Though history will always remember the 2008 election for Barack Obama’s convincing win over John McCain, my family will remember it as another defeat for the history professor at York College of Pennsylvania, Phil Avillo…my second cousin.

Avillo followed up a defeat by Republican Todd Platts in 2006 for the 19^th District seat in Pennsylvania with a closer, but still unfortunate defeat.

Better luck next time Phil.

With FOX executives crying their World Series ratings away, the Tampa Bay Rays pulled off an impressive ALCS upset and won their first American League Pennant. Tampa will host game one Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Watching Jed Lowrie ground out to Akinori Iwamura to end the game I couldn’t help but think, man if this had only happened a few years earlier we’d be able to watch the ugliest World Series of all time!

It was only five years ago that Veterans Stadium, or “The Vet”, was blasted to kingdom come. The Vet was, perhaps, the worst stadium in baseball and all of sports. It epitomized the idea of Philthadelphia.

Fast-forward back to last night and just the site of Tropicana “Field” makes you shiver.

Aside from that little thought, I am very excited for the World Series. Though ratings will certainly be low, it should be another fall classic to remember.

Thing I Noticed Today

“because” is the most beautiful word to write with a black gel pen.

I haven’t felt good about myself in awhile. Any accomplishments or successes have come with moderate feelings.

“I won’t miss this place…because it’s inside me.”

-Yogi Berra

With a flick of the wrist the final pitch had been tossed. Brian Roberts hit a slow roller to first basemen Cody Ransom.

3 unassisted.

For the second time in less than a calendar year I have come up on the losing end of a close election. The results flashed up on my worn-down Dell laptop around midnight. 13 votes was the difference.

With the 9 bottles of Budweiser in my body hiding in the corner, I called and congratulated Natalie on her win, wishing her the best of luck. It’s amazing how quickly bad news will sober you up.

I’m disappointed.

I won’t try to hide that, but I’m not bitter. This wasn’t like the Buzz election. I know Natalie and Ellen will do a good job and things will run smoothly, but I would have really cherished the opportunity to lead this class.

I’ve been up since 6:30 this morning and don’t feel much better.

The next few days will be tough.

Working tonight should keep my mind off of it.

I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’ll save that for another entry.

Tomorrow the election results will be announced…I think. Mike Morgan and I have run a “campaign” for the honor of being the class ’09 officers but I’m really not happy with how everything works around here.

SGA spent a lot of time over the last two years ratifying the constitution. Making it more efficient and opening government up to more students…yet after tomorrow there will still be positions available in the senate.

The treasurer and secretary positions ran un-opposed (though I would be blessed to work with them) and senate still has MANY positions open. Mike Connery, who will be class treasurer, didn’t even know he could run. Not because he’s a commuter, not because he isn’t involved, but because SGA does an absolutely abysmal job of promoting itself!

I alone helped fill three positions in our class by just asking people and reminding them to run and attend the right meetings. NoticeBoards and a few flyers won’t do it anymore. Facebook groups, sheets hanging from Plassmann, word of mouth and an overall understanding of our student body are necessary to grab peoples attentions.

Our class doesn’t have TONS of class spirit, but you know what, students do care about their 200,150,100 and 50 day celebrations. Student’s care about how their Student Activity Fee is being used, and students care about Senior week and making it a great time for EVERYONE.

I hope I win tomorrow. I want to win tomorrow. I have serious issues with how things are run at my beloved Bonaventure and I hope, with a little help from my friends, that we can solve these unnecessary problems.

I haven’t been writing enough lately.

It bothers me that I haven’t.

I have things to write about. Lot’s of ideas and thoughts and opinions…but no drive.

Does this come in cycles?

It’s been awhile since we’ve talked. A lot has happened since then. The Dark Knight counter has maxed out to seven, Joe Biden is now the Vice Presidential running mate of Barack Obama, John Edwards was revealed to the American people as the worm that he really is and I’m sitting back at Bonaventure, beginning my final volume of college. I’ve had so much to write about and so much to say, but unfortunately here I am,

Dumbfounded,

Shocked,

Appalled

and Perplexed

at the "soon to be" hottest new teen-sensation…Guitar Idol! Guitar Idol is a “product” so pathetic, ingenious and ridiculous that it makes Guitar Hero look like the wheel.

So without further ado please enjoy the show and leave a comment or two.

I’ve had a week to digest The Dark Knight, and after three viewings it has become my White Castle, it’s what I crave. I won’t go into too much detail here, but I’ve never been so entertained by a motion picture…ever.

That statement may not be too surprising considering my three-year-obsession with this film, but it pasted all expectations, and the box office results are proof of that. In 10 days The Dark Knight has raked in $314 million, a new record. 

Today marks the opening of The Dark Knight. Unfortunately (well not unfortunately) I am in Germany and preparing myself for a bungee jumping adventure tomorrow afternoon. Yeah I know, 450 ft in the Swiss Alps…and I hate heights!!!

Anyway in honor of The Dark Knight’s opening I’ve decided to list my top five favorite movie-action-heroes.

*drum roll*

 6-15-08

Click, click, goes the camera

Of an athletic older woman

Leaning out the window

Of a boat across the Venetian sea

Her crumbly pointer finger pushes down the shutter

While the thick breeze pushes her back

A stampede gyrates from boats engine floor

Loosening and releasing the tension from your ankles, calves and thighs

The pungent smells of the sea wake you

To the sight of a toddler,

Eyes widening onto a tired blue sky with clouds of frosting

And boats hip-hoping over the turquoise aquatic

Bubbles spew out from the waves as the toddlers eyes grow

Amazing how even a toddler can appreciate a sight so exclusive

My father has informed me that this Euro-trip has already come to nearly 10,000 with airfare, tuition, 10% hostel down payments, a Euro rail pass, food, fun and souvenirs.

Still got 10 days in Perugia followed by trips to Paris, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Interlaken and Munich…

Is anyone going to need an indentured servant this upcoming semester???

Finished reading The Race Beat by Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff a few days ago and loved it. The Civil Rights Movement has always intriqued me and I honestly feel like I’ve acquired a truer understanding of the time period, the people and the importance of journalism to the movement.

I’m currently going through this reading stage about journalism. I’ve started All The President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. From what I’ve been told it’s a must read and so far I’d have to agree. After that I’ll be checking out Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson.

Once home I’m hoping to find and read 1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft, & Debbs--The Election that Changed the Country at the request of Mr.CMack.

If anyone else has a few titles to throw at me please feel free too comment.

It was announced that the upcoming Batman film The Dark Knight will have a running time of 152 minutes. It was previously reported that the film was nearing a three hour (180 minute) running time.

Also a new trailer has been posted exclusively through Comcast but it can be found on Youtube…and yes it looks awesome!

31 days in counting!!!

Sauntering from my apartment, iPod in hand I encountered a group of children. There must have been 40 of them, following an attractive young brunette in front, who was hand in hand with two youngsters. Hearing their Italian chatter over Frou Frou’s elegant Let Go I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

drink up, baby down
mmm, are you in or are you out
leave your things behind
'cause it's all going off without you
excuse me, too busy you're writing your tragedy
these mishaps
you bubble wrap
when you've no idea what you're like

Congratulations to Senator Barack Obama for securing the Democratic nomination last night. MSNBC posted a terrific feature by New York Times writer Michael Powell about Mr. Obama, a feature more McCain supporters should probably read than will.

With the main event now posted atop the marquee, it has become apparent that Obama v. McCain is new v. old.

Most McCain supporters feel safer with him in command and they have good reason too, his background supports it.

But at the same time we are in need of a change in American politics and how people see “Americans.”

Every Italian I’ve met supports Obama. Not because he’s black, or because of his stance on the war, but because he signals a change our country most dearly needs, a change of attitude.

I wish Mr. Obama the best of luck and hope those who won’t take the time to read Powell’s article, will keep their ears open in the coming months.

Wednesday May 21, 2008:

4:10 am

Notebooks…check!

Reading material…check!

Fully updated i-pod…check!

*checking continues*

4:12 am

Passport/Visa…

Passport/Visa??

Passport/Visa??!

PASSPORT/VISA!?!?!?!?!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!