Merry Christmas to all! I tried to post last night but came home to Cambridge to find out nothing Time Warner related was working. No television and no internet. Grr. Thankfully, it was back up today but not in time for me to watch “A Christmas Story.”

Christmas Eve Service last night was stressful. There were tons of changes made at the last minute making it incredibly difficult for Ed (the sound guy) and I (the video guy) to have everything working the way it should. For all the stress and chaos beforehand, it turned out to be good. By the end of it we were just glad it was over.

Today we opened gifts at home and then at my uncles. My Grandpa made it out which I think was the best gift any of us could have asked for considering his health. I received a lot of things I can use for the apartment and stuff like that.

Before I left my house to come back to my apartment I attempted to fix my mom’s computer. It won’t even turn on. I’m guessing it’s the power supply which should be an easy fix since it’s under warranty. I hooked her old one up to use for now until the other one is fixed.

I’m going to finish putting things away and probably get some sleep. Merry Christmas!

Finally, I’m done with finals and slowly moving into my new apartment.  I had my last final yesterday for Linear Algebra and apparently did very well.  Why?  Because I just checked my grades and got an A in the class!   After all the terrible math classes I’ve had to sit through all of my life, it’s nice to finish on top.  To get an A in my final math class is indescribable.

I went to the basketball game last night to play in the Pep Band since Bock needed help.  It wasn’t too bad.  I figured since it was Cambridge/Meadowbrook that it would be a good game.  False.  Meadowbrook pwned Cambridge by about 30 points.  Of all the Cambridge basketball games I’ve been to, that was by far the worst.

I spent my first night at the apartment last night.  Not too bad.  I realized some other things that I need here that I don’t have yet.  But it’s going good so far.

There hasn’t been much important news to update with recently. Family came up yesterday for the usual Thanksgiving Dinner. It was good as always.

The big news recently has been that in about two short weeks, Andy and I will move into our new apartment in New Concord. While the reaction has been mixed, I’m sure it’s going to be great. Location couldn’t be better. It’s right behind Circle K and about a 5 minute walk to Boyd Science Center (where I work and have most of my classes). Living near campus will save having to drive in the snow all winter and the money that goes into gas. We can begin moving in December 2nd but I probably won’t move too much until finals are over.

College basketball has finally started.  I’m eager to forget about the terrible Notre Dame season so it has been a long wait.  Duke is undefeated thus far.  Furthermore, they look amazing.  Most analysts don’t see them doing great this year but so far they’ve been proving them wrong.

Amazingly, this semester is almost over. Two more weeks of classes followed by finals. If I continue to be as lazy about updating as I have recently, maybe my next post will be from the comfort of my new apartment…

Tomorrow night I get to go with Tera to the Cleveland Cavaliers regular season opener against the Dallas Mavericks.  She got the tickets from her boss who apparently couldn’t make it that night.  They’re supposed to be great seats so I’m pumped.  I’ve only been to one other Cavs game in the past and the seats we had were by far what you would call “nose bleed” seats.  This game will also be special because they will be raising the Eastern Conference Championship banner from last year.  I can’t think of a better way to spend Halloween.

Besides that everything else has been about the same as always.  I’ve been pretty busy with classes and trying to keep up with football.  It has definitely been one of the best seasons to watch due to the parity.  I wish every season was so unpredictable.

I spent a lot of time last weekend making out my schedule for not only next semester, but for the rest of my college career.  I think I have it mostly figured out but who knows what will change.  Next semester is set though.  I’ll be taking Algorithms and Data Structures, Computer Architecture, and Computer Graphics for my Computer Science major.  I will also finally get my last science class in:  Geology.  That shouldn’t be too bad but I HATE science with a passion (well, except for Computer Science of course).  Symphonic Winds and my Euph lesson with Bock will also carry over into next semester and potentially all of next year.  My final class will be African-American Religion.  That’s where it gets interesting.  I searched and searched for classes that would fit my schedule and were upper level to count towards my credits.  That seemed to be the only one that would fit.  With that in mind, I also realized that I may be able to wrap up a religion minor in the next year.  I’ve already had a few religion courses and apparently the minor does not require too many hours, so I’ll have to look into that.

Time to continue studying.  Have a great Halloween!

Finally, this week of classes and exams is over.  I’m not quite sure how I feel about it.  I think I did alright on most of my exams but I won’t know for sure until probably next week.  Regardless, it’s over and I’m done worrying about it for now.  Time to enjoy a 4 day weekend.

Tera’s friend Luke has been in town most of the week so she’s been busy hanging out with him.  Since I wasn’t busy studying for once, I went bowling with them and a couple other people last night.  I bowled amazing my first game but after that it was all down hill.  Scott and I had to do a lot of heavy lifting at work during the day so my arm didn’t hold up for long bowling.  It was still fun though.  $6 all you can bowl for about 2 1/2 hours.  Plus it was glow in the dark.  After that it was back to Tera’s to just hang out.

With all of the upsets this year in football, I’m begging for Notre Dame to upset #4 Boston College.  Not that it would save what’s left of this season, but it would definitely be a big positive to remember it by.  While I don’t see it happening, I can still dream.

Speaking of dreams, the Indians seemed to have woken up last night getting defeated 10-3 last night by the Boston Red Sox.  If they can at least make it interesting I’ll be happy.  The Indians shouldn’t lose that bad again, but stranger things have happened.

I’m going to do some cleaning up and organizing around here since my room became a wreck this week.  Go Irish!

This week I have 3 exams (one of which was today) in 3 days which is horrendous.  It may actually be worse than finals week.  Artificial Intelligence boosted the class average to a “D” after this last assignment in which the average was also a D.  I managed a good grade but that doesn’t subdue my frustration with the class.  The first A.I exam will be tomorrow and almost everyone has conceded to failing.  I’ve studied all that I can so we’ll find out how it goes.  At this point, I’m just too angry to care.

On a positive note, the Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees to move on the the MLB Playoffs.  I’m glad they finished it in four games rather than having it go to a fifth.  That would have been way too stressful.

I know this isn’t much of an update but as I stated before, this week isn’t a good one.  At least I have a four day weekend to look forward to due to fall break.

I do. I was pleasantly surprised to get a 100% on my Linear Algebra exam. Math exams and me normally don’t go together at all. The highest grade I had gotten prior to that in college was probably a B or B-. I believe the class average for the exam was a C+ so that made me feel even better. Linear Algebra will likely be the last math class I EVER have to take and if I keep up to great grades, maybe I’ll go out on top with an A. That was a great way to end a hectic week. Artificial Intelligence has continued to be a burden on everyone. The average grade in the class is a D which says enough. I’m managing to pull off a B so I’m not getting too concerned yet.

Trying to update this often with sports news has proven to be impossible when my work load is as heavy as it is. It saddens me but I have many other important tasks that must come first. The fact that Notre Dame is having a horrendous season isn’t helping my motivation either though. Right now I’m betting on them starting 0-8. They’re playing terrible and I can’t see them getting much better. Hopefully, they will be able to at least defeat some armed forces teams. Notre Dame Men’s Soccer is ranked #3 in the nation though, so when people ask me why I’m wearing a Notre Dame shirt, that’s what I’m saying.

Next week shouldn’t be as bad as this past week was. On Friday I’m going with Andy to the Columbus Blue Jackets season opener against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Anaheim Ducks. I’ll have that to look forward to all week. Other than that it should be pretty normal.

Sadly I’ve hardly been able to update.  I’m been slammed with classes so far.  A.I. is like any other programming class I’ve taken where it’s “20% comfort and 80% struggling.”  Yes, that was a direct quote from a faculty member at Muskingum.  Everything else seems to be going good.  Linear Algebra is easy.  Yes, easy.  I never EVER thought I would say that about at Muskingum math course but it’s true.  I’m sure it will catch up to me eventually.  Southeast Asian History has been alright but boring.  Professor McGrath is a good professor but the subject isn’t something I’m into.  Dr. Nutt for Religions of the U.S. is also good.  That’s been a fun class for the most part.  We have our first exam tomorrow so hopefully that goes good.  We’ll see.  I just wanted to get an update in so I could say I did.  Hopefully I can get some good sports updates soon.  Not that I have anything interesting about Notre Dame since everyone knows how that’s going.

What a first week of college football. In the most amazing upset in college football history, defending Division I-AA Champion Appalachian State defeated #5 Michigan on Michigan’s home field 34-32. The embarrassing loss may seal Lloyd Carr’s fate as the falling coach has already received a load of recent criticism following the disappointing end to last season. The loss pushed the Wolverines out of the Top 25. The drop set another record as the biggest drop since the AP Poll grew to 25 teams.

Speaking of falls, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame fell 33-3 to Georgia Tech on Saturday suffering their worst opening loss ever. Freshman QB Jimmy Clausen will attempt to turn the team around this week against #14 Penn State as he has been named the starter.  Hopefully the Irish can begin to turn things around.

Check out my Top 5 Plays of last week by clicking the link above.

LSU pounded Mississippi St. into the ground last night 45-0 in what started as a promising game but turned into a bore.  After a close 1st Quarter the LSU Tigers led only 3-0.  They picked up the pace in the 2nd Quarter and never looked back by scoring 14 points in each of the last three.  The Bulldogs of Miss St. gave up 6 interceptions with 3 being grabbed by LSU junior safety Craig Steltz.  LSU proved why they are ranked #2 in the country.  They easily have one of the best defenses in college football today.  The win was LSU’s eighth in a row against the struggling Bulldogs.  Next week the Tigers will take on the Hokies of VA Tech.

Speaking of VA Tech, tomorrow will mark the first VA Tech football game since the shooting tragedy last spring.  The atmosphere in Blacksburg will be nothing short of an emotional roller coaster.  I know I can’t wait to at least watch the beginning and see how everything there plays out.  One thing is for sure:  I feel terrible for East Carolina who is the team they will face.

Notre Dame starts what seems to be a rebuilding season tomorrow against Georgia Tech.  While Coach Charlie Weis doesn’t want to hear any of it, that’s what it will likely be.  After losing Brady Quinn and various other key plays from last year, the Irish will have a very different look.  New defensive coordinator Corwin Brown has the defense playing a 3-4 scheme rather than a 4-3.  And the quarterback situation?  Only Weis knows because he refuses to make the announcement.  My prediction is the freshman Jimmy Clausen.  Ranked as one of the best incoming quarterbacks to college football, Clausen went undefeated in prep football.  But again, only Weis knows and I can’t wait to find out.