This morning after philosophy, while I was hanging out in the bookstore with Kristyn, I received an email for a great deal on a multimedia server. While I no longer have a need for such an item, I did think of two people who could: Kevin, a freelance designer in Atlanta, and my friend Adam I. who had been attending design school in Manhattan when we last talked.
I messaged both of them about it, and had a quick conversation with Kevin, but that was it. When I turned off my laptop to hoof it over to sociology, I thought nothing more of it.
After sociology, as i'm headed back to my room to relax and get ready for the weekend, I see someone coming towards me who stands out for some reason. He looks oddly familiar, but at the same time, he doesn't.
Where could this be going? I know, i'm the master of suspense.
Turns out it was Adam! He was definitely a bit shaggier than before, and was wearing a pair of glasses I had never seen before.
(That was why I didn't recognize him — The Clark Kent effect.)
It seems he's back from Manhattan and now holds a design job in the experiential learning office at my university!
Imagine that.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Guess Who's Back, Back Again
Yes, he has returned. The crazy old man in the bookstore cafe.
He's slinking down in his chair, like before, directly across from me, like before, weirding me out, like before.
He isn't staring at me this time, because his eyes are closed. I think it is safe to assume that he is sleeping, but has this strange sleep disorder where he smiles, squints his already shut eyes, swivels his head, mouths a song, and taps his fingers along to the melody.
Okay, maybe he isn't asleep. He's lost in some strange reverie where he's... sweating to the oldies. Sweating profusely.
I kind of like the way his jowls flap when he sings. It's mesmerizing. Obey the jowls. We are one with the flapping.
He's slinking down in his chair, like before, directly across from me, like before, weirding me out, like before.
He isn't staring at me this time, because his eyes are closed. I think it is safe to assume that he is sleeping, but has this strange sleep disorder where he smiles, squints his already shut eyes, swivels his head, mouths a song, and taps his fingers along to the melody.
Okay, maybe he isn't asleep. He's lost in some strange reverie where he's... sweating to the oldies. Sweating profusely.
I kind of like the way his jowls flap when he sings. It's mesmerizing. Obey the jowls. We are one with the flapping.
This Mix Has Too Many Academia Nuts!
I can't stop thinking about college.
And yes, I realize that sounds silly because I am in college, but I don't care.
Over the past 3 days I've realized that chemistry is not going to be my major. Or any natural science, for that matter. While I find them interesting subjects, and I tend to do well enough in them, my heart is not in it. I could not spend the rest of my life doing science, as much as my monstrous ego says otherwise—and boy is my ego huge. It has been known to frighten small children and cause fainting in old women.
I may still keep Computer Science as a major, or I may demote it to a minor, I don't know. We'll see after fall. To be entirely honest, I have no idea what my major is going to be, much less what I want to do with the rest of my life.
I've just... I've realized over the past few days what a sucker I am for writing, how passionate I am when involved in an argument (or even just listening), and how much I love people in general and need to be around them. I really don't see how those three things fit into the sciences.
I need to see my academic adviser, but I don't walk to go in empty handed; that's why I found the list of every single major offered by my university, and crossed off every major that immediately stood out as a no. Then, I wrote down each that remained, occasionally tossing one out (read: deleting it) in the most dramatic way possible (think Donald Trump), leaving me with a [comparatively] short list of majors that I would consider.
It was satisfying. I felt powerful.
I am Andy, compiler of lists, lord of the delete key.
...Anyways, my disturbingly trivial power trip aside, here is the complete, sort-of-abridged, probably-missing-a-few List of Majors Andy Would Consider (trademark pending).
[In alphabetical order]
• Business administration
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• English -- Creative writing
• English education
• English -- technical writing
• General Business
• Journalism
• Legal Studies
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Sciences
See? Aren't the bullets impressive? They don't just hand out that title to anyone, you know.
And yes, I realize that sounds silly because I am in college, but I don't care.
Over the past 3 days I've realized that chemistry is not going to be my major. Or any natural science, for that matter. While I find them interesting subjects, and I tend to do well enough in them, my heart is not in it. I could not spend the rest of my life doing science, as much as my monstrous ego says otherwise—and boy is my ego huge. It has been known to frighten small children and cause fainting in old women.
I may still keep Computer Science as a major, or I may demote it to a minor, I don't know. We'll see after fall. To be entirely honest, I have no idea what my major is going to be, much less what I want to do with the rest of my life.
I've just... I've realized over the past few days what a sucker I am for writing, how passionate I am when involved in an argument (or even just listening), and how much I love people in general and need to be around them. I really don't see how those three things fit into the sciences.
I need to see my academic adviser, but I don't walk to go in empty handed; that's why I found the list of every single major offered by my university, and crossed off every major that immediately stood out as a no. Then, I wrote down each that remained, occasionally tossing one out (read: deleting it) in the most dramatic way possible (think Donald Trump), leaving me with a [comparatively] short list of majors that I would consider.
It was satisfying. I felt powerful.
I am Andy, compiler of lists, lord of the delete key.
...Anyways, my disturbingly trivial power trip aside, here is the complete, sort-of-abridged, probably-missing-a-few List of Majors Andy Would Consider (trademark pending).
[In alphabetical order]
• Business administration
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• English -- Creative writing
• English education
• English -- technical writing
• General Business
• Journalism
• Legal Studies
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Sciences
See? Aren't the bullets impressive? They don't just hand out that title to anyone, you know.
Meds be Damned
I'm sorry, Dr. R. You're an interesting guy, really. You know how to relate to your students, even though this is a ground-level course and 99% of your students couldn't care less about the subject matter. I realize that not everyone is as familiar with some of the basics as I may be, and that some background information might be necessary at the beginning of the course.
But seriously, an ENTIRE HOUR on the scientific method?
But seriously, an ENTIRE HOUR on the scientific method?
A Scientific... Release
You know, you really do learn something new every day.
Today, we learned the roots of the word “Philosophy.”
Philosophy breaks down into:
“Philia” which means love, and—
“Soph” which means wisdom.
That’s all fine and good, but can anyone define wisdom?
It’s tricky. But here, today, I will break it down for you a bit further.
Are you ready?
Wisdom actually breaks down into two words rooted in modern english:
"Wizz," which is a verb meaning "to urinate on," and—
"Dome," a colloquial term for one's head.
Ergo, Philosophy is the “love of wisdom,” or “the love of urinating on one’s head.”
Hey, it explains all of the pretentiousness.
Today, we learned the roots of the word “Philosophy.”
Philosophy breaks down into:
“Philia” which means love, and—
“Soph” which means wisdom.
That’s all fine and good, but can anyone define wisdom?
It’s tricky. But here, today, I will break it down for you a bit further.
Are you ready?
Wisdom actually breaks down into two words rooted in modern english:
"Wizz," which is a verb meaning "to urinate on," and—
"Dome," a colloquial term for one's head.
Ergo, Philosophy is the “love of wisdom,” or “the love of urinating on one’s head.”
Hey, it explains all of the pretentiousness.
Interlude
There's a creepy old man sitting across from me in the cafe at the bookstore. He's just watching me read my philosophy book, making 'huff'ing noises every few minutes, counting his (4) 1 dollar bills repeatedly, and waving his arms.
I think he's a professor.
I think he's a professor.
Day 2, Part 1
I woke up more or less on time today — on time being 6:30 for an 8:00 class. I set up my coffee maker to brew around that time so i’d have a cup to wake up to, but for reasons unbeknownst to me, it didn’t start and I had to start it myself. C’est la vie, I still had my coffee (for those interested, Coffeemate’s™ Blueberry Cobbler [limited edition] non-dairy creamer powder is amazing).
I grabbed my breakfast, consisting of a cup of tangerines, a granola bar and a bottle of Lipton’s™ diet white tea with raspberry, and headed to the student union to meet up with Elyssa C. so we could head off to philosophy together. Along the way, we ran into Dr. N., our professor. We said hello, to which he replied “Hi. Are you in my class?”
Needless to say, I sat front row center today.
Class was interesting, again. We discussed Care of the Soul, the philosophy of being a good person. Or something close to that.
Being right in the line of fire, Dr. N. questioned me, lengthily, about whether, given the choice, I would date a beautiful girl or an intelligent one. I answered honestly, saying I could never get a[nother] pretty girl, but after discussing it with him, I realized that I could not put into words what makes an intelligent girl appealing.
Gah.
We also discussed the 3 traits an ideal mate should have.
The first is intellect. They should be intelligent. But, intelligence can also be used for evil. Ergo, the second trait is a moral will. Right from wrong, good from evil. A developed sense of judgement. But then, what’s to say they won’t be boring? So, the third trait is a creative mind — spontaneity.
Honestly, though, there is so much more than that. Rikki fit all three of those things, and while it was wonderful for a long time, in the end we weren’t right for each other. Now I just need to figure out what the rest of the pieces are, what makes someone right for me.
Now i’m sitting here in the cafe with my new buddy Kristyn L. (Shannon’s friend), typing, and... I suppose i’m happy. I like it here.
Last night, Joey A. and I went to the reflecting pool (the large fountain in the middle of the campus), and just sat on the steps talking for half an hour. Almost nobody came by and bothered us, and we just talked. I got a chance to think about things, and I feel good.
In an hour, I go to my sociology class. If I get inspired, I may write about the second half of my day later.
Don’t worry, once I get back into the swing of things, my posts won’t be so boring.
But right now, this is for me.
I grabbed my breakfast, consisting of a cup of tangerines, a granola bar and a bottle of Lipton’s™ diet white tea with raspberry, and headed to the student union to meet up with Elyssa C. so we could head off to philosophy together. Along the way, we ran into Dr. N., our professor. We said hello, to which he replied “Hi. Are you in my class?”
Needless to say, I sat front row center today.
Class was interesting, again. We discussed Care of the Soul, the philosophy of being a good person. Or something close to that.
Being right in the line of fire, Dr. N. questioned me, lengthily, about whether, given the choice, I would date a beautiful girl or an intelligent one. I answered honestly, saying I could never get a[nother] pretty girl, but after discussing it with him, I realized that I could not put into words what makes an intelligent girl appealing.
“So you say it makes her interesting?”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“Interesting how? If you tell your mother that your new girlfriend is interesting, she’d say ‘Oh, that’s nice.’ But what can she say besides that? What does interesting mean?”
Gah.
We also discussed the 3 traits an ideal mate should have.
The first is intellect. They should be intelligent. But, intelligence can also be used for evil. Ergo, the second trait is a moral will. Right from wrong, good from evil. A developed sense of judgement. But then, what’s to say they won’t be boring? So, the third trait is a creative mind — spontaneity.
Honestly, though, there is so much more than that. Rikki fit all three of those things, and while it was wonderful for a long time, in the end we weren’t right for each other. Now I just need to figure out what the rest of the pieces are, what makes someone right for me.
Now i’m sitting here in the cafe with my new buddy Kristyn L. (Shannon’s friend), typing, and... I suppose i’m happy. I like it here.
Last night, Joey A. and I went to the reflecting pool (the large fountain in the middle of the campus), and just sat on the steps talking for half an hour. Almost nobody came by and bothered us, and we just talked. I got a chance to think about things, and I feel good.
In an hour, I go to my sociology class. If I get inspired, I may write about the second half of my day later.
Don’t worry, once I get back into the swing of things, my posts won’t be so boring.
But right now, this is for me.
The root of “happen” is “hap,” the Middle English word for “chance” or “luck.” That is also the root of the modern English word “happiness.” This is an indication of how little we know ourselves, how materialistic and externalistic and shallow we habitually are. We think happiness “happens.”
--Peter Kreeft, Philosophy 101 by Socrates
First Day of School
I really like the smaller of my philosophy textbooks (Philosophy 101 By Socrates, Peter Kreeft)
First day of school wasn't bad at all. I did wake up an hour late, but because I had actually planned to wake up an hour early it all canceled out (I refuse to believe that it is spelled canceled and not cancelled, but whatever).
My Philosophy professor Dr. N. is a really funny guy, and an amazing teacher. He teaches through the Socratic Method (it's philosophy, duh) but he does so to such a degree that you end up rethinking anything you believe about the question. And it's only the first day.
The girl next to me, as sweet as she was in the beginning of the class — complimenting me on my shirt — was absolutely incensed when the teacher rejected her answer outright. She was muttering under her breath for a good minute. Then again, her answer was kind of pretentious and... of dubious quality.
Between classes, Elyssa C. and I went to get our textbooks from the book store, and after she left for her Astronomy class, I relaxed in the cafe and transcribed all of my notes from philosophy into an outlining program that I found hidden in the depths of my mac.
I ended up recognizing this girl Kristyn L. whom I had met once before (in 8th or 9th grade...). She's a friend of Shannon and the gang, so she's a friend of mine. I sat next to her while she read, and ended up reading my philosophy assignment (10 solidly interesting pages) about 3 times. The author is absolutely brilliant.
It's nothing special, but it isn't dry and boring. Hush, I like it.
After Kristyn and I parted ways, I went to my sociology class, where, while waiting outside, I was approached by Jose, an aerospace engineering major from Guatemala who lives off campus with his brothers. He had recognized me from our philosophy class, but it didn't go much further than that.
In class, I sit down next to a girl who kept dropping her pencil (I, of course, was gentleman enough to keep picking it up for her), and eventually just collapsed her desk and sent her stuff flying everywhere.
The girl behind me was giving her number to the girl sitting next to her, when her friend proclaimed "Yeah, why not just tell everyone here!" So, she finished her number a bit more quietly. Obviously, I turned around and asked her to 'repeat that last part.'
The class went off without a hitch, except once the professor didn't give us enough time to copy a slide. But with my new outlining software, I kept it all neat and organized. Hooray!
I've been walking so much lately that both of my achilles tendons are strained, and my legs feel like i've worked them out.
Which, incidentally, Joey A. and I are about to do. So, I bid you adieu until next time.
"[Y]ou shall hear from me the whole truth; not eloquence, gentlemen, like their own, decked out in fine words and phrases, not covered with ornaments; not at all — you shall hear things spoken anyhow in the words that first come. For I believe justice is in what I say."
--Socrates, at his trial
First day of school wasn't bad at all. I did wake up an hour late, but because I had actually planned to wake up an hour early it all canceled out (I refuse to believe that it is spelled canceled and not cancelled, but whatever).
My Philosophy professor Dr. N. is a really funny guy, and an amazing teacher. He teaches through the Socratic Method (it's philosophy, duh) but he does so to such a degree that you end up rethinking anything you believe about the question. And it's only the first day.
The girl next to me, as sweet as she was in the beginning of the class — complimenting me on my shirt — was absolutely incensed when the teacher rejected her answer outright. She was muttering under her breath for a good minute. Then again, her answer was kind of pretentious and... of dubious quality.
Between classes, Elyssa C. and I went to get our textbooks from the book store, and after she left for her Astronomy class, I relaxed in the cafe and transcribed all of my notes from philosophy into an outlining program that I found hidden in the depths of my mac.
I ended up recognizing this girl Kristyn L. whom I had met once before (in 8th or 9th grade...). She's a friend of Shannon and the gang, so she's a friend of mine. I sat next to her while she read, and ended up reading my philosophy assignment (10 solidly interesting pages) about 3 times. The author is absolutely brilliant.
"'Know thyself' was inscribed over the Delphic oracle's temple. It was the first commandment of the god Apollo, who supposedly inspired the oracle (the 'Sybil,' a prophetess who spoke in the god's name). The second was 'nothing in excess.' These two commandments summed up the wisdom of Apollo."
--Peter Kreeft, Philosophy 101 by Socrates
It's nothing special, but it isn't dry and boring. Hush, I like it.
After Kristyn and I parted ways, I went to my sociology class, where, while waiting outside, I was approached by Jose, an aerospace engineering major from Guatemala who lives off campus with his brothers. He had recognized me from our philosophy class, but it didn't go much further than that.
In class, I sit down next to a girl who kept dropping her pencil (I, of course, was gentleman enough to keep picking it up for her), and eventually just collapsed her desk and sent her stuff flying everywhere.
The girl behind me was giving her number to the girl sitting next to her, when her friend proclaimed "Yeah, why not just tell everyone here!" So, she finished her number a bit more quietly. Obviously, I turned around and asked her to 'repeat that last part.'
The class went off without a hitch, except once the professor didn't give us enough time to copy a slide. But with my new outlining software, I kept it all neat and organized. Hooray!
I've been walking so much lately that both of my achilles tendons are strained, and my legs feel like i've worked them out.
Which, incidentally, Joey A. and I are about to do. So, I bid you adieu until next time.
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