to all the nay-sayers

Short Version: To those of you who think I look bad now, aren’t you glad I no longer look like this?

Awesome Version: If someone were to write a book on Texas A&M University, the 21st century, Mullet Week 2002 would get at least 1,500 words. It was truly a week of epic proportions. An excerpt from the story would look a little something like this:

The men of the Sbisa crew decided that it was time for us to cut our long hair. They determined a far better idea would be to have mullets. So one night 11 shaggy men, accompanied by approximately 6 beauty technicians, piled in to Lauren Davis and Brittany Garner’s dorm room. Each of these shameless males left the room that night with a different style of mullet. Shaved into the sides of their heads were stripes, arrows, and lightning bolts. It was a special sight to behold. As they went out that night they commenced what would come to be known as Mullet Week.

It just so happened that Mullet Week happened to coincide with Texas A&M’s Howdy Week, a week devoted to feeble attempts at resurrecting the “howdy” greeting that few around here use anymore, much to the dismay of people whose great grandparents went to A&M. This happenstance worked out to the benefit of Mullet Week participators, however.

One day while enjoying their daily Sbisa lunch the newly mulleted Sbisa crew watched as six people entered the dining hall arm-in-arm, each with a large letter on their shirt that read “HOWDY!” Had they been standing in a different order their message may have been “WD!OYH”. These six tradition proselytizers stood in front of the masses and yelled, “HOWDY!” to which the lunch-eating public obligatorily responded in kind.

At that very moment all of the mullet sporting men of Sbisa crew looked at each other, nodded, stood up, linked arms, and walked to the very place where the howdy crew had been standing. They stood there, arms linked, chests out, shoulders back, and they yelled passionately, “MULLET!”. The response was the most authentic display of love and appreciation that Sbisa has e’er seen. Those eating their meals stopped immediately to erupt in laughter, cheering and applause. Some were even moved to the point of a standing ovation. It was a powerful, important moment in the history of Texas A&M University. Things would never again be the same.

You’d buy that book wouldn’t you? Someone should write it. Of course, if I’d started my blog way back in the year 2002, then said book would in large part already be written. Sadly, that’s not the case. The point I had in posting this entry (which was originally going to be a picture and a single sentence) is this: To those of you who think I look bad now, aren’t you glad I no longer look like this?

the glory days

Well since I lost that amazing video of Jonny dressed as a pirate, beating up a ninja and replacing it with a ninja bear in Elise’s classroom… this video from college will have to suffice. It is officially my first video ever on the online diary for the masses. We’ll see how it goes, there could very well be more to come in the future.

You will probably want to turn the volume down on the ol’ machine (it was a windy day). Finally, thanks to Jerod Brazeal, my beautiful freshman year roommate who has never seen this blog, for filming.

end of the beginning

As of 3:30 on Cinco de Mayo, 2006, I am officially done with all things related to or dealing with college (save graduation)! This is an exciting thing when you think about it. You see, I have successfully spent the last 16 years of my 22 year life in the public education system. That’s a lot of time! I mean, not that you didn’t spend the exact same amount of time in school yourself (if not longer), but we’re talking 73% of my life thus far. But no more baby!

I normally don’t take pictures on the porch on the last day of school, but I couldn’t resist this time. I wore my best good bull outfit I could find (I forgot the 12th man towel) in honor of it being my last day. I know what you’re thinking: D.O., why would you wear A&M stuff on the last day of school when you never wore it any other time? Or you’re thinking: D.O., that shirt is clearly too small for you, you’re dumb. Well to each of those I say nothing, and just look at you.

Here’s to never having to walk into Wehner again!

free time

Remember that previous post where I saw Billy Graham and his homeboys? Well after that ceremony was over, I had about 2 hours of free time before a meeting that I decided to spend on campus. And, seeing that I already had my camera, I went ahead and took some sunset campus pictures. Before I took the picture shown above I went ahead and stood atop the MSC (shh…) and took a pretty decent panoramic shot of main campus. I wasn’t entirely pleased with it however, so another trip to the mystery spot is probably in store. After the MSC shooting I rode over to the beloved clock tower just in time for the sunset, and what you see above is what I saw in real life. I’m real thankful for things like sunsets, and things like cameras. Amen? Amen.

beginning of the end

This morning marked quite an epic event: my last first day of school ever (Lord willing, I will take no part in grad school)! Seeing that my first class is at 8:00 in the morning, I didn’t exactly have a whole lot of people chomping at the bit to come take my first-day-of-school-on-the-front-porch-photo. Who did I get to take it, you ask? Well I used my trusty tripod of course. Sure I might have looked a fool out in the front yard setting it up to take a picture of myself, but if nothing else, I got a few laughs out of it, and I think it safe to say that passers by laughed too. I’m taking an full load of 7 hours this semester, so if I ever seem exhausted or burnt out, it probably has something to do with my stresses from classes.

In completely unrelated news, I’d like to formally welcome Allen Duty to the elite, the readers of “online diary for the masses.” Welcome Allen.

superhero soirée

The activity: a party.
The theme: Superhero Soirée
Mine and Brooke’s theme: little kids who are pretending to be superheros

It probably goes without saying that I had a nice time last night with my good friend and very gracious date Brooke Brandon. I mean, who wouldn’t have fun wearing what we’re wearing? It also goes without saying, and I believe this with all my heart, that we absolutely dominated the creativity portion of the unspoken costume contest. Unfortunately certain humans who happened to be judging said contest thought otherwise… those stupid fools. I cannot go on without giving Lauren Rouse props for thinking of this idea. You guys know her, she’s the one who’s homepage is this site, and she doesn’t know how to change it.

Recap of the night: We arrived at the party fashionably late (I mean that in every sense of the word(s)) and quickly got a couple of necessary salutations in with the fellow patrons of the dance floor before we started dancing like nary a soul was watching. After about 3 songs (1 country, 2 hip-hop) I ran out of fresh dance moves, and after 4 songs my side stared hurting. At one point I was lucky enough to find a stool and I did arguably the best dance on the planet for those 120 seconds. After many a dances Brooke and I went back out to the car where we star-gazed and where I witnessed the first shooting star I’ve e’er seen. Dang wow. Then we left, and I was overly satisfied with the happenings of the evening. Thanks for joining be Brooke, and thanks for being my friend you, the reader.

a story from the Extreme

So the other day began just like any other: I woke up earliest of all the residents in the Extreme, and Mikey shortly followed suit. Taylor woke up some time much later, I’m sure, however I don’t remember and in fact, that is not relevant to this story. I woke up and took a shower, after which I went into my room to do the things people do after a post-shower dry off session. During my time dressing I heard Mikey move from his bedroom (where he sleeps) to the bathroom (where we recently got new light bulbs). I went on with my daily routine, which includes some cereal, reading, talking to Jesus, and things of the sort. I completed said activities when straight to my mind arose a question that Mikey needed to answer. He had since moved from the bathroom back to his room, where I assumed he was partaking in his daily routine, which possesses similar qualities as mine. I opened up his door and saw this terrible display of lethargy:

… 2nd is the best

Well the day has finally come when Songfest is over, and I received my life back. In case you were unaware, Songfest is a philanthropic song and dance competition that Chi Omega, a sorority on campus, puts on. I had the privilege of being in charge of Songfest for BCA, along side my wonderful partner, Laura Brannan of Theta. What that term “being in charge” means practically is that we have forfeited a ton of free time and potential fun in order that we might gain dance moves, perfect harmonies, and ultimately this wonderful 2nd place trophy (t-shirt added for effect). Some may think that I wouldn’t be excited about a mere second place finish, but those that know me and my uncompetitive nature, know that I’m more than happy with second.

I’d like to thank all the Chi-O girls who worked harder than anyone else to put this thing on, as it raises so much money for Make A Wish and the Brazos Valley Rehab Center. Thanks also to all the BCA guys and Theta girls who worked so hard on this crazy thing. Thanks to Jason the stage hand for being tight among his less-than-tight co-workers. Thanks to Mrs. Hall and Angela Kelly for being my elementary musical influences, and without whom I wouldn’t be singing today. Thanks to the Beatles, Bach, and Elvis for letting us use your music royalty-free. I could go on, but they’re waving the sign at me… Thanks to Jesus and all of you who came out and cheered us on!

pictoral update with comments!

First I saw George Bush up close at the football game…

Then the Luther House got covered in Peeps (click to enlarge).

Then I saw the cutest kids EVER.

Then Allen got Kendra pregnant…

Then I dressed like a domino and sat in my trunk with Matt.

the friendship, the family, the bling

There have been many goings-on in the life of D.O. as of late that have failed to make an appearance on this blog. This event, however, was so significant in the lives of five 20-something college bachelors that it could not go unposted. I know you are living in much anticipation, and you long to know what the shiny beams of light coming from our hands are… Thursday, November 3rd, the men pictured before you (Coblerone, T-Bomb, D.O., Jerod, and Jon) received their fightin’ Texas Aggie Rings. WHOOOOOOP! How good bull am I for posting two consecutive entries relating directly to Texas A&M?

Each of us have been going to Texas A&M for going on four years now. Each of us (with varying levels of success in the realm of grades) completed 95 hours of college education. Each of us bought the ring pictured below. Each of us paid $511.00 for our rings… seriously. These are the rings people use as status symbols of sorts in the “real world.” People are (so they say) literally shoe-ins during job interviews, simply for having one of these rings. Aggies can recognize other Aggies regardless of their location world-wide thanks to this ring. My hand is a whole lot heavier than it ever was before, compliments of this ring.

So to wrap it all up (because my hand is weary from typing with this hunk of gold connected to it), I initially wasn’t really planning on getting a ring, my folks made me, and I’ll confess, it is nice to have. I am sticking to my guns on the fact that I think it is far too expensive a piece of jewelry… and I’ll leave it at that. Congrats to everyone who got their rings!