I have 40 red, white, and blue shoestrings...

Greetings,

Classes are over! Welcome to (almost) summer vacation. All we have left to conquer is finals. Good luck with all of that, readers.

First things first:
It was brought to my attention that on the list in my previous entry i spelled "weary," when in actuality, it is supposed to be wary. My mistake.

In other news, I don't know if finals are in full swing yet...Have people started really stressing out yet? It doesn't seem like it, really. I should probably get started on the work I have to do!

That's all for now,
Michael

Baby steps

Today marked the first time I'd ever "worked out" in a gym for a reason other than a P.E. requirement. Wahoo. Don't believe me? Well then, let me fix that for you.

Upon walking into the gym (which I found only by following Mike), I decided that the first thing I'd try would be the exercise bike. Well, unaware that the machine automatically starts up when you start pedaling, I sat down at one, hit all the buttons, and then moved onto another one because I thought it was broken. Yeah.

After biking for a bit, I got on the treadmill and, using the knowledge I had picked up from the exercise bike "incident," started to run. Turns out that on a treadmill, you do have to hit the buttons before starting. Who knew? I guess the guy who designed the exercise bike and the guy who designed the treadmill must've really liked a good practical joke.

The lesson for today? They should really make that "How to Start" text bigger.

I'll be going back tomorrow to see what else there is to learn about this "gym" place.

I see the crystal raindrops fall,
Mai

Notes to self: Mraz, smiley faces, and more

My farmer's tan is coming along pretty nice.

The more Jason Mraz I hear, the more I become a fan.

On May 15th, if all goes well, my little brother and I will be going to the best possible baseball game I could ask for.

Having balloons around you will amplify the effect of whatever facial expression you have on, good or bad, one-hundred fold.

Pretty soon, I won't have a reason to be on Skype anymore :)

Here's something to keep your heart nice and warm:


Got to you get into my life,
Mai

why, when i can do this instead...

Hello Loyal and First Time Readers,

Classes have almost officially come to an end! Today I would usually have 3 classes, but ended up only having one. How exciting. I have two classes tomorrow, who knows if they'll both run the full time, or even happen! But with the finishing of classes also comes the start of assignments, which brings me to the relevant title. Why write my art history paper, when I can sit here and write this blog entry. It's going to have a lot of important information.

Things to be weary of
1. Impending Swine flu pandemic.
2. Ian Gaylets.

3. How late it gets dark outside.
4. Pirates.
5. St. Barnabas hospital (apparently they use paper clips for other than clipping paper; like fixing eyes...).

Stay safe,
Michael

17 to 5

what kind of bear is best?

Hello,

This is what we should all aspire to do.

bear hugs,

Michael

is it for ice skating?

hello friends,

first things first, the year is almost over! wow! it flew by, then went kinda slow, then flew by again! think, this time next year we'll be off entering the work force! paying bills and having careers. wow wow wow!

Next, its spring weekend! whoaaaa! friday night the 16,403rd best band in the whole world is playing its final show (ever? who's gonna wanna practice next year?). some party with a tent. and if you've rsvp'd on facebook, you got the message; that they got A LOT of ice. For what? I do not know. that's the thing about ice. it always melts.

that's all for now.

let's go rangers!

-Michael

New feature! (name pending)

Often times when I'm stuck at the computer not wanting to do work, I'll search YouTube for videos that make me feel awful about my musical talent. Well, not on purpose, but it seems to happen anyway. In any case, every so often (hopefully) I'll post a video that I think is pretty gosh-darned swell. I know that some people can only watch so many cover videos before getting bored. Not me though.

Oh, and I suppose if you like this, you can click here for their "official" YouTube page and go bananas. Enjoy.



Send this smile over to you,
Mai

nipples

No introduction here. This is going to be brief. Room 427 just watched Batman and Robin because of stubbornness that turned into a dare. Regardless of how it happened, the movie ended up playing via the watch instantly feature on netflix/xbox live. Let me just say that it was AwFuL. It may have been cool when we were like 11, but times have changed, friends. The opening scene was a shot of both Batman and Robin's suits that had nipples. Oh and don't worry, the director threw in a few crotch shots too. And imagine that it got worse from there! In honor of being frank, we can end by saying that if you have a free 124 minutes, definitely check out Batman and Robin again, you will be disappointed.

"Gosh Batman. Who turned on the A/C? It's a bit chilly in here!"

what goes around...ends up belonging to huey lewis and the news

Hello friends,

1) 22-4 is unacceptable. Joe must GO!

"Back to Taiwan!"

2) Slumdog was enjoyable. I'm glad I finally saw it.

3) The weather here has gotten to be really swell. I wore shorts yesterday which was lovely. No longer are my legs confined to pant sleeves.

4) I keep seeing that damned Little Tree Air Fresheners commercial, and I really don't like it. Not one bit. On that same note, I realized that I don't even use them, I use the ones from Yankee Candle. So maybe they do need a commercial...

5) Normally I wouldn't waste my time on this sort of thing, but the New York Rangers are up 2-0 in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Bring back the cup! Now we just need the Knicks to remember they're a respectable NBA franchise. At least Isaiah Thomas is gone.

Its hip to be square,

Michael

No, I will not join Twitter

I'll just post my sporadic thoughts here instead.

Happy Birthday Ian. Hopefully (and most likely), I'll be able to say it to you in person before you read this.

This blog needs more pictures. Maybe some other day.

As much as I love Stevie Wonder, that note he hits at the end of his harmonica solo in "For Once in My Life" waaaaaaaaaaaaay too high. Ear-piercing, in fact.

The weekend weather forecast of 60-70s has yet to disappoint; it has been gorgeous outside. Friday was my first day out on Eddie's and today I spent most of the day in/around Central Park, which is basically Eddie's times a million. So. Many. People. The only logical next step, then, would be to spend Sunday indoors doing work all day. Hooray...

"SNL: Best of Amy Poehler" was just on, and one of the last clips they showed was her part from the Christopher Walken skit. As time goes on, that nostalgia will only grow stronger.

After another flash of faux-brilliance, I have come up with the 2nd quote that Earth will remember me by (here's the 1st one): "Never let someone make you feel embarassed for being honest." A bit serious, yes, but I like it nonetheless.

It took a few days, weeks, and months longer than I would have liked, but I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire tonight. It. Was. Awesome.

Now that it's finally nice outside, Mike and I plan on getting back on track with that "running" thing we wrote about doing oh-so long ago. The past few days have been unsuccessful due to me being sleep-deprived, but I am adamant about doing it. Adamant.

The last few weeks of school are always incredibly stressful.

Next year, when the Abroad Era is finally over, it'll be interesting to see which of the choices I've made this semester will stick and which ones I'll just ascribe to the fact that I didn't have much else going on at the time. You know, friends, activities, habits, and the like. I hope that doesn't make me sound incredibly rude.

Note to self: sarcasm often does not translate well through AIM. The number of times that someone has read something that I said in one way when I really meant it in a completely different way is probably mind-boggling. Does the same rule apply to blogs? Hm.

I think the title "Notes to Self" just emerged as the front-runner to replace "Nuggets."

I can't imagine how many people, besides myself, actually find these fragments of my mind to be remotely interesting, relevant, and/or necessary. Some apply to people in general, some only apply to a few specific people, and some don't even apply to anyone. Perhaps these posts are really just like an online journal available for public viewing, sort of like a modern-day Doug.

The fact that I'm writing so much is a guaranteed sign that 1) I'm really tired and/or 2) something's wrong. I'm still trying to figure out which one it is. *mysterious/dramatic music fade-out*

My yellow in this case is not so mellow,
Mai

The State of the Economy in the United States

Good evening my fellow Americans,

It has come to my attention recently that Little Tree Air Fresheners have begun to air advertisements on television. Last time I checked, they were the only car air freshener company. You know things are bad when Little Tree Air Fresheners has to start making commercials. Are people not buying them anymore? Things are bad, and apparently not getting better. Sorry for the doom and gloom, but now its officially a recession. You heard it first here.

You're all welcome for the topical blog entry,

Michael

My baby

"Plugging (your) headphones in is like putting (your) glasses on."

This may very well be the most profound thing I have ever come up with. It's a work-in-progress, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little proud of it.

It could even be spun into something like, "Headphones are (like) glasses for your ears." Hm. I like that one, too.

I was gonna put this in the last post, but I didn't want it to get lost within the mindless ranting.

Let's get together and feel alright,
Mai

Easter Break!

Just spent my whole day in Long Island. Beautiful weather, my first time at Friendly's, Guitar Heros 1, 2, and 3, Domino's 555 deal, and real guitar? There aren't enough superlatives in the English language. One of the best days I've had in a while. Truly.

The more I try to write a song, the more impossible it becomes. A hackneyed statement from an unoriginal guitar player. Maybe I was just destined to become an accountant. Sigh.

Somuchworktodothisbreakomg.

I haven't spoken to anyone abroad in a while. Sadface.

This post is going downhill in a hurry. I don't know what my intentions this post were, but it's turned into a Nuggets-esque one, which I guess are similar to Twitter posts ("Tweets," ugh), except less dumb. And less ugly.

Oh, also, I'm going to start singing more. Hopefully.

There has to be some sesame seed glue,
Mai

and people say it's not our problem that the birds all have to leave

Hello Again,

To be difficult just for difficult's sake, my titles are going to be as irrelevant as possible just as they have always been. Good luck trying to find that really funny anecdote, because you won't be able to. 

Also, it should be known that Mai's prose writing in these blog entries is just wonderful. Someone should have stayed in fordham college. This In Search of Lost Time is definitely much better than the original by one Marcel Proust. This one, while it may be as long winded on occasion, doesn't make me fall asleep after reading 7 pages. Yeah I said it.

But I digress. I have important news: Adventureland was incredible. It is a movie everyone must see immediately. You've been warned.

Welcome. Come one, come all! A new member joins our "internet website community" - Dan!

A gold star for robot boy,

Michael

cuz that's the power of...huey lewis and the news

Hello! It's been a while. I don't have much to say, but I'll let you all in on a few secrets.

1) I have summer employ :)

2) the Yankees better pick it up or i'm getting brian cashman on the phone. I know it's only been one game, but half a billion dollars in new contracts I want(ed) them to start 10-0. AT LEAST.

3) finally saw both harold and kumar movies. I liked them, they were very enjoyable.

4) the ncaa final blew.

5) also, after last nights episode, i know who's going to win american idol: Adam "vampire" lambert. He did an incredible cover of Mad World. We're all still rooting for Danny though (at least i am).

6) agenda: see adventureland, as well as observe and report.

the heart of rock n' roll is still beating,

Michael

Schizophrenic Weather

During a storm a few days ago, there was the LOUDEST bolt of thunder I'd ever heard in my life. I know I'm from California and may not know what a "real" storm is like, but this was seriously ridiculous. I was in class and it sounded like a car exploded from no less than 20 feet away. Absolutely terrifying.

Two days later, it was one of the most beautiful days of the year. It was one of those days where you just look out at Eddie's and everything bad thought about Fordham just disappears. Unfortunately, I wasn't really able to go out and lounge on the Parade, but I did make it out into the city to run some errands and finally got a haircut while I was out there. The moptop/Bruce Lee/Beatles-esque hair is gone for now, but it's only a matter before it comes back.

In any case, it was pouring rain again today, but I'm sure that the weather will start to pick up eventually. I cannot even express how excited I am for the nice weather. It's just unfortunate that most of the people that I want to enjoy it with are on the other side of the world. In the meantime, I guess I'll just make a bunch of temporary friends to enjoy the weather with; fair-weather friends, if you will.

Puns are terrible.

Sweet like candy to my soul,
Mai

Smergel Snores

I was looking for a blog post from a while back, but had no idea where to even start looking because of their (usually) incredibly irrelevant titles, so now I've decided to use relevant titles more often. Starting...now.

Sometimes, my roommate Jake Smergel snores. The volume of a Smergel Snore ranges from "moderate" to "somewhat loud." A Smergel Snore Session can last anywhere between 5 to 45 minutes. What's so fascinating about an S.S.S. isn't actually the Snore itself, but rather how the Session ends.

Whenever one of Jake's Sessions is near its end, his Snores become louder and louder. As it reaches the pinnacle of its loudness, Jake will make a sudden chomp-like sound, as though he just took a big bite out of something. Because of this, every time I hear him snoring, I imagine a game of Pac-Man, where the Smergel Snore is running around chasing dots and ghosts. When he makes his chomping noise, it means he's gotten the last dot and won the game. So, if Jake ever starts to snore while I'm still awake, I secretly root for him in my mind, waiting anxiously until I hear the sweet sound of victory.

The End.

All my friends are so small town,
Mai