This past week has been so exhausting! I babysat for my three Hartnett cousins everyday and they all slept over at my apartment last night, and in the process, I unfortunately got to meet the devilish side of each of the sweet children. I think that everyone hides the most irrational side of themselves from their friends and extended family; my aunt and uncle couldn't believe them when I said that my dad was a yeller when I was little- he hides that impatience from them at Christmas and John and I aren't as pesky as we used to be. Anyway, my cousins apparently don't understand that social norm and freely express their irrational anger and frustration in my presence. Every day this week we did something fun: Monday was the science museum, Tuesday- the zoo, Wednesday-the Mall of America, Thursday-sleep over at my house, and today we went to the State Fair. And so everyday I witnessed each of them breakdown at least once (thankfully, never all three at once!). Usually I could pull that child aside and either pleasantly request that he or she stop punching me, or try to distract him or her. Today at the State Fair, Maria became a complete rascal! She's normally the sweetest little 5 year old with cute Shirley Temple curls. I guess she was tired of walking, so she started hanging on my arm whenever I held her hand. Then she started hitting me with her Snoopy fan and then punching me with her fists. Argh. It wasn't even that annoying, except I guess I need to try to establish some control, even though they are my cousins. So I finally reverted to do a fireman carry (I think that's what it's called) so she was over my shoulder and therefore couldn't kick me. On top of her meltdown, the State Fair is outrageously overpriced- $37 for one adult and three children just to enter! Then there were no food items less than $2.50 (a plain hot dog) and each carny ride cost about $4.00. So, in conclusion, my trip to the State Fair was the most frustrating "fun" experience ever, and I felt like such a miser, but honestly! I really don't have any income to speak of.

I took the three of them to a big playground this week and I ended up having a long conversation about my highlights with a 10 year old on the see-saw. Some children have a much more sophisticated understanding of fashion at a really young age then I will ever have. Anyway, she noticed that my highlights were grown out and recommended a stylist who could fix that. I explained that I couldn't afford highlights and she explained that 6 weeks is the maximum life-span of even the most professional job. Oh well. I thought I had my haircare down to a science. I was just thinking though- and this is so random- why can't shampoo companies make a line of hair care products that address all of the problems that one individual might have? I mean, I could buy "frizz-ease" shampoo because my hair is naturally frizzy, or I could buy "springing curls" shampoo which would excentuate my waves. Or, I could use something that would make my hair smell like fruit or flowers; I could buy intensive conditioning shampoo for color-treated hair, or I could buy shampoo specifically engineered for brunettes. Okay, that was long, but this is my actual question: Is it just scientifically impossible to put all of those ingredients in the same bottle (they would combust?) or are the companies just playing upon my desire to meet all of my hair needs and so they know I will eventually buy each of their products?

There are only 10 weeks until the Presidential elections! I think I'm going to volunteer for the Minnesota branch of the DNC, or at least for Kerry's campaign. I'm on a guilt trip: today I added my signature for Nader. It was absolutely not out of support- I think his campaign is a waste of time and young adult passion. It was because the poor woman at the teensy Nader booth at the fair spent five minutes explaining NAFTA to me (as I nodded without understanding anything) and I felt so bad, since he's obviously not going to accomplish very much at all, so I signed it. So there it is: if Bush wins Minnesota, a swing-state, due to Nader's votes, it's all my fault. But, if those Naderites spam by email inbox, they will be sorry!

Tomorrow I'm going to a birthday party for a state senator with my aunt. What do you buy a senator you've never met?

ps- Mike, I think that Starbucks is going to be my only legacy at Wash U. I hope SALT will meet there once to remember me:)