The day has finally arrived! Which day is that, you might ask. In answer to that question, today has a number of different definitions, each of which is quite excellent, and the sum of which make today one of the best in a long while. We'll start with the fact that the semester project for machine design is no longer an issue. I am a little bit worried that my final report will fly quite a bit farther than burnz' will when Dr. Lee tosses them up in front of the fan, but that can't be helped. He got to the print button before I did, and there was only so much time before class. At least I didn't have to fight with the demon possessed printer to get my pages out. Next, we'll go with the simple fact that its Friday. That, in and of itself does wonders for the day and my outlook on it. And let's not forget that 1bonfire is finally here. Tonight promises to be full of good friends and good memories. A warm welcome is extended to all of you (the blaze will begin at 9:00; walk in the general direction of the pond and you will be sure find our little gathering), and a hearty welcome back to those who have returned for the event: Jordan, Jeremy, and Kass and Rachel, to name a few. That this will be my last 1bonfire, makes the anticipation of the event that much more exciting. Finally--it has to be mentioned--today puts me one day closer to my escape, at least temporarily, from academia. The official count-down calender now reads 21 days. That's right, three short weeks to graduation.
posted by Tom 3:28 PM
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Nothing new to say.
Still sore from marathon hockey session Saturday and Sunday.
Machine Design project due this week...must complete this afternoon.
Numerical Analysis test is dead...that's right, I killed it.
Note: my blog now has a description, whatever that's worth.
24 (days to graduation? tonight at 8:00 on FOX?) who can tell?
Having not skated in something like six weeks, I had forgotten how much fun I have playing hockey. Of course, having only one sub on our bench to get us through three games this weekend made for long shifts, tired legs, and some pretty pathetic losses, but by third game, in which I played every single minute, I was actually having fun. Our rookie goaltender (has never played hockey before in his life) is starting to make good decisions in the net; he is squaring up to the shooters and clearing the trash to prevent rebounds. He still has a way to go before he starts putting up decent numbers, but I'm really happy with his progress so far.
For those of you reading this who could care less about soccer, hockey, or how many days are left until graduation...well, you've probably quit reading by now. That is, of course, assuming you ever started in the first place. What can I say? My life is slightly lacking in intellectual stimulation at the moment. Maybe "at the moment" is being a little too specific. For the most part, that could describe my life since coming to LeTourneau. The classes I've taken outside of the engineering department that I had hoped would be fun and challenging were, with a very few exceptions, utterly worthless. Why couldn't we have talked about philosophy in Philosophy class, instead of memorizing the names of a bunch of dead people, and the names, but not the substance of their worldviews? Why couldn't we have read one--just one out of six, is that asking too much?--play in Shakespeare class that isn't standard curriculum in practically every high school in the country. Why couldn't we have talked about the lessons we can learn from history in History class, instead of merely memorizing names and dates and places. Perhaps there are some good lib arts classes here, and I just got stuck in the ones that would fit around the classes I had to have for my major. Whatever the case, looking back on the educational portion of my college experience, I'd have to say that is was not at all what I expected. The engineering, all in all, wasn't bad; the expand your horizons and become a well rounded individual part, however, left me with the feeling that my brain drying up and shriveling into nothing. How can I curb the wasting away of my mind? Perhaps it is time to start my own little required reading list, "All of the books that should have been read by someone with a college education." And maybe a few more. I think I have an idea where to start, but if any of you have suggestions for my list, please share them.
posted by Tom 4:16 PM
It starts with the shoe. Maybe the next day it's a t-shirt or a sock. You don't know if the washing machine ate it, or your roommate borrowed it a month ago and forgot that it was yours. All you know is that by the end of the week, you're walking to class naked because you don't have any clothes left.
