Inquisitive Minds Want To Know

There's a lot happening in Blacksburg this weekend! I won't be in town for any of it, though, since I'll be up in northern Virginia beginning the good old apartment search with Josh. Yes, I'm just a few weeks away from entering the next nebulous phase of my life. Good times.

Before I get into that, let's check out the random items for the day:

... Fellow Resident Evelyn has come up with the new nickname for what I was formally calling the Hundred Years War: the Senior Inquisition. Don't worry, though, everyone: with just a few more weeks left of college, I think I can make it until graduation.

... Author Homer Hickam is in town this weekend to sign books at the Easy Chair Bookstore and participate in a Corps of Cadets tradition. The signing will start tonight at 7PM, I hear. I once met Hickam at some sort of reception in Charleston when I was a senior in high school. He signed my paperback copy of "October Sky," and we had our picture taken together. I've driven through his hometown of Coalwood, WV. If you saw October Sky and are at all interested in the true stories behind movies, check out Homer's site as well as this one. It's got lots of cool stuff about the people behind the characters.

... Earlier this week, I neglected to talk about what a great time Gina and I had at the Ring Dance! Dinner at the Farmhouse was top-notch. The band at the dance was great and not too cheesy (they at least played songs that everyone could dance to), and we got to hear Dr. Torgersen give his speech as the guest of honor for this year's ring collection. (Torgersen and I go way back.) I missed the pig release, but Gina got to see this year's oinker. Gina was also made famous by agreeing to do an interview for a video that Tech will show for next year's Ring Premiere (I got her autograph, don't worry). Aside from freezing temperatures and snow that kept us from enjoying the midnight fireworks, we danced the night away and had a fabulous time! Thanks for making it a fun night, guys!

While in the greater D.C. area this weekend, I'll be hanging out with a lot of my graduated Tech buddies. I'm looking forward to it! Have a good weekend yourselves.