Posted: 23^rd March 2006

2006

In my recent avowal to read more classic literature, I have finished The Scarlet Letter and am now starting in on 1984. And while I'm only on page 17 just now, I've decided I really like this book. My IM profile now carries the slogan of the Party:

WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

I even added a 'BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU' for good measure.

In school today we took the California High School Exit Exam. It's a bit of an odd process in that you're tested two years before you graduate on material most students learn two years prior to the test year. In the spirit of American bureauocracy, our teacher was required to read a script explaining how we were to fill in our 'answer documents' and the testing directions. Among other things, the script proclaimed that if we were to cheat on the test, our scores would be 'invalidated'. Not only did this provoke a series of jokes among the class over who and what else would be 'invalidated', mutterings of 'Big Brother' resounded throughout the room. Maybe George Orwell was right in his prediction of the future - just one that's coming true 22 years too late.

Lest we get too depressed, let me wish those who are celebrating on Sunday a Happy Mother's Day. Though we Americans don't celebrate until later in the year, I'm still, as always, saying thank you to my mom — if only because she made sure I didn't turn out to be a member of the Big Brother society.

echomikeromeo

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