A long decade

10 years ago today, I woke up in a changed world.  I would be lying if I said I remember everything, but the nervous whispers and questions that took over the schoolyard remain clear, even if I find it difficult to recall exactly what was said.  10 years ago, I was nine years old, a fourth-grader with very little understanding of the world outside the United States, or maybe even outside California.  All of my knowledge regarding the human psyche came from classrooms and playgrounds.  When somebody said they hated someone, it was because they copied answers off of a homework sheet, or because they spilled tomato sauce all over your backpack, or because they kicked a ball onto the roof during lunch and made it so that nobody could play soccer with the red cherry balls even though they were way more fun than regular soccer balls.  Unspeakably horrid offenses, yes, but nothing that would merit more than a childish scolding or a brief and clumsy fistfight.  10 years ago today, I woke up to find that somebody hated us so much that they flew two commercial airplanes into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon, and that their hatred was fierce enough to kill almost 3000 people.

I would like to say that this makes as little sense now as it did then, but my understanding of international politics and the psychology of radicalism makes it impossible for me to say that I don't know how something like this could have happened.  I have had a full ten years to learn that there are terrible people who do terrible things, and as uncomfortable as it is to admit, there is most often a reason.  I have also had a full ten years to learn that there are wonderful people who do wonderful things, and even average people who do wonderful things, and it is an unfathomable relief to know that people who do wonderful things greatly outnumber those who are terrible. 

Ten years later, it still hurts.  Families who lost siblings, parents and spouses are still aching.  We, as citizens, still bear the scars of the great injury our country suffered.  But if I can take anything from the ten years I've had since I found the world to be far scarier than I had previously ever imagined, it is that the world is also far brighter and more beautiful than I ever could have hoped.  Remember, yes.  Give those we lost the respect and reverence that they deserve.  But as we remember 9/11, we must implore ourselves to also remember that slowly but surely, we are healing. 

Call me normal and I'll call you often

Welcome back to camp, everyone.

(29) Days of August

I'd like to give a special highlight to Sam Stone and Noureen Nanjee for a spectacular 2:00 am ponding last night (this morning?) proving that it is never too late to properly christen a birthday. 

Oh it is good to be back.  Today will be a day of firsts: first Pitzer lunch of the year (get ready Alex Cromidas), first daytime swim in the fountain with Cassie Won, first day seeing my beautiful fellow August birthday holder Danielle Shubat, first time I can hear properly since a last-minute decision to see Deadmau5 with Drake Escrofani, and the first day since I've been here that it does not feel too hot to wear clothing. 

And now it's time that we...

frankly my dear, i don't give a Spam™

Poster: $10 each
Box of thumbtacks: $2
Sitting on my bed and explaining, to my 7 year old neighbor, each of my 11 posters currently hanging in my room: costs me nothing, but still kinda fun.

Best moment: watching her point to the poster of Jimi Hendrix that is next to my Pulp Fiction poster and listening to her ask, "Did he do the pulp fiction after he played guitars?"  #juleswinnfieldlookslikejimihendrix

Next best moment: Teaching her ?-year-old younger(?) brother (I swear, these kids are a year older every other week) how to play Linus and Lucy on our piano.  Sleep with one eye open, kid.

5 good reasons to punch a dolphin in the mouth

1.  When a dolphin makes those cute whistles and clicky sounds, they're actually insulting you and your family in a horribly vulgar manner.
2.  Their rubbery skin is easy on the knuckles.  Makes for a much better undersea punching bag than an octopus, which can tend to leave sucker marks.
3.  Dolphins play their entire lives.  Humans only play until we reach adulthood.  This is unfair.  Make it fair by landing a nice roundhouse kick to the face.
4.  Dolphins think they're so great.  Ever seen them swim with a boat?  They think it's a race.  Put that dolphin in its place with a solid left hook.
5.  Anything that smiles that often needs a good punch every now and then.

Thanks, Oatmeal.

*Disclaimer: This entry is intended for absurd or comedic purposes only.  I do not endorse violence towards dolphins, if for no other reason than that the dolphin will almost certainly take you down.  They wear jellyfish as hats.  These things mean business.*

Burns so good

guess what

you know what time it is


GET TO IT.