I’m happy these days. See, some pictures, in which I am incompetent and my knee makes a brief cameo.

TFA State is the day after tomorrow! I’m not expecting much, but it might be fun.

I wish I could really appreciate classical music. I can’t seem to get emotionally involved with classical, possibly because of the lack of vocals to easily give the illusion of communication. Yesterday, my mom, my little brother, and I went to a classical concert of a piano and a violincello. I failed to make myself enjoy it very much. With two instruments, I found myself focusing on one or the other instead of listening to the piece as a whole. The two performers would jerk their heads to the music during emotional bits at different rates, giving me the impression of schitzophrenia. I hope I’ll learn to appreciate classical someday. Also, learn to play chess properly! If the West Wing has taught me anything, it’s that you must be good at chess to succeed in politics.

Yesterday, went downtown to get photos for newspaper. I’m excited about doing the center spread! It counts as a promotion even though the reason it happened is because my own back page is being eaten alive by a full-page ad. Lea consented to schlepp around with me and take pictures and make fun of my addiction to bead-shopping. My love for Lea is monumental and ungainly. Why aren’t I in college yet?

Bohemia West II, Thursday night, was fun and profitable. I like being in charge even though it is completely agonizing.

My parents have, somehow, found zen! I’m so happy. Last night my 2AM walk with the dog garnered no comment beyond “We’re glad you took the cellphone. That was Responsible!” I bet this is because I’m Lenting (no chocolate and candy), so God loves me. Sweet.

Great thing #6.

I’ve been listening to Sufjan Stevens lately, thanks to Etan who stole my zeedonk (Equus zeedonkus). Today was kind of a crap day but all that means is tomorrow is guaranteed to be better. I have successfully reached a sort of zen through the intake of coffee, Economics, and Cake.

In Speech class we are giving five-minute presentations on anything, so I am going to be talking about evolution. Veronica Miller will be giving the Creationism speech. Veronica is a nice person who thinks Bushisms are adorable, rather than terrifying. Our point-counterpoint should be interesting. I hope I can convince people / keep a straight face.

Great thing #5: the meta-poll.

Today, TAKS day, I woke up at the decadently late hour of 8:00AM because I only had to go to school at 1:05PM. So that was good. And I had an odd dream with a dead dog in it. Also, an indoor ice skating rink, delicious baby ribs, and Jason. The death of the dog made me very sad.

Bohemia West II (new and improved) is this Thursday! This is exciting.

Some things that are great: zeedonks, graffiti, crying manly men, banshees.

Sorry about the downtime. I maintain that it was not my fault, though it probably was.

Recent events that are notable: 1) I qualified for TFA, despite (because of?) considerable worry; 2) Westwood Debate had its UIL tournament yesterday, and it was exhausting. I keep telling myself that after Event X my senior year will proceed as planned — without effort — but then X happens and I still have things to do. My last semester of high school is a floppy disappointment. I’m getting all A’s! Where is the justice!

Schlepping around Barnes & Noble the other day, I found a book by someone named Keith Boykin. The back of the book referred to the AIDS/HIV epidemic as the “Down Under Phenomenon.” Heehee.

It took me most of tonight to crank out a single poem entitled ‘7AM’ for tomorrow’s Round Table critique after school, and then I forgot about the State of the Union! Argh! Now I’m watching it online, feeling a philistine. There needs to be an abridged version of this thing, without the clapping and empty rhetoric. I will be happy if I never have to hear “nukelar” again.

The Group 4 project for IB is over as of today. What an excellent, excellent feeling. President Bush is talking about honoring Social Security’s “new purposes in this new century.” I hope he doesn’t break it! Now, to sleep.