Thanksgiving was very nice.
Maybe more later.
But you know what I'm really thankful for right about now, at 1:58 am on the last day of November?
My grad school application to Berkeley has been submitted! All that's left to do is drop off some forms and send my letters of recommendation and this is all finally out of my hands and hair.
University of British Columbia...same thing.
2 down...3 (or 2) less important ones to go.
HALLELUJAH!
They'd better let me in!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Fiat Lux
On this, the eve before my last Big Game as an undergraduate (or student?), I can't help but feel nostalgic. Especially with Lauren and Erik in the dining room going on about how quickly the rest of this year is going to fly by.
It's hard to articulate what I feel about this place, these people. Even if I do end up going here for graduate school, nothing will compare to these four undergrad years here at Cal. They have been amazingly wonderful.
Enjoy the pics from bonfire. Go Bears!
Friday, November 19, 2004
Thursday, November 18, 2004
"There is something intrinsically good and genuine about the Bears, something scrappy and gold-hearted that makes the events that will transpire tomorrow less about football and more about a struggle against everything smug and self-righteous in the world."
http://dailycal.org/article.php?id=16999
yeah!
http://dailycal.org/article.php?id=16999
yeah!
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Avengelyne01: are you doing weird cultish big game stuff this weekend?
Avengelyne01: like on friday and saturday
Nap98: friday is the bonfire rally, im going to that obviously
Nap98: after it we're having a little get together at my house, beer and pizza i think
Nap98: you can drop by then
Nap98: saturday is devoted to big game
Nap98: after the game, ill either be with my family or going to a thanksgiving potluck with my dorm friends
Avengelyne01: so weird cultish behavior
Avengelyne01: i understand
Nap98: ....don't you even feel a tiny bit sad you've never gone to a big game?
Avengelyne01: football is lame
Avengelyne01: and the guys aren't hot
Avengelyne01: and it's way to cultish and creepy
Avengelyne01: and it goes against my morals
Nap98: i still say, that you can feel that way, but you should have tried to go once during your four years here
Nap98: at least so you could criticize it without any caveats of having never really been
Nap98: you always try to get ME to try new things.
Avengelyne01: well i think people should try going to europe while they're still young
Nap98: yes, i agree
Avengelyne01: i've been to a cal football game
Nap98: when?
Avengelyne01: i don't need to go to a "big game"
Avengelyne01: my freshman year
Nap98: god
Nap98: no wonder you hate it
Avengelyne01: like on friday and saturday
Nap98: friday is the bonfire rally, im going to that obviously
Nap98: after it we're having a little get together at my house, beer and pizza i think
Nap98: you can drop by then
Nap98: saturday is devoted to big game
Nap98: after the game, ill either be with my family or going to a thanksgiving potluck with my dorm friends
Avengelyne01: so weird cultish behavior
Avengelyne01: i understand
Nap98: ....don't you even feel a tiny bit sad you've never gone to a big game?
Avengelyne01: football is lame
Avengelyne01: and the guys aren't hot
Avengelyne01: and it's way to cultish and creepy
Avengelyne01: and it goes against my morals
Nap98: i still say, that you can feel that way, but you should have tried to go once during your four years here
Nap98: at least so you could criticize it without any caveats of having never really been
Nap98: you always try to get ME to try new things.
Avengelyne01: well i think people should try going to europe while they're still young
Nap98: yes, i agree
Avengelyne01: i've been to a cal football game
Nap98: when?
Avengelyne01: i don't need to go to a "big game"
Avengelyne01: my freshman year
Nap98: god
Nap98: no wonder you hate it
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
All right! 22! Yeah! Woo....hoo.....?
I have officially entered the realm of non-important birthdays. The days of really really looking forward to every birthday probably end when you're 18...at the latest. Then after that you just gear up to the big 2-1. And then...well, nothing special except those semi-depressing decade milestones. 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90....eh.
I think we need to disperse our happy milestone birthday years. Like, say at the age of 34 you get a free trip to Tahiti or something.
At least 22 is a cool looking number.
I have officially entered the realm of non-important birthdays. The days of really really looking forward to every birthday probably end when you're 18...at the latest. Then after that you just gear up to the big 2-1. And then...well, nothing special except those semi-depressing decade milestones. 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90....eh.
I think we need to disperse our happy milestone birthday years. Like, say at the age of 34 you get a free trip to Tahiti or something.
At least 22 is a cool looking number.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Okay....that was TOO close! Cal beat Oregon 28-27.
For a moment there, it was like...shit....first the election, now this. Thank god luck swung our way.
So...I'm goin to bed in about 5 mins, but I wanted to get this post out of the way. I want to try to clear away any distractions (such as blogging) that would stand in the way of my productivity tomorrow. I NEED to get my grad school application stuff in order this weekend. It's driving me nuts. And with paper due dates and an article for the Voice coming very soon, I need to get it out of the way.
Tomorrow I will try (try!) to refrain from using the internet and talking on AIM. Tomorrow will be a day of productivity! Tomorrow, I WILL finish my personal statement. I WILL write my draft letter of recommendation. And I WILL put the finishing touches on my portfolio.
I hope.
If you see me on AIM, yell at me and tell me to get back to work. Even if I have an away message up. Thanks.
For a moment there, it was like...shit....first the election, now this. Thank god luck swung our way.
So...I'm goin to bed in about 5 mins, but I wanted to get this post out of the way. I want to try to clear away any distractions (such as blogging) that would stand in the way of my productivity tomorrow. I NEED to get my grad school application stuff in order this weekend. It's driving me nuts. And with paper due dates and an article for the Voice coming very soon, I need to get it out of the way.
Tomorrow I will try (try!) to refrain from using the internet and talking on AIM. Tomorrow will be a day of productivity! Tomorrow, I WILL finish my personal statement. I WILL write my draft letter of recommendation. And I WILL put the finishing touches on my portfolio.
I hope.
If you see me on AIM, yell at me and tell me to get back to work. Even if I have an away message up. Thanks.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
From the towns of the nation, we’d like to do a song for you about the larger picture.
There’s only one season lately.
There used to be an agreement between the seasons that they would all come and stay for three months, and then go the way the seasons go when they’re not where we are.
Lately there has been no spring, no summer, and no fall.
Politically, and philosophically, and psychologically there has only been the season of ice.
It a season of frozen dreams and frozen nightmares,
A scene of frozen progress, and frozen ideas,
frozen aspirations and inspirations.
They call the season winter; we call the song Winter in America:
From the Indians,
Who welcomed the Pilgrims
And to the buffalos ,
Who once ruled the plain
Like the vultures
Circling beneath the Dark Clouds
Looking for the Rain
Looking for the Rain
Just like the cities,
That stagger on the coastline
In a nation,
That just can’t stand much more
Like the forests,
Buried beneath the highway,
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it’s Winter
Winter in America
Yes, and all of the healers
Have been killed,
Or sent away
But the people know,
The people know,
It’s winter,
Winter in America.
And aint nobody fighting cause,
Nobody knows what to save.
Save your soul,
Lord knows, from Winter in America..
The Constitution,
A nobel piece of a paper.
With free society,
They struggled but they died in vain.
And now democracy,
Is rag time on the corner,
Hoping for some rain.
It looks like its hoping for some rain.
And I see the robins,
Perched on distant tree tops,
They’re watching last-ditch races,
March across the floor.
But just like the peace sign,
That vanished in our dreams,
Never had a chance to grow,
Never had a chance to grow.
And now its winter,
Winter in America.
And all of the healers,
Have been killed,
Our betrayed.
But the people know,
The people know,
It’s winter,
Lord knows, its Winter in America.
And aint’ nobody fighting, cause,
Nobody knows what to save.
Save your soul,
From winter in America.
-Gil Scott Heron
There’s only one season lately.
There used to be an agreement between the seasons that they would all come and stay for three months, and then go the way the seasons go when they’re not where we are.
Lately there has been no spring, no summer, and no fall.
Politically, and philosophically, and psychologically there has only been the season of ice.
It a season of frozen dreams and frozen nightmares,
A scene of frozen progress, and frozen ideas,
frozen aspirations and inspirations.
They call the season winter; we call the song Winter in America:
From the Indians,
Who welcomed the Pilgrims
And to the buffalos ,
Who once ruled the plain
Like the vultures
Circling beneath the Dark Clouds
Looking for the Rain
Looking for the Rain
Just like the cities,
That stagger on the coastline
In a nation,
That just can’t stand much more
Like the forests,
Buried beneath the highway,
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it’s Winter
Winter in America
Yes, and all of the healers
Have been killed,
Or sent away
But the people know,
The people know,
It’s winter,
Winter in America.
And aint nobody fighting cause,
Nobody knows what to save.
Save your soul,
Lord knows, from Winter in America..
The Constitution,
A nobel piece of a paper.
With free society,
They struggled but they died in vain.
And now democracy,
Is rag time on the corner,
Hoping for some rain.
It looks like its hoping for some rain.
And I see the robins,
Perched on distant tree tops,
They’re watching last-ditch races,
March across the floor.
But just like the peace sign,
That vanished in our dreams,
Never had a chance to grow,
Never had a chance to grow.
And now its winter,
Winter in America.
And all of the healers,
Have been killed,
Our betrayed.
But the people know,
The people know,
It’s winter,
Lord knows, its Winter in America.
And aint’ nobody fighting, cause,
Nobody knows what to save.
Save your soul,
From winter in America.
-Gil Scott Heron
The Morning After......
Away Messages:
Kim:
Can Someone Please Explain To Me How We Live In The Best Country In The World & We Elect A Moron For President? >:o >:o >:o
Pissed Off Beyond Belief! What The Hell Was Half The Country Thinking? I'm Moving To Austrailia!
Lauren R:
this place is fucked. i'm moving to new zealand.
Lauren P:
preparing to flee the country.
Chris:
no words...just that...pray for America....seriously...i sleep now
Jess:
sucks.
Kelly:
this sucks, not happy
Eric D:
i've said it before, and i say it again, fuck bush
Sara:
frickin...bush. you suck. thanks to all those who voted for him. 4 more years of spending 337 billion on the "war against terrorism" and more bushisms. 4 years later and i STILL don't see no osama ass on a pole. just a broken iraq that we have to fix. tell me how that is even good? notice: if you have seen the news...a new osama video is out. and he's out to kill our economy. his family DOES OWN 70% of the control over our economy...or did u not know that? i guess that trend IS going to continue... we're gonna start weighing currency against the yen. GO CHINA!!!
Mine:
It could be a cold night...
for a lifetime
Away Messages:
Kim:
Can Someone Please Explain To Me How We Live In The Best Country In The World & We Elect A Moron For President? >:o >:o >:o
Pissed Off Beyond Belief! What The Hell Was Half The Country Thinking? I'm Moving To Austrailia!
Lauren R:
this place is fucked. i'm moving to new zealand.
Lauren P:
preparing to flee the country.
Chris:
no words...just that...pray for America....seriously...i sleep now
Jess:
sucks.
Kelly:
this sucks, not happy
Eric D:
i've said it before, and i say it again, fuck bush
Sara:
frickin...bush. you suck. thanks to all those who voted for him. 4 more years of spending 337 billion on the "war against terrorism" and more bushisms. 4 years later and i STILL don't see no osama ass on a pole. just a broken iraq that we have to fix. tell me how that is even good? notice: if you have seen the news...a new osama video is out. and he's out to kill our economy. his family DOES OWN 70% of the control over our economy...or did u not know that? i guess that trend IS going to continue... we're gonna start weighing currency against the yen. GO CHINA!!!
Mine:
It could be a cold night...
for a lifetime
I should be celebrating.
November 2nd was a momentous day for Latinos in Mountain View, and for my family in particular. My Auntie RoseMary has won a seat on the Mountain View-Whisman School Board. She may be the first Latina to ever win a seat. She's the first person in my family's history to win an election. She did it! It's amazing! I'm esctatic and thrilled to have played a roll in her early campaign.
In addition, Laura Macias has become the first Latina to ever win a seat on the Mountain View City Council. If not the first Latina, she is now one of only two Mexican-Americans to ever win. The last was Joe Perez, a close friend of my grandparents who served in the 1970s. She will be the lone women and minority on a council of all White males. Simply unacceptable for a city as diverse as Mountain View, but hopefully her election is a sign of better days to come.
My aunt and Laura united and worked together in their campaigns. It pulled off. It's a big day for Mountain View. I just got a call from my aunt a few minutes ago, and it took some of the bitterness out of what is otherwise, a terrible night.
I am absolutely terrified about the national political picture over the next four years. Pending a miracle, we will have Bush for a second term. And I can't even begin to articulate how frightened I am by that.
But my Aunt Rosemary winning gives me hope that change can happen. As she just told me, "I did it, and now ANY of us can do it."
I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth
Who won't accept deception in instead of what is truth
It seems we lose the game
Before we even start to play
Who made these rules?
We're so confused
Easily led astray
Let me tell ya that...
Everything Is Everything
Everything Is Everything
After winter, must come spring
Everything Is Everything
Sometimes it seems
We'll touch that dream
But things come slow or not at all
And the ones on top, won't make it stop
So convinced that they might fall
Let's love ourselves and we can't fail
To make a better situation
Tomorrow, our seeds will grow
All we need is dedication
-Lauryn Hill
November 2nd was a momentous day for Latinos in Mountain View, and for my family in particular. My Auntie RoseMary has won a seat on the Mountain View-Whisman School Board. She may be the first Latina to ever win a seat. She's the first person in my family's history to win an election. She did it! It's amazing! I'm esctatic and thrilled to have played a roll in her early campaign.
In addition, Laura Macias has become the first Latina to ever win a seat on the Mountain View City Council. If not the first Latina, she is now one of only two Mexican-Americans to ever win. The last was Joe Perez, a close friend of my grandparents who served in the 1970s. She will be the lone women and minority on a council of all White males. Simply unacceptable for a city as diverse as Mountain View, but hopefully her election is a sign of better days to come.
My aunt and Laura united and worked together in their campaigns. It pulled off. It's a big day for Mountain View. I just got a call from my aunt a few minutes ago, and it took some of the bitterness out of what is otherwise, a terrible night.
I am absolutely terrified about the national political picture over the next four years. Pending a miracle, we will have Bush for a second term. And I can't even begin to articulate how frightened I am by that.
But my Aunt Rosemary winning gives me hope that change can happen. As she just told me, "I did it, and now ANY of us can do it."
I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth
Who won't accept deception in instead of what is truth
It seems we lose the game
Before we even start to play
Who made these rules?
We're so confused
Easily led astray
Let me tell ya that...
Everything Is Everything
Everything Is Everything
After winter, must come spring
Everything Is Everything
Sometimes it seems
We'll touch that dream
But things come slow or not at all
And the ones on top, won't make it stop
So convinced that they might fall
Let's love ourselves and we can't fail
To make a better situation
Tomorrow, our seeds will grow
All we need is dedication
-Lauryn Hill
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
What a weekend.
Thursday I was up till 5:00am Friday morning writing an urban design paper. That was not fun.
Friday I met up with DJBank to head home for the SFHS v. Bell game. Went with the whole fam. Game was great, but SFHS lost, 27-26. Boo. Bellarmine sucks.
Saturday spent the day getting the haunted house ready. Then went up to Cal's first night football game, ever! AWESOME game. Cal's second shut out in a row. 27-0 against ASU. Cal....get this...is now #4 in the nation, and may end up going to the National Championship! WOAH! I'll be happy with Roses. Biggest chunk of the la loma crew at the game in a long while, including the return of Aly and Candice. Tons of fun. Can't wait till next Sat.
Sunday, Halloween. Great time, everything went well, and our haunted house looked better than it ever has before. Towards the end of the night I drove Joella and Chris round MV to look at "Halloween Lights." Mountain View is weird. There really aren't very good x-mas lights in MV come december, but we went through only three neighborhoods and saw three elaborate haunted houses and tons of decorated houses. Hehe.
Monday...well. What a mixed bag. I am a victim of identity theft. Just like on those commercials. Got a bogus e-mail that I thought was from paypal, link took me to paypal.com to re-register on Sunday. It looked like paypal.com, the browser said "paypal.com" but guess what? It wasn't. I gave all my personal info, and got calls from Western Union and e-mails from paypal about attempts to send my $$$ to puerto rico today. Lucky I caught it when I did, and that I didn't have more money in my account. But I spent all afternoon running around MV with my mom, going to the bank securing my $$$, going to the police station, and feeling like a complete idiot.
Watch out people. Trust me, you DO NOT want to go through this. It makes you feel like shit. ALWAYS double check the source of your e-mails, and never give more info than you feel comfortable giving.
On a much happier note, tonight I went to the Jimmy Eat World concert at the Fillmore with Erik, Chris, Seth and their friends. The concert was really good. Jimmy Eat World is awesome, and it makes me so happy that I've found a band that...three albums later, they still resonate with me. They are my band.
I think I like the Warfield better than the Fillmore. The Fillmore is awesome. But for Jimmy Eat World, I think the Warfield works better, more drama (lighting, stage, theatre size, etc.) The awesome thing about the Warfield, however, is the history. All the posters of concerts from 1966 onward hung up on the wall, and they give you one....FOR FREE...after the concert. I was willing to shill out $20 for one. Made me so happy to have that as a keepsake, its goin up on my wall.
Today, my friends, the fate of the country...no, the world...will be determined. By who though? By the voters? By computer touch screens? By sneaky election officials? By the Supreme Court? Holy moly it's going to be nuts today. So VOTE, brace yourselves, and hope and pray for the best.
...and as far as I'm concerned, the best = bush out of office.
VOTE KERRY!
Thursday I was up till 5:00am Friday morning writing an urban design paper. That was not fun.
Friday I met up with DJBank to head home for the SFHS v. Bell game. Went with the whole fam. Game was great, but SFHS lost, 27-26. Boo. Bellarmine sucks.
Saturday spent the day getting the haunted house ready. Then went up to Cal's first night football game, ever! AWESOME game. Cal's second shut out in a row. 27-0 against ASU. Cal....get this...is now #4 in the nation, and may end up going to the National Championship! WOAH! I'll be happy with Roses. Biggest chunk of the la loma crew at the game in a long while, including the return of Aly and Candice. Tons of fun. Can't wait till next Sat.
Sunday, Halloween. Great time, everything went well, and our haunted house looked better than it ever has before. Towards the end of the night I drove Joella and Chris round MV to look at "Halloween Lights." Mountain View is weird. There really aren't very good x-mas lights in MV come december, but we went through only three neighborhoods and saw three elaborate haunted houses and tons of decorated houses. Hehe.
Monday...well. What a mixed bag. I am a victim of identity theft. Just like on those commercials. Got a bogus e-mail that I thought was from paypal, link took me to paypal.com to re-register on Sunday. It looked like paypal.com, the browser said "paypal.com" but guess what? It wasn't. I gave all my personal info, and got calls from Western Union and e-mails from paypal about attempts to send my $$$ to puerto rico today. Lucky I caught it when I did, and that I didn't have more money in my account. But I spent all afternoon running around MV with my mom, going to the bank securing my $$$, going to the police station, and feeling like a complete idiot.
Watch out people. Trust me, you DO NOT want to go through this. It makes you feel like shit. ALWAYS double check the source of your e-mails, and never give more info than you feel comfortable giving.
On a much happier note, tonight I went to the Jimmy Eat World concert at the Fillmore with Erik, Chris, Seth and their friends. The concert was really good. Jimmy Eat World is awesome, and it makes me so happy that I've found a band that...three albums later, they still resonate with me. They are my band.
I think I like the Warfield better than the Fillmore. The Fillmore is awesome. But for Jimmy Eat World, I think the Warfield works better, more drama (lighting, stage, theatre size, etc.) The awesome thing about the Warfield, however, is the history. All the posters of concerts from 1966 onward hung up on the wall, and they give you one....FOR FREE...after the concert. I was willing to shill out $20 for one. Made me so happy to have that as a keepsake, its goin up on my wall.
Today, my friends, the fate of the country...no, the world...will be determined. By who though? By the voters? By computer touch screens? By sneaky election officials? By the Supreme Court? Holy moly it's going to be nuts today. So VOTE, brace yourselves, and hope and pray for the best.
...and as far as I'm concerned, the best = bush out of office.
VOTE KERRY!