random blurb time (4-30-10)

*it's officially "get my concert fix" week

• Sunday night I went to a free Four Year Strong concert @ Penn State (to close out a weekend spent with Abby!)
• last night I went to see Paramore and Relient K in Charlottesville
• aaannnd tomorrow night I'll be in the 757 @ my favorite concert venue (the Norva) to see Angels & Airwaves

*I should have kept a tally of all the miles I docked on the car thus far this week. I made it from PA back to Lynchburg in a record 5 hours and 15 minutes (possibly less).... without stopping once! my bladder-control is straight up ninja

*purchased my ticket for the midnite premiere of Iron Man 2 next week. let the summer movie season BEGIN! (also snuck a peek at the post-credits scene in the movie via Youtube.... I approve!)

*I want one of these!

 best potential side-kick.... ever?

*experienced some incredible jelly beans over the weekend. Buttered Popcorn, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Grape soda. mmmmm-licious

*the anticipation is building daily for the semester to be over, summer to begin, and my internship w/ LSM to kick into gear.... I can't wait!

*watch this - http://wimp.com/thoseninjas/ ... 'nuff said

*recently made aware of a new social-networking site on the scene (Empire Avenue). it combines your overall web-presence via Twitter/Facebook/Blogging and allows people to invest in "stocks" of you as an individual. Steven Sherman got me hooked. Access is gained by applying for a spot, or getting an invite-key from a current user (p.s. - I have 3 extra invite keys if you want one! lemme know)

*I refuse to try that new KFC Double Down "sandwich"

I'm a fan of an un-clogged heart... and being alive.

..... aaaaand on that note, it's time to wind down towards slumber

first-time experience

While visiting Abby this weekend in PA, we went to a carnival near the Penn State football stadium. Amidst all the rides, carnival games, and food vendors... there was one thing that stuck out like it never has before.

the FERRIS WHEEL

Was there something different about it compared to other ferris wheels? Did it look all shiny and neat? Was it faster than normal? Exactly why did this ferris wheel stick out to me?

Plain and simple.... I suddenly realized that I'd NEVER been on one before! It wasn't a case of fear, or dis-interest in riding one in the first place... I guess I just never thought about it until right then & there while roaming the carnival grounds with Abby. Without further delay, we snagged some ride-tickets and got on board. It also helped that we got there as the carnival was winding down.... so there wasn't a line! I'm a fan of sweet rides with no lines.

Side note: I also experienced the un-healthy glory of fried oreos for the first time on that same night. WOW... they were almost too amazing

Anywho, is there anything that comes to mind for YOU that falls under the category of something you've never experienced/eaten/watched.... for no other reason other than you've just never really thought about it? Post your responses in the replies!

new header!

just a quick post to point out the new header i made today while bored in class.... lemme know what you think!

*(i might try a couple more out in the days to come.... but then again, i might NOT)

now it's time to go snag this week's batch o' comics, and then head to class. God bless and have a fantastic day, rain or shine!

hakuna matata, fer sure

Worrying is pointless (as I've said many times before)... especially when there's blatant reasons stacked in your favor.
 

real-life Timon & Pumbaa!

The point is... I got the summer job! I will be interning with the ridiculously top-notch student ministry back home @ Liberty Baptist, as they gear up for a huge summer (new student center opening the week after I start in mid-May). I guess I was less worried that I wouldn't get this job.... but rather, I was more worried I'd have to crawl back to Friday's and spend another summer doing the restaurant thing all over again. Not that working at a restaurant is a bad thing! I've just closed that door and don't have any intentions of opening it again... unless it's an absolute must. I cherish my years working @ TGIF, and all the awesome people I met and friendships I still have... definitely a rewarding experience, and it truly stretched me as a person and I feel better for it. Plus I know what it's like to be in a server's shoes now, after several years waiting tables... and will forever tip graciously, regardless of the circumstances.

*In closing... I leave you with some countdowns:

4 days until I head to PA to see Abby!

10 days until a concert-tastic weekend in VA Beach (and hopefully Jersey!)

17 days until Iron Man 2 hits theaters!

24 days until my summer begins!

49 days until Conan O'Brien's live tour in D.C.!

belated anniversary gift

I recently arranged (secretly) for a mutually favorite artist of Abby's & mine to dedicate an acoustic performance of his new single to Abby from me for our 8-month anniversary... (what can I say? i love coming up with top-notch surprises)... so without further adieu, here's Dave Barnes performing "God Gave Me You"



I am SO glad that worked out, and extremely pleased/amused with Dave's delivery of the dedication I wrote.... now if you don't mind, I'm going to go start figuring out how to top this....

Do yourself a favor and check out Dave's music. I finally saw him live in concert last semester, and I was blown away.... SO good

www.davebarnes.com
www.youtube.com/THEdavebarnes

(fun fact: I was previously only aware of his comedic Youtube videos.... and had no idea he was a musician until months later. definitely check out his videos.... HILARIOUS)

"Absurd Image" Fridaaaay (4-16-10)

I'm going to attempt a new weekly tradition. I'll aim for Fridays, but motivation may inspire me to publish an "Absurd Image" post earlier...

r e g a r d l e s s !

I want to know what YOU think the caption should be for this picture..... 3, 2, 1... GO!

I'll post my caption later 2nite or tomorrow!

people amaze me

Sometimes.... okay MOST of the time.... I find videos of people that simply stun me, out of pure bewildering amusement. This video takes the cake for recent youtube discoveries



I dunno about you, but I would love to have a crazy grandparent/relative like that..... just imagine the family reunions!

consider me confused

Unless you're allergic to sunshine, social interaction, oxygen, food, and information..... then you're relatively aware of the latest trends, the most talked-about movies & tv shows, and the must-have new gadgets on the market. For the most part, the hype surrounding alot of this stuff is understandable.... but for every trend in fashion / entertainment / technology, there's at least 10 more that absolutely confuse me.

Here's a few examples :

*soap operas, professional wrestling, and court-tv shows: I just don't understand how any of these types of shows are still on the air. I can go a month (or more) without hearing anyone talk about, write about, or even joke about any shows that fall under these categories. Are people too embarassed to openly proclaim their passion for Guiding Light, WWE, or Judge Joe Brown? Do networks just keep this stuff on tv to fill the air-time? Someone please explain to me this mystery if you have any insider-info that I'm unaware of.

*obsessive excitement over mediocre movies, artists, etc: Let me preface this with saying I used to be an adamant hater on all-things Harry Potter.... but was later silenced by watching some of the movies & reading one of the books. I get why that series of books/movies is so successful and why the hype & fan-base is so massive. JK Rowling is a captivating author. But the Twilight series (books or movies)? Justin Bieber? Jersey Shore? I legitimately understand why the targeted audiences would be interested & entertained by all of this..... but when the hype & excitement reaches this insane level of success that each has reached? That's when I'm confused. Guilty pleasure enjoyment? Sure why not... but when many of these fans absolutely live & breathe this stuff? That's just frightening. Is our society really that A.D.D. and needy, to where we settle for less... when a hype-worthy book series or movie trilogy is over with, or when a musical artist retires or fades from the music scene? I'm not trying to be negative, or hate on some of the stuff you may legitimately enjoy... I'm just very confused about why certain things are TOO popular in this day-and-age

*charity organizations becoming "hip": Now don't get me wrong... if anything is going to benefit from becoming a hot trend, it should be organizations focused on helping a group of people in need or a struggling country that are benefitting from charitable & excited American citizens... but none-the-less, it still kind of confuses me. I'd like to think that people, as a whole, are becoming more generous & caring for others... which many definitely do qualify as legitimately generous/caring people... but I can't help but notice how it's suddenly so cool to wear a certain brand of shoes, clothing, bracelets, etc etc. Please continue doing so, if you're actively involved with supporting such an organization, but do so for the right reasons... and do prior research on where your money is actually going, who it's helping, and so on and so forth. Show your support & keep on doing so if/when the hype train passes and you're no longer being high-fived and complimented for wearing TOMS shoes, or wearing Live Strong bracelets.... because it shouldn't be about you at all. Don't be like those celebrities seeking credibility & respect for their career by attaching their name to a charity organization.

Okay, I think I've exhausted myself & spent enough time on this particular subject.... I would really love & appreciate some feedback in the comments, in regards to your take on any of this. Rip me a new one, if you feel the need... any response is better than no response at all! 

Well.... maybe...

random blurb time (4-9-10)

*Just when I thought we had completely skipped spring, and jumped right into summer weather, a thunderstorm rolls through and cools everything off again. I'm a fan of the 65-75 range of temperatures, and desire to enjoy that for awhile before dealing with 90 degree weather again

*Speaking of storms: I drove through a ridiculous one on the way back to Lynchburg from the 757... I'm talking swirling vortexes of wind/debris/dead-leaves.... torrential rain... you name it. If I wasn't awake & alert before that, I definitely was once I was amidst the chaos

*1 of my classes ended yesterday, thus I now only have 1 class on Tues/Thurs.... and that definitely puts me in a good mood

*27 days until Iron Man 2. 'nuff said.

*My recent return to running last month has already hit a snag. Spring break, flash mobs, projects/exams, and my newly-purchased Super Nintendo have joined forces to prevent me from being consistent in my exercise routine. Must.... fight.... back....

*seeing this being sold in quarter machines as toys for kids? that's disturbing

*Being an off-campus student here @ Liberty, I often skip out on the required stuff that on-campus students are accustomed to. However, this past Wednesday I went to campus church with an awesome friend of mine (Mr. Joshua Luke Crouterfield) and it was a quality experience! Powerful message/worship-set... which makes for a great combo

*Starburst candy is amazing. I could chew on those at any point of the day, and always be satisfied.

*Just caught up on Chuck / 24 (I was behind 3 episodes with both shows).... WOW. I love great tv, and these shows definitely qualify as great tv. I hope Chuck is picked up for a 4th season. 24, unfortunately, is done after this season... but will be moving into the cinematic realm with an upcoming Bauer-adventure on the big screen

*It's that time again on LU's campus. CFAW (College For A Weekend) has arrived, and yet again breaks the record with 3000+ high schoolers attending the event. I am openly & completely ashamed of myself for not realizing it was this weekend, and planning a ridiculous flash mob to coincide with it. ARGH!

*Welp, that's all for now. I'm craving some Moe's, and the time is ticking until my next class. Adios!

Flash Mob (Bunny Chase) videos!

And now presenting the first two videos of the flash mob antics this past Wednesday!

These are 2 (of the 3) chases scenes we staged... round 1 didn't produce the best footage, and these two additional attempts worked out much better.... so without further delay, enjoy the videos!





Stay tuned for the non-chase antics! That video (or videos) should be up sometime this coming week.

p.s. - spreading the youtube links around would be incredible! be a pal & share the nonsensical fun with your friends & family

flash mob (bunny chase) teaser

here's a few teaser pics of the video footage from yesterday's flash mob ridiculousness!

Hoping to have the video(s) edited & uploaded to Youtube by Sunday night or so!