Happy Little Things

i'm sitting in the grad lab, on a lovely friday evening in the summer, bundled up because it's cold, typing up notes on a set of 10 middle english lyrics -- part of the 50 book thing (see here <http://simran.nomadlife.org/2008/04/summer-of-books.aspx> for the latest official iteration of the list).

now, i like the poems, because they're interesting, and funny, and unfamiliar to me, generically (i've had more exposure to alliterative long-line poetry and iambic pentameter than to the short secular/religious lyric) -- so that's not the problem.

the thing is, one google docs file stands between me and going home for the day. my consolation is that, after i finish this writeup, i'll be just over 1/3 done with the reading for the exam. but still... to be outside, eating ice cream and being worry-free right now.... *sigh*

but my companion, for now, must be a box of cvs salted mixed nuts. peanuts/almonds/cashews. they are yum, somewhat healthy, and motivational. sadly, i think i like the almonds best. this is like what that psychology grad student dude i met once told me about the sort of unthinking decision we make based on a misleading perception that we'll be happier for it -- such as buying mixed yogurt, and feeling like that's better value for money, and that variety is the spice of life, when in fact we're more likely to just eat the peach or strawberry yogurt and glare balefully at the least favourite flavour as it sits in the fridge with no takers. exactly that, in this situation: i suspect there will be a ton of peanuts sitting in the tub at the end of this eating episode... and perhaps a lyric or two that will fall to the bottom of the list and be glared at, as well.

now, back to the notes.