“Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face. Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness. [...] Some, in other places in Australia, need to proceed to Mount Isa where happiness awaits. Really, beauty is only skin deep. Isn’t there a fairy tale about an ugly duckling that evolves into a beautiful swan?”

It takes my breath away. I seriously wonder when people will realize that their gender-related comments are offensive. There are some very simple ways to evaluate this. For example, before speaking, replace the word ‘women’ (or ‘girls’ or ‘lasses’ or whatever poorly chosen synonym you have in mind) with ‘Blacks’ or ‘Jews’ or ‘Native Americans’ or ‘Veterans’ or even ‘Republicans’ and ask yourself, “Would this be an appropriate comment?” If the answer is no, or if there is any sort of hesitation whatsoever on your part as to the appropriateness of your comment, then don’t say it! If this method does not work, chances are that you have Severe Issues and need to be removed from society until such a time as you can be taught basic human decency.

From the category of obsessive-flower-photo-taking, I bring you an additional 12 flower photos. Well, technically, some of them are flowers and some are leaves and buds. In the rain. I’m quite fond of several of them.

In May, Stephanie and I went to Baltimore for a conference. Our favorite part of that was going to the National Aquarium as part of an evening activity. While there we explored all sorts of fun: dolphins, frogs, turtles, and fish!

In June, Steph and I ran away to New York for a weekend - this time checking out the Museum of Natural History, the Met, and lots of Central Park.

Our purpose in going to NYC, mind you, was to see a Jonathan Coulton concert. It was easily the geekiest concert either of us had ever been to (and Steph went to a Weird Al concert once), and it was completely and unbelievably awesome. I will definitely be going to see him and the openers, Paul and Storm, the next chance I get.

And then, at the beginning of July, I ran away with Joe to New England for several days, including the Fourth of July.

We also spent a day in Boston, but, unfortunately, I forgot to charge my camera battery the night before, so my photos are limited. I did have fun at the aquarium, especially watching the penguins!

I haven’t had a chance to play very much with XBMC, but my plans include setting up streaming from my external drives upstairs and perhaps even installing a wake-on-LAN script that will turn on the computer attached to the drives without me having to climb upstairs to do so. The upshot of all this is that I should soon be able to watch any of my videos (including digital media and Region 1 and 2 DVDs) or listen to any of my music from the ease and comfort of my couch. Win.

In the meantime, things have been frustrating in the real world and I’ve been back and forth and traveling and moving equipment at work and all such things. Currently trying to get my experiments running in a new location and I’ve been thwarted at nearly every turn.

Steph and I have plans to run away to NYC this weekend to see Jonathan Coulton in concert, and we are, of course, looking forward to this.

In other news, my little sister has graduated from high school! Many happy and belated congratulations are due to her for this accomplishment. I have a few pictures, just not with me now, unfortunately.

And, lastly, I’ve started Plurking (sort of like Twittering), so if anyone cares to join in, you now know where to find me.

Dammit. The Oxegen website now says that Bell X1 and dEUS are playing, too. Not fair.

I’ve still managed to find the energy to consume some media here and there, naturally. After I asked for Sandman suggestions, I went ahead and used a 25% off coupon to order Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 from B&N. I might have stretched it out over five days? Joe’s had to put up with me raving about it, and I’ve gone and gotten Stephanie into it, too. Am currently avoiding ordering Vol. 2 thanks to recent medical expenses, which leaves me waiting desperately for the fiend who checked out “Season of Mists” from the public library to return it. The book was due May 2nd. Are we at the removal-of-body-parts penalty stage yet?

For reasons that still baffle and confuse me, I didn’t hook my Nintendo Wii back up to my television after returning from Cleveland. (Wait. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this here since I’m so far behind: I bought a Wii in New York City. No, I don’t regret it.) Part of it was knowing that I’d have to take it apart again in mid-May when my landlord kicks me out for two weekends and lets strangers live with my stuff. Knowing this, I have instead relocated the Wii to Joe’s apartment, and, at Steph’s urging, started playing Twilight Princess there. I’ve never played a Zelda game before, but I’m enjoying myself so far. I’m always a fan of waving my Wii remote like a sword. (Really. I’m a child, and I know it.)

Classes have wrapped up here, and we’ve transitioned into finals. For the first time in, oh, I don’t know when, I have no finals, no projects, nothing. Except a very large pile of grading that will come my way, oh, next Monday. Luckily, I’ve become rather efficient at grading quickly.

That’s probably enough large blocks of text for you all to stare at for the moment. Suffice it to say that, regardless of what’s going on, I’m still alive.

Having finished Preludes and Nocturnes (and already loaned it to a friend), I have to decide whether to continue getting the paperbacks, or whether I should bite the bullet and order Absolute Sandman Vol. 1. I know some of my friends are (already) Sandman lovers. Are there any recommendations out there?

As soon as flowers started appearing a few weeks ago, I found myself pulling out my camera and interrupting my walk (usually home) to snap a few shots. I particularly like the snowdrops. They appear so delicate, yet are hardy enough to withstand a late snow, as this one did:

While my sister was here many photos were taken, but no event was better documented photographically than our Sunday afternoon spent swinging, climbing, and sliding all over a playground near my apartment.

(Seriously, though, the playground album contains all kinds of amusement. Like Holy Grail references and bizarre expressions while on swings.)

And, last and far from least, some pictures from my trip to Cleveland this weekend. I met up with Mark to attend the Josh Ritter and Hilary Hahn concert at CIM and then we spent the weekend hanging out and getting nostalgic at Case. If I’m good, there will be further, more verbose discussion of this at some point. If not, the pictures will have to do, I’m afraid.