On the way home

Amazingly, the international terminal at Kiev Borispol Airport has free wireless interent. This amazes me since Oksana's family doesn't even have a PHONE.

Borispol airport has two terminals: Domestic and International. The international terminal is a very chic western-european-like building with duty free shopping, fancy gadgets, and Ukrainians who speak understandable English. The domestic terminal is basically a smokey watering hole that happens to have buses that drive over to little plans you can board. Apparently nobody flies within Ukraine, so the domestic terminal is unimpressive. Kiev is a major international crossroad, though, so the international is nice.

Anyway, just checking in. I have gifts for all, so be careful with your smart ass remarks- you might get un-gifted.

See you soon and someone tell me what's going on for New Years.

Hello From ukraine

I have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to write and post this. Based on the slow internet speed. I have about 1:30 to get it done.

Ukraine is nice. People don't have some luxuries, but there is a nice simplicity and enjoyment of life that is often missing in the US. Oksana's family is wonderful, they love me and are very patient with my language barrier. Buses are crowded (they are really vans for 20 people often filled with 40 people.)

Time running out.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bird Flu

For those of you who may be worried (I have recieved some sporatic e-mail concern)

FAQ:

Q. Aren't you worried about getting bird flu?

A. No, no Ukrainian person has contracted bird flu yet

Q. Doesn't that look close?

A. No, given the fact that Ukraine is the largest country in Europe proper (thus not including Russia), it is still quite far.

Q. Aren't you going to be visiting some of Oksana's family who may live in villages?

A. Yes, but none of them live remotely near there.

bam.

who's pumped?

ok... i havnt seen many movies all year... really been a slow year for me with pharm school and there being not as many good moves that i want to see... but man, i am pumped about Kong... the reviews just came out today and check this out... from such nationally reputable news sources as :

hicago Sun-Times	4 stars/4	"… magnificent entertainment."
Entertainment Weekly	A	"[Jackson is] the most gifted big-picture artist working today, a master of epics from a human-eye view who excels at employing 21st-century technological wizardry to suit the needs of ageless, personal storytelling."
Los Angeles Times	N/A	"… big, nerve-jangling, spectacular …"
New York Daily News	4 stars/4	"What a movie!"
New York Post	4 stars/4	"… stupendous, supersized remake …"
The New York Times	N/A	"… as memorable for its sweetness as for its sensationalism."
Rolling Stone	4 stars/4	"Here is the jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stopping movie epic we've been waiting for all year."
USA Today	3½ stars/4	"Jackson is a visionary filmmaker who is not only a technical wizard but also a master storyteller."
Variety	N/A	"Almost too much of a good thing … a stupendous adventure …"

dang you, USA today and your lack of half a star... who's pumped?!

FRIDAY 7:30ish, we are gonna see this at Opry mills- see you there!

happy christmahoniqwanzika!

Hey guys… just thought I might get in a pre-holiday update. Things are going good… as VP I’m responsible for our annual window display project. This years topic I’ve decided will be avian flu. I drew up a brochure which everyone seems to like… on the front it says “Avian Flu: and YOU” and there is a picture of a little cute chicken and next to him a guy is looking on in horror… I think its kind of funny, but yeah… had them printed up on canary yellow paper, about 1,000 and I distributed them out to the different class mates who will give them out at their pharmacies over the holidays. Next semester, the real project kicks in and we go around to about 12 locations through the months of January and February and do about a 3 hour display (in the process of making a large display/tri fold board with Avian Flu info) event at each location, we also have a table to the side for a free hypertension screening at each event, kind of a double whammi… so to speak… I passed my patient evaluation practical, and that was fun… my professor was presenting with cardiac, pulmonary, ENT (ear nose throat) , and extremity abnormalities so I got to poke and prod them, and stick that otoscope in their ears.. and feel their feet, ect… and I got a A on that part which made me feel good, and I passed the part where we had to take our stethoscopes and use cuff and check the BP on a fake arm that has been programmed to have a specific blood pressure from a computer that it is plugged up to, we had to get within 6 points on either systolic or diastolic… and I got that too! Woot… so I feel good… I also pulled a B in kinetics when all the class averages on the tests were in the low 70s… its kind of like the calculus, statistics, and physics of drugs all rolled into one…which is hard to explain, so i wont try which i'm sure makes you guys happy on multiple levels! but i could tell you some cool sounding stuff... hehe ok, gotta go study just afeeeew more hours before i knock this (Therapeutics-dang) final out. wish me luck- i am gonna need it...

horrible video game covers

(and if you like Joe Blade 2, you're gonna love the original!)




you gotta check out this gallery of bad video game covers that billy sent me. they are so terrible. i can't even imagine how the actual game would be if this artwork is any indication of the game's budget.

(who's idea of graffiti is writing "SCUM" on a brick wall?)

there are so many worse ones. such as...




i'm not sure what "anirog" means, but i'm pretty sure it's "obese" in another language. and are those bananas flying out of the anirog monkey?

can i get that with extra MAO?

oh cool... thats a really good question that i didnt really know much about till i got here, and then, its like when you hear in on drug commercials it really stands out becuse instead of technical sciency talk, its something you are comfortable with and understand... its interresting how that happens...

MAOIs.. this stands for "mono amine oxidase inhibitor(s)"... MAO is an enzyme and the inhibitors... inhibit it. So we know that much, so what does MAO do normally? Well, it functions to break down neurotransmitters (seritonin- heard of SSRIs?-, norepiniephrine, dopamine).

SO- if you inhibit the endogenous (in your body) way of keeping those neurotransmitters down, there will be a higher concentration of them... now, these three neurotransmitters in particular are linked to depression when people have decreased levels of them... so the rationale is that if you can boost them up, you can make someone feel happier... there are only 3 still on the market- isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine (i had to look those up cause they are rarely used)...

interrestingly, studies have also shown that natural remedies such as exercise will have the same effect of levels of these neurotransmitters as it was clearly shown that runners had higher serationin levels... not to be confused with the endorphins that cause the "runner's high"... thats a differnt issue all together...

oh and i didnt answer your question... ok... so thats how they work... there are lots of drugs you wouldnt want to take with MAOIs because there are lots of drugs that also interfere with the concentration or affinity of those same neurotransmitters... if you remove your body's ability to downregulate them, AND you take something else that boosts them up, or causes even a minor increase in any one of those neurotransmitters, you will see dramatic effects... kinda like... if you took away the kindergarden teacher (MAO) and then gave all the 6 year olds speed (drug that potentiates MAO effects)... it would just be crazyness because not only could you not control them because of the lack of the teacher, they would be running around like crazy breaking stuff because you juiced them up...

you can even get neurological problems when you take MAOIs and certain foods! i'm sure you have heard about that... tyramine, a common ingredient in olives, wine, cheese, turkey... ect... acts as a pseudotransmitter because of its similar structure to norepinephrine... it is normally broken down just fine with you have functional MAO enzymes, but when you knock them out, you flood the synapse with extra neurotransmitters... why would it make you really tired you might ask? doesnt it INCREASE the amount of excitatory chemicals in the synapse?! (although you didnt ask) becuase while it binds to the norepinephrine (NE) receptors, it blocks them (antagonist) instead of activating them... NE is usually for making you pumped up and excited and ready to run away from the dog that is chasing you, if you take the opposite of that, you get sedation, lethargy, ect...

did that answer your question?

An abbreviated sports rant

I know there aren't a ton of sports fans on this blog, but I feel like venting. I guess since many of you are UT fans and alumni, you can enlighten me a bit on this subject:

I don't know if it is just the Titans-fan-and-thus-anti-Colts in me talking, but, Why does everyone say Peyton Manning is so "classy" and "modest"? Case in point:

- On field demeanor. Ever notice that when a play goes wrong, he acts like a 6th grader yelling at the poor fat kid? When someone drops as ball or runs the wrong route, we see Peyton putting up his arms, scowling, and demanding an explanation. No I understand that sometimes it is someone else's fault. Sometimes, though, it is Peyton's fault. Maybe we should consider that all that pre-snap pageantry confuses the offense and thus causes missteps. Who knows. Commentators call this "competitive." I call it "immature." Ever look at Steve McNair when something goes wrong? I'm not saying McNair is HALF as good as Manning, because he's not, but his on field demeanor can teach little Peyton something. McNair may look frustrated, but, unlike Peyton, he doesn't look like he's thinking "Why is everyone but me such a colossal fuck-up?"

- Unsportsmanlike conduct. The colts, under Manning's direction, have adopted a new questionably-fair tactic. I'll preface this by saying that the rules absolutely allow it. Manning like to rush his offense to the snap to force an illegal substitution penalty (too many men) on the defense. Basically he's vying for a free five yard penalty. Yes, it is perfectly legal, but is that the sort of behavior we expect from "professionals"? I might understand it in a close game or on a 4th down, but otherwise it just seems... classless? Immature? Fine, though, it is the defense's fault and they should hustle, I agree. However what he did at the end of the Titans game yesterday really pisses me off. At the end of the first half, the colts took a knee with about 35 seconds left (thus APPARENTLY running the clock out to halftime). When the players (and coaches and officials and everyone else) started walking toward the locker rooms, Manning tries to rush his offense out to run a play and get a cheap touchdown. Mind you, they were leading 14-3 (and eventually won 35-3). There was absolutely nobody who thought their "perfect record" was in danger at this point. He didn't pull it off since even his cronies didn't realize he was that much of a douchebag. The Titans are an awful team this year. Why kick them while they're down? I might understand if there were alot of threats and boasts about the Titans beating the Colts, and a well deserved putting in the place was needed. But no such circumstances existed.

- Interview "modesty" and "classiness" In interviews he is sooooo classy and modest. Has anyone ever heard of false modesty? I don't know if everyone is so stunned by his awesomeness and glory to notice, but he doesn't come across as a particularly genuine person. It is hard to notice someone being disingenuous when all you can think about is how wonderful it would be to filter your coffee through his jock strap. Again, maybe it is just my bias as a Titans fan.

- Manning false royalty. This is more reflected in kid-brother Eli, but the Mannings seem to have a sense of entitlement. They think they are football's royal family. Newsflash, Archie wasn't really that good. Not even top 10 if you ask me. But I honestly don't know much about football history.

That's it. UT/Colts/Manning fans feel free to comment.

What is the DEAL with MAOI's, Scott?

Look, nobody is posting and I have this pharmaceutical question for Scott. I figured I'd share it with everyone since an overly-technical question an answer post is better than, well, nothing (although I understand some may disagree).

Why do so many drugs say you can't take it if you are taking an MAOI? I hear about it all the time on TV and read them on labels (cough syrup, this morning, for instance). What's the deal? Explain to me in (relatively) laymen's terms.

The label said to consult a doctor or pharmacist. I figure since I'm not actually taking an MAOI (to my knowledge), I'll be ok with consulting a pharmacy student.


Check out this high quality precision digital photograph taken with my telephone:



The title says "Congratulations to the 2006-2007 Vanbderbilt Moot Court Board:"

I'm the fifth one down on the left. Wa-hoo!

Meanwhile... exam season is here and I am getting my ass kicked for my refusal to work hard during the semester. Today, Professional responsibility, Wednesday, Evidence, Friday, International Law, Monday, Con Law II, and Wednesday, Employment Law. Then the following Sunday we leave for Ukraine (bon voyage!).

How's everyone else doing?

look here, friends

welcome to Josh Presents: How to Post a Link

Let's start with a new post!





Next, let's copy the location we want to link to!





After this, we can go back to our blog entry and highlight the text we want to make a link and proceed to click on the hyperlink button.





We will then "paste" the desired link location into the box prompting us for the hyperlink.





After clicking "OK", it should appear as so...





Congradulations, you've successfully posted a hyperlink!






Below is an actual link i've posted. It is, of course, merely a general example to go by. However, once you've mastered "hyperlinking" you can link to virtually anything! Even pictures!

hey look at me posting a link!


Good luck and have fun!

Watch out!

Cautionary tale for the hoilday online shopping season...

http://thomashawk.com/2005/11/priceritephoto-abusive-bait-and-switch.html

Also, my computer won't post this as a link. Get off me.

soooo...

jess and i got hit by a drunk driver saturday night.

what have you guys been up to?

Poor Penn

NPR's This I Believe : There is No God

this makes me sad for Penn. i mean, from a worldy standpoint, it's actually a pretty intelligent way of looking at it. but this is the type of reaction that scares me so much about all the Christian "press" our country has gotten in the recent years. it's so sad (and frustrating) that people think believing in God means you have to be close-minded and stubborn (and greedy? geez). i just hate the fact that this is the God so many people think they're not believing in.



also - it just occured to me that i seem to post "religious" entries fairly often (recently). i'm really not trying to incite argument, i just find them interesting and relevant to everyone. (and i seem to say "just" a lot.)

schweet

yellow... well... i'll be gone for afew days (starting tomorrow) so i figured i'd leave with a scott update... -- took a big test on monday, and i dont even want to talk about it... one of the worsts tests i've had in awhile... i wont go into that..
had a big party at the house last night... probably 40ish people there. it guess it was more like a "get together" than a party... i put together a card game on the second floor- there were 9 of us up there... everyone else was screaming bloody murder downstairs playing cranium... when asked if i wanted to play i had to say "sorry... i'm kinda burnt out on this one from highschool.."
(with the one big difference here being that several people were lobbying for me to be on their teams instead of lobbying for me NOT to be on their team (BRYAN and HG!)) but we all had a good time and i got to bed by 2ish... I'm gonna be "house manager" next year and i'm trying to find two people to come and fill the two spots that will be left at the end of the school year... i've already got one guy (one of the three validictorians) ((speaking of that... since that weired thing happened to me in the car, i've discovered that two of my other friends were also validictorians... what the crap??... )) for next year and he is really nice... looking for #2 now... i figure i could always open it up for people to apply to get im but i'd rather hand-pick my roommates!

Kirk, a pharmacist and recent grad approaced me last night and gave me this special fraternity pin and says he gives a couple away every year, one to the president, and one to another person who he thinks has gone above and beyond their duties as a member of the fraternity. so i thought that was cool... he also said something to the effect of he knew he always gave me a hard time last year but he really appreciated what i was doing and thoight i was a nice/respectable guy... so that was cool of him.- he was house manager last year. i've talked to him some and he says its really fun working as a pharmacist, he said that the school here definitly overprepared him and he feels almost bored sometimes, but then again he is a genious... so i think alot of things are easy for him... he says he is very satisfied with his pay:work ratio now that he is a pharmacist and said its a good feeling to finally get out and do what he had studied 8 years to do... and the getting paid part he said was a large plus, for lack of a better phrase... speaking of getting paid... its time for me to go to class for afew hours- if my calculations are correct... 0.00 dollars per hour for the next two hours SHOULD rake me in some pretty nice cash... thats pretty schweet... can i get that in twentys?

we're a long way from college

so does anyone else not get this friday off?

i feel like i'm taking crazy pills. the building where my office is located is closed, but my office is still coming in to work.

what's the point of destroying a perfectly good 4 day weekend??

i'm a little t.o.ed

VANDERBILT 28, TENNESSEE 24

Two months ago, I told Josh that Vanderbilt would BEAT Tennessee this season... and I was mocked...

Now I admit this IS probably pulling a Scott [Burka]

I got this in my e-mail from one of my Evidence classmates: (You need sound)

http://blawgcoop.com/commons/hearsay.wmv

OK, so I realize this is pulling a Scott and, in fact, Scott once posted a video that was apparently particularly funny to a pharm student. I watched it and didn't really get it.

I've done my best examination of this and determined as independently as possible that I sincerely believe this has independent humorous value. I think the music plus the poses are funny, the technical information about evidence is just icing on the cake for me.

I might be wrong, though, and I apologize if I am.


P.S. LOL- I just did a spellcheck on this post, and it tried to correct "pharm" to "porn." Are you a porn student Scott?

3 out of 3?

so i'm going to this church thing tonight with three of my classmates here in pharmacy school... and we are talking about stuff and i tell them a story about last christmas and gift giving and stuff and i mentioned something about mandy had gotten my present kinda early (i dont remember exactly when) but maybe it was like late january or the first of december... and i made a comment to the effect of "well she was validictorian and i think those people tend to be really organized and get things done earlier than the slackers such as myself" (or something to that effect, i meant it in a good way)- and one of them said... well (chuckle) i dont think ALL validictorians are like that, and then one of the other of the three of them said something else to that effect, and the third one also chuckled to themselves and said they agreed... and i was like... "wait a second.....was one of you also validictorian of their respective highschool?".... and they all laughed and nodded and then looked at eachother and realized that in fact all three of them from their respective highschools had been #1 in their class..... and i was like "what the crap?" and we had a funny moment... i said something to the effect of "i dont think i can TALK to you guys any more... sheesh"... you should have been there...

Did anyone else miss this or just me?

On 9-22-05 Pappert wrote:

"Oh, on a minor side note: I GOT A CELL PHONE. Convenience finally won out over necessity. If you would like to call me on it, my number is (970) 310-8722. It is now my only number, so don't bother with the old one"

He called me last night and insisted he did in fact post his new CELL PHONE NUMBER. I find it odd that nobody commented on it.

Did anyone else notice?

Moot Court Update

So, my partner Aaron and I did advance to the second round of Moot Court. That means that we were one of the top 16 teams out of 79. Our second round of arguments was last night. I was a little nervous, but was fine once I began talking. Our chief justice for the round was the Moot Court Board's chief justice. She is the student in charge of the administration of the competition. She was very tough, asked questions relentlessly, and, unlike the first round, her feedback had a much more constructively critical tone than a praising one. Our adversary team was pretty good. The first guy was extremely smooth, very well spoken, like a seasoned politician. His partner was also very good, just not as smooth.

We found out this morning that NEITHER of our teams advanced to the quarter finals. That surprised me. I thought that they DEFINATELY would and we MIGHT. The 8 teams (16 people) who advanced to the quarter finals automatically get onto next year's moot court board. Then 14 individuals are selected among those not making it to the quarter finals based on the best scores in the first round. I was selected as one of these "at large" Moot Court Board members and the smooth talkin guy from last night was too. Neither of our partners made it.

I have mixed feelings. It is nice to get some genuine recognition. During hiring season, almost all the employers list "Law Review or Moot Court Board preferred" in their hiring criteria. It's considered one of those things that sets a law student apart in skill. It isn't as prestigious as writing for the journal (Law Review), but still quite distinguishing.

Of course, I already have a job, so it won't help me a huge amount unless I decide to interview again next year. It could also be helpful if I decide to leave my firm a few years after law school. Headhunters look for that sort of thing no matter how long a person has been out of law school.

The other crappy thing is now I have to do a bunch of extra work next year. I get a pass/fail credit for it, but it is a significant time committment. I guess I shouldn't complain, though, since I do get a little recognition.

dudley must take after his mom in his love of sun worship. look at those spread-eagle legs! 

Unicorns, sunshine, and rainbows

Sorry about the title. I was going for soothing and positive, but ended up more on the gay side. Just thought I'd check in during this latest flurry of activity with a brief update. I received my MCAT scores last month and was...disappointed to say the least. Honestly, it depressed the crap out of me. As my GPA was acceptable, but not outstanding, I was counting on my MCAT scores to make me feel more confident about my possible admission to CU Denver. This turned out to not be the case. So, unless they are captivated by my essay, or impressed by the fact that I work for the CDC, I may very well find myself sitting on my ass for another year trying to figure out what to do with my life. I'll likely try the MCAT again in April in hopes of starting the following year, but who knows how this will all work out in the end. I really loathe the thought of not progressing at all for another year.
One thing that does make me happy is the impending release of the Xbox 360. I pre-ordered mine in mid-May, so I will receive it on the launch day. I think I am one of the few of us who still play many games with regularity, so many of you will likely be unaware/unconcerned with this event.
Bryan: I hope all goes well with your discounted 360 plan. Would you mind if I resurrected FR-DOT-BRYAN on Perfect Dark Zero for old time's sake?
What were everyone else's names on that game? I think mine was She-beast, a horrible she-male chimera of sorts.
If anyone has a Playstation 2, you should check out Shadow of the Colossus and Resident Evil 4. Both are superb games, and well worth your time. Crap, time to leave. Hope everyone is well. Later.

dci?

HOWS THIS FOR A LINK, JOSH?!

this is a video of the "blue devils" from concord, CA doing a brass warmup before quarterfinals in parking lot outside the Patriots' new stadium in foxboro, MA- you DONT have to watch this... this is only for those who have 2.5 minutes and are interrested... my only request- if you watch it- feel free to skip the first 50 seconds if you must, but the last minute and a half are what i'm trying to show you- and also- you've gotta have it turned up to appreciate it (despite the horrible recording)

this is DCI... and for those of you out of the know... i played one of the really big instruments there in the middle (it was heavy...)... this is not my group, but a group that placed 4th by 0.8 points (on a 100 point scale) to my group who placed 5th... so same idea--- watch the conductor in the middle when he points around the arc and how the sound changes--- i guess for those of you who have never played a wind instrument, this might seem odd to you, or might not mean anything- but please believe me that this is very impressive to those of us who have played at one time-- getting 68 brass players to play precisely in tune with the same accents, slurs, articulations, and rythms, with that immense kind of power that they generate- sounds like a synthesizer on first listen...

Nooooooooooooo!

Bad news for 'Arrested'

this world was never good enough for you.



follow-up: go here to help save Arrested Development!

(i'm #646)

My Free* XBOX 360

So I got a free* xbox 360!

I went to a link like this one and did everything I am required to do to get a free* xbox 360.

Here is/are the catch[s]:

You have to do all these promotional offers. Yes, you have to spend money. No, it is not nearly as much as paying out of pocket for a free* xbox 360. Here's what I did:

-Free Trial of AOL dialup- FREE (no asterisk) as long as you cancel within 30 days
-Free Trial of AOL broadband- FREE (no asterisk) as long as you cancel within 30 days
-One month of Earthlink dialup- $9.95 as long as you cancel within the first month
-One month of PeoplePC- $7.95 as long as I cancel before rebilling
-PetMeds Online- $40. I need[ed] this anyway [before my dog got pulverized by a Goodyear]
-SouthBeach Diet online- $7. I think $65 prebilled, but as long as you cancel within the first week, they refund you the balance
-Orexis [penis enahancement supplement]- $45, don't need it, but still cheaper than my free* xbox 360 at retail price. I'll try to resell it on e-bay
-Longevity [old age prevention supplement]- $45 I'm aa least 30 years from need this, but again, still well under the full retail price of my free* xbox 360
-Work from home starter kit- $45. I have already gotten credit for this and it hasn't arrived yet, which means I can refuse shipment and not pay (plus it has a 90 day refund guarantee less shipping)


By my tally, I put about $160 dollars into the offer BEFORE counting any return I get on selling Orexis or Longevity on e-bay. I am getting the FULL free* xbox 360 system (the $399 one with the wireless controller and the hard drive).

Here's the second catch. Due to high demand, they won't guarantee I'll get it in any timely manner. They offered me a $399 check isntead. The down side is I have to go to wal-mart at midnight on the 22nd to get one AND I have to pay the tax ($45 or so). But still, that puts me at about $200 for a $400 system (really a $445 system after tax).

this is killing me

So my leg is killing me… very slowly… I am convinced of it… to those of you who can walk or run without pain- please please please get out and do something, because one day you might end up like me. I know I used to be a “downer” about my image or girls… and saying depressing things might have even been something that some of you associated with my general comments back in high school (about girls) and undergrad (still- mostly about girls)… but I really think the last several years since my 2003 drum corps experience I have been more of a happy and satisfied person in general… but I’ve got to tell you guys the truth- this thing is just killing me. Who would have thought that something like a hip/thigh/knee injury could permeate so many aspects of life- I would have told you a year ago that if I had this injury, it wouldn't affect that much in my life, but I cant emphasize how wrong I was… I’ve gained about 25 pounds since the injury, many of my clothes don’t fit, or fit too tightly to be comfortable, I cant play sports with my friends or do any form of exercise that involves “moving”, my sleep has a chunk of about an hour to an hour and a half taken away every single night (every-single-night) and has been like that for over 5 months (APPRECIATE YOUR FULL NIGHT’S SLEEP), the pain prevents me from paying full attention in class= my grades are suffering… I feel horrible about my body so I don’t even think about talking to girls… its just killing me… I hate to be “that guy”… but its just killing me… and I just don’t think that anyone believes me anymore… I figured I’d do some research on “chronic bursitis” and check out some discussion groups and stuff, and it actually probably made it worse… runners were extremely depressed, gained weight, said that it was “ruining their lives”… one person who said he had had it since 1995 said he had contemplated suicide several times… now… of course I would never think of that… but this whole thing has gone too far- this is just ridiculous… what is wrong with my body?! Everyone asks me every day in class how I am doing as I walk in wincing in pain, and I say “well…I’m doing the best I can!” and I try so hard to smile and pretend to be not in pain, and I do a good job of hiding it because they don’t need to be burdened with it, there isn’t anything they can do… but its hard to keep it all inside every day and secretly think that this is hopeless and that its only going to get worse… if this ever gets corrected I will forever value the ABILITY to sleep for more than 4 hours at a time, and the ability to GET OUT and use my legs for the things like running, or Frisbee that I always participated in as a regular 20-something guy in this world… dang it… this is really killing me. (or I could talk about pharmacy school like I did last year?)

You Catholics. Always Pushing the Envelope.

Evolution in the bible, says Vatican

My Good Reviews

"You handle questions as well as any appellate lawyer I've ever seen"
- Nashville attorney acting as Moot Court Justice

"Your ability to make concessions without weakening your argument gives you great credibility"
- [Different] Nashville attorney acting as Moot Court Justice

"You really look like a lawyer up there. You know what you're doing, you like what you're doing, and I think you'd be willing to do it all night if we asked."
- Vanderbilt Vice-Chancellor David Williams acting as Moot Court Justice

What's all this about, you say? Well, I just finished the first round of the Vanderbilt Intramural Appellate Advocacy Competition (aka Moot Court). This is an activity for 2nd year law students to participate in a pretend appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Not to be confused with Mock Trial, Moot Court involves writing a brief and delivering two rounds of oral advocacy (one "on-brief" and one "off-brief) to a panel of three "justices". It is a one credit pass/fail activity.

I just finished it, and those are some of the comments I got. I'm not a great writer, but I feel like I did an awesome job with the speaking part. I'm not really one for tooting my own horn, but this is a big accomplishment. It is hard to get accolades at Vanderbilt because of the level of competition.

It is possible that I will advance to the next round of the tournament. If it were only my oral advocacy, I definitely would. Unfortunately, half my grade is my brief, which wasn't exactly good considering I used 2 out of the 30 allotted days to write it. If I make it through the next two rounds, I'd be on the Moot Court Board which administers the competition. It is an honor second only to writing for the Law Review. We'll see.

Shout out to Scott!

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/11/07/pharmacist.shortage.ap/index.html

My Payphone

I got hold of a payphone for free. They go for quite alot on Ebay, so I'm glad to get this one for free. The only problem is that it is locked up and no keys came with it. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a workaround. From doing some online searches, payphones locks can be tough to pick. My first step would be to try the local phone company. However I don't think TDS Telecom keeps payphones maintained. So they might not be of much help.

All I really want to do is to disable the coin deposit requirement and find where you would plug in the phone cable (currently I can't find the plug on it). I want to mount it in my kitchen for the coolness factor.

Thanks to all who came and double thanks to those who dressed up. I'll post all our costume pictures on FlickR, sometime today. Have a great week everyone!
our friend, billy hammock, brought this over as killer decoration. 

ours(josh's and mine) looks more like this. 

k.pattawi's boyfriend, eric--winner of stereotype costume contest(we awarded him a colander full of the really cheap candy). 

:'(

Sad news:

When we got home yesterday, my dad announced that he had bad news. Earlier in the morning, our dog Jet wandered off and was missing for an hour or so. My dad went looking for him and found him on Saundersville Ferry Rd., apparently hit by a car. He was still warm when my dad found him, so it had just happened.

It was tough news to bear. I have a lot of work to do and it is hard to focus when you are a little sad. I'll be honest when I say that I've never cared much before about losing a pet. Animals are animals, but this was different. This was the first pet I had in a long time that was realy mine. He was my "little buddy" (as I affectionately called him). The last two maltese dogs belonged to my dad and I didn't care that much except that my dad was sad. This puppy was mine and Oksana's.

Oksana was upset, but took it pretty well. We don't blame anyone except him. He wasn't the brighest when it comes to avoiding imminent peril.

We buried him in my parents yard. His body wasn't pretty, but he OBVIOUSLY didn't see it coming. It's a little comforting to know he didn't suffer or wallow in pain.

We'll miss him. No plans for a new pet for a while. At least until we get our own place which means probably after law school.

Sorry for the depressing post. It's helping me vent a little bit.

Job and etc.

Well I finally got a job offer! McCarter & English, my old Jersey firm, called me yesterday to make the offer. I am going to accept it for many reasons. First, I am comfortable with the firm. I worked there almost a year. I know who to call for supplies and who to blame for the crappy water coolers. It is hard to describe, but that that comfort and familiarity can go a long way. Second, this was the only firm that I felt like REALLY wanted me to work for them. One of the parnters I worked for really worked hard to get me the interview and offer. His influence encouraged them to pay for my trip (something they don't usually do for a first interview). He also met with the hiring committee DAILY since my interview and got all kinds of partners and associates that I worked with to write recommendations and call the committee. He told me when I left that he wanted me to come back, and he was telling the truth. I already hacve a great advantage from the fact that I am well respected among the lawyers and staff that know me. The staff had nothing to do with the deciison to bring me on, but it is amazcicng how connections with staff can help a professional be successful. IF any of you are ever in the position to take this advice, heed it: be really nice to your secretary/assistant/grunt workers. They'll appreciate it and look forward to working with you. Anyway, I am exctremely relieved that my job search is over (at least for now).

On another note, I am apprently (unbeknownst to me) featured on vanderbilt law school's website in two photos (one ofjust me one i'm in the background). Go to http://law.vanderbilt.edu andlook at the picture at the top. If it isn't me, refresh. Keep goign until you see me. Once you see me, click the picture to get a description that says "2L Bryan Cantrell takes a break between classes and interviews. Cantrell will likely exchange his backpack for a briefcase after graduation in spring 2007. Virtually all Vanderbilt law graduates are employed within six months after graduation". Cheezy, I know.

Another note. DId you ever wonder why you shouldn't procrastinate 25 page briefs due within 48 hours? I figured it out! Apparently, one's dad might trip over my power cord and knocka glass of water into my keyboard. After 2 hours of dis-assembly and blowdrying, my computer works and my keyboard... mostly works. I currently don't have a backspace (I have to arrow and delete) and the "z" and "x" keys produce an extra "c" . So they come out like this.... xc zc xc zc . Isn't that annoying? Try it with no backspace, then we can talk.

Also I occasionally get attacked by repetitive "b"s. It's all good though since they are ordering me a keyborad that will be in tomorrow. The annoying thing is that this case I am writing about is called "Branzburg" but comes out "Branzcburg". I'm wondering if this is is some cruel karmatic joke involving my first initial.

COmment if you wish, don't blame me for spelling and typos

i heart A D

have you guys seen arrested development?! josh introduced me this past summer and i have fallen in love... my biggest question was... "how on earth did i somehow miss the best (and i mean best) show currently on television??" this show is comedic gold... and it seems like everyone who gives it a chance feels the same way... I bought the DVDs this past week (seasons 1 and 2) and i cant wait for them to get here...i was just taking a study break and i was thinking, "i wonder how other people feel about this show?" so i googled reviews for the show... the first review was from a TV and film critic website... the site allowed for users to post reviews as well... the show itself had 33 reviews. Each reviewer was asked to give it a 1-10 score and tell something about it... every single person gave it a 10/10... no joke... here are some of the excerpts:

" i can't believe a show this great isn't more appreciated"

"this is an amazing show, not only does it make me laugh out loud, i am always amazed by the attention to detail and the pure genius of the scriptwriters and skill of the actors."

" Best comedy of all time"

"the funniest show and the best show on television, never before has a show caused my to have such laughing fits over just thinking of a line from a previous show"

" This is the best show I have ever seen"

" best show on tv"

" The best show on television!"

"...amazing writing, perfect direction, and the best cast and acting on all of T.V. It is a crimev(but makes sense) that this show isn't more popular."

i went over to amazon to check out some of their reviews... certainly there must have been some kind of mistake... people cant really think the show is THAT good, right?
There were 267 reviews given on a 1-5 star rating... how many total reviewers gave it less than 5 stars? 15.

Octoberween Mixer '05

(man i've been posting like crazy!)

JoshnJess Octoberween Mixer '05:
*Friday, October 28th @ and after 7pm
*Starline Apts. #907--900 Glastonbury Rd, Nashville TN 37217
(in the complex,make your 1st left and look for numbers 905-912)
*Costumes are suggested, but not mandatory(possible repercussions for NOT)
*A loosely-enforced cover charge of $3/person(or 2 for $5?) will be in effect to cover costs-this instead of asking people to bring stuff.

Mixer Costume Theme is STEREOTYPES, so dress up as your favorite ridiculous/sad/enraging stereotype and try not to get beat up on your way here.
Also, it's best if your stereotype represents less than 50% of your persona, in reality...but we're not picky. (Best stereotype gets a prize!)
This might help with ideas.


Matt, Leanne, J.Myatt, Jeff & all you others in the cool club--if you are in town and game, please consider this an invitation!

as scott's witness

Josh and I went to Memphis this weekend to visit Scott and here's my entry about it, complete with pictures! Josh will probably have one about it, too, but he doesn't yet.
It was a nice visit and quite nice weather for exploring Memphis.
You, too, should visit Scott. He'll let you sleep in his bed and make you promise not to have sex in it.(good times)

politically-incorrect costumes

...just so we don't offend each other this halloween. (pretty funny)

Week in Review

This week was actually really great....

Now that I am not having to work a second job, I have been able to concentrate on work completely... and have even gotten a few compliments about my performance this week. I have been a little sharper at work, and been able to come home after work and relax... which was a bit of a rarity before two weeks ago! I still haven't been paid though... which (apparently to the Texas Dept. of Labor) is a direct violation of their code. I should have been paid on the 15th, and am still waiting. I don't want to drag this thing out... but I need my money. When I called to make sure I had read the law books correctly, the Dept. of Labor person told me I should file grievance immediately. I really don't want it to come to this, but.... we'll see.

LSAT score: 156. I know, I know. I should be relatively happy with it... but I know I botched the games section, and if I got that score with a really terrible games score, that means that if I had done (relatively) well on the games... I would probably be looking @ 160+, which was my goal. However, I am finished taking the LSAT... I just hope they look at my games percentages from the first LSAT... they were my saving grace then (and if I had that games score instead of my new one, I'd have a 165, which would have been awesome!). A totally decent score.. and I am happy with it... I just can't help but thing about what I could have gotten. And that irritates me BIG TIME.

But, I think that will be good enough to get me into STCL, St. Mary's, Ole Miss, University of Memphis, and a handful of others, all of which I would LOVE to attend. I really would like to get into U of Houston, since I'm so close to their campus, but we'll see.

So... I've been brewing an idea for a while, and I think I finally have the time to sit down and write a book. A bit ambitious, I know... but, I already have 30 pages and a chapter outline for up to 10 chapters. It's a fluff piece about post-college life in the real world.... jobs, relationships, etc. But, so far, it's a cute book.... a "beach read" if I ever saw one. We'll see how fast I can get this thing out... and I might post a chapter or two here for review.

I am coming in and bringing Jack over T'giving. Is everyone going to be in? We should grab a drink on Friday night..... HG, get off work now.

Life as a lawyer?

Check this out....

http://anonymouslawyer.blogspot.com

Bryan should especially appreciate this... the most recent post had me laughing out loud in the office. It's a bit sad.... but I can totally see this as a lifestyle for someone who is a Harvard/Yale/Stanford grad and VERY dedicated/motivated/insane.

Enjoy!

ha

what do you all think of josh and my halloween costumes? 

Create Your Own Doctor Octopus Costume

Just in time for Halloween. How to Create Your Own Doc Octopus Costume

Fisher & Phillips SUCKS...

.... because they decided not to give me a job. I don't know why, because I thought it went pretty well. Probably because my grades were so-so first semester and I had an asshole for a legal writing teacher.

So here are my remaining options:

Swift, Currie- Atlanta, GA
Pros: Atlanta (accessable to our Church), good people, very nice, very approachable and fun to be around, seemingly family friendly
Cons: Salary way below Atlanta standard ($77K), tons of Workers Comp (not exactly fun)

Frost, Brown- Nashville, TN
Pros: small office of big firm means good environment with lots of resources, one of the highest paying in Nashville market (88K), casual work environment, diverse practice, familiar city
Cons: something about them just didn't click. The litigation guy in charge was just a little too... intense. I'm not convinced I would fit in there.

McCarter & English- Newark, NJ
Pros: Pay about average for market (105K), familiar with the firm, familier with the city, big bonuses
Cons: Terrible cost of living in NJ, huge firm means long hours, moving further away from TN than desirable

Those are the ones I havne't heard from. I might not get offers from any of them. Then I'll have to start over and look for other opportunities.

yeah i know

OK- my big test was today... so when i got home i didnt have to study... so i took alot of pictures of stuff (my house) and made a little photogallery as to not take up space on here-because there are several pictures... enjoy!

http://copstudents.utmem.edu/2008students/sburka/UTPDC.htm

ACTUALLY- i think you need my name and password to get in...

name: sburka
pass: sb1282

there it is if you need it


EDIT-
i honestly know that nobody cares but i have to say this: I just studied my butt off (and you didnt even hear about it) for the last 2 weeks and took the biggest and most important test of my pharmacy career (cardiology) to date and i just got my grade back and it was an 83!!! i got a 70 on the midterm (50%) of my grade and i needed a 70 average to keep going... so i studied harder than i ever have before and got that 83 for the other 50% of my grade... i am so so so so pumped about that... i know that might not mean too much, but its a really big deal to me... (makes me think i might actually pull out of this thing in one piece)- holla- scott

bryan, is this your doing?!

Catholic Church no longer swears by truth of the Bible

burka band

BURKA BAND?


awesome...?

(How's that, josh-o?)

Overwhelmed and Underappreciated

....not that I'm complaining.


***Sorry guys, I have had to edit this post... will explain later.***

LSAT scores are pending, and I should get an email with score status on 10/22. Can't wait.

Also, I have had a headache for two days that will NOT be calmed by Advil, Tylenol or aspirin. Maybe I have a tumor. Last night at my salon, I ran into an old friend... long story... we lost touch or strange terms.. blah blah. Anyhow, I was on codeine going for a bikini wax, and I think I was rude/unresponsive. I'll apologize and blame it on the drugs. However, getting a bikini wax whilst on hydrocodone was great... I barely felt a thing!

On a lighter note... the wedding pics look wonderful! The scenery looks beautiful and Jesse is NOT wearing too much makeup! :) Nicely done!

i TOLD them my makeup was too dark! argg.

Our wedding pictures are (mostly) up online. yea.
Go to MillersAlbums
and type in "58226whunter" in the code area.

I think she did a great job of capturing the essence of the day, plus 320 or so shots.ha.
...the woman did this for us for free.

so i think i got this picture thing to work... this happened like MONTH ago... this is my house with alot of people- who happen to be drinking... i'm just glad the floor didnt cave in...

see... now you know what other pharmacy students look like! we arnt too weird... most of us anyways... yikes...




http://cu.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=Rx_song_download

ALSO chack out that link---
alittle pharmacist humor for ya!
its funny cause its true...

and then?

so here's the story behind that Shining trailer (which is hilarious).

and here's one of West Side Story. it's really funny too.

and you thought i had left you....

Yeah… you can’t get rid of me… I guess I haven't written in awhile… I’m honestly not sure why, I guess I’ve just been doing other things. School has been a blast so far this year… I remember sitting at the hospital last year listening to all the 3^rd and 4^th year students talking about stuff and it just seemed like they were on an ENTIRELY different level than where we were as P-1s… and now we are in the same classes they were in… and its just so awesome… I’ve been around pharmacy for awhile and I’m still just blown away almost weekly about how it feels to really dig into all this new stuff and try to understand it… I had an idea about what it would be like before I got here, and I think my pre-conceived notion about pharmacy/pharmacists involved about 95% drugs and 5% other stuff on the side to make the drugs make sense… but honestly there is just as much epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, modification of therapy, clinical trial review, physical assessment, and interpretation of data (lab values, EKGs, biological markers…) if not more than the actual learning about drugs part… and I honestly never really expected that at all- and I know I was even probably optimistic about it. We have a funny sign in our front room of the house that says “Use your pharmacist, get more than just drugs”… but its true…
myatt- i'm sure you probably feel the same way? (except about MDs instead)

hey did i mention my leg is screwed up? i've kinda been having pain in my hip, knee, thigh for going on 8 months... i havnt slept through a night in months without waking up in pain every 3-4 hours and having to take something for it... its kinda (really) frustrating as to how it has permiated just about every single aspect of my life... i wouldnt have expected that... i cant run any more, i've put on weight, i cant play sports with my friends, i have a limp and i cant keep up with my friends when i am walking to class.. i usually feel exhausted in class from tossing and turning... i'd be lying if i told you this hasnt been the worst and longest lasting physical problem i've ever had... i got an MRI last week and the doctor is going to check it out and tell me what he thinks on monday... i just wish i hadnt tried to be so tough and get through it on my own before i got help... there is a chance there has been permanent damage... if you believe in praying- i certainly would be receptive if you could do that for my leg... cause i would like to maybe one day get back to leading the life of a normal 23 year old instead of that of a grandparent (not that there is anything wrong with grandparents...) thanks!

Jeff just sent me this link… if you have ever seen the shining you need to check this out… it’s a trailor made up entirely of real movie clips that puts an entirely different spin on the movie… its hilarious!

http://www.ps260.com/molly/SHINING%20FINAL.mov

Holla- scott

Endearing Pet Name Generator

Old name: Joshua William Hunter

Endearing pet name:
Passion Anus

Usage: "Awww, did my little Passion Anus have a rough day at work?"

(you have GOT to try this! haha)

Fisher & Phillips

So I had my first callback interview. It was exhausting. I left Nashville at 6 AM and got to Atlanta at about 11 am. My interviews started at 12, so I relaxed and reviewed my research on the firm and the people I was meeting with. At 12 I met a partner and an associate (older guy, younger girl who just got out of law school last spring). We ate at Ruth's Chris steak house. The food was very good and the conversation was nice. Then I proceeded to 6 more 30 minute interviews. Almost everyone went over in time, so I didn't get out until 5:20. Going over is a good thing though because it shows they are interested in you.

I have a good feeling about the firm. Their culture is very comfortable but hard working. The people are cool and it has a reputation for being very ethical. They rarely work weekends and are relaxed about comings and goings as long as you get your work done. I'd love to work there next summer becuase it will almost guarantee me an offer for a permanant job after law school.

I drove home and got back at about 8:30 central time. Long day, 14.5 hours, but well worth it.

I know it is tactless to brag about money, but these people pay very well. $1,700/WEEK over the summer and new associates start at $90,000. That is moderately low for Atlanta, but I believe it would be well worth the trade for working with people you like and not having to bill 2,200 hours per year. I think it's safe to say it is enough for me and when you throw Oksana's salary into the mix, we'll be comfortable. I am really hoping to pay off everything but our mortgage before we're 30. It's definately do-able, but children (none pending, but in a few years maybe) can easily rip through thousands of dollars.

Anyway, the meeting went well and I have three more to go. One in Nashville on Monday, one in Atlanta on the 13th, and one in Newark, NJ, on the 19-20th. If Fisher gives me an offer next week, I'll accept it. Then I'll have to do the other interviews knowing I probably won't work for them. My career advisor told me to accept only half a summer at Fisher and then tell them I was "probably" going to accept the other half, but I had to do some more callbacks. That way it's nice and ethical, becuase I still technically could work for the other firms.

costo rico go

hey guys. i just put a link up to some pictures relating to our costa rican trip.

Total Ecipse of the Heart

Have you ever wanted to hear Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart played by using kitchen appliances as percussion instruments?

Now you can:

Aftermath

All is well in my neck of Houston.... we really dodged a bullet.

Seriously... I feel very lucky! Right when it started to cloud, we went outside and for the first time in my life I saw a DOUBLE RAINBOW. Two rainbows separated slightly, forming one big, bright rainbow. I think it was an omen...

Anyhow, I have escaped the rain, wind, traffic and looters.... and am home with the animals (with water and power!) , rehanging my pictures and unpacking my irreplaceables.

If anyone wants to do a hurricane drill... time yourself to take EVERYTHING of personal value from your place in less than 10 minutes. It'll really put things in perspective of the things you value. I took a lot of pictures, books and a few things people had given me over the years (the massacred MJHS bear that Pap beheaded came with me!). Just things that could never be replaced...

Thanks for all the emails and posts!

ingenious

Busy week

I've had a lot going on this week, but mostly fun stuff. On Monday I took my kitten in for the old snip-snip (neutering in layman's terms) and got a chance to go see Green Day down in Denver. It was a very good show, with lot of pyrotechnics and audience involvement. Plus they did a 2.5 hour long set, so I felt like I got my money's worth. Last night I saw Corpse Bride which was very well done, and aesthetically pleasing, but didn't really impress me much beyond that. Tonight I start my once weekly fencing class, which definitely has me curious. I'm slightly concerned that it will be me and a bunch of 13 year olds. Hopefully tonight we'll just focus on laughing, then jumping off things. This weekend Nina and I will celebrate our 2 year anniversary by going out to the Melting Pot on Saturday and heading up to Rocky Mountain National Park and the city of Estes Park on Sunday. There is a tiny Italian restaurant up there that has the best pasta I've had outside of Italy. In my spare time I've been working on the med school application online, trying to get it done sometime before the end of the month. Next week A History of Violence, comes out which looks awesome and everyone should see. Oh, on a minor side note: I GOT A CELL PHONE. Convenience finally won out over necessity. If you would like to call me on it, my number is (970) 310-8722. It is now my only number, so don't bother with the old one. I need to accomplish something, so I need to be off. I hope everyone is well and that Hayley gets through the hurricane unscathed and without too much property damage. Keep us updated.

new Nintendo

this is pretty interesting

(not for girls, of course)

(simply because girls abhor video games)

here's an informational link.

Hurricane...

Is projected to head for Houston this weekend. Jack and I have evacuation plans... will go to this parent's house in a northern suburb with the animals and wait out the storm.

Sigh.

LSAT: The Sequel - T-12 days

An update... I calls it "Hayley's Modern Life". I even have the annoying dog...

I had a WONDERFUL weekend, spent mostly with Jack and the random animals that comprise my dysfunctional urban family.

Friday night: Got anniversary flowers, went to birthday dinner with Jack's family @ "Taste of Texas" (interesting concept, better than average chow, but the place is run by a crazy uber-conservative righty nutjob... would not have gone if it wasn't paid for by someone else). Fell asleep on the couch, full and happy, watching "Signs" with Jack at around 11pm. We BOTH fell asleep.... but I got to fall asleep while he rubbed my feet. Ha! Got up around 1am, took dog out and went to bed.

Saturday: Got up @ 8am, had coffee and studied by myself until noon, ran birthday/anniversary errands for Jack, GOT MY AWESOME ANNIVERSARY PRESENT, went to Strake casino night and had a few drinks... came back to my place, watched "Tremors" and went to bed by 1am.

Sunday: Got up, went to work @ G**** until noon, met Jack for birthday lunch, scored some REALLY cheap used DVDs @ Movie Exchange with Jack ("Cocktails", "Creepshow" and "Moonstruck" for less than 20 bucks!!) went shopping to spend his birthday gift certificates (Target, Sound Exchange), went grocery shopping.... relaxed for an hour or so, then packed up the pooch and gear for overnight @ Jack's where Chris, Jack and I (along with Roxy dog) watched "Creepshow" and I was (forced more or less to) watch "Firefly" the pilot show, which was admittedly, pretty good.... and funny. I'll have to see the movie now. I fell asleep around 1am (see the pattern), exhausted, but happy with my weekend.

**If you didn't catch "Firefly" the first time around on Fox, check it out (Netflix?) before the movie ("Serenity") debuts next Friday.... or is it this Friday. Anyway, it's a funny sci-fi space pirate sort of thing. I know... I thought it would be crap as well.... but is surprisingly well written and clever. Plus, the captain reminds me vaguely of HG in manner.

This week and next week, I have taken reception duty @ Fulbright. This means that in addition to my hour lunch for study time, I now have another hour each day to review! So, I don't have to review as much at the end of the day when I am exhausted from work (or both jobs, as it may be). This week, and next week... I only have to find about 6 extra hours for two practice tests per week. Then finito on October 1st... I will be forever finished with the LSAT!!

I can NOT freakin' wait. Party @ my place on October 1... you are all invited.

***I saw the Family Guy movie... excellent, per usual. Also, if you get a chance, check out "Born Into Brothels", a documentary on children of prostitues in Indo-China. Was very good, but very serious... and it won an Oscar last year for best documentary film making.

Wish me luck

In the interest in getting SOMETHING going on here, I've decided to post one of those generic updates.

School is kicking my ass. I rather stupidly decided to ignore the advice of several faculty and 3rd year students that I should take a light semester this semester. This is the semester of interviewing. I have been doing a month of interivews (16 in all, 14 down, 2 to go) with firms for my summer job. This is important becuase my summer job next summer has a high probability of becoming my permanant job. On top of that, I decided to take 17 hours. That's the msot they let you take. Plus my boss from last summer is finally sending me work. He usually gives me about 10 days to do about 20 hours of work. That doesn't seem like much, but when you are doing all this other crap, it is hard to do. I have one due on Monday that I haven't started and will probably need to put at least 15 hours into.

The good news is I FINALLY got a callback. This is how interviews work. You have your initial interview here on campus. If they like you, they call you back to come to the office to meet with more people. Getting the callback is the hardest part. After that, you generally have somewhere between a 20-75% chance of getting the job. I got my first callback yesterday, so I'm really excited and hopeful. We've tentatively scheduled my interview on Oct. 7, but I am trying to get it moved up (the ealrier I interview, the more spots are available for me to take).

Hopefully it goes well. other than that, things are good. Oksana is working hard in her new role as a math teacher. It is tough, but she really has a knack for it so I don't worry about her.

I hope everyone else is well.

MIA

Where are Johnna and Leanne?

Have they fallen off the face of the earth? I heard Leanne had gotten into a law school... where is she now?

wedding

we had a good time at the bachelor party- buffalo billiards down on 2nd avenue... we were out till about 2am and i'm sure anyone who was there could tell you some good stories!...

i had a blast at the wedding... i'm so glad i had the privilidge to take a participatory role in the whole process. The wedding in some ways was probably alittle different than what you might have expected (like the music they selected for jesse walking in and for both of them walking out)... but it still had most of the usual kinds of wedding things... the weather was absolutely perfect (or it would have been if it were about 5-10 degrees colder)... they had to stop in the middle at one point because a loud boat drove by- that was funny. Standing up close next to them while they were saying their vows was fun because they both at one point or another put a funny emphasis on their repeated phases... (like "to have and to HOLD"- thats not what they said but thats an example of what i'm talking about) i dont even know if they realized they were doing it.. jesse in particular. thats not a criticism- just a humerous observation. I could only really see jesse's face from where i was standing because josh's back was turned to me- but she seemed understandably filled with joy/emotion/love

it was so great to see everyone there together- (minus hayley and leanne)... it was like a mini-reunion! The reception was on a barn on a hill- (a nice barn)... they had a chandelear and some nice star-like arrangements of white chirstmasy lights on the ceiling. The food was great... i think everyone there was touched by the first dance that josh and jesse had- you could just see all the girls in the room crying (josh and jesse- you might not have noticed that)... but i think it was just special for everyone to see their love for eachother and their happiness and contentment that they had finally made it... i asked josh after it was over if it was scary to get up and dance while 100 of your friends and family memebers stared at you and he said he didnt even notice... i dont know if i'll be able to say that when my day comes because i'm just a nervous wreck when it comes to dancing... but i'm sure it'll be ok...

we TOTALLY got their car... jordan and i stayed up the nigh tbefore and blew up about 250-275 balloons and packed their car during the reception... we also got 5 cans tied to the back and some window chalk with some of the usual "just married" stuff...

it was a bittersweet sight to see them drive off because i was so happy for them (more happy than sad) but on the other hand kinda sad to see two of my closest drive off into the sunset as it were... i know they wont drop out of communication, but i also know it will have to atleast be kinda different... but really though... more happy than sad to see them go.

i just missed 5 minutes of class- but i think i told a somewhat complete story... feel free to fill in the gaps for those of you that were there!

holla

Wedding!

I need to know all about it... as well as the bachelor party!

Again, I am sorry about my absence... I missed all of you and was thinking about Josh and Jesse on Sunday.

Fill me in ASAP @ hshelton@fulbright.com

Stuff on my Cat.com

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josh's bachelor party

OK- i lost some of your phone numbers (matt) so umm...

the PLAN is to:

1 MEET AT JOSH'S HOUSE AT 7:30 PM FRIDAY (9/2/05)- tomorrow

2 WE WILL THE CARPOOL DOWNTOWN TO A PRE-ORDAINED PLACE

3 WE WILL HANG OUT AT THIS DESIGNATED PLACE UNTIL ALL HAVE HAD THEIR FILL OF....FUN...

4 PEOPLE WHO DONT PARTAKE WILL BE DRIVING BACK THOSE WHO DID

5 YOU GIVE ME 1,000 DOLLARS...

OK well... you dont have to do number 5, but just incase you want to... that would be good! later!

CALL ME WITH QUESTIONS: 615-838-4130

My shoe smells like excrement

So I woke up at 3:30 to the distinct sound of water flowing at moderate pressure into the carpet. That can mean only one thing folkes, the dog is pissing on the carpet. So I got up to yell at him and clean up the mess (which included a suspiciously large amount of feces for a 5.5 pound dog). Somehow, without me ever wearing them, crap got stuck to the bottom of my shoe. After washing it at least 10 times (including at least 3 with soap)... it still smells like shit.. So when I put my left foot on my right knee (after all it would be hard to put my left foot on my left knee), I begin to smell excrement.

Just wanted to let everyone know how my day is going. Any suggestions on decontaminating my shoe? There is no visible sign of waste, just a smell and I have a genetic inclination to a strong sense of smell.

And how's everyone else's day going?

this is a picture of Katrina's eye

pretty incredible.

Bad News for Weekend

Check this out, straight from the Weather Channel. It's amazing how quickly the weather shifts.

Relief

http://www.redcross.org

http://www.houstonredcross.org

Donate to these if you can.... they are moving all the refugees to Houston, and many people are missing loved ones, homes, clothing, medicine. Give if you can and check with your employers to see if they have funds set up; my firm is matching any donations I make.

Jack is missing a few relatives as well... they are all from Southern Louisiana, and are not accounted for.

Sunday, Sept.4th at 6:00pm

That's when the wedding is...I think there might have been a little confusion. Yes, I've been told that having it on a Sunday is strange and sort of a faux pas, but screw that.
Those of you who pray, pray for sunny, dry and breezy for Sunday's forecast. However, if it storms, we still have lots to look forward to--as in packing into my parents' barn like sardines. weee.

Also, if you males haven't talked with Scott yet about Josh's bachelor party, then
(1) Scott's a bad planner
and
(2) meet at 1478 Tate Ln (josh's house) @ 8pm on Friday. (carpooling to follow)
(3) [for HG] a strict "no hoes or dancers" policy will be enforced.

See you all soon!
OH yes, and if anyone needs a place to stay, let me know--615.351.5508

~jesse

p.s. Leave any reception music requests in the comments.
The macarena has already been rejected.

Cats in Sinks

and i thought all the great ideas were taken.

Ooooooh.....

Here I go again....

http://webx.tennessean.com/cgi-bin/WebX?50@159.9d9BauLnthg.2@.1dcdb24b

Unfortunately, they said they couldn't publish it in the paper, since I was out-of-town. So, this will have to do.

kudos to everyone (except leanne, jeff, and myatt)

man the comments are overFLOWING in these recent entries.

i thought i'd make it more convenient and put a link to the 3 most popular ones thus far...

Yeeeessssssssssss.

Yesss...Wait, No. No is what I meant.

Yes Yes Yessssss!

while the blog titles could obviously use a bit of work, the comments are wonderful. i have to agree with matt, "This banter is marvelous!"

"I LOVE IT!!! Yessssssss!"



(that last part was totally matt. everybody knows i dont say "yes")

and what do have for us today, Google?

Google Talk.

Yeeeessssssssssss.

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

Yesss...Wait, No. No is what I meant.

I took the MCAT on Saturday. If anyone out there feels like shelling out $200 for one of the longest days of your friggin life, then I enthusiastically recommend it. It ran almost an hour longer than it was supposed to due to their wonderfully inefficient time management. The moral of the story is that it blew, and hopefully I'll never have to take it again. THE END.

where ya been?

Hey guys… Scott here… just wanted to check back in and let you know that I’m still alive… for starters Mandy, my girlfriend of 19 months, and I broke up about 4 weeks ago. It was certainly a situation where we both retained a great deal of respect for each other, and even acknowledged that we worked really well together, but agreed that we were both at different points in our lives and that we both needed different things over the next 5 years or so… and it would be silly of either one of us to deny the other of those experiences that are due to them- from my perspective that would be Mandy actually getting to have a regular college experience… she really deserves that and more… I sincerely hope she gets to have an awesome next few years and gets to go do lots of fun and exciting college things- things that she is 100% entitled to… Mandy is the first and only girl that I have separated from and still wanted to remain friends with… I know its a little weird right now, and that maybe it will be for several months… but I hope one day I can count her as my friend and know she feels the same way about me… and its not like I kind of feel that way, or halfway hope that’s how it is… I mean I REALLY would be upset if I knew I wouldn't be able to keep in contact with her… I don’t know if its odd that I feel that way- but I just know that I do… I know you guys never really got to know her all that well, but she is an amazing girl/woman with so many great qualities. She is going to excel in everything that she does and I have no doubt about that….

I’m back in Memphis now for pharmacy school… I’ve moved up in the house to the 3^rd floor that is very much like a “bonus” room… like an attic that has been painted, carpeted, and air conditioned so its just a really big room with slanted walls… I really love it up here. I have so much space that I just don’t know what to do with it. I feel like I want to put in a pool table or something… but school is good… its almost fun to learn stuff… I’m the ranking house person this weekend so I’ll be more or less in charge of the party here where we are expecting anywhere from 150-220 people (the new expanded p-1 class alone has 181 people.. plus however many of the 100 or so people in the fraternity show up)… yikes… I don’t know where they are all going to fit… I’m kind of nervous about that… its been kind of hectic being the VP… the president lives about 30 minutes away and I live here in the frat house kind of were it all goes down… so about 75% of the time it seems like people are asking me when/where/how for the rush events that we’ve had this week… I’ll be glad when this is all done… let me just say that much. Seeing all the new p-1s reminds me just how big of a year last year was for me. Things seem like they are just a world apart from where I was when I came in. Its hard to explain that… I’m looking forward to josh’s wedding in a few weeks… I’ll be calling most of you guys for josh’s bachelor party which will be that FRIDAY before labor day… so keep that night clear… I’ll fill you in with details!

Well I better get some sleep…In about 22 hours my house will be filled with over 100 (at least) people, a DJ with loud music and a fog machine… and lots of other bad stuff that I don’t even want to think about… I guess it just comes with the turf… I just thought that these people would have got all their partying out of their systems in undergrad BEFORE they came here… just seems more like they try to step it up even more… ugh… I guess if I drank alcohol in any shape or form I might have a better time at these things… seems like everyone else does! But it will still be fun… I’ve met a ton of people and maybe I can solidify some of those friendships… holla!

H.Brithboy, HGW

I don't know much about Gladden's life at the present, but I do seem to remember that today is/was the anniversary of his birth. Hope it's been a good one, HG!!

can you say "dream come true"?

the quote at the top of the each page is priceless.

seriously, you cant put a price on that.

Seeing folks

Hey, since I'm dragging my broke ass back to MJ, I want to see everyone as much as humanly possible. Nina and I get in on Friday night, so if anyone wants to get us at the airport and have dinner, you should comment here or call me. I'll be home frantically studying most of the week, so it won't be hard to get a hold of me. If nobody responds in a couple of days, then I'll just get my family to pick us up. Also we have all day Saturday free, and the day on Sunday. Try and keep those days as free as possible, because I don't know when I'll be coming back again, and Nina will be with me. I'm talking to Bryan/Oksana, Scott, and HG especially. Time to go home and study. Adios.

Wedding Photos

http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~c.bryan.cantrell/
Wedding pictues available there. I scanned all the photos, so that's everything.

Wilson County School's Dress Code

There's a nice little editorial in the Tennessean. It pretty much sums up how anal it can be.

!!!!

This hasn't been said in a while.. so I thought I'd do you all the favor.

SCOTT IS GAY.

Thank me later.

look at these crazy jumping cats!

you gotta see these guys.

gas widget

this is pretty sweet. i dont know how many of you (excluding jeff) have ever heard of Widgets before, but they're pretty sweet. they used to just be for Macs, but now they also make them for PC. anyway, they're just little programs that run in the background that tell you constantly updated information. like this one gives you the lowest price on gas in your zip code. so cool. and there are tons more for like everything you could think of (weather, traffic, etc.) (for example, hayley, assuming she's cool enough, might use this one: http://www.widgetgallery.com/view.php?widget=36637) (whereas jeff would use this one: http://www.widgetgallery.com/view.php?widget=36613) they're pretty fun if you sit at a computer all day. gives you something else to look at at least.

huh. gas widget.

OH. and if you haven't seen Kung Fu Hustle, it comes out tuesday (tomorrow). so go get it. it's spectacular.

Your mother.

Life is hectic here in Houston!

I love the new job... many many perks such as; free (and tasty) lunches, reduced parking fees, free 24-hr. travel agent, free tickets to major sporting events, cool people, very interesting work, not to mention the free espresso/cappucino/coffee/soda bar on every floor. When I get tired, I simply phone over to the coffee bar and ask for a skinny cappucino... and they just bring it to me!

Life is hectic... but pretty freakin sweet.

I am still with G****, where I spend roughly 15-20 hours a week still maintaining their billing efforts and accounts. This is typically done after Fulbright work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and usually one weekend day in addition. I am here now, and will also be tomorrow fixing billing and getting out invoices. The hours are totally flexible, so I just come and and work my butt of when I need some extra cash. Not too shabby.

Roxy, my dog is still giving me problems. She keeps having two or three GOOD weeks with no accidents.. and then she has a day like yesterday which went like this:

I was taking a much-needed nap when I awoke to a weird crunching noise. To my horror, the fucking dog had COMPLETELY chewed up a new pair of 75 dollar sandals I got at a sample sale. I spanked her with the shoe and threw her in her cage for the next 2 hours, placing the shoe directly in front of her to remind her of HOW BAD SHE IS. Later, I let her out, soften up and pet her.. having gotten over my rage. I take her outside, she goes to the bathroom, and I let her jump in the bed with me (Time is now 11pm). I wake up @ 6am to find that she has destroyed a cat toy, peed on the rug Jack got me, and taken a crap in front of the front door. Whoever said dogs aren't smart enough to be vindictive was SO wrong. This dog is a canine replica of me... that is exactly what I would do. Fuck.

Ah well... there is my life to current.

The Return...

It's official. I am coming back for the wedding, but not alone. Somehow it worked out that both Nina and I had the time and money to make the trip, so she's coming with me! You will all get a chance to meet my lovely girlfriend of 2 years, and likely bond with her by making fun of me together. We will be arriving at 6 pm on Friday (9/2), and leaving about 2:30 on Monday (9/5). If any of you has a desire to pick us up at the airport, just let me know. If not my family can probably do it. I want to see all of you as much as possible so try and make time on that Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday (until the wedding obviously). You can post comments here or give me a call with info. See you in a month!

The Pappert Brief

Just thought I'd check in to let everyone know I didn't die. Life goes on pretty much as usual out here in Colorado. I have been pretty poor lately, due to recovering from moving (I had to buy a lot of furniture) and random large fees (like vet bills and taking the MCAT). If you aren't just skimming this half-assedly, you'll notice that in that last sentence I said that I was taking the MCAT. Yep I decided that I want to be a doctor (sorry Scoot). I, of course, decided this on the day before the end of registration for the last MCAT of the year (it's only offered twice), but at least I registered. This gave me a little over a month to study for this huge friggin test that people devote half a year of their lives to passing. So that's what I've been doing. Studying my ass off. If Myatt still frequents this site and has any pointers, I'd be glad to hear them. At this point, I am still very apprehensive and eagerly awaiting the test date so this can all be over. Work has been very busy and frustrating lately, but it is plague season so it is to be expected.

I am really sorry I missed Bryan and Oksana's wedding, but Nina and I were planning for a while to go away that week. Then we both realized that we were financially incapable of going anywhere, so our plans fell through. I really wish I could have been there. I am in a little bit better shape now, so I am hoping to come back for the Hunter/Jesse wedding. It is just a matter of scraping up $300, but I should be able to manage it. I would love to see all of you again, and hopefully most of you will be there for the weekend. I am going to attempt to call some people when I have time over the next month, so expect to hear from me. I need to get some work done, so I need to go. Hope to see you all soon.

I got your freakin' baby food right HERE

My cousin Allison emailed me the latest pictures of her baby, Lilly. This one was too priceless to pass over. In her defense, she's only about 5 months old. But come on. Obscene gestures?

Images from the MJHS Webpage

So I was browsing around MJHS's webpage and saw they have this flash enabled banner that shows images from and around the school. It first starts off as the typical images you'd expect:

After a few classroom scenes it starts to turn...



Who knew Snoop went to MJHS?



That refreshing Aquafina.



Yeah. A vacuum. Nothing says MJHS like a vacuum. You'd think they could come up with something better to put on the front page. I'd imagine some kid with a digital camera going around after school trying to find pictures to put on the school's webpage. And there it was. The vacuum.

MJHS Class of 2000 5 Year Reunion

I ran across this while I was surfing around MJHS's webpage. Thought you'd be interested.

REUNION INFORMATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2000!!!

August 13, 2005

Five year reunion @Jillian's opry mills in the Groove Shack

25.00 dollars per person due in advance by July 25 for buffet, soft drinks, rental fee, and tip

please contact Derri Dalton
septimia2@aol.com
1505 Brookstone Circle
Mt.Juliet,TN37122
615- 758-9943

Personally a 5 year reunion is always a bit premature. I mean what are you gonna talk about? "I'm in school..." That'll be basically the extent of the conversation.

/didn't go to my 10 year reunion.

BEER

the brewer's fest is tomorrow @ 2pm. it's $20. i'm going. jesse's going. who's coming with us?

Some pics

These are some pics my dad took. he didn't have a good line of sight. I'll scan and post the actual photos when I get them.

http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~c.bryan.cantrell/

anybody going to be around this friday?

i'm thinking party over here.

(at my house)

let me know. 865 405 2200

My Small Not-Fat Ukrainian-Greek-Catholic Wedding

It went wonderfully! I'll try to get some pictures up ASAP.

It was an exhausting experience, but we did survive. When we got back to Nashville yesterday (Sunday), we unpacked and and went straight to bed. So I went to sleep at about 7 pm, which is why I am up and writing this at 5 am.

Despite lots of drama (damaged cake, late bride, fallen flower arrangmenents, late night reception preparation, tart sangria, ring too tight, tripod breaking, parents forgetting clothes, best man's boutonniere breaking 2 min before the wedding, priest telling me to take oksana as my "husband"), everything was beautiful and well worth the hard work.