So, you’re going to Rome?

It’s hard to believe that this time last year I was preparing to set off for a semester abroad in Rome. I spent a lot of time looking for tips before I set off but things really weren’t that helpful. Of course, each individual has their own experience so things are bound to change from person to person. Nonetheless, this entry is for all of you students out there preparing to embark on your semester abroad.

Friendship and “Reality” TV

There are two types of reality TV in the United States. First there is the clearly categorized reality TV shows which essentially manipulate real-life situations and selectively edit in order to dramatize “reality” and attract a large audience. I’ve never really been a fan of that kind. Sure there are a couple good shows that I might watch on occasion, but I don’t believe that a reality TV show has ever made it into my regular viewing schedule. There is, however, another kind of reality TV that we rarely think of falling into the reality category: the sitcom. Sitcoms have long formed the backbone of my regular viewing schedule. Part of the appeal, I imagine, is that they are derived from elements of everyday experience. However, I have recently realized that this is also what makes them the most painful.

Certainly I’m aware that things on TV are not an accurate representation of real life, but there seems to be just enough “reality” in the sitcom that I, and perhaps many others, are led to believe that some of the relationships depicted on TV can be replicated, particularly with friendship. The most obvious example, of course, is the TV show Friends. The characters in Friends, all exaggerated archetypes, have an almost platonic friendship in which they all some intimately connected to one another. They talk regularly, are aware of the details of everybody’s lives, support each other’s endeavors, always have each other’s backs, and so on. In short, they have a relationship that most can simply dream about.

My friendships certainly aren’t like Friends. That is not to say that I have the unrealistic expectation that I could (or would want to) replicate a fabricated relationship written for depiction on TV, but lately I’ve began to wonder just how deep some of my friendships are. I’ve had moments in my life where I thought I had close friendships, but recently I realized that if it were not for me being able to view my friends Facebook profiles I wouldn’t have any idea about what was going on in their lives. Maybe this is my fault, maybe it is there fault, or maybe it’s Facebook’s fault. Nevertheless, it often seems that outside of my girlfriend, I rarely have meaningful communication with any of my “closest” friends. They don’t confide me or even share their random achievements—I’m an outsider. Maybe that’s the way that life really is. You might be lucky to get one or two close friends, but the sitcom friendship in which friends seem to always be there for one another might just be a fabricated dream. Friendship might be little more than a series of acquaintances that we interact with but slowly grow apart from when distance separates us. I hope that is not the case, but in my life it sometimes seems that way.

Belated Thanks

Thanksgiving has already come and gone, but, overwhelmed by school work, I was unable to find enough time to write about what I’m thankful for this year.

Unfortunately, while I have a rather strong memory, this post cannot be exhaustive. I simply, cannot remember every little thing I’m thankful for. Nevertheless, here’s a few things that come to mind (in no particular order):

A GREAT Birthday Surprise!

My Dad called to let me know I got into NYU today, I’m very excited! If you are interested, you can track my admissions progress at LawSchoolNumbers.com

A Vixen in Green and Gold

I was supposed to be studying for finals. Instead, I wrote this. “A Vixen in Green and Gold” recounts my early experience in college. Just a note to cover my ass: this is not about a love affair with another girl.

She was a vixen in green and gold,
And feeling bold, I was determined that she’d be mine.
There, on the slope of a grassy hill,
She offered thrills and promised that I could have it all.
Oh the reputation she possessed!
It made me obsess and dream of things that could not be!
Yet, I ran to her, my eyes aglow,
For I did not know that she was just a clever tease.
“I know things,” she said, “I can teach you.”
But through and through all I learned was pain.
She wouldn’t talk to me. Wouldn’t share.
She didn’t care that I was there waiting ev’ry day
Wanting just a word to make me feel
As though my dreams were real. Nothing. Not a single word.
Instead, she left me there, all alone,
On the phone, crying to my mother, “How could this be?”
So I sat, on the cold concrete stairs,
But couldn’t bear my broken heart. A part of me died!
But I didn’t want to run and hide,
For deep inside I still thought that I could make it work.
So, I hung around. It wouldn’t be.
I couldn’t make her see how great we’d be together
If she would just sit and talk awhile!
She wouldn’t even smile! That’s when I knew that my hopes,
“Lifelong dreams,” were greatly misconceived.
Thus, I seiz’d the opportunity to start anew.
I found a path I could call my own,
One I’d been shown before but always been afraid of.
And that love I had, it left a scar,
But, so far, I’m better off without it. Much better.
Yes, that early dream was so naïve,
And I do believe that had I known what I know now,
I would have run—never looking back

Coming Soon

I have three finals to take between now and Wednesday. Afterward I will be writing my much-belated Thanksgiving note.

Almost Done

Making study guides is extremely time consuming and boring. I cannot wait for winter break. I need to get back to writing for writing’s sake.

Untangling Knots

Sometimes writing feels like untangling a massive knot. I can see every twist and turn, but to truly understand the knot I have to pick it apart slowly until becomes a wonderfully free piece of rope, which I then use to tie everything together.

Photo Portfolio Updated

New high[er] resolution photos added to my photo portfolio. Click the picture below to view my entire portfolio.

Oia - Santorini, Greece

Jon Stewart Does it Best

With coursework piling on, I have little free time to write. Thus, I’ll have to let Jon Stewart go on a rant for me. Since you can’t embed videos from the Daily Show on this website, you’ll have to watch it here.