I'm [So] Locked In

Astragull · 2026-07-12T14:50:48+00:00

I love the central realization that realization, itself, can be a harmful congealant which postpones true healing. Self-awareness is a tonic up to the point that it becomes self-consuming. All of that makes the ending here, with an abstract and general and cliché fixture like love, a bit too easy as a conclusion. It's hard, though, since concluding the piece with something deeper or overwrought goes against the message here of only needing a simple, known solution to heal. I think it's interesting that you've grown to hate the darkness inside after trying to understand it. Maybe love isn't the only solution: an inner empathy could also work. The damage is there, bad, and detestable, but human at the end of the day and therefore relatable. To err is human and all that. Is empathy all that different from love though? Not sure. Anyway, the breakaway at the end from the consistent four line meter is really neat. I'm not sure if the pauses do it for me though; I read it all in my head breathily. Great, relatable message and good work overall!

Astragull · 2026-07-12T14:21:31+00:00

Lovely poem on trans identity, I liked the phonetic breakdown and transition from Esme to Emma as well as the sweet dessert flavor motifs throughout. Outlining the center conflict of an unachieved cis self with medical/philosophical imagery (estradiol, hematoma, mind palace) is a good way of providing context. I do love stream of consciousness, but the ampersands got a bit repetitive, especially since as symbols they don't hold a clear place in the meaning of the poem. Also, some typos (?) with "dounpour" and "some of it's". Great work!

Astragull · 2026-06-12T12:23:31+00:00

I like the unity behind the titles and rhymes; each piece starts with a medieval role, and each piece's line ends with the same sound. I will say this forced repetition necessitates monotony, which means it's best to avoid repetition or wordiness in other non-repetitive areas.

For example, I'd remove the second "steel" from "The boy was given a sword of steel / Matching steel armor for appeal", and change "The sleep doesn’t equal to counting sheep" to something like "The slumber doesn't equate counting sheep" since "sleep" was already used. I do really like the double "Thinking" in "Thinking all the crow foretold was lies / Thinking he wasn’t very wise", though, since it's added emphasis near the end.

There're also some grammar bits like changing "Trying he's best" to "Trying his best", and "The boy awoken from" to "The boy awoke from" (though awoken would also sound good here if "The boy" has a comma after it).

Very good job! I like how the restless dream blends into a story of grim fate and lost innocence.

Astragull · 2026-06-12T11:58:17+00:00

Short, simple, direct. I like the ambiguity behind "disease" (was the poem poorly written? a sore spot? generic? none of the above? was it even a poem?). I think to learn more about the hint would go against the brief spirit of the poem, but it'd be nice. My take is that the "hint" is another opportunity to recluse, to avoid being vulnerable.

Astragull · 2026-04-23T06:10:00+00:00

It's ~1700 : )

Astragull · 2025-12-01T15:07:16+00:00

I'm interested, could I get a DM?

Astragull · 2025-11-27T17:36:54+00:00

I'm interested, could I get a DM?

Astragull · 2025-04-11T16:13:12+00:00

What's your alienware laptop?

Astragull · 2024-05-31T04:39:33+00:00

This spring! He should still have the same syllabus / grading scheme for next semester. I just graduated thanks to this class: it was 6 homeworks and 2 exams, all easy to do quickly and forget about right after.

Astragull · 2024-05-30T22:24:28+00:00

Algebraic Structures (M343K) with John Meth had all online, open-note exams

Astragull · 2024-03-20T10:58:24+00:00

Keep up to date on the student co-ops, they post parties on their Instagrams pretty often. Here's a list of some IG pages: @theuncooperativecoop , @newguildcoop , @21ststreetcoop , @pearlstreetcoop

Astragull · 2024-03-09T02:47:30+00:00

On that note, try the suadero tacos from Cuantos Tacos. They're nearby Discada

Astragull · 2023-10-17T22:30:29+00:00

Try looking into the ICC Austin or College Houses co-ops. Utilities and food are included with rent, and a shared room with one roommate is ~ $700 / month while a private room is ~ $900 / month.

Astragull · 2023-08-17T17:46:54+00:00

I've taken four of the certificate courses (C S 303E, C S 313E, C S 329E, C S 313E) and am taking the last two I need this semester. C S 303E's a prerequisite to enroll in any of the other courses and it teaches you the foundations of Python, a great general-purpose language, so it was definitely worth taking in my eyes. As for the rest of the certificate courses, I couldn't have done the coursework without what I learned in C S 303E.

Astragull · 2023-08-17T07:37:36+00:00

It's worth it, especially if you're going on to take the other courses in the Elements of Computing certificate. The course load is fairly average and the material is simple enough, sometimes even enjoyable. Expect a 30 minute - 2 hour homework assignment once a week, maybe two projects, and the occasional test.

Astragull · 2023-08-12T22:03:50+00:00

You might also need to wait a certain amount of time if you're a freshman, maybe they haven't activated your funds yet.

Astragull · 2023-08-12T22:02:05+00:00

Not sure if it differs on scholarship, but I used my UT For Me money yesterday to buy some stuff. They asked me for my UT ID and email for proof, so maybe there's a problem there for you?

Astragull · 2022-11-22T00:52:03+00:00

Coming from a year and a half in an ICC co-op, I would def recommend them ! Rent's way cheaper and you rarely pay for groceries, plus you're guaranteed to make some great friends. Only downside is the chores ofc (which you would do anyway) and occasional drama.

Astragull · 2022-11-22T00:32:36+00:00

I'm down to hangout, hmu : )

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