it's over. move to somnia.

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Show-off

The other day during my Theories of International Relations course, Professor K was describing the rise of international liberalism (not to be confused with domestic-politics liberalism, which is a whole 'nother philosophy) and the idea of collective action, and he mentioned that rationally there is rationally no reason for people to contribute to the common good if they know that other people will pay for what needs to be provided.

"Not even opprobrium?" I said absently. (Honest!)

"Good point, but we'll get to that later," he said, continuing with the lecture.

Which would be fine, except I already noticed the smirking glances, especially the one from S, a sweet young woman sitting nearby who had scolded me in the past for daring to ask questions during lecture despite being--gasp!--an auditor. ("It makes us all [everyone who is actually enrolled] look bad!") After the lecture, a few of my classmates ribbed me for throwing out a ten-dollar word...but...but...it was the right word!

We're all educated people here, I presumed. I don't get why it's such a big deal for us to communicate on a level appropriate to the situation. Is anti-intellectualism really so pervasive?


[next time: the story of Scandi-fest '04, in which our hero confronts rain, wind, the Danish language, poor scheduling, and something called a "naughty room" (it's worse than you think) in pursuit of a relaxing weekend out of town]
peachy as always, Mike at 2:38 PM

 
Jet-setter

Am going to Copenhagen tomorrow to visit a friend from high school.

Am slightly bummed that the weater only just turned nice here as I head north.
peachy as always, Mike at 12:01 PM

 
Clotheshorse

I lost a sweater at a club last Friday. It's been sticking in the back of my mind since then, since it's one of those articles of clothing I really liked (i.e. it fit and wasn't ugly). I don't really find all that many articles of clothing that I like, but when I do, I generally wear them to death.

This sweater wasn't really all that special--thin cotton, $10 at Old Navy, immediately replaceable when I get home--but the fact that something so easily available and so cheap in one context and yet so...well, important in another gave me pause.
peachy as always, Mike at 11:58 AM

 
Big Fish

Tim Burton's latest film opened here today, months and months after the States got to see it. It's part comedy and part fantasy--it's Tim Burton, baby--but boiled down, it's the story of a father and son who can't seem to communicate on the same level. So of course I was sniffling when they managed to bridge their gap at the end. It was great.

...which naturally means I had to walk out of the theater next to a classmate who happily announced, "It was so-so. You know Tim Burton: nice visuals, no emotion."

...and then when I got home and called my dad (which I was planning to do before the film, so help me God), he couldn't wait to talk about the award-deserving cinematography of The Passion of the Christ.

It is as it was.
peachy as always, Mike at 7:54 PM

 
The Sun is Out!

Good thing I'm going to be spending a big chunk of the day formatting my briefing paper.
peachy as always, Mike at 5:08 AM

 
Twitchy

My right eyelid's been wigging out on me for the past few days. Maybe it's all the tension I've been holding in about my endlessly unsatisfactory schedule and my uncertain summer plans and my Kashmir paper/presentation (due! Tuesday!) and the bizarre goings-on in the political world and whatever else is bugging me. Oh, and the cabin fever. (It's still snowing here. Still.) Or maybe I'm just having a freak-out moment.

On the upside, I went to hear the symphony yesterday. That was nice.
peachy as always, Mike at 5:31 PM

 
Bewaaaaaare! Paaaaaintbaaaaaaall!

The case may have its merits, but seriously: paintball is a step beyond laser tag. It's a game, people.
peachy as always, Mike at 9:14 AM