Quitting Smoking
2 of my current exercises in self control / improving my quality of life are my health (exercise, eating right) and money (spending less, saving more). And I have come to the conclusion that the biggest target for both of these goals is my smoking habbit.
So, today I have launched an aggressive campaign to kick it for good. It’s something that has always been in the works, but has never been at the center of my focus.
In this effort, I will be tweeting my cigarettes. This will be done for 2 reasons. 1) it will show publicallly my habit, and in such a way, will force me to kick it for good so as to stop shedding the light on it. And 2) to include my support groups (twitter followers, facebook friends, etc) in my efforts.
Hopefully, this new “cigarette spam” will be short lived, and I will be better off for it. If you would like to track these efforts, simply follow me on twitter
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
Further conversation on de-friending
I know I’ve blogged on this topic before, but I can’t seem to find the original post at the moment.
What is the point of de-friending? I’ve maybe only done it once and it was right after I started playing Farmville when I added a bunch of people I didn’t know in order to get free gifts. I de-friended these people because I have no idea who they are, and I don’t want them accessing my private info. But other than that, I’ve never had the urge to de-friend someone I actually know. The closest thing would be not friending someone because I don’t know them that well.
At what point does someone say to themselves, “Hey, this jerk! DEFRIENDED!”? Is there something I’m missing here? I was kinda under the impression that a social netowork was about building a network of people you know, not de-friending people that you haven’t talked to in 2 months.
I probably don’t talk to 95% of my friends list on any kind of a regular basis, but that’s because the fact that we are in a network changes that. Just because I haven’t talked to someone doesn’t mean I can see whats going on in their life, that’s what the activity stream is for. It’s like we are talking, just not directly to each other. I can see that they got a new job, broke up, moved to a new town, and so forth. It’s passive conversation.
Nostalgia
What is is about the holidays that breaks our routine only to make us look through old photos and think of the past? When ever we are at my grandparents we always somehow get around to watching the old home movies of when I was little.
In my case, It’s always the past years online updates. This year I went through my old Xanga (it’s still online if you desire) and thought of all the good times that were behind those entries. Back when i used to document every aspect of my every day. Sure it was lame to do it back then but now I can relive those days.
Right now I’m at my uncle Robbies house, to whom we donated alot of our old furniture and my moms old Honda after the hurricane. Seeing all of these things is also bringing me back to the past. Especially going out to dinenr in the old minivan. I remember riding to school every day in that since the 7th grade.
I dunno, I’m kind of entertained by the past. Everytime I have these looks back I’d like to think how much I’ve grown as a person. When in reality I haven’t. I’ve just grown physically to some degree. But it’s still fun to see the old me in action, or at least his actions documented.
Do you guys do the same thing?
Which came first..?
The chicken or the egg? No, similar question though. I ask you which came first, lust or love? I’ll speak in terms of man and woman, but you can switch them around as you see fit.
If the story of Adam and Eve is correct, than it was god who told man to love woman, and thus love came first. But, if Mankind grew out of monkeys, than which came first? Obviously the insticts of animals that we still hold today are for the mother to protect it’s young and for man to further the species, and so forth. So if this is true, than lust came first? And if this is the case, where did love come from?
Is love an invention of man or is it a characteristic of man? Is it something that we posses and we gave a name to, or is it something that we talk about that maybe isn’t there? Can love exist without lust and vice-versa?
What is the science of love? Obviously we have cracked the science of lust. It’s a reaction of chemicals in the brain. And love is the same way is it not? But where is the line drawn? Is there a line? Is love a subset of lust or is it the other way around?
These are just stupid hypotheticals, but feel free to share your thoughts, I’d like to hear them.
A random update of sorts
So all this week I have been home all alone because my car was getting fixed. My mom and sister were in Syracuse, and I had no way of getting to work, so I had nothing but World of Warcraft, Kamen Rider, and my cigarettes to keep me sane. Finally got my car back today and it’s still acting up. Also, in the course of “fixing” it, my radio reset itself and now I can’t find the security code. Great.
I geeked out for a bit yesterday, and installed ubuntu on the broken PC. I love how linux handles the NIC flawlessly, while windows continues to not acknowledge it, even after running the driver install. Thanks Microsoft! Even got it to share the printer with my Macbook Pro, which is great!
Tonight was really the first social interaction I’ve had all week, which was interesting. Photo editing the yearbook will be kind of cool.
Tomorrow I am off to Atlanta for my cousin’s wedding. So follow me on twitter if you care about those kinds of things. By the way, if you don’t have a twitter account at this point (which means everyone but Elyse), then you are officially behind the times. Facebook and blogs are like so 2 years ago. Get with the times already!
I got the new Weezer CD today, along with the bonus tracks (not all of them, only the 4 US tracks and one of the UK tracks). I love how every time they make a new album, I am reminded of how hard they rock! I plan on listening to this while I wait for my plane tomorrow. Apparently they play around with roles in this, with Rivers playing drums on at least one of the songs. Should be interesting.
Other things? Kamen Rider Hibiki has changed my life. No really, it has struck me. I love how a dumb kids show from japan that revolves around transforming super heroes and fighting demons can have such a powerful message in between all that. I think it really has helped me with what I have been feeling lately. If you watch only one imported japanese tokusatsu series, make it hibiki.
What else? Call me sometime? I’m free most weekends, and usually bored. Need to see some old faces this summer
Summer Weather?
So last week I was wearing my sweatshirt while going on calls, and even inside during the day. Today I basically spent my entire day in doors working on club info calls, and was still annoyed by the sudden change in weather. First thing I did when I got home was changing into some gym shorts and taking off my shoes and socks.
What the hell? When did mother nature decide to suddenly change when we celebrate political holidays (Memorial day, Labor day)? I mean I love the summer weather, don’t get me wrong, but some gradual progression would be nice.
Oh and driving home into the thunderstorm that never happened was nice. It was like driving into the oblivion. Should have taken a moblog in retrospect 
Evangelion Rambeling
So I recently re watched all of the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV show (minus the last two episodes, ill go back and suffer through that later) and movies. This show was always a mind bender, but I’m trying to finally wrap my mind around the show’s concepts and story. What I am finding is really great.
The story really makes a lot more sense when you read some of the wikipedia pages. Honestly I wouldn’t have gotten this stuff on my own. Not to mention they go into detail about the religious inspirations and “The Hedgehog’s Dilemma“.
But I have a problem with these new movies. Basically they are re-telling the story of the original TV show, with a brand new animation cut into movie sized chunks. And after watching the first one I have to say, No. The animation looks sweet, and the fights look even more badass, but the story is just cut and shown so fast, that I dont think it can make an sense unless you really watched the TV show. And by that I mean like I did, just sit down and really grind this thing out. Not to mention that they butchered one of my favorite angel battles (the giant pyramid). It kind of works as a supplement to the TV show, but again they are differing from the original story in some places, as well as adding new characters and angels (not in this movie, but according to wikipedia they plan to). How does that work?
I still don’t get how the second impact is named as such. How the hell is the moon the first impact? There was no egg or angel right? WTF? And do the ever explain what SEELE and NERV stand for? Seriously, for every question you get answered about this show, there are like 10 more that go unexplained.
Bomb threat in the Student Center
As I am writing this, I am on the sidewalk with my back on Partridge Hall, live blogging this stupid bomb threat and living off of my cell phone for updates from my paper staff.
I know the police have to take these threats seriously, but this is just dumb. It’s either someone trying to get attention, or someone trying to get out of a final or a meeting. These things just inconvenience us all and waste the time and wear on the patience of law enforcement staff. They don’t want to play hall monitor to you and you don’t want to deal with it either.
Who ever is putting in these bogus threats I really hope you get caught and punished to the fullest extent. This is ridiculous.
An Open Letter To Movie Goers
Dear asshole in my peripheral vision,
Turn off your damn bluetooth headset. The blinking light is more annoying than if you were actually talking on it.
Dear bitch to my right,
Stop predicting plot twists and than bragging to your friends that you “told them so”. They can figure out the movie on their own.
Dear casual martial arts fan behind me.
Everyone knows about Drunken Master style. You aren’t anything special
Sincerly,
Matthew McCullough
Casual and Humble Movie Goer
RE: Montclair State Citadel Criticism
So I’ve been receiving a lot of flack about my last entry. Unfortunately most of it is about the composition of the pictures, instead of the content. Yes they are over exposed. With all the excitement of the day, and everything, I forgot to take the ISO down from 1600. I can bring the shadows out in photoshop before they go into the paper, but yes, it was bad photography. I admit it, so you can all eat my shorts now. Hindsight is 20/20 folks.
The entry was merely my take on the whole situation. Yes it was excessive, but if they were really expecting something (and not just showing up for time and a half pay) they should have been guarding the 2 entrances that I was able to “infiltrate” successfully. Nobody will ever announce their attack on a school like this. VT was a complete surprise, and so was Columbine and everything else. I really think this was more of a show for the media, than an actual lockdown of campus.
I should have been a primary suspect, because I have a class in the room that the note was left in. So why wasn’t I searched, and why was I able to walk off of campus and back on again with no body stopping me? And the campus IDs don’t mean shit from a glance. They stopped putting the semester stickers on them a few years ago, so now you can’t even tell if the person is a valid student or not. My ID is the same one I first got 4 years ago, who is to say that I haven’t graduated already and was coming back to extract revenge?
Bottom line is, yes it was a lot of force and a lot of guns for a very uneventful day. But the administration knows the campus map just as well as us undergrads, and yet I was able to find big gaping holes in the “stepped up” security. It shouldn’t have happened.
Messing around with HDR
So it dawned on me today that I should try out HDR photography, because apparently it’s very easy, and the results are fantastic.
I didn’t have my tripod in the office, so I just went out to Bobby’s desk and took 3 shots. Here is the after:
I think I could definitely have some fun with it once I learn all the settings.
Reggie & The Full Effect – Congratulations Smack and Katy
Girl, where’s your head full of lead?
Can’t you see what you’re doing to me?
Wipe that disgrace off your face
Look and see what you’ve done to me
Girl, you look bored
I wish everything about the danger wouldn’t make you such a stranger
So what’s the deal?
Don’t you feel what i’m dealing with?
But it’s alright
Girl, come on, I’ll show you how to deal with this.
But not tonight cause…
Girl, you look bored
I wish everything about the danger wouldn’t make you such a stranger
Hold me so close
I can tell you have the best intentions, one of those simple inventions
Never a dull situation, we could just stay on vacation
Never start an argument with you
Something I won’t do
Girl, you look bored
I wish everything about the danger wouldn’t make you such a stranger
Hold me so close
I can tell you have the best intentions, one of those simple inventions
Now that I have your attention
First Impressions of the new Rec Center
So after 3 years of construction, the new Rec Center is finally open as of yesterday. I went last night to do some cardio, and check the place out. Honestly, my first impression was that it reminded me of Project Graduation, which was at Fairleigh Dickinson Madison’s Rec Center.
The facility is very nice, and comfortable, which is a welcome change from working out in Panzer, which reminded me of my high school weight room. Seriously, the second largest school in New Jersey shouldn’t be similar to my small town’s high school weight room. So this is a very welcome change.
There’s a whole lot of machines, which is a great improvement from 3 treadmills in Panzer. My first complaint however is the lack of televisions. I distinctly remember being promised at least 9 plasma screens with wireless headsets. I don’t necessarily need them in order to workout, but with a busted ipod that I can’t use, I was kind of hoping to be able to watch something while I was working out.
My major concern however is of course, vandalism. It’s only a matter of time before people start stealing the free towels, and wipe down bottles, making the gym experience crappier for the rest of us. And I expect to see the number of police reports containing the words “stolen from an unsecured locker in the rec center” to skyrocket.
But really, it’s a place that I can definitely see myself spending a lot more time in once I get a gym bag together. Which is probably better than spending my off time playing WOW in the Montclarion office.
An open letter to all who use the University Hall main elevators
The main elevators in University Hall run from floors 1 – 7. The main staircase runs from floors 1 – 4. Why is it that some people see the need to take the elevator from 1 – 2? Seriously? It’s one floor. There’s even a landing on the main staircase halfway up, so you can catch your breath. 3 and up I can understand, that’s a lot of stairs, but 1 – 2? COME ON!
I mean, if you have a broken leg, or a rolling backpack, I can understand. But half the time I see people who are perfectly capable of climbing stairs just waiting at the elevators, only to take them one story up! I mean I tend to be a lazy guy, but I know when it’s appropriate to take the elevator, and when it’s not.
Also, why is it that some people wait like 3 minutes for an elevator to take it 5 – 4? Or 5 – 3 even? Gravity is working with you people! Going down the stairs is just like walking, only when you are done, you’ve descended in vertical space!
The Rec Center
“
Monday, March 24th at 8:00 AM!!
We greatly appreciate your patience, and we’re sure you will find it all worth the wait! We’ll need your continued patience as we get up and rolling because we are not going to have a break-in period. That’s because we didn’t want you to wait another day longer than necessary to use the facility.
The highlights of the recreation center include two stories of fitness and weight training equipment, a pool, two racquetball courts, main and auxiliary gyms, and plenty of room to relax before or after a workout or between classes. Access to the center is free to all current students with a valid ID.
There are a few things that won’t be available right away (we are still waiting for clearances on the pool and the snack bar) but most of the building will be open and waiting for you to come over and have a good time.
So bring your MSU ID and all your energy and take a tour of the building this week!”
So I’m thinking tomorrow night when I get out class at 8. I’m going to go on a health spree these last 2 months, and the rec center is only going to help. Anyone else interested in getting a schedule going?
The beggining of spring, the end of break
As I came home tonight, I lit my cigarette and had some time to meditate. I realized that tonight, my break had climaxed, and that it was time to go back to school tomorrow. And I think for the first time in a while, I enjoyed my break fully. I remember the last few times I just came home and hung out with mike the whole time. We would spend the whole time getting high off of soda and Dominos and playing video games all week.
But then as I paced my street I began to realize how much my neighborhood has changed. I remember when we used to have bike races on my street. I had courses planned in my head and everything. I remember building sweet ass bike ramps while we blasted The Offspring. Yeah we were badasses.
I remember when the Cambel-Massa’s lived across the street with me. The one kid was a punk but it was still cool to hang out with him at recess and whatever. I remember when we used to play touch football and half court basketball. Holy shit, butts up anyone?
I remember when instead of the Grants living there, it was a family with the last name “Gaylords”. They had a little pug that they would tie to the tree and we would always go over and play with it. I remember when Mark Demillio was my best friend, and we would always hang out after school and play Ken Griffy Jr. Baseball on SNES. I remember when Goldeneye was the must have multiplayer title.
And then I put out my cigarette and came inside. Times change I guess, but I have to admit those were some good days my friends.
Tonight kicked ass.
A small thought about Self-Image
Your friends love you for who you are, not how you look.
Who gives a shit about what the rest of the world thinks?
The beast and his mane
I can pinpoint my last haircut sometime between 4/16/06 and 5/1/06. I can tell because my flickr photo stream has me going from this: 
to this: 
.
And as of now, it has grown to this: 
It has become a part of my Identity. People tell me all the time they can recognize me because of my hair. I grew it out because I liked the look, and wanted to see how long I could grow it. But lately it’s been getting to be a hassle. It gets in my pictures for the newspaper, it obstructs my view when I work on computers, and overall is a giant hassle (and putting it up isn’t an option, I’m sorry).
So I am letting you, my friends, decide. Should I go back to the crew cut? Cast your vote before Wednesday at 6pm and watch the results live right here at 8 pm. Email votes to MSUfeature at Gmail dot com with the subject Lunchbox poll vote.
So Strange I Remember You
so strange I remember you in protest of a prayer
and falling back from seas we fear to sail
I swear I saw the shooter, gold deep and double dare
postmortem warnings seem inclined to fail
feigning an apology
those words they never left your lips
those 5 years in Bermuda slide by like the lights of passing ships
so strange that I remember you
knee deep in Nietzsche’s lies
my throat was an open grave I drank your stained glass eyes
and they taste like dead cathedrals
that are crumbling beneath a weight ten thousand jaded tourists
who’ve traded in their hearts and hands for
disposable cameras, set to document decay
set to capture just enough of life to catalogue the things we throw away
breathing the fumes of our machines
we’ve lost our way
breathing through television dreams
if we could only see us now
if we could only see us now
the words of the dead ring in our ears
but its only a lie
the voice in your head brings you to tears
but you don’t know why
the words of the dead in our ears
but its only a lie
the voice in your head brings you tears
but its only a lie
yes its only a lie
isn’t it?
2008 Resolutions
- Lose Weight
- Diet
- Cutting back on Dairy (NO butter, less milk and cheese)
- Less fried food
- Less drinking, more water
- Exercise
- Perfect Pushups (Been pretty steady with that lately)
- Ab workouts
- Cardio (Definitely been slacking)
- Diet
- Save money
- Buy less every week
- Hound people who owe me money
- More self confidence
- Do better in school
Happy New Year!
My Portfolio & Why flickr is a Must for Photographers
Tonight I finally went through all 15000+ of my pictures and picked out the best to make my portfolio. Even if photography isn’t something I get into, it’s probably a good idea to have it anyways. But the reason I blog about it is because it took very little effort.
While it’s still a work in progress, it took almost no effort to go through 15000 pictures and put them into a portfolio set. And I dont have to re upload them or anything. The existing photos are just placed in a new container. Everything is always online, the beauty of flickr.
Check out my portfolio here.
My newfound love for photography
Last week I was in Washington D.C. with The Montclarion as part of the annual Collegiate Media Convention. I took alot of classes here and there, but I really took alot away from it that I can use with my Photography.
There was a really interesting freelance class that has changed how I think about taking pictures for people. And the Sports photography class was great as well. It’s gotten me to get really creative with my photography now, instead of leaving it all to automatic sensors. Not to mention all the cool stuff I took away from the Adobe sessions. Lightroom might just be my new best friend.
The true reason for Folding
I used to always leave my computer on over night just to have my IM away message up so that I would catch any messages people tried to send me. But of course, it never happened, and I would feal guilty for wasing all that power it took to run my computer while doing absolutely nothing with it.
But, with Folding@Home, not only do I feel great knowing that my cycles are helping valuable research, I can leave my computer on guilt free, knowing that my power consumption is for the greater good.
Thanks Folding, for enabling my internet addiction!
100 reasons why Agnosticism is right!
100 Reasons why evolution is so stupid
I found this video on digg. basically the guy goes through evolution and the big bang and points out some errors in them. Which is fine, because nobody ever said it was truth. but he then makes the logical fallacy of concluding that because the current theory of evolution is wrong, the bible must be right.
Let me say right here. There are no answers on this planet for you if you are looking for universal truth. Nobody knows anything, and our theories are just as good as they were 2000+ years ago (Christianity). Mankind will probably never know for sure what the universal truth is.
The only answers you will find are those that require you to believe (religion) and therefore cannot be proven with logic.
