Just a House, Not a Home...

Sometimes things are just things.

Glass, Concrete and Stone
David Byrne and Brian Eno

Now
I'm wakin' at the crack of dawn
to send a little money home
from here to the moon
is risin' like a discotheque
and now my bags are down and packed for traveling

Lookin' at happiness
keepin' my flavor fresh
nobody knows I guess
how far I'll go, I know
so I'm leavin' at Six O' Clock
meet in a parkin' lot
Harriet Hendershot
sunglasses on, she waits by this

Glass and concrete and stone
It is just a house, not a home.

Skin, that covers me from head to toe
except a couple tiny holes and openings
Where, the city's blowin' in and out
this is what it's all about, delightfully

Everything's possible
when you're an animal
not inconceivable
How things can change, I know

So I'm puttin' on aftershave
nothin' is out of place
gonna be on my way
Try to pretend, it's not only

Glass and concrete and stone
That it's just a house, not a home.
And its glass and concrete and stone

It is just a house, not a home
And my head is fifty feet high
Let my body and soul be my guide

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Lobsters Galore!

Every year, my department hosts a big social event at the end of the summer semester. There are burgers, hot dogs, soda, chips, corn-on-the-cob, and of course, lobsters. This is probably one of the biggest events that the department puts on, and one of the few events that brings everyone (undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff, and alumni) all together. I have been involved in the planning and execution of this event since I started at the university a few years back (was it really three whole years ago?), and after missing it last year because of the death of my grandfather, it was nice to be back manning the grill this afternoon and evening.

My main contribution this year, besides the grilling and some planning, was finding what I must admit are some pretty kick-ass lobster balloons at the local supermarket. They captured the mood of the day perfectly, and coupled with good weather, made this one of the best events in recent memory. I am glad that it went well - it was a nice cap-off to what has been a rather tumultuous summer. Tomorrow I finish grading my final exam (that I gave this morning), turn in my summer grades, and then I am getting out of town for a few weeks: some vacation, topped of with a week-long California conference the first week in September. So, three whole weeks away from life as it is right now. Thank God.