Power out

I poured my cereal and opened the refrigerator to find the power off. I didn't open it after grabbing a yogurt yesterday morning, but somehow the breaker built into the outlet was tripped since then. Everything in the freezer seems okay, but the refrigerated goods are only a few degrees cooler than room temperature. I'm looking forward to moving out of this place.

Slow Cooked

The class made plans to go to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que after the lecture yesterday, but most folks ditched out and went early. Elizabeth and I showed up at the end of the dinner and got our food to go, finding the wait-time to be exceptionally short. Most of the dishes they serve seem to involve one of three foods (shredded pork, beef brisket, or chicken-breast), so even the entrees are quickly assembled. I had Pork Carolina sandwich, and found that it was easily the best BBQ I've had. The sauce is kept to a minimum to allow the taste of the slow cook meat to shine on its own. The only downside is that it reawakened my desire to go down south and experience the whole spectrum of this cultural phenomenon.

Eye of the storm

A snow that is almost a rain is falling on Syracuse, quieting what might otherwise be a raucous Friday night. In fact I forwent the Devo dance party being thrown by my classmates and instead headed to the Inn Complete where I sat by the fire and imbibed two pints of Guinness, my favorite of beers, while reading Moby-Dick.

But what has happened in my long silence? Michael and I, partners from the start of the semester, had a successful midterm review. Our analysis of power dynamics in the Palazzo Barberini led to a number of interesting iterations and some snazzy graphical analysis. Alas, we had to part ways when we returned from spring break in order to better accommodate the class as a whole, as certain partnerships had to be avoided and other maintained. Spring break was quite pleasant. I met with members of the Minneapolis office of SmithGroup, and I am very much hoping that they will be able to offer a summer internship. I completed my taxes (and sent Uncle Sam a check for what I owed), did homework, and caught up on sleep. Claire started her break on the Friday of my own, and we enjoyed each other's company, both on our own and with my family. The first day back at school I, along with my teammates Kirby and Miep, led an hour long discussion of the film Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring, which seemed to go well.

Who knows what the rest of the semester will hold, but for now I can say that life—while hectic—is good.

Princess To Go Smoke-Free?

We can only hope. How ship holiday turned to hell: "A smoldering cigarette is thought to have started the blaze..."

No Flower

I suspect the Syracuse chamber of commerce would never adopt it, I've taken to thinking of this place as "Skunk City." I see (and smell) more of the li'l guys each month than I had in my whole life before arriving here. Part of me wonders if drunken students are responsible for triggering a number of the sprays that taint the campus area, but I've smelled skunk downtown too. Tonight I saw a particularly white and fluffy one under my bedroom window as Mary and I drove by, and thankfully I was careful as I approached my apartment because it was very near my door. I gave it time to wander down to the other end of the building before hurrying inside, my kitchen being wholly devoid of tomato soup.

Muster Stations

This article reports on a fire aboard the Star Princess, on which my family sailed during our 2002 Alaskan and 2005 European vacations.

One-two punch

I brushed with Colagate; then I switched to Tom's of Maine. I guess I'm back with Colgate now.

I computed with a Dell; then I switched to an Alienware. I guess I'm back with Dell now.

Since 1985

Happy twenty-first, Kyle!

Thinking(?) outside the box

The back of my Life cereal box asks me to unscramble the following emotions exhibited by Curious George: CORUIUS / HYPPA / SDA. I know cereal box games cater to a very young crowd, but this is just DEPRSSEING.