Hello to all four people who read my blog! Since I’ve graduated this spring and “a senior jayhawk” doesn’t really make sense as my title any more, I’ve started a new one for my year abroad in Australia (Oh, by the way, that’s happening). I have accepted a job working as an Au Pair (similar to a live-in Nanny) for a family of five in Sydney, and am in talks to start with another family in Late December/Early January through June or July of next year! While I’m abroad, I’m hoping to keep this new blog updated even more than than I did with this one. My goal is to write at least once every two weeks! So check it out, follow through wordpress, RSS feeds, or email and keep updated on my life down under!
Dos and Don’ts of Freshman Year
My little brother graduated high school the same weekend I graduated from KU, and he’s headed up to Lawrence in the fall. Sometimes, when I don’t come across as lame as I actually am, he asks me for advice about things in Jayhawk land. Sometimes he completely ignores my advice, and most of the time that’s a good idea. But on the off chance that one of my theories pans out, I just throw everything at him in hopes that something will stick.
Do get involved on campus. I didn’t really start looking for things to join or places to meet people until the beginning of my Junior year when I kind of accidentally joined the Lied Center Students Association, and it ended up being a really awesome experience that introduced me to some awesome people. Check out the list of student groups on the KU website, but also ask around. Upperclassmen know which clubs would be the best fit for your personality
Don’t join every single club on campus in hopes that it will expand your “networking.” I truly believe that being too involved is a very real thing. If you don’t have time to sit down and do nothing for at least one hour a day, it’s time to let something go.
Do go to the rec. It’s such a great facility and a good place to get some studying done if you bring flashcards for the elliptical. Check out the “free climb” times when you can climb the rock wall, and take the class to get belay certified. It’s quick and easy and then you can go with your friends instead of having to trust some random stranger with your life. Will belayed me one time and when I got 10 feet away from the top and wanted to come down, he yelled at me until I knew I could do it.
Don’t be afraid to try new things. This includes foods you’ve never eaten, Bands you didn’t think you’d like, and people who don’t act just like your high school friends.
Do put the phone numbers for all of the late night food delivery places in your phone, preferably with one unifying emoji next to the name so that they can all be easily accessed (I recommend one that looks like a moon). Because when it’s 2:30 and you need a Chicken Caesar Pita, you don’t want to waste time google-ing the number (Pita Pit: 785.856.2500).
Don’t forget to pick-up your basketball tickets. After you buy the sports pass, they will be released in groups of 4 or 5 games. The first pick-up is typically the biggest one. You already paid for them, you might as well go. I can’t tell you how many of my friends missed the pickup dates and couldn’t go to really awesome games. Go here and click on “Tickets” on the yellow bar, then “Student Tickets.” Look up the three pick-up dates and PUT THEM ON YOUR CALENDAR. Set an alarm to go off all day, because you will forget.
Do set your alarms on your phone before you go out at night, or better yet set them to repeat every week at the same time.
Don’t let anything stop you from having the time of your life. That includes people who have a different set of priorities. Set your own personal set of rules and live by it. More people will respect you for sticking to your guns than for adopting someone else’s.
Do fall in love with our campus. You won’t realize until you go somewhere else just how lucky we are to have such a huge amazingly beautiful place to learn. It’s filled with different types of architecture and loads of secret spots that are fun to explore. Take a look around, and don’t be one of those people who misses out on things until after they come back as an alumni.
In the end it doesn’t really matter what rules I lay down, because there’s so much to discover your first year that you’ll end up with your own list of things you tried and failed, or tried and turned out to be the best thing you could have imagined. The important thing is to remember that Freshman year is all about trial and error. The best thing you can do for yourself is to fix the errors and turn them into your biggest accomplishments.
A Guide to Awesome KU Twitter Accounts
When it comes to twitter, sometimes finding the right accounts to follow can be a little overwhelming. Check out some of these awesome twitter accounts to follow while you’re watching the games, or for updated info regarding the team. Of course you can always check out the #KUBball hashtag at any point for updated info. While researching this post, I also came across an awesome one by Jayhawk-talk.com that from last year that talks about just why KU Basketball fans are so great at utilizing twitter to its full potential. In the meantime, check out these great follows & feel free to follow my KU Basketball twitter list, which filters out only those who I think provide great info to watch during games.
Fake Jeff Withey
Handle: @FakeJeffWithey
Followers: 21,202
Average Retweets per 100 Tweets: 3,853
Known For: Halftime Locker room Updates, Witheying, Jokes at Juenemann’s Expense, & “HOLLLDDD MAH DICKKKK”
Fav Hashtags: #WitheyBeingWithey #Witheying #WitheyWednesdays
Can’t make this list without one of the originals, and unquestionably one of the best.
Created by a KU Student in August of 2011, Fake Jeff Withey provides for some of the best in-game commentary from a comedic perspective of a player. His combination of pop culture references and Mizzou insults will make you laugh intermittently throughout the play time and well in to the post-game. He’s even inspired a new photo-posing craze called “Witheying,” where girls squat in front of a male while making a “W” with their hands, and the male leans back with his hands behind his head. He 
recently did a Q & A column about dating, which you can check out here.
Jeff Withey demonstrates the true art form of “Witheying”
Fake Joe Dooley
Handle: 
@FakeJoeDooley
Followers: 12,223
Avg RTs Per 100 Tweets: 1,076
Known For: All around Ratchiter, Love of Pizza, & the Dooley Drinking Game
Fav Hashtags: #POE (Pizza Over Everything) #DoomsdayDooley
The actual Joe Dooley is an assistant coach for the KU Men’s Basketball Team. He’s known for his sweet comb-back hair style, and pale chicken legs that we see at every game in athletic shorts. Fake Joe Dooley, on the other hand is a straight up thug. He frequently mocks the smaller players (Juenemann, Niko, Self) with hilarious results. His main aim appears to be cruel and deserved jokes at Missouri’s expense. 
Perhaps his largest claim to fame last season was the invention of the “Joe Dooley Drinking Game” with rules tailored to each players’ strengths and weaknesses. Its great for away games, and even comes with some handy cheat sheets in case you forget all of the complicated rules. He tweets a special rule before each away game that relates to the team we’re playing! You can access the rules for this season and last season on a great KU Blog, jayhawk-talk.com. His avatar frequently changes according the season; whoever runs this thing is definitely a fan of Photoshop.
Travis Releford
Handle: @T_2releFOUR
Followers: 16,030
Avg RTs per 100 Tweets: 451
Known For: “Got ‘Em!” & Adorable Instagrammed pictures of his son, TJ
Fav Hashtags: #GotEm #KUCMB #FOE
Unlike the previous two accounts, this one is actually run by the person they claim to be. Travis Releford, a starting senior for the Jayhawks runs an active twitter account with updates from both Lawrence, and on the Road. His Instagram account- which is linked to his twitter- is the real star of the show. One of his favorite things to do is take pictures with
Local Media Outlets have started using Trav’s catch phrase “Got ‘Em!”
sleeping friends, teammates, and strangers while they’re sleeping. He slaps on a cartoonish grin and gives a thumbs-up to the camera with the catch phrase and matching hashtag- “Got Em!” He has a son, TJ, who attends almost all home games and is in the running for “most adorable child to ever be born while their dad still plays for KU” (Tyshawn’s son is in the runner up). The combination of humor, cuteness, and inside info from an actual player on the team is perfect.
On a related note, this is Travis’s 5th and final year, and he is a huge part of the team leadership (along with Elijah). He brings together relationships with former players as well as some of our newest ones.
The Shiver (Matt Scott)
Handle: @KUTheShiver
Followers: 4,064
Avg RTs Per 100 Tweets: 49
Known For: Fast Uploads & Up to Date information, KU Recruiting News, & Great Pictures
Fav Hashtags: #KUBball #KUBballRecruiting #JayhawkNation #KUCMB
Matt is a great source for loads of KU information, especially regarding recruiting. The shiver also has a great YouTube channel. They upload post-game interviews quicker than the athletics department, and the sound quality is better too (A lot of the post-game videos on kusports.com are difficult to hear-you’re based out of the LJW, buy a microphone please!).
He tweets out great information, but doesn’t blow up your news-feed with unimportant information. He includes his personal opinion within the info, but its all fair analysis. He’s funny and smart, a great follow overall.
Kansas Basketball
Handle: @KU_Hoops
Followers: 36,105
Avg RT per 100 Tweets: 2541
Known For: Insider info from within the team, coaching staff, and athletics dept, The Pay Heed Series
Fav Hashtags: #KUBball #RockChalk
A part of the BillSelf.com, it is the self-proclaimed “official twitter of Kansas Men’s Basketball” and does a great job of picking informative and insightful tweets to retweet. They also provide up to date information from the team practices and busses on the way to away games. I’m pretty sure this account is run by the youngest person on the KU Social Media Staff. Hell, they probably are the entire Social Media Staff. Either way, this account is a great follow for news from behind the scenes. Don’t expect any opinions or recruiting info though, unless its been absolutely confirmed.
“I guess Pickleman’s in Lawrence saw the game last night. Rock Chalk Pickle-guys!”
The youtube account associated with this account is also great. They are the home of the Midcourt Mayhem video where Cole Aldrich and three other Jayhawks make half-court shots at practice one day. It was featured on multiple sports shows and countdowns. They also provided us with the glorious video of Elijah shooting the ball all the way across the court and providing one of my favorite sound-bites “Too Strong! Put ya shoes on!” Their most recent development is a weekly series called “Pay Heed” that’s narrated by Wayne Simien. It’s excellent, check it out.
Long Distance Jayhawk
Handle: @longdistncejhawk
Followers: 70
Avg RT per 100 Tweets: 3
Known for: Sarcastic and Humorous analysis of games, best nicknames of all time
Fav Hashtags: #KUBball
Long Distance Jayhawk is hands-down my favorite jayhawk sports blog. He writes well, often, and with a strong voice. Check out his profiles on each player for important information and a nickname that you won’t be able to shake. This twitter account frequently replies to the conversation revolving around Kansas Basketball, so look no further if you want someone to argue about the exact radius of Kevin Young’s Fro
My thoughts on New Years Eve Traditions!
Well Kids, it’s the New Year which means its time for some new clothes! So bust out that Christmas money and get ready to spend it like gas is only $3 a gallon!
First up: resolutions. Let’s face it, making up New Year Resolutions is like picking something to give up for Lent. You’re looking for something that won’t be so hard that you’re actually making a sacrifice, but not something so easy that people who hear about it will instantly judge you for your laziness. You’re looking for secret laziness here. That’s the key to a perfect resolution. For example; if you’re looking to get healthier this year, there are do’s and don’ts. Let’s face it, you want to look good come spring break, and you probably already bought your bikini for the season because Target (c) had to go and put them out in DECEMBER, as if you…
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My Year- 2012 in Pictures & Resolutions for 2013
(In other words: these are the pictures without any people in them that represent my 2012)
BEST CALENDAR EVER
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- January: KU vs K-State (AFH)
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- February: Random Room visits from Elise
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- March: Final Four in New Orleans
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- April: ADPi 100 Year Celebration
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- May: Chemistry in the Courtyard kicks off the Summer
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- June: 5th Summer at Optimist Swim Lessons
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- July: Playing with Puppies! I love Frank!
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- August: Back to School, avoiding recruitment at the Brick House with Elmo
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- September: Homecoming means Pomping until we Drop. I spent 2 hours on that Orange Bowl Trophy Replica
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- October: Sandbar Sandbar Sandbar!
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- November: Event Photography for Victoria’s Secret Pink
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- December: Mallard Ball!
My resolutions this year include the following:
- Go to the rec at least once a week
- Do my Laundry at least one a month
- Finish Watching the rest of the AFI Top 100
- Get one last summer in Lawrence
- Go Abroad (Preferably Australia)
What are yours?
I could not agree more with this entire thing. Wish I’d thought of it first!
20 Reasons I Loved & Hated 2012 (In No Particular Order)
Loved
- Jersey Shore was cancelled
- The Jayhawks’ Trip to the Final Four in New Orleans
- Everyone turned 21
- The Summer Olympics- Most Notably Ryan Lochte & The Womens Gymnastics Team
- Sporting KC Winning the US Open Cup
- The Announcement of 3 new Star Wars Movies
- KU Alpha Delta Pi 100 Year Anniversary
- Glee
- New Mumford & Sons, Avett Brothers, and Maroon 5 albums
- Voting for the first time
Hated
- Gangnam Style
- Deb falling in love with Dexter
- Kony 2012: The Uber Fail
- Whitney Houston died
- KU losing to Kentucky in the Championship
- Mason Jars taking over the wedding industry
- Glee
- The Constant Presidential Election Facebook Whining (From Both Sides)
- Sorority Presidential Election Dramafest
- The writers of Once Upon A Time killed Graham
The Boom Boom Couple: It Was Bound to Happen Eventually *UPDATED*
Last month, the twitter/facebook/college-website world of Lawrence was buzzing about what was soon to be deemed “Boom Boom Couple;” A pair of 19-somethings who got drunk on Halloween-not unlike everyone else in this town- and got down and dirty in the Boom Boom Room at the Hawk.
For those of you who aren’t aware, the Boom Boom Room is one of six locations in the Hawk, each with their own bar and DJ. These rooms consist of
- Main Bar- Creative name, self-explanitory. Includes the largest dance floor (with pole), nicest bathrooms, booths, tables, & some kind of arcade game that no one actually plays. Located On ground level with one of the doors to the patio.
- Pine Room- The second room to open as capacity increases, the Pine room has the other door to the patio (and usually a shorter line), Wooden booths and tables line one side of the wall, with a bar on the other. Creative decorating by the locals in the form of what I like to call “Sharpie Art” make the wooden finish almost impossible to see, but Vandalism Room doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. This room also includes the smallest bathrooms in the place, including the women’s room which features two toilets and no divider. Get ready to make new friends in line!
- “Downstairs”- Sometimes also referred to as the patio, this area is down the stairs and outside, although it does have some kind of tin roof to keep out the rain, snow, pouring down of puke from close-by senior houses, etc.It’s the only area where it’s both socially & legally acceptable to smoke. The Bar down here tends to move a little faster than upstairs, maybe because they’re just trying to stay warm. However, their shots also tend to taste terrible (I have a feeling this is where they put the new bartenders).
- The Martini Room- The classiest part of the Hawk is like saying something is the cleanest bart of a bathroom, but whatever- that’s what the Martini room is. No dance floor really, just higher tables, a bar with what I like to call “medium shelf” liquor and some leather couches that are sticky no matter what. The Martini room is also the only place in the hawk that uses actual glasses as opposed to plastic cups.
- The Boom Boom Room- Finally, the
CDC hotspotscene of the crime. The Boom Boom Room is probably best described as the dance club room in the Hawk. It is definitely the darkest, with a lightshow that rivals a bassnectar concert, and more diseases than the anyone would care to admit.
There’s a reason that the Boom Boom is always the last room to open at the Hawk. It’s where you find yourself at the end of the night. The people dancing in their look like drunken versions of those flailing kite men that they inflate outside of Car dealerships after a Hail Sale. It’s gross, it’s cheap, & its what makes the Hawk, the Hawk. So on Halloween, when the undeRAGErs came out in full force, it was no surprise that the Boom Boom was up and running. The difference this time is that things got a little too out of hand for even the crowd at the Jayhawk Cafe. And this time, there’s incriminating evidence. What resulted spread at a speed unmatched by the KU Track Team. Tweets with three different pictures of the couple in various positions went around, as well as screenshots of both of their facebook profiles. The Boom Boom Guy already has a parody twitter account and was even interviewed on the radio shortly following that weekend. The Boom Boom Girl has virtually gone off the grid, but apparently is a Freshman from Manhattan. Rumor has it that she’s transferring altogether at Semester. Pictures also showed up on BarStoolSports.com and the hashtag #BoomBoomCouple was even trending in Lawrence.
It’s really interesting to see the difference between the slut blasting of the female in this picture versus the hail to the dude in the very same one. This is not to say that they are the first couple to attempt such shenanigans, nor will they be the last. Unfortunately, its just not as easy to get away with as it used to be. Either way, I think this should serve as a lesson to us all. Memories are fleeting, but instatweeted pictures are forever.
**UPDATE**
Not quite sure how I missed this before, but apparently some people went above and beyond with their Halloween Costumes, and decided to BE the boom boom couple. Talk about a quick turnaround.
She even got the right pair of socks!
Living the Crimson & Blue Life 