Happy Halloween ...

So we carved pumpkins this weekend. If you look carefully, you will see that the scared pumpkin on the left is crying. Probably because the pumpkin on the right needs some plastic surgery and dental work ...

It Never Fails ...

Packages from my Mom always seem to arrive at the lowest point of my various life crises. And I feel better. At least a bit better. Even if my life still seems to be spinning out of control ...

Metro Opens Doors ...

So I'm on my way home on the Metro today, sitting across from a middle-aged couple. They start teasing each other, and immediately I see my parents 15 years from now. (Did you get that, parents?! I just called you 15 years younger than middle-aged. You are welcome for that.) In the midst of their conversation, the wife asks the husband something, and he says, "I wasn't watching, I was looking at her." Her meaning me. So then I start laughing and we become Metro friends. Which, you should know, is saying something. I am not usually a Metro friend. I mind my own business (unless you are under five years old, in which case I will smile and make faces at you) of secretly imagining the life stories of the people I am pretending not to look at. Well it took little imagination to see that this couple had a happy life together. They soon got off the train, though, and in came a guy with two toothbrushes in his pocket, clearly coming from the dentist. He sat down in the wife's former seat and then proceeded to look at himself (and his newly cleaned teeth) in the window. We did not become Metro friends ..

Close Every Door ...

So what happens after you (very happily) listen to the entire CD of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at least twice a day for three days in a row? Well, it takes at least three more days for the words to leave ... I am on day two now and the songs keep playing in my head. Over and over and over again. I woke up thinking them. Which makes me think of myself 10 years ago. That would be the year of the David Osmond obsession. Yep. Good times ...

Because I Need To Post Something ... Anything ...

Clearly I am desperate. I neglect my blog for two weeks and can only find this photo to post?! Well, I actually wanted to save this for Election Day. But because I am becoming a bit less enthused about the possible results of that day it makes an appearance now. And because I have nothing good to post. So we get this. (For the record, I still think McCain will win. Mostly because I am stubborn and have already predicted this and do not want to doubt my predictive powers.)

Now a quote from a really good book I read recently: "An average of seventy-four species become extinct every day, which was one good reason but not the only one to hold someone's hand." ~ Nicole Krauss, The History of Love

And this alarming tidbit from my professor: "It is absolutely, completely impossible to sell cereal without any rat feces." Apparently our food scientists need to be working a bit more diligently ...

Tales Out Of School ...

Dear Guy Who Sits in Front of Me in Evidence Class:

Thank you for wearing that really classy t-shirt today. Yep, the one with the beach scene and a bikini-clad blonde on the back. I really liked that I could not look from the professor back to my computer screen without seeing said bikini girl. I am so glad you sit directly in front of me. And I am glad you acted so selflessly when you purchased that shirt, realizing that everyone except you would have the pleasure of looking at the back of that shirt all day long. So, in honor of you exhibiting such fine principles, I think you should go ahead and keep that shirt in your drawer, or on your floor, or even hang it on your wall from now on. Then you can enjoy the view that the rest of us enjoyed today.

Sincerely,

C.

In other school news, my professor who I do not really understand but who I have for two classes called on me yesterday. In both classes. Yes people, twice in one day. Bad luck. My other professor turned 80-something this week. And he brought Costco cookies to class. So obviously, he wins for professor of the semester. Also, he makes great comments like this: "We all build b*mbs sometimes." And since I like him, and do not want to be questioned by the FBI about his very innocent statement that I just posted on the worldwide web, let me emphasize his patriotism ...

Yellow Pajama Pants ...

This story began innocently enough, with me buying a baby gift of all things. That required that I go to Old Navy and Barnes & Noble for my traditional book-wrapped-in-a-blanket standby. (I go with what I know people. I do not know the proper size and corresponding seasonal attire for your adorable bundle of joy. I do know books and blankets, however. I know them really, really well.) Anyway, after spending some quality time in the children's book and clothing sections (I may not know what size to buy, but that does not stop me from looking at the cuteness of it all) I apparently mistook myself for a Person With An Income, because $100 later, I have not only a fabulous book and the blanket to wrap it in, but a jacket, five shirts (ON SALE) and two other books. And a pair of pajama pants. (Mom, stop sighing.) Because along with books and blankets, I know pajama pants. And although I already have red ones with white stars and yellow ones with blue stars and blue ones with yellow stars and pink ones with pink diamonds and one red pair with stripes and a white pair with pineapples, I did not have any yellow and white striped ones. And I am always on the lookout for just such a pair. So I bought them. On sale, in my defense. (And also in my defense, today I found a hole in my favorite ones, the red ones with pink stripes.) And Mom and Dad, this does not mean I do not need another pair on Christmas Eve. I will always need another pair on Christmas Eve. (Clearly I value them. I have the pajama pants from the last five Christmases.) And (sort of) on this topic, I am happy to report that with Halloween candy now in stores, I can officially start listening to Christmas music in one month and 11 days ...