Codename: White Squirrel (or) Metaphors We Live By

It's not my reunion, I'm just here. I climbed in the car with some friends who actually belong at this reunion, and here I am, back in Oberlin after a year away. Well, strictly speaking, I was here in December. My part is sunburned from sitting out on Tappan, and I have seen, and been involved in, a seemingly endless parade of squeals, "Oh my god"s, and hugs. My first drink at the Feve last night was everything I had dreamed it would be, including cheap. Yes, there are people missing. Yes, there are people who have changed, not always for the better. There are people here that I never thought twice about, who are still glad to see me, and I them. There's an atmosphere of Obieness that makes me smile just to think on it. It would be naive and just plain wrong to say I love everything about this place, but I think I can safely say I am in love with the place. Just like a person, Oberlin has its faults, as a city and as a college. It has misguided attempts to do the right thing, blind-spots when it comes to common sense, and apparently a pretty sizable drinking problem. Just like a person, though, it's easy to look past faults when there's a good heart behind them. It's smart and self-aware, giddy and occasionally morose, kind and cruel. Being away, being back, makes me love it all the more. Makes me want to give myself to it. I find myself lying on the grass, looking up through the leaves of a tree that I am certain has served as a home to both albino and white squirrels, thinking of ways I could justify moving back. I want to help the college. I believe in Oberlin, both city and college, at a time in my life when belief is hard to come by. I'll find a way to come back. I feel like I have to. I've met amazing people in Boston, and while I've not enjoyed some aspects of being there, I'm not sorry I went. I've seen what life outside the bubble can be like, both for good and ill. The benefits are, obviously, substantial. The problems are, equally obviously, equally substantial. For me, what Boston has changed in me is not creating an appreciation for Oberlin that didn't exist before. Nor is it turning me against the "outside world," but rather it has given me increased contrast, a wider palate with which to paint my life. But the canvas is here in Ohio.

Another open letter, because I like writing them

Dear Redheaded Guy On My Bus This Morning,
From the moment you stepped onto the bus and greeted the driver with a cheerful "Thank you, sir!" I wondered about you. It helps that I have a hearty admiration for redheaded guys anyway. I suspect it's my genes at work, telling me, "make more redheaded babies!" When the guy with a cane struggled onto the bus, you slid over willingly and asked him to have a seat. And, as if that weren't nice enough, you looked the guy on your other side in the eye (eye contact? On an MBTA bus?!) and thanked him for moving over. He didn't quite seem to know what to do with you. I have an idea or two.

Sincerely,
A Fellow Redhead

Channeling McSweeneys

Dear The Person Who Let Me Cross The Street Today,
Thank you, Person Who Let Me Cross The Street Today! Being in Boston, it never even crossed my mind that anyone would notice that I was about to miss my bus. But somehow, you did! Yes, I had wandered into part of your lane, but everyone else was going around me. But you waved me across! So thank you! Because of you, I was able to hop on the bus. And not just any bus, either. It was the one where the display is stuck at 12/25/97 9:31am, and the recording says "STOPREQUESTSTO" every time someone pushes the button. So in a sense, Person Who Let Me Cross The Street Today, you gave me a second Christmas this year!

Good Karma,
A Happy Pedestrian

Word of the Day

Analepsis

Who knows what it means? No googling.

Excitement in the Neighborhood

This accident yesterday was ridiculous, but kind of awesome. At least 6 crunched cars, one compacted car, one charred truck, and a broken store window. And three minor injuries. That's the best kind of dramatic accident. Made it a little hard to get to school, but it sure made the routine trip a little less boring. And now there's a lol version that I found. Thanks to whoever made it!

Cosmic Kick-Me Sign on My Back

Well, I made it to the end of the Class from Hell. As long as my grade comes out ok, I won't be appealing. It would be nice not to have to prolong my hatred of this class any longer, so keep your fingers crossed. I will be turning in my no-punches-pulled evaluation of the class and teacher next week. That will be satisfying. Now I'm able to look forward to the summer and practice again. I've missed that. But of course, the universe couldn't just back off on its mission to say "fuck you" whenever things seem to be going well. I got a letter from Massachusetts today saying they're auditing my taxes. Well, screw you, the "Bay State." Your bay sucks, I live here and I still can't spell Massachusetts with out cheating, and I didn't even fill out my own taxes this year. I'm just so glad to have left the affordable comfort of Oberlin where I never had tax problems. It's a good thing Boston is so quiet, clean and friendly. Oh wait.

Film Musical Interlude

More on the things that suck will be forthcoming. For now, be entertained by the subject headings of the day from my reading about film music:

The Music History Continuum ("resistance is fruitful"-Paul Harris)

The Hunt for Lethal Red Weapons in the Temple of October Doom 2