Salmon, Burnt Sienna, Dandelion, Periwinkle

This week was my first week of the Fall semester, and this semester marks my 10 bajillionth semester of college. This is a true story.

For so long, the prospect of a new semester incited in me great plans for the coming year. At least I thought they were great. These plans revolved mostly around who I would sit with at lunch - a matter that's taken pretty seriously well into high school. I showed up that first day of Kindergarten (after the crying and separation anxiety) freshly pressed and coiffed alongside other kids with hair parted and ponytailed and shirts tucked until recess. We eyed each others' cartoon lunch boxes.

College is no different. Just substitute "identity" for "lunch box" and you get the idea. After several bajillion years of this, it's just too much. I've spent enough on tuition and books. Is it too much to ask for an education without all the asserting of self and differentness and Socialist club meetings? I am a tired undergrad. Over the hill. Just give me my degree already and set me out to pasture.

So instead of buying the 64-pack of crayons and a new pencil box this year, I went with the $30 HP financial calculator, the $230 Management Information Systems Textbook bundle, two French review textbooks - $120 not sold separately, $150 in online texts, and several grand above my tuition to cover the coronary I'm gonna have when this is all over.

Dear Urban Outfitters...

I used to really appreciate your selection of goods; the pre-worn denim and artfully reconstructed thrift store clothes, the seemingly hand-picked wares from up-and-comers and staples like Fred Perry and Puma alike. I even didn't mind paying a couple bucks more for some of your t-shirts even though they were probably made in the same factory as those made for Forever 21 and Express. You guys cornered the market especially for us suburban kids who coveted the wardrobes of hip, urban youth - seen only in the style columns and our favorite blogs. But now, UO, you've gone too far. You are officially a novelty store for the bored and rich.


*this is called the "dirty mug" and you can buy it online for $12.00 +shipping.

Swoon