News Flash: Evelyn Waugh Was a Dude

We recently saw Brideshead Revisited, which should have been called Brideshead Revisited Revisited. Why? Apparently the 1981 Jeremy Irons version was much better. This film was your pretty standard gorgeous English period piece, in which a large ole castle, Brideshead, features prominently as a main character. And it was a tad wee bit too long. We didn't choose this movie, but tagged along with a friend. So I admittedly didn't know much going in. My post-movie research was most fascinating. Apparently, the original 1945 novel was written by a dude! British Catholics are so funny.

So Long, Friendster

After nearly five years together, Friendster and I have decided to call it quits on our relationship. It was really awesome in the beginning. You could see pictures of friends and read about their hobbies and favorite books. You could even post testimonials about your friends for the reading pleasure of their other friends. And thus began my love affair with social networking. It's pretty addictive. I was so devoted to adorning my little Friendster profile.

So yeah, about a year ago I started seeing someone else. And that's been awesome. We're pretty serious now, and I've settled in with 158+ friends and a handful of assorted hot apps like Scrabulous and SuperPoke! (not necessarily as dirty as it sounds). Friendster, I used to love you. I used to defend you. I was loyal and faithful for so many, many years despite your lack of fun interactive features and incredibly slow load time. (But I'll admit I briefly strayed to the dark side but called that affair off about a day later when I received one too many come ons from pimply teenage boys.) But lately, you just kinda sucked and continued to suck. I know you said you'd work on it, you'd change. You'd try harder. But I was embarrassed to be seen with you in public. Don't worry baby, it's not you. It's me. So that's why, after this long separation (we haven't had "relations" in nearly a year), I finally ended our tumultuous half-decade love affair. Friendster, you didn't make it easy for me. You asked "Why?" And "Did your friends also leave me?" And "Who are you getting your social networking groove on now?" So nosy, Friendster! And so long.

Where I Was From II: Idol Edition

Hot hot breaking news! I recently learned from a TV-loving co-worker that while I had my nose buried in books this spring, a boy from my hometown, David Archuleta, has become a national celebrity via the fifteen minutes of fame machine that is American Idol.

Murray, Utah. Now that's where I'm really from.