I’ve been studying for Biology for the last couple of hours.  It’s tough for me because I’m not used to studying—I never did it in high school (who does?), and I didn’t do too much of it last semester, either.  I started by looking over my notes, but that bored me.  I tried to make note cards, too, but I thought that to be a waste of good note cards.  Now I’m rewriting my notes in paragraph form, rewording everything, emulating the essay writing process.  It seems to be working pretty well—I actually remember some of the stuff.  I could tell you all about embryogenesis without looking my notes over.  I’m not going to, though.

            I went to the chapel talk today for the first time this semester.  Professor Barretto was the speaker, and I’m going to award him with the imaginary, illustrious Michael’s Favorite Chapel Talk medal, because, as the name of the medal suggests, his talk was my favorite.  He talked about his early years here in America, and about how much he liked baseball, and about the Star Spangled Banner, and how he can remember when Jose Feliciano did his own little rendition of the anthem during the fifth game of the 1968 World Series.  He talked about the uproar Feliciano caused with his stylized version of Francis Scott Key’s chef d'oeuvre, and used that to make a statement about nonconformity, and how it’s a good thing, and how it can be beneficial to have people around who don’t agree with certain accepted conventions or standard models of operation.  He used the last couple of minutes to make his point; he used those same minutes to announce that he would be leaving Wabash after this semester.  It was a big talk. 

            But enough about chapel talks and biology tests, it’s time for some good news: My eight o’ clock class is canceled tomorrow.  [The room grows silent.  Michael stands, the walls fall away—he’s surrounded on all sides by a philharmonic orchestra.  The symphony begins to play some kind of celebratory song, something like the Star Wars theme, but better, because Star Wars isn’t cool.  Michael stands and dances among the musicians.  Look at him dance—he’s so happy.]  

Posted by Michael Richmond at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

            I’m living in the future right now, contemplating the major events that will consume my time and, as made apparent by this blog, my thoughts.  A particularly notable one—notable only because I’ve been worrying about it for the last week—is my first Biology exam.  Am I ready for it?  Well, if I was I doubt I’d be writing about it right now.  Let’s hope I’m not up Thursday night writing a similar entry, one wrought with worry and apprehension. 

            Let’s move on to the brighter of those affairs to be expected.  Third Eye Blind will be playing here next Saturday, which will be big fun, I’m sure.  I was here for last year’s National Act when Guster performed, and I remember enjoying myself.  I was nothing but a lowly high school student at the time, and I found the concert to be very helpful in cementing Wabash as one of my top choices for college—seeing how the school operated on the weekend, how students behaved when not around admission’s officers or parents, and how cool (yeah!) those students were/are made my decision a lot easier.  So, um, prospective students, come see Third Eye Blind if you have the chance, if for no other reason than to see a mediocre nineties band without having to empty your wallet.  

            What else?  Oh, our pledge-formal-dance-party-thing is coming up.  It’s the week after Third Eye Blind’s here, so the 15^th or 16^th or something.  The whole thing is organized by the freshmen—it’s our party!—and we’ve been told that it’s usually one of the best nights of the year.  Our theme is Arabian Nights.  I guess we’re going to dress like people from Aladdin and eat hummus.  That’s what I’ve heard so far, anyway.  We have a meeting at Walmart tonight to talk more about it, maybe buy some preparatory materials.  I might go ahead and get Aladdin.  Maybe some hummus.

            Then spring break, and then another party here at Kappa Sigma, and then some academic stuff, and then summer break.  Wait, I forgot Honor Scholar weekend.  That’s a big event, too.  I don’t know the order in which all this junk happens, so I’m just going to stop.  It’s naptime.     

Posted by Michael Richmond at 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

 Remember how I said I was going to be spending some time with puppies and kittens?  Well, it happened, and it was awesome.  About seven of us ventured over to the animal kennel this morning to walk some dogs and entertain some cats.  We started the dogs off with some fresh air and physical exercise, taking them on little fifteen minute jaunts around the area, showing them a real good time outside.  I ran with them and pampered them with affection—they loved me over there. 

 My favorite dog was a big, sweet, oafish Newfoundland/Lab mix named Turbo.  He wasn’t anywhere near as inordinately frolicsome as some of the other dogs; actually, this one was well-tempered, and he actually listened to me when I explained to him how things were going to be.  Some of the other dogs were borderline insane, and one even managed to get away from me—she was very excited.  Don’t worry, though, for one of my friends caught her.  Ha, Maggie!

When finished walking all the dogs, we moved back into a little room filled with cages of cats.  Our job was to show them a good time, and we did so by letting them out and petting them and teasing them with leashes and manifold toys.  Some were really energetic, while others never left their cages.  I had a favorite cat.  His name was Stumpy.  The description of Stumpy posted on his caged described him as being silly.  It also said he had cerebral hypoplasia.  He didn’t let the disorder get him down, though.  He was the most active of all the cats, and ended up being everyone’s favorite.  I think his funny walk and positive attitude had a lot to do with his mass appeal.  We should have taken him back to the house with us.  We should have taken Turbo as well.  Both would make awesome house pets.   

Posted by Michael Richmond at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

            I’ve had enough of this winter weather.  Snow, ice, cold: I’m about ready for all of it to go away.  The brumal months never used to bother me, but I’m finding myself more and more annoyed with the passing of every day this season.  I’ve even taken to running inside, on a treadmill, which is something I never used to do—it’s so boring.  I could really use a change of seasons right now.  So could some of the buildings.  Water pipes have been bursting, causing water damage, inconveniencing people, upsetting people.  This winter has become something of a burden. 

            Surprise!  I didn’t participate in the intramural indoor track meet.  The longest distance event was an 800 meter run, but I wasn’t really in the mood to do one of those.  Too intense.  Instead, I played spectator as two of my pledge-brothers, Keith and Josh, ran their little selves haggard.  They did pretty well.  I’m proud.

            Ahhh…now I need to decide whether or not I want to go back over the Allen Center to run.  To choose to do so would be to choose to endure more algidity.  I think I’d rather do some homework.  I’ll run tomorrow…as long as it’s not too cold.

            By the way, we are going to do some community service over at the animal shelter this weekend.  We get to play with puppies and kittens.  Look forward to some cute pictures.

Posted by Michael Richmond at 10:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It’s January, and that means the IM basketball season is in full swing here at Wabash.  One of my pledge brothers landed the job of IM Chair this semester, and he’s been nagging me nonstop about playing since we’ve been back from break.  He thinks my being tall will have some sort of positive impact on the outcome of the game.  Not true.  I’m not aggressive at all, and I’m awkward and uncoordinated when it comes to basketball.  I bet my presence would guarantee a loss.  Yeah, I’ve no faith in my skills, no belief in myself as a “baller.”  They’ve lost the last two games by quite a bit, though, so what’s the difference.  Hell, maybe I’ll play the next one. 

I feel kind of bad for not supporting our team.  We have done really poorly in IM’s so far this year, and any extra help would probably benefit us, even though I’m one of the worst basketball/football/soccer/any-other-sport players attending Wabash.  I thought I was decent at ping pong, but I was defeated pretty early in the competition.  I was also a disappointment on the football field.  They said, “We just need extra bodies,” but my extra body hinders success, and I think I proved that last semester.  When will they learn? 

But IM track is coming up here pretty soon, and I think I might actually get excited about doing that.  I’m not fast or anything, but I like to run.  I’d enjoy running a mile or something.  I think I could beat at least one guy.  That’s my goal.  One guy.

Posted by Michael Richmond at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

            I, along with a couple other people, went to Anderson last night to help a friend of mine get some furniture from his house he needed for his room.  He had quite a bit of stuff.  I was thinking the whole time that there was no way he would be able to get it all into his tiny little room in any way that would allow him to live comfortably.  Surprisingly enough, he was able to arrange it in such a way, and he even had some space left for his roommate’s stuff.  I was impressed.  

            While in Anderson I had the chance to eat at “the biggest Buffalo Wild Wings in America.”  I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of that restaurant.   

            At about three o’clock this morning I decided to go on a run.  I don’t know what motivated me to do so, but I did it, and it turned out to be a bad decision on my part.  First, it was very cold—colder than I expected.  The thing that really stank, though, was slipping on ice.  See, there was this big patch of ice on the corner that I originally thought was a puddle, but when I went to step in it I realized it was ice, and I went down pretty hard.  I scratched my leg up pretty bad, but I finished the run anyway—I’m hardcore like that.  Now my leg is sore and my socks and running shorts are stained with blood.  I’m not happy about that.  Maybe I shouldn’t make it a goal of mine to step in puddles during the winter; so far it has ended in disaster, and I don’t really want to get hurt any more than I already have.     

Posted by Michael Richmond at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

            I moved into my new room yesterday.  It’s really nice not having to live in the cold dorm anymore.  My roommate, Aaron, and I got stuck with a pretty small room, but we managed to fix it up to the point where it’s almost one of the best rooms among the freshmen.  At least I think it’s among the best.  Of course, not everyone has finished their room yet, so maybe when everyone is done ours will be the worst.  I’m hoping that isn’t so.  Regardless, it’s so much better waking up in my own room, surrounded by all my stuff, not having to walk all the way across the house to get ready for class.

            Speaking of classes, I had the first of mine yesterday.  My earliest class is at eight o’clock, so that will take some getting used to, but I think I will be getting a lot more sleep this semester than I did during the previous one.  My American Literature class seems like it will be a lot of fun, and Biology will probably be easier for me now that I know how to manage my time and study effectively.  I have my other two classes tomorrow, and I’m sure they’ll go well, too.  That’s all for now.  Sorry it wasn’t more interesting, and sorry there was such a long period of time between my last entry and this one.  I’ve been busy.        

Posted by Michael Richmond at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

            It’s been a good break.  I had fun, and I’m rested and recovered and ready for the next semester, I guess.  Tomorrow I’ll go back, and then Wednesday I’ll begin my second semester’s set of courses: Intro to Existentialism (Philosophy), Comparative Politics (Political Science), Multicultural Literature (English), American Literature After 1900 (English), and a second semester of Introductory Biology.  I’m almost excited about the new classes.  I think they’ll go a lot better than last semester’s did—I can only hope. 

            Yes, break went well.  I did a lot of reading, a lot of running, a lot of sleeping, a lot of movie-watching, and I spent a lot of time with friends.  It was a very unproductive three weeks, but I figure I’ll make up for it while I’m at school.  Breaks are supposed to be unproductive, anyway.  Who works over break? 

            I don’t really have much else to say right now.  It’s 2008. That’s cool, I suppose.  New Years was fun.  I watched the ball drop.  I’ve only done that a couple times.   I don’t find it all that exciting.  That’s probably why I never watch it.  I should go to New York to see it live some time.  I bet it’s a lot better live.  The music would still be just as horrible, though.  Why do they have such horrible music there?  You’d think for such a huge celebration, for an event of that grandeur, they’d get someone better than Fergie or Akon or The Plain White T’s to perform.  I’m really sorry if you like those artists, but they’re not very good.  Way to start the new year off on the wrong foot, New York.      

Posted by Michael Richmond at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)