Uninomercity

College is an interesting animal. I've had homework/studying everynight, more than I've had since Junior year. Strangely enough, I'm not even graded on the work I do. It's merely "preparation" for my actual classes. For those who don't know, and I don't know who you'd be, in college you generally don't get graded on homework. You take three or four tests in class, do a paper or two outside of class, and that's it. Seriously, my Philosophy, English, and Sociology classes only have 5-6 grades. That makes them all the more frightening.

One of the, dare I say, "positive" aspects of this is that the homework I do receive is rather interesting. I actually enjoyed reading my Physics textbook. The philosophy and english works aren't bad either. The work is no longer "busy"; it's what education should be. It just cements my idea of making homework optional for Math in highschool.

However, that still leaves Spanish. Spanish is a really scary class. There's just so much to memorize. And even when you memorize it, you're not completely sure of how to use it. Fortunately the more you learn, the more tools you have for communication, but it's still a very painful process. All the worse, I have to take it for two semesters. Como se dice "DDDOOOOOMMMEEEDDD?"

I had a guilt/stress nightmare last night. These usually equate themselves with me wrecking a car. I've been on rampages through campuses, over steep cliffs, lacerated by metal siding, all to escape unscathed with the car being in tatters. It's really stressful, because I feel incredibly guilty about the complications/monetary damage done by and to said vehicle. Notice my own personal welfare is never harmed. Just the car. Says something, eh?

I'll probably have quite a few of these dreams, because of that blasted 3.5. Of course, I don't have to keep a 3.85 like Ellen (Thank...existence?), but it's still rather steep. That means 2 A's, 1 B+, 2 B's. Or 3A's, 1 B+, 1 C+. Or 4 A's, 1 C. Which, compared to high school, it doesn't seem too bad. It just doesn't leave all that much room for error. And, in Spanish, I'll need a lot of room for error. That makes all my other classes all the worse.

Ah well. I guess I'll just have to study. A lot. Which I've been doing. I just hope I'm doing it right.

Politicians

Today, just because I wanted to do some interesting things, I went to go see Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (Democratic Congressman from Memphis who's running for Senate) and, later on, Republican Congressman Zach Wamp speak. It was interesting in some ways, but annoying in others. For instance, the subject matter of Wamp's speech was Energy Policy. He basically said that energy is very important and that we need to be more efficient/think towards nuclear power and renewable sources. Well Duh. I mean, that's just plain common sense. Why don't you lay out the changes you want to make and how you're going to go about implementing them? Because that's what politicians do.

Congressman Ford wasn't much better. I thought he was pretty moderate and seemed like the type of guy who didn't get caught up in partisan rancor, but he didn't say much of anything either. He completely dodged a question about clearcutting mountains to mine coal, to a really blatant extent. But at least he took questions.

Ford also had a habit of saying a lot that didn't need to be said. It's a politician thing, I know, but it makes listening to him like listening to a foreign language, you have to pay close attention to everything he says to figure out where he stands. He would rarely just come out and give a short, succint answer. I'll probably still vote for him, but it's just something I noticed.

I also got tickets to see Maya Angelou. That'll be... something. So much to do, so many things to worry about... I can't wait to leave college already.

Well.

It's odd, how one night can be incredibly active and the next can be completely dull. I mean, I could certainly make my own excitement if I so desired, but the distinctions between yesterday (meaning Friday) and today (meaning Saturday) are quite marked. Yesterday, I did more in one night than I was used to doing in one week. Including, but not limited to, going bowling, seeing a movie, yelling at moving vehicles for no particular reason, starting a board game at midnight, and not killing a hooker. I know, I know, but I can only do so much in one night!

However, today, I've barely left my dorm room. I've been at my computer 12 hours, almost, doing nothing. I mean, even my game hasn't been that interesting. I kind of wonder what everyone else is doing. Not because I feel slighted, but because I'm wondering if this is disproportionate. You know, because that might...um... inform me. And information is the devil's toothbrush. Or something.

At any rate, I guess I'll try and go to bed. I mean, maybe today will hold something more exciting. At least my cold improved over the course of the day. Or did it?! Find out next time on "I Really Need to Start Drinking Better Alcohol."

And by "Better", I mean "any." Or do I? No, 'fraid not. Bummer, eh?

I didn't remember it was my birthday (yesterday) until 11:30 tuesday night. After 18, it's just not exciting anymore.

I remembered why I don't like philosophy today. It's because it makes me remember all the horrible, logical things I've struggled so hard to repress and escape from. Couple that with intense stress about having to do Spanish, and you've got nightmares until winter break. Oh well. Bummer, eh?

On a side note, have you ever had a dream where you knew a person was someone, but it looked nothing like them? For instance, I could be in a dream and I see Catherine, but she's a mime. Or I can be in a dream and I can see Sugue, and I know it's Sugue, as in, it has his identity, but it looks like a nun. Or I could see Lauren, but she looks like a can opener. Blows my mind.

I'd like to que YOUR sera!

Today I was offered a "book about Jesus" which I politely declined. In retrospect, I decided I should have said "No thanks, I write my own fiction." At first I thought this would be rather rude, but then I remembered that he's the one who thinks I ought to suffer eternally for something as arbitrary as a theory about existence. So I figure such a comment would be deserved.

I dunno, I'm rather frightened about a potential backlash over announcing my agnosticism. I guess it all stems from the time in Seventh grade where this kid started punching me in the arm and wouldn't stop just because he found out I didn't believe in God. Most Christians who find out seem to be alright with it, although I'm still perturbed they believe I'm going to Hell.

At any rate, things are going alright. I've made a few male friends, met one or two females. I guess I'll meet more as time passes. Or not. Que sera, sera?

Ugh, that reminds me that I'm taking Spanish. Ugh, indeed!

Don't you hate it when you think of good things to write about but you're either too tired/distracted/inebriated to write about them? Then, when you have a chance, the topic just doesn't seem worth discussing. So you end up posting a silly little "summary of le dia" and that's aboot it. Probably not.

Well, things are going alright. Not great, but alright. I'm still pushing myself to get away from the computer whenever the oppurtunity arrises, much to the annoyance of my online associates. It's probably a good policy though. I mean, I don't want to be known as that guy who sits in his dorm room all day doing nothing but computer games. I mean, that guy and the ladies would never get along. There's only room for one italicized phrase in that sort of relationship!

Speaking of ladies, I'm in strong "I don't care" mode. It's akin to sour grapes, but with a more fatalistic tone combined with a dash of contentment. Essentially, I'm damned if I don't and damned if I do (Get it? It's original sin! Unlike puns, which are just downright painful). So, when faced with two paths leading to eternal suffering and fiery hells (see: loneliness and gonorrhea. On second though, you probably don't want to see those. Although that is probably the cleanest page about gonorrhea you're going to find on the web.) you take it as it comes. Thus, my current state is neither worrisome or binding. Unlike S&M which consists of varying amounts of both. Not that I'd know. Or anything.

But I've got a paper to write. So... take care.

Good News!

Well, I've started a semi-campaign of "Every chance I get to leave the dorm, I do." So if I jump away from you abruptly online, it's not because I'm afraid you've got the tuberculosis. It's because I'm forcing myself out of this silly hole. So just keep that in mind.

Anyway, I met some more interesting people last night in the common room and one of them, another Chris, loaned me a Dylan Thomas book. I figure I'd better learn about my namesakes somehow, and I've already checked out 3 or 4 Bob Dylan CDs.

That's about all for now. Believe it or not, my room here is actually colder than my house. Or maybe I'm the cold one, and it follows me. I am sort of wraith-ish... Take care!