believe

my article is free this week, so read it, and tell me about it.

btw, I don't think we'll go after him, but I want him like I wanted Hansbrough.

www.tarheelradar.com

yessir

The engine stalled,
Velocity dropped.
Fans were appalled:
Football dreams stopped.

Then came a play
Like none before,
The kind they say
Belongs to lore.

A goal-line stand
Against hated State
Struck up the band,
Changed Tar Heel fate.

First Miami
Felt the Heels’ wrath.
Primed for OT,
Barth changed the math.

A loss to VaTech,
Close – it is true,
Still couldn’t wreck
The force of Blue.

Fueled by two wins
To close the year,
Revived pistons
Powered the gears.

More than just that,
The Heels looked good.
Backs to the mat,
They’d sawed some wood.

Win total, higher.
The gas tank, full.
Gone that flat tire,
Instead, Tire Bowl!

best song ever?

"una palabra" by Carlos Varela

fucking awesome lyrics and feeling. download it or holla.

hilarious

I know I'm late on this bandwagon, but, hell, I'm on it. Plus, it gets me all wistful about Andy (tear), as he provided my initial indoctrination to the genius that is Ali G.

check the vids
www.hbo.com/alig/video/
www.whoisalig.com/
http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/A/alig/clip.html

Lemony Snicket....tell me you've read it

well, if you have, then this is cause for some serious celebration. get hype. wile out. it's almost as good as harry potter.

http://www.unfortunateeventsmovie.com/intro.html
teaser
trailer
tv spot
international trailer

yes, I watched them all. multiple times.


now, I want your comments (heather).

I don't want to talk about it

basketball: lost to Santa Clara
women's soccer: lost in NCAA's to Santa Clara, first loss of year, season over
volleyball: lost to Maryland
men's soccer: lost in first round of the NCAA's to George Washington, season over

good things, women's bball upset No. 4 UCONN and in football we beat dook and we're going bowling!!!

and the fact that the weekend still sucked says a lot about how disappointing it was overall. prolly the worst since I been here.

FOR MEN ONLY

is there anything cooler?

type in commands, and then love her for them.

personal favorites: kiss, fight, tattoo, orgasm....many more

it's official; I'm cool (AND I HAVE A NEW EMAIL)

you want proof?

dantheheel@gmail.com

now what? Yeah, that's what I thought. Punk. You don't never want to step to this. They call me DTM, bitch.

seriously, though, this is my new email, and if you are cool enough to be reading this, then you should make note of my new address and use it.

Now, allow me a minute. Google is phenomenal. They are taking over the world, and they should. Their search engine is unmatched. Google Toolbar dominates the world and all pop-ups. Google Desktop has saved my ass a time or two and is just the shit overall. Now, they have gmail, which if you are lucky enough to have, you know is the bomb and blows everything else out of the water. 1000 MB? sick. simple, easy layout? Of course, it's Google. Join the Google revolution people. Montamos!!!

a day of movement

yes, team Taxco, it happened today.

there was a rebirth, a flowering of athletic activity rivaling that which occured atop that monstruous hill and under that dubious roof amid those concrete seats under those shitty lights so many times in our favorite town.

Matt and I, after encountering each other by chance in Woollen, proceeded to straight domm the competition like the old days. We taught them a poco algo algo. It was beautiful. The only thing missing were biased Mexican refs and our own special cheering section.

just thought you'd like to enjoy this trip down memory lane.

paz afuera,
danimal

verrrrry eeeenteresting

next time you walk by Hanes Art Center (the entrance by the sculpture garden), check out the birds on top of the building.

it's all on the line

my first commentary, if you will:

why don't people smile more? Especially students. I mean, you walk around campus, and it's like people couldn't be more pissed off. Why? Probably no reason, but society somehow has made open displays of emotion off-limits. Like, I'm as unemotional as they come, but you'll never find me with my head down scurrying to class like my life sux and I want you to know it. Yet, that is seemingly the norm here. Darting glances, heads turning away--maybe I'm just scary--I hope that's the case, 'cause otherwise these people have some serious issues. And even if life does suck, smile anyways. What have you got to lose? Honestly.

It's easier to be happy than sad, people. And it's always a choice.

nuff said

it's the best show on tv, bar none (okay, well maybe a few, but as far as hot, dumb, bitchy hs girls go--and we all know that's how they are--it's the best)

laguna beach

and it's real!!!

don't even call me Ebert

at the risk of appearing like a total big geek, and not like a nerdy geek, but the real intellectual-academic type that I hate, you know, the ones that cross their legs all the time and thereby reveal those ugly brown socks with the fancy (they think) X stitching all over them, yeah them. The ones who don't where glasses but "spectacles" and drink wine and eat weird, shitty, gross cheese in groups of four around some anciently classic mahogany coffee table with a perfectly entertaining TV sitting right behind them, but, alas, not on.

But yeah, at the risk of you confusing me with one of them doods, I present to you yet ANOTHER movie worth your time. Now, believe me, I am no movie connoisseur (hopefully I spelled that wrong to prove my point), but by blog belies this. Just trust me. I've seen like 4 movies in the past year, and it just so happens that I think you should see all of them too. Yes, I've liked every movie I've ever seen (except for Election, Novacaine, and The Cube), but I don't recommend all of them. That said,

without further ado,

and no more build-up,

or fanfare,

I present to you

a great movie

worth watching

called

I Heart Huckabees, a charming, witty, and at times hilarious little foray into the sometimes maddening realms of existentialism. The film really is a geniously written comedy that features.............

okay, now I really am turning into one of those douches, so I'm going to stop and go chug a beer and turn on ESPN and make man noises. lates.

ick

so fokes,

It looks like a bleak winter break internship at the ol Daily Sentinel is ahead.

Portrait writing! YAY! That's why I got myself into journalism, trust me. So I could write articles about a middle-aged man who makes annoying Cowboy Corral Kia ads. But that's the geej for ya.

The worst part is I can see it dominating my time back in town, which would be good, but it certainly won't be domming my wallet. So, in other words, a lot of work, not a lot of fun, not a lot of money.

don't give me the good experience line, or the it'll help you improve as a writer BS. I know it is and will. But I still don't want to do it.

So there.

I win AGAIN.

even though I really lose. tear. cry for me.


not you, Argentina.

I have blogging friends

YAY! Good to know I'm not out there alone...(even though it is quite obvious they are much more well-rounded people than yours truly)

http://rellavent.blogspot.com/
http://jeffmarkman.blogspot.com/
http://davidforsythe.blogspot.com/
http://jonathanpeele.blogspot.com/

the time is nigh

after a weekend in which bowl hopes were kept alive and women's soccer moved on, field hockey ended its season in a crushing and dissapointing defeat (even though we got screwed by the brackets).

BUT none of that really matters. Tommorow, Wake plays basketball on TV, which means that the season is like really really here. Which means Santa Clara is going to eat shit and die on Friday, even if with Felton suspended. I'm so pumped. A group of us are headed to Champps if any of y'all are interested in rollin'.

oh, and Marvin is sick. You shall see.

pps. I like Q a lot, too...hopefully he gets the start in Oakland.

Movie recommendation

Well, the old Taxco crew got together anoche. The plan was to catch the flick "I heart Huckabees," but it wasn't showing, so we punted.

The result: "The Motorcycle Diaries," a look at the man, the myth, the legend, the revolucionario Fuser (Che) Guevara. What a great movie. Y'all know I don't got none culture, and indy-ish films are certainly a rarity for me, but the thing was phenomenal -- in every aspect.

The story details Che's trek with a friend through South America by motorcycle, during his pre-Cuba days, and shows the tremendous impact his travels made on him. The story is touching, the cinematography spectacular, and the feel of the journey, the people he meets, and the landscape (some of the best I've EVER seen -- and I rep the CO) is incredible. Check it out, for real.

And while you're at it, might want to plug the other movie I saw this week: Team America, by the Southpark dudes. It's a great take on the political situation today, and hilarious all-around.

Other must-sees:
Garden State
Napoleon Dynamite

check it out

if you want to read some of my stuff, it's up on my Web site now:

http://www.unc.edu/~findlay/portfolio.htm

shit, let's get this over with

women's soccer lost in the acc championship for the first time since '88. 5-4 on pks. First loss ever to UVa. We played horrible, but maybe it'll help for the NCAA's

on a brighter note, field hockey beat both Wake (our nemisis) and then Maryland to win the ACC championship, so the weekend wasn't a total loss.

That said, football lost a heartbreaker to VaTech. After another horrible defensive performance -- they didn't punt until the 4th quarter -- we were driving for the winning/tying score when Durant gets sacked and takes us out of FG range. Typical.

men's soccer won 4-1, so there's a chance we finished 3rd in the ACC. will we qualify for the tournament?

life is good, just hanging on till t-giving.

"I don't see any red flags here"

That's right folks, I am officially NOT an alcoholic. I had my doubts, but in the end I passed the test. While it involved some fudging of the numbers and some white lies (for those of you who may be worried--mom and dad--don't be; I just erred on the side of caution), I squeaked out of my interview without any further requirements besides 5 classes starting Jan 14 and running every Friday from 1-4. Then, all this shit will be over.

Got a test tomorrow, but after that, the weekend begins. And what a weekend it is. Basketball kicks off (bad word choice intended) tomorrow, and we actually have a game that means something in football for the first time since I've been here (which means we'll lose, I'm sure). Not to mention ACC tourneys for women's soccer and field hockey. So that's that.

fucked up a test on Wednesday, but if that's the worst that comes of this week, I can deal with it.

my day in court

and here it is:

Manish and I arrived at 8, early by an hour, and we were 4th in line. The first three people were quickly dismissed (two speeding tix and an accident) by the pony-tailed man who seemed quite lenient. Manish steps up to him.

Scene 2:
At this same instant ,a lady who as of yet had done nothing calls me over to her. I hand her my ticket.

"Do you understand the charge against you?"

Taken aback by her cold, uncaring tone, I fumble for words. Impatient, she asks me again.

"Yes."

"How do you plead?"

"umm...I'd like to request deferred prosecution?" I stated, sans confidence.

"Go sit in the courtroom," she said. "I'll have to see if you QUALIFY."


after a bit of searching (she certainly didn't direct me toward it), I found the courtroom and sat down. Having no idea what was happening with Manish, I hoped I hadn't fucked up somehow.

Scene 1: Pony-tailed man has left Manish for 5-10 minutes. Manish doesn't know what's going on.

Scene 2: I've been alone in the courtroom for 20 minutes now. People keep streaming by the doorway, which I can see, with smiles of dismissals.

Scene 1: Pony-tailed man cannot find some forms he needs for Manish. A lawyer offers to return to his office and get them. Manish is sent into an "interrogation" room.

Scene 2: I'm no longer alone. Two other people have been relegated to the cold, unforgiving pews of the courtroom, the "pews of no return." I'm freaked out now; I had expected Manish to join me as soon as pony-tailed man realized we were both seeking deferred judgement, but alas, he is nowhere to be found. I fear he has slipped by the door unnoticed by me, another person granted ponytail's leniency.

Scene 1: Manish sits alone in the interrogation room, no idea what's going on.

Scene 2: It's 8:57. I've been sitting in the courtroom for over 45 minutes. A lady behind me asks the other man in the room what time it's going to start. "9," he says confidently. A lady walks in and sits down in the jury box.

I about die. You mean to tell me Manish got off, I'm the 21-year-old, it's my first time in court, and I have to represent myself as the first case of the day in front of a jury? You've got to be kidding me. This is a cruel joke. What the hell do I do? How do I address the judge--your honor? ma'am?

Scene 1: lawyer returns with paperwork. It's been 50 minutes. Manish signs and is done.

Scene 2: 9:15. Nothing has happened, except the courtroom is now full. Great, everyone is going to get to hear me stumble around in nervousness, not to mention hear about my dumbass open container ticket. What the hell do I do? I consider calling Manish to see where his ass is, but reconsider, afraid he may be in some serious negotiation or something.

Scene 1: Mean, cold lady (DA?) enters the courtroom. My heart sinks. This is it. "Finley?" she asks to the room.

"Yes."

"are you a student"

"yes ma'am"

she leaves the room. What the hell is going on?

Scene 2: 15 minutes later she returns, beckons me to the table on the courtroom floor. WTF?
she points to some paperwork, tells me to read and sign. I read and ask for a different program. She looks at me like I should die, says nothing, and walks out of the room. At a complete loss, I work my way back to my pew, unsure if even that's the right action.

Scene 2: 9:45, she returns, toting new paperwork. I sign, it's over. A nice lady from the program explains the Drug Educational School program that I will be required to be a part of.

New scene: Manish waited for me. We eat at Waffle House, discuss the ringer they put us through.

10:30 : I return to the courthouse with a hefty $150 I forfeit to the clerk. Fuck.

2:30 . I call the dude in charge of DES. 5 weeks, 5 classes, 3 hours each, 15 total. Starts in January. Prolly Friday afternoons, schedule not yet set. Perhaps before I return from x-mas break, which would require a change in plane tix. More money.

Thursday 3 p.m.-- the date of my "alcohol assessment" test. It will last an hour, and will determine if I might need help additional to that ordered by the court. I will also be forced to fork out another buck fifty for the classes. Can't wait.

Post-election depression

well, I can't say I'm surprised. I went into it expecting the worst, and we got it.

4 more years..........




of shit.

Y'all know I'd vote for a dead squirrel over Bush, and I may indeed have to spend some time out of the US on principle, but I sincerely hope my grim view of our future in his hands does not come to pass.

Some people say, "what were we thinking?" The best answer I've found (and this really does tell the story, if you think about Bush's appeal):
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~kenyon3/2004.htm

sad.

not my finest hour

just got out of court. (never thought I'd say that, at least not in the "I just pleaded" sense.)

drinking a beer on the street just doesn't pay.

well, it pays for some people. $150 to the court, and another buck fifty to take Drug Education School. should be able to get it expunged in the end, but, lord, i pray I don't have to miss (m)any basketball games.

then, maybe, it would be all worth it....

the week that was

parents were here last two weekends, stradling a super hectic week, BUT

the football Heels upset Miami for the biggest win in school history. Saved Buntings job? Unfortunately, probably.

Halloween on Sunday. I was a "jump to conclusions" mat. It worked out.

should be gettin published on tarheelblue.com...like the Jeffersons, I'm movin on up.

eminem does it again

stirring up controversey, this time in politics .

interesting take, and as always the lyricist is at work.

I've heard this video wasn't allowed to be released until after the election, don't know if that's true....