The end is near

What will I be doing in two weeks? Anything I want! With classes coming to an end and my dads business closing wrapping up, I am about to have free time to do all the stuff I have been wanting to. Well, until I get a new job that is. I plan to take a few weeks where I just fish, shoot, work on my '68 coupe deville, start on my armed security gaurd certification, and take my concealed weapons class. The stress of the last few months has nearly pushed me to my breaking point. The end to my excessive stress is near and I can see the light. I cannot explaing how excited I am.

Semester of Chaos

The last few months have been crazy. The semester has gone all but planned. The biggest kink in my semester is my dads company shutting down. After about ten years in the construction business, my dad is calling it quits. This may sound like a bad thing, but it is really very relieving. Running a business requires sacrifices and tons of stress. Being a part of the business myself, it is a huge stress relief for me, or will be when its all said and done. The biggest task I was responsible for this semester was selling all the trucks and equipment. With putting dozens of pieces of equipment and trucks online for sale and getting them in auctions came hundreds of phone calls, countless two hour round trips to Bristow, and several hours of moving everything out of the shop. This overwhelming task took over my life, and my classes suffered. I tried juggling both the best I could at first, but quickly got stretched too thin. I will pass all my classes, but my grades will reflect my lack devotion to school. Next semester I will work on making up my GPA.

Stupid Show

What is on my mind right this moment? Well, as I am writing I am watching one of these “48 hour” type shows. These shows play out the happenings of a murder and the legal case surrounding them. One of the episodes that I saw this evening was the infamous Casey Anthony case. After an episode is over, you realize you just spent a half hour hanging on to every detail to learn they still have no conclusion to the incident. You begin to get agitated and complain about your disapproval. Before you have a chance to change the channel in disgust, another episode comes on and you are immediately drawn back.

Coach of the Year

The Paul “Bear” Bryant College Coach of the Year Award, awarded to Mike Gundy is a very highly regarded honor. Personally my knowledge of college of college football is very limited. As I understand, Coach Bryant was a well respected individual in college football that died in 1983 of a heart attack. After his death they renamed the coach of the year award after him in 1986. Every coach in college football would love to have this ultimate award of their profession. As a University, I am sure Oklahoma State is very proud to boast the accomplishment of one of their staff. I personally do not know coach Gundy, but of the few people that I have spoke with that know or have dealt with him say he is very arrogant and undesirable.  

Yeah Probably

From time to time I will see something on tv or the internet and it grabs my interest. Next thing I know I am on google educating myself. The other day I saw something about peyote. I have never been one to show interest in drugs, but this stuff peaked my curiosity. Peyote is from a cactus found in northern Mexico and the far southern United States. These so called “crowns” grow from the cactus which are what is harvested from the plant. Peyote has the same active ingredient as LSD. Peyote is illegal with the exception of those who are a part of the Navajo Church. The Navajo use peyote in their religious ceremonies. Peyote can be dried and smoked, eaten, or made into a tea and drank. Would I try peyote if I had the chance?

The Same Book

The holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is very important in my opinion. The holiday honors a great leader, buy more importantly shines a light on our societies past and where we came from. I think our society has made huge strides in the past forty years as far as civil rights go. There is no doubt that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played a key role in setting the foundation for where we are now. I think Dr. King is particularly notable for his nonviolent approach to bringing about change. In a book I read it says all men are created equal; Dr. King read the same book.

The Good. The Bad. Tanksgiving.

           Thanksgiving 2011 has gone down in the history of all Thanksgivings. All the good things of thanksgiving come together, like good food and great family. The nasty food and odd relatives also contribute to the annual experience. You always have the awkward relatives that you only see once a year. Everyone is either laughing or disputing together. You can’t wait to arrive at Thanksgiving dinner, and you can’t wait to leave. I find myself wishing I could have this caliber of food all the time. I also find myself wish I did not have to deal with some of my relatives ever.  

Peer Success, Personal Failure

         I am back in Bristow for Thanksgiving and deer season. All my high school buddies have shot huge bucks. My friend Taylor shot a massive twelve point. Austin shot a nice typical eight point. My season has been horrible. I shot a nice buck last Saturday, and the blood trail went cold. I searched all day Sunday with no luck finding it. Losing a deer is part of hunting, it happens. The better quality of deer you lose, the more it pisses you off. I will probably head back to the woods soon. There is still an ounce of ambition in me.

Black Friday, I'll Pass

         Today is the day that you will not catch me shopping. I absolutely hate dealing with crowds. Across the nation people swarmed stores for the black Friday bargains. I refer to today as the crazy people’s holiday. The six o’clock news is always bound to cover the horror stories of the day. As for this year, a lady used pepper spray on the crowd as the doors opened. The incident affected approximately twenty people. The lady has not been found at this point. Also in the news, a man was shot outside a Wal-Mart while being robbed. A bystander held one of the robbers until the police arrived. I think I will cut my losses, or cut my savings rather than put up with the chaos of black Friday.  

Almost Thanksgiving Break!

      I cannot wait until Thanksgiving Break. Only four days away; my much needed academic break is very much anticipated. Although I will not have a complete break from homework, my work load will be significantly diminished for my five day weekend. I will spend my break hunting, spending time with family, flying, and working. The term “break” gives you the impression of having a lack of responsibility, but unfortunately that is not the case. I have to use this time to work so this poor college student can accumulate some money. If the weather permits I plan on flying the helicopter. While I have been in school this semester I have not been able to find the time to go fly. My flying skills are one thing that I definitely do not want to go without practice for a long period of time.

OSU Suffers Significant Loss

          Late tonight the world of college football was shook. The undefeated number two team in the BCS lost to Iowa State. Oklahoma State ultimately played poorly, especially for being a number two rated team. At the end of the fourth quarter the game was tied 24 to 24. The game was issued to overtime. Both teams scored, and the game was subject to double overtime where Iowa State sealed the deal. Tonight the Oklahoma State football team saw their chance at the national title fade away. As an Oklahoma State football season ticket holder, I just hope my bedlam ticket is still worth some money.

Sad Day in Cowboy Country

         Thursday night the unthinkable happened. Oklahoma Sates women’s basketball coaches died in a plane crash. Among the victims were the 82 year old pilot, the pilot’s wife, coach Kurt Budke, and assistant coach Miranda Serrna. The coaches were on a recruiting trip. The plane went down near Perryville Arkansas. A nearby hunter claims the plane sputtered before spiraling to the ground. The FAA is still conducting a investigation on the crash. As a pilot myself, it is very disturbing to hear about aircraft crashing. This instance particularly hits home because I am a part of the Oklahoma State family.

w3=15

The rain has gone

                I have had bad eyes since I was in middle school, which was not a big deal to me because I was able to wear contact lenses. Approximately a year ago I developed dry eyes. The dry eyes condition made it impossible to wear the contacts that I was so use to wearing. The last year I have been wearing glasses. I have been so sick of wearing glasses that I have recently decided to undergo the laser eye surgery. There is no doubt that I am excited to get the procedure done, but I would be a liar if I said I was not a little bit scared. It is not so much that I am scared of the procedure, yet anxious about the outcome. I just hope everything goes well and I have great results and maybe then I can “see clearly now.”

Senior Citizens Protest in Stillwater

The Stillwater Senior Activity Center is reducing its hours after budget cuts. Seniors are aggravated by the cuts and are determined to protest.

                The Senior Activity Center is cutting ten hours of every week in the new schedule. The seniors argue that they have paid their fair share of taxes over the years, and proclaim they should be able to keep the previous schedule. Shirley Burt is heading up the protest set for Monday morning at the steps of the Stillwater Municipal building. Burt is a widow and lives alone. She explains how important it is for her as well as people like her to be able to go somewhere and have fellowship with one’s peers.

Reno Airshow

                A plane crashed Thursday in Reno, Nevada during the National Championship Air Races. The plane, piloted by 80-year old Jimmy Leeward, crashed into the stands after losing control.

                Leeward was a very well-known participant in the sport over the past several years. The crash killed two others, and injured fifty six. Of the fifty six injured: fifteen were considered to be in critical condition, thirteen in serious condition, and twenty-eight had non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses say Leeward lost control of his P-51 Mustang, they also say it was evident he tried to avoid hitting the crowd. Witnesses also explain the scene as “complete carnage” with debris and body parts scattered about. My heart and prayers go out to the people and their families affected by this tragic event.

Good job on w2 blogs. Maybe you can get yourself some of those headphones that completely drown out any sound. I wish you the best. 15

9/11

                The main story in national news this week is the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that it has been ten years. My heart goes out to all the family's effected by the disaster. I remember feel a sense on emptiness the following days of 9/11. I think most Americans were naive that something like that would happen to the United States prior to September 11, I know I was. I saw a video today that was interesting: Astronaut in space during attacks share unique footage, if you have a chance check it out.

First Game Jidders?

                 What has been going on in Stillwater? Oklahoma States back to back victories over Louisiana and Arizona in the last week has everyone excited about football.
                  The Cowboys beat the Ragin Cajuns sSaturday, but not without a fight. The Cowboys struggled a little through out the game especially in the third quarter. Following up to the first game of the season, I had heard nothing but promising things about our Oklahoma State football team, but to be honest after seeing their performance Saturday, I had my doubts about how this season will go. Needless to say Thursday nights game against Arizona relieved my worries. The Cowboys dealt an impressive game. I hope the Cowboys keep up the good work, especially when December rolls around.

Head Phones

                      My neighbor is trying to learn how to play Hotel California on the guitar. My neighbor has a long way to go before he or she hits the big time. It is not his or her lack of talent or rhythm that has me irritated, lord knows I can't play any better. Trying to do my homework, such as this essay for example, is very difficult with the obnoxious racket. So the problem at hand is, "how can I think about what to write about when I can't hear myself think?" Well I guess I will write about my annoying neighbor because that is in fact what is on my mind. It makes for a lousy paper, but unfortunately that is whats on my mind. Note to self: Christmas present idea for the tenet next door, head phones.