So it turns out...

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls...I don't give a damn how grossly drunk you got over spring break, or how red you got in your swimsuit...I'm sick of seeing all your boring beach pictures on facebook. Why didn't you go somewhere with some scenery or do something different? You do realize you can drink at places other than the beach?

And by the way Kenny Chesney, the beach is about as country as New York City. FUCK YOU.

Poets and Pirates...who are you kidding? What are you 48 now? Time to grow up.

The beach ain't country.

In the Little Rock Airport

So much fun here in this place...

I'm sitting in a terminal by gate 12. I'm on the very end of a row of seats that wobble every time some gets up or sits down. People are getting up and sitting down a lot and it's annoying the hell out of me. There's a lady to my left chowing on some quizno's. As for me, I'm waiting on a flight to Memphis where I just might get another one of those wonderful cheeseburgers from the blue note cafe in their terminal. It's amazing how an eight dollar burger can brighten one's entire day (ironic...an 8 dollar burger). See they get you in these terminals and they've got you trapped for hours on end with no other options for food. There are definitely no other options for drink outside of the three ounces of whiskey I can get in (I'm only kidding. I don't really have whiskey in the terminal...I wish I did). This trip has definitely been an experience for me. I've never flown alone before, and definitely never flown before with layovers. The only unfortunate thing about flying...layovers. I guess a two hour sit in the Memphis terminal isn't so bad. I saw a great many things while visiting Arkansas Tech. From a distance I saw the "double-wide in the sky" that is the Bill Clinton Presidential Library. I didn't actually go in. I'm sure it's lovely in there. Full of memorabilia from his Presidency...stained dresses, cigars...etc.(Someone just got up and sat down. I am getting pissed off and may have to move). I also saw the wonderful sunset at the top of none other than Mt. Nebo (pronounced NEEBO...that's right Alfred, in Arkansas, you have your own mountain). It stormed like hell both nights I was at Russellville. They say they don't get many storms like that. I don't believe it. I'm going to watch the weather around here for a good week and see what I think about it. MAKE AN ASSESSMENT. The entire staff at Tech were really friendly and very welcoming. I had a really good time. We even ate lunch in the presidential box overlooking the football field (classy, CLASSY). Seriously, it was pretty swank. After a morning of interviews in the suit and tie, we got to change into casual attire and take a walking tour of the campus. It was a really nice campus. Older, but nice. After the tour we went to a local place called Stoby's for dinner. It had a train car as part of their dining area. We ate in that. It was awesome. They even had a real train whistle attached to it (I gave it a good long yank, and so did your mother). After dinner we drove up Mt. Nebo. It was about 2 miles of steep switchbacks. It reminded me a lot of July Mountain in Scottsboro. I vow I will return someday and run up Mt. Neebo.

I wonder how long my battery will last. I can't get the icon to show up in my toolbar. I know I can plug in somewhere around here. I just have to find an outlet. Maybe I'll just wait till Memphis to plug in. I think it'll be okay. Damn laptop. The stinking disk drive won't open on the side anymore. I'm going to have to look into that. More updates later.

"There's a song stuck in my head and I can't help singin it..."

For some reason I'm rattling around today with this song in my head. Walking wherever I have to go but it stays in my head.

LANDLOCKED BLUES - Bright Eyes

If you walk away I walk away
first tell me which road you will take
I don't want to risk our paths crossing someday
so you walk that way I'll walk this way

and the future hangs over our heads
and it moves with each current event
until it falls all around like a cold steady rain
just stay in when it's lookin' this way

and the moon's laying low in the sky
forcing everything metal to shine
and the sidewalk holds diamonds like a jewelry store case
they argue "walk this way," "no walk this way"

and laura's asleep in my bed
as I'm leaving she wakes up and says
"I dreamed you were carried away on the crest of a wave
baby don't go away, come here"

and there's kids playing guns in the street
and one's pointing his tree branch at me
So I put my hands up I say:
"Enough is enough,
If you walk away I walk away."
(and he shot me dead)

I found a liquid cure
for my landlocked blues
it will pass away
like a slow parade
it's leaving but I don't know how soon

and the world's got me dizzy again
you'd think after 22 years I'd be used to the spin
and it only feels worse when I stay in one place
so I'm always pacing around or walking away
I keep drinking the ink from my pen
and I'm balancing history books up on my head
but it all boils down to one quotable phrase
"If you love something give it away"
A good woman will pick you apart
a box full of suggestions for your possible heart
But you may be offended, and you may be afraid
but don't walk away, don't walk away

We made love on the living room floor
with the noise in the background from a televised war
And in the deafening pleasure I thought I heard someone say
"If we walk away,they’ll walk away"
But greed is a bottomless pit
And our freedom's a joke we're just taking a piss
And the whole world must watch the sad comic display
If you're still free start runnin' away
'cause we're comin' for ya!

I've grown tired of holding this pose
I feel more like a stranger each time I come home
So I'm making a deal with the devils of fame
Sayin' let me walk away, please
You'll be free child once you have died
from the shackles of language and measurable time
And then we can trade places, play musical graves
till then walk away walk away walk away walk away
So I'm up at dawn, putting on my shoes
I just want to make a clean escape
I'm leaving but I don't know where to
I know I'm leaving but I don't know where to

Skank in My Math Class

Dear Inconsiderate Whore,
Thank you for consistently arriving 15-20 minutes late for a 55 minute class. I really appreciate when you walk in and interrupt my train of thought, the professor's lecture, and everyone else's ordered lives. It really makes me happy when you come in with your huge bugeyed sunglasses on, cell phone ringing, and bumping everyone in the aisle with your goddam vera bradley duffel bag. It further makes my day when you then sit down and untwist the cap of your diet sundrop and it hisses loudly. You then go above and beyond rattling whatever wrapper to whatever rice-caked/granola snack you're eating that particular morning. I think it's really gracious of you to share your snack with your rather rotund friend that sits beside you and whom you write notes back and forth to during the part of the lecture you're actually present to hear. You are an absolute joy to partake in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. However, I've got a few suggestions to heighten your quality as a person and help you achieve more in your college career.
This is not fucking homeroom in high school. No one here cares that you were the head cheerleader last year and we don't all think you're beautiful. High school is not optional. You either go or your parents are arrested for truancy. College is a different matter. Be fucking respectful of your fellow classmates. We pay good money to go to school and improve our lives. If you're not adding to the atmosphere of academia check yourself bitch. You're a rail. I am all for you eating and gaining a little weight but could you refrain from doing so in class? I mean maybe you could eat your snack in your car during your drive or during whatever reason you're always fucking late to class. Hey, here's an idea...show some goddam human decency and when you bump some bastard with your vera bradley duffel bag, fucking say "excuse me." Wear a little less perfume, unless you are using it to mask the fish odor...you fucking choke the rest of us out with that shit. And hey, if you're going to practically miss half the class because of your tardiness, just stay home. I already don't want to be there and you fucking up the calm serenity of the class doesn't help. And the glaring looks you and your portly friend give me while you munch on your num nums and text on your cell phones (which usually aren't silenced) are awful. You're a rude little shit, freshman. Fuck you.

Thanks,
Hew

Highlighter Yellow Running apparel

This morning I went out for a nice and easy three miles. It wasn't quite light out yet so I wore a brightly colored shirt so as to be noticed and not "kilt," as Marie would say. It's always interesting the things a person sees (palindrome)when one is out "jogging" just before sun up. I'll spare you the explicit details but I will tell you it involved a hobo, two ducks, fishing line, and what appeared to be a couple of hypodermic needles. ....I RAN. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more....

I saw Mr. Bruno out walking his puppy in the first 5 or so minutes of the run. I stopped to pet the Spotted One. I would have yelled that I was Old Greg, but I wasn't really in the mood. Besides, that might be getting a little old...nah, who am I kidding? Old Greg is old but doesn't get old.

Crack Fox.

Some side-notes:
1. I woke up at 4 in the freaking morning...and I don't feel productive for it at all. Though I did some push ups and ran three miles (19:40...just chillin).
2. Hipsters are the problem. If I am not a solution, am I part of the problem?
3. I think I'm going to grow shave my beard into some nice CHOPS today and just wear them around. Everyone else can deal with that.
4. My running tights are not tight anymore. That's what I get for buying tights in the middle of a "fat" stage.
5. Leaning on the side of my truck watching my breath in front of me, I held it in for a moment and noticed that the heat/evaporation from my sweating was also rising from my body. And for a brief moment, I felt like a runner again.
6. Brad bought me a pair of shorts and lunch yesterday. Thank you Bradley.
7. Right now I'm listening to Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction."
8. And I dislike that "Love Song" song..."I'm not gonna write you a love song..."--fuck that, as someone who actually writes love songs for people that don't deserve them...I'm offended (not really, just my two cents).
9. I'm thinking of changing the name of the blog. Any ideas or suggestions?

Lack of sleep and frustrations...

I've been working 4 hours per pay period (every two weeks since August) for free. "I want my money. WHERE'S MY MONEY?"---I think I'm just going to side note today.

Sidenotes:
1. Sent the album off to be printed this morning. I'm pretty excited about that.
2. I've lost seven pounds this semester. (148 down to 141)
3. I feel old after I run now. My knees and muscles just ache.
4. I killed a brown recluse in my room. This does not please me.
5. I am in serious need of caffeine.
6. Ben Balser rocks the body that rocks the party.
7. I stayed up till around 3:45 last night writing letters and preparing mail for people.
8. Andrew, your cd is coming as soon as I find the time to make it and mail it.
9. Mader, your tenacity and relentless drive through your mountain of work toward Spring break is truly inspiring.
10. I HATE WORKING THE FRONT DESK. I WANT A JOB THAT PAYS.
11. I have a headache.
12. My sinuses are being really mean to me.
13. I feel like I just can't seem to get it right.
14. Does anyone even read this thing anymore?
15. Did I mention I hate working the front desk?