I don't have time for a real entry but I wanted everyone to see Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin wearing a Lambda Omega Alpha t-shirt at a dinner that we had at his place on Wednesday night... If you have any questions just ask, I coordinated the event =)
My official schedule for Spring 2004:
01945 -- ACC 310F (Foundations of Accounting) -- MW 2-330
10505 -- PED 105M (1-Beginning Fencing: Foil) -- MW 11-1230
29380 -- ECO 304K (Microeconomics) -- TTh 11-1230
39150 -- PHL 313 (Logic, Sets and Functions) -- TTh 330-5, M 4-5
39195 -- PHL 327 (Contemp Christian Phl) -- TTh 1230-2
39235 -- PHL 329L (Early Mod Phl: Descartes-Kant) -- TTh 2-330, W 1-2
Well, I register for classes tomorrow. I still need to figure up a couple more options for scheduling as so far, no one really likes the one I came up with. We'll see how many options I have to play with and take it from there. I'm going to take three philosophies (Logic, History of, and Christian) and two others (microeconomics and MIS for the Business Foundations Program).
I know I haven't really been too good at keeping this updated but I'm going to try to get into a routine. There are many things going on that I just can't talk about due to the nature of the issue and so I really don't know how many days I'll have something public to discuss. Just know I'm still trying to figure out how to update this more often.
The Lambdas are going pretty good; we have our problems as I was reminded on Thursday but I think- I hope- we're getting better. I think the Little Sisters are feeling more loved and whatnot and I think my duties as chaplain are going pretty well (dinner with the bishop on Wednesday!). One thing I'm wanting to talk to the guys about (any Lambdas reading this, I haven't brought this to ECB yet just so you know how far along this is). Fr. David wants to lead some of us in a series looking at male virtures and how to be men. It sounds pretty interesting. I'll post more information on it as I learn it =)
Well everyone, I've finally caught up on sleep. 12 hours last night. I know, I know, I went on LA35, didn't staff it. But some of you know I didn't actually fall asleep until 5 am friday night...
Dawn got on to me to update my site. So I'm updating it. Actually, I have nothing to say so hmm... I'll update later.
From Kelly's Xanga site which interestingly enough has become like a Brandon Kraft site....
ARGH! Ok so I am soooo annoyed right now at UT Parking and Transportation. So I get to school, an hour and a half before my class so I can be sure to get handicapped parking in F11 and despite my effort, all 3 of them are taken. So I cruise on over to the parking attendant near Jester and ask for a temporary F11 pass until 2, when my classes end. So he says, well you can park over by the Sanchez building and I explain that that's not an option because I can't walk and I'm trying to go to the Geology building. And then he asks what my disability is and I'm like, that's none of your damn business but I say "I'm on crutches and I can't go that far". So he's like, "Well I don't see any crutches in your car" and I'm like "they're in the back seat if you actually looked".
By this point I'm so annoyed and I want to cry but I'm like, I'm not putting up with this crap so I say to him, "I don't really appreciate you questioning my disability, it's really hard to not have the option of walking wherever you want and I think you should realize that people are sensitive about this sort of thing." And he launches into this thing about how he sees people park in handicapped spaces and then run to the gym when people in wheelchairs need the spot and I'm like, "Well I have a wheelchair in the trunk too, so that's clearly not the case here."
How thoroughly annoying. I realize people use handicapped passes when they don't need it but it is so unprofessional to question someone about a physical disability. It was like he expected me to launch into detail about my injury to a total stranger. I had both state and university issued permits, that's all he needed to know.
I'm also proud of myself for standing up to him. This sort of thing helps me to see the world through different eyes and appreciate the struggles people who are permanently disabled have to face their entire life.
First, to explain the title. I'm reading in philosophy that Aristole (sp?, I'll check later... maybe) said that one way someone could become a person of virtue is to "fake it" at first. That is, fake being brave and at some point, it'll become second nature and you'll become brave. So, with the weblog, I'm going to fake it and try to update it all the time, soon it'll become second nature and it will be updated naturally.
This last weekend was OU Weekend. Minus the game, it was a great weekend. Most everyone I talk to act like the game was the defining event of the weekend. By far, the game is just an excuse to go out of town, get a bunch of hotel rooms and party. It was really good though. Shannon and I got to hang out quite a bit, Marion and I enjoyed some chicken strips and had some good Lambda bonding.
I have a midterm coming up on Wednesday so I'll leave today entry at that...
Now, I'm just forcing myself to update more often. What a day today was. First, I got back a HIS 309L (Western Civ in Modern Times) test that I failed. No good. Check my e-mail and find a picture of Brandie's baby in it. The clock struck 10. What a morning!
The rest of the day went quick and fast as usual. Three more classes, me rushing to finish three more assignments. Thankfully, my PHL 301 professor cancelled class on Friday as well as pushed back a paper from Monday to Wednesday. OU Weekend is a glorious time indeed. What is the best part is he was not going to do that until a student used Kantian arguments against him and made him conclude he was morally obliged to calling the walk. Who says philosophy is a useless major!
Tonight, I'm studying for a HIS 305K (History of East Asia until 1800) midterm, going to a seminar over the search of virtues with Shannon, maybe stopping by Hooters for a Lambda hang-out night, running to the Catholic Center for some studying and saying hey to Marion, Ashley and all the Wednesday night crowd and maybe some sleep in there. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with Fr. David down at the Chancery, three appointments with different TAs/professors about random things, a Queso Night with Marion (yay!), the glorious Friends Party with Shannon and company (Personally, I don't get all giddy over the show Friends but it is a great excuse to chill with Shannon and Nicole), and of course, study.
For now, I'm going to heat up some dinner, sit outside on the balcony and listen to the rain.
Scientists in Britain have discovered why biscuits seem to break so easily. They used fancy lasers and they claim that this could revolutionize the cookie industry.
So, soon "that's how the cookie crumbles" will be an exact science...
First, this post has none of the above. I just needed a catchy title and I figure that's as good as any. Per Kelly and Shellie's comments on the last post, I'm really going to try to update this more often. Maybe schedule it into my day or something.
Secondly, the value of a friend. Lately I've been involved in random activities- from working at the Erwin Center to my chaplain duties as a Lambda as well as many others. One such activity was not the best allocation of my time; however, I did it either way and over the objection of a number of people around me. One particular friend, she remained pretty neutral/supportive for the most part until saw what it had done to someone else who had been involved for a few months. I realize I'm avoiding mention of what it is for now, which is intended. Anyhow, after this friend saw that, she called me early on a Sunday morning and presented points on why she can no longer be neutral or supportive. Her points were valid; I couldn't contest the heart of the concerns. I could have dismissed it but because of who she was and the heartfelt concern I could hear in her voice, I stopped at first just because our friendship was more important.
What is interesting is now that I've taken a step back, I realize more and more how valid her concerns really were. I still feel that just because the person she saw changed quite a bit because of it, doesn't mean that I would as well. It's not a risk I'm willing to chance though. It's just not that important to dismiss someone so close who cares so much when her logic is perfectly assembled. Like I said, I'll go more into that later after some other issues are taken care of.
Off-topic: If you have never had Scotcharoos, you don't know what you're missing. They're Rice Krispy treats covered in a layer of a melted chocolate-chip/butterscotch-chip sweetness. After thinking about it, picture me as Homer Simpson with my head tilted back, mouth open and drooling slightly. They're just that good.
I just bought C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I've heard it was really good and I've heard it quoted quite often. Plus, if it was written back in the 40s or 50s and still has a nice display at Barnes and Noble, if nothing else, it has to be written pretty well.
My last note: for all those who knew and wanted updates. I'm still bedless. My mom came down from home last weekend with the purpose of bringing down a bed or buying one. Neither happened. I really don't know why not. I think I'm just going to save up a little bit and just buy one. At this point, after a month without one, I'd rather just go out and get it done than try the current plan- ask family members for parts of a bed (frame from my sister, maybe then buying a mattress set). Maybe I'll setup a Paypal donation thing for the "Help Brandon Sleep At Night Fund" Maybe I'll get enough to pay for half of the taxes. That would be helpful.
