Week 11 — Random Thoughts
Week 11 mostly coincided with intermission. The spring quarter is over; undergrads are gone, and many grad students have already left for internships or research stays abroad. Summer session hadn't started yet, which makes it an ideal time for us to go away for a few days. Most eateries have reduced hours (my favorite coffee shop will be closed for the whole summer -- no more bagels for me, as the ones sold at the other places are disgusting). It is a bit hard to adjust to the lack of people, but I appreciate that the park is so much more quiet. So do bunnies, who are all over the freaking place, and dogs, who can now be walked on campus.
Only Brits would wear such a loud shade of pink
I know I've mentioned this before, but it never ceases to puzzle me: people tend to assume I am British. "You have an accent," they tell me after I've said a few words; "are you British?". I might have a hint, I say a hint, of British accent, in that, for instance, I like my Ts a bit hard and pronounced in "often". "Oh, sorry," they apologize when I tell them that, no, not quite, I'm actually French. "It must be this bright colored sweater you are wearing".
I don't even know whether I'm a cat or a dog person
The more I think about it, the more I want a pet. Cat or dog. Yes, it does tie in with the cuddle dreams. I miss my dog — she is officially mine but I left home eleven years ago. Of course, my lifestyle absolutely doesn't permit it and I doubt it is going to get much better when I am a postdoc. Still.
Thanks for making me feel better. In a convoluted way. I guess
Father's Day is always a bundle of joy when you have a, let's say, difficult relationship with your father. Well, at least I don't have to buy a card nor a gift nor remember to call, so I guess there's that. Although come to think of it, buying gifts and cards and remembering to call is hardly a hassle when it's for someone you love and have a healthy relationship with. But, anyway, this Father's Day (do not freak out, French readers — this is only the US date), I am grateful for at least one thing with respect to my father: I am pretty darn sure he would not enjoy a stripper, whomever bought the dance for him.
Alarming? Distressing? Appalling? Abominable? I don't have the words
By now you have probably heard of the genital mutilation at Cornell University story (by the title I gave this link it is probably obvious it comes with a suitcase full of trigger warnings). Needless to say I was horrified when I read it. I also wondered whether "enlarged clitoris" was a euphemism for "micropenis" or any other variation on the intersex themes, but didn't see any reason why that wouldn't be mentioned. Well, I was apparently right to wonder.