I can taste the real world and it’s bittersweet

Oh lordy. I’m so awkward.
I went to a party at Tony’s place last night. By the time I got there all the jungle juice was gone. I did get to smoke a couple bowls, though, so that was alright. The problem was that I didn’t really know anyone there that well. I did run into Jeremy and Kris from Michaels, though, but we really only talked to each other in work context, so it was weird to have conversations outside of that realm…especially after having not seen them for two months. Kris is cool, I just don’t know anything about him, and Jeremy is nice, but so hard to read! His Mom and his brother both work at Michaels, as well (his brother Michael was the one that took over my job). His Mom, Lisa, is such a sweetheart, so I kind of assumed that her kids were the same conservative breed…I still don’t know. Jeremy was drinking, but I never saw him smoke. I asked how life was treating him and he said he was in sort of a bad place. Thanks, Debbie Downer. He elaborated a little on his relationship woes and I tried really hard to empathize, but I cannot comprehend shit when I’m high. I talked a little with Tony’s roommate, Brett, about their escapades with the Occupy movement. They had a bunch of photos up on the wall from some gatherings and marches and Brett was offering me a really interesting Apache perspective, but once again, I just couldn’t kick my mind into gear fast enough to have anything resembling engaging conversation. 
 

There’s another party tonight. I think Meghan’s going to go with me and this time we’ll know at least Eric and probably Christian. I’m also fairly certain that I know the guy whose actually throwing the party, but I think he’s the one that I always meet when I’m drunk and then forget what he looks like.

Tomorrow I’m probably going to go to Fort Collins to give Buddy some birthday treats! =) My parents will be gone, so I’m going to spend some time with my dogs and get my easter basket. =D

So I signed up for classes yesterday. I got wait-listed for the first time ever and it pissed me off. Now I’m trying to decide between several sociology classes. I just have to take three upper-division soc classes and one upper-division class of any subject (it can be soc). These are the classes I’m considering:
-Gender, Genocide, and Mass Trauma: Studies the persistence of genocide and the effects of mass trauma on women and girls. Within the framework of political and social catastrophe, the course examines cataclysmic world events and the traumatic consequences for women of religious persecution, colonialism, slavery, and the genocides of the twentieth and twenty first centuries. I think this one would be interesting just to familiarize myself with relevant and current women’s issues outside the US. 

-Criminology: Scientific study of criminal behavior with special attention to development of criminal law, definition of crime, causes of law violation, and methods of controlling criminal behavior.This just sounds fascinating. However, I can’t see myself ever using it, since I don’t plan to be a criminologist. 

-Family and Society: Studies the changing relationship between family and social structure. Examines variations in family organization and considers political, social, ideological, demographic, and economic determinants of family formation. This one seems pretty practical. I’ve had the professor before and she’s pretty alright. She seems best suited to teach this course since she and her children’s father are unmarried but have been committed for like 13 years or something- what I mean is that her family structure is somewhat unconventional, at least in terms of the nostalgic 50’s nuclear family. I also think this would be useful if I ever volunteer for a place like Planned Parenthood or a women’s shelter, which I’ve been looking into.

Fun story, I told these options to my parents and my dad goes, "That family and society one sounds useful, especially if you ever plan to have a family." Haha what? I believe that my dad is progressive on women’s issues, but he’s not especially in tune with feminist sensibilities. I couldn’t  just tell him, "no,dad, that would only be marginally useful if I started a family with another woman and had to explain to you why an alternative family structure is equally viable."

So, yeah, I really need to volunteer my time to something, but the whole process and commitment thing is exhausting. Like, I’m going to feel bad if I start volunteering somewhere and then go on a vacation or have to cut my availability once school starts in the fall. I’ve been looking into Planned Parenthood and the Emergency Family Assistance Association. I can get behind their mission statements and that’s what I like best. 

Next week is the Conference on World Affairs that’s always held at CU. Apparently, a guy that went to school with Mollie in Florida is attending and Mollie told him to look me up. Great. So now I feel sort of obligated to take the guy out for drinks or something. Obviously there’s nothing more I like than meeting people and making contacts! That’s what everyone at Mollie’s school is all about and it’s just tiresome to me. I’m an introvert- that means it’s literally exhausting for me to socialize. Mollie will hear about this one from me, I can assure you.