todd blog

Here's a random picture from 2010. Goodbye 2010.

What happened in 2010?

I...

-Learned how to ride a unicycle.

-Experienced the blizzard of oh ten, which had fun names like "Snowpocalypse" and the curse of "Snowbama." School was canceled for a week because of it.

-Regained my appreciation and interest for piano.

-Learned that computer science at UMD is pure evil, but I still enjoy programming.

-Observed a 100% non-political College Park riot. And had fun watching drunk people burn stuff.

-Went to a concert by myself for the first time and had fun despite feeling a little weird. I'd do it again, but it would be nice to find someone who could tolerate goofy folk metal.

-Went hiking on the Appalachian Trail again, and didn't suffer pains like I experienced in the past. Tennis shoes > boots.

-Went on a memorable, three day kayaking trip though hillbilly territory. Met drunken rednecks, ate tuna under a bridge, and went in a redneck bar. There's even a video of me shirtless on a kayak, playing guitar and singing folk songs that I wrote about the experiences we had. And I will probably never show that video to anyone.

-Enjoyed my summer internship, and was very grateful for being allowed to telecommute during the school year. I owe my employer a huge thank you.

-Discovered that I enjoy some flavors of tea, coffee, and beer. Beverages which I never really consumed in the past.

-Ate sushi for the first time. I hope parasites aren't eating my brain.

-Got corrupted for the first time, blacked out, and turned into a vomiting fool. I disappoint myself sometimes. Luckily my peers looked after me. Thanks guys.

-Had a crush, felt middle school-like excitement about it, and then experienced pain as that situation died an untimely death.

-Went on an almost date for the first time, with a girl? :) Maybe? My siblings and friends who have been dating since middle school probably wouldn't think much of it, but for me it was exciting. I think my brother and sister were born with girlfriends/boyfriends. Has my sister ever been single?

-Learned (and I am still learning) how to tolerate friends who do things I'm not comfortable with. I try to hide being annoyed as much as I possibly can, but sometimes I break. I feel like a concerned mother sometimes. Okay, fine, do whatever you want. Just don't let me know about it.

-Learned that virgins are rarer than I thought, and temporarily became genuinely depressed due to jealously and loneliness. There's something about human males that forces them to tell other guys about their sex lives, especially when they're drinking. It's like, yea, I'm kinda curious, but really, just keep it to yourself so I don't cry myself to sleep from jealously. At least in middle school, back when no one was doing it, guys talked about whacking off, which was fine because anyone can J-O whenever they want. Whereas with sex, it's like a glorious achievement for guys. Good for you, you have a holographic Charizard. My parents won't let me play Pokemon because they're satanic, magical cards that make young children join cults and commit suicide. Uh, what? And I also learned that people who get tons of action can be depressed too. Who would've thought that someone who gets laid all the time could be sad? I didn't. Now my theory that people who get laid can't be depressed is dead. Happiness is trickier than I thought.

-Discovered and learned to like more new music than in previous years.

-Had one of those senior year of college mental breakdowns combined with social chaos, which led to excessive napping and music listening. Stressed? Nap. Depressed? Nap. Tired? Nap. Frustrated at homework? Nap. Bored? Nap. Lonely? Nap. Feeling sick? Nap.

-Dropped a class for the first time because I was going to fail. *Gives professor the evil eye* I'm so glad I accumulated six successful semesters before getting academically raped.

-Started a quest to not look like Bill Gates. I am not Bill Gates! I was also told that I was like Michael Cera in the same week. I'm not a billionaire, and I didn't get a cute girl preg in high school. Just let me be me.

What do I want to happen in 2011?

I want to...

-Graduate from UMD with a computer science degree.

-Get an enjoyable job.

-Join a yet undetermined out-of-work group/club/organization.

-Move out of home into a nice, clean, peaceful apartment and begin adult life in the real world.

-Maintain friendships and make new ones after graduation.

-Go on a cross country motorcycle trip. And hopefully meet some Xangans along the way. I'd love to say hi to any of the people I've followed over the years. Meeting someone from Xanga will be like meeting a celebrity.

-Go on a date.

-Do more bike riding and exercising.

-Continue to write and play music with other people.

-Learn how to play banjo well enough to make Appalachian moonshiners tap their feet.

-Not jump off a bridge.

These are goals, so I'll probably still be alive if I miss one.