He is a breath of fresh air after Rumsfeld.
March 2007 Archives
Or so they tell my at the oral surgeon's office at Caritas Carney Hospital. At 18, the wisdom teeth start to grow in. And I, at 25, am getting them removed rather late in the game. But at least I'm not 30, because the teeth get much harder to extract after that age. I've never had surgery before, but people tell me it's not so bad...just gotta keep taking the painkillers afterwards. Also, I will be stocking up on movies and books, since I'm planning on being laid up for a while.
I hardly ever blog anymore because there's nothing much to report, at least nothing of interest. If you'd like to know, I am currently writing a speech about human trafficking, putting together a newsletter for BU's international relations department, writing a 15-page paper about the First Amendment as it relates to the Falwell v. Flynt case, and working on a PR campaign for a local homeless shelter.
Oh, and on Tuesday night Laura and I will be going to hear Stephen Prothero speak at BU's Barnes & Noble about his latest book on religious literacy in America. He has gotten a lot of media coverage for this book, which goes to show how prominent in people's minds this topic is.
I was stuck on the elevator today, in the building where I work. Another guy named Sori (sp?), an illustrious employee of AG Edwards, was stuck with me. From what I've seen in the movies, being stuck on the elevator is supposed to be a life-changing experience. Two examples:
1) In "You've Got Mail," Tom Hanks gets stuck on the elevator with his girlfriend and several other odd characters. During the course of their time, he realizes that he no longer wants to be with said girlfriend. He is convinced, by the stories of some of the others, that he needs to seize the day and get the girl who is actually perfect for him and will make him happy (Meg Ryan).
2) And in "Shallow Hall" (yes, I admit to having seen this movie), Jack Black gets stuck on the elevator with some sort of psychologist/hypnotist/oddball who messes with his formerly shallow and womanizing brain, causing him to see fat women as beautiful. His life is forever changed when he falls in love with an obese Gwyneth Paltrow.
But nothing like this happened to me today. We were stuck for all of 15 minutes before someone came and got us out. One thing is for sure, though: when you're stuck on an elevator with someone, you actually end up getting to know them, rather than awkwardly trying to pretend they aren't there, as on a normal elevator ride. Sori and I chatted about my internship and school and about the apparently enormous AG Edwards buildings in St. Louis.
Also, it was fun to push the emergency phone button, something I've always wanted to do but never got to until now. For those of you who might be wondering, someone actually does answer. To hear the voice say "Help is on the way" was quite a thrill.
It seems to me that we attribute many names and sayings to the month of March because, let's face it, March is a dreary and interminable month. We try to spice it up a little with clever quips, such as these:
"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Apparently here in Boston it never turns into a lamb but instead stays a lion the whole way through. Whereas in other places it's always a lamb. But those facts don't diminish the cuteness of the phrase.
"The Ides of March." Click on this link to find out the origins of this name. One person in our church suggested that we have a "March Party" just to brighten up the month. Actually, here in Boston that party already happens: it's called St. Patrick's Day.
And, last but not least, "March Madness." They tried to change it to the more politically correct "March Mayhem," but that name understandably has not caught on. It doesn't roll off the tongue in quite the same way. I've always loved this time of year in terms of the basketball season, but this year I don't have any way to watch it unless I go to the local bar, in which case I will have to spend money that I don't have. I will also spend time that I don't have, considering that my own version of March Madness consists of schoolwork, studying for comprehensive exams, doing paperwork for London this summer (brilliant!), and a visit to the dentist, which will probably be followed later by a trip to the oral surgeon.
Anyway, the best part of March is the anticipation of Easter after it's all over. Here's a nice bit of (paraphrased) conversation to chew on:
Stephen Colbert to Larry King: "What dead person would you like to have dinner with?"
LK: "Christ."
(Pause)
SC: "You do know that Christ isn't dead, right, Larry?"
I could see that one coming like a thunderstorm in Iowa - from miles away. But it is a refreshing reminder during this season of Lent that we are not just remembering Christ's death, but we are looking forward to his resurrection and remembering that he is alive today. Every time we have communion we can think about this fact: that not only are we symbolically and mysteriously feasting on his body and blood, but we are also feasting with him. So, in a sense we are having dinner with Christ every week. Whenever you might find yourself a bit depressed during the doldrums of March, just say this to yourself: "You do know that Christ isn't dead, right, [insert name here]?" Say it to other people too.
