rossgilmore.com

Atlantic City. Wow. For the fourth time in my four years at UVA, a bunch of us “frat” boys headed to Atlantic City for a night of fun. Beau, Alex, Jay, Wakefield and I took four 1st years and drove up on Saturday. It was quite the eventful drive, as we rocked out to Sirius, threw objects at the second car, and watched as Walker attempted (and succesfully) put 40 grapes in his mouth. True story. You can see a movie of it here.

Atlantic City is a neat place. It’s not clean or classy by any means. But for a one night adventure – especially if you’ve never seen it – it’s cool. All the tall, flashy casinos right on the water/boardwalk is awesome. The 1st years really enjoyed it, as well as Wakefield and Jay whom both had never been. We started off right away going to the casinos, then hit up some clubs after that. We were up all night – Walker and I until 6:30am. 5 of the guys crashed at the hotel, but Beau, Walker, Owen and I were ready to dip so we drove back at 6:30am.

But the real story of the night? The gambling! Both Walker, Beau, and I turned profit – pretty big profit. Prior to the trip – over Christmas Break – I took the time to learn craps. I’ve always thought it to be a fun game, at least from what it seemed, but never understood it. I learned it, helped explain it to the guys, and so we decided to play. Wow, did it ever pay off. Beau walked away with $750 profit. Walker walked away with $1500. And I walked away with $1100. I know – I still can’t believe it.

Sprad has started a new site as a side project. He put a lot of work into it and it’s really neat. Good layout, fast and easy to read, and definitley funny! I hope it takes off, and will definitley contribute when I join the working world. Here’s a blurb about it:

Anyone who’s ever had a job knows that some days just seem to drag on and on. Today At Work was started to provide a little comic and stress relief during your long work day. Sometimes if feels good just to get something off your chest and sometimes it feels good just to read about other people’s misery. Either way, we’ve got you covered. So take a break, read some posts, and if you’ve got something to say, post a story.

Site Goals:

• Provide entertainment to people who are bored at work
• Provide stress relief to people who’d like to vent about work

While you have to commend West Virginia for attempting to tackle it’s obsesity problems, this is just plain ridiculous. What happened to gym class or sports??

“Dance Dance Revolution has become a cult favorite in local arcades and on beach boardwalks, but it will soon have a new home in West Virginia public schools. The state, which holds the unfortunate title of one of the fattest in America, hopes it will encourage students to start exercising.
A test program was successful in 20 schools last spring. The state’s 157 middle schools will be the first to get the game, with hopes that all 753 public schools would have Dance Dance Revolution in use by 2008.

School officials say that it is not meant to replace gym or health classes, but they hope it reaches those that may dislike those activities.

According to Linda Carson, a researcher with West Virginia University’s School of Physical Education who is looking into the possible health benefits of the game, reaching kids early on through physical activities can promote healthy lifestyles later.

The early teenage years are “when children really begin making more of their own decisions and a time when they could easily choose to be more sedentary,” she told the Associated Press.

According to the Institute of Medicine, as many as 46 percent of fifth grade students in West Virginia were considered overweight in a six year study that ended last year. As many as one out of every three children in the state today will develop diabetes, the group said.

The project will cost the state about a half-million dollars, with each school receiving a game console, two or more dance pads and the software. Each system would cost about $740. Konami, maker of the game, has agreed to donate $75,000. PEIA and Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield have also said they would donate money to the project.”

Wednesday was the beginning of the end for my college career. Classes are starting up again, and I’ll have one last semester to learn as much as I can – that’s what we’re in college for right? My class load is moderate: I have two difficult classes (Advanced Digital Design in which I design a processor; and a class which I am taking to write my thesis), an interesting, albeit 8am, worthwhile class (Personal Finance) and a FUN class (Drama 202 : Introduction to Acting and Directing) which I’m taking with all my housemates and girlfriend. I’m really looking forward to having a great last semester before I enter the working world.

“This is pretty much the worst throwing style ever used.”
“Napoleon, like anyone could ever know that.”

How stupid can Marcus Vick get?

This is the Ultimate Showdown. Hilarious.

This is an amazing video I came across – this player beats Mario 64 in under 17 minutes with only 16 stars. There are some glitches exploited, but its still pretty unbelievable.

You can videos like this for tons of old games on this website: http://bisqwit.iki.fi/nesvideos/. I watched a few – especially Marble Madness, Super Mario Brothers 3 (which is amazing), and Excite Bike. Pretty neat, but also goes to show people have too much time on their hands!

Congratulations to Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns. They did the impossible. On Wednesday, January 4th, Texas defeated USC in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to win the College Football National Championship. They ruined USC’s attempt at a 3-peat and 34 game win streak stretching out to the 2004 season. And above all, Vince Young and Texas made believers of all of us (yes, even me).

I have to give credit where credit is due. Vince Young had an amazing game – probably one of the most amazing single game performances by a player at the college football level. I’ve never been a Vince Young fan – I thought he was another Vick want to-be, all the physical ability but not much talent. His arrogance drove me crazy. His followers were worse (I’m not big on Texas fans – 90% of you have no affiliation with the University, let alone have never even been to Texas!). After watching the game and hear the commentators say he was doing the Heisman pose in the end zone and screaming things like “Who’s the real Heisman?” I thought I’d never hear the end of it. But after the game, a time he had to gloat and tell everyone “I told you so”; he finally let his playing on the field do the talking and was very respectful. Kudos to you Vince Young.

But I have to ask – what was USC thinking?! While Texas played its hearts out and deserved to won, USC equally deserved to win. I won’t harp on the offensive side of the ball – yea, the 4th down plays were a bit iffy and Reggie Bush’s lateral was straight up ridiculous – but I’m going to focus on the defensive front. I’m seeking advice from knowledgeable football people – because I’m baffled. It’s 4th down and 5 inside the USC 10 – Texas has had the biggest success with Vince Young running the ball – HOW DO YOU NOT PREVENT VINCE YOUNG FROM RUNNING THE BALL? I don’t understand it. Even my dad and I were talking before the play, “He’s just going to run it in!” Any player who has played Madden for a game console (specifically 2004) can explain to you the importance of spying fast quarterbacks. I play Beau frequently, and he always plays as Michael Vick. What does Beau do (much like Vince) when there are no receivers open? RUNS THE BALL. To amateur players, Beau will run all over them. But over time you find plays that work – be it a double DE spy, maybe two LB spies, or even a safety spy. So why couldn’t USC figure this out? In a game where Young never proved he could throw the deep ball – and the USC secondary was making the big plays – why did USC allow so much short yardage? Most of Young’s pass plays were 5-15 yards, and his runs were mainly broken plays. Why not leave your receivers one on one, stack the box and make Young beat you in the air (which he never proved he could throw the deep ball).

That’s my rant – and I’ve yet to read anything which tells me satisfying in solution. I’m not a football guru by any means – I have plenty to learn about the game. I just didn’t understand how USC couldn’t do more to prevent the obvious. Anyhow, congratulations Texas – you made all your fans so happy. Unfortunately, now, I have to wait 7 months for more college football.

We’re now more than halfway through the first decade of the 21st century – a century once portrayed and predicted would exist with hovering cars and humans living in space… will that be?

The year 2005 was an interesting – and without a doubt – memorable one. Amongst the biggest events from 2005 that will forever be remembered are the tragedies of the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Many lives were lost and even more affected afterwards, as rebuilding efforts will be in effect for years to come. All the world watched and witnessed how quickly life can change.

On the sports front, we saw a USC 2-peat (or 1.5 if you want to be technical) in College Football – and are working towards making it a 3-peat. I was excited to see UNC defeat Illinois in the NCAA Finals and Roy Williams win his first ever national championship. And Lance Armstrong did it again and won his 7th straight Tour De France.

2005 also revealed peoples’ conintued growing hunger and appetitie for new technology. HDTV’s dropped in price and increased in sales and popularity, GPS systems became more commonplace, the Ipod Nano was released and became a huge hit, and the Xbox 360 began the phase of next-generation gaming (although few could get their hands on one!). (I wonder how close we are to the hovering cars?)

As for some of my personal best memories of 2005, these come readily to mind: I took my first snowboarding trip out west and went to Vail with Bagg, Sprad, and T-stall. (Now, I am spoiled for life and yearn for the powder!) I turned the big 2-1 (I’m now offically legal for everything I guess) and Ashley threw together a great party for my birthday. I worked in a cubicle all summer for Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine and learned about cube life. I rocked out in NYC for a weekend with friends for Ashley’s 21st birthday. Ashley and I celebrated our 2-year anniversary. I started and completed my first semester of fourth year (wow – 4 years already and graduating soon!) And lastly, but not least, I started and ended my job search and decided on the company where I will start my career (see earlier post)!

So what to expect from 2006? Just a few things on the list:

• Have an amazing last semester of fourth year.
• Spring Break cruise with friends.
• Graduating in May 2006.
• Trip to Cancun, Mexico with Ashley and friends.
• Family cruise in July.
• The World Cup (although we have little to no chance of winning)
• Becoming a successful consultant in Richmond!
• Going back to UVA in the Fall as an alumni!
• Who knows…