Sunday 2/14 ♥

(Robert Francis) - 10:13

First of all...

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

xoxoxoxox

In light of the holiday I have changed our font color to this festive one. Now that that's done with, I have something to say.

It has happened. Finally. That moment we've all dreaded has come and gone and we have emerged from it stronger and wiser. I finally didn't get grace last night. I know what you're all thinking, "NO!", "Oh my gosh", and "Is he OK?". Fear not good readers, I have survived. But yes, last night I had my second night of actual blue tenting. I have in fact received 6 nights of grace, but no more. I was a bit cold at first, but then I doubled up on the sleeping bags and everything was toasty. I awoke at 7 something but had to hang around until 8:30. So Brandon, Michael, and I stood in the freezing sunlight for a bit. Then Brandon and I left the tent using the power of church grace and got McDonalds (I'm lovin' it). I got a McGriddle. SO hot right now. It was delicious.

(Tim Lin) - 10:57

I would like all the readers to know that I am feeling better. In case you were all worrying about me. Because I know you all were.

I got out of bed at about 10:30 today. Which means that I have spent the majority of the past 17.5 hours in bed. Longest nap ever. After Mr. Christopher Ryan D'Angelo overdosed me on Advil, I just crashed in bed. But he also gave me a Gatorade. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I love you Chris!! And Lewis!! And all others who sent me calls/texts inquiring to my well-being.

Now for the bad news. I only have pictures of the first part of the exclusive super duper outrageous cool awesome mysterious unknown super secret. Because the Fortress was holding onto my camera during the second part. In other words, my camera was not in my possession because it was left in the Fortress while my room was walked to by my exhausted self. Maybe the pictures were taken by someone else. Notice how I am using passive voice to shift the blame away from myself. I mean, notice how passive voice is being used by me to shift the blame away from myself.

"I'll never write a song. Won't even sing along..."

(Esther Showalter) - 22:19

And just for the record:

新年快乐！

(Happy New Year!)

~*QUOTES OF THE DAY*~

(a series of out-of-context quotes that should by no means be taken at face value)

"Dang it, are you guys killing me?...not again."~ Michael Gay

Saturday 2/13

(Cameron James Oswalt) - 21:56

The Maryland game was incredible. The FORTRESS struck gold again, and our fame increased thanks to the stylings of sir nicholas bodnar. However, on the other hand, I don't know how much life I have left in me. Heckling Grievis and just demoralizing a terrible Maryland team really takes it out of you. Plus, unfortunately, I had probably my saddest Duke basketball memory every. While eating in the BC after the game, I saw my favorite basketball star ever... the one and only JJ Redick... eating at the Dillo. I was wearing his jersey, and after some prodding from my mates, I ran to buy a Sharpie in order to get his signature to adorn my jersey. I threw away my trash from Panda at exactly the same time that he was disposing of his Dillo garbage. But that was about the only positive aspect of our encounter. I told him to not throw away his stuff in one of the trash bins because the Dillo lady had yelled at me about ten second earlier, and I didn't want him to experience the same humiliation. So, I guess it is cool that I gave JJ orders. However, he was definitely out to play for keeps. After he thanked me for the advice, I asked if he could real quick sign my jersey. To my horror, he said, "No, I'm in a hurry dude. Sorry." Exactly. And he ran off with his blonde fiancé (sorry ladies). I stood there in astonishment as the feeling of betrayal and humiliation crept through me. JJ lost some major points in my book. I was crushed. He is still my favorite player and has my loyalty, but I just don't know what to do now that he blatantly rejected me and exposed his true character. I can only hope he was having a bad day.

On the other hand, congrats on the win and the birthday Coach K.

And a major shout-out to my sister, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROXIE!

(Jake Purcell) -21:20

Lewis Purcell is dead. He has been replaced with a souless zombie of Duke Basketball, of K-ville; Jake Purcell. Duke Basketball program - you win. You've officially made me a Cameron Crazie. After getting no sleep and spending the entirety of two days in the walk-up line; which requires half your ppl at all time and never gets grace; I'm no longer functionable as a person but only as a Crazie. Exhausted and crazed, I had plans of a nap for eternity this evening but had a tent shift. Am now frozen in my sleeping bag on a bench.

On another note; COACH K's 1000th Game. His birthday, our present for him, and crushing of Maryland was ultimate. BUT MOST ULTIMATE OF ALL _ TO ALL YOU HATERS OUT THERE - ZOUBEK SHOWED YALL WHY HE"S ON THE TEAM - he scored a resounding 16 points (second highest scorer of the game) and 17 Rebounds - twice as many as any other player on the court. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

(Esther Showalter) - 19:24

So I finally know who the Nolan of Nolan's Nest is. I hope he visits us.

My TA cancelled his office hours in Teer tonight. I found out after I trekked up to the E-quad to spend my Saturday night doing trying to understand Convolutions. Which my teacher claims has no root relationship with "convoluted", but my teacher claims a lot of things. So here I am in Teer basement until 9, when I get to back to the tent. The Maryland game was fun, but it's nice to not be in a walk-up line outside for another night.

I never got to see the super-secret mysterious unknown awesome thing except from the side. Someone had better put up pictures.

(Tim Lin) - 09:30

I don't feel so good...After this game vs. Maryland, I'm going to crash. I didn't sleep very well last night. Bleh. I don't like the snow anymore. I was really excited the first time because I had never seen it before. But now it's just annoying.

In other news, the exclusive super duper outrageous cool awesome mysterious unknown super secret plan has been carried out. Although the wind was kinda annoying and now it's kinda folded up weird. Pictures soon.

"I'll never wake up without an overdose of you..."

(Jonathan) 04:00
Did we or did we not hang a huge sign from the roof of Cameron Indoor Stadium reading "Happy Birthday Coach K! -the Fortress"?

Friday 2/12

(Леша Пурселлов) 3:47

Я устал. Николай и Тимофей спить. Мы сидим в Bryan Center - вообще то они лежит - но я сижу. Осталось немнога работа - но работать не хочу. Опять дали милосерди но так как мы не только в палатках но и еще в очереди для Maryland нам никуда идти. Все - знаю - никто не поймет что тут написанно - пускай и так будет.

(Esther Showalter) - 08:17

I think this is what you meant to say, LJ:

(Lewis of Pursellov) - 3:47

I am tired. Nikolai and Timofey to overimbibe. We are sitting in the Bryan Center; (they are actually lying down) - but I sit. I still have a little work - but I do not want to work. Again I gave [miloserdi] however, since we are not only in the tents but also in line for the Maryland game to us anywhere to go. Everything - I know - no one will understand this here [napisanno] - let so it will be.

(Robert Francis)- 11:07

If only people like MICHAEL GAY and HANNAH SMITH and BRANDON SEMEL and CAMERON OSWALT would bother to contribute to the awesomeness of our blog. Sadly, however, they are failures.

(Tim Lin) - 16:06

Midnight Wal-Mart run last night was a success. The exclusive super duper outrageous cool awesome mysterious unknown super secret plan will be carried out tonight. I hope the snow doesn't deter us too much...

So today was kinda chaotic. Lining up for a basketball game is harder than tenting. We had 12 people lining up, and for those of you who aren't familiar with line-up rules, we have to have half of the group there at all times. So at night, it's effectively blue tenting, but not in the actual tent. During the day, it's like black tenting times 3!! That's how crazy it is. Very hectic. But front row seats (stands? nobody sits at these games...) at Maryland will be super special awesome.

I can't wait till tonight!! Pictures will definitely come soon.

"From the day we arrived on the planet..."

(Robert Francis) -22:50

First noteworthy thing is...it's ***SNOWING***!!!! Yay! After celebrating the snow,

We headed over to West and phase one of Operation Snow Blind is complete. I along with my Fortress comrades spent this evening sheltered from the snow preparing for our secret plan of awesomeness. And it is AWESOME. Be warned. All shall be revealed come dawn...or now in pictures.

Thursday 2/11

(Robert Francis) - 00:43

I leave the finer details of our fine sport to more qualified bloggers. But tonight, after the game, we went to meet the victorious warriors. As they disembarked from their vessel of triumph. We cheered, waved and get this...even TOUCHED their hands! That's right. I personally high-fived Scheyer, Mason, Zoubek, Singler, AND the might warlord-captain-commander-brigadier-lieutenant-general-chief-Coach K! Yes it was a good day indeed. Also, we have grace until twelve tomorrow. That means 4 of my daytime hours are gone! Victory!

(Esther Showalter) = 19:32

Oh and they turned the siren on right at 5:55 and told us we have grace till 9:30 for the women's basketball game. See everyone at RUF!

(Esther Showalter) - 16:24

CLAIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'M FINALLY IN THE TENT!!!!!!!!11 WHERE ARE THE CHOCOLATE BUNNIES!!!!!?????? CLAIREEEEEEEEEEE? BUNNIES?!!!!!!! -oooooooooooooooorh, there they are................. ...............mnfmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - ooh, gooey - mmmmnnmmmmgmmffflmffggggmllllllggmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......................

My resolve to study abroad in England next semester has increased proportionally to the amount of calories in each bunny package. Mrs. McIvenny, may I visit you in August?

So my second daytime tent check ever was just completed between the typing of "m..................etc" and "My resolve". Grace til 17:30 means pounding my head with my Stat book in Wilson for 45 minutes...joy.

I finally have a random and out of context quote for the day. See below.

(Robert Francis)- 12:59

I am sitting in the tent with Elyn and we overheard the girl from the tarp next door describing her tarp. She said, "We're not The Fortress, we're not gay." She then went on to describe the miseries of black tenting and how their tarp fell down. Weak. Clearly there is some jealousy going on here...

(Robert Francis)- 11:15

It is a beautiful sunny day in K-Ville. Though grace is not yet over, I've come to relax and do homework. And this weather is great! Soooo much nicer than yesterday's icy torrent of windy-death. Last night was great and I can't wait 'til it happens again March 6. Should be a fantastic time. And a bee just kamikaze-d into my ear.

to copy Tim

"And what a lovely morning!...good mornin', GOOD MORNIN'!"

(Tim Lin) - 00:59

Apparently, when Robert is writing something, the blog deletes what I post. Oh well.

64-54!! DUKE > UNC!! They like to spell Duke as "dook." I'm really not quite sure why. I think all that proves is that they can't spell. I tried for a long time to think of something derogatory from the word "dook" but to no avail. The closest thing I can think of to an insult is that "dook" looks almost like "poop." But then again, so does every 4-lettered word with 2 o's in the middle. Yeah...I don't get it. I would counter that by spelling UNC as "yoo enn see," but that would just be lowering myself to their level. And if I do that, they'll beat me by experience. So yeah.

Anyways, I am with Robert. Though I know a bit about basketball, I feel as if it could be better described by someone else. Anyways, if Lewis tells you that Zoubek had an amazing game, don't listen to him. Because Zoubek's game was not all that amazing. He did probably 2 things that were amazing/pretty good. Everything else was just kinda good.

I, too, touched all of their hands. And I even took some fail pictures. Because I felt really awkward taking pictures. I feel like a paparazzi.

"I'm your greatest fan. I'll follow you until you love me..."

(Jake Purcell) -01:15

GO TO HELL CAROLINA! omg, anything that might have been bad in this world became good with the epic defeat of Carolina tonight. They kept us on the edge of our seats until suddenly Mason Plumlee (who touched my hand btw) made a backwards dunk - that was just the momentum we needed to shoot ahead and win by 10! I was the first to shake Zoubek's hand - he had such an awesome game and I gave a shout out to him on NBC17 - they don't have that video yet but they did have this pretty sweet one. http://durhamcounty.mync.com/site/durhamcounty/video/9823/Duke%20Students%20Watch%20UNC%20Game/

P.S - Coach K touched my hand and talked to us - it was sooooo cool! Tonight was our seniors 100th WIN!!!

(Tim Lin) - 21:43

I'm not actually in the tent. But I might be in K-Ville later tonight. Carrying out the exclusive super duper outrageous cool awesome mysterious unknown super secret. Yeah.

I also wanted to comment on the quote that Professor Dinwoodie apparently said. I do not remember him saying anything of that sort. Then again, I wasn't paying attention in class today. And I left class at...12:25 and class ends at 12:55. That probably explains why.

(Esther Showalter) - 21:55

Tim, what do you even come to class for if you're just going to leave before we get to the hurricanes?

~*QUOTES OF THE DAY*~

(a series of out-of-context quotes that should by no means be taken at face value)

"Jon Scheyer touched my hand!"~ Robert

"Actually me and Jon Scheyer made out for a little bit. You probably missed it."~Cameron

"..."~Tim

"...So my coin flip is a failure when I don't get a hurricane" - Prof. Dinwoodie

Wednesday 2/10

(Jonathan) - 10:30

So last night I took Laura's place in the tent, since she has been diagnosed with the bubonic plague, anthrax and smallpox (of the eye). When I first decided to do this, I supposed that I would be sleeping through a mediocre-ly yucky night millimeters above freezing cold, treacherously wet ground. Little did I know I would actually be PARTYING ALL NIGHT LONG!!! Last night without a doubt made the "Best Nighttime Activities at Duke" list at least twice. I may have gone to bed at 0400, but sometimes 4 hours of sleep is more than enough. Apparently today is just one of those days. It's ruthlessly beautiful outside today: the stark blue skies are crystal-clear and ice-cold, with a wind to freeze hell ripping across campus. If this day had a name (it probably does: do you think God names his days?), it would be "Epic". Recommended listening for today includes Europe's The Final Countdown (of course), Iron Maiden's Aces High, and lots of good stuff from Snow Patrol. If you want to chill, go for Avett Bro's (who I'm down with lately, as per Eric / Michael Gay's recommendations) or Patty G., who is just the flying wins all over. Long live the Fortress!

(Tim Lin) - 12:02

Oh snap. Last night was so exciting. Nick, Jonathan, Lewis, and I got on top of Cameron while he was sleeping. Take that as you will.

"My life has killed the dream I dreamed."

(Robert Francis)- 13:26

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Tim just used a Les Mis quote! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! love. it.

(Lewis Purcell) -14:29

I haven't posted in forever. First, THANK YOU CLAIRE AND HANNAH"S MOTHERS!!! the sweets have been epic. Secondly, the women's UNC game was good - we won so sweetly and then the bench burning was pathetic, but Case and I are starting the Duke riot club so the next bench burning better be better. It might be tonight. Thirdly, the fortress has such a surprise for Coach K's birthday, it's gonna be epic!

(Robert Francis)-15:00

SOOOOO windy today. Many a tent has succumbed to the ferocious winds, but notice the Fortress (upper left corner) is still standing strong.

(Tim Lin) - 18:37

Looks like we have even more grace until tonight. Why? Because it's windy. Fail. If your tent can't stand because it's windy, then you don't deserve to be in K-ville. Seriously.

I'm excited that UNC is going to lose again. 4th time in a row.

"I know every mile will be worth my while..."

~*QUOTES OF THE DAY*~

(a series of out-of-context quotes that should by no means be taken at face value)

"My child with Laquinta (name changed for privacy) will be the most good looking!" ~Michael Gay

"How will I live? I'm just so fat!" - Hannah Smith

Tuesday 2/09

(Laura Ezell) - 13:03

It's raining, thus I decided to spend my tent shift in the nice, dry overhang right outside of Cameron. Jon Scheyer walked past me twice, and I watched Brian Zoubek clean out his car for about 10 minutes. (Surreptitiously, obviously, otherwise that would have been creepy; I was also writing an essay.) Why he was doing this, I have no idea. But it's nice to know the Duke basketball players pay general attention to their cleanliness.

(Tim Lin) - 14:12

I saw Miles Plumlee get off of a C-1 at about 11:30. I assume he was coming back to West from a class on East that was either from 10:20 - 11:10 or from 10:05 - 11:15. I'm leaning toward the 2nd one.

This rain is annoying. I didn't really want to crawl into the Fortress because I would have gotten kinda wet doing that. And then I would have to crawl back out later. And I don't really want to get into the actual tent. Because that tent doesn't completely keep out water like the Fortress does. Maybe I'll go visit Will Parham in his tent. I saw him switch shifts with Ian Beatty as I walked into K-ville.

This is also the third or fourth tent shift I've had during which I resolved to do my math homework. And this is also the third or fourth tent shift I've had during which I did not do my math homework.

I also have another great idea. Since Laura has pink eye, she should sleep by herself in the actual tent. That can be the quarantine area for sickly peoples.

In other news that is completely unrelated to tenting, JAY SEAN LDOC 2010!! I'm so excited.

"Do you remember all of the times we had?"

(Tim Lin) - 17:07

So...if 6 people go to this weird Coke Zero thing tonight, we are one step closer to getting a night of grace. We have 4 people who said they would go. Hannah can probably go because she'll be in the tent anyways. Lewis and Esther aren't picking up their phones. Maybe they'll read this before they pick up their phones. I hope one of them comes. Yeah...

"I'm far too tired to fall asleep..."

(Esther Showalter) - 20:00

Coke Zero, I am totally unimpressed. I want to know who was the brilliant person who woke up one morning and thought, "I know just what Dukies living in K-ville for a month would love: an office chair! With "Coke Zero" written on it!!" Honestly, proving that a matrix is invertible if and only if it's reduced row echelon form is the identity matrix was more exciting than that.

Here are some things you should have put in a goodie bag to make us love you:

Hand warmers

Waterproof tarps

Unleakable air mattresses and/or air mattress leak detectors and patches

Sheets of plywood/packing crates

Monster cookies

Duct tape - lots of it.

Duke Basketball Players

Know your audience, people.

And I bet when you do your spiel at UNC the UNC grad gets to talk and the Duke guy lurks around meekly in the background. Well, he probably wouldn't like lurking too well. Definitely not meekly. But it's still fickle of you.

"Just gimme a reason"

(Laura Ezell) - 22:45

The Kville angels strike again! And it turns out they aren't merely random; the basketball players get Cookout the night before the night before a game, and leftovers go to the tenters! I also saw the entire basketball team as they passed leaving Cameron. Finally, major props to Jonathan for saving the entire tent from infection!

Monday 2/08

(Cameron James Oswalt) - 01:00

I would just like to lobby for naming the tent adjacent to THE FORTRESS as THE BASTION based on the following definition...

Definitions of bastion on the Web:

• a group that defends a principle; "a bastion against corruption"; "the last bastion of communism"
• a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle
• projecting part of a rampart or other fortification

I feel like that pretty well describes the tent.

On a more related note, I just heard grace was given. Congrats Fellow Fortress Friends! =]

(Esther Showalter) - 0926

Grace was called until 9am this morning, which was nice. But it's still really cold in the tent right now. I'm trying to figure out these convolutions - that's right, there's really a process in ECE that is named after a word that means "confused and messed up" - and I have to wear gloves because it's so chilly, so all my answers look like a chicken scratched them out on my paper. I was outside earlier, but then it was windy too and then a big truck pulled up right beside my bench and just sat there being loud and noisy, so I'm inside now. It's ok, I can eat the stale animal crackers. I wonder if they're the ones left over from Thursday night.

I think I saw Coach K driving a car by K-ville on the sidewalk. Or it might have just been an angry person. I'm not really sure.

And a little after that all the basketball players came out of Cameron and started walking back to their dorms (I presume). They really are very tall.

(Lewis Purcell) -11:46

I'm not in the tent because blue tenting hardly exists. Ryan Kelly and Mason were at breakfast this morning. Ryan had a waffle. I have a confession to make: until this day I didn't have a poster of the team in my room to look at for inspiration/just to admire. I've felt so bad that i've kept this information from the Team Fortress till today, that I had to go buy one. I'm so happy, it's

such a load off my back.

Isn't it sweet!?!

(Tim Lin) - 10:49

We are sad (happy) to announce that Michael Gay has been devoured. Click the word "devoured" to see how he died. Or just look below. We didn't catch the actual devouring on camera. That would have been disgusting. Kinda like the Ralph/Sally incident...

Here are some stills from the video.

Made by Robert Francis

Michael Gay. Unaware.

Michael Gay is shocked as he is seized without warning.

He is then taken down.

Where Jonathan weakens him with a knife.

Finally Brandon delivers a Lemur Punch to the throat.

"Even if the sky is falling down."

(Tim Lin) - 11:57

I am confused because I posted something, and it disappeared. So here I go again.

I would like to point out that although Ryan had the waffle, like Lewis said, Ryan also did not eat most of his waffle. Yeah.

I just went to the bathroom. I hope there wasn't a tent check in the 3 minutes I was gone.

I just had a mischievously mischievous idea of mischievously mischievous mischief. I can't wait for the next person to post!!

"What can make you move? CHIHUAHUA!! Can you feel the groove? CHIHUAHUA!!"

(Nick Bodnar AND TIM LIN EDIT/INVASION) 13:17

I just got an email informing The Fortress that we missed a check. Turns out there was a check during Tim's 3-minute bathroom escapade. HEY NICK IMMA LET YOU FINISH, BUT THE FORTRESS IS ONE OF THE BEST TENTS OF ALL TIME! (OF ALL TIME!!) Good job Tim,

-Nick

(Nick Bodnar) 13:35

Actually, that previous post was a lie. Let us hereby cancel the bounty on his head.

-Nick

(Tim Lin) - 14:27

What a great post to carry out my mischievously mischievous idea of mischievously mischievous mischief on. Nick, consider yourself Kanye'd.

(Claire McIlvenny) - 22:45

Just got back from Cameron Indoor and watching the Women's Basketball game.

DUKE - 79, UNC - 51

TAKE THAT CAROLINA. BURN THOSE BENCHES!

(Claire McIlvenny) - 16:00.

Earlier when I took over from Tim, I mentioned how he had missed a tent check. Thankfully it began to dawn on me that Nick may have been joking BEFORE I killed Tim. It really could have ended badly. Thankfully Nick alerted us of his tomfoolery (what an amazing word) before things got to far.

In other news, my mum sent us all a care package today :D

Yay Team Fortress! Below are a series of photos from said package, and I will be distributing the contents amongst you all when time permits :)

A mysterious and large black box. I wonder what could be inside....??

Is that a note I see??

Ah, why yes, look. It seems these are the intended recipients of this parcel. But what could be inside I wonder??

An English-American dictionary from the 1980s?!?!

Hiding GLORIOUS BRITISH CADBURY PRODUCTS FOR YOU ALL! (If anyone mentions the Kraft takeover I will kill them in their sleep tonight).

I will see you all either in the tent or around and will give you what is yours then :)

And, as I know my mum reads our blog, THANKS MUM :D xxx

(Tim Lin) - 23:31

DUKE > UNC!! I was so mad that the stupid UNC player shot that last shot. We were about to win by 30. Now we have to settle for 28. Fail. I was also happy that one of their players was sagging her pants. I got to yell at her for looking like a fool with her pants on the ground.

"CALL YOURSELF A COOL CAT LOOKING LIKE A FOOL!!"