Blogs at Today.ColoState.edu - Rambling with Ro

101 things to do before you leave CSU #100

Ro — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:00:00 +0200

Take a trip to Boulder. Realize how glad you are that you didn't go to CU.

Back in green and gold in Fort Collins at CSU. It has been a while since I've wrote a blog but It has been a very busy few months. Don't fear though, I have much to talk about. What better way to kick off junior year and a new blog then one of the '101 things to do before you leave CSU'? This one is one I feared the most. I could tell by the way I drove into town, Boulder was not the place for me.

One of the first things I noticed was the extremely limited amount of parking. I got to see all of Boulder just looking for a parking place! Perhaps the people should make their way over to the Fort Collins area and get schooled on how to use public transportation and bikes.

After finally settling in a parking spot 3 blocks away from where I wanted to be, I walked around in what was a very active area for students and other people in the community. While everyone was laughing and listening to music, the atmosphere still wasn't very welcoming. It was much different than walking down the streets of Old Town and being able to say "hi" to every passerby.

Please take my word for it, Boulder just isn't that cool of a place! Only 83 more things to do before I leave CSU!

101 things to do before you leave CSU #49

Ro — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:10:00 +0200

Buy some CSU gear from the CSU bookstore

It's kind of funny when I walk around my hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado in my CSU sweat pants and T-shirt and people ask me "Hey! Do you go to CSU?" To which I politely reply, 'I am acutally a student at the University of Colorado.' It always makes for a nice chuckle.

Anyways, over the past year now, my wardrobe has evolved into a mix of greens and oranges. I'm definitely a person who likes to coordinate his attire to a certain extent. While I may be getting my style from the CSU bookstore, you can't deny you can find some awesome T-shirts and clothes at some decent prices. Oh and don't forget, you can represent CSU as well. My latest purchase from the CSU bookstore was an awesome orange T-shirt for the men's basketball game this Saturday.

Now for those of you who are say "Really Ro? You're going to try to match orange?" First off, no. Second, green and orange actually go together very well! I still wonder why CSU didn't stick with the orange. It really sets us apart from other sports teams. Except for the Syracuse Oranges which in my opinion is a pretty lame name.

All in all, I got my orange T-shirt and my green CSU hat and I'm ready to go show some school spirit at the basketball game. Although when I went to the game against SDSU, we lost so I will hoping for a Rams' win this time around!

Even though I now have $20 less dollars than I did before, only 84 more things to do before I leave CSU!

Back to the Blog

Ro — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:37:00 +0200

Comments gone for now

I apologize to all my awesome followers who continued to bug me to post a new blog. What would I do without you guys? A quick update: My winter break was work filled and so far this semester is going somewhat smoothly. I'm still perfect on class attendance despite Colorado's colorful weather choices.

The comment function below the magnificent post has been disabled due to some serious spamming. It's tough sifting through it all for your guys' awesome comments! If anything, you guys got my email, so don't be afraid to send me some comments or questions!

Just wanted to post a brief update! I'm planning on resuming 101 things this Friday, which I promise will be there! So check back Friday!

101 things to do before you leave CSU #14

Ro — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:20:00 +0200

Attend an ASAP event

If one thing is for sure, I've learned a lot about how popular CSU is this past week. I mean, I have known this campus is awesome but it's one of the few places that could host a major U.N. announcement and a multi-platinum hip hop artist back to back weeks. This next Thursday our campus will be treated to a free, yes free, performance by the one and only Ludacris. That's just ludicrous.

ASAP is always known for hosting events with big and popular names but they don't get much bigger than Luda himself. Although, ASAP does have to give a big high five to the Air Force Reserve who teamed up with Ludacris and company on other occasions and persuaded him to perform at Moby. Last year, ASAP booked Pepper and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus for a concert. While ticket sales did okay and many attended, it doesn't compare well to the Ludacris concert as tickets sold out in the first five days.

What's even better about this concert is ASAP is always trying to outdo themselves when they put on a performance. So it will be interesting to see who will be coming to CSU next year.

What is the only downside to this concert? It's on a Thursday! So I will have to use all my will power to make it to classes after what is sure to be an awesome night.

On the plus side, only 85 more things to do before I leave CSU!

Saving money the college way

Ro — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:40:00 +0200

Save a little here and there

Now, my mom never was really big on clipping coupons out of the Sunday paper, but I bet she wishes she would've now.

Yes, economic times and all that nonsense but there are always other factors like extra books, parking tickets, noise violations, etc. These can be pricey and can strangle a small college student budget. If you have ever walked through the plaza and opened up one of those ticket books people hand you or even just opened your mailbox as I did, you will find some nice deals inside.

Now, I'm not pushing any particular service but this weekend I can get an oil change, a large pizza and breadsticks, a Texas style burger and a free cream cheese bagel for around 90 dollars. Yeah, pretty nice right? Now, while this only saves me a couple dollars here and there, it all adds up down the road.

There just might be a time when I need a blue book before a written test or a coffee just to keep me awake. I will be glad I saved.

101 things to do before you leave CSU #1

Ro — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:04:00 +0200

Pet Cam the Ram

It's one of the first things you do when you come to CSU. The loveable CAM is a domesticated breed of sheep known as a Rambouillet.

Not only is Cam's name part of the history of this school (CAM = Colorado A&M, CSU's previous name), but just his presence shows how much the campus community cares about animals. I mean, if you have ever seen Cam travel, he is like a king!

Now, I may refer to Cam as a single being but since his introduction in 1947, there have been 22 rams represented as Cam. Twenty-three this Saturday when the Rams take on the New Mexico Lobos.

While I'm sure Cam is a handful to take care of, he is very fan friendly and seems to get more of a kick charging out onto the field than the football team does.

Although I have already petted and hung out with Cam, number 22, at this Saturday's game I will get a chance to meet the next Cam in line for greatness. Should be a great day for Rams everywhere, sheep and students alike.

101 things to do before you leave CSU #24

Ro — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:24:00 +0200

Read the Collegian

Now, this is something I've done everyday since coming to CSU but one particular Rocky Mountain Collegian, or RMC, is now near and dear to my heart. The issue that is my favorite is the Tuesday, Oct. 19 issue where yours truly is featured on the cover. To clear things up, the picture isn't of me and neither is the story below it. The picture is of Denver hip-hop artist 3Two performing on the Plaza. Although, if you can't tell from my picture to the right of the blog, I'm very photogenic.

So, it's obvious putting me on the cover would ensure tons of readers. Let's travel deeper into the newspaper though. There are the very comical and truthful political cartoons in the opinion section, the games and puzzles, and the always gut-busting RamTalk.

It's not just the funny stuff that makes The Collegian great but it's hard hitting and fair and balanced articles that are almost as good as those done by Today@ColoradoState. Almost. Reading the RMC is always a good choice as you learn a lot about the CSU community and what is going on in the world around you.

A scary good time

Halloween is this coming Sunday which means most of the scary activities will take place on both Friday and Saturday. Something about the whole world walking around in costumes for a couple days just seems cool. Something pretty exciting though is I get my second night at RamRide this Friday with my fraternity! While last time was fun and wildly unexpected, I'm sure this time during the events of All Hallow's Eve, there will be a much more exciting story to tell.

Only 87 more things to do before I leave CSU?! Very awesome!

101 Things to do before you leave CSU #88

Ro — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:29:00 +0200

Party 'til dawn

That's exactly what me and the rest of the CSU community will be doing this weekend. Its Homecoming weekend, parents are here, floats are being set up, and our sports teams are prepping to bring us some well earned victories. Also, fall is offcially upon us. Great weather, great scenery, how is it not party time? My parents unfortunately couldn't make it up this year so I might need to clarify "party 'til dawn."

The biggest parade in town will roll through campus with some of the coolest floats you will see. I know people who have worked very hard on theirs (remind me I need to help build one next year). Following the parade is the bonfire and pep rally. For those not here last year, 2009 Homecoming and Family weekend was held with a few inches to a foot of snow on the ground. Since no snow this year, that's a big positive. What's also cool is enjoying the bonfire itself, then watching some fireworks and the historic lighting of the 'A.' I believe I painted that last year.

Let's not forget the huge 5K race, football, and volleyball games as well. Although I could talk all day about those. I have a good feeling about this weekend. Something tells me everything is going to go great and CSU is going to be the place to be.

Pledging status

I remember learning the Spanish alphabet in middle school and not having a difficult time understanding it. The Greek alphabet is much different. My first job as a Beta pledge was to learn the Greek letters and it's pretty difficult to find a rhyme to help you remember when Zeta is the 6th letter. Don't quote me on that as I might have it wrong! On the plus side, I'm actually learning things and it's pretty cool to know I'll be part of something historic soon.

Partying 'til dawn also includes my friend Victoria's birthday -- she won't be a 'teen' for much longer. I have to remember I do need to keep school in mind due to a slightly busy next week but it looks like there is much fun to be had this weekend! I also only have time to do 88 more things before I leave CSU!

Whoa! Only 88 more things to do after doing #88 on the list? Coincidence? I think not!

101 things to do before you leave CSU #70

Ro — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:41:00 +0200

Join a student organization

About the only thing I can tell you is I am now a pledge of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at CSU. The reason why is because everything else is so confidential, I might not even be able to finish this posting for I have already said too much.

Okay, so maybe it's not that extreme, but my pledge experience has been one I won't forget. It's cool to think that now I have this unspoken bond between millions of other brothers for the rest of my life. While this holds especially true for fraternities and sororities, all organizations have that special connection. I chose Beta because it felt like "me," but there are other groups like the Pre-Vet club, SLiCE, and ASCSU who are filled with people that like and care about the same things you do. Even better, in the end, all organizations come together and interact in some way which makes you part of something big while still keeping those you level with, close.

Nice weather and pledging

It's just about that time to start whipping out the camera's a snapping some awesome photos of the trees beginning to change. As we approach Homecoming and Family Weekend, which you will read about next week, I remember last year around this time it was just a downpour of snow the whole time. It was tough to light a bonfire in the snow. But I knocked on my wooden desk and truly hope for some nice weather as we once again celebrate Homecoming at Colorado State.

So, I'm still not an active member of Beta but I will be very soon. I'm excited to learn all there is about this brotherhood and then begin to have some fun and help better this community. Hopefully as I catalog my pledge time, I can hopefully break some of the stereotypes that most expect from fraternities. I will also have time to do 89 more things before I leave CSU!

101 things to do before you leave CSU #50

Ro — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:22:00 +0200

Do a lap at the Jack Christiansen Memorial Track

I consider myself to be somewhat of a good athlete. I mean soccer, basketball, and football are just a few of my strong points. Earlier this week, I participated in the Greek Life Decathlon with some of my soon to be brothers from Beta Theta Pi. Now, it turned out quite a few brothers were not able to make it out, which required me to run both of the events.

The 100 meter dash and 4 x 1 race. My first trip around Jack Christiansen track was not a memorable one. Already tired from weights and a long day, I barely managed to pull it through both races. It's apparent I was not well prepared for the competition but in the end I remembered the race was just for fun.

Track team in action

I also witnessed, before the races, some of elite track team members training. What a sight. I'm sorry to say that before then I had no idea how good our team was until I saw these guys training. All of the distance runners were rounding the track 5 or 6 times as if it was no problem and the dash runners were quick and light on their feet.

This was a change of scenery for me. Most of the time I see our elite lacrosse and football teams training hard, but I had never seen how well our track team is. After watching this practice, I have a lot more confidence in athletics here at CSU.