A bunch of nothing, feel free to ignore

Looks as though I haven't posted since being at school. Its been pretty crazy, that's why. And I don't think I really have much of a readership anymore. One of these days I hope I'll be able to get back to this regularly. I'm currently doing Econ homework, but I'm taking a short break. It's freezing cold outside and pretty soon I'll have to walk down to supper. brrr. Kelli is flying in this evening. We're going to have a good Thanksgiving break. I could certainly use the break, although it won't be all fun and games. I have a Congress paper due next Wednesday. I actually have to take a trip to the Library of Congress tomorrow in order to do some of my research. Campaign Finance Reform. Yippie! My proposed thesis is that Congress makes rules on campaign finance that protect their incumbencies. Congress is a zoo, by the way. But I've probably already told that to everyone I've come into contact with. Last week we had that weird thing where everyone hits the edge of their sanity and people start doing weird things. Nothing too dangerous yet. The professors were even seeming to lose it. They should give a us a week in October to prevent that. Although, spring break didn't help very much last year. But I ramble. Maybe I'll write when I have something important to say.

Perception

"The art of seeing without sight." Interesting article. This blind guy draws and paints as if he could see. The article also raises some interesting questions. Actually touches on a concept I was toying with this past semester.

Female Violence

I found this article interesting. I think I agree with both conclusions, that "part of this spike in violence is related to evolving sex roles," and "firsthand exposure to violent behavior." I'm not sure how much of the exposure to violence in tv and movies has an impact, though I wouldn't rule it out. But more likely to me it seems that real life violence would tend toward more violent behavior. As mothers or friends are more violent, daughters and friends will become more violent. The root problem though is probably with the sex roles.

To those who wish they were here...

I have a sunburn. *devious grin*

Time to Go Home

The end needs to come now. Two days ago I found myself crawling on the dining hall floor vacuuming under the tables only to find myself later that day crawling through the underworld translating Plato. Last night I walked through the middle of a water fight and somehow managed to stay dry. I understand a professor when he describes someone using Greek and don't understand my own boyfriend when he tells me in English what his plans are for the evening. Then this morning I come to find that there is a pillow for ransom in the Red Hill dorm.

Bugs and Aristotle

Ha! Wow it has been a long time since I have posted. I am still alive. I've been busy with school and going home for spring break where I got all my wisdom teeth out. That was awful and I'm not fully healed yet. But that is old news.

More recently I've been working to become better at Greek. I'm currently really horrible at it and I want to be able to move on to Greek III next fall. Yesterday's class was what I felt was a rite of passage. We sight translated Aristotle. Of course this required some serious guidance/help from Dr. Smith and the notes provided by the text (and I think that the passage is slightly adapted, but I don't think very much at all) and the bit of work I had done ahead of time to learn the vocab in the passage that I didn't know very well, but it was a rite of passage and a sight translation just the same. I was all excited as I made my preparations during lunch, like I was anticipating a great event. Aesop is child's play. Thucydides is for the easily entertained. But Aristotle, Aristotle changed my life. When I got to class I found that no one else seemed to view it quite the same, they were terrified. I was too, and had more right to be so probably than most in the class, but I was terrified more in the awstruck way. I went first. I translated one clause. Not even one sentence. It was rough. But when I was finished and remembered having read that clause in philosophy class early this semester, I was satisfied. I may be one of the worst, but I am a Greek literate. cairw gar!

Yesterday ended in excitement. I found a tick on me. I found out today that it was a deer tick. Soooo, there is a chance I'll catch Lyme Disease, though not very much since I think I only got it yesterday afternoon. It makes for an exciting life though.

Today philosophy class was awsome. And I wasn't the only one who thought so. A number of people seemed to leave all charged up and glad with the world of thinking. We are studying Keirkegaard, and while I don't think anyone agrees with him and many of us don't agree with each other on how to disagree with him, he facilitates great discussion. So that was fun. I think I have also picked one thing I would like to write on for my Directed Research and Writing projects: "The Natural State of Man: Polis or State of Nature?" Much hinges on the question, not just political theories (as we are seeing in Keirkegaard). Dr. Mitchell was proud to hear that I am nearly a convert to his Aristotelian thinking. Fare well Mr. Locke!

I have a speech to write and Greek to translate. So I am ending this blog now.

Now Presenting...Who Am I?

Yes, at long last I'm getting around to it. And gosh now when I actually tell you what it was all about its going to seem like a big let down. Well maybe not. I couldn't tell you. So here is what happened:

I was standing inside a big white tent they had set up outside Union Station to use to send all the guests through security. It was somewhat decorated inside complete with lights, trees, and a red carpet and it had some heaters. I had stationed myself near the main entrance for the event, barely still in the tent, and at a point where the red carpet had run out (actually it hadn't really, but they just didn't roll out the other one to make it extend the whole way). I was in my formal gown (yes, complete with wool socks), but I did have a nice big wool coat to keep me somewhat warm. Zac was at the door, opening it for the guests. I was smiling and saying things like "good evening" to people as they walked past me.

For much of the time there was this guy in a red beanie and tan trench coat standing across from me in the tent. He did not seem to be a volunteer, I assumed he was a paid someone with some job. He did not talk to the people as they went by, and in fact made but a scarce few attempts at being welcoming. We exchanged a few friendly words, mostly related to the cold.

As the guests walked by I noticed that some groups (and perhaps some individuals, I don't really remember) were escorted by two men at the front and one at the rear, all three with a distinct look about them and a transparent earpiece (think Matrix). I immediately recognized them as Secret Service agents. Or at least I thought I did. But of course I could not be sure. After a few of these entourages walked by and my curiosity could not be sated (not to mention the anxst that comes from standing across from someone and saying too little), I got up my courage to ask the Guy in the Red Beanie (GitRB) about them. (the following conversation is obviously not word for word, but this pretty much how it went, no intentional embellishments) I leaned forward, looking painfully conspicuous and yelled a whisper.

Me: Are all people wearing the earpieces Secret Service agents?
GitRB: *leans in as if to share a secret, lifts his beanie a little bit exposing one of those same sort of earpieces* You mean like this?
Me: Oh! Ha ha. That answers my question. I guess not.
GitRB: Why do you say that?
Me: Well obviously you aren't a Secret Service agent.
GitRB: Really. What makes you say that.
Me: *laughs really obnoxiously* You totally aren't one.
GitRB: Yes I am.
Me: *laughing* No, you so are not.
GitRB: What makes you think I'm not?
Me: You are wearing a red beanie! Secret Service agents don't wear red beanies.
GitRB: They don't?
Me: No. *laughs* And you so do not look like one.
GitRB: Well I am.
Me: Come on! Be serious! You so are not a Secret Service agent.
GitRB: What does this say? *references his credentials handing around his neck* (they looked almost identical to mine, except...)
Me: *reading* S-e-c-r-e-t S-e-r-v-i-c-e. Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I'm so embarrassed! How embarrassing!
GitRB: *laughing*
Me: What are you doing wearing a red beanie!?
GitRB: I was cold.

Hobnobbing

Last night I volunteered at the Candlelight Dinner #1 at Union Station for the inauguration. This past week D.C. has been crazy with one even after another. I only worked/attended this one, but it gave a good taste of the frenzied fun.

I heard a rumor that this dinner was only for those that had donated over $100,000 to the Republican Party. I also heard that it was $2,500 a ticket, though I am sure that it varied depending upon which table since some were definately better situated than others. Whether or not these rumors were true, it is true that some very rich people were there. I do wish I knew more faces because I probably said "hi" to about a hundred important people without knowing it.

My job was to stand outside under the red carpet tent and greet people. It was easy to spot the Texans. It was very cold and I was dressed in an evening gown. I improved my situation in three ways. (1) I was wearing a wool coat. (2) I wore dark gray wool socks with my open toed strappy dress shoes. And if you did not think that was a fashion statement I finished it off with (3) pink long underwear pants. Probably no one at the dinner saw the long underwear, though I know many in the Metro did. I can safely assume many people saw my socks. But what does it matter, I attended for free and they had to pay a lot of money.

My job was done pretty much at the time that the event started. The President arrived so we rushed inside so that we wouldn't get locked outside when they locked down the building. After that all that was left was to enjoy the event. Since we were in black tie (we meaning Zac and I), we were able to be inside with all the guests. Really the only thing we couldn't do was eat the food and sit at the tables. But there were other chairs around and enough standing room to be able to spend your time in the main area. Upstairs there was a volunteer room where we could hang out and eat volunteer food (which was actually really good). A few people spoke. The ones I recognized were the President and the Vice President.

I came home with a few mementos. An orange rose from one of the centerpieces (which btw, the place was decorated beautifully), a program, and my "credentials". Hopefully my pictures will turn out. I was definately a great time. Probably mostly because in many ways it felt like attending for real instead of volunteering.

Next time: "Who Am I?"

In a Hurry

I know it probably doesn't seem like it since I'm blogging, but actually I'm waiting for my tea to cool. It tastes like chlorine because I ran out of bottled water and haven't yet received my water filter, so it was made with water straight from the tap. Gross. It snowed last night and now there is a thin layer of snow on a lot of the ground. In a few minutes I'm going shopping. I have to get an evening dress for the presidential inauguration "candelight dinner #1" which is black tie and I'm working at it so I have to be in black tie also. This tea is terrible. It tastes like its going to poison me. Its really really cold outside. I've been having to bundle up like crazy. About the only thing left of me that is visible is my eyes. I never thought much about cold foreheads. I should go put my shoes on.

Revenge

Whoever bought the $29.55 rhetoric book off textbookX.com has it coming to them.