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SWF seeks ???: Katharine Magary, 19, student in Pasadena. Likes beach walks at sunset, sing-song poetry, constructed languages and geology. INTP. Foot mutant and keeper of the Devil's Haircut. Will not pay your rent on minimum wage.
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email: email
AIM: pailblusea
ICQ: 12670431
Y!: durlomiel
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tiistai, huhtikuu 30
I'll learn to be a dwarf
I'm trying to figure out how to apply for classes at City College. I want to learn metalworking, because it's interesting, and the classes there are cheap. It'll give me something to do this summer besides sit on my butt and go to work. Anyway, maybe I'll do that if I can figure this thing out...
Yessir.
I'm trying to figure out how to apply for classes at City College. I want to learn metalworking, because it's interesting, and the classes there are cheap. It'll give me something to do this summer besides sit on my butt and go to work. Anyway, maybe I'll do that if I can figure this thing out...
Yessir.
maanantai, huhtikuu 29
Things to do when you're bored
What makes me mad is knowing that even after I wasted a few hours sitting in the sun and reading in Berkeley, and then having the researcher not show up for what would be the last RPP hour I'd have to do, I'll probably have to do three more hours now if the grad student gets annoyed at me for signing up for a "special" time, waiting for half an hour, and then giving up. I just can't help it if I find the prospects of standing alone in Tolman disturbing. I just don't like that building. It's the only building in Berkeley that I dislike that much, for good reason. The thing is huge, with a zillion halls in which to get lost, and the only other person I've ever seen besides the ancient department hippie-secretary-dude is this one grad student who was giving a survey one time. You'd think that with that many rooms, there would be more people walking around, but no. The corridors are long, narrow, and unfriendly, and you hear people and equipment that you never see.
I'm really sick of high school, nonetheless. I just need to take the stupid AP tests (which don't count for anything) so I don't have to work anymore, and then go to prom, graduate, and leave. Recently more and more things have made me want to leave. First off, just because I'm paranoid doesn't necessarily mean Dr. Hill isn't out to kill me. I've heard such rumors. Meanwhile, every time I see certain newspaper editors who are in my reg and english class, I want to bang my head very hard against the wall. At a certain point, adament protesting against things that everyone knows about already become obnoxious. Like when one holds up a sign before English calling for everyone to boycott A&F, which I agree is a reasonable enough cause, but then reminding everyone again and again to do so because of their racist policies as if we haven't heard enough in the last 10 days....well, we may be dumb high school students, but honestly, we're not that dense.
Speaking of density and my brain, I've really got to do something about my absent-mindedness and lack of responsibility. I can't very well go around tattooing reminders to myself on my body, but I need to be able to log things into my long-term memory and then recall them a few hours later. Is it that hard? Probably not, but the ability still eludes me. Hints gladly accepted.
What makes me mad is knowing that even after I wasted a few hours sitting in the sun and reading in Berkeley, and then having the researcher not show up for what would be the last RPP hour I'd have to do, I'll probably have to do three more hours now if the grad student gets annoyed at me for signing up for a "special" time, waiting for half an hour, and then giving up. I just can't help it if I find the prospects of standing alone in Tolman disturbing. I just don't like that building. It's the only building in Berkeley that I dislike that much, for good reason. The thing is huge, with a zillion halls in which to get lost, and the only other person I've ever seen besides the ancient department hippie-secretary-dude is this one grad student who was giving a survey one time. You'd think that with that many rooms, there would be more people walking around, but no. The corridors are long, narrow, and unfriendly, and you hear people and equipment that you never see.
I'm really sick of high school, nonetheless. I just need to take the stupid AP tests (which don't count for anything) so I don't have to work anymore, and then go to prom, graduate, and leave. Recently more and more things have made me want to leave. First off, just because I'm paranoid doesn't necessarily mean Dr. Hill isn't out to kill me. I've heard such rumors. Meanwhile, every time I see certain newspaper editors who are in my reg and english class, I want to bang my head very hard against the wall. At a certain point, adament protesting against things that everyone knows about already become obnoxious. Like when one holds up a sign before English calling for everyone to boycott A&F, which I agree is a reasonable enough cause, but then reminding everyone again and again to do so because of their racist policies as if we haven't heard enough in the last 10 days....well, we may be dumb high school students, but honestly, we're not that dense.
Speaking of density and my brain, I've really got to do something about my absent-mindedness and lack of responsibility. I can't very well go around tattooing reminders to myself on my body, but I need to be able to log things into my long-term memory and then recall them a few hours later. Is it that hard? Probably not, but the ability still eludes me. Hints gladly accepted.
sunnuntai, huhtikuu 28
All your base are...scratch that
Today was ourclass laser tag event. I really like the game, mind you. It gets my adrenaline pumping and stuff, because you know there's some sort of primal instinct in me that likes shoot-em-ups, whether FPS games or strategic laser warfare. However, of the four games my team of 15 played, we lost all but one, because we didn't work well with non-automatics. We were the only all-girl team, and most of us had only played once, if ever before. (Last time I played was in an every-person-for-herself game at Great America, which ad a very different setup than QZar.) Anyway, it was fun all the same, even when we got trounced 500 to 13 in the last round. My hit accuracy was always second or third on the team, and my point score positive, at least.
There's just something about those flashing strobe lights, the loud and tacky techno music, the glowing tracks on the walls, the ducking behind barriers, the scratchy, alien-sounding voices coming from the guns that makes playing fun.
Today was ourclass laser tag event. I really like the game, mind you. It gets my adrenaline pumping and stuff, because you know there's some sort of primal instinct in me that likes shoot-em-ups, whether FPS games or strategic laser warfare. However, of the four games my team of 15 played, we lost all but one, because we didn't work well with non-automatics. We were the only all-girl team, and most of us had only played once, if ever before. (Last time I played was in an every-person-for-herself game at Great America, which ad a very different setup than QZar.) Anyway, it was fun all the same, even when we got trounced 500 to 13 in the last round. My hit accuracy was always second or third on the team, and my point score positive, at least.
There's just something about those flashing strobe lights, the loud and tacky techno music, the glowing tracks on the walls, the ducking behind barriers, the scratchy, alien-sounding voices coming from the guns that makes playing fun.
lauantai, huhtikuu 27
A dozen, a gross, and a score..
Yesterday Nancy informed me that I would be going to the Bay Area Math Meet. She actually told me this a few weeks earlier, but I thought I would be in Chicago at the time, something which later turned out not to be true. So I had very little time to get my head screwed on straight for today. I had to get up at the crazy time of 6:30am, something which I am very unused to on weekends. (I was very tired on Friday since I had gone to bed late, my sister woke me up just after I had fallen asleep to ask if I wanted the bathroom, and my father was sick all through the night, and then I got up earlier than usual. All Friday I was like a zombie.)
The contest wasn't bad. I enjoyed it more than the Stanford one. For one thing, it was at USF, so I didn't have to spend a long time in the car. I also liked the format better, and there wasn't such an overwhelming presence by the peninsula schools that always end up kicking our asses. Nancy gave me a ride there, and we searched for parking for a while, getting lost on all the one-way streets and partial cul-de-sacs in the area. I got free grub and goodies; that's enough to keep me coming to these events, even though I never do well as an individual. Our team, Lowell B, did okay in the first two rounds. (In the second, though, we kept making Dumb Mistakes of the worst possible kind. I was making them the whole time, but usually Herman ignored me, a good idea.)
I did like the games, though. (Remember, the word "fun" is in functionary!)
Yesterday Nancy informed me that I would be going to the Bay Area Math Meet. She actually told me this a few weeks earlier, but I thought I would be in Chicago at the time, something which later turned out not to be true. So I had very little time to get my head screwed on straight for today. I had to get up at the crazy time of 6:30am, something which I am very unused to on weekends. (I was very tired on Friday since I had gone to bed late, my sister woke me up just after I had fallen asleep to ask if I wanted the bathroom, and my father was sick all through the night, and then I got up earlier than usual. All Friday I was like a zombie.)
The contest wasn't bad. I enjoyed it more than the Stanford one. For one thing, it was at USF, so I didn't have to spend a long time in the car. I also liked the format better, and there wasn't such an overwhelming presence by the peninsula schools that always end up kicking our asses. Nancy gave me a ride there, and we searched for parking for a while, getting lost on all the one-way streets and partial cul-de-sacs in the area. I got free grub and goodies; that's enough to keep me coming to these events, even though I never do well as an individual. Our team, Lowell B, did okay in the first two rounds. (In the second, though, we kept making Dumb Mistakes of the worst possible kind. I was making them the whole time, but usually Herman ignored me, a good idea.)
I did like the games, though. (Remember, the word "fun" is in functionary!)
perjantai, huhtikuu 26
Thursday's gone
I talked to Becca-- she seems genuinely happy about going to Stanford. I'm happy for her too, because at first when she found out about having to go there, she really didn't want to, especially because she seems to have a fear of punk bands, but now she went and didn't wear a sweatshirt and had a lot of fun. Meanwhile, Andrea's still trying to decide where to go-- she really enjoyed Cornell, and so it's a hard choice for her. I keep telling all my friends who are going to school in that area that I want to come visit. (Since I never managed to see the schools I meant to visit this week.)
Today was Kermesse. My last one. I can't say it was much better than in any past years, with the one exception being a line that was of a reasonable length at the French Club booth-- who wants to wait for half an hour to get crepes? Not me. After school I worked at the gymnastics meet so I could get some mods for S&S. I haven't been to any meets this year except that one. It's weird, not being manager anymore. I don't have to do all the dirty work, boss all the other volunteers around, deal with computer issues...etc. I don't have to know everyone's name. I just sat at the beam and ran scores, kept time, cheered people on. Talked to the judge for a while about college; she was an application reader for Berkeley and was interested to hear that I wanted to go back for grad school even though I had experienced life there already. A lot of people are surprised that I like Cal so much, even having gone there. I really do, even though some people are unhappy about having to go there next year. I wouldn't consider it a bad choice, but that's me. (I've actually come to like it more and more recently.)
I talked to Becca-- she seems genuinely happy about going to Stanford. I'm happy for her too, because at first when she found out about having to go there, she really didn't want to, especially because she seems to have a fear of punk bands, but now she went and didn't wear a sweatshirt and had a lot of fun. Meanwhile, Andrea's still trying to decide where to go-- she really enjoyed Cornell, and so it's a hard choice for her. I keep telling all my friends who are going to school in that area that I want to come visit. (Since I never managed to see the schools I meant to visit this week.)
Today was Kermesse. My last one. I can't say it was much better than in any past years, with the one exception being a line that was of a reasonable length at the French Club booth-- who wants to wait for half an hour to get crepes? Not me. After school I worked at the gymnastics meet so I could get some mods for S&S. I haven't been to any meets this year except that one. It's weird, not being manager anymore. I don't have to do all the dirty work, boss all the other volunteers around, deal with computer issues...etc. I don't have to know everyone's name. I just sat at the beam and ran scores, kept time, cheered people on. Talked to the judge for a while about college; she was an application reader for Berkeley and was interested to hear that I wanted to go back for grad school even though I had experienced life there already. A lot of people are surprised that I like Cal so much, even having gone there. I really do, even though some people are unhappy about having to go there next year. I wouldn't consider it a bad choice, but that's me. (I've actually come to like it more and more recently.)
keskiviikko, huhtikuu 24
Many meetings
Does the administration want to waste our time or do they really think we haven't seen enough videos about not drinking and driving? Whatever it is, something kept me in that auditorium for an hour and a half both yesterday and today. I guess it was because I needed extra tickets for graduation. O yes, I am the logical one.
The thing that bothers me most about all this is that even though I spent "time and effort" learning the Lowell hymn, now Schmidt's gone and asked for us to learn a new one. Or a different one, at least. I don't care how old and alive this class of '28 guy is, but his melody really sucks, and the song ends on a bad note (no pun intended). And lyrics should not end with "all hail our alma mater dear. All hail!" because it's very awkward. Even I, as a relatively poetically challenged, unmusical high school senior, know that. Bah.
Does the administration want to waste our time or do they really think we haven't seen enough videos about not drinking and driving? Whatever it is, something kept me in that auditorium for an hour and a half both yesterday and today. I guess it was because I needed extra tickets for graduation. O yes, I am the logical one.
The thing that bothers me most about all this is that even though I spent "time and effort" learning the Lowell hymn, now Schmidt's gone and asked for us to learn a new one. Or a different one, at least. I don't care how old and alive this class of '28 guy is, but his melody really sucks, and the song ends on a bad note (no pun intended). And lyrics should not end with "all hail our alma mater dear. All hail!" because it's very awkward. Even I, as a relatively poetically challenged, unmusical high school senior, know that. Bah.
tiistai, huhtikuu 23
Embarrassments
For some reason, my mother sent our family Christmas letter to Burkes, and then they took excerpts of that and put it, much to my chagrin, in the KDB. These are lovely little statements that my mother wrote bragging about my sister's and my own accomplishments of the last year, much to impress the relatives. Needless to say, it's not something I wanted published in the alumnae newsletter. There was also a joyous little picture of my family at Karin's graduation included-- she's about three inches taller than me. My plan (after graduating from middle school with a reputation as a complete dork who may have been a cult member and had little hope of succeeding socially) was to wait a few years, maybe until I was 35, and then show up at a reunion in some way that would really impress the people of whom I was unfond. You know, maybe I'd be a professional nerd, but at least I'd be slightly more attractive (with a better haircut) and have some inkling of a social life. I mean, maybe I'd even be married.
Obviously this wouldn't work if by the time I was a junior in high school, I was just as homely (if not more so), just as dorky but unaccomplished, and just as socially inept? I don't have alumnae notes about making my debut in Paris, or being sighted in some designer boutique, and I'm certainly not in any important gossip columns. Not that I want to be, but part of me wants something to gloat about. I left Burkes as a very bitter and shallow person, and I hate to admit it, but I still am.
Maybe I should see a therapist or something. Obviously four years of brooding has done absolutely nothing for my reputation or personality. Or appearance.
But I'm not as short as I appeared in the photo! No, really. I have grown five inches in high school, though no one would think that from looking at pictures.
For some reason, my mother sent our family Christmas letter to Burkes, and then they took excerpts of that and put it, much to my chagrin, in the KDB. These are lovely little statements that my mother wrote bragging about my sister's and my own accomplishments of the last year, much to impress the relatives. Needless to say, it's not something I wanted published in the alumnae newsletter. There was also a joyous little picture of my family at Karin's graduation included-- she's about three inches taller than me. My plan (after graduating from middle school with a reputation as a complete dork who may have been a cult member and had little hope of succeeding socially) was to wait a few years, maybe until I was 35, and then show up at a reunion in some way that would really impress the people of whom I was unfond. You know, maybe I'd be a professional nerd, but at least I'd be slightly more attractive (with a better haircut) and have some inkling of a social life. I mean, maybe I'd even be married.
Obviously this wouldn't work if by the time I was a junior in high school, I was just as homely (if not more so), just as dorky but unaccomplished, and just as socially inept? I don't have alumnae notes about making my debut in Paris, or being sighted in some designer boutique, and I'm certainly not in any important gossip columns. Not that I want to be, but part of me wants something to gloat about. I left Burkes as a very bitter and shallow person, and I hate to admit it, but I still am.
Maybe I should see a therapist or something. Obviously four years of brooding has done absolutely nothing for my reputation or personality. Or appearance.
But I'm not as short as I appeared in the photo! No, really. I have grown five inches in high school, though no one would think that from looking at pictures.
I am a grouch
More things that get on my nerves:
More things that get on my nerves:
- When people really like video game soundtracks
- Cutesy actions that people on MU*s do eg. "snugglepoofs", "hugsqueezes", "nodnods" and such.
- Guides and helpers that don't know what they're doing.
- The brownies in any kind of ice cream. They usually taste like permanent marker ink. Not that I'd know..
- E&M
- Creed. Why are they on every radio station? All the time?
- Standardized tests
- Class meetings
maanantai, huhtikuu 22
It's a glorious day
The weather really affects my attitude. The sun today made me want to scream with joy. I was trying to make my way through the throng waiting for free ice cream at the Ben and Jerry's on Oxford and it was warm and the sun shone and everything was bright and happy. Jeez. Can someone remind me of this next year? This burden has been lifted. (You'd think that it was worse than the application process or god forbid, the wait.)
I repeat, remind me of this next year when I'm bitter from being overworked.
I also need to learn how to not be a bitch. I need lessons quickly. I'm afraid I overreacted to something small that was pissing me off earlier today. Meredith just asked me for an answer to some problem that I was working on, and I hadn't finished...I proceeded to rant about being interrupted, and it was more in reaction to something that had occurred during calculus and had nothing to do with her. I feel kind of stupid and bad for doing that. Get a grip, Kate.
Last Thursday when I was meeting my group at the airport this guy came up to me. "Hey," he said. "Are you in this Caltech group? You look familiar." I peered at him, because he looked equally so. "Hey, are you in the Cal honors program?" he asked me. I nodded. Then I realized that he was this guy I had sat next to for all of last semester in my climate change class. He told me he was also in the program and in that class. It turns out that we both thought the other person was a regular student there. Odd.
The weather really affects my attitude. The sun today made me want to scream with joy. I was trying to make my way through the throng waiting for free ice cream at the Ben and Jerry's on Oxford and it was warm and the sun shone and everything was bright and happy. Jeez. Can someone remind me of this next year? This burden has been lifted. (You'd think that it was worse than the application process or god forbid, the wait.)
I repeat, remind me of this next year when I'm bitter from being overworked.
I also need to learn how to not be a bitch. I need lessons quickly. I'm afraid I overreacted to something small that was pissing me off earlier today. Meredith just asked me for an answer to some problem that I was working on, and I hadn't finished...I proceeded to rant about being interrupted, and it was more in reaction to something that had occurred during calculus and had nothing to do with her. I feel kind of stupid and bad for doing that. Get a grip, Kate.
Last Thursday when I was meeting my group at the airport this guy came up to me. "Hey," he said. "Are you in this Caltech group? You look familiar." I peered at him, because he looked equally so. "Hey, are you in the Cal honors program?" he asked me. I nodded. Then I realized that he was this guy I had sat next to for all of last semester in my climate change class. He told me he was also in the program and in that class. It turns out that we both thought the other person was a regular student there. Odd.
sunnuntai, huhtikuu 21
Pull me out of the aircrash
I have cancelled the rest of my trip. I don't want to go anymore. But at least it's for a good reason. Despite all the people telling me that their life there is hard and they're bitter, I just couldn't resist. So as soon as I sign that little piece of paper, I will have sold my soul to the California Institute of Technology. Hey, I can't not go, because I've already bought a sweatshirt.
I had a great time during prefrosh weekend. Everyone there was cool with a few exceptions, and I didn't feel as socially inept as I really am. Maybe it's true, what Dario told me, that when you have all those nerds all in one place, everyone gets bumped up a notch or two. Anywhere else I'd be afraid of people, but that just didn't happen. The campus was extremely well-manicured and I liked the trees a lot. The parties were odd. I met too many people. (On Thursday, Bryan found me and introduced me to what seemed like the entire senior class as we wandered around campus.)
More to come.
I have cancelled the rest of my trip. I don't want to go anymore. But at least it's for a good reason. Despite all the people telling me that their life there is hard and they're bitter, I just couldn't resist. So as soon as I sign that little piece of paper, I will have sold my soul to the California Institute of Technology. Hey, I can't not go, because I've already bought a sweatshirt.
I had a great time during prefrosh weekend. Everyone there was cool with a few exceptions, and I didn't feel as socially inept as I really am. Maybe it's true, what Dario told me, that when you have all those nerds all in one place, everyone gets bumped up a notch or two. Anywhere else I'd be afraid of people, but that just didn't happen. The campus was extremely well-manicured and I liked the trees a lot. The parties were odd. I met too many people. (On Thursday, Bryan found me and introduced me to what seemed like the entire senior class as we wandered around campus.)
More to come.
keskiviikko, huhtikuu 17
I've got to go
I'll be in and out of the city with/out net access for the next week and a half or so. Tomorrow at some ungodly hour I'm leaving for Pasadena, and then on Monday I'm going to Chicago --> Boston --> Ithaca and then rewind.
I don't know. Just leave me alone.
I'll be in and out of the city with/out net access for the next week and a half or so. Tomorrow at some ungodly hour I'm leaving for Pasadena, and then on Monday I'm going to Chicago --> Boston --> Ithaca and then rewind.
I don't know. Just leave me alone.
maanantai, huhtikuu 15
Opinions, what do I care?
Okay, now I regret ever having started my poll on where I should go to college. First of all, it's turned out to be a four-way tie, just about, and too many people tack on a few lines of advice. My mothers corworker: "She should go to Caltech. I had one son go to UCLA and then to medical school on the other coast, and my other one went to Harvard and then moved to LA, and it's better to do the West Coast first. Then she'll be closer to home during times of crisis." (What this has to do with me, I don't know.)
Meanwhile, my lovely alma mater is soliciting information on the same matter and giving me the same May 1 deadline. As if it isn't enough that my decision must be in the hands of college C by then, leaving me approximately 24 hours after my return to SF to array my choices, weigh and balance the relative utilities of each opportunity, etc...but now someone else wants to know, or I won't be in the alumnae newsletter or something. I'll be the one with N/A next to her name.
On that note, I can't believe that at least two members of my class want to go back to women's colleges. Hanna's mom called earlier to talk to my father, and she said Hanna is thinking heavily (much to her father's chagrin) about being an art major at Scripps. Her other choice is Pomona, Julie, so y'all could see each other again. And then Gena's going to Smith. What posesses these people...I don't know. But I hear Hanna doesn't really like guys at this age; they're disgusting in their sanitary habits, leaving crap all over the bathroom and such. Maybe in having a brother she'd know. I wouldn't.
Okay, now I regret ever having started my poll on where I should go to college. First of all, it's turned out to be a four-way tie, just about, and too many people tack on a few lines of advice. My mothers corworker: "She should go to Caltech. I had one son go to UCLA and then to medical school on the other coast, and my other one went to Harvard and then moved to LA, and it's better to do the West Coast first. Then she'll be closer to home during times of crisis." (What this has to do with me, I don't know.)
Meanwhile, my lovely alma mater is soliciting information on the same matter and giving me the same May 1 deadline. As if it isn't enough that my decision must be in the hands of college C by then, leaving me approximately 24 hours after my return to SF to array my choices, weigh and balance the relative utilities of each opportunity, etc...but now someone else wants to know, or I won't be in the alumnae newsletter or something. I'll be the one with N/A next to her name.
On that note, I can't believe that at least two members of my class want to go back to women's colleges. Hanna's mom called earlier to talk to my father, and she said Hanna is thinking heavily (much to her father's chagrin) about being an art major at Scripps. Her other choice is Pomona, Julie, so y'all could see each other again. And then Gena's going to Smith. What posesses these people...I don't know. But I hear Hanna doesn't really like guys at this age; they're disgusting in their sanitary habits, leaving crap all over the bathroom and such. Maybe in having a brother she'd know. I wouldn't.
The bardic waitress
So last week I finally got a job on Elendor, after about five weeks of waiting. Now I'm a waitress. It just so happens that on this same day, I had posted a message to the Bards mailer with a filk I wrote when I was bored. You can read that here. Randel says to me, "You should be our town poet" but I humbly said no. I only write bad and silly poetry, which doesn't fit the meter nor rhymes well. I will write another econ poem soon, as I'm being offered credit for doing so. Plus I spontaneously offered this gem of a song during math today:
A B C df/dt
Calculus drives me crazy
I'm getting to be a regular Shakespeare.
So last week I finally got a job on Elendor, after about five weeks of waiting. Now I'm a waitress. It just so happens that on this same day, I had posted a message to the Bards mailer with a filk I wrote when I was bored. You can read that here. Randel says to me, "You should be our town poet" but I humbly said no. I only write bad and silly poetry, which doesn't fit the meter nor rhymes well. I will write another econ poem soon, as I'm being offered credit for doing so. Plus I spontaneously offered this gem of a song during math today:
A B C df/dt
Calculus drives me crazy
I'm getting to be a regular Shakespeare.
sunnuntai, huhtikuu 14
Blogger's block
Imelda and I seem to be experiencing the same thing recently.
Notes:
Have found the perfect prom dress. (I was shopping with Diane on Thursday and we decided to try on dresses. She discarded one, saying it looked like a curtain, but it was in my size and I tried it on. It's really pretty and I actually look decent in it, or so I'm told. But I'm not going to spend that much money unless I have the proper company for this event.) Now I just need to find a date. Now accepting applications.
I've also just gotten a really great pair of shoes.
Imelda and I seem to be experiencing the same thing recently.
Notes:
Have found the perfect prom dress. (I was shopping with Diane on Thursday and we decided to try on dresses. She discarded one, saying it looked like a curtain, but it was in my size and I tried it on. It's really pretty and I actually look decent in it, or so I'm told. But I'm not going to spend that much money unless I have the proper company for this event.) Now I just need to find a date. Now accepting applications.
I've also just gotten a really great pair of shoes.
lauantai, huhtikuu 13
Roadkill
I was in Death Valley with my mother and some other female friend. We were at a road junction, next to an oasis, and the roads split, one leading to the Furnace Creek Inn (a nice resort hotel) and the other to Badwater, lowest point in the hemisphere. She stopped on the side of the road because her friend Carolyn was following and needed instructions or advice on where to go.
Upon entering the car, she told me we were leaving the valley and going back to San Francisco. "Now," she said. "We have to get back by tonight. Let's put the pedal to the metal." I looked down. We were no longer in a car, but on bicycles. "What are you waiting for?" she asked. "South we go."
(Death Valley is not to the north, but evidently it was in this dream. It lay somewhere between Eureka and Shasta.)
We began to pedal south, passing through redwood forests and shady glades as we got out of the heat. At one point, we took a turnoff. "A shortcut," she told me. We went down a steep hill and then onto a dirt road through a park where there were frolicking picnickers. The path narrowed between some rocks, and then we got caught in a rural traffic jam behind a bunch of cars. "This just won't work," my mother demanded, and took a turnoff. Suddenly there we were, crossing the ranch of Don Johnson somewhere in Napa.
His vineyards were unguarded, but then we came to his house and driveway, where he was loading balloons into a van. "Hey, get off my land!" he yelled. We stopped and apologized, then continued on down the road, avoiding the car pile-up behind us. Soon enough we came to a large river that flowed next to the rainbow tunnel (does this have a name? Is it the Waldo tunnel or something? The one in Marin just after the bridge.) in that valley. We got off our bikes and onto inner tubes and jumped in. There were others with the same idea. At the bottom of the hill, the river quickly went down an artificial slope and into a giant tunnel, under the bay, I presume. At this point it became chlorinated and stuff. Through the tunnel we floated, and at the end, we got off our tubes and went to change in a large, impersonal dressing room with a loud ventilation system.
The next thing I knew, we were at home. I got in the car with my mother again to practice driving, and we were to go to West Portal. On Kirkham going toward 7th, I skidded to a halt, for in the middle of the street there was an enormous alligator. I waited for it to cross, and then a few blocks later, I almost hit another one, this one even bigger, just sunbathing in the middle of the street. Finally, just before I was about to turn, I actually did hit one. It dented the car, and this thing was huge, almost as wide as the street. "This is crazy," I muttered. "These things are carnivorous as hell. They're going to eat the cats." The law of the animal was almost around the front of the car, so I went into reverse and backed out, before driving home and making sure the cats were inside.
I was in Death Valley with my mother and some other female friend. We were at a road junction, next to an oasis, and the roads split, one leading to the Furnace Creek Inn (a nice resort hotel) and the other to Badwater, lowest point in the hemisphere. She stopped on the side of the road because her friend Carolyn was following and needed instructions or advice on where to go.
Upon entering the car, she told me we were leaving the valley and going back to San Francisco. "Now," she said. "We have to get back by tonight. Let's put the pedal to the metal." I looked down. We were no longer in a car, but on bicycles. "What are you waiting for?" she asked. "South we go."
(Death Valley is not to the north, but evidently it was in this dream. It lay somewhere between Eureka and Shasta.)
We began to pedal south, passing through redwood forests and shady glades as we got out of the heat. At one point, we took a turnoff. "A shortcut," she told me. We went down a steep hill and then onto a dirt road through a park where there were frolicking picnickers. The path narrowed between some rocks, and then we got caught in a rural traffic jam behind a bunch of cars. "This just won't work," my mother demanded, and took a turnoff. Suddenly there we were, crossing the ranch of Don Johnson somewhere in Napa.
His vineyards were unguarded, but then we came to his house and driveway, where he was loading balloons into a van. "Hey, get off my land!" he yelled. We stopped and apologized, then continued on down the road, avoiding the car pile-up behind us. Soon enough we came to a large river that flowed next to the rainbow tunnel (does this have a name? Is it the Waldo tunnel or something? The one in Marin just after the bridge.) in that valley. We got off our bikes and onto inner tubes and jumped in. There were others with the same idea. At the bottom of the hill, the river quickly went down an artificial slope and into a giant tunnel, under the bay, I presume. At this point it became chlorinated and stuff. Through the tunnel we floated, and at the end, we got off our tubes and went to change in a large, impersonal dressing room with a loud ventilation system.
The next thing I knew, we were at home. I got in the car with my mother again to practice driving, and we were to go to West Portal. On Kirkham going toward 7th, I skidded to a halt, for in the middle of the street there was an enormous alligator. I waited for it to cross, and then a few blocks later, I almost hit another one, this one even bigger, just sunbathing in the middle of the street. Finally, just before I was about to turn, I actually did hit one. It dented the car, and this thing was huge, almost as wide as the street. "This is crazy," I muttered. "These things are carnivorous as hell. They're going to eat the cats." The law of the animal was almost around the front of the car, so I went into reverse and backed out, before driving home and making sure the cats were inside.
keskiviikko, huhtikuu 10
A very merry birthday
So far I have received the following:
I have to learn to drive now. My sister's going to driver's ed, so we can learn together. I've already tried to take lessons twice, but both times my permit failed to exist, or Mr. Lee, the one with the depressing life, cancelled.
So far I have received the following:
- cards
- money
- a visit in reg from some freshmen who gave me a present, squealed, threw crepe paper at me, took my picture, and took a reg picture, all just so they could see someone in my reg who they think is cute.
- a wrapped locker
- balloons
- beads
- a beaded disco ball curtain
- a calculus test
- 2 fillings, a swollen tongue, and a lisp from the dentist yesterday
I have to learn to drive now. My sister's going to driver's ed, so we can learn together. I've already tried to take lessons twice, but both times my permit failed to exist, or Mr. Lee, the one with the depressing life, cancelled.
maanantai, huhtikuu 8
P2P weblog review
“Mid-Twenties Breakdown--A period of mental collapse occurring in one's twenties, often caused by an inability to function outside of school or structured environments coupled with a realization of one's essential aloneness in the world. Often marks induction into the ritual of pharmaceutical usage."-Douglas Copeland
Thus quoted Gwensarah Macfarlane, author of “clouds like shadows pass”, a personal diary site. Her posts reflect this sentiment; most are about events that happen in her life and the stress surrounding them. Her journal is filled with introspective statements and ramblings about her personal life, which although normal (from what I’ve gathered), is intriguing after one learns the characters and gets hooked on the day-to-day occurrences, from raving to seeing movies with nephews. The entries are sporadic, updates occurring in spurts. This is less evident due to the design which has one entry per page, and since the entries are medium length to long, there is plenty to read.
Her site is centered around her journal, but another page features her favorite compilations and mix tapes. Music fans will want to check this out.
The design of the site is basic, but it leaves something to be desired in its formatting. The text is all on the right side of the screen with pictures and quotes filling up the left, and the color scheme unfortunately draws the eye to the pictures instead of the text. (Other than that, the colors are nice; purple and white.) The rest of the layout contains a basic text toolbar with links and a mood indicator.
weblog review
“Mid-Twenties Breakdown--A period of mental collapse occurring in one's twenties, often caused by an inability to function outside of school or structured environments coupled with a realization of one's essential aloneness in the world. Often marks induction into the ritual of pharmaceutical usage."-Douglas Copeland
Thus quoted Gwensarah Macfarlane, author of “clouds like shadows pass”, a personal diary site. Her posts reflect this sentiment; most are about events that happen in her life and the stress surrounding them. Her journal is filled with introspective statements and ramblings about her personal life, which although normal (from what I’ve gathered), is intriguing after one learns the characters and gets hooked on the day-to-day occurrences, from raving to seeing movies with nephews. The entries are sporadic, updates occurring in spurts. This is less evident due to the design which has one entry per page, and since the entries are medium length to long, there is plenty to read.
Her site is centered around her journal, but another page features her favorite compilations and mix tapes. Music fans will want to check this out.
The design of the site is basic, but it leaves something to be desired in its formatting. The text is all on the right side of the screen with pictures and quotes filling up the left, and the color scheme unfortunately draws the eye to the pictures instead of the text. (Other than that, the colors are nice; purple and white.) The rest of the layout contains a basic text toolbar with links and a mood indicator.
weblog review
sunnuntai, huhtikuu 7
Bad day
I have managed to piss off several dozen people.
And I was spaced out at work today and didn't do very well. Plus my trip is not going to happen this summer and I'll have nothing to do except do my little job which I still don't like and I have to learn to drive. I have to get my license before September. (That is my goal.)
I don't know where to go to college and I don't know what I'm going to do with my life. Dammit.
I have managed to piss off several dozen people.
And I was spaced out at work today and didn't do very well. Plus my trip is not going to happen this summer and I'll have nothing to do except do my little job which I still don't like and I have to learn to drive. I have to get my license before September. (That is my goal.)
I don't know where to go to college and I don't know what I'm going to do with my life. Dammit.
lauantai, huhtikuu 6
I am not a deity
Why does everyone think I know everything when I am only a high school senior? Friends ask me for my "expert scientific opinion" about things that no one knows. There's a difference between being able to do simple physics problems or having a discussion about things and being asked whether a certain planet would be able to support life or what would happen around a black hole or if someone had a certain mutation.
I am not Bill Nye the Science Guy. I am not Stephen Hawking. I will not answer your what-if questions, and you'd probably be better off doing your own research than expecting me to answer some question that no one has answered so far. And when I say "I don't know" it usually means just that, and also that I don't feel like being your personal Ask Jeeves right now.
Sorry, frustration caused by no one in particular. Just a buildup of annoying questions.
Why does everyone think I know everything when I am only a high school senior? Friends ask me for my "expert scientific opinion" about things that no one knows. There's a difference between being able to do simple physics problems or having a discussion about things and being asked whether a certain planet would be able to support life or what would happen around a black hole or if someone had a certain mutation.
I am not Bill Nye the Science Guy. I am not Stephen Hawking. I will not answer your what-if questions, and you'd probably be better off doing your own research than expecting me to answer some question that no one has answered so far. And when I say "I don't know" it usually means just that, and also that I don't feel like being your personal Ask Jeeves right now.
Sorry, frustration caused by no one in particular. Just a buildup of annoying questions.
The revenge of the faculty, part deux
So I hear Dr. H is particularly angry about certain comments made about him. He threatened to pull all Lowell applicants out of the SHARP program, which would be the epitome of nonexistent ethics.
The value of my high school diploma would drop considerably in my mind if he became department head.
So I hear Dr. H is particularly angry about certain comments made about him. He threatened to pull all Lowell applicants out of the SHARP program, which would be the epitome of nonexistent ethics.
The value of my high school diploma would drop considerably in my mind if he became department head.
On ratings
Earlier this week Lowell was registered on highschoolnation.com, a site where, among other things, students could rate and comment on their teachers. Today I tried to visit again and got the following message:
HighSchoolnation.com will be temporarily shut down, because some people are using it inappropriately.
In addition, the Lowell High School Administration has indicated that it will take action against me, if I don't correct these problems.
I am not proud of the people with whom I go to school. No, that's not true. I love my classmates, but when various people I don't know start to make death threats against teachers, it worries me. Do people know how to behave appropriately at all? Don't these people know that even on the internet, speech isn't free and is still subject to restrictions? Evidently not. We may have the highest test scores of any school in California, but that sure doesn't speak for common sense. If you want to swear about a teacher cathartically, do it in front of your friends in private, not online for everyone to see, because then the valid opinions of people who aren't feeling overwhelmed with anger get censored as well.
The problem with the site is that there was no moderation, just a small warning asking for posters to use discretion in posting comments, and that obviously didn't happen. The other problem was that the ratings were statistically skewed. When students voluntarily rate teachers, they don't systematically go back and remember every teacher they've had since summer school before freshman year; they tend to remember the ones they have personal vendettas against, or those who they worship. Even if a student takes time to rate more than his/her few favorite or unfavorite instructors, the comments will be those of the most vocal or opinionated students. (Hence the death threats.)
I think the students are grading the teachers surprisingly hard, even considering their average grading policy toward us. Last time I checked, there were only 6 or 7 in the whole school receiving As, and three of those were counselors, not teachers. Also, due to most people not knowing about the site, certain teachers got much higher grades than expected, especially if they told their students about the site or, as I suspect, gave incentives for high ratings. Some of the most popular teachers in the school somehow were below generally mediocre or unmemorable personalities. I don't know how the grade is calculated from the survey questions, but I guess there really are only a few good performers, a few stinkers, and the rest B and C teachers.
None of this is to say I followed my own advice. I did not use the site to flame; I've got my own telephone if I want to swear loudly about people I dislike. I delivered criticism and praise in the most descriptive way as I could, which isn't much considering they allowed only 5 lines of commentary. I rated mostly science and math teachers because I could form the most complete opinion of them; and then a few others, mainly ones I liked. I stayed away from rating the student government, even as my fingers itched to do such a thing. I suppose avoiding college with unsavory government characters is enough. (No, I'm not talking about Xi. She's improved.)
Earlier this week Lowell was registered on highschoolnation.com, a site where, among other things, students could rate and comment on their teachers. Today I tried to visit again and got the following message:
HighSchoolnation.com will be temporarily shut down, because some people are using it inappropriately.
In addition, the Lowell High School Administration has indicated that it will take action against me, if I don't correct these problems.
I am not proud of the people with whom I go to school. No, that's not true. I love my classmates, but when various people I don't know start to make death threats against teachers, it worries me. Do people know how to behave appropriately at all? Don't these people know that even on the internet, speech isn't free and is still subject to restrictions? Evidently not. We may have the highest test scores of any school in California, but that sure doesn't speak for common sense. If you want to swear about a teacher cathartically, do it in front of your friends in private, not online for everyone to see, because then the valid opinions of people who aren't feeling overwhelmed with anger get censored as well.
The problem with the site is that there was no moderation, just a small warning asking for posters to use discretion in posting comments, and that obviously didn't happen. The other problem was that the ratings were statistically skewed. When students voluntarily rate teachers, they don't systematically go back and remember every teacher they've had since summer school before freshman year; they tend to remember the ones they have personal vendettas against, or those who they worship. Even if a student takes time to rate more than his/her few favorite or unfavorite instructors, the comments will be those of the most vocal or opinionated students. (Hence the death threats.)
I think the students are grading the teachers surprisingly hard, even considering their average grading policy toward us. Last time I checked, there were only 6 or 7 in the whole school receiving As, and three of those were counselors, not teachers. Also, due to most people not knowing about the site, certain teachers got much higher grades than expected, especially if they told their students about the site or, as I suspect, gave incentives for high ratings. Some of the most popular teachers in the school somehow were below generally mediocre or unmemorable personalities. I don't know how the grade is calculated from the survey questions, but I guess there really are only a few good performers, a few stinkers, and the rest B and C teachers.
None of this is to say I followed my own advice. I did not use the site to flame; I've got my own telephone if I want to swear loudly about people I dislike. I delivered criticism and praise in the most descriptive way as I could, which isn't much considering they allowed only 5 lines of commentary. I rated mostly science and math teachers because I could form the most complete opinion of them; and then a few others, mainly ones I liked. I stayed away from rating the student government, even as my fingers itched to do such a thing. I suppose avoiding college with unsavory government characters is enough. (No, I'm not talking about Xi. She's improved.)
torstai, huhtikuu 4
Go to sleep
I talked to my counselor today. She told me it was stupid that I had gotten a referral for sitting in the hall and then said she'd pull it from my record, so now I have a clean record again. Wow, I feel so great about that. It was bothering me, I don't know why. My counselor and I also talked about my college trips, which are now occuring on the following dates:
April 18-21
April 22-26
so be forewarned that I will not be posting those days or that I will backpost after the trip, probably with a complete analysis of my trip.
Must go study for my psych midterm.
I talked to my counselor today. She told me it was stupid that I had gotten a referral for sitting in the hall and then said she'd pull it from my record, so now I have a clean record again. Wow, I feel so great about that. It was bothering me, I don't know why. My counselor and I also talked about my college trips, which are now occuring on the following dates:
April 18-21
April 22-26
so be forewarned that I will not be posting those days or that I will backpost after the trip, probably with a complete analysis of my trip.
Must go study for my psych midterm.
keskiviikko, huhtikuu 3
My poll
I have gotten into the following schools, and I need to know the gut opinions of everyone for the survey portion of my college decision process. Please leave comments anonymously unless you've told me already where I should go. Your vote may or may not count.
Schools
Berkeley
Cornell
U. of Chicago
Caltech
We hope we can rely on your vote.
I have gotten into the following schools, and I need to know the gut opinions of everyone for the survey portion of my college decision process. Please leave comments anonymously unless you've told me already where I should go. Your vote may or may not count.
Schools
Berkeley
Cornell
U. of Chicago
Caltech
We hope we can rely on your vote.
Campus life
After psych today, I had a Berkeley Experience. It was a bit surreal. I was freezing on the long bench outside Leconte (the one that is usually a model of the human ability to sit in exactly the right place as to be evenly-spaced) and studying for my midterm and waiting for my RPP interview when this beautiful guy came up to me. "Can I conduct a survey?" he asked me in a sexy Scottish accent and proceeded to ask me about my life philosophy. I kept checking my watch, because I was afraid of being late for the study, and then he said bye and left. It was life a dream.
Yes, like Billy. Billy has a cool Scottish accent too. So does the lead singer of Travis. Maybe I should just move there and fall asleep listening to the ads on the radio.
My study turned out to be cancelled, but I got the credits anyway. Go me.
After psych today, I had a Berkeley Experience. It was a bit surreal. I was freezing on the long bench outside Leconte (the one that is usually a model of the human ability to sit in exactly the right place as to be evenly-spaced) and studying for my midterm and waiting for my RPP interview when this beautiful guy came up to me. "Can I conduct a survey?" he asked me in a sexy Scottish accent and proceeded to ask me about my life philosophy. I kept checking my watch, because I was afraid of being late for the study, and then he said bye and left. It was life a dream.
Yes, like Billy. Billy has a cool Scottish accent too. So does the lead singer of Travis. Maybe I should just move there and fall asleep listening to the ads on the radio.
My study turned out to be cancelled, but I got the credits anyway. Go me.
The past comes to haunt me
1. While I was in calc today, the phone rang. "Mr. Bettencourt," I told him, "your phone is ringing. You should pick it up." He does this, then looks surprised. "Dean Cordoba wants to see you," he tells me. I react similarly, then realize this all happened way before break.
"It's probably because Dr. Hill wrote me up for sitting in the hall," I explained. James said that if I got trash duty, he would donate all the trash in the journ room. I left mumbling something about overreactive teachers and stupid rules.
Upon my arrival at the office of the dean, I knocked but received no answer. Suddenly, the other one popped her head out of her office and told me to knock again, that he was definitely in there. (She called me by name. I wonder if the administrators memorize everyone's names and faces? Because this is my very first infraction, and I've only talked to Tse once for Shield and Scroll matters.) I knocked again, waited, then finally decided that standing and studying physics would be a better use of my time. It would also make me appear studious and like the good little Lowell student that I am. Finally he answered, and we shuffled back across the hall to the other office. He told me that Hill had filed a complaint almost a month ago and we talked about how stupid the policy was in the first place, and I inquired what it was that I was being accused of doing. He read me the complaint. Evidently I was "resigned and hostile." Cordoba said, "Well, I doubt you seemed too excited, if your current deadpan tone is anything like your reaction."
You know, I don't mean to speak in a monotone. It's either that or I "squeal" as Diane's said. Resigned? Hostile? All I remember saying was that we were protesting, and that we were not making any noise. I did not threaten, swear, or insult him. I actually found his behavior more offensive than either mine or Diane's. (Since when is sitting quietly in the hall during a break in construction considered a notable misdemeanor? I object.) Overall, however, my meeting went relatively well. I did not break down in tears begging for anything to be erased from my record, or please sir, don't hurt me or turn me into anything...unnatural.
2. I need to learn when and when not to post things online. I don't know who could be reading. Not that I dislike any of my readers, but if you know me in real life, could you please tell me if you read this page regularly? I would really like to know, or else I'm going to completely censor what I say before posting and never tell anything but "day's fine, the end." I've gotten some comments, both good and bad, but surprising all the same.
1. While I was in calc today, the phone rang. "Mr. Bettencourt," I told him, "your phone is ringing. You should pick it up." He does this, then looks surprised. "Dean Cordoba wants to see you," he tells me. I react similarly, then realize this all happened way before break.
"It's probably because Dr. Hill wrote me up for sitting in the hall," I explained. James said that if I got trash duty, he would donate all the trash in the journ room. I left mumbling something about overreactive teachers and stupid rules.
Upon my arrival at the office of the dean, I knocked but received no answer. Suddenly, the other one popped her head out of her office and told me to knock again, that he was definitely in there. (She called me by name. I wonder if the administrators memorize everyone's names and faces? Because this is my very first infraction, and I've only talked to Tse once for Shield and Scroll matters.) I knocked again, waited, then finally decided that standing and studying physics would be a better use of my time. It would also make me appear studious and like the good little Lowell student that I am. Finally he answered, and we shuffled back across the hall to the other office. He told me that Hill had filed a complaint almost a month ago and we talked about how stupid the policy was in the first place, and I inquired what it was that I was being accused of doing. He read me the complaint. Evidently I was "resigned and hostile." Cordoba said, "Well, I doubt you seemed too excited, if your current deadpan tone is anything like your reaction."
You know, I don't mean to speak in a monotone. It's either that or I "squeal" as Diane's said. Resigned? Hostile? All I remember saying was that we were protesting, and that we were not making any noise. I did not threaten, swear, or insult him. I actually found his behavior more offensive than either mine or Diane's. (Since when is sitting quietly in the hall during a break in construction considered a notable misdemeanor? I object.) Overall, however, my meeting went relatively well. I did not break down in tears begging for anything to be erased from my record, or please sir, don't hurt me or turn me into anything...unnatural.
2. I need to learn when and when not to post things online. I don't know who could be reading. Not that I dislike any of my readers, but if you know me in real life, could you please tell me if you read this page regularly? I would really like to know, or else I'm going to completely censor what I say before posting and never tell anything but "day's fine, the end." I've gotten some comments, both good and bad, but surprising all the same.
tiistai, huhtikuu 2
Burnin' down the house
I went to Meredith's house earlier to plan our trip, but we mostly talked about college choices. After I left, they decided that we'd only be visiting England, which is fine with me, because I thought that the original plans were too rushed. I suppose my threats of wanting to go to New Zealand alone have changed their minds or something. (Getting to this famed meeting was quite an ordeal; we arrived 20 minutes later due to unforeseeable events. Andrea should wear sunscreen or answer her doorbell.)
On the way back from her house I saw a house on 9th burning down. The garage was on fire and this man kept backing in and out, as if he couldn't decide what to do. Some neighbors were out screaming at him to just get out of the house, and for someone to call 911, so I did, but then someone had beat me to it. A few fire trucks came rushing to the scene. It's the first time I've ever seen something actually burning.
Everyone seems to have to choose between a few good schools, or got accepted by their reach school and now have to reformulate all their plans. And still, everyone is full of advice for me. I've divided them into two types: those who hear school names and become blinded by the reputation, and those who think I deserve a more well-rounded college experience. Most of my classmates fall into the first category. Most of my teachers and counselors are part of the second. Some people are uncategorized. Me and the spreadsheet will be good friends by May, indeed.
I seem to have offended Mr. Edelman. If he reads this, I hope he sees this message: I'm sorry I may have offended you with my comment about your driving. I don't think you're a bad driver, really, not after being in the car with certain other people whose names shall not be mentioned here.
muzak: Electric Funstuff, "Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth"
I went to Meredith's house earlier to plan our trip, but we mostly talked about college choices. After I left, they decided that we'd only be visiting England, which is fine with me, because I thought that the original plans were too rushed. I suppose my threats of wanting to go to New Zealand alone have changed their minds or something. (Getting to this famed meeting was quite an ordeal; we arrived 20 minutes later due to unforeseeable events. Andrea should wear sunscreen or answer her doorbell.)
On the way back from her house I saw a house on 9th burning down. The garage was on fire and this man kept backing in and out, as if he couldn't decide what to do. Some neighbors were out screaming at him to just get out of the house, and for someone to call 911, so I did, but then someone had beat me to it. A few fire trucks came rushing to the scene. It's the first time I've ever seen something actually burning.
Everyone seems to have to choose between a few good schools, or got accepted by their reach school and now have to reformulate all their plans. And still, everyone is full of advice for me. I've divided them into two types: those who hear school names and become blinded by the reputation, and those who think I deserve a more well-rounded college experience. Most of my classmates fall into the first category. Most of my teachers and counselors are part of the second. Some people are uncategorized. Me and the spreadsheet will be good friends by May, indeed.
I seem to have offended Mr. Edelman. If he reads this, I hope he sees this message: I'm sorry I may have offended you with my comment about your driving. I don't think you're a bad driver, really, not after being in the car with certain other people whose names shall not be mentioned here.
muzak: Electric Funstuff, "Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth"
maanantai, huhtikuu 1
What the hell were they thinking?
Why did Caltech let me in? WHY?
I'm having a crisis. How the hell did I get in with this essay?
Why did Caltech let me in? WHY?
I'm having a crisis. How the hell did I get in with this essay?
What event or events have shaped your life?
When I was four, my parents joined a cult, taking me with them. It was there that I learned how to dance around the full moon, sacrifice virgin goats, and get in touch with my inner goddess. We soon became fugitives from foreign secret agents hot on the trail of our leader and spent two years on the run, never living in the same trailer park for more than two days. Once we narrowly escaped being run down by an eighteen-wheeler in Iowa. Another time I was forced to dodge bullets as I innocently sat in a lettuce field pondering the cosmic meaning of conic sections. While living such a nomadic lifestyle, I never had any friends but the pigeons I taught to do complicated aerobatics.
At the age of twelve, I decided that my life would be better spent helping Bulgarian refugees. My parents approved of this, so I moved to Eastern Europe for a year, living in hovels with nothing more than a slice of coarse, weevil-filled bread to eat, if I was lucky to even get that. Unfortunately, I fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up kidnapped by the East Timorese mafia. I spent lonely time in a jail cell keeping track of the days by the intensity of light that fell through the crack in the ceiling. I could not write letters to my parents, and I missed them extremely. Tired of the lack of intellectual stimulation provided by the jail guards, I organized a prisoner rebellion one day and swam to Australia.
After a three-day trek through the desert I came across a small band of Aborigine people. Horrified at the conditions imposed upon them by the Australian government, I wrote a nasty letter to the prime minister demanding better living places and proper education. My hosts thanked me profusely and I did the same for them, although the letter was only written during a break from my labor over a new and improved Grand Unified Theory. I had planned on sending this to Astrophysical Review, but inconveniently, a wind storm came through the village, erasing all the work I had scratched in the sand.
Finally I decided to return home, but on the way, I accidentally came up with a cure for the Ebola virus while in the airplane bathroom. Before I could do anything, it was time to fasten my seatbelt and prepare for landing. Upon my arrival back in San Francisco, I was joyously greeted by my entire family, as well as numerous diplomats who I had written to in past years, begging for peace in their countries. That night was my first good night of sleep in ten years. When I woke up in the morning, I realized that had all been a dream, and I was really a high school freshman, born to a middle-class family and leading a relatively boring, but imaginative existence. I perked up as I realized the best was yet to come.