Year/Semester In Review (Fall 2007)

On the long drive back from SIU’s game against Indiana University in December 2006, I decided to write down a list of things I learned during the fall semester and decided to put it on my blog. In addition, I decided to note highlights, lowlights and other year-in-review stuff.

With that said, it’s that time of year. Let’s take a look at the lessons I learned in the fall semester 2007.

4 THINGS I LEARNED

1. It’s okay to expand your horizons. This semester, I broke one of my golden rules of writing (write what you know), but because of that I feel that my writing is better. I got an ‘A’ in my news writing/reporting class without writing one sports story and an ‘A’ on my poetry portfolio (which you can read online) by writing a majority of my poems about topics other than being a heartbroken college student. That’s impressive if you ask me!
2. Be careful who you fall in love with. There is no escaping the topic of love in my blogs. Consider this lesson learned a public service announcement. Be careful who you fall in love with, because if they don’t love you back then you’re going to be stuck in a situation you do not want to be in, plain and simple. Maybe it’s better just to not fall in love at all; it’d probably eliminate a lot of sleepless nights and other symptoms that come with unrequited love.
3. Money can’t buy me love, but it can buy beer…and that’s good enough. And when unrequited love is just that, there isn’t a better remedy than a cold one. Whether it be Miller, Bud, Coors or other—a six-pack of your favorite brew can solve your problems (at least for one night).
4. Hot, blonde, southern…and usually dumb. Referencing one of my most infamous quotes “Hot, blonde and southern, that’s the way I like ‘em”, I’ve come to the conclusion that “dumb” is the word that should come next in that correlation. For example, Jessica Simpson’s presence caused her boyfriend (Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo) to have his worst game of the year against the Eagles, the Cowboys’ arch-rival. Former hot and blonde southern chick Britney Spears spent most of her summer flashing her cooch to whoever was willing to look. Her little sister, who would have fallen into the category (if she was of age), got herself pregnant at 16!!! And don’t even get me started on Carrie Underwood, who is rumored to be romantically involved with Bears kicker Robbie Gould.
   

3 UP, 3 DOWN (THREE HIGHLIGHTS & THREE LOWLIGHTS OF 2007)

3 UP:

1. The success of my favorite sports teams. SIU’s men’s basketball team won another Missouri Valley Conference title and made its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2002. SIU’s football team made it to the semi-final of the 1-AA playoffs. The Bears kicked off 2007 by beating the New Orleans Saints, clinching their first Super Bowl berth since 1985. The Bulls swept the defending NBA champion Miami Heat out of the playoffs. After a $300 million spending spree which netted a new manager (Lou Piniella) and superstar (Alfonso Soriano), the icing on my 2007 in sports was the Cubs winning the NL Central.
2. Good grades. Finally, I’ve got my priorities in check—and my rising GPA is proof of that. Two A’s, two B’s and one C this semester is the way to kick off my “senior year”.
3. Turning 21. Turning 21 was the overall highlight of 2007. 5 days in Vegas drinking and making it rain with my friends and family was the best thing to happen to me (probably in my life, to this point.)

3 DOWN:

1. When sports teams lose. SIU’s men’s basketball team lost in the MVC championship game to Creighton and lost to Kansas in the Sweet 16 game. SIU’s football team lost in the semi-final game to Delaware. The Bears lost to the Colts in the Super Bowl. The Bulls lost to the Pistons in the second round, and have gotten off to a 9-17 start which has resulted in them firing head coach Scott Skiles. The Cubs were swept by the Diamondbacks in the playoffs.
2. Still single. Despite all of the highlights that occurred in 2007, I’m still single and it’s still a soft spot. I’m not happy being single, but at this point grades are my no. 1 priority and if the right girl happens to come by (again) then I’ll make sure to jump on the opportunity this time.
3. Still jobless. Well, when it comes to writing for a publication at least. Though I do write for the fan site armchairgm.com, I’d like to write for the Daily Egyptian before I graduate SIU.

FAVORITES

QUOTES:

• “Plies is a useful tool…” In an interview with Vibe magazine, rapper Plies explained his intriguing nickname by allegedly saying, “Plies is a tool. You can use it to put the squeeze on things, like I'm doing to these niggas in the rap game. I got the squeeze on them real tight, they feeling the pressure, or you can use it to pull things out….It also a word you can use in terms of things goin' on in yo life, ya dig. You may hear something I say and say that it plies to me. Plies straight to me."
• “I’m a man, I’m 40.” In response to a newspaper article, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy went on a tirade in defense of the student-athlete featured in the said article. Enjoy one of the best sports tirades of 2007.
• 
  
• “Love is blind, and she’s retarded.” That quote comes from my roommate Steve, and if there’s one thing I learned this semester (that I didn’t mention above) is that you have to attribute your sources (ask SIU President Glenn Poshard). And really, there is no need to explain this quote because it can stand on its own (and because I don’t remember the reference behind it).

MUSIC ARTIST: Rappers Lil’ Wayne and Andre 3000 get some consideration, mostly because of their hot verses in guest roles (see Wayne’s verse in DJ Khaled’s ‘We Takin’ Over’ and Fat Joe’s ‘Make It Rain Remix’ and Andre’s verses in Lloyd’s ‘You Remix’, DJ Unk’s ‘Walk it Out Remix’, Rich Boy’s ‘Throw Some D’s Remix’ and Outkast’s newest song ‘The Art of Storytellin’ Pt. 4).

However, the artist of the year goes to T-Pain. Pain’s vocals (enhanced with a vocoder) were found on a slew of hit singles, including two off his best-selling album “Epiphany.” His guest spots on Chris Brown’s “Kiss Kiss”, Baby Bash’s “Cyclone”, DJ Khaled’s “I’m So Hood”, Plies’ “Shawty”, DJ Unk’s “2 Step Remix”, Flo-Rida’s “Low (Apple Bottom Jeans)” and Kanye West’s “Good Life” made those songs hits and guaranteed that you would hear his voice at least once whenever you went to the club.

And, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that his use of the vocoder inspired Snoop Dogg to use it in his new single “Sensual Seduction” and Lil’ Wayne to use it in his verse on Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know Remix”.

ALBUMS: Jay-Z’s “American Gangster”, Kanye West’s “Graduation”, Timbaland’s “Timbaland Presents: Shock Value”, DJ Khaled’s “We The Best”, Maroon 5’s “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long” and Chamillionaire’s “Ultimate Victory.”

MOVIE: The Simpson’s Movie

SONGS: Rihanna/Ne-yo’s “Hate That I Love You” gets half of my vote because it just sums up so much. The other half of my vote goes to Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, which I think is word-for-word, the best rap song of 2007. One punch-line after another, Kanye puts his best foot forward in this piece which tackles so many topics; you have to listen to it for yourself just to get a grasp of the concept.

UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE YEAR: “What is Britney doing with her life?” –Mike Patrick, ESPN.

After Alabama kicked a field goal to get a lead in overtime, ESPN’s Mike Patrick decided to ask the fateful question “What is Britney doing with her life?” Check out the whole thing here.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

That's it for 2007. It was a great year (minus the failures) and I have a good feeling (stop me if you've heard this before) that bigger and better things are to come next year.

I'd like to close with this: Dear Carrie....DATE ME!!!!!!!!!

;-)

:-)

'The Greatest Weekend in SIU History' (hopefully)

I have been looking forward to this weekend since before officials in the Southern Illinois University athletics department coined this weekend as 'Super Saturday.'

Back in late October/early November I was already coining this weekend as potentially 'The Greatest Weekend in the History of SIU.' Well, at least since I've been at SIU.

I know those are some big expectations to fill, but I have full confidence that the events this weekend has to offer will leave everyone who was here for them with a sense of satisfaction.

But before 'Super Saturday,' one must note what a Friday night in Carbondale can bring, seeing that the very popular cover band Mike & Joe kick-off this weekend's festivities by playing at the Copper Dragon.

When you wake over from your hangover, then you can officially start thinking about 'Super Saturday,' which begins around 2:20 p.m. when the No. 4 seed SIU Salukis play the UMass Minutemen in the second round of what used to be called the Div. 1-AA playoffs.

SIU will be looking for its first semi-finals appearance since 1983, the year that they won the Div. 1-AA National Championship.

SIU's football team usually takes a back seat to the basketball team, because in all reality, SIU is a basketball school. It wasn't until head coach Jerry Kill came to Carbondale and put the Saluki football program on the map.

And despite five straight years of playoff appearances for SIU, the fans still don't come out like they should. That's why I think it is important that Saluki Nation heads out to McAndrew Stadium and support their Salukis.

After the football game, you can head to The Strip and take in one of the finest traditions in Carbondale, the annual Lights Fantastic Parade. The parade will run between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

As for the main event, SIU men's basketball will host 15 Indiana University at the SIU Arena at 8:30 p.m. This is the second game of a home-and-home series between the perennial national powers of the Hoosier state and the up-start Salukis of the much slept-on Missouri Valley Conference.

But the night doesn't end there.

After the ball game, fans should be encouraged to (again) enjoy the Carbondale night life. I for one will be enjoying the sounds of 17^th Floor at the Copper Dragon.

17^th Floor is one of the best cover bands that comes to Carbondale and is worthy of any cover charge that the bar will be throwing at you. They are a cover band that combines a "party like a rock star" atmosphere with hip-hop music.

Sounds like a fun weekend doesn't it? On paper, it looks like one of those weekends that I thought that every weekend in college would be like. But like the Cubs, once every four years you get something special like this to happen all at the same time.

Homecoming

"Baby, do you remember when?
Fireworks at Lake Michigan
Oooh, now I’m coming home again
Maybe we can start again."
--Chris Martin, Homecoming (by Kanye West)

Well folks, I'll be on my way home for Thanksgiving break and I'm excited. So far, this semester has gone very well for me. The way this year has gone, I thought this is exactly how college was supposed to be from day one.

I guess this is one of those times where I note that I've learned a valuable lesson. This lesson, of course is that nothing in life comes easy.

Anyway, I'm coming home and am scheduled to arrive sometime Sunday afternoon. I'll be here until Saturday at 4 p.m. Plenty of time to do the things I need to do.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be a busy man during my vacation. I have a 7-10 page paper to write for my JRNL 332 class (journalism law.) I have a 1,200 word paper to write for my JRNL 311 class (news writing and reporting.) I also have to put together my poetry portfolio for my ENGL 382B calss (intermediate poetry.)

I also have to go to the dealership and see if I can get my job back. I also have to help my family with preparing for Thanksgiving.

The only fun I will be having will happen Wednesday night at Merkle's with my homeboys. To quote Bryan, "I saw the forecast for Wednesday, it's going to rain!!!!" Can't wait to make it rain in Wrigleyville again!!!

Other than that, I'm booked. Oh and Friday I'll be shopping with my mother. Other than that, I'm booked.

Hope to hear from you while I'm home.

Don't forget, I do DO NOT have a lot of your numbers. So you can leave me a messgae and give me your number so I can contact you.

In conclusion: I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

--LuDo

Midterm Madness!

We're a little more than halfway through the semester and I am relieved.

Again, this semester has had its fair share of peaks and valleys, but I am surviving. That is where the difficulty lies in these semesters. Sometimes, they feel long and frustrating--while other times they fly by and you don't even know what hit you.

Midterms have come and gone here at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and I am feeling good about myself. I have not missed many classes, though my goal of perfect attendance for the semester is unreachable now, I'm not hurt by the handful of classes I have missed.

CLASSES I LIKE

JRNL 311: Reporting & News Writing with William (Bill) Recktenwald

• This has been my absolute favorite class, so far. Mr. Recktenwald is a Chicagoland native who wrote for the Chicago Tribune in his heyday, and his experience in the newsroom is one of the reasons I like that class so much. Someone that can teach to you from experience is more valuable than anything a book can tell you. I could honestly gush over this class for days, but won't. Bill is the type of teacher (and this is the type of class) that helps me enjoy my journalism major.

JRNL 332: Journalism in Law with Professor Hlavich

• My "Journalism Law" class was one of those classes that worried me as the school year started, mostly because of my fear of the legal system. But Professor Hlavich does so much so her students understand what is going on, and it really makes the class interesting too. I've been quite successful in that class, which surprises me to be honest. It's educational and informative...AND can be applied to stuff I will need in the future.

CLASSES I DON'T LIKE

ZOOL 115: General Biology with Prof. Nsofor

• I'd like to preface this by saying I hate science. Not as much as I hate math, but I hate science nonetheless. I'm not fond of the lecture in this class, though I'm doing very well in my lab section. But the lecture is quite unbearable. Nsofor's lectures are long winded, making paying attention difficult. Having the notes online is great, however, there is no substitute for a teacher that is well spoken and can simplify science for non-science people like myself.

JRNL 335: Graphic Communication with Tommy Xie

• I am finding this to be the most difficult of my journalism classes, mostly because in this class I am unable to use my writing abilities to save my grade. The focus of this class is design--and that is not my strength. Everyone knows I can be sloppy and the fact I have no graphic design experience is of no help. I don't mind the lab with Heather Lose, who really simplifies things to the point where an idiot like me can make sense of the InDesign program. But Tommy, our lecturer, isn't on my happy side. Mostly because of the difficulty of the questions on his test and his lecturing abilities. He's not terrible, but he's not great either.

ENGL 382B: Creative Writng: Inter. Poetry with Alberta Skaggs

• Shocked? So am I. Everyone knows how much I love poetry, and that if not for poetry I'd likely be in an isolated mental state. My two poetry classes last year help me vent about my sophomore and junior year's at SIU in the best way possible. So maybe it's because I'm not the motivated mind I was last year (albeit motivation due to frustration.) Maybe because I've resolved some (but unfortunately, not all) of my issues that go back to sophomore and junior year. Maybe it's that prolonged writer's block that has been going on since June. Or maybe it's the fact that my teacher really ahsn't done anything to motivate me. In any case, I'm not happy with my poetry class (for several reasons.) I'm not motivated, the class is unorganized, it's taught by a teacher who had never taught a poetry class before....among other reasons. Still, the poetry is coming (though not at the pace it did last year.)

LET'S TAKE A TIME MACHINE, SHALL WE?

Now that I've got "Midterm Madness" off my brain, I decided I'd take a look back at what I was writing about this time last year and lo and behold we've got ourselves something that is worth a damn. As of now it's 11:56 p.m. on 10/17/07, and on this date last year I wrote this blog found at my old site.

In summary, I took a look back at a blog from 11/15/06 in which I referenced a conversation I had with my (now former) roommate. I referenced that note only because of what happened only hours before that post.

The Chicago Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals 24-23 on Monday Night Football behind three turnovers that turned into touchdowns and a game-winning punt return by Devin Hester. That game would go on to be known as "The Monday Night Miracle" and afterwards came my response:

"2007 JUST MIGHT BE THE YEAR! Maybe then MAYBE this can be my year too."

The next night, I would write about my epiphany. Unfortunately, that World Series Championship never came to fruition. Though technically I never said World Series--I said "championship." Damn! I should have been more specific!

So anyway, the point of that whole mini-rant was to prove how much I have changed. Even though those two posts aren't the biggest pieces of supporting evidence, there has been a significant change in my life.

No longer am I the bitter, frustrated young man that some people loved (while others hated.) No longer am I throwing my computer chair around my room in disgust. No longer amI beating my bed senseless with a baseball bat (mostly because I don't have my bat anymore, but that's besides the point.)

The point is that I feel like I'm moving forward in my life. And I'll be honest, sometimes I back-track. Sometimes I'll get into a state of mind where I'll just sit lonely and thing about "what could have been" or "what should have been." Sometimes I fall into the traps that got me down in the first place.

But then I'll have a happy moment, and all is right with the world.

IT DOESN'T GET EASIER

In closing, I'd like to take a short look at what I have ahead of me. (Hint: it's not gonna be pretty.) In order to graduate in Fall 2008, I'm gonna have to pull off the following miracle: 18 credit hours next semester, and 17 the semester after that.

The reason I have to do this is because of my sophomore year, which I consider the worst year in my life. It was the most tumultuous year, and what I mean by that is that I went through a period in which anything bad that could happen to me, did happen.

I honestly have difficulties finding silver linings in what happened that year. Not saying that there weren't any (because I can think of one in particular), but I say that because the bad outweighed the good--and it was a major setback.

Now I can take a look back at that and say that for the most part, I've moved on. And on graduation day I will be able to say, I survived SIU despite that. And if there is one thing I have learned from the 2007 Chicago Cubs (yay! baseball reference!) is that if you can make it through the rough times, you'll be stronger in the end because of it.

Good night folks, and sweet dreams.

Finished @ 12:13 a.m.

Weekend Recap: Cubs, Cards & Other Animals Too

All I have to say is: "Wow, what a weekend!" Lots to recap, let's get it crackin'!

CUBS VS. CARDS WEEKEND

In September, every series is critical but when you're hanging on to first place by the slimmest of margins. But when you're playing your top rival, everything is magnified to the fullest. Even with all that pressure on the Cubs, they still won three of four games in St. Louis against the Cardinals and maintained their one game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Carlos Zambrano picked up the win Friday night by pitching eight innings and allowing only one run. Daryle Ward's clutch three-run pinch-hit double in the ninth was the difference in the ballgame. Ward is batting .333 against the Cards this year.

The Cubs won game one of Saturday's double header behind Alfonso Soriano's game winning two run home run in the eighth inning. Kerry Wood picked up his first win as a reliever in the contest. Soriano also hit a two-run homer in game two giving the Cubs a short-lived 3-0 lead that starter Sean Marshall could not hold. The Cards won game two 4-3.

In game four, Jason Marquis pitched good enough to earn his 12th win this year, and his second victory against his former mates. On September 1st, I mentioned that Marquis should be the most motivated Cub, seeing that the Cards left him off the NLCS and World Series roster. The Cubs should have scored more than four runs, they left 14 guys on base. They left more guys in scoring position than a prude virgin. Youngsters Matt Murton (three run home run) and Geovany Soto (4-for-5) led the Cubs at the plate in the 4-2 victory.

By taking three-of-four this weekend, the Cards fell to seven games behind the first place Cubs, marking what could be the beginning of the end of the Cardinals reign as World Champions. Currently, the Cards have a .339% chance of making the playoffs. Somewhere, Marquis is kicking dirt on a make-shift Cardinals grave.

Just call 'em the "Deadbirds."

BIG FOOTBALL WEEKEND

Indeed, it was a big weekend for my favorite football teams. Michigan stomped Notre Dame 38-0 for their first win of the season. Mike Hart led the Wolverines (1-2) rushing for 187 yards and 2 TDs, while Notre Dame (0-3) has yet to score an offensive touchdown this season.

No. 6 SIU moved to 3-0 this weekend after beating Southern Utah 44-10. Quarterback Nick Hill (who happens to be a Cubs fan) threw four touchdowns to spark the offensive attack. This coming one week after SIU's 34-31 upset victory over in-state rival NIU last week in DeKalb.

Sunday, the Bears (1-1) beat the Chiefs 20-10 at Soldier Field. In a refrain familiar to Bears fans, today's victory was sparked by the defense and a punt return touchdown by Devin Hester. Also, Cedric Benson picked up his first 100-yard game in the NFL.

A WEEKEND AT THE BARS

It's not an official weekend in Carbondale unless there is bar hopping involved, and this weekend was no exception. Friday night earned a star in my book. Gatsby's II was off the chain, mostly because of the atmosphere. Their drinks are expensive ($5 long islands, $2.75 for a Miller Lite) but the crowd and the music made up for it. Friday's DJ played all the hot current music you would want to hear while enjoying a night on the town. It was like he jacked my I-pod for the night.

Saturday, however wasn't that good---mostly because the DJ sucked. So I've come to the conclusion that Gatsby's is the place to be on Friday nights. Saturday nights, however, are still up in the air. Something will get figured out by next Saturday, I'm sure.

MISCELLANEOUS HAPPENINGS

• I got a chance to work this weekend, that makes me happy because I like working...and I like getting paid. I have a newfound respect for officials. They take so much sh*t and have to put up with fans and players--it's only my first week, but it's a little nuts. In the end, I'm happy to be working again.
• I'm coming home in October, and it couldn't happen soon enough. I'm missing my peeps at home and a weekend in the Chi could work wonders for my mental state. I've also planned my trip to (hopefully) coincide with what would be game 3 of the NLDS (which would be played at Wrigley Field.) Yeah, I'm a loser 'cuz I've figured out the postseason schedule a month in advance. I can only imagine how it could be in Wrigleyville on a chilly October night with playoff baseball around the corner. I guess we'll find out in about 12 games.

That's all for now, hope you rweekend was as eventful as mine.