And the streak continues!
Today has been an interesting day.
Many milestones were reached today.
Let me share them with you…
First, I saw the first graphic that said "DECISION 2004."
There it is. It's official. Coverage for the next presidential election is all go; and once it starts, it's a monster that can never be stopped (ballot chads have been known to slow them, as well as lawyers, incompetent voters, and the population of Florida, but the creature still lurches forward continuing to wreck an ugly rampage).
I've heard people debate the next election. I've seen articles making projections. I've seen stories about candidates. Nevertheless, today was the first day where I saw a specially crafted news graphic appear in a broadcast.
NBC imposed the "Decision 2004" decal behind Tom Brokaw when talking about the newest candidate for the Democratic ticket (I'd mention the guy's name, but anyone would be interested has probably heard about it already and feeding the other readers an undesired fact would not be well received [I'll save those for later in this rant] and will not be placed in here. That and I forgot the name already. Edward something; or something Edwards. Oh well…).
Today also contained the first report card of the year.
Well, screen where my grades were on the screen. MU, in an attempt to cut costs, doesn't sent grades out in the mail (which is a godsend for some and troublesome for others). Today I finally decided to brave the diabolical online database known as STARMU (it's much more ominous than it sounds). It's a finicky program that can be tricky to negotiate at times and is only accessible during certain hours that rarely correspond with the average college student's circadian rhythms (let's just say it's a bit hard to check your grades at 3:00 AM in the morning).
Anyway, I discovered my grades, despite all my efforts to the contrary, went up a decimal point. Actually, I went up my GPA went up by .101. Not bad if I say so myself.
Now to work on the other side of the decimal point.
Another milestone was receiving the first Christmas presents of the year. This evening, my family finally exchanged Christmas presents.
One might say we're a bit late (especially considering we've been home since New Year's Eve).
On the other hand, you could also deem us to be early and getting ahead of next year's rush.
Let me explain…
Usually my immediate family passes out gifts the night before we split for Christmas vacation (historically to my Grandmother's Iowa abode). Since I was barely in Sullivan 18 hours before heading up to the frozen north, we didn't get around to it. My mother decided to leave them at the house.
After several days in Iowa, followed by a stop over in Kansas City to see the other half of the family, we finally returned to Sullivan. After a long night drive, we simply unloaded the car and plopped in a DVD (I think there's something creepy about watching Dick Clark celebrate New Year's every year never aging even as his co-hosts and performers do so. I swear that undead vampire must have an unholy deal with the devil, or something).
New Years arrived in the middle of the chariot chase scene in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Then everybody went to bed (except me, who went to the internet for a few hours).
Needless to say, no gifts were exchanged.
The next day, between sleeping in late, bowl games, and unpacking bags, we just forgot. After my Dad had gone to bed, my Mom remarked that we'd forgotten presents again. My sister and I shrugged in response and returned to the TV.
Finally, we got to it this evening. We were sure to fit it in before Orange Bowl (Iowa versus South Cal U [my Grandma, being a long time Hawkeyes fan, as well as working for Iowa University for many years, was attending it with alumni friends]). The idea was to get the gifts taken care of quickly and then watch the Hawkeyes triumph over the Trojans. We did our part. Unfortunately the Iowan offense… BAD MIZZOU FLASHBACKS - PAIN! SUFFERING! MUST BLOCK OUT UGLY IMAGES!
Anyway…
Gifts were good, sharing was nice, and the look on my Mom's face as my Dad tossed my sister a gift (which was a glass plate) was priceless.
Yep, January 2, 2003 wasn't bad at all.
Now time for the ever-present challenge: Let's see what tomorrow will bring.
On your mark… Get set…
Have a good day everyone.
