Tyger's Lair

Update for my family…

It has been about three weeks now since I started classes back at Mizzou, and life is good. I’m developing a talent for brewing coffee, watching the Today Show, and making it to class early every day. I have no shame anymore about sitting close and answering questions. Professors really do appreciate participation. Funny, now that I think about it, how I had no idea that a little more effort can go a long way.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 9 AM, I have Political Science 1100 with Jay Dow. He’s one engaging professor with a real passion for what he teaches. And what he teaches is introductory material on the American political system. Though I “took this class” in high school, I did not in any way take it from such a knowledgeable teacher. The best part is that after every class I come away feeling great and charged-up for the rest of the day. Political science really is what I need to be doing.

After my fifty minutes of political science heaven, I move on down the road to History 1600, or Russian History to 1700 AD. The professor, Russell Zguta, is the Joe Paterno of the Mizzou history department - literally. JoePa took over at Penn State in 1966, and Rus came to Mizzou in 1967. A native Ukrainian, he’s written books and had guest professorships all over the world. But he stays true to Old Mizzou. Beautiful. The content of the course is really interesting, too. I have always had a soft spot for Russia in my life, and this class is right in that wheelhouse.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are early days, beginning with Psychology 1000 at 8 AM. The professor is brand new to the university, but has some serious credentials. Born and raised in Oklahoma, and schooled at Grinnell College and Harvard University, respectively, Julianna Ludlam is the typical first-year professor. She has obvious liberal tendencies, but does a good enough job developing our understanding of the material. The most unique things we do are called “Minute Papers”. Basically, at the end of class, we jot down some thoughts about what we just learned for about a minute and get full credit as long as we put down good stuff. Easy!

Then, at 9:30, Sociology with Edward Brent comes on quickly. I honestly do not know anything about Professor Brent. All I know is that he can read PowerPoint slides really well. And also prefers using the web for everything class related. For a sociologist, he does not seem like much of a people person. In class, we have these remote control type things called “clickers” and we use them for attendance purposes. Kinda cool, but kinda lame. And the online submission system for our essays is a real headache. But as long as I complete the homeworks a few days ahead, I’m good to go.

Wednesday afternoons I am putting in work as a teaching assistant for the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. Best decision ever. Impacting students is something that really builds me up, and gives me satisfaction. I can already tell that this group of kids is going to be great. I consider it a priviledge to get to assist them with their leadership development.

Since this is my “do or die” semester, I’m really making it count. Class, studying, and balancing everything else is more of a challenge now that each move has greater significance. But I’m getting in the groove. Next on deck is getting a job. I have applied for many, but so far not much has happened. It’s a “hurry up and wait” situation. Something will happen soon, though.

That’s the update so far. More later. I can only put off studying for so long.

“Do what you love, love what you do.”

just thinkin’

i think this car is ugly.

also, i think it should only be driven by a man who looks like this

at least he has nice shoes?

Found it…

During my sophomore year of high school, I belonged to a guys Bible study group. There were only three of us, but we were “mentored” by two men whom I still consider to be friends and teachers. One of them, Scott West, was always full of advice for how to live a pretty great life. One of the nuggets that he passed along to me right before the summer of 2006 was for me to pick an album and make it my “Summer Sountrack.” This was not a mixtape, or a compilation of various “favorite” songs. The point of this exercise was to develop a love and passion for good music.

That summer I selected the debut album of a band I considered to be the “next big thing.”

The Academy Is… Almost Here

So yeah… I guess it has kind of panned out for them. And I guess that kind of makes me a tastemaker when it comes to things like music.

I have kept this tradition alive every summer since then. The summer of 2007 was Fall Out Boy’s Infinity on High, and last summer was Tha Carter III. Solid albums for solid summers.

Today, I (finally) found the album that will be “Summer Soundtrack ‘09,” and I am pumped.

Taking Back Sunday - New Again

I’ve been a fan of Taking Back Sunday for quite awhile now. And I have to say that New Again is a rather surprising shift in a new direction musically for the band. They lost their long-time guitarist in January, which could have spelled disaster for TBS. Thankfully, they managed to add a new guitarist and produce one very solid album. A couple tracks are reminiscent of U2 while others hold onto what TBS has always been: a band made for mega-loud listening. I think this pick might be the best Soundtrack so far…

I recommend all of you pick out a new or old album to make your soundtrack. Also, make sure it is something that you have not really listened to before. And set-up your life so that whatever album you choose can be around you constantly. Put it on you iPod (or iPhone), in your car, and your home stereo. Trust me on this one - you won’t regret it.

Been a long time since I left you…

Hey everyone!

I know it has been quite awhile since I last posted. Over a week. But no big deal.

I am finally settling in here. It is super weird not having the same schedule or people in my life everyday. I guess I’m adjusting. I’ll start my job on Thursday. You know me, and you know that working somewhere like Perfect Swing Family Fun Center is right up my alley.

Memorial Day weekend always finds my family in Dallas, Texas, celebrating the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. That, my friends, is the Indianapolis Five-Hundred Mile Race. Or, the Indy 500. Ever since I was little (and way before I was born) my parents and their college friends got together and drank lots of beer and lounged by a pool or lake while telling stories and rocking out. We also bet money on the race. It is the first big thing of the summer. And it is glorious. I’ve been planning to keep the tradition alive with you people. So please don’t let me down.

I’m never living in Dallas.

This summer might get a little boring after awhile. But I am making plans to visit you guys. We will do fun things.

I am reconnecting with some old friends. One of them gave me (GAVE ME!!!) a gold-framed kanye west poster-sized picture for free. It is glorious. And is currently hanging above my bed. He will be coming to Mizzou with me and living in my apartment. He doesn’t look creepy or anything.

I’ll sign off here, leaving you with the knowledge that I will post more tomorrow. Also, Blake should note that I am the best even when I’m cynical when it comes to analyzing society.

Offish.

i hate rewriting and editing english papers. what’s the point of fixing something that is already good?

So here’s to the future!

Right now, life is a spiral. I’m just trying to keep in control.

Ok. Not really.

But as the second semester comes to close, I find myself focusing on two of my strengths: Context and Futuristic. Thanks StrengthsQuest!

Basically, I like to look at the history of a situation and make plans for the future. That situation is college.

But let’s start a few months before that. After graduating from high school, life seemed like it was going to take a dramatic shift for the better. I was “done” with beautiful Norman, Oklahoma. I was ready for a summer in the eastern Oklahoma sun with a bunch of people I didn’t know doing a job I didn’t how to do. Here’s to the future!

As a kid, Dwight Mission was always nice. It was an escape for a week or two, and a time for me to get back to nature. I looked up to my counselors. I wanted to be one. So when I got the chance, I took it. I take chances and never regret my decisions… sort of. After two weeks of training, and many nights spent listening to “Slow Motion” by Third Eye Blind, I was ready for my adventure. From week to week, I was paired with a new co-counselor. This was an opportunity to develop team-building and team-working skills. It was also a time to have way too much fun in the funnest ways. Camp outs, swimming time, nighttime vesper services, and S’mores were always great. Always.

I spent a lot of time away from home last summer, partly in preparation for the coming school year in Columbia, Missouri. The “long” drives out to Dwight were nothing compared to what I was about experience heading to Mizzou. Those drives gave me time to reflect on things and prepare for what was coming. Here’s to the future!

So I showed up at the University of Missouri. My roommate was lame. I slept through my first collegiate exam. I had to drop that class. But I had the best times with great people. As my dad would later tell me, “Everything’s a balance.” College was no exception.

First semester was a challenge for me learning how to keep everything in line. Academics, extra curriculars, and social engagements all needed the necessary attention. I might not have found the right balance, but I still had fun.

Then, second semester happened. Even more new friends, and newer, funner times. Life has been good. Despite the bumps and growing pains, everything seems to be going my way. Here’s to the future!

And now we are back to where we started, looking the future square in the face. I’ll be back home in Norman, not quite as great as being in Columbia. But I have missed some things from back in the Sooner State. Like Pizza Shuttle, Classic 50’s, and The Greek House. That might be it, though. No matter what, I’m gonna make this summer worth it. That way, when I come back to Columbia for another year, I’ll have many great stories to tell all of my great friends.

Thanks to everyone who has made this year something mad real! And you’re welcome for me being a part of your lives! “Life,” as Kanye West says, “is a series of ‘Thank you, you’re welcome’ moments.” So there is your shout out.

I’ll catch ya on tha flip-flop!!! Here’s to the future!!!

Something has gone terribly wrong…

Here are some things you may or may not know about me.

I wanted to go to the University of Michigan up until March of last year.

Though I have only visited Detroit once, I feel like I love the Motor City despite the fact that nobody else seems to care about her.

My main life goal is to help people.

Is it any wonder then that I stumbled onto this story on ESPN.com all about Dave Bing, former NBA superstar, and his run for mayor of Detroit? I do not think so. After reading about his grand plans to turn the nation’s most depressed city back into a surging a metropolis, I felt inspired.

Inspired to help people. Inspired to create change. Inspired to inspire.

One of the biggest challenges facing America before this recession were the issues of urban breakdown: government corruption, inner city plight, drug trafficking, and violent crime. People like to think that the Civil Rights Movement was a success. All it did was cover up our problems of relating to one another as communities of people. Suburbs and urban areas grew farther and farther apart to the point where now we have situation that seems out of control. But we can only blame ourselves.

This recession has made people desperate, edgy, and paranoid. Funny how these words, once used to describe the lives and personalities of people from the inner city, can now become unifying descriptions for all of us. Maybe this is our starting point for starting over. Or, better yet, perhaps this is our chance to unify America and make her a stronger, more resilient country. Of course, the opposite can also be true. If we act harshly and hastily, the only result will be a greater divide between the have’s and have-not’s of our society. The greater the divide, the larger the gap you have to close.

I guess what I’m saying is that Dave Bing and Detroit have made me realize something I knew all along - that America has problems that only America can solve. This means all of us. The education divide, the economic divide, the prosperity and prestige divide must end. Or we must at the very least find a way to end the bitterness with which we encounter one another.

Something HAS gone terribly wrong, and I sometimes feel myself at a loss for words to describe it. But the solutions are there, right in front of all of us. We have to take action, or risk our future. And that’s one risk nobody wants to take.