on the Trip, the Lonely Planet, Lacoste Shoes and the Plane

So its been a while since my last post. I returned from london a couple of days ago and ive been sleeping like a bear in hibernation ever since. It was one hell of a trip.

We arrived on monday morning, way too early - but I think ive complained enough about waking up before ten - and immediately went to UCL. The college is nice, although some of the associated buildings are crap. I seriously hate that 1973, or even worse 1982 'brown is a super hip colour' building style that looks like....crap. Just for you information, we were rating universities' quality by their architectural accomplishments. Nobel-prize winners, Pullitzers, scholarships... it all pales to utter insignificance in light of a beautiful building. So yes, UCL was ok, but not top notch. We walked down from UCL to Oxford Street and Regent Street to our hotel on picadilly. I finally got the chance to show my friend, who is a geographical prodigy, to show that I actually know london - which was only marginally successful. We checked into our hotel, it was as we expected, below every imaginable standard. And then we went shopping. Harrods - tried on 3000+ quid coats -, bought some new business cards at fortnum and mason, and just the regular thing. Tea at 4 etc.

At night, we tried to find a decent restaurant at nine, which was impossible (capitol of the world... humbug) We ended up in soho, and little did we know - or the lonely planet for that matter - that it is packed with transvestites and other crackpots these days. In five minutes i had been offered the whole range of available narcotics. But quickly allow me vent my opinions concerning the lonely planet. My friend (C, btw) brings the damned thing everywhere, because he is a backpacker. I hate backpackers, and backpacking. I hate cheap hotels, sharing my room with people I dont know, leaky showers, no amenities, the little chocolate on the pillow when you arrive. Therefore, I used to make sure that when i went to a hotel it was not listed in the lonely planet, so that there would be absolutely no smelly hair braiding jobless backpackers. However, as a student, I have had to implement some economy drives, because my parents do not pay for classy restaurants and distinguished hotels when they are not actually there with me. Alas.

So back to london. The next day we went to oxford, college hopping. I've decided I either want to go to balliol or magdalen. I especially like the chant "Magdalen has a deer park, St. Cross has a carpark'. I was hoping i'd be able to look up some friends while there but apparently the academic year hadn't started yet. 

On friday, we did the LSE and Kings college. Both lovely buildings, although architecturally i prefer Kings. About that time my feet started to hurt so bad that i couldnt walk anymore. I have these lacoste shoes that have been nothing but a pest ever since i bought them. But then again, now that i have them i feel i ought to wear them, and ruined my achilles thingy while doing so. After Kings we checked out imperial, which we thought would be grand because it is in kensington, but appeared to be repulsive. I will waste no words describing it. 

Finally, on the last day - and i know this story is becoming rather long winded - i took my LSATS. I was horribly unprepared, bummed a pencil from some girl, than a plastic bag from a guy, then some more pencils from another guy, and i think that was about it. The location, ironmongers hall, had class and style, and so did the lady who explained the rrrrules and rrrrregulations. However, being a bit weathered because of her age, i presume dementia had already set in, she took fuckin five hours to get us through the test. Was done at 7, flight left at 7:15.

Had to spend the night at the airport waiting for the next plane. on the horribly cold floor. fun

well anyway, here I am, back in one piece.

on London

Im off to london, LSATS and gradschools. Wish me luck

on Me, finally

Ok this is where it finally becomes interesting. Away with the pretentious crap and superficial distraction. Today I finally started to come to terms with the thought that I am continually exhibiting major self-destructive behaviour and it's gotta stop. I went to my parents today and told them I am not doing well, that the stress is too much, I do not know where to start and that I don't want to talk about it. Oh and that I'm 1500$ in debt. 

Being the great parents that they are, they did not shout or cry, which I kind of expected, but agreed to pay off the whole thing if I got myself some psychiatric help. Woohoo!

In light of this let me finally introduce myself. I'm a manic-depressive, manipulative, sometimes compulsive thinker. University bores me and the lectures are not challenging at all. I hate happy people, can't stand most music, and really really really detest people who think they need to be themselves. I hate a lot of things. What I like is showing off, to make the people around me feel dumb and inadequate. Even when I try not to I do it subconsciously. I enjoy winning, and the sight of someone else loosing. I enjoy being an aristocrat, if only in my own mind.

My best friends are just as hautain as I am. One of them is continually pulling internships out of every corner, lets call him A. He's the casual smart I need to show everyone that I do know everything type. I love to spar with him when it comes to omniscience. My second best friend is royalty, in his own mind. He has style, taste, is a great speaker and knows how to treat labour-class people, let's call him B. My third friend is one of my most recent friends. He's on a power trip these days after winning a local election, probably new to being popular, and most likely so far in the closet he's finding christmas gifts. I think our friendship will end as fast as it started, but while it lasts let's call him C. My last friend, D is the only true friend I have outside of the university gates. It is kind of pathetic. He's stood by me for the last 18 years, and again, is as pretentious and well dressed as any of my friends. He knows how to appreciate life's finer tastes, and has been earning more money since his 15th than most people do in their 40's.

They are my four horsemen of the apocalypse. I confide in them, smoke cigars with them and discuss philosophy with them. Only A and C really know each other, because I don't like it when my good friends mingle.

My parents have money, but not enough for my tastes. I went to private school, played tennis and waterpolo, flown first class... the usual. Yes, it does make a bad person. However my parents do not get me, they think I look down upon them, which I probably do. 

I analyse myself a lot, especially when no-one is around I like to retrace my steps in life. One of the conclusions I have arrived at is that everything I touch somehow goes through the steps of life at a faster pace. Projects I am involved with blossom instantly, but tend to die soon after. Same with friendships. This makes people think I am more useful than I actually am. 

Well, enough about me for now. It's time for dinner

on Drinks, Dranks and Drunks

The lack of posts clearly indicate my lack of time in general, 24hrs a day are not enough, especially if you want to catch some sleep somewhere in between. I cannot even properly remember what I have been up to (except avoiding people I owe money, my research supervisor, dental hygiene and my bed). 

On monday I prepared for my french test, which I had incidentally forgotten about the weekend before. Sneaky bastard that I am, I wrote a text beforehand and just memorised it. I know, will I ever learn. Shit it. Had to celebrate my victory over the system. got drunk early.

On tuesday I met with a former minster of defense. Interesting chap, not too outspoken though. The debate we had set up went very well. Again celebration: drunk!

On wednesday, the General Assembly of our student association was held. We brought wine to pass the time, and luckily my budget proposal went through: celebrations ensued, and I got horribly drunk in the bar.

On thursday we held a california reunion beer pong tournament... need I say more?

Well, tonight I have just opened my LSAT - that i have to take next saturday - books. Ok I answered all the questions right, but in three times the alloted time. I'm really screwed. Good friend is leaving for cambridge tomorrow, and he's hosting a little.... celebration tonight. I really shouldn't go, but because I'm always swamped a lot of my friends feel I neglect them. So what can I do but get drunk again. Seriously, I can just as well cancel my gym membership. It's worthless when you're working on a beer belly like its your job.

on Dealing with the devil, Observation and Facebook,

I wonder why people are so naive. For some reason, they always belief I'd double-cross anyone but them, that I can help them get what they want while they still remain in control, that they are the exception. I really do not get it. I cannot imagine that I, in any way, come across as either trustworthy or reliable, but somehow I apparently do. 

There is this friend I Karl-Roved last summer, one of my greater accomplishments in life. As a form of what I presume to be childish rebellion - or good old values - he completely forgot who put him there in the first place.  I must admit that I was kind of put down at first, but of course, being me, I found new cunning ways to get around that. As far as I know he thinks he taught me a lesson of some sort and is now back in the driving seat. Incidentally, he also came up to me yesterday to gloat about a plan he was going to support - or thought of himself, I am not quite sure - for which I had planted the seeds about a week earlier. I'm fine with going about my business in the shades, but really, you're just fooling yourself. Yes, you are allowed to conclude I am an arrogant prick.

Prague was excellent. I think it is the best undiscovered city in Europe, second to London only - which is sadly, already completely mapped. The scenery was grand, but the group dynamics were even more interesting. After observing people for a while their intentions in dealing with each other become clearer and clearer. Which is funny, because half of the time they do not even realise this. One of my friends really tried to fit in, and another one really tried to bond. They both did the same: copy each others vernacular. After a while it got really disgusting to the point of being cute. All in all, we drank, drank, partied, culture-vultured and I'm already waiting for the moment I will only remember the good parts.

Luckily, if I were to ever forget how horribly drunk I was when I decided I need to grab a girl and a guy to keep me warm, I can always go online an look it up on facebook. Or perhaps, if I ever were to wonder what I looked like when I was drunk on 8-19-2006, 3-6-2007, 7-21-3005 or any other day of the week for the past two years, I need only search. Really, what is the point of having a database full of pictures when the only topic is drunken hedonism - and the incidental pretentious 'look what third world country I visited' holiday pictures. I think no one yet realises that it is all a corporate scam aimed at depriving all of us college grads from a decent job. How could I ever be so foolish to trust a Harvard grad. What did I say again in the beginning? Apparently, I am just as sheepish as the rest

on What kind of horrible person I am, Prague and Twins

There is this fresher that was invited to have a drink at my fraternity's by some drunken alum a few weeks ago. We call him Coen Boombox, a nickname I gave him because he told us he likes to breakdance and walk around with his stereo. Of course, being the upper-class prick that I enjoy so much, I pretended to understand while laughing under my breath. Today I joined one of my fratfriends in some harmless banter when he started asking me about my favourite rapper when we were standing in line right in front of poor Coen Boombox.

Because of my self destructive tendencies of late, I have decided I need a break this weekend. Therefore, I'm joining my friends in a little trip to prague tomorrow. We're leaving in the afternoon, and will probably be on the road for 8 hours, then party for 4, sleep for about the same, and party some more. I really do not know where I'll find the time though. I hoped I would be able / allowed to go to bed early - meaning before 2 - but as usual I failed horribly at making that happen. We are still enjoying the company of all the new first years and I have definitely noticed a lot of potential. I have not decided what I am actually looking for in new members though. Was also a nice chance to talk to some of the Alumni. I hardly ever get to see them because I'm not really A-crowd. Well anyway, I made some arrangements to meet up with one of them when I am in Cambridge. Apparently he just bought a new double bed, so there'll be enough room for me (and if I really want I am also allowed to sleep on the floor). It'll be fun though, meeting up with the guys abroad always is. 

on Toothbrushes, Meetings and a Healthy life

I woke up at two this morning. I really would have liked to stay in for a few more hours, given the night I had had, but a rather strange nightmare forced me to start the day early. Dr. Freud explain me this: what does it mean when you dream your former principal is chasing you and searching through your house because you have stolen a black toothbrush of significant value. The depths of my own disturbance marvels me sometimes. I guess the fact that I have not been to the dentist for over a century probably plays a role. My desire for expensive goods might be part of it. But really, a former principal?

Anyway, when I finally got up I went to the PoliticsCo - for people that actually read this blog, it is the organisation I chair that invites lecturers - meeting, which for some unknown reason pushed some wrong buttons. I got horribly annoyed by the way the meeting was run, and I think that above all, confusion reigned the day. It is most likely all going to be fine, but I have just been enjoying a streak of bad moods recently. The combination of applying for universities, 5 courses and my social life is just not really working out

After finishing the last episode of Greek, which I will discuss at some other time when I am feeling more prosaic, I went to the supermarket to get something that is not overcooked and raw at the same time. I ended up, as always, spending a small fortune on products that have the words 'healthy' and 'get in shape' plastered all over them. I know I am weak, but I really cannot resist the temptation. Therefore, tomorrow, I will have my first healthy day in weeks. I'm going to go to bed early, wake up in time for class, have a healthy breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice and perhaps pancakes, and go to the gym. I've come to realise just now I am actually turning into a rather boring person. On that, it is 10:39, good night

To-do list

do practice LSAT

write first paragraph personal statement

write boomerang article