I realize that I haven't updated this blog properly in months. I'm quite sorry. So, to appease those of you that still read this...a brief retrospective on what I've learned this school year, and some very important non-school phenomena.
--I really couldn't have asked for a better floor than D5. I had a bit of a hard time finding people to hang out with until the floor started coming together. These guys (and a few girls) helped make life bearable when everything else sucked, and I've probably had more laughs this year than any other. So many inside jokes, so many long nights. Totally worth it. Thanks for making me feel like I belonged, guys. (Connor and Jaclyn, honorary D5 status means you = guys.)
--I'm figuring out the way my mind works in an academic setting. If I'm not very intrigued by your subject matter, or if your class isn't challenging me, I will not perform well. I excelled in JOUR200 this year because my prof (Dr. Kirch) was the MAN, and almost every class posed a thought-provoking question about the nature of my future career. My lowest final grade was in COMM107, an absurdly easy class. I just had no motivation to do well, and it showed. (I could get a whole blog post about how stupid that class was...another time, perhaps. Actually, while writing this post, the professor pulled off another move of remarkable stupidity...) Hopefully the challenge will get ramped up in future semesters, though I'm going to need time for...
--Peake. Wow. I knew that everyone there could play their instruments, but the improvement was still remarkable. At first I missed the closely knit Souderton drumlines, probably because I was really close with a lot of Mirage members outside of drumline. And then Wildwood happened. I realized how close we all were. I saw grown men and women cry. It was incredible. I wish I'd had more time to hang out with the members of the line (because everyone knows I'm not social in a rehearsal setting).
And, arguably more importantly, I felt something I've never felt before: sweet, sweet victory. I'm not trying to brag (it's not like it was my individual efforts that got Peake that gold medal), but it was a truly incredible feeling. We were rockstars. People came to watch us rehearse and STAYED. People we'd never met cheered us on. I was so used to hearing my organization's score near the bottom of the barrel; it was great to win. And I'd encourage any percussionists to come join Peake. Hint hint.
--Maryland marching band...well, you guys were fun. I just can't perform in a noncompetitive setting. I love the people, but...eh, not for me.
But I'm grateful I did it last year...because that was where I met Winger, who told me about Peake, which was awesome, and that was where I heard about Windsor, which will hopefully be just as awesome.
--I really miss sleeping in. Just sayin'.
--I've finally realized a very powerful reason to enter the journalism field, as cutthroat and low-paying as it may be.
Journalists tell the public what to think. If a story's not reported, it's like it never happened, and you don't think about it. The way we write a story influences how you interpret it, whether you'll admit it or not.
I'm aiming to be a music journalist. I'll get to be a part of what shapes the musical tastes of America (and you know well that I'll only promote the artists that deserve it). Suddenly, this major doesn't seem so bleak after all.
That's all I've got for now...I know this all was rather incoherent, I seem to have forgotten how to write blog posts well. Ah well, maybe next time.
Friday, May 20, 2011
What I've Been Up To
Posted by Mike at 12:10 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Posted by Mike at 2:31 PM 4 comments
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Altar: Chapter 1 (1)
As promised, here's the first chapter of my novel-in-very-slow-progress, The Altar. Not sure how I feel about this opening. Check my older posts for a refresher on the context and setting (I think it's in July under 'another novel idea. Pun intended'), and if it still doesn't make sense or I've changed too much stuff since that initial concept, comment or message me on facebook. Other comments and criticism are welcome and highly encouraged.
Posted by Mike at 10:43 PM 3 comments
Thursday, January 13, 2011
http://www.epinions.com/content_5486780548
Read it. Leave comments here if you've got 'em.
Posted by Mike at 11:44 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year's, revised
LET'S GO.
Posted by Mike at 3:37 PM 3 comments
Thursday, December 30, 2010
in which i damn thinspo sites and offer some optimism
If you're my friend on facebook, you probably saw me post a status saying 'there are times when I just really hate the world.'
Here's an example of why. http://fromthintofatandbackagain.tumblr.com/
Thinspo sites. Seriously. what. the. f.
Every single one of these should be shut down.
Look I get that you have the First Amendment on your side and it's your lifestyle choice. You're going to say 'you don't understand me' and 'you have no right to tell me how I get to live' and 'it's my body, I can do with it what I want' and all that crap.
You're right in one regard. I'll never understand you. I've never come to the point that I've wanted to restrict or purge as an emotional response to what's wrong in my life (or for whatever reason you choose to do it). Because quite frankly I love food. So maybe I'll never fully understand how you choose to act the way you do. But I've seen what it does.
Eating disorders nearly killed one of my friends...twice.
Eating disorders nearly tore my family apart.
Eating disorders ruined me for months.
AND YOU DEDICATE A SITE TO SUPPORTING THIS?!
You tell the world that this is fine. You tell the world that your struggles against the forces of food are some sort of valiant martyrdom and your self-destruction is a victory.
You are wrong. Terribly, completely, utterly wrong.
You are succumbing to the darkest forces known to man with every restriction, every purge, every dark thought.
Your beauty is not tied to your weight. Your value is not tied to your weight.
Your beauty lies in who you are. And who you are is not your figure. Who you are is who you love, what you do, your passions, your dreams. And if any of those involve your figure, these aren't you. These are sick perversions. Don't let them define you.
I realize that platitudes like these don't work most of the time. I'm holding out hope that they'll work for someone. I realize that thinspo sites aren't going to go away because an angry teenager told them to. I'm hoping that this will diminish their power to some slight degree.
Posted by Mike at 12:27 PM 4 comments
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
this song...
All of the following happen when I listen to this song.
1. If I'm on shuffle (which is about 75% of my listening), I say something to the effect of "aw, yes!" or "good song!"
2. I am rendered speechless for about three minutes and forty-two seconds.
3. I find it nearly impossible to think of anything else besides how incomparably beautiful this song is.
4. I marvel at the fact that this isn't the version they put on the actual album.
5. I repeat the song at least once. I'm in the midst of my third play in a row right now.
Thrice, you never cease to amaze me.
Posted by Mike at 10:06 PM 0 comments