What is it that has sent me off on this consumerist orgy? At first I thought it was Christmas, going out to the stores and seeing all the things, buying presents for other people (and in the process seeing things I wanted myself), and then getting a rather lean selection in return. But the CDs, the DVDs, the clothing, and now all the way to new computer components (will the long-considered new amp be next?) are just piling up well past any reasonable expectation for post-holiday shopping momentum.

{Afterthought: I think the belated realization that I was sitting on a nice pile of money from selling my car, combined with the realization that it was growing due to my not having to pay insurance/registration/gas/parking tickets/biweekly maintenance, may have had a little something to do with it}

Perhaps it's the arrival of 2005 and with it the reflection on '04, during which I purchased little for myself but bicycle components and comic books. 2004 was a lean year for me on every front imaginable, and shaking off its cobwebs I can only see as a good thing. Maybe I'll indulge my newfound spendthrift ways so long as they continue to accompany the generally increased productivity I'm currently experiencing... and so long as they don't threaten to break my budget.

On the subject of my increased productivity, I'm in the midst of applying to grad schools. I thought this day would never come, but two friends of mine have convinded me to look into getting an MLIS. As usual, I'm incapable of any modes between idle and fullspeedahead so I'm just filling out apps. I suppose once I get to the Personal Statement stage I'll need to slow down and contemplate the matter more deeply.

My current problem is finding my GRE scores, which I KNOW I have somewhere, dammit!

{Note: I have still not found my GRE scores. I have, however, found out that the matter is moot. They expire after five years, and mine went belly up a few months ago... damn}

I've also been reading more. Particularly of late has been George Lakoff's "Don't Think of an Elephant," which I got for Christmas from an aunt and uncle... part of the Academic Intellectual wing of the family, bless them.

I had a bunch of deeeeeeep thoughts about that book, but right now they seem trite and I feel lazy. This is what always happens when I settle down to record my deeeeeeeep thoughts on this here ol' BoBblog, which is why it's updated twice a month and always with prattling nonsense psychobabble or stories about my encounters with crazy people.

- posted by Bob @ 6:10 PM