Ride of my Life

One thing that I sometimes have a hard time doing is “letting go.” I need to learn to just let go of things. I get so committed or focused on that task, that object, or that person….that when push comes to shove and really it becomes impossible to attain….I can’t let go of it. And that’s bad.

I guess i’m just a stubborn person. When I want something that bad…I usually get it. I put the blinders on and do everything to conquer….regardless of what reprecussions or effects it may have. I know it’s one of my weaknesses. But hey…that’s me. That’s Mick Hagen. I’m not gonna pretend to be someone i’m not. I’m kinda stubborn and that’s life.

Today I realized that “letting go” is something really hard for me. There’s something that crossed my path today that I THINK I want. Perhaps it was Satan’s bait. Perhaps it was God’s tender mercy. Perhaps neither. Perhaps just something that comes and goes. I don’t know. But I want it.

And i’m about to cross the threshold into the area where push comes to shove. The preverbial “fork in the road.” I’m gonna have to decide: 1) If I do indeed want it….i’m gonna go at it 100% and do everything to get it. or 2) Decide that it’s just not worth it…too many complications could occur….people could be hurt….thus I would just need to “let go.” Agh! I hate to let go…I hate to let go of opportunities.

And i’m about at this point. The fork. The decision. It’s one of those moments where you really just gotta seek inspiration and guidance from a more heavenly being, God. Thus i’ve been doing just that…praying to know His will.

I know that if I do indeed decide that I WANT this “thing,” then alot of time, energy, and strategy would go towards conquering. It would be a huge challenge….especially because of the extenuating circumstances….things I can’t control. I love challenges. And I love to take risks. However, what if I do indeed go after it? And what if I succeed? And once I attain…what if I decide that that’s not exactly what I want. This happens way too often to me and it sucks. I go through brick walls, crazy sacrifices, and mind-boggling tactics to get it…and once I have it….I don’t want it anymore. it happens all the time to me and it sucks!

I realize that if this happened in this situation….it would cause alot of complications. Machiavelli taught that the “ends justify the means.” However, the “means” in this case might cause some to be hurt. It might break up things that won’t be “fixable.” It could potentially cause alot of “collateral damage”….especially if in the end I decide not to stick with that thing attained. There are high risks involved (for the most part not on my end). Yet I know high risks in general yield higher returns.

Thus, it’s quite the hard decision. I need to figure it out though. I can’t go haphazardly at anything. Either I go at it 100% or I don’t go after it at all. When I committ….I committ. None of this half-hearted nonsense.

And that my dear friends…is the dilemma i’m faced with. Do I really want it or not? Am I willing to pay the price to get it (which isn’t gonna be easy at all)? And ultimately, am I willing to suffer the consequences if in the end I get it and decide that I don’t want it? Those are the questions I must ponder. Those are the questions we all must ponder.

Think out of the box. The solution is closer than you think…just as it is for me.

Do I really want it? Or do I just have to “let go” and move on?

My heart says go after it. My stubborness says don’t let go. If it wasn’t hard then it wasn’t worth it.

Let’s roll, baby.

Much love from your geek in P-town,
Sir Micholas Lee Hagen

OF THE DAY AWARDS…
Highlight of the day: Going to Starbucks with an amazing and talented person and having a delicious Hot Chocolate with her.
Lowlight of the day: I woke up today in such pain….something is wrong with my ankle. I could only run 2 miles today cuz my ankle was/is KILLING ME! AAAAGGGGH!!!
Biggest Surprise of the day: I’m so proud of myself. I just spent 7 hours STRAIGHT in the library…doing what i’m at Princeton to do: study and learn.
Sweet diggity Dog of the day: Me for stepping it up academically.
Crush of the day: Eva Vertes.
Random Quote of the day: “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Donald Kendall

My journalism teacher completely ripped me apart today. It was good though. It was needed. I actually like her alot. She’s a producer for NBC’s “dateline” and she’s really intelligent. Today she called me out of class and gave me a good verbal whackin’. But like I said…it was well deserved. I gotta step it up with my work.

She’s one of those woman who tell it how it is. She doesn’t sugar coat things. She threw it down on me today in such a way that I was actually motivated to do better. I was impressed. She was so bold and straightforward that I was actaully really proud of her. haha. It was awesome. Alot of people in life beat around the bush. They don’t get to the point. Hey people…just get to the point! And I was so excited to see my professor today just chew me out…got straight to the point. Hurrah for boldness!

I’m not gonna say much tonight. I’m gonna try to go to bed early and wake up super early. I have TONS of homework to do tomorrow. Anyway…the other thing I wanted to say is that I was faced with one of the toughest decisions of my life tonight. Tougher than my college decision. Tougher than my boxers or briefs decision. Tougher than my green eggs or ham decision. Tougher than my cats or dogs decision.

It was a decision that completely changed my life.

24 or The Apprentice.

Both were on TV at 8:00 PM tonight. I’ve never missed a season of 24. I’m one of the biggest Jack Bauer fans you’ll ever meet. The show is super entertaining and it’s well produced. Yet at the same time…I’m a huge Apprentice fan. I love Donald Trump. It’s definitely more of an educational program than 24. He always shares his “trumpisms” and insights on good business principles. As someone who wants to succeed in the business world…I love the show.

So what was I to do? Which show was I to watch?

Don’t you just love stories that don’t have an ending? I love them. So i’ll wait till tomorrow to let you know what I did. But oh…I don’t regret it for a second.

Peace out gangstas.

-mickey

My life is just one big adventure after the other. Haha…I love it. You’ll never believe what happened today. Very interesting. And I don’t believe in coincidences. Oh my…

The blog on the 18th of this month I spoke of a “hottie at the gym.” Read it so you can better understand this blog. Because you’ll appreciate this blog so much more if you read that first. So go and read that first and then come back and read this blog.

Anyway…today was a good day. I went up to NYC for church as usual. There are a bunch of congregations that meet around here but I always go up there to meet more people my age. Church was wonderful as usual. Usually I stay up there and hang out with buddies…from Columbia and stuff…but today for some reason I just wasn’t feeling it. So after church I went straight home.

The train ride home was interesting as usual. But an interesting thing happened…haha. If you’ve been following my blogs then you’re gonna love it. So at the train stop of the Newark International Airport…people started flooding onto the train as usual. Usually people coming/going for travel. Anyway, you’ll never believe who sat down across the aisle from me. You’ll never believe. Haha….

The wonderful and world famous “hottie at the gym.” Yup. She came in with her suitcases, etc and sat down just across the ways from me. Well….as you could probably imagine…I was in shock. To me this was a miracle. I couldn’t believe it. My chance had arrived. And I knew it would eventually come….and today on the train ride home….it came.

I didn’t talk to her in that train because the positioning was kinda awkward and I knew that she’d be going all the way to Princeton so i’d be able to talk to her after the connecting train. Throughout this time on the first train we had already made eye contact. Ya know that game. Look…then don’t look. She looks…then you look away. Etc. The game is funny. So anyway I didn’t talk to her….for we’d both have to get off that train and get on a different one that goes directly to Princeton. I was planning on sitting closer in the next train and start talking to her there. So anyway….she got off the train first…with her suitcase in hand. I followed. I noticed that there was a beanie on the ground. Someone had left it. I didn’t know who…and I was pretty sure it wasn’t hers…..but my mind processes quickly….I grabbed the beanie….and started chasing the “hottie” telling her that she forgot her beanie.

Bingo. From there I was in. Conversation started….we waited together for the next train….talked…..got on the next train together….sat by eachother and talked some more. I even helped her with her suitcase as we arrived to Princeton.

She was everything I imagined and more….haha. No no no….i’m not in love. I don’t even know her. All i’m saying is that she’s really sweet. I really want to get to know her better. And as we departed from eachother tonight we established that we’d definitely hang out. Hopefully that really happens. She shares alot of common interests that I have. She indeed does have high morals and standards. She doesn’t drink. And just like I hoped for in my blog on the 18th….she doesn’t like “the street.” Sweet. No doubt about it I can potentially see this girl as becoming one of my good friends. From what it seems so far with this one, my “faith” that I talk about in my blog on the 18th has indeed prevailed. Hurray.

Also…it’s funny because way back in 2003 towards the end of my senior year in high school….Princeton hosted this thing called “Pre-Frosh weekend” where they bring in all the students accepted to Princeton and they try to “sell” us on going there. Turns out that I actually met the “hottie” there. She remember me. And I remembered her. It indeed is a small world.

Anyway, she’s really big into cancer research and stuff like that. She had just gotten back from a conference in Cali today. She’s really intelligent and she wants to be a doctor. Interesting….very interesting. She has an amazing personality and is an all-around really nice girl.

So basically the “hottie at the gym” exceeded expectations big time.

However…now that i’ve said all the happy things. It’s time that I say something that will completely break your heart and mine. Haha. There is one minor detail i’m leaving out. It’s kinda a big deal. Haha….and to me it’s kinda sad. But it’s life. You ready to hear it?

Okay…..take a deep breath now. Drum roll please….

She’s engaged.

Ouch. Dagger in the heart.

I don’t know the details about it. And she never mentioned anything about it. My initial suspicion was the ring. I noticed in the train that she had a ring. And it was really nice. But somehow I convinced myself that it couldn’t be for real. After all…she’s young….she’s in college….etc. I just couldn’t accept. It would spoil the plans (haha….whatever plans those may be). And it seems that most people out here don’t get married till they’re like 30. So I thought for sure it wasn’t real. Plus….the way we were talking was like there was noone. We talked about hanging out…etc. She didn’t mention the fiancé at all.

But anyway…good ole’ facebook confirmed that it was indeed a reality. She’s engaged. It’s not with anyone from Princeton though…it’s with someone out of state. I don’t know.

Oh well. Life goes on. Hopefully I can still get to know her better and be friends with her. We’ll see.

There you have it folks. The “hottie at the gym” unveiled. She’s alive. She exists. And I found her. She’s special. She’s sweet. And….haha….she’s engaged.

mickey: 0
hottie: 1

I lost the battle but not the war. Tomorrow is a new day. Game still on.

-mickey

Basically alot of things that i’ll be saying won’t make sense if you haven’t read some of the past blogs. It’s like a book…it’s hard to just expect to know what’s going on if you just start reading from the middle. So you’ll only know alot of the characters if you’ve been following along. I’ll do my best to reintroduce some people in each blog mentioned…but i’m just giving the heads up now.

Yesterday I spoke of a possible opportunity I would have to work with some members of the Class of 1958 and their website. The person currently running the website is graduating so was searching for someone to maintain it. He found me. He works on the website under the direction of David Greenberg, class of 1958. So basically the job has been offered to me. David was in town because of an Alumni service today and so Aaron (the senior who’s leaving) figured it was a perfect opportunity for me to meet the person i’d be working for. So I was invited to have dinner with them all.

Aaron (class of ‘06) was there. David (class of 1958) was there. For those who don’t know….David is retired. He owned his own Medical supply company and did really well with that. Also with us for dinner was John, David’s buddy (class of 1958) and John’s wife. John is a retired judge. He lives in New Jersey and who, in David’s words, is “famous.” John’s wife is also a well-known researcher who travels alot and speaks at universities all around the nation. She’s quite the scholar.

So anyway…we went to Nassau Club, which is a ritzy upper-class country-club-esque type place that many alumni and Princeton people belong too. We went there…had a great meal….and really enjoyed eachother’s company….talked about family…..politics……life….stories…etc.

However….haha….boy was it quite the adventure. It was an interesting experience to say the least. These old guys are hilarious. They had their typical Princeton alumni outfit on. They had their nice old-fogie suits, crazy tie & socks, french beret…ya know…the whole works. They were constantly cracking jokes, sharing anecdotes and acting like little kids. It was great. I seriously couldn’t stop laughing. And we were there for about 3 hours…so you could probably imagine what it’d be like after all this time (and them drinking getting a little typsy…haha). It was hilarious.

They talked talked talked. Especially David. He asked me some questions to try to get to know me better and it went well. Once he found out I was Mormon, he started talking about how he’s been to Salt Lake a gazillion times blah blah blah. He didn’t speak negative things, but he would talk acting like he knew EVERYTHING about it. It was funny as I had to correct him many times. I put him in his place and I think he liked that.

Old dudes are funny. Espcially a Princeton alum like David. He knows he’s the bomb. He knows he’s super intelligent and wise. He has to ALWAYS be right. So it was funny as I corrected him or challenged some of his ideas. I didn’t bow down. And it was fun.

He’s excited to work with me for four years. He says he’s gonna give me an education. I think it’s funny how he really wants to keep a connection with Princeton and is thus having undergrads help out with the class of 1958 website. To me it’s cool though. It’s a great way to network. These guys know alot of people and are good contacts to have. For example, one of David’s daughters is a big time regional rep for Apple. Interesting.

It was funny hearing them talk about other classmates of 1958 and their encounters at reunions. “Anyone who’s almost 70 and still goes by Tiggy….ya know something’s wrong with him. He walks around reunions with his nose so high up in the air…he’s such a pompous a*s.”

I don’t curse. And I don’t think it’s right. But hearing these old dudes curse while talking smack about other classmates at reunions just cracked me up. Haha…oh man.

David shared one story while we were eating that really put me in pain from so much laughter. For some reason we were talking about trains. David took the train from New Orleans to Princeton and tomorrow he will return back to New Orleans by train. He said he’s only been on the train three times. He obviously usually takes the plane. But for some reason he wanted to take the train. He got a real fancy one….one that he could have his bedroom, etc. So he did.

Anyway….he talked about how he was traumatized on the second time he rode a train. He said it was about 20 years ago or so. He had heard about some train called the Coast Sky LIght (or something like that) that takes people from coast to coast…and it’s supposedly really luxurious. So he wanted to try it out. So he had his own room, bed, etc. “But there’s one thing that I really don’t like about those trains. It’s that you have to dine with people you don’t know at all.” David then went on to say that he absolutely hated to dine and sit on the same table with people he didn’t know. The dining room in the train was huge. There were more tables…empty. So David paid the waiter $10 to put him on his OWN table. He got his own table.

But then for some reason…an elderly couple was seated on his table. “I just didn’t understand. I paid the waiter ten bucks to put me on my own table and then the other comes and sit. That little bast**d of a waiter.” (remember…it’s this really old guy telling this story….very funny). Anyway, so the couple sits down and starts making conversation with David. David wasn’t really into it at all. But the conversation went on and the nice old couple found out that he was a doctor. The old lady was thrilled. “My husband here is terminally ill. He would really like to die on the Coast Sky Light Train. Can you help us?”

So David was put in this really awkward position. She was basically asking him to help kill the poor old man. “I felt sorry for the man….he had tubes going in and out from all over his body.” David went on to tell her that if she wanted it that bad…it would happen in some way. Shortly thereafter…it happened. They were sitting at the table…the man started flipping out. It was either a heart attack or a seizure….David didn’t know what it was…but the old man fell on the floor and started kicking.

Help was called. And they started working with the man down. David just left. Anyway, when the train arrived to its destination and they were all getting off the train. David saw that lady with a big smile on her face. “He got what he wanted. He’s gone. He died. Thank you so much.”

David didn’t know what to do. With an awkward smile and quite traumatized at this point, he said “you’re welcome.”

That’s it. That’s the story.

It’s probably not as funny as I tell it but when David was telling it tonight at dinner….haha….it was so funny.

So yeah. Dinner was very interesting. Princeton is such a cool place. David says that Princeton is such a special place because it teaches us how to think. Beyond that though it’s fun because you’re always meeting new people that have crazy stories and experiences to share. So much diversity. And there is so much tradition. David and John didn’t even know eachother in college. But through the reunions they became good friends. To me that’s really cool.

Aaron, the one i’m taking the job from will graduate this year. Wanna know what he’s gonna do when he graduates? He’s buying a one way ticket to Asia and will travel Asia and Europe for a year. He’s been saving up money but his real plan is to just find whatever short-term work he can get…living in hostiles….and just finding a way to survive….be it picking rice from rice fields in China or delivering papers in Italy. To me his idea is fascinating. And that’s one of the reasons I like Princeton so much….you never know who you’ll meet and what crazy ideas or experences they have to share.

Peace out.

Oh yeah. And unfortunately I DIDN’T find the “hottie at the gym” today. Sorry folks.

-Sir Mickey

OF THE DAY AWARDS…
Highlight of the day: Dinner with the class of 1958.
Lowlight of the day: I didn’t get ANY homework done.
Biggest Disappointment of the day: Bode Miller. 0-5 in Olympics this year. He had great expectations…but really just didnt get the job done. This is what he said, “I got to party and socialize at an Olympic level.” And Bob Costas completely ripped the dude apart too…it was pretty funny.
Sweet diggity Dog of the day: Apollo Ohno and his Gold medal in the 500m.
Crush of the day: Emmy Stevens
Random Photo of the day: See below. CFA called me up to do a quick photoshoot for a TV show they were shooting for TigerTV (the university channel). I was on my way out to the gym when he called…so that explains why i’m in sweats, headband, etc. I’m the one in the mirror. Word.

Well well well. Another blog. Another sneeze. Another poweraid. Another adventure. Another day. Days just seem to fly by…..I guess that’s a good thing. When you’re busy getting alot done….things fly and you can sleep better at night. The last couple days have flown. Good.

Yesterday I didn’t have time to write in the blog. But today i’ll make time. Yesterday was yet another crazy day. Though there is one thing worth recollecting that brings a smile to the face everytime I think about it. Anyway, somehow this really nice guy named Aaron (class of ‘06) found out I do alot of web design, etc….and he wanted to meet with me. I met with him yesterday and he told me about the opportunity and what it entails. Basically there’s an alumni dude, David, who LOVES Princeton and wants to stay connected with it in anyway. He’s class of 1958 (you can probably imagine how old he is). He basically is in charge of a class website they have that allows for all 58′ers to stay updated on what’s going on in eachother’s lives…deaths….etc. Aaron (class of ‘06) maintains the site right now. He wants to pass the torch to me. It gets pretty good pay…and it would be a four year commitment. He showed me what it entailed and basically it’s a pretty easy job. So basically how it works is this super cool alumni dude, David emails Aaron what needs to go up on the site and Aaron puts it up. Simple. Indeed.

However….there’s a catch. And it’s the catch that makes me laugh. Basically what the job description also entails is to be David’s friend. David (the alumni….who’s a super rich retired doctor who has all sorts of crazy inventions/patents….yet is going senile due to his age) comes into town often and just likes to have a buddy. Ya know….shoot the breeze….go out to eat….just chill…..and talk talk talk like the wonderful elderly do. Aaron (the current person in charge of the site) said that he’s often times been over to David’s house (even those out of state) and has really just become his good friend.

Haha….I don’t know about you all but to me that sounds like a pretty cool job. I’d be paid to maintain a simple site for the class of 1958 and i’d also be paid to be this elderly man’s friend. Aaron says that he talks alot alot alot……well…….I like to listen. So I think it’d be a perfect match. I’m sure i’d become good friends with him.

So yeah….I hope I can get that. That would be fun. It’s not everyday where opportunities like this arise. And he’s divorced right now so I could help him out with the ladies too…haha….jk.

Boo yah! Today was pretty cool too. I woke up early…was hired to do a quick photo shoot in the morning. From there I wrote a quick short story for my POR 300 class about certain aspects of my mission experience. Ya know….the companions….the people….the miracles. It’s fun. It’s always great to reflect and reminisce on those great two years I spent in Brasil serving those people. I love to think about it…….

Anyway. After class I ran over to Richardson Auditorium to figure things out with my slideshow that was presented tonight. The disc wasn’t being read….so I transferred the slided to Lide’s computer and ran smoothly there. After spending about an hour and a little there…I sprinted home….got changed….and went to the gym to run my usual 3 miles. Then I ate dinner.

Ha…I tried something different today for dinner. I’m pretty sure it was the FIRST time that those poor employees at Frist were EVER asked to mix mexican black beans with white-boy mashed potatos. Haha….it was funny to see the expression on their face as I asked….but oh was it delicious. Folks…you gotta try it sometime. It’s so delicious.

So yeah. From there I hit up THIS IS PRINCETON to watch the show and to see my photography showcased. That was fun. The show went well. There were some really weird videos and performances done though. I felt kinda awkward with some of the stuff. Yeah so after that I hit up Cafe Viv to see Sylvester and his band play. They were awesome! Sylvester sang Rapper’s Delight and yeah….it indeed was a delight. He did a great job on that. I was impressed. After that I played Chess at Viv with Grant & Oliver for about 45 mins…..then came home making an attempt to update my blog. Everyone’s emailing me telling me to get with it……so i’ll get with it.

So…..that’s me. That’s life right now.

Oh yeah…one more thing. I met this really cute girl while I was at the THIS IS PRINCETON show tonight. She was sitting behind me…and it’s kinda funny how we first got in contact (that’s another story) but we got talking and she’s really cool. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better…but then she said she had a boy friend so that kinda shuts things down…for now anyway. haha.

Peace out nerds. I’m a nerd. You’re a nerd. We’re all just a bunch of nerds.

-mickey

P.S. You know the hottie in the gym that I talked about in my blog on the 18th? Yeah…well….i’m gonna try to ifnd her tomorrow…same spot same time. Word. We shall see if I succeed.

I feel like i’m living my life playing “catch-up” right now. Things are starting to pile higher and higher on my plate. It’s getting kinda crazy. I really just need to take a step back, take a deep breath and regroup, reorganize and reprioritize. More and more people are contacting me to do work for them…be it graphic/web design or photography. I’m definitely happy about that, no doubt about it. However, trying to juggle all that with school, bodyhype, bball, BT mag, church responsibilities, webmaster responsibilities for 09/usg, and other things is no easy task. It’s quite difficult.

If only school didn’t exist…ha…but then again school is the only reason i’m here. I know I gotta step it up academically. I’m definitely getting alot of experience and education from these other things…but nonetheless….I know I need to do better with my readings, essays, and problem sets. I know it. It’s hard to find time though. And that’s why I say I feel like i’m playing “catch-up” because i’m basically only getting my homework done the day of (the morning of) class. And then it’s all just perpetual….I go throughout my daily activities….meetings, class, bball games/practices, dance rehearsals, more meetings, work out, eat, sleep…then I wake up…do my homework real fast….and do it all over again. Last night I didn’t go to sleep until about 6:00am. I was workin’ on a slide show w/ my photography that’s gonna be showcased this Friday at the “This is Princeton” event that highlights talent at Princeton. Everyday there are always things to do…new people to meet up with…..new projects to work on….etc.

It never ends.

And I guess that’s the beauty of life. It’s busy, it’s tough…but I’ve come to realize that’s really what makes life so fun. We can’t shy away from challenges. We must face them and conquer them. As simple, obvious, unprofound as it may sound, it still remains a fact: people that do things…well…..get things done. People that are busy always seem to get the most things done. And it’s a fact. But at the same time….ya gotta learn to work smart.

Another famous quote, “Working hard w/o vision is drudgery. Vision w/o working hard is daydreaming.” Definitely, one must know his objectives, work smart, and manage time wisely. That’s what i’m trying to do. And I definitely feel like i’m getting alot of things done. I try to squeeze as many things into my tight schedule as possible. It’s really just a habit i’ve always had. But a weakness I have is that it’s not always filled with the most important things. For example, I love to watch TV. I always put on the TV as i’m doing homework or something else. And I have my certain shows that I like to watch too…..24……Lost……Sportscenter. I basically watch Sportscenter everynight as i’m wrapping the day up. And it’s fun. I enjoy it. Balance is good….sports (and tv) helps keep me sane at times. I definitely could be doing more important things…but to me this is an important element of the day. I gotta have something to relax to every once in awhile. Many argue this to be a weakness. Perhaps they are right…but regardless….I need to relax a little bit.

My mission president was a retired colonal from the Brazilian army. He was very experienced and very wise. He always taught that to organize is to create. He taught us the importance of making sure things in our lives were organized, well planned out, and in order. If we did that, we would be creating space in our busy schedules to get more things done. Also, as we organize our time we start to realize that we have more time. We will start to think and ponder of new ideas, new ventures to do. Thus, we create. If we don’t organize and don’t manage our time wiseley….we’ll never progress. We’ll become robotic and just keep doing the same things over and over again. If you do the same things, you’ll get the same results….ulitmately making it impossible to progress. It’s so true. Progress comes through positive change. Positive change can only happen when we create the time to do things differently. We can’t do things differently if we are lost in the day-to-day work and never stop to see the bigger picture of things….if we don’t have the vision. The bottom line: To organize is to create.

Busy busy busy. That’s how life has got to be if ya wanna get things done. Ya gotta learn to work hard. It’s an attitude. It’s a lifestyle. But yes….ya gotta learn to have balance and to relax alittle too. I’ve learned though….that whenever I want something…I gotta go after it. Nothing comes easy. If it wasn’t hard then it wasn’t worth it. He who wants the fruit has to climb the tree to get it.

Nuff said. Work your booty off if you wanna get somewhere in life. Time to go to bed to prepare for tomorrow’s battles. Peace.

-Mickey

Well….i’m finally starting to get “settled in” as far as class schedule goes. I’m taking four courses. Journalism on the Screen (JRN 452). Empires and Diasporas: International Trade (FRS 158). Literary Masterpieces of Portugal and Brasil (POR 300). And Race, Class and Intellience in America (SOC 391). It’s interesting because three of these classes meet only once a week. However, all three are three-hour classes. I like it though. Less time in class yet alot of homework out. It’s a tradeoff i’m willing to take. I’ll be able to organize my time the way I want to. I like having flexible schedules. It’s good.

I’m really enjoying my Journalism class. It’s not about print journalism…it’s about broadcast journalism. The professor is very, very good. She only teaches us once a week because she is a full-time employee of NBC. She’s a producer on “dateline.” I’m sure many you have heard of it. She’s very knowledgeable and so far it’s my favorite class.

One thing that i’m starting to realize….is that I really, really enjoy trying new things. I really enjoy exploring territories i’ve never really explored before. For example…this whole journalism thing is actually pretty fun. I feel like doing something with it….just for fun, ya know…while i’m in school. I don’t know. Like…hmmm….let me see……doing interviews with celebrities or something. Or…..I don’t know. It’s weird how things can attract me so easily. Maybe I have ADD or something….I can get so easily distracted with things i’m doing at the moment….and start doing other things. I always have like 10 different projects or business ventures i’m doing at the same time.

And that’s why i’m starting to realize that the only life I could live is the life of an entrepreneur. I get sick of things too fast sometimes. I like adventure. I like risk taking. I like diversity. I like challenges. I like trying new things. There is no way….NO WAY….that I could just do ONE thing the rest of my life….be it staring in someone’s mouth the whole day, arguing in a courtroom, sitting behind a desk, or fixing up someone’s knee. I realize that there is no way I could do it. I’m too much of a thrill-seeker and explorer. The life of an entrepreneur is really the only life for me. And that’s a fact.

It’s weird I guess. But I like to keep on my toes. I get sick of “routine” sometimes. I like change. I like “freshness” of life and exploring new opportunities. I believe this to be one of my strengths…but at the same time one of my weaknesses. Because no doubt about it…there are somethings in life that i’m just gonna have to get used to and deal with for the rest of my life. Someday i’ll get married…and obviously I can’t just one day decide that I wanna try something new. That’s ridiculous. So really…I need to learn to control my desire to explore new things.

That’s really all there is to it. Life is one big adventure. It’s great. Anyway…i’m off to bed. Sweet dreams, world. Whoever you may be that is reading this right now. Sweet dreams. Tomorrow I don’t have class…but I have a gazillion other things to do. Oh great.

-mickey

Oh yeah…one more thing. Just for fun I thought i’d share a typical to do list in the life of Mickey.

To do list for February 21, 2006:
1) Put some photos on a slide show to get ready for Friday’s event (they’ll be showcasing my photography)
2) Write a short story for my Portugues class (due on wednesday)
3) READ A GAZILLION Pages and write an essay (due on Thursday) for my history class
4) Find out what my homework is in SOC 391….cuz I just barely got in and I haven’t been to any classes yet.
5) Call up PayPal to get things set up for online transaction on daddypix.
6) Finish USG website….(to see what it looks like now just click here!
7) IM B-ball game / club b-ball practice.
8) Watch Hubbard Street Dance Company perform at 8:00pm
9) Send CFA lyrics to new song so he can contact beat producer and filmer
10) Chris Chaney poster for black history month. Gotta finish it!
11) Contact media center about possible employment opportunity.
12) Reply to all my emails….especially Dale’s about HT.
13) Usuals….scriptures, gym, healthy meals, etc.
14) BE HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

Today was good. I did my usual Sunday activities. I woke up. I went to church (i’m starting to go to church up in NYC because there are more Mormons my age up there). After church I hung out with a bunch of them at their apartments….just chillin’. Some of the sweet girls cooked some dinner for us. And we just relaxed. It was good. I was starting to get pretty tired at around 8:00ish….so that’s when I caught the train and came back to Princeton. It’s a quick trip. It only took me about an hour and 15 minutes.

Then I got here and ate a snack downstairs in our building (some good Indian food) cuz we were having a “study break” as they call it. And now i’m just chillin’ some more….trying to figure out how i’m gonna get all my work done this week. My journalism class is tomorrow afternoon….and I haven’t done any of my homework yet. I’m gonna get up early and do it….but i’m starting to realize that i’m the world’s biggest procrastinator. That’s a bad habit and it needs to change. That’s the bottom line.

Another thing that’s been on my mind lately is friendliness. It’s an interesting concept: to be friendly. What does it mean? To what degree is being friendly okay? Why is it that so often people are unfriendly?

It’s subject to some interesting debate. It was in Brazil during my mission where I learned to be super friendly. We would knock doors, preach in the buses and on top of park benches, and just talk to whatever people we could find in the streets. Over a span of 2 years doing this…one pretty much learns what methods work and what methods don’t work in trying to strike up someone’s curiosity and grab their attention. I learned what it meant to be friendly. We would talk to everyone…say hi to everyone….and smile at everyone. It was alot of fun. It really helped me step out of my comfort zone as far as friendliness goes.

But now….as I try doing the same things….it seems kinda weird. Us Yankees are sometimes just really not very warm people. Sometimes i’ll be in the train, plane or subway and i’ll do everything in my power to strike up a conversation with people….just to be friendly and nice….and it really seems like no one wants to talk to a stranger. They get suspicious I think. They start to wonder what my motives are…what i’m trying to get out of them….am I selling something…..etc. It’s sad that this so often is the mindset of people these days. And sometimes I find myself asking the same questions when a stranger is friendly to me. What’s he trying to sell me? What does he ultimately want? And this is sad that it has come to this.

People’s rejection to my friendliness when I first got home from my mission was quite discouraging. And I think it has been wearing and tearing at my friendliness ever since.

Because of it…I’m starting to realize that I need to be more friendly. I need to get back up to the level I was at during my mission in Brazil. I need to smile more as I walk past strangers. I need be happy and excited to meet new people. I need to be just straight up more friendly. It’s something that i’ve been thinking alot lately….I can’t lose what I had so intensely learned on the mission….with respect to “people skills” and friendliness.

During the beginning of the school year….starting up classes….getting moved in….buying text books…..orientation etc……everyone was in that whole hi-my-name-is phase. Tons of friends were made and all was fine and dandy. However…now that we are basically just alittle over half way through the school year….everyone seems so reluctant to pull out the hi-my-name-is shindig. Even I. And I’m realizing that this must stop. I’m at Princeton, a relatively small university. I’m probably gonna end up meeting these people ANYWAY sometime down the road. I’m sure of it. So why not just meet them all now? Why wait a year or two when I can meet them now? It doesn’t make any sense to me. I should just meet everyone now as soon as I have the chance. Friends are good to have. Friends are AWESOME to have. I love friends and I love people in general. Us humans are for the most part very social…people dependant. We need people to interact with. We’ll go crazy without others.

And at a place like Princeton…it’s always fun to meet new people. Because everyone is so different, everyone has something incredible about them that isn’t evident at just a simple conversation. Most students that go through here always say that their real Princeton education didn’t come from the professors, rather, it came from their fellow classmates. That’s very interesting. And I believe it. Everyone has something about them that is special. And it’s so much fun getting to know them. You’ll get a smorgasboard of talents and cultures into one place. Nationally ranked chess players, world class athletes even in sports such as fencing and squash, geniuses who speak 5 languages or who invented some crazy cure or math theorem, kids of royalty, big time executives, or senators. You’ll get everything here. They surely aren’t all geniuses (i’m surely not a genius). And many of them quite frankly couldn’t have got in without their daddy writing a big check or donating money to put up a new building. However, there is something to learn from all of them. They all have different experiences to share, different beliefs to express, and different backgrounds to unveil. And this is exactly what the Princeton education is all about. Like my dad always says, “It’s all about the people.”

It really is all about the people. It’s not about cars, buildings, or material things. It’s not breathless obects that have no heart, soul, or feelings. It’s really just all about the people. Life…in general…..is just all about the people…how you treat them and interact with them.

So these have been my thoughts….I really just need to be kinder. I need to be friendlier. It’s a weakness that needs to be strengthened. I always remember this famous quote…by some well inspired person (i’m really not sure who) who said this: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

So that’s it. The goal that i’m really gonna try to focus on this week is being friendlier. Meet someone new every day. Smile at the stranger passing by me. Doing the small deeds that really make a difference.

I remember Einstein saying something to this effect: A fellow who does things that count, doesn’t usually stop to count them. Hopefully I can live that up to the fullest. And that is also my challenge to you…..reader. Whoever you may be. Be kinder this week. Be more friendly. Be happier. Smile.

“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.” ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Keep it real. Keep it fresh. Keep it kind. Love someone who doesn’t deserve it. And of course…be friendly! We all can improve…I know I can.

Your nerd in Jersey,
mickey lee hagen

I was at the gym today working out and an interesting thing happened. I saw someone…and she was pretty darn attractive. She was beautiful. I had never seen her before. To me this was a miracle because I have pretty much gotten around to seeing all the hot girls at the school just because it’s so small and because i’m used to keeping an eye out. Yet….I had never seen her before. Now…whenever I see a hot girl….I start the analysis. In Utah the percentage of me finding a good Christian girl is alot higher than that of me finding a good Christian girl here. Thus…I start to wonder. I start to think of the possibilities. I strike up this huge curiosity about the person’s character. What’s she like? What are her morals? What does she believe?

Now, let’s get one thing straight: Obviously I love to make friends with eveyrone….regardless of the person’s race, religion, or habits. I welcome diversity…and have found alot of it here at Princeton. I live with an open heart and an open mind….tolerant. Always. But at the same time…it’s fun for me to meet people that share a common belief, common standards of living, common moral codes. I was hoping she was one of these people. And another thing to clear up: i’m not looking for a girlfriend. I just felt attracted to her and I was interested in getting to know her better. That’s all. I wouldn’t want you to get any ideas…haha…..

So anyway…as I see hot girls here and there…I always have great faith in them. For some reason I always have this HUGE faith that the girl will be some good Christian girl. A girl that was raised right and tries to keep herself living at high moral standards. I find myself with this faith always….no matter how many times reality proves contrary.

As a matter of fact…most of the time i’m wrong in this faith….and the hot girl turns out to be just like the others…..somewhat lost spiritually. But nonetheless I keep the faith.

So….in the gym today as I noticed that girl….I had this faith. She was dressed modestly. She had a certain charm about her. A certian innocence in the way she moved. Me not having seen her before was a plus. It meant she wasn’t super social….she wasn’t at many of the activities…which means less guys know about her….which could equate to less trouble with guys, parties, etc.

So that was my faith. I had a strong faith that today I was gonna gain a new Christian friend. A beautiful new Christian friend. So anyway…the plan was to talk to her once I was finished doing my dips. She was lifting the dumbells. I had one set left and had finally worked up the courage to go on and talk to her. As soon as my last set was done I was gonna do it. I turned my back to do the dips….finished…..and started making my way towards where she was. Brave Mickey….here I go.

Tragedy struck!

I couldn’t find her. Anywhere. I went upstairs to see if she had gone upstairs. Nowhere. She wasn’t anywhere. I was sad. Sad sad sad. It was hard working up the courage to go and talk to her…and when I finally did work up the courage….she disappeared.

So basically my plea is that this hottie reappear. I wanna meet her. Where are you at my dear hottie?

If by some crazy chance there is a girl reading this that went to the gym today at around 4:30….and you’re blonde……and were lifting dumbells downstairs…..

…well……you’re cool. Email me.

-mickey lee hagen

OF THE DAY AWARDS…

Crush OF THE DAY Award: The hottie in the gym.
Coolest Cat OF THE DAY Award: Shani Davis, first african-american gold medalist in the winter olympic games.
Biggest Dork OF THE DAY Award: Me…for not talking to the hottie in the gym a little earlier.
Bummer OF THE DAY Award: Apolo Ohno….some darn south korean beat Apolo again in speed skating.
“Freshest” OF THE DAY Award: Tonight I went to a cool breakdancing expo. It was indeed quite “fresh”!
Sweetest surprise OF THE DAY Award: Check out the picture below. I know it’s a little bit nasty but the reason I like it so much is because it reminded me of home. My mom would ALWAYS put little flush reminders up in the bathroom when we were little…..so this sign in our suite’s bathroom brought a nice little smile to my face. I’m not sure who put it up but I think it’s funny. (And I promise that I flush)