Thursday, October 26, 2006

Elves in the radiator

I don't like radiators. Especially the radiators in my apartment. Strange metallic clanging noises echo from somewhere deep inside their twisted bowels. Even though it happens several times a day, the noise never fails to unsettle me. It sets my nerves on edge.

Maybe it's because I don't understand how radiators work. I thought that they simply contained water that was converted to steam when the gas heated the metal...or something. That process doesn't seem like it should produce any percussive noises. Hisses, certainly. But clangs?

It doesn't really matter, except that it's one more thing that stresses me out. Other things stressing me out right now include an open memo and a midterm essay. These things shouldn't stress me out, but they do. I'm a good writer. The midterm essay assignment, at least, is very straightforward and clear-cut. The open memo, a not-so-cut-and-dried assignment, isn't really due for another three weeks (although a "rough draft" will be discussed next Thursday). I blame the radiators, the proverbial straw breaking my back (yes, I am a camel).

Anyway, I escaped the radiators, the midterm essay, and the open memo all at once last night by irresponsibly going to Bar Trivia Night at The Brillobox. It was probably the best decision of my life. In addition to the highly entertaining company of Matt, Ben, Dave, and Adam, I enjoyed an Old Leghumper Porter (which wasn't excellent, but it wasn't completely unpleasant), and assisted Matt in finishing a somewhat unpleasant Franzikaner (it tasted like a mediocre Belgian ale). Matt, always a confounding influence, also coerced me into taking a few drags from a cigarette he bummed from Dave.

So, I feel really good today. I thought I'd feel pretty guilty about blowing off a few hours worth of homework I could have gotten done last night. But I don't. I think I needed to go out, to forget about being a laywer-in-training for a while, to have a (pretty good) beer, and to socialize with some awesome people. It felt great. And I feel so much less stressed out today. I guess it's true that you have to find some kind of balance between the need to finish all your work and the need to take a real break (not just a 15-minute power-break).

Even the radiators can't bring me down today!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

A chef I'll never be...

Well, it's been a while since I updated. I barely got started before I bailed out.

Oh well: if the recipe doesn't turn out well the first time, change things up a little and try again. I'm inspired by my brother's new blog, which he started to document his adventures and misadventures in Athens, Greece while he studies archaeology or something there. I can't keep up with his high-falootin' academic endeavors, but I can continue to be jealous of all the sweet stuff he gets to do.

Anyway, I haven't quit baking or cooking, and I certainly haven't ceased to enjoy my food. I'm now living with my sister, however, so I cook considerably less. She also cooks, and she's a vegetarian. At first glance, those two facts might not seem significant. But since she cooks, I usually eat what she cooks and therefore do not also cook. When I do cook, I try to cook something that she also can eat, which limits me a little. I miss steak, chicken, pork, sausage, bacon, turkey and fish! Oh, my sweet salmon...

I do occasionally break out the poultry and fish. And it's not as though she discourages me from eating meat. I just feel bad when I don't cook something that we can share. My silly little guilty conscience.

I can't promise an update every day. I started law school in the fall, and my life is no longer my own. I belong to West publishing and the Barco Law Library now.

Until the next time!