Thursday, September 29, 2005
Gearing Up
I must say it. I love my class this semester. All really good kids, and mostly decent writers. We had so much fun in class yesterday talking about genres and rewriting "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". It was a blast!
That aside, I am concerned about the class. I'm having conferences next week, so no class, then because of my two conferences (yikes!), I'm going to 'cancel' class for Monday and Friday of the next week! I say 'cancel' because I'm going to give them assignments to do instead. (I like to call them asynchronous class meetings by assigning WebBoard stuff.) But I have to figure out those assignments and everything for the next two weeks--today. Sadly, I'm not generally more than a day or two ahead of class, so its time for massive planning!
October is going to be a very busy month with conferences I'm attending and trying to start on my end of term papers. I have three so I need to be getting them done early.
Also, I'm going to a Halloween party with stringent costume requirements, so does anyone have any ideas for an allegorical figure? The predominate color has to be black, though splashes of color, props are acceptable. Basically fancy-schmancy. What could I be? Magnamity? Control? Grace?
That aside, I am concerned about the class. I'm having conferences next week, so no class, then because of my two conferences (yikes!), I'm going to 'cancel' class for Monday and Friday of the next week! I say 'cancel' because I'm going to give them assignments to do instead. (I like to call them asynchronous class meetings by assigning WebBoard stuff.) But I have to figure out those assignments and everything for the next two weeks--today. Sadly, I'm not generally more than a day or two ahead of class, so its time for massive planning!
October is going to be a very busy month with conferences I'm attending and trying to start on my end of term papers. I have three so I need to be getting them done early.
Also, I'm going to a Halloween party with stringent costume requirements, so does anyone have any ideas for an allegorical figure? The predominate color has to be black, though splashes of color, props are acceptable. Basically fancy-schmancy. What could I be? Magnamity? Control? Grace?
Monday, September 26, 2005
Black and White...and Green?
Its midnight and I have half a dozen papers left to grade before I can go to sleep, so this'll be short. I saw Wicked yesterday. It's fantastic and deserving of all the accolades it's received. It is rather disturbing, however. In a very postcolonial rewrite, it defamilarizes The Wizard of Oz in, at times, uncomfortable ways. It challenges the notion that morals are as absolute as I like to believe, as I know to believe.
And the comparisons that could be made between the wizard and our president were not flattering...I'm not sure I want to make them, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. The idea of creating an enemy/situation to distract from his mediocrity. I live in that uncomfortable place between apathy regarding politics and being well-informed. I have a vague notion of the goings-on, but not a firm grasp (who has time to read all the news and discern the truth?). Still, I care and have opinions (rather dangerously held for one not so up on situations). I feel awkward disagreeing (or even just commenting) amongst the politically charged (extremely liberal) conversations on campus, but I still lean towards participating because I rarely have facts to back up my beliefs (again, dangerous). Well, no time to dwell (my problem in the first place), papers beckon.
And the comparisons that could be made between the wizard and our president were not flattering...I'm not sure I want to make them, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. The idea of creating an enemy/situation to distract from his mediocrity. I live in that uncomfortable place between apathy regarding politics and being well-informed. I have a vague notion of the goings-on, but not a firm grasp (who has time to read all the news and discern the truth?). Still, I care and have opinions (rather dangerously held for one not so up on situations). I feel awkward disagreeing (or even just commenting) amongst the politically charged (extremely liberal) conversations on campus, but I still lean towards participating because I rarely have facts to back up my beliefs (again, dangerous). Well, no time to dwell (my problem in the first place), papers beckon.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Another One Bites the Dust
Another week that is. Sure, I've got a bunch that I'd like to grade before I teach tomorrow, and I've got to figure out something to teach, but all in all--done. My presentation went pretty well (I think). It was very conversational with breaks to discuss our reading of the book, so it took an hour and a half. My strong concluding statement was a whimpered "so, I like it." Humph. Something to work on. Now I just need to figure out what to write my paper on for this book. If I do it in the next week, I'll be on track for the paper a month goal that I had. Realistically, I'll be happy if I finish it before November hits.
I'm told tomorrow's dinner will be spinach bisque and couscous. Yum--too bad he's gay because I'd marry him for sure!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Tomorrow I'm giving a presentation on Peter Carey, so wish me luck! I still have lots of work to do on it. And I'm not sure if I'll finish reading the book (Jack Maggs), but I've read it before, so...
Lana had a post not so long ago about how pretty people on Taylor's campus are. I never realized that until I went to NIU where the people are not as attractive. I probably shouldn't be so excited about it, but at Taylor I was in the group of larger folks, and probably the not as attractive. Here, where the SES is lower (why should that matter? It shouldn't, but it does), I feel quite adequate. Not that I should be excited or care about that, but a little part of me is.
Yesterday walking to my far away car after class, I felt collegiate. I had my cool bag; I was listening to good music, and its almost fall (hurry up already!), the eternal season of college brochures and pictures. It was nice.
Lana had a post not so long ago about how pretty people on Taylor's campus are. I never realized that until I went to NIU where the people are not as attractive. I probably shouldn't be so excited about it, but at Taylor I was in the group of larger folks, and probably the not as attractive. Here, where the SES is lower (why should that matter? It shouldn't, but it does), I feel quite adequate. Not that I should be excited or care about that, but a little part of me is.
Yesterday walking to my far away car after class, I felt collegiate. I had my cool bag; I was listening to good music, and its almost fall (hurry up already!), the eternal season of college brochures and pictures. It was nice.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Bar Hopping
Yup, that's what I did yesterday (well, does two count?). I went out with some fellow scholars near school early in the evening, where I made a fool of myself ordering a "Bailey's...straight...um, with ice or is it on the rocks?...". I'm told 'straight' means plain with nothing, so my adding 'with ice' negated that. I don't think I'm totally to blame because the waitress asked what I wanted with it to which I said "nothing, straight" but then added the "with ice part". I simply wanted to convey I didn't want it mixed with anything. I then learned that I should have ordered a "Bailey's neat," which mean shaken and chilled, but not on ice.
The next bar I went to was near home with people from work. In the space of a week, my manager called off her wedding and quit. So this was a moving on party for her and since I really like her and had never been out with them, I felt I should go. It was an odd experience.
My first mistake was not dressing up. I just wore what I had on for teaching earlier that day: pinstripe pants and a sweater; my hair was in a classy up-do. While (if I may say so) I looked darn cute at school, I looked rather stuffy at the bar. Not being appropriately costumed (read slutty low cut shirt and jeans), I felt rather silly trying to dance (grind?) to 'Dirrrty' with my co-workers. Had I been in character, maybe it wouldn't have been as bad.
While the clothes were my fault, the bar clientele was not. There was karoke. There was lots of country being played. My crowd consisted of mostly 20-something pretty girls, myself being one of the larger ones. However, compared to most of the other females at the bar, I was definitely on the smaller side. The male clientele were either really old (like I was worried they'd totter off the stage and their brittle bones would smash into a million pieces on the 8'x8' dance floor) or in their 30s and wearing, I kid you not, Hooters tank tops (that's right) signed by the Hooters girls! Not exactly the place you want to 'mingle'.
Overall, I did have fun though, but its not something I feel the need to do every week or maybe even every month. I probably would have had an equal amount of fun (albeit different fun) at home reading Jack Maggs or watching Ned Kelly.
The next bar I went to was near home with people from work. In the space of a week, my manager called off her wedding and quit. So this was a moving on party for her and since I really like her and had never been out with them, I felt I should go. It was an odd experience.
My first mistake was not dressing up. I just wore what I had on for teaching earlier that day: pinstripe pants and a sweater; my hair was in a classy up-do. While (if I may say so) I looked darn cute at school, I looked rather stuffy at the bar. Not being appropriately costumed (read slutty low cut shirt and jeans), I felt rather silly trying to dance (grind?) to 'Dirrrty' with my co-workers. Had I been in character, maybe it wouldn't have been as bad.
While the clothes were my fault, the bar clientele was not. There was karoke. There was lots of country being played. My crowd consisted of mostly 20-something pretty girls, myself being one of the larger ones. However, compared to most of the other females at the bar, I was definitely on the smaller side. The male clientele were either really old (like I was worried they'd totter off the stage and their brittle bones would smash into a million pieces on the 8'x8' dance floor) or in their 30s and wearing, I kid you not, Hooters tank tops (that's right) signed by the Hooters girls! Not exactly the place you want to 'mingle'.
Overall, I did have fun though, but its not something I feel the need to do every week or maybe even every month. I probably would have had an equal amount of fun (albeit different fun) at home reading Jack Maggs or watching Ned Kelly.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Whoosh!
I feel like I've finally got a moment to catch my breath. Its been a crazy, busy past few days! This weekend I didn't get much homework done because I was so busy. Saturday morning was the Hike for Life, where they raised over $40,000 and I got slightly sunburned, but I did find out that there are bea-ut-iful walking paths along the river near downtown.
That took me into the afternoon, where I furtively tried to read Howards End, but kept falling asleep (not because its boring, I love the book) until I left for Katie's. We went and saw The Brothers Grimm, which is phenomenal. Its over the top campy in places because its playing with the convention of the fairy tale genre, but subtly, so I can understand why the unwashed masses didn't get it. The special effects were wonderful; Monica Belluci was creepy; and Heath Ledger and Matt Damon were playing unusual roles (okay, they're both used to playing the hero, but Damon as an arrogant jerk, not sweet and sensitive and Ledger as bookish, unsure, and squirrelly, not brooding and confident). I loved it!
We also saw Red Eye, which was fine. I was entertained for my time and money. I do wish they would have let Cillian Murphy use his real, Irish accent--that would have kept me awake at night.
Then Sunday an odd assortment of us (Katie, Elaine and Joe, two of my friends from school, and myself) went to see the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Art Institute. It was fantastic! Rather crowded, but still very neat. I love all the poster art that leads into the art deco, Mucha, era of art. I learned some interesting things like: Picasso and Degas were involved in the Monmarte sect of artists and interacted with/were influenced by/were influential to Toulouse-Lautrec. I cleverly decided that if I ever had a black cat for a pet, I would name him Steinlen.
The first part of this week has been a race to finish all the reading I didn't do over the weekend, and figure out what to do in my class. I think I'm squared away for Friday, so all I have to do is work, work today on my stuff. I'm giving a presentation next week on Jack Maggs and Peter Carey, which I'm excited about because I have a burgeoning interest in Australian literature (well, the interest has been there a long time, the burgeoning part is trying to figure out how to fit it into my research agenda).
I'm off to [hopefully] have the most productive day of my life!
That took me into the afternoon, where I furtively tried to read Howards End, but kept falling asleep (not because its boring, I love the book) until I left for Katie's. We went and saw The Brothers Grimm, which is phenomenal. Its over the top campy in places because its playing with the convention of the fairy tale genre, but subtly, so I can understand why the unwashed masses didn't get it. The special effects were wonderful; Monica Belluci was creepy; and Heath Ledger and Matt Damon were playing unusual roles (okay, they're both used to playing the hero, but Damon as an arrogant jerk, not sweet and sensitive and Ledger as bookish, unsure, and squirrelly, not brooding and confident). I loved it!
We also saw Red Eye, which was fine. I was entertained for my time and money. I do wish they would have let Cillian Murphy use his real, Irish accent--that would have kept me awake at night.
Then Sunday an odd assortment of us (Katie, Elaine and Joe, two of my friends from school, and myself) went to see the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Art Institute. It was fantastic! Rather crowded, but still very neat. I love all the poster art that leads into the art deco, Mucha, era of art. I learned some interesting things like: Picasso and Degas were involved in the Monmarte sect of artists and interacted with/were influenced by/were influential to Toulouse-Lautrec. I cleverly decided that if I ever had a black cat for a pet, I would name him Steinlen.
The first part of this week has been a race to finish all the reading I didn't do over the weekend, and figure out what to do in my class. I think I'm squared away for Friday, so all I have to do is work, work today on my stuff. I'm giving a presentation next week on Jack Maggs and Peter Carey, which I'm excited about because I have a burgeoning interest in Australian literature (well, the interest has been there a long time, the burgeoning part is trying to figure out how to fit it into my research agenda).
I'm off to [hopefully] have the most productive day of my life!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Same Ol' Same Ol'
I've been voraciously reading and watching movies. This week's novels are Howards End (by E.M. Forester) and Abeng (Michelle Cliff). I think I want to write one of my papers on Howards End so I watched the movie. Also, in the effort to move along my Blockbuster queue, I watched Twist, which I love as a modern update of a classic though definitely not an 'ultimately uplifting film.'
Friday we're having a meeting to organize the EGSA efforts for Hurricane Relief. The Hike for Life that I've been helping plan for the next few months is happening this Saturday, so pray for good weather. Sunday, I'm going downtown to the Art Institute to see Toulouse-Lautrec with a host of my friends (Lij, you should come too!).
So, very busy, lots of things, but nothing out of the ordinary. (Although with the help of clever plotting from a friend, I was able to oh-so-casually ask my crush to the regular Friday night dinner. Alas, to no avail though, for he declined.)
Friday we're having a meeting to organize the EGSA efforts for Hurricane Relief. The Hike for Life that I've been helping plan for the next few months is happening this Saturday, so pray for good weather. Sunday, I'm going downtown to the Art Institute to see Toulouse-Lautrec with a host of my friends (Lij, you should come too!).
So, very busy, lots of things, but nothing out of the ordinary. (Although with the help of clever plotting from a friend, I was able to oh-so-casually ask my crush to the regular Friday night dinner. Alas, to no avail though, for he declined.)
Monday, September 05, 2005
Can't Every Weekend Have Three Days?
I seriously don't know what I would've done without a three-day weekend. I had to read Virginia Woolf's The Voyage Out, which was over four hundred pages, and Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea, which is nearly two hundred. I've got lots to grade, plus I want to start working on presentations and papers for the semester. It's my goal to be on top of everything, but I just don't know if I can do it. Already, I'm barely making it and its only the third week!
I keep thinking about all these people that I should call, see, or make an effort with friendship wise, but I just don't want to put in the time or energy. I know its terrible. By nature, I'm the sort of person that wants fewer, deeper friendships. With the few from college that are more important to me than anything, and the ones I easily see at school/work that share so many common interests, I don't really feel much like trying to cultivate others.
At the same time, I really miss having close Christian friends that are close by to do things with, to keep each other accountable, to sharpen one another. But the amount of time and energy it would take to make one of those friends? I just don't know that I have it.
I keep thinking about all these people that I should call, see, or make an effort with friendship wise, but I just don't want to put in the time or energy. I know its terrible. By nature, I'm the sort of person that wants fewer, deeper friendships. With the few from college that are more important to me than anything, and the ones I easily see at school/work that share so many common interests, I don't really feel much like trying to cultivate others.
At the same time, I really miss having close Christian friends that are close by to do things with, to keep each other accountable, to sharpen one another. But the amount of time and energy it would take to make one of those friends? I just don't know that I have it.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
What Is There to Say?
Bad things are happening around me. A professor who has taught for 38 years at my school died suddenly. He was teaching one of my classes this semester. I only had one class meeting with him, so I didn't know him too well. I've never heard an unkind word spoken about him, and that's something considering how vicious even a 'less' competitive school like mine is. He seems to have been one of those truly inspirational teachers that enriched every single one of his students and colleagues. When I was an undergrad, one of my teachers killed himself. I didn't enjoy the class after that, and I doubt I'll be able to muster up much enthusiasm for this one.
On the national scale, what is there but Katrina? It seems like we should have better prepared, but it'll do no use complaining about that now. Rather, what to do with the aftermath? I think I'd like to do more than just throw money at the Salvation Army or Red Cross. Obviously those are good things to do, but it seems so clinical and cold. Maybe I don't have a good concept of the scope of this issue, but with the government giving $10.5 billion, what would my fifty bucks do? I feel like New Orleans need people to help and places to go. My parents are thinking about how to have our extra room/s be available to a small family. While the idea of inviting a stranger to live with us for--what? a year? two?--seems scary, it does also seem to be the Christian response. I suppose its the ongoingness of helping that will be the true test, not just the immediate response. How many of us were actively concerned about the Tsunami victims last week? Surely, they're still far from rebuilding a normal life, but the aid has probably dropped radically.
I don't know what to do. I feel inadequate. One of my friends is rather fired up about this. He is bullying his students into donating money, and made them do writings on how they were individually going to help the Katrina survivors. I made my class cookies and joked with them about taking a field trip to see the new Harry Potter film in November. Clearly, he's the better man, but it made me want to be better.
On the national scale, what is there but Katrina? It seems like we should have better prepared, but it'll do no use complaining about that now. Rather, what to do with the aftermath? I think I'd like to do more than just throw money at the Salvation Army or Red Cross. Obviously those are good things to do, but it seems so clinical and cold. Maybe I don't have a good concept of the scope of this issue, but with the government giving $10.5 billion, what would my fifty bucks do? I feel like New Orleans need people to help and places to go. My parents are thinking about how to have our extra room/s be available to a small family. While the idea of inviting a stranger to live with us for--what? a year? two?--seems scary, it does also seem to be the Christian response. I suppose its the ongoingness of helping that will be the true test, not just the immediate response. How many of us were actively concerned about the Tsunami victims last week? Surely, they're still far from rebuilding a normal life, but the aid has probably dropped radically.
I don't know what to do. I feel inadequate. One of my friends is rather fired up about this. He is bullying his students into donating money, and made them do writings on how they were individually going to help the Katrina survivors. I made my class cookies and joked with them about taking a field trip to see the new Harry Potter film in November. Clearly, he's the better man, but it made me want to be better.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
New Shoes!
I'm so excited about the new shoes that I got at work today. I've just been waiting for September because of employee discounts, etc. (Plus my real job just started paying me, so I don't have to worry about minimum wage covering gas at over three dollars a gallon!) Ironically, there was another employee that day that wanted to buy the exact same pair of shoes in the same size. The store only gets one of each size in each color, so we had to flip a coin to see who ordered them and who got to take 'em home that day. I won!
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