Obviously, little happy poisonous fruits in five colors just don’t cut it for Phil, who finds my blog “too sugary or something.'’ Phil, here is a happy moment from a Texas meal, especially for you. Spicy enough?

Being completely snowed in State College, I try to remind myself that sunny days are coming soon. Until then, here is one picture that I took back in July on campus. It’s red and yellow and orange and warm. I hope it will brighten your day.

Inspired by the theme of this blog , here is a great opportunity for a noble charitable deed. At least keep it in mind, for one day you might be rich beyond belief and looking for something to do with your money. For now, even a dollar will contribute to finding a cure. If you are interested in other ways to get involved, write.

This movie is a profoundly sad drama, yet a very optimistic glimpse into the core of human nature. “It’s in its nature” is a phrase that keeps coming up in various contexts and refers to a fable about a scorpion and a frog. Those who have seen the film know what I am talking about, and I am not going to be a spoiler for the rest of you. I was initially reluctant to watch it, but I found it to be a brilliant reminder about the hardships of tolerance, the dimensions of friendship, and the joys of love. It is so different from the rest of Niel Jordan that I have seen too (Inteview with a Vampire, Good Thief) that I was surprised by the level of personification of the characters. Indeed, while the plot is intruiging and keeps you on your toes with its sharp twists, it is the characters that capture your mind most. I absolutely recommend the film to all of you and I would be happy to hear your thoughts on it. I’d also love to hear about your latest cinematic finds! Especially since I am now one of the thinking heads behind GSA Cafe and we need fresh ideas on how to enrich our share of visual and intellectual pleasure for Penn Staters. Help!

It’s Friday afternoon and it’s finally the weekend. Or, at least as defined by a graduate student. Funnily, this cartoon captures what I have been up to this entire past week or, for that matter, the entire semester/year/two years. And it serves as a great introduction to my brand new virtual space. Welcome and I hope you will enjoy coming here often!

I finally have a blog.