Things that I feel like telling the internet

1.  I am a marketing paper, a computer engineering project report, a letter, a research project, and two exams away from graduation.

2.  I am discovering the Beatles.  So far, I have Abbey Road.  The current verdict is good.  No wonder they were influential-they made a catchy song about an octopus.

3.  I re-dyed my hair.  It is dark red this time around.  I've decided that pretending to be blonde is just not a good idea ever again.

^Me with the red hair again.^

4.  Ironman came out, and I am going to see it tonight.

5.  Gas is too expensive.  The end!

Miscellany

• There is precious little in the world that lots and lots of hot water can't fix.
• The world is hell-bent on disproving the previous bullet.
• If you haven't heard of Hush Sound (band), you should go listen to them.
• Mike's now makes pomegranate martinis in bottled form.  They're very sweet.
• There are too many deodorant smells to choose from.  Should I smell like Eastern Lily or Vanilla Chai?  Green Apple or Sweet Pea?
• I really want a cool zip-up hoodie.  Preferably something with a good design.
• Ikea is the source of all good browsing.
• Apple stores only let you schedule tech support appointments three days in advance.  Jerks.
• Does being an adult ever become fun or is it really just endless to do lists and occasional breaks from the monotony?
• How do you tell somebody that you need space, but you don't really want it.
• I have Eddie Izzard tickets for June.  I'm really psyched.
• People who don't answer emails irritate me.

What is it about the end of the semester that turns classes into a colossal waste of time?

Yang...aka, things that I don't like

1.  Folding laundry.  It's a tedious task that reminds me of packing.  (I loathe packing.)

2.  Wet socks.  Sadly, I'm a short person, so every time that it rains, my pants get soaked.  Once that happens, my feet never stay dry.

3.  Stuffing (as in the Thanksgiving dish).  Sorry Mom...it's disgusting.

4.  Text speak.  If what you're saying isn't important enough to take the ten seconds to write out the word 'you', then it needs to not be said.

5.  Patronization.  Not only is it irritating, but it makes the offender look like an idiot.

6.  Toni Morrison.  While I'm talking about idiots, this is a natural next step.  Only a heinous idiot would write a book in which the main themes are "It's the white man's fault that my father raped me to show me that he loved me."  Racism is perpetuated by people like this.

7.  Country music.  It's twangy.

8. People who interrupt me when I'm reading.  Reading is my time to be introverted.  It is not the time that I've set aside to hear about your new haircut.

9.  Obscene gestures.  What are you accomplishing?  It's not even all that difficult to flip someone off.  When someone raises their pinky toe at me while doing a complete back bend, I will know that I've done something to deserve it.

10. Refrigerated ketchup.  The bottle does not say to refrigerate!  It's on the tables in the restaurant and that should be good enough for everyone else.

A meme

My mother has asked me to write a memoir in six words.

Here's the two finalists:

1.  I only pretended not to care.

2.  It's really for your own good.

Things that I appreciate

Taking a note from my mother (who is also not very good at updating her blog, much like the rest of my family), here is a short list of things that I appreciate.

1. Facebook poking. It's a small gesture that serves to remind me that there are people that think of me, even on such a minuscule scale.

2. Musicals. I remember seeing Evita at the Fox with my Grandmother and watching Cinderella and the King and I while she babysat (I hated South Pacific). Now my tastes run more towards Rent and Avenue Q, but there is something surreal about people randomly breaking out into song. It may be strange, but just once, I think I'd like living in the world of Mikado.

3. Tazo Wild Sweet Orange Tea. Because it is delicious.

4. Shooting. All of the rabble rousers can bugger off right now. I do own a firearm, and if you have never shot one, then you are missing out on an experience. Apart from the obvious connotations of being in control and untouchable, to shoot well requires focus, controlled breathing, and repetitious practice. It becomes almost meditative and yet doesn't put me to sleep.

5. Apple products. As an engineer, I appreciate a good design. I have a couple of iPods and a Macbook Pro, and I love them both. (I plan on purchasing an iPhone in the next few months as well.) Elegant, functional, and user friendly.

6. Dogs. Especially this one:

7. To Do lists. They create a sense of accomplishment.

The Diode Concept

A diode is an electrical component that requires a certain threshold voltage, usually about 0.7 Volts, before it will conduct current. (For the less technical, imagine a boat on a series of "stair" dams. Basically, you can't pass them unless the level of the water raises to that on the other side.)

Now...my brain is like a diode.

Without enough stimulation, there is nothing conducting and I will fall asleep. Professor Smith, your "lectures" (which are primarily excuses for you to rant about global commerce, recount your myriad of failed business start-ups, and display your inability to recognize that the St. Louis Post Dispatch is far from a respected finance periodical) provide about 0.2 V.

Thus, at the risk of seeming impertinent, I will continue to do sudoku puzzles, work on your take home exams, and write all of my notes in Greek in order to make up the other half of a volt that is necessary for me to stay awake.

If you wish to command my full attention, then teach me. Otherwise, I suggest that you leave those of us that can and will multi-task to our more engaging activities.

Warm regards,
Your 11AM class