Author Archives: kira.munson

this article is basically about how a republic needs its government and citizens to work together in order to flourish. I think the article was interesting and that it makes sense, but also that its a little too idealistic to actually work.

p.s. my apostrophe key doesnt work… sorry if ive caused you any distress

Voices IV was a lot better than i expected… not that i expected it to be bad, but i actually thoroughly enjoyed it. I even cried during one of the monologues.

I really liked the Rubin Museum! I used to be self-concious about the bump on the back of my head, but now i know its actually a wisdom bump and that made me feel better. I also really like the green tara statues and the intense shrine.

I didnt find the workshop helpful. The things the guy was saying were common sense, which made the workshop pretty boring.

Equipped with a duffle bag and a one-way ticket to Honolulu, Uncle Joe was leaving me for the first time in seventeen years. After saying our last goodbyes at the airport terminal, my dad and I got back in the car and sat in silence. It wasn’t a solemn silence though, probably the furthest thing from it. It was more like an I’m-so-happy-I-have-no-idea-what-to-do-with-myself kind of silence. I felt a surge of freedom, from bidding farewell to all of the madness that Joe had put me through, and all I wanted to do was dance.  I cued Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” on the CD player, and began to obnoxiously shake and snap my fingers in my father’s face as he was trying to drive. 

 The few weeks immediately following Joe’s departure were graced with a pleasant calmness.  I no longer had to come home to Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself” blasting from my computer as Joe pranced around my room, knocking over everything in his path. I no longer had to fear that while I was in the shower, Joe would nail a sheet of plywood to the doorframe, and force me to cut myself out of the bathroom with a flimsy handsaw. I no longer had to be woken up at 3 a.m. because there was a ghost in Joe’s room. He would wake me up with a sharp smack to the head, cackle, and then lead me into his room. His room smelled like a foul mixture of stale tobacco and egg rolls and so did he, but I had learned not to let the stench bother me. In a sleepy daze, I would sit in his rocking chair and say, “Who is it this time?” It was almost always a deceased family member, such as my grandmother or Aunt Diane. After about ten minutes of him describing what this ghost was saying or doing, he would ask for my input on the situation. I always responded with something along the lines of “ I think they’re trying to tell you to stop doing drugs.” Joe would shout,” I’ve been clean for years!” neglecting to acknowledge the plethora of tiny baggies, razor blades and rolled up dollar bills.

            Joe is pale, skinny, and has black puffy bags underneath his eyes, which is why I was stunned when he told me that he got a job on Norwegian Cruise Lines. I wrote his resume, sent in the job application, and set up the interview, but I was almost positive that somehow he would screw it up and my dreams of shipping him off to the middle of the ocean would be crushed. In some twisted way, he must have charmed the interviewer and landed the job.

               Three months went by, and based on the weekly phone calls I got from Joe, he loved Hawaii and didn’t miss me. I was happy for him, I figured he finally found his place in the world, and for the first time was making himself useful. As more time passed, I began to miss Joe a little bit. I realized that my life was significantly less interesting without him and that I don’t enjoy the peace and quiet as much as I thought I did.

            About four and a half months after Joe left, I was sitting at my kitchen table with my mother when I got a call from my dad. He said, “ At 4:30, we’ll know if Joe is either coming home, or going to jail.” He explained that a pound of marijuana was found in Joe’s room on the ship. I know Joe pretty well, and I know hes not a pot smoker. Joe claimed that the weed belonged to one of his cabin mates, but if no one fessed up, they were all getting fired or going to jail. I couldn’t believe that the first time that Joe didn’t screw up, he was getting screwed over.

Joe ended up not going to jail, but getting sent home immediately. I realized that I had taken my time spent away from Joe for granted. Although, without crazy uncle Joe, I probably wouldn’t be the same person I am today and my life at home would be far less entertaining.

(my apostrophe key seems to be malfunctioning so please excuse my punctuation)

Ive been a lot of different walks/runs for various causes, but none quite like light the night. I really enjoyed how it took place in the dark because it had a more peaceful vibe than others. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite landmarks in NYC and glow sticks are also my fav so I really enjoyed myself.

Generically, I’m an 18 year old who grew up in NYC and doesn’t really plan on leaving. Other than that, who I am changes too frequently to define.

My main concerns about Baruch are the revolving doors and crowded elevators. I’m terrified of both. Also, keeping up with work and actually going to class are things that I’m going to have to work on.

Baruch is very different than my high school…kind of like the polar opposite, but change is entertaining.