Mundanely Profound

Took this today in front of the Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park.

Also look at my dignified new main column photo on the left. Now that I look like I'm contemplating deeper things you all will take me more seriously!

Well everybody, I have a little bit of a time window, not really enough to get anything done at work. Here's a report, then.

I finished my schoolwork by e-mailing a paper Tuesday night. As my posts and my ranting comments on your xanga sights might have indicated, I was going reasonably insane the last few hours of writing after allotting 4 straight days to work on stuff. I'm not going to BEG for your attention, but I think I'm being friendly in the comments on your posts, even when you are using secret code words or talking about something that I'm not in the loop in. So give me your congratualtions, pretty please.

Now last night I had some time designated for pampering: here was my itinerary.

I used up some Barnes & Noble Gift certificates. I got the MLA manual of Style (I can't stand not knowing how to cite things, and I'll be using a lot of weird data during my graduate studies) and America: The Book from the Daily Show writers. At least one will keep me chuckling.

I then went to California Pizza Kitchen and had Peach Iced Tea, Lentil Soup, and Carmelized Pear & Gorgonzola pizza. I've been to that restaurant twice since I've been here, and the meals are so lucious and flavorful there. If you were vegetarian or don't like greasy meat products on your pizza (I'm the latter), it's perfect.

I then went to a Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert. As you know (or at least Lyon should know) the CSO is World Class and through a special ticket deal I found when I first moved here I got a 5th row ticket (the leftest most) on the main floor for only 18 bucks. Nothing sounds so perfect as that orchestra. My goodness, it's a treat to have them in my neighborhood. There was a violinist who played a haunting modern piece by a composer called Schnnitke with the composer playing piano and conducting. Then it was Beethoven's 7th symphony. One interesting thing I found myself doing when bobbing back and forth both during the contemporary and familiar works and reacting to the music in the same but ( because I was in Orchestra Hall) more subdued way I would react to any emotional and rhythmic piece of music. One of my unique traits that I like to hold on to is my diverse tastes so I was proud of my consistent reaction across the board for artistic greatness. I still have trouble with visual art, though, but I'm working on appreciating it beyond a surface interpretation.

Boy I'm sounding a little like a snooty elist liberal, aren't I?

Anyway, now I can just work, enjoy Chicago, live kind of frugally, and relax when it isn't 9 to 5 and enjoy the few months before the semester begins once again.

Any classical music you like out there? Have you been much of an orchestra afficionado where you live? Maybe Angie can check out a summer performance from the Hugo Symphony Orchestra... that is if bears don't raid the picnic shelter they're performing in and eat the instruments. Sorry, Laura and other non-Okie visitors, that comment was not familair to you.

Have a great weekend. I will for sure!

I've shaken hands with Howard Dean multiple times...

I have an article that is close to being published in a peer-reviewed journal...

I just began a pretty classy internship with high-networking potential...

[Many important accomplishments here]

Yet, I can't put my name on a final paper for a graduate school class!!!!!

Mr. Stupid's my name. Fortunately I inquired about an unrelated matter concerning that paper and found out my folly. But still what a dummy!

I think I'll accidentally pour spring water over my keyboard now.

I think 3 bitter political posts doesn't really attract anyone to read on, seeing how other blog posts I've read are happy cheerful posts about exciting lives. So, I will try to do more of that kind of stuff, it just makes me feel shallow writing about that stuff. If you know what a political news junkie that I am, and the types of liberalish employment that I have had, you would be surprised that every post isn't THE WORLD'S GOING TO SHIT, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or a variation of that theme.

From the lack of response both on blogs and e-mails it seems like my friends and well-wishers are all very busy, and I definitely don't blame them. I am right now in the middle of a last stretch of end of semester paper-writing. I got one big one done today... well by done I probably mean the worst paper I've ever written, but it came close to the minimum page limit! One more paper to go, a 20-pager, but 5 pages are written, and it is due tomorrow night, but I have no work and all day to write it tomorrow. But if I wanted to I could start it tonight! Just got to push myself, in 24 hours it will all be over and I can look around and realize I live in Chicago! Honestly, I didn't go to school for a whole year and half, but now it seems like I never lived without impossible papers due. I will definitely try to remember how much last-minute stuff I have to do when the next semester starts and I feel myself getting to lazy. I talked to my Dad on the phone today trying to come up with a reason I had so much to do so close to the due date, and he advised me to not try and think of a real reason I got to this point, sometimes it just happens. Which is good advice, because I'm not lazy. And I was only hungover about 4 out of 7 mornings out of a week. I made that last part up.

So, anyway, I have a list of about 10 or so albums I want to buy and who knows what kind of purchasing binge I'll go on now that I have a paycheck from my internship. Perfect timing for a record release tomorrow, though. The same day I turn in my last paper, is the day the new Nine Inch Nails album comes out! 6 years in the waiting! I actually was at first dissapointed in the first single The Hand That Feeds, and e-mailed Chris about my dissapointment. Now a few months later, I saw the video online and heard it a few more times, and now I'm liking it! I need some classic rage music! I can really identify with Trent Reznor's millionare middle-aged musician angst, exactly like my situation. Actually, I think NIN music hits you with its angry energy the first time, but then its really only suited for certain times and places and moods. It's been quite some time since I listened to The Fragile, the last poignant time I popped it in was in my dorm room after my roomate, 2 of my close college friends and another person, went out on a double date on a Saturday night. When your social circle abrubtly shrinks like that it was a release to pop NIN in and crank it up, because then you realize your not THAT angry. And then its all candy and flowers and peaches and cream.

SO, pop question? Is there music that you own that you cannot just play whenever, that if not played at the right time for the right reason, it just becomes a distraction?

Please humor me by posting something, I wore out my fingers typing this. Then again, it serves me right if no one responds, because I shouldn't do posting when I should be doing schoolwork. Shame on me.