Holy crap.

Heh, that subject line is actually really funny, and I think you're about to see why.

I'm seriously considering doing my master's/Ph.D. at BYU.

Inorite? It sounds crazy, but I think it might be a good idea. I think I could deal with Happy Valley and its annoyingly wholesome nature, I think I could deal with the Honor Code and its prohibition of facial hair, I think I could even deal with the idea of going to The School Down South, because there'd be the blessing of being surrounded by Latter-day Saints and not having to deal (_as_much) with the problems of the world.

The one thing I'm really concerned about is, is this a good career move? The U is quite a prestigious math school, and even though I'll probably have to leave it eventually, I don't know if BYU has the same rep as like an Ohio State or a Nebraska or an Illinois.

Anyway, I dunno, just sort of my stream of consciousness from today.

Copious free time

I think I'm becoming bored with video games. I don't know what it is. I never really thought this would happen, but I'm toying with the idea of like, not playing video games for an extended period of time. And so I'm looking at my schedule, and all this strange excess free time I would suddenly have, and wondering, what do normal people do with all that free time? I don't think I'm grown up enough to just sit down and study yet, but I don't really know what else to do with it. Take up knitting? Get some clay and throw pots? Become an avid bird watcher? Cultivate *gasp* SOCIAL SKILLS, and use them on *double gasp* MARRIAGEABLE FEMALES?!!

Seriously guys, you've gotta help me.

^{for some reason, the word "marriageable" really strikes my funny bone.}

Wayfaring Stranger

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep;
But beauteous fields lie just beyond me
Where souls redeemed their vigil keep.

I want to wear a crown of glory
When I get home to that bright land
I want to shout Salvation's story
In concert with that bloodwashed band.

I'm going there to meet my Saviour
To sing His praise forevermore.
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home.

Shampoo

One time on my mission, my companion bought this, like, berry smoothie flavored shampoo. On a dare (because when four college-age guys live in the same apartment, you do stupid things on dares), I tasted some of it.

Of course it tasted horrible and soapy. But the fact that over the horrible soapiness, you could just taste a hint of delicious berry blend, only served to heighten my disappointment.

For everything else...

New chain: $20
Avenir chain tool: $9
A couple of extra powerlinks (just in case one gets broken): $6
Installing your own bike chain: Priceless.

Digging

Apparently, if I dug a hole straight through the center of the earth, I would end up about halfway between Madagascar and the French Southern and Antarctic Islands.