Nice Day

Surprisingly, I had quite the nice day today. Again on the near-diary side, I must admit that I attended my grandfather's memorial service today. It was more one of those let's celebrate his life rather than mourn his death ceremonies, which was easy because some time has elapsed since his passing. It was just nice seeing so many people from my past (because so many of them knew my grandpa being from such a small area), including my relatives. Call me a pansy, but I especially like seeing my cousin Eric's 4 year old daughter, as she has taken quite a liking to me in the rare occurences that we see each other. I really like kids, and she is adorable. It was also nice to see my brother, mom, and dad all in the same day, something that has not happened since Christmas. Anyway, it was a nice quaint day.

Some of you may have read part of this in my away message, but let me tell you how exciting Lyons, Ohio is right now. 1) Population: 550 2) Street lights: 1 3) Number of men that were mayor for 20 years, but switched to postmaster (thus relegating mayor status), all while having been the town barber the past 30 years: 1 4) Number of stores whose sole purpose is to supply cheap cartons of cigs and lotto tickets to nearby Michigan residents: 2. I think before we all part our ways, you all need to go on a trip with me to good ole Lyons for a grand country time.

On another note, I saw Cold Mountain last night. One of my top films of the year, easily. A surprising amount of the movie reminds me of my life (with the small exception that I was not alive in the 19th century, was never hunted like a dog, and never got involved in an orgy with a bunch of hookers). Good flick, give it a try sometime.

Finally, for those of you who didnt know, I will not be around for the 4th of July because I will be in sunny Virginia Beach visiting my buddy Sean. To any of you rare folks out there that read this, may I say have a great holiday, and I will see you all later.

Post movie thoughts and more

Well, the movie did in fact have the same content that I had predicted. I won't try to overanalyze it for anybody here. It had some damn funny parts, some interesting information, but ultimately, not too much I didnt expect. Seriously though, I will admit that there are a few moments where it's a little embarassing to have been an American. Its just hard to watch any movie whether it be about Vietnam or Korea, and in this case Iraq, where you see civilains get exploited and killed for seemingly nothing. On the counterattack though, it would have been nice to get some inkling of the manner in which Iraqis were treated prior to all this, rather than showing footage of a wedding and a kid flying a kite. Enough about that though, it was an alright movie, but again, Moore involved his own ego in the movie a little too much.

On a more important note, check this quote from a story about students who are afraid to take standardized testing cause people to learn how to write properly anymore: "As an adult in today's work world, you don't write anything," said Carol Maoz, head of the upper school (grades 7-9), adding she couldn't think of an occasion students would write out a longhand essay. "You type everything. There really is no need for proper handwriting."

What? I guess I'll call myself an adult, and I will claim that I have written a few things by hand recently, like all of my college notes...Does this lady think we're like supposed to start typing out birthday cards and stuff too? Very strange...

Seeing Fahrenheit 9-11 Today...

So, I went to this party Saturday night, and I felt a little left out...It wasn't that I didnt know anybody there or have any lingering fueds with unexpected guests, it was that I was pretty much the only person there that had not yet seen Fahrenheit 9-11. If things go as planned this afternoon, that will soon change.

Let me just get a few issues out of the way here to start. 1) I am rather independent on the democrat-republican debate, and 2) While I think Michael Moore's films are funny, and may even make some valid points, their purely one-sided nature really turns me off sometimes. Also, Moore always puts at least one purely ridiculous scene in all of his films where he seems to try to make himself the star/hero (see the scene in Bowling for Columbine when he leaves the Flint girl's pic on Hestons driveway). Somebody told me that Moore appeared on the Daily Show the other day and flat out admitted he purposely twisted his coverage in a direct attempt to swing the undecided vote against Bush. This leads me to my biggest criticism of his style - he calls this a documentary? I've watched lots of documentaries on the Sundance Channel this past year, and not a single one of them was running a persuasive campaign in their movie (in fact, rarely did the director's face make the screen). This film should not be garned attention in this category come the next Academy Awards.

After hearing people argue over this movie for hours (the ones I remember, I got really trashed, but that's not much of a story) the other night, I'll spare anyone reading this much more discussion. I already feel like I know what the movie will be about, as I've read quite a bit of the book its inspired by, Moore's "Dude Where's My Country?" All I really expect is to laugh, cause let's face it, Bush has some weak moments at the podium. Perhaps I will devote another small blog to my post movie feelings...

One last thing, this movie keeps getting hailed for its best at Cannes Film festival awards and 20 minute standing ovations...has anyone ever sat back and thought about the fact that this festival is held in France? Is it really surprising that the French love a movie that insults Bush? Well, whatever...

Mike made a mistake

It turns out that my last post was a total mistake. So, I logged onto my blog profile at Mike Shea's house and then left it up when we went out to eat with our friend Nicole's family. Mike came back later and thought he was signed in as himself and wrote about how he's coming out of the closet. I apologize for the confusion, but let's all be supportive of Mike's new life choice. Maybe we should all go to Necto's on a Friday night sometime to support him. Way to go Mike, keep chasing that rainbow, and I'm sure you'll find that pot o' gold!!!

On another note, let me write about a few random thoughts. First off, congrats to Bernard Robinson Jr. for being selected in the NBA draft. He was so fully disregarded by some so called experts that he didnt even appear on their lists of draft prospects (you know who you are espn.com). Then he comes outta nowhere to be taken with the 45th pick, and its even stranger that the team that drafted him said they didnt expect him to be there as they thought he'd be gone by pick 29. I personally was shocked, but remain proud.

Secondly, I had a really fun night last night at Tonic in Poniac. Thank you to Christy, Nicole, Cara, and all of Cara's friends for both inviting me and making it a fun experience. Not that I didnt have fun the last time I clubbed out in Pontiac, but lets just say this experience was far less embarassing (Go JD's Key Club!). I managed to pick zero fights, landed on zero people's laps, and never had my back to the top of a table.

Alright, that should do it for now. I'm going to a pirates and wenches party as I finish this, wonder how that will turn out.

I LOVE COCK

Yes it's true. I think I have let the time pass to where I feel comfortable saying this: I am gay. Now I have thought about coming out of the closet every year during the "out" week. I wore my rainbow colors, hidding my soul behind my chic U of M gear. It's time I bear them with pride. I am ready to enter a new chapter in my life and having lifted this burden off my shoulders is such a relief. I'm sorry to all the girls out there whose heart I have and will be breaking. I just feel now I'm in the open. I am excited to embark on this new voyage. I hope none of you reading this will break those bonds of friendship that we have created. Now instead of Scorekeepers, Ricks, Mitchs, and TDs....you can find me at the Necto!! YEY. The \aut\ bar is a great place in AA for homosexuals such as myself. Thanks to everyone for listening.

Now what?

I must admit, as this blog makes its way to my computer screen I fear that I am dangerously close to jeopardizing the purpose of my blog entirely. If this ever becomes too sentimental, I apologize ahead of time (I will make a serious attempt to avoid this situation however).

Basically, as of exactly 1:30 PM today, I am done with my education at the University of Michigan (barring the somewhat reasonable possibility that I decide to apply for grad school). My particular route, in which I walked at graduation in an anti-climatic manner, only to take a difficult spring class for actual completion, kinda dulls the moment. Truthfully though, I probably wouldn't have gotten that excited anyway. It's so damn early in my life that I find it difficult to imagine anything I've done so far as the crowning achievement in my life (if anything were, I'd say I had a pretty shitty life). Don't get me wrong, graduating from Michigan with a degree in engineering is no small feat, but it wasn't checking Wolverine Access for my class grades that I will define the experience by in the future.

I enjoyed high school just fine, but it will never compare to even my freshman year in college alone, in terms of a learning process. Do any of you know anybody that you have come to realize are stuck in high school? When they talk of fond memories they always refer to some relative glory in 10th grade? That's what about 90% of the people I went to high school are like. For those of you who don't know, I graduated with 84 people, and I kid you not, part of my high school's mission statement had a phrase relating to "agriculture" in it. We had a drive your tractor to school day for bonus points in Agriculture class (I am 100% serious).

Basically, what I'm getting at is that expectations for students at my high school were not terribly high. I knew coming here that I was well behind many students both socially and educationally in some instances. That is exactly (20%) why I came to this school (The other 80% is because I grew up a hardcore Michigan sports fan). I loved every minute of my time here, even the worst times, because I knew that no matter what, everything would be alright in the end. I feel pretty justified now, because it turns out I was right.

This is starting to get a little long winded, so I'm going to get to the point. Although I may be done with school, I am certainly not done with my education. I will always enjoy learning and experiencing new things as long as I live. Who really knows what's next in my life? I don't, and I truly love that.

Blog #2 Having the Last Name Seaman

Looking at my profile title, I realize that my last name is something worth mentioning. Have any of you Smiths or Johnsons out there ever wondered what it's like being a Seaman? No, I'm not suggesting you join the navy, I'm simply noting that growing up with a name like Seaman can be trying for a young child.

I remember the day clearly...5th grade... sexual education...when a man ejaculates his se...an entire class turns to me and laughs. Was I traumatized though? I can honestly say no. Luckily, I have very caring parents who made me aware this day would come long before the school system was to thrust this information on pre-adolecents. Seriously, my parents braved the akwardness and checked books out from the library and taught me and my brother ahead of time. Because of this I was able to look back at my classmates and smile as I proudly rose my arms in appreciation of my last name, and that glorius day was mine, and mine alone.

For years to come I endured comments relating to my name, and more often than not in high school was referred to simply as Seaman. Only on a few occations did the phrase bother me, as a new hardass student came to our school and decided my name was to be cum in his eyes. Forunately, I get the last laugh, as (and I'm serious here) that kid ended up knocking up his high school girlfriend, never attended college, and eventually was arrested for a DWI or something along those lines. I think he's in prison as I write this. This one's for you Lemon!

In conclusion, I just hope this name doesn't hold me down in my adult pursuit of happiness. Ever watched Seinfeld? Ever seen the reasons those guys broke up with people? Here's a scenario:

Girl I Dated: I just got back from my date with Scott
Girl's Best Friend: How'd it go?
Girl I Dated: He was wonderful...best date I've ever been on, but I don't think I'm gonna return any of his calls...
Girl's Best Friend: I dont't get it, but you just said...
Girl I Dated: Look, his last name is Semen, and I'm a subserviant traditional girl, so when we get married I'll have to take his last name!
Girl's Best Friend: Ahhh, I see. Too bad your parents named you Jessabell.

Also, when I have my first daughter, and I name her, I just don't want to fuck that one up...Amanda? (A man da semen) Sharon? (Sharing semen) The list goes on and on. All I can say is that while I will never put my children through unnecessary harm, I actually think this last name is a blessing in disguise, as it has certainly built character in many a Seaman.

My First "Blog"

Well, in honor of a Mr. Mike Shea, I have decided to also start a blog. I can assure you that this thing will never, and I mean never, become a diary of any kind. If a story ever finds its way on here it will only be for one of two reasons: 1) It's harmless to others while still being funny, and 2) I made it up to fool gullable people. Have you ever read a person's online diary or something where they flat out say shit about their significant other, and you just know the other person reads it, and you think to yourself 'what the fuck?' Yeah, that won't be me. In all likelyhood I will grow bored with this in a week and never even post again. If not, simply expect me to post semi-useless thoughts on here (for instance, Shaq and T-Mac on the same team!? Can this really become a reality?) So, anyway, this is my first blog.