The wonders of REM sleep

So, it's really random how the mind works sometimes. I was reading Outliers tonight, and one of the guys interviewed for the book talks about having a recurring dream about missing class in college because he was busy programming on a computer (nerdy - yes, but when you are the founder of Sun Microsystems, it's not as easy to pass judgment).

Anyway, reading that jogged my memory that I kept having a recurring dream last semester that I was still a senior undergrad student at UGA. The semester was winding down, and I suddenly realize I had completely forgotten to go to a requisite class for the entire semester. Each time, I rush to the classroom - and find that the professor never noticed that I had not been there. However, I do not understand anything he is talking about (hey, at least I'm not naked - don't lie, you know you've had that dream before too).

Well, this is all very strange because I feel like I rarely have recurring dreams, and you'd think that I would actually remember it - that is, remember it enough to think about it later in any given day. If any of you out there have dream interpreting skills you're encouraged to decipher the meaning of that.

Suffice it to say, the mind is a crazy thing.

Also, as a side note, did you know one of the main reasons the Beatles became famous was because they played a ridiculous number of shows in German strip clubs in the late '50s? I don't really know where Malcolm Gladwell comes up with this stuff sometimes...

Welcome Back

So, my first semester of law school ended with a bang. It just so happens that the bang was the sound of my exercise regimen hitting the floor.

Much like many other people, I have begun the new year with lofty aspirations of physical fitness. Hopefully, I'll be able to gear up for it (last semester was the first time in four years that I hadn't gone to the gym regularly - a source of pride for me to the chagrin of others).

In lieu of trying to fight the crowds at Ramsey on Friday afternoon (I overslept), I decided to go for a jog to the intramural fields since it's less than a mile from my house. This was the first time I've jogged seriously since last October, so understand that when I say it felt like I had 10 pound weights attached to the bottom of my feet, I am not exaggerating.

However, thanks to crazy Georgia weather, it's 55 degrees and sunny one day, and 18 degrees the next, so maybe I'll put my running aspirations on hold for a while. Something about running in the woods is therapeutic to my soul - just me and a muddy trail, but I absolutely love it (even if the guy I was originally running behind smoked me after a few minutes).

Oh well, maybe there will be another randomly warm day soon so I can try again - and avoid the feeling of knives in my legs that I've been experiencing for the last two days.

Great News: You Passed

Well, in a moment of stupidity, I could have seriously hurt myself today. 

One of many things I got from my dad is a love of yard work. I have come to realize this is probably not a common trait in many folks these days. Nevertheless, after I moved into my house in November, I noticed that there were all these dead tree limbs that were never cut out of the trees that hang over the driveway. So, realizing that one small storm could practically destroy my car, I borrowed a pole saw from my dad on Saturday to clear out the tree branches.

So, I started cutting down these limbs - which was fairly difficult b/c they were 10-20 feet off the ground. I cut the first one down with a resounding crash, however the second was too high. So, I hooked the saw on a lower limb and pulled it down with a loud crack. (Interestingly, a neighbor around the corner was apparently outside and yelled, 'everything ok?' - I responded affirmatively).

But, you see, another habit of mine is that when I start cutting stuff down, I just like to keep going with it. So, after picking up years of downed limbs in the yard (apparently past tenants have not shared my affinity for yard work), I cut down some more dead limbs...

...and came to the big kahuna. In front of the house there is a roughly 30 foot dogwood tree that is completely dead - my immediate thought was, "I've GOT to cut this down" (as I think of this I envision chopping down the tree with a huge, ground-shaking thud). However, the problem is that on either side of where the tree could fall (it was already leaning) are my cable and power lines. 

*Here's the part where I interject the fact that I used to watch A LOT of the History Channel. I soon realize that much like a cable that snaps on an aircraft carrier, if the tree hits one of those cables it could snap back and seriously injure me - let alone start a fire or rip part of my 50+ year old house down.

However, the childlike side of me wanted to see the 'boom' that I had built up in my mind. So, I strategically cut a big notch out of the tree where I wanted it to fall and began to cut it from the back. The entire time I began to slowly grow in both anticipation and anxiety as I realized how cool and/or horrific this could end up.

Finally I cut through the tree...

...and nothing. The tree was caught at the top and just sat on the blade after I was through. So, logically I pulled the blade out...

...and nothing. I just sat there. Well, now I'm really freaked out b/c it didn't fall, and it looked like it could go either way. 

Nevertheless, a few swift kicks and the thing fell down...

...perfectly. I am talking exactly in between the two power lines. It was a moment of glory, however the thud was not the ground shaking kind I expected. Anyway, mission accomplished - not only did I not die or destroy my house in any way, but more importantly passed a profound test of my manhood today. 

Some things just make you feel good.