Well, I'm back. For a little while. I need to start writing papers, or my Thanksgiving Break is going to be hellish.

I don't remember being this busy since I had studio. Every weekday I'm trying to do work or thinking about doing work. If you haven't heard me complain about it yet, I have three term papers to worry about, and until today I had a midterm too. Midterm is done, the papers are left.

The research is done for two of them. The research hasn't started for one. I need to start writing but I'm kinda burnt out. Things have been crazy, especially with my Historic Preservation group back home. We had a big city meeting yesterday that I couldn't go to, but was working like crazy to prepare for between Sunday and Wednesday. An opposition group has formed that has complicated things a bit. Things worked out from our POV, but it's just one step in a process that will last all year. (yay...) But it's okay, Mountain View is worth it.

And of course, I turned 21 two weekends ago. I spent that weekend, Veterans Day weekend, with my parents in Reno (cool), with a side trip to Virginia City (way cool). Sorry, didn't win any money, and sorry, didn't get very drunk.

But....I did get VERY drunk last Saturday. Yes, I, Nick, got sloshed. My parents and older cousins had been planning my birthday for weeks. I thought it was just a normal family party for my grandma and I in honor of our birthdays. So, I had no problem fulfilling the requests to take shots with my cousins, or uncles. I thought I'd be in bed by midnight.

But then the surprise limo pulled up at 9. And it was time to REALLY go out. And boy, what a night out. Basically almost all the 20-somethings (family and friends) at the party made sure I had a great time. Thanks guys. And thanks to my brother for video-taping me when I got back. Oh, and thanks to my parents for showing that video to my grandparents. Ah well...it's all good!

Oh, Friday before my birthday, my high school, Saint Francis, beat those damn Bell Boys, our big rival in football.

And I'm hoping that Berkeley will pull off a similar defeat against the Furds on Saturday. I should be writing my papers, but all I can think about is the Big Game. I'm really looking forward to it. If anything, it'll be a nice stress reliever for me, especially if we win, and win big. It realy is a big game this year, the first time Cal would win 2 in a row since the early 90s, and we would become bowl eligible, which could equal a group road trip if the timing is good. Lauren and Leo expected my hair to be dyed blue this week. I'm not that bad guys. Almost, but not that bad.

But the Campanile sure is purty when its lit blue with Cal logos on it. A nice new touch.

So, Fiat Lux, Stanfurd Sux, Go Bears!