Beard Blog: Day 63 of 730 (A little late)

Hello readers,
Sorry for posting a day late, but I've been having fun, and on second thought I won't apologize for that.

Thanksgiving break was an amazing time to reconnect with my family, but I found myself longing for the brotherhood that is Bowman house. Sorry about the lack of a week 8 picture, that's something I will be sorry about but guess what?! I got a new camera during pre-black Friday shopping. So after this week's picture, they should be a lot better! Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read this, it means a lot to know that my Typing isn't just lost in cyberspace. Love you all!
-Cody James Gorell

Beard blog: part 8 of 104

Well it's thanksgiving break. And there are a lot of things to be thankful for today. :) from new and continuing friendships, to having a roof over my head. This year I am especially thankful for friends and family. I'm at my uncle's house right now, and my uncle Paul is here. Uncle Paul is the other one doing the two year beard with me, but his facial hair grows a lot faster. :/
I'm going to update this tomorrow with the picture, because right now it's really late, and I can't be bothered to try and take a picture in pitch black. God bless!

-Cody James Gorell

Blog... (Week 7 of 104)

Beards! Well this last week was pretty good overall. Friday night I got to hang out with some pretty awesome people and play 1 to 5. The scary version of 1 to 10. Worked on awesome stuff after that and basically lived the average christian college life until today, went to my classes, and now I'm supposed to work on food with other friendlies for passport to culture tomorrow, and then Saturday I go home! Woah... home... I don't know how it will feel, because I already feel home here.
Yet another sideways photo this week, enjoy it.

Beard blog: Week 6 of 104

Oh look, day 42 has finally come around. That's pretty cool. So I've been feeling very up and down this week, I'm pretty sure the kitchen staff is slowly poisoning us with their mediocre cooking, but if I was really that concerned I could just make something myself... I'll probably do that. For now I'm doing my best to just get out of bed. So, hey look, it's quite possibly a sideways picture of myself laying down, because I'm typing this from my phone and I'm pretty sure that the photo doesn't rotate itself to the best position... whatever... have a great week!

-Cody James Gorell

Week 5, only 99 left

Hey everybody,

Today is day 35 of 730. which can only mean a few things.
A: I'm officially a month in.
B: My beard is growing faster that I thought it would.
C: Everyone else is starting no shave November today and I just get to sit back and watch

About the blog, I really haven't been feeling the whole post every day thing, especially when I don't have a topic, so from now on I will post weekly, like I have with the beard blog all along, and if I feel like there is something else I need to share then I will post some other time in the week. Other that that, have a blessed rest of the week!

Beard Blog: 4 of 104

Day 28:  702 left,
It's hard being here, you know? This school imparts morals and values upon you that people outside the campus don't really understand. It's a gift, but people treat it as ignorance. I'm here to make something of my life, in a christian setting, while secular schools strip away every last bit of the christian outlook for a Darwinist outlook on life. I hate getting in arguments and Facebook is the medium that brings together both cultures so closely, then gives them free reign to argue over what they believe is right. Maybe just stopping this Facebook thing for a while would be best, for me, and for the people who have trouble understanding the fact that I have morals. anyway, Here's week four's picture.

-Cody James Gorell

The two year beard: Backstory and reasoning

Today is the day that I write about a touchy subject; one that directly relates to why I am doing the two year beard, Josie. On September 20th, 2012 a dear cousin of mine, Josie died of a rare type of brain cancer. One week later, after seeing the concept of the two year beard from someone else, I decided to take the concept and put my own motive on it. last December Josie had a surgery to try and remove a portion of the tumor, the surgery resulted in Josie becoming paralyzed on her right side. Quite a while before, my uncle Paul had started growing out his beard, and while most of the family (including Josie) were not big fans of the beard, Paul and I were, and still are, beard enthusiasts. He made Josie a promise, he promised that if she could touch his beard with her right arm, he would shave it just for her. After a long while and lots of therapy, she did it. That moment touched my heart and I will never forget it. and in memory of her passing I decided to make the two year beard my own, for Josie. and, while it is a personal thing for me, I feel like it has the potential to be so much more. Please show your support to help make it more than just a personal thing.

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Seven Nation Army by, The White Stripes
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY

Beard Blog: Part 3 of 104

Hello!

Sorry it's been a few days, I've been studying for midterms and haven't even glanced at my blog, but today is Thursday! which means It's officially day 21 of 730! I really hope people can keep up with the awesomeness that ensues week by week. I've got a Chemistry mid-term in two hours and other classes before then, so I'll see you all later!

-Cody James Gorell (and beard)

Sunday activities, and hot sauce flavored sunflower seeds

Hello world,

Sunday activities are usually scatterbrained. after church today I watched Mitchell play 007 Goldeneye for about three hours before actually getting lunch, after that we decided that we need to start a game that multiple people can actually play at once, so we made character sheets for a few hours (thankfully my homework is done) and now I'm here, sitting in front of a laptop that barely runs well enough to put out a daily blog, splitting hot sauce flavored sunflower seeds between my teeth and typing this little message that I hope gets out to people around the internet. Sleep well readers. You are dearly loved.

-Cody James Gorell

Video-game inspired movies

Hello there!

So I got an article posted on my facebook wall today, about the Gears of War movie finally getting back on track, and I have to say, it's about time. If you don't know about this idea but are intrigued, please read on. After the release of the first Gears of War video game, production of the Gears of War movie began. The movie originally had a budget of just over 100 million dollars, but was cut down, and Len Wiseman, the director at the time bailed. Since then they have tossed around the idea of having it relate nothing to the actual games and books, but being more of a straightforward alien invasion-Esq movie. Thankfully though, the movie is not yet but instead, going to make a comeback! the producer has not been pinned down yet, but  whoever it is, will most definitely make it great, and the plot has been rumored to revolve around the time of E-day (emergence day)  which is the first time locust broke through the ground and started attacking, for a brief overview of people who have played the games but don't know more of the back story, the original Gears of War game takes place 14 years after E-day.  That is all I'll say for now, but let me know if you like this content, because I can talk about the other video game inspired movies in production, such as Assassin's Creed, and Mass Effect. Goodnight all you awesome people!

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Mad World, by Gary Jules
Listen here!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4

Cooking for friends and playing Goldeneye

Hey!

I just noticed I haven't put anything out yet today so Hey! this blog is about that I'm doing today and tomorrow! Tonight I'm going to be finishing up a paper for LDR 150 then playing golden-eye in Andrew's room because it's awesome. Tomorrow is going to be a lot of random and awesome, But tomorrow evening I get to cook for my friends before we go to a bonfire, I'm going to be making fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken, and quite possibly something else awesome for dessert. which I haven't told any of them yet. I've been told that the girls from reed that are going don't know my yet so they don't trust my cooking though. it's their loss really. pictures will be up on sunday's blog :) have a great weekend readers!

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Sleep Apnea, by Chevelle
Listen here!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Su7thLsQME

Beard Blog: Week 2 of 104

Hello awesome people,

it's week 2! and best week yet in my opinion. I've been given the opportunity to cook a lot more than usual this last week, and I enjoy it almost too much. This weekend there's a bonfire and I'm making dinner for the small group that's going, no matter what they say. :) I'm slowly catching up on assignments, even though I wish I was able to focus enough to finish them quicker. Shout out to all the people that have made my week memorable! you know who you are :) Beard picture below, now it isn't growing very fast anymore, but it's still improved enough to be considered growth.
much love to my readers,

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Demons, by Imagine Dragons
Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSoIWEGL1YM

Major changes

Hello there!

As the title should have you presuming, there are a lot of major changes going on lately, from room arrangements to the announcement of the College president resigning at the end of the year, but the major changes I want to talk about today are more narcissistic. I want to talk about Spiritual changes, and the act of changing my major that has come as a product of these spiritual changes. Since I have been at IWU I have been able to reconnect in a spiritual sense that has not existed for some time, constant prayer has kept me in touch with where I feel called to go in life, and as of recently where I have been called is simply, not into nursing, Next semester I will be taking classes as a pre-declared student until I can truly find what my calling is in life... and cookie bowls didn't go as well as planned so we made one big cookie with what was left. Well awesome people, it was great typing to you, keep your chin up.

Many Brofists,
-Cody James Gorell

 Music listened to while writing: You always make me smile, by Kyle Andrews
Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grnkCPxdTdU

College catch-up, Writing a book, and homemade cookie bowls

Hello World,

So today's blog is a little late, but that's because I've been trying to catch up on a few papers that I've fallen behind on for Introduction to life calling. After Josie Passed I've had so much trouble actually concentrating on Writing for school, and I've got an Idea for a book. which... I will not release more ideas about now, but maybe later

We're making cookie bowls tonight, which... is a pretty big deal, because like... it's a bowl... made out of cookie dough... I don't know how it's going to turn out, but I hope it's amazing... pictures tomorrow!

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Joker and the thief, by Wolfmother
Listen here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySjXFjLTagQ

B1 Banana suits and Pocket Rocket gangs

Hello you,

I got a sweet delivery today from a friend who went home over the weekend and brought back stuff from my mom (Thanks Mike). and in the box was my Banana suits, you know, the one I have on my Facebook profile. anyway we put them on, and walked around a bit, probably making some people think we're weird.

Yesterday I had the great idea of starting a pocket rocket gang. Now if you don't know what pocket rockets   are I'm going to insert a picture below, because there are two meanings and one isn't appropriate.

anyway these things stand a whopping two feet tall and have a two stroke, 50cc engine. I feel like B1 needs to get a few and have their own pocket rocket gang. Because nothing quite says "I'm one of the coolest freshman on campus" quite like riding a pocket rocket with anywhere from 1-15 others at once. dear family members... you have been informed.

-Cody James Gorell
P.s. possible second nightly post in an hour or two. be ready for it.

Music listened to while writing: The final countdown, by Europe
Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

Nightmares and Feelings

Hey everybody,

So I've been having Nightmares lately, A lot... It's become a nightly ritual of falling asleep even later than the night before in hopes that I won't be asleep long enough to experience them. They're always vague when I wake up, but vivid enough to be real life while they are happening, always ending in tragedy, being stabbed, shot, losing loved ones, or even just depression.

I don't feel welcome in my major anymore. The passion I thought I felt for nursing has eroded, like a sandcastle in high tide. leaving no traces of being interested in the first place. The only thing I find myself being able to do willingly is blog, and pace around without purpose. I've written a list of questions that I need to find answers for before I can consciously decide where I belong in life, heading up the list are the questions "Who am I?" And "Is this where I truly belong?" Lost is the most vague way to describe my current feelings.

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Far From Refuge, by God Is An Astronaut
Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6MKBzti0P4

Being a packers fan in Indiana

Hello world!

Today is the day that the Green Bay Packers play the Indianapolis Colts, now being a packers fan in Indiana is a rough thing today, and normally a lot of other sports fans conform to Indiana sports teams, But this Man is bleeding green and yellow deep in hostile territory. I will without a doubt be despised if the packers win but I'm fine with that. Mother if you are reading this I am in dire need of my packers jersey so I can represent. Probably going out to eat later today with the crew. because there is nothing in the way of food on campus that is open today. Much Love!

-Cody James Gorell

Delicious Dinner

Hello world! just got done making dinner for myself, Nathan, and Mitchell. Ended up making dinner for two others too, 1.5lb bacon cheeseburger cut into pieces and then a 2/3lb burger for Alex. WARNING: Incoming pictures of awesomeness, here we go!

1.5lb monster 

 cut into quarters

 Alex's Burger

B1 Brunch

Hello World!

Amazing thing happened today, after buying two dozen eggs and two pounds of bacon earlier this week, we got to use them. Right about 11:00 all the guys who were awake went upstairs and made some delicious french toast, eggs, and bacon, and... as I reiterate it now, it was delicious. the B1 guys who went home this weekend really missed out! feast your eyes!  BACON WEAVE
Be prepared for some dinner pictures too, we have a pretty good idea going for that.
Much Love,
-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: The Boxer, by Mumford And Sons Featuring Jerry Douglas and Paul Simon

Monster brownies

Hello world!

Last night myself and other B1 brothers had the idea of making brownies, so we grabbed the materials to make the delicious treats (and a monster to drink) and started on our merry way to deliciousness. on the way up we run into an R.A. named Connor, who saw the brownie mix, and monster, and asked if we were making a crazy concoction. After a few moments of contemplation we unanimously decided to put an energy drink in our brownies. many minutes of anticipation later this deliciousness emerged from the oven.

The brownies were effective in the energy part, but not as delicious as I expected them to be, maybe when I go home next time I can make copious amounts of monster frosting to put on regular brownies instead.

Music listened to while writing: Towers, by Bon Iver
Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t60roHM1t7o

Two year beard weekly update: (Week 1 of 104)

Hello world!

Beard update week 1 of 104
Well, seeing as this is the first time I'm doing the beard update thing I'm still not sure what to really talk about,  so! The beard is growing a little, and I'm pretty glad. Tuesday night was B1 unit dinner with our "sister unit" and we got sorta reamed out for not singing to them like we had promised a couple times before but never really been prepared for. We finally prepared ourselves and serenaded them, and it went pretty well, I didn't feel great with the pitch of the songs but the B1 guys worked with me on that, maybe possibly most likely not going to post that sometime. I feel like this post hasn't accomplished much but the picture right below this will  complete the post. enjoy looking at the beard

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Shake Me Down, by Cage The Elephant

Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27TRan1SBI

(Muse)ic induced bliss

Hello world!

Today's topic is about my favorite band dropping a new album yesterday, and how overjoyed I am right now. Yesterday Muse released their new album titled The 2nd Law, which, from what I've listened to so far, was well worth the wait. Animals is my favorite song so far, mainly for the beat and trademark voice that is Matthew Bellamy. The 2nd Law is my favorite album yet, closely followed by Black Holes And Revelations. This new album is a dream come true and would be greatly welcomed onto the shelf or into the iTunes library of any lover of good music.

on a side note, today is my brother's 22nd birthday, so everyone put your hands together briefly for a Man that greatly influenced who I am, both with his words of encouragement, and the actions that he made that I learned from. Happy Birthday Gregory, Love you Brother.

Music listened to while writing: Explorers, by Muse

Nine egg breakfasts and Friends

Hello world!

This morning I woke up a bit earlier than I needed to, so I grabbed my carton of 24 eggs that still had 18 left in it, and went up to the kitchen on the second floor. while cracking eggs I noticed that they expire tomorrow, so I cracked them all, made 18 scrambled eggs, and started on my way to find someone who wanted to share. Andrew across the hall told me last night that he didn't have a class until 1:40 so I brought the two, nine egg plates into Andrew's room and we shared them after smothering them in Frank's Red Hot.
I've been talking to friends from home lately and I kinda miss it there, although I know if I went back I would end up in a dead end job, so for now I'm going to get edgimicated and make a decent future for myself.

-Cody James Gorell
Music listened to while writing: Cinema, by Benny Benassi

Pokemon parties, Hot Rod, and Homecoming week

Hello World!

I wanted to discuss the great things going on in B1. two weekends ago while I was at home, the rest of my B1 family found a website. When I got back I found a bunch of people had started playing pokemon on their laptops and were reliving their not too distant childhoods. Being an avid lover of the games and an android phone owner I found a way to get an emulator on my cell phone and now whenever I'm not doing my schoolwork I can play pokemon on my phone. also, I watched Hot Rod for the first time last night after finding out that Hot Rod is basically one of the most talked about movies on campus, I didn't really find it all that funny, but i've been told that the more you watch it the better it gets. I sure hope so because it seems like we're going to be watching it quite a lot. it has come to my attention that tonight is going to be spent watching the big bang theory and doing homework with my fellow colleagues.

Homecoming week is finally here! a long time friend and confidant Zachary Arneson is a nominee for homecoming king and the front of Bowman house is looking amazing, We have some real talent in all forms throughout bowman house, especially artistic ability. Below is a picture of the entrance of bowman.

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Doomsday, by Nero
listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QqY-8mohxo

Seeing God Work.

Hello world,

I had a chat with a bowman brother early this morning, and I came to realize one major point through our conversation. Satan is bringing up troubles in our lives because he doesn't want us to be where God has called us to be. I had a loss in the family last week, and though I am grieving there is constant doubt about if I belong here right now, or if I belong with family. I am constantly comforted with the fact that God has his plan for me, and I am able to work in the life of others, both here, and possibly farther away based on who reads. Doubt is always there in some form, but God is omnipotent, and through Him we can do everything.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

God bless,

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Forever Lost, by God Is An Astronaut
Listen here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEGJ-Jk58Q

Dorm life

Hello world!

Today's topic is the wonderful world of Bowman life. After only four weeks of knowing these men I have a bond with all of them that only death can break. They have already held me up when I was weary and ready to fall, and I would without a doubt trust them all with my life. Tonight was B1 bonding with Mitchell, Andrew, and everyone else who wandered in randomly, Nachos and The I.T. Crowd. Dorm life is amazing!

As many of the people reading this right now are students, you know that 80's skate night was last night, which means I'm going to stop typing and toss in some of the photos I took with my phone.

-Cody James Gorell 

Freshman's guide to pulling an all nighter

The freshman's guide to successfully pulling an all nighter Version 1.0

Step 1: acquire copious amounts of energy supplements. anything from Coffee to caffeinated pixie sticks, YOU WILL NEED IT! whether it be to keep you awake through studying or the impending classes afterward.

Step 2: Blast the tunes.  Good music will always keep you awake and wanting more, Make a spotify playlist for your study music and get to listening. 

Step 3: Set your goals and stick to them. Just because these tips will help you stay up doesn't mean that pulling an all nighter is encouraged, if at all possible manage your time wisely so that you don't have to pull one.

Step 4: Take breaks. This is the simplest step, don't overwork yourself, if you feel tired stand up and walk around for a minute until you can retain consciousness effectively.

Step 5: Go somewhere that other people are studying.  Bowman guys, Go to the lobby, seriously. It helps. Being able to communicate and collaborate on your studies will either push you to get your work done faster, or just have fun with it.

Take these tips and use them effectively when you must. 

God bless, 

Music listened to while writing: Radioactive, by Imagine Dragons

Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu-xFvLaE68 

Update: post regularity

Hello world!

This is just an update about how often I plan to be putting out material for you to feast your eyes upon. I've decided that as long as I can keep caught up with work, I will post daily. If I cannot for some reason keep up with homework, or if cramming for mid terms/finals happens, then I will update on the current situation and get back to regular content as soon as I am able to. God bless,

-Cody James Gorell

P.s. this update and future updates will not count as a daily blog post, so expect a post tonight!
Music listened to while writing: Hello, by Going Quantum

Regret

Hello world,

I wanted to talk about regret today, some of the regrets I've had in the past, and some that Haunt me still to this day. I've been told that I'm too critical on myself about topic, but I will let you judge. 

I Regret: Stealing an orange balloon from Michael's craft store, even if my Mom noticed it and made me bring it back and apologize to the cashier.

I Regret: Not standing up for my religious beliefs as much as I should have in school, Because I could have brought more people to God.

I Regret: Not being able to say goodbye to Josie, because I lost my phone the day before and didn't get the message to get on skype.

I Regret: Not giving that man in Nicaragua a bottle of water, Because I thought that he might have hit me with one of the rocks he was throwing. 

There are a lot of things that bring up the feeling of regret. but at the end of the day what's done is done. Living life regretting the things you cannot take back or do over isn't healthy, but neither is forgetting what put you in that position. Live life to the fullest and Thank God for every day you have.

-Cody James Gorell

Music listened to while writing: Ghosts That We Knew, By Mumford & Sons

Listen Here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXiq5ZO-rNE

Accepting the call (the two year beard)

Hello world!

I watched a person on twitch.tv a little while ago, who is a gaming commentator. Now this is not the first commentator I've seen nor do I believe it will be the last, but he has taken a challenge known as the two year beard. He, (currently on day 237 of 731) looks really bad but the commitment he has shown is inspiring, therefore I declare this day, September 27th, 2012 to be day one, of the two year beard.

This fabulous commitment will include weekly pictures starting Thursday, October 4th. Make your opinions known with a comment! I enjoy your feedback

Music listened to while writing: Closing time, by Semisonic.

Introductory Blog post

Hello World!

This is my awesome sparkly new blog, which means this post is the one that I introduce myself on. My name is Cody, but I go my many a different names, from teddy bear, to brick, to laser-blade, feel free to call me any of the above. I am an almost 20 year-old freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University studying as a nursing major. The title of my Blog came to me periodically over the course of about thirty seconds, the college part I've already explained, but I figured I'd go into depth about the other parts, and what I hope I will eventually post about.

ADHD: In seventh grade I was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive, which, as I understand it basically means that most of the time I have trouble focusing on one task, and when I finally do, I end up focusing on the least important part of my task list.

Coping: Last Thursday, September 20th 2012 I lost a dear friend and cousin, to an optic brain tumor, to which I will go more in depth later.

Hot Sauce: Only the best condiment on the face of the planet, especially Frank's Red Hot. if you haven't tried it before your life is not yet complete, Period.

Things I hope to post about: Whatever crosses my mind, daily happenings, Questions that make me think, Music I cannot get out of my head, and of course, Games.

Music listened to while writing: Babel, by Mumford And Sons
Listen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc4NvjzdHZ8