mmerriam | From the Hallowed Halls of Education

I'm holed up on the third floor of Coffman Union on the U of M campus. This is my last full day of classes, and then I just have to drop off my final portfolio project and my last major paper next Friday and take an exit survey. It feels weird knowing that I'm not coming back next semester, but I know it is the right choice. I don't even have to come back to campus to take the final for my Independent Distance Learning Class, because the final is open book and non-proctored.

The third floor, which is usually quiet, is currently overrun with small blonde female clones all wearing the same white cotton blouses and khaki Capri pants. They are chattering excitedly and dashing in and out of the Mississippi Lounge Annex. I would investigate, except they are actually starting to frighten me with their creepy cloned likeness. Same clothes, same hair style, all of them small, blonde, and over-tanned. *shudder*

Generic nolove from Fantasy Magazine. It has been awhile since I received a generic rejection (except from magazines that freely admit sending nothing but generic rejections). I suppose I should take a closer look at the story involved.

I finished Carrie Vaughn's Kitty and the Midnight Hour. I thought it was good for what it was, and it did what it was supposed to do within the confines of what it was, and did it well. I was entertained, and the book pokes some gentle fun at some of the more well-worn tropes of dark fantasy, all the while using them, without being smarmy or wry about it.

I've started reading Tim Pratt's The Strange Adventures of Ranger Girl, which is a different beast entirely. Yes, indeed it is.

I just saw a tall redhead vanish into the roomful of blonde clones. There was a series of sudden shrieks. I think they sacrificed her, but I'm not sure. I should probably leave before they summon some kind of brain-eating demon by accident and it goes on a rampage.

One final day of classes to finish.

In Peace
Michael