My Novel Idea

Dear Readers,

It is no secret that my writing could use some work. I constantly triple check my blogs and find sentences that make no sense, words that aren't words, and on occasion, I find waldo camping out behind the word hat. I started this blog to rant and rave about certain topics and to keep my mind moving in different directions but by writing this, I hope one day I am inspired to write a book, or even a novel. This will not happen until I retire, I can guarantee that right now, but I think I will find a topic one of these times that deserves to be written about in a leather-bound manner.

On a different note, I am challenging all of you to do something over the next two weeks. I am challenging you to make an actual bucket list for you life. I know it sounds corny and maybe a little morbid to some who don't like to think about the things you want to do before you die, but if you do this I promise you won't be disappointed. I have a list consisting of twenty five things to date, but I am always thinking about more to add. There are a few things you need to make sure you do when writing them, though. Keep these rules in mind:

1) Keep them realistic: If you are 400lbs, you're not going to climb to the peak of Mt. Everest.
2) Don't worry about order: You can skydive when you're 80. It has been done.
3) Put a few that involve others: Some of the best memories are created with a companion or two
4) Hand write them: Just like the movie; put the list on paper so you can take it with you.
5) Have an open mind: No one will have the same list. Some have the same ideas but everyone wants different things in life.
6) Have fun with it: Obviously some are going to be serious, but the list is meant to make you happy.
7) Get out of your comfort zone: Put items on your list that are going to make you feel accomplished after you complete it.
8) Do no harm: Do not. I say again, DO NOT put anything on your list that will cause harm to others.

These "rules" are loose, to say the least. Cater the list to your needs and try to make them all about you. To put it bluntly, be selfish about it because your list is about having no regrets in life and making the most out of your time here. Try it, or don't; It is your life. Hey, you never know, maybe you'll get an idea to write a book about it.

Have a great weekend, Readers.

Pedestrian blues

Dear readers,

Like most off campus students living walking distance from the academic buildings, I choose to use my two feet to make my way to my overpriced classes. There is a certain monotony attached to this once you get in a rhythm of the semester. Through trial and error you learn how to budget your walk time down to the second of the start of class, or at least before the first iClicker question is blasted on the projector. For me, I know I can leave at 1:05 if I want to make it to Edwards in time, and 1:02 if I need to get to Holmes in time; however I have noticed that there are a few variables that prevent me from my time management goal.

These variables range from weather all the way to traffic volume. Weather is not that big of an issue because if you live in New York, you know how to handle every possible weather challenge that plague the campus. The traffic is not so easy to navigate. I have noticed something lately that has me thinking there is a higher power conspiring to make me late and more importantly, make awkward moments happen to me.

The traffic problem that I have noticed isn't the usual "12,000 cars going by and I can't get by." It is far less cognitively noticed. Have you ever been walking and had the situation where you get to the four way stop at the EXACT same time as the car does? This poises an interesting problem because the pedestrian assumes they have the right to cross and that is usually the case, but there is always that 3-5 second stare down with the guy in the drivers seat (who always has a dry, disdain look on his face) which leads to two different thought processes going on at the same time.

The driver (see fig.1) is staring at you. He wants you to cross, but won't just put his hand up to wave you on. In his head, he is thinking, "Hey, douche-bag, I have some fist pumping to do with my braaahs, I don't have time to play this game of sidewalk bingo with you." But his face stays perfectly stoic, as if you need to read his mind in order to solve the problem at hand, as well as to solve JFK's assassination.

The pedestrian (see fig.2) is staring at the driver. He has one hand in his right pocket, and the other on his trapper keeper that holds the notes from his Anatomy and Physiology lab. In his head he's thinking, "OK, this is going to be OK. I am supposed to walk now, but why is this guy staring at me as if he's trying to read my soul?" But his face also stays stoic, not showing any of his terrified thoughts on his face.

This, to some, doesn't seem to be even a small issue. I want you to be aware that this situation (see fig.3) happens at almost every intersection. There is even that 10 seconds where I see the car moving and I can calculate that we are going to get to the cross walk at the same exact time, and what do you know, it always happens. I'm just asking you, fellow walkers, just pay attention next time you partake in a quest of foot patrol and you will notice this, too.

Goodnight, Readers.

M&M's

Dear readers,

It is no secret that I have a few vices in life, just like most of you. Some of these vices are normal, some are frowned upon by the general public, and one in particular seems to most as an odd obsession. If you haven't figured out what I'm talking about, then you don't know me very well. I'll give you a few hints:
1) They come in a bag
2) They have a single letter imprinted on them
3) I'm pretty sure if they were around circa 65A.D they would have been worth more than gold
4) On tour, Van Halen demanded these backstage but stipulated there should be no brown ones.

Obviously I am referring to the delicious chocolate, crunchy delights called M&M's. I can trace my obsession to the tasty treats back as far as elementary school when my third grade class took a trip to a popular ice cream shop in Medina called, Double Dips. I ordered a chocolate cyclone with cookie dough and chocolate chips. Miss. Bush, with her beautiful charm, suggested that I add M&M's to the mix. On a side note, I think this is when she fell in love with me; I was picking up slight signals before then, but this pretty much solidified my prepubescent fixation that we were meant to be together. Anyways, I indulged in my cold snack and was pleasantly surprised by how the crunch brought the flavor (or flavour if you are Canadian) of the cyclone to a new horizon. Obviously, I had M&M's before then but this is when, I assume, I fell in love with them.

My love for those sexy little cylinders was brought into light when my thoughtful Mom customized M&M's to say "Dave Gray class of 2008" for my high school graduation party. Of course they were a hit. In fact, I believe more than 70% of my graduation gifts wouldn't have been as generous if not for the M&M party favors (or favours again for our Canadian friends) they were graciously offered.

I am writing this today because I believe I can kick the habit. I mean, it is $1.oo per bag, and $12.00 for a big bag from Wal*Mart which is pretty pricey, and I think it is an unnecessary habit to have. Also, I think out of all my vices, this will be the easiest to kick. I shall keep my baby birds (you) updated every BLOG from here on out on my progress or inevitable relapse.

Good night, Readers.