The New Generation

Episode 29: vs the Traditional.
Hey everyone! It's almost been a month since I've posted here... I've been more busy then ever and it's finally slowed down! I feel really disconnected from you guys since my birthday, I haven't even talked to Andrew in a minute. But I don't feel too bad, it seems like everyone has been a little busy since nothings going down on LAMATB. I hope to catch up with everyone soon! Anyways, I just my Absentee Ballot in the Mail yesterday, and I'm about to vote right now! I hope you all are voting too.

This post is about our schools slow but huge construction project switch from a Commuter to a much less commuter school(although the hours for the cafeteria are set up more for commuters then ever which makes me mad). So I talked to someone high up named Billy Cook about it, who explained the switch. She said it was because of the new Generation of students bring everything with them...


Traditional Student: Comes to school for the purpose of going to school.
New Student: Tries to bring everything with them, there car, cell phones, jobs, etc.
Schools Solution: Build "The Village" area, which provides a lot more things to do and more places to eat on campus, also provides many more on campus student jobs.

Traditional Student: Goes to undergraduate college for 4 years.
New Student: Today's students mostly finish in 5-6years, a surprising number of them switching majors as well.
Schools Solution: Build a ton of new dorms in combination with the village. This way, people can be on campus and stay on campus. The traditional student came to ODU just to go to school and get finished in 4 years. The school is trying to help students focus more on school while accommodating to there new style.

Traditional Student: Had parties and events on campus.
New Student: Travels to other colleges on major holidays and weekends. Alot of people even just go home on weekends.
Schools Solution: Construction of the football field for our 09' football team, and more campus sponsored events from our Student Activities Council. This should hopefully keep things more at home so students don't have to go to other colleges or home to find where the parties at, we can have a good time at ODU!

I really hope some of these things work, so even I can be more focused at school. I also hope the football team keeps kids from going to other colleges or home on the weekends, cause it does really get dead around here some weekends because so many people leave...
But anyways, this is what our school is doing to become one of the most baller schools in VA!
~Andy

Late Night Ramblings...

Number 6: Is Number 6.

So I'm kinda mad at myself for not keeping up with this blog! XD
I had a list of topics I was going to talk about, and when I was going to post them... I should have been though like 2, almost 3 more by now.

But it has been an extremely boring evening, so I've just been doing a ton of stuff from chatting with a ton of people on AIM, surfing facebook, and watching more stuff on YouTube. And now I thought I'd be a little more in the mood for writing about whats been going down at ODU lately.

1. Me/Class-Related
I've been chill. I really like my Public Speaking class. I can't wait to give my speech on how to play Texas Hold Em! Other people have messed up but I really think I'm gonna crush them. Some people have been really funny. XD
Physics has been a real pain in the ass though. And Math and Accounting are going alright.
I've also been walking around with a toothpick in my mouth more often. It's not because I'm trying too look foolish or cool or anything like that, it just makes me feel better. Like, chilling with a toothpick makes me feel cool and relaxed and carefree(or it might just have to do with him having a box of 1000 and not knowing what else to do with them XD). I've also been seeing this girl named Jessica from my Public Speaking class. We might even be going to dinner this weekend. But I still don't know what I'm gonna do about that. So confused. I've also been obsessed with rapper Notorious BIG lately. I'm always listening to his songs, they are so chill and how he tells storys are so good! But a lot of my friends are Tupac fans so I'm always defending myself... :P

2. School-related.
I've been really interested lately in all of the changes and efforts happening at ODU... like we have football coming, like a few new dorms coming(some kids are living at the Sheraton right now curtsy of ODU since one of the buildings wasn't finished on time), and a ton of other new stuff on campus that students need. I actually became really interested, and was able to find out someone who was able to answer my inquiry about why we were increasing the school size and putting more stuff on campus. Her name is Billy Cook, shes an academic access advisor that explained why they were doing it. A) They are trying to make it a little less of a commuter school and B)She explained in detail about today's students and traditional old school students. It was really interesting. I will definitely have a post about that soon.

Anyways, thanks for killing some of my boredom blog! :P
Peace everyone.
~Andy

Confidence

Number 30: Theories on Confidence
So as I rolled back to ODU this semester, I feel like a slightly different person. I have definitely been making more female friends this semester, which makes a nicer balance instead of just having a bunch of male friends. I couldn't really figure out why at first, because the only thing different about last year and this year is that I have longer hair now. My roommate David noticed also, but thought that the hair wasn't it. "You know what else you're doing this semester that you didn't do last semester?" "No, whats that?" "You drink a glass of milk every time we go to the cafeteria, I think that's it man." So, my love of milk is bringing me more attention? I don't think so. But David does, he now also drinks at least one glass of milk every time we eat. :P
Anyhow, I think it's confidence. I have just been talking to them like I would anyone else, and it really works. I think it just took me time to realize that this isn't high school, and messing up wouldn't knock other girls out. They don't seem to gossip as much here, and there are so many more to choose from. So it has been easier for me and it's working. I know it's easier said then done, but if you're a girl or guy looking to talk to someone, just do it! It's surprising how cool it works.

However.....

Confidence comes with responsibility. There are already 2 girls that like me right now for some reason, one of them quite a lot. I just got back to college, and so I'm not really sure what I'm looking for right now. I didn't really expect this to happen and I don't know what I want. Well actually... I know exactly what I want, but it's probably not going to happen, putting me back in this unsure position. But I digress, wouldn't want this to become an emo post. Anyways, just be careful to not get ahead of yourself, because if your just discovering confidence for the first time, it can be really hard to manage. Also, don't be too confident. There are a few girls and guys that like that, but it doesn't work that much.
So, just simply talk to them and see what happens. You could make an awesome new friend!
Good luck!
~Andy

Rap Has Returned?

Number 29: But Not For Long...
I have been listening to Rap music for a while now. It's not my favorite Genre of music, but it's all my brother listens too and some of the beats and personalities really get to me. However, I'm excited about 2010. Every 10 years, the main Genre of music seems to change. First there was Rock and Roll, then there was Disco, then there was Pop, then Dance, then Hip-Hop today. I am a little worried about Rap staying around forever and continuing to be the forefront of music; I hope it doesn't. My concern arises because Rap and Hip-Hop died a few years ago. They ran out of ideas, still sing about the same thing, sample anything they can because they don't have there own ideas, and Soulja Boy invented nonsensical rap, yet people still continue to listen to this trash. And when I'm talking about rap returning I'm not talking about Jay-Z's new album or the way Overrated Lil' Wayne. I'm talking about a few artists in the game I still respect as well as the ultimate rapper.
~Andy

#1: The Cool Kids
-Why They're awesome: These two guys met each other on Myspace, one a rapper, one a beat maker. They have great lyrics that sound gangsta, but aren't at all! They are also trying to bring the old school style of music back.
-The Music: They have a song called "A little Bit Cooler" where they rap about liking things like playing there Sega, and eating Fruity Pebbles and how there still cooler then all of the gangsters out there. The chorus is them mocking a gangster guy asking questions like "Does that belt say Star Wars? Where your stunna shades at? Why your jeans ain't saggin'?" And there response? "I'm cooler then that guy." They also have a popular song called "'88" And it's all about bringing back the year 1988. Rapping about the year I was born is legit in my book.
"[From Verse 1]So I'm sitting on the couch, holding the remote, Flipping channels. I'm a rebel, eating a bowl Of them fruity pebbles, fruity pebbles, fruity pebbles; How gangsta is that? Not gangsta at all! Aw you judging me dog? [From Verse 2] I'm in the crib, Saturday night, with my sega, thass right, Playing a game of that street fighter, street fighter, street fighter... I guess that makes you think you cooler then me, But any girl you can pull I can pull em with ease"
~The Cool Kids

-Downfall: They follow the old school style a little too much, including there beats. I don't know if you know anything about Old School Rap, but the lyrics were awesome and the beats we're wack. If your used to Timbaland then there beats might be hard to follow.

#2: Devin The Dude
-Why He's Awesome: He is an emerging underground with hilarious raps and also raps with really smooth and relaxing/enjoyable beats. He is also a good lyricist.
-The Music: His music is awesome. Look at Any of his songs on YouTube and you will see that everyone comments on how awesome he is. Almost no haters! It's also funny. He has one song where he pretends to be an Alien named Zeldar from the planet Beldar. He also has one where he pretends to be himself and a redneck where the redneck walks in on Devin recording a new song and finally convinces Devin to join in before they start hitting verses. He also has songs where the beat is smooth and relaxing, yet still extremely listenable and not dumb.

-Downfall: He is a Weed Smoker, so unfortunately he talks about or references it in almost every song. But I'm more of a person who likes beats over lyrics, so I don't really pay attention to it anyways.

#3: Will Smith (lol)
-Why he's Awesome: Is an amazing person, has amazing talent, and never cusses in his songs. He has amazing beats, talks about how wack today's rappers are, and keeps his trashing of women to low or none.
-The Music: Fresh Prince, Miami, Gettin Jiggy With It, Men In Black, Wild Wild West, Boom! Shake the Room, Switch, Party Starter, the list goes on and on.....

-Downfall: Nothing. He is the perfect rapper. Unless you like talking about hoes, money, and cars that is.

Get off the Train!

Number 28: Ego
I'm glad I haven't run into that many people with a huge ego in person. It's just like someone who is no game all talk; and I really don't like it or see the point of it. There are 2 types of Ego; real, and online. Either way it doesn't help anyone.

I can't stand people who have ego in real life. There is almost no situation that requires you to have an ego. I prefer not to brag, and if the time comes, I'll let my actions speak for themselves; not my words. There are all these dudes who claim "yeah I could be with so many girls right now" or "I know I'm the shit" or "Man, you are easy to me." Well then show us already! Because I haven't seen anything. It's even more unfortunate for the people who can back up there talk. For example, Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens has a huge ego, but his football game is good enough to back up his talk. Now however, all you're left with is a self-centered person who not many people like anymore and has done nothing but bring trouble for his coach and his teammates, causing him to switch to many different teams. If ego is your thing or your a fan of it, maybe you should reconsider.

Online ego is ridiculous. This is for people who, in real life, are either made fun of themselves, or wish they could do the same thing in real life. Why would you ever want to taunt people or use bad language to try and make people think you're cool? This just makes no sense and is a complete waste of time. Just even looking at the comments on YouTube video's can show you how many stupid people there really are.

"I shoot the wings off your ego, and watch you skydive."
~Pharell Williams

In early high school some people might have thought I had a bit of one, because I had this personality where I pretended to be cool. However, people who knew me or met me knew it wasn't real and knew that I knew a lot of the things I claimed weren't true or a joke. But I really pushed away from all that. I'm just trying to be me, Andy Hulme, someone who's cool, reliable, and fun to hang with. I really hope that's how I'm seen or can be seen someday... because there is just no place for ego around here.
~Andy

Realizing Restart.

Number 5: Back at ODU
It feels good to be back at ODU. Really good. I'm finally back and settling down in my new apartment and have been to all of my classes at least once. I hope to get back into the swing of things and start posting once or twice a week about random stuff. :P I just wanted to write about what was going on in my life again because I wanted to write about what I've realized about how interesting college is(and whats a little different)!

Food: I can now cook my own food. I still have a meal plan, but it's really exciting to know that I can throw on some Popcorn Chicken(my favorite) or a pizza or make a PB and J. Speaking of PB&J's, I have made quite a few of them lately, but I decided to go for the "Extra Crunchy" PB instead of the "Creamy" everyone is always raving about. Extra Crunchy wins hands down. I'm obsessed, and already need to buy a new jar. XD

Classes: I'm really excited about my classes next year. I am switching my major to marketing, but marketing only has 300 and 400 level courses. So you have to take certain classes and then apply to the college of Business and take the marketing courses your last 2 years if accepted. So I'm in Accounting 201; it seems interesting, and the teachers cool, but I have a feeling that once we start expanding the class it will mostly involve tricky definition memorization.
I'm in Public Speaking; I already know it's not going to be my favorite class, but I am still excited about learning everything I can from it, because that's a crucial skill.
I'm also doing Math, Physics, and all that other stuff.

Friends/Roommates: We have 4 people in the apartment, 2 bedrooms. My friend from last year, David and I, live in one of the rooms. The other guys are cool. It's kinda awkward making small talk with them sometimes; but one of them just hangs out, is a pretty good cook, and is joining the national guard. The other, I almost never see around the apartment. I have met a few new people because of them, but I've mostly just rejoined with my old crew. We always get together and hang out(and a lot of us live at the Powhatan Apts). But I've been thinking about doing what I do in Herndon and try to just go out and meet a ton of new people and chill with different groups, but I actually don't want to down here. I'm pretty content with the people I hang out with and don't really need anyone else yet. XD

Games: We have wired AND wireless in our apartment! I wasn't able to play GunZ last year because it only works on ODU's wireless system for some reason. But since I have both I can now play! (haha and thats probably not a good thing) Then there's Brawl. We've actually played that a little bit and I've figured out that ZELDA is a beast. She's one of my new mains, and has almost no moves that aren't badass. I'm really excited about getting good with her, and someday putting her in the leet lvl with Lucario. I've been playing SSX Tricky a little(since I got it for 3 bucks right before going back) but haven't really had the time.

So thats whats been going on around here. I hope everyone else at college is having a good time. But what is everyones college address? I'd most definitely be willing to start writing some college to college letters!
Here's mine:
4701 Powhatan Ave, Apt. KK4; Norfolk, VA; 23508
~Andy

The End Is Here.

Episode 4: And Maybe Now is the Time
This summer has been my kinda summer. Halfway through, especially the month of August, was not nearly as good as I had hoped, but it was still an awesome summer.

Why? Because I accomplished quite a bit. And I'm a secret fan of some of the drama that goes on around here, and we had a lot. And I met new people. And I did a lot of things I don't usually do. And I've had a lot of surprising information dumped on me from time to time. And I saw a ton of my friends. But that all said and done, I think now is the time to go back. The summer seemed the perfect length, with maybe a little bit too much rush in August. Had it lasted any longer, it would have been too hard to leave again!

But it seriously has been a great experience. From going on Picnics, to seeing a few college friends, to getting a girlfriend, to playing some Brawl, to going Ice Skating w/Anna, to going to VA beach w/Everyone, to playing Carcassone, to meeting new people, to going to Six Flags and seeing Flo Rida w/Lori, to getting a cool job, to renewing my relationship with my brother, to playing Frisbee w/Matt, to late night talks, to crazy drama. XD! Sorry for that ridiculously long and incorrect(structure-wise) sentence.

And even though our "Band" didn't get off the ground, I'm still glad I was able to record another song right before going back. And remember the promise people, we are going to complete one song together over Christmas brake!

I'm not saying my mind is completely free from everything that happened this summer, there are some things still at the back of my mind. Even in this last week alone crazier things have happened that can be hard to let go! But I am ready to go back almost. And this last week has given me so many ideas of things to write about, from music to confidence to other subjects. It will be nice to return to my old blog style where I wrote about topics and gave my opinion on how "Andy Hulme" sees them. So I hope you guys remember the name, we will all still be in touch I'm sure, and I'm surely hoping to make a few visits to other colleges this year.
Good luck everyone!
~Andy