In which IKEA whispers sweet nothings into Phil’s ear.

Phil | August 31, 2008

While sitting in the clinic office Friday afternoon, frantically typing on my iBook in order to get some serious work done, I chatted on and off with a few of the girls around me. “You know, I haven’t even bought my books this semester,” I said. “I need to, but with so much else in [...]

Getting ConTEXTual*

Phil | August 29, 2008

You know that someone knows you well when you suddenly get a message that parrots something you write from time to time. Something that you don’t realize is a habit, even, until it’s brought to your attention thusly. For reasons that escape even me, I’m a big fan of using the equals sign when I [...]

If you thought semantics was boring, you’ve obviously never talked semantically to me.

Phil | August 27, 2008

When you work in the field I do (interpreting; not speech), there’s almost no such thing as too much information. Tonight, I was reminded once again just how much I love my job. I love it because random words like ‘phallic’ pop up from time to time, and invariably, I wind up getting into a [...]

I think I just made a new best friend.

Phil | August 26, 2008

As my friend Melissa and I approached a crosswalk on campus yesterday, I watched a car drive right through the stop sign without even bothering to slow down.
I made my displeasure known. “There’s a stop sign there, jerk!”
A girl within earshot looked over at me with what I thought was a grin on her face, [...]

If you can make a butt joke, you can get through grad school.

Phil | August 25, 2008

Three-hour classes are quite possibly the worst invention of all time. Tonight I had my first lecture class of the semester. I managed to stick with it for the first hour and forty-five minutes or so, but it was all downhill from there. Suddenly, I went from writing decent notes to writing thought-provoking notes like [...]

The Trip, the Trauma, and the Insectasoidal Drama

Phil | August 24, 2008

Saturday, I made my reluctant, yet still triumphant, return to Los Angeles. I kept note of everything that happened along the way, just for fun. Here’s how it plays out, in real time.
Prologue
Perhaps the reluctance to fully pack comes from the fact that I am not yet ready to say goodbye. Packing everything completely signals [...]

One month later… Notes from the travel log, Part 2

Phil | August 21, 2008

Today, Thursday, marks six weeks that I’ve been in Albuquerque this second time around. It’s been a pretty awesome time, sort of to the point that I’ve started to take roots here. Doubtless, Robert considers this an understatement. This could be because I’ve taken over the dining table and converted it into my laptop desk, [...]

Where’s all my tattoos and bling necklaces when I need them?

Phil | August 18, 2008

Under the glossy veneer that is my big, gay exterior, I’m pure thug. Never mind that I’m so white, either. The mailman didn’t.
Mailman: Hey man, how’s it going?
Phil: Pretty good, thanks.
Mailman: That’s good, bro.
Phil: Um, so… did I miss the outgoing mail?
Mailman: No, man it’s still right here.
Phil: Sweet. Thanks.
Mailman: Have a good day, man.
I [...]

I’ve become an Olympian at sitting on the couch watching the Olympics.

Phil | August 16, 2008

In the spirit of stream of consciousness, I offer a list of things that fall into no category in particular.

I watched the final swimming events this evening, including the historic eighth gold medal event by swimming guru Michael Phelps. I’ve gotten so into the swimming events that I’ve made sure we’re home by 8 o’clock [...]

Rise and Shine

Phil | August 15, 2008

The mountains stand out in the distance, a brilliant shade of deep blue. The sun tries to peek above the tip of the mountainous skyline. The air is cool, a dewy humidity competing with the dryness. Clouds that only hours ago lazily floated high in the air have lost altitude. The sky is a sheet [...]