I'm sure nobody's surprised - it is the only way I know how to do this. Five years ago today, we graduated from college. It's amazing how that coincides with the five-year reunion. I hope we have a good turn-out. I trust it will be awesome, regardless of how many people can make an appearance.

It's nearly been a year since anybody wrote on this thing. Facebook killed the alumni blogger, no doubt. We know about people getting married or having kids or living on the other side of the world. But somehow it seems even more transient than this. Of course, this is linear. Blog on top of blog. Thoughts buried by more thoughts, ad infinitum. I guess Facebook tends to be less than linear - profile pictures that swap each other out, photo albums and status updates, links... I still find it to be rather deceptive in nature - the thought of being connected to people in such a way - it's almost like dating a person who lives 1,600 miles away. But, the future arrives, regardless of our chagrin. Jobs come and go. Apartments are eventually replaced by houses. Children sprout up like coddled weeds (I'm not calling your kids weeds... am I?). I guess I'm just stalling. Why? I don't know.

I doubt it's news to anybody, but I'll be returning to live in Minnesota. I have already left my home of four years - the Pacific Northwest, with its temperate climate, snow-covered mountains and beautiful ocean scenery. I'm at that inbetween point (most people call it Wyoming), with a non-stop 30 mph wind and green-brown prairie grass making me think limbo doesn't sound very different. Some of life includes patiently waiting for the next thing. I'm waiting to see my girlfriend again. Tomorrow she is the photographer of the next graduating class. In three weeks, she'll be here to see me, and make my quiet return to Minneapolis, hoping to find a job and a place to stay. The rest of the story is too detailed for this venue, even with my previous record of blogblabbery. So, just expect that I'll try to return on our anniversary, every year until the robots shut down this blog, or I have more important things to do than fill internet pages with words that nearly no one will care about.

I hope to see you next month. Or maybe next year.

-Hubka

I've joined Lynnea Faith Erixon (or is it no longer Erixon?) in the ranks of the Masters of the Arts!  Now it's off to ND!

I'm sure you can't be surprised by the timing of this post, though I am always surprised that nobody else seems to notice it like I do. We graduated four years ago today. Mathematically speaking, you could fit a half-dozen new Norton children in that amount of time. Our lovely mother-blognea created this place for us, and here we have been, like children who only come home when they are called to dinner or bed.

It was great seeing Lenny's Cinco de Moustache on Monday. My own celebration was referenced in terms I'd rather not relay here, but it was still a good celebration. I think JD was in on the festivities too. Now Babyface Hubka goes to work with a cold chill on his cheeks, and it's a little bit like graduating (the feeling of loss, that is). That was a long time ago, wasn't it?

I really don't have much to talk about. I'm looking for plane tickets in a vain attempt to show for a younger Mann's wedding next month. Don't get your hopes up, either of you - it's just too expensive. It would be a great excuse to be back, but I might have to save up if we're at all serious for a 5-year here all too soon.

It's official, regardless of how you reckon it. We've lived longer away from school than in it (a few of you don't count, working there afterwards). I'll try not to call out every anniversary from here out, or worry that a month will pass without a post. Four years is a long blog, by today's standard. I'm sure I'll see most of you sometime soon.

Sincerely,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Hubka

It's official!

For those who don't know, I accepted an offer to the PhD program in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, where I will start in August. According to the unofficial (and only) graduate philosophy department rankings, they are #13. More importantly, they have nine professors doing metaphysics (my intended area of specialization) and several others with whom I'm very interested in working. The financial package is outstanding as well: 5 years of guaranteed funding (with an option for a 6th if I'm progressing well), full tuition remission and fees, health insurance, $19.5k stipend for three of the years and $16k the other two, and 1.5 years of no teaching responsibility. This is a great program and a great offer, and I am absolutely on cloud nine. Come visit me in South Bend!

I met him.

I know, I was as surprised as you are. I was at The Guthrie (for reasons I will explain later) on a Wednesday afternoon, when a glance at the two people coming out of the elevator caused me to do a double take. In an effort to seem cool and important to the person I was with, I tried not to stare or run over to meet him. Fortunately, my companion already knew them and soon I found myself talking with him. Well, if "talking" means standing silently while the three of them talked, while my inner dialogue ran rampant: "Is it him, or is it not? I can't tell. It sure looks like him, but he doesn't talk like him...I think it's him, but maybe it's not..." As though he was reading my mind, he turned to me, extending his hand, and said, "I'm Brian, by the way." Inner dialogue: "It is him." I realized that he was still shaking my hand and I hadn't actually said anything out loud, so I looked him in the eye and said, "I'm nobody."

I'm really great with first impressions. Luckily, he laughed saying "Well, I'm nobody either." Unfortunately, my rambling inner dialogue unleashed itself verbally, and it all came pouring out of my mouth: "I just meant that I don't belong here. I mean I don't work here or anything. I'm just here for an interview, so I'm not important or anything..." I just couldn't stop because I knew that nothing I said was making sense, and I felt like I needed to just keep going until it got better. But it didn't. So gave up, and he diffused my silliness by just saying, "Well, good luck with the interview. I hope it all works. out."

Which brings me to my news: It did work out.

I am officially the new Literary Intern at The Guthrie. I started last week! Those who know me well know that this is something I've been wanting to do for years now, so it's very exciting that it has finally become a reality. Of course, I'm still working full-time apart from The Guthrie, so it's been busy, but I know in the end it will be worth it. I just need to find some time to sleep...oh, I'll worry about that later.

So, I know it's been a long time since I've blogged, but if you ask me, it was worth the wait.

(I apologize that this is a re-run post from my personal blog, but I blog so rarely these days that I need to get double the mileage out of my posts!)

I don't want to post over Brad's awesome news, so make sure you scroll down and read his post! A Crown brother needs our help. Some of you may have received this already, but I wanted to make sure that everyone saw this. Aaron needs our help!

The following is from Aaron Krienke:

As most of you are aware, I am a finalist for the hit TV Show “Deal or No Deal”. I am waiting to hear back from the producers. This could be soon, but I need your help in making this possible. In an effort to persuade producers to actually put me on the show, I’ve put together a 10 sec survey (It’s super quick). Basically all I need is 1,000 supporter’s names by March 1, 2008. So it’s important that you fill this out immediately! Note: This does not guarantee I will be chosen, but will only increase my chances of not being overlooked.

Also, another key to success is getting as many names as possible. So please send this link to as many people as possible that would want to see me on the show. I’m not a huge fan of forwards myself, but this time I absolutely need your help or I won’t gather enough names.

Note: Also, if you currently are a student at Crown College, please make sure to enter your home city & state instead of using St. Bonifacius, MN.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Nceo7Ivqy_2fWZvRorG5Lsvw_3d_3d

Again, thanks for your support! Hopefully, you’ll be seeing me on a future episode of Deal or No Deal.

Just take a minute and fill it out. it seriously is SO SHORT! 3 questions: name, city and would you watch if he makes it on (you better say yes)

I got accepted to UCSB's PhD program! I'm not sure about the size of the stipend yet, but it sure looks like, regardless of what happens with my other applications, I'll spend the next five years getting paid to study philosophy!

Venice. thanks guys.

and that web address is old. www.theburn247.com is the new one.

i was going to say something about ash wednesday-- but now it is the thursday after. shall i delve into some metophical prose about that in relation to geckos. hmm. ok im done. out. but dont even envision me slamming the door, because the imagery should not include that.

does anyone have any connections/ friends in italy? i know someone who is in the airforce over there and simply needs some people connections. thanks. hope you are all well, are you?

check out www.burn24-7.com get involved. you won't regret it. promise.

take care.

jas

Well, I've begun the PhD application process. I'm applying to twelve schools, which each get an average of 200 applications and allow six to ten students in to the program. Yesterday was the deadline for UC-Davis, and tomorrow is the deadline for Rutgers. I'll keep you posted, if you keep me in your prayers.

Hello everyone! For anyone who will be in the Twin Cities on December 23rd: We are having the 7th Annual Christmas Party Extravaganza at 7:00 and everyone is invited! Because my roommate is getting married the day before (and our house will be torn apart), we will be having the party at my parents' house, as is tradition. Let me know if you'll be around and want any more details.

Merry Christmas!

I've been trying to think of something to put on here for a while, and it just came to me, like inspiration, I guess. And then I realized I couldn't remember how to post on here any more. I haven't actually posted on here since August. That's ridiculous for me. Great for the general readership. I'm up to a nearly every day post on my blog, but I realized how good this is for general info blogging, and not for rambling, meandering nothingness that tends to sprinkle from my fingers into this keyboard and onto this screen. But I am not here for an update of any sort, except to say that I'm no longer in love with my boss - my ideal little work world was shattered in the course of a morning not a few weeks ago, and it cannot be returned to the perfection that was my first office job. No big deal. Just part of growing up, I guess. Being jaded, that is. And grumpy. Turns out I'll be great at both of those. I was actually going to say something... Oh yes.

For the sake of the Denver-area transplants who might actually end up reading this by accident, I thought I would remind them that I will be in Cheyenne from the 18th until Christmas Day (in fact, I fly out Christmas Day, so the routine see Hubka off to the airport after dinner thing probably won't jive with family plans). I don't know when I am going to make it down to say hello (I fly into Denver that Tuesday night, 8 or 9 p.m., I think, so I didn't think anybody would be up for saying hi that late, and I'm probably heading straight home anyway, but let me know about any ideas). Probably Wendesday, Thursday, or Friday. I'll be calling Wakefield to try and coordinate what's happening, but I thought somebody might see this and try to get the wheels turning that much sooner.

Or maybe you Minnesota people would remember how much you miss me, and in that fondest of sentiments you would make a trip out to the Rockies just to see old Hubka. Of course, if that was the case, you could always make a trip out to the Pacific and enjoy much better weather, but all this is based on an unlikely assumption.

On a side note, do you realize that in another four months, we will have spent more time away from college than we spent in it?

Maybe to open things up a bit... Lynnea, what have you been reading lately (or, if you're not Lynnea, substitute your name and give a good answer, even though it seems generic and useless, and I refuse to fall prey to my own plea)? I hope all is well, wherever you guys are now.

She's a Canadian now...
Or at least she's trying to be. I thought it was about time that I gave a little update on Krista's wedding, since I feel like it's been the main focus of the last 10 months. And, as usual, my method of giving an update is by posting as many pictures as I can without being too much of a blog-hog.

In brief, the wedding was beautiful, which everyone says about everyone's wedding, but perhaps I was a bit partial to this one...
The fact that this union also means that Krista and Tyler are relocating indefinitely to Canada gave an extra layer to the usual emotions experienced at a wedding, and there were plenty of tears shed by all (even the bride herself).

The only hindrance that threatened the goal of a smooth wedding day was that Krista decided at the last minute that she wanted the best man to cut his hair. And she wanted to do it herself. On the morning of her wedding. Our leisurely morning of coffee, Erik's homemade Swedish pancakes, and experimental hairstyles quickly turned into a hectic afternoon when we realized that Jimmy's last-minute haircut put us about 2 hours behind schedule.
This wake-up call jolted the 20 (or so) of us hanging around the house back into action, and we quickly got back on schedule. But I think that the extra stress was worth it. Check out Jimmy's "after" picture...

After the minor setback, everything was perfect. A few Canadian jokes cracked by the officiant (my dad) lightened the mood of the ceremony enough so that everyone stopped crying, Krista was breath-taking bride, Sarah Ebner was a stellar wedding coordinator, and the reception was so fun that Krista and Tyler were actually the last ones to leave.
Of course it made me excited for my own wedding, mostly because I won't have to do any of the planning she did for hers. Krista's words of wisdom: "Lynnea, whatever you do, don't have a traditional wedding." Got it. And now she's off in Canada, and we're all missing her terribly, but we're simultaneously thrilled that she and Tyler finally tied the knot after all these years. And I'm sure Canada won't keep her forever.

I hate to use this blog to promote my sons blog, but I just thought you needed to see this! I must say, I picked it out myself! Way Fun!

So another quick update in my life. I found out yesterday morning that I am going to finally be the father of a little boy! I have been hoping beyond all hope that this one would be a son. Someday I will write about the desire I felt and still feel to pass on to a son what God has made me. But I do not have time right now.