Andrew Cook '15

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Hey there,
My name’s Andrew Cook, I’m new at the Cross this year. I moved into Wheeler dorm about a week ago, loving every minute of college so far. I got your email offering up the opportunity to blog, and would love to take you up on it. I was with my high school paper (the teacher in charge of it was a HC grad), and also worked as an intern at my local newspaper, so I have some pretty good experience with writing. In terms of blog content, I’m on the XC team and I’m probably going to be a pre-med/English major, so I figure when I’m not passed out unconscious from exhaustion I should have some good and interesting things to write about.
Thank you so much for the opportunity and for your time,
Andrew Cook

That’s the entire body of an email I sent on August 30, 2011 (the first day of classes my freshman year) responding to a public affairs office “casting call” for student bloggers. It’s almost laughable, reading some of my bio information from that period, considering how much of it’s been altered in the years since. It’s unbelievable how much has transpired since then, both in my own personal sphere and in the big wide world at large; for information on some of those more important goings-on, you’d probably be better served checking a history book. This humble blog has just been my attempt to chronicle those personal events that have marked my college years as the incredible period it was – and it’s with no small amount of bittersweetness that I acknowledge the use of the past tense was there. As I sincerely hope, these blog entries have successfully charted my progress over my four years as a Crusader, and have given you some sense of what a truly incredible place Holy Cross is – I understand my experience isn’t the same as anyone else’s, and I’m only a single perspective out of the many thousands on the Hill at this very moment, but I want to say that it’s been my distinct honor and privilege to even have had that voice in the first place. Moreover, I want to express my gratitude for this blog as an outlet for that voice; I’m a writer through and through, so I like to imagine I would have kept some kind of record of my college years regardless, but to have the opportunity of expressing myself so publicly, in such a circulated forum, has been an absolute dream come true, and one I don’t think I’ll ever stop being appreciative of. Most of all, thank you, reader: whether you’ve been here faithfully from the first October 2011 posting or are merely humoring this pesky blog writer who’s blown up the Holy Cross Twitter feed the last few years on his last hurrah, it’s the highest honor a writer can receive to have an audience – any kind of audience – and I am deeply, deeply humbled to have had you as mine.

To wrap things up, I’ll share some pics from last Friday’s commencement exercises; if you can forgive me, I think I’ll just focus on graduation itself rather than the lead-up to it. That lead-up in question included a week with friends at Cape Cod, a boat cruise in Boston harbor, a Newport, RI, clambake, and a foray into the world of square dancing – each worthy of their own individual blog, I assure you – but in the interests of time, just let me summarize by saying that this has probably been both the greatest  month of my life and the most exhausting. By the time last Friday rolled around, I think a few kids were ready to have it done and over with, if for no other reason than to finally get back to that strange human activity called “sleep.” A few days filled with it later, I’m still not sure the enormity of the graduation events has set in 100% yet, but here at least are a few stabs at capturing the experience. I had the day accurately described to me by a friend as “both the happiest and saddest day” of their entire life thus far, so really, I couldn’t ask for a more worthy final topic.

The Fab Four of Williams 506 are ready to hit the (Abbey) Road

The Fab Four of Williams 506 are ready to hit the (Abbey) Road

When the graduates go marchin' in

When the graduates go marchin’ in (see if you can spot me, “Where’s Waldo”-style)

I'm just gonna take this diploma and run before they change their minds

I’m just gonna take this diploma and run before they change their minds

Because no matter how old we think we get, it's never a party until there's balloons

Because no matter how old we think we get, it’s never a party until there’s balloons

The college grad with his soon-to-be collegiate sister.

The college grad with his soon-to-be collegiate sister.

My #1 crew. They're where I get it all from.

My #1 crew. They’re where I get it all from.

Exhibit A

Exhibit A

Alex Cicchitti, my junior year roommate and fellow Game of Throneser. Valar Morghulis, my friend.

Alex Cicchitti, my junior year roommate and fellow Game of Throneser. Valar Morghulis, my friend.

This, this here: this is a pretty cool bit of stationary.

This, this here: this is a pretty cool bit of stationary indeed.

Vale, amice, et bonam fortunam

Vale, amice, et bonam fortunam

The bright future of HCXC, Chris "Feast" Conley '16 and Dennis Muldoon '16. Long may you run, gentlemen.

The bright future of HCXC, Chris “Feast” Conley ’16 and Dennis Muldoon ’16. Long may you run, gentlemen.

The "Godfather" of the theater department, and one of my favorite professors  at HC (his American Film class was a blast), Prof. Steve Vineberg.

The “Godfather” of the theater department, and one of my favorite professors at HC (his American Film class was a blast), Prof. Steve Vineberg.

It was an absolute pleasure to room with you this year, Joe, and you're one of the kindest people I've had the good fortune to meet at HC

It was an absolute pleasure to room with you this year, Joe; you’re one of the kindest people I’ve had the good fortune to meet at HC

A big thank you to Catherine Cote '18 for showing up to send me off - I think she may have got a preview of what's in store for her in May 2018. To all the underclassmen, my advice is this: seriously, just enjoy it. It goes by so, so quickly (I maintain that every semester went by faster), so blink and you miss it.

A big thank you to Catherine Cote ’18 for showing up to send me off – I think she may even have gotten a preview of what’s in store for her in May 2018. To all the underclassmen, my advice is this: seriously, just enjoy it, every minute of it. It goes by so, so quickly (I maintain that every semester went by faster), so blink and you miss it.

We met at the very beginning - we're still amigos at the very end. Muchas gracias, Martin, y hasta la vista!

We met at the very beginning – we’re still amigos at the very end. Muchas gracias, Martin, y hasta la vista!

Quite simply, I wouldn't be where I am today without these two. I'll never be able to thank them properly for allowing me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of attending Holy Cross

Quite simply, I wouldn’t be where I am today without these two. I’ll never be able to thank them properly for allowing me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of attending Holy Cross

Just as we were leaving, seniors were given a sealed envelope containing a letter we had each written ourselves the first weekend freshman year (probably right around the same time I sent that blog email out). I’m not usually a fan of those kinda things: I begrudgingly pried mine open, dreading to find some incredibly naive, short-sighted, no-longer-applicable advice that 18 year-old me had probably thought was pure gold but was now face-palmingly embarrassing.  Funnily enough, 18 year old me was waaaaay smarter than he could possibly have guessed, and actually rooted me to the spot as I read his letter. He’d written down only three pieces of advice; I figure, since I don’t know if I’ll be able to share them in a forum like this again anytime soon, I might as well reveal them here.
To Andrew,
1) Do your best. Always.
2) Live without regrets.
3) #2 happens because of #1
Best,
Andrew
I have spent my time at Holy Cross totally without regrets. There’s not a single thing I would have changed about the experience, and even if I was given the chance to go back and repeat the four years, I doubt I’d take it. My walking across the graduation stage last week was probably the biggest accomplishment of my life thus far, and one that I’ll be forever proud of. It took me thousands of running miles (and hills…lots of bleeping hills), hundreds of hours in the library, dozens of classes, four natural disasters, three Boston Marathons, a few changes in Major, and 67 blog posts to do it… but I am now a PROUD alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross, and will carry that accomplishment with me loud and proud till the end of my days. I thank each and every single person who’s been with me on the journey along the way, and I guarantee you that we’ll meet again someday: it might not be as regular a thing anymore, but Holy Cross is in my blood and the blood of every other fellow Crusader, and that’ll bring us back together eventually (you can’t get rid of me that easily). Until that time… GIVE ANOTHER HOYAAA!!!

Thank you, Holy Cross. For everything.

Thank you, Holy Cross. For everything.

Hello again, readers! I’m approaching the end of the line here as your intrepid HC student blogger, but I’ve got a few posts left in me yet…I’m riding into that graduation sunset guns a-blazin’. My last final ended yesterday around dinner time, so the book’s been closed on my collegiate academic career for over 24 hours now.  Walking out of the test room, I got hit with a suckerpunch dose of “YIKES!” and I’ve been spending the time ever since then trying to find ways to stave off some post-work boredom. Here, then, is an account of this year’s spring weekend festivities which happened on campus last weekend!

Spring weekend is always a story-worthy time on campus, to say the least

Luckily, spring weekend is always a story-worthy time on campus, to say the least

To commemorate the student body making it through another school year AND New England winter intact, Holy Cross always has a campus-wide blowout bash the first weekend of May. It’s usually been the highlight of every spring semester on Mt. St. James for me, and this time was certainly no different. A pig roast on the Kimball quad, a street fair on “Easy Street” (where all the underclassmen dorms are located), a BBQ and carnival on the Hart Center lawn, and weekend-capping fireworks have been staples of every year’s festivities for me, and this year made it 4/4. Some rapid fire pictures from those various events:

Playing along with the "Ancient Greece" theme for the weekend, Catherine Cote '18 and I demonstrate how they took pictures in SPARTAAAAAAAA

Playing along with the “Ancient Greece” theme for the weekend, Catherine Cote ’18 and I demonstrate how (I assume) they took pictures back in SPARTAAAAAAAA.

A petting zoo outside Lehy dorm is always a must-see highlight of the street fair. The ducks this year were not to be trifled with - I'm suspicious they may have known the centerpiece of the pig roast the night before...

A petting zoo outside Lehy dorm is always a must-see highlight of the street fair. The ducks this year were not to be trifled with – I’m suspicious they may have known the centerpiece of the pig roast the night before…

Whosoever hold this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor!

“Whosoever hold this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor!” Too bad the power of Thor couldn’t help me get the strength-o-meter more than a few feet off the ground. Must’ve been an unworthy carnival game.

The highlight of Saturday for me, however, was the second annual HOLI color celebration on the lawn of Figge dorm. Inspired by the Hindu color festival of the same name, the event has students throw bags of brightly-colored powder at one another, until you can’t even recognize the people you came with anymore.

The most colorful selfie I've ever taken? Smiling's a dangerous idea at this event though - Rachel Cournoyer '18 can attest, this stuff tinges even your teeth!

The most colorful selfie I’ve ever taken? Smiling’s a dangerous idea at this event, though, even though that’s all anyone really does while they’re there – as Rachel Cournoyer ’18 can attest, this stuff tinges even your teeth!

Harry Crimi '15 and Joe Seebode '15, the Three Musketeers of Williams 506. Our shower tires are still green. Seriously.

Harry Crimi ’15 and Joe Seebode ’15, the Three Musketeers of Williams 506. Our shower tiles are still green. Seriously.

Thanks for being such a great roommate this year, Joe!

Thanks for being such a great roommate this year, Joe!

A first for me, this year – I got a chance to stop by the school’s annual Gamelan Gita Sari concert. As someone with ten days left to experience it as a current student, I’m still amazed by some of the incredible things here at the Holy Cross; we actually have the most critically-acclaimed, renowned gamelan music program in the entire country. Under the direction of two A-list professors straight from Bali – where they’re celebrities in the Balinese music scene – the concert was quite an experience, and one I’m really privileged to have experienced. Termia kasih!
gamelan1

 

And to wrap up the weekend, the annual school spring concert, headlined this year by British pop star Jessie J. I actually managed to snag a spot in the crowd five feet from the stage, and had an incredible time as Jessie J rocked the sold-out Hart Center.

My mosh group and I. I apologize to each and every one of you for my dance moves.

My mosh group and I. I apologize to each and every one of you for my dance moves throughout the evening.

I've known Adam McAfee '15 since our first weekend together in Wheeler Dorm... all this time later, and he's still following me around

I’ve known Adam McAfee ’15 since our first weekend together in Wheeler Dorm… all this time later, and he’s still following me around

A no-zoom pic of the lady of the hour. Jessie J sports gig-specific apparel at each of her venues, so she was rocking some HC school spirit

A no-zoom pic of the lady of the hour. Jessie J sports gig-specific apparel at each of her venues, so she was rocking some HC school spirit last Monday night as she powered through hits like “Bang Bang,” “Price Tag,” and “Burnin’ Up”

And the crowd ate - it -up

And the crowd ate – it -up

INCREDIBLY engaging, talented, and above all, fun, Jessie J puts on one heck of a live show, and I left seriously impressed.

INCREDIBLY engaging, talented, and above all, fun, Jessie J put on one heck of a live show, and I left seriously impressed.

I’m heading off with some friends to Cape Cod for the next few days – a senior tradition – and I’ve still got some packing to do for it, so I’ll sign off here for now. Be back in a few days to chronicle all my beach adventures!

*FULL DISCLOSURE – this one’s gonna be on the longer side, with lots of pictures and stories to go through. But if you know anything about this blog, you know the Boston Marathon’s pretty much the showstopping event of my entire calendar year, so what else did you expect?*

When I went home for Christmas break last semester, I wasn’t 100% sure I’d be running the Boston Marathon this year; even though I needed a training goal on the horizon to keep my running motivated, and even though two of my best friends from my hometown were making their inaugural outings this year, there was still a lot to be said about taking it easy for my last semester of college… sleeping in on weekends, without subjecting myself to the brutal winter colds for weekly long runs: it had a nice ring to it, I’ll admit.

As if.

I really can’t describe to non-runners why I’ve commemorated Patriots Day the last three years by running 26.2 miles. Even though I usually elicit some concerned stares if I say I’m running for fun, I’ve come to believe that running a marathon is just about the most affirming, “I’m alive and loving it” activity you can hope to undertake. There are no self-esteem issues in the vicinity of the Boston Marathon’s medal-distribution area.

I’ll make no bluffs about it: it was brutal making it to this year’s starting line in Hopkinton. Meteorologists and chiropractors across the region will back me up on the assertion that this was pretty much the worst winter New England’s seen in over a hundred years (ever?), and there were more than a few mornings when I parted from my pillow like a doomed man on his way to death row.

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Yep - yep, this here is what I'm talking about. This is what I was up against.

Yep – yep, this here is what I’m talking about. This is what I was up against.

But as forecasters began calling for some steady rain as Marathon Monday approached closer and closer, I smiled to myself with a sense of grim satisfaction that, “no matter how bad this might be, I’ve still seen worse.” Campus wished me plenty of “good lucks!” and “good byes!” last weekend, so once I’d packed my running shoes into my bag, it was time to head home to run in my third consecutive marathon. Several gallons of water and a few boxes’ worth of pasta later, I was all ready to go!
Accompanying me from Lowell down to Hopkinton (the start place of the race and the home of some of the friendliest, most hospitable, just generally awesome people in the entire Commonwealth) were two newcomers to the marathon game: my best friend and neighbor growing up, Nicole Hatem, and my Dad’s good friend Tom Beaupre. Tom traveled all the way up from Pennsylvania to run, and as you’re about to see, they both hit grand slams on their first appearance at the plate.

Side note: I’ve noticed from my last two Bostons that the crowds play an enormous role in determining how I feel over the course of the day. Since their energy and enthusiasm are a force I feed upon to make the experience more enjoyable, I’ve taken to wearing shirts that will gain some special attention; all I’ll say further is that it’s a VERY good time indeed to be a comic book fan.

 

Starting from the moment I arrived home the day before the race, the signs were there early that I was in for a good time

Starting from the moment I arrived home the day before the race, the signs were there early that I was in for a good time

"Does whatever a spider can!" Well hopefully, spiders can run 26.2 miles in the pouring rain.

“Does whatever a spider can!” Well hopefully, spiders can run 26.2 miles in the pouring rain.

On the morning of the race, the Warriors Three, rearing and ready to go

The Warriors Three, rearing and ready to go

Before the race, Nicole and I stopped and posed for the cameras.

Before the race, Nicole and I stopped and catered to the adoring cameras

Thermopylae had the Hot Gates, Hopkinton's got a mildly damp but equally cool one

Thermopylae had the Hot Gates; Hopkinton’s are mildly damp, but still equally awesome

"It all starts here." Indeed!

“It all starts here.” Indeed!

Standing in our corral to reach the starting line in Hopkinton. The ponchos are both fashionable and aerodynamic, yes?

Standing in our corral to reach the starting line, we resorted to any and all means to keep dry for as long as possible. The ponchos are as fashionable as they are aerodynamic, yes?

#Candid

#Candid

My other training partner throughout this hellish winter was Alyssa Maia, who celebrated a birthday on the day of the race. She ushered in her new year by taking to the streets of Boston for the first time alongside her dad, my high school cross-country coach and Massachusetts high school sports legend, Phil Maia. Even though Alyssa was experiencing crippling shin problems in the days before the race, she somehow mustered herself through 26.2 miles of exertion... talk about sheer grit and determination!! Both father and daughter are incredible people, and I'm honored to have shared the roads with them that day.

My other training partner throughout this hellish winter was Alyssa Maia, who celebrated a birthday on the day of the race. She ushered in her new year by taking to the streets of Boston for the first time alongside her dad, my high school cross-country coach and Massachusetts high school sports legend, Phil Maia. Even though Alyssa was experiencing crippling shin problems in the days before the race, she somehow mustered herself through 26.2 miles of exertion… talk about sheer grit and determination!! Truly awe-inspiring. Both father and daughter are incredible people, and I’m honored to have shared the roads with them that day.

I thought I was just hallucinating, but no - even Santa Claus came out to show his support for this thing!

I thought I was just hallucinating, but no – even Santa Claus came out to show his support for this thing!

Dad hopped in to run a support leg around Mile 12 for the Wellesley Scream Tunnel. Spectacular, Superior, Ultimate - AMAZING!!

Dad hopped in to run a support leg around Mile 12 for the Wellesley Scream Tunnel. Spectacular, Superior, Ultimate – AMAZING!!

Fellow English major Nina Batt '15 was one of the MILLIONS of spectators who braved the elements to make some serious noise out there. Nina (and all the rest), I owe you an enormous thank you... you made the whole race for me!!

Fellow English major Nina Batt ’15 was one of the MILLIONS of spectators who braved the elements to make some serious noise out there. Nina (and all the rest), I owe you an enormous thank you… you made the whole race for me!!

A quick change at Mile 16 (sans phonebooth) into warm, dry clothes  meant that I was ready to represent Captain America's Stars and Stripes all the way up Heartbreak Hill.  USA! USA! USA!

A quick change at Mile 16 into warm, dry clothes (sans phonebooth) meant that I was ready to represent Captain America’s Stars and Stripes all the way up Heartbreak Hill. USA! USA! USA!

No pics to show how I fared on the running community’s most infamous incline, but I’m happy to say that training here on the slopes of Mt. St. James DOES have its benefits! Similar to the weather, I chuckled as I powered along while runners around me succumbed one by one… compared to the hike up to the Hart Center from Williams Dorm, Heartbreak Hill’s got nuthin’!

Both times I’ve done Boston in the past, no matter how much fun I’ve had, there have still been sections where I was just done, when my body was screaming “STOP!” and I wanted the whole thing to be over. For some strange reason (but hey, I’m not complaining), there were none of those moments this time around! I kept on smiling all 26.2 miles, and, goaded on by a cryptic phone call from my Dad around Mile 22 that instructed me to, “keep up [my] pace…because [my] projected finishing time was looking really good,” I made it all the way onto Boylston Street without stopping to walk ONCE!!
I’d spent some of March this year in a walking boot, with some pretty serious tendon issues in my left foot, so my goal for a while had just been to make it the Hopkinton starting line in one piece; when that looked like it was a pretty sure thing, it was all I could then ask for to finish the race still on my feet. For a few years now, my bucket list goal had been to crack the four hour barrier for my finishing time – referred to as a “sub-four” day by my Dad’s running friends – but with that foot injury, I never thought for a second that this year would be the one to see that dream achieved. I’m thrilled beyond description, and still a bit disbelieving, to be honest, to report that I crossed beneath the Boylston Street finish arch in THREE HOURS, FIFTY TWO MINUTES!!! Yep, like the say – the 3rd time really is the charm. I don’t know whether it was the grueling training conditions this winter, the superhero shirts, the rain… for whatever reason, I just had an “on” day this year, and I’m going here on record now to rank this as my favorite Boston Marathon I’ve ever done.

Yep... she's the best! (Note: good bunny ears become astronomically more difficult to pull off after 26.2 miles)

Yep… she’s the best! (Note: good bunny ears become astronomically more difficult to pull off after 26.2 miles)

In Boston, superheroes wear SILVER capes. *theme music plays in background*

In Boston, superheroes wear SILVER capes. *theme music plays in background*

Like I said before, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d be doing the Marathon this year in the first place. Dream finishing time and fantastic memories notwithstanding, I’m still glad I decided to participate in this year’s running, because I realized it was the last time I’d be able to complete it as a current Crusader. Starting back from my first race in 2013, the Marathon has played a huge part in shaping my identity, both on the Holy Cross campus and besides, and if you can forgive me for getting all sentimental and such, I wanted to wrap up my college experience with this nice sense of completion for my senior year. HC was definitely on my mind for a good portion of those almost-four hours, and I’m truly honored to have brought some Purple Pride to the greatest race in the world, one last time. I’ve never been more sure of anything than I am of the fact that I WILL be running Boston again in the future; maybe not next year, necessarily, (I’ve actually got my sights set on running the Disney Marathon next January!) but certainly at some point. For now, I’m just reveling in this latest experience, and deeply thankful to each and every single person who made it what it was. My four year race at Holy Cross is almost finished…time now to bring it home across the finish line.

This one's for you, Holy Cross.

This one’s for you, Holy Cross

 

I’m back!! Sorry it’s been forever since I updated this thing… somehow, senior year just keeps finding ways to keep me over-busy (which is probably a good thing, now I think about it, since it keeps me distracted from the impending specter of graduation). But so much fun stuff happened over this weekend that I decided it was finally time to get my chronicler hat back on and update you all on how I’m passing my time. Your concerns are shared by my mother if you’re noticing that homework doesn’t seem to be mentioned here anywhere… but rest assured, I’m not about to trip at the finish line!

First off, Friday night was my maiden voyage into the brave new world of acting! With so many close friends raving about the Alternative College Theater’s (ACT) “Midnight Theater” event, I figured it was finally time to give the whole “all the world’s a stage” thing a try. After signing up, I was randomly assigned into a group with several other actors under the awesome direction of Heather Cannon ’16, and we we raced against the clock to learn, rehearse, and stage a fifteen minute play, all in under four hours. Since part of the framing concept meant that Heather had to include several random characters in a predetermined scenario, my acting debut character was Tommy Wiseau (director of “The Room,” agreed upon as the single worst movie ever made) as a celebrity contestant of Survivor 40: Zombie Mermaid Island. That was as bizarrely fun as it sounds, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. You haven’t really lived until you scream expletives at a cell phone in an indeterminate accent while wearing a flowing dreadlock wig, let me tell you.

One of the biggest reasons I did Midnight Theater was because of the persuasive efforts of the SUPER talented Ms. Catherine Cote '18. She knocked it out of the park in ACT's "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" this semester, and is here fully immersed in her Midnight Theater role as Yoga-in-a-morgue instructor.

The persuasive efforts of the SUPER talented Ms. Catherine Cote ’18 played a big part in my deciding to participate in the evening’s proceedings. She knocked it out of the park in ACT’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” this semester, and is here fully immersed in her Midnight Theater role as yoga-in-a-morgue instructor Jane Doa (the -a is silent).

A post-show selfie with Tommy Wiseau, an expert ghost yogi, a ghost yoga instructor, James Franco from "The Interview," and the radio announcer of the Hunger Games.

A post-show selfie with Tommy Wiseau, a surprisingly yoga-adept corpse, Jane Doa (the -a is silent, remember), James Franco from “The Interview,” and the radio announcer of the Hunger Games. First, and probably only, time that sentence has ever been uttered.

The next afternoon FINALLY brought us some nice spring weather around here, which meant it was time for a 10-mile jaunt around the Greater Worcester Area: the final “long run” and the end of the line for this year’s Boston Marathon training season. Yep, I’m back at it again – in just a week’s time, I’ll hopefully be notching my third marathon finish under my belt. Blog to follow — bet your life on it!

These puppies have brought me through many miles; as my high school track coach Phil Maia always used to say, "the hay's in the barn."

These puppies have brought me (mostly) intact through many miles, and their day of reckoning is at hand; as my high school track coach Phil Maia always used to say, “the hay’s in the barn” now.

Miles logged (and blogger showered), it was time to catch a Holy Cross shuttle into Boston for the night! The school offers free shuttle transportation on weekends to Boston, Providence, and other spots around the Worcester Area; campus remains as beautiful as ever, but it’s nice sometimes to get a change of scenery for a few hours, so I always try and take advantage of this awesome service at least once or twice a semester.

Since it'd be no fun going on my own, Catherine made the trip with me, and brought some of her friends along for a stroll through Boston Common

Since it’d be no fun going on my own, Catherine made the trip with me, and brought some of her friends along for a stroll through Boston Common…

... and right down Boylston Street to a certain finish line that *fingers crossed* I'll be seeing again in a few days

… and right down Boylston Street, to a certain finish line that *fingers crossed* I’ll be seeing again in a few days.

A conveniently-placed sign informed just how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds, actually

An oddly conveniently-placed sign informed us just how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds, specifically! (Btw, since I have the chance here to say it, a MAJOR shout-out to the workers inside this Marathon Sports store for their unbelievable friendliness. People like you guys are why this is the greatest running community on Earth.)

Lastly, it was time for my cousin Ben Nicholson ’17 and I to participate in maybe our favorite on-campus event of the entire year: the Holy Cross Amazing Race. All you legions of faithful blog readers maybe remember our race adventures from last year’s event; it’s based on the hit CBS show, and was just about the most fun I’d had during an afternoon all throughout my college years. We had some unfinished business to settle after last year’s race, however, so we showed up at the starting line this time with our game faces on.

Tremble with fear. Are you trembling? WHY AREN'T YOU TREMBLING??

Tremble with fear. Are you trembling? WHY AREN’T YOU TREMBLING??

Nahh – beneath our rugged, manly exteriors, Ben and I have a longstanding connection with the Toy Story franchise; when team “To In-Fitton-y and Beyond” (“Fitton” being the name of the HC football stadium) showed up ready to go, all the other competitors knew exactly what they were up against.
The only downside to an event with the name “Race” in it on *this* campus: you’re in for a WHOPPER of a hill workout. With the events ricocheting us from the top of the hill, to the bottom, back to the top, back to the bottom, and so on, I’ll wager more than a few of the racers had a nice healthy sweat going by the end. Whether Ben and I were in that crowd, I feel it best not to say.

Shea Maunsell '15 and her partner Ami Neeper '15 knew the best way to unwind after the race

Shea Maunsell ’15 and her partner Ami Neeper ’15, displaying how best to unwind after such a race

As for us toys, we had yet another great afternoon, crossing the finish line with a good place and our heads held high. Like our shoes say, we did this one for Andy.

As for us toys, we had yet another great afternoon, crossing the finish line with a good place and our heads held high. Like our shoes say, we did this one for Andy.

It's not flying, it's falling -- with style

It’s not flying, it’s falling — with style

Enjoying the post-race meal of champions, Buzz chows down on some Pizza Planet fare.

Enjoying the post-race meal of champions, Buzz chows down on some Pizza Planet fare.

As you can well imagine, I’m pretty worn out after all this adventuring, so I think I’ll call it a day for now — but stay tuned for some updates VERY shortly about all my Marathon shenanigans. In the meantime, I’ll probably be sleeping this all off (and homework, Mom… homework too!!).

Back to the written world here for a little while – I much prefer telling you all about the coldest/snowiest/iciest winter I’ve ever experienced in my twenty one years from behind the comfort of a keyboard rather than with video proof. I’ve not yet achieved David Attenborough status with this thing yet…although, as you’ll see, I’ve not exactly been idle with all these snow days, and hopefully you’ll finish reading this blog and say, “Yes, that lad is intrepid” (or mentally disturbed, the jury’s out). But incidentally, yes: I’m starting to think that the Holy Cross Class of 2015 is indeed the disaster-themed class. Our very first weekend on campus as freshmen, orientation was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene; later that year, we had six inches of snow for Halloween; my sophomore year, we faced two shelter-in-place orders, one for Hurricane Sandy and the second for Superstorm Nemo; last year saw campus in the icy clutches of the Polar Vortex; and this semester alone, we’ve already missed four days due to extreme winter conditions. To whichever weather deity we’ve obviously offended, we apologize – please forgive us before graduation day in May!

In fact, I'm writing to you right now from the second-snowiest city in the United States, with over 100 inches of snowfall. And what's the number one city, you ask? Funny story... of all the flippin' places on the continent, the only city snowier than the BURIED Worcester IS MY HOMETOWN!!!!! Maybe it's not the Class of 2015 after all...Maybe it's me!

In fact, I’m writing to you right now from the second-snowiest city in the United States, with over 100 accumulated inches of snowfall. And what’s the number one city, you ask? Funny story… of all the possible places on the continent, the only city snowier than the positively buried Worcester IS MY FLIPPIN’ HOMETOWN!!!!! Maybe it’s not the Class of 2015 after all…Maybe it’s me!

The craziness all started back during the second week of the semester. Until that point, it had been a remarkably mild winter; Christmas around here had been a balmy 50 degrees, I’d gone trail running around New Years in shorts, and a Holy Cross friend not native to the area had said, “Wow, I thought New England winters were supposed to be bad. It’s been no big deal at all so far!”

Famous last words.

The first blizzard to descend on us lasted for thirty six hours straight, depositing over an inch an hour at times with its freakish winds. Campus had to effectively shut down for two days as the ground changed from grass to three-foot snow drifts in a matter of hours.  From my apartment window in Williams Dormitory, I took some time-lapse photos of the storm’s effect on the grounds:

2 3 4 5

Not a bad view, though, is it?

Since then, the blizzards have kept at it hard and fast, and the snow banks go well over my 6″0 head in most places now. If it continues at this rate, I expect the grass will reappear just in time to be buried by next winter’s snows – and that’s only if summer comes at all, which, I don’t think I’m wrong in saying, many people hereabouts have given up hope over. But how are us Crusaders coping? When meteorologists warn us to stay inside at all costs or else face all the wrath of Mother Nature, what are we to do?

Go sledding, obviously

Go sledding, obviously

Getting from class to class has, admittedly, become something more of an endeavor now. This picture was snapped yesterday as I attempted to reach my 10:00 lecture, using a now-standard method of transportation around campus:

Snowshoes aren't all that bad, once you get used to them

Once you get used to them, snowshoes aren’t even that bad, all things considered

Ok, so that’s a tiny bit of a stretch, but I did go snowshoeing around campus last weekend, and it was simply tremendous. A planned snowshoeing trip to Northern MA with Holy Cross’ Outdoors Club was obviously K.O.’d by  –  you guessed it  –  another blizzard, but since we already had all the equipment necessary for an afternoon polar trek, a few of us more adventurous folk decided, “Hey, why not?”

Plunging deep into the heart of the Yukon (or the Hart Center grounds, it was tough to tell through the wilderness)

Plunging deep into the heart of the Yukon (or the Hart Center grounds, it was tough to tell through the frostbite)

Making my way across the tundra

Making my way across the tundra

Some people aren't even aware of them, but a whole network of trails criss-crosses behind the Hart Center's playing fields, and they feature  some pretty gorgeous scenery. Admittedly, all 100+ inches lay untouched back there, so it got interesting in places trying to blaze a path through

Some people aren’t even aware of them, but a whole network of trails criss-crosses behind the Hart Center’s playing fields, and they feature some pretty gorgeous scenery. Admittedly, all 100+ inches lies untouched back there, so it got interesting in places trying to blaze a path through

She can be harsh at times, but Mother Nature too remarkable to not appreciate, and the only way you can do it is to get out there in the thick of it.

She can be harsh at times, but Mother Nature’s too remarkable not to appreciate, and the only way you can do it is to get out there and dive into the thick of it.

Also, with my third Boston Marathon looming in just about two months’ time now, there’s no way I’d let something as pesky as planet Earth’s weather systems get in the way of my training schedule. So it’s an extra pair of socks and another thermal layer, and out I go!

High visibility jackets: so the plow drivers don't have the excuse of "I never saw him!" as the ambulance paramedics extract me from a plow bed with a spatula.

High visibility jackets: so truck drivers don’t have the excuse of “I never saw him!” as the ambulance paramedics extract me from their plow beds on a spatula.

8

Yep, that's ordinarily a scenic vista on my left there. The 6 foot wall of snow and ice is really putting a damper on the whole thing

Yep, that’s ordinarily a scenic vista on my left there. The 6 foot wall of snow and ice is a real killer for the MA sightseeing market.

I did say intrepid, didn’t I? But the way I see it, you have to beat the weather or get beat by it. The story you’ll have in twenty years of that time you trekked across a frozen wilderness is much cooler (*cooler*… my comedy tour comes to a town near you this summer, don’t miss it) than staying inside watching TV for a warm afternoon; you’ll have some frozen eyebrows, but they’ll thaw out/grow back eventually! So get out there and enjoy those frozen fractals all around…and don’t let the cold bother you anyways!

At long last, happy 2015 readers! It’s into the final lap for me now, and to prep for it, I’ve been keeping it nice and relaxed for this last Christmas break. Incidentally, while I’m on the subject, this business of a 5-6 week vacation carries on into the real world as well, yes? This is something I’ll still be able to look forward to for years and years? Whew, that’s a relief.

Well anyways, one of my favorite ways to relax over break is by watching movies – seriously, who doesn’t love that?? – and since movie-watching usually takes a pretty serious hit while the semester’s in session, I made it a priority to catch up on a bunch now that I’ve got the time for it. Since I’ve been itching to get back writing here, and for lack of anything more interesting for you all, here are some quick little blurbs on all the flicks I’ve been able to catch!

 

In cinemas…

Unbroken
Unbroken
An adaptation of what my dad tells me is his favorite book he’s ever read, this one gains points on the sheer merit of its true-to-life hero, the incredible Olympic athlete and WWII P.O.W. Louis Zamperini. After running for the U.S. in the 1936 Olympics (which were held in Nazi Berlin), Zamperini joined the army to fight in the Pacific theater; his plane went down during a reconnaissance mission in 1943, and after spending 47 days adrift in a life raft, he was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers and bounced around prison camps for the remainder of the war. The movie, decently directed by Angelina Jolie, is a long one, and to someone like me who’s never read the book, Zamperini’s hellish ordeals can drag on after a while. Jolie never really makes a point above and beyond how incredible Zamperini’s story is; while she’s not wrong, I think more could have been done with it to make his (and our) endurance actually mean something. If nothing else, at least you’ll never find me saying “I had a bad day” ever again.

 

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
BattleofFiveArmies
This one’s quite personal for me, actually. My time in Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth began Christmastime 2001, when I first saw The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters. Everyone has their own defining childhood memories from pop culture – seeing Star Wars for the first time, getting your first comic book, whatever – and these movies are mine. They have become embedded into my DNA. I revisit Tolkien’s texts basically on an annual basis, I dive into the hours of behind-the-scenes bonus materials on the DVDs… heck, I only got into distance running in the first place in case my friends were ever abducted by a pack of orcs and I needed to give chase. I cherish, adore, LOVE these films, so as you might guess, I’m fairly bittersweet about it all coming to an end. It’s a heck of an end, no doubt: Peter Jackson delivers spectacle like nobody on Earth, and we’re in the safest hands from the goosebumpy opening all the way through to the end credits song. Arguments will rage over the years about the decision to expand Tolkien’s fairy story into a 3-film epic, but you’ll never hear a breath of complaint from me. From the 3rd grade to my senior year of college, following these movies has shaped me as a person, and that journey’s now made it full-circle – or Ring, if you will.

 

The Imitation Game
TheImitationGame
A stone-cold winner. Being offed by an angry bargeman within minutes of The Hobbit apparently gave leading man Benedict Cumberbatch time enough to hone a performance that will more than likely be crowding his mantelpiece with trophies in the coming awards season. His Alan Turing, the British mathematician responsible for cracking the Nazi Enigma code during WWII and the father of the modern computer, is an achievement more impressive even than his U2 photobomb at the Oscars. He’s helped by some great supporting performances from Keira Knightley and Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister, for all my Game of Thrones people) among others, and an insanely good script; when the film gets into “Turing Test” territory, exploring whether something is still capable of thought even if it deviates from what’s considered to be “normal” human brain patterns – an argument which the script BRILLIANTLY uses to examine not only artificial intelligence, but Turing’s homosexuality – it’s some of the best cinema of 2014. As the Brits say, a cracking good one.

 

At home…

A Christmas Carol (1938)
AChristmasCarol1
Check me on this, but I believe the adaptation count of Charles Dickens’ 1843 Yuletide classic is about five hundred billion. Could be more. Like I said, you should check. BUT, despite the fact that most of you reading this can quote the exchange between the miserly Scrooge and his seven-years-dead business partner verbatim, this 1938 incarnation with Reginald Owen at the helm in his nightcap and slippers is mandatory viewing for anyone who’s ever heard the phrase “Bah – humbug!” Big production values, some special effects that I’m sure were jaw-dropping in 1938, and a firm adherence to its source material earn this one high marks. But when said source material is maybe the greatest story ever penned by man, that’s certainly not a Christmas miracle.

 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
AmazingSpiderMan2
Sigh. There are so, so many good things here at work that I should really like this movie, but for some reason it’s just eh. I actually prefer Andrew Garfield wearing the web-shooters to Tobey Maguire; Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy is perfect, a living Jack Kirby girl come right off the panel; the chemistry between them would be enough to sell any rom-com on its own; to boot, this is probably the best Spidey action we’ve seen to date, the full realization of what Stan Lee was probably dreaming about back in 1962. But the fact that the rest of the film pretty much cancels out all these fantastic elements should tell you all you need to know. It’s overlong, there are some annoying creative deviations from the perfectly sound comic sources, and it doesn’t seem to know when to say “enough is enough.” This franchise has been right at the forefront of all Sony Studios’ recent woes, and for the sake of my favorite superhero of all time, I really do hope it can right itself enough to keep the web-slinger in business.

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
HoundoftheBaskervilles

Sherlock Holmes, but NOT Cumberbatch’s (he’s busy elsewhere, after all). Nope, this one is Basil Rathbone’s, whom a lot of Holmesians consider to be the definitive incarnation – and outings like this are the reason why. Mist-enshrouded moors, fireplace séances , murderous, bug-eyed convicts on the loose… this one’s got it all.  It plays a little fast and loose with its literary inspiration (most versions of this story usually do, for some reason), and the heavy hand of censorship required for movies of the late 30s becomes too apparent at times, but lots of this is plain and simple Holmes at his deerstalker best. Perfect for a windy winter afternoon viewing.

 

From Russia with Love
FromRussiawithLove1
As the final entry of what I suddenly realize is a predominantly Anglophilic list, I think it’s fitting that I close with perhaps the single most iconic British character from the second half of the 20th century. That’s Bond… James Bond. I’m a big fan of 007, and if you can keep a secret, 2012’s superb Skyfall is one of my very favorite movies I’ve seen in the last five years. With that outing imparting the solid advice that the old ways are sometimes still the best, I’ve been backtracking 007’s history whenever I have enough free time, and so came across this firework. It’s not the first Bond film (it’s #2, if you’re curious), but it’s what many Bond enthusiasts today consider to be the all-time best, and with good reason. Set at the height of Cold War espionage, it’s Sean Connery in his wisecracking, ladykilling prime, and it introduces most of what would later come to be staples in 007 flicks; a suitcase with more firepower than some prison armories, exotic locations in Istanbul and on the Orient Express, a KNOCKOUT leading lady, and the looming, shadowy threat of SPECTRE. With current-Bond Daniel Craig suiting up for what’s looking to be another incredible spin in the Aston later on this year, I can’t recommend enough taking a look back at this 60s classic; it’s leaner, wittier, and more downright fun than pretty much anything else you’ll come up against, I’ll wager. Mission accomplished, Mr. Bond.

 

That’s all I’ve managed for now; break still has a few weeks left, so if there’s anything you think I need to add to this list, feel free to let me know! Happy viewings!!

No, that title is not a misspelling of the Holy Cross fight song… After four years, trust me that I know exactly what a “HOYA” is. Instead, it’s in reference to an honest-to-goodness idol of mine who stopped by the Hogan ballroom last night, whom I had the absolute privilege to meet afterwards.

It was none other than ultra-marathoner,  triathlete, and father extraordinaire, Dick Hoyt

It was none other than ultra-marathoner, triathlete, and father extraordinaire, Dick Hoyt!!

For anyone who doesn’t know the incredible story, Dick is the self-called “slower half” of the Team Hoyt running duo. His son Rick is severely disabled with cerebral palsy after birth complications, and as such has never been able to walk or talk in his life. When Rick was in high school, he asked his dad if he could help him participate in a charity 5k run to benefit a classmate who’d been paralyzed from the waist down; in the decades since that first request, Dick’s pushed his son across the finish line of more than 1100 races, including 32 Boston Marathons, 6 IronMan ultra-triathlons, and a “Forrest Gump”-esque run literally across the country (that’s 3770 miles at once, for anyone wondering).

Team Hoyt's slogan is the empowering belief "Yes You Can"

Team Hoyt’s slogan is the empowering belief “Yes You Can”

Dick, a former serviceman who’d never been a runner in his life, is ranked by Men’s Health Magazine as the 24th fittest man of all time — Rick was ranked 25, which Dick jokes is the only time he’s ever finished ahead of his son. The pair faced enormous adversity when they began racing in the 80s, with race organizers saying there was no place for the handicapped Rick to compete, but they’ve now risen to being one of the premier athletic duos in the world. Heroes in places like El Salvador, Germany, and Japan, the two have revolutionized the roadracing industry to the point where Dick believes that, “in the next few years, don’t be surprised if there’s races where you’ll only be allowed to enter if you’re pushing a handicapped person.”

They've even been awarded the enormously prestigious Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2013 ESPYs Sports Awards ceremony

They were even awarded the enormously prestigious Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2013 ESPYs Sports Awards ceremony

As someone who does his fair share of physical activity, let me just tell you that this man competes on another plane of existence; for anyone thinking they’re in OK shape, go see one of these talks and you’re in for a rude awakening. The pair have worked out an equipment system for their triathlons that allows Rick to be present for every stage of the race:

For swims, Dick literally tows his son behind him in a custom-built raft as he cuts through 2+ miles of waves

For swim portions, Dick literally tows his son behind him in a custom-built raft as he cuts through 2+ miles of waves

After carrying his son sometimes more than a quarter mile from the water to a changing station, the two set out on a specially-designed bike for 100+ mile jaunts through volcano fields. Dick pedals the bike, which can be in excess of 400 pounds at times, up craters and across vistas in heat that can exceed 110 degrees.

After carrying his son sometimes more than a quarter mile from the water to a transition station, the two set out on a specially-designed bike for 100+ mile jaunts through volcano fields. Dick pedals the bike, which can be in excess of 400 pounds at times, up craters and across vistas in heat that can exceed 110 degrees.

And then, once that’s all out of the way, all they have left to do is complete a 26.2 mile marathon run. Simple, really.

It’s in his capacity as a marathon runner that Dick is a true inspiration of mine. Both the times I’ve done the Boston Marathon, there’s usually a point circa-mile 15 or 16 where my legs start to feel like lead, and my morale bottoms out with the knowledge that I’ve got the dreaded Heartbreak Hill stretch right in front of me. Both times, however, I’ve suddenly come across the father-son pair, surrounded by a crowd of dozens of runners, and seeing their perseverance and tenacity always kicks me back into shape. It actually meant quite a lot to me being able to tell Mr. Hoyt this in person last night.

Sadly, Rick and Dick were prevented from finishing the 2013 marathon because of the bombings at the finish line they were stopped by police at mile 25 and told they'd be unable to finish that last mile to the finish line. It was supposed to have been their final marathon together.

Sadly, Rick and Dick were prevented from finishing the 2013 marathon because of the bombings at the finish line; they were stopped by police at mile 25 and told they’d be unable to finish the last mile (I can’t even IMAGINE coming that far and not being able to bring it home). It was the right call by police, and both Rick and Dick thank God for their safety, but it was supposed to have been their final marathon together.

Absolutely nothing can deter these two, however, so Dick - now 74 years young - rallied and pushed Rick in this year's 2014 running. Team Hoyt (pictured) was the largest group to ever cross a marathon finish line simultaneously in marathon history.

As I hope I’ve made clear, however, absolutely nothing can deter these two, so Dick – now 74 years young – rallied and pushed Rick again in this year’s 2014 running. Team Hoyt (pictured) was the largest group to ever cross a finish line simultaneously in marathon history.

As a runner, and more recently as a marathoner, I’ve known about these guys for quite some time, so it really was a pretty big deal to me to be in the same room. When you hear about them, father and son, facing and CONQUERING the kinds of obstacles they have, it really does put things into perspective; I’m as prone as anyone to stress during finals season, but at the end of the day, it’s really small-ball compared to stuff like this. So to leave you for now, I’ll wish you all the best of luck on your finals and/or anything else keeping you from your Yule festivities, and just remember, when it’s 3am and you think you’ve bottomed out on your paper assignment:

YES - YOU - CAN!

YES – YOU – CAN!

Last Friday was a BIG mile marker on the way to graduation next spring, one that came in the midst of a week of “lasts.” I had my last class registration last Monday, took my senior cap’n’gown portraits, and experienced my last football game on Fitton Field as a current Crusader. Throw that in with a little sister interviewing at the Admissions department and a mind-blowing lecture on the cosmos from visiting guest lecturer and astrophysicist extraordinaire Neil deGrasse Tyson *gasps for air* and it all makes for a pretty insane schedule. It was high time then, to loosen up the tie and relax – except in this case, that meant tightening the tie, actually. The bowtie, to be specific (because bowties are cool). This is all a roundabout way of my saying SENIOR BALL TIME!!

"♫  And as long as I got my suit and tie/I'ma leave it all on the floor tonight/And you got fixed up to the nines/Let me show you a few things♫"

“♫  And as long as I got my suit and tie/I’ma leave it all on the floor tonight/And you got fixed up to the nines/Let me show you a few things♫”

All kinds of star power going on here

All kinds of star power going on here

MVC buds

MVC buds

We clean up mighty nice

We clean up mighty nice

Cousins make the best wingmen.

Cousins make the best wingmen.

This is why I'm usually not invited to these kinds of things

It’s reasons like this why I’m usually not invited to these kinds of things

How's this compare to life abroad, Shea?

We smile for the cameras –

Blech

– but really, we can’t stand each other

Hey Mamma!

Hey Mamma!

What's about to unfold is the shortest, most one-sided fight in human history

What’s about to unfold is the shortest, most one-sided fight in human history

Miss Working for Worcester herself

Miss Working for Worcester herself

I WILL find my way into your photos, and they WILL be bombed.

I WILL find my way into your photos, and they WILL be bombed.

Harry and I with the happiest girl on campus (and fellow Disney nut) Jess Bailot

My roommate Harry and I with the happiest girl on campus (and fellow Disney nut) Jess Bailot

The Gladiator Squad, reuinted

The Gladiator Squad, reunited. Venimus, Vidimus, Vincimus.

The marathon runner and the fella who patches him up in the EMT med tents along the race course. You're (literally) a life-saver Mr. Safran!

The marathon runner and the fella who patches him up in the EMT med tents along the race course. You’re (literally) a life-saver Mr. Safran!

Ben, clearly itching to get started with dinner

Ben, clearly itching to get started with dinner

Shea and her boys

Shea and her boys

Gentlemen of Williams 506

Gentlemen of Williams 506

These dances, man. They kill you.

This is what a crash after four hours of dancing looks like.

Shaken... Not stirred.

Shaken… Not stirred.

It’s pretty surreal now that it’s all over… that’s a big senior year event now fading away in the rearview mirror. Allons-y though, and always forward and up! Thanks to everyone who made it the all-out party it was, I wish we did it more often! I’ll be checking in after Thanksgiving, so until then, happy turkey hunting!!