eucatastrophe

2009-12-14T11:11:00.000-06:00

Coney Island February 2008

Words can only hurt you if you read them.
Don't play their game.

- Derek Zoolander

Lyle Calls In Sick

2009-01-23T20:22:00.002-06:00

Lyle Calls in Sick from Nicole Collins on Vimeo.

LYLE calls in sick at work to play Mario Kart with his friend MIKE, and accidentally outs himself to his boss DAVE via Facebook status.

Film Director Nicole Collins
Director of Photography Jeremy Juel
Screenplay Written by Nicole Collins

Cast

Lyle Zoumot as Lyle the employee
Michael Huehn as Mike the gamer
David Armes as David the boss

The nice thing about the "no edit" stipulation is the absence of procrastination between filming and the final product; you're already done! It is so tempting to fix some (mis)takes, sneak in a few establishing shots, create an instrumental score and apply color-correction.

Originally I was going to use the stop and record on my Flip Video Cam but my friend and protagonist Lyle introduced me to Jeremy and Mike who recently went in together on purchasing a Canon 5D Mark II video camera. It shoots in high definition. This is the first film to be recorded on their video camera.

Jeremy exported Lyle Calls In Sick using CS3 Adobe Premiere. I'd like to do some editing experiments with Premiere and Final Cut in the future.

"Say What The Story Demands"

2009-01-16T12:37:00.009-06:00

In the wake of hiring freezes and record unemployment
This recent northshore Chicago college graduate
Moved back in with mom and pop in the northwest.
She tackles the causes of world poverty and injustice by day,
And serves triple grande soy no foam skinny lattes by night.

Multimedia Storytelling deliverable #1: Using 5 images, tell your story as an ACTION-IDEA with a beginning, middle and end in under 3 minutes.

Aristotles Poetics for Screenwriters by Michael Tierno

Good writers serve their stories; bad writers serve their own agendas.
The ACTION-IDEA, or "mission statement," is served to the audience to create emotions in them.
Action is more important than the characters who partake in it.
Just hearing a good ACTION-IDEA can impart a small feeling of catharsis.
BUT a well-crafted story is needed to make an ACTION-IDEA cathartic.

Staying Put

2009-01-13T20:41:00.007-06:00

I've made a couple bad decisions in the last couple days.

1. Yesterday: Caribbean Passion with fresh-squeezed orange juice (I forgot to substitute fruit for the orange sherbet! - or sherbeRt, whichever you're inclined to use). Doh. I do not need that much sugar before work!

2. Today: Quad Grande Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate... first: GROSS... and second: I can't even taste the rich chocolaty base that has tons of calories - what a waste... or the toffee nut syrup, whip cream and caramel - could taste the rock salt though.

On the other hand...

A good decision I made was
NOT TO MOVE TO PULLMAN
-although my favorite person is there.

Instead I'm staying put.

I am a media intern at World Vision US in Federal Way, barista at the Twin Lakes Starbucks - possibly transferring to Dash Point for more hours :), and a grad student taking Multimedia Storytelling during winter quarter at UW for a Masters of Communication in Digital Media (Thursday nights).

Tomorrow 8am I'm treking to Puyallup to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination - a test commonly required for admission to graduate school), a four-hour and $140 commitment! Good thing Trinity International University owes me $150.

My WVUS HR mentor Grace is having a baby girl AVERY any day now! Congrats to her and her family - she will be missed as she is on leave. We had a work baby shower for her today.

Tami back temporarily from the Philippines & Maria back from Mexico called yesterday - I miss you both mucho and it was great to hear from you!

Twenty-two movies, 90 women, tens of millions of fans.

2008-12-11T17:25:00.005-06:00

Common complaints about the new 007 films:

What’s with the realism?
Where’s R and the gadgets?
Daniel’s too short.

I grew up with Pierce Brosnan as my James Bond, and I'm excited to add Daniel Craig to that list, as I've been to the theatre twice now for Quantum of Solace. A little research is required for me to become acquainted with Timothy, Roger and Sean (and that random guy who was Bond for a day).

I watched Bond Girls are Forever (2002) today, compliments of Comcast On Demand, and was reminded why I am a fan of the new direction for 007 in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Today I have identified my natural distaste for the way women are portrayed in most all of the original Bond movies as powerless sex objects. Being a fictional fantasy just for the sake of a man is a waste. Today’s Bond Women are sexy because they are sophisticated, intelligent, athletic, gorgeous and worthy adversaries of James.

Sean Connery and Roger Moore’s James Bond character behaved repulsively toward women. Sexually harassing his secretary, slapping women on the butt, dialoguing with women with cheesy sexual innuendos, and forcing or tricking them to be intimate with him. Condoning misogynistic or chauvinistic behavior by heroes in screenplays today is absolutely unheard of. Daniel Craig is the neo 007 agent, a reflection of the human rights progress made today in western society.

Some memorable Bond Girl names:

Honey Rider
Pussy Galore
Kissy Suzuki
Plenty O’Toole
Thumper
Mary Goodnight
Holly Goodhead
Octopussy
Xenia Onatopp

Click here for Bond Girls pics and bios

Fellow job-seekers: What do we do now?

2008-11-07T17:18:00.007-06:00

Hiring freezes. Layoff increases.

A Chicago Associated Press writer is doing a piece on "recent grads, who moved back in with their parents and may be waiting tables." That's me! One of my coworkers at WVUS pitched me for it. Miss AP is interested in an in-person interview, but doesn't think she has the budget to fly to Seattle. I'm expecting a call next week.

In my life, the only thing suffering in the wake of our failing economy is my pride, as I am 22 with no dependents. My heart goes out to those who find themselves jobless while they are trying to provide for their families and loved ones. Can we, as a nation, tighten our belts and live with a little less? This Christmas season will be the first challenge.

I am thankful to God who has opened networking opportunities for me at WVUS, and a reliable part-time job at Sbux that provides for practical needs (health, savings). I pray that I can be a good steward of the things He has provided for me.

What's missing in our culture's literature lately: how to be productive when you're unemployed.

Jobless Rate at 14-Year High After October Losses

The American economy lost another 240,000 jobs in October, the government reported Friday, as cash-strapped consumers pulled back and businesses hunkered down, intensifying the distress gripping much of the country.
The unemployment rate spiked to 6.5 percent from 6.1 percent, the highest level since 1994. Many analysts now expect unemployment will reach 8 percent by the middle of next year.
Coupled with revisions to September’s data — which now show a loss of 284,000 jobs, down from an initial estimate of 159,000 — the economy has shed 1.2 million jobs since the beginning of the year. More than half the job losses have been in the last three months.
New York Times

"We're talking about innocent children!"

2008-10-29T21:28:00.000-05:00

Jack Bauer said it himself.

2008-10-29T21:25:00.002-05:00

Fox Television's 24: Redemption features a child soldier plot in it's season 7 premiere Nov. 23. The two hour event is available on DVD the following Tuesday, including a "Children of War" bonus featurette.

After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer (Sutherland) is wanted by the U.S. government and now stands to lose the only thing he has left: his freedom. Working as a missionary in Africa, Bauer is called upon to stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. First, Bauer must confront his own torturous past and face an impossible decision that will change his life forever. A decision that will set the stage and raise the stakes for Season Seven, which debuts in January 2009.

Fox Television 23:Redemption

President Aide “It is his country.”
President Noah Daniels “But I’m paying for it”

President Noah Daniels “I don’t want those transactions traceable.”
President Aide “Burn the records and bury the ashes.”

President-elect Allison Taylor “Last time [General Benjamin] Juma made a power grab he ignited a tribal war that killed tens of thousands of civilians.”
Taylor Aide “But it isn’t our war.”

U.S. tax dollars continue to fund the use of child soldiers abroad
Bill to restrict military funding to governments using child soldiers still waiting for Senate vote

Click here to educate yourself

Blown Away

2008-10-26T15:03:00.004-05:00

Maui. Lahaina's Front Street has art galleries nearly every other store.

At first glance, Thomas Barbèy's collection seems reminiscent to final projects of devoted TIU advanced Photoshop students, but a closer look will reveal that Barbèy's work is the product of darkroom black and white photo montages- a hands-on task that doesn't permit control Z, S, or P.

Above is my favorite piece Blown Away

thomasbarbey.com

"The purpose of art is mystery." Rene Magritte

"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." Pablo Picasso

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein

2008-10-26T14:53:00.003-05:00

Mom was looking through some old photographs and she came across this one. I believe we are at the Lobster Shop stretch of Dash Point State Park. I'm guessing 1988ish.

1 day in Maui

2008-10-05T11:47:00.013-05:00

From two volcanic eruptions emerged an island home to the warrior god Maui. He climbed Mt Haleakala and cast a fish net around the sun to pull it closer to his land. Yet, Maui island is the second wettest place on earth.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Juli and I jumped plane on a whim to Maui Tuesday. We lodged at the North Shore Hostel in Wailuku for $25 per night.

Juli poses in our dorm room at the Northshore Hostel

After interpreting public transportation schedules, we found a stretch of beaches in Kihei by two $1 bus rides. Juli plopped on Kamaole Beach III and I dropped my towel to run into the surfless ocean. It was overcast and early evening.

We walked the coast to scout out dinner and found a couple friendly beach volleyball games to jump in. We enjoyed happy hour Tequila Sunsets while waiting for our half price Hawaiin pizzas and Hawaiin Island on tap.

A snap of the ocean from Kamaole III in Kihei our first night

Previous to the trip, I reserved an Advantage rental car at $11.80 for two days. After taxes it came to about $35. I was prepared for a "young driver's fee" that was mentioned in the confirmation, but not a $25 extra per day fee! The new rental bill came to $126 (that included a prepaid $33 bucks of gas). To top it off the Advantage Agent swiped my credit card before letting me know about the huge increase.

To the dismay of all parties, I declined the service. We came back the next day to rent the car for 1 day. I waived all insurance and prepaid gas "deals," got the car for $24 a day and paid $25 for young driver fee. When it was all said and done I paid $60. Not by any means a bargain, but it was personal wheels for 24 hours in the form of a Chevy Aveo.

A serene pit stop on the road to Hana.

Our North Shore Hostel roommate Junko tagged with us on the road to Hana. It's about a 50 mile coastal stretch of historic, scenic highway. We hiked to Twin Falls, stopped off at Blacksand Beach, snacked on coconut macadamia brownies and pineapple banana smoothies at the roadside fruit stands, and jumped in the calm ocean at Hana Bay.

The view from the highway on the way back.

Upon returning to Wailuku we enjoyed Thai cuisine with Junko at a restaurant across the street from the hostel. After green curry and thai ice tea, we set out for Lahaina, known for its "nightlife." Front Street was a cutesy tourist strip of art galleries, restaurants and shops paralleling the beach. It reminded me of Downtown Disney with a Hungington Beach Pier flavor. Live music in open bars could be enjoyed walking the streets below as we perused the shops.

Front Street Lahaina.

The car return was due at 11:30am and our flight home was at 1pm, so we packed early and hit the beach near Paia. Lifeguard flags were up warning of shallow breaking waves, but a few of us jumped in anyway. The tropical wave pool entertained me for a few hours, until it was time to say goodbye to Maui.

My hair was still a little wet upon landing in Seattle :)

Below is our Maui road map. Our footprints are in blue.
A: Kahalui, Maui Airport
F(B)(D): Wailuku, North Shore Hostel
C. Kihei, Kamaole Beaches
E: Hana
G: Lahaina, Front Street

Is this what hell is like?

2008-09-07T21:20:00.004-05:00

I tried out a stand up tanning bed today. It was intense. No really, it was called an Intensive Stand Up Tanning Bed. I disrobed, lotioned, stepped in, shut the door, pressed the button and BAM! ultraviolet rays assaulted my skin (hot and SCARY!)... except for the area that was covered with a small three-leaf clover sticker. I bathed in the synthetic sun for 5 minutes.

Aruba Tanning, next to LA Fitness, is brand new (just like the rest of The Crossings) and really nice. The receptionist was helpful and friendly, and he wasn't a too-tan monkey (that nickname goes waaaay back ;)

I love LA Fitness. On my way out today I asked one of the trainers for a free guest pass on-the-spot for my friend Jeff who is in town for the month. He scribbled his employee number and signature on a business card and crafted a make-shift one-week admittance ticket.

Gustav delays Nicole's poetry exam

2008-09-07T20:29:00.007-05:00

My enrollment at LSU for ENG 2027 expires September 20th! ... and then I have 40 days to complete the Final Exam. Plenty of tiempo :)

On Labor Day I finally submitted my last poetry assignment! Upon submission, Louisiana State University sends the final exam to my proctor (currently Highline Community College Test Center with Robin Loveless, formerly Trinity International University's Samir Massouh). It's been a week and there is no confirmation that LSU has received my last assignment or that my test has been sent out. Uh oh. So I sent an email to check up on things...

I'M SUCH AN IGNORAMUS!

This was the auto response from LSU...

Louisiana State University will be closed September 1 for the Labor day holiday and September 2 in preparation for Tropical Storm (or Hurricane) Gustav. We will respond to any emails in the order that they have been received as soon as we can.

You may refer to your course guide, your program bulletin, or use our web site as many of the answers to your questions may be found in those resources.

How crazy... Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA.

Once I complete Poetry, my LSU transcript will be submitted to TIU and should hopefully not take more than a couple months to process and I will have my diploma!

Laid back/no gift pleae Grad Party TBA!

finndizzy

2008-09-06T16:32:00.003-05:00

Video was taken on Nana and Pappy's Canon digital camera... unfortunately on hyperspeed or something :) The Beatles Dizzy Miss Lizzy is appropriate for this fast fuzzy mess. I didn't have time to do anything with it so it is what it is... FANTASTIC, that is, because the flic stars FINN!

We have Finn for the weekend when Breau & Bridget are in California.

deck is done!

2008-09-01T11:46:00.006-05:00

The deck has nearly doubled in size!... yet the transformation took over a year, so I'm having a hard time visualizing a before and after :) all in love, Paps.

Previous to the installment of the benches (which serve as 2' railings), Finn had an excess of confidence near the open deck edge during construction. After a spill in the bark and a few tears, Dad rigged a Finn-proof double railing under the benches.

starbucks minisodes

2008-08-27T17:14:00.012-05:00

What can I say?... No one loves food service more than me.

There's only two types of people in the U.S.: Starbucks employees and Starbucks customers. Juuust kidding :) But really, which one are you?

Today at work I wrote Starbucks minisodes in my head. I was inspired by both my partners and customers.

We have an erratic a.m. barista who tries so hard to achieve customer service that she moves in hyperspeed and rattles off drink orders as the customers walk through the door. I'm pretty sure there's no relation between the speed of speech and speed of drink. Instead, the relation is drink error. She would be a perfect supporting character.

We also have a customer who so liked a discontinued syrup that we kept a stash of the last bottle in the cupboard marked with his name. Recently the bottle emitted its last pump of sugary liquid, but the customer protested its disposal and kept it as a memento. I'm pretty sure he has nothing better to do than come harass a few baristas every day.

There's a cute couple who come in every morning an order "fore here" lattes and share a pastry. I like them.

That's just a taste. There's plenty of material. One minisode involves two lines, two registers, two baristas and two customers who, at the same exact time, order the last eight-grain roll in the pastry case...

I found a picture on Google Images of an actual Starbucks 8 grain roll. Fascinating. You can really find anything! Palm Trees, hmmm... where do you think it's from?

We also call the roll cardboard, but it is 330 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat. So it tastes bad AND it's bad for you... now that's not a happy combination. Disclaimer: "cardboard" was a nickname provided by a regular a.m. customer. I have never tasted anything from the pastry case.

$1 tuesdays

2008-08-26T21:41:00.005-05:00

Federal Way's $2 Starplex Cinemas in Gateway Center is only $1 on Tuesday. Juli and I try to hit it up as much as possible - whenever she's not up in the air, laying on the beach in Miami, making her assault on the strip, strolling the streets of Chicago...

Juli and I agree: "Almost any movie is worth a dollar... almost."

Tonight was Kung Fu Panda. $5 dollars worth of laughs in a $1 ticket :)

A couple weeks ago was What Happens In Vegas: a twisted, but happy, Romantic comedy.

Others: Across the Universe, Jumper, Resident Evil Apocalypse...

devil's lake

2008-08-26T17:43:00.007-05:00

I try not to make goodbyes memorable... because I simply don't like to remember them and, well, there's too many to recall. A quick kiss and "love you" will do. No lingering. No gazing. No dramatic walking away. My departure was perfectly forgettable.

I spent a long weekend relaxing and playing at the Isaac's cabin in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. Nicky and I watched the sunrise out on the boat dock before I headed home.

He's back at WSU for his last semester! Classes started yesterday. I drove the 5 hours to Pullman with him last week for my very first time - the trip isn't half bad, including the pit stop in Ellensburg. He saw me off on the Horizon puddle-jump home.

Nick takes the MCAT Sept 13 - pray for him as he prepares! The next three weeks will be a stressful stretch, but I'm confident he will run through the bag. I fly to Pullman that evening.

seattle half, anyone?

2008-08-26T06:08:00.000-05:00

I'm going to train for the November 30th Seattle Half Marathon. Anyone up for it? Below is my training schedule. Training starts one week from today.

what's your favorite olympic event?

2008-08-24T20:35:00.005-05:00

Women's Beach Volleyball... although Rhythmic Gymnastics is a close second.

Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor have won 2 olympic gold medals for beach volleyball and extend their winning streak to 108 games overall (including AVP).

Misty May-Treanor was my favorite athlete to watch play. Best defensive player in the world.

Beijing Medal Tally

archery
badminton
baseball
boxing
canoeing
cycling
diving
equestrian
fencing
football (soccer)
golf
gymnastics
handball
field hockey
judo
lacrosse
modern pentathlon
polo
rowing
sailing
shooting
swimming
synchronized swimming
table tennis
taekwondo
tennis
triathlon
volleyball
water polo
weightlifting
wrestling

MAMMA MIA! with Mama D.

2008-08-01T19:34:00.004-05:00

It ended on a bad note... literally: Pierce Brosnan cannot sing!

Rex Harrison spoke most of his lyrics in My Fair Lady, and it worked. Richard Gere found similar success with his performance in Chicago. But casting hopes on Brosnan was a professional mistake!

Don't get me wrong; I loved the movie musical. It made me grin and giggle and fall in love - and pretty much want to get married on a secluded Greek island with brilliant colors and views of rocky mountainsides shooting out of and endless ocean. But every time Brosnan opened his mouth I found myself looking down and away in embarrassment.

My pre Mamma Mia! experience was a bit tainted, as a Starbucks regular shared her anti-Brosnan vocals sentiment to me earlier in the week. But even my Mama turned her head and cringed when Brosnan felt a song coming on.

Mom and Paps saw Mamma Mia! on stage in Vegas. She walked away from the performance eager to buy the soundtrack. I can't say that I'm a fan of ABBA (I heard "Voulez-Vous one too many times on shuffle during 8-hour Jamba shifts... even back-to-back on rare occasions), but it was a fun idea to improve their songs with a romantic comedy (sorry ABBA fans!).

Meryl Streep was "dynamite", Colin Firth was perfect, the cast vibrant and the tone energetic. Brosnan was a mistake. But go see it anyway! You won't regret it.

Handing over my silver spoon and swirl...

2008-07-26T23:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday I will be turning in my visor and saying farewell to Jamba. No tears here. I will now just be a happy customer.

Netflix "watch now"

2008-07-24T11:34:00.005-05:00

Flics I've enjoyed recently:

Bella(2006) PG-13

Two lost souls, Nina (Tammy Blanchard), a pregnant, unmarried waitress, and Jose (Eduardo Verástegui), an introspective yet troubled cook with a mysterious past, find solace in each other as their lives become unpredictably linked throughout the course of one incredible day. An uplifting story of love, hope and forgiveness, this remarkable tale is co-written and directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde.

This was cute, prepare for some tears.

Ira & Abby(2006) R

A wry look at the insanity of married life, this offbeat comedy follows the ups and downs of a whirlwind romance between the brilliant yet neurotic Ira Black (Chris Messina) and the free-spirited but flaky Abby Willoughby (Jennifer Westfeldt). Hastily married after knowing each other for only a few short hours, Ira and Abby battle a series of misadventures that forces them to question just how real their love is.

A lot of psychology and a lot of fun.

2 Days in ParisDeux Jours à Paris(2007) R

Returning from a disastrous "romantic" trip to Venice, Marion (Julie Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) stop in Paris for two days to visit Marion's parents. But Marion's Parisian ex-lovers, her overbearing parents and culture shock all conspire to make American-born Jack feel even more estranged from Marion in this quirky comedy. Delpy, who also directed, received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature.

Don't bother with this one if French sexuality offends you.

Whiskey

2008-07-24T11:15:00.005-05:00

The Baker's new addition! He is adorable. I asked for a chocolate one a handful of years ago. And the summer before Senior year mom and dad brought home roxtar, a miniature schnauzer - I just spelled that correctly the first time :) They placed the pup in my hand and it was humanly impossible to get disappointed.

It's time for some campaignin!

2008-07-20T21:43:00.001-05:00

Funny.

Go to jibjab.com for more viewing pleasures.

bad checks

2008-07-19T09:10:00.004-05:00

I found a Sierra Design cd/flashlight clip tent on craigslist. Buying on craigslist is the one time I have to go take cash out because no way can anyone in their right mind take a personal check (The couple I bought the Honda Civic from had me notarize a cashiers check: "I, Nicole Collins, say that this check is valid").

I picked the tent up at the REI in Tacoma, and while I was waiting I stopped in at a Teriyaki joint. They had a display of checks at the register that had bounced - each had a stamp that read similar to "no sufficient funds."

I loved it. It was perfect. If you wanted to argue with them about using your personal check - they could just point to the functional art to the right of their register.

Starbucks accepts checks - although any partner at POS has to scrutinize it, and you must have ID.

Next to the Teriyaki restaurant was a display for a "coming soon" Jimmy John's. This is a grub cold sandwich spot and I believe it originated in Chicago.

viv-e-va-no-no what!?

2008-07-18T11:48:00.004-05:00

Sbux began serving their new "nourishing blend" in the form of chocolate banana and orange mango banana on Tuesday.

I worked the open at Sbux and the close at Jamba today. On my break at Jamba I visited one of the three Starbucks that are in walking distance from my smoothie store :) I picked up a Chocolate Banana and Orange Mango Banana Vivanno and brought them back to Jamba for my TMs to try.

Starbucks partners will not call the new Vivannos "smoothies" and the reason they will supply: "Vivannos aren't smoothies because they are made with real and simple ingredients."

Ha.

Jamba sells smoothies that contain all fruit and all fruit juice: the Pomegranate Paradise is pomegranate juice, strawberries, mangos and peaches. No added sugar, no syrups, no sherbet (of course customers can choose Classics and Indulgences on the menu that contain sherbet, peanut butter, vanilla soy milk, chocolate...)

I mimicked the Vivannos using the corresponding Jamba ingredients (including whey protein and fiber powder). They taste eerily similar, although Jamba's "orange-mango-banana" (doesn't exist in this form on the menu) tasted better because it contained fresh squeezed orange juice.

Truth is: I think they all taste bad. Even if you mimicked the recipe with the same ingredients in your own kitchen.

Also: watch out for that 21 grams of protein in a vivanno! It is whey protein (dairy allergen) - nothing wrong with whey, as I take it after I do weightlifting workouts. But everyone might not need those extra calories and protein.

Every food joint lately is coming out with smoothies - what goes into those blends, I do not know. And now McDonald's is coming out with espresso - probably robusto. But I don't think you are stupid -- I think you know what you're getting... I think.

These promotions are all coming out to lure customers in the wake of a struggling economy. Jamba also launched a summer phase 2: the Orange Refresher - another all fruit smoothie (Orange juice, mangos, peaches, banana). Go try it! - but make sure you ask for no "Ready to Use" orange juice and substitute fresh squeezed instead. No extra charge! Order the 16 oz for $2.95, add extra strawberries for 50 cents and ask them to pour it in a bigger cup.

mudup.org

2008-07-09T00:46:00.002-05:00

I saw a commercial on abc for mudup.org, an effort to clean up the Puget Sound. I really liked their mud hand print logo, which made me want to check out their site. It is well designed; simple and fresh.

the beverage master

2008-07-06T11:43:00.005-05:00

... an acquaintance at the gym nick-named me.

TMs at Jamba

I am barista by day, chief blending officer (no lie) by night. This beverage master does not need a liquor license.

As I am finishing up these blasted LSU courses I started A YEAR AGO... I am working at Starbucks and Jamba Juice.

They are very similar food-vendors when it comes to operations and customer service ("WOW" the customer and the "Starbucks experience")... but they have two distinct cultures.

Jamba is loud, vibrant and healthy.
Starbucks is laid-back, neutral and fattening.

At Jamba I am the oldest employee, with the exception of my GM. All of the Team Members are minors, and my other Lead (shift manager) is 20. At Sbux I am on the younger side, as we have a handful of Partners over 30.

For now the gigs aren't too shabby, but after this year I hope to say goodbye to the food industry for life :)

I work at the Jamba in Covington. If you walk outside the store you can see three different Starbucks coffeehouses.

Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is.

movin' out

2008-06-27T00:06:00.002-05:00

I'm swinging back and forth on the "moving out" pendulum several times a day: stay at Mom & Paps Inn and save tons of money, or move out and be independent.

Well thanks to this Italian architect, I found a place. But it's not going to be ready for me until 2010... and I would have to relocate to Dubai.

hands free drivers

2008-06-18T13:50:00.008-05:00

Starting in July we are all going hands free behind the wheel in Woarshington. Texting was regulated around the new year, although I continue to text as often as I speed. I'm going to start driving around with a remote control to my ear and sing out loud with exaggerated mouth movements just for kicks.

Mom bought a $50+ hands free blue tooth from Costco. It is sleek, about the size of half a flip phone, and attaches to her car visor. Get me one too? I'm curious if these will start getting swiped out of cars as often as portable GPS devices (although they are less than a fourth of the price). Stow your blue tooth... and I would suggest not using the GPS dock that attaches to the windshield or the dashboard - definitely a dead giveaway that a GPS device is somewhere on board.

I found a cheap solution to the new law in my inbox this morning:

Cell phones - New Law (2008)
According to new Washington State law that goes into effect July 1, 2008 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a 'hands free' adapter.
I went to Circuit City and they wanted $50 for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone. Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked with him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through Office Depot.
These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid him $0.08 each because he bought in quantity.
Then we tried it with Motorola, Sprint, Verizon and Nokia units and they worked perfectly.

juneuary sun

2008-06-18T00:49:00.007-05:00

The gray curtain finally opened to unveil Mount Rainier and to debut the June sun Sunday and Monday. Its been rare to have an unobstructed view of the mountain, a structure especially prominent against a blue sky on the way to my 5am shift in Bonney Lake. I was itching to get outside and the sun teased me through fully windowed walls of a lofted Jamba ceiling. I was home by noon and talked mom into taking a hike.

Snoqualmie Falls is a destination location and therefore waaaay too crowded. Hiking is an overstatement. The one mile roundtrip is worth the sight, though. Ignore the caution sign, jump over the deck railing, and walk up the rocks until you are sprayed with mist from the waterfall. You can take it all in under 30 minutes total -- or you can take your time and plan a picnic on the grassy areas on higher elevation.

Snoqualmie Falls NO DOGS ALLOWED!? Roxstar was not the only exception. We ran into many others and even a miniature husky -- now I want one. The owner warned me they are hard to get... intriguing.

After the quick stop at Snoqualmie, we drove through North Bend and past Mount Si to Twin Falls. It was a moderate 5 mile hike, adequate for running, and pretty much isolated-- We passed maybe a dozen hikers on the trail. Roxstar enjoyed roaming unleashed. There are at least four great waterfall lookouts. The view from the bridge between the two falls is first-rate.

On the way home we stopped for a bite at 'Got Rice', a Chinese restaurant in Snoqualmie. Nothing like ruining a workout with deep fried sweet and sour chicken. Later we visited Stef and Matt Baker and toured their new house. It has been almost a year since I've seen them! They are the cutest - I love them and their happy home.

Snoqualmie is a serene spot.

Just before the pain...

2008-06-12T18:37:00.004-05:00

... a forwarded email worth blogging!

rOAd tRiP

2008-05-15T14:36:00.001-05:00

2409 miles total
3 nights
Depart Deerfield, Illinois: May 12, 2:00p CST
Arrive Tacoma, Washington: May 15, 3:00p PDT

Gasoline: $325.12 - we filled up 9 times. (and I still have over a half tank left :)
I averaged 28.5 miles to the gallon.

Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln and myself.
Mt Rushmore, South Dakota.

Me and Old Faithful at Yellowstone Nat'l Park, Wyoming.
I took a sulfur shower just before this pic.

CLIF goes home

2008-05-15T13:33:00.002-05:00

Clif and I met at a soccer tournament in Iowa. He would hang out around my soccer locker next to my Clif bars. My locker partner Miesh and I would kiss Clif for good luck before road trips to soccer matches.

After graduation I packed up everything to my name in my Honda Civic. Clif didn't really help. He just hung out in my room the whole time and didn't say a word. I think he was bummed I was leaving. But then he silently made his way to the car and made it pretty clear that he wanted to come home with mom and I.

We took Clif on random stops and to three National Parks... but he would never look up at anything. The only object of his attention was that damn soccer ball.

"Dribble with your head up!" I told Clif. But he never would take his eyes off the ball.

We made sure to take pictures of Clif across the nation. In case he ever looks up from that ball, he can see where he has been and what he has missed.

Dribbling the driveway at the Buffalo Grove house for the last time. Clif was always an over-achiever.

Returning the Comcast equipment = No more Fox Soccer Network.

Playing around on the lawn of the Trinity Mansion = Clif's favorite thing to do.

Picking up the TREK at Deerfield Cyclery. Clif isn't a fan of biking, unless he can take his ball along. He didn't help with mounting the bike either.

Pit stop at Wisconsin Dells. Culver's frozen custard - a must! But Clif didn't want any.

Kicking it around at Badlands Nat'l Park. He just never stops.

Taking on the presidents at Mt Rushmore. Don't ask Clif who the president's are - but he can tell you each story behind each scuff or mark on his soccer ball.

"I'm as big as the bighorn mountains," thought Clif, "At least, that's what I heard Dani say." Scenic route 16 to Yellowstone.

"We play in all weather. Rain or snow. And on any surface. Try me."

Clif had his own queen-size bed while Mom and I shared one.

"I'm on top of the world! Watch me dribble the railing."
Dani: "Get down from there before a Ranger yells at you!"

Mammoth Springs.

Cliff nutmegged the buffalo and he went solemnly on his way.

Cliff didn't care to see Old Faithful and turned his back.
"It's taking too long. I could have dribbled the park by now. Twice."

She's faithful. But Cliff wouldn't know.

Clif met a new friend on the dashboard.

Home a'las! Clif thinks he's living in my room, but I showed him to his new spot in the garage.

roadtrip: chicago - seattle

2008-05-11T18:28:00.001-05:00

i just need to get from A to B :)

1 day 6 hours
2058 miles

chi botanic gardens on mom's day

2008-05-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

mom's favorite:

graduation!

2008-05-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

TIU Eagles Connection

2008-04-30T19:49:00.002-05:00

Three Trinity International University (TIU) students have committed their summer to share the Gospel through the universal language of soccer.

Seniors Andy Plascencia, Bobby McColl and sophomore Karen Ibata will join other collegiate athletes from across the nation, seeking to play and coach as a part of the ‘08 Chicago Eagles Academy.

The Academy provides a four-day sports ministry training seminar, a two-week missions tour in Brazil, and a five-week camp outreach in the Chicagoland area.

This will be Plascencia’s fourth summer with Eagles, and his is looking forward to returning to Brazil this summer to see the growth from his last tour.

“One day, I will see what my sacrifice has meant,” said Plascencia. “I await the day when I stand in heaven and one of these boys or girls tap me on the shoulder, stand before me and say, 'remember me? I'm here because you introduced me to Christ'.”

Plascencia is committed to advance the Kingdom through the talents and abilities God blessed him with in this life.

“Being able to be a part of something eternal and knowing that I can share good news through one of my biggest passions,” said Plascencia.

The sports ministry training curriculum material has been adapted from the literature of Athletes In Action (AIA), a division of Campus Crusade for Crusade.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Academy will apply the training to run clinics and camps for underprivileged children, partner with local churches, and use soccer as a platform to share the Gospel.

The Academy finishes off in Chicago with five weeks of youth soccer camps. The Chicago Eagles men and women also have the opportunity to play in the Illinois State Soccer Association U23 league, which is especially helpful for those who need to prepare for their fall college seasons.

Based out of Wheaton, the Eagles are the Midwest division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI), a non-profit, interdenominational sports ministry. Their goal is to share the message of Jesus Christ through the environment of soccer by their commitment to training athletes in the disciplines of sports ministry.

In 1987, rival coaches of Biola University and Azusa Pacific University of Southern California envisioned a fusion of soccer with ministry. They started the Orange County Seahorses, a program designed to enable college-aged soccer athletes to travel overseas and impact the world for Christ. Upon this vision, Missionary Athletes International was born and it focused solely on the universally beloved game of soccer.

MAI has had many ties with TIU athletics.

Women’s soccer player and Southern California native Christine Naumo played for the Seahorses when she red-shirted her freshman year at Hope International University (HIU).

“We have been blessed with high participation from Trinity,” said Chicago Eagles Director Rick McKinley.

TIU Women’s soccer alum Val Tom is a full time missionary with the Chicago Eagles.

The ’07 Academy included Ryan Dollard, Loryssa Simas, Wendy Moore, Ruth Kratzer, Bobby McColl, and returners Plascencia and Tom.

The ’06 Academy players included TIU alumnus Val Tom, Nicole Collins, and Serena Bjurlin, and returner Plascencia.

Athletic Director and Women’s Soccer Head Coach Patrick Gilliam and assistant Kelvin Tohme coached the ’05 Chicago Eagles women’s team, and TIU Men’s Soccer Head Coach Chris Bergmann coached the Eagle’s men’s team.

The ’05 Academy players included TIU Women’s soccer assistant coach and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) student Ryan Erickson, TIU alumni Missy Ruggiero, Kelly Cambell and Lindy Flanigan, TIU Women’s Soccer reserve head coach and alumnus Jeanne Shambach, TIU Women’s Softball Assistant Coach and alumnus Heather Patnaude, TIU students Hannah Peterson, Tami Burke, Heidi Ebersole, Andy Plascencia, and TEDS Records Secretary Krista Cox.

“My Trinity teammates have come back with such great stories and experiences, they all speak very highly of the Eagles,” said Karen Ibata, who has committed to the Eagles Academy for this summer. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity combining soccer, ministry and kids - it was too good to pass up… I also need to make sure I am staying in shape for soccer.”

Ibata is excited to do missions in Brazil and will be playing for her third year on the TIU women’s soccer team in the fall.

cubs game @ wrigley field

2008-04-29T23:59:00.001-05:00

I went to Wrigley Field with some of my former teammates for a Chicago Cubs game. Wrigley Field was on the to-do list before I get outta here (Graduation: May 10).

I enjoyed some dogs, peanuts, a licorice rope and lukewarm hot chocolate -- it was an extra chilly night! I got a free Cubs longsleeve and dropped my WA driver's license somewhere in the park. Not a happy thing.

Cubs were down by 10-7 in the bottom of the 8th. I assume they went on to lose.

It's been 100 years since the Cubs won the World Series. And like every other year, Cubs fans continue to proclaim, "This is the year!"

We drove to Evanston and took the L train to the baseball park. The L was a first for me too.

Cubs Manager Lou Pinella, former Manager of the Seattle Mariners, starred as himself in a fabulously funny Aquafina commercial.

Chicago Earthquake

2008-04-25T16:40:00.004-05:00

Trinity Digest
by Nicole Collins

In Chicago the snow falls, the wind literally blows, and the snow falls again—and apparently the earth quakes. But few Midwesterners or Trinity International University (TIU) students recognized it.

“I didn’t feel a damn thing and I was kind of mad,” said Loryssa Simas, who remained dead asleep during the earthquake that hit Southern Illinois at 4:36 a.m. Friday with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2, according to geologists. “I wanted to be able to say I felt an earthquake.”

The rumbling originated in the Ozark Dome region, an area including several fault lines that covers roughly five Southern and Midwestern states that have nothing on the seismic zones found in the West.

“I felt at home,” said Christine Naumo, a Southern California native who still remembers the 6.7 waves of concrete rippling through her Santa Clarita neighborhood when she was seven years old.

Some 120,000 square miles of earth shook from southern Memphis north to Michigan, and from Nashville west to Kansas City.

“There goes everything I learned in fifth grade geology,” said Minnesota native Wendy Moore who didn’t believe earthquakes could happen in the Midwest.

No one was killed, only slight injuries were claimed, shelves were rattled, a chimney collapsed, and beds jiggled.

“I thought my bed was vibrating,” said Laura Della Torre, who thought she was going crazy until she heard news of an actual earthquake.

By Tuesday a few students were still ignorant of the disturbance that came in the wee hours of the morning.

“Didn’t have a clue anything happened,” said Jesse Edson.

“I woke up to pee around 5, but I think it was over by then,” said Dana Larmour.

“I didn’t feel it, but my friend did and thought a train was going by,” said Jami Higgs.

A comparable earthquake hit the same spot six years ago and a bit stronger quake hit the southern Illinois area in 1968. But none of these were as severe as an early 1800s rumble that shook all the way down to Memphis.

At least twenty-two aftershocks from Friday’s quake were recorded by Monday at magnitudes as high as 4.5.

“What earthquake?” asked Levi Arnold.

Car(r)ey comedian num. 2

2008-04-19T15:53:00.004-05:00

A comedian named Carey. Most minds immediately picture funny-man Jim... but even Mariah Carey has a sense of humor. Yes, she probably has received mucho help from MTV writers, but the fact that she authorized/agreed to the comic flavor in the music video for her #1 song Touch My Body and for her extensive MTV commercial ad campaign -- well, I'm impressed.

Touch My Body music video - I like that they toned it down with the Geek Squad character.

MTV Commercial 7 - One of over a dozen commercials as a part of the MC ad campaign. I would argue that this is not a replica of the flighty Jessica Simpson character (which added to her ruin).

To see! Movie list.

2008-04-19T15:35:00.002-05:00

Baby Mama Tina Fey, Amy Poehler

Run Fatboy Run Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Ben Stein

Sports Made Personal

2008-04-19T14:54:00.003-05:00

Northshore nannying has nothing on Northshore coaching.

I started a new job this week. I work for Sports Made Personal (SMP), a private company that provides trainers for young athletes. I was referred by TIU men's soccer assistant coach Jason. A phone call and email later, I began training for Justin.

I currently train over a dozen AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) teams in one week, from 30 minutes to and hour each. The teams I train are from Winnetka, Glencoe, Northfield and surrounding area.

Nanny
Pros
Paid well and under the table
Not the food industry

Cons
Shady parents
Inconsistent payday
Angry/disobedient/lying children
Ballet Sally
Juvenile movies/tv

Trainer
pros
Kids here to play soccer!
Good pay
Outdoors
Physical activity

cons
Working for parent-coaches with poor communication skills or difficult personalities
Kids who obviously don't want to be there (usually at least one per team)

The Master Cleanser

2008-04-18T08:45:00.001-05:00

Trinity Digest 4/18
by Nicole Collins

A 1940s diet focused toward eliminating body toxins has resurged this past handful of years chiefly through human testimony, but also by supplemental literature published in recent years.

A ten to forty-day fast by another name, the Master Cleanse calls for a lot of water mixed with fresh squeezed lemons or limes, grade B maple syrup (dark amber), and cayenne pepper. That’s it.

I heard about the MC, also known as the “Lemonade Diet,” as a college freshman at a Leslie Feist Concert in Hollywood. And it was not via endorsement by the up-and-coming Feist, but by a girl in the audience who’s prized accessory was a Nalgene containing a lemonade concoction.

She was a friend of a friend, and I observed her later at Baja Fresh on Hollywood Boulevard as I destroyed a fajita burrito and she sipped on glorified water. Her self-denial and sticktoitiveness intrigued me.

Nutritionist Stanley Burroughs created the cleanse in the 40s and it was published in the 70’s as “The Master Cleanser,” a 50-page booklet written to bring the reader hope, knowledge and truth. It originally proved itself after healing stomach ulcers forty years ago suffered by a Bob Norman.

The MC types are mostly health-conscious individuals who are interested in eliminating body waste by purging their systems of toxins and impurities, such as food additives and pesticides.

“Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days” is the title of Peter Glickman’s book that republished Burrough’s original recipe, but revamped the method and appealed to the mainstream in 2005.

“While popular diets and fasts come and go, master cleanse remains a perennial favorite, a kind of folk regimen that owes its popularity to word of mouth and the Internet” wrote Lolo Ogunnaike for the New York Times Dec. 10.

Beyoncé Knowles told Oprah viewers of her 20-pound loss on the diet to prepare for her lead role in “Dreamgirls” in 2006.

Robin Quivers, known via Howard Stern, shed 73 pounds over three separate fasts in 2004, as told to People magazine.

Skinner comedian actress Tina Fay was suggested to have been dieting via the MC through a loaded question in a an episode of NBC’s “30 Rock” this past year.

Critics condemn the MC for its seeming eating disorder tendency risk and also by a common American presupposition that you will die if you miss a meal.

“Since the days of Jesus Christ, who fasted for 40 days, men and women have abstained from food for many reasons; for health, for political ends, and for spiritual enlightenment,” wrote Herman Schneider, who goes on the cleanse two or three times a year.

Now a college senior, I started the MC Monday, Mar. 24 and endured the minimum ten days. I didn’t eliminate anything significant, such as fabled parasites or ropes that line the large intestine of poor-eaters, and I lost about five pounds (all gained back already).

I certainly experienced an increase in energy and now, post-cleanse, I crave real food, such as raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds.

“The Internet teems with testimonials to the cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet, claiming that it fights disease, clears the mind as well as acne, and increases energy. Bloggers chronicle their daily fasting. Master cleanse video diaries can be found on YouTube, and a cottage industry has developed with various companies peddling cleansing kits including all ingredients for the beverage except lemons,” reported Ogunnaike (NYT).

I have joined the thousands of bloggers, and posted daily journals of my MC experience at www.nicolecollins.blogspot.com.

WTF was OMFG thinking?

2008-04-17T21:13:00.002-05:00

Does this bother anyone? Well the ad greets me every time I check my yahoo account. So you get to see the ad ONE time that you check my blog.

The Bosh

The CW is being slammed for the steamy "Gossip Girl" image of two characters having sex, and one version with letters that represent an obscene slang term, Fox reports

"We wanted to create a provocative campaign that stands out from the competition and reminds viewers of some of the 'OMG' moments that have made Gossip Girl one of the most buzzed-about new shows on television," the CW said in a statement. "This sexy, sophisticated campaign speaks directly to our adult 18-34 viewers using expressions that are part of their lexicon."

weather

2008-04-17T12:03:00.005-05:00

Buffalo Grove - Nicole

Cancun - Mom, Paps, Gpas Audett

Seattle - Breau/Bridge, Gpas Collins

Portland - Jon/Tristen

Pullman - Nicky

inspired by Mona Lisa Smile

2008-04-16T20:40:00.007-05:00

Christmas Break 3 months earlier. After re-watching Mona Lisa Smile for the upteenth time, I mentioned to mom that it would be sweet to have a typewriter.

Random "spring break" a few days ago. Gpas Collins came to the house for dinner and cards, and Grandpa brought with him a short and fat locked briefcase.

"I heard you might be interested in one of these," he said nonchalantly.

I stood clueless, but intrigued by the unknown contents of this big black square container. A 1940s typewriter. And in pristine condition, as it has been hardly used. All it needs is an ink ribbon, which "may prove difficult to find" according to mom... but you can find anything on the internet, right? (3 smith corona ink ribbons for $25!)

I was delightfully stunned. Moments like these are rare. Thanks grents!

When we were playing cards, I drew an unhelpful card that caused me to proclaim, "reDIC!"
Mom quickly tagged-on, "ulous."

I was playing some multi-generation-friendly tunes (the beatles) in the form of Across the Universe soundtrack and best hits. Dad and I suddenly broke into song at the exact same time at the slowed and emotionally charged lyrics "Tell Me What You See." It was precious. I saw Grandma smile with a sentimental intensity I have never seen before.

Roman John Collins

2008-04-14T16:17:00.001-05:00

Cousin Jesse and wife Tammy gave birth to little cutie #2 today!

Roman John Collins
Born April 14, 2008 at 4pm
9lb 3 oz; 21.5 " long

All are happy, healthy and whole! Thank you, Lord!

Love,
Linda

Tip a Cop

2008-04-14T00:42:00.007-05:00

Hamburger Hop Less Than Jake
I made the video with three 15 second (maximum) clips from mom's cell phone camera.

Lemon Waters. Onion Rings. Creamy Artichoke and Spinach Dip. Chocolate Malt. Bottomless Blueberry Pomegranate Limeade. Strawberry Shake. Cheeseburgers. Whiskey River BBQ Burger. Kids Meal. Mushroom Burger. Garden Burger. Bottomless Fries...

Gpas Collins, Breau/idge, the rents and I went to the Des Moines Red Robin "Tip a Cop," a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Mom and I split the Whiskey River BBQ burger (so much for the cleanse), and Mom and Finn split her half.

"Secret" is out. I flew standby (thanks jules) to surprise/visit Nick for his birthday (apr 5) at WSU (Pullman) and had a layover in Seattle. But I didn't tell anyone (Mom). It was fun.

I need to be back to school for Tuesday, but the latest I could safely get out of Pullman before then was Saturday. When my plane took off for Seattle I realized, "I should hang out with the fam for the weekend."

As I touched down in Seattle (The view was gorgeous and at that moment I longed to move back) at 7:45a I texted mom "U have a busy wknd?" She was in bed and neglected to respond. So I called dad and told him that I was in Seattle and needed them to pick me up.

Airport arrivals are happy places.

"Are you okay?" asked Dad worriedly. I had lost my voice-- maybe I sounded like I was crying.

They were truly surprised.

At church one of mom's close friends looked confused when she saw me and asked, "Does your mom know you are home?" When I told her that mom hadn't known, her concerned expression was relieved.

Family. Prepared food. Shopping on mom. Fabulous shower head. Chicago rummy with the grents. Finn.

Being home makes me smile.

Dad asked mom to pick up some waffle cones at the store. Mom dismissively grabbed a dented box. To dad's dismay, half of the cones were broken-- I cannot adequately describe his emotional state. He requested that her stupidity be published and Mom acquiesced (thus the pic). She served us ice cream in a bowl with crushed waffle cone and argued that it was a sufficient remedy. I said, "You can break a cone, but you can't 'unbreak' one" and "I'd like to see the various activities dad can accomplish while using a cone versus a bowl." Mom put the three unbroken cones back in the package, and on her way to the pantry she dropped the box on the pine wood floor. Dad was in the garage -- I still don't think he knows. Let's not tell him.

Memphis/Kansas

2008-04-07T12:22:00.003-05:00

I checked out my CBS Bracket standing on Facebook for the first time today... and I'm ranked number one out of all my friends. What!? And I thought my bracket was wack - no slang intended (i.e. bad is bad but baaaad is good).

My CBS sportsline bracket is not fabulous because UCLA lost. But that's why you fill out more than one!

Memphis vs Kansas tonight 9:21p EST. So that's 6:21 for all of you on the Westside and 8:21 here in Chicagoland.

Go Memphis!

Box Office Blackjack

2008-04-03T11:48:00.005-05:00

Trinity Digest
by Nicole Collins

Card counter Jeff Ma of the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) blackjack team dropped his pseudonym and anonymity this year in the epilogue of Ben Mezrich’s Bringing Down the House, an inside scoop on six MIT students who won millions in Las Vegas in the late 90s

Now a major motion picture that debuted worldwide Friday, Ma’s story scored number one in the box office and earned 24.1 million under the title “21” in it’s first weekend.

Ma’s secret lasted a decade after his MIT escapade and six years after Mezrich’s novel had first been published. Ma’s name was not only published, but he appeared on the big screen in a handful of shots as Planet Hollywood Dealer Jeff.

“The climate around gambling back then—it wasn’t the same as it is today,” said Ma in an interview with Mezrich in Vegas last year. “This was before the poker craze, and the resurgence of Vegas. Gambling was still kind of dirty—it wasn’t socially acceptable.”

Ma came from a conservative upbringing in upper-middle-class New England suburbia where he was shipped to Exeter Academy at twelve and transitioned to MIT from there.

Because Ma feared how he would be perceived, especially by his father, for playing blackjack, he kept weekend card-counting expeditions a secret and separate from his life in Boston where he graduated from MIT and first worked as an investment banker at a firm in Chicago.

His double life was preserved on-screen, as Ma was Ben Cambell (Jim Sturgess, Across the Universe), an MIT whizkid accepted early to Harvard Medical School—an elite educational opportunity he could not afford.

Although the real story is quite compelling, Hollywood naturally found a way to kick it up a notch with fictitious conflict and crafted struggles (tuition for Harvard Med, a fatherless protagonist, teammate love interest, estranged friendship from leading a double life, illegal interrogation by U.S. casino security…) —and a wholly produced, yet encompassing and stretched ending to match.

“The movie didn’t do the book justice,” is a cliché that can be thrown away here. Yes: there were enough card-counting flaws and strays from the real story to annoy the informed viewer. But the movie wasn’t about teaching moviegoers how to count cards or train team play.

It was about retelling the MIT blackjack experience, a real tale fit for the big screen.

“I am turned on by stories that involve young kids making huge fortunes, and living large,” wrote Mezrich in the Epilogue of his book renamed 21, “But it’s not the greed that gets me going, it’s the vicarious thrill of watching these guys beat systems that aren’t supposed to be beat.”

And they beat the system because they aren’t gambling. Instead, they use large bankrolls to invest in their 2% edge over the casino.

“It’s a combination of math and acting. If you do it right, you make money; if the casinos catch you doing it, they kick you out,” wrote Mezrich, “That’s the purest evidence that its not gambling—casinos love gamblers. They hate card counters.”

Is gambling (card counting) a sin?
Exploring the arguments for and against the Christian morality of counting cards or playing blackjack at Casinos.
by Jeremy Pryor

How to count cards

Master Cleanse Day 9 and 10

2008-04-02T18:48:00.001-05:00

I didn't eliminate anything significant, but I daily had eliminations to remove toxins. I lost about 5 lbs and I have increased my energy level. I'm craving REAL food, especially veggies and fruit.

The ten day cleanse has prepared me psychologically to jump-start a raw food, seed and nut diet (with some modifications). I will implement "Fat Sunday" (original to my roommate Torre who is doing a similar raw food diet). Fat Sunday is not an excuse to binge and revert to horrible eating habits - but it allows for coffee, or ice cream, or maybe some cheese added to the egg white omelet or salad (I will be adding salmon and egg whites to my "raw food" diet) Fat Sunday is also useful for when I am a guest at someone's house, I'm celebrating someone's birthday or a holiday, etc. In this case I could substitute Fat Sunday for another day that week.

Wednesday

I started the OJ this evening because I want to try to eat the soup tomorrow night. My stomach definitely feels weird from drinking OJ.

Tuesday

Uno mas.

11a Prepared full day of Lemon/Limeade
SWF

1p Lemon/limeade 1 & 2

4p Lemon/limeade 3 & 4

9:30p Lemon/limeade 5 & 6

10:30 Herbal Laxative

I could easily do this for ten, twenty or thirty more days. And I think I will -- maybe in the Fall.

Master Cleanse Day 8

2008-03-31T17:23:00.004-05:00

Dos dias mas. Wow. I feel like I could do this for 40 days. But I'm not gonna. Because I want to eat =).

Worked at the Wheaton office today.

9:30a Prepared full day serving of Lemonade

12:25p SWF

1p Eliminations

4p Lemonade 1 & 2

7p Lemonade 3 & 4

9p Lemonade 5 & 6

11:30p Laxative tea

Master Cleanse Day 7

2008-03-30T14:22:00.003-05:00

The end is in sight.

11a Harvest! Joe Stowell. I had a couple stomach cramps mid-sermon and started praying that I wouldn't, ya know, in my chair.

1:30p Prepared full day serving of Lemonade
SWF

2:30p Eliminations

3p Lemonade 1 & 2

6p Lemonade 3 & 4

9p Lemonade 5 & 6

To bed w/o SWF.

No hunger today. No cravings either. How boring.

All four number 1 seeds made it to the final four - crazy. I had three of the four: UNC, Memphis and UCLA. Davidson gave Kansas a run for their money - great game (should have gone for two! why did they settle for deep?).

The Last King of Scotland is a good movie. I recommend it to any adult.

Master Cleanse Day 6

2008-03-29T08:54:00.003-05:00

9:30a SWF
Prepared full day serving of Limeade.

10a Eliminations

11a Limeade 1 & 2

3p Limeade 3 & 4

6p Serena and I went to Dominick's to get her dinner (pizza, bananas) and I (Lemons). They are so expensive! But I don't have enough money to use gasoline to drive to TJ's to get cheap limes. I will probably do that Tuesday though.

Serena and I watched UCLA kill Xavier, Pretty Persuasion (twisted and too much sex - I wouldn't recommend), and then we watched UNC breakaway from Louisville in the last 5 minutes to win.

7p Limeade 5 & 6

10p SWF

11p Eliminations

Today is the first day that I've been legitimately hungry. I'm craving ESPNzone nachos, thin crust pizza (again), potbelly italian sub, gala apples...

I have had no significant eliminations.

Master Cleanse Day 5

2008-03-28T11:56:00.006-05:00

I woke up this morning and... I'M OUT OF LEMONS! But I knew I was out before I went to bed. Torre and I went to Trader Joe's - I bought LIMES this time (A bag of 5 for $1.99!), and I also stocked up on maple syrup (a different brand this time - mixing things up) and sea salt (my sea salt is mysteriously low). The limes were extra easy to squeeze because their skin/peel is significantly thinner than the lemons. I made more than enough lime juice with 6 of the limes. Happy.

11:45a Prepared Full day of LIMEade!
SWF

12:30p Eliminations

1p Limeade 1 & 2

3:45 Saw 21 the movie - it was actually pretty good for an adaptation -- I enjoyed the movie's original ending.

6:30p Limeade 3 & 4

8p Limeade 5 & 6

9:45p SWF

10p Eliminations

I craved Azura's (Seattle) D.C. sushi roll and calamari appetizer today. Yum. On the Border Mexican Restaurant queso dip and tacos. Giordano's thin crust veggie pizza with artichokes, mushrooms, green peppers, onions and olives. Culver's vanilla custard with hot fudge and andies mints. I need to stop.

Master Cleanse Day 4

2008-03-27T09:42:00.007-05:00

Missing a meal won't hurt!
By Herman Schneider

Since the days of Jesus Christ, who fasted for 40 days, men and women have abstained from food for many reasons; for health, for political ends, and for spiritual enlightenment.

However, the average person, not familiar with fasting, believes he will certainly die if he misses a meal. When you hear of a person dying after being lost in the woods or at sea for two or three days, it was not lack of food that caused his death, but it was panic and fear that killed him. Most people in fairly good health can go for many days without food, but the body must have water...

I calculated my approx. daily calorie intake during the cleanse: 620 calories. That's almost a third of my normal daily intake.

7a-8a
Eliminations

9a SWF
Prepared full day serving of Lemonade

10a Eliminations

12p Lemonade 1 & 2

4p Lemonade 3 & 4

7p Lemonade 5 & 6

9p SWF

10p Eliminations

I was extra irritable today - it was comical.

I daydreamed of calling Comcast and chewing them out because our DVR isn't working again - I started getting severely annoyed as I imagined the contractor coming to the house and ask his premeditated question: "What did you do to break the DVR?" They always put US on the defense. It pisses me off. After plugging in their stupid equipment into the DVR it magically starts working again and they give some reason that is above my head - but in the end it was a system malfunction - NOT HUMAN!

I also hung up with Andy when he mistook a replay of the Stanford/Marquette 2nd round game as sweet sixteen game and unintentionally convinced me that I was missing one of today's games.

Nick said he could tell I was irritable on the phone this morning because I was short. Impatience can stem from irritability.

I have a mouth on me today. Definite increase in profanity.

I was loud.

Today wasn't supposed to be an irritable day, but whatever.

I want to go to bed.

Master Cleanse Day 3

2008-03-26T10:33:00.006-05:00

I have experienced one of Peter's list of detox symptoms so far: hot bowel movements. The list was: cravings, tiredness, irritability, physical aches/pains/nausea/vomiting, and hot bowel movements. I was a little sleepy on the evening of Day 1 and I have had slight cravings (usually increase when I watch my roommates cook and smell the aroma coming from the kitchen), but nothing unmanageable.

I didn't drink the herbal laxative tea after the SWF last night. It was too late and I was too tired.

What I found out about saltwater flush and laxative tea:

Master Cleanse Secrets

It's best to use either of these laxatives (or both of them) 2 times a day. I've found it best to take them in the morning and before I go to bed.

Also, I advise you give yourself at least an hour and a half before you go out when you do this. These laxatives will work fast, and you will discover why you should probably be at home near a bathroom when you use them.

Today is supposed to be one of the hardest...

Wednesday

10a
SWF
Prepared full day serving of Lemonade
My hands get weak after squeezing two halves. I'm thinking about buying a little juicer, but I don't really have the money right now. So weak hands it is.
The lemons weren't as large as the first ones I bought, which was a bummer - It took 5 lemons to get 12 tablespoons of juice (it should only take 3 large lemons).

12p
Lemonade 1 & 2
Water 24 oz

1p
Finished Digest article on off-campus living
I'm not hungry at all. It hasn't been bad today.
Started laundry

4p
Finished watching Being John Malkovich - weird.
I still don't feel sick.
Finished laundry

4:15p
Slight food cravings, ended with:
Lemonade 3 & 4
Water 24 oz

7p
Went to Barnes&Noble to study with roommates.
Read The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs - I'm in the clear. He has some great alternative recipes, including mayonnaise. I bought the book, because it details thoroughly what can be eaten the three days post-cleanse.

9:30p
Lemonade 5 & 6
Water 24 oz

10p
Smooth Move herbal laxative tea - thanks Torre for brewing it for me.

Today was not bad. So far Day 1 has been the hardest.

Master Cleanse Day 2

2008-03-25T16:17:00.016-05:00

I slept well and had dreams of many bathroom visits.

Last night I drank the herbal laxative tea for the first time. A lot of MC vets wrote about stomach cramps, some so severe that they stopped drinking the senna leaf tea. They must have been male, because the stomach cramps I experienced last night/this morning were nada compared to menstrual cramps. The MC cramps aren't constant, instead they are short and distinct and a bowel movement usually follows. It is possible, and I predict, that the cramps will increase in discomfort as the MC progresses.

Tuesday

5a Stomach cramp = Toilet run and false alarm
6a Stomach cramp = Toilet run and false alarm
7a Stomach cramp = toilet run
8a Stomach cramp = toilet run
9a Prepared full day serving of Lemonade

10a-1p
Sipped on lemonade while at the office. 3 servings.

1p
Sat through lunch at Amigos Mexican Restaurant with Andy and Justin - and it actually wasn't torture! Community chips and salsa, Andy's tacos and torta, and Justin's carne asada burrito smelled delicioso, but didn't break me.

3p
Lemonade 4
Bought more lemons (expensive! 1.19 each) and stocked up on toilet paper (the house was clean out).

4p
Saltwater Flush (1/2+ liter and 2 tsp of sea salt)
I didn't wake up early enough to do it before work.

4:30p
Diarrhea x 4
The cayenne pepper is burning my... it's on fire.

8:30p
Lemonade 5 & 6

9:30p
Saltwater flush
I have read Master Cleanse literature that suggests doing the SWF in the morning and in the evening, and one that just recommends the morning with laxative tea in the evening. Last night I did morning SWF, evening SWF and evening herbal laxative tea. I hope that doesn't kill me =). I will try to get to a book store tomorrow -- I'm pretty sure they stock the book at the Jamba Juice I worked at in Lincolnshire.

I bet the book will reveal a handful of things I'm doing wrong, but I'm confident that all is okay nonetheless.

Written by Peter Glickman:

I have grouped the detox symptoms I and others have had into five groups:

1. Cravings — Only 1 person in 4 experiences any hunger on this cleanse and drinking more lemonade or water handles usually handles that. I have, however, observed that people on the cleanse crave what they are detoxifying. Proof that this is true is that the cravings usually go away the next morning with bowel movements. You can crave anything when detoxifying, but most likely you will experience cravings for the most toxic foods, such as pizza, hamburgers, barbeque ribs, etc. The way to tell if it's a craving rather than true hunger is to imagine sitting down to a large, green salad. If that inspires you, you're hungary. If all you want is pizza; if that is all you can think about; then, you're experiencing a craving.

2. Tiredness — When your body fights toxins, whether from detoxifying or an infection, it diverts energy into healing and away from the energy you use to work and play. On my first 20 day cleanse, I was not tired except on the fifteenth day. The next morning, I experienced heat in my bowel movements, an indication that acidic toxins were being eliminated. I also lost all sense of tiredness after that morning's eliminations.

3. Irritability — This includes boredom and the desire to "just chew something solid".

4. Physical aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, etc. — These are the most severe reactions and only occur where a person is severely toxic, only a small percentage of people experience these. Fortunately, these have gone away after only a day or two in every case I have heard about.

5. Hot bowel movements — Your body wastes are acidic and when you eliminate the most toxic ones, they actually feel anywhere from warm to burning. This experience is very infrequent, but worth mentioning because hot bowel movements after a day of heavy detox symptoms will confirm that you just eliminated significant toxins.

Peter

Today went extra well. Weird. I read that Day 3 and 7 are the worst days. So I better have an action plan for tomorrow.

I finished reading Bringing Down the House today - 21 the movie comes out Friday, Torre and I are going. I'm writing a Digest article about a Church blackjack team, Bringing Down the House, and 21 the movie for the April 4th issue.

Netflix arrives tomorrow: Feast of Love and Being John Malkovich.

I have an LSU regiment that I NEED to stick to in order to get done by graduation. eeek.

Three Chicago Eagles players are staying at our house for the long weekend. They are from Houghton College (NY), Union University (Tenn), and University of Florida - three new locations to add to our multi-state household.

Nick Isaac and Dustin English are starting the Master Cleanse tomorrow at Washington State University. I hear that you have to travel outside Pullman to buy some of the ingredients. Good luck.

Master Cleanse Day 1

2008-03-24T22:10:00.011-05:00

I started the master cleanse today. It's a 10 to 40-day liquid ( a.k.a. "lemonade diet") cleanse (I'm shooting for ten).

Each day:
Lemonade: 60 ounces of filtered water, 12 tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup, 12 tablespoons of organic lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder (divide into 6 servings)

Morning/Evening Saltwater flush: 1 Liter of water, 2 teaspoons of rock sea salt

Evening: herbal laxative tea (senna leaf)

Also: Drink your body-weight in ounces of water

I didn't buy Peter Glickman's book. Instead, I read as much of it that Google Books permitted, and browsed testimonies on people's blogs.

www.mastercleanse.com

Sunday 3/23

Cooked my last dinner for 10 days. Steak, potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms – Ben&Jerry’s half baked for dessert.

Did not drink a cup of herbal laxative tea before I went to bed.

Monday 3/24

10a
Lemonade 1 – doesn’t taste bad, but I probably will get sick of it. I’m using powdered Cayenne pepper (I didn’t even think to use liquid form).

11a
Saltwater flush (2 Tbsp OOPS! In 6 oz of water)
Smooth move herbal laxative senna leaf combo tea
Water 24 oz

Q-TARO.COM

Just watched this video on youtube and realized that for the SWF I was supposed to use 2 teaspoons of salt and not 2 tablespoons. Doh!! Today I used 3 tablespoons which was probably why I was dying this morning. Well now I should be able to do the flush easily tomorrow.

Roy

11:30a
Feel like I’m going to throw up. Loryssa said that I irritated my GI tract. Just watched video that said to use 2 teaspoons NOT 2 tablespoons of sea salt.
Water 24 oz

12:30
Diarrhea (1 ½ hours later – like clockwork). Bye bye steak, potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms – and Ben&Jerry’s half baked.
Lemonade 2
Headaches.

2p
Lemonade 3 & 4

3p
Water 30 oz

4:15p
Slight food cravings. Uninterested in studying. Tired. Started reading.

5p
Fell asleep for 30 minutes

6p
Food cravings increased when I could smell the aroma from the kitchen where roommates were cooking dinner and baking

8:30p
Lemonade 5 & 6
Food cravings gone

9:30p
Saltwater flush

10:30p
Herbal laxative tea

Q-TARO.COM

One thing I noticed is how much our lives revolve around food and how so much eating stems from boredom than actually need. Once you stop eating you realize how much time is spent thinking and planning about what you’re going to eat.

Roy

Tomorrow I will be at the Wheaton office, so I will need to get up early to do the SWF (wouldn't want to have to make a trip to the toilet in Andy's car on the way there).

I should probably go to Barnes&Noble and quick-read the Master Cleanse book. I read on Roy's blog today that the first day off the cleanse you can only drink fresh squeezed orange juice. I also learned that I haven't been mixing enough water with the sea salt.

I did get bored today. I almost finished reading Bringing Down the House, Ben Mezrich on the MIT card-counters. 21 the movie comes out Friday. It's based on the book, but looks extra lame, although the book's nonfiction account is very interesting.

My boredom can be channeled effectively - laundry, clean room, wash car, detail garage, lsu algebra/poetry/music assignments, digest article writing, read, take long showers...

He is risen, just as He told you.

2008-03-23T18:06:00.002-05:00

Christ is risen indeed! The service at Harvest was quite the production -- and unfortunately I was entertained. I was also impressed with the intensity at which the people of Harvest proclaimed their joy in the Lord today.

I unintentionally did not celebrate the Secular Easter this year... below is a cute/lame video that shows a fun and organic way to decorate Easter eggs.

Off-Campus Living

2008-03-23T13:16:00.000-05:00

Trinity Digest
by Nicole Collins

Community life at Trinity International University (TIU) is designed intentionally with most students living on campus with specific rules and regulations regarding housing.

“Trinity College believes that residence hall living fosters social and emotional development,” the sentiment can be found on the “Housing at TIU” page on the University’s website www.tiu.edu/college/housing.

All full-time students are required to live on campus unless they live with their parents, are seniors with 30 hours of graduation, have live-in job situations, are 21 years of age or older, or are married.

If a student does not qualify to live off campus, they can submit a written request to the Director of Residence Life to be considered for off-campus approval, according to TIU.

The small private liberal arts college doesn’t provide the “college town feel” that big state colleges can. So when students move off-campus, they are literally moving out of the campus community, where at a state college a student can move out of campus housing but still be entrenched with college life.

Also, the school would lose a significant amount of money if the residential facilities were not being used, and students’ room and board expenses were being transferred to an off-campus entity.

An unwritten concern regarding TIU housing is the accountability factor in reference to the strict Statement of Community Expectations, popularly known by students as “Trinity Expectations.”

TIU has established on-and-off-campus behavioral guidelines for all full-time and part-time students. Dishonesty, theft, abortion, premarital sex, adultery, homosexual behavior, profanity, gossip, pornography are all forbidden. Students are expected to obey all government law, refrain from harmful substances including legal tobacco (18) and alcohol (21), refrain from gambling, and to abide by all extra “procedural rules and regulations as announced,” according to TIU.

The extra rules forbid non-consenting snowball fights and sunbathing on campus property.

TIU Junior and Trinity Hall Residence Assistant Natalie Zierten gave a persuasive speech last semester, attempting to persuade the speech class that living on-campus was better because it was more convenient, students learned how to live in a large community with a variety of people, and students are taught to live morally responsible with the accountability of others.

One obvious problem is that these accommodations Zierten refers to do not prepare students for real life. And living off-campus is not for everyone, just as living on-campus is not for everyone.

Zierten’s speech arguably stems from a negative stigma about off-campus living that is rooted in the TIU Residence Life staff.

Nonetheless, students continue to live off-campus once they meet one of the requirements. About Twenty-five per cent of full-time undergraduate students at TIU live off campus, according to an authority of the TIU Housing Department.

“I claimed that my parents moved to this address,” said an anonymous off-campus resident and junior student who does not meet off-campus house requirements. The student commutes just five minutes from a Deerfield residence with a handful of TIU roommates.

Commuter and Senior Lauren Rosko has never lived on campus and lives at home with her parents in Gurnee and commutes 25-30 minutes to school, “give or take some… give a lot with snow,” said Rosko.

“I live off-campus because it saves a lot of money and I enjoy living at home with my parents and pets,” said Rosko.

Senior Wendy Moore moved off-campus her senior year and lives in a 4-bedroom suburban Buffalo Grove house with five other TIU students. Moore commutes 20 minutes to campus because its cheaper, she doesn’t have to worry about dorm open-house rules, and she doesn’t have to have a Melton meal plan.

“I have a bigger sense of freedom,” said Moore, “when you want to go to bed you can go to bed, you don’t have to deal with annoying people, and the only people at your house are people you want there.”

Moore also believes that living off-campus has taught her to be more responsible with her money, as she manages it to pay bills and go grocery shopping.

“It helps the transition between college and real life, between being in school and not being in school anymore,” said Moore.

Senior Andy Plascencia moved off-campus his senior year and lives in a 2-bedroom apartment in Vernon Hills with three other TIU students. Plascencia commutes 20 minutes for similar reasons as Moore, but mainly because it’s less expensive.

“You learn to survive on your own, cook for yourself and clean for yourself,” said Plascencia.

Senior Dana Larmour moved off-campus her senior year and lives in a 4-bedroom house in Deerfield with 5 other TIU students. Larmour commutes just 5 minutes because after three years of dormitory living she was ready to move out.

“I loved living in the dorms while I did, but as a senior I was ready to live off campus,” said Larmour, “There’s more freedom for sure, which comes with more responsibility.”

TIU has recognized that living off-campus is an appropriate and desired option for Seniors before they graduate and move out anyway.

64 to 16

2008-03-21T13:14:00.007-05:00

... in one weekend.

MARCH MADNESS. It's the most wonderful time of the year.

East
1 North Carolina vs 4 Washington State
3 Louisville vs 2 Tennessee

South
1 Memphis vs 5 Michigan State
3 Stanford vs 2 Texas

Midwest
1 Kansas vs 12 Villanova
3 Wisconsin vs 10 Davidson

West
1 UCLA vs Western Kentucky
3 Xavier vs 7 West Virginia

Click here for the CBS official Scoreboard

The 36'' by 28'' bracket I made for the bg howshe.

My final four picks: UCLA over UNC, Memphis, Vanderbilt

Why are some team jersey's devoid of last names?
I don't think the Universities are trying to save money.
Is it an act of humility?
What am I missing?
Id like to be able to identify players when watching them -- anyone else?

CBS commentators for the NCAA men's basketball tournament have been annoying.
They always side with an officials call, even when the replay shows it to be obviously wrong -- they will muster up some "objective" explanation to suffice. The announcer is perceived to be ignorant. So an official makes a mistake - it happens all the time! Just recognize it and laugh it off.

They marvel at the player who finishes an off-balance, not square, risky and athletic attempt, but express verbal disgust about the same or different player who tries similar acrobatics but misses.

They over-emphasize and excessively detail a fundamental play -- such as the perfect jump-stop, the two-on-one give-and-go chest pass and angled bounce-pass, the lay-up kissed off the glass.

Just 10 seconds in to the shot clock, a player shoots a wide-open three off a high screen from the big man, but misses -- the commentator gets frustrated and says he wants to see the ball switch back and forth a few times to open up the three. WHO CARES!? (Unless you are trying to run down the clock with a padded lead). Both scenarios create clean an open attempts AND both are only worth three points no matter how you draw it up!

Give us more facts, more stories and LESS OPINION. I like to hear the story behind the team, the guard, the big man, the coach...

Thank you NCAA.com for streaming games online. I'm sick of CBS deciding what game we get to watch. Maybe next year you can give more channels rights to broadcast the games.

Go Cougs! I actually have WSU beating UNC in my CBS bracket - wishful thinking =).

apparently i look like...

2008-03-20T12:29:00.003-05:00

American Idol JASON CASTRO

Mom tipped me off this morning that Pastor Jeff and friend Teresa saw a resemblance. I don't watch American Idol, but apparently there are some fans at Christ's Church Federal Way.

So I had to check this guy out... I'm not sure how much I look like him but I think he's hot! So no problems here.
Anybody think he looks like cousin Robert?

touch my body

2008-03-19T11:32:00.007-05:00

She's back from who knows where, an insect farm featuring symmetrical winged bugs maybe. The ultimate pop icon from the late 90s is still in to butterflies, one-shouldered tube tops and her rack (and out of the public eye: sub-exotic lingerie - Cribs some years ago).

The real news here is not "Touch My Body" (although I'm an "in-the-car-radio" fan of the song - I like the youtube plug, maybe an inadvertent product placement).

Cousin Jamie Collins' man Peter Dyer is a pianist in Carey's traveling band.

Dad & Bob,

As I mentioned at lunch last week, Jamie’s boyfriend, Peter has a gig with Mariah Carey. Anyway, she is singing on Saturday Night Live this Saturday night, so if you can stay up that late (check your listings, I think it is on at 11:30 PM) you might check it out. And who knows what they’ll show of Peter if anything. But it might be worth a watch.

Son & Bro

Peter Dyer, Bennie Rodgers II
on SNL with Mariah Carey Mar 13, 2008

Peter Dyer (pictured; Keyboard) and Benny Rodgers II (Drums) are appearing on the March 15 Saturday Night Live with superstar Mariah Carey. Both musicians were hired for Mariah's band after rigorous auditions conducted by Carey's musical director (and American Idol judge) Randy Jackson.

Musicians Institute

Jamie is also a pianist and a student at Central Washington University.

ny video

2008-03-16T18:19:00.001-05:00

by Lauren Rosko

TIU group serves is NY

2008-03-16T16:03:00.003-05:00

by Nicole Collins

Bridging Urban Mission Project (BUMP) and 20 Trinity International University (TIU) students partnered again to serve the Brooklyn communities of Bay Ridge and Sunset Park over Spring Break.

Brooklyn’s First Evangelical Free Church (EFC) National BUMP ministries coordinator Renee Young hosted TIU’s group in a large basement that was simultaneously used by college students serving through the Center for Student Missions (CSM).

The TIU students partnered with Brooklyn’s First and Second EFCs, and the Vroom St Church in Jersey City, tutoring at after school programs and teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Arab American Friendship Building and the Dorcas Chinese Community Center.

The group was lead by Director of College Activities & Leadership Development and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) student Adam Gustine, who desires to pastor someday in an urban setting.

“Leading this trip has been a remarkable learning experience for me,” said Gustine. “As I learn about urban ministry and the work of God through the church in the city, I can't help but be intrigued by it. I love leading this trip because I get to interact with students as we encounter the city together. I am already excited about this trip next year.”

At the Arab center, TIU junior Abigail Seeland continued teaching two women how to write and pronounce the English language alphabet. Fatnaarjz, an immigrant from Morocco, who spoke Arabic and understood a little French, was illiterate and in her 60s, but mimicked the passion of a kindergartener as she copied Seeland’s letters across the pages of her journal.

“It was one the most humbling experiences of the trip for me,” said Seeland. “To see their desire to learn and thankfulness was moving, and to experience love through smiles because it could not be expressed through words was powerful. It made me want to pursue ESL in the future, even if it is just through volunteering at a local school.” This was Seeland’s second New York mission trip through TIU.

Direct proselytizing is not welcome at the Arab center, as most students are Muslim. EFCA missionary Nomi Naeem converted from Islam six years after her immigration from Palestine to the United States over forty years ago.

“Love them so they ask why,” said Naeem, who does not fear proclaiming her faith openly to fellow Arabs. Naeem is a member of First EFCs Arab Evangelical Church that has a regular attendance of 35. There are over 70,000 Arab Americans living in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.

TIU alumni and UTOPIA (Urban Target Outreach Project in America) missionary Ben Dodd lives in Jersey City across from Vroom Street Church where he directs the after school program. Dodd is indispensable to Vroom Street Church, as he serves in many facets, including playing the guitar and singing at the Sunday worship service.

“Half of the world’s people live in cities,” said Dodd.

Both Brooklyn EFCs are in need of summer interns and students who can commit as a UTOPIA missionary for one or two years. The six-week summer job pays $1,500 and the student can match the $1,500 stipend by raising support.

"UTOPIA missionaries are a bright light to the churches of New York City," said Brooklyn’s First EFC pastor Dan Reeve. Reeve is a church planter in Bay Ridge and a TEDS graduate.

UTOPIA missionary Emily Green lead Second EFC’s first ever after school program S.A.Y Yes! in the heart of Brooklyn’s China Town. S.A.Y. Yes! is a youth mentoring ministry that opens church doors to inner-city children during after school hours, providing them a safe and productive educational atmosphere off the streets, while teaching them about Jesus Christ.

The TIU New York mission group completed work projects for First EFC, painting the UTOPIA room and stairwell, and designing and creating board games for the after school programs at Second EFC and Vroom Street Church.

Another form of ministry the group engaged in was “Neighborhood Walks” where groups of three to four designated a few hours to walk through Sunset and Boro Park to pray for the people, and community life that they observed.

“God lit a fire in my heart for urban ministry last week,” said TIU senior Nicole Collins, “we all individually have forms of capital, some unique, to offer to underprivileged people. In New York I was a friend, a teacher, a servant, a student, a learner… these are things all people can be to each other wherever they live.”

NY pics

2008-03-03T07:06:00.022-06:00

I'm annoying

2008-02-25T22:37:00.006-06:00

A girl that lives in my house is annoyed by my personality.

I ask too many questions and make too many comments
I play devil’s advocate too confidently
I offer my knowledge too freely, seemingly ‘know-it-all’ish
I’m not sarcastic, just dry – and that’s confusing.

So I noticed that these things bug her... and I stopped doing them around her ever since I got back from winter break. But, she is annoyed by my preferences and behavior.

I don’t like reality television, including Life of Ryan - I’d rather watch documentaries
I enjoy being home alone
I enjoy going out by myself
I like foreign films, even if I have to read subtitles
I like to read, write or draw more than I like to watch TV
I can be found in the same spot 4 hours later working on the same design
I dated a guy that she was interested in – should have known that wouldn't work
I don’t worship the TIU Women’s soccer tradition and philosophy
I’m not a big fan of the Midwest
I got into the same sweats tonight that I had on last night
I’m on my computer too much.

She told me yesterday that my existence annoys her.

...she also asked me what I am doing on my computer...

I Word Process my LSU Poetry and Music assignments.
I use itunes to listen to Music appreciation pieces.
All for Graphic Design Internship AND pleasure:
I use Adobe InDesign mainly to produce layouts.
I use Adobe Illustrator mainly to produce logos.
I use Adobe Photoshop mainly to manipulate images
I use the icalendar as my main organization scheme.
I use Firefox and Camino to:
Submit LSU assignments
Check my school email
Check my personal and business email
Read NYT online
Research using online college library databases
Watch Lynda.com videos
Google "how to" questions
Balance bank account
Pay bills
Buy products
Buy music
Blog
Check Facebook
Catch up on LOST season 4
Watch movie trailers
Search and find stock photos
Watch videos on YouTube
Search for reference information and directions

family reunion

2008-02-25T19:06:00.003-06:00

This flyer made me smile! I believe a Snyder produced it. It could have been Word Processed with some frilly center aligned font BUT someone actually took the time to make it a little more special.

Manuel Scott, a Freedom Writer

2008-02-25T00:17:00.003-06:00

Have you seen Freedom Writers? The character Marcus is partly based on Manuel Scott, a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) '07 graduate. Manny returned to campus as the guest speaker for all chapels last week. Below is the Freedom Writers movie trailer.

Manuel Scott (MDiv ’07)
Long Beach, California
29-year-old minister and international speaker
These days Manny Scott is best known for something that happened to him in 1994 as a junior in a high school English class.

I was in the ‘reject’ class,” he says, “a class not expected to do much—and in walks this twenty-three-year-old white woman in her Julia Roberts polka-dot dress and white pearl necklace.” After watching the Rodney King riots on television, this first-time teacher, Erin Gruwell, decided she wanted to try to change the world through teaching. She asked to be assigned to one of the worst schools in Long Beach, California, and found herself in Manny’s class at Woodrow Wilson High School. “She was clueless—about drugs, about the drive-by shootings, racism, and many of the painful realities of inner-city life.” Still, Erin worked hard to learn about the students, to show she cared for them, and to help them confront issues of racism and classism through lessons and field trips about the Holocaust. She gave the class an assignment to keep diaries in which to tell their stories. The stories were later compiled into a book, The Freedom Writers’ Diary, published by Doubleday in 1999. In 2006, Paramount released a film, The Freedom Writers, based on the book, starring Hilary Swank. In the film, the character Marcus is based in part on Manny.

Perhaps less well known is what happened to Manny just before he met Erin Gruwell. With a mother struggling to make ends meet, a father in prison for most of Manny’s life, and a stepfather who was an alcohol and drug addict, Manny had lived in twenty-six different places by the time he reached his freshman year of high school. As the family moved from motels to cars and homeless shelters, Manny missed as many as ninety days of school a year. “I had a 0.6 [GPA] the first semester of my freshman year of high school,”

Manny says, “I couldn’t have cared less about school and began to care more about getting high, getting drunk, and getting money.” Then, during the second semester of his freshman year, Manny’s best friend was murdered. The painful loss was too much on top of the other challenges Manny was facing; he stopped going to school.

One afternoon that summer, Manny sat alone on a bench thinking about death. He watched warily as a six-foot-eight-inch man sat down next to him. “You don’t know me, and I don’t know you,” the man told the startled teenager, “but today might be the last day of your life.” The man went on to tell Manny that there was a great God who loved him, who offered a way for him to find life through Jesus Christ, if Manny would give his life to Christ. “God has a plan for you,” the man said, “something much bigger than anything you can imagine.” His heart pounding, Manny asked, “What do I have to do?” The two men prayed together “That prayer marked the beginning of my transformation in Christ,” Manny says today. The man, Mark Stokes, connected Manny with the pastor of a local church. Meanwhile, Manny knew he needed to reenroll in school. He earned a 3.9 his sophomore year, which he held steady through the rest of high school. With encouragement from Erin Gruwell, Manny applied and was accepted into the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed a bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and rhetoric.

After initially pursuing a career in law, Manny couldn’t ignore a growing urge toward ministry and soon became a discipleship pastor at his Oakland church. As he sat at the Bay Area Sunday School Teachers’ Conference listening to Dr. Robert Evans (PhD ’00), president of Veritas Ministries International, Manny says, “My heart started burning. I had never heard anyone break down the Word of God like that.” Afterward he approached Evans to ask for seminary recommendations, and Evans mentioned Trinity. That fall, Manny and his wife, Alice, moved to Illinois. Manny began a Master of Divinity at Trinity and Alice a Master of Arts in Bioethics.

Meanwhile, as word spread about the Freedom Writers through the book and movie, Manny found himself telling his story everywhere—on television, in high school classrooms, in front of business executives. In 2005, the Lions Club International invited him to Hong Kong to speak before 12,000 delegates from 192 countries. “What’s so amazing is that I was invited over the international president of the Red Cross and the president of Pakistan,” Manny says, chuckling. “When I think about the doors the Lord is opening, I can’t help but think of 1 Corinthians, where Paul reminds believers that God chooses the foolish to confound the wise. Of all the people he could have chosen, he picked the high school dropout with the crazy background to show the world—‘Hey! I’m still changing lives.’” When Manny is invited to share the story of Erin Gruwell’s impact, he tells the whole story, including the transformation that Christ wrought in his life. Sometimes people get up and leave when Manny talks about Christ. Sometimes they tell him beforehand not to mention Christ. “But,” Manny tells them, “if it hadn’t been for Christ, you would never have heard
of me.”

Manny plans next to pursue a doctor of philosophy, even as he continues to tell his story. “God keeps sending me into places that would never be receptive to the Christian message, so I need to be ready to give a meaningful answer.”

© 2007 by Trinity International University

NY bump schedule

2008-02-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

Pray for our service! Below is a detailed schedule of our plans.

Thurs Feb 28
9p Arrive at First EFC in Brooklyn

Fri Feb 29
10:15a Training (Part I)
11:15a Training (Part II)
3:00p KIDZ Connected after school
7:00p High School Youth Group

Sun Mar 1
10:15 Church Second EFC
2 – 4:30p Teach the Chinese Children’s Sunday School
4:30 – 7:30p Teach the Arab Children’s Sunday School

Mon Mar 3
9:30a ESL classes at Arab American Friendship Center
12:30p Training session at EFC
1:45p SAY YES!
3:00p SAY YES! Service or work projects

Tues Mar 4
9:30a ESL classes at Arab American Friendship Center and Dorcas Center
12:30p Training session at EFC
1:45p SAY YES!
3:00p SAY YES! Service or work projects

Wed Mar 5
9:30a ESL class at Dorcas Center
12:30p Training session at EFC
1:45p SAY YES!
3:00p SAY YES! Service or work projects

Thur Mar 6
9:00a Neighborhood Tours & Prayer Walking – Sunset Park Latino and Bay Ridge Arab
12:30p Training session at EFC
12:30p Training session at EFC
1:45p SAY YES!
3:00p SAY YES! Service or work projects.

Fri Mar 7
9:00a Neighborhood Tours & Prayer Walking – Boro Park Hassidic Jew and 8th Ave Chinese
12:30p Training session at EFC
1:45 Finish up and outstanding work projects

Sat Mar 8
Leave for Penn Station

nanny nicole

2008-02-18T12:11:00.005-06:00

Nanny Diaries trailer

Now that I have a car, I’m going to need to increase my income.

I’ve replied to three nanny posts on the Trinity Career Services website, but Buffalo Grove Dawn and Hawthorn Heights Michelle are both looking for someone who would be available for the summer too (you’d think they would mention that in the ad =).

Third time's a charm:

Deerfield Gail wants a ‘sitter for weekday afternoons and Saturday nights. Four kids! Emily 11, Sam 9, Alec 7 and Jilly 3. Alec calls me the au pair, because they used to have a Nicole from Australia who lived-in. Jilly said she was mean. Vicky, the most recent live-in, was let go over a dispute that involved driving Gail’s car in the snow. My “interview” was Friday night. I started Saturday.

Below is my nanny article that was published in the Digest Jan. 25th.

North Shore Nannies
by Nicole Collins

The North Shore Chicago is known for its affluence and high-paid nanny jobs. ‘Sitters are in high demand in these parts, and at Trinity International University (TIU) there are plenty in supply.

Both female and male TIU students find job postings for babysitting and subparenting on MyTrinity online. Just Monday over two-dozen want ads were posted at a minimum of 10 dollars an hour.

“We are a happy, fun-loving family with 3 adorable boys,” wrote a mom from Deerfield. “Looking for someone to play with and help with homework from 4:00 – 7:00.” The pay rate is 10 to 12 dollars and the mom is usually home but she “needs an extra set of hands.”
References and a car are commonly requested, but not always required.

Local suburb parents have paid up to 14 dollars cash an hour while students pocket tax-free income – tax-free for the nanny. The money is never a problem, but the hours add up, the favors increase in inconvenience and the pressure becomes overwhelmingly stressful.

Two anonymous TIU Seniors, Nanny A and Nanny B, are seasoned ‘sitters of the area. They worked nearly 30 hours a week during the summer and have cut that number in half during the spring semester.

Both are familiar with working while the parents are around, and Nanny A has experienced babysitting children with an incompetent father.

“He can’t put them to bed. He can’t take care of his own kids,” said Nanny A. “She cooks some times, we usually order food for take-out, I clean up more than she does, she has a cleaning lady, and she bribes her kids… They can’t take care of their kids by themselves.”

Nanny A was called Tuesday while at school at 11 a.m. to drive to the children’s house, grab wipes and diapers, a change of clothes, and water bottles for everybody, go to Portillos at 11:30 a.m. and save 16 seats. Nanny A is paid 12 dollars an hour.

Nanny B usually shows up to take over cooking breakfast for a mom who works from home. She has learned that “you can do anything with money.”

“The mom accidentally messed up the t-shirt designs for her daughter’s birthday at the Marriot and paid off the front desk guy to reprint the corrections at Kinkos within the hour,” said Nanny B.

During the summer, Nanny B spent a lot of time at a clubhouse pool with her kid, and was scorned for repeating swimwear.

“I wore little sundresses and my cute glasses, because I can't look bad in front of these crazy women who are never seen in anything but the latest fashion in tennis wear,” said Nanny B. She gets paid up to 18 dollars an hour.

The TIU nannies have enough anecdotes to fill a book. But they are all about six years too late.

In 2002, two New York University graduates teamed up and published a novel about their combined eight years of Upper East Side Manhattan babysitting that paid for college tuition and loans. Newsweek announced the novel a “phenomenon.”

Authors Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin’s New York Time’s bestseller The Nanny Diaries played out on the big screen last year starring Scarlet Johansson.

The movie and book are fiction versions of Nanny’s experience at an upper class Manhattan home with the X family: an absent, unfaithful and workaholic father, and a grossly self-seeking mother who does not cook, clean or care for her son, a neglected four-year-old boy.

NY support raised!

2008-02-17T22:31:00.000-06:00

Thank you family and friends that have generously supported the New York mission trip through prayer, encouragement and donation. I have raised the $650 and now can shift all attention that was given to fundraising now to additional prayer and preparation for the service and learning that I am blessed to engage in over the trip. The team as a whole has raised just over half of their financial needs. I owe the team $52 for poverty week. We leave for New York in 9 days!

2/15/08
All,

Don't forget Sunday's meeting is in the Lew, we will meet up in the Student Ministries loft, or somewhere close at 7 pm. See you there!

We are all sharing testimonies this week...be prepared!!! I think I will have everyone stand up on a table and share it...or maybe we will share in small groups, I haven't decided...

Adam

Team Roles

Devo's and Team Gelatinization:
-Abby Seeland
-Jon Ott

Meal Prep Squad:
-Josiah Giovanetto
-Natalie Elzinga
-Karen Perry

Skits:
-Kristy Suiter
-Lindsey Goewey
-Maggie Jakus
-Madelyn Gould

Prayer:
-David Rabe
-Sara Garrison

Games:
-Nicole Collins
-Eric Fisher
-Allyson Schoffstall
-Stacy Plowman

Worship:
-Tim Ophus

The "Where the Heck is Everyone" Person:
-Ashley May

Media:
-Lauren Rosko

Encouragement Rock Star:
-Hannah Duncan

Matthew 19:13-30
ESV

The Rich Young Man
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." 18He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 20The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" 21Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

... go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven...

...but many who are first will be last, and the last first...

23And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 27Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" 28Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

“One cannot earn salvation or buy their way into the kingdom. Rather, each person must be willing to give up everything in order to totally devote themselves to God and obey Him. The rewards for doing so far outweigh the sacrifices,” wrote Andrew S. Kulikovsky in his exegesis of Matthew 19:16-30.

happy vday

2008-02-14T19:52:00.006-06:00

My valentine is Photoshop. Thursday night three-hour class. I had night class on Vday last year too!

a dove film
evolution

no wonder our perception of beauty is distorted

Above is not why I want to get into graphic design.
Did you know that all adds go through a specific procedure of improvements (including eye and teeth whitening, wrinkle removal, etc.). It shouldn't be news to anyone.

coffeehouse tunes

2008-02-13T18:28:00.005-06:00

Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones
Left to right: Ben Krogh (bass), Ryan Ebling (banjo) and Tim Ophus (vocals)

Prayer wall

Trinity Digest

Coffeehouse Tunes
by Nicole Collins

The local music scene surfaced by way of coffeehouse this past weekend. Trinity International University’s (TIU) Johnson Hall Lounge (JHL) was thronged with a predominantly college student audience to see Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones Friday.

“Wow! I didn’t know people actually came to these things,” said one student.

“This is a fire hazard,” teased another.

The sound management was lacking as vocalist Hollis Lewis and violinist Mary Flowe could not be heard beyond the first table and drummer Nicholas Greener and guitarist Josh Connell both dominated the rest.

“I'm not exactly sure what happened with the sound,” said Lewis.

After the opener, Connell and bassist Michael Mehlan swapped for an awkward performance.

“Why is the guy looking at himself in the mirror?” asked a student. JHL unfortunately had floor to ceiling decorative mirrors. Watching Mehlan’s sensual reflection was as uncomfortable for the audience as the peeping of his butt crack when he dropped to his knees in an emotional performance.

The full band returned and redeemed themselves with a powerful moment that couldn’t be practiced or planned. The veins in Pietrini’s neck testified to the effort of his voice, attempting to sing over the noise, but his failure was dismissed by a first row choir who sang out passionately every lyric for him.

“We had an hours worth of music prepared,” said Lewis.

But after the band blew two amps and performed three-ish songs, including the awkward duet, they exited the stage and the lounge numbers were cut in half.

Zach Pietrini and the Broken Bones played Saturday at Taylor University in Indiana, where Lewis signed her first CD for a fan. They also had a show at Wheaton College at the beginning of the month, which went a little smoother.

“The Wheaton concert was the most fun I've had performing yet,” said Lewis. “We had a group of around 50 Trinity people come out to show their support and sing along. Wheaton's old chapel was packed out and you could feel the energy on stage.”

Information about their albums ‘Mending the Broken” and “The Broken Season Turning” are available at the band’s MySpace website where a band bio, pictures and songs are posted.

But fans will have to follow the band live to hear of their new stuff that’s not recorded. They play at South Union Arts Gallery in Chicago Mar 14.

The performance of Friday night, though, was trio Ben Krogh, Tim Ophus and Ryan Ebling who replaced one of the amps. One mic was used for Ebling’s banjo, and the other mic was shared by Ophus and Krogh for an unusual effect. Each switched off for lead vocals.

“That was on purpose,” said Ophus mid-lyrics when feedback roared through the speaker. He didn’t miss a beat.

Critics may question whether the act was more musical or comedy, but it was entertaining nevertheless.

Listeners socialized over drinks and treats at tables clothed in black poster paper and equipped with drawing chalk, compliments of JHL Residence Life Staff and the Acting on Aids Team. Tshirts were being sold to promote prayer and raise money for Spring Break and May term mission trips.

"Kick 'em in the face!"

2008-02-13T13:59:00.017-06:00

Part of me feels bad for kicking the ball in her face -- it was a snap decision, obviously not premeditated. But I honestly laugh every time I watch the clip.

"Kick 'em in the face!" is a quote that Gavin Johnson (Decatur High School) would chant at sporting events. I stole it from him and would use it as a cheer instead of "1-2-3-Score First!" it was "2-3-"Kick 'em in the face!" -- always meant in fun, of course.

Below is a funny TIU Men's soccer video called "Underdog"

"Cobra Style"

"Faint"

"Revolution"

poverty week

2008-02-10T22:18:00.001-06:00

total spent: $152
Uh oh... I owe $52.

new york mission team feb 10

The New York mission team is attempting to live poor this week. Team leader Adam Gustine's exercise is to force us to make difficult decisions so that we may adopt a servant-learner posture before we enter the big city in 17 days.

Poverty Week

Every team member has $100 play credit for the week (Monday - Friday)
Every item bought will be a one time payment for the whole week.

Shower $10
Pillow $10
Bed $20 (couches are free)
Toothbrush/toothpaste $2
Shoes $5
Hair tie $2
Change of clothes $30
Winter Clothes $20
Makeup $2
Hairdryer $2
Shaving $2
Shampoo $2
Conditioner $2
Soap $2

Candy $5
Ice Cream $5
Coffee $5
Soda $5
Bottle Water $5
Any snacks or junkfood outside of allowed two meals a day $5

**You can use any of the below items if provided at public places (i.e. Circuit City allows customers to play Guitar Hero)
iPod $279
Television $300
Movies $50
Internet surfing $100
Video Games $200
Magazines and Newspapers $10

If we run out of your $100 and need more items, we have to use our real money or borrow from a friend. The money we collect is donated to the team fund.

I will bold the items I use over the week (from a free public internet access computer).

It starts Monday February 11th 12:01 a.m.

New York mission

2008-02-04T23:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Family & Friends,

I have returned to Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL) for my final college semester! Currently I spend most of my time at TIU’s on site design lab (we call it “the bunker” because it is small and crammed, and very few know of it’s existence). I am a Graphic Design Intern under the direction of the brilliantly innovative director of Design Wayne Kijanowski. He runs a self-titled freelance graphic design business, and hates when people mispronounce his name (so here is the phonetic spelling, in case you ever meet him: wān).

Life without soccer is going take some effort, but seniors are welcome to crash futsal training sessions and a handful of us are organizing a coed indoor team to ease the transition. I am still interested in playing this summer, whether in the W League for the Chicago Gaels (I played for the Gaels during the summer of ‘07) or the Seattle Sounders, or with Missionary Athletes International (MAI) for the Chicago Eagles in Brazil (I traveled with the Eagles to Germany in the summer of ‘06). So many options. From March through May I will be doing Public Relations for the Chicago Eagles at the Wheaton Office.

As far as “what I am going to do” with my life, and “where I am going to be” next year (frequently asked questions)... well there are ideal answers, but there are presently no real ones. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, a study that stimulates the interaction of word, idea, and value, and trains critical thinkers and writers to evaluate communication theories and rhetoric. There is significant emphasis on journalism, politics and literature. I may become a poor playwright, screenwriter, or novelist... or make out modestly writing news articles, press releases, magazine features or speeches. I’m guessing those are the answers people want. But I’m still a student and I have a few more degree requirements and life opportunities to fulfill before I allow myself to stress about “what will I do?!”

What’s next: TIU is relaunching short-term missions in New York over spring break! I am one of 17 students who will be taking the 17-hour train ride from the Windy City to the Big Apple to partner with the Evangelical Free Church of America’s (EFCA) Urban Target Outreach Project in America (UTOPIA). Whew!... a mouthful. My team will be serving the multi-cultural inner-city neighborhood of 8th Avenue Brooklyn, near Sunset Park. We will be teaching English to immigrants, giving piggyback rides to attention-starved kids, and throwing alternative outreach events in the form of block parties.

TIU’s New York mission team meets weekly on Sunday nights to fellowship and prepare for the trip (Jan. 27, Feb. 10, 17, 24). We will be in the big city from Feb. 29th – March 9th. Each team member needs to raise $650, and we are trying to cut back on expenses by taking the train and sleeping on the floors of community centers and churches. It should be a kickin’ time. If you want to join the New York team through encouragement, prayer or financial support, or if you want to know more about the trip, please comment and I will send you information. Blog updates will be scheduled as frequently as the meetings. Thanks and God bless!

In Him,

Nicole Collins

super bowl xlii

2008-02-03T15:34:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately the Seahawks are not in the super bowl.
Unfortunately I have never been to the new Seahawks stadium.

The pic was just taken in my kitchen where I'm currently cooking 24 beer brats and wearing mom's tatupu jersey.

GO GIANTS!
My roomie Loryssa (RI) would kill me if she read that. She is at the Phoenix stadium at this very moment, 6 rows up from the Patriots field goal. She went to the Colts/Bears super bowl too.

Below is my article for the Feb 1st issue of the Digest.... but it didn't get published! Too bad.

Belichick Trophy?

Forty years ago today, Vince Lombardi resigned as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. To many Trinity International University (TIU) students’ dismay, the Packers will not compete in Super Bowl XLII.

But Lombardi will be there, making his 25 thousand dollar sterling silver entrance, just as he has every year since ‘71.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy was named in honor of the Green Bay coach who led the Packers to six division titles, five National Football League (NFL) West championships and to win Super Bowl I and II in the ‘60s. His post-season record was 9-1.

The undefeated New England Patriots are fated to be champions Sunday, and the win over the New York Giants would be Super Bowl championship number four for head coach Bill Belichick and a 14-3 playoff record, second best in NFL history. He trails only Lombardi.

Some NFL fans have tossed around the idea of a replacement “Bill Belichick Trophy,” and their voices have been heard in less reputable mass media outlets, mainly sports comedy formats, late night television types and random internet forums.

“It would be a dishonor to rename the trophy and replace the legend Lombardi,” said Wisconsinite Kevin Geldon, a Packers fan.

Others think it is inappropriate to compare coaches from different eras and dissimilar football styles of play.

“Lombardi is the history of football and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Football is the way it is now because of him,” said Rhode Islander Loryssa Simas, a Patriots fan. “Belichick is more of the now and he will be history. He’s hall of fame worthy.”

But Belichick’s entrance in to the Hall of Fame was potentially marred by accusations of illegal spying. In September the NFL confiscated a tape from the Patriot’s sideline and after an investigation Belichick was fined 500,000 dollars. The Patriots were fined 250,000 dollars and lost a their future draft pick.

The NFL prohibits taping an opponent’s signals on the sideline. Video recording is not allowed in the coaches’ booth during the game, on the field or in the locker room.
Some Patriot fans are skeptical to whether Belichick authorized the operation.

“Nobody knows if he was directly involved,” said Simas. “The Patriots aren’t the first ones to videotape games and read plays off of opponents lips. Whoever did it was just the first one to get caught.”

New York Jets coach Eric Mangini, a former Belichick assistant, was the one who knew of the Patriots spying tactics and ratted them out. Mangini has been suspected of spying too.

Happy 1st Bday FINN!

2008-02-02T13:03:00.000-06:00

My NEW used car!

2008-02-01T16:38:00.000-06:00

1999 Honda Civic EX. Previous owner left the country and is on tour in Europe. His friend Powimy po Pulsky and wife Postapa Agnes sold it me. They were incredibly kind and cute (late twenties and Polish) and their condo was adorable -- just outside Chicago (next door to Oak Park).

I've read a book's worth of information about buying used cars -- from dealer's and personal owners. It has made me the most paranoid and stressed person for the last month. I checked over thirty VIN numbers on Accords and Civics through my Autocheck $25 subscription (Autocheck notified me, threatening to investigate to determine whether I was using their services for commercial purposes). A lot of the cars I looked at had shady pasts, numerous postings had been in accidents or flooded and salvaged (think about the Honda dealerships and their underwater parking lots in the Southern states after Katrina and other hurricanes). I also made two-dozen phone calls, and I looked at just three (my transportation resources were limited).

I bought the Civic Thursday. It was an event. Andy drove me to River Grove around 2 p.m. and we got back to my house at 8 p.m. Powimy, Andy and I sat in the Midas waiting room for 30+ minutes. The mechanic showed that the car checked out entirely, BUT that the front breaks needed to be replaced. $180. Hmmm. The breaks seemed fine when I drove the car and they were going on 5,000 miles. What does Midas specialize in?

The Civic and I are insured by GEICO as of today, February 1st. Thanks to Jesse White's homees in Springfield I only had to pay $50 tax. A new title was $65 and plates were $78. I made it to the Department of Licensing (Libertyville, 25 minutes) without getting stopped by the policia - whew. My stay at the DOL was less than 10 minutes -- no lie.

Car $4700 (Posted at $4900) -- I only talked him down $200.
Cashier Check fee $6
Title Transfer $65
License Plates $80
Tax $50
Midas $43
Thank You Andy $30

TOTAL: $4,974.00
- $2,800.00 (Prelude sold)
= $2,174.00

+ $741.20 (GEICO)
= $5,715.20

(and maybe $180 for breaks in the nearer future)
(and probably used car sales tax of 6.25% on the 4,700)

Time will only tell if this purchase was a good one.

the pampered prelude

2008-02-01T15:21:00.000-06:00

Looks like the Prelude is in good hands. Mom and Paps can sleep nights.

Nicole and Bob,

Do you happen to have the valet key for the Prelude? I stored the white saw blade wheels and picked up 15" American Racing wheels and tires on Craigs list for 300.00. Taller tires corrected the speedo error. Tinted the windows and put the Honda Cassette player in storeage and installed a CD player. Have studed up on the ALB issues and will tackle that soon! Bought a used ALB pump for 15 bucks.

There is a lot of info on the WEB on these cards. Honda replaced the seat belts under a life time warranty and they retract correctly now. Replaced the fluid in the clutch and it is working better with synthetic oil in the tranny. New muffler.

I love it.

Thanks

Chris

snow day!

2008-02-01T08:55:00.001-06:00

... but i don't have any classes today anyway.

To: The Trinity Community
From: X, Institutional & Auxiliary Services

As we have experienced a significant amount of snow over the past 24 hours, there have been numerous staff working to keep the roads clear and sidewalks shoveled. Since 10:00 p.m. last night, there have been three plow trucks running constantly to clear roads and parking lots. Part-time student workers were shoveling sidewalks last night, and the full-time Grounds crew has been working since 4:00 a.m. this morning.

By 9:00 a.m. this morning, the accumulation reached around nine inches. Our staff are working in shifts to provide constant snow removal through the weekend in order to keep the campus safe and accessible. If you notice areas that are not yet clear, please be patient with us as we continue to work on snow removal.

Because of snow removal demands, work orders will be addressed on an emergency basis. If you need to report an emergency work order, please call x7135. If you have a routine work order, please email the request to workorder@tiu.edu.

photoshop assignment 3

2008-01-24T23:01:00.000-06:00

Poetry Lesson 3 #7

2008-01-23T18:59:00.000-06:00

The purpose of connotative language used in advertising copy is different from that of such language used in poetry, because poetry is not trying to sell a service or a product. Instead, poetry uses connotative language to creatively explain and reinforce its theme, and not to manipulate readers with euphemisms. A classic example in car advertisements is the replacement of “used” with “pre-owned.”

Macintosh has recently come out with a new product: MacBook Air, accompanied with the copy: “the world’s thinnest notebook.” The word “air” suggests that the product is light or weightless, and “notebook” implies that it is slim and practical. The tune of the commercial is “New Soul” by Yael Naïm, and includes the lyrics: “I’m a new soul, I came to this strange world hoping I could learn a bit ‘bout how to give and take. I’m a young soul in this very strange world hoping I could learn a bit ‘bout what is true and fake.” The phrase “new soul” personifies the MacBook Air and gives it the aura that it is full of life, autonomous, self-directed, and self-sufficient. “Young” and “new” suggests “fresh” and “innovative.”

The consumer’s impression of the MacBook Air advertisement is manipulated by connotative language, while the reader’s understanding of a poem is supplemented by connotative language.

funny youtube videos

2008-01-22T20:25:00.000-06:00

$2800

2008-01-08T15:59:00.001-06:00

Correspondence with the buyer:

Chris: Did you sell your Prelude?

Nicole: Nope. It's for sale. Only one offer.

Chris: Nicole, here's the deal. Your mother said that it burns oil and now your Craigslist listing also says that it needs a clutch and has an issue with the ABS light being on. She said that you turned down 2500. Should have taken it most likely. I am waiting to hear back from the low mile one in Eugene, Or. If I drive to Tacoma, my offer would be a little less than the 2500 you already turned down. I am going to go drive a Red one at Silver Lake for $2250 (Asking) tomorrow. So let me know. Thanks.

Nicole: Don't waste your time coming down here if you are offering less.

Chris: Are you going to be around tomorrow (Sunday) if we come down that way to look at the Prelude?

--- I called Chris Sunday, he was already on his was to Eugene, OR, to look at another Prelude but didn't buy it. He called Monday morning and stopped by to buy mine on his way home north to La Conner ---

Chris: WE made it back to Shelter Bay without a problem. Thanks Again.

Nicole: Good to hear! Enjoy.

Prelude for sale!

2007-12-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

Posted online at Craigslist

Collins Christmas collection trailers!

2007-12-22T17:28:00.000-06:00

Jon and I spent yesterday putting together a Christmas collection of home videos. Below are all trailers. There is probably over a hundred hours worth of work yet to be done with the home videos altogether. We could have used another day or so to polish up most of the DVD. Some of the film needs to be color corrected, and the DVD menu we put together is kind of cheesy -- same with the DVD cover I made =)... but it all is home-made looking AND I LOVE IT. Enjoy.

Christmas '90

Collins Christmas Eve party at Grandpa Bob and Grandma Betty's. My first and only white Christmas. It's a Nintendo game -- or a wallet?

Christmas '90 II

Jon regrets not wearing pants. Mom regrets not wearing a... NICOLE DON'T!

Christmas '89

This one needs to be color corrected. We kind of forgot and were too lazy to go back. The original film is a still camera shot of almost an hour (a.k.a BOOORING!!) Jon digitized about 30 minutes of it and we didn't know what to do with it... I decided to play it in fast-forward and Jon found a speedy tune to play to it. I think it turned out sweet.

The film we used for the DVD menu (not shown here) was also a still camera shot. Mom and Dad were in a fight, so Dad set up the camera to record how ridiculous Mom sounded. I was 4 years old and stole the show, running up to the lens. The shot of me looked staged. I think Dad was a silent pioneer of reality television.

Christmas '88

What do you want for Christmas? We are with some Audett-side cousins at Grandpa Howard and Grandma Pairlee's (Gblock) home -- before the remodeling (I almost didn't recognize the living room). WAZZLE BEWWY DWESSING!

Easter '88

The Keith Green song "Asleep in the Light" was inspired, obviously, by Dad's corny quote to Beau, "Jesus rose from the Grave and you can't even get out of bed." Although Dad was joking around, Keith was not. The conflict between Keith Green's intense song and our Easter Egg hunt creates a perfectly awkward feeling. The message can be interpreted to be powerful, but was not intended.

thinking about drinking

2007-12-22T00:05:00.000-06:00

A Conservative Baptist influenced female blogger posted her convictions about alcohol. A fellow Christian reader edited the post for fun. Every time "drinking" was mentioned "thinking" was substituted (there are variations of course, i.e. "use of the intellect" and "thinking for oneself"). Bottom line I thought it was brilliant and unique and unintentionally potent.

I know I will step on a few toes with this post; well here's goes nothing! First I'll start by sharing my personal experience with using my own mind. Next, I'll move to what the Bible says about common sense and from there I will close with some personal observations regarding thinking and the use of the intellect.

Being the Conservative Baptist girl that I was raised to be, I did not touch common sense. But when I turned 21 all that changed. And soon I slowly became out of control where thinking was concerned. I was not walking with the Lord, and the further I drifted from the Lord, the more out of control my use of thinking for myself became. Not only was I not walking with the Lord, but my friends were not walking with the Lord either, and so I spiraled out the control. After a chain of very unwise decisions I finally came back to the Lord and figured out that I could not think on my own anymore! I realized that that there is an atmosphere surrounding thinking that is not conducive to the Christian life. Usually when thinking is present, there is a feeling of frivolity and carelessness that lends to carnality.

There are many occasions in the Bible in which the use of thinking for oneself is connected with bad decision making (which leads to debauchery). In the Bible, thinking is considered a negative state.

So, I know you are probably saying, "but Jesus used his brain". My response would be, Jesus was perfect! He had control over how much he thought and of course he was sinless, so he was able to think and not sin.

Also, I know some of you are saying, "I use common sense in front of my kids, because I want them to see that I can think in a responsible way." My husband and I take the view that we are teaching our children that they can have strong convictions about something and stand against it despite society's strong influence to contrary. Isn't it better to teach children how to stand up against something that is potentially destructive?

OK, now you are probably saying, "I can control my thoughts. I like to enjoy a nice intellectually stimulating conversation with my wife(or husband) at dinner, what's wrong with that?" This is were we get a little subjective. Yes, you may be able to "control" your thinking, but can you measure the point at which your judgement becomes impaired? Is it after one thought, one sentence, two questions? I would challenge you to consider the attitude that surrounds thinking for oneself and how the World views thinking. As I said earlier, there is often an atmosphere of frivolity that surrounds the use of the brain.

So, that's why I don't think. First, the Bible clearly shows that nothing good comes from intelligent thought. Next, I want to model in front of my kids the ability to stand strong against a potentially destructive use of my mind. And, since I can't measure at what point my judgement becomes impaired, I don't want to play with something that has control over me!

Gingerbread returns to Sheraton

2007-12-21T16:00:00.000-06:00

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Gingerbread displays returned to the 6th avenue Sheraton in Seattle. The baked and candied masterpieces were scattered through the mall across the street for the last two years as the hotel underwent construction to build a new entrance on the 6th avenue side. This Christmas, though, spectators can get in line to view them one-by-one, side-by-side.

The theme seemed to be something like “Christmas Around the World” (If it was posted somewhere it probably read “Holidays”).

Three of the six:

Anthropology had a sweet store display of snowflakes cut out from mostly recycled paper, and ceiling décor of clear plastic straws. I’d love to have the job of the person who thinks that stuff up. The picture became my desktop background for the Holidays. Nextstore is Urban Outfitters. Dad was opposed to shopping at UO because he once saw a printed t-shirt that read: “Jesus is a really $#!&&y scientist.” – which makes me curious about UO using sarcasm with their “Jesus is my homeboy" and “Mary is my homegirl” t-shirts, that became popular among some Christians the last decade.

I bought my first real purse – real is synonymous to leather or expensive in my case. It is pictured in red leather color, while mine is chocolate. Mom calls it a briefcase. It’s Fossil’s “Executive” bag and I love it because it is Macbook compatible. It happened to be the exact purse Gblock (Pairlee) had eyed at Macy’s while shopping with Howard the same day. Zappos said that people who like this bag have an eye for elegance. Mom thinks it looks weird on my shoulder – information she hadn’t disclosed until the next day after we purchased it (we is accurate, I paid for some of it with my Macy’s birthday gift card from the Collins g’rents). It is elegant, but I don’t mind shabby-sheik until it’s presence becomes appropriate in a business setting.

annie's fifth

2007-12-18T21:06:00.000-06:00

Pastor Moorehead's youngest ANNIE turned five today. Mom and I stole her for the morning and afternoon as her siblings were at school. We sang happy birthday and served Annie a chocolate chip panCAKE with a handful of candles.

We took her to see Enchanted. The theatre was empty. During the credits she asked me if I would dance with her and we twirled through the aisles to "That's How You Know" by Amy Adams.

Annie insisted on playing on "Hard" on Guitar Hero. She really just had more fun jumping around and acting like a rockstar. We jumped, headbanged and threw up "I love you" signs to songs on the Enchanted soundtrack and Snow Patrol (it just came up next on the playlist). The bell ornaments on the tree started chiming.

Annie picked out a Little Mermaid cell phone with a glass slipper holder at claires and had fun calling me from the back seat of the Accord. I probably taught her some poor phone etiquette.

A happy meal and chicken-foot later, we brought Annie home to a family birthday dinner and a kitchen table smothered with presents.

One was already opened -- a Barbie laptop from Teresa. It was pretty cool.

towhead

2007-12-18T11:05:00.000-06:00

The adorable towheaded FINN! I noticed at the Collins December Birthdays that Finn has a widow’s peak and it’s so cute and so perfect for his fauxhawk. Uncle Ken was curious where “towhead” came from, while I am curious where “the towhead” came from – He’s a recessive little feller. Below is for Ken.

A towhead is a sandbar or small alluvial island in a river that often features a small grouping of trees.

A towhead also refers to a person with light blond hair. This is based on the hair's resemblance to tow which is coarse or broken flax prepared for spinning.
Wikipedia

What happened to the alien-eyed gingerbread men?

Mom bribed me with “go see Enchanted after” to go to Dad’s Christmas work-party. At the cop-fest I realized that it was nice to fall back on family conversation and shared experiences between the small talk.

Mom and I decorated gingerbread men cookies to-go. I left them on a plate atop the dining room/kitchen table and in the morning the plate was on the ground gingerbread cookie-less. Roxie has spewed a couple times since.

ENCHANTED was fun and made me happy for absolutely no reason for a whole day. All I have to say is… “I’ve been dreaming of a true love’s kiss, and a prince I hope that comes with this. That’s what makes ever-aftering so happy!” Amy Adams was the perfect princess – Sarah Kelley could have played the part just as well.

You Decide: Nicole's love life

2007-12-17T23:28:00.000-06:00

Should she remain single... Make-up with her most recent lad... Give hope to a lost long-term long-distance love... Or pursue a new man?

brunnettes win with gingerbread house

2007-12-13T12:40:00.000-06:00

the brunnettes champion gingerbread house

Brunnettes teammates and roommates torre and coley -- happy to go out their senior year with a win.

Battle of the Blondes and Brunnettes is a TIU women's soccer tradition. This semester: the blondes barely won the olympic games (it was by a donut and pudding eating contest -- the brunnettes won the ones that required athleticism) in august, the brunnettes won the pumpkin carving contest in october, and the brunnettes also won the gingerbread house competition in december (we are more creative) -- the last blonde versus brunnette compeition I will be a part of.

Home video project

2007-12-11T14:07:00.000-06:00

Bible songs by Jon, lead vocals, Beau and Nicole, back-up.

I don't know which was more fun -- singing or playing King of the Coffee Table. Singing Together in the living room at my first residence, the yellow house behind Decatur High School

Jon's current on-the-side video project includes the Collins family home videotapes. Soon, all of our memories captured on film will be edited with family commentary and produced as one single video.

the munchies

2007-12-05T19:18:00.000-06:00

I spy:
3 hot-chocolates
Chamomile tea
Chocolate brownie (is there another kind?)
Sierra Mist
Aquafina
Miss Vickie’s Original Recipe kettle potato chips
Some other brand of Mesquite BBQ chips
Coca-cola gummies
4 frappuccinos

$20 bill

The Trinity Hall Café runs on cash and student meal plan munch money. Abby is allergic to corn, egg yolk, and milk, among other things. Corn alone reduces her diet to pretty much nothing. So Abby has a lot of munch money left. We blew half of it last night. And it all was consumed by today, with the exception of the frapps.

More snow! ...and more to come (Friday).

Trinity Hall parking lot. One of those is probably Serenas.

Dodgeball Tournament

2007-12-04T19:36:00.000-06:00

A group of Trinity International University (TIU) alumni, by the team name of “Balstin” split $300 Sunday as they won the annual Dodgeball Tournament, hosted by Student Government Association (SGA).

“I don’t care about the money,” said competitor Heidi Ebersole of Getting’ After It. “I just want to win.” Ebersole’s team had the manpower to go all the way, but took third after eliminated by Balstin in two different overtimes of single-player face-offs.

The SGA event drew 23 teams, with names like “Slippery Gerbils,” “Ball in the Face,” and “Not Creative Enough.” Some 150 spectators, largely made up of teams waiting to take the court or teams already eliminated, dwindled over the course of the three hours it took for the tournament to expire.

The tournament was played round robin and single-elimination style. A match was won by best of three games. Trinity Intramurals appropriately documented rules for the game, but competitors voiced their usual disagreements with calls made by the referees.

“Bogus! Bogus! Bogus!” shouted a player in disgust to his cheating opposition. Several players took advantage of missed calls and remained inside the volleyball-sized court despite knowing they had legitimately been knocked out. The biggest discrepancy, mostly a misunderstanding, concerned the definition of a “live” ball.

“It is a ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc.),” according to the TIU Dodgeball Tournament Rules. It was often difficult to decipher whether a ball had skimmed anther ball before hitting a target.

The key for success was speed and accuracy of throw and agility of body. The ideal dodgeball athlete would have the arm of a baseball player, the accuracy of a pitcher, and the agility of a football player.

Football senior Cole Goodenow showcased his skill as he impressively dropped and rolled to duck a live ball, and soccer junior Natalie Zierten displayed alertness as she jumped in what looked like a mid-air quasi-double toe-touch to escape a live ball, and ultimately both their eliminations. Zierten’s team, Dodge This, lost in the final and took second place, a repeat from last year’s tournament.

Teams played with a minimum of two girls, who weren’t too detrimental to the team if they were bad and, conversely, weren’t too beneficial to the team if they were good. Few females had much of an arm, so the strategy became catching her ball instead of throwing her out. To win a match, a team relied on at least one male sniper.

For Balstin, that sniper was an anonymous alumnus. Soccer senior Megan Pelland was the solo girl for the champion alumni, who played a man down. Pelland earned $50 for her performance and plans to save it for her wedding this summer.

The next college activity on the calendar requires a little less competition and a little more gracefulness. College Union has organized transportation for Ice Skating at Millenium Park tomorrow (Saturday). There is no cash prize for top skater.