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January 20, 2007

The Scrubs Musical

Troyan and I shared some thoughts on the latest episode of Scrubs, which was shot almost entirely as a musical. Scott liked it from the get-go, but I wasn't so sure. It was one of those things, I guess, where you were either going to like it or you weren't. Mark fell squarely into the latter, but again, I wasn't so sure.

At first I really hated it. It wasn't funny to me; the gags were lame and the songs (lyrically, anyway) were even lamer. But as the show went on, I kind of started to dig it. Definitely not a favorite episode of mine, but not too bad... especially when compared to the rest of this season so far.

Also- Scott, if you ever talk about former true freshman Juice Williams like that again, I'll cut you.

January 9, 2007

Without A Doubt The Coolest Thing Ever To Happen. Ever.

The new Apple iPhone was unveiled today. You can bet your ass I'll be trying to get my hands on this. 8 GB iPod, 2.0 megapixel camera, widescreen video, touchscreen menus, and the ability to listen to whichever voicemail messages you want to, skipping the ones you don't. This passes the discovery of fire as the best thing that has ever happened to mankind.

January 3, 2007

Virgil Goode Seems Like A Moron To Me

In one of the first "I can't even believe this is an issue" moments of 2007, Virgil Goode, a Representative from Virginia, is making a big stink about Keith Ellison performing his swearing-in ceremony on Thomas Jefferson's version of the Koran. Says Goode:

"I believe that the overwhelming majority of voters in my district would prefer the use of the Bible," the Virginia Republican told Fox News, and then went on to warn about what he regards as the dangers of Muslims immigrating to the United States and Muslims gaining elective office.
Mike Halbrook pointed out that he didn't even think that they technically swear in on any book, but instead in a collective swearing-in ceremony. In any case, Virgil Goode: you seem like a moron to me.

January 2, 2007

The Year That Was- The Best of 2006

As the second day of 2007 comes to a close, it occurs to me that I never did finish my year in review. So, as I sit in the kitchen listening to the end of the M*A*S*H* series finale (an episode that never ceases to completely amaze me), I'll do my best to do 2006, the year that was both incredible and simple, the justice it so very much deserves.

  • Greg Gets Into Illinois/ Greg and I Sign A Lease: After bouncing around for the entirety of his college career, Greg finally decided to settle down at the Fighting Illini institution, and I couldn't be happier. Well, I guess I could if Carl and Mike had ended up here, too, but it wasn't to be. In any case, Greg and I signed a lease on a nice apartment a few blocks from the Quad. Parties in 2007-2008? I think so.
  • NOAC 2006: In late July, Mike Halbrook, Dan Reid, and I set out on a road trip that would take us through Chicago the the lackluster city of East Lansing, Michigan. We accomplished tasks the magnitude of which I thought weren't possible- the likes of which may never happen again. In three days, Dan designed, I coded, and Mike engineered an amazing online community for the National Order of the Arrow Shows Committee. It was an absolutely awesome effort. And the trip was even better, eventually ending with a traipse through Notre Dame.
  • I Finally Break Into the 3.0 GPA Range: For the first time since high school, my grades surpassed the high 2.0 range and breached the 3s. It seems that the black mark left by my first two years in college may have finally started to diminish.
  • The Krannert Promotion: This fall, I was given a promotion at Krannert. What does this mean? It means that I now have to wear the stupid vest and bowtie approximately 50% less often than I used to.
  • The Kiefers Get Married: Of the three cousins in my familial era, it looks like I'm the last one to get married. Bad thing? Good thing? I can't quite say. However, I couldn't be happier for the cousins, especially Kenny- his wife and he are expecting a baby.
  • Christmas at Music Biz: Anybody who talked to me over break knows that my highlight was the brief stint I enjoyed at Music Biz again. It's truly amazing to have a job to come home to that you like. Unfortunately, it looks like it may be the last year for the Jameson's employment at the Biz.
  • Carl Gets Accepted Into University of Louisiana: Good for him, bad for us. Carl, whom I seldom see as it is, moves farther south than I would probably care to. Best of luck to Carl.
  • Mike Hargiss Heads to Arizona: Another one of the good things that happened that wasn't necessarily a good thing to me. I miss Mike tons.
  • Foxfire Launches: The world's premier advertising agency enjoyed a nice year, launching in the early summer. Expect great things from the scrappy young lads.
  • Associate Adviser jameson O'Guinn: After turning 21, I was no longer eligible to serve as a youth in the Order of the Arrow. Bill Caine and Pat Martchink were both nice enough to keep Greg Wilke and myself on as Associate Advisers. The next year is our true test, and I can't wait to open the new chapter in my Boy Scout career.
  • Ryan Yepsen, Dan Reid, Kris Klaustermeier, and Brian Coalson Get Engaged (Not to each other): Congrats to four of the nicest and most sincere people I have ever met. Nobody deserves it more than these guys.
  • Russ Bresnahan Wins Region Chief: I guess this could technically be 2005 news, but he did such an awesome job in 2006 that it earns a spot here. I'm really proud of him.
  • The Trip to Philadelphia: In the summer, the family took a trip to Pennsylvania, the highlight of which was the day that we spent in Philadelphia. We took a tour through Lincoln Financial Field, ate an authentic cheesesteak, saw more Ben Franklin memorabilia than should be legal, met up with Scott Troyan, and saw a reenactment of the first time the Declaration of Independence was read. All in all, it was the coolest trip I think I've ever been on.
As I end this list of the best of 2006, I'm thinking about all the things that I've missed. If you think of any, good or bad, feel free to drop me a note.

As for 2007, I can only hope that it's as good as 2006 was. The moments through which I have lived this year were truly incredible. Thanks to all of you who have been there for me and with me through the good times and the bad this past year; you're all priceless to me.