The Eye of the Hurrishane

You Are Oscar the Grouch

Grumpy and grouchy, you aren't just pessimistic. You revel in your pessimism. You are usually feeling: Unhappy. Unless it's rainy outside, and even then you know the foul weather won't last. You are famous for: Being mean yet loveable. And you hate the loveable part. How you life your life: As a slob. But it's not repelling as many people as you'd like!

Alright, I have made a decision. Since I am going to embark on a quest that will make me a teacher, I have decided there are certain things I need to keep to myself. Actually, I was just searching random journals because I am really bored and I discovered that alot of the local ones I found could link me to random high school students in town.

Now, since I have an internship next winter, and I have no idea where it is yet, I do not want some random student stumbling across one of my entries and possibly taking some sort of credibility away from me down the road. Therefore, I am making this journal "friends only."

Now I realize I do not update as much about my offbeat shenanigans anymore. The reason being that when I actually do get up to them, I usually end up forgetting the majority of the details. So, since I am censoring myself I promise I will do my best to start remembering more. How about this, I will try to write notes, a little outline if you will, and then form an entry with it.

Anyway, I'm wrapping this up. If any randoms, or any friends who are not on my list read this, then feel free to leave a comment or something and I will have no problem adding you. For the high schoolers or younger who I may end up teaching someday - you'll hear no more about my escapades. Not until you reach legal age anyway and I run into you while I am completely shit-faced. Let's hope it doesn't come to that though.

Shane

Here is MY summer reading list:

Dan Brown - The Da Vinci Code
Lance Armstrong w/Sally Jenkins - Every Second Counts
Bradford Wright - Comic Book Nation
Tom Holland - Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic
Adam Copeland - On Edge
Werner Eck - The Age of Augustus
Bill Watterson - The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes
Gerard Petievich - The Sentinel
Jose Canseco - Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big
Michael Crichton - Timeline
Dan Brown - Angels and Demons

I think I will add more once I remember the rest that I wanted

I got my letter from MUN education today. Now since I applied in January I had no confidence that I would get into the program. History/English is the most competitive area and just so happened to be mine. So when I saw a friends MSN message saying that she had gotten in, I raced over to the mailbox to check for my letter just in case the unthinkable happened. I ran back home, searched for the letter opener so not to rip anything important, but when I couldn't find it I settled for a nail file. I open up the envelope and take out the letter, unfold it and the first thing I see is "Congratulations!" I got in!! I got into MUN education!!! I have a career path!! I don't have to pay back my loan with a minimum wage job!!

This is crazy. I've been having a pretty good week it seems. (Much like Cheese who got into Athletic Therapy @ Sheridan - Congrats manno!) (and Megan, who got into Law school @ McGill several months ago - way to go sweetheart).

Now it is time to box up my 'Sith Happens' shirt so it doesn't get beat up before I can wear it with a blazer that has patches on the elbows.

Oh this is awesome!!

I am SO getting hammered both nights this weekend!!

Well my plan for raise or quit never worked out like I thought. Once I showed up at work I was informed that I was laid off. I saw this one coming weeks ago and knew it would only be a matter of time. Oh well. I need a job.....NOW!

So my plan for tomorrow morning is to head up to work after the gym. While there, I am asking for a raise. If I do not get this raise, I will be quitting on the spot and seeking employment elsewhere. I have just gotten to the point that minumum wage for 15 hours a week is getting me nowhere. I can get minimum wage for 40 hours a week anywhere. I think after almost a year there should at least be some consideration of giving me one.

I will keep you posted on how everything goes.

- Shane

Marks came out yesterday. I will keep it short!

Classics 2010: Greek Art and Architecture - 92%
Classics 3030: Greece and Persia - 83%
Classics 3080: Medical Writers - 81% (I knew that 66% was a fluke. I told Tana I would get an A. That 94% on my second paper helped with that.)
Classics 4010: Pompeii - 82%
History 4110: Mass Media - 80%

83.6% average for the semester. 71.9% average overall in MUN. 3.09 GPA overall in MUN.

5 A's, 4.0 for the semester, and 8 A's in 10 courses this year. That means I SHOULD get a Dean's List. That means I clawed my way from the bottom of the barrel at MUN, all the way to the top. Yes I am proud.

Thus, my updates about this semester have come to an end. Maybe more in September if I get in anywhere. For now I am going to pat myself on the back for a job well done though.

It is April 17 according to my calendar and the little box above where I update that tells me the date. That means I only have 1 more exam remaining before I am finished my undergrad at MUN. That exam is Greece and Persia on Saturday, which will be followed by the tangliest drunk I have had in a while. This one is 6 years in the making folks.

So on the academic front: My semester that keeps me shitting in my pants due to the grades I am somehow getting is coming to a close. When last you heard from me on the subject I mentioned that I got a 92% on my final Greek Art midterm giving me a 93% average going in to my paper and final. Well I wrote the final last Saturday and I am quite confident that I did very well on it. The best part though was that I got my paper back and somehow I got a 94% on it!!! So, not only did I keep my 90+ streak with Allison on mid-terms going, but I kept my streak of A's going by not getting anything under an 83% in the three courses I have done with her. I think it is safe to say that I will get an A in Greek Art with her, since I had a guaranteed 65% going into the final and only needed a 50% on that to keep an A.

So that was one exam. Prior to that I had Medical Writers, which I love, but has been a bit of a thorn in my side because my only mark under an A this semester came in that course when I got a 66% on my mid-term. Well, I still have not gotten my second review back, but my final went fairly well. According to Tana I got a 36/40 on the first part (I only got a 23/40 on that part for the mid-term). So if all goes to plan I MAY be able to squeak out an A in the course. Here's to hoping.

Got my Mass Media paper back today. I thought it was garbage due to my lack of sources. Somehow I got an A- on it though and I will end up with an 82%-85% in the course overall. Add another A to the Dean's List checklist.

My Pompeii paper was handed in today. I could have waited until Friday but let's face it, the idea of a week off before my last exam was really appealing - and I wanted comments on it. I think it is ok, not my best but it's reasonable. I had an A (I think...yeah according to Tana I was on my way to an A) in the course after my mid-term. My participation is over an A, and I think my presentations were around that general area. Here's to hoping for another one on the Dean's List checklist.

Then there is Greece and Persia. I had an 86% in this course going into the final (excluding participation) and have a pretty good shot at keeping an A in this as well. Here's to hoping I don't screw up my final.

So, my goal this year was to get a Dean's List to show on paper that I went from the bottom of the barrel at MUN to the top. Last semester I got 3 A's, and this semester I need 4 more. 2 are guaranteed, meaning I need 2 more in my other 3 courses. The pressure is on, however 2 of those courses are out of my hands now.

Wouldn't it be neat if I got a 4.0 this semester? Not gonna happen, but it would be pretty neat!

Who's sick of my school updates by now? I know you are, but I like to write these here so I can reflect on my last semester sometime down the road. Truth be told, my semesters havn't been much to write about before, but this one just keeps amazing me.

My mind has started wandering back to the idea of learning Latin and getting into Classics graduate work. I think I will keep that option open.

Kegger Saturday!!!

P.S. I picked up Kingdom Hearts last week. I am hooked at the combination of Disney and Final Fantasy. God bless the people who came up with the idea. I think I will go play it some more.

- Shane

Well my last semester is now completed. Well, as far as classes anyway. I still have exams but as anybody who reads this will know by now that I love final exams.

I still have to finish/start my Pompeii paper. I have some pretty good ideas though. The only problem will be with length - I am afraid it will be shorter than I hope. But as anybody who reads this will know, I can get pretty wordy at times.

So my last day of classes was pretty swell. It was very surreal, but very swell all the same. I think it was only fitting that my last class at MUN was Medical Writers with Tana Allen. Since I have had her for 5 courses during my time there, and since she has bailed me out numerous times and was always there when I had a problem - be it with Shakespeare, Methods, or a tool of a prof. It was pretty nice too when I dropped my Greek Art paper into the Classics department office and she was there so we had a little chat. It ended with her saying she was going to miss me, that I was one of the kindest students she has ever had, and that she had known me virtually my entire time at MUN and through that time saw me turn into a real student that she was proud of. Then she told me to go write a fantastic exam for her like she knows I can. I'm going to miss her. And I think I will write that fantastic exam.

All that really went through my head was what it was like my last day of high school when I picked up my report card, worked out my MUN entry average on Jeff Arnold's calculator, discovered I would get in, then left O'Donel for the last time as a student. Chances are I just did that again - minus the average working out.

I can't believe I am just three exams and a paper away from finishing my undergrad. 6 years...Wow, where did the time go?

Signing out
- Shane

It's funny how the only time I get shifts at the bowling alley is when I don't want them. You'd think when I put a note up saying I can work pretty much whenever they'd take the hint and at least give me one more a week while one of the full-timers is away. All I am up there is someone to take a shift when they have nobody else to do it. Still waiting for those 5 shifts a week I was hired for last summer...

I really am sick of that place. Job hunt is started.

Today marks a historic day for Shane on the academic front.

This semester I am completing my third course with Allison Surtees. Up until today I received nothing lower than a 90% on any mid-term/test that I have done with her. Well, today I accomplished my goal of getting nothing less than a 90% and got a 92% on my final Greek Art test, and final mid-term/test with her. I am quite proud!

Side-note before starting on this: Shane needs full time work for the summer. If anybody knows how he can get a government job (ahem Mark can you warn your Dad I may nag him a bit when I see him again) can they please let me know. Much thanks.

New layout for the Eye of the Hurrishane. I must say it is fairly sexy. Much like the owner of it (ignore that part).

Well, it is 9:26 AM as I begin writing this entry. The snow is getting worse outside by what seems to be every second. I had to head out around 8:30 and in the span of the half hour I was gone it got at least twice as bad. For instance we could see the pavement when we left, and nearly got stuck (actually did get half stuck) by the time we returned home.

So snow day means no school day. I am sure Megan is loving this, because even if it miraculously clears up and they open at noon, she would have already missed her presentation. I unfortunately, am left waiting to see what happens. While I fully expect MUN will not re-open I have a presentation at 2 PM and if they do, I have to be there for it. I hate MUN and their stupid half days. Perhaps I will check the site again to see if it has been updated early.

Shane takes a break from updating blog to check the MUN website.

Looks like MUN is still useless. Thank God there is less than a month of this left!!!

Speaking of which, I worked it out last night and I am mathematically safe. Which means, in all likelihood I will be convocating in May - and that won't suck (unlike voting for that nimrod Tony Ingram - despite what his signs say).

And with that last statement, here is this weeks rant, to be followed with more update:
Why, in the name of everything that is holy, did this nimrod Tony Ingram put up signs to be elected as whatever the fuck he was running for, with his stupid grin and "voting for me in all likelihood won't suck." The first thing I thought was that he was a breakdancer trying to look hot to women, and make dorky guys want to be like him and therefore get both groups to vote for him because he is 'cool.' Does anybody from O'Donel remember the great student council led by Brad Kerrivan and Deborah Browne?? I do, and I remember they were both elected due to popularity. This kind of shit belongs in high school though, so I can understand why they won. And by the way, they did suck. So I walk through MUN and see student union election posters everywhere with this same garbage on them. This nimrods grin and stupid slogan. What was the moron thinking? Seriously, it's people like that I'd like to toss into a pot of boiling oil. Get a life and grow up man. Luckily he got blown out in the election, which means I have not lost faith in people altogether...yet.

And back to the entry, thank you for tuning into this weeks rant.

The weekend was pretty swell. Megan had her birthday pot-luck on Friday which was a lot of fun. The food was great, so was the alcohol, so was the company. Saturday night I headed downtown to celebrate Professor Glen's 19th birthday. Ended up at the Republic with pints as usual. Amazingly I was not hungover for work on Sunday.

Plan for snow day:
Work on 4010 Presentation # 2
Proofread 3030 Paper
Start 2010 Paper???
Watch King Kong???
Watch Prison Break and 24

Sounds like a fun-filled day doesn't it. I so can't wait for 24 tonight.

As you may have noticed through the use of the verb proofread, my Greece and Persia paper is written. But not without any hair pulling (of what little hair I have - for any randoms reading this, it is short, not receding). I managed to break 2000 words somehow, though I think it is garbage. But I thought my in-class essay for that course was garbage and I ended up with a 90%. Here's hoping for a 70%, I really don't expect much more than that. With Simonsen I never know though (if I have learned anything in that course this semester - aside of the origin of the word barbarian - bar bar).

Jesus I nearly forgot! I redeemed my reputation in Medical Writers with an 84% on my first article review!! Chris Youe's Historical Methods course was apparently useful. Even if not for the course itself, I just received the highest mark I have ever gotten on a paper. And, it was with Tana Allen who has never given me over a 70% on one!! (She's tough on papers, and I excel at examinations).

Man, Bon Jovi - Keep the Faith is one kick ass album!

That is all for now. Happy snow day to you all. I'm out
- Shane

Another weekend is in the books. Heck, based on my last update another week is in the books.

When last we left our hero he was in the midst of academic distress. Well just to get it out of the way quickly, my 4110 presentation is ready to go (and the paper is half done), my 4010 presentation is ready to go, my 3080 paper is completed, and I somehow got a 90% from Simonsen on my 3030 in-class essay. That one actually amazed me.

St. Patrick's Day was a success again this year. Once again, I ended up plastered. No leprechaun pictures this year (see icon), but what a hangover. For an update on the night in full check out Bourden's livejournal through my friends list. Here is the Coles Notes from me. I got off work at 11 instead of 12. I was home, showered, and ready to go by 11:30. Dad dropped me out to Bourden's, where amazingly he was actually ready to leave when I got there. (He's gotten much better at that). So Joanne gives us a ride downtown and tells us to play like good boys. Well, she should have known better because she was dropping us at the Republic and there is no such thing as being good in there. Well, with regards to alcoholism I mean. The two of us get on the pints of Keith's, get a visit from Cheeseman, get more pints of Keith's (we lost count because they kept taking our glasses), get a visit (well stay), from Megan and her friends, get some more pints, get an uncomfortable visit from a person I used to consider a friend, get more pints, and eventually call it a night. I have no idea how much I drank, but I know I spent about $80. And needless to say, Scar Tissue is my new favorite song (see Bourden's entry).

So Megan and I head back to my place (yes that's right, I dragged off like a Norwegian trawler), and proceed to go to bed after waking up everybody on our way in. I wake up the next morning, amazed at how I got ready for bed, and head to get my bandage changed (Dad drove of course, I was still drunk). I head back home and go straight back to bed where we stayed until about 7:00 that night. I swear, I was still half stumbling around then.

So we headed out to see V For Vendetta once we got up, and naturally I can't eat anything at the theater because I'm broke from the night before, and have no appetite at all. But was I ever thirsty. Everybody go see the movie now, it is a phenomenal movie. Megan even stayed awake!! For the whole thing!! And she actually really enjoyed it, so it has to be good!!

That's about all that was interesting really. Today was spent doing schoolwork. I felt I should have a cyclical pattern to my entry and come back to school.

Only 6 more days until I get to do it all again.

My 4110 presentation is next Monday. I have nothing ready for it. This would not be a problem if I never had a 3030 paper, a 4010 presentation, and a 3080 paper due that week as well. Those single study rooms in the library are my new best friend. (Only because Megan is not here though, but she is back from Montreal tonight and therefore my best friend again. I miss her.)

So the topic I settled on for my 4110 paper is something along the lines of Examining the change in how communist Russia was portrayed in American film after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The films in the discussion will be Mission to Moscow and Song of Russia. Both are movies I have not seen, and most likely never will have any desire to watch. It's not the Bruce Springsteen and Ronald Reagan, or John Lennon and Vietnam paper I wanted to write coming into the course. But seeing as how I am confined to the first half of the 20th century I guess it will have to do.

I finally got some evaluation for 4010!! Too bad Webb can't get on the ball and give me some for 4110. Anyway, I managed to swing an 83% on my Pompeii mid-term, therefore re-establishing my reputation with Tana. That damn second question....if only I got even a 16/20 on it I would have had a high 80. I only got a 66% (which was expected) on my 3080 Medical Writers mid-term with her. Though she thought it was because I went in knowing too much. Which is a pretty good reason for not doing as good as I usually do.

94% on my second Greek Architecture test. I am so killing that course. And what is better, it has kept my streak of no mid-term/test mark under 90% with Allison during the three courses I have done with her. Only one more to go now, and I will keep it at that.

Sorry if I am boring anybody with my academic rants. I generally put these here to look back on my study habits etc, and it does come in handy if I get in a rut at any point.

Anyway, this has sort of been a weekend update as well. I worked last night which was not bad. But the rest of the time has been spent at this stuff. Only a little over a month now. I just have to hold on a little longer.

I'm out
- Shane

WILL STEVE MOORE JUST FUCK RIGHT OFF!!!!!!!!

Seriously, the reason he has no money, and Bertuzzi is not in prison, is because their is NO case!!

Every judge thus far has tossed out his stupid lawsuits, and Bertuzzi has/is serving his community service!

Hey Moore. Your career (if you want to call it that) is over! You were a hack at the game and couldn't cut it. The only reason people know who you are is because of Bertuzzi. There is a reason your own teammates have abandoned you, and your team cut you loose.

Look at it this way, Bertuzzi did him a favor. Why waste his time trying to play a game he'll never be good enough for. Time to get over it and get a job.

I honestly don't know who irritates me more right now. Steve Moore and his quest for media fame, or the McCartney's and their quest to make an illegal seal hunt illegal.

People are possibly getting sick of it by now, but I need to post on it.

The McCartney's are idiots. How about doing some research before starting shit.

Cutting someone off with remarks like "that's rubbish" is not debating, it's ignorance.

Hey Heather, it only makes up 5% of their yearly income? And they only make $1250 a year from it? Well that's 5% of about $25000, which is not a lot of money seeing as how these people have to pay bills, pay for lots of gas to get back and forth, etc etc. Not everybody is a billionaire you know. You want us to ban the seal hunt and use tourism to make up for the wage loss? I have a better idea. You want it done that bad, how about you pay the wage loss out of your own pocket! Not going to do it are you? Cause that would mean you'd lose something.

Seals are only for fashion? Yeah, cause I have a seal skin coat in my closet. So do most of the people I know. Seals are used for meat, oils, fuels and Omega-3 in addition to minimal amounts of fashion that are hardly noticeable. (Though I must admit, I only found out about Omega-3 last night...thanks Danny). The slaughter or chickens, pigs and cows is perfectly relevant.

P.S. Paul, take some high school geography courses. You got on a plane and left Newfoundland. That means you are no longer in it.

P.P.S. Those white coats you saw will not be killed. Since the Canadian government banned it in 1987.

P.P.P.S. Was I the only one who laughed when the white coat seal bit Heather on the hand?

Danny Williams tore those two apart. I only wish the show was commercial free and a couple of hours longer. And perhaps is they turned off Heather's mic when Danny was speaking.

Ok, so everybody in St. John's knows that Paul McCartney was in town yesterday on his way to a seal protest. Well that is yesterday's news.

Here is the update for today. Danny Williams has offered to debate Paul McCartney on the subject and offer the other side of things - a history of the hunt, etc.

Anyway, apparently this news has made it's rounds because Larry King has offered to have them both on Larry King Live tomorrow night to debate the subject!!

As a supporter of the seal hunt, I think this is awesome!

Danny Williams you are my idol.

So Megan left this morning for Ottawa for 5 days. I miss her already...I have gotten needy. My plan for when she left was to catch up on schoolwork. Maybe get my Greece and Persia paper done, and put a dent in my Mass Media paper while I was at it. Well night one is almost over now, and all I have done is manage to watch a lot of Lost and catch up with it. I managed to accomplish one task at least. Motivation this semester is really lacking, at least with paper research anyway.

You never realize that you are old until you wander around MUN trying to figure out a person to have lunch with, and realize that a lot of people you used to meet in there are not there anymore and you are left by yourself for 2 hours.

It is snowing out...again! Apparently we are getting another 25cm before noon tomorrow. Just what we need, more snow to add to the 100+ centimeters we have gotten in the last month, and no place to put it. Maybe I can swing a day off tomorrow because of it. I will tell myself that I will do work but I know I most likely will not. Day off means I will not have Greek Architecture though.....and I do love that course.

New glasses should be in on Friday. They are pretty swell. Needless to say I will be looking quite dashing come then. Shane's Note: Dashing is my fancy word of the day

24 is on for 2 hours next week. And Elisha Cuthbert is back which makes me even happier.

I need a plan for this weekend. I am working Saturday in the daytime, but that has not stopped me before. I think heading to the Republic or something would be pretty swell. I have no problems going to work hungover. Heck, I will even wait until Saturday night if I have to. Anybody up for hanging out with me this weekend feel free to let me know. I am not making any definite plans though because they always fall through. Anybody who knows the Mount Pearl - St. John's area knows that planned events never work and the only way to do anything interesting is on the spur of the moment. Hmm.....Spur....$2 tequila shots....interesting and tempting.

I just remembered that I have to punch holes in stuff. Sweet, using a three-hole punch ranks right up there with stapling stuff in my books. Yeah I know, I am a dork. That was possibly given away with the use of the words dashing and swell earlier.

On the recovery front, wound is now closed over, I just need the new skin to fill in. I hope nobody planned on getting a snack after reading that. I am sorry if I ruined it.

Apparently I have nothing useful to say, but I have managed to kill some time.

- Shane

Alright. I got my third mark of the semester back today. Thus far I have gotten a 100%, a 92%, and now an 82% in that order. I'm getting kind of worried because there has been a slow decline since the 100%.

Granted, an 82% with Simonsen is fantastic because as nice of a lady as she is, she is very scary when it comes to tests, papers, grading, etc.

Pretty swell afternoon today on the academic front. Got a good grade back, and made some decent comments in Pompeii which hopefully impressed a bit and boosted my participation.

Now, Pompeii mid-term is handed in. Greek Art and Architecture and Ancient Medical Writers mid-terms tomorrow. Then I can get started on my crappy Mass Media paper, finish my Medical Writers paper, and hopefully put a dent in either my Greece and Persia or Greek Art papers. I think Greece and Persia should come first. But I will get Greek Art done quicker. Decisions...

Anyway, gentlemen reading this entry - meaning Denine, Furlong (How long are you in town anyway?), Cheese, Bourden? Who is up for getting hammered this weekend. Because I am. My alcoholism is slowly (quickly) coming out of hibernation and I have a lot of catching up to do with it. Not sure when I am working yet, but it will only be one night anyway.

It was a big day for Newfoundland. First ever Olympic gold medal yesterday when the Brad Gushue rink defeated the Fins in a blowout. It's pretty neat especially when I think that I went to high school with that guy. Well sort of, but either way, he was there when I was and it's a cool thought. Actually I looked at my 1998 O'Donel yearbook today and Gushue's ambition listed in it was "to be an Olympian." Well, it's impressive that he actually followed through on his yearbook ambition, and not only did he do that but he won the gold while he was at it.

I think Don Cherry said it best when he stated that "they made our Olympics." After the hockey fiasco that couldn't be closer to the truth.

I never saw the entire game though, I had an eye appointment and left after the 3rd end. I decided to tape the rest and watch it when I got home, thinking there was no way I could have it spoiled for me while walking the streets with headphones on. Was I wrong. Walking to the eye doctor I really discovered how big of a deal this was. I mean I knew it was big before, but seeing only 3 cars on the walk from my house to Commonwealth Avenue is something I will never see again. Heck I saw more than that on my drive in the storm today.

So back to the spoiling of the game. I was looking at glasses after my appointment (I have decided to finally get a new pair) and some putz is trying to watch the game on the advertisement tv there. I ask him "Can you not tell me the score? I am taping the game." at which point he looks at me and says "10-3 Gushue!" The idiot. So I convince myself that there is still a possibility the Fins will make a game of it leaving me something to watch and start walking home. What do I see? The guy at Irving changing the sign. When I passed by it said "GOLD CONGRAT" so I clued in once I read it.

Apparently you can't stay away from something this big. Even with headphones on and at the eye doctor.

Either way, great job for Gushue and the guys. I'm especially happy for Russ Howard who is just a legend in the sport and the reason they were able to take that extra step and get where they are. This is by far the biggest thing that has happened to Newfoundland since the Pope visited. Heck it's even bigger than that. For the first time in a while I am proud to say I am from this province, and that I was a part of something this big.

- Shane