13 hours ahead

If I didn't have to, I wouldn't come back.

When I return, I will only be visiting.

The First Day of my Spring Break

Well suckers, I'm outa here today. And I've realized something, somewhat of a dream is materializing tomorrow:

"Where are you going for spring break, Justen?"

"As far away as possible." And I ain't lyin'. Where I'm landing and travelling in China is just about (I haven't yet done the exact calculations) as far away from Hillsdale as I can be and still be on Earth. Eat that, Florida!

For the next two weeks (exactly) I will be on the other side of the world. Maybe the air is different. The food is good for sure. Not to mention the 17 year old chinese girl that's going to give me a pedicure. ;) <----- I think these are lame.

This will be my first time out of continental North America. I'll let you all know what dog tastes like when I get back.

Senior Audit

Registrar's Haiku of Truth

Every credit
they forget I must pay for
dearly with my time.

Oh Hillsdale, you are the potassium in my water, the sniffing of mixed household cleaning products, the morning breath of my mind.

On death and dogs

My Grandmother of my Dad's side died last Wednesday. Not a surprise. I could tell death had his arm around her a year and a half ago. Sometimes it's easier to see these things when you're not around the people all the time.

I didn't go to her funeral. I have paid my respects. I've decided to dedicate my senior recital to her memory, that's something meaningful that I'd like to do.

I didn't go to her funeral, not because of her (or not liking her or something such as that), but because of the people who are still alive. I don't believe that I love my grandmother less because I choose not to be around the jerks that made up her family. What a shame.

I went to oak openings during my grandmother's funeral. I went with a friend whom I've known for many, many years. I made a new friend . . . I horse in a large field. Oak Openings in a huge nature preserve outside toledo. Not your typical metropark (thank god). Sometimes, it's even totally quiet out there. Absolutely beautiful.

I hopped into the field (after my friend decided he wouldn't) slowly, and then crouched down about 20 feet away from the two of them. Then one's curiousity got the best and he came over and licked my hand (that's a good thing in horse talk). I petted his face and ears. I don't think horses like their ears scratched as much as my doggie does.

I've been thinking of getting a dog. I thinking of asking for one for graduation (as my grad gift). hopefully a pure bred. Options: some sort of husky mix, white german shepard, giant schnauzer. Right now, I'm leaning toward the giant Schnauzer (intelligent, kind, and no shedding). Man will have a companion, even if it's his own mind. I figured mine should have some fur.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

A way to deal with Monday

Perhaps the most satisfying way to skip class is to spend it outside, making vitamin D.

Upon returns

As I was driving back to the 'ol HD today, I noticed among the flat farm lands that when the sun comes through the clouds just right the whole place looks just beautiful. When I tell people that I go to Hillsdale (this is not something I advertise) they inevitably have or know someone who has a cottage up here.
They always love visiting, and love the area.
So, why is it people come here for vacation, but we, who live here, have shortening, boring lives? I'll bet if I started a frolicking club I could get enough money to pay for a crew team. Hear me out: So, all I need is two other lunatics to start this frolicking club (which would, of course, be inspired by the beauty of HD coutryside) and it's official. Then, I can make flyers and post them outside all the IV meetings with catchy phrases like "frolicking: guaranteed to get you closer to God" and then I'll get a bunch of happy IVers to join my club. So, I've got numbers, and a lot of those numbers are people whom, how shall I say, contain such a troubling mix of stubborness and genuine determination . . . so fundraising becomes easier. We raise funds with Justen brand "God cookies" and whatnot and pretty soon the college has to take notice. I start saying things like "traditionally, hillsdale students would frolick after a good day of celibacy", or "traditionally, frolicking was a sign of traditional words that started with capital letters like Truth, Wisdom, and Paranoia". As long as I throw the word "tradition" in there, or " . . . used to . . .", " . . . wasn't always like this", " . . . in civil war times frolicking was considered a way to get the pangs of human emotion out a yer mind", we should be on the water in no time.

Booya and suck it, till next time.

Oh Hillsdale, you are potassium in my water, mixed household cleaning products, the saliva of my mind.

This is my first post. And the gods rejoiced!