hooray for stuff

[rhyll]

First off, I finally made a friend here, so I don't feel so lonely anymore. His name is Khalil, and he is a research assistant with Prof. Deshpande, who Knows Things about the area I'm working on (and has written one of the books I've been trying to get hold of). Last night we went for a walk around the campus and talked about the things that are necessary for living happily, and argued about capitalism. It was fun, because it's the first time I've felt comfortable arguing with someone (even if I was quite restrained) - mostly it seems rude. It reminded me again of how much I enjoy talking about politics, and the politics of the personal.

Also, I got another delightful email from my mathematician friend, who wins bonus points for a) liking American Gods, and b) telling me that he has been scandalising people ever since 1953, when he couldn't be bothered standing up for 'God Save the Queen' and got into huge trouble with his mother.

Next, this morning I have been enjoying this site on bicycle patents very much, particularly all the bicycle diagrams. (Is there some way I can put it on my friends page?)

Finally, I was reading about this cool-sounding card game, and thinking that it sucks that some things require you to be a published author. And then I realised that I am a published author, twice, which was a pleasant thing to remember.