Zach's Random Thoughts

Update

2006-10-30T09:30:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let you all know what I've been up to. This week is going to be extremely busy. I have an interim review of the Mobile Med project on Friday. I'm meeting with three of the KU studio professors to see what their thoughts, ideas, feedback, problems are with the project. I chose to meet with Murli Ramaswami, who I have had as a studio professor because he always gave me wonderfully constructive criticism and continually challenged ideas I had already set in stone. I think that the project I did in that class is among some of the best stuff I have done while in school. Second is Dan Rockhill, the Studio 804 professor. Lately 804 has been doing a lot of mobile or pre-fab projects and he is an extremely valuable asset to the school, really, who better to ask about a mobile building project? Lastly is Steve Padget, also a past studio professor. What can I say, I just like him. I like talking with him and he thinks like I want to think. So between now and Friday morning I have to print off about 40 pages (@ .20 per page), have them bound, convert them all to digital format and update the web site, and if there is time put together some kind of powerpoint media presentation for the actual review itself.

I work tonight and Tuesday, as usual, then we'll see the rest of the week. I am really loving my job and my boss is wonderful... business is not. It's so frustrating because he has a great resturaunt, comparable prices, wonderful atmosphere and service, and NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT. I can see what it could be and that gives me the motivation to keep working. So far I have been able to pay my bills with just a little bit left over but recently it has been getting tighter. The inconsistency just kills me. And with Christmas around the corner who knows what I will do. One thing I know is that I will not be able to take off for a month. I think I may well have to spend most of Christmas break in Lawrence making money.

This last weekend was a ton of fun. Alicia's whole family was in town and it was great to see them. Her Grandma and Grandpa came up for the Lawrence Antiques show and her mom and dad came in just because. They took us out for dinner Friday and Saturday which was great! While it's no replacement for my own family, it's just kinda nice to be with family every once in a while. :) I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving. Alicia and I are going to get engagement pictures taken back in Speareville and then I think it's on to Denver to see Mom, Austin, and Uncle Monte.

Anyway, that's what's up!

Project Runway Rant

2006-10-18T16:13:00.000-05:00

OK, so anyone who knows me know I have an opinion on everything. On past seasons of Project Runway and The Apprentice I posted after every episode to let you all know what I think. Although I have restrained myself this season, I feel as though I can no longer hold it all in. Whether or not y'all care to hear it, here is my rant.

I have loved designers this season, I have hated designers this season. I tend to go for the underdog. Last season I loved Santino and I pulled for him the entire way. I still think that he should have won. This season my adopted designer was Jeffrey. I know people say "Oh, he's such an asshole, he's so mean..." were they watching the same episodes I was? I liked Kane, I thought Malan was extremely talented, I loved Alison and until recently, I really kinda liked Laura. And I think it goes without saying that Michael is everybody's favorite. He's a wonderfully talented designer, he's a gentleman, it's just so easy to love him!!!

I have also hated several of the designers. Robert was ridiculously boring, Bonnie had less talent than an armadillo, and Uli is a one type with no creativity whatsoever. But the one designer who embodies everything that is souless and wrong is without a doubt angela. (She gets a little "a" because she's not worth the capitalization) From the beginning I disliked her design, her stupid little rosettes, and her general personality. The best episode this year was when she went all the way to Paris in order to be eliminated and go home a few minutes after arriving.

Now, my support of Jeffrey and my Hatred of Angela culminated in the mom's episode. I will admit that I hated Jeffrey's outfit, it was the worst one that he designed on any show all season. To his credit, he was faced with an impossible task. In the words of my dad, he had to polish a turd. But where I developed my general disgust with angela into my utmost desire to see her fail was when she instructed her mom to bad mouth Jeffrey on the runway. It was sneaky, underhanded, and really, really lame. angela showed her true colors and that it was all about competition, not doing her best on this episode and she got her comeuppance. Bye Bye!

This leads me into last episode. As I said, I liked Laura. She is an architect and a great, be it geriatric focused, designer. However, she lost me on the last episode when she accused Jeffrey of cheating. Jeffrey was finished with every piece in his collection and every piece was impeccable, therefore... he must have cheated. WRONG!!! I don't know if he did or didn't but let's examine some facts. Jeffrey was more serious about this entire competition than everybody save Michael. Look at past seasons. Most competitors were finished with their pieces upon arrival in NY Last year. They also had them complete an additional piece once they arrived. If Jeffrey cared about this competition the way he said he did, he may have well expected to have another piece added to his plate when the got to New York. Why wouldn't you have everything done?! Secondly, they had TWO MONTHS to complete 12 pieces. That's roughly five days per piece. On the show they only get one or two days!!! Imagine what they should be able to do with a week. Lastly, the way the issue was raised was wrong. Even if he did cheat, I don't believe that there was any real way to prove it. You don't bring the issue up the night before the show. And if anyone is going to bring it up, the last person it should be is one of the competitors. Laura, in short... SHUT THE HELL UP AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN COLLECTION! I really thought her comments made her look desperate, threatened, and grasping. It was a serious jab at her character and was all to familiar to me. I go to school with a whole lot of girls that are going to grow up to be just like her. (Past group work)

I'm going out on a limb but I'm going to say that on tonight's episode Jeffrey WILL SHOW HIS LINE. It will be wonderful and all this big stinky mess will blow up in Laura's face.

P.S. But none of this really matters because Michael is going to win.

P.P.S. And Uli shouldn't even be there.

John Stewart is an Idiot

2006-10-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

There are a few times in one's life when you reach total and utter frustration and despair over something that is so completely stupid you cannot understand it or do anything about it. Did that make sense? If not it is because I cannot think straight I am so angry. I get my news from Yahoo every morning. This morning I came upon this little gem. I really cannot believe just how stupid people can be. Right under a story about a North Korea gaining nuclear power, something that should scare the bejesus out of everyone on the face of the earth, I read about people actually supporting two comedians to run for president of the free world. I hate John Stewart... and Stephen Colbert. Yes I know they are comedians, yes I know poking fun at politicians can be hilarious, the problem is that in our media controlled society, this is THE ONLY EXPOSURE TO POLITICS that some people get. This also should scare the bejesus out of everyone on earth, or at least in America. I do, however, agree with something John Stewart said for the first time in my life. Stewart scoffed at suggestions that some people actually get their news from "The Daily Show."

"There's no way you could get the news from us," he said. "I've seen the show. It couldn't happen."

If he doubts the integrity of his own show as a creditable news source he shouldn't parade it as such. Carlos Mencia is a comedian, he doesn't pretend to be anything else or give himself legitimacy. The reason I chose him in particular was to make a comparison. I can say honestly, that Carlos Mencia is more "fair and balanced" than the train wrecks that are "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report." The single thing that makes our system of government wonderful is that everyone can vote, the single thing that makes our system of government awful is that everyone can vote. If you say you get your news from either of these shows, do our society and the world a favor and stay away from the voting booth. Listen to John Stewart, get your news elsewhere.

busy, busy, busy

2006-10-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

Wow, has it really been a week? Things are flying, I worked all day Saturday and Monday and Tuesday nights. Sunday is pretty much completely taken up by church and church activities. And here we are on Wednesday. I have also been making a lot of updates and changes to the other two websites. I've really been working to try to update my portfolio website. I had an interview yesterday with an architect here in town. He does a lot of smaller projects but I think getting my foot in the door would be wonderful. It really sounds like a great job, I'd be mostly doing CAD work, but we have to start somewhere! I'm really looking forward to this weekend, it's KU Homecoming, Mary and Nelson, Colin and Bo, and Me and Alicia are going to get together for our monthly couples thing, and there's a party at the house... Oh and I work all day Saturday, I'm sure. AIEEEeeeee! I'll try to keep you all updated.

Feeling the Squeeze

2006-09-27T09:05:00.000-05:00

So it has and continues to be an eventful week. I sent out my first round of contacts for the MobileMed project and am starting to receive responses. Unfortunately, most of them are less than willing to be of any assistance. I am coming to the conclusion that I may just have to use what is available on their websites and nothing more. We'll see, a lot of correspondence and a lot of e-mailing back an forth for now. I have two tests this week, one in Asian Art History today, and one in Structural Systems for Architects tomorrow. I worked both Monday and Tuesday at Scarlet Orchid and they were both OK nights. We are going to run a new ad in Facebook this week to see if that generates any student response. For what it costs us to run the ad if even one or two tables comes in we will likely make our money back. Alicia's birthday is on Saturday. She kept bugging me about clues for her present and ended up guessing that I got her earrings so she got them early. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve though. We're going to have a party for her on Saturday and yes, I work that night as well. Welcome to my crazy life!

Blegh...

2006-09-22T11:20:00.000-05:00

So I've been very, very sick for the last two days. In and out of the bathroom every 30 minutes or so, I'll spare you all the details. I absolutely cannot keep anything down so I am very hungry, I'm trying to drink fluids so that I don't get dehydrated. Long story short, I haven't left the couch except to sprint to the bathroom in the last 30 hours. Alicia brought me Gatorade last night but didn't want to stick around because she cannot get sick. I didn't blame her :) Thank god I didn't have class today as my professor was out of town so I will only have makeup from yesterday. Other than that I'm just trying to get well enough to be able to work this weekend.

MobileMed

2006-09-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

So I have been working for the last few weeks to put together a website for my graduate design project. I have been calling it Mobile Med, just so it has a name and I can refer to it as something. The new site is up and running as of today and I will begin sending out contacts to manufacturers around the world. I am also going to be updating the Mobile Med site with my progress throughout this semester so if you want to keep up with me and what I'm doing check back.

Mobile Med Website

Work is going really well, I really love the restaurant and the people who work there. When I interviewed with Charles he told me that it was a family business and they worked as a family to make sure everything got done. I won't lie, there's always that sort of bullshit family line jobs give you to make you feel important and that's kind of what I wrote it off as... I was wrong. I really feel like I am a part of the family and I am passionate about what I'm doing. The money is good but not consistent, last Tuesday I didn't have a single table, tonight I had five. Some nights I make 15%-18% on my tips, tonight I made over 25%. I really love the restaurant and really want it to be the best. Charles and I have been discussing some advertising options so we'll see how it goes. You know me, I can sell freezers to Eskimos in December.

With all this, time to spend with Alicia is a premium. She's doing her student teaching in Shawnee so she's gone most of the day, she gets home right after I leave for work. Unless I don't work we only get to see each other maybe an hour a day, and we live across the hall!!! We went home to Spearville last weekend for her friend Melissa's wedding. It was my first small town wedding and dance and an experience it was! I told Alicia, I felt like the discovery channel should have been there to film it, it was a whole different culture. Anyway, it's late and I have studio tomorrow morning, ta ta for now.

Changes

2006-09-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

So many things are happening in my life right now, lots and lots of changes. I thought it was high time to overhaul the site as well. I'm not going to go back and update on everything that has happened in the last three months, there's way to much to cover. I don't really know why I haven't been posting, I have been busy but I just really didn't feel the need. I am finding out that I again want an avenue of expression in my life so I may be posting more often. We'll see!?

It's over, it's over, everybody died 'cept me... splat!

2006-05-17T19:39:00.000-05:00

Well I officially finished up this semester today and I have never been Sooooooo glad to be done with anything in my entire life. I think the main reason this semester sucked so bad was Studio. Usually studio is what keeps me going, it's my outlet. I love studio and I tollerate my other classes just enough that I can keep doing studio. This semeter's studio being what it was, I lost my outlet which also made all of my other classes even more difficult. I have never doubted that I wanted to be an architect, until this semester. The evil, kniving people I had to work with, the project, and the just general disdane I have for the whole process has just made me hate it. I am enrolled for the summer practicum and will be doing it through work. (Home Depot) Hopefully being a more proffessional work environment will help me see that the real world won't be as bad as this semester has been. I'll be living at the house for the summer and will be trying to work as much as possible.

Collin and I will be moving into an apartment together next year. We're living at 10th and Mississippi in Alicia's building. I'm really looking forward to moving out of the house, some of you may remember my previous posts about the direction the house has been moving recently. We're going to be living only a few blocks from a lot of our friends and I know we are still going to see the guys we're both really good friends with. I suppose there will still be things I will miss but right now the cons are far outweighing the pros.

My Mom and my little brother will be coming down to Larrytown this weekend for Alicia's graduation and I'm really looking forward to seeing them. We're going to be celebrating mother's day and Austin's birthday when they come down so it should be an eventful weekend. Alicia's folks and her grandparents will also be here so this will be the first time our parent's meet officially. Alicia's Mom met my Mom and Austin at the funeral but her Dad has never met either one of them. We (Alicia and I) will be going back to Nebraska for the Sugar Valley Rally the first weekend in June. I am really looking forward to running in the rally and seeing so many of our friends and extended family. Alicia and I are going to run the slow class in my Grandpa's '28 Model A two door sedan and Mom and Austin will be running the fast class in Dad's '31 Model A sport coupe.

Dad's Wisdom

2006-05-09T22:36:00.000-05:00

As I sit this evening in the computer lab, group members pissed off and pointing fingers, I am reminded of the wisdom of my father, a particular quote.

"A lack of planning and effort on your part does not constitute an emergency or lack of input on my part."

how true...

Whateva, whateva, I do what I want!

2006-05-08T11:04:00.000-05:00

The University has attempted to censor me, at least on this site. When attempting to load from a university computer, it kicks you out into a log in screen. Damn the man, up with little people. I will figure this out and he who hath crossed me will beg for mercy.

Update

2006-04-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while, I have been extremely busy the last few weeks. Papers to write, drawings to complete, internship to nail down. I have an interview on Wednesday with Abeln and Associates in Overland Park. I hope all goes well, they do retail architecture which is a big interest for me. The e-mail from the school said they required someone proficient in AutoCAD...could I be anymore perfect for the job? 'Cuz ya know, I can pretty much draw anything in AutoCAD and, ya know, some things without. -(Movie reference) I have been working a ton. The money is really great but this is the first time since I started that I have felt the squeeze of working and going to school. I love Home Depot, it's a great place to work, but they own you. I'm just trying not to let school take a back seat. I have WAAAAAY more invested in school.

For those of you who don't know my grandpa passed away shortly after my last post. I was home for about a week for the funeral and playing catch up when I got back was NOT fun. I know I want to post something about my grandpa but for now it's going to have to wait. I'll get to it.

Founder's day is this weekend (80 Years) and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the alumni. It should be a good time, great food, and I'm really looking forward to it. Spring Getaway is next weekend and Alicia, Bo, Collin and I will be sharing a cabin at Missouri's Table Rock Lake for the weekend. It will be a much needed rest. Collin and I turned in our lease for next year, haven't yet heard back from PMS on whether or not we got the place yet, hopefully we'll know sometime today. I have mixed emotions on moving out of the house but I'm really looking forward to living with Collin next year. Oh, oh, I almost forgot. I got invited to my very first ever bachelor party yesterday. I guess it's a sign that I'm getting old, but hey, I'll be having my own within a year! That's about it for know, I'll try to re-surface when school calms down a bit, if it calms down.

Whirlwind Life

2006-03-27T10:31:00.000-06:00

Well the last few weeks have been chaotic. My Hawks suffered a tough loss to Bradley in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. I don't want to hear anything bad about the team. Our guys have been great this year, we are a young team and we are struggling with things young teams go through, like inconsistency. I am proud of our guys and our coach and if we make as much progress next year as we did this year, we'll be the top team. An we WENT to the tournament, that's still a big deal. Mizzou wasn't even iN IT.

I spent spring break working and I went home for a few days to see my Grandpa. He has Pancreatic cancer and isn't going to be here much longer and I wanted to say goodbye. I have a lot of thoughts about him, I may or maynot share them in a later post.

School is still in full throttle, my group has a presentation of our Opera House to HOK in St. Louis this Friday, I don't know yet if I will be able to make it but hopefully I will be there. That's it for now.

Let the Madness Begin!

2006-03-17T09:39:00.000-06:00

So Kansas plays Bradley tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Who the heck is Bradley? That's what I thought so I looked into it a bit. They are the 13th seed in the Oakland region and are coming off an embarrasing loss to Southern Illinois. They have had some key wins over Drake, Creighton, and Wichita State so they aren't to be totally discounted. Given the streak my hawks have been on (winning 15 of the last 16 games) I'm not terrible worried about tonight's game. I have to work so I will not be watching it but you can bet the Radio will be on in the flooring department. Assuming we win we will face the Pittsburgh Panthers in round two. I may be going out on a limb but I think we will likely face Memphis in the semifinals and Gonzaga in the finals. Kansas, of course will win both.

Dith ith tho funnee

2006-03-16T08:23:00.000-06:00

I know someones death is a seious thing but I absolutely couldn't help giggling just a little bit over this.
I know, I know, definite hell points.

Dorothy's Back with a Vengance!

2006-03-13T20:58:00.000-06:00

So this weekend was an eventful one. A Tornado hit Lawrence Sunday morning at about 8:00. There are a whole lot of trees down all over town and a lot of damage to cars and buildings. The house was ok and there was no damage to my car. All in all I escaped rather unscathed. The only real pain in the you know what was that we lost power for about 26 hours. Classes were canceled on Monday and a lot of proffessors have cancelled their classes for tomarrow as well.

The big twelve championship has returned home to Kansas for another year as my Jayhawks beat Texas 80-68. It was a particularly sweet victory for us in light of the shafting we got the week prior. Texas and Kansas had the same record for the year meaning we shared the big 12 title. Texas, however, was given the trophy and Kansas, like much of this year, was given no real recognition. It really upset the fans and the team and shouldn't have happened. Yesterday was a righting of wrongs. We showed the world who the real big 12 champions were. To hell with Texas.

Next lies the big dance. While I was dissappointed with our seeding, and no big name announcer, commentator, or analys has projected the hawks to even make it past the elite eight, I have faith in our coach and our team. We have been a surprise team to the rest of the world all year and I think the main reason people here in lawrence have been a little upset about our lack of recognition is that we were never surprised. We always knew we were going to make it, we belong there. We also know that we have the opportunity to win it all. We are as good as any team out there and with the finals as open as they are this year who will win could be anybody's guess. We'll see what happens but I think to automatically assume Duke, UNC, UCONN, Syracuse, Villanova, or Boston College are the only teams out there just because of their previous reputation is downright stupid. Watch out for my Hawks, I'm calling it right now and I say we are going to win it all.

Your Fired

2006-03-07T08:26:00.000-06:00

OK, ok, ok... so it's the morning after but here's the update. Last night Stacie and Pepi were fired and in my opinion rightly so. The task was to get people to text message a certain message to a specific number and Gold Rush Corp. blew Synergy out of the water nearly doubling their number of texts. This happened for two reasons, one was flat out location. Both teams were in times square but for those of us who have been there, there are still good spots and bad spots within times square to get people's attention. I found myself continually asking why didn't they just go to the main terminal of Grand Central Station? But that's besides the point. Gold rush spread out over a large area and started at 5:45 am in order to make the most of the limited amount of time they had. Synergy was poorly managed and downright lazy. They started nearly two hours later in the day, that's two hours lost from the biggest and busiest commuting time of the day. Secondly they had zero and I mean ZERO energy. The only person on their team really putting forth ANY effort was Brent.
Brent... what can I say about Brent. He's a goofball to say the least. There's absolutely no way in hell Trump will make him the next apprentice BUT he certainly has the Spirit of the apprentice. He has more ambition, excitement, and motivation to get that job than the rest of the team COMBINED. As crazy and somewhat Psychotic as he is, a little piece of me is cheering for Brent. He's the underdog and while he may not win it's going to be wonderfully entertaining to watch him while he's around.

And lastly I have the lessons to be learned from this episode. #1 "Just because nearly everyone on your team hates one person and wants them fired doesn't mean they will be. MR. TRUMP IS NOT STUPID! He can clearly see the mob mentality of ganging up on one person to take the focus off of your own individual mistakes and he isn't going to fall for it." I thought back to Crazy Stacie from the last episode. While her behavior was just as bizarre and Psychotic as Brent, maybe more so, she wasn't the reason they lost. I think Trump saw the same situation last night but this time he reconciled the mistake made before. #2 Doing something and making a mistake will look better to Mr. Trump than nothing at all. Michael made a HUGE mistake in the stupid bathrobe idea. It was creative yes, but stupid. He took a risk, it didn't pay off but HE TRIED, and that's why he got a second chance. No one is perfect but Mr. Trump wants someone that is going to give him their all.

Rantings

2006-03-06T09:15:00.000-06:00

So my studio is continuing to be a source of constant frustration but for the first time in my college career it is not because of the project itself. We are working on a design for the St. Louis Opera Company for a new location. Needless to say the idea of an opera house has sparked me creatively and I have never had so many different ideas about a single project. However... we are working in groups. Usually I don't have any problems working in a group and in the past have always gotten along with my group members but this semester is really trying my patience. The people in my group seem constantly opposed to any of the many ideas I have. The only time i have "won" any of the battles that have been waged over our design decisions has been when one of the professors has agreed with me and told the rest of the group "I like this, do this." I'm trying to approach this whole thing with the attitude that you are never going to get along with everyone so even down the road in a work environment, this sort of case will probably present itself but there is still a little part of me that says, no... in a work environment people cannot be childish, petty, pig headed, and cry till I get what I want and create as much drama as possible. Thus, I have somewhat resigned myself to taking control of what parts of the project I have been assigned and making it as awesome and good as possible. When we have a critique, the less developed and poorly designed parts of the project will show and I will not be responsible for them. (give 'em enough rope, they'll hang themselves.) Did I mention I'm working with three women... Did I have to?

You're Fired!

2006-02-27T23:16:00.000-06:00

So those of you who know me know my love for the show The Apprentice so I will be posting each night after the show. This marks my first post of this season so here it goes:

After four seasons of this show why have people not figured out the simple strategy of SHUTTING UP! Summer (which by the way is a season not a name) was rightly fired for two reasons. One, she did absolutely nothing for her team during their task and two, she committed the cardinal sin of the apprentice, she interupted the Donald. I feel like I have to actually put this into words. Nothing, and I mean nothing you may think you have to say is more important than what the Donald is saying when you are sitting in that boardroom. Shut the hell up! Tarak was the losing project manager and all in all performed very weak. While there was plenty of individual blame for the loss to go around, Tarak was ultimately responsible and the bottom line was that he just didn't step up. I will give him credit for one thing: When Trump told him he could take up to three people back with him, he took three. Now Carolyn and George gave him crap about who he brought in but in the past every project manager who could bring in multiple people and only brought one or two was fired partially for that reason, Tarak was not. Play the game, take advantage of every possible outlet you have... he did that. It's still too early to make a call on who I think will win but I'm definitely starting to sort out who won't and of course you'll all know exactly what I think... imagine that.

I'm Sorry

2006-02-27T20:51:00.000-06:00

So here's the perfect way for Vice President Cheney to say sorry to Harry Whittington for the accident that occured a few weeks ago.

Special thanks to apple.com for the ability to put whatever the heck you want on an iPod. To get your FREE iPoD click on the link in the right hand collumn.

So long, farewell, now go to Hell!

2006-02-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

MUCK FIZZOU, MUCK FIZZOU, MUCK FIZZOU, MUCK FIZZOU, MUCK FIZZOU, YEAH!

So the slimy little cretin Quinn Snyder resigned his post as lord of the idiots Sunday evening. I have had mixed emotions on this. First of all, we all know how bad Mizzou Sucks! Secondly, no one in their right minds believes he really resigned, he was asked to step down. If your Quinn Snyder, this means that the Worst team in the big 12, no the worst team period, didn't want you. Wow, you must REALLY suck. I think I would want to give up on life. The only downside of the situation is that this means mizzou will be getting a new coach, possible one that won't be nearly as horrible as old shit for brains. But remember it is mizzou, they'll probably screw that up to, maybe Ricky Clemons is looking for a job... I'm sitting in the fieldhouse right now camping for the Mizzou game and I cannot help but marvel at how proud a tradition Kansas has. How classy and dedicated our fans are, and how we are far superior in every way. It's good to be on top.

Technology...

2006-02-03T16:18:00.000-06:00

I'm never talking on my cell phone again, it will cook my brain.

Mohamed doesn't have a sense of Humor

2006-02-03T14:14:00.000-06:00

So I've been contemplating posting something on the recent uproar over the printing of cartoons depicting Islamic founder Mohamed in the Jyllands-Posten this week. At first I thought about just sharing my random thoughts on the issue. The more I thought about it, and the more I thought about how these people react to any opinion even remotely different from their own, I briefly considered just passing on the subject altogether. Then I thought no, I am an American. I live in a country where I have the freedom to share my point of view without fear of persecution, torture, and death. That being said, here's what I think:

First of all, I can understand part of the outrage. When I put myself in their shoes and thought about how I would feel if I saw a cartoon of Jesus Christ rolling up in a panzer, I can understand their frustration. If I saw someone mocking the founder of the beliefs I hold very dear, I too would expect a retraction and a public apology. That's about where the similarities end. No part of my beliefs or religion would allow me to react like this or demand revenge. My God, my Savior, my Religion is not one that teaches hate, war, or revenge, rather forgiveness "forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Furthermore, upon several conversations with muslim friends, this is not in the teachings of Islam either. The reactions you see on news reports, the reporting done by the Communist News Network are the opinions of a select few who use Islam as a front for justifying their otherwise ridiculous actions. If any other group of terrorists had committed the actions these people have made, they would not only be criticized, I dare say they would be wiped from the face of the earth. But throw religion into the mix and suddenly it is somehow justified. We have to be tolerent, democratic, and work with other countries to accept this view. To this approach I say Bullshit. Any following that teaches murder, rage, aggression, revenge, and terror is not a religion, it's a cult, and therefore deserves no political due process, no understanding, and I'll be damned if I am going to be tolerent of it.

That being said, what is my country doing about it? According to the media I guess you first have to establish what side of party politics you are on and who you think is responsible for the war. Then based on your already existing view you can blame who is responsible for the current position of the United States of America. Because it is obvious that these extremist individuals have no concept or respect for freedom and because as so very many liberals have pointed out the US cannot control the rest of the world I would rather focus on home, here in the US. What is being done to continue to protect my freedom here at home. The only thing we have is the Patriot Act. While the constitutionality of this act has been called into question (even though the constitution clearly states congress, NOT THE PRESIDENT, has the power: To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.) this act is the only thing protecting the United States from forces who do not understand nor respond to diplomacy. It is in light of these facts that I entreat you to consider this piece of slightly biased but nonetheless truthful piece of information. Who is trying to ensure your freedoms, including that which gives you the right to criticize your government? It's the same people who you are criticizing. I urge you all to forget party politics, support our president, our leaders, our country so that we may stand together in the face of these terrorists and show them that freedom does indeed conquer all.

Roller Derby

2006-01-30T10:54:00.000-06:00

I shot this a while back, thought you all might enjoy it. Yes, these are the same people who will someday be designing the airplanes you fly in, the streets you drive on, and many other very, very important things. Way to go Generation Debt!

Rantings

2006-01-27T08:54:00.001-06:00

So I'm reading the Free for All this morning and come across an extremely stupid and uneducated comment about how president Bush is responsible for the New Orleans disaster and the deaths of miners in West Virginia. After reading this comment my first reaction was, what an idiot. Upon further contemplation I came to wonder why any responsible journalist would even print something so incredibly stupid? I came to one conclusion. The Un Doubtedly Krappy campus newspaper doesn't care about responsible journalism, only printing a liberal view so that students who don't take the time to be active in politics and are uneducated about current events will join them in their stupidity. This is extremely ironic considdering an article in that same paper on the 20th about declining student readership and how the Kansan was going to try to be more well rounded. Here's an idea, stop printing rediculous crap that discredits your paper. I know it's the Free for All and it's meant to be rediculous but even printing it gives it legitimacy that it doesn't deserve. I think this is only one example of a Media driven war. Forget electing your next representative or senator, we should be holding elections for our newscasters and network executives. In such a modern day as ours where the general public has lost all sense of loyalties and responsibilities, the best way to reach out to voters is through the familiar and fickle means of media. Why have we as intelligent people allowed ourselves to become so lazy that the media now tells us how to think and feel? Stand up, think for yourself, be responsible, trust me there's a whole lot of Crap out there by people hoping you don't.

Update: So it turns out that the fire in the mine that this particularly stupid free for all caller refered to was actually in a mine in Canada. I'm sure president Bush has control over laws governing mining in Canada. Genius, pure genius.

2006-01-25T10:01:00.000-06:00

Heylo!

Yeah, yeah, I know. I could write about five pages of what's happened since my last post but I don't really feel like it. If you know me, you know what's up. I'll highlight a few important things. 1) I recently got engaged to my girlfriend of two years. She is absolutely wonderful in every way and I'm a much better person with her in my life. 2) Last semester was the most difficult semester I have ever had, hence no posts. School has started back up for me, I'm going to have a really busy semester but I only have a year and a half left till graduation. To be honest I don't know if I'll be ready to leave. 3) I went to New York for fall break to have a couple of interviews. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. 4) I put my portfolio online at zacharystoltenberg.com . I am desperately trying to line up an internship for summer, don't know where yet but a big city would be nice. 5) One of my new years resolutions was to start posting again, that and... get rid of the hairy bagel. That's all I got till tomarrow...or whenever.

Summer

2005-07-22T11:45:00.000-05:00

Summer is drawing to an end and I am finally seeing some more free time open up, so much has happened in the last two months, much more than I can post here. I'm heading to chicago at the end of next week and school starts up again the 12th. I'm also planning on going home for a week or so between then. Crazy, hectic, end of summer plans. I'll keep you posted. I also put in a link to the best deal for a free iPod that's out there, check it out.

2005-04-08T09:17:00.000-05:00

I know it has been quite a while since I posted and I thought you all might want an update. For starters, I have been considering a lot of things about my life and trying to make a decision about some aspects of my future and what I will become. I guess to outline some of the big things; I have decided to transfer my class program. Instead of being in the 5 year B. Arch program, I am going to transition to the new Masters program KU has implemented in the school of architecture. This is much like Montana State and other universities I looked at when considering where to go to college. It will probably mean six total years in school but it will be well worth it.
While we're on the subject of school, Studio this semester has been extremely difficult. I have a wonderful professor, Murli Ramaswami. He continually both challenges me and tests my patients. I go from moments of realizing the brilliance this man contains and the wealth of knowledge I can attain to being so frustrated I could kill him. I'm joking of course but at times Studio is very trying. My other arch courses are continuing as usual and "Dr. B" is up to his usual antics of "this guy interacts with this guy" when talking about steel beams. No man over the age of seventy should be teaching still.
As far as the house goes I, sadly, have given up on the house. I guess I could continue like Kyle and Keith and live here and have nothing to do with anyone who lives here but that's not what I wanted. This is an e-mail I sent out today after our sergeant at arms threatened to call a collection agency over a 25.00 fine. Very brother like:

It's because of shit like this that I say there is a serious lack of brotherhood in this house. Turning over to bill collectors? Are you serious or just fucking retarded? That might be how things are dealt with in the barrio but when you live with people who are supposed to be your brothers you don't treat them like this. Triangle at Kansas is no longer a fraternity, because fraternity implies a sense of brotherhood. We have NONE. Triangle at Kansas is no more than an apartment building and it has become like this directly because of actions like this. If all I want is to be a tenant, not a brother, I can do so for a lot less money somewhere else. The actions taken by J-Board and the decisions made by individuals on Tuesday night have finally convinced me that there is no hope for the future of the house and no point in putting in any effort on my part to try to fix it. I'm sick and tired of giving and giving and getting shit on by the people I'm helping. I'm no longer making rush calls and I have half a mind to call the guys that I have dealt with and tell them not to return their contracts. The kind of house I sold them on no longer exists. I decided a month ago to really take a step back and examine the situation the house was in and who in the house was causing it to happen. I made myself just watch what really went on instead of acting out of my own anger or frustration. What I have concluded is that the house is in far WORSE condition than even I thought it was and if you can't see it it's because you don't want to or you’re a part of it. Even the Alumni board knows what is going on and who is responsible. I've talked to Earl and Dave and Kuhf and they all know how I feel about the direction of the house. So do what you think you have to, turn your back on your brothers, and see what happens to the house. All I can say is that I'm not going to be here, I'm not going to be a part of it when it comes crashing down.

That pretty much sums up my feelings on Triangle Fraternity at the University of Kansas as the chapter sits right now. The house didn't used to be this way and it could be so much more if it weren't for the actions of a select few who seemed to have amassed power within the house. I have had my fill of trying to compensate and fill in the gaps and have resigned myself to the realization that nothing will change until those who are in control fall flat on their faces. I will be there to pick up the pieces but I am at my whits end as far as trying to salvage the situation we are in right now.

So, I am looking for a place to live next year. Ideally I would like to either live by myself or with a single roommate. If anyone knows anyone looking for a roommate, I'm open for just about anything as long as it's fairly close to campus. I'm really trying to re-evaluate what I thought my future was going to be and what I'm willing to sacrifice for my own mental well being.

That is something else I have been struggling with recently. As those of you who are close to me already know I have struggled with depression after taking three, Yes three, treatments of Accutane. People have committed suicide after only a single treatment and yet this drug is still on the market. I have been taking Effexor off and on for almost three years now. It probably isn't the best but I kind of self medicate. I don't like the side effects of the drug and I really can't tolerate most of them, (I.E. Nausea, Insomnia, Diarrhea, Etc.) but when I feel myself falling out of control. When I feel like I've lost a grasp on my life I will endure the side affects to regain control of my own mind. It's like a constant battle for control, on top of the rest of my life and all of my other worries but I’m dealing with it alright and I really depend a lot on the people around me.

Alicia and I are still together and these last few months, while trying, have convinced me more than ever that this is the one singular person I want to spend the rest of my life with. My only frustration with our relationship is her ever present desire for the best for me. Even when I really feel like letting go and try my damndest to sabotage myself, she is always there to question me and get me back on track. I always told myself that I would hold out for Agape love, a theory presented to my way back in high school by Mrs. Thompson but I never thought I would discover it so soon in my life. Honestly, and I have told Alicia this, I was not ready for someone top marry when I met her, I wasn't quite done sowing my wild oats. But like the 95% of males surveyed, I love being in a committed relationship so much more than when I was single or just dating. I guess God really does know what's best and I cannot wait until the day when I can make that happen.

As far as my financial situation goes, I have pretty much stopped taking anything from my mom and Austin. My cell phone and my insurance are still paid for but everything else is going to be on my own from now on. I might almost kill myself making it work but I will not give up on the idea of providing for myself. There's always what seems to be what I know I should do and what I can do and the two are sometimes very far apart but I'm trying to bring them closer together.

I know this has been rather long but for me, kind of therapeutic and I am trying to return more of my thoughts to ZRT's and really let you all see into my brain. I have a lot of other thoughts, Terry Schiavo, Pope John Paul, and various things I worryabout within my Family, but I am still trying to decide what to say and what is appropriate for this avenue of discussion. I might see ya tomorrow, I might see you a month from know, just know that ZRT's is forever and will be until my final post someday, far far in the future.

I'm in the Kansan!

2005-02-21T10:21:00.000-06:00

Check it out, Alicia and I are on the front page of the UDK. Click on the picture then scan the top right, I'm in a grey t-shirt, Alicia's to my right. Wish it was for a better reason but hey, at least we made it. Screw Stinson and to hell with Iowa State and blind referees.

Just an update...

2005-02-10T18:43:00.000-06:00

I realize my recent posts have been fewer and farther between but my life is just so much busier right now. I was going back through and reading some of my past material and I realized that the dirrection of my blog is changing. I used to have a much more opinion based blog, I found stuff I didn't agree with and I ranted about it. I would like to return to being more of a watchdog, calling it like I see it and bringin common sense back to my little piece of the internet. So wether you like it or not, it's my opinions if you disagree, leave. On that note, a little deliberation on Valentines day.

I have recently had many single friends bitching and moaning about this 1/365 of the year and how alone it makes them feel. I too, was not always betrothed but I never had the sense of self loathing that I am getting from these people (guys and girls both). I have heard everything from "i'm not celebrating St. Hallmarks day" to people planning an all out Protest via their weblogs to this most special of days. I know that much of this hatred for the baby with the bow and arrow is from individuals who don't have a "significant other" but I don't think you need one to celebrate Valentines Day. Do something with your friends to show them you appreciate them. Do something special for your mother (I'm pretty sure you all have one). it doesn't have to be about romance, just importance.The question I ask is why? Why is there such contempt for a day that is just about celebrating love?
I think that this huge buildup, what valentines day has become, stems more from people who only show their love one day a year, or on the flip side, only recognize their seperation from love one day a year. I plan on going all out this year. Alicia and I decided to celebrate our anniversary (feb 6th) and not do presents for Valentines Day but damnit, I really enjoy showing the people I love how much I love them. This is something you should do all the time, every day. Valentines Day is just an occasion to do it a little bit more. So is it all just hype? Do people make too big of a deal of Valentines Day? My answer is GOD I HOPE SO! Sending flowers and chocolates or a pretty card are good, but you should do those kind of things all year long. Valentines Day is all about the hype, an excuse to go over board. To go above and beyond the typical ways you show people important to you how much the really do mean. I encourage you to fight the naysayers and the tightwads. Do something above and beyond for the people you love, even if it's not your girlfriend.

YOU'RE FIRED!

2005-01-31T20:40:00.000-06:00

YEAH, MIZZOU SUCKS... AGAIN! My Jayhawks defeated the Misery Pussy Cats 73 to 61 in a game that was much closer than it should have been. Big Dub was again the most impressive Kansas player but J.R. Giddens was ever present with his 3 pointers and Moody continued to earn his title as the "Best Walk-on Ever!" the game was TONS of fun and I think the loudest I have ever experienced in Allen Field House. No one can tell me now that fans don't have an impact on a game. It wasn't until Bud Stallworth spoke during the halftime ceremony to retire his jersey and urged the crowd to "Rally behind these guys and get those tigers out of here." that the crowd finally responded and the jayhawks came back from an 11 point deficit. I'm proud to be a Jayhawk and Quinn Snyder, you are sooooooooo going to get fired!

Home

2005-01-03T15:32:00.000-06:00

I'm home for break (obviously... as seen by my lack of posting) Christmas was great, it was good just to be home with my family. We had Christmas dinner at my grandpa's house and had frozen pizza...yes, frozen pizza, and a relish tray. Dinner may have been a little dissapointing but we are celebrating our real family Christmas this weekend by going to Copper Mountain. My Birthday is on Thursday, HAPPY 21st TO ME!!! but I doubt I'll be doing much. Maybe have a beer with dinner or something but that's probably it. Not sure when I'm heading back to school yet but I know I have to be back the 14th or 15th for initiation. Ahmed's coming up from Dallas and I would like to spend a few days or so with him so I might go back a little before that, it all depends on the bathroom.

I have been remodeling our first floor bathroom since the day after Christmas. We stripped out EVERYTHING, down to the bare studs and subfloor. I built a shower to replace the shower/tub that used to be there and had to move every plumbing fixture but the toilet valve. We are going to tile a lot of the new room so I hung Backerboard (extremely heavy) instead of sheetrock (regular heavy). It's day eight now and I'm sure I have at least 4 or 5 days left but at least most of the hard stuff is done. How early I leave for school depends on how much of the tiling is left and what I can leave for Austin to finish up.

That's about it for now, I'm not getting any break during break but I'll post more when I'm back in Larryville.

FREE iPOD

2004-12-13T16:03:00.000-06:00

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Hey-

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I've joined and I think you should as well.

It's a completely legitimate offer, and this company has already given away $4 million in FREE stuff!

All you have to do is join, complete an online offer, and refer friends to do the same. That's it!

Here is the link.

http://www.freeiPods.com/?r=12984265

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Half way there!

2004-12-13T11:53:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know it's only monday of Finals week but I'm half way done. I have one final down, one to go. I have one studio project completed and one final paper yet to write. I just want to be done with school and pass all my classes. For the first time in almost three years, I really hate school.

Maybe Hate is too strong of a word and maybe I'm being too idealistic but I think it is (edited to preserve family rating) rediculous to give the exact same (edited to preserve family rating) final two years in a row. People in my history class don't even go to class anymore for two reasons. One, my teacher is french and looks and sounds like a fruit cake. Secondly, all his old tests are copied and passed around studio like valium in a mental institute. He changed a whopping three slides and no questions from last year to this year so the question I pose is this. What did everyone in History of Modern Architecture learn? I'll tell you what I learned. 1) it's ok to hate the french, they really do suck. 2) you don't have to attend class to pass class. 3) 107 future architects have no friggin clue why modern architecture or precendence means anything today. My own drive tells me that it's just another thing I have to do before I graduate but (edited to preserve family rating) even our studio proffessor couldn't tell us one (edited to preserve family rating) thing on the test. He told us that we will never ever use this crap again and that we shouldn't bother to learn it more than to memorize it for the test. And I'm paying 10,000 dollars a year for this.

AHHHHHhhhhhhhhh!

Sick...Still

2004-12-06T17:15:00.000-06:00

School is almost over for the semester and I'm still sick. I've been sick for like since before Thanksgiving. I think I have a sinus infection, upper resperitory infection, or both. I can't hardly stop coughing and breathing is getting harder. I have like this little lump of booger that won't let go of the back of my toung. I just can't wait for christmas vacation and the rest that comes with it.

Lappy 486!

2004-12-02T22:07:00.001-06:00

Yeah!!!!!! I'm a spoiled rotten brat and I have a wonderful new computer! Lappy 486 is now up and twisty turning running... and responding to the sound of my voice. Yup, voice recognition technology. Sweet!!!!!!!!!

Blogg

2004-11-23T11:03:00.000-06:00

You Are a Snarky Blogger!

You've got a razor sharp wit that bloggers are secretly scared of.
And that's why they read your posts as often as they can!

What kind of blogger are you?

Mizzou Sucks...Again...and Again...and Again

2004-11-22T14:07:00.000-06:00

MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU

Well, just when we finally think the inbred spawn of hillbilly pond scum could't suck any more, Mizzou steps it up. This article appeared in the Columbia Missourian yesterday. Imagine that, a namesake that symbolizes Academic Misconduct for team that embodies Athletic Misconduct and a university that condones Social Misconduct. How can any normal person even considder attending the disgusting puss hole over running with mucus that is Mizzou?

MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU MUCK FIZZOU

Happy Birthday!

2004-11-22T09:54:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday Happy birthday
Happy birthday to me!

Zach's Random Thoughts is now officially two years old!
My how my little blog has grown.

In other news I FINALLY enrolled today and there was a VERY limited selection. My schedule for next year looks like:

ARCH 301 Architctr Desgn IV 8:30AM-12:20PM Mon,Fri 8:30AM-11:20AM Wed
Ramaswami,Murali
ARCH 303 Design Information 1:30PM-2:20PM Mon
Ramaswami,Murali
ARCH 357 Constructn Documnt 1:30PM-3:20PM Fri 2:30PM-3:20PM Wed
Ramaswami,Murali

ARCH 620 Statics Architects 7:20AM-9:20AM Tues,Thurs Benjamin,Bezaleel S.
ARCH 621 Strgth Mtrls Archt 7:40AM-9:20AM Tues,Thurs Benjamin,Bezaleel S.

A slap in the face...

2004-11-21T20:13:00.000-06:00

I finally think that this whole election mess is over. I almost let myself think that America is on the mend, then this piece of liberal hippie crap graces my presence. Yup, the democratic party in Florida is mad because their insurance companies refuse to cover treatment for Post Traumatic Election Disorder. (I'm sure John Kerry's nationwide health plan would have covered it) What totally appalls me is that The American Health Association is actually backing it. I think there is a larger picture and I am reminded about a post by That Other Guy in mid October. The post was not only about KU Faldoing K-State and the origin of the term Faldo but it was a larger examination of how K state has defined their existence by stating their superiority to KU and the apocalyptic events that occurred at this years game. I think the stretch can be made to include the elections. George W. Bush Faldoed John Kerry. I think the whole thing is ridiculous and in researching this post I came across another blog that says it better than I ever possibly could. It is as follows...

"My friend TK has the theory that Dims cheat, lie, steal, and do just about anything else to win elections because they don't know what they'll do if they lose; whereas, Republicans are not so troubled because if they lose, they just go back to whatever productive life might be lying around for them."

I can comfortably say that every outspoken democrat I know is continuing the fight because they simply don't know what else to do. They keep reading their books and posting their little notes on doors and classroom bulletin boards instead of returning to the normal routines and purposes their mixed up lives once held. Please people, recognize the results, the election was not even close so let the fame accumulated by Michael Moore, John Stewart, and the rest of the public idiots during the last four months die already. Now get a life.

I'm a slave to the system.

2004-11-15T21:33:00.000-06:00

I've been building a model for three days.
I've been building a model that's 1/22 too small but I hope no one notices.
I've been building a model totally out of scraps instead of new materials to save money I don't have.
I've been building a model at Alicia's instead of studio so we can actually spend time together.
I've been building, and building, and building...

I'm going to sleep.

2004-11-04T14:03:00.000-06:00

Studio Pictures

Yeah, John Kerry is STILL a Loser

2004-11-04T09:53:00.000-06:00

OK, I've had a few days to cool off and let the excitement dwindle. But hell yeah to Presdient Bush and a howdy to 94.5 Million people who support our president during this country's greatest time of need. If you are one of the other 91 million who don't support our president or worse, if you didn't vote, P-Diddy's going to kill you.

In other news, school is going well, I have a really big project due tuesday in B tech. Actually it's a bunch of little projects I have been putting off. This weekend should be fun, Alicia's going to Manhattan to celebrate a birthday with one of her close friends so it's me and the boys this weekend. (I think she'd rather not know what we are going to do.) There's a game on friday against my second most hated team (colorado) and I'll be out to support my Hawks. And I have a work log to assemble, or start to assemble, over the weekend. Should be plenty to do but I'll get it all done. P-Diddy's still going to kill you.

I am experimenting with this new picture software for blogger and trying to integrate it into working with my existing picture page. We'll see. I am limited for a few weeks until I can get my new computer. I think I have decided on the gateway but please give me feedback. P-Diddy's still going to kill you.

In house news I was nominated to be pledge-ed next year. This is something that I really want and I have been talking to most of the guys in the house to see how they feel about it. Hopefully monday night will go well and my brothers will support me and trust me to shape next years pledge class into responsible active members and great brothers. And seriously, P-Diddy's going to kill you.

R.I.P.

2004-10-27T18:36:00.000-05:00

I awooke this morning to an expected but sad sight. My black moore Frack has gone to swim in the big ocean in the sky. Goodbye Frack, I will miss you. I also am still mourning the death of my computer. I started looking at new ones and have narrowed it down to two. A Dell Inspiron 8600 and a Gateway M 275. I have changed my poll, please respond accordingly.

Back to the grind. Hmmm, grind... Cofffeeeeeeeee mmmm.

2004-10-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

Well fall break is regretably over. Alicia and I went to St. Louis for four days. we did all the touristy stuff but it was really fun. We went to the zoo wich was totally awesome and the art museum and the science center and the Budwieser brewery (free beer, yeah!), an of course the arch. We ahd a really great time and took some amazing pictures wich you will all get to see if I ever get a second to finish the pic page.

In sad news my laptop has totally crashed. Bit the dust, turning up daisies, all gone, bye bye, whoo wooo! I'm updating from the marvin lab and probably will be for quite some time. Financial aid is still a mess but I have yet another meeting with "Nick" on thursday, I hope all goes well.

The weather in lawrence has finally cooled off and I LOVE IT! It's been great to be able to wear all my winter clothes and drink my pot of coffee. I't sounds bad but it's finally starting to feel like school to me.

Studio's going great and I got a B on my last project. This was, overall, a very high grade when compared to the rest of the class. I reeally like Proffessor Padget and I think he is a fair teacher. This new project is proving to be a challenge but I had a big break through today, we'll see if it develops into anything.

Yeah we have a new studio project!

2004-10-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

We got our new project for studio and I'm so excited. We are designing a 250 seat auditorium for Marvin hall. We are also putting a coffee bar and other amenities in it. I'm toying with several different ideas and my brain is just reeling. I started on a couple different study models and right now i'm torn between encorporating a lot of multimedia or projectors or tv's or something but another part of me wants to be a purist and just have a smooth volume or shape almost a bulging envelope of space. I guess I'll just show them both to my proffessor and see what he says.

In ZRT's News check out the new picture page. It's not entirely done, as you'll see, but let me know what you think. Hopefully I will have some pictures posted shortly so you all can see what I've been up to. That's about it for now, oh... and... K STATE SUCKS!

the Purple Pussies Lost !!!!!!!

2004-10-09T23:22:00.000-05:00

Yeah!!!!!!!!! 31 to 28 KU over K State! First time in 12 years!!! Rock chalk Jayhawk go KU!

Zach's Random Review

2004-09-28T21:20:00.000-05:00

So a NEW show on the Discovery Channel premiered tonight called Wingnuts. I think it looks really cool and will serve to replace the aging and, dare I say, failing monster garage. There's a schedule posted and I think you should all check it out.

Zach's Review: An inspiring and creative show detailing the production of aeronautical art and furniture pieces.

Alicia's Review: This is just like American Chopper, a bunch of big guys with attitudes yell at each other and slam a big metal door.

Whoooooa Dude.....Dude?

2004-09-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

Bermuda Triangle was last night. Yowza, what an awesome time. Literally hundreds of people, lots of loud music, all in all probably one of our best parties ever. I went to bed at almost 4:00. On another note, here is parts of a letter I recieved from Ed Gilespie (the Republican Campaign Manager, Duh!) and it poses some very interesting questions about the whole CBS scandal and I kinda want to know what y'all think.

The centerpiece of the Kerry campaign's "character based critique," Boston-speak for character assassination, is based on a discredited news report that was based on the criminal activity of someone who mocked up and forged documents.

What's that say about the character of the Kerry campaign?

In a Wednesday conference call with members of the press I posed several questions to the Kerry campaign and the DNC. They should answer those questions, abandon their character assassination campaign and focus on the issues relevant to the American people in this election.

Was a crime committed? (I believe so.)
Did the Kerry campaign know about the existence of the documents in question in advance of the CBS report? (A chronology of events indicates they did.)
We know that CBS put the Kerry campaign in touch with Burkett, but who put Burkett in touch with CBS in the first place? Was it someone at the Kerry campaign, or the DNC?
Who were the 'seniors' other than Senator Cleland that Burkett spoke to at the Kerry campaign on August 20? Lockhart wasn't a part of the Kerry campaign on August 20, and neither were McCurry, Begala, Carville or Greenberg. So, who spoke with Burkett on August 20, and to whom did he provide the information for a "counterattack?"
Did the Kerry campaign or the DNC know about the documents before the CBS story broke? If so, from whom did they learn of them?

The bottom line is this: Someone engaged in illegal activity. That activity became part of an effort to influence the outcome of a Presidential election and Senator Kerry's campaign should take their involvement seriously.

The Kerry campaign, the Democrat National Committee, and Senator Kerry himself should immediately disclose what they knew and when they knew it.

This is the tone they set for their campaign. That's one of many reasons why our Party is growing while their Party is shrinking, and why we will win in November.

So stick that in your pipe an smoke it!

Chutes & Crackas

2004-09-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

woke up this morning to thunder and lightning. It was Sooooo loud. Car alarms were going off, seriously. Depending on the weather, Lish and I may be going to KC to the Renisance Festival. I have wanted to go for a while and their feast of fools is today and tomarrow. We'll see. I've got a formal event to go to this evening with a bunch of architecture students. Sort of pomp and circumstance but I'm actually looking forward to it. That's all for now!

Studio has begun!!!!!!!

2004-09-15T08:34:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the absence, studio and my other classes are now in full force. I'm spending between 30 and 40 hours a week working on studio and models, drawings, etc. Things have finnally settled down in the house, our wildest event around now is tailgating. But homecoming will come soon enough and then everything will be nuts again for about three weeks. I'm still having problems with my financial aid but I did get a job yesterday. I'm doing market research for a mortgage company here in lawrence, it means making cold calls but I'm getting paid 10.00 an hour so I'm not complaining. I'm going to try to sett aside some time this week to do some updating on my website so watch for a few changes coming your way.

I RETURN!!!!!

2004-08-30T09:34:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,

I realized today just how long I have really been gone. School has started again and my life has resumed some semblance of normalacy again. I'm still living in the Triangle House and I'm still in Architecture school. Studio is already proving to be a struggle, not because it's difficult, I'm just still adjusting to a new teaching style. I had professor Grabow last semester and we only did one building all semester. I didn't get lazy, i spent just as much time in studio as I always did, but I feel like I did better work. The new studio is more accellerated, I think that we will probably do at least two, if not three projects instead of just one. I just don't like it as well, but everyone else in my class is used to it so I'm kinda on my own. Our project is a boathouse for the KU Crew.
Alicia and I are still together. She's keeping busy with four teaching classes and she still knows more about math than I could ever hope to comprehend. She's living in an apartment this year and it's really close to the house. It's nice to be able to spend more time together and not have to worry about parking or the danger of a pretty girl walking home alone at night. Her roomates are really nice girls and I think she's a lot happier than when she was living in the towers. Looking back on these last 8 months I really don't know what I would have done without her. I guess it just proves that God puts all the people you need in your life before he allows you to face tribulations.
But all in all I'm doing pretty good. It feels so good just to be back in Lawrence. If any of you get anywhere near me, don't hesitate to call me up or fire off an E-mail.

2004-07-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

Hey all,

I know I said that I wasn't going to write until I was back in school but I have access to High Speed today so I thought I would post. I think I could write a book about this summer. I'm working construction for a guy in town and we're buiilding three different houses at the same time. It's really hard work and I'm not getting paid enough but I'm learning a lot so I'm trying to look at it like an internship. let's see, what else... oh! I went to San Francisco for a few days in June, I'm going to Indianapolis next weekend and I only have 18 days till I see Alicia again. It's been really hard to be apart this summer but it's also been good reinforcement that what I feel about her is real. I can't wait to get back home (Lawrence) and start school again so I'll see ya then! Hopefully my pictures section will be done and youcan all see what I've been up to this summer!

My Absence

2004-07-01T21:13:00.000-05:00

Sorry to everyone, I'm home for the summer and am not able to post via dial-up. I will return and ZRT's will again be thriving with controversial quips qnd whims, until then your all just going to have to watch CNN crossfire or something. Signing off fot the summer, I'll see you again in August.

Zach

Wanted...Dead or alive. Preferably Dead.

2004-05-26T17:53:00.000-05:00

I know, what we really need to do is send out some Cheat Commandos. They'd lay the smack down and send these terrorists all the way back to the caves they crawled out of. I, Zach, do hereby proclaim a free T-Shirt to anyone who brings in the dead and rotting corpse of one of these horrible little people.

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!

2004-05-26T07:27:00.000-05:00

Well I'm home now, and it only took five days to get here. I went home with Alicia for her sis's graduation. It was a lot of fun and her family is so nice. I got to work at the world headquarters of the Spearville News, and expereince graduation in a small town.

I left Kansas on Sunday morning and Drove to Grand Island to see my Grandma Stoltenberg. It was good to see her and talk. We watched Calendar Girls on her new DVD/VCR player. I set it up for her.

Monday I drove home to Scottsbluff stopping off in Shelton, NE to see my cousins, in Lodgepole to see the grouch, in Gurly to see Wyerts, in Dalton to eat at the Round Robin, and in Bridgeport to see my cousins. I finally got home about 6:00. It's been wonderful to be home but I think if someone told me school started in a week, I'd be ready to go back...as long as I didn't have to drive back down there.

I think we're going to try to get away a few days after Austin gets out of school. Everything is ready for the rally, Austin and I got a new Battery for the car yesterday. It's backfiring after you shut it off and we're not sure why yet. Anyway, if you'all are lookinf for a good time the 3rd through the 6th of june, c'mon nown to Nebraska for the rally.

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles....

2004-05-19T23:43:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, Thank you middle eastern man for pittying us and letting us into the pool at the Holiday Inn Express after the 10:00 p.m. deadline. Alicia and I went over to the Hotel her dad was staying at tonight and soaked in the hot tub for an hour. I jammed my toe walking up the stairs outside of Wescoe after delivering my English portfolio. It really hurts and I feel like whining about it a lot. I got a box of goodies from Mom for the trip home today. I love my mom and I don't care who knows about it. I have one more test tomarrow in histor of Arc and then I'm outta Lawrence for the summer. I'll be in Spearville with Lish and her family for her sister's graduation and I'll proly head up to Grand Island on Sunday. Monday I'll drive on into Scottsbluff. I want to take off with my family for a while and the Rally is the 3rd through the 6th of June. For those of you who don't know the Sugar Valley Rally is an antique car race that my dad started about 12 years ago. My Mom and I are running in it this year and if you feel like visiting this is the weekend to do it. Hopeffully I can post in the next few days but as I said I'll be on the road so we'll see.

Victory is Sweet!

2004-05-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

I just beat Alicia in Chess, HER game. In the words of immortal school children everywhere, "Nana nana boo boo." It's OK, I know someday she's going to beat me and this is Soooooo coming back on me.

Bloggable Quotes

2004-05-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

Me: I really have to pee.

Anonymous : Yeah, me too.

five minutes later...

Anonymous: Ahhh, I feel better.

Me: Yeah, me too.

Anonymous: I actually think I'm skinnier.

Me: (Hysterical laughs ensue puzzled expression.)

Stick 'em Up

2004-05-12T22:25:00.000-05:00

I want a Cheat Commando. Anyone know where I can get one?

Also

Went out to dinner with the Mooch and Friend at Jade Garden. Yummy Mandarin Chicken with free egg drop soup.

Lish and I cleaned my room for this summer, yup, really cleaned. Proly cleaner than it has been all year long. Ok, ok, she made me do it but that's why I love her. She makes me a better me. "Sigh"

That's about it for now, Yay no early class tomarrow, just English and History. I'm going to go take out a 50 gallon garbage bag of crap, run Alicia home, and then I'm going to bed. Nigh night.

Feeling Better

2004-05-08T13:22:00.000-05:00

This week totally sucked but I'm feeling a lot better now. Last night was relay for life and Alicia and I walked for a few hours as a part of our teams. All together the students and faculty at KU raised over $60,000 for cancer research and treatments. I want to say a BIG thank you to all of you who donated or helped me in my fundraising efforts. If I missed you, you can still help out by visiting the American Cancer Society Website and either donating to the cause or signing up to help in your area. I'm going over to Alicia's to make stir fry, thank you Mom and Dad for the cookbook.

a hard day

2004-05-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

I'm having a really hard day. I really miss my Dad and I just want to pick up the phone and hear his voice on the other end. Damnit I want him back, it isn't fair. I know, Dad, I know. Fair comes once a year in August. I'm listening to Jim Salestrom and looking at pictures but it's just not the same. Feel free to call me and talk.

Classes are going surprisingly well, I had a Strengths test this morning and I feel really good about it. I don't know if I got the right answer but I felt like I knew what I was doing the entire time. History is going to be my next challenge. Studio is flying by, I've almost finished my model after spending most of the entire weekend working on it. Alicia helped me a ton making all the little things that go inside, furniture, bookcases, etc. I don't know how I got so lucky. The outside is completely done with the exception of the corner tower. The inside, all I have left is the top floor. I'll post pictures when it's finished.

There are only two weeks of school left and I feel like I fell asleep and missed the entire year, where has it gone. I'm not going to be ready to graduate in three years. Maybe I'll just go straight into the masters program, or law school, I don't know. I'll be so broke by then it won't probably matter. Anyway, I still have to write two pages for english at 1:00 so see ya!

Recovery

2004-04-30T12:46:00.000-05:00

I'm back inn school now, most of my proffessors have been really great about me being gone for so long. I have some make up work but not as much as I thought I would. I'm trying to get everything in my life back to what it was before but it's really hard. I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping, every time I close my eyes I start thinking about my dad. I suppose it will end eventually but for right now I want those memories to come. I'll try to update again this weekend.

A letter to my Dad

2004-04-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Dad

I always knew this day would come
an unpleasant one, unlike some...
I'm all alone now, just me and Austin and Mom
and without you I don't know how we'll get along
But I remember everything you taught me
and how you told me to be strong
and I know how much you love me
In my eyes you were never wrong
I never felt safer than when you gave me a hug goodbye
and warned me about how safe I should drive

I remember your faith and trust in the Lord above
even when the rest of us couldn't understand his plan or his love
"God will take care of us" you'd smile and say
It's like you always had to show us the way
If you ever doubted anything Dad, we never knew
you always had the answers to our woes
"Life isn't fair," You'd say
"Sometimes that's just how it goes."
I feel really blessed Dad, that I had you for so long
and I know that you would want me to go on.

I think about how many people you knew
and how many of those people we're lucky to know you
You were an ace Dad, as good as they come
you made even the simplest things a lot more fun
You made everyone feel like they were so important
Like they were your only best friend
You were such an example to Austin and I, and everyone
Even right up until the end.
You were the best father a man could be
I hope I can be half the dad to my children that you were to me.

You taught me so much about life, but the things I remember
are the things that were only you, no one else could do it better
Like how you taught me to ski and change a flat on my car
How to set up a tent and how to build a camp fire
I remember putting the fenders on the model A
and designing the speedsters rear end
I don't know everything you wanted to do on them Dad
"We still have time," You said
I remember all the random facts you knew and the funny stories you told
and no matter how many times I heard them, they never grew old.

I remember your jokes and the songs you loved to sing
and all the sayings you had, one for everything
how each morning we woke up to Sons of the Pioneers or Patsy Cline
or Johnny Cash, or Willie Nelson, or Charlie Pride
I remember all the vacations we took, to Seattle and the Bahamas
Camping in Yellowstone and up at Fort Rob
Going to Montana and Wyoming and Kansas just to visit colleges
and the South Dakota trip with Car club
And I'll never forget seeing you at the Orphanage in Romania
more like a great big teady bear than a man who could scare ya.

I ‘ll never forget how even with shorts you always wore boots
and the shark skin ones were just with your suit
I remember your Cabela's shirts and your floppy wool hat
and how we teased you about sometimes being to fat
"It's table muscle." "You'd laugh and say
or "who needs a six pack, I got a keg"
I remember how you provided for us, you always found a way
to give us what we needed when we were on our last leg
I remember your hands, the only ones bigger than mine
"I can never find gloves that fit right." You would whine.

I remember always stopping at the bookstore in Cheyenne
how you loved Louis L'amour and read all the ones they had
You always had a book, and even when we gave you a hard time
you'd smile and keep reading without losing the line
I remember driving all over creation going junkin' with Tommy
you knew where some old car was hidden away
You knew every back road or short cut between here and Wyoming
and we never got lost, even if you really didn't know the way
I look around the house and see all the fruits of your scrounging
something you found in a barn or traded for wheeling and dealing

I remember all the meals you made and how you loved to cook
even your cauliflower omelette and the goulash soup
I remember your cowboy cookbook and grilling steaks
even if it was Mom who usually had to bake
I remember how loud you snored, how we could hear you outside
When we made you go downstairs so we could sleep
Throw pillows at you in your chair to make the noise subside
I missed that noise last night, I could hardly sleep a wink
And I love it when people tell me I snore
"Wait ‘till I get older," I tell them "I know I'll snore even more,"

I remember how hard you worked in your office each morning
You were up with the sun with the coffee pot pouring
I remember how you never forgot a face or a house
"I appraised that house, oh man, she had cats." you'd point out.
I remember how you brought mom her medicine so she could get up
I thank God that I always knew how much you loved her
Through even the toughest times you always stood by her side
"I'm in it for the long haul" you'd say. I always knew how in love you guys were
I hope a love like you shared with Mom is in my fate
Even if I don't all but propose on our very first date.

I guess I want to say thank you Dad
for giving me all these memories, the good and the bad
I can never begin to write everything out in black and white
the volumes of pages would reach high in the sky
I can say goodbye because I know I will always feel you here
even if the next time I see you will be in the air
watch over us Dad, just like you always do
I wouldn't want any one else up there but you.
I will always miss you but I have comfort in the end
because I know, without a doubt, that we'll meet again.

He's Gone...

2004-04-18T08:25:00.000-05:00

I always knew this day would come but I thought I had about twenty or thirty years before it did. My dad died on friday, April 16th, 2004. He was in a very bad car accident a few miles from our home and was thrown from his blazer. He was wearing a seatbelt but the car rolled between three and a half and four times. A witness says he was ejected on the second roll and probably didn't survive the first impact before he was thrown out. It took paramedics nearly 15 minutes to reach him. They did get his heart started again but he never regained brain activity. The funeral is tuesday at 10:30 in Gering.

To Hell with Omarosa!!!!

2004-04-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

It's official, this woman really is as bad as we all thought she was. How can someone be so vindictive and dishonest when they know there are cameras on them 24 hrs. a day. Kwame lost it all because of her. Am I the only one who wonders how in the world this woman will ever get a real job now that all of America know who she really is? Screw you Omarosa, go live in mizzou.

I WANT TO KILL....

2004-04-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Whoever's wonderful idea it was to have online enrollment should be shot. Repeatedly. Then mutilated with a rusty cheese grater. And even then I'm not sure it would be enough. I cannot enroll in the history class I need because it conflicts with the studio I am in. But all 22 people in that studio are going to have to take history of arch III Modern so it would make sense, to a normal person anyway, that the university would have in some way made arrangements for those students to enroll in both classes. NOPE, I mean c'mon that would make sense.

Stupid People...

2004-04-08T12:04:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you watched this on TV today, it was on most of the major networks. Just watching Condoleezza Rice squirm was great. Several of the people who questioned her, on both sides of the house, really stuck it to her. It was awesome. Ahhh.... as long as there are ignorant people, there will be democrats.

Overload...Overload...

2004-04-06T17:47:00.000-05:00

Wow, tons of homework in English today, it's going to take me most of the night to get caught up. I have TWO tests on Thursday, one in history that I'm worried about, and one in strengths that I'm REALLY worried about. I also have to start on my final model for studio sometime this week. It's at 3/32 scale, which is a Stupid scale to start with, and it has to be a really kick ass model because this is the only project we're doing this semester.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend, I'm going home with Alicia for Easter. It will be good to get away from school but the week after is our Formal and I'm a little concerned about missing two weekends in a row. We're going to Branson for formal and it's actually going to be relatively cheap. I'm still trying to fiure out what all we can do while we're there without dropping a serious chunk of change. Any ideas? Let me know.

2004-04-05T13:50:00.000-05:00

So I'm leaving Studio today and my cell phone rings. It's a reporter calling from a newspaper at Mizzou with questions about a link that I posted on the 29th of march. This guy thought that I was the author of this wonderful homage to the suckfest that is Mizzou, I AM NOT. Now... Look at the post on the 29th of march. I tell my readers to check out the site, not that I created it. Apparently the upity ups at mizzou have seen the site and are a little upset. ZRT's came up under a google search for "Paige Sports Arena" and "Jayhawks" and this idiot calls me on my PERSONAL cell phone, I have no idea how he got the number, to harass me about the mizzou site. If you'd like to call him and let him know that you support ZRT's and the Jayhawks his number is (573) 882-5727.

Back in the saddle again...

2004-04-05T11:39:00.000-05:00

Well the weekend's over and my life has resumed some level of normalacy. Studio this morning went exceedingly well, I finally have all of my changes made so it's on to a floorplan and the final model. A lot of work but I'm very happy with the direction my design is moving. Not looking forward to dinner and house meeting tonight. It's going to be really long and a lot of people are going to be upset.

The weekend was good, friday I didn't do much, saturday was founder's day. We had quite a few alumni come to the house and we had a rather successful event and I hope that we end up getting some donations out of it. Saturday night Alicia and I went to see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotlesss Mind. Wow, what an amazingly great movie. Go see it in the theater, it's definitely worth it. Sunday I got up a little late but I got a lot of little things done that I've been putting off. Frick and Frack got their aquarium cleaned, my room looks exceptionally good right now, and I finished up my study model for studio. I also got three scrapbook pages completed, the last ones I have pictures for. I'm dreading tomarrow but hopefully it won't be as bad of a day as I think it's going to be.

Argh

2004-04-01T12:55:00.000-06:00

What a crappy week. I had a crappy first day back to class, a crappy studio day, an even crapier tough tuesday, and I had a migraine all day yesterday. This is only the second one I've ever had that's been really bad but it was enough to keep me asleep most of the day. I'm working on my final stuff for studio (ie, exterior textures and floorplan details) It's taking forever but I'm really happy with what I have. I'm super struggling with strengths of materials and I'm going to check into tutoring today. Dr. B is driving me nuts! I just keep telling myself 30 days left, hang in there.

In Mourning...

2004-03-29T09:37:00.000-06:00

In light of recent events concerning my Jayhawks I have decided to revert to my alternate basketball past time, yup, making fun of Mizzou.Check out the new site for their upcoming events center. It's called Paige sports arena after the benefactor's daughter who, by the way, doesn't even go to Mizzou. I hate to say it but they have reached a new level of suckdom.

Oweeeeeee...

2004-03-27T10:46:00.000-06:00

Well, yesterday was fun but today sucks. My little brother and I headed out to Ft. Collins on Thursday. We stopped at the chapter house out there and the guys were great. Spent the night at the house and then Friday morning headed up to Keystone. The snow was pretty good, later in the day it started to get a little slushy, but the stuff at the top was great! By 4:00 neither one of us could hardly walk so we headed on home. I drove to Cheyenne and we stopped at Sandfords so I could catch the end of the KU UAB Game but stupid CBS wasn't showing it, just the Texas Xavier game. Aaarrrrghhh! Congrats go out to my boys in blue, you guys shook some serious tail feathers and pulled out a HUGE win for the Jayhawks. 100 to 74, OUCH! Should UAB even have made it to the tournament? That is just embarrassing. Anyway, I'm headed home tomorrow so I'll see ya all then.

Beef the only meat...

2004-03-23T19:36:00.000-06:00

Boyahhh! Steaks at my Uncle Rick's House. Break is going good. Got a job today, YEAH!!!!!. I'm going skiing on friday. Gotta Go.

Hit the road Zach, and don'tcha ....

2004-03-19T12:23:00.000-06:00

YEAH! Spring break has finally arrived. I'll be heading back home to nebraska today. I'll try to keep up with posts and stuff but I'll be on dialup for the next week so I'm guessing it will be limited. Feel free to drop me a line!

Wouldn't it be nice...

2004-03-18T16:57:00.000-06:00

I have, like millions of other Americans, been following reality TV. I admit it, I watch Survivor... AND I LIKE IT! I haven't played into the stupid promises of The Bachelor or Joe Millionaire type shows but NBC's Apprentice has captured my attention. I think it's appeal to me is the actual "reality" that it represents. People who work hard are recognized and rewarded for their efforts, something I have always obsessed about. I don't know how many of you watch the show but the last two people to get FIRED were both women, and one of them is black. This leads into many issues and questions on race and gender in the business world but this piece of crap just about beats all. I can't help but wonder, wouldn't it be nice if I had something or someone to blame every time I screwed up? Accountability is something everyone struggles with, I myself am not an exception, but I think it's just a little too convenient for people to throw the race card, or the gender card, just because something doesn't go their way. Omarosa... I would have hated you even if you were a stereotypical Caucasian underwear model. You didn't get fired because you're ugly, you didn't get fired because you were black, and that's not why the other cast members didn't like you. You got fired because you did nothing and blamed everyone else when something went wrong. You didn't get along with the other cast members because you were a winy, complaining, little bitch. Trump tower has had an impact on 20 million viewers but Omarosa is unchanged. Instead of learning from her experience and changing her attitude so that she can succeed, she chose to cry Rodney King and make this yet another race related thing. C'mon people....get over it.

2004-03-16T11:18:00.000-06:00

Zach's Random Thoughts now has Merchandising! Check out the link to ZRT's Store!!!!

2004-03-16T08:35:00.000-06:00

And now... a letter from the president.

Dear America,

The political season has arrived. Finally, we know who my opponent will be. I recently called Senator Kerry to congratulate him on winning his party's nomination. I told him I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign.

This should be an interesting debate. Senator Kerry has spent two decades in Congress; he's built up quite a record. In fact, Senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue. He's been for the Patriot Act and against it; for NAFTA and against it; for the No Child Left Behind Act and against it; for the use of force in Iraq and against funding the liberation of Iraq. My opponent clearly has strong beliefs -- they just don't last very long.

And the choice is clear. It's a choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving the economy forward, or stopping the recovery by putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people.

It is a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger.

It's a choice that I will set squarely before the American people.

We've achieved great things. The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we have given serious answers. I look forward to telling the American people that.

Most importantly, we have a positive vision for winning the war against terror and for extending peace and freedom throughout our world; a positive vision for creating jobs and promoting opportunity and compassion here at home. We'll leave no doubt where we stand. And come November, we'll be reelected.

For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of the leaders. This isn't one of those times. You and I are living a period where the stakes are high, the challenges are difficult, and the choices are clear -- a time when resolve is needed.

I hope you will help today. Thank you for your friendship and may God continue to bless America.

Sincerely,

2004-03-15T19:54:00.000-06:00

Oh, Sigma Nu, What were you thinking? Don't you know that things like probation are designed to take care of those people who are not mature enough to take care of themselves? My heart felt sympathy goes out to the victim's family and everyone at ZRT's wishes you strength in the days to come.

2004-03-14T18:23:00.000-06:00

IT"S OVER BABY!!! 94-69.

It's embarrassing Mizzou, how much you suck! We'll send you a postcard from San Antonio. Adios!

2004-03-12T09:06:00.000-06:00

I feel like Tiger tonight, like Tiger tonight! Check it out here.

2004-03-08T10:22:00.000-06:00

Here they are, Vote appropriately.

Special thanks to Sarah E.M. Becking Photography which is where you can find all these wonderful pictures and more. These pictures are her work and I take no credit for, nor do I wish to capitalize on them. Other than to make fun of Mizzou of course!!!!!!!!!!

2004-03-07T15:30:00.000-06:00

Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou, Muck Fizzou,

To Hell with Mizzou and Screw Arthur Johnson!!!! Yet again it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that The University of Missouri SUCKS way more than anyone can comprehend! How sweet it is to beat those black and yellow (edited for content) in their own house, on senior day, in the last game that will be played at the Hernes center!!!!!!!!!! Let this be a curse that will carry over to their new building and may they never beat Kansas again! I will also be posting a new Random Question. Who do you think is the ugliest person on the Mizzou team, Arthur Johnson, Quinn Snyder, or Ricky Paulding,? Vote Appropriately after viewing the PICTURES above.

2004-03-07T14:42:00.000-06:00

SOMEONE NEEDS TO TONYA HARDING AURTHUR JOHNSON!!!!!!!!! MUCK FIZZOU!!!!!!!!!!

2004-03-05T14:30:00.000-06:00

Well, many of you may notice the new comments section. Klink family had gone under so I lost all my old comments. I kinda like this new one better though. I don't do any advertising here at ZRT's but this is the service that I am using now. Check 'em out!!

I'm feeling a LOT better, still kind of have a little bit of a sore throat but nothing a little green tea and honey aren't taking care of. I had a really excellent critique in Studio today. I'm kind of struggling with the different approach to design we are using but I believe that it's going to result in a better building and a more successful project. SAUD is sponsoring an art competition next week. The entries I am going to submit are available in my Random Pics.

Not a clue what I'm doing this weekend, proly a lot of rest and recovery. Give me a call if ya have my number. I should be on AIM and Messenger too.

2004-03-01T12:28:00.000-06:00

OMG I am so sick right now. My head feels like it is going to EXPLODE!!! My nose is running, I have a sinus headache, my eyes are swollen and puffey from watering and I'm very, VERY tired. I should go down to Watins Student Death Center but I can't get myself to get out of bed so I'm sitting here catching up on homework. I have the final design for my library project in Studio done and am starting on various english stuff.

Good news on the job front. I went out to Henry's on Friday night and the owner was there. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I was standing there with Alicia and a bunch of other people waiting for a table. One finally opened but there was five or six empty glasses there. So I grabbed the glasses all waiter style and turned around to walk them over to the bar and there was this guy who asked if he could help. Well this was the owner, unbeknownst to me. So we walk over and drop them off at the bar and he offers to buy me a drink. So we sat and talked for about an hour and it turns out he and his partner own Henry's, Molly McGees, and the newspaper distribution company in town. It turns out they are opening a new restaurant and are looking for a full staff. So he took my name and number and hopefully I'll get a call this week. Who said nothing good comes from going out to a bar to have a good time. That's about it for now, lots of other drama but I don't want to talk about it all right now.

2004-02-27T22:17:00.000-06:00

Aperently there is a new found need for sensorship here at Zach's Random Thoughts. Therefore this page will be on a three day delay so the FMAB may regulate all content contained here in.

2004-02-07T02:53:00.000-06:00

I'm here with the most beautiful girl Alicia, and were both slightly, tipsy. She is a wonderful pre education major and is a wonderfully intelligent woman, Please mom, I'll let you talk to her before anyting is final. Just kidding, I love you and you know I'll let you know when I'm serious. Love you all , Zach

2004-02-02T22:15:00.000-06:00

YAYYYYYYY! Mizzou still SUCKS as it has again been established here in the most sacred of places, allen Fieldhouse. Mizzou fell 56 to 65 in a valiant showing by my Jayhawks. Whooo Hoooo MUCK FIZZOU!!!!!!!!

2004-01-28T13:04:00.000-06:00

WHY DO PEOPLE WANT TO PISS ME OFF!? I came into studio today to yet again find m desk occupied by someone else. This happened monday, a person who missed the first day of class came in early and didn't know desks had been claimed. He already had al of his stuff and his board taped down so I slid down one to an empty desk. Today someone who had also lost their desk decided to take mine and moved my stuff down to another empty desk. I ask myself, if there was an empty desk there, why would you move someone's stuff and claim their desk as your own. Anyway, aftert some sleuthing and sneaking when the invader was gone I have reclaimed my desk. Mwwhaaahahahahahahahaaaaaa. Got my refund check, it's just enough to cover my house bill and some expenses. Still looking for a job, I'm going out to follow up on some applications today.

2004-01-26T10:39:00.000-06:00

Well the newness of moving back has come and gone. It's back to the same old same old. I've had two studio classes now and I'm really looking forward to this semester's project. We're going to be designing a library for downtown Lawrence. This weekend was really slow but I got a lot of rest and had no problem getting up this morning. Tomarrow is me hell day, three classes from 7:30 (Yes AM) untill 3:00 in the afternoon. Grrrrrrr. We switched roomates again and my new roomate is NEVER in the room. I really need to clean after switching everything around. Tonight I'm going to re-arrange all my arch stuff and move my HUGE box down to studio. That's about it for now unless any of you can get me a job!

2004-01-15T19:54:00.000-06:00

Whoa, hard day. Sent out a couple more applications, still haven't heard back on any of the others yet. KU Barely slipped past K State last night but we ended up making it 27 consecutive defeats. DIE MIDGET REF DIE!!!! I think it was the WORST job of refing I have ever witnessed at KU but we won so I'm not complaining. I haven't been sleeping well ad my routine is totally screwed up, I hope I can get everything in line before school starts. Speaking of which I'm really ready for classes to start again. I can't wait for all the guys to get back and just have some sense of time again. For now I'm just bored and I really need work.

2004-01-14T14:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back in Lawrence and the job hunt is on. I've applied at almost every resturaunt in town, well at least the ones I could tollerate working for. As school approaches though my standards are getting lower and lower. Anyone know anyone who's hiring? In other news, massive family explosion back home. Sensitive issues that I can't share but I am thinking about people back home. I kinda wish I would have stayed the extra week now. Big I is coming up WOOOO HOOOO! !@&$^!( little pledges. I could tell ya about it but then I'd have ta kill ya.as an advanced note, I will most likely be offline the 17th through the 20th. Sorry, deal with it. If you can't, well, then go to a support group or something.

The love life is again dry. Anna, you were so right, feast or famine. Being single again isn't that bad though. I do feel really lonely though I do not wish to be in a relationship, I wish I just had a really close friend right now. The house is pretty boring, only a few of us are back but I'm using this time to get to know some of the guys I've not had good relationships with in the past. Your Bro's are always there for you to fall back on, Bros before Hoes!!!!! I'm coping and listening to a lot of Eamon. Ya, you know the song. If you're in town look me up and we'll do something. TTFN!

2004-01-03T11:33:00.000-06:00

Heyo, Excellent night last night. I called one of my friends from high school who now lives in Ft. Collins and we went out to catch up on things. It was so great to see her again. Mostly we just talked about everything that's happened in the last two years but it was still great. It's snowing in the collins today and we have to drive home. Boo. But the last couple of days have been great. I'm going to be home through my birthday and then I'm heading back to school to try to secure a job. If anyone knows of an opening hit me back. That's all for now!

2004-01-01T18:45:00.000-06:00

My unususally long absence is now broken! I have been in seclusion, working out some personal stuf. I had a really hard last semester and I'm now home on Christmas Break. There is way too much stuff to fill in on what you've missed but I promise to be better about posting this semester. Right now I'm on Vacation in Ft. Collins. I got a new digital camera for Christmas so I may be able to post some pictures from the trip. ZRT'S IS BACK BABY!!!!!

2003-10-28T10:24:00.000-06:00

Zach's Random Thoughts is now viewed in:

5 different languages
6 different countries
4 different browsers
6 different operating systems
...and by you!

2003-10-28T10:10:00.000-06:00

Wow, crazy past few weeks. After the whirlwind of Chicago I returned home to find a looming final project for studio due. After a two day, yup 48 hours straight, push on it the models are done. I have a little more work to do on the drawings and my final presentation is tomorrow. I cleaned my room this weekend, we changed roommates in the house so I now only have one roomie. It's given me the space I needed in my room to begin with. I lost my futon though when I lost my old roommates so I had to go buy a new mattress. Oh well, it's still worth the new closet space.

I spent fall break in Dallas with Ahmed. Six of us packed into a 1973 Chevy Impala and drove down. Dallas was great, I got to revisit the Kimbell and we also went to see where Kennedy was shot. The best part of the trip though was getting pulled over on the way home. Apparently a 73 Impala with the tail end dragging heading north from Texas is the stereotypical drug trafficking vehicle. On top of it we got stuck with the Gomer Pyle of law enforcement officers. After 45 minutes of harassment and a "Son, you're kinda quiet, what are you trying to hide from me?" he let us go. So now Russel is taking orders for whatever kind of illegal drugs you want, he's gonna bring em back next time he goes home. :) Potheads Mark and Ryan are being prosecuted on the grounds that they are quiet and that they wear glasses, respectively.

2003-10-14T18:52:00.000-05:00

Heyo! I'm home now, but I still miss Chicago. All of my pics have been posted in "Zach's Random Pics" Check em out!

2003-10-09T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hello from IIT in Chicago! I'm posting from the newly completed Student Union and OMG it is absolutely amazing. I know it may sound wierd to be so excited about a building but this is beyond anything I could have expected. This morning we did the whole Frank Lloyd Wright tour and I finally got to see all the houses I've been reading about for years now. I'v taken about a hundred pictures, I'll try to post them tonight from the hotel, if I have an internet connection. Bus is leaving, BYE!