A New Day

I'm Wide Awake It's Morning

Here's a paper that I wrote last night for ANS361, Suicide In Japanese Fiction. It's nothing groundbreaking but I'm kind of proud that I forced myself devote some quality time to it.

Two Audiences, One Message

by Tom MacDonald

SXSW

Wooo the SXSW music festival is about to begin!! For those who don't know, South-by-Southwest (AKA SXSW) is a week-long music festival in Austin that draws musicians, fans, and media-types from around the world. Even now as I look out the door of Café Medici I can see excited people on the street and feel an energy in the air.

Unfortunately, I have a problem. I have developed an unhealthy sleep pattern over the last two months that I can't seem to break. I tend to wake up at noon (or later), slog my way through the day cursing myself for not having enough time to live a worthwhile life, and then mess around on my computer until 4 am. A must admit that this pattern has much to do with my devoting too much time to girl-chasing, but regardless of the reason I need to stop screwing around. My grades are suffering and one of my New Year's resolutions was to become a "morning person." Also I want to enjoy every second of SXSW.

Today I'm going to finish writing a class paper early, go to my friends party later tonight, and then down some NyQuil by 1am. Hmm... Now that I think about it I don't think you're supposed to mix alcohol and cough medicine... I'll have to keep that in mind. At anyrate I WILL get up at 7am tomorrow morning. Today will be busy. Fun, but busy.

Invisalign

OK I really need to get motivated to study architecture somehow...but what to do? I'll just start by reading a few architecture blogs today.

In other news I just got back from the Randy Kunik orthodontist office in Austin and am wearing my first Invisiline tray. I can't wait to see what my teeth look like in 8 months! I hesitate to review Dr. Kunik's practice this early in my treatment, but so far I have been very impressed. Everyone has been very friendly, professional, and just generally classy. The physical office and interior spaces are first-rate as well. Thanks to my dad for helping me out with the financing, it means a lot.

(sigh)

Well, at least the comments confirm who comes to this blog. I feel used.

Why Are You Here?

Since January 27th, there has been a significant increase in people coming to this blog. I'm just curious - what is it that people are searching for when they stumble up this site?

Also, for anyone interested in planes or becoming a pilot, check out my little brother's blog at www.the-pilots-log.blogspot.com!

The V's Compel Me

I'm not sure why, but there have been a ton of visitors to this blog recently. I had just about given up on it but I guess I'll start posting again, starting... NOW.

My school workload this semester is very light. I am enjoying 4 day weekends and hardly any homework, however all this free time is both a blessing and a curse. One thing I'm doing with my spare time is pursuing my dream of playing music at bars for money and recording a rock album with my brother (tomsrecordingrecords.blogspot.com). Unfortunately, I find myself neglecting the little schoolwork that I have and sleeping in way too late way too often. I have resolved to be more disciplined about this.

The musical projects are part of my architecture plan. While seeking advisement last year regarding what kind of person the architecture department is looking for, I was informed that one of the exceptional grad students had a background as a touring jazz musician. I was also advised to "just do what you love and you'll find yourself where you need to be." Well spoken.

Also on a side note, I have a really poor facial complexion and have suffered from mild chronic acne since high school. I tried everything and saw dermatologists but nothing ever helped much. That is, until I found The Acne Practice. This product has changed my life, and that is no overstatement. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from any level of chronic acne. It works, friends.

How I Crucified Myself

This is not about architecture but it is a story that must be told.

Today during sailing team practice the wind at Lake Travis was blowing upwards of 30 mph, which is really high to be out in a little 2 man sailboat. Inevitably the sailboat that my partner and I were in capsized in the very rough waters. It was chaos trying to get that thing righted, and after about 20 minutes of failed attempts I was getting exhausted. I was then instructed to grab a strap inside the boat to keep the vessel from rolling all the way over as my partner pulled on the other side. Well, I had to swim under the mast to grab this strap, but in doing so my life jacket got caught on something underwater and nearly drown me. I managed to get my mouth above the surface for some air, and also reached out to grab the strap. As the boat began to right itself I was still caught in the ropes, pinned to the mast. The mast continued to rise out of the water bringing me with it, arms flayed out in either direction and immobilized. "Fuuuck!" I yelled, as I was lifted up into the air, crucified to the mast. After I eventually freed myself we were towed in and practice was canceled. The sailing team said they had never heard of anything like that before.

When we finally got back home, I found that a tree had broken and crashed upon my bike.