Rage against the Study Groups
I'm in the bowels of Waterfield...multitasking...trying to eek out suitable answers for my Ergonomics homework, draft a really important letter, and not kill the members of a study group that has decided to set up shop at a table 10 feet southwest of me.
I know that the library is the optimum place to study and large tables where groups can meet to review the anatomy of whatever or learn to read, write, and/or count are few and far between. In fact, last I heard, the library was encouraging people to use its services. However, what is the price that we, the meek library goer must pay in order for these...these...mobs of bookworms to do whatever it is they do.*
*The answer is 'annoy the shit out of everyone else by committing one or more of the following offenses:
1. Not utilizing their indoor voices.
2. Causing a ruckus. Sure, some good natured teasing does wonders to get the creative juices flowing, but must things really escalate into a full on paperwad war? Seriously folks, take it outside.
3. Partaking in unabbreviated cell phone calls. I used to be one of those people that thought that cell phones should never be used in the library. Ever. Then, I got one of my own and a job and an elderly and ill family member...and a social life, and I realized that using a cell phone in the library is not the end of the world, given that a) the calls are kept brief, and b) volume is kept to a minimum. I'm thinking the chick in the pick shirt screaming into her cell phone must not have gotten that memo...nor the one about using her indoor voice.
4. Musical chairs. I don't see the need-everyone has a seat and there's no music. It's recommended that everyone finds a seat where they are fairly certain they will be able to comfortably settle in for the evening...a place where they do not have to get up and walk around the table every few minutes to get a better look at what is going on, etc.
5. Waving around large pieces of poster board. I'm sure that most people can understand the complicated workings of the Krebs cycle as easily in small print as they can on a poster. And even if they can understand best by looking at a poster, especially one that isn't being waved around like a foam "We're #1" finger at a basketball game.
Now, having ranted about all of that, I'd like to discuss some of the things I'd love to do in the library before my time at Murray comes to an end.
1. I'd love to "surf" the periodicals on one of those rolling book carts. What a thrill it'd be to ride the waves of research. Cowabunga dudes.
2. Play a game of football. Not flag football...full contact football. In the basement alone, I see at least two areas which would make for a great (abbreviated) field.
3. Host a picnic. Quasi-regulated tempertature, ample lighting, large tables and many carpeted areas...all reasons why we should skip the quad and take the basket to the library. The carpet (in places) is even green...one that perhaps one day will be found in nature.
4. Get arrested and hauled out in handcuffs. If the library is the place to see and be seen, then when the po-po finally come for me, I hope they find me here. If you've got to be arrested, you may as well have an audience.
5. Perform an exorcism. The library is a great place to do this because it's quiet-so you can concentrate. And, if something goes wrong, there's lots of reference material around so corrective action can be (hopefully) figured out. Also, perhaps the demons would be released into Waterfield, and I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better way to spice up an evening of studying ventilation systems than having the unholy spawn of satan running rampant.
6. Covertly follow someone into a quiet corner of the bookstacks and then start shoving books off the shelves at them to recreate that scene from Ghostbusters. The reaction may be fear. The reaction may be anger. But best of all, a reaction is guaranteed.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Thanksgiving Break: The Highlight Reel
Either too much happened over the week I was out of Murray...or most of it was too mundane to go into much detail. Regardless, it was a great break and I feel very rested. So, to save wordiness and just get to the good stuff, I present the Thanksgiving 2004 Highlight Reel.
Drinking with Grandpa
Monday midmorning, I took some McDonald's sandwiches over to Grandpa!'s house and we settled around the kitchen table and had a lovely lunch and some great conversation. Somehow we got on the topic of whiskeys and the other "beverages" that we enjoy. Grandpa! had me retrieve this ancient bottle of Beam (I suppose this bottle was created before the time of Jim?) from the closet. It was adorned with Remington artwork and had been given to him sometime in the 1970s. So, we drank Beam and sprite...he polished down several, I choked down my one and then went home, feeling ill. I joke about having been...drank under the table by the elderly...well, it's finally actually happened.
Shopping in St. Louis
Tuesday morning, I ventured out to the Westfield Shopping Center out on I-270 to do some of my Christmas shopping. Located in Des Peres, MO, one of the nicest/wealthiest suburbs, this is now my preferred mall, as it has a Sephora, a beauty products superstore. I picked up a few items to try and had fun playing with all the testers and spraying myself with samples from the giant wall of perfume. While at that mall, I also picked up some gifts for my lady friends and had a really awesome vanilla frozen drink from the Nordstrom coffee shop. Dare I call that vanilla freeze the best I've had? It had a very strong vanilla flavor and was as smooth as could be...not a hint of bitterness nor a chunk of ingredient was present.
Southpaws Sports Bar
Another place I'm growing increasingly fond of...it features all the components I feel are needed for a great sports bar. One: there are televisions every where...good ones at that. They are high definition, flat screen-no small tvs. In addition to the requesite 2-3 wall-sized screens, flat screen tvs literally line the walls (in a line, 10 feet off the ground) of this place. Two: the drink selection is fantastic. If you can think of it, they can make it. Three: the bartenders are friendly and attractive. But, they aren't too friendly, which is great because there are just times when you want to belly up to the bar, watch the game, and not have to make stupid small talk. However, it's also great when you're out with girlfriends and need something handsome and friendly to talk to, have take your picture, bring you things, etc. Four: the food is good. I never go to bars expecting to get a four course meal...sometimes you just need something to soak up the beverages a bit. They have this really awesome shrimp tail in garlic sauce appetizer which really makes me happy. Wash it down with Diet Coke and it's the perfect light meal. Speaking of non-alcoholic beverages, this brings me to...Five: the booze alternatives aren't watered down. The sodas are as crisp and refreshing as fountain sodas can be. Six: the plastic cups non-alcoholic beverages come in are plastic and yours to keep. I now have a full set of four, so look for these cups the next time you are over.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, green bean casserole, mushroom poppers, rolls, gelatinous cranberries, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate pie...ample leftovers to send to Grandpa!, me, etc. It's good to have variety and good to have plenty of leftovers for Grandpa! to have in his freezer (since he doesn't cook much these days) and for me to take back for lunches. I've been eating my leftovers for lunch and breakfast these days...
Christmas with the Kranks
It's no Christmas Vacation...but really, that particular movie is the gold standard for a reason. It had some good physical comedy, some good lines, Dan Aykroyd, and a feel-good ending. As far as Christmas movies for this season, use the money you could be wasting on Polar Express to see this instead. I'm pretty sure you'll have a better time watching this movie.
Either too much happened over the week I was out of Murray...or most of it was too mundane to go into much detail. Regardless, it was a great break and I feel very rested. So, to save wordiness and just get to the good stuff, I present the Thanksgiving 2004 Highlight Reel.
Drinking with Grandpa
Monday midmorning, I took some McDonald's sandwiches over to Grandpa!'s house and we settled around the kitchen table and had a lovely lunch and some great conversation. Somehow we got on the topic of whiskeys and the other "beverages" that we enjoy. Grandpa! had me retrieve this ancient bottle of Beam (I suppose this bottle was created before the time of Jim?) from the closet. It was adorned with Remington artwork and had been given to him sometime in the 1970s. So, we drank Beam and sprite...he polished down several, I choked down my one and then went home, feeling ill. I joke about having been...drank under the table by the elderly...well, it's finally actually happened.
Shopping in St. Louis
Tuesday morning, I ventured out to the Westfield Shopping Center out on I-270 to do some of my Christmas shopping. Located in Des Peres, MO, one of the nicest/wealthiest suburbs, this is now my preferred mall, as it has a Sephora, a beauty products superstore. I picked up a few items to try and had fun playing with all the testers and spraying myself with samples from the giant wall of perfume. While at that mall, I also picked up some gifts for my lady friends and had a really awesome vanilla frozen drink from the Nordstrom coffee shop. Dare I call that vanilla freeze the best I've had? It had a very strong vanilla flavor and was as smooth as could be...not a hint of bitterness nor a chunk of ingredient was present.
Southpaws Sports Bar
Another place I'm growing increasingly fond of...it features all the components I feel are needed for a great sports bar. One: there are televisions every where...good ones at that. They are high definition, flat screen-no small tvs. In addition to the requesite 2-3 wall-sized screens, flat screen tvs literally line the walls (in a line, 10 feet off the ground) of this place. Two: the drink selection is fantastic. If you can think of it, they can make it. Three: the bartenders are friendly and attractive. But, they aren't too friendly, which is great because there are just times when you want to belly up to the bar, watch the game, and not have to make stupid small talk. However, it's also great when you're out with girlfriends and need something handsome and friendly to talk to, have take your picture, bring you things, etc. Four: the food is good. I never go to bars expecting to get a four course meal...sometimes you just need something to soak up the beverages a bit. They have this really awesome shrimp tail in garlic sauce appetizer which really makes me happy. Wash it down with Diet Coke and it's the perfect light meal. Speaking of non-alcoholic beverages, this brings me to...Five: the booze alternatives aren't watered down. The sodas are as crisp and refreshing as fountain sodas can be. Six: the plastic cups non-alcoholic beverages come in are plastic and yours to keep. I now have a full set of four, so look for these cups the next time you are over.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, green bean casserole, mushroom poppers, rolls, gelatinous cranberries, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate pie...ample leftovers to send to Grandpa!, me, etc. It's good to have variety and good to have plenty of leftovers for Grandpa! to have in his freezer (since he doesn't cook much these days) and for me to take back for lunches. I've been eating my leftovers for lunch and breakfast these days...
Christmas with the Kranks
It's no Christmas Vacation...but really, that particular movie is the gold standard for a reason. It had some good physical comedy, some good lines, Dan Aykroyd, and a feel-good ending. As far as Christmas movies for this season, use the money you could be wasting on Polar Express to see this instead. I'm pretty sure you'll have a better time watching this movie.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Shift in Perspective
Everything looks more clear and hopeful this morning. It's like I woke up and suddenly more things made more sense than they did the day before. I still don't have all the answers nor do I know how to maneuver about everything, but I understand and have some insight...and sometimes gaining both is half the battle.
Everything looks more clear and hopeful this morning. It's like I woke up and suddenly more things made more sense than they did the day before. I still don't have all the answers nor do I know how to maneuver about everything, but I understand and have some insight...and sometimes gaining both is half the battle.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Some Things I Want to Say before I Leave for Nashville
1. I'm so glad that my Thanksgiving Break has started. This will be a good chance to just goof around and detox from Murray-land and get myself ready for the last few weeks of the semester. I need some time away to sort through some stuff in my head and plot my next move.
2. I'm going to see Miss Saigon tonight. It features the two things I love most: Vietnamese hookers and singing. Me love you long time indeed...
3. I'm, as they say, single these days. Consider this my official notification and no questions will be answered. It's amicable and we're still friends. Inquire about anything else and you'll get my Ari Fleischer impression. This brings us to number...
4. Beer. I need some, you have any?
5. Grandpa's Birthday. I'm still planning this event in my head, so if you have any good buddy activities for Grandpa and I to partake in, please post them in comments.
So now I shall finish compiling a bunch of cds that suit my mood of late, or are just good music in general (Stones, Dylan, etc) and prepare for a night in Nashville. I'm feeling good...I'm feeling peppy. I'm chanting my new (borrowed, thanks) mantra, let the eagle soar...
1. I'm so glad that my Thanksgiving Break has started. This will be a good chance to just goof around and detox from Murray-land and get myself ready for the last few weeks of the semester. I need some time away to sort through some stuff in my head and plot my next move.
2. I'm going to see Miss Saigon tonight. It features the two things I love most: Vietnamese hookers and singing. Me love you long time indeed...
3. I'm, as they say, single these days. Consider this my official notification and no questions will be answered. It's amicable and we're still friends. Inquire about anything else and you'll get my Ari Fleischer impression. This brings us to number...
4. Beer. I need some, you have any?
5. Grandpa's Birthday. I'm still planning this event in my head, so if you have any good buddy activities for Grandpa and I to partake in, please post them in comments.
So now I shall finish compiling a bunch of cds that suit my mood of late, or are just good music in general (Stones, Dylan, etc) and prepare for a night in Nashville. I'm feeling good...I'm feeling peppy. I'm chanting my new (borrowed, thanks) mantra, let the eagle soar...
Thursday, November 18, 2004
The Current Alphabet, Part One
The ABCs of what's hip and hot in my Murray these days...
A is for Alcohol
Duh.
B is for BangBus
Combine hard core porn and a moving short bus and you've got this winning combination which makes for great group viewing and commentary. It's also fun to watch people's reaction when they learn it's all fake (like wrestling).
C is for Cooking to Hook Up
Consider this book a battle plan for dating and relating. It lines up everything from what to cook to what to wear to what books to have on the coffee table and what music to play on the important night. Besides, I figure strategy is a two-way street and while I'm not set on catching myself a girl, it can't hurt in luring in the guys.
D is for Dolphins
Did you know that they are sexually very human like? Dolphins do it for fun, do it with themselves, and do it with dolphins of the same gender. However, gay-dolphin marriage isn't recognized by Atlantis, so they mus settle for commitment ceremonies and go without tax breaks.
E is for Evangelists
The one week I decide to go to Louisville, some religious nut-job comes to MSU and promises fire and brimstone for us all. While we didn't get fire and brimstone, we did get some rain and an 80% chance of thundershowers.
F is for Fights in the Quad
Tonight, I donned a robe and a towel and watched as Gibson and Drew "fought" over my status in a nativity scene as part of the Racer Patrol paradoy which will air on MSU News-11. Which was better-the towel smack, the near-pants drop, or the sirens that filled the air as we wrapped the scene?
The ABCs of what's hip and hot in my Murray these days...
A is for Alcohol
Duh.
B is for BangBus
Combine hard core porn and a moving short bus and you've got this winning combination which makes for great group viewing and commentary. It's also fun to watch people's reaction when they learn it's all fake (like wrestling).
C is for Cooking to Hook Up
Consider this book a battle plan for dating and relating. It lines up everything from what to cook to what to wear to what books to have on the coffee table and what music to play on the important night. Besides, I figure strategy is a two-way street and while I'm not set on catching myself a girl, it can't hurt in luring in the guys.
D is for Dolphins
Did you know that they are sexually very human like? Dolphins do it for fun, do it with themselves, and do it with dolphins of the same gender. However, gay-dolphin marriage isn't recognized by Atlantis, so they mus settle for commitment ceremonies and go without tax breaks.
E is for Evangelists
The one week I decide to go to Louisville, some religious nut-job comes to MSU and promises fire and brimstone for us all. While we didn't get fire and brimstone, we did get some rain and an 80% chance of thundershowers.
F is for Fights in the Quad
Tonight, I donned a robe and a towel and watched as Gibson and Drew "fought" over my status in a nativity scene as part of the Racer Patrol paradoy which will air on MSU News-11. Which was better-the towel smack, the near-pants drop, or the sirens that filled the air as we wrapped the scene?
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Boiling Points
I eat my feelings; I stuff them down. For a myriad of reasons I won't go into right now, I consciously attempt to suppress what I think and feel in an attempt to keep the universe harmonious. I lay in bed at night and I think of all the ways that saying what I think/feel will permanently alter and destroy the nifty little universe I have constructed for myself and then I mourn for the things I will never experience (possibility) and mentally chastise myself for not having the intestinal fortitude (or guts, if you will) to act or say. Simply put, I'm a weenie and it's just not working for me anymore. Therefore this is the week...this is the week that I start making my moves and lining up all the stars and planets and whatever else I can do so that I can go home and enjoy Thanksgiving Break with some semblance of closure for some things and some idea of what to do about others. But as for right now...the immediate present...I am in hell. How am I in hell, you ask? Let me count the ways...
Job
My job review is tomorrow. I've been cultivating bad feelings toward my job since September and despite my best efforts, they keep intensifying. Every day, it's all I can do to not march in, clean out my desk, and leave.
Interpersonal Relations
I don't think I'm doing so well at this lately either. I'm actually feeling rather surly this evening. I'm feeling really restless to boot.
Self-Image
Lately, I feel that no matter how hard I try, I will never be pretty or attractive enough. A strong personality is about all I have going for me and with that and no looks to back it up, I'm like a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
Creativity
I have all of these wonderful things to say and some really great ideas...but I just can't get them out. I think a lot of this has to do with the self-image stuff.
So, in conclusion, I'm in limbo...I guess I'll do some things to try to jolt my life back to center...or at least near it and I'll start doing all of this from the moment I wake up tomorrow morning. So consider this a preemptive apology to everyone for just...everything. If you see me in the next few days, just be understanding and reassuring. I'm positive this is just some sort of a dark phase and the clouds will soon pass...but right now it seems that resolution can't come fast enough.
I eat my feelings; I stuff them down. For a myriad of reasons I won't go into right now, I consciously attempt to suppress what I think and feel in an attempt to keep the universe harmonious. I lay in bed at night and I think of all the ways that saying what I think/feel will permanently alter and destroy the nifty little universe I have constructed for myself and then I mourn for the things I will never experience (possibility) and mentally chastise myself for not having the intestinal fortitude (or guts, if you will) to act or say. Simply put, I'm a weenie and it's just not working for me anymore. Therefore this is the week...this is the week that I start making my moves and lining up all the stars and planets and whatever else I can do so that I can go home and enjoy Thanksgiving Break with some semblance of closure for some things and some idea of what to do about others. But as for right now...the immediate present...I am in hell. How am I in hell, you ask? Let me count the ways...
Job
My job review is tomorrow. I've been cultivating bad feelings toward my job since September and despite my best efforts, they keep intensifying. Every day, it's all I can do to not march in, clean out my desk, and leave.
Interpersonal Relations
I don't think I'm doing so well at this lately either. I'm actually feeling rather surly this evening. I'm feeling really restless to boot.
Self-Image
Lately, I feel that no matter how hard I try, I will never be pretty or attractive enough. A strong personality is about all I have going for me and with that and no looks to back it up, I'm like a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
Creativity
I have all of these wonderful things to say and some really great ideas...but I just can't get them out. I think a lot of this has to do with the self-image stuff.
So, in conclusion, I'm in limbo...I guess I'll do some things to try to jolt my life back to center...or at least near it and I'll start doing all of this from the moment I wake up tomorrow morning. So consider this a preemptive apology to everyone for just...everything. If you see me in the next few days, just be understanding and reassuring. I'm positive this is just some sort of a dark phase and the clouds will soon pass...but right now it seems that resolution can't come fast enough.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Late Night Book Binge
I'm so tired, I can't sleep...so I'm buying books off amazon.com. It's a good thing my parents are coming into town this weekend because I think I just spent my grocery money on books. What I ordered:
I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe. Read an excerpt of it in RollingStone and now I need to read this entire book. Also, currently having an infatuation with all things college-related helped me make this impulse buy. But hey, it's Tom Wolfe, so it's all good.
Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosiland Wiseman. I was watching the special features on the dvd of Mean Girls and I was struck with a brilliant idea of a workshop based on the ideas discussed in this book. That, and as a former tortured adolescent myself, I find the subject matter quite interesting.
Cooking to Hook Up: The Bachelor's Date-Night Cookbook by Ann Marie Michaels and Drew Campbell. After taking a quiz about this book (c/o Ames' blog) and discovering that I was a "Progressive Girl," this book caught my attention with it's premise of telling guys what to cook for the type of girl he is trying to snare. The purpose of this book is two-fold: better understand the woo-ing techniques that may be employed by men and picking up a few simple recipes. I figure if this book is geared toward men, then the recipes shouldn't be overly challenging (good for those with college kitchens).
High Fideltity by Nick Hornby. Great movie, so I have hopes for a spectacular book.
The Daily Show with Jon Steward Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. This way, I can curl up in bed and have my day's moment of zen.
I'm so tired, I can't sleep...so I'm buying books off amazon.com. It's a good thing my parents are coming into town this weekend because I think I just spent my grocery money on books. What I ordered:
I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe. Read an excerpt of it in RollingStone and now I need to read this entire book. Also, currently having an infatuation with all things college-related helped me make this impulse buy. But hey, it's Tom Wolfe, so it's all good.
Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosiland Wiseman. I was watching the special features on the dvd of Mean Girls and I was struck with a brilliant idea of a workshop based on the ideas discussed in this book. That, and as a former tortured adolescent myself, I find the subject matter quite interesting.
Cooking to Hook Up: The Bachelor's Date-Night Cookbook by Ann Marie Michaels and Drew Campbell. After taking a quiz about this book (c/o Ames' blog) and discovering that I was a "Progressive Girl," this book caught my attention with it's premise of telling guys what to cook for the type of girl he is trying to snare. The purpose of this book is two-fold: better understand the woo-ing techniques that may be employed by men and picking up a few simple recipes. I figure if this book is geared toward men, then the recipes shouldn't be overly challenging (good for those with college kitchens).
High Fideltity by Nick Hornby. Great movie, so I have hopes for a spectacular book.
The Daily Show with Jon Steward Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. This way, I can curl up in bed and have my day's moment of zen.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Musings from the Library
Here I sit, in the basement of Waterfield (aka "the library") with my walkman and laptop trying to complete my take home exam for Legal Aspects of Safety and Health. In order to complete this exam, I am to use various government websites to answer questions about environmental legislation and OSHA reform. This is boring, so I think I'll analyze the various characters encountered in the library instead.
At the table to my southeast, I see three young men working on some sort of chart at a table completely covered in books, notes, and other various study materials. At first I thought "ah, pre-law" but after observing their level of uptightness and utter lack of humor, I immediately identified them as pre-med majors studying organic chemistry. I was actually pre-med for a semseter, but ditched that program in favor of curriculum in computer science where life didn't consist of a stream of "wash-out" classes and anal retentive would-be doctors. While I cannot accurately pass judgement on the pre-med majors at Murray State, my past experience at Carbondale leads me to believe that the ones here are probably as up-tight and un-funny as the ones up there...though I highly doubt the pre-med majors here dabble in recreational drugs as much as the ones in Carbondale.
Due east of me is a girl intently writing in a notebook. A math major? No, there's no open book in front of her and I see no calculator. Perhaps an education major working on a lesson plan to submit in tomorrow's class. Afterall, her notebook does appear to be turned at an odd angle.
To the south of the supposed ed-major is a girl in glasses and a yellow sweatshirt...she appears to be studying for something as opposed to actually doing homework. She looks studious-I think it's the glasses. I can tell, however, that she likely lives in one of the residential colleges (dorms) because she is wearing one of those yellow "Live Strong" bracelets and to the best of my knowledge, those can only be obtained in the res. colleges. Directly west of me are two fellows working at a table. One is working at a laptop and the other is assisting him in some way. I think they are probably putting together some sort of presentation. The view of the screen is obstructed by one of the fellows and I think it would be overly obvious if I were to try to look at what he is working on...I don't even know where to begin speculating on that one. However, I can plainly see that the fellow to my southwest is working on something biology-related. He has a book with a double-helix on the cover on his desk and a spiral-bound course book, which indicates he is enrolled in a laboratory course.
Next time I am down here studying, I need to sit in a more sparsely populated portion of the building. Even when I'm in an area where I can't people watch, I still find a way to distract myself using the others around me. Time to make assumptions about me...laptop (what's she working on), walkman (what's she listening to), Metroid tshirt (nerd!), anonymous black notebook...
Here I sit, in the basement of Waterfield (aka "the library") with my walkman and laptop trying to complete my take home exam for Legal Aspects of Safety and Health. In order to complete this exam, I am to use various government websites to answer questions about environmental legislation and OSHA reform. This is boring, so I think I'll analyze the various characters encountered in the library instead.
At the table to my southeast, I see three young men working on some sort of chart at a table completely covered in books, notes, and other various study materials. At first I thought "ah, pre-law" but after observing their level of uptightness and utter lack of humor, I immediately identified them as pre-med majors studying organic chemistry. I was actually pre-med for a semseter, but ditched that program in favor of curriculum in computer science where life didn't consist of a stream of "wash-out" classes and anal retentive would-be doctors. While I cannot accurately pass judgement on the pre-med majors at Murray State, my past experience at Carbondale leads me to believe that the ones here are probably as up-tight and un-funny as the ones up there...though I highly doubt the pre-med majors here dabble in recreational drugs as much as the ones in Carbondale.
Due east of me is a girl intently writing in a notebook. A math major? No, there's no open book in front of her and I see no calculator. Perhaps an education major working on a lesson plan to submit in tomorrow's class. Afterall, her notebook does appear to be turned at an odd angle.
To the south of the supposed ed-major is a girl in glasses and a yellow sweatshirt...she appears to be studying for something as opposed to actually doing homework. She looks studious-I think it's the glasses. I can tell, however, that she likely lives in one of the residential colleges (dorms) because she is wearing one of those yellow "Live Strong" bracelets and to the best of my knowledge, those can only be obtained in the res. colleges. Directly west of me are two fellows working at a table. One is working at a laptop and the other is assisting him in some way. I think they are probably putting together some sort of presentation. The view of the screen is obstructed by one of the fellows and I think it would be overly obvious if I were to try to look at what he is working on...I don't even know where to begin speculating on that one. However, I can plainly see that the fellow to my southwest is working on something biology-related. He has a book with a double-helix on the cover on his desk and a spiral-bound course book, which indicates he is enrolled in a laboratory course.
Next time I am down here studying, I need to sit in a more sparsely populated portion of the building. Even when I'm in an area where I can't people watch, I still find a way to distract myself using the others around me. Time to make assumptions about me...laptop (what's she working on), walkman (what's she listening to), Metroid tshirt (nerd!), anonymous black notebook...
Monday, November 01, 2004
My Razor Sharp Wit Won't Save Me Now
I've heard the phrase 'to talk one's self out of something' but now I find it more appropriate to be able to 'talk one's self into something.' I guess talking yourself into something could be a nice way of saying that you use words to get your way. In the big scheme of things, I suppose I do all right with this, but sometimes I realize that no matter one's conversation skills or sharp wit, there's always that human factor to take into consideration. When an idea is set in mind, little can be done to dislodge or change said idea. I'm learning that I'm going to need to just accept that no matter how well crafted what I say or write is, it is not powerful enough to change ideas. I have no power here. I have no control over this matter. I'm merely a source of amusement or annoyance, I have yet to decide which it is. But regardless of what I am, I cannot ever attain what I strive to be. I does not matter how great my ideas. It does not matter how profound my words. Sometimes you either have 'it' or you don't. I, my friend, obviously do not have it...and it sucks more immensely than words can convey.
I've heard the phrase 'to talk one's self out of something' but now I find it more appropriate to be able to 'talk one's self into something.' I guess talking yourself into something could be a nice way of saying that you use words to get your way. In the big scheme of things, I suppose I do all right with this, but sometimes I realize that no matter one's conversation skills or sharp wit, there's always that human factor to take into consideration. When an idea is set in mind, little can be done to dislodge or change said idea. I'm learning that I'm going to need to just accept that no matter how well crafted what I say or write is, it is not powerful enough to change ideas. I have no power here. I have no control over this matter. I'm merely a source of amusement or annoyance, I have yet to decide which it is. But regardless of what I am, I cannot ever attain what I strive to be. I does not matter how great my ideas. It does not matter how profound my words. Sometimes you either have 'it' or you don't. I, my friend, obviously do not have it...and it sucks more immensely than words can convey.
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