October 22nd, 2009
April 18th, 2007
I haven't really known what to say about all this. It may seem a trivial thing, the university you attend. For most people it is a means to an end, a place to get an education. Virginia Tech does that for its students, but it also nurtures young spirits and minds; is a place of fun and innocence, joy and security. Despite the ever growing numbers in attendance, Blacksburg is still a small town and Virginia Tech still has a very close knit community. When you meet another Hokie there is an instant brotherhood, a shared consciousness that pervades all who have lived there; Hokie Pride. It is much more than remembering the same bars or rooting for the same football team. For years of our lives Blacksburg was our home, Virginia Tech our family. It was the first place that we could be independent and assert ourselves as people. It was here that we all became the people we are today.
Though it has been a while since I have spent more than a weekend there, what I have seen over the last few days strengthens my belief that it is still there; this thing that is deeper and stronger than "school spirit" that ties all those who are Hokies. It is clear as a picture of the killer emerges that he was not one of us. He had no love for himself or others, much less this pervasive spirit that unites everyone who loves our Virginia Tech. Though we may not personally know anyone involved, I know Hokies all over the world feel as if their own family has been senselessly attacked. The healing process will be long but I have no doubt that through even this, we will perservere. Let's Go Hokies!
April 12th, 2007

Kurt Vonnegut died today. He was definitely influential in shaping my young psyche. Haven't read any of his work in years but it certainly made an impression on me when it counted. Here's to men of brilliance touching maleable young minds.
October 25th, 2006
I haven't been going out too much recently but there have been a few memorable times of late. The Folk Festival contra-hash last Sunday was a really good time. Not your typical Sunday (thank God), but fun was had by all. The last stop was the Skatellites, the one act I really wanted to see. They did not disappoint.
During the week I went to Legend Brewery for the first time. I had a very tasty sandwich and, of course, plenty of yummy beer. The weather was cool but nice enough to sit outside and the company was great. We even had live fiddle music from the impromptu group who were gathered out there.
This past Sunday's hash was the Founders' Trail. For some reason I think this frightens people. Maybe it's because I-Feel Tower always hares (read: high shiggy factor, expect shoe sucking mud) or the propensity of the founders for ten mile trails and no beer checks. There were only about fifteen of us, including the two founders, who only come out once a year. I thought trail was a blast. Of course, I did manage to stay mostly dry, unlike a few poor hashers. Fortunately, the on after included a hot tub. Good times, good times...
This weekend promises to be fun filled as well. Happy Hour Friday night, the Celtic Festival and Highland Games Saturday, and then a costume party Saturday night; and of course, Sunday is a hashing day!
I'm interested to see what happens Tuesday night. This will be the first Halloween when we've lived in a house that might actually get Trick-orTreaters. Do they even let kids do that anymore? I'd better get some candy just in case.
October 12th, 2006
September 25th, 2006
Camp was great! I made some new friends and got to know some old ones a bit better. I even got to meet someone who I have considered a friend for a while but had never met! It went, um, really well. I've never had a pen pal before; I sure am glad I wasn't disappointed!
It was nice to go to camp with all my friends from home since I am usually on my own at these things. Our skit was a big hit and they even had us do an encore (Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!). Everyone's costumes were awesome; especially AARP in her Boy Scout uniform, Fill'Er Up's cowgirl, Quacky the Indian and Nurse Fire In The Hole. Camp activities were fun even though I missed out on the death march on Saturday 'cause I slept in. (Never leave camp!) This One Time did an especially interesting demonstration of "Friendly Fire(play)".
Camp romance abounded and there was only a smattering of pubescent drama. Mostly, people were awesomely reasonable and very cool about things. I did have my heart stomped on a bit by a boy I used to see around but I got over it. The only really bad thing that happened was that I lost my special camp vessel! It has my name on it and I told a counselor it was missing so I am hoping it will find its way back to me. Overall, it was an awesome time had by all.
Hugs and Kisses, Hokie
September 8th, 2006
Tomorrow's my birthday! And 30, no less. I am excited because I really love birthdays; it's the only holiday that you get all to yourself. Plus I'm already getting pressies. Shannon had an awesome goody bag with all my favorites waiting for me when I got here- yea! Nothing but the best. A bottle of wine, Ghiradeli chocolates, coffee, and wasabi peas. She knows me so well :) Later today we'll have cake and ice cream (actually, I asked for coconut cream pie so it might be pie and ice cream). Yea for birthdays.
Tomorrow Ford's having another giant throwdown and pig roast. He said I could pretend it's for my birthday, so that's what I'm going with. I am hoping I won't be too hungover for the hash on Sunday. Luckily it's not until 3. We're planning on scouting and maybe laying trail Saturday morning, so that should take some of the pressure off Sunday. It is kind of a pisser because we had it all planned it all out. We were going to cross the river several times and have a pirate map leading to the buried treasure (beer check) we put out on one of the islands. All of that is shot now that the river is at flood stage. Piraty goodness does not include drowning deaths.
Next time I talk to any of you I will be an entire year older. I hope you recognize me. Have a great weekend everyone!
August 22nd, 2006
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060822/ap_o
August 15th, 2006
Ahoy Mateys!
Save Ye the Date
Sunday, September 10th
Lucky Lester and
The Dread Pirate Blueballs’
(Hokie and Goose Goose)
Pirate hash!
Wear yer swarthy gear and prepare to be boarded!
August 12th, 2006
Breakfast: coffee and potato salad
Plan of the Day: 1. Play (or most likely, nap) with dog 2. Listen to radio 3. Clean house like mad woman (in no particular order)
It's been a while since I have had the place to myself on a Saturday. I am hoping to finish some things that need to be done around here. My weekends have been full and I never want to start a project after I've spent eight hours at work. So today, I am productive.
I created this for my 360 Blog and have had a good time with it so I thought I'd share. It's a short quiz to see how much you know or can guess about me. It won't hurt my feelings if you don't take it but I thought it might be fun.
http://www03.quizyourfriends.com/takequi
August 8th, 2006
Today it was back to work and a lazy night. Maria and the girls go back to Sicily in a few days :( so I am going to try to have dinner with them tomorrow. There's a double header hash Wednesday since it's also the full moon. Not sure if there are two trails or what but we'll see. I have been spoiled lately with hashes not being far from home but it looks like this one will be a bit of a drive. I think I am going to have fun plans for this weekend. Not sure exactly where I'll be but I know it will be a good time.
July 21st, 2006
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandin
July 17th, 2006
I might not be the hopeless romantic but I like the idea of this. I don't think people take enough time to think about the simple things that really make them happy.
- Concept (and some items) stolen from Eunuch.
I do feel rather pleased with the amount of stuff I got done around the house on Saturday. I have finally gotten all the books unboxed and onto the shelves in the front room. It looks really nice. Did a lot of cleaning and rearranging in the basement too. I am hoping now that Hunter has reclaimed his spare time (from the evil beer gods), he'll come over and fix the blown circuit down there so we can hook up the TV. It's turning out to be a nice little room down there with the 'card' table (no dining room, gotta use it for something, right?), fridge, foosball table and couch. I feel so domesticated - blech. I am feeling the need for an immediate infusion of debauchery and irresponsibility.
July 14th, 2006
July 12th, 2006
1. abbreviating Live Journal "eljay" WTF? It's, initials- not a word.
2. censoring "fucking" into "effing". It's F'ING, a contraction, people. Give me a f(uck)ing break.
That is all (until I find more things that unnecessarily irritate me).
[Does this mean I spend way too much time on here??]
July 11th, 2006
I just spent some time uploading photos to my flickr account. It's a bunch of different crap and maybe nothing that will interest anyone but me but, I don't care. Look if you want. :P
www.flickr.com/photos/78898484@N00/
*aside* Had a strange dream this morning. I had my nieces in a boat heading somewhere at night; odd but not impossible. It got really weird when Scabby (a hasher I really only know of), who was some kind of boat cop, pulled me over for having no lights and no life vests. She was super nice to me and let me go. Later, I flew into a bar like Superman; just from the street into the bar, not like I was out fighting crime and dropped in for a drink. There's more but the details are fuzzy. Weird.
July 7th, 2006
P.S. If any of you want to run around in the woods and get really dirty and muddy for fun and beer on Sunday, let me know. Hash Sunday at 3. I know not all of you will be watching the World Cup, so, come on!
