31 December 2008

Working

Well, at least I know writing here everyday is working. I swear part of the reason I couldn't sleep last night was that I didn't do any writing yesterday.

I thought, since I'd had two beers, last night would be a good night to skip the sleeping pill. Apparently, I was wrong. I was up at 1:00pm. I was up at 3:00pm. I tried moving to the couch in my office, which usually works. Nope. So, at around 3:30, I went back to bed and finally got some sleep. Then the alarm went off. Then the dogs needed to protect me from the cat by barking their little heads off.

Needless to say, I am a little grumpy today.

29 December 2008

Re-Thinking

Registration is not over yet and I'm sure this will all change; however, yesterday, when I looked at my course registration there were only 5 people. 5 people. I cannot run my syllabus will 5 people. There are too many group projects. Having only 5 people would put too much work on them. So, today, I'm trying to come up with alternate projects. It's best to be prepared.
Plus, I've asked them to buy certain books, which means the course will have to stay pretty much the same. Unlike, regular faculty, I don't think they can cancel my course, which means I'll have to go forward-the question is how? It's not that I can't do it. It's jut more work for everyone involved.

28 December 2008

2 1/2 pages...

2 and half pages were all I could muster today. No, not of my dissertation. Although my life didn't flash before my eyes and I didn't see a bright light of any kind, it seems that everything has to be re-lived in order to get the present right. At least I got something done. Hell, maybe I'll edit it all out anyway.

I got Depeche Mode's "Violator" album for Christmas--I still really like it. How's that for a smoke bomb? Changed the subject didn't it.

27 December 2008

Opinions


If you'll remember, I created this lovely board when studying for comps. It was a lovely system inspired by "The Board," but now it needs new life.

I want to keep the taped up sections. I like them. What I would like are suggestions about how best to use this board. Creativity counts. Oh, and it is now in this position on my wall. It will be much more useful there than in the yarn closet.

Chores...

Since, I cleaned my room yesterday, I should probably attack our bedroom today. I just don't feel like it. There are some crochet projects I need to work on, but I don't feel like that.

In fact, I don't feel like much of anything. Cleaning my room was supposed to make me feel like working. No so much. Maybe I instinctually know that working will make my room messy again.

Today, I'm supposed to hang out with Poetpixie. I have no idea when or what we will do, which is par for the course. Before she gets here I'll see if I can muster up a post with some content.

26 December 2008

Decor...


After a year of living here, I figured it was time to start decorating my office. It's not done yet. There are a couple more posters to put up. I'm also thinking of putting up some cork board and my Board from comps. I haven't figured out how yet, but I will make that useful.

The process...












Okay...clearly I need to learn more about adding pictures, but here is the after, halfway, and before of cleaning my office. Now, I just have to hang my posters.
Last night, it felt like I had a lot to say, but this morning there isn't much. It's amazing how my self imposed "day off" made me feel like I NEEDED to write. Now, I just have to transfer this energy.

Yesterday was great. We stayed in our pajamas all day, I made a ham and cheesy potatoes, and we watch Criminal Minds all day. Seriously, someone got me season 3 for Christmas and we stuck it in. There is at least one episode and some special features left over for today. After that, we can start on Generation Kill. Hmmm. Plus the Dark Knight.

I am still stuffed up and high on cold medicine. It's pretty annoying. I also need to clean my room. I thinking about starting that project today. It will definitely take some time. When it is done, I'll post some before and after pictures.

Just now, I heard this on the bbc. "The death of Eartha Kitt, mesmerizing singer and sex symbol." It just struck me funny.

I should have taken some notes from yesterday. There really was something to say. Now, it's gone.

25 December 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone!

24 December 2008

Inside Higher Ed...

I was going to say a lot of snarky things about this IHE.com article, but I realized everything I wanted to say was in the comments already. I also don't have the energy for invective right now. There is one thing I would like to bring up. Although, I was edumacated to teach rhetoric in the writing class and I think it works well, I think the impetus to critique the idea is a good one. Change is only possible when we critique what is happening. To me, it's just that the answer is NOT to go back to teaching only Literature. I don't have an alternate right now. Maybe so much time shouldn't be spent pointing out what Joseph Kugelmass got wrong (and there was much of it that was wrong) and, instead, spend that energy on questioning our own practices.

Also, I just want to point out that I have only spent two weeks reading IHE and I don't know how much longer I can stand it.

23 December 2008


Excuse me for the messed up formatting. I'm sick and I don't want to do this again. Also, there what ended up being a pretty big, cut and paste seciton. This is all from an article titled "The Adjunctification of English" at insidehighered.com. I saw this last week when Dr. Heidi posted it; however, I didn't read it until today. Dr. Heidi's take on this was more about the poor economy and the lack to tenure-track jobs. My take is a little different. Let's begin with the opening line....


Without anyone paying much attention, professors have substantially been replaced by part timers and those off the tenure track when it comes to teaching English and writing to undergraduates.


WTF? Are you serious? Whether or not the MLA has put out a press briefing, this is not a current issue. Anyone involved in teaching composition can tell you that. However, this is continually treated as a "new" development until well down into the article there is this quotation from Cheryl Glenn.


Cheryl Glenn, the chair and a professor of English and women’s studies at Pennsylvania State University, noted that there were many similarities between the MLA’s report and a statement adopted by the writing instructors in 1989, which lamented the “enormous academic underclass” created by the use of adjuncts to teach writing, and called for programs to rely on tenured and tenure-track professors. She said it saddened her that so little progress had been made since 1989, but that the MLA had framed the issues well.


Yes, people in composition and rhetoric have been writing about this "new" problem for years. In fact one of the reasons I continued on to my PhD program was to study this problem. Over the years, my ideas shifted, but that doesn't mean this problem was solved. Go back and read some Bill Readings and Eileen Schell.

Although I am not technically an adjunct, my "Teaching Assistantship" means I occupy a very similar place in the University. In fact, for the University, it is a better place. I do the work of an adjunct, for less, pay for credits while I do it, and they get to say they provide 'experience.' One of the reasons I do not, like many of my colleagues, seek other teaching employment is because it would mean being an "adjunct" somewhere else. Not everyone has the opportunity to eschew that position, but it is important to me to stay out of that system. Until there are jobs, there will always be a cheap labor pool. While there is a cheap labor pool, Universities will use it. Who knows, when I am done here I may have to adjunct somewhere, but there is always the option to be Dr. Barista somewhere.

I want to be clear about one thing. These are my views and only that. I am not saying no one else should ever adjunct; however, if I can avoid it, I will.

Just don't get me started on the other issue here, which is why this is all a problem now that MLA noticed it, but didn't seem to be a real issue before. That is an entirely different rant. Since, I've been told I am a closet Victorianist, I should probably keep my mouth shut about that.


Notes from the Lake House...

Last night I stayed over at the Lake House. It seemed like a good idea. It really was a good idea. Onyx eventually layed on me and even purred. The only part of it that wasn't a good idea was that I got sick yesterday. I spend all night blowing my nose. You should see the pile of Kleenex on the CPs coffee table.

I'll look for something academic to write about, but that probably won't happen until later.

22 December 2008

Admissions

I'm going to include a long cut and paste here, sorry. I'll discuss this below.

How do you encourage students to spend their summers? Are professional work experience or programs abroad viewed positively or can some become too gimmicky?
- Evan

Answer

Mr. Syverson of Lawrence: This was addressed well by one of my colleagues yesterday. Students should follow their passions and develop the aspects of their personalities and proficiencies that are most exciting to them, not the ones they think will best “package” them. Far too many students are spending far too much of their young lives attempting to do “what the colleges want to see in an applicant” in order to someday gain admission to some highly idealized (often hyper-selective) college. Loren Pope, one-time editor of the New York Times Education Section, who passed away earlier this year, spent much of his latter years promoting the concept that the quality of a student’s college education has more to do with the student’s engagement than with the specific college. Through books like “Beyond the Ivy League” and “Colleges That Change Lives” he argued that there are many wonderful colleges in the U.S. that offer an educational experience as good as (or better than) those at the highest profile colleges (albeit without the pedigree). The college search should focus on finding a college that is a good match for the student – not just the most selective place to which they might gain admission.

Answer

Mr. Brenzel of Yale: We encourage students to make use of their summers in the way they find most interesting. If they undertake a specific program, it should be because it appeals strongly to them, not because they imagine it will look best on a resume. Why? First, it is frankly impossible to know what will look best to a particular admissions committee at a particular college. Trying to outthink or outguess the admissions committee strikes me as a useless exercise, though many book authors and private consultants purvey the illusion that they can do this for you. Second, for both education and life, the best program is the one that you find most valuable for yourself at this point in your life. We also honor and value summer jobs; for many students they are necessary and for others they can be just as important a learning experience as anything else. What’s important to us in not what you chose to do for the summer, but what you got out of it.

Answer

Mr. Poch of Pomona: While unusual activities may add a great deal to a student’s experience and have a profound effect on their world view, for some it just comes across as decorative, not substantive. Is a special experience or summer expected or a minimum requirement? No.

Many of those “special” experiences reflect the educational and economic background of the family more than the curiosity or talent of the student. For example, I believe most admissions officers would assume it’s not fair to expect a student who works and contributes to family expenses to take an overseas internship. I confess I often wonder why some students who live in areas that have many social service needs unaddressed will ignore the local situation but move to another country to perform a similar social service. Is it really a service trip or is it a summer vacation built for college admission purposes? It may be both and that’s not a penalty point, but it isn’t a bonus consideration either. Is the student whose family connections provided an internship at a high-profile organization more worthy than a student who delivered pizza or tended to family farm commitments? The rest of the application will give us the answer.

Question

It has long been understood that there are five main facets of an application: transcript, recommendations, standardized test scores, extracurriculars and essays. If a student’s transcript is in the weaker half of the applicant pool, but the remaining four facets are quite exemplary, will an elite college be willing to take a chance?
-Jonah

Answer

Mr. Poch of Pomona: The more selective the institution, the more likely the decision for admission may turn on things not so easily quantified. If the application suggests strong basic competence academically, the other qualities of a candidate become interesting and often determine the outcome. I am interested in both where a student is at the current moment as well as making a guess about where they may be in a year or two or three. Perfect records in high school don’t always suggest perfect students in college. A student who had a bump along the way may know more about how and why they learn than one who has been grinding along without a second thought. Glowing references, strong tested ability, leadership strength and a terrific interview can sometimes outweigh a transcript with a glitch or two but in highly selective environments are not likely to override a real mess of a record.

Answer

Mr. Brenzel of Yale: Weaker transcripts face tough sledding in a highly selective college environment. They don’t automatically disqualify a candidate for us, but you have to remember that we have many thousands of applicants with extremely strong transcripts who are also just as exemplary in the other ways that count.

Question

I’m a junior in New Jersey, and I feel I’m a pretty good student. Recently, a college guidance counselor emphasized that doing community service is essential, not just for the common good, but also for college admissions. How valid is this claim? Also for competitive colleges, or just colleges in general, how highly do admission officers value honors classes or AP courses (regardless of the colleges credit policy for APs)?
-Akiva L.

Answer

Mr. Poch of Pomona: If there are honors and AP courses available, many of us would look to see them represented in the record. We are looking for course loads that suggest a level of rigor more comparable to college work. Sometimes the more interesting class or teacher may not be teaching in the honors or AP program. Tell us why you made the course choices you did and you may convince us, too.

Anticipate the questions we are likely to ask. Lay out all the pieces you know will be part of the application that you can control (essays, activities and their presentation); make some guesses about what your recommenders will say; and emphasize and then address (before we ask) those things that may not show you in the best light and tell us what you learned that may not be reflected in the record.

Answer

Mr. Brenzel of Yale: We neither privilege nor ignore community service. The thing we are looking for outside the classroom is not a series of check boxes on a resume; we’re looking instead for a high level of engagement or leadership in whatever it is that the student cares about most. For some students, community service is at the forefront of their extracurriculars, in which case we pay a lot of attention to what they have accomplished in that area. For other students, some other passion or interest holds primary sway, and we evaluate the engagement in that area. We know that very few students can fully engage more than one or two primary activities at a high level. Though it is fine for a student to have varied interests, a significant number of students make the common mistake of spreading themselves too thinly in a resume-building exercise.

With respect to programs of study, we are less concerned with particular course designations and more concerned simply to see that candidates have embraced and performed well in whatever their schools offer as a most challenging program. At the same time, we are not particularly drawn to one-dimensional students who have made their sole or primary objective in life amassing the largest number of honors or AP courses conceivable, accompanied by multiple efforts to achieve the world’s highest test scores.

Answer

Mr. Syverson of Lawrence: We seek students who have taken good advantage of their opportunities by following their passions as well as exploring new opportunities. Because of our academic rigor, though, it is important to us that students have challenged themselves academically, which probably means taking advantage of some AP classes if they are available, but does not mean taking every AP class just because it is available.


The New York Times put up a series of Question and Answers from Deans of Admissions. I found these answers interesting, not based on what is really said, but the situation at hand. As more and more universities promote service learning I wonder about the importance of service within the application process. I almost feel like these Deans aren't necessarily being honest. Sure, for students who apply in the next year or two these answers might hold; however, in the future it would not surprise me if "how you spent your summer" and "community service" become more important. There is also another aspect here that did not get covered. One thing that troubles me about service learning is that it takes for granted a clientelle. The admissions process does not seem to account for that clientelle...or, at least, based on these answers, doesn't seem to take into account students who've received these services rather than provided them. I'm not sure if that make sense. What I am trying to say is that in the future there will be a whole population of student's who've received some sort of tutoring or aid from a service learning program. I don't believe we've adequately consider how that will or will not mark them within the University. I will admit that I am not fully current on service learning issues; however, this always strikes me as a glaring hole in the conversation.


I would also like to point out that, while this panel is ostensibly diverse, it is not representative of public institutions. It seems like including UT was an attempt to include a public school, but it is a rather elite public school. The type of university that I've attended is obviously missing from this discussion, as is the community college (but I guess that is to be expected).


Again...

Did I mention that I got both the flu-shot and some sort of pneumonia shot while I was in the hospital?

Did I mention that I am sick AGAIN? Now, I know the flu shot only protects against last years strain. I'm sure the pneumonia shot (who knew they could give one?) is probably the same. BUT, I find it hugely ridiculous that I have been sick twice since I left the hospital. Again, I understand, but I think it is because they make me go to the Health Center every two weeks and I have to sit in the waiting room with all the sick students. They know that all I have to do is go upstairs and have my blood drawn, so you'd think I'd get to just call ahead and walk up to the blood testing area. Nope, I have to see the dr. first every time. And, now, I'm sick...again.

21 December 2008

Our sad guest...


Last night, I think Lody finally figured out that Scott and Cristina are not coming back soon. He started really trying to bond with us and he moped alot. Although, he is a barker, he is a really sweet dog. This morning he is also sad because Yasser isn't ready to play with him.

20 December 2008

Update...


I've accomplished all my cookie making chores today. I need more parchment paper to finish it all. Tomorrow, I will completely finish off these apricot things.

Yasser is too busy hating us all. Consequently, I cannot get a decent picture of cuteness. We've done our best, but every time I let Lody back into the house Yasser looks at me like I've betrayed him.

This picture actually displays the current state of things quite nicely. Lody just wants to be friends and Yasser is haughty.
I've branched out. I'm trying to create my own animu-whatever. I needed to do a Lady Bug, so I've be busy creating my own.

Can you believe I still have to make cookies today? Here is how it will go...
  • Make a double batch of the apricot things (Refrigerate the dough.)
  • Make the ganache and Frost the anti-nut cookies
  • Make the almond things again.
  • Cook almond things.
  • Cook apricot things.
We'll see If I hold up for all of that. If I can there is always the preparations for mailing and cleaning the kitchen to keep me going afterwards.

19 December 2008

I didn't do any school work yesterday, so I don't have any interesting posts...just personal stuff.

This boy I went to high school with called me the other day. He happens to know "my first real boyfriend," whom I have not been in contact with since just before I got married. Then, the day before yesterday, the boy from high school sent me an email with MFRB's myspace and facebook pages. Normally, I'm up for getting in touch with anyone. In fact I'm still really good friends with the boyfriend I had before the DH. MFRB is a little different though. I think we would both tell you we'd still be friendly, but I secretly take joy in the things that go wrong in his life. This is pretty weird, because I like to think of myself as better than that. You know, as someone who thinks only the best of, and for, others. So, when TBFHS sent me the info on MFRB I was confronted with some not very nice aspects of my psyche. I am not quite sure of it all yet, but mostly I've concluded that we cannot all be good all the time. I just have to remember that if MFRB had not been around then I probably would not have ended up where I am today. Where I am today is much better than where I could have been.

How is that for rambling?

The Holiday party season started for me last night. Well, technically, last night was a graduation party. It was fun. I got to see many people who have moved away and many people I just do not see that often. There were a couple of friends who couldn't make it. I really wished Dr. Heidi could have been there, but I got to see Liz, which is kind of like seeing Heidi since they were almost always together.

Tonight I get to go to a friend's "Life Day" party. She celebrates having a life saving operation. Perhaps next year, I'll have to have one in October. It would be conveniently only a month after my birthday. I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure I want to commemorate that weekend. I think it will be up to the DH and the CP, because they are the ones who really had to deal with it.

18 December 2008

Leader of the Pack

Today's cookies turned out okay. Now, I just have to do a couple more kinds, but I'm going to save them for later.

The dog make a lot of noise playing together. That is mostly because Yasser feels the need to make growling "I'm going to kill you" noises the whole time. The funny part is that his tail wags the whole time, so you know he's just faking it.

We went for a walk this morning and they were very good. Yasser feels the need to always be in front. I know, according to Ceasar, we shouldn't let them go in front of us, but it is fun.

Cookies


The cookies from yesterday turned out better than I thought, so now I'm in a baking mood again. Plus, I discovered that in the time it takes for the dough to chill I can just about make that thing up there. He is supposed to be a frog, but I've been using up my scrap yarn and making him all sorts of colors. The DH says I should put them in every tin of cookies, because they will be crafts made by a "special" person -- me. He has a lot of fun teasing me, but he gets kind of mad when others do it. It's kind of sweet. After yesterday's experiment I may make more, but I've learned you have to put the eyes on before the arms and legs. The placement is all wrong on the first one. He looks kind of deformed. Maybe I'll make him one of those 5 legged frogs.

At the Lake House yesterday I started reading some Jonathan Culler. Unfortunately, I left all my notes and the book there, so I can't say anything about it. I've been easing into work--reading WC theory and this book, maybe soon I'll start reading stuff to help with the prospectus.

Well, the DH is back with my baking supplies. I suppose I should go get started.

17 December 2008

Notes from the Lake House...

While the CP is gone the Princess and I will play. Well, I'll sit around drinking coffee and she'll ignore me. The DH is the only person she likes.

There really isn't much news. I'm already tired of baking. I want to scrap the cookie idea and just send people stuff.

Having two dogs around has been fun. I'll post pictures soon.

16 December 2008

I'm too excited to sleep...

I know he annoys many people, but I love that little kid in the Disney commercial. However, THANK GOD they have forsaken the kids in the grape juice commercials for Alton Brown. It didn't matter how often they changed; I hated the grape juice kids. They were just always so smarmy.

No. I am not that excited about Alton Brown, he reminds me a little too much of my former French teacher. I loved the French teacher, but only because he was French. (Quoi.)

I am excited because for the first time I noticed someone in the followers section. Someone I don't think I know. So, I have my first official "Unknown Reader!" Woo Hoo! I thought that only people I knew had found this little spot. Now, it may turn out that I know this person, but until then...let me pretend.

Damn, I think I do know that person. I should have looked harder first. It clearly doesn't take too much to get me excited these days.

Beginning the Journy to the WC.

Yesterday I got to have lunch with one of my favorite people. We didn't talk much about working together, but we gossiped. I did get a Writing Center theory book from her. Last night I read an article. "Theorizing the Writing Center: An Uneasy Task" by Peter Carino. His pointing out that writing center theory and comp theory were intricately linked wasn't anything new. I was disappointed by how he glossed over the Writing Center's position with the university. It seemed to be his assumption that the WC was almost always linked directly to either the English or the Composition department. That may have been true, but I think theses days more and more WCs stand on their own. However, I do agree that all theory should contextualized for the position of each center. The unfortunate thing about following through on that is then the WC lacks serious clout within the University.

I am definitely excited about getting to intern in this class. There is so much more for me to learn about it all.

15 December 2008

Reconsidering

Over on the WPA listserve there's been a conversation about the genre of "reconsidering". You know author A is asked to re-write, re-view an article written years before; rather than asking author B to critique a work. It's an interesting way for people/student's to see how the field and one scholar change over time. I haven't been interested enough to pay close attention. I may just be repeating someone else's sentiments without knowing it.

As a discipline I think we do too much reconsidering. Because we can agree that revision is valuable, and maybe that is the only thing we can all agree on, our discipline tends to be in a constant state of upheaval. While some may find that productive, it does not allow for us to clearly define the perameters of the field (they are always in flux.) Instead constantly "reconsidering"old work, we should let the old work lie...flaws and all. Give someone else a chance to come along and point out those errors.

I didn't pay attention to where the conversation was going on the WPA (I think they are busy compliling a bibliography), but it could be an interesting avenue of work for someone.

14 December 2008

I know, I know...

I said I was taking the weekend off, but when I saw this I knew I had to share it. It is just too much like how I feel; and, exactly like something my friends and I would have written when I was little.

Click to pick a date
Dec 14
2008
Pearls Before Swine - December 14, 2008

13 December 2008

Just so you know I'm taking the week-end off. Here are some good things to read, if you don't already.

The Wind in Your Vagina
Shakesville
Dr. Crazy
Redneck Mommy
Redshirt Knitting
Dooce
Dr. Heidi

12 December 2008

Fatigue

As you can see other places, I have at least gotten my will to crochet back. I've been busy starting all sorts of projects. I may not finish them, but it at least looks like I'm using up my yarn stash.

I re-read Dr. Wiederhold's article on "representational fatigue." I think her work will actually be useful for me during my dissertation. Although she only describes this fatigue in terms of argument, I think it is also there in the patient/visitor encounter as well. It can even explain my anger at the recent email. I am fatigued by the way certain people insist on positioning me as mute. They may think that I am incapable. Or, they may simply think they know what is 'best for me.' Whatever the situation, my ability to reply without seeming to fulfill their expectations of me is compromised.

11 December 2008

Missing In Action

While I appreciate everyone's support, I took down the other post. Like I said, I was/am angry, but the situation was meant to help, not harm me. Also, because I know the decision made was done in my best interest it didn't feel right to leave my rant up here. Apparently, that is what my shrink is for...who knew.

I still haven't responded to the email I received. There is a departmental function tomorrow night. I figure I'll see everyone and deal with it then. I took some notes the other day and I think I have some more on topic (about rhetoric) posts brewing. You'll know them when you see them; they'll be incredibly boring.

Firsts...

Well, I just got home from the therapist. It was my first time...ever. It was good, mainly because I need a place to vent. I did do a lot of crying, but I guess that's okay when I pay to do it in front of someone.

If you are not here today, the weather is very...home-like. It's gray and rainy. At least it's raining hard. At home it would probably just drizzle for three days. As long as it really rains, it's okay.

I'm trying to get over my little fit yesterday. I'm still pissed-off, but at least I can fathom an appropriate response today. It's a good thing I like the interim AD, otherwise it would be really tempting to be bitchy for no reason. Alas, I'm not like that. I also know this really and truly had nothing to do with her.

10 December 2008

The end of thoughtful posts

Here we go, I've seen this two other places now, so I guess I should do it.

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY:
Bad Times - Jayhawks

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Golden Blunders - The Posies

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL
Radio -Radio Elvis Costello & The Attractions

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Bach Cello Suite # 2 In D Minor

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Goldberg Variations #9 Canone Alla Terza

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Man of the Hour - Pearl Jam

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
I Have A Dream - ABBA

WHAT IS 2+2?
War on War - Wilco

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR BEST FRIENDS?
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - The Supremes & The Temptations

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Via Chicago - Wilco

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Maybe Sparrow - Neko Case

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Cold Day in July - Dixie Chicks

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Once - Pearl Jam

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Soft Serve - Soul Coughing

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Flood of Sunshine

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Australia - The Shins

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Lurgee - Radiohead

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Nothing Left to Borrow - Jayhawks

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Yellow Ledbetter = Pearl Jam

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Cello Suite # 1 in G Saraband

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
If I don't write this song, someone will die - Hello Saferide

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Ann Jane - Jayhawks ( Laugh...this is one of the saddest songs ever written)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Lowlands - Gillian Welch

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Small Penis Compensation Vehicle - The Born Again Floozies

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
I don't want to talk about it now - Emmylou Harris

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Madman - Jayhawks

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Hate it Here - Wilco

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
You Rise and Meet the Day - Dar Williams

09 December 2008

Live...

From a new location...the office.

I had to come to campus today for a Health Center visit, so I thought I'd take care of a couple of things.

The most important of those things would be getting this post in...HA!
Well, actually this is pretty important. I want to thank everyone near and far who responded to yesterday's post. Your encouragement was very welcome and much needed. Thank you.

Okay, now for the not sappy stuff. I also turned in the application letters for a 5th year TA position next year. Hopefully it will work out. I have a feeling it will be easier to keep this crappy insurance than try to get new stuff.

That's all for now.

08 December 2008

The Year...

It seemed like a good time for an end of the year review. Things are getting pretty morose around here and maybe it would liven them up. Ha. This year has been (the most horrible of adjectives, which I use all the time) INTERESTING, to say the least. While I have to admit there has been a change in tone and content of my posts this fall, I don't think there's been a big difference in my writing.

You may have noticed, I'm trying to keep up the writing everyday. I'm hoping that if I do eventually, the writing everyday will happen with the dissertation. Of course to start that I'd have to actually write on it one day. Ha. This week I have to write a job letter for my application for a 5th year TA position. A friend, who's done it, said it was not a big deal, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Although I can usually write a really good job letter, I hate talking about myself. I wish they would just go straight to the interview phase. That I can unequivocally tell you I am great at. It's just even hard to write that kind of a letter when you are depressed. Grr. Arrgh.

I talk to a friend from high school who has also had a stroke. He said the depression is normal. We really didn't talk much in high school, but this person has been absolutely great to me in the last couple of months. I've asked some pretty personal questions, which he hasnt' hesitated to answer. He's been really great. The DH is super concerned and wants me to medicate. I have some serious issues about depression medication. Once I figure out who I've told about this site, I'll tell you all about it. I told him if things didn't get better once I was back to work I would think about it.

I'm caught up with the Charlaine Harris novels. Well, caught up until the last one that's still in hard back. It's like the Twilight series. I like them enough to pay for paperback, but not enoguh for hard cover. Anyway I picked up some Laurel K. Hamilton to start with today. I keep hearing that her Anita Blake series is really good, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I guess this isn't much of a year in review. To sum up there is life pre-stroke and post-stroke and while I'm greatful for everything post-stroke, there are some difficulties. I have friends who've decided not to post if they can't be positive; but I am trying to write through this, so you'll have to bear with me.

06 December 2008

Just so


My whining isn't the top post. Here is another random picture.

It's one of my favorite Frank Pembleton quotations. I've been keeping it to use as a user-pic, but haven't had the opportunity.
Oh, and one other good thing...my name is in print! Yesterday, after not checking the mail for a couple of days, I got the journal I wrote a book review for...and, there I was. It's kind of cool. It makes me want to work on that book chapter.

Whining....

You've been warned....(I don't know how to do a cut..or, I'd spare you. For now....Read ahead at your own peril.)













In case you haven't guessed, things have been a little bleak around my house. The Cajun Princess may have lied when she told the nurse she was the depressive in the relationship. The DH even asked if I needed medication...and he knows how I feel about that. "Great for other people. Not for me." I hope it will start getting better next week. I have a lot of appointments to keep me busy. The week after, I think I'm going to make the DH take me to campus every day. I have a project to work on, but it will help me ease back into work. Although that work is more than a month away. Grr. Arrg. I think this is the one time in history I'll wish for spring semester to start early. I know all about how I'm supposed to rest and everything, but really. I am not the kind of person who can do that. Maybe this will get me to work on the Oprah book some more. There are actually some facts I need to look up for that, but I'm too lazy. I've been trying to get around them, but I think they are necessary. Can't I have a fact checker now?

In the good news department, I think I am going to a party tonight...and I might get a free chair from my boss. She thinks it will look good in the corner.

It's not as bleak as it sounds. I'm okay, just a little down right now.

05 December 2008

Randomness


* Go to your sixth picture folder and pick your sixth picture.

* Pray you remember the details.

* Tag five others.



I saw this Meme at another blog. I wasn't really tagged, but I kind of like it. This was at the CP's house while I complained about a professor, who is okay; but at the moment was being a complete dick to me. Hell, even the Vampire Dr. Chat stood up for me. It was tough to prove to Pixie he was being a dick, but I had the emails to show him. Nicely done Cajun Princess.

04 December 2008

Ennui pt. 2

Today is just one of those days. I finished my novel for today. I wish I could read other stuff as quickly as I can read Vampire & Mystery novels. Yes, there are a thousand things I could be doing, but none that I want to be doing. I don't even want to play with yarn.

So, I guess it's just me and the food network...again.

Ennui

Life is actually okay at the West Bank. The CP finally peed this morning hopefully she is on the mend and does not have MS. The DH told me that if she does I have to find a whole new group of friends, because there is too much bad luck in this one.

In order to avoid my own responsibilities, I've been sitting around the house reading Charlaine Harris novels. I can actually do 1 a day. Even yesterday, when everyone came over for roast and Bradley fell asleep on the couch in front of other people. Seriously, there are parties I know I said I'd go to and now I cannot remember when they are!

It was another good impromptu meeting. I'm glad the roast turned out. But, I think you have to do a lot to ruin any thing that cooks all day in the crockpot.

03 December 2008

So, while we are happy for those who have jobs for the spring and fall, my own job situation sucks. I am fine for the spring, but I have no idea about the fall. I haven't heard from the YWCA or any of the Minnesota companies I applied for through Monster. The paper work for the 5th TA-ship is due soon, and it is definitely less $$ than right now, which is not a whole lot of $$.

My boss called yesterday and she wants to come over to discuss our "strategy" for next semester. I am not sure what that means. I have my schedule, which is the most important part of my syllabus, done. I suppose this means that I should get the rest ready.

02 December 2008

On Appointments...

I almost threw a fit in the Dr.'s office today. The DH and I decided the nurses hate us. It's okay, I probably won't have to see them again.

To add to my foul mood I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with the health center trying to change an appointment because THEY wanted me to. It's an appointment I'd already re-scheduled once at their request. Geesh. How hard can it be to get someone other than my husband and the CP to talk to? Apparently, it's pretty hard.

It seems like I've also trained myself to be tired out after dr.'s appointments. I did nothing today and I want to take a nap. I think I'm still recovering from Sunday's drive. My ass only just quit hurting. Really. If you rent a car and they try to give you the Chevy Aveo...pay for the upgrade. Sure it's great gas mileage, but your butt will thank you in the end.

01 December 2008

Well, we are home. We also have a clearer understanding of "holiday Traffic." Nothing really went wrong until we hit the east side of Charleston, WV and the tolls started. Then it took us about 2 hours to go six miles. Seriously. At one point I considered getting out to walk. I would have made it home sooner.

There is more to write, but I think I have to go back to bed now.