Looking Back

In the last few weeks I've ventured back to this unattended creation of mine and stumbled across the various mussing of my past 3 and a half years. It's fascinating to see how things have changed, both with myself and my situation. I joined Blogger back in October of 2006 due to the constant prodding of church friends. This short-lived blogging sensation preempted the Facebook boom and was a chance to network among a small and already close youth group. As other social sites gained popularity and the strains of actually having to post something thinned the ranks of the blog faithful, I attempted to hang on. I was initially hostile to the idea of creating a blog because I knew it was a fad, but I justified the action as a way to catalog my thoughts against the backdrop of time and interact even more with high-school companions. Although interaction has become nonexistent, I'm able to take a look back at my development so to speak, and I've noticed a few things...


-I was obstinately subjective:
Granted, I would rarely post on something unless I was relatively sure of myself, but from my current perspective, I can't help but shake my head. I could chalk most of it up to the innocence of inexperience and the tendency of talking heads to spout controversy for the sake of shock value and an increased following. I'm aware that young adults tend to adopt a very relative thought process and world view and I'll admit that I've reveled in such a state for the last couple years. I don't see myself growing out of it anytime soon though. I'm always willing to change and take on the perspective of that next daisy chain of maturity; the one elders always warn you about. I've already seen the trend take shape; I'm becoming more like my dad everyday. However, I wonder if my general "understanding" for the diversity of humanity will become permanent, both with myself and my generation as a whole. Doesn't increased interaction often bread greater appreciation? I can't claim that I won't ever take a stand for or against something, but perhaps my statements won't be so impetuous.

I've gotten better at writing:
It's always been a strength of mine and I've always enjoyed stretching my creations to the limit, but some of my early work was downright childish. It's a lesson learned on constantly improving skill sets and a humbling reminder that I'll probably be reading this in twenty years with similar disdain; my apologies to myself. (What travesties have you caught already?) What's truly sad is that I usually slaved over these posts, endlessly attempting to perfect my vocabulary, sentence structure, and persuasive style. I would often triple check my spelling and grammar and blatant errors still slipped by somehow. It's rather pathetic since I rarely scan my academic work with the same ferocity. I guess that's an indication of my obsession with how I'm perceived. Hmm...

I've never required an audience:
Regardless of readership, I always seem to trudge on in penning my elongated posts. I'm not too surprised. From the very beginning, I pledged to continue this project with little regard for how those around me performed. In my childhood heyday, I could spot fads coming from a mile away and I had a bizarre ability to preempt the crash of said phenomenon and make out like a bandit. I was able to sell my decently sized pokemon card collection (all of which were given to me, I never bought a single card) for about $20, right before their value tanked. I've become accustom to the chilling vacancy of my blogosphere with the exception to the occasional spam comment and I'd be content if things stayed that way. The only thing which has prevented my posting consistency is the lack of time. Although, I'd love to construct a weekly update the speed of my writing and the prevalence of more pressing (and social) activities thwarts my steadiness. I've grown to accept my erratic nature and my promises to change that are probably a distant memory. Whatever you get here, consider it a miracle.

How jarring would it have been to know that within 4 years Jake Box and most of the youth would have left Southwest, I'd be attending a school I had previously found pathetic (and still do to an extent), I'd thoroughly enjoy the company of my family, and I'd be writing a blog from snow-drenched Washington DC? Where I wonder will I find myself in another 7 semesters? Here's hoping I'll still be around to report on the latest happenings. Until that time blog, let's catch up sooner rather than later.

Life Generally Gets Sucky

Wow, three weeks in and I've already killed my weekly routine, but it seems like I'm on par with everyone else. Guess everyone was as busy as me. Oh and by the way... school generally sucks right now. I try, much like Box, to get a post up on Monday each week. Which is really the start of the week, not Sunday. (If only I were God or some such thing as that) This week was the accumulation of all that is wrong with the world. (Not really I'm in the pity party mood; who wants an invitation?) It was really more of the accumulation of of a bunch a homework deadlines that make me feel warm inside, which, in turn, causes me to sweat profusely.

The first round of college applications swung around this week and I spent the majority of Monday and Tuesday throwing together forms, transcripts and essays... sigh. This in turn, thoroughly screwed up the rest of the week as I desperately tried to play catch up. One thing led to the next and I soon found myself burning both ends of the candle last Thursday night/Friday morning in a desperate attempt to leave Saturday open for relaxation with friends and a night of partying/murdering.

Of course Saturday afternoon I got word that my friend, who was quite exited about coming, had been gotten the best of by a wave of allergies and couldn't even tell me in person that he couldn't attend. Once again... sigh... I still had a speech to prep for on Monday and to say the least, I staggered into this week with quite a limp along with slight feeling of defeat.

So what? Every once and a while, life gives ya a solid roundhouse kick to the face and I'll take the liberty of saying that we usually don't like it too much. Life's tough enough in the first place, so why spend all your time worrying about the future. I learned this in my Junior year, where I was gasping for air every week with no end in sight. I was sick of it, I spent so much time trying to control everything that I accomplished nothing, which, in turn, brought on the wicked side effect of depression. I hate to say it but I told God to go suck an egg and leave me alone! I can handle my own... I can't tell you how many times I've tried to shove God out. I do it without even thinking, it's almost subconscious, as if there's a part of me that wants to glorify myself. Hey what da ya know...

I've gotten better at catching myself and crawling back to God with the look of a 5 year old with his hand stuck in the cookie jar. It's not a great feeling, but its so short lived and the after affect is what I've been missing. I still give my best effort and learn from my mistakes but I let God worry about the future. (Since he's the only one that can really do anything about it) The work is still there, but there's a joy along side it because I know it will work out regardless of my efforts. So simple, but so profound. (by the way, this weekend was great. I still got to catch a movie with a friend and attend a killer party [cheesy goodness!] and at least I wasn't stuck at home with allergies)

A Few Things I Think I Think-
>I think Monday should be considered the start of the week. None of the Sunday stuff. Everyone knows that the week starts on the dreary Monday morning and doesn't get good until that liberating Friday afternoon. The same should be said for the new year. It should start in August when all that drudgery starts. I shouldn't complain too much though, all that drudgery is hopefully getting me to college.

>I don't think I understand why TV networks start shows in the middle of seasons. Where did the OC come from? Here I go thinking that these series's are rightfully gone for good and they make a entrance from out of nowhere. Then again, why should I care. I've only seen like half an episode, which is the same for about every other series out there except the Office.

>I think its getting pretty stupid how these animated kids movies are copying each other. From my count there have been 3 ant movies, 2 mouse movies, 2 zoo animal movies, and 2 penguin movies. The stories are tweaked a bit, but its beyond a coincidence anymore. These movies are cash cows and I guess the studios don't think they need much originality. The kids will drag their parents to the theaters regardless. Cha-ching.

Sports Center-
I can remember the days when I would literally cry when the Cowboys would loose a regular season game by a late field goal. But today, something deep inside me wants it to happen. I know, I know Jake I'm the worst fan ever, but for the last 3-4 years the Boys have pretty much sucked. They have talent, but they have developed the uncanny ability to loose games they should win in the most amazing ways possible. No example could be better than last weeks loss to the Washington Redskins. (hooray for Phil and his clan; why isn't Taylor ever online by the way?) I won't dabble in the specifics, but Dallas gave away that game in so many ways. When the final kick passed through the uprights, I couldn't stop laughing; they had done it again. The best explanation for my sick little obsession is that I dislike the team; the players, the coaches, THE OWNER! There are a few guys like Julius Jones, Roy Williams and Terry Glenn that I generally like, but ever since the exodus of the big three long ago, I haven't liked the team. So some part of me always likes to see them eat it good.

As for this week I'm still not going to analyze this train wreck; Just make a blind prediction. Dallas 34 Arizona 12

The Horns finally got a good thumping out of their conference schedule. I see them doing the same against the formerly great KSU. Texas 38 Kansas State 17

Welcome back to earth Aggies. Have fun thinking you were a good team? You've had spurts of greatness but need I remind you of your incomparable coach. Good thing y'all are hosting Nebraska, a team that also has spurts of greatness amongst a wasteland of mediocrity. What the heck, the 12th mam will pull through in this one.
Texas A&M 19 Nebraska 16

(don't go bonkers just yet, you won't be winning any championships anytime soon) Speaking of Championships, guess what I stumbled upon on YouTube. Probably one of the craziest sports videos ever. Yup, it's the Aggies winning. Box and Baker can enjoy this for its sports value, but I love this video because of the insane announcer's call. This guy's a psycho and from what I can tell, he must suffer from extreme mood swings and a impeccably small vocabulary. I've never heard such a change in emotion as he crosses the goal line. It's a classic. In fact, lets just make it the vid of the week.

Video of the Week-A&M Big 12 Champs (Ohh Doctor! I've just been injected with pure sugar and it's kicking in!)


My pickoff record (9-7) If you want to mock me Jake, then make some picks of your own.

Louisville 27 Rutgers 29-Just because I want it doesn't it make it so?

Tennessee 14 Arkansas 17-I guess it's the worse of two evils.

USC 31 Oregon 32-Replay help or no, go Ducks!

Houston 13 Jacksonville 28-Can I hype Super Mario any more?

San Diego 28 Cincinnati 31-Two underachieving teams here.

St. Louis 20 Seattle 24-Yes I do believe in Seneca Wallace

Chicago 19 New York 15-This'll be a good one.

Hope your life doesn't suck too much lately -Later