Reilly Grant » life

Falling Down the Facebook Well

Reilly — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:45:25 +0000

Lately I’ve found myself spending more and more time on Facebook. Probably in an attempt to keep in touch with the people I wish I were seeing more often in real life (or meatspace as some would call it). It makes me feel like a bit of a hypocrite since I’m always talking about how much I hate Facebook and here I am actually updating my status more than once a day. I must admit that it is a good diversion and a way to keep in touch with people, but it won’t replace an actual conversation. Preferably one face to face.

So, if you’re my friend (sorry, I’m not looking for new ones) send me an email, give me a call. If you’re around town, maybe we can hang out. Get me off Facebook and into real life!

Graduation

Reilly — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:05:44 +0000

Congratulations to myself and the rest of the Penn Class of 2009. It’s been a fun ride. Thank you to all my friends and family who came out to see us graduate. Some highlights:

Eric Schmidt’s speech was awesome.
Mayor Nutter‘s was too.
Amy Gutman‘s speech flew away at just the right moment.
Tassels are really annoying when they keep blowing in your face.
Black robes get really hot in the sun.
They seemed to have lost half the name cards for people who’s last names start with the letter ‘G’.

Child Philosophers

Reilly — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:34:02 +0000

Browsing the updated “Links” section of the Dominic Deegan website I was reminded of the comic Ozy and Millie. I’ve seen this one around and thought it looked cute but never really sat down to read it. Tonight I decided to give it a go.

Starting a new comic got me thinking about comics in general and I came to the following thought: Why are there so many child philosophers? FoxTrot, Calvin and Hobbs, etc. all carry messages about life, religion, politics and philosophy but they’re all about kids. What kind of kid cares about world peace and congresional legislation? Of course, sometimes that’s part of the joke. Beyond comics, characters in Japanese anime and manga are for the majority about high-school aged yet they face mystic evils, interstellar wars and entrance examinations. Maybe it’s the age group they’re trying to target, maybe it’s that adults are boring. Plenty of narratives have been built around adult characters. But, maybe it is the youth and innocence of a younger soul that can be more easily shaped by the story.

Anyways, I forsee that I’ll be enjoying my new temporary addiction. At least I don’t have any classes to go to.

No More Exams!

Reilly — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:52:17 +0000

As of 11AM today I am done with exams and, as a senior, college. For a while at least. Eventually I’ll go back to school for a Ph.D. Till then, however, it’s all free time and paychecks. Maybe now I guess I’ll get started on all of those other things I’ve been meaning to do.