Weekend Here I Come

David R.

May 26, 2011 - 12:27 PM

Unfortunately the sun has vanished from the Eugene area for the time being, but I have to think that it will be making another appearance for the great weekend ahead. As crazy as it sounds for the Pacific Northwest, I actually got kind of used to the sun being out at the end of last week and into this week. There were a few days in a row of blasting sunshine and I thought for a little that it might be like that for the rest of the term. Few places on Earth receive constant sunshine, so I really can't complain, I just hope it makes a return for my weekend extravaganza.

 

For the second time this term, I luckily had a class cancelled so I am sitting here enjoying the comfort of my couch. My obligations for the week are done and I am ready for the weekend. Tonight I will be attending a pinning for my fraternity with the Delta Delta Delta sorority. For those who don't know, a pinning is a celebration of two people in the greek community that are in a relationship. Essentially, the man places his fraternal pin on his girlfriend to signify that he is putting her above the fraternity. Everyone from both houses dresses up and goes to the sorority, where close friends give speeches about the two, and then everyone heads to an after party at someone's house. I was a speaker at a pinning earlier this year and it was a blast. The speakers usually tell funny stories about the two and usually put them on the spot in some way. I'm not speaking at tonight's but observing is always fun too and it should be a nice night of celebrating.

 

I am planning on leaving for the weekend festivities some time tomorrow around three in the afternoon. We are going to drive right to the lake and set up camp. I haven't decided whether or not I'll be sleeping in a tent or in my car, but I will probably choose the latter to prevent everyone from suffering from my atrocious snoring, and of course, to keep myself protected from all of the ferocious wildlife. I'm sad this is really my last weekend getaway as a college student, but I plan to make the most of it while I am away from Eugene. Not having to go to work or class on Monday will be nice, and I am going to take full advantage of the day off. The term is really winding down and I am trying to enjoy every second of it. I'm going to enjoy the little time I have left with all of the friends that I won't get to see as often after graduation. It's definitely sad but I realize that people can't stay in college forever. I know it isn't done yet, but it has been the greatest four years of my life and I know I'll miss it. You'll certainly get the college experience you're looking for if you choose to come to Oregon.

 

 

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Memorial Weekend Approaching!

David R.

May 24, 2011 - 3:07 PM

Week nine is here and I am approaching my fourth and final Memorial Day weekend as a University of Oregon student. I have a killer weekend planned and it should make for a great finale to my college career.

 

On Friday I'll be hopping into my car to go to Lake Billy Chinook in the Oregon Forest. It's about four hours away, and I'll be making the journey with a few of my buddies to enjoy a nice weekend of camping by the lake. I have never been to this lake before but I have heard it is massive so there will be plenty of room for exploration. My friend's family is bringing a boat and some 4-wheelers, so I really don't think it will be possible to get bored. He told me that they usually tie two inner tubes to the back of the boat at once, to allow for a sort of full contact tubing experience. I'm pretty sure we will be spending our nights there camping, which is always fun, but I don't have a tent. I may end up sleeping in my car, which will probably be more comfortable, and will protect me from any potential wild animal attacks!

 

I'll be spending Friday night and Sunday night down at the lake, but on Saturday night I will be rendezvousing with my roommates at a cabin over by Mt. Hood. A bunch of people are going up their for the night, and I want to be able to do something with them as well, so I'll be heading up there a little later in the afternoon on Saturday. Cabins are always a good time and I have never been over to that area of Oregon so it should be a blast. On Sunday morning I'll be heading back down to the lake to enjoy another day in the sun. After that I'll be heading back to Eugene with the crew on Monday to hit the books for the final push before finals week. I hope this weekend presents good weather, and I think it will be just the break I need before finals week begins.

 

Today before a class I got a phone call from someone with the San Diego Padres who wants to me talk to me about my resume on Friday. I applied for an inside sales position with the team a couple weeks back and I'm glad they finally got back to me. I would love to work for the Padres and be down in San Diego. I have gained a substantial amount of exposure to this organization throughout the years through my job with the Rockies, so it would be fun to be a part of another National League West team.

 

The NBA playoffs are getting down to the wire at this point and tonight I'll be spending the evening catching the action. The Heat are taking on the Bulls in a series that has been a battle thus far. I hate to say it but I'm pretty convinced that the Heat will be taking the crown that they said they would win before the year began.

 

My classes are over for the day, now it's time to hit the library!

 

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Back from the Bay

David R.

May 19, 2011 - 12:07 PM

Yet another day of sunshine has been bestowed upon us, and I decided to soak in as much of it as I can. I just had one class and now I'm sitting on the lawn of my fraternity writing this great blog.

 

I eventually made my way back up to Duckville from the Bay area. I basically spent all day on Tuesday shadowing an employee of the company that I would be working for. I went around with him for all of his sales duties and got a better feel for what I would be doing as a day to day employee with this company. We went up to a town called Vallejo and made some rounds as our goal was to sell as many VIP cards as possible. Basically, this company has a ton of different clients who are all trying to expose their products or services to different people, so they come to BAY Marketing to gain more exposure. One of the company's clients is the Oakland Athletics, and the A's give the company a ton of free tickets for each game, and BAY then takes these tickets and puts them into promotional packages for a 70-90 percent discounted price. The A's don't necessarily see any ticket profit from this, but is exposes more people to the franchise when they come to the games and spend money on other things liker food, merchandise etc. We basically spent the day walking around trying to sell as many of these cards to as many people as possible. I'm glad I got to wet my beak on some of the action I would be seeing on a daily basis, and it was a good experience all together.

 

The day lasted until around 6:30 and then it became time for me to come back up to the Eug. I was thinking about staying down there for another night but I had things to take care of yesterday so I thought I should try to push through. I pounded a few five-hour energy drinks, as well as a couple Starbucks double shots to keep myself awake. I always fear falling asleep while driving so I do whatever I need to do stay awake. I figured I would rather be tweaking out from drinking too much caffeine than having to sit there slapping myself in the face to stay awake. I eventually made it up to Medford, Ore., and I was thinking about staying there for the night, but I really didn't want to stay in a hotel again so I pounded another double shot and got back on the highway. In total the journey took me about seven and a half hours, and I got back to Eugene right around 2:30 in the morning. I was exhausted but definitely happy that I made it all the way back. I fell asleep in my class this morning so I think I am still recovering from it all. However, the sun is out and so am I, so I don't plan on taking a nap any time soon!

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Day by the Bay

David R.

May 16, 2011 - 7:15 PM

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get accepted for the Summer Sales position with Kroenke Sports Enterprises in Denver. The timing just wouldn't work out, as I don't graduate until June 13th and the training session for the position begins in May. However, there are still plenty of other opportunities available, and I am actually sitting here writing this blog in Emeryville, California (San Francisco suburb) while I am in the process of interviewing for an entry-level marketing position.

 

About a week ago I posted my resume online and was contacted by a marketing company down in the Bay area called BAY Marketing. I was informed that the company was interested in interviewing me, so yesterday, after working the Duck's birthday (which was a hoot), I hopped into my car and made the eight hour journey down to the Bay. I was planning on heading back up to Eugene this afternoon after the interview ended, but upon leaving, they told me that I had been chosen for a second interview and asked what my schedule was like for tomorrow. There could potentially be three different interviews for the position, so I figured I would stay down here for an extra night and essentially kill two birds with one stone while I am here, to eliminate trips down. Hopefully it all works out, because from what I have learned so far, the company sounds like exactly what I am looking for, and I personally would love to spend a little time living in the Bay area.

 

I am a big fan of road trips. That's why I didn't mind driving down here at all yesterday. At one point during the trip I was actually driving through a blizzard as I got closer to Mount Shasta. It's kind of hard to imagine for May, but I forgot about the enormous mountain range that one has to pass over in order to get down into California. Driving by Lake Shasta brought back some great memories from last year's trip. It's unfortunate that I can't go back again this year, but in some ways I feel like all you need is one trip.

 

Tomorrow my interview will go until about six at night, and then afterwards I am going to try to hoof it back to Eugene. I probably won't make it all the way, but I at least want to make it into Oregon. I have to work on Wednesday so it is probably better that I don't stay the night down here again.

 

I basically had the whole day to do whatever with today, so instead of sitting around in my hotel room, I decided to head over to San Francisco and do a little sight seeing. It was raining out so I didn't spend too much time outside of the car, but I loved crossing over the bridges and approaching the massive skyline from over the ocean. I caught a decent glimpse of Alcatraz Island, home of the notorious "rock," and then eventually made my way over to the grand finale, the Golden Gate Bridge, which is always a blast to cross. I have enjoyed my time down here, and hopefully I leave with an invitation for a third interview!

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Bring on the Weekend

David R.

May 12, 2011 - 1:42 PM

One of the seldom experienced pleasures of college is the rare occasion when a teacher will generously cancel class for one reason or another. Today was one of those days for me luckily, as instead of being in a class blogging right now, I am doing it from the stoop of the front steps to our house. The sun is shining down on Eugene and hopefully I can bronze up a little bit while I'm out here, as today the weekend begins for me a little earlier than usual.

 

Tonight I'll be enjoying the early evening hours over at Howe Field for the women's softball game vs. UCLA. This is the last game that I have to work, but I have to say that the softball games at Oregon are pretty exciting to watch. I am obviously biased and personally partial to baseball, because I played it, but the girls on our team are a rowdy bunch and they know how to get the job done. At this point, every game matters as the team is competing for a spot in the regional tournament, so I'm sure we'll be seeing some intense softball action over at Howe Field tonight. The Oregon baseball team seems to be in a similar predicament as it too is competing for a spot in the post-season regional tournament. The team has had a relatively rough season, and in its third year, the bar continues to be raised passed the successes of the season prior. Last year the Ducks baseball team made it all the way to the championship game of their regional tournament, so anything short of that would surely be a disappointment. If the sun stays out this weekend, I may have to make my way over to PK Park to wet my beak on the action. The Fish n' chips are to die for, and the beer garden in certainly calling my name.

 

This term has certainly been the term of the party bus for me personally. I am going on yet another tonight for my buddy's birthday, and I honestly think that I have been on more party buses this term than I went on in all of the previous terms combined. With enough people going, the cost is minimal, and who can say no to a party on wheels? Not me. I'm always a sucker and tonight should be another great night for a birthday celebration.

 

Speaking of celebrations, I'll be helping out at one on Sunday that I have never been a part of - a party for a mascot. It is the Duck's birthday this week, so to celebrate, we will be throwing the Duck a surprise birthday celebration in Autzen Stadium on Sunday. Youngsters from all over the Eugene/Springfield area will be in attendance to celebrate the birth of one of the most well-known figures in the state of Oregon. It was our department's job to plan the celebration, so tomorrow we will be going to the store to purchase all of the goodies for the party, including party bags, decorations, and even a pinata! The party is shaping up wonderfully, and I can't wait to be a part of the celebration!

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