I guess I'll start with the Journey and Chartering weekend. Thursday, March 3, Dusty arrived via a combination of airplane and bus. I spent the day with him, mostly just hanging out. Friday, I had class as normal, but Dusty decided to go ahead and get his tattoo done, so I met him at a shop on the Hill (though I don't remember its name). It looked painful; I don't think I'm going to get a tattoo. But, it looks pretty good. It's DLP letters, on the back of his right (I think) calf. We also tried to find something suitable for gifts for Cole, but didn't. That evening, the whole chapter, even the pledges, went out to dinner at Old Chicago. It was a nice meal, fun. Then we went back to the mentors' hotel room (well... some folks took a detour or two) and got our first clue, which was fun to solve. Most folks left, but some of us stayed and listened to stories for a while. Then the rest of us went home for some needed rest.
Saturday morning, we got up and met at Denny's for breakfast and the second clue. Eventually, we ended up: up the mountain, Target, Fascinations, Safeway, Pearl Street and Old Main before we had dinner (though lunch was in there somewhere). We did have some problems with some of the clues... a couple of times we went to the wrong place, but we eventually figured everything out. Then, the questioning at the UMC. Talk about nerve-wracking! But everything worked out, and we were initiated shortly before midnight on Saturday. Hooray! Sunday, we had breakfast at The Egg & I as full brothers of Delta Lambda Phi.
The other important set of events took place around April 14, which was my six-month anniversary with Steve. On Tuesday of that week, I masterbated with a friend, which itself was agreed on by Steve and me as acceptable. Unfortunately, although I stuck to the letter of the agreement, the spirit of such did not escape unharmed. And, in doing so, I hurt Steve, something I have never meant to do, which lead to the biggest argument that he and I have had. Really the only argument. You can read his comments, as well. As for me... it's in the past, and I don't think I'll discuss it more.
I had two (or more? I can't remember) concerts, as well. The DPO concert, which was titled "A Celtic Celebration," went really well. Probably among our best concerts, though it was, of course, not without fault. The Brighton concert... was not as good. It actually got snowed out and rescheduled.
I've also finished another semester at CU. Just finished my last two exams on Thursday. Unfortunately, they scheduled both physics tests on Thursday, so it was the hardest and most stressful day I've had in a long time. It was a great relief to be finished with them, even if I didn't do as well as I would've liked. Actually, I think the Quantum test went just fine... but I'm a bit worried about the E&M test. As for the other classes, well... I know I got an A in one and an A- in another, and I'm pretty sure I have an A or A- in the third, as well. So, at the very least, the semester grades look good overall.
Oh! Also, since my seizure, my parents decided to get me a new car. Something with airbags. I had a pretty stringent set of requirements, but we eventually settled/compromised on the VW Golf TDI (Turbo Diesel Injection... that's right, it's diesel!). So, the beginning of April, we actually got one. TDIs seem to be relatively hard to find right now. Whether it's because of the rising gasoline prices (creating a demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles) or that VW just doesn't have very many in the US is hard to tell. Now, "Why diesel?" you may ask. Good question. Firstly, the diesel engines are more efficient; my current gas mileage is around 40 mpg, and the fleet manager of the lot where I bought it indicated that this would go up as the engine is broken in. Secondly, biodiesel. Biodiesel is better than petrodiesel for a number of reasons, but one of the most important being muchly reduced emissions. Unfortunately, VW America has not approved B100 (or 100% biodiesel) for use yet. It has apparently approved B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% petrodiesel) recently, though I'm awaiting confirmation on that. And, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification. So, win-win. Better
And I love my new car. It's shiny and neat, not underpowered, and fun to drive. If things go well, I'll probably be a VWer for life.
What else? I can't think of much else to write about now. My family is going to Hawaii for vacation tomorrow, and Steve will be joining us this time. Very exciting! I love him so. Then, when we're back, I have a doctor's appointment (I found a lump on the inside of my leg, and it was pretty big, but it's shrunk almost to nothing now), and back to work after that. I'll keep a journal of happenings on the trip, though whether they'll ever make it onto my blog is uncertain, especially considering that I still don't have my journals up from the last Hawaii trip.
And, in closing, a poem:
Travels afar and journeys within
Broadening hearts or something akin
The goal of life; what joy's in.
