The Thoughts of Cory LaViska

I arrived to see my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins in North Carolina yesterday. I’m finally away from work, away from school, away from Florida, and away from most of the things that have been irritating me a lot lately. In a couple days I’ll be headed home for the holidays and, I have to admit, I’m not really looking forward to going back.

It’s funny. I used to think of Christmas as a passionate holiday with family, friends, cookies, music, presents…I could hardly wait for it each year. Christmas was my stepping stone every July when things weren’t looking up — I’d just think about how it was right around the corner and how great everything would be when it came. Now I wish it would never come. I guess it’s different when you don’t have a whole lot to believe in or celebrate. At least, that’s how it feels most of the time. I wish I could just skip it this year. It’s not that I don’t appreciate my family, it’s just not worth getting excited about when you can’t celebrate with all the people you love.

For the ones I can share this holiday with, Mom and Dad, I want you to know that you’re the ONLY reason I’m coming home for Christmas in two days. It’s not for the food or gifts, it’s for the family — even if it is just us. Merry Christmas.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the Nintendo Wii might be a little too intense for me. I don’t own one, nor have I had even the slightest desire to obtain one. Today, I was reaffirmed that my decision to remain a virgin to the Wii was a good one. Introducing wiihaveaproblem.com. From the homepage:

Wii have a problem is a blog focused on bringing you the latest trend in gaming violence. That of damage caused by window lickers who should not be participating in activity of any form…yet own a Wii. Why? Because we’re fanboys that’s why.

Brilliant…cataloging rambunctious video gamers who proudly admit their self-inflicted idiocies to the world. Why didn’t I think of that?

By Cory S.N. LaViska

December 13, 2006

A tragic ending, so absurd
You listened to my every word

Shattered dreams we’ve painted black
A one-way road, no turning back

Down the hall an echo roars
Sounds of anger, slamming doors

Pictures broken on the ground
Shards of glass spread all around

Mirrors cracked and chairs tipped over
So much for my four leaf clover

A different place now, somewhere new
A chance for me to be with you

It seemed so nice, a pleasant start
For two who shared a broken heart

The sidewalk circles ’round the block
We follow quick, a steady walk

You hold my hand, it disappears
The nighttime shadows drown my fears

I feel my heart, it’s beating slower
The temperature, it’s getting lower

My thoughts are frozen, cold as ice
A single breath does not suffice

This bitter ending we both know
Is buried in the freezing snow

Along with all those wrongs and rights
All those sleepless, winter nights

But in the end, one thing is real
Despite the scars, our wounds will heal

And if the cold doth take me here
I will not suffer, have no fear

I know our dreams weren’t meant to be
But thanks for loving me faithfully

And just remember, if this is the end
You’ll always be my bestest friend

I’ve come to the harsh realization that I may never write legibly again and, if I ever have to resort to a pen and paper as my only means of communication, I may become incommunicationable! Yes, I know that’s not a real word but that’s where my written skills are headed – to indecipherable lines of scribbles and text! Without a keyboard I am simply not a written communicator.

I know this is true because of the final exam I was administered today. Almost the entire test was comprised of essay-style questions that required a pen and paper (GASP!). The difficulty of this exam had gone from elementary to an all out physical challenge. Sure, I had studied the material, but I was nowhere near prepared for an epic handwriting battle! Over 10 pages…four of which required more than just a bubble or circular marking. By the time I was through I had blisters on my fingers and blood on my knuckles. I didn’t think I would make it out alive. I saw my educational career die right there with that abominable test. But, with the click of a pen and the turn of a page, it was all over. Victory was mine! The Great War was fought and I had survived the wretched experience without any permanent damage to my hand. The only problem is, I’m not sure if anyone will be able to read my handwriting. I wonder if that matters?

Although I really enjoy catching some Z’s every now and then, I feel obligated to contend Nature’s effort to require this luxury we call ‘sleep’ on a daily basis. So how does one man, a mere mortal, single-handedly take on a force as great as nature? Why, with a brilliant plan, of course.

The average person requires eight hours of sleep per day. For thousands of years, humans have been practicing this slumberous ritual which has become an exceedingly difficult habit to break. My suggestion is to do with sleep as many are able to do with nicotine. No, not the patch. I was thinking more along the lines of gradually quitting, sleeping less and less over a period of time until it is no longer a physical requirement, but rather a luxury that can be performed when desired. This makes more sense to me, as there are seldom enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to be done. By quitting sleeping, you could rest socially when it’s convenient for you. No more drowsiness and fatigue to adversely affect your productivity.

It won’t be easy, but nothing worth trying for is. If we all work together, we can liberate millions of people throughout the world from this global epidemic. So come with me! Join hands and fight the battle against sleep as a team! College kids, truck drivers, graveyard shifters…anyone who’s ever woken up late for work or missed an appointment! It’s time to rise against this unnecessary evil and take back the one-third of our life that slumber has robbed from us!!!