A South Bend Sojourn

Yesterday [Saturday] Mike Sims and I went to Notre Dame. Our original idea was to go camping [likely at PJ Hoffmaster State Park] but that wouldn't work out and would probably be miserable considering the weather. Why the sudden urge to take flight from MSU? We wanted to get away from Lansing for a bit and explore. Notre Dame has a campus worthy of the highest praise. Surprisingly it does not have a "college town" nearby. When on campus we went to the 14-story main Library that overlooks most of campus. From there we went to Subway for some lunch in their Student Center. After a few hours just wandering around we went into the heart of South Bend [a city plagued with planning nightmares as I learned this summer]. It didn't seem as bad as I expected. There is a very large 4-lane, one-way boulevard running the length of the city. There is also a man-made kayak course right downtown called East Race. It wasn't operating when we were there. Still a cool idea for a public park.

In other news I have two papers to finish/write by Monday/Wednesday respectively.

The Longest Day

Tonight I have the Symposium. I have been awake since 7:45 and will be busy until nearly 10:00 tonight. Luckily I have some free time here in the middle of the day. I had the strangest dream this morning.

Welcome to Cold Front University. It's a cold morning indeed here at our annual game against our in-state rival. The players have taken the field and they look pumped up and excited about this game. [Some time passes during the football game.] And they've done it! CFU has won! Now for the time-honored tradition you have all been waiting for, the launching of the Cold Front University Weatherballoon. Yes, I know that alumni, students and families around the world see the launching of the weatherballoon as a symbol of greatness. It nearly brings me to tears. And it's off. [Break to me sitting somewhere on the campus of Cold Front University next to a weasely looking kid.] "Hey, Astoria Pearson." he said. "That's not my name. If you do that one more time I'm going to beat the piss out of you! Understand punk!" I said.

I heard a great idea this morning: dream log. Where I write down my dreams. I just need a better technique for remembering them. The person who suggested the dream log also suggested not moving when I wake up to remember them better. I'll keep everybody updated.

Refueling

I know Gatorade probably has the copywrite for Refuel and all its various forms: Refueled, Refuel, Refuels, etc. I am. The ennui and malaise of a week have worn off. I am back. I am awake. My eyes open. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Sleep might have been the cure. I slept for an hour on Friday between 7:50 and 8:50 PM that was the clear-headed sleep of the dead. It's the sort of sleep you wake up from and ask, "where did that hour go?" like it never happened, like you fell faster than time and now you can see the breaking curve behind you. Oh, I love that kind of sleep.

The problem: I'm going to need all this energy for the week ahead. I swear all the professors wanted to clear out the week before the MSU-UM game so they won't have anything to do that weekend. And I can't blame them.

I just finished Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk. It was amazing. I don't feel like I captured the entire novel in the first reading. I want to go back through it. At the end I couldn't help comparing it to Fight Club [the movie] and how I was absolutely dumbfounded. Survivor isn't as much of a mind-bender as Fight Club. It is quality writing and has the most extraordinary set of circumstances I have ever read in any book. I loved it. Next on my voluntary reading list: Faust.

VH1 had a program on called the 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders. It was hosted by William Shatner.

A Dominant Disclaimer of Doom

I have been reading and writing for hours daily this last week. I have no mental energy to update Toponymy at this point. Once I get some of this off paper and on the computer then it will make more sense.

544 Abbott, the last house I mentioned on this website didn't go through. But, 532 Abbott, a house slightly closer to campus will go through. I swear. This time it's for real. Type 532 Abbott into the address field and the house should come up.

Sleep or caffeine? To be or not to be? What does Fertility Hollis do for a living? If you have answers then I need you. Grammar malfunction.

A Rickety Rollercoaster through the Ramblings of a Weekend

Tonight I recall an image that was dramatic in its simplicity. I was going sit-ups [a rare event] and I had my feet anchored by the TV stand that I made in Mr. Fletter's Survey of Industrial Arts [Shop] class. There was just enough room between the edge of the futon and the back of my head to make the scenario physically plausible. Then I realize it. At the top of the sit-up I see a TV, VCR, DVD player, microwave. At the bottom I see the futon, the comforter, the sheets. I can sleep or have the media put my mind to sleep.

Before that I was at the library. Normally, the first floor is the 'noisy' floor where large groups and chatty people go to study or just drink coffee. The second and third floors are for studying. I went to the third floor to finish off Blu's Hanging. I didn't notice at first but the table at the end of my row of desks was very loud. Not necessarily talking, but laughing, and trying to hold back the laugh by catching one's breath. Loud, obnoxious, squeaky. I gave them a grace period. I seemed to be coping with it, or perhaps they were just quieter. Then it got much worse. I get out of my seat and tell the three girls and one guy, "Excuse me, I can't get anything done." And after a split second of shock and realization that, "oh, we're in a library" they shut their mouths. I considered my other word-choices after I sat down again. Should have I said, "Shut the fuck up," or "If you want to talk then go to the first floor," or "You are being extraordinarily noisy." I think I made the right decision the first time since I really didn't insult them directly.

I found this early Sunday morning: Escher's Relativity in Lego. Here is the full collection of Lego Illusions.

Since I have been driving around more I have started to listen to Lansing/MSU radio more. I haven't found a station better than Impact 88.9 [The Student Radio Station]. It has a really great mix of music, no ads, and DJs who aren't attention whores. I found the station when I took my car out for a wash. I went down to Jolly road to find a do-it-yourself hose and soap wash. On the way there I scanned the radio for good music. The drive reminded me of Whitneyville road in the Fall. After hosing down the bird feces and berry-splatterings from the Paseo I decide to explore the East side of Lansing by way of Aurelius road. It was one of the strangest street designs I've ever seen. A bike path follows the street on both sides. For about a half mile or more, however, the road goes above the grade and the single lanes are separated by cement curbs on both sides, like a hot-wheels track. On my right is a double wide bike lane and on the left is a ~8" curb separating the lanes of traffic. I have no idea why such a radical street design was built.

Maybe these guys have the answer. Don't take the name seriously, there is actually a lot of sympathy for Lansing on this site.

A true test of toponymy on the internet [you will need FLASH to view this site correctly].

I am using a new method of posting to the blog. I need to see how well this works. Cellophane, Cardboard, Beautiful.

Okay, so after looking at that, I've decided it's easier just to use the default Blogger method.

Ascending to Heaven

There is a student at Michigan State University. I'll withhold his name since I don't think it would be wise for his identity to be released. He lived on my floor last year and returned to the same building [but not the same floor] this year. We believe he is Autistic, but we cannot be sure. In any event, you must read this story. Now, listen:

We will call him Eddie. He is a true legend in Wilson, and all around campus. He is infamous for wearing sweatpants. He demonstrates the quality's of a Furby. Now, the story, according to a source who was with Eddie at a Bible Study meeting in Wilson Hall. So our source, my suitemate and Eddie are all in Bible Study and the topic of "The Hardest Thing You Have Ever Had To Do." comes up. Eddie starts out the discussion. "The hardest thing I've ever had to do... oh, well, let's see. Hmm, um. Oh, yeah, the hardest thing is Ascending to Heaven, yeah, ascending to heaven is the hardest thing I've done." Befuddlement hits the other students like a monsoon. Our source asks, "Do you mean that's the hardest thing you will have to do?" "No." says Eddie. [Now, can you imagine a kid who might be schizophrenic, who thinks that he has risen to heaven and returned to earth? A Jesus Complex?]

Then, Eddie demonstrates Ascending to Heaven: the martial arts technique [Karate, I believe]. He starts out sitting cross-legged and [after three failed attempts] rises to a standing position. All along he had no spiritual intentions. He was recalling the physical difficulty

Sobakowe Pillow Fails

The infamous Sobakowe Pillow just failed. I woke up with a tremendous neck ache. Have you seen that ad with the cartoon blood-vessel knot in the guy's neck. Well, that's how I feel. Except I don't have a magical Icy-Hot patch to relieve my pain.

In other news, New York Do's and Don'ts.

An Anti-Climatic Forfeit Finale

The Cuties showed up for their make-or-break game tonight, on time, pumped, pissed and ready to bust some heads [nevermind that IM Football is one-hand-touch]. But our opponents stayed home, cowering in their tears, biting their quivering lips, cuddling up in their blankies and forgetting all about the dreaded Cuties. Actually, it's more likely that they lost or won all three of their previous games making this one moot. Oh well. It's not the game we wanted but it's the win we needed.

I'm no art student, nor am I knowledgeable about contemporary art. Maybe Erik Wayne Patterson can teach us something. There is a recurring comic-book pane theme in his paintings. Confusing, certainly. After browsing through his gallery you might feel like The Lost Dog.

I keep going back to this website.

The Campus Cuties

Tonight we play for our survival in the Independent IM Football league. A team needs three wins [out of its five games] to enter the playoff system. We are 1-2. I think we can pull it off. We have experience and talent. Our game is 10 PM @ Munn Field. The Dorm IM Football league is a different set of teams entirely. My floor has a 4-0 team who managed a 19-18 victory last night.

CUBS WIN!

CUBS WIN!

An Interesting Encounter at IHOP

Last night I made an unexpected trip to International House of Pancakes. There were three of us, all who live on 5 East Wilson. One wanted some pancakes. Thus IHOP. I just had coffee. On our way out we crossed paths with some local stardom: Chris Hill and Paul Davis. So we decide to talk with the cashier about their appearance. She was not terribly impressed. According to her several of the football players eat regularly at IHOP, one of them, who she described affectionately, orders four bowls of oatmeal, four hashbrowns, ten pancakes and eggs.

California recall election coverage: what's wrong in California.

Mulder, here is a rough outline of what a Big Ten Tour would look like. I left out Purdue and Michigan because they are basically between other points.

Oh Boy! Check this out. My lower jaw just dropped when I saw Lansing on the list. But sitting in a theatre for the 10+ hour marathon might be excessive. Might be.

Survivor and a Pair of New Merrells

I went to the mall today with Patrick. He got his ears pierced. He wanted to do his eyebrow but decided against it. I probably bought more than I should have. My beige Merrell shoes weren't good for winter and they were wearing thin. I got a new pair of Merrells: waterproof, fleece lined and more tread on the soles. I can return them for a full refund in thirty days if I don't like them. I also bought the book Survivor. No, it's not about the television show. It is by Chuck Palahniuk [pronounced Paula-Nick], the author of Fight Club [yes, that Fight Club].

Please watch the videos on this site. Simply amazing. [The whistles go WHOOOOO!]

Tony, I want you to build one of these. I know you could.

Who needs beautiful cartography when you have Hoom! Maps. Just follow the thick purple line to Mordor.

Twelve Ninety-Two is not an Address

Last night I went trick-or-treating. Instead of asking for "treats" I was asking for their houses. I was with six other guys and we were searching for 8-10 person houses or adjacent houses. We found an amazing home on Abbot rd., four blocks from campus. We can't sign a lease for another two weeks, but that's not a big deal. So, after we get the landlord's name and phone number and address we search for his office to get the location and hours [since they weren't listed on his voice-mail].

Four people [myself included] get into the Paseo. We had directions for 1292 East Lansing, an office loop north of campus. After driving around it several times and checking the addresses we decide to check the attached apartment complex. We found the apartment offices at 1290, an address so close. After an hour of searching for 1292 we get a phone call, 1292 is a P.O. Box. So we drive back.

On the house: the garage was turned into a bedroom, the main living area is very spacious and connects to a dining room/kitchen, there are several bedrooms, there is enough parking for everybody to bring a car, it is adjacent to a 10 person house that is a total dump and [across the street] an office building. Nearby there is another interesting house, it has a red, rounded door; a bathroom that contains a single toilet and nothing else; and a very very large attic space.

On a completely unrelated note: I am a huge sucker and Patrick is a Licensed Mapologist.

I want to see Lost in Translation. I am thinking Thursday night.