Chris

You've been Giggitybooped.

This weekend I went down to Minneapolis to see some of my best friends from high school who I haven't seen in a while.

After school I drove down and got there at about 6 PM. I went to my friend Todd's place and hung out with him and his girlfriend for a while before we went to Cici's. Such a cool place, but I'm kinda trying to cut processed mass quantities of cheese out of my diet, so maybe it wasn't such a great idea. But ti was delicious, though I was let down that they didn't have any Ceasar salad on this particular day. Lame. Their carmel rolls are out of this world btw.

We sat there and reminisced about old times which is always hilarious, then we went back to Todd's to just hang out a bit more and play some Mario Kart 64. After a while we got kinda bored of that so we went and saw our friend Adam. We were just sitting around talking when we decided to have a World of Warcraft party. 5 of us logged on in Adam's apartment and run dungeons all night, and it was the most fun I've had playing that game yet. We ended up playing till 5 30 in the morning, which was just ridiculous.

The next day we all slept in till 2, then Todd's girlfriend made us eggs and toasty to munch on before we went skateboarding. It was me, Adam, and Todd, and we just kinda puttered around for a couple hours. When Joel showed up we just sat around and chilled on the side of the road talking, and Todd flew down a hill sitting on a skateboard while I jumped over him. After that we departed for dinner at Applebee's, which is always fun. Joel's girlfriend and Todd's girlfriend came with and we had a great time.

We went back to Todd's and pretty much just went to bed. Sunday we got up at 11 or so and went skating some more and had a pretty good time. I beefed it riding down a grass hill and hit cement hard, but we got good footage of it so it was not a total loss. After that we all went to Taco Bell and had our funniest conversation of the weekend yet and wearing the goofy goggles that came with the kid's meals we got. Then it was time for me to go, so we said our goodbyes and I headed back to Duluth.

Definitely all in all a great weekend. But now, back to real life. I got a bunch of homework to do, with a couple quizzes in Database, a paper in A.I., a lot of reading for Goth Lit, and I'm certain I will shortly have a lot to do in Systems.

Plus, I am almost level 50 in WoW. Sooo excited, cause we found an awesome sword for me Friday night and I get to use it once I'm 50. Awesome Possum.

Alright, I'm out. Late.

You only disappoint the ones who don't believe.

What a wild and crazy week it's been!

No, not really, but that would have been nice, hmm?

No, it's been a pretty standard couple days since my last entry. Yesterday I worked in admissions from 8 AM to 3 PM which was as expected. Even though the food costs a fortune there, I couldn't resist grabbing some mozzarella sticks from Storm's Den and they were amazing as usual.

Our software development team had a meeting about our project and I hammered out the Statement of Work while we straightened out some other parts of the project. Things are going smoothly so I am being cautiously optimistic.

I met with Diana to go over my incomplete resume. I am not really sure anyone will hire me with this thing, but fingers crossed right? She helped me out a great deal and I greatly appreciated it, and I'm gonna bring this draft up to Career Services for further guidance. Fun fun.

So last night I slacked off like I always do and didn't even try to study for my Database test until like 11 PM. I was up for a couple hours doing that, so, yeah. Woke up today and studied a little bit during work study, and then took the test!

I was kinda mad. One of the questions wasn't on the study guide (or maybe I have selective reading problems) but I was able to nail it since it was something I'd already learned in Systems Analysis. Fingers crossed on that test, honestly, cause I don't know if I even got a B on it or not. Hope Brandon has fun reading my frenzied chicken scratch. I should probably invest in a pencil rather than a pen given all the scratching out I do.

Otherwise not much is up. I am going to the cities this weekend to see some of my best friends that I don't get to hang out with ever. I added a couple facebook apps, one measuring type speed which I am awesome at, and one being a bowling game all my friends have been begging me to add forever and I have just today given into. It's kinda cool I guess/ >:|

Ok, I will catch up with you homies Monday. Be safe.

Inconsistant

How did I forget to do this yesterday? Let's try to get you up to speed on my rapidly changing, exciting life. Shall we?

School this week has been kinda meh. I haven't been able to keep up in the readings for Goth. I bombed my last assignment in Databases. I'm still in the dark as far as my project for Software Development goes. And I still don't have an internship. Blah. Blah. Blah.

So while I'm kind of down about that, I think I'm going to the cities this weekend which would cheer me up should I do so. I have friends there and it would be nice to see them and cheer me up from this first month malaise and general down-ness I've been going through.

But yeah, I don't really know how I messed up my database assignment so bad but I'm gonna talk to Brandon about it in a bit and I probably won't like what I hear. Yesterday my group in Software Development had a meeting with the client where we learned a bit more about the project but I still don't feel we have a good grasp on what exactly we are going to do about our problem yet. It's kind of frustrating and hopefulyl we have a breakthrough soon that makes the going easier.

Of course I've spent all my free time on WoW. I knew I'd get addicted, but I'm level 43 and I am excited about that. Cause I'm a nerd.

Otherwise, this morning I had breakfast at Arby's (random craving) although it didn't brighten my day as I had hoped. Le sigh.

Hopefully something better will be going on by the time of my next post. Till then, keep it real.

Third Season

Woops. I kinda forgot about this blog.

I had a pretty good weekend. Friday I went home and went bowling with friends, and then we had a kareoke night till 1:30 in the morning.

The next day I went out to my Grandma's cabin to see my family and eat dinner. It was pretty nice. Then I went over to my friend's house for what I thought would only be an hour, and turned into hanging out with a bunch of people till 4 AM. I couldn't believe it.

It was cool cause I got to show all my friends my tattoo. Everyone seems to really like it, I've gotten a lot of compliments about it. I think I am pretty much done with lotioning it and now I'm just thinking ahead to the retouching phase which I will probably do in November. It's free anyway so, whenever.

Amazon let me down. I ordered a cd and they sent me the wrong one. What a travesty.

So now I have to mail back the wrong cd and they mail me the right one. Just kind of a hassle. Depending on how this exchange goes will determine whether I patronize this particular web store any more.

That's how boring my life is. I am talking about getting the wrong cd sent to me by Amazon.

Alright team, let's regroup and try again Tuesday.

Peace.

I got your key right here, is that what you want to hear?

Sup strangers.

Nothings really happened lately. But I can't only blog when life is interesting so here we go.

I totally neglected my web logging activities yesterday due to the lack of excitement, but doing my time sheet reminded me of this particular part of my job description. And you know what I hate? That candy bar commercial where the girl goes "Blogging? I LOVE BLOGGING". I think it's Twix, but it's a really dumb commercial and I hate it. There, I've vented.

I've been eating a steady diet of those frozen hamurger pattys that come in the boxes of 20 and have like no flavor lately. Not half bad with a pile of ketchup on them.

Course this year I am trying to eat a little healthier. I won't say I'm failing miserably but I've got untouched bags of carrots and broccoli in my mini fridge and I tore through my Easy Mac this week like nobodies business. But I am still doing better than I was doing last year or even this summer. I haven't eaten fast food in like, almost a week. That is seriously unheard of for me.

But of course on the way home Friday I'll need to pick up a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. As a reward to myself, of course.

My latest excuse to not work out? My tattoo. What if sweating all over it ruins it? Can't afford to risk it.

I will be out of excuses by next month though so maybe I should just suck it up sooner or later. I gotta get rid of this spare tire I lug around. I also need to lose some weight.

Boy oh boy am I worried about Software Development Implementation. We are having a meeting today to discuss stuff and I am lost. What have I gotten myself into? Oh well!

Otherwise, Monday through Wednesday were a lather-rinse-repeat affair. I've been watching too much TV, playing too much World of Warcraft, getting too little sleep, and achieving unheard of levels of procrastination on my homework.

All I know is that tomorrow I'm going home for the weekend and it can't come soon enough. I thought I would be better about not having to go home constantly this year, but hey, I held out for 2 weeks and my mom misses me. I am not miserable down here like I was at times last year, rather I just need a break from the grind that I wouldn't be able to get here. But otherwise, things are going fine, and I am still enjoying my house and roommates and tattoo. Life is peachy.

Blah, I sure want it to be Winter break now though.

Anyhow, I have to turn in my graduation form thingamabobber so that I don't epic fail, so I will catch you guys... on the flip side?

What?

A break from our usual discussion.

I figured now is as good a time as any to refrain from speaking about my awesome tattoo and my 2nd life in World of Warcraft to speak for a moment about school. The reason I am here to begin with, after all.

I still don't have an internship and yes I am very very worried. I really don't feel I match up to the others in regards to my computer skills, and that is not modesty. I've got some stiff competition and there are only so many internships. So, hopefully, I get one soon. The only ones available are programming ones, but programming isn't really my strong suit and the description of the job said it requires certain skills that I totally lack. I took a year of java, but I don't really know about all the other stuff they require. Blahhhh helppp.

My first class in a given day is Database Modeling with Brandon. I like Brandon and he's always been fair to me and listened to my questions and aided me appropriately. His class is going well, no complaints. I hope I learn something practical in this class cause that kind of knowledge is what I am lacking at the moment. We are just messing around with Access this week, and I already took a class on MS Access so while I won't say it's a review (since I didn't pay attention last time) it is going smoothly at the moment. But we got some complex stuff we are going into which I am somewhat excited about.

Gothic novel is fine but, despite my proclivity for the English language, I've never been much of a literature analyzer. Everyone else in the class has countless observations about the book and are able to deconstruct it in a second, and all also apparently have an encyclopedic knowledge of authors and the time periods the novels were written in. I kinda fade into the crowd here, but I have the occasional moment of brilliance. Very occasional. But, reading is awesome, and I like hearing about these new ways to read stories, and it is a learning experience. I like it!

Artificial Intelligence is OK. I was smart and missed the first 2 class periods because I thought it was a Monday only class. Not that it really mattered, since I am doing it for independent study. Tom gave me the option to basically do half the semester for the 2 credits I applied for and I took it, so I will be done with that class by November. Which is awesome, not because I don't like the class, but because the more free time the happier I am.

It's pretty cool in there, this week we got the work piled on it seems. We have to do a presentation on Animal A.I. and me and my partner are gonna do it on robot dog interaction with real dogs and persons. Should be cool. We also have to build a rudimentary robot and use the LegoWorks software to program it to respond to several stimuli and display finite states. Sound fun? It kinda is, cept I can't build anything to save my life. Luckily, my partner likes the kind of Legos we use so I'm saved.

Now, the bane of my existence: Software Development Implementation. Gawd, this class has me worried.

Basically, we team up in group, and we develop a real software system for a real business client. I am very worried because... I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO ANYTHING.

I'm definitely gonna be pulling down whatever group I'm with. I'm a pessimist though so hopefully I am wrong. I can make the powerpoints I guess? And I AM taking Databases right now so I can maybe help on that end. But the disparity between what's needed for this class and what I have done thus far is striking to say the least.

It will be a learning experience for certain. Hopefully some of my partner's intellect rubs off on me. Fingers crossed.

So, those are my school concerns and nothing else is really new. My workout regime is delayed once more because I am swamped with work and errands this week, but eating healthier has gone well for the most part. I haven't lost any weight yet but, I don't expect that till I am full in the swing of working out. The tattoo still looks awesome but tonight I gotta start putting lotion on it constantly or else it'll get RUINED. Last thing I need.

Now I just want to wear shorts everywhere to show it off, but now it's getting colder so oh well. Maybe next summer. Also, I hit level 30 with my Orc Warrior on Warcraft last night so I was happy about that. If that means nothing to you, alright.

Back to work, keep it real.

Wow. I have a tattoo now.

Yeah.

So Friday was a typical school day. I have been having a good time in admissions with all the new students and feeling like I'm important training people in on Banner Web. Class went normally as well.

In A.I. in particular we are studying finite state diagrams and next Monday we have to build a simple robot with Legos and program it to react to several inputs as if it were an animal. I am not good at building. Hopefully my partner is better at construction of things than I am.

Last night though was a strictly World Of Warcraft night, and I also went out of my way to get chicken alfredo from Pizza Hut. Bad Idea. I chucked chocolate milk with it and it was so rich that I could feel the trans fat flowing into my fat cells. If that's how it works, whatever.

So I got super sick and just hung out all night. Stayed up till 3. What a bad idea.

Today I slept in. What a good idea. Then my adventure began.

I drove uptown with no idea how long my tattoo would take, and I had only a few quarters on hand so I needed more. So I parked, and walked a few city blocks before I made it to a place I could break my $20 at for change.

I got a few dollars in quarters and went back, and put quarters in my meter until I hit $2.00 before noticing that there is a 3 quarter limit, or one hour. I felt so stupid and mad.

I go to the tattoo parlor and it turns out it was all a waste of time because I had to get on a waiting list anyway that wouldn't be ready for me till like 6, a half hour after the parking meters stop being enfored. Argh.

Hung out at home till I was called and then I went in for my adventure!

I went in and showed them my tattoo and they got it sketched up. I waited a little longer before they called me in and met my tattoo artist Josh. He was a really cool guy and we just talked about stuff like what I'm doing for school and what ev. A few people in the parlor complimented my tattoo idea and I felt kinda cool.

He sat me down and I had to put my leg up on a stool, and be seated very uncomfortablely so he could get at my leg right. He shaved it off, very easily which surprised me. Shaving my face in the morning takes like 10 minutes of cutting myself and he just kinda rubbed this cheap razor up and down and got rid of the hair he needed and I didn't feel a thing. So random. Maybe it was nair he sprayed on before hand? I don't know. I don't get it. I forgot to ask how he did it. NVM.

So the tattooing started. He kept tabs on me to make sure I was alright. But it SUCKED. I mean, I could handle it, but man that hurt about as much and maybe more as I expected. It felt like a needle being jabbed into my skin, dragging on it and pulling at it. Oh wait, that's exactly what happened.

But it only took like an hour and man, am I ever happy with the results. Tattoos are so awesome, and I need more. Although it did cost me like, $200. Wow. Oh well. A lifetime investment I suppose!

Now is the maintenance part. I take the paper towel taped to my leg (aka "bandaid) off either tonight or in the morning, whatever. After a few days of healing the holes stabbed in my leg, I spend almost 2 weeks regularly putting lotion on it to make sure it doesn't get all crummy. Woo hoo. All I know is it looks so, so awesome. I can't wait to show people.

Anyways, afterwards I went with my old roommates to Burn After Reading tonight. Man, what a good movie. I laughed quite a bit at it and had a great time. I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to though, as everyone who came out of the showing before us seemed to hate it. Haha.

The Big Lebowski remains my favorite Coen Brothers flick though. That will never change.

Anyway, that's it for today. Hey guys: I GOT A TATTOO.

Peace.

Untitled.

Seriously couldn't think of any title. I am really lacking in creativity lately.

I've finally started working in admissions consistently. Last year I had a really hard time making it to work for various reasons and despite my general predilection towards lethargy, I think I am actually going to make it to work more often then not.

Besides, this year I really need the money.

It's been fun meeting the new batch of co-workers and getting reacquainted with the old ones. Tuesday when i was doing mailing in the basement I met a few of the kids and we watched some good movies like Ace Ventura 2 and For Richer or Poorer. As for today I helped train a new guy named Joel on the banner system, which I myself had a hard time with and required aid on. Maybe I wasn't the best choice for teacher, but I got the hang of it again pretty quickly. It's like riding a bike. Only without the bike.

I have been watching entirely too much cable as of late. Having a TV in my room in combination with my addiction to a computer game that doesn't require my full attention has resulted in much cable viewing. I've made it a habit to stay up till 2 in the morning so I can watch Steve Wilkos, and with Scrubs in syndication on 3 different channels, plus my love of Law and Order: SVU and professional wrestling and... well the list goes on, really. It's a really good thing I don't have DVR.

Blah. Saturday is the day I get my tattoo. Reactions have been mixed. Some like it. Some have done a poor job hiding their negative feelings towards it. I don't really care, cause I'm doing it for myself, and I really like it. So, uh, there.

Otherwise not much is up. I made some pasta roni today. Delicious. Otherwise, I guess I'll just discuss my further aspirations and how school is going further tomorrow or the day after. Aren't I reliable?

Later days.

Musta! Krakish!

Blogging is more relaxing for me this year. I felt somewhat obligated to blog Monday through Friday about what I did that day, which is mundane for the most part and dull for everyone involved. So I'm allowing my blogging to be somewhat more organic, and will probably post every 2 to 3 days. Really, everyone benefits. Blogging isn't a chore for me and people will actually read them! (yeah right.)

So hey, I'm getting a tattoo Saturday. Yep. I will definitely post pictures of it once I do so and, of course, if it looks alright and I don't completely regret it.

Almost every one of my friends has at least one, so I decided to get in on the act, ya know? And I've always wanted one, but didn't get it for a pretty stupid reason: I was too scared to go to the tattoo parlor and just ask questions.

What did I expect? The tattoo guy to look at me like I'm a moron and tell me to get out before he beats me up? Oh, maybe. My mind is pretty fantastical at times. But, when I went to Anchor's End today to see about my tattoo proposal, the guy couldn't have been nicer. He explained how it all works to me and really put me at ease, and I left with a smile on my face. I'm excited?

The other reason I took this long to get one is I wasn't sure what I wanted permanently stained on me. I've settled on an idea I've had for a long time, shamelessly stolen from some guy I talked to online. What is that idea? Oh, you will just have to wait until it's already on me. That way I don't get e-mailed about how terrible an idea it is and I chicken out.

It's nothing big, it's just gonna go on the side of my calf, and I am excited. Did I already say that?

I'll be back next time to talk about my classes now that I have a better grasp on them, and my paranoia stemming from that, but until then, get on www.8tracks.com and make your own 8 track! Share it with your friends! Ect.!

psst heres mine http://8tracks.com/Khris138/khriss-september-2008-mix

Welp, cya later.

Back to the ol' salt mines.

School is going well, or at least the 2 days I've gone for yet. I am absolutely loving having class 3 days a week, but tomorrow is kind of my big day of 4 classes straight. But, I guess I shall just see how the 2 new ones go. I'm pretty excited honestly for my software implementation and artificial intelligence classes. I guess I will have to report back with whether they are cool or uncool.

So this weekend I had to run home to grab some stuff that I forgot including a textbook from last year that is apparently the same one we are using for a class this year. I'm all for saving money, and glad I didn't sell my books back now.

While there I didn't do much aside with go bowling and watch UFC Sunday night. It was a pretty good show, but I was pretty let down by Lidell getting knocked out in the 2nd round. Not a Rashad Evans fan. But, still an entertaining show that was fun to watch with friends.

So today I find out that what I thought was a subsidized loan was actually unsubsidized. Quite the let down. I got over it but I was pretty bummed by it for a bit there. I also apparently agreed to pay for the interest as it comes and, I really don't remember doing that. Somewhat upsetting, but hopefully I'll be able to fix that tomorrow when I call in to see what's up. If they can't fix it, I guess they are going to lose my business! Gotta hit em where it hurts.

So, I've been playing a lot of World of Warcraft lately. I guess you could say I'm getting addicted, unfortunately. For the uninitiated, WoW is a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), that is, I travel around a land populated by other human characters like myself, trying to make my warrior stronger and better. I kill stuff. Whatev. It's fun!

I just hit up Erbert and Gerbert's, my favorite sub place for the first time this school year. First time of many, I am sure.

I am trying to eat healthier this year. Failing miserably. Well, that's an overstatement. I've still been patronizing the local fast food joints and still plan on doing so whenever something new and exciting shows up on the menu. But otherwise, I am kinda sick of them. I got a mini fridge right next me (awesome) and I've been eating baby carrots and drinking V8 Fusion out of it, not to mention lots of water and organic fruit, as well as this healthy cereal I found. It works out pretty well to eat healthy when it's right there next to you and not so far away downstairs.

Anyway, I shall report back as developments occur. Peace.