Dear Ozzy Ozbourne,

First of all I’d like to speak in a way you taught me was cool, and say “You’re the man!” I’ve seen your television show, listened to your music with Sabbath as well as solo, and as a huge Black Sabbath fan, I was wondering what happened to make the band break up? Was there some tension between the band members or was the crazy party scene lifestyle just too much for you all? I feel like a lot has changed since the time when you were a frontline rock star, is it nice to have survived that generation of drug use and rock star mentality when some did not? Or is it sad to see some of your fellow musicians pass away due to their lifestyle and fun loving mentality? Either way I’m sure your still livin’ it up, keep on rocking.

John Staiger

Far too much

Everyone always talks about senior year being the easy year. The one where you don't have to do much work. When you can relax and pretend to care about school while actually procrastinating on everything you do. But it's not really like that I've found. There is lots of work to be done and things to worry about. Grades still count; colleges still see how you're doing at least for the first semester. As I write this, Im watching the end of a movie I have to watch for spanish. My dartmouth class is taking up way too much of my free time. CAPPS is the only class I've ever taken that doesn't give x periods, and religion is a very reading-heavy class. Really, I can't wait for vacations.

The really confusing thing, though, is that while it's a hard year, I don't really want it to be over, because then everybody starts leaving. So I find I have mixed feelings about everything. But I guess when it's all said and done, there's nothing we can really do. We're all graduating and leaving eventually. Unless anyone has a time turner?

Weather Musings

I love writing the narrative papers, but I really don't like writing the letters/blogs. I feel like I have no direction and I just ramble aimlessly. I want summer. Not even for the vacation, just for the sun and warmth. November is the ugliest month. Who wants cold, wet, muddy rain? I would so much rather be surrounded by grass and flowers and sunshine. I really wish I lived in Hawaii. 70-80 degrees all year long would be heaven. It's kind of funny how much weather effects peoples attitudes and moods though. On rainy days everyone's grumpy, on dark days people are sad and quiet, when its warm out people cheer up, but when it gets too hot people turn grumpy again.

letter

To whom it may concern,

I am having quite a lovely day. I love the rain, all I want to do is go home, start a fire, and hangout. I wish it was snow though that falling and not rain. I want it to snow SO very bad!

I didn't bring a lunch today, which was a bad idea because now I have to walk to the Coop, in the rain, with puddles everywhere. Oh well, it happens to the best of us.

Well now the period is ending because it is a short day--thank goodness--and I must go to class. I hope everyone has a good day!

Niki

Squirrel Story

I wonder what would happen if I tried to create a story and just kept continuing it or made a different one each time... Hopefully it turns out okay seeing how the blog's. I kind of feel like doing a children's story with an unhappy ending that's slightly disturbing like the Grimm Brothers. Those fairytales in their original forms were pretty gross/not for children. Like in Cinderella with the step sisters cutting off toes and heels to fit into the glass shoe and the birds pecking out the step sisters' eyes in the end. I think I'll do something that's not that disturbing, but just sad.

Even through his dreams he felt the deep vibration. It was coming. Sammy Squirrel snapped his eyes open and sniffed the harsh spring air. The sun hung low in the sky and as he unfurled his bushy tail, he shivered. The frosted branch under his toes hurt. He had to leave his tree to find food otherwise the squirrels would steal the best nuts and seeds. But, it was coming. He could hear its faint screech. He had to go; he couldn't move. His breathing sped up, his pupils dilated. "Go now! Go now!" cried a voice in his head. He stared in horror as he viewed other squirrels flocking around the hazelnut tree across the tracks. Wait any longer and he wouldn't eat. Honk Honk! He could see its steel grotesque. His peanut brain's fight or flight response came, and in that moment, he raced across the tracks. HONK. As he fell into the gaze of its blinding eyes, he became disorientated and fell over. He knew it was over and squeezed his eyes close. The conductor saw the skinny gray squirrel limp ahead and threw on the brakes. The train screamed in protestation but couldn't stop in time. When he felt a slight bump, he knew the squirrel was dead. "Stupid frickin' squirrels," he muttered.

Checkboxes

Sometimes I wonder if writing a letter would be simpler. But then I'd have to take the initiative and get the envelope, pick a person, find the address, get some stamps. Simply too much work. Yes I could ramble off about nothing but it's easier to type the write anyways. Plus, who would I write to when, thanks to technology, I can contact them all instantly anyways. The problem is, even on here, I still don't know what to write. Yeah anybody can type on and on and on if they like. But honestly, what's the point in this? I love writing circles and I see the good in Telling Writing, but for me at least, this is just fulfilling a requirement. Five points, check. I guess it's that same old "needing direction" problem I always run in to. Point me in the right direction and get me started and I'm good to go. But without that initial shove I'm like a sailboat, becalmed in the middle of a lake. Well, not that bad, but close. That type of dramatization, is it wrong? People tell me to play certain aspects up when I write but if it's not true, does that mean I shouldn't be saying it? So many questions, so few answers, everything is just a mumble-jumble of confusion. But yet again, I checked this box off.

NBA Analysis Part two

So now that we've seen the beginning of the NBA season, it's time to check in and see how my predictions are going.

THREE CHEERS

1) Miami Heat. Well, they came out weak. I'm fairly sure that the Kings could have beat them the way they were playing against the Celtics opening night. However, they have since pulled it together and are now enjoying a 3-game run. If they keep this up they could go deep into June.

2) LA Lakers. They're doing me justice, starting their season on a 3-0 run. If they keep it up I would not be surprised to see them in the finals. Again.

3) Boston Celtics. They dominated the Heat, who were supposed to lead the league...and then lost to the Cavs, who were supposed to be at the bottom of the barrel. Not sure what this means, but I see them going strong. And Shaq's not hurting.

THREE TEARS

1) Cleveland Cavaliers. Again, they beat the Celtics. But then they went and lost to the Kings...a win against a top 3 and a loss against a bottom 3 team...I'm not sure what this means.

2) Houston Rockets. 0-3 start to the season. Not their best. At this rate it looks like I should have put them in the Three Jeers section.

3) Charlotte Bobcats. They, too are playing on an 0-3 start. However, I don't see them in as bad a light, because honestly, they weren't that good to start with.

THREE JEERS

28) Indiana Pacers. Off to a 2-1 start? Interesting. Not really what I was expecting. But we'll see what they can do with it.

29) Minnesota Timberwolves. They're weak, their scores are weak, their record is weak. They may not be second to last in the league, but they're certainly bottom half.

30) Sacremento Kings. Well, they are 2-1, but all of their games have been against low caliber teams. The Cavs and T'wolves both caved to them, and the Nets only squeaked out a 6 point difference in their win.

Overall, I stand by my original rankings. I'll check in again later and see where we stand once the season is really underway.

Letter #3

Dear Chris Paul a.k.a CP3,

You were my first round pick in fantasy basketball this year, and I would like to thank you for putting up good numbers this week. When picking my team, there were lots of options the first round, but when it came down to it you were my main man. I know you were selected 4^th overall in your draft class, and I thought you’d like to know I took you 3^rd overall because you’re ill. I have always admired your commitment to your team, and ability to score points for yourself as well as spread the love with assists aplenty (I read that you have averaged 10.0 assists per game). In this year in particular, with lots of big-power loaded teams like the Celtics and that other team from Miami, I’ll be cheering for you and your team all the way, and I think with your selfless play and great teamwork abilities you will bring your team far. A question though, I saw a video online of you, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, and Chris Bosh eating in a gas station, and you made a comment about slims jims and Wendy’s. I was wondering if as a professional athlete you have to watch what you eat, or if you can just eat whatever you want and you just exercise and work out so much that it doesn’t matter?

John Staiger

Letter

Dear Mr. Randy Moss.

I know one of my fellow students sent you a message and you did not reply so I thought I would give it a shot. You quit the vikings!? I would love to know the real reason behind all of this. I can imagine playing the patriots was hard, but are you and the coach not getting along? I would love to see you go right back to the pats because that would make everyone in New England's day. You are always welcome here good sir. You are indeed straight cash homie. Hope everything turns out good.

-Kyle