Potpourri No. 12

Georgia Still on My Mind
Despite my previous prediction to the contrary, Claremont Graduate University has accepted my application for enrollment. While most people have never even heard of CGU, I assure you this is a big deal. When it comes to religious studies (the program to which I applied), they are considered one of the best schools in the country. Unfortunately they are offering no financial assistance whatsoever. Because they are located just 30 minutes east of Los Angeles, this poses quite a problem. I’ve estimated that tuition and rent alone (no utilities, no food, no health insurance, etc.) would cost approximately $40,000 per year. Obviously that is not something that my wife and I can afford. Luckily, I’m still excited about Georgia State’s offer and, while it may not have the same lofty reputation, I’ve always been more excited about their program than anyone else’s (except perhaps Notre Dame’s, but they’ve already declined me altogether). So I’d say there’s a 96% chance I’ll end up in Atlanta. They want a final decision by April 15th, so we’ll have to know by then. Stay tuned…

In My Mind, I’m Already Gone
Speaking of school, this semester is reminding me a lot of being a senior in high school. Because I’m finally finishing my classics degree, I’m battling this “so close yet so far” mentality that makes it incredibly difficult to feel motivated. It seems the closer to the end I get, the less I want to work for it. This is incredibly dangerous, of course. I have so much to do over the next few weeks it’s sickening. Wish me luck!

Abracadabra! No, Seriously!
I had another hilarious dream last night, though I didn’t laugh about it (or even find it all that funny) until I woke up. I was dreaming that I had magical powers, but that I wasn’t all that confident about my ability to use them. I was standing in the hallway of a hotel (I have no idea why) when some guy walked past. I stopped him to show him a “trick.” I held up three ballpoint pens. I closed my hands over the pens and intended to make them disappear. When I opened up my hands (with a standard “ta-da!” motion), however, only two pens had disappeared and the third one fell to the ground quite obviously. With complete confidence I lifted a finger and said to the man, “But there were three!” Apparently I still expected him to be in awe. Maybe you had to be there…

From Bad to Worse
Speaking of laughing at things that aren’t that funny, here’s a joke that just came to my head:

Did you hear about the guy who went to the shoe store to try on new socks, but it was too crowded for him to find a seat? He was socked sitless.

Sadly, this is the kind of material I come up with when I’m awake…