Living the grown-up life

I am sitting here in the living room of my apartment watching "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". I moved into an apartment with Trevor (my partner), Kayla (Trevor's best friend), and Holly (Kayla's fiancee). I still feel like I'm hanging out at their place. This will change once I have a job. I had an interview today at 1:30 PM at Erbert's and Gerbert's in downtown St. Cloud, which is right by campus. I'm pretty confident that I got the job. The manager said that he has a few more interviews left and that I'll know by the middle of next week. He's hiring 6 new people, even though the location is fully staffed. He said they've been having some trouble with laziness and that he's bringing in 6 new people and then whoever works the hardest gets more hours and the people who don't work hard get the boot. I just have to wait for next week to find out.

Midterm Madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so crazy busy right now. I have so much to do but I'm having a hard time focusing. I won't get to sleep until Monday night, I'm pretty sure. I have 2 exams, 3 papers, and a crap ton of assignments to turn in intermittently before Monday at 8 AM. I needed to take a quick break from the paper I'm trying to write. I'm getting really frustrated because I've hit a wall with the paper. I'm supposed to be writing an analysis of the dialogue, acting, and camera in a scene of a film. I watched a movie today and went to start writing my paper. I have no thoughts. I don't know where to begin or even what scene to pick to write about. I just want to go into the bedroom and sleep. I can't even focus today. I'm getting really irritated. I think I'm going to take a smoke break, then come in and write an outline. I think if I can knock out an outline that I will be able to get started on my paper. The hardest part is the introduction. That's where I'm getting stuck. I'd skip it but my OCD won't let me not write the introduction first. I'm getting really agitated. Part of my just wants to do another assignment but Heidi, the director of the LGBT Resource Center, helped me make a list of what I need to do and then put it in order according to when it is due and I feel like if I deviate from that order I'll get in trouble. Ugh. I need sleep. Actually, I need midterms to be over and I need Spring Break to start...

Spring Semester 2011 Class Schedule

Monday:
FS 175 01 Film & Culture- Jordan 10:00-10:50 AM
ENGL 305 01 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Literature 12:00-1:40 PM

Tuesday:
FS 260 01 The Art of Film- Chisholm 5:00-9:00 PM

Wednesday:
FS 175 01 Film & Culture- Jordan 10:00-10:50 AM
ENGL 305 01 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Literature 12:00-1:40 PM

Thursday:
No classes

Friday:
FS 175 01 Film & Culture- Jordan 10:00-10:50 AM

On-line:
COLL 120 54 Power Reading- Williams

Fall Semester 2010 Grades

So, with these updates i should probably give you my Fall 2010 grades. I would, but, I didn't get any. I am doing a medical withdrawal. My depression hit me really hard and it set me back many, many weeks. I am starting over this Spring and working hard to pull my grades up.

I came to the conclusion that I started the semester taking too many credits (16). Even after dropping a class at the beginning of the semester I was falling farther and farther behind. Plus, being so depressed that I couldn't fall asleep at night and would be up until 5 AM and then sleep until 4 PM usually made it very difficult to get to class on time.

From now on, I am going to do my best to take no more than 12 credits per semester. In order to graduate somewhat on time I will probably have to take summer courses but if that's what needs to happen, then that is what I will be doing.

A quick game of catch-up

So, it's been a while since I updated this blog. I'll try to keep it short.

May 2010:
I moved back in with my parents for the summer.
I started working at Community Welfare Services doing telemarketing, part time.
I started working at Associated Healthcare Credit Union, part time.
I quit Community Welfare Services and picked up full time hours at AHCU.

June 2010:
I worked.
I hung out with friends.
I drank and smoked, A LOT.

July 2010:
I worked.
I hung out with friends.
I drank and smoked, A LOT.
I went to my annual family reunion.

August 2010:
I worked.
I hung out with friends.
I drank and smoked, A LOT.
Suzie came to visit.
I drank and smoked some more.
I moved back to school, all by myself. It was hotter than Hell.

September 2010:
I swiped my card.
I was really depressed.
I met the queers.
I came out to the queers.
I bonded with Trevor and Kayla.

October 2010:
I bonded with the queers.
I bonded with Trevor and Kayla and Holly.
I went home for Fall Break.
I participated in Homecoming Week activities.
I held hands with Trevor.
I announced that I liked Trevor.
He announced he like me back.
We danced and hung out.
We kissed.
We made out a little bit.
We started dating.
I came out to *some* friends and family.
He came out.
Halloween.

November 2010:
Had a lot of firsts.
Kate came up to St. Cloud and met Trevor.
Drag show.
Parents came to the drag show and met Trevor.
Went home for Thanksgiving.
Brought Trevor with me.
Family loved him.
Met Trevor's friend, Justin.

December 2010:
Elected Alliance co-chair.
Semester ended.
Went to Trevor's grandma's with him for Christmas.
Went home for a couple days.
Spent New Year's Eve with my honey.

January 2011:
Got a kiss at midnight.
Was traumatized on my birthday.
12:00 Birthday shot!
Turned 21.
Renewed my license.
Went to dinner.
Went to the bars.
Went to Benihana with Trevor and my family.
My grandparents got me drunk.
Had sushi for the first time.
School started.
Love my classes.
Went home again.
Got a new cell phone.
Went to the 90s.
Homework, class, Alliance, Outloud, drag practice.

February 2011:
Performed in my first ever drag show in Superior, WI.
Went to the liquor store for the first time.
Went on a double date.
Helped a friend propose to his girlfriend.
Went to the 90s.
Got drunk in public.
Celebrated Valentine's day.
Was serenaded with 'our song' at drag practice. ("Tearin Up My Heart"- NSYNC).

Fall Semester 2010 Schedule

So excited to get back to Cloud!!! 59 days until I move back.

Monday:
COLL 120 01 Power Reading- Kenner 1:00-1:50 PM
CMTY 111 03 Race in America- Villanueva 2:00-3:15 PM

Tuesday:
HIST 195 03 Democratic Citizenship- Glade 11:00 AM- 12:15 PM
PHIL 194 06 Critical Reasoning- Johnson 12:30-1:45 PM
MATH 070 17 Basic Math Concepts- ??? 2:00-3:15 PM

Wednesday:
COLL 120 01 Power Reading- Kenner 1:00-1:50 PM
CMTY 111 03 Race in America- Villanueva 2:00-3:15 PM

Thursday:
HIST 195 03 Democratic Citizenship- Glade 11:00 AM- 12:15 PM
PHIL 194 06 Critical Reasoning- Johnson 12:30-1:45 PM
MATH 070 17 Basic Math Concepts- ??? 2:00-3:15 PM

Friday:
No classes

On-line:
COLL 111 54 Career & Life Planning- Lokken

I had a dream my life would be...

Well, my first semester of college is officially over! I got my grades and I did very, very well.

COLL 110 Reading/Study Strategies A
MUSM 126 History Rock & Roll Music A-
CEEP 101 Applying Psychology A-
ENGL 191 Intro Rhetorcl/Analyt Wrt B+

COLL 150 Discovering College Exp A

My GPA for the first semester was 3.66. This means that I not only more than qualify for the Honors Society, but that I have an A/A- average. I have never done this well in school.

Um, so I wrote this right when I got my grades back. Not too sure why I didn't post it until now.

If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?

There's only 11 official days left of school this semester. Then a week of finals, I only have two official finals that week. One on Tuesday at 10:15 and one on Thursday at 10:15.

My grades have dropped slightly but I am working to pull them up. I have a 3.0 right now. If I keep busting my butt I can pull it up to a 3.4, still high enough to qualify for the Honor Society. That is my main goal for this semester, and the next really.

I am writing a research paper on punk music. It's so much fun doing the research. Right now I'm reading, Please Kill Me The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. So good. It's all interviews and first hand accounts. It's fantastic. Read it! I got six books from the library and I'm really hoping that I'll be able to put them to use. I'm mostly looking forward to getting to read them all. The paper is due on March 6th, I'll have time to read them all.

This weekend I'm going to just read as much as I possibly can. My roommate is going home, so I'm going to be reading/researching, watch movies, and do as much homework as possible. I'm trying to stay current/work ahead in all my classes so when I do the actual work it will be more of a review.

I found out today that I can't take summer classes and I'm really bummed, yet a little bit relieved. It's going to cost me about $2,000 for summer classes and I can only get $457 in financial aid.

And I apparently still owe Century College $800 for classes that I never even took or remember registering for and they sent the bill to the Department of Revenue. Now they're threatening to levy my [non-existent] wages and/or seize my property. Frick! Now, I have to worry about finals AND deal with this garbage. I'm going to call the state and Century tomorrow and get this worked out. I'm so irritated.

I'm hoping that I get this job that I'm interviewing for on May 1st. I need to make some mad money this summer. I also might have lined up an on-campus job for next year! One of my profs mentioned some options. Hopefully one of them works out. I need moolah!!!

You think you got the best of me? Check this, you'll NEVER get to me.

My friend, Libby, had her baby today! Landon Jeffrey was born at 12:39 AM on March 27th, 2010. He weighs 7 pounds and 8 ounces and is 21 1/2 inches long. I can't wait to go home next weekend and meet him! (Pictures to follow in my next post.)

Today me, my roomate Danielle, and our friend Shannon are having a movie day. We watched "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and then took a break so Shannon could fold her laundry and shower. Next up is "Stepbrothers". I'm so excited.

On Thursday night Danielle and I rearranged our room. We put my bed underneath her loft, so now we have bunk beds, and moved the couch and fridge to where my bed used to be. I really like the new set-up. It's always nice to have a little variety.

I'm so excited for next week. My friends from back home; Sarah, Brendan, and Owen are coming up to visit me during the week. Then on Friday I get to go home for Easter and see the baby! I have a rough draft of a rhetorical analysis due on Thursday. I'm going to try to get it done by Tuesday so I don't have to worry about it while my friends are here.

My Graduation Plan

If I stick to this plan I can graduate in the Spring of 2013!

Freshman Year:
Spring 2010- 14 credits
Summer 2010- 6 credits
Fall 2010- 16 credits

Sophomore Year:
Spring 2011- 16 credits
Summer 2011- Take a well-deserved break for my first 21 summer. :)
Fall 2011- 16 credits

Junior Year:
Spring 2012- 16 credits
Summer 2012- 6 credits
Fall 2012- 16 credits

Senior Year:
Spring 2013- 14 credits

My Grades as of 3/18/10

Checked my grades today:
COLL 150 100.00% A
COLL 110 90.21% A
CEEP 101 84.31% B
MUSM 126 80.00% B
ENGL 191 72.00% C

I have been in school now for 2 months and 1 week.
That's a 3.2 GPA as of right now. It's my first real semester of college :)
My goal for the semester was a 3.0, but I think I can get a 3.6 with very few problems.

Our favorite place we used to go, a warm embrace that no one knows

One more class and then my Spring break starts!

My Persuasive Essay

P.S. I got a 95% on this paper. The prof said that everyone did worse on this one than the last one. I checked my last essay, I got 95% on that one too.

Did you know that 35 percent of American school districts mandate abstinence-only education in their schools (Collins 7)? Most completely ban any discussion on birth control, and if they do allow it, all discussions are brief. Is it morally responsible to teach kids only to wait until they are married to engage in sexual activity and not to equip them with the tools necessary to make responsible decisions about sex in the event that they decide waiting is not right for them? Absolutely not, it is wrong. It is comparable to teaching your child how to ride a bike but not teaching them how to use the appropriate safety gear, such as helmets, elbow and/or knee pads, and just teaching them not to fall down. It is irresponsible to teach abstinence only sex education in schools; it is more effective to teach comprehensive sex education to ensure that kids have the tools to make educated, responsible decisions about sex.

Supporters of abstinence-only programs believe that if kids learn about contraception and birth control that kids are more likely to engage in sexual activity. They think that the kids will view that not as an attempt to protect them, but the adults essentially giving kids permission to have sex before they are married. Some supporters encourage kids to sign virginity pledges so that they can be held accountable to someone to uphold their promise to wait for marriage.

However, they do not take into account that not every kid who is taught to wait will in fact wait. The kids that choose not to wait are at risk of sexually transmitted infections like HIV or AIDS and unplanned pregnancy, due to the fact that they have no idea how to protect themselves. They have no idea where to purchase condoms or what kind to purchase. Buying the wrong size, condoms that are not properly lubricated, or not putting a condom on correctly can cause it to break or slip off, putting the kids at risk to become pregnant or infected with a sexually transmitted infection. What about the kids who sign virginity pledges? “According to Columbia University researchers, virginity pledge programs increase pledge-takers’ risk for STIs and pregnancy. The study concluded that 88 percent of pledge-takers initiated sex prior to marriage even though some delayed sex for a while” (McKeon 1).

Supporters of abstinence-only education throw around statistics about sex like handfuls of confetti at a surprise party. Statistics about condoms like the failure rate of condoms in stopping HIV infection in heterosexual relations, 31 percent (Lee). Abstinence supporters give kids statistics to convince them that abstinence is the best choice by showing them that “safe sex” is not all that safe. “The chances of getting pregnant while using a condom are one in six. And condoms break or slip off nearly 15 percent of the time” (Lee). After hearing all of these statistics, what kid would use protection that seems to reliable enough to depend on? After all of these statistics have been laid out it seems logical to choose abstinence which is 100 percent effective in protecting against STIs and pregnancy.

While abstaining from all sexual activity is the only way to completely prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, condoms are not nearly as faulty as abstinence groups portray them to be. According to Advocates for Youth, a group dedicated to teaching young people about sexual health, if couples use condoms properly and every time 98 percent of the couples using male condoms will not get pregnant and of couples using female condoms 85 percent will not become pregnant. In response the statistic that condoms fail thirty-one percent of the time in protecting from the transmission of HIV, “sexual transmission of HIV occurs when infected semen, vaginal, or other body fluids contact mucosal surfaces, such as the male urethra, the vagina, or cervix” (Alford). If a condom is used properly HIV cannot be spread from person to person. Condoms are far more effective that abstinence-only supporters lead kids to believe. Condoms are effective in not only preventing pregnancy but also in preventing the spread of HIV, if used properly and consistently. Pro-abstinence groups claim that birth control is extremely ineffective to scare kids out of having sex before marriage.

Sometimes abstinence just does not work. Let us take a step back in time to June 2008. The place, you ask is Gloucester, New Jersey. The birth rate had skyrocketed at Gloucester High School, so much so that by the end of the 2007-2008 school year there were 17 pregnant girls roaming the halls, well over quadruple the rate of the previous year (McLeod). You may think to yourself, “17? That’s not a lot from a public high school”, however take into account that Gloucester High only saw 1,200 students that school year and a majority of these girls were younger than 16 (McLeod). “By May, several students had returned multiple times to get pregnancy tests, and on hearing the results, "some girls seemed more upset when they weren't pregnant than when they were,” says [Joseph] Sullivan” (McLeod) Sullivan is the principal at Gloucester High. This school has a free daycare program to assist and support young parents while they struggle to finish high school, however, officials and parents would not allow the school to distribute condoms or birth control to the students. The school nurse, Kim Daly, who tired of giving out over 150 pregnancy tests by May, and a local pediatrician decide to support the idea of “prescribing contraceptives regardless of parental consent, a practice at about 15 public high schools in Massachusetts” (McLeod). The nearest women’s health clinic to Gloucester is 20 miles away. The town would not allow this. Mayor Carolyn Kirk had this to say on the matter: “Dr. Orr and Ms. Daly have no right to decide this for our children” (McLeod). The parents were shocked and disappointed that their young sons had gotten girls pregnant, or that their young daughters had engaged in sexual activity, only when they learned that the kids were doing it, which was when they found out they were going to be grandparents. How dare these parents say those phrases that everyone has heard at one point, whether in the movies or in life, “your son did this to my daughter” or “your slutty daughter tricked my son into impregnating her” when they do not even offer the kids tools to protect themselves against becoming pregnant? If anything, they did this to their kids but not teaching them how to protect themselves. It was later found out that over half of the girls who became pregnant that year were part of a pregnancy pact. They had come from broken homes and were desperately searching for someone to love them. So, they decided to have babies.

Now I am not saying, by any means, that abstinence should not be taught in schools, it should. Abstinence should be coupled with comprehensive sex education; discussion of condoms, birth control, and other contraceptives, to educate and empower them to take responsibility for their own sexual health. Abstinence-only education is dangerous, in my opinion. A person’s decisions about sex should not be left up to the parents, teachers, or other people. Whether or not kids decide to abstain from sex or not, they still need to learn about contraceptives and abstinence. Every child, at an appropriate age, should be taught about sex, contraceptives, and abstinence. Giving kids the choice to make informed decisions lifts their self-confidence when they make the right choice, and helps them learn, if they make the wrong one. This puts the responsibility in the hands of the kids learning it. It is true that abstinence is the only way to be completely safe from pregnancy and disease, however, abstinence is not always the best or preferable choice for every single person. Parenting is all about setting a good, positive example for your children and giving them the tools to learn how to make their own decisions responsibly. Parents do this for education, hygiene, politics, religion, driving a car, relationships, friendships, and careers. Why not for sex? Parents want their children to be happy and safe; by not teaching kids how to protect themselves sexually they are ensuring that they will not be safe.

If you were a parent and your child got HIV or became pregnant and you made sure that they did not learn about contraceptives or other types of protection, you would, no doubt, feel intense, crushing guilt. Parents can help prevent unplanned pregnancy by teaching their kids how to be safe and responsible when it comes to sex. They need to make sure their kids know where to get protection and how to use it properly. Kids also need to know that while birth control and other contraceptives are very effective, that if they are not ready for the responsibility of having sex, they should not be doing it. If a kid is not mature enough to walk into a store and buy a box of condoms then they are not mature enough to be having sex. For some people, waiting until their wedding night to have sex for the first time is the best choice. Abstinence is the only way that a person can be completely protected from an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. In schools, however, people need to learn about sex, safe sex, and abstinence to make the best decision for them.

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you... Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?

Look around, around, around, around...
I've been listening to The Beatles/Across the Universe soundtrack a lot lately. I love it. The music has such a psychadelic quality to it. It's comforting. It helps me get out of my head and just let my mind wander through different pictures and stories in my head. Normally, I am stuck in my head, talking to myself and worrying and/or stressing about every little thing. I just sit back and turn on some music and let it all melt away.

The girl with kaleidoscope eyes...
I was in Peer Support in my senior year of high school. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. During that time I made friends with a Sophomor girl. We became very close during the winter retreat at Camp Ripley. So much so that we pushed our beds together at night so we could talk and cuddle. It was so much fun. I love this girl dearly. During the retreat we learned a lot about each other. She told me that she struggles with ED. This girl is so beautiful inside and out and just a joy to be around I couldn't believe it. Now, reading her blog it just breaks my heart that this amazing person has to struggle so hard just eat a meal, or even function. She lives in a world of fear. I just want to hold her and make it all just go away. I would give anything for her just to have a fucking moment of peace.

My name is Brian "B-Rock" Littrell

I've had a really good week this week. I've had a lot of homework and assignments but overall I had a great week. For my Writing class I'm writing a persuasive essay against teaching abstinence-only education in schools. That is a subject that I am really passionate about. Lots of kids that are taught only abstinence do not know how to use contraception. Then if something happens and they decide that waiting for marriage is not the right choice for them, they don't have safe sex and then end up pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way saying that abstinence shouldn't be taught in schools, it should. However, kids should be taught where to get and how to use contraception in the event they do have sex. Kids need to be given the tools to protect themselves. If a child/teenager is passionate and committed to abstaining, they will take it more seriously, but if they are not serious about it they are more likely to have sex and if they don't know how to have safe sex they're going to end up pregnant or getting some kind of STI. I think schools should teach completely comprehensive sex education abstinence, contraception, safe sex and all. But that's enough about my paper. I'm excited to finish it. Maybe I'll post it on here once it's done.
Spring break is around the corner, only one more week. Then I'll be home for 9 days. Libby's baby shower is next Saturday, and there's an Our Feature Presentation show at 400 Bar on March 13th. I'm excited to go home but I'm also nervous. It's kind of weird going home. I got used to living in St Cloud so quickly and it's seems like I completely forgot what it was like to live at home.

It's Been A Long Time Comin

Wow, I haven't updated this in a long, long time. Well, let's see what's new in my life since i last posted.

My classes are going great and at this point I have mostly As. I love all of my profs, and I'm really getting familiar with the campus.

I'm making a few new friends, not as many as I'd like but I know by the end of the semester I'll know plenty of people.

Well, it's alost bedtime around here. I'm gonna hit the hay. I'm going to try to post once a week from now on.

TGIF

It's finally Friday. Free at last! Well, not yet. I have to get some lunch and go to my 1:00 class. After that, I have to pay my parking ticket, buy my parking pass, grab my stuff, and head home. Then I'm going to dinner with Amber when I get back into the cities. Then Our Feature Presentation is having a show at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis. I can't wait until Kate gets back from Mexico. I miss her.

Just got back from lunch. Delicious. Class in an hour. Then I have to run to those offices and get my stuff paid and get my parking permit. After that I'm going to go get my car, load it up, and head home :)

Just a Wednesday in St Cloud

I didn't have any classes today. I spent the day doing chores, relaxing, and doing homework. I got some laundry done. I wrote a paper and did some reading for my classes tomorrow. The paper sucked to write but I had to do it. I'm hoping I do well. Thinking about heading to bed soon. Class at 11 AM tomorrow. Loud boys in the hall way. The room next to our is always have loud sex. Who knew concrete walls could be so thin? Ha ha. I'm going home on Friday after my 1:00 class and coming back around 5:00 PM on Monday. It's MLK Jr day on Monday so there's no classes. My mom said I could stay another night, that way I can go to vespers on Sunday without having to drive back at 11:00 at night. And then maybe I can see my Bethels for a bit. My mom and I are gonna have a movie day and I'm going to lunch with Libby. I miss home a lot but I'm doing well. I haven't cried or freaked out yet. Maybe I will once school gets more stressful but for now I'm good.

First day of classes

On Sunday I got my room all set up. I took a bunch of pictures of it. I am so excited to be here. I miss home a little but I'm doing well here so far.

Yesterday was the first day of the semester. My only class on Mondays was cancelled yesterday and tomorrow. So, I spent the whole day sitting in my room and organizing things. Danielle and I went grocery shopping and to Target to get food, a power strip, tape, and some other stuff. Then I ate my first meal in the dining hall. The food is really good. When we came back Danielle and I watched some TV.

Today I had three classes: two college experience classes and an english class. The first two seem pretty easy. I should be able to get A's in both of them. The english class seems to be almost the same class I took at Century last fall, I kind of know what to expect.

I have a couple friends up here. It's pretty exciting. Danielle and I hang out with her friends, Shannon and Hannah. They are so much fun. I also met a nice guy at lunch today. I was sitting alone and he just came up and sat with me. His name is Thor. "Yes, Thor, like the Norse God of Thunder."

Spring Semester 2010 Schedule

Monday:
MUSM 126 01 History of Rock and Roll Music-Twombly 1:00-1:50 PM

Tuesday:
COLL 110 71 Reading/Study Strategies-Williams 11:00-11:50 AM
COLL 150 57 Discovering the College Experience-Grabham 12:00-12:50 PM
ENGL 191 39 Introduction to Rhetorical and Analytical Writing-Voltz 3:00-4:40 PM

Wednesday:
MUSM 126 01 History of Rock and Roll Music-Twombly 1:00-1:50 PM
CEEP 101 54 Applying Psychology-Wilson 2:30-3:45 PM

Thursday:
COLL 110 71 Reading/Study Strategies-Williams 11:00-11:50 AM
COLL 150 57 Discovering the College Experience-Grabham 12:00-12:50 PM
ENGL 191 39 Introduction to Rhetorical and Analytical Writing-Voltz 3:00-4:40 PM

Friday:
MUSM 126 01 History of Rock and Roll Music-Twombly 1:00-1:50 PM