Pipe Dreams

You've seen the latest surreal Adidas commercial about an "intelligent shoe"; I rather like it, especially the song. Turns out it's sung by Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. Too bad, I thought a newcomer quiet-girl rocker was on the verge of breaking through.

Been listening to "The Engine Driver" off of The Decemberists' latest offering to the world. Jangly, melodic, and very singable, this one may be for you. It's for me too. [I've also been listening to a good bit of Kelly lately. Meaning, Kelly Clarkson. Oh yes, we are already on a first name basis. OK, the way I see it, the only merit of a radio hit is catchiness, and with that, a few of her songs please a part of me.]

On becoming a smoker..

So I decided last night sometime during the mingling time after RUF that I wanted to purchase a pipe. John/Don/Jack Roberson hooked me up with some good info on where and how to start; he really is a neat guy, that John. And it's true that the RUF crowd is fond of tobacco products, namely pipes. [But keep in mind, Lea, that I am my own person and I do things mainly because I like doing them, not because .. of everyone else!] Erin H., Jenn Guetz and I tried them out for the first time at the guys' Steck apartment last year under the kind coaching of tobaccy veterans Garrett L. and Clayton S. It sure was fun. Since Highland Mall houses a Pipe World, I was just going to stop by on the way home after Smart Start this afternoon. And let me say that I almost did, except that earlier this morning, the sensible side of me typed in "pipe smoking" and "cancer" in the same search box and pressed Enter. Needless to say, it decelerated my blazing desires of becoming an intellectual smoker for the time being, and maybe for the rest of life. I'm not one to dabble with future suffering, if I can help it. But don't worry, John, I'll find a way!

A note on Nationals: they went really well. I made the individuals round, advanced to the final pool, placed 6th overall in Women's Foil. This wouldn't have been possible unless I was in the C spot, which I was. It was a combination of strategic workings, Providence, and lastly, just plain effort that brought me such an honorable title. Really, I'm an intermediate fencer. I am being showered with so much praise, most of which I haven't fairly earned. In terms of achievement, I would've made a better boy, eh? And the UT Fencing Team isn't even varsity, it's a tier below, whatever that's called. About team relations, they are slowly but surely improving. Because my teammates are truly themselves, I will respond back by also being myself. I can't dodge rejection and criticism and be a real person. That is something we all must be, real people. It's also awesome how a team bonds together in tough situations and rare opportunities. Anyway, enough jibber-jabber. It's already tomorrow.