Oh for Blogsake

Now I've got something to blog about

2010-05-13T13:53:00.005-05:00

Okay,

So it's time for an angry blog. And I guess "angry" is the right word. Maybe aggravated or stressed or maybe even annoyed is a better term. Either way, whatever word you choose, this blog is about letting off some steam.

And really, as usual, in 24 hours I will probaby be completely over this, happy again, wondering why I even wrote this blog and I may even delete it. But it's something that's bugging me, bugging me enough I feel the need blog out my frustrations.

AND as per usual, the anxiety is coming from relationship things. Overall, Barista and I are A-OK. We're not fighting. He's not being a douchebag or any of that. It's more so it's art that's getting in the way.

As you may recall, the Barista is an artist, a good one actually. And this Friday is his first ever solo art show, so he's in full swing on creative mode.

WELL, when the Barista is in creative mode, he becomes a recluse, and Drew gets tossed to the side, slightly forgetten about until his art is done and he remembers that he has a boyfriend. OR that's at least how it feels.

We go from seeing eachother, especially recently, almost every day, to nothing. And I could handle it if it was just that. I don't need to see him everyday. I like to and I want to, but if I can't NBD. I'll survive and manage.No, but what bugs me is that all communication seems to get shut off. No texts, no phone calls etc. That's what bugs me.

And I hate sounding like a needy whiney Bella inspired girl. Someone who thinks they need to be with a man at all times, and I'm not completely that way. BUT I do like to be able to talk to my boyfriend without feeling like I'm being a nusance.

And I don't need constant communication either, and it's also not that he is COMPLETLY blown me off. It's just that a text that at least says. "hi, how's your day" or even "hi, leave me alone. I'm focusing on the show." would be appreciated.

And what further adds to the annoyance is that I won't get a text back from something I sent him 2 hours ago, but in between then I'll see 3 or 4 tweets from him about the show...... Even though he will yell at me if I tweet before texting back.....lol....yay social media and technology I spose.

SO yea. And it's not that I don't support him. I do. And we've talked about it and he's warned me that's how gets and I said. Okay, I can handle that. And for the most part I do. Well, minus this whole blog thing right now.

I guess my issue is that I feel like I'm the one doing all the work and making the sacrifices and saying "okay, Barista, go ahead and do your art". I'll just sit here and wait for your to return. And he doesn't have to try for me. And I like to think I'm not expecting a lot. But even if you took a timeout and said. Okay, Drew, I'll make time to have dinner or lunch with you. Or go ahead and come over. I'd be happy. But I'm just kinda hurt I guess he doesn't seem to care and is just "leave me alone, I have to do my art".

And also, my friend Pocket has been helping him with the show. Just logistics stuff and getting ready. And I'm kinda jealous that he hasn't asked me. Even after I told him a couple weeks ago that I wanted to help him more. But once again, I asked him today when he wanted me to help and he said that him and pocket had it covered. And yea, I'm kinda hurt....................ugh I sound like such a baby right now. I feel like as the bf, I should be there. Helping. Making sure its going right. I mean, for christs sake, I'm an event planner. I know what the hell I'm doing.

And in his "defense" he did have lunch with me yesterday. BUT I think it was really just because he wanted to pick up the projector I had gotten for him for his art show. And not really because he had any interest in seeing me.

And I know this blog is whiney and complainy and Barista sounds like he's being a total dick.

He's not really. Our relationship is Fine like I said. And I do know that come tomorrow night at 10pm when his art show is done, we'll be fine. It's just something that's bugging me for the time being.

And he's not meaning to do any of it on purpose. I know he loves me etc. It's just how he does his art. And it is ultimately something I'm going to have to deal with if I want to keep him. And I do. So I will. And I'm guessing as time goes on I'll get more and more used to it.

So. yea. That's what's bugging me. Getting ditched by my boyfriend so he can go be creative and make great art.

Barista, if you happen to read this. Lo Siento. i know you don't mean to. I promise, in reality I'm fine. It's just me in one of my moody/whiney baby modes.

Until next time.

******SIDE NOTE*******
SO, of course. A couple hours after I blog this who stops by while I'm interning at DMSC.
The barista. Granted, it was for literally 30seconds, but he did stop by to say HI.
And now I'm in a better mood.

Another day another dollar

2010-05-11T16:06:00.003-05:00

Okay,

So blogger apparently hates me. I have actually posted blogs in between now and the last time I posted (granted it has only been a couple, my bad) but for some reason, blogger didn't want to post them.
And instead of posting now old information, I'm just getting over it.Moving on and posting today.

And I don't feel like trying to play catch up with the last month of my life, even though there really hasn't been anything too excting. So I'm just going to go with a new post and talk about "my future".

In less than 2 weeks I will officially be a college graduate, and while 8 months ago that thought scared the crap out of me, I am now 100% ready! I'm excited to move on and grow up and begin life. And while I slightly worry I might regret that a couple months into the grown up life thing, I'm still fine with it.

I have found a job. Right now it's only 15 hours a week. But it's a job none the less and even better, it's exactly what I want to do. so HORRAY!

I'll be the "director of social media and anyalytics" for an on-line based social media consulting firm here in the DSM area. Which means, I'll be creating blogs,twitter accounts, facebook and whatever else for our clients. I'll also teach them how to use it and do it themselves, so we can ultimately turn it over to them to run.

I'm excited, since this company is slightly new and I'm one of the few staffers, I have a chance to grow with the company and when I interviewed my boss told me there's a good chance it will turn into a full time and salaried position. BOO YAA!

So, I'll definitally keep you up to date on how that goes.

With that, I've decided to not return to camp this summer and stick around DSM. A few guys from the house and I are leasing a town home, so it should be fun. I'm just really excited to finally spend a summer in DSM. I never have, so I can't wait for everything. Pride, Arts Festival, 80/35 etc. etc. It should be a gooood time!

But I guess that's about it. I'll do my best to get back into blogging regularly, I promise.

And also, I'm in the midst of switching platforms. Turns out most people in the social media world use wordpress to blog, including my new company. And since it would probably be a good idea for me to join with the times and know how to use what the industry uses, I'm switching to that, and the blog will take a bit of a turn and become more about my life as a YP in DSM. And not so much a "here's what's going on in my life. La de da".

But I promise it'll still be just as entertaining.

xo

I'm still here

2010-04-04T21:08:00.003-05:00

Wow. Time has flown. I really didn't realize it had been a MONTH since I last blogged. My bad.

And I'm not really sure why. Part of it is a week of that month I was gone down to Florida for Spring Break with no internet access, so that was a problem and then when I got back I kind of had to hit the ground running with school and all that fun stuff and so really, blogging became the last thing on my mind. That, and I'm doing my best to actually blog about legitimate things, not just ramble on about my life and I couldn't think of anything legit to talk about, so I didn't blog and now it's been over a month and I feel guilty, so I'm blogging.

But anyways.

I've finally started the big kid job search. I've decided that I would ultimately like to stay in Des Moines and find a job and work, and am now planning on camp as my back up plan in case I don't find anything.

As far as jobs, I'm still thinking events and PR, but would also love something in social media, either as a consultant or analyst at a social media consulting firm. OR, as a social media person for an individual company itself. So, I've been looking and talking and trying to get advice from people who are currently in the field to see where I should be looking and what I should be doing.

It's kind of exciting. I'm finally ready to actually grow up and graduate. Yes, I'm definitely going to miss my friends and some of the perks that go with college. But I'm looking forward to living in a real house or apartment, having a normal job, grocery shopping, and actual free time. It'll be nice to not have to worry about homework or making sure I make it to all 20 of my meetings every week.

I suppose my biggest worry though right now with job hunting, besides actually finding a job. Is trying to find one that 1) I'm going to enjoy and 2) making sure I'm good at it. I'm slightly scared that I'll find a job and take it and then turn around and suck at it and then I won't enjoy it and I'll be in trouble. But I guess we'll see.

But that's it for now.

Now Playing @ The Temple for Performing Arts

2010-03-12T13:40:00.004-06:00

"A salute to the Baby Boomer Generation, The Wonder Bread Years is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between stand-up and theater. Audiences across the country are enjoying a show that not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past like never before."

If you're looking for a show that's going to have you laughing so hard your side hurts and you have tears in your eyes, this isn't the show for you. If your looking for a good way to spend 2 hours being entertained, while strolling down memory lane, then "The Wonder Bread Years" will do the trick.

It was apparent this show was for the baby boomers when I walked into the theatre and there were only a handful of people younger than my grandparents. And it was solidified when the star of our show (Pat Hazell, it's a one man show PS) made references to the manwhich jingle, clackers and wearing bread sacks; and while they went above my 22 year old head, the rest of the audience laughed knowingly.

BUT for the most part, the jokes were cross generational and I was able to laugh along, thinking of my own childhood experiences dealing with the kid who turned his eyelids inside out, recycled unisex halloween costumes, and dad's inability to babysit.

The description says the show gracefully walks the line between standup and theatre, but I would say it probably trips and falls more into the standup catagory. There's no real storyline, Hazell tended to follow the standup routine and skipped from topic to topic; ranging from childhood addictions to sugar to holidays. And he delivers it all in a conversational tone that made me feel like I was listening to someone tell a story, not watching a play.

What I enjoyed most about the show was it's ability to seemingly bring the audience together. Whether with his slideshows that featured ads from the 60's (well, I think it was the 60s.before my time anyway), the jokes that everyone got or just some comment he had. People knew what he was talking about, because they watched/played with or thought that exact same thing at some point in their life.

So overall, it was an enjoyable show. It wasn't best thing I've seen, but it wasn't the worst. I was entertained the whole time, laughed on ocassion and left happy.

So, if you're looking for something to do between now and March 21st and feel like taking a walk down memory lane, then I suggest taking a look at "The Wonder Bread Years."

Take your sustainability and shove it, and I don't mean recycle it. I mean throw it away and let it rot in a landfill.

2010-03-03T00:35:00.003-06:00

So, I support the whole going green movement as much as the next guy.

I recycle as best I can, I shut off the lights when I leave a room, WALK whenever possible, prefer paper over plastic and don't use bags from the grocery store whenever I can.

I believe that Global Warming is happening and that we could all work a little harder to "save the environment," but here's the deal. You can only push your sustainability agenda so far.

What do I mean?

Welllll, at SimpCo we have a handful of individuals who make manage to bring sustainability up EVERY chance they get and it's getting to the point where they make me want to burn styrofoam,use as MANY plastic sacks as I can and drive a hummer.

SGA heard over and over about this issue of "styrofoam cups in the grill and dining hall" and they're bad for the environment and bla bla bla. Everytime we heard this, we told them we'd look into it. We DID. We talked to the COLLEGE PRESIDENT about the issue, who told us he'd look into it as well and we let all of them know. But yet 2 days later we still get an e-mail sharing their concern as a result of reading the SGA minutes-which SAID we had brought it up to the president!!!

We're curently undergoing a change in the laundry facilities. SGA was informed of this decision and one of our little eco-warriors went off because the dryers weren't "energy star approved". WELL, turns out that's because energy stary dryers DO.NOT.EXIST!!

I do, I understand the importance of being green and doing those little things to help the environment. But that's exactly it. You have to pick your battles! I ASSURE you Simpson and SGA is doing what we can to help our school be green, but you have to remember it also means $$$ and time. And those aren't an endless resource either.

I give these eco-warriors KuDoS. I applaud them for being so passionate about an issue. I wish I could be more that way in an all honesty. And think more people could be. After all, it's the passionate that do change the world.......... However, I still have another suggestion.

Do more.

You come to us and say change the styrofoam cups, change the styrofoam cups, change the styrofoam cups but that's it. Do some leg work. RESEARCH, finds us facts and figures and numbers that show us why we should change, what it'll do for us and what the benifits really are. That's when the administration listens, trust me I know from experience!

And also, when you're in on SGA and in that meeting and you're pushing that Green agenda. Even if it is good for the school/environment/wildlife/whoever. The bigger question you need to remember, is this what your constituents want? DON'T FORGET, You're in that senator seat because of them. Yes, they've entrusted you with some responsibility that you'll know what needs talked about and you'll make the right choice. BUT you don't need to be pushing your own personal agenda everyweek, raising the same issue that we've heard the last 3 weeks. It's AnNoYiNg people and they're caring less and less.

So, yes. I agree. It's important to be green, it's important to do the little things to save the enviroment, but remember. We aren't captain planet, we can't canjoin 5 rings and make things happen. It takes time, money and people and these are some things that don't just come out of nowhere.

My Twitter Tantrum

2010-02-24T22:52:00.002-06:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a social media junkie.

Just ask the Barista, he makes fun of me on a daily basis for my addiction to blogging,twitter,4square,facebook and my ning networks.

With that addiction comes knowledge; I've learned the ins and outs of most of my social media, but know I have a lot to learn still.

And with that knowledge also comes the responsibility of having to remember that not all people are as "savvy" and they sometimes need "educated". Much like what I deal with @ Simpson when dealing with SGA and CAB.

So, I thought today I would take an opportunity to share with my blog readers and fellow "tweeters", Drew's do's and don'ts of tweeting.

DON'T use four letter words in your tweets. It's just not necessary and makes you look like an uneducated fool when you tweet "F*CK that Sh*T. Thank god it's Friday." Don't forget that your potential employers are looking at your Facebook,twitter and etc. when they are going through your application.

DO use a tiny url when sharing links! You only have 140characters anyway. Don't waste it giving me a link that uses 120 of them. It's simple; put your link into www.tinyurl.com and you'll get a nifty little url to use instead. And it looks alto cleaner and more professional.

DON'T have a "tweet-versation". This might be one of the one's that drives me nuts the most. It's okay to reply to someone or even reply to a reply, but beyond that USE A DIRECT MESSAGE! No one wants to see your conversation about last weekend or see you argue over some movie you both just saw. It's annoying when my phone is blowing up every 30 seconds because you and your friend are conversing back and forth.

DO use correct spelling and punctuation. I don't think I need to elaborate on this one. Like I said earlier, people are paying attention to your tweets and it looks even worse when your tweeting for a company or supposed to be professional. Take 10 seconds to make sure you've used the right "they're/their/there" etc. and you'll look better and annoy less people.

DON'T over share. No one cares that you had a ham sandwich for lunch or that it's been a horrible day and you hate your life. Grab your phone and text or call a friend that actually cares, so you don't waste someone elses time reading about the details of your life.

DO let your personality show through. You don't need to only twitter urls to important newslinks or keep all your twitters about business/professional related things. It's okay to have personality and share some links to entertaining youtube videos are great quotes you've heard. It's just like Facebook. It's a judgement call, it's what you want people to think about you. And if all else fails just think this "Is this a tweet you'd let your grandma see?"

So, next time you go to tweet about your walk in the rain or to share a video, keep these little tips and tricks in mind and you'll look better and your followers will be happier.

Well, that was a mindscrew

2010-02-23T01:32:00.004-06:00

So, Barista, myself and a couple of friends went and saw Shutter Island tonight and well, if you like your mind fucked with, this is a movie for you!

It was fantastic!

It's one of those that has you thinking you completely know what's going on 1/2 way through the movie. Then this event happens and you start to second guess, then another happens and you're thinking something else, then a 3rd event happens and you're completely turned around again and then the next you know you feel just as lost and hopeless as poor little Leonardo's character feels.

I LOVED it!

And I also realized that while I get squemish and treat slasher movies like a VH1 reality show. Something that you don't want to watch, and attempt to look away, but in the end, manage to get sucked into anyway. Well, that's how Barista is when mind game movies. I was sitting on the edge of my seat,adrenaline pumping, ready for something to happen and he was leaning as far away from the screen as possible,half hiding behind his coat.

I read the Ebert review of it on Friday and he referred to it as "haunted house" type of movie. And he was correct. The lights go out right when they shouldn't, the characters walk down the too silent, too dim hall, and you're pissing yourself because you keep waiting for something to happen and of course it doesn't. That was this movie.

The crazy people are amazing. There's the cute old lady you feel bad for and don't know why she's locked up, then she explains that she axed her husband. The dork who sliced his nurses face open, but looks like he wouldn't have hurt a fly and then the crazies that we only see in the dim light, adding to their psychotic appeal.

The movie also gets at your emotional gut as well, playing the card of the mom who drowned her kids and now we see images of hopeless dead ghost children, and also playing all too realistic looking flashbacks of Nazi concentration camps ( part of Leo's past-in the movie).

I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that had my adrenaline pumping as Leo runs down the dim and dark halls of "ward 3" one minute, and then enducing near vomiting and tears while images from the Nazi concentration camps come into view 5 minutes later.

If you like any sort of movie that confuses you, makes you sweat as much as the character you're watching or if you just want to catch a glimpse of Leo with his shirt off. Shutter Island is the movie for you.

Does anyone have a band-aid? I tripped again.

2010-02-22T18:54:00.003-06:00

It was yet another exciting and adventurous weekend in the life of Drew.

Friday started out as innocent as it can for a weekend night in my life. We were supposed to go to Des Moines for my BFFs birthday party that was originally supposed to happen a month ago, but the bus broke down when it got to us back in January, so we postponed it. AND THEN more STUPID snow struck Friday, so it once again got axed. SO, we were just going to stick around the house and partake in the weekend.

WELL, then a friend suggested we attempt to venture to Des Moines anyway and go on our own adventure, which we did. AND it was fANtAStIc. I would divulge in details, but they're slighty R rated and require you to be 18 or over. Let's just say Flo-Rida's rendition of "Right 'Round" would have been an appropriate song for the evening. ANNNNNND if you're still confused, it probably means you shouldn't know what I'm talking about =).

But then Saturday rolled and it was time for another exciting and wonderful adventure, but alot more G rated.

This weekend I met Barista's family. Whiiiiich was slightly nervous-ing. Like I've previously mentioned, this is my first legitimate relationship,so with that comes never having to meet parentals. So, I was obvi. nervous, wanting to make a good impression and that whole deal.

But it went well. His mom was cute and fun, we played Mario Kart together for like an hour Sunday morning, and his sisters were nice. SO yea. hopefully I got the stamp of approval.

We also watched "Away We Go" which is that new movie with John Krasinski (Jim from the Office) and Maya Rudolph (SNL) and it was really cute. So I recommend that for your netflix que. We also rented "Bruno" which I had heard mixed reviews about. Some people saying it was horrible and offensive-then others telling me I'd love it (knowing that I tend to enjoy offensive,obnoxious humor). It was okay. Nothing horrrrrrible, but nothing that was side splitting halarious either. and that took up our Saturday night.

Sunday, we had lunch with his former professors, who were great. Your typical funny,charasmatic art professors and then we headed home.

THEN Sunday was just chilling out, a nice long nap after we got back and then we watched the Rob Zombie "Halloween" movie. Which was also quite enjoyable. Well as enjoyable as a slasher movie can be. BUT it gave me an excuse you curl up to Barista multiple times =)

Soooo yeah..that was the weekend.

AND I'm contuing to love this Barista kid more and more. And @ times I do that whole mental double check thing and wonder if I'm falling too fast or if I'm letting my imagination run with it or whatever. Since I've been known to do that.

BUT I like to think I'm not. I feel like I'm keeping myself in check with this relationship. It's not like I'm walking around with weDDing bells going off in my head or picturing the little house with the white picket fence...............I'm just saying I'm not completely writing off that possibility anymore.

IDK. The future, especially with relationships is a scary subject to pick up. You want to be optimisitic and think of the best. But you want to be realisitic. Plus it's a self-preservation kinda thing too going on in the back of my head.

For starters, like just mentioned, I don't want to turn into a 16 year old high school girl, where I think my boyfriend is the one I'm meant to be with forever. BUT I would like to think that there is a future with Barista.

But then thinking that scares me. And I don't want to get HoPeFuL and think about these things, specially since it really has only been 6weeks, get in over my head and then get hurt in the end. Not saying he'd do something stupid. I'm just saying, the fork in the road is getting closer within my line of sight.

Come May, what happens? Will I stay in Des Moines? Go to Pennsylvania and work at camp again? Go somewhere else? These could all have impact on things.

Ugh. It's just a whole web of things that's hard to even talk about on here because my mind goes 50 ways with it.

So, I'll probably shutup now. Before I say something stupid. Or waste anymore of your time.

But needless to say. I'm liking what's happening, and I hope the coffee keeps coming....corny? yes. make sense? hopefully. BUT whatever. I'll say what I want ;)

We'll have to pass for right now

2010-02-18T17:25:00.002-06:00

Something happened to me for the first time today.

I got denied a job.

Yes, that's right.

As you may recall I had interviewed for a job on Tuesday. The interview was slightly awkward won't lie and at the end of it the interviewer told me.

"Well, I'm going to have you do a second interview with our general manager. I"m kinda on the fence about you still. You seem nice, but I didn't get enough 'sales' from you."

And then he proceeded to tell me how important add ons and "upgrades" are vital to making money when you're a server.

That was the first first. I had always "aced" interviews. And usually got the response "well, I like you. I think you'd be a good fit. Let me check your references and we'll get back to you." Or I was usually just hired then.

This was the first tim I was actually told . "welll.. IDK how I feel about you."

But he said he'd call Thursday and that I might not have to do the second interview and they might just hire me and give me a shot.

WELL, I got the cal ltoday, but instead of getting told they were just going to take a chance, I was told they "had decided to pass. But if I wanted to try again in 6 months I should."

WHHHAAAT!?!

And I apologize if I sound like some arrogant byotch. But honestly, I had never actually been denied a job. So it's a slight shot to my ego.

On top of that, I am a damn good server! I know how to be friendly, keep my cool under pressure and multitask. And so really, it's their loss not mine.

But still it sucks.

And now it kinda worries me.

Is this what I'm going to have to deal with in a few months, when I start looking at the real job market? Am I going to get told I wasn't agressive enough? Or that they're "just going to pass?"

Ugh. I'm not liking this right now.

What's funny is just Tuesday morning one of my professors was talking about the importance of selling ourselves. And how life is selling yourself and etc. etc. AND Then I get told that in my interview later that day.

So, turns out I need to be more agressive. That's always been something I've lacked on to begin with. It's not that I don't care. I just get awkward. And feel slightly douchey. And I don't want to be one of those people that's like that Jenn girl or whatever her name is from American Idol last week. Who got told she wasn't in the top 24 and proceeded to freak out and beg and swear she had it in her.

Nope, not my style.

So, now I have to figure my style out I spose. Become a liiiitle more agressive, but not freaky agressive.

ugh. this sucks. Maybe I'm not ready to grow up and look for jobs. Can I just stay in school forever?

I love you, but I don't have to like you

2010-02-17T00:07:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I wonder if I really am a people person.

I like to think I enjoy meeting new people, interacting with people yada yada yada.. BUT there are times where I wonder.

For starters, in all reality, I'm not one to introduce myself to people. I'm horrible at it. I hate "making the first move". It's not that I think I'm some hottie-tottie who should be approached and not have to approach. It's that I always feel awkward doing it. If you come up to me and introduce yourself, I'll be friendly and nice. I just can't introduce myself. PLUS I'm horrible at small talk. HaTe It!

Then there's the fact that some people just annoy me. And I'm not talking about the people that annoy me all the time, the people I'm not friends with and the people that I'd rather just punch in the face and tell them to go away. No, those people don't count. They're already lost causes.

I'm talking about the people that I LOVE on some days and other days they annoy me, for no in particular reason. There's just something that bugs me about them at times and I'd prefer them to go away. It's usually a personality thing, but usually I just want to punch them in the face.......and I feel guilty. Because I have no reason to dislike them when I do. I just do.

I also think my age plays a factor. Especially on weekends. For example, we had a registered party last weekend and if I had the choice, I would've kicked out half the people there. Why?
Because it was either douchey athletes who think they're gods gift to campus. Or turboslut freshmen girls who think wearing short skirts and low tops is going to get them free alochol. AND it annoys me. ALOT. I don't get it. Even though I know I was probably somewhere in that mix 3 years ago.

But yea. that's my rant for the day. I don't like people as much as you think. In fact, there are days I just wish I could punch people and get away with it. I think it'd actually be healthier. Than just bottling it up.

Burlesque dancers, fish and Panama City

2010-02-15T14:46:00.007-06:00

SO the V-day was a success.

Barista "surprised" me , and surprised is in quotes because he told me about it on Friday, so it wasn't as surprise on Sunday...but anyway...he surprised me with tickets to the St. Vitus and the Taxi Dancers (which is Des Moines' one and only burlesque troop) show, and it was a really good show. There were some saucy sexy numbers and some cute numbers and it was overall entertaining. Granted, the theatre student in me was little more critical than most with a few thigs..but I liked it. And lets face it. nothing says "I Love You" like a boyfriend taking his boyfriend to watch girls dance in their panties....jk..but really, it was fun, and obvi not your typical date for the big V-Day.

And I sucessfully avoided getting him anything sterotypical or disgustingly cheesy...at least I hope. I got him a fish. A big ol black one. the kind with the big eyes. I can't think of the technical name, but hopefully you know what i'm talking about.

Here, this is what it looks like:

Because his other fish, Harriet, had died last week. We decided this one was a boy and named it Jules Winnfield (like after Samuel L. Jackson's character in Pulp Fiction).

I'm slightly worried the things going to croak since I have the WORST luck with fish. But I'm hoping that maybe because it's technically his, the fish will survive....we'll see.

I did get him chocolate though. But not the stupid,sterotypical, overpriced and overdone box of heart chocolate. Just a simple giant bar of Hershey's with Almonds (PS can I pull a Kim Kardashian here and get 10grand for name dropping, even though its not a tweet...its still a mention and I'm on the same level as her, aren't I?) Since that's one of his favorites.

So yea, overall a pretty fantastic v-day. Granted, I don't have any to really compare it to. BUT I liked it.alot.

We also went to a movie on Friday and saw "When In Rome" which was an adorable little slightly lovey-dovey chick flick. Yes, I am one of those gays that likes chick flicks.........But actually it wasn't too bad as far as "chick flicks" go. Annnnnnnnd while he was silently complaning, he's not a fan of those types of movies. He still went with me =). BUT, he can SHHHH anyway, I went to Daybreakers-which was that horrible movie where the world as all vampires and they farmed humans for blood with him awhile ago. So, NOW we're even.. and if he's reading this..THATS RIGHT I SAID IT!

In other news...

I got a B+ on the advertising test I was freaking out about last week. So HORRAY to me. I was really thinking I had scraped by with a C, so I was more than happy with that grade!

Annnd I still hate winter and it's continuing to snow.

Screw you Iowa.

1 month til Panama City!!!!

In which I epically fail

2010-02-13T19:47:00.002-06:00

So,

I was thinking the other day. It's something I do alot of. And I got to thinking about my NYE resolutions and how I have EPICALLY failed at keeping theme.

As a reminder here's what they were:

Give Up some vices
Workout
Become $$ responsible
Do what I say I'm going to
Do a random act of kindness everyday

1) Give Up Some Vices-okay, so I've actually succeed in this one. I'm not doing some of the stupid crap I used to and I feel about myself for that.

2)Workout-hahaha. The only time I've set foot in Cowles since returning to Simpson is either during an admissions tour or to watch a basketball game =( And I can't even use the busy excuse. I have plenty of time I could get in there and workout, I just don't think about it. I keep telling myself I'll get to it again. But we shall see. I'd still like to. I hate being a scrawny little twink.

3)Become $$ responsible- this one is a toss up. I like to think I'm not as randomly spending as I used to, but I still pry buy things I shouldn't. I think what is also the problem is I have yet to find a part time job. i would be A-OK on things if I was actually working. I've partially attempted to find a PT job but really didn't try as well as I should've..SOOOO I went job hunting today and we'll see how that pans out. The thing is, I get picky. I'm used to being a server and I love that job. Cash at the end of every night and you usally make good$$$. So It's hard to go work a minumum wage job at The Gap or a gas station. Which PS, a big THANKS 4 NOTHING to them. I "re-interviewed" with them in like beginning of January ( I had worked there for over a year back in junior year, but had to leave at the beginning of '09) and the girl was all "okay great, I'll get back to you soon and we'll get you started again. "BUT I've heard nothing. SO I don't want anything to do them. Their loss. I was a great employee! So yea. If I can get a job again, I know I'll be fine!

4) Do what I say I'm going to-ummm...idk about this one either...I don't really know if there's much I've said "okay, this is a new goal". Which maybe is an issue. I don't know. I spose you could say I fail at this one too..ugh..whateve

5)Do a random act of kindness- This one is harder than I thought. I spose it depends on your definition of random act of kindness. If it's just smiling at someone or holding a door open, I'm good. But if you want more from me. well, lo siento. I fail.

I like too, how I swore when I wrote my original blog about these goals back in 2009. I thought 2010 would be different and I'd accomplish them..hahaha...I sounded like some college freshman, bright eyed and bushy tailed. And have since obviously failed..horribly and epically..but that's reallllly nothing new.

eh.oh well.

In other news....

Tomorrow's valentines day. I'm supposed to be spending it with Barista, obvi. BUUUT right now apparenty it is supposed to snow...again..a big EF you to that too...Iowa is now historical, 60+ days with more than 4inches of snow on the ground. SCREW THAT! Ugh..I freakin' hate winter more than I hate obvious closet cases. But hopefully it works out. He got us tickets to this Burlesque show thats going on in DSM..which should be fun, I've heard good things about the troupe..

I'm also currently trying to think of a fantastic costume for a party I have to be at in an hour. The theme is "future" and i have no clue..its too broad..i'll pry go and go with something scandy.. I usually do..it's what gets the best responses..and like everyone says.. I'm fuckin' drew. I'll do what I want.

speaking of..i need to go..so I can do this outfit thing.

ciao

Conflict of Interest

2010-02-10T14:34:00.002-06:00

Okay. So technically I doubt conflict of interest is the correct term, but I am currently facing a personal conflict of sorts.

Here's the deal, as we all know this Sunday is Valentine's Day aka: singles awareness day.

Well, for the first time ever, I will NOT be single on Valentine's Day. And I'm not quite sure what to do.

And I know that sounds awkward, so, time out before your judge and let me explain.

Anyway. Today, as I was walking across campus, dreading my advertising test and thinking of what else I needed to do, v-day came into my mind and I started to brainstorm what I wanted to do for Barista. I've had a few ideas, but won't share them on here because he reads the blog and I don't want to ruin the surprise. But I want it to be something "different" I guess. Not your typical cards and flowers and that. Something that'd be funny. Something he'd like. And I kind of got excited about the idea.,about being able to do something special for my special someone. sidenote: I know that almost sounds slightly disgustingly sentimental..but eh..oh well...

And here's where the conflict comes in.

Up until now I've had pretty much an abhorence for the "holiday," probably because I've always been single.but whatever. There' still a part of me that just doesn't get it. I don't understand why we have to have one special day to show our significant others that we adore them, shouldn't we do that all the time?

To me it's almost like a pissing match with ourselves and even our "lovers". Competing with ourselves to show how much and big we can show we appreciate our boyfriend/girlfriend.
Then you have the couples who just buy the card and their box of chocolates because they feel like they have to. OR you have the needy person who expects to get catered to on V-Day, even though their partner probably spoils them the other 364 days of the year.

So yea, there's part of me that doesn't want to succomb to this whole notion of Valentine's Day.

BUT then there's the hopeless romantic in me who wants to do something for Barista,surprise him (even though that element now may be gone if he reads this) and let him know how I feel besides the normal things I say.

And I should also point out at this time now, is as far as I go, I don't care. I'm not expecting anything from the barista or hoping he does something cute and sweet. Really, I just want to hang out with him for a day again. We probably haven't gotten to spend a decent amount of time together since I've gotten back to school. Thanks to my crazy schedule, his busy work schedule and etc.I really don't know the last time we've spent more than 3 hours in one solid chunk together and it sucks. SO, that's what I'd like for the big day. Legitimate time with my boyfriend =).

So, yea... I'll let you know what happens.

MAYBE it's you...not everyone else

2010-02-08T22:16:00.002-06:00

Consider this your warning. The following blog may contain material and statements that offends, particularly if you happen to be of a minority group. I'm here to tell you NOW that I DON'T CARE if it does. And chances are, if you do get offended, it's because you are one of the people I am talking about. AND if it doesn't offend you, well then, happy reading.

Okay, so here's my take on issues that are related to minorities. Whether its due to gender,skin,color, sexual orientation etc. Through the experiences I've either had first hand ,witnessed or heard about, it is my belief that often times these issues of getting the shaft because you're {insert minority here} is bullshit.

Yep. I just said that. I think that most of the time people play the minority card too quickly and too easily and if you took a step back and looked at the situation you would see that you're probably the person at fault, not the white middle class male you're hating on.

YES, there are still unfortunate incidents where legitmate racism/heterosexism/sexism are occuring and I recognize that, and I am just as angry about the injustice as you are, but I think those times often times are less in number than the "supposed" ones.

Take for instance this kid on campus. He's a tool. He's cocky,douchy and walks around like he's a gift to SC. 9am to 3pm when he's in class he's a well dressed,well spoken, somewhat competant person. But after 5pm, he's a overly large brightly colored shirt wearing, pants halfway down his ass toten, sideways hat,fake swagger struttin individual. WTF!? This individual often calls the race card, when really its for the aformentioned reasons people hate on him.

In addition, I recently heard about an incident where residents of a campus housing unit were playing their music way too loud at midnight,which is designated "quiet hours". This wasn't the first time it has happened, it happens nightly. Well, the neighbor went to the CA and complained. When the CA asked the accused party to quiet down the residents got pissed, went to the dean of students who works with the minority students on campus and complained. Now, CA's are afraid to enforce the rules that everyone else has to live by, with persons of a minority, because they've been told to be careful. Since apparently, enforcing the rules on a room of students blaring music at 12am is racism.

Women are the same way. No, actually you're not getting the shaft because you're a woman, you're getting it because you're underqualified, can't meet work expectations.

And even the gays. Shut up. And I'll admit I am guilty of it at times. But no one really gives a shit or thinks about your sexuality. You're getting made fun of because your acting like a d-bag.

I think if minorities just shut up and lived their lives like we expect everyone else to, we would be A-OK. There wouldn't be issues.

I actually feel bad for the white, middle class, heterosexual man. He's the one that gets hated on. He can't make a sexist comment because then he's a machoistic pig. Makes a comment about blacks and he's racist and uses the term gay he's homophobic. GET OVER IT!

We all live into our sterotypes lets get real. We all admit it and we make fun ourselves for it, so why can't others? And if you want to get technical, they're the ones that made up the jokes and names for us, so shouldn't they have dibs on using them?

I'm not a racist. I believe in equal opportunity for everything and etc. and I know that there still is legitimate issues with payment in the workplace and stuff like that. But people need to quit making such a fuss and live and let live.

Then maybe, we would get along.

Silly Brain, don't you know how to keep quiet?

2010-02-08T00:27:00.002-06:00

I consider myself a pretty confident person. I'm outgoing,friendly and know how to carry on a conversation. I have no problem taking charge in group work and I love when assignments let me present in class. I know how to laugh at myself, look forward to job interviews and love being on stage.

But like most "confident" people, I have a very "non confident" side. Especially when it comes to relationships.

For some reason boys are one of the issues that i am not at all confident in. Like I said when first introducing you to Barista, I didn't chat him up originally because I'm a big wimp. I fear rejection and always expect the worst when I start hanging out with a guy.

And while things with Barista are quite a bit different than my previous attempts at relationships, I still find alot of the questions that plauge the back of my mind, still there, rotting away.

The biggest thing is cheating. I blame this on "1".

"1" to tell you the whole story and history of my relationship with 1 would take way too long, and maybe i'll talk about that another day. But I'll do my best to give you a cliff notes version.

1 was my best friend freshman year. He was the kid I could go to anything about and I 100% trusted him. We fell in love, HC style. I was madly, head over heels, madly in love with this kid. Well, we were both living on campus for the summer and one weekend I had "on-call" duty. So i couldn't leave campus. He wanted to go out and so he went up to DSM and went out with our friend A. Well, come to find out, after he drunkly admits to me a few weeks later. He actually didn't stay at A's when he was up in DSM he slept with J, a guy that I used to hang out with earlier in the year. And while there's a whole lot more baggage that goes with it, this was pretty much the catalyst for my ever present fear that any guy I date is going to drop a similar bomb on me.

WELL, fast foward to today. I'm sitting in my room, doing my own thing and my phone rings. I don't recognize the number and I answer, and the conversation went a little something like this:

Z: "umm...hi...is this Drew"
me: "yea..."
Z: "well, I don't you know.....but...well, I wanted to let you know I slept w/ Barista"

*insert sinking heart, jaw drop, adrenaline pump through the veins here*

me: "um...well, okay....."
Z:" I'm really sorry...i know you don't know me..but I just found out about you and i didn't think it was right and I wanted you to know'
me (struggling for words): "okay.well...how did you meet him"
Z: "we met at the Saddle (one of the gay bars in DSM) and things hit off and we've been sleeping together for awhile."
Me: "........okay......"
Z: "Dude..I'm sorry.. I know its not right..but i wanted you to know...he's player..he's playing you and he's playing me"
me: (10 seconds from the breakdown) " okay..............well.......thanks....i guess..."
and I hang up.

My body still wasn't sure how to react....my hands were shaking, the tears were beginning to fall and I just didn't know what to do. My body was pretty much numb and I didn't know what was going on. I was confused.

I pick up the phone and attempt to begin to dial Barista .Adrenaline taking over and me just wanting to confront the issue immediatly.

Enter B, C and T.

"we're sorry. it was us, it was a joke, don't call Baritsa".

The assholes has called me as a prank. I didn't have B's number in my phone, so it was him that called and they were fuckin' messing with me.

Relief swept over and I wanted to punch the stupid bitches in the face.

But yea...when i first heard that barista was "sleeping" with Z my heart dropped...and the first thing that went through my mind was

"oh fuck. of course".

And not because I don't trust Barista. It has nothing to do with that.

It was because once again I thought my worst fear had come true and what made it worse is because it was someone that I was beginning to fall in love with. And it was made apparent to the guys too.

After they confessed that it was them and they walked in on me; phone in hand, tears in the eyes, T was like " wow, you really do care about him."

So yea. I felt bad too. For even thinking that maybe it was true. Even though if I would have listened better and thought quicker on my feet I would've known that things didn't match up. For starters, Barista hates the gay bars.

And I can tell you that there was some questioning in the back of my mind. 1) how did he get my number and 2) gays are sometimes crazy and maybe it's just some bitter ex or person he rejected. But that was dismissed by the overwheling other feelings that were going on.

But yea. IDK..I trust him and I love him, that's right...I said LOVE...and while I'm not "in love". I think there's a difference. He is someone I love. He's fun, cute, caring and somehow manages to deal with me when I'm being an angry whiney bitch,drunken idiot and needy and attention beggy. Which I know takes alot. SO, he's someone I want to keep around for awhile.

But for some stupid reason my second guessing with issues like that won't leave me alone. AND it happens when our textual conversations suddenly end or if he doesn't text back in awhile. My mind begins to wander, "why isn't he texting" "did I say something" etc etc etc.

And it all annoys me. I don't want to be that guy and while I do have a good handle on it and can do a decent job on keeping myself in check, the reality is it's still there. AND I don't want it to be.

Soooo yea. I hate my brain. It still overthinks way too much, I don't know why it won't shutup and let me be happy. Even though Barista has done a good job of getting to calm down alot more than it is in the past, it still overthinks a little too much.

BUT that's the update of sorts.

We're still together =), its actually been a little over a month already. Which, for anyone that knows me, is quite a big deal.

But yea. things are going good and I feel like they will for awhile. AND this will be my first ever NON SINGLE valentines day. But it really hasn't changed my feelings about the day. I still think it's a big stupid "celebration". I'd rather buy him things and spoil him some random day during the year, why should Hallmark and the chocolate companies tell me when it should be?

So, yea. Hopefully the brain will shutup and let me be. That'd be nice.

I'm Not Dead

2010-02-01T00:38:00.003-06:00

Okay, so sorry..kind of fell off the face of the blogging planet for a few days and I really don't have an excuse....well sorta..

Life has somehow managed to become just as busy as it has been for me the previous 3 years of my life; with classes, meetings, etc etc. etc. something I was thinking was finally NOT going to happen this semester. But I'm hoping it was a one-off week and things will get back to my "new" normal ASAP.

But anyway. yea. This week was legit crazy busy. between starting the internship-which has been fantastic. my normal weekly meetings w/ CAB and SGA. Plus a preliminary planning meeting for Campus Day (this really big campus wide event that happens every year). I had to go to 2 faculty meetings this last week, because a committe is now trying to pass some BS assesment program that would totally screw over the students. Then there was Board of trustees all day Friday. Annnnd that may be about it. ..but yea.. Wednesday I was literally in meetings,classes or other responsibility type things from 11am til about 10pm...

And usually I don't really mind, but this week it's just really bugged me and I was a cranky stress case most of the week and IDK why. It's nothing new, it's the way my life has been since pry about sophomore year, so i'm not sure why it was such a drain this week. i think it's because 1) i didnt really see it coming. I thought life was finally really calm and non busy and lazy and then BAM! I was on the go-go-go...and it threw me off...and then getting thrown off threw me off even more .because I was getting stressed and pissed that I was stressed and pissed....the same things happens with boy issues...I get upset, and then I get upset, I'm upset, because I have no reason to be upset to begin with (but ps..no boy issues currently..i'll explain in a few mins).

So yea..and then this week looks about to be the same. I have the "big" faculty meeting on Tuesday where they are going to attempt to vote on this proposed program, my normal 5 meeting Wednesday, and then the Iowa College Media Conference Thursday and Friday, some leadership retreat on Friday and Saturday, our 2nd annual Simpson's Got Talent on Saturday and then I THINK Sunday should be a rest day.

BUUUUT enough of me bitching about my schedule. I really do like it most of the time, its just a bit annoying at times.

In a boy update...Barista is still fantastic,ike amazingly fantastic.....i kinda feel like a dork when I talk about it..but its one of those, it just feels right type of relationships.haha.idk....i've just never actually had one,this is my first legit relationship ever and so its kinda scary, because I like the kid....alot......and so now its like, if for some stupid god forsaken reason things fail. It'll be rough,like I've said before, I'm a theatre kid @ heart SO I can get a bit dramatic specially when it comes to boys ask anyone I know....so yea...but he's quickly climbing my favorite people list.And what's even better is the brothers like him too and they now threaten that they like him better than me....

(and by brothers I mean my fraternity brothers that mean the world to me and they're the people I'm closest to in my life, and their opinions are the ones that weigh the most)

So that gets him points....except when he joins in with them when they pick on me, which happens alot....

But yea..he's cute...like really cute.....and he's a slight dork..which I like...he's a graphic designer, and a video game nerd....which I know doesn't automatically qualify a person to be a dork, BUT he knows it...he self proclaims it actually...

But I digress...i'm turning into one of those people that raves about their boyfriend too much..someone I would pry normally want to punch in the face...and so I should pry shutup...but whatever.....and he's pry reading this too...and so I'd like to tell him he better not get a big head over this or I'll punch him ( well I'll probably have to have someone punch him, i've already tried and he's stronger than me :( )

but this blog is getting long and if you're attention span is as long as mine, you've probably already left the computer 3 different times to do other things or checked your facebook,twittered and maybe checked into 4square. So I shall peace out and hopefully get back to you a little sooner than this time!

It's always a climb to the top

2010-01-22T17:43:00.001-06:00

I had a realization the other day.

I realized that even as a college senior and I'm guessing it'll continue after, but there's always going to be a social heiarchy and that need for "acceptance".

And I'm not talking about the rich, poor middle class type social ladder. I mean the cool/~~"not cool"~~/ wannabe cool type heiarcy that we all succomb to.

I was with a group of my friends and it kinda dawned me as we were all hanging out and guys were interacting and I noticed it. And it's always the same type of setup or whatever. Everyone kinda had that "role", just like in HS.

First there's the kid who's COOL just because. The one that just has that natural personality that everyone draws to, everyone wants to be around and they kinda set the tone. They're the "influencer", the one that creates nicknames or sayings and they catch like WiLdFiRe They don't try to fit in or be "cool", they just are.

Then you have the "sidekick", the person who's usually at the right hand of the "influencer". This person is considered cool by everyone, but you can tell he tries. He has that constant NEED to be with the "in crowd" and always needs to be part of the ExClUsIvE clique. They have a need to exclude people, so they feel like they're special and better. The sidekick can't do anything alone either. They need people to follow them, do what they want or they'll do what someone else is because they don't know how to do things alone.

Then there's the "wannabe". The kid that tries so hard to fit in and be hang out with the "cool" kids, but always slightly fails. The "cool kids" are nice to him and keep him around, but for some reason he always falls just short of reaching that "cool rung" on the social ladder.

You also have the "soloist". The guy that isn't part of the "in crowd" and he doesn't care, because he doesn't try. He has NO interest in being popular, which ironically enough usually makes him popular; because everyone respects and appreciates his dismissal of the social structure.

Every group usually has the "floater". The kid who fits everywhere, but ~~nowhere~~. He has the ability to hang out with almost any group, but has no permanent place in any of them; leaving him kind of homeless. This kid probably wants to be "cool", but isn't willing to completely conform and follow like the "sidekick" does. He kinda just does his thing, attempting to fit in, sometimes WINNING, sometimes failing and he's not really bothered either way.

I hadn't really thought much about this in awhile, not since high school really. When I was definitally more on the loser end of things. Being the only gay kid in a school 200 kinda of handicaps you socially. But I was fine with it, really. I was one of the kids who was ready to graduate when I was in the 8th grade and was too aNnOyEd with the whole social battle.

In college I've actually been "popular", and its been fUn. And I still didn't really think about this whole social structure that always seems to exist until I noticed it with my friends. And it was pretty much like I just described. "S" is our influencer, just doing what he wants and people love him for it. "B" is his sidekick, excluding people at times, doing his best to always have people with him, and just always trying to fit in. L is the wannabe. He's a gr8 kid and means well, but he just kinda falls short. And I'd consider myself the floater. I love hanging out with them and have a good time with them. But i'm not really that afraid to say no and do what I want.

But it hit me. And I kinda laughed about it. Thinking how even when we're 30 ,we are probably going to deal with it. Some people stepping on others to fit in. Some wanting to fit in so bad and others not caring at all.

Love? Clubs? What? YOU ARE 15!

2010-01-19T11:44:00.002-06:00

So,

Little teen twerps singing about love and going to the club and hating and cheating whatever else annoy me beyond belief!!

I tend to not be a violent person, but really I could probably PuNcH Justin Beiber in. the. face!

And while, I am in love with Miley Cyrus, something Barista doesn't get. And even though I am borderline obsessed with "Party In The U.S.A.", I kinda want to SLAP her in the face... I mean realllllly?? You aren't nodding your head or moving your hips in the club... You.Are. 16!!! Tell your washed up has been of a dad to find you new material .Sing about getting your license or going to the mall. Isn't that what you do @ 16?

Same with STUPID Justin Beiber.

"Your world is my world

And your fight is my fight

My breath is your breath

and your heart

and girl your my one love, my one heart

my one life, for sure"

Really!?! You are 15!! My one life? How do you know about one life? All you know is playing basketball and milk and cookies? Seriously? ugh...

However, I DO get pleasure out of the fact that alot of people when first hearing the song get excited and think its a lesbian love song because his pre-pubescent voice sounds like a chick.

A few years ago, that girl Jo Jo had the same thing...singing at the age of 14 about "cheating" and other girls. What did your "boyfriend" do? Hold someone else's hand at recess?

I do NOT get why these teen little twerps think people actually enjoy listening to them sing about love and loss and stuff that they are YEARS from experiencing .Further more, why the HELL are their parents letting them sing about it..oh wait..yea..nvm....the millions they're making of their child selling albums and touring because tweeny little girls love them and make mommy and daddy buy their cds,posters,t-shirts and concert tickets.

So, yea. a little bit of advice and note to anyone out there that may be 13 and wanting a career in music. SING ABOUT STUFF YOU KNOW!! Like the mall and the Disney Channel and annoying brothers and sisters or even abusive parents. I don't care. Just shut up about finding your true love and the club and cheating boyfriends and girlfriends. You sound stupid and we all know you have no clue what you are talking about!

Is this aisle open? I'm ready to CHECK OUT

2010-01-14T11:20:00.002-06:00

It's finally settling in......Something I really didn't think would happen to me. Something that I've been dreading for the last 3 years and now, but as I begin to accept its unavoidable and going to happen no matter what, I've succombed-unconsciencly, but now I've realized it...and am okay with it.

My friends, I'm officially a victim of senioritis.

If you would have asked me if I was ready for graduation back in August, I would have said NO WAY JOSE!!! But as the year has progressed I'm slowly getting ready for it.

I'm slightly getting ExCiTeD about the idea of growing up and having a real job. I'll miss all the holiday breaks and ability to act irresponsible and blame it on college, but I'm also excited to see the real world..i think. What actually really excites me though, while also being slightly scary, is the idea that I could really, do whatever come May. I could pack up leave and head to Europe if I wanted. I could move to the streets. I could move to NYC. The opportunities are endless and its one of the most exciting yet terrifying feelings ever.

Don't ask what I want to do though. I'm still not quite sure. Some days I want to do event planning for the entertianment or art world-the next I want to go corporate. Some days I want to just move to Australia for a year, just for something different and to be a bum. I've also thought about doing PR work. Maybe journalism. I'm also still trying to decide if I want to go back to camp for the summer or if I want to find an internship somewhere, like maybe with the pageant people and actually make $$$...idk.. I'm not really much of a plan-aheader, so I'll pry decide in April or May =)

Okay, so anyway. I am most definitally checked out already and have the mindset of "I'm a senior, I don't really care". Classes don't really feel like classes. Maybe it's only because I have 1 a day..but i just it there kinda all "eh, i'm here..not really paying attention" etc.. and usually, I'm engaged and interested in whats going on. not so much anymore.

I also see it with some activities on campus, its just like. I don't really care. I'm gone, I gave my leadership and time for the last 3 years, let someone else take over.

But it's also not a great thing. I'm working really hard to make sure I don't check out of being student body president. I would really like to do something fantastic and kinda leave my mark. So when I leave, my advisor and the ppl on SGA remember that Drew did something worthwhile....Which I think will happen. I mean, i legit care about this organization and would like to see a few things happen, and I definitally now have the time to put into them. So I think I can manage that.

ANND, I'm also excited because I'm working on an internship with the Des Moines Social Club. So that'll be exciting. I've talked to the guy I'll be working with , and it sounds like I'll get to help with alot of the event stuff and that'll be PERFECT and exciting!

So yea.... sorry that this blog is a slight tidge random and not really that eloquent..haha..not that my others are..this one just feels more random than even the others though....

but yea..idk..i'm checked out..i'd much rather sit in my sweats and watch tv all day ( which I actually did Monday) than go to class or be productive....maybe I just need to get back into the swing of things.....idk..i spose we'll see.

I'm Sick & Tired that YOU'RE "sick and tired"

2010-01-13T17:52:00.004-06:00

Okay,

So I like to think that I'm a pretty laid back person when it comes to things bothering me. I really feel like there's not alot that does besides; stupid people, cold weather and ARROGANT JERKS. But when talking about schedules etc. today with a friend an issue came up that can often set me off into a rant, and that would be the people that always whine and mOaN about how much they have to do, how tired they are, how busy they are etc.

Here's the deal; previous to this semester, I was a pretty BuSy person. During my last 3.5 years at college I was involved in almost every group possible; CAB president my sophomore and Junior year, CAB marketing director this previous semester, I've had a position on IFC since my freshman year, I've always had a work study , usually a part time job or even two, I've held a couple executive offices in my fraternity, 16 credit hours every semester, EAC, AI, I've been an editor for our school newspaper since my sophomore year, I've been a community service scholar, serve on a regional planning committee for an organization and etc. SO with that, my days were usually pretty looooooong, starting with class at 9am and going till about 6 or 7pm, sometimes MiDNiGhT if we had a comedian or CAB event.

But the thing is, I LOVED it! That's how I thrive. Right now I'm still getting used to having free time in the middle of the day.

Yeah, @ times it would get sTrESsfUl and I felt like I needed to punch someone or pull my hair out, but I did my best not to complain....why? Because I SIGNED UP FOR IT! I knew what I was getting into when I joined this club or that. I knew it would be ALOT of responsibilty and a big time commitment, so I felt slightly HyPoCrItIcAL turning around and complaining. On top of that, I wasn't an idiot. I knew there were plenty of people who were just as busy, some probably even busier than I was.

So, a message to those of you that complain all the time. SHUT UP! You are not the only busy one! You should have know when you took on the responsibilities that it would get stressful @ times It reallllllly annoys those of us that are busy too. It gets tiring hearing "Oh my gawd..i'm so busy..i haven't slept. ETC etc etc."

Besides, if you're really that busy, are you really accomplishing anything? I've learned this the hard way. But if you have yourself split 50 different ways, chances are you aren't putting enough effort into all your groups/responsibilities and then not only are YOU losing, but the group you are SUPPOSED to be helping is losing out too.

So cut back, focus more time on less activities and do something awesome with them.

But if you do decide you want to sleep 4 hours every night and have groups coming out your years, don't complain to me! You chose it, now deal with it!

They're Not Just Pretty Faces

2010-01-08T13:29:00.001-06:00

SO, every once in awhile I actually have a topic that I'm serious & or passionate about. It doesn't really happen too often, but on ocassion it does, and THIS would be one of those topics.

Last year I started volunteering for Miss USA state preliminary pageants...and for those of you who may be confused....Miss USA is the one owned by Donald Trump and seen on NBC and the one that can ultimately lead to Miss Universe. But anyway..

I got hooked up with the gig through this board I serve on for our regional NACA meetings; I'm the student rep and the woman who is our associate rep, also owns a company that produces these pageants. Welll, during our summer meeting 2 summers ago, we were chatting and I mentioned I wanted to do event planning when I grow up and she asked me to help her with pageants and bla bla bla...HERE I AM.

I jumped into this experience expecting what most people think; big boobs, big hair, big ATTITUDES and lots of dresses and swimsuits. WELL, after my first pageant last fall my preception COMPLETELY changed.

These girls are NOT the BiTcHy,self engrossed,make up caked women, so many of us think.

These girls are Confident, motivated, smart young women who want to CHANGE the world, and I guarantee you that most will.

While volunteering at the Miss Minnesota USA pageant I met a girl who CLIMBED Mt. Kilamanjaro and raised $6,000 to fight AIDS, @ Miss Minnesota USA I met a girl who wrote a book EmPowErinG young women, I met another who's danced world wide and yet another who created a company that works with young women to give them CONFIDENCE and poise. & This is just in 1 state.

While the movie "Miss Congeniality" attempts to make fun of pageants and admittedly gets some things head on, it also got something else right....... these girls really do want world peace.

They're fighting to do something PoSiTiVe, not only for themselves, but for the people around them.

YES! Occasionally you find the beauty queen who likes to think she walks on a red carpet and is God's Gift to the world, but 90% of the time, these girls are FuN, energetic, oUtGoInG, and the sweetest things ever.

These girls are smart; most of them have 4.0s, studying everything ranging from Journalism and Communications to Spanish and Biology.

Some critics may complain about the swimsuit competition. Claiming that pageants cause girls to become anorexic and promote unhealty eating behaviors. WRONG! I'm not going to deny that some girls do go down the wrong path and skip their meals or pray to the procelin gods after eating. But most don't. These girls learn how to eat healthy, how to work out, stay in shape and get that healthy well toned body. Something a majority of us are TOO LAZY, to work on! The judges don't want to see walking ribcages onstage, trust me.

I will admit that is unfortunate that in the end, what is going really help the get the girl the crown is how pretty she is, and that it's ironic of sorts that while these girls are doing all these gr8 things and working their tails off, in the end it comes down to her face. I would like to point something out before anyone gets too EnRaGEd at this and tries to fight againt the pageant system.

Whoever wins the title of Miss USA is going to spend the following year traveling all over the COUNTRY promoting and working with all sorts of charities and causes, and who is the general American public going to listen to? Who is REALLY going to get peoples attention and get them 2 lend a hand? The beautiful sPUnKy brunette that stands OUT in the crowd. OR the short squat girl who looks like everyone else.

It sounds bitchy and it sounds blunt and it even sounds a little too simplified. BUT lets get real, it's the truth. Society likes pretty people and Miss USA uses that to do some good!!!

So next time, before you crack a joke or yell at the tv when you see that the Miss USA pageant is coming up, don't mock. Remember that these girls have worked so so sooooo hard to get to that level.!!And that really, they're just doing their BEST to make a difference,for themselves and for the world.

And there goes that big fat mouth

2010-01-07T15:36:00.003-06:00

Okay...so while I had intended on talking about pageants in this next segment, once again a newer topic of discussion has come up that I'd prefer to discuss.

Sooooooo......in a previous couple ,of blogs I talked about "P", for those of you who regularly read this, you'll notice thats not his original nickname. Well, while I thought that nickname I had given P was cReAtIvE,CATCHY and anonymous, apparently it wasn't. See, Drew forgot that some people in my area, actually read the blog and in true "only Drew" fashion, the blog got passed on to P and he READ it and obvi wasn't the biggest fan.

So, I got a facebook message from him and he explained to me why he didn't ever get back to me and called me out on a few of the comments I had made. AND explained his side of the story....

And it made sense...I got caught up in the bitter rejection swing of things and said a few things that pry weren't the smartest things to say on my blog. Especially since my words of ocassional wisdom are there for EVERYONE to see :S

I'm not going to take back everything I said, I did say it, and it is what I was thinking at the time, but would like to remind all my readers that I don't really ever edit or ~~censor~~ . And as cliche as it sounds, I blog from the heart. When I'm in blog mode it flows and I don't really stop. And lets get real, I studied theatre in college, I can be a bit OVeRdRAmaTiC.

I wasn't trying to be vengeful,spiteful, or hateful. And I wasn't trying to bAsh his name to those that did happen to know him. Soooo I apologize for hurting feelings and offending.

So yea...thats kinda the story on that. The blogging thing is TrIcKy. Yea, it's in a public forum and on-line for the world to see, but sometimes it feels anonymous at the same time since so many people that actually read this don't really know me or the ppl I talk about.

So yea. Turns out I may need to come up with better nicknames in the future....

IN OTHER NEWS

The weather SUCKS...I HaTe winter. I really don't get how people "enjoy" it and the snow. Yea, okay.. so snow days are gr8, YAY no school..but they also kinda suck. I mean, its obvi crapppy outside, so you can't go out and do things to CelEbrAtE no classes. And then the roads are pain in the rear end, and I loathe driving in this weather.

ALSO, I found out Barista Boy reads the blog.......he's a fan =)! So yay on that!!

No other major activities...I realized my mind likes to wannnnder alot and I thought of a few great topics for future editions....... if there's magically some moment where I don't have something actually going on in my life.

boys,jobs and being on time

2010-01-05T12:40:00.004-06:00

Okay,

So I'm getting ready to head up to Minneapolis to help out with Pageant Power week, and plan on blogging a bit more about that.....there's ALOT that goes into Miss USA pageantry that most people don't know about and the girls that compete definitally don't get the credit they deserve, but I've decided I can let that all out in a post at a later date..so look for that soon.

BUT today I thought I'd just talk about a few updates and a couple events in my life that can only be classified as something that makes my friends laugh and say "only you".

Sooo okay..first off...things with Barista Boy are still going fantastic!! We hung out NYE, and then went to AVATAR 3-D on Friday (which is an AMAZING movie), it actually has a legit storyline PLUS great visuals!!!!! And we were up till ike 2 texting the other night and have plans to hang out tomorrow, after I get back from the MN..

But yea, I'm still diggin him. I realized the other day that I'm way more comfortable with him than I am with most people in general. I consider myself to be a fun person, but I'm not really ever that "goofy" , but with him I am. IDK.....its fun......

In other news.....I finally have a new part time job...starting Sunday I will be a go-go dancer at a club in West Des Moines(this would be one of those "only you" situations)...haha yuuup..apparently this club wants dancers on Sunday afternoons...which works for me......Sunday's are usually my- nurse my hangover, only leave my couch to pee and eat, watch lifetime movies with my roomates girlfriend all day-day. So it should be a good time and its pretty legit pay =) Which will be nice since I have a Spring Break trip to pay for.

Oh side note, in reference to P..welllllll... I was out on the town w/ my BFF Pocket Saturday night and we definitally ran into him...well sorta...we saw him there and we know he saw us...but there was never any "pleasantries" exchanged..... which was A-OK and I felt even better about myself because while I've upgraded and am now hanging out with Barista, he was with some uggo loser....so, I felt pretty good =)

I also have a new addition to the resolutions....another thing I need to work on is "being on time". I am NiToRiOUs for being late and I'd like to fix that....mom even made a comment the other I had no clue she was making meday..she got mad because I was late for the dinner ....but then she's like.."well, I should've known. You're never on time anyway". So, we're going to work on being punctual.

okkkay...but I think that's it for now...nothing too exciting..Lo Siento...well, i take that back....things with Barista are exciting...

But yea.

Ciao

Another attempt at 2010 Goals

2010-01-02T02:39:00.004-06:00

Oh look....it's now my turn to try and hammer out the goals that usually get about a month of attention and hard work before getting givin up on or forgotten about and I go back to my normal,inappropriate college student life....well usually...

BUT I have high hopes and a good feeling about 2010. Yes, its another new year, another dollar.BUT It's also A NEW DECADE and another sign that "grown up world" is getting dauntingly closer. PLUS most of these goals are things I've been working within the last month, and have actually managed to stick to thus far, So we'll see how it goes.

Give Up some vices-I'm actually not going to share these vices on here, seeing as there is that chance that people who shouldn't see them would see them. But lets just say, I have been known to gulitly pleasure myself (ha.that sounds wildly inappropriate) with a few things that could get dropped....And no..it's not any sort of drug addiction....just FYI
Workout-haha..you're probably thinking "WOW DREW, what an original goal for new years!!"...haha..well shutup....this is actually one that I've been doing fairly good @ recently..well, I was until break came and I haven't had access to the gym, but i'm back on campus already. So, hopefully I'll get back into the routine. ANYWAY...my goal isn't to lose weighT......its actually the opposite..this kid, is a scrawny little- or what is commonly referred to in the gay community-"twink". I'm wanting to add some meat to my bones, preferably in the form of muscle, and thats one big reason for the work out goal . But also, you just always feel better after you workout, like you've legit did something during the day. PLUS it's a great stress reliever too.
Become $$ responsible- my parents would love to see this one. Even though I've had a job since I was about 16, I've still managed to ePIcAlLy FaIl at being financially responsible and doing that whole budgeting thing. And it's finally started to kick me in the teeth the last couple months. So my goal is to find a part time job again because I actually did opt not to work this first semester AND spend the money a little smarter. ie: less trips to the Starbucks, eat out less and actually attempt to budget.
Do what I say I'm going to-too often I get these ideas to do this or that, but never follow through. And it turns out that the times I do follow through it usually works out (ie: actually auditioning for Real World junior year and making it to semi-finals). WELL, this year I'm going to actually follow through more often. When I say I'm going to audition for Big Brother, I'm going to. When I decide I want to apply for that internship, I'm actually going to do it. I'm figuring this maaaaay come in handy, since I do need to start thinking about the whole job and future thing a little more seriously now =(
Do a random act of kindness everyday-I figure that in the road to self-improvment and working on things that are bettering me. I could also lend a hand to bettering those around me. SOOO, my goal is to do a random act of something nice everyday. Even if its, picking up the trash I walk by on campus or holding the door for someone juggling too many bags. Just something that can make someone else SmILe or help out in someway.

sooo...yea, those are the top 5 for this year. We'll see what happens. I'm really feeling like this is going to be a good year..I'm HOPING I'm right! I guess time will tell...

so yea, I'll leave with a mantra I've picked out for the next 364 days...

2010...Live it. Love it. Own it.

Everything Happens For A Reason

2009-12-31T14:08:00.005-06:00

Holy wow...can't believe its already 2010! This year has actually been quite amazing and it's scary to believe its essent gone.

But anyway.I'm actually going to SAVE my review of the year/goals for 2010 until a later date. I have something more important to share.

Okay, as you may recall with my last post.. I was slightly overanaylzing/ overthinking/ oVerStReSSing about a stupid boy who wasn't responding to texts etc....and he still hasn't...so I moved on....but had the usual feeling you get after rejection...what'd I do..what's wrong with me? maybe I just suck at life and am destined to be single forever. etc. etc. etc.

WELL, rewind a little bit...

There's a realllly cute barista at this coffee shop I go to in East Village when I volunteer for One Iowa. Well, turns out, Drew's a WIMP and doesn't ever approach people; I'm too AwKwaRd/majorly fear rejection. SO I never really said much to him beyond the "20oz of the dark roast......please...thank you." etc.

WELLL....on Tuesday he (well call him Barista Boy) added me to facebook..saying he worked with C, a girl I go to SimpCo with. We ended up chatting on fbook for a bit in the afternoon and it was good convo. Just random talk...

Well, then last night I was busy @ DSMsocialclub all night setting up for the New Year's Bash (which is going to ROOOOCK ps!)! But he asked if I wanted to come over and hang out.

So,when I finally got done setting up, I went over and it was FUN. We watched Jesus Camp..HOLY WOW movie PS! Def cray-cray!!! I suggest watching it if you haven't!

So yea, we had lunch today and it's been FuNNNN!

But it's just funny...Barista Boy is way cooler than P. He's cute, easy to talk to, artsy and smart. Likes alot of the same RaNdoM movies & books I do.......and yea..I'm diggin him so far...

And if P would have called or texted back.,I would not have been hanging out with Barista Boy. Who like I said, is WAY BETTER than stupid P..

so yea...I would like to THANK P for being a jerk and lets hope that I see Barista Boy tonight...MAAAAYBE @ midnight =)

Happy New Years everyone!!!

Be safe!!!!

Dear Senses

2009-12-27T00:24:00.002-06:00

Dear Senses,

I'm not quite sure what happened, but I seemed to have lost you at some point this last week.

As you recall, we were still together when I met that adorable,smart and seemingly fun guy on Saturday at the birthday party. AND you were still with me Sunday, after he left and even Monday, but that's the last time I saw you.

Since then I've kind of been a slight hott mess and I need you back. We both know that I can be a bit of an overanalyzer when it comes to this new guy stuff, so you see why I really need you back right now.

See, with you gone, I've stressed about this kid a liitttle too much.

I don't know if you remember, but Sunday he asked to hang out on Monday. WELL, Monday came and he texted and said he couldn't because he got busy at the gym coaching and needed to get to bed early. But asked if was free in a "coupla days".

I think you were still with me at that point because I said "okay, yea, I should be". And that was that.

Well, since then I have yet to hear from him and its starting to actually really bug me and I can tell you got lost,because I'm overanalyzing/stressing/thinking about it way too much than is healthy.

I understand that this has been a busy holiday week and he's probably been busy with family this and family that. But my mind is still questioning.

I mean, he also mentioned Sunday that he had asked Pocket about me, which to me would ential interest, especially if he's telling me he talked to someone else....right?

PLUS, we talked for over 2 hours at the party. When he totally could have brushed me off and went and visited with the other people he came with and knew. He also mentioned to me that he isn't one for talk with people that bore/don't interest him. ANNNND he was the one that suggested a movie after the party....so yea...IDK...

And granted I've still been smart enough to NOT be one of those crazies that text/call everyday and even multiple times a day. I have left him alo for the most part, with just a HELLO "Happy Holidays" text on Thursday..............with no response.

So yea, senses. I'm really confused. I'm not sure what to think about this issue and I'm giving it way too much thought and time. When I should just let it be and see what happens. But it's not happening that way.

AND as you can tell, I probably sound like one of those CRAZZZY gays that fall waaay to fast, and get too attached and emtional and all that but we both know I have good balance and I'm generally not......and that while I still tend to be a bit dramatic on ocassion, for the most part. I'm sensible about this type of stuff.

Once again, I'm blame the holidays for it...

BUT Yeeaah

IF you would please come back to me, I'm sure I would be thinking a little less and a little clearer about this issue....I would calm down a bit, and I wouldn't be so worked up and I could be a little more pleasant again.

Thanks so much!

-Drew

PS-senses, if you have any ideas as to what is going on..ie: is this kid still interested and just busy. Or has he lost interest and I need to shutup and get over it. Please provide that information when you return.

Stuck in Limbo

2009-12-26T00:17:00.005-06:00

The next week always feel like LiMbO to me.

Those 7 days inbetween X-Mas and New Year's Eve

Not quite sure what to do, what to think, what to say.

I'm relieved that the holidays are over.

Gone is the StreSsS of gift getting. Of making sure I wear the appropriate smile when the last bit of wrapping paper falls off and I'm presented with the fruits of my mother's shopping labors, doing her best to try and find me a gift that she can SURPRISE me with. something I didn't ask for, but she thought I'd like. Me, not wanting to disappoint or hurt her and lead her to believe I don't appreciate it....but luckily, my mom usually does a pretty good job and so fake smiles and sincere but false " I love its" aren't necessary.

Now comes the post holiday Bloating. The muffin top and heavy stomach from way too many gatherings with plates of food PUSHED upon me like escort cards in Las Vegas. And I vow to run, but not today. I'm too tired. or it's too cold.....Tomorrow. Tomorrow sounds good. and the cycle continues until the next post-Christmas season.

Now's the time to wallow in the misery of singledom. Where with cruel irony the only movies I want to watch are the romantic comedies........in particular, Love Actually. Now's the time where I feel left out that I didn't get to shop for my beloved boyfriend or his family, or kiss him under the Mistletoe.

It's a time of reflection. To look back @ the year see what happened. Think about what made me HaPpY...what pissed me off...what I could have done. What I should have done. What I'm glad I did....and the "What Ifs..."

It's time to look at the year AHEAD. Time to set those goals I already know I'm never going to accomplish. Goals I'll set with good intentions and the desire to exceed, while already feeling gUiLtY about them. Knowing that in 3 weeks they'll be as good as forgotten. Something put on the ever expanding "To-Do list" for a rainy day.

BUT This year I feel DifFeReNt. This year I feel like I may really conquer those goals, that these "I shoulds" will turn into "I DIDs". I'm AM excited for 2010.Which is scary, considering in 5 short months I will no longer be a college student. And, I'll be a grown up in a "grown up" & harsh world. But for some reason I eagerly await the dropping of that Times Square Ball. Hoping for a new beginning. A send off into my final semester. A send off into the UnKnOwn, something I'm beginning to welcome.

BUT, I do approach NYE with a twinge of apprehension.........am I going to get that *kiss*? Am I going to have another person to share that "magical" second with. Or will I be stuck throwing confetti and blowing a noisemaker, while everyone around me locks lips.

This time of year is always a tricky one. And 2009 is no different.......but it is. Now more than ever I eerily and EaGerLy await the New Year. Excited to see what may happen. While still trying to shake off that bitter Bite of loneliness that seems to take over during the holiday season.

And so it begins. The 7 day tread of life. As I look back and reflect, look forward and enVision, and wonder what is going to happen next.

5 Things I DON'T like about the Holidays

2009-12-23T13:36:00.007-06:00

I am probably one of those people that any Christmas Caroling, Christmas dEcoRatioNs up in November, pee your pants at the first sight of SnOw, type people love to hate.

I am not a fan of the holiday season. And while I'm not scrooge or the Grinch, trying to destory hopes,dreams and the Christmas Spirit, I am someone who doesn't get eXcitEd for it and would rather it be all said and done.

I'm not sure why either. I've just never been a fan of the holiday. Maybe it's because my family's never been one of those, lets all get together open presents and play games type of families. And it's not like Santa continually skiPPed me as a child, I always got the Christmas presents. It could also maybe be that my birthday is so close to the holiday and so that has jipped me a few times. OR maybe it's because its during my least favorite season and is associated with ~~snow~~ , something I despise.....anyway, I'm not a fan.

And while this holiday season doesn't cause me to DrInK more or try to hang myself with tinsel, there are a few things that seem to pop up during this time period, that do drive me nuts.

Hearing HAPPY HOLIDAYS at the end of every converstion, every restaurant and every single store I either walk into or leave, starting at the end of November and lasting until January.......I know it's the holidays. Thanks for reminding me. like the christmas music, decorations and crowded parking lots weren't enough of a reminder.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC...I think this anti-warm fuzzy feeling stems from my history in retail, and hearing the same cd on REPEAT for weeks! on end, you get tired of it quite easily. And when your job in admissions only plays lite 104.1 starting December 1st, who likes to play ONLY Christmas music and it tends to be all the Christmas music nO oNe likes, come December 25, I'm usually ready to stab my ears out with CaNdY CaNeS!!!
Christmas break......hold the phone. I LOVE the break from school. I love not having classes or meetings or any other number of responsibilities. What I DON'T love is getting stuck at home, where there's nothing to do and I'm left twiddling my thumbs for a month.
The StReSsSs....stress is abound during the holidays. The traffic that happens at the mall. The CrOwDs that happen in stores. The stress of trying to find that perfect gift for that perfect someone.etc etc etc. But really, my stress comes from getting gifts! Yep , i hate getting presents. I always feel bad and gulity. Like I don't deserve them. No matter who its from. Whether its Santa, mom,dad, sisters or friends. I would much rather NOT get presents. Giving gifts is no problem! I LOVE doing my best to make someone happy and let them know I appreciate them. There's just something aWkWArD I have about getting them.
The reminder I am once again alone and single. This kinda ties in with #4. But every Christmas I get slightly depressed again. Knowing I don't get to try and find that special someone a present or kiss them under the mistletoe. And it doesn't help that most Christmas movies are about looove, and those Christmas movies are now on repeat on any tv station.

So yea. This is probably just the TIP of the iceberg, but I don't feel like going on forever.

Needless to say, I'm ready for it to be January 1st. I'm ready for it to be over ANNNND done! And we can go back to our normal lives, where I'm not dealing with CrAzY crowds, annoying music or present stress.

Excuse Me While I Blog This Out

2009-12-22T21:57:00.006-06:00

dating...oohh dating...

I could probably write a blog everyday for the rest of forever about dating....its positives. its negatives. why I Can'T stand it. Why I still attempt it. Is it worth it? Should I give up? How I've managed to kiCKed in the face 9 times out 10 when attempting. and the list could continue.

As of right now, I'm not dating. It's not that I don't want to. I just haven't managed to find anyone "dateable" in awhile. And in all reality; I've yet to have a single legitimate relationship.

While I did finally have something with someone for a few months early this fall, retrospectively, I don't consider it a "real relationship". In the beginning I thought it would work, we met 1 week before I left for Pennsylvania for my summer job and I thought that would be perfect timing for me to actually do my best and not JUMP the gun or get over my head in something. So we managed to talk almost everyday for the entire summer which I took as a good sign. I got back, we hung out a couple more times, but he had to leave for school out of state......

Sooo, I thought. If we managed to talk all summer, certianly we can manage being 3 hours away from eachother AND we decided to become "facebook official". WELL, after about a month, I got BOrED & tired of it. I didn't like this long distance thing, and felt stupid for trying to start a relationship with someone I had in all actuality hung out with 3 maybe 4 times. So, we called it OFF... On top of that he was only 19 and it showed at times. So, that relationship is considered "annuled" in the book of Drew.

I should also mention as of now "dating" is used rather loosly and could be defined as "hanging out on more than one ocassion on a regular basis, with or without verbal mention of a possible future relationship."

For me this "dating" has always been somewhat of a challenge. A game of give and take. Either he likes me and I don't like him. Or I'm liking him and he loses interest in me. Or even, we both have a mutual interest and things would probably work great BUT we live too far away from eachother and so nothing can happen.

And while I have a feeling everyone feels the same way, in my case; 98.56% of the time, it's the first issue that I find happening. I like him and he has no interest in me. I like to think that I'm a normal,sane, charasmatic, attractive individual who most people would be HaPpY to date, but apparently I'm wrong. And I do my best ( and think I manage ) to not be one of those crazy daters that text and call way too much. IDK what this issue is.

But anyway, yes. There is a point all this backstorying and rambling.

The point is,I think there should be a way to streamline this dating process and make it alot EASIER..... Like, a dating resume or survey card that you can trade with someone you find to be of interest.

Something simple.

Something that states your:

interests
likes & dislikes
stats
brief dating history
quirks
dreams
5 year plan
how many children you want
at what age you'd like to be married
any other useful information

AND THEN...... at the bottom has a

YES OR NO checkbox

just like in a grade school note.

That way, when you exchange numbers or talk about hanging out or going out on a date. You don't have to StReSSS about why he hasn't responded or called yet, because you already know if there's a legitimate interest or not.

I also wish that all this over thinking and analyzing I have managed to do in the dating world, would have made itself useful in my education world. If I would have attempted to think and analyze the ethics of gloabization, half has much as I do why or why not a guy hasn't called what he meant when he said that, I would have been a 4.0 student.

sooo...yea, this has been the thought eating at me today......"why can't dating be easier?"

Is there a reason I'm wondering this? YEP, but I don't feel like sharing yet...;-)

We're Gonna Party Like It's My Birthday....

2009-12-21T15:59:00.002-06:00

Okay, it actually was my birthday on Friday and it was spent in a pretty non-traditional way...at least for it being my birthday.

As usual my birthday fell right after finals, which is always nice. It means no stress and I'm free to do whatever because I don't have to worry about classes,tests, etc.

Well, for this birthday I decided to go and visit the great north of Iowa. One of my bffs from the house is from there and he invited a group of us to go and visit and hang out for a day.

The party started Thursday night, and we went to a good 'ol fashioned 1-A High school basketball game. ha ha..it was horrible and brought back good memories...the score at the end of the 1st quarter of the girls' game was 27-1 (and that ONE point was scored in the last 5 seconds!). The mens game was a little more interesting. But of course, as usual at small town sporting events. The real entertainment comes from the politican-esque parents. You know...the parents who yell and shout about things, pretending to know whats going on....when really they have no clue and they make no sense. Yea, that was the parents at this basketball game. Shouting that the girl fouled the other girl, when they didn't even come in contact, calling "over the back" when the girls were back2back...etc etc. etc. The best part of the evening was when a dad got kicked out, when he wasn't the one yelling..it was the 70 year old grandpa behind him being inappropriate.

But anyway... the game provided quite a bit of entertainment and it was nice to see another small town shady HS, almost as bad as mine.

Friday was where the exciting things happened that would surprise anyone who knew me.

We started at the pig farm...yep, we got suited up and went and played in the hog confinements and it was entertaining....For starters, I wasn't even the "pig farm virgin" that was our friend Brett who grew up in California....but it was still something I didn't do a whole lot of growing up since dad just farmed crops, not livestock...and even the crops I never touched....

So, we played in the pig pens, trying to ride them, yelling and running, watching them jump all over eachother. It was pretty entertaining...even though we reeked like pig the rest of the day.

After that we busted out the heavy artilary and hit the shooting range.....and by shooting range, I mean the milk jugs and gatorade bottles we set up on snow drifts in the back of Stiches's yard. Once again, I had actually shot a gun in my lifetime, so I wasn't as scared about shooting it. It was everyone else, watching me shoot who were scared for all our lives. BUT I shot a few guns (including an AR-15) and put some holes in things......... mostly snowdrifts......BUT i did hit a couple jugs. =)

AND that was the exciting-ness of the birthday...I went home after that, had dinner with the family and all that warm-fuzzy type stuff...and proceeded to play with "animals" at the Zoo in town with some friends..

So overall, it was a VERY sucessful birthday. Very chill, very manly, and very something that you wouldn't expect me to do..but it was fun...and it was spent with awesome ppl.....so yea..

until Next time.

I'm the kind of guy that laughs at a funeral

2009-05-25T22:33:00.002-05:00

I finally experienced something this weekend that I knew was eventually inevitable, but I didn't want it to happen none the less. I had my grandpa's funeral. The first funeral I've had to attend of a family member.

But here's the deal.

We really weren't that close. not at all in fact. All my memories of grandpa consist of him sitting in his chair at home, while grandma took care of him. And then when I was in junior high, he got placed in a nursing home because grandma had gotten in a car wreck and so she was laid up for a few weeks and so she couldn't take care of him and he just stayed there and slowly went downhill. So, really I don't have any storybook/movie quality memories of my grandfather. NOT that they didn't happen, I've found plenty of photos that attest that they did. BUt they just happened too early for me to distinctly remember. So, while it is rather unfortunate that I can't look back and smile on good memories with grandpa. The honest and maybe somewhat morbid truth , is that it has made this process a whole lot easier.

We all knew it was coming though. The last month we had seen him in and out of the hospital and everytime it was the same thing. "well, he could go tonight. He could go next month" so we knew it was edging closer and when we got the call Wednesday morning, it was one of those "yea, he's in a better place now."

Through this whole process I really felt kind of bad actually. There were no tears, there was no empty sense of loss. It was simply a factual thing. Grandpa had died. And as the hugs and "I'm so sorry's" and the questions of "How are you doing?" began, I felt bad ,because I was A-OK fine.

It continued even at the visitation, my cousins, and older of my two younger sisters were all along the same line with it. We sat and conversed and joked about things like normal. And shared how we were all sad that Francis had passed, but didn't have any major emotional memories to really upset us.

But eventually the tears did come and I knew they would, at the funeral. I knew that when I saw my grandma crying or my dad tear up, I knew I would. And it happened. But it wasn't til the end of the funeral. When they had fufilled my grandpa's request he had made early on in life to have "bridge over troubled water" played at his funeral. That's when I cried. And when we were at the gravesite and the American Legion handed my grandma the flag and they thanked her for his years of serive in the korean conflict. And when I saw the tears fall down the face of my dad. My big tough, farming, jock, of a man who was your typical dude's dude who didn't show emotion or cry. And when I saw my two baby sisters crying. That's when I cried and I felt better. Knowing that I wasn't completely devoid of human emotion. But I also think what got me going was knowing that at some point, hopefully a long long way down the road, but at some point. I would be burying grandma or my dad and that's what really hit me. Because I know when that time comes, I will most definitally be one hott mess.

So, while this weekend had an overcast of gloom. It was actually a nice weekend. I got to all my Riebhoff family and 90% of it was spent laughing and joking. Which is good, because even though I don't have that many memories, I know that's they my grandpa would have wanted it.

So I'm cheating a little...

2009-05-11T13:55:00.002-05:00

I'm slightly cheating with this "blog". This is an older article I wrote for the school paper awhile back. But some recent events made me think of it and so I thought I would share.

As an active member on Simpson's campus, I tend to notice what's going on. Each new year, I notice the changes that occur with the entering of a new class and the leaving of an old and the one thing that seems to stay the same.

There is an epidemic that somehow continues to plague our campus and effect the students.

Students with this plague seem to suffer from the following symptoms: the willingness to complain about the actions of student organizations without offering any advice as to what said student organizations could do instead; and a problem with the lack of school spirit, while their attendance at school events is minimal at best. Most victims have the ability to make students who are actually trying to change things, sometimes wonder why we even try.

An example that comes to mind is a recent purchase by the student government association. Members of SGA felt that the purchase of name tags would help us market ourselves better as an organization to not only the campus, and also come in useful when representing Simpson at other events. The cost for the name tags was right around $200, and some students were upset and complained that spending $200 on name tags was a horrible idea. However, the students offered no suggestion as to how we could better allocate the money.

My theory when it comes to complaining or talking about how something isn't working is that you should at least have a suggestion to take its place. Don't complain if you aren't willing to work to make a change.

Most students fail to realize that we are rather fortunate at Simpson. We have faculty, staff and administrators willing to listen to us. They are working hard to make Simpson a good experience for us and yet everyone still sits back and doesn't care. Then something happens and everyone gets upset and causes a fuss about it, but they don't care enough to actually try and do something about it.

Another big thing you hear everyone on campus talk about is the lack of school spirit Simpson College possesses and it slightly confuses me. I hear all these students complaining that no one goes to the game, no one has school spirit and no one cares. People talk about how more students need to go to this and that, but don't go themselves.

So here's my solution.Instead of skipping the game, saying you're not going because you know no one else is, shut up. Actually go to the game, and then your friend will go because she knows you're going, and then she brings another friend. The next thing you know, people actually are at the game. All because someone decided to try and remedy a problem instead of just complaining about it.

Now, while I am still quite a few years away from my PhD and have further research and testing to do before I can give an official diagnosis for this disease, I'm pretty sure I can offer some advice that could help prevent the spread and I'm taking it from Ghandi.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

If you want things to change at Simpson, work to change them. If you want people to attend the games, go to the game yourself. If you don't want SGA spending $200 on name tags, tell them what they should spend $200 on.And if you don't care. If you don't feel like working and trying to make a change, then don't complain.

When I Grow Up

2009-05-06T21:03:00.002-05:00

In roughly a week and a half I will essentially be a college senior. It's hard to believe that I'm nearing the completion of my junior year of college! Even before I started Simpson I heard that college flys by and while I believed them, its still hard to grasp how fast it does until it actually happens. And I'm not even close to being ready to grow up and my term class is not making things any easier.

I've started to think a bit more about what I want to do after graduation and grad school has started to sound like a good idea. My NACA experience has been awesome and so I began to think about going for student development and maybe becoming a Rich Ramos. BUT the thing is, I don't really think I want to do that as a career. But I think the student development experience would be benificial in the long run.

I've also thought about traveling after graduation. Yesterday, in our may term class we met with a former student of Kedron's and she worked and lived in London for 6 months after graduation and so that would be really cool. Only I would probably do something like Austrailia or New Zealand, since I have done the London thing already. AND I've also thought about just trying to find a job. But I have no freakin clue what. I would love to do something in event planning relatedness but I have no clue where to look. Plus I'm starting to wonder if I am even capable of holding a real job and being responsible and that scares me.

Ugh. This May Term class has really thrown things off. Just because some of the advice we've gotten from meeting with these professionals has been really helpful and what Emily has done sounded really fun and I would love to do something like that. BUt then hearing some the leaders talk makes me wonder if I really am a decent leader or just one of those power hungry people who just likes being a leader. And I don't want to be one of those people. Then there's the talks about our generation and what we expect out of life and how more than likely we won't get all that we want and then there's the whole economy thing and ugh.

Anyway. Back to the grad school thing. It's weird having to look at grad schools. I feel like I'm back in HS only its harder, because I'm not sure what I want to study. I could do student development. Maybe journalism or it'd be awesome to find some sort of event/entertainment management program. And then there is the whole GRE thing. I haven't taken a math class since my junior year of HS.

But ugh. It's crazy and getting scary. Even though I know I have a year left, right now I really have no clue what to do. And then just thinking about being a real grown up in general is scary and I think thats partly why I would like to go back to grad school.

Then there's this summer. Thanks to my suck-tackular driving luck my car sucks and so my original plans for interning in Minneapolis are now cancelled. So I'm hoping I can get a job at TEC w/ Sarah as a counselor. It'd be fun to be a counselor again and not have to worry about as much.

Other than stressing out about the rest of my life, May Term is good and fun! It's hard to believe the year is almost over ;( I have alot of packing to do :S

PS-sorry this turned into a rant of a blog. I didn't think it would....oops :S

Last night I lost my V-Card

2009-05-02T13:24:00.004-05:00

So, as per usual. I drifted away from blogging and it has been a good 3 months since my last post.

And I really don't want to try and re think and fill you in on all the great happenings of the past 3 months; the stupid class projects for stagecraft, the job I thought I loved and now left, the car getting wrecked another 2 times and etc. So I'll just begin with some recent events.

As the title of the blog foreshadows, I lost my v-card last night. And no, I don't mean the romantic type v-card. Psh, I lost that awhile ago. I lost my concert v-card. Yep, true story. Up until last night i had never been to a legitimate concert. While I've enjoyed most of the music I've heard at NACA and our CAB events, I really don't consider them to be real life concerts. It was a fun time. About 8 of us took a drive out to Omaha to see a group called "Jukebox the ghost". They first saw them when they opened for Ben Fold when he was in Des Moines back in March. They're a fun energetic alternative band and have some pretty interesting songs. So, I'm glad I was able to give my v-card to such a deserving band.

In other news

It's currently May Term and I am ABSOLUTLY loving it! It's been an amazing great time. The weather could be a bit more cooperative and someone needs to twitter mother nature and let her know that she needs to make it nice. But today is a gorgeous day and so I'm happy. We played some mud volleyball earlier and it was great, sloshing around in a big pile of dirt and water.

And there's actually no new boy drama or news. I've been pretty tame and have been doing my best to avoid that whole scene and it is working out for me!

ANNNND you're pry wondering how I did with those new years resolutions I talked about in my last post.

HAHA, well obvi I have failed at blogging regularly. But I've actually done a somewhat decent job on the J&S gossip front. I bitch and gossip about them on ocassion, when good shit comes up. BUT for the most part I've taken the "eh you bore me" approach. AND I have definitally failed at the working out thing and am beginning to accept that working out will probably be something I will always fail at. At first the issue was I didn't have the time, but now it's May Term and I definitally have the time. I'm just lacking the will. BUT I still want to attempt at some point, we'll just see when that actually occurs.

Anyway. We'll stop there. hpefully, and know I've said this a million times. But I can get back into blogging and such.we'll see.

Your rejection is a compliment

2009-01-11T22:54:00.003-06:00

It's been a little over a month since my flirtatious relationship with "The Real World" has ended. When they decided that they had no more interest in me and like every guy I have ever attempted to date, they simply stopped calling.

I was surprised at how well I actually took the rejection, maybe it's because I've gotten accustomed to it or because I had a feeling that it was going to end and they weren't going to call. I'm surprised that I "handled" the rejection as well as I did though. Before it actually happened, I figured I'd be stressed and pissed over it for a few days. Cry a bit. Hate life. Hate MTV and be my normal DQ self. BUT I actually wasn't. It was more of "eh, oh well". I think that some friends took it harder than I did. When broke the news to a few people they made excuses for me. saying maybe they didn't call yet because of the thanksgiving holiday or that I still had a week. But no. They just didn't want me. And I'm fine with that.

For starters, it means I'm not 100% fucked up. You look at some of the seasons and you think "HOLY COW" who are these people. They have issues etc. etc. You know that the casting directors love those people and if I would have made it any farther it would imply that I was actually one of them. Semi's was a good place to end up. It means I am interesting, I have a bit of drama in my life and they saw something interesting. But they got bored because I wasn't a complete basketcase, and I can live with that.

Even though it would have been amazing to take a semester of school and get paid to live in a sweet house and drink all the time. There's plenty back here at Simpson that I can now look forward to. The biggest probably being NACA in February. Plus things were going awesome with the house and it would have sucked to leave when I had actually been around for a semester.

BUT I'm not giving up on the RW yet. I think I was a little too nice with my interviews and tapes. They asked to see some different sides of me and I only showed them the good sides. I barely scraped the edge when it comes to things people shouldn't know about me. Like how needy and jealous I get. How possesive I can be. My irritation for idiots and I could continue. So I think my next audition tape will be an angry rant at them. PLUS I now know what things I should milk a little more. Even though I don't really give a shit that I've never seen my real dad. I can pretend for them that I do. That it eats me up on the inside that I've never met the man who gave me life. That's the stuff they want to hear.

So, while I'm complimented that I'm not a total basket case. I kinda want to be one. Lets get real. I'm still an attention whore who's current life goal is to get on reality tv.

It's That Time Again

2009-01-03T23:19:00.003-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!...well, okay 3 days late...but we're close.

Now's that time of year again. Where everyone dreams big and sets goals to change for the better-- lose weight, stop smoking, eat healty etc. And we all keep up with these goals for 2 or 3 weeks,before falling back into the swing of the same routine last year and disappointing ourselves once again and saying "I'll just do it next year."

Generally, I don't make "New Year's Resolutions", for one, I've never really found anything in my life that I was motivated enough to change and 2) and I knew that I would be like a majority of people and forget I even made the resolution and go back to my same ol same ol rountine.

WELL, this year I have made a few resolutions, 4 to be precise and I would actually like to follow through with them.

Resolution 1- Quit talking/gossiping/hating and drama-tizing about "you know who's"
Pretty much anyone who is somewhat of a friend of mine should know that I have a particular distaste.....well..okay...HATE for two certain individuals. Two people are who literally crazy,fat,annoying,stupid...oh shit..wait..i'm not supposed to be saying that......well anyway. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I have drama stories about these two out the wazoo. Everyday they've done something new to piss me off or I've heard something new about them that I spread like wildfire within 5 minutes of hearing about it. I'm not even going to get into why I hate them or how one stabbed me in the back as a BFF and the other is a complete dumbass conference assistant. BUT I'm done. I waste way too much of my breath talking about these two for no reason. 99.9% of the people who know who they are agree with my feelings, only probably not quite as strongly and so there's no point in complaining. From now on I'm brushing off their drama and no longer speaking of them. It'll save my breath, save me alot of stress and give my roomate a rest from hearing me bitch about them. Besides, I believe in karma and I heard hate doesn't do a body good.

Resolution 2-Eat Healty
I admit this is a pretty general one. Everyone always attempts to lose weight or eat healthy in the New Year, but I need to join in. If you actually saw my diet you would wonder how I'm not the size of blimp by this point....it's a called a great metabolism. BUT I'm going to give my metabolism a rest, so I can save it and use it when I'm 40 and just start eating healty and maybe attempting to exercise. I'm not going to be stupid, there's no way in hell I'm going to go all gung ho with it and completely remove all junk food from my life....that would never happen. Especially when you have Sally as a cook. I'm just going to work on making better decisions as to what I eat at 1am when I'm doing homework (which is actually probably to simply not eat) and also attempt to run at least twice a week. Then maybe, I could get my long lost ab section back AND not get winded when walking up to Hawley.

Resolution 3-Be on time to things.
I am nitorious for being late. Especially to work. The managers and I at the GAP actually joke about my punctuality and they've learned to not expect me at my scheduled time but five minutes later is good. Well, I need to stop that. If I actually want a good recommendation, where they can tell my future boss I'm actually on time, I should probably start doing it. Besides, it would save me the stress I get when speeding to work and it might cut down on my road rage. Specially since when I grow up I will need to be on time to work.

Resolution 4- Blog once a week.
There's so many times I think about something I could blog about,then I forget or don't and the next thing you know, it's been 2 months and I haven't touched my blog. Blogging helps me sort my mind out, allows me to vent AND gives you something good to read. Plus, if I decide to someday pursue journalism more or reality television it should help.

So, those are it. The big 4 for the year. I didn't get crazy ridiculous with my goals. I didn't set my sights too high. Like me quitting being such a procrastinator, or doing my homework or quit being gay. We knew all those would be impossible. So I stuck with things I can actually do. We'll see how it goes.

I'm 21......now what?

2008-12-17T10:53:00.002-06:00

In less than 12 hours I will officially be 21 years old! I've been more excited this last week than a 5 year old waiting for Christmas.

However, a sudden and disappointing thought hit me the other day, while I shared my excitement with co-workers; as I diligently folded clothes at unamed mass production retailer............I have no more exciting birthdays left ;(

If you think about it, during childhood and the early years every birthday is exciting. It means getting to bring treats to school, mom and dad letting you do what you want and cards and money from all your relatives. As you progress into your teen years these tends continue; with maybe the exception of treats at school, but you're birthday's are more "rewarding". On your 14th birthday you get your permit, your 16th you get your license. On your 17th birthday you can attend rated "R" movies on your own and at the ripe seemingly old age at the time of 18--you are an adult and get to vote,buy tobacco products and go to the strip club. And last but not least the big 2-1, where I no longer have to pay hobo's on the street to buy my booze. Where I can gamble and even rent a car....but now what?

From this point forward there are no more exciting birthdays. There's no more magical doors that open. From now own, I just get older and older and older. Seriously, no one I can think of looks forward to their 30th or 40th birthday. In college world, once you hit 22 or 23 in some cases, people start calling you old balls. None of these sound too fun.

And if you look at the bigger picture, outside of just aging, things don't get much brighter.

Currently, I have a dwindling economy to look forward to...which is great, seeing as in a year and a half I'm graduating from a private institution with an expected $30grand in debt. And companies seem to laying off,rather than hiring...my prospects at paying off that debt in a quick and timely fashion, while also still affording life necesseities, like food,booze and clothes..doesn't seem too likely.

As we know, romance has tended to suck for Drew and with an increasing divorce rate currently at 50%, combined with laws like "Prop 8" my chances at not only finding love to begin with,but actually getting married if it does happen don't look too bright either.

And then there is the growing up thing. Having to live on my own. In my own apartment. Where I pay montly bills like utilities,rent, and health insurance. I don't know how to do that. Right now I pay my beginning of the year bill for Simpson and I'm set to go and when car insurance is due Dad calls and reminds me. I'm the worlds best procastinator with an added case of ADD how does someone expect me to remember to pay my rent,ultities,health insurance etc. on time. When I forget to pay dues for SAE when I'm still reminded weekly?

Plus there's cooking for myself! I've lived in SAE this last week and since no one's around there's no food and I've been lost. It's either been fast food or top ramen, and once when I felt fancy and bold I made spaghetti. I don't remember how to grocery shop for healthy things or cook. For the first 18 years of my life mom took care of that and I just had to open the refridgerator and things were there. Now, it's pretty much the same only its our steward or Sally buying the stuff and I can choose what I want. I don't know if I can handle having to fend for myself .

So, I'm almost 21...YAY!? But now I have to start thinking about being a grownup,getting a job, and taking care of myself? I don't know if it's worth it....but hey... I guess I can now just drink my problems away...

SIMP WRITINGS

2008-12-07T21:11:00.002-06:00

Some of my latest Simpsonian work:

Op-Ed on Beauty Pageants
http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/12/04/Perspectives/Its-Way.More.Than.A.Beauty.Pageant-3567984.shtml?reffeature=popuarstoriestab

he said/she said's
http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/11/20/Flipside/He.Said.she.Said-3552841.shtml

http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/11/06/Flipside/He.Said.she.Said-3527027.shtml

http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/10/23/Flipside/He.Said.she.Said-3500176.shtml

The Tragic Part of My Life is that it Isn't
http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/11/13/Perspectives/True-Life.I.Have.Nothing.To.Complain.About-3539386.shtml

20 year old can smoke and die for Country
http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2008/09/25/Perspectives/TwentyYearOld.Can.Smoke.Drink.Die.For.Country-3451485.shtml

Really Drew....Really?

2008-12-07T20:49:00.003-06:00

So, I officially suck at even half way attempting to keep up on the blog thing.

But whatever, I'm over it. But seeing thus, this post is a little bit of this a little bit of that etc.

It's hard to believe a semester is already over though. I only have a semester before I'm a senior and I am not at all excited. I refuse to grow up. Seriously, I know how clue to take care of myself. I still have meals cooked for me, I don't worry about rent or utilities and I definitally don't have a stupid 40 hour a week job. PLUS I don't like the idea of getting old. I have no clue what I'm going to do when I have a 8-5 and then im done for the day. Drew doesn't work that way!

Whatever.

Anyway. I'm stuck in a bit of a conondrum--sort of. I'm falling back into that state of mind which thinks I should try dating again.....which is stupid. Dating sucks. I stress out over it and it's no fun at all actually. Seriously. I think "okay, sure I'll go on a date with you" and then the day of I'm kicking myself in the ass wondering why I did. What do I wear? Where are we going? What if it's really awkward? What do I do if I don't like him and don't want to talk to him ever again? PLUS there's the times I end of having an attracting we hang out some more. I start think something will happen and then he decides he wants to be friends. THEN I get pissed at myself for being an idiot. It's just a lame game and I hate it. BUT for some reason, some part of my brain is trying to trick me into thinking its a good idea. And another part is kicking that part saying DON'T be stupid and then yet another part is saying, just do it and shutup. SO yea. And it's not like there's any potentials right now anyway. Last night was the first time I had been out in forever and I didn't talk to anyone besides people I already knew. I think it's the stupid Christmas season and thinking about presents and stupid movies like "Love Actually" and crap.

HOWEVER, I actually am excited for Christmas this year! Usually I'm the BAH HUMBUG type. But not this year. I'm excited! I like the decorations and the songs...for the most part. The songs get annoying when you work an 8 hour shift at the GAP and hear 5 different remixes of Jingle Bells. The snow hasn't even pissed me off yet, which is a huge thing. I still need to do the shopping thing though, but i know what I"m getting. It's just a matter of buying it.

HUGE NEWS: I turn 21 in precisly 11 days! And while I am completly stoaked, I also see the potentional for this becoming a really bad idea! I'm broke enough as it is. But now with my ability to go out/buy alcohol at my own disposal, things could get bad.....or awesome :) And I know that makes me sound like a complete alocholic. BUT I firmly believe that it is not possible to be an alcoholic in college :D

Umm..I'm sure there's other things that are new. However, I need to quit blogging and start studying for my final I have at 8am tomorrow!

My most recent editorial

2008-10-14T17:29:00.000-05:00

Being gay means more than just loving guys - Perspectives

This article has actually gotten alot of positive feedback, which always makes me feel good.

However, I was kinda disappointed no one had any negative anti-gay-esque comments to leave on the on-line version. Maybe society really is changing.

I have to laugh though. My picture for the article probably couldn't get any gayer :S.

haha..o-well

Happy Reading!

my great work

2008-09-29T10:28:00.002-05:00

So, I'm Lifestyles editor for the paper and I'm also writing for He Said/She said. Its great! It gives me a chance to be my sarcastic.bitcy.inappropriate self. Check out my work thus far. I'm kinda proud of it.
PS-these and more can be found at: www.thesimpsonian.com

Dear Drew and Emily,My friend recently confessed to me that she has an STD. The thing is, she's still engaging in sexual activities and not telling any of the guys she's sleeping with. What do I do? I don't want to break my friend's trust, but I think what she's doing is wrong. HELP!
-Disease Louise
My response:
Like Janis says to Cadi in Mean Girls:"There are two kinds of evil people in this world. Those who do evil stuff, and those who see evil stuff being done, but don't try to stop it."I would call your friend girl number one and suggest you don't become girl number two. I know it's technically not cool to dish out secrets your friend has entrusted you with. But when the story is this juicy, you can't help but share the sweet gossipy nectar.If it makes you feel better, think of it as community service. By letting everyone know that your friend is possibly giving her little guy friends more than they bargained for, you're preventing them from having to deal with that dreaded three letter acronym later on.It may also answer some questions they have about recent "developments" they've had in their nether-regions.Furthermore, by you warning any possible victim, he'll be in great appreciation and will probably be willing to take you to dinner or a movie. If some crazy weekend night results, you'll have less to worry about and won't need to wonder if he caught it too.Now, if you don't want to "out" her right away you could always try bringing it up casually. Maybe make up a story about a girl you heard about doing the same thing another college and now she's in jail or people hate her or something. She'll get scared and stop.Or, is there anything of hers you like? Maybe a cute outfit you've always been jealous of?No, I'm not saying you blackmail her! That's illegal! I'm just saying that you barter, like in the old days, quid pro quo. She has something you want and you have something she wishes you didn't have. So you trade, even Steven.But, If these ideas sound a little too nice and you're actually are an evil person, all wrapped up in cold, hard shiny plastic, then I suggest you keep closer tabs on her. Then you'll at least know who to stay away from.

Dear Drew and Emily,I started dating a guy this summer and we really hit it off. We hung out a lot and talked everyday, and I could totally see myself falling in love with him.The issue is that he goes to school out of state and I'm here in Iowa.We agreed to try and make it work, but now that I'm back at Simpson I'm having second thoughts. I don't want to be worried about what he's doing all the time and I also don't want to miss out on anything while I'm here.So, what should I do? Do I try and keep things working, since I do like him. OR do I call it quits and see what Simpson has to offer?
Sincerely,Summer Lovin
My response:
First question, what year are you? Why? Because, if you're a freshman you really have no need to worry about not finding something after you break it off. There are plenty of upperclassmen that are dying to catch some fresh-meat. And if you're an upperclassman, there's a whole new batch of freshmen ripe for the picking.Secondly, are you a guy or girl? This matters. We all know the guys hate sleeping alone and if he's even remotely cute then I guarantee you he's already found a spooning partner and well, we all know that spooning leads to forking. But even if you're a girl, you can still follow my advice, because turns out, all men seem to have the spooning problem and little heter-romeo is probably doing the same thing.Either way, drop the boy like he's a hot tamale.For starters, you don't want to have to worry about "the morning after call." Like Shandi had to deal with on season two of America's Next Top Model. When she gets drunk, cheats on her boyfriend and wakes up the next morning to realize her terrible mistake. So she has to call her boyfriend, drowning in tears confessing and begging forgiveness. Yea, that's no fun for anyone.So keep it simple. No boyfriend means no cheating possibilities; you are free to make as many drunken mistakes as you want. Trust me I'm speaking from an all too recent experience.So it was easy to talk everyday and hang out at the arcade, just like little Sandy and Danny. But, now that you're both back at school you have plenty of other things to worry about, you said it yourself, you're having second thoughts.So have fun, be young and enjoy college.

Trashy Tiquila Tuesday at it's finest

2008-06-26T10:44:00.003-05:00

So this is a combined post..Today I wll be discussing the Jerry Springer inspired "Happy Hour" reunion special of Tila Tiquila and the new season of America's Best Dance Crew.

As one could have expected, plenty of drama ensued on the reunion of Tila Tiquila. We saw chairs flying, people trying to fight and lesbians making out. There were a few moments where I forgot what show I was watching and I couldn't help but thinking..scripted....jerry springer..what!?!

As his usual little jack-butt self... Jay was obnoxious and peddled backward when discussing his heart to heart and apology he made to Bo after Chad broke his chin...saying on the show originally..that it was a cheapt shot..but on the special..claiming he never said that... There was also a good verbal throw down between Laura? (the other Jers-ian) and Jay...which should embarras and decent human(if any)that happen to reside in the Garden State.

One semi-brief and decent moment I found was when Sabrina talked about getting kicked out of a baseball game because she was kissing her girlfriend and it was nice to see that they briefly talked about stupid people and their prejudice...of course we need to make attention and so Brittany makes out with her and says "THATS WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN KICKED OUT FOR!"

The trashiest moment of the night would have to be the big hublub scene between Bo and Chad( ps-they made him sit in a cage). With lots of yelling, security holding Bo Back and both stripping off their shirts and preparing for a fight...It disappointed me. It was a side of Bo that we hadn't really seen.However, it did lead to a thought..at one point Bo said "I have nothin to lose now" which led me to wonder... did he lose? Does he have nothing to lose because Tila won't get mad at him for being stupid because she chose Kristy?

The rest of the show was pretty uneventful and just highlighted things we already knew. Jay was a tool, Glitter cried too much and Chad was ridiculous.

Of course, the host asked Bo and Kristy who wins and they wouldn't spill the beans. So I guess we'll just have to tune in next week for the big finale.

It's almost here

2008-06-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

My apologies for the lack of a blog last week, when Tila was stupid and kicked off my absolute FAVORITE lesbian ever(next to my BFF that is) and sent Brittany packing.

The 3 contestants and Tila went on a mini-vaca to Cancun, Mexico-nice and trashy. I KNOW!

Where Tila had an individual date with each of them, and also more than likely slept with each of them. Which led me to the thought and question, on how many people this woman's probably had sex with over the course of the show!! And once again, REALLY!?! How could someone go on this show really hoping to find love WHEN you know she's also "falling in love" with 3 other people.

I give Kudos to the 3 contestants for bringing it up to Tila during a lunch. When Tila seemed to get a bit upset because they were holding back at times and not sharing emotions and they're like. "Well HELLO, we have a much greater chance of getting hurt. You'll have someone in the end no matter what. We might not." Which further supports my feelings that Tila is just an attention seeking whore.

Anyway. Now that Brittany is gone, I really don't care about who wins. Really, I'm glad that Brittany got kicked off. She could do much better, but it still sucks to see my favorite lose :(

Anyway, of course MTV had to prolong the suspense and tonights episode is a reunion with everyone back together and I am sure that drama,fights,and tears will ensue. Maybe this time Jay will balls up and punch Bo instead of bieng a pansy and just talking. And I wonder if Chad will apologize to Bo for breaking his jaw. AND I wonder what the two lesbians who got kicked off the first episode for making out with eachother will have to say for themselves.

Whats disappointing though, is that while I am very stoaked for next weeks finale. I'm pissed, BECAUSE I will be in South Dakota for family vacation!!!! Meaning, I am going to be a little on the behind on who won. Even though, after reading up on my spoiler alerts,its been leaked Kristy wins, we'll just have to see.

Anyway, thats my two cents on the two cent tiquila.

LOVE
drew

It's about time

2008-06-11T15:50:00.002-05:00

She finally did it.

He's gone and I'm elated.

Tila FINALLY took the drink away and Jay's shot at love is now over!

Last nights episode had Tila visiting the families of her final 4 contestants; Jay,Brittany,Kristy and Bo.

Tila visited Bo's hometown in Ohio and met his family, as well as a few of his football players (Bo's a HS football coach). It kind of seemed hokey and I had to wonder why only 4 members of Bo's football team got to talk to Tila. Did the rest actually hate him? Overall, Bo's visit for me was okay. It was cute and they seem to fit but it wasn't anything fantastic.

Kristy took Tila ice skating and they had a brief *tear* heart to heart moment. As Kristy confessed she regrets stopping ice skating and really wanting to go back to it. Kristy's family however seemed a bit po-dunk too and her aunt's hair looked like it belonged in a 90's trailer park. THey got a bit raunchy and we saw Tila spanking Kristy's dad and motorboating her aunt.

Brittany's date solidified her status as my favorite. She made Tila a card and gave her the most random dinner ever; texas pickles, white rice, fried chicken and grape soda-which Tila had said in weeks past were her favs. Brittany also showed Tila her baby album. All this was a new side of Brittany we hadn't really seen and I loved that Brittany also said "I'm not in love with her yet. But I'm definitally on my way there. We also met Brittany's roomate, BFF and dad (whom she was reunited with at the age of 16).

Finally, the most disturbing portion of the show was Jay's family visit. I was shocked to see that this white trash jersey boy actually came from good money. During the visit I felt like I was watching a fucked up soft core porn flick. With Jay's mom and step mom kissing. Tila giving Jay's dad a lap dance with giving his mom a kiss and the whole family passing Tila around the hot tub like a bottle of Andre, I did a little baby vomit in my mouth.

When it came time to eleminations I got nervous. It came down to Jay and Brittany and I vowed to not watch the rest of the season if Jay stayed. But Tila delivered the best line ever and sent Jay packing when she said "Jersey called and they want you back"

Naturally, the douche, whom 10 seconds earlier had been gushing about his love for Tila, turns around throws a hissy fit and breaks things, including scarring up his own hand when he punches a wall.

So, now its down to Bo, Kristy and Brittany as next week they battle it out in Cancun, Mexico.

A sick addiction

2008-06-07T10:25:00.003-05:00

I admit it. I am a fan of Tila Tiquila. Please no judging.

While you'd assume I wouldn't like the show for a number of reasons:
1) I actually get quite annoyed with people who go on reality television and honestly believe they can find love, especially MTV
2) my personal views on "bisexuality"
3)because people on these shows usually annoy the hell out of me
4) Because, we have 3 seasons of Flavor or Love, multiple the bachelor and bachelorette's, and "SPLITSVILLE" (http://www.realitywanted.com/call/2216-splitsville-casting-divorcing-couples-for-new-game-show) and a second season of Tila Tiquila, YET people think that gay marriage would ruin the sanctity of marriage.

Regardless,I have succombed and now look forward to my Tila Tuesday's with my fellow conference staff members.

I admit I'm a late bloomer. I didn't watch the first season, due to my being out of the country, but I've managed to faithfully follow this season.

These next few episodes promise to be intense, with Tila visiting the final 4 contestants; Jay,Bo,Kristy and Brittany, families. It's getting down to the wire and I thought I'd offer my input on who Tila should pick.

For starters, I was greatly disappointed in Tila when she kicked off Lisa in last week's episode for being real and actually honest. Tila got a bit upset when Lisa told her she wasn't in love with her yet, because it was hard to fall in love with someone who was also dating 10 other people at the same time. *WHAT* someone real and Tila gave her the boot. In my opinion, this was a big mistake. I had picked Lisa as the only one stable and ready for a real relationship. With that said here is my analysis of the remaining contenders for Tila's heart.

Bo-To put it simly, Bo is way too good for Ms. Tiquila. I would venture to guess that Tila is more of a bottom shelf Tiquila and I see Bo with a nice top shelf, like Petron. A nice classy lady, with goals and ambition. I see him having cute little kids and a white picket fence. A scene I don't picture Tila desiring.

Jay-Jay's a tool!!! He's annoyed me since day 1 and I don't give a shit that he's from Jersey. I can see these two working out, just because they're both perfect MTV material.

Kristy-Kristy is a question mark in my book. I have a feeling she'll make it to the final 2 if not win, just because we haven't seen much of her all season. She seems pretty chill though. She's definitally attractive and doesn't seem like she's a big DQ or anything.

Brittany-Brittany has been my solid lesbian favorite all season. She's got that hot-semi-alternative type thing going on and I love her personality. However, I don't see her ready for a real relationship. I think her feelings are probably legit. But can see them fading in a few months and moving on.

So, at this point and minute if I had to pick someone, I would go with Jay. Even though I don't like him, I see a possibility of him and Tila working. Bo is too good, Brittany is too fun and young. and I can see Kirsty being with a guy (if you take a look at her bio on MTV.com, she is actually a bi-sexual).

However, last time I checked I am not one to speak on sucessful relationships, so we could really probably take my opinions with a grain of salt.

I guess we'll just have to see.

Until next time.

Drew

Summer Sun and Working Fun

2008-06-01T14:01:00.002-05:00

So, I need to get back to blogging and summer is the perfect time with me having a job where I sit at a desk for 8 hours,filing and etc. I think I could manage.

I don't have a whole lot of time to get into a whole montage about whats gone down the past forever, but rest assured it has kept pace with my track record and I've stayed busy and have continued to have those stories occur in my life that writers couldn't even come up with.

This summer I'm sticking with the same job as previous, Summer Conferences, only this year I'm a student supervisor which = more $ and getting to semi-tell people what to do. I tried working at my new serving job on the side, but its not going to pan out :( This job is too "on call" and crazy scheduly. Which sucks because I LOVE the restuarunt I'm at. But i have been told I can most definitally come back in the fall.

I once again fail at the dating game in life. It's like a big oxy-moronic type ordeal. I"m definitally not out there looking for a boyfriend. I'm perfectly content being single. However, I manage to run into guys that made me think I should give it a shot and things'll turn out differently. BUT I'm always wrong. The most recent incident revolved around a kid I "saw" for a couple weeks back in April and I thought things were going great and then BOOM no more hearing from him. SO a month+ goes by. I decide to text him one day. i do. We start talking and he wants to hang out. Well, one night last week, I hang out with him and a couple of his friends, we have fun and J and I talk. He apologizes for being stupid and not talking, explains that he was scared. He liked me but has been hurt in the past .etc. etc. bla bla...I assure him I like him and am not that type of person. We had previously agreed to try and hang out on Monday if he didn't have to work, so I tell him to call if he can get together.WELL, no call/txt. SO I assume he'sworking. I text and say, "hope work was fun etc. etc" nothing back. I give him the benifit of the doubt and assume he was busy and forgot the text and text him midday Tuesday and say HI...nothing back. Now, I am assuming he's ignoring me or whatnot. So I quit. WELL, I decide yesterday to give him one more shot and text. NOTHING BACK! So yea, Its just lame and dumb and confused and I don't get how someone who has been so worried about getting hurt etc. can turn around and do that..whateves..over it..but yea, thats just another story.

but yea. I need to head off to work. BUT look for more blogging coming soon!

Cheers
Drew

When religion and business and marriage collide

2008-04-17T22:39:00.002-05:00

An article I found on the freedomforum.org website, discussed a New Mexico photogrpaher who was sued for not agreeing to take photos for a lesbian couples commitment ceremony. The photographer argued that she wouldn't take the job because it conflicted with her relgion. The couple sued and said Elaine Huguenin, the photographer violated the states Human Rights law and descriminated against them based on sexual orientation. The couple won and the photographer now has the pay for their trial and lawyer fees.

I have mixed emotions about this. One side of me argues with the ruling and I feel that she does have a right to say "NO, I don't want to take that job." After all, restaurants and other business always "reserve the right to refuse service" so why should this be any different.

However, on the flip side I agree. If Elaine expects to be sucessful and professional she has the be ready and willing to work with all sorts of diverse people. It's like with any job. You leave all your stress/problems etc. with home, lovers etc at the door and you do your job. Thats what this lady should do. She should put her religious beliefs on pause and do her job as a photographer.

To see the full article go to:
rulinghttp://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=19921

Multimedia grows

2008-04-04T10:39:00.002-05:00

In a recent article on poynter.org by Steve Myers, he talks about the continued development of multimedia journalists and how we still have a long way to go.

Myer talks about the recent National Press Photopgraphers Association awards and the judges comments on this competition.

The judges point out whats working (audio, pictures etc.) and what isn't (making things too flashy).

I think a reason for this good grasp of the concept but why we still need to grow is because its a developing process. Colleges and universities are beginning to understand how much of a need we have for journalists who can do it all and so they're beginning to teach those video practicum classes and the like ,rather than the cut and dry reporting like before.

I think that in 5 years, you won't even be considered if you can't shoot film,take pictures, write your story and edit all while drinking a starbucks latte.

2008-03-31T17:13:00.002-05:00

In a recent article on freedomforum.org, David L. Hudson Jr. writes about the attempts of congress to implement further restrictions on cable and satellite broadcasting.

Currently, the cable and satellite industry has little restrictions set on them and so they are more able to show violent and "inappropriate" materials.

While, I don't want to see people being gutted or gang riots on my cable channels I don't want to see these regulations taken too far.

The point in cable and satellite is to provide shows for people are more grown up and want to view more adult materials (and no, Im not referencing "adult videos "etc. )but simply stuff that I can relate to more than ABC morning cartoons or Will and Grace.

If we allow congress to regulate our cable and satellite, whats next? Are they going to want to make sure textbooks don't say too forward of things or novels from apporaching too sensitive of subjects. SO, while we should make sure its semi-tasteful I don't want to see my cable become just like my network tv.

GET REAL

2008-03-21T11:33:00.002-05:00

The AP recently posted a story on the firstamendmentcenter.com, talking about the recent case turned down by the supreme court in which a smoker in california was suing tobacco for their target marketing to teens. The court declined to hear the case because they said it was within the first ammendment and the company was fine.

Really people? If someone sued every company because they're ads targeting people. We would have moms suing Wal-Mart because they but everything from there. Woman suing Covergirl because they wear makeup all the time and only buy covergirl. We'd have men suing Budweiser because they bought a big giant horse and drink beer all the time.

People should be smart enough to know what ads are. YES, they are an attempt to get you to get their product and yes they target specific audiences, but if you're stupid enough to not ask questions and get their product, thats your own fault and you deserve what you get!

Brett Favre-Inspirational to Journalism?

2008-03-06T22:46:00.002-06:00

In a recent article on poynter.org by Jacqui Banaszynski, she discusses how Brett Favre's football career and his moral and actions on and off the field can be put into a lesson book for the newsroom editor.

Personally, I have no clue. I don't think I have ever watched a single professional football game-let alot Brett Favre and how he has acted in the NFL.

But from reading her descriptions and reasoning, I agree.

I also think that while these ideas and rules or whatever you want to call them most definitally apply to the editor, I think alot can also apply to a staffer as well.

She talks about working with joy and how Favre loved his job. I think this is one that applies to everyone. If I was to go in as a writer LOVING the story I'm writing and loving the interviewing and everything, than my story is going to be better!

Take risks- I think this is more of a editor specific guideline. As an editor you need to take risks when deciding which stories to write. You shouldn't be afraid to write the story on the violent sorority president, even though you know you are going to get flack for it.

A big one I agree with is giving credit when its due, there is nothing better than hearing your editor say THANK YOU and GOOD JOB! Hearing this makes you want to keep working hard to get those compliments and those who don't get those compliments want to work hard so they can begin to hear them.

BUT there was one idea I didn't agree with. The idea that you should expect the best from your staff and nothing less. While in theory this is a good idea. The truth is you can't. You're going to have the writer that can't write or usually messes up quotes or interviews or gives incorrect info. So why should you expect something different and expect a better result, to only be disappointed?

Read the entire article at:
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=139070

We still have the freedom speech...even if some people don't want to hear it.

2008-02-27T17:09:00.003-06:00

In 2001, Novato High School senior, Andrew Smith wrote an editorial on "illegal immigrants" who weren't able to find work through legal routes and either ended up becoming drug dealers or doing manual labor in which they recieved pay in cash and under the table. The editorial was ran in the school's paper 'The Buzz'. Administration recieved complaints and the school said they were sorry and that the editorial didn't go with the school's policy and they tried to confiscate all remaining editions of that paper and ended up delaying the printing of another article written by Smith. Smith than challeneged the school where a local state court agreed with the school. Smith appealed to a 3-seat panel of the California Appeals Courts and won.

The court ruled that even though the article was written in distate and offensivly, Smith's voice was protected.

The story goes on to talk about more details and explains that following the suit, a discussion and debate of sorts was held, allowing both sides to talk on the issue of illegal immigration and in the end everyone ended up happy!

My thoughts on the story: I'm glad the Supreme court didn't hear the case and agreed with the final decision. I feel people get a little too upset when they don't hear what they won't and think that its wrong. I once had a friend verbally attack me last year because the Simpsonian had a pro-life ad insert in an edition of the paper. She told me she didn't "want to see that shit, if both sides weren't going to get a voice". I explained to her that it wasn't the view of "The Simp" but a paid ad and if she wanted to find a pro-choice company to pay for an insert in the Simp we could arrange that.

It just annoys me how so many people don't want to hear anything but their side of the story and even when they pretend to listen the other side. They're just listening and not hearing. They're not critically thinking about what people are actually saying.

Of course, the case of free speech always gets muddied in public school systems I think. There's additional tape sometimes and the overbearing parents who don't want their kids seeing real life before the age of 20.

Where's the middle man?

2008-02-22T13:46:00.002-06:00

In his article "Hero or Victim: There's no other choices, Roy peter Clark talks about how in media a quadrapalegic or person in a wheel chair with diabilities is always either the victim or the hero and we never seem that as anything else.

Clark talks about his experience with his neighbor who was always seen as the "hero" in news stories in local media. He also talks about the case of Brian Sterner, who was dumped out of his wheelchair, onto the jailhouse floor by not only a woman, but a woman of color as well and while these are both not important in the story, theey make for an interesting twist on who the usual victim/perpertrator's are.

Clark points out that until the media starts portraying the disabled as something other than a hero or a victim, society won't change their views and I agree.

Once again, I refer back to my GRC class and how 90% of what people do,say,hear,feel,touch, whatever is impacted by the media. If in news stories and movies and tv shows we keep making the kid in a wheelchair the protaganist or the kid who no one likes, society is going to think only that. That disabled people are to either be hated and mde to feel awkward or that we should throw ourselves at their feet because they have such horrible lives.

I think disabilities should be dealt with like race and that its a big society thing...for the most part. Ovbiously there are very real physical differences that cause issues, but if a person in a wheelchair gets pissed when people feel bad for them or offer to help. Then they better not complain when it comes time to them needing pushed or something and no one does.

So, maybe someday we'll see a newstory where our focus is on John Doe who did something amazing and we interview a disabled person as the supporting detail and not the lede.

You're Fired

2008-02-11T00:24:00.000-06:00

A recent story by the AP and ran by the Des Moines register talked about a local NBC affiliate in Davenport who laid off 12 employees, including the main weekend news anchor, causing the cancellation of its Saturday morning newscasts. The layoffs and cancellations have been attributed to debt and poor "advertising vunerability."

This article was interesting to read,especially after the talks I heard at the Iowa Newspaper Association/Iowa College Media Association conference.

Quite a few of the presenters spoke on how NOW is the exciting time to be a journalist with the field opening up and broadining, while the workshop I went to on broadcasting talked about how competitive the market is and how its getting even harder to find a job in broadcasting. It just makes me wonder, whether or not journalism is the way to go, if I want to eat more than just bread and top ramen.

The other question that came to mind when reading this article is, does this station really follow the big rule of journalism is having a loyalty to the reader? If they are cancelling 2 broadcasts (the 6:30 and 9am shows on Saturday's). What if something important happens Friday night and people can't find out about it until later on Saturday because this broadcast wasn't aired? It was just a thought.

To see the full artcile go to:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080209/NEWS/80209014/1001/NEWS

Don't Shoot The Messenger

2008-01-31T21:45:00.000-06:00

In a recent article by Roy Peter Clark on "Poynter.org" Clark discusses how the biggest and current threat to the media isn't a lack of newsworthy stories or events, but a growing feeling of biased towards the media from the public.

This conclusion came from a study done by the Sacred Heart University in Farifield, Connecticut.

In his article Clark discusses the reasons he believes the public has developed this bias along with the attacks the media has recieved from members of the public.

My first thoughts went back to early discussions we had in Beginning Newswriting and how 78% of the public believes the news media is biased, with tv leading the way. HOWEVER, the public also seems to trust television the most. Causing me to think the reason there is this distrust and baised against the media in thinking the media is biased in based on an uneducated and fickle readership. If John Doe reads an article talking mostly about the liberal agenda of the senate and Mr. Doe happens to be a conservative, than he's going to percieve the writer to be biased. Just because he doesn't agree.

While reading Clark's article I couldn't help but think back to recent discussions in my 'Gender,Race,and the Media' class and how really, the media is the one who decides pretty much everything society thinks about. Does this include how we look at the news.

For example, take a look at television shows and movies. Movies like ZOOLANDER or Thank You For Smoking-where the journalist is just out there to get herself ahead of the game or television shows like Law and Order where its the same thing. Pretty much any show, depicts journalists as people who are just out for themselves and this causes the public to gain a negative impression of the media THANKS to the media.

To see the whole article:

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=136625

Workin hard but playin Harder

2007-12-30T10:34:00.000-06:00

The last couple of days have once again been nothing but work and I haven't minded. It'll be all worth it in the end,when I actually have money! I got my first paycheck from the GAP and it was alot more than I thought and so I was pretty flippin stoaked!

Sports Page has treated me pretty well too still. I had a few nights last week where I got shit on for tips, but its gotten better and I've rolled in some extra dough!

BUT I've decided,and i actually decided this a long time ago. But I think everyone should work in the retail and service industries at some point in their life. I think they'd become alot more appreciative and less stupid about thing then.

For example at GAP, for the most part people are enjoyable and great BUT on ocassion you get the stupid faces who tear through your clothes piles and have no regard for you and the hour you just spent meticulously refolding every shirt and carefully putting on the size sticker so that they all line up,one person looks through that pile and its ruined in 10 seconds! OR I was doing a run through of dressing rooms the other day, just making sure there weren't clothes etc in them and some woman had tried on probably 5 or 6 pairs of pants and literally stepped out of them and put the next pair on. SO, the dressing room floor is covered in crumpled up pants. It just really pissed me off, im like SERIOUSLY you couldn't take an extra 10 seconds and at least make sure its all in one pile? I was livid for awhile on that one.

Then there's waitering. Once again, I've only had the table from hell on ocassion. But people need to remember that its not always your servers fault and sometimes the kitchen messes up. For example, I had these two older ladies one day and I had already been warned they were fun to deal with. SO, I made sure I got everything perfect foem. I put in their order-double check it and know its correct. So, im walking through my section and they flag me down,waving taheir arms in the air and the whole bit. So I walk over and ask how I can help and the lady says "Didn't you understand I wanted this medium well, this is too pink" So I force a smile and apologize and take it back to the kitchen. The thing is, see I had put in the order right it was the kitchen who fucked up. What did they want me to do? Cut into their steak to make sure it was cooked right?

So yea, people can upset me at times.

On other more juicy notes.

Once again, my life had a pretty interesting event occur.

So, I'm out at the club on Friday night,standing there chit chatting with my friends when this guy approaches me and says "ANDREW", and gives me this expectant look like I should know him. At first I have no clue who he is and he could probably tell by the bitchy look I gave him and the awkward HI response I gave. But a few seconds later it dawned on me and the guy was my babysitter from back when I was like 11!! He was a senior when I was in 8th grade, so we're only like 5 years apart,don't worry.

The thing is my friends, I have had a mad crush on this kid since he babysat me. Naturally, not the whole time seeing I haven't seen him for 5ish years. So we chatted and he had to go back to his pool game, but told me I better go talk to him more. So, I did and yea, it was great and now hopefully we're going out to lunch or dinner sometime this week!

But 4 real, who freakin' sees their old babysitter at the gay bar?!?Let alone one you had a crush on and he turns around and flirts with you!?

OTHER NEWS
Turns out GK and J are officially dating. How do I know? I ran into them last night at the bar and was talking to GK and he said "yea, we almost broke up last night" and told me the story on why. So, I guess I'm not too bitter. Turns out I was just an involuntary one-off match maker.

ALSO 1 and I kinda talked last night. He had texted me and told me he was out at another club in DSM and I was like "yea, don't care" and ignored the text. It was getting close to closing time at bar and he gave me a call and i couldnt hear him and my phone kept cutting out. But the next thing I know, my good friend CC who I hadn't seen in forever runs up and gives me a hug and we chat, then 4 mins later, 1 comes running at me and gives me a hug and etc .etc.

SO I vamoose, I didn't want to be around him at the bar. So, I tell my friend LJ im outie and she walked with me cuz she was ready to go too.

So, im driving home and get a call from 1, and he was right behind me and he asks why im being so mean to him, why i ignored his text, bla bla bla. and I tell him that he's been the mean one not me. But we ended up chatting for awhile back in Indianola and it was weird..kinda..it was nice,but he kept saying I was being mean and grumpy at him and so I was minorly confused. I'm like WTF, you've treated ME like shit the last 6 months, not the other way around my friend!!!

He also made a few random comments and asked a couple of questions and I was just like..are you sure you're over me/us? Cuz why would you care or say that?

BUUT I think thats about it for the Drew life. For the time being at least.

PEACE

The Last Few Days

2007-12-27T11:24:00.000-06:00

So while life hasn't been to extraordinary eventful, there have been a couple of significant events.

The first was Christmas Eve.

For starts, I lost my keys while at the mall. HAHA yes, I did.

After work I decided I wanted some coldstone, i hadn't had it in over 4 months! So, I get my ice cream and then sit down in the food court to enjoy it. All this time I'm busy chatting on the phone to my friend about another event that had happened that day (don't worry we'll get to that story), so I was a bit distracted. I walk around the mall a bit trying to find a new pair of shoes and then I finally head out to my car. I get to my car and realize my keys are no longer in my possesion.

I remembered that I had them when I was pay for my ice cream becuase I had set them on the counter. So, I prayed that I had just left them there. I book it to Coldstone and the 12 year old working tells me that "he didn't think" any keys were left. So, I go over and check where I had sat,but people were already there. I decide to head down to Customer Service in the hopes that maybe someone or mall security had turned them in. No Such Luck. I then think that maybe I had left them in Banana Republic when I was looking at the cologne in there, but once again I struck out. I decided to check at Coldstone again and try to speak to someone competant, but they assured me no one left keys.

I call home and tell them the story, they tell me to double check everywhere and then call them and let them know if I still can't find them.

I decided to try Customer Serivce again and leave my name and number juswt in case someone turns them in. By this point I'm not too freaked out, I just feel stupid and figure I'll have to call home.

So I talk to the people at customer service and they give me their number and I leave mine and decide to try the other store I was at. About 4 mins later I get a call from Customer Service and someone turned them in!! So,I got my keys back.YAY! But yea, that was just part of the excitment for the day.

NOW the other story.

This past summer, I was in the most complicated/awkward relationship ever and was madly in love with the kid, we'll call him "1" because thats what he was. My number 1 for awhile, my first love, one person I talked to about everything etc. etc. We'll things ended awkward/bad and the entire time I was overseas we didn't talk and things were super awkward/not good between us when I got back and so I had finally called it quits on the kid and said I'M DONE!

We'll I randomly get a text from him while I'm at work that says "are you busy?" I instantly freak out. Thinking "why is he texting me? " "What does he want?" Does he want to talk and apologize? Does he want to yell at me because he thinks I started some other rumor he thought I was trying to start. Does he just want to talk about next semester's classes and borrow books for them? WTF did he want!!!?

So, I get off work and text him back and say WHATSUP?

He replies "I know things have been awkward between us since you got back and I don't like not talking to you and I want to bfriends again. but we can't be physical"

I reply " I agree" even though things were 10x worse than just awkward! "but I didn't expect anything physical"

and we go on to talk about this rumor about him I brought up a couple weeks ago. I had brought it up and told him what I heard and when he approached the person who was my source the person denied it and so 1 didn't know who was lying and I'm pretty sure 1 thought I was and so I once again explained to him that I have no reason to lie etc. etc. and asked him to compare relationships between me and him and him and our source. And how 1 had tursted me with a shitload of secrets that I have kept, how I haven't ever lied to him and the list continues. I also told him I wasn't going to beg him to believe me, but to just think about it all.

but bla bla bla. He said how he really wanted to be friends again, that he didn't like not being able to talk to me. etc etc.

And while even just a couple weeks ago I would have lOVED to have heard that and I would have been so excitied and ready to be friends again, this time I was like "okay, whatever."

I ovbiously didn't say that, but it was the thought that was in my head. That no, actually I've dealt with your shit enough and i'm tired of worrying if Im going to piss you off or not and that on top of it all, you don't believe me about this stupid rumor and IM DONE!

It felt good too. Usually, I was so freaking wishy washy on the kid.I hated him one minute and was still madly in love with him the next, but this time I had finally managed to stay solid on how I felt.

But yea, there's ovbiously a whole lot more to the background of this story and one day I'll do my best to tell you the whole story on Drew and 1, but that'll do for right now.

Yesterday was another exciting day. Sorta. Like most of the day was boring, but one special event made the day pretty spectacular.

I got hit on at work. haha.

I was doing my thing, folding clothes etc and I hear this guy say " i know alot of kids from simpson go there" and I hadn't ever seen him or the girl the was with to I was like "you guys go to Simpson?"

and he said he used to but he transferred. So I chit chat with them a bit more about Simpson and how the music and theatre departments own your soul and etc.

So, then I'm folding clothes more and doing my thing once again and he comes up and was like "i don't live in town, but im here for a couple of days. You should give me a call" and gave me his number. I was minorly excitied. He was a cute kid plus I had actually gotten hit on! It was great!

BUT that's a roundup of the last couple of days.

PS-back to 1. I'm starting to wonder if the kid is actually 100% over us. All this time I thought he had been and I was hurt and had finally moved on and now even though he says he wants to be friends and there can't be anything between us, he texted me last night asking if I was in Indianola and then at like 2am saying "whatsup" of course this could totally be him just being conversational, OR it could be more. Who knows!

Oh-well.

Have a good one

2007-12-05T21:46:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

Life has managed to continue,even back here in Iowa.

So far the transition hasn't been too hard. I'm not digging the cold weather, but I really have never liked winter and I miss being able to always have something to do or somewhere to go, no matter what time it is and now I'm beyond broke, so I'm living the life of a college student thats even poorer than poor.

However, its been great getting to catch up with all my pals and see familiar faces and I'm finally getting into the routine of things again. Its been so nice having NO responsibilties, no classes to go to, no papers to write and no tests to cram for. Which is something everyone else on campus can't say at the moment. I find it ironic that this week is known as "dead week" because there's not supposed to really be huge tests or papers due for students, so we can prepare for finals. Yet, it usually ends up being the most stressful and busy week of all, at least it was for me last year.

Anyway, I'm getting into the swing of things again. I had a CAB meeting today with Rich, Lindsey and Amanda and am getting excited to start cab things again, and I also got re-elected to Student Government, so when the new term starts I'll be on that again. So ,its getting pretty close to being just like old times :) I start working at Sports Page on Saturday which is exciting news because that = TIPS which =instant cash! Then hopefully I'll start GAP on Sunday.

I went up to Jordan Creek and applied and was lucky and interviewed like 10 minutes after I turned in my app. It was a pretty laid back interview and it turns out that the store manager(the girl who interviewed me) is a Simpson Graduate and distant cousins of some sort with one of my references!! But she was super friendly and said that she "technically had to do reference checks" but should expect a call on Thursday and she looked forward to seeing me at orientation on Sunday, so it sounds like its hopefully a job.

Its been so great just getting to bum around and visit everyone. I went to the basketball game tonight and got to see alot of friends I hadn't seen yet.

So, I've been told that Reverse Culture Shock is worse than original culture shock and I admit that I was a bit weary coming back. But really, I haven't had any problems. I remembered how to drive my car and use my cell phone and I knew to drive on the right side of the road. If anything the most noticable awkard change has been the money! American bills and coins are so much thinner and lighter than the money over there and thats actually been one of the main things I've noticed.

SOO, thats about it for now.

Hope all is well!

Cheers
Drew

Home Sweet Home

2007-12-02T23:37:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

So I've finally arrived back on campus and its been great catching up with all my friends!

We also had elections for SAE today and it took 5 hours,but it was so good seeing everyone again.

Its been not weird, which has made things weird though, when catching up with some friends. I went and visited my good friend Kathryn and we caught up on things and even though we were filling eachother in on the last 13 weeks of our lives, it felt like I had never been gone. So much for reverse culture shock,but I guess I haven't really been back in the real world yet. Just home and seeing friends, I'll wait and see what its like tomorrow.

I've only had the I HATE IOWA and WANT TO GO BACK TO LONDON moments a few times since arriving- once when I got off the plane and there was stupid snow and slush on the ground ( I HATE Winter!!) and then when I was sitting and realizing all the things I now need to get done for theatre!!

But I'm mostly glad to be back! It was nice actually getting ready in a real bathroom today and being able to fix some real food and yea. I enjoyed it.

This next week looks like it should be busy again and back to my Simpson normal.

I have a few different meetings: 1 with my SSS coordinator to talk about this last semester, 1 with $$ aide to talk about next semester,1 with the CAB advisers and my friend Amanda, who I'm going to be CAB co-presidents with to map out a few things, 1 with my old job to figure out when I can start again, and then several important lunch/dinner/catch up dates with friends!

So, thats roughly sorta the new things going on.

It's still hard to believe I'm back in Iowa though. When we left for the airport at 6:30am London time, it was sad and felt like there should have been fireworks or something going on. It just seemed a little too whateve, we're leaving.

But yea, For the time being I'm fine with being back in Iowa, we'll see how I feel when it starts to snow.

Cheers
Drew

Excuse Me While I Get Nostalgic

2007-11-30T10:13:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

Before I get nostalgic, I'd like to share with you a couple of things from the past few days.

WELL, on Tuesday, Meghan,Chelsea and I went ice skating at the Natural History Museum, it was fun! I hadn't been skating forever and am pleased to report that NONE of us fell or got hurt! Even though we did enjoy watching some youngin' who fell like every two minutes, no seriously, I timed him.

We also visited the CLINK museum and learned all about one of the first prisons in the city of London and how they punished people and that: fUn fAcT: the old time "stewhouses" or brothels were actually ran by bishops of the church!

Other than that, its been alot of sitting around, doing last minute gift shopping and watching movies,along with whining about not being ready to leave.

Well the time has finally and unfortunatly come, in approximately 17 hours I will be on plane headed back home to the U-S-of-A., and now that it's here, I'm not ready.

It's raining outside, and it seems perfectly appropriate, ovbiously London is just as sad as I am about my unavoidable departure.

Last night was fitting, a group of us went to RENT(yes I went again) and we realized that our very first show in London was at "The Dukes of York" theatre, when we saw Orlando Bloom. But, it also made me realize on our way back that it was possibly my last time walking through Leiscter Square at night, and it would probably be our last night tube ride.

Today, as Meghan and I did some final shopping it happened again. I realized that I was walking around Picadilly Square and SoHo,two of my favorite places in London, for the last time.

It's hard to believe that 13 weeks-3 whole months have passed already! It seems like so much longer, but at the same time, it feels like just yesterday I was just arriving at 270 Earls Court Road.

I thought my freshman year of college changed me, but it almost seems like nothing compared to how different I feel after spending 3 months over here, however, that's a whole other blog.

But enough about my crying about leaving.

Turns out getting home might not be so easy! According to weather reports, tomorrow is supposed to all freezing this and freezing that and temps in the 30's and well, we could possibly get stuck in Cincinatti for awhile. Which would totally be uncool and they should just let us stay here for a couple more days until the weather passes back home. I mean, obviously Iowa doesn't want us back!

Oh yea, did I mention that I leave in around 17 hours and have not packed a single thing! I blame it on my denial, packing would make leaving seem more real and that its actually happening. So, if I don't pack it means I'm not leaving,as well as the fact I'm the king of procrastination.

I'd like to thank all of you who faithfully read my often times rAnDom, but every once in awhile insightful and witty banter for the past 3 months. I've enjoyed sharing with you the stories and adventures that have occured in this Oh-So-Amazing city, as well as the adventures that occured during Fall Break and Paris. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you come back every once it awhile, to check in on what kind of adventures I've managed to have in Iowa,because trust me-it'll happen.

Officially signing off on my LAST London Blog

CHEERS

Drew

I'm ready

2007-11-26T20:14:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,
WELL, its finally hit me. Only it didn't really HIT ME. It wasn't one of those smack in the face-I suddenly see and realize type of moments. More of a gradual, realization and understanding. Something that was slowly developing and then you realize it,but its not really a shock because you knew it was coming, you just didn't know when it'd finally happen. Well, that moment happened to me today.

I realized, I'm ready for home. *collective gasp here* Yes, folks, I am finally ready to head home. NO, I"m not like GET ME THE HECK OUT OF LONDON ready. But more, I think I've finally done everything that I could possibly do during my time here - quit while you're ahead and still have some money to your name - accept fate and wave the white flag-ready.

I'm ready to head home and see the family and play with the family dog, well until she gets annoying and I have to tell her to sit down and leave me alone, which actually probably take only 5 minutes. Yes, I love Patches(our dog) but she can get a bit needy for attention,especially when you're gone for long periods of time.

I'm ready to drive my car and see pastures and fields and sky.

I'm ready to walk across the campus of Simpson College and know 90% of the people I walk by, and that when I walk, I won't be busy dodging,ducking,dipping,diving and dodging, my way around people with canes,small crazy children, suitcases,shopping bags,tourists,beggars or street vendors, but actually have space, my one 1ft diameter on everyside of me. Something that I have forgotten what its like to have.

I'm ready to have some of Sally's cooking down at the SAE house and I'm most definitally ready to see all my brothers again and stay up till 2 talking and watching bad MTV shows.

I'm ready to get normal tv, stations I like and not having to play with an antenna to get the picture to at least stay solid,even if its in black and white.

I'm ready for CAB meetings, SAE chapter meetings, 2 dollar movies on the weekends;along with midnight breakfast, chicken nuggets in the grill and muscians, basketball games, sledding behind LXA and next to Pote, and the 10million other things that makes Simpson home.

I came to my realization today, when for the 20th time, I thought to myself. " You know, I'm ready to go back home so I can __{insert any of the previous statements here}___.
And how I often I thought of friends today and my insides got all giddy and I knew that it would be super soon and I would be seeing them again.

So, London, my love, my pet, buddy ol pal, friend of mine. We've had a good run. We had our good times and our bad times and I know that these next 4 days will still be full of plenty more goodtimes. BUT, I'm ready to go back to the states, to Iowa, to Melcher, to Simpson....to home.

Don't worry though, I already miss you.

Less than a week!

2007-11-24T11:17:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

HOLY COW, Only 6 days left in London, its starting to get scary!

We finished classes on Thursday,it was awkward to think about. While everyone back home was enjoying their time off from school, I was taking an English exam and finishing with classes until January!

We had our own London-Simpson version of Thanksgiving (they don't celebrate it over here if you didn't know). We had pizza and crackers and chips and dip and sat around and talked about London and our time here and what we've hated, our favorite places etc. It was minorly awkard though,because I realized that this was the longest time I've spent in the same room as half of the people in the room. It was also saddening to realize though, how little time we had left.

Anywhom, Chelsea's brother is visiting from Cali and we've been taking him around to see some of the sights etc. It's been a nice excuse to see some of the sights again.

Other than that nothing exciting has gone on. Just hanging around,re-visiting sights etc.

Hope all is well!

Cheers

Just to Recap

2007-11-19T18:28:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

So, as much as I hate to think about it and admit it, there are only 11 days left in this beautiful relationship full of love,and understanding, of give and take, a relationship that has led to amazing nights and wonderful day after wonderful day.

I am of course, talking about the blissful relationship that exists between myself and the city of London.

So, as our time draws to a close I thought today about all the AMAZING things I've done since I've been in this city and thought I'd share.

London and I didn't waste anytime getting to know eachother, our first week together we
-took a bus tour of the city
-roamed the corridors and exhibits of the British Museum
-admired the paintings in the National Gallery
-Saw a show together "In Celebration"
-and had our first star sighting-Orlando Bloom
-Walked where great men have walked in the colleges of Cambridge
and
-explored the Burrough Market

At this point I could already tell the city and I were hitting it off just great, we continued going steady. We went and viewed the artwork at the Cortauld Gallery and discovered (okay,so we really just looked at the displays,someone else discovered them) ancient scrolls in the British Library. We walked amongst the gorgeous gardens and hedge maze of Hampton Court,took in a glorious view of the city from the top of St. Paul's and had an edu-taining(thats educational and entertaining) experience at the London Dungeon.

We ventured out and realized that the Camden Market is a bit scary while the Portabello Road Market is busy and crazy. We had a few rough patches here and there at times though and wasted it at the Museum of London,but had our eyes opened a little wider when we went to the Imperial War Museum. London taught me about her past when I visted National Parliment and nearly bored me to tears when I walked through Westminster Abby. London took me to see her prized possesions at the Tower of London and introduced me to some of her great musical theatre by showing me Chicago and Wicked; as well as showing me the former home of the bard himself, the Globe Theatre. Together we found out about the amazing food and drinks at "The Rocket" and the glorious heart beating adventures that Thorpe Park had to offer. London introduced me to one of her favorite gameshows, Golden Balls,when I sat in the studio audience and I also discovered one of my now favorite museums, the Tate Modern.

All of these were great experiences, that only strengthed the bond that had developed between London and I, and the best part, it was all in the first month!

Now,even though things were going great and we had done all these marvelous adventures, and also discovered the amazingness of Picadilly Circus, the club life and so much more, London and I decided we didn't want to rush things and took a break, while I toured Europe.

During my time away from London I celebreated Oktoberfest in Munich,walked the canals of Venice, roamed the streets of Rome,where I saw the colesseum and ruins of ancient Rome, I pit stopped in Milan, flounced around in Florence and tasted delicious chocolates in Brussels. However, my time away,however glorious, made me realize how much I appreciated dear ol London.

Upon my arrival I visited the London Film Festival and became besties with Tom Cruise, John Cusack, Christian Bale, Adrian Broday and Jason Schwarzman. Saw the premiere of a glorious movie called "I'm Not There" and began my work at Theatre 503,where I saw "The Last Shot".

Still creating more memories, London and I continued to discover more together and I visited Greenwich Village, continued to walk and discover the city and soaked up every minute of my life with London.

Before you knew it, November was upon us, like a black cloud. But we haven't let that stop us and we've seen Oxford, RENT, and Hairspray. We've continued to hit the clubs,enjoy the food and have our fun on the tube, and most recently I took a little time to myself and went to Paris and tonight I saw CaBaReT.

And,thats where we are now.

However,

All of these wonderful memories are only the ones I've written down and even then its just the icing on the layers of cake and sweetness that has been my time with London. Telling you that I've seen over 20 different landmark sites in the city of London, watched 9 theatre performances, and toured 8 cities doesn't give you the details and stories I've created while here. There is no way I can ever fully describe for you the depth of my relationship with this city and the love that we share, and can only tell you that it is quite magnificent.

It doesn't tell you how I've grown as a person, the bad habits I've dropped, the quirks I've changed or the outlooks I've developed, but I bet you'll be able to tell when you see me.

BUT, my times not over,the fat lady hasn't sung and the last ship is still in port, so I'm going to take these next 11 days and make them glorious,wonderful,exciting and grand and 11 of the greatest days of my life!

But before I do, I just to let London know, that I love him, and she'll always have a place in my ♥

My Parisian Adventure

2007-11-18T17:05:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

Have you ever had one of those does where nothing seems to go right? Or you're just really bored? Or you just really want a good laugh? Well, then I have the perfect blog for you!

If you read the blog before my last you'll recall that this weekend was my trip to Paris all by my lone-some, and I would like to point out that this was my decision and that I didn't go by myself because no one else likes me. Either way, my time in Paris was actually quite eventful and I thought I'd begin by sharing the adventure I had in just trying to get to my hostel.

So, my beginning trekk to Paris went just fine. I decided to travel via EurOlines, which meant I took a bus to Dover, got onto a ferry which took me across the channel and then hopped back on the bus to Paris.Nothing really exciting happened until I arrived at the bus station.

Now, Drew doesn't like to use maps, and its not one of those "machismo-I know where I'm going and don't need to ask where I'm going" type of things. Because we most definitally know I have NO clue where I'm going usually. But more of a maps actually tend to confuse me even more. I'm much more of a hands on type learner, figuring things out as I go, not planning.

Anyway, so I get to the metro station and spend forever looking at the map before finally figuring out what tube will get me to where I need to go. After I figured that out it took me another 10 minutes trying to find a cash machine so I could get money to buy a metro ticket, before remembering that I had a 5euro note left in my wallet from Fall Break. So, I buy my ticket and figure out that I needed to take the 3 tube to St. Lazere where I'd then switch to the 12 line which would take me to my hostel.

Well, I get to the platform and hop on the tube,and wait like 15 minutes before it finally leaves. It's already uncomfortably crowded,but not anything I wasn't used to on the tubes in London. Well, at the next stop another bunch of people decide they can get on too and it was literally a mad shove to make it onto to the tube. By this time I'm slam-jam pressed right up against people.

Suddenly, some woman starts talking to me at French and motioning and I kind of assuemd she was asking me to scoot in more and I just smiled and shook my head, seeing as I really didn't think I and anymore room to move. However, a few minutes later a guy starts talking to me in French and motioning and finally I say "Sorry I don't speak French" and this other lady next to me yells and slams against me,scooting me over,so I'm pretty much giving the lady on my left a lap dance, all while yelling at me in French.

So, here I am absolutly crammed into a metro car in a country I've only been in for 30ish minutes and its like 7am. Well, the train slows down and stops in between stations.Well, I figured it was just a little mini stop, and that we were waiting for the train in front of us to leave or something, but NO, we end up sitting in this tube for 20 minutes and see metro workers walking by in the tube. Finally, the tube slowly lurches foward and we make it to the next stop.

When we arrive, an announcement comes over the intercom,but of course its in French, so I have no clue whats being said, but everyone around me groaned and emptied the train. SO, I took it to mean that the tain was broke.

So, I stand on the platform with a sea of other people waiting for the next train. This takes about another 5 minutes and we all cram on again and I'm pretty sure we were close enough that someone owes me dinner, and it only continues to get worse and more and more people attempt to fight their way onto the train.

Finally, we get to St. Lazere and it was literally a shoving match between the people on the train trying to get off and the mass of people trying to get in. But, I made it and found my way to the other platform for the 12 tube.

So, I sit around and see that the next train doesn't come for another 25 minutes;by this point I am starting to get scared as to how my weekend in Paris is going to turn out.

I get onto the train,luckily by this time the crowds have thinned and I was actually able to sit down and I make to to my stop fine and find my hostel, oh and its 11am.

So, needless to say it was quite an exciting first 4 hours in the city! And I later find out that no, the tube systems in Paris don't suck,but rather they're on strike and so everything is crazy!

The rest of the day was the same with travel. I did my best to walk everywhere and don't worry I did plenty, but when I did take the tube it was usually at least a 10 minute wait,often times more. Including a couple more jam packed rides where we were packed in so tight that you could have taken off the top,turned us upside down and nothing would have fallen out.

Luckily, Saturday was better and my weekend turned out amazing!

I visited all the usual places, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur-this beautiful church on a hill, Louvre museum and Museum d'orsay. Lucky for me, the Louvre was free to students on Friday nights after 6,so I took advantage of that and saw the Mona Lisa!

I made friends with the other backpackers who were staying in my room, Jordan a junior from UCLA who was studying in the Netherlands and Ian a recent uni grad from Canada who had been backpacking through Europe since September, and we walked up to the Sacre Coeur to see the city at night. The next day, Jordan and I toured Paris together and visited all the sights,it was nice having someone to talk to instead of being by myself the whole time. The Musee d'orsay was really neat to see alot of the work done by artists we had talked about in art class and I actually knew what they were doing and what was going on.

At one point in the day we decided to try and go walk through the catacombs,which is these underground tunnels made from bones of dead bodies, WELL it takes us forever to finally find it and when we do, we realize that we're like 5 MINUTES LATE to the last admission :( After visiting Notre Dame together we parted ways and I went to the Eiffel Tower.

It was a super long climb but most definitally worth it! I was lucky and climbed it at just the right time,so I saw the city as the sun was setting and also with all the bright city lights and traffic going on, and it was gorgeous!

My trip back to the bus station on Saturday night was just as exciting. I got lost trying to find the metro station,so instead I waited at a bus stop for a bus to take me to a bus station. Well, the bus takes forever but finally shows up, at this point its around 8:00 and I needed to be there at 9 to check in for my 10 o'clock bus.
Well, the bus gets me to the stop I was wanting and I get the metro and find out that the platform I needed was currently under renovations but I could take the 8line to Republique and switch to the 3 line which would take me to my bus stop.

So, I wait and it takes about another 25 minutes for the 8 to show up, and it takes me to Republique and I get to the 3 platform. WELL, at this point its 8:50 and I'm getting nervous, I knew that I didn't need to be there right at 9. I mean, last time it took 30 mins just to wait in line so I knew if I made it by 9:30-I would be fine. But I decided that if by 9:15 a train hadn't shown up I would take a taxi. So, I wait...and wait...and wait and finally at 9:14 the tube shows up and I get to the bus station and everything was fine.

So, you'd think its done. That my exciting adventures were over and I made it just grand to London. WELL, yes...........and no! I get back home to London-its 5am and Im riding the N11 bus to Trafalger Square so I can catch the trust N97 to home. WELL, halfway to Trafalger Square the BUS BREAKS DOWN and I had to switch buses. But, yes, I eventually made it home and collapsed into bed.

So, that was my weekend in Paris. All the exciting transportation adventures and beautiful sight seeing.

Don't worry pictures are already up! Here's the link-

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050510&l=e00fc&id=71804508

I would also like to thank all of you who read the blog last week and helped me win the contest, thanks to you I had 162 hits in just 7 days!!

Hope all is well!

Cheers
Drew

Destination Unkown

2007-11-15T10:55:00.001-06:00

Greetings Friends,

It's another time where I sit here and take a break from the busy life of mine in London and attempt to give you a insightful blog full of witty banter,colorful words, and a read that will leave you feeling,.........something. Whether it be fulfillment OR (and lets hope not),wondering why you just wasted 10 minutes reading it.

The other day, an age old question "What am I going to do with my life?" crossed my mind. I know we've all had the thought. However, it wasn't that I was totally lost for thought as to what I'm supposed to do when I "grow up", but more the thought that I had the feeling, again, that I'm "destined for something greater." But, I'm also pretty sure we've had had that thought as well. We've all dreamed of fighting AIDS in Africa, or backpacking through Europe or discovering the cure for cancer or whatever. It's kind of like a quote, Tiff showed me, and I think it can pretty much capture what we've all felt at some point.

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent peopleand the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest criticsand endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because I have lived
This is to have succeeded."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now before you get all "Psh, Drew, please, get over yourself" hear me out. This thought often comes when I'm doing something or watching something I really enjoy or want to do. Theatre for example. EVERY TIME I see a show,as soon as the curtain comes up, my skin tingles, my heart skips and I get excitied, and I see myself, in 5 years doing exactly that, and its not just one of those "Oh, I'd really like to act when I grow up" sorta, see myself type feelings. But a "I feel it in my gut-all the way to my toes-there's no doubt in my mind- it just seems natural" sort of feelings. Like, DUH what else do you think I'd do.

But then another thought often comes to mind, when? If my feelings correct and someday-somewhere I'm going to be gracing the stages of Broadway or cinema screens across the nation, when is it going to happen and how?

Am I going to have the fairy tale story where I'm walking in the mall one day and a model scout sees me and gives me her card and 2 years later I'm modeling and branching into acting? OR Will I have the rough and tumble story. Where, I graduate college, pack up and move to LA where I live in a cardboard box for years,scraping my pennies together while waiting tables and going to every audition possible, before finally getting my big break?

Of course it also falls into the: "everything happens for a reason" catagory and who really knows what will happen and maybe something will come up and I'll totally switch what I want to do with my life and end up being an accountant for Wells Fargo or something.

OR maybe I need to instead follow the "Life is about creating yourself,not finding yourself" mantra and grab the bull by the horns and make something of myself, myself and throw myself at agents and casting calls and go to them instead of them coming to me.

*SIGH* who knows, pretty much though, I've realized I don't want to grow up and would rather just stay in college or London for the rest of my life. Can I do that instead?

So, this wasn't so much a witty banter about something fun, but more of a Drew hyperventilating over what he's supposed to do with his life, SORRY. Oh-well, hopefully you found it amusing.

Cheers
Drew

Paris Here I Come

2007-11-15T02:31:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

I hope this blog finds you well! And of course, things are just grand for me!!

It's been another fun-filled busy week, here on Earl's Court Road.

Monday we took a day trip to Oxford with the whole Simpson London group, it was an okay time. A little bit too cold for my liking. We had some delicious latin food at a place called "Las Iguanas" and then spent most of our time in a coffee shop doing homework, or in my case,taking a nap. Then that night Chelsea,Dana and I went and saw HAIRSPRAY (the theatre version,not movie version) and it was AMAZING! I ♥'d it !

Tuesday was class again and we started our intellectual conversation on Mrs. Dalloway,the final book we're reading for class. It's a pretty interesting book, I enjoy it.

Wednesday we had art class and learned more about Pop Art and then entered the diffiicult to understand realm of "minimalism", and looked at some artwork that included: giant mirrored boxes,a big painting in 3 shades of black, and a pile of bricks. However, I accidentially zoned out for some of the lecture, because I got distracted by another painting or something, I can't remember.

TODAY is class again, then I need to pack for my weekend trip to Paris!!! I'm just a little bit excited,since this is the city I've been wanting to see since FOREVER. I'm taking a bus and a ferry there and it was only lik 40pounds! So, I'll let you know how that goes!

The weather is still chilly here,but luckily it hasn't reached unbearable potential yet!

I also really need to do laundry again, and I've been saying that for too long,but its just such hard work and the stupid dryers suck and UGH.

Anywhom, I think that covers the London news.

Stay tuned for more exciting blogging adventures.

Cheers
Drew

MORE PHOTOS

2007-11-10T18:20:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

FINALLY, here are the photos you have been eargerly waiting for!

Photos from the weekends,the Film Festival, and etc.

http://simpson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2046890&l=ac57e&id=71804508

London is still GREAT and FAnTaSTIC.

We went to the movie, Good Luck Chuck tonight and it is AbSOLUTLY HALARIOUS!!!

Hope all is well!

Cheers
Drew

SO, Barb told me I had to blog some more!

2007-11-09T10:47:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,

So its already been a few days since I've blogged, and I deeply apologize.

Once again though, not too much has gone on.

Tuesday was class and we got our exams back and I did pretty well, I'm content with how I did.

Wednesday was art class and the service learning mid-term, its funny to think that I'm actually taking mid-terms just 3 weeks before I leave, and about a month after everyone back home. It was a little scary but I think I held my own against it....hopefully :S

Thursday was class and all that fun stuff again, so yea, not a too exciting week for me.

Wednesday, Chelsea,Anne and I went to RENT 'remixed' at Dukes of York and it was AMAZING! We got 2nd row seats for only 20pounds! And if you're wondering how RENT remixed differs from RENT, its exactly the same except they worked with Kylie Minouge's musical director and uptempo-ed the songs and it was neat. One of my favorite songs "Today for You" that Angel sings was escpecially neat. My theatre nerd came out again though and the 3 of us also critiqued the set and lighting designs and they were pretty amazing, with rotating gobo's, smoke and flashy lights! I give mad props to the lighting designer and stage manager, except I did notice a few lightings things they should have fixed, in my expert theatre Simpson light crew opinion anyway.

Today has been another lazy day and i've sat around and watched movies, the current favorite is "John Tucker Must Die"!

Its also been getting chillier the last couple of days :( Which is getting to be a pain, but luckily it hasn't been too bad!:)

So, the harsh reality hit me again today, we only have 3 weeks left here!! It's so crazy to think that a whole semester has already gone by!!

Hope all is well for you!

Cheers
Drew

Remember,Remember the 5th of November

2007-11-05T19:30:00.000-06:00

Greetings Friends,
Today marks the anniversary of Guy Fawks, and for any of you who haven't seen the movie "V for Vendetta", its a celebration remembering the blowing up of Parliament and the beginning of of a revolution of sorts...I think.

But this weekend has been full of fireworks exploding and bonfires everywhere, unfortunately, I wasn't in the know as to where 90% of this was taking place, so I didn't get involved.BUT I did hear lots of fireworks going off tonight,when I was sitting in my room!

Friday, Meghan and I had a day date. We slept in until noon, then we sat around and was lazy for awhile before we finally got dressed all nice and fancy like and went out on Oxford Street to visit all the stores that are nice to look at but we could never afford! We also made a visit to the most AmAZING Toy Store in the world, Hamleys. It was almost like a trip back to my childhood, with 5 floors of stuffed animals,toy cars, Barbies, and everything else. Workers were playing with the toys and giving demonstrations, children were running around screaming and I was really wishing I was 5 again. Meghan and I decided to get ourselves something and bought Teddy bears! YES, I am willing and comfortable in admitting that I am a 19 year old boy who sleeps with a teddy bear still. We also ate out at one of my new favorite diners "Ed's Diner" which is a 50's American diner.

Saturday, Me,Chelsea, Dana, Meghan and Dana's mom(Barb) and sister(Julie) went shopping. We made another trip to Primark and Drew finally bought his blazer and new dress socks,because the ones I had were getting a little gross. We also went to Harrods and took a look at the Princess Diana memorial and all the other glorious things Harrods had.Saturday night, Chelsea, Meghan and I got dressed up(I wore my new blazer) and we had a fancy night on the town!

Sunday was spent being lazy. I slept in and lounged around and watched Catch and Release, a movie which actually makes you never want to fall in love (at least, that's what it did for me) and then we went to the "Pop Art Photo" exhibit at the National Gallery and it was really neat and had alot of works from Andy Warhol and other pop art artists and it was pretty interesting. After that we went and rented more movies, and found a great Chinese place that lets you get as much as you get fit into a little Tupperware container for 4pounds.

Today was supposed to be a productive day for me, but it failed. I slept in. Then I took a trip to Covent Gardens and I finally had my waffle w/ chocolate ice cream that a few people told me to get. I have NO CLUE if it was the right place,but I do know it was delicious! After that I took a nap and then have sat around and tried to book my trip to Paris.

Rewinding back to Catch and Release though. I willingly admit that besides sleeping with a teddy bear, I enjoy "chic flicks" and believe crying is healthy and that all real men cry. But, this isn't the point I'm trying to make. My new topic is, why do we like "chick flicks" ? Why do most women and the rare,but amazing man, enjoy watching a movie that: makes you cry,makes you sad,makes you question if you'll ever find love,why you want to find love, wonder what loves like or make you miss that one love you once had and have since lost? Movies like "The Last Kiss" where every relationship gets torn apart or "Catch and Release" where Jennifer Garner's fiancee dies the day before the wedding and if that's not bad enough, she finds out he was cheating on her, and the list could continue.

But really, why are we drawn to these movies? What makes us want to watch a movie that we know is going to make us cry and sad and eat too much ice cream and think about the shoulda' ,coulda', woulda's of previous relationships...but I think I have the answer.

ONE because a good cry is needed every once in awhile.

and TWO because it reminds us of a time when things were better and we were in love or maybe just madly in like. It reminds how happy we were when we had those special moments. LIKE: When you see the movie starlet look into her prince charming's eyes and he whispers something sweet and they share that picture perfect movie moment kiss, and everything in the backgroud fades and melts away. You remember the butterflies in your stomach ,you remember how fast your heart was beating the tingle in your fingers and the thoughts that rushed through your mind.

OR

If you lucky enough to have already found that love and held on to it, it just reminds you and makes you appreciate it that much more and makes you remember the beginning and what it was like and how happy you are that you've somewhat in someway lived those moments. (or at least I'm assuming. I ovbiously don't know for sure.)

BUT it also gives you a beacon of hope, reminding you that someday you'll have that moment and though he (or she) probably won't sit on your porch for days on end to let you know how much he cares, or stand outside your window holding a boombox or make you a mixtape, someday something like that WILL happen.

I do now feel slightly embarrassed for just going off on that tangent,but remember that time I talked about a stream of consiencenous, yea, that's an example.

Anywhom, its back to the grind tomorrow with classes,503 and living up my remaining 25 days in London.

Cheers
Drew

Cram Session

2007-11-02T08:04:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

Tuesday we took our first mid-term of the semester in English and it actually didn't go that bad, at least that's I'm hoping. I feel like I knew what I was talking about, but I could most definitally be wrong.

After class, I went and got a haircut, FINALLY! I was getting a lil too long and poofy and it wasn't fun. I found an advert in "The Metro" for a FREE HAIRCUT if you go to Toni&Guy Academy,which is one of those beauty schools. WELL, turns out its a big to do, when they do this. I walked in and checked in and then they lined me up with all these other people who were getting their haircut as well and they went down the line and asked "what we wanted done with our hair" before parading upstairs to get little smock things put on us. After that, we were given to one of the students who sat us in a chair and looked at our hair and played with it before decided what they were going to do. THEN they would grab their teacher and check with them to make sure its okay. Then I was moved to get my hair washed and then sat back down in front of a mirror. All in all, it took 2 and half hours to get my hair cut! BECAUSE the girl would cut some, then have to get her teacher to check and make sure its right and then he would show her what to do next and it just went like that. BUT I got my haircut and I'm happy with it!

After the haircut I went over to "503" and helped out a bit, got trained on front of house and got to see new show they're doing (which was AMAZING). I also got to meet the writer of the show and a few more of the people who work at the theatre.

Wednesday was art class and we learned more about the Bloomsbury Group and then we had a meeting with Housing Justice for service learning. After that, we went back to the flat and got ready for our Halloween BASH that we had in the backyard! It was fun!!

Thursday, was class and more theatre 503, Chelsea and I were sent out to distribute little flyers advertising the show. Lizzie(the general mang) of the theatre,wanted us to put them in the mail slots of all the buildings,but Chelsea and I felt awkward doing that when we saw the signs that said "NO JUNK MAIL" and also since we felt like we were in the ghetto and people probably couldn't afford to go to the show anyway. So, we walked a bit and then found some places to distribute the flyers.

Then we went to the Closing Night GALA for the Film Festival and this time we got our picture taken w/ Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman,PLUS the sweet BFI posters!

Today, Meghan and I are getting dressed up all nice like and heading to Oxford Street to look at all the things we can't afford! It should be fun!

Cheers
Drew

Random thoughts of Consciencenous

2007-10-29T18:46:00.002-05:00

Greetings Friends,

London continues to be amazing, just in case you were wondering.

After I left you and went to the premiere we saw Christian Bale and got his autograph and he even personalized every autograph and asked who it was for! When it was finished Chelsea and I snagged the movie posters they hung up on the fence things,so now I have another souviner from the movie. Which-PS we went to today and it was FABULOUS! It follows the life of Bob Dylan, only it does it bouncing back from past to future to the "6 different" stages of his life, which is played by 6 different actors; including: Richard Gere, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and the amazing Cate Blanchett. The cineamatography and music was amazing!

But rewind to Sunday. Meghan,Emily and I went to the Spittalfield market. It was a nice change and had alot of booths that were ran by fashion type designers who made bags and jewlery and cute shirts and etc. along with interesting clocks,home furniture etc.

After the market,we met up with Chelsea at the tubestop and went to Greenwich for the afternoon. Where we walked around another market,that was actually alot like the Spittalfield one. We then went and had lunch at a mexican restaurant, one of maybe two I have seen over here and then we went to the Prime Meridian and had to trekk up quite possibly the worlds largest hill ever. Meghan thought it would be a good idea to take a picture with our heads on the line and so we had to lie down,which would have been fine any other time. EXCEPT for the fact that it had rained and so the ground was nice and wet and a bit muddy.

Today I finally got the chance to sleep in and then we went to the premiere.

After the premiere we've just sat around,trying to study for our English mid-term tomorrow :S

OKAY, so we're caught up on London things. Now we're switching gears for a bit.

As, I am a theatre major, who has been self diagnosed with ADD and has the inability to focus on one certain issue for more than 2 minutes and during those 2 minutes is usually thinking about something else entirely already. OR can easily switch topics because one sentence or word will remind of him something and so then he starts thinking about that and then that switches to something else and then he can't even remember the original line of thought and then...oh, wait...see what I mean. Anyway, along with that. I also have alot of thinking time when I'm on the tube or walking to class, my brain tends to wander and think about things and I thought I'd finally thought those things escape the confines of my mind and let them breath, along with making room in my head for the new thoughts will be sure to pop up, probably by the time this blog is finished.

One recent thought I've pondered is why are the most cliche things and sayings we hear all the time so true? You always hear someone say "Well, its really cliche BUT __________" and the like, but the thing is ,they're so cliche and people use them so often because they are in fact either true, or the easiest way to describe something.
For example: "everything happens for a reason", you hear it so often and sometimes it gets annoying because you never know when you're going to realize why something happened until maybe 4 or 5 months later and the whole time your spent waiting to realize why it happened and then you finally do.

Along those lines and this is a bit of a more philisophical type question.

When you go through a hard time in your life and do your best to hold out for the best and have a gut feeling that everything WILL in fact be okay. Do you think that your gut feeling is actually correct? OR is it possible that you just tell yourself that everything will be okay because your one those "oh so romantic-theatre major-everything should be the like movies-i see the glass as half full" type thinkers and it actually won't be? Granted, this is actually alot of more complicated than how I just wrote it,but it captures the essence of the thought. But really, which stream of consciencenous is correct?

Okay, so thats really all I have for thoughts right now. Turns out, my ADD kicked in and as soon as I started talking about these other issues, the ones I had also thought about got lost in the mix and now they're gone. Don't worry though, I'm sure they'll pop up soon.

Anyway,hope all is well!

Cheers
Drew

boring days in a yellow submarine

2007-10-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

My sincere apologies for the lack of blogging, but never fear, the lack of blogging means the lack of exciting news, so you haven't missed much.

In my last update, I talked about our encounter with Tom Cruise and how classes had picked back up.

On Wednesday we had art class at the Tate and we looked at some pretty interesting works and we also got our mid-term project. :S We have to find a piece of surrealist art and talk about how it relates to the surrealist movement. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do mine over a selection of home artistic videos made by an artist in Colorado.

On Thursday we had class and continued to discuss the book "A Room Of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf. After class, I went back to the flat and took a little nap, before heading to Theatre 503.

Our first assignment was to make a run to "Clapham Junction" to find a flash drive. So, we had a chance to visit a new part of London and walk around. After we got back to the theatre we folded programs for the show. Sarah also introduced us to alot of people that work in the theatre.

We got to see the show finally and it was really good. It was about a filmaker who makes a movie about his friend whos dying of Lou Gehrigs disease. It was pretty dramatic most of the time but fabulous and if you've seen the original superman movie's; the woman who plays his mom, Susanna York, was in it.

Friday, we marketed it up at Portabello Road,but it was actually quite dead :( SO we went to Abbey Road home to The Beatle's, and we got our picture on the crosswalk!

We then went back to Leicster in hopes of catching sight of Ben Affleck who was supposed to have a movie showing, but turns out the movie was axed so instead,we had to settle with getting John Cusack's autograph and a photo with him BUT apparently his publicisit/handler lady thought she had better things to do than take pictures of John and Drew got cut out of the photo :(

This morning, Emily and I went to Camden market and I finally began my present shopping.

Now, we're off to Leicster sqaure to hopefully see: Richard Gere,Cate Blanchett, and a few others for the premiere of "I'm Not Here" which is a biography of Bob Dylan.

I was also hit with a really sad fact yesterday, we only have 35 days left in this AMAZING city! It's so crazy, to think I've already been here 7 weeks! And that I have so little time to do things!!

Hope this blog finds you well!

CHEERS
Drew

A little lesson on a BIG issue

2007-10-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

Today was quite the learning experience for dear ol' Drew.

We had a workshop in Kennington at St. Paul's church with LEAT, which stands for the London Ecuminical Aids Trust, and they educated us all about HIV and AIDS.

At first I was a bit skeptical and feared that this might be another-well natured and honest try-attempt at working something out for service learning; only ending up like the previous meetings and being a waste of time. Luckily, I was mistaken and I learned quite a bit.

Our workshop was led by a friendly man, named David who was originally from Zimbabwea ,but now works with LEAT and Steve ,who is the director of LEAT. We learned about the basics of AIDS; how its transferred,myths about how it can be transferred,the stages it comes in and what we can do to prevent it. At one point, I was about ready to bust out the mediator whistle because a couple of the participants were getting a bit debatey about wether or not HIV and AIDS is the same thing, the jury is still out on that decision and it really depends who you ask and how you look at it. In this kids opinion,they're different. Seeing as HIV is just the virus (thus the V in the name) but AIDS is the actual syndrome (thus the S) and what people have when they eventually die, not from AIDS,but from such things as the common cold,which would have been killed by the bodies immune system, which is no longer there due to AIDS.

Either way, it was rather interesting, just talking and listening to a persons first hand experience living with HIV. As a global citizen and someone who doesn't live under a rock. I've always known HIV/AIDS was out there,but it was something I didn't ever have to deal with and encounter. So it was rather eye opening seeing how big it really is and what exactly it does to the human body.

I was rather intrigued by the fact that in the UK they have NO rule,forboading gays or "men who have had sex with another man since 1977" from donating blood. Seeing as in the states, we do and I had my own personal encounter with that rule (See Blood donations needed, but not from all - Perspectives for the full story). I think its also important to note, seeing as society currently portrays HIV/AIDS as a "gay disease" that in the UK at least, there are more heterosexuals with the virus/syndrome than homosexuals.

We finally took a break from our educational endeavour to fill our tummies with a delicious, home cooked African meal for lunch, which included: rice,beans,fish,meat,potatoes,bread and fruit.

After lunch we watched a presentation of sorts which was made of dancing,singing,acting and a power point , given to us by a group called WAIT, which is a teen group that goes around educating people about HIV and AIDS,through their Abstinance Only message. While I can't say it was altogether educational or that I learned things I didn't already know. It was entertaining to watch and listen I give the kids props for going out and having the guts to perform in front of strangers by supporting a worthy cause!

After the busy and mentally stimulating day(we started at 10 and finished at 4)! We headed back to the flat.

Chelsea and I grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to "Theatre 503" to meet with Gene and Sarah and see the current show they are doing " The Last Shot". However, when we arrive Sarah informs us that the show is actually sold out and they already have a reserve list 10 names long, but they'd try to squeeze us in if they could. We weren't too worried and went and met with Steve, who is the Lit. director of the company and visited with him. Since Theatre 503, focuses on new works, they are constantly recieving new plays from all over and part of the process in screening them is having people read them. SO, Steve gave us a couple scripts to read through and make notes about and see how it is, making that our first official assignment for "Theatre 503".

We ended up NOT getting to see the show, but we visited more with Sarah, just about the theatre and where they need help and when we can start. We also got put on the list for Thursday's show, so we will DEFINITALLY be seeing it then and we actually start our volunteering on Thursday as well. So, it looks like a whole day at the theatre, just like back at Simpson. :D

After that, we came back to the flat and its been a night of tv watching, chit chatting and internet surfing.

Hope all is well for you!

Cheers
Drew

Star light Star bright, Tom Cruise is the star I saw tonight!

2007-10-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

SO, remeber that time I told you there was always something to do in London? Well today was another prime example.

I hop on the tube this afternoon, headed for class and open up my copy of "The Metro" (one of the free newspapers they give out here) and Chelsea and I see an ad at the bottom of the page that says "WORLD PREMIERE TONIGHT" and it was for the new movie "Lions for Lambs" starring: Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl Streel (my personal favorite), and so we're like "okay, TOTALLY GOING".

The paper said that they would start arriving at 4:30, and class ended at 3:00, so we just headed to Leicester Square right after class, hoping to land ourselves a great spot. Well, turns out that Tom Cruise wouldn't be showing up until 6, but we stood around anyway,because really we had nothing better to do and we had indeed gotten prime spots. Finally, 6 rolls around and Tom arrives and people go nuts!! Turns out Mr. Cruise ♥ 's his fans and went around and signed every single piece of paper that was shoved in his face and posed for who knows how many photos, including one with US!!

Of course this waiting didn't come without some annoying pushy super fans, who obnoxiously screamed "TOM" every 10 seconds when he was 20 meters away. Apparently thinking that would make him come straight to them. Or the crazy girl who butted in on our conversation every 5 seconds and the decided to put her 15 pound backpack right in the middle of everyone standing.

We also got right behind two girls who had lovingly made a sign that said "Tom you can make us roar anytime" and so every other news reporter was coming up to them and interviewing them. Naturally(blame it on the theatre major in me), I stood directly behind them and flashed my winning smile for the cameras in hopes that an agent is watching and is now frantically searching for me,because he could tell that I'm Hollywood's next "IT boy".

After Tom finished, alot of the crowd seemed to disappear and we were able to breath again and have some personal space. We waited around for another hour or so in hopes of seeing Meryl Streep or dear Robert,but apparently movie premiers are beneath them.

Right now though is the London Film Festival, so this week and next week is loaded with stars coming and going and world premiers of indy films and we plan on catching some more. Wednesday Hallie Berry is supposed to be making an appearance and on Saturday Richard Gere is slated to walk the red carpert. SO we'll see.

It's just crazy to think though, that this movie premiere thing was a last minute,hey why not event and looked what happened! I got the autograph of Tom Cruise and at any moment my home tele is going to be ringing off the hook with hollywood agents wanting to book me. (hey, a boy can dream, can't he?)

But that was the adventure for today!

I would like to give a shout out to another faithful blog reader, BARB who celebrates her birthday today!

Cheers
Drew

Back in London

2007-10-21T13:57:00.000-05:00

Greeting Friends,

So, the last 3 days have been glorious and lazy! We got back from grocery shopping on Thursday at probably around 2pm and I didn't leave the flat until this afternoon, when I went to get more Nutella. So, that means I spent about 72hours sitting around the flat and 90% of the time I was in my pajamas and I am perfectly fine with that. It has felt great!

But, alas, all good things must come to an end and tomorrow we have class again, but not until 1 o' clock! Which means I am probably sleeping in. Then after class I have a meeting with Sarah from "Theatre 503" to talk about what I get to do for them and then I think we're supposed to be going to Harrod's.

Since I have done nothing but sit around the flat, I've watched alot of TV and movies and realized that over here, they barely have any commercials. It's fabulous! ITs because though, they don't have basic TV over here and you pay for anything you get :(. Right now though,we're getting ready to watch Dirty Dancing on tv!! I haven't seen that movie in the longest time.

But, that pretty much covers the news since our arrival.

Cheers
Drew

The List

2007-10-20T04:51:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

I've been in London almost two full months now and have now traveled the continent. During my travels, I've come across some great finds,not so great finds and everything in between. This got me to thinking the other day about things like; why I like London better than home, why I miss home,my favorite place to eat in Europe etc. etc. So I've compiled a few lists to share with you.

5 things I learned when backpacking

ALWAYS book your hostel in advance;this will lead to not having a stressful night where you out until 12:30 in the middle of Rome going to door-to-door of hotels trying to see if they have 1) a room and 2) aren't 200euros for the night.

English is everywhere! While this may not come as a surprise to you and it wasn't a 100% surprise to me. When you think about though, isn't it odd how probably any European country you can go to will have a majority of its people bilingual in their native language and also know English,while you can come to America and probably 3 in 10 people know another language?

Some people really do we think we're stupid Americans; now, this goes back to my blog from Belgium, and how our taxi driver considered dropping us off in the middle of nowhere, because he knew we'd have no clue what was going on because we're "young americans". Or, I can tell you about a few different times when sitting on a bus or shopping in a market you see and hear the workers talking and pointing. Now usually, when I see this I don't get all paranoid and think "they're talking about me" "I just know they're talking about me" BUT,when they're ovbiously pointing at you and you hear words like "americana" you tend to wonder.

I miss the old days of family vacations; So maybe this is more a realization then something I learned and yes, a bit sentimental *bust out the kleenex now*,but I realized how much I enjoyed the old days when I was young and cute, and went on family vacation every summer. My family wasn't the flying kind either. EVERYWERE we went we drove; Florida, California, Niagra Falls, Massachusets, South Dakota, Virginia and the list could continue. And while at the time,a 20 hour van ride with mom,dad,and the 2 little sisters was less than ideal, now looking back, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Sitting up front co-piloting with dad at 2am, rolling into a seedy hotel in a small town at midnightso we could get up at 9 and keep going, or making the random stop to see the "worlds largest man made well"(it's in Kansas, just in case you were wondering) . I couldn't tell you how many times I thought back to those days while backpacking.

Italians definitally aren't known for their customer service; now I will admit that there were a couple of times we had GREAT customer service while in Italy. For the most part it was horrible. One great story is when I was ordering at McDonalds and began to order my food and the guy working just walked away, and so I stopped talking,thinking he'd come back. But, he just turned and motioned with his hands and told me to keep ordering,while he walked around and did other things. Or how everyplace I got change it was pretty much thrown at me. Or, while I can't expect everyone to know English, you would hope that they would at least try and work with you on communicating, BUT NO. At the post office,when I was trying to send a letter, the lady would just respond in Italian and not even try. Of course, I may be a little of a stickler on the good 'ol customer service after working in retail, as a waiter and on summer conferences.

5 reasons I miss home

The countryside; I surprisingly miss seeing open fields,open roads,green grass, and the sky. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I got out of the city and saw fields and grass and clean sky again.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon; even though I have enjoyed every minute of my time here in London and sharing it with the friends I have on this trip. There's still nothing that compares to sharing a memory or a great time with a fraternity brother. Also, I miss Sally's cooking.

Having my car; while public transportation is great. It can get crowded and annoying. Especially when trains/buses run late or quit running. You don't realize how nice it is to have your own car and being able to jump in it whenever you want, until you don't have it.

Coldstone Creamery;while Gelato is quite delicious,you can only really find it in Italy, and I've yet to find a delicious ice cream place in London,besides the BK and McD's down the block. It doesn't compare to the rich creamy ice cream and amazing mix-ins you can find at Coldstone Creamery. Whether its my personal favorite; Berry Berry Good or just chocolate w/ brownies. I miss my good 'ol Coldstone and miss the random trips that often turned into mini-adventures to the wonderful ice cream shop I often made with Steve and Chelcee this summer.

The American dollar; I liked knowing that when something said it cost 1 it meant 1 dollar, 4 quarters, 100 pennies etc. Not, here where when it says 1# and I'm like, "Oh thats cheap" its actually 2 dollars. It's one thing thats hard to do when shopping. Is trying to not do the conversion and think "oh, this t-shirt says 10 pounds...WAIT thats 20 dollars!"

5 reasons I ♥ London

Public Transportation; Even though at times its crowded and doesn't work. I LOVE being able to hop on the tube and be just a 20-30 minute ride to anywhere in the city at most! I love that I can hop on the bus and get around when the tube is broke,its great not having to worry about gas or parking or directions. Just hop on the tube and go. PLUS you get to people watch!
Crunchies and Nutella; Crunchies are the most amazing candy bar ever that tastes better than anything you could imagine, almost better than ice cream! Nutella is an amazing invention, combining chocolate and hazlenut and considered a breakfast item that you can put on toast or graham crackers or if you're like me, you just eat it by the spoonful.
It's easy to travel; Any European country is so accessable here! Belgium is a 45 minute flight, Germany is a 2 hour flight. Plus backpacking is the thing to do here and you can find hostels for 10euros a night!
Global and Self awareness; so maybe that isn't the correct title for what I like about London, but it is to an extent. I've become so much more globally aware since being over here. You realize how much everyone else knows about the US, but how little the US knows about everyone else. My fall break made me want to minor in a foreign language, now that I see how useful it'd be and as far as the self awareness. I've leared alot about myself. About how stupid I was about things in the past, how much I miss my family and so much more, and I know it wouldn't have happened if I wasn't over here, away from my cozy little world I'd created.
Ethnic food; its so easy to try new foods here. On Earls Court Road alone we have: chinese,italian,indian,thia,halal,American(McD's and BK), and a noodle company.

My London Favorites

Favorite ice cream- hands down it was the gelateria in Florence, VERY GOOD (okay,so itts not in London, but)
Favorite coffee place- its still Starbucks
Favorite Tube Line-Picadilly
Favorite Grocery Store-Tesco, its big and cheap and has EVERYTHING!

Those are just a few. There's a few least favorites, like my least favorite Tube line is the District line, its rough and usually late or broken.

Naturally, there's more to add or things might change as the time continues in London,but I just thought I'd blog about something fun and not my boring adventures backpacking through Europe.

I also learned something VERY sad today, we only have 42 days left in London! It just seems crazy because is July I was excitied and counting down from there and now its not so exciting.

Anyway, hope all is well in your life!

Cheers
Drew

FALL BREAK PHOTOS!

2007-10-19T12:45:00.000-05:00

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Here's what you've anxiously been waiting for.

The photos from fall break!!

http://simpson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048344&l=435e9&id=71804508

http://simpson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048308&l=31f20&id=71804508

Cheers

Drew

Home Sweet Home

2007-10-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,
WOW, its hard to believe it was just two weeks ago that I left my little flat here in London all giddy and ready to go on a big european adventure. Now, Im back home(ps thats also weird, to think of London as being "back home") exhausted and broke. But a different person as well.

First, I'll catch you up to speed.

Luckily our ride from Florence went off w/o a hitch,unless you count the twenty minute delay. But we did make it to the right station and did fine finding it.

When we arrived in Milan we checked our bags in at some lockers and spent the afternoon walking around the city, beacause our flight for Brussels didn't leave until 9.

So, we explored the dirty,busy and smog infested streets of Milan, realizing that we were in one of the fashion capitals of the world,looking like a vagrant in my dirty jeans,sweatshirt and scruffy face.

We need to search for an i-cafe so we could try and book a hostel for one of our nights in Brussel's. GO US and being on top of things again and had the worst luck ever. I think a big reason was because it was so last minute but all the internet sites kept saying that they didnt have anything or that there was a high demand,which I totally knew was bullox since it was the middle of October and a wednesday. But we finally found a cute little hotel in one of the nearby cities.

We found a pet store during our exploration of the icty and played in ther for awhile. Making "friends" with some of the animals there. We met (and these are our names for them): Spycat-a pretty gray cat who Dana figures fights crime,steals jewels and is going to take over the world. Grey cat-an ugly little persian cat who liked to play with our fingers. Princess-another ugly persian with gross fur who played with our fingers. Special-a cat who was a persian and once again ugly but seemed to have a little issue playing with our fingers or even sitting up. There were also some cute little puppies in the window.

We then headed back to the train station to catch our hour bus ride to the airport.

We went through security fine and then once again, Ryanair is late and our flight was like 1/2 hour late. Its funny,because they claim to be "the on time" airline,but i've yet to actually fly with them on time.

We get into Belgium and catch a taxi to our lovely little hotel. Turns out the town is farther than I thought from the airport and I started to get worried,because we were going down all these side roads and dark and windy roads and I was just wainting to get lost or get dropped off in the middle of nowhere. WHICH PS, turns out the guy wanted to do. NO LIE. He was joking w/another taxi driver on their little walkie talkies in french about dropping us off in the middle of nowhere and we would have no clue since we are 4 young americans and Chelsea understood him because she understands french.

BUT he doesnt and we get to our hotel safe and sound and checked in. The next day we catch a taxi to Brussels and wander around the city.

We first visited the chocolate musuem and learned all about the history of museum,how its made and where it comes from. We got to see how chocolate is made by hand and had some quite tasty samples.

We went and had some delicious belgian waffles, i had mine covered in bananas,chocolate sauce,and whipped cream.

After lunch we went and visited another museum and then looked at a bunch of chocolate shops.

We spent a majority of evening at a tavern eating and talking,trying to waste time before we caught a train to the airport,where we were spending the night before our flight back home.

Our slumber party in the airport was fun. When we went to check in and told the lady we were just staying the night she gave us a really awkward look and asked why we would want to do that, before pointing us in the right direction. The girls who checked us in where very non friendly, probably just tired and ready for home.

But, we got checked in and camped out in the airport. I made a nice little nest under a row of chairs and it was actually quite comfortable and I slept better than I had in some of our hostels!

The flight back was uneventful and it was so great when we landed in London.

It was back to seeing everything in english and knowing what was going on and most importantly,where I was going and what I was doing. It was kind of weird realizing that I was really comfortable in London and knew what I was doing and felt at home.

But that brings us up to speed and since this blog turned out to be a mini novel thats where I will end today.

Cheers
Drew

I love Gelato

2007-10-15T09:42:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

So, when we last left off, our group of weary travelers were in Rome and had finally found a hostel to call home for the next 3 days....or so we thought.

So,we head to Hostel Ivanhoe to check in and arrive to find out that actually have no rooms for us and that he had e-mailed Chelsea (shes the one that made the reservation) and told her, but we knew that was a BIG FAT LIE because we had just come from an I'cafe(group slang for internet cafe).BUT, he was sending us to another hostel that wasnt too far away and just a block from the train station and we were getting the same price etc. and he promised we had rooms there.

Turns out we got the better deal. The hostel was neat and we were in a room with 10 beds, so we were sharing with 4 other people, but we also had free breakfast and free itnernet. The breakfast was tasty, crossiants with chocolate in the middle,cereal, and bread to make toast with jelly and more chocolate spread. Apparantly chocolate is a breakfast item over here.

We found a great place for meal, no clue what it is called but our waiter was from Puetro Rico and we made besties with him and he asked me if I was from Puerto Rico and when I told him my dad was, he pretty much fell in love with us. BUT he kept trying to talk to us in Spanish and I made the most of my four years of Spanish (which consists of knowing the basic sentences and a few choice naughty words) and pretended to know what was going on. BUT, for just 10euros you could get two courses, a pasta then a meat and a side dish. The girls took advantage of this offer. I stuck with my trusty pizza and had a delicious calzone one of the days.

We visited all the city sights during our 2 days there. We walked around the ruins but passed on paying 11euro to go inside the Colesseum(remember we are poor college students!) We went to the Trevi Fountain and threw in a coin and made a wish, and if the legend is true, at somepoint in my life I will return to that fountain.

Saturday morning we caught our 11 o clock train to Florence. It was a nice break from having to hassle with airport security and go through ticket lines and making sure I had no liquids and etc.

We arrived in Florence and had finally caught on to booking ahead, SO we already had a hostel waiting for us. This time we were staying at a place called "Camping Michelangelo" Which has a great view of the city and is in an olive tree grove. We're living in glorified tents, a step above the tent in Germany, but a step below the bungalow we had in Venice. They're nice and enlcosed and have locking doors (however, the covering of the tent velcros off the frame,so really the lock is pointless) and a hard floor and NO electricity. But the beds are comfy and its a place to stay. The only downside is the 168 stair (yes I counted) climb we have to make twice a day.

We met up with Emily, another student from Simpson who happened to be in Venice at the same time and walked around the city and had dinner and saw the sights, and it was a pretty calm day.

The next day we walked around the city and paroused the markets and haggled with the illegal street vendors. They're fun to watch. The purse and belt vendors have all their goods displayed on blankets and the sunglass dealers have their goods on cardboard and whenever the police come they just fold everything up and walk away, its a sight to see when it happens.

Today has been the same, just walking around the city seeing the sights and enjoying the markets and of course the gelato.

Our first night we discovered a great place called "Very Good" which has amazing flavors;twix,snickers,nutella and others. Its probably the yummiest I have had so far!!

I think thats about it for our Italian adventures, tomorrow we catch an EARLY train to Milan where we spend the afternoon before heading to Brussels, which is the last leg of our journey.

As much as I have loved seeing everything and living out of a backpack wearing the same two pairs of jeans and 4 t'shirts for the last week and few odd days, I'm ready to go back to London and have a choice of outfits,kitchen to cook in and good solid bed.

I would like to give a couple shout outs in this blog.

FIRST

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY to my baby sister Maddy, who turned 13 yesterday!

and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my loyal blog readers Sally!!

Hope all is well in your lives!

ciao
Drew

Roaming around the streets of Rome

2007-10-11T04:12:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

Venice was absolutly phenomenal!! I thourghouly enjoyed it!

We ended up finding a great hostel called "Camping Jolly" just outside of the city and we had this great little cabin type thing, and we had our own bathroom! The showers were very hot and amazing and it was great to finally sleep in a bed again, instead of on a mat in a tent!

Tuesday was our first full day in the city and we caught the shuttle that our camp offered and spent the whole day in Venice just wandering the streets. It was so beautiful and the weather was great, I took PLEN TY of photos and will put them up when I return to London-town.

Tuesdy night we sat around the campground and talked with a bunch of other backpackers who were staying there. It was neat, 3 of them were from Canada,1 was from Kentucky and the other guy was from Oxford.They were all just backpacking till their hearts content and didnt really have an internary, which would be amazing to do someday.

Wednesday we spent walking the city again, only we had to lug all our stuff with us because we left that night for Rome. We ended up sitting in this little square for probably like 1/2 an hour just playing with the pigeons and this cat we've named "Mikey". Then we walked some more and sat around on the waters edge and just relaxed,because it sucked carrying our packs everywhere.

So, once again a commuting adventure .We arrive at the airport and are looking on the call board thing for our flight and we can't find it. So, Paige went up and asked someone and it turns out we WERE AT THE WRONG AIRPORT so we had to hurry and catch a cab to get us to the other airport that was 20 minutes away. But before we get into the cab, we get stopped by a guy who tells us that he'll get us a cab. He brings up to the 1st level and says wait here, and then ditches us. So, we leave him and find another cabbie. Who tells us that that guy isn't a cabbie but some random dude, who does it all the time. Anyway, we ended up making it to the airport just fine and making it to Rome A-OK.

We arrive in Rome at around 8 o clock and were like , OKAY, lets go find a hostel. Turns out,people are right when they say book ahead, because it took us forever to find one :( All the good cheap hostels were either full or 30 mins out of the city and in order to get to it you had to take bus A, which would bring to bus stop 10 then you walked 50m to get to train Z that you rode to stop H then you took a shutttle that ran every half hour to finally get to the campsite. So, we found a hotel in town, dropped our stuff off and immediatly went to the internet cafe to book the rest of our weekend. So, today we're headed to "Hostel Ivanhoe" which looks promising and then when we get to Florence we are staying in a great little hostel in the city for super cheap! So, things are looking up. I can't lie though, last night got a little stressful. Not being able to find a place to stay. Knowing it wasn't going to be cheap. It being 11 o c lock and I was tired. But we're safe now and I'm ready to go explore the city.

I've fallen in love with gelato since I've been over here and it doesn't make it any easier when its only 1 euro for a cone,so i've explored the different flavors and trust me, they are DELICOUS!

Okay friends, think that brings us up-2-speed on the European Tour.

Hope life is swell for you!

Ciao Bella
Drew

The European tour begins

2007-10-08T05:52:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

WOW Fall Break has already been amazing and it has only been 3 days!

We left the flat on Thursday night, and planned on sleeping in the airport so we could catch our EARLY flight to Munich.WELL we get there and they tell us the airport is closed.SO we ended up sleeping in the train station type area for 5 hours, it was definitally the experience. Some kindly older gentleman asked us if we were okay and brought us water while we were sleeping.

Our flights went great and we arrived in Munich Friday afternoon. It was culture shock right away. Being somewhere where English is the second language it gets minorly frustrating at times. So, we trekked alittle and found the "hostel" we were staying at. Its called Weis'n'camp and was just a big football type field with rows and rows of tents. So, I dont go camping at home, but i had to turn around and do it on fall break in Germany. It wasn't too bad though.

We decided to go and explore Oktoberfest and see what it was all about and once again MAJOR culture shock! All the signs were in German, everyone was speaking German, the menus at the food tents were in German and it was just crazy. Luckily people everywhere spoke english so it wasnt too difficult. We waited in line for 3 hours to get inside one of the tents that had a band and it was ridiculous. People were cram jammed against eachother in line and it was insane but after we got inside it was so worth it. People were everywhere singing and cheering and dancing and O to the MG it was great!!

That was what we did Saturday and Sunday too, just hung around Oktoberfest. Its actually alot like the state fair. It has food everywhere and rides and games and fun houses and it was just a really neat experience. Because people from all over where there. We made friends with people from: Russia,Holland, Italy, Germany and of course we found some fellow Americans!

This morning we woke up early :( and caught our flight to Venice. The security people were ridiculous and very thorough and it was minorly annyoing. BUT reassuring at the same time.

So, yea, we've been in Venice for about a couple hours now and are trying to find a hostel for the next two days. Its so beautiful though!! With the canals everywhere and the buildings and the weather is FANTASTIC!!!

So, that minorly brings you up to speed on our tour of europe. I'll try and give more detail at some point,but im on a time strain :(

OH, and if you're reading this Mommy, sorry I haven't e-mailed BUT this is the first time I've been on a computer and it wont let me access my e-mail!

Hope all is well for everyone!

cheers
Drew

One of my Simpson Stories

2007-10-04T11:48:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

I thought I would take a break from blogging about my fabulous adventures in London and talk a little bit more about Simpson and my experience while on campus.

You'll always hear when you visit Simpson's campus that the professors here care about you both in and out of the classroom and that they're always ready to talk about class,life,tv, whatever and you probaby always think: "yeah, right" "Loras,Luther and Central all say the same thing." Well I can tell you from first had experience that at Simpson it is most definitally true and I have two perfect examples.

It was near the end second semester and almost time for dead week, it was a Tuesday night. I had been dilligently working on not one but two portfolios that were due that week as well as a speech for my speech class. I decided to take a break and go out to eat with some of my fraternity brothers up at Buffalo Wild Wings in Des Moines. We eat, hang out in Des Moines for awhile and come back. I get back and continue to work on the portfolios. One was for a mock start up theatre company for my Stage Management class and in it I had to have: a budget,goal of the theatre, flow chart showing the order of command in the theatre, mission statement, 2 different press releases, actor packet and a few more things. Most of this had already been turned in, but now I was fine tuning it for the final and making sure everything was good. My other portfolio was for "The Simpsonian" and all I had to do for that one was put together my news articles I had already written, and I can't remember what the speech was about. But anyway, Im working on this and it gets to be 1 or 2 am and I have a brother(fraternity) come to me needing to talk, so we then sat for a couple hours talking about a few different things that he was dealing with and that were going on in his life and I in turn shared the current drama in my life. We finish and I go back to working on my homework.

By now its 5am and I realize I need to get some sleep or I won't even function the following day. So, I go to bed,planning to get up early and finish things. Well, I realize when my alarm clock rings 2 hours later that it isn't going to happen. I realize that if I was to attend class I would be the boy that falls asleep and looks like an idiot and that I really need to finish this homework. SO, I e-mail my professor and let her know what was going on. Explaining to her that I was up all night working on things and helping out some friends with issues. I felt horrible, I really did. I am one of those kids who CAN'T skip and feels really guilty when he does because he's afraid he's going to miss out on something important.

So, I sleep a little longer and then get up and finish all the things that need done. Later that afternoon I go into my professors office to beg for forgiveness for missing class and to explain to her what was going on.

However, the very first thing she says when I walk up to her is "Are you Okay?"

I felt so lucky and loved in those two seconds. That the very first thing she asked is how I was and if I was okay. NOT, "why'd you miss class?" or "I can't help you, find notes from someone else." This just really made me even more realize how much professors here really do care. Besides that, she was already an amazing professor who I learned SO MUCH from during my class with her.

SECOND STORY

This one happened just this week. If you read my previous blog, you know about the new volunteering I get to do at "Theatre 503". Well, its all thanks to the professor with us, JP. Who from the beginning has really wanted to get us theatre kids helping out in a theatre. He went around and asked all sorts of fringe theatres,off-west end theatres if they needed help. He didn't need to do this, we all already had set up other volunteer programs. But he wanted to because he knew how much it would help us. It was also really great how excitied he was when we left the meeting and knew we were set. It was just really neat, knowing that he went out of his way to try and get us some more learning opportunity.

These are just my stories and there are plenty more out there. This isn't something you can get by going to a big school, where you're known as student number 005406 and just one of 200 kids in a lecture. At Simpson the professors know your name, the activities your involved in and ask about them.

Whenever I walk by my advisor on the sidewalk he asks how I am and how theatre productions are going. I've had professors stop me on the sidewalk and comment on my article in The Simpsonian.

The professors here at Simpson are here because they care about 1) the subject they are teaching and are some of the most passionate people you'll meet when it comes to their subject and 2) ME-the student.

Just something to consider when looking at schools.

Cheers
Drew

Just like the energizer bunny, it keeps going and going and....

2007-10-03T19:24:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,
Well, I was catching up on my Simpson campus news and browsing through The Simpsonian website when I saw under the "recently commented" heading, a link to an article I had written way back in March about working in the restaurant business and it was all about how to be a better customer.

Well, the article recieved alot of attention for some odd reason. Mainly from a very um. unique individual who goes by the name of "springs1" who left a comment on my article that was around 1,500 words when my original article was around 800!

So, banter went on between this springs person and a few different people for awhile and finally died down.

WELL, I looked today and once again Springs is back and the article is now at a whopping 19 comments. If you need a good laugh check it out, because really I just find it halarious.

Here is the link:

http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/2007/03/01/Perspectives/Friendly.Reminder.When.Eating.Out.Dont.Mess.With.People.Who.Serve.Your.Food-2748707.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab

A US History Lesson while in London!?!

2007-10-03T13:25:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

Who would have thought that I would learn about US history while in London? I sure didn't. But, that's pretty much what happened last night when Chelsea,Anne, and I went to "The Globe". The show playing was called "We The People" and it was essentially a dramatic re-enactment of the writing of the constitution.

Overall, I'd give the show a B+ or A-. It was pretty well written and entertaining,although some parts seemed to drag on for me. I was confused at some points too, but thats just because I am horrible at history (sorry, Beth, Jamie,Cassie and Andy) and so I wasn't sure what was going on. Then there were the accents,some were great and they totally sounded "american" but others were RIDICULOUS, one guy honestly sounded like he was trying to impersonate Bill Clinton, so it was rather amusing but got annoying 5 minutes into the show.

But, it was a good show to see and I'd recommend it. It was also neat to be in a totally different theatre setting. With the thrust staging, yard where everyone was standing, and the open ceiling.

Today we had our art class and had the pleasure of visiting the "Victorian and Albert" museum. This was a fabulous museum and we got to see all sorts of different works of art. We looked at some fashion, and JP surprised us by telling us he loves watching the fashion preview to the red carpet and that his favorite designer is Versace because of his classic lines and cuts. I was rather impressed, along with everyone else,including his wife, Elyse.

We also looked at some different sculpture work and finished off the day by looking at just a bunch of random household things; lamps,radios,chairs etc. and how art has influenced them and how art is present. It makes you realize that essentially everything is art, not just paintings and pictures.

After the gallery, a few us headed to a meeting with a local off-west end theatre company called "Theatre 503" in the hopes of getting us Thespians on the trip some career related volunteer experience. The theatre is right above a pub and the office/lounge area of it is pretty neat and has couches and tables and just seems very laid back. Well, we show up to meet with Gene and he was super friendly and right away was like " what can we do for you guys" and we told them how were interested in helping out with their theatre and pretty much willing to do whatever they need done and that we have all sorts of theatre experience thanks to our liberal arts background at Simpson!!

Gene was super friendly and helpful and told us that they would LOVE to have us and that there's as little or as much work there for us and that they can take us whenever we want to start and so I am pretty excitied! They have a really great turnover for shows and we will get to help with 3 different shows during the time we're here!!!! So that'll be amazing. And I am hopefully going to get to help out with PR things and the press nights they have.

Needless to say, I'm really stoaked and can't wait to start!

I finally did laundry today and am now 3.60 shorter,which = about 7 American dollars for ONE LOAD of laundry! Thats only washing too. I didn't even spend the 50p to dry my clothes for EIGHT minutes! So, now they're hanging over anything and everything in my room, in hopes that they'll dry by tomorrow so I can pack for Fall Break.

Yep, I leave tomorrow night for 14 days for fall break and I am roughing it backpack style. That means 2 pairs of jeans and probably 4 shirts for 2 weeks! I'm pretty excitied though. Munich,Rome,Venice,Florence,Milan and Brussels!

UNFORTUNATLY,that means little blogging for the next two weeks *collective sigh here* (hopefully from sadness and not relief )! But don't you worry, I am bringing along my personal journal and will write everything down so I can relay it when I come back!

OH, PS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! To me and London that is. It's now officially been over a month since I've been here!! It's hard to believe that a month has already gone by! What's weirder is to realize that all my friends back on campus that I talked to everyday and hung out with and called all the time, I haven't in a month! I've called a few friends a couple times and I've spoken with my mommy twice, but other than that, its just been the ocassional facebook message and its just crazy!

Okay, so I need to get back to finishing homework thats due tomorrow.

Ttyl my friends

Cheers
Drew

NO, Seriously this weather kind of blows

2007-10-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

The weather is still London-esque in all its glory: wet,chilly, and smoggy and unfortunatly I think we are officially done with the gloriousness of sun and blue skys. :(

You will be pleased, or maybe not, to find out that even though I haven't blogged in a couple days, you have not missed out on anything. Thus the reason for no blogging, nothing exciting to talk about.

Sunday was yet another day of rest for yours truly.BUT I did end up getting around and some friends that we had met at "The Rocket" a few weeks ago came over and hung out with us, it was nice having fresh faces in our rooms instead of the same boring Simpson people all the time. (j to the k).lol

Monday-more napping and movie watching for Drew, I was introduced to the wonder of "Not Another Teen Movie" and it is now one of my new favorites! I also rode the tube for an hour or so and did homework on it. lol.yes, I rode the tube and wrote my journals, finally getting almost all the way caught up and I plan on doing that tonight.

Today we had class and we took a walking tour of where all the Bloomsbury Group people used to live. For those of you who don't know and don't feel bad if you didn't, I only know because I'm taking the class. But the Bloomsbury group was a group of scholars back at the turn of the 20th Century who were leaders in their fields; artists,economists,writers,politicians and they were all friends and lived in the same area and even loved eachother at times. The saying goes "they lived in squares but loved in triangles" and it was all very bohemian and intellectual. But we got to see where some of those people lived

Tonight, the theatre nerds of the trip(Ann,Chelsea and myself) are going to see a show at "The Globe" because its season ends this week. It'll be fun!!!

At some point, I need to do laundry, I think I've used my alloted rewearing times for my clothes, and my jeans are beginning to stand on their own :S.

MORE GOOD NEWS- JP has possibly hooked us up with volunteer-things at a local off-west end theatre. So hopefully, I'll be getting some more theatre experience in London which would be minorly fantastic!!!

I need to figure out my class schedule too. We're supposed to get registered tomorrow and I still only have a rough idea of what I want to take. I'm debating on how many more cornerstone classes to take versus classes to take for the major and etc. Right now I'm at 2 classes for the theatre major, 1 class for the communications major( which will also be a cornerstone) and 1 cornerstone class, so I have one more to sign up for. Plus I'll probably be taking "The Simpsonian" again.

So, I should probably go do that NOW, while I am thinking about it.

Hope all is well!

Cheers
Drew

Its getting chilly

2007-09-29T10:33:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

So, the last few days have been slower than the service at the Indianola Dairy Queen. (Which is slow, if you've never been there!)

Friday was the beginning of the weekend. I'm pretty sure I can handle this no class on Friday thing,and of course I spent my time wisely, sleeping, playing on the internet and shopping!

We found this freakin' amazing shop on Oxford St. called "Primark" and its CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP, I'm talking 4 pounds for a t-shirt. BUT the place was busier than times square on New Years. I'm not even kidding you, I swear the queue to check out was a mile long :( and the store was a wreck with piles of clothes everyone and it was ridiculous. BUT worth it. I also finally found the messenger-type bag I was looking for and got it for even cheaper than I was going to at the market.

We hit up a new club last night called "tiger tiger". It was fun, with different rooms with music and big chairs and couches everywhere, best part is it was free cover until 10!

Today was another jam packed day of excitingness. I slept in until 1, got up , did dishes and attempted to clean our super nasty kitchen that our lovely janitors never seem to clean,ate some food and then took a nap. After my nap I got up, showered,ate again, played on the internet and then decided to do some more city walking. I walked around for awhile, rode the tube a bit and it was PACKED :( and did some grocery shopping. I bought a bulk bag of pasta for like 1.40, and seriously, it will probably last me until the end of October. I also bought some sauce and other things so I don't just eat rice and butter and spaghetti and butter all the time and end up dying at the age of 21 because of clogged arteries.

Back to the nasty kitchen. Seriously, it gets gross at times and its not even because we're a bunch of slobs. It's because our cleaning people never sweep or mop. OR if they do, they'll just mop without sweeping or anything,so then we get a WET dirty floor. Also, our bathroom where the shower is has mold growing on the wall and when someone asked if it could maybe get cleaned, since yea, last time I checked mold gets you sick. They just painted over it. So, yeah, we're pretty much living in the Ritz Carlton.

BUT, to be fair, its not 100% all bad!! We have our fancy little garden and the kitchen area and we get our sheets washed once a week which is a heck of alot more times then they would get washed if I was back on campus.

The weather is finally and unfortunatly turning into London weather :( The last couple days have been cold and wet and Oh-so-not fun. But, its not horrible. It hasn't been a downpour and luckily when I have went outside its still warm enough to just wear a sweater. So,I could handle it like this, if it gets much colder I will probably get a little angry.

Room G2 (Chelsea, Dana, Meghan and Emily) have recently adopted a new pet, Steve-the snail. He is currently residing in a bowl and they feed him fresh leaves from the garden everyday and then tonight they found him a new lady friend. Apparently though, last night Steve escaped and ended up on a shoe I had left in the room. So, I can't wait to see how long he lasts. Lets just hope no one feeds him tortilla chips.

I got a little dishearted today, while I was on my London city adventure. I'm standing near the doors of the tube and its already packed and yet people would still push and shove their way on and I even got hit by one ladies bags and NONE of these people were like "excuse me", "sorry" or even/god forbid "Oh,there isn't room, I'll wait for the next train." It upset me bacause, and I know its more than just this city, so many people are just about themselves and what they're doing and where they are going and can only see that goal and don't give a care about anyone else, and it made me sad.

But, I think thats about it for now. This entry is getting about as tiring as reading about Britney's latest mental issue, so I'll retire for the night.

Cheers

Drew

Virginia Woolf, television game shows,more commuting adventures, and I should warn you this ones a novel

2007-09-26T18:27:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

So, I must admit I feel a little special knowing I have somewhat of a loyal fanbase to my blog. GRANTED, a majority of the readers are either caring and loving parents checking up on the sons/daughters adventures in London, or amazing admissions people back at Simpson checking to see how their favorite overseas ambassador is doing. Its nice all the same to know I'm getting read.

Yesterday marked the official beginning of classroom time here in London. The first 3 weeks had all been a part of our "British Culture and Society Class" and learning about its history(hence all the musuem visiting), culture differences etc. Now that class is over, we're adjusted to life here in the city,for the most part and its time to get back to class. Lucky for me, on Tuesday/Thursday I only have the english class "Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group." Which while I have been excitied for it, I still really wasn't ready to start classes, I mean who is? But, it turned out to be pretty swell. I realized how long its been since my brain has actually had to think and link things together and get involved in an actual intellectual discussion and I enjoyed it *pause- as I push up my nerd glasses*.

After class I came back and it was nice because the house was quiet and empty. In the afternoon class on Tues/Thurs the econ class goes on and there's only 4 of us that are NOT taking it. So it was good to get a break from people around the house and have it sorta to myself. Thats another thing with this trip is its a CONSTANT being surrounded by people. You room with other people,hang out with other people, travel with other people,shop with other people, the streets, tube and bus have LOTS of other people. Sometimes it nice to just try and escape and hear your own thoughts again. But, for the most part its nice and I haven't gotten too stressed/bogged down by other people,homework,the city.etc.

Today, we had our art class and it was another stimulating brain exercise. We visited the "Tate Modern" museum which is one of the largest modern art museums in the world. We looked at a Piscasso painting and James (our prof for the course) told us some of the symbolizm and etc. that Pableohad put in there and it was pretty interesting. We also looked at a couple works of his rival "Matisse" and even some advant garde type sculptures, like a urinal that had been placed on its side and signed by the artist and is now world famous.

After the museum it was lunch time and then we had to hop on the tube to try and find our way to another part of the city for our afternoon meeting with the volunteer agency we are working with for our service learning course.

The meeting turned out to actually be a waste of 3 hours of my life. We went there and expected to find out more about what we'd be doing for our community service, some of the areas we could work in etc. We had filled out forms on-line for the agency that listed our interests and what we wanted to do and the like beforehand. WELL, turns out there was a bit of miscommunication and the lady from the agency made it sound like it was going to be close to impossible for us to find volunteer work without getting a background type check, which takes forever to do. As well as the fact that most places needing volunteers want them for at least 3 months and we're only here until December. So, we mostly listened to her trying figure things out and tell us what we wouldn't be able to do. Luckily, JP had done some other contacting and a few us got things set up. I get to help build a fundraiser from the ground up with 4 of the other kids on the trip for a homeless shelter. I'm pretty pumped about it and think it'll be great. BUT yea, after the 3 hour meeting we headed back to the flat, so we could get directions to our next stop for the day.

We had seen in the papers an ad for "free tickets to a taping of "Golden Balls" which is a television game show. Chelsea e-mailed them and got 4 tickets to the show. So, we figure out where we need to go and head to the tube stop to hop on. After waiting for 10 minutes to finally get the train we hop on, sit there for like another 5 waiting for it to take off and then we hear a voice over the speaker system. "Ladies and gentlemen this train has been taken off of service, please clear the train. Sorry for the inconvenience."

Well, we're already pushing time as it is, its around 5:40 and our seats were only guaranteed until 6:15, then they'd give them away. So, we finally catch another train that would take us to the next stop, where we could switch lines and get on the circle line, which would take us up to "notting hill gate" where we could switch off again to get on the "central" line which would finally take us to our destination. So, we get to High St. Kensington and the circle line train is PACKED and we definitally couldn't fit on. BUT luckily, a minute later a train showed up that would take us to notting hill. We jump on there and get to Notting hill fine and then switch lines and we were a okay. Turns out we ended up being fine on time and we got there at like 6.

But it just reminds me about how lame the tubes can be sometime. ESPECIALLY the stupid district line, it is officially my least favorite line. It's always slow,really bumpy and had all sorts of issues.

But, we go the show and it was alot of fun. It was most definitally interesting to see how a game show is taped and how NOT SMOOTH its actually taped. There are lots of stops and starts and etc. They had a "warm up guy" who kept us entertained and told us the worst one-liners ever. It was also funny to see how perverted the brits are. There were alot of dirty jokes/comments made by the warm up guy and a few by the contestants. Of course, I took no offense and it found it entertaining.

Anyway, the gameshow was called "Golden Balls" and it was sort of like a game of poker with different amounts of money, and you vote eachother off like on "Weakest Link". Its really hard to describe and so I won't even waste your or my time. BUT it comes down to the end and you have these two people trying to build up this "jackpot" with all the money they've collected throughout the show and they dont want to get any "killers" because they take off alot of money. WELL, at the end they had like 26,500 pounds in their jackpot...then the big moment comes. The contestants can either choose to split the money or steal the money and thats the trick. If both people chose split, they split the money. If one person chooses split and the other steal, the person who chose steal the money gets it all and the person who chose spilt gets zilch and then if they both choose steal, everyone loses. So, they get to the end. Its this old guy, a retired taxi driver and this mom in her 50's. The mom pretty much dominated and won them a majority of the moment and they were both like. LETS SPLIT THE MONEY and etc. So, it comes time to reveal their decisions and the jerky old guy chose steal and the lady chose split and so she lost and I felt really bad for her :(

After the show,we hopped on the tube (no issues this time ) and got back home . I did my english homework, talked about more weekend trip plans, ate and now im writing this blog.

SO, yea that catches you up on whats been going on.

The weather is getting colder here and its starting get a little lame :(

BUT, I need to hurry up and publish this post before my computer dies ,which its about ready to do.

Hope all is well.

Cheers
Drew

MORE PHOTOS

2007-09-25T06:41:00.001-05:00

Greetings Friends!

After popular demand, I have finally uploaded more photos from London!

Here are the links!

http://simpson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2046890&l=ac57e&id=71804508

http://simpson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045695&l=349ad&id=71804508

A Philisophical Conversation

2007-09-24T18:02:00.000-05:00

SO, my minds been busy the last few days with a bunch of random thoughts about different things and etc. and I got to thinking about the whole "fate v destiny" debate.

I got to thinking about it with a few things. Like, I personally do believe in the motto/phrase "everything happens for a reason." But, if a person believes in that, is it possible to believe that you're in charge of your own destiny? Where's the line?

Also, if everything happens for a reason, does absolutly everything happen for a reason? Is every single second of our lives pre-planned out and we really have no control over it. So, when we think we're making a decision, we actually aren't, but rather just following the steps of a pre-determined path set up for us by whatever deity we choose to believe in.

Are there only certain pivitol points in our lives that are pre-determined and so when we say "everything happens for a reason" we're talking about the big things. Like, breaking off an engagment, death, who we get married to, etc. Then all the little things in our lives are our own choice and have no actual effect on the outcome of life. Sort of like, reality TV shows. Where they cut out "certain portions of the game,which have no effect on the results".

So, if you stick with the former mode of thinking; that everything happens for a reason and really our lives are essentially a movie pressed on play the moment of our birth, then its kind of pointless to get stressed, because you have no control and things are going to happen the way they are no matter what you do.

Then going off that, I really have work to do, because I stress ALOT. about things, like mad. About anything and everything and yet, I do believe that everything happens for a reason. I think it's partly a security blanket type mantra, because by thinking that, you feel better because you know that everything will somehow be okay in the end.

Its kind of like when you get gut feelings about things-good or bad- and something is going on in your life and its really driving you nuts and stressing you out and you worry about it ALOT, but deep down you know its all going to be okay. But then you wonder if you really feel and somehow know its all going to be okay, is it because it is going to turn out alright. OR are you thinking you feel that way because you want to feel that way and console yourself a little?

BUT, anyway. Sorry for this random thoughtful blog. Its not really London or college related, more life in general things. But yea, it was just a whole thought pattern that crossed my mind when I was on my walk tonight.

Cheers
drew

Another Day In London

2007-09-24T14:41:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

It was yet another day in London and this one was most definitally not exciting, not that its a bad thing. Just it was a lazy day.

I woke up at like 11:30 and then had to wait to take a shower (yay for sharing 1 shower with 9 people :( ) After the shower, I had some spaghetti and then tried to work on homework.

We had to take a trip over to JP and Elyse's today to visit with them, just kind of as a round-up of our first 3 weeks of sight seeing, as an end to our first class "Introduction to British Culture and Society". AND once again we had a commuting adventure.

We get to the tube station and see a ton of people walking out and then we hear a loudvoice speaker saying "Ladies and Gentleman, May I have your attention please. Due to a reported emergency, will everyone please leave the station immediatly". NO CLUE what was going down, I'm sure I'll get to read about it in tomorrows paper. So, we then had to walk/find our way to another tube stop, which we ended up doing just fine and we were A-OK from there.

Our little discussion group thing was okay. We sat around and talked about Englands history and the culture differences and etc. etc. and then had pizza and then they showed us where we will go for classes, which start tomorrow.

Then I got back to the flat, ate some ice cream and had some chicken tikka masala from a packet. lol..Turns out its DISGUSTING! After that I've just sat around and wrote in my journal, blogged and the like.

Till next time

Cheers
drew

{and another whitty title goes here}

2007-09-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends!

The last couple days have been decently busy without being too overwhelming.

Yesterday we helped out with a "Race 4 the Cure" event. It was a minor event finding the place. We got to the actual site just fine. It was only 1 tube stop and 1 bus stop away from home.BUT we get to the park and the track we thought the event was at, but didn't see anything saying it was going on. No big ballons or banners or tiker-tape parades or anything. So we go into the building that was at the track and tell him we're there for the Race 4 the Cure event, and he gave us this complete blank stare and acted like we were stupid. SO, we leave and walk around for alil bit, before running into our other Simpson friends and JP and Elyse and turns out that the race WAS at the track and the receptionist was just an idiot.

Then we had to stand around for awhile before the lady who ran the show finally showed up and told us what to do, and we just did a bunch of random jobs to help set up for the event; making goody bags,putting up flags,banners etc, blowing up ballons, setting up tents and etc. It only lasted a few hours and the weather was nice and I felt like a good person for the day.

After we got back, I went to the Camden Market to look for a better bag than the one I have and found nothing,except a bunch of creepy punk-wannabe's.

When I got back I showered and got all cleaned up and then finished my Simpsonian article, (check for it on :www.thesimpsonian.com on Thursday!) Then went to "The Rocket" to meet up with everyone else and get some food. WELL, turns out they shut down the kitchen at 6 on the weekends, which makes no sense, when they close it down at 10 on the weekdays and the weekends are even busier on the weekends. So, I was minorly bitter. BUT I went to Burger King and I got a Sweet Chili Chicken Baguette, and it was delicious.

TODAY we made a trip to Thorpe Park whpich is an amusement park and it was SWWEEET!! They had some super amazing awesome roller coasters. My favorite was the one called "The Stealth" and its kinda in the shape of a big oval, and one end goes up 200 ft in the air. But it starts you out and takes you up to 80 mph in just 2 seconds!! It was a nice break from the city and relaxing and alot of fun.

The rest of the night I've sat around and wrote,wrote,wrote. I've realized I write a whole lot. I write here on my WONDERFUL BLOG which I absolutly LOVE doing (no really, I really do enjoy it...promise), then I write in another journal I have, then I have to do journals for class and homework. But, I don't mind it. I just feel like I get a bit repetitive.

Tomorrow is going to be spent doing homework and catching up on that and then we have a group thing over at JP and Elyse's flat and have pizza!!

So, thats essentially it. Lots of exciting times going on in the city of London.

Cheers
Drew

A theatre nerds dream

2007-09-21T16:37:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,
Today was a dream come true for Chelsea, Anne and I; we visited "The Globe Theatre." Truth be told, for me at least, it wasn't super,awesome,crazy, amazing or anything. There weren't angels singing and a glorious light, like I imagined BUT it was intersesting when I sat back and actually thought about where I was. Our tour guide was fun and she told us some interesting things about the space and then we got to walk around and take picture of everything.

After that a group of us made the trek to Paddington Station so Chelsea and Meghan could get a Paddington bear. Then when we got there we found out the stand was closed for at least another week, so we headed back to Earl's Cout. I then took a nap for a little bit. After the nap we worked on our fall break plans and found flights etc. Which turned out to be alot of NOT FUN and too much work. But we're almost set. As of now,we're going to Munich for a few days,flying from there to Venice, spending a few days in Venice and then getting to Brussels(how and when is to be determined).

After that we sat around and chilled and relaxed and i am now working on my article for The Simpsonian and then hitting the sack, because tomorrow we GET to help with a "Relay 4 Life" event.

LONDON NEWS
-Leading supermakets are facing up to hundreds of millions of dollars in fines after it was found out they've been ripping off customers when it comes to dairy and egg prices. It is assumed that they started doing this is 2002 or 2003. by sharing confidential information with eachother and then keeping prices artificially high without passing on profits to the farmers.

HOLLYWOOD NEWS
-Britney Spears has been told by a Judge that she must go to parenting classes if she wishes to maintain custody of her children. the judge also told her and K-Fed that they must lay off the drugs and booze for 12 hours before handling their children.

Cheers
Drew

And the walking never seems to cease

2007-09-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

Greetings Friends,

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday we decided to swtich things up and do some more museum visiting...oh-wait... We started the day off by visiting Wesminster Abby, which to be honest, was a bore and a half. It was minorly interesting and pretty to look at BUT our tour guide gave a few too many details and talked a little too much and I found myself falling asleep while standing up. The most ineresting thing there was finding out that alot of notable people are buried there; Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, TS Elliot, and a few others. They also had a statue honoring William Shakespeare in there and a stone honoring Charles Darwin. Its semi awkward though ,because these "graves" are on the ground and these big stones that have the name of the person engraved are right there under your feet, SO technically you're walking over the dead bodies of these great people from history and I felt a lil guilty.

After the tour of Wesminster,Dana, Chelsea and I headed back home to have lunch and grab a quick power nap before our tour of Parliment. This turned out to be pretty interesting and I enjoyed it alot. It was neat getting to see how another country's government is ran and seeing the room the queen gets ready in for the opening of parliment and etc. Our guide was nice and efficient and told us the facts w.o being too detailed and boring.

When we finished with parliment we walked a bit around the southbank area of London before heading home. Then Chelsea and I went in search of a mobile with no success :(

The rest of night was spent doing a whole lot of nothing, when I really pry should have spent it doing homework.

THURSDAY

Today was another fabulous day in the great city of London. The weather has become a bit more London-esque, chilly, windy and a bit on the moist side, but good nothing too ridiculous. Today we went to the Tower of London which is infamous for the torturing and imprisoning of prisonors who were notable (ie: kings, queens and people who have committed treason). Its also home to the crown jewels of England. We spent a couple hours here just walking around looking at everything.

After that we went to Oxford Circus and did some minor shopping, then we went to a Thai buffet and it was actually minory gross. Then we came back home, took another nap and then went to see an AmAZING show...WICKED. I had already seen in it in Chicago a couple years ago and was uber excited to see it again and it was absolulty FANTASTIC!

Then the rest of the night has been alot of lounging around again and i've did a bit of catching up on homework.

HOME NEWS

This week is recruitment week for Greek Life and its minorly depressing not being able to be there and meet all the new freshman and it'll pry be super awkward coming back into the house and not knowing any of the new neophytes/pledges. but I most definitally wish my brothers the best of luck tonight!!

LONDON NEWS
-Some 14 year old decided to run away from home and make a break for London to visit all the museums. Sources say he was really advanced in school and they think that he ran away,emptied his savings account and bought a 1 way ticket to london and they think he's visiting all the museums here, becuase apparently he's a nerd like that ( they didnt say that, thats my personal twist on it).

Thats about it my dears.

Hope life is still treating you grand!

Cheers
Drew

More Museums and the London Dungeon

2007-09-18T17:29:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

Yesterday we got more museum time yea :S! At the Museum of London which was semi-interesting because it was more child focused and so it was fun things and lots of computer game type things and interactive things we could do, which was great when you have an ADD personality like myself. We also went to the Imperial War museum which was alot more intense and serious,but great never-the-less. The exhibit that definitally impacted me was the Children at War Museum. It was an exhibit dedicated to the children of the war and the kids that got moved to the country or USA so they weren't in the city for the war and how they left home and wouldnt see their parents for YEARS and I just can't believe that. I mean, im 19 and am having trouble knowing I can't see my mommy for 13 weeks, let alone being 5 and leaving your mom for who knows how long. It was just really crazy and sad to read about.

Then the rest of Monday was lounge around and nap time,again. We also went grocery shopping and I now have groceries that should last me for awhile .Mainly carbs; spaghetti,rice,bread,etc. I did splurge though and buy candy and sausages.

Today was a fine day as well. I woke up at like 1:00 and then we went to the LONDON DUNGEON and it was a great time. Its a half amusment park half museum type place. Its all decorated all scary like with gargoyles and gross wax figures and such. They have actors all costumed and make up uped. And you walk through and we learned a bit about the tortue things they used way back then,the black plague, jack the ripper, the great london fire and a few other things. We also rode a couple of ride type things there. it was really cool and a great way to spend the afternoon. After that we chilled for a while before going out to eat at our new favorite hang out "The Rocket".

NOW, we're back and its time for bed, so Drew can get up and go visit Wesminster Abby and the Houses of Parliment.

LONDON NEWS
-London is getting its own Bungalow 8 and it has a super serious strict guest list, some stars have even been rejected.
-Its London Fashion Week here and new steps are being taken when it comes to models. 1) All models must have a written doctors note saying that they have no eating disorder. 2) All models must have proof that they are above 16, no models under the age of 16 are allowed.3) A majority of the shows are now providing the models with boxed brunches that have a well balanced meal, so they models know that eating right is okay and they are still able to stay skinny.

Have a good one.

ciao
Drew