March 30, 2005
just when the two theses, 500+ pages of reading each week, two part-time jobs, the fact that i apparently didn't get anything done over spring break (though it was WONDERFUL-- updates soon!), and trying to have fun during my last college semester weren't enough, my first computer, a lovely dell inspiron 8000 (c. august 2001) walked the plank.
actually, it was more of a coma: a dramatic and perplexing slumber in which frightening error messages were interspersed with "active desktop disenabled" screens in stages reminiscent of malaria hot/cold cycles. needless to say, it was not pretty. according to the good folks at indiana university's uits (composed of a secret society of student programming GENIUSES) my four-year-old pal was experiencing "software problems," which i can only assume confirms everyone's suspicions that microsoft's "millenium edition" operating system was, in fact, total garbage. (and yes, i'm the only one without xp).
but there's good news! in light of i8000's recent illnesses, it has been determined that he shall retire to a lifestyle more suited to his abilities and personal situation: he shall take his place as my mother's new confidante, and will surely be well-treated and appreciated. and not left on all the time or connected to instant messenger. starting next week, compy II is anticipated. with wireless connections, a significantly lighter weight (i8000 is the zack morris phone of laptops) and xp so that i can finally install itunes. camille's (finally) entering a new technological era (though it's been old news for you)!
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actually, it was more of a coma: a dramatic and perplexing slumber in which frightening error messages were interspersed with "active desktop disenabled" screens in stages reminiscent of malaria hot/cold cycles. needless to say, it was not pretty. according to the good folks at indiana university's uits (composed of a secret society of student programming GENIUSES) my four-year-old pal was experiencing "software problems," which i can only assume confirms everyone's suspicions that microsoft's "millenium edition" operating system was, in fact, total garbage. (and yes, i'm the only one without xp).
but there's good news! in light of i8000's recent illnesses, it has been determined that he shall retire to a lifestyle more suited to his abilities and personal situation: he shall take his place as my mother's new confidante, and will surely be well-treated and appreciated. and not left on all the time or connected to instant messenger. starting next week, compy II is anticipated. with wireless connections, a significantly lighter weight (i8000 is the zack morris phone of laptops) and xp so that i can finally install itunes. camille's (finally) entering a new technological era (though it's been old news for you)!
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March 09, 2005
my lovely roommate lauren w. came back from work this morning with a hilarious letter from john cleese (presumably THE john cleese). in it, he rants about the current state of american affairs, our (mis)pronunciation of certain words (ex. american: alu-min-um/british: alu-min-I-um), and our failure to use the british "u" in "color," "neighbor," etc. here's his opener:
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as someone who went to a british school for a time in her youth, i can understand the agony felt over confusion between british and american words. is jelly jam or jell-o? is a boot a more substantial shoe, or the trunk of a car? what is a "lorry?" and don't you think "loo" is a little outdated? i do very much like your use of "waste bin" instead of "trash can" but i know i'll think of others.to the citizens of the united states of america: in the light of your failure to elect a competent president of the usa and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. her sovereign majesty queen elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. except utah, which she does not fancy. your new prime minister (the right honourable tony blair, mp for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for america without the need for further elections. congress and the senate will be disbanded. a questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.
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March 07, 2005
hurrah! my beloved mentor of all-things-aesthetic, martha stewart, is free from prison, and under house arrest. it seems as though martha has undergone a conversion of sorts-- or at least garnered some interesting and new perspectives on life. according to the new york times, martha told her company employees, "every person deserves dignity. every person deserves opportunity. every person deserves the comforts of a good home. that's what matters."
the times goes on to say (in a typically snooty fashion): "ms. stewart appeared determined to bury the image some have of her as a greedy, strident convicted felon. she presented herself as someone who cares deeply about everyone, not just about her own media empire, where the emphasis has long been on perfectly executed dinner parties, painstakingly decoupaged lampshades and seemingly unnecessary tasks like making marshmallows from scratch."
while i wouldn't call any of her artistic activities or even the making homemade marshmallows "unnecessary" (especially if sugar-free!), i am happy for her, and glad that she'll be able to get back to work-- and back to her life.
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the times goes on to say (in a typically snooty fashion): "ms. stewart appeared determined to bury the image some have of her as a greedy, strident convicted felon. she presented herself as someone who cares deeply about everyone, not just about her own media empire, where the emphasis has long been on perfectly executed dinner parties, painstakingly decoupaged lampshades and seemingly unnecessary tasks like making marshmallows from scratch."
while i wouldn't call any of her artistic activities or even the making homemade marshmallows "unnecessary" (especially if sugar-free!), i am happy for her, and glad that she'll be able to get back to work-- and back to her life.
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today the new girls (almost fifty-something freshmen and a few sophomores) were intiated into our chapter of delta gamma. it was a nice, traditional ceremony (though perhaps not quite as solemn as our founders might have intended in the late 1800s), and it marked a transition point for many. the new initiates became full members, and the seniors took one step closer to ending their undergraduate college experience. at one point, each senior was supposed to share a little bit of advice with the "n.i."s, and i listened as my friends and sisters shared their ideas. "live it up," "get to know everyone," "go out every single night." i told them that this experience would bring returns equal to what they invest into it, whatever that involves. this chapter has made an incredible impact on my life, and i've made friends here that i hope will be mine for the rest of my life. i've had experiences here that i never would have otherwise encountered-- and i am grateful for every element-- the positive and negatives alike.
there are so many people in this house that i love and admire. i am constantly surprised at the accomplishments, actions, and activities of the ladies here. i adore our house mother, mom kyle. i love the bedrooms, the "warm" and "cold" dorms, cubbies in the bathrooms, the shared mailboxes, the bizarre clear shower stalls, the furniture, and even our crazy (and treacherous) parking lot. i love the nautical decor, the tea and coffee area, the dining room, and the books mom kyle keeps of every dg alum's wedding (and i love to sneak into her closet when she's not around and "borrow" her sugar-free candy, although she's famous for sharing her popcorn, pretzels, m&ms, and other real sweets). i love walking down jordan avenue and seeing the beautiful house set in it's unique location between the auditorium and opera building, completely separate from every other greek chapter. these are just some of my thoughts tonight.
as much as i may complain (or feel hurt) when my electric toothbrush or package of deli meat goes "missing," or when i'm not smiled at in a hallway or at lunch, or when i feel like it would be awkward to sit in the dining room with certain people i'm not very familiar with, this is a place i'm glad to be a part of.
there's so much i could say about this place. i want to be more sorry than i am about leaving here. i know i'll feel it more as summer approaches. warm weather and leaves on trees seem to conjure emotions and memories more than the frost we've had last week. mostly i'm just happy that i've had this chance to be part of this group, and, if only briefly, to have been an element in it's legacy.
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there are so many people in this house that i love and admire. i am constantly surprised at the accomplishments, actions, and activities of the ladies here. i adore our house mother, mom kyle. i love the bedrooms, the "warm" and "cold" dorms, cubbies in the bathrooms, the shared mailboxes, the bizarre clear shower stalls, the furniture, and even our crazy (and treacherous) parking lot. i love the nautical decor, the tea and coffee area, the dining room, and the books mom kyle keeps of every dg alum's wedding (and i love to sneak into her closet when she's not around and "borrow" her sugar-free candy, although she's famous for sharing her popcorn, pretzels, m&ms, and other real sweets). i love walking down jordan avenue and seeing the beautiful house set in it's unique location between the auditorium and opera building, completely separate from every other greek chapter. these are just some of my thoughts tonight.
as much as i may complain (or feel hurt) when my electric toothbrush or package of deli meat goes "missing," or when i'm not smiled at in a hallway or at lunch, or when i feel like it would be awkward to sit in the dining room with certain people i'm not very familiar with, this is a place i'm glad to be a part of.
there's so much i could say about this place. i want to be more sorry than i am about leaving here. i know i'll feel it more as summer approaches. warm weather and leaves on trees seem to conjure emotions and memories more than the frost we've had last week. mostly i'm just happy that i've had this chance to be part of this group, and, if only briefly, to have been an element in it's legacy.
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