Adventure Log: 9/19/09

Adventures into the center of the mind:

Sorry blogosphere!  My computer has been offline due some drunken spring awakening drink tipping onto key board antics.  Still not fixed, so I high jacked a friend’s computer.  But just in case you were worrying, the adventures have not ceased this year.  In fact, they’ve multiplied.  Many new frontiers are being breached in my life right now, so why not explore them with me?  What do you think blog?  I think yes.

New adventures:

Adventuring into the world of design.  I’m designing my first show at Loyola!  Its Steel Magnolias held in the Studio theater in November, and I’m designing the set.  Super intense.  I get to draw out schematics and architectural drawings and things.  I look very legit walking around campus with rolled pieces of vellum sticking out of my pack.

Adventuring into the world of relationships.  Thats all I can really say on that one, interwebz.  An honorable man doesn’t kiss and tell.  But if I had to tell, I’d say it was amazing.  :)

Adventuring into the world of time travel.  If only this were true.  I put it on her as a desperate prayer to the heavens to grant me such a power, but I don’t think it’ll pan out.  I am currently a Loyola Companion, a Pre-med student (organic chemistry and physics), a cast member of “Ah, Wilderness!”, a Peer Mentor and a student designer.  God I need a time turner.

Adventuring into obesity.  I ate a 2400 calorie pizza last sunday.  Yesterday I had two chipotles, so taquitos, potato skins and pizza bites.  And today, the last day of my unhealthiness, I ate a rambler room grill sandwich with fries, jalapeno poppers, a totino’s pizza and taco bell.  A much needed overhaul is in order.  :)

So world, I hope you are well.  I hope to write to you soon.

Alex “must have done something right” Halverson

Adventure Log: 8/30/09

Adventures in anti-socialism:

 

A word to the wise: Never try to attend a party after watching Schindler’s List.

 

Alex “I’ve grown quite comfortable in this corner thank you.  What?  The party’s breaking up because people are afraid of the man in the corner curled into the fetal position?” Halverson

Adventure Log: 8/10/09

Adventures in the Balkan States:

While I was doing sit-ups in a random front yard in the middle of my run today, an unassuming lady carrying bags of groceries is coming down the street toward me.  It was around 9 p.m. so I assumed my usual “no one can be trusted at this hour of night” stance and chose to do some side sit-ups so I could keep an eye on her and my ipod which was laying on the grass, because “after 9 p.m. people who are normally governed by common sense and morals throw caution to the wind and become first time felony offenders and kleptomaniacs”.  As she passed by, I did a calm cool switch to my left side to continue my sorry attempt at achieving a six pack as well as let this dangerous denizen of the night know that “I have a phone that can dial 911 and I’m not afraid to use it”, upon which she turned to me and uttered a few short jovial sentences in a Russian sounding language, cackled for a quick moment and went on her way.  I mean, for all I know she could be a witch, and not the Hermione kind.

Alex “wonders if its a bad thing that sections of his life are now self narrated by these in between words quotes on a daily basis” Halverson

Adventure Log: 8/8/09

Adventures in heat:

I only wish I was a female dog ready to get it on right now.  At least then there would be a perceivable end to this inferno insanity.  Taking a cold shower and finding that your still sweating when you get out does not help one’s will to “sally onward” through the heat wave.

Alex “sweat through three sets of clothes today” Halverson

Adventure Log: 8/4/09

Adventures in recollection:

I’ve been planning this entry since appx mid may when I realized that my summer was going to be amazing.  I wanted to capture it somehow.  It made me think about going back into old photo albums, old piles of letters, or through old blogs and feeling connected to a part of your life you lived one or more years ago.  So I decided to chronicle as many wonderful moments from my 2009 summer as I could in spare journals, on slips of paper or in the back of my mind.  So, I honestly apologize if a moment gets missed but I tried my very best.  Here’s a look back at the halcyon days, or my summer 2009:

• Carl and I deciding it would be a good idea after getting invited to show up to Laura Dyste’s bonfire completely wasted.  For no other reason than we decided it’d be a good one.  Oh, and we walked all the way there from Carl’s house.  Good times.
• Visiting Dit’s cabin in Wisconsin.  It felt like a little piece of my heart has a permanent residence on that lake and my life feels one ounce more complete each time I visit.  A wonderful weekend filled with Max, Ceda, uncle Bob’s pontoon boat tours, seeing Cole and Isaac grow up, bitterness over the lack of beer truck in the Mercer 4th of July parade, getting rained on by debris from the fireworks display, the young nieces and nephews in all their adorable glory, and a slab of prime rib as big as the plate it was served on.
• The 135 long comment convo between bingethinker, the gospel of thomas, derek was here, and blogless michelle.  :)
• An adventure to Chicago in late June.  Max and I walked in Out of the Darkness, a walk to spread awareness about suicide and raise money for suicide prevention.  The energy on that night was full of healing and positivity.  An honor to walk in the company of such resilient people.  Met friends Shonna (sp?) and Stephanie.  Also in the weekend, I went to the taste of Chicago with fellow Loyolacappellans Kara, Matt and Oliver.  Earlier that day Kara watched me shower.  I didn’t know you had stalker tendencies toward me Kara.  That morning I lounged on the beach for 2+ hours, read, and got joined by Atra.  That girl is inspiring.  The previous night were full of antics.  Here’s a sampling: Derek drunk in CFSU at 10 p.m.  Getting Lauren Paris on video doing fake tap dancing.  Sneaking into Mullady and watching Lauren rehearse her song on a blank stage for an audition she had the following day.  It was a striking memory.
• Bubblefest.  My first black out.  Whilst blacked out I decided it would be a good idea to “find the girls” so they could hook up with my friends.  Also, The baby police+sleeping shorts+Skull and cross bones tree+brat barn+ Yusuke+Rodeo burgers+ I got balls stick em+ Where do i get off????  Carl and Chad.  You are amazing guys.
• Seeing HP6 in 3D at the Imax.  Absolutely breathtaking.
• Hot tubbing at Mike’s house.  We used to do this a lot more and I miss it.  We smoked cigars, drank a few beers and talked about life.  This guy will always hold a place in my heart.  He’s taught me many things.
• Apple River.  Singing “What I’ve Been Looking For”.  Getting trashed in about 30 minutes and then deciding it’d be a good idea to touch the far shore of the Apple River, which I then did.  I then took a nap at about 4 p.m. Those succulent burgers.  Carl and Chad getting “the best hot wings on the face of the earth” from the hick who had the campsite next to us.  Peter falling asleep at 10 p.m. and telling us to wake him up in 15 minutes, which we forgot to do.  Feeling supported in the strongest and most silent way by my best friends.
• Colonial Youth.  I volunteered at my church a few times this summer to help out with the youth group.  Highlights were Man Fest, a night where all the male youth got together for a night of white castle, vault, halo 3 link ups, and nerf wars.  Let me just clarify.  FUCKING NERF WARS.  Epic battles were had, all in the name of Jesus.  Does this sound like some sort of fantasy movie to anyone else?  Also there was the all nighter for Crash, a Wednesday night youth group.  We played a game called Grog, where me and two other leaders dressed up as monsters and lurked in the dark church while the kids tried to collect pieces of their magical lanterns which they could use to shine on us to slay us grog.  Many screams, elaborate grog plans and eventual kid victory were had.
• So Carl, Chad and I had a seance.  Ya nbd.
• Jack and I went camping in the yard of our new house when we hadn’t moved in yet.  He told me about his secret girlfriend Betsy (he’s not allowed to date until he’s in high school) and we had KFC.  Epic.
• Watching and reveling in the entire Saw series with Chad.  (Saw VI halloween ’09!!)
• Reviving the Dungeons and Dragons tradition with Max, Jack and Ceda.  Don’t bash the nerdiness, DnD rocks.
• Mom’s wedding.  My mom got married this past July to Bill Bieber.  Upon their union we welcome Kerri, Kristi and Jimmy into our family as step siblings.  The day before the wedding, all the children of the couple went out on lake Minnetonka and had a boat cruise laden with vodka tonics.  Singing at my mom’s wedding was an honor and her tears were worth all the long years I’ve spent in lessons and the practice room.
• Toasting my mom at her wedding.  What an honor.
• Jumping off the dock into Lake Minnetonka and just laying there for about 10 minutes.  So serene.
• The Garden Party.  Two days ago I had a fancy hampton’s-esque garden party.  It was really just an excuse to dress up, drink and play croquet.  We beared our souls, danced to P.Y.T., stood in the rain and talked to God, and ate way too much food.  I love my friends.
• Watching the Swiss Family Robinson with Ceda and Laura.  ”It would be nice to be called roberter again!”  :)
• Deciding I’m going to backpack through Southeast Asia after I graduate.  Both my step sister and my step brother in law have done it and they got me extremely pumped up for it.  Mekong river basin, here I come!

Well those are all the memories that made the list.  I hope I didn’t forget anything, because if I didn’t remember it then it probably will go on being forgotten!  I thank God for all the blessings in my life.  Here’s to the next adventure, and the next horizon!  My blog will start to live up to its name again as I can resume my adventures in chicagoland.  Thanks for the good times Minnesota!

Alex “I’ve moved places of residence 5 times in the past 2 years” Halverson

Adventure Log: 7/28/09

Adventures in the Halcyon Days:

Just a few reasons why summer in minnesota is perfect:

-Driving.

-Driving at night on the way up north.

-Driving with the windows down.

-Driving with the windows down with your feet hanging out of them.

-Country music on the radio.

-Bike Rides.

-Bon Fires.

-Rope Swings.

-Walking around the lake.

-Canoeing.

-Watching a storm from the front porch.

-Drinking beer till you’re silly.

-Drinking anything till you’re silly.

-Visiting other places so you can come back and realize how amazing your home is, and how honored you are to name it so.

Alex “More to Come” Halverson

Adventure Log: 7/9/09

Adventures in a post apocalyptic world:

Bloggospehere.  Educate yourself:

http://www.l4d.com/home.php

coolest.  shit.  ever.

 

binge thinker: do you have an xbox 360?  if not, arrange that.  kthnxbye.  :)

 

Alex “thinks daily about what he would do if a zombie apocalypse occurred, given his location” Halverson

Adventure Log: 7/5/09

Adventures in the Upper Peninsula:

Choice moments/quotes from the weekend-

• My eleven year old cousin singing “Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap” for karaoke.
• My four year old second cousin not venturing further than waist deep water for fear of the water snakes
• Drinking beer at eleven in the morning and not stopping until eleven at night.  In the presence of family.  And children.
• Switching to bloody marys the morning of the parade because its one of the “acceptable” drinks to have before noon.  In public at least.
• Drinking 14 beers, 2 gin and tonics and 1 mike’s hard lemonade in one day.
• Not being able to fall asleep because I feel like I have to throw up.  Not the kind of the throw up resulting from the aforementioned 17 drinks, but rather from having absolutely no more room in my gastrointestinal tract thanks to onion dip and beer cheese dip.
• Eating a slab of prime rib as big as my face and as red as lauren gaga’s when she gets embarrassed.
• Scrumble
• Naked saunaing with the male branch of the extended family.
• Watching three year old second cousin Jaana’s “I Win” dance.
• Being disappointed that “somebody” made the Wilderness Bar and Grill float in the 4th of July parade stop handing out free cups of beer to the masses.
• Getting hit by not one but two stray pieces of firework at the Mercer fireworks display.
• “I don’t think I’ve ever had more sour cream and cream cheese in my stomach at one time ever before in my life” -Andrea Cederberg
• Pontoon boat tours of the lake we’ve been going to since we were born with Uncle Bob.
• A one eyed pug.
• Thinking Storm (my uncle’s giant waterdog) was dead for ten minutes.
• The socio-political-life discussion on the road trip home.
• Realizing all over again that what Stitch said will always remain true for my family.
• “I considered him my best friend” -Uncle Bob referring to my Dad.
• “I love that he knows how to listen to me” -Andrea Cederberg on why she loves my brother
• “I love that sometimes I can just listen and she knows that I don’t necessarily need to talk” -Max Halverson on why he loves Ceda
• “Do I hear wedding bells?” -My cousin Isaac on my brother and his girlfriend moving in together next month.
• Being surrounded by people that just might belong to the 20% of Republican Americans CNN said wanted Sarah Palin to be the 2012 Candidate for them.  And not just because they think she has a folksy charm.
• Having the verse, “He leads me beside still waters” take on its true meaning.
• Seeing my middle aged uncles bicker and hoping that my brother and I will be like that when we get older.
• Face painting an Uncle Sam beard on my cousin Isaac.
• My cousin Cole playing the National Anthem on his electric guitar on the lake shore at 11:00 at night on the fourth and subsequently hearing cheers ring in from around the lake.
• Max: “Do you love me Isaac?”  Isaac: “No, I’m not gay…”
• Isaac: “I love you Alex”  Me: (To ease the awkwardness in which he might think that I suspect he’s gay because of his innocent display of affection) “I love you like a brother Isaac”
• Feeling at home even though I only spend at max three days out of my life a year there.

Alex “almost forgot it was his brother’s birthday weekend because he was having so much fun” Halverson

Adventure Log: 6/22/09

Adventures in homosexuality:

Sorry blogosphere, this is not a tell-all post delving into my salacious gay sexpeditions.  As much as you would like it to be.  As much as I would like such a sexpedition to exist so I could write about it.  But I digress.  I just thought I should stop for a moment and comment on how much I am embracing my fag (we’re taking it back, much against perez hilton’s wishes (look I can make references to other bloggers, does this mean I’m in? (and nested parentheses in one sentence, double win!))) heritage.

Tonight I curled up buck naked on the couch to tune into kathy griffin: my life on the d-list.  I laughed my ass off.  Halfway through the episode I both simultaneously realized that I had an up until this moment latent love for Paula Deen, and that I need to crack open a bottle of red wine (yes its not white, is that not as many gay points?).  After the sumptuous one hour program of red headed hilarity, I decided to tune into another such program and spent my ten o’clock hour laughing along to Will and Grace.

There was a time where I would be self conscious admitting to my indulgence in such flagrant gayness, but now I say nay!  I had laughter and a slight buzz (thank you three glasses) and I’m not apologizing for anything.  I think in the spirit of pride weekend I should remind the world that I’m gay and I’m not apologizing for it!  And if that means I want to show my penis at the pride parade, than by golly I’m going to do it!

Alex “hopes his nested parentheses don’t throw off your rhythm too much that you miss the sarcasm” Halverson

Adventure Log: 6/16/09

Adventures in sweetness:

There is nothing quite so friendly to the nose as the spell of fresh rain.  Or even falling rain.  So surprising is the rain to us.  That such a commonplace thing as water can simply be dropped onto us from on high.  As if a blessing.  To the plants at least.  The rains come to wash away everything that we never saw was holding us in place.  In a place of stagnancy.

I’m reading a book right now where the rain doesn’t exist.  The novel takes place on a plant other than our own which is made up entirely of desert.  The people that populate the planet live their lives strictly by how that can conserve, generate and use their water.  Or, as the desert people in the book more specifically state it, their moisture.  Although the book is science fiction and there is no such desert planet in our understanding of our galaxy, the story made me stop and consider my own existence.  

I think maturing has a major downside.  Somewhere along the way we are taught that our imaginations have no place.  That we ought to be practical.  Only through seeing the world exactly as it is in front of us can we truly master that world.  Ah, but the beauty of this world lies both in what it is.  But also in what it isn’t.  Our imaginations let us see things that cannot be so that we may better see the world as it is.  How sweet it is to feel the rain.  To feel the non-dryness droplets dropping on my face.  To feel them running down my not scaly skin.  How sweet to see the blessing.

Alex “my little brother decided his weapon for the zombie apocalypse would be a map of edina.  we’re eating him first” Halverson