FYE - Alex Keen

Bloodshot

Hey everybody. I am writing in the middle of my craziest week. I am currently trying this new thing of taking in my papers to teachers before they are due (I know! I must be insane to do that!), but hopefully that will allow me some gracious level of success. This blog is actually a warm-up for doing the real work. Hopefully they read this blog and I know how HARD I am WORKING on their PAPER. Hm looks like my caps lock key went on and off there. Whoops!

But really, I kid. These papers are intellectually challenging (comparing Plato and Kant's outlook on knowledge and ethics or something to that effect, I haven't fully fleshed it out yet + commenting on a state of paranoia in America...I just blew my own mind), and way tougher than anything I've had to do. However, it is like a workout. The mental strain is the good type of burn, like after doing 1,000 curls. I don't know if you heard, but I did 1,000.

Winter finally has arrived, and strangely, so has intramural soccer. Outdoor soccer. Let that sink in. Yeah? I know, it should be basketball during this time! Great conversation. But yeah, I got some goalie time in, always a good decision.

Edit: Stop with the car alarms! If you cannot find your car in five minutes with that thing blaring, you don't deserve to find it. This is your friendly neighborhood Alex Keen saying if you leave your car alarm on for five minutes, I will find you.

And talk to you about it, duh :)

But hey, here are some pictures.

There's the rain jackets I was talking about for bid day. I am not tan or ripped at all so as you can see I was not confident about going shirtless (see Mack's blog for the alternative, the boy is rail thin).

So apparently, taking pictures in class really freaks people out, so I stopped doing it (I don't like weird looks). All I got for now is:
This is what I see every morning walking to French. More to come, including a marshmellow fight in my FYI class. Why? What is FYI class? And is that person on the right happy about being on my blog? (Probably not!) Find out next time, same blog channel, same etc. Have a great week.

Hot traxxxxx: "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea," by Elvis Costello, "Ruff Ryders Anthem" by DMX, and The Maine cover of "I Wanna Love You" by Akon.

Oops, I Did It Again

Hello true believers, I'm back. I have been promising and promising to take my camera to take pictures of my classes, but alack alack, I have not. However, I am going to set my camera right next to my alarm clock so that you will be able to picture-lly stalk me on my Tuesdays and Thursdays. In fairness, I don't have my 9:30 Psychology 104B class, so you (and I) get a reprieve. I'm looking at an 11:00AM wake up time, alright.

We (freshman) register for classes beginning Thursday, and I'm stoked to hopefully get some classes I like but not excited at the prospect of waking up at 7:20 AM and clicking refresh on the scheduler website (Bannerweb...you've got so much to look forward to, prospective students) and the mad rush to register. If you've ever had a ton of browser pop-ups open and have to click through all of them to get anywhere...it's kinda like that. Woohoo.

Awesome videos picked up by Hunter and I within the past day: 28 Days Later, Equilibrium (see this movie, it rules), Donnie Darko, that new Futurama movie, and Planet of Terror (1/2 of the Grindhouse movies). We rule.

Pledging a fraternity is sort of like a high school relationship. They'll let you know every little thing you do wrong, but it's the rights that really matter.

Buy MGMT's Oracular Spectacular. It's basically the new psychadelia. I know I'm late on the MGMT bandwagon, but they rule.

Finally, I'd like to point out how my professors are amazing. This isn't brown-nosing. But seriously, I am lucky enough that each one really cares about their students, their classroom enviroment, the well-being of the student body, etc. It's helpful to know that your professors want you to succeed, even if you feel at some points you're not going to.

If you have more than one hour of free time at college...please let me know your secret. I guess I could quit my jobs or not do homework or something. Haha.

And, finally, if you add me on facebook, can you just put a little message that you're adding me from the blog so I know? I denied a few people lately who I had no idea who they were, and I def don't want to not add you. Thanks in advance.

The Off Season, I miss you boys:

and my personal fav:

In case you wonder what I used to do in my spare time (or what my lyrics sound like), here you go!

http://www.myspace.com/toswillbreakyou

I'll probably be finishing my electronic stuff soon, and it'll be totally Saturday morning cartoons in your face. Metro Station ain't got jack on me.

hot jamzzz of the week: "Hey Brittany" by Forever the Sickest Kids, "Heartless" by Kanye West, and "Slam Crunk" by Holiday Parade. Speaking of which, google that Holiday Parade song. It's amazing.

Celebration

Gobama. Last night we had a dance party to celebrate Obamarama '08, but the only pictures of it are from Mack and I imagine he'll want them for his first post. But yes, good job America. I can haz hope?!

Hot traxxxx: "Hot in Herre" by Nelly, "Beverly Hills" by Weezer, and "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" by We Are Scientists.

Tonight, Tonight

If you're 18, make sure you vote! I'm pretty sure we're sitting on the most important election for at least a decade, and possibly ever. So Democrat, Republican, Green, Socialist (yes, I said that), and Libertarian...it doesn't matter. Just exercise your civic duty. It's time to define what America will be for the next four years.

(But honestly, if Obama doesn't win, I will be useless for the rest of the month. Just saying.)

Time to Pretend

So I may not have updated my blog for the past two weeks...my bad. Life gets crazy! But hey, on the bright side, I was Waldo for Halloween. Join me, won't you?

Awesome.

Ms. Cam Rhyne rocking that mask.

Katie rocks, too.

 

My two favorite peeps in the whole world. Mack had a stellar mime costume (and what moves! I've seen perfection, and it is his mime wall). And Caitlyn of course, with the french maid outfit. I think we can all agree she works it.

But of course, as Waldo, we gotta play! Where's Waldo?
Trey was Alex Trebek, for the record. Superb job.

Did you find me? Okay, now find my dog, a cane, my scrolls...

But honestly, this was an improvement from my attempts at a Spiderman costume earlier:

Kids, don't follow my example. Spiderman is make-believe for a reason.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

It looks like Mack is going to be the new blogger, which I am super stoked about. Good job, buddy! Here's looking at you!

Also, since I'm gonna make a thank you, I should probably change the font size. Ok, that's better. Caitlyn Gilliland has taken about 95% of the photos on this blog, and I am mostly stealing them off of facebook. Thank you, Caitlyn, you're the best.

You may be asking "but Alex, why are you too lazy to take your own pictures?" Well firstly, I don't like your tone young man. Secondly, due to a freak chair-wheely accident the USB adapter for my camera is currently busted. But I'm gonna fix it somehow, some way.

I am planning on taking my camera to all my classes Wednesday and Thursday though, folks, so be ready. Look your best. I'm going to do a serious, deep update so that people know what's going on.

Finally, I am going to be on the Student Life panel session for Fall Hospitality this weekend, so if any prospective students are going, please don't be afraid to ask questions! that's why I'm there.

Okay, y'all be safe. Have a great week!

Hot traxxx of the week: "She's a Lady" by Forever the Sickest Kids, "Live Your Life" by Rihanna ft. T.I. (best song ever according to my lovely girlfriend hi Lisa!), "Charlene (I'm Right Behind You)" by Stephen and the Colbears.

Life on Mars

Best Halloween costume ever? Answer: yes
Nice work, Julia.

This is Everything

Hey all. I know it's been awhile. Let's just say last week involved some serious malaise. But my MVP of the week is Ms. Tammy Gilliam, who was extremely helpful in trying to make me better. This was the first time I've been to Health Services at Wofford, and they are super nice and caring. To anybody who has trepidations (yeah, vocab skillz) about going by, do not worry. They will make sure you get better, of that I am sure.

But enough of that. Would you like some pictures?

L to R: Page, Mack, Brendan, Moi, Caitlyn, SPENCERRRRR

Mesha snapped this one at homecoming when I wasn't paying attention. Thanks, jerk.

L to R: Joey, Caitlyn, some dude who likes fall out boy (what a dummy), Julia. At the Sigma Nu house. Props.

Next time...who knows what I'll write about? Mr. Wofford, for sure (that update is for you, ladies), and maybe a dissertation on the political implications of Mozart's Symphony No. 9 in B flat. Who knows.

Hot jamzzz of the week: "Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On a Bad Bet" by Fall Out Boy, "Whatever You Like" by T.I., and to establish my indie cred, "Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire.

The Resolution

Hey everyone! It's update time. Firstly, here's a picture from the Smoker on Thursday:

L to R: Matt, The Joker...I mean Hunter, and moi.

We were all going Sigma Nu, so that's good times. Anyways, on Friday/Bid Day, when you know what you're pledging, you get certain clothes you have to wear. SAE had jumpsuits, Kappa Sig had camo, Kappa Alpha had...well I'm not sure what the official term for those outfits is, Pi Kappa Phi had overalls, and the Pikes had plaid shirts and jean shorts (male Daisy Dukes). I need to get some batteries for my camera, but when I do I will put up the pictures of me and Hunter in our rain jackets.

So yeah, when you sign your bid card, you come out into the Row and run to the house where you have pledged and, well...


First time I've crowd surfed. Awesome. Also thanks to Sami and Callie for those pictures, I appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Speakertraxxxx of the week: "Freakish" by Saves the Day, "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith, and "Can't Tell Me Nothin" by Kanye West.

The Lights and Buzz

So there hasn't been an update for awhile, my bad. The actuality of "hey, I'm at college, and I have...homework...?" has finally set in, and I'm dealing with it. Business is a gamble. I'm gonna focus on the whole rush process this time, and it's pretty crazy.

Last week the girls had their rush, and I gotta compliment every one that got through it. I know I couldn't march in a single-file line all over the place without talking. All I know is, if I had to go through the process they had, I would not even consider pledging someone. Mad props. Then girls bid day came along, and man, I have not seen so much depression. I mean, it all worked out in the end (I think), but for a couple days there, I was feeling some bad vibes. It happens. However, a cool little thing that went on was that all the sororities would put little signs by the doors of the girls who were rushing with them, and I liked it. Here, take a look:

See what happens when girls beg to be on the blog? I know man, crisis.

Formal rush for guys started this week, and I missed the first night to view a piece of cinema called "Safe" with my Humanities class. Remember kids, class comes first. Stay in school. But on Tuesday, oh Tuesday, I got to dress up in the suit and tie and enjoy the company of the Sigma Nu guys. FUN FACT: For the past two years, a blogger has pledged Sigma Nu. I think that's the only thing I have going for me, no?

Bid Day for Boyzzz is on Friday, and those will be where the fun pictures are at. The weather gets cold, but my people remain cooler.

Hot traxxxxxxxx: "Bloodshot," Jack's Mannequin, "B.O.B." Outkast, "California Love," Tupac.

Holiday from Real

Okay, so the weekend update thing is a bit much. Sigma Nu had a "Summer Shakedown" Beach Party (Hellogoodbye reference much, Brendan?), with a sweet reggae band and an obscene amount of sand. That reggae band was seriously amazing, I am not going to lie. Also, Pi Kappa Phi had a "Heaven and Hell" party, which had some...creative costumes. I love all you guys, big ups.

Speaking of which, yes, I am rushing. And just because I namedropped a couple of them, don't think you're out of the running, other frats. However, I know, I know, I am probably in no way your typical idea of a frat boy. If you've seen the TV show Greek (I am a huge fan), then you'll understand when I say I feel like Rusty. It's ok. Why not? Very nice. High five.

Sorry about the lack of pictures from the weekend, I was without camera. I promise pictures from next weekend.

Also, if I can get all "life lessons" on you, I completely recommend that everybody at Wofford use the Writing Center in the library. There are signs to get to it and it is really helpful. Speaking of which, shoutout to Mary Francis who not only helped me but also told me to update today. Mad props.

I do have one picture though, and it's amazing.  Here's Mack at the USC game on the sidelines for the flag-running:

Yes, ladies, he's STILL single.

Speakertraxxxx for the week: "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" by LCD Soundsystem, "Low" by Flo Rida, and "She's a Lady" by Forever the Sickest Kids.

Have a good week!