"WWOZ's on in stereo"

Poor New Orleans. The City is under water. Undoubtedly, the place I was just 1 week ago will not be the same for a long long time. It was a beautiful city. It's miserable for all the people there to lose their homes and stuff. A cryin shame.

Post surgery recovery is slowly occurring. I'm still really sore and in frequent minor pain. School is moving right along. I'm as busy as normal it seems. Of course I did have a 3 hour night class tonight that sort of got in the way of my "normal." I don't know if I can handle a 3 hour class when I'm supposed to be relaxing...

"It's just bad news, bad news, bad news"

Hurricane Katrina has destroyed parts of Louisianna and Mississippi. Those poor folks down there. Tornadoes will now be spawning throughout the Southeast and up into the Midwest or Mideast depending on if you're Shannon Sharp or anyone else.

The first day of school went fairly well although I was in pain and mainly sore throughout the day. I felt like laying around like I had for the last few days...however, I worked a lot and overall had a productive day. An excellent way to start the year minus the bleeding, slow walking, pain, and aching...and the classes...and the hurricane.

Hurricane of the Day: Katrina
Band of the Day: Rilo Kiley
Surgery of the Week: Hernialoscopy
Class of the Year: Senior

"The dawn is breaking"

I made it successfully back to the Lounge thanks to the help of the wonderful Rogers. The Lounge improved while I was away adding Mr. George Wiley back into its midst and a super-cool neon Lounge sign that can only be described as perfect.

Also got some Hacienda today. Well this is it: tomorrow begins my senior year of college. Who would have thought. I can kind of remember my 1st day of my senior year of high school. Seems like a long time ago. In another 4 years so will this.

But for now, I gotta make the most of it. Make it memorable. Tomorrow should be an interesting day as I hobble to and fro the School of Business. Shouldn't be too bad...hopefully. Praise the Lord I seem to be healing pretty quickly.

"And all that jazz"

The 2nd full day of recovery is over. I certainly moved around more today and got more accomplished. By "got more accomplished" I mean watched two whole movies and even took a shower. I also noticed that I was getting swollen in areas I'd rather not be swollen in...not too comforting. Hopefully, that won't be a lasting effect from the surgery.

Tomorrow, I head back to the Lounge and start preparing for school. It's going to be an interesting first week. At least 3 SIFE meetings are scheduled, plus I'm hoping to work about 15 hours in the School of Business. Let's hope they don't send too much homework my way this week.

Summer, where did you go? I fear you may not have been as memorable as I hoped. You get what you give, I guess. I got one year left to make it count. And hey, at that point, life's just gettin started!

"Scar tissue that I wish you saw"

Well the surgery seems to have gone okay. I'm as slippery as a seal down there, what with being completely shaved and all. I'm glad to have been able to give a few nurses a peep show while I was sleeping. Oh well. Overall, I feel pretty good. Laid around all day and will probably do the same tomorrow.

Thanks to prayer, I seem to be doing well. It's a little painful, but mostly I just don't want to mess anything up so I'm trying to be really careful. Rogers took care of me a lot and Sharp brought me some Recees Pieces.

Thanks everybody. I'll be at my parents house all day tomorrow so anyone can feel free to stop in and say hello and play some Halo if you want...but I've only got two controllers with me.

Overall another successful surgery experience.

"Your fright gives way to memory, having coffee with your love"

Tomorrow is surgery day. For the 2nd time in my short life I go under the knife. Well really the 3rd if circumcision counts. Great, I don't know how to spell circumcision. At least I think I don't.

Goodbye Hernia. I barely knew thee. I hope I get a warm blanket for the surgery. It should be interesting. Hopefully, I'll have a speedy recovery and be in class on Monday. I guess that means summer is officially over.

I was thinking today about my freshman year when Lisa and I went from building to building looking for our classrooms. Nerves. Now it seems like nothing. The last first day of school...I don't think graduate school really counts in issues like this. Well only about 6 hours until I have to report to the hospital so I guess this is it. Tomorrow if I'm able, I update with a new scar beginning to form.

Goodnight world.

"And you're not happy but your funny and I'm tripping over my joy"

I feel really tired. In fact I may be going straight to bed upon returning to the Lounge. This is being written from La Casa De Rogers. We did wedding stuff again today. Picked out some potential tuxes and invitation stuff. I just feel really drained. My surgery is at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday meaning I have to be there at 6:00 a.m. To which I respond...eccchhh. That could put a cramp in $20 poker night that I was hoping to indulge in tomorrow night.

Band of the Day: Rilo Kiley
TV Shows of the Day: The Sopranos and Big Brother
Food of the Day: Coldstone Ice Cream

"Your resentment grows till you're all alone"

Wedding Cake plans and some invitation planning tonight. There's a lot to be done to pull off a party like this one. Let's hope people have a grand old time.

Today I golfed at the Anderson Country Club with Jason. A good time. We've become rather good friends over the past year. Then tonight Red Eye with Rogers. A pretty good movie.

School starts next week. 10 Months and 1 Day until the wedding. At which point I'll be a college graduate and in the worforce (hopefully). This is going to get a little crazy.

Blink and you're 30.

"God save the King of New Orleans"

Fresh back from a quick four days in NOLA. A few highlights include a swamp tour where our guide was feeding alligators straight from his hand. Also raccoons. Neither of which were trained. Also a cool cemetary tour, the Preservation Hall Jazz band, a relaxing dinner cruise, lots of good food and a fun time hanging out with my dad. We walked the French Quarter a ton, but also about a 5 mile hike around the Garden District. Overall a pretty nice city. Quite a bit to do. Something for everyone. Our hotel was right off of Burboun Street, which is pretty much party central every night. The street is lined with bars and a band playing in almost every one.

Un semana until school starts. It's going to be a busy semester.

"This face keeps getting older everyday"

My summer work experience has officially come to a close. Seems like it wasn't too long ago that I was writing about my first few weeks. Seems like forever ago that Rogers and I were watching the 1st Season of Scrubs on DVD that I bought at Best Buy on my lunch break my first day of work.

Since then we've gone through a whole season of Felicity a whole season of the Sopranos or maybe two and a heck of a lot of Big Brother episodes. Tomorrow I'll be leaving for New Orleans with pops. One last summer fling with my Dad. I doubt we'll take another trip just the two of us like this. Should be an interesting place to see.

Tonight Rogers and I conversed about churches and our spirituality. A very good conversation. Long overdue, I suppose. It will be interesting to see where we're led to work and live.

Also cleaned a heck-of-a-lot of my room out at my parents house. A huge garbage bag full of trash. Thanks to Rogers. Without her help, I'd have a harder time throwing stuff away.

Song of the Day: When I Was Five - Mike Garrigan

"Because you're mine"

Well "Wisa" is now "Seesa" to baby Noel. That gal's a cutie. She now can repeat the alphabet to you. It's amazing to see a little girl all of a sudden making sounds and words. I can't imagine what it would be like to have your own child. The love you must feel towards it.

Rogers and I spent the evening at home with my family. Planning out the wedding invitation list for a good couple of hours.

So I'm having surgery next Thursday, and I have now heard of at least two examples of the same surgery that kept people feeling crappy for about a week. Let's hope that doesn't happen to me since school starts on Monday. I'm not too worried, but we'll see how it goes.

48 hours from now I'll be sleeping in New Orleans. The Homeland for Ezralites (Better Than Ezra fans). I'm excited about it. Should be a great trip. My father has taken me to New York and Las Vegas. New Orleans should be a great addition. We only go to cities that have two words as their names. That criteria helped us rule out Boston, Chicago and Juno. Not that we ever considered Juno.

I'm finishing up the book "Letters to a Young Conservative." A very interesting book with 10-page chapters on different subjects and why a Conservative mindset or viewpoint is better than a liberal mindset. It's not just a liberal-bashing book. It is actually a well-written and thought out work. I've read another book by the author called "What's So Great About America." The author is from India making it all the more interesting.

"Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head"

I golfed Grandview today with Wilbe, Dad and Rod. I shot a less than astounding 129 or so. Once you get passed 120 I don't think it matters all that much. Then went to Mancino's with the guys and had a nice time talking. Went to see the Skeleton Key with Ricker. A nice spooky interesting movie. Tomorrow a family dinner and some time with Julie, Noel and Rogers. Should be a fun time. We'll see if Noel can still say "Wisa."

Song of the Day: Everything's Not Lost - Coldplay

"Everything you ever wanted in a permanent state"

Saturday. A day with the Sharps/Lehmans. Well Rogers was invited to eat dinner at Magiano's with the Lehman/Sharp clan yesterday, and I was invited since I am associated with Rogers. Ended up being a heck of a time, except for the fact that we didn't think to pick up some cash on the way to the restaurant to pay for our meals since we're so used to just using debit cards.

So after stressing through the first ten minutes I decided to go find an ATM. I ran in relatively dressy clothes (although I did take off the jacket) to the Fashion Mall which was basically just across a big parking lot and after asking someone found an ATM. I then visited the bathroom after returning to the restaurant to wipe away the beads of sweat that had formed.

I made it back to the table. I think people just thought that I had gone to the restroom for an extended time. I was gone probably 10 minutes. Anyway, after I sat down I started sweating again, which wasn't good. Oh well.

Then we went back to the Lake Casa De Sharp and chatted for a few hours. Overall a good day. Also finished Season 2 of the Sopranos today. Good show. Thanks for turning me on to it Rogers.

FLL (Funny Lines from Lisa): #1 "I like sleeping. Sometimes I go to bed, just to sleep."

#2 Andrew (pointing to a picture): "This is Jim Edwards' daughter."
Lisa: "Do I know any Jim Edwards?"
Andrew: "The President of AU?!?"
Lisa: "I didn't know his name was Jim!"

Song of the Day: White Shadows - Coldplay

"Living in perfect symmetry"

At the beginning of the summer (and all year really) I couldn't wait for the release of X&Y, Coldplay's new album. Tonight, nearing the end of summer I saw them in concert with a bunch of good friends.

It was an astounding show. The band rocked. An all around good time.

I found out today that school starts on the 29th. Not the 31st like I thought. Sucks, kinda, but oh well. School ain't that bad, and it's going to fly on by anyway.

Song of the Day: In My Place - Coldplay

"You say, 'Oh, sing one we know'"

In less than 20 hours I'll be watching Coldplay with good friends at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. Formerly Deer Creek. But those were the days before a building was named as an advertisement for more than the natural surroundings of the building. Ah, who can blame them for selling out. If someone offered our house a couple of hundred bucks each I'm sure we would happily name it the Taco Bell Lounge or The Lounge Sponsored by Target.

Today I slept in a good long time. Until 11:30 actually. Which is odd, because I also went to bed earlier than normal last night. Oh well. Tomorrow's my last official day of work, although I'll be finishing up a few loose ends here and there probably.

Next week. New Orleans. The end of summer is going to be booked. Rogers played her first out-of-class golf game tonight with Jason, Eileen and myself. The gal played a heck-of-a-lot better than me. Quite the natural. It was a very good time.

"If my hands stop working you can call me lazy"

I've got just a couple of days left with my work for the summer. The summer has certainly flown by. Three weeks from this moment, I'll be going to bed and getting up for school in the morning. Time to get the Senior year underway. Man it only seems like a few moments ago that I would drive through campus and wonder about the great mystery that is college. Now I'm getting ready to finish the whole thing up. Life is flying by. Soon it will really start to sale. Let's hope I don't forget to participate along the way.

I wonder what great thing I will do in/with my life, if anything. Have I already done it. Surely the only thing worth while is impacting the world for Christ. I've impacted lives in the past. Let's hope there's more around the bend.

Song of the Day: More Adventerous - Rilo Kiley

"Any chimp can play human for a day"

But there can be only one Shogun. This week that Shogun is Amber Star Egbert. A six hour game of Shogun was on the bill for tonight. However, 2 of those hours were spent learning and setting up the game. It was a marathon, but ended suddenly when Amber took me out and won immediately.

Well the groomsmen are official. Co-Better Men Richard Ray Lehman and Joshua Campbell will pave better ground for the Great Groomsmen: Philip Charles Patrie, Jason ? Clodfelder, and Brian Big-Nuts Roberson.

It would be troublesome to have chosen between Ricker and Joshua as Best Men, simply because we are kind of like a threesome. Sure Ricker and Josh were roommates, but my roommates have come and gone over the years. Ricker and I were best friends since around 3rd grade, Josh and I have hung out constantly and I would consider him a late-bloomer best friend. We didn't hang out with just each other until college, but we have a bunch since then, including multiple vacations.

So in the end, thank God for Matrons and Maids of Honor so I don't have to choose.

Time to go to sleep after a successful day of work and Shogun. Tomorrow Big Brother and the Sopranos with the Rogers. The usual playlist. The great fun.

Song of the Day: Portions for Foxes - Rilo Kiley

"Turn insect songs against the night"

I went to Church today, because it's good for me. I didn't pay a lick of attention though. It was kind of sad really. I dropped off some money and sat like a brick.

Later I went to Castleton with Rogers to pick up a couple of suits Mom bought for me. They will be pretty sharp. Then we watched some Sopranos and Big Brother and ate some stuffed crust and had an all around flippin good time. A nightcap of Shogun and Halo made for a nice evening.

Time to read more "Letters to a Young Conservative." I asked a couple more people about being in the wedding. One more person to ask...any guesses? Anyone?

Rogers that question was not directed to you since, you probably already know the answer.

Song of the Day: Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Twilight fades, through blistered Avalon"

A fabulously enjoyable weekend. Last night was eat at Dairy Queen then watch Macon County War and Army of Darkness night before hanging out in the basement and then playing Halo with a bunch of guys from Ricky's work.

Tonight was go to Olive Garden then play oldschool Nintendo games like Wheel of Fortune, Family Fued, Jeopardy, RBI Baseball and Dr. Mario night. Before rounding out the evening with some Combat from the Atari 2600. What a great weekend of hanging with the friends. Nights like tonight are once in a lifetime nights. It starts out normal, but then you're having a blast playing video games from 20 years ago with a group of people. Watching, playing. All fun.

Time to finish Jerry Maguire and then hit the hay.

Song of the Day: Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen

"Maybe we'll be perfect"

Today was a fantastic day in Columbus, Ohio with Rogers. We had a blast. She took me to The Book Loft for a super-late-Birthday trip (only late because we couldn't squeeze it into our schedules). 32 rooms of books in the German Village of Columbus. It was very cool. I got four books in total. Leadership Sopranos Style, Fight Club, Choke, and Jesus, CEO. We also went to a very cool Italian restaurant and had an overall superfun day. Can't wait to go on weekend trips after we tie the knot next year.

Weekend. Waykewl.

Song of the Day: The Coffee Song - Frank Sinatra

"As if you have a choice"

Poker tonight, then The Wizard. The old movie starring Fred Savage and Christian Slater. I've been wanting to see it again for at least a couple of years. Finally, I bought it on a whim off of eBay for about $13. It was well worth the money. Very enjoyable to watch with the guys. Tomorrow I'm going out of state with Rogers for my birthday. I'm not sure where we're going, but I think we'll have a super time.

The Wizard inspired me to break out the Old Nintendo. I'm working my way through the Adventures of Link. What a blast.

Song of the Day: Carnival - Natalie Merchant

"I'm free falling"

tonight was a fun night of wedding planning. we went to highschool bible teacher - jason hilgeman's house so that we could talk to his wife pam about flower arrangements.

it was an enjoyable time and a good chance to catch-up with them. they have a nine month old that is adorable. we also got a lead on a cake with our former math teacher's wife.

then some ritters and big brother to round out the night. watching a bit of jerry maguire right now, more in preparation for elizabethtown, cameron crowe's next romantic comedy starring orlando bloom and kirsten dunst.

overall a pretty darn good game.

"I'm 22 for a moment"

Tonight I went home, ate some dinner with my folks, played 9 holes of gold with my pops then the fam watched House on Haunted Hill the Andy-Proclaimed scariest movie I had ever seen at highschool age. It was not as scary as I remembered it. Still a pretty decent movie.

Overall a good day. Tomorrow, I've got some meetings. School begins in four weeks. Crazy. Crazy.

I'm heading to New Orleans for a few days in two weeks. Tonight, I go to sleep to dream of the girl I love...or maybe the Sopranos, like I did last night.

Song of the Day: Golly Sandra - Eisley

"Lately it seems we've been chasing what time's resolved"

Yesterday, we traveled to Cincinnati to see Brian one last time before he heads off to the Great White North - Alaska. It was a wonderful trip, just to hang out with him, Shannon and Rogers. We played some cornhole, ate with his family and also went paddleboating. We're gonna miss that guy. Gladly, we'll see him in just a few months at Christmas.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to start catching up on my mix discs. So far, I have Summer 04. Tomorrow, I'm adding Fall 04. Then maybe Winter/Spring 05 the next day. I finally have the Deep Purple song that makes the mix. How could I remember my first few rides in Goldzilla without that song.

Right now I have a High School Vacation mix on. The last song was Fuel "Shimmer." That song reminds me of Costa Rica sophomore year of high school when I listened to that song about 15 times in a row one night.
Now it's Rest Stop by Matchbox 20. Kind of reminds me of Ryan Chapman old-friend extraordinare. They were popular when we were better friends than we are now.

It's now Senior Year School month.

Song of the Day: Shimmer - Fuel