Things have definitely changed since 10/2008

Well I am very surprised how freaking long it has been since I last blogged. I am going to start a series on my life as a freshman in college and see how that goes.

I remember back in 1989 when I got accepted to the college I decided to attend that I was pretty elated. My Dad and I had driven down to the school and walked the campus at the suggestion of my Grandfather on my mom's side. My grades were kind of borderline for this institution and the self appointed interview sealed the deal for me.
My freshman year was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I have/had never felt so alone, lost, wanting in my life. I remember moving into my dorm room my first day on campus. I was all alone. No parents, no friends, no sister nobody. In my sisters's defense she didn't have to start classes for a few weeks and was still hanging at home which I understood but my parents? Come on. My Dad has always been extremely successful in life. He is a federal judge and makes a lot of money and has a nice low cost of living. He expects the same of me I think and so here I am trying to make that happen. Anyway - the day I moved into my college dorm I'll never forget. I pulled up to the dorm to very little fan fare - took the elevator up to my assigned room and went in. My roommate - a Chinese guy from Indianapolis who went home EVERY weekend - was not there yet. He actually did not show up until a week or so later. I really basically roamed the grounds of the university for 4 or 5 days doing next to nothing but sleeping in and staying up late watching tv. I also played some basketball in pick-up games at the co-rec which was our version of the school gym.
Anyway - I remember next door to me and down the hall from me were some really cool guys. All Engineering majors and all pretty fun. There was Brent; Todd; Mike; Derrick; Tim B.; Bob; etc.  Most of these guys were from all over Indiana and some were from other states like Illinois or Iowa.  The big eye opener to me this first few weeks was how free I was. 
I had just graduated from Basic Training in the United States Air Force a few months prior and was in probably the best shape of my life.  I weighed in at a svelt 190 lbs. and was 6'2 with eyes of blue.  I really enjoyed running, walking, tennis, basketball, really all sports.  But in Indiana basketball is life.  Anyway the thing that probably upset me the most about this whole experience was that my folks did not come down to help me get settled.  I know now that they were just selfish people and continue to be pretty selfish.  I have 2 kids of my own and could never even dream of not going to their first few days of college with them and helping them to get settled - as long as they will have me.