April 24th, 2005

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March 29th, 2005

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March 27th, 2005

03:27 pm - Sore from 11 miles straight runnning Basically, yesterday rocked. My dad woke me up at 5:30 AM and was all, James you gotta go running with Sean at 6. Im all, how far? He said, 11 miles. I was all IM DEAD. Well, I changed into my clothes, and made it over to his house. We stretched for a little bit, and then we started off, each with our waterbottles. For the first 3 miles, I was doing pretty well because that is the distance im used to. All along the way, Sean and I had great conversations and spreading cheer for all. But then around mile 5ish, there was a giant hill that was a killer. It started around Jack Trice Stadium, and then finished by the Towers' fields. I about died. But then, I ate some energy paste (it tasted similar to chocolate/peanut butter, but not quite). So that added some psychological boost there. Well, once I beat that hill into the dirt with my running shoes, around E-Wang's house, I started to feel pretty good because that was about the halfway point. That meant I was almost done, hehehehe. Hmmm, well I finished without dying or passing out or stopping or throwing up. Also, we ran the last mile pretty fast, maybe a 7:30 pace. It was surprisingly difficult. Then we tried to finish it off with a sprint, I made it at a medium sprint. But that is my 11 mile story. The fun thing is that i get to do it again next saturday. Furthermore, my parents and IAIN WILSON had no faith in me. They all thought that I couldn't do it. Hahahaha, I didn't think i could do it. But running with Sean was the only reason i did it. There is no way I coulda done that without him. Later on, we played some great Ultimate at the AMS soccerfield. Basically, it was Xin Chuck Jarrett Iain MICHAEL LU and I getting owned by the other team. To make things worse, Michael Lu switched to the other team to give them all 3 college peeps (Misra, Lu, and other guy). On top of that we were short people, meaning we had less on our team than the other team did. Somehow we rallied kept even until the end. It was largely the work of Chuck and Xin and Iain (chuck has big hands). Then, the final point came. The one to decide the match. It was going on a pretty long time because both teams always gave a turnover, forced or stupid mistake. Then Michael Lu had it and fastballed it to John Misra. He was ahead of me, and give a nice, easy toss to Jason to WIN IT because he was in the endzone. But im all "NO WAY!!!" and sprinted my booty off, and dove to knock it out of the air. I flew over Jason because he was diving once he saw me going for it. So I landed and rolled in the mud and pride of a stopping a close call. Then i dished the frisbee to Xin, and he and Nav and Jarrett made it to the other endzone to score for the WIN!!! That was beautiful. Current Mood: domination Current Music: Kurayamino Mix

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March 16th, 2005

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March 11th, 2005

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March 3rd, 2005

02:38 pm - woes and pains I set the plan out to ask her today. I asked her, through a letter, so I don't yet know her response. I felt the great excitement of asking someone and the anticipation that goes with that, all through the day. My plan was flawless; the results not so well predicted though. My heart evaded the confines of my chest. Nothing compares to this excitement (that I have yet experienced). If only things would work well...The thing is I had to ask her. I would hate myself forever if I did not do it. In waiting is the tension. I will graciously accept the answer either way. I will take away the experience and some new skills and a clear answer, and I will be happy no matter what the combination is. Current Mood: What will happen? Current Music: POKEMON

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March 1st, 2005

09:56 pm It is now narrowed to precisely one girl. I know who it is, and I am definitely asking her this week. I will report on this later. I hope it is the right decision for me and the girl (I don't want to commit the girl to silly ol' me if she doesn't want to). Lit Circle presentation tomorrow. It will not be very good because today's one was amazing. We will crash like an airplane without a wing. NHS application is due very soon. I must work on it. Current Mood: anxious Current Music: Kidfried

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February 28th, 2005

09:53 pm - Have you been drinking? Last Friday, I was chillin with Tricia at the bball game. After our amazing victory, I hooked up with Greg and Michael, and Scott, and Kevin to go to DQ. Greg beat me at the 3-Hotdog-Race, and he wasn't so messy as I was. Then we headed over to Wal-Mart. While there, Greg introduced me to a new idea: not shopping. He grabbed a foam ball and we passed it over the aisles for entertainment. Then we hid stuffed animals in compartments of shelves. Somehow, Greg got the idea of tripping in front of employees to get a reaction. Michael did it first, then it was up to me. I found this middle-aged gentlehearted lady and flopped. She was so concerned! The hilarity of it. She was asking me what it was I fell on and was rubbing the bare floor to check for slipperiness. "I just stumbled I think" was I all I replied. Then she asked me if I had been drinking, woo hoo. Friday was the first time anyone has ever asked me that. I can now consider myself a man. I frequently contemplate swearing. Everyone else does, except for saints and me. Would people think less of me if I did? The way I see it, I am finally joining everyone else or I remain aloof in the matter, depending on which way I go. Certainly, things infuriate me, and all I have to say is "fiddle-sticks" I went to the sweet Spanish party on Saturday night. That rocked. I spoke well with a native Costa Rican guy in college. I think I just need some fine-tuning before the week is over. Prom approaches. Who to ask? I think I have narrowed it to 3 ladies, but I must ask before I go on the Spain trip. Then, all the money I must spend depresses me. That is all. Current Mood: uncertain Current Music: Road to Sourceville?

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February 21st, 2005

08:45 pm - Disillusioned memories I always thought that I would never die. That is, I would never die anything other than a natural middle-of-the-night-kick-the-bucket death. Then I had a dream last night. I think it comes from me watching too many explicit movies and Ebaum's World stuffs. But in reality, I am not afraid of lightning, and I actually go outside on tennis courts or in my back yard to watch the storm so dangerously close. I never thought that flying through the windshield of a car upon a collision would result in death. I never thought that falling 150 feet would stop the ever precious heart beat. And certainly I never thought that some projectile bullets at several hundred mph would actually hit me and harm me. I always thought that the shooter would miss and I would live on, because I can't die before my time, right? Here is the dream I am driving on 20th street approaching the railroad tracks near the Ames High School. The guard rails come down and the red lights warn of an approaching train. I stop, but cars continue to drive across the tracks even though the train is only about 100 meters away. As the train approaches the crossing, a red truck begins to pass in between the barriers, however it doesn't make it. The train smashes into the truck, much like a car driving over a 12 ounce soda bottle. The man-driver falls out of the car all smashed and bloody. Then some losers thought it would be cool to roll underneath the train to reach the other side instead of waiting for it to pass. The first guy got smashed by a grain release on the belly of one of those monstrous carts. The second guy was kinda large, and he got closer to the other side. He pulled his chest out from underneath the train, but he was much too slow. The train acted like a knife and split the poor man's body into two pieces. From the torso half fell all the entrails of the man. It was a very nasty dream... It is like my eyes were opened and I was released from prison to the rest of the world. I feel like my "matrix" was broken. Current Mood: Awakened from the matrix Current Music: Smoke

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February 20th, 2005

03:33 pm - Weekend Mail This weekend, I got a large package of mail after I came back from my two day trip to Illinois for my church. It was a real bundle. Some colleges sent me stuff: University of Central Florida, University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, Gustavus Adolphus College, Swarthmore College, Carleton College, New York University, Beloit College, Clarke College, Drake University, Washington and Lee University, Luther College, Lehigh University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, and Saint Louis University at Madrid, Spain. I also got a letter from the Army National Guard. I'm pretty sure I will go into the army at some point in my life for the money I will receive. Probably because I am going to attend a university I want to attend (east/west coast) and not one my parents want me to attend (BYU, ISU, Drake, etc). I think the Army National Guard would be the best way to go because of the minimal time in training compared to the money received. I haven't researched it very much however, so I am keeping the options open. Beyond that, I got three more important letters. The first one is from the Mid-Iowa Council of Boy Scouts of America. This one congratulates me for reaching the Eagle rank in boy scouts. It took me quite a lot of work to accomplish it, so I am happy to get a letter. This is actually the first confirmation that I earned the award, so now I am certain that I obtained it. For those of you who don't know, in Boy Scouts, there are 6 ranks in scouting. It starts with "Tenderfoot" going up to "Eagle." Only about one percent of the people who start boy scouts obtain the Eagle scout award. The other two come from Drake University and AHS. The AHS letter tells me I was selected to be able to apply for the National Honor Society. I will definitely try and get into it, and I think everyone who got that letter should also apply for the National Honor Society. Then, the letter from Drake was about the Drake Physics exam. It said I got 4th place in the competition. This doesn't make sense to me because last year I got 17th, and I thought I did way worse this year. O well. I bet Josh got first or something like that. Current Mood: sick Current Music: Russian techno music

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February 6th, 2005

07:35 pm - Musical joys It is all over. The musical that is. Here are some of my memories and farewells. -The "Legend of the Red Dragon" will live forever in my heart and hopefully Ben Ruppert's. I know that Abby greatly disliked it, but many others got caught up in the fervor it bolstered. -Meeting new people is always the best. Abby, Ben, Joanna, Jacob, Samantha, Ethan, and Renee (i haven't talked with her in a really long time). I love new friends. -Wearing fuscia/hot pink lipstick to spite Mrs. Stafford was totally awesome. -Chilling with David Shirbroun, my ole buddy from Meeker Elementary school and chess club. Today he got a kiss from Abby, and he is definitely the luckiest guy I know. -Making intimidating signs to place on the footbridge. Examples are "Kiss!" and an expert drawing of Tricia and Brian making out. -Cast party at Lott's house. This is perhaps the best thing that has happened to me since 8th grade formal. First, Karoake with hot choir chicks, then clubbing upstairs with more hot choir chicks. We danced for like 2 hours straight with 88.5 FM and Ben Barclay as DJ. Everyone was sopping with sweat, but hey, as Ricky always says "it isn't a party unless it smells bad." I think David is a better dancer than Greg. So ya, we started out in this cramped bedroom with the lights out, and there were like 20 people in it jammin to the radio. Then we booted the DDR people to use the real dance floor. There was way more space and even a disco ball! I lost myself to the pulsating music. -I only messed up twice that I can think of (with my lines). I vaulted over Jacob on Sat and Sun for the bows, and that was a good decision because everyone applauded way louder than ever before. -Perkins was great. It was very difficult to eat, because I am left-handed and Tricia was VERY close to my left side. We trashed the restaurant though, so it was fun. This musical was way more fun than last year, even though I didn't get my desired part. It is on the top five joyous events in the Life of James Pringle list. What else can I say? It was totally awesome. Current Mood: Overjoyed Current Music: Remember when it rained

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February 4th, 2005

09:51 am - screw the system Dig this. Lots o people think they know what exacly what happened between me and the Spanish fundraiser. This is for the record I sold 30 items and bought 95 SpongeBob Decks of Cards for monday, then I sold 28 more items by the close of the event. This ensured my victory. For monday I received $125 on the "five for five" deal and since I beat this salesman's record of 151 items and I am the top seller in our school for the Spanish department, I receive $175. Further more, the prize for selling 150 items is $175. As you can see, I have already amassed $475; that repays my debt for purchasing all the cards (that cost me $475). On top of that, I receive 40% of whatever I sell. In this case that is nearly $415. So my I earned about $900, and gained $415. However, I am very sorry to Morgan for using this trickery and knocking her out of first place. She did work way harder than I did, but only got second place (a prize of $50). However, she gains nearly $600 while I gain $415. So it all works out in the end. I am honored to escort, along with greg, neva, and lisagrace, the graduating seniors. Current Mood: Honored Current Music: Master and Commander

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January 31st, 2005

07:12 am - the evil of b-max Seminary today. It sucked like always. This morning even more than usual, however. Here is the story. I got there on time like always at 6:02 AM, because they don't start taking role until ten after six. I didn't want to sit in my old seat because I can't concentrate there due to the skewed position and pugnant bodies surrounding me. This time, I plopped down by Tiana. Then Keli made her routine checkup on me, and she told me to "go back to where I belong" in the corner. I told her that it was a new week, and I would like to sit where I would be able to optimize my learning experience and spiritual growth. She vehemently opposed it and so I left. I went to another room to read my book. Now fast-forward 35 minutes to the end of class. I tossed a cup into the dumpster outside, and while I was returning everybody was departing from the church. I approached Jonathan's car to go to school then this horrible travesty occured involving Braxton. Braxton: If you are going to pull a stunt like that again, don't come back. James: I didn't come back. I stayed in my room the whole time today. Braxton: No, I mean don't ever come back to seminary. James: Huh? Braxton: Not tomorrow, the day after, the rest this week, or the month. My fellows: (pointing to Braxton) You DUECHEBAG! Folks, my church is supposed to be nice to its members. It has failed. \\~EDIT~// I just heard this here. The E-Free pastor said that mormons are polytheistic. They believe in God, the Cow, and Joseph of Arimathea. Current Mood: Pissed. Why shouldn't I be?

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January 21st, 2005

09:49 pm - a lack It is final. My first ever F for a semester. For that matter, my first ever lower than an A, but this one is special because it screams at me. It tries to be noticed, it wants me to move its top bar (of the F) and slant it down a little to make it into an A. My final grade ended up as 44% in the class, but who cares? Not me! I have a bad case of senioritis, and I'm not a senior. I can trace its origins back to Thanksgiving Break. It recently dawned on me that it doesn't matter at all; nothing matters. I publicly apologize for my inappropriate actions in APEC, 6th period. I started off on the wrong foot, and I kept going. I will furthermore carry out all behavior fitting a studious student. Congrats to Annie for getting Daddow's #1 romantic, Che Guevara. Good job. Current Mood: Yep Current Music: O Brother Where Art Thou?

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January 11th, 2005

09:00 pm - Two stories for today Simply two tales for the readers. Last saturday, a bunch of people got together from my church to go eat at Hickory Park. It was a very odd group, I must say, at least for me. With great fortune, I glimpsed Ashley Harding working there, and we embraced and caught up on everything. I can always count on her for a conversation, and I love that about her. Then, we went to eat and at first they put me in the aisle on a chair because I was group member #7. I felt like a toddler in a booster or something. Well, that got fixed and I was actually sitting in the booth, encroaching on Christina's bubble. Well, things basically got better as the night continued on for everyone. I was happy for that. Finally today, Tuesday, I had no finals. However, I went to school at about 8:30 because I wanted to do homework (but somehow did none). I vacillated for a while, and then I decided on playing piano in the chorus room. Regularly, I do that when I am pretty pissed at the world or when I am plain ole' bored at life. The night before, I downloaded 1000 Miles by Vanessa Carlton, so I decided to play that. I have a strange fondness for that song; listening, playing, singing are all surprisingly enjoyable. Eventually, I met Greg for our grand meeting with Ultimate Frisbee in the gym. I had this sweet block where I was sprinting and then I leaped through the air to smash the frisbee down, but then I rammed into the wall. The pain was worth it. Then, an old man (janitor variety) came in and shut the lights off on us and kicked us out. I got bored and went back to the chorus room to play piano again, and what happens? The piano is being used by Abby Gaul! She beckoned me within the chamber of a practice room to greet me. One thing led to another and...we started playing piano for each other for like two hours. I was really glad I had songs memorized. However, Abby is definitely way better than I am and she has a way better voice. We kinda lost track of time, and lost ourselves discussing piano and composers and playing Josh Groban and Ben Folds and Coldplay and Vanessa Carlton. Then, we started playing 1000 Miles at the synchronously. Somehow, being together, we were really comfortable and it didn't matter that we were the only ones inhabiting the chorus room. Current Mood: mystified Current Music: Fred Jones, pt. 2

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January 6th, 2005

05:55 pm - Two snow days in a row. That's dandy When was the last snow day before wednesday? I don't remember at all; it has been years. Folks, nothing much has happened. I went to Brighton's house and watched them blow up their ginger bread houses with fireworks. That was one of the best Sundays I have ever had in my life. I first went to Sean and Shannon's house and had lunch there. After that, went to go watch them blow things up. Then, went to Barrett and Tina's house for dinner. All three of those families are related, by the way. So anyway, that rocked because murdering things is fun. While chilling there, Sean asked me to run a marathon with him. I agreed of course, because I don't really know what I am getting in to here. The word "marathon" is so gentle. It hides the terrible fact that 26.2 miles will kill anyone. I can't wait to start training in February. So that is about it. Current Mood: full Current Music: Du Hast

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January 1st, 2005

07:27 pm - Enjoyable parties Yesterday, it is indubitable that it was New Year's Eve. I went to Andy Wass's party because that meant I avoided my family and my church's party. Well, my church's party isn't too bad; I mean Kim Sharp went absolutely hopping mad with it and I am totally down with that because he is great. However, there is an obsessive girl who is ominously approaching stalker proportions and I try to avoid her now. I ended up in Iain's car, guided towards Andy's house. He magically missed the correct turn off of Highway 69, so I had to play Fairie and direct Iain through the beastly gravel roads infested with mythical forest creations near Peterson Pits. When I am a Fairie, I am always right, and naturally we ended up at Andy's place where Iain decided to park in a ditch. We were one of the first ones there, and it filled up, reversing the laws of diffusion. In the basement alone, there were nearly eighty people. Folks, as we learned from the Great Gatsby, huge parties like that have an aura of privacy or seclusion. I felt exactly that as I only conversed with Iain and Brighton and a few others. So eventually we scrambled over to the Prabhu's residence due to the horrid cacophony of Ryan Pei's band at Wass's gym. I met almost all of my Honors English 10 buddies there and had a blast with Conan on the tube. It was hilarious because Iain was the only one who drove there, and everyone had to call their parents to get home. The night was well spent. Not much to say about Winter Formal except Sean Lou has some awesome dance moves (skills in general) and I practically ditched Tiffany, my date, the whole night. Oh and the German line dancing was amusing; I couldn't stop laughing at myself while I danced it. Congrats to Jenny Register and Lucas Warth for winning queen/king blah at the dance. Current Mood: Who knows? Current Music: Only in Dreams

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December 12th, 2004

06:01 pm - Tony and Anita are the bestest Went over to the Peterson's house last night. That was fun, but childish fun in a way. I always thought that I could go over whenever I felt like it. That isn't the case anymore, because they move away fairly soon. In 9 days. This gives me deep sorrow because they are perhaps the best friends that I currently have. I remember the good ole days when Tony was my sen-seh. I must have been about 13 years old then. I never realized how consummate he and his wife were until I found out they were leaving after Anita graduated. However, it was too late because they left our church and started attending another one, but we still kept intermittent contact. One time, we were talking and somehow they invited me over to their new apartment sometime. This was in maybe February of this year. So, we started hanging. I always went to their house because it woulda been a little weird for them to come over to mine. I helped them move all their stuff to their current apartment also. I was the only one, too, and we were working until about 2 AM. It became even more apparent that their departure was soon to approach. So, over the months and years, a certain connection has developed. I know that I feel a very strong sense of friendship, I hope they do too! So now, as I begin to cry because they depart on Monday (nine days) to be gone forever, I must give my deepest gratitude to them. The good times were unforgettable. Me despido de ustedes, ciao. Current Mood: Dejected Current Music: What is the point of music?

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November 30th, 2004

07:02 am - Turkies abounding I started off the glorious break with saving the world at 100th Green and some Napoleon Dynamite. Chantal was there at both events, lucky me, and so was Emily Moschini, lucky me. I was at the theater with Anita and Tony but I obviously got distracted by the major flux of junior population. Sean, Qi, Chantal, and Emily all basically showed up out of nowhere (the next room). Well, the reunion was sweet but short and just missing some Xin and Rummy. Well, after that it was back home to the pugnant and piquant smell of cigarette smoke. I hate my smoking extended family that had to show up at my house. I also found myself with oodles of time and finally dedicated it (with ceremony and all) to working on my Eagle Project and related items. Previously, I had the project and four merit-badges left. Now, I just have one more merit badge until I'm all finished. To my splendid fortune, Brighton's father graciously accepted the challenge of editing my paper. I finally got it back yesterday night, and it was completely covered in RED because of my inaccurate writing style. So break started off well, continued poorly and then finished MAL. BTW, I didn't open my backpack at all over break. That makes me happy because of my laziness. Current Mood: productive Current Music: Motion City

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November 22nd, 2004

06:52 am - Living History Farms RACE Folks, the greatest cross country race on the North American continent exists in our very own state of Iowa. This 10k race delivers all that it promises concerning the dirtiness factor. Here is an excerpt from the official website: Make the decision - to be a part of the most unique race in the Midwest. You must be ready to; climb fences, wade through creeks, avoid cows, pigs and deer, and claw your way to the top of gullies with over 4000 other runners of questionable senses. Its a great way to end the racing season and have some war stories to talk about all winter long. Be sure to bring a change of clothes and dress warm enough for the outdoors in November awards ceremony. Don't wear anything that you might want to keep. This race is a place to have a good dirty ole time! Laura Jean Clark was quite a meeker buddy and graciously allowed me to ride there with her and Hayley and her father. The ride there was rather uneventful, but when we finally got there, everything happened. Everything. Men even dressed as women in red dresses. Basically we ran together until Hayley became exhausted. Therefore, Laura Jean and I ditched her and kept running. At first the mud was very gradual, but then there was the tunnel that basically had a shallow lake in it. And then there were the mud pits. And then the first creek! Those things are the greatest because they are just wide enough that you can't jump all the way across. I tried to on the first one and almost made it, and I splashed the brown-black water up my face like a dirty Karl. So after that I stopped caring and just ran. We had to climb up immense sheer mud cliffs. We had to cross trecherous creeks. We had to surmount an endless hill, jumping over huge hay bails. At one creek, Laura Jean was in front of me, and we had to use a rope to reach the top of the 6 feet tall, slippery-from-mud, bank. So basically LJ stopped right in front of me while I was still standing in the semi-deep water. Ok move, LJ! My feet almost died of the ivory and azure coldness. We finished together after an awesome race. I loved it so much, and I am totally doing it next year. JOIN CROSS COUNTRY! I came, I saw, I conquered Current Mood: THE DIRTINESS! Current Music: Late for madrigal again

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