Random Ramblings of Evan

Today I had a math midterm, which was difficult -- but I think I did well. Anyway, in order to celebrate the end of the midterm I went to see a screening of Brüno tonight!

 Technically I can't talk about it, but let me just say it his a) HILARIOUS b) raunchy and c) worth seeing.  Sacha Baron Cohen gets so deeply entrenched in his characters, I can't help but be amazed!  It comes out on July 10(ish), so definitely see it -- assuming it gets its rating changed from NC-17 to R by the time it's released.  Just thought I'd let you all know!

Either way, I have one more test before finals...can't wait for that to be done!  Good times.

I took the red-eye last friday, and after landing at 6am in New Jersey my parents and brother picked me up to go to Vermont to ski.  So basically I landed and was snowboarding within 5 hours! Needless to say, it was awesome!  Unfortunately, I wiped out pretty badly on a patch of ice and broke my wrist... even so, I got a full day and a half in after the wipeout.  We went home Sunday night, and I git xrays and an mri on monday.  As my mom predicted, it was broken -- and I needed surgery on Thursday.  But that didn't stop me from going to visit my sister at Villanova for St. Patrick's Day (which proved to be incredibly fun!).  We had a blast, and I finally got the Philly cheesesteak I had been craving since January...go to Pat's!  Anyway, I went home and hung out with my brother and parents.

Thursday was pretty booked with the surgery and being on percocet, but my grandparents and a few cousins came to hang out and say hi.  Friday was pretty much reserved for recovery and time to hang out with the family.  My grandparents came over again and watched Amadeus with us -- one of my favorite movies.  Saturday was laidback and fun, ending with sushi dinner in New York with my sister, parents, and aunt and uncle -- again very very fun!  That leads me to today.  A flight back to school, and a goodbye to spring break.  I miss my family, but I would say that the break was amazing and full of fun -- despite the surgery.

As you can see, it's 5:30 am and I'm posting -- which means I'm awake.  It appears I have a ton of homework (which I'm still finishing), all due tomorrow...well today.  Partially because I've been sort of putting this homework of, but also because of the fact that I've had too many assignments due this week, I am pulling an all nighter.  Honestly, I'm not sure that this post will even be coherent, but I'm trying.

I'm in the middle of my math problem set, and 4 hours into a Beatles block thanks to my ipod!  Alright, I have to go try and finish this.  I can't wait for spring break...

This evening, USC played host to one of the most well known physicists in history, and certainly today -- Professor Stephen Hawking.  Hawking spoke on his field of expertise, spending about an hour and a half discussing black holes.  He discussed the development of the theory of black holes from the 18th century to today.  The punch line of the lecture came when he discussed the current theory -- that it IS possible for mass to get out of a black hole, and in a useful form.

I, as has everyone who claims to be interested in science, have heard Professor Hawking's name for years, so seeing him live has already become one of my most memorable experiences at USC -- possibly in my life.  I had RSVP'ed to this event over a month and a half ago, and spent over an hour waiting in line to ensure a seat in the bottom level of Bovard Auditorium.  Honestly, it was well worth the wait.  I came out inspired, on several levels.  Seeing a man up there, stricken by a physically incapacitating disease, lecturing hundreds on one of the most mind-boggling and controversial topics in science moved me drastically.  Truly motivating.  Furthermore, on a more academic level, I have decided that I am certainly going for at least a master's degree...and may attempt to pursue a double major in physics instead of just a minor.  Either way, seeing Professor Stephen Hawking will be a memory that I have forever.