Stabby Stabby!!

Oh the fun I've had since my last post!

I went rafting on the Nolichuckee (sp) river.

I went on my first roller coaster ride (and on 4 more after it) at Busch Gardens.

I got in touch with my ye olde side at Colonial Williamsburg.

and

I spent fall break at home relaxing and playing with our puppy.

Three weekends and TOO much fun. I'm really glad that I've had such a busy semester. I would be morbidly depressed if I had nothing to do on the weekends. If there is a weekend that comes around that I don't have anything to do for, you better invite me to do something or I may go off the deep end. I'm just kidding!
...but seriously...

So what does one do in the midst of the weekend excitement? Pretty much wait for the semester to end. I want it to get here as soon as possible. A month at home with no job doing NOTHING might drive me slightly crazy, but this is one semester that's been tough enough that I'd like to see it go! I won't take so many classes that require writing ever again. It's impossible to do all the writing I'm supposed to very well, so I end up turning in a bunch of stuff and saying....ehhhh, it's probably a "B," but it's at least a "C." I'm sure you all know how that goes.

In other news I got my Dad's old Nikon camera and brought it back from the house. As soon as I get the time/money I plan on taking some fantastic photography, which I'll put up for your viewing pleasure. If you have facebook and your interested in seeing pictures from my trip, there are plenty up on there. Go to www.facebook.com, search for me, and their on my profile.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day. I love you all adoring reader!

Ca-ta-ridge-es.

Oh the HUMANITY!
Originally uploaded by The Sloan.

Lowes Foods is racist.

How can you deny it with the evidence right in front of your face. Here we see a classic example, the Lowes Foods "Assorted Cremes." My roommate, Devin (pictured here holding the cookies) is a avid patron of the grocery store that markets and sells these cookies. Some would say these are a delicious treat, but if you don't see the symbolism, you're blind.

In this apparently innocent cookie package we have two flavors. ONLY TWO. There are the light cookies, and the dark cookies. As a side note I'd like to point out that the dark cookies are in an obvious minority to the light ones. That, of course, isn't what gets me all fired up. What's really over the top is the way in which they pack the dark cookies between the white ones. Ok, when you open a bag of cookies, where do you usually pull the first on from? The answer is of course, the side that is most available. THE SIDE, not the middle. The chocolate cookies are not only at a numeric disadvantage, but they are also denied the opportunities for selection that the light ones are.

Why couldn't they mix the cookies together? Would it have killed them? Was it just too much for them?

Segregationist cookie PUNKS.

Now, as a response to that Lowes Food's would probably point out the sister product named "Duplex Cremes." In that product the two halves of cookie are each different colors. That's a good effort, I'll admit, the dark and the light creamed together in harmony, but honestly look at the name. Duplex Creams? Come on, could the rhyme be any more obvious and insulting? They might as well just call them KK Kremes.

I wouldn't stand for this. Boycott Lowes foods until they notice the mistakes they're making and clean up their act.

*To anyone that may read this, please don't misinterpret my tone. I'm so far removed from being racist myself I try to find humor in an effort to reduce it's potency. CHUCKLE!

I'm Not Afraid to Kill the Loud Tenant Above Me.

"Heeeeey!" (that looks like what we're saying).
Originally uploaded by The Sloan.

So the image you see with this post is from WWE "UNFORGIVEN" night over at Yam's yesterday. Melissa made the long trek down and I actually got to spend a small amount of time with her. Seeing Yam and several caswelll buddies was lots of fun too.

Of course, that's not what this post is about.

How does one start off a blog entry about something as intricately and subtlety complex as what I'm about to discuss? This is an art that few people are blessed with the ability to appreciate, but if you are, it can cause emotional responses unavailable elsewhere. No, it's not traditional African folk dancing (though the congas will do a number on you). This is the one and only true sport of the thinking man; the art of professional wrestling.

"It's fake Nathan! How can you call a fake sport art? How can you allow your infinitely amazing reputation as an art critic to be sullied by a monumental misnomer like this?"

Oh I hear you, pessimistic masses. For those of you that lob this argument I have but one question to pose. If it's a fake sport, how can it be anything other than art? Lets look at the definition of art.

ART: The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

Have you seen the grace with which these oiled and glistening men execute complex, choreographed stunts? Sometimes these ballets of brutality can stretch for upwards of a half hour. All it takes is one slip in a pool of blood, one misplaced flip off the top rope, one...double helix half-stoaked gainer press slam, that's not on mark, and the whole performance is awry. You really can't knock it until you watch it with a honest critical eye.

Let's not forget the role of the obnoxious, scantily clad female ringside "cheerleader." It's obvious that these characters are put into the production as a satire of the male-dominated culture's twisted perception of the ideal woman. Their statement is higly effective, and it's really gutsy of WWE to go out on a limb by so overtly criticizing the ignorance of their primary demographic. I'm sure many of the first time viewers go home to their wives with a fresh perspective and appreciation for their natural beauty and significance in society.

Lastly, how can anyone turn down something that involves fighting with, you guessed it; tables, ladders, and chairs. I mean...seriously. Just say that to yourself with the thought of ensuing fight in mind. TABLES, LADDERS, AND CHAIRS.
Nice isn't it?
OK, now close your eyes and imagine the deep voice of "movie announcer guy" saying it.

...

Did you feel those chills?

All in all, I think my point is clear. Wrestling is quite possibly America's #1 under-appreciated art. A thick sociopolitical agenda enriches the conciousnesses of the youth and adults alike. The deep, engrossing story line delivers true drama and comedy in a way that stage production or film could never hope to. Lastly there is the pure spectacle. Something about our inner selves is well pleased with the sight of a 300 pound man crashing through two stacked tables off a 16 foot ladder. I don't know what that something is, but it's very happy.

I suggest you all grab your remote and order the next pay-per-view special as soon as possible. You can thank me later.

Diggin that Hound Bone

Ah! The weeks come a-rollin' by already. I love this constant busy state of living, it makes things seem to move faster. You'd have to be crazy not to take a break every once in a while though. I've found a new way to take a break and I'm going to share it with you.

THE T.V.!

Ok, so maybe it's not new to you, but it is new to me. I never watch TV but now I've fallen in love with the national geographic channel, the history channel, and the discovery channel (including all it's other forms). Is that sad. But there is something else cool you should check out. Try iTunes TV store. You can get free episodes of shows and such at different times. I got the pilot of Psyche for free and now I love that show. If you haven't seen Psyche, you should. It's like a modern Sherlock Holmes with a twist. The guy has strong powers of observation but he pretends to be a psychic. Mucho's funnios.

Ok so yeah...thats about all. I'm going to be heading out to Yam's tonight for the wrestling pay per view. I've never experienced one of those so i'm sure I'll have some amusing observations to tell you later. Take it easy!

Yamsters are the New Hamsters

Sneaky Sneaky....

Remember that list I made in my last entry? Well the biggest, most daunting task for the week was really that 4 page review due yesterday so I was looking forward to it being behind me. Turns out my professor is evil and that was REALLY the secret first draft. Now that it's been work shopped I have to turn in another tomorrow. I don't' know why I'm telling you this as if it's interesting, maybe I'm just hoping it'll get the creative juices flowing.

I want my own old world style sailing ship. Yes, like a pirate ship, but I wouldn't sail the skull and cross bones. I wonder if there is anywhere in the world that still builds those ships. If I could find one I wouldn't mind paying the 4 or 5 million it would cost to build it as long as it was big enough to make my permanent residence. Think about how sweet that would be. You wouldn't actually live on land you'd just sail from port to port and do your thing. I think that would be relatively awesome. I'd also want cannons, though I'm sure the government would spoil that fun. I'd always refer to her as "she" and when on deck everyone would have to call me cap'n. Hm, I don't know what I'd name her though. Maybe you guys can help me. If anyone still reads this, post a comment on what my ships name should be.

My finger got caught in the little hole in the seat belt clip as I was taking mine off yesterday. It hurt.

A Boyd in the Hand

So...Tired...

This semester is going to drive me BATTY. In addition to some supercurricular stresses, I have WAY TOO MUCH crud to do. If you don't believe me how about we look at my week ahead:

Friday: Quiz in Theory and Practice of Editing (English class)

Over weekend and into next week: Read Euripides' Medea for Theater (quiz Monday); Editing online homework (by Monday); write a logline, outline, and plot summary IN ADDITION TO adapting a short story for film in screenwriting (due Thursday); Monkey load of reading and must write a Resume, Coversheet, and follow up letter for Technical writing; 4 page review of Bonnie and Clyde, 500 word journal entry AND monkey load of reading in Writing about Film (all due Monday, journal on wednesday as well); Monkey load of reading for History of Documentary (by Tuesday).

In addition I have a Flim club meeting Saturday at 10AM, Glen's Small Group Monday at 4, CCF large group to attend Tuesday night, Film Club main meeting Wednesday night, Film Magazine meeting to lead Thursday, CCF guys small group to lead right afterwards on Thursday, Hair to pull out next Friday!!!

(somewhere in there Caswell folks are getting together to hang out too...)

Don't think this means I don't have time for you. I do. I need you to keep me sane.

Put on Your Happy Helmet

Long weekend?

Not very much to repot, sorry. I spent the weekend away doing several different things, the most notable of which was probably my visit to David and Stephen's apartment in Raleigh. They have a very nice place and a couch that is pretty dag on comfortable. For that fact alone their apartment gets a hearty 8 on the crash-comfortOmeter.

The rest of the weekend was spent at my house, mostly. It was very good to see everyone there all as well. I'm lucky to have a family that always at least acts as if they're glad to see me. They make me feel loved.

For the trip back to Wilmington I packed up my plastic DVD rack that was store at my dad's office. It wasn't a bad deal at first but about 5 minutes into my trip on I-40 I started hearing the horrible squeaking noise. Not like a "my car has some minor defect" squeaking, it was like two styrofoam Sumo wrestlers constantly fumbling for control of my cargo area. I didn't want to stop so I just listened to my radio with squeaky accompaniment.

Do hamsters have hamstrings?

Harrison Ave.

Rainy days
Originally uploaded by The Sloan.

In case you're wondering, that is a photo of me completely saturated in Ernesto droppings. I spent the entire day in the building (save the 45 minutes just before this picture was taken that I spent walking to a class that was, as it turns out, canceled) and it's been pretty bummer-rific. We're you're left in a room all alone you pretty much have nothing to fall back on but naps, reading, homework, and thinking. I tried napping, it didn't work out for me. I picked up some Oswald chambers for a good read and got all my homework done. Of the four I'd certainly say thinking had to occupy the most of my time. That's about all I have to report. If you are curious as to what my day was like, just take a second glance at the photo. I think it sums things up pretty well.

Nah, Ernesto isn't all that bad, I'm just havin' fun and such. It's not often you get drenched by a former hurricane and live to get your picture taken right after, is it? Ok, yeah, I guess most everyone does. The long weekend ahead is going to be even longer than expected. See you in hyperspace again soon!

Am I the only one that bleeds when I floss? I don't like flossing.

Dangle with Care

We've all heard "them" say that writing is therapeutic so HERE GOES! You ready for this?

Actually I feel really bad for addressing that question to a "you." It's probably a great mistake to assume that anyone still checks on this page now that I've fallen off that face of the Earth. Well, I started this little page without an audience and pretended I had one so I guess I can work that way again.

About that whole falling off the face of the earth thing. Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'm sure you all have gone through periods in your life where you just don't feel like working on things any more. I went through one of those with my blog. I have had a lot of fun with this little page and I can't believe I let it fall into such a state of disrepair. There is only one way I suppose I can make up for it.


THE NATHAN'S WILMINGSLOAN BLOGSTRAVAGANZA!

What is that you may be thinking to yourself? Well it's simple of course. I'll put it in layman's terms.

I list 5 things that UNCW has that I want to blow up with approx. 5 sticks of dino-MITE.

I list 5 woodland creatures that I would snuggle if they wouldn't claw/gnaw me to death in the process.

and I give my unique perspective on deli meats....

HERE WE GO!
1. The fence that blocks the second walkway in front of the new CIS building. BOOM!
2. Our ugly tinker-toy style clock tower (it does grow on you though) BOOM!
3. The guy/girl that doesn't even slow down when I am heading for the crosswalk. BOOM!
4. Kenan Hall, room 121 BOOM!
5. Phillip Johnson BOOM!

1. The little tiny brown birds that can only hop HUG!
2. A fox HUG!
3. A squirrel HUG!
4. Moose HUG!
5. Phillip Johnson HUG!

There are some people in the world that only want one type of deli meat on their sandwich. To those people I say...deli meats were made to work in tandem. You can't have only the turkey or only the salami. You have to make the Turkami happen. Though it sounds like a dangerous natural disaster... it really just creates a wave of delicious flavor in your mouth.

I love you all my loyal...reader!

Surely You Jest

You know whats interesting to me? People talk about God in strange ways while we are here on earth. We make these insightful little comments and then go on with the rest of our lives feeling inspired. One of my favorites is "God knows how many grains of sand are on the beach." I remember that one from sunday school as a kid. Ok, ok, I get the point. It's just to let people (especially kids) know that God is all knowing and that we can take comfort in that. Has anyone else ever really thought about it though? Next time someone informs you of God's knowing every grain of said on the beach ask them if thats going to be a real burning question for them to ask him when they get to heaven. Well, lets see, I get to talk to the infinitely powerful creator of the universe in person...I could ask him anything I wanted... "So...yeah...I was wondering. How many hairs are on my head anyway? "
Personally I really can't see that ever coming up. I mean, maybe if you're there long enough it might start to pick your brain (it is eternity after all). Eh, still, probably not.