December 2004
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you enjoyed his journals! Send comments, advice, or reminiscences
of your own time at Iowa by e-mailing tina-owen@uiowa.edu.
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Close Encounter *new*
When Barbara and Jenna Bush speak on behalf of their father, you
certainly have to have an attentive ear. And attentive eyes, of course,
because the Bush twins are nothing short of gorgeous. (read
more)
My House
The two weeks I spent in Iowa City this
summer prior to the start of classes were some of the best of
my life. I’ve always taken
great pride in Sigma Nu fraternity, but this year a reinvigorated
sense of pride spread like wildfire throughout the house. (read
more)
The Lazy Days of Summer
The clock on my bookcase reads 10 a.m. I crawl out of bed,
stagger to the bathroom, stub my toe on the door, and have a staring
contest
with myself in the mirror. I lose. (read
more)
Family Vacation to Florida
For the second time in as many years, my family and I trekked
down to a condominium in Siesta Key, Florida, to spend a week of
our summer.
We’re traditionally very close-knit, so our vacations aren’t
necessarily defined by bonding with each other. (read
more)
Party Favor
In the waning weeks of the second semester,
while finishing papers or trying to study for an upcoming final,
I’d suddenly get
an incredible urge to channel surf. Now that I’m home and
have a plethora of free time to watch television, I find myself
wanting
to be task-oriented! (read more)
Finger on the Hot Button
Gay marriage certainly seems to be the hot button topic both nationwide
and here on campus. Metaphorical burn marks on my fingers show
just how often I’ve been pressing that button. (read
more)
Frozen Together?
Last night we had our ‘Frozen Luau’ at RT’s, one
of Iowa City’s finer watering holes. Despite the fact that
this oasis is located a couple blocks from the main downtown area,
it’s a great place for renewal of brotherly bonds. (read
more)
Frustrated Planning
Sigma Nu kickball is fast approaching. Part of me is excited that
the entire philanthropic effort will soon be over but another part
of me is begging for more time to plan out all the details. (read
more)
A Rant About Grading
I think the University of Iowa hates me. Actually, pardon me. I think
the University of Iowa finds strong dislike in me (because it’s
impossible for anything liberal to hate anything or anyone.) (read
more)
A Long Day’s Knight
No longer shall I be referred
to as a pledge! I am now active member 1545 of Sigma Nu. Last night’s
knighting ceremony (active members are referred to as knights) was
the culmination of “work week,” in
which we were required to be at the fraternity house from 8 p.m.
until 6 a.m. every day of the week. (read more)
Will You Respect Me Tomorrow?
Tonight was my fraternity’s
exchange with Chi Omega at the Sports Column, yet another downtown
establishment well-renowned for
its Coca-Colas that never seem to lose that fizz. (read
more)
Climbing the Social Ladder
Today was another of what has become a laundry list of firsts
here at Iowa. A group of girls from Aplington-Parkersburg High School,
as well as a mom and her son, were the first prospective students
to be in my tour guide group. (read more)
Kick Ball and Racism
I stayed in tonight, which
was probably somewhat of a disappointment by most students’ standards,
but a necessity for my lifestyle. I am now ahead on reading in my "American
Politics” and “Evolution
and the History of Life” lectures, and that’s key because
I’ve got a philanthropic event to plan for Sigma Nu. (read more)
Assorted Musings
One of my fraternity brothers,
Darren, was at the house last night. He’s on a week’s
leave from Iraq. To be frank, it was really weird talking to someone
who, just a couple weeks ago, was
fighting a war for our country. (read more)
A Passion for Politics
How often do you get to shake hands with the second-most-powerful
man in the nation? That actually happened to me last fall. (read more)
A Surprise Birthday Present
Today (December 14, 2003), President Bush gave me the greatest birthday
present I’ve received thus far. OK, it was still a few days
before my actual birthday, but I couldn’t have asked for anything
better than seeing a feeble-looking bearded man being inspected for
lice on television. (read more)
A Christmas Present
The Christmas Eve service at my church in Davenport is undoubtedly
my favorite part of Christmas every year. We have three services,
including one at 11 p.m that typically lasts past midnight, and thus
into Christmas day. (read more)
Caucus Fever
I saw a sign in downtown Iowa City that said "(Howard) Dean is
top choice for caucus." Sure, and after that top finish, Dean
will go mount his trusty unicorn and return to his castle on Venus
where he will continue to govern La La Land. (read
more)
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