Summer Plans

Summer's here, and my brain is still on cruise control, when it still needs to be at least in 3rd gear. I've got a little bit of work to take care of this summer, along with a little research. But the big project is my summer paper, which is what we do in lieu of qualifying exams. So, it's sort of nice that we don't have some test where we get grilled, but it also requires us to work a good amount over the summer. Everything is due on July 31st. Which should be plenty of time.

At least it would be, if I wasn't more interested in playing poker or video games right now. But that's OK. I need the little break. Things will pick up again this week. And when they do, I'll be in the middle of my latest academic adventure, studying the effects of materialism and religiosity on well-being. It's sort of a neat topic. There hasn't been much research done on this topic. I'll be sure to tell you guys what I find out.

So what's the plan for the summer? The biggest thing is to get knees healthy again. The knees are slowly getting better now that I'm taking ibuprofen and icing my knees regularly (finally). Once the knees are healthy, I'll actually be able to play myself back in shape either on the basketball court or the ultimate field. It's just sort of embarrassing right now not being able to do the things that I'm used doing on a regular basis, like taking guys off the dribble and pulling up from 17'. But I'll be getting it back.

Along with getting the knees healthy, I'm also lifting and actually working out my abs for the first time in years. I really hate working out abs, but I figure that it's time. I think that I put on like 10 pounds this year trying to adjust to my new, much busier schedule. I'm going to use the summer to figure out a more disciplined schedule that includes working out 3 or 4 times a week.
I also need to close out some projects. I need to dust off that ol' novel that I've been neglecting. I want to get a clean draft so that I can start editing and re-writing. I really want to get it punched out. I liked the story that I was telling, and I liked the characters that I've written. I miss Daniel Lawson and his motley crew. I need to get reacquainted with him and finish off the last couple chapters of his story.

I'm looking forward to my new apartment next year. Neo-TFS will be just me and CJ. We'll still have our cast of honorary members, but it will be different. Instead of a 3rd roommate, it'll be an office/studio. I'm already looking forward to picking up a nice electric piano so I can get back into playing.

As for this little blog... I've decided that I need to keep my thoughts on current subjects a little better. For example, I missed the whole Terry Schaivo thing. That could have been a very interesting and irreverently funny posting.

Anyway, until the next time.

-Chairman