Quidditch Pictures

So about two weeks after I joined the Quidditch team at my school, we played a tournament against other local schools. Here are some pictures from that weekend. In case you were wondering, we were seeded 6th out of 8 teams, and came in second.

Common Questions People Ask When They Learn You Play Quidditch

I joined my school's Quidditch team in April. Since then I've learned that there are some questions you just get used to answering.

1. How do you play Quidditch?

It's basically the same as wizard Quidditch.
The chaser and keeper play are basically the same, except they use a partially deflated volleyball as a quaffle.
For beaters, obviously the bludgers don't fly around, we use dodgeballs. If we hit someone on the other team, they have to run back to their hoops.
The snitch is a person, rather than a tiny flying ball. They have a sock with a tennis ball in it tucked into their pants and the seeker has to grab the sock. The snitch is also worth 30 points, not 150. For the first 20 minutes the snitch doesn't have to be on the field. He or she can climb a tree, grab a drink at a nearby drink stand, sit in a parked car, you name it, they can do it. After 20 minutes the snitch has to return to the field.

2. But you don't actually fly around, do you?

Well obviously not. You have to keep a broom (or PVC pipe, or bamboo stick) between your legs the whole time. If you dismount, you have to run back to your hoops.

3. What position do you play?

I am a subbing beater. I'm new to the team, so I only go in if one of the starting beaters gets tired and needs a break. Sometimes I start if we don't have enough girls though.

4. What does the number of girls have to do with it?

Not counting the seeker, Muggle Quidditch requires there to be at least two boys and two girls on the field at all times as players. Equality! (The actual rule is a little different, but in most cases this is what it ends up meaning)

5. Have you seen The Internship? They play Quidditch in that movie.

No I have not seen it. Nor do I plan to.

My Essay Writing Process

I recently changed majors, from one where there were no essays required from me, to one where there are lots of essays required from me. As such, I've become very aware of the process I go through to write an essay.
Note: This is just a general format, obviously each essay is different.

Step 1: Read the prompt.
Step 2: Look at the number of pages expected from me.
Step 3: Panic.
Step 4: Read the prompt again, hoping desperately that I think of something to say on the topic.
Step 5: Go off and do other things, occasionally thinking about the essay and worrying.
Step 6: Out of nowhere, think of an argument or fact that can be used for the essay.
Step 6 1/2: Go back through my readings/do research to find facts I can use.
Step 7: Write down the fact(s) in my outline.
Repeat steps 6-7 until I have an outline that is at least half as long as my paper needs to be, because the outline is single spaced, doesn't use full sentences, and doesn't include anything regarding the introduction or conclusion.
Step 8: Go over my outline, rearranging things until I feel like there's at least some transition between main points.
Step 9: Try to start writing an introduction.
Step 10: Get annoyed because every attempt to start the paper is garbage.
Step 11: Skip straight to writing the first body paragraph because I have an outline for it so I at least have some idea of what I want to write.
Step 12: Get inspiration for my introduction in the middle of writing a body paragraph.
Step 13: Go back and write my introduction.
Step 14: Finish my body paragraphs.
Step 14 1/2: Every so often write a sentence that I just hate so much that I delete it, then rewrite it only to delete it again until I just give up and decide to let future me deal with the problem of the terrible sentence in editing.
Step 15: Try to write a conclusion.
Step 16: Get frustrated because conclusions are hard.
Step 17: Just write something as a conclusion, mostly by reiterating my main points.
Step 18: Wait 8-24 hours before rereading the essay.
Step 19: Reread the essay, expecting it to be terrible.
Step 20: Become pleasantly surprised that it isn't a steaming pile of turd after all.
Step 21: Fix the terrible sentences that annoyed me earlier, because for some reason I can now figure out how to phrase them so that they aren't terrible.
Step 22: Reread the essay, fixing spelling and grammar mistakes as I go.
Step 23: Turn the essay in.
Step 24: Panic that it's actually a horrible essay and that I should have spent more time fixing it. At no point reread the essay to reassure myself that it isn't bad.
Step 25: Listen to the person who graded the essay explain in general terms what we as a group did wrong and should improve on for the future.
Step 26: Assume that every single one of these errors applies to me, even if the part of my brain that remembers the essay knows that they can't all apply.
Step 27: Get the graded essay back.
Step 28: Congratulate myself on having tricked the TA/professor/grader into thinking I'm a good writer.
Step 29: Briefly consider that maybe, just maybe, I have unrealistically high standards for myself as a writer.
Step 30: Disregard that thought. It's clearly stupid.

Worst Hot Chocolate Ever

I don't drink coffee, and I don't like most teas. My hot beverage of choice is hot chocolate, which is why I get sad when I drink bad hot chocolate. Normally it's just a disappointment. Then there are nights like last night.

I ordered my hot chocolate in a to go cup.

The evil cup.

I left the cafe and took a sip. BLAM! The lid popped off and spilled onto my shirt.

That's the stain. It didn't actually photograph well, but it was noticeable to  people who saw me.

The only saving grace about spilling my hot chocolate on myself? It was less "hot chocolate" and more "warm milk that vaguely tastes like chocolate if you really taste carefully". So I didn't get burned, and the stain could have been worse.

I think the anger at spilling it on myself is what made me take a while to realize that it didn't taste, well, like hot chocolate.

I'm still looking for an explanation as to why I ended up drinking the whole thing.

You can actually see the lack of chocolate-y ness.

Keeping the Weirdness Close

My standard answer when someone asks "where's so-and-so?" is to very casually say "Oh, I killed him and threw him in a ditch". 

This happened at dinner and my friends proved why they're my friends. They responded like this:

Friend 1: *nods approvingly*

Friend 2: "Approved."

Friend 3: "Sounds reasonable."

Later I was walking down the hall and heard someone I didn't know say "Where's my roommate?" I came so close to saying, "I killed her and threw her in a ditch" BUT I DIDN'T! I stopped myself from confusing some poor girl.

I feel I deserve a cookie. 

I tried to take a picture of myself eating the cookie but it turned out...less than flattering.

It was a yummy cookie. 

Impromptu Broadway Melody

There are people in the hallway who've been singing random Broadways songs (with varying quality and accuracy) for about 10 minutes now. They started with "Omigod You Guys" from Legally Blonde, but have since focused mainly on songs from Rent, "One Song Glory" "Season of Love" and they just finished "Take Me or Leave Me". I strongly suspect alcohol is involved.

I've also been really strongly tempted to join in on the singing. Seriously, the only reason I'm not annoyed by this group of people is that I like/somewhat know the songs they're singing.

Okay they're singing something new now and I don't recognize it. A google search of the lyrics I can make out strongly implies that it's "Out Tonight" also from Rent.

Okay, they're singing something else now, but I don't know what it is. Other people are also being loud, so I can't make out enough of the lyrics to google it.

Ooh, someone just asked them to be quiet because it's after quiet hours. Fun fact, it's not. Quiet hours start an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights, so they could still be loud for another 48 minutes if they wanted to.

And that seems to be the end of this little variety show.

A True Snow Story (aka first snow of the season)

Last night we got our first snowfall here at school. I was very excited. I put on my coat and scarf and walked down from my dorm to the campus convenience store, for a walk in the snow (plus a snack). On the way there I ran into some girls who asked me to take their picture in the snow (Spoiler alert: I did). I went in and got my snack.

I walked back outside marveling in the snow.

Then I heard an odd sound. I look towards the frat quads and saw movement. The sound was getting closer. Snippets such as "This was a bad idea!" and "Why are we doing this?" became clear.

I saw the movement become more clear as it developed into the shape of four boys running in my direction. I stepped to the side of the sidewalk. As they got closer one thing became very clear. They were not wearing clothes. They were running in the snow in underpants and sneakers. And loudly yelling while they did it.

They ran past me, got to me dorm, turned around and ran back, passing me again.

The best part is that while I certainly wasn't expecting to see this, I wasn't exactly surprised by it either. I think college is warping my perception of what normal is.

What Dressing Up for Halloween Means in College

It means getting ready a little earlier in the morning because you actually care about what you look like.

My poor rejected bed. How I yearn to sleep in you.

It means being one of two people dressed up in your programming class, the other person being a friend of yours who you encouraged to dress up when she was on the fence about it.

It means being (possibly) the only person dressed up in your religion class.

It also means potentially getting extra credit on your religion midterm. By which I mean your religion professor comes up to you before the test and says the you get extra credit but never making it clear if he actually meant that of not.

It means being one of two people dressed up in your econ class, though this time you and the other dressed-up person don't know each other.

It also means being one of two kids in your econ class to get candy.

That's right suckers! Get it? Suckers? I'm funny, I swear.

It means walking past people and seeing them smile.

It means walking past people and seeing them roll their eyes and give you a look that says, "Really?"

It means people coming up to you and saying they like your costume.

Or at least, that's what it meant for me today.

Happy Halloween!

This is from Saturday. For today I swapped the pumps for pink converse and carried an apple.

Student Discounts

As I am a college student, I somewhat by default live in a college town. Being a college town, many of the local stores offer student discounts. Not all of them will tell you about having a student discount however. Which, frankly, I find strange because it seems to me that part of the point of having a student discount is to encourage students to come spend money at your establishment.

Basically there are three types of stores.

1. Sees that you are of college age, and either asks if you are a student and want to discount, or just assumes and gives you the discount. This personally is my favorite type. The store makes it clear that they want your business and does what they can to encourage that. I went out to dinner with a friend a little while ago and when we got the check, the waiter told us he'd already applied the student discount. This level of service is awesome. I will definitely be going back, both because of this and because the food was really good.

2. Has a sign or is very public about the discount, but generally waits for you to prompt them about getting the discount. Honestly, this is fine. I respect that they don't want to lose money giving the discount to people who look college age but aren't, and they've made it clear that it's there for the asking. The best places will take you at your word if you ask for the discount, though some will usually ask to see ID, though if you're in a large group of students, they may just take your word for it. The point is they have this discount to try and get customers, and they know it. The best example of this is the local movie theater.

Then there's the last type.

3. Has a discount, but won't mention it, and sometimes even get annoyed if you ask, because people behind you in line hear you asking and know to ask. Why have a discount if you don't want to offer it? I mean really. If you don't want to do it, no one is forcing you. The main place I've run into this is a local ice cream store. To be fair, they don't need a student discount to draw in students. I think it's nice that they have it, but honestly, I'd rather they stop offering it than have them getting annoyed whenever I pull out my ID and ask for the student discount.

Late Posts

Right, so I forgot to post something yesterday. Um, sorry? I have finals and I'm sick. Which is, of course, perfect timing. So, sorry. This may happen again. And sorry for this being a lame post.

Here's an apologetic cat.

Chemistry and Dillo Day

So this post is late, but I have a good reason. I was busy this weekend.

Friday, chemistry club put on its spring show, and as a member of chemistry club, I was on hand assisting. And watching the lake get lit of fire. As well as other things getting lit on fire and/or blown up.

Then, yesterday was Dillo Day. Dillo Day is basically a school sponsored concert/bacchanalia that lasts all day. I didn't know any of the groups playing but most most of the music was pretty good. I really liked the fireworks at the end though. I like fireworks a lot. Also there was a booth set up with free sunscreen which was very much appreciated by all.

Anyway, my mom reads this blog, so that's really all I can say about that.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. I hope you all have a very pleasant day. Drink lots of water. It's in the 90s here so I can only imagine what others are going through heat wise.

Happiness Week?

So this week is Happiness Week. There's a student group called Happiness Club and this week they are doing something everyday to try and perk up the campus. Normally I'd be thrilled. Unfortunately, this school-wide Happiness Week is occurring right during my own personal "Everything is Due and There's No Escape" Week.

As much as I want to go out and get a temporary tattoo, or join in a water balloon fight, I can't because every time I think I'm done, more work pops up

That being said, I have made the decision to at least attend flashback Friday. It takes place after my last class on Friday, and it's only two hours. I will definitely have earned a happy fun break.

Priorities are a Thing I Have

So this week is academically not that strenuous. This is good, because this week has a lot of season finales. That I want to not wait until the weekend to watch. I'm totally on top of my work though.

The main problem comes more from the fact that the weather has been lovely for a few days now, so I have to pry myself outside to enjoy it.

Currently however, there is a thunderstorm. So of course, I'm watching that. I love thunderstorms. While it's definitely not snowing I would love to see a thunderstorm with some snow. That would be amazing. It's instead raining, but just softly enough that it isn't always clear if the sound I hear is rain, or just the wind in the trees.

I Heard Somebody Say...(2)

So I was walking up the stairs the other day and I passed someone talking into her cellphone. All I heard was "That's why we were all bending over!"

Scenarios in my head for why a (presumably) large group of people was bending over:

1. Avoiding a fireball.
2. Lots of pennies on the ground.
3. Toe touching competition.
4. Group scoliosis testing.
5. Group cavity searching.

I'm sure none of these are right, but since I'll never find out the actual explanation, I'm happy imagining.

The End of BEDA

Last day of BEDA!!!!! It could not have come at a better time. This week brings 3 midterms and a performance, so I am ready to get through it. It has mostly been fun doing this though. Once again I learned some new skills. I finally learned how to take a screenshot. I got better at cropping pictures. I learned that I can usually think of something to write.

I'm glad I stuck through BEDA this April. It was a great experience, especially since I (hopefully) will be unable to do BEDA in August. Not because of anything bad. I applied to a trip that takes place in August, so if I get to go (crossing fingers) I will be traveling internationally, and won't always have reliable internet, and thus would be unable to do BEDA for all of August. So, let's hope that this is my last BEDA for a year.

I'm going back to my old schedule of blogging Tuesdays and Saturdays. See you... oh come on tomorrow? Really? Can I please wait until Saturday to restart my schedule? Please? Especially since April started on a Sunday, so I posted March 31, then April 1 already. Yeah, I'm skipping tomorrow. See you Saturday.

Crafts and Chemistry

Today there was an event at my school where various clubs had arts and crafts activities for kids. I was there volunteering with the chemistry club. Unfortunately, not that many kids showed up. My guess as for why? It was an outdoor event on a very windy day. We had to weight almost everything down, and were just generally cold throughout.

Then again, it's possible that the goal was to attract few children. I honestly can't think of another reason for the person in charge of creating the playlist for the event to put "I'm Sexy and I Know it" on the playlist, much less for who ever was in charge to let it play in full.

Anyway, here are some pictures.

Coffee Filter Chromatography:

Draw on a coffee filter with marker, and then brush with water.
Black marker is especially cool.

Stained Glass Glue:

Mix glue with a little water. Add a drop or two of food coloring. Touch  a toothpick into some dish detergent, then touch that toothpick to the food coloring in the glue.

Tomorrow is the last day of BEDA! Whoo!

3 Wishes

If a genie popped into my room this instant and offered me three wishes, here's what I'd wish for.

1. A complete understanding of C++

2. To not be sick.

3. More hours in the day.

Ah to be done with midterms.

A Notsome Start

So today it was raining when I left for class. I assumed that the reason the back of my legs were wet was because of the rain. It turns out that my water bottle lid wasn't fully screwed on. As I walked, it was spilling on me. I then got to sit on what quickly turned into a wet chair for two hours.

The rest of the day was better, but it wasn't a great start.

Enjoying it While I Can

Next week I have 2-3 midterms and have to perform a short story. This week however, I have no midterms. So I'm trying to enjoy this week, while also trying to get ahead for next week...which isn't enjoyable. Sigh.

Wake Me Up Later

So today I managed to sleep through my alarm twice.

The first time was in the morning. I didn't wake-up until my first class was already underway.

Then I took a nap later and slept through my alarm as well, though the only real consequence was less time to eat dinner.

I'm so going to bed early tonight.