It's raining like a bitch outside. Has been all day, supposedly the remnants of Katrina. I read where the mayor of New Orleans finally decided to say some number for the fatalities in the city. He said "well into the hundreds, most likely thousands." The worst hurricane in U.S. history was the one that hit Galveston, Texas in 1900. I know this because I wrote a 20 page paper on it last year. Length of assignments is certainly something that changes once you get into grad school. Anyway, that Galveston hurricane killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people, they're not entirely sure. This one is definitely in the thousands. I think it will be in that range to be close to Galveston. The water continues to rise, and there isn't shit they can do to help people. People will soon starve or be without decent water enough to die that way.

I've had the WORST headache all day today. I've been trying to get through this cold as quickly as possible, and I'm not getting anywhere. I swear I've blown at least three gallons of snot out since this cold began. Amy and I have gone through three boxes of kleenex and like six rolls of toilet paper combatting this snot. It's really gross. And some of the boogers have been like the size of small children. I look at the kleenex and it's like "I wonder why I couldn't breathe very well.... hrm...." My head is just pounding, but I have to be awake for the next hour since I'm on my office hour. My ears are still plugged up, but they're getting a little better day by day. I hope tonight's class with Dr. Tyner is not a lot of discussion, because I don't think I can handle it. And, I don't want to look like a complete jackass in front of him, because I think he's cool.

I figured out how to turn on the air conditioning in my office (!?!). It's much better in here now. There's like no one actually using this office this week. I'm not sure why, but there really hasn't been a soul in here. I know some of the desks are taken, though Mary Lou did say some of these people were on the way out via graduation. Who knows. I know the budget for grad students here is pretty slim, so it may just be that I don't have many office-mates. And that's fine, I suppose. I kind of miss having people around, though.

Statistics class, today, was actually great again. It was the fastest (time-wise) stats class I've ever sat in on. I really really wish I had a class like this at Ball State, but I didn't. Of course, I really wish I had some ibuprofren right now, but I don't. Anyway, stats is actually fun, which is something I had no idea could be true. I'm enjoying it a lot.

With gas prices finally going above $3.00 a gallon here, I decided it was time to get Pedro fixed. The Impala doesn't get great mileage, and Pedro does when he works. We took him to Kelly's friend's shop to get worked on. Hopefully, we'll hear something about him soon, because there can't be much wrong with him, and hopefully it won't cost much.

Famous last words, right?

Posted by Andy at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Does anyone find it odd that no one seems willing to even estimate the number of deaths in New Orleans caused by the hurricane? It has to be in the thousands or some ungodly sum that no one wants to touch. Of course, the disaster isn't done because the city continues to flood and people are still trapped.

I'm getting really sick of this cold. It's plugged up my ears so badly that even with my hearing aids, I cannot hear. I HATE IT. I just want to hear again, so I can be normal, attempt to socialize in the department, and not sound like a jerk with the constant 'say that again?'. Arghhhhh! Today, I basically laid low in the department because I just couldn't hear ANYTHING. I worked on prep work for my class, and got Wednesday's lecture finished and Friday's started. Tomorrow, I'll have to go in and start working on SPSS to stay caught up in stats class. Tomorrow is also my longest day, with a 1:00pm class to teach, a class to take at 2:15, and a night class. I'll say it again: I just want to hear!!!!! If I could hear, I would be SOOOO happy.

Tonight is terrible. It's our night off together, and there's nothing to do. It's raining, so most outdoor activities are out. There's housework to do, but that's an awful way to spend a night off together. There's nothing on TV, and Amy's gotten pissed every time I left the room to try to occupy myself. So, we're sitting in the living room together, watching the True Hollywood Story of Paula Abdul. No, I'm not fucking kidding. Yes, we've looked for other things to watch. No, there's nothing. Really, it's awful. I'd rather do anything else, but this looks like our evening. We have no money to go do anything, and there's nothing to do here. I don't know how either one of us is tolerating it.

Posted by Andy at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This time tomorrow, the city of New Orleans, Louisiana will be destroyed.  Hurricane Katrina, a Saffir-Simpson Category Five storm, is aiming directly for the city.

Winds are expected to be greater than 175 mph, and the storm surge is going to be between 18 and 30 feet.  This is expected to be the most disasterous storm to ever strike a major U.S. city.  New Orleans already sits below sea level by about 10 feet, and engineers expect that the levees that keep out the ocean will be destroyed.  The surge is also expected to destroy the sewage systems in the city, and the chemical depositories that the major port holds.  So, whatever's left when the hurricane is over will be covered in about 20-30 feet of water that's mixed with essentially toxic shit.  The city is shaped like a bowl, so unless pumps are installed (or the existing pumps are somehow powered), it will remain under this mess for weeks.

Because of transportation problems in and out of the city, more than 150,000 people are still stranded in the storm's path.  Many of these people have been moved into The Superdome, a large domed football stadium that's supposed to be hurricane-proof.  However, since the stadium was constructed in the 1970s, no Category Five storm has struck it to ensure that fact.  For that matter, no Category Five storm has struck a major city in the U.S.  The last Category Five was Andrew, in Homestead, Florida in 1992.  Homestead is no New Orleans.

In terms of hazards, this is a set-up like The Perfect Storm, where all the factors are combining to cause one hell of a mess.  Hazards people are estimating that 1 million people are going to be homeless.  At least.  Possible death tolls, since apparently nothing else can be done, are in the thousands.  Some of the higher figures are saying to expect 10,000 fatalities.  That's ten thousand people.  Gone.  And that's if The Superdome holds up.  Very few buildings can withstand a 40 foot wall of water AND 175 mph winds.  The Superdome may be the first.  We can hope.  In hurricanes, farther from the ground means higher wind speeds.  The skyline of New Orleans should be gone.  At this point, it's like a 25 mile wide tornado is bearing down.

New Orleans, I've read, is a city of historic significance.  I've never been there, but I've always wanted to go.  It's the only place of Cajun culture in the U.S., because it's where the French-Acadians settled when expelled from Canada by the British.  It has the historic French Quarter, hosts Mardi Gras every year, and is the birthplace of jazz music.  Tomorrow, all of that may be gone.  It's a shame, really.  But honestly, I couldn't give less of a shit about that stuff right now.

What bothers me the most is that 150,000 people are left in the city.  Sure, there are some morons that are going to 'ride it out' and get wasted in the process.  Those people are signing their own death warrant, and the best of luck to them.  The others are stuck for medical or socioeconomic reasons.  They physically cannot evacuate, or they have no money or car.

It bothers me that the U.S., as the most technologically advanced country in the world, which had hundreds of satellites watching this situation develop and had more than enough resources to get people out, is still shrugging at the possibility of thousands of people dying for something that could've been prevented.

Why, if we can put 250,000 soldiers anywhere on the globe in 24 hours time, aren't we helping these people get out?  Politicians have shrugged at these folks, and have promised a Federal Disaster Declaration as soon as the storm ends.  So, how is this going to help those 10,000 possible fatalities?  Or their families?

My thoughts and prayers are with those people left behind tonight.  I wish the best for them, that maybe this storm will go somewhere else, or that somehow they'll get through.  I hope will all of my heart that The Superdome proves to be hurricane-proof.  When they make it through, it will certainly be one hell of a ride that they'll tell their grandkids about.

My scorn, on the other hand, is with every politician and wealthy person in the country.  Where the fuck have they been during this failed evacuation?  Why aren't they helping get these people out?  Why aren't we using military transports and riverbarges to get these folks to safety?  And now, six hours from landfall, it's too late.  Hope you folks that are left behind don't mind.

They should all be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by Andy at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today was the departmental retreat at Punderson State Park. I'm still not exactly sure where that is, but it had a glacial erratic lake, so I'm guessing up by Lake Erie. We had a nice room in the Punderson Resort Lodge where the new grad students were introduced to the department and each prof talked about their research. I bought a new refridgerator magnet. The retreat was generally a needed introduction to the department, since I felt totally lost.

Everyone was very nice and friendly. I really didn't feel like an outcast, though I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know people more. I'm not one of them yet, and I feel like I haven't proven myself (duh, I haven't). I'm excited to learn the profs a little more to know who I want to work with on my dissertation. I've heard good words about Schmidlin, Tyner and Sheridan from the older students.

My class starts Monday, and I'm excited. I'm ready to begin teaching again. It's been almost four months! I'm also excited to move into my office and get things situated. I'm ready to know my routine for my new job/school.

Amy was called into work tonight, which is a mixed blessing. The good thing is that we need the money, and she needs to look good for her boss. The bad thing is that she's not here to hang out with me. I've done a little work around the house, like hang some awards up in the computer room. I was going to put all the books away, but that would've taken too much effort. That will probably happen tomorrow while she's at work.

I guess that tonight I am enjoying my last few hours of freedom before the crunch begins. Hopefully we can get the house in good shape... and the parents all come next weekend!

Posted by Andy at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our internet sucks.  The DSL here is the shittiest internet in the world.  SBC can blow me.  It turns off every 20 minutes or so and we have to restart the modem, jiggle the wires and stand on our head to make it work.  I've been experimenting, and I now have it hardwired to the best jack in the house.  If this doesn't work, then SBC's getting their damn modem back in a fit of rage and we'll do without since I won't have a 'Plan B' in place.

That's always how I fly on things like that... I'll tell a corporation to "Go fuck yourself" and then realize that I have no other choice but to use their services.  We're all slaves to Corporate America.  At least in Ohio there are competing utility companies and a regulatory commission.

Today was the last day of orientation.  Remember that cool chick with the graphic novels?  Yeah, I didn't talk to her or become her friend.  Not much, anyway beyond some small talk in the group meeting.  I didn't find her at breakfast since I came late.  Supposedly, the group leader will be mailing us e-mail addresses for everyone in our groups.  Of course, I'll be too much of a pussy to mail her and try to strike up a friendship.  Another failed opportunity.

It's weird that I neglected my real friends so badly for most of three years because of social anxiety problems, and now that I'm a world (or five hours) away from them, I miss having them.  Maybe it's just a security thing that if I wanted to be social, I could.  I'm really fucked up socially, which is something I blame on... well, partially my Burris years.  Being an outcast is no way to fly if you ever want to be social, especially during formative years.  Then, I've got the friendliness and ability to like everyone from my dad but also his ability to get flustered, and the shyness and awkwardness from my mom.  Combine all that with the terrors that were the Giant Flush, and I'm practically a hermit.  A confused hermit, but a hermit nonetheless. This myspace thing has helped me a great deal, because I've talked to people more in the past week I've been on this thing than probably the whole year before.  Pills would help too.... and prescription coverage is coming soon!

But, before that tangent, I was mentioning how today was the last day of orientation.  We got paid our advances, too, but less than I expected because they took taxes out.  Jerks.  So, we're broke again, this time because our budgeted surplus was eaten by withholding.  Amy will be getting paid soon.

Another tangent.  Orientation, yes.  Orientation was fun, and afterwards I hiked up to McGilvrey to meet the secretary, get my keys and check out my office.  She took me to an office down on the third floor, and it was a little scary.  She decided for herself that I didn't need to be down there because it was gross.  I shrugged, and she led me to a couple other places to choose a desk.  I chose a desk in a room that had windows, which was a nice change from my crappy old office at Ball State.  Big windows, and big ceilings.  I share the office with about... six other people, which is nice because it will force me to be something close to social.  Maybe.  I'll at least see people sometimes.

I also met with Dr. Banasick and got some ideas about how to teach my class.  All of the faculty are more accepting of me than they were the last time I was there on a visit.  I guess it makes a difference that I am a part of the department now.

Tomorrow morning is a departmental retreat.  I'm nervous as hell, but excited.  Should be fun.  And terrifying.

Posted by Andy at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I feel like such a traitor. I do.

I've betrayed something that's been an important part of my life a very long time. It was a sin of convenience that I can't explain any other way.

What gives?

I watched a Cleveland Indians game tonight. All nine innings. And I rooted for them to beat the piss-ant Devil Rays.

Why is this important? In the grand scheme of things, it's not, I suppose. No children will go hungry because of this. But, since the day I was old enough to sit up, I've been a fan of the Cincinnati Reds. How is this possible? My grandma Hummel watched EVERY Reds game, and every time we went to visit, we watched together. She explained to me all the rules, how to keep score and everything. The alliance began. The 1990 Reds (the ones who swept Canseco and McGwire and the As in the series) was like the greatest thing in my young life by that point. In 1995, I kept an ear bud in one ear on the playoff games while I played viola in the pit orchestra for the Muncie Civic Sound of Music. They swept the Dodgers but then lost to the Braves in the ALCS. In 1999, my freshman year roommate and I watched the play-in game between the Reds and the Mets for the Wild Card. We screamed at the TV when the Mets went ahead, and the Reds never came back.

This evening, I ignored my life-long alliances because I was hungry for some baseball. I needed to watch some baseball. In the month I've been in Akron, I haven't watched a baseball game, mostly because the Reds weren't on TV. Tonight, I saw in the listings that the Indians were on. I broke down to the temptation.

And you know what? I liked it. I really enjoyed watching a team and rooting for them tonight.

The Indians are a dynamic team. They have a solid lineup from 1-9 and some decent pitching. They're tied for the AL wild card lead. If they win, the Yankees don't make the playoffs, which is another reason to like them.

I'm thinking I'm going to try them as a secondary team of convenience. The Reds, like every year, blow hard this season. The Indians are on every night, and NEVER are blacked out. Don't get carried away... I haven't bought a hat or a shirt or anything. And I've never followed an American League team, so the DH will take some getting used to.

The Indians are like... my baseball mistress while I'm away from the Reds. If I move to another different market, I'll probably get another baseball mistress.

I have no morals.

Posted by Andy at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If love does come in spurts, then my bloggin comes in waves. This is like the 12th time in the past four days that I've blogged. Weird. Other times, I'll go most of a month. Typically, I blog when I'm home alone, because when Amy's here I've obviously got other things to do.

Today, I gave a five-minute lesson for my orientation group. All the grad students were required to do this for our groups of about 20 people. My lesson applied explained environmental determinism and applied it to the more contemporary pop cultural phenomenon of grunge music. Grunge, which is generally depressing music, came from Seattle, which has depressing weather. An environmental determinist would argue that grunge is depressing because it originated in a depressing environment. Using this example, i then explained how the theory is not valid, and how it was used to support racism. The presentation went really well, I think. It got good comments from an education major girl who brought in graphic novels and explained their use in education, whom I think might be a neat person to talk to. I'm sure I never will.

I need to make friends and she seems interesting enough to be a candidate. This is something of which I am incapable. Social situations have to be so relaxed that it's not even funny, and that doesn't happen any more. I used to do better when I could smoke and open up... but I don't do that anymore. Tomorrow is some socializing breakfast thing. Maybe I'll find her and make friends? Though, a new female friend may send Amy through the roof...

Amy's been freaking out, because she's sure I'm going to find some girl and leave her. I don't know whether she's feeling inadequate since I'm starting a PhD and she hasn't finished college, or whatever. She shouldn't, because while education is important to me, it won't change who she is because to me she's already perfect. As far as I can tell, her fears are absolutely unfounded, because I can't see anything I've done to possibly make her think that. I love her with everything I have, I tell her that every chance I get and I just wish she'd see that.

This is also making more stress on my friend-making abilities. A large majority of my all-time friends have been female. Every time I mention a female friend, I think she feels threatened, but I generally associate better with women. How could I make friends if the people I most associate with were eliminated from consideration? I don't want anyone else in a romantic way, nor will I. Combine that stress with my limited social ability and my social anxiety, and I'm screwed.

Posted by Andy at 05:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The exercise is: What would you do with unlimited money, limited to ten project/purchase categories, not saving the world, and in detail. See my bulletin board post for more info.

1. I would buy a nearly defunct drive-in movie theater near a major city. I would restore this theater to its former glory, with new screens, speakerboxes, projection equipment, marquee, concession stand, playground equipment, etc. I would make sure that (as much as possible/safe) everything is vintage with what it was in its hayday, if it had one. I would then publicize the bejeezus out of it and charge next to nothing for people to come watch first-run movies. I would sponsor classic car shows there. Drive-ins are a dying breed of Americana worth saving. They rule.

2. I would purchase the entire downtown of a dying mid-sized city (Muncie?) and do the implement the following smart ideas for urban planning: first, kick all the lawyers offices, bail bondsmen, etc off of street level. Build several massive but well disguised parking structures of which the first floor is accessible retail space. Build several features in the area that would attract visitors, including a small arena, a massive public library, and a new college (or new community college campus). I would give free rent for the first ten years to residential and commercial tenants, and I would organize them into mini-districts that make sense: retail, clubs, restaurants, specialty, bohemian shops, etc. I would fill in the vacant lots and parking lots with usable buildings and occasionally greenspace, because all parking needs would be met by the new garages.

3. I would help Amy start a parrot store. She'd LOVE to be her own boss, and she'd get to work with parrots, which is her ultimate dream. And I'd help her make it as technological and chic as possible.

4. I would donate $500 billion to Ball State University, which they could only accept with the following provisions: a) they expand the geography department, adding a human geography program and a doctoral degree; b) they eliminate parking services and allow me to personally torch it and piss on the ashes; c) they fire all of the trustees and president and administration, naming my brother Tim the president and my dog Rikki the provost; d) they quit pretending that their athletic programs matter to anyone and eliminate the ones that hemorrage cash; e) lower tuition for all students by 75@f) rename at least one building after David Letterman and give him an honorary doctorate, and g) they tear down the giant brick dick (bell tower) and replace it with a 38 story parking garage, which is crowned at the top by a 24-hour White Castle with express elevators from the ground level for pedestrians.

5. I would buy a really good version of every instrument known to man, and I would create a huge music room in my house only for the storing and use of these instruments. I would waste hours and hours learning to play these instruments. And I'd want a Moog, too.

6. My rock music project: I would start a massive recording studio that offered recording services, production and video services to any local band that could put together enough decent stuff for an EP. I would put any of this stuff (that the bands wanted to put out) on my non-profit record label for cost, after band's profit. I would publicize every release with the vigor that each Britney Spears release gets, and every band would get air time on my new music video only cable networks. No commercials, and if any cable company didn't want to show it, I'd buy the company and make it happen. The bands would be allowed to sell out and sign with a new bigger commercial label at any time.

7. I would start what would essentially be a national cable access channel. All the best weird crap that the Billy Bobs and Bo Deans of the cable access world create would be featured on this channel. Cash prizes would be given for quality and creativity. It would also be commercial-free.

8. I would buy a minor league baseball team in a larger city. I would pull out many Bill Veeck-like promotions (Disco Demolition, the midget pinch-hitter, free vasectomy night, etc) and have as much fun with it as possible. The gift shops would sell EVERY clothing accessory in sizes up to 10X, and each would be hand-tailored and adjusted so it didn't look ridiculous with the same logo as a child's small. I would also install some nice comfortable chairs just to the left of the dugout on the first base side in the first row. These would be Amy and my seats. I would also manage at least one game per year, and would have my own uniform for this purpose. And maybe I'd bat like once or something too. Hey, it's my team, I can do whatever I want.

9. I'd purchase run-down versions of the following automobiles and supervise/learn how to fix them up by hiring experts to help:
a) 1965 VW Bus. 21 windows with safari windows. It'd be orange and green.
b) 1937 Model A Ford.
c) 1968 Ford LTD convertable, with a massive engine and a convertible top, as customized by the Pimp My Ride guys.
d) 1972 Oldsmobile 442 that's forest green, with lime green tweed interior.
e) 2005 VW Phaeton with the V12 engine, preferably black.
f) 1960 VW Beetle. Dark blue, like my dad's old one was, and fully restored.
g) 1972 VW Safari that's orange, restored.

10. I'd buy each of my friends any house they wanted, anywhere they wanted. I'd buy my parents a decent house, and same for Amy's parents. My parents would also get a summer home in the Colorado Rockies.

Posted by Andy at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, we've been Ohio residents for, what, like 24 days now? I suppose that's probably enough time to have observed some differences between Akron and Muncie, or I guess Ohio and Indiana.

In no particular order...

1. Speed limits in towns here are 25 for ordinary roads and 35 for highways. Ridiculous. 25 MPH is a stupid speed. In Indiana, the counterparts are 30 and 40 or 45.

2. The groceries here have different names. Aldi is the same, but the others are a little different. Tops is the equivalent of a Marsh, which is a higher-end overpriced place to shop. Giant Eagle is, I guess, more like a Ross or a Wise used to be: smaller, more reasonable, less selection. At the end of the line is Acme, which reminds me of the old Eavey's: a small store with fairly cheap prices and no selection. Wal-Marts don't have groceries here, and surprisingly Meijer is non-existent.

3. There are hills EVERYWHERE. You actually have to push your car to maintain speed on the way up and brake to not speed on the way down. What the hell is this all about?

4. Roads, unless they go all the way through town, are not marked with a direction. This simplifies things in a way, but the inclusion of that directional signifier would help narrow down locations of little dead-end streets a little. Road numbers here are also different, but I haven't figured out the system yet.

5. In general, people here are more scared of theft despite being in decent neighborhoods. In the nicest neighborhoods around, you have to pay for gas before pumping. Stores you would never expect (Home Depot) have theft deterrents on EVERYTHING.

6. Prevailing weather patterns all come from the north-west, which shows more lake influence than I would have expected. If you're looking for what's going to hit you in 10 minutes, you look northwest instead of west. This is certain to make winter a lot of fun.

7. Road names change with every change of town. For example, a road just north of us (Tallmadge Ave) crosses from Akron into Tallmadge and becomes West Ave, then East Ave on the east side of Tallmadge. Main Street becomes State Road in Cuyahoga Falls and then Hudson Drive in Stow. Cuyahoga Falls Ave becomes Howe Ave in Cuyahoga Falls. It's a mess, but we're learning our way around. The good news is that any road that has the same name as a town will eventually lead you to that town. The only exception is in nearby Tallmadge, where the roads are named after directions and all shoot out like wheel spokes from the town's roundabout.

8. Kent State seems more willing to commit to its grad studies. Ball State always seemed to have one foot out the door, like grad students were an afterthought. This is on the university level, by the way.

9. Akron has jobs, even though it's been in economic trouble for 30 years. Muncie doesn't. That's a SAD difference. People up here talk like Akron's been in its grave for years. What does this mean about Muncie?

10. Akron has some VERY nice libraries, with very good catalogs. Muncie... doesn't. Bracken doesn't count.

11. Frozen food here is more expensive than Muncie. According to my parents, so is gasoline, which was $2.74 for about two days before cooling off a little down to $2.59, which it's stayed at ever since.

12. There are more bars and strip clubs here than in Muncie. Now, don't take this as a judgement, I just think it's a cultural differences. Bars seem to be the neighborhood meeting places of choice. Every microneighborhood has one that seems like it's been there for years, and it's usually not scary or junky or anything. As for strip clubs... apparently, Ohio women just don't put out.

13. Much more pride in place and pride in neighborhood. In Akron, when you use a neighborhood moniker, it means something. North Hill (where I live), West Hill, Arlington, Summit Lake, Chapel Hill, Downtown, Goodyear Heights, Firestone Park... all of these conjure up an image for natives, and increasingly for us. You can tell this because many more local stores, churches and the like are named after their neighborhoods. For example, we're just down the street from North Hill Donuts, among other similarly named outlets. In Muncie, you talk to someone about Shedtown or Riverside or Whitely, only a few fairly well-informed residents (usually those of the neighborhood in question) will have ANY idea what you're talking about.

14. Generally, service in restaurants and other places is superior here.

15. Locally owned and operated places are far more common here. We generally eat out more than we should... but I've eaten at a chain restaurant once since we got here, and it was a junior bacon cheeseburger as a snack from Wendy's. In Muncie, this would've been impossible. There are local places in every price bracket, including restaurants, clothing stores, record shops (which I intend to explore more), bookstores, etc.

16. People here drive like assholes! Granted, I drive like a grandmother, but even the old people here are crazy, tailgating you and running you off the road.

17. Kent State's student population, from my limited observation, seems to be split between conservative frat boy types/wankers, and hippies. I wonder if hippies seek this school because of the historical 1970 shooting connection or something. Either way, it's an odd combination. I haven't seen a punk, emo, or art-fag type yet, though I'm judging on appearances. I can no longer be classified as anything (besides maybe broke hillbilly) from appearances. I need to clean myself up, but clothes are too expensive right now.

18. Kent State's daily rag... sucks compared to the Ball State Daily News. That's sad. Amy and I were reading through the orientation issue, and on the front page it said to find a certain group of articles on the best local restaurants. We looked, and looked... and it wasn't there... even though all the pages of the paper were. Shitty.

I suppose that those are enough differences to report for now. So far, I'm really liking it here, because it feels like a vacation because there's so much to see and do... and we haven't really explored Cleveland yet, let alone the state parks. Of course, anything is better than good old Muncie.

This week has been grad student orientation on campus, and I'm feeling more comfortable there. The people all seem very nice and cooperative, and I've managed to be at least minimally sociable. Amy's at work, and there's no word about her supposed second job at the vet clinic. Hopefully, she'll get that so we'll be better moneywise. Being poor is for jerks!

Posted by Andy at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kahn is apparently becoming a redneck on this King of the Hill episode that somehow escaped by radar until tonight. It is making me happy.

Read "Kahn becomes a redneck? I haven't SEEN THIS EPISODE!!!" »

Posted by Andy at 06:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apparently, my ownership of an automobile could only lead to an untimely demise! After working on Pedro for like a week to get the starter solenoid fixed and working (and he STARTED)... the generator light came on, alerting me that there was a problem with the electrical system. Took him to Advance Auto to get it checked and... yep, the alternator's out.

Read "Pedro, Pedro, Pedro... (sigh)" »

Posted by Andy at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know it's been a few days.

Read "Unemployment doesn't mean unadventurous" »

Posted by Andy at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This will be short...

Read "Chapter 13... Tourist highlights" »

Posted by Andy at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Akron may be the rubber capital of the world, but it should also be considered the burger capital!

Read "Burgers, burgers and more burgers" »

Posted by Andy at 10:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I wrote a mass email announcing my move. As my mass emails go, it was lengthy and rambling. Here it is:

Read "We've moved on up... to the northeast side." »

Posted by Andy at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)