Shocking, simply shocking.

 Yes,007 said it best, but I say it again to reference a disturbing incident out west.

THIS IS GRAPHIC.

Seriously, don’t hit play if you can’t stomach violence.

So, for those of you who are looking for an explanation of what happened, here is a pretty good summary. There are about a million different ways to start this conversation, but here are a few:

1. Does anyone think this would have happened to a Caucasian student?
2. What should happen to those “police officers?”
3. If campus cops feel justified to do this, then is it any wonder that we are slowly moving towards a police state?
4. The student in the white t-shirt was threatening with a taser for asking for the police officer’s badge number. In case you didn’t know, asking for such identification information is well within the scope of the law, and a civil right of Americans. What is this country coming to when exercising civil rights is cause for being threatened?

Progress report

So, Im back in Amherst. Christmas break wasn’t as I would have predicted it. Not how I would have predicted it in June. Not how I would have predicted it in October. Not even how I would have predicted it in December. But now, it is half over. I have work, but no class. Unfortunately, it is 40 hours of work a week, so thats certainly more than enough to keep me busy. But I do have another few goals for the break. In the truest spirit of white board checklists, I will cross them out as I accomplish them.

1. Sign an M1 form with the grad school so I can officially start getting out of here.
2. Find or at least begin investigating a practicum for this summer
3. Get an interview with the Picador people
4. Write my John Friedman interview up
5. Start reading the books for Gary’s class
6. Keep to my New Year’s Resolutions

Thats the list, for now. Its managable, but it’ll keep me busy and hopefully productive. Good night for now.

Furniture Shopping

So, for those of you who don’t know, I’m a bit of a design enthusiast. Thats one of the things that makes me so excited for next year and having my own place. I feel like I can probably upgrade a bit from Salvation Army coffee tables. Here’s some of the stuff I have in mind.

More to come later, no doubt. For now, good night.

More Ramblings

So today is Patriot’s Day. For those of you who live outside of Massachusetts, its just a way for us to salute our rich military history. Everyone gets school off, and government offices are closed. Three day weekend? Beautiful. And it was a good weekend. The Sox are riding a 5 game winning streak. I didn’t have much work to do. The only bummer was having duty on Friday night. But the weekend got better after that. The weather was ideal all weekend, and I made the most of it.

Saturday was all about getting stuff done and playing basketball. Saturday night became a night full of drinking at a few locations, and good times were had. Sunday brought along a day in the sun. Football was played. Frisbee was played. Wiffleball was played. Burgers were cooked. Drinks were drunk. Chips were eaten. Sun was soaked up. We must have spent a good 5-6 hours out on the hill-it was quite ideal.

Today didn’t bring as much in the way of outdoorsy activities. Everybody had work to do, so it wasnt much of a day. Best Buy was a failure, but at least I have my car back now. 24 got watched tonight. This guy is coming back next week:

Without sounding overly dorky, this leaves me ecstatic. The current president is far too much of a timid pussy(cat). Palmer will bring some serious cold-bloodedness to the show. For those of you who dont care about this and question why it makes the blog…go hide yourself under a rock, because I don’t care. This is the one hour of television I watch each week, (and it is the only hour worth watching), and I will damn well talk about it if I want to.

I’m listening to the new Coldplay single right now: “Speed of Sound.” Same Coldplay, different day. The instrumentals are quite rich, and its an enjoyable song. I’m definitely counting down until the next album.

A Random List:

5 Coolest Alumni of UMass

-Jess Prince
-Matt Pelnar
-Fiona Coxe
-Korri Crowley
-Dan Saunders (when hes not whining)

Personal stuff. Hmm. Not a whole lot to report. I had an interview on Friday with the International Programs Office. This is the job I really want. Really want. I’m supposed to hear one way or the other by the end of the week. So if you see me being carted off in a straight jacket, then you know why. Likewise, if you see me buying everyone at ABC a round, you’ll know whats up. Wish me luck.

Note to frequent blog checkers: You may have noticed that Ive taken down my music video of the week feature. Despite some complaints, its going to stay down for now. It was slowing down the load speed for many readers, and I dont want to have too many extras cluttering up the interface. It will come back at some point, so never fear.

Back to my life and how its somehow relevant. I dont really know. I officially signed the lease to Aspen Ridge next year. So I am locked into UMass, for better or worse. I just hope everything works out the way I want to out here next year. For silly superstitious reasons, I wont voice those hopes just yet. Some of the people involved in them surely know their roles, but others will remain a secret for now. Thats about all for now, the week starts far too soon. Ill talk to you all soon.

Things I Miss

There are some things I haven’t had in my life for far too long. I miss them. They should come back. The sooner the better.

 

Quizno’s

 

Lilly Dignan

 

Sam Adams Spring Ale

 

 

A New Outkast Album

 

 

UMass Basketball Winning Games

 

Gabe Kapler

 

The Sequel to This

And many others, but that’s the end for now…

I Can’t Be Your John Cusack…

In the spirit of High Fidelity, I have decided to make another Top 5 List.

This is mainly aimed at you people who say my blog isnt personal enough, isnt juicy enough. Well, here it is, perhaps it’s been far too long in coming.

My top 5 crushes ever at UMass, in alpabetical order

Susan Allen

Caitlin Burbidge

Rema Christy

Lilly Dignan

Kathleen Edison

How weird is that – one for each of the first 5 letters of the alphabet. Am I phonetically attracted to people?

Please note: Korri Crowley and Jess Prince would have definitely made this list if I had pictures of them. If they send me pictures, then some of these 5 are gooooone.
Please also note: this list is constantly fluctuating, with one notable exception – she is far ahead of the others. Current crushes may very easily replace these five as well.

Please further note: Very strict criteria was used in making this list. If youre a female who thinks that you should have made the cut, tis very possible you were disqualified for reasons you dont know about. Individual inqueries can be made via the usual process. If you didnt make the list, dont despair. It doesnt mean you suck. It just means its hasnt been your turn to shine yet, but that day is coming!

A Few More Choices For My Birfday

So I worked again today. Made some good money this week, which makes the complete lack of sleep somewhat bearable. Last night I went to the Celtics game, which was a good time. I met the guys in town, and we managed to get a good deal on some nice tickets for about half price. The Celtics won, which always helps matters. They have now won 9 out 10 since ‘Toine came back. I, for one, am happy. I have always held the Celtics near and dear, for most of my life, they were behind only the Red Sox. In recent years, they had become irrelevant in some ways. Drafting Tony Allen and Delonte West and Al Jefferson this year got me excited for the future. Trading back for Antoine got me excited for now. This team can play, and it is a bit of a weird year in the NBA. Anything can happen. You can bet Ill be near the front of the line for playoff tickets.

Two more options for you last-minute shoppers…

A Subscription to:

OR

Have fun writing those checks!  For me, it’s time to get back to the NCAA tournament. Thats the plan for tomorrow too, perhaps Ill treat it as my own Saint Patrick’s Day. After all, unlike many of the drunks I’ve seen today…I’m Irish. Anyhow, speaking of time…you’re running out of it. Only 3 days and 2 hours till the big moment on the big day. Catch you later kids.

My Birthday Wish List (Better and Cheaper than A Wedding Registry)

As any real friend of mine knows, my birthday is just around the corner. It’s March 21, for those of you who aren’t my real friends. (For those of you who aren’t my real friends, don’t feel too bad, I got no clue when you were born.) Yes, thats right. Just as the world is reborn every year on the first day of spring, so is Christopher Lawrence Ronald Eckel. All I really want for my birthday is gear to make a European summer possible. However, since everyone likes seeing material desires, I’ll make a hot list for gadgets and such. Clink the pretty picture to get more information, which, of course, is the first step towards buying it for me. (Just kidding.) If it proves as popular as the original Hot Lists, I may even keep it going after my birthday. Enjoy.

 

(This isnt out yet, but it is my game of the year, when it does come out)

Reason Number 47

Its officially spring break. I have finished my editing and revising and have begun my slacking off for a week. Its delicious. I anticipate no brain bending except for trying to fly the cheapest flight to Europe so I can spend the summer traveling around the continent showing my friends which country is known for which beer. I now realize my last two entires make me sound like an alcoholic. This is not true. I drink less than ever now that I have become a full-fledged senior. I just drink less, but better, alcohol. And besides, Europeans just know how to make beer. Anyhow…

Reason Number 47- She turns down what one would think would be a perfectly amazing invitation because she is “tired.” Truly lame.

I head home tomrorow. I sincerely hope the Accord makes it. Maybe I should name it like Jessi so I can refer to it affectionately. Maybe then the radiator wouldnt get tempermental. Anyhow, time for a shower and bed. Catch you all later.

Black Lager and Life

Samuel Adams Black Lager is an excellent choice for any occasion. Paired with the OC, its a rather unbeatable combination. Victory Golden Monkey is the next brew on tap. So, its pretty much officially spring break. I need to add one or two touches to my big paper, and then email it in. Easy enough. The most worrisome thing might be the drive home. Honda Accord, stay strong.

Reason Number 39 – She’s always confused about things.

I can’t wait for the week off. Its been a rather silly couple of weeks since we got back. The last few weeks of the semester are always my favorite anyhow, what with the shorts and the bonfires and the etc. The sun better start shining sooner rather than later. Alright, time to get back to the O.C. See you later children.