The weekend started with a "dorm party," thrown by my fellow politics cohorts. For some reason a lot of the social life in grad school revolves around drinking. I try to offset that with IM sports, playing with the neighbor's kids, and West Wing Sundays (more on the latter in a moment). But the party was decent, as ranting about our professors was fun, and other people can be somewhat entertaining when plastered.
Saturday, Janeite came up for a visit. We made scallion pancakes and went to see "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" with Rupa. The movie was your average W&G--lots of bad puns, comfortably predictable, and fun for the whole family. I must say that the one thing that has always freaked me out about W&G movies is that Gromit never speaks. He has full comprehension of his surroundings but can't vocalize his ideas. I think we need to empower Gromit to voice his opinion and welcome him (and all who fall prey to the evil that is speciesism) into the charmed circle.
Sunday we had another successful West Wing gathering. Roomie made Halloween cookies (with help from the kids on our floor) to everyone's delight. The episode was mediocre and I have to wonder whether this is the last season of West Wing. So far we've lost Will and Donna, and from yesterday's episode, it looks like we'll lose another major character shortly. We've only gained Janeane Garofalo, and I doubt she wants this project long term (though I'm speculating here). Plus, by season's end we almost certainly lose Bartlet as well. I could see Charlie staying on in another Dem administration, but what's CJ going to do, take a demotion? Personally, I'm not sure I'd watch a West Wing without Allison Janney. Seven years is a pretty good run, and it was a damn good show for four of those. Perhaps Commander and Chief will be good.
Fee Fi Fo Fum! Someone's been messing with the computer in my office. I came in the other day and noticed that my computer was logged in. The computers auto-logout after 10 minutes, so someone else must have used my machine. Now, I work in a bullpen, with computers that are workstations, so I can see how someone would think my computer was fair game. Thus, I didn't think much of it, and logged them out. Today, however, I came into the office, hooked my laptop up to the USB switch that enables me to only use one (ergonomic) keyboard and mouse, and quickly realized that the keyboard was not working and instead making a funny beep when I hit a key. Oddly, the mouse was working. So then I hit the USB switch and tried the workstation: both the keyboard and the mouse work. So, it's not the keyboard's fault. But, the mouse goes through my keyboard (which acts as a sort of USB hub), so how in the world could the mouse work on my laptop but the keyboard not?! My CS debugging side kicks into gear, and I try to simplify the problem by eliminating the USB switch. As I try to pull the keyboard wires, the wire (which also has a PS/2 output) feels stuck. That's weird...I shift the computer and try again...still stuck. I duck down and realize the PS/2 end of the cord is plugged into the workstation. Argh! So not only did someone use my desk, they couldn't figure out how to press one button on the switch to get the keyboard to work. And instead of just using another machine, they messed with my configuration. Goodness knows whether they figured out how to use the joystick mouse or even if the mouse worked through the keyboard's PS/2 connection... . It's unfortunate that I don't have access to the workstation's registry, because then I'd swap the control and caps lock keys (as I do on my personal machines). Good luck pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del to login then! Basically, people, my message is this: go to a cluster.
Tech LOTD: Sticky notes for Opera. I've put one on slashdot that tells me to "Stop Reading!" -- so far it's working.
I think your problem is that you're not appreciative of mute dogs. For a mute dog, Gromit does a lovely job of communicating. It's time for you to stop thinking that mute dogs are inferior and welcome those dogs who are vocally-challenged (don't you realize how hurt they can get when they find out that people are freaked out by their disability?).
I thought the movie was cute but I found the ending to be incredibly unsatisfying as I have no idea how Wallace transformed himself back. Rupa was not able to offer a very plausible explanation.
Sorry I was rather withdrawn on Saturday--that tends to happen when I'm feeling stressed. I just want to hide myself in the bowels of the library. Unfortunately, the law library is too new and nice, so all of it is well-lit and open. No deep, dark stacks to hide in. Ok--back to work!
1) I think my problem is that I'm not appreciative of dogs, period. I believe I read somewhere that Gromit started out as a cat (or at least was named after a cat)...oh, if only things could have turned out differently.
2) Cheese! The answer is always cheese in W&G movies: you should know that by now. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense: he was inundated with the aroma and aura of cheese, and found his true self. Wait, I take that back, don't think about it.
3) You didn't seem withdrawn at all. In fact, it seems that you're handling the rigors of law school quite well.
I must get back to work as well--good luck with the CivPro midterm!