The Rectangle decided to accept one of my poems for its next issue! SWEET! Now that was news worth waiting 4 months for (I submitted the poems in May!). It also makes me think maybe I should get my butt in gear and submit some other things to other places, just to see what happens. . . .
Also, one of my roommates arrived today! The one that I don't know. So we'll see how that goes. I'm sure it will be OK, since Elena speaks so highly of her. It's just, you know, a little odd. But at least I won't be sleeping alone in the apartment anymore.
Also in other news, I'm working on my EB paper today! And in the midst of thinking up brilliant paragraphs (ha!)I'm posting about it here, and also reading webcomics.
Don't laugh. It makes me feel better about spending my life attached to essays in front of this computer screen.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
the creamery line
This week I learned the difference between the straight-up 2% milk from Trickling Springs Creamery and the "creamline" 2% milk. When I opened the 2% creamline, there was a huge clot of cream at the neck of the bottle. And the milk tasted -- oh, so rich and full. It makes me cappucini more about the milk than the coffee!
And it comes in glass bottles. I'm not sure if it's the fact that the cows are grass-fed, or the pasteurization is different, or the glass bottles, but Trickling Springs Creamery's milk is the best milk I've ever had. Oh, plus, since it isn't ultra-pasteurized, it can be used to make cheese! Which Greg has been hankering to do for a while. Ever since he read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Also, I felt like such a nerd yesterday -- when Greg and I came out of our premarital counseling, there was a whole chicken and some fresh eggs waiting for us! I was reading (in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, where else?) that free-range chickens' eggs have less cholesterol and more Omega-3 fatty acids than your average grocery-story buy. So I'm thinking about getting more eggs from fresh sources, particularly if I can find one closer to wherever we live. (I should say, I'm not sure if these eggs come from free-range chickens or not, but I've also been reading about the benefits of a local food culture, so I'm happy to buy "local" eggs -- local meaning within an hour of where we live. Maybe further than a horse and buggy would venture on a regular basis, but it's still better than buying anonymous eggs from a shelf. Also, these eggs are a pretty brown color.)
But I got excited -- "GREG, IT'S OUR FIRST CHICKEN!" Like it was our first child instead. =) So now I have to find a pot big enough to cook it in, and then we'll have chicken stock on hand as well as meat in our freezer. Mrs. Snader said that the chicken still has the neck attached, though? And Greg mentioned something about a gizzard????
This is going to be a learning week!
I've also mentally called a moratorium on beef after reading about the USDA's mad-cow testing. Or this article. So getting a chicken is exciting. And we're getting two more in November, so yay! We don't eat that much meat, so this one chicken will probably last us until October at least, and maybe longer than that. And the two chickens will probably last us until we get married.
I've also been thinking about politics, more -- if I don't really like either of the candidates from the major parties (if, for example, I think Obama is a liar and McCain has stupid ideas), why should I bother voting for either? I refuse to fall into the trap of thinking that my vote only "matters" if I vote for one of those two options. If there's a candidate I'm really behind, then voting for them is a more responsible choice than voting for the lesser of two evils is. Because if enough people voted their conscience, maybe we'd be able to get rid of the two-party system.
Plus, I'm just tired of thinking about voting like a stop-gap -- who's going to destroy our country and our freedoms the least? I want to think about it like this: so-and-so actually has decent ideas, decent experience, and a grip on reality. Even if they never get elected, at least I performed my job as citizen responsibly and appropriately by voting for someone who doesn't outright suck.
You know what that means, though? I need to go back through and do more research on lesser-known candidates. Or even those who aren't running.
It's the same principle as opting out of a food system I don't like. And forging the lines of our lives against the norm is kind of complicated and requires way more work, but isn't it kind of a good-unto-itself, one that doesn't need effects to prove itself worh pursuing?
And it comes in glass bottles. I'm not sure if it's the fact that the cows are grass-fed, or the pasteurization is different, or the glass bottles, but Trickling Springs Creamery's milk is the best milk I've ever had. Oh, plus, since it isn't ultra-pasteurized, it can be used to make cheese! Which Greg has been hankering to do for a while. Ever since he read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Also, I felt like such a nerd yesterday -- when Greg and I came out of our premarital counseling, there was a whole chicken and some fresh eggs waiting for us! I was reading (in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, where else?) that free-range chickens' eggs have less cholesterol and more Omega-3 fatty acids than your average grocery-story buy. So I'm thinking about getting more eggs from fresh sources, particularly if I can find one closer to wherever we live. (I should say, I'm not sure if these eggs come from free-range chickens or not, but I've also been reading about the benefits of a local food culture, so I'm happy to buy "local" eggs -- local meaning within an hour of where we live. Maybe further than a horse and buggy would venture on a regular basis, but it's still better than buying anonymous eggs from a shelf. Also, these eggs are a pretty brown color.)
But I got excited -- "GREG, IT'S OUR FIRST CHICKEN!" Like it was our first child instead. =) So now I have to find a pot big enough to cook it in, and then we'll have chicken stock on hand as well as meat in our freezer. Mrs. Snader said that the chicken still has the neck attached, though? And Greg mentioned something about a gizzard????
This is going to be a learning week!
I've also mentally called a moratorium on beef after reading about the USDA's mad-cow testing. Or this article. So getting a chicken is exciting. And we're getting two more in November, so yay! We don't eat that much meat, so this one chicken will probably last us until October at least, and maybe longer than that. And the two chickens will probably last us until we get married.
I've also been thinking about politics, more -- if I don't really like either of the candidates from the major parties (if, for example, I think Obama is a liar and McCain has stupid ideas), why should I bother voting for either? I refuse to fall into the trap of thinking that my vote only "matters" if I vote for one of those two options. If there's a candidate I'm really behind, then voting for them is a more responsible choice than voting for the lesser of two evils is. Because if enough people voted their conscience, maybe we'd be able to get rid of the two-party system.
Plus, I'm just tired of thinking about voting like a stop-gap -- who's going to destroy our country and our freedoms the least? I want to think about it like this: so-and-so actually has decent ideas, decent experience, and a grip on reality. Even if they never get elected, at least I performed my job as citizen responsibly and appropriately by voting for someone who doesn't outright suck.
You know what that means, though? I need to go back through and do more research on lesser-known candidates. Or even those who aren't running.
It's the same principle as opting out of a food system I don't like. And forging the lines of our lives against the norm is kind of complicated and requires way more work, but isn't it kind of a good-unto-itself, one that doesn't need effects to prove itself worh pursuing?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
"hear a phoebe sing his only song. this summer's day is hovering--"
--The Weepies
I think I've posted nearly every day this week. What is wrong with me? Oh yeah, there's not someone around to gab to all the time, so I end up with a lot more time to think while I type.
Weird.
I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking this last half of the summer, and I really like it. It's what's missing from every semester -- the leeway to stay on any given topic until I feel like I've mastered it and can move on. Granted, I produce way more under the pressure of the school year, but am I producing better things? I'm not sure.
Apparently, I really can't help but think out loud at least once every day.
Also, today Greg comes home! And tomorrow I have some unexpected time off! YAY! And then for the weekend I'm going to Philly to visit my Megan! HOORAY!
I will return on Monday!
I think I've posted nearly every day this week. What is wrong with me? Oh yeah, there's not someone around to gab to all the time, so I end up with a lot more time to think while I type.
Weird.
I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking this last half of the summer, and I really like it. It's what's missing from every semester -- the leeway to stay on any given topic until I feel like I've mastered it and can move on. Granted, I produce way more under the pressure of the school year, but am I producing better things? I'm not sure.
Apparently, I really can't help but think out loud at least once every day.
Also, today Greg comes home! And tomorrow I have some unexpected time off! YAY! And then for the weekend I'm going to Philly to visit my Megan! HOORAY!
I will return on Monday!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
P.S.
I just ate like a cup of frosting while I was writing my research paper. I don't think I've eaten so much frosting in one sitting -- or been interested in doing so -- since I was ten.
Someone needs to come take it away from me or even the three flights of stairs I climb at least four times a day won't keep me from looking like Willy the Whale. I am going to have a ba-donk-a-donk butt (whatever commercial that is makes me laugh hysterically every time).
Here's the recipe. It basically means that the cup of frosting I ate probably amounts to a stick of butter, but can you see why it's so delicious?
Swiss Buttercream frosting:
2 cups of egg whites (approx. 12 large)
3 cups sugar
5 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 pounds, 10 sticks)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1.Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk occasionally until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.
2.Transfer mixture into the mixer and whip until it turns white and about doubles in size. (Here’s a tip: when you transfer to the mixer, make sure you wipe the condensation off the bottom of the bowl so that no water gets into the egg whites. This can keep them from whipping up properly.)
3.Add the vanilla.
4.Finally, add the butter a stick at a time and whip, whip, whip. Do not have a panic attack when this takes a while to come together (though I did every time). One super-large batch took 15 minutes, but it did and will come together. Patience, young Jedis.
And, by the way, that makes WAAAAAAAY too much frosting for one reasonable-sized cake. I have so much leftover frosting, I might need to bake like three more cakes.
Someone needs to come take it away from me or even the three flights of stairs I climb at least four times a day won't keep me from looking like Willy the Whale. I am going to have a ba-donk-a-donk butt (whatever commercial that is makes me laugh hysterically every time).
Here's the recipe. It basically means that the cup of frosting I ate probably amounts to a stick of butter, but can you see why it's so delicious?
Swiss Buttercream frosting:
2 cups of egg whites (approx. 12 large)
3 cups sugar
5 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 pounds, 10 sticks)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1.Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk occasionally until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.
2.Transfer mixture into the mixer and whip until it turns white and about doubles in size. (Here’s a tip: when you transfer to the mixer, make sure you wipe the condensation off the bottom of the bowl so that no water gets into the egg whites. This can keep them from whipping up properly.)
3.Add the vanilla.
4.Finally, add the butter a stick at a time and whip, whip, whip. Do not have a panic attack when this takes a while to come together (though I did every time). One super-large batch took 15 minutes, but it did and will come together. Patience, young Jedis.
And, by the way, that makes WAAAAAAAY too much frosting for one reasonable-sized cake. I have so much leftover frosting, I might need to bake like three more cakes.
in which i anger 95% of my readers with politics
I'm more convinced than ever, due to this article -- I'm voting Democratically in the coming election, even if I do think Obama is a little bit too glib for his own good. In fact, I'm so motivated, I printed out an absentee ballot request form, filled it out, and addressed it, just five minutes ago. I did tell you, right, that I think nuclear power is about the stupidest kind of power we've got?
On a related note, yesterday I read the best essay I've ever read about warfare, nuclear in particular. It's by Wendell Berry, and it's called "Property, Patriotism, and National Defense." And I wish that I could find somewhere on the internet that it's reproduced in its entirety, but I think it's still under copyright. It's from his book Home Economics, in which nearly all the essay so far sound exactly the same, except this one. If you check the book out from the library, read "Property, Patriotism, and National Defense" first. For once, someone is thinking logically about nuclear warfare, the mere existence of them in our weapons stockpile, and it's amazing.
So yes, the conclusion is, I'm probably a hippie. (A) I've been talking for weeks about heirloom plants and buying locally and living sustainably and (B) I'm going to vote for a liberal.
But what's a liberal, anyway? The language is tricky. Conservation (in the sense of preserving the world's resources) seems to be the almost sole province of liberal candidates. And a lot of conservatives believe in free will, which is, historically speaking, a very liberal position. Conservatives are also, in my experience, much more pro-war, and how is that possibly maintaining the status quo? Spending ridiculous amounts of lives, money, and time in conflict isn't exactly "conserving" anything.
Basically, what I'm saying is that "conservative" and "liberal" positions are made up of arbitrary sets of positions that really aren't logically related to their labels at all. Oh, wait, this is politics? I shouldn't be surprised, then.
I think we need new language. And along with new language, how about a little less of a republic and a little more of a democracy? My discouragement with the political system is that no matter how I vote, I'm going to regret it. If we could vote on issues and not just people, maybe it would be a little easier to make change that's beneficial to the general populace. And lobbyists would have a heck of a much harder time doing their thing (which would give me immense satisfaction).
Although given the debt load of most individual American citizens, I doubt if we would be able to shrink our national debt (didn't you ever wonder, though, whether a decreased national debt might help keep the dollar from plummeting relative to the world market?).
P.S. Here's an exerpt I found later in the day, from an essay John Fea wrote for The Bridge magazine after the Compassion Forum happened at Messiah. It makes a good point, I think, about the difference between reform and redemption. . . but I generally doubt the possibility of serious reform, either: "Perhaps we need a healthy dose of pessimism about what politics can accomplish. Can government help us to bring meaningful reform to the problems that ail us? Of course it can. But government will always fall short when it comes to satisfying the deepest longings of the heart or sustaining the types of communities that allow human beings to flourish. We should challenge our civic leaders to act faithfully as they serve us in government. As Christians, we should not be ashamed of bringing our deepest convictions to bear on public life. Yet we must also remember that politics can never be redemptive."
On a related note, yesterday I read the best essay I've ever read about warfare, nuclear in particular. It's by Wendell Berry, and it's called "Property, Patriotism, and National Defense." And I wish that I could find somewhere on the internet that it's reproduced in its entirety, but I think it's still under copyright. It's from his book Home Economics, in which nearly all the essay so far sound exactly the same, except this one. If you check the book out from the library, read "Property, Patriotism, and National Defense" first. For once, someone is thinking logically about nuclear warfare, the mere existence of them in our weapons stockpile, and it's amazing.
So yes, the conclusion is, I'm probably a hippie. (A) I've been talking for weeks about heirloom plants and buying locally and living sustainably and (B) I'm going to vote for a liberal.
But what's a liberal, anyway? The language is tricky. Conservation (in the sense of preserving the world's resources) seems to be the almost sole province of liberal candidates. And a lot of conservatives believe in free will, which is, historically speaking, a very liberal position. Conservatives are also, in my experience, much more pro-war, and how is that possibly maintaining the status quo? Spending ridiculous amounts of lives, money, and time in conflict isn't exactly "conserving" anything.
Basically, what I'm saying is that "conservative" and "liberal" positions are made up of arbitrary sets of positions that really aren't logically related to their labels at all. Oh, wait, this is politics? I shouldn't be surprised, then.
I think we need new language. And along with new language, how about a little less of a republic and a little more of a democracy? My discouragement with the political system is that no matter how I vote, I'm going to regret it. If we could vote on issues and not just people, maybe it would be a little easier to make change that's beneficial to the general populace. And lobbyists would have a heck of a much harder time doing their thing (which would give me immense satisfaction).
Although given the debt load of most individual American citizens, I doubt if we would be able to shrink our national debt (didn't you ever wonder, though, whether a decreased national debt might help keep the dollar from plummeting relative to the world market?).
P.S. Here's an exerpt I found later in the day, from an essay John Fea wrote for The Bridge magazine after the Compassion Forum happened at Messiah. It makes a good point, I think, about the difference between reform and redemption. . . but I generally doubt the possibility of serious reform, either: "Perhaps we need a healthy dose of pessimism about what politics can accomplish. Can government help us to bring meaningful reform to the problems that ail us? Of course it can. But government will always fall short when it comes to satisfying the deepest longings of the heart or sustaining the types of communities that allow human beings to flourish. We should challenge our civic leaders to act faithfully as they serve us in government. As Christians, we should not be ashamed of bringing our deepest convictions to bear on public life. Yet we must also remember that politics can never be redemptive."
Monday, August 18, 2008
"make awkward sexual advances, not war"
-- Jenn
(Because I can't really condone "free love".)
I just looked at the list of art supplies I'll need for Intaglio printmaking, and I started to hyperventilate and got dizzy. Breathe in, breathe out. Seriously, guys, is there not the Amazon equivalent for used art supplies? Anyone?
Sigh.
I think I'm panicking over more than art supplies, though -- it's everything. Budgeting, yes. Staying alone in my apartment for two weeks. The semester starting so soon. Getting married in 21 weeks and 5 days. In 17 weeks and 3 days I'll graduate but have no job, and in approximately 14 weeks and three days Greg won't have a job either.
It's time to put to work my second Adult Life Lesson: "You can't do it all (even if your mother did) so you better prioritize like hell to maintain (or recover) your sanity."
In this case, first I deal with classes, one assignment at a time. Then panic about a job. Right? Right. Baby steps (sometimes I suspect, though, that my baby steps are heading me straight to the crazy factory).
I also read a very interesting blog post today about the concept of dating your spouse, and why the author of the blog believes more in friend-ing your spouse instead. It was very well-expressed, so I copy a part of it here:
"Of course the romance and sexiness of dating should fold into marriage, but why use 'dating' as a metaphor for intimacy in marriage? In friendship, impression management diminishes, assessment of the other declines, and two selves meet across difference and take delight."
-- Jenell Williams Paris
So, happy Monday. Take it one deep breath at a time.
(Because I can't really condone "free love".)
I just looked at the list of art supplies I'll need for Intaglio printmaking, and I started to hyperventilate and got dizzy. Breathe in, breathe out. Seriously, guys, is there not the Amazon equivalent for used art supplies? Anyone?
Sigh.
I think I'm panicking over more than art supplies, though -- it's everything. Budgeting, yes. Staying alone in my apartment for two weeks. The semester starting so soon. Getting married in 21 weeks and 5 days. In 17 weeks and 3 days I'll graduate but have no job, and in approximately 14 weeks and three days Greg won't have a job either.
It's time to put to work my second Adult Life Lesson: "You can't do it all (even if your mother did) so you better prioritize like hell to maintain (or recover) your sanity."
In this case, first I deal with classes, one assignment at a time. Then panic about a job. Right? Right. Baby steps (sometimes I suspect, though, that my baby steps are heading me straight to the crazy factory).
I also read a very interesting blog post today about the concept of dating your spouse, and why the author of the blog believes more in friend-ing your spouse instead. It was very well-expressed, so I copy a part of it here:
"Of course the romance and sexiness of dating should fold into marriage, but why use 'dating' as a metaphor for intimacy in marriage? In friendship, impression management diminishes, assessment of the other declines, and two selves meet across difference and take delight."
-- Jenell Williams Paris
So, happy Monday. Take it one deep breath at a time.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
urg, urg, urg urg urg.
In the face of a lot of mold and mildew and grime, I'm forced to put the most important grown-up lesson I've ever learned into practice:
"Suck it up and do it. No one else will."
This applies particularly to cleaning and killing bugs. If it makes you unhappy, deal with it. Nobody else is around to do it for you.
I've never boiled so much water in my life, but I do feel better about eating off these plates once I've scrubbed and boiled the heck out of them. And also? I scrubbed and boiled our trash can (that made me imagine a huge pot with a trash can floating in it. But no, I just boiled lots of water and poured it over the trash can)! Possibly the most adult suck-it-up-and-do-it thing I've ever done. Well, except for helping Greg clean out his disgusting, moldy, broken, backed-up dishwasher that one time (even though it's not my house and I didn't break it).
Pride and Prejudice is keeping me company, though, both the ungodly long BBC version and the new one. It makes me feel better about all this upheaval. Slash, it makes noise while I work so that I don't feel quite as bored and by myself.
I only have one more box of kitchen things to clean out! Go me!
"Suck it up and do it. No one else will."
This applies particularly to cleaning and killing bugs. If it makes you unhappy, deal with it. Nobody else is around to do it for you.
I've never boiled so much water in my life, but I do feel better about eating off these plates once I've scrubbed and boiled the heck out of them. And also? I scrubbed and boiled our trash can (that made me imagine a huge pot with a trash can floating in it. But no, I just boiled lots of water and poured it over the trash can)! Possibly the most adult suck-it-up-and-do-it thing I've ever done. Well, except for helping Greg clean out his disgusting, moldy, broken, backed-up dishwasher that one time (even though it's not my house and I didn't break it).
Pride and Prejudice is keeping me company, though, both the ungodly long BBC version and the new one. It makes me feel better about all this upheaval. Slash, it makes noise while I work so that I don't feel quite as bored and by myself.
I only have one more box of kitchen things to clean out! Go me!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
ow, ow, ow ow ow.
Firstly I spent four hours moving last night. Then I didn't finish before they locked up the buildings, so I finished moving this morning, which took me about an hour and a half. I moved out of a 2nd floor dorm room and into a 3rd floor apartment in a building with no elevators.
Then I walked over a mile to pick Jess's car up from the mechanic. Good thing it's so close, or else I wouldn't have been able to find anyone to take me there until Monday at the earliest.
My arms and legs hurt.
Also, I feel brave because for the next two weeks I'm sleeping all by myself in my new apartment. And last night I actually made it to sleep and slept pretty well. I'm crossing my fingers about tonight.
Now all I have to do is actually move in and de-clutter-ify. Which, judging by how many dishes I'm going to have to wash because they were stored in Greg's moldy, damp, basement, may take a long time.
Maybe once I forge a path through the living room I'll call it quits.
Then I walked over a mile to pick Jess's car up from the mechanic. Good thing it's so close, or else I wouldn't have been able to find anyone to take me there until Monday at the earliest.
My arms and legs hurt.
Also, I feel brave because for the next two weeks I'm sleeping all by myself in my new apartment. And last night I actually made it to sleep and slept pretty well. I'm crossing my fingers about tonight.
Now all I have to do is actually move in and de-clutter-ify. Which, judging by how many dishes I'm going to have to wash because they were stored in Greg's moldy, damp, basement, may take a long time.
Maybe once I forge a path through the living room I'll call it quits.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
"his exegetical methodology is flawed"
-- Dan
Today, at work, Dan and I wondered if evangelicals are calling for the end times because Russia invaded Georgia, and isn't the antichrist supposed to come from Russia? Then we contemplated what it would be like if there actually arose a leader called Nicolai Carpathia. Would it mean that Tim Lahaye is really the devil, or just that someone had been bribed to change their name?
Today, there is no one at work. Everyone is on a staff retreat to Baltimore, which is, ironically enough, where I was last weekend. But I visited for a very different reason. Namely: Otakon! An anime convention.
Where I met Peter S. Beagle, one of my favorite authors of all time, creator of "A Fine and Private Place" and "The Last Unicorn." As you can imagine, I geeked out. His was the only event actually sponsored by the convention (henceforth referred to as "the con") that I went to all week.
Oh, and I saw lots of costumed people (including Italian Spiderman! Which caused both Greg and I to geek out), familiarly known as "cosplayers," which is a combination of "costumed" and "players." How etymologically logical!
And we hung out with John and Mike and ate lots of food and wandered around the inner harbor area (which contains the most beautiful Barnes & Noble I have ever layed eyes on -- it's a refurbished energy plant with a balcony overlooking the harbor). Oh, and I learned a word in Japanese: otaku. This is what the people who go to Otakon refer to themselves as. In America, it means roughly "anime nerd." Of course, last night I found out that if you actually use the word in Japan, it really connotes something like "creepy anime nerd who's forty, lives in his parents' basement, showers infrequently, and has questionable social skills."
As you can tell, the Japanese are masters of cramming a lot of connotations into a little word. Their form of puns is off the charts in complexity and prevalence, which kind of makes me want to learn Japanese. Except when would I ever use it? And if I don't use it, I'll forget it. I've already forgotten 95% of my Italian.
Anyway, that's not the point.
The weather has been cooling down lately, that's the point. It's bearable outside now on a regular basis.
And if you want actual thoughtful content, you'll have to visit my Messiah College blog, where I have gone on at ungodly length about how complicated it is to try and live like a hippie. You know, if you're actually thinking about it and not just hyped up on drugs.
Oh, and also, tomorrow I move. I hate moving.
Today, at work, Dan and I wondered if evangelicals are calling for the end times because Russia invaded Georgia, and isn't the antichrist supposed to come from Russia? Then we contemplated what it would be like if there actually arose a leader called Nicolai Carpathia. Would it mean that Tim Lahaye is really the devil, or just that someone had been bribed to change their name?
Today, there is no one at work. Everyone is on a staff retreat to Baltimore, which is, ironically enough, where I was last weekend. But I visited for a very different reason. Namely: Otakon! An anime convention.
Where I met Peter S. Beagle, one of my favorite authors of all time, creator of "A Fine and Private Place" and "The Last Unicorn." As you can imagine, I geeked out. His was the only event actually sponsored by the convention (henceforth referred to as "the con") that I went to all week.
Oh, and I saw lots of costumed people (including Italian Spiderman! Which caused both Greg and I to geek out), familiarly known as "cosplayers," which is a combination of "costumed" and "players." How etymologically logical!
And we hung out with John and Mike and ate lots of food and wandered around the inner harbor area (which contains the most beautiful Barnes & Noble I have ever layed eyes on -- it's a refurbished energy plant with a balcony overlooking the harbor). Oh, and I learned a word in Japanese: otaku. This is what the people who go to Otakon refer to themselves as. In America, it means roughly "anime nerd." Of course, last night I found out that if you actually use the word in Japan, it really connotes something like "creepy anime nerd who's forty, lives in his parents' basement, showers infrequently, and has questionable social skills."
As you can tell, the Japanese are masters of cramming a lot of connotations into a little word. Their form of puns is off the charts in complexity and prevalence, which kind of makes me want to learn Japanese. Except when would I ever use it? And if I don't use it, I'll forget it. I've already forgotten 95% of my Italian.
Anyway, that's not the point.
The weather has been cooling down lately, that's the point. It's bearable outside now on a regular basis.
And if you want actual thoughtful content, you'll have to visit my Messiah College blog, where I have gone on at ungodly length about how complicated it is to try and live like a hippie. You know, if you're actually thinking about it and not just hyped up on drugs.
Oh, and also, tomorrow I move. I hate moving.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
"in the cove the old turtle surfaces again"
Me: We're crazy. It's like we met in a mental home. A mental home of AWESOME!
Greg: [looks confused]
Me: What'cha talkin' about?
Greg: [laughs hysterically] Whaaaaaat?
Me: I forgot how to say "What'cha thinking!" I panicked!
Greg: [laughs until he cries]
Me: C'mon man, we got to get groceries! Piece of . . . garbage!
Greg: Did you just call me a piece of garbage?
Me: I was trying to think of something a cowboy would say! But I panicked!
Greg: [laughs hysterically]
Me: Sheep wrangler!!
Greg: Whaaaaaaat? [continues laughing]
Me: Like mutton! And you can cut its skin off and make a coat!
Me: I could get a tiny ice cream for my tiny fridge!
Greg: Really? You don't like ice cream.
Me: But it's tiny! It would fit in my fridge! Or we could get some tiny cheeses! Oh look, there's a tiny shoofly pie! I love shoe fly pie!
Greg: I don't think we can use this coupon because it's only valid with a $10 purchase.
Me: I could get some juice.
Greg: Do you really want juice?
Me: Yes! I really want juice! It will fit in my tiny fridge! The only thing in there is tiny baby gherkins. [starts laughing] Do you get it?. . . because they're baby gherkins in a baby fridge?
I think Otakon affected our brain capacity. Well, OK. My brain capacity.
Greg: [looks confused]
Me: What'cha talkin' about?
Greg: [laughs hysterically] Whaaaaaat?
Me: I forgot how to say "What'cha thinking!" I panicked!
Greg: [laughs until he cries]
Me: C'mon man, we got to get groceries! Piece of . . . garbage!
Greg: Did you just call me a piece of garbage?
Me: I was trying to think of something a cowboy would say! But I panicked!
Greg: [laughs hysterically]
Me: Sheep wrangler!!
Greg: Whaaaaaaat? [continues laughing]
Me: Like mutton! And you can cut its skin off and make a coat!
Me: I could get a tiny ice cream for my tiny fridge!
Greg: Really? You don't like ice cream.
Me: But it's tiny! It would fit in my fridge! Or we could get some tiny cheeses! Oh look, there's a tiny shoofly pie! I love shoe fly pie!
Greg: I don't think we can use this coupon because it's only valid with a $10 purchase.
Me: I could get some juice.
Greg: Do you really want juice?
Me: Yes! I really want juice! It will fit in my tiny fridge! The only thing in there is tiny baby gherkins. [starts laughing] Do you get it?. . . because they're baby gherkins in a baby fridge?
I think Otakon affected our brain capacity. Well, OK. My brain capacity.
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