As many of you probably know, there is this new show (a midseason replacement) on NBC called "The Cape." It follows the ex-cop Vince Farraday after he is framed for being the masked baddie "Chess" and then supposedly blown up on TV (he escapes through a vent).
So anyway, obviously Farraday is pretty PO'd at the real Chess, who both framed him and has gone around being criminal-y. So, after (wait for it) being rescued by a circus/band of thieves ("Carnival of Crime") and taught all their tricks, he dons a semi-magickal cape and mask, and becomes "The Cape" after a character in his kid's (oh.. yeah, he has a wife and son who think he's dead and a baddie) favorite comic book.
Anyway, it isn't genius or anything, but I rather like the show. Mostly, because it isn't pandering to the non-nerdly masses flocking to the Superhero genre nowadays. It is very comic book-y versus comic-book-made-into-a-movie-y. Seriously. The shots, the cheese, the catchphrases, all of it comes straight out of comic book lore. From those books all us true nerds read and got bullied for before the popular kids opened their eyes to the genius of our genres.
From what I've read review-wise, it isn't terribly popular with the critics, but I'm hoping the true nerd fanbase is enough to sustain it. Even when I'm cringing from the corniness of flashback scenes between Vince and his son, I'm still happy that it stays true to the comic book genre.
Also, and possibly the most important reason I've been watching the show, "The Cape" stars the ever-gorgeous-and-under-appreciated Summer Glau. She is much like the show in remaining true to the nerdlings who worship her. After "Firefly" was insanely cancelled, she hopped on the "The Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles" train, guest starred in "Big Bang Theory," "Chuck," and "Dollhouse (side note, she also guest starred in "Angel" before "Firefly." Presumably, her amazingness stunned Whedon so much that he wrote the show as a tribute to her).
Well, I'm pretty happy watching it. It reminds me of my childhood. And of watching Eat Pray Love because strangely, that film is the only other thing the lead actor, David Lyons, has been in that I've seen. Yes yes, he really was the nude Australian who (unsuccessfully) tried to seduce Julia Roberts' character.
If you've seen it, let me know what you think ^___^ Though I have a hard time believing it would appeal to the nerdless. Just saying...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Stress Makes Me Mean!
Ugh, I know it is one thing to think mean thoughts and another to think and then say mean thoughts, but man was I grumpy at the gym today. That sentence made a lot more sense in my head.
Anyway, as many of you probably know, gyms are seriously overcrowded in January until maybe halfway through February as a result of New Year's Resolutions. I'm sure I've noted it elsewhere on this blog, but I don't do New Year's Resolutions, because the solar/Gregorian new year (and the lunar one come to that) is based on a rotation, like a lap around a field. While a running track may have a mapped out start point, the stars and whatnot have no such thing. Therefore, calling January 1st the New Year is really just derived from nothing (or a celebration of Janus, if you want to believe the Wiki), because there is no real stopping or ending point to an arbitrary circular path. Everyday is the day of a new year, because it has been a year since that day the previous year.
End segue. So, anyway, it has been crazy busy at the gym. Luckily, I get off work at 3:30, so usually I'm at the gym before the biggest crowds (i.e. before 5:00). But today, when I got to the gym at around 4:00, it was pretty packed. I got on the stationary bike and did that for a half hour, because I wanted to do another machine as well. But, alas!, every single machine in the place was being used. No joke.
I was pretty durned grumpy. Mostly because I had a particularly stressful day and it will be a busy and nerve-racking week. I should hear from UC Davis Cultural Studies PhD program this week (or next, if they are running late). While I know that getting rejected wouldn't be personal, I also know that I tend to take stupid things personally. It is annoying how difficult it is to meld beliefs with feelings. When I am stressed, I like to work out longer. So I was irritated.
Particularly at the New Years worker outers. While I really should be hoping that they stick with it as a general group, because it is good for them and all, I really just want them to leave so I can have free reign over the machines again.
Obviously should take up jogging.
Anyway, as many of you probably know, gyms are seriously overcrowded in January until maybe halfway through February as a result of New Year's Resolutions. I'm sure I've noted it elsewhere on this blog, but I don't do New Year's Resolutions, because the solar/Gregorian new year (and the lunar one come to that) is based on a rotation, like a lap around a field. While a running track may have a mapped out start point, the stars and whatnot have no such thing. Therefore, calling January 1st the New Year is really just derived from nothing (or a celebration of Janus, if you want to believe the Wiki), because there is no real stopping or ending point to an arbitrary circular path. Everyday is the day of a new year, because it has been a year since that day the previous year.
End segue. So, anyway, it has been crazy busy at the gym. Luckily, I get off work at 3:30, so usually I'm at the gym before the biggest crowds (i.e. before 5:00). But today, when I got to the gym at around 4:00, it was pretty packed. I got on the stationary bike and did that for a half hour, because I wanted to do another machine as well. But, alas!, every single machine in the place was being used. No joke.
I was pretty durned grumpy. Mostly because I had a particularly stressful day and it will be a busy and nerve-racking week. I should hear from UC Davis Cultural Studies PhD program this week (or next, if they are running late). While I know that getting rejected wouldn't be personal, I also know that I tend to take stupid things personally. It is annoying how difficult it is to meld beliefs with feelings. When I am stressed, I like to work out longer. So I was irritated.
Particularly at the New Years worker outers. While I really should be hoping that they stick with it as a general group, because it is good for them and all, I really just want them to leave so I can have free reign over the machines again.
Obviously should take up jogging.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Hey! I'm linked!
I just learned how to see when someone's linked you. Now am feeling super important. Obviously need to type up more poems that aren't online and put 'em up for ya'll to see. Am geniusly and with little effort uprooting the status quo *^^* or not. Still, it is nice to be linked.
I haven't really been listed by many sites, but I was linked from KUOW. I listen to this radio station- our local NPR station- all the time. Hurrah! And I'm linked from a piece on Dr. Chapman, who is just amazing. Feeling pretty happy right now!
I will try to put up more obscure poems that are IMPOSSIBLE to find online. I was pretty annoyed that Ruth Forman's poetry was so inaccessible online in the first place, which is why I typed out "If You Lose Your Pen" and "I Will Write Genius to Myself."
Although, I'm sure you can also get in trouble for this :| Art should be free though! And I suppose it I properly cite, it should be okay. I will just be more careful with my citations from now on. Good plan.
I haven't really been listed by many sites, but I was linked from KUOW. I listen to this radio station- our local NPR station- all the time. Hurrah! And I'm linked from a piece on Dr. Chapman, who is just amazing. Feeling pretty happy right now!
I will try to put up more obscure poems that are IMPOSSIBLE to find online. I was pretty annoyed that Ruth Forman's poetry was so inaccessible online in the first place, which is why I typed out "If You Lose Your Pen" and "I Will Write Genius to Myself."
Although, I'm sure you can also get in trouble for this :| Art should be free though! And I suppose it I properly cite, it should be okay. I will just be more careful with my citations from now on. Good plan.
Calendars
I've had quite a shift in my calendar situation the past few years. Seriously. It's annoying. They suddenly stopped producing some of the calendars I'd grown accustomed to hanging on my walls. Which is just irritating.
This year, I've got a Georgia O'Keeffe and an African American art calendar (two separate calendars... not one wildly themed one). So far, I'm quite enjoying them. Well, maybe not so much the African American art one actually, on account of January picturing a young lad who appears to be Jesus. Maybe the lad isn't him, but he sure appears to be from this distance. So I feel like Jesus is all staring me down and making me feel guilty when I'm in bed. Which makes for a boring bed. Just saying...
Last year, I had two pretty boring calendars. One was this random artist's drawings of fairies, which was sometimes fun, but all very similar. The other was old pictures of France. I don't know why I got it, but it probably had a lot to do with it being super cheap. But why would I want to look at old pictures of Paris? I'm not much of a francophile. Not that I dislike Paris or anything, it's just, you know, not a place I am particularly attached to emotionally. Really, I don't think I like many place pictures period. Three p's. That's alliteration that is.
The past three years before that, I got a Little Prince calendar along with some sort of Edward Gorey calendar. Neither seems to have been printed this year. What is up with that?
So, what calendars do you all have? Any good ones?
This year, I've got a Georgia O'Keeffe and an African American art calendar (two separate calendars... not one wildly themed one). So far, I'm quite enjoying them. Well, maybe not so much the African American art one actually, on account of January picturing a young lad who appears to be Jesus. Maybe the lad isn't him, but he sure appears to be from this distance. So I feel like Jesus is all staring me down and making me feel guilty when I'm in bed. Which makes for a boring bed. Just saying...
Last year, I had two pretty boring calendars. One was this random artist's drawings of fairies, which was sometimes fun, but all very similar. The other was old pictures of France. I don't know why I got it, but it probably had a lot to do with it being super cheap. But why would I want to look at old pictures of Paris? I'm not much of a francophile. Not that I dislike Paris or anything, it's just, you know, not a place I am particularly attached to emotionally. Really, I don't think I like many place pictures period. Three p's. That's alliteration that is.
The past three years before that, I got a Little Prince calendar along with some sort of Edward Gorey calendar. Neither seems to have been printed this year. What is up with that?
So, what calendars do you all have? Any good ones?
Friday, January 21, 2011
Reading
I've become a bit of an eclectic reader of late. My general strategy in the past has been to look about the bookstore or library until a book's binding or title pops out at me. It is amazing how much you really can tell about a book by those two elements. Of course, you can also do the "short book" game, detailed elsewhere on this blog.
Lately though, I've fallen back into the habit of reading less stressful books. Really, if a book is going to make it into your soul/stay with you for life/all that, it has to be pretty dramatic an a bit stressful at time (i.e. Never Let Me Go was a lovely book, but not very cheery). But I'm pretty well stressed lately, so I've been defaulting to easier reading choices.
I read a fair number of children's books (obviously). The reasons are pretty simple: children's books are generally pretty low stress (except The Golden Compass which was just unpleasant) with happy endings. A lot can go on, and I actually do have a deep respect for the amount of work that has to go into these books, but they also do tend to be short and easier to follow. That, and I write a children's book series (not a published one, but still), and it is important to see what others are doing.
One really unusual reading habit I've gotten into lately is the multiple readings of books by the same author in a row. I've never really done that before, but now it seems more like becoming familiar with a certain feeling. Like Cherie Priest's work and those of Nick Hornby. There's a general emotion to reading them. It is the same for series because, nearly always, they too have the same author or authors throughout.
Then there is the Japanese light novel. Ah, they are nice. Pictures and everything. Quick reads with generally happy endings.
What I don't read, however, are mystery books (or suspense). I think I've watched too many cop shows, 'cause I generally figure it out pretty quick. That, and they seem to play on the assumption that the reader is ignorant to some element of the script- i.e. a setting ("Let's set it in New Mexico!"), a time period ("World War I sounds good- no one knows about then!"), a character trait ("Oh ho! Let's give her OCD!"), or a particularly creepy crime (use your imagination). I almost always dislike them, even if I enjoy the characters.
A wonderful way to find a book is to look for the fantasy plot in a general fiction context. Like the sneaky sci fi/fantasy book that is considered good enough to be placed in the general fiction section of the bookstore/library (i.e. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, Never Let Me Go, lots of works by Haruki Murakami). They are pretty hard to find though :| Requires lots of patience.
I also read comics, because I'm awesome like that. Nerdy. Yes. Anyway, I usually go through other peoples' favorites lists. Things pop up fairly often. I can also search by theme.
Themes. Hm. I love distopias in general (The Handmaid's Tale in particular), as well as afterlife-focused books (Lovely Bones, Elsewhere, The Great Blue Yonder, Afterlife). Pre-life themes are even more exciting to me, but quite hard to come across. I'd give an example, but this sort of thing often comes as a twist.
Going to sleep now- cheers.
Lately though, I've fallen back into the habit of reading less stressful books. Really, if a book is going to make it into your soul/stay with you for life/all that, it has to be pretty dramatic an a bit stressful at time (i.e. Never Let Me Go was a lovely book, but not very cheery). But I'm pretty well stressed lately, so I've been defaulting to easier reading choices.
I read a fair number of children's books (obviously). The reasons are pretty simple: children's books are generally pretty low stress (except The Golden Compass which was just unpleasant) with happy endings. A lot can go on, and I actually do have a deep respect for the amount of work that has to go into these books, but they also do tend to be short and easier to follow. That, and I write a children's book series (not a published one, but still), and it is important to see what others are doing.
One really unusual reading habit I've gotten into lately is the multiple readings of books by the same author in a row. I've never really done that before, but now it seems more like becoming familiar with a certain feeling. Like Cherie Priest's work and those of Nick Hornby. There's a general emotion to reading them. It is the same for series because, nearly always, they too have the same author or authors throughout.
Then there is the Japanese light novel. Ah, they are nice. Pictures and everything. Quick reads with generally happy endings.
What I don't read, however, are mystery books (or suspense). I think I've watched too many cop shows, 'cause I generally figure it out pretty quick. That, and they seem to play on the assumption that the reader is ignorant to some element of the script- i.e. a setting ("Let's set it in New Mexico!"), a time period ("World War I sounds good- no one knows about then!"), a character trait ("Oh ho! Let's give her OCD!"), or a particularly creepy crime (use your imagination). I almost always dislike them, even if I enjoy the characters.
A wonderful way to find a book is to look for the fantasy plot in a general fiction context. Like the sneaky sci fi/fantasy book that is considered good enough to be placed in the general fiction section of the bookstore/library (i.e. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, Never Let Me Go, lots of works by Haruki Murakami). They are pretty hard to find though :| Requires lots of patience.
I also read comics, because I'm awesome like that. Nerdy. Yes. Anyway, I usually go through other peoples' favorites lists. Things pop up fairly often. I can also search by theme.
Themes. Hm. I love distopias in general (The Handmaid's Tale in particular), as well as afterlife-focused books (Lovely Bones, Elsewhere, The Great Blue Yonder, Afterlife). Pre-life themes are even more exciting to me, but quite hard to come across. I'd give an example, but this sort of thing often comes as a twist.
Going to sleep now- cheers.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
It is a good thing I am pretty...
she says, coyly.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure my brain is shrinking. Seriously. Well, not seriously... But you know what I mean.
I felt quite the idiot in class tonight. The truth of the matter is, I've got a bit of a gigantic gap in my education. Which is to say, I haven't a huge understanding of what went down in the U.S. in the 1980's and 1990's. I was too little back then, and they didn't make it into history books when I was in high school. I did Running Start (community college as high school student), and U.S. history just went through the 1970's. Drat -_-
So, I always look pretty silly when it comes to issues around that time frame. Plus, I pretty much never had to study European history (apart from Russia- I did take a Cold War course) or pretty much any African history (except for Somalia- I studied the Somali pirates in relation to the country as a whole). So all this stuff ends up being pretty new to my brain!
I think my references are too obscure as well. I'm pretty good with Asian history in general (like, every country in Asia, including Russia which is in the fuzzy zone between Asia and Europe), but it seems like most of what I know relates to Burma, Tibet, Vietnam, Japan, and China. See how ridiculous I am- I don't want to be the fool that misunderstands Japanese or Chinese policy in front of the folks who actually know quite a bit (i.e. people who studied in Japan for years or are from China). Vietnam seems the best option for my examples, but it seems like most everything slides back into a conversation about the Vietnam War. And a lot of people in the class definitely were alive during, so I'd feel silly.
Gah! No more self-conscious ranting. Shall firmly make a fool of myself by using Zambia as an example, knowing that many people in the class are more expertly than myself (and that all my knowledge of the country comes from them).
Anyway, The Mysterious Benedict Society is quite good. I read the first page, got hooked, and even set the next Lemony Snicket book down.
Am also thinking of writing a series of poems about zombies and other supernatural creatures. Because, well, why not? It sounds like fun. Also have thought of writing a poem for each photo mentioned in Sontag's Regarding the Pain of Others and each photo I took of the weeping monk statues in Kawagoe (五百羅漢- 500 Disiciples of Buddha). Good times.
But not really, because I've stayed up too late writing nothing of consequence. Drat. Good night!
Anyway, I'm pretty sure my brain is shrinking. Seriously. Well, not seriously... But you know what I mean.
I felt quite the idiot in class tonight. The truth of the matter is, I've got a bit of a gigantic gap in my education. Which is to say, I haven't a huge understanding of what went down in the U.S. in the 1980's and 1990's. I was too little back then, and they didn't make it into history books when I was in high school. I did Running Start (community college as high school student), and U.S. history just went through the 1970's. Drat -_-
So, I always look pretty silly when it comes to issues around that time frame. Plus, I pretty much never had to study European history (apart from Russia- I did take a Cold War course) or pretty much any African history (except for Somalia- I studied the Somali pirates in relation to the country as a whole). So all this stuff ends up being pretty new to my brain!
I think my references are too obscure as well. I'm pretty good with Asian history in general (like, every country in Asia, including Russia which is in the fuzzy zone between Asia and Europe), but it seems like most of what I know relates to Burma, Tibet, Vietnam, Japan, and China. See how ridiculous I am- I don't want to be the fool that misunderstands Japanese or Chinese policy in front of the folks who actually know quite a bit (i.e. people who studied in Japan for years or are from China). Vietnam seems the best option for my examples, but it seems like most everything slides back into a conversation about the Vietnam War. And a lot of people in the class definitely were alive during, so I'd feel silly.
Gah! No more self-conscious ranting. Shall firmly make a fool of myself by using Zambia as an example, knowing that many people in the class are more expertly than myself (and that all my knowledge of the country comes from them).
Anyway, The Mysterious Benedict Society is quite good. I read the first page, got hooked, and even set the next Lemony Snicket book down.
Am also thinking of writing a series of poems about zombies and other supernatural creatures. Because, well, why not? It sounds like fun. Also have thought of writing a poem for each photo mentioned in Sontag's Regarding the Pain of Others and each photo I took of the weeping monk statues in Kawagoe (五百羅漢- 500 Disiciples of Buddha). Good times.
But not really, because I've stayed up too late writing nothing of consequence. Drat. Good night!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Need to find a new children's book series
Hm. I am on the search for a new children's book series to read. And by "new" I don't mean chronologically, but unknown to me at the moment \(^o^)/
The problem is, I've been reading the How to Train Your Dragon series and the Series of Unfortunate Events but have hit that point when the books are no longer available used except through Amazon.com or other online used book sites. They must be paperback so I can break the spines as I read while working out-- hardcover books will not stay open on the stands! And while I'd be willing to pay for new paperback books, provided they were less than $5, it seems that the same books that are hard to find used are hard to find in paperback, even when published!
I thought about doing a big ol' Facebook post asking for suggestions, but really I don't want more people telling me to read His Dark Materials. I hated The Golden Compass. Having your soul animal ripped apart is just scary and there is way too much war.
So, I've just finished wandering through the book shelves, and have found first books from a few series that I shall at least try. They include:
A Wrinkle in Time- Madeline L'Engle-- I read this series a long while ago. Tried to read it a few years back via book on tape, but they were read by the author, who has a lisp. ...I am a lot less shallow in non-entertainment contexts... Anyway, she was a rotten reader. I will try reading the thing via book this time
Fablehaven- Brandon Mull-- My mom got me the first book a while back. I couldn't get into it last time I tried, but am feeling more optimistic this time! I do like the holographic cover...
Ramona series- Beverly Cleary-- I've actually got Ramona the Pest which isn't the first one, but I do remember her general background pretty well from being a kid :) Let's see if I still like her!
Little House on the Prairie- Laura Ingalls Wilder-- I hate this series. I mean... hated this series. I don't see it going past the one book, because I really disliked everything about the films, books, and tv series as a youngster. I haven't gotten that much older that I'd change so much. But I did like playing Oregon Trail as a kid >.<
Magyk- Septimus Heap-- Not sure when I bought this book, but they are always pretty cheap. New books always come out in paperback versus hardcover- hurrah!
The Mysterious Benedict Society- Trenton Lee Stewart-- My mom thinks I'd like this series. About smart/nerdy kids. I suppose I will relate? Being a nerdy kid myself.
Anyway, I am now waiting a few books coming out in paperback. Here is my mini-list:
Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Grim Grotto
The Penultimate Peril
The End
How To Train Your Dragon
How to Ride a Dragon's Storm (2008) (in paperback U.S.- June 7th)
How to Break a Dragon's Heart (2009) (?)
How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011) (?)
Wish me luck! I may run to Half Price Books to try and find some more used copies for Unfortunate Events!
The problem is, I've been reading the How to Train Your Dragon series and the Series of Unfortunate Events but have hit that point when the books are no longer available used except through Amazon.com or other online used book sites. They must be paperback so I can break the spines as I read while working out-- hardcover books will not stay open on the stands! And while I'd be willing to pay for new paperback books, provided they were less than $5, it seems that the same books that are hard to find used are hard to find in paperback, even when published!
I thought about doing a big ol' Facebook post asking for suggestions, but really I don't want more people telling me to read His Dark Materials. I hated The Golden Compass. Having your soul animal ripped apart is just scary and there is way too much war.
So, I've just finished wandering through the book shelves, and have found first books from a few series that I shall at least try. They include:
A Wrinkle in Time- Madeline L'Engle-- I read this series a long while ago. Tried to read it a few years back via book on tape, but they were read by the author, who has a lisp. ...I am a lot less shallow in non-entertainment contexts... Anyway, she was a rotten reader. I will try reading the thing via book this time
Fablehaven- Brandon Mull-- My mom got me the first book a while back. I couldn't get into it last time I tried, but am feeling more optimistic this time! I do like the holographic cover...
Ramona series- Beverly Cleary-- I've actually got Ramona the Pest which isn't the first one, but I do remember her general background pretty well from being a kid :) Let's see if I still like her!
Little House on the Prairie- Laura Ingalls Wilder-- I hate this series. I mean... hated this series. I don't see it going past the one book, because I really disliked everything about the films, books, and tv series as a youngster. I haven't gotten that much older that I'd change so much. But I did like playing Oregon Trail as a kid >.<
Magyk- Septimus Heap-- Not sure when I bought this book, but they are always pretty cheap. New books always come out in paperback versus hardcover- hurrah!
The Mysterious Benedict Society- Trenton Lee Stewart-- My mom thinks I'd like this series. About smart/nerdy kids. I suppose I will relate? Being a nerdy kid myself.
Anyway, I am now waiting a few books coming out in paperback. Here is my mini-list:
Series of Unfortunate Events:
The Grim Grotto
The Penultimate Peril
The End
How To Train Your Dragon
How to Ride a Dragon's Storm (2008) (in paperback U.S.- June 7th)
How to Break a Dragon's Heart (2009) (?)
How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011) (?)
Wish me luck! I may run to Half Price Books to try and find some more used copies for Unfortunate Events!
There She Is!!!
The videos from this lovely series, linked for your enjoyment ^____^
I am so happy to have such lovely things shared with me via Facebook. I don't care if it makes me look like a techno-nerd/Generation Y2K junkie/needs a life thing, I will defend social networking and the interwebz to my grave (not literally... make lurve not war!). Anyway, I got to this lovely series via another video linked by a friend on the Facebook.
It restores so much faith to know that this series is loved and has been created with such care. \(^o\) (/o^)/
... obviously, I am brushing up on my super cute emoticons as well.
I am so happy to have such lovely things shared with me via Facebook. I don't care if it makes me look like a techno-nerd/Generation Y2K junkie/needs a life thing, I will defend social networking and the interwebz to my grave (not literally... make lurve not war!). Anyway, I got to this lovely series via another video linked by a friend on the Facebook.
It restores so much faith to know that this series is loved and has been created with such care. \(^o\) (/o^)/
... obviously, I am brushing up on my super cute emoticons as well.
Plans are Boring Anyway...
Hurrah for spontaneity.
Anyway, the plan didn't so much go down like I'd hoped. By which, I mean that I haven't even finished what I'd meant to get done on Friday. I'll have to buckle down and really work on things tomorrow. Will put off editing the papers until next weekend. In any case, this weekend really was better for poetry writing and philosophizing.
And yes, dear commenter (thank you for commenting-- it always cheers me up. Even trolls bring up my spirits because I feel so powerful deleting their comments *^.^*), I do rather make short-termed sort of plans. It is more of a one day at a time approach right now. It feels like making long-term plans lead one toward the path of wishing away one's life.
I look forward to April and going to Hawaii, but I think skipping right on ahead would be awful too, however much I need a (working) vacation. I'd miss lovely things like Emmy's second birthday, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day (and green gin and tonics-- my favorite bar day of the year just because of the dye), and all that growing up some more. I dream of June and graduation, but what would be the point of skipping ahead? Grad school is too expensive to give up all the things you can learn in five months. I wouldn't deserve it if I skipped right past.
I say/write this now, knowing that I so often slip into the mindset of dreaming of future days. Come tomorrow night (or rather, tonight I suppose... how did midnight get here?), I'll be dreaming of the weekend and regretting I didn't get more work done this weekend.
It feels as though I've spent all my life wishing for the future. In grade school, I thought it would all be better once I got to high school, and I could drive. Then, of course, I just wanted to graduate and get to college, where people would be mature and treat each other kindly. But undergrad had no such dignity, so I dreamed of graduation again. I am happy with my life now, apart from some small things (like pain, which I guess isn't small in my case), or at least at peace. Thinking of the now seems like a sweeter way to live.
Perhaps it would be best to think of one thing each day that I am grateful for, however hard things are right now. Even happy, I am tired. Reading children's novels to give my brain rest in the non-study time. Cats that stay up 'til the wee hours of the morning to give you company. Finding new music to listen to and love.
Hoping I can find more peace <3
Anyway, the plan didn't so much go down like I'd hoped. By which, I mean that I haven't even finished what I'd meant to get done on Friday. I'll have to buckle down and really work on things tomorrow. Will put off editing the papers until next weekend. In any case, this weekend really was better for poetry writing and philosophizing.
And yes, dear commenter (thank you for commenting-- it always cheers me up. Even trolls bring up my spirits because I feel so powerful deleting their comments *^.^*), I do rather make short-termed sort of plans. It is more of a one day at a time approach right now. It feels like making long-term plans lead one toward the path of wishing away one's life.
I look forward to April and going to Hawaii, but I think skipping right on ahead would be awful too, however much I need a (working) vacation. I'd miss lovely things like Emmy's second birthday, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day (and green gin and tonics-- my favorite bar day of the year just because of the dye), and all that growing up some more. I dream of June and graduation, but what would be the point of skipping ahead? Grad school is too expensive to give up all the things you can learn in five months. I wouldn't deserve it if I skipped right past.
I say/write this now, knowing that I so often slip into the mindset of dreaming of future days. Come tomorrow night (or rather, tonight I suppose... how did midnight get here?), I'll be dreaming of the weekend and regretting I didn't get more work done this weekend.
It feels as though I've spent all my life wishing for the future. In grade school, I thought it would all be better once I got to high school, and I could drive. Then, of course, I just wanted to graduate and get to college, where people would be mature and treat each other kindly. But undergrad had no such dignity, so I dreamed of graduation again. I am happy with my life now, apart from some small things (like pain, which I guess isn't small in my case), or at least at peace. Thinking of the now seems like a sweeter way to live.
Perhaps it would be best to think of one thing each day that I am grateful for, however hard things are right now. Even happy, I am tired. Reading children's novels to give my brain rest in the non-study time. Cats that stay up 'til the wee hours of the morning to give you company. Finding new music to listen to and love.
Hoping I can find more peace <3
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Plan
I've got to plan this four-day weekend carefully. That is the start of the plan.
Tonight:
Read the two articles for independent study, if you can stay awake!
Okay, so tomorrow:
Friday
Wake up (....)
Work out
Go to library-- print out the rest of next week's Development readings
Read for Development and post!
Read first half of Birth of the Clinic
Call Dr. R!
Saturday
Wake up (or not?)
Work out
... except Emmy's coming over...
Anyway- read the rest of Birth of the Clinic.
Return dress
Sunday
Edit capstone essay three, rewrite capstone essay two
Read other reading for IS
Monday
Sleep in...
... (hopefully edit and finish Nano novel- I got the 50000 words but didn't actually finish the final chapters. Oh dear...)
Ugh. But I want to go to sleep or otherwise screw around rather than read. Drat!
Tonight:
Read the two articles for independent study, if you can stay awake!
Okay, so tomorrow:
Friday
Wake up (....)
Work out
Go to library-- print out the rest of next week's Development readings
Read for Development and post!
Read first half of Birth of the Clinic
Call Dr. R!
Saturday
Wake up (or not?)
Work out
... except Emmy's coming over...
Anyway- read the rest of Birth of the Clinic.
Return dress
Sunday
Edit capstone essay three, rewrite capstone essay two
Read other reading for IS
Monday
Sleep in...
... (hopefully edit and finish Nano novel- I got the 50000 words but didn't actually finish the final chapters. Oh dear...)
Ugh. But I want to go to sleep or otherwise screw around rather than read. Drat!
Super stressed out!
I am super stressed out. About something I really don't need to be worrying over. But still, knowing that doesn't make me worry any less.
For the second time, I am involved in a student aspect for a hiring thing. I am being purposefully abstract. I've always been pretty panicky about what I can/cannot say out to the world, but now I'm more than panicky, I'm paranoid.
Anyway, so this hiringy thing for some college or something somewhere or maybe not. Basically, one of the students in the group asked a question that is technically illegal. And the candidate called him or her out on it, and then kinda lectured us all.
Then we get three emails from higher-ups involved in the process reminding us what we can and cannot ask candidates. They were pretty polite, but still. I am feeling pretty awful. Sure, I wasn't the one who asked the question and the person who did ask really meant no harm, but I'm stressing over it anyway.
Mostly, the thing is, that the candidate was really scary. After the question was asked, s/he still acted pretty nice but was also very preachy and went on and on about why it was important not to ask certain questions.
Then this person also gave a story about someone at hir (his or her) old university where a white male married candidate couldn't get a job (for like two years). He eventually pretended to be gay (I guess acted stereotypically "gay" and hinted at a gay club nearby) and got hired. When the folks called to hire him, a child answered, and when they talked to the guy, they could hear his wife happily crying in the background. But the thing was, our candidate mentioned how weird they thought it was to hear a child. I don't understand- is the implication that gay folks can't have kids?
Anyway, the whole thing was so uncomfortable, I'm sure it affected at least the poor person who asked the question's views on this candidate. But to be more honest, I am more worried that all the important people involved (not that students aren't important people... I'm just trying to be discrete and simultaneously burying myself into a rhetorically problematic hole) will think I was the one who asked and think I'm a maroon. Which is a nice way of saying "moron." Not that the person who did ask is a dolt or anything.
....
See how insane my logic is? Anyway, I'm worried. And there's not much to be done about it.
For the second time, I am involved in a student aspect for a hiring thing. I am being purposefully abstract. I've always been pretty panicky about what I can/cannot say out to the world, but now I'm more than panicky, I'm paranoid.
Anyway, so this hiringy thing for some college or something somewhere or maybe not. Basically, one of the students in the group asked a question that is technically illegal. And the candidate called him or her out on it, and then kinda lectured us all.
Then we get three emails from higher-ups involved in the process reminding us what we can and cannot ask candidates. They were pretty polite, but still. I am feeling pretty awful. Sure, I wasn't the one who asked the question and the person who did ask really meant no harm, but I'm stressing over it anyway.
Mostly, the thing is, that the candidate was really scary. After the question was asked, s/he still acted pretty nice but was also very preachy and went on and on about why it was important not to ask certain questions.
Then this person also gave a story about someone at hir (his or her) old university where a white male married candidate couldn't get a job (for like two years). He eventually pretended to be gay (I guess acted stereotypically "gay" and hinted at a gay club nearby) and got hired. When the folks called to hire him, a child answered, and when they talked to the guy, they could hear his wife happily crying in the background. But the thing was, our candidate mentioned how weird they thought it was to hear a child. I don't understand- is the implication that gay folks can't have kids?
Anyway, the whole thing was so uncomfortable, I'm sure it affected at least the poor person who asked the question's views on this candidate. But to be more honest, I am more worried that all the important people involved (not that students aren't important people... I'm just trying to be discrete and simultaneously burying myself into a rhetorically problematic hole) will think I was the one who asked and think I'm a maroon. Which is a nice way of saying "moron." Not that the person who did ask is a dolt or anything.
....
See how insane my logic is? Anyway, I'm worried. And there's not much to be done about it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Untitled- Kanoko Okamoto
Cherry petals
each disintegrating
its flowery form
mingles with the small gravel
trampled by people who pass
Untitled piece by Kanoko Okamoto
Obviously, I am not in a great mood. I'll just let the above piece speak for me, if it's all the same. Good night.
Edit: I have fixed the weird font thing. Sorry it was so tiny!!
each disintegrating
its flowery form
mingles with the small gravel
trampled by people who pass
Untitled piece by Kanoko Okamoto
Obviously, I am not in a great mood. I'll just let the above piece speak for me, if it's all the same. Good night.
Edit: I have fixed the weird font thing. Sorry it was so tiny!!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Number of Posts
I need to try to write more this year- jeez. Lookit those stats at the left there. Every year, I seem to post less and less. Of course, 2008-2009 I was in Japan and posting so folks knew what I was up to, and I was sightseeing a lot so there was actually a point in posting. But still...
What to post about?
Conferences? Sounds good.
I just got in to the Women Who Rock Conference at Seattle U and UW (cosponsored). Here is the description:
Get ready for the "The Women Who Rock Conference"!
If you are interested Call for Session Proposals
Deadline: November 30, 2010
Submit your session proposals by November 30, 2010. Proposals should be 500 words or less and include a description of the session format. Please also include a 50-word biography.
Send proposals for sessions to quetzal@uw.edu.
Group and individual proposals or performances will be considered.
Questions? Contact Quetzal Flores, quetzal@uw.edu.
Conference registration at: https://catalyst.uw.edu/we
UW's address : 1959 Northeast Pacific Street
SU's address is:
900 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98104
-- P and I are presenting/facilitating on women of color in Seattle's musical theatre scene. The event is really coming up quick- February 17 and 18!
Then in March there is the big Cultural Studies Association Conference in Chicago at Columbia College. Here is that description:
-- D and I are presenting basically the same paper as at the CSA Conference, though I expect we'll have some edits by then.
... yeah, that's all I got. Most of it was copied and pasted too. Lame.
What to post about?
Conferences? Sounds good.
I just got in to the Women Who Rock Conference at Seattle U and UW (cosponsored). Here is the description:
Get ready for the "The Women Who Rock Conference"!
If you are interested Call for Session Proposals
Deadline: November 30, 2010
Submit your session proposals by November 30, 2010. Proposals should be 500 words or less and include a description of the session format. Please also include a 50-word biography.
Send proposals for sessions to quetzal@uw.edu.
Group and individual proposals or performances will be considered.
Questions? Contact Quetzal Flores, quetzal@uw.edu.
Conference registration at: https://catalyst.uw.edu/we
UW's address : 1959 Northeast Pacific Street
SU's address is:
900 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98104
-- P and I are presenting/facilitating on women of color in Seattle's musical theatre scene. The event is really coming up quick- February 17 and 18!
Then in March there is the big Cultural Studies Association Conference in Chicago at Columbia College. Here is that description:
The Cultural Studies Association (CSA) invites participation in its ninth annual conference. The theme of this year’s conference, New Directions in Cultural Studies, encourages the submission of proposals that reflect on the past(s) and present(s) of the field of cultural studies and endeavor to lay the groundwork of its future(s).
NEW DIRECTIONS IN CULTURAL STUDIESColumbia College Chicago Chicago,
Illinois 24-26 March, 2011
Deadline for Proposals: 17 September 2010
Illinois 24-26 March, 2011
Deadline for Proposals: 17 September 2010
-- D and I are presenting on House M.D. and presentations of pain and opiate therapies. This is a pretty huge conference- the biggest CS conference in the U.S. Kinda stoked.
Then, there is the Pac Rim International Disability Studies Conference in April.
The Pacific Rim International Conference (Pac Rim) on Disabilities has been widely recognized over the past 25 years as one of the most “diverse gatherings” in the world. The event encourages and respects voices from “diverse” perspective across numerous areas, including: voices from persons representing all disability areas; experiences of family members and supporters across all disability areas; responsiveness to diverse cultural and language differences; evidence of researchers and academics studying disability; stories of persons providing powerful lessons; examples of program providers, natural supports and allies of persons with disabilities and; action plans to meet human and social needs in a globalized world.
Each year the conference hews to its traditional areas which have bred much of the interdisciplinary research and educational advances of the last three decades. But each year new topics are introduced to foment discussion and change. The intent is to harness the tremendous synergy as generated by the intermingling of these diverse perspectives, thus, creating a powerful program which impacts each individual participant in his or her own unique way.
Each year the conference hews to its traditional areas which have bred much of the interdisciplinary research and educational advances of the last three decades. But each year new topics are introduced to foment discussion and change. The intent is to harness the tremendous synergy as generated by the intermingling of these diverse perspectives, thus, creating a powerful program which impacts each individual participant in his or her own unique way.
-- D and I are presenting basically the same paper as at the CSA Conference, though I expect we'll have some edits by then.
... yeah, that's all I got. Most of it was copied and pasted too. Lame.
Jealous
Man, I was jealous tonight- really jealous- for the first time in a while. Usually, I get simultaneously jealous and happy for the person getting whatever it is I'm a'wanting. But tonight, I was just jealous. I'm hoping to morph it into feeling happy for the other person overnight.
Anyway, this dude in my cohort (if you're reading this, which I doubt, I'm sorry for the lack of nice feelings!) gets to spend the quarter doing a one-on-one ten-credit directed reading with his capstone advisor. They both read the same four or so books a week and then meet to discuss them. It sounds like a lot of reading, but it really is pretty doable when you are working part-time and that is your only class. I'm reading about two books a week and definitely feeling underwhelmed with the work load.
I wish I could meet one-on-one with my capstone advisor and just read for my project. Very jealous. That sounds like a dream quarter. If I wasn't so happy with my elective this quarter, I'd probably be a green monster by now. Green-eyed monster? Can't remember the expression.
Well, at least I get to just work on my capstone for 5 of my credits. Getting a lot of work done. I need to get editing. Feeling strong!
Anyway, this dude in my cohort (if you're reading this, which I doubt, I'm sorry for the lack of nice feelings!) gets to spend the quarter doing a one-on-one ten-credit directed reading with his capstone advisor. They both read the same four or so books a week and then meet to discuss them. It sounds like a lot of reading, but it really is pretty doable when you are working part-time and that is your only class. I'm reading about two books a week and definitely feeling underwhelmed with the work load.
I wish I could meet one-on-one with my capstone advisor and just read for my project. Very jealous. That sounds like a dream quarter. If I wasn't so happy with my elective this quarter, I'd probably be a green monster by now. Green-eyed monster? Can't remember the expression.
Well, at least I get to just work on my capstone for 5 of my credits. Getting a lot of work done. I need to get editing. Feeling strong!
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