Now, as an introduction, why does everyone have a boner for Shakespeare? Unless you had a Tiger mom, you were probably introduced to Shakespeare in high school. As an aside, I think this is an absolutely terrible idea and scares insecure little pricks from ever approaching the text again. But on a high school level, Shakespeare has mass appeal because some passages or lines have easily identified literary devices: alliteration, foreshadowing, all that useless crap. “Plot structure,” maybe a discussion on what constituents comedy or tragedy if you’re in Honors– in other words, your indifferent dinosaur of a high school English teacher can dumb it down to the Nth degree.

On the other end of the spectrum are literary and philosophical titans (and their minions) who see in Shakespeare’s characters some radical stuff. The easiest example being existentialism – whatever the fuck that is – in Macbeth, or the Apollonean vs. the Dionysian and “The Birth of Tragedy” in the character of Hamlet. That was a subtle brag. Now, clearly, I’m not in a position to comment on these abstracts.

This blog instead will simply highlight or ramble on about the aesthetics of his work and the intricacies of his plays. Effectively, it will try and point out the beauty of Shakespeare at a higher level than high school and Sparknotes, and be hopefully more polished than collegiate level studies on the Bard.

Here are some disclaimers. I can only say with full confidence that I have read two of Shakespeare’s plays: Measure for Measure and Othello. This is because I read these two plays this past week. It is no coincidence that these are the two plays I want to write about. The last time I saw a play was probably in the 3rd grade – The Tempest – if I recall, and watching a performance is encouraged by all sorts of scholars as the best way to approach the subject matter. I profess I am no expert on Shakespeare but believe that my arguments will be sound insofar as they are supported and rooted in text.

I mention these disclaimers – in part to shed light on my inadequacies – but also to express that anyone (high school and up) can appreciate Shakespeare. You don’t have to dress like a goth or be in a graduate program to have a boner for the Bard.

January 24 – Starting to feel depressed
January 26 – 80% gone: not bad, not bad at all.

Don’t be a pussy today.

I admit the problem wasn’t heavy traffic but rather a combination of forcing my posts down everyone’s throats via Facebook and an awareness that any one of my “friends,” including loose acquaintances, co-workers of friends, mothers, relatives were all subject to such a forcing.

Naturally, I was aware of this when I originally decided to link my WordPress to my Facebook. Why do we blog? To be read. Blogging isn’t like writing in a diary and it is a mixture of private and public. But mostly public. To not connect my WordPress to Facebook would put me in some weird in-between, lying-to-myself position. My current position.

This Saturday, I’m taking the LSAT. Again. I have never succeeded in anything tangible in life. I have no tangible successes. If someone asked me, what is your greatest accomplishment? or what accomplishment are you most proud of? I’d say I’m happy almost every single day. And four years ago, I was barely ever happy. But that isn’t exactly a good answer to the question because it isn’t exactly an accomplishment. I didn’t do it. It’s just what happened.

People are telling me not to stress. That an exam doesn’t dictate your life. That the law school you attend and the job you get aren’t important in life. To me, that means nothing unless you’ve achieved it. Not nothing, but it can’t be 100% honest unless you are on the other side saying it. I agree to a certain extent, also. Of course how much money you make or how prestigious the school you attend are not the most important things in life. I know how important it is to want what you have and not the other way around. But I’m already happy and I already have everything I want. Ask anybody who tried to get me a birthday present a few days ago. I want nothing. Except an accomplishment.

I just don’t understand why I am not scoring in the 99% on this goddamn exam when it really matters. I just don’t understand how I cannot succeed at the only thing I’ve ever applied myself to (besides my relationship with friends, girlfriend, and family).

There are more important things in life. But all I can hear is a sound blip of Padma Lakshmi’s voice, in response to Kevin having not used a wok, “What’s wrong with you?”

“I understand you took a religious name when you became a priest: John, a good name. But is it John the Evangelist who loved so much or John the Baptist, a loner out in the wilderness? You were a loner.”

I think I’m going to die alone.

“She (Liz B) began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.”

Best buddies of the same social class with two totally different conceptions of marriage. Author doesn’t seem to preference one over the other though second one seems much more desirable. Seems that most will fall into the first category and the lucky few, the Darcys and EBs of the world, will fall into the second category. Bleak outlook on life, love, marriage.

5. Making salsa / pico de gallo – I used to love salsa and pico de gallo so much, it was absurd. I’d go to Tex-Mex joints and Chipotle just because I was craving the tomatoes. Making pico de gallo doesn’t place because while it appears to be easy–chop a bunch of crap up and put it in a bag–it actually isn’t as simple as it seems. I think picking ripe produce is key (as it is for any raw dish) and I always go for the best looking ones because I don’t know the secrets and can’t bring myself to pick ugly ones. Also, adding salt and adding sugar can really impact the way salsa tastes and is a hassle. Lastly, washing and cutting cilantro is a bitch.

4. Using cast iron – gotta credit my buddy Arif for this because he has been the champion of cast iron for the longest time. I first got a cast iron with ridges because I like the grill marks. I had no idea how to care for cast iron and it rusted over and we threw it away. I got another cast iron without ridges because it is easier to maintain and then another one with the ridges because grilled marks are awesome. Cooking with cast iron lets you use a lot of even heat and I love “grilling” marinated boneless, skinless chicken thighs, vegetables like squash and mushrooms, and fruit on the cast iron. It doesn’t make the list because I’m anal about my stuff being clean and I’m not exactly sure what to do with the oil I get left over. First time I used cast iron, I tried to pour it in a small plastic garbage can and it melted the can. I’m still not sure what to do.

3. Making marsala wine sauce - I just figured out how to do this last week. Chicken / veal / beef marsala is my favorite Italian dish (I wonder if it is the equivalent of sweet and sour chicken for Italians) and I can’t believe how easy it is to make and how few “new” ingredients you have to go out and get specifically. The exception being, of course, marsala wine. I used this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/veal-marsala-recipe/index.html. I believe it is one of those things that you just can’t screw up either.

2. Making coffee – this sounds borderline stupid but I really had no idea how easy it was to make coffee. Coffee is an essential part of my morning/afternoon. I love the fancy stuff with foamed milk and cream and espresso but that’s more of a treat than a routine. Making coffee with a coffee maker is so easy and quick for clean up that I can’t believe people use k-cups. No offense but how lazy can you be? Then again, we do have one of those electronic waste can things. I prefer my drip coffee or french press coffee to the coffee of Starbucks or other local coffeehouses. Saving money on coffee also allows me to expand my collection of Starbucks mugs:

1. Flipping an egg – I’m extremely proud of this. I am a (single) egg flipping master. I wish I could explain the technique of flipping an egg, or the perfect balance of force and finesse in the split second of egg-flipping but too much of it is natural talent. Flipping an egg also increases my likelihood of making breakfast by about 333% just because I absolutely hate washing spatulas. I have a squeeze bottle of olive oil so all I do is heat up the nonstick, squeeze some oil, and then crack the egg. And flip that mother.

Things to Learn by the End of the Year and Beyond

1. How to peel a potato or another vegetable with “skin” with a knife
2. How to properly make and utilize chicken stock
3. How to hone and use whetstone for knife
4. Next summer, I must have a garden. I truly believe gardening will add an entire dimension to a person’s experience in the kitchen and even in aspects of life beyond the kitchen a la Angel Clare. The idea of nurturing nature is romantic but I do hate bugs, dirt, heat, and nature.

The Rooster: slept at 12:30 AM, woke up at 11:30 AM
The Fuel: one Dulce Tapioca-sized milk tea
The Route: 5.5 miles, going down Williams Trace rather than turning at Austin Parkway
The Clock: 50 minutes
The Force of Nature: I’ll guess 82 degrees (forgot to check)

Notes: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being “feels great”), I would rate this run an 8. Didn’t walk except when I was near the house and sprinted the last 200 or so yards. I was pretty upset with myself because I wasn’t able to sit still and focus on my studies and also because this is Day 2 of my supposedly every day running so it was much needed. Technically, it is Day 3 but I’m not counting the miles on days that aren’t consecutive.

Miles until goal: 90.5

I have seen the movie. The one with the uber-skinny actress in it (can’t remember her name right now – the one in Pirates – I know her name is not Claire Forlani but that keeps popping up in my head). The thing is while I was at the theater, I was also 50/50-ing with a friend who will not be named (doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes) in 30/60 limit via text message. I literally can’t remember anything that happens in it except that it was cheesey at the end and that they all danced retardly at the beginning.

My girlfriend reassures me that it gets “sooo goood” but I’m not convinced. Maybe it is like guys with Catcher in the Rye or guys and gals with The Great Gatsby where it is the one “classic” that’s been read and it instantly becomes a favorite. More importantly, has there ever been a person in the history of the world who is as snobby as I am with absolutely zero accomplishments? It’s scary. I have all the vices of successful and smart people–scoff and sneer two punch combination (got it from my professors), copious cups of coffee a day (got it from Hollywood)–and zero accomplishments. I wonder and fear about what would happen if I did get into a UChicago or if I was making six figures. My ego would reach unprecedented levels and I would almost certainly be intolerable, likely even to myself.

Notes: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being “feels great”), I would rate this run a 1. There were moments when I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke and fall over the bridge and into the bayou. I probably walked 3/4 of the last mile. I refuse to stretch before or after running because I am a man. I refuse to carry water while I run because I am a man. A few things I learned today:

1.) Don’t run in Houston any time close to noon. Start before 9:00 AM or after 7:00 PM.
2.) Don’t eat bacon and drink water instead of coffee – dehydration was a problem.
3.) Don’t pretend to be Floyd Mayweather during the first two miles.

Miles until goal: 96