Well first things first, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Harding's club week let me fill you in.
STEP 1: Mixers Over the course of 3-4 weeks at the beginning of the fall semester, all of the Social Clubs (Church of Christ's version of fraternities and sororities) hold mixers inviting non-members to meet the active members with the intent of joining that particular club. The real key to this portion of the process is to meet as many members of the club as possible.
STEP 2: Visitation The following week or 2 is visitation. If you reach this point of the process you have obviously known enough people to survive the first voting session. At this stage you go around to the various member's Dorms/Apartments and get to know them better. The real key to this process is to really get to know the members and to let them get to know you, so don't just pop in and say hi. Remember that they have found you acceptable thus far in the process, so be yourself.
STEP 3: Club Week This is the home stretch of the Club process. It begins on a Sunday(known as Bid day) and runs until the following weekend, usually a Friday (known as Rough Day due to the longer hours and tougher tasks). By this point the club has approved you. This is important to remember, because it means that they want you in their club. This week is an entirely different ball game. Every club runs theirs differently, but there are a few SOPs. You are issued a notebook, which is really almost the centerpiece of the week. Within the bindings of the book are various assignments including (but not limited to) member signatures, mini & major dates, coloring assignments, tasks to appease the Queens, essays to right, etc. Many clubs require some sort of dress code to be followed the entire week (dress clothes, all inductees match, etc.) Past all of this are the other tasks, which vary between interclub games, service projects, exercises marches, and other things that will get you filthy and tired. But like Coach Boone said in Remember the Titans, "If you survive the camp you will be on the team...If you survive."
I say all this to say that it has been my task all week to sit and watch my friends go through this process (having not gotten the bid to my club). At first I was incredibly bitter and all I could think about was how unfair it was that I didn't even have a shot to try again until next year. However, as the week as progressed I've found myself with fewer and fewer negative feelings toward those pledging Gamma Sigma Phi. I never felt any distaste for them mind you; I was just envious of them. I have done everything I can to be supportive of them and all of my friends. Whenever I feel those negative feelings building I just remember what one of the GSP members (Jacob Hawk) told me, "All of this club stuff their doing is just for the jersey." Several of the members knew I was feeling down about not being inducted this year, and had taken me aside, but that statement really softened my heart and made helping those that were pledging easier.
I'm still not exactly ecstatic about not getting to join until next year, but some of the pledges, in particular my friends Braden and Matt, have already told me that they consider me their unofficial pledge brother. I'm using this year to get to know the members, and hopefully I will get a chance to pledge next year.
The song of the day is "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson. Because this song is all about taking it slow and pretending that its the weekend which I wish I could do.
-matt
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
"Pride Goes before a Fall" by Jim Reeves
Wow. LSU over Auburn 30-24. Honestly I'm not pissed about the loss itself, once they were inside field goal range it seemed inevitable. what bothers me is the gall of Les Miles. He is by far the luckiest coach I have ever watched. I've followed LSU all season and time after time (especially against Florida) he would put it all on the line and get away with it. He denies ever convention of modern coaching, and he GETS AWAY WITH IT!!!
With 16 ticks left on the clock he calls a pass, A PASS IN FIELD GOAL RANGE!!! A field goal would do it. It would win the game for him, but no, friggin Miles needs to boost his own ego and go for a 6 when 3 is fine. He goes for it, and he gets it. A throw into coverage gets pulled down.
I would say that it was a brilliant call, but Les Miles summary of the game was to the affect that if it had failed he would have had time for a field goal, because he had a time out. The fact of the matter is that if it had failed that would have been it. The clock ticked to :01 as the reception came down. if it had been deflected the clock would have ticked to 0:00 and that would have been a loss.
Even sports analyst don't hand this one too him without the disclaimer that it was the riskiest move he could have made IN FIELD GOAL RANGE! One analyst even likened him to a kid playing playstation.
the song of the day is "Pride Goes before a Fall" by Jim Reeves. because it says it better as good as anyone, "Ain't it funny how pride goes before a fall, "
-matt
With 16 ticks left on the clock he calls a pass, A PASS IN FIELD GOAL RANGE!!! A field goal would do it. It would win the game for him, but no, friggin Miles needs to boost his own ego and go for a 6 when 3 is fine. He goes for it, and he gets it. A throw into coverage gets pulled down.
I would say that it was a brilliant call, but Les Miles summary of the game was to the affect that if it had failed he would have had time for a field goal, because he had a time out. The fact of the matter is that if it had failed that would have been it. The clock ticked to :01 as the reception came down. if it had been deflected the clock would have ticked to 0:00 and that would have been a loss.
Even sports analyst don't hand this one too him without the disclaimer that it was the riskiest move he could have made IN FIELD GOAL RANGE! One analyst even likened him to a kid playing playstation.
the song of the day is "Pride Goes before a Fall" by Jim Reeves. because it says it better as good as anyone, "Ain't it funny how pride goes before a fall, "
-matt
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
"Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters
Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up you look around and you know that you should just go back to bed, but you don't listen, and then everything that happens after that just reinforces that first thought?
Today has been one of those days.
I woke up with 5 minutes to get dressed and get to class. Needless to say that didn't happen. The class was definitely not worth the runny-walky thing I did on the way there, it was slow and just a talk about things relating to our rough drafts.
I ran by the caf to grab a bite and was late to bible, which was good, but a friend just really got on my nerves. He always feels the need to say something, about what someone else said. He is a really intellegent guy, but sometimes he is just too smart for his own good. He can't seem to just sit back and let a statement go by unanswered. We were walking outside for a class thing, and he made some comment about the lecture so far, and I told him to be quiet, but he persisted. Eventually I just snapped on him, and told him I wasn't in the mood for his quips right now. He tossed out one more and I let him know I wasn't playing around.
I think at this point if I'm really going to continue this blog I should let all reader's in on the theory my friend and I have that we call "the three week rule."
The theory is more specific to women, but it isn't exclusive. The base of the theory is this: when two people of the opposite sex begin to interact, there is always the potential for a romantic relationship, and for the first three weeks of that relationship as they get to know each other, the girl tends to be enamored with the guy (if there was a spark in the initiating phase of there relationship). The rule itself applies to the idea that after that three week period if nothing is beyond traditional interaction is initiated, the girl's infatuation will fall away fairly quickly.
It is not a hard and fast rule, but it is one that I feel applies to most cases. Every guy has had something happen to them with a girl that follows this rule.
This rule seems to be activating itself in my current girl situation, so I dunno.
The song for the day is "Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters, cuz there is one in the machinery right now.
-matt
Today has been one of those days.
I woke up with 5 minutes to get dressed and get to class. Needless to say that didn't happen. The class was definitely not worth the runny-walky thing I did on the way there, it was slow and just a talk about things relating to our rough drafts.
I ran by the caf to grab a bite and was late to bible, which was good, but a friend just really got on my nerves. He always feels the need to say something, about what someone else said. He is a really intellegent guy, but sometimes he is just too smart for his own good. He can't seem to just sit back and let a statement go by unanswered. We were walking outside for a class thing, and he made some comment about the lecture so far, and I told him to be quiet, but he persisted. Eventually I just snapped on him, and told him I wasn't in the mood for his quips right now. He tossed out one more and I let him know I wasn't playing around.
I think at this point if I'm really going to continue this blog I should let all reader's in on the theory my friend and I have that we call "the three week rule."
The theory is more specific to women, but it isn't exclusive. The base of the theory is this: when two people of the opposite sex begin to interact, there is always the potential for a romantic relationship, and for the first three weeks of that relationship as they get to know each other, the girl tends to be enamored with the guy (if there was a spark in the initiating phase of there relationship). The rule itself applies to the idea that after that three week period if nothing is beyond traditional interaction is initiated, the girl's infatuation will fall away fairly quickly.
It is not a hard and fast rule, but it is one that I feel applies to most cases. Every guy has had something happen to them with a girl that follows this rule.
This rule seems to be activating itself in my current girl situation, so I dunno.
The song for the day is "Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters, cuz there is one in the machinery right now.
-matt
Friday, October 12, 2007
"Fall into Sleep" by Mudvayne
So midterm week has ended for me. Studied all the stuff, and taken all the tests, and I'm feeling pretty good about them. however I am extremely tired. Mostly because I started the week tired and its just stacked up on me.
Honestly, If there is any advice I can give to those who come after me it is this: get all the sleep you can on the weekend, cuz you certainly won't get it during the week.
This past wednesday, I got to give my first real lesson at the bible study I attend. It was amazing, I could feel the Spirit moving through me as I spoke. I was talking about evangelism, particularly personal evangelism, to people you already know that haven't accepted Christ. I'll admit I got upset toward the end thinking about two friends of mine that I shared a story about. Both started coming to church with me at the same time, but only one continued to grow in his faith and eventually accepted Christ into his life. The most moving part of the experience for me was that after I was done, a guy came up to me and told me how much what I said had convicted him, to talk to a lifelong friend of his. I told him that it was God convicting him, and that I really prayed that his friend be receptive.
Thursday was an odd day, I didn't really have any midterms but I did have two tests, a memory verse test in bible and a listening test in music. The strangest part was I was texting a girl and all she asks if I'm free btw 12 and 12:30, because she had a request. The request turned out to be would I go with her to a local elementary school to meet with some fourth grader she tutored.
I agreed, because I wanted to spend time with her we went to the school and ate lunch with the little boy she tutors, and it was fun and all, but kind of odd. She said that she had just wanted a friend to go with, so now I don't know what to think. Sometimes I think she likes me sometimes I don't and I'm the kind of that would like to have a clear idea before I make any rash moves.
The song for the day is "Fall into Sleep" by Mudvayne. because that's all I want to do just sleep, with "no more dreams."
-matt
Honestly, If there is any advice I can give to those who come after me it is this: get all the sleep you can on the weekend, cuz you certainly won't get it during the week.
This past wednesday, I got to give my first real lesson at the bible study I attend. It was amazing, I could feel the Spirit moving through me as I spoke. I was talking about evangelism, particularly personal evangelism, to people you already know that haven't accepted Christ. I'll admit I got upset toward the end thinking about two friends of mine that I shared a story about. Both started coming to church with me at the same time, but only one continued to grow in his faith and eventually accepted Christ into his life. The most moving part of the experience for me was that after I was done, a guy came up to me and told me how much what I said had convicted him, to talk to a lifelong friend of his. I told him that it was God convicting him, and that I really prayed that his friend be receptive.
Thursday was an odd day, I didn't really have any midterms but I did have two tests, a memory verse test in bible and a listening test in music. The strangest part was I was texting a girl and all she asks if I'm free btw 12 and 12:30, because she had a request. The request turned out to be would I go with her to a local elementary school to meet with some fourth grader she tutored.
I agreed, because I wanted to spend time with her we went to the school and ate lunch with the little boy she tutors, and it was fun and all, but kind of odd. She said that she had just wanted a friend to go with, so now I don't know what to think. Sometimes I think she likes me sometimes I don't and I'm the kind of that would like to have a clear idea before I make any rash moves.
The song for the day is "Fall into Sleep" by Mudvayne. because that's all I want to do just sleep, with "no more dreams."
-matt
Saturday, October 6, 2007
"Who was in My Room Last Night?" by The Butthole Surfers
Ok so I have no idea what to do with my day now.
I woke up around 10:30am after what had to be about 12 or more hours of sleep. Since then I watched Auburn crush Vandy 35-7, and grabbed luch at the caf during halftime. Other than that before and after the game I've been watching The Family Force 5 Really Real Show. I have officially seen all 18 existing episodes. I'm not sure if I should be proud of that or a little depressed. the only other thing I've done is I finally hung my Auburn blanket in the window. I had to Macgyver it though (its hanging from two coat hangers that are attached to the top of the blinds).
Outside of (and sometimes during) that I've just lazed about.
The main reason I have nothing to do is that most of my friends are either out of town or have family in town (its parents weekend). The main reason I didn't mention to either of my parents is that they both work really hard and have few free days. I just saw my dad, sis, and granny, and my mom is at least 8 hours away and she is working on a promotion right now so taking that time off might hurt that.
Its all good I'm just taking a real relaxed time off.
The song for today is "Who was in My Room Last Night?" by The Butthole Surfers, because the answer is "Just me" since my roommate is out of town.
-matt
I woke up around 10:30am after what had to be about 12 or more hours of sleep. Since then I watched Auburn crush Vandy 35-7, and grabbed luch at the caf during halftime. Other than that before and after the game I've been watching The Family Force 5 Really Real Show. I have officially seen all 18 existing episodes. I'm not sure if I should be proud of that or a little depressed. the only other thing I've done is I finally hung my Auburn blanket in the window. I had to Macgyver it though (its hanging from two coat hangers that are attached to the top of the blinds).
Outside of (and sometimes during) that I've just lazed about.
The main reason I have nothing to do is that most of my friends are either out of town or have family in town (its parents weekend). The main reason I didn't mention to either of my parents is that they both work really hard and have few free days. I just saw my dad, sis, and granny, and my mom is at least 8 hours away and she is working on a promotion right now so taking that time off might hurt that.
Its all good I'm just taking a real relaxed time off.
The song for today is "Who was in My Room Last Night?" by The Butthole Surfers, because the answer is "Just me" since my roommate is out of town.
-matt
Thursday, October 4, 2007
"Good Time" by Leroy
Currently I'm just bored. I don't know everything seems really bland lately. Its to the point now that not one of the 395 songs on my Ipod can seem to capture my recent times, so I've looked into the depths of my computer's hard drive and found a gem that can sum up my feelings.
"Good Time" by Leroy, because it bares the question "Are you having a good time?" which is the question I'm asking myself.
The only update is that I did sit down and talk to the girl from a while back (See the entry "Perfect Situation" for details). We spoke for nearly an hour, on kind of sporadic topics. It was a random meeting in the Student Center that turned into a rather lenghty conversation, mostly on religious topics.
I'm also planning on getting a job but I'm having trouble deciding how best to schedule it and here is a list of conflicts
Monday-Heroes (and 24 in January)
Tuesday-No conflict
Wednesday- there is a bible study I really enjoy
Thursday- The Office (and Scrubs at the end of the month)
Friday- I hate working weekends, plus I'd like to do stuff occasionally.
Saturday- see friday
Sunday-I'm not sure how I feel about working on the same day I go to church. (Also see Saturday)
My guess is that I'll work Tuesday, Give up Friday night and Saturday daytime, and probably Sunday.
Well thats it for this update more if anything happens.
-matt
"Good Time" by Leroy, because it bares the question "Are you having a good time?" which is the question I'm asking myself.
The only update is that I did sit down and talk to the girl from a while back (See the entry "Perfect Situation" for details). We spoke for nearly an hour, on kind of sporadic topics. It was a random meeting in the Student Center that turned into a rather lenghty conversation, mostly on religious topics.
I'm also planning on getting a job but I'm having trouble deciding how best to schedule it and here is a list of conflicts
Monday-Heroes (and 24 in January)
Tuesday-No conflict
Wednesday- there is a bible study I really enjoy
Thursday- The Office (and Scrubs at the end of the month)
Friday- I hate working weekends, plus I'd like to do stuff occasionally.
Saturday- see friday
Sunday-I'm not sure how I feel about working on the same day I go to church. (Also see Saturday)
My guess is that I'll work Tuesday, Give up Friday night and Saturday daytime, and probably Sunday.
Well thats it for this update more if anything happens.
-matt
Monday, October 1, 2007
"The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
So far today has been (To quote Judd Nelson) a "Banner day".
To preface I got to go home this weekend I got to see my sister, dad, granny, friends, and Toby Mac and Family Force 5 in concert. The one thing I didn't see much of was the insides of my eyelids. I was so happy to be home I couldn't sleep, by my count it was something like 6 hours in 2 days. I tried to sleep in the car on the ride home, I succeeded but it was a restless uncomfortable sleep (no leg room). Plus, when I got back last night I was severely lacking in sleep and my friends wanted to watch 24 (which I can't refuse) so that plus a general level of restlessness kept me up until 2:30am or earlier.
All that to say that when I awoke this morning to find that I was late for my english class (a class that: I enjoy and had a paper due in, I was pissed. My alarm having been turned off by my mistake. I ran to the Library to print off my paper (yet another reason I was pissed about being late). As I walked down the sidewalk to class I felt awful because I know that my teacher is new and that she feels disrespected alot and me being late wouldn't help matters. I got to the door and didn't even think to check to see if it was locked, and rapped on the door. She opened it and said, "It was unlocked wasn't it,"
"I didn't want to interrupt," I grunted without thinking.
Then it happened, someone (they are lucky I don't know who) said "Didn't want to interrupt? What do you call knocking on the door?" And at that I was gone.
"Don't even start with me today just dont even start!" I yelled at the general assembly of the class. As I regained composure I managed to say, "My roommate turned off my alarm this, morning, sorry," and sat down, ashamed at being a person of circumstance.
I apologized to Ms. Kiser after class, but I still felt like crap. I meant to go to lectureships, but it wasn't in me. I ate some breakfast, and came back to the room, praying that my roommate wasn't in there (I didn't think I was mentally ready for it).
"The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five is the song of the day today because it says what I'm thinking: "Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge I'm trying not to lose my head"
****Edit****
Well I'm doing alot better now. It really is amazing how much good, a workout can do you. I'm still kind of antsy (Restless), but I'm not sure why.
-matt
To preface I got to go home this weekend I got to see my sister, dad, granny, friends, and Toby Mac and Family Force 5 in concert. The one thing I didn't see much of was the insides of my eyelids. I was so happy to be home I couldn't sleep, by my count it was something like 6 hours in 2 days. I tried to sleep in the car on the ride home, I succeeded but it was a restless uncomfortable sleep (no leg room). Plus, when I got back last night I was severely lacking in sleep and my friends wanted to watch 24 (which I can't refuse) so that plus a general level of restlessness kept me up until 2:30am or earlier.
All that to say that when I awoke this morning to find that I was late for my english class (a class that: I enjoy and had a paper due in, I was pissed. My alarm having been turned off by my mistake. I ran to the Library to print off my paper (yet another reason I was pissed about being late). As I walked down the sidewalk to class I felt awful because I know that my teacher is new and that she feels disrespected alot and me being late wouldn't help matters. I got to the door and didn't even think to check to see if it was locked, and rapped on the door. She opened it and said, "It was unlocked wasn't it,"
"I didn't want to interrupt," I grunted without thinking.
Then it happened, someone (they are lucky I don't know who) said "Didn't want to interrupt? What do you call knocking on the door?" And at that I was gone.
"Don't even start with me today just dont even start!" I yelled at the general assembly of the class. As I regained composure I managed to say, "My roommate turned off my alarm this, morning, sorry," and sat down, ashamed at being a person of circumstance.
I apologized to Ms. Kiser after class, but I still felt like crap. I meant to go to lectureships, but it wasn't in me. I ate some breakfast, and came back to the room, praying that my roommate wasn't in there (I didn't think I was mentally ready for it).
"The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five is the song of the day today because it says what I'm thinking: "Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge I'm trying not to lose my head"
****Edit****
Well I'm doing alot better now. It really is amazing how much good, a workout can do you. I'm still kind of antsy (Restless), but I'm not sure why.
-matt
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