diversion

After a really productive long weekend, this week I've succumbed to bouts of time-wasting distraction and avoidance. I'm not sure why. Things are going well and I don't feel panicked at all. In fact, some days I feel like I have a little extra time on my hands, but I think my brain is so consumed by this thesis that I can't really focus on anything else.

There are a couple of websites, in particular, that have provided me with hours of entertaining diversions. I'm a little late to the LOL Cats internet craze, apparently (it took Neal explaining a LOL Cat-like comment on a friend's Flickr image); I almost couldn't pull myself away from this site. I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt and I cried real tears. I'm still not completely sure why pictures of cats with poor spelling are so damn funny. Some are funnier than others. The image currently at the top of the page is pretty funny. I like the ones with cats in stuff doing something.


And then there's this post, which Neal forwarded to me from some foodie blog, about this guy's Domino's experiment. I enjoyed the post so much I read it twice and then spent about an hour browsing the entire blog. I aspire to write as well about equally or maybe even more ridiculous and funny things one day.

Finally, of course, let's not forget the beauty of television. Television is such a comfort to me right now. It gets me through the long days of roll-painting strip after strip of paper. I'm a couch potato for some portion of just about every night but oddly find myself watching fewer and fewer shows. I can't handle new characters or story lines on a new show like Chuck, for example, or the early disappointment of a lackluster new season of Heroes. No time for that (that's what winter break is for). I need entertainment and I need it fast.

I was bummed last week (or was that two weeks ago?) when ANTM aired the wrap-up episode, but overall, I think I'm actually enjoying this season a little more than the last two or three cycles. Some of the photo shoots have actually been pretty decent and Tyra is not nearly as obnoxious as I feared. Well, okay, there was that whole music video thing (oh, the subtle differences between hoochie and high fashion). I was really pretty sad to see Sarah go, but this week I had it in for Heather. I don't know why but she's been getting on my nerves the last week or so. She's pretty good in front of the camera and she's likeable enough but she's way more confidant than she puts on and that's just annoying. I don't know...I feel like her Asperger's Syndrome is the new plus size conundrum. Like, I doubt she'll win, but maybe she'll pave the way for future model hopefuls with the condition, and each cycle the gal with AS will go a little further in the competition. It seems like there's always one girl who gets the public vote (literally, week after week on the show and in reviews, etc.) for reasons that are fairly inconsistent with the theme of the show. I think there are a fair number of people who despise the entire modeling industry but still feel motivated to watch the show. Anyway, if Heather can pull off the public speaking, runway walking, and continue the good photo-taking, then I'd be happy if she wins, but otherwise, I say she needs to go. I don't care what syndrome she has.

Anyway, enough with the negativity. I think my new fave, although she doesn't get the most screen time, is Jenah, but my prediction for who might actually win is Saleisha. I can see the show's prize sponsors already working their influence and she seems like a pretty safe bet. We'll see how they hold up in China.