SPOTLIGHTS
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| Name: | Ryan Latimer |
| Email: | RLatimer007@yahoo.com |
| Current Roles: | Contributing writer - movies; Politics Fact or Fiction Dude |
| Past Roles: | The Happy Critic Presents, The Super Duper Happy News Report, video game reviewer |
| Other credits: | Author: "A View from the Cheap Seats: Advice & Opinions on Life's Little Issues...from a Kid," Freelance writer |
| Quote: | "Sup, my young parsons. I too am so on the go I eat my yogurt from a tube." -- Strong Bad |
| History: | Age: 25 /
Hometown: Battle Creek, MI /
Education: Degree in Journalism from Western Michigan University; returned Fall 2006 for English teaching certicate and degree. /
Book Project: AVAILABLE NOW! Look on Amazon.com or Barnsandnoble.com |
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And we're rolling... - 05.16.2007
Huh. Not 24 hours after I posted my comments reagarding biased media and Keith Olbermann, I see this with my own two eyes and my ears concur.
Acting as background noise after I got home from work waiting for The Simpsons to come on, Neil Cavuto's Fox News quietly mumbled in the corner. For whatever reason I care not to know, Cavuto has porn star Mary Cary on as a guest. To talk. Again, not sure why, so bear with me. Near the end of the interview, Cary asked Neil why he hasn't asked her out yet considering MSNBC's Keith Olbermann already had. Unfortunatley for Keith, Cary apparently turned him down becaue she had a boyfriend at the time. And what a lucky guy he must have been.
You know what? I don't need to say a word more, but because I'm such a stinker, I will: it should be stressed that people recieve news from both of these men. And some wonder why I have a love/hate relationship with journalism.
Ok, back to being positive...
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And we're rolling... - 05.15.2007
I originally posted this on MySpace, but what the hey...
Sorry, gotta get this off my chest. I'll be Happy later.
Bit of a condensed backstory first. I'm sure you all know by now that I'm a newshound, establishing an interest in the industry through my degree in Journalism in 2004. It also may be known that I am a former conservative, so for years I was naturally tracter beamed into Fox News with Bill O'Reilly taking center stage in creating my hobby in television news. Yeah, I know, I'm not proud of it either.
Fast forward 6 good years from my initial starting point, and I'm proud to call myself not a conservative or liberal but an all-across-the-board cynic. Simply put, not only is it difficult to "place" me in terms of ideology due to my varied positions, but I have also established a staunch distrust in my government, which I feel is not looking out for the folks but for the rich and powerful and for far too long has not gotten what needs to be done DONE. I could go on all day, but again, this is a condensed version of my political growth story, and I'm only setting up the pins here.
That said, I'm really starting to hate the media. It is not only full of shit, it is in dire need of overflow buckets.
Take King of the Ring Bill O'Reilly (Fox News' big dog) and MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, the very definitions of the crap we as obilivious American citizens take on a daily basis. Both men claim they are not only far from biased in their reporting and are a supposed representation of "what news coverage and analysis should be", both have the egos of the great and powerful Oz on a lucky day. It's no secret anymore that Bill is not the man he has claimed he is in many different aspects and as a result I am no longer a fan, but Keith Olbermann, the man who has taken it upon himself to act as Bill's official debunker, is supposedly the new up-and-coming honest "it" media personality, the man the American people should tune into after tuning Bill and the rest of his Fox cohorts out.
Keith, you are not fooling me. Stop the act. I could spend an entire monolouge concerning only your smug delivery and "my shit doesn't stink" mentality as you stare into the camera spouting the only truth no one else wants to announce as if the world owes you a favor, but that isn't why I don't like you. I don't like you because you yourself can't put aside your own political bias (which we all have, mind you) and ego long enough to do your job. How much is MSNBC paying you now? Multiple millions? You would think with that kind of money, even Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and the staff of the New York Times could manage to hold it in. Wait, nevermind.
Let me make this clear. I don't care if a media personalty (hard news, analysis, commentator, whatever) has a political agenda. We all have one. But seeing as how even someone with your education has difficulty understanding the fundemental principles of journalism, allow a 25-year-old kid with a mere 3 years expierence enlighten you: you are supposed to leave that shit at home. If you are a commentator free of partisan lines and ideological leanings (which you have stated more than once), why is it that the majority of your show concentrates on why the Bush administration and conservatives are spelling the end of the damn world as we know it? Why is it your shameless Worst Person in the World segment consistantly lacks those hard pressed liberals who make up the same stupid shit the folks on the opposite side of the political spectrum do? Why is it that whenever I turn on your show, your Special Comment is more of a Expected Comment? Why is it that you yourself make mistakes or step out of line and fail to correct it, then turn around and blast others who do the same? Why is it that you are less of a breath of fresh air and more of the Same Old Story in news we as citizens are continuingly force fed? What are you, the Bill O'Reilly of leftists? Yes, sir, you certainly are.
Do you find it ironic that this post follows an advice piece on professional wrestling? I find it more appropriate. As I did previously, here are a few tips. Spend my two cents any way you want it.
- Have guests on that don't always suck your toes. Believe it or not, but there are some people in this universe that don't agree with you. Yes, indeed, the world doesn't evolve around Keith F***ing Olbermann.
- Smile
- You are not "right." No one is "right," especially not all the time.
- The Republican Party sucks, but the Democrats have sucked for even longer. Know what? They still exist.
- Bill O'Reilly is not the man he says he is. We understand. Now get a new high school crush.
- We don't care about Paris Hilton and American Idol.
- Change the name of your show. I was thinking more along the lines of This Week in Air America News or The Elephants Suck Hour.
I know you take to likening yourself to the legendary reporter Edward R. Murrow, but allow this dense, naive American kid to tell you like it is on this one. You are NOT Edward R. Murrow, and the world doesn't owe you a damn thing.
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And we're rolling... - 05.14.2007
Ugh, that's it. WWE has officially hit a massive road bump and steered into a tree. It even hit a deer. The promotion is currently deader than Elvis himself.
Hmm, let's see, the WWE RAW preview for tonight: Bobby Lashley vs. Johnathan Coachman, Edge says adios, and John Cena has a final stop on the road to Judgment Day where he faces off against The Great Kahli. Do I even need to make a comment? Does this even require my explanation? Remember when WWE gave a damn? Must I explain the current state of the company in length? Do I have to go into how ASS the current roster is in addition to the UNcreative team? Is such a speech really in order? Will it help at all to say that WWE RAW has been little more than background noise on Monday nights? Will it assist my point to say that I haven't watched a full episode of Smackdown in years considering it is even more boring than RAW and has a shittier timeslot to boot? Do I really have to?
Alright, I will. WWE, consider this a free 2 cents, in no particular order. Spend it however you want.
Bobby Lashley is not the future of the company. Not even close. He is a great guy and an ok wrestler, but he has the charisma and marketability of a dead hooker in the darkest corner of the Las Vegas strip at 2 a.m. He is NOT Stone Cold Steve Austin, no matter how badly Vince McMahon wants him to be. Let it go.
Turn John Cena heel soon. His time as the babyface champion is approaching the end. Prepare.
Push new talent. Now. In fact, you have plenty of talent, but you do dick with it. Most notable is your main event crew, with has perhaps becoming the sorriest in recent memory this side of 1995. Most of your roster - headliner or lower - is either comprised of the underdeveloped and/or the legendary status than should have been honored into the Hall of Fame 3 years ago and not taking up space at the top of the cards, the spot they have secured for God knows how long. Look, I love The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels as much as the next guy, but does it mean anything to you when I say I remember these chaps engaging in epic battles when I was in jr. high school? Also, Batista is a piece of wood. Nothing more to say there. Now get off your butts and earn your dang-gum paychecks for once.
No more McMahons for a while. Please. Try 3 years and get back to me later.
Edge is not a draw. I'm sorry. He isn't. I know many a wrestling fan are currently foaming at the mouth wanting me head in a basket, but it's the truth. I could be wrong, and I hope I am. But for now, try someone else.
It is not 1981. The Great Kahli is dead in the water with tainted chlorine. Please listen to me on this one.
Get a programming makeover. Today. It is also not 2001.
Three World titles are too many ***damn World titles. Kill Smackdown and concentrate of WWE and ECW as your brands. Speaking of titles, did you know you had them? I wasn't sure. Thought I'd bring that to your attention. When you do decide to aknowledge their existence, would you consider, I don't know, establishing the credibility they once had? It works wonders for talent when they hold a piece of gold that actually means something.
The Condemned bombed because no one watches wrestling anymore. That's it. It's not like even The Marine made a ton of money. Move on. Better yet, concentrate on your product first and your films second. Thank you, drive through.
Smack Shawn Michaels. Just for me. Someone needs to tell him he is not 25 years old anymore.
Hope all this helps.
-rl
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And we're rolling... - 05.09.2007
Folks,
Not sure if anyone is aware, but I'm a big fan of the Angry Video Game Nerd (he was interviewed by 411 Games a while back. Just search the web and you'll find him). I came up with a crazy idea to get him on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC. Kimmel is known for being unconventional and having on guests who may have achieved notoriety from the web, which James has done. If you go to Kimmel's message board and contact page you can chip in to tell ABC you want him on.
Please note I'm dead serious. If there is one thing I'm known for it's crazy ideas, and this one is pretty crazy. But you know what else it is? Possible.
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And we're rolling... - 05.01.2007
...but why here when I have my site to promote?
Go ahead and say it: I suck.
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And we're rolling... - 04.29.2007
...but you can't read it here. Must go to MySpace! I didn't buckle under the pressure and make one of those stupid things just for it to be ignored.
www.myspace.com/happycritic
-rl |
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And we're rolling... - 04.26.2007
Yup, I sold out. I created a MySpace page. I hate MySpace. I hate online profile/chattykathy communities. Now I hate myself.
But go anyway:
www.myspace.com/happycritic |
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And we're rolling... - 04.22.2007
I knew I had to see "Grindhouse" soon before all theaters yanked it from rotation considering how badly it is doing at the box office, so I caught it last night when one of my local cineplexs had ONE showing for the Saturday night slot. I've kicked myself for 2 weeks for failing to see it when varying cirumstances have intervened, but no more excuses - seeing a film like this on DVD would surely lose a lot of flavor for what Quentin and Roddy were going for.
That said, I can say for sure that "Grindhouse" was the most fun I've had at the movies in I don't know how long, but I can certainly understand why the general populous isn't flocking to see it. I mean, if you think about it, it's only poetic justice that this film is bombing. It's a Grindhouse film. Taking into consideration the 3+ hour running length, two back-to-back film concept (which a lot of people didn't even realize), exploitation bloodgoreandsex, and you're not exactly making a recipie for cash burgers. Unless you're on the 'net on a regular basis (not including MySpace time) or a die-hard Quentin fan, "Grindhouse" is just some throw-back bloody action/horror show with a few popular names. I believe certain death (no pun intended) for box office success was when they started showing trailers for the film featuring Rose McGowan's machine gun leg.
I enjoyed Planet Terror significantly more than Death Proof, and it isn't because of the standard BS reason of the latter being talk-heavy or "boring." That's Quentin. It's what we expect, and it's what works. The issue is that I felt Robert's flick was far more of a tribute to the Grindhouse theme, where Quentin's was, in short, "too much like Quentin." His film was good just as well, but the entire point of the project was to stray away from yourself a bit and pay homage to the shitty movies playing in shitty parts of town Back in the Day. DP just sort of took me out of the illusion of the Grindhouse theme and make me feel like I was watching the standard QT movie. Certainly nothing wrong with that in general, but a special project like this demanding something a bit different.
That said, both features were still great, and it was defintely worth the money I spent to get my sorry butt to the theater and not wait for it on DVD (which I'll still probably buy). As a sidenote, if you don't want to go for the movies, go for the fake trailers that play before and in-bewteen features, which are worth the price of admission alone. Thanks to Eli Roth, I'll never look at Thanksgiving or Pilgrims the same way again. First I can't go on vacation to a foriegn country, now this... |
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And we're rolling... - 04.18.2007
I know that most has already been said many times already in terms of the tragedy at Virgina Tech, but I just have to add one thing before I go insane keeping it in...
Look, I'm not a gun nut, nor am I passionately against the idea of keeping firearms for protection, hunting or even collecting. In other words, I see both sides to the argument, and there is much to discuss. But my God in Heaven, this guy had a 2005 court order that stated he was "a threat to himself and others," he was admitted (or at least recommended for) mental care during his college tenure, stalked women, disrupted classes, mixed in with a truckload of other various violent and disturbing behavior, and this guy can just waltz in and buy two guns legally? There is something wrong here. There is something very wrong here.
I'm sure I'll meet the ire of dedicated 2nd Amenders, but I again want to reiterate that I understand the concept of gun ownership. But there has to be more limitations than this and FAR more precautions than just handing out a gun to whomever wants it as long as he or she doesn't have bank robbery or 1st degree murder on their record. That's not a responsible amendment at work, it's nuts. |
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And we're rolling... - 04.12.2007
Got it today from Best Buy. It should hold me over until Galaxy comes out God Knows When. I'll let you know how it is... |
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And we're rolling... - 04.09.2007
So I had the honor of interviewing Gordie...er, David Arquette in Ann Arbor, MI as he passed through our little nothing state to promote his new film "The Tripper", which he also directed. He's quite personable and very much like "just one of the guys," and I got along with him well enough for the short time I had with him. The problem was that not only did David seem exhausted, it was f'n freezing outside and I had to wait for a good hour before I got to go into his tour bus and talk with him, so both of us were sort of off our game, so to speak. Add that in with all the flying I've done in the past few weeks...but hey, I'm a pro. I know what I'm doing. I'm not a (former) journalist for nothing.
BTW, did you know David was a pothead? Hey, it's not libel - he has been open about wanting to legalize marijuana and considers himself a hippie. he was even handing out rolling papers and lighters during his stop. Don't believe me? The interview should be up any day. And no, I'm not judging him. Gordie can do no wrong in my eyes. No get to making "Ready to Rumble 2." |
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And we're rolling... - 04.09.2007
From the makers of "Saw!"
Man, then there's NO excuse. |
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And we're rolling... - 04.03.2007
Well, WM 23 is in the books, and the expierence of going was quite interesting in a lot of ways, some good and some bad.
- First things first, I have to mention that despite a record 80,000 people attending, it sure didn't seem like it in person (not disputing the number). Everything looks smaller in real life as opposed to the magic of TV, but I sort of knew that even before Sunday because I've been to two RAWs, numerous house shows and a Saturday Night's Main Event in my lifetime. I'm sure the fact that for 80k it certainly could have been a lot louder than it was, as the crowd just didn't seem as "into it" as 80,000 humans would dictate. Perhaps Ford Field just doesn't absorb sound, or maybe it has something to do with a hearty portion of the card being "eh." Kinda disapointing, really.
- I must make loud and clear that I despise Detroit. It is a toliet, or as one of my family friends refer to it as, "a post-apocolyptic human waste land." Hey, Detroit has some nifty sites, but the city itself is a smelly, shoddy, broken-down, infected homless shelter. Ok, so I'm going overboard, but consider this: it took no more than 30 seconds once I parked the car ($15, but I'll get to that) to be approached by a some colorful chap asking for booze money. I'll give him one thing - he was HONEST. Had I not spent all the cash I had to park the dang car, I would have given him 5 bucks just for being straight with me. I could go on all day abotu how I hate Detroit, but I'll get even more upset than I am now. Moving on...
- As expected, everything cost three arms and a leg once in the arena. A small 16 oz (if that) Diet Coke cost $4, and a sandwich cost 6 smackers. Beer was $8, and thank God I'm follow CM Punk's life philosophy and don't drink, otherwise I'd have to take out a loan and sell all my DVDs. Luckily I wasn't hungry during most of the show and got out with my wallet intact.
- The show itself was actually so-so, and I expected a little more. Again, I fully understand that the magiv of TV makes things more interesting for a number of reasons (I'll be getting the DVD), but from what I saw a lot of the crowd just wasn't into it like they should have been. Either I was surronded my certain sections that just weren't digging it, or WWE attracted a large number of poser fans that just like watching Randy Orton wrestle without a shirt and/or chant "Wooo" randomly for no reason other than the fact that they used to be fans 30 years ago. Take your pick. I certainly don't regret going by a long shot, but something felt missing. Maybe I'm getting older quicker than I imagined? Adulthood sucks.
- John Cena still rules, and boo to all you haters. He made Shawn tap like a punk. Eat it, spit it up and eat it again. BTW, he got a lot more cheers than what people are saying, and he busted his ass out there. C'mon, people. If Cena wasn't around, the WWE would officially be transported back to 1996 considering the rest of the main event roster. Maybe it's just me accepting medicority in a medicore time, but even if this is so, ignorance is bliss. CHAIN GANG!!
- Not sure if this made it on TV, but right before Cena and HBK hooked up some guy hit the ring and apparently tried to strip his clothes, but he got tackled and shipped off. Real smart, pal. Spending the night in a Detroit jail. Say high to Bubba and Tomko for me.
- All in all, a lot of fun if unspectaular. I've spent $100 in far worse ways. |
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And we're rolling... - 03.05.2007
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy... |
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And we're rolling... - 02.17.2007
Just caught Ghost Rider, my first theatre film in Lord knows how long after a horrible string of releases (Epic Moive, anyone?) I know a truckload of people are already smashing the film to bits - some even before they saw it - but truthfully I've certainly seen far worse. I know 'ol Harry at Aint it Cool News tore the film to shreads and explained himself pretty well, so perhaps I'm off.
C'mon, people, no one was expecting high cinema here. All I anticipated and got was 100 minutes of the Bonehead kicking some ass and lighting shit on fire, and that's what got. The story sucked, but considering the source material, what did you expect? This film is a prime example of how to have FUN at the movies. Sometimes you don't want to think (especially those who suffer from short attention spans such as yours truly), or even PLAN on asking your brain questions - you just want to kick back and watch things get blown up. If you do it right, it's a gay 'ol time. When it doesn't, you get Godzilla or 70% of horror films in the last 7 years. As for Ghost Rider, on a scale from 1 to 10 on the Worth It Scale, it gets an average 6.
But hey, some may be dedicated Rider fans and wanted something far deeper and more complex. I suppose the director just figured that Rider was much more of a B comic character and settled on a Boom 'N Shit film. Whatever works. But do visit AICN to check out another persepective. Remember, I'm an idiot. |
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And we're rolling... - 02.05.2007
Well it's looking like it will be Undertaker vs. Batista and Cena vs. Michaels at WM. Yes, I am writing this before RAW is even over, but even if HBK doesn't win the three-way tonight I highly doubt he won't be the #1 contender by April 1st. Edge has had more matches with him than Taker had with Autin in the 90s, and Orton...well, nevermind.
It being held it Michigan, I'm happy to say I'll be attending the event, and you don't need to be an expert in Latimer 101 to know I'll be pulling for John Cena. Michaels will probably win considering Cena has held the title for quite sometime and there have been rumblings about Shawn wanting one final title run before it's too late, but it's the PRINCIPLE of the matter, dag nabbit, and I gotta stand by my homie. Got pretty good seats too, BTW, but I doubt you'll see me in a 60,000+ crowd, but I'll try my best.
Speaking of the WM main events, am I the only one who hopes UT beats the holy peanut butter out of Batista? Crimey, if there was ever a more uninspired, dull, stiff and ultimatley bored-as-hell champion in the past 10 years, I'd love to hear your case. The guy is walking 2-by-4. I've tried to like him, but there is no stopping it - he is the 21st century version of Psycho Sid. Does he even need to show up? Can't he just phone in his match like he has been doing for the past God-knows-how-long? And CENA is the guy who needed to scratch and claw to keep a fanbase? Sheesh. Here's to hoping the streak staying alive...along with title victory. Besides, if Batista loses, he can always move to London and guard the queen.
See, you have to stand still a lot to do that. Get the joke, pass it back...
-rl |
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And we're rolling... - 12.29.2006
Don't look too much into not seeing me around 411mania much at the moment - in addition to the holidays, I'm in the process of reasessing my political column. It's just not working out the way I wanted to, but that's a long story. Even if worst comes to worst I'm hoping to at least keep my status here as a contributing writer in film, because gosh darn it, the world would implode if I didn't.
Truth be told, I think a big part of the problem is that I think I'm suffering from a hardcore bout of writer's block and/or burnout. It helps not that I'm a stubborn mule when it comes to writing - part of the reason I didn't want to do Journalism as a career was because it would have forced me to write ALL THE TIME, something that I found out quickly I just can't do no matter how much I love to do it, if that makes any sense. Throw that in with a brutal semester back at school (and a LOT of writing assignments) for my second degree along with finally finishing and promoting a book, and you have one tired, grumpy puppy.
Everything works out in the end. It always does. Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays....
-rl |
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And we're rolling... - 12.24.2006
Don't have the link handy and I'm too lazy to look it up, but it's been all but announced that a second Silent Hill film will happen in the near future. Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm mega SH fan, and waiting for April 21, 2006 (the first film's opening) was sheer torture. I can't say the end result was perfect, but goodness, did it ever capture the essence of the game. I considered it a success. Now if they could just do a Pryamid Head spinoff.
Hey, speaking of which - Konami, why aren't you busy at work with Silent Hill 5 for the PS3? No dessert until you finish...
-rl |
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And we're rolling... - 12.21.2006
So I'm sure everyone has heard about the Rosie O'Donnell vs. Donald Trump war that's heated up the past few days. Truth be told, I have no idea why I'm taking such an amusing interest in the story, but its great stuff to me for some reason.
I've never been the biggest Rosie fan - something about her just rubs me the wrong way, so perhaps I'm simply digging someone finally swiping back at her when she says something stupid. In this case she may have pissed off the wrong person in Donald Trump, definetly one of the last people I would ever want to start a war with. I mean, c'mon, whether you love or hate Trump, you have to like one thing about him: he pulls a negative amount of punches. When you piss him off, he goes for the face and doesn't stop until he's chewing bone. I wouldn't call myself a fan of his, but if there was ever anyone I've ever want to pimp-smack Rosie, its The Donald.
And really, Rosie, all this for what? Because Trump gave that Miss USA girl another chance? I really have no opinion on the matter and can understand either side, but really, WHO CARES? You poked one of the biggest, meanest dogs with a sharp stick for that? Word to the wise: get more than one attorney.
Probably won't matter, anyway...
-rl |
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And we're rolling... - 12.19.2006
So I got my semester grades tonight, the first since my returning to school for a new degree. Take a guess on how I did. G'head, take a guess. I'll wait....
Ready? If you guessed anything less than Better Than All of You With the Exception of Brainiac Know-it-alls, you were dead wrong. That's right, I somehow nailed 3 As and a BA (WMUs cross between a B+ and A-), giving me a semester GPA of 3.9. I...am...awesome. I can't say I didn't work for it, as I busted all of my humps this semester back, and this is living proof of hard work paying off. I even brought up my career GPA up more than a full point from 3.21 to 3.32, and unless Satan buys Western next year I'll have to make the top of the Dean's list.
Paint my house.
-rl |
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