Okay...

even more pumped for the game now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2995045

Things that made me smile today....

- For those of you who know me well you know that I LOVE Hane's or Fruit of the Loom men's tagless tees. I wear them to sleep at night, I wear them on hangover days with huge shades... I love them. What I LOVE even more is my mom doing my laundry. She visited this weekend with my dad and brought a bag of these AMAZING tagless tees that SHE WASHED to give to me. It was pretty freaking awesome and I am wearing one right now. There is little in life that is better than the smell of fresh t-shirts, especially ones washed my your mom. I may be older now, but let me make it clear that I am NEVER too old to have my mom do my laundry.

- I ran into one of my professors today while I was downtown killing some time during a break inbetween classes... we are on a first name basis now. I have taken every class he has taught and I'm sad because I won't have him my last semester at Tech, but regardless, I caught up with him for a few minutes and it was great. PS: he used to be a rapper. This probably totally raises my credibility downtown... "I know people." Haha.

- I also visited my fav. store downtown while I was there. I love it because the owner is so into fair trade and sweatshop free clothing. She carries a lot of brands that promote that, namely American Apparel. With my love for all things basic, she told me she'd be putting in an order for a couple of the American Apparel unisex v-neck shirts for me! :) Can't wait for them to get here. Oh that aside, we had a great conversation about her trip to Mexico where she stayed in a very remote part of the country. She said that at this particular place she stayed, their economy wasn't really supported because they reject government rule. She loved it because a) it wasn't tourisity and b) because she knew that all of the money she spent there would go directly to them. I was so intrigued. I was also telling her about how unfair it was in the Dominican Republic - I told her I was buying jewlery and of course they had jacked up the prices because they knew we were tourist and I specifically remembered feeling so guilty giving this guy at the resort money knowing that very little of it was going to the person who actually made it.

- My friend Gabe was passing through Blacksburg on his way to Florida to take his grandparents on vacation with his sister. It was perfect, really. I'm really glad it all worked out - I was making dinner for a bunch of friends anyway and he wanted to get dinner so he came over and ate with us and even brought a bottle of great wine! :) That aside, I LOVED the idea of him and his sister getting together and giving back to their grandparents. How amazing is that?! Oh PS: I am super proud of him. He rolls up to my house baller style in his brand spanking new Mercedes GL class, fully loaded... oh this on top of news that he just bought a brand new townhouse. Seriously, not too bad for only having been out of college for a year and a half. On top of that, of the 10,000 realtors in his region, he is ranked 31 which is especially impressive seeing as the housing market isn't doing so well right now. Imagine what he can accomplish when the market is working WITH him. Seriously, I am so proud of this kid and SO glad to see that he is doing so well. Geeze, imagine all this at 23. See you when you're 30 and retired. Haha no... but in all seriousness, I'm so glad I got to catch up with him today. I've known him since High School and during his years at Tech and it's just amazing to see how much people change. Aside from catching up on everything going on in our lives... at one point we ended up in the kitchen talking about our friend Stack, he mentioned visiting the new memorial tomorrow and it just came up. As sad as it is that Stack's gone, we were just standing there talking about some of our favorite memories of him. Gabe went to elementary and part of middle school with Stack in Atlanta and by some odd twist of fate, they ended up at the same college. I don't know, I guess it was just what I needed tonight. It's good that we can talk about our friend without crying. There were just lots of smiles... just like it was when he was here. I guess it's true... people will come in and out of your life, but the impact that they make will stay with you always. I'm thankful for that.

Excited is an understatement.

Check out this article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2007-08-28-vatech-opener_N.htm

Oh PS: If you can, tune into GAMEDAY on ESPN. It's their season opener, and they don't know it yet, but we here at Virginia Tech have a special Thank You planed for the nation... we're trying really hard to get it together, but I think that enough of us believe in the cause to come through. It will be touching, you may even cry... but it's the least we could do to say "thanks" to everyone who has supported us through one of the darkest moments in our University's history. It will be good, I promise. I will probably try to go and participate and if I can, I'll snap some pictures.... that is, if I'm not too busy screaming at the top of my lungs decked out in Maroon and Orange.


See you on TV.

Monday, August 27, 2007

To the Virginia Tech Community:

The kickoff of the 2007 football season is nearing, and like most of you, I anxiously await the start of a new season. With a veteran team returning, our expectations are high and I look forward to doing my part, both as an athletics director and a fan, to help this team fulfill those expectations.

It’s as a fan that I write this letter to you. As you all know, our university and our community endured an unspeakable and senseless tragedy this past April. Bright minds and bright futures were lost that day. Physical wounds are still healing and so, too, are the mental ones.

Despite what happened that cold, blustery morning, the hours, days and weeks afterward marked our university’s finest. Our students spoke so reasonably, thoughtfully, and eloquently about such a painful moment. Our campus leadership led strongly and proudly. And the support that flowed in from around the world was overwhelming.

Part of that world is the sports world, and the support from players, coaches, teams, organizations and athletics departments from around the country has been astounding. The sports world has grieved with us and also helped us heal. Those players and teams – both college and pro – have worn our hats, sewn our logo on their uniforms for certain games, and made contributions to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

This upcoming academic year, we will be playing teams on the field and on the court that have supported us through a difficult time. It starts on Sept. 1st when we play East Carolina University to open the football season. The athletics department at ECU plans to contribute a check in the generous amount of $100,000 to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, which will be used to aid in the healing process.

Because of what transpired, people everywhere have been, and will be, cheering for the orange and maroon. As the games get ready to begin, I ask that you remember the kindness, generosity, and support by our non-conference and ACC brethren. I ask that you please not boo those players and teams. Instead, while cheering vigorously for the Hokies, I ask that you please respect the opposing players and teams during competitions, and at the end of those competitions, I ask that you applaud their efforts, win or lose. Please treat them with respect, for they certainly have shown us that trait the past several months.

We have a golden opportunity here as sports fans. People have seen how resilient we are as a university and a community. Now, let’s use athletics as one way to thank them. Let us not be remembered simply for the results on the field or the court, but also for the class, respect and graciousness we show off it.

Sincerely,
Jim Weaver
Director of Athletics

... and what a game it will be. I CANNOT WAIT.

ew... i'm all emotional suddenly.

My parents came to visit this weekend and we went to the memorial together. My mom, not having known any of the 32 just stood there crying. It was weird seeing her cry - the only time I've seen her cry is when my grandpa passed away. I guess it's just a very moving tribute. I found myself tearing up a lot too. I'll be fine walking around the semi-circle until I see his name. Needless to say, it's definitely one of those "sunglasses on" places. I think about it all the time... STILL. And everytime, the same thoughts cross my mind. It's just not fair. I mean life is not about fair, but of all people, seriously... why him? Why was it any of them? My mind just can't process it. It just sucks not running into him on campus... or knowing that he won't be in the stands at the first football game. North endzone will never be the same.

I miss him a whole lot. :(

My internet is down until Drew can work his magic. :(

C-C-C-Changes...

- I've decided to test drive the whole being a vegetarian thing and so far so good. My body feels a lot healthier - I have a lot more energy. I don't feel tired after I eat. So far so good. I think I'll have to let my guard down when it comes to seafood though... I love it. Plus, Gillies, the vegetarian place here serves seafood so I feel like it's okay. A protein-free diet is way too dangerous.

- My new roomates are a lot of fun. I like the living situation a lot.

- I'm back in the gym on a pretty regular schedule. I like it so far. I've been switching it up and not doing the same thing everyday. I think my body likes me a lot more because of it.

- This school year, things are obviously different, but I'm closer to my friends now than I ever was before and I like that feeling. We were thrown together in tragedy but maybe this is just the way it's suppose to be. Maybe THIS is the big picture. For a school of 27,000 undergrads and 6,000 grad students to be THIS close is actually pretty amazing. It's unlike any year I've had at Tech.

Ahhh I'm so excited for the first homegame (September 21st)... I can already hear Enter Sandman....



Check it out...



BEAMER BALLL needs to happen as soon as humanly possible. Everyone is so pumped right now.

Tech officially dedicated a memorial to the victims of April 16th. It was sad but also inspiring. I thought what President Steger said was perfect for the occasion. And I also really loved what he said about the hokie stone. It's such a big tradition here at VT. In the bylaws it says that 80% of every building on campus must be covered in this stone. There's a huge piece of hokie stone right above the entrance to the football field that the football players jump up and touch in a high-fiving motion before every single game. It's tradition. And it's a tradition that we all have come to love. When we graduate and walk on that field, we too as students get to come through the stadium the same way the players do and one by one we all jump up and touch the stone. And if we're lucky/smart we'll know where and how to acquire a piece of it to take with us when we graduate. Generally when they are building something on campus and the hokie stone comes in, by the next morning, most of it is missing. Why? The students steal it because it's the building block of our school and our community. It's a weird bond that only a hokie could understand. The architecture students, when building their homes always tell me that they have to get a piece of this stone to incoroporate into the structure of their homes somehow. I love that the memorial is made with these stones, it's just so fitting.

Read/listen to President Steger's speech here: http://www.vt.edu/remember/memorial_dedication/speech_steger.php

Random notes...

1. Blacksburg is currently really awesome
2. My bed is equally awesome
3. Superbad was hilarious. McLovin is my new hero.
4. I went downtown last night and my hands were stamped from going to different bars and I slept on them so I woke up this morning with stamps on my face.

:(

I'm going back to school tomorrow back to my townhouse and as you all know I am more than excited for this Fall. Thing is... this year there will be two familiar faces I won't run into. It's really going to be difficult. I used to always run into Stack when I walked by Harper because he was an RA there and I'd always see him in the West End pasta section where he worked. It's going to be so weird without that welcoming smile we're all so used to. And Daniel... gosh, I used to see him almost every weekend. Everytime his roomates had a party or made dinner, I'd always see him there. It's really going to sink in this year. As I've said before, it really feels like they've been at camp.

The summer gave all of us time to come to terms with what happened or at the very least distance ourselves from the incident. I think choosing to go home was exactly what I needed. It was too sad being there. We're kicking off the year with a memorial tribute to them. As sad as it may be, I think it'll be good for us. I know when the going gets tough, I'll probably spend some nights on the drillfield bringing flowers or something a little more tangible to leave for Stack and Dan. I'm glad they're kicking off the school year by unveiling this memorial - as if the student body wasn't close enough - I think this will be great in bringing us all together again and remind us that we've got each other to lean on as the year progresses. And also, the Freshman will get a taste of what Hokie Pride really is, and that's what I'm most excited to show them.

Hokie Hokie Hokie Hi
Tech Tech VPI...

All Distortion, All The Time
By: Derrick Brown

Hopefully, we'll be able to get him to come do a reading this year. This has been in the works for the past 2 years. I've talked to him a few times about coming, it's just a matter of when and where and which department will be able to fund it. I really am going to go all out this year and try to make this happen. I want to see him live before I graduate. I'm such a fan.

Someone plug my lungs back into the guitar amps!

More distortion ladies!

Hear ye. Hear ye.

All distortion, all the time.

More overdrive!

Thank you, Air Roadies.

Aren’t you sick of being appraised wholesale?

Aren’t you sick of sailing on listing ships?

Aren’t you weary from playing cellos with ex-lover’s
bones?

I want the butterfly brigade to grant me a year with no
stomach problems.

I want to affix the word un-blame in the dictionary so I can
screw up your spell check and so I can call him without shaking.

I want a piano that will not warp outdoors when the rain
demands slow dancing.

I want to know how to sashay on a Saturday with a mouth full
of sa-tay… with Latter day Saints.

I want to skew the difference between Tai Chi and Chai
tea,

and end up drinking a tall glass of graceful force.

I want to lick my hands after I touch someone that has just
become razzle dazzled.

I want birds to come close enough to hear them speak Aviation
Spanish.

I want your record collection in my throat,

and my thumb in the electric ass of the all night
jukebox.

I want my shoulder blades mounted in the museum of
knives.

I want church in a bar.

I want to pass out and hear you say Amen.

I want a skeleton night light in the closet.

I want your wow in my now so we become NWOW.

I want the light in your attic to shine down to where the
sidewalk ends.

I want free shit to not cost anything.

I want you to feel like a disco ball of fish hooks

so you can hang on my words and I can spin in your small
miracles of light.

I want my kitchen to be a Brazilian dance floor with a pot of
your sweat in the oven

and a fridge stocked with butt lust.

I want new sheets.

I want your silver muscles cut into a quilt.

Let me sleep under your strength.

I want more pony lamps.

I want to sing this into all tail pipes until I’m
exhausted.

I want to smell everything.

I want to remember that the sky is so gorgeously large,

I feel stranded beneath it.

When I gasp,

I only want to gasp for more.

... and we don't care about the young folks talking about the young style

OMG! The musical love child of my favorite people/songs EVER. My mind is blown.

Kanye + Peter Bjorn and John.

Tech, Tech, VPI!

I'm going back to school in two days and I'm beyond excited to start this semester. I was talking to Nasser last night and we were trying to come up with a list of things to do since it's our last year. I told him that Heather and I had already started one and he wants in.

So far, here's what we've come up with.

- 5 mile hike in some mountains nearby to the Cascades waterfall.
- tubing down the New River
- boating on Claytor lake (most likely for Todd's birthday because that's what we did last year)
- Eat at Cabo Fish Taco as soon as we all are settled in
- Ride the drunk bus just for kicks (I haven't done this in 2 years, I think I'll tape the chaos for all to see)
- Get food at DX (the on campus drunk food place that's open till 2), get there by 1:59am
- Make it out to the Cadet vs. Civilian snowball fight on the drillfield when we get our first big snow storm. I've always seen this from outside my window when I was on campus, but I've never participated... this year, I have no choice. So what if it means a black eye, I'm so down.
- Of course, go to as many Football games as humanly possible
- Go to as many soccer games as I can with Nasser. My friend who is from Ghana is the star player so we always go and make ridiculous signs that say things like, "Patrick's GHANA rock you!" or " You're GHANA lose!" or "Nyarko's got some paTRICKS up his sleeve." They're corny signs that are probably embarassing for everyone within a two foot radius of us, but we don't really care.
- Go to Homeplace with the Phi Sigs - I went for the first time last year and it was pretty much amazing. I think I fasted for about a week before. haha It's really awesome, you eat in a huge house on a farm. Kind of ridiculous/awesome.

This list will be continued and personally, I think it's pretty realistic. I know for sure the first 4 things on the list can be knocked off the first two weekends I'm at school. I'm SOOO excited to start crossing things off the list.

Oh PS: if there's anything super important I've neglected to add to this list, please let me know.

POKE POKE POKE

General note: DON'T PUT YOUR KIDS ON A LEASH!

I went out for dinner with some friends of mine and we saw this couple who had their kid on a leash! It was absoulutely ridiculous. It's not like you're in Disney World where your toddler could get lost in the crowd of people. This is a suburban strip mall. Even worse was that this baby leash was disguised as a monkey backpack and the worst part was that the tail of the monkey served as the actual leash part. I felt so bad for the kid. He's seriously going to have balance issues. As if that wasn't bad enough OF COURSE, the dad tugged on the leash too hard when the little boy was walking by and he totally face planted on brick. We totally saw this happening. I felt so bad. WHO DOES THIS TO A KID?! I'm not a fan of this practice.

Pointless venting...

I got my hair all chopped off this summer (even though my hairdresser advised me not to) and it came out a little shorter than I expected. I figured it would be easier in the summer just to not have to take care of it, and I really wanted all my damaged ends gone (which they are). Now, I'm having a change of heart. I really want my long hair back - it's not growing back as fast as I thought it would. This is such a supid rant, there are so many other things that are worth talking about but I guess I am kind of sad it's all gone.

Yesss!

A friend of mine spent the summer in Korea and is coming back this week. I told her we'd have all this time to hang out this summer when she got back thinking that Tech didn't start until the very end of August... like the 28th. I don't know why I thought that. School really starts the 20th.... which sadly means that as she comes back, I'll be leaving. Talk about bad planning. We're both pretty bummed. She also goes to school in Boston, so it's not like I could drive there easily like I could to UVA. Lame.

Anyway, today I just realized that both she and I have MacBooks with built in cameras which means that we can use iChat to catch up when she returns to Korea in two weeks. YESSS! Genius idea, plus, it's way better than communicating via phone so I'm pretty excited about this. Too bad I need to set my computer up first THEN learn how this whole iChat thing works. Either way, I'm kind of impressed/in love with technology right now for keeping my friend and I connected when we're on opposite sides of the globe. If only I had this when Nina was in Australia. Skype wouldn't even be part of my vocabulary.

I don't really know how to get into this, but I figure I'll just go ahead and say it.

I met a lot of great people this summer, and when they find out that I go to VT and was there when everything happened, they feel a little awkward. I totally understand where they're coming from. I guess what I wanted to say is that it's okay to ask me questions about what happened. It's okay to ask me about the 32. A lot of people feel they can't because it will make me sad, and though I am sad that they are gone - I'm more than happy to talk about the lives they lived. I try to focus more on the time they had here rather than the moment their lives were taken. They were all extraordinary and they deserve mention - I know, I am more than willing to share what it was like to know a few of them in hopes that they continue to inspire others.

Sometimes I find myself talking about Stack or the last time I saw Daniel and I really hope it doesn't make anybody feel awkward. Though they are gone, they are still a big part of my life and it actually makes me happy to catch myself talking about a memory that I have of one of them because they are all good ones.

I guess I just wanted to get that out there. I kind of had an experience last week where I was meeting people for the first time and the topic came up. I had one of those breakthrough moments afterwards on the way home where I said to myself, "Wow, you can actually talk about it now and be composed." I guess that's a step in the right direction.

Past and Present



Summer is coming to a quick end as I go back to school this week. I'm so Virginia Tech, there's honestly NO place I'd rather be. I know a lot of people have beexcited to be going back to en saying that, but I think because of what happened, we're all realizing how true those words are. You really couldn't ask for a better college experience in Blacksburg. You have small town hospitality coupled with big time sports and great people. It's really fantastic. That aside, I don't know why, but I just have a really good feeling about this year. Last year, I was not so excited to go back since I sacrificed my summer and stayed there to take classes with only a 1 week break to "wind down." This year, I'm more anxious than ever to go back. Perhaps it's because it's my last year and I like anyone else, want to make the most of it. Then again, maybe it's because I'm really looking forward to being with my Tech family again so we can make happier memories and honor our friends and professors who will not be here with us this year. In dealing with something like this, I find it best to be with the people who went through it with you. They know exactly what it's like and they will not be weirded out our surprised if you burst into tears or just have days where you're feeling sad. It just helps to know you're not the only one and you have 27,000 people who are going through it with you. There's power in numbers, I suppose. :)

That aside, my summer has been fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends old and new to be around. For one, I got to rediscover DC this summer which has been exciting. I explored a small part of the Dominican Republic, I turned 21, and I went to New York. There have been so many fun and unexpected adventures. Tons of ridiculous mishaps - even more pictures to document such times and I have to say this summer has just left me relaxed and happy. It's exactly what I needed. Last summer was so fast paced and full of deadlines and it was just nice to deviate from that and to reacquaint myself with what "normal" really feels like. I'm also glad I was home for the summer, I needed time to heal, I wanted to be with close friends and family those first couple of weeks to get my mind off of what happened. Who knew that the suburbs and time off is all you really need to re-energize yourself? Thanks to all my friends for making this a great summer. I'm looking forward to roadtripping to see you guys at your schools! And as always, my home in Blacksburg is ready to receive you with open arms if you do come visit (which you should). :)

Warhol vs. Banksy

I would LOVE to see this in person. I saw Warhol a few winters ago at a gallery in DC with my friend and even he, not being one for modern art was in awe. I LOVE WARHOL! That aside, this year in my house, my roommates and I dedicated a whole wall in our living room to Banksy. We had a huge black and white of his picture where the guy throws a bouquet of flowers. It was a big hit with all of our friends and I LOVED it. Now, word on the street is that my two favorites have come together in an exhibit in London. My mind is about to explode - that is way too good to be true. I really wish I could be there to see it. Actually, I hope that the exhibit goes on a world tour and stops in DC so I can check it out. For those of you actually in London right now, GO SEE IT, if not for you than on my behalf. I don't think you'll regret it.

LAME!

I'm having a pregnant woman moment, minus the whole fetus inside me bit... wow, that sounded completely awkward. What I'm trying to say is that ever since going to Pinkberry while I was in New York, the thought of any other ice cream/fro-yo will not suffice. There is a Coldstone less than 2 minutes from me, but that won't hit the spot. I just looked up Pinkberry's store locations and my two options are California or New York. I'm so crushed! My friend is coming to visit me from NYC this weekend, I wonder if she could get it to go and pack it in a cooler with dry ice. That's how much I want this stuff right now. It's so pathetic. They really need to open more stores further south, I don't know how I'll be able to handle the withdrawl over the next couple of months. It's so good. I'm so in love with their green tea soft serve. I like that it's tart and tangy, ice cream is too sweet anyway. Plus it's only 25 calories so honestly how can you not love it. It's not even bad for you. I can't wait until I am reunited with this place, honestly, I miss it so much I'm writing a ridiculous post about it and that is pretty sad.

My super sweet 21st.

I'm not going to go into detail... I'm just going to bullet point some highlights and suggest places to go next time you find yourself in the Big Apple. It was probably one of the most fun long weekends I've had in awhile.

- I was walking down the street with a couple of friends and ran into Sean Paul on a photoshoot right around the corner from where I was staying. It was random and fun and very characteristically New York.

- Nasser didn't tell me he was coming and I just figured he couldn't because of work, but he surprised me at the last minute and came up with a few friends. I was pretty excited.

- Some places we loved include but aren't limited to: Sing Sing Karoke, Oh! Taisho (if you go, order a peach oolong tea), Village Lantern (go there on a Colin Kane night - he's hilarious), and Babouche

- We broke a freaking key trying to open a bottle of beer sealed like wine

- Everybody is hot. Even the guys that work at Whole Foods which makes my grocery experience at Wegmans back at home a very sad one now that I know better. But seriously, everyone is so so nice - it's hard not to fall in love with all the people you meet. Even the nerds at the Apple store were hot. Woe is life in VA.

- All the food is good. We even went to the gyro/falafel man on Broadway and his food was delicious though seemingly sketchy

- Plans to go back come Winter are underway. I think I'm officially in love with this city.

I am sooooo pumped for this football season.

I don't think it's just me. Everyone I've talked to seriously cannot wait to step into Lane Stadium again and rush Worsham field. I feel like this is going to be a great football year. We've got some amazing new talent coming in. I'm pretty excited to see how Frank Beamer chooses to mold these new guys. I don't care what he does so long as Sean Glennon is no longer our quarter back.

Macbook woes...

I've been searching for a computer for the past couple of weeks. My old one kind of bit the dust, hard. Anyway, I've had my heart set on a Mac for awhile. I figure it's a good time to switch it up. I'm sick of my PC. Apparently Macs are pretty freaking popular these days. So popular that they've been sold out for the past 3 days in Northern Virginia. SERIOUSLY?! Even after they are replenished with new shipments every few days, it's almost impossible to get your hands on one unless you are at the Apple store just waiting for it. So today I decided to skip the hassle since I was completely unsuccessful in the store and just call them directly and order. That was probably the best idea ever. There was no hassle and they were SO helpful. I got my new Macbook Pro and iPod in less than 20 minutes. It's being shipped right now. Awesome customer service, I totally recommend calling rather than stalking the Apple store if you're looking to score one of these.

A concert for VT

My friend Heather sent me an e-mail today with some great news. Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Phil Vassar, and Nas are going to be playing a free concert at Tech for members of the VT community on September 6th. It will be held in Lane Stadium which I think is absolutely perfect. The last time all of us were in the stadium was for convocation. Our football coach cancelled the Spring game in light of what happened so the most recent memory that most of us have in there is a sad one. I think that having this concert there is such a good idea. This concert is such a wonderful gesture. Let me be the first to say that we are all incredibly excited and also very thankful.

Official announcement: click here