Ironic

Clearly, I'm not quite clever enough. I've been trying to find what the crazy heck is going on with the code that make the quiz results so not pretty on the screen. But I can't find it. And I've spent upwards of twenty minutes. And I've got--surprise, surprise--papers to grade, books to read, and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.

As If You Didn't Know Already

I was trying to avoid filling my blog with these, but seriously, how could I refuse?

Pure Nerd 82 % Nerd, 39% Geek, 34% Dork

For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd. The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful. Congratulations! Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 95% on nerdiness You scored higher than 54% on geekosity You scored higher than 54% on dork points

Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on Ok Cupid

Well, At Least It Was Free

So, I had an awful dining experience at Ruby Tuesday's. Lots of sitting and not being waited on, and then after talking to the manager, seeing our server briefly, lots more not being waited on. Still the manager was incredibly nice and he pushed us to get dessert since "obviously you girls won't be paying for dinner tonight." We did feel weird just walking out without a check or anything. Ultimately, we weren't angry or annoyed, just mildly irritated. And the graciousness of the manager made me quite happy with them overall.

I Think I Was Flirting

So, I am not good at the whole guy/girl, relationship developing sort of thing. All I know is that there is a very intriguing boy at school that I had to do some hard lobbying (this may be where the said flirting occurred) to get to come to the party last night. But he did come and said he was glad he did. We chatted a bit; it was nice. I'm still intrigued, but how, oh how to find opportunities for more and deeper conversation?

My favorite part of the discussion last night, in regards to March of the Penguins and a friend of his telling him about Donald Miller's use of penguins as an analogy for faith in Blue Like Jazz, I said "It's a good book. I know you don't really need more to read right now, but it's good for the soul." Him, "I need good for the soul now." Sigh. He graduated from Wheaton; he mentioned a friend from church. Double sigh.

(So, I'm loathe to be like Xanga and make people sign up to leave comments, but these spammy ones are annoying me. I don't think I've gotten a true anonymous comment, so I'm thinking of turning off the anyone can comment feature. Hmm.)

First Week Down, Fifteen to Go

Well, practically down. I have to teach tomorrow, but they're doing an in-class writing sample, so I'll be able to start grading the QHQ's they're turning in. I hope to have those, plus the writing samples graded by Monday. I hope.

I literally have hundreds of pages to read by next week (that'll be every week actually). I have no film class that allows me to watch movies as homework instead of some of that reading. Plus, I started the ritual bleeding today. Fortunately, Thursdays I can curl up in bed and alternate between reading and sleeping...with the occasional foray to the kitchen and the internet!

First Two Days

Well, we're in the thick of it already, but I don't feel like I've hit my stride. I am going to be very busy this semester. I planned my own syllabus (unlike last year's required, canned regurgitation), so I'll be much more vested in the class. I know that I'll be getting two assignments on Friday that I want to have graded by Monday--this from the girl who was that horrible teacher that kept papers for over a month before returning them last semester.

I'm slightly cowed by the syllabus I got tonight. I just don't feel smart enough to accomplish the tasks to the high level of achievement needed to impress. I don't doubt that I can get them done, but heck, so far I'm shooting for the PhD 4.0.

With all that, I'm partially in charge of the English graduate student organization and the mentor program for new teaching interns. That's lots of doings at this point. There's a mentor party on Friday and an EGSA dinner on Sunday.

I feel like my weekends are already full, what with two conferences in October that will each take three-four days out of my time. Not that I would turn down the chance to build my CV.

So...deep breath...here we go.

T-minus One!

Tomorrow is the first day of school! I'm so excited!! I got an email from one of my professors with an article and a short story to read before the first day, and I was thrilled.

Sadly, this means the end of daily movies and time for books, etc. I've started listening to Eragon on cd during all my trips to and from school. Some movies I've seen recently: Cafe au Lait, Monster-in-Law, French Kiss, I finished Firefly.

It Must Be Said

Happy Birthday, Mr. Marsters. He certainly should have been included in VH-1's Hottest 40 over 40. Rawr.

The Last Weekend

I bought an adult uniform today, er, a suit that is. I feel as though I've spent an awful lot of money lately that I probably shouldn't, so I think this will be one of my last big ATL purchases. (I hope!) I did have an awesome time. We ate at this very delicious restaurant called Pompei where I had hand cut chicken ravioli. Way yum--to use a technical culinary term. Amazing focaccia bread at the table and fantastic 80s soundtrack.

The one weird-slash-amusing thing was the bathrooms. They had very exciting pounded, stainless steel sinks. In the stalls, however, lies another story. The only operational one with toilet paper was the handicapped/baby-changing one. The table was folded down, which showed to my great amusement:

• 1. a latex glove dispenser. Do you know any mother that puts gloves on everytime she changes her child? That would seem to double the expense of having an infant that goes through a diaper every ninety seconds. There was one on top of the trash can that had been blown up like a balloon and tied at the wrist, which seem like the only logical use.
• and 2. pictures illustrating how the table should be used. A child is shown falling off above the warning 'do not leave child unattended'. Okay, but above the captions 'lay down towel' and 'dispose of towel' there was the diapered child placing the changing towel down and then throwing it away. If the child was that capable would there really be a need for the changing table?! It was one of those times that I wished I had a camera phone (or at least a digital) because a picture would heighten the effectiveness of this post by at least 34%.

Happy Birthday!

I'm in a happy, giddy mood. School starts Monday! I just saw Sky High! (It's awesome.) When I went to see who played the hot Warren Peace (child of super hero mom and super villain dad), I flipped through the birthdays listed on IMDB. Edward Norton, Patrick Swayze, Christian Slater, and Robert Redford. Way to go August 18th.

She Did It Again

Darn her. Okay not really, but still... The friend of mine that got me started on Buffy has a new one for me. Doesn't she know, hasn't she realized? I'm powerless against a catchy narrative, and with tv shows on dvd, there's nothing to stop me from consuming said narrative in a gluttonous manner. Gorging myself at the all-you-can-eat buffet of Joss Whedon.

It's called Firefly and is sort of Star-Trek set in a pirate/western genre. They shoot guns and ride on horses on planets, but tool around the galaxy in a space ship, smuggling goods. The good/bad thing about this one is it only lasted for one (a half?) season. There's only 14 episodes, so this obsession will be shorter lived, but already I'm sad that there's not more. There is a movie coming out in a few months though, so maybe that will generate interest and bring the show back. Hey, canceled Family Guy got another shot, so it could happen.

Films, Films, Films!

I've been watching lots of movies. Yay. The Commitments (Erin go bragh!), Godforsaken (a Dutch film whose main character wore a White Sox jacket the whole time), A Midsummer Night's Rave (yet another modern Shakespeare with Andrew Keegan, this one, however, is not very good at all).

I also saw American Splendor, which was great. It was a messy, fragmented identity of a film. It's got voice-over narration by Harvey Pekar while Paul Giamatti plays the character Harvey Pekar as he is creating his comic book American Splendor starring the character Harvey Pekar, who is portrayed differently in the books by various illustrators. All the different levels is fascinating.

One part of narratives that I love is parallels and multi-leveled stories. I love in Possession how the modern researchers match the poets they investigate. I love how Willow's addiction to witchcraft is like a drug and also similar to Buffy's struggle with her relationship with Spike. I love the idea of Jesus as the new Adam, starting a new world, giving us a clean start.

Double Feature

Just in case any one was wondering, I have proof that my family and friends suit me quite well. Where else but my inner circle would I find people willing and equally excited to watch Kill Bill, Vol. 2 followed by Ice Princess?

Mood Swing

I feel lonely. Not alone, but lonely. I didn't have anyone in town to be with, to look at the tiny shard of moon in the sky and share the silence. I thought I'd call someone, but everyone was unavailable (or it was too late to call). One person did call me, but he just wanted to find out how his ex-girlfriend was doing.

So, I guess its the tv and me. Oh, look Angel is on.

Sweet, Sweet Freedom

I've been off for two days now. Yesterday, I went to Madison with my brother and Josh. (Ain't I a woman? I have two men...okay that reference is probably only funny if you've seen/read December Bride, but it gave us lots of fun studying for comps) It was a wonderful day, perfect weather, used bookstores, Mexican sidewalk cafe, Jamba Juice. Then we watched The Grudge, which had me scared spitless until it ended. It just stopped, not a scary non-closure stop like The Ring, just we couldn't come up with a way to make this end, so we're done. Right....now!

Today I worked, but won't anymore until next Saturday! Then I finished The Historian (Elizabeth Kostova), but since I've been chastised once for spoiling books, I am including my concluding thoughts on it in the comments in the spoilers post. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's the love-child of Possession (A.S. Byatt) and Dracula (Irish Bram Stoker). It isn't quite as good as Possession because while Kostova does an amazing job of weaving various documents and narratives together, she doesn't really have distinct voices. It is just clever ways of showing information that only certain characters can have. I don't feel as though myself and the main protagonists have actually found any information. But still, a cut far above much fiction out there. Plus, killer subject matter. You don't have to run, a brisk trot will do.

Spoilers in the comments!

And There Was Much Rejoicing

We're done! Or, I'm done. My take home final and in-class test were co-authored by evil spirits, but they are behind me now. I also worked a bunch this week and last, so biggish paychecks tomorrow and next Friday when the eagle flies.

Ironically, I'm also stoked because as of next week I'll only be working one shift a week, so there'll be more time to play and work on the work I love.

Revisiting an Old Favorite

While working on my final, I found one of the scavenger hunt answers on the special features on one of my dvds, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. So while I was doing the rest of my final (it's almost done), I watched (or rather listened to) the movie. I knew I loved the movie and music, but I'd forgotten Sting and what a s.o.b he is. Delicious.

I still have to finish my paper and put another hour or two into my final. Plus I have a bit of a test to study for for Thursday. Also, I'd love to clean my room; I want to start the autumn with a fresh start--scholastically and domestically.

Where I've Been

On Thursday, I drove with my parents to Gettysburg, PA for a family get together. I haven't been on a computer for four days! That may sound pathetic, but for an addict like me who normally checks blogs and emails at least twice a day (generally three to four), it's been a while. And there's much I'd like to say (and comment on after catching up on everybody), BUT I have to finish my linguistics paper (presentation was ok, I'd give myself a B, but I hope he gives me an A), work on my linguistics homework, and do the take-home portion of the final. Plus there's a meeting for those of us on the mentoring committee at school, the two movies I rented from Blockbuster, my three mail Blockbusters movies, and the final hundred pages of The Historian to finish. So I must discipline myself to this quick, banal post and then I'm off!