Bienvenue readers.
For those of you who followed my "Dispatches" blog, this one is going to have more of the same, plus some additional content. Musings on college life and academics (American style this time round), as well as an collection of thoughts and randoms on my eclectic interests (including, but not limited to: mountain biking, food, philosophy, music, film, and generally being a well dressed BAMF with a sense of conflicting nationality). All written with the theme of free associating rambling. Of which I will apologize for now.
To begin, I would like to dedicate this post to a dear friend of mine. One who I spent far too little time with while abroad at Lancaster University. One who I sincerely miss for his musicianship, wit, humor and style. Mr. James Daly, this one goes to out to you matey.
So. American college life. 7 months after returning from Lancaster university. Were am I at?
I'm in cruise control. Riding what is predictable. I'm a pinball trying not to tilt.
What I mean to say is, I have a pretty standard routine that has its weekly variations on particular places and times. Ride the bike, go to class, do some reading for class, dick about on facebook, play some guitar, clean apartment, eat, tea, tea, tea, facebook, facebook, gym, guitar, write papers, bar, party, no sleep, dance badly, shots, clean party house, shop, hang, facebook. Rinse and repeat. With like colors only, of course.
I love it. I actually do. Don't get me wrong. While I don't feel as zen as I did while in England, I have a sense of belonging to this occasion. To this life. I know this is where I should be right now. I have a good measure of comfort, all things considered. I have great friends. Their exploits will litter this blog like gum under a desk. Maine does what it can for me. Get past the pockets of commercialized suburbia and chain restaurants that function like a culture sapping, metastasizing cancer, and you have a pretty beautiful state that nurtures its residents (cept if you are under 25 and being tailed by a cop). Say what you will about UMaine, but it has been a great force for good as far as my academic life goes. Great profs for the most part and more than enough positive opportunities if you keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground (or at least the table next to you in the student union). Drinking age still sucks for those who have to worry about it and the Maine Campus newspaper's opinion section is still full of too many idiots. Love it still.
End introduction and first post.
Later blogs will hopefully form more of a coherent and focused discussion of something in particular. Didn't feel like it today though.
