Dear Blog,
I'm not entirely sure whats up with my brain together. I've been awake far earlier than usually, yet I haven't really done anything and it's now two in the afternoon. Spanish 102, History and Systems of Psychology, and my 1:1 with Aleigha. Other than that, not much else, really.
Well, not entirely true. I helped review a poem written by a resident, provided a screwdriver to another, and bought a cool MSU folder for IDS 275 (RA class). I still have IDS 275 to go to, 32 Minutes meeting tonight, and homework to do, but I still feel like today has been a dream. And not in the fanciful way, but in the hard-to-grasp-reality way. I witness things, yet I don't comprehend them in a way.
I've kind of lost myself in my own thoughts now.
My remedy for this is to act like the Doctor. 11th Doctor if I can, maybe 10th. Let's hope I can pull this off (and that it pulls me out of this odd funk).
I need a sonic screwdriver.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Odor of Stale Nachos
Dear Blog,
My day consisted of Spanish 102, History and Systems of Psychology, nap with Victoria, voicemail frustrations, package from home with my Spanish book, Smores 'N More, SAC movie (Killers) and the acquisition of the good Doctor. Here's a poem I wrote instead of eating lunch.
The Odor of Stale Nachos
by Daniel Golden
The time is 10:32 and the
faded peach-colored
hallway carpet supports
the bare feet of freshman
treading to community showers.
One by one, covered in sweat
from August air,
Beach volleyball sand between
untreated toes,
Standard issue blue towels
barely around their waists,
They talk about the lousy football team
and all types of girls they’ve seen.
Laughing loudly,
ignoring the dorm policies
posted to cinderblock walls
with orange flyers,
instead honing in on the Sigma Nu social,
Theta Chi BBQ,
DJs from Sigma Phi Epsilon,
and wicked Root Beer Fest at the Pi Kappa Phi house.
Loyalty, honor, trust,
scholarship, respect, and service
mean little tonight to these men.
Beyond the last Cardinals game or Call of Duty match,
things rarely mean much.
Unaware of the off-campus world,
the showers start, water falls onto backs and faces.
As Top 40 hits echo in every shower stall,
the stress of rushes washes off,
fear of rejection ejects,
the camaraderie formed
in that hallway line
that none of them will ever know
binds them together while
they each feel lonely.
My day consisted of Spanish 102, History and Systems of Psychology, nap with Victoria, voicemail frustrations, package from home with my Spanish book, Smores 'N More, SAC movie (Killers) and the acquisition of the good Doctor. Here's a poem I wrote instead of eating lunch.
The Odor of Stale Nachos
by Daniel Golden
The time is 10:32 and the
faded peach-colored
hallway carpet supports
the bare feet of freshman
treading to community showers.
One by one, covered in sweat
from August air,
Beach volleyball sand between
untreated toes,
Standard issue blue towels
barely around their waists,
They talk about the lousy football team
and all types of girls they’ve seen.
Laughing loudly,
ignoring the dorm policies
posted to cinderblock walls
with orange flyers,
instead honing in on the Sigma Nu social,
Theta Chi BBQ,
DJs from Sigma Phi Epsilon,
and wicked Root Beer Fest at the Pi Kappa Phi house.
Loyalty, honor, trust,
scholarship, respect, and service
mean little tonight to these men.
Beyond the last Cardinals game or Call of Duty match,
things rarely mean much.
Unaware of the off-campus world,
the showers start, water falls onto backs and faces.
As Top 40 hits echo in every shower stall,
the stress of rushes washes off,
fear of rejection ejects,
the camaraderie formed
in that hallway line
that none of them will ever know
binds them together while
they each feel lonely.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Turntable Tuesday
Dear Blog,
Today I went to PSY 441, Psychology of Adolescence. The professor seems like someone who knows what they're talking about, and someone I feel that I can approach whenever I have concerns. Then following PSY 441, I went to ENG 362, Non-European World Literature (Postcolonial Literature: The Empire Writes Back), and then to ENG 315, Creative Writing: Fiction II at 2:00. Non-European World Literature seems like it won't be a challenge if I simply read the material and start on the essay soon. Same for PSY 441 (heck, sounds like I can simply listen in class and be fine). And ENG 315 seems like if I schedule my time wisely, no big issues should arise.
Yesterday, I went to PSY 315, History and Systems of Psychology. Dr. Williams teaches this course, and taught my Experimental Psychology class over the summer (side note: John Penick, who was in Experimental Psychology, if also in both PSY 441 and PSY 315 this semester). The class is reminiscent of a standard history class, so I don't think I have much to worry about. SPN 102, on the other hand, might prove to be more difficult than I previously thought. I remember the basic of Spanish, but she seemed to expect much more from students. Perhaps it won't be too bad, but I am still quiet nervous. And I haven't started IDS 275 yet, but I really hope it's not an intense class.
I bought a poster of Spock and poster House, M.D. today. I opted not to buy the one of Yoda, since I already have three other Star Wars posters here at school. But I felt that Star Trek needed to be represented, along with House. Maybe I get an Einstein poster, too, if I find one I like.
Plans for today include trying to do laundry, hanging posters, cleaning up my room, and rearranging my bed. Of course, homework will fall into place in the spaces between other activities, as it usually does.
Grocery Bingo Bash had a huge turnout, so I was excited about that. The bingo set used had two sets of bingo balls in the cage, so I called out numbers over and over. The commentary from the residents wasn't too bad, but it did get old, especially after I clarified the issue and the comments kept coming. And what was meant to be remarks to one or two people became heard throughout the lobby, since we set up the speakers and microphone so people could clearly hear the numbers. C'est la vie. I'll just opt out of public speaking positions for a while.
Slide N' Glide tonight. My chance to dance? Probably not. Hall Council info session, too. That'll be exciting. Well, I should start doing something constructive.
The ages of men proceed as bronze, then silver, gold, and ending with silicon. The ages of machines start with silicon.
Until next time!
-Daniel Golden
Today I went to PSY 441, Psychology of Adolescence. The professor seems like someone who knows what they're talking about, and someone I feel that I can approach whenever I have concerns. Then following PSY 441, I went to ENG 362, Non-European World Literature (Postcolonial Literature: The Empire Writes Back), and then to ENG 315, Creative Writing: Fiction II at 2:00. Non-European World Literature seems like it won't be a challenge if I simply read the material and start on the essay soon. Same for PSY 441 (heck, sounds like I can simply listen in class and be fine). And ENG 315 seems like if I schedule my time wisely, no big issues should arise.
Yesterday, I went to PSY 315, History and Systems of Psychology. Dr. Williams teaches this course, and taught my Experimental Psychology class over the summer (side note: John Penick, who was in Experimental Psychology, if also in both PSY 441 and PSY 315 this semester). The class is reminiscent of a standard history class, so I don't think I have much to worry about. SPN 102, on the other hand, might prove to be more difficult than I previously thought. I remember the basic of Spanish, but she seemed to expect much more from students. Perhaps it won't be too bad, but I am still quiet nervous. And I haven't started IDS 275 yet, but I really hope it's not an intense class.
I bought a poster of Spock and poster House, M.D. today. I opted not to buy the one of Yoda, since I already have three other Star Wars posters here at school. But I felt that Star Trek needed to be represented, along with House. Maybe I get an Einstein poster, too, if I find one I like.
Plans for today include trying to do laundry, hanging posters, cleaning up my room, and rearranging my bed. Of course, homework will fall into place in the spaces between other activities, as it usually does.
Grocery Bingo Bash had a huge turnout, so I was excited about that. The bingo set used had two sets of bingo balls in the cage, so I called out numbers over and over. The commentary from the residents wasn't too bad, but it did get old, especially after I clarified the issue and the comments kept coming. And what was meant to be remarks to one or two people became heard throughout the lobby, since we set up the speakers and microphone so people could clearly hear the numbers. C'est la vie. I'll just opt out of public speaking positions for a while.
Slide N' Glide tonight. My chance to dance? Probably not. Hall Council info session, too. That'll be exciting. Well, I should start doing something constructive.
The ages of men proceed as bronze, then silver, gold, and ending with silicon. The ages of machines start with silicon.
Until next time!
-Daniel Golden
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Past Daniel
Dear Blog,
Do you mind if I give another shout-out to a friend? Namely, myself?
Dear Past Daniel (the Daniel who wrote a blog on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, to be precise),
Thanks for that note. It was concise and had a touch of poetry. I liked it. It helped me out today. I know how you felt when you wrote that, and you were wise to jot it down for me. I would go into more detail, but I have other engagements and commitments to tend to.
About 20 minutes from now I'll head downstairs to prepare for the Woods Weenie Woast (the Ws are wequired). After that program, my first floor meeting. Then tomorrow, at 8:35 in the morning, my first class of the fall semester. What was I thinking? Let's hope I can get up in time for my classes. Then that night, Ashleigh and I are having our Grocery Bingo Bash. The fun never stops.
Best of luck to you, Past Daniel. Your days will be challenges, for sure, but I'm proof you'll make it out alive. But bear in mind, life is just your physical state of being. Your mind, your heart, your essence will be altered. Not much, but enough to reevaluate, reconsider, reorganize, and, hopefully, rejuvenate your way of living that life you still have.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
Do you mind if I give another shout-out to a friend? Namely, myself?
Dear Past Daniel (the Daniel who wrote a blog on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, to be precise),
Thanks for that note. It was concise and had a touch of poetry. I liked it. It helped me out today. I know how you felt when you wrote that, and you were wise to jot it down for me. I would go into more detail, but I have other engagements and commitments to tend to.
About 20 minutes from now I'll head downstairs to prepare for the Woods Weenie Woast (the Ws are wequired). After that program, my first floor meeting. Then tomorrow, at 8:35 in the morning, my first class of the fall semester. What was I thinking? Let's hope I can get up in time for my classes. Then that night, Ashleigh and I are having our Grocery Bingo Bash. The fun never stops.
Best of luck to you, Past Daniel. Your days will be challenges, for sure, but I'm proof you'll make it out alive. But bear in mind, life is just your physical state of being. Your mind, your heart, your essence will be altered. Not much, but enough to reevaluate, reconsider, reorganize, and, hopefully, rejuvenate your way of living that life you still have.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Daniel
Dear Blog,
I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to myself this time, if I may.
Daniel,
Remember why you do what you do.
Remember your passion, your enthusiasm, the good times.
Remember your responsibility, your impact, your potential.
Remember the lessons learned from challenges.
Remember your tentative long-term goals, your short-term goals, your immediate tasks at hand.
Remember in all things, good can be found.
Forget the little stressors, forgive little annoyances.
"Pack up you troubles in your old kit-bag/
And smile, smile, smile"
-Daniel Golden
P.S. Don't go a day without laughing. I found it hard to poetically include this point in my blog, but it's still vitally important!
I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to myself this time, if I may.
Daniel,
Remember why you do what you do.
Remember your passion, your enthusiasm, the good times.
Remember your responsibility, your impact, your potential.
Remember the lessons learned from challenges.
Remember your tentative long-term goals, your short-term goals, your immediate tasks at hand.
Remember in all things, good can be found.
Forget the little stressors, forgive little annoyances.
"Pack up you troubles in your old kit-bag/
And smile, smile, smile"
-Daniel Golden
P.S. Don't go a day without laughing. I found it hard to poetically include this point in my blog, but it's still vitally important!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Busy
Dear Blog,
I am not neglecting you. I have simply been busy. Honestly! One day I might relay all the things that I've done, but there isn't time to do that now. Lots of RA training to go through, planning to plan, concepts and ideas to think through. I would have liked one day of training to be dedicated to nothing but decorations. But alas, that is not what has been set forth.
I will leave you now, knowing that you are still in my thoughts, dear Blog. I will try hard to visit you again soon, but training, then move-in, then classes may prevent that from happening. Please understand.
If it makes you feel any better, just log into Netflix and watch some Doctor Who episodes. Those make me feel better at least.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
I am not neglecting you. I have simply been busy. Honestly! One day I might relay all the things that I've done, but there isn't time to do that now. Lots of RA training to go through, planning to plan, concepts and ideas to think through. I would have liked one day of training to be dedicated to nothing but decorations. But alas, that is not what has been set forth.
I will leave you now, knowing that you are still in my thoughts, dear Blog. I will try hard to visit you again soon, but training, then move-in, then classes may prevent that from happening. Please understand.
If it makes you feel any better, just log into Netflix and watch some Doctor Who episodes. Those make me feel better at least.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Bow Ties are Cool
Dear Blog,
You can't deny that bow ties are cool. Well, they are now. Once the Doctor started wearing one, my opinion has changed. Well, I didn't have much of an opinion beforehand, but now I do. So yes, Dr. Cofer, new President of Missouri State University, you have earned cool points thanks to the Eleventh Doctor.
Aside from a renewed Doctor Who focus thanks to both Charlie McDonnell's latest video/song (don't watch if you haven't seen the final episode of Season 5; unless you don't care about spoilers, then go ahead) and being in Springfield and having a chance to give a Doctor Who related gift to Bethany, not much to report. I'm here in my Woods room, ready for the RA training that starts tomorrow. My room is about 80% ready. Less than 48 hours in a place and I've managed to make it my own through my inability to be properly organized. Well, I have a few things scattered around, but that will soon be cleaned up. Tons of space to store my random stuff.
If I get approval from Victoria, I want to take a couple of days to act like both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor. Catchphrases, speak patterns, bow tie, fez, glasses, the works. It would be so much fun, although it'd confuse my residents. I'd have to plan accordingly.
I need to make decorations. I'm behind and we haven't even started. A talent, to be sure. If only I could harness my poor planning and reverse it's polarity, thereby creating a talent not bound to procrastination, but bound to preemptive measures in all walks of my life (see? easy to be the Doctor).
As I sit at my desk here in my AC comfy room, I can see someone in front of Hutchens House, repainting the black chain barrier the surrounds the building's front lawn. Horribly hot day, little cover from the sun, and black paint. That seems like a boring and uncomfortable job. Yet he might get paid more than me when I work the front desk. Odd observation? Yes, but it makes me glad to have my job (I'm not saying I'm better than him, I just know I wouldn't want to do that).
I downloaded the new Taylor Swift single to my iPhone. Do I love it? Yes! Very good song that makes me feel like her next album will be fantastic. I can't wait!
I am now hungry, so I will seek out a snack and them continue to think about cleaning my room.
If a god could control people, would he?
Until next time!
-Daniel Golden
You can't deny that bow ties are cool. Well, they are now. Once the Doctor started wearing one, my opinion has changed. Well, I didn't have much of an opinion beforehand, but now I do. So yes, Dr. Cofer, new President of Missouri State University, you have earned cool points thanks to the Eleventh Doctor.
Aside from a renewed Doctor Who focus thanks to both Charlie McDonnell's latest video/song (don't watch if you haven't seen the final episode of Season 5; unless you don't care about spoilers, then go ahead) and being in Springfield and having a chance to give a Doctor Who related gift to Bethany, not much to report. I'm here in my Woods room, ready for the RA training that starts tomorrow. My room is about 80% ready. Less than 48 hours in a place and I've managed to make it my own through my inability to be properly organized. Well, I have a few things scattered around, but that will soon be cleaned up. Tons of space to store my random stuff.
If I get approval from Victoria, I want to take a couple of days to act like both the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor. Catchphrases, speak patterns, bow tie, fez, glasses, the works. It would be so much fun, although it'd confuse my residents. I'd have to plan accordingly.
I need to make decorations. I'm behind and we haven't even started. A talent, to be sure. If only I could harness my poor planning and reverse it's polarity, thereby creating a talent not bound to procrastination, but bound to preemptive measures in all walks of my life (see? easy to be the Doctor).
As I sit at my desk here in my AC comfy room, I can see someone in front of Hutchens House, repainting the black chain barrier the surrounds the building's front lawn. Horribly hot day, little cover from the sun, and black paint. That seems like a boring and uncomfortable job. Yet he might get paid more than me when I work the front desk. Odd observation? Yes, but it makes me glad to have my job (I'm not saying I'm better than him, I just know I wouldn't want to do that).
I downloaded the new Taylor Swift single to my iPhone. Do I love it? Yes! Very good song that makes me feel like her next album will be fantastic. I can't wait!
I am now hungry, so I will seek out a snack and them continue to think about cleaning my room.
If a god could control people, would he?
Until next time!
-Daniel Golden
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Disney Channel and Me
Dear Blog,
Well, you missed it. I didn't mean to not tell you blog, but life had other obligations. You see, summer school is over, my role as an RA is done for the summer, too, and I went to Six Flags. I'll give you a summary of events, but you really should pay more attention, Blog.
I got an A in Classical Mythology and a B in Experimental Psychology. I can't complain with those scores at all.
Checkouts went reasonably well on my floor. I wish I hadn't had a test on Friday morning, because everyone else had to tend to the Korean-Daegu students leaving en masse.
Victoria wrote a nice summary of our trip to Six Flags, so here it is (since I'm a tad lazy tonight):
"Anyways, learned a lesson at Six Flags today. Don't wear hats on roller coasters...they fall off. [Daniel note: we lost our hats on the Evel Knievel ride; my Smithsonian Institution and Italia hats were gone with the wind] I still feel bad about it. Gonna go back later this week to see if they found them, but I don't know if they give it to me since Daniel put his name on the lost and found sheet...I hope :/
Had a really good time otherwise, went on lots of rides and roller coasters all were in the front row. Went on Superman which scared me A LOT!! Also won a floppy tiger which I named Hats.
I also made sandwiches for lunch like a woman, lol. And Daniel gave me a bunch of video games to borrow for my N64 so tomorrow is declared video game day and when I get bored, I am going to watch Mystery Science Theater 3000. Lunch was fun. :D
We went to Hurricane Harbor as well and rented tubes which made the wait for rides a lot shorter. Soon though we had to leave so we met up with his sister and went home."
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about the "made sandwiches like a woman" comment. My mom would totally have made sandwiches, so I applaud Victoria in that motherly endeavor. But I don't want her to feel as though she has to make me food because she's "the woman" and I, as "the man", must have things done for me. Neither negative or positive. Just noteworthy for the time being.
Since the trip to Six Flags, I've been at home. Linda had her tonsils taken out Wednesday, and dad started feeling ill later in the day. Mom has her sinuses acting up, and I'm, well, normal for the time being. I've been playing the role of errand boy, running to Walmart to grab medicine or food, doing chores, and "being forced" to play video games (Specifically Bioshock 2) for my sister. And lots of TV. Mainly the Disney Channel during the day and Comedy Central at night. And interspersed sessions of Netflix (mainly streaming TV shows and stand-ups specials).
I wish I had a longer summer, free of obligations. I need about one more week of vacation before heading back to school. But alas, no luck for me in the regard. I can't complain, life has been good to me. But I always want what I can't have, right?
If these walls could talk, they'd be kinda boring to listen to.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
Well, you missed it. I didn't mean to not tell you blog, but life had other obligations. You see, summer school is over, my role as an RA is done for the summer, too, and I went to Six Flags. I'll give you a summary of events, but you really should pay more attention, Blog.
I got an A in Classical Mythology and a B in Experimental Psychology. I can't complain with those scores at all.
Checkouts went reasonably well on my floor. I wish I hadn't had a test on Friday morning, because everyone else had to tend to the Korean-Daegu students leaving en masse.
Victoria wrote a nice summary of our trip to Six Flags, so here it is (since I'm a tad lazy tonight):
"Anyways, learned a lesson at Six Flags today. Don't wear hats on roller coasters...they fall off. [Daniel note: we lost our hats on the Evel Knievel ride; my Smithsonian Institution and Italia hats were gone with the wind] I still feel bad about it. Gonna go back later this week to see if they found them, but I don't know if they give it to me since Daniel put his name on the lost and found sheet...I hope :/
Had a really good time otherwise, went on lots of rides and roller coasters all were in the front row. Went on Superman which scared me A LOT!! Also won a floppy tiger which I named Hats.
I also made sandwiches for lunch like a woman, lol. And Daniel gave me a bunch of video games to borrow for my N64 so tomorrow is declared video game day and when I get bored, I am going to watch Mystery Science Theater 3000. Lunch was fun. :D
We went to Hurricane Harbor as well and rented tubes which made the wait for rides a lot shorter. Soon though we had to leave so we met up with his sister and went home."
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about the "made sandwiches like a woman" comment. My mom would totally have made sandwiches, so I applaud Victoria in that motherly endeavor. But I don't want her to feel as though she has to make me food because she's "the woman" and I, as "the man", must have things done for me. Neither negative or positive. Just noteworthy for the time being.
Since the trip to Six Flags, I've been at home. Linda had her tonsils taken out Wednesday, and dad started feeling ill later in the day. Mom has her sinuses acting up, and I'm, well, normal for the time being. I've been playing the role of errand boy, running to Walmart to grab medicine or food, doing chores, and "being forced" to play video games (Specifically Bioshock 2) for my sister. And lots of TV. Mainly the Disney Channel during the day and Comedy Central at night. And interspersed sessions of Netflix (mainly streaming TV shows and stand-ups specials).
I wish I had a longer summer, free of obligations. I need about one more week of vacation before heading back to school. But alas, no luck for me in the regard. I can't complain, life has been good to me. But I always want what I can't have, right?
If these walls could talk, they'd be kinda boring to listen to.
Until next time,
-Daniel Golden
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