TCU's business program is No. 1 in Texas...

I'm taking a break from studying math (I'm trying to get those 2 lessons done for this weekend). The SAT was actually semi-fun. When I arrived I had to stand in a long line while this guy looked at photo IDs and our registration paper. Everybody had driver's licenses and school IDs while I used my passport. Sarah hadn't arrived yet and I discovered that the test takers were broken down into groups according to the alphabetical order of last names. I went into room 218 and took my seat. The test was going to start soon and Sarah called me on my cell. She was like, "Okay, I don't know where you are..." and I explained that we would be in separate rooms and we'd meet up later. We hang up and two seconds later I see Sarah at the door to my classroom. I yelled, "Sarah!" and she looked up and we both laughed. It was probably the funniest thing ever. She wasn't taking the test in the same room as me so she had to move on.
I don't feel bad about how well I performed on the test, but I don't feel extremely good. The geometry problems got me and there was actually a good deal of whack vocab that I had trouble with. I think I made a decent score though. The results come back on-line on November 2. The last day for regular registration for the December ACT test is November 3. Also, the last day to register for the December SAT test is November 7. I was just trying to get a feel for the test this time around, in case I didn't feel my score was satisfactory.

Operation SAT

I am going into combat tomorrow. I will face the SAT and come out victorious. I really need a good score. I think this is probably the most important test I've taken so far in my life.
On a lighter note, I finally finished chemistry this week. I also worked out a plan to finish my Pre-Cal book hopefully a few days before the Christmas break. I need to start Calculus as soon as possible. My plan seems a bit steep but it's definitely possible.

1.5 lessons a day (45 problems)
2 tests on every day I take tests (no lessons worked on those days)
2 lessons every weekend

There are ten weekends left. Two lessons times ten weekends equals twenty lessons. Subtract that from the amount of lessons I actually have left to complete, fifty-five, and I have thirty-five lessons to complete on class days. I have fourteen tests left to take. Two tests times ten days (I added three days for good measure...I only technically need seven) equals more than fourteen tests, so there are a few days left over. 1.5 lessons times twenty-four days equals thirty-six lessons, which is one lesson more than what I'll need to finish. We have thirty-four or thirty-five days left in the semester. So I should have a few days leftover after I finish the lessons and tests. Sound confusing? Good.

All I have left to finish in English III is a research paper and a small amount of bookwork. It's my goal to finish that stupid paper this weekend.

This afternoon I went with Sarah, Miss Kay, Ansel, and Andy to the U.S. Air Force recruit office. Sarah learned more about the Air Force, took a pre-ASFAB test, and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow with the recruiter we had been talking to. I'm thinking that she's really going to do this and I'm definitely happy for her. I would actually consider doing this if I didn't already have some goals and some direction for my future. The programs sound really good...good educational programs, good training, and good money. Talking with the recruiter was interesting. We found out that Sarah can't really choose any college she wants to go to. She can get college credits on the base, or she can go to one or two of the Air Force colleges they have. Something like that. This week has taken an interesting turn of events, to say the least. Even just a few months ago it probably would've seemed absurd for Sarah to really be considering this. I would totally consider this if I didn't want to go to college and go on to other things.
I just voted for what I think Toby's new record should be titled. The three options were:

*Portable Sounds
*The Color of We
*Feelin' So Fly

I voted for "Portable Sounds." "The Color of We" had the most votes. Toby's releasing his first single soon!!

Crazy teenager, crazy life

So today at school I've been discussing with Sarah what we're going to do with our lives. Our immediate and long-term future. She has been wondering what she should do and I've been wondering what college I'll end up going to, what major(s) I will pursue, and what career(s) I will earn my living from. It's been interesting to talk about. Sarah has decided to check out what the military could do for her. She wants to get her college paid for by the military and then work the required amount of time for them.
I went to my sister's house over the weekend. They are going to name their baby boy Samuel Morales! I'm going to be the crazy aunt who picks him up (and his siblings after my sis has more children) from school with my tobyMac blasting and such. I'll buy him ice cream and then say all these crazy things to his friends. Speaking of tobyMac, he's actually releasing his new album in February. I went on his website a few days ago and the first single is supposed to be released this month. I'm so excited!
Hmmm, I've been deciding if I want to make this blog public or just keep it with me. I told some people about it but I'm about 99% sure that no one is reading this (which is fine). I just don't want to tell people about it and then have no one ever read it.

NBA draft and trades equals craziness

T-mac's new record is about halfway done. When will Toby come back to East Texas? Hopefully I'll get to go to a show in the next year or two.

Italian big man went first in the draft! I can't even remember his name. I saw part of his press conference...he seems cool and nice. I'm happy for Toronto and I'm sure they'll be improved this year. Hopefully the television networks will show more Raptors games so I can watch Chris Bosh and the new Italian guy. Let's see...who else do they have? I can't even remember. I know they picked up one or two other players in the draft who are supposed to be good, but I can't remember who they are. *does research* Oh yeah, that's right, Toronto has Charlie Villanueva(I like Charlie Villanueva). I mean, they had Villanueva. They just traded him to Milwaukee for T.J. Ford. I like Ford, so it's all good. Plus it'll be cool to see Villanueva play with Andrew Bogut. And Michael Redd.
Lakers look like they picked up some fresh talent too. Hopefully we'll progress even more this year(and begin to play consistently, jeez).
When will Kevin Garnett be traded???? Free this man from his prison!!

So Miami proved everyone (else) wrong.

My high school Accounting course takes a long time. Like, a really long time. However, it is slightly enjoyable and accountants can make good money. I guess I could write raps in my spare time and work on my basketball skills while being a sophisticated accountant...

tobyMac is coming out with a new album in December. Need I say excitement?

Next season every team will eat Kobe dust.

No Brainer

Dwyane Wade for Finals MVP.

I'm so Anti-Texan. I always oppose other Texans who like teams just because they're from Texas (Uni. of Texas, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavs, etc.).

Nah, I'm a good Texan. I just like to be different from other people I suppose.

As I said June 5th, Miami in six games ... hey, it could happen on Tuesday!

The fat lady indeed has sung.

It is down to Miami and Dallas. First of all, let me say that I never would've guessed in a million years that these two teams would be playing each other for a championship ring. Second of all, I'm delighted to say that they are! It should be exciting. Also, I was completely wrong about Phoenix and Detroit ... I thought they would bring it, but they apparently aren't made of tough stuff.
Z.T. asked: OK mrs. future sports writer, Will you use your head or heart to make your next prediction.
I would have to say that I want Miami to win. That would be my heart saying that though. My head tells me that Miami has a very good chance to win (the chances are 50/50!) if they do everything right. Dallas can build a momentum and score a lot of points in a hurry. If Miami wants to win, more people other than Shaq and DWade have to step up. Dallas' bench scores a lot of points. Will Miami's bench players score a lot as well? Can Miami stay away from fouling Nowitzki?
My head is telling me that Miami wants this more than Dallas. Alonzo Mourning came back after all those years with Miami ... he has got to get his ring. Gary Payton wants this too. Antoine Walker. Shaq has what it takes, and there's no way that anyone on Dallas can stop him! There's no one strong enough to guard him. And forget about guarding Dwayne Wade, Jason Terry. You can't do diddly squat!
I say that this series goes down to six games (I typed seven at first).
Hahaha, Miami is going to win!

Nowitzki? Nash? DWade? Flip Saunders?

Will Miami make it to the Finals? It is a tough decision, but someone's gotta make it. I need to be practicing for later on when I am real journalist material and will make real predictions that millions of people will listen to! But for the time being, this will have to do.

Since I really want to see Gary Payton, Dwayne Wade, and Shaq either win a ring or contend for one, I will say that Miami wins the Eastern Conference series, but only after Detroit has forced a Game Seven. Everyone knows that Detroit is a better team though. I mean, come on, Miami had a terrible time against the better teams throughout the course of the season. Detroit has shut down for some reason ... partly because Chauncey Billups was actually being a ball hog in one of the games I watched, and also because Rasheed Wallace hasn't shot the ball well. It would be kind of nice to see Miami pull off the series win.

Now ... who wants to see Dallas play in the Finals? Have they ever been to the Finals? I don't believe so. It is incredibly tough to choose which team I'd like to see play in the Finals from the Western Conference, because truthfully I'd love to see them both go on. I've changed my mind a few times already. But you gotta love Dirk Nowitzki. I almost think he should have won the MVP Award. His game has improved tremendously, and he is now a dominant player. For instance, Dallas lost Game Four and Nowitzki didn't play well. He was fantastic in Game Five, and lookie ... Dallas won! The Mavericks would be nowhere without him. I don't even think they would be in the playoffs. Sure, he may be clumsy, but uh ... he got game. Phoenix is such a classic act. I would love to see them play in the Finals. Nash has so much heart. I just hate to see one of these two teams lose. So here we go ... Phoenix is going to win Game Six. Dallas will be playing Game Seven on their homecourt. They are so close to the Finals that they can taste it. Everything this franchise has worked so hard for these past few years can be accomplished this season. The Mavericks are such a deep team now. I think that Phoenix will fall short, but they're tough, so they may pull it off. Same with Detroit ... they are so tough, they just might pull it off. You know that the playoffs are exciting when you're having an extremely hard time with your predictions. I love being a basketball fan.

Okay Z, I know you've got something to say about this, so type away!

A Band Named Anberlin

Anberlin? What kind of band name is that? My thoughts exactly. While discussing favorite bands in an on-line message board, the name Anberlin kept popping up.
"Oh, Anberlin is the best!"
"It's all about Anberlin!"
"Anberlin, Anberlin, Anberlin!"
So I'm thinking, "What's so great about Anberlin?" Everyone was so pumped up about the band, so I decided that I would check out their music. I buy CDs on-line through the BMG music service and on my most recent purchase I ordered a copy of Anberlin's Never Take Friendship Personal, their second full-length studio album (BMG doesn't carry their first album). I had read from the message boards that their song "Paperthin Hymn" was excellent, so I was kind of expecting that song to be the best on the album. It's not. To me anyway. I immediately found "Stationary Stationery" very catchy, and after a couple of listens took a liking to the title track, "Never Take Friendship Personal." Anberlin released "Paperthin Hymn" and "A Day Late" as singles, but I think almost any of the songs would have made great singles.
So what does this group sound like? They sound a lot like any other rock band, except they're actually good. All of the guitar parts are completely irrestible to me. They blast out at you on the title track. Anberlin has traces of a punk sound, but they're more like a band that just wants to rock and is extremely good at it. The band sounds full, like they really know how to play their instruments (it's hard to believe isn't it?).
I think that Anberlin is one of the best bands that I don't hear people talking about (unless of course you read the message board that I was reading). I'm sure you're itching to hear their music ... get ready to be blown away! Visit http://www.purevolume.com/anberlin. The first four songs listed are from Never Take Friendship Personal. It took me a few listens before I really liked these songs, so don't give up after only one listen.
The album opens with the title track which hits you hard, as I said before. The lead singer screams on a few words in this song, which I didn't particularly care for at first. Now I think those vocals add to the song. There is no screaming in any form throughout the rest of this record, so no worries if you're a person who doesn't like screaming in songs. I really am not able to describe in words how brilliantly the band plays from one song to the next, so go to the purevolume site I mentioned above, honestly listen to their music, and buy their album if you fancy their sound! Never Take Friendship Personal is very well produced (Aaron Sprinkle is their producer, who also has produced records for other artists I like from the Tooth & Nail label.). For more details about the band and music, visit http://www.anberlin.com/anberlin_band.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anberlin. Good lyrics + great music = Anberlin.

Subscribe Away!

Okay, I found the e-mail subscription service that I talked about in the last post ... to subscribe to my blog, all you have to do is enter your e-mail address into the box on the right side of my site underneath my profile, links, and "previous posts." I don't know if an e-mail is sent daily to your inbox or if one is sent only when I post a new entry (hopefully it's the latter because daily e-mails can be annoying if I don't post everyday). Anyway, this service is useful for people who don't want to have to manually visit the site everytime they want to read new posts. If you sign up, then an e-mail will be sent to you so that you won't have to come to my site! Isn't it brilliant? Anyway, sign up. NOW.

A Few Thoughts

Mmm, blogging. I'm really impressed with some Blogger (or blogspot, I don't know which one it really is) sites I've seen, so I decided to get one of these. I'm considering permanently moving my primary blogging site to Blogger. I think there is a way for people to be able to subscribe to this blog without having to actually sign-up for an account. If only I can find faithful readers! Let the journey begin!

I would like to share with you the answer I gave to the "random question" that Blogger asks everyone on their profiles. I had to ask for a different random question because my answer for this one was apparently too long (even after I had shortened it!).

Question - Compose the lyrics to a new national anthem that features an animal sound at least once:

MY ANSWER:

Euniceland, Euniceland,
Hail to the mighty hand of Eunice (moo!)
Oh so grand, (baaaaaa), oh so grand,
With more taste than food that's bland (gorilla makes crude body noises)
Eunice is my savior, she is everywhere to me.
I'm just glad she lets me live in a place where I do not have to pay a fee. (chihuahua whines)

I find it remotely funny. I have fun writing this kind of stuff. I hope you enjoyed it. I should answer as many random questions as I can to build my humor writing skills.

All is well in my life! I'm looking forward to watching Game Four of the playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns tonight! It's hard for me to decide which teams I want to play in the Finals ... I just feel privileged that I am able to sit back and enjoy it. I don't care who wins, as long as it's good and exciting.

R. Davis