The Midnight Run of the Blog Express

I purchased U2 tickets today. Thursday, May 12, at the United Center in Chicago. About half way up and behind the stage. Actually, I don't think they are bad seats. But Eric and I are working on finding better ones through ebay. Almost as soon as tickets went on sale, they sold out. They added two more shows for the week, and yet they still sold out fast. These were the best offered, and it was a good thing we took them. Otherwise we would be out of the show. Many people bought the good tickets and turned around to sell them for a profit. Now they are on ebay at outrageous prices. One guy is trying to pull 1500 for two, but the average for two has been about 500. We won't go that high. We would like to get tickets for the floor, but at least we have these two already. Our suitemate is from Chicago, and he will be there for a day or two. We might hang out for a day with him. He is really busy though. He also proposed to his girlfriend today. Everything is coated with ice here. Very messy, very slippery. The food was basically horrible today. I think they had to use whatever was left in the kitchen. Not very tasty.

Blog, Lettuce, and Tomato

It is getting icy here. I went to the grocery store with another guy from the hall. I got back late, and therefore missed the concert. I am disappointed b/c now I will have to wait and see another. Plus, I will likely have to pay for one and see it in the city. But maybe another one will pop up. I'm not sure what will happen tonight. Several options open, and waiting to see what unfolds. God willing, we will get the u2 tickets in the morning. There is a floor limit of 2, so Eric and I will each have to buy 2. Jeremy Veldman might come; still awaiting his decision. He said he would get back to me today. What is going on there this weekend? No dancing river...what will you do? Bye.

Spicy Blogarito

Nothing much to say again today. One more day of classes before weekend. Going to a string quartet tomorrow night here on campus. I'm going as a requirement for art and music class. Blah. Then I need to write a paper on it as well as on that VOL concert I went to. Next Tuesday is a day of prayer, so no classes. It is a day off of sorts, but really it is a day of prayer. This will be a short blog since I can't think of much more to say. Still no package...did someone eat my cookies. Remember to send me a bulletin from this upcoming Sunday please.

Early Blogging

Just finished my last class for the day. I have some free time before dinner to either work or play. I saw that cat again today. Tried to pet him, but he was afraid. Still miss the boyz. Not much I can think of to say. Probably will call later. Are the hamsters still living? Does mom retreat to my bedroom when dad is home? Still no package. The cookies are exciting I suppose, but not as exciting as last package. I have alot of reading to do. Still enjoying VOL dvd. I might see him in concert again two weeks from today. He will be playing in Athens, GA, his hometown. Time is still TBA, so I'll have to see. Athens is approx. 3 hours away, but it would be worth seeing Bill in his hometown. I'll have to get more info to make sure the trip is worthwhile. It is at a bar again, but I hope they will let under age people in for concerts. I think some places do. I didn't have my id checked last time in Nashville, so maybe I could have gotten some people in. A large group of younger looking kids would have attracted attention though, and I don't want to drive three hours to be turned away. Matt, Charlie, and I already did that once for Bill. Not much fun. Talk to you later.

Oh, I can't believe Matt's story. I went to SMS for 1 1/2 years and never got such a request. He was off campus and still got a request from a random stranger. I'm not envious; I'm amazed.

Why Not Apples?

This morning I had to get up at 5:45 for a 6:00 prayer meeting. It was a small group. I was so tired and out of it. I got back at 7:30 and went to sleep. I had to get up at 10:30 after that. Those three hours were incredibly deep sleep. I woke up again in a haze. I didn't fall asleep till 2 or so last night, so that made it worse.

On my way back to the dorm, I found a cat hunting stuff in a trash can. He was messing around with a foil pan I think. He was scared of me, but didn't run away. I tried to pet him, but he was to scared. Plus, almost as soon as I bent down to pet the cat, another guy came out of the dorm. He kind of laughed, and I instantly started to go inside. I heard him say hi to the cat though. Maybe he thought the cat was funny, or maybe he thought it was funny that I was greeting it. I hope to see it again, and pet it. But it didn't have a coller, so maybe he isn't safe. I had not seen this one before. He makes three total.

Thankfully, my classes are done for today. I don't like long days. The music side of the art and music class is interesting. The problem is that it holds a low priority compared to the other classes I have. New Testament and three history classes are more important. Plus, I don't know much about music, and I fear that we are required to understand alot of the musical ideas such as tempo, time, rythem, etc. Boo. I still want to learn my guitar, and this info is useful, but it is bad timing. Bye.

U2 Excitement

Today U2 announced the dates for their upcoming tour. They actually don't have many US cities listed. Maybe more to come? Otherwise, it will be very limited. The closest show to MO is in Chicago on May 7 and 9. As of now, my roomate and I are planning to come back home when semester ends on May 4. God willing we will travel to Chicago on Sunday, May 8 and see them on Monday, May 9. The saturday show would be crazy. Monday better. Meghan's birthday! Hmmmm. Me see what Megwhich opinion is. My roomate is a bigger U2 fan than I am. He is from California, and the tour starts there at the end of March. Obviously, he can't be there for those shows, so he is going to come with me. That is the tenative plan so far. Feedback?

I gave out 8 parking tickets today and 5 last friday. 8 is a record. I had salmon and pork for dinner. It was good. Veggies and fries on the side.

Nothing

Not much to say. Watched some "Arrested Devolopment" on dvd last night with a few people. They were funny. It is a tv show that comes on after the Simpsons. Worked on paper. More work to do. Went to church. Sermon better this week; service not as comfortable. Watch lot of VOL dvd since its arrival. Went to Winn Dixie for food. Unnnnnnnn.

Phrydaiy

I am working on a paper now. Alot of people put off a paper they have due by midnight tonight, so they are all doing their papers. So tonight is a good night to be working on some homework of my own. Thankfully my paper isn't due tonight (b/c it is for a different class).

Hmm. I had BBQ chicken for dinner, which was ok. Better than some of the other stuff. Alot of the food has a similar taste; it all has an overarching flavor to it. How was dancing with the river? Anything else going on this weekend?

Benidetto

Today I was sitting in a lobby and I noticed a Covenant yearbook from 1995. I looked through it. First I saw a picture of VOL performing here on campus. I liked seeing that pic. But here is the bigger and better news. I found multiple pictures of Jeff and Micah Bennet. It was fun to see them back in the day, although Jeff didn't look a whole lot different. I had trouble finding Micah b/c she wasn't Mrs. Bennet then, and I didn't know her maiden name. She looks alot like Megan Huslig.
My stuff came, but when I don't know. I picked it up at 1:30. I haven't watched it yet. Where were the promised cookies?? Does anyone love me? And Matt doesn't speak no more. Does he lack love as well. Unnnnnnnn.

El Bloggo

I gave out 6 parking tickets Monday and another 6 today. For here, that is quite a few. It seems the food is becoming less tolerable here. Breakfast is still tolerable, but the main dishes seem to be less and less appetizing. Me excited about package tommorow. Yeah. Me play lot of Halo. Way more play than me should. I have become captivated by the game and the story line. Mattybartfastio no like post no more, eh? His books have become too special maybe? Or does he give out coffee all the time now? And NutMeg just stays home all day faking illnesses.

Twosdaye

I almost didn't report this evening. There hasn't been much to report these last few days. If these mediocre blogs still interest everyone, please let me know. Otherwise I can cut back from daily blogs.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are my busy days. I have classes from 11-1 and 2-4:45. I hate having the 2-4:45 period. That is a huge block of time taken up by two classes. But M, W, F are my shorter days. Only have classes from 12-1 and 3-4, plus chapel from 11-11:35.

Laundry went ok I suppose. I need to iron a shirt. Yeah. Hooray for the arrival of the dvd. I was willing to let Matt/Meg watch, but I am anxious for it and mom is ready to send it. I wanted to watch it with Matt/Meg anyway. (the vol dvd, that is).

Naughty Megwhich for missing school; the first day of new classes! And Matty? How was day off? I like hearing from people.

Monday Monday

So what new classes and teachers will megy have (besides debate with Chuck)? Does Matt's boss have a new job lined up, or is he flat out leaving no matter what? Family Video? The Boyz? I assume Matt or Meg will want to watch my dvd when it comes, so I guess that will be ok. Just get it to me fast as can be. I haven't watched it yet, but I've discovered that there is an extra scene in Napolean Dynamite at the end of the credits. Now ya'll have to go get it and watch it. I know what happens, I just haven't seen it. Woohoo.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

I did some homework today. I went to church. Church was ok. Maybe better than OPC, me thinks. Service seemed a little light. I was tired, so maybe I didn't catch much of it. I wish there was a URC church here, b/c of the order and style of worship. The PCA church today was certainly better than something like the E-free church. There were a few modern praise songs mixed in, but they still used the Trinity Hymnal. Well... I miss the boyz. Car rides, huh. I didn't get Slarti's post a few posts back. Something about what would Napolean say? Please clarify. Hum. I played lot of Halo today, and I watched a Futurama. Awww Yeah....

Saturday Night Fever

I got up at noon today. Not what I wanted. I watched Napolean with a few other guys, then I went to town at 3 on my own. I grabbed a little steak and shake b/c I had not eaten yet. That threw off my appetite. I had dinner, watched the Village (which I thought was decent), and hung out with some people for a little while. Now I am back. It is 11, and I haven't been awake for 12 hours yet. I am going to St. Elmo Presbyterian in the morning. I drove by it today. It is a small, old looking building at the bottom of the mountain. Not far; hopefully it will be a small group.

Bill Concert, part two

I was afraid I would not get to meet Bill at all, but by God's grace I did. His wife was selling some of his cds, so I met her for a moment and bought the new album, Dear Life. After buying said album, I saw Bill walking right past me, so I gave him a pat on the back and thanked him, to which he joyfully responded and said that he had fun. Cheesy or not, it was an exciting time for me. I had it built up in my mind that it was impossible to meet people like him, in that he is a musical performer I really like. For instance, I don't expect to ever meet U2 b/c they are so big. But God was gracious in allowing me to be able to meet one of my favorite musicians. It was an exciting time. I hope to see many more concerts.

Bill Concert

Here is the set list, not in exact order.
Nothing Like a train
Goes without saying
Resplendent
Extreme north of the compass
Good Luck Charm
Solar System
It could be alot worse (These songs are all from the album Audible Sigh)
After All this dust settles down
Where the light does fall
High and Lonesome
Who will you love (the last four songs are from the new album Dear Life)

He only played from these two albums, which was kinda disappointing, but still pleasing. I really like most of the stuff from Audible Sigh, especially Nothing Like a train, solar system, and extreme north of the compass. He played all of his music on an acoustic guitar, while another long time band member played mandolin, and a third long time member played another guitar. I would have liked to hear some electric guitar, but it was still really good.

Fryday

I am about to head to my last class of the day. Afterwards, I will head to Nashville. One other guy might go with me; still waiting to hear his decision. I gave out three parking tickets today. Whoo. I don't think this streak will last. There isn't a lot of parking here compared to SMS. SMS pulled in 1.5 million one year in parking tickets. Not an exageration. Literally 1.5 mil. I gots to go (and protect).

Staying Alive

I told you guys most everything on the phone. I get to ticket again at 7am tommorow. Afterwards I enjoy breakfast at 8. The dining hall is usually empty then. I enjoy a ready made hot breakfast. The girl who was supposed to be my roomate emailed me. I think she wants to keep in touch. I assume nothing romantically though, I assume friendship only. She is only 17, however, and she does not know my age.

And...

Today I gave out two parking tickets. I then had breakfast. I had pancakes and bacon. It is nice having three meals readily available in the day, plus a wide array of drinks and ice dispensers. I had ribs for dinner. They were ok, but I got a small portion with little meat.

I didn't like the one prof. mainly b/c of the class and material. I can't figure out how to fix my blog settings, ie where I am from and such. I met a girl who Rev. DeJong told me to meet, but I don't think there is any serious friendship of any kind there. He is her brother in law. She is not from KC.

At least somebody will benefit from the guitar. I don't like my history classes to a degree b/c they don't really deal with US history, and that is the only history I really enjoy. I have no background in other history.

Blah,
Mark

If carrots ruled the earth...

...would this post be relevant?

My New Testament class was cancelled on the first day because the prof. was sick. The other classes went smoothly. Lot of reading, lot of writing. I had meatloaf for dinner. It wasn't too bad. Each student has to do some practical service on campus. Three hours a week. M, W, F, i give out parking tickets from 7-8 am. I wasn't forced to do it that early; I chose to. Still no Halo or Futurama.

Today...

My classes will be challenging. I dropped Cultural Heritage of the West because I didn't like it at all. I will have to take it again at some point to graduate, but I will at least look for a different prof. The political theory one will be hard. Big paper attatched to it, plus a presentation. Four more new ones tommorow.

I haven't really had time for Halo or Futurama yet. The food is pretty good. It is healthier than home because I have basically three meals a day with minimal snacking, plus I haven't had any fast food.

I still have a huge pile of books to read even with the dropped class. The campus is very scenic. On sunday, when I was going down the mountain to church, I could see a huge fog on top of the city. It was like looking down on clouds. It was very thick.

End of the Weekend

Today I went to an OPC church with 4 other guys from my hall. One of the guys really reminds me of Jeff Bennett, primarily because of his personality and looks. The church was no bigger than the OPC in Wisconsin. I may look around some more just to see if there is a "better" one.

Tommorow is the first day of classes. Cultural Heritage of the West II at 10, European History at 12, and Political Theory at 3.

Day One

This has been a pretty busy day. I'm pretty tired right now. My plan is to go to an OPC church in the morning with a few other guys. I'm debating whether or not to drop a class before classes even begin. I have 17 hours, but my stack of textbooks is huge. I don't want to spend every waking moment in class or studying. I want to keep some free time for other activities. I hate to do it, but I think it might be necessary. Today went well. The campus is extremely scenic. Well, I'm getting ready for bed. Very tired.

The Purpose of the Blog

This blog was created to let everyone know what's going on with Mark out at Covenant. God willing I will post here fairly often; it all depends on how busy I get and how often I remember.

Anyone may respond to a post by clicking on the "comments" tab beneath each entry. That will lead you to another tab which says something like "post comment". I always appreciate responses, especially from family and friends.