4.07.2005

Long Distance B Day
Even though I am on the other side of the country... I need to send a big shot out to Miguel. Today he gets one year older. I called him between programs here at my conference. Miguel was a big inspiration to me, in many ways...

He helped me during my first years in college, where some of the hardest years of my life. I could not have asked for a better academic mentor, him and his grad school buddies welcomed me to academia. While pledging Sigma Lambda Beta he became my fraternal Brother as well as roll modeling how to be a good Brother. Upon entering grad school, he gave me tips, advice, and even reviewed my thesis. He's been a great all around big Brother. He tells me when I mess up, and he tells me when I make him proud, like a good Brother should.

Soon Miguel will have a PHd and be Dr. Centellas... the nutty professor. He has the nutty part down, now he just needs the title to make it all official. I can't wait to see Miguel, on his moped riding to class... tweed jacket, leather elbow patches, leather attache case, iPod... heading to teach young college minds. Can't wait to see you on Sunday bro!

So WRGLC... man it is nuts over here! We made a lot of changes to the conference this year and it has been hectic trying to keep up and having everything in place. My big opening show tonight went well, rocked the house and added some new features which people loved. Then I DJed the St. Judes 4-Square Tournament at night and that was a riot... funny requests... and a good way to unwind the night.

Tomorrow... huge luncheon... lots of AV. Get to handle three powerpoints, one DVD presentation, and a slew of different speakers... Then, I got scheduled to run AV for two presentations at the same time... lets see how I handle that... I love this stuff! I am in a zone... two Macs... two screens... lights... mics... I am the King of the AV Booth.

4.03.2005

Short Breath
My Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) presentation went very well. Had about 300 students attend, and they enjoyed it and I got great reviews afterwards. I tried to mix funny with serious and I think the message got through. That is all I can hope for when doing a hazing presentation.

It was a beautiful day in Missouri and the campus was very scenic.

It was a tough crowd, all the football players sat right in front.

Each time I speak I still get nervous before hand and worried over how it will go. So tonight I went to Outback, got a huge steak, and relaxed for a little bit. I have been on the run for too long now... lets recap on what I have been up to...

Greek Week... man it was a lot work, despite the fact that I tried to stay out of the arguments, points regulation, and detail planning... I got sucked it. It is a phenomenon which is very hard to understand. Something about Greek Week gets everyone acting all crazy to win a small plastic trophy. It was a ton of fun though. There were some major upsets, some good teachable moments, and I even got the President of the college involved a couple times. At the closing ceremonies he said this Greek Week was the best since he has been at the college. So that made me feel good.

Something about these trophies gets everyone acting crazy.

Once the dust settled... the TKE/Delta Gamma team won.

Crossing... Friday night the GVSU Betas crossed three more men into the fraternity. Since we restarted the colony there in the fall of 2002 they have crossed 15 men into the Brotherhood. Very impressive. Whats more impressive is the quality of the men, their dedication to the principles of Sigma Lambda Beta, and what good Brothers they have become. No wonder they keep winning all the awards.

You can tell they are Neos... smiling in a picture.

The now famous East District Crossing pose, throwing up the LB.

WRGLC... so the conference starts this week! Man it has come way to fast this year. Working on all the publication materials, designs for signs, name tags, and most importantly all the big AV shows and set ups... I love working on this stuff, but it was really stressful trying to get all of that out in the middle of Greek Week and preparing for my trip here to SEMO.

So right now I am just taking a short breath. Tomorrow morning I get up super early to drive to airport and fly back to Michigan. I work at Albion Monday and Tuesday and then I drive to Chicago to fly to San Francisco for WRGLC 2005. I will be there until late Saturday night, right after I finish the show for the banquet I fly back to Chicago on the red eye. I will be in on time for a Centellas Family Brunch for the birthdays of Miguel (4/07), my dad (4/10) and my little NovalĂ­ (4/10). They will all be in Chicago. I get to spend sometime with them, and then drive back for work on Monday. World wind trips... yes sir! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Good night World... Stay Classy.