- laying in bed, full from epicurean feast of ham/swiss chicken in madeira sauce, cheddar broccoli, wild rice and apple blackberry crisp
- being 4 glasses of wine deep
- having written the thesis of long, important-ass application essay
- knowing that A is just a phone call (or 2.5 hr drive) away
- drinking 5th glass of wine while blogging
- talking to best friend B about everything and nothing
- being wooed by university, despite the fact that it is one in which I have no interest
- knowing TiVo is saving a week's worth of unwatched programs, just for me
- planning upcoming pilgrimage to Boston
- having 4 unused days of 2005 vacation
Monday, November 14, 2005
10 things that make me happy at this very moment
Somewhat overdue... but you'll get over it. And now, in no particular order:
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
uncovering the truth
It was a Monday night, Doris Kearns Goodwin was in town to publicize her new book on Abraham Lincoln, and I had decided to put the claims of my 11th grade AP U.S. History teacher to the test.
After a scintillating 90 minute discussion of Abe's political genius, past scuffles with plagiarism accusations, and the merits of the designated hitter rule, I followed the masses to the lower level of Bass Hall to purchase a signed copy of Team of Rivals.
What I really wanted to know was: does Mr. B. really know her? Eight years ago - holy shit, almost a decade? - I was sitting in class, listening to a voice recording of Kearns Goodwin that B. had brought in from his answering machine as show-and-tell. I remember not what was said in the recording, but that Mr. B was giddy with excitement at having concrete proof that he was an acquaintance, possibly even a colleague, of a reknowned author. In all likelihood most of us rolled our eyes and we moved on with the regularly scheduled lesson.
Now, years later, I still vividly remember the day when I saw a grown man become excited at the mere thought of knowing a well-known historian. And here was my chance to see if that excitement was justified.
After a scintillating 90 minute discussion of Abe's political genius, past scuffles with plagiarism accusations, and the merits of the designated hitter rule, I followed the masses to the lower level of Bass Hall to purchase a signed copy of Team of Rivals.
What I really wanted to know was: does Mr. B. really know her? Eight years ago - holy shit, almost a decade? - I was sitting in class, listening to a voice recording of Kearns Goodwin that B. had brought in from his answering machine as show-and-tell. I remember not what was said in the recording, but that Mr. B was giddy with excitement at having concrete proof that he was an acquaintance, possibly even a colleague, of a reknowned author. In all likelihood most of us rolled our eyes and we moved on with the regularly scheduled lesson.
Now, years later, I still vividly remember the day when I saw a grown man become excited at the mere thought of knowing a well-known historian. And here was my chance to see if that excitement was justified.
"I have to say, I completely agree with your statement that everyone should have a history teacher that can generate excitement. I once had such a teacher who taught AP U.S. History in Sharon, MA named J.B. Do you know him?"I feel so betrayed.
"Sorry... I don't think so."
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