How the Day Sounds

I love this music video. First off, I love the grocery store (as long as there aren't too many other people). Secondly, the nerdy choreography is too cute. Finally, it's Greg Laswell!

The Dark Knight

I saw The Dark Knight on Saturday. I only went because a group of friends were going, and I wanted to tag along. I had heard it was going to be dark, but I was surprised by how dark it was. I didn't like it so much, that I have expressed to multiple people my disdain.

But recently (I think it was yesterday) I started to have positive thoughts and feelings toward the movie. Yes, I think I actually like it. But I don't know if my opinions of the movie have changed or if what I'm choosing to remember about the movie has changed. Maybe I'm blocking out the darker moments and focusing in on the parts I found intriguing.

My Big Backyard

Wildlife can be found in my backyard. Some animals live there, and others just visit. And some are welcome, while others are not.

When the two groundhogs come out of their hole and nibble at the grass, I gawk at their cuteness. I've even given them names, which my brother finds childish. (His problem, not mine.)

But when the neighborhood deer start meandering through our yard, I become annoyed and somewhat angered. If no one is within earshot, I tend to spout insults at them and command them to die. Unfortunately, they have yet to gain an understanding of the English language and the ability to obey.

Nightly Conversation

Monday night I didn't fall asleep until 5 a.m. Wednesday it was 4 a.m. There is a plus side to this. I get to spend time with my brother who doesn't come home during the week until 2 a.m. So we've been talking.

Last night was Watch C-SPAN and Make Fun of the Democrats Night. Loads of fun. Honestly, the average republican was more respectful, articulate, and fact-focused than his democratic counterpart. It was almost unreal at times.

We also found ourselves on a bit of a rabbit trail. It went something like this:
Me: Do you want to see The Dark Knight on Saturday?
Bro: No. What is it?
Me: It's the new batman movie.
Bro: It has Heath Ledger as the joker, doesn't it? A female coworker of mine was raving about him at lunch.
Me: I'm not surprised.
Bro: It was so annoying when he died. That's all the girls on campus were talking about. They were walking around campus holding up dvds with his face on them saying, "Heath Ledger this. Heath Ledger that. OMG!" So I joined in after awhile... "Heath Ledger? Heath Ledger! Heath Ledger!!!??" [sporting a crazed look on his face].
Me: That's mean.
Bro: So?
Me: Can Heath Ledger help it if he makes girls swoon?
Bro: No, he can't help it if he makes girls swoon. But it's counterproductive to society. They [the swooning girls] could use their time better. In the 19th century the national pastime was politics. Now it's sports and entertainment.
Me: You like sports.
Bro: Yes, but it doesn't consume me. If a team wins or loses, it doesn't really have an effect on me.

At one point it shifted in direction to:
Bro: I can't tell if a guy is hot or not. I don't look at guys that way.
Me: That's good to know.

My brother's the best.

You Know This Is How I Am

My brother and I were talking this weekend. I don't remember most of what was said, but at one point my brother told me, "You know this is how I am." I immediately diverted the conversation with, "If you ever write an autobiography, that would make a great title!" And then we both started saying, "You know this is how I am," a few times aloud to test the sound of it. I think he ended up agreeing with me, but even if he didn't, I'd still like the idea.

One of my aunts has been on an Alaskan cruise for a little while and was kind enough to send us a little gift in the mail from her trip. It's some Alaskan salmon sealed in a little pouch and labeled as "Salmon Mail." When my brother came home from work the other night, my dad asked him if he'd seen the salmon-gram (as in telegram, but receiving salmon and not tele). My brother said, "No," and immediately started rifling through our assortment of cereal, thinking my dad had said "Salmon Grahams." I definitely milked this the rest of the night. (Question: Why would anyone in their right mind create a cereal with fish in it? Why?)

To finish this post off and create a third little item (threes are good), I found out that if anyone ever needs me to apply butterfly bandages to an open wound, they can count on me to finish the job without getting lightheaded. I was very surprised. My mom didn't fair so well, though. And my dad wasn't even in the room. Oh, yeah! (My brother had a little mishap at his factory job but is well.)

Driving...driving...driving...

Wow. Two posts in one evening. But they're more complaints than anything else, so don't get too excited. We wouldn't want that.

Driving to and from South Bend a few days a week is starting to become old. I know people who drive more, but that's them, not me, and I'm only thinking about me right now. I mean, you can only listen to the same top 40 songs on the radio so many times.

It hit me this evening that maybe I should get an audio book and listen to that. It's worth a try. I'm thinking something cutesy. A year or two ago I listened to a Scott Adams (Dilbert author) book while doing this or that and found it so funny that I actually laughed out loud on occasion. Maybe I'll see what I can get of his.

Searching...

So far my search for information on Niger's accounting standards is basically like my attempt to drive to a location I've never been to before. Who can say, "Fun on a Friday!"

International Accounting

Last week was the start of the second summer session at IUSB. For it, I'm taking International Accounting, a required course that explores differences in accounting standards throughout the world.

Last night at the end of class, our professor informed us of our group project, including the groups to which we were assigned. Ours met briefly to divide up tasks and figure out when we would meet again for further discussion. This is where things became complicated.

We decided somewhat quickly on the date and time: Saturday afternoon. But with it being summer, we were less certain of the on-campus buildings that would be available to us. One was suggested that the others thought would work, but I was unfamiliar with its location.

The guys in our group attempted to help me. Alan tried explaining its location while Vince drew a cute little map. After I took the map and looked at it a while, Alan asked me if it helped at all. I looked up, smiled, and he replied, "I guess not." Our solution? Decide on a different location.