MMMBop, ba dubi dop ba doo bop, ba ba du

As I sat down to write this blog I the song “MmmBop” by Hanson came on the radio. It was followed up by Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and then numerous memories of the past. It is amazing how a song can bring up specific memories in time from our past.

“MmmBop” was a huge hit “back in the day” when I was 15 and a freshman in high school. At that time, my brother was a senior in high school and fortunately, he let younger brother hang out with him and his friends every once and awhile. I would remember “cruising” around town in the Grand Am, or in his friends Reliant K car. Over the radio a “MmmBop” or two could be heard while extreme car dancing commenced. We had to keep our ‘cool’ status so we didn’t ever tell anybody we actually liked the song, but deep down in side, we knew we did! Summer cruising with my older bother, one memory that comes with the beat of the drums and 3 adolescent boys singin’ in harmony!

“Free Fallin’”, what does that mean to you? To me, it means remembering the time that I “just HAD to have a guitar”. Not only would it bring me fame, money, and of course, women, it would boost me into Harlan Community High School lore. Well, it didn’t really turn out that way. Instead, I found that learning how to play guitar isn’t as easy as Esteban makes it look on the Home Shopping Network. I couldn’t even grow the perfectly manicured finger nails to pluck to strings like the guitar master himself. Each time I hear the song “Free Fallin’”, I look back and remember playing a few riffs on the guitars that now collect dust on my wall between use.

There are many songs that remind me of my years as a Simpson student. My first roommate could attest to this next one. “Shaniqua (don’t live hear no’ mo’)” was a huge hit, at least in my mind. During move-in day my first year on campus I did not only play the song a billion-kagillion times, I played it at a billion-kagillion decibels!

The chorus of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi was a so-called theme song for my fraternity. Each dance we held always contained the rock tune which was sung/screamed by each member. Just this past month I found myself being tossed in the air at my wedding reception by my fraternity brothers to the sound of Richie Sambora and Bon Jovi doing their thing.

“The Red and the Gold” is another song that takes me back to my college years. It can be heard at numerous Simpson events. The lyrics say it all! Take a listen for yourself at: http://www.simpson.edu/library/research/redgoldsong.html . It is basically a song of pride and remembrance of the 4 great years spent as a Simpson student. Each time I hear the familiar tune, it is hard not to smile and go back to those days!

What songs have you lived your life to? Maybe “The Red and the Gold” will become part of your life as well. Heck, I think I might have to go out and by a soundtrack to my life-it doesn’t look to bad!

GO STORM!

Andy

Gobble Gobble, Turkey Makes Me Wobble-My First “married” Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but it won’t be soon forgotten. Why? Because this was my first holiday as a married man. (to check out more pictures of the wedding visit http://www.reflectingstone.com/slideshow-english.html ). There is always something about “the first” that makes it special. A child’s “first” step, “first” word, or “first day of school” are all milestones, just as this Thanksgiving is a milestone for both Erin and me. Think of some of the “firsts” in your life-typically they will conjure up a good laugh, a tear, or even a knee-slappin’ laugh until you cry moment.

One of my “firsts” that brings about the latter would be the first time that I drove a go-cart. You would think that a guy that loves NASCAR as much as me would be pretty good behind the wheel of one of these 50 CC karts. Oh, but not this guy. After taking a corner a little too sharp and cutting off my brother, he spun me, knocking my wheel off and sending me into the wall. After another small accident with a golf cart (the bridge jumped right out in front of me-I swear!), I earned the nickname “Crash”. I guess there is a first time for everything, hopefully in the crash department, it will be the last!

Well, I best get back to Thanksgiving and the wonderful time that Erin and I had together during our first holiday as a married couple. We started with a Thanksgiving feast for just the two of us. Erin cooked all day long and we had a wonderful spread of food. It could have fed 10 people…literally! We had a GOOD sized turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, stuffing, watergate salad, cheese and crackers, and even pumpkin pie for desert. The meal was delicious and I left the table wobblin’ from all of the turkey and fixings that I decided had to be eaten!

This did not deter me from gorging myself at our 2nd Thanksgiving, or our 3rd. It is a strange thing really. You know when to stop and feel great, but you just can’t do it. I guess a few extra pounds aren’t all that bad. Winter is approaching quickly, and who knows when you will get stuck in a sub-artic winter storm and have to survive on your body-heat. You put me up against a 150 pound stick-person; I’ll be nice and toasty while skinny over there freezes his little-self away. A second great reason for not caring about those extra few pounds…The Simpson basketball season is now in full swing. Those bleachers can get a tad uncomfortable if you don’t have some padding if you know what I mean! And the third reason, I can use a heavier bowling ball now! I went bowling with Erin, my brother, my sister-in-law, and my brother’s in-laws and I found the pins have a bit more action when you are wielding a 13 pound ball instead of an 8 pound “house ball” that I used back in the day! We had an absolute blast and I didn’t do all that shabby.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did. I may have gained a few pounds, but heck, it has some great advantages. Now I can’t wait for the Christmas feasts!

GO STORM-

Andy

Yea Mon, No Problem

Hey everyone! I’m back and better than ever. I am now “hitched” and had a wonderful honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The beaches were beautiful and the food and travels were great. Best of all, I had a relaxing week with my WIFE. Everything was “irie”, which is a Jamaican descriptive word for the feeling of perfection in the world.

When we were in Jamaica we met some great people. Two staff members at the hotel, Javed and Othneil were incredible and more than happy to lend a helping hand and give us suggestions of things to do around the resort and island. They had a wonderful outlook on life and it made you realize that money was not the center of the world. Instead, they believed in loving one another and enjoying what they had been given. Othneil’s smile and Javed’s humor will not soon be forgotten!

Although we had such a great time in Jamaica, it was nice to be back in Iowa as well. We missed our friends, families, co-workers, not to mention THE FOOD! The familiar faces and places welcomed us and we realized that you do not need beautiful beaches, fine dining, waterfalls, and tropical sunsets. Instead, we realized what our Jamaican friends had taught us, to enjoy the beauty of what we have.

Each place is great in its own way. Iowa is a great place to live with great people. Simpson is the same way. I am back home, and ready to help some of the best students around realize why Simpson is right for them!

Hopefully I will be posting some more wedding pictures and honeymoon pictures soon-so check back!

GO STORM

Andy

Going to the chapel and we’re, gonna get married

For all of you avid readers, I am sorry that it has been so long between posts. I have a great excuse though…WEDDING PLANNING! My wedding is this coming Saturday and I am VERY excited. The wedding will be on Simpson’s campus in the beautiful Smith Chapel.

With a wedding comes planning, and boy have we planned. We have everything in place for a wonderful day and although it has been a lot of work and effort, it will be worth every ribbon tied, and invite envelope licked.

A part of the day that I am really looking forward to is seeing all of our friends. Many of these friends are graduates of Simpson College as well, and it makes me think about how many great times I had during my years at SC. Those friends haven’t been lost, or forgotten, but remain as part of my life, and now Erin’s life too. You will make lifelong friends in college, and the friends I have made at Simpson have helped me become who I am today.

What a wonderful day is upcoming. I get to dedicate my life to the woman that I love in the presence of family and friends.

I’ll be unable to blog for about a week and a half, but bear with me as I am sure that I’ll have some great new material after my trip to Jamaica with my WIFE!

GO STORM-

Andy

Back in the day...

“Back in the day, I remember…”

I CAN’T BELIEVE I SAID THAT!

So there I was at the Subway in Sioux Center after a day of visiting high schools. A young boy was ordering ahead of me and when I rattled off my order of “footlong spicy Italian on white with double American cheese”, he turned to me and said, “man, you must eat at Subway a lot!”

“Well, I do eat at Subway a lot” I responded, “but I also worked there when I was in high school and college.”

The woman making my sandwich started talking to me about when I had worked at Subway and then it came out. The “back in my day (I am officially getting old)” saying. I mentioned that when I had started working at Subway we didn’t have pizzas, no special sauces, the choice of white or wheat bread, and BMT’s that had bologna on them and came pre-made on a sheet of deli paper. Nobody cared about how many grams of fat were in their subs. They cared about them tasting good.

I look back and think that it wasn’t that long ago. I applied to work at Subway on my 16th birthday, only 9 years ago. Times are changing quick, and these changes are offering more options, but they also complicate the process. It made me think about how some of the things that people, and myself, enjoy the most are the simple things in life. A picnic with a sandwich, a bag of chips, and some Coke-pretty simple, and a lot of fun! A cold glass of iced tea and a bologna sandwich after mowing the lawn on a hot day-very easy, yet very nice and refreshing. A warm cup of coffee on a cold winter morning. Very simple, very comforting.

In today’s world, the picnic would include sushi and 5 courses. The iced tea would be one of 50 different flavorful choices, and the coffee was probably bought at a store where the beans are only found in only the remote and special areas of the world (AKA a 5 dollar up charge). As times begin to change we need to remember that sometimes simple is better and more rewarding. Slow down, take a moment, and look around you. It is fall and the leaves are turning beautiful shades, something that in our hectic lives we might forget to enjoy. It’s simple really, just realize the simple, good things in life and you will “simply” be happy!

So, back in the day may not be all that bad. Maybe I’ll bring some back in the day back to modern day!

GO STORM and enjoy all that is around you!

Andy

A man named Ken...

Travel season can be a time of loneliness. During the day it really isn’t. Why? Because I see some of the best students in northwest Iowa during my visits to their schools. But at night it can be a different story. It is just me and that unfamiliar hotel room.

This wasn’t the case a few weeks ago as I stayed in Cherokee. They have a very nice Best Western with a very good steakhouse. At around 6:30 I went to the restaurant and ordered supper. I sat next to an older gentleman that was watching “I Love Lucy” on their television near the salad bar. I introduced myself and he explained that he had to change it to “I Love Lucy” because the news station he had been watching was talking about Brittney Spear’s and her escapades.

We began talking and he said that he was visiting family members all over the Midwest. He had actually come across Iowa the day before venturing from northern Wisconsin. He was doing this as his hobby was tracing his genealogical path and making it into a database to pass along to his family. He was very passionate about this work and he told me about his family's past.

He also spoke about how he had fought in World War II as part of the Marines. He described landing at Iwo Jima and losing numerous friends. He said that his captain had asked him to make a list of men that would actually make the landing, which he replied that he couldn’t do. He couldn’t pick the friends that would more than likely parish.

He also went into the story of losing his wife and first son in a four month time period. You could tell that he really loved his wife, and we talked about how I would be married within a month. He gave me some advice including that my ears should be much larger than my mouth, and that a small gesture of love never hurts, even if you know that you love one another.

He told story after story ranging from what his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids do today to NASCAR trivia and our favorite drivers. (He wasn’t a big fan of NASCAR, but I think I convinced him to be a Stewart fan)!

After I ate that night and the man went up to his room, I thought about how nice it was to speak to somebody with that perspective on life. He had great things that had happened to him, and horrible things that were a part of his life, but he smiled and laughed because he knew that the good things were what we live for, and the bad just made him stronger.

Hearing a few stories from somebody that has “experienced” life can really help steer you in the right direction, or at least put you in the right state of mind. Take the time to call a parent, a grandparent, and just talk. Not about the hustle and bustle, but about what makes them, well, them. Remember the days of sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of your grandparents as they told you about the days of “no television and walking to school in a foot of snow, uphill both ways”? I do, and the way I look at it is that I can still sit cross-legged, and I am sure there are still some great stories to be heard!

Have a great day and Ken, if you are reading this…thanks for the company!

GO STORM-

Andy

A Story That Should Be Told…

Today I was at one of my high school visits and heard something that should be shared with the masses. Sometimes we focus on the bad in the world…just look at the 10 o’clock news. Well today was a DIFFERENT story. It reminded me that this world does have GOOD PEOPLE, doing GREAT THINGS.

I was speaking with the guidance counselor at Manson Northwest Webster High School this morning and he mentioned that he was also the head football coach. I asked how the year was going and he said that it had been a tough year, but his men were working hard. He then stated that the flood at the beginning of the year required them to miss the first 8 of 14 practices before their first game.

He then went into a story that made me want to write this blog. He said that when the flood occurred, that the football team came together and placed an ad in the local newspaper offering their help in cleaning out basements of homes that had been affected by the flood waters. The team didn’t have to do this, they could have been practicing, lifting weights, studying film, or going over playbooks, but instead, they did what GOOD PEOPLE do, they helped those in need.

The coach/guidance counselor explained that Manson had numerous elderly households and they needed to reach out to those that supported them on Friday nights. The team cleaned 40 basements of flooded houses. These young men deserve to be recognized as they went above and beyond in a time of need.

It made me feel really good leaving the school this morning thinking about how there are great stories out there that people should hear about. You often hear the phrase “kids these days”…well, the “kids these days” that volunteered are darn good kids!

So as you go through your day to day, remember to think about those that may need your help, and even though good deeds often go unnoticed, your own heart and soul will feel the benefits of lending a helping hand!

GO STORM!

Andy

If I Could Write a Letter...To Me...

Since I am on the road 6 days of the week, I get the opportunity to listen to some great tunes as I cruise down the highways and byways of northwest Iowa. This past week as I was driving from Harlan to Odebolt, I heard a new song by Brad Paisley called “Letter To Me.” It is about writing a letter back to yourself at the age of seventeen and talking about how even though sometimes everything doesn’t seem to be going your way, things turn out well in the end.

This made me think, and also buy Brad’s newest CD “5th Gear”. I thought about me at seventeen. I was a junior at Harlan Community High School. I loved to play golf, was in the band, studied hard, and hung out with a great group of friends. Then I thought a little more. When I was seventeen, I would have never imagined that I would be where I am today. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was good at a lot of things, but I didn’t have a passion for any 1 thing.

The song talks about doing things right, but also about sticking your neck out and doing something that you may not have done “back in the day” as it would help in the future. He even has a line in there about taking a Spanish class in high school. I think a lot of prospective students dislike their foreign language courses, but in hindsight, they really do help.

My letter to myself would include a lot of things that I am glad that I did. I am glad that I attended Simpson. I am glad that I took the opportunity to break out of my shell and give tours to prospective families as an ambassador. Heck, this was a life changer as one, it helped me learn not to be so darn shy, and two, it led me to my career.

In my letter I would also talk about not worrying about that date that went bad, or the girl that said “no” when you asked for a dance. Why not worry about it, because those rejections led to me meeting my fiancée and starting a wonderful life together. It is hard to see the future, or the bright side of a current bad situation, but if you just try to focus on the positive aspects of life, you will definitely end up with a lot of great stories to put in that letter about your current life.

Just look at me now…I have a wonderful fiancée, have the best family anyone could ask for, have the cutest dog that brings a smile to my face daily, and a job that I go to each and every day because I enjoy it! Don’t let the hard times get you down. Rise to the occasion and start making some of the stories that you can write about in your letter to yourself!

Brad Paisley really puts things into perspective with this song. Take a listen sometime and take it in.

GO STORM!

Andy

Just ONE OF THOSE THINGS...

Hello from the road!

So this is my first full week of travel for the fall 2007 season. This year it was a little different as I left home. Usually, I would have taken my dog, Abigail Amos (get it, Amos and Andy) to my parent’s house so they could dog-sit while I was out. This year, she stayed home. Why, because my wonderful fiancée would be there to take care of her. That is great, right? It is, but I didn’t know how tough it would be to leave Erin, my fiancée, to set out on a week of travel. We did it all the time when we were dating. We wouldn’t see each other for two or three weeks sometimes. But this was the first time in at least six months that we wouldn’t see each other for an extended period of time. I was sad, and a little apprehensive to leave, but then ONE OF THOSE THINGS happened that just makes you smile and realize that everything will be all right…Actually, better than all right.

Erin had surprised me with a travel care package. It brought back memories of the care packages I would receive from my parents during finals week at Simpson. She packed me up in the “red rocket” (see previous blog for details about my experience with the Kia) with everything from a lifetime supply of Starbursts to cough drops as I had lost my voice the weekend before my departure. It was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that was very sweet of her and it made me smile, and realize, that everything would be A-OK.

So I was driving along from my first school to the second, and I looked out at a stretch of cornfield. It was absolutely gorgeous. Yeah, I know, it sounds corny-but it really was corn, so I can be as corny as I want to be! The corn had already turned a beautiful gold and rays of sun were peaking through storm clouds making the stalks glow in contrast to the darkening sky. It was one of those moments that you felt a great deal of peace and it was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that makes you smile and know things were great with your world.

And another realization that I had today was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that helped me grasp just why I love the road. Although I miss being at home with my fiancée and the dog, I found that as I start my third year of admissions counseling, I have made numerous friends. These friends are the guidance counselors of northwest Iowa. I enjoy catching up with them and seeing how their year is going. The stories of TP’ed trees during homecoming week and the impromptu classes that they have had to cover are great. They make me smile, and make me realize that admissions counseling is a career that connects you with many people. Not just students, families of students, but also counselors, secretaries, the people that run your favorite diner in Hartley, IA and many many more. It is travel season, and travel season is just ONE OF THOSE THINGS that makes me smile!

So as you go from day to day, take the time to enjoy ONE OF THOSE THINGS. Actually, take the time to enjoy ALL OF THOSE THINGS because even though they may be small, they are what make life worth living and put a smile on your face!

I miss you Erin and Abi-I'll be home soon! :)

GO STORM!

Andy

Andy and the “Red Rocket” Adventure

Is anyone up for a good laugh? Well, do I have a story to tell you.

Travel season official began this past Monday for me, and I was very excited to get back to my road warrior ways. Typically, I would get up, grab my coffee and head to my “big ‘ol truck”, but this day was a LITTLE different. Notice the emphasis on LITTLE. Instead of my “o so spacious, I could fit a couch and TV in here” truck, I embarked on my mission in my fiancée’s Kia Spectra. The Spectra is a great car, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think that they were built for 6 foot, long-legged, gangly men like me! I kid you not, my knees were above the steering wheel-I wish I had a picture!

So I was cramped in a small car, that isn’t THAT funny, right? Well, here is where the story gets good. I have always grown up driving automatics. Yup, just slam her into gear and we’re off! Welllllllll, the Kia, which I have now officially named “the red rocket” (it is Dr. Pepper red), is a stick.



I know how to drive a stick, (like how to use the clutch and gears) but I just don’t have much practice with the whole deal. When I say not much practice, I mean this was the third time I had ever driven a stick outside of the Fareway parking lot! Like usual, I had a great deal of jerky, but this time I didn’t have the kind you buy in a bag at a store that is flavored like Teriyaki. You get the picture. Who knew that something that looked so simple would give me such a headache (literally-I think I have whiplash)!

So the rest of travel season I will be taking the “red rocket”. I am starting to get the hang of the stop and go with the stick. I find that I love learning something new every day. I would say that learning to drive a stick is a challenge for me, but something that I really am glad that I am doing.

I can’t wait to get back out onto the road this next week. Just visiting with students in my first few high schools this past Monday reminded me of why I love my job. First, I meet new people each day. Second, I get to show my pride for Simpson. And third, I am helping students with their college search and presenting them with the opportunities that I had while I was here at Simpson.

There may be a few speed bumps on my traveled-way including a “sticky”-clutch, a car made for a person a foot shorter than myself, or even the occasion “I’m lost” moment. These are the things that make every day unique and exciting. I love the speed bumps, because they are what make the long, smooth road fun and interesting. Driving a stick and killing the Kia a few times made for a good laugh and nothing beats a good laugh, right? Well, maybe my karaoke rendition of “For the Longest Time” being screamed at the top of my lungs while approaching my second school of the year. Oh man-it was AWESOME!

So today I leave you with this…don’t allow yourself to take the safe, long and straight road. Instead, take a detour on a risky, winding and interesting road. The destination will definitely be worth it!

GO STORM---Andy

Division III athletics…for the love of the game!

Early mornings…late nights…35 degree weather…SNOW on the greens…95 degree weather…90% humidity…to many of you this does not sound like fun at all. Instead, it sounds like as much fun as getting tossed into hell's inferno. To me, this meant opportunity; the opportunity to play the game I love, golf, at the collegiate level.

As many of you know, Simpson College is an NCAA Division III school. This means that we have official NCAA athletics, but no athletic scholarship available. To some, this is a turn-off. To me, it meant the chance to play the game I love, for the love of the game; NOT FOR THE LOVE OF THE MONEY.

This is the same for all athletic teams at Simpson. When the football team lines up on the field, they are playing for the guys to their right and to their left. They are not there for just themselves and the fact that they have to play to help pay their way to the NFL (or Canadian League, or European League, or Arena Football League, or as in a lot of Division I cases, the real world-WITHOUT A DEGREE!)

My golf experience at Simpson was one that I will never forget. Last night, I found myself at the course talking with coach. He was in the process of preparing for a tournament that begins today. I was sad, I wanted to go along. I wanted to feel the pressure of that first tee shot with the gallery watching. I miss the days of competing and challenging myself on the course. Many of my competitors became my friends; friends that I still keep in touch with as we have moved on to our professional careers.

The early mornings, and the numerous rounds of rain-soaked golf were sometimes frustrating during the season, but looking back, I wish I could just take one more walk around a course of perfectly manicured holes of pure serenity with my fellow IIAC competitors.

This is an excerpt that I found on the internet from a fellow Division III athlete, Sean Sornsin. It truly represents what Division III athletes are about:

It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making Sports Center. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart.

We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know.

We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent.

We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor.

We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO.

It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.

Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us.

You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first.

We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions.

When we miss a winning kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We do let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same.

We train hard, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class, we are nothing more than students.

It's about pride—in ourselves, in our school.

It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court, field, or mat for the last time - our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, there‘s a pride no one can touch.

We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes.

...

---

...

Remember, you make your day...Make it the best it can be!

Andy

Boogity Boogity Boogity...Let's Go Racin' Boys!

Farmers’ tans, port-a-pots, toothless men dropping “Benjies” on colorful pit crew memorabilia…I LOVE IT. That is right, I love NASCAR- and even better, I am proud of it! Where else can you find 150,000 people cheering for 43 different teams in one big asphalt covered, exhaust fume smelling cathedral of speed? NO WHERE!

NASCAR is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle. In my recent trip to Michigan International Speedway, I met numerous race fans that were friendly, fun, and living life as everyone should. Very few would pass our “yes, we are five guys cruising in a minivan” ride parked in the muddy lots, without saying hello. It was neat, it was fun, it was almost better than the feeling a Star Wars fan gets when getting Chewbacca’s autograph and finding a piece of Chewy hair on the Sharpie!

This brings me to a point that I have wanted to share for quite some time. Meeting new people is the best, not to mention, easiest way to discover your hidden passions. When I moved into my first year residence hall room at Simpson, I thought NASCAR was a bunch of cars with out of shape, southern drawl speakin’, drivers making left-hand turns for four hours interrupting my regularly scheduled broadcast of Wonder Years re-runs. Then I met this cat that was always decked out in his #21 Ricky Rudd ball cap. (Occasionally accompanied by the matching T-shirt). At first, I thought-“LOSER”. Then I decided I would say hello to him…This became a habit, and I decided I would actually sit an talk with him…then I befriended him…then I decided to room with him…then I started watching NASCAR with him…then I started going to nascar.com and discussing strategies of NASCAR teams with him…then it hit me, I was addicted to NASCAR. I had found a passion. How? By taking a step out of my comfort zone and introducing myself to the guy wearing the funny racing hat. Now, I am one of those #20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevy, Gatorade, Sunoco ball cap wearing dudes!

So what am I saying? I am saying that although something or someone might seem strange or different, you just may not know what it or they are all about. Take a chance. Do something different. Watch a race, go to an event with someone that lives down the hall, or just outstretch your hand and meet someone that doesn’t look, act, or talk like you. Who knows, you might just find a hidden passion.

Simpson is a great place with diverse backgrounds and exciting and interesting people. I found who I was at Simpson (which IS more than just a NASCAR fan) and I love to watch students find themselves as they grow throughout their years here. So maybe that is what I mean when I said that the race fans were living life as they should. They were sticking their necks out there and meeting people. Taking a risk, making friends, and starting that road to finding hidden passions.

So, you probably didn’t think NASCAR would ever be used in a metaphoric way to describe friendship and learning one’s own passions. Well, you were wrong, ‘cause it just happened!

Just remember, take a shot, you only get one chance to live, you might as well not go it alone!

Have a great weekend and GO STORM!

Andy

This is ME!

Pheeeeewwwwwwwwww

Oh Oh Oh-I just heard it-Yup! I do believe that was a collective sigh of relief! No, not because you just unbuckled your pants after eating a smorgasbord of breakfast burritos and flapjacks from the dollar menu at McDonalds; but because I am finally blogging. You can sleep soundly, and grow your fingernails back that you were biting with nervous anticipation.

OR, maybe you just clicked on this blog because you were bored, tired, or accidentally got trigger happy with the mouse. But now that you are here, you might as well read on.

Being as this is my first of many blogs, I will write a little bit about my background, but mainly just things that I am thinking right now. “CHEESEBURGERS!” (I am thinking that right now.) I love food.

Which brings me to my first topic. I am getting FAT! Now I might be exaggerating a little bit, but here is the proof. Last week I stopped wearing my comfy, cool, polo shirts to work for the “oh so strangling fun” of TIES! Now, in one summer you wouldn’t figure that you would grow too much now would you? Well, I did-or at least my neck did. My nice, clean, pressed shirts awaited their unveiling, but when I went to button that top button, all that slipped though the button hole was neck fat. Now I have always had a so-called “gobbler” but DANG! This thing is like its own living organism, feeding on McDonald’s double cheeseburgers. Sounds good doesn’t it!?! Well, I guess I found out the side effects of eating every meal for 2 bucks at the local Mac Shac.

This brings me to topic number two. I am getting VERY FRUGAL (AKA-CHEAP)! Now this, I am not exaggerating. I am currently helping my beautiful fiancée plan our wedding which is coming up in less than two months. It is a very exciting time for the both of us, but it is also depleting ye ol’ pocketbook. Now for me, this isn’t a big deal. Why, you may ask. Because I can supplement my diet with 10 cent hot dogs and the special of the day at numerous local restaurants to save a buck or two. For the side effects of such habits please read the above topic (I AM GETTING FAT!). Now my fiancée is a nurse, and I guess this lifestyle is not healthy. So my question is; “be poor or be dead?” Maybe I will follow her advice on this one and go with being poor!

And my third and final topic for the day. I am getting OLD! Now old is a relative term. I am not old compared to Golden Girls, but to the college students that still know me, I guess I am! They affectionately call me “the old guy”, “grandpa”, and my favorite “geriatric man”. Now I know they are somewhat kidding, and I kid right along with them. Lately though, I have realized I am starting to pick up some of those “old guy” traits. My joints hurt, I go to bed before 10 o’clock more often than not, and a fun weekend is going to Bed Bath and Beyond to redecorate the bathroom or going to the local Wal-Mart to buy an 88 cent toy to watch the dog play with. “Oh no”, I forgot to take my multivitamin this morning. I forget things in my old age (hence the vitamin). The thing is, although I am getting older (notice I didn’t say I was old!), I am realizing that I can stay young by participating in students’ lives whether they are deciding on where to go to school, or if they are already here, being active in the activities they participate in. This includes going to fine arts events, athletic events, being part of the alumni advisory board for my fraternity, and just keeping in touch with friends on campus. Simpson is more than just four years of your life. Simpson sticks with you as you grow older and really, it makes you who you are.

Well, that is all for me today. I will be back with new and hopefully more exciting stories from my day to day life and travels as I help students realize what this great school has to offer them. Wow, what a job. I love going to work each and every day, something that as an “old man” I tell you to look for as you search for majors or career paths for your future! Money is DEFINITELY not everything!

Enjoy your week and savor each and every day! GO STORM!

Andy