10 Nov 96 
 
I think I should take a nap this afternoon.  I missed something completely  
obvious, and I had better have a clear mind before I start doing my  
homework. 
 
One of the sources of this scatter-brainedness is going to the Copacabana 
Friday night (/Saturday morning) with a large group from Courant.  And a 
great time was had by all.  I danced with almost everybody, which was fun 
and educational, but for the sake of my poor feet I wish that Seema had 
showed up earlier.  I got to bed about 4 am.  and I woke up at 7.  That 
does not mean I got out of bed then, though.  
 
Actually, my scatter-brainedness started earlier than that, for I spent 
the afternoon looking all over the math building for a book and notebooks 
that were where they were supposed to be.  I had completely forgotten that 
I had started to neaten up my office.  
 
Last night, I went to watch the NYU Ballroom dancing club competition, as 
well as a showcase of professional dancers.  I also got a little 
networking in, which it seems I can't avoid wherever I go.  Fate likes me, 
I think.  Either that, or she doesn't like me and likes to throw too many 
opportunities in my face.  hmmmm.  I will have to think about that. 
 
Lately, I've been thinking about how people generally don't like thinking  
of their parents or their grandparents as human.  Most are comfortable  
dealing with relatives if they squish them down to 2 dimensions, dealing  
with Grandma as the sweet, kind, understanding person not as the internal  
raging radical, thinking of Dad as the stern, loving authority always  
knowing, always in control not as a person who might have seen many of his  
dreams gone by.  You see, I found an old notebook from when my grandma  
went to college in 1971 or so.  It's interesting reading old English  
compositions -- not only does one find a more human dimension to people  
who may have never said these things aloud, but one finds that many  
aspects of society have not really changed in 25 years. 
 
When I get back to Marion in January, I'll have to root through the attic 
and clean it out completely.  And the storage sheds as well.  I already 
asked Uncle Ed to help me kick grandma out until I've gotten all the stuff 
out so we can dump what has been completely chewed up by rats, and save 
the important stuff for posterity (meaning: me).  I had found love letters 
between grandma & grandpa and between ma & dad up there once, but I 
couldn't find them again.... hmmmmm.