So we went on a trip this weekend to see Dartmouth and Williams. I loved the New England weather and the scenery (see attached poem for details) and it made me despise New Jersey a little more. Don't get me wrong, most of New Jersey, especially the north and west along the Deleware are nice, but where I live is the worst place possible: in a surburban waste land. Now, I know I probably sound like that kid whose facebook I showed you, but, unlike him, I'm actually telling the truth.
Anyway, my impressions of both institutions:
Dartmouth: Overall, stunning. Certainly my favorite university physically so far, except for one or two minor things (frats). Really like the location, in the mountains, near a major river (Connecticut) and in the wilderness. Liked the sophormore summer idea, but am a bit uncertain of taking a semester off junior year. I mean, what would I do, and how would I live during that time? Also really liked the surrounding town and the bookstore. A better version of Princeton. Negatives: Director of Admissions was one of the most boring people ever. I literally fell asleep during this presentation. Not the impression I would want to make on visitors. Also, seems like there would be no place for me as an athlete. They're a Division I school- but I could see myself playing club ultimate frisbee, or, better yet, cricket!
Williams: I must admit I was a bit skeptical going in. Just driving around, it looked like a small, watered down version on an Ivy League school without the reputation or the money. Plus, it was also raining so I wanted to get the heck out of there. But, I did stay, and I suprisingly liked the school after going on the campus tour and info session. We stayed at the Williams Inn, an overpriced hotel that looked like my grandmother's house. After going on a run and getting a feeling for the campus and the one-street town, I began to like and could definitely see myself there. About the info session: the director of admissions was a dynamic man who not only gave me information about the campus, but useful hints about the admission process in general. I actually stayed awake, as he kept me occupied. I also learned mroe about the school on the campus tour. For example, the school teaches in a 'tutorial' style a la Oxford where classes consist of two students to one teacher so that you get the most personalized help possible. I also liked that there was the opportunity to go abroad to Oxford for a year. Their semester system is unique in that in between the fall and spring semester, there is a January semester in which students take one class that can have nothing whatsoever to do with their major. Sounds very cool. Also, athletics are a bit more of a possbility here considering the school is Div. III.
Have a lot of tests this week, bet Tylson ;) 5$ that I'd beat him of our science test. Hope I can pull it off.
By the way, I'll post my poem in 30 minutes or so.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Interesting
Before I begin, just a clarification: I'm writing this not becuase I need a space to vent my mind and rant for hours upon end. I could do that where ever the hell I want. No, I writing this to preserve memories: the little things that I'l forget in the next month or two, but in years, will look back on and smile about and think to myself, "Man, have I changed". So, this is more of a meter to gauge how different a person I become rather than a place to blabber. But, while I do have the opportunity, I might as well mention some interesting things.
Today was a good day in practice. Not, however, in the way I played. I couldn't hit the fricking net; I kept narrowly skying the ball over which was very frustrating. And whenever I did get it on net, it was saved. Anyway, I'll pull that together. But, towards the end of practice, we were going to pick up balls that had completely missed the net and gone over (almost all of them). I went arround looking for some balls near this small shed, while the majority of the players (the douches) went around fucking off. Tom, our coach, a Brit from Manchester (a City supporter, I'll venture rather than United ;)), saw this and made us run. No big deal. Except the good guys on the team weren't doing anything while the retards pulled us down. So we ran and got tired and the rest of practice was very flat and emotionless.
After practice, Tom came up and apologized to me for making me run, but did make a valid point that I'm part of the team, and I have to accept what the team as a whole does. He's what I would call one of the few insightful people in the world. He sees things as they are, not through some distorted kaliedoscope (sp.) as the majority do. He told me what he thinks of the team: "Max is an idiot. He may be big in this school, but wait 'till he gets out into the open world. Then, saw big guy who doesn't like him will come and beat him up. And those three," he said, pointing to Kevin, Sam, and Dan, "are idiots. They do everything he says." Tom did say he'll tell the coaches about the goofs. He also made the point that he really appreciates my helpfulness and "it will be repaid, if not on the football pitch, then later in life."
That's what made me like him. He can see. He has no weights on his eyes. He doesn't look the other way. More people should be like this. I think I'm like this, but I don't like to judge myself. A lot of people aren't like this, and many people that are, are douches (cite: Phyl Ryan quote from his facebook: I only use British English. I believe in equal rights and that America is a fascist wasteland. Don't be surprised if I'm living in London after university. I mean, that just screams: DOUCHE in large capital letters. How could anyone be so stupidly ignorant? He hasn't seen the real world. But, I digress). Anyway, I was going to say that there are very few people in the world who have this special self-awareness.
And I wish there were more people, beucase if there were, the world would be a better place.
Today was a good day in practice. Not, however, in the way I played. I couldn't hit the fricking net; I kept narrowly skying the ball over which was very frustrating. And whenever I did get it on net, it was saved. Anyway, I'll pull that together. But, towards the end of practice, we were going to pick up balls that had completely missed the net and gone over (almost all of them). I went arround looking for some balls near this small shed, while the majority of the players (the douches) went around fucking off. Tom, our coach, a Brit from Manchester (a City supporter, I'll venture rather than United ;)), saw this and made us run. No big deal. Except the good guys on the team weren't doing anything while the retards pulled us down. So we ran and got tired and the rest of practice was very flat and emotionless.
After practice, Tom came up and apologized to me for making me run, but did make a valid point that I'm part of the team, and I have to accept what the team as a whole does. He's what I would call one of the few insightful people in the world. He sees things as they are, not through some distorted kaliedoscope (sp.) as the majority do. He told me what he thinks of the team: "Max is an idiot. He may be big in this school, but wait 'till he gets out into the open world. Then, saw big guy who doesn't like him will come and beat him up. And those three," he said, pointing to Kevin, Sam, and Dan, "are idiots. They do everything he says." Tom did say he'll tell the coaches about the goofs. He also made the point that he really appreciates my helpfulness and "it will be repaid, if not on the football pitch, then later in life."
That's what made me like him. He can see. He has no weights on his eyes. He doesn't look the other way. More people should be like this. I think I'm like this, but I don't like to judge myself. A lot of people aren't like this, and many people that are, are douches (cite: Phyl Ryan quote from his facebook: I only use British English. I believe in equal rights and that America is a fascist wasteland. Don't be surprised if I'm living in London after university. I mean, that just screams: DOUCHE in large capital letters. How could anyone be so stupidly ignorant? He hasn't seen the real world. But, I digress). Anyway, I was going to say that there are very few people in the world who have this special self-awareness.
And I wish there were more people, beucase if there were, the world would be a better place.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
before i forget: username: silemawanderer password: the usual
schools started, been off for a long time, missed some stuff, went to Europe and back again, preseason soccer, first days of a new year, nothing interesting.
first loss today one-nil against Vorhees. now we're 1-1-2. year's looking down already. good coaches, thought, just can't put the ball in the net. i throw in effort's worth, but the past couple of days, i've been just a whisker away from goal (to use an English commentary phrase)
baseball talk today, meeting tomorrow. same old shit from the dick (yes, I said it), the dick C.Star (misspelled his name on purpose), and J.Tylson (again misspelled). B.Burrdorf is apparantly going to throw away all his training in the outfield and play first base (who'd have thunk it?). well, that means that i fall to third in the depth chart in their thoughts, behind a crappy fielder and overall player (Coriigan) and someone who's never played first before. Just my luck.
In the end, we'll see what happens, i'm pretty sure i'll be on JV again, but it doesn't matter. i just want to play. What really bothers me though, is that they immeadiately think i'm such a bad player (which, quite a few people other than myself think is not true). They think they're so good, while, in reality, they're all crappy cunts who can't play for shit (C.Star are you listening?). not to say i'm such an amazing player. i admit i have hitting problems, but they refuse to admit any of it, which annoys me.
i'll probably regret saying this, but, words are words, which are words that are words. they remain on paper forever, but i don't care. somewhere, sometime, somehow, i need to voice my opinions and not let them die inside of me, for that would be the real tragedy.
anyway, three tests tomorrow. jury's out as to how i'll do. Spanish, especially. but, what must happen will happen. time will tell.
schools started, been off for a long time, missed some stuff, went to Europe and back again, preseason soccer, first days of a new year, nothing interesting.
first loss today one-nil against Vorhees. now we're 1-1-2. year's looking down already. good coaches, thought, just can't put the ball in the net. i throw in effort's worth, but the past couple of days, i've been just a whisker away from goal (to use an English commentary phrase)
baseball talk today, meeting tomorrow. same old shit from the dick (yes, I said it), the dick C.Star (misspelled his name on purpose), and J.Tylson (again misspelled). B.Burrdorf is apparantly going to throw away all his training in the outfield and play first base (who'd have thunk it?). well, that means that i fall to third in the depth chart in their thoughts, behind a crappy fielder and overall player (Coriigan) and someone who's never played first before. Just my luck.
In the end, we'll see what happens, i'm pretty sure i'll be on JV again, but it doesn't matter. i just want to play. What really bothers me though, is that they immeadiately think i'm such a bad player (which, quite a few people other than myself think is not true). They think they're so good, while, in reality, they're all crappy cunts who can't play for shit (C.Star are you listening?). not to say i'm such an amazing player. i admit i have hitting problems, but they refuse to admit any of it, which annoys me.
i'll probably regret saying this, but, words are words, which are words that are words. they remain on paper forever, but i don't care. somewhere, sometime, somehow, i need to voice my opinions and not let them die inside of me, for that would be the real tragedy.
anyway, three tests tomorrow. jury's out as to how i'll do. Spanish, especially. but, what must happen will happen. time will tell.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
A casa
just chilling at home for one more day before i go up to Brown for three weeks. got back from crew camp and had a blast. learned to row and met some nice guys. one bad thing: food was absolutely disgusting. i mean seriously, it was like they got the food already prepared in plastic bags and all they had to do was throw it in the microwave, and they screwed even this up.
first knockout world cup games today. go germany and argentina!
http://www.commonside.eclipse.co.uk/job/managers%20job.htm- amusing link for all who play FM.
first knockout world cup games today. go germany and argentina!
http://www.commonside.eclipse.co.uk/job/managers%20job.htm- amusing link for all who play FM.
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