My parents came to Brooklyn last night (New York) to visit their favorite son and we had a good night on the town.  We ended up dining somewhere on Smith Street in Brooklyn and the food was less than average.  Needless to say, today was uphill, in a good way.

We trekked to WestPoint, New York (about an hours drive north) to visit the place where my father was born and where his father became the first civilian to coach the WestPoint Cadet Football Squad at the United States Military Academy. A Lt. Col. showed us around the Post (called a base by the AirForce and Navy).

We were able to see where the coaches, the academia and the Super Intendant live. We also revisited some of my dad’s childhood memories. Monday the new “plebes” come into the Post and start their six-week training before the Fall school semester begins. 

Update (May 1, 2008): This album has been added to flickr. View the flickr album!

So, my grandparents sent me cookies via FEDEX!  They arrived today and surprisingly enough they tasted great.  Ie. If you ever need to send cookies from Louisiana to New York: it is very possible!  Thanks Nana and Baba (Anne and Paul Dietzel, Sr.)!  (Pictures coming soon.)

Update (May 1, 2008): This album has been added to flickr. View the flickr album!

Update (May 1, 2008): This album has been added to flickr. View the flickr album!

1:30 p.m. This afternoon I arrived in Brooklyn around 1:00 after my flight from Memphis was delayed. I got a cab that took me to the front steps of my new apartment.3:13 p.m. My apartment on Clark Street is brand new. I just finished unpacking everything and have seemingly gotten everything in an organized fashion. I am very excited: my roommate for the new apartment is Aaron from Chicago. He is studying Business and is a freshman. Aaron is Jewish and we seem to see eye to eye on many issues social and political.4:30 p.m. Just finished eating at the corner deli. It was wonderful. I walked outside the front of the apartment and there is a Metro Stop no more than 15 steps outside the door. The corner deli is another 10 or so steps and looks promising.5:00 p.m. Back at the apartment: took some pictures… See below.

10:37 p.m. Oh, by the way… Please, for those of you who would like to send me mail.

Send it here:
Paul Dietzel
255 Clark Street Ste. 279
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Now, I am expecting letters, so start writing!

Founded in 2006 by Paul Dietzel II, William Cheramie, Carolyn Day and others from the LSU Rowing Team, Tiger Boat Club Inc. is a 501(c)3 national non-profit amateur athletic organization that was established to act as a fiduciary sponsor for the LSU Rowing Club.

The History

Rowing has a long and distinguished history both overseas and within the United States, and is one of the fastest growing sports in our nation. Though not traditionally thought of as an activity prevalent in the South it is growing and becomin more visible. Even more surprising, Louisiana State University has a long association with crew dating back to 1900 when such distinguished alumnus as W.B. Chamberlain, W.E. Atkinson and B. Prescott were members of the Varsity Crew Team.

Bringing Back the Tradition

Although rowing disappeared at LSU for a while, it was re-introduced in the 1990s with varying success. The struggling club was hampered by a chronic shortage of funding, support and understanding. However, the LSU Rowing Club was officially re-founded in 2004 and has continued to grow despite setbacks delivered by a lack of university funding and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Not only is the club firmly established, it is now more than 40 members strong. In the last year alone, despite inferior equipment and difficult training conditions, both novice crews placed 3rd overall at the Lanier Sprints in Georgia, while the varisty men’s 8 came in 3rd at the Heart of Texas Regatta in Austin. Both novice crews and the varsity women were successful in defeating Tulane in our annual spring regatta. Even more significant, LSU Crew competed for the first time at SIRA (Southern INtercollegiate Rowing Association) Championship Regatta, with both Men’s crews advancing through the heats into the C semi-finals and then into the C finals.

Why does bad tend to overshadow good?One bad can most likely ruin someone’s day, but one good can only make them feel better.One bad can be depressing, when one good will only take your mind off of the depression for a moment.With this in mind. Everyone, let’s try to overlook the bad and focus on the good and let’s make Change, lasting change that will affect this country and will lead our country.The end.

So, about the rain.
About the rain, I was thinking this morning when awoken bright and early at 4:40.

I really enjoy the rain, when I am inside, but not when I am in class.

I like the leisure of sitting inside and just relaxing while it is raining.  There is no time to think about other things.

I like the weather when it is raining, the temperature, the cool breeze… but if that could be accomplished without the rain.

Anyway… I thought I had a lot to say about the rain, but now it is raining outside and I do not want to type anymore.

The website is now in its 4th Edition with a new logo and brand.  The new brand is reflected up top.  Things will start reflecting that new scheme soon.  Business cards are on the way…

Well, for the people who actually visit this website on a regular basis, you have noticed that I haven’t made a post in quite a while… It has been many weeks because my camera had to be shipped back to Nikon for repair.  But, now I have my camera back, so the blog should be up and running at least 1 or 2 new posts a week. For now, stay tuned while I get the camera prepped.Thanks,Paul

My pictures from my family trip are on hold for a day or so until after the WWDC 06 conference in San Francisco. You can check out Engadget’s live coverage until then, as this is what I will be doing when I am not walking around Boston tomorrow.I am so excited! :)Until then, check out the other family trip pictures.

• Day 1: Plymouth
• Day 2: Cape Cod
• Day 3: Martha’s Vineyard
• Day 4: Plans Changed
• Day 5: New Port, R.I. -> New Haven, Conn.
• Day 6: New York - no pictures
• Day 7: New York -> Boston, Mass.