scholarship applicants all have so much promise -- and the funny thing is that we (well, y'all mostly) were that way a few years ago. i think that's worth remembering, especially for the those of us who are stuck doing things we really would rather not be doing. screw work: outside of that we ought to be getting good at things. we ought to be making stuff happen. can't one be rueful and accomplished at the same time? i look at all these transcripts and testimonials and read about the fantastic things that folks have done, and i refuse to believe that everyone gets battered down by the years, or that everything worthwhile gets ground into dust.

(p.s. i'm so going to regret posting this entry when i'm in a clearer frame of mind)