Whatever it is, I will evaluate it with the extent of my intellect and objectivity

Dear Readers,

If I were any good at managing my earthly responsibilities, I would have the time to do some serious reflecting on these scholarly topics of interest to me:

• The aesthetics of metal music
  
• Being human and interacting with other humans
  
• Beer
  
• Discomfort: Our essential allergy
• Local and family history
• Responsible adulthood

And, of course, my greatest personal interest of the past year:

• A Refutation of the Thesis that One Can Not Maintain Individuality while Cooperating within the Context of an Organization or Society

I doubt that I'll ever give these topics the time and effort that they truly deserve, but I'll probably take a few valiant stabs in the coming months.

In the meantime, I am delinquent on posting an update on my Florida trip. I have some photos to post that will lose significance unless I post them soon. Namely, the fact that I was frolicking with palm trees while my friends and loved ones huddled indoors wrapped in blankets. So, yes, I will get to that soon.

I also would like to post a link to a lovely video I found yesterday. It's a (probably famous) Groucho Marx clip which conjures oh, so many memories of fraternity brothers through the years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMV44yoXZ0

Happy trails to you, dear reader, until we meet again.

Ralph, your working boy

A Fraternal Wake-up Call

Dear Brothers,

I am frustrated with the chronically disrespectful behavior that my chapter has tolerated from its members. Here is my written equivalent of a cold, hard wake-up call.

The Fraternity does not owe its members anything. Rather, it is we who are indebted to our Chapter for the experiences and opportunities it affords us. The harder we work to earn these privileges and the more allegiance and cooperation we give to our brothers, the more rewards we will reap in the end. Those who are not willing to accept this responsibility or to embrace and trust the brotherhood will reap a sad and angry fraternity experience. If any of our members feel this way about the chapter, then the fault is solely their own for not being smart, committed, or patient enough to do something about it. Ignorance or neglect are never viable solutions to a real problem. If a brother is displeased with his experience in the chapter, then he has one of two options. First, he can man up, figure out how to make a positive change, and then work his ass off to bring it about. Otherwise, he can pack up and get out. Because, if a brother feels the chapter is not worthy of his genuine effort, then that brother is not worthy of the chapter.

Our guys right now seem to forget that fraternity life is supposed to be a celebration of brotherhood. Celebrations are supposed to be fun! The first words that come to mind when we think of fraternity should not be "chore" or "torture," they should be "fuck yeah!" Yet there is some sort of distinction that so many brothers draw between fun and cooperation. It is as if, in order to enjoy ourselves, we need to betray some aspect of our fraternal responsibilities. Well, that is not a healthy attitude, and if a brother can't honestly find a way to enjoy chapter activities, then there is a problem. No, cleaning isn't fun, but kicking back and admiring a job well done is! No, having a rush event after a full day of classes isn't fun, but watching your chapter attract and recruit good men is! Yes, campus involvement can make your schedule busy, but promoting Phi Kappa Sigma's name should make you feel proud and accomplished.

The point is this: In past generations, our chapter has churned out incredibly successful people who absolutely cherished their college and fraternity experiences. Contrary to what many of our brothers claim, it is possible to enjoy fraternity life at Phi Kappa Sigma. It actually IS a worthwhile investment of time and energy. So what did past generations have that our chapter does not?

Well, for one, they had drive. They knew what they wanted - SUCCESS - and they didn't let anyone or anything stop them from getting it. They knew that, one way or another, they would become adult men during their few years in college. Every day, the choices they made ultimately impacted the type of man they would become. With this on their mind, nothing was more important than consistent hard work.

They also had grit. They weren't afraid of getting dirty or of a little pain. Yeah, so what, it sucks to wake up early every day. Yeah, it sucks to keep an entire house spotless. Yes, classes are hard, and you actually HAVE to study in order to learn. But what kind of man does one become if they can not put up with the momentary unpleasantness of hard work? A lazy, listless loser, that's what! There is no comfortable road to success, and those looking for it will either fail or become a dishonest man.

Our alumni also had pride and spirit. They knew, each and every day, that they were top dogs - the best of the best - and they acted like it. Such spirit is motivating - it keeps you going when the going gets rough. It is unifying - it draws you and your brothers together behind a purpose and an identity. It is contagious - it inspires others to strive and it ensures that those who are unwilling will stand out and be weeded out.

Finally, the brightest, happiest, and most successful of our chapter's alumni all had a deep sense of commitment and devotion to the best interests of the fraternity and of the brotherhood. This requires endurance and commitment through everything; from the bad - tough decisions, grueling hard work, long meetings, boring routines, vehement disagreements, nasty hangovers, big mistakes, and moral confusion - to the good - celebrations of success, wild adventures, genuine trust in others, support when it is needed, companionship, intelligent discussion, shared experiences, academic help, professional advice, and a shit ton of fun.

Our members can not pick and choose their involvement. Commitment is not conditional. And no brother's personal comfort is more important than the best interest of the chapter. Any brother with drive, grit, spirit, and commitment will walk away from his fraternity having gained a rich and valuable college experience. Any brother who approaches fraternity as he would a crappy job that he does just for the paycheck not only ruins his own experience but poisons the atmosphere for the rest of his brothers.

There was a time when our chapter's membership dropped to four brothers. This was a result of a "you're in or you're out" choice given to the brothers when the house went dry. I feel that we should keep up this attitude in regards to our members' commitment to the chapter. Right now, our chapter harbors brothers with stubborn, immature grudges against others in the chapter. There are brothers who feel that they are owed special rights or exemption from the responsibility of maintaining the chapter. There are brothers who groan when they are asked to participate in chapter activities. I think these guys should be sat down and given a cold, hard wake up call and a pep talk. If there is nothing in our Ritual or in our chapter privileges that inspires them enough to quit being a selfish, spoiled brat and grow up, then there is no place for them in our chapter. Both parties will be made better for a clean break at that point.

To those who are inspired, who are motivated, and who DO respect their brothers and their fraternity: I suggest you review the vows you took and start to consciously strive each and every day to stay committed to them. Think of what pisses you off about the chapter and what you are doing right now to improve it. If you can think of nothing, then don't you dare complain again until you've spent your undergraduate tenure busting your ass to make things better. Think of how you can improve and earn yourself and your chapter a better future. Quit worrying about yourself so much and talk to your brothers more - learn to enjoy your time with them! Expect the best of yourself and your brothers, and for God's sake, be proud of the Chapter to which you belong!

Let's see some drive. Lets see some grit and some spirit! Commit yourself to your own future and to your brothers!

And let's start representing Phi Kappa Sigma the way it deserves.

Fraternally,
Kevin

Intangibles snatching

Dear Reader,

It is only fitting that I begin my blog with the same words as the original Journal of a Working Boy:

"Books are immortal sons defying their sires" - Plato

It is hard to imagine that such frank and eloquent words as Ignatius J. Reilly's could ever betray their enlightened and flatulent master's intentions. After all, words are written exactly as their author intended, controlling, of course, for the limitations of verbal expression. (See "Spoils" by Protest the Hero, or existentialism. On second thought, just go with the song.) I reckon the defiant streak of published words which irks me, Ignatius, and (in the ultimate, tragic way) the late Mr. Toole, stems from that fickle, presumptious, and self-centered entity, without whom there would be no reason to write in the first place: the audience.

So why, Kevin, would you be interested in keeping a public journal? Why?! Answer me!!

I am no stranger to the practice of written self-reflection, although recent years have witnessed a steep decline in the number and quality of entries in my lovely hardwood journal. I must regretfully admit that I have lost the passion and urgency I once felt for recording my thoughts and feelings as I ramble on through life. It seems convincing to diagnose the act of regularly documenting self-reflection as a symptom of social and/or philosophical growing pains, soon to be worked out of the system through time and maturity. However, this is not correct. In fact, thoughts like this are indicative of a dull, sad person.

Hey, did you just call me dull and sad?

No, no. There's that pesky problem with language again. Allow me to attempt clarification. I fear I have become quite dull, and that makes me sad. Yes, that's a bit more accurate. It seems that the more outwardly responsible I became to people and organizations, the less interest I found in introspection. I have a lot to show for my last year and a half of life, but I feel the clutches of the real world, rife with routine and mediocrity, tightening its numbing grip on me. I now know that in exploring and asserting my mind through my words, I am not simply "figuring things out," I am preserving and exercising my precious, youthful spirit.

Hey, you never answered my question, jerk!

Oh, yes, of course. I have never shared my written thoughts with an audience, let alone a potentially worldwide internet audience. No, I don't actually expect to have a worldwide audience. I'd be surprised if I can rope in 5 people to read half the content I write. I'm wordy, deal with it. In fact, in my first entry, I have already squashed the idea of having a fun, simple, accessible blog. However, I do want to achieve two things from this blog:

1) Share the awesome stories and pictures from my job with my friends and family.
2) Start being interesting, intelligent, and creative again.

So, here's what you may safely expect from the Journal of a Working Boy:

• Posts of excessive size and scope
• ...peppered with lots of bullet-points and numbered lists

• Frequent posting in the coming weeks/months
• ...followed by inactivity and occasional uncertainty about the future of this blog

• Lofty and sophisticated thinking
• ...interrupted by geekery about select metal music, video games, and cartoons

• Grand and noble treatment of the human mind and, in particular, my life
• ...with desperate, furious lamentations of my inconsistency
  

• Lather, rinse
• ...repeat!

Until later,
Darryl, your Working Boy