09 December 2002 - 18:04

Symposium this year was grand, and my one regret is that Wheel wasn't here to partake.

This is the 6th annual Symposium. It is always hosted by Pairodox (though not always at a place where he lives... last year it was in our room, and this year in another dorm where Elvinone lives), who provides ample amounts of liquor, intelligent and cuddly company, and philosophical discussion.

I was there for almost the entire stretch of party-related activities, excepting breakfast the following morning. It was all deeply enjoyble, with jokes, new college/professor stories, much great music (including at least three songs that provoked strong emotional reactions from yours truly). We played Dirty Minds 2 and several people played Twister. There was a tremendous amount of liquor and a tiny bit of food and nobody drank excessively. There were as many as 22 people lounging around the room at a time, so many great conversations were had. Eventually a semi-naked couch was formed where a small group of topless and one pantsless party goers cuddled up (all wearing underwear... yeesh, my mom's gonna read this).

I am very quiet, and I do not drink nor tell jokes, nor do I suppose I would do well at either were I to try. However, I love these parties when they are with friends, and I could have sat their quietly and contentedly for hours more.

In the wee hours of the morning the weak had been weeded out, and roughly 13 of us remained to philosophize and speak our hearts and minds in response to our host's chosen question.

This years was, as above, "What is best?" All around spoke with sweetness and eloquence. I felt there was someting inherently sad about the question which I could neither place nor elaborate. I believe that being a part of life and always surrounded by it is best. Life holds the potential to all things of any interest; this fascination exists in dinoflagellates and blades of grass and beetles and cichlids and epiphytes; there are things living in your eyebrows and your carpets and in the air around you and in water, almost any water. That these things exist and that I am here materially amongst them; that is best.

Pairodox was and always is a comforting presense, and I like the way Oregano's hair smells. I felt fortunate to be able to fall into a wholesome slumber surrounded by them and Arcanologist and her companion and also Achlis. And hours later sit up blinkily in the afternoon and talk just a little and plan just a little and very very slowly leave to go separate ways.

Accounts of the party through other eyes exist from Elvinone, Hoochiepoet, and Arcanologist.

Wheel is back now, and I am very glad.

It is finals week, and I am not quite so glad of that.