I also just e-mailed the teaching assistant of our class and asked his advice.

Oh sure, go to someone who knows the professor and his expectations.

I don't know if I've said this on the board or not, but I really feel like, going into this semester, that I'm going to make it through. It's the first time I've felt that way since starting at UMass Boston. I really think I can do this. It's an amazing feeling.

vw, this makes me so very happy.

I'm sort of in a middle ground WRT politics. I'm not following things as closely as I was before the election, but I read my favorite political blogs once or twice a week (as opposed to once or twice a day), I still listen to NPR regularly, and I signed the Never Surrender pledge. Which I'm fulfilling by donating a portion of all my freelance proceeds to civil liberties/human rights and environmental groups.

But I decided not to do something I seriously considered just after the election, namely start a blog on being a lefty Christian and on what it's like to be blue but to come from red roots and therefore understand the other side's language and values. I discovered that quite a few other people had the same idea, and decided it's not my assignment. I believe I'm meant to write books and to tell the truth as I see it through that medium. Of course my books aren't going to be political speeches or religious sermons, but I think what I believe about life, love, integrity, human worth, and honor will come through anyway, and maybe be better and more effective than if I'd tried to preach a sermon. Because that's not my job, and this is.

And if all goes well, on 1/20/09, I'll be watching a new president get sworn in with a book contract in hand, or maybe even an actual book of my own. That's what I'm trying to do with the next four years--to take scripture wildly out of context, I'm redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Oh sure, go to someone who knows the professor and his expectations.

I know. I know. Somehow it feels like cheating.

Bring the best one, vw. Of course, I can say that being a. thousands of miles away. b. and when it comes to my writing, vain as fuck. (my writing class took a while to forgive me after I agitated to put my name on something intended to be anonymous and the teacher thought I was right and said everyone should sign them.)

Enjoyed this comment about the Juliette Lewis picture:

man, juliette is ANGRY.

that face just screams, "LOOK AT MY SKINNY TIE! LOOK AT IT, OR I'll EAT YOU"

We avoided the SoTU like it was the plague (as indeed, this administration seems like pestilence). We had martinis at the Zam Zam, grabbed slices of pizza and then went home and watched Garden State.

Zach Braff's character reminded me of Sunil. Natalie Portman's character didn't remind me of SA, but she sounded almost exactly like SA. Voice and inflections.

Also JZ and I had a small fight last night because she watches me while I watch movies which REALLY BUGS ME.

Oh, c'mon, Hec. You're better looking than that guy! Or is she, like, gauging your reaction...not that, um, I would ever, ever do that, but my friend does.

Or is she, like, gauging your reaction...

That's the issue. I don't want somebody monitoring my reaction while I'm watching a movie. It takes me out of the movie.

not that, um, I would ever, ever do that, but my friend does.

Mmmmhmmm.

I have a hard time not doing that sometimes if it's something I've seen and loved and the other person hasn't seen it before. But I try not to make it obvious.

Zach Braff's character reminded me of Sunil.

Are you saying I should be on antidepressants? Cause...maybe I should be. But thanks. That's kind of flattering, since I end up with Natalie Portman.

I'm starting to think I'm not fabulous enough for Manolo's Shoe Blog.

It's not as funny as Go Fug Yourself, and I'm not that much of a shoe person.