Boo to the World

Or, what to do when the event that was supposed to get you through the rest of the week is "cancelled."

Boo to the Lies
Anyone who knows me well, knew that the second I saw the Gwynne Dyer posters up around the university I started planning the upcoming week around his arrival. It's dorky, I know. But when two days in February have been drawn out over three weeks, you take what you can get.

So, you shouldn't be surprised by the fact that when that scrawny little know-nothing from the USC approached the podium and said that the whole thing was cancelled had I something to throw, I would have thrown it.

With that news at my disposal, I just sat there with my jaw nearly hitting the floor, teeter-tottering between rage and devastation. Then a ray of hope: a man with a silly red scarf announced that there is no way that it should be cancelled--Dyer is coming. Well, I don't usually make it my business to take the advice of men in silly red scarves, but some days you believe what you want to be true. Today was one of those days.

And come Dyer did. I was so glad I waited that I came up with a complex story about how the USC tried to sabotage the lecture in order to sell more drinks to minors while emptying out seats in front of the stage. My story was elaborate, sure; but if I were you I might doubt its validity. Just a thought.

So what did I learn? As much as a person possibly can from a writer that one has studied with nearly religious fervour. That is to say, I was happy to hear him speak, and he said some things that I hadn't thought of or fully understood, but they were things that I had read in one of his books or articles somewhere along the line.

Granted, I never thought I would hear the words "Long live the Communist Party of China, I guess" come out of the mouth of such a man. Just like in his writing, he structured his lecture very carefully to end on a baffling paradox that pulled everything together so neatly/disturbingly/confusingly that I sat there in shock for about twenty minutes, at which time I realized I was late for meeting Alycia.

Jean will be disappointed with me, but I didn't make a "In Dire need of Dyer" sign or stand up and shout when he arrived. I loved the fact that the USC set up a large pitcher of water for Mr. Dyer, and he found a way to get a beer instead. It's really classy to talk politics with a pint in hand. Note to self: always drink a pint while discussing the fate of the world.

Boo to No Shows
Besides Gwynne, I had an "interesting" afternoon. I met up with Alycia and hiked up to Essex to give a resume writing presentation, to which no one showed up. But there were cookies so we stuck around and talked to the Academic Counsellors. Eventually, about 6 or 7 people did come in at different times and we sat down and put in some face time with each and every one of them. For the most part they were polite and receptive, grateful and extremely nice. And then it was time to go...

Boo to Idiots
But you know that my stories never end that well. About two or three minutes before we were supposed to check out, this kid comes running in, laptop in hand, and says, "I just really need some help! I'm not too late am I?" And I, knowing that Alycia had to run home to do her feasability report, said, "I can give you some help quick. But I have to run soon so that I can catch my bus." I thought he seemed like a nice kid and you all know how bad I am at leaving someone who wants (my) help high and dry.

I thought it would be normal. I thought that I would tell him what I tell everyone else in a matter of seconds and then be on my way. But nothing I said sunk in with this kid. Every suggestion I made he argued with me about. I didn't want to be rude, and I finally suggested that he come in and talk to someone else at the job search clinic, where there are more resources and someone would be able to explain more thoroughly why "was trusted to close the store" is a passive and inappropriate point for a job description. [Sidebar: If you don't know, I can explain it. It's really not that difficult. However, if you try to tell me that "was trusted" and "closed" are both verbs in the passive voice I will personally club you to death. Okay?]

Boo to London Transit
And so I missed my bus. It was after 7, which means that the buses come way way less often. And so I froze a little. Took the 9C up to Wonderland and walked the rest of the way home. Upon arrival, I remembered that I hadn't eaten all day and despite the fact that the only thing I really wanted in the whole world was a rum and coke, I made myself some cheese sticks and tried to forget all about life.

Boo to Homework
Clearly I have not done any of my reading or homework as I was supposed to since my long and treacherous journey back from the school. Two out of my three analyses are done, but I don't know if they are right at all so I quit. I should be reading Robinson Crusoe but I love talking to you all so much more.

I finished up As I Lay Dying last night, but haven't touched the other things that I wanted to have done in anticipation of slack week. Granted, I will have a full week, plus a few days, to catch up as I see fit.

Boo to March
It is upon us. March is so close it hurts to think about it. Prepare yourselves for more drama than usual (and I know, I provide a healthy dose as it is). In March I should hear something about Ford for the summer. Boo to Ford. Boo to March. Boo to essays.

Boo to the World!

Yes, that means you. Boo to you too.