Saturday, June 14, 2003

My, what lovely RAIN we're having...

Back in the Blogging circuit...and Ang, if you happen to read this, I would love to help you set something up. Call up the cell phone... You'll have a page in no time.

So last night started as a bit of a let down...but ended on a good note. The plan was to trek down to Wilton, CT to see Ruark and Jackie... but based on people schedules, no trip was had. Plan B was Quinns (Southington pub...aka...room that had everyone we graduated with). I went down with Tim V., Dutch, and Nicole. Definitely a good time exchanging stories. And just when you thought the stories would stop, someone new would walk into the bar...It was classic. You'd glance over...think to yourself, "Do I know that person? They look so familar..." Then they would look at you...and think the same thing. At this point, you decide whether or not you should say hi. Then you start talking...chatting about "BACK IN THE DAY WHEN..." I even got talking to Willie Wellington about the pitching ERAs of our Little League squad, The Royals. Funny times...highlights of the evening definitely was when I fired up the cell phone and took advantage of my FREE NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS. Called up Nick Palance and Rich Rivera...man, I was not an advocate of the cell phone...but it's times like these when I'm so glad I have one. Good talking to both of those guys...then Brent and Suki showed up since they were in town for Father's Day. Good times...

Now today...Off to Matt's for a Graduation Party (Saturday perhaps?) <---Can I make that joke now? Unfortunately, I won't be able to see Kristen's dance recital today. Apparently, it's the hottest ticket in town and they all sold out. Kristen if you read this: BREAK A LEG!!! You'll do great.

There's also a UCMB Council / DI meeting today in Southington. Kinda wish I could stop by and see everyone since it's being held about ten minutes from my house. But it's not really my place anymore. If any of you guys read this... I hope you are doing well...and dammit, gimme a call one of these days!

Off to do some Web Design for a friend of mine, then...Party time. MERRR-STYLE!!! Wonder if I'll see Kat & Ang today??

I wonder sometimes about the outcome...

Friday, June 13, 2003

Thursday, June 12, 2003

I couldn't put it off any longer...

My last post was May 30th...the time before that April 29th...now here I am again on June 12th. About as consistent as Yankees Baseball right now... But nevertheless...here I am...ready to go... ready to get a lot off my chest that has been waiting to get out.

So my LAST legit post was back in April. I gave an accurate description of my Spring Weekend adventures. And now, here I am. College graduate. Well I hope so. It probably isn't the best idea to write about this publicaly but most of my friends already know my present battles with the University of Connecticut. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't on my mind. Allow me explain...Back in the day, I took an Jazz Improv class on four separate occasions. Each time I finished the course...each time I learned a few new tricks and drills. However, on paper, it looks like I took the same course four times. So the higher ups at UConn feel that I should not get credit for the hours I spent taking this class. Up until now, I have see them add ONE more credit...upping the total to 2 credits for MUSI 138. Problem is...I need at least 3 to graduate. With the help of Earl, Dr. Maker, the Academic Specialist for Fine Arts...EVERYONE, is on my side. Everyone except the one person that has the power to grant me my last and final necessary credit. This all began back in March when my so-called advisor REALIZED that I didn't have enough credits to graduate because of this MUSI 138 issue. (Thanks a lot chief...thanks for double checking my course selection...freakin' ass.) So believe it or not I'm STILL dealing with this crap. On the DAY OF GRADUATION I ran into the Business school woman that was supposed to get back to me about my situation...Guess what she said??? Ummmm yeah, I'll have to get back to you. UMMMMM HELLO?!?! EARTH TO WOMAN IN THE BUSINESS BUILDING!!! CAP...GOWN....POMP...CIRCUMSTANCE...I'M GRADUATING!!!! So apparently, "They will have to reach me by email or home phone." Here I am...Thursday, June 12th...and I STILL have not heard anything. My diploma SHOULD be in the mail soon... but I have a feeling that it's on some sort of lock until this is figured out... I pray for the day that I check the mail and that piece of paper comes saying that I graduated in Management Information Systems. Oh yeah...and if you read this: Don't tell Mom and Dad Leone... They don't know.

Ok...moving on. So ASSUMING that I graduated...I'm back home. No job...riding out the graduation money. Anyone looking for a website? I actually might pick up a website job. Business down the street is looking for a re-vamping. So I'm the man for the job. There's also an offer on the table to teach Trumpet Lessons once a week. Not sure what I might charge...$25 for an hour? $30? The student is a close friend of the family, so this isn't about me making money. It's about making enough to get by and fueling the interest that an 9 year old has in playing trumpet. Other than website projects and trumpet lessons...all of my chips are in ESPN basket right now. According to my Uncle, I will get an interview when a position opens up. I hope he's right.

Let's see what have I covered:
-To graduate or not to graduate - CHECK
-Still unemployed, hoping to get income soon - CHECK

How could I forget...I'm a cellular man now. Can you hear me now? Good. 860.919.7179 We'll see how happy I feel when I get my first bill. I've been going gung ho with the workout scene too. Between Judo, Karate, and working out on my own - I've been doing a good job keeping up. Seeing that I don't have a job yet, finding time isn't a problem.

Lastly, time for me to get a little philisophical...Hey, you knew it was coming. So throughout my posts of this year, occasionally I would write: I'll have plenty of time to freak out about graduating, etc...etc...etc... Only that, I didn't have plenty of time. And here I am, almost one month since I've walked in Gampel. I was so into NOT freakin' out...I ran out of time. Whoa...it's a trip. And the scary thing is: I don't think I've hit the worst of it yet. I mean, I don't think it's really hit me totally yet. For the first time in 8 years(except Freshman year) I won't be going to Preseason rehearsal...I don't have "the new show" to look forward to or "where will I be staying on campus" or "back to school parties"...In my book, August will come and go... and I won't have marched a step or played a note in the UCMB or "done the first back-to-school food shop" or "bought my books"...etc..etc...Damn. I have friends that are taking off to NYC, Boston...people that I wish I got to better is off to San Diego and California...(and I thought it was bad in 6th Grade when my elementary school split into two separate middle schools across town...).

Here's the realization:

I'm done with college - and as they say, The BEST years of your life...

Here's my regret:

I didn't spend enough time with the people that I wanted to get to know better...

Here's my fear:

Because I'm home now, I won't ever have the chance to do the things I wanted to do in college.

and...Here's my solution:

Yes, I'm done with college. But I disagree...they aren't the best years of your life.
When you were 6 years old and you got Nintendo for your birthday, could life get ANY better?
When you were 10 years old and you kicked in the winning run during kick-ball, what else to life was there?
When you were 16 years old and you got your license, what more freedom could you get?
When you were 18 years old, a senior in HS, you were the man (or woman)...and no one could tell you different, right?
When you were 20 years old and you made it into a college fraternity, it was the most rewarding feeling, what else could feel that good?
When you were 21years old and you could stop using your fake id, the possibilities were endless..what bar tonight??
And now.. I'm 22 years old. A graduate from the University of Connecticut. Freakin' Alumni. What will happen to the people that I want to stay in contact with? I'm sure as hell going to stay in contact with them...and if they care about me, they'll call and see how I'm doing too. It works both ways. And the parties? I'm home...only 45 minutes away from the action. You can take me out of UConn...but you can't take the UConn out of me. ;)

All year, I had a picture of my great uncle and my grandfather hanging over my bed. Most people think that the fun is over...welcome to the real world and blah blah blah. But you know how old my Great Uncle and Grandfather were in that picture? 24 maybe 25. I'm not even there yet. So...The best years of your life? For now...I guess that line stands to be true. But there is SO much to this life that I have yet to explore. A special thanks to those individuals that made my life what it is today. I will be forever greatful to those people...I wish you all the success in the world. So what's next? Most people say that "ohhh, I can't wait for this to happen." But you know what? I can. I can wait. Right now, I'm too busy being 22 years old to worry about being 23 or 32. My life is what it is...and I have no regrets.


And I know, that I am, I am, I am...the luckiest...