| (no subject) |
[Dec. 9th, 2009|10:23 pm] |
Yesterday was awesome. Going "home" to hang out with B. and just walk around some decent scenery and check out the shops; I swear, I'll never own property at this rate, all of my income will be geared towards buying more metal objects that are either sharp-edged or extremely pointy. B.'s mom was there so I got to chat with her, too, but I wish I'd scheduled a later train so I could catch up with both parents.
Got to open some Christmas presents early and by God, some of them were hilarious. Hoping to introduce people to Super Munchkin next year or sooner depending on dorm people and the flask...well, we were bemoaning the ridiculous liquid restriction on flights. Given how lax our security can be, I couldn't care less about what people bring on planes anymore. It's not like we have anything particularly prominent left worth bombing anyway. Still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the largesse but I suppose that's what normal families do. Mine is just very basic, money until you're old enough to make your own. Not complaining, it's just what it is.
I wonder if I can get away with just giving my little cousin and nephew money this year.
Today was just more writing, sleeping, eating and browsing. I can't wait for this to be over and to get out of this town for a while. I've had more than a few people wondering when I'm coming back and it's starting to make me wonder why the devil I ever left. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 7th, 2009|08:58 pm] |
Funny, I don't recall signing in...ah, well.
Either there are very few Asians on this campus or I've been such a jackass to the mailroom that they remember me without having to check my ID. Very convenient when picking up packages, especially when there's a line forming behind you.
I got Bon Jovi''s The Circle album at a major retailer. The price scanned into the item was somewhat higher than the one advertised so the guy I asked about it shrugged and said he would change the price to match at the register, which he did. I can see why people enjoy this store despite making fun of its commercials. Not only that but the version I got included the DVD of one of their performances, which means I really got it for lower than it costs in other stores and online.
Our much-anticipated speaker, a marketing professor from Fordham (amusing, I know) who specializes in the publishing industry came and gave us the numbers for this year and his projection on the future. It's obviously grim for print in the long run but there'll be delays (e-readers need color for scientific textbooks) and holdouts (university presses can't yet afford platforms for digital production). While this doesn't do much for the mainstream, I can't say I'm panicking just yet.
Observation #1: Gift wrapping makes you feel better as a person
Observation #2: Emptying the contents of a beer bottle does not a wonderful stew make. But it's extremely satisfying to listen and watch it boiling away.
Observation #3: I get it that mobile device vendors don't intend for their products to last and that two years is the best that you can hope for. But what I don't get is how they time it so that it happens right when you're due for a discount promotion on cell phones through your provider. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 6th, 2009|06:53 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Chiaki Ishikawa's "House" | ] |
So, I was walking along listening to Hinder's "Lips of an Angel" after watching Ninja Assassin and suddenly I thought how cool it would be to create a music video of all the fighting scenes from that movie to that song.
It occurred to me later that maybe that was kind of a sick idea.
Anyway, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) rocksizedheart and I have been enthusiastic about lamb for the better part of the past few months so I headed over to visit yesterday evening and we made some. It wasn't marinated long enough, I thought, and needed more salty flavoring but not inedible. Having fresh veggies was awesome, too.
And now back to the grindstone. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 3rd, 2009|02:19 pm] |
Unfortunately, I must agree with this sentiment nearly every day.
xkcd.com/77/
Presentation was well received. However, in addition to the 6 page single-spaced write-up, we will indeed have a virtual exam on Dec. 17th. If there are any noisy children in the vicinity while I'm trying to answer those questions, be assured that I do not consider infanticide to be a sin.
Edit: I'm beginning to think of Bon Jovi as my favorite band again. Their album, Have a Nice Day, has been serving as a most effective tranquilizer on my nerves. Then I went and ruined it and probably drove up my blood pressure by starting to read Robbins' The Overachievers. I'm not even in high school anymore and I don't think I was ever that stressed when I was...but perhaps I should solicit an outside perspective.
Bah, reminiscing never does me any good. Time for a spot of British high fantasy. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 1st, 2009|11:03 pm] |
So, I went from utter high due to the last session of one of my favorite courses (which might also be due to the fact that I've been doing well in it) to utter panic upon checking my e-mail to find a query from one of my favorite professors about a missing assignment due back in October. I easily found it in my files but could find no sign it had ever been sent in Digital Dropbox. It's hopefully not going to annoy her too much, probably not as much as my presentation will on Thursday, but it's still humiliating. I don't think I've ever forgotten to submit an assignment in all my years as a student.
In other news, who knew that cooking could be so relaxing? Not to mention that everyone who comes in while I am claims that whatever I'm cooking smells awesome. I'm amused because a) scent doesn't guarantee taste, b) my default is fish sauce which is not often used in non-Asian foods and c) does no one else in my dorm cook? Anyway, kudos to armiger84, for assuaging my chauvinistic concerns that becoming accustomed to cooking will somehow ruin my suave and charming demeanor. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 29th, 2009|03:00 pm] |
Augh! My cousin just informed me Book-Off is having an outrageous sale! Why, oh, why did I decide to come back to DC so soon? Oh, right, group project meeting on Saturday, really two meetings since some of the women are in my group for another course. And my section of the Folger Library group paper, that I'm currently here at the main library writing. And the fact that I don't need more...hm. I have a thought.
Edit: Yay, paper done. Now to decide which assignment to do next...God, I can't wait for this semester to be over so I can rush through NY and get on the plane to see the 'rents. |
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| It has been a very long time. |
[Nov. 24th, 2009|01:03 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Room | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Raindrops along the windowsill | ] |
I believe in rain and wind and sun,
I believe in settled lands and wild,
I believe in music rich and mild,
I hear the cheers of victory won.
I believe in faces without guile,
I believe in rapt words wrought in flame,
I believe in beauty without name,
I see the tear along the night’s smile.
I believe in promises and lies,
I believe in anxiety and pain,
I believe in relief and refrain,
I feel the anger within me dies.
I believe in crosses and crescents,
I believe in cards fraying and worn,
I believe in hope for the forlorn,
I speak of illusions, not presence.
I believe in drinks, dance and laughter,
I believe in toasts to future life,
I believe in shared meals ending strife,
I scent the dawn with the hereafter. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 21st, 2009|10:15 pm] |
Look, I'm just a typical yuppie here. I'm easily fascinated by muscle cars, beautiful women and other objet d'art. But absolutely nothing has a hold on me like procrastination. It's the air after an evening shower, the sunlight peering through the clouds...and yes, the soul-sucking demon that is slowly going to destroy the magnificent power trip I've been on since I started this program. -__- kamiumami was right; talking with his friend H. did help but I don't think she shares this feeling of being a fraud.
On the other hand, it's electrifying to confirm find out that this program attracts a good number of women with an alternative lifestyle! Sorry, I still have trouble saying "lesbian" and "bisexual." Probably should get over that soon. Still not sure why "gay" is perfectly fine. No, seriously, in one of my groups alone, one of the women is bisexual and the other two are lesbians, one of whom has a partner of four years. It might seem a little strange since I suppose I could make more of an effort to find organizations related to the GLBTQ community or would be attractive to members of that community. But...it's just really nice to meet other lesbians who care about the politics but aren't political activists, who aren't ashamed of who they are but don't feel the need to adhere to any particular image and who just are...women I can gesture at and say see, these are well-adjusted human beings with lives and goals that aren't inhibited or dominated by their sexuality. And that perhaps at some point, I might actually count myself among their number. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 18th, 2009|01:31 pm] |
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Holding a book titled Spiritualism-A Fact. Flip to the other cover, turn upside down, and in the same volume is Spiritualism-A Fake. I wish I could speak with whoever made that decision and shake his/her/their hand(s). |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 17th, 2009|05:59 pm] |
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I love my program. I get to do an organization project on pens! Whoot! |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 15th, 2009|06:33 pm] |
Still can't find good key lime pie north of the Virgin Islands, but French lemon tarts will do. Good thing I didn't add sugar to the coffee. The rabbit casserole was fairly tasty and the merguez is always good. The bartender, who was kindly attentive despite my poor pronunciation, misheard my order but to my benefit. He brought over a glass of Lillet instead of the Leffe Blond and it was wonderful. Lighter than port but still sweet, it's not too different from Sauternes but was thankfully chilled.
Bought some old copies of Michael Moorcock's work and yet another copy of Steven Brust's To Reign in Hell. I swear, this is the third copy and I refuse to let this one vanish, too. It's like I told alyza, it's not a bloody manual on how to rule the world and yet circumstances seem to conspire on me losing it. The books will hopefully keep me on an even keel while the schoolwork keeps ramping up. The group assignments are going well...I'm just sick of the classwork, that's all. I miss getting paid more for mindless, repetitive tasks.
Mostly done with moving into the new dorm. No more traffic, thank goodness; the only surround sound comes occasionally from the usual thugs undergraduates hooting it up at night over the weekend. I should actually allow that to prompt me to go out...nah.
Thanksgiving will be spent here in hopefully a vegetative state. Winter break will be taking place with the 'rents since they finally realized it's three weeks long and that's sufficient time to make it worthwhile for me to travel. At least I won't have to ship their Christmas present.
Oh, got formally introduced to How I Met Your Mother. It's great dinner entertainment and I wish I had it on hand now.Role Models, like most movies including Seann William Scott, turned out to be better than I had expected. But The Sentinel and I have relatively similar tastes, so I shouldn't be so surprised.
I'm alternately surprised by how many people have actually heard of Chaim Potok and then disappointed when they haven't read any of his work. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 7th, 2009|01:28 am] |
Went to Jojo for dinner with anamuan, Tego, and stillesprite, followed by ACKC, who all did a very good job of not making me feel old. The waitress at Jojo's was less than amusing but eh, the food was good, the drinks were strong, we can't ask for more. Or well, maybe we can, but if not, the balance lies in the tip. Anyway, the hot chocolate was brilliant, considering how chilly it was tonight. And presents were lovely as well, although I'm determined to convince everyone next year not to get me something. Even C. got me something even after I specifically asked her not to! Well, and I admit I'm looking forward to it, but whatever happened to respecting people's wishes?
Yes, yes, I'm aware that Bean is a pushover; I listened with utter dismay as my companions this evening all nodded and chuckled in agreement over, ahem, the state of my personality. To go into further detail will only damage my image further. -___-
Aside from that, had an interesting talk with my buddy down the hall. The things going on in her life started me thinking, along with the random violin and cello music I decided to listen to and what's emerged is far too serious for this early in the morning. |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|08:59 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Haley James Scott's "Halo" | ] |
Oh God, this morning was painful but I made it to class on time. Was trying very hard not to droop off for the morning. Better in the afternoon after a prosciutto sandwich and a few pages of Puzo's The Sicilian. Funnily enough, I always managed to perk up during the feline anecdotes. I'm glad I went, though, because then I found out/was reminded that there's another project for that class. So, after finishing Hell Week, I received the joyous news that more is on the way. To be fair, it was worse to hear the same news in yesterday's class since I had just finished the paper for it.
I returned to my room for much-needed hyperventilation respite and after catching up with...hm...whatever, A. and A. over Gchat, I finally decided to go to Mehran for the first time in nearly three years. They made goat saag for me and I swear their gulab jamun is somehow better than the ones I've had in New York. And now back to the factory.
Edit: I just realized that I'm reading licensing agreements for one of my assignments and now I'm really not surprised they offer a MLIS/JD dual degree program.
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| Yay for Daylight Savings... |
[Nov. 1st, 2009|02:06 am] |
...especially as I've class tomorrow. Yes, you read that right. And to make matters worse, it's voluntary on my part.
It was good to see Y. and B. in town although I still regret they were privy to the condition of my room. It was kind of Y. to drop off my birthday present even after I specifically told her and everyone else not to get me anything. In case you're wondering, that was a reprimand. But I appreciate the thought and at least the presents were sensible. I adore the card.
We met up with N. and S. for dinner at Bangkok Joe's where we quickly found out the common trait among all my friends is that they certainly enjoy tearing my reputation (I know, I know, what reputation) to shreds. All in all, good times, good food and drink and they had little packages of Nerds by the door!
Midnight was, eh, much the same as always, though Onii-chan met up with us afterwards (N., alas, has work tomorow). I think we traumatized the dear fellow by pushing him onto the dance floor before returning to enjoy blowing bubbles. Dancing was fun, was great, even the part where I danced with an engaged woman. Well, she could have been lying about that but even if she was, I'd rather she lied because she wasn't interested than if she responded favorably and she was supposedly committed to someone else. Brickskeller's afterward was grand; pity Onii-chan had to call an early evening. Then we parted ways and headed home; pictures will be up sometime tomorrow.
Ran into a co-worker on the train home, which felt slightly weird because he was in jeans and a T-shirt, whereas I was in suit jacket and pants with the green velvet shirt and my leather trenchcoat. He's normally the snazzy dresser at work.
Halloween Quote 2009:
Me: *snaps open umbrella and holds it up as I'm crossing the street back to campus*
Jackass: Oh my God, are you Edward Cullen?
Me (thinking): *No response necessary*
Jackass: You totally are! That's exactly what Edward Cullen would do!
I think my age is showing because I was more amused than irritated. Got home right on time because for a while, the door had not been working, a.k.a. not only could you not enter the building, but you also were unable to leave it.
Right, sleep.
Edit: Just read merle's entry on a mother flying Southwest with screaming children and it got me to thinking that some of my friends are married or soon to be married. And, yes, one friend does have a son but I wasn't around for the formative years and he's nearly five years old now and something resembling human, i.e. we can talk to each other. But one example does not a rule make. Frankly speaking, I don't know if anyone else is ready to have kids but I'm sure as hell not ready to be around friends preparing to have kids, having kids, and so on. I guess this makes me a douchebag but no matter whose kid it is, I don't think I want to spend a prolonged amount of time with friends and their children. Well, my mother and her friends managed to get back in touch after nearly eighteen or so years of my life had already passed, so maybe that's a possibility. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 30th, 2009|08:50 pm] |
This is why we count in single-spaced; 2=4 and I can probably spit out another page tonight, which leaves one for tomorrow+editing.
And now, once more into the breach, dear friends. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 29th, 2009|03:53 pm] |
Immunization records are finally in order so I'll be ready when registration opens up next week. The tetanus shot was fun. No, seriously, it was wonderful because I didn't have to do anything except sit there. The nurse opined that it's far easier giving shots than it is to receive them (she worked in an ER for 38 years) but I heartily disagree. Plus, the whole "gee, I've survived the ten years that have passed since the last one!" was kind of a pleasant thought, too.
Five, no, six-pager is done. First time this semester I've gone beyond the minimum number of required pages. Well, we'll see what happens when I get it back.
The supposed 10-pager, well, I kind of went AWOL and ranted for three pages last night that we're placing too much emphasis on new gadgetry rather than new methods of retrieving information. But I don't think that counts so it'll be scrapped and I'm still pretty much at zero. However, a classmate did remind me at work yesterday that professor said she'd be okay with 8. So, that's a plus if I write a pretty awesome paper. Given how drained I am now, though, I'll just do what I can. Honestly, papers should be like people. Unless you only care about events and people that are long since gone or stuff that could possibly happen and here's how, there should not be that much to you.
Wait, that came out wrong. I was thinking about how old people are allowed to ramble and how children tend to prattle (whether they're allowed is another matter) and so, old, new...yeah, I just don't want to write another eight pages tonight/tomorrow/Saturday morning.
So instead I'm going to figure out how to present this thirty-page article to my classmates this evening in ten sentences or less, thus validating my existence. Oh, and dinner. Right. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 27th, 2009|11:06 pm] |
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I'll just keep telling myself it's the rain. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 26th, 2009|10:11 pm] |
The weekend was great, the weekend was fantastic and now I'm doomed. First of all, there is only so many ways I can bounce around copyright in a sentence before it gets repetitive. Secondly, count: 4-pager Thursday, 4-pager Friday, 10-pager Saturday. Which part of "I'm going to die from this" does the program not understand?
At least the pizza I ordered was good and I managed to fit the box in the fridge. Plus, I hope my uncle will be able to open up and print out the blasted immunization PDF and that he's got all the records I need. If I find out the one I mailed has been sent back due to insufficient postage, I will howl bloody murder because I had them weigh the damn thing at our "certified USPS postal center"!
Needless to say, I look forward to 4 p.m. Saturday. Hopefully I won't be too much of an asshole this weekend.
I'm thinking to hell with everything, I might schedule a separate trip during winter break before I go back to NY. It's not even Thanksgiving yet and I'm already stressed out by the thought of holidays. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 24th, 2009|01:10 am] |
| [ | music |
| | NoTwist's "Consequence"/Dead by Sunrise | ] |
Columbia Mall, Maryland. We got there safely and back. Three hours each way. We heard this new group but completely missed AFI and Paramore, no thanks to public transportation. Luckily the concert tickets were not that expensive but I'm even more determined than ever to get a car. Live and learn. I guess the root of the problem is that there is not enough time for the things I want to do and I resent that. I'm trying to set that aside and just get on with the activities relevant to surviving reality. A classmate and co-worker pointed out that five courses is a lot. Five courses and a part-time job on top of reviewing new housing before I expire of sleep deprivation and job hunting before my sense of self-worth completely fails. Though I have to admit grad school is helping with the latter of the two. You need an ego booster? Go to grad school (not to be confused with law school or medical school).
Although B. did point out that it is probably helpful for my classmates who have and are living with significant others, with split chores, grocery shopping, costs of living, etc. I responded that it depends on the nature of the two (or more) people. God damn it, it is way too early in the morning to be working this crap out. Therefore, summarize. To hell with the mating ritual. Devote more attention to the bank account. Try to be as decent a human being as possible to strangers and even more than that to friends.
I spoke with my classmate but I don't know if it did any good because he was dead tired and was practically falling asleep in class. We'll see how next week pans out. The same co-worker suggested I follow up but I'm not sure if that's appropriate either. Intervention is a dangerous activity and has the tendency to go awry more often than not. |
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