Fourth Floor

Once again, Elder Sibling throws down the gauntlet for me in terms of blogging. Incidentally, I have changed the way I speak since being at university and it troubles me somewhat. “I would argue” comes up more often than it should, as does “in terms of” and “in regard to”. Don Watson would have a field day, really.
Anyway, the blog. I have been slack, but there you go. I realise this is probably going to be a self-defeating exercise in censorship, since the primary audience will be people I really have no interest in telling salacious stories to*, but there’s something to be said, nonetheless, for making a semi-regular commitment to ordering my thoughts coherently.
I get around most days here appreciating the big things and getting frustrated at the small things. I’m healthy, happy, have excellent friends, and exciting things are beginning or looming everywhere. Conversely, a friend sent me a text message that read “Jst saw XXX in Greema (sic) place. Was with YYY. Looking v. Pretty and dressed up with makeup!!! Lks like something for the gossip tree. Spread the word!”. Case in point. A few nights ago was a foul exhibit of the worst about college life- the finals of the pool comp, complete with jocky law students getting dressed up and drunk, and foul commentary from said law students. The infamous Lawheads, a naming and shaming of those who have misbehaved (and there were many), took place, and it wasn’t pretty. One of my favourite people at college got riotously drunk and spewed forth gay jokes whilst trying also to make cultured references to 17th century history. I likened the feeling to watching Kofi Annan drunkenly hit on your little sister, whilst simultaneously stubbing his cigarette into someone’s arm.
But the next day was beautiful and I took my books down to the shores of Lake Burley G and read, then went to visit friends at a neighbouring college, stayed for dinner and got to see my dear dear cousin.
The next three weeks are going to be ridiculous. Every night this week has an inescapable social commitment. Then it’s my college’s ball; the following week I’m heading to my sister’s “Presentation Ball”. Another week, then I’m heading north. In the meantime, I have about a third of this semester’s assessment due, and am trying to help a few friends who are fraying under all the pressure. Uni is anything but a bludge.
Until next time.

*i.e my mother, and mother’s sisters.