The Book Buyin' Blues

I woke up this morning feeling good. I had a little fun last night and I was looking forward to my first classless Thursday of the semester. In the future I plan on spending some at Cannon Mountain to take advantage of their 2 for 1 lift tickets, but not today. I had some errands to take care of, like getting my books. I had originally planned to order all my books ahead of time on amazon or textbooks.com or that new site koofers, but I wasn't able to get book lists for any of my classes. No worries I thought, I'll order them as soon as I find out what I need. Well that day didn't come until yesterday (thanks professors) and not only that but I have assigned readings in three classes for Friday and Monday so there was no way I could order online. So I did what I had to and trekked over to the MUB store and DBE. I did my best to price check ahead of time but I still spent over $270, not cool for an unemployed college student. I know that really isn't too bad, I know kids who spend over $200 on just one book. And over $500 a semester. Damn! The problem I have is that out of the 6 books I needed, only one was used. The rest were brand-fucking-new. Why do professors feel the need to assign the latest edition every fucking semester? Then they always give us that "I picked this book because it is a little cheaper" bullshit.  Is there really a difference between the the 12th and 13th edition of The United States since 1945? It's a fucking modern history book! It's not like it's ancient history and there were new discoveries and it's not like the newer edition ends with Obama's first year or anything, it ends with Bush. Like, fuck, I could find everything in that book online. I think it is safe to say that I got the book buyin' blues. The only thing that can brighten my spirits is the fact that I got a flask just waiting to be opened up... It'll be 12 in about ten minutes... excellent.

Overall I am very excited for this semester, I'm finally taking some real challenging courses that I actually want to be in. Yesterday my history professor said that "wikipedia is garbage." I almost laughed out loud. Wikipedia is one of the best research tools if you are smart about using it. Almost every page on Wikipedia lists a bibliography, sources, related readings and external links at the bottom of the page which are great for further research. A lot of times the bibliography will include the ISBN numbers for each book. I have found those links more helpful than using JStore or one of the blackboard library databases. Using info off wikipedia can be risky (although it scored to be equally accurate as the Britannica encyclopedia in a blind study) but using wikipedia for sources is very helpful. Give it a shot on your next research assignment.

Quick side note, when did UNH start getting ESPN-U, channel 54? We definitely didn't get it last year because I remember not being able to watch the NCAA tournament hockey game verse BU that ESPN-U was broadcasting. Have we had it all year or is this new since break? Or am I just a moron?

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Inspiring UNH Story

I met Radar last year and he was a really nice guy, but this video really blew my mind. This was such an inspiring video. It can really put things into perception.

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Watching that really made me thankful for my situation and proud to be a Wildcat. He graduated with three minors in just three years!

Stay classy, not UMassy

Drink Of The Week: Svedka

For the first DOTW of the semester I am going with the drink I would say I get the most. Svedka is cheap vodka, but still decent quality. For $20 a handle you get vodka that doesn't taste like complete shit. (See: zhenka.) The quality of Svedka is in between Grey Goose and zhenka, meaning you won't want to sip on it, unless you're straight from Russia, (or Sweden) but it tastes fine with some orange juice, cranberry juice and I'm told, in martinis. At 40% alcohol (80 proof) the price per alcohol content is actually pretty cheap.

My favorite drink with Svedka is a screwdriver, simply orange juice and vodka. I can only handle so much orange juice, plus it's expensive, so if I'm planning on having a few drinks I usually go with some cranberry juice, which is known as a Cape Cod or Cape Coder. Vodka is known to sneak up on you so pay attention to your intake or you'll be puking all night... or the next morning. The thing I like about Svedka is that you are able to mix it with just about anything and it doesn't result in you instantly feeling like shit and waking up with an insane hangover. I can't guarantee that, but every time I've had other cheap vodkas (zhenka) I have bad hangovers. During my freshman year I used to drink Svedka and diet Coke. Don't do that, it tastes absolutely terrible, stick with juices. Vodka can be tough to take as a shot, but if your fridge has a freezer cold vodka is much smoother to drink or take a shot of when it is chilled. I just have a mini dorm fridge with a tiny freezer compartment so I usually poor some vodka into a water bottle or two and let it get real cold. There are hundreds of other mixes with vodka, but those are a few of my personal favorites.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Help Us Help You

Now that classes have started up and Durham is busy once more the blog's page hits are increasing after a slow break. I would like to touch on a few things to save people from having to read back through every post. (Although you should because they really are life changing.) The biggest news is that we have added a new writer known as "Rusty." He won't be writing everyday like me, more just when he has a specific topic of interest. Think of him as a permanent guest writer. Speaking of guest writers, I am also hoping for a few guest submissions. (I have already received some interest so don't be shy.) Guest writers wouldn't get their own ID, but anyone can email posts to the blog (unhblog@yahoo.com)  and I would post them and credit the author however they would like. I was also hoping to add another ID'd contributer. So email me if your interested and include what you would like to write about, how often etc... If your not sure, try submitting a couple guest posts to see what you think. I think this would be a great way to expand the blog and add a little variety. If you're interested there is more info and some guest ideas in this older post.

As you may have noticed there wasn't a newspaper today, the first issue will be Friday. "Like a Pro" will make it's spring semester debut next Tuesday, so stay tuned. Wednesdays on the blog will now feature a "drink of the week" post, we have already featured two and tomorrow will be the third. I have a few in store, but if you have any favorite drinks let us know. Some of the drinks will be common UNH favorites and others will be more rare for the college scene. If you can't tell I am trying to make the blog more reader interactive and appealing so let us know if you have any suggestions.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Special Reserve Sauce: Round One

I hate hot and spicy foods. I have trouble if I eat "medium" salsa. One of my favorite foods on campus are the barbecue wings from Wings Your Way. Last night two "friends" convinced me to try the special reserve wings. They had both ate them before, one of them even likes the hotness. I took the first bite and said, "It's not that bad." 5 seconds later my face was sweeting and my mouth was throbbing. I probably could have managed the wings, but we poured another side cup of the sauce over them. They were both done their two wings before I finished my first. I finally finished, with the help of cranberry vodka and V8, neither of which I could taste. About 3 minute after finishing my mouth and face were still burning and I decided to run outside and shove my face in the snow, and ended up laying down face first in the snow. If I didn't do that I would have puked. I don't know what it is but my mouth can't handle super hot foods. I like the taste, but it is just too much. I highly doubt I will be trying anymore special reserve in the near future. I think my mouth is swollen this morning.

 Left: Death                                Right: Puke prevention.

As the night continued I realized my vaporizer was missing the plug to heat it up, luckily it took the same plug-in as my printer and PS2. One of those double rounded things like this: (O)(O). The more you know...

Stay classy not UMassy.

PS: My roommate's girlfriend (I know she reads this) is the best for buying him a coffee maker. Awesome.

Really Hall Director?

So I'm back for an hour and my hall director is already biting my steeze. Yes, I just said "biting my steeze."

Stay classy UQers, really?

Let's get this semester started right. Cheers!

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Back to School...

Dear UNH,
The new semester is upon us and I have one warning: Watch out. If I may quote my friends from Gogol Bordello, "We're coming rougher every time." I promise to uphold that statement by partying, working and blogging harder than ever before. I am very excited for the new semester and I feel that great things are in store for us all. We have a new writer (and hopefully more, or some guest posts at the very least) and I feel that the University of Nonsensical Happenings is heading in the right direction. I spent my break working on a house and reading some journalistic inspiration works from Hunter S Thompson. Let me tell you after spending the last two weeks helping on my dad on my parent's new house and spending time around some crazy motherfuckers I've never been more appreciative of my education at UNH.

Over break I went to New York City, got served at bars, saw one of my favorites bands and did some skiing, but the craziest story of my break happened this morning.  A guy delivering lumber in a huge flatbed-crane-truck was backing out of our driveway and he sideswiped a small granite post for the length of the truck and snapped a 14 foot tree in half. He left without telling us. It turns out he was drunk... at 9AM.

Here is a prime example of someone who doesn't take responsibility or understand moderation. As you can probably tell by reading this blog I am all about having fun, and a good amount of us have been to class  hungover or maybe a bit drunk from the previous night, but there is a fine line between not being able to take notes and not being able to drive. When that line is crossed, people's lives are in danger. So for this up coming semester, please be responsible. Don't worry, I'm not getting soft on you, I still hope to see UNH back on the Princeton Reviews best party school list. UNH may not have a Good Samaritan or Medical Amnesty policy in place yet, but we do have handy programs like safe rides. Also, don't get arrested, that would fucking suck. UNH and Durham cops know how to trip kids up so know your rights. Here is a video that I have posted before, but if you haven't seen it I highly recommend watching it, because it could keep your name out of the ever popular TNH police log:

This is college, meaning that the time and place for "that" is now, so go out, have fun, party and drink if that's your game, but stay smart, stay safe and most of all
Stay classy, not UMassy.