Fires suck, big time. Oh sure, things close and I you get an afternoon off here and there, but breathing the smell of smoke is a drag (pun quite unintended), and heck, breathing the smoke itself is no bed of roses. Someone needs to break out the “Flames Be Gone” STAT. But seriously, LAFD has been working tirelessly, and as far as I’m concerned, they’re doing a great job. I’ve been following them on Twitter, and if you live in LA, you should be too. Because of the aforementioned fire, and because I’m just plain scatterbrained, I think a list is very much in order. Here’s a list with the theme of “I’m too scatterbrained to write a cohesive list.” I think you’ll like it.

• I’ve learned a lot about graduate school this semester. My mind, while generally at least mildly intelligent, does not easily grasp things that are particularly scientifically intense. Of course, this semester I’m in two classes which are predominantly scientific, which has had me doing everything from tearing out my hair, to avoiding studying because I don’t understand it, to trying futilely to memorize things in the hopes that I can get by.

  On Sunday, it occurred to me that the whole point of grad school, and school in general, is for ME to learn. If I want to take anything away from this experience, I have to tailor the system to meet my own needs, rather than trying to make myself fit the little mold the school usually aims for. This thought was so profound, as a matter of fact, that I immediately wanted to take a nap. Unfortunately, I ended up studying instead.

• One of the greatest thing about blogging is that, behind each and every blog (or, most and almost every blog) is a person writing it. If you’re lucky, you get to meet the person behind the screen. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get to meet multiple people from behind their respective screens.

  Last Saturday, I headed out to Hollywood and had a fantastic night hanging out with the fabulous Kiraa of Ex-Everything and the inimitable Nico of Nicopolitan. The only downside to the evening was the insanely loud music at The Happy Ending, as well as the horror that turned out to be their fried tuna. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever rejected fish, but what can I say; its pink and juicy exterior wasn’t even pretty to look at, much less consume.

  Oh, and FYI, LA bloggers, we’re looking to hang out again in two weeks or so. I’ll let you know the deets as soon we’ve figured them out.

• Don’t forget to participate in my contest giveaway! If you can help spread the word and bring in more people to participate, I would be very grateful. And, as incentive, there might even be something in it for you if you help draw in a whole bunch of people to participate. You never know. Just send peeps to the contest because it’s one of the best contests around. Seriously.