John Green, you just pwned YouTube. Congratulations, and thanks for expressing how I've felt about this issue for a long time coming.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
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Ambiguity.
I shot an elephant in my pajamas. I don't know why it was in my pajamas.
30 June 2009 @ 05:51 pm
John Green, you just pwned YouTube. Congratulations, and thanks for expressing how I've felt about this issue for a long time coming.
~ Jethro.
29 June 2009 @ 01:02 am
I actually didn't do this for my vlog, I did it for another one-- a friend I've made on YouTube named Matt. He goes by vlogdriver:
Laura, I couldn't have done this without you. Thanks!
~ Jethro.
Laura, I couldn't have done this without you. Thanks!
~ Jethro.
26 June 2009 @ 11:05 pm
Tenatively, we move on August 1st!
Man, I still can't get over how awesome those luggage chairs are. The neighborhood we're in, called Ravenswood, is a really nice area that's something between urban and suburban. We're just around the corner from the train station, and there is a decent supermarket within a mile.
Did I also mention we're not going to have a car? At face value, this makes me extremely happy. I love the prospect of biking or using the train to get to places. I also love the idea of NOT having to drive in the city. :)
So, people on YouTube are pretty awesome. I used to think YouTube, for many, was basically just for watching and not really interacting (or just hating on people), but there's an awesome community of people there. You just have to look in the right places!
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Music: Simon & Garfunkel - "April Come She Will."
19 June 2009 @ 10:27 am
So, I arrived here in Chicago. The trip didn't get off to a great start, since I realized I left my cell phone at home, and I also left my hotel confirmation number / papers elsewhere. In a stroke of luck however, O'Hare Airport has these handy computer terminals that I can use (for a small fee), and have been able get myself back on my feet.
Gah!! I only have three minutes!!
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
straniera is not here yet. I got a message at the gate from one of the American Airlines people saying, "Your girlfriend's plane is going to be really late, like around 2:00 PM." (It was supposed to arrive at 11:00). But, I just looked it up here, and it looks to be running on time. We'll see.
Anyway, the day is shaping up alright. I'll be looking at apartments this afternoon and tomorrow. NExt time I write, perhaps I will have pictures!
- Je
Gah!! I only have three minutes!!
straniera is not here yet. I got a message at the gate from one of the American Airlines people saying, "Your girlfriend's plane is going to be really late, like around 2:00 PM." (It was supposed to arrive at 11:00). But, I just looked it up here, and it looks to be running on time. We'll see.Anyway, the day is shaping up alright. I'll be looking at apartments this afternoon and tomorrow. NExt time I write, perhaps I will have pictures!
- Je
17 June 2009 @ 09:16 am
AGH, I just came back from the dentist (who was pretty much against any means of socializing), and I have many cavities. I'm a little peeved.
If you have a guess for the quiz, you can leave it on YouTube, but if you don't have an account, you can leave it here.
Wish Aubrey and I luck out in Chicago this weekend for apartment hunting! I think we'll find something decent.
~ Jethro.
14 June 2009 @ 09:47 am
For some reason, I decided the SEPTA Regional Rail was a good venue for vlogging:
I think I'll stick with it. Maybe even bring it over to CTA when I move to Chicago.
~ Jethro.
I think I'll stick with it. Maybe even bring it over to CTA when I move to Chicago.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
giddy
giddy11 June 2009 @ 09:33 pm
I'm responding to a vlog post made by Matt, who goes under the name vlogdriver on YouTube.
If you want to learn more reasons why people vlog in general, you should check out this documentary by Karen Kavett, which is especially well-done.
I think in college, I was not so solitary, but since I have moved on to "real life," I surely have become a little more familiar with life alone, with few people around.
If you're discouraged from vlogging because of the community, don't be. If you use a little creativity, contribute your time to others, and just be a nice person (like you would for people in real life), you'll find that vloggers are simply brilliant, friendly, and honest people. We won't bite.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
thoughtful
thoughtful09 June 2009 @ 12:44 am
It was really hard doing all the camera angles for this, but it worked out decently. :)
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
accomplished
accomplished07 June 2009 @ 07:55 am
You can always talk about hypothetical fights to the death between authors, books, philsophers, superheroes, and video games, but you never know who wins until you put 'em together in the ring.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: accomplished
accomplished05 June 2009 @ 11:39 pm
I think I will take a reprieve from LJ for a time-- you will see me post my vlogs here, but I think I'm spreading myself too think by 1) Keeping a private, physical journal 2) Vlogging and 3) Writing on LiveJournal.
I like the idea of vlogging to communicate with the rest of you, though. It feels more real and fun when you can put a face and a voice to the thoughts and ideas someone has.
Oh, and next time you're feeling happy, try making a happy dance of your own. And if you're feeling especially adventurous, make a video of it and let me know. I'm interested in seeing what the rest of you do when you are overcome by something awesome.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
grateful
gratefulCurrent Music: Yoshi's Story - "Come Back To Me."
26 May 2009 @ 11:36 pm
Okay, seriously. After this, I'm going to start writing actual entries here. As fun as vlogging is, I miss writing and typing the words!
Oh, and check out gem's blog / vlog. I scarcely know a better writer or a better friend.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: accomplished
accomplishedCurrent Music: Ace of Base - "It's a Beautiful Life."
23 May 2009 @ 01:16 pm
Man, I hope they don't pull it down since I used Jeopardy clips. I think I'm still within my Fair Use boundaries.
Gemmy-- Can't wait for your vids!
Laura-- Like gem said, this is a CHALLENGE! :)
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
excited
excited20 May 2009 @ 10:32 pm
...but that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon LJ.
Laura, Gretchen-- What do you think about starting up a vlogging project between the three of us? With me moving out to Chicago in the fall, I think it'd be a pretty awesome way to keep in touch. And it's actually not that hard to do. I just started learning yesterday!
~ Jethro.
Laura, Gretchen-- What do you think about starting up a vlogging project between the three of us? With me moving out to Chicago in the fall, I think it'd be a pretty awesome way to keep in touch. And it's actually not that hard to do. I just started learning yesterday!
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: 
energetic
energetic06 May 2009 @ 11:07 am
Who have you been listening to lately?
~ Jethro.
P.S.straniera coming down this weekend; Yi Li and her boyfriend coming down this weekend! I will actually not be alone in my house!!
~ Jethro.
P.S.
straniera coming down this weekend; Yi Li and her boyfriend coming down this weekend! I will actually not be alone in my house!!Current Location: Phialdelphia, PA
Current Mood: 
chipper
chipper04 May 2009 @ 11:05 pm
"A contra dance is like an amusement park ride we make for ourselves."
-- Unknown
Where do I even begin with this? I could write a novel! Contra dancing, in just the last 8 months, has become a huge part of my life and how I spend my time nowadays. How did things change so suddenly? Normally, I'd just find myself playing video games or playing cards with my folks.
First, let me give you an idea of what contra looks like:
In the beginning, there was an invitation fromrowangrove to have straniera and me go to this contra dance in Glenside, PA. Let me set things straight: Prior to that, I had never participated in a dance with more structure than, let's say, the Electric Slide. I'd also had a very anti-dancing attitude, though that was more toward the club scene. To me, contra danced screamed YOU WILL EMBARRASS YOURSELF, but I decided to take the plunge anyway. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't come back and it would never be spoken of again.
And so we went to Glenside, thinking I had nothing to lose.
( And everything to gain! )
Contra was brought into my life just in time. I was suffering from being really distraught about my living situation and how little I was doing in my life except going to work, feeding myself, and staying up stupidly late doing absolutely nothing interesting. Going to contra not only demonstrated how awesome it is, but that life really wasn't so dull. It was bright, full of energy, and waiting to be discovered.
~ Jethro.
-- Unknown
Where do I even begin with this? I could write a novel! Contra dancing, in just the last 8 months, has become a huge part of my life and how I spend my time nowadays. How did things change so suddenly? Normally, I'd just find myself playing video games or playing cards with my folks.
First, let me give you an idea of what contra looks like:
In the beginning, there was an invitation from
rowangrove to have straniera and me go to this contra dance in Glenside, PA. Let me set things straight: Prior to that, I had never participated in a dance with more structure than, let's say, the Electric Slide. I'd also had a very anti-dancing attitude, though that was more toward the club scene. To me, contra danced screamed YOU WILL EMBARRASS YOURSELF, but I decided to take the plunge anyway. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't come back and it would never be spoken of again. And so we went to Glenside, thinking I had nothing to lose.
( And everything to gain! )
Contra was brought into my life just in time. I was suffering from being really distraught about my living situation and how little I was doing in my life except going to work, feeding myself, and staying up stupidly late doing absolutely nothing interesting. Going to contra not only demonstrated how awesome it is, but that life really wasn't so dull. It was bright, full of energy, and waiting to be discovered.
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Mood: bouncy
bouncyCurrent Music: Elixir - "Reverend Brothers / Calamity"
01 May 2009 @ 12:49 am
( Definitely not in chronological order. )
~ Jethro.
P.S. I will be writing a long, long entry about how contra dancing has basically shifted my entire attitude toward dancing for the better, and that it brings me such vibrancy, energy, and rekindles my sense of goodwill. Also, jigs and reels are really catchy. It is really all thanks to
rowangrove, or I wouldn't have given contra a second thought.Current Location: Chalfont, PA
Current Music: Elixir - "Reverend Brothers / Calamity"
okay15 April 2009 @ 10:46 pm
geeky12 April 2009 @ 11:58 am
I just returned from not only a long and relaxing vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but also the longest road trip I've been on so far-- about 10 hours. Fortunately, I was in good company with Aubrey along the way, not to mention switching off driving was a huge relief.
Even though I like the idea of using cars less, I still like the idea of doing long drives across North America and watching the environment change around you: Five lane highways to empty roads by a farm, seeing pharmacies not called "CVS" but instead called Happy Harry's, and seeing a lot of new architecture. There were many beautiful abandoned shacks that Aubrey and I spotted along the in North Carolina-- they weren't consequences of the recent economic downturn, but were remnants of long ago, in time forgotten. There were other neat places, like a small hammock shop that had one of the biggest hammocks that I've ever seen sitting outside. It looked bigger than the store itself (and was kind of hard to get into!)
The huge place that Aubrey's family rented out had two washing machines and seven bedrooms / bathrooms, and a hot tub (which was glorious). There were quite a few things wrong with the house, though-- namely, the microwave wouldn't respond to any input, but it would scarily run by itself after you closed the door. Mmm, radiation. Despite minor setbacks, it was an easy place to relax, and after a little grumbling on my part about ridiculous matters, I finally did. I even took up a little sunbathing on Aubrey's suggestion-- I don't think I'm much tanner, but I don't really care much about my skin color-- I've since accepted and embraced my pale whitey-whiteness. Sitting outside under a blue sky and an inviting sun is time well-spent. I always like how the skin feels warm after a good sun bath.
So, now that vacation's done, it's back to work. Not this week but the following, I get to read to small children! I'm psyched about this, and I'm curious about what books I'll be reading.
~ Jethro.
P.S. I'm planning for my next few entries to just pictures between graduating from Moravian and being at Temple. It's been a while since I've done pictures, so I figure I'm due up!
Even though I like the idea of using cars less, I still like the idea of doing long drives across North America and watching the environment change around you: Five lane highways to empty roads by a farm, seeing pharmacies not called "CVS" but instead called Happy Harry's, and seeing a lot of new architecture. There were many beautiful abandoned shacks that Aubrey and I spotted along the in North Carolina-- they weren't consequences of the recent economic downturn, but were remnants of long ago, in time forgotten. There were other neat places, like a small hammock shop that had one of the biggest hammocks that I've ever seen sitting outside. It looked bigger than the store itself (and was kind of hard to get into!)
The huge place that Aubrey's family rented out had two washing machines and seven bedrooms / bathrooms, and a hot tub (which was glorious). There were quite a few things wrong with the house, though-- namely, the microwave wouldn't respond to any input, but it would scarily run by itself after you closed the door. Mmm, radiation. Despite minor setbacks, it was an easy place to relax, and after a little grumbling on my part about ridiculous matters, I finally did. I even took up a little sunbathing on Aubrey's suggestion-- I don't think I'm much tanner, but I don't really care much about my skin color-- I've since accepted and embraced my pale whitey-whiteness. Sitting outside under a blue sky and an inviting sun is time well-spent. I always like how the skin feels warm after a good sun bath.
So, now that vacation's done, it's back to work. Not this week but the following, I get to read to small children! I'm psyched about this, and I'm curious about what books I'll be reading.
~ Jethro.
P.S. I'm planning for my next few entries to just pictures between graduating from Moravian and being at Temple. It's been a while since I've done pictures, so I figure I'm due up!
refreshed30 March 2009 @ 01:46 pm
I just finished writing a computer program that has been giving me trouble at work for the last few weeks. In celebration, I am taking some time to update on my life from work.
I did accept the offer to Univ. of Illinois at Chicago (which I will only call UIC from now since the full name takes way too much effort, even with abbreviations), so my graduate path is now squared away.
straniera is visiting this weekend, too. We met up with my friends from home to play a few mean games of Settlers of Catan. I happened to win each of the two games, but I think Laura, who is a well-seasoned player, was playing less aggressively than she could have.
We've been able to take a jaunt up to Moravian where we went to a Moravian mass (our first one), met up with a few professors, saw some fellow LJers liketimidlight, greytapestry, thexdropoff and a few other people. We got back home just in time-- there was a intense bout of rain and storms that evening.
straniera and I were talking yesterday about religion. Although I'm raised Catholic, I've grown dubious and estranged from it, but I didn't know how to justify rejecting it altogether. I don't identify with any particular religion because I still don't understand how one can bring themselves to identify with one set of beliefs at the exclusion of all others, especially when they don't really understand much about others religions.
She asked me, "Are you still interested in searching for faith within Catholicism?"
After a long discussion, I think I can at least say, "No, not now." This is a huge step for me, spiritually. Before this, my answer would have been a resounding, "I don't know, and I don't want to think about this."
~ Jethro.
I did accept the offer to Univ. of Illinois at Chicago (which I will only call UIC from now since the full name takes way too much effort, even with abbreviations), so my graduate path is now squared away.
straniera is visiting this weekend, too. We met up with my friends from home to play a few mean games of Settlers of Catan. I happened to win each of the two games, but I think Laura, who is a well-seasoned player, was playing less aggressively than she could have.We've been able to take a jaunt up to Moravian where we went to a Moravian mass (our first one), met up with a few professors, saw some fellow LJers like
timidlight, greytapestry, thexdropoff and a few other people. We got back home just in time-- there was a intense bout of rain and storms that evening.straniera and I were talking yesterday about religion. Although I'm raised Catholic, I've grown dubious and estranged from it, but I didn't know how to justify rejecting it altogether. I don't identify with any particular religion because I still don't understand how one can bring themselves to identify with one set of beliefs at the exclusion of all others, especially when they don't really understand much about others religions.She asked me, "Are you still interested in searching for faith within Catholicism?"
After a long discussion, I think I can at least say, "No, not now." This is a huge step for me, spiritually. Before this, my answer would have been a resounding, "I don't know, and I don't want to think about this."
~ Jethro.
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA