So here's the deal.  The more and more I study for Philosophy, the more I realize that I don't like it and that it was the wrong choice.  I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I keep telling myself that if I stick with it I'll eventually like it, but why should I do that?  I'm not majoring in something I'm going to do for a living, so I may as well enjoy what I major in!  I want to change to Poli Sci, and in the process keep my German minor and change Philosophy to a 2nd minor (this requires only one more phil class of me).  This would put me at one less unit than the unit cap, and have me here for a full 5th year, but it seems like the best idea I've had about school in a while.  I genuinely like Poli Sci (it was my second choice of majors - I chose Phil only because Philosophy of Politics was a really good class...) and I think I can do better and actually enjoy myself if I change.  I'm going to speak to the department today and see what my options are, so here's to crossing my fingers!

Hellogoodbye, Acceptance, Panic! At The Disco, and The Academy Is... what an amazing concert!  Drove from UCLA to Claremont on the 10 at 3:30 (took forever), got Quiznos in the village, then headed back out to 10 minutes from UCLA by 7:10 but there was a long line so didn't get in till about 7:45, when Hellogoodbye was just finishing their set.  Missed Bonnie Taylor Shakedown =*( but heard Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn!  The band was all dressed as a different kind of food... the lead singer was a giant piece of pizza.  wow...  Next up was Acceptance who I didn't expect to be that great (I wasn't loving them on CD), but they were quite good in concert... got the crowd going (I have the bruises to prove it) and were very polished at their sound.  They sounded much better live than on CD!  Next was Panic!!!!!  They were SOO amazing, so much better than last time.  The lead singer's voice was back, the songs were polished, and the set was longer (even though they weren't the headliner).  Though the vocals were a bit strained at times, the crowd control and sound in general (props to the rest of the band especially) was amazing and, as Susan said "this band is going somewhere."  After that, a portion of the crowd left (because obviously Panic! is the best ever and primary reason to go to the concert) and The Academy Is... entered.  I didn't expect too much, but wow was I wrong.  They surprised me by acutually being as good if not better than Panic, who I primarily wanted to see.  The vocals were amazing, the crowd interaction was flawless, and the songs were just so amazing live.  I guess that happens when a band has been touring for 3 years straight, eh?  They played their entire CD (including 2 songs in the encore) as well as 2 new songs, one of which sucked but the other of which I can't wait to hear.  Oh, and at one point during the night the term "thug hug" was explained to me.  Haha!  Afterwards, returned home, saw my dogs for a bit, had a slurpee at 7-11.... amazing night!

Yes, Daniel, this is a concession to you.

It seems that Howard Dean is the next big thing for the Democratic Party.  I had thought it would possibly be the big H (Hilary), but I guess that is too much to ask for and the party shouldn't risk running a woman (sarcasm) when it is so important now to take back the White House.  [I personally think Hilary would be a great option here, but I can understand why she is a bit much to gamble with.]  Bush is ruining the White House (and our country?) to such an extreme that it makes me sick.  For every somewhat good-intentioned (but ultimately useless) plan he proposes, there are 10 that are horrible.  His education reforms (he should have done some for himself first...) are short sighted because they add accountability based on standardized tests which ultimately make the students learn useless facts instead of important information.  The economy is in the toilet and more tax cuts won't help it.  Neither will cutting more and more good public programs.  I won't even talk about his "religious" influences (and how he makes me ashamed to support the same church as him).  Howard Dean is the answer the Democratic Party needs, and so therefore I 100% support him.  I hope he gets to run, and that the party doesn't chicken out again (this is why I previously thought they wouldn't run him).  The country needs someone to take a complete opposite stand of Bush and motivate people who hate Bush (and not just for the sake of hating Bush, cough, Kerry) instead of some almost-Republican who would obviously lose to a full-on Republican.