Harry Potter and U2

Now, I know most of you are thinking... What does Harry Potter and Bono have to do with each other? Well nothing, except they are the two most prevalent things on my mind. I read the first harry potter book about 10 days ago in 4 hours. It was awesome, so today I borrowed the second one (Chamber of Secrets) from a friend and finished it in probably 4.5 hours. The thing with me and reading that I have always known, but have really only become self-aware of in the last few months is that I have to balance my reading. By reading all these heavy, deep-thought, political, and philosophical works by some of the great minds in our history, it really pushes and stretches my mind. Most people would respond to this by not reading at all. However, I have found that my mind best responds and internalizes this by reading a story, for the pure joy of it. These first two books have done a marvelous job of that for me this quarter. Not too mention, they are just great stories and I love reading them.

Now to Bono, I have just been listening to U2 a lot and I figured I would throw a picture of him up there for you all. If you haven't listened to U2, I STRONGLY suggest it. In fact, I would demand it.. They are truly one of those bands that can touch you through their music, and I feel that I am a better person just for having heard it.

Other than that, got some sources for my thesis today at school. The library actually had a fairly large amount of information on Senegal and is going to be a great help. Im beginning to develop some ideas of why Senegal is so stable, and I think it is more based on the political history/actions and the religious aspects of the society versus the social or economic factors of the country. Ill have to continue to look into that though.

Worked out today for the first time in about a month. Kicked my butt a little, but its good. Now that my tattoo is pretty much healed, I can work out, run and play tennis again. Im planning on going on like a 2 mile job tomorrow since I havent run in like a month too, and hopefully play some tennis on thursday. Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday and talk to you soon.

Wowzers..

Oops! I did not realize so much time had gone by since I had posted on here. I have been a bit busy, so I guess its not a bad thing. Lets see... School is going good so far. I really like all 3 of my classes. I've done most of my reading for my history class already, so that is paying some good dividends. I need to buckle down here tho because in the next 2-3 weeks I have a few papers and tests coming up. Um, I played tennis like 5 times in an 8 day period and something is clearly wrong with my right shoulder. Ever since coming back from cancun, it has been killing me and it has not gotten better. It doesnt affect my groundstrokes, but my serving is definitely a lot worse than it was. Which is really frustrating.. My new strings are nice though.

Oh yeah, I got my second tattoo last tuesday =). Its a greek proverb written in ancient greek which says "wonder is the beginning of wisdom". Its on my right side in a single vertical line. The tattoo guy was really cool and it only took like 45 minutes. Oh yeah for anyone who says the side/ribs hurt, its really not that bad. There was only like 2 parts that hurt a little, I thought the one of my chest hurt way more. That same night was Brendan's (uncle) 31st birthday so it was fun to go out there and hang out.

What else.. Work is good, im there now actually. Never saw Fast n Furious, but I watched a few new movies that my pops bought. Eagle Eye was pretty good. Also, I have been watching a lot of older movies: Stand by me, Sandlot, Harry Potter, so I have actually been watching a lot of movies lately. Oh yeah, bought my tickets and hotel to New York, Im going from June 21-24, should be a lot of fun. Also, going to see the Killers in concert in September, so I have quite the concert line up for the end of summer/ beginning of fall.

Took my dad and Brendan to the airport yesterday, so just hanging out alone for the weekend. Can't play tennis until maybe Tuesday, have to give the tattoo at least a week to heal before I stretch it out. I know there is some other stuff that has gone on, but I think that is all of the main points. Overall, everything is going pretty well and I can't complain too much. Oh yeah, for Easter, my dad and I went camping at Ocotillo Wells, which is by the Salton Sea. It was fun, we camped and rode our quads. I hadn't been riding in months so it was nice to get out. Im 2/3 of the way through my Grandpa's last published book too so. Also, been playing a little Xbox too which is always fun.

Alright alright, thats it for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Sunday sunday

Not sure why, but that song just popped in my head (The one in my title). Well its been an up and down few days since wednesday. My alternator was bad so I had to spend another 150 to replace it. Then, Roger Federer lost to Novak Djokovic on friday and played really poorly. He got so frustrated he smashed his racket, which is something you never see from him. I think his back is injured more than he is letting on, hopefully switching to the clay season will help him out. Then, last night, Uconn lost in the final four to Michigan State. Mich St. didn't really do anything special, Uconn just played poorly. They couldn't make shots, free throws, rebound, or play good transition defense. Oh well, was still a great year for them, their women play tonight in the final four and should win comfortably.

I just finished reading Reason in History by Hegel, A german philosopher from the 19th century. It was one of the most intense reads ever for me maybe. Only 95 pages but it took me like 5 hours to get through, just so much information and weird lingo going on. Im starting on the Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which should be a bit easier of a read. Ive read 3 books for my History Proseminar class which starts monday, its good too because there is seriously like 10 books; so its good im getting a jump on it.

Played tennis last night. Oh yeah I didn't write this down, but I actually beat my friend before I left for Cancun. I took a set off of him 6-3, I was up 5-1 but he won a few more games before I closed it out. I don't know what it was about watching the professionals live, but something clicked for me. All facets of my gave have gotten significantly better in just a month. I probably had 10 aces in 5 sets last night. He beat me pretty easily, but one set was 6-4. It seems like there is always one set where it is close like 6-4 now, which is nice. Its nice to be getting considerably better in something, always a good feeling. I have new strings and overgrip on the way because my strings are dead, Ive been playing with them for like 6 months now. I need to get some balls too.

Talked to my uncle Pat last night for like 30 minutes, it was really nice. My dad and uncle brendan are going up there in 2 weekends for a late 50th celebration for my dad. I wish I could go but I have to work, my uncle joel from washington is even flying down so its going to be all 6 brothers again. They are going to go to reno and do some other fun stuff. Oh yeah, I bought two tickets for the coldplay concert in July that is going to be in LA so im really pumped about that I love Coldplay. Also, Im buying my tickets to see U2 at the Rose Bowl tomorrow. They go on sale at 10am and its in October. Im so pumped these are like my 2 fave bands.

Im excited for school tomorrow, hopefully I have some cool people or good looking women in some of my classes haha. I know my graduate will be blah cause I know the people in it, but hopefully the class itself is good. The other two we will see, one of them is with my thesis mentor so that will be sweet. Should be a fairly easy quarter, each class only has like 2 papers and a test so not too much work. Oh yeah, I might be going to see fast and furious tonight with my friend Caroline, which would be cool I want to see it. If that falls through, then who knows. Talk to you later

IM BACK

Well, I dont want to write a super long post about the trip since I blogged while I was there. If your interested in reading all the details of the trip check out http://worldswerver.livejournal.com. Bottom line is: I have new friends now from Maine, Canada, Colarado, and two local girls that live in Cancun. The first three nights we partied extremely hard and the last few we took it easy with the girls. I saw the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza which were awesome, got fried from the sun, enjoyed the crystal blue carribean water. I got to do everything i wanted except for go to "the city", one of the clubs, and go to isla mujeres. Other than that, I got to do everything I wanted. What a great trip. I definitely want to head back sometime, see the things I missed.

Last night coming home sucked. Long story short, My car broke down and I had to get towed to paramount, a city next to compton, and spend the night in the hotel there. Good news is I got home this morning and uncle Brendan had found my lost wallet.

Watching Roger Federer right now in a tight match against Andy Roddick, its 5-4 in the third set with Roger up. My shoulders feel like I tore muscles in them, I think its from sleeping weird on the plane yesterday. YES! Roger just broke for the win 6-3 4-6 6-4. Thats a big win, hes in the semis for the third straight tournament. Anyways I just took a motrin which I can already feel taking the pain away.

Tomorrow, Im just going to rest and take it easy like today. Oh, I have my grades from last quarter.. I got a 4.0 =). So I got a 3.9 and then a 4.0. I hope I can keep this up, and get into a kick ass PhD program. Anyways, have a great night everyone. Ciao!