So I've been in Burlington for a month now. I've put off writing this because I wanted to finish my book before I ended up saying anything here. Burlington is absolutely great. I'm having a really nice time here, and the acclimation wasn't hard at all. Neighbors are good, friends are plentiful, weather is on and off. Our house is pretty nice considering the street we're on, and we've definitely turned it into a home. I can send a link to pictures in a later post.
Before I moved up here, I had said that I was working for a few weeks at UVM. Turns out that they really liked the quality of my work and decided to hire me full time for the summer! Needless to say I was stoked for that. I was in the midst of job searching and it wasn't looking too hot, so that really gave me a boost, not only financially, but emotionally. It definitely set the positive pace for the summer. Unfortunately I didn't receive a work-study from financial aid for the fall so I'll have to get a job downtown. Not the worst thing, just a minor setback.
Summer league is going great, we're 2-0 at the moment, and I've been playing some of the best ultimate of my life. There's also pickup in Burlington that is every Sunday and Thursday (they also have it on random other days, too). I haven't really gone to Double Dragon/Chuck Wagon, though. I've been pretty busy and there's been a minor lack in motivation in that department. It's okay, though, I have been plenty active, what with working full-time, other ultimate, the World Cup, et cetera. Know what I mean?
Speaking of World Cup, let's go Deutschland! I've been rooting for them since the beginning, so you can count on me to be rooting for them, screaming in German, and just screaming in general. They're a powerhouse this year, but they've got a tough game on Saturday against Argentina. Fingers are crossed.
OH! About two weeks ago I was sitting at the Fletcher Free Library before we got internet at our house (still really doesn't work), and I was just browsing the internet and I was thinking about how my brother had his ukulele at home while he was still there. I would play around with that thing, but I was limited, because I play lefty, and his was stringed righty, as most are. So I was sitting there, looking up ukulele's on amazon, whom was having a sale. And then I decided right then and there "I want one now." So I pulled the trigger, and got it in the mail 4 days later, and I haven't really stopped playing. I'm getting decent too, so soon you'll see me recording tunes...right. Well if I can learn to sing and play, maybe. Otherwise, I need some vocalists!
Getting back to my book though, I just finished Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan this evening. It was such a spectacular book and I loved every second of reading it. It may have taken me forever to get around to finishing, but it was truly inspiring.
If you have never heard of Carl Sagan or the book before, I really recommend it. It combines science, history and philosophy in eloquent language, and at times humorous prose. A fine example of a man with passion for his field. If this doesn't move you at least a little bit, then I'm sorry: You Are Here. Text can be found here.
I think my next book will be Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick. It should go fairly quick. It'll add to the science type reads I've been doing. I get to read a fair bit at work, because I mostly work at a front desk and it's summer, so not many people come over. Though they like to keep me busy.
The fourth of July is this weekend, and I think a bunch of Frisbee folk are having a potluck sort of thing on the 3rd. Food, beer, and then we'll go to the fireworks in the evening. Tres excited.
Speaking of exciting things, my older brother Jake, whom helped me move into my apartment, recently joined the Peace Corps. and 2 days after he helped me move in, he went to Washington, DC for a week and then promptly was shipped off to Lome, Togo. He's having a good time so far, which is good. He better, he'll be there for 27 months! You can follow him at his blog From 'Toga to Togo.
In any event, now that I'm in Burlington, and I've actually finished a book so as not to be embarrassed or anything. That being said, I'll post more often, talk about my ventures, and all those great things!
Sailors on a becalmed sea, we sense the stirring of a breeze.
