Archive for 2011
Visibility of protests gives them power
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard about the recent protests in the Arab world, from Iran in 2009-2010 to those in Tunisia that toppled an authoritarian government, to the current protests in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and more. The protestors are largely non-violent, but are having very large political effects. Can you imagine this […]
Grad School Rejection Weekend
Last week I shared the good news of my invitation to a grad school recruitment weekend. I’m still thrilled about it and am grateful for all the good advice I’ve gotten in the comments. I’m looking forward to recruitment weekend, but this weekend is rejection weekend. The program I was most in love with, that […]
Light and Shadow
From Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy: “It’s this, don’t you see,” said Stepan Arkadyevitch, “you’re very much all of a piece. That’s your strong point and your failing. You have a character that’s all of a piece, and you want the whole of life to be of a piece too – but that’s not how it […]
You must have Asperger’s
I’m an introvert. I’m also somewhat reserved and emotionally careful. By emotionally careful, I don’t mean I have a hard time trusting or loving people. I mean that when I feel something, I think about why I feel that way, and that why shapes my response. These particular aspects of my personality annoy or frustrate […]
Paul Gosar (or his email writer) is an idiot
Paul Gosar used to be a dentist with some wacky political views. Now he’s my Tea Party Congressman. I used to think that politicians that seemed like idiots were merely pandering to the idiots that elected them. But I recently received an email that casts doubt on that view. I emailed Gosar several weeks ago […]
Music I never get sick of
I don’t know how many times I listened to this while crossdating today, but it definitely relieved the tedium.
Grad School Recruitment Weekend
I heard back from one of the grad schools I applied to – I made it through the first round and they want me to come interview! Interview isn’t quite the right word – it’s four days of socializing and meetings under a microscope benignly termed “recruitment weekend.” I’m somewhat terrified. I know as an […]