Where/When do you feel the most Vulnerable?

Since we're in the season for this and all.

Every once in a while an awkward situation happens to me and I feel the need to document it.  I do this for your entertainment and because I generally have no shame.  Please be aware that if the topic of "poop" disgusts you, then you probably might want to turn away from the computer screen right now.  In hindsight, this combination of "awkward" and "poop" probably doesn't help me get readers, but I promise that it's not something disgusting!

I digress...

My friend from back home once brought up a conversation mid drunken toke: "Where/when do you feel the most vulnerable?"  He proceeded to share with us where and when he felt most vulnerable and I thought he was ridiculous.  1.  He was drunk, and 2.  He was in the process of getting high, so his words really made no sense to me anyways.

That was until today. (Here comes the no-shame, vulnerable moment)

Okay maybe I'm exaggerating here... 

So my office at work is located in a corporate plaza, where we share our building with a number of other companies.  We share the entire facility (this means bathrooms).  So I'm sitting on the john (oh goodness here comes the snarky criticism now), doing my business when another guy walks in the bathroom.  You know that feeling you get when someone enters the bathroom when you're in a stall?  It's like you want for that person to observe your privacy and not acknowledge you.  Well... not tonight.

He walks in and the first thing he says is, "Hey man, how's it going!?"

And then silence...

WTF!?  IS HE WAITING ON ME TO SAY SOMETHING!?!?

"What are you doing?"

Followed again by silence...

WHAT THE HELL DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M DOING!?!?

At this moment, my friend's words finally clicked.  This was his most vulnerable moment and now I'm feeling it.  My drunk, high friend was right.  I'M GETTING VIOLATED!!!

I try to muster the words to say to him, but what the... how do I respond!?!? 
"Umm...  no.  I don't know you," was a possibility, but what if he was just REALLY friendly and wanted to strike up some stall-to-stall conversation? 

WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT ANYWAYS!?

Finally, Mr. Bathroom Invader broke the silence "Yeah, man...  I'm at work.  What are you, just finally getting off the couch you lucky bastard?" 

Apparently he was just on his phone with what I can only assume is his unemployed friend.  I like to imagine he's a loser because he's associated to Mr. Talk on the Phone in the Bathroom over here. 

At this point I'd like to ask my readers (all 2 of you), to please not talk on your phones in the bathroom.  Not that you do or anything, I mean c'mon!!! Who does that!? 

Also, Octavio, if you're reading this, man... I'm sorry.  You were right. 

The “How To Drive Right Wing Racists Insane With One Simple Question” experiment 2 results.

You can tell where I'm going at with this. ;)

Background: This experiment was inspired by an article in which the writer (Justin Rosario) posted in a political Facebook page the question:

“A question for anyone that claims to be a proud white person: What, exactly, are you proud of? I’ve asked this a few times and can’t seem to get a straight answer. Please don’t tell/ask me about black pride as it is not relevant to the question. I want to know why YOU are proud to be white. If the only way you can explain it is by comparing it to another ethnicity’s pride, you are not answering the question. Stay on topic and explain what it is about being white that fills you with pride.”


Results from experiment 1: The responses ranged in 3 different categories.

1. Asking about white pride is not a legitimate question. 

• "This was the most prevalent theme. They know that white pride is unavoidably racist whereas every other kind of “pride,” including black pride, can avoid being racist. Therefore they perceive the question as an attack on white people. It’s not. But that they see it that way tells me that they know exactly what white pride means." 

2. Attempts to rewrite or turn the question around (on me). 

• "These were attempts to get me angry or pretend I was asking a completely different question." 

3. Attempts to conflate “heritage” with “skin color.” 

• "These were soooooo ham-handed. Seriously, if the best you can do to explain white pride is say that your ancestors were white so you’re proud of that, you’re not even trying." 

I attempted to test those results with members of a local Facebook Chat Group.

Findings from experiment 2:

1. Asking about white pride is not a legitimate question.

1. “They perceived the question to be an attack on white people.” Oh hell yes they did! I got called a “race baiter!” I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THERE WAS SUCH A THING CALLED “RACE-BAITING.” Sounds like fun!
2.  Examples: 

• “Not to mention we invented the language you typed this race baiting post in” 
• “Race Baiting!! good words chosen for that sentence.” 
•  “see here we go.. not going to say anything else to you people.. lol” 
• That’s where it got good. THIS IS STILL WITHIN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES! 
• “It's fucking sad that there are racists; it's even more sad that you have people such as the op to perpetuate such things with fuck tard questions.” 
• “You are race baiting. If I asked the same of blacks you and jesse Jackson would lose thier shit” 
• I’m direct quoting from Facebook, please excuse the misspellings and poor grammar. ;) 

2. Attempts to rewrite or turn the question around (on me). 

1. "These were attempts to get me angry or pretend I was asking a completely different question." This MOST DEFINITELY happened! I’d like to point out that at no point in this “experiment” did I claim to be proud of being colored, but the question was still brought on me. Perhaps they wanted an example on how to answer the question (that I totally answered, but only two people acknowledged it). :/ 
2. Examples:

• “Id like to hear why you are proud to be black/ Hispanic or oriental. I dont know what kind of response I was supposed to give” 
• “Anyway that anyone answers this "question" it could be flipped either way!” 
• ”If you would question why I posses such pride would also question why I have pride...so I ask you... why do you ask such things?” 
• “What are you proud of???? SPECIFICALLY! !!
  
• Mad indeed
• “Mic wtf gives you the right to ask anyone anything. What are you proud of????” 
• I had already answered my own question at this point.
• My Answer: 
• “You know how I would answer this question? I wouldn't. The theory of race is flawed. If you look at it through an anthropological perspective, the human species all originated in one continent (Africa), and throughout time, has traveled throughout the planet and settled in different places. We all have evolved to our environments. THAT'S what I'm proud of. So technically, if you think about it, we're all black. TAKE THAT, YOU WHITE SUPREMACIST BIGOTS!!!” 
• In hindsight, I probably didn’t win any popularity contests with that last statement. :/
• There were even cases where they answered a different question 
• “White is just a color. A color is nothing to be proud of” 
• “We should always be proud of who we are and where we come from” 
• “The only thing any person should be proud of is being a good person no matter what race you are” 

3. Attempts to conflate “heritage” with “skin color.” 

1. This was by far the most prevalent outcome of this experiment. The theory is that one cannot answer the question without sounding racist, so one turns to family history or heritage.
2. Examples: 

• “I'm proud of my white side because they came to America as immigrants to Ellis island and built this country survived the depression , 2 world wars and are hardworking people who have a dream and are not afraid to work hard to reach their goals .” 


• Wait WHAT!? “THEY” built this country (USA)!?!? QUIT TAKING ALL THE DAMN CREDIT!!!
  
• Yeah!  Stop that shit!
  
• Yeah!  We built this country too, just didn't get any credit (apparently)...
• “exactly what i said, proud of our heritage and what our ancestors accomplished! my family has roots going back to the founding of this country and i'm proud of that!” 
• Classic avoiding of the question. 
• I had made attempts to TRY to get an answer out of them: 
• “But aside from what your family did, what is it about being white are you proud of?” 
• “So.. The blacks, Mexicans, Asians, and Indians didn't build this country either? Also, what SPECIFICALLY about being white are you proud of?” (Also my response to example 1 of this sub-finding). 
• “I am white...I know shocker, huh? Am I proud to be "white"? I am proud of my heritage which is a combination of 1/2 Irish, 1/4 German, and 1/4 Welsh. I'm told I have a smidgen of Ogallala Sioux as well. The fact that I am white is a matter of genetics and nothing more. “
• I give up!  I... just... FUCK IT! I'M DONE! 

Final Results from Experiment 2: Ultimately, did one simple question drive right-wing racists insane? 

1. Ultimately, no. They either stayed silent were one of the ones who didn’t completely answer the question.
2. I did notice a good number of non-commenters who observed the responses of other, more open-to-sharing pro-white individuals and liked their comments. (We’re Facebook talking now). 

• “Im proud to come from england. An island smaller than Arizona that jad one of the largest empires in history. It also has the worlds first and undefeated navy. Not to mention we invented the language you typed this race baiting post in” 
• Notice how that didn't even answer the main question? 
• That comment received 10 likes. 2nd most in that discussion, to this gem: 
• “I am seriously just here to see these comments.” (15 likes) ;) 

But did you piss ANYBODY off? 

1. “Mic. Go fuck yourself right in the ass you trollop. All you have done today is cause trouble. What are you proud of. What did you and your ancestors do. Aside from chatting bollocks on facebook. You keep bringing up whites, black, asian, Get a grip man.” 
2. Yes I did, and it was awesome!

Be

One of these days, I'll post a video up here

and you will instinctively know to click on it and read on.

In case today isn't that day, please click and read on.

In case you ever wonder what inspires me to write what I write and post the music that I post, I can share with you that I post what I'm listening to while I'm writing.  It helps me to clear my head sometimes and focus on the thing that has me writing.  So what is it today!?  Actually a lot, yet at the same time, just one thing in particular.

I started my day sick. I'm actually on day 4 of being sick.  You'd think after the weekend my body would have recuperated, but that isn't the case with me.  See, the stress at work has gotten so bad it actually dictated my health, which dictated my weekend, which made my home-life miserable.

How do I let something like that control my home life?  It's ridiculous,but it's life.  At work, I'm basically a middle-man.  The sucky thing about being a middle-man is that shit still rolls downhill, but this time you're in between two hills and now you're getting it from both ends.  

You must to be able to manage these two streams to a point that, if you're gone one day, you know that you can eventually catch up to being behind a day or two.  With this job, however, because there are two streams, it's like you're always behind two days.  Some people, like myself, resort to multi-tasking.  

I do not doubt that this is how I look most days.

I cannot emphasize how much that multi-tasking is my downfall.  I'm not bad at it, a lot of people say it's their claim to fame at their jobs, but here's what I noticed about multi-tasking: the pressure, the time, and the efficiency are all affected.  I've had multiple things going on at the same time, and it took me so much longer to handle all of it than it would have handling one thing at a time.  When I look back at my work, I sometimes see that I've mis-coded, or forgot to add a mundane detail.  

Back to the music:  Don't you just want to take this track and put it on a loop?  I heard it on a video-game!  :)  

I've started practicing a method of getting to a stopping-point when someone calls or comes into my office so I can focus solely on them.  I've also learned to plan my work week.  One day I'll do all my requisitions while the next day I'll process invoices.  At mid-week I'll do my special projects assigned by the district office.  It's rough sometimes, and still sometimes I find myself  multi-tasking, but at least now I'm able to focus more on completing more things.  

In all honesty, a completed file is so much better than work-in-progress.  

So that's where we're at right now.  I started the day sick, but I was also determined to make my day awesome.  Tomorrow will be the same way.  So to those of you who have let stress take over, I say "Stop, think about what you're doing that may be causing you undue pressure, find a solution that will help you ease that pressure, and just be."  Your brain will thank you.  :)  

New Year's Resolution?

For those of you new here, just click, read, and enjoy the music.  ;) 

Yeah yeah!  "It's February," I get it!  So what?  There's still time to notice room for self-improvement, and therefore decide to make actions to improve upon it...  Right?

I mean, I'm not thinking anything DRASTIC here... well, maybe.  For this, I'll need input from the blogosphere.  I'm thinking about trying to write more.  I understand, it's been forever, what with starting a new job and getting caught up in it, trying to retain what little social life I still have, and also salvaging my completely and utterly screwed up love life - I mean naturally I put writing on the back-burner.   

Well, "Never again," I say!  I shall focus on ME, this year - getting in shape, finding a career I can fall in love with, and doing more of the things I love.  Like music, and teaching, and writing!  I've already committed myself to a couple of projects (honestly, why I stack my plate so high, I haven't the slightest clue).  Hopefully, I'll get this done within the deadlines set upon me, but I'm not gonna sacrifice quality and style over timeliness.  Don't get me wrong, I do realize that I want to actually COMPLETE a damn project one of these days.

I guess I can attribute my sudden urge to write to a friend of mine who decided this same resolution only two days ago and has already entered three items into her blog that have taken me along with her on her emotional journey of self-discovery.  She honestly is one of the more awesome people I know, and that's a great thing because there a few truly awesome people in this world.  

It just comes to show you, that you never know who you might be inspiring right now, so always put your best foot forward.  

6 Things about the Holidays (that I hate).

So what?  That's still more than 3 months away!!

Brace yourselves, folks.  The "holidays" are coming, and with them comes the things that drive me nuts about the holidays.  Let's be honest, guys.  There's a chance that you may have felt the same way about these things.

Enjoy!

#1.)  The people who complain about changes made to their Wal-Mart.

*Grumble grumble* I can't wait to leave

this stupid job.. *Grumble*

Hey, there's a reason why Wal-Mart is a successful global retailer.  Never mind the fact that they grossly under-pay their associates and, at one point in time, offered so few benefits to their employees, they suggested they turn to Government programs for basic health-care.  That's right.  At some point in time, YOU- Mr. & Ms. Taxpayer, paid for the basic health-care coverage of Wal-Mart employees.

Source:

If you haven't seen this documentary...  DON'T.  

Save yourself an hour and a half of your life

by doing better things!

One of the many things that Wal-Mart does well is marketing.  I'm not talking marketing in terms of T.V. commercials.  I'm talking more in other functions of marketing like their promotions.  For those of you who notice that ANY change in season results in changes of in-store promotions, the holidays should come to no surprise!  Football season?  Why, take a look at all of these beer, chips, and salsa displays!  Spring?  Take a look at all our barbecue grills and assortment of charcoal.  Yet, for all the seasonal marketing changes, the one that gets the biggest hit is the "holiday" season.  You don't ever see people complaining about Mardi Gras, St. Patty's Day, or Easter...  (though I do notice how Chanukah and Kwanzaa are almost completely neglected in terms of holiday promotion).  

A lot of people would mention that promotion for "the holidays" starts way too early for them.  It's a valid point.  It's only September 18th and I've already seen 3 Christmas ads and reminders, however, I'm not the person they are targeting with those reminders.  I am not what you'd consider an early Christmas shopper. No no no! Those who know me, know I'm an expert procrastinator at all things in life.  

 I'm so glad I have a sense of humor about

my own love life.

Experts suggest that starting holiday shopping early actually saves you money.  Again, I wouldn't know this first-hand because I've never done anything early in my life.  Well... some things.  For those people who actually do their shopping early, Good for you!!  Seriously.  You are the ones that these early ads and promotions are targeting.  Isn't it nice to know there are money-hungry corporations out there tailoring marketing campaigns just for you?  For those who don't like the promotions, calm down!  Quit whining about the changes made to your store, and maybe shop at a local mom-and-pop business that wont sell themselves out for corporate greed.

2.)  The people who complain about religious displays in public.

Excuse me, sir.  Do you have a moment to 

talk about... Sir?! 

This is a touchy subject because of the issue of religion, so I really hope I don't offend anyone here.  I mean everyone has a right to believe in any religious deity, or none at all.  Two years ago, Atheists won a small battle in Santa Monica, CA by submitting applications for public displays at a local park.  Those displays were once dominated by local churches for the Christmas holiday in a tradition dating back 60 years.  In 2011, an Atheist group won bids for 19 out of the 21 spaces, leaving the churches only 2.  That sparked what I like to call the "religion" war.  

I mean, I get it.  Nobody likes it when some jerk comes up to you to try to spread their thoughts and beliefs all over you, no matter the method or message.  I have my beliefs and my faith, I don't need someone to come up to me to tell me how they are flawed.  Which is why it behooves me to point out that Atheists are just as guilty as the Christians in annoying, dogma-promoting mass marketing.  

Hey, don't forget about us.  Well, actually..  

No, leave us out of it.

What I did like about Santa Monica's religion war was that no concern was made for public displays of the Menorah.  And this is the pure genius of how they get a pass on their displays - they weren't really "public."  Their displays of the festival of lights were mostly on highly visible private lots of land.  This tactic was so amazingly brilliant that the three exceptions that were actually located in public spaces weren't even challenged by any other religion-pusher.  This just comes to show, you have a right to worship any way you'd like, just do it in your own space.

3.)  The over-flamboyant Christmas Light Displays and the HOA

Oh look!  This guy has money to spend.

Don't get me wrong,  I love Christmas light displays.  I even take part in it myself.  What gets to me are the controls enacted by the HOA in some communities.  They even sanction fines for people who display lights that are not authorized in their bylaws.  Some households with homes located on certain streets are forced to display lights in a tradition called "Candy Cane Lane."  Where does it end?  How can a group of homeowners have the right to tell an individual what he or she cannot do, especially with Christmas lights? Honestly, that's ridiculous.  Now if you'd excuse me, it's time to go Christmas lights shopping.

Or not.  I think I'll just stay home

now and reevaluate my

self-worth.

You know those light displays - the ones that make your Saturday morning of setting up lights look like a kindergartner's attempt at duplicating a Van Gogh painting (I'm not sure if that's good or bad).  It's as if my neighbors are trying to start (and ultimately win) a Christmas lights arms-race.  Did you know that some people go as far as hiring elves or even act as Santa in their own light displays?  Better yet, most homes outsource the decorating job to companies that charge $1000 - $1200 on average.  Where does that end?  More importantly, where do I begin? Well, I can't keep up with the Joneses, time to leave the gig.


4.)  The Music

As a former musician, there was no single season I both loved and hated all at the same time.  The endless rehearsals of mostly familiar musical arrangements, the ability to impress people by my sight-reading abilities (when I wasn't really sight-reading because I sang that song last year and the year before), and the fact that I got to see my crush in the soprano section on a nearly daily basis - what's not to love about it!?  Oh yeah..  the many more music performances in crowded banquet halls where nobody is listening to us, the fact that I was still in college so I was not getting paid for any of that, the fact that my crush never noticed me, and the fact that I sang these same songs last year and the year before.

Then there's the music that I hear most often during the season.  It's not that I hate all the music, just the depressing songs.  They're called the "holiday blues" for a reason.  I'm sure a lot of single people can relate. For those of you who can't, I'm sure it's probably because you're one of those "single-and-loving-it" type people and I appreciate you - you lucky bastard.  For those of us hopeless romantics, it sucks.  Just imagine it.  You've been single most of your life. You've had a handful of relationships, but none have lasted.  All of the people on your Christmas shopping list are family, select friends, co-workers, your secret-Santa, but no spouse or significant other this year. Then you go shopping to cross out a few names on your list and a song comes on the department store speakers, and out starts the water works.

Hey!  Get a hold of yourself!! 

If I had my way, all holiday music would be about the joys of the next season, Spring!  Because for those people who have to spend winter in the gloom of being snowed in, blizzards, and over-bearing cold, I could think of nothing better to do but to remind you of better times to come.  Never mind that it sometimes comes as late in the year as June.  

Why do people sing about love in the holidays anyways?  It's almost the equivalent of asking a married couple suffering infertility problems when they will have kids.  They might not display it, but deep down it cuts them because it isn't that they don't want kids.  Sure, we all want to promote to happy couples of a time to show appreciation towards each other, but we have a whole OTHER depressing corporate holiday for that!  

Fuck you too, Mr. Wonka!  

I didn't eat the everlasting gobstopper

and I didn't get shit!

5.)  Shopping with the other half.

If I hear that Mariah Carey

Christmas song one more fucking time...

Men know this scenario all too well.  You're just waking up on a beautiful Saturday morning, preparing yourself for the rigors of putting up Christmas lights when the other half sternly clamors those dreaded four words:  "Let's go Christmas shopping!"  

How does she know to make those the first words you wake up to that day?  There's no "Good morning, hon!"  There's no "Hey, you need to mow the lawn." (Arguably a better alternative to shopping, I might add). No!  She somehow knows to make shopping the first thought you have that day.

Instinctively you ask her, "How many people are we shopping for" to give yourself an expectation of how long you'll be doing this for.  Then she just-as-instinctively replies with a number from 3 - 10 (because she never shops for just 1 or 2 people) but she adds the clever little lie, "It's okay.  I already know what I want to get them."  

And that's how you end up her bag mule for an entire day.  

Sucker!

Shopping, however, doesn't have to be a bad thing, men.  Women, if you want your men to enjoy the shopping experience as much as you do, make him more than your bag mule.  Share your thoughts with him on what you're looking for and see if he can find it before you therefore, it's a challenge for both parties and will speed up the process of shopping.  (You're welcome, fellow gents).  

It cannot end there though, ladies.  I spent hours helping my ex shop, but most of my suggestions were met with "I already looked at that," or "Eww! No!"  This led me to start wandering off and looking at things that suited my tastes or fulfilled my own shopping list.  If you want to get your man more involved, be more accepting of his suggestions.

Speaking of the other half, have you already planned out who's doing what and where?

Om nom nom noms

6.)  Holiday traditions and the other half.

Who the hell is that guy?

Let's just face it.  Everyone has a holiday tradition.  Mine is to visit my local bar and order anywhere up to four 7&7's, or whiskey sours, or a mixture thereof throughout the night while I flirt with the bartender (luckily, it's always been a female bartender).  That's before my family gets together in front of a large dinner. I've always felt kind of bad for my brothers-in-law at those dinners, because I knew they felt out of place. I'm sure we can all relate to that.

I mean, how long can one possibly keep up with the small talk?  And how many times do I have to be cut off while speaking before it's acceptable for me to walk away from the table completely?  I've seriously been asked, "Hi Michael, how are things going at Tucson?" and gotten cut off in the middle of the answer by the same fucking person who asked me the question.  

There's a large correlation to alcohol consumption and the holiday season, and I think it may be because people are just trying to offset the undue pressures of impressing the family members of the other half.  I've seriously attempted to just stay silent and unnoticed for an entire dinner.  I was unsuccessful, as her mom pointed out that I wasn't saying much.  "Oh, well I was just enjoying watching you guys interact.  I think it's fun to learn where she gets her amazing qualities from."  (Yeah...  bullshit).  

As I wrap up my latest rant, I find it near impossible to end this mostly negative view of the holidays on a positive note.  There's a chance that many of you have felt this way towards these six things, and there's probably even more of you who are on the other side of my views, and that's alright.  I'm sure we all love other  parts of the holidays too.  Just keep focusing on those things, and perhaps you just might make it.  

Word Splooge

So I have come up with a new term to add to my many “isms”, though, I might be taking credit for someone else’s work.  So the term is “Word-Splooge,” and yeah, it’s as dirty as it sounds.  It applies to situations where someone says the absolute right thing to you at exactly the right moment that it creates a feeling inside you that brings you instant resolution for present problems (because they don’t matter anymore) and also gives you indescribable hope for the future.  Also, you should be pretty sure you just creamed your pants. 

Similar to actual sploogeing, it only ends badly.  As you have your hopes risen for the lamest of reasons, the speaker then makes you regret ever having faith in that person altogether.  I’ve had this happen so many times, though, I think it’s more my fault because I have a natural tendency to over-think things anyways.

So there I was, sitting by myself in a Tucson sushi restaurant when this beautiful brunette woman walks up to me.  Let me slow this down for you because this is exactly how it played out in my head.  So I’m drinking tea from my cup (no straw..  apparently they were out of them) when I look up and notice this woman is walking towards me.  “OMG! She’s gorgeous!” was my first thought.  “Holy crap, is she looking at me?  ARE WE MAKING EYE CONTACT?!?”  were my second and third thoughts. 

There was a moment of awkwardness then.  I might have made a surprised look on my face during my third thought, like shit like this never happens to me.  Admittedly so, it doesn’t..  I’m just throwing that out there for clarity.  I’m not exactly pimpin’ it, aight?  Just then, I notice her outfit is business casual.  Still, everything about her apparel said “I’m sexy and I know it” just by the way her skirt and blouse gently accented the curves of her body. 

At this point I’m desperately trying to keep eye contact even though I’m sure she saw that I’ve given her a quick once-over.  Yet as she approached me she kept a friendly-face on, like I was some sort of celeb.  I couldn’t blame her, though.  I was wearing my suit because it was business formal day in class.  So, yeah, I was GQ-ing it. 

Her lips started moving.  Oh, those lips!  Dark red and screaming of danger..  I may have just missed every word she said.  No wait..  I did!  At this point, I’m sure I creamed my pants, though I can’t be sure because of the tea that landed on me as I tried to spit a chunk of ice back into my cup - I couldn’t have looked like a bigger idiot!!!!!!  “I’m sorry, what was that?” I ask her as I try to regain cool points all-the-while desperate to find out if what she just said was worth it.

“I said, ‘Would you like another tea?’” she replied to my dismay. 

This is the point where I break the imaginary 4^th wall and glare into the camera recording every FML moment of my life.  “Yes, I do believe I would.  And can you please bring some extra napkins?” 

Umm.. excuse me!

It's midterms right now, and everybody's running about like mad looking for a spot to bust out their laptop and study study study.  I'm no exception to this lot.  Midterms sneaked up on me like a cat on the hunt.  Luckily I knew of a spot here at the UA in the Harvill building in the lower-level right next to the elevator.  There's a secluded room there with no door, it is quite literally a hole-in-the-wall, but in that room sits one desk and a chair.  Perfect for the 3-hour cram session that I hadn't planned for.  Normally by late in the afternoon this room would be taken, but today it's MINE!!  So as I'm listening to Ravel's "Bolero" and studying for my mid-term today at 3:30, this other girl walks in, sits up against the wall, and busts out her laptop.  Umm.. excuse me!!  This is a small room, and by the seating arrangements it was meant for ONE, who so happens to be me. Now.. I don't know who you are, but when you enter someone's place.. you at least greet the person and introduce yourself.  Thanks for being awkward about it, miss "invader of privacy."  (I really wish I could have said that).  Maybe I should make it even more awkward and start playing some Kenny G romantic sax solos.. that might get her to leave.