Finally free.

I am quite pleased to report that I have survived my penultimate semester of college, fully intact. As a matter of fact, I've passed all my classes, and my mental health is surprisingly good.

In my newly acquired free time, I've taken (once again) to voraciously reading non-school books. Current reading: Out of It: A Cultural History of Intoxication by Stuart Walton. (Despite school's having ended, I never cease to be a bit nerdy.) In any case, the book covers relatively innocuous substances such as caffeine and alcohol as well as the slightly more heady categories of opiates, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. Walton makes the argument that it is part of human nature to desire to become intoxicated, just as humans need to eat and have sex and whatnot. The idea of intoxication as a basic appetite has interesting implications. But perhaps I can use it to justify my weekly trips to the bar.

Also, as I'm sure you're aware, the Christmas season is upon us. Now, call me a grinch if you will, but I'm a bit Christmas-ed out. I dread shopping at this time of year, I'm sick of hearing about the so-called "War on Christmas" (Oh please! Those poor persecuted Christians! We should be happy no one's throwing us to the lions anymore and just get on with our business!), and frankly, I still haven't figured out, after this several years of being Catholic, just what Santa Claus or Christmas trees have to do with Baby Jesus. Peace on earth? Erm, not so much, when everyone is just about stampeding each other for the latest must-have down at the Wal-Mart. Honestly. Calm down, people! Get over yourselves! Yeesh. I'll take the February doldrums over this any day.

In honor of the birth of Jesus, I leave you with this: a Dr. Suess version of the New Testament.