Thursday, August 22, 2002
 

Back in the computer lab. There's a sorority chick (which I know because, like, the only place she wants to, like, park on campus is, like, at the sorority house. what about the library???) on my left with a genuine Burberry purse. Can you say $$$?

Anyhoo. My apartment is really coming together; I have only one more box with anything in it. There's still some stuff on top of my dresser, but that's really about all. I took a huge load of flattened boxes down to the dumpster yesterday evening.

Today, I went to the grocery store and learned that thou shalt NOT try to drive downtown at noon. Egad. I got everything I needed to cook . . . except Pam. Without nonstick cooking spray, I'm not making casserole or Boca burgers tonight. I'm going to stop at the CVS with a small grocery on the way out and see if they have any. The Purity brand of milk here is quite good, to my satisfaction. I didn't find the kind of tofu I normally like, but I did get my second choice. I'm fixed for food, in other words. I hope. I also got postage stamps so I could mail a few letters. Oh, and I signed up for my VIC card (as far as I can tell, Harris Teeter is the closest grocery store).

I scouted out main street again. I found a shoe repair shop and what may have been a clothing repair shop (but I could be wrong about that). More coffee houses, that kind of thing. And a bridal wear shop, should I manage to snare a law or medical student.

Speaking of students, the guy next door to me is a little odd. In addition to having a happy froggie doormat that says "welcome," he has a tendency to duck and dodge any people near him. These things seem contrary to me, so I'm going to assume that he's even more introverted than me and that his mother picked out the doormat. I saw a girl exit the apartment across from me and have said hi to a few other people, but that's about the extent of apartment socialization. People seem to keep to themselves.

I have an appointment with the DGS (=Director of Graduate Studies) tomorrow at 1:30 to register for classes. I'm really not sure what I want/need to take yet, except for literary theory. There's orientation stuff Monday night, then classes begin Wednesday.

I'm continuing to observe the students that come and go. The undergrads appear richer and preppier than those I grew accustomed to over 4 years, which is a little alarming. Ok, a lot alarming.

Again, I continue to be surprised (and pleased) by the overall diversity here. I've seen burquas, headscarves, various traditional dresses, and more. There are large ethnic food sections in the grocery stores, too.

Nothing much going on. I leave CNN on a lot for company while I unpack and continue to be horrified by the news media. This is probably driving my blood pressure up. At least it's not MSNBC. I haven't checked out any newspapers here yet, but I did find a place that sells the Wall Street Journal. If I could find a place to buy the Times on Sundays, I'd be happy. Sadly, USA Today appears to be the most common "newspaper" by far, and you don't want to get me started on that.

I'll be overall happier when I have the internet. Right now I feel disconnected-- no reading the news online, no e-mail, no site-checking. It's amazing how dependent I am on something that didn't even exist when I was a kid.

Signing off for now . . .

Elvisette philosophized at 2:36 PM