Things are looking up

So, several posts ago, I opined that I hadn't been working as hard as I should in graduate school. Since then, I've had to midterms and I'm pleased to report an increase of 15 percent on each test from the previous in the class. Maybe I'm not working any harder, but I feel more adjusted. If only there weren't this paper for Witte, it would be smooth sailing ahead. On the topic of the paper, I'm starting to think that an unwillingness of Democrats to invoke the legacy of LBJ has ceded ground to Conservatives on the social policy front.
Thank you.

Freedom from tyranny

That's right, I cut my hair. It had been several months since my last haircut, but Friday, as I watched Colorado beat Nebraska, Meredith cut my hair. It's very pleasant having cut hair.

My house smells like pancakes

My Mother-in-Law has this really great pancake recipe and for the occasion of a visit by my sister-in-law, we made pancakes this morning. It's nice to come home to a pancake smell.

Something that I don't need

I looked in my refrigerator moments ago and noticed that I don't need to buy any beer for a while. Those who have known me for some time will know that I like to keep a fairly large and diverse supply of beer on hand at all times. Now, there is a ridiculous amount of beer at Team Riggs' secret headquarters.

I really want some new sneakers

Meredith and I made a deal that if I got a 100 on my statistics exam, she would buy me a new pair of converse. I have come up just shy in my attempt to earn these shoes, but she has decided to let a 99 count as good enough. While I still don't meet this mark, I hope that with a recount of points, I can move in a win my shoes. There is an ongoing correspondence with super TA Darrell regarding a couple of points that I didn't get that I feel I deserve. So far, he is unwavering. I believe that I have God and the truth on my side, so I'll keep up my fight. Two points, that's all that seperates me from some kickass new shoes.

UPDATE: Not only did Darrell stand firm, he tried to kill me on three separate occasions in my dream the other night. I have since decided to make peace with the fact that I will not replace my departed black converse.

UPDATE II: Darrell seems to think that it is very strange that I would dream about him trying to kill me. I agree with that.

A new waste of time

I'm thinking of starting a new blog. This blog would be a strictly policy related blog and not nearly as sharp or witty as this one. I don't know if this one actually is witty and/or sharp, but I'll pretend. Anyway, the blog exists and is called the Fighting Bob blog so if any classmate types want to get in on this, let me know.

I am hardcore

If there is anything more punk rock than sitting in the kitchen listening to the Stooges while doing economics homework, all the while thinking of the new teapot you are about to receive, I don't know what it is.

Ruby's

If you ever find yourself in Central Texas, I would very strongly recommend that you make your way to Ruby's BBQ on 29th and Guadalupe in Austin. I have never in my life been to a restraunt that is as consistently good as Ruby's. I miss it dearly. In Madison, we have Famous Dave's, which will due in a pinch, but it's not real barbecue. I would guess that most people up here have never had real barbecue. Every time I go to Famous Dave's, I think it's not awful until I go to the bathroom and see the picture of that shining beacon of barbecue goodness that is Ruby's. Beyond the food, Pat and Luke are great people and the staff at Ruby's is always good.

It's in the stars

"This month you're quite the sensitive princess, and just about anything could be the potential pea under life's mattress. The stars are asking you to let go of what no longer serves you, whether it's a friend who isn't really there for you, a boy who doesn't deserve you, or a closet full of last year's tiresome trends."

from the November issue of Teen Vogue

Cedric v Adrian

Could somebody explain to me why everybody is so convinced that Adrian Peterson is better than Cedric Benson. Benson has three more carries, 65 more yards and twice as many touchdowns as Peterson. Is all of this really because Oklahoma beat Texas with Adrian Peterson rushing for as many yards as he damn well pleased while Benson got only 92 without getting the ball nearly enough? Come on now. If Cedric Benson keeps up the way he's been playing, he certainly deserves to go to the Heisman ceremony in New York City and he should finish above Peterson.

Read it

Seriously, Read it

Crazy man, Crazy

Sometimes, I am especially glad to be a college football fan. Last night, I watched maybe the best game that I've ever seen. Texas was down 35-7 in the first half and came back to win 56-35. I've never seen a team look as good as Texas did in the first half. I thank God that it was on TBS and I didn't have to deal with the ridiculous regional broadcasting of ABC. I hate that they give me the option of only mediocre Big Ten football games. There's not a team in the Big Ten that could win the Big XII South or either of the SEC divisions. The only possible game of national interest for the Big Ten can't even happen this year. How can I be expected to be impressed with Wisconsin beating, what one bowl eligible team and Michigan losing to Notre Dame. Granted, Notre Dame did beat Tennessee when the Vols were stuck with their third string quarterback due to a couple of shoulder injuries. I'm not impressed Big Ten. I still think that the two best teams in college football are Auburn and USC with Oklahoma and Texas right with them.

Two Good Ideas

I've read some good ideas for the Democratic Party today. The first in the American Prospect suggests that John Kerry would make a fine Senate Minority Leader. I would agree. While I also think that a Russ Feingold or any of the Northeastern Dems, minus Clinton and Kennedy, would also be good, John Kerry is uniquely positioned to have an audience with the American people. If I'm not mistaken, 55 million of us tried to get him elected President. The other idea was in the LA Times. That one says that Bill Clinton should become the chair of the DNC. I hear all of the Dean people crying out for Crazy Ass Howard to take over, but he doesn't have anything that Clinton's got. It's worth thinking about.

Are you shitting me

We are not this fucking retarded are we? We've let a guy just oozing incompetence run all over us for the past four years and now it looks like we're going to let him have four more. That's insane. Stupid Ohio. Stupid New Mexico. Stupid Central States. Wisconsin did our job.

Someone agrees with me

I was looking at Ryan Lizza's predictions over at the New Republic, and I couldn't help but notice that he came to the same basic conclusion regarding the electoral vote outcome. he had Kerry winning all of the states I do plus picking up New Mexico, which I think is certainly possible. 311-227 was his pick anyway.

UPDATE: We were both very wrong

My prediction

So when I play around with the electoral college maps, I come up with Kerry getting at minimum, 306 electoral votes. I think he wins 2 of Arkansas, Nevada, and New Mexico which would push it up to 316 or 317. I also came up with a scenario in which Hawaii either wins it or sends it to Congress. I also think Kerry will win the popular vote by 4%. As I've said before, I think this one will be a blowout. Hook 'em Johns.

So, It's election time again

Well, hopefully everybody either has voted or is voting on Tuesday. I hope that everyone is voting for John Kerry. If you live in Texas, make a deal to vote for Kerry or Cobb with someone in a swing state and then vote for Kerry anyway. That'll teach em. I think that John Kerry will win. I've said this before. I just can't imagine a president this disliked getting four more years. Also, this Wisconsin weather is killing me. Literally. My head feels like it's going to explode. The air is dry and it sucks. It's quite lovely on my street though. That doesn't make up for the pain.