Compact...as in smaller than big.

Ok, instead of writing huge, in-depth entries, I'm gonna have a swing at doing small, more frequent ones. School is still insane. The idea I had for my thesis got shot down last week during some preliminary fieldwork recon, so I am now on the hunt for a new idea. I was hoping to investigate the old Irish rebel and republican songs and what kind of meaning they still had today. Come to find out, they don't mean much. People will say they hate the English and want a unified Ireland, but when it comes down to it nobody really cares. Most people realize that its too late for such a transition to happen, and if it did, the English pound coming into the Euro in Ireland would devastate the Irish economy that has been painstakingly rebuilt over the last 10 years. That being so, I'm off to figure out something else. Its looking like it'll be somehow involved with sub-cultures of popular music in Ireland. Yes, as much as we hate to say it, punk rock falls in the category of pop. It could be possible that I'll be doing a historical recount of the Irish punk scene of the late 70's and early 80's with an ethnomusicoligical twist.

I've been hitting session at least once a week, and they have led me to a realization. I cannot drink AT ALL while school is in. One pint becomes many very easily, and 5am creeps up rather quick after umpteen pints, singing, playing tunes, and petting donkeys. I can't afford to take a day off from homework due to hangover. But, we'll see how that one works out. I'm playing tunes when I think I can get away with not making an ass of myself, and I actually started a tune for the whole gang last night (though I had to start it four times before I got it right).

For many reasons, Ireland makes me feel old. One, hangovers hurt. BAD. Two, bars are filled with 17 year olds. Three, everyone my age has at least two kids. I'm sure there are other reasons, but my old age has affected my memory.

Knee is alright. After a couple weeks of fearing this thing was going to fall off, I'm finally getting into a workout routine that'll get this damn thing back to tip-top!

The whole homesickness thing is starting to set in a bit. Everyone says it takes a couple months, and they were correct. I wasn't sure how it would effect me due to the fact that I've been so busy and I didn't think I would have time to think about it. But it seems in this time of extreme stress and exhaustion, all I want at the end of the day is a burrito and a familiar voice to talk to. Granted it's getting better as I get to know people here better, but oh what I would give to die laughing from one of Travis' ridiculously un-PC jokes, or to get a hug from little Mia Paustell. But I digress.

I love it here! I'm learning so much I feel like my brain is going to explode (both in good and bad contexts)! I've made a gaggle of new friends and have been humbled greatly in many facets. And, I've only been here two months. Who knows what will happen in the next 10, possibly 14.

Looks like I struck out on the whole "swingin' for minimalism" schtick. Perhaps next time. Chairs!