Rediscovering a Lost Art

Now that I am done with school and into the working world (sort of), I have rediscovered a pastime that was such a big part of my life before I went to college: pleasure reading. Since school finished a little over a month ago I've listened to a book on cd and read almost two books. I think that's more than I've read for fun since college started. I just can't seem to get enough of all the stories, facts, new vocabulary, and diverse characters that I missed for so long while I was in college.

Maybe college is just a trumped up way to weed out those who really enjoy reading and those who don't. If you can make it through the gauntlet of four years (or five if you go to Lincoln) and still have an appreciation for reading, then somehow you've passed the test. For those who don't pass the test, life is no different except all of their stories come from movies and tv shows. For those who do make it through the gauntlet, there is a life full of the sweet nectar and ambrosia of books. I think I've finally passed the gauntlet. Next time you see me look for the little blue ribbon on my lapel that says "I survived college and I still love to read."

A Pirate's Life for Me

For Christmas, Melissa bought me an xbox game that I had wanted for a while called "Sid Meier's Pirates." After less than a week, I have decided that I want to be a pirate. Not the kind with a pegleg and an eye patch, but the real suave kind who can plunder passing ships while wooing attractive governor's daughters at the same time. The game basically involves you being a pirate and sailing around the Caribbean in the 1660's and plundering passing ships, finding buried treasure and lost cities, dancing with and wooing governor's daughters, and searching for your lost family members who were captured when you were very young. Although there is nothing outstanding about any individual aspect of the game, the whole experience makes for a very addicting and all-around fun time. And, honestly, who's never wished they could be a pirate for just a little while?

This question then leads into an old college debate. Pirates or Ninjas? Most of you are probably familiar with this debate and probably have a definite stance on the issue. You can't be for both. It's kind of like the Cubs and Sox in Chicago. I'm sure you can already tell where I stand on this issue. The contents of this blog do not hide my allegiances in any way. However, the benefits of the pirates life are more than just the typical response of "booty." Who would want to be a ninja when a pirate can kick back on a ship in the Caribbean and enjoy the hot sun with a beautiful governor's daughter at his side? Plus, the treasure benefits far outweigh anything a ninja could get. I don't care how stealthy ninjas are or how tough their martial arts skill are, a trusty rapier on one side and a pistol on the other side are all a pirate needs to be the king of the Caribbean. And really, who wouldn't want to live in the Caribbean? So, in the words of good Captain Jack Sparrow, "Drink up me hearties yo-ho!"