In the Pursuit of Lofty, Nerdy Things

That's right. I'm hot on the trail of knowledge. I am surrounded by piles of books. I am creating lists of books I want to check out of the library. I am reading books. In fact, one could say that I'm writing books. bon.

Random things I've thought about today:
-cleaning the toilet.
-denoncing scholasticness and joining the circus.
-the need for ice cream
-why a kitty is meowing outside my window.
-There but for the grace of God go I.

Dennis and I had breakfast for lunch this weekend. Shelly's car was towed out of my parking lot Saturday night. Charise and I talked about News Years Plans. I paid $10 to have a doctor lovingly tell me to rest (I sprained my hip). I work too much and play too little. Welcome to senior year. Please send flowers.

Earthworms

There was a thunderstorm last night. Walking to my car from the library this morning, I saw some of the largest earthworms I've ever seen. There was an entire troop of them. Some were about 1 foot long. They were taking over the sidewalk. I was amazed. I had to stop to watch. If only I had my camera. I should take it with me more often.

While I Have the Mind to Type

I finally figured out my thesis sentence. This is a big thing for me. I never do it right away. It has to "come to me." After I find it, writing is usually easier especially in a foreign language. Let's hope the thesis doesn't decide to change on me. I'm 1/3 of the way finished. It's 1:36 AM.

I speak about the thesis as though it lives. Perhaps it does. After all, the thesis is my creation. I put life and breathe into it (hopefully). Rather than popping out children, I'm popping out words - I'm sure there's a similarity in the labor and pains that goes into their production.

Every night, once I get home, I watch 20 heures on france2.fr. I have a french media class, I need to keep up with the news. David Pujadas, the anchorman, always delivers the same introduction. His smile is always coy. I wonder if he has a sense of humor or if he is merely a stuffy public figure. Last thursday night there was a story concerning a law baning the denial of the Armenian genocide. It passed through the national Assembly and is awaiting the Senate's approval. I'm not a big fan of this particular law. I'm writing my paper on it. Not that I don't believe there should be recognition of the horrible massacre, but I don't think there should be a law that dictates what people think or say. That's me. I like to think that I'm all about free speech. Time will tell.

Remember that box I talked about? The one that my parents sent to France for me? It arrived! Damien and his flatmate have 6 month old cookies to eat. As for the rest of the contents ... well, since I never received the box, I really don't know what's in it. I guess I should ask the parents. Cookies would be good right now.

The Party's On.

Late night in the library. Third time this week. I should move in.

I accepted a research position within the French department. I applied because I thought the project sounded interesting. I never thought I would get the job. There are so many people much more qualified than I am - especially in French. Languages are not my forte. But then I received this email ... whoa. I screamed.

Let's just say that while this position is a great opportunity -and I mean OPPORTUNITY, I may just be in over my head. Good thing I'm a good swimmer.

Chicken Mask

A man walking a chicken on a leash while wearing a chicken mask can be found Monday - Friday on the Pennsylvania State University Main Campus. At least we think he's a man. Witnesses aren't quite sure. However the chicken on the leash is definitely a chicken, as it is not wearing a mask to hide its identity.

Being a traditional state university (mundane, party-oriented, large, etc.), Penn State is not known for its "original" characters. To be sure, the small college of arts and architecture has a relatively large percent of collegiate eccentrics, but on a campus of 40,000 + students the eccentrics are rather rare and stick to themselves. That being said, most people tend to think that the chicken mask man is a male rushing a frat. Perhaps his (or her) true identity will be revealed in the near future.

Things Online Dating Has Taught Me.

So the dating website I belong to offers character and personality tests. There are hundreds of 'em. I've taken quite a few. The results (::chuckle::) are in:

-"I am a Social and Economic Liberal." I really did not know this about myself. Apparently I exhibit a "very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness." ... hmm. Socialism is cool and all, but I think I lean more toward the Capitalist side of things. This same test said I would probably be a Democrat. However I am an independent and think of myself as moderate. Hmm. Very interesting indeed.

-As far as relationships and romance: I am a "deliberate gentle love dreamer." Evidently this means that I have "deep convictions, and you devote a lot of thought to romance and what it should be. This will frighten away most potential mates ... [I would] absolutely refuse to date someone dumber than you. Lovers who share your idealized perspective, or who are at least willing to totally throw themselves into a relationship, will be very, very happy with you." Wow. Well, I do know that I wouldn't date someone who is dumber than I am. The other stuff I don't know about ...

-If I were a thief, I would be a cat burglar because I'm the subtle type and I prefer to work alone. At least this is true, I can be subtle and I do prefer to work alone.

-As a Shakespeare character, I would be Romeo.

If nothing else, the online world has taught me to laugh.

Salsa

Allow me merely to say that I think Salsa is the most fun out of any dance. It rocks my world and my hips.

I Blame Amanda

I admit it! I now belong to an internet dating service. I will not say which one though. You'll have to search for me. muhahaha.

I'm not serious about this online dating junk. In fact I think it's kinda shady. When asked if I would actually meet someone whom I met on the internet; my response is probably not. For all I know he could be a serial killer. But when you think about it, it's the same when you meet someone randomly. For example, someone you meet at an organization or social club. He (or she) could create a false identity for himself and you'd probably never know. A little scary to think about!

Anyway, my good friend Amanda and I were talking online. She was telling me about her newest addiction - an youthful online dating service she joined. She suggested that I check it out. Being the sucker I sometimes am, I uploaded the site. I joined. I am addicted. The site has all these thought-provoking questions. There are member created compatibility tests. I honestly signed up for penpals or friendship . I figured it would be going a bit too far to say I'm looking for a long term relationship or ::gasp:: random hook-ups (actually the random hook-ups is not even in my consideration).

So if you're one of my male friends who happens to belong to an internet dating service, and you come across my photos, I want you to have a good laugh. Then I want you to tell me about it. I promise I won't tell any of our mutual friends that you're a hapless online-dating-service-subcriber too.

Sending Mail to France

My parents sent me a birthday package while I was in Paris. It never arrived. I requested that the package be forwarded if it arrived. It was never forwarded (at least I don't think ... ?).

I inquired into the situation. The US Postal Service recently informed me that the package was delivered on or around May 31 - two months after it was shipped via priority mail. So my question is: where is the package now?

My school never let me know they were holding a package. At the very least, I would hope the school would return the package to sender. Damien (the forwardee) never received the package - unless there's something I don't know. I've been back in the States for at least 4 months! Where in the world is my package? Will I ever see it? Hmm. Probably not. Merde.

Chocolate Scrambled Eggs

I'm trying to learn to cook well. Sure I can make pasta and chocolate chip cookies, but the culinary world has more to offer. Lately I've been working on perfecting fish.

Unfortunately, my student budget doesn't allow for a lot of groceries. I buy small amounts and try to use up most of my food before returning to the grocery store. I like to think this is being frugal.

So the other day I was left with two eggs and chocolate soy milk. I also had some couscous, but my stomach wasn't too excited about couscous. My stomach is sometimes a bit fickle. What stomach REALLY wanted was scrambled eggs. So I cracked two eggs, added chocolate soy milk and mixed. The result was an interesting taste of eggy chocolate. It was good though. I recommend it.