The R

THIS IS NOT A BLOG

2007-02-27T04:35:31Z

Does anyone consider a livejournal a blog? I strongly disagree that a journal is a blog, but I guess some people (cough, my girlfriend, cough) think otherwise. I think she's mad at me right now because I ardently disagreed with her. I guess one way to hit a nerve of mine is to call my journal a blog. And leave it to me to disagree to the point that she won't talk to me now. I'm brilliant.

Since others have recapped their Valentine's Days, I guess I should follow suit. But before I do, let's make one thing clear; the only reason that this "holiday" exists is so people will throw money into the vicious machine that is the American economic system, that and that alone. Happy Valentine's Day! Until last week, I never had to really worry about succumbing to corporate America. Buuut I guess on the bright side, it is an excuse to do something nice for someone else, sooo it isn't THAT bad.

My Valentine's Day: Toyin had to work from 4 to 9ish, and there was a Husker women's game at 7, so I had to work from 6ish 'til about 11:30. I stopped in where she works before I had to go to in, and before I left made the comment "Don't forget to check your mailbox." She ended up waiting for me on campus until I was done at the station (she's so sweet) where I got to ask her if she checked her mailbox. She said yes, she called home and her mom told her she got a letter with a paw print on it. NOOOOOOOOO. I meant her WORK mailbox, not HOME mailbox. The letter with the pawprint was my mom being goofy and sending a Valentine's letter addressed from our dog. MY present I left in her WORK mailbox was a box of chocolates, only I had taken out the candy because she doesn't like chocolates and replaced it with a necklace. RRRRRRRRRRRRR. So not only did we not do anything together, but she didn't get the gift I had gotten her, thinking that the card she got from my freakin' dog was what I was talking about. A fun day all around. She checked her work mailbox the next day and got the present, but it was a little anticlimactic at that point. I can't wait 'til next year.

Looks like I'm gonna be workin' my ass off for the next couple weeks. Girls State Basketball Tournament and Boys State Basketball Tournament, kill me. Then again, I went the High School State Swimming championships last weekend. It isn't that I didn't like the swimming, it's just that I can't swim, and being around pools doesn't give me the greatest feeling. Toward the end I realized the water was only about five and a half feet deep, but I still felt like I was going to fall in the whole time. What the hell is wrong with me?

That's all for now. I'm sure next time I'll have plenty to tell from my weekends of high school basketball. As for now, I should probably try to get my girlfriend to talk to me again. Wish me luck.

R.I.P. Joe D

2007-02-13T03:21:34Z

Most of the time a person's week begins on Monday, or Sunday I suppose, if you go by the calendar. Mine began on Wednesday last week.

The 7th happened to be the first Wednesday in February, the day that high school seniors across the country can sign letters of intent to join the collegiate athletic team of his/her choice. Also known simply as Signing Day, one of the biggest days of the year for Husker football. To the guys in the sports department of a TV station, it can also be called Judgment Day. I won't get into everything because it be a bunch of jargon and probably wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, but to put it plainly, we were slammin' stuff together. BOOM BOOM. You get the picture...since I did such a terrfic job of describing it. It was nuts.

Friday,on my way back from a high school basketball game in York (which, by the way, has THE COOLEST gym I've been in, an awesome place to watch a basketball game), I got a text message from my mom telling me that one of my best friends' dad had died. Turns out it was pretty sudden and not really expected. He had struggled with Parkinson's for years, but had been doing light years better. He had back surgery a few months earlier and could not lift anything of any significance, but was doing fine. Then Friday afternoon something happened and he was gone. It's one of those things where you just shake your head and think, "Damn."

Michael is one of the best guys I've ever known, one of the very few people that I can honestly say there is not a single negative thing I can say about him, however small. He's an amazing person, never had a single grudge with him, and I've known him since preschool. And his older brother, Patrick, when I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, he drove Michael and I to and from school. He's awesome too. They are the only two kids in the family, and the mom is one of the absolute nicest people you could ever meet. I always used to look at them and think they were like a cool version of the Brady Bunch, simply because they all loved bein' around each other and I never knew of a single person who did not like them. Michael is Pre-med at Drake University, and Patrick is a grad student in engineering here at UNL. I think it hit all of them pretty hard. Makes you question all that talk about "It's part of the plan, it was meant to happen" bullshit. One of those things where you just shake your head and think, "Damn."

I really don't feel like writing anymore now, so I'll keep it short. Saturday drove out to Weeping Water to shoot some high school guys-laying-on-top-of-guys, I mean wrestling. Sunday was great and a damn joke at the same time. I shot high school bowling state championships (no, I'm not kidding) and it kicked major ass (also not kidding). The Class A girls final was about as exciting and dramatic as high school bowling can get. They play best of five games, and it went to the fifth and final game. In the tenth and final frame of the championship, this Lincoln High girl needed back-to-back-to-back strikes. Her first ball was a strike, and her second ball just barely knocked 'em all down. She needed one more strike to take state, nine to tie, and she picked up seven. You had to be there, it was really fun.

Anyway, I had an hour and a half break in the afternoon, so I was able to catch the beginning of the concert Toyin sang in before I had to leave to get back to shoot more bowling in the evening. To keep it short, the sports anchor got absolutely screwed on time Sunday night, and it basically amounted to me spending almost my entire Sunday on stuff that will never see the light of day. Completely pissed me off, and the anchor was pretty frustrated too. I mean, I only missed my girlfriend getting a standing ovation. Whatever. I'm a bitter man.

And Cari:
About the grandkid thing: I actually think about that all the time, as odd as that may sound. I'm always thinking what a great grandma my mom'll be, and how disappointed I'll be if she doesn't get that chance. At least your mom got the chance, although I know you wish you could have had a grandkid of your own for her. I think about this same kind of thing often, I think because my mom's had a close call before. I know I can't relate directly to you, but I want you to know you aren't crazy for thinking such a thing. Not in the least, because if it were me, I'd feel like that too.

'Til next time. I sure hope this snow doesn't "hurt" anybody. Not that I'm against safety, but the way some people drive when the white stuff comes down, you'd think it was some kind of chemical that would explode if your car got over 20 miles an hour. Get some stones people.

Six months in eight paragraphs

2007-02-01T06:51:49Z

Instead of say all the stuff about how I haven't posted in ages (although the Japan blogs kind of count), I'm going to skip all that because a) you know it (if anyone reads this anymore, if not, I don't blame you) b) I know it, and c) it's boring. I'll try to sum up what has happened to me in the last six months and be as brief as I can.

So I'm working at KOLN/KGIN, a.k.a. 10/11, as a "part-time" sports photographer, a.k.a. cameraman. I started at the end of July this past summer, making it about six months that I've been there now. I shoot high school sports, most anything you can think of, from football and basketball to golf and tennis, and also Husker sports, from basketball to track and field. Also have been to Stars games and Saltdogs games. I could write journal after journal on experiences from the workplace, but, well, that's too much for me to write and too much for anyone else to read. Anyway, that's where I work these days. Cool, huh.

Even longer than I've been working at channel 11, though, I have been with my girl, Toyin. Tuesday marks eight months that we've been together. I could write twice as many journals on her and us and all that good stuff, but well, that would also take too much time to write, and you would get bored. So I'll just write a little about her so you have a little background.

We met last August (2005) when I was working at a retail store on campus. She was the night manager, and we would work together once a week. Then in the second semester, I just happened to pick up a couple extra closing shifts during the week, really, just so I could be around her a couple extra times each week. She stopped working there during spring break, so we started hanging out on weekends. By the time my month-long Japan trip rolled around, we had gotten pretty close, making the flight out a little bittersweet. For the 30 days I was over there, though, we sent each other something like 26 e-mails apiece, and when I got back we starting going out, and have been doing so since.

She goes by Toyin, her full first name is Oluwatoyin. She's studying to become a teacher. She already has a degree in dietetics and food service and hotel management. Believe me though, she's a teacher through and through. Because she has already gotten degrees and come back to school, she's 28. Yeah yeah, I'm 22. But so what? And in case you can't tell by her name, she is of Nigerian descent. Both her mother and father came over here from Nigeria, and then she was their first born, right here in Lincoln.

Oh yeah, and she's the greatest person in the world.

I'm also on my last semester now, hoping to graduate in May, unless, you know, the University decides to job me somehow. I haven't ruled it out.

My plan is to try to type something here about once a week, maybe more, maybe less depending on what the hell is going on my life.

crumbs

Hello from Saku, Japan

2006-05-10T02:24:43Z

Yeah, so it's been awhile. I didn't forget I had an LJ, I just, well, you know, had tons of crap to do. No excuse, but an explanation.

Anyways, I am now in Japan, got here Saturday afternoon Japan-time, or late Friday Lincoln time. I set up a written blog and a picture blog on a couple sites seperate from this. The reason for that was so no one would check into my LJ to read about my Japan trip and end up reading some of my past entries. That could have some negative ramifications that I would rather not deal with if I can help it. I don't think I really slamed anyone, but just in case, better safe than sorry.

The two sites are:

http://ryankinjapan.blogspot.com
http://ryankinjapanpics.blogspot.com

If you feel compelled to comment on something stupid I write or take a picture of, I think you can comment on the blogspots. You can always do that through LJ too. I don't know. I still can't believe I'm in freaking Japan. I don't get back until June 3rd, so there's going to be quite a few updates through the blog.

Anyway, since I've been so bad at staying up to date on this, I felt obligated to relay this info.

And in the picture of Yoko, Hideo, Jeff and I, Jeff said to me, "You know what, I figured it out; Hideo looks like Liu Kang." Yeah, he kind of does.

Peace

r_smack1 @ 2006-03-19T23:14:00

2006-03-20T05:13:02Z

No classes tomorrow. Just got word they were cancelled. Good. I have to ay, I realy, really don't feel like going through these next five weeks or so. It's bad. I really don't want to go back; this past week of doing very little was so relaxing, and I haven't had a relaxing week in God knows how long. And yet I still seem tired most of the time. Go figure.

I hope classes are cancelled Tuesday, too.

I think I prefer the O over the Razz

2006-03-15T06:59:15Z

Thanks for the heads up Dave. As you can see, though, I'm so disconnected from things these days, I didn't even get the message until about midnight. Spent most of Saturday at basketball games, high school championship games. Tell you the truth, I'm not even totally sure why, I didn't have any ties to any of the schools or anything. Guess I just felt like going. In the end, it was worth it. The Class A game was excellent, and as good as it is on TV, it can't compare to sitting about court level. The athleticism is so much more visible close and in person. It didn't all get over until late, though, and by the time I got the message, it was pretty damn late. But I appreciate the heads up. Sounds like some crazy shit went down, good work.

Believe it or not, I actually stopped by the DS today, but I saw it was two dudes I hadn't seen before, so I made like I was lost and left. It's always kind of weird going there, like a relative you used to visit all the time, but have only seen a few times in the last several years. You still know 'em and remember all the old times, but it's a little weird. Anyway...

Haven't done a damn thing so far this break. Really, I've been pretty lazy, which isn't really like me, but maybe it's good. I ain't been just plain lazy in a long time, haven't been able to, so maybe it's for the best. I gotta say, it is nice. Well, I shouldn't say I haven't done a damn thing. I mean, I did get a haircut. And I did have my fantasy baseball draft. And I did fill out my NCAA tourney brackets. OK, yeah, I've done nothing.

About the brackets; I just happened to turn on the Jim Rome Show today on the radio as he was saying that people who fill out NIT brackets are degenerates and have serious problems. Guess who's filled out an NIT bracket? If filling out an NIT bracket makes me a degenerate, what does filling out a women's NIT bracket make me? Hmm, I just realized, I really do have a problem. I don't know anything about the women's NIT, yet I have a bracket filled out. I truly am sick. Anyway, I said weeks ago Connecticut would win it all, so I'll stick with my guns. LSU will give Duke problems, if LSU can get to the Sweet 16. Kansas has as much talent as almost anyone, they're just young (but that isn't necessarily bad). Too many people are bagging on Memphis, and Gonzaga is overrated. They may win a couple games, but no chance at the Final Four. No way. And just fot the record, Adam Morrison does NOT have a pornstache. Wade Boggs has a pornstache. Adam Morrison has a serial-killerstache. There is a difference.

There was something else I was going to ramble about, but it is escaping me right now. Darn.
Oh, I don't think this is it, but I thought about it because I'm listening to The Score right now. I've said for some time that I would consider Lauryn Hill the best female MC to ever live, and I think this album backs that up. I would hear arguments for some old schoolers such as MC Lyte and Queen Latifah (remember when she used to rap? yeah, me neither) off the top of my head, but I love Hill man. She can seriously sing, too, giving her multiple dimensions. Female MCs get dissed before they even take the mic s lot of the time (not unlike white guys) but the fact is some can seriously spit. Hill is real. Hey, that makes me wonder: often white guys are behind the eight ball before they flip any rhymes, same with ladies, but what about white chicks? Can you even picture any white girls on the mic? Sorry, I think I laughed out loud just at the thought of that. Now, I would never judge until I listened to someone, but I couldn't help it. Then again, couldn't be any worse than some of that Kevin Federline(sp?) shit, and I do mean shit. Do us all a favor and fade into oblivion. Everytime you try to rap, you embarass white people who don't even know you. STOP.

I feel like going to bed, so that's exactly what I think I'll do. I don't get enough of it, but I love sleep. Sleep really kicks ass, especially good sleep. Me and sleep should spend more time together, especimumdm. ? Uhhhh. 12:54!? eeaahhguuuhh. What the hell is going on with me?

Gin and juice? No, rum and juice, get it right.

Nobody's shootin', my body's made of hand grenades.

Green Light

2006-02-28T06:16:22Z

It's been a rather nice last few days.

Got a couple CDs Friday. Now, I know that ain't exactly a big thing, but when you're trying to penny-pinch like me, it is. Got the new Aceyalone disc and a Blackalicious record. The Acey album is nice, but, damn, the Blackalicious CD is better than I ever would have expected. Really. That alone made my weekend a good one. Great stuff.

Lil' bro's doin' good, startin' to get his shit together, literally and figuratively. Turns out he had a muscle tear somewhere down there that was causing all his stomach and bowel problems. He was at the Med Center in Omaha last week, and at one point the doctors sent in a psychologist to talk to Adam. Maybe, they thought he was making some of it up, don't know. Anyway, the psychologist, who it sounds like was a bit of an odd guy anyway, gave him a 160 question survey. I would love to post the whole thing, but I'll just give some sample questions.
Now, keep in mind, my brother's 15. Every question is true or false, and they begin normal enough: I would much rather follow someone than be a leader, I can depend on my parents to be understanding, you know, maybe a little odd, but nothing crazy. Once you hit about question 11 though, it is unbelievable.
I think everyone would be better off if I were dead.
I don't mind telling people something they won't like hearing.
I used to get so stoned that I did not know what I was doing.
I don't think I have as much interest in sex as other kids my age.
I have not seen a car in the last ten years.
My brother's 15 years old! I mean, are you serious? What the hell was this nutjob thinking when he handed him this survey? No, he hasn't seen a car in the last ten years. Why yes, he has flown across the Atlantic 30 times in the last year (yes, that was an actual question). I laughed so hard my side hurt after hearing some of the questions. That also made my weekend.

And I got my passport pictures taken, so I can get that in. Yes, passport pictures. May 5, I'm flyin' out to Japan, and I'll be there for three weeks or so. Jeff's sister lives over there, and he needed someone else to go so he wouldn't e bored out of his skull during the day. Enter me. So yep, I'll be visiting Japan in May. Should be pretty cool. Expensive as hell, but hey, how often do you get a chance to go to Japan? I figure I can justify it that way.

And I saw her.
She stopped by the Bakery today. First time seein' her in close to two months. It was nice. I'd been doin' pretty good, staying busy with school and work and all. Still thinking about her, but not as bad. And then Friday...damn, man. It hit me bad again, all I could think about, and couldn't help it or make it stop. And I'm already waiting to see her again now. And yes, I know it maybe sounds a little dumb for feelin' so good after talking to someone for ten-fifteen minutes, but so what. It is what it is. It was just nice to know she still recognized me.

Thought I'd get a little Thunderbolt flavor in here. Hey, does anyone else think Boltman looks a little gay?

1. Who was your best friend?
Jeff

2. What sports did you play?
Baseball for awhile, basketball for fun

3. What kind of car did you drive?
1993 Ford Taurus, same as now

4. It's Friday night, where were you at?
Probably out with about four other people, getting, well, having fun

5. Were you a party animal?
No

6. Were you in the "In Crowd"?
No offense, but fuck the In Crowd. Really, I don't care what you did this weekend or how smashed you got or who you screwed. Really, I don't care.

7. Ever skip school?
Yes

8. Ever smoke?
Yes

9. Were you a nerd?
Yes

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
No idea

12. Favorite class?
Team Sports

13. School mascot?
Boltman

14. Did you go to Prom?
Yes

15. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
No. No. It had its moments, but just too clique-ish and candy for me. (Don't know if that makes sense)

16. What do you remember most about graduation?
My mom being there. Sorry, but it's the truth.

17. Favorite memory of your Senior Year?
Oh Lord. I tend to have trouble separating junior and senior years, so I'll just plead the fifth.

18. Did you have a job your senior year?
Anybody here heard of that Dairy Store on East Campus?

19. Who did you date?
Nobody. Single then, just like now.

20. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Just hung around.

21. Have you gained weight since then?
Yes.

22. Did you get suspended/expelled?
No.

23. Can you sing the Alma Mater?
I honestly don't even know if there is one. So no.

24. What did you do after graduation?
Like, right after? Played some of the best pitch hands of my life. It was sweet.
Now? I'm wasting away going to school and working, just tryin' to make a buck.

Peace

Green Light

2006-02-28T06:15:34Z

Jerome Bettis is not 255 lbs.

2006-02-05T06:42:55Z

Yo, I just listened to the Quality Control segment on KRNU on Saturday nights for the first time. DAMN. Where have I been? I was listening in my car, and I couldn't believe some of the stuff I was hearing. Stuff from Soundbombing, Common, Del, Haiku D'Etat, J5, and that was just four or five songs. I was stunned. THAT is the hip-hop that should be on the radio. A very nice surprise.

Went to a jazz performance, Stefon Harris & Blackout, at the Lied earlier. Only $12 because I went to the free concert of the Gospel Mass Choir at the Lied Friday night. Both good. Some of the jazz stuff was simply ridiculous. Jeff had to go to it for his History of Jazz class, so he couldn't go to the B-ball game. I had actually been thinking about going to the concert anyway, and since Jeff wasn't going to the game, I just went to the Lied, too. I think I made the right choice. Sorry, but Nebraska vs. Baylor in basketball doesn't exactly get me geeked. Don't look now, but the Huskers are 15-6. I'm just sayin'.

I guess there's this thing called the Super Bowl tomorrow. I'd love to give a little break down, but the truth be told, I'm just not sure. That's the way the NFL is these days. I thought the Broncos and Panthers would be playing now, so it shows you what I know. It should be a good game, both teams are riding high and playing their best football right now. But again, who knows? If I had to say one thing to watch for, one player to watch, it would actually be a unit: the Seattle offensive line, primarily left tackle Walter Jones, but really the whole line. If the Steelers are finding creases in the Seattle o-line like they did against Indianapolis, forget it, game over. If Seattle can neutralize the pressure, they can win. My guess? There will be a little bit of both, with the big plays made by the Steeler defense outweighing any of its mistakes. I'll say Pittsburgh wins, 30-23, but it seems like everyone is taking the Steelers, which makes me nervous. Ah well. If I'm wrong I'm wrong. But it should be a good game.

Night.

Oops

2006-01-31T01:06:45Z

Hmmm, well, to tell the truth, I meant to make that last entry private. I guess I can't even think straight these days. No offense to aybody (yes, I meant to write aybody), it's not that I'm trying to hide stuff. I just probably wouldn't have put that out there for everybody to read, because I'm not good at that, obviously.

But now that I have, maybe I'll just put out the other entry that I did make private. I mean, the cat's out of the bag now. I'll think about it.

Sorry again about Saturday night Cari, but I think I probably did what I had to.

Peace all. Gone.

Still

2006-01-29T06:56:23Z

Well, to update a previous item, things are still the same. I can't get her out of my head. I miss her man, I really, really miss her, and I know that sounds stupid because she really didn't go anywhere. She's still at the U, still living in her same room, still on campus, but I just haven't seen her at all. I'd give almost anything just to bump into her and exchange a few sentences. Is that so much to ask? Can someone up there help me out? Please?

That reminds me, maybe I had a chance Friday, but once again, blew it. Walking back from the Union, I saw someone that now I'm almost sure was her, but I was too far away to be certain. Because I couldn't be sure, I didn't yell her name, because I didn't want to be wrong and look like a fool. But why didn't I fake a cough or something to get her attention? Why didn't I think of that until after she was gone? I truly am hopeless, I don't think there's any question anymore. And like I said before, I feel like everyday that goes by and I don't see her, she forgets about me a little more, while she goes about living her life with me fading further further in the rear view mirror. It's a very depressing feeling. And one I'm getting more and more used to.

How can one person affect another so much without even knowing it?

Good night.

Yes, I said 81

2006-01-24T05:08:23Z

81 points by one player in an NBA basketball game is absolutely ridiculous. It just does not happen. 55 in the second half? 28 in the fourth quarter?! Are you joking me?!

Awesome.

It was seven, not eight, get it right

2006-01-01T04:25:03Z

It's New Year's Eve, and I'm doin' what I usually do on NYE: have a good dinner and spend it with the fam. Probably a lot of people would be like, "Man, you loser," but you know, I don't care. It doesn't bother me, so why care what anyone else says?

What this time of year, end of December, beginning of January, means to me is football football football. Waht a great time of year. Bowl games, last weeks of the NFL season, first rounds of the playoffs, national championship, what a great time.

You know, I want to scribble about that Alamo Bowl, but where the hell do you begin? You have to hand it to the boys for hanging in there, being down 28-17, looking like it was over, and then coming back to get the lead and eventually win. Very satisfying to see them show some serious heart and not fold, and then pull out the W. And on the flip side, Michigan did fold. They didn't keep their foot on our throat when they had us, and to our credit, we took advantage.

But here's a question: how nobody throw a flag when 80+ players storm a field while a play is in progress? I mean, if it were basketball, and during the final five seconds of a game when a team is setting up a play for a game-winning three pointer, the entire bench of the team on defense spilled onto the court, would the ref not do something? Anyting? How do you miss that? And another thing: this isn't even the first time this year the players on our team have stormed the field before a game was over. If you remember, they stormed the field in the Pittsburgh game after that snap hit their holder in the noggin, only there was still time left. Goddam. All that being said, apparently a game can end n off-setting penalties, which is what should have been called because Michigan also had players and coaches on the field before the play was over, so I don't feel as bad. If everything was called that should have been, we still would have won. But if the Michigan player had cut back and gotten some blocks from his assistant coaches, would the refs have even done anything? I doubt, those guys had absolutely no idea what was going on, kind of like most of the players.

A very good win, though. 8-4 is a good stepping stone for this regime. Let's keep it going.

In this bowl pool I'm doing, I actually picked Oklahoma to win their Holiday Bowl against Oregon. Their defense has athletes, and I just think that they are a different team with Adrian Pete back their. Man, I LOVE watching that guy run, what an absolute beast. He runs with attitude. And Oregon had been getting it done without their #1 quarterback for a few games, but it was going to catch up to them eventually.

And I've seen some tough quarterbacks, being as how Nebraska had run the option for so long and the quarterback always took shots, but Zac Taylor is as tough a sonnufabitch as I've seen. Goddamn, he takes shots to the teeth and stands right there and takes it. And it's been happening all year. He's like a man preparing for a firing squad. He must be made of rubber. Actually, Rhett Bomar, Oklahoma's QB, goes through abput the same thing. I'll never forget that shot he took against UCLA earlier this year. I honestly think he could have been killed, and then he goes back in for their next offensive series. Two tough SOBs.

And that's all I got for now. These next three four days're goin ta be fun. And Car, I knew you were gonna send me somethin, I only wanted to return the favor. I don't know when/if I'd be able to hang this week, but we'll see. Take it easy all, and fuck a New Year's resolution, here's to the previous year's bad habits and poor decisions.

r_smack1 @ 2005-12-29T01:21:00

2005-12-29T07:25:15Z

speechless

Remember the Alamo (Bowl of 2003)

2005-12-23T19:22:05Z

Got to go out of town later for my mom's side's Christmas. Should be alright. I've begun fasting so I can gorge.

You're right GhettoP. I do need to muse on the upcoming Alamo Bowl.

The optimism surrounding this game seems to be running high, something we haven't seen for awhile. The season finale against Colorado has given fans and the team some much needed confidence. And on the other side of the field, you have a Michigan team that is coming off a home loss to their rival, Ohio State, as opposed to us coming off a blowout on the road against our rival. You got two teams seemingly going in opposite directions, a definite positive for NU.

But here comes the skeptic in me. Yes, the Colorado game was the best game the team has played in the last two years, a very encouraging sign. But see, that's just it; they have played like that once in Callahan's two years. Can you really count on it if you've seen it once in 23 games? Does it mean we can just forget the Kansas game, the Missouri game, etc.? I know I'm being a pessimist here, but one game does not change everything. Maybe it does, and I hope it does, but I don't think it can erase everything.

All that said, I do think we can win. Based simply on raw talent, Michigan is better. They are faster, quicker, stronger, they have more talent. But that doesn't necessarily mean they are the better team. Hell, they've lost four games, same as us. We'll still, though, have to play a very good game to win.

Truthfully, if I had to pick a winner and bet my dog on it, I would have to say Michigan. I can't lose my dog, man. However, if I had to bet against the spread, which coincidentally I have, I'll take Nebraska. Michigan by 12 1/2 seems like too much. Our suspensions and injuries we've had since the end of the season don't help us. I have to be honest, and I'll say something like MU 34 NU 23, but Lord knows I'll be pulling for us. GO RED

About that UO-OU game, I'm looking forward to that one. I think if Adrian Peterson is 100%, and I would think he would be with a few weeks off, Oklahoma will win. When we played OU, Peterson was far and away the best player on the field, and he still wasn't totally healthy. He is a man. Should be a good one. Your take?

Oh yeah, so I don't forget, thanks Cari.

Alright, I'm out. Merry Holiday all.

I Return from the Meadow with a Fella Named X

2005-12-21T03:20:24Z

Was going to stop by the DS on Sunday, but I was beat.

Hey, I can get used to this no class stuff. Playing games and hanging out all day is pretty fun. I had forgotten.

I'm not one to admit it, but I think I'm smitten. We'll see.

Pointless entry. I have to go tend to some serious business. By serious business, I mean recruiting for my 2005 NCAA Football dynasty against Jeff. Good stuff my man, good stuff.

Out.

Neesh

2005-12-07T05:03:42Z

You know, I'm a bit of bastard. I keep telling people I'll try to stop by somewhere or do something, and I never do it (my bad E, my bad Ad). I always try doing other things and run out of time for others. I'm a bit of a bastard.

I've been dustin' papers lately, slammin' like shots of Bacardi. It's like bottoms up, swallow, then slam the glass on the table for the next one. The good k-news is that I got one five pager left for the semester and I'm done.

It's like the bottom of the ninth, three run lead, nobody on, two outs, and an 0-2 count on the batter. That's what it feels like right now. I'm down to one more strike, all I need.

I should be done some time by Thursday, meaning nothing at all finals week. I haven't seen my work schedule for that week, though, so I might not be loungin' as much as I thought, but shit, it ain't school.

It's a little sad that schoolshit has occupied most of my time lately, but yo, it is what it is. Or as I say, that's what I do. It's the troof, that's what I do. I really think I have some kind of disorder. If I'm not doing something to be 'productive' I feel like I'm wasting time or something. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me? Well, I know that, but what else? Okay, but anything else? Nevermind.

Man, I haven't even written anything about football or stuff lately, either. God I'm a nerd. Eh well. I would say that I'll write more next week when I have no finals or anything, but I know I probably wouldn't. That's the pattern I've fallen into. But one thing I'm SURE I'll end up doing is taking advantage of being 21 with no finals next week. You know, moderation, moderation. Or something like that. I still can't believe I'm 21 sometimes. Both my roommates don;t turn 21 'til next year, I feel old. The fourth roommate was 21, but he had to move out a couple weeks ago, and that's another story.

Anyways, time to start that paper.

Ridin' on a Train with no Dough, Sucks

2005-11-14T05:25:21Z

Yeah, so I ain't posted in awhile. I swear I'm thinking about doing it soon, maybe, I guess. I don't know anymore. No time right now to have much fun. Just gotta bust balls for about three more weeks. Three. Long. Weeks.

ja-BLOWW!

2005-10-15T17:21:40Z

A rather crazy week, I must say, beginning with that game thing last Saturday. I did not feel like talking about it then, and I don't think I do now. I don't fault LeKevin as much as some because it all happened so fast, but I cannot watch that play. I watched the game again Saturday after we got back from the stadium, and when it got to that play, I just stopped the tape and started rewinding. What a way to lose a game. All that said, there were many positives. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's not stumble against Baylor.

Now, Sunday night when I got back to my apartment from my house, I learned of some other crazy shit that went down Saturday, Saturday night to be exact. In case you didn't read in the paper or see on the news the story about the guy that broke into his ex-girlfriend's house and held her captive, here it is again LJS story

Well, it just so happens that the guy was a classmate of mine in high school and had been sharing a duplex with Kyle, my roommate from last year. But hold on, that's not all. The ex-girlfriend was also a classmate of mine in high school, and she is now the girlfriend of one of my current roommates. The "friend" that was thrown into the closet I had also known since HS, and the both of them had been over at our place quite a bit before all this. When I got back to the apartment Sunday night, they were all in our living room, and I almost said something like, "So, we havin' a party?" God, that would have been good. They were at our place because they were scared to go home. I came to find out this guy is extremely bipolar, and that it wasn't the first time he had tried to kill this girl. In August, he kidnapped her, drove her to Missouri (what the fuck!?!), took her out to a field, raised a big piece of wood and I guess was thisclose to knockin' her over the head with it. He had the knife to her throat this time and kept saying things like,"I'll kill you" and that shit, but thankfully nobody was seriously hurt.

I think it's safe to say that this guy needs to be locked up and kept. I'm not necessarily saying jail, maybe a mental institution, but he can't be let out, he's just not safe. He came within a hair of killing this girl twice, and has made threats to my roommate and shit. He needs to be put somewhere where he can't get out.

Fuck, then Tuesday, after I come out of my History midterm I run into my brother, who said he was about to stop by my place to inform that our dad was having heart surgery at the moment. What the fuck man?! Well, I later found out it was nothing serious, but shit. That's what I needed to hear. Thursday night I went to some flag football games so I could write about them for a journalism class, then had to close at the Market, then I decided just to write the story after work so I wouldn't risk sleeping in and not getting it done in the morning. Finally finished that bizno around 3:45, actually got some decent sleep and woke up about 8:15 feeling pretty good, and plowed through Friday.

Fall break, nice to have four days of no classes, but you know me, I'll end up reading shit for class and getting school poo done, cuz I'm closet nerd. Damn me. By closet nerd, I think I mean I would like to tell everyone, but just can't find the right way or time, and I don't want to be thought of differently for my personal preferences.
P.S. I'm not gay

Got to go watch 12 hours of college football. I'm out.

r_smack1 @ 2005-10-04T09:11:00

2005-10-04T14:15:02Z

Has anyone out there ever used the NU on Wheels service? If yes, is awight if I throw some questions at you for an interview I need for an assignment? Cool, good, awesome.

I'll do a real update again sometime before Saturday.

It's the Pitts

2005-09-19T23:29:51Z

ALright, chances are you already know what's coming, but hey, if there's one thing that keeps me coming back to post, this is it.

Where the hell to start. How about at the end. I would be willing to bet that I will never see a football game unfold the Saturday's did ever again. A premature snap bounces - BOUNCES - off of the holder's head, right to the kicker, who shits his pants, and then has the amazing presence of mind to throw it away so his team can have another kick. You cannot make this stuff up. And then, after the field is cleared of Huskers who stormed onto the field thinking the game was over, the second field goal attempt is blocked. All you do is throw your arms up, shrug your shoulders, and say, "Whatever." And by the way, yes, it should have been intentional grounding, but at the same time, a flag probably could have been thrown after our whole sideline emptied onto the field.

As for the rest of the god awful exhibition...just ugky. I meant to write ugly in that last line, but maybe ugky works better, because it's even uglier. What happened? In the first half we use some fresh plays, like sneaking Tierre Green and Marlon Lucky into the game for a couple toss plays or trying a surprise play with Mike Stuntz. And finally we see Cody Glenn ('bout goddam time). We had some creativity to start the game. What happened? I don't have a problem running a draw play on 3rd and 18 when you're on the 7 yard line, but for the love of Christ, can we try to get close to a first down when we have some room behind us? It was clear about midway through the second half that we had decided to chew up as much time as we could when we had the ball, get decent field position, pin Pitt back deep, then turn it over to the defense. We put the game in the hands of our defense, and they hung in there. But you can't go on playing 'not to lose' every game, you have to play to win.

Zac, feel free to not hold the ball until you are sacked. It is okay to throw an incomplete pass. And also feel free to step up in the pocket when you have defensive ends coming around behind you. And tight ends, in order to block someone, you have to make contact with them. Actually, that goes for more than just the tight ends. And also feel free to line up where you are supposed to. Really, it isn't that hard. Just a hard game to watch.

3-0.

Go Huskers baby

Yo Eyecare Specialists, let's get with the program

2005-09-13T00:08:42Z

Yeah, so it's been awhile. Sue me. Actually, I didn't even realize it's been three weeks or so. But eh.

Fun n Play has turned into work, what else is new. It seems like as soon as I'm finishing something for one class, its time to start on something for another class. Muthafudgepacker. Do you know how sweet it would be to take three hours for a semester? So what if it takes you an extra year to graduate. Graduating "on time" is overrated anyway. If I'm still alive after four years in college, it should be cause for celebration, whether I have a degree yet or not.

Work ain't bad. It's a plus being able to walk instead of drive, saves me some gas. All my shifts at the Village Market are fairly simple. Monday afternoon is pretty dead, Thursday night is pretty dead but have to close, no big deal though. Every other Friday when I work, man, 7:30 to 10:30 Friday is hands down the best shift I have. Just me, very little business, can just read, put in a CD, and every now and then make sure cups and lids are stocked. Wednesday is Hump Day, it really kind of sucks. The Qwikick is a lot busier than the VM, and it's just me closing. It takes me quite awhile because I'm still pretty green, especially there. Six hours might not seem like a long shift, and I guess it isn't (I've done that or longer many a time at the DS), but when it easily the longest one on the schedule, it seems even longer. Especially since it's right in the middle of the week. But I just got to grin and bear it.

A few early impressions on this 2005 season:
The defense looks light years ahead of last year, when they were supposed to be propping up our "work in progress" offense. Instead, they're doing that this year. The biggest reason for the sudden change isn't so much a change in personnel, it's a change in attitude, and, okay, a bit of personnel. Several key contributors, though, were on the team last year. So what gives? Simple: these are more this staff's players. For example, guys like Benard Thomas (exhibit A) frankly just didn't give a damn last year, didn't come to play, and showed no emotion or desire. It was pathetic, and so was out defense. After having been through three coaching staffs in three years, they just didn't care, and it rubbed off on the rest of the team. This year, the players have spent a year with one system and one staff, and you can see how much of a difference the comfort level makes. As for the offense...

put it this way; one day, it will work. I am convinced that one day it will work. It's amazing how many people you hear are already jumping ship. Come on Husker fans, show a little faith for God's sake. The quarterback position is better (couldn't get any worse). Zac, though, makes some bad decisions and throws some poor passes on short routes. On the other hand, he is at least capable of making the throws necessary in this offense and being a caretaker-type quarterback. The problem, though, is when he does make good throws, it's 50-50 whether we catch the ball that hits us right in the hands. It is pathetic at times, absolutely horrible. Grant Mulkey needs to play more. Oh, and after all that, our offensive line is the worst part of the offense. The O-line is where you really see the previous regime's failure to bring in top level talent. Even our "blocking" tight end consistently misses assignments. Unless the line improves, the offense goes nowhere. BUT if we can get the right pieces in, there ARE open receivers on almost every play, and despite what a lot think, running the ball is a big part of this offense. Trust me, it can work.

Mind you, I'm not complaining, just observing. I don't know if we're allowed to complain after a win anymore.

I'll try to post this ish more often, but no guarantees. I have to go watch my Monday Night Football. I am out.

P.S. Hey Katrina, way to go. What did all those people in Louisiana and Mississippi do to you?

Accordion

2005-08-23T00:25:23Z

Long time no speak.

Been busy; went to Wisconsin for a week at the end of July, babysat my cousins in Omaha for a few days, moved into the dorm/apartment, started classes, you know, stuff.

I'm not sure what to expect this semester. The NewsNetNebraska course has me a little nervous. Intro to Medieval Lit was pretty boring, but there is a lady in there who, I swear to God, is certifiably insane. She's about 70 or something, and she talks to herself and CAN'T CONTROL THE VOLUME OF HER VOICE. This is the same lady who last year I saw in Andrews walking down the hall crying, talking and yelling at herself. I don't know if I should feel sad for her or be scared out of my head.

Tomorrow I got Small-group Problem Solving (shouldn't be too bad), American West since 1900 (a lot of reading and writing, but a professor I've had before), and then Mass Media History from 6:00-8:50 at night(not sure what to expect, but got fingers crossed).

I also started my new job today. It was only from 1:00 to 3:00 at this new Village Market in Husker Village, and it wasn't too bad. With some time I should be able to get the hang of it. On Wednesdays I go from 12:00 to 5:00, or close, at the Qwikick, a place I haven't been to before but I guess gets pretty busy. Thursday I'm at the VM from 9:00pm to close, at 1:00am, but probably won't get done until 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning. That's gonna make my 8:30 class Friday morning a bitch, but I'll see how it goes for a week or two. Then I work every other Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 at the VM. It's all on campus, and it'll usually be between 13 and 16 hours or so a week, enough to get groceries with and other stuff if I need it. It was probably about the best thing I could hope for, so I hope it works.

Not much else. My mom, dad, and bro are gonna stop by soon to check out the place. I get to play some vid games for at least these next couple days before I really have to start doing school shit, so hopefully I can use that time. That and relax, cuz I don't know how much of that I'll get to be doing. Better enjoy it.

You know what I just noticed? In one month, I'm 21. Holy schnikees.

What's My Name

2005-07-15T04:58:08Z

Well I got an e-mail today informing me that began working at the Dairy Store on June 6, 2001, and ended on May 16, 2004. Heh, but the e-mail said a little more than that. I don't know if someone goofed or if someone just didn't care, but an e-mail Kathy sent to Sara Weixelman (sp?) was on there too, and it went:

Sara,
A Ryan Kottich or something like that. Wants to know his start date, and
finish date for another job application. I can't find him.

Man, that's from Kathy. "A Ryan Kottich or something"? Are you freeking serious? Give me a goddam break. I worked there for three years for God's sake, and it's not like I've been gone for five years or something. Usually, if I see someone on a regular basis for three full years, I don't totally, completely forget them after one year. Jesus Christ, Kathy.

Now, yesterday, I said I didn't really care, but hold on. When you apply for a new job, and you only have one person to put on the "Previous Employer" section, you would like that employer to be able to remember SOMETHING about you. So I guess I'm a little concerned. If I get one of the spots I'm applying for, this whole thing won't bother me. I could give a shit. But there is a little bit o' me that says, "Yo, I worked there for three years. Three fuckin' years, and it wasn't all fun times. I remember for a time coming in to work expecting to find the previous day's/night's list to find comments on it, comments on things that I had done and others working with me had seen me done. But I didn't bitch. I actually tried doing some work when I was there. And you can't remember me one year later? Disrespect man. Thanks for nothing.

Anyway, Im out.

My Name Is

2005-07-13T22:20:22Z

This'll be short.

I'm applying for some different places on campus for next year, like the coffee corner in the Union and the convenience store at Husker Village. On the application it asks for a record of former employees and for specific beginning and ending dates of employment. Well, I don't know the exact day I started and ended, though I think I could get close. I decided to stop in at the Dairy Store and ask Kathy if they had records of my time at the DS. I ask Megan to get her, she comes out and I tell her the deal, and she asks me who I am. Not even kidding. She said she recognized my face, but didn't remember my name. Now, really, I don't care, it really doesn't bother me. But come on. I worked there for three years, and it isn't even like it I stopped working there fvie years ago. I mean, I even remember the names of people like Jerry (remember him?) and Rachel (always knitting hats, remember) and I haven't seen them or anything in God knows how long. Eh. What's your name. Geez. Come on, you know it...

Yo. I haven't been to the DS in awhile, so I don't know if this is happens on a regular basis or not. But as I was walking up to the store, guess who I saw sitting out front. That's right, The Three. I can't believe they're still alive, let alone still going to the Dairy Store. I thought that by now they would have been relagated to mythical creatures, kept alive only through folk tale passed on from Dairy Store generation to Dairy Store generation. Amazing.

Also went to the library and got some thick-ass books, one on baseball and one on basketball. And then went to Gamer's and traded in a game. Then used the credit to pay for some of Resident Evil 4, it's supposed wicked awesome. Then, since it's right across the street, stopped at Best Buy and got NCAA Football 06. Now, I've been a Nintendo guy all my life, I guess I'm loyal or something. But Nintendo not releasing NCAA Football 06 is totally, utterly ridiculous. It's a joke, absolutely pathetic. The N doesn't have online play, doesn't play DVDs or CDs, and could stand to have a few mature titles, or maybe I should say ANY mature titles. But how do you not put out a game as popular as the NCAA Football? Give me a goddam break. Fuck you Nintendo. My brother bought a used PS2 just so he could play NCAA. I don't know if I would've done it, but I can understand. Thanks a lot Nintendo, you pussy bitches. I'll play my Resident Evil, and then you guys can kiss my ass.

Anyway, I just had to put in about my good ol' time back at the Store. The first time I've been there in months, and I come out with my head spinning. What have I been missing? I can only imagine. There is no place like Nebraska...University Dairy Store.