Thoughts on That New Computer

I am going to keep this short.
Sorry.
So I have a new computer. I built it myself (myself of course being my friend Alex). He happens to be a genius, and I happen to suck at craning my neck and using a tiny screw driver. Either way, my computer is fucking badass. That is all you can really say about it. Might post some pics later.

Otherwise doing the finals grind. Finals being my last CS program. I am an Othello pro. In other news, my History of Science final is a 5 page essay. A student can earn extra credit on the essay if they write the whole thing in latin. I read that and was like "Wtf Mate?"

Seriously,
who can write a 5 page essay on the influence of institutions over scientific thought in latin? Thinking about writing it and then dropping it into Google translator. As a joke of course.
That is just ridiculous.

Cheers,
-KGM

Thoughts on Gunther (To lazy for umlaou... however it is spelled)

So I had completely forgotten about the true hilariousness that is Gunther and the Sunshine Girls. For those that do not know what I am talking about, cease reading immediately and look up "The Ding Dong Song" on Youtube. It is a little bit inappropriate, but considering the title it could be a lot worse.
So now I am just going to wait for you to watch it.
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All done?  Good!
Now you know what I am talking about. I found myself watching a bunch of Gunther videos and frankly; I was laughing my little butt off. In my laughter I was reminded of the past. A past that was among many things had a lot more laughter. Now it seems like I am going to go off on some whiny tangent about how much life sucks. Actually I am pretty much going to talk about squirrels. I hope you are at least a tad bit confused at this point. So anyways, back in the day (the day being 6th grade/7th Grade) my friends and I had some interesting tastes in music. Now you are saying "Yah, So who didn't at that age?" I would agree, between the AC/DC and Linkin Park arose something else. We basically had a collection of what I could only call "humor" songs. While they varied in subject matter, the large majority of them were recreations of songs to the tune of squirrels. The best example I can offer was the song "Girls" by the Beastie Boys. We had never heard of the Beastie Boys, and our version was called "Squirrels". It was sung at a very high pitch. To this day I do not know how we maintained our sanity listening to those stupid songs over and over again, but damn-it were they funny at the time.

At this age people do not do stuff like that. I think it is kind of a bummer. Some people find themselves too mature for such things. In fact I have had someone call me out for making a low brow and less than unique joke. They made sure to flex the point that they were far to mature for such a brand of humor. Do people like that know they are full of shit? or are they just in denial? These are truely the things I spend my days pondering. Back to the point of all of this. Rewatching the Gunther videos brought back a bit of my childhood. In no means do I want to be a child again; however I think someone who is truly mature will never go about asserting it to other people. So I guess I will ask you:

Who is more mature
A person who makes a "that's what she said joke"?
or
A person who chastises the other person about said joke, asserts their maturity, and then later on rudely interrupts a professor and a lecture hall full of people. Gossiping with their neighbor and slamming their desk up?


Look I made it an angry rant there at the end.
Throughout the course of this I had three different songs picked out: Gunther, then "Squirrels" and then Intergalactic Planetary. But, I now I am going to chose a different one.
"Oh what's that?"
"Yah I did choose another Coheed and Cambria song"
"Yes I know this is the third one"
"No I don't care."



-KGM

Thoughts on The Grammy's and Being A Failure

For some reason I put being a failure as the second part of the title, but as it turns out, it is the first thing I talk about. Talk about being a failure at organizing. Another thing I found out I failed at? Early celebration. Yes I know this all sounds convoluted, just wait for it. So the Computer Science program here at UW does not exactly grade things "quickly". I get it, I really do. The programs do probably take awhile to grade and there are a lot of 302 students. Normally I would not really care, but in this certain situation, it felt like a slap in the face. Today I got my grade back for the Ant Colony Optimization Program. (Yes it was exactly as exciting as it sounds). Ants and tunnels, pretty boring stuff. I worked pretty damn hard on it. Looking back at my notes from the assignment, they looks like the scribblings of a paranoid schizophrenic. Well, I was not all that impressed with my grade. I wont go into numbers, but let's just say one little mistake propagated into a lot of points marked off. I felt really confident about it when I turned it in. I was so confident and happy about being done with it that I grabbed my friends and went out for some celebratory Parkour, and well the rest is history (THAT IS HOW I BROKE MY BACK). In other words I probably should have waited to see my grade before celebrating. My not have spent my Halloween weekend in the Hospital.

Segway....

That great moment when you find out your professor is on my oxycodeine than you are.....

Grammys.
I heard Skrillex is going to be nominated for Best Artist. Now don't get me wrong, I like me some Skrillex. But I think Best Artist is kind of a stretch. Supposedly Bon Iver is also getting nominated for Best Album (These are all rumors from Reddit's Ugly Sister Tumblr at this point). I get what the "Grammy People" are trying to do. I mean it is probably a good thing that they are expanding to all genres of music. And yet I can't help but to get a bad taste in my mouth about the whole thing. I am just worried that they will take it too far. I was content with the way things were. The Grammy's did their thing with their music, and I did my thing. At the risk of sounding like an incredibly douchey hipster, I will say that I would rather not have all my favorite bands performing at the Grammys. In the end I guess it just goes to show that I just don't listen to obscure enough bands. Moral of the story... I failed again.

Here is not a very obscure band, but a badass song.




-KGM

ps- My scouces tell me the nominations were announced on TV, but I like my joke so I am going to keep it that way. I am going to hide this down here in case anyone wants to call me wrong.

Thoughts on The Loss Of A Dear Friend

I am currently wearing a PMT brand cervical section neck brace. It's job is to support my neck while my blown C6 vertebrae rebuilds itself. It is also ridiculously annoying and restricts me from looking left or right. I figured out that this limitation on my peripheral vision is the cause for my new found butterfingers. I drop everything these days. I did not think much of this until yesterday morning. There I was, drinking my Emergen-C, making sure I got a billion percent of my daily value of vitamin C and every other vitamin and mineral known to man. When all of a sudden, said cup of vitamin juice blend flies out of my hand and spills alllll over the table. Now if you know me very well at all, you would know that breakfast goes hand in hand with some morning internet time.

Flash back to 3 years ago, Christmas time. There my whole family was sitting in our living room. My parents had huge grins on their faces that morning. As my mother would later recount the great feeling she had of actually pulling of a Christmas surprise. Northwest Airlines offered their employee's an awesome deal on Mac-book Laptops. I was over joyed. I had always wanted a laptop. I used that laptop so much. Whether it was writing papers or wasting time on YouTube, I was on this thing constantly. Through the Florida and New Jersey times, it was on of my only friends. But it was a great friend. She even excelled here in Madison. I got her a new battery and installed Linux on her, which she worked wonders with. She let me do all my computer science homework in the comfort of my own dorm room, avoiding the crappy CS labs. She was especially helpful recently, because I am not able to look down and a sheet of paper to write on.

As you probably guessed the Emergen-C spilled all over my beautiful laptop..... I flipped it upside down almost instantly. Pulled the battery out and yelled for my mom to get the hair dryer.... It was a horrific experience. She is currently sitting in a bag filled with rice, in hopes that the moisture will be sucked out and she will be revived. I am writing to you from my mothers laptop.... Crowded desktop and Internet Explorer.....
Pray to the computer gods for me......

I am pretty sure I have posted a Cranberries song before. I am also pretty sure I don't care. This is literally the only song that fits right now....



-KGM

Thoughts on Hurrr Durrrr Herp Derp derrr

Goddamn...
Computer science is one of the most frusturating thing on this planet. At first it's easy. The lines flow from my fingers like Leslie Nelson in Scary Movie.
(blog check list: clever movie reference CHECK)

After writing comes the finger crossing and the running. This step requires a lot less work, and a lot more hope. Not surprisingly the hope is always in vain. It never works the first time, and I don't think it should. But let me tell you when you stare at the same 10 lines of code for 2 hours until realizing that you have a > (greater than) instead of a < (less than), it sucks.
(blog check list: complain about something sucking CHECK)

Seen we are in the computer vein I wanted to talk about Grooveshark. I had obviously heard of Grooveshark, but it was a month or so ago that I discovered its true beauty and power. I mean it fills the spectacular void left by my inability to acquire music while on the University networks. I am actually very proud of my self, resisting that good old convert youtube to mp3 button. (by the way if you don't have that add-on you should get it,awesome). Grooveshark gives me almost every song I could ever need to listen too, granted I don't actually have them; but still. Another great thing about Grooveshark is that it allows me to artificially inflate my musical repertoire. I always felt like being "hip" to all those new, underground indie bands on the radar this week was just too difficult. It is way too time consuming to be that "music kid". I put up a decent effort, when I get the chance, but Grooveshark really helps. Grooveshark - "Helping you seem like a bigger hipster than you actually are since March 2006"
(blog check list: talk about hipsters and stuff CHECK)
(Also I looked up that March 2006 on Wikipedia....citing sources like a boss)

Well what is left.... rant or politics....
I chose you Rant-A-Chu...
This one is on country music, more or less. I am not talking like willie nelson country, not Johnny Cash country. Nay the rant is directed at this new Country. This sexy-tractor bullshit. Some kid posted a video on our UW-Madison class facebook page. To a song called red-solo cup. By Toby Keith. Now I am familiar with several Toby Keith songs. One in particular is called "Beer for My Horses". Now any actual Red-Blooded American ranch who needed his horses to work hard for him is probably not pumping his horses full of beer. Granted it is used as an old time cure for horses that do not sweat enough, I doubt Old Toby knew that. Keyword there being old... goddamn. This red solo cup video is ridiculous, the guy is walking around a college rager. He is 50 years old. What is he doing at a college age party. In the song he states (originally in a more rhythmical manner) that anyone who prefers to drink beer out of glass over a red solo cup does not have a pair of testicles. Last I checked sasparilla didn't come in a red solo cup.
(blog check list: rant CHECK)

I could go on for days about new country music and how I despise it. But to each their own I suppose!
Here... enjoy it...



-KGM

Thoughts on Holy Broken Spine Batman!!

First:

 IT'S ALIVE

Second:
Alright guys... I know I messed up bad this time. It has been at least a month... I am genuinely sorry for failing this hard. In my defense I did fracture 3 vertebrae and partially collapse both of my lungs, in an "accident". I guess what it really comes down to is in those Parkour movies where it says "Do no try this at Home, These are professionals." In the past warnings like this feel in the same category as "Read All instructions before use." But alas I vaulted over a railing by ol' Steenbock Library and here I am a month later, in a neck and body brace blogging from my temporary home in Eagle Heights. The Family Housing area for UW. On a positive note at least I didn't end up in Family Housing because I went to Vegas and accidentally got married right? <----- see that, I am learning to do the whole glass half full thing!

I know it's a few days late but still.....

1. I am thankful that I can walk.
2. I am thankful that UW hooked me up with a sweet apartment
3. I am thankful for having my own room and shower, and mom's cooking again
4. I am thankful that my friends have not completely forgotten about me
5. I am thankful that I am recovering, and finally have enough energy to type and study and listen to music
6. "you get the point" for my rediscovery of Citizen Cope, it's been a while man....
7. "" for my sweet new Monitor/TV replacement and hopefully soon new computer
8."" even partially handicapped I am still doing well in school
9."" that I might get my neck-brace off before Christmas

Look at me being all not cynical, I am damn proud of my new found mindset. Maybe the next hospitalization can rid me of my sarcasm...

Here is your tune... Thanks for reading!



-KGM

Thoughts on The Occupy Movement

I don't have a lot to say. It's late and I have been doing homework all night.
I just want anyone happens upon this post to watch this.



If you can watch this and not feel concern about the state of our country I worry for you. It is not up to one group of people to have all the answers, to have all the solutions to all of our problems. That is exactly the problem with the way things are right now. No one group will ever have the perfect cure for our ailments. The only way to solve the problems is to first acknowledge that they exist. Then we must come together, make compromises. The Occupy movement is a step in the right direction. If you find yourself in disagreement with some of "their" ideas, or opinions. Remember that they are not a political party or a lobbyist. They are people, just like you. They have all their own ideas about what is wrong with this great country and are just trying to voice said ideas in whatever way they can. I hope that you can feel some kinship with them, for at the very least, you are both human beings, and you are both fed up with the way things are going. I love you all. My heart goes out to everyone with enough brass to Occupy. To all of you who have felt the harsh backlash of the law, just remember this: You know in your heart that you did no wrong. These police officers and prosecutors make a mockery of the Constitution they claim to uphold. You have embraced the freedoms given to you by the Constitution, and you do honor to it with your protests.

-Kyle Griffith McChesney

Ye Old 180th Post....

Kind of hard to believe that this is the 180th time I have sat here staring at this stupid blinking bar thinking of something to write. School was been occupying so much of my time, I feel like everyone has probably given up reading this old rag. Life is just so much better here in Wisconsin. New Jersey was a dark chapter in my life, I really needed this to get my thoughts out. Man, there were days when writing in this blog was the most human interaction I had. Must say I am pretty glad that has changed.  I really bums me out that I no longer have time to write as much as I would like.
I have been trying to stay as up to date as possible on this whole Occupy "Revolution". I don't know what to think anymore. There is a lot of criticism directed at these guys, mostly directed and their often muddeled and sometimes conflicting. I just wish people had the ability to see through that. Dissenting minds always have the capacity to find fault with the people they disagree with. Look for the positives in the situation. At least people are doing something about IT. No one can deny that this country has been declining in almost all conceivable facets. Props to all of you occupiers for at least doing something about it.

In closing. They are a leaderless group. A gather of many different people from all walks of life. They might agree on somethings. They might disagree on other things. The fact that is important; they are there. They have been there for over two weeks. The ideas and opinions of 20 somethings fresh out of college are just as important as the views of everyone else.

-Kyle Griffith McChesney

Thoughts on Changing the Banner

So I know that the banner on top of my blog says "posts at least once daily", but I am thinking that this is going to need a serious change. I don't know if it is because of laziness or business, but I am having a hard time keeping up with the whole daily post thing. It is felling like a weekly thing these days. I think the blow is softened by the fact that I actually have interesting things to write about in these weekly posts, instead of the pointless rambles of the past. Ok no more business.

I am talking about that weird feeling. I have been in this place for about one month. Not a very long stretch of time, and it feels like eternity. Making those real serious life long friends apparently. I had to have a discussion about the ethics of Biofuel, and it's affects on farming. I had an unfair disadvantage because all the kids who disagreed with me lived on farms. Not fair!

Wisconsin is a pretty different place. One night a few of us were hanging out in the "dormitory" discussing our musical interests. In a room full of ten people I loudly announced: "Who here likes Mac Dre?" I stood before a room full of blank stares and one: "What is a Mac Dre?". That was mind boggeling to me. I mean I am not a huge fan of Mac Dre, but seriously? It's Mac Dre.....

I feel like my History of Science class is making me a less intelligent person, and a more intelligent person simultaneously. The whole idea of the class is to pull ourselves out of the knowledge base of 2011 and immerse ourselves in the "science" of the ancients. So basically I'm an ace when it comes to ancient cosmology and natural philosophy. But if someone asked me about the solar system as we know it; I would quickly make a fool of myself. The whole concentric circles of the celestial realm idea doesn't really hold up so well.

I have a new found respect for BMX biking. BMX biker's always seemed to me like the biggest tools ever. Riding a bike is something everyone knows how to do. They don't help their cause by being (for the most part) rude assholes. All that changed when I met Dean Larson. Kid is a straight up badass. He is pretty much my 3rd roommate. He is a BMX biker, and gave me the rare opportunity to make a fool of my self on a BMX bike. That shit is not easy... Deanasuar makes it look easy though.

It is so awesome to have a whole new group of people to share all your the funny youtube videos and inside jokes with. I dropped a serous awesome bomb with Turtle Man. The rebel call ("YEEE YEEE") was a big hit with the Turner house gang. I am still working on Trailer Park Boys, I guess it is an acquired taste.

In closing, I hereby dedicate this blog post to the people in Wall Street. If you don't know what I am talking about, google Occupy Wall street. The big "media" has done it's best to keep the coverage to a minimum. Not saying I agree with them, but mad "props" to them for protesting for what they believe in.

-KGM

Thoughts the Horde

For those of you faithful readers, you have been here since the New Jersey era A.K.A. the Dark Ages; you should all know how much a I hated my life. I was pretty damn depressed, I will be honest. But ever since I got to Madison, life has been awesome. No complaints. But today, I had a brief reminder of that sorrow and despair. It is a long story so hold on.

It started slowly, and orange headband here, a Nerf gun there. Soon enough we figured it all out. Books were thrown in the air and bikes were ridden to Target. Humans vs Zombies, campus wide Tag slash nerfgun war. You start as human, wear an orange band around your arm. If zombies tag you, then you become a zombie.

Last night Dushan and I hunted. We killed 16 zombies, setting ambushes and sneaking around the bushes. Peer joy.

Today...I was tagged.
I am lost.

I don't have a reason to carry on anymore.



-KGM

Thoughts on Cold Air and Cold Milk

It is getting cold up here in Wisconsin. Not that good old try Montana cold, it is like moist New Jersey cold all over again. To be horribly clique, the cold that chills you to the bone. I am pretty damn excited for the snow to come though. Cannot wait to go ice skating on the lake. It will be a great break from philosophizing with Plato about "What Is?". History Of Scientific Thought is a ridiculous class, reading all this ancient Greek "natural science" is just incredible. These guys knew literally nothing about what we consider modern science, and yet they had in-depth explanations about almost everything. It is a breath of fresh air to think about the world from a completely new and different view point. It is also damn hard to read all of it and not let my opinions and thoughts be poisoned by modern knowledge. The word is "modernist", or having a modernist view point. Seriously though, we spent a whole discussion talking about the question: "What is?" Next week we will be getting into: "How do we know what we know." We take so much for granted in this day and age, while Plato and the gang devoted their lives to figuring out the most basic of all ideas. Go college learning and stuff!

Also go drinking milk straight out of the bottle. I waited so long to be free from my oppressive parents, making me use a glass to drink my milk.

This is one of those, I have seen this song live and it makes it so much more awesome moments.

Maps - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs


-KGM

Thoughts on Organizing

I organized all day today. It felt a lot better than I think it should make someone feel. I laid out all my hats and shoes in rows, and color coordinated them. I was honestly a tad bit worried about how good it felt to be so organized. I am sure my mother would be very proud of me though. I think what happened was I sat on my futon all day and did homework while the Madison IronMan Triathlon was going on right outside my window. I felt like such a lazy slob... Also took a bike ride over to picnic point and the community gardens. What a surprise, it was all so beautiful. I saw a huge Red-Tailed Hawk and a little Cardinal. This place has everything. I feel like my blog has made a decisive switch from bitching about New Jersey to talking about how much I freaking love Wisconsin. I have fallen in love with Madison, Wisconsin, deeply in love. As a side not I had to watch a video lecture on ethics! stupid stupid stuff. These little situations they talk about never happen in real life, and the "rules" they set from the scare medicine situation and the rest never work in real life. I HATE IT!

REPOST OF CLOUD CULT HAHAHA DEAL WITH IT!



-KGM

Goddamn I am Slacking

So much as been going on this past week. This guy played Amazing Grace on his BAG PIPES!!! earlier and I threw down with the other "hipster" kid on bands that "you have probably never heard of." So before I got here my mom gave this pretty serious talk about intelligence. She basically said that I was going to a school full of really smart people. She had been a very intelligent person, top of the class in her high school, and had not dealt so well with being around everyone who was just as smart or smarter than her. While I have yet to encounter this phenomena, mostly because I could care less if people are smarter than me. But imagine the same idea, only with music. Then times it by 1000x. This kid dragged my ass through every conceivable musical genre and listed off 100s of bands that I had never heard off. My hipster ego was quite battered. They said college was about getting out of your comfort zone and I was very uncomfortable with this kid knowing all of my super random bands and what not. I mean come on! On another note, my History of Science class is freaking incredible. I sat in a 90 min lecture while the professor was just dropping knowledge bombs left and right. I could not be happier with the University of Wisconsin. I will do my best to not skip like a week of posts.

As for the music, this one goes out to the kid in my house who brought his bagpipes to college. You sir, are a total badass.



-KGM

Thoughts on Doing Same Changes Around Here

As you might have noticed this whole one past a day thing has been failing pretty hard. I guess you have a lot less free time when in College than when you live in a retirement community in New Jersey. So long story short I probably will not be getting around to the daily posts.
Onward!
Turner Kronshage House (my dorm) got second place in the KroCS Olympic games. I, along with most of the house, did our darnedest to win. It was a 2 day event, with several games yesterday and then a scavenger hunt today. We owned all our games yesterday, which basically amounted to taking one scavenger picture. I am rambling about this but I honestly rode my bike around the entirety of Madison, Wisconsin taking pictures in front of important buildings and landmarks. I went there, I was willing to look like a total tourist fool, for the sake of Turner house. The house that did not even show up for Ultimate Frisbee, Jeopardy or the relay race did more scavenging so they won. I was pissed. Otherwise college is going swimmingly, I have good friend and am getting into the routine. I talk like I am in college but we have honestly only had one day of classes. It is a lot of fun now, but pretty soon I will defiantly be buckling down and doing some serious work. Gonna be a long road too that PH.D, but we will make it. HIV better watch out!


HAHAHAHAHAAH

-KGM

Thoughts on That Moment

Somewhere between seeing the Microbial Sciences building and watching your football team wreck shit on ESPN I had a little moment of realization. I had been told by many advisers, professors, alumni and students about how UW is the greatest college in the world. I defiantly placed it pretty high before this, but today I realized what they were talking about. This place is so incredible. I have not even been to one class yet. Long boarding and biking all over the place, swimming in the lake, it is all so much fun. The view in Lakeshore is spectacular. It is going to be an incredible year. That is all.



-KGM

Swimming in Dat Lake

Jumped in Lake Mendota in the pitch black and pouring lake, with like 20 people from the dorm. It was quite the bonding moment. Community involvement, friendship building, all that orientation freshman type stuff. I felt pretty proud since I led the charge in getting people to come. Apparently people are very afraid of pneumonia around here, got some strange looks from people. I must say though, UW is so damn awesome. It is going to be a damn good year.


-KGM

Moving In

I move in tomorrow bright and early. I am damn tired and this internet sucks. Sorry. Awesomeness to come tomorrow though, I promise.

-KGM

Thoughts on That Thing People Do.

I wanted to start this off by saying "Today is the day that I finally leave for Wisconsin." We are leaving around 12:30 tonight and driving to Pennsylvania to catch a flight to Detroit. The problem is that technically today is not the day, because we are going to leave after 12, which would be the next day. This brings us to a slight issue. I absolutely cannot stand when you are talking to someone at it is like 12 or 1 am, and you mention something about tomorrow and they are all "no stupid, that's today see because it is after midnight." I really hate that. So in order to avoid hearing that, I shall sacrifice the good sounding into I have for this.

Tomorrow is the day that I finally leave for Wisconsin. You have dragged this on long enough New Jersey. No more Earthquakes, no more hurricanes. I am leaving! and I don't intend on coming back for quite sometime. I am so damn excited. It is hilarious, my mom expects me to "get a few hours of sleep before we go". Silly mom, that's what coffee and adrenaline are for. I am not quite sure if our hotel has Internet, and it might take a day or too for our dorm room wifi to get working. I will do my best to keep posting. Have a goodnight everyone!



-KGM

Travel Plans Postponed

Departing postponed. Gonna sit this thing out. Bring it on Irene, bring it on.



-KGM

Getting Real.

All packed, Hurricane stress-ville. Who knows when I will get to Madison. This shall lighten the mood.

-KGM