2000-12-07 - 03:18:36
guaranteed to contain no mention of my love life, or lack thereof

Sigh. I am drained.

Day began with a stirring performance in place of morning lecture -- the only group in the country that does performances of actual Ancient Greek music professionally happens to be based in Portland, so the school got ahold of them today to give us that interesting bit of perspective on the reading we've been doing. Nice way to spend the last "lecture" of the semester. It was amazing to hear, too. Some of the pieces, especially the later ones, reminded me a lot of Celtic music, but it really had this flavor to it that was in some way totally alien. ("This piece is in 15/8 time...") So *this* is what Plato was so worried about.

A couple classes later, time for the last of the three major exams that we've had in Poli Sci, which are the only things on which we will be graded for that class. Monster-ass test, especially for 50 minutes. I think I survived the essay question but blew the smaller stuff (definitions). Regardless, high-stress situation. Did not do a very good job of keeping one point under those circumstances.

Once that was done, I got a bite of lunch and went out to do a small amount of clothes shopping. Just on a lark, stepped into Saks Fifth Avenue, not planning to actually purchase anything there, and got reminded of why I hate places like that, viz., hovering solicitous salespeople who are after all obligated to stay close by your side in case you make off with their merchandise. One woman scared the crap out of me by asking if everything was OK while I was in the dressing room -- she was rather strident and it sounded like she was *in* the dressing room with me. Then when I left, another saleslady accosted me, and I politely gave her some usual blather about "Thanks, I didn't find anything today, but..." and she interrupted me and said "But you'll come back." Like that -- statement, not question. I lied "Yes" and got out of there. Went a few doors down, contemplating the American consumer caste system (interesting that as you get more purchasing power, you *lose* the right to shop unmolested), and gave my business to Ross for Less.

Came back to campus in time for Aikido class, which is probably my favorite class. Got thrown around a lot and threw other people around a good bit too, left the class feeling tired but good and *very* hungry since I hadn't eaten since 3:45 PM, it was now 9:15 and I'd just had a good workout.

Grabbed a sandwich, went down to the Student Union to see a student-directed production of The Zoo Story, by Edward Albee. Wonderful, wonderful show. I loved this play when I read it and it was a wonderful experience to finally see it done live by a pair of really fine actors. This play is quite a trip, though, in all senses of the word, and when it was over it was greeted by a standing O followed by a surprising quiet (surprising considering how raucous students here get, especially at performances -- I've never heard the SU so hushed in the limited amt. of time I've spent there) as people wandered out, or went to find their friends, or went in whatever direction they were headed. Walked back to my room slowly in a contemplative silence. A show like that stays with you. It's difficult to explain if you're not familiar with the play. Or maybe it's not, I dunno.

But anyway, long day. The semester is now over, and since I don't have to get up in the morning, I feel like staying up late. But I also feel pretty worn out, so I should probably go to bed, especially since I haven't been sleeping properly this week. I guess I'll go do that. Further glamorous bulletins as events warrant. I may even talk about something important next time.

[edited 1/1/03]

test - 2017-10-08
boing - 2003-06-07
walk walk trudge trudge slog slog travel travel - 2003-05-21
ob-la-di - 2003-05-18
not dead. - 2002-12-08