Aurora borealis

Thanks to TB, who called me from my Greek-translating stupor, I got to witness a stunning display of the borthern lights [or northern dawn, if you're going for a literal translation]. It was baffling and wonderful and amazing. Shortly after I went outside into the chilly night, TB's parents called and told him that they could see it at home - about 250 miles southwest of here. I, being the good daughter that I am, called my dad so that he could check it out, too. I don't know that he did, of course, but he's usually interested in astronomical phenomena, so I thought I'd give him a heads-up.

I did a quick search for the conditions needed to see Aurora borealis, since I couldn't remember them from astronomy last fall. The National Weather Service came up with this, which explains that it is caused by the solar wind coming in contact with the Earth's magnetic field, causing it to glow. It's usually seen between the latitudes of 55 and 80 north, but Decorah's a whopping 43.32 and Winterset's 41.35.

It's amazing, and not usually something you see this far south. [This is the second time I can recall seeing the lights - the last was when I was in 5th grade or so, back in Winterset, which, as I said, is much farther south than Decorah.] ES told me that tonight was the first time she'd seen them ever, and she's from much farther north, in Minnesota. Brilliant.

Such beauty can certainly put things in perspective.

Six things

After listening to a lot of viewpoints, discussing the election at the PRIDE meeting, and just venting a bit of anger, I've had time to consider a lot of things.

(1) I will not move to Canada. I may go abroad after I graduate, but we'll cross that bridge once I have my diploma in hand.
(2) Skipping two classes to watch some of season three of The West Wing with ES and some other people was good times, and so was the margarita I had during.
(3) Bush sucks, and so does this conservative climate. This is why we're just going to have to work harder.
(4) We will win. Human rights will prevail - it always has. Sometimes it just takes longer than you think and you have to go through sucky, drawn-out processes.
(5) As much as I love BS's choir, I'll be glad to have those two extra hours per week. I'm sure she will, too.
(6) I am in dire need of a nap.

So now I'm going to make a final list of the classes I'm taking next semester, and then I may go nap in a lounge to get rid of this sleepiness.

Mourning

Today is a day of mourning, and some of us wore all black.

But there are good things to talk about, like Obama beating Keyes in Illinois. And MJD's brown bag lecture on The Da Vinci Code and Mary Magdalene. It was very thought-provoking [and there was a huge turnout], but like most of her lectures, it left more questions than answers. That was fine by me, though. MJD's an amazing woman, and I'm so excited to know her and to be going abroad with her.

To know or not to know

This is kind of frustrating, to not know, to just watch, to have to refresh a computer page every minute or so in hope of an update. It's also frustrating to be in a county that has a pink-ish tinge to it on the election maps on CNN. And to think that Iowa could be one of those red states soon. I even yelled at my mother today for voting for Bush.

Oh, what a world.

Vote!

Today is the most important day of your life, at least for now. If you haven't voted, get out there and make your voice heard. Remember, you're not allowed to complain unless you vote.

November

I've finished my paper, thank heavens [or maybe thank the Buddha]. It's a badly written paper, and I don't expect a very good grade on it at all. I think I pretty much butchered the ideas of emptiness and no-self. Ah, well. Some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

Having finished this paper, I've noticed a lot of bloggers joining NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month] and I have to admit - I'm kind of intrigued. I've written short stories before, and I think it would just be really ... interesting to write a novel. I don't know how I'd manage to do a novel when I can't even write a measly four-page paper, but still ... it would give me something to do during those long nights at the paper. Something to ponder over dinner, I think.

Also, today I gave my Greek prof. the scarf I knitted for her. It's Lion Brand Homespun, a simple garter stitched scarf that only took me a few days [once I settled on the yarn and the pattern]. Anyway, I just got a thank you note in my email, and she kept trying to insist on paying me, but I refused. Here's the note.

I wanted to thank you again for the *really cool* scarf--and of course not just for the finished product but also for all the time you put into it!! You're sure you won't accept any compensation for it??


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It's food time, so I'm off. I'm sure there will be something or other later during work.