Wednesday, September 29, 2004
BUSY!
Whoa, man, have I been busy. Things have just been a blur for me lately. I'm almost through it though. The end of all this busy-ness should be when I get home friday. Then I can relax. I should get a short break tomorrow night too when Dad comes out to Butler again and takes me out to eat. Talk to you soon when I have more time hopefully. Thanks for keeping up, Aunt Les.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Ma, I'll try giving you a call at 9 tomorrow when minutes are free. I'm not sure if it's too late to call now or not, so I figure I'll just wait until then. Love ya.
The Great Outdoors
Lindsay and I are back from out camping trip. It was WONDERFUL. We cooked all of our meals over the camp fire. Saturday afternoon we went hiking on the trails around the campground. We also are planning on riding on the bike trails next time we camp there. The campground is right next to Moraine State Park, where the bike trail is.
The campsite was very nice. The site was surrounded by bushes and trees with a view of the tree line into the woods on one side. The stars came out for us Saturday night and the moonshine was very bright both nights. We barely even needed the fire. The campsite is equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table.
Lindsay and I have a nice tent. It was a great weekend for both of us. We both relaxed and blew off some stress. Now I've got to hit the books to get ready for classes tomorrow.
The campsite was very nice. The site was surrounded by bushes and trees with a view of the tree line into the woods on one side. The stars came out for us Saturday night and the moonshine was very bright both nights. We barely even needed the fire. The campsite is equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table.
Lindsay and I have a nice tent. It was a great weekend for both of us. We both relaxed and blew off some stress. Now I've got to hit the books to get ready for classes tomorrow.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Camping
Lindsay and I are going camping this weekend! It should be fun. We've wanted to for a while now and are finally getting around to doing it before it gets too cold. We're going to Lake Arthur Family Campground. It is only a few minutes from SRU. I'd really like to be further out into nature to camp, but this is more convenience and probably easier on the wallet. I'll let you know how it went when I get back.
Rocket
Hey, everyone. I put a new Rocket online last night. No stories this issue though. There will be one next issue I think.
Blood Drive
I gave blood to the Red Cross today. Whoo, what an experience! They didn't have any trouble getting a vein, unlike that traumatic hospital trip. I did just fine. It was kind of wierd squeezing the ball while there was a needle in my arm, but bearable.
When I got up I didn't feel any differently. However, when they made me sit at the food table it hit me. I started feeling sick to my stomach, big time. Then I started feeling really light headed and faint. I saw stars and the whole nine yards. Not a comfortable experience. Ten minutes and a big piece of candy later I was feeling okay again.
Now I can hardly tell the difference. They could tell I have been eating a ton of veggies because of all the iron in my blood. They put a drop in a cylinder of liquid to test iron content. If you float then your iron is too low to donate; If you sink you're good to go. The nurse said "Sinking like a stone!" when she put my drop in.
All in all it was a mildly unplesant feeling when I did it, however afterward it was very gratifying to know that my small discomfort may save a life. I'd do it again anytime.
When I got up I didn't feel any differently. However, when they made me sit at the food table it hit me. I started feeling sick to my stomach, big time. Then I started feeling really light headed and faint. I saw stars and the whole nine yards. Not a comfortable experience. Ten minutes and a big piece of candy later I was feeling okay again.
Now I can hardly tell the difference. They could tell I have been eating a ton of veggies because of all the iron in my blood. They put a drop in a cylinder of liquid to test iron content. If you float then your iron is too low to donate; If you sink you're good to go. The nurse said "Sinking like a stone!" when she put my drop in.
All in all it was a mildly unplesant feeling when I did it, however afterward it was very gratifying to know that my small discomfort may save a life. I'd do it again anytime.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Dinner
Dad and I went to The Brick House in Butler. It was an awesome meal. We talked about all the kids and how life is this year for Lindsay and I. We also talked about the Ivan flooding. It was fun. Thanks for dinner, Dad.
Poppop?
Hey Poppop! Are you reading the blog? I feel like I haven't heard from you in forever. If you don't comment or email me then I'm gonna call to see how you're doing. Hope all is well. Tell Nana that I hope she is doing okay.
Meal Plan
I sat down and looked at my meal plan contract today... and I realized I was getting crapped on! Apparently the student meal plans like I have charge you the maximum cost for a meal (dinner). So if I go to lunch I get overcharged $1 and breakfast $2. Also, I hardly ever use all of my 14 meals, so I lose roughly $5 for every meal I don't use. That really adds up over a semester! I think I'm wasting over $150 a semester. I'm looking into alternatives for next semester; I'm not going to get taken advantage of again!
Blue Key
I had a Blue Key meeting last night. I'm pretty excited about Blue Key this semester. It sounds like we're going to be working with flood victims in the area helping clear away damaged property and make their houses livable again. Also, I'm working on a Blue Key web site that is coming out pretty neat. I think it is looking really good so far. I hope that this coming summer I can go to the Blue Key National Leadership Conference (looks like they still have last year's info there) and talk to some people about me making a new National Blue Key web site. The current one is not looking so hot. Plus I think the Leadership Conference would be a lot of fun.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Dad's coming out
Yay! Dad will be in western PA tomorrow (on business). He's coming to SRU to take me out to dinner. I can't wait! I'll let ya know where we go and how it is.
Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN AND JOCELYN!
Monday, September 20, 2004
My next trip home
I will definitely be home for my birthday the weekend of October 30-31. I am also considering coming home in 2 weeks (Oct. 1). I haven't decided yet but am leaning towards it. Lindsay has already offered to come along, so if I come she will be too. In October I should be able to make it home by 8 or 9 Friday. I've got a Halloween party I must attend on Saturday evening. Then I'll have Sunday until about 2. I'll decide for sure about coming home sooner and let everyone know.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Ghost Riders
Last night Adam, Lindsay and I went to Ghost Riders, a country line dancing club, where we met a bunch of other friends. It's pretty neat. We're all terrible at line dancing, but we're getting better. We have a lot of fun just trying and watching everone else dancing. Once I get a camera I'll post some pictures of Ghost Riders. Evan and Sarah got to experience Ghost Riders the time they came to visit me at SRU. Anyhow, it was a lot of fun.
Flooding
The other flooding link is getting old. The post-gazette is changing around the article. If you're interested in how bad it was you should see the picture with this article. It shows the point, a signature landmark of Pittsburgh you've probably seen in pictures before, completely covered in water. Crazy!
Saturday, September 18, 2004
BAAAD Weather
The flooding yesterday was pretty bad in this neck of the woods. Other areas around SRU were hit hard but SRU itself is so used to flooding like that that it was just another rainy day here. Sections of route 8, a main highway around here were closed north of SRU (near Grove City). Not a great situation but at least SRU was prepared. We did have a short power outage but it was somehow only Bard Hall. Go figure. Things are back to normal now.
Texas Hold 'em Tournament
Guess what??? I got second place in the Texas Hold 'em Tournament. There were 20 people competing. I actually beat out my friend Adam (not big Adam, for those who know him) who I expected to trounce me. I was really close to first but the other guy got lucky on the last hand. I went all in on pocket aces, but he managed a straight on the river card. Anyhow, I still got second and I won a $20 gift certificate to Rachael's Roadhouse (a restaurant around here that does wings etc). First place was a $30 certificate. The guy who won first is also a friend and also named Adam, ironically enough. Since we're all friends we all plan to go to Rachael's at the same time. It should be a lot of fun.
Friday, September 17, 2004
RAIN!!!!
It is raining like crazy here in SRU. Cats and dogs even. Looks like it's going to be an indoor weekend. That's okay though. There's going to be a 3rd floor texas hold 'em tournament tonight at the dorm. First and second place gets you a gift certificate to an area restaurant. Wish me luck.
Weigh in
That exercise at the pool must've done wonders for me. I weighed in at 251 this morning. That's 43 lbs. 7 more and I can call it an even 50. I don't know how much I want to lose before I stop, but I'm thinking i'm going to take a break after I hit 50. I will probably want to lose more soon, but I don't want to lose it too quickly.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Easy Day
I have an easy day today. Only one class and it is a C++ lab. My C++ (a programming language) class is writing an AI program to play othello. We're going to have a competition on friday to see who is the winner. I think mine is pretty good and I'm hoping to win. Wish me luck!
Exercise
Wow, those swims at the pool must really have helped. I'm down to 254 this morning. That's 40 lbs and 3 lbs lighter than yesterday. :) The sudden weight loss is also probably some water weight because I ate some really salty food yesterday and that tends to make me gain a little bit of water weight.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Fall Break
There is no such thing as fall break at SRU. This should work out so that I have a longer christmas break or an earlier ending date in the spring, but I can't be certain. Bottom line is I won't be home mid-October as I'd hoped. I might be home for a weekend before then, though. I haven't decided on one yet. Any suggestions?
Bummer
Evan has a fall break from MU when he's going home in mid October. Sadly, SRU does not have the same holiday. I asked around because I thought all the state schools had to be on the same calendar since last year, but apparently not. I believe SRU has a longer christmas vacation in exchange for a fall break. So I won't be able to make it home. :(..
Swimming Again
I went swimming again last night. Lots of fun. A bunch of the guys on the floor from the class below me went this time. We played pool basketball. It was a pretty good work out. I'm not any lighter this morning though, but exercise usually takes a while to kick in. I've got a lot of classes today (no breaks except for meals and work until 9 p.m. but tomorrow I've only got one class, so that's good. Talk to everyone soon.
Monday, September 13, 2004
South Beach Update
Someone inquired about my south beach progress (I'm not sure who it was because they didn't leave their name). I'm doing well. I weighed in at 257 this morning. That's 37 lbs. since I started south beach. I'm still losing weight, but it's coming off a lot slower now. I'm going to try and exercise more regularly in hopes that it will speed my results back up.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Swimming
I went swimming today at the ARC. it was pretty nice. There's a basketball hoop in the pool and Other Brandon and I played for a while and I swam a few laps. It was a decent way to spend some free time on the weekend. I'm studying now. I have a Physical Geology exam tomorrow. I'm gonna get back to it.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Texas Hold 'em Pros
My floor has been playing poker a lot lately. Lindsay and I have become quite the pros. The past two times we have played (the most recent was tonight), Lindsay and I have been the last two with chips left. Both times Lindsay has taken me for all I had. Which is pretty good considering that I had to teach her how to play the first time! Anyway, that's how I spent my Saturday evening.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Evan's Blog!
Evan has taken the blogger plunge! He's got the beginnings of a blog up at http://evanhimes.blogspot.com. Everyone check it out and leave him some encouraging comments.
The Rocket
There's a new edition of The Rocket out today. No articles from me this week. Maybe next week. Check it out though. Chris Heinz was here to speak Tuesday (and the girls are ga-ga for him). Sadly, I could go because I was working. Oh well.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Thanks Aunt Les and Uncle Buck
Thank you both for the Giant Eagle gift certificate. The fridge was getting pretty bare. Don't worry though, still on the South Beach. Thanks again!
I am the web editor for the Rocket. The day my article was published the website still had last year's info on it. Check it out the rocket staff for this year's info.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Busy Wednesday
Wednesday is my busy class day. I have my first at 11 and my last ends at 9. I do have an hour for lunch and 2 for dinner though. So it works out okay. It is rainy as all get out here at SRU. That makes it fun to walk across campus. I can't complain too much though. My RNA job is finally settling down. Most everyone has been fixed. What a relief :)
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
First Honors Meeting
I went to the first honors meeting this year. I got to meet the new director. His name is Dr. Steven Strain. He seems cool. He talked about the honors web page a lot(which I help produce) so I think he'll be a good person to work with. I updated some of the honors program website today. Take a look if you're interested. I'm in the picture on the bottom of the first page and some of the pictures under "travel" about Oaxaca.
Thanks for all the comments! Remember to sign your name though. If you don't I just get an email from "anonymous" with your comment in it. I won't know who wrote it :(
Monday, September 06, 2004
Labor Day
I wish I could have been around for the family picnic in Duncannon yesterday. It sounds like it was a blast. Thanks for all the comments and keeping me up-to-date, Aunt Les. Lindsay and I went out to eat at Springfield Grill Saturday night for our anniversary. We both had a great time. I got Lindsay flowers on Thursday (our actual anniversary). Also, dinner was my gift to her. Lindsay bought me a little red bound book with blank pages and on every page wrote a reason that she loves me. I liked that a lot. Well, I've got to get going. I'm going to the Fraser's Labor Day picnic. I'll write again soon. Keep the comments coming. Oh, and if anyone else (Other than Dad) is having trouble getting to my article I'll be glad to email it to them too. Just let me know. Bye.
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Sunday
I'm not planning on doing much today. I have to enter some RNA work orders into the database. Also, I'm planning on playing cards. Tomorrow I'm going to the Fraser's Labor Day picnic. That should be fun. I hope they have something I'm allowed to eat.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
A Lazy Saturday
It's Saturday in SRU. That means almost everyone's gone home (especially because it's a long holiday). I'm kicking back and enjoying the free time. It's a nice break from my stressful week. I'm just kicking back a listening to some music in my room while I've got some laundry going. I've got the place all to myself because Jon went home this weekend to see Sasha, his girlfriend. I can't complain. After last year in the triple, it's nice to have some time to myself. Now I just have to remember what it was that I did when I had a room to myself :)
Friday, September 03, 2004
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone for being supportive and for complimenting my article! Also thank you for using the blog. Joshie saw it today and was amazed that everyone checks on me and comments on what I post. I've got a great family. :)
Article Follow-up
My article ran today. Front page, top of the fold. It made me pretty happy. I'm a little tired though. If anyone noticed, I posted at 4 a.m.!! That is because the paper's deadline is 2 a.m. and being that this was the first issue with a new staff, they didn't get it in until 1:45 or so. So by the time things were said and done I was back in my room going to bed around 4:30. Last year I was only normally out until 2:30 or 3; that's nothing for a night owl like me. Post a comment on this post if you'd like me to save a copy of The Rocket for you. :)
My new address
I asked for gift cards but then didn't tell anyone where to mail them to! Oops. Here's my new contact info (including address this time):
Brandon Himes
306 Bard Hall
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(724)406-1156
Thanks for sending the gift card, Aunt Les.
Brandon Himes
306 Bard Hall
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(724)406-1156
Thanks for sending the gift card, Aunt Les.
Front Page!
My virus article made the front page of The Rocket, Slippery Rock's student newspaper. I'm so happy. I think I'll write another in the future.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Country @ SRU
I can still listen to country at SRU even though I don't have a radio. I listen to streaming music. Though I don't do it so much because Jon usually has music on. Jon and I are getting along very well. We're both happy. ^^
Food
Aunt Les has expressed interest in sending me food (Thank you!) but I don't think there's anything that I'm allowed to eat that can be mailed. If anyone is interested in sending me food, I think a better solution is Giant Eagle gift cards. I wanted to have a link right to where you go to order them but the Giant Eagle website wasn't working tonight. Sorry. Thanks to anyone who sends one.
Anniversary
Today is Lindsay and my 2 year anniversary. I got her flowers today. We're going out to eat this weekend to celebrate. She's got a sweet gift for me this weekend. I can't wait to see what it is. She's told some other people and they told me how much I'll like it ^^
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Evan's Family Blog?
Hey Evan, everyone wants to see a blog from you. If you want help making one just call or IM me. I'll help you set it up. Hope you're doing well at MU.
South Beach
I've been sticking to South Beach pretty well. I haven't been eating breakfast as often as I should, but I did today. The eggs are working out well. I'm eating "better than eggs". For lunch and dinner both I've been eating salads. I get some variety by making them with different kinds of lunch meat and tuna (though I'm probably eating tuna more often than you're supposed to). I also frequently steam vegetables from the salad bar in the microwave provided in the dining hall. All in all I'm doing pretty good. I did cheat and have a bite of ice cream yesterday, but that's okay because I weighed in at 260 this morning! 34 lbs and going strong.
Blue Key
I'm a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. We had our first meeting of this year today. I like it. It's a service-based organization that gets me to socialize with some good people. "Other Brandon" or Brandon Showalter, who has been a close friend since my freshman year, and I joined together last year. It's fun. It's an international organization so we've got a long set of bylaws and have to follow "robert's rules" at meetings. We do community service projects every semester. Last semester we put on a "casino night" for a local nursing home. It was a lot of fun. I'm supposed to make a Blue Key web page later this year. I'll post a link once I do.
