hablamos

the beginning of this week was kind of rough emotionally (not for any good reason), but there's something about seeing one of my favorite old students (the wave on NM ave. did the trick) on national television to make me feel better. that kid who sits in the back of human mirror is also on there, but i don't have as much affection for him as i do for bryce.

but really, a number of things have changed. first, the weather is warming up, and though its rainy, and still getting quite cold at night, the world smells like spring, and that's enough for me. second, i spent 45 minutes this morning talking to ee about how language used on online dating websites is strikingly neoliberal (the body as machine, flexibly accumulating attributes, commodifying desires) and at one point, i had to chuckle to myself. this is exactly what i always thought was missing in the dale. the sort of spontaneous, organic anthropological discussions that make me feel like a grad student. and as annoyed as i get about how little i get done in the cubes, its really because so much of this happens. i mean, sure, there's plenty of gossiping, complaining, arguing, and plain ridiculousness, but those moments when we get into deep discussions and challenge each other, and i can actually feel my opinions changing or narrowing, or being refined...those are the moments i know i'm in the right place.

to top it all off, the film is still in a precarious position, but is at least coming together a little, i've gotten some work done on my paper for montreal, and there's free lunch tomorrow. plus our first futbol practice. so, while i've been complaining that my friends just aren't cutting it, i'm really proud to be part of a community. and one that (maybe its egotistical, but) i feel like i've had a hand in creating.

so tonight, instead of sitting in the library discussing david harvey, otto, the jag, ee, rumagin, and otto's friend alva & i went to ee's place, sat in his basement office drinking wine and discussed everything from postmodernism to ways in which sea monster on iphone reflects shifting forms of fragmented identity. i guess being a nerd isn't so bad. for the moment at least.