Pommes Frites: Kurt's on Steriods

During my brief trip down to NYC I learned and experienced a lot of new things. For example, Glenn Beck is douche bag in real life too. (But really, how surprising is that?) I also learned that you shouldn't park on a side of a street just because other cars are already parked there. ($185 towing fees). I saw Gogol Bordello for my sixth time and their energy and performance still blows me away. It is crazy to think that you can see a band so many times (in just 2 1/2 years) and they still pull out new things. (Like crowd surfing on top of a drum.)

 But perhaps the best thing about New York is the amount of awesome restaurants and bars on every block. I made the trip with my older brother and his wife who lived in the city for three years and we met up with a few of their old friends so they took me to all their old spots in the small amount of time we had. The best food of the trip was this tiny french fry joint called "Pomme Frites" on 2nd avenue in Manhattan. If you like Kurt's cheesy fries, then Pomme Frites is the place for you.

Top: Big fries and delicious sauces (my photo). Bottom: front of shop (via google images.)

They have 25 different dipping sauces to go along with mouth watering, twice-fried, Belgian style french fries made from fresh potatoes. We sampled 9 of the sauces that included personal favorites such as pomegranate teriyaki mayo, dill lemon mayo, Mexican ketchup, the peanut satay and of course their own style of cheese. Bottom line is that if there was a Pomme Frites at UNH, Kurt's would be out of business before you could say "extra cheese." Even with the car-tow the trip was awesome and a great success. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, every bar we went to served me, which was pretty sweet. Although most places in NYC will serve you as long as you look 18, I like to think all the waitresses were digging my awesome neck beard.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Winter Break Updates

Hello committed blog readers, it has been a while. I hope you have all had an awesome break (and whatever holidays you celebrate). I'm already itching to get back to campus, but it has been nice to have a break from the college routine of sleeping in, going to class, studying, reading, drinking, and causing mischief... actually the only things I've really stopped doing is the going to class and studying portions. I've been reading up for some inspiration and I'm taking a quick trip down to NYC Monday morning (to see the amazingly awesome band Gogol Bordello. Trust me I've been to many concerts and  their live shows are second to none.) Last night my brothers and I hosted a small good old fashion barn party with live music a bucket full of snow and beer. It was a true New Hampshire experience. I'm not really sure how much I'll be posting over the next few weeks, but I am working on a few ideas for the new semester. Enjoy your time off because in a few weeks there will be work to do, beer to drink and puke to be puked.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Spring '10 Predictions

First of all we need to clear up this whole 2010 deal. How will we refer to the year? Just "10?" Or will it be  "20-10" (twenty-ten) or "2010" (two-thousand and ten) or "010" (O-ten)? I think I like 20-10. Okay, next on the agenda, a few predictions for the spring semester at UNH:

• Robert J. Crossen won't be stealing anymore laptops. 
• SCOPE gets a big band for climax.
• Men's Hockey squeaks into the playoffs
• Women's Hockey nets Durham a National Championship trophy (1st since '85 women's Lax)
• Men's Basketball wins America East and goes dancing. They have shown they can play defense against major Big East teams (Pitt), but can they score consistently?
• A student protest will make a difference (Not Smith Hall)
• Smith Hall will become an admissions building (sorry, it's gonna happen.)
• Bobby Boucher will show up at half-time and the Mud Dogs will win the Bourbon Bowl
• Student senate gets a Good Samaritan Law approved
• I will spend way too much money at the new China Buffet
• I will write an a post that contains no grammar mistakes (Hey, anything could happen.)

Speaking of SCOPE getting a big band, I think I came to UNH about 35 years too late:

Had to cut that list a bit short, I got to go take my last final. I probably won't be posting too much over break, but we'll see. Have awesome month everyone, thanks for a great semester and see you all in 2010!

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Fall '09

With finals finishing up over the next couple days and the holiday season already here I have decided to wrap up the semester in a neat little package. And by package I mean a bulleted list of things I can think of in five minutes. Here of some of the highlights (and low points) of the 2009 fall semester at UNH.

• A flag in a window questions UNH's patriotism
• Halloween and other assaults make headlines for weeks
• Akon sells out the Whittemore Center
• UNH football stuns #2 Villanova, who returned the favor in the playoffs
• Something about Smith Hall caused some type of news story
• H1N1 is more than just letters and numbers
• Tiger Woods bangs UNH psychology major turned hostess
• Red Sox acquired John Lackey through the help of his wife who also went to UNH
• Bo Burnham is a big hit 
• Gas leaks, explosions and fireballs
• Students wandering into swamps
• NORML comes to UNH
• Bobby Butler scores goals, it's what he does.
• Gables get poopy
• UNH bondage club gains attention
• Professors threat to strike
• Newspapers go missing
• Knife fight wasn't really a fight
• McCready is a douche
• Homecoming highlighted by massive arrests
• I made approximately 14 trips to D-Hop
• Stephenson Billings and I go head to head (its not over)
• The real Investigative Journalist leads me to new discoveries

Well, that is all I can think of for now. Sorry if I missed anything important, feel free to comment on what I forgot. Check in tomorrow for my predictions for the second semester.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Toasted Tuesday

I wasn't going to write this, but I decided it was too strange to pass up. I realize that we are all in college (or if your an alum you've been through it). That being said a lot of you have probably tried marijuana before. I have many times (I don't want to sound like a complete stoner. I'm not really sure what defines being a "stoner." Like more than once a week? Then I'm not.) Don't be ashamed of yourself, it is a natural plant that can really take the edge off a stressful time (like finals week). So last night I had some weird experiences that I have never encountered before. Maybe it was really good weed or maybe my mind was just wondering. So after I smoked I proceeded to watch all of Pink Floyd's The Wall movie off google videos. I was amazed. Then I vaped again, this is when weird things started happening.

When I get high I drink a lot of water. I mean I probably filled my water bottle up around 8 times last night.  This meant that I also had to pee a lot. During a trip to the restroom I had a few strange experiences. I walked into the bathroom and there was this kid shaving. His face was so close to the mirror I thought his head was going into the mirror. I couldn't figure out where his face ended and the mirror began. I hope I didn't stare, that would have been awkward. All of a sudden I noticed the drain in the floor. I thought that it was a sink hole and I was being sucked into it. Then I thought the kid shaving was getting sucked into the mirror. It was happening, and I had to get out. I could not be a witness to what surely must have been a tragic, and bloody, event. Tingles went up my spine and I quickly finished peeing and got the hell out of there. On the way back to my room I couldn't help but feel bad for that poor soul who got sucked into the mirror.

I returned to my room to watch some videos on youtube. I found the entire PULSE concert by Pink Floyd. I was enthralled, simply amazed at the band's musicianship. It was around this time I texted my older brother in California "Dude, I totally get why you dig Neil (musician Neil Young) so much. Floyd too, so sick! You prophesized what music I like before I understood." I shut my eyes and listened to the music. Then it happened again. My laptop began trying to suck me through the screen, it was terrifying. I slammed it shut and proclaimed to William Takefield that computers are evil devices and that the aliens had a plan for us all. I grabbed my ipod, listened to some UYD and played solitaire, which I am awesome at.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

One done...

Well I've gotten through one final, it was an essay and presentation. It wasn't too bad, but the paper took a lot of time. Tomorrow I have what will be my easiest exam, but it is at 8 AM and weather.com is calling for it to be 11 degrees. I realize that finals suck and they are pretty pointless. I mean if I didn't learn the material in 3 months, how should I expect to teach it to myself in a 3 hour crams session. That is why I really don't waste too much time studying. Just being well rested and stress-free is much better because cramming doesn't really work. I mean I've spent more time this week deciding how to bring alcohol and weed home without being detected.

How fun are those class and professor evaluations? Maybe it isn't fair that I fill those out as if all my professors are like Mr. Hand from Fasttimes. I'm keeping this short, but I have better posts for Thursday and Friday before cutting back over break. Be prepared for some interesting posts in 2010. Damn this decade flew by.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

The best finals tip ever: Take a Break

The best thing you can do for finals is to take a break from studying and clear your mind. Yesterday I planned on checking out that Smith Hall protest, I just wanted to observe and get a feel for the atmosphere. I ate at HOCO and arrived at Thompson Hall just after one. Nothing had started yet so I just kept walking. I always walk to get around campus, but I am always going some where. To a class, to the gym, to a game, to a party. I always have a plan to arrive at a specific place at a specific time. But yesterday I was just walking. I wasn't going anywhere and I didn't have to be there on time, and that felt good. I was just walking, thinking, but at the same time not thinking. I couldn't tell you the path I took but I pretty much walked all over campus. I never chose were or when to turn, I just walked. And before I knew it I had pretty much explored the whole campus, something I haven't done since the first weekend of my freshman year. My mind was cleared. I wasn't stressed over finals. I was very content. I think this is something that more students should try. If you are ever feeling really bogged down in your studies throw on a pair of comfortable shoes and just take a walk. It may just take 10 minutes or an hour, but just walk. It will clear your mind and you will feel better. Walk until you stop thinking about your work. The fresh air will be calming and the stress will leave.

Stay classy, not UMassy.