what i find depressing is that blogger now tells me how many posts i've written

and it's topped 500. I just feel like that's a lot of talking from one person. Hopefully at least some of them were amusing and/or worth reading. If you're going to tell me "No," then don't answer at all, please.

Alternate title for this post: "You won't let those robots eat me."

Weird thing: I think I might actually like the Flaming Lips. They crack me up a lot, and also they are mellow-sounding. But then I realize that the name of the band is the Flaming Lips, and somehow I am less sure that I like them. Their website is also pink. But maybe I should not let that prejudice me if I actually enjoy the music? This is also considering that I have only heard one album.

Mom: Do you know what a paradox is?
Avery: It's kind of like a metaphor.
Aaron: A paradox? It's a flying dinosaur!

Did I tell you about the new Minnemingo? Danielle has an amazing poem in it, and so does Kenny Johns (whoever that is). Actually he has two, but I really liked "The Glass Man and the Jazz Piano." Kenny Johns also wrote just about the best bio for the back of the volume. And I loved Julia & Heather's introductory letter. Also Helen Walker wrote the most amazing poem ever called "Talking to my Daughter as if my Words Might Help." I mean, it's amazing. In my opinion it's worth the five dollars just for Helen's poem.

On an unrelated note, I wish I was one of those students who would totally call my favorite professors by their first names, but I'm really afraid of offending someone. The closest I can get is calling Daniel Finch by both his names, and he specifically told us to call him by his first name if we wanted. It just feels odd. I got yelled at in ninth grade for not responding to my teachers with "ma'am," and I think it made me paranoid.

I miss all of you. I think that I should stay at Messiah for the rest of forever.

"whoa, are you next gen.? 'cause your graphics are totally awesome."

- Avery & Matthew's attempt at inventing the geekiest pickup line ever.

Alternate title for this post: "somebody's told me it's gonna take patience."

One good thing about Alabama: gas is under $2! Yes, you heard me! Yesterday when I drove back from Madison, gas was $1.93! It's like a flashback to the innocent days of my youth....

Possibly the reason I'm making no progress on my rewrite of the dragon lady is that I am irrationally OK with life right now. Not sure quite what I'm basking in, but I feel like I'm basking in the light of something. Maybe it's enough sleep and good food and good books and the interwebs.

Also, I have discovered that when I'm getting enough sleep, I have really vivid dreams (that I actually remember). This morning it was something like a mix between Super Mario (you know, breaking blocks with your head) and Diana Wynne Jones books.

As I'm working with Avery on his research paper, I find myself wanting to say, "Just put some effort into it and your life will be cake." Do you think Daniel Finch has that copyrighted? Am I cheating if I use his turn of phrase? Or if I start crits with Avery by saying, "OK, talk to me. What are you thinking?" Pretty sure my urge to use those phrases is just a function of me wanting to grow up and teach exactly half like Daniel Finch (the other half will preferably be exactly like Professor Perrin).

Wouldn't it be interesting if someday I was a professor and Daniel Finch or Professor Perrin came to visit my class, and I was using their style or phrasing? Pretty sure that would be awkward. They might think I was mocking them. So you have to help me invent my own unique phrasing. And style, although I'm pretty sure most professors have a sort of indeterminate syle.

You know, I'll tell you something about this semester. It boosted my art confidence a bit. I no longer feel like I'm a much better writer than I am an artist (although I still might have a bit of a writing edge), and I'm no longer certain that once out of college I have absolutely no chance of getting accepted for an art grad school program or finding an art job. I'm cautiously optimistic, due in large part to Andy Bale. So... thank you, Andy Bale?

Also, I have had too much caffeine this morning. So if I have spelled things terribly wrong, it's just because the caffeine is making my typing skills a little unwieldy.

Also, I have slightly elevated cholesterol. Who knew? I thought that was something only middle-aged or old people had to worry about.

"one day i was satisfied with my little ponies. the next i painted them black and burned them."

- Scary Go Round

For those of you who have received My Little Pony RPG points, beware. Someday you will be taken down off the shelf, forego all your sparkles, and be painted an angsty, soul-crushing black.

So I'm back in AL. In one way I guess it's a sign of a successful trip that I really hated leaving Messiah again. In the more obvious way, it just kind of sucks. But I was still really glad to visit. And what kind of wild coincidence is it that they were having the artist's talk and the minnemingo party the same day we were there? And I was glad that some of my family got to see my house and meet my housemates (except Ruth, who was in Seattle). Props to my housemates for being so cool about visitors even when they're dying of homework (it's a terrible malady, it's true).

My new favorite MST3K : Danger! Death Ray. Pretty much it's even better than Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell (who turn out to be good guys).

I need to get out more. I'm thinkin' I should go to Huntsville and see all those new silver sculptures Aaron said were so cool.... and yes, maybe go to First Bible again even though I'm not into predestination, just for the sheer reason of meeting new people and making life in AL a little more interesting. Yes?

Did I mention Greg owns one of those old Nintendos and also Duck Hunt? Yes. It's true.

Also, today I received shipping confirmation for my Italian books. SCARY! Pretty much I'm freaking out. And then really excited. So. We'll see. Probably it will be great. I'll just have to get over sounding like an idiot.

where my lasers at?

"My name is Paul."
"That's AWESOME! I have to sing a song now."

- Excerpt from "I think I have a Chance with This Guy," a song from "Strong Bad Sing and Other Type Hits." Avery got it for Christmas. It drives my mom nuts, but it's pretty freaking amazing.

Also something that's pretty freaking amazing? I finished the story! I mean, obviously now I have to go back and rewrite it, and it's not nearly long enough to be a book, but you know, I'm not even going to worry about it. Something will work out. I'm just going to enjoy the glow of finishing the story. And worry about beginning the rewrite process tomorrow. So there. = D

Also a good thing! The Minnemingo review party is on the Friday I'm going to be at Messiah! So I actually get to go. Wooh!

while i lay, i'd dream we're better, scales were gone and faces lighter,

So, I didn't quite catch up over the weekend on all of those extra words. So I guess I'm going to have to do an extra page every day this week, which may be doable, if I don't fall flat on my face, tripping over the terribly steep steps of discipline.

Hi (waves wildly at computer screen)! I'm coming up to Messiah late Thursday night this week. And I'll be there Friday, and probably leave early Saturday morning. Aaron is interviewing for the honors program, so I'm tagging along (did I tell you guys he got a 33 last time he took the ACT? I mean, dude! Rock on Aaron). If anyone is free... talk to me! We'll get together. I think Sharon and I are planning to have lunch in the Union on Friday (with whoever else would like to come), and I'm going to eat dinner with my housemates. And probably hang out with Greg sometime, and we'll see what else! I'm realizing that one day at Messiah really isn't that much.

Yesterday I went to church by myself, which made me feel brave. = ) And then I... provoked discussion in sunday school, which made me feel a little conspicuous. I'm not sure if I was asking questions to test what people there really think (or their intelligence or something) or asking questions because I really care about the answers. Anyway, I'm trying to decide whether I should go back next Sunday. Yes? No? Input?

ok, seriously, this is the coolest thing ever. go and make your own. i mean it.

amid the rumours and the expectations/and all the stories dreamt and lived

So, maybe I'm kind of behind the times. But have you guys seen either of these?

The National Beard Registry

An Onion article from like the year 2000.

Also, I'm behind the times on birthdays! This month Liz had a birthday, and Sharon will have a birthday! Wooh! Liz finally reached the fabled 21 years of age, so we know it's not actually an unattainable myth. = ) And Sharon will join the ranks of the 20-year-olds!

Also? I'm behind the times on my writing goals. But that is not such a fun story, so I will go back and work and talk to you later. When I have acheived said goals and no longer feel the sneaking finger of guilt poking me on the shoulder.