Drama unfolds

Hello all. Much has happened since I posted last. For one, I'm now 21 and I have a new driver's licence--we've gone to the fancy credit card style ones now. My fam just chilled at the house for my birthday. My oldest sis made an amazing chocolate cake with coffee in it. My other sis got me 'beer bread'. She got a loaf of honey wheat from Panera and cut a circle out of it and put a can of Coors light in the hole! Works for me. She also got me a bamboo plant and 2 shirts from Gap...gotta love her. Mom and Dad got me WOW 2005 to add to my CD stash (I have 98-05 now). I also got a webcam for the new computer. We got 3 pizzas and all of them were overcooked and the crusts weren't right, so they are sending us a free pizza certificate. I had a bit of apple wine and some Coors and that was it. Crystal brought Arbor Mist blenders (strawberry) but I didn't end up getting one...maybe later. Ended up playing the Friends Trivia Game and Pictionary and watched some TV. I got cards from some friends and money from 3 people. I even got a call from an old lady from our church that loves me and wished me happy birthday. She's so sweet...she makes me kolaches and stuff. Guess what else I got? Drum roll.............a guitar!?! Yeah, didn't ask for that and knew from the massive box that was delivered a month ahead of time that my dad got one (I've come to read his thoughts) so it wasn't a surprise, yet it wasn't really expected either. My sisters just kind of looked confused. Crystal said, "You play guitar?" I said, "Guess I do now." Dad means well and the thing is great (comes with straps, strings, picks, an amp, cleaning cloth, instructional books and dvds, etc.). I've learned to tune it and I can play a scale. If I just play one note at a time, I can accompany myself on a Tori Amos song. We'll see what happens there...Dad is already asking me how far I've come on it and wants me to perform next month...RIGHT. His expectations are so high that if I don't meet them, I look like a lazy bum. "When are you gonna get a Grammy? Why aren't you touring? Don't you wanna perform around town at least?" Urgh.
In school news, I visited CU and got the financial aid thing worked out. Looks like it won't be the big chunk out of the bank I thought (thank God) but it still isn't cheap. I'm glad for grants and loans. I'm meeting with the music director next month to audition and ask for music scholarships. I dropped Modern Fiction due to a jerk of a professor and a series of aggravating events. My computer shut off and wouldn't start back up (whole other story) and I couldn't access my classes. I missed a small part of a large assignment that was otherwise done and the guy dropped my grade from an A to a B. I told him I didn't realize that the small portion was to be submitted and he basically said, "Too bad, I'm dropping the grade." Without a computer and having the birthday stuff going on, I was unable to submit another assignment. I emailed him to let him know and it took 6 days to get a response. By that time it was too late and he dropped me to a 64 or something and that means I couldn't get credit or pass, even if I got A's here on out. I complained to my advisor who thought the prof. was a loser and the advisor said, "Drop the class, you don't need it." So I did.
The computer is back and is now properly hooked up. Might still be something wrong in the software that makes it freeze up and give run errors and such, but at least I have something to work with. Today I used it to burn a 16 track CD of rare Tori Amos songs.
Tonight I rented Cold Creek Manor and 21 Grams so I have something to do. Besides homework.
Tomorrow I have to get up and help the guys put insulation in our roof at 7:30 am. FUN.
Did nothing today but homework and spray painting of the old door. Our cats got back from the vet today. Joey is fixed and has no front claws. Honey has no front claws. Arwen continued to bleed so they kept her. I feel like a bastard when they look at me. I never wanted Honey to have her claws taken. You can tell she's in pain. She also seems to want her daughter.
Song of the Day: "Lovesong". The original is by The Cure. Check out the versions by 311 and Tori Amos...very cool.

Stay in touch,
Steve

Good news, bad news

Hey all. The new system has arrived! It has beautiful images, fast internet, and everything I want. Unfortunately, the power button doesn't work, so I have to keep it on. I'll have to take it in to be worked on next week. The new printer that came with it also won't work, so that will be replaced. A downer to an otherwise great experience...that's my luck though. The front and back of the tower light up and look really cool. I'm thinking about cutting a shape out of the side and sliding a layer of plexiglass in so you can look into the machine. Maybe I could cut music notes out. The gutters went up today and the house looks like a complete package. Mom put in one of my windows/screen sets too, so now I can actually get air in the room without letting all the bugs in (or cats out). Speaking of which, all are getting front claws removed next week (except my Milo, who is the king and gets to keep his claws). Joey is saying buh bye to some manliness (ouch) and Arwen is getting her surgery too. Milo will LOVE the day free of 'the others'. I think I'm going to the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" tomorrow...I have a season pass so I can choose when to go. If not tomorrow, then next weekend.
Later everybody,
Steve

No computer yet

The guy who was setting up my computer took his car into the shop today so I have no new system, which has ticked me off since I took the old one apart. In order to do my class assignments, I had to set it back up (ahh) and get going with what I could. Good news-we do have Road Runner internet installed so I'll be blazing fast with communication once that's going on the new system. He'll be here tomorrow afternoon to install it. The parts we ordered weren't in so they gave us a wireless keyboard and mouse for no extra charge as well as a better video card.
I've been painting (when it's not cold or wet) the screen door and its sections of glass. I've taped and papered the glass up and have been putting white primer on. It should be back in place soon. Not sure when the guys are putting the new gutters up. We have 2 frames back in the windows and one of those has its glass and screen put back in.
Dad went techno-crazy yesterday and bought me studio software, a piece of hardware that allows me to record live, blank CDs, blank DVDs, label makers, etc. etc.
MUCH HOMEWORK TO DO...
Steve

Back in the day

To have an idea of how long it's been since we painted last, check this pic out. I couldn't get this thing to post the actual image in the blog, so just click the link.

http://imageevent.com/sbblog/blogpictures

Much News

First of all I want to say that today is a day of remembrance for me. 3 years ago today during my senior year of high school, a bus carrying our marching band home went off of a 60-foot-high bridge. Two freshman boys and a parent of one of my classmates died instantly. A couple weeks later, a classmate of mine died from injuries. A great friend had her arm broken and pelvis shattered, another had her head split open, and a few were thought to be paralyzed for life. Three years later, there have been full or near-full recoveries by all. Those that were said to be unable to walk are walking, though one needs a cane. Our prayers were answered and I'm thankful. Those freshman are now seniors and will graduate in May. As a former marching band member, it it me hard. One of the sections on that particular bus was the trombone section, my section. The one reason I quit marching band: I was terrified of travelling on the buses. It's a long, but true, story and I am thankful to God that I had that fear...after all, I'm alive. I think all three boys killed were in the trombone section.
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In a completely different note, I want to state some good news. The house painting is nearly completed. The frames are going to be back in the windows soon, allowing the glass and screens to go back as well. The gutters are ready to go up, we just have to say when. It looks beautiful and several neighbors and friends have said so. Dad is buying new carpet for the front steps which will be in before winter.
In computer news, I'm FINALLY getting a new one! The new system, already ordered, will arrive soon. It has a CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW, and floppy drive. It is running on an Intel Pentium 4 with Windows 2000 office and free software. It has 120 GB and 512 MB, so it will be blazing fast. With it comes an HP printer, multimedia keyboard, and optical mouse. The monitor is 17" and the tower comes in a "DIT Cool Case" called "E-Xtreme" black. I'll post pics if I find time and figure that out. Maybe I'll get some shots of the house too. Here's to putting an album (of some sort) out by next year. I'll keep you posted.
I'm 1/2 through week two of classes and things are going good. I always freak about homework and due dates and I need to stop. I can't make myself just relax. I find myself reading and writing in a frantic state of anxiety. Yuck.

Well, I'm gonna get to the much-loved HW, so wish me luck.
SCB

Keeping busy, staying positive

Here's what I did today: got my hair trimmed, wrote 2 outlines and summaries for chapters in my new English class, did a bit of painting on the back of the house, took my cat to the vet for shots, finished my classwork, made supper, watched part of the debate, decorated my dad's office for Halloween, watched John Kerry get pissy and lie repeatedly, and now I'm updating the blog. After this I think I'm going to the coffee shop and then for a walk. Whew!
In case you are interested, I am done with week one of classes. Everything is going quite well. I am taking online courses in Art History/Criticism, Intro. to Fiction, and Basic Nutrition. I have a good-sized workload, but I'll manage. Two of the classes are in a new setup called MyWebCT which I've never used. I'm getting used to the change, but still have adjustments to make.
Today I made my dad a list of things I want/need in a computer. If we don't go through Dell, he's going to have someone he knows set up a system for us using parts from DIT. I guess this guy set up computers for the office, so he should be good. Looks like the new one will go in my room!
Yesterday was the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and I feel that I've recieved some blessings lately, perhaps due to my devotion in this area. October is also the month in which the Church specifically celebrates the rosary.
I think I'm doing better than I have in a long time and with another slight medicine adjustment (only in doseage) I could be on my way to being my true self! Let's keep praying!
My birthday is in 2 1/2 weeks and I'm pretty excited. No one is here though, so it looks like I'll celebrate with my sisters and brother-in-law. That kinda scares me.
One week until my sister's Halloween costume party and I have yet to look for a costume. There are 2 thrift stores in town I'm going to check and if nothing turns up, I'll hit Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Oh where are my bell-bottoms?
Tomorrow I plan on doing more painting, more homework, and cleaning my dad's office building. There's also a concert happening on the campus that I hope to attend--we'll see. I'm not sure what building it's even in. I have my guesses though.
My most recent CD purchases are Jamie Cullum's "Twentysomething" and Howie Day's "Stop All the World Now". Both take a few listens before you really get into the mood of them, but they deserve a listen. You can check out music and videos of these guys on Launch, a Yahoo service. Just click the "music" link on the Yahoo main page and you'll go right there. I love their free internet radio.
I'm out--gonna see what's up around town.
Song of the Day: "Broken" by Seether feat. Amy Lee.

October has arrived and with it the cold air

Hello all. I know I don't write as much as I used to, but people don't seem to read as much either. My grandma is still here and will be leaving in a couple of days. My oldest sister was out here with her husband on Thursday and then she came out yesterday on her own to throw a Pampered Chef party hosted by my other sister. The turnout was said to be very good and people enjoyed themselves. Looks like mom has some new kitchen stuff coming her way.
I recently burned 2 of my oldest sister's CDs for myself. I now have Josh Groban's "Closer" and Celine Dion's "One Heart". Both are very good. Not everyone's style of music, but you should give them a try. I also made copies of 6 of my CDs for my sis to take, including Evanescence.
I've been invited to a Halloween party which makes me very happy that I have something fun on the schedule. I think my 2 sisters, my brother-in-law and myself are going to go as the 4 Scooby Doo characters. I'm set to be Shaggy, carrying around a large stuffed animal Scooby. I can even do the voice.
I'm feeling weird today. I slept until 2:30 pm and I'm still tired. My head is just a pile of mush that hurts from time to time. There is a bunch I want to do, but I don't feel up to any of it. As always, prayers are much appreciated.
Cheryl-I'm praying for you and your tests. I know that you will do well-just keep that smile on your face and it will all work out.
Billie, Erin, and Jay--you're in my prayers too.
Get out and vote this election! It is sooo important.
Happy feast days of St. Therese (Little Flower) and the Guardian Angels. Feast days are great for remembering all those God sent to us to help us through this life. Don't forget we all have angels around us taking care of us--it's not just a Sunday School myth. I named mine Clarence. :)
Song of the Day: "That's the Way It Is" by Celine Dion. I sang this in choir in high school...it's a good pick-me-up.
Much love,
Stephen