Drinking Game
To play this game, all you need is a flask filled with the alcohol of your choice. That, and to declare your major as ME. Once you've obtained both of those things, you can begin playing the following Monday at 8:00 AM. Depending upon your specific coursework, I figure you could make it as far as Thursday ... or be dead from alcohol poisoning around lunchtime on Tuesday.
The official rules of the ME Drinking Game- take a drink whenever:
1. You don't know how to start any of the problems in a given homework assignment.
2. A TA says any of the following phrases to you:
"I don't know."
"Say that again?"
"I don't understand your question."
"Let me find the professor."
"I'm not supposed to know that, you are."
"I try to grade fairly."
3. Professor Smith adds more required lab time.
4. You take two or more pop quizzes in a single day.
5. You fail two or more pop quizzes in a single day.
6. Your ME advisor gives you an incorrect PIN number.
7. Your ME advisor doesn't know the requirements of an ME degree.
8. Your ME advisor calls you the wrong name.
9. Professor Oztekin says the phrase "No doubt."
10. You spend more than 8 hours in Packard Lab in a day.
11. You don't understand a concept.
12. Your 3-5 midterms are scheduled into a 24-48 hour period.
13. You watch the sunset from a room in Packard.
14. You watch the sunrise from a room in Packard.
15. You make an irreparable mistake in IDEAs and are forced to start over.
16. You lose a part in the IDEAs Library/Bin Management system.
17. You curse out Maple, IDEAs, Matlab, or Simulink.
18. Someone says the phrase "Why can't we just use AutoCAD?"
19. You find yourself counting the liver spots on Professor Lucas' head.
20. A project team in ME 111 discusses WW II as part of their presentation on nuclear power.
21. You can't swipe into a CAD lab.
22. You smell alcohol on Professor Varley's breath.
23. You use the handicap door on the 2nd floor to get into Packard because it's the only one that's open.
24. An exam average is 50 or below.
25. Your exam score is 50 or below.
26. Professor Hartranft mentions the safety factor of airplanes.
27. A professor calls you stupid for not remembering an equation from thermo.
28. You buy a solution manual on ebay.
29. Professor Chew tells you to take "Sex for Birds."
30. You contemplate changing majors.
January 25, 2007
January 14, 2007
So Good
I have a new life goal ... this one's a little more of a reach than most of the others.
Before I die, I want to perform alongside the Canadian Brass. I know I can't be a member- they pull their talent from Juilliard and international orchestras. Plus, the current trombonist is a founding member and has never not played with the group. However, maybe someday there will be an opportunity for an ensemble of regular joes to play alongside that fabled quintet. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be in it.
Either way, the Canadian Brass will be playing at Lehigh this Saturday, and I'm wildly excited. Awesome.
I have a new life goal ... this one's a little more of a reach than most of the others.
Before I die, I want to perform alongside the Canadian Brass. I know I can't be a member- they pull their talent from Juilliard and international orchestras. Plus, the current trombonist is a founding member and has never not played with the group. However, maybe someday there will be an opportunity for an ensemble of regular joes to play alongside that fabled quintet. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be in it.
Either way, the Canadian Brass will be playing at Lehigh this Saturday, and I'm wildly excited. Awesome.
January 11, 2007
Bring Me That Horizon
Did you ever get the feeling that something big was around the corner? That maybe your life was about to take a turn, or that you were about to make a momentous decision?
The last time I felt that way in a positive sense was in November of 2004, during the weekend of my first Cadets' audition camp. Having worked for months on end towards the sole purpose of performing to the best of my ability, my only emotions going into the camp had been excitement, fear, and anxiety. I went to sleep on Friday night knowing that the next day was going to decide whether or not I lived my dream, as Saturday was when individual auditions were held. Sure, you were graded over the course of the whole 60 hour weekend in terms of stamina, focus, and learning ability, but whether or not you were invited to come back really came down to those three minutes you were given to play alone.
Walking down the hall to the audition room, I was led by a young corps administrator who had just aged out the summer before. I'd spent the previous two summers reading the online journal she kept on tour, trying to glean every bit of information I could about the corps and what it was like to live and perform as one of them. She stood with me outside the audition room as I waited for the auditioner before me to play. Thinking I might not get the chance to speak to her again, I said, "I just wanted to let you know that I've read all your blogs, as well as those of your corpsmates. It's an honor to finally meet you." Before she could answer, the door opened, and I walked through it.
Three minutes later I came out, too shell-shocked to immediately comprehend much of anything. Surprisingly, the administrator was still there. Our eyes met, and she only said three words: "How'd it go?" Without thinking, worrying, or pondering for even a second, I replied, "Very well. Very, very well." We walked for a few more seconds before she said, "Good. It was nice to meet you, Jeremy. I think I'll be seeing you next camp."
We parted ways, and as I walked the 200 feet of hall back to the horn arc alone ... there was that click inside me. That premonition that something was about to change, that my hopes of marching were about to come true, that my life was going to be altered for the better in the very near future. It was an amazing feeling, something that I can probably pinpoint as one of the most memorable and lasting moments of happiness I've felt in two decades of living. There are of course many other instances of happiness I can recall- relationships, friendships, performances- but that was one of the few that simultaneously marked a distinct change in the path of my life.
That's the feeling I have now, back at school for the new year. Maybe it's just optimism, or maybe I'm just happy to see friends I missed over break, but for whatever reason ... there's something around the corner. I'm sure of it.
The only thing left to do, then, is figure out what it is, figure out how to get to it, and then find the courage to go after it.
Good night, everyone ... here's to tomorrow.
Did you ever get the feeling that something big was around the corner? That maybe your life was about to take a turn, or that you were about to make a momentous decision?
The last time I felt that way in a positive sense was in November of 2004, during the weekend of my first Cadets' audition camp. Having worked for months on end towards the sole purpose of performing to the best of my ability, my only emotions going into the camp had been excitement, fear, and anxiety. I went to sleep on Friday night knowing that the next day was going to decide whether or not I lived my dream, as Saturday was when individual auditions were held. Sure, you were graded over the course of the whole 60 hour weekend in terms of stamina, focus, and learning ability, but whether or not you were invited to come back really came down to those three minutes you were given to play alone.
Walking down the hall to the audition room, I was led by a young corps administrator who had just aged out the summer before. I'd spent the previous two summers reading the online journal she kept on tour, trying to glean every bit of information I could about the corps and what it was like to live and perform as one of them. She stood with me outside the audition room as I waited for the auditioner before me to play. Thinking I might not get the chance to speak to her again, I said, "I just wanted to let you know that I've read all your blogs, as well as those of your corpsmates. It's an honor to finally meet you." Before she could answer, the door opened, and I walked through it.
Three minutes later I came out, too shell-shocked to immediately comprehend much of anything. Surprisingly, the administrator was still there. Our eyes met, and she only said three words: "How'd it go?" Without thinking, worrying, or pondering for even a second, I replied, "Very well. Very, very well." We walked for a few more seconds before she said, "Good. It was nice to meet you, Jeremy. I think I'll be seeing you next camp."
We parted ways, and as I walked the 200 feet of hall back to the horn arc alone ... there was that click inside me. That premonition that something was about to change, that my hopes of marching were about to come true, that my life was going to be altered for the better in the very near future. It was an amazing feeling, something that I can probably pinpoint as one of the most memorable and lasting moments of happiness I've felt in two decades of living. There are of course many other instances of happiness I can recall- relationships, friendships, performances- but that was one of the few that simultaneously marked a distinct change in the path of my life.
That's the feeling I have now, back at school for the new year. Maybe it's just optimism, or maybe I'm just happy to see friends I missed over break, but for whatever reason ... there's something around the corner. I'm sure of it.
The only thing left to do, then, is figure out what it is, figure out how to get to it, and then find the courage to go after it.
Good night, everyone ... here's to tomorrow.
January 01, 2007
2006 in Review II
My original plan to finish this entry had been to compose a short summary of what's happened this year in my personal life ... the up's and down's of my friendships, relationships, and other social connections. At the time I had been feeling pretty bad about it, honestly, but now with a cooler head and a bit more rational thought, I'd like to think that the choices I made in 2006 were mixed overall.
Some of them were for the better. Beginning to drink, making an effort to get out and see people more, putting social contacts ahead of work occasionally ... those were all great decisions. Looking back now, my biggest regret of this particular semester was that I didn't see some friends as much as I would have liked to. Really, though, there's only so much time in the day. Between the old friends I've kept, the new ones I've made, and everyone else in between, it's obvious that Lehigh has become my home, just as Cherokee was four years ago. The sense of reassurance to be found in this sort of cyclic familiarity is very comforting. It leads me to believe that no matter where I go or what I do, I will eventually find people there to rely on, to have good times with, and to trust as my friends.
So that was the good ... excellent friends to rely on and to have rely on me. The other things I've done this year- well, who's to say?
The biggest change was the end of my last serious relationship. As is the case with the ending of any very long relationship, I seem to oscillate in my feelings on a day-to-day, or sometimes hour-to-hour, basis (if my mind is insufficiently occupied). Some days I will be absolutely confident that the choice I made was the right one ... that we weren't really going where we'd hoped. That I and my feelings had changed over time, and that to stay wasn't fair to her or myself. Those days are probably the easiest to deal with, especially considering that she seems to have moved on recently. My only hope is that, given the wonderful person she is, she finds the immense happiness she deserves. The happiness I think I used to give her.
On other days, my feelings aren't so easy to deal with. To put it bluntly, I often wonder if I might have made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I wonder if my inability to stick it out might have been the result of immaturity and selfishness rather than truly changed feelings. I wonder if we might have been together happily for a much longer time, if I hadn't decided to leave. I wonder if maybe that relationship, the sacrifices in it, the years we spent together, might have been the best love has to offer. And if they were ... then what have I done? What have I, disillusioned and egocentric, turned my back to?
For better or worse, though, that relationship is done. And like I said before, my one wish is that she'll find the happiness she deserves. She has so much love to give, and hopefully she'll find someone who can receive and return it in full. I could not. So all that's left to do is take what I learned from it, what I gained, and what I lost ... and move forward.
On a related note, in a recent conversation with a good friend, I asked her what I could actually offer to someone in a new relationship. Between the various commitments I've taken upon myself for the coming semester, could I offer the time, energy, and feelings someone would need to be satisfied? I guess the answer to that comes in the form of a quote I recently heard and completely believe in:
"There's no such thing as not enough time. If you want to do something, you'll find time."
Anyway, here's to 2007. The only definite plans include summer work at Air Products and two more semesters at Lehigh. Everything else, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Happy New Year, everybody.
My original plan to finish this entry had been to compose a short summary of what's happened this year in my personal life ... the up's and down's of my friendships, relationships, and other social connections. At the time I had been feeling pretty bad about it, honestly, but now with a cooler head and a bit more rational thought, I'd like to think that the choices I made in 2006 were mixed overall.
Some of them were for the better. Beginning to drink, making an effort to get out and see people more, putting social contacts ahead of work occasionally ... those were all great decisions. Looking back now, my biggest regret of this particular semester was that I didn't see some friends as much as I would have liked to. Really, though, there's only so much time in the day. Between the old friends I've kept, the new ones I've made, and everyone else in between, it's obvious that Lehigh has become my home, just as Cherokee was four years ago. The sense of reassurance to be found in this sort of cyclic familiarity is very comforting. It leads me to believe that no matter where I go or what I do, I will eventually find people there to rely on, to have good times with, and to trust as my friends.
So that was the good ... excellent friends to rely on and to have rely on me. The other things I've done this year- well, who's to say?
The biggest change was the end of my last serious relationship. As is the case with the ending of any very long relationship, I seem to oscillate in my feelings on a day-to-day, or sometimes hour-to-hour, basis (if my mind is insufficiently occupied). Some days I will be absolutely confident that the choice I made was the right one ... that we weren't really going where we'd hoped. That I and my feelings had changed over time, and that to stay wasn't fair to her or myself. Those days are probably the easiest to deal with, especially considering that she seems to have moved on recently. My only hope is that, given the wonderful person she is, she finds the immense happiness she deserves. The happiness I think I used to give her.
On other days, my feelings aren't so easy to deal with. To put it bluntly, I often wonder if I might have made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I wonder if my inability to stick it out might have been the result of immaturity and selfishness rather than truly changed feelings. I wonder if we might have been together happily for a much longer time, if I hadn't decided to leave. I wonder if maybe that relationship, the sacrifices in it, the years we spent together, might have been the best love has to offer. And if they were ... then what have I done? What have I, disillusioned and egocentric, turned my back to?
For better or worse, though, that relationship is done. And like I said before, my one wish is that she'll find the happiness she deserves. She has so much love to give, and hopefully she'll find someone who can receive and return it in full. I could not. So all that's left to do is take what I learned from it, what I gained, and what I lost ... and move forward.
On a related note, in a recent conversation with a good friend, I asked her what I could actually offer to someone in a new relationship. Between the various commitments I've taken upon myself for the coming semester, could I offer the time, energy, and feelings someone would need to be satisfied? I guess the answer to that comes in the form of a quote I recently heard and completely believe in:
"There's no such thing as not enough time. If you want to do something, you'll find time."
Anyway, here's to 2007. The only definite plans include summer work at Air Products and two more semesters at Lehigh. Everything else, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Happy New Year, everybody.
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