Rounding the bend.

Finished up LNT last night. All in all, it was a fantastic time. The Gods had been planning this thing the entire term, and I'd say it showed. We abolished the secrecy element of LNT this year in the name of increased publicity and membership. It worked; 36 teams participated in LNT this year, which has got to be, or at least be very close to, a new Carleton record. Things went pretty smoothly throughout. We had some conflict at the very beginning (a CUT tool trying to steal our demands list), and at the end (some fucker throwing a soda at my head when he didn't win), but it was all positive in the middle.

Some highlights included: some kid taking a dump in his hand, lots of free booze, adult diapers, good free food, creative performances, excellent peons, etc. etc. etc. The Gods and Peons like were on their game, and we were able to do things pretty smoothly.

I am starting to realize now how tired I actually am. I think I say this after every term, but I do feel this term was my longest and most trying while at Carleton. The comps factor was enormous. I've never put that much sustained effort into an academic pursuit, and I can feel it. I feel utterly repulsed by my computer; there's no desire to even look at a History book for at least a year. The drama factor was enormous. Things got even more bizarre with her than ever before, and that cost me hours of sleep over the course of the term. The strain of figuring out next term's living situation was an emotional and psychological burden that I'm glad we're rid of.

Yet, this was not a bad term. I made lots of new friends, renewed bonds with old ones. Vegas was the most positive Frisbee experience I've had in over a year. Spring break's going to be a shitload of fun. And, I get to live with three of my favorite people ever next term--my last term.

I'm tired. But, it's a good tired.

Back in Action.

Well, I got busy.

That's really the only excuse you need to explain why this blog hasn't been updated in about three months. I got busy. Monumentally so. Perhaps the briefest of a synopsis will give you an idea of this term.

This Winter, I had to do one major thing: comps. My senior integrative exercise absolutely dominated this term. After fourth week, my days looked something similar to this:

1. Wake up.
2. Work on comps.
3. Go to class.
4. Work on comps.
5. Go to practice.
6. Eat?
7. Work on comps.
8. Get high.
9. Sleep.

It was probably the most depressing--yet, strangely, the most academically rigorous--experience I've had at Carleton. Working solely on one subject was an enlightening experience. I've never felt so very attached to a concept before, especially one that held no personal significance for me. I do not care about President Gamal Abdel Nasser. I do not care about his Africa policy. I do not care (much) about history, memory, or identity. Yet, I found myself completely devoted to that paper. I poured over books, considered the weight of each word I wrote, each paragraph I edited. It was both a wholly stressful, yet cleansing, experience.

I made some great friends during the process. The majors and I bonded together in the face of the stressful conclusion of Carleton. We commandered a spot on 3rd Libe, claiming the area as our own. We drank together, laughed together, cried together, and some of us (not me) are now even bedding together. It was a remarkable experience, and I'm glad I shared it with them.

Comps are now done. This is good. I will now have time to catch up on life, as I have most of reading days completely free. I'm happy to return to this aspect of my life. Hopefully I'll have exciting things to write about in the near future.