I’m close to finishing my first year as a PhD student and I must say, I feel like I know less than I did last year. I’m not sure whether that’s a result of the US system, in which there is no overarching plan, or a result of living near friends again and being busier than I’ve ever been with things other than school, or just a result of taking on classes and subjects with which I’m much less familiar. I don’t think UCLA is that much harder than other places I’ve been, but I know I haven’t been interested enough in some of my classes to spend as much time as I should on them. Maybe it’s a mix of everything, maybe I’m just getting dumber.
Regardless of what’s happening, I’m looking forward to the summer.
Yesterday evening I joined my sister and some of my friends in performing an old-timey detective show on Amanda’s radio show. Cate and Amanda wrote the story, which turned out surprisingly interesting and well-written. I was Colt Carter, Private I., and I was investigating a case regarding a missing husband. There are a few hiccups in the process that mostly have to do with the fact that we didn’t have much prep prior to doing the show live on the air, and some of us pulled Cates during the show (wherein one talks too loudly close to the mic, causing it to peak), and laughed as a result.
I’d put up a link to the file, but I don’t think Amanda’s gotten around to uploading the show yet. I haven’t heard it myself yet, so I can’t make any claims about it, but I think it’s gonna be good.
…to December 11, 2007, you might remember that I mentioned I had been used as an extra in a movie while I was in Oxford. While the movie never made it to wide release here in the US because it was just that bad, I managed to find a low-quality blurry online version in which you can somewhat make me out int he background. While I said before that I was the blurry figure behind Colin Firth, the quality of the video means that Colin Firth is the big blurry head in the picture while i’m the smaller, blurrier picture in the background.
There it is, my blurry brush with fame.
1. I went to a new dentist today (that I think I’m actually going to like) and was told that because I breathe through my mouth as a result of having a constantly stuffed nose, I ought to rub vaseline on my gums when I go to sleep so they don’t dry out. I’ll let you know how that turns out for me, although I can’t imagine the taste is all that great.
2. I finally bought a new pair of shoes. I bought a pair of slip-on Clark’s when I was in England a couple years ago and have been wearing them ever since. Needless to say, they had seen better days. So, after a long, arduous process wherein I realized that no new shoe could live up to the standard I had set for my foot in terms of comfort and style, I bought a new pair of Clark’s. Unfortunately, my old pair was a once and never again model and I was forced to buy a shoe that is similar in style, but has laces. So, I’m back to having to tie my shoes again and I must say, it sucks just as bad as I remember it sucking.
3. The most important news I saved for last. While I was walking through the mall, wishing I could find better shoes, I stumbled upon a stand set up in the middle of the walkway selling perhaps one of Germany’s greatest inventions (right after the Birkenstock and good Beer). Yes, I’m talking about the ShamWow! So, I watched the demonstration and indeed, this miracle cloth is just as good in real life as it is on those great commercials, although I was disappointed the girl selling the ShamWows was not wearing a headset. I don’t think I need to say, but in case you’re wondering, I did buy a ShamWow! and am loving every minute of it. They’re sitting in the living room right now and have managed to suck every last drop of moisture out of the air.
It’s been awhile since i’ve posted anything substantial, and given that I need to be working on a presentation, this seemed an appropriate time.
I’ve got a job at a charter school teaching middle schoolers things about computers and cameras and yearbook. I’m having to learn some of the stuff over myself as I prep for the classes, so it’s been good. Particularly with the photography class. I think I take pictures ok, but i’m learning some of the rules of composition that make sense of some of what I already do. Kinda fun.
I’m doing well in my classes this quarter, although I’m not really enjoying any of them. I miss the Oxford system, although I wish I had taken more advantage of the opportunities it afforded me to spend time with professors. They were some amazing people who seemed to be genuinely interested in us as students, a result, I believe, of having much fewer students to deal with.
I had the opportunity to co-host an episode of almanac with Amanda Mae. Good times and I think I would enjoy forcing my music and random talk onto people on a somewhat regular basis, although I have a feeling I would not enjoy preparing for such things. Here it is at Amanda’s blog for those who are interested. I can’t add it to my own because I don’t have the ability to upload music files (i.e., I don’t pay for that ‘upgrade’).
My Sister, Brother-in-law and Nephew are out visiting from Colorado. My Nephew’s pretty cute and makes some fun faces, but i’m looking forward to him being a bit older and more playful. He sleeps most of the time.
I got together last week with quite a few guys from my old floor at Biola and had a great time. I really enjoyed my time at Biola and I’m pretty sure it was where I lived and who I lived with that made it the great experience it was. There are possible plans to get a place with some of them in the Orange County area, which would make my commute to UCLA much easier, but make my commute to work much longer. Splitting the difference I guess. Regardless, I would really enjoy living with friends again, as much as I appreciate my parents and them putting up with me again.
I’m still in search of a car. Preferably cheap and running. My sister is probably one of the kindest sisters, having let me use her car for the past months, but it would be nice to give her back full-use of her car again.
I’m in the middle of picking classes for next quarter and I think there are going to be some good ones with professors I enjoy. Hopefully.
Great video from the 80s about receiving the newspaper via the web.
A dad who spends time drawing on his kids’ lunch bags everyday–
seriously, check it out- http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/
I’m in Las Vegas right now. New Mexico though, not that flashy hell-hole in Nevada. What was supposed to be a quick express to Denver turned into a drive through a New Mexico Rockies snowstorm. Given that our windshield wipers don’t work and we have to spray on the wiper fluid with a spray bottle by the old reach around method from inside the car, we thought it best to take refuge in what turned out to be a pretty cool little town. Maybe it’s just the snow covering up the crap and sending the cockroaches scurrying, but it seems to be pretty neat in an old small town way.
I’m writing this in the morning now, and this is what we have to look forward to over the next 300 miles-
From the “Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization,” Motorist has nighttime sighting below Raton Pass.If we sight Bigfoot, I’ll take a picture and try to get an autograph.
And according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, we have to use “Extreme Caution” on the Raton Pass because of “Extreme High Winds” and “Low Visibility” due to “Lots of Snow” and “Icy Roads”. Sweet.
Oh yeah, we’re driving to Colorado in these conditions because my sister just had her baby. Caedmon James Wiley. That’s right world, I’m an Uncle!
