For most of the summer, I've operated in two independent worlds: that of the physics lab, filled with computer terminals, notebooks, and the socially inept, and that of the evening out, filled with classy dinners, dance performances, and culture-conscious conversation. The former ended at 6:15pm, the latter at 8:45am, day after day without overlap ( Read more... )

I recently found out that the only woman I've ever loved in a sexual way, Jodie Foster, is probably a lesbian. Figures. This ranks right up there with the time I discovered Rufus Wainright's homosexuality.

Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. When Clif arrived at Columbia, he was quickly escorted to my bed for catching up. Some urges demand satisfaction before others. We went to the American Musuem of Natural History and met up with my good friend Zach, along with two of Clif's friends. In theory, this seemed like a great idea--learning is ( Read more... )

I'm currently reading "Einstein's Dreams," a novel that describes dozens of different versions of time and what life would be like in each universe. Right now, in this city, time is flying by faster than it ever did in Spain, even faster than at K, and I really wish it would slow down. I want to slow down. I'm exhausted, and my legs ache for some ( Read more... )

A friend commanded that I write in my journal, even if nobody comments. The community vibe of livejournal has really faded away, but I was always writing for myself anyway. Then again, I wouldn't mind if he read and let me know he still cares.

Life is full. Extraordinarily so. I'm perpetually planning ahead to make sure I can fit it all in, though I ( Read more... )

I've finally become a New Yorker. Really. I feel it in my bones when I walk down the street: this is where I belong. I look around at all the concrete and steel, I breathe in the recycled subway car air, I feel the push of packed crowds on all sides, and I smile. That said, I'll be a tourist for the rest of my life--even though I don't want to ( Read more... )

I haven't mentioned Clif much in the past month, though we're still together, still happy, still working through things one day at a time. Rewind four weeks.

The day after I left Kalamazoo, Clif and Justin hung out with a mutual friend of ours and had what can nicely be called "risque adventures" involving a webcam, sleeping arrangements, and ( Read more... )

After three nights without pillows on my bed, a friend of mine who lives in Harlem graciously offered me two of his own, provided I could come pick them up. I am a practical man, so around 10pm I set out from Morningside Heights wearing shorts, sandals, a smile, and my ipod (foolish mistake #1). My smile and ipod were quickly removed as I began to ( Read more... )

My first night in NYC, I was invited to my mentor's home in Greenwich Village for what turned out to be a four-course meal with amazingly well-educated dinner companions. My second night in NYC, I attended a "Welcome to Columbia" BBQ in my building's courtyard and inhaled burgers and Diet Coke with increasingly well-educated dinner companions. My ( Read more... )

Although I knew about it all quarter, I didn't really have time to prepare for my early departure because I was working frantically up to the bitter end. After Clif helped me pack everything up, we went streaking with Justin across the Quad, thus filling my streak quota for the year. I always feel so inadequate with that thing exposed to the cool ( Read more... )