[abandoned robot]

This is probably the most depressing xkcd comic I have seen - ever.

Its in regards to the recent decision of NASA to just abandon the Spirit mars rover, which is currently stuck in one position, until dust buildup on the solar panels cause it to shutdown. How depressing.

[dos equis]

Last Saturday was my 20th birthday. I had a great day: manicures with the girls [including Jen, who came down from UF!], dinner at Carraba's, and a party at concert-buddy Robert's. In holding with tradition, below is my birthday lexicon.

XX

1) I am currently learning Spanish and I love it
2) The more I learn about psychology, the more is fascinates me.
3) I love learning in general.
4) I have never been west of the Mississippi River.
5) I intend to change that this summer.
6) I greatly dislike horror films and scary movies.
7) I fear becoming obsolescent.
8) Lion King will always be my favorite Disney movie.
9) I can't sing but...
10) ...I love singing along with musicals as if I can.
11) I'm a dork/geek/nerd - all of the above.
12) My most played song in iTunes is Sick Sad Little World by Incubus.
13) I eventually want to learn how to play the bass guitar.
14) I'm finding that it is a lot harder to think of 20 random things about myself than I thought.
15) Favorite college class to date: abnormal psychology.
16) Least favorite college class: Western Civilization II - though that was due to an awful teacher, not the content.
17) I look a lot different without my glasses.
18) I believe a good time can be had anywhere if you have good company.
19) Pet peeve: unreliable people.
20) I have a running to-do lists and I love crossing things off of it when I finish them.

[obsolescent]

I've gotten back to doing crossword puzzles again, which is how I learned the word "obsolescent," which means 'becoming obsolete.' Winter break is obsolescent, seeing that is ends this weekend, but I am looking forward to the new semester.

Speaking of which, HAPPY NEW YEAR! [I was going to say 'Happy Belated New Year' but its still a new year so as long as I haven't spoken to you since last year, the phrase fits. Also, 'Happy Belated New Year' just sounds lame.] The fireworks photo here is from my New Year's Eve adventure that culminated in this spectacular fireworks display at Busch Gardens. DocteurRob [formerly known as Concert-buddy Robert] and I had intended to head from UCF to Ft. Lauderdale to spend New Year's Eve down there; however, en route, he got a text from his brother about a special year pass deal going on at Busch Gardens that night so we turned around and headed to Tampa and had a blast at Busch Gardens with his brother+his friends.

Actually, Robert's started a weekly Youtube video blog, so you can just watch our escapades yourself! If you like it, subscribe to his Youtube channel! I'll no doubt be showing up throughout its duration =D



Hope everyone had a great holiday season and is looking forward to the year ahead!

[Weekly Pick-Me-Up: MLIA]

Recently discovered the website "My Life is Average" - think the anti-thesis of FMyLife. I find it hilarious and below are some of my personal favorites from the site. Definitely a way to waste a lot of time but stay slightly amused throughout.

• Today, I realized that I am unemployed, live with my mother, play video games all day in my basement, and I am still a virgin. It's alright, I finish 9th grade next week. MLIA

• Today, I saw a commercial for the Snuggie. I thought it was stupid idea but I couldn't change the channel because I was under a blanket and I didn't want my arms to get cold. MLIA

• Today, I put my iPod on shuffle. I skipped most of the songs to get to the ones I like. MLIA

• Today, the whole world came crashing down on me, so I got some tape and stuck the map back onto the wall. MLIA

• The other day I learned that if you say 'beer can' with an English accent, you're saying 'bacon' with a Jamaican accent. Mind blown. MLIA

• Today, my boss passed me in the hall at work and asked me "Do you have a sec?". I was trying to be flippant and replied "I have tons of secs". We both pretended I didn't say that. MLIA.

• Today I was driving by the lake and I saw a Jeep full of guys pass me. They were hanging out the windows and the sunroof, paddling with canoe paddles, and singing "Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas. It easily may have been the coolest thing I've seen, ever. MLIA

• Today, I got out of the shower and washed my hands. I still don't know why I did that. MLIA.

• Today, I realized the reason Dr. Seuss was so succesfull with rhyming is because he made up things to rhyme with. Brilliant. MLIA

• Today I found out that people from South Africa use the term "That's so legend" instead of "That's so cool." I will never be using "That's so cool" ever again. MLIA.

[Concert Review: Say Anything]

Say Anything is currently my number 4 most played artist on last.fm and I think that is a pretty accurate representation of how much I like them. (Top 3 played artists are Incubus, Bond, and Coldplay.) I had seen them once before in concert at the House of Blues back during spring of freshman year of college [April 2008] and it was my favorite concert to date [even better than Incubus!!!], but it has since then been surpassed. By this more recent Say Anything concert!

I saw Say Anything for the second time on Thursday, November 12 at The Social Orlando. I had heard about this venue many times before from fellow concert enthusiast friends, but I had never actually had a reason to go there as they mainly cater to small, up-and-coming indie bands. But Say Anything booked two nights there and sold them out way in advance and I was lucky enough to be able to attend with my concert-buddy Robert [who was also with me when I saw them back in freshman year and who introduced me to them!]

I will forever and always love the House of Blues. I have seen EIGHT shows at the House of Blues [Paramore was number 8] and every single one was made more enjoyable because it was in that venue. However, I think that The Social Orlando may just win as better place to see a concert because it is SO SMALL. Lost? Don't be. There is no back stage. There are no curtains blocking the stage off. There are no ropes keeping people back a set distance from the stage, so people at the very front of the pit [like my ever-present concert buddy Robert and I!] can literally reach out and touch/get touched by the performers on stage. Its amazing. Add a excellent act like Say Anything and its the right formula for the perfect concert!

There were two opening bands before Say Anything. I didn't catch the name of the first one and they were passable, though their rhythm guitarist had some insane dreads. The second band was Eisley. I had never really heard of them before, but they were pretty neat. I'll definitely be looking into more of their stuff. Fun trivia fact: Max Bemis [lead singer of Say Anything] and Sherri DuPree [of Eisley] are married!

Anyway. This concert officially became my favorite concert. The set list [which I was actually close enough to the stage to actually read!] was perfect, starting out with their ever-popular-but-nowhere-near-their-best-music "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" and covering a good mix from their various albums. Their live performance of their songs "Admit It" and "Walk Through Hell" are truly a must-see for any fan - or any music lover for that matter. I definitely plan on seeing them again in the future and I only hope I have as awesome a spot as this time at the Social.

[2009 in Review]

2009: a year of high highs and low lows

January
-Daddy passed away [+]
-Started second year as Director of Academic Affairs for Honors Congress
-Janus Frisbee Tournament
-Florida Winter Classic Frisbee Tournament

February
-Horseback Riding trip
-Mardi Gras Frisbee Tournament

March
-Started dating Spencer
-College Southerns Frisbee Tournament
-Magic Game vs Bulls at Amway Arena
-Spring Break/FIRST Robotics Regional
-Started watching True Blood - addicted!

April
-AccioCon (Harry Potter and Twilight Convention in Orlando)
-FIRST Robotics Championship Event in Atlanta
-Fall Out Boy Concert at UCF Arena (3rd time seeing them)

May
-London and Paris with Jen

June
-Started geocaching

July
-Dressed up for Chick-Fil-A Cow Day!
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in theaters!

August
-Incubus in concert at Bayfront Park in Miami!

September
-Stopped dating Spencer
-Chevelle in concert at House of Blues Orlando!
-Blink 182 in concert at Ford Ampitheatre in Tampa!

October
-got my DSLR! (Canon Rebel XTi)
-Flyfleaf in concert - kind of - at the WJRR Listening Studio!
-Paramore in concert at House of Blues Orlando! (2nd time seeing them)
-Kennedy Space Center trip

November
-Say Anything in concert at the Social Orlando! (2nd time seeing them and new fave concert)
-Homecoming!

December
-Elected 2010 President of Honors Congress!
-Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Amway Arena
-Impromptu New Year's Eve road trip around state with Concert Buddy Robert [henceforth referred to as DocteurRob - details to come]

Looking forward to 2010 and the new decade.