From the "Only in NEPA" Department

Most people I know spent Thanksgiving break with family, relaxing and whatnot. Perhaps they also caught up with high school friends. I, too, spent my break doing these things, but it seems that my break was probably a bit different from that of others.

Last night: Myself and six other people (all high school friends) playing hide-and-seek. At midnight. Outside. In the middle of nowhere. A cornfield. In November. Drunk.

Ah yes, the fine traditions of NEPA. Where else in the world would I find myself huddled in the shadow of an old car, sitting on the road, feeling the cold from the pavement slowly seep into my bones, and wishing for perhaps another glass of wine? Whenever I find myself in utter disdain of my hometown and upbringing, I must think of these quaint activities. Things like this have colored my childhood, and I suppose my early adulthood as well. My friends from the suburbs could never understand such a thing, I suppose. (Though these are the same people who didn't know what Chicken and Waffles is...)

I'm not saying I want to move home and stay there, but occasionally I get nostalgic for the place. It's unique, if nothing else.

Here, kitty kitty.

The people upstairs got a cat. That's fine; I like cats as much as the next guy. But I fear for the wellbeing of said cat, since these people are not, erm, the sharpest knives in the drawer, if you get my meaning.

I had my window opened a bit earlier tonight (due to the fact that my apartment is hot enough to qualify as a principality of hell), and I heard these girls calling to this cat. Yes, they had the cat outside. Ok, cats like being outside as much as the next animal, so that's all good. But they were basically just letting the cat wander. "He's not going to run away!" they said. I was skeptical.

I had to go to the library for a while tonight, so as I left my apartment, I found two of the girls calling to the cat. Who evidently was under my car. And they didn't know how they were going to get him out. Right-o, then. So as I said, I worry for this cat.

And now I'm going to have to make sure I don't run him over every time I go someplace.

poem (for the first time in ages...)

degrees of freedom

i am becoming what i've always wanted to be.
see, there was a time when i'd just stay in line
and say "yes sir, whatever you say."
and it seemed like the only way.

until i met another man,
one i knew i'd understand.
oh, the glistening brilliance of youth.
(turned out not to be such a good plan.)

but i learned, and am learning still
sometimes it's not a matter of our will
who we are or where we'll be
it's just the knowledge that freedom comes by degree.

(First one I've written in forever. It works, I guess.)

Insert clever title here.

Attention all you suckas who didn't go to the 5:30 Mass last night: You missed the amazing vocal stylings of....me. Hah ha! I sang the alto part on the Psalm. For the record, I didn't mess it up too badly, but if you're looking for a repeat performance, it's unlikely to be any time in the near future. You'll have to speak to my agent I suppose.

In the meantime, I've been putting off homework, missing important appointments, crying, being stressed out, forgoing dinner in favor of pistachios, and basically mucking up everything I do. Fun game.

Tomorrow is November 8th: don't forget to vote.

Some pig!

This is my crappy photography, but F you, I like it!

It's my beloved rodent, with one of his favorite toys, a ratty hand towel. I figure I'd take a few pictures of Beaker today, seeing as his birthday is coming up on the 11th (coincidentally the same day as Kira's).

In honor of the Beakmeister's first birthday, I feel that some sort of celebration is in order. Maybe we'll hit the bars in town. Maybe I'll let him eat an entire apple. Or maybe we'll just hang out like we usually do. Me and the pig, just chillin'. Tis good, I say.

Well I'm impressed.

My brother Ian strikes again. Him and his fancy newfangled digital camera...anyway, I think this is just an awesome picture of our dog, Streak. So, mad props to Ian for being cool, and here's a link to some more of his photos.