Since the new year, I’ve decided to log anything interesting that crosses my mind over the course of each day that I may want to remember in the future; dreams included. So, I keep a 5-subject notebook at my bedside or in my book bag in case a random thought should pop into my head.

Now, everyone’s surely had a dream where they’ve woken up in the middle of the night and said to themselves, “Wow! That seemed real!� In fact, since I’ve begun to log all of my dreams, I’ve realized that I have these instances more often than one would think. Sometimes I’ll run across a childhood friend or my fiancé, or maybe I’m back in my old home or high school. But, I’ve never had a dream quite as real as I did last night, and I wish it could’ve lasted just a little bit longer.

As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, my grandfather passed away during this past September. Throughout my childhood, I kept a close relationship with him, and I am proud to admit that I learned many adult-like qualities in mimicking his personality and mannerisms. I’ve always been fascinated with my grandparents’ story of how their parents immigrated to the US and what they had to do in order to survive the Great Depression and era of World War II. As can probably be true with many families, my grandparents sacrificed much of their lives in order to give their children and future grandchildren a better life in America, and I am completely appreciative of this.

Thus, there’s nothing I’d rather have more than to know that my parents and grandparents are proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish and, more importantly, plan to achieve in the future. For this reason, I found it quite inspirational when, during last night’s dream, I stumbled into an unfamiliar park and met my grandparents, both looking healthy – a concept which has been foreign to my family for years.

Never a man of too many words, I cannot recall whether or not words were exchanged with my grandfather; however, what I do know is that the sky was shining and the grass could never be any greener. I looked into his eyes, and in return, a smile of assurance was granted back. My grandfather than reached his hand out for a shake, just as I would each time I’d leave their home.

Before last night, I thought that my last handshake – my last goodbye – with my grandfather was stranded in September of 2007, but thanks to this dream, I now have a perpetuating vision of our relationship. Some may call this closure, but I see it as a new beginning, for I truly believe that this was his final blessing, confiding his admiration on my life.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In two weeks, I must submit a 15-page research paper discussing a topic of my choice in European economics. Even though today is Saturday, and normal collegians would opt for alternative entertainment on a night like this, I decided to kick it in my dorm room – alone – with the hopes of making some headway in my discoveries of the marvelous recovery of Nazi Germany during the Interwar Period. Fascinating!...I know.

After returning from dinner, I sat down at my computer, flicked on the sole desk lamp in the corner of my dorm, and sprawled out 5 books pertaining to my topic: Nazi Economics, Two Postwar Recoveries of The German Economy, The Nazi Economic Recovery: 1932-1938, and Betting on Hitler. I then proceeded to open 3 bookmarked websites containing statistics on German GDP, aggregate values of imports and exports, and lastly a general overview of the policies of the Weimer Republic, the reigning government of Germany before the acceptance of the Third Reich.

So, what followed?

I flipped the television on for a few minutes (or so I thought), so I would have some ambient sound while preparing to research. Little did I know, I set myself up for my biggest procrastination heist in months. To my delight, I stumbled across a film I haven’t seen since it was released in theatres, which happened to be precisely seventeen years ago…

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Was I planning on watching tv tonight?...Definately not.
Did I need to research in order to get a jump on my project?...Yes.
Is this even a good movie?...Not particularly.

But! Apparently, I was in the mood to procrastinate, and what better way to do so than by reliving my life as a five-year-old. Back then, I possessed every toy known to western culture that had “TMNT� stamped across it: action figures, VHS tapes, the Ninja Rap cassette by Vanilla Ice, and – yes – I even had those little, tighty whities with the cartoon characters printed across them.

And, I’m comfortable in admitting that, because I know you did too! Who didn’t?

Nevertheless, two hours, 13 pizzas with anchovies, and one death to Shredder later, and here I am: well versed in phrases like “Kowabunga� and less versed in concepts of the work programs placed into action by Hitler in attempt to revamp Germany’s rearmament.

…it was worth it!

Posted by Signal_Caller at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week served as the rebirth of tradition at our university when the 8 class honoraries at Ohio State squared off in the annual bowling tournament. The honorary system – otherwise known collectively as AOSCH – has remained a constant in my life the past few years as I’ve been president of both the sophomore and junior honoraries. Various blogs below portray some of my experiences within these honoraries.

During the 90s, the bowling tournament was a staple social event for the honoraries, but disappeared near the turn of the century. Fortunately for us, Romophos Sophomore Honorary decided to once again hold the event this year, and Bucket and Dipper was ready to compete!

The annual honorary bowling tournament pitted all 8 honoraries against each other, with the winning honorary receiving a pizza and pool party at the RPAC while the individual winners received a crown. Yes, I said that correctly...a crown! To keep the theme, the tournament was hosted at none other than the Bowling Palace.

Who wouldn’t want to win a crown? It was a nice, felt, oxblood colored crown too, not one of those cardboard, fastfood-restaurant crowns. That’s it! I was determined to take the thrown last Thursday…determined!

I started off with 3 strikes in the first 5 frames while picking up 2 spares along the way. I was primed for the crown. “Hail, King Gozur!� they would all exclaim!

Well, 4 open frames later I found myself virtually out of the lead. Complete downward spiral; my life was ruined! I was surprised they didn’t give me a court jester’s hat instead!

Although I did choke and lose the lead, I had a blast. It was fun to see everyone out and participate. Even though our Bucket and Dipper team lost as well, I was proud of how we competed and the overarching goal of the event (to bring us closer together) was achieved.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There’s nothing like a late February outdoor baseball practice on a 56 degree day back in high school. The feeling of a blistering waterlogged rubber ball smacking into your mitt could only be matched sadistically by the amount of gasps needed to suck in the chilling air in between wind sprints. As I look back on my prep experiences, this imagery is what I consider baseball season, and I believe it has come upon us for the first time in 2008!

In recent years, my best friends from high school and I would have a contest as to how soon in the new year we’d normally here this phrase:

“It’s a great day to pull something!�

The quote was a staple of my former high school baseball coach at the start of practice, a practice which probably took place right around the end of February. His phrase was meant to inspire a better stretch, especially during the colder season. But to the players, it’s a sign of baseball's presence and an early spring – regardless of whether there was an accumulation of snow on the infield.

Now that we’re out of school, we get a chuckle over how random those practices had been. Memories of batting practice during snowfall was classic but still doesn’t top the insistence of coach in attempting pitching practice with the pitcher’s mound looking like an island, being that it was the only land in the infield not covered by a flood. There’s no doubt that while in high school, these practices were hell. Now that I’m in college, however, I’ve come to the conclusion that these practices have added to my character.

With that being said, this past Friday served as the official day of baseball in 2008. I’d received a text message from my friend back at home which stated, “It’s a great day to pull something.�

That was all that was needed.

The visuals that my mind (and stomach) led me into were well beyond words. It’s not the act of baseball that needs to be present in order to conjure that uneasy feeling, only the sights, the sounds, the emotions, and – of course – the memories of destructive pep talks by coach.

So, whether or not my alma mater actually practiced on Friday remains a mystery to us. But, as for me, I’ve been icing my shoulder down all weekend. Why?...Because it’s a great day to pull something, that’s why!

Posted by Signal_Caller at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While recently completing an application, I stumbled upon the last question which asked:

“In 25 words or less, how would you like your epitaph to read?"

My immediate thought was, “That’s a….That’s a pretty ballsy question, no?"

But, then I got to thinking. How should it to read? I began trying to figure out what type of legacy I’d eventually like to leave behind. Would I make an impact in my community? Would I invent something that changed the way the world operates? Or, would I simply die alone…alone with 25 cats and a birdfeeder in my backyard?

I then looked at the contents of specific poems and songs that I admire to see if any one stanza really struck a chord for my life – or should I say anticipated lifetime. And, I found a few that seemed practical to my objective. Some are more humorous than others, but all seem to accurately portray my personality.

Below is a countdown of these quotes in sequence of how I would select them…

(5) Excerpt from Foreplay/Long Time by Boston

It's been such a long time
I think I should be goin'
Time doesn't wait for me
It keeps on rollin'

(4) Excerpt from I’ll Follow The Sun by The Beatles

And so, the time has come
And so, my love, I must go
And though, I lose a friend
In the end, you will know

One day, you’ll find that I have gone
But, tomorrow may rain
So, I’ll follow the sun

(3) Excerpt from Just A Matter Of Time by John Cafferty

All you had to do was believe
And nothing was out of your reach
So sure how it all falls in line
It's just a matter of time

(2) Excerpt from Casey At The Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout
But, there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out

(1) Tagline from That Thing You Do directed by Tom Hanks

In every life there comes a time
When that dream you dream
Becomes that thing you do

Posted by Signal_Caller at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every Sunday at noon, one of my roommates is right on cue.

“BRUNCH," he’ll yell at the top of lungs – serving as the wake-up call for everyone in my suite. I’ll roll out of bed wishing that I hadn’t snoozed the morning away even though I know it’s my only day of the week to catch up on some much forgotten sleep.

Within 20 seconds you’ll see 8 men walking like zombies out of their bedroom and into the bathroom to throw some water on their faces. Why?...because it’s brunch time, and that’s the routine. Soon, you’ll hear the same roommate screaming, “We’re leaving in 30 seconds!"

That’s all we really need to prepare for brunch on a Sunday afternoon – about 90 seconds. If you say waffles and omelets, we’re like patriots, ready at minute’s notice.

Perhaps, it’s the smell of bacon and sausage that brings me to brunch each week; I try to envision that I’m back at my parents’ house walking down our long hallway to the kitchen. But then something hits me at brunch…There’s way more of a selection here than I ever had at home!

Ahh!…Life is good – at least during brunch.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No!...I’m not going to be a daddy!

I’m actually referring to the title of a paper I had just written today for English 578.02 – A Study of Film Noir. In the six page essay, I cross-referenced Freudian observation with film noir plot, specifically in the films Double Indemnity, Gilda, and Out of the Past. Surprisingly, I found the plot of all three of these films similar to an urban adaptation of the Oedipus complex which is where the title lends it name.

The course has been one of my most enjoyable in recent years. The structure of the class is quite inviting, and the professor is more of a discussion leader rather than a lecturer. First, the class watches a different film each Tuesday afternoon. Then, we discuss the films overtones the following Thursday after reading various passages written by famous film critics.

Debates have been quite lively thus far, and I was surprised to find a group of students who take such an avid interest in classic films as I do.

An earth shattering revelation I had learned in class was that Cary Grant was a pseudonym for the less-catchy Archibold Leach. Another interesting tidbit I recently found out was that the original conclusion to Double Indemnity was produced with three different endings – two of which have never been released to the public.

So, if you’re similar me and feel like breaking up the monotonous day of physics, calculus, and economics, sign up for English 578.02 and relax as you watch some of Hollywood’s finest films which are practically unknown to our generation…and receive credit for your astute attention.

Also, I think I have a crush on Rita Hayworth. Why? Check out her striptease in Gilda. Well, it's a 1940s striptease, but still provocative nonetheless.

Posted by Signal_Caller at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)