Chronicle Number 42: Drat My Caring Heart

It seems now that I start off every blog post with an apology. I would like to be able to write every week, but the truth is that there are weeks when nothing happens- so I don't write, or weeks that are so busy I can barely breathe- so I don't write.

I think it is also partially because I don't feel particularly funny. I don't feel like my stories are that exciting at this point, and I don't know what to write when I can't be cheerful and joking.

So what is going on in my life? Last semester was extremely hard. I was busy all the time, what with my classes, lab, and graduate applications. There were times when I know I was neither rational nor fun. My people held up remarkably well, despite the fact that (in the words of Boyfriend) "a hurricane would be more predictable."

LINDSAY: I cannot destroy the things I hate, so I must destroy the things I love!!!!

Luckily I did not destroy anything, especially Boyfriend. If Boyfriend were destroyed, I would be quite displeased. Despite the crazy (which honestly, I should be used to), last semester seemed to go remarkably well. I made high grades and succeeded in lab, and my personal life did not explode. But it didn't make for very fun blog talk.

So what am I doing now, you ask? Hopefully you haven't been waiting with baited breath, because you would be dead by now.

I'm going to graduate school interviews! Sounds like fun, right? Right? Wrong. I've only been to one so far, and even though I loved the school and thought it was super awesome, it was also very stressful. It's funny how actually really liking something can make possibly losing it scarier.

LINDSAY: I'm invested. Drat my caring heart! Now it matters.

At the same time, it is really cool to talk to people who do this for a living. Because I really want to do this. I think it's really important. I think sometimes I might have trouble getting that across to interviewers.

INTERVIEWER: Are you awesome? Tell me why.
LINDSAY: I am so awesome. *Concentrates on appearing awesome*
INTERVIEWER: Is your eye twitching? Do you need a glass of water or something?

But enough about that! This year I'm taking biotechnology! I think that it is a secret plot to make me take a business class. Surprisingly, I am down with this secret plot.

LINDSAY: Wait. Are you saying that I'm going to have to understand how the world works? I'm confused.
PROFESSOR: Learn how to run a company!
LINDSAY: I belong in lab! What's that shiny yellow thing staring at me?!
PROFESSOR: This is the outside. That is the sun.
LINDSAY: It burns!

It's actually sort of fun. We have to fake buy stock with fake money! I have so far earned 14,000 fake dollars! Hopefully this continues. I would like to be a fake millionaire.

I am also taking cell biology, but that is boring and we shall not speak of it.

There is also this other class. It is very difficult. It's something that I don't have much cause to do. Mainly because I don't like it. What is it, you ask? What is UGA forcing me to do that I obviously won't do on my own?

...

...

Exercise.

In this case, I am taking fitness for life walking. Yes, I am taking walking. It's actually a lot more legit than I expected. This alternately invigorates and depresses me. It was the only class that would fit in my schedule, as I am doing my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and living in lab the other weekdays.

LINDSAY: I am way too fat to do this.
MARVIN, WALKING INSTRUCTOR: I would refute that, but I am too busy being depressed that I am teaching walking.
LINDSAY: Yeah. Tough break, that one. What do I do now?
MARVIN: Walk up these stairs.
LINDSAY: It burns!

So that's what I've been up to. We'll see if this whole "blogging" thing continues. Who knows, I could be back next week or I could see you in six month! I've got to keep you on your toes, now don't I?

Chronicle Number 41: Science Has Rules

Well, it's been nearly six months, hasn't it? It's amazing how things are so different, and yet so much the same. The past month has been especially crazy.

Sometimes it's great. Sometimes it's not. Sometimes I just want to lie down and go to sleep for a month, and sometimes I can't wait for things to get moving... I guess I'm just a study in contradictions. Some things never change.

What can I say about my life, now?

Right now I'm studying for a massive immunology test, but I needed a break. In the last week I've had two papers and two midterms, so I've been a little crazy. Okay, a lot crazy. However, there has not been much screaming or gnashing of teeth, so there's been improvement since freshman year!

I pulled the same stunt that I always do, this semester. See, I'm only technically taking three actual classes, so I was so sure that I would have so much time! I would frolic, and dance, and make all A's really easily!

REAL LIFE: *creeps up on naive Lindsay*
LINDSAY: And I will bake cakes and hang out with Boyfriend and sing all the time and play card games and...
REAL LIFE: *Whacks Lindsay with Sledgehammer of Duty*

I tell you, that Sledgehammer of Duty leaves a rotten bruise. It does it every time, and I never learn.

First of all, I'm in lab about 20 hours a week. I actually really like it, it just takes up a lot of time. It's something that I can see myself doing for a long time. This is good, seeing how it is my life plan.

In actual classlandia, I'm taking Immunology, History of Popular Music, and Introduction to Religious Thought.

Immunology is... well, immunology. It's horrendously complicated and sometimes makes me want to strangle myself...

LINDSAY: The TCR binds to the MHC Class I which activates the CD40 that activates ZAP-70 in turn phosphorylating the ITAM on zeta? Too... Many... Acronyms...
BOYFRIEND: She's crashing! Send in the Glossary!

However, it is pretty interesting stuff. If you had told me that I would be considering doctoral programs in immunology three years ago, I probably would have laughed in your face.

LINDSAY: HA! Major in the one thing I don't understand easily! Pfft. And people call me crazy.

My history class is fun. I'm again taking with Dr. Wolf, who continues to be awesome. I feel kind of bad, because I just took the midterm in that class and I don't think it went that well. I just ran out of time, and instead of writing a shorter, better thought out essay, I kind of just threw in as much information as possible.

It's a crazy amount of work, though. A million readings, a huge research paper. She's definitely not wrong to ask for it, it's a 4000 level class. But I feel like I'm constantly slipping a little, because I just don't have the time. Then again, I seem to be the only one who is trying at all, so there's that.

WOLF, DESTROYER OF INGRATES: So, who can tell me about Wald's definition of the blues?
CLASS: *Silence*
LINDSAY: *gives answer*
WDI: And how does that relate to his thesis?
CLASS: *stares blankly*
LINDSAY: *looks around at everyone*
WDI: ...Just go ahead, Lindsay.

The same thing is kind of happening in my Religion class, but that's because it's a freshman level course and I am surrounded by ta dumb.

Okay. That was mean.

I don't really know how to feel about it. Sometimes I think I'm being extremely pompous and awful, but this class just drives me crazy. We move at a ridiculously glacial pace, and it could be saved if people would just talk about the concepts and have a good discourse, but no one wants to speak up.

I honestly think that it's just because it's a freshman class. That sounds bad, but it's true. While it seems to be the big thing now to bash college as being useless, I really think that by senior year we have learned enough that we are able to move faster and discuss more.

Also, I think I've been ruined for the social sciences.

PROFESSOR: And this is a study proving that Americans are more narcissistic than ever before!
LINDSAY: What are your experimental methods? Is this correlation implying causation? Do you have CONTROLS?!
PROFESSOR: *happily starts talking about something else*
LINDSAY: SCIENCE HAS RULES.

Life at the apartment has been crazy, because we are all madly applying for things and are all terrified that we won't end up anywhere next year. Susana and I have planned for this. If we are alone and destitute, we will share a cardboard box.

Well, I must go back to reading immunology! One more chapter to go! One more... thirty page chapter... of death.

*cries*

Chronicle Number 40: More Evidence of My Crazy

I return! Fresh off of the shores of adventure, I salute thee!

It's been a long journey here, and I tell you, comrades, it is not yet over. There are still tests to be taken! Journeys to commence! Dances to ridiculously dance!

I've realized that I've broken the cardinal rule these last few weeks. I guess at this point it's just irrevocably shattered. What is this rule, you ask? Well, Intrepid Young Sidekick Corinne could tell you.

It is simply, Never Give Them Evidence of Your Crazy.

Too late.

The weekend before last, I was able to give a whole new group this evidence! Soon all the world will know. Now, one man's crazy is another man's awesome, so I'm hoping that I can convince enough people that I am the latter. I was in Washington DC, for a concert at the National Gallery.

Weeks of work culminated in a lovely concert with the Men in Blaque from the University of Irvine. I don't really know if it was actually worth it, but if it wasn't then I am full of unspeakable horror. So I choose to believe that it was worth it. I don't want to be full of unspeakable horror, and I personally think that if you believe something long and hard enough that eventually it just has to be true.

The time in DC was fun, even if I couldn't really see much. Honestly, I feel sort of like an old hand at this, so I wasn't tres triste about not getting to go anywhere.

We did have lots of fun, though. There might have been a certain incident in which I named an umbrella "hobo slayer" declared myself "Hobo slaying sheriff" and recruited Amy, Sam and Laura as my hobo slaying deputies. But that's neither here nor there.

Of course, according to Murphy's Law, I couldn't get out of this completely unscathed.

FRIDAY: Today, Lindsay sings like an angel! There are no problems, it is quite lovely.
SATURDAY: Whose lovely voice is that? Oh, Lindsay's? She's awesome, you know.

On Sunday, however, I began to have a niggling sensation in the back of my throat.

LINDSAY: NOOOOOO!

Luckily my voice didn't completely give out until after the concert. It wasn't at its best, which was slightly depressing.

Then I got up on Monday to take my flight home.

At 4:00AM.

With a horrible head cold.

Well, I got back to Atlanta okay, even though I couldn't seem to sleep on the plane. Had breakfast with Bri Bri, which was fun. (In her words, "YAY!!! XD :) XDXD")

The week was uneventful, blah blah blah. I went home for Easter. Boyfriend was in Chicago, kicking butt and taking names at his Model UN conference. At least that's what I like to believe. (Reference to my earlier statement of believing things until they are true.)

BOYFRIEND: Lie to them! Lie to them!
LINDSAY: Oh, hush. You did well.
BOYFRIEND: I didn't get an award. I wasn't recognized!
LINDSAY: I'm beginning to think that you have a complex.

I think that perhaps our relationship works because we're both true blue purveyors of crazy.

This relationship would work even better if Boyfriend would buy me a Cheerwine. Hint hint.

Bonus Boyfriend Comment: This prior comment represents a special dynamic we have. My reply here: "You always do this. You say you want item X, I ask if you want me to get you one, you say no. Then you repeatedly comment about how you don't have item x, but maintain that 'It's fine' if I don't get you one." Lather rinse repeat. I'm a man, tell me if you want the Cheerwine or not.

Back to the awesome:

I'm just so misunderstood. Boyfriend doesn't get that I always want a Cheerwine.

By the way, I know what you're thinking right now, Mom. "She's so mean to him."

Wow, this has really descended into madness. (Oh, look! A Cheerwine!)

Anywhoot, Easter was fun. My Grandmother is here now, so it was nice to see her. Also, I love food. I could never be anorexic, I love food way too much.

Well, I should probably wrap this up. It's getting progressively more insane, and I'm getting progressively more bored while writing it. Plus, I should pay some attention to Boyfriend, as he is leaving me AGAIN this weekend. Geez.

Whatever you do, don't forget Lindsaytopia! Live the dream, people. Live. The. Dream.

Chronicle Number 39: My First and Foremost Jalapeno

I know, I know. I've been away forever. Really I blame you. It's because I don't ever get any comments. Obviously I cannot continue rambling without constant validation. I have to rely on the words of others for my self esteem! Duh!

Just kidding. Really. Please Mom, I'm fine. My self worth does not rely on the feelings of others. I make good choices. I remember who I am. I am kind to people and animals. Jesus loves me and so do you.

Moving on. What has been going on in my life? I think I've been gone for three weeks, right? Well, you won't get a rendition of most things, because I really can't remember past a week before. I never do. Live in the moment, that's me.

Last week was my week of horror. Really, it was the worst set of required things I've ever had. As tests go, it wasn't too bad. It was the rehearsals and performances that really cinched it.

The Friday before last I headed back to Augusta, in order to rehearse with the Georgia Chorus on Saturday. Fun times. Mom and I headed to PF Chang's to celebrate her acceptance into Seminary. In the true spirit of churchiness, we made many comments on the hot waiter. Don't worry, Boyfriend, Hot Waiter means nothing to me. You are my only hot tamale. My one true chili pepper. My first and foremost jalapeno.

...I'm going to stop now.

Rehearsal! Twas fine.

Saturday night it was back to Athens for Lindsay, so that I could go to the Bach rehearsal on Sunday. Scheduled from 3:00 to 9:00. I had the strange urge to commit hari kari. Monday was more rehearsal, Tuesday was the concert, and I had a psychology test on Wednesday. I'm not proud, but I really did kind of throw that test out the window. I didn't study at all. I just didn't have time, and we get a drop test.

Mom came to the performance on Tuesday, so we got to hang out a little. She loved it, so even though I didn't feel so fabulous, she helped me feel better about it.

Seriously, at some points this went on:

DIRECTOR: Come on, guys! You have to look angry at this part, it's important.
LINDSAY: *too tired to really care*
DIRECTOR: Think of something that makes you mad!
LINDSAY: *thinks I HATE REHEARSAL while singing*
DIRECTOR: Much better! *Oodles of smiles*

So, are you keeping up? Great, because I have more! There was a biochemistry test on Friday, which I just won't go into. This is supposed to be a funny blog, and ranting about the injustice of my ridiculous professor's ways really won't be fun reading. Suffice it to say, it was super hard but not as bad as it could be, and I'm hoping I pull a grade that will keep me at a B. I'm not being picky, at this point.

Saturday... You guessed it! More Georgia Chorus rehearsal.

It was also the first anniversary for Boyfriend and me. *Cues Awwwws*

It was very sweet. I got back to Athens, and we went to Utage for dinner, which is a sushi place I like. He was generally the sweet and awesome Boyfriend that we know so well. I won't go to far into the details. Just picture yourself descending into a barrel of sap, and you'll have how I feel about Boyfriend.

Then we went to a ball! Yes, you read that right. Demosthenian Literary Society was hosting a ball. Alex just joined, and Susana and Jack are already members.

It was very fun. We danced like maniacs. It's something I like to do, oh, every hour or so. It's nice to dance like a maniac in a socially accepted setting. They don't take too it well when you do it in the middle of the Student Learning Center.

Sunday I had to head to Conyers, GA for another performance. Woot.

This one went alright, but I think the reverb actually worked against us in parts. I can't wait to get a recording, though. Dad came to this one with a friend, and he took me out to dinner afterward.

Geez, this is turning into a narrative. I'm sorry, it's just that this week has been really busy. I'll try to sum it up more quickly.

Yesterday was mainly spent studying. I had a Peoples, Parasites, and Plagues test today. I probably didn't study as much as I should, but oh well. I think it went pretty well. PPP really suffers from being my last exam at times. It has happened twice now. When it is the last thing in a long string of things to do, I end up burned out and unable to really concentrate on things.

So yes! Today was my last test! I'm free, FREE.

...Until I start studying on Thursday for my Biochemistry final.

Isn't my life a hoot?

Chronicle Number 38: Lindsay and Boyfriend Go to Miami

My dear fellow Lindsaytopians,

I know that you are all sighing. I know that you wish it was not me, but Boyfriend who is writing this chronicle. I know, because I know you. I know you like him better than me. I see it in your eyes. Just remember that your first loyalty must lie with me.

I know that I have not updated you in awhile. I know that this fills you with woe, but too bad. I have no sympathy.
The past few weeks (minus spring break) have been filled with crazy. You'd think I'd be used to that, but alas, I am not.

The two weeks before spring break were spent in test taking, as per usual. The reenactment game we played in history was not cooperating with me, so I had a million things to do for that.

It would have been fine, except it really felt like not many people were actually prepared. Also, some of our people didn't even show up. Seriously, one disappeared before the game even started, one disappeared into the ether after one session, and one missed about four of the eight game days, if I'm counting right.

This made everything really difficult. When the people don't show up, and you've only got 12 to start with, it really throws a wrench into things. It did lead to funny situations, like when our professor talked to the roommate of the guy who hadn't shown up.

LINDSAY: Yeah, Hutch Hapgood hasn't been here since the first day.
ANNOYING CLASSMATE 1: Oh, I think he dropped.
WOLF: *overhears.* I haven't got any notification about it.
AC1: I'm sure he did!
WOLF: Tell him that he should.

Now, you can't get the true tone of her voice from this transcript, but just imagine that a woman named Montgomery Wolf, whose specialization is in the history of Punk Rock, and is generally epic in every way, just told you to drop a class in the most dangerous tone possible. Yeah, it was scary.

It confuses me, I guess, because I don't understand the mindset. Why would you skip a class that has ten people? The professor is going to know! And she doesn't have to give a Withdrawal Passing if she doesn't want to.

Well, whatever. I got through it, I have an A, and Wolf seems to like me. She is really pretty epic.

Getting up to break was kind of a slog. At one point I was just done. It ended up okay, because I didn't have to study all that much for my Peoples, Parasites and Plagues class. And then it was break! Hurray!

Spring Break turned out really well. The first bit I spent cleaning, which was not so much fun. But I also had time to do other stuff, so the cleaning was not too bad.

On Thursday I set off to Miami with Boyfriend and his family! If those words make you feel nervous terror, then you're just like me. Congratulations, you've achieved state of supreme being. Or supreme crazy, whichever way you look at it.

It ended up being pretty great. Mr. and Mrs. Boyfriend are awesome. Boyfriend has a hilarious relationship with his Dad, which mainly consists of

BOYFRIEND: *Says something. Anything at all, really, it doesn't matter.*
MR. BOYFRIEND: You are completely wrong, and here is why.
BOYFRIEND: Actually, sir, YOU are completely wrong. This is why.
MR. BOYFRIEND: I have stopped listening to you, because I prefer to insult your hair.
BOYFRIEND: That's funny, because I prefer to insult your age.
MRS. BOYFRIEND and LINDSAY: *look at each other and sigh*

It was all in good fun. I was left behind sometimes, because I don't always get all the legal/political stuff.

Well, I'm off now. I know this was not that exciting, but I'm sitting at a table with a bunch of people and I'm getting distracted. I'm just so popular. :P

Don't worry though, Lindsaytopia will soon arrive!

Chronicle Number 37: Boyfriend Speaks! The World Gasps in Horror!

Greetings and salutations, all ye followers of Lindsaytopia!

This chronicle is brought to you by none other than the mysterious, vaguely spoken of Boyfriend. At the request of Lindsay, I’m filling in for her this week and talking to you about a week in the life of her significant other, although her commentary may be interspersed throughout.

LINDSAY: He thinks I’m a busybody. Geez. No faith. *pauses* Wait… Ah, what the heck. My comments will be in between slashes.

While my darling has been busy with Biochemistry and the other horrors of South Campus here at UGA (things that I, as a Political Science and International Affairs major, know little to nothing of), I have been dealing with the tribulations and, for lack of a better word, trials /Oh haha. He’s so punny./ of being a Mock Trial captain. For the uninitiated, Mock Trial is a competitive simulation of an actual court case, with attorneys, witnesses, evidence, objections, etc. It’s like Law and Order, except without all of the Hollywood “poetic licenses” on little things, like “relevance” and “constitutional rights.” /I, personally, find those things silly./ Our case this year was a civil product liability trial – a company had made this toy (the innocent-sounding “Princess Beads”) that contained a chemical that turned into a date-rape drug when ingested. If you remember the hoopla over “Aqua Dots” a few years back, you know the basic idea here. When a 2 year old swallows several of the beads, he goes into respiratory arrest and dies, leading to the parent suing the toy company. I’ve been doing Mock Trial for about six years now, and this has probably been the most complicated case I’ve ever worked with. I even had to consult Lindsay /I’ve told him to refer to me as “divine goddess,” but does he listen? No./ on a few issues about toxicology and biochemistry (which were a huge part of the case). I was on the defense earlier in the year, representing the toy company, and it was… challenging, to say the least. That side really sucked a lot of the emotion out of the case- necessary but annoying. The other side has the whole “dead child” narrative going for them, which forces the defense to try and suppress a lot of the emotion. That’s really not my style, so I was really excited to be switched over to plaintiff for this semester. Alex righteous indignation returns in glory!!

I was also lucky enough to get to be captain of a C-team, a great experience, considering that only I and my co-captain had done College Mock Trial before, and the entire team was freshmen and sophomores. I could not have been happier with my team. They were dedicated, focused, and amazingly talented. UGA’s program will remain a terror for many years at this rate.

Our actual record at the regional in Kennesaw, GA last weekend might not be the best indicator of that, however. We finished 3-4-1 (3 wins/4 losses/ 1 tie) out of eight ballots (the score sheet for each of two judges in four rounds) – not too impressive. In our defense, we did face UNC-Chapel Hill’s A-team (finished 6^th overall), Emory’s A-team (finished 2^nd overall), and Duke’s B-team (finished 3^rd overall, and probably one of the best teams I have ever seen). Our other round was kind of a joke, as we won by 45 and 23 points. My team joked about making a YouTube remix of some of the more choice quotes and more outrageous/less logical points. I tend to doubt the competency of a team that actually attempts to be hostile with the grieving mother of the dead child. That round actually ceased to be fun, the beatdown was so bad. /Please. Beat downs are always fun./

Beyond that, my life for the past week has been a slog through preparing for 3 midterms (which ended up all on one day! Oh joy…) and the first half of another one. They actually went pretty well. My International Relations one may have been a bit iffy, but I’m pretty sure I can pick up any slack with the essay part next week. I’m taking another class with my IR professor next semester, which may or may not be good for my GPA, but I don’t really care because it’s his specialty – IR decision making. He actually takes a neuroscience bent on it, looking at decision making from a psychological perspective, which is kind of what I wanted to do coming into college. Excited? You better believe it. /Excited!Alex is super adorbs, btw./

I also made my first full foray into the Demosthenian Literary Society this week. For, well FOREVER, Jack and Susana (both Demosthenians) have been telling me I need to get involved there, but I just haven’t had the time between Mock Trial and Model United Nations. The conversation goes something like this:

ALEX: *RAWR* ARC OF HISTORY TENDS TOWARDS JUSTICE *RAWR* INEXORABLE MARCH OF HUMAN FREEDOM!!!!!!

JACK: Why aren’t you in Demosthenian yet?

ALEX: blah blah blah too much in my schedule blah blah blah

JACK: Search your feelings. You know it to be true. You’re one of us. *descends into chanting ONE OF US! ONE OF US!*

/Oh Lord, no. I like my Alex the way he is. Demosthenians are cray cray. *gets dagger glares from Susie* But also wonderful! Yay Demosthenian!/

So, since they were debating the dissolution of the Student Government Association (and calling out SGA people to speak), I had to go and watch. I actually got up and spoke! /Alex? Giving a speech? That never happens. Except every time he’s allowed./ I thought I was received pretty well, and a few people asked me questions during the speech (including several from Susana – probably just because she could use the opportunity to badger me. I’m onto you, Susana…). /Boyfriend and my roommate are besties. Death besties./ I actually might try and join the Society. It might be a good way to get me out of the rhetoric withdrawals I go through without Mock Trial. Any advice for my petitioning address is welcomed – I’m currently between arguing the value of the unexplainable or better communication through chanting. /Better communication through chanting! You can be a cheerleader!/

There’s my piece. All hail Lindsay the Wonderful!

Alex, aka Boyfriend

Chronicle Number 36: It's Good Boyfriend Isn't Naming These.*

Why is it that life seems to consists of long stretches of doing nothing, then extremely short stretches of frenzied activity? It's not that I don't anticipate my tests- I do. I feel like I'm getting ready in time, and then- BOOM! A million tasks fall upon me.

For instance, I began studying for my biochemistry test about a week ago. This, I would like to inform you, was two weeks away from my test. Starting to study (and I mean legit study, not just read a chapter or go over one's notes) two weeks in advance is a eon for a college student. I thought I was being soooo responsible. I was on it, ready to meet any challenge advanced to me.

The world likes to prove me wrong.

LINDSAY: I've planned for you world, I've got this. You can't throw anything at me now!

THE WORLD: They're so cute when they're optimistic. *CRUSHES HER*

The game is turning out to be a lot of work (I thought it would be, but perhaps not this much) and it's going fast. I guess I just thought the time would be slower, and I would have a little breathing room. My biochemistry class continues to add heaps of information to my load. Every class ends with Garrett staring mutely at me in horror, and then I cry a little.

But I did fairly well in my first round of tests/essays, so I'm making an attempt at optimism.

In other news, apparently the combined effects of biochemistry, history, and psychology create in me a great urge for interpretive dance. This is the only way I feel able to truly share with the world.

The Demosthenian All Night Meeting was last Saturday! I was a little out of it, to be honest, because I had driven to Atlanta that day for rehearsal.

Getting to the ATL wasn't that difficult, but I of course became confused by the signs and nearly went the wrong way a few times. Apparently it's impossible for me to adequately follow google maps.

Rehearsal went well, despite some truly lovely backhanded compliments. I generally ignore those, and move on. What's the point? I think some people just think a person is stupid if she doesn't respond to those, but I think people who do are the true idiots.

Getting back was... interesting, to say the least. As a note to myself and all others inclined to go from Atlanta to Athens, apparently you need different directions to go to Atlanta than the ones you need to get back. You know what I'm talking about- usually you can just follow the directions backward, but in this case- does not work.

Or maybe I'm just directionally challenged.

Either way, it ends up with this:

ROAD: No, you CANNOT go this way.

LINDSAY: I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

OTHER DRIVERS: WHAT IS SHE DOING?!?!?!?!?!

For the record, I apologize. But in my defense, the other drives are generally even dumber than me... Which really just exacerbates the situation.

Anywhoozle, I got back to Athens safely enough, only marred by a raging headache and horrible knots in my right shoulder. (Which you, Boyfriend, are welcome to fix at any time.**)

This brings me to the All Night Meeting. I don't really know how to describe it.... At least not in a way that will truly do them justice.

First of all, I'd just like to put out into the universe that Susana did an excellent job planning the whole thing. I suppose the long nights and the successive insanity were all worth it in the end. I, of course, did not stay for the whole thing. I was pretty tired from all the driving, so I was pretty much ready to beat it by about 11.

There were three speakers, the first of which was one of Susie's drama professors. He was hilarious, interspersing monologues he had done with his speech. The second and third were more serious, the former concerning breadth in education and the latter focusing on death in literature as an extended metaphor for real life.

Wow, I just read that again and it sounded awful.

I promise, it was actually really cool. It was a "you had to be there" moment.***

The rest of my time has been spent mainly gaming it up and studying for biochem. At some point I'm going to have to fit in studying for a psychology test... While doing eleven hours of rehearsal.... And planning a speech....

OhmygoshI'mgoingtodie.

*When asked to think of a title, his response was "I dunno."

**Boyfriend! Oh, Boyfriend! BOYFRIEND! Stop reading over my shoulder and do something useful.

***This comment thoughtfully provided by Boyfriend. See, he can be creative!

Chronicle Number 35: Oh Look! Bees!

My life... is like a leaf. A leaf upon the wind, thrown and buffeted every which way, with no ability to choose or prepare for the next gust! I float, I spin, I weave!

No... My life... is like a teakettle. Full of boiling energy and furor! Building up to the inevitable shriek! Dedicated to making tasty hot beverages!

Actually, that isn't right. I am not dedicated to making tasty hot beverages.

Perhaps my life is like a... An old purse. Full of fun surprises, like that old five dollar bill that you forgot about, but also full of terrible surprises, like that old piece of candy that you forgot about that is now melted and stuck to the five dollars, and also your hand.

Or maybe my life is like a shiny piece of aluminum foil, attempting to distract a squirrel (you) from the fact that I haven't blogged in forever.

Last week and the week before consisted of my first hell week. I call it just one, because I had an essay due on Thursday, a test on Friday, then two tests on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the next week. During this time I also had 5 hour rehearsal for the Georgia Chamber Choir and rehearsals for the St. Matthew Passion with the Collegium.

School is hard, but I'm attempting to get by. The only class that really worries me is biochemistry. I got a reasonably okay grade on the first test, but I still wasn't happy about it.

My professor is pretty good, if exceedingly difficult. There's only one really bad problem.

I'm looking at you, Nilla Wafer.

You see, dear audience, my friend Wes (forever referred to as "Nilla Wafer" because he is white and skinny) and our lovely friend Ben (forever referred to as "Ben" because he might kill me if I gave him a nickname. And he could do it. With one hand.) decided to tell Garret and me all about Dr. Adams during our time in Cortona.

These stories always consisted of them imitating Dr. Adams accent.

It's some sort of cockney/British/American hybrid, I think. There really isn't any way for me to get it across in text. Suffice it to say that now any time Dr. Adams says "Okay, let's get started" (every class) or "acetyl CoA" or a myriad of other trigger words, Garret and I have to fight the urge to laugh hysterically.

Sometimes this could be explained away, because I feel it is understandable to laugh hysterically after being taught the entirety of the TCA cycle in one lecture. In these cases, a student has a choice- laugh hysterically or cry hysterically. But other times, there is just no reason, and disrupting class because your teacher said "arachidonic acid" funny is generally frowned upon.

Other than that, my classes seem to be going well. I love People Parasites and Plagues, even if my teacher scares me a little. She's just generally that cool. I feel she could slay me with a well-raised eyebrow.

In history, we are starting a game! A reenactment! I am Mabel Dodge, Muse of Fifth Avenue! I must gather as many Personal Influence Points as possible! I get to design a mail box in which people can leave me notes and bribes. I also have my own day of class, in which I set the topic and decide who speaks. Basically, I am ballin'.

Jordan is Emma Goldman. She's an anarchist. Also, she has a hobo lover. I feel this is a very important detail.

I feel this blog post is winding down in quality. That's usually a sign that I should stop. In closing, let me say, Happy belated Valentine's Day to everyone! In the spirit of St. Valentine, be lovely to everyone every day, but please don't be a martyr. Stoning is not allowed in Lindsaytopia.

Oh, you're ask when I'll post again? Well, that's a difficult question, what's that behind you? Bees?

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