WAAAAAAAAAH! I'm insane for being up at this hour!

Finished the VAV essay a little while ago...someone SLAP me the next time I even think about leaving things for so late!

Except Chinese, maybe. Tee hee.

So today---er, yesterday, Tuesday, was a fairly badass day! Picked up my hookah at the post office...then picked up the application to be a returning OA (eeeee!)

Then ballroom dance (done with two-step, started waltz) and Chinese.

Then it was time for Lamapalooza....aka seeing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speak, at the Erwin Center.
He was so genuine, funny, intimate, sweet and well, in JR's words: "a silly old man!" I mean in the middle he pulled out a little red visor to wear because of the bright lights! He laughed at his own jokes! He compared rock music to an annoying mosquito! What a cute little man. But in all seriousness...

He was incredible. I am so touched and amazed by the purity and honesty of this man's heart, soul, intelligence and beliefs. I feel inspired as an individual that I can make a difference. I feel humbled at the idea that the Dalai Lama, one of the greatest and most revered leaders in the world, describes himself as "no different than anyone else, just a normal person."

His words touched the idealism in me...for awhile I've been realistic, lately veering into cynical...but I am suddenly inspired, filled with hope, a dreamer again.

And this hope is spreading...edging toward what my last post was about. You know what?

I feel a little better.

I'll carry this experience with me for a long time. And if anyone happens to find a transcript, I would love a link to it, to continue pondering the things he said...

-------
So after LamaLamaDingDong, it was back to my apartment to smoke the gorgeous new hookah. It's a thing of beauty. I have to really learn how to use it though, because I did everything okay but not great. Anyhow.

Yeah. That's about it. Yay for a happy post, for once!

OH! I almost forgot!!! I got cast in a Theater Guild play, "White Liars"! It'll be fabulous.

Still unsure on whether to tell the family about this one. They haven't seen any of the theater stuff I've been a part of in college, because of the appropriateness/conservative factor...easier not to deal with. In a way, it would almost be nice for them to see this one.

So yes. Things are looking good.