Ahh, But What Do You Eat?!

You may hear this question from a perplexed individual upon telling them that you do not eat meat. I attempt to not be a preaching, holier than thou vegetarian and keep my reasons and beliefs to myself. But eventually someone catches you eating a grilled tempeh, apple, and cheddar sandwich for lunch and the questions begin. The two most common are:

(imagine a look of shock and horror)
1. “But WHERE do you get protein?”

And the less intense but more personal:
2. “Why do you not eat meat?”

To answer the first question: how many Americans do you know with a protein deficiency? Or if I’m feeling less animated about the subject, I might respond “beans and tofu.” (This seems like what they want to hear.)

Question two is much more difficult to answer. If asked in passing, it is a complex and personal topic to explain in a brief sentence. Typically, I make a sarcastic comment such as, "I love all of God's creatures" and keep walking. But being a vegetarian is a conscious lifestyle choice and for most, cannot be pinned down to any one reason. There are a combination of factors that for some of us include the following:

1. Factory farming. You can’t be sure exactly what’s in a chicken breast these days! I don’t have time to investigate every piece of meat that goes through my digestive tract (and I sure don’t trust the government to do it for me). Is everything else I put in my body 100% natural or organic? No, but not eating meat is a good first step for me.
2. Global warming. These crazy weather fluctuations are real, and the meat industry is the number one contributor to the Earth’s overall increasing temperature. Fact.
3. Health. Diets low in fat and cholesterol reduce your risks for cancer and heart disease, while improving body composition. Surprise, surprise.

Other interesting vegetarian factoids:

1. Did you know that humans haven’t always been omnivores? True story: at the beginning of our existence we were merely plant killing herbivores. Clearly, we don’t need meat to survive and can obtain protein, vitamins, iron, and other minerals from alternative sources.
2. Cutting back on meat consumption awakens your taste buds to a multitude of alternative food choices. Seitan cheesesteaks, kale chips, black bean burgers, tempeh sausage, roasted fennel, miso soup, and on and on! These were all delightful culinary discoveries I probably never would have tried as a steak eater.
3. It’s cheaper. Truth. You’re looking at a thirty cent discount for bean tacos at Taco Bell. (And if that doesn’t convince you of the benefits of vegetarianism, then nothing will.)

In conclusion, I guess we can still be friends if you enjoy a filet mignon or fresh Maine lobster (but probably not if you eat veal). But think about other options out there! And no need to worry about the protein intake of us vegetarians...we've got it covered :-)

A closing quote:
“Bethany, would you like a goldfish?”
“No thanks, I’m a vegetarian.”

Skydiving Video!

Check it out!

http://vimeo.com/15756936

Skydiving Part II: So I flew.

Excerpt from Life Goal List:
23. Skydive - Completed on 10/9/10

Late Saturday afternoon I drove to the middle of nowhere Tennessee to jump out of a plane. With a stressful week (and semester), this seemed like the right thing to do. I watched an intimidating video about the risk of paralysis due to skydiving, signed away my rights, and waited my turn. Due to the large numbers of jumpers and quick plane runs, everything seemed to happen last minute. This actually worked in my favor because I had little time to think about exactly what I was going to do.

About ten minutes before boarding the plane, I got a quick lesson on correct skydiving positioning while getting suited and harnessed. I met my tandem partner, Tim, as we walked to the aircraft. We crammed into the plane while Tim buckled us together and told me our upcoming sequence of events and exactly what to do. “Make sure you keep your head on my left shoulder, arch your back, and when I go like this you can put your arms out,” he said. But of course I forgot everything. I guess that’s what happens when you jump from 14,000 feet in the air.

Next thing I knew, we tumbled out of the plane and Tim was pulling my legs back as we soared through the sky at over 100 mph, belly down with arms and legs out. It was an overwhelmingly intense feeling of freedom and uncertainty. A minute later, Tim pulled the parachute cord and the harness uncomfortably tightened as we zipped back up in the air. He let me control the chute and spiral over the newly red and yellow leafed trees, all with the setting sun in view. B-E-A-UTIFUL! Before I knew it, Tim was telling me to hold my legs straight out in front of me as we prepared to butt slide next to the target.

And just like that it was over. I was left with knots in my hair, an adrenaline rush, and questions about when I would jump again. Later, a few of the jumpers put on a spectacular fireworks show to end a great day! (Video footage to come!)

What's next?

Cause I left all my doubts on the airplane
I didn’t know I’m not in control
I didn’t know I’m not invincible.
–“Oviedo” by BP

Skydiving Part I: I have an itch to fly.

After a recent video chat (thanks for the idea Jetsons), I had the opportunity to receive life updates from my favorite 3 year old, Sam Steinbauer. He had just seen a penguin movie and was thus inspired to learn to fly. In between climbing and intense interest in the microphone, Sam described his attempts to fool gravity. You can’t read yet Sam, but I’d like to say, “Thanks for the idea!”

Fortunately, there is a skydiving club on campus at ETSU. With a quick phone call, I’m scheduled to jump out of a plane at a skydiving boogey this weekend. It seems too easy. Will it be that easy to make the first move out of the plane and into the clouds? Will it be that easy to pull the cord, release a parachute, and land on target? Luckily I’ll be jumping tandem the first time and have back-up just in case!

Updates to follow…

Things didn't work out like they should,
Farther from how you thought they would.
- “Matrimony” by TAB

A New Life Goal

Nothing is more pleasing than the sound of a gentle chuckle or a hearty guffaw especially when you evoke this response from your jolly father, Skip Jennings. Now this may seem to be an easy task as parents typically praise and encourage their children, instilling confidence and belief that everything they do is amazing. And I cannot complain because my dad does this in nearly every aspect. However a recent discussion with my loving, X-chromosome donating father left me perplexed. When asked to describe me in three adjectives, I left the room heartbroken as “funny” was not on his list. Seriously dad? You laugh at me all the time! How could I not be the funniest person you’ve met in your life?!

Dad is constantly laughing. His face reddens as tears stream down his face and his lungs gasp for air every time a bad pun is made. It seems as if every time I go home for a visit, we start yukking it up and I describe my new AWESOME idea of my perfect life plan. My father’s head tilts back and his belly begins to shake while producing a deep hearty laugh that is easily one of his most distinguishable qualities. This has been a common theme since the beginning of my youth. I’ll never forget the day my six-year-old self walked up to my father and told him that I wanted to be an astronaut. The laughter, which would become a common theme in my life, began as my father quickly shot down my hopes and dreams by reminding me that astronauts had to be good at science and I hated science class.

Around my dad, I pull out my most sarcastic responses, find the irony in every situation, and perform my best imitations (mostly of family members, sorry Chris). It makes me happy to see my dad’s face turn a deep shade of red as I think to myself “My dad thinks I’m funny!” But alas, I am wrong. However, I will not give up. I will strive and continue to make my father laugh until he believes with all of his heart and soul that I am the funniest person he knows. It is my new life goal.

Dad's favorite joke:
Me - "Dad I think you're getting deaf in your old age."
Dad - "Huh?"
Me - "You're going deaf."
Dad - "What? I didn't hear you."

Artist of the Week: Blind Pilot

Do we really need another indie folk band from the West Coast? Yes.

After noticing similar musical interests in bands like the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons, a classmate passed along Blind Pilot’s debut album 3 Rounds and a Sound last week. Since then, I’ve been happily (and calmly) admiring their soothing rock vibe and gentle lyrical genius. The band combines simple acoustic guitar and background drumming with the occasional banjo, fiddle, and xylophone to create an immersion of pop-folk goodness. As you sip a pumpkin spice latte and watch the autumn mist fall on the trees outside, this album will surely warm your soul. With lines like “cause I left all my doubts on the airplane, I didn't know I'm not invincible” and “And the seasons will change us new, be the best I’ve known and you know me” how could you not enjoy this band?

Based out of Portland, Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski (in true hipster fashion) embarked on a bicycle tour along the West Coast and recorded their first album together as Blind Pilot in 2008. The band has since grown to six touring members, and opened for impressive acts such as Langhorne Slim, Andrew Bird, and the Decemberists. Check out NPR’s live concert from SXSW 2009:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101419055

Recommended if you like Ben Sollee, Sondre Lerche, Band of Horses, or My Morning Jacket.

Happy Monday!

and just where you are might be the right place
might be that sweet space but you don't know

well look me in the head I've got nothing on my mind
I've been waiting for you all this time

look me in the mouth I've got nothing in my smile
I've been waiting for you you're just my style

From “I Buried a Bone” by Blind Pilot

The Morning Walk

Coffee? Check.
iPod? Check.
Shades? Check.

I join a flock of twenty-somethings fleeing the parking lot and heading toward the main campus as if it were a giant magnet, and we were all little metal pieces being pulled directly toward it. A typical scene as we take part in the early morning rush to arrive to class on time where our sponge-like brain cells will absorb knowledge. Now despite what other lazy students believe, it is not a far walk from the parking lot to the classroom here at ETSU. Five to ten minutes max and you have reached your destination. (WVU on the other hand? Leave for class ninety minutes early). Still, in this ten minute walk there is plenty to see and one last chance to free your mind before the busy day of education begins. So what makes these items necessary for the short morning jaunt to class?

First off, coffee. That warm, bold refreshing beverage will caffeinate your senses during class and make you look super cool if you carry a Christmas travel mug in September.
Second, an iPod. Does this need any explanation? You MUST find the perfect tune to inspire your soul, and prepare you for a day of gaining knowledge. Pop those earbuds in and go, go, go!
Third, shades. Sure they will prevent the bright morning sun from burning your corneas but they will also provide a fresh worldview. There’s so much to see along the way! And it usually looks better while hiding under your favorite shades. It is also necessary that the shades reflect your specific personality. Perhaps this is your last chance for individual identity before retreating into the student masses of sameness and conformity!

After a refreshing morning walk, I arrive to class feeling relaxed and ready to take on the day. Then I notice that I forgot my backpack. No problem. More coffee, iPod, and shades time as I walk back to my car and retrieve the non-essentials items still in my car. :-)

When I leave home to walk to school, Dad always says to me,
"Marco, keep your eyelids up and see what you can see.” – from Dr. Seuss’s And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street

Resumes: The Only Place Where Tying Your Shoes Could Be Considered Impressive.

In an attempt to flee the overwhelming world of academia and become an “adult”, my time recently has been spent researching the fine craft of resume writing. This is a difficult process. Everyone has varying standards and opinions on appropriate length, necessary headings, relevant experiences, and important skills. When writing resumes, one cannot just openly state, “I am organized. I am a hard worker. I can use Microsoft Word. Hire me.” You must find ways of saying this with different words. So you list EVERYTHING you’ve ever done in your life, adjust and tweak your word choices, and make it say what you want to say.

Example:
Under the heading “Experience” one could list – Capable of tying my own shoes.
An employer could read this and assume the following:
1. This person is organized.
2. This person will work diligently to complete the given task.
3. This person does not take the easy way out (seen by the decision to not buy Velcro or slip-ons).
4. This person can work independently.
5. This person could potentially be a leader and teach others to tie their shoes.
6. This person takes direction well (as they were surely once instructed by someone else on proper tying techniques).
7. This person works well in high-pressure situations (after all they did tie TWO shoes on their way out the door that morning).
8. This person can adapt to new situations. (“One shoelace is already tied before I even put my foot in the shoe. What do I do?!”)
And wondering the following:
9. Did this person anticipate future problems and double-knot their shoes?
10. Was this person doing anything else while tying their shoes? Talking on the phone or packing lunch? This would show ability to multi-task.

Alright, back to resume writing. Maybe I should leave out the smart aleck experiences…

“Vagabonding is an ongoing process of finding new things.” – Rolf Potts

Changing of the Seasons

Fall, Autumn, call it what you like, but it’s here. There are a plethora of reasons to enjoy this pleasant season that is upon us and here’s another list by yours truly with a few to name:

1. The end of 100 degree weather. Open your closet and bust out the pants and sweaters to prepare yourself for those cool, gentle breezes.
2. The music. Fall screams, “Listen to calm acoustic folk rock music and be happy!”
3. Leaves. No one can be unimpressed by the changing of colors on every tree in town.
4. Bridge Day. Enough said.
5. Farmer’s Market + a sweater + coffee + a Saturday morning = Perfect Fall Day
6. Hiking. Is it possible to say the word “hiking” without using “fall” in the same sentence? If words could be soul mates, these two would probably finish each other’s sentences.
7. Pumpkins. Pumpkin beer, pumpkin soup, pumpkin gnocchi, pumpkin pie, pumpkin scones, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin bread…should I continue?

Time to grab a cup of apple cider, listen to Ray Lamontagne, and prepare for a scenic weekend hike. Happy Fall!

Ray Lamontagne's "Trouble":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ttbun_YoQ

An Improved Music Festival Experience

If I had an extra thumb, I’d give Bristol Rhythm and Roots 2010 three thumbs up. But for the time being, I guess two thumbs will have to do.

A quaint Southern downtown area was shut down and filled with outdoor music stages and vendors. Multiple restaurants and bars also had stages of their own featuring lesser known, but still entertaining acts. Our first venture on Friday began at an old school theater with seats constructed before obesity became an issue in America. The Infamous Stringdusters featured an amazing dobro player who joined his fellow bandmates to play an upbeat, traditional bluegrass sound. The rest of the evening was filled with wandering and time to check out unknown bands. The Two Man Gentleman Band was definitely a favorite that combined an awesome sense of humor, 1930’s get up, and high energy to entertain the crowd. Dr. Dog closed the night with a unique rock sound and lighting that impressed all.

After missing most of Saturday’s early acts, we arrived just in time to catch a solo female act, Sarah Jarosz, a multi-instrument playing folk singer. She played on a rather large outdoor stage that didn’t seem to suit her gentle musical style and inspired us to move on to the next act. Luckily, Saturday night had a highly anticipated schedule with the Felice Brothers following Cadillac Sky. From the first song, Cadillac Sky showed up ready to rock and entertain the masses. The band’s guitarist, amazed the crowd with not only his amazing playing ability, but his humor that showcased beat-boxing skills and an Elvis impersonation. His plaid shirt ripping, beer belly exposing performance was a highlight of the festival. The Felice Brothers gave an equally entertaining performance that always forces onlookers to question the lead singer’s ability to last the whole show without stopping for another fix or passing out. Still, when you mix an accordion, fiddle, and washboard with electric guitar picking you can’t go wrong. They played all the crowd favorites including “Run Chicken Run!”, “Frankie’s Gun”, and “Whiskey in my Whiskey.”

A vibrant performance by the Carolina Chocolate Drops complete with jug blowing and bones, rounded out the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival on Sunday afternoon. An incredible line-up, perfectly organized event, and small time feel made this a favorite festival not to be missed in the future!!


Oh happy days are here!
It's the perfect summer night
And the moonlight's shining clear
Put a pistol in your purse
Cause we're goin to Gettysburg
To the stand of the Greatest Show on Earth!
-"The Greatest Show on Earth" by the Felice Brothers

Music.

Music.
These ordinary five letters strung together seem to produce just another common noun. It’s overwhelming that two syllables could describe this amazing production of sound that is meaningful to people across the world and has been throughout history. Musicians open themselves to personal expression, which if honest, is admirable and refreshing in any genre or at any level. Music comes in an overwhelming variety of styles and can produce powerful reactions. It can make people feel happy, sad, and everything in between. It can inspire or comfort or relax. It can remind us of good and bad times. It can create personal connections. It can distract or make us forget. It can express our thoughts and feelings with a tempo and rhythm that perfectly fit the moment.

Ok, I’ve tried (and probably failed) to put words and meaning to my feelings about music. Now go! Check out a live show or just drive around listening to your favorite album! Let the music inspire you.

Song of the day: Matt Costa’s The Road.
Don't talk, 
don't say nothing
I just packed my things
 and I'm headed for something

Where I'm going,
 well, I don't really know
The road is calling,
 so I've got to go

The Humor of the Dryer Sheet

Maybe I’m the only person who finds this funny (but I’m not even mad). Every now and then, as I cross the convoluted sidewalks through campus I see this one inanimate object lying around that never ceases to make me stop for a laugh.

Picture this:

A girl is meandering along with her fingers busily texting when suddenly she finds a remnant from yesterday’s laundry tucked away, hiding in her sweater. She pulls it out and glances around to make sure no one noticed. “How did that get in there?!” she asks herself. She is shocked and appalled at the appearance of this object that fluffs and freshens her clothes but should only do so in the privacy of her own home. Rather than hold onto this apparently embarrassing artifact until a trashcan appears, she tosses it on the ground and walks away as quickly as possible attempting to hide her face in shame.

A few minutes later, you walk past this girl’s laundry leftovers. You chuckle to yourself as you imagine the entire scenario and look of embarrassment this must have caused her.

Whether you’re stuck in the 9-5 grind or monotonous lull of school, we’ve all got to find humor in the small things in our day to day lives. Keep an eye out for dryer sheets.

I’m not laughing with you, I’m laughing at you.

How are you?

How are you - one of the most common questions asked among the human race. Typically my answer is “living the dream.” 93% of the time this gets a laugh (which is surprising considering how often I use it). Usually people don’t know if I’m serious or being sarcastic leading to the common response of “Are you really?”

And honestly I couldn’t tell you. I just say it because it’s funny. Maybe I’m being overly facetious or maybe I’m being honest. Either way it’s just funny.

Waiting on an Oscar Nomination...

Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to be invited on a canoe trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada. More just for laughs (and because it was a long drive up to Canada without music), I collected random interviews with my fellow trip-goers. Also, something about the clean, fresh Canadian air inspired me to write one or two haikus over the course of the trip. One thing led to another and I ended up putting together all the interviews, video, pictures, etc. into a short flick. Follow this link to check it out!
http://vimeo.com/14524623

Then, if you just didn't get enough of the Algonquin Adventures here are a few deleted scenes!
http://vimeo.com/14551889

The End of Summer, the Start of Something Good.

Today was the unofficial, official last day of summer. I’ve packed my car and tomorrow morning I’ll wake up early to drive back to school. With a positive attitude in hand, I have the utmost confidence that this will be my last first day of school (ever)…and I’m ready for a good year.
While endings are never fun, this seems like the right time to reflect on Summer 2010. Last spring, I held this summer to high standards, knowing it would be my last summer of “freedom” as it was my last summer as a student. Things didn’t exactly go as planned. A full time job? No. Lots of music festivals? No.

Luckily it was even better.

In Summer 2010, I…
1. Met Scott Avett (and he smelled so good).
2. Took an awesomely clutch road trip to Arizona which included a rainbow at the Grand Canyon (one of the most spectacular sights you could expect to see), becoming a Junior Ranger at the Grand Canyon (which will hopefully lead to a job there one day), and a soul cleansing vortex experience.
3. Visited friends and family.
4. Attempted my first music festival.
5. Left behind the ignorance and belief that “what I want is no less than what I deserve” that comes with being 22 and happily embraced the maturity and grace of 23.
6. Gained a godmother.
7. Grew a garden.
8. Creatively painted a rain barrel as a Campbell’s Soup can.
9. Ventured on a backcountry canoe trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada with good friends.
10. Gathered photos, video, interviews, and writings from previously mentioned trip into a short documentary (to be released soon).
11. Found a new place to call home in Columbus.

Plans don’t always happen as expected. Sometimes they’re even better.

There’s a lot to be done while your head is still young
If you put down your pen, leave your worries behind
Then the moment will come, and the memory will shine

All Good: A Misnomer?

On the verge of my 23rd birthday, I sit here typing and reflecting on my summer plans made back in April. Among these goals of making money and growing a garden, the primary focus revolved around music festivals. Just three short months ago it seemed as if music festivals were my pathway to fun and happiness. So I shelled out the big bucks and purchased a four day pass for All Good Music Festival in Masontown, WV from July 8th –July 11th. Today is July 10th, so how am I updating my blog from a festival/campout you ask?

Answer? I left. After a decently fun Thursday night and an overwhelming environment that included rain on Friday, a good friend, Erin, and I decided this was not our scene. In some ways we both believed that we encapsulated the hippie spirit… then we went to All Good. The combination of muddy fields, people everywhere, smelly clothes, and songs that lasted twenty minutes each was more than we could handle. Filled with a sense of maturity, respect, and acceptance, we concluded this was not our scene. We are liberal intellectuals at best, not tripped out, tie-dyeing wearing hula-hoopers. So we packed our bags and trudged around the mountainous fields searching for our escape. Lost in the vast field of everything looking the same, we anxiously clicked the car alarm key and tried to believe with each step that the car was just around the corner. Three hours later, a car alarm never brought such a high. With a quick kiss of the car and waves of relief pouring over both of us, we rolled out of Masontown as fast as possible.

Going home to a warm shower, a plethora of water, and clean clothes felt all good, all good.

"Accept what you're not and move on." - Erin Clark

Chickens Don't Get No Life after Death

Artist: Felice Brothers
Venue: 123 Pleasant Street
Location: Morgantown, WV
Rating: 4 out of 5 harps

Last night kicked off the summer of music concerts and festivals with a show by the Felice Brothers in Morgantown. The Felice Brothers play a perfect blend of rock, folk and bluegrass, and though I wasn’t too familiar with their music, I’d only heard good things about their live shows. The band consists of two brothers and a few friends who got their start playing in the subways of New York.

The opening act, Cassettes, featured a female lead singer, jamming keys player, a decent violinist and a cellist with awesome facial expressions. With good stage presence and original songs, the crowd seemed pumped and anxiously awaited the main act.

As the Felice Brothers jumped on stage, their appearance was initially shocking and took a good four songs with which to become adjusted. First off, the fiddle player looked terribly out of place with a flat brimmed Yankees hat, gold chained necklace, and straight up gangster vibe. But then he began playing with immense energy and excitement that reverberated from his bow. The lead singer and guitarist was probably the most entertaining. He walked on stage appearing to have a personal goal of out-drinking everyone in the audience. After throwing down the microphone in the second song, he struggled to pick it back up, and sadly the sound wasn’t quite the same the rest of the night. However, his scratchy soulful voice made each song jump alive while his electric guitar skills left a certain someone fairly jealous. The band was topped off with a nervous drummer, hipster bass player, and sweet keys/accordian player.

Sadly the sound quality of the show wasn’t up to par with the rest of the performance. The Felice Brother’s excellent stage presence, uplifting songs, and good sense of humor made for a great concert. They didn’t play the crowd favorite “Penn Station” however “Run Chicken Run” was easily a highlight of the night. “Whiskey in my Whiskey” and “Frankie’s Gun” were also crowd favorites and hopeful requests of this article’s author. During the band’s encore, the best dancer in the venue invited herself on stage and began shaking what her mother gave her around the band. One was never quite sure when she would fall or what she would do next, adding to the entertainment.

Overall, great performance by the Felice Brothers and definitely a band worth checking out! And a great start to the summer! Rock out.

"I drove here all the way from West Virginia." - humorous quote from a concert goer

This Blog Post Title will Describe My Inability to Think of a Creative Title for this Post

This is the last blog dealing with pizza for a while. Promise. Today is the unofficial, official start of summer vacation. If anyone is interested in paying for someone to be a professional hanger outer, please tell me where to send my resume. Three topics on this joyous day of Cinco de Mayo and - Happy Birthday Mom!

Pizza. Just typing the word makes me nauseous. First off, I am a pizza lover. Three months ago I might have even told you it was my favorite food. But three months later, after making pies from pre-made dough, frozen toppings, and too much greasy meat, I’m over it. It will be quite a while before I have an appetite for pizza again. I’ll also be taking a break from the restaurant business. Yes there are many perks of working in a kitchen. I met a plethora of cool people working in a restaurant, however most of them are heavy drug users and poor money managers. And these are their two main topics of conversation. If my mind and body recover over the summer, I have been told I can come back any time to work. “You make the best looking pizzas. How do you do it?” my boss asked me yesterday. It’s pizza people. You sprinkle toppings in a circular motion. It’s not rocket science.

Second, Sports Science - this exciting, informative, useful, fun, misunderstood, wonderful, specialized degree I’ll graduate with in a year. I’m not quite sure what people imagine when I tell them the name of this degree. They probably peg me for a bodybuilder who eats protein like it’s their job and aspires to be a personal trainer on the Biggest Loser. (And a sidenote, bodybuilding is basically a beauty pageant and does not in any way deal with strength). This is not the case. First to clarify, Sports Science is a specialized field dealing with maximizing athletic performance. This primarily means lifting weights. We analyze movement patterns of sports, attempt to mimic them, create training plans, and then implement said plans. Exciting stuff. There’s also a large aspect of research in this field. The goal is to always improve. What jobs are available to one with a Master’s degree in Sports Science you may ask? Most of my peers will work as a strength coach at a university and continue to do research in the field. Others will work at Olympic training centers and try to bring home the gold for their athletes. What will I do with this degree?

Third, it’s summer! Time for sun, fresh fruits and vegetables, and hammocks!!

But if the world could remain within a frame like a painting on a wall,
then I think we would see the beauty, then we would stand staring in awe at our still lives posed like a bowl of oranges,
like a story told by the fault lines and the soil. - Conor Oberst

I Never Let School Interfere with My Education...Or Almost Never, Anyway

School has been interfering with my education the past two weeks. Spanish and music lessons are on hold, Kerouac novels are collecting dust on my bookshelf, and cooking experiments are nonexistent. Instead, I've been busy putting in hours at school, writing papers, and finishing tests. Luckily, now, I have successfully completed a year of graduate school!
In the midst of sitting calmly in a desk, furiously copying down notes from Powerpoint presentations, I have managed to gain knowledge both on and off campus this past school year. Here’s a brief list (if anyone would like a day to day log, please email me):

1. Olympic weightlifting. I’m not going pro anytime soon, but I get it.
2. No matter what you read or anyone tells you, vermicomposting is not “super easy”.
3. Flatpicking on the guitar. Doc Watson is my middle name.
4. Working in a kitchen is fun. A good sense of humor and a basic level of competence are the best requirements.
5. Johnson City is not as cool as one might initially believe. (Asheville, on the other hand, is awesome).
6. How to cook tofu (decently).
7. Oats combined with the Avett Brothers provide the best start to a day.
8. Dryers are not a necessity.
9. Coffee is a necessity.
10. A very basic understanding of the Spanish language.
11. Anticipation is half the fun.
12. Life goes on.

Who knows where I’ll be a year from today (or even a week from today, let’s be honest), but as long as my education doesn’t interfere with my learning, everything will be ok!

"The sky's our limit!" from Chicken Little Goes Too Far by Margaret Atwood

I Used to be a Chicken, but Now I Play Rugby

This past weekend was the annual WVU Chicken Tournament, potentially the most exciting event of the year for a WVU rugby player. This was my first year back as alumni and the anticipation and excitement I felt in returning to Morgantown and hanging out with old friends is indescribable. It was a jam packed weekend filled with excessive amounts of fun and beer drinking. Luckily the extra beer calories were burned off from extreme amounts of laughter. (An alumni victory and the funniest game of rugby you've ever seen easily added to the fun.)

While catching up with old friends and former teammates we often asked the same questions, “How are you? What are you up to these days?” Our responses were told with a straight face, sometimes with a sigh mixed in, and the answer “I’m working at….” or “I’m back in school at…..” Very few of us could answer this question with a smile or with happy tones of inflection in our voices. There was almost a general consensus of defeat. We are in the real world.

Which leads to the simple conclusion that most young adults know today: We are forced to specialize in one area of study from a young age. Without a general basis in education we can never truly develop our interests or passion for a field of study. Instead, we float aimlessly around worrying about paying back student loans and dreaming of better days to come. All we can do is stay afloat and not get sucked into the routine of “work, produce, consume.”

See the whole thing is a world full of rucksack wanderers, Dharma Bums refusing to subscribe to the general demand that they consume production and therefore have to work for the privilege of consuming, all that crap they didn't really want anyway such as refrigerators, TV sets, cars, and general junk you finally always see a week later in the garbage anyway, all of them imprisoned in a system of work, produce, consume, work, produce, consume, I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures. - Jackie K

The Pizza Business

While the life of a poor student never ceases to provide amusement, a steady income can sometimes provide more amusement. So a few weeks ago I walked into a pizza bar anxiously applying for a job (preferably in the kitchen) and was luckily given a chance and hired on the spot. Nothing like a minimum wage cooking job at a typical pizza place! The atmosphere is relaxed, the food ok, and the people friendly and funny. The environment is a 180 from the high stress, perfection driven atmosphere of school. (A nice change of pace, I must admit). The first few days I worked, every server and cook personally introduced her or himself and shook my hand, reminding me of the friendliness to be found in the good ol' Southern USA.

The restaurant recently opened and is still perfecting sauce recipes, dough making techniques, baking temperatures, etc. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to have your pizza recipe perfected before opening a pizza establishment. (This can all be taken care of the day before your Grand Opening). It's a good environment that encourages experimentation and allows time to learn from mistakes.

I'm slowly finding my niche in the kitchen. This includes being small enough to reach over or around, being fast and competent enough to keep up with the unexpected dinner rush on Friday nights, and willing to do almost any job with enthusiasm. Additionally, this is the first job in which I've worked that non-smokers are encouraged to take just as many smoke breaks as smokers.

Overall, working in the kitchen is nice for a number of reasons:
1. You don't have to personally deal with customers.
2. You can wear whatever you want.
3. You can listen to music whenever you want.
4. The servers are nice to you because your quality of work affects their tips and also your mistakes may provide free meals on occasion. Ok...maybe they're just nice.
5. Have you ever worked in a kitchen? Talk about characters, they're all in the back making our food!!
6. Yet another link on the never-ending chain of discovering where our food comes from.

Let's face it, any job that encourages "that's what she said" jokes must be good! Anyway, we all have to start somewhere.

"How do you know you're going to do something until you do it?" - Jerome David Salinger

The Last American Man (or Woman - Let's Show Some Female Equality)

Eustace Conway – hero or crazy? The Last American Man easily caught my eye at the bookstore with its Christopher McCandless manly, adventurer cover theme. In my humble opinion, one can never read too many stories about a lone man renouncing the “real world” in search of a more meaningful life (ex. Walden, On the Road, etc.). In this case, Conway is more of a Daniel Boone figure who learned hunting and outdoorsy-ness from his mom as a young child. As he got older, he decided to live off the land in a teepee, eventually traveling to schools to teach the youth about his lifestyle. From then, he rode across America on horseback and began his own farm/retreat center outside of Boone, NC.

This is easily the kind of character most people aspire to model their lives after. His basic attitude revolves around simplicity, happiness, and his own desires. However, the author does not immortalize Conway but rather suggests disadvantages in his lifestyle that cause him to lack understanding of human attitudes. This never allows him to establish strong relationships with family or friends. At a deeper glance, everyone has their imperfections.

Nevertheless, his perception of current human philosophy is thought provoking. Conway suggests that we are zombies - unaware of our surroundings and actions. Leading to a favorite quote from the book :

“There is no way that you can have a decent life as a man if you aren't awake and aware every moment. Show up for your own life. Don't pass your days in a stupor, content to swallow whatever watery ideas modern society may bottle feed you through the media, satisfied to slumber through life in an instant gratification sugar coma. The most extraordinary gift you've been given is your own humanity, which is about consciousness. So honor that consciousness.”


Amen.

Wilderness Survival Skills

Recently a classmate gave me a pack of Wilderness Survival Skills Cards for "the next time you're stuck in the woods" (which seems to happen every week or so). The gift caught me by surprise but couldn't be more practical. Most times I go for a hike with a Nalgene, peanut butter sandwich, and hope for the best. But one day my luck might run out and now I'll be prepared. And so will you! Here's a few of the tips:

1. What can you use instead of toilet paper?
Me: Air.
Sierra Club: Leaves, rocks, moss, your left hand.
2. How can you survive heat exhaustion or heatstroke?
Me: Drink plenty of beer before the hike.
SC: Seek shade, drink lots of water, wet your clothes, rest.
3. What should you do if you get separated from your gear or group?
Me: Cry.
SC: Think, try backtracking, mark your path, make a lot of noise, leave signs, stay hydrated, nap.
4. How do you survive a tornado?
Me: Don't hike in tornado regions.
SC: Run to the side, out of it's path; take cover in a canyon or cave; lie facedown and stay down.
5. How can you select a safe campsite?
Me: Ask someone if you can use their backyard and hope they bring you a hot breakfast and fresh coffee in the morning.
SC: Avoid bear trails, rivers, gullies, and fallen rocks.
6. How can you escape from a mountain lion?
Me: Yell, "Scar! It's me, Simba! Your nephew! Don't kill me!" while running away.
SC: Do not run, stand up straight, vigorously flap your arms to look large, make lots of noise.
7. How can you survive a lightning storm?
Me: Check the Weather Channel before leaving for the hike.
SC: Seek shelter in a vehicle or under a forest, avoid metal.
8. How should you treat sprains and strains?
Me: Keep on keeping on.
SC: Apply ice, wrap with an elastic bandage, elevate injured area, repeat.
9. Your companion has stopped breathing. What should you do?
Me: Take the time to tell them how much you love them and what a great friend they were. Try to remember funny stories or good times spent together to send them off peacefully.
SC: Perform CPR.
10. What should you do if you fall in a river and are swept downstream?
Me: Curse those YMCA swim lessons that were clearly not effective.
SC: Ditch your pack, float on your back, with feet pointed downward; use your arms as oars to slow you down.

What great advice! Hopefully we'll all be a little more prepared for the next time we step out into the great wide open!

You Know Old Age Has Set in When:

- you panic if you haven't eaten dinner by 6 pm
- your knees crack 500 times when you squat
- you read non-fiction novels and like them
- you prefer educational documentaries
- you worry about getting the appropriate dietary fiber intake for the day
- you feel "required" to shower daily
- knitting interests you

An epiphany and the return of the blog.

It’s that time of year again where I scramble to find something “exciting” to do this summer. After all, the past three summers have individually been referred to as the last summers of my life. Why should this summer be any different? So while I stress and worry about FINALLY (hopefully) going to the Grand Canyon and wonder what I’m doing in Tennessee, I came across an enlightening article on bravenewtraveler.com (http://thetravelersnotebook.com/photography-q-a/notes-on-longing-to-travel/) The author made a great case for local travel and brought up the point that maybe we’re traveling right now. What is travel anyway? Being away from home? Where is home exactly? Guess I’m traveling right now! Problem solved.

So I simmered down and attempted to produce reasonable thoughts. It's easy to get caught up in the world. There are so many exciting adventures to be had that sitting back to fully enjoy one can be lost by waiting for the next one. I often find myself in places saying "I really like doing this, but there are so many other things I want to do to!" Maybe I'm missing out by not fully committing to any one thing and planning for the future. But awareness is the first step, right?

What does this all mean?
1. That I write too many questions.
2. Immerse yourself in different environments and atmospheres and attempt to absorb a place, experience, or its people. Commit.
3. Try to find balance and remember what’s important to you along the way.

"Flying isn't fast enough, not fast enough for us. We want to get there faster. Get where? Wherever we are not. But a human soul can only go as fast as a man can walk, they used to say. In that case, where are all the souls? Left behind. They wander here and there, slowly, dim lights flickering in the marshes at night, looking for us. But they're not nearly fast enough, not for us, we're way ahead of them, they'll never catch up. That's why we can go so fast: our souls don't weigh us down."
- M. Atwood