Reasons to be cheerful

Do you know the song, "Reasons to Be Cheerful"? It's sung by Ian Drury and the Blockheads and I think I discovered it in Nick Hornby's Songbook. The song is somewhat like "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music," only Ian lists things that actually make people smile. (Cats' whiskers? Being blinded by snowflakes? Get real, Maria.) The Blockheads causes for joy include: cheddar cheese and pickle, round or skinny bottoms, and Woody Allen, among others.

Some personal additions to consider?

1. Acoustic guitar
2. Plaid flannel shirts
3. The fact that Colby College and Colby cheese were (indirectly) named for the same man

She looks so happy

I am related to someone who squeezed Sarah Palin's ass!

When the lights go down on the little city

At about 9:00 pm on weekend nights in downtown Portland, Maine, the city makes a scene change. Lights go down in the stores selling locally-made pottery and authentic buoys. A dark sky carpets the waterfront. All the ruddy senior citizens in Patagonia and Barbour coats turn in for the night. In a flash, the fluorescent lights of pubs, nightclubs, and a shocking number of adult-themed video and toy stores switch on. In roll minions of drunk people lining up to enter. Dresses are short and voices are loud. The smallness, which felt quaint by day, suddenly feels a little cage-like. You sleep, then wake up to another beautiful morning. It is somewhat like Boston, only the characters of both day and nightlife are stronger, more concentrated.

This weekend with my sister and brother-in-law in Portland was one of tastes — lobster macaroni and cheese, pumpkin ale, my first clam — so, after the best dinner I've ever had, we sampled the night, too. We were back in the hotel around midnight. I guess the preppy, earthy vibe suits us better. In fact, I find that almost anything suits me better than a seedy bar scene. We fell asleep during SNL. Today was wonderful, walking down sun-striped cobblestone streets with two people I love, picking up trinkets, and smiling at the elderly people who share our sensibilities.

On another note: BEST VIDEO EVER.

Signed, sealed, delivered

I cast my ballot in my first ever presidential election today! Colby Democrats flooded the polls in Town Hall, trading in absentee ballots for patriotic stickers. This will hopefully diminish the lines on November 4 for other Waterville residents waiting to vote. Voting is extremely empowering. Every student exiting the polls wore a proud grin, somewhat like the expression of new graduate, that said: We did something important! Last weekend in the Colby Museum of Art with my parents, a rotund woman in purple asked a gawky freshman boy: "What is the political temperature like on campus?" I think the phrase she intended was probably "political climate," but I actually prefer the question as stated. Today: hot, hot, hot.

But who will Maine elect? And the nation? The political race is just about as predictable as New England's fickle autumn weather. The trouble with voting early is the dormant wait that follows.

Back to (virtual) re-al-i-tay

I bet you thought my blog was through! The Internet is a place of easy come, easy go. But I rarely give up so easily. I have spent the past three weeks frittering away my time with friends and family in the autumn air. Maine is especially dazzling at this time of year. The rapidly changing New England foliage brings a certain nostalgic beauty to every outing. I have tripped on several hundred acorns. This morning it rained but has since slowed to a drizzle. I heard earlier in the week that there was a chance of snow this evening. Where did October go?

I have spent the afternoon studying histology slides online for my Cells, Tissues, and Organs course. The task of memorizing what different cell types look like becomes much easier and more enjoyable when the cells can be related to an item of luxury or joy. For my fellow scientists and appreciators of life's lovely little things, I present:

Axons...


...like diamonds,


white adipose tissue...

...like the inside of an Aero Bar,

and smooth muscle...

...like raindrops racing down a car window.

Now blogging again regularly.