(Poem #2)
Crossing the Road
We had not been there long,
My brother, sister, and I
But we quickly found out
That it was a strange land.
The temperatures soared
Into the triple digits daily
As we roamed the markets.
Cairo spoke to us.
Speakers called for prayer
And the men would bow
Facing the lands of Mecca
Holier than their own.
Locals vied for us
To spend our cash
For we were American
A sort of royalty.
But we walked on
Our eyes caught a glimpse
Of a sparkling jewel
Or an odd delicacy.
Our foreheads beaded
With drops of sweat
Our feet black from the dirt
That rose every time we stepped.
Commotion filled the streets
Taxi drivers speeding and
Honking instead of stopping.
Excitement, not fear filled me.
My eyes darted
Trying to soak it in.
A culture so unique
A place so foreign
Rotting oranges on the shelves
Somehow when juiced
Made a tasty treat
We sipped as we walked on
Past towering minarets
Camels and goats
To the street corner
Peering toward a five-lane road.
Our glances caught each other’s
And we wondered out loud
If it were even possible
To get across the street alive
Busses passed by
Inches from our faces
And my earlier excitement
Was replaced with fear
The crowd around us waited
For their chance to
Make a run to the other side
To whatever was waiting
We wore the fear on our faces
And our clothes gave it away
So a man that knew the trick
Offered us a simple tip
He said,
“Just close your eyes,
Pray to Allah, And Go.”
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
I Wish I Was There
With the Derby season in full gear, and the Run for the Roses less than a week away, I am very excited to go back to the Downs for my second experience of "the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." Once again, I will share the awesome experience that it everything Derby with out-of-towners who have yet to even imagine how great the event is. In this day and age, its easy for anyone to watch past Derby's to relive the excitement, or attempt to capture it for the first time through video. As I perused You Tube, I strayed from the Derby and to Secretariat's victory in the Belmont.
This race is widely known as one of the greatest moments in sports and one of the most awe-inspiring feats by an athlete of any species. But from the idea of not being able to truly experience the excitement unless you were there, I have finally answered the question of what sporting moment would have I liked to witness in person. Now, lets be frank and realize this is quite possibly and impossible question to answer. Sporting events are always producing moments that amaze for decades to come.
To witness Secretariat at the height of his sport while bringing home a Triple Crown must have been incredible. The way he and Sham burst out to lead the field who would not once play a role in the outcome of the race. The way he pushed ahead of Sham on the backstretch seemingly putting in no effort to push the pace even faster and take a couple length lead. The most amazing moment of the race, however, the one that makes my heart stop for a second is watching him create a new gear as he speeds ahead of Sham without any care that what he is doing is seemingly impossible. The lead grows with every stretch, while any other horse would be falling backwards, as Sham does to a dead last finish. Instead, the crowd roars in excitement of the feat they are witnessing. The final pan of the camera, at a distance that can show each viewer the extent of Secretariats win must have been the smallest zoom the camera had.
I suggest that you watch this video and just watch in amazement at the feat you are watching. It truly is mind-boggling.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2c_ylcxgCaI
And now I pose this question to you.
What are the three events you have witnessed or wish you would have witnessed that epitomize the best moments in sports.
Mine are:
1. Secretariat in the Belmont
2. The Miracle on Ice
3. Christian Lattnear's shot to beat UK.
Let me hear 'em.
This race is widely known as one of the greatest moments in sports and one of the most awe-inspiring feats by an athlete of any species. But from the idea of not being able to truly experience the excitement unless you were there, I have finally answered the question of what sporting moment would have I liked to witness in person. Now, lets be frank and realize this is quite possibly and impossible question to answer. Sporting events are always producing moments that amaze for decades to come.
To witness Secretariat at the height of his sport while bringing home a Triple Crown must have been incredible. The way he and Sham burst out to lead the field who would not once play a role in the outcome of the race. The way he pushed ahead of Sham on the backstretch seemingly putting in no effort to push the pace even faster and take a couple length lead. The most amazing moment of the race, however, the one that makes my heart stop for a second is watching him create a new gear as he speeds ahead of Sham without any care that what he is doing is seemingly impossible. The lead grows with every stretch, while any other horse would be falling backwards, as Sham does to a dead last finish. Instead, the crowd roars in excitement of the feat they are witnessing. The final pan of the camera, at a distance that can show each viewer the extent of Secretariats win must have been the smallest zoom the camera had.
I suggest that you watch this video and just watch in amazement at the feat you are watching. It truly is mind-boggling.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2c_ylcxgCaI
And now I pose this question to you.
What are the three events you have witnessed or wish you would have witnessed that epitomize the best moments in sports.
Mine are:
1. Secretariat in the Belmont
2. The Miracle on Ice
3. Christian Lattnear's shot to beat UK.
Let me hear 'em.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ode to Bob Barker
(This is the first in my series of poems from this semester. They will be posted periodically as I write other posts. Enjoy!)
I will spay or neuter my dog, Bob,
Because you reminded me every day
Just before you signed off
While the large lady in the lavender sweater ran
To her cache of prizes.
You reminded me and I listened,
‘Cause a boy listens to his idol.
Charismatic and suave on the stage
With your beauties by your side
Smiling and waving.
I dreamed of being the next contestant,
To come on down,
In contestant’s row to bid on a prize,
And win my way on stage for
A new car.
Or drop that Plinko chip and watch
As it careened towards the middle
But always turning at the end
Away from the $10,000 slot
To nothing.
I would be a winner, Bob,
‘Cause I wouldn’t want to let you down.
I’d walk the entire Golden Road,
Or place the Secret ‘X’ right where
It belonged.
If at the end, Mr. Barker,
I didn’t quite make the cut,
There is one thing I could promise you:
That my dog would never make
Another mutt.
I will spay or neuter my dog, Bob,
Because you reminded me every day
Just before you signed off
While the large lady in the lavender sweater ran
To her cache of prizes.
You reminded me and I listened,
‘Cause a boy listens to his idol.
Charismatic and suave on the stage
With your beauties by your side
Smiling and waving.
I dreamed of being the next contestant,
To come on down,
In contestant’s row to bid on a prize,
And win my way on stage for
A new car.
Or drop that Plinko chip and watch
As it careened towards the middle
But always turning at the end
Away from the $10,000 slot
To nothing.
I would be a winner, Bob,
‘Cause I wouldn’t want to let you down.
I’d walk the entire Golden Road,
Or place the Secret ‘X’ right where
It belonged.
If at the end, Mr. Barker,
I didn’t quite make the cut,
There is one thing I could promise you:
That my dog would never make
Another mutt.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Best Moments of Sophomore Year, Part 1
The Old Oaken Bucket Game
Purdue-24 Indiana- 27
Award: "Best Sporting Event I've Witnessed"
There have been a fair share of amazing sporting events since I have come to IU, and a few of them have happened to my own Hoosier teams. Freshman year the football team knocked off then #13 Iowa and a good Michigan State team. We won a game against our rival, and my brotherly rival, Illinois on a last second field goal. Our basketball team had upset #2 Wisconsin in front of my own eyes at Assembly Hall. After so many awesome wins in my first year, I had no clue even better wins would be coming. I was wrong. On a perfect day in November, at Memorial Stadium, the Old Oaken Bucket returned to Bloomington.
Never have I seen, or may ever again, witness such excitement for an IU football game. The team was going for their 7th win, the most in over a decade and it was against our arch-rival Purdue. The stadium was sold out and the tailgating was bigger than ever before. And if you haven't seen IU tailgating its nothing like the lackluster following of the football team. It seemed everyone in the state had come out to watch. The cell phone networks were shotty at best, but my friends were here from IU and Purdue and the excitement was off the charts.
The game played in our favor for the first three quarters as we jumped out to a three touchdown lead. But the tides turned at the end of the third, and the Boliermakers mounted a comeback and tied the game with a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. The sure victory and recovery of the Old oaken Bucket were now and jeopardy and the fans were on the edges of their seats. But on fear, as the Hoosiers were not going to let this one slip away. They were playing for bragging rights and a bowl bid.
Then, with 30 seconds remaining, the Hoosiers just made it into field goal range and Austin Starr would attempt a 49-yarder for the victory. The ball was kicked, and I swear that it hung in the air for an eternity. 50,000 fell awesomely silent and the night air was no filled with even a breath. We sat there holding in our last gasp of air as the ball fell like a rock just over the edge of the crossbar. The kick, which we immediately though he had shanked, made it by less than a yard and the crowd erupted in an excitement I have once experienced in my life.
The final seconds of the clocked ticked away, and the excitement that had been bubbling ended with a rushing of the field. The Old Oaken Bucket was ours, and the night was left to party away. This weekend still rates as my most favorite I have had while at IU.
Our relief after the win.
Rushing the field.
Purdue-24 Indiana- 27
Award: "Best Sporting Event I've Witnessed"
There have been a fair share of amazing sporting events since I have come to IU, and a few of them have happened to my own Hoosier teams. Freshman year the football team knocked off then #13 Iowa and a good Michigan State team. We won a game against our rival, and my brotherly rival, Illinois on a last second field goal. Our basketball team had upset #2 Wisconsin in front of my own eyes at Assembly Hall. After so many awesome wins in my first year, I had no clue even better wins would be coming. I was wrong. On a perfect day in November, at Memorial Stadium, the Old Oaken Bucket returned to Bloomington.
Never have I seen, or may ever again, witness such excitement for an IU football game. The team was going for their 7th win, the most in over a decade and it was against our arch-rival Purdue. The stadium was sold out and the tailgating was bigger than ever before. And if you haven't seen IU tailgating its nothing like the lackluster following of the football team. It seemed everyone in the state had come out to watch. The cell phone networks were shotty at best, but my friends were here from IU and Purdue and the excitement was off the charts.
The game played in our favor for the first three quarters as we jumped out to a three touchdown lead. But the tides turned at the end of the third, and the Boliermakers mounted a comeback and tied the game with a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. The sure victory and recovery of the Old oaken Bucket were now and jeopardy and the fans were on the edges of their seats. But on fear, as the Hoosiers were not going to let this one slip away. They were playing for bragging rights and a bowl bid.
Then, with 30 seconds remaining, the Hoosiers just made it into field goal range and Austin Starr would attempt a 49-yarder for the victory. The ball was kicked, and I swear that it hung in the air for an eternity. 50,000 fell awesomely silent and the night air was no filled with even a breath. We sat there holding in our last gasp of air as the ball fell like a rock just over the edge of the crossbar. The kick, which we immediately though he had shanked, made it by less than a yard and the crowd erupted in an excitement I have once experienced in my life.
The final seconds of the clocked ticked away, and the excitement that had been bubbling ended with a rushing of the field. The Old Oaken Bucket was ours, and the night was left to party away. This weekend still rates as my most favorite I have had while at IU.
Our relief after the win.
Rushing the field.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Two Weeks Notice
That's what they gave me today, and I couldn't be happier. Once Little 5 is over, there really just seems like no reason that school should continue. How do they expect you to change your mind set from that back to focused on school? Its not a reality.
Today, however, I learned my brain must function for four days less than it was originally was scheduled. The best news of the semester came in the form of an e-mail from my Geology teacher today. I saw that it was from him, and I hoped with all my might that it would contain the news I was looking for. And that it did. My one and only final, originally scheduled for the last final of the semester at 7 pm, Friday, May 2, was now going to take place on the first day of finals. Oh what a relief.
I can now enjoy the glory of Kentucky Derby without having to rush in and plan something with barely any time to spare. Hopefully the weather will be nice and I can work out something fun for my friends coming into town. Now its time to get those plans rolling.
Today, however, I learned my brain must function for four days less than it was originally was scheduled. The best news of the semester came in the form of an e-mail from my Geology teacher today. I saw that it was from him, and I hoped with all my might that it would contain the news I was looking for. And that it did. My one and only final, originally scheduled for the last final of the semester at 7 pm, Friday, May 2, was now going to take place on the first day of finals. Oh what a relief.
I can now enjoy the glory of Kentucky Derby without having to rush in and plan something with barely any time to spare. Hopefully the weather will be nice and I can work out something fun for my friends coming into town. Now its time to get those plans rolling.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Little 500 Is Here Again
It's like the Derby is to Louisville, that one weekend you have marked on your calendar the moment you take it out for the coming year. It's the one day of the year you make sure you have nothing else planned except being there for the fun and festivities. It's been dubbed the "Greatest College Weekend", though I'm sure thats a debate that has no end, and I can't help but feel its pretty high up on the list. That's right ladies and gents, Little 500 week is here again.
And thankfully, it looks as if the weather is going to come around right on time. Though the weather would never stop 40,000 students from having a good time, its never bad when the forecast calls for sun and temperatures hitting the 70 mark. Students attempt to stretch the celebration out as long as possible, but tomorrow is the official kick off, and this year its going to be a little more spectacular. Tomorrow's free Dave Matthews concert is hard to out do as the perfect beginning.
Then the struggle begins. How does one get their work done, attend class, and get enough sleep while attempting to make the most out of the celebration? I'm going to be honest and tell you there is no way. I'm sure that everyone who enjoys the week will miss atleast one class. You just have to be strategic and make sure its not that class you have a quiz in. The smart students have saved up their full alottment of absences to be used during the course of the week.
So, what you may ask is going to be causing the struggle this year? Well beyond the abundance of parties thrown almost any day of the week, there are more concerts in Bloomington this year than you can throw a stick at. Unfortunately, this years lineup is not exactly to my liking, but I'll find more than enough to keep me busy. If rap is your thing, you have no shortage of concerts to attend. As you know, Dave will begin the madness on Sunday, and some local big bands will keep things going at the bars on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday features a lineup of some well known rap artists including a couple of Fraternity sponsored shows that feature DMX and the Ying Yang Twins. Friday has a triple header of concerts, none more alluring than Feist at the IU Auditorium.
Then, the real fun finally arrives. If the Little 5 race itself is your cup of tea, Saturday is the day of the big race and I would highly recommend stopping in at least once in your four years to capture a glimpse of the IU tradition that an ESPN columnist ranked as the #13 sporting event you must attend before you die. After the race, the goal is to have as much fun as you can party hopping until you can't go anymore. Only the strong can survive.
Then as quick as it came, it's gone. This year we get the awesome opportunity to wake up on Sunday, feeling a little worse than we did the night before, click on the television and enjoy the final round of the Masters. I can't think of any better way to rest up after a week of more than any single human can endure.
And then you mark on your calendar for the next year. It's just one of those types of events.
And thankfully, it looks as if the weather is going to come around right on time. Though the weather would never stop 40,000 students from having a good time, its never bad when the forecast calls for sun and temperatures hitting the 70 mark. Students attempt to stretch the celebration out as long as possible, but tomorrow is the official kick off, and this year its going to be a little more spectacular. Tomorrow's free Dave Matthews concert is hard to out do as the perfect beginning.
Then the struggle begins. How does one get their work done, attend class, and get enough sleep while attempting to make the most out of the celebration? I'm going to be honest and tell you there is no way. I'm sure that everyone who enjoys the week will miss atleast one class. You just have to be strategic and make sure its not that class you have a quiz in. The smart students have saved up their full alottment of absences to be used during the course of the week.
So, what you may ask is going to be causing the struggle this year? Well beyond the abundance of parties thrown almost any day of the week, there are more concerts in Bloomington this year than you can throw a stick at. Unfortunately, this years lineup is not exactly to my liking, but I'll find more than enough to keep me busy. If rap is your thing, you have no shortage of concerts to attend. As you know, Dave will begin the madness on Sunday, and some local big bands will keep things going at the bars on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday features a lineup of some well known rap artists including a couple of Fraternity sponsored shows that feature DMX and the Ying Yang Twins. Friday has a triple header of concerts, none more alluring than Feist at the IU Auditorium.
Then, the real fun finally arrives. If the Little 5 race itself is your cup of tea, Saturday is the day of the big race and I would highly recommend stopping in at least once in your four years to capture a glimpse of the IU tradition that an ESPN columnist ranked as the #13 sporting event you must attend before you die. After the race, the goal is to have as much fun as you can party hopping until you can't go anymore. Only the strong can survive.
Then as quick as it came, it's gone. This year we get the awesome opportunity to wake up on Sunday, feeling a little worse than we did the night before, click on the television and enjoy the final round of the Masters. I can't think of any better way to rest up after a week of more than any single human can endure.
And then you mark on your calendar for the next year. It's just one of those types of events.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sorry, Class Can Wait
So right now I'm just going to thank my teacher for those two lowest quiz grades he is going to drop from our grade. Those come in handy, and today I found out one more reason they are a great addition to any college syllabus. As I sat in geology today, having got there early, I received a call from my friend Leslie. This is how the dialogue went:
Mark: "Hey Leslie, what's up?"
Leslie: "What are you doing, come meet us right now!"
M: "I'm in class..."
L: "You are in class, why are you answering?"
M: "Well I'm waiting for class to start..."
L: "Okay, leave now, and come to 3rd and Washington, they are giving away free Dave Matthews concert tickets."
M: "Leslie, stop lying, its April 2, not the 1st.
L: "Just come, you want free tickets."
End of conversation.
So I did get up, hoping she was not lying. Free and concert always go so well together in the same sentence. I sprinted from 10th Street to 3rd street and over four blocks faster than every before. I always used to think it was far, guess its not when you got free tickets waiting at the other end.
It turns out that this has cause quite a stir on campus. Hordes of people are doing just what I was, putting down anything and everything and coming to wait in line. Luckily for me, when I arrived to the line stretching more than few city blocks, I had friends to cut in line with. TV crews were on the scene, and college kids kept coming from every direction. The sponsors of the free concert, the Bloomington Obama Headquarters, were ready for the deluge. The process went really smooth, with campaigners asking if you had registered to vote, handing out tickets, and allowing you the opportunity to register if you had not. Registration was not necessary.
So now I sit here with a free Dave Matthews ticket and one hell of a way to kick off Little 500 week. Now I'll take a zero on a quiz that will be dropped any day for a free concert. Thanks, Basu!
Mark: "Hey Leslie, what's up?"
Leslie: "What are you doing, come meet us right now!"
M: "I'm in class..."
L: "You are in class, why are you answering?"
M: "Well I'm waiting for class to start..."
L: "Okay, leave now, and come to 3rd and Washington, they are giving away free Dave Matthews concert tickets."
M: "Leslie, stop lying, its April 2, not the 1st.
L: "Just come, you want free tickets."
End of conversation.
So I did get up, hoping she was not lying. Free and concert always go so well together in the same sentence. I sprinted from 10th Street to 3rd street and over four blocks faster than every before. I always used to think it was far, guess its not when you got free tickets waiting at the other end.
It turns out that this has cause quite a stir on campus. Hordes of people are doing just what I was, putting down anything and everything and coming to wait in line. Luckily for me, when I arrived to the line stretching more than few city blocks, I had friends to cut in line with. TV crews were on the scene, and college kids kept coming from every direction. The sponsors of the free concert, the Bloomington Obama Headquarters, were ready for the deluge. The process went really smooth, with campaigners asking if you had registered to vote, handing out tickets, and allowing you the opportunity to register if you had not. Registration was not necessary.
So now I sit here with a free Dave Matthews ticket and one hell of a way to kick off Little 500 week. Now I'll take a zero on a quiz that will be dropped any day for a free concert. Thanks, Basu!
Handle With Care
Across Showalter Fountain from the Hope School of Fine Arts where I spend a good amount of each day sits an unsuspecting building fronted by wide steps named the J.K. Lilly Library. Obviously, this being a college campus, libraries are a common sight, attached to almost every classroom building. This being known, the majority of IU students walk by this small building everyday, their eyes captured by the water shooting high out of the fountain or their minds lost in dreams of the weekend ahead. This is not just any library however. What lies inside its walls combine to be worth billions. Indiana University is known world wide for many reasons, such as the Jacobs School of Music, but the Lilly Library may be its best kept secret.
The Lilly Library holds special significance for a student of my major. It's shelves and vault are littered with the best examples of printmaking and bookmaking known to man. From early examples of cuneiform dating to 2000 B.C to the first book printed at an Italian printing press. Looking for an intact version of the first book printed from moveable type? Look know further than Gutenberg's 42 Line Bible proudly displayed in the center of the main room.
Today, I had the pleasure of taking a look at some of their most valuable books from the vaults with my graphic design class. Now, it was amazing, but you could easily look at them yourself. The Lilly Library takes pride in being one of the most user-friendly rare book libraries in the world, allowing anyone with an ID and an address to ask to see any of their thousands of books or 7.5 million manuscripts. Stop in for research, or just to gaze in awe at their incredible collection.
We looked solely at important books in the evolution of the art of print and some pretty priceless (or very valuable pieces.) Namely, we were allowed to marvel at Albrecht Durer's Apocalypse praised for its perfect wood cut images which has an alternate version sold for over $10 million. That's something you can't do at your local library.
I had no clue that this little gem was so closely located to my travels everyday. I had a notion that is had famous books, but my evaluations were not even close to the actuality of the truth. I hope to return soon to ask to read one of the original prints of The Declaration of Independence or George Washington's acceptance speech for the Presidency of the United States, it being the sole copy.
Next time you are in Bloomington, ask me to take to you to the Lilly Library. It's a short trip to take to be in the presence of over 4000 years of printing history. You won't be disappointed.
Tomorrow: Crean and Crimson
The Lilly Library holds special significance for a student of my major. It's shelves and vault are littered with the best examples of printmaking and bookmaking known to man. From early examples of cuneiform dating to 2000 B.C to the first book printed at an Italian printing press. Looking for an intact version of the first book printed from moveable type? Look know further than Gutenberg's 42 Line Bible proudly displayed in the center of the main room.
Today, I had the pleasure of taking a look at some of their most valuable books from the vaults with my graphic design class. Now, it was amazing, but you could easily look at them yourself. The Lilly Library takes pride in being one of the most user-friendly rare book libraries in the world, allowing anyone with an ID and an address to ask to see any of their thousands of books or 7.5 million manuscripts. Stop in for research, or just to gaze in awe at their incredible collection.
We looked solely at important books in the evolution of the art of print and some pretty priceless (or very valuable pieces.) Namely, we were allowed to marvel at Albrecht Durer's Apocalypse praised for its perfect wood cut images which has an alternate version sold for over $10 million. That's something you can't do at your local library.
I had no clue that this little gem was so closely located to my travels everyday. I had a notion that is had famous books, but my evaluations were not even close to the actuality of the truth. I hope to return soon to ask to read one of the original prints of The Declaration of Independence or George Washington's acceptance speech for the Presidency of the United States, it being the sole copy.
Next time you are in Bloomington, ask me to take to you to the Lilly Library. It's a short trip to take to be in the presence of over 4000 years of printing history. You won't be disappointed.
Tomorrow: Crean and Crimson
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
This Dizzy Life
"...keeps hanging me up all the time."
Adam Duritz croons these words as the chorus to the second song off of their new album with the assurance he has of being caught up in a whirlwind life. It makes sense to be the title of a blog, where thoughts, ideas, and experiences from life are captured in word and read.
This blog makes its appearance at a time when my own dizzy life of college and its expectations, weighed down with responsibilty to get the job done while distracted by all that is available on a college campus.
My plan to make my own website is still in the plans, but time constraints have pushed it off to a summer project. This blog will eventually be making the move over there, so bear with me and enjoy this site while it lasts.
In the coming days, expect posts on the fall of IU basketball into the abyss of college basketball nothingness, the new Counting Crows album, my plans for a summer of music, and works from both my art classes and my creative writing class.
Welcome back, and thanks for coming.
Adam Duritz croons these words as the chorus to the second song off of their new album with the assurance he has of being caught up in a whirlwind life. It makes sense to be the title of a blog, where thoughts, ideas, and experiences from life are captured in word and read.
This blog makes its appearance at a time when my own dizzy life of college and its expectations, weighed down with responsibilty to get the job done while distracted by all that is available on a college campus.
My plan to make my own website is still in the plans, but time constraints have pushed it off to a summer project. This blog will eventually be making the move over there, so bear with me and enjoy this site while it lasts.
In the coming days, expect posts on the fall of IU basketball into the abyss of college basketball nothingness, the new Counting Crows album, my plans for a summer of music, and works from both my art classes and my creative writing class.
Welcome back, and thanks for coming.
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