A few bits out of this neat article about the New Atheism: (really long, so these are the best bits... it's still worth reading, though!)
Like Dawkins, Slade rejects those who might once have been his allies: agnostics and liberal believers, the type of people who may go to church but who are skeptical of doctrine. "Moderates give a power base to extremists," Slade says. "A lot of Catholics use condoms, a lot of Catholics are divorced, and a lot don't have a particular opinion about whether you are homosexual. But when the Pope stands up and says, 'This is what Catholics believe,' he still gets credit for speaking for more than a billion people."
Now that people are more worried about the fatwas of Muslim clerics, Slade says, this concern could spread, become more general, and wake people up to damage caused by the Pope.
For the New Atheists, the problem is not any specific doctrine, but religion in general. Or, as Dawkins writes in The God Delusion, "As long as we accept the principle that religious faith must be respected simply because it is religious faith, it is hard to withhold respect from the faith of Osama bin Laden and the suicide bombers."
and...
Suddenly I notice in myself a protective feeling toward Harris. Here is a man who believes that a great global change, perhaps the most important cultural change in the history of humanity, will occur out of sheer intellectual embarrassment.
We discuss what it might look like, this world without God. "There would be a religion of reason," Harris says. "We would have realized the rational means to maximize human happiness. We may all agree that we want to have a Sabbath that we take really seriously – a lot more seriously than most religious people take it. But it would be a rational decision, and it would not be just because it's in the Bible. We would be able to invoke the power of poetry and ritual and silent contemplation and all the variables of happiness so that we could exploit them. Call it prayer, but we would have prayer without bullshit."
I do call it prayer. Here is the atheist prayer: that our reason will subjugate our superstition, that our intelligence will check our illusions, that we will be able to hold at bay the evil temptation of faith.
and...
The Center for Inquiry is also a storied landmark. True, it is not as striking as the Angelus Temple, being only a bland, low structure at the far end of Hollywood Boulevard, miles away from the tourists. But this building is the West Coast branch of one of the greatest anti-supernatural organizations in the world. My favorite thing about the Center for Inquiry is that it is affiliated with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, founded 30 years ago by Isaac Asimov, Paul Kurtz, and Carl Sagan and dedicated to spreading misery among every species of quack.
The New Atheists never propose realistic solutions to the damage religion can cause. For instance, the Catholic Church opposes condom use, which makes it complicit in the spread of AIDS. But among the most powerful voices against this tragic mistake are liberals within the Church – exactly those allies the New Atheists reject. The New Atheists care mainly about correct belief. This makes them hopeless, politically.
When I arrive at the farm, I find him in the midst of a difficult task. He has been asked by the President's Council on Bioethics to write an essay reflecting on human dignity. In grappling with these issues, Dennett knows that he can't rely on faith or scripture. He will not say that life begins when an embryo is ensouled by God. He will not say that hospitals must not invite the indigent to sell their bodies for medical experiments because humans are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights. Ethical problems must be solved by reason, not arbitrary rules. And yet, on the other hand, Dennett knows that reason alone will fail.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The New Atheism
A few bits out of this neat article about the New Atheism: (really long, so these are the best bits... it's still worth reading, though!)
Like Dawkins, Slade rejects those who might once have been his allies: agnostics and liberal believers, the type of people who may go to church but who are skeptical of doctrine. "Moderates give a power base to extremists," Slade says. "A lot of Catholics use condoms, a lot of Catholics are divorced, and a lot don't have a particular opinion about whether you are homosexual. But when the Pope stands up and says, 'This is what Catholics believe,' he still gets credit for speaking for more than a billion people."
Now that people are more worried about the fatwas of Muslim clerics, Slade says, this concern could spread, become more general, and wake people up to damage caused by the Pope.
For the New Atheists, the problem is not any specific doctrine, but religion in general. Or, as Dawkins writes in The God Delusion, "As long as we accept the principle that religious faith must be respected simply because it is religious faith, it is hard to withhold respect from the faith of Osama bin Laden and the suicide bombers."
and...
Suddenly I notice in myself a protective feeling toward Harris. Here is a man who believes that a great global change, perhaps the most important cultural change in the history of humanity, will occur out of sheer intellectual embarrassment.
We discuss what it might look like, this world without God. "There would be a religion of reason," Harris says. "We would have realized the rational means to maximize human happiness. We may all agree that we want to have a Sabbath that we take really seriously – a lot more seriously than most religious people take it. But it would be a rational decision, and it would not be just because it's in the Bible. We would be able to invoke the power of poetry and ritual and silent contemplation and all the variables of happiness so that we could exploit them. Call it prayer, but we would have prayer without bullshit."
I do call it prayer. Here is the atheist prayer: that our reason will subjugate our superstition, that our intelligence will check our illusions, that we will be able to hold at bay the evil temptation of faith.
and...
The Center for Inquiry is also a storied landmark. True, it is not as striking as the Angelus Temple, being only a bland, low structure at the far end of Hollywood Boulevard, miles away from the tourists. But this building is the West Coast branch of one of the greatest anti-supernatural organizations in the world. My favorite thing about the Center for Inquiry is that it is affiliated with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, founded 30 years ago by Isaac Asimov, Paul Kurtz, and Carl Sagan and dedicated to spreading misery among every species of quack.
The New Atheists never propose realistic solutions to the damage religion can cause. For instance, the Catholic Church opposes condom use, which makes it complicit in the spread of AIDS. But among the most powerful voices against this tragic mistake are liberals within the Church – exactly those allies the New Atheists reject. The New Atheists care mainly about correct belief. This makes them hopeless, politically.
When I arrive at the farm, I find him in the midst of a difficult task. He has been asked by the President's Council on Bioethics to write an essay reflecting on human dignity. In grappling with these issues, Dennett knows that he can't rely on faith or scripture. He will not say that life begins when an embryo is ensouled by God. He will not say that hospitals must not invite the indigent to sell their bodies for medical experiments because humans are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights. Ethical problems must be solved by reason, not arbitrary rules. And yet, on the other hand, Dennett knows that reason alone will fail.
Like Dawkins, Slade rejects those who might once have been his allies: agnostics and liberal believers, the type of people who may go to church but who are skeptical of doctrine. "Moderates give a power base to extremists," Slade says. "A lot of Catholics use condoms, a lot of Catholics are divorced, and a lot don't have a particular opinion about whether you are homosexual. But when the Pope stands up and says, 'This is what Catholics believe,' he still gets credit for speaking for more than a billion people."
Now that people are more worried about the fatwas of Muslim clerics, Slade says, this concern could spread, become more general, and wake people up to damage caused by the Pope.
For the New Atheists, the problem is not any specific doctrine, but religion in general. Or, as Dawkins writes in The God Delusion, "As long as we accept the principle that religious faith must be respected simply because it is religious faith, it is hard to withhold respect from the faith of Osama bin Laden and the suicide bombers."
and...
Suddenly I notice in myself a protective feeling toward Harris. Here is a man who believes that a great global change, perhaps the most important cultural change in the history of humanity, will occur out of sheer intellectual embarrassment.
We discuss what it might look like, this world without God. "There would be a religion of reason," Harris says. "We would have realized the rational means to maximize human happiness. We may all agree that we want to have a Sabbath that we take really seriously – a lot more seriously than most religious people take it. But it would be a rational decision, and it would not be just because it's in the Bible. We would be able to invoke the power of poetry and ritual and silent contemplation and all the variables of happiness so that we could exploit them. Call it prayer, but we would have prayer without bullshit."
I do call it prayer. Here is the atheist prayer: that our reason will subjugate our superstition, that our intelligence will check our illusions, that we will be able to hold at bay the evil temptation of faith.
and...
The Center for Inquiry is also a storied landmark. True, it is not as striking as the Angelus Temple, being only a bland, low structure at the far end of Hollywood Boulevard, miles away from the tourists. But this building is the West Coast branch of one of the greatest anti-supernatural organizations in the world. My favorite thing about the Center for Inquiry is that it is affiliated with the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, founded 30 years ago by Isaac Asimov, Paul Kurtz, and Carl Sagan and dedicated to spreading misery among every species of quack.
The New Atheists never propose realistic solutions to the damage religion can cause. For instance, the Catholic Church opposes condom use, which makes it complicit in the spread of AIDS. But among the most powerful voices against this tragic mistake are liberals within the Church – exactly those allies the New Atheists reject. The New Atheists care mainly about correct belief. This makes them hopeless, politically.
When I arrive at the farm, I find him in the midst of a difficult task. He has been asked by the President's Council on Bioethics to write an essay reflecting on human dignity. In grappling with these issues, Dennett knows that he can't rely on faith or scripture. He will not say that life begins when an embryo is ensouled by God. He will not say that hospitals must not invite the indigent to sell their bodies for medical experiments because humans are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights. Ethical problems must be solved by reason, not arbitrary rules. And yet, on the other hand, Dennett knows that reason alone will fail.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
While I'm being mocked for my supposed militant feminism...
I present for you this article, which is long but very worth it, about the "War Against Boys". There has been a recent statistical trend toward lower achievement in school for boys, and it is widely seen as a reaction to all the energy that has been pumped into programs to help girls do well. The logic here goes that if we're helping girls, then we must be ignoring the boys, and that is why the boys aren't doing well. Another view that I can hardly even parse says that school is inherently feminizing to men, and school and teachers are trying to turn boys into "pussys" instead of "real men". This is ridiculous for any number of reasons, well described in the article.
As I risk turning this into "an angry feminist rant", I'd just like to point out that I'm not particularly extreme on any of this, nor am I a "feminazi", though I have been called that rather seriously at least once. (Not even counting the several times a day Steve tells me I'm an angry feminist.) I do have a sensitive spot for discrimination on the subject, however, and with this (as with everything else) I rarely hesitate to make my feelings known.
As I risk turning this into "an angry feminist rant", I'd just like to point out that I'm not particularly extreme on any of this, nor am I a "feminazi", though I have been called that rather seriously at least once. (Not even counting the several times a day Steve tells me I'm an angry feminist.) I do have a sensitive spot for discrimination on the subject, however, and with this (as with everything else) I rarely hesitate to make my feelings known.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
In London Town
What an awesome day!
Pictures should be on facebook soon...
First, I went to breakfast, then class. Both good, but fairly standard.
Then, I went to the afternoon Eucharist at St Martin in the Fields church in Trafalgar Square. It was great.
Then I explored Trafalgar a little more. I didn't get to go into the National Gallery (soon!) but I did take a look at Allison Lapper Pregnant, the statue that is currently on "the empty plinth". (For the record, I have never seen, heard, read, or thought combined the word plinth half as many times as I have used it this past week.) That was cool.
Then I was supposed to meet some people at Harrods. It's nearly a 3 mile route directly, but I didn't go directly. And I got lost. So lost. No streets are straight, and despite my three excellent maps... well, I got lost. So I missed my appointed time to meet my friends there. It took a long time. But on the way there, I walked past Buckingham Palace, as well as these awesome people with insane hats.
Also, I went through Belgravia, which is where most of the embassies are. As well as these signs.
And then I finally made it to Harrods. Where I saw:
I would seriously kill for this lamp. Whoa.
And from there, I took the bus to Picadilly. (Close to Trafalgar, where I started.) From there, I explored a lot. I visited St James' church, and found a nice little market, where I happily bought a watch and a sweatshirt.
I also stole sugar for my tea from several coffee shops. (One opened in my bag. It was the karma price, I think.) I wandered around, eventually finding dinner (fish and chips), Covent Garden, the LSE, the BBC, theatreland, Drury Lane, and some armed dudes in bearskin hats.
I kept walking, with the vague notion of going home. I didn't end up in the direction of home (north and a little east), but ended up on the Strand/Fleet Street (a lot east and a little south). I ended up walking to St. Paul's again to catch a bus home. But while I was on Fleet Street, I found the Twinnings HQ (amazing sign!)
and St. Bride's. St. Bride's was very cool. The site it occupies has been a site of Christian worship since there were Christians in Britain. There are visible old Roman foundations in the basement! And a great crypt. They were also having a festival, which I stopped at. And of course, the modern church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St. Paul's) and damaged by the WWII bombings of the area. John Milton also lived in the courtyard. Sweet!
Again, the direct route (which I most certainly did not take) was about 2 miles. Then I actually did make it home, to write this and upload my photos.
Hurray. I love cities. They're so great. London especially, since that is where I am.
Pictures should be on facebook soon...
First, I went to breakfast, then class. Both good, but fairly standard.
Then, I went to the afternoon Eucharist at St Martin in the Fields church in Trafalgar Square. It was great.
Then I explored Trafalgar a little more. I didn't get to go into the National Gallery (soon!) but I did take a look at Allison Lapper Pregnant, the statue that is currently on "the empty plinth". (For the record, I have never seen, heard, read, or thought combined the word plinth half as many times as I have used it this past week.) That was cool.
Then I was supposed to meet some people at Harrods. It's nearly a 3 mile route directly, but I didn't go directly. And I got lost. So lost. No streets are straight, and despite my three excellent maps... well, I got lost. So I missed my appointed time to meet my friends there. It took a long time. But on the way there, I walked past Buckingham Palace, as well as these awesome people with insane hats.
Also, I went through Belgravia, which is where most of the embassies are. As well as these signs.
And then I finally made it to Harrods. Where I saw:
I would seriously kill for this lamp. Whoa. And from there, I took the bus to Picadilly. (Close to Trafalgar, where I started.) From there, I explored a lot. I visited St James' church, and found a nice little market, where I happily bought a watch and a sweatshirt.
I also stole sugar for my tea from several coffee shops. (One opened in my bag. It was the karma price, I think.) I wandered around, eventually finding dinner (fish and chips), Covent Garden, the LSE, the BBC, theatreland, Drury Lane, and some armed dudes in bearskin hats.
I kept walking, with the vague notion of going home. I didn't end up in the direction of home (north and a little east), but ended up on the Strand/Fleet Street (a lot east and a little south). I ended up walking to St. Paul's again to catch a bus home. But while I was on Fleet Street, I found the Twinnings HQ (amazing sign!)
and St. Bride's. St. Bride's was very cool. The site it occupies has been a site of Christian worship since there were Christians in Britain. There are visible old Roman foundations in the basement! And a great crypt. They were also having a festival, which I stopped at. And of course, the modern church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St. Paul's) and damaged by the WWII bombings of the area. John Milton also lived in the courtyard. Sweet!
Again, the direct route (which I most certainly did not take) was about 2 miles. Then I actually did make it home, to write this and upload my photos.
Hurray. I love cities. They're so great. London especially, since that is where I am.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Look at me!
That's the before picture.
Now take a deep breath and prepare for the after.
It was a pretty big day for me today.
Now take a deep breath and prepare for the after.
It was a pretty big day for me today.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
King Tut
My own review of Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
The short: So much flash! Large crowds, high prices. Worth it if you know what you're getting into, even if only because these artifacts are unlikely to come to the US any time in the near future.
The long: This extremely hyped show is a big show, with less content behind it than it ought to have. The fancy graphics, the video introduction, and the animated images of Tutankhamen’s amazing golden funerary mask increase the hype but add little to the understanding of the meaning of the show. As with every major exhibit, the administrators pack way too many people in too fast. It hurts the structure of the show to be rushed through, meaning that what good content exists (and there is quite a bit) gets lost in the shuffle.
The stated aims of the show are quite sophisticated. It hopes to explain the radical shift of the Amarna period, the ancestry of King Tut, and the significance of the tomb’s discovery. However, the little fragments of text and the human traffic prevent the story from being told as clearly as one might hope. Instead, it tends to rely on the glitz. Thematic music, dim lights, fancy sconces with hieroglyphs on them, projections on the wall, and plasma screens can't and shouldn't try to replace the things the visitor pays to look at.
The flow of the exhibit is actually excellent, despite my criticism of the flow. The flow is inherently good, but with the addition of too many people, even the best of designs is inefficient.
The artifacts are sometimes amazing and sometimes ordinary; the most spectacular and memorable objects that toured in 1977, such as the mask and the coffin, are not making the rounds this time. However, there are many excellent pieces.
The oft-cited miniature coffin for Tut’s mummified liver is spectacular, completely deserving of the room it gets to itself in the exhibit. Make sure to take a look at the carvings on the inside. The gold-leafed coffin of Tut’s grandmother Tuya is exquisite, though little explanation is given for why it is there, why it is amazing, or what the visitor should make of it. The objects are well lit, and generally well displayed. The brief captions, serving mostly as a title for the piece, as well as a two sentence bits of context, mostly encourage the educated visitor to spend the extra $6 for an audio tour. These labels are repeated for most of the objects, reducing the press of people against the glass, which is good both for the show and it’s pieces.
Really, the show is well designed to be what it is: a show-piece for the Egyptian government. The over-priced tickets are funding the construction of the new museum in Cairo, which, from what I’ve read, is long overdue. The primary reason the Egyptian government authorized this show (or the one that came to smaller museums this year and the year before), was because the artifacts could not be properly displayed or even cared for in Egypt. It is all shimmer and sparkle (clearly the work of Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass), and the influence of David Silverman is in the contextualization and explanation of the pieces and their importance to the chronology of ancient Egyptian civilization.
If you are going to see the show, be prepared to take your time. There is a good story behind the exhibit, if you can find it. Primarily, go into the galleries prepared to examine the art that came two generations before to the art of Amarna and then to the funerary goods of the boy-king. For kids, I suggest a sort of ‘treasure hunt’. Print out a copy of Tut’s cartouche (that is, an oval enclosure for the royal name), and give it to kids to find on various artifacts. It’s a great way to get them looking closely at pieces. The exhibit itself shows off this cartouche, but not until about the half-way point of the exhibit. Also, pause over the objects that seem out of place. Many spectacular objects are not gold plated. The boat in the first gallery, or the royal scepters are excellent examples of objects that rarely get seen or noticed.
The short: So much flash! Large crowds, high prices. Worth it if you know what you're getting into, even if only because these artifacts are unlikely to come to the US any time in the near future.
The long: This extremely hyped show is a big show, with less content behind it than it ought to have. The fancy graphics, the video introduction, and the animated images of Tutankhamen’s amazing golden funerary mask increase the hype but add little to the understanding of the meaning of the show. As with every major exhibit, the administrators pack way too many people in too fast. It hurts the structure of the show to be rushed through, meaning that what good content exists (and there is quite a bit) gets lost in the shuffle.
The stated aims of the show are quite sophisticated. It hopes to explain the radical shift of the Amarna period, the ancestry of King Tut, and the significance of the tomb’s discovery. However, the little fragments of text and the human traffic prevent the story from being told as clearly as one might hope. Instead, it tends to rely on the glitz. Thematic music, dim lights, fancy sconces with hieroglyphs on them, projections on the wall, and plasma screens can't and shouldn't try to replace the things the visitor pays to look at.
The flow of the exhibit is actually excellent, despite my criticism of the flow. The flow is inherently good, but with the addition of too many people, even the best of designs is inefficient.
The artifacts are sometimes amazing and sometimes ordinary; the most spectacular and memorable objects that toured in 1977, such as the mask and the coffin, are not making the rounds this time. However, there are many excellent pieces.
The oft-cited miniature coffin for Tut’s mummified liver is spectacular, completely deserving of the room it gets to itself in the exhibit. Make sure to take a look at the carvings on the inside. The gold-leafed coffin of Tut’s grandmother Tuya is exquisite, though little explanation is given for why it is there, why it is amazing, or what the visitor should make of it. The objects are well lit, and generally well displayed. The brief captions, serving mostly as a title for the piece, as well as a two sentence bits of context, mostly encourage the educated visitor to spend the extra $6 for an audio tour. These labels are repeated for most of the objects, reducing the press of people against the glass, which is good both for the show and it’s pieces.
Really, the show is well designed to be what it is: a show-piece for the Egyptian government. The over-priced tickets are funding the construction of the new museum in Cairo, which, from what I’ve read, is long overdue. The primary reason the Egyptian government authorized this show (or the one that came to smaller museums this year and the year before), was because the artifacts could not be properly displayed or even cared for in Egypt. It is all shimmer and sparkle (clearly the work of Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass), and the influence of David Silverman is in the contextualization and explanation of the pieces and their importance to the chronology of ancient Egyptian civilization.
If you are going to see the show, be prepared to take your time. There is a good story behind the exhibit, if you can find it. Primarily, go into the galleries prepared to examine the art that came two generations before to the art of Amarna and then to the funerary goods of the boy-king. For kids, I suggest a sort of ‘treasure hunt’. Print out a copy of Tut’s cartouche (that is, an oval enclosure for the royal name), and give it to kids to find on various artifacts. It’s a great way to get them looking closely at pieces. The exhibit itself shows off this cartouche, but not until about the half-way point of the exhibit. Also, pause over the objects that seem out of place. Many spectacular objects are not gold plated. The boat in the first gallery, or the royal scepters are excellent examples of objects that rarely get seen or noticed.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Woot, go Erin!
So today, the Habitat Bike Challenge people had a day off in Chicago! Yay! Which meant that Erin was in town today. She had never really seen Chicago before, so I was very pleased to help out with that little problem. We met on the steps of the Art Institute. We explored the museum for a while, taking in some of the modern art and examining the awesome Impressionist galleries. I visited some of my old favorites, and acquired myself a new favorite painting. Ballet Dancers, by Henri de Toulouse Lautrec.
We had lunch at My Thai (so delicious) and walked around Millenium Park, then went back and saw a lot more museum. After that, we walked up to Michigan to the Magnificent Mile, and had ice cream. All in all, it was great.
Also, Carly is working for the Star-Ledger! She's a published journalist now! Woo! And Eddie got a job with Google in San Fran. Awesome.
We had lunch at My Thai (so delicious) and walked around Millenium Park, then went back and saw a lot more museum. After that, we walked up to Michigan to the Magnificent Mile, and had ice cream. All in all, it was great.
Also, Carly is working for the Star-Ledger! She's a published journalist now! Woo! And Eddie got a job with Google in San Fran. Awesome.
Monday, June 12, 2006
yay for fortune cookies
So, this fortune is stuck to my computer screen. "A new relationship is about to blossom. You will be blessed."
I have great faith in fortune cookies.
I have great faith in fortune cookies.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Waaah
What happened to my Cubs? I was so encouraged by Zambrano's almost no-hitter, and since then, we haven't been able to string two runs together. *cry*
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Skype
So, I'm pretty excited about this thing that I found. It's called Skype, and it lets you make really cheap calls, even internationally. So, I got myself a Skype account (free), and so you should give me a call sometime. To make that easy, I put a button on this blog, right under the archives thingie. At the moment, if I'm not here, it should forward the call to my cell phone. I don't know if that worked or not, but if you want to help me test it, go ahead. Anyway, this should make it a lot easier (read: cheaper) to talk to me while I'm in London. And God only knows I'll need to be cheap while in London.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Ah, home.
I love Chicago. Driving home tonight, in a one block stretch of Devon, we saw a shop selling halal meat, a different one with kosher wine, and then the Croatian Cultural Center.
I <3 Devon.
I <3 Devon.
Bringing it all back
St. Alban's is much as I remember. Small, a little old fashioned looking. Homey. The congregation is still small, and sometimes I fear it's shrinking. Too many people dying for me to be really comfortable. But we have so many kids right now! I don't know if they're the solution in the long term, though, because we have a split demographic. The 35-65 bracket, parents, and then the little kids (with Claire at the extreme top end-- I don't count anymore-- and baby Maria on the bottom at four months). So, I guess it will be a congregation of old people when I (theoretically) bring my (hypothetical) kids back to St. Alban's. I have my doubts. But it is really great to see new faces at church, even if there are just a few of them.
It's a little funny to be back at home, having lost all of the wonderful joys of college life. Friends are far away (sometimes as far as China), and more are leaving every day. I suddenly need transportation other than my feet, and I also need permission. These are sort of alien concepts after eight months speaking Ivy, as Mary Milano put it in her sermon this morning.
At least I don't have to do any work. That would kind of suck.
It's a little funny to be back at home, having lost all of the wonderful joys of college life. Friends are far away (sometimes as far as China), and more are leaving every day. I suddenly need transportation other than my feet, and I also need permission. These are sort of alien concepts after eight months speaking Ivy, as Mary Milano put it in her sermon this morning.
At least I don't have to do any work. That would kind of suck.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Baseball!
Goal: See every major league team live.
Progress: Only missing one team, the Oakland A’s.
Goal: See every major league ballpark.
Progress: Added two this weekend, Comerica Park in Detroit and Jacob’s Field in Cleveland. This brings me up to 10 parks total.
1. Wrigley Field. By far the best of any of the parks on the list, also the second oldest. Of course, I’ve been going to games at Wrigley since I was a toddler. The atmosphere is the best, and would stand the most repeat visits. It’s a loud park because the fans are vocal and attentive to the game, not because the Jumbotron plays commercials and goofy promotions every few minutes. The hot dogs are my favorite, though objectively, they are pretty average. A plus, though, is the onion machines, only found at 2/10 parks so far. It is also one of only two parks to have anything resembling a neighborhood and not a forest of parking lots around the stadium. Wrigleyville is an essential feature of the park—it could never stand alone.
2. US Cellular Field, a.k.a. “The Cell” or, affectionately and outdatedly, Comiskey. Home of the White Sox, I’ll admit I’m a bit biased. However, the stadium is one of the new looking new parks. Built right before Camden Yard united old-school design with modern amenities. So, it only has the semi-modern amenities of a not-so-new-anymore park. The food is good, and since they removed a few rows from the upper deck seating areas, going up there doesn’t feel as much like climbing a mountain. Still has the trademark ugly candy-firework launchers in the scoreboard, but now home to a World Series trophy.
3. Old County Stadium, Milwaukee. An old park that needed to go. A homey, close feel, but with lots of obstructed views and a bad sound system. Still, good brats and bad baseball.
4. Miller Park, Milwaukee. A very nice park with good bratwurst. Retractable roof opens every night to the sounds of Also Sprach Zarathustra. Excellent atmosphere, at least when the Cubs are in town. Lots of stairs, it’s a tall park. To compensate for the weak 7th inning stretch rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, there is a special German themed song and the sausage race of legend. Also, excellent radio broadcasting.
5. Old Busch Stadium, St. Louis. A beer can of a stadium. Short and ugly, an eyesore on the face of downtown St. Louis. It got very hot in the summer, with swirling winds and no real circulation. Very loud, but then that was during Cubs vs. Cardinals series.
6. Fenway Park, Boston. Oldest stadium in baseball, and the second best. Very loud, owing to small dimensions and brick backing walls, and really enthusiastic fans. Great atmosphere, and no hot-dog buns. The Green Monster is a baseball legend, and pretty amazing. The ballpark is all old-school gimmicky, as opposed to most of rest of the parks on the list, which are new-school gimmicky. The fans are great, very knowledgeable and rowdy. Also surrounded by a neighborhood, the Fens, that gives the old park the character that it has. Nothing makes a park better than the crowds outside complementing the crowds inside.
7. Shea Stadium, New York. Ugly. Slow. Bad baseball. Not great fans. Nothing good to say about the stadium, though the rain when we were there may have something to do with it. This is why New York has two baseball teams.
8. Cincinnati. Try the chili dogs. A Cincinnati favorite, the chili covers up the rest of the dog nicely. It’s a very vanilla stadium, pretty standard and somewhat character-less. All the conveniences of a modern park, with somewhat old-fashioned stylings. It’s a middling park in every respect except overall, where the lack of outstanding features to recommend it puts it 6th, ahead of Busch, Shea, and County.
9. Comerica Park, Detroit. A lovely 6 year-old park in downtown Detroit. Nicely designed, well thought out. Comfy seats, and good views. Pleasantly decorated, and not just with ads. There are a lot of tigers around, on top of the façade, on top of the scoreboard, acting as gargoyles outside…. Radio broadcasting is poor, and they don’t announce players as they come up or announce pitching changes. Food is expensive, but pretty good. Italian sausage seems to be the specialty. Many booths run by charity organizations (churches… almost all of them churches). Has a carousel for the kids, which were plentiful in the park. More kids there than anywhere else, which is good for baseball.
10. Jacob’s Field, Cleveland. A lovely 12 year-old stadium in downtown Cleveland. Lots of gimmicks, and pretty disinterested fans. But the seats were all pretty good. Bullpens were invisibly tucked into the outfield walls, which makes it hard to follow managerial strategy (what little there is in the American League…). Every type of food and amenity imaginable, with broad isles and good traffic patterns (except in the parking garages). Lots of ushers and security around, which is comforting and usually superfluous.
Progress: Only missing one team, the Oakland A’s.
Goal: See every major league ballpark.
Progress: Added two this weekend, Comerica Park in Detroit and Jacob’s Field in Cleveland. This brings me up to 10 parks total.
1. Wrigley Field. By far the best of any of the parks on the list, also the second oldest. Of course, I’ve been going to games at Wrigley since I was a toddler. The atmosphere is the best, and would stand the most repeat visits. It’s a loud park because the fans are vocal and attentive to the game, not because the Jumbotron plays commercials and goofy promotions every few minutes. The hot dogs are my favorite, though objectively, they are pretty average. A plus, though, is the onion machines, only found at 2/10 parks so far. It is also one of only two parks to have anything resembling a neighborhood and not a forest of parking lots around the stadium. Wrigleyville is an essential feature of the park—it could never stand alone.
2. US Cellular Field, a.k.a. “The Cell” or, affectionately and outdatedly, Comiskey. Home of the White Sox, I’ll admit I’m a bit biased. However, the stadium is one of the new looking new parks. Built right before Camden Yard united old-school design with modern amenities. So, it only has the semi-modern amenities of a not-so-new-anymore park. The food is good, and since they removed a few rows from the upper deck seating areas, going up there doesn’t feel as much like climbing a mountain. Still has the trademark ugly candy-firework launchers in the scoreboard, but now home to a World Series trophy.
3. Old County Stadium, Milwaukee. An old park that needed to go. A homey, close feel, but with lots of obstructed views and a bad sound system. Still, good brats and bad baseball.
4. Miller Park, Milwaukee. A very nice park with good bratwurst. Retractable roof opens every night to the sounds of Also Sprach Zarathustra. Excellent atmosphere, at least when the Cubs are in town. Lots of stairs, it’s a tall park. To compensate for the weak 7th inning stretch rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, there is a special German themed song and the sausage race of legend. Also, excellent radio broadcasting.
5. Old Busch Stadium, St. Louis. A beer can of a stadium. Short and ugly, an eyesore on the face of downtown St. Louis. It got very hot in the summer, with swirling winds and no real circulation. Very loud, but then that was during Cubs vs. Cardinals series.
6. Fenway Park, Boston. Oldest stadium in baseball, and the second best. Very loud, owing to small dimensions and brick backing walls, and really enthusiastic fans. Great atmosphere, and no hot-dog buns. The Green Monster is a baseball legend, and pretty amazing. The ballpark is all old-school gimmicky, as opposed to most of rest of the parks on the list, which are new-school gimmicky. The fans are great, very knowledgeable and rowdy. Also surrounded by a neighborhood, the Fens, that gives the old park the character that it has. Nothing makes a park better than the crowds outside complementing the crowds inside.
7. Shea Stadium, New York. Ugly. Slow. Bad baseball. Not great fans. Nothing good to say about the stadium, though the rain when we were there may have something to do with it. This is why New York has two baseball teams.
8. Cincinnati. Try the chili dogs. A Cincinnati favorite, the chili covers up the rest of the dog nicely. It’s a very vanilla stadium, pretty standard and somewhat character-less. All the conveniences of a modern park, with somewhat old-fashioned stylings. It’s a middling park in every respect except overall, where the lack of outstanding features to recommend it puts it 6th, ahead of Busch, Shea, and County.
9. Comerica Park, Detroit. A lovely 6 year-old park in downtown Detroit. Nicely designed, well thought out. Comfy seats, and good views. Pleasantly decorated, and not just with ads. There are a lot of tigers around, on top of the façade, on top of the scoreboard, acting as gargoyles outside…. Radio broadcasting is poor, and they don’t announce players as they come up or announce pitching changes. Food is expensive, but pretty good. Italian sausage seems to be the specialty. Many booths run by charity organizations (churches… almost all of them churches). Has a carousel for the kids, which were plentiful in the park. More kids there than anywhere else, which is good for baseball.
10. Jacob’s Field, Cleveland. A lovely 12 year-old stadium in downtown Cleveland. Lots of gimmicks, and pretty disinterested fans. But the seats were all pretty good. Bullpens were invisibly tucked into the outfield walls, which makes it hard to follow managerial strategy (what little there is in the American League…). Every type of food and amenity imaginable, with broad isles and good traffic patterns (except in the parking garages). Lots of ushers and security around, which is comforting and usually superfluous.
Some things I saw this weekend
• Two ballparks
• Minor league park
• Two Nuclear power plants
• Two racetracks
• Two drive-in movie theaters
• “used stuff” sign
• rock and roll hall of fame
• Our Lady of the Lake Church
An amphibious landing vehicle, sitting on somebody's lawn
• Minor league park
• Two Nuclear power plants
• Two racetracks
• Two drive-in movie theaters
• “used stuff” sign
• rock and roll hall of fame
• Our Lady of the Lake Church
An amphibious landing vehicle, sitting on somebody's lawn
Thursday, June 01, 2006
[storytime]
[Story: So, I was sitting in church today at a funeral. (Didn't really know her, just being polite by being there...) and I was sitting next to my dad. And I was thinking about how happy I was to be home, to be able to just sit next to my dad. I missed him a lot. Even when he was healthy. We have a lot in common, and he's a lot easier to talk to than my mom, at least since I went to school. And I suddenly remembered this awful comment one Mr. J.P. made insulting my father. I got so furious! He'd never met him, and there he was, being a hypocrite of astonishing magnitude, and insulting my father. And I became so enraged I considered doing a lot of silly things, including making calls, and my plans for our next encounter. All of which were scrapped. But I did decide that if he ever pulls that kind of shit again, I am going to hit him as hard as I can. Which is a pretty considerable amount of force. I intend for there to be blood if it ever happens again. It shouldn't, but then, it shouldn't have happened in the first place...]
Thursday, May 25, 2006
peace
All I can do is quote a song, and name a place. And that is all.
"I've got a peaceful, easy feeling..."
and Sterling Divinity Quadrangle.
"I've got a peaceful, easy feeling..."
and Sterling Divinity Quadrangle.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
little things
I discovered today what I really need to live on. The list isn't too long...
~books. Thank God for books.
~a fridge that I can supply with half-decent food. For example, I could live for a long time on the contents of my current larder:
--salad
--carrots
--cucumber
--peanut butter
--oatmeal
--fruit (currently, apples, kiwis and dried apricots)
--cheese!
~some form of rewarding human contact (provided today only by talking to my dad...)
Ideally, I would also have baseball on the radio. Which I do have, so that's good. Also cards would be nice.
~books. Thank God for books.
~a fridge that I can supply with half-decent food. For example, I could live for a long time on the contents of my current larder:
--salad
--carrots
--cucumber
--peanut butter
--oatmeal
--fruit (currently, apples, kiwis and dried apricots)
--cheese!
~some form of rewarding human contact (provided today only by talking to my dad...)
Ideally, I would also have baseball on the radio. Which I do have, so that's good. Also cards would be nice.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
empty
Campus is empty now, essentially. There are a bunch of people outside, but they all work here. Campus needs to be cleaned rapidly-- the time between commencement and reunions is probably hard-core cleaning time. Campus sparkled for commencement, but the aftermath isn't pretty. And the stage still has to come down and the giant tent that essentially covers all of Old Campus needs to be finished. All the seniors are gone, with the exception of those few who aren't leaving at all. I ran into Christina and Nick on the way back from Shaw's, so I know they're still here. And Errol should be here still... maybe a few others.
I wish I could go home. I know I'll probably be disappointed when I do, after having wanted to go home for so long. But still... Real food again.... I did buy myself good things at Shaws, though. Like kiwi, cucumber, salad, and salami. Yummy! And look! veggies! Rock!
Fortunately, my room is empty at the moment. I did see one other girl who'll be living here. She seemed uninterested in introducing herself, despite my introduction. She isn't here now... And the other girl, I met at commencement for a few seconds. So far, that's all. I have no roommate at the moment, though I think I am supposed to at some point. It would be really nice not to have one, but that's almost certainly wishful thinking.
I'm all moved in again, probably too much so, considering it all has to be elsewhere by this time next week. I did ship one box home today... 24 pounds of things not to worry about for a while. I have at the very least one more box to go home, and a few that ideally will stay in New Haven somewhere...
Mmm. Now, I'm going to see if I can't find the Yankees game on the radio and read and munch on something sort of healthy. Hurray!!
I wish I could go home. I know I'll probably be disappointed when I do, after having wanted to go home for so long. But still... Real food again.... I did buy myself good things at Shaws, though. Like kiwi, cucumber, salad, and salami. Yummy! And look! veggies! Rock!
Fortunately, my room is empty at the moment. I did see one other girl who'll be living here. She seemed uninterested in introducing herself, despite my introduction. She isn't here now... And the other girl, I met at commencement for a few seconds. So far, that's all. I have no roommate at the moment, though I think I am supposed to at some point. It would be really nice not to have one, but that's almost certainly wishful thinking.
I'm all moved in again, probably too much so, considering it all has to be elsewhere by this time next week. I did ship one box home today... 24 pounds of things not to worry about for a while. I have at the very least one more box to go home, and a few that ideally will stay in New Haven somewhere...
Mmm. Now, I'm going to see if I can't find the Yankees game on the radio and read and munch on something sort of healthy. Hurray!!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Give that goat the people's elbow
So, my new favorite website: Freshman Sketch. It's the low video quality version of our freshman sketch for the band movie this year. The first ever screening of said movie was late last night (preceded by liquid picnic-- quite a sight!), and we got hearty applause for our work. The feedback from it so far is that it far and away outdoes '08 (as expected-- we all would have been very sad if it hadn't-- actually, they aren't even in the same league. Hell, the same sport...) And, more to the point, even '07s are telling us that we matched them, even if they won't admit that we outdid them. But we so did. :-) It is really funny.
And commencement was today. It's kind of funny, thinking that all my junior friends are actually my senior friends now, and that my senior friends are actually alums, and won't be here at all in the fall (except for Errol! Thank God for Errol!). I've never been to a football game without Doug. And goodness knows there are so many others who I'm not mentioning by name, but people I wish I knew better, because I know them to be awesome, but I'm not really close enough to them to think that a) we'd get any closer, and b) that we'd ever stay in touch.
On a happier note, I wish them all the best, and I'm pleased because I earned a lot of money today for being an usher. Sweet.
Deadweek is sadly drawing to a close, and now I have the unfortunate experience of watching all my friends leave to go start their summers for real while I hang around here for another whole week. I want to go home! I want to be with my family! I want Chicago! And damn it all, I NEED REAL FOOD!!!!!!
I am going to go shopping tomorrow after moving. I'm going to buy veggies! It's going to be great.
I still have to figure out what I am doing with all my stuff. I have far too much of it, and a lot of it unexpectedly needs to stay here now. Le sigh.
Well, I'm back to band central to hang out for a while.
And commencement was today. It's kind of funny, thinking that all my junior friends are actually my senior friends now, and that my senior friends are actually alums, and won't be here at all in the fall (except for Errol! Thank God for Errol!). I've never been to a football game without Doug. And goodness knows there are so many others who I'm not mentioning by name, but people I wish I knew better, because I know them to be awesome, but I'm not really close enough to them to think that a) we'd get any closer, and b) that we'd ever stay in touch.
On a happier note, I wish them all the best, and I'm pleased because I earned a lot of money today for being an usher. Sweet.
Deadweek is sadly drawing to a close, and now I have the unfortunate experience of watching all my friends leave to go start their summers for real while I hang around here for another whole week. I want to go home! I want to be with my family! I want Chicago! And damn it all, I NEED REAL FOOD!!!!!!
I am going to go shopping tomorrow after moving. I'm going to buy veggies! It's going to be great.
I still have to figure out what I am doing with all my stuff. I have far too much of it, and a lot of it unexpectedly needs to stay here now. Le sigh.
Well, I'm back to band central to hang out for a while.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Deadweek begins
So, here I am, sitting in BC72. AGAIN. I lived here all year. Then yesterday, I moved all my stuff into the basement so it wouldn't get rained on until they told me where I was living for deadweek. Then they threatened to throw it all out if it wasn't out of the basement instantly. So, I moved it back to Chris' suite in D. Then I got my room assignment, in L-dub, all the way on the other side of Old Campus and easily the worst housing at Yale. *cry*
So I moved everything over there. It took a long time.
I went to go get my L-dub key. I stood in a long line. Heavyweight crew guys made fun of me. I got to the front of the line. I identified myself, she put her hand on my key. "Can I see your Yale ID please?" Me: shit! Jason! "Does it have to be my Yale ID? I lent my Yale ID to a friend so he could move. Can my drivers license work?" "Um, sorry, no. It must be your Yale ID."
So, then I had to hunt Jason down, get my ID back (only to give it back to him a few minutes later).
Then I moved into L-dub.
Then I came back to Bingham, where everybody was. Hudson looked at me and asked what was wrong. I told him.
But he promised me that there would be a place for me to sleep over here if we looked hard enough. And he was right. Because here I am, living in my same suite until someone kicks me out. Which I am really hoping isn't going to happen.
Steve is in my bed. He contines to make creepy jokes about all the things he has done/will do with my poor, innocent mattress.
I am in Amy's bed, and I think she's a little unhappy about that, because she is living in Vandy. It's right next door, but it isn't the same building. Sigh.
Tonight we get to film! I get to dance and wear a fancy dress. It's going to be sweet. We also have to get together and start writing the script for the freshman sketch. Steve and I kind of appropriated that, and Rosa and Rita are in charge of the party I guess. We need to get on that too....
And Andrew and I get to start with the bridge lessons soon. We have a lot of people who've expressed interest. It's actually kind of daunting. But I'm looking forward to it, and we always need more bridge players in this world!!
So I moved everything over there. It took a long time.
I went to go get my L-dub key. I stood in a long line. Heavyweight crew guys made fun of me. I got to the front of the line. I identified myself, she put her hand on my key. "Can I see your Yale ID please?" Me: shit! Jason! "Does it have to be my Yale ID? I lent my Yale ID to a friend so he could move. Can my drivers license work?" "Um, sorry, no. It must be your Yale ID."
So, then I had to hunt Jason down, get my ID back (only to give it back to him a few minutes later).
Then I moved into L-dub.
Then I came back to Bingham, where everybody was. Hudson looked at me and asked what was wrong. I told him.
But he promised me that there would be a place for me to sleep over here if we looked hard enough. And he was right. Because here I am, living in my same suite until someone kicks me out. Which I am really hoping isn't going to happen.
Steve is in my bed. He contines to make creepy jokes about all the things he has done/will do with my poor, innocent mattress.
I am in Amy's bed, and I think she's a little unhappy about that, because she is living in Vandy. It's right next door, but it isn't the same building. Sigh.
Tonight we get to film! I get to dance and wear a fancy dress. It's going to be sweet. We also have to get together and start writing the script for the freshman sketch. Steve and I kind of appropriated that, and Rosa and Rita are in charge of the party I guess. We need to get on that too....
And Andrew and I get to start with the bridge lessons soon. We have a lot of people who've expressed interest. It's actually kind of daunting. But I'm looking forward to it, and we always need more bridge players in this world!!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
impatient
i am not a patient person. i think in this case, this will go poorly for me.
sucks to me be. sucks to not have slept, sucks to not know what is going on, sucks all around.
i don't feel so good.
sucks to me be. sucks to not have slept, sucks to not know what is going on, sucks all around.
i don't feel so good.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Scatterbrained thoughts
I don't get any work done. I think this makes me a bad student. Oh well.
What am I going to do with my life? I don't know. Sigh.
I was emailing pre-frosh today. Bulldog Days are soon! Hurray! That's pretty exciting.
Boys are still stupid. There is conflicting advice on the table at this point. One camp says "You've said your bit-- he has to do something if something is going to happen." The other side: "Damn it, just go get him. Do it already!" I don't know. The short term plan (maybe until this weekend?) aligns nicely with option 1. After that, though... I may have to do something to force the issue. But until then, no contact from my end. His turn. Damn it! I hate this game. I thought I could escape the game. But no, the game always wins.
Ok, time to get to work.
What am I going to do with my life? I don't know. Sigh.
I was emailing pre-frosh today. Bulldog Days are soon! Hurray! That's pretty exciting.
Boys are still stupid. There is conflicting advice on the table at this point. One camp says "You've said your bit-- he has to do something if something is going to happen." The other side: "Damn it, just go get him. Do it already!" I don't know. The short term plan (maybe until this weekend?) aligns nicely with option 1. After that, though... I may have to do something to force the issue. But until then, no contact from my end. His turn. Damn it! I hate this game. I thought I could escape the game. But no, the game always wins.
Ok, time to get to work.
yessss
baseball is making me happy!
1) Cubs swept the Cardinals!! HOtt!
2) I'm not in last in my fantasy league! That probably won't last long. But still.......... I'm not in last!
1) Cubs swept the Cardinals!! HOtt!
2) I'm not in last in my fantasy league! That probably won't last long. But still.......... I'm not in last!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
A Little Dream of You
Damn it. Over a week later, I have no resolution, just more tension.
I had resolved to just forget it. Which I was doing a damn good job of doing until Friday afternoon, when I a) saw him at lunch, b) got an email from him inviting me to a concert that night.
So, not only did I see him at lunch, get two emails from him, talk to him on the phone for a while, but then I also went to a concert with him. Then we watched crazy improv people on Cross Campus for a while.
Rawr.
Then, beyond that... you know how at a concert, in wooden auditorium seats, there is kind of a zone of interaction between arms on the armrest and sort of at the knee? Well, those were active, but not in any way that clearly couldn't have been an accident. I also am unsure of what role I played in that particular contact.
So then last night... I had assumed that he was going to be at relay for life, so I planned a screening of Kill Bill (1 and 2-- hardcore and awesome!). I invited him for the hell of it, I guess. So I was a little surprised when he called me again to ask about it, and to tell me that it was just perfect for what he wanted to do tonight.
So we're watching these movies in the Morse TV room. We're sitting next to each other, but not close to each other. Considerably closer than any other two people were sitting, but still. Quite a respectful distance. So at some point I stretch out, so that my head is supported by my elbow. A minute later, he adopts the same position, with his elbow just very lightly touching mine. But then he moved. And so it was like this for a while, with intermittant "accidental" contact.
But here is the kicker, at least for me.
Early this morning, I had a really sweet dream. It was just a really pleasant and sort of realistic interaction, but it just made me so happy. I was kind of upset when I realized it was a dream.
Raah. I don't know what to do.
I had resolved to just forget it. Which I was doing a damn good job of doing until Friday afternoon, when I a) saw him at lunch, b) got an email from him inviting me to a concert that night.
So, not only did I see him at lunch, get two emails from him, talk to him on the phone for a while, but then I also went to a concert with him. Then we watched crazy improv people on Cross Campus for a while.
Rawr.
Then, beyond that... you know how at a concert, in wooden auditorium seats, there is kind of a zone of interaction between arms on the armrest and sort of at the knee? Well, those were active, but not in any way that clearly couldn't have been an accident. I also am unsure of what role I played in that particular contact.
So then last night... I had assumed that he was going to be at relay for life, so I planned a screening of Kill Bill (1 and 2-- hardcore and awesome!). I invited him for the hell of it, I guess. So I was a little surprised when he called me again to ask about it, and to tell me that it was just perfect for what he wanted to do tonight.
So we're watching these movies in the Morse TV room. We're sitting next to each other, but not close to each other. Considerably closer than any other two people were sitting, but still. Quite a respectful distance. So at some point I stretch out, so that my head is supported by my elbow. A minute later, he adopts the same position, with his elbow just very lightly touching mine. But then he moved. And so it was like this for a while, with intermittant "accidental" contact.
But here is the kicker, at least for me.
Early this morning, I had a really sweet dream. It was just a really pleasant and sort of realistic interaction, but it just made me so happy. I was kind of upset when I realized it was a dream.
Raah. I don't know what to do.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Carry-on baggage only
So, last night, it was essentially decided that it would be a bad idea to do anything in regards to a certain male until he approaches me again. Internally, it was decided, that I should basically clear out my mental space and assume that he had actually given me an answer. And it wasn't yes. I feel like this is, unfortunately, the most logical course of action at this point. If something does happen to change his mind, or rather, make it up, then it is his job to communicate that to me in some way. And if nothing like that happens, then I guess I just have to assume that any answer that isn't yes is no. It just makes more sense to assume that, and then if something happens, it will be a pleasant surprise.
The other point that was made to me is that if he isn't ready for this, enough to give an answer, and if he is citing old relationships as evidence for this, then he clearly has some kind of baggage. Which I have no need and no desire to deal with. I have my own problems, and so someone else's emotional baggage, if it is enough to prevent this from taking off, then it is too much. Carry on baggage only, please.
So, I was working on this plan last night, and a little more today. I never got to finish writing my thoughts down last night, so I am finishing them now, so I can move on emotionally and move on to writing my history and politics paper. (Woo, Burke, Tocqueville, time-horizons and religion. Hott!)
So the three possibilities for the future here, rather in order of their probibility...
1) He doesn't say anything, he doesn't clarify in any signigicant manner. Nothing ever happens, but it is frustrating and painful and long. It is essentially a no, more by lack of action than actual decision. Could result from a number of different sources, including fear of a committment, lack of interest, baggage, etc.
2) He does answer, but it is a no. Then, at least, things are on the table. I'll be fine with that, and we can proceed all the faster to being friends without awkwardness.
3) He does answer, and it is a yes. If it is within a certain time horizon (ya, H&P!) then we see what happens. Hopefully it all works out for the best, and if not, at least we gave it a shot. You never really know with these things.
Erin and Carly (frocos) both told me that I had essentially the perfect outlook on this whole dating thing, and that from the descriptions, I am about 10 years more mature than he is. That might be kind of a lot, but still... We have some differences, and I can see that being one of them. Oh well.
Which leaves me with a question: what should I do this weekend? I think Amy and maybe Chris have secured themselves dates to the Fool's Ball. I do not have one, and if I didn't have one, I don't really know how interested I'll be in going. I don't know that I really want to stay in this weekend either, though. We shall see, we shall see. Maybe we'll go see Syriana or something.
Ok, first things first. I have a paper to write!
The other point that was made to me is that if he isn't ready for this, enough to give an answer, and if he is citing old relationships as evidence for this, then he clearly has some kind of baggage. Which I have no need and no desire to deal with. I have my own problems, and so someone else's emotional baggage, if it is enough to prevent this from taking off, then it is too much. Carry on baggage only, please.
So, I was working on this plan last night, and a little more today. I never got to finish writing my thoughts down last night, so I am finishing them now, so I can move on emotionally and move on to writing my history and politics paper. (Woo, Burke, Tocqueville, time-horizons and religion. Hott!)
So the three possibilities for the future here, rather in order of their probibility...
1) He doesn't say anything, he doesn't clarify in any signigicant manner. Nothing ever happens, but it is frustrating and painful and long. It is essentially a no, more by lack of action than actual decision. Could result from a number of different sources, including fear of a committment, lack of interest, baggage, etc.
2) He does answer, but it is a no. Then, at least, things are on the table. I'll be fine with that, and we can proceed all the faster to being friends without awkwardness.
3) He does answer, and it is a yes. If it is within a certain time horizon (ya, H&P!) then we see what happens. Hopefully it all works out for the best, and if not, at least we gave it a shot. You never really know with these things.
Erin and Carly (frocos) both told me that I had essentially the perfect outlook on this whole dating thing, and that from the descriptions, I am about 10 years more mature than he is. That might be kind of a lot, but still... We have some differences, and I can see that being one of them. Oh well.
Which leaves me with a question: what should I do this weekend? I think Amy and maybe Chris have secured themselves dates to the Fool's Ball. I do not have one, and if I didn't have one, I don't really know how interested I'll be in going. I don't know that I really want to stay in this weekend either, though. We shall see, we shall see. Maybe we'll go see Syriana or something.
Ok, first things first. I have a paper to write!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Ineria and energy. no physics, though.
So, where am I? A fine question.
~asked and answered: I ask questions and then I answer them for myself. I guess J.S. Mill was right all along-- knowledge isn't taught at all. You have to get it for yourself, questions or otherwise. I figured it out after I asked and it wasn't answered that I actually had the answer all along-- it's all just a matter of phrasing. As I said later, and if I do say so, I said it well, "If there was an easy answer, I never would have had to ask." So, I asked, I answered. Where did this get me? Roughly nowhere.
~fundamental problem of mental inetia: what makes things change? Can I predict something that will swing this very ponderous pendulumn one way or the other? Time will swing it towards no, if nothing happens otherwise. Talking about it more is also somewhat likely to swing it toward no. I don't see much that will swing it to yes, but that actually doesn't mean anything in particular. It just isn't the way I think to be able to see it. This I have learned from my own experience.
~am I on a tether? So, one of the problems is this. He says "I don't want to tell you to forget it, move on. I also can't tell you to sit around and wait for me to make up my mind." Ah, yes. Well said. I feel like I am obligated to give it a little time, at this point, since I asked. But on the other hand, what is going to change? and also, what am I really waiting for? I guess the thing is that I am not actually "over him", and I don't know if that should even be a goal. What does that even mean? So if I am waiting for him to make up his mind, what does that mean? I guess I kind of am waiting. It isn't like I have other people to pursue or something. Ugh.
~the worst question ever: so now what? in the long and in the short terms, I am very bothered about this one. In the short term, what now? Do I plan something for this weekend? Should I wait and let him do it? And if he doesn't do it? Then do I? Or then do I still let him come to me? I don't know. Then the long term... if there even is a long term. God knows that I have no idea what that would be about. And just as a note, long term here means a period of weeks, months if you feel like extending it.
~mental energy: damn it all, he just takes up too much of my mental space right now. Either something needs to happen, or something needs to announce that it is not happening. I need my mind back.
~asked and answered: I ask questions and then I answer them for myself. I guess J.S. Mill was right all along-- knowledge isn't taught at all. You have to get it for yourself, questions or otherwise. I figured it out after I asked and it wasn't answered that I actually had the answer all along-- it's all just a matter of phrasing. As I said later, and if I do say so, I said it well, "If there was an easy answer, I never would have had to ask." So, I asked, I answered. Where did this get me? Roughly nowhere.
~fundamental problem of mental inetia: what makes things change? Can I predict something that will swing this very ponderous pendulumn one way or the other? Time will swing it towards no, if nothing happens otherwise. Talking about it more is also somewhat likely to swing it toward no. I don't see much that will swing it to yes, but that actually doesn't mean anything in particular. It just isn't the way I think to be able to see it. This I have learned from my own experience.
~am I on a tether? So, one of the problems is this. He says "I don't want to tell you to forget it, move on. I also can't tell you to sit around and wait for me to make up my mind." Ah, yes. Well said. I feel like I am obligated to give it a little time, at this point, since I asked. But on the other hand, what is going to change? and also, what am I really waiting for? I guess the thing is that I am not actually "over him", and I don't know if that should even be a goal. What does that even mean? So if I am waiting for him to make up his mind, what does that mean? I guess I kind of am waiting. It isn't like I have other people to pursue or something. Ugh.
~the worst question ever: so now what? in the long and in the short terms, I am very bothered about this one. In the short term, what now? Do I plan something for this weekend? Should I wait and let him do it? And if he doesn't do it? Then do I? Or then do I still let him come to me? I don't know. Then the long term... if there even is a long term. God knows that I have no idea what that would be about. And just as a note, long term here means a period of weeks, months if you feel like extending it.
~mental energy: damn it all, he just takes up too much of my mental space right now. Either something needs to happen, or something needs to announce that it is not happening. I need my mind back.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Plants
Have you ever looked at a closeup of a plant, either a photograph or in real life, and been kind of terrified by either the structure, the lack of intelligence and yet the presence of change, or both? I just had a really rather terrifying moment of that.
Just plain unsettling.
Just plain unsettling.
Like a window in your heart
So, since I found the nerve to ask him, nothing really has happened, though I have some expectation that something will happen sooner than later. It may take some time, but to my mind, that's worth it.
Also, the whole entire world knows about it, especially considering all the CLITS now know the salient details of Thursday. (Right, so the thing is, that if you are the singular individual that missed out on this, please let me know. It's quite a nice [relatively tame] drama, and I have rather come to enjoy recounting the story.)
Anyway, it kind of feels like there is a) a window in my heart, and b) something funny in the water. I have no right to be in this good of a mood right now!
Also, the whole entire world knows about it, especially considering all the CLITS now know the salient details of Thursday. (Right, so the thing is, that if you are the singular individual that missed out on this, please let me know. It's quite a nice [relatively tame] drama, and I have rather come to enjoy recounting the story.)
Anyway, it kind of feels like there is a) a window in my heart, and b) something funny in the water. I have no right to be in this good of a mood right now!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Oh my lord
So, I knew that the last philosophy paper I wrote was bad. Not only was it bad, but it was short (only slightly over 4 pages) and late. And I also knew I was going to get it back shortly after break. Say, this morning for example.
So when I got my history and politics paper (which I felt really good about), and it went very well, I figured I should go pick up my philosophy paper so that the good news of my H&P paper would temper the anguish of my philosophy paper.
Haha, bitches, all that was unnecessary. Aced the philosophy paper. Got an exclamation point and everything.
I am indescribably happy right now! Ya!
So when I got my history and politics paper (which I felt really good about), and it went very well, I figured I should go pick up my philosophy paper so that the good news of my H&P paper would temper the anguish of my philosophy paper.
Haha, bitches, all that was unnecessary. Aced the philosophy paper. Got an exclamation point and everything.
I am indescribably happy right now! Ya!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door?
Unfortuantely, it is a completely irrelevant title. I figured I wouldn't remember it when it was relevant, so I'm using it now. It's the best line in a Panic! At the Disco song (I Write Sins Not Tragedies). Also, America, Fuck Yeah!
Um, so here we are. Spring break is over, and I am well rested if behind in my work.
The first week was pretty nice-- calm, quiet. Got enough sleep! Hurray for that.
The second week was also nice. I went to Maine with 21 other YPMBers. Skiing is really not my thing, though. I've dubbed myself Captain Yard Sale. But it was pretty great, because I got to spend a ton of time with other band people. It was also nice not to be with any of my really close friends for a while, not least of all because I appreciate them a lot more now that I'm back.
I'm really looking forward to our little tea party on Tuesday. :-)
So, Chris told me about his blunt boy questions. Unfortunately, I've gotten two different versions of the story from him and another one from Amy. Oh well. I was all resolved to ask him flat out, but now I am having second thoughts. From the other versions of the encounter, it might be better to let it go for a little while. I don't know-- I'm pretty torn about that. I guess I'll just play it by ear for now.
And back to homework.... ugh... But also not ugh, because I have resolved to be a real student for the last five weeks of this semester, actually getting my work done and well. I was slipping before break, and I need to not do that now.
Um, so here we are. Spring break is over, and I am well rested if behind in my work.
The first week was pretty nice-- calm, quiet. Got enough sleep! Hurray for that.
The second week was also nice. I went to Maine with 21 other YPMBers. Skiing is really not my thing, though. I've dubbed myself Captain Yard Sale. But it was pretty great, because I got to spend a ton of time with other band people. It was also nice not to be with any of my really close friends for a while, not least of all because I appreciate them a lot more now that I'm back.
I'm really looking forward to our little tea party on Tuesday. :-)
So, Chris told me about his blunt boy questions. Unfortunately, I've gotten two different versions of the story from him and another one from Amy. Oh well. I was all resolved to ask him flat out, but now I am having second thoughts. From the other versions of the encounter, it might be better to let it go for a little while. I don't know-- I'm pretty torn about that. I guess I'll just play it by ear for now.
And back to homework.... ugh... But also not ugh, because I have resolved to be a real student for the last five weeks of this semester, actually getting my work done and well. I was slipping before break, and I need to not do that now.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Superpowers!
Reply to this, with one superpower that you'd like to have. Anything
counts, even minor stuff (say, taking voluntary control of involuntary
functions, seeing in UV light etc).
Restriction: must have no obvious crime-fighting or world-saving applications.
If intrigued, post in your own journal for others to reply to.
(Thanks, Mike Chan!)
counts, even minor stuff (say, taking voluntary control of involuntary
functions, seeing in UV light etc).
Restriction: must have no obvious crime-fighting or world-saving applications.
If intrigued, post in your own journal for others to reply to.
(Thanks, Mike Chan!)
Woo!
hi catherine
you did well in the exam, and as you have done well in the homeworks
too, be sure you are not failing this class, so just work hard in the
coming homeworks and you will be ok.
i am not allowed to release your score yet, but your final score
in thi class won't be particularly affected by your midterm.
fyi: a curve will be applied for the midterm scores.
enjoy the break
:)
kathy
you did well in the exam, and as you have done well in the homeworks
too, be sure you are not failing this class, so just work hard in the
coming homeworks and you will be ok.
i am not allowed to release your score yet, but your final score
in thi class won't be particularly affected by your midterm.
fyi: a curve will be applied for the midterm scores.
enjoy the break
:)
kathy
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
mm. things.
I like lists. So here is a not ordered list.
1. I did not do well on my astro midterm. That could be a problem. Like, for real not well. Like barely passing not well. And now I don't know what to do. I'm considering dropping the course now. I don't want to, but I might have to. The class is interesting, and easy enough. Except for the part where I accidentally bombed the midterm.
2. Leah's calculator did a very odd thing right before the test. I was using it maybe 5 minutes before the test. Then I get there, open it up to work on a problem. I push "On" and the screen comes up saying it has cleared the RAM and now it has a big grey spot in the middle of the screen. Oh, shit.
3. I fear I may be getting sick. This would make me very unhappy, especially considering that break is coming up. And even though break is a slightly better time to be sick than any other time, I still don't want to be sick. Maybe I'll nap before dinner... mmm...
4. I decided last night that I spend way too much time on AIM. Though, as it was pointed out to me this afternoon, if Jason were never online, how much would that even matter? He's the only one I have ridiculously long conversations with to the detriment of my time management abilities. And he won't be online for Lent. So maybe it doesn't even matter. God damn it all, why am I so indecisive? I need to work on that. For real. I've become something of a skeptic, and yet I am falling into the trap of the skeptics: indecision. Not acceptable.
5. Right, so... Jason... So in the course of an almost 5 hour IM conversation last night (!) I somehow asked him to go dancing with me on Thursday. Where I decided that this was my plan, I don't really know. Things I do know: I was more nervous then than I should have been, and I am more anxious about it now than I should be. I am simply not being reasonable, and I know it. I guess I should just chill out, and let things happen as they're going to happen. That's all I can really do, and so I just have to know that and let things go. Grant me the strength to change what I can, the serenity to let the things I can't go, and the wisdom to know the difference.
6. I am also somewhat glad for break coming now, just to get away from school. Hopefully, I can go away and come back as a real student who does work instead of someone who lives here and doesn't do work and fails midterms and botches papers. I need to get it together, honestly. I thought I was doing fine, and I am happy, but I am not doing well. If that ever sets in, I will stop being happy until that gets fixed. So I plan on doing a lot of good Lit work tonight, and going to church and dinner with the girls I think I am living with next year, and then hopefully to bed early to try to catch this cold or whatever before it has a chance to get worse.
1. I did not do well on my astro midterm. That could be a problem. Like, for real not well. Like barely passing not well. And now I don't know what to do. I'm considering dropping the course now. I don't want to, but I might have to. The class is interesting, and easy enough. Except for the part where I accidentally bombed the midterm.
2. Leah's calculator did a very odd thing right before the test. I was using it maybe 5 minutes before the test. Then I get there, open it up to work on a problem. I push "On" and the screen comes up saying it has cleared the RAM and now it has a big grey spot in the middle of the screen. Oh, shit.
3. I fear I may be getting sick. This would make me very unhappy, especially considering that break is coming up. And even though break is a slightly better time to be sick than any other time, I still don't want to be sick. Maybe I'll nap before dinner... mmm...
4. I decided last night that I spend way too much time on AIM. Though, as it was pointed out to me this afternoon, if Jason were never online, how much would that even matter? He's the only one I have ridiculously long conversations with to the detriment of my time management abilities. And he won't be online for Lent. So maybe it doesn't even matter. God damn it all, why am I so indecisive? I need to work on that. For real. I've become something of a skeptic, and yet I am falling into the trap of the skeptics: indecision. Not acceptable.
5. Right, so... Jason... So in the course of an almost 5 hour IM conversation last night (!) I somehow asked him to go dancing with me on Thursday. Where I decided that this was my plan, I don't really know. Things I do know: I was more nervous then than I should have been, and I am more anxious about it now than I should be. I am simply not being reasonable, and I know it. I guess I should just chill out, and let things happen as they're going to happen. That's all I can really do, and so I just have to know that and let things go. Grant me the strength to change what I can, the serenity to let the things I can't go, and the wisdom to know the difference.
6. I am also somewhat glad for break coming now, just to get away from school. Hopefully, I can go away and come back as a real student who does work instead of someone who lives here and doesn't do work and fails midterms and botches papers. I need to get it together, honestly. I thought I was doing fine, and I am happy, but I am not doing well. If that ever sets in, I will stop being happy until that gets fixed. So I plan on doing a lot of good Lit work tonight, and going to church and dinner with the girls I think I am living with next year, and then hopefully to bed early to try to catch this cold or whatever before it has a chance to get worse.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Not now
It seems like a lot has happened that I haven't written about. Such as my 15-hour adventure late Saturday- early Sunday. Or bridge. Or anything. But it isn't going to get done now, not with a midterm tomorrow that I haven't started studying for.
Also, sort of? *sigh*
Also, sort of? *sigh*
Sunday, February 26, 2006
"My Little Gay Man is Less Creepy than Your Little Gay Man"
These wonderful words of wisdom straight from the lips of Leah Franqui. I replied "Which one is your little gay man?" She said "Oh, I have like ten. I'm in theatre. They flock to me."
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Kant get working. blah
Kant has a very obscure style. It seems to me that his thoughts are great, but that he could have found a more elucidating style to set them down in. We’re spending philosophy going though basically one sentence at a time, or one paragraph at a time, because it is pretty hard to untangle some of these sentences. I’ve never felt that diagramming sentences in English would have helped me, but now I am considering it. These sentences are ridiculous.
But at least we are going through it in an understandable way. This is progress.
And last night and this morning, I spent some time with Milton. Basically, I read Book 9. I feel terrible about not having read more. The verse is tough at first, but once you get used to it, you can make decent progress in it.
Professor Kronman gets so excited about the philosophy some times. In the middle of class today, he just started shouting about Kant—he got really loud and excited, and he hadn’t actually gotten to the body of the text yet. We were on the second page of the preface. It is a good way to get our attention.
Many hours later: still nothing done on the paper. But I am excited about the things to come. Like Lysistrata in an hour, the hockey games this weekend, KBB happy hour, bridge tournament, Trumball, etc etc. It's going to be good. Now, if only this paper would go away...
But at least we are going through it in an understandable way. This is progress.
And last night and this morning, I spent some time with Milton. Basically, I read Book 9. I feel terrible about not having read more. The verse is tough at first, but once you get used to it, you can make decent progress in it.
Professor Kronman gets so excited about the philosophy some times. In the middle of class today, he just started shouting about Kant—he got really loud and excited, and he hadn’t actually gotten to the body of the text yet. We were on the second page of the preface. It is a good way to get our attention.
Many hours later: still nothing done on the paper. But I am excited about the things to come. Like Lysistrata in an hour, the hockey games this weekend, KBB happy hour, bridge tournament, Trumball, etc etc. It's going to be good. Now, if only this paper would go away...
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
My day.
~I like getting unexpected but genuine compliments. I understand that it a pretty obvious statement, and pretty universal. But it is nice. And I just got one. So there.
~I like playing bridge. But bridge is hard. Very hard. But the good news is that Andrew didn't play the ace of diamonds when he was supposed to either. So it's all good.
~I don't do any work. I don't understand.
~Hilary Fink=awesome. For one thing, she really (unexpectedly) liked my Lit paper. Which is so great, I cannot even express it in words. But then, after class, we had a very nice conversation. I really like her. I feel so bad that I am behind in the reading for her class.
~I sent an email with sexy underwear pictures in it. Hott.
Life is good.
~I like playing bridge. But bridge is hard. Very hard. But the good news is that Andrew didn't play the ace of diamonds when he was supposed to either. So it's all good.
~I don't do any work. I don't understand.
~Hilary Fink=awesome. For one thing, she really (unexpectedly) liked my Lit paper. Which is so great, I cannot even express it in words. But then, after class, we had a very nice conversation. I really like her. I feel so bad that I am behind in the reading for her class.
~I sent an email with sexy underwear pictures in it. Hott.
Life is good.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Opportunity, 1. Katie, 0
So, there was this really cute guy in church today. He sat down next to me when his seat got taken by a latecomer, and was smiling at me. And he was really cute. And so when I turned to ask his name and start a conversation, he left.
I am sad. It was such a good chance.
I am sad. It was such a good chance.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
More content.
Whee.
So, this weekend, my goal was to get work done. No word on how that is going to turn out just yet.
Instead, I spent 5 hours on an online bridge tournament (which went well, but not well enough to force me to cancel my summer plans). Andrew and I placed fourth in our bracket, doing well against every team we faced except Princeton. We held our own, but our teammates... well, let's just say that doormats are more assertive. :-) Not that I don't love them, but that round was not exactly quality. We were very close to beating Harvard, only 3 IMPs. Very close. I was satisfied with my play, too. Better than usual, I think, mostly because I had the ability to talk to myself and to the cards and to the other players without actually being responsible for any of what I was saying. VERY USEFUL. What does that say about me?
Also, Amy and Chris are crazy. Still. I don't know what is going on any more. I think they are not really spending much time with each other right now, which may actually be for the best. So, I've spent a little more time with each of them without the other, which is both useful and somewhat refreshing. All relationships (beyond a certain minimum) require one-on-one time, and before, that just wasn't happening.
Assassins: it was short lived glory. On the first day, I had two kills. On the second day, I was shot by a suitemate. Tragic. And then, she died a few hours after she killed me. Sigh. But if she had been killed before me, it wouldn't have mattered much. I have two classes with her assassin, so it would have been nasty, brutish and short anyway. (I love grossly misusing Hobbes to suit my own vain purposes... and meanwhile, perhaps the greatest political philosopher to write in English rolls over in his proper English grave...)
More.... hm. Transfer of power lunch with JJJ tomorrow. Also, updated Squid website. Hott.
Now... bedtime? Perhaps.
So, this weekend, my goal was to get work done. No word on how that is going to turn out just yet.
Instead, I spent 5 hours on an online bridge tournament (which went well, but not well enough to force me to cancel my summer plans). Andrew and I placed fourth in our bracket, doing well against every team we faced except Princeton. We held our own, but our teammates... well, let's just say that doormats are more assertive. :-) Not that I don't love them, but that round was not exactly quality. We were very close to beating Harvard, only 3 IMPs. Very close. I was satisfied with my play, too. Better than usual, I think, mostly because I had the ability to talk to myself and to the cards and to the other players without actually being responsible for any of what I was saying. VERY USEFUL. What does that say about me?
Also, Amy and Chris are crazy. Still. I don't know what is going on any more. I think they are not really spending much time with each other right now, which may actually be for the best. So, I've spent a little more time with each of them without the other, which is both useful and somewhat refreshing. All relationships (beyond a certain minimum) require one-on-one time, and before, that just wasn't happening.
Assassins: it was short lived glory. On the first day, I had two kills. On the second day, I was shot by a suitemate. Tragic. And then, she died a few hours after she killed me. Sigh. But if she had been killed before me, it wouldn't have mattered much. I have two classes with her assassin, so it would have been nasty, brutish and short anyway. (I love grossly misusing Hobbes to suit my own vain purposes... and meanwhile, perhaps the greatest political philosopher to write in English rolls over in his proper English grave...)
More.... hm. Transfer of power lunch with JJJ tomorrow. Also, updated Squid website. Hott.
Now... bedtime? Perhaps.
English!
Your Linguistic Profile: |
70% General American English |
10% Upper Midwestern |
10% Yankee |
5% Midwestern |
0% Dixie |
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Crippling Metaphysical Question of the Day
I bought headphones! Which means that I can use my iPod again! Celebration!! Also, is it bad that I am posting in this thing so much? Should I be talking to real people instead of to myself?
Hum. Perhaps that will be my crippling metaphysical question of the day.
Hum. Perhaps that will be my crippling metaphysical question of the day.
Midterms
So, it turns out to be rather difficult to study for a midterm wherein you know a lot. Because it is both hard to motivate yourself to study and because when you actually do, it is hard to pick out the new or "problem" material from the background of things you already know, so you don't actually feel like you've accomplished anything. I hate feeling like I haven't accomplished anything.
Also, Valentine's Day. Prof. Kronman got a singing valentine anonymously from someone in the middle of our section today. That was fun. The rest of the class... not so hot. I know a girl who got a heartbreaker in the middle of section. She was unhappy, but it was funny. I went to dinner with JT (everyone else being otherwise engaged), and spent way too long at Commons talking to people. So many people! If I spent as much time on any of my classes as I did in Commons... My GPA would be astonishing.
And, I need to remember to have dinner with Rita. She's good people.
And, John is playing in my bridge tournament on Saturday representing UChicago. I wonder if I'll have to play him. That would be interesting.
Back to work for me...
Also, Valentine's Day. Prof. Kronman got a singing valentine anonymously from someone in the middle of our section today. That was fun. The rest of the class... not so hot. I know a girl who got a heartbreaker in the middle of section. She was unhappy, but it was funny. I went to dinner with JT (everyone else being otherwise engaged), and spent way too long at Commons talking to people. So many people! If I spent as much time on any of my classes as I did in Commons... My GPA would be astonishing.
And, I need to remember to have dinner with Rita. She's good people.
And, John is playing in my bridge tournament on Saturday representing UChicago. I wonder if I'll have to play him. That would be interesting.
Back to work for me...
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Why does it only take three questions to understand me?
| Your Personality Is |
You are sensible, down to earth, and goal oriented. Bottom line, you are good at playing by the rules. You tend to be dominant - and you are a natural leader. You are interested in rules and order. Morals are important to you. A hard worker, you give your all at whatever you do. You're very serious, and people often tell you to lighten up. In love, you tend to take things carefully and slowly. At work, you are suited to almost any career - but you excel in leadership positions. With others, you tend to be polite and formal. As far as looks go, you are traditionally attractive. You take good care of yourself. On weekends, you tend to like to do organized activities. In fact, you often organize them! |
hah
| Your Scholastic Strength Is Evaluating |
 You are great at looking at many details and putting them all together. You are talented at detecting subtle trends, accuracy, and managing change. You should major in: Statistics Speech Conflict studies Communication Finance Medicine |
Valentine's Day
So, my big plans for much much later tonight were to play bridge. But, as it turns out, Jon has a girlfriend, and so there is no bridge tomorrow. Bummer! Now, I guess, I'll just have to work or something. Lame!
Also, I made a secret post on the Herald Valentine's site. I am a little ashamed, a little proud. He'll have no idea it's from me, and, of course, that is the idea. But still. It'll be my first Valentine's Day alone basically since I started caring. Maybe I'll have to find some excuse for some fun despite my 9 am History and Politics section Wednesday morning.
Also, I made a secret post on the Herald Valentine's site. I am a little ashamed, a little proud. He'll have no idea it's from me, and, of course, that is the idea. But still. It'll be my first Valentine's Day alone basically since I started caring. Maybe I'll have to find some excuse for some fun despite my 9 am History and Politics section Wednesday morning.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
OOOH! Also...
Also, this is so great. Tomb found in Valley of the Kings . I <3 Egypt, and I can't wait to see what my professor says in class about it on Tuesday.
Personal drama
Wow. I can't stand it any more. Thank God I have a sane and approachable freshman counselor, or else I might die. (Crosses fingers for Hudson... He should so be froco...) Because seriously, if I end up holding a moderated caucus between Amy and Chris, I might just die. For real.
I've been retreating outside of them, my best friends, because they're kind of impossible to be with together at this point. They need to sort their own shit out. I have enough to do. I am a little wary of JT's advice on the subject; namely to escape. But on a certain level, I think it might be the only thing I can really do. Otherwise something is going to seriously break, and that will be a problem.
Now I have to go read like four books. Right now. And do a problem set. And consider my paper topics. And study for a midterm. Yes!! Taking 5 classes=hard.
I've been retreating outside of them, my best friends, because they're kind of impossible to be with together at this point. They need to sort their own shit out. I have enough to do. I am a little wary of JT's advice on the subject; namely to escape. But on a certain level, I think it might be the only thing I can really do. Otherwise something is going to seriously break, and that will be a problem.
Now I have to go read like four books. Right now. And do a problem set. And consider my paper topics. And study for a midterm. Yes!! Taking 5 classes=hard.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Odd things interacting
So, when I am in an oddly contemplative mood, and another person is not really feeling social, it doesn't produce good conversation or good pool. Which sucks. But circumstances weren't right, and that is disappointing. Mostly in that I didn't see it before it happened. I should have-- I should have had enough information by that point to know it was not really a good idea. But there we go. More nothing.
Nothing like nausea to start an evening right
Right, so that title tells you how my evening started. And then I tried to nap while my roommate listened to music (with headphones) loud enough that i could hear every word. She is going to go deaf, and I didn't get any sleep. I also didn't get any work done. Then I waited a while to see if anyone was going to go to dinner, and when the dining halls were about to close and no one was around, I went alone. And then I got there, and dinner was terrible. So, I ended up eating a miserable dinner alone at Calhoun, and then sitting in a meeting I didn't want to be in for a committee I don't want to be on for a half hour, going to the library, and then coming back here. I kind of want to go to bridge club later, but I also kind of want to be asleep. So I don't know.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Ennui
So, tonight, I have been swept by a wave of ennui. I am just feeling tired and jaded, and not really into things right now.
I was ok earlier, before my friends showed up. And then they did, and that was where things started to go downhill. Which sucks to say, but I can't dance around it. I was so happy at hockey. Hockey makes me so happy, generally, despite the fact that KBB was a total shitshow tonight. No one knew the songs, we forgot all our music, we weren't all playing the same thing and we were playing at different times... It was messy, and bad. But we have a new drum major. Ben Jorns. Don't know him very well, but I think he will be a good representative for the band. Once he slows his conducting down a little bit, and he grows into the job a little bit, it will be good. I do feel bad for the other candidates, though, because they all would have made very good DMs. I like them all, and Hudson looked so down after Doug made the announcement. Hopefully, I'll see him tomorrow, and hopefully, he'll be feeling somewhat better by then.
Now, I just want to go to bed.
I was ok earlier, before my friends showed up. And then they did, and that was where things started to go downhill. Which sucks to say, but I can't dance around it. I was so happy at hockey. Hockey makes me so happy, generally, despite the fact that KBB was a total shitshow tonight. No one knew the songs, we forgot all our music, we weren't all playing the same thing and we were playing at different times... It was messy, and bad. But we have a new drum major. Ben Jorns. Don't know him very well, but I think he will be a good representative for the band. Once he slows his conducting down a little bit, and he grows into the job a little bit, it will be good. I do feel bad for the other candidates, though, because they all would have made very good DMs. I like them all, and Hudson looked so down after Doug made the announcement. Hopefully, I'll see him tomorrow, and hopefully, he'll be feeling somewhat better by then.
Now, I just want to go to bed.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Things
So, here are some things. I will make a list for these things. (I hope this isn't long, I have work to do!)
1. I played in a bridge tournament in NY yesterday. It was pretty awesome.
2. I am a little creeped out by Chris and Amy. They were definately sitting on each other, and there was touching. Not inappropriate touching, but more than "I'm your friend" touching. And I creeped out by it.
3. So, Anne thinks I talked JT into breaking up with her over winter break. An inane proposition, because I didn't actually talk to JT over break, and even if I had, would never have said anything of the sort. That being said, several things about her really bother me. For one, she is very territorial, and likes to claim people for her own just to take them away from other people, and not actually out of genuine interest.
4. So there is not going to be a thing with Jason. This has been almost conclusively determined, and though I liked having a "prospect", I am still happy about it because we have very interesting conversations, which is cool.
5. I have not done any real work since getting back to New Haven. This is really bad, and I am starting to fall behind already. It is the first week of the semester. I haven't even submitted my schedule to the Dean yet, and I am behind.
6. Argh, work.
7. I have been kind of frustrated with my friends lately, though not for any discernable reason. Just grumpy and intolerant and it sucks.
Argh
1. I played in a bridge tournament in NY yesterday. It was pretty awesome.
2. I am a little creeped out by Chris and Amy. They were definately sitting on each other, and there was touching. Not inappropriate touching, but more than "I'm your friend" touching. And I creeped out by it.
3. So, Anne thinks I talked JT into breaking up with her over winter break. An inane proposition, because I didn't actually talk to JT over break, and even if I had, would never have said anything of the sort. That being said, several things about her really bother me. For one, she is very territorial, and likes to claim people for her own just to take them away from other people, and not actually out of genuine interest.
4. So there is not going to be a thing with Jason. This has been almost conclusively determined, and though I liked having a "prospect", I am still happy about it because we have very interesting conversations, which is cool.
5. I have not done any real work since getting back to New Haven. This is really bad, and I am starting to fall behind already. It is the first week of the semester. I haven't even submitted my schedule to the Dean yet, and I am behind.
6. Argh, work.
7. I have been kind of frustrated with my friends lately, though not for any discernable reason. Just grumpy and intolerant and it sucks.
Argh
Trivium
Ten Top Trivia Tips about Katie!
- Czar Paul I banished Katie to Siberia for marching out of step.
- Katie was first grown in America by the grandmother Maria Ann Smith, from whom her name comes.
- During World War II, Americans tried to train Katie to drop bombs.
- Banging your head against Katie uses 150 calories an hour.
- Katie is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.
- Katie can smell some things up to six miles away!
- By tradition, a girl standing under Katie cannot refuse to be kissed by anyone who claims the privilege.
- Early thermometers were filled with Katie instead of mercury.
- The book of Esther in the Bible is the only book which does not mention Katie.
- While performing her duties as queen, Cleopatra sometimes dressed up as Katie!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
ok
Well, that closed the door pretty soundly... If he has a dinner-date with another girl, it doesn't exactly signal romantic intentions.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Oh, also...
What does it mean to you if you talk to a person a lot online, see them fairly regularly one-on-one, and have great conversations then, but when you see them in public, you get the most cursory nod or barely a hello?
I mean, who does that?
I mean, who does that?
I came for the Yale Band
Truly, if it were not for the band, I don't know where I would be. I love them all, and I did not believe that losing a hockey game 4-1 could turn a crappy night into a good one. But i guess it can, because it just did. It doesn;t help that I have no idea where my camera is right now. But other than that, I am recovering just fine from my afternoon/evening.
Rawr.
Rawr.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Ay
| Your brain: 160% interpersonal, 100% visual, 20% verbal, and 120% mathematical! |
| Congratulations on being 400% smart! Actually, on my test, everyone is. The above score breaks down what kind of thinking you most enjoy doing. A score above 100% means you use that kind of thinking more than average, and a score below 100% means you use it less. It says nothing about how good you are at any one, just how interested you are in each, relatively. A substantial difference in scores between two people means, conclusively, that they are different kinds of thinkers. Matching Summary: Each of us has different tastes. Still, I offer the following advice, which I think is obvious:
|
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The 4-Variable IQ Test written by chriscoyne on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Thursday, January 05, 2006
aha
So, i was just musing about why i am enjoying my non-yale friends so much more than the prospect of going back to school. the answer is that other people are easier, namely easier than dealing with "closet" issues, etc. not being the main lifeline for the people at harvard, for example, is no less fun but a lot less work than being at school. so there is that, i guess.
There is also work to be taken into consideration, but that seems minor.
There is also work to be taken into consideration, but that seems minor.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Fireflyyyyyyyyyy
I want more! It is so sad to think that I have now seen every single episode ever produced. I want more!
Monday, January 02, 2006
What am I doing?
By that I mean, when in the hell am I going to get all my work done? I have so much left, and I have done essentially none of it. Argh.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
2006
So, here we are, another year over, and the new one just begun. It's a kind of profound day, even if the last ten seconds of the old year slip by in a kind of unfortunate rush of terrible television and awkward reflection. I feel like things should be more examined today, as if it is setting a pattern for the rest of the year. But that is just silly, as it is really just another day with more bubbly.
Oh well. It is also a day for contemplating time as a concept. A year ago today I was submitting college applications. How far I've come since then! And in two years, I'll probably be in NYC with my Yale friends, celebrating Chris' 21st birthday. But today also made me appreciate my break, how excellent and drama-free it has been. No drama! What a novel concept. Rather relaxing, if I dare say so.
Sigh. It has messed up my sleep cycle though. I need to fix that before classes start up again. Also, I need to read more. I am on page 65 of 1700 or so that I am supposed to have done in 8 days. Haha....
Oh well. It is also a day for contemplating time as a concept. A year ago today I was submitting college applications. How far I've come since then! And in two years, I'll probably be in NYC with my Yale friends, celebrating Chris' 21st birthday. But today also made me appreciate my break, how excellent and drama-free it has been. No drama! What a novel concept. Rather relaxing, if I dare say so.
Sigh. It has messed up my sleep cycle though. I need to fix that before classes start up again. Also, I need to read more. I am on page 65 of 1700 or so that I am supposed to have done in 8 days. Haha....
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