I love it when people send "anonymous" emails from their Kenyon account.
Dear Newscope, I am a long time reader of your publication and I do find it very helpful, but I do have a concern. Is it really necessary to print in every issue that MiddleGround is open from 8:00am-12:00am? This seems like something that would be useful at the beginning of the year but after a while it seems like a huge waste of ink since you guys print like 50 copies of the Newscope every time you put out a new one. Maybe if you could explain your reasoning for doing so I would be more understanding but it just seems unnessecary.
Sincerely, A Newscope reader.
-------------------------------
Hmmm, considering the salary that both Alycia and I draw, I think that the costs of paper and labor far outweigh the costs of ink. I would point to space and aesthetic considerations, but not ink.
Also, I'm confused. Why does my devoted reader to "be more understanding?"
Friday, September 30, 2005
KB Squared-- the inside scoop
What possessed me to reduce my relationship to Karly to a world shared by others? Three recent examples:
1. Writing about her in essays. For example, "My identical twin and I fueled each other’s desire to compete as individuals but serve as members of a greater community."
Note: this has also meant discussing this content to OTHER PEOPLE, viz. professors. This has also meant that details of our lives have gone public. Apparently, we share the trait of making our personal statement not personal enough....
2. Watching how we speak when others are around. Apparently, twin speak is classified as a foreign language to some.
3. Agreeing to be on an admissions panel in a few weeks to discuss having a sibling on campus. Both of us are inexplicably on this panel, so it will be like cross-talk on cnn. a "discussion" with 20-20 hindsight.
1. Writing about her in essays. For example, "My identical twin and I fueled each other’s desire to compete as individuals but serve as members of a greater community."
Note: this has also meant discussing this content to OTHER PEOPLE, viz. professors. This has also meant that details of our lives have gone public. Apparently, we share the trait of making our personal statement not personal enough....
2. Watching how we speak when others are around. Apparently, twin speak is classified as a foreign language to some.
3. Agreeing to be on an admissions panel in a few weeks to discuss having a sibling on campus. Both of us are inexplicably on this panel, so it will be like cross-talk on cnn. a "discussion" with 20-20 hindsight.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
borders of our lives
I've slacked off quite a bit these last few days. It's produced the odd situation where I have seen few people multiple times but many people a few times. Conversation topics? Anything from life back on the hill to Teach for America to the movie "Sideways."
Interesting sidenote (a la Gilbert or B2): Sideways was directed by Alexander Payne, who also directed "Election." Election was the first movie that I actually had to stop watching because I couldn't stand it anymore. Also of note: A favorite book of mine, "A Separate Peace," is read aloud in "Sideways."
Last night I found myself asking "Why do I read?" I write too many personal statements these days to believe that this can be answered. Sincerity, if included in the first draft, could be edited for the sake of brevity. [There's a good Michael Chabon quote at the end of Wonder Boys about reading through pages looking for the parts that sound true.]
So, I read in order to relax, to learn about the world, to learn how others perceive the world.
Revision: I read in order to escape. I read to forget other responsibilities or that I even have responsibilities to a particular class. I read to live vicariously and forget who I am. And then I read because my obsession kicks in and I can't think about anything else but that fabulous, gripping book. Which is something that my beloved vanilla coke cannot provide.
Interesting sidenote (a la Gilbert or B2): Sideways was directed by Alexander Payne, who also directed "Election." Election was the first movie that I actually had to stop watching because I couldn't stand it anymore. Also of note: A favorite book of mine, "A Separate Peace," is read aloud in "Sideways."
Last night I found myself asking "Why do I read?" I write too many personal statements these days to believe that this can be answered. Sincerity, if included in the first draft, could be edited for the sake of brevity. [There's a good Michael Chabon quote at the end of Wonder Boys about reading through pages looking for the parts that sound true.]
So, I read in order to relax, to learn about the world, to learn how others perceive the world.
Revision: I read in order to escape. I read to forget other responsibilities or that I even have responsibilities to a particular class. I read to live vicariously and forget who I am. And then I read because my obsession kicks in and I can't think about anything else but that fabulous, gripping book. Which is something that my beloved vanilla coke cannot provide.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
New blog
Interesting blog. When I get the chance, I will try to post it in the links section. For all those interested in international health care.
http://effectmeasure.blogspot.com/
http://effectmeasure.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 15, 2005
memo that
I don't think that I will ever understand the internet or how search engines work. Just read an email that told me to do a search on google for the word "failure." The results? The belief that politics are everywhere.
Speaking of politics, I started reading a biography of Queen Elizabeth I, by J.E. Neale. A fascinating read. My other current read is "Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime," by Mark Haldon. One of those books that I've been meaning to read for a year and only now reading. Would have finished it by now if I actually picked it up each day before 1am....
Speaking of politics, I started reading a biography of Queen Elizabeth I, by J.E. Neale. A fascinating read. My other current read is "Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime," by Mark Haldon. One of those books that I've been meaning to read for a year and only now reading. Would have finished it by now if I actually picked it up each day before 1am....
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Conversations
Yes, I really do have a child-sized foot. I can't help it. However, I do think that I know how to buy shoes so that they aren't too small or too large. Last night, I went to visit some "friends" and one girl told me that my foot is not that small. I should really be wearing women-sized shoes because my foot was not that much smaller than hers. Perhaps I just wear shoes that are too small for me and have been doing so since fourth grade. Go figure.
On another note, here is an article for potential new authors:.
I also decided to write a book oene day. Humorous accounts of being a twin. Earlier this week, someone told me that I could be a soap opera. Public affairs writing is that cheesy. Friend said that we are like a schizophrenic. First one talk, then the other. But it sounds like the same person. Not so, but funny nonetheless.
On another note, here is an article for potential new authors:.
I also decided to write a book oene day. Humorous accounts of being a twin. Earlier this week, someone told me that I could be a soap opera. Public affairs writing is that cheesy. Friend said that we are like a schizophrenic. First one talk, then the other. But it sounds like the same person. Not so, but funny nonetheless.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Tale of two moods
Thursday: I had an absolutely amazing day on Thursday. I don't know why, but I loved it. I had 3.5 hours of sleep the previous night, but I couldn't do anything to stop smiling. I had this tremendous bounce in my step, and nothing could deter my good mood. Nothing spectacular or even memorable occurred, but the entire day was great. I split the entire day between my lab work and TA'ing and then band. However, it was just one of those amazing days in which I want to dance down Middle Path. Life for no explicable reason was just that good.
Saturday: I went running this morning, which is not good in itself. I run in order to be fit or to clear my head. Approximately three miles of pavement and the sound of the wind. I needed to run away from my planner and the thousands of meetings and labs. I needed to run away from the applications yet undone. Above all, I needed time away from Kenyon. SIPS last night was great, but not enough. Right now, I just see too much drama, where everyone hears only half of the story (especially when it involves the opposite sex) and then when you do hear the other half, you just end up hurt. Really hurt. Basically, I'm at the point where two friends are causing me more stress than the rest of my crazy life put together. Everyone is acting like twelve years old and no one is being truthful. I fee like I'm the excuse for someone's else's insecurities, and I haven't even seen the players in days. Which is why I'm in hiding and trying to figure out where to go for October Break. This campus is too small and enclosed right now.
Saturday: I went running this morning, which is not good in itself. I run in order to be fit or to clear my head. Approximately three miles of pavement and the sound of the wind. I needed to run away from my planner and the thousands of meetings and labs. I needed to run away from the applications yet undone. Above all, I needed time away from Kenyon. SIPS last night was great, but not enough. Right now, I just see too much drama, where everyone hears only half of the story (especially when it involves the opposite sex) and then when you do hear the other half, you just end up hurt. Really hurt. Basically, I'm at the point where two friends are causing me more stress than the rest of my crazy life put together. Everyone is acting like twelve years old and no one is being truthful. I fee like I'm the excuse for someone's else's insecurities, and I haven't even seen the players in days. Which is why I'm in hiding and trying to figure out where to go for October Break. This campus is too small and enclosed right now.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Random news
Classes started this week. While I'm not going to think about the loads of work and my home away from home, I should share amusing stories.
Every as a little kid asks "why is water blue?" Adults can explain that lakes and rivers are not really blue; merely their coloring is the reflection of the sky. This leads to the inevitable question, "why is the sky blue?"
Now I demonstrate my nerdy side, minus the nerdy glasses. Reading my instrumental analysis book, I can now say that the sky is blue as a result of the Rayleigh scattering. Shorter wavelengths from the sun's radiation scatter when they reach the atmospheric medium. As these shorter wavelengths are in the visible region, we see the scattered waves in the sky as blue. Thus, a blue sky.
Tonight the power went off across Gambier, just before 9pm. Little surprise that I was reading my textbook and working on the computer. To make a long story short, Prof. Lutton loaned four of us students his flashlight and a propane lamp. The four of us dragged a table and chairs out of a lounge and sat and studied by the light of an emergency light and the propane lamp.
As this is Kenyon, a couple friends came by and tried to argue that since power was out, it was a good excuse as any to start drinking. Somehow the excuse that it was early in the night sounded quite lame. I stuck with my coffee and milk and biology textbook.
To end the excitement, the lights came back on around 11pm. It was a bit humorous to hide matches and the propane lamp in the biochemistry lab. Kelly didn't want to set off the smoke detectors either in the restroom and was in a momentary panic.
Enough talk now. Time to read about the principles of democracy.
Every as a little kid asks "why is water blue?" Adults can explain that lakes and rivers are not really blue; merely their coloring is the reflection of the sky. This leads to the inevitable question, "why is the sky blue?"
Now I demonstrate my nerdy side, minus the nerdy glasses. Reading my instrumental analysis book, I can now say that the sky is blue as a result of the Rayleigh scattering. Shorter wavelengths from the sun's radiation scatter when they reach the atmospheric medium. As these shorter wavelengths are in the visible region, we see the scattered waves in the sky as blue. Thus, a blue sky.
Tonight the power went off across Gambier, just before 9pm. Little surprise that I was reading my textbook and working on the computer. To make a long story short, Prof. Lutton loaned four of us students his flashlight and a propane lamp. The four of us dragged a table and chairs out of a lounge and sat and studied by the light of an emergency light and the propane lamp.
As this is Kenyon, a couple friends came by and tried to argue that since power was out, it was a good excuse as any to start drinking. Somehow the excuse that it was early in the night sounded quite lame. I stuck with my coffee and milk and biology textbook.
To end the excitement, the lights came back on around 11pm. It was a bit humorous to hide matches and the propane lamp in the biochemistry lab. Kelly didn't want to set off the smoke detectors either in the restroom and was in a momentary panic.
Enough talk now. Time to read about the principles of democracy.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll
In some ways, I guess that you could say that I'm sexually frustrated. Everywhere I look, someone is talking about sex. I'm overwhelmed and frankly, a little tired of the topic. Just because I'm naive doesn't necessarily mean that I want or need to know the ins and outs of the 1000 ways to copulate. Preferably, my mind needs to be out of the gutter at the moment. Just too many voices speaking about it. Conversations with friends at Kenyon, a cabaret, and even the NY Times. Well, sort of.
In general, too much information. Way too many details.
Think I will go and improve my physical chemistry. Of the math variety.
In general, too much information. Way too many details.
Think I will go and improve my physical chemistry. Of the math variety.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)