beating my reatreat-back to you

2 finals down.
If I'd had Erika's class in my first semester I never would've been as horribly bitter and full of no joy as I was...that was the most fun I've ever had taking a final...while that may not seem like a big vote of confidence it really is saying something as it was quite a bit of fun.
Actual exam questions-(abridged)
1) describe teh impact of one of 5 way important musical types (ex. Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bill Munroe)
2) You have a radio show-it's an hour long-program it in 4 blocks with each block dedicated to a particular genre
3) an actual question involving some thought--explain the importance of one of these instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc) to American music
4) you have $90 to spend on music, what would you buy based on what we read about/talked about in class
This was truly this greatest exam ever. I got to apply knowledge and I got to program a radio show----I should totally do that in my spare time. Or at least make a mix tape or something resembling useful.
Then I had the cultcon final and it wasn't as fun. It didn't make me want to sit in the dark and listen to nothing but Townes Van Zandt's most wrist slitting hits but I have been happier with a performance...what the fuck is lineage husbandry and why does anyone care?
Home and Baxter is not lively--except when we go for walks then after we've been out a bit he steps lively. He has no problem eating-he's put away a bowl of dog food, a half pound of burger, a lot of ham and some butter beans today. He doesn't do steps well-so I gave him so bufferin. My landlady stopped in to check on him today and left a note saying he should go to the vet that he's not well. But I can't take him tomorrow because of school so I have to hope he gets to feeling better (he's better today than he was yesterday-a little) and we don't have to go thru that.
Why does my dog have to be so old?