How to avoid a "has-been" status

High school: we've all been there. We've participated in the clubs, been a member of the teams, studied (or not) for the classes, and made the friends. Along the way most of us rack up a variety of achievements, mostly in hopes to strengthen our resume and help us stand out among the rest of the college applications. However, these achievements are also prominently recognized on the all too cliché letter jacket. Depending on the high school you attend, you may have patches for literally everything, from varsity golf, to honor roll, journalism, FFA, FCA, etc. On the other hand, you may come from a less showy school and sport a jacket with only your letter and name. Whatever the case, these jackets are a way of showing pride for your school and flashing your level of involvement. I understand the pride and joy those 14-18 year old high school students hold in these prized jackets, in fact, I honor it. 

However, I question the respectability of wearing a letter jacket when one reaches the college campus. First of all, one's letter jacket represents pride in their class, however, when one is in college, they have already  graduated, therefore the year on their arm is almost meaningless. Furthermore, it often identifies them as a freshman because no one else wears them in college. Being identified as a freshman is often not ones top priority. Additionally, the likelihood that one is involved in all of the same activities in college as they were in high school is minute, and the wearer could be potentially accused of false advertising. Even more embarrassing, say someone is sporting their varsity football letter jacket and isn't a football player at the college they attend; the wearer is basically advertising that they aren't good enough to play at the collegiate despite putting 4+ years into the sport before college. I question one's motives behind wearing the letter jacket around the college campus. For one, there is no way that is their warmest coat. North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, etc. have provided the college student with many fashionable and equally warm alternatives to this has-been option. Then I question why someone wants to show so much pride in their high school. I wonder, do they love their high school that much more than their university? The wearing of the letter jacket in college ultimately indicates an unwillingness to grow up and embrace what most see as the best four years of their lives.

So please, junk the jacket...

Be Cool Now

There are a few things that I am super into right now. I beg you to please look into these things so that you too can be a trendsetter.

The first thing is the phrase "Rock On!" I understand that this phrase may seem out of date, but on the contrary, it is perhaps the most timeless phrase one could use. It can be used in a variety of situations. For instance, one could simply say it out loud as a means of cheering for his or herself. Example: If you are working hard on your Excel homework and you finish a difficult question, you could say "Rock On!" after you finish making your chart, or entering your data, etc as a mini celebration. Another situation where this phrase would be more than appropriate is when you are at a makeshift dance. I know that these don't come along all that often, but when they do, it's definitely important that you make the most of it. So when you are jammin' to Blink-182 or The Starting Line, you can put your hands in a rocker position, stick out your tongue, and yell "Rock On!" at anyone and everyone in your close proximity as a means of proving how cool you are. Finally, the phrase is perfect when using sarcasm. In a circumstance where it might seem appropriate to use inappropriate words, it might be more beneficial to poke fun at the situation by saying "Rock On!" in a sarcastic tone rather than risking offending anyone. Example: if you are in a bad neighborhood of your hometown, running late for a doctors appointment, but getting gas quickly before you head back to school and you accidentally lock your keys in your car after your car alarm goes off, it might be more beneficial to say "Rock On!" than to cuss at the rest of the customers of the gas station because regardless of what you say, you are still going to have to call a locksmith.

Secondly, I am recently curious as to why the general population doesn't enjoy eating at the wonderful establishment known as Red Robin. I would honestly be willing to drive great distances to eat their bottomless fries as my delicious appetizer, mozerella sticks as my meal and their new specialty cupcakes as my dessert. Additionally, they have the most delicious shakes I have ever had in my life. I have recently heard comments that Red Robin is a classy establishment if you are an old person, however, I am under the impression that Luby's, Cracker Barrel, and Golden Coral are more popular among the elderly folks. Personally, when I eat at Red Robin, I observe young, hip families with precious children, not old folks. Lastly, how can anyone resist their catchy call and response? "Red Robin.... YUM!" I mean what is more inviting?!

Finally, I hope everyone is aware that any association with Courtney aka COBO automatically makes one cooler, I mean look at those sunglasses :)

The Job of Your Dreams

College is a time about finding out who you are. You take loads of classes, some hard, some easy, some useful, some completely useless all with the hopes of earning a degree which will in hand aid you in obtaining hopefully, the career of your dreams. Some nearly kill themselves in Biology and Chemistry in order to pursue a medical career, others have hopes to making it as a lawyer, reporter, business person, etc and must take the classes required for their respective fields. After taking such classes as environmental geology, British literature, music and politics, accounting, and new testament, I am lucky to say, that I too, have found the career path of my dreams. 

If you have ever flown on an airplane, you know the drill. Until you reach a predetermined altitude, you aren't allowed to use any electronics. So for the first 15 or so minutes of your fight you are often struggs to occupy yourself in anyway other than resorting to starting up an awkward conversation with the person sitting next to you. Instead, you look in your seat-back pocket in front of you. In general, you have three reading materials available to you. The first is the pocket is usually the safety guideline card for the model of plane you are riding. Secondly, there is usually a magazine published by the airline you are flying, for example, if you are on Southwest, you have the opportunity to read Spirit magazine. Finally, you have the opportunity to skim through the latest Sky Mall catalog. If you are anything like me, you pick the third choice and flip through the wonderful products of Sky Mall.

This brings me to the presentation of my dream job. While inventing such products as Orbit Wheels, the new version of inline skates, AcuLife Therapist Plus, a self-administered acupuncture system, The Indoor Dog Bathroom, a strip of fake grass for the indoors for your pooch to relieve his or herself, and The Infant's Soundsleep Lamb, a stuffed animal that emits soothing noises as your child sleeps, would be fun, I have higher hopes for my career with Sky Mall. Even more exciting than dreaming up these whimsical inventions is the task of explaining and describing them in a way that is appealing to the wallet of the bored jetsetter. Honestly, have you ever looked through a copy of Sky Mall and not been convinced that you needed at least half if not more than half of the available products. After much consideration, I can't think of a better use of my Trinity education than manipulating words in such a way that everyone flying from Omaha to Ft. Lauderdale is convinced that they need the Brobdingangian Sports Chair, Spy Ear, and Slingshot Screaming Monkey in order to know that they are leading a fulfilling life.