Exactly one week ago, as I propped myself up next to the toilet awaiting the green light from my body to either a) continue barfing,or b) get up to go brush my teeth, I was in a small panic about the internship situation. You see, I need the internship to validate my year of studies and, well, I was supposed to start it in early February and I hadn't sent a single CV.

Today, I am making arrangements with my professors and my new boss at Ircam to sign my contract and it looks like I will be spending another summer in the cozy comfort of the French cultural machine. While last summer was spent with Assyrian kings, 16th century relic holders and lots of jingoistic revolutionary paintings, this summer will be spent alongside computer nerds, composers and complicated machinery that is supposed to make music better, and a great view of the Stravinsky Fountain. And while my professor is pleading with me to not take a cultural job, saying that I would succeed in the consulting world, there was something comforting in the way that people at Ircam did their best to wander into the office by 10:30. The way they dressed in business clothes that were just a bit off, a bit nutty professor. I felt like I was coming home.

I will never make a lot of money or dazzle the rank-and-filers with my title. But this is not my goal. Whereas AssRay's definition of success is to be able to go to the movies whenever he wants, mine is to never have to pay for a concert. Together, our asses will get to know many different varieties of theater seats.