Maybe if I get the text out of my system on my blog, it won't end up in my paper. And since the other MA wimped out by 1AM, my option is pretty much this.
I HATE Pinter. I also hate accidentally feeding the patriarchical approach in my writing. I hate that people can't follow my line of logic, which makes perfect sense. To me. I also hate rewriting and not being able to find a citation for a kickass idea/quotation. Not helpful, but not on the hate list - not actually formally knowing feminist theory, which would be damn helpful right about now. My advisor says I don't need to own it, but just borrow it. Also a bummer - the library is not 24/7 when I need it most (to read up on said feminist theory, Keyssar, etc). Hate page minimum when I have said all I care to say. Because I really hate fattening my paper for the sake of fattening it.
If I ever find a town that has a 24/7 library and a 24/7 diner, I will never leave.
That said, I love feeling so alert and focused. Shame I have run out of things to say, or at least to say coherently.
on Pandora: "Sender" - Pinback
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Midnight muse
In the past few days, I have discovered that I am most prolific, productive, or at least verbose from about 12-4AM. While this can be an inconvenience in the real world, during finals week it is entirely doable. So for day 3 of this, I got excited about knocking out another 5 pages, then hitting the sack around 4, to wake up around 11 and go back to the library.
That said, I have only gotten about 2 of those 5 pages done, and I'm already feeling a bit wrung-out. My muse has abandoned me! Bitch! So if anyone has seen my muse, please march her inspirational ass back here. And while you are on the hunt, if anyone has seen the Bullshit, send that along as well. In fact, I would like to borrow the Bullshit indefinitely, if no one minds.
Remind me that "Pinter really gets his misogyny on in scene 4." is not appropriate for scholarly writing.
In the meantime, chocolate mint truffle or pumpkin spice?
on Pandora: "Clunk" - Yo La Tengo
That said, I have only gotten about 2 of those 5 pages done, and I'm already feeling a bit wrung-out. My muse has abandoned me! Bitch! So if anyone has seen my muse, please march her inspirational ass back here. And while you are on the hunt, if anyone has seen the Bullshit, send that along as well. In fact, I would like to borrow the Bullshit indefinitely, if no one minds.
Remind me that "Pinter really gets his misogyny on in scene 4." is not appropriate for scholarly writing.
In the meantime, chocolate mint truffle or pumpkin spice?
on Pandora: "Clunk" - Yo La TengoPancake postscript
What self-respecting college town doesn't have a 24-hour purveyor of breakfast foods? The closest IHOP is 63 miles away, across state lines. There's no Denny's or Waffle House, and the diner on Union Street is only open 24hrs on the weekends!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Procrastination pancakes
Don't you hate that feeling of not really knowing what you're hungry for, but being really certain that it can't be found in the confines of your apartment? Further exacerbated by a complete lack of clean dishes and spoons (can't drink any more coffee until I was dishes unless I want to drink it straight out of the pot, and I really hope it doesn't come to that moment.) Oh, and the fact I have been trying to clear out the fridge and cabinets for break. Me want pancakes.
Since I don't have Clarke's just down the street, which I know is open 24/7 and necessarily serving pancakes at any hour I require them, I had to jump online to see if anyone else knew. Smokin' Fairy suggested Bob Evans, but I didn't really want to sit in some joint and shovel pancakes and syrup into my face, wearing my jammies, by myself. As I debated the merits of carryout, he volunteered to come with, because all of this talk of pancakes was making him hungry too.
Discussed our respective projects that we were avoiding, bad relationship stories, and why being in a wedding sucks/rocks. 2 hours later, we were still in the parking lot.
On one hand, that was two more hours I could have spent finding new and creative ways of calling Pinter out on his misogyny. Then again, those two hours would have been spent being grumpy and hungry. And now those multigrain pancakes and sausage links are fueling the writing as I wait for my magic hour of productivity, which of late has been hitting somewhere around 3AM, hence the late posting. While 3AM is not exactly optimal, at least I have a productive hour, and I know when it is.
3 more minutes. And about 3000 more words to go. *sigh*
Since I don't have Clarke's just down the street, which I know is open 24/7 and necessarily serving pancakes at any hour I require them, I had to jump online to see if anyone else knew. Smokin' Fairy suggested Bob Evans, but I didn't really want to sit in some joint and shovel pancakes and syrup into my face, wearing my jammies, by myself. As I debated the merits of carryout, he volunteered to come with, because all of this talk of pancakes was making him hungry too.
Discussed our respective projects that we were avoiding, bad relationship stories, and why being in a wedding sucks/rocks. 2 hours later, we were still in the parking lot.
On one hand, that was two more hours I could have spent finding new and creative ways of calling Pinter out on his misogyny. Then again, those two hours would have been spent being grumpy and hungry. And now those multigrain pancakes and sausage links are fueling the writing as I wait for my magic hour of productivity, which of late has been hitting somewhere around 3AM, hence the late posting. While 3AM is not exactly optimal, at least I have a productive hour, and I know when it is.
3 more minutes. And about 3000 more words to go. *sigh*
Grad-lympics
It's a good thing we're creative, because athleticism just ain't gonna happen.
(closing ceremonies on the front porch.
Sadly there was no fire involved.)
To celebrate the end quarter, the penultimate day of classes, which we have off, all the grads gathered at the Macbett house for Grad-lympics. A series of special, theatre-oriented "events" all while picking at a turkey and drinking a beer. Like the cable coil:
And the "Who's Line" with odd props:
(there was much hilarity when the players outside made fun of the GH players inside)
And Iron Draping, which was like Project Runway meets Iron Chef. Complete with Tim Gunn impressions and a nipply mannequin:
And for the uber-goobers, a Shakespeare scavenger hunt. Using a quote, figure out the physical location of the play, then locate the next clue in the right play (there were like 3 at each station). Oh yes, there was some playing dirty, and entirely too much, "There is no way that is Coriolanus. It's totally Titus!"
And as intermission entertainment, I rocked some Guitar Hero on XBox. I covet, but then I'd REALLY never get anything done. After an embarrassing first go-round, I snagged a high score on "Rock This Town." And I can't wait for GH3!
A nice diversion before diving head first into my library books.
(closing ceremonies on the front porch. Sadly there was no fire involved.)
To celebrate the end quarter, the penultimate day of classes, which we have off, all the grads gathered at the Macbett house for Grad-lympics. A series of special, theatre-oriented "events" all while picking at a turkey and drinking a beer. Like the cable coil:
And the "Who's Line" with odd props:
(there was much hilarity when the players outside made fun of the GH players inside)And Iron Draping, which was like Project Runway meets Iron Chef. Complete with Tim Gunn impressions and a nipply mannequin:
And for the uber-goobers, a Shakespeare scavenger hunt. Using a quote, figure out the physical location of the play, then locate the next clue in the right play (there were like 3 at each station). Oh yes, there was some playing dirty, and entirely too much, "There is no way that is Coriolanus. It's totally Titus!"
And as intermission entertainment, I rocked some Guitar Hero on XBox. I covet, but then I'd REALLY never get anything done. After an embarrassing first go-round, I snagged a high score on "Rock This Town." And I can't wait for GH3!
A nice diversion before diving head first into my library books.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Tight-knit
Which is how all of my clothes should be. Because what's the point of an open-knit sweater?
Actually, tight-knit refers to my 1st year friends. In only 8 weeks, I have found people who are as dorky as I am, drinking buddies, people to call at ungodly hours, and new uses for speed-dial (that ISN'T Papa Johns). While this is probably a function of shared experience and the theater personality, I'll take it. Apparently this scares some people who are not theater people.
What has struck me is that with all this boy drama, the 1st years have really rallied their support. When setting up a meeting with one of the directors, her first question was how was I and was it resolved. Only after going through that did she want to set up the meeting. Even the guys are checking up on me. So I guess it's nice to know that even in such a minor crisis, I have people who are going to be right here for me, if it's a quick, "You OK?" or a longer chat over coffee at Donkey. Remotely, I have my little protege from VG who has told me anytime I have the impulse to call the Boy, to call her instead. I like knowing that if I decide to swan dive, there is a net down there to catch me.
Back to the Film paper.
Actually, tight-knit refers to my 1st year friends. In only 8 weeks, I have found people who are as dorky as I am, drinking buddies, people to call at ungodly hours, and new uses for speed-dial (that ISN'T Papa Johns). While this is probably a function of shared experience and the theater personality, I'll take it. Apparently this scares some people who are not theater people.
What has struck me is that with all this boy drama, the 1st years have really rallied their support. When setting up a meeting with one of the directors, her first question was how was I and was it resolved. Only after going through that did she want to set up the meeting. Even the guys are checking up on me. So I guess it's nice to know that even in such a minor crisis, I have people who are going to be right here for me, if it's a quick, "You OK?" or a longer chat over coffee at Donkey. Remotely, I have my little protege from VG who has told me anytime I have the impulse to call the Boy, to call her instead. I like knowing that if I decide to swan dive, there is a net down there to catch me.
Back to the Film paper.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Perpetual state of procrastination
I started all conscientious-like. At this point I have less than a week to do alot of work. Over the past week, I have managed to eke out at least a little bit of work, which isn't a good pace, but is something. Today was supposed to be the day to kick it into gear.
Except that I stayed out past my bedtime last night, felt generally ill until about an hour ago, and have been dealing with boy drama. (If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. Hopefully, it will just be a really funny story.) Almost passed out taking a shower. Needless to say none of this is really helping me get work done. All I feel like doing is laying on the couch under my fuzzy penguin blanket and watch Comedy Central, with the occasional trip to the freezer for sherbet.
I did knock out a rough draft of Part 1 of my film paper. Now I have to jazz it up for Part 2 and sound 1400-1800 words of brilliant. But it's about Billy Elliot, which is one of my favorite movies. And I could watch the "I Love to Boogie" sequence from now until the cows come home. I do want to see Macbett one more time, because it is such an amazing and unique spectacle. Unfortunately, that would involve getting out of my jammies, going outside and being social instead of mildly pukey. And jammies = work.
Except that I stayed out past my bedtime last night, felt generally ill until about an hour ago, and have been dealing with boy drama. (If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. Hopefully, it will just be a really funny story.) Almost passed out taking a shower. Needless to say none of this is really helping me get work done. All I feel like doing is laying on the couch under my fuzzy penguin blanket and watch Comedy Central, with the occasional trip to the freezer for sherbet.
I did knock out a rough draft of Part 1 of my film paper. Now I have to jazz it up for Part 2 and sound 1400-1800 words of brilliant. But it's about Billy Elliot, which is one of my favorite movies. And I could watch the "I Love to Boogie" sequence from now until the cows come home. I do want to see Macbett one more time, because it is such an amazing and unique spectacle. Unfortunately, that would involve getting out of my jammies, going outside and being social instead of mildly pukey. And jammies = work.
Friday, November 09, 2007
the Talkback that wasn't
As part of my dramaturgical duties, I am supposed to lead the talkback discussion for Macbett. Quick definition: talkback = post-show conversation between audience and artistic team moderated by the dramaturg. A great opportunity for the audience to ask questions, find out more about the tank, whatnot. Having fielded lots of these kinds of questions over the past week, I felt fairly prepared for anything. Except the deafening silence of an empty auditorium.
No one stayed for the talkback. No one came for the talkback. It was me in my big girl pants standing on the stage. Woog. I wasn't offended as much as annoyed, since I had put some advance thought into this. And dragged myself out of my jammies. The ushers (other theatre students) came into clean up the space, and ended up asking questions. It was nice to have such an informal conversation, especially for my first talkback. At the same time, it would have been nice for the rest of the artists if someone showed up. One of the crew people was really incensed, and promised that next quarter, it would be a requirement in his class.
My professor was all apologetic, like it was somehow his fault. Turns out the head of the department failed to mention the talkback in his curtain speech. I tried to cut some slack, since the show ran long, it was late, and it's the end of quarter.
Oh well, we all ended up at Martini night, so the evening wasn't a total bust.
Now I have 3 hours to write before Madness. Let's see if I can compose whole sentences about absurdism yet.
on Pandora: "Back in the Wild" - Greenskeeper
No one stayed for the talkback. No one came for the talkback. It was me in my big girl pants standing on the stage. Woog. I wasn't offended as much as annoyed, since I had put some advance thought into this. And dragged myself out of my jammies. The ushers (other theatre students) came into clean up the space, and ended up asking questions. It was nice to have such an informal conversation, especially for my first talkback. At the same time, it would have been nice for the rest of the artists if someone showed up. One of the crew people was really incensed, and promised that next quarter, it would be a requirement in his class.
My professor was all apologetic, like it was somehow his fault. Turns out the head of the department failed to mention the talkback in his curtain speech. I tried to cut some slack, since the show ran long, it was late, and it's the end of quarter.
Oh well, we all ended up at Martini night, so the evening wasn't a total bust.
Now I have 3 hours to write before Madness. Let's see if I can compose whole sentences about absurdism yet.
on Pandora: "Back in the Wild" - Greenskeeper
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tidbits
It might be the end of the quarter making complete, coherent thought difficult, or that Facebook has successfully sucked me into the cult, or that I have to keep moving to keep warm.
- Me likey Free Pizza. I had nodded off doing some reading. Woke up to a knock at the door. Neighborhood group was checking smoke detectors in exchange for a pizza. Duh. To say nothing of the fact that my few attempts at cooking have alerted me to their functionality. So I had a chicken & pineapple pizza from Avalanche, which uses natural/organic ingredients, and is damn tasty. And next time, I am totally trying the ninja sauce.
- I need to hang out with technicians more. I learned about zombies, swords as engagement/wedding gifts, how to check for a concussion on a naturally goofy kid, and that there will be Guitar Hero in the Baker tomorrow.
- Coffee can't touch me anymore, and that's a bad thing. Because there is nothing more disorienting than yawning and having heart palpitations at the same time. I don't know why I am tired all the time, but it's getting on my nerves.
- as a side note - the pumpkin flavored stuff has already started to disappear in favor of "christmas" flavors. We haven't even gotten to Thanksgiving. This is ridiculous. As a result, I have started stockpiling what I can.
- I think the other MA and I have figured out how to get our mentor to come out for Martini Night. This should be excellent!
- Installation art makes me happy, even if it's been done in other cities.
- I lost my periwinkle bucket hat. This makes me sad, because it matched my red velvet coat I get so many compliments on. Also sad, because every other hat I own makes me look like a 5 year old.
- My new hobby is racing to the heater when it kicks on to either roast my toes or my rump. Then when it stops to race to sit on the couch and enjoy the toasty a little longer. Strangely, this is also the best way to get my nose to stop being ice.
- The final project in 500 went really well. Our set looked cool, people laughed. And apparently, ours was the first comedy in 5 years.
- Comical to some, painful to me. My iPod earbuds have started shooting static into my ears at unpredictable intervals. I know I have a static problem, but I don't remember this from last year. I must look like I have Tourette's, because one minute I am walking, then next minute I am jumping around and cursing.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
PhD prelim
It's everyone's favorite time of year again! The time when I start seeking favors and letters and transcripts to send off to schools to take my money and reject me. I hate applying to schools. It's unnerving, because I never know where I stand. I have to do serious paper chasing and bullshitting as I try to make my interests and objectives sound intelligent and meaningful. How do you tell a school that the reason you even discovered them is that they are located on a beach?
As an assignment, we had to do some research into potential programs. I discovered some interesting programs, and the fact that funding is scarce. As with my master's, I refuse to go somewhere that involves dropping crazy cash for a degree that won't pay it off efficiently. Geography does play into things, but more places I WON'T live. I am leaning towards Performance Studies, which feels more integrated, matching my approach to the arts. I want a program that is affiliated with dance, gender studies, with some women on the faculty and as students. While my current mentor is male, I suspect his level of support and enthusiasm is uniquely his own.
Here's the list of schools on my radar:
on Pandora: "For Us" - Pete Yorn
As an assignment, we had to do some research into potential programs. I discovered some interesting programs, and the fact that funding is scarce. As with my master's, I refuse to go somewhere that involves dropping crazy cash for a degree that won't pay it off efficiently. Geography does play into things, but more places I WON'T live. I am leaning towards Performance Studies, which feels more integrated, matching my approach to the arts. I want a program that is affiliated with dance, gender studies, with some women on the faculty and as students. While my current mentor is male, I suspect his level of support and enthusiasm is uniquely his own.
Here's the list of schools on my radar:
- University of Wisconsin
- University of California at Santa Barbara
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Florida State University
- Southern Illinois University
on Pandora: "For Us" - Pete Yorn
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Estro-fest
As I fight with the male-dominated genre of absurdism, it is refreshing to find the feminine perspective. Currently, I am trying to write a paper discussing the absence of (meaningful) females in absurdist plays. It only enhances my distaste for the genre. So I have to read Pinter, who is such a misogynist. But I also get to read Maria Irene Fornes, who I find to be interesting and funny. But my thesis eludes me.
Last night, I headed over to the Green House for a Girls' Night. The 2 directors are women, sharing this awesome house. And they decided to host all the grad and senior girls. Contrary to male fantasy, there was no lingerie or pillowfights. Just alot of red wine and brownies and shooting of the shit. We all holed up in the loft talking about audition nightmares. Came back down and managed to hold 3 different conversations around the same table. And Moss' toast was awesome - "To women who are going to make it in a field dominated by white men." I can't say it would have been any different if boys had been invited, but it was fun to just chill in the last moments of the quarter.
Unfortunately, when I got home, my cold broke. I had been hoping it was allergies. So I drugged up and curled under the covers with a box of Kleenex to watch Billy Elliot for film class. I had been pretty awake, but it's hard to read feminist theory and take notes while on Benadryl and constantly sneezing.
I'm hoping that the cold is the reason I have felt so tired lately. In the meantime, I stock up on coffee and trudge the last 2 weeks of the quarter. It will all get done, I'm just going to be a grumpy monkey in the meantime.
Last night, I headed over to the Green House for a Girls' Night. The 2 directors are women, sharing this awesome house. And they decided to host all the grad and senior girls. Contrary to male fantasy, there was no lingerie or pillowfights. Just alot of red wine and brownies and shooting of the shit. We all holed up in the loft talking about audition nightmares. Came back down and managed to hold 3 different conversations around the same table. And Moss' toast was awesome - "To women who are going to make it in a field dominated by white men." I can't say it would have been any different if boys had been invited, but it was fun to just chill in the last moments of the quarter.
Unfortunately, when I got home, my cold broke. I had been hoping it was allergies. So I drugged up and curled under the covers with a box of Kleenex to watch Billy Elliot for film class. I had been pretty awake, but it's hard to read feminist theory and take notes while on Benadryl and constantly sneezing.
I'm hoping that the cold is the reason I have felt so tired lately. In the meantime, I stock up on coffee and trudge the last 2 weeks of the quarter. It will all get done, I'm just going to be a grumpy monkey in the meantime.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Quick summary
No time for a detailed post, so I'll hit the high/lowlights:
- opening night of Macbett. It's incredible and I feel cool by association.
- must kill primary designer for being a diva and an asshat
- migraines suck
- the very idea that i have only 2 weeks to write a film paper, a 15pager on feminist absurdism, even though i still don't have a real thesis, a project in 500 which requires the use of software i don't know, and a source book to produce, kinda makes me want to throw up and then crawl back into bed until thanksgiving. and don't get me started on next quarter.
- it's now cold and that makes me grumpy
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Weird
How very Halloweeny - I have spent my entire day feeling a little spooked.
Apparently I am more stressed than I realised. I hate it when that happens. Because arguably, it's better to know you are stressed so you can just deal, instead of waking up in an inexplicable panic with a dark ring around your mouth. Normal people get dark rings under their eyes. When I get stressed I get it around my mouth. It's not pretty and no amount of moisturizer is going to make it go away.
The weird part (besides it sneaking up on me) is that there is nothing NEW on my plate. Yes, I am in a state of flux, starting to think more seriously about my thesis and the practicalities. And applying to PhD programs in 2 months. (Because I am just such a sane person when I apply to schools.) And finishing the quarter, yadda yadda. I THOUGHT I had this under control.
Now that I have been alerted, I am craving crap like chicken pot pie and apple brown betty (oh Domestic God, I need you!). But since my body had decided it doesn't like the gym, I can't really justify piling on the calories in some futile attempt to quell the Stress Monster. Looks not unlike Cookie Monster, but his fur is dingy yellow like something puked on it. I deal with what I can and obsess about the rest.
In good neighbor news, I finally saw the Missing Girl, who is fine. She was just out of town for a while. But she thought it was sweet that I checked up on her.
on Pandora: "Up at the Lake" - The Charlatans
Apparently I am more stressed than I realised. I hate it when that happens. Because arguably, it's better to know you are stressed so you can just deal, instead of waking up in an inexplicable panic with a dark ring around your mouth. Normal people get dark rings under their eyes. When I get stressed I get it around my mouth. It's not pretty and no amount of moisturizer is going to make it go away.
The weird part (besides it sneaking up on me) is that there is nothing NEW on my plate. Yes, I am in a state of flux, starting to think more seriously about my thesis and the practicalities. And applying to PhD programs in 2 months. (Because I am just such a sane person when I apply to schools.) And finishing the quarter, yadda yadda. I THOUGHT I had this under control.
Now that I have been alerted, I am craving crap like chicken pot pie and apple brown betty (oh Domestic God, I need you!). But since my body had decided it doesn't like the gym, I can't really justify piling on the calories in some futile attempt to quell the Stress Monster. Looks not unlike Cookie Monster, but his fur is dingy yellow like something puked on it. I deal with what I can and obsess about the rest.
In good neighbor news, I finally saw the Missing Girl, who is fine. She was just out of town for a while. But she thought it was sweet that I checked up on her.
on Pandora: "Up at the Lake" - The Charlatans
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Brrr
Holy crap it got cold!
I know I complained about this early, and this isn't that kind of complaint. Candidly, it's overdue. But that doesn't mean I particularly like padding around my house wrapped in a blanket, with my butt or toes placed over the heater and having to start do the layer thing. It has almost past the temperature point where I can wear my gorgeous red velvet coat.
Since my mobility is limited by the blanket, I am much more inspired to do some online browsing for things like space heaters and slippers (the monkeys died in Chicago). But I found a place that sells hats with ear flaps (I thought Kallisti would make fun of it, but being a native Chicagoan, he really didn't), and matching glove-mittens.
Also annoying, the 40 degree temperature differential. In the morning it is about freezing, but supposed to get in the sixties, which means the shedding and potential loss of layers. The only good thing about this is that my travels are generally limited to Kantner and the library, so it makes the finding a wee bit easier.
The cold is not helping my health plan either. A few years ago, Cheese Fiend and I discovered that we have the primordial instinct to build the layer of fat and hibernate as soon as the temperature drops. So yesterday was a constant battle against my desire to pad my butt with pasta and junk. Did make it out to the gym, but skipped out without doing a full 20min cardio. And I am sleeping all the time. Then again, it might still be recovery from the weekend. (Neighbors vouched that they were in the same recovery boat). Also officially a sign of the advent of Cold - my constant need for lotion and the static is back. So if you see me with a hat on, it is partially to keep my head warm, and partially to hide the hideousness that is my Van de Graaf hair. (let's not even discuss what happens when I take OFF the hat...)
OK, enough with the computer. I'm gonna park my butt on the couch and catch up on some reading, with my toes tucked into the cushions.
I know I complained about this early, and this isn't that kind of complaint. Candidly, it's overdue. But that doesn't mean I particularly like padding around my house wrapped in a blanket, with my butt or toes placed over the heater and having to start do the layer thing. It has almost past the temperature point where I can wear my gorgeous red velvet coat.
Since my mobility is limited by the blanket, I am much more inspired to do some online browsing for things like space heaters and slippers (the monkeys died in Chicago). But I found a place that sells hats with ear flaps (I thought Kallisti would make fun of it, but being a native Chicagoan, he really didn't), and matching glove-mittens.
Also annoying, the 40 degree temperature differential. In the morning it is about freezing, but supposed to get in the sixties, which means the shedding and potential loss of layers. The only good thing about this is that my travels are generally limited to Kantner and the library, so it makes the finding a wee bit easier.
The cold is not helping my health plan either. A few years ago, Cheese Fiend and I discovered that we have the primordial instinct to build the layer of fat and hibernate as soon as the temperature drops. So yesterday was a constant battle against my desire to pad my butt with pasta and junk. Did make it out to the gym, but skipped out without doing a full 20min cardio. And I am sleeping all the time. Then again, it might still be recovery from the weekend. (Neighbors vouched that they were in the same recovery boat). Also officially a sign of the advent of Cold - my constant need for lotion and the static is back. So if you see me with a hat on, it is partially to keep my head warm, and partially to hide the hideousness that is my Van de Graaf hair. (let's not even discuss what happens when I take OFF the hat...)
OK, enough with the computer. I'm gonna park my butt on the couch and catch up on some reading, with my toes tucked into the cushions.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Helluva Halloween
(the Nightmare kids with Zero and Oogie Boogie)Until I finished my lobby display, I would not allow myself to blog. And I finally got that up about an hour ago.
This weekend was chock-full-o-Halloween. And it was awesome. Athens hosts one of the largest parties in the Midwest, so all the streets were blocked, the horses tried not to look startled at the odd costumes, and the drinking started extra early.
Kallisti came down from Chicago to witness/participate in the madness. He went as Jack the Ripper, which was especially apt as we cut through alleys to avoid the corseted tarts on Court Street. I was the Cracked Tooth Fairy, which was mostly just an excuse to wear pink fuzzy bat wings, a pink wig and too much makeup. The designers collectively went as Nightmare Before Christmas, which was most impressive. Oogie Boogie was made out of a costume from the most recent show. Sally wore 8 skeins of yarn, and we had Santa in the bag. Extra special: accosting guys dressed as Santa on Court Street.
(Sally and Jack or "Goth Prom")Saw alot of Sailors (take a drink), bumblebees (312s), the Teletubbies, Beer Pong, and Halo. Missed "I'm a Banana, just not yet" and Paris Hilton in Jail, but pretty nice array of costumes.
To no one's surprised, the collected theatre people ended up at Blue Gator. Once collected, we moved forward to the next house party, which involved some excellent homebrew, which almost made up for the long walk in the cold. Got home somewhere around 4.30AM.
(he chivalrously gave up his sweatshirt and got the wings in exchange)Yesterday I was in full recovery. Kallisti and I finished off the pizza while lounging on the couch watching the Bears lose. I felt bad that he didn't see more of Athens, since it was cold and rainy almost all weekend, but there are always other weekends.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Puking Pumpkin
On my way to run Halloween errands, I saw this, which was so funny, I got out of the car to take a picture.
I don't know these people, but I love them.
I don't know these people, but I love them.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Hanging around the apartment
Two slightly interesting things happened in the apartment today.
1. Finally borrowed a stud finder from 847. He made sure it was properly calibrated, since it found him. Which means I finally got to hang my nice art. All of the sudden, my apartment looks grown up. Well, maybe not grown up, but nicer. Have Kadinsky over the couch, an old astronomy print from my aunt & uncle's house over the table, and the gorgeous mirror I got in BA is now in my bedroom.
2. Spent part of this morning calling all around Athens trying to find my neighbor. The story: the girl next door has not picked up her mail, turned on the lights, or even pulled the neighborhood bulletin out of her door. This seems like a weird time in the quarter to take off. Call me alarmist, but I worry. So I called the registrar, who told me to call OUPD, who told me to call Athens PD, who asked me to call my landlord. The landlord shared my concern and said they would try to call her. I heard the police knocking at her door. Hopefully she is just crashing with friends. And personally, if I had disappeared for a week, I would hope someone would check up on me.
on the toob: Queer Eye (no gym for me, it's raining cats & dogs)
1. Finally borrowed a stud finder from 847. He made sure it was properly calibrated, since it found him. Which means I finally got to hang my nice art. All of the sudden, my apartment looks grown up. Well, maybe not grown up, but nicer. Have Kadinsky over the couch, an old astronomy print from my aunt & uncle's house over the table, and the gorgeous mirror I got in BA is now in my bedroom.
2. Spent part of this morning calling all around Athens trying to find my neighbor. The story: the girl next door has not picked up her mail, turned on the lights, or even pulled the neighborhood bulletin out of her door. This seems like a weird time in the quarter to take off. Call me alarmist, but I worry. So I called the registrar, who told me to call OUPD, who told me to call Athens PD, who asked me to call my landlord. The landlord shared my concern and said they would try to call her. I heard the police knocking at her door. Hopefully she is just crashing with friends. And personally, if I had disappeared for a week, I would hope someone would check up on me.
on the toob: Queer Eye (no gym for me, it's raining cats & dogs)
Monday, October 22, 2007
Bardolatry
It's my new favorite term, used to indicate the obsession with Shakespeare that leads to his secular sainthood and a hell of an industry.
In the 270 theater history lecture, the professor did an informal survey of how many people had ever been to the reconstructed Globe. So I raised my hand. Who's been to Stratford-upon-Avon? That would be me. Who's been to or participated in a Shakespeare festival? Up, me again (I have like 7 Shakespeare shirts as evidence of my geekdom).
What was weird was the fact that I was the only person out of 70 who raised their hand. Then again, I was the only person who had ever seen a Greek theatre in person. How is it that NONE of these kids have been dragged to some Shakespearean location/event? I mean, I realise that I am extra geeky, and that I hadn't been to alot of these places until after I graduated, but still, none?
Somewhere in a box, there is a picture of me and the Cheese Fiend grinning in front of the Globe stage, which was being mopped by a stage manager (extra bonus points!)
on Pandora: "Heaven Knows I'm Lonely" - Cracker
In the 270 theater history lecture, the professor did an informal survey of how many people had ever been to the reconstructed Globe. So I raised my hand. Who's been to Stratford-upon-Avon? That would be me. Who's been to or participated in a Shakespeare festival? Up, me again (I have like 7 Shakespeare shirts as evidence of my geekdom).
What was weird was the fact that I was the only person out of 70 who raised their hand. Then again, I was the only person who had ever seen a Greek theatre in person. How is it that NONE of these kids have been dragged to some Shakespearean location/event? I mean, I realise that I am extra geeky, and that I hadn't been to alot of these places until after I graduated, but still, none?
Somewhere in a box, there is a picture of me and the Cheese Fiend grinning in front of the Globe stage, which was being mopped by a stage manager (extra bonus points!)
on Pandora: "Heaven Knows I'm Lonely" - Cracker
Sunday, October 21, 2007
River walking
To celebrate another freakishly nice weather, I put away the books and pulled on my shorts and sneakers. There is a really nice, paved trail that skirts the edge of campus. Walked a nice loop along the Hocking River, then up Court Street to my house.
Living in Chicago, I developed a taste for ambling. Today was the first day I had a proper amble here in Ohio. I do lots of walking, but it's very destination-oriented. Up the hill to the theater, up the hill to the library, up the hill to the Gator, et al. Instead of hitting the hill, I got a much more scenic, leisurely walk. Gorgeous trees, bright blue sky, slow-flow river. And Chicago is scenic, but in a different way.
Didn't get as much work done as I would have liked, but how many more days like this will I get?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Pretty AND Productive
All the factors pointed toward the opposite, but somehow, I have managed to do alot of work today.
Woke up nice and late this morning to an impossibly blue sky and extra eager birds. It was nice to laze out of bed, after being coaxed into going to the Gator after Mathematical Madness. Nothing like finding holes in a proof over beer. What was going to be an appearance turned into closing the joint down with the rest of the 1st years. Insisted that one girl hang out at my house before driving home, or just sitting in her car. Because I have a perfectly useful and conveniently nearby couch perfect for just such occasions. Watched Bridget Jones' Diary till I fell asleep.
Today, I have been fighting my usual low-energy. I swear, I think my body's alternator is out of whack, because I just can't seem to recharge my battery. But I burned through quite a bit of reading, prepped a preliminary biblio for my thesis, spent 2 hours in the library scanning Salvador Dali illustrated Macbeth for my students, while researching a potential paper topic. And got a big jump on my presentation for Thursday. I almost don't want to stop, but I do need to go to the gym before it gets really late.
By just blowing through work, I don't have a chance to be overwhelmed by the amount of reading-reseach I will be doing in the very near future. But I have now added quite a bit to my wishlist!
Tomorrow, I have another play to read before finishing my presentation, and posting part of the dramaturgical display for Macbett. Unless I decide to go hiking. Or to Target.
on Pandora: "Run" - Ben Kweller
Woke up nice and late this morning to an impossibly blue sky and extra eager birds. It was nice to laze out of bed, after being coaxed into going to the Gator after Mathematical Madness. Nothing like finding holes in a proof over beer. What was going to be an appearance turned into closing the joint down with the rest of the 1st years. Insisted that one girl hang out at my house before driving home, or just sitting in her car. Because I have a perfectly useful and conveniently nearby couch perfect for just such occasions. Watched Bridget Jones' Diary till I fell asleep.
Today, I have been fighting my usual low-energy. I swear, I think my body's alternator is out of whack, because I just can't seem to recharge my battery. But I burned through quite a bit of reading, prepped a preliminary biblio for my thesis, spent 2 hours in the library scanning Salvador Dali illustrated Macbeth for my students, while researching a potential paper topic. And got a big jump on my presentation for Thursday. I almost don't want to stop, but I do need to go to the gym before it gets really late.
By just blowing through work, I don't have a chance to be overwhelmed by the amount of reading-reseach I will be doing in the very near future. But I have now added quite a bit to my wishlist!
Tomorrow, I have another play to read before finishing my presentation, and posting part of the dramaturgical display for Macbett. Unless I decide to go hiking. Or to Target.
on Pandora: "Run" - Ben Kweller
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