Middle autumn

I can't believe I was writing about Autumn back in July. And now we're in the middle of October, and Autumn is here. My apartment is pretty well-decorated with pumpkin stuff. I have a pumpkin carpet, a pumpkin soap dispenser, a pumpkin cookie jar, a smaller pumpkin candy jar, a large pumpkin candle holder, a small pumpkin candle holder, various pumpkin- and fall-scented candles, and a fall-scented plug-in air freshener. I also added a large Nightmare Before Christmas poster to my walls. Actually, the poster looks like this, only larger and printed on paper.

I haven't quite come up with a Halloween costume yet, but I'm working on some ideas.

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I'm back in Saugerties for the first time in a month and a half. I went to college and lived in a dorm for four years, and I've been in graduate school in another city 150 miles away for four years, but it was only recently that it really felt like I had left home. In the past it's never been more than three weeks between visits home.

It's kind of weird.

Part of it, I think, is that my parents have been working on upgrading our [their] house. They built a new front steps and porch area, and plan to redo the front sidewalk, the roof, and all of the windows. They are going to tear down and rebuild our back deck and back porch. I love our back deck and porch.

I'm not exactly thrilled about all of this.

But they are incredibly excited, although they keep running into difficulties regarding designs, workers, and cost. Every time we talk, they give me the latest updates. It's a little awkward, because I'm feeling nervous and ambivalent and a little angry, but I listen quietly and make enthusiastic noises because I know how happy they are about this. And I know that when it's done it will be amazing, but I've always had trouble letting things go. That's why I'm not a Buddha yet. Or why I haven't realized my true Buddha nature yet. Or something.

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Here are some messages I found on some hot sauce packets from Taco Bell.

1. "I'm just doing this between films." (mild)
   
2. "Help! I can't tell where I am. It's dark and I can hear laughing." (mild and fire)
   
3. "Will you scratch my back?" (mild)
   
4. "I'm taking the day off. See next packet." (hot)
   
5. "Tah Day!" (fire)
   
6. "I collect straws." (fire)
   
7. "Can I drive?" (fire)
   
   

My favorites are the second and last ones.

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I'm in Saugerties because tomorrow there is an undergraduate mathematics conference being held at my undergraduate alma mater, Bard College. I was asked to be on a panel that will discuss and answer questions about graduate school. (For God's sake, just get out! Get out while you still can! You'll never leave!) As far as I can tell, I am the only graduate student on this panel, which will be filled out with professors. I think this is very funny.

When I was at Bard, there were three, arguably four, mathematicians in the department. They've really expanded! And they fancified their webpage too!

While I was checking out the website, I found something a little disturbing. I think I may have discovered an alternate-dimension version of me, only a lot smarter. (Seriously. Check out his research interests!) It's spooky.

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I read a wonderful quote today, by Lord Byron.

To have joy one must share it.
Happiness was born a twin.


I think it's clear what this means. I really need a girlfriend.

I think that may have to be it for now. I'm very sleepy.