Exam Week Rant

So yea... it's that famous week again in my collegiate career at the one and only Longwood University, FINALS WEEK.

Ahh, yes.... the Week from Hades for me at the end of every semester. This semester it seems as though a few people I know only have like 2 or 3 in class final exams while I must suffer through 5! "It's no so bad", I like to convince myself. Afterall, they are all History classes -- my favorite subject.

As of Wednesday (Today)

Medieval Europe Exam: Check

U.S. History Exam: Check

Trad. & Mod. Grammar: Check

History of China: Thursday at 3PM

Western Civ: Friday at 11:30AM


Despite having to take 5 exams, finals this semester aren't too bad. I'll consider a C in grammar good because that course is tough. Enough blabbering about my exams and how I'm coming off as a whiner, trying to earn sympathizers.

On a much lighter note, DUKE won last night against an initially strong University of Illinois-Chicago team. After their usual slow start, DUKE turned out one of their signature 20-point runs and capped off the game with about a 33 point lead. J.J. Redick had 21 points, Daniel Ewing added 14, and Sheldon Williams had one of the biggest games so far this year with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Another side bar, especially to those naysayers who think DUKE has no bench......... 20 points from the bench.

Naive Young Americans

STORY 1:

I am sorry to say that in U.S. History today, I encountered a naive college student opening her mouth only to spew out her political "ideas." I have ideas in quotes here because I wouldn't call them ideas because they were not thought out with the highest nor lowest form of reason or logic--she shared none!

It's ridiculous what some people spew out of their mouth about certain things and this girl was no exception. So here goes.....

The professor was giving her lecture on the last bits of information we needed to know for our final exam and came about the formation of the CIA, Department of Defense, and the National Security Council after the second World War. The professor made it a point to relate it to today's events in politics by informing us that "the CIA, FBI, etc. were all separate until earlier this week when legislation was signed to put them all under one roof, one leadership as was suggested by the 9/11 Commission.

(The 9/11 Commission was of course established to pinpoint exactly what caused 9/11 and why it couldn't have been prevented, which also presented the Bush Administration with the flaws that each intelligence department had and what should be worked on.)

As soon as my professor finished that statement, up goes the hand of a naive young girl, ready to enlighten us with her ingenius political science knowledge. This is what she said, in a matter-of-fact, know-it-all way: "Dr. So-and-So, why would they do that (put all the intelligence departments under one leadership)? Wouldn't that only make us more vulnerable as a country? That's just so stupid!" This coming from the same chick who, at the beginning of the semester, thought abortion wasn't an issue between the two major parties.

Well, after the professor modestly told her that it was suggested by the 9/11 Commission in order to put all of the intelligence agencies/departments on the same page when it comes to matters of the state (state meaning the U.S.). You would think she would stop there, right? Nope.

She proceeds to throw at the professor every political view of hers. It's okay to have a political view, but don't speak as if your view is the only one and the right one. Then somehow, the subject of Air Marshalls came up. Air marshalls are the actual authorities that travel on planes and carry a gun in case of hijacking; they were conjured up shortly after 9/11.

The girl continues to say "Who decides who gets to have a gun on the plane? I don't think it's right that they get to carry a gun and other people don't." What she is suggesting that if Air Marshals get to carry guns onto planes, then other people (terrorists) should be able to. What the heck is she thinking?

Then, she opens her mouth again: "They shouldn't have Air Marshals. What about that one guy that had a bomb in his shoe, trying to light it? The people on the plane were able to stop him, so there was no need for an Air Marshal"

Well, guess what you naive revolutionary wannabe? The people on the planes during 9/11 WEREN'T able to subdue the terrorists now were they? Now do you see the need for such authorities as Air Marshals?

Spur of the Moment Poem of the Week

This one was inspired by and is dedicated to those friends of mine in the U.S. Armed Forces, whom all deserve a countless amount of respect and appreciation. Well, here goes the "Spur of the Moment Poem of the Week."

Message to American Soldiers, My Friends

We’re all on different branches BUT of the same tree.
It’s all for a reason; it’s all meant to be.
Have faith in God and strength of heart you shall receive
There’s only one true option and that is to believe.

Fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, pride
These are all things that’ll be close to your side at night.
No hope of a date this weekend, you’re there to fight.
And fight you must, for you’re trained not to hide.

You won’t be the only one watching your back
Your true friends are sending prayers
One for now and many for later
Stay strong, humble, and keep your mind in tact

Funny how fast time flies:
College, Jobs, Military lines.
Soon ago, just high school lives, now
Bringing true meaning to the daily grind.

Keep with you all of our good times
That’ll help clear your minds.
Stay focused and energized,
You’ve got waiting for you back home huge lines.

Lines to offer our appreciation
For the sacrifice made for our nation.
You are only few of many soldiers
But the only whose weight I’d take on my shoulders.

Remember one thing and remember it well,
You are friends for life, a bond to be upheld.
The power of God and your inner strength
Will have to lead you to the greatest lengths.

Early Weekend

To my suprise, the weekend started earlier than expected, and that's not a bad thing. Why has the weekend started early? Well, simply because one of my best buds, Ryan, caught a ride back with TBone and Fern on Wednesday instead of Friday. Other than having 4 classes between now and Friday afternoon, I've got nothing to do. So why not start the weekend early?

What I'm more "stoked" about is the fact that one of my best friends from home hooked up with my best friend at school and started jammin' a little together. After hours of just figuring out tunes and writing lyrics, they had a whole song set up, which later proved to be freakin' awesome and very unexpected. Not to say I didn't think they had the talent and drive, I just didn't think they would click as awesomely as they did. This weekend will include a lot of rockin' out and just chillaxin' around the "crib."

Bring on the early weekend before exams. Wait, no exams on Monday, so it appears that I have a 3day weekend. Too bad on Monday all of my time will be consumed in the endless pages of notes and textbooks in order to prepare for the upcoming Finals.

Back from the Depths of Term Papers

Like the title insists, I have resurfaced after a loooong weekend of researching for and actually typing up a 10-page paper on the Crusades. Let me just tell you, I do not wish a 10-page paper on the Crusades on anyone. I did get some learning done through the completion of the research paper, so I guess I benefitted somewhat right? Here's what I learned: The Crusades, after the first, were basically political escapades with a religious front.

I hope this color doesn't come off as gay, it appears to be a teal, but it's looking more like Girly Light Blue.

In other news, this past weekend was great for my favorite sports teams!

Buccaneers: 27-0 ROMPING of the Atlanta Falcons and Michael Vick. Who?? I didn't see any QB show up for the Falcons that game....

The Duke Blue Devils beat a cinderella school, Valparaiso (VALPO), in style and didn't quite think to slow down and let the other team score. Not much of a suprise in beating Valpo, just another one for the win column.

The Orlando Magic defeated the New York Knicks last Friday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, but the highlight of those games and the whole season for the Magic is the return and great success of Grant Hill, a former Duke standout who nearly led All-Star votes in his rookie season as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

Other than sports, I've been knee deep in school work and have severely been looking forward to "Winter Break" and CHRISTMAS. I hope for an iPod, Ghost Recon 2, clothes, and some shoes. OH, and can't forget socks..... socks are always a good Christmas gift for me, especially since I lose so many for unknown reasons.

Well, signing off with a quote from one of my favorite Civil War heros, Stonewall Jackson. I also dedicate this quote to the many friends I have in the Armed Forces.: Neil, Tim, Brooks from the US Marine Corps and James Eckenrode, Ryan Garrett from the U.S. Air Force. Oh, and up and coming Air National Guardsman, Ryan Wilkerson.

"Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me."

He adds: "That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."

Some People

Have you ever noticed that some people take things way too far and beyond the extreme? I think we're all somewhat guilty of that. In fact, I've done it many times before myself, but I always let it go and dropped it. I never let situations like that consume me, and that's the one and only positive one must look for. Yeah, like everyone, I have made bigger deals out of issues, but I can honestly say I avoid letting issues blow up and in return lose my self control -- no matter what the issue at hand is.

Some people, including myself, need to just chill and think about things before they open their mouth and let them out because they can have negative affects. Everyone has gotten carried away once or twice about certain issues, that's fine. The only problem I have is when somebody let's a sitatuion or issue consume them so much that they completely flip out and go beyond the extreme. Simply Don't Let it Happen!

We are all guilty of this or something similar to this.

So my New Years Resolution is to rid the earth of this issue. I too, will learn to chill and take some deep breaths when dealing with situations.

Duke victory followed by BORING Wed.

Last night, November 30, 2004, was a great night and for only one particular reason.That reason, my friends, is Duke's big win against Mich. State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. At one point, Duke was down 19-9 in the first half after leading 7-2. That was halted quick as J.J. Redick stepped it up big-time to enter half time with 21 points. To avoid turning this into a sports article, Duke beat a decent, well-rounded Mich. State team. J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing were the two notables for Duke, each totalling 29 points.

That great Duke game slowly faded into an extremely BORING Wednesday, up until about 7:30 when I went to the Wing Shack to watch one of my few best friends (who just so happens to be my roommate as well) tear it up with his guitar and vocals during an open mic night, if you will, sponsored by WMLU -- Longwood's Radio Station.

Fern rocked out acoustic style, but what really got on my nerves was the people that were at the Wing Shack that didn't have respect for anyone and who just continued to talk amongst themselves as loud as all. Alcohol doesn't make for a very respectful person I guess, but OH WELL. Fern got $20 in tips out of 30 minutes of play time so it's not too bad afterall. His playing was phenominal, but his vocals weren't coming through because WMLU decided to "provide" him with a BUSTED mic.