let the games begin...

Class has started. I'm not nearly as excited as I thought I'd be. The first week actually wore me out. It's poured each day I had class and campus becomes a temporary flood zone, but I've been lucky enough to catch rides. It's been nice not have such bloody hot weather. I'll never complain about the rain. My buddy Brian, a guy I met last year in class, gets to put up with me from 9:30 until 2:30 every Tuesday and Thursday. I know it's a chore, but he's taking it well. He's always good entertainment. In general my courses are handleable. One of them, taught by my favorite professor, might even help me find direction as far as a career or even a general gameplan . Ha - wouldn't that be nice. If I can stay awake in my classes they shouldn't be too bad. I have a terrible habit (actually I really don't think I can even help it) of getting comfortable way too easily and quickly. It's great when I'm falling asleep at night - five minutes and I'm already out and dreaming. In class however, this causes quite a problem - especially when half my professors don't follow a textbook. Crap I need to work on that. Maybe I just get bored too easily. Mom, I hope you're not reading this because I can already hear the lecture and yes I'll try to get more sleep. I promise.

27 seconds...

Last Sunday my parents were in town to help my brother move into his dorm so we headed to the lake early that morning to make some waves. The water was crazy smooth and we were one of very few boats on the water. I skiied. Then I kicked off one ski and slalomed. And fell. And tried again. And again. And fell. Our cousins soon joined us with their boat and my brother was inspired to try out their wakeboard. I personally am scared to death of having my feet connected (and incredibly uncoordinated when they are). Believe me, my attempt at snowboarding was a disaster. He made it look easy, getting up within the first few tries. My cousin coerced me into starting in the water with only one ski. I've tried before and only succeeded in ripping my arms from their sockets. This time took about eight tries until I popped up and skiied like a pro. Okay, well a pro that goes really slow and barely makes it over the wake. But still, it was a first and I was happy. Thirty minutes later I was jumping in the water putting on the wakeboard. It was going to be a rough crash and burn. Three tries later I was up. Cake. Looks like it's time for a new water toy.

The whole point of that introduction, besides documenting my eventful morning, was to lead into a very interesting experience we encountered later that afternoon. We had heard about a marina that bragged a "27 second cheeseburger." Personally, I'm not sure that should be the main selling point. We pulled up to the dock and two incredibly friendly (ha) ladies tied up the boats. You would think if your job was to be on the lake all day, reading magazines, selling outrageously priced fuel and occasionally serving happy boaters, your job could not possibly be too painful. As witnessed by their customer service, I must be mistaken. None-the-less and as promised the older grump plopped down a ball of raw hamburger and in no time a cooked burger appeared. I will never eat there again. Ever.

wings...

My brother graduated high school this May and is on his way to college, which is a completely exciting ordeal in itself. Believe me, he cannot wait to get out of the house and dive head first into his own adventure. But what's even more awesome to me is that today my little brother is taking a test to become a pilot and in a few hours he should be certified. That's means passengers and all. I am so proud of him. Eighteen years old and flying solo - in all sense of the word.

that's a wrap...

Here's a look at the summer's highlights (so I don't forget), which at a closer look might appear a little pathetic.

• Numerous trips to the lake including a rainy Hawaiian birthday bash, smoky stories around the campfire, kneeboarding at dusk, and... I finally stopped being a weenie and slalom skiied. That's a big deal.
• Random trip to Omaha, NE where I enjoyed a tour of the city (Nebraska is a lot more beautiful than I imagined - really), the College World Series, and hours of pointless, silly entertainment with two friends - thanks Brian. I also hit up four states in three hours that weekend, and visited Anna in the 'Dot afterward.
• Fourth of July celebration with lots of friends at a Royals game. We grilled out of the back of the Cirrus. Yes, of course they lost, but the fireworks show was pretty impressive. "Royals, #1 in fun." Ha.
• Bachelorette party in small town America - my first one. It was ridiculous.
• The big move to the MC (thanks mom and dad). I hate moving. I love our new home. And my bedroom is the size of New Jersey.
• Zach and Bridget's wedding back home. I remembered again why I hardly go home.
• Finally, who can forget the countless trips to the 'Ville. If my summer needed summed up that would be it. Work, Aggieville. Um... yeah that's it. I am now poor but happy. And a little upset there are no more Friday specials.

Anna and I, doing our best at being goofy and happy, as always. She's probably going to hate that I put her chicken neck on here. Did I mention she's the best?

summer vacation...

With a Spring 2006 graduation date looming overhead, this summer was a welcomed break from the hub-bub of school and life in general. I cut back from the usual two-job , 70 hour work week that the three month "vacation" normally entails, passed on any summer classes available, and enjoyed life in a slower lane. It's been glorious. Of course it is soon coming to an end - as in crap! one week left! I'm excited to start classes again, although it seems surreal that college life will be finished - a bit prematurely maybe, or perhaps it's just hard to let go of what I'm used to and have grown to enjoy so much.