ITs been awhile and theres not necessarily a deeper meaning to this blog post..but whatever. maybe the few people who read this need a break from my intellectual and thought-provoking blog entries!!! haha just kidding.
Its been a pretty crazy summer. I feel quite accomplished...I have almost painted all the rooms of Julia's basement this summer. or at least helped. I spent several awesome days (and nights) in Athens, and I can't wait to go back. I've had more fun in Metro Atlanta this summer than I have in any other summer i can remember. I've almost taken an entire online class and forced myself to be disciplined enough to finish it. and I voted in Georgia's primary, only the second time I've ever voted. cool.
and now as of yesterday, I have been asked to be an RA in Russell Hall. Now I had applied and been wait listed what feels like a long time ago. but I get a call and now and a lot of what I was expecting for this year has changed. I won't be in ECV like I planned, but thats ok. I was going to live in a new dorm and be really close to Ramsey and ECV dining hall, but I think its worth the tradeoff to get paid AND have my own room.
Unfortunately i just missed the parking pass distribution. I have to wait for the next round. that sucks. But im #4 on the waitlist for the Russell Deck so no worries!
I am excited to be an RA now. Its going to be an interesting experience for me. I get to arrange my room completely how I want it..and I get two closets! thank God. I really needed the space. I have a picture in my head of an ideal room and I can't wait to put it in place.
The biggest downside of being an RA is that I wont be able to vacation with my family, who had planned on leaving for Florida on July 31. I have to move in August 1. But its a sacrifice I'm willing to make, because I get free housing and I get paid for food. There really isn't a better deal.
So yes, I will be back in Russell Hall. Which is perfectly fine, especially since I will now have wifi. hopefully the internet will be a tad faster. that would always be nice haha.
And just like that I have less than 2 weeks left in summer. Oh well...I gotta get back to (Hogwarts!) Athens...haha.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Inspirations
For me personally, I have experienced so much this week that writing is really the only thing I can think of to do about it.
I recently got back from a family fishing trip where I caught very little fish, but got to spend quality time with my paternal family, whom I rarely see because they live in Nebraska and Minnesota. It was quite rewarding.
Just yesterday I saw for the first time the speech given by Randy Pausch, the "Last Lecturer" at Carnegie-Mellon. If you have not seen this speech, please do. And at the end you will know why it was so important that you watch it. (Spoiler Alert: It reminded me a little of Iron Man 2). This man is truly inspirational, and is an amazing example of how to live your life.
and Today quickly became the most epic day in sports. Though my family experience several motor-based problems, including my sisters car being towed because it had a flat tire which could not be removed by neither I nor my father, my car's check engine light coming on, and our lawn mower breaking. The day quickly turned around. The USA proved that we can hold our own ground in soccer. It was amazing to watch the last minute goal that put the US into the bracket while SIMULTANEOUSLY WINNING GROUP C. (by the way, the US hasn't come in first place in its group since 1930.)
After soccer was over I thought I would watch some tennis, since it was also on ESPN. John Isner, a UGA alum, was involved in what would soon be the longest tennis match in history. Just a little while ago the game was called because of darkness, and is going to move on to a DAY 3. The fifth set of this tennis match is now, on its own, longer than the previus longest match ever. The total match time is approaching 10 hours.
While many people are not very interested in tennis, my family is. This usually does not include me, but today I was just as enthralled. It is so impressive that these two players have so much energy. They are amazing examples of perseverance. This match is not even in the finals. This is just a "regular" match, and history is still being made. Tomorrow I look forward seeing the match that is currently 59-59 in the fifth set come to an amazing finish.
Truly this has been an interesting week for me...and in a not-so-cheesy way quite inspirational. Not that I needed to really be inspired...but I'm sure someone was really helped by the events of today. Perhaps the folks on the Gulf who unfortunately need a lot of hope right now.
I recently got back from a family fishing trip where I caught very little fish, but got to spend quality time with my paternal family, whom I rarely see because they live in Nebraska and Minnesota. It was quite rewarding.
Just yesterday I saw for the first time the speech given by Randy Pausch, the "Last Lecturer" at Carnegie-Mellon. If you have not seen this speech, please do. And at the end you will know why it was so important that you watch it. (Spoiler Alert: It reminded me a little of Iron Man 2). This man is truly inspirational, and is an amazing example of how to live your life.
and Today quickly became the most epic day in sports. Though my family experience several motor-based problems, including my sisters car being towed because it had a flat tire which could not be removed by neither I nor my father, my car's check engine light coming on, and our lawn mower breaking. The day quickly turned around. The USA proved that we can hold our own ground in soccer. It was amazing to watch the last minute goal that put the US into the bracket while SIMULTANEOUSLY WINNING GROUP C. (by the way, the US hasn't come in first place in its group since 1930.)
After soccer was over I thought I would watch some tennis, since it was also on ESPN. John Isner, a UGA alum, was involved in what would soon be the longest tennis match in history. Just a little while ago the game was called because of darkness, and is going to move on to a DAY 3. The fifth set of this tennis match is now, on its own, longer than the previus longest match ever. The total match time is approaching 10 hours.
While many people are not very interested in tennis, my family is. This usually does not include me, but today I was just as enthralled. It is so impressive that these two players have so much energy. They are amazing examples of perseverance. This match is not even in the finals. This is just a "regular" match, and history is still being made. Tomorrow I look forward seeing the match that is currently 59-59 in the fifth set come to an amazing finish.
Truly this has been an interesting week for me...and in a not-so-cheesy way quite inspirational. Not that I needed to really be inspired...but I'm sure someone was really helped by the events of today. Perhaps the folks on the Gulf who unfortunately need a lot of hope right now.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Post-penearmageddon?
After watching most movies, I think about them afterwards and how I would feel or act if had similar experiences. Tonight I watched "The Core", a 2003 movie directed by Jon Amiel and starring, most notably, Aaron Eckhart. For those of you who have not seen the movie, it is about a team of scientists that must travel to the Core of the Earth in order to restart the rotation of the outer Core in order to restore balance to the earth's electromagnetic field.
And it got me thinking, what happens post-penearmageddon?
I suppose I should mention that word's definition. While I think I coined the term, I'm not going to take credit for that because I might not have. Post- meaning after, pene- meaning almost, and Armageddon meaning the end of the world. Thus the whole phrase means the events after a near-apocalyptic event.
There are a lot of movies about near-apocalypses. Right off the top of my head, there is The Core (2003), Sunshine (2007), Deep Impact (1998), and perhaps most notably Armageddon (1998).
All these movies have a, for lack of a better word, epic storyline. The crew of each specially designed vessel is miraculously able to save the planet, even though most of the crew dies or sacrifices to save the mission. Despite the overwhelmingly similar plot sequences, I really do enjoy these movies.
But one thing that is always left out: how does life go on?
How could humanity, as a whole, go on after a universal near-death experience? I think most of the movies shy away from that because no one really knows. But its an interesting thought.
What if you had done something because you thought you were going to die? How would you deal with the effects of whatever you had done? What if you told someone how you really felt about them, and now were in an awkward state with that person, and could never have your old relationship back? What if you quit your job in a fury and you could never take it back? Suppose you had been married at (what you thought was) the last second, despite inclinations to do otherwise? What if you had had sex with someone because you though you should enjoy yourself before death, and it resulted in
a child you now had no intention of having? Or, God forbid, you had attempted suicide in panic, but had failed, and would not be able to make a full recovery?
There are lots of questions. But the sum of all of them amounts to a single question: How would you go back to everyday life? or would you?
It seems odd to think we would just go back to how things were. Personally, I feel some change would occur. I would think it would have to...but maybe I am wrong. But I think there has to be some drastic sociological change.
Perhaps a change in Religious Beliefs? I could see two changes. One, there is a worldwide turn to religion in Thanksgiving for the continued existence of human life, or Two, people move away from religion. I personally say the second is more likely afterwards, and the first option is more likely a "before". If you think about it, would it give us as humans some sort of arrogance that we defeated our own destruction? I think that is the most likely scenario.
But aside from that, does everyone go back to their job? suppose half of your employees are dead or missing?
is there rioting, mobs, or gangs that are running a city? or has the government declared martial law?
It might be hard to think about for some people, but hopefully it won't ever be an issue.
Feel free to comment with your own thoughts.
And it got me thinking, what happens post-penearmageddon?
I suppose I should mention that word's definition. While I think I coined the term, I'm not going to take credit for that because I might not have. Post- meaning after, pene- meaning almost, and Armageddon meaning the end of the world. Thus the whole phrase means the events after a near-apocalyptic event.
There are a lot of movies about near-apocalypses. Right off the top of my head, there is The Core (2003), Sunshine (2007), Deep Impact (1998), and perhaps most notably Armageddon (1998).
All these movies have a, for lack of a better word, epic storyline. The crew of each specially designed vessel is miraculously able to save the planet, even though most of the crew dies or sacrifices to save the mission. Despite the overwhelmingly similar plot sequences, I really do enjoy these movies.
But one thing that is always left out: how does life go on?
How could humanity, as a whole, go on after a universal near-death experience? I think most of the movies shy away from that because no one really knows. But its an interesting thought.
What if you had done something because you thought you were going to die? How would you deal with the effects of whatever you had done? What if you told someone how you really felt about them, and now were in an awkward state with that person, and could never have your old relationship back? What if you quit your job in a fury and you could never take it back? Suppose you had been married at (what you thought was) the last second, despite inclinations to do otherwise? What if you had had sex with someone because you though you should enjoy yourself before death, and it resulted in
a child you now had no intention of having? Or, God forbid, you had attempted suicide in panic, but had failed, and would not be able to make a full recovery?
There are lots of questions. But the sum of all of them amounts to a single question: How would you go back to everyday life? or would you?
It seems odd to think we would just go back to how things were. Personally, I feel some change would occur. I would think it would have to...but maybe I am wrong. But I think there has to be some drastic sociological change.
Perhaps a change in Religious Beliefs? I could see two changes. One, there is a worldwide turn to religion in Thanksgiving for the continued existence of human life, or Two, people move away from religion. I personally say the second is more likely afterwards, and the first option is more likely a "before". If you think about it, would it give us as humans some sort of arrogance that we defeated our own destruction? I think that is the most likely scenario.
But aside from that, does everyone go back to their job? suppose half of your employees are dead or missing?
is there rioting, mobs, or gangs that are running a city? or has the government declared martial law?
It might be hard to think about for some people, but hopefully it won't ever be an issue.
Feel free to comment with your own thoughts.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
pan-omniscience. why?
About a week ago I bought the first season of House on DVD..I have been a fan and decided I should by the episodes on dvd and watch them in order.
Last night I watched the second episode ever, entitled "Paternity". The main case in this episode is a 16 year old lacrosse player having night terrors as well as a twitch. That's not really important to my point.
During the process of diagnosing the guy, his parents argue with House about if he really knows what he is doing. In his typical fashion House essentially provides a counterargument or underhanded insult of some kind to make them shut up.
My point is this: Why do people assume they always know better than someone else?
You might now be thinking that, "hey Matt! Its just a tv show." I would agree with you, because earlier in that same episode a woman refused to vaccinate her infant because she was informed that vaccinations simply padded pharmaceutical companies' bottom lines. Twice in the same episode is not really a coincidence, in fact its just clever screenwriting.
But I challenge you with this: This happens in real life too. Rush Limbaugh, in the wake of the H1N1 scare, proclaimed he would not get the vaccination nor would he recommend it to anyone. Now I consider myself conservative but Rush really does go too far (on more than just this occasion). To his credit, there were some side effects with the nasal-spray version of the vaccine. But to outright refuse to get it? Thats ridiculous.
I realize that I myself am guilty of assuming my own omniscience at times. I think everyone is. But what is it about humanity (or maybe just part of it) that refuses to take information from an expert on the source and ignore it, but will take information from a source not really qualified to disclose information and trust that like religion? Is it that we cannot identify which is which, or do we simply dismiss the notion that we have to ability to differentiate between the two? I don't know. I have my theories, but I will not pretend to be a Sociological expert.
That would frame me immediately as a hypocrite.
Last night I watched the second episode ever, entitled "Paternity". The main case in this episode is a 16 year old lacrosse player having night terrors as well as a twitch. That's not really important to my point.
During the process of diagnosing the guy, his parents argue with House about if he really knows what he is doing. In his typical fashion House essentially provides a counterargument or underhanded insult of some kind to make them shut up.
My point is this: Why do people assume they always know better than someone else?
You might now be thinking that, "hey Matt! Its just a tv show." I would agree with you, because earlier in that same episode a woman refused to vaccinate her infant because she was informed that vaccinations simply padded pharmaceutical companies' bottom lines. Twice in the same episode is not really a coincidence, in fact its just clever screenwriting.
But I challenge you with this: This happens in real life too. Rush Limbaugh, in the wake of the H1N1 scare, proclaimed he would not get the vaccination nor would he recommend it to anyone. Now I consider myself conservative but Rush really does go too far (on more than just this occasion). To his credit, there were some side effects with the nasal-spray version of the vaccine. But to outright refuse to get it? Thats ridiculous.
I realize that I myself am guilty of assuming my own omniscience at times. I think everyone is. But what is it about humanity (or maybe just part of it) that refuses to take information from an expert on the source and ignore it, but will take information from a source not really qualified to disclose information and trust that like religion? Is it that we cannot identify which is which, or do we simply dismiss the notion that we have to ability to differentiate between the two? I don't know. I have my theories, but I will not pretend to be a Sociological expert.
That would frame me immediately as a hypocrite.
“I have a theory about the human mind. A brain is a lot like a computer. It will only take so many facts, and then it will go on overload and blow up.”-Erma Bombeck
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Breaking (Virtual) Ground
Greetings internet:
My name is Matt Tooley, and I am a freshmen at the University of Georgia, in the beautiful city of Athens, Georgia, USA. I realized recently that I am one of those annoying people who updates their status on Facebook a lot. Its not that I have no life because I promise I do. I just have a lot of things to say that I think more people should know.
What you need to know as a reader is this: I am open to commentary...but please keep the responses or counterarguments (if any) to level-headed mature debate. Thanks.
So that probably sounds dumb, but I feel like I had to get it out there. Thanks :)
Feel free to comment and feed me topics to write about!
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