Exams, impending Spring Break, and a romance novel

That is what my life this week consists of. I am trying very hard to stop compulsively check my email and facebook in hopes that something new has changed, though the thought of this looming research paper is weighing down on me. I secretly enjoy writing papers, and always have, which is why I think I ended up on the humanities rather than the science side of college. I have a hard time beginning a lengthy paper because once it is started, I know that it won't be long (relatively) until it is over and I am without another paper ahead of me. On the other hand, for my cultural anthropology class I am required to study a cultural scene and write a huge paper for it, and I'm really excited to write that one. I chose to go to a Games Workshop type of place, but the one here in Madison has a variety of hobbies to pick up - I will primarily be studying those who play Dungeons and Dragons in the store. I will have to go back a couple of times, which is fine since I do have a car here. It's also nice not having to go to a random person's home to observe (some people in the course are studying people in situations that are just as intimate). My professor told me that I should consider picking up the hobby or at least learning the rules so that I can better observe. I told him that I would, tongue in cheek.

Here's the answer to the question most often heard on campus this week: Nothing. I am doing nothing for spring break. I am actually coming back to Madison early in order that I may work Thursday and possibly Friday for Jenny, who is the assistant property manager. At the least I will work one eight hour day, which will be nice. Though actually doing something for break, for once, would be nicer.

Sometimes I feel like the Latin I have learned has caused me to be even more critical of my own grammar, and sometimes leads to uncommon, though grammatically correct, sentences. I appologize if at any point my blog becomes unitelligable and causes major headaches. I cannot recall the last time I said "I forgot" as a response. Rather, I catch myself explaining that "it escaped me." O tempus fugit!

I have been reading before bed nearly every night, which is a nice return to the days when I was not so overwhelmed with schoolwork. I finished The Ghost (Danielle Steel) a while back and was hoping to pick up another historical fiction. I browsed and browsed and picked up and put down dozens of books until I finally found The Mistress Diaries (Julianne MacLean). I have read a fair amount of Danielle Steel - Wings, Lone Eagle, The House and most recently, The Ghost, but was very disappointed that the last two listed were very alike (same main character name, age, and appeal). I've read everything of John Grisham's work but for The Street Lawyer, The Appeal, and The Associate, though I tire of his works too. That's why I picked out a book and judged it by its cover, and picked an author with whom I am unfamiliar. So far this book is amazing, and I may consider reading more of her books.

Buckethead, a baptism, and d&d

So the past few days have been fun. Last night me, Ronnie, Mike, Laura, Andy, and Karey went downtown to Riversplash to see Buckethead. Quite an experience. We managed to park for only $4 but when we got there a bottle of water was $3. So it goes. Anyway, in case anyone is not familiar with this fellow, he wears a KFC bucket on his head and plays metalish music (he plays Jordan from Guitar Hero). To be honest, the show got to be long since all of the songs sounded the same. I have to say that I was impressed by his skill though. His endurance was incredible; he played his whole set straight through with only two breaks, which isn't bad for an hour and a half long set. As was expected, being underage meant having to deal with walking down Water St. and not being able to get into any bars, but tons of drunk people on the streets. I guess my point is that when I'm 21 hopefully I will be able to get more out of it. The fireworks were cool, and made a nice intermission.

I forgot to mention that that was Ronnie's first concert. Ever. Crazy.

Today Ronnie became a godfather! Ryan and Yvonne's baby was baptized today and afterwards we all went over to their new apartment to celebrate. I broke down and had my third soda of the summer (how can one resist orange soda?) while again, everybody but Ronnie, Mike, and I drank. I have little desire to drink, but it's annoying knowing that I can't. I ate a lot of tortilla chips and pretzels. My favorite thing about pretzels: eating a ton of them at once. Let me explain: I like to eat them one at a time and not swallow until my mouth is full of chewed-up pretzels. Then I swallow. It's so much better than eating and swallowing them immediately. Try it. You'll like it.

Tomorrow we're all going over to Ryan's to play some D&D. At least I know about it this time. Last time Ronnie didn't even tell me they were playing. Nice. It really sucks being left out. But that was over a week ago, and thus, I am (mostly) over it. We (me, Ronnie, Mike, Jose, Scott, Jack, and Ryan, obviously) are starting bright and early at 11 am. There'll be a cookout, which will be fun. I've had smore stuff with me for over a week since we haven't all had a chance to get together since the last time everyone cooked out at Eric's.

Notice how I haven't hung out with any girls this summer? Me too. Weird.