reasons why i have not been blogging

1) I escaped for a few days to California for Jack's first birthday.
2) Shortly after recovering from my first cold of the season, which lasted about three weeks, I caught another one.
3) I have been spending too much time following the presidential campaigns and primary elections. No, seriously.
4) I finally decided that it was about time to start studying for my master's exam. I crammed for a couple of weeks, and everything that I read during that time blurred together. A few days before the exam, I realized how much of the reading list remained neglected, and I became ill and sleepless from anxiety. The day of the exam, I re-read old exams from my courses, and I reviewed Bécquer's Rimas during the 12-minute bus ride to campus, where, I was nearly convinced, I would face my doom. Then I read the questions and I laughed. I realized that the word "comprehensive", as it is used to describe the specialty exam, is pretty much a big joke. I breathed a little sigh of relief and began writing. Four hours later, I was done. Now there's just this little thing called a thesis to worry about.
5) I have been reading this bizarre book called The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby. I bought it at a yard sale in Chicago mostly because I was drawn to the absurdity of the title.
6) I have been wandering around south Provo with my camera. I think I'll post a few pictures soon.