Not sure if you all know the story, but before the Supreme Court is a very important case regarding free speech in schools. The swing of the court in recent years has been towards school censorship, all but denying high school students and younger their first amendment rights.
The CNN article can be seen here. http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/19/free.speech/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Justice Ginsburg remarked that, "One can look at these words and say it's just nonsense. It isn't clear that this is 'Smoke Pot.' " The observation is obvious, and it isn't an epiphany. However, what I think she was trying to do is draw the line between what should be censored and what should not. If we start censoring students for the stupid jokes they pull, then we are trying to mold the sense of humor of a new generation. What a 50 year old administrator finds funny is obviously not the same as what a teenager enjoys. The kids love Dane Cook, not Jackie Mason. Let them be stupid.
Anyway, I've been quite lazy. With the blog. Not sure why, I've had very little to do in the way of responsibilities. Parents have departed and since then I've adopted a regimen of gym, reading, writing, and going out.
I've got my running legs and lifting arms back. For a while I thought I had lost them, but a good week of self-abuse has put me in line. Gym fee here is 60 pesos, or under 20 dollars. Pretty sweet considering they have all the equipment I need. Sure, it lacks free towels, a water fountain, air conditioning, and proper lighting, but 20 dollars! Thats like a day in one of America's super-luxurious supergyms. I take a towel and water bottle from home, go shirtless, and shine a flashlight over myself and its the same thing.
I finished reading "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Fun book. The man could write, I highly recommend the book. For now I've steered towards Argentine writers, or the Argentine writer, Jorge Louis Borges. Its philosophy, so its not an easy read like Nabokov was earlier this year, but its quite interesting. I just finished a story about an encylopedia of an imaginary planet with its own philosophies, language, and reality. It was created by humans to be deciphered by humans. The language was kind of fun because there was no nouns, so the moon was called floating sky-high shiner or something. Made my head hurt.
Writing has been going slow, but coming along. I've started creating outlines and characters for a novel I'll eventually never write. Keeps me occupied. Also went into some tangent on socialist vs. capitalist families. I'll refine it and post it. I've also decided my main character isn't a dairy fan but enjoys yodels and Manhattans. What a freak.
I've managed to become quite proficient in going out. My second home has become Jessica's place on Austria. She finishes work early and I'm usually bored so I go over and bother her. We cook occasionally and I third wheel when Ignacio is around. All good times though. This Thursday we have plans to do a Mexican Fiesta. In Argentina, I know, weird, but gringos need some spicy food.
The weekend after my parents left was slow (as was the week, I did a lot of couch lying). Friday I movied it up with Eliza (saw blood diamond, good movie) and Saturday I hung out with Catherine, then ran into Jon (amanda's roomie) and his friends Erol and Mary. We ended up going back to Jon/Amanda's place (sans amanda) and hung out with some Cordobese chicks. I love the Cordoba accent a lot. In fact, the la rubia de doritos is from Cordoba, and I can't get enough of that commercial(see facebook profile).
The following week Eliza threw a lovely dinner party with amazing Sangria (we finished 5 liters between 4) and cous cous with veggies and a great sauce. It was a pleasant surprise. Then we flew off to some random pizza bar in Belgrano and were treated to a live band with her flatmate Spider on percussion. Fun night.
Friday was Parilla night with Martin and Federico, along with the former's girlfriend, their cousin, his girlfriend, their mom, and my grandma. Oh, also the chocolate lab Ramiro. He was fun. Food was good, company was good, and I got a nice buzz from the wine. We played some pool and ping pong, in which I was pummeled.
Saturday, I had lunch with Amanda and her mom (they just got back from Chile to BA cruise) and then we went out late late. Met up with her roomy, then my argentine friends, then split up, then went to Mint. Mint is a huge club near the coast with two music rooms. Was fun, but the music was easily the worst club music I've ever heard. Whitney Houston over a techno beat is never, ever good. We tried to escape round 5ish but it took forever to find a cab. Mosquito's biting us everywhere and the sun quickly rising behind us we made a break for another road and were able to find a cab. By 6:30 am we were able to find a place (no waffles though :() and had some media lunas and a coffee. I crashed on the futon, which was actually pretty sweet since I typically sleep on a twin mattress. I hate twins.
This past week I headed to Kansas with Ignacio, Jessica and Eliza. Kansas is like a cheesecake factory like place in Argentina. Only people get seriously dressed up and treat it like its a really nice place. Food was good, beer was good, and they had the typical spinach cheese dip with the chips, which actually hit the spot. Funny thing is we ordered the creamed spinach too, and well, it was the same exact thing. Also had lovely tea that night which was scented with cacao and whiskey. YUM.
Friday I had dinner with some local family and their cute cute baby. Cheeks weren't fat enough to bite, but still damn cute.
Saturday was St. Paty's, so I drank a few drinks, starting at 3 pm. Catherine planned an ambitious 8 pub crawl, and we proudly hit 4 or 5. The staples were hit throughout, Zapi for pizza, Volta for Ice Cream, and then mint for more clubbing. Also had some AMAZING street food on the way home. A sandwich with some type of meat, fried onions, fried egg, and french bun. Totally hit the spot.
No hangover sunday, but it was slow. Napped on the couch and watched random things such as the OC, Resident Evil 2, and I think Gilmore Girls, but i swear it was by accident.
Tonight third time was a charm. We finally made it to Bi Won, a Korean restaurant in Once, and had a delicious meal. The first time we went there we arrived to late (koreans eat early here, maybe) and the second time they were closed for vacation. This time, I called 3 times to confirm they'd be open, and sure enough they were when we arrived. The stone bowl with rice and stuff in it reallllly hit the spot. So did the Kim Chi.
Alright, thats a good solid update. I'll have more for you soon.
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