Best exchange of the day:

Our Bold Hero: Oh, could I have my mug for this? I'm [number].
Barkeep: Sure… let's see… "Are you patronizing me?"
Our Bold Hero: Yes.

The worst exchange, by the way, was at lunch today. We were mired in one topic (Celine's alcoholism) and just couldn't seem to get loose. It was the most forced conversation I've had in a while, and my conversation-saving question "What are your black socks?" didn't help matters much.

But who cares. So often lately I get the sense that people want me to fall into this awkward guy role just because they feel awkward and want to displace the blame. Usually I consent, as I did today in the hopes of dislodging Celine, but I wonder if I'm just reinforcing a stereotype; people can't usually tell the difference between my performative and my real awkwardness.

Meh. Fresh start soon enough. I inevitably tweak my personality around a new group, I don't see why that wouldn't happen when I go to Chicago in September. For now I'll just enjoy Lawrence.

Went to the VR tonight, as my introductory anecdote might suggest. That was pretty cool; it seemed like forever since I'd split a pitcher with someone. And I watched THX 1138 with Sockless Pete, Ben, and an ambivalent (and eventually absent) Freshman Matt. It was a good enough movie; I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to see George Lucas' state-of-nature artistic pretensions. One of the best ideas was the budget restriction on the manhunt.

Also, with the right attitude you could give it an antagonistic reading as a rip-roaring buddy comedy. Finally, a use for theory.