Shock Me Like an Electric Eel
Stephen Colbert “improves” Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” by rapping about the suburbs. Includes the line: “Lived up by the Guggenheim til I got some kiddies.” Glorious. If I don’t meet a funny man, I’m never getting married.
Pittsburgh Sets Vote on Adding Tax on Tuition
Ian Urbina, The New York Times, December 15, 2009
Great. I suck up the idea of living in PITTSBURGH for two years for the sake of getting a good education and then they go and try to pass tax laws that will make the place even less appealing. A one percent tax on tuition, to be exact, which is no chump change at a private school.
I just don’t understand why students would be the obvious target for revenue increases. A person living and going to school in a city is paying taxes if they have a job, rent an apartment, drive a car, shop… All things a person kinda has to do. Additionally, people are always bitching about how Pittsburgh is not a fun place for young people, so why would you want to deter more young people from moving there and livening things up? You’ve got to replace the old at some point or the system falls apart.
Weighing The Value of That College Diploma
Sue Shellenbarger, The Wall Street Journal, December 16, 2009
navleen:sugarspun:classics:goodtimesroll:tulletulle:longlivethequeen:notthesun:theduty:
Evolution of philosophy.
momentous events
- grad school apps are officially in as of last week, and though i’ll have to wait more than 3 months for acceptance letters, i’ve already launched into planning the next year, as usual. i’m ready this time.
- i had my 6-month performance review at work yesterday. i can’t believe it has already been 6 months. it’s so weird to think of how i got here. nothing is as big of a deal as it seems when you’re just starting.
- i’m going home on thursday for christmas vacation. i desperately need this break and the chance to drive a car again!
- i’ve discussed my AT plans with my boss and i think she’ll be able to find a replacement for me, which means that more pieces are falling into place. this hike is happening as long as i don’t decide i’m too damn girly to handle it.
- i’ve decided to start some sort of big project for the new year. i’m soliciting ideas, though i’m thinking of composing a list of things i’d like to learn/do and documenting the process (making cheesecake from scratch, learning how to tie all sorts of knots — like a boy scout, running a marathon, etc). otherwise i’d like to do some sort of photography project… other ideas?
I would love to do this to someone if I had this much free time and had no qualms about wasting paper.
Julie & Julia, Julie Powell
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but I must say I really liked Powell’s irreverent, unabashedly honest way of writing and her quirky way of thinking. I also envy her relationship with Eric. It’s a fun, quick read that will likely inspire you to start cooking or to think up a good project to give you a sense of meaning. I’m pondering my own ideas right now…
