The NeverEnding Story:

Forgive me so for being sprawled between the vowels, consonants, and the political theories of Hobbes and Locke over the last 11 days. Obviously, it has been difficult for me to maintain equipoise.

This summer session has been flying by at warp speed. My days consist of early morning showers & mid morning traffic. Britain/England since 1714 has thinned out now and typically there are anywhere from 7-9 other souls sharing the spaces in between the pre & postindustrial strife.

New friends: John Locke & Jeremy Bentham
(I don't really know how someone can be friends with old dead philosophers either, but I am)

New obsession: Scrabulous!
(I've not even won a handful of games yet, but I know how to play Qi and Xi like a pro now)

Aside from the world of academia I have been quite busy watching Euro 2008 (as previously mentioned). I don't know what I will do come Sunday evening after the Finals. And just in case you didn't know, GERMANY will be playing...

Speaking of my second favorite country, I was able to test out of the language requirement for my degree! I went in to take my placement exam on a Friday and 12 minutes later I knew my results.

I will have to take another test (and pay a fee) in order to receive the credit for the classes I tested out of...it's cheaper than taking two more classes...it's a NeverEnding Story (not unlike the original story, did you know it was German too?)...

fare-thee-well for now.

~~J

Back to Class:

(specifically back to where I started, more than a decade ago!)

So I’ve made my return to the “park-like” campus at the University of Memphis. Not only are there are more buildings (and an active construction site), it's a whole lot prettier than I remember.

During my first full week back I've:
1) parked in the same lot, 5 days in a row...
2) settled on 1 specific route to my building
3) visited the bookstore twice
4) taken the most horrible student ID photo in the history of the world
5) helped OTHER PEOPLE find *insert name here* building

My goal was to write everyday after my experiences, but I probably would've offended entire countries along the way.

Ya see, I am taking an upper division history class--England since 1714--and Monday I hated Britain, BUT on Tuesday I loved Britain and then on Wednesday I didn't mind Britain too much...now I'm having issues with Winston Churchill (hahaha).

My entire grade is dependent on only two exams (a midterm and a final). This is the first time in my college career that I will only be graded on two assignments. Also I might also be the only non-history major in the class...which really isn't too big of a deal.

Be looking for specific entries about social orders, the industrial revolution...and a lot of Euro 2008 Soccer!

~~J

Carrie, Carrie, Carrie (Part Deux):

Throughout Sex and the City (the television series), there are moments which I consider to be so amazing I have to spend a whole entry talking about them.

Especially when they relate to my favorite gal.

Season 1 (episode 3): Carrie tags along for a weekend in the Hamptons with her friend--who happens to be half of a married couple. When Carrie accidentally has a full-frontal encounter when her friend's husband, she is sent packing.

She wonders, "Is there is a secret cold war between marrieds and singles?"

Season 2 (episode 16): Carrie is asked to be a part of a magazine feature highlighting single people in the city. She spends half of the episode assuming it will be “Single & Fabulous!” but when the magazine hits the stands, she finds herself on the cover of “Single & Fabulous?” (Note the question mark).

"That question mark is hostile." The girls decide it is okay to be single.

Season 2 (episode 30): The end of the season brings about the comparisons of The Way We Were and the Carrie/Big relationship. It also features the girls singing Memories over colorful martini glasses.

Carrie gets her own "Your girl is lovely, Hubbell" moment as she asks Big why it was another woman and NOT her after his engagement party at The Plaza.

Season 3 (episode 41): Even though Carrie has started seeing the most wonderful guy in the world (Aidan) she sabotages the relationship by falling into bed with a now-married Mr. Big.

Guess who comes home in time to catch Carrie in her apartment? Mrs. Big…and after a chase, Natasha falls down stairs and breaks a tooth. Carrie takes her to the emergency room and when Mr. Big arrives, another dramatic break-up occurs:

“We’re so over, we need a new word for over.”

Season 4 (episode 65): A tribute to the “old” New York ends the season and Carrie learns Big is leaving the city for the Left Coast. They share an impromptu “twist” to Moon River in Big’s empty apartment, making for one of the most romantic moments of the series.

Season 5 (episode 69): The girls go to Atlantic City for a weekend of female bonding. The entire episode is beset with humor and special moments between the girls.

Carrie is given a $1,000 chip by a man and eventually decides to bet on 36 (her age) at the Roulette table after she asks the dealer what happens “after 36” and he replies, “I guess you fall off the table.” She loses.

It is difficult to pick out just one or two special moments or episodes from Season 6, because there are so many involving Carrie. You'll have to watch for the flying pink carnations, "jack rabbit" sex, the "wedding registry" at Manolo Blahnik and the eventual move to Paris.

"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."

~~J