of the fun I undoubtedly will have this coming here.

Here I come Bloomington!

My Crows Count to Two

2007-08-05T02:09:00.000-04:00

Before last year, if anyone asked me if I thought I would ever see my favorite band in concert I would have replied with a saddened "doubtful." To my great joy, that answer would now be twice and counting. That's right. I'm still counting the number of times I will see the Crows in concert. Number two came last night here in Louisville at Slugger Field. And the Counting Crows played better this time than they did last time, and I only expect them to be better the next time I find myself at their concert.

Last time, it was the first tour they had been on in a couple of years, and my excitement brewed almost exclusively from the fact that I was getting my long awaited wish to see the Crows in concert. Beyond that, I didn't know what to expect or what they would sound like after a long lay off. Caught up in the spectacle that was the Crows, it was a great concert.

This most recent concert, however, showed my that the Counting Crows are definently back. Back, and maybe better than ever. It was evident that the band had found there former skill and had been fine tuning in the studio while recording a new album. It was obvious they were hyped up to be back on the road gaining some face time to get us fans ready for another album. And I couldn't be more excited.

Due to lame friends (haha) and kind of expensive tickets, I went out to the concert by myself. All for the better considering I know one who loves the Crows as much as I do. It was a chance for me to be soley focused on the concert. After sitting through a pretty mediocre 2 and half hours of (unlike the Crows) definently washed up 90's bands Collective Soul and Live, plus breaks, I was more than ready to hear my favorite band rock the house.

On a tour such as this, it was kind of surprising for Adam to walk out and tell the crowd they were going to start out with a new song. But to my relief and utter joy, it was a very good sound. Made me eager to get my hands on the next album, but that will have to wait til November. They played 2 other songs from their upcoming album, both sounding just as good for new songs. Nothing was better than the classic Counting Crows they played though. There were a few songs I was disappointed they did not play last concert, but I got all of them this time, lucky me. The set included Recovering the Satellites, Mr. Jones, Perfect Blue Buildings, Holiday in Spain, and many of their old favorites. But my favorite was, and will always be, his amazing rendition of A Long December.

Adam's performance once again shone through, with his uncanny ability to add to his songs and make them much more than their studio recorded form. He was very personal with his singing and his attachment to the crowd. His voice just captures all the emotion and purpose he intends to have in his songs. He seems to do it with such ease as well.

So as I wait for the next album to drop and the next tour dates to be released, I'll be content listening to what has kept me happy for many years. Here's to hoping I'll never have to stop counting the number of times I see the Counting Crows.

Bloody Hell, Harry Potter!

2007-07-23T16:53:00.001-04:00

Harry Potter mania is upon us for the last time (atleast for the original and better form) as the 7th novel in the series was released Saturday morning at 12:01 AM. Beyond the partying, the dressing up, the info-starved readers, and the 8.3 million book sales within the first 24 hours, the Harry Potter book series is a phenomenon we have not seen in ages, and ever in the literary world. And the most surprising thing about it all, the thing that makes it all amazing is longevity.

In this world of instant pleasure, rapidly changing fads, and TV shows that air and are cancelled before you knew they even existed, Harry Potter has only gotten bigger and better as time has passed. In fact, he pulled a John Elway and went out on top. The book series reached it pinnacle with the release of this book, and now having completed the book I can say the hype was justified.

I am not a big fan of reading, but I love books that stir the imagination and pull you out of this world for but instant, but hold on to you while you are in that other world. Harry Potter is everything every kid wanted. A life full of magic and woder. JK Rowling not only created an amazing story that has gripped the world, she has created an event we will be talking about for years to come. She stuck to writing, we stuck to waiting and reading, and a world-wide phenomenon that looked to never happen again happened. She got the whole world excited for one book, for one boy and his tale. With all that is happening in the world, the get so many people to wait anxiously for months, getting them to wait for a midnight release, is improbable, and fittingly magical.

I dressed up for the opening, as none other than Seamus Finnigan, and I was not the only one. People of all ages, sizes, and interests were there. Waiting to see if Harry was to live and save the world of magic forever. I'm not here to ruin it for you, but I hope you do read to find out. Wizards and witches, muggle and squibs everyone should be thankful Harry Potter is around. Wether or not he saves his world, he added tons to ours. It's good to know people still gather to find out if good can conquer evil.

2007-07-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

If You Help Yourself, Help Me Too

2007-06-06T18:01:00.001-04:00

So, I have developed quite the addiction to buying and wearing Threadless shirts. They have quite the selection of humorous, interesting, etc, shirts. So if your looking to add to wardrobe, you can help me out too.

Go browse through this link, and if you buy something, I get $3 in credit for my next purchase. We both win!

http://www.threadless.com/?streetteam=dowellm

It's Not Just a Floor, But A World Unto Itself

2007-05-01T16:33:00.000-04:00

Ask I pack up my things, and watch the first of my floormates, or shall I call them friends, leave, it makes me stop and think about what a dorm floor is when you are away at college. You have roomates that live in the same space as you, but really its the whole floor sharing one space. It's much more than a bunch of rooms making up a floor, however. When you spend most of your waking hours on the floor, it becomes your own little world. No one else experiences a floor unless they are a part of it.

Only if you live on a floor do you see the constant inner workings of the things that make it turn. Though my roommates were definently not the best this year, I have no complaints about the rest of my floor. It started out as a place with many strangers coming together cause this is the floor they were assigned. Now, I feel a little sadness and lost as each of my new friends and floormates packs his things and heads home. I see each one leave and remember the very good times we have had together this year, and how we have lived together and changed each other. We are like an ecosystem, in the larger ecosystem that is IU. We rely on each other in more ways than you can ever imagine before experiencing it. I looked forward to living the dorm life for many years, and I'm sad to see it pass. It was one hell of an experience.

If you went to every floor in every dorm at IU, you would not find two that are even remotely similar. We create such a unique space by bringing 50 strangers together and making them live on one floor for a year. It's the kind of thing you can experience no where else. What other floor has Mario Kart tournaments almost every night of the week. What floor can you find people get so excited for the ordering of an extra large cheesy bread from Mad Mushroom? We have developed an indentity, and if you had ever been to floor 11, you could pick out what we share. There is so much about this floor and the people on it that I love that I couldn't even begin to write about it.

I hate to see it go, but I know there is so much more to get excited for. I'll take what I have gotten here, and move on to the next thing. I am in Bloomington, I go to IU, but Floor 11 is my home.

Running with Scissors

2007-04-30T11:46:00.000-04:00

"I give it to you not that you may remember time, but you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools."

I love this quote. I did not really enjoy the book, however. When I came upon this quote, it jumped out at me. I've read it many times since I first read it in "The Sound and the Fury", and everytime I try to grasp it a little bit more. I'm still not exactly sure what it is trying to say, but it can be interpreted in many ways.

As my first year as a college student fades to a close (Yes, it was fast), I came back upon this quote and tried to apply it to this year. Going away to college, all everyone hears is that the next four years could easily be the best four. If only I took advantage of the possibilites that lay before me, I knew it couldn't be anything too bad, in the least. But within that expectation, there is the reality that it is only four years. Immediatly, there is a boundary which your expecatations can not rise above. Therefore, I think it is best that I just forget about time for a while. If I spend all my time attempting to make sure every moment of college is amazing, I will only fall victim to regret and miss opportunities. Living in the moment is always a better option.

Because no battle is ever won. When someone decides they are going to beat the reality that college is only four years, they will ultimately reach the end and wonder where it all went. The battle is lost, becuase they should be remembering how amazing those four years were. So, there is no use saying this year has come to an end. Yes, I will be coming home for a couple months to spend with family and friends in my great hometown, it is only a pause. Returning to Bloomington will be like picking up right where I left off, with even more possibility ahead of me.

With that said, the time I've spent here up until now has been quite the journey. Growth, some backward steps, an opportunity to learn from mistakes, and many opportunities to make it better the next go around. Like most other things, college is a cycle. Class, study, waste time, and let loose on the weekends. Meet people, spend time with them, some fade away, and others become your best friends. I may have learned more this year than any year before, and not really in the classroom.

Going away, I had an expectation for college, and I must say it has been met. I lived on my own for the first time, and I was fairly successful I must say. Other than the fact that my room was never clean (is it at home?) and I fall behind on my laundry (Mom, you're the best!), I had no life threatening experiences. And never ruined a load of clothes, if that stands for anything. I got a job, made some money, went to class and got good grades, and met more people in this short of time than I could have ever imagined. My friends range from classmates, floor mates, and those I see only once in a while as we pass on the sidewalk.

I made time to grow, but I never forgot. I never forgot where my roots were, and how I got to where I am now. I made time to call my parents and thank them and tell them I love them. I never forgot to make time to call a high school friend and say "How are things going for you?" I never forgot to make a trip every once in a while to see their faces and remember how much fun I have with them. I never forgot that though us Dowell siblings are in four different places, we have a bond that is unbreakable. I never forgot to stop and ask for help knowing I can't do it all on my own. I never forgot that when I go home in the summer I will be exactly where I am supposed to be.

I made new friends, and kept the old. I heard new music, but you'll still never find me without a Counting Crows album near by. I forgot old regrets, and pushed through the new ones. I made new mistakes, but remembered the old ones so I could fix them. I found more of myself and the world. I lost a little too, some I hope to get back and other stuff I'm glad has left.

I took a risk, made a new place my home, with almost nothing to fall back on. And I'm still standing tall. Maybe taller than I was when I got here. I didn't worry about how much time I had, cause that battle is a losing one. If I don't stop to stay a year is over, I can never really know how much time I have left here. Stop and think for a while, it doesn't matter how much is left if you enjoy what you have now.

Yet, I still remember never to run with scissors.

Not So Little (500) Afterall

2007-04-23T17:16:00.000-04:00

Every kid remembers that triumphant day the training wheels came off of your first bicycle and you made it down the driveway without falling. Recreational bicycle riding always fades off though as kids become teenagers, and few people ever pick it up again. Most adults come back to it to lose those unwanted pounds, but some people take riding a bicycle to the next level.

Most have heard of the Tour de France, and I am willing to be everyone knows of Lance Armstrong, if not for his skill on the bike, but with his campaign against cancer. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France 7 times, but it still is not the coolest thing he has been a part of. No, he saves that title for the Little 500. After watching the event for the first time he said, "I've won the Tour de France, and seen the Indy 500, but the Little 500 tops them all."

As for myself, I had barely even heard of it before coming to Bloomington, but once hear you can't not hear about it. You hear of the famous weekend in April where the campus has only one thing on its mind: the best college weekend that celebrates the Little 500. I never knew truly what to expect, but now I can tell you all about my first experience with it.

It's not mistake the Little 500 falls the weekend before 'dead week.' Everyone knows the centerpiece is the actual race, but we also know there is much more to it. This is Indiana University, and the students are not going to ever pass on a chance to let loose and have a good time. Most people start early in the week, but few last until the end. But that doesn't mean you can't find many good times throughout the entire week.

I was a novice to the whole experience so I can't say I saw it through to its full potential, but thats why I have three more goes at it. Believe me when I say I had an awesome time, though. From "Breaking Away" on Dunn Meadow on Wednesday until an impromptu family lunch on Sunday afternoon. The weekend itself featured the best weather anyone could imagine. The sun was high and hot, and there wasn't a cloud in sight. That also means sunburns, but everyone needs a good base tan.

I have never seen a bicycle race before, other than the Tour de France on TV, and that always made me question the sanity of some poeple. The Little 5 is on a quite smaller scale, and much more enjoyable to watch. You get to see them pass more than once. At first it was interesting cause it was fun to see how they raced, and the pack was bunched. Then we got our first lapped team, which we cheered for. A few wrecks, some bad exchanges, and 120 laps later we had 6 teams on the lead lap. So from there on out it was awesome watching them race, their different strategies, and the exchanges. It all built up to a one lap sprint to the finish between five teams with the Cutters winning for a record eighth time.

Matt rode his bike up, Greg drove in Saturday morning, and we all had a splendid good time. It set the bar high for Little 5's still to come. But if they all can be this good, I'll be darn happy.

A Cold and Broken Hallelujah

2007-04-19T11:28:00.004-04:00

After witnessing the tragedy of the shootings at Virginia Tech, many questions still linger. People wonder why it happened, who could do such a thing, and how we can stop it from ever happening again. But among the questions there is plenty of which we can be sure. The amount of greif and sorrow one person can cause is extraordinary. It shakes us to the core, reminds us that life is very fragile.

However, the most impressive image that will last for me after this tragedy is not the pain, but instead the power of the human spirit. It began with the immediate outpouring of support from campuses across the nation. It sounds cheesy, but it gets the point across: "Today we are all Hokies." I saw the reports of the shooting from the very beginning when it was only 1 dead, but immediately I was drawn in by the fact it was a campus setting. The same envioroment I was in and soon would be heading out on. But it all came together when I saw images of the candlelight vigil the next night. That was one amazing scene. It spoke of courage, undefeatable spirit, and was an act that said this can not bring us down.

Like all tragedies, it only makes people stronger. It brings people together to face the ultimate end of death, but to celebrate the fact that life does go on. It is powerful to see this, but why must it take tragedy to bring this out. Just as no one can understand why someone could commit this crime, we should also stop and wonder why it has to come to this point. We all need something to believe in and stand for, so instead of finding ways to do this that tear us apart, people must look for ways to believe in something that brings us together. I say we start with the banning of handguns in this country.

It's shocking to see what has happened, but I can't say I wasn't numb to it most of the time. It's all to common for these things to happen, and it somehow never surprises me that much when it happens. Let's hope I don't have to feel numb to something like this for a very long time.

The Worlds Greatest College Weekend

2007-04-19T02:15:00.000-04:00

I am currently enjoying what is known as "the greatest college weekend", but we always manage to turn it into a whole week. Look back all week for picutres of the week of Little 500 and all that it involves.

For now, watch the movie "Breaking Away." It is a movie about the Little 500 shot exclusively in Bloomington, Indiana. If you need incentive to watch, it won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. I saw it for the first time tonight and it was a VERY good movie. Watch and as little as you can, be a part of the tradition of Little 500. Then get up here and actually be a part of it.

Hope your week is as good as mine!

Small Talk

2007-04-02T21:11:00.000-04:00

College is a world unto itself. You never could quite understand what its like until you experience it, especially if you live off a campus in a town that is not your own. It is really like living with nothing but your peers, filling your time with the things that interest people your age. Here at IU, I live in an area of a few sqaure miles that is composed of 95% people that are within 4-5 years of my age. Thats alot of 18-23 year olds. And I like it that way.

This is my world. It is molded around my needs and interests. Yes, I love the parties, the sports, the lazy days, and sometimes even class. My favorite part of college though is definently my dorm floormates. If you think about it, they are your family for a year. Your with each other all the time; you eat together, play together, and live together. And of all the happenings on the floor a part I enjoy the most is the idle and usually completely useless chatter.

Idle chit-chat can happen anywhere: sitting on the john, brushing your teeth in the morning, on the elevator, in the hall, or in anyone's room you pop into. Its topics range from anything to everything, but its value is always the same. After it is over, it means pretty much nothing. Whether it is how you bombed that test you just took, a funny story you heard or experienced that day, or how drunk you were the night before, it is pretty meaningless. It was one inherently good value, though. It always makes you stop and talk with someone, and almost always provides of moment of humor and a smile. It fills those unused moments of the day with something good. And the weirdest thing about it, is that it only works in a dorm setting. Eventually, your gonna wanna talk, and most of the time you don't have much to say. So, just throw out some idle chatter. You'll most likely make someones day better.

And always make the effort to give me some, I love it.

Oh the Possibilities!

2007-03-30T10:33:00.000-04:00

I'm an ideas man. I come up with ideas, ponder about how awesome they could be, and then usually write them down and toss them to the side. That is not to say I don't do anything; just that I never do all that I could do. There are varying reasons why I don't do some of the things I think of; but that is for another time and place.

The weekend is here again, and the possibilites are endless. The weather is gorgeous and people are excited about life again with the arrival of spring. I, myself, have been making the most of the arrival of the best season of the year. (I have debated this long and hard, and its official: Spring is the best season) I have been outside everyday, playing some type of game or another. Since the coming of nice weather I have participated in soccer, basketball, football, tennis, and when the nigth falls we head to the SRSC for raquetball. My next goal is a tan. Ha, like that will happen.

So with only a month left of school (WOW, that was quick) I have begun to think how I would like to enjoy it. And as always, make a list of the things I hope to do with all the free time the summer brings. Next week, I will be going home to Louisville for Easter and to get some things for Matt while he is up here. Then I hope to make a trip to Illinois to once again party with the party people of Champaign. Then, its the college weekend of all college weekends: the Little 500. And I don't see how it could disappoint. Both Greg and Matt will be coming down, the weather shall be beautiful, and the festivites plentiful. I'm sorry if you have to miss out on it.

If I could plan summer to start out on a certain day, I don't think I could have picked it better than how it will occur this year. My first day of summer break 2007 is May 5. This year, that happens to be the first Saturday in May. And every Louisvillian knows what that means: Derby Day. What makes it even sweeter is that I have never attended one. For the first time, I will be in the infield to witness the Greatest Two minutes in Sports. The day every Louisvillian lives for.

From there, summer will be filled with fun and money making. Here is a short tentative list of things I hope to do over the summer. Yes, I know it will not be possible to do them all, and what is a summer list that doesn't have something left undone. But if you would like to help in anyway to see that they get accomplished (mainly the giving of money or time..haha) I would greatly appreciate it. And, also, if you would like to partake in any of them, all you have to do is let me know.

- Muhammed Ali Musuem
- Cookouts
- Fishing, Trips to the Lake
- Cedar Point
- Sky Diving
- Visit Chicago and Greg
- Bethesda and Theresa and Jeff
- Dave Matthews Two Night Concert in Indy
- Minnesota (Jon already promised a trip to the Mall of America...)
- Beach

So there is the short edit right now...

Hope your spring is going as damn well as mine is.

Spring Has Sprung, A Campus Awakens

2007-03-23T11:31:00.000-04:00

The view from my eleventh floor window has always been quite nice. A birds eye view of the entire campus, with the library in the distance and a setting sun next to it almost every night. Now, the window is open, the breeze is amazing, and the view is better than ever. That is because spring is here. Green is returning, the temperature is rising, and the sun seems a bit closer. And, a sleeping giant has risen from his slumber.

That giant is thr IU campus. It is downright amazing how the winter makes this huge campus seem so empty. But ever since I have returned from spring break, it seems as the 30,000 students have finally shown up. People congregate outside like its going out of fashion, or was perhaps banned by the freezing temperatures of the last couple of months.

The tennis courts are full, as well as the basketball courts. Woodlawn has multiple games of frisbee, soccer, and football and the couples lay on the grass of Dunn Meadow and the Arbereteum. It only gets better from here as the flowers bloom, the trees become full, and the temperatures reach to the 80's. Thank god, Spring has arrived.

I have taken full advantage of the weather with some frisbee, basketball, and soccer. The weekend is here now, which means only more of the same. The best time of the year is here, take advanage of it. Soon all you will want to do is sit by the pool. Oh man, how hard that will be.

If you are looking for a good time, stop on by Bloomington. I garuntee there will be something to do. If all else fails, Little 5 events start this weekend. Oh, Happy day!

Spring Broke

2007-03-09T00:38:00.000-05:00

So tomorrow begins my first spring break as a college student. All those crazy stories of trips to the beach will have to wait atleast one year, however, because I am broke. Guess that's what happens when you go to college. I'm not complaining though because I am excited to go home, be with the family, and see some friends.

So back to Louisville I go. If you want to see me, you know where to find me. I'm always up for a good time, or just a good old fashioned conversation.

If I start thinking about the beach, all I have to do is think about last year.

In Case You Missed

2007-03-05T18:09:00.000-05:00

I don't have the time to make it to CNN often, but today I made a stop...and too bad if you missed it. These were the headlines at 6:09.

Mom wants back little kids that smoked pot.
Boy dies after tooth infection seeps into brain.
Wife strangled, dismembered.
Rats chem off nose of baby sleeping in crib.

Disturbing to say the least.

March Madness Moved to Assembly Hall....

2007-03-04T15:07:00.000-05:00

...I wish.

If that was the case, the Hoosiers would undoubtedly be crowned national champions come April, as the home season came to an end last night with a 94-63 crushing of Penn State to cap off a perfect home record. The Hoosier faithful entered the Assembly fifteen times this season, and not once did we leave without witnessing a victory. Though their play has been quite lacking on the road, I can say I am extremely satisfied with the home season. I just hope we never lose at home my entire time here.

The season featured many highlights, including this final game which had signs that the Hoosiers were ready to make some noise in the coming month. It was senior night, and unfortunately we had to say farewell to Rod Wilmont, my favorite, Errick Suehr, and Earl Calloway. The game was just one that was fun to watch, as all of our buckets were falling and all the seniors got highlight moments. The Hoosiers rained 17 threes while shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. Very fun to watch.

- The highlight of the home basketball season was the victory over then ranked #2 Wisconsin Badgers.
- The game against Michigan was amazing. Front row seats, a lead the entire game, and painting up! Amazing.
- The rout of Purdue always feels good.
- Greg stopped by to watch a rather boring, but nailbiting Illinois game.

It was a good season, an awesome closing, and heres to hoping March goes well.

Go Hoosiers!

I Work Well When I Enjoy What I'm Doing

2007-03-02T19:38:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been doing some very cool, in depth, interesting projects in art class and I am definently sure, if I enjoy what I am doing I do very awesome work. Compared to the bullshit projects at the beginning, I am very satisfied with my effort and the product of my work. I will be getting bach 2 peices I really love on Monday and I will post them up here.

In the meantime, I have reintroduced myself to Photoshop and Illustrator as to prepare myself for the Graphic Design classes I will be taking for many semesters to come. I've done some really cool stuff I think as I find all the awesome features these programs have. Here are some for your enjoyment....let me know what you think.

I Hope Bloomington is Ready

2007-02-23T01:21:00.000-05:00

So, who is ready for the weekend?

I'll Take Ice Over Snow

2007-02-14T18:10:00.000-05:00

So its been an exciting last couple of days including the weekend. So I'll catch you up.

- Greg, other wise know as Mark II, the twin, or HOLY SHIT! You all DO look alike, came into Bloomington for the weekend. It turned out to be quite the weekend, with plenty of fun, excitement, and good times. Greg went to the game with us to the game to see his Illini lose to the Hoosiers. That makes me 2-0 this year at games where our teams sqaured off and we were both present. Go me. If you want to hear more about this weekend, check out Greg's blog.

- Snow has come to Bloomington for the second time. This time, it was more ice and sleet than snow, and it made quite a picturesque scene. So today, after my only class of the day I went out and snapped some pictures. I only had one class due to the late opening of noon. Those I could get used to. Here are some picutres. There was ice on EVERYTHING!

-Also, I got a non-winter haircut. It's short, very short. Maybe if you're lucky I'll show it to you soon.

Analysts Have Low IQs

2007-02-03T16:27:00.000-05:00

The Hoosiers lost today, which sucks a lot. But that is not what I am here to write about today. Today I will show an example of Rick Majerus's stupidity.

At the end of the game, after 55 fouls had been called, Rick Majerus made sense of the absurd amount of fouls by saying

"It doesn't matter how bad the officiating is as long as its consistent."

Yep, thats how I like my games called.

It's Not About the Money

2007-02-02T17:20:00.000-05:00

Forbes Magazine just released a list of the top earning sport championships in the world with the Superbowl topping them all. Our beloved Kentucky Derby made the list near the bottom of the top ten, bringing in a nice $40 million dollars from gate entry alone. I will say that I am going to be spending my $45 dollars to get into the infeild this coming May. Though these money figures speak of how popular, and thus how exciting these sports are, everyone has their individual tastes. So, I am wondering what your Top 5 Sports Moments are. In your lifetime, what sporting events, plays, moments have been etched into your brain after watching them in person or on TV. If you must you can pick events you have seen on reply (such as Laettner's shot I did not see live, but have seen dozens of time on reply), but events that you witnessed as they happened are better. What events make you love sports?

Mine, in reverse order...

5. USA - Poland, South Korea - Portugal : 2002 World Cup

These games work in tandem to create one of my most memorable sports watching experiences. The World Cup was showing live in the US in the wee hours of the morning, but Greg, Matt, and I made it our job to get up and watch the games. The win over Portugal was exciting, but when South Korea scored a goal that allowed us to advance I can't remember a time I got more exciting, jumping up and down and yelling.

4. Iowa VS Indiana - Football - 2006

It was shaping up to be a long season of IU football when the visiting #13 Iowa Hawkeyes came into town. The Hoosiers played a brilliant game, but the Hawkeyes had a drive to win the game. The drive ended abruptly as the Hoosiers came up with a tip and one handed diving interception. The crowd went beserk, and the Hoosiers had their biggest football win in a decade.

3. Bluegrass State Games - Okolona vs Vine Grove

This one sneaks in because I was a part of this. And it was the most thrilling sporting event I had ever particpated in. During our U-16 year, we played Vine Grove 5 times. We took the two regular season meetings pretty easily, and thought they would be no problem come tournament time. In districts however, they beat us in the championship game. We met again in state in pool play, with the winner to advance to the championship game. We even had the tie breaker on our side. We gave up two late goals and lost, after being up a goal.

Bluegrass was to be our revenge. It was the championship game and we were playing for all the marbles. The heat was blistering and the competition was intense. We scored very late to force overtime, and played a man up in both OT's after their player recieved a red card, but we could not score. Shoot out. I took the first and made it. Final shot was ours with a chance to win. It squeked in, and the most pit ensued. Sweet, sweet revenge.

2. Saint Xavier - Trinity- Football - 2006

WOW. Thats all I have to say about this one. It is the dream of every Saint X or Trinity student. To go into Papa Johns and man handle the rival. And that we did. On a beautiful day, after hours of tailgating and fun, we marched into the stadium and handed it to the Shamrocks. The crowd was 40,000 strong, and it was quiet on the Trinity side. The Tigers left Papa Johns that day with a 46-8 massacre of Trinity. That I will remember forever.

And # 1...

Wisconsin vs IU - Basketball - 2007

The greatest moment of sports I have ever witnessed. Front row to a game of intesity and effort I have never seen before. The Hoosiers welcomed the #2 Badgers and the crowd gave them an earful. The place was the loudest I have ever heard at a sporting event. The Hoosiers banged and clawed and pulled out a hard fought 71-66 win. The joy I felt after that game was indescribable. Amazing.

Honorable Mentions:
Barbaro's Stunning Derby Run
LSU Defeats Kentucky with Hail Mary
UL's Come Back Win to Beat WVU in Elite Eight

A White-Out of Wisconsin With a Win

2007-02-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

Last post I said that the Michigan game was the best experience of college thus far. Well hold the presses, it has been outdone, and only 4 short days later to my enjoyment. It is now official, Hoosier basketball is my greatest love at this time of my life. It doesn't get any better that that right now.

The student body organized a white-out for the game on Wednesday night, but they brought tons more than just a sea of white shirts. They brought the noise, while the team delivered a victory, with a little funk I may add. The noise level in Assembly Hall was perhabs the loudest game atmosphere I have ever heard, and definently been a part of. The "IU"'s at the end of the fight sound echoed for what seemed like minutes, and each time Wisconsin had the ball, some form of noise whether a chant or som other form kept the Badgers from getting anything going. I knew we were loud, the whole place knew we were loud, and Kelvin Sampson knew we were loud. In the IDS this morning he credited the crowd with half the credit from the win. I don't know if we deserve that, but then again, we were loud.

The excitement that everyone in that arena experience peaked with a frenzy of students storming the court in a victory mosh pit. I'll admit, I joined in. Honestly, who woudln't? It was loud there, too. I can't wait to see what comes next for this Hoosier squad but I am sure it will be awesome. Here's to March coming quickly and without any hiccups.

Go Hoosiers!

Signed,
the Biggest Hoosier fan from south of the river

Courtside and Live To Your TV

2007-01-29T17:47:00.000-05:00

We got our tickets for the current IU basketball season a few months ago, and a particular date has been etched into my mind ever since: January 27, 2007. On the ticket for that date, it included my seat assignment in the very first row of the student section. These seats shared space with the same floor the Hoosier basketball team would be playing on, meaning I was mere inches from all the action on the court. I imagined it would be great, but it out did all expectations I had for the entire experience. We did our best to enjoy it to the utmost, and I must say we accomplished this.

Before heading to Assembly Hall, the group of guys I go with decided we should paint up to show our support for the Hoosiers. It also helped that the game was being televised on ESPN nationally, and this would help our chances of being shown on the broadcast. We had eight guys, and it just happens that you can spell Hoosiers with eight letters. So, that is what we did. I was the R.

Walking out of the tunnel on to the court as the teams warmed up was amazing. All of the excitement of being at a Hoosier basketball game was intensified by being so close to the action. The sounds, the movement, all seemed larger than life. We took our spots on the bleachers and began preparing ourselves for the tip. Before the tip. however, I have been told and seen that we made our cameo on the broadcast. Lucky you all, whoever got to see me.

The game was awesome. The Hoosiers led the entire way, and they played well and in exciting fashion. There was plenty to cheer about including the 13-1 run to start the game that happened right in front of where we were sitting. We chanted, cheered, and just plain enjoyed the rest of the experience. I don't know if it will happen again, but this time was the best experience I have had since coming to college.

Hopefully the Hoosiers can keep it going as we march towards March. It would be gret to watch the Hoosiers play even into April. Wednesday we have Wisconsin and there is a plan to have a White Out. Whiting Out Wisconsin for a win over the #2 team would be wonderful. And it would jumpstart the homestretch of the season.

Go Hoosiers!

Look for Me!

2007-01-27T10:09:00.001-05:00

I'm in the very first row for the game today on ESPN! The Hoosier are playing Michigan an noon. Turn it on, you'll probably see me at some point.

Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

It's College Dude, and Mine for that Matter

2007-01-12T14:27:00.001-05:00

There is an article today in the Indiana Daily Student titled "Student led chant draws critcism". The article tells how complaints have been lodged in response to a cheer students chanted at Wednesday's basketball game directed towards the alumni donors sitting in the seats located behind one of the baskets. The chant which resounded through the arena stated "Stand Up, Old People", and was started due to the lack of enthusiasm shown by the fans sitting in those seats. This wasn't just any game. It was a rivalry game against Purdue, that Indiana dominated throughout eventually ending in a 27 point bruising. There are a few things that irked me about this article.

First off, it is rediculous that the administration is speaking out against this chant when the problem that is now facing the university rests sqaurely on their shoulders. The chant, as we all can assume, was began out of frustration by the students who feel as if they are being shafted in the process of season ticket allotment. This is just the latest development in a series of events that have grown since the university decided to take the 500 seats in question from the students, and give them to alumni donors so they can make up debts that have accumulated. Not only did they take most of the students best seats, but they made the worse seats we are getting more expensice, raising season ticket prices per game from $11 to $15. Now they are chastising us for speaking our opinion on the matter. In fact, it could be said that the chant is another example of how passionate we are about Hoosier basketball. We want the place to rock, so its an atmosphere our opponents can rarely win in.

I'm not saying that if you come to a game you should have to cheer or being enthusiastic. I don't know why you would come to the games if you weren't going to do these things. First, our teams deserves your entusiasm when they are playing good basketball. Secondly, the fans who are trying to support the team deserve better. On my last check, Indiana University is still a university. Without students, there would be no university. This is my university, and part of my decision to come here was based on the athletics, namely the tradition of Hoosier basketball. Seeing as how I am paying even more monry to purchase basketball tickets, on top of my outrageous tutition, I feel as if I deserve better seats. If not for this, they should give students back the seats behind the goal because that is where we work our magic. It is how we turn the arena into OUR HOUSE. Many, many other colleges understand this idea, and Hoosier students are tired of cherering their asses off in the balcony, while the University continues to suck in money as the donors fail to support our Hoosiers as well as the students could.

This is my University, and I feel as a paying ticket owner I deserve the best opportunity to support my school on the basketball court. And yes, I will continue to fight for it until something happens. And yes, I wil chant and cheer how I see fit. You can be sure its not how the alumni donors behind the basket cheer.

Look How Far I've Come, I'm Far Away

2007-01-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

The temperatures are falling, but the second semester is heating up as quickly as DJ White and the mens basketball team. I've returned to Bloomington after a relaxing and exciting Christmas vacation. This time there was no welcome week, just classes and new people and teachers before we reach what should be a well received long weekend to kick off the year.

- If you missed it on Sunday, the Hoosiers made a step in the right direction as the get deep into conference play with a 22 point pounding of the ranked Spartans. It is some stellar play that we have been looking for all season, and makes me believe we will be very competitive in the Big Ten this year. Tonight, I will get the chance to see if it holds up in our rivalry game against the Purdue Boliermakers tonight in the Assembly Hall.

- I am taking an Art History class this semester, and first off it looks like its gonna be very easy. The point ,however, of this rambling is to tell a story I was thinking about while we were looking at the map of Egypt today. The first half of the course is about Ancient Egyptian art, and I was lucky enough to go over there a few summers ago and see alot of it for myself. But this story is not about art either. As I looked at the map, I realized and remembered how much distance seperated the cities of Cairo and Luxor, to of which we visited on our trip to Egypt. To get from one destination to the other Theresa, Greg, Jeff, and I had to board an overnight train. This was a miserbale ride that was uncomfortable, only beaten out by the bus ride we took that was 10 hours long, in a bus without and air conditioning, and a loud Bollywood movie playing the entire ride. From that moment on I was very tahnkful I could drive a car back here, and if I had to take the bus it would not be so horrible. Never ever complain about TARC or the Greyhound ever again.

- I also thought about my snorkeling adventure we took in the Red Sea. It was harrowing trip at times, especially since it is hard to trust a bunch of Egyptians who just want your money and barely speak the language I understand. So, when the told us we were going to snorkel out in the middle with large waves we were weary. But as we took a closer look, we notice there were large swarms of jellyfish all around us. We questioned if this was safe, and they replied that they could not harm us. Then, one of the funniest discussions I have ever heard ensued, when we ask them to show us that they were not dangerous. One of the men picked one up to show us and then he handed it to us to check. But as he handed it to Kate, she replied, "We know what happens, we have seen Finding Nemo." We all busrt out in laughter as one of the men laughed and spit out his coke. To say the least, they didn't sting but it is still a horrible experience to have to swim through and be surrounded by a swarm of jellyfish.

Next time, I guess I'll pay a little more attention to class.

I'm Going Back to the Start

2006-12-14T17:22:00.000-05:00

The year of 2007 was rung in after a long december of dragging through the end of our last first semester of high school, imagining the freedom and fun that awaited us in what could be our finest year. I spent that last night of 2006 living the high life, with best friends, still unaware of how big the year 2007 would be. In some ways it was only the beginning of the end, but at every moment I told myself to hold nn. All of these things that I've done made my 2006 the best it could have been, and I hope the next will be just the same.

I began my last semester as a high schooler in January. Do you remember when I was entering Saint X? Oh how quick it went, but the best was still to come. I was on my way to the homestretch, with the best times that every high school senior looks forward to for years. January, February, and March passed with the usual occurances, but with a great anticipation of what the coming months would hold. My friends and I had one big holiday in Myrtle Beach for our Spring Break trip. With a little help from my friends, it became one of the best weeks of my life. We enjoyed tons of sunshine, and since then I have kept carolina in my mind. After that trip, we kept sitting, waiting, wishing for the good time to keep on coming.

Not long after, we were to dance all night at Saint Xavier Senior Prom. All my friends were excited for the night, and with our dates in tow, we had one hell of a night. It seemed that night we would live forever in this night of pure fun and enjoyment. It was our night to celebrate what the past four years had meant. It's well known you get what you give, and the return on this night was definently worth it. I was even happier when we got to do it all over again for Assumption's Prom. Once again, we let go and had another unbelievable night. Trust me when I say, the carefree enjoyment of celebrating the end of high school by going to prom is awesome. I'm glad I got to do it twice.

But as we all know, proms signify to coming of something even bigger: graduation. Nothing was going in slow motion anymore, as the day approached faster than any of us actually wanted it to. It was time to move on, and say goodbye to the halls of Saint Xavier which shaped the path of our lives for four years, even though it had only seemed like four days now that graduation had so quickly approached. We said good riddance to those we would probably never see again, and were wished best of luck as we were sent out to face the perils and excitement of college life.

We were now in the space between our existence as high school seniors and our appearence as college freshmen. Those few months are like a holiday from real, where nothing matters excpet living life as you have known it forever, before it changes as college becomes a reality. Some of the days in the summer were like heaven. I felt comfortably numb as I spent a night at the Dave Matthews concert with some of my closest friends, went nightswimming as I became an adult on my 18th birthday, and spent days at the lake where I could on think I hope tomorrow is like today. But I was careful not to forget that the summer would soon end and I would find pastures new in Bloomington. But while it lasted, summer was nothing but flowers. And I stopped to smell every one I could.

The rest of my year found me in many ways back at square one. I was off to college at Indiana University in Bloomington. It was a place to begin again, to start over after 4 years of high school and experience so many new things with new people in a new place. I was pn my way, and in between all of my classes, meetings, and down time, I did learn how to party hard. But I love the college life, even though the things I had to leave behind were always in my head.

Hands down, 2006 was an awesome year, and one of huge change, and lots of moments that I had looked forward to for many years. I closed out with a great Christmas with the family and many good nights out with friends.

Here's to a good 2007 for everyone.

There is a little challenge in this post for those of you who are up for the test. If you haven't noticed by now, I created this post with a little help from some song titles. The person who can find and name the artist of the songs will be crowned as awesome.

My Top 10

2006-12-14T01:45:00.000-05:00

1. The Shawshank Remption - Morgan Freeman makes this movie unbelievable. This one never gets old.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Crazy plot with Jim Carrey in his best role.

3. Donnie Darko - This movie just pulls me in. Jake Gyllenhaal's performance is nothing short of spectacular.

4. Enemy at the Gate - Best war movie in my opinion.

5. Wonder Boys - Great adaption of an even better book.

6. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - This whole trilogy is mind blwoing, but this is the best of the three.

7. Shrek - Hilarious. Awesome animation as well.

8. Anchorman - Funniest movie I have ever seen. So many favorite scenes in this one.

9. Plesentville - Tobey Maguire has a great performance, and I love the story.

10. Spiderman - Have always enjoyed this one. Comic book heros at their best.

The Greatest Ever

2006-12-12T01:42:00.000-05:00

Attention: If you have not got the opportunity to watch Ali Rap on ESPN, do so as soon as you can. If you are from Louisville, make it even more of a priority.

I saw commercials for the show, but I was not exactly sure what it was about so never put much interest into it. The name kind of turned me off as well considering I'm not much a fan of rap. Tonight, though, as I channel surfed I came upon it and stopped to see what it was all about. It was about one of the greatest figures of our time, in all meanings of the name. I knew he shared the same home town as me, I knew he was a great boxer, and I knew some of his most famous lines, but thats all I knew. That I have found is a shame.

The show is dubbed Ali Rap because that is how he talked. He was so quick with his words, full of ryhme and wit. He was just as good at speaking as he was at boxing, maybe even better. The show features his entire life and career, full of his words, spoken both by himself and famous personalities. It gave great insight to his life. Even better it taught me so much about a man that I have heard about all my life, but knew little about.

I'd rather not give all my thoughts on it, but I needed to give some so you would be moved to watch. Now, I want to go to the museum over the break. I've been to all the other museums dedicated to the rich history of Louisville, so its about time I made it there. So whoever wishes to join me, you are more than welcome.

Movies

2006-12-10T17:35:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I have paid much attention to writing any posts. College doesn't give me much time to things of these sorts, but after being here for a semester, things have reached a point where I can return to the Blogger life. One thing I have spent a lot of my time doing at college though is watching many many movies. I love movies, but usually find reasons not to watch them. Also, seeing the new craze that is sweeping across Greg's blog I have decided to welcome everyone back with a rip-off of my own.

I want to know your Top 10 movies. Movies you watched and were immediatly taken in by, and those ones that you always go back to and watch over and over again. Leave them in the comment box.

Can You Hear Me Now?

2006-11-15T17:04:00.000-05:00

I have learned one thing, well make that tons of things, since I have gone away to college, but one in particular: time sure can go fast. It seems here in Bloomington that everything is in constant fast forward, and time is measured in weeks and weekends, instead of seconds, minutes, hours, and days. It is now surprise then that this past weekend went even faster than the rest. It was a weekend to compare with all weekends, but now it has come and gone, much too quickly.

The countdown from the time I got my tickets to the Ben Folds concert to the day of started at a staggering 71 days. Thats a week over 2 months, what seems like an eternity before it occurs, but now looking back it was a blur. My brother came in for the concert last Thursday night. Ben Fold put on a spectacular show, filled with old and new songs, quirky Ben Fold stuff and the classic good sound of his music. Greg and I, plus Rick, enjoyed the show immensely and it was well worth the $25 price tag. Check another one off the list. There aren't many more I need to see, but plenty I would like to, or of course see again.

Greg left the next day, but it would not be long until more of the family stopped in. The next morning Mom and Dad dropped in for a fun filled parent weekend. It statred out with the official tour of the campus guided by yours truly. I led them around and let them see where I spent all my time, then led them out the Sample Gates and to downtown to grab some grub. We attended the football, whihc was cold and boring, but there was some entertainment near the end. After the student section had cleared, a student came runing through and tripped an fell while talking on his cell phone. An parent standing by him, as he placed his cell phone back to his face to talk, said "Can you hear me now?". Now, someone jsut needs to send that in for the next commercial. Me and Dad, and eventually Mom laughed about that all weekend. It was classic.

The weekend closed out with some food, shopping, and bowling. It was a great time. Parents are great.

So as I sit here on this very dreary, cold Wednesday, I look forward to this weekend and going home next weekend. Purdue is going to be an all out blast and I can hardly wait to see all those people. Then Thanksgiving will be a great time to relax and see the family. Man, this college stuff goes fast.

Sitting on the Fence Between Past and Future Tense

2006-08-16T01:08:00.000-04:00

I've reached it. It being the point at which I have officially stopped being an adolescent, and am now an adult in our American society. Across the globe, coming of age ceremonies occur on a yearly basis to mark that the next group of children have become the youngest adults in the given society. Here in the "civilized" land of the Free, the coming of age ceremony has become less and less dramatic, and more focused on what us Americans truly strive for: success. You may have guessed it already, but I'm heading off to college. I'm going out on my own, and attempting to survive. I'll have a room to call a place of my own, I'll wake up on my own accord, stay out as long as I wish and do practically whatever I choose and face the consequences and rewards they will bring. It's a big step, and that is why it marks my coming of age. Everything my mother, father, siblings, teachers, and peers have taught me over the last 18 years will be put to the test, and hopefully it will all work out for the best.

Going to college, of course, has its changes that are not as fortunate, or atleast hard to cope with for atleast a bit. First off, I will be living on my own. Its a good and bad thing. Second, I will for the first time call a different city, state, and most importantly living space my home. Ever since my birth I have been a citizen of Louisville, KY with my residence at 6904 Roseborough Court. That is not so anymore. Say hello to Eigenmann Hall, Room 1153, Bloomington, Indiana. That's where I will call the majority of the coming year home. With that said, I will miss my home. I will miss the big, comfortable bed found in the green room at the far end of the upstairs hallway. I will miss the piping hot, delicious homecooked meals my mother so regularly placed on the kitchen table for me. I will miss the large backyard, where my lovely pool will sit idle. Most of all, I will miss the familiarty of my only home, its comfortable spots that I have spent my youth enjoying.

Moving outward in the scope of things, I will miss the city I have called home for all 18 years of my life. What a city it is. Its big, but its so small. It's everything you could ever hope for in a city. It has been a great place to grow up, and has provided me with countless opportunities to expand my mind, learn about myself and the world, and just have countless amounts of good time. There are too many things about this city that I will miss but I will tell you there is a lot. I will miss the local hangout hotspots: Stonybrook for our years as freshman and sophomores, Heine Bros. and the Loop it can be found on, as well as the rest of Bardstown Road that strecthes beyond. Who will ever forget the countless days spent playing on the grass of Seneca Park? I will miss my daily driving routes, the long haul to Whitney's way out in God's Country. I will miss the nights spend on the banks of the Ohio on the Great Lawn. It will all be here when I come back, but its those daily things I have come to love over the past couple years that I will miss.

I will miss alot of things when I move away to college. But change comes, and change is needed. Some thing will always be there, and somethings will never be there again. In the end, it has all been a part of my first 18 years in some way and has changed me somehow. Now, I wait in eager anticipation of how the next couple years will change me.

DON'T Get Your Money Back at the Door

2006-07-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

I've only been talking about it for ever, and even more since I found out they would be going on tour. Seeing the Counting Crows live in concert has been at the top of my list of things to do for as long as I can remember. Well, I can check it off the list now, and wait to put the next checkmark by it sometime in the future cause you can be certain I will be seeing them again.

The concert was everything I hope it would be plus so much more. On July 12, Kiernan, Andy, Justin, and I went to Riverbend in Cincinati to see them and the Goo Goo Dolls in concert. The drive up was the usual chatting about everyone who was not with us on the trip, recent occurances, and some usually good gossip. Once in the Cincinatti area we stopped for food at Frisch's. A delicious meal to hold us over for the concert.

Our seats were very good, about 30 rows back with a clear view of the stage. The first band, Augustana, was a nice opening act, but it was even better that Adam Durtiz himself came out to introduce the band. The crowd began to grow as Augustana performed in anticpatio of the co-headlining Goo Goo Dolls.

The Goo Goo Dolls performance was fairly good, but it definently could have been better. It was a high energy show that entertained that casual fans such as myself. They played all their classics including Iris, Black Balloon, Slide, Broadway, and Name. Those were all very good, but their new songs and all songs sung by the bassist left something to be desired. Note: The Bassist's voice sounds like he constantly has a huge loogie to hock up. Not sweet sounding at all.

After the Goo Goo Dolls performed, the moment I had been waiting for all summer had arrived. Adam Duritz and the Counting Crows took the stage. The set began with an awesome performance of Anna Begins, which has grown on me lately. An AMAZING performance of Mrs. Potter's Lullaby with story included, and a heartfelt and purely magical peformance of Round Here were included. Omaha, Big Yellow Taxi, Time and Time Again, Black and Blue, and Four White Stallions finished out the set..that is until Adam moved to the piano for an extended version of LONG DECEMBER! It was a truly amazing moment that I love very second of. To cap off the night, the hour and fifteen minute set was encored with Hangin' Around with all the members of Augustana and Goo Goo Dolls included.

It was an awesome night.

High School No Longer Lingers

2006-07-11T15:38:00.000-04:00

Today, I can officially say the last strings attaching me to my high school days have evaporated. As I opened the trusty old mailbox today I was surprised to find my AP scores had arrived. And I'm proud to say I beat those damn AP tests. Also, my belief that studying doesnt really help stood true again. I scored 4's on Modern Euro, English, and Gov, while getting a 3 on Calc after studying for 2 weeks.

Oh well, farewell highshool. I'm done with you.

O 69....BINGO!

2006-07-10T14:26:00.000-04:00

Every age brings new exciting adventures for one to test the waters. Sixteen brings the responsibilites of driving and jobs, and seventeen signals the last year of high school for many. Then there is the all important age of 18 that brings voting, signing up for the draft, and most importantly the ability to waste my money on the belief that it will bring me more money. And we all know this as gambling.

Most eighteen year olds gamble first by buying that lottery ticket or scratch-off. Here in Louisville a good portion of the rest make a trip to Churchill Downs to bet on the ponies. For me, and many of my friends, the first taste of gambling involved a smoke filled room of old ladies and balls with a number and letter on them. Yes, you guessed correctly, last night my friends and I played the thrill inducing game of BINGO.

I'm sorry to say that none of us came out as winners, but did we ever get into something we had no clue about. I'm pretty sure the lady on the microphone was talking in a foreign languauge and who knew the "lollipop" was a way to win in BINGO? But there were helpful ladies in front of us, and being the newcomers gets you alot of fans. For three hours last night, the balls were all I cared about and they did not fall my way. But now, I can say I gambled legally for the first time and who wouldn't want a nice dabber as a keepsake? By the way, its in my car so I'm prepared the next time we go hit up the local BINGO hall.