today wins!

[qatarperegrine]

I flew into Pittsburgh late last night. Had a very enjoyable conversation on the bus into town, with a MechE doctoral student who asked the best questions about what Qatar is like that I've ever gotten. I'm always envious about people who are good at asking interesting questions to get conversations started. It's something I wish I were better at.

Today's theme was running around seeing friends who've returned to Pittsburgh: I stayed up till 4:30 talking with Dave before crashing in his spare room, breakfasted at Quiet Storm (yay hippie coffee shops), watched Superbad with Andrew and Ryan, and then met Paul at the SCS Day talent show. The talent show was fun; the best part was chrisamaphone and jcreed and wjl singing "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", which I love, and the "Still Alive" song from the end of Portal, w00t. Also, this is dorky, but it was kinda awesome that people I've met on previous trips to Pittsburgh knew who I was and some seemed kinda happy to see me. I always assume that people I don't know very well will forget who I am, so it's always a pleasant surprise when that doesn't happen. Yay validation! Boo social anxiety!

Now I am collapsing in bed, jetlagged and somewhat ill, but happy (albeit somewhat guilty I'm collapsing in bed instead of meeting Justin at the airport).

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_tove/]

What were the questions, and what were the answers?

[qatar.livejournal.com]

We talked all the way from the airport to CMU, so I don't remember all the questions. He started out asking where our students come from, which led into an interesting conversation about the peculiar demographics of Qatar, and all the economic and social implications of those demographics. He was curious how equitably Qatar's wealth is spread, what kinds of social services the government provides, whether there are any good beaches, why the government is investing in education, how we get our drinking water.... I guess it was mostly that he didn't just ask about how oppressed the women are, like lots of people do. And he asked interesting follow-up questions.

[qatar.livejournal.com]

... also, when would be a good evening for the Prisoner?

[jcreed.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it! I am also curious about the questions.