is it just me?

move somewhere where people have no sense of humor. I would die. And I would have no friends. So, there's a visiting scholar here in the deparment from Germany. Not to say that all Germans are rigid efficiency machines, but, well, Germans are rigid efficiency machines. This guy has been here for a year or so, and I think every conversation I have had with him lasted about 9.2 seconds. He comes in, asks the one question he has, and leaves. And whenever I try to joke around he doesn't joke back, and he seems kind of baffled. So then last week I had lunch (by series of weird coincidences) with another visiting scholar here from Norway. He has a little bit more sense of humor, but suffice it to say that my humor style did not translate. It was terrible. It reminded me of one time when I was talking to an exchange student from Yugoslavia and being my usual self and he said "Why are you so hostile". (though, he pronounced it hos-tile not hostel) and I thought, hmmm...apparently I need to stick to the basics. So, I have concluded that I cannot move some place where the people are too serious, which I think means I cannot move somewhere cold because I think there is a direct correlation between the weather, friendliness and sense of humor. This theory merits more study, so I will have to get back to you on the details.

Do me a favor. If you know someone who is pregnant, and you see them when they are far along, please please refrain from saying "Haven't you had that baby YET?" Believe me when I say that that makes pregnant women want to kill you. Also, try to refrain from saying "You're big!" because no matter what anyone says, "big" is never a compliment. okay, well almost never. for women maybe never.

it's been another excruciatingly slow day at work, but thankfully the time for going home is nearing. have a good weekend.