Today was another interesting day. We apparently went into lockdown (I wasn't there... student body election assembly... seniors not applicable). Some people were on school grounds playing with airsoft guns and so the Tualatin Police ordered us into lockdown since they didn't know if they were real guns or not. Apparently we were in lockdown for about four minutes until the situation was diffused.
Then, about an hour later, we had a fire drill. So that took another 20 minutes out of our day. Let's just say that there wasn't much learning today at Tualatin High School. In Physics we did absolutly nothing, Murry, the teacher, just did his dinosaur impressions and generally freaked out a forgein exchanged student. Ahhhh, America.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Yesterday we had a pretty interesting assembly. It was called SKID (Stops Kid's Intoxicated Driving) and performed by members of our school and local law enforcement.
Second period, all juniors and seniors were called out of their classrooms and told to go to the JV football field. Along the way we saw seven cop cars in the parking lot, a couple motorcycle cops, two ambulances, and a firetruck (first of all, this would have been a REALLY good time to rob a bank). They weren't part of the show though yet.
So we get to the field and there are two car-shaped objects covered in tarp. Everyone arrives, we settle down, and they start. Kids from our school played roles, they had six kids in all. They gave a little backstory on each kid and what happened that night. It was Prom night and they went to a party afterwards. Anyways, they got smashed and decided to drive to another party. One girl didn't drink and was a bit weary.
So they hop in the car and speed off (this all done by audio over loudspeakers). Well, CRASH, oh no! They uncover the tarps and the kids are in there, bloodied up, thrown through the windshield, face down in the airbag, etc. One girl went completely through the windshield and was covered in blood. Pretty bad. Everyone is kinda like, eh, this isn't very pleasant. So then over the loudspeakers they have a few fake radio announcements, worked pretty well:
"107.1 the Buzz... we're getting a report of a crash in Tualatin along Boones Ferry Road. It appears to involve two cars and high speed, but we can't be sure. More information when we get it..." etc.
Oh, the one car full of drunk kids hit another car full of people, played by students from our school, but in the play they were just normal people.
Then all of a sudden the police cars scream up the hill and into the field, stopping and rushing out to see what going on. By this time, the drunk driver of the one car has gotten out and is stumbling about. So they retain him and begin to question him. The other people aren't moving.
Pretty soon two ambulances scream into the field, sirens blaring, medics rushing from the doors. The parents of the one girl that went through the windshield show up (there was a whole backstory of an observer recognizing the girl and calling her parents). They were played by the girl's actual parents and they did a good job. Anywho, it was pretty sad to watch. A firetruck also came, but I guess that was just for show, or if the cars burst into flames.
To rescue the kids from the other car they had to use the jaws of life (tore apart an early 90s White Taraus). They weren't moving at all. Two of them were loaded into the ambulances and drove off. Another was taken in a police SUV to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the drunk driver (sits infront of me in English) is being questioned and takes a breathilizer. Pretty soon he is cuffed and placed in the back of a police car. The girl through the windshield is dead and for the time being they just cover her with a sheet. Her parents are distraught. This whole time they have other vehicles stop at the scene, concerned people coming out and asking what happened. The police direct them away. Basically there is a lot going on and it's pretty realistic.
Suddenly we hear something overhead, and wouldn't you know, a Life Flight helicopter is circling and ready to land. It lands pretty close to the action and the wheel the last girl into there and take her away. The school and local law enforcement/emergency services really went all out for this assembly obviously.
Things slowly died down, another fake radio announcement was played, confirmed one dead and four others taken to the hospital (we don't know what happened to them, but by the looks they were pretty bad). The drunk driver is relatively unhurt and gets 10 years in jail. The end.
Anyways, it was pretty interesting, one of the better assemblies the school has put on. It put a pretty forceful message across, so let's hope everyone is smart and stays safe.
Second period, all juniors and seniors were called out of their classrooms and told to go to the JV football field. Along the way we saw seven cop cars in the parking lot, a couple motorcycle cops, two ambulances, and a firetruck (first of all, this would have been a REALLY good time to rob a bank). They weren't part of the show though yet.
So we get to the field and there are two car-shaped objects covered in tarp. Everyone arrives, we settle down, and they start. Kids from our school played roles, they had six kids in all. They gave a little backstory on each kid and what happened that night. It was Prom night and they went to a party afterwards. Anyways, they got smashed and decided to drive to another party. One girl didn't drink and was a bit weary.
So they hop in the car and speed off (this all done by audio over loudspeakers). Well, CRASH, oh no! They uncover the tarps and the kids are in there, bloodied up, thrown through the windshield, face down in the airbag, etc. One girl went completely through the windshield and was covered in blood. Pretty bad. Everyone is kinda like, eh, this isn't very pleasant. So then over the loudspeakers they have a few fake radio announcements, worked pretty well:
"107.1 the Buzz... we're getting a report of a crash in Tualatin along Boones Ferry Road. It appears to involve two cars and high speed, but we can't be sure. More information when we get it..." etc.
Oh, the one car full of drunk kids hit another car full of people, played by students from our school, but in the play they were just normal people.
Then all of a sudden the police cars scream up the hill and into the field, stopping and rushing out to see what going on. By this time, the drunk driver of the one car has gotten out and is stumbling about. So they retain him and begin to question him. The other people aren't moving.
Pretty soon two ambulances scream into the field, sirens blaring, medics rushing from the doors. The parents of the one girl that went through the windshield show up (there was a whole backstory of an observer recognizing the girl and calling her parents). They were played by the girl's actual parents and they did a good job. Anywho, it was pretty sad to watch. A firetruck also came, but I guess that was just for show, or if the cars burst into flames.
To rescue the kids from the other car they had to use the jaws of life (tore apart an early 90s White Taraus). They weren't moving at all. Two of them were loaded into the ambulances and drove off. Another was taken in a police SUV to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the drunk driver (sits infront of me in English) is being questioned and takes a breathilizer. Pretty soon he is cuffed and placed in the back of a police car. The girl through the windshield is dead and for the time being they just cover her with a sheet. Her parents are distraught. This whole time they have other vehicles stop at the scene, concerned people coming out and asking what happened. The police direct them away. Basically there is a lot going on and it's pretty realistic.
Suddenly we hear something overhead, and wouldn't you know, a Life Flight helicopter is circling and ready to land. It lands pretty close to the action and the wheel the last girl into there and take her away. The school and local law enforcement/emergency services really went all out for this assembly obviously.
Things slowly died down, another fake radio announcement was played, confirmed one dead and four others taken to the hospital (we don't know what happened to them, but by the looks they were pretty bad). The drunk driver is relatively unhurt and gets 10 years in jail. The end.
Anyways, it was pretty interesting, one of the better assemblies the school has put on. It put a pretty forceful message across, so let's hope everyone is smart and stays safe.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Something pretty funny happened at work today. At about 2:30pm, a solemn voice comes over the intercom:
"There is an all hands meeting in the cafeteria, please come as quickly as possible."
Sounds pretty bad eh? Anyways, so everyone's like "wtf?" as we go to the lunch room, wondering what drastic cutbacks in benefits/employment they are going to announce. So, we get in there, wait for everyone to come and then the President goes:
"We have some very serious and shocking news to tell you. It's not going to be easy, so that's why I wanted us all here together."
People look around uncomfortably.
"Kevin will be leaving us. He is moving back to California so he can be with his family."
Kevin is somebody in upper management, haven't really talked to him much, and I don't think he gets much contact with us minions on the floor. Anyways, please are like, "is that it"? And the answer was yes... that was it.
I mean, I'm sorry to see him go, but when they fired a bunch of people in Feburary, including my former boss, those people were people we actually cared about. Not to say people aren't going to miss him, but way to dramatize somebody leaving from upper management.
"I know this is shocking and hard to take, but it's reality," the President continues.
Maybe for him, but for most of us, we don't know him very well. Anyways, people leave all the time, but when someone from upper management goes, we all suddenly are expected to care.
Meanwhile, the weather has been really nice here lately. Sunny and in the low 70s, can't beat it.
"There is an all hands meeting in the cafeteria, please come as quickly as possible."
Sounds pretty bad eh? Anyways, so everyone's like "wtf?" as we go to the lunch room, wondering what drastic cutbacks in benefits/employment they are going to announce. So, we get in there, wait for everyone to come and then the President goes:
"We have some very serious and shocking news to tell you. It's not going to be easy, so that's why I wanted us all here together."
People look around uncomfortably.
"Kevin will be leaving us. He is moving back to California so he can be with his family."
Kevin is somebody in upper management, haven't really talked to him much, and I don't think he gets much contact with us minions on the floor. Anyways, please are like, "is that it"? And the answer was yes... that was it.
I mean, I'm sorry to see him go, but when they fired a bunch of people in Feburary, including my former boss, those people were people we actually cared about. Not to say people aren't going to miss him, but way to dramatize somebody leaving from upper management.
"I know this is shocking and hard to take, but it's reality," the President continues.
Maybe for him, but for most of us, we don't know him very well. Anyways, people leave all the time, but when someone from upper management goes, we all suddenly are expected to care.
Meanwhile, the weather has been really nice here lately. Sunny and in the low 70s, can't beat it.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/21/senate.bolton/index.html
Sorry Prez, but that's a democracy. Not everybody agrees with you that this guy is the "right one for the job." That's one the major differences between us and a dictatorship.
Okay, so maybe the guy isn't a sleezeball... but let's at least look into these allegations before we rush into something shall we? Have you learned anything from Iraq?
"President Bush urged senators Thursday to "put aside politics" and confirm John Bolton as the country's new U.N. ambassador, calling him "the right man at the right time for this important assignment."
Sorry Prez, but that's a democracy. Not everybody agrees with you that this guy is the "right one for the job." That's one the major differences between us and a dictatorship.
Okay, so maybe the guy isn't a sleezeball... but let's at least look into these allegations before we rush into something shall we? Have you learned anything from Iraq?
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
As a kind of spur of the moment type of thing I decided to go to the Blazers game tonight. It was their last game of the season and against the hated Lakers, so I was sure it would at least be interesting. I searched the Tri-Met website and decided we'd go to PGE Park and take the MAX into the Rose Garden from there. Parking would be after 6pm on the street, so that would be free, and also MAX was free. Better than paying $14 for the Rose Garden parking, yeesh.
We left around 5:20 and encountered horrible traffic trying to get into Portland. I knew southbound from Portland would be bad, but I didn't think northbound would be so bad. Anyways, we finally got through and onto 405, getting off at the PGE Park exit, and for once, not getting lost. It was 5:49 so we decided to risk the 11 minutes of unlawful free parking and boarded the MAX. It was about a 15 minute jaunt to the Rose Garden but it went by pretty fast. The MAX trains are really nice, I only wish they covered more ground.
We got to the Rose Garden and headed to the ticket booth. There were already a lot of people milling around outside for being 40 minutes before the game. The box office only had $24 dollar seats, and they were singles away from each other. We didn't want to pay that much, so we searched for guys selling tickets on the street. Didn't find any, so we decided to give in and pay $24. When we got back, all those had sold out and now the cheapest was $49. Screw that.
We then decided to go the the Portland Beavers game that was starting at 7 at PGE Park. Well, we still really wanted to go the basketball game, so we started to circle the Rose Garden looking for scalpers. We ran into one, who didn't have what we wanted, but yelled at this other guy, who came over and then ran to this other guy, who had the right tickets, and gave them to us. $15 a piece for decent nosebleeds, so that was all swell and well. For being a half hour before the game and the game being sold-out, we got lucky.
We got into the game with about 20 minutes until tipoff. The Rose Garden filled out with a sellout crowd of 19,800ish and the game started. Portland played really good the first quater and had a small lead. For once the arena wasn't dead... mostly because it was the last game and against the Lakers. The crowd was pretty loud and enthusiastic.
Second quarter went good as well, Blazers leading 59-49 going into halftime. We wanted to try and switch to better seats at halftime, but, for the first time this whole entire year, just about every one was filled. We were content with where we were though. A 31 year-old lady behind us got carded for her beer... that was kind of funny. Blazers sorta fucked up in the third quarter and lost their lead.
Fourth quarter was great. Blazers came back to take the lead, only to relenquish it, only to take it back, only to give it up... etc. Blazers were up one with about 30 seconds to go. Kryompa (Russian guy) drove and gave it off to Outlaw, who slammed it down. The crowd went beserk and it was deafening. Kobe Bryant then got an offensive foul, drawing even more cheers. From there the Blazers were able to coast to a 106-103 win.
Also, since the Blazers scored 100 points and won, we got free Chalupas at Taco Bell. A quick MAX ride after the game and we were right on the freeway headed back to suburbia. We stopped at Taco Bell to receiver our free food before heading home.
Overall it was a really fun game, glad I got an itch to go right after work when I was reading the paper. I didn't think it would sell out, and I thought we were screwed for a minute, but thankfully the scalper network came through.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
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Saturday, April 16, 2005
One of my many fans requested an update on work, so I shall do that now, as I don't have much else to say.
It's been going good. My new co-worker Kathy has fully adjusted to the new job and doing really well. Things are back to normal it seems. The best part is we get along really well and have some of the same interests. The Blazers, tennis, golf. We played tennis about a month ago (maybe more, it was right before I tried out for the team) and she was pretty good. Weather has been kinda crappy but once it clears up we're going to play a game. She also likes to golf so we might do that this summer or something.
Anyways, things are going swell, although I miss Ellyn, this is just about the best possible thing that could have happened. I could have gotten a mean, old, cranky person who hates children and life in general. But no, so phew.
One thing I won't miss about Ellyn was Rush Limbaugh playing in the morning, followed by Lars Larson at noon, followed by Tony Snow after that. Holy fucking shit I was about to take a gun to my head. That's what drove me to bring my headset to work so I could blast Air America to cover the filth coming out of her speakers. Oh Mr. Al Franken, thou hast saved me (sorry, we're reading Much Ado About Nothing).
Oh, and don't see "Sahara." It's terrible, seriously. Well, not the worst, but not worth the $8.25 price of admission. Wait till video if you have to see it.
It's been going good. My new co-worker Kathy has fully adjusted to the new job and doing really well. Things are back to normal it seems. The best part is we get along really well and have some of the same interests. The Blazers, tennis, golf. We played tennis about a month ago (maybe more, it was right before I tried out for the team) and she was pretty good. Weather has been kinda crappy but once it clears up we're going to play a game. She also likes to golf so we might do that this summer or something.
Anyways, things are going swell, although I miss Ellyn, this is just about the best possible thing that could have happened. I could have gotten a mean, old, cranky person who hates children and life in general. But no, so phew.
One thing I won't miss about Ellyn was Rush Limbaugh playing in the morning, followed by Lars Larson at noon, followed by Tony Snow after that. Holy fucking shit I was about to take a gun to my head. That's what drove me to bring my headset to work so I could blast Air America to cover the filth coming out of her speakers. Oh Mr. Al Franken, thou hast saved me (sorry, we're reading Much Ado About Nothing).
Oh, and don't see "Sahara." It's terrible, seriously. Well, not the worst, but not worth the $8.25 price of admission. Wait till video if you have to see it.
Monday, April 11, 2005
So, after reading Mike's interesting post, I'm going to have to rant about something.
Today's Topic:
Gas station lines and how people are stupid.
Okay, so let me set the scene. Gas is really high right now... that tends to happen when you buy most your gas from the other side of the world from a family that supports terrorism, but that's a whole other issue. It's in the $2.30-2.40 range, which is just about as high as its been (got close the last "hike").
In Tualatin there are two gas stations right next to each other... a "Shell" station and a "FastTrack" pump. Shell gas was $2.399, FastTrack was $2.3599, so it was four cents less. It normally is about three or four cents, so nothing out of the ordinary. Except that fact there was a HUGE line of cars waiting to get gas there. We're talking about ten cars infront of you to get to a pump. Meanwhile, the Shell station has very little activity, a few people are getting gas.
What people fail to realize is that four cents is NOTHING. How many gallons are you going to buy? Let's go with 15, which is high for a lot of people, low for some, but right about in the middle. Okay, 15 gallons times four more cents per gallon.. that's sixty cents! I knew this calculus stuff would come in handy. So you save sixty cents by going to the FastTrack.
Sixty cents. How much of a gallon is that? At 2.35 a gallon that's... .255 gallons. A quarter of a gallon. But, to get that extra .255 gallons, how much do you use? I wouldn't doubt if those people are in line for 20-30 minutes. I'm pretty sure, even though their engine is idle, they're going to burn that much. They were just sitting there, polluting the air to save a few cents.
Okay, stop being such a hippie Thomas you say. I realize some people might be on a really tight budget... but then again, how much gas are you wasting in line? Turn off your engine and restart it everytime someone moves, fine. I don't know how much gas that takes, but how valuble is your time? Anyways, yeesh people, it's simple math. Petrol is really high, but four cents isn't going to break the bank.
In other news, the Blazers actually won last night! It was against the worst team in the NBA, but hey, a win is a win! I really hope they lose out so we get a good lottery pick.
I've also been selected to go to FBLA Nationals because #1,2,4,5,6, and 7 defaulted their spots. I might go, it would be $500 out of my pocket because my parents will pay half. It's in Orlando and I'd get to go to all the theme parks and beaches though, so it might be fun. I have to decide by tomorrow. Yay!
Also, I bet you're wondering why I said petrol. You reread it a couple of times and said "wtf" in your head. Don't deny it.
Today's Topic:
Gas station lines and how people are stupid.
Okay, so let me set the scene. Gas is really high right now... that tends to happen when you buy most your gas from the other side of the world from a family that supports terrorism, but that's a whole other issue. It's in the $2.30-2.40 range, which is just about as high as its been (got close the last "hike").
In Tualatin there are two gas stations right next to each other... a "Shell" station and a "FastTrack" pump. Shell gas was $2.399, FastTrack was $2.3599, so it was four cents less. It normally is about three or four cents, so nothing out of the ordinary. Except that fact there was a HUGE line of cars waiting to get gas there. We're talking about ten cars infront of you to get to a pump. Meanwhile, the Shell station has very little activity, a few people are getting gas.
What people fail to realize is that four cents is NOTHING. How many gallons are you going to buy? Let's go with 15, which is high for a lot of people, low for some, but right about in the middle. Okay, 15 gallons times four more cents per gallon.. that's sixty cents! I knew this calculus stuff would come in handy. So you save sixty cents by going to the FastTrack.
Sixty cents. How much of a gallon is that? At 2.35 a gallon that's... .255 gallons. A quarter of a gallon. But, to get that extra .255 gallons, how much do you use? I wouldn't doubt if those people are in line for 20-30 minutes. I'm pretty sure, even though their engine is idle, they're going to burn that much. They were just sitting there, polluting the air to save a few cents.
Okay, stop being such a hippie Thomas you say. I realize some people might be on a really tight budget... but then again, how much gas are you wasting in line? Turn off your engine and restart it everytime someone moves, fine. I don't know how much gas that takes, but how valuble is your time? Anyways, yeesh people, it's simple math. Petrol is really high, but four cents isn't going to break the bank.
In other news, the Blazers actually won last night! It was against the worst team in the NBA, but hey, a win is a win! I really hope they lose out so we get a good lottery pick.
I've also been selected to go to FBLA Nationals because #1,2,4,5,6, and 7 defaulted their spots. I might go, it would be $500 out of my pocket because my parents will pay half. It's in Orlando and I'd get to go to all the theme parks and beaches though, so it might be fun. I have to decide by tomorrow. Yay!
Also, I bet you're wondering why I said petrol. You reread it a couple of times and said "wtf" in your head. Don't deny it.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Saturday, April 09, 2005
http://www.zolknetwork.com/misc/thomas/rpwebpage/
A little webpage I had to create for our research project in Physics II. Nice color scheme eh?
Not much happened this week, it went pretty fast. Weather cleared up a few days and I was able to play twice with the idiot:
We played both of those times at Atfalati Park, which is pretty nice. The tennis courts are behind this big hill and you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere (except for the roar of I-5 in the background... but you just pretend its a river).
Blazers and Mariners suck... what's new. Both OSU baseball and softball are nationally ranked and having their best seasons in school history. Baseball is #17 or something in the nation and moving up. Softball has won 20-something straight and is #12. Tualatin softball is ranked #3 in state and look pretty good despite that we have about nobody that was on the team last year. Baseball sucks, they lost 1-28 to West Linn.
A little webpage I had to create for our research project in Physics II. Nice color scheme eh?
Not much happened this week, it went pretty fast. Weather cleared up a few days and I was able to play twice with the idiot:
6-4, 6-3
&
6-3, 6-2
&
6-3, 6-2
We played both of those times at Atfalati Park, which is pretty nice. The tennis courts are behind this big hill and you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere (except for the roar of I-5 in the background... but you just pretend its a river).
Blazers and Mariners suck... what's new. Both OSU baseball and softball are nationally ranked and having their best seasons in school history. Baseball is #17 or something in the nation and moving up. Softball has won 20-something straight and is #12. Tualatin softball is ranked #3 in state and look pretty good despite that we have about nobody that was on the team last year. Baseball sucks, they lost 1-28 to West Linn.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Well, been pretty busy the past few days with FBLA (Future Busniess Leaders of Amercia), so I'll tell you all about it.
The annual State Leadership Conference was held Sunday-Tuesday at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach. That is one huge ass hotel. Anyways, there's no actual leadership involved, you just basically take a one hour test of a subject and see how you do. That's all FBLA is... basically its fun because you get to skip school, stay in a hotel, and hang out all day.
Bus left for the hotel on Sunday at 1:30pm, but I drove myself cause I had to go to work on Monday. Anywho, I left about 3:00 heh heh heh. We had the "opening session" at 4:00 where they basically overview what will be happening and not to be idiots in the hotel. Like that would help. Anyways, it was huge this year again, about 1600 students from all across the state were there. Tualatin managed to truck in 124 of them, so a good chunk of the school was absent.
Stayed in a hotel room with Kenny and another guy. It had a mini fridge, unlike everyone else's (bling), so we stocked it with Gatoraide and food. Oh yes. Anyways the rest of Sunday was spent just hanging out and going out to dinner. There's actually a few good places in that area, so we walked to Newport Bay and had dinner. It was expensive, but good. Plus, we're stupid little white suburban kids and our parents were paying for it.
Monday was "event day". You could do your test anywhere from 8-12 or 2-4:30. We woke up at 10:00 and I went and took an Economics test. The line was pretty big, I had to wait 30 minutes just to get into the testing room, which itself was huge. Probably held 200 kids at a time. Anyways, that test wasn't too bad, but there was a lot of stuff I guessed on. Didn't think I placed in the top 10 (those people get awards).
Then I went to work at about 12:30 and stayed there for a couple of hours. That was fun as usual, no need to elaborate.
Came back and took an Accouting II test. I signed up for it last minute because I knew how to do it (in Accounting II) and I knew I was fucked in Economics. Anyways, it was actually pretty basic so I didn't labor too much. A few tough questions were I just guessed. That's the great thing about FBLA, it doesn't matter how you do, not like you're graded. So basically, you don't have to care. Some people take it very seriously of course, studying hard, but who the hell wants to do that?
Anyways, testing over we ordered pizza to watch the NCAA basketball championship. We got the 5-5-5 Deal from Dominos, five medium pizzas for five bucks each. Also stocked up on the beverages and chips of course. Watched a really entertaining game between North Carolina and Illinios, which the Tar Heels coming out on top. That's the team I wanted to win, so I was happy. We then attended a little desert thing, where they awarded prizes for advisor of the year and stuff. Brownies were gooooood.
Next day woke up at 7 because the awards session was at 8. They call 10 people up to the stage for each event, award 10th place, then 9th place, then 8th place, and so on. Anyways, Accounting II came up fairly quick and I was actually called up. Last of the ten names of course, but it was all good and well. Ended up getting 8th, which was pretty damn good for not even studying or really knowing I was going to take it. I didn't place in Economics, but I couldn't really care less. Made two bucks off my friend, betting he would get in the top ten of his event. He thought he sucked and bet against himself... he got 3rd.
Once that was over, I came home and wrote a huge essay. Finally went to school today to find the whole school had basically shut down while we were gone (Choir was in Canada as well). So I didn't miss much and had a fun time.
The annual State Leadership Conference was held Sunday-Tuesday at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach. That is one huge ass hotel. Anyways, there's no actual leadership involved, you just basically take a one hour test of a subject and see how you do. That's all FBLA is... basically its fun because you get to skip school, stay in a hotel, and hang out all day.
Bus left for the hotel on Sunday at 1:30pm, but I drove myself cause I had to go to work on Monday. Anywho, I left about 3:00 heh heh heh. We had the "opening session" at 4:00 where they basically overview what will be happening and not to be idiots in the hotel. Like that would help. Anyways, it was huge this year again, about 1600 students from all across the state were there. Tualatin managed to truck in 124 of them, so a good chunk of the school was absent.
Stayed in a hotel room with Kenny and another guy. It had a mini fridge, unlike everyone else's (bling), so we stocked it with Gatoraide and food. Oh yes. Anyways the rest of Sunday was spent just hanging out and going out to dinner. There's actually a few good places in that area, so we walked to Newport Bay and had dinner. It was expensive, but good. Plus, we're stupid little white suburban kids and our parents were paying for it.
Monday was "event day". You could do your test anywhere from 8-12 or 2-4:30. We woke up at 10:00 and I went and took an Economics test. The line was pretty big, I had to wait 30 minutes just to get into the testing room, which itself was huge. Probably held 200 kids at a time. Anyways, that test wasn't too bad, but there was a lot of stuff I guessed on. Didn't think I placed in the top 10 (those people get awards).
Then I went to work at about 12:30 and stayed there for a couple of hours. That was fun as usual, no need to elaborate.
Came back and took an Accouting II test. I signed up for it last minute because I knew how to do it (in Accounting II) and I knew I was fucked in Economics. Anyways, it was actually pretty basic so I didn't labor too much. A few tough questions were I just guessed. That's the great thing about FBLA, it doesn't matter how you do, not like you're graded. So basically, you don't have to care. Some people take it very seriously of course, studying hard, but who the hell wants to do that?
Anyways, testing over we ordered pizza to watch the NCAA basketball championship. We got the 5-5-5 Deal from Dominos, five medium pizzas for five bucks each. Also stocked up on the beverages and chips of course. Watched a really entertaining game between North Carolina and Illinios, which the Tar Heels coming out on top. That's the team I wanted to win, so I was happy. We then attended a little desert thing, where they awarded prizes for advisor of the year and stuff. Brownies were gooooood.
Next day woke up at 7 because the awards session was at 8. They call 10 people up to the stage for each event, award 10th place, then 9th place, then 8th place, and so on. Anyways, Accounting II came up fairly quick and I was actually called up. Last of the ten names of course, but it was all good and well. Ended up getting 8th, which was pretty damn good for not even studying or really knowing I was going to take it. I didn't place in Economics, but I couldn't really care less. Made two bucks off my friend, betting he would get in the top ten of his event. He thought he sucked and bet against himself... he got 3rd.
Once that was over, I came home and wrote a huge essay. Finally went to school today to find the whole school had basically shut down while we were gone (Choir was in Canada as well). So I didn't miss much and had a fun time.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Couple interesting piece of news today:
1) New turf at Reser Stadium! They will be ripping out the old AstroTurf 2000 and will be replacing it with Field Turf. I know the AstroTurf was crap compared to the newer stuff, but it actually gave OSU a slight advantage as teams were not used to the surface (not very common). The new FieldTurf, the best availible at the moment will reduce injuries and attract recruits though, so it will help.
1a) Also, by the picture on the website, the field will look different sytlistically:
It essentially looks the same except that the endzones will be black instead of orange. This was probably done to reduce the effect of the colors fading. The current orange endzones are now more of a pink "salmon" color. Though I don't think it looks bad, I like the orange better. Orange out in the stands, orange on the field. Oh well. By that picture they also seem to be keeping the Beaver logo streching from 40 to 40, which I like... nice and big. Most team logos only go from the 45 to 45, and the bigger, the better.
See how pretty orange is?
2) The installation of the turf means the annual Spring Game will be held in Portland at PGE Park. So.... I will get to go. Giggity giggity allright. I will be most interested in three positions... the new QB, RB and CBs. The rest of the team looks pretty solid, but the Beavers will need people to step up in these areas. I predict these starters vs. PSU:
QB- Matt Moore
RB- Yvenson Bernard (JT Walker after in season after suspension)
We'll see, a long way to go.
Actually watched the WHOLE Blazer game tonight. First time this whole year I've done it. They played really good against the division leading Sonics on the road... way underhanded... had a lead with about 4:00 minutes to go in the game... and fucked it up. As usual. They need to lose out so they can have the #1 lottery pick. Really no names like LebBron out there this year though. Maybe the center from Utah... I dunno.
1) New turf at Reser Stadium! They will be ripping out the old AstroTurf 2000 and will be replacing it with Field Turf. I know the AstroTurf was crap compared to the newer stuff, but it actually gave OSU a slight advantage as teams were not used to the surface (not very common). The new FieldTurf, the best availible at the moment will reduce injuries and attract recruits though, so it will help.
1a) Also, by the picture on the website, the field will look different sytlistically:
It essentially looks the same except that the endzones will be black instead of orange. This was probably done to reduce the effect of the colors fading. The current orange endzones are now more of a pink "salmon" color. Though I don't think it looks bad, I like the orange better. Orange out in the stands, orange on the field. Oh well. By that picture they also seem to be keeping the Beaver logo streching from 40 to 40, which I like... nice and big. Most team logos only go from the 45 to 45, and the bigger, the better.
See how pretty orange is?
2) The installation of the turf means the annual Spring Game will be held in Portland at PGE Park. So.... I will get to go. Giggity giggity allright. I will be most interested in three positions... the new QB, RB and CBs. The rest of the team looks pretty solid, but the Beavers will need people to step up in these areas. I predict these starters vs. PSU:
QB- Matt Moore
RB- Yvenson Bernard (JT Walker after in season after suspension)
We'll see, a long way to go.
Actually watched the WHOLE Blazer game tonight. First time this whole year I've done it. They played really good against the division leading Sonics on the road... way underhanded... had a lead with about 4:00 minutes to go in the game... and fucked it up. As usual. They need to lose out so they can have the #1 lottery pick. Really no names like LebBron out there this year though. Maybe the center from Utah... I dunno.
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