I am a Consumer Whore!

Currently in Earphones: "Stargate" soundtrack by David Arnold.

...And how! I just realized for the first time about a day ago how Amazon.com has me by the balls. Not only do they have endless recommendations based on what you buy and what you say you own, but in an unholy conjunction with Soundtrack.net and Filmtracks.net work to produce the most sinister of money holes to pull and tug at my wallet.

Case in point: I had just used my little bit of fun money I allot myself to buy a soundtrack and a book off of Amazon, and no sooner had I sold another portion of my soul to the great consumer gods than I stumble across a review of a soundtrack on Filmtracks that squees with joy over the greatness that is John Debney's score to Cutthroat Island. I make the mistake of listening to some sample clips and am likewise reduced to a quivering mass of overwhelmed fanboy as the best sounding swashbuckler music graces my ears for a tantalizing 30 seconds a pop. I must have this soundtrack. However, I did not snap it up, surprising myself with the sheer willpower of waiting for my next round of fun-cash to come to maturity.

Laugh if you want, but I was both elated and horrified at the pure, unadulterated want that ran through me. I'm glad I was able to weather that burst of consumerism and not blow the cash immediately, but it was honestly frightening to feel that. I mean, my cash flow for the time being isn't positive, or even a slowed negative. I suppose it could be worse: I could have more expensive hobbies, I could be extremely cash strapped, I could be a lesser man and give in to my whims more often. Still, I wish I didn't have to be frugal to the point of paranoia. Ahh well, this is life.

In other news, school is well. Communications 3 looks to be more fun than a barrel of monkeys: a topic that intrigues me and a kick-ass professor. Cultural Anthropology retains an intriguing topic, Latin 101 is a tad easier but with an odd prof, and Classics 30 is pure candy. Lots of reading to do, but nothing organized time can't handle.

Also, started an Internship with my old Anthropology prof. I'm organizing a huge set of field data on Titi monkeys done by a late Grad student. Well, so far this consists of taking written field notes and transferring them to a virtual map of the area, assigning coordinates to the fact that at 19:14:33 on 3/19/02 monkey A began calling at 20 m S of 10T:0153. Whee! With hope I shall be able to work with the 40 hours of footage for a change of pace after getting the hang of the data entry.

Baroque Ensemble is back in action, once I get the date of next performance I shall pepper it to all interested parties. Anja is also back in action with a better schedule, though now we have 3 cellos (herself included) which is an insanely large bass section in baroque terms.

Speaking of Anja, we went and saw a production of Metamorphoses, a contemporary play based on Ovid's collection of myths. I believe my parents saw it at the Berkeley Rep a few years back, but it was a very interesting play: You know its fun when the story of Phaethon is transliterated to "Dad, give me the keys to your car!"

Ahh, but now 'tis time for me to wax the poetic lover, probably much to the dismay of my more realist-minded housemates. My poor Anja has just had her wisdom teeth out and is kind of in-and-out of recuperation. She rallied enough to watch Sin City with me and the day afterward to go see the play, but alternately she just had to take the drugs and go sleep off the pain. I haven't gotten what I consider a good, full few hours with her yet, but I hope to get at least a little more before school starts again. Ahh, if only I could hold her in my arms for a night without break. Once again, I emphasize, not sexually, but merely sharing the sweet company of one another. My other housemates have the luxury of whiling away the night in pleasant repose with their loves, yet I cannot, for my love's family wishes a curfew that must be honored. It is so hard to leave my lady when she must finally go, were it not for my respect for her and her own I would sweep her back, bundle her up and fall asleep by her side. I long for her and miss her as I'm sure she misses me. Now I can only await her recovery and hope for better future days.

Enough. More Later,
- James