Feeling Like a Boob

So after reading about how to do therapy from a textbook for the past 3 weeks, today we had to test out our skills with a fellow student in front of the class. It's totally nerve-wracking, awkward, and superficial, as most role-playing tends to be. Needless to say, my performance was a horrendous failure. Even though it only lasted 5 minutes, by the end I was convinced that I will never be a therapist and was ready to pack my bags. Ugh.

The only good thing was that the prof wanted me to describe how I felt while being the therapist. I got the class laughing at my candor [I used the words horrifying, abject fear, and embarrassing] so perhaps I will have a promising career at Second City instead.

The funny thing was this girl in the class tried to make me feel better by identifying what she thought were my strengths. This is what she said:

"I think you have a really great therapist voice - very reassuring and calm. I get the feeling that you're really great with kids and will work with young children as a therapist."

Do's and Don'ts of Babysitting

I can't make a real post right now because I'm too busy play Klax [courtesy of "g"] which is the awesomest game ever. The music really pumps my nads. Anyway, I will instead direct you to this hilarious page of what not to do when babysitting. I think someone must have watched me take care of the niece and nephew and decided to compile everything I did in a handbook. Who knew you don't put wet babies in driers?

This apartment won't get any cleaner, so I better take pictures now

I haven't yet finished hanging things and such but here is your exclusive peak at my apartment. It's not that exciting. But do notice the comfy futon that folds out into a bed for guests. Be forewarned though - even after scrubbing my bathroom from top to bottom I thought, "I still wouldn't shower in there". Also, I still need drapes to block out the Lake of Cold Death.

Getting Older

So I'm 26, and I'm trying to grow up. I'm officially an adult now.

* I have my own sassy apartment in Chicago.
* I am pursuing a doctoral degree.
* I care about politics and international affairs.
* I read National Geographic and Skeptical Inquirer and books by Oliver Sacks.

And yet, I still think about and enjoy things like this.

Did I mention that I hate BIll O'Reilly?

Watch this video clip of homeless veterans watching Bill O'Reilly deny there are homeless veterans. Apparently now O'Reilly is admitting there are homeless veterans but it's their fault because they're drug addicts. I'm going to burst into flames from rage now.

Old photos

You might have noticed that I love old photographs, particularly from the turn of the century. Well, I was checking out Wil Wheaton's blog [because you also may have noticed that I love TNG] and he has some links to old pictures put on Flickr by the Library of Congress. Some are black and white photos of news events in the 1910s and the other set are colour photos from the 1930s and 1940s which are stunning. If you have a few seconds, check them out. They are so choice, I highly recommend them.

Bill O'Reilly really chaps my ass

Ever since I was challenged over dinner one night about the merits of Bill O'Reilly I have paid a bit more attention to the garbage being spewed out of his FACE. I just read this brief article about homeless veterans and how our good friend Bill was criticizing John Edwards for bringing this issue up because apparently, according to Bill, it's not that serious of a problem. Edwards claims there are approximately 200,000 homeless vets out there, and O'Reilly says there aren't that many. Click here to read Edwards' response which I thought was great and could be applied to pretty much every issue facing America today. I should also add that the US Department of Veteran Affairs puts the number of homeless vets at 195,000. So I guess O'Reilly was right about something. Good job, thanks for clarifying the issue for us.

There's nothing more anyone can say about O'Reilly that hasn't been said. I am just continually amazed that he has viewers, some of whom live in my building. I have already unleashed the [controlled, non-physically threatening] fury on a few people. I have 4 years to clean up America... I have much work to do.