Imagined complexity

Where have all the hot guys my age gone?
I cannot seem to find anyone. not that I do not love to ogle my boyfriend - I am speaking of smokin' stars...

My friend and I could not come up with a single one!

Because I need to show more gratitude

• I found out that I do not have a (possibly chronic, more annoying than serious in my case) disease
• They Might be Giants
• Winter = mittens. I like mittens
• Boyfriend has bought my favorite cookies, to be eaten with a good friend later
• The uni minifoodstore sells really yummy cottage cheese+jam cheap now
• The voice of Mick Jagger
  I just finished reading War & Peace. Which means time for funnier books (I have saved up a Pratchett for that very purpose)
• I disappear to a semi-exotic location soon, to appear later

I have, as a wannabe hipster, professed my love of stupid television. It has been a great way to relax, kick back after a long day at school or work, and just watch peoples houses being torn down and build up, or pretty people getting their silly dreams thorn down (you want to sing. Ever listened to yourself?). But lately, I don't enjoy it all that much. I get bored, and get out a newspaper and then turn the TV off because it is disturbing my reading.

I think that TV has been dumbed down the last few years (that, or I've become a lot smarter). Am I the only one who does not need to be reminded after each and every cut-scene or commercial break what the presenters are doing? Is it possible that other people also read the effing program guide, thus understanding, when they start watching the show halfway through, that when Adam and Jamie is standing with a heckload of bronze mirrors and discussing reflection angles, it might be Archimedes' death ray they are building?

I do not need the feeble attempts at dramaturgy in Are you smarter than a fifth grader?:

Host: And which category do you choose for the X dollar question?:
Guest: Hmm...
(Commercial break)
Host : We are back, X dollars is at stake, and Guest, what will you pick?
Guest: Hmm... I pick Y!
Host: He picked Y! Now the question for Y is...
(Commercial break)
(Repeat for his answer, whether he will use one of the cheats, whether the answer is correct...)

I do not need over-explanations.
I do not need extra drama added to topics that are interesting in themselves.
I do not need extra human stories.
I do not need bickering because it makes people more "real" or makes "better TV".

I want entertainment and learning, and lately, books and newspaper seem to do that job much better television.
(not that I do not adore Grey's anatomy, House or Big Bang theory...)

Obama won, and an event like that cannot go unnoticed. I cheered for him (from the sideline, as I am not american), and was glad that he won. Why should I care about US politics? Why should I, who cannot vote, who have my own government, complain about or praise what the people of the United States decides?

Because the US affects the rest of the world more than any other human factor. Because a US war gets my nations soldiers killed, when most of the people and one of the ruling parties is against this war. Because there is no way we can stop global warming before the US president, congress and house of representatives dare take possibly actions that will make driving a car in the US more expensive. Because the global gag rule is holding down women all over the world.

So I rejoiced when Obama was elected president. NOT because he is black (although I am happy that the US has come that far from segregation, and hope my country will follow - but I could write a whole entry on my views of minority representation in our parliament alone), NOT because Sarah Palin was new to the national media, NOT because is a brilliant speaker, but because, to me, he seems to be the best candidate in the race.

Zen Habits suggested writing a list of the four to five things that are most important in your life, and the restructure your life around these things. Being me, I couldn't narrow it down to more than six, but nonetheless, here they are:

First, I put education - I cannot imagine a life without gaining more knowledge every day, where I do not have to stretch my abilities and grow my understanding of the world. I am privileged to get the education I am, practically for free, and I wish to honor that privilege.

Second, the love of my life. What the boy does for me is more than he can fathom. He brightens my day, and I do not wish to live without him. I hope to explore the future with him, settle down with him and grow old with him.

Third, the wonderful friends and family I have, my social security net.

Fourth, using my creativity, whether by writing, singing, drawing or knitting or something I have not learned yet. This blog is part of it.

Fifth, reading - books are really that important. How can one be bored around decent writing?

Sixth and last, saving the world - or at least the environment.

An boy I went to school with quite some time ago had a father who is a somewhat famous author (at least in this country). Said father has, in the last few years published two books based on his own life, the last apperently involving the birth of his (first? only?) son.

I think the books sound intriguing. He describes living with and adjusting his dreams to a disease, growing up in the same time as my parents, and the reviews I have read have been good.

However, I cannot escape the feeling that by reading the books, I pry into the life of my previous schoolmate - who I barely even knew, and that feels so wrong.

I am a nonreligious person (depending on when you ask me, I am either atheist or agnostic). Of course, this does not hinder me from needing some peace of mind and some time to simply exist.

Each night, when I am ready for bed, I always clear my desk, and then I lay out clothes for the next day. It has become my small ritual; by clearing the desk I clear my mind of concerns and emotion from the past day, by laying out new clothes, I let my self focus on the next day and simultaneously give myself a good start on it.

I have practiced this for some weeks now, and already feel calmer, more focused. Part of it is. of course, probably du to the fact that there is less stress in the morning from not needing to pick clothes (a bad morning can really ruin the day!) and less clutter to drain my energy, but I truly believe that part of it is the inner peace of mind I get from that small ritual.

Bought! I haven't played it that much yet, but it looks good.
In addition to wii sports (where I love the tennis game!), we got Super Mario Galaxy and some wii-credit-thingamojs.

Wee!

In other news, midterm has happened, and term papers are happening. Oh well.

...But I won't give up (arr!)*

School has, of course, happened, and my feeble attempts at having a social life. I have finished one term project, but a midterm and another deadline coming up quickly. I am not exactly snowed under, but I really have enough to do! Luckily, I managed to get up to date with my algorithm subject. Once I got into the textbook it was a LOT easier than I thought.

I am a bit disappointed that I haven't done more on project 101, I need to start that seriously soon. I just seem to be so tired when I get home these das, so the TV is very tempting.

*Missed talk like a pirate day, too