Carbondale Boredom

Yeah, so I'm back in The 'Dale and really I have no interest in being here. Okay, that's a damn lie, but I'm feeling quite puzzled right now. It's that whole "I'm in Carbondale, but I'm not in school" type of thing that's probably bothering me the most. It's not the same yet, and most of it has to do with Steve not being here and I haven't been out drinking yet. So that will change Friday night, hopefully with guys night out.

I know in a previous blog that I said that I'd write about the things I look forward to this coming year, but I've done that already in a previous blog so why re-hash a blog that's already been done? Though I also mentioned that I'd reveal my New Year's Resolutions.

First, I hate the word "resolution" because in my eyes, resolutions are made to be broken. And seriously, who keeps their New Year's Resolution. Nobody, that's who! Instead of resolutions, I've come up with some things I'd like to do, some goals...instead of resolutions b/c like I said, resolutions are just made to be broken.

For example I'd like to do better in all of my classes. Yes, I got two A's on my report card but as nice as they were, those grades were overshadowed by the F in Econ and the D in Physics. Disappointing indeed. I'm going to resort to studying/reviewing after each and every day of classes in an attempt to stay on task and focused on classes! I'm aiming for nothing lower than a B in each of my classes, hopefully I'm not asking too much of myself. Next, I'd like to lose some weight. I know, it's so cliche but I must say it. I was doing well in the beginning of the semester but then stress took its toll on me. It's not only clinically proven, but I've proven it for myself that when people are stressed they eat more. I admit I fall in that category, and on top of that I cook more too, my roommates can vouch for that. I remember one week of hell where everything just sucked I cooked a cheesecake, a pan of brownies, fried chicken, pork chops, pasta, mashed potatoes and cookies. Cooking's a stress reliever, and that's probably not a good thing. I'm trying to cut out a lot of the soda pop that I drink and instead am drinking more water, because it's healthier. I'm also going to try not to eat past 8 or 9 o'clock because that's when metabolism slows down. Another thing I'd like to do is become more sociable. Not like I'm not sociable, but I dunno, there were several times last semester where I just wish I had never left my room, or got on the phone, or got on the computer, or left the apartment for that matter. Hopefully I can make some new friends this semester, and hopefully they won't up-and-disappear again! Finally, in the words of John Mayer "I'm Gonna Find Another You." I know, sounds like everyone's New Year's Resolution and some of the past statements I've made on this very blog. The point of this however is different. I'm here acknowledging I've absolutely screwed the pooch! I've choked! I've blown too many really good opportunities, to the point where I sometimes sit and wonder if I've blown my chance for "true love." I put "true love" in quotes because I'm bitter and have my doubts about love as a whole. But if you listen to John Mayer's I'm Gonna Find Another You, you'll know where I'm coming from with this whole resolution/goal thingy. I just want to be happy, and seeing some of the things that have happened around me recently (I'll keep the things farther in the past in the past b/c things have really come into focus recently) and I think about where I've fucked things up, where I've failed myself and things like that....and the fact that those things irritate me, pisses me the fuck off!

Notable things I want to do in 2007:

• Go to as many Cubs games as possible. Of course that takes precedent, especially if they're good! I want to be there Opening Day, and as much as possible. I love Wrigley Field, it's like my second home and one of my happy places. I can't wait to go when I'm 21 (and pay $6 for a beer.)
• Find a date for the JT concert. I'll have more on this whole thing in a blog to be posted later. It's either that or go with my mom. Not like that's a bad thing, but if I can't find a date for a JT concert, I wonder if I can find a date period.
• Write more poetry. I'm disappointed in myself because I wrote 2 poems on the train on my way to Chicago and none since that day (more than three weeks ago.) It's not like I don't have ideas (I do), I just don't feel motivated right now, that's all.
• The Vegas Trifecta. There's a motto for my b-day weekend in Las Vegas, when I turn 21, and it's quite simple. "Get drunk, get laid, get married...in no particular order." Need I say more? It's one of the things I can't wait to do when I go out there. Once again, the whole Vegas thing deserves a post in itself.

Well, that's it for now folks. Now it's time to fool around with I-Tunes and see what kinda music I got here to work with!

P.S. I got blogs in the making. I got some new segments that I'll be dropping and then explaining. Should be fun!

Coming Soon...

First and foremost Happy New Year to the people that read this blog. It's been a while since I've posted. There are things to get to, but I just haven't had enough down time to actually sit down and make a post about it. So it's January 6th, what could be forthcoming you ask. Here's a brief preview of some upcoming posts.

• Winter Vacation Recap: The ups and downs of this winter vacation will be chronicled in this post.
• Things I look forward to in 2007 (including spring semester @ SIU)
• New Years Resolutions/Goals/Things I Wanna Do
• An open letter to the Chicago Cubs
• Press Conference
• Life In General

...WAIT! Did Lu just mention a press conference? One of the infamous, anitcipated, highly regarded Lu press conference? Yes. As was announced through Facebook & MSN, I have things on my mind and several announcements to make. When's the press conference you ask? Sunday January 14th after the second game of the NFL Playoffs. What's going to be covered in the press conference? Oh so much. I will make an initial statement, kinda like the State of the Union instead it's the State of Lu. hehehe. After my initial statement I will field questions from the panel which will probably consist of my roommates Steve and Marcus, and his girlfriend Kim. So any leaks you ask? Giving up on people, for starters. Girls I have interest in. Things I want to do in 2007. Things in 2006 I want to get over. A mission statement in 2007. And anything that comes up in the questioning.

Should be a blast, shouldn't it?

That's It, I'm All Out Of Year In Review Stuff

Seriously, no more Year In Review. Actually there's one more segment, and that's the lessons I've learned but that will be posted within this week. But instead of review, let's do a little preview here of things I'm looking forward to next year.

-OPENING DAY 2007: It's the sporting event I'm looking forward to the most, though that could change if the Bears make it to the Super Bowl. There's so much hype and expectations surrounding this team, especially with this off-season's acquisitions. Opening Day @ Wrigley is on a Monday, though I've vowed to make the trip for the first step towards the first championship in 98 years.
-My 21st B-Day: Hopefully I'll be spending it in Las Vegas, which is the most likely scenario. Turning 21 is probably the last major event that will happen in my life. Hopefully that thing called "marriage" is in my future, but age wise, 21 is the ultimate milestone. And what better place to celebrate than in Las Vegas, where I've had tons of fun under the age of 21 (lol that rhymes.)
-Valentine's Day 2007: If you've read this blog on previous V-Day's or you've read my rants about my love life, you're probably scratching your head reading that I'm looking forward to February 14th 2007. Hey, it'll be a new year and hope springs eternal and everyone knows I'm looking for someone new to fall in love with cuz this whole ordeal with me not getting over is killing me inside and making me an awful bitter and cynical person (though my mom finds it hilarious.) Coincidentally on February 14th, both the Cubs and myself will be looking for fresh, new beginnings in an attempt to release ourselves from the shackles of the past.
-March Madness: I love March Madness, I'm hoping that SIU can win the MVC outright in the regular season and win back-2-back MVC tourney championships. The talent is there and so is the experience. There's no reason not to believe that this team can't do it, and possibly make a deep run in the NCAA tourney.
-2nd Semester: I'm looking forward to 2nd semester. My grades were a reflection of myself as a hole in 2006. 2 A's, 1 D, 1 F. Not pretty, still not terrible. I just have to straighten out somethings and I'll be all good. I'm rededicated and refocused, and I'm in the right surroundings and the most important thing is that I'm settled. It's all about being comfortable.
-The Bears Playoff Run: Hopefully it lasts longer than last years which ended abruptly at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. This team is more well rounded and I have faith that this team is the team to beat in the NFC.
-Spring Break 2007: Most college students will be spending their SB in hot spots with even hotter co-eds. Not Lu however (though I want to do that whole drunken SB w/lotsa scoring thing.) I'll be in Chicago for Spring Break and what is the thing I most look forward to....SEEING JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE IN CONCERT!!!! Yes, Lu is going to see JT live and in the 11th row. Love it. I'm hoping that I can get a serious date for this thing, not one of those "friend dates" that I've fallen accustomed to. Instead, a real date, with an ending that doesn't involve "just friends."

I know I'm supposed to put a part where I write about how I'm gonna find the right girl, or the perfect girl, or a girl in general. Instead I'm shying away from the topic because while making "finding a girl" a top priority, I've failed in other aspects in my life. And yes, my clock is ticking, but I have faith (I don't know why, but I do) that some girl will come to her senses and see me for who I am, loveable Lu.

The Flashback, The Vision, The Prediction

I've had a few days to think about what happened Monday night and a few days to articulate what I need to write for this "note" to make sense. So here goes nothing.First, the Monday Night Miracle. Bears down 20 with 15:02 to go in the game the Bears score 0 offensive touchdowns and STILL comeback to win 24-23. I'll note this because in The Heckler, a comedic sports paper, wrote that the NFL would spot the Cardinals 23 points in that MNF game as a joke. They were instead spotted 20 by the Bears. That's the first part. But after Devin Hester returned that punt for the game winning TD and Neil Rackers (last year's Mr. Automatic) missed a game winning FG I had this numbing feeling in my body, followed by a tingling sensation.

This leads to THE FLASHBACK. The flashback was a conversation I had between myself and my roommate. Here's an excerpt from my blog last year: "Yeah, we still like the same girl and we were talkin about it. We were talking about the prospects of them and all of the other guys that like her. We eliminated them for one reason or another, then I basically eliminated myself. There's the self reflection. Here's exactly how I eliminted myself:"Me (chuckling) in my wildest dreams that include a year in which the bears, bulls, cubs and SIU win championships..." And then it hit me. The Bears are a contender and will probably win the NFC North title and in my eyes are serious contenders for the conference title and (dare I say it?) the Super Bowl. According to basketball experts, the Bulls are one of the top 5 teams in the Eastern Conference and could contend with Miami if everything breaks their way. SIU is one of the favorites to win the MVC title, again. And the Cubs, with the hiring of Lou Piniella, are making their way to becoming contenders again for the first time since 2003 and 2004. So it hit me, and it hit me hard. Could I be next? Could this be the way the chips fall? I'm not gonna say that the stars are aligned, but I WILL say that there is movement among them.

This leads to THE VISION. More of a dream. Long story short it's me at Wrigley Field on Opening Day and the Cubs win. I can't tell you who played or who I was with, all I know is that there was a conversation with someone saying that this was the year and it was only us two among the whole crowd that believed. So I'll put it out there now Cub fans. 2007 is ours. Accept nothing less than a championship. Yes, start small with division aspirations because the NL Central with 88 wins is winnable. But don't accept choke jobs in the LDS or LCS. World Series or bust. Dusty Baker had one good quality and that was bringing the attitude of "you're either with us or you're against us." So Cub fans, you're either with me or against me. 2007: The Year The Cubs Strike Back.

As for THE PREDICTION: 2007 will be my year. No doubt about it. Shaking off curses, jinxes, hexes and all of the past that has plagued me. Cheering on SIU to a MVC title and hopefully a deep run into the NCAA tournament. Cheering on the Bears, hopefully to a Super Bowl Shuffle Remix. Cheering on the Bulls, hoping to knock off the big bad Heat. And then the Cubs, you know how I feel about 2007.

FINAL THOUGHT: To enforce my vision, my mother and I spoke today. I told her the following: "I was all about Joe Girardi coming to manage the Cubs. I thought that it'd be perfect that the local product, life-long Cub fan and former Cub leads this team out of a 98 year drought. But I thought about Piniella signing and I think it'd be more fitting that a guy named 'LOU' did the job." In response, my mother said "You know, I was thinking the EXACT SAME THING!"

Why Not Us? Why Not Now? Why Not Lu? All questions that will be put to rest in 2007, I'm SURE of it!

This Weekend

This weekend looks like it could shape up to be the best weekend of this semester. The boys are back in town and there's no one happier than Lu. Oh and can't forget about the regular Carbondale crew. So it looks like this should be a good weekend. Details coming later.