Thank You Bob Barker for those half days of school when I would come home and catch 15 minutes of your brilliance

Camp is going better than expected. It's mentally draining watching these kids everyday, but the funny moments make it all come together. Bob is 9 and enjoys building, girls, and taking over the world. He now believes there is a "Take Over the World Camp" in the next town, and if he acts appropriately we may take him there (yeah, my imagination started to roam after 6 hours). Today he asked me so many questions that I eventually cracked and made up the tale that I attended the "Take Over the World Camp" 3 years ago, but have hidden my powers due to the sheer destruction they have caused. We'll see where this goes the rest of the summer.

(insert 'beat it' riff)

I'm a special education counselor M-Th this summer at Nunda Township in northern Crystal Lake. We had orientation this week and I'm excited because the other 5 counselors in my group all seem like they have their heads on straight (very important when watching special ed kids 6 hours a day) and they like to have fun. Our room is un-air conditioned and without tv, gym, or playground, but we'll make the most of it. I meet the kids on Monday; should be fun.

I'm off to Naperville for the weekend tomorrow. Hang outs tomorrow night, followed by 3 events and 17 hours of work on Satuday, and rest and relaxation on Sunday.

I'm off to make mixes for the driving tomorrow. Have a good weekend, yo.

Random picture:

You gotta put a record on, yeah

As I settle down into a comfortable summer schedule I find myself vacant of books I am wanting to read. Any suggestions for summer reading? The only criteria is that it can't be a Holocaust book. Oh, and it should be good.

Corinne and I made dinner last night and I cooked chicken on the grill. I was awarded 10 man points and as soon as I cook a steak I will be updated to boy status. I need to grow up in the man department (i.e. hammering nails, putting up dry wall, drinking shitty beer) so those avid readers of Me, Myself, and Austin know that I want to shoot a gun this summer and I think that will help my manliness as well.

I'm buying my sister Guitar Hero 2 and taking her to the zoo for her birthday. It's a semi-selfish gift, but I consider myself a stellar brother.




Baby, put down the knife, sometime I wanna save your life.

I want to hypnotize you baby

Summer has officially begun. Last night was Crystal Lake's Relay for Life and my mom's team of around 14 friends raised the most money for the 3rd year in a row. Originally, a junior high in Huntley was going to be the 1st place team, but they somehow cheated and the 3rd place team called those little 12 year old pricks out (kidding, oh so much). The Relay itself was alright and gave me a chance to see some friends of my mom that I haven't seen in a while. However, they all ask the same questions and by the time 9:00pm rolled around (started at 7:00pm) I was ready to bolt. This, and the fact that everyone is either 10 years younger or 30 years older than me. A highlight of the night included talking to my 15 year old cousin for awhile and it seems he has grown up pretty fast, even though I saw him 6 months ago. I'm going to try to get him to come out to NCC next winter for a night. After 7 hours and too many conversations about the weather and gas (all anyone talks about) we headed home.

I got to see my Grandparents today as I headed up to Ringwood (McHenry area) and mowed their lawn. Nothing says summer like 2 1/2 hours on a riding lawn mower listening to White Stripes songs.

Sorry to those who get thrown off when events are not in order, but on Thursday night Nick, Corinne, and I canoed on the river behind Corinne's house WHICH MEANS that I can already cross off one of my "things to do this summer with Corinne". Nick doesn't ruin the legitimacy of this event, I think.

My sister danced in her recital today. She did well in the 2.5 minutes she was on stage. I laughed when a hip-hop group danced to Lil' John's "Get Low".

Erik Mothersbaugh - you were in my nap dream today. Consider yourself royalty.

P.S.

Corinne and I did our best Matt and Kim impersonations last night and the song can be viewed here. Enjoy "Icky Boyd".

Icky Boyd

Hey ya

Summer is finally here. I have taken my last class at NCC for 2007 and I am onto summer, followed by Asia. It has been an eventful term with lots of friendships and self-realizations, but all have made for growth and good times. I am looking forward to this summer and the events it will bring. I hope everyone had a good school year and will enjoy some time off during the summer to rejoice and re-boost. I will see you soon.

laugh

Strange happenings

Thanks for cheering me up and making me smile.

I'll be home Thursday and I start NISRA orientation on Tuesday. There's a lot of singing and dancing and most of the activities seem like things cults would do. Let's hope it doesn't end like most cults.

It's 5:45 a.m. on Friday morning and I am off to give away 4 oz. cups of coffee to strangers in Chicago. This is my life. And I wouldn't trade it.

A lot of activities planned for the weekend with a lot of good faces. I hope you are there as well.


Goals for the summer:
1) read books which aren't about the Holocaust
2) ride my bike everywhere
3) shoot a gun with Corinne (if you could help us achieve this, it would be appreciated)
4) stay up-to-date with current events
5) take more pictures

I like this list. I'm going to keep it short. A couple summers ago I made a huge list of things to do and the only one I crossed off was convert to Buddhism with Mark. And let's be honest, that wasn't legit. Google doesn't have that much power, yet.