Part 1 -Remote Controls

Since moving into my new apartment, introducing new remotes to the room has been a major theme of our renovations. We’ve got the standard TV remote, blueray, dvd/amp, laptops, but we didn’t stop there. Our lights are on a remote controlled dimmer, and within the next couple of weeks, our blinds will be electronic as well.

While this might be the most convenient way to control everything (without excessive moving), it does have its shortcomings. For instance, when you’ve got half a dozen remotes in one room, one of them is ALWAYS missing! When you have to get out of bed to turn down the volume on a DVD title screen at 6 am, something is terribly wrong. Gotta consolidate these controls on one smart remote. If you have any suggestions, EMAIL ME ASAP!

Part 2 - Throw Away Your Bed!

The first day up at school, I determined that my bed was taking up valuable floor space…. so i got rid of it. It was promptly replaced with a premium futon and I’ve never looked back. It might not be the best thing for your back, but it does offer some great day-time lounging. Also, when fully deployed, the futon is a queen-sized “mattress” (dog-pillow).

The biggest drawback to sleeping on a futon every night, beyond the obvious spinal issues, is the filth. With people eating, drinking, and farting on your bed all day, it’s hardly the most sanitary living situation. Also, i keep a selection of blankets packed away during the day, and they collect more lint than a girth’s bellybutton.

Part 3 -10 O’Clock Is Power Hour

If there is one rule in my apartment that simply cannot be defied, it is that 10 pm (eastern time) is officially “power hour”. Unfamiliar with power hour? Well, go grab a couple cases of beer and a bunch of shot glasses, and get ready for the best pre-gaming experience since you discovered circle of death in high school.

Search “power hour” in youtube, and select one that contains your favorite musical genre. You can expect 60 separate, one-minute music video clips. Every time the music changes, you take a shot of beer. After the full hour (60 shots), each person should have consumed about seven cans of beer. It is simple, effective, and provides the structure that the average binge drinker requires to take their consumption to the next level.

* For the more experienced drinkers, do two back-to-back power hours (aka double trouble).

Part 4 - Working Hard

After weeks of chaos, I’m just now starting to get back into a real work day. Looking for some link exchanges, writing reviews, pretty much getting back on the grind.

1. Call Of Duty - WAW

This video game hardly even appeals to me any more after playing it so many times but once I get the controller in my hands, it can be hard to put down. For me, the key to avoiding this problem, much like a heroine addiction, is to keep my distance and to ignore the excuses like “just one more game”.

2. Sloth-like Behavior

Sometimes I’ll sit for hours and do nothing. Not reading, not watching TV or movies, not even talking. I’ll just sit there. Last weekend I got back from a 2 hour day trip and just sat silently for hours at Mike’s domicile. Weird, but largely due to laziness. Overcoming the laziness will also help me get more real work done, so it really is a two birds with one stone situation.

3. Ridiculous and Unsavory Behaviors

Some of the things I do in my daily life are totally beyond the bounds of normal human behavior. The majority of these behaviors are elaborate sabotages and pranks that in no way benefit me (beyond entertainment). I’ve spent countless hours messing with others and I finally outdid myself a few weeks ago by constructing a paper maché moose statue to insult my roommate (who I’ve dubbed ‘moose’). Below are some pictures of the moose which took 18 hours for Mike and I to build and paint. We even risked burning the building down by putting the moose parts in the oven to increase the rate of drying.

So in the end I want to get rid of all of my time wasting activities. This summer I won’t have the schoolwork to worry about so I can focus on working, working out/health, and the things that are really important to me.

My sobriety check (see below) has been avoided. Cheers!

Judging by my current stats, this is going to take some serious work (or luck) AND some of the big changes I plan on making won’t take effect until after my deadline.

Well not quite forever. So far in 2009 I went down to Nassau for the PCA and I dropped by London for CAP Euro. Sure its been fun but I drained the bank accounts and need to re-prioritize. That means I need to get back to work, and as I come across some more ‘cheds‘ I might have to do something responsible with them.

So I’m getting back to the basics and forcing myself to put in some hours, and no matter how much I’d rather be a college student drinking every night I’ve got to keep grinding. Have fun in Cancun bra’s, drink one for me, but I’ll be busy this spring break season.