Well, there really is nothing quite like having your basketball team knock off the top team in the country. Especially when it's your arch-rival. Last night my Vanderbilt Commodores knocked off #1 Tennessee in one heck of a game. That's the second year in a row that we've beaten a #1. But as I said, it makes it about a hundred times sweeter that it's UT. It's enough to take my mind off the fact that our baseball team's star third baseman is out for six weeks with a wrist injury...
OK, before I turn this into a sports blog, let's move on to other matters. Wow, yesterday was bizarre. I was sitting in my French class and suddenly the power goes out. Now, this would not be such a crazy event normally, but as I left I found out that the whole campus had no power, and then as I continued home I found that the whole city had no power. It came back on after about an hour, but it was just kind of bizarre. I found out later that, at least according to CNN.com, the outage ranged from Orlando south to Miami.
Other than that, things have been pretty much going on as normal around here; I don't have anything life-changing to report. We watched a really interesting documentary in one of my English courses over the last two sessions. It's called Hothouse and it is about the life of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. Really a very, very striking film. The amazing thing is that apparently prison often has a politicizing effect on the inmates. While in prison they join up with one party or the other (the more moderate Fatah or the more radical Hamas). During their sentences, many study political science, even obtaining college degrees in it. Once out, bolstered by the status given to former inmates, they become political leaders...If you get a chance to check out this doc, you really should, at least if you have any interest in the conflict.
I'm also really enjoying the book I'm reading in my other English course. It's called Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih. I would describe it for you, but it's really one of those books that defies description, at least without giving up the whole plot. I think it's rather brilliant though, so once again, if you get a chance, check it out. Come on, it's not even 200 pages long, it's not like I'm telling you to read War and Peace.
OK, I guess that's all for today. If I think of anything else going on I'll let you know.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's finally, finally, finally here. After months and months and months of deprivation, it's finally time.
That's right, baseball! Now don't get me wrong, I love football and basketball (especially the college varieties), and I really get into those. I'm still completely immersed in the magical basketball season my Commodores are having. 22-4 is a pretty nice start. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be cheering for the Canes, and I was really excited to see them beat Duke (I mean, what a double treat, a huge win for my school and seeing Duke lose), but I lived the first nineteen years of my life in Nashville, and was raised a Vanderbilt fan, and I'm sorry, but twenty-two years of Vanderbilt fandom has me a little bit more invested than seven months of Miami attendance.
OK, what was I talking about again? That's right, baseball. There's nothing better than baseball. And although the team I'm truly passionate about, the Atlanta Braves, doesn't start for a while, college baseball is always a good appetizer for the entree of the big league game. One of my only regrets in coming to school down here is missing the Vanderbilt baseball season. My dad and I went to a whole lot of the home games last year, and it was awesome. Nothing quite like rooting for a #1 team. You don't get that opportunity very often as a Vandy fan. And they should be almost as good this year, if not better. Oh well, I guess I'll have to listen to or watch their games on the net. And I guess cheering for a #10 team will have to suffice. If the weather holds (and you never know here), I'll probably go to the first game tonight.
As if the start of the baseball season weren't enough, the Academy Awards are this weekend. Now, I must be a glutton for punishment, for despite the fact that the right films never get awarded, I still follow the Oscars for months leading up to the ceremony every year. This year was a ridiculously good year for film, and the Academy even nominated some of the best films.
As far as Best Picture goes, my pick would be the brilliantly insane There Will Be Blood. But I would not complain in the least if No Country for Old Men took it. Both films are amazing.
Mostly, however, I am holding my breath in hopes that the Academy will actually award two of the greatest performances I've seen in years.
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood gave a truly historically good performance. It's the best of his career, and that's saying something. I liked most of the other nominees in the Best Actor category this year, but DDL is in another league entirely. I will be despondent if he doesn't win.
Secondly, Cate Blanchett was nearly as brilliant in I'm Not There. Just a stunning, stunning performance. She'll probably lose, and it will truly be a farce.
Rounding out the categories, I want Javier Bardem to win Supp. Actor, but I'd be happy with Casey Affleck or Tom Wilkinson. Marion Cotillard deserves the Oscar for Best Actress, but I wouldn't be too terribly disappointed if Julie Christie took it. And really, I'd be happy with the Coens, Paul Thomas Anderson or Julian Schnabel (although Schnabel would be my pick) for Best Director.
Finally, I must say that the Academy's decision to disqualify Johnny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood was a truly horrendous decision on their part. Brilliant, brilliant work.
OK, I guess I've rambled enough for one Friday afternoon. Have a good weekend, and go see some baseball!
That's right, baseball! Now don't get me wrong, I love football and basketball (especially the college varieties), and I really get into those. I'm still completely immersed in the magical basketball season my Commodores are having. 22-4 is a pretty nice start. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be cheering for the Canes, and I was really excited to see them beat Duke (I mean, what a double treat, a huge win for my school and seeing Duke lose), but I lived the first nineteen years of my life in Nashville, and was raised a Vanderbilt fan, and I'm sorry, but twenty-two years of Vanderbilt fandom has me a little bit more invested than seven months of Miami attendance.
OK, what was I talking about again? That's right, baseball. There's nothing better than baseball. And although the team I'm truly passionate about, the Atlanta Braves, doesn't start for a while, college baseball is always a good appetizer for the entree of the big league game. One of my only regrets in coming to school down here is missing the Vanderbilt baseball season. My dad and I went to a whole lot of the home games last year, and it was awesome. Nothing quite like rooting for a #1 team. You don't get that opportunity very often as a Vandy fan. And they should be almost as good this year, if not better. Oh well, I guess I'll have to listen to or watch their games on the net. And I guess cheering for a #10 team will have to suffice. If the weather holds (and you never know here), I'll probably go to the first game tonight.
As if the start of the baseball season weren't enough, the Academy Awards are this weekend. Now, I must be a glutton for punishment, for despite the fact that the right films never get awarded, I still follow the Oscars for months leading up to the ceremony every year. This year was a ridiculously good year for film, and the Academy even nominated some of the best films.
As far as Best Picture goes, my pick would be the brilliantly insane There Will Be Blood. But I would not complain in the least if No Country for Old Men took it. Both films are amazing.
Mostly, however, I am holding my breath in hopes that the Academy will actually award two of the greatest performances I've seen in years.
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood gave a truly historically good performance. It's the best of his career, and that's saying something. I liked most of the other nominees in the Best Actor category this year, but DDL is in another league entirely. I will be despondent if he doesn't win.
Secondly, Cate Blanchett was nearly as brilliant in I'm Not There. Just a stunning, stunning performance. She'll probably lose, and it will truly be a farce.
Rounding out the categories, I want Javier Bardem to win Supp. Actor, but I'd be happy with Casey Affleck or Tom Wilkinson. Marion Cotillard deserves the Oscar for Best Actress, but I wouldn't be too terribly disappointed if Julie Christie took it. And really, I'd be happy with the Coens, Paul Thomas Anderson or Julian Schnabel (although Schnabel would be my pick) for Best Director.
Finally, I must say that the Academy's decision to disqualify Johnny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood was a truly horrendous decision on their part. Brilliant, brilliant work.
OK, I guess I've rambled enough for one Friday afternoon. Have a good weekend, and go see some baseball!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Don't Worry, I Still Exist
I know it's been over a week since my last post and I apologize; it wasn't intentional. This week has been kind of crazy. Add together one test, two essays, a very time-consuming project at work and for one reason or another not a whole lot of sleep and the sum is not pretty. I've been pretty much a basket case since Wednesday. Fortunately, as far as I can tell it hasn't gotten in the way of my classes or work; it's just made me a little less fun to be around. Well, I just hope y'all didn't miss me too much.
This week has really just been a bizarre week. Tuesday and Wednesday were two of the ugliest, rainiest, most depressing days I've seen since I've been here. Tuesday night I couldn't sleep the storm was so loud. Wednesday I got absolutely drenched on the way to a meeting with a teacher, despite the fact that I was wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella. Two days of just miserable weather.
And then, Thursday came. You know, the weather can change so rapidly and so sharply down here. There was no...transition of any kind between monsoon season and two of the most beautiful days I've ever seen. Blue skies, lots of sun, a light breeze...and best of all the storm must have brought in a bit of a cold front, because the temperature right now...perfect. It's odd, it takes days like Tuesday and Wednesday to remind you how lucky you are to live in a place like this when the normal, beautiful weather comes back.
I really hadn't noticed the change on Thursday, having not slept a whole lot the night before and just trying to make it through the day. I got to the end of my shift at work and walked outside, and it was like a revelation. Days like yesterday honestly just make me happy to be alive. Even on Valentine's Day....
And then I log on to the internet and I hear about what happened at NIU yesterday, and my short-lived elation disappears from whence it came. I'm not going to say much about those events, because this really is not the right forum. But I feel compelled to say something.
After Virginia Tech, I was shocked and appalled, but...it quickly slipped to the back of my mind, a single, anomalous, horrific event. To see it happen again...it breaks my heart. That people can do such things to each other and to themselves...This message goes out to all those affected by the tragedy: the victims, their families, and all of the other students at NIU...my thoughts are with you. Hang in there.
This week has really just been a bizarre week. Tuesday and Wednesday were two of the ugliest, rainiest, most depressing days I've seen since I've been here. Tuesday night I couldn't sleep the storm was so loud. Wednesday I got absolutely drenched on the way to a meeting with a teacher, despite the fact that I was wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella. Two days of just miserable weather.
And then, Thursday came. You know, the weather can change so rapidly and so sharply down here. There was no...transition of any kind between monsoon season and two of the most beautiful days I've ever seen. Blue skies, lots of sun, a light breeze...and best of all the storm must have brought in a bit of a cold front, because the temperature right now...perfect. It's odd, it takes days like Tuesday and Wednesday to remind you how lucky you are to live in a place like this when the normal, beautiful weather comes back.
I really hadn't noticed the change on Thursday, having not slept a whole lot the night before and just trying to make it through the day. I got to the end of my shift at work and walked outside, and it was like a revelation. Days like yesterday honestly just make me happy to be alive. Even on Valentine's Day....
And then I log on to the internet and I hear about what happened at NIU yesterday, and my short-lived elation disappears from whence it came. I'm not going to say much about those events, because this really is not the right forum. But I feel compelled to say something.
After Virginia Tech, I was shocked and appalled, but...it quickly slipped to the back of my mind, a single, anomalous, horrific event. To see it happen again...it breaks my heart. That people can do such things to each other and to themselves...This message goes out to all those affected by the tragedy: the victims, their families, and all of the other students at NIU...my thoughts are with you. Hang in there.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
So...
I feel like a bit of an idiot after my last post. Of course, after Super Tuesday, we would have a better idea as to the nominees for president. That stands to reason, right? Of course, that's never how things turn out, right, the way they're supposed to? If anything things are less clear. Argh. Well, we know who the other side is sending out there. At least it's pretty clear, especially since Romney dropped out. But on our side of the aisle...chaos. Hopefully we can make a decision before the enmity between Obama and Clinton tears the party apart.
Now that I have that off my chest...Oh man, am I ready for the weekend. I was ready for this week to be over before the end of Sunday. Almost there. Just have to make it through one more day of class. And tomorrow shouldn't be too bad...My morning class got canceled, so I can sleep until 9:30 or so, which is always nice. And then I have an English class, which I actually look forward to, and just have to struggle through my science class and work. Could be a whole lot worse, that's for sure.
This ought to be a decent weekend, too. I'm going to see Yonder Mountain String Band in Ft. Lauderdale, and they always put on a great show. And other than that...I can just kick back and relax. Of course, it won't be nearly long enough. It never is. Until Monday...
Now that I have that off my chest...Oh man, am I ready for the weekend. I was ready for this week to be over before the end of Sunday. Almost there. Just have to make it through one more day of class. And tomorrow shouldn't be too bad...My morning class got canceled, so I can sleep until 9:30 or so, which is always nice. And then I have an English class, which I actually look forward to, and just have to struggle through my science class and work. Could be a whole lot worse, that's for sure.
This ought to be a decent weekend, too. I'm going to see Yonder Mountain String Band in Ft. Lauderdale, and they always put on a great show. And other than that...I can just kick back and relax. Of course, it won't be nearly long enough. It never is. Until Monday...
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday
That phrase seems like an oxymoron. For as long as I can remember Tuesday has been my least favorite day of the week. Most people hate Mondays, I hate Tuesdays. At least on Mondays I still feel some leftover elation from the weekend. By Tuesday I'm completely immersed in the school/work week, and Friday seems a lifetime away. I'm not sure where the hatred for Tuesday started. Maybe it was in middle school and high school when we always had assemblies on Tuesdays...I always hated going to assemblies...Who knows.
Luckily, my day doesn't have to start until 11:00 on Tuesdays. Having to get up for a 9:30 Tuesday class last semester was torture. So despite all of my complaining, things could be worse. And today is a pretty exciting Tuesday, as far as they go...by the end of the day we should have some idea of the presidential candidates. In other words, I'll either be in a very good mood by the end of the day or a very bad one. We'll see; I have my fingers crossed.
Of course, there's no primary in Florida today. The government down here screwed us over by trying to move the primary up a week, thus angering the DNC to the point where Florida gets no say in the choice of nominee. Well done, I must say.
Last night was pretty cool. The Dead played a benefit for Obama and I got to watch it streaming online. Dead Heads for Obama. Now that's a cause I can get behind.
Well, I guess that's all I have for today. Get out and vote.
Luckily, my day doesn't have to start until 11:00 on Tuesdays. Having to get up for a 9:30 Tuesday class last semester was torture. So despite all of my complaining, things could be worse. And today is a pretty exciting Tuesday, as far as they go...by the end of the day we should have some idea of the presidential candidates. In other words, I'll either be in a very good mood by the end of the day or a very bad one. We'll see; I have my fingers crossed.
Of course, there's no primary in Florida today. The government down here screwed us over by trying to move the primary up a week, thus angering the DNC to the point where Florida gets no say in the choice of nominee. Well done, I must say.
Last night was pretty cool. The Dead played a benefit for Obama and I got to watch it streaming online. Dead Heads for Obama. Now that's a cause I can get behind.
Well, I guess that's all I have for today. Get out and vote.
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