bringing you one whole year of Mindful drivel!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Clothing makes the man
Same event, different topic = new entry
Our project involved some mild costuming. Workers had to wear jeans (haha!). I had to wear a suit, or at least jacket, as the mediator. This was both a revelation and source of hilarity.
For me, I generally dislike wearing my suit, or even the jacket. I just feel kind of fake. And it's still warm, but I had to wear it so I wouldn't lose it. To mitigate the suit-iness of it, I wore my Bert-shirt and a skirt with it. Sadly, it was the skirt that likes to twist an inch every few steps so that by the time I hiked up the Hill to class, it was pretty much on backwards. On top of being awkward in a jacket, I got to be graceless as I spun my skirt around right way.
I have decided that I am not a blazer kind of girl. I don't know how boys do it. It just feels so weird. And I know that it looks great, but what's the point of looking great if you feel weird in your own skin. I much prefer the shapeless zip-up fleeces or rainbow sweater. Also not a pull-over kinda girl, but that's because I have a static problem.
One member of our cast forgot to wear jeans. No good. But he's slight. So our director, a female, offered to swap pants (she remembered to wear jeans, even though she wasn't on stage). Funny on so many levels!
Our project involved some mild costuming. Workers had to wear jeans (haha!). I had to wear a suit, or at least jacket, as the mediator. This was both a revelation and source of hilarity.
For me, I generally dislike wearing my suit, or even the jacket. I just feel kind of fake. And it's still warm, but I had to wear it so I wouldn't lose it. To mitigate the suit-iness of it, I wore my Bert-shirt and a skirt with it. Sadly, it was the skirt that likes to twist an inch every few steps so that by the time I hiked up the Hill to class, it was pretty much on backwards. On top of being awkward in a jacket, I got to be graceless as I spun my skirt around right way.
I have decided that I am not a blazer kind of girl. I don't know how boys do it. It just feels so weird. And I know that it looks great, but what's the point of looking great if you feel weird in your own skin. I much prefer the shapeless zip-up fleeces or rainbow sweater. Also not a pull-over kinda girl, but that's because I have a static problem.
One member of our cast forgot to wear jeans. No good. But he's slight. So our director, a female, offered to swap pants (she remembered to wear jeans, even though she wasn't on stage). Funny on so many levels!
- the simple and practical idea of just swapping pants
- the fact that they fit both parties
- after our performance, they went behind these prop doors (like a flat with a doorknob), changed back, and entered through the doors at the same time.
It's called Satire people!
For my Intro to Grad Studies (500), I have been working on a group project for a couple of weeks, and we finally got to perform a silent (image-driven) version of it today. And it was a blast.
The story:
A factory of jeans workers goes on partial strike, only zigging designer jeans, and not zagging them. This garners them media attention which misconstrues every detail, turning a small labor dispute into a full-on strike. Only when an accident is interpreted as violence are sides willing to negotiate. Unfortunately, the only benefit the management is willing to placate them with is a cheap cheesecake.
(gotta have accuracy and realism)
We switched between media (brilliantly constructed by our TD on Final Cut, complete with subtitles, French speech and picture-in-picture. And a ticker running at the bottom of the screen. It was hilarious!
Unfortunately, the rest of the class didn't get that it was supposed to be funny. They wanted to impose really serious meaning, which was there, but they didn't realize we were being satirical. It was interesting to see what people understood based on images (workers with tape across their mouths, discord, who brought in the cheesecake, our TD as "the man behind the curtain".
I don't usually like group projects, but this group seems to operate well together and voluntarily. Curiously, ours was the only humorous play (there was a thing about honor kills done by white people). I wonder if it is because the majority of the team was more experienced professionally, or just in a position that we don't feel a need to be all serious to establish ourselves. Or maybe we all share a sense of humor. Because I know we all agree on how to get a message across.
(them angry workers)
on iTunes: Frisky Radio
The story:
A factory of jeans workers goes on partial strike, only zigging designer jeans, and not zagging them. This garners them media attention which misconstrues every detail, turning a small labor dispute into a full-on strike. Only when an accident is interpreted as violence are sides willing to negotiate. Unfortunately, the only benefit the management is willing to placate them with is a cheap cheesecake.
(gotta have accuracy and realism)We switched between media (brilliantly constructed by our TD on Final Cut, complete with subtitles, French speech and picture-in-picture. And a ticker running at the bottom of the screen. It was hilarious!
Unfortunately, the rest of the class didn't get that it was supposed to be funny. They wanted to impose really serious meaning, which was there, but they didn't realize we were being satirical. It was interesting to see what people understood based on images (workers with tape across their mouths, discord, who brought in the cheesecake, our TD as "the man behind the curtain".
I don't usually like group projects, but this group seems to operate well together and voluntarily. Curiously, ours was the only humorous play (there was a thing about honor kills done by white people). I wonder if it is because the majority of the team was more experienced professionally, or just in a position that we don't feel a need to be all serious to establish ourselves. Or maybe we all share a sense of humor. Because I know we all agree on how to get a message across.
If I can get the video, I will post it. Till then, here are some candids before the performance.
(them angry workers)on iTunes: Frisky Radio
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Little piece of geek heaven
At 1AM, I should not be excited about much of anything other than my bed. Especially not something so supremely geeky.
In preparing for my thesis research over break, I have started downloading pdf's of articles from the OU database. That way, I can travel with these articles and read them without internet access. But how do you make notes on a pdf without printing it out, wasting paper and increasing the schlep from my jump drive to a sheaf of paper? Hello Skim. It's this amazing little program that opens the pdf, saves the pdf as pdf, but allows you to circle, box, and make embedded notes or comments! Holy crap, it's perfect!
Now if only I could con DePaul to let me use their library, since I will be living across the street...
In preparing for my thesis research over break, I have started downloading pdf's of articles from the OU database. That way, I can travel with these articles and read them without internet access. But how do you make notes on a pdf without printing it out, wasting paper and increasing the schlep from my jump drive to a sheaf of paper? Hello Skim. It's this amazing little program that opens the pdf, saves the pdf as pdf, but allows you to circle, box, and make embedded notes or comments! Holy crap, it's perfect!
Now if only I could con DePaul to let me use their library, since I will be living across the street...
A Minion of my own
It seems that I am an in-demand dramaturg. Woo! Now I just have to fit it into my winter schedule. In addition to co-dramaturging with the other MA on Spring Awakening, a 1st year director asked me to be her dramaturg on How I Learned to Drive.
Before I even had a chance to voice my concerns, I was presented with an interesting option. Undergrads have been clamoring for dramaturgy projects that the MAs get first crack at. My mentor is trying to balance the needs of graduates and undergraduates. So he has paired me up with an undergrad assistant for one of the shows I will be working on.
This gives her a chance to see what is involved in dramaturgy without being thrown off the deep end. It gives me someone to do the scutt work of research. I will communicate with the director and find dramaturgical details to be explored. Hee!
My mentor specifically asked me to take on this undergrad more as a project in itself. My assistant is an intelligent, if socially-awkward junior. And apparently I will be good at setting boundaries and mediating some of the awkwardness. And learn the fine art of delegation. Which is something I am already working on in my 500 project, where I seem to be de facto artistic director of our hypothetical theatre company.
I tend to work very well one-on-one. And this is an exciting prospect both in the sense of having a minion, as well as a teaching project.
on iTunes: FriskyRadio
Before I even had a chance to voice my concerns, I was presented with an interesting option. Undergrads have been clamoring for dramaturgy projects that the MAs get first crack at. My mentor is trying to balance the needs of graduates and undergraduates. So he has paired me up with an undergrad assistant for one of the shows I will be working on.
This gives her a chance to see what is involved in dramaturgy without being thrown off the deep end. It gives me someone to do the scutt work of research. I will communicate with the director and find dramaturgical details to be explored. Hee!
My mentor specifically asked me to take on this undergrad more as a project in itself. My assistant is an intelligent, if socially-awkward junior. And apparently I will be good at setting boundaries and mediating some of the awkwardness. And learn the fine art of delegation. Which is something I am already working on in my 500 project, where I seem to be de facto artistic director of our hypothetical theatre company.
I tend to work very well one-on-one. And this is an exciting prospect both in the sense of having a minion, as well as a teaching project.
on iTunes: FriskyRadio
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Nesting season
Like a thing possessed, I got my domestic on. The only thing scarier than me cooking, or the quantity that I cooked is the fact I could have done more if I hadn't run out of dishes.
Since my apartment was cool enough, I used the oven to make 2 kinds of muffins, corn and pumpkin oatmeal (a bit dry and burned on the bottoms, but otherwise tasty to me), simultaneously making a frozen pizza that should last a couple of days. Browned beef for spaghetti sauce and chili, which I later made in my rice cooker. Not super spicy, but pretty tasty for a first attempt. So I have that sitting in my fridge as well.
Right now, just about every dish I own is dirty, which is a huge bummer. Probably a double-round, one tonight, another tomorrow.
I even cleaned the bathroom, wrestled with the slip cover some more, and disinfected every horizontal surface.
What is wrong with me?
Oh, I have alot of writing to do. Maybe that's it...
on iTunes: "No Rain" - Blind Melon
Since my apartment was cool enough, I used the oven to make 2 kinds of muffins, corn and pumpkin oatmeal (a bit dry and burned on the bottoms, but otherwise tasty to me), simultaneously making a frozen pizza that should last a couple of days. Browned beef for spaghetti sauce and chili, which I later made in my rice cooker. Not super spicy, but pretty tasty for a first attempt. So I have that sitting in my fridge as well.
Right now, just about every dish I own is dirty, which is a huge bummer. Probably a double-round, one tonight, another tomorrow.
I even cleaned the bathroom, wrestled with the slip cover some more, and disinfected every horizontal surface.
What is wrong with me?
Oh, I have alot of writing to do. Maybe that's it...
on iTunes: "No Rain" - Blind Melon
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Movie and dinner
Instead of sitting at home, perched on my heater, reading like a good grad student, I went out to play all day. I even managed to avoid all the Homecoming fest-ers.
It has become a regular event to catch a matinee on Saturdays, because they are $5 and we all like movies. Last week as In the Valley of Elah. This week was Across the Universe. By Julie Taymor (my favorite director), a narrative threading together the songs of the Beatles in a late 60s context. As expected, visually brilliant, innovative and interesting. Her treatment of "I Want You/She's So Heavy" blew me away. While the story itself was a bit trite, you didn't care, because the telling was so good. Julie Taymor is at her best when she is being hallucinogenic. Great cameo casting. I think I will be seeing this again. On Monday.
Found out that Hallo-giving was TODAY. I hate being out of the loop. Without any notice, I couldn't really make anything, so I brought cranberry sauce to be ironic. Actually, there was plenty of food, which was SO GOOD. It was open-door, so people came and went as schedules dictated. I stayed later to help clean up (and eat pie).
Came home long enough to read like 5 pages of film before heading up the hill for Betty's Summer Vacation. I had to see it this weekend so that I could write a scholarly review for Tuesday. So I sat scribbling notes in the dark about the acting and themes, while the other grads were taking notes on tech and design. Having read the script, and just knowing Durang in general, I knew what to expect, which allowed me to observe the audience. Betty's is a very dark comedy that satirizes society's current obsession with tabloid culture and celebrity trials.
Strangely, for not checking anything off my to-do list, I feel pretty productive.
on iTunes: "Si J'Avais Ete" - Paris Combo
It has become a regular event to catch a matinee on Saturdays, because they are $5 and we all like movies. Last week as In the Valley of Elah. This week was Across the Universe. By Julie Taymor (my favorite director), a narrative threading together the songs of the Beatles in a late 60s context. As expected, visually brilliant, innovative and interesting. Her treatment of "I Want You/She's So Heavy" blew me away. While the story itself was a bit trite, you didn't care, because the telling was so good. Julie Taymor is at her best when she is being hallucinogenic. Great cameo casting. I think I will be seeing this again. On Monday.
Found out that Hallo-giving was TODAY. I hate being out of the loop. Without any notice, I couldn't really make anything, so I brought cranberry sauce to be ironic. Actually, there was plenty of food, which was SO GOOD. It was open-door, so people came and went as schedules dictated. I stayed later to help clean up (and eat pie).
Came home long enough to read like 5 pages of film before heading up the hill for Betty's Summer Vacation. I had to see it this weekend so that I could write a scholarly review for Tuesday. So I sat scribbling notes in the dark about the acting and themes, while the other grads were taking notes on tech and design. Having read the script, and just knowing Durang in general, I knew what to expect, which allowed me to observe the audience. Betty's is a very dark comedy that satirizes society's current obsession with tabloid culture and celebrity trials.
Strangely, for not checking anything off my to-do list, I feel pretty productive.
on iTunes: "Si J'Avais Ete" - Paris Combo
Friday, October 12, 2007
Fall compulsions
Do you know that feeling when you are motivated by forces outside yourself? Or when you suddenly become obsessed with totally un-you things? Or the even scarier feeling of catching yourself doing it?
Within about 2 minutes all three of these realisations hit me today. First, I headed over to the hippie store to stock up on more spices and bulk items. Then,I was at the grocery store picking up what started as 4 project-oriented items. Suddenly, I was filling my basket (never get a cart, it's just asking for trouble), with all sorts of baking items and random items. I wasn't even hungry (another bad idea). I became aware of this weird cold-weather compulsion to make and eat food. And while I was aware of it, I couldn't really stop.
Now I have to make 2 kinds of muffins, a cranberry crunch, chili and something else involving potatoes. On the flip side, I do like me some muffins. And I can warm up my apartment with the oven, so I don't have to break down and turn on the heat. Which feels really silly when it is still above freezing and is just for me. But it does have me thinking of investing in a space heater. Having pretty much survived on space heaters in Yellow House, I know what to look for in a heater. Thermostat, timer, ideally a remote.
I am hoping that all of this cold-weather prep/lockdown will either get me excited about being cold. Or ideally encourage a return of the warm.
Within about 2 minutes all three of these realisations hit me today. First, I headed over to the hippie store to stock up on more spices and bulk items. Then,I was at the grocery store picking up what started as 4 project-oriented items. Suddenly, I was filling my basket (never get a cart, it's just asking for trouble), with all sorts of baking items and random items. I wasn't even hungry (another bad idea). I became aware of this weird cold-weather compulsion to make and eat food. And while I was aware of it, I couldn't really stop.
Now I have to make 2 kinds of muffins, a cranberry crunch, chili and something else involving potatoes. On the flip side, I do like me some muffins. And I can warm up my apartment with the oven, so I don't have to break down and turn on the heat. Which feels really silly when it is still above freezing and is just for me. But it does have me thinking of investing in a space heater. Having pretty much survived on space heaters in Yellow House, I know what to look for in a heater. Thermostat, timer, ideally a remote.
I am hoping that all of this cold-weather prep/lockdown will either get me excited about being cold. Or ideally encourage a return of the warm.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Need ideas
Now that I am a student, I finally have access to a gym. And I have been very good about going. I found a cardio machine that I liked. And I never minded the weight circuit.
However, I am rapidly running out of things that can distract me long enough to get anything done without my getting bored. My music is old. Wait Wait only puts out a new podcast once a week.
So, does anyone have recommendations of either gym music, or podcast. What I like about Wait Wait is its wittiness, and outright silliness.
Today is not a great example, since I feel too cold to head back outside after spending all day running around in 50F. I just want to curl up on the couch under my penguin blanket, shopping for slippers.
on the tube: Tim Gunn's Guide to Style
However, I am rapidly running out of things that can distract me long enough to get anything done without my getting bored. My music is old. Wait Wait only puts out a new podcast once a week.
So, does anyone have recommendations of either gym music, or podcast. What I like about Wait Wait is its wittiness, and outright silliness.
Today is not a great example, since I feel too cold to head back outside after spending all day running around in 50F. I just want to curl up on the couch under my penguin blanket, shopping for slippers.
on the tube: Tim Gunn's Guide to Style
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Fall fell hard
I swear yesterday it was like 90F, and today, I am wearing a jacket. While I liked the slightly longer summer, the abrupt shift kinda sucks. Easy me into it. Seduce me with 70s. Remind me to have clean jeans and socks.
And it's not just the cooler temperatures. The light is more autumnal. I'm not sure how to describe it, other than walking around campus I have noticed it. There is a quality and color that is distinctly un-summer. I can only hope someone else has sensed this, and I am not crazy.
Doesn't smell like autumn just yet, other than my pumpkin spice coffee.
I guess it just makes it easier to tuck in with a book.
on iTunes: "Sex Bomb" - Tom Jones
And it's not just the cooler temperatures. The light is more autumnal. I'm not sure how to describe it, other than walking around campus I have noticed it. There is a quality and color that is distinctly un-summer. I can only hope someone else has sensed this, and I am not crazy.
Doesn't smell like autumn just yet, other than my pumpkin spice coffee.
I guess it just makes it easier to tuck in with a book.
on iTunes: "Sex Bomb" - Tom Jones
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Chicago makes me happy
Two separate Chicago things make me a wee bit giddy today.
1. It looks like I will be heading back to Chicago for my winter break. I got a message from my favorite temp gig that they want me for at least a week. And I think I have found a good sublet situation. In my old neighborhood!
2. Google Maps just added street view to the Chicago maps. Which means if you type a Chicago address, click street view and the little person, you can see photos! So I looked at my old house and some of my regular spots!
(it's my old bus stop!)
And as a bonus, I might be heading up to Chicago to see some shows this weekend!
on iTunes: "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine" - Patti Page
1. It looks like I will be heading back to Chicago for my winter break. I got a message from my favorite temp gig that they want me for at least a week. And I think I have found a good sublet situation. In my old neighborhood!
2. Google Maps just added street view to the Chicago maps. Which means if you type a Chicago address, click street view and the little person, you can see photos! So I looked at my old house and some of my regular spots!
(it's my old bus stop!)on iTunes: "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine" - Patti Page
Monday, October 08, 2007
the Practicalities of Midterm
The biggest event of the day centered on the exam for the class I TA. It was probably the only time we have actually had every single person there. And what I found striking, is the lack of honor code. Having taken classes at two universities that have some of the oldest honor codes in the country, the lack of it seems strange.
The exam took less than 50 minutes. Having seen the exam, I thought it was super easy, all objective questions that you could find in both the text and notes. Grading it took nearly 3 hours.
Divying the exams up by discussion groups, I burned through my section. However, I am a meanie. The other 2 people were much nicer, agonizing over answers. While it was frustrating that the students didn't do better, I felt that they had all the resources and information to do well. And since there wasn't any question(s) that students uniformly missed, I didn't feel it was an issue of not teaching the info well. Instead of taking it personally, I just tried to find the humor in the situation. Arisophicles from 2 students nearly made me lose it.
When all was said and done, the spread of grades was about right. It was freakishly well-spread among the groups.
On to creating a visual display for Macbett, and more reading. Ah semiotics.
The exam took less than 50 minutes. Having seen the exam, I thought it was super easy, all objective questions that you could find in both the text and notes. Grading it took nearly 3 hours.
Divying the exams up by discussion groups, I burned through my section. However, I am a meanie. The other 2 people were much nicer, agonizing over answers. While it was frustrating that the students didn't do better, I felt that they had all the resources and information to do well. And since there wasn't any question(s) that students uniformly missed, I didn't feel it was an issue of not teaching the info well. Instead of taking it personally, I just tried to find the humor in the situation. Arisophicles from 2 students nearly made me lose it.
When all was said and done, the spread of grades was about right. It was freakishly well-spread among the groups.
On to creating a visual display for Macbett, and more reading. Ah semiotics.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Midterm
As I prepare to help grade midterms tomorrow morning, it gives me pause.
Admittedly, OU is on the quarter system, and this is only the first quarter, but things move fast here. Two mainstage shows open in a month, for example. And in a few months, I will have a degree.
But focusing on the smaller things: I have not missed a single class or meeting yet. I have finished all of my reading ahead of time except for once. I am ahead of schedule on my papers. I have started going to the gym, and I have managed not to kill my plant, Norman.
Now to tackle the other 5/6 of my MA!
Admittedly, OU is on the quarter system, and this is only the first quarter, but things move fast here. Two mainstage shows open in a month, for example. And in a few months, I will have a degree.
But focusing on the smaller things: I have not missed a single class or meeting yet. I have finished all of my reading ahead of time except for once. I am ahead of schedule on my papers. I have started going to the gym, and I have managed not to kill my plant, Norman.
Now to tackle the other 5/6 of my MA!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Weird weather
Running my air conditioner in October is a bit of a surprise. As is the necessity of shorts and tank tops. Not as strange as the 85F weather for my December Greek History final in college, but still odd. Especially since I remember spending last September and October being quite cold and wet. And I remember wearing a turtleneck, rainbow sweater and cami + coat to quiz nights in April. So I can't tell which is weather anomaly and which is just Chicago.
Mind you, this isn't a complaint. The longer I can put off having to truck around in several layers, which means more things to lose and launder, the better. Besides, it is so much more inspiring to read when lying on a blanket in the sun, or walk around, or cope with the Hill when it's nice outside.
on iTunes: "So Sorry" - Feist
Mind you, this isn't a complaint. The longer I can put off having to truck around in several layers, which means more things to lose and launder, the better. Besides, it is so much more inspiring to read when lying on a blanket in the sun, or walk around, or cope with the Hill when it's nice outside.
on iTunes: "So Sorry" - Feist
Friday, October 05, 2007
FA5 has my name on it
In case Fridays weren't wonderful enough in their inherent Friday-ness, today was extra Friday. While it has been a fairly light week in terms of work, my students really challenged me. And it was nice to lie on the couch and not be pissed off at the Cubs. Loafed around and read Christopher Durang, as if reading one of my favorite playwrights would be some onerous homework assignment.
(this is from a couple weeks ago, but you get the idea)
Fridays After Five (FA5) had some of my favorite elements. There weren't as many of the usual suspects because of Macbett rehearsal and Betty techs. But for those of us who were not trapped inside a darkened theater for 10 out of 12, or whatever the academic equivalent is, there was Greek food. Every so often we have a theme. One week was breakfast, another was Your Favorite Foods as a Kid (which made the drinking of beer ironic. Sadly I couldn't find a sippy cup). This week was Greek food. We have one bona fide Greek, who made this amazing chicken with tomatoes, cloves and cinnamon. Mmmmm. Now that I have located 312 in the 740 I am more willing to share my stash. (The other grad student who had lived in Chicago also brought 312). Then, instead of YouTubing, we watched Strictly Ballroom. Which is only one of my favorite movies!!! It was special because I haven't seen it recently, and because I was watching it with theater people instead of dance people. So it was interesting to see what they found outrageous (lighting, shoes). And how much of it is actually accurate.
So Strictly Ballroom and baklava with theater people! Combining 3 of my particular interests in one living room!
on Pandora: "All Mapped Out" - The Departure
(this is from a couple weeks ago, but you get the idea)Fridays After Five (FA5) had some of my favorite elements. There weren't as many of the usual suspects because of Macbett rehearsal and Betty techs. But for those of us who were not trapped inside a darkened theater for 10 out of 12, or whatever the academic equivalent is, there was Greek food. Every so often we have a theme. One week was breakfast, another was Your Favorite Foods as a Kid (which made the drinking of beer ironic. Sadly I couldn't find a sippy cup). This week was Greek food. We have one bona fide Greek, who made this amazing chicken with tomatoes, cloves and cinnamon. Mmmmm. Now that I have located 312 in the 740 I am more willing to share my stash. (The other grad student who had lived in Chicago also brought 312). Then, instead of YouTubing, we watched Strictly Ballroom. Which is only one of my favorite movies!!! It was special because I haven't seen it recently, and because I was watching it with theater people instead of dance people. So it was interesting to see what they found outrageous (lighting, shoes). And how much of it is actually accurate.
So Strictly Ballroom and baklava with theater people! Combining 3 of my particular interests in one living room!
on Pandora: "All Mapped Out" - The Departure
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Teaching tyrant
I will take it as merely coincidence that we discussed Ionesco's The Lesson today. (power struggle between professor and student that ends in the student's death).
In our pedagogy meetings, I realise that I am the hardass when it comes to putting up with student crap. And my desire to enforce the rules could potentially turn me into a tyrant. And my students lackluster responses is only heightening this potential.
As part of the Theater History course, students submit short (1 paragraph) responses to something in class. Of late, these have been REALLY broad, mostly opinion, and rarely grounded in the text. The fact that these students couldn't be bothered to learn how to spell, or at least spell-check only aggravates me more, since I have to spend 10 minutes just editing their work to a point that I can read it.
Last week's discussion on Medea and Lysistrata was engaging, interesting. Students were connecting their ideas with quotes from the plays. Every single person participated, which made me really excited about this week. However, this week, I had barely half my class submit anything. What I got was along the lines of "I don't get it" (yes, it's a foreign form, but give it a try). One guy's schtick is not liking anything. I get alot of "It was nice." Yuk!
It's very difficult to craft a truly interactive discussion if they won't throw the ball. Or if they throw the ball, the just throw it far enough for it to not be in their hands. I have to fight the impulse to lay down really firm ground rules of "there must be a quote", "you must proofread your work", "no attachments" or something as obvious as "put your freakin' name on it, no matter how shitty it is."
The other discussion leaders are much milder than I. Combined with what happens when I get this provoked. Oh well, maybe the midterm will whip them into shape. And if the others are too nice to do it, I will be happy to read them the riot act.
I think I will go home, drink a beer, and then respond.
This doesn't deter me from wanting to be a teacher, but it does make me more aware of the pitfalls of my temperament, as well as my teaching strategies.
on Pandora: "Gonna Get Myself into It" - The Rapture
In our pedagogy meetings, I realise that I am the hardass when it comes to putting up with student crap. And my desire to enforce the rules could potentially turn me into a tyrant. And my students lackluster responses is only heightening this potential.
As part of the Theater History course, students submit short (1 paragraph) responses to something in class. Of late, these have been REALLY broad, mostly opinion, and rarely grounded in the text. The fact that these students couldn't be bothered to learn how to spell, or at least spell-check only aggravates me more, since I have to spend 10 minutes just editing their work to a point that I can read it.
Last week's discussion on Medea and Lysistrata was engaging, interesting. Students were connecting their ideas with quotes from the plays. Every single person participated, which made me really excited about this week. However, this week, I had barely half my class submit anything. What I got was along the lines of "I don't get it" (yes, it's a foreign form, but give it a try). One guy's schtick is not liking anything. I get alot of "It was nice." Yuk!
It's very difficult to craft a truly interactive discussion if they won't throw the ball. Or if they throw the ball, the just throw it far enough for it to not be in their hands. I have to fight the impulse to lay down really firm ground rules of "there must be a quote", "you must proofread your work", "no attachments" or something as obvious as "put your freakin' name on it, no matter how shitty it is."
The other discussion leaders are much milder than I. Combined with what happens when I get this provoked. Oh well, maybe the midterm will whip them into shape. And if the others are too nice to do it, I will be happy to read them the riot act.
I think I will go home, drink a beer, and then respond.
This doesn't deter me from wanting to be a teacher, but it does make me more aware of the pitfalls of my temperament, as well as my teaching strategies.
on Pandora: "Gonna Get Myself into It" - The Rapture
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Pushing Daisies
I think I may have a new favorite TV show. Sadly, it is too clever to last on network TV for long.
Pushing Daisies is produced and probably written by the same people who did Wonderfalls, which I love. And the premise is clever and well-thought-out. The visuals are lush, and the script is hilarious. There were at least 3 points at which I laughed out loud, and one in which I just marveled at the intelligence.
The only promising thing is that there were a million commercials, so maybe the money is interested.
on the tube: Cubs v D-backs, Game 1
Pushing Daisies is produced and probably written by the same people who did Wonderfalls, which I love. And the premise is clever and well-thought-out. The visuals are lush, and the script is hilarious. There were at least 3 points at which I laughed out loud, and one in which I just marveled at the intelligence.
The only promising thing is that there were a million commercials, so maybe the money is interested.
on the tube: Cubs v D-backs, Game 1
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Leader of the group
As part of a class, all of the first year grads have been divided into 3 groups to create a hypothetical theatre company. In general, the whole "group project" idea kinda annoys me. But at least we are given alot of creative free reign, and I am working with a group of interesting people.
We have been hashing out a mission, which is an interesting indicator of people's personal "aesthetics". It was funny to see how divisive the idea of "musical" is. Overall, we liked the "re's" of reinvent, reimagine, etc. But too quickly people started launching into tangents, which turned some sort of arts academy. When we brought in articles, that seemed to refine what we wanted to do. And the more we talked in specifics, the more exciting it got. As a dramaturge, and generally dominant personality who is most picky about language ("performance" rather than play is more inclusive and more "trendy" term in the journals and reviews), I was selected to compile the thoughts into a single mission. This plays to my strengths as a composer, as well as allow me to keep the line about "democratizing theatre". As it stands our performance piece is something about how a thing is misconstrued. Commentary on media, and the "breaking news" addictions. With projections and a ticker!
While we are thinking big exciting, youthful thoughts, the director got a bloody papercut, which required a band-aid. I'm not sure what this says about me, but I didn't even realise I was fishing them out of my green bag until she asked for a second one. Girl scout instinct? Hypochondria? Mothering? Secret addiction to things adhesive?
on iTunes: Groove Salad FM
We have been hashing out a mission, which is an interesting indicator of people's personal "aesthetics". It was funny to see how divisive the idea of "musical" is. Overall, we liked the "re's" of reinvent, reimagine, etc. But too quickly people started launching into tangents, which turned some sort of arts academy. When we brought in articles, that seemed to refine what we wanted to do. And the more we talked in specifics, the more exciting it got. As a dramaturge, and generally dominant personality who is most picky about language ("performance" rather than play is more inclusive and more "trendy" term in the journals and reviews), I was selected to compile the thoughts into a single mission. This plays to my strengths as a composer, as well as allow me to keep the line about "democratizing theatre". As it stands our performance piece is something about how a thing is misconstrued. Commentary on media, and the "breaking news" addictions. With projections and a ticker!
While we are thinking big exciting, youthful thoughts, the director got a bloody papercut, which required a band-aid. I'm not sure what this says about me, but I didn't even realise I was fishing them out of my green bag until she asked for a second one. Girl scout instinct? Hypochondria? Mothering? Secret addiction to things adhesive?
on iTunes: Groove Salad FM
Monday, October 01, 2007
Stepping into the red tape
I was so excited that today would be the first installment of my stipend. No more living off my loan!
But no, nothing can ever be that easy. So I called Graduate Studies to find out where my money is, only to be transfered. Because OU likes nothing better than pinballing you from office to office where ultimately no one actually has an answer for you.
Ended up talking to Payroll, who informed me that my paper check was waiting on the desk of my departmental secretary. Not helpful. How was I supposed to know that? To say nothing of the fact that Wachovia is not in Ohio, so I have to mail my check.
Apparently even though I did paperwork for direct deposit through the Bursar for my student loan, Payroll can't just get that info. So instead I have to fill it out AGAIN. And give ANOTHER voided check. Which doesn't help me this month.
hate
But no, nothing can ever be that easy. So I called Graduate Studies to find out where my money is, only to be transfered. Because OU likes nothing better than pinballing you from office to office where ultimately no one actually has an answer for you.
Ended up talking to Payroll, who informed me that my paper check was waiting on the desk of my departmental secretary. Not helpful. How was I supposed to know that? To say nothing of the fact that Wachovia is not in Ohio, so I have to mail my check.
Apparently even though I did paperwork for direct deposit through the Bursar for my student loan, Payroll can't just get that info. So instead I have to fill it out AGAIN. And give ANOTHER voided check. Which doesn't help me this month.
hate
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