Obsession

I must officially accept it. Because to accept is to move on right? I have a new obsession. John Mayer. Its not a normal "oh my god his new album is out its so great i live by the songs" kind of obsession. But something more unhealthy. I check his blog daily. I have read all of his Esquire articles, most of his interviews, listened to podcasts, fantasize about our imaginary time together...do I really need to keep going? In an effort to purge myself of this obsession, I will write about it here.


His new album, Continuum, is out and it is definitely getting a lot of playtime on my iPod. I (just like all the other reviewers) do laud his effort to breakaway from his pop song image (it must be said though that I loved both of his previous albums and thought they were much more mature than he receives credit for and his pop status is mostly due to the singles that get the most waveplay, i.e. Wonderland). If you listen carefully though, I don't think his recent effort is too different from previous work. My favorite track has got to be Gravity. I can't get enough of this song. It also helps that it was featured in House a couple of weeks ago and now I can't sever the image of Dr. House reclaiming his cane and limp to this tune. Vultures and Belief are also great songs. But you can just see Don't Trust Myself becoming another Wonderland or Daughters. It will get heavy rotation on the radio. I'm glad he pushed for Waiting on the World to Change to be the first single released from this album. It was a good statement to make.

Now if I must criticize, and I think I must, I really really wish he would step up lyrically. He is a very intelligent guy. This comes across clearly in his other writings and interviews. But in writing lyrics for his songs he seems to be holding himself back for some reason. Splendor pointed out to me that this may be because, really the guy lives a blessed life with no strife. But I'm not buying it. Sure its true that grief is great inspiration and the healthy and well adjusted make for boring material, but there's always some heartache you can draw on, if not your own struggles then someone else's. Many writers, photographers, artists seek inspiration elsewhere outside of themselves. No I think its something else. I think he's holding back because he enjoys his commercial success and who wouldn't? But I think he should give his fans and his own writing abilities more credit and express himself lyrically on a deeper level. One not so surface and superficial.

PhD Candidate

I am now officially a PhD candidate. That's right. I passed my Qualifying Exams. I not only passed, I did really well. I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is to be through that last hoop (until my defense that it). But as my adviser told me when I was done, "Now you really begin". So, I'm back in the lab re-synthesizing my degraded DNA and ready to start doing experiments again.

On another note, this weekend we go to Las Vegas! It's a good way to celebrate. S's parents are here for three more weeks and they're very keen on going. It should be great. We haven't been there in awhile.

I'm involved in planning many things right now. It's helping me remember how much I enjoy planning events. I'm doing a Napa bachelorette for my cousin and our annual departmental retreat in Laguna Beach.

I'm very frustrated with computer companies. Dell and Apple specifically. Dell for selling me a $125 REFURBISHED battery for my laptop without telling me and Apple for not shipping my laptop for one month. One month after I placed my order. Supply and demand they tell me. Seems to me they should've anticipated high demand since they did a major iPod promotion for back to school. Back to Dell because, really, at least Apple has pretty decent customer service. Bend over backwards to please for the most part. Dell. When I called to tell them they sold me a refurbished battery I must've gotten transferred to the most over-worked, under-paid call center in India. After that phone call, I felt very American in my hatred for the call centers until S reminded me of American Express (another shining example of terrific customer service, Indian call center as well). Dell told me that I knew my battery was refurbished since I ordered it online. I had to tell, let's call her rhymes with Simple, that no in fact I placed it over the phone and I spoke to three different people when I placed my order and not one of them had told me I would be getting a refurbished product. She said well ok, but you pay for return shipping. When I told her that was unacceptable, she started to yell at me. I mean really yell. She told me again that I knew it was refurbished because it was a web order. And that she won't transfer me to her supervisor because they will tell me the same thing. So since pleading did not work, I yelled. That was when I was cut-off abruptly and transferred (I thought she hung up on me, but I waited just in case). The supervisor. Alex. At least Simple told me her real name. He apologized. Good. Very insincere though. I could tell he was just going through the motions. Very scripted. He said he'd cover shipping. But. He said he will do this for me even though my 21 day return period has passed. A favor. Check. So I let him know that in fact I only received the battery the previous day and I only ordered it the previous week, so thanks and all for making an exception for me, but my return period has not expired. And I asked where I can complain. For being yelled at. And called a liar. He said he'd make a note of it. Right. They didn't ask me to fill out a survey this time. Still waiting on the battery to be picked up. The whole experience though reminded me a little bit of being in India and how it always seemed like a struggle to get the right thing, whether it was the work you paid for, the proper food you ordered, etc. It transfers here too. I've seen exactly the same attitude in Little India. It really pisses me off. I know I'm biased because I grew up here and I expect things done a certain way. But I do not think I am unreasonable in my expectations. I knew right then that one of the biggest selling/marketing points for Apple is Dell customer service.

Qualifying Exam Update

I know I haven't posted in a really long time. I apologize for the neglect to the handful of you who may have at one point read. My attention was drawn back to this blog because I received a strange anonymous comment yesterday. I've decided this page was a classic case of TMI. I had way too much information on here. I don't want to start moderating comments yet, but I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I have my oral qualifying exams next Thursday and I am starting to get frantic. The proposal is submitted and I'm doing a mock presentation today in student seminar. I've had two friends who've had it this past week and both have passed. That's a bit of a relief. I've realized I've gotten a lot angrier and bitchier in the past couple of months. I think I'll be hugely relieved when this exam is over. Will keep you updated.