Queen's Pawn Game

So here I am again. It's a little past 1am, and I'm torn between an array of potential activities. My bed should not be vacant right now - I should be curled up there snoring away. But no, I poured a cup of caffeine around 11:30 tonight, hoping to finish my evening's adventures in cost accounting. The email to cancel class arrived just about an hour into my studies. I've been reviewing a few chess openings, as if this could help. My favorite so far is the Colle System, seems like a variation of the queen's pawn game. Also interesting is the king's gambit, but I think it opens the board too much for my likings. It's too abrupt and forced, rather than a more calculated opening. Now I just sit here despairing over an old Journey song, thinking about how painful waking up tomorrow will be.

The Chess Fad

Here are two books I have recently acquired and hope to delve into soon. The King's Gambit has the most enthralling opening chapter, and promises to be a rewarding read. Bobby Fisher has also been of deep interest of late, I find his obsession with chess to be quite intriguing. Even his statement "chess is life" warrants some attention. Apparently he was an outspoken anti-Semite, but I can't help but pity Fisher. Clearly there were issues in his head, but they were likely perpetuated by his being plunged into the dark world of competitive chess.

So Hoffman's King's Gambit might explain how chess affects people, how deeply chess captures people, and the Bobby Fisher book provides an in-depth case study to solidify the resounding consensus - that chess players are of an entirely different species.

Little Rocks

It’s the decision nobody wanted to make; turn back, or press on? One choice inevitably leads to regret and frustration, the other to risk and chance. We stopped and deliberated for nearly an hour. The decision, James decided, was to turn back. What polarizing consequence. What demanding authority. How do you make such a decision and stand by it? Even now I’m waffling at the thought of the opportunity costs emerging. What wasted time; such a squalid situation! Mark is silent. Joey is somber. James is resolute, and I’m still wavering – torn between alternatives with decision parameters that are uncertain. I hate this role. I hate being the one who keeps Mark from attending the funeral.

I'm from Barcelona

One of the most delightfully obscure bands I've stumbled upon lately is a peppy little group from Sweden, I'm from Barcelona. Plagued with a somewhat redundant band title, their music is initially quite obnoxious, busy and indelibly repetitive. But their unique sound grows fast on the curious listener; the same lyrics repeated over and over in the song "Treehouse" make the song simple, but hardly boring. The rhythm varies enough to keep you fast on your toes. I enjoy the almost comical song, "Britney," a sort of parody about yesterday's celebrated pop icon. And my favorite perhaps, "Oversleeping," which resonates deeply with the experience of the typical college student. Their egalitarian lyrics triumph in "We're from Barcelona" which features a full supporting cast of harmonizing vocals - supposedly all friends of the lead singer.

The economy, stupid

I've invented a new study area in the deepest corner of my bedroom. Yesterday I shelled out major cash for some Starbucks Verona Bold coffee. May have to start making a pot a day, but who can argue with the productivity boost we derive from caffeine. And it tastes so yummy!

I added a new feature to the blog, imeem has a feature where you can embed music, so right now I have another National song featured. At the rate I've been listening though, this song will be yesterday's news (like over-indulged ramen).

I'm not sure about the political race; I'm no election pundit, but I've humbly observed that people either like Obama or the don't, yet with Clinton it's either they hate her or they love her. How is that? I think even Democrats must concede that she's had a far more polarizing effect on their party than any other candidate to run; agreed?

Obama vs McCain would be interesting. I've heard people say that the Democrats couldn't possibly screw up this election. Should they really be that arrogant? Who do they blame for Bush being re-elected? The entire incompetent-State of America I suppose? I honestly think that whichever Democrat wins will have his work cut out for him. And the work hasn't even begun, I would propose. Thats all for now; just a brief outburst of opinion. Don't want to vomit my opinions everywhere.

The National

NPR scored big when they featured The National in concert at the 9:30 club on the admired broadcast, "All Songs Considered." I'm listening to the show again, for the nth time. You can hear them live here.

They close with a medley of encores. About Today is the song that makes me consider breaking out in tears. The steady drums, nostalgic voice - it all works very well. Its a diamond in the rough, one in a million. The opening lyrics are the most touching, as is the violin sounds toward the end.

How close am I,
To loosing you?

Systemic Accounting

1. Determine the objective
   
2. Seek the facts
3. Question the facts
4. Review procedures
5. Analyze the results
   

Aphorisms Compiled

"Voracious reader, competitive scrabble player, occasional artist and writer, avid chess player; hopeless romantic - is that me? In a nutshell." Weell not quite, but I like that part at least. Sounds good so far. "An easygoing socialite, tactful, resourceful; well-versed in etiquette, narcissistic." Stop! You're getting ahead of yourself there. Too presumptuous!

I'm also qualifiedly the "under-ambitious accounting student struggling to meet self-imposed standards and bring his academic destiny to fruition. With eclectic and fluid musical taste, he prefers to move rapidly through art, music, and time - ah, the avant-garde?"

"Remarkably unorganized and unashamedly candid. He blunders through complex and delicate social encounters but manages to emerge unscathed. For his ego is far too protected; much removed from these events. Chagrin escapes him, but the flourishing narcissistic-side of this humble man is ne'er tempered. He remains cerebrally self-absorbed and boldly over-confident."