a lot of progress made

As I turned in a major assignment for class today, I realized that I've made a lot of progress this semester. yes, I am burnt out and exhausted, but progress has been made.

At the beginning of the semester, I had 10 salvageable pages for my dissertation. Now I have 97, almost 100. I still have a lot of work to do, but I am definitely making progress.

last few weeks

So I know its been forever since I've written an entry. Its been a long two weeks for me and I haven't wanted to
overwhelm my blog with the negativity I'd been going through. However, its time to get on with the blog, so I
decided I will just recap the entire past few weeks of life. (no, not all is negative)

About three weeks ago I was in O-town for a wedding. One of my close friends from college was marrying a
friend of mine from high school. Ironically they didn't meet until after I moved to DC and they did not meet
through me. It wasn't until a year into the relationship before we all made the connection. I was honored to be a
part of it. Two quick stories of note:

1. I always get taken advantage of by car rental agencies when they offer upgrades. Its not their fault, but I just
can't say no...... (dramatic pause)..... (laughter). So i upgraded into a convertable. Then it rained for two days
straight and was cold. So i didnt get to use the convertable.

2. My friends didn't invite other gay people to the wedding so no hookups there... and that's what groomsmen are
supposed to do right? So I didnt expect any action at the wedding. But while I was shopping for a wedding card at
Hallmark, I did hook up with an employee... in the store... during hours. So i give them credit for that.

Upon returning, as my blog post mentions... my office is being relocated. I am starting the job search. I have
applied for 5 jobs so far and am looking for more. Let me know if you know of any. I am having a hard time
balancing school and the job search. Its stressing me horribly.. but I'll survive.

I seem to keep getting guys interested in me in restrooms. What is it with being in the bathroom and guys start
talking to me but outside they dont talk to me at all. I also ran into the coke head hookup I had... I think he
remembers me as he was chatting with me... umm don't know how to handle that at all. He works at a store I
went shopping at today. Luckily I only go in there once every couple of months.

One of my close friends is ill right now. Breast cancer. So please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

So thats been my last couple of weeks.

Conferencing

So over the past week I have been at two separate conferences. From last Wednesday through Saturday I was at the ASHE conference in Louisville, KY. I went for the pre-conference policy sessions, which was really good. I was able to make a lot of contacts with people, like all the big names in my research area. I also made some new friends, which was nice.

I presented my paper. I got some nice compliments on it like "it was well written," "I enjoyed reading it." and "Your reference list was so complete I feel I could now teach a class on college choice." But then the reader/discussant said he didn't feel comfortable giving feedback because he was unfamiliar with the panels methodologies... (copout answer if i ever heard one). So I didn't really get any feedback on how to improve my paper. Afterwards there was one person who asked a question and it was totally not a question, just him ranting about lottery scholarship programs. Afterwards the chair of our session asked if we'd like to answer and one woman said... there was no question, just a rant. hahaha it was great. In addition to that I was talked to by the editor of a journal who said i should submit when i finish my dissertation. YAY.

Also, conference men (much like the latins) seem to love me. I had men eating out of my hand left and right and checking me out all the time. I even made a conference boyfriend. It was a great relationship... sadly he has a real life boyfriend so we wont be more than conference boyfriends (let me know if you need this concept explained). But that story is cute. I interrupted he and his friend talking about something to ask where the bar was at a social. He said there was none, but you had to grab it from the waiters when they came by. I looked confused and distraught.... so he offered me a sip of his wine, which i took. And then we introduced ourselves. But we made sure to hang out at some point each day at the conference.

and of course shenanigans ensued at north america's largest gay bar.

In coming days for my catch up: the second conference, this boy flirting with me on the way to work, and more.

academic update

Just a quick message to update you on an academic goal that is within reach now. I was accepted last week to present a research paper at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). My paper will be on the differing aspects that scholarships impact on students when deciding on a college. Is it a financial edge? Is it the feel of recognition and honor? I guess we'll see.

as the semester winds down

This is probabl the first semester in a long long time that I've not been overwhelmed with a million papers, tests, and assignments. This past weekend, I completed my final exam in statistics. Who would've ever thought I'd be any good at stats. But, all I have to do is get half of the questions correct on the final exam to get an A in the class.

In my other class on BUdgeting, the process is not going as smooth. Our final project my group has yet to meet about. I even went as far as starting our paper in the hopes that if I submitted something to the group, they would in turn respond with some comments, discussion, work of their own. Sadly, they haven't. So I had to send a terse email stating we would meet tonight no excuses!!!! I know they've had other work to do in their other classes, but I really hate waiting til the last minute to do work. If i knew this was all behind me, I could get started on more important things in my life, like how to get really good deals on my holiday shopping and save money this year.... Would my family really know their gift was from a dollar store? Will I really have to do all my shopping on New Years Eve? Because that would really suck!

After tonight, I might have classroom drama to report on from a heated discussion that occured last week... we'll see.

Two conferences and an election

So I have been quite a busy boy lately. Last week I went to Anaheim for the ASHE Conference. All in all it was... though I think the one in Philly was better. Cities where you can walk to everything make better conference locations than cities that you can only drive. It creates a better sense of camaraderie. The sessions were ok, but last years appealed to me much much more than the ones this year. But I got to hang out with some good friends. We hit up three gay bars: Mick and Macks (an mix between JR's and Halo). We mainly played pool there while listening to music on a digital jukebox. Then all of a sudden a bunch of Asian guys showed up like out of nowhere and immediately. We were like WTF?!??!?!?!?!?!?! Where'd all the ASians come from? Granted on the East Coast they are not as prevalent. But then we saw them put up signs for Club Asia. There were some attractive Asian guys there too.. something I don't see much, or any of in DC (i'm sure they are there, I just haven't seen them). Then we went to the Brit Bar, which was a mix between JR's and Green Lantern. We walk in and immediately some guy (Salvador) is trying to give M&M and Navy Rich a backrub. It was hilarious, especially when M&M was like "I love when my straight friends come to bars with me" as he puts his hand around NavyRich. Then Sal went into deeply apologetic mode and kept trying to make friendly conversation with us. Eventually we asked him what the bar down the street was like. He said "that's where f*ggots suck c*ck." So I responded with "well lets go boys" and so we did. Last bar of the night was The Mine Shaft... any bar with the word shaft in it is not going to be pretty. It was ok, not as scary as I thought it would be. And no f*ggots sucking c*ck either... false advertising.

The only other story of note from the conference was that I was supposed to meet with a friend of my professors to go over research stuff and get some "mentoring" BUt I also get the impression the guy is interested in me (as all professors seem to be). So we decide we'll meet Friday at 10am and i wait and wait and wait. An hour later the c-blocker walks by (he'll appreciate that's what his name is now) and I call him to come have coffee with me while I wait. No show at all. This professor I see everywhere having coffee, tea, or a meal with every single person there except me. So I don't see him til our last full day there. And we're crossing a main intersection and I say hi but don't mention being stood up and he's like how are you? i'm like ummm other than waiting two hours for you great. So I get back to DC after the conference and he emails me with: "I'm sorry we weren't able to meet to discuss your topic." ummm... by weren't able to meet do you mean "i forgot all about you, but am still not apologizing?" He wants to talk by phone, but right now I don't want to... maybe after the semester.

For the last two days, I've been volunteering and doing stuff for registration at a conference right near my hotel. Its a quick hundred dollars so I am not complaining. But, all these professors were checking me out... I swear to god if I didn't hate faculty right now, I'd be so able to get tons of academic booty.

And most important, what a glorious night Tuesday was. The democrats pick up the house and 6 Senate seats. Thank you God. You have finally smiled on the forces of good. I'd also like to note however, that every candidate I sent money to lost still. 6 years of political involvement and not one winning candidate yet. Hmmmm.. That's it no more donating money. I can't wait til 2008 with Kaplain.... we're gonna rock all night long until every election result is in. :) Whooo...

Other than that some minor stuff: I find out an old crush has a new boyfriend. Some guy I actually know... and ummmm how to say this with some modesty... I'm sooo much more attractive... Oh well, he has no idea what he lost. I realized today that I only have about 4 real weeks left to succeed at my New Years resolution: to go on three dates with the same guy. The most I've had so far is 1 date with talk about a second. (which happened once or twice). But I think I'm about to lose my New Years Resolution. But if you happen to know a guy who would like to go out with me at least three times by Jan 1, please forward my contact information onto them. There does not have to be 4 dates, just 3.