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The Post-Mortem Report (or, how it went)
Wow, I was one nervous grrrl today, a wreck until about 1:00PM. I don't think I got more than a couple hours of tossing-and-turning sleep and couldn't eat anything until supper tonight. It's wild how anxious I was about this whole teaching gig. I mean, I've been teaching on my own for the past year -- but with this class I think I put a lot more pressure on myself in my performance. For one, it's on a subject that is really important to me, so I really wanted to succeed. Two, I was lecturing in an unfamiliar setting, in a classroom where the whole time I have sat in the back of the room, watching the professor lead. So it was a bit odd to all of a suddent have control of the class, especially while the professor sat in the back, recording and evaluating my performance!
But I did well. I think. Granted, I'm so much harder on myself than others. I won't subject you to a painful play-by-play analysis of what happened, but I'll hit the highlights. I went over an introductory article on Rhetorical Criticism by Sonja Foss. The article was set up in such a way that it was easy dissecting it with the class. I knew the material inside and out, though I'm afraid I may have hidden behind some of this organization. I wish that I could have interjected more anecdotes and questions into my presentation. While I know that the students now thoroughly know the material, I wish I could have made it a little more engaging for them as we discussed it.
Another thing I really want to work on is my chalkboard presence. I'm a recent convert to using the board when teaching -- I used to just type things out ahead of time and make transparencies. I was going to do the same for this lesson, until I was encouraged to change my mind. Dr. MacLennan raised some good points regarding the use of transparencies vs. the chalkboard -- she said that it's usually more effective to literally lay it out for them on the board, together, rather than preparing these overheads ahead of time and making them transcribe like mad. I'm more sensitive to it now, I noticed in my 110 class when the prof put an overhead on, the students basically stopped listening and just scribbled notes. At least while I'm writing on the board, the students are following my trains of thought along with me.
There's other issues I know I could work on in improving my teaching style. Overall, I'm fairly pleased with how things turned out. There were a couple of really great shiny moments in my lesson! Towards the end, after we had worked through Foss's definitions of rhetoric and rhetorical criticism, I was able to share with the class different epiphany-type moments in my own life, where rhetoric made a huge difference.
I first told them about how I responded to watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics last year. I had just started my first rhet. class, and I remember watching bits and pieces of the ceremonies one night while I was babysitting. I was amazed (and angry!) at all the pathos appeals being pushed at me. From bringing out the tattered remains of the World Trade Center flag to having the different athletes carrying two flags (their country's and the US flag), all sorts of emotional appeals were being thrown my way. If I hadn't been aware of these type of communication techniques, I would have let myself be swept away with emotions, without seeing how manipulated I was being.
The other example I gave them had to do with the feelings I had about this year's State of the Union message. It was neat to be able to explain to them something that I felt passionate about, while reiterating points I had raised during the article's discussion.
I had fun, and I think I could get used to teaching rhetoric in an University context!
Other things that happened today: I met with my research prof and team -- we're starting up our project within the week! It's entitled The Religious Poetry Project, and it entails a team of students (I'm a supervisor, woo) who go through paraphrased Psalms that were published from 1477-1640 and transcribe them into an electronic, XML-searchable database. Right now it's only in its "pilot" stages, which means we're doing the grunt work until they can get the big grant money next year. But, it's extra money, plus it'll be a gem on the CV I'm constructing.
Speaking of money, still no sign of my loan check. I remember joking in December that I wouldn't have it until my birthday. Well, my birthday is on Saturday, and I won't have it. Two months late. Unbelievable. Luckily, next year I won't have to rely on Sallie Mae for my livelihood. But the story gets better -- the registrar girl I was working with in the University office quit her position last week. Now the people that are left there have NO CLUE what is going on. Sigh. And so it goes.
And since we're on the subject of depressing, did anyone watch CSI tonight? What a downer. Poor Warrick. Still a damn fine show, though.
Must-get-sleep.
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I should be dilligently studying my lesson plan for tomorrow right now. Wait, it's not tomorrow now -- it's later today! I'm really nervous about the whole ordeal. It is my first Rhetoric class I'm teaching -- hard to believe that this time last year I was in my undergrad rhet class, and now I'm in the teacher role! I'm anxious about the whole ordeal. Not only will I be teaching a bunch of students I'm not familiar with, but I'll also be graded and observed by my prof and fellow grad students in the back. Pressure! Ugh.
My lesson consists of going over an article that introduces the concepts of rhetorical criticism, which is something that I'm passionate about. I'm excited about the material I'm going to be presenting, but worried in how it will go over. There's only so much preparation you can do before you give a lesson. So much can go wrong, with things I can't really prepare for -- it's really scary, in a way. We'll see how it goes over.
I'll appreciate all the good thoughts, prayers, and mojo sent my way later today (1-2:20pm Central Time). I'll let you know how it goes...
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Behold, the all-knowing Oracle of Starbucks
Personality type: Pseudo-intellectual
You're liberal and consider yourself to be laid back and open minded. Everyone else just thinks you're clueless. Your friends hate you because you always email them virus warnings and chain letters "just in case it's true." All people who drink grande tazo tea are potheads.
Also drinks: Sparkling water
Can also be found at: Designer grocery stores
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Dammit, I'm proud to be an American.
But why do I feel somewhat guilty in writing that phrase?
Tonight I watched my first State of the Union address, while living in a foreign country. It was a bit weird. For one, none of the 3 channels in the apartment carried it, so I had to scamper online to find a live feed. While watching the tiny screen on my laptop, I felt all sorts of things. I felt a bit disconnected -- I think that is largely due to the fact I'm so far away from home (not necessarily US, but a long ways from GA!). Up here there's been more protesting about the upcoming military action, so I haven't been as swamped with newscasts about it like I would be back home. Then again, if I was back home I think I would be feeling the pressure in a different sense -- mainly due to the fact Savannah is within an hour's distance of 2 large Army bases (whose troops have already been deployed).
I think that I'm definitely more sensitive to the language Bush used in his speech. Being away from the American media, plus back in a rhetorical frame of mind, helps with that I'm sure. It was interesting to note the different times he used the ploy "We're Americans and can do whatever we feel right" along with appeals to the international community and cooperation. I think the former largely outweighed the latter.
That's where I feel so torn. I mean, America is my home. I love the fact that I can call myself an American -- despite the popular notion it is to bash it and condemn its policies. And by bashing it I don't just mean here in Canada -- even back home its sometimes viewed as "academic" to be critical of many elements of "American-ness" (yes, I just made up a word, thank-you-very-much!).
So while I'm proud of my identity in some ways, I'm also very troubled by certain aspects of it.
It bothers me that so much of our nation's intentions are prefaced by the fact we're doing this "because we're America." Hearing statements like these bothered me:
In all of these efforts, however, America’s purpose is more than to follow a process - it is to achieve a result: the end of terrible threats to the civilized world. All free nations have a stake in preventing sudden and catastrophic attack. And we are asking them to join us, and many are doing so. Yet the course of this Nation does not depend on the decisions of others. Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people.
[...]
The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. America will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country, and our friends, and our allies. The United States will ask the UN Security Council to convene on February 5th to consider the facts of Iraq’s ongoing defiance of the world. Secretary of State Powell will present information and intelligence about Iraq’s illegal weapons programs; its attempts to hide those weapons from inspectors; and its links to terrorist groups. We will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people, and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him.
But he did raise some vaild points, regarding Saddam -- in addition to the facts he laid out about disregarding UN regulations:
Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike? If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option.
While that's a tad bit overstated, I do think there's some merit in what's behind it.
The highlight of the speech, for me:
Ladies and gentlemen, seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many. We have confronted, and will continue to confront, HIV/AIDS in our own country. And to meet a severe and urgent crisis abroad, tonight I propose the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - a work of mercy beyond all current international efforts to help the people of Africa. This comprehensive plan will prevent seven million new AIDS infections … treat at least two million people with life-extending drugs … and provide humane care for millions of people suffering from AIDS, and for children orphaned by AIDS. I ask the Congress to commit 15 billion dollars over the next five years, including nearly ten billion dollars in new money, to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean.
This Nation can lead the world in sparing innocent people from a plague of nature. And this Nation is leading the world in confronting and defeating the man-made evil of international terrorism.
Interesting transition -- from peaceful relief efforts, right into the bit on terrorism. I really hope he means to follow through on this promise of AIDS relief, and isn't just using it as speech fodder to lesson the "big-bully" worldview of the US. It's something we should have been doing *years* ago, in my opinion.
And finally, the big closer:
Americans are a resolute people, who have risen to every test of our time. Adversity has revealed the character of our country, to the world, and to ourselves.
America is a strong Nation, and honorable in the use of our strength. We exercise power without conquest, and we sacrifice for the liberty of strangers.
Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America’s gift to the world, it is God’s gift to humanity.
We Americans have faith in ourselves - but not in ourselves alone. We do not claim to know all the ways of Providence, yet we can trust in them, placing our confidence in the loving God behind all of life, and all of history.
May He guide us now, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
Again with the mixing of God and politics. I'm finding that this is a trait that is very-American. You don't ever hear any Canadian officials ranting, "God Bless Canada!" It's definitely a loaded statement. While I hope that God does continue to bless my country, I don't want that blessing at the expense of other countries. "God Bless America" is an interesting type of enthymeme. In other words, there's a whole lot of assumptions left out of that conclusion. If "God Blesses America", does that mean he then punishes its enemies (or at least gives them a disadvantage to the US)? Does that statement mean that God should only bless America? All of a sudden, I'm not so comfortable with that statement's hidden meanings.
That said, I am appreciative of the fact that I can question my government and country without fear of reprisal. And its late now so I should get some sleep.
(edit: I posted this over at blog sisters, too!)
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Mindless Links Monday:
Comb Overs.com -- A whole site dedicated to the hair styling masterpieces that are the comb-overs.
Kermitage -- A website that has categorized and discussed all six seasons of the Muppet Show!
Newseum -- A collection of front news pages from all over the world. Updated daily.
The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy -- Or as I like to call it, "Coke."
Visual Thesaurus -- Whoa, who knew finding synonyms could be so much fun?
The Condiment Packet Museum -- and I thought Kurt was lame for hoarding A&W packets! ;)
Am I Annoying.com -- rank celebrities on their annoyance factor. My first "celebrity" to rank was Mayor McCheese. Annoying!
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It's so cold in Georgia, some schools closed
ATLANTA (AP) Even though roads were clear of snow, sleet and ice Friday, schools around Georgia closed because of brutal cold.
School officials and parents didn't want children who were not used to such temperatures waiting for buses or walking to school in temperatures below 10 degrees.
"What is critical to us is how safe is it to operate the buses, and how safe is it for children to walk to school," said Spencer Ragsdale, spokesman for DeKalb County schools, which were closed Friday.
The temperature dropped to 8 degrees in Atlanta and Cartersville and 7 degrees in Marietta. Most north Georgia school systems were closed Friday - even though there was no ice on major roads.
Central and south Georgia also got hit with a blast of cold air. Columbus and Macon recorded lows of 13 degrees. In Albany in southwest Georgia, Dougherty County schools closed because of a low temperature of 14.
On the coast, Savannah reported 17 degrees and St. Simons Island reported 20.
The last time the Atlanta area experienced temperatures this cold was February 4 and 5, 1996, when the thermometer dipped to 6 degrees.
The deep freeze was expected to loosen its grip Friday afternoon with the mercury expected to climb into the mid-30s . The National Weather Service predicts high temperatures in the 40s Saturday.
heh.
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What a day.
After going to bed waaaay too late last night, my late-morning turned out to be awful. I've already run into several different problems with my laptop (which is only a year old, btw) -- the screen getting flakey, problems rebooting, etc. Well, in the midst of my futile attempts to check my email (which has also been flakey all weekend, thanks to the internet bug going around), my internet connection stopped. Completely. 0 bytes sent, 0 bytes received. Insert vaguely adept computer user (moi), who thinks rebooting the system is the answer for everything -- only it didn't work.
After helpless trying other options, I gave up and called the cable internet computer techs. Both times they told me to do different superficial things, both times failing to complete my connection.
Now, not to sound uber-geeky or anything, but being connected to the 'net is somewhat of a priority to me. Not only do I need to entertain the 2 readers who visit this site, but its also my communication line back home, 2000+ miles away. It's a big deal if it doesn't work, especially since the cable modem for the apartment is (literally) under my bed. Ugh.
Finally I try calling the tech line for here in town. My hero-for-the-day Kevin, the tech on duty, saved the day. He walked me through countless steps of uninstalling and rebooting, to finally get my computer up and running. Apparently the firewall program I was running is known for corrupting registries, so we had to uninstall that and a whole bunch of other stuff, just in order to get me back online. So after all that, being the good computer user I am, I start downloading all the recent Windows updates....by this time, its after 2pm, so I wanna get dressed and make my bed and stuff, so I move my computer off the bed to the floor, when...
Something happens and my screen blanks out and the computer forces a reboot. I had completed a "serious error" of sorts, which Microsoft so kindly kept reminding me of once it restarted. I think the combination of it being really cold outside, with the dry static electricity of my socks on the floor and touching the metal of the bottom of the laptop caused some kinda spark or something. I don't know what really happened, but as result of it --
I lost the Internet. Again.
So, off I go to call my good friend Kevin again, and then sit through another hour of readjusting and reinstalling stuff to get it back up. He thinks I may have some faulty hardware, maybe in my network card or something. Great. After I got off the phone with him I tried calling HP for help, and was told it would cost me at least 30 bucks for them to walk me through anything. The tech rattled off some things for me to try in the system command, but with my already precarious system, the LAST thing I wanna do is fiddle with stuff I know little about.
Which brings me to now. I'm nervous that if I move the laptop in any way, I'll screw something up. Tomorrow I'm gonna call around town and see if there's an HP certified repair shop around, maybe I'll get someone to look at it then. I just don't need this extra stress going on right now.
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What to blog, what to blog.
Whenever I get online to write in this journal (of sorts), I'm always curious on what exactly I should write -- maybe its because I'm taking this Rhetoric class where we focus so much of our message on audience reception, I'm not sure. Do I write these entries to entertain the handful of people who randomly check my site or do I use this time to think reflectively on what's been going on in my life? Tough call. I like having this medium, because otherwise I'd never keep track of what's going on in my life. I'm awful at keeping a hand-written journal -- here I can at least play with the fonts, type instead of chicken-scratch, and keep it all in an online space that's readily accessible. Very good for a procrastinating lazy grrrl.
I'm blah. Its frickin cold outside. Still. I don't know how (or why) people live here their whole lives. I'm so cold. I wear so much clothes everyday, I miss being able to buckle my seatbelt without having to manipulate my long underwear/long sleeve teeshirt/fleece/thick winter jacket/scarf/woolen mittens/and toque. Not to mention having to unlace and take off my shoes every time I come inside the house. Oh, and there's very few things worse than having your socks get wet from snow. Ugh.
Loan check update: On Friday I received my second letter from Sallie Mae stating that they had received my loan check back to their office and cancelled my loan. Second letter. Supposedly the university sent back my check -- which isn't so, considering they're watching for it as closely as I am. Something smells really fishy to me about the whole situation. I don't know if they're sending it to the wrong address or if its being sent at all. We're going on 2 months of it being late. Tutition is due on Friday. The re-issued check is supposed to be here by Wednesday -- we'll see how long this one takes to arrive. Ugh.
This upcoming week looks to be pretty crazy. I'm teaching twice -- my usual English 110 tutorial on Monday and then GE 400 on Thursday. I'm really getting nervous about the Thursday lesson. This will be my first Rhetoric lesson, and I'll not only be teaching new material, I'll also be evaluated on my methods and content. Yay, stress! Then again, I'm reviewing an article on rhetorical criticism that is amazing. Better start getting used to this, if its where I'm going to be ending up, eventually.
More news on the how-much-my-dad-is-getting-screwed-over dept: Now his "church" (ie. consumeristic social club) is acting fairly reluctant in supporting him in his new missions job. For his job, he's required to have a "commissioning" from his home church before he's officially accepted into it. All this really means is that they bring him up front, say a prayer for him, pat him on the back, and say that they support him (not necessarily financially) as he goes into this new missions job. Sounds easy enough, but the "Godly" (hint: that was sarcastic) men that "lead" the church are very hesitant and may not do it. If they do decide to do it, they'll probably snag my dad and do it in private, and not in front of the people my dad helped serve for 10+ years. Figures. What kills me about this whole situation is the people that are still involved with this organization, knowing what type of business they're conducting, yet still condone it by supporting what is going on. Lemmings. The opiate of the people. May I never sucuumb to that.
I'm debating on whether or not I should write a letter to the ringleader of this fiasco (apparently my penchant for letter-writing when pissed off is VERY Canadian). The guy would probably toss it in the trash, but it would make me feel better -- so he knows that what he is doing/becoming is not going unnoticed and that the actions he inspires/conspires/condones affect more than just my dad. It sucks that there's not a Better Business Bureau or some equivalent where you can write to examine faulty religious organizations. Ah well, may they get it back at 'em three times over!
I'm realizing how pessimistic I'm sounding right now.
I did find a cool website today: Top Secret Recipes. I found lot o'goodies there -- from the Arby's Jamocha shake recipe, Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies, Cherry Limades from Sonic, to the Southwestern Eggrolls from Chilis. Oh, there's even the recipe for the Soup Nazi's Mulligatawny. Make sure to give me a call if you make any of these -- support your local starving grad student!
And way-cool: The Brick Testament (the Bible as depicted as Legos). Almost as entertaining as Lord of the Peeps. Almost.
Cheers.
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Hehe, I remember when schools and such would close because of snow flurries. No such luck up here. I woke up to snow, drove in snow, and now am going to sleep wearing layers.
After looking at my fellow Saskatooner's blog, I've discovered I may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Some symptoms: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time each year (usually winter) for at least 2 years in a row.1 It sometimes is called the “winter blues” because most people with seasonal affective disorder have an episode of depression during the winter months, although it is possible to experience SAD during summer months. Women comprise 60% to 90% of people diagnosed with SAD.
Between that and my newly-acquired atopic dermatitis, my body doesn't seem to be adjusting well up here.
On a little brighter note, today I booked a flight home for less than 200 US dollars! Muchos gracias to Kurt for the quick loan. (I'm gonna haveta name my firstborn child after him, the number of times he's bailed me out while waiting for loan to surface).
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Good day:
-- Got my first grad paper back, with the following comments: "This is first-class work: well researched and ably argued and expressed...(blah, blah, areas I could improve)...This is accomplished and promising work that should lead to even better things."
-- Got an A on the paper!
-- Grad prof quoted part of my paper in class today!
-- Found a (reasonable) priced flight home for Spring Break -- then $220 (US) voucher arrives in mail! Score! Over half of my trip, paid! I'm going home for Spring Break!! (thanks to a quick loan from a friend, until my loan check shows)
-- Friend Eric from Savannah called me. I'll be hanging out with fellow English/Rhetoric geeks when I get home next month!
-- Kurt's mom lent me a winter jacket, so my flimsy one can be retired for the time being
So-So Bits...
-- Booked an appointment with the "Emergency Loan" officer at school - turns out the next time I can meet with her isn't until NEXT week. So much for emergency.
-- Still absolutely NO sign of my going-on-2-months-late loan check from the ever-"prompt and service oriented" Sallie Mae. Ugh.
-- After 2 separate trips to the airport to book my flight, I still have to go back tomorrow to book.
-- It's still freezing cold.
-- I lost my keys at school (without even knowing it) - but they were found.
-- Still haveta finish my "reflective" journal and lesson plan for Rhetoric by Friday. Ugh.
-- Forgot to buy window-stuff, so that cold air doesn't leak so bad into my room. Got other stuff at Walmart, but forgot the very thing I went there for, in the first place.
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It's frickin' cold.
Yes, gentle reader. -40C is equivalent to -40F. Brrr.
There's even ice on my window. On the INSIDE of my room's window.
I wanna go home. But I can't, since my loan check has STILL not surfaced. It's almost 2 months late, and I budgeted enough so that I could afford to go home during Spring Break next month. By the time the check gets here, and then processed by the university, it'll probably be Spring Break.
Sigh.
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Its the I can't believe it's not the Advertising Slogan Generator!
Slogans for grrrl meets world:
Does the Hard Grrrl Meets World, So You Don't Have To.
Grrrl Meets World Saves Your Soul.
I Want My Grrrl Meets World.
Which Twin has the Grrrl Meets World?
Hands That Do Dishes Can Be Soft As Your Grrrl Meets World.
When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Grrrl Meets World.
Unzip a Grrrl Meets World.
Silly Rabbit, Grrrl Meets World is for Kids.
Once You Pop, You Can't Stop Grrrl Meets World.
I Think, Therefore Grrrl Meets World.
Okay, stopping. There's over 501 slogans you can make. Yay, timewasters.
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My Bloginality is ESFP!!!
You are an ESFP!
As an ESTP, you are Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling , Perceiving.
This makes your primary focus on Extraverted Sensing with Introverted Feeling.
This is defined as a SP personality, which is part of Carl Jung's Artisans (Sensation Seeking) type, and more specifically the Performers
You are fun, and like to make others have fun, and this will make you have a well-liked weblog. You like learning in a hands-on way, and so you may have someone else do the behind the scenes things of your blog, and just be happy making shorter posts about the people you love. Theory is not your strong point, and so long analysis wouldn't fit in with the normal posting style.
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Making up for my earlier Canadian bashing, here's a fun list:
You know you're Canadian if: (the bold ones are the ones I can recognize)
1. You know all the words to "If I had a million dollars" by The Barenaked Ladies, including the inter-stanza banter between Steven and Ed.
2. You dismiss all beers under 6% as "for children and the elderly."
3. You hum David Foster's '88 Calgary Olympics theme in the shower.
4. You make up patriotic lyrics to go along with David Foster's '88 Calgary Olympics theme.
5. You cried when Gus "drowned" on Road To Avonlea.
6. You remember when Alanis Morrissette was "Too Hot To Hold".
7. You think there isn't enough of Peter Gzowski to go around.
8. You think it's normal to have a grain elevator in your backyard.
9. You wonder why there isn't a 5 dollar coin, as you can only use more change.
10. You spend hours in the dark making scale models of the Avro Arrow and cursing the Diefenbaker government.
11. You watch MuchMusic constantly, in the hopes of occasional fleeting glimpses of The Tragically Hip.
12. You have an Inuit carving by your bedside with the rationale, "what's good enough protection for the Prime Minister, is good enough for me!"
13. You have memorized the Heritage Foundation's Heritage Moments, including your favourites, "Burnt Toast!", "You know I canna read a word...", and "Kanata".
14. You can sing "O' Canada" in French and actually know what the words mean!!
15. You advocate the abolition of responsible government, in favour of monarchist rule.
16. You think there isn't enough Queen on our currency.
17. You send angry letters to the CBC demanding the return of the Hinterland Who's Who spots so you can finally find out what happens to the arctic ptarmigan in winter.
18. You participate in Participaction!
19. You think Peter Mansbridge is sexy.
20. You think Lloyd Robertson is sexy.
21. You think Peter Kent is sexy.
22. You think Brad Pitt is so-so.
23. You stood in line for hours for Another Roadside Attraction tickets.
24. You killed your best friend for Another Roadside Attraction tickets.
25. You think Great Big Sea isn't Maritime-centric enough.
26. Your graduation formal dress was made of flannel.
27. Your backpack has more than one Canadian flag iron-on.
28. You know the names of all the guys in Sloan.
29. You have been on Speaker's Corner. Bonus points if they edited out your carefully prepared rant against the Harris government.
30. You use a red pen on your non-Canadian textbooks and fill in the missing 'u's from labor, honor, and color.
31. You know the French equivalents of "free", "prize" and "no sugar added", thanks to your extensive education in bilingual cereal packaging.
32. You still haven't taken down your "NON" posters from the 95 Referendum.
33. You know more than 3 guys named Gordon.
34. You think Ashley MacIssac isn't celtic enough.
35. You remember "Jodie" from Today's Special and wonder why you keep seeing her reading news on the CBC.
36. You can do the hand actions to Sharon, Lois and Bram's "Skin-a-marinki-dinki-do".
37. You know why "killerwhaletank" is funny.
38. You can eat more than one maple sugar candy without feeling nauseous.
39. You had a crush on Joey Jeremiah from Degrassi Junior High.
40. You know that a "Premier" isn't a baby born a few months early.
41. You actually watch The Gemini Awards, The Genie Awards, and The Juno Awards. You wonder why Stompin' Tom doesn't get his own category in all three. You scream passionately at the television when your favourite Canadian performers are overlooked by their respective academies.
42. You are excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada. You make a mental note to talk about it at work the next day.
43. You think -10 C is mild weather.
44. You have twins named Donovan and Bailey.
45. You have twins named Wayne and Gretzky (alternately Gordie and Howe).
46. You know the ingredients for poutine.
47. You automatically read 'Z' as 'Zed' and don't give a damn that it doesn't rhyme with "now I know my abcs".
48. You know what happens in the Evergreen Forest when Bert Raccoon wakes up.
49. You dressed as Bruno Gerussi for Halloween. You spent hours sifting through garbage on the beach to prepare for the role.
50. You substitute beer for water when cooking.
51. You carry empty beer cans from your camping trips home with you in your backpack so you can recycle them when you reach civilization.
52. You know that the 'Extra Creamy' in Kraft Extra Creamy Dinner is 'add more milk.'
53. You prefer Elvis Stojko when he has 'hockey hair' - a.k.a. 'the mullet' or 'the shorty-longback'.
54. You brag about the sweet herb in BC.
55. You read rather than scanned this list.
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Marketing God with "Super-Sized" Salvation.
"Buddy Christ"
Ah ha, finally. "Mega churches" press.
Here's a taste of what my dad's former church is becoming. The church mentioned in this article, Southeast Christian Church, is one of the churches that it is modeling itself after (mimicking down to its initials).
Interesting points of article:
-Southeast Christian is one of God's success stories. They call them Mega-Churches. This is one of the biggest in the country - and around the US this is the growth area of Christianity.
- You see this is not just a church, it is the shopping mall of modern religion - a new medieval city, clustered round the sanctuary. One of the other Mega-Churches is actually introducing a McDonalds. Some of them have housing developments on campus, one is building a religious theme park based on the story of Jonah and the whale.
- Another former member of the congregation explained to us a less high-minded motivation. Southeast Christian is the place to be seen in Louisville, it's the place to meet the leading local politicians, to make business contacts. It's the country club of religion. So successful is this religious country club that they take in $500,000 in donations every week. There's even a police escort for the collection.
- There are ambitious expansion plans that will cost more than $30m. The church is buying or putting in bids for every scrap of land around. They even have the equivalent of a chief executive. He moved here from the company that owns Kentucky Fried Chicken. Now he is marketing God, not chicken wings.
- It might all seem a little quirk of American life - not a phenomenon of any significance. And yet there is something about the Mega-Churches that really sums up what is going on in this country - the blandness, the insularity, a pulling in on itself, a search for certainty. In fact, most of the congregation of Southeast Christian would see little of that as a sin. As for the size - surely bigger is better is written into the constitution isn't it?
Mike had a good point: "Where do you draw the line between a message that is valid for today and becoming the very things that you're working against?"
Where, indeed.
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War.
It is me, or does it seem like we're inching closer and closer to war? I'm really confused and torn about all of this. I'm not sure that we're doing the right thing -- who knows what is "right" when all we have feeding us information is the media? Yesterday, in my Rhetoric class I sat and listened to my classmates rant about America. Granted, I'm getting used to hearing such rants, but it still bothers me. I know that I shouldn't take it so personally, but I guess I was totally overwhelmed with the anti-American sentiments up here. I never expected the US to be despised the way it is, especially in its neighbor to the north. I could understand the vehemence if I were in France, or in the Middle East -- but from the northern border? It's wild.
I don't know what to do when people start their rants. Part of me wants to defend, part of me understands their bitterness, part of me wants to call them hypocritical. If Canada doesn't want to be affiliated or associated so much with the US, they why don't you stop infiltrating yourselves with its culture? Turn off the cable stations, stop buying products, and watching their films. Work on Canadian culture, and not just the ways that you're different (and "better than") the US.
I know that there's lots of inconsistencies in the statements up there, and I don't mean to imply that all Canadians feel this way. Just the majority I've seen. And it makes me a little uncomfortable, and yes, homesick.
But back to the issue of war -- I'm at a loss. Part of me wants to believe that it's justified and necessary -- but then other parts of me are skeptical at the timing and location of the battle, and the target of Iraq and not North Korea, etc. There was a peace march in town today. I wanted to make it, but didn't have anyone to go with, so I slept in instead. There's lots of protesting going on today. Including an amusing "Bare All for Peace" naked rally in California.
I guess we all have to wait and see what the future holds. While I was writing this entry, a song came up on my CD player that seems fitting:
(from "Deliverance"by the Indigo Girls)
they're sending soldiers
to distant places
x's and o's
on someones drawing board
like green and plastic
but with human faces
and they want to tell you
it's a merciful sword
but with all the blood
newly dried in the desert
can we not fertilize the land with something else
there is no nation
by god exempted
lay down your weapons
and love your neighbor as yourself
it's in the nightfall
when the light falls
and what you've seen
isn't there anymore
it's through our blind trust
love will find us
just like it has before
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Well, 16 pages of blood, sweat, and procrastinated tears has finally left the building. I turned in my first paper in grad studies today. After staying up late over the past week annotating and writing and typing, it's finally out of my hands. Now I just wait for my grade. Before I started writing, I kept telling myself that I didn't care what grade I got -- but who am I kidding? The anal-retentive academic in me wants to do really well! Just have to wait and see, I guess. Hopefully I'll do okay, I don't think I could stand more insecurity. Funny side story: Only 2 people in our class handed in papers today -- everyone else has an extension! Figures, huh? Ah well, its outta my hands now....thankfully!
After running late and catching a ride to school today from a new roomie, I succeeded in taking fall #4 on ice. Luckily, I was wearing so many layers that I bounced and didn't feel anything. I at least had the frame of mind to not fall on my paper, either.
Other exciting events of the day:
I ended up falling asleep as I was re-reading The Tempest for my 110 class I'm helping teach.
My loan check still has NOT surfaced. I keep getting told it's "in the mail" and I should receive it "next week." Ugh.
I took my first "long winter's nap" today. Boy, did I need it.
I think I'm finally moved completely out of my old place.
My parents' home is being touted as a "charming home in a quiet neighborhood" -- complete with virtual tour!
I'm cold.
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The Karma of literature:
Bookcrossing.com -- What is BookCrossing, you ask? It's a global book club that crosses time and space. It's a reading group that knows no geographical boundaries. Do you like free books? How about free book clubs?. Well, the books our members leave in the wild are free... but it's the act of freeing books that points to the heart of BookCrossing. Book trading has never been more exciting, more serendipitous, than with BookCrossing. Our goal, simply, is to make the whole world a library. BookCrossing is a book exchange of infinite proportion, the first and only of its kind.
Hmmm, I think I have some prime candidates for this! (looking at my 3 bookcases!) What fun!
(psst, thanks Todd!!)
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From the about-damn-time-news-department:
Order of the Phoenix is coming out June 21st.
Not that the whole literate world is impatient, or anything.
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See Becky type. See Becky work on procrastinated paper. See Becky make 14 pages worth of comparison of novel and film. See Becky editing like crazy, 12 hours from the due date. See Becky tired and wanted to stop and nap. See Becky cold and homesick.
See Becky will post something more intelligible for her handful of readers, hopefully tomorrow.
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Been moving to new apartment for the past 2 days. In -30 degree weather. Cold, tired, and still have 8ish pages to go on paper that's due on Wednesday. (not to mention teaching class tomorrow plus late essays to grade)
Will post more intriguing things later, when I have type to freely type and breathe.
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I succumbed to a Canadian tradition tonight -- I had my very first Kraft Dinner with Ketchup. I added some Tabasco, too. It wasn't that bad, really. I'm not exactly sure I could eat it all the time like that, but every now and then I think I could. (Ketchup is my condiment of choice, anyway!)
I've gotten almost halfway done with my paper -- I feel *tons* better about it. I always feel so weighed down before a paper is due -- especially in the stages before I start the actual writing. I spend so much time in the pre-writing/research/planning stage, that I start getting anxious about making the due date. Starting the introduction is always the scariest, I think. It takes a lot of nerve for me to sit down and actually start plopping away on the keys. That's behind me now, though. I'm four pages into it, and have lots more to add. I talked with another grrrl from my class -- and she hasn't even started writing yet. She said that at least half the class hasn't finished their papers yet. So maybe I'm not the worst procrastinator, after all!
I checked on the status of my loan again today. They hadn't even started processing it, despite promising the Registrar on January 2nd that they'd send it out that day. I sat in her office while she called and checked on it, again. Supposedly, it'll be here by the middle of next week. But I'm not turning blue holding my breath for it. Hmmm. I wonder if the loan company will be as understanding when I send my payment checks to them LATE, every time they're expecting them? Somehow I don't think they will, though I'm supposed to be understanding of their "processing" time.
My parents put the house up on the market today. Pretty soon there will be a virtual walkthrough on the Internet. When its up, I'll post a link here. They found a realtor that they really like, and one that won't screw them over. Momma said the house looks awesome, though a little bare, since much of it is in storage now.
Oh, and since I've mentioned being screwed over, more on my dad's saga with his old job at the "church." Despite promises to support him in the mission he chooses to work for, they've now managed to back-pedal on their words and make up some lame excuse to why that's not feasible right now. Granted, I don't really want my parents supported by a hypocritical corporate baby-boomer social club -- but the fact that my dad invested over 10 years of his life, and now gets nothing in return for it really perturbs me. (and perturb definitely being the generous term for that context) I just wish that the people that go to that institution would stop accepting the lies fed to them every Sunday and would actually think for themselves enough to realize how deep the corruption goes. Then again, I know the karmic train is on its way, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that place when it finally arrives. [rant off] (for now, at least)
Hopefully my parent's place will sell SOON so that they can start their lives in Virginia, away from that horrid place with its unfortunate memories.
Just so that my entry ends on a happier note, here's a mindless game that only someone who spents waaaaay too much time on a computer would think of: Hold the Button.
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School's started. I'm in class every day of the week, with majority of my classtime involving me sitting there observing. I've still got my English 110 class I'm helping teach, and am also helping teach General Engineering 400 class that also meets twice a week. Don't let the Engineering label fool you, I'm still *very much* a Humanities person. The GE 400 class is actually Rhetoric: The Theory and Practice of Persuasion. I still haven't quite figured out why its listed with the Engineering courses, but it DOES feel good to be back in a Rhetoric frame of mind.
I'm still taking my Intellectual and Artistic Freedom grad course (the class that I'm supposed to be writing a paper for right now) and in addition I've added the grad-level Rhetoric Classroom as Rhetorical Situation. Lots to do, but its good to be back on a schedule again.
So, between my school time, my paper writing, and packing up my stuff, I've been a busy grrrl. Today, I got good news on the financial front. No, my loan check still has not surfaced, despite the promise it would be here last Friday/Monday (no surprise there). Rather, I've gotten a job as a research assistant! The grant that Dr. Nelson applied for has been accepted, and he wants me to act as his grad student assistant in supervising the transcribing of some medieval/Renaissance texts. It's for a searchable Internet database of different religious poems and writings relating to the Psalms. What this means for me is experience, a little extra money, and something else for my beloved CV (and not necessarily in that order of importance!). I'll be starting in the next month or so.
On another side note, the webmaster of my very first online community has decided to sell it on Ebay. He basically let the site disintegrate in August (which caused a mass exodus to our current home) and now wants to make 1000 bucks off of selling its posts and history of the 7,000 members. It makes me sad in a way, lots of history is on that site -- international friendships made, questions answered, experiences shared. With the site also goes all the posts I used for my article I published regarding the community's reaction to September 11. Ch-ch-changes, I guess.
My life has been full of 'em lately.
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Now that I've had about 20 hours to calm down, I figure I can post about why Customs officials hate me. Before that, my trip.
Upon arriving in Jacksonville, I was welcomed by the Northwest Airlines agent, only to find that my bag was overweight by less than 14 pounds. Apparently Northwest has decided to place a 50 lb. weight limit on all checked luggage, instituted on December 15th (and since I last flew on the 6th, I had no clue about this new "policy."). My new luggage was packed to the hilt (considering I am a pack rat), so I had to plunk down 25 bucks before preceding any further. (thanks Pops for the travel moolah)
My flight to Minneapolis was uneventful, albeit extremely crowded. When I got to my gate in Minneapolis, they were asking for volunteers to fly in the morning, since this flight was supposedly overbooked. Now since I am extremely broke and in debt, and because I am an airline-voucher whore, I wholeheartedly added my name to the list, hoping that I'd get a $300 voucher for my "troubles." Turns out they didn't need us after all, so instead I got to be one of the very last people to load the packed plane (which is always fun, lugging your stuff down crowded aisles to the back).
From there, we proceeded to sit on the tarmac for about an hour, as the security guys unloaded and reloaded all the luggage on the plane. After de-icing the wings (welcome back North), we finally took off. We didn't arrive in Saskatoon until way after 12AM.
As we're walking towards Customs, I'm thinking to myself: "Self, you should be in and out of this -- considering you have your Canadian government issued Student Authorization card in your hand, along with your passport." But, as usual, I was wrong.
I walk up to the counter, hand over my documents, and make friendly small talk with the Customs agent. She smiles, talks friendly back to me, and then proceeds to send me to Immigration, anyways.
Despite my papers that tell her I have (most of) the rights of a Canadian citizen until June 15, 2004.
Despite my passport having a half-dozen stamps from Saskatoon in the last year and a half.
Despite me having to wake up and teach in the morning.
Ugh.
So there I sit, with 8 other guys who are waiting for permits and questioning by the officer for legitimate reasons. I'm hungry, exhausted, cold, and tired at this point. And, so I sit....for over an hour....while my ride waits for me outside, with no way for me to tell him why I can't leave.
Finally, I get up to the counter, give my documents to the guy, and in less than 2 minutes (no kidding), he stamps me though.
Meanwhile, since I've been waiting in the office, I've been trying to think of a subtle way of asking why the hell I always have to talk to the Immigration officials everytime I come home. I ask him if I could ask the stupid question of why I am always chosen to come speak with him, nearly every time I arrive in Saskatoon. He looks at me, then my documentation, and proceeds to say that he hasn't a clue, considering I have everything lined up and in order. Next time, he tells me, make sure that the Customs official takes note of my Student Authorization. Um, okay. Here I was thinking they'd ALREADY be doing that, considering I hand it over along with my passport.
Sigh.
So, to make an already long story short (too late), I was the second-to-last passenger to leave last night, out of a plane-full of 200 people.
I wasn't a happy camper. Poor Kurt had to hear me rant all the way home -- which is a pretty long way from the airport.
Ah well.
The happy ending of the story is that I taught a kick-ass class on sonnets today. My students actually dissected Shakespeare's Sonnet 147 -- and did it well! Yay!
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Wow, its sure late to be posting -- Or, why the Saskatoon Customs officials seriously hate me.
Long, long, story ahead. Too tired to post now, must get some sleep before I teach tomorrow.
Just wait til you hear it.
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'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane...
Most of my things are packed away, all set to travel 2000+ miles north tomorrow. I'm totally loving my new luggage, now the Customs officials won't laugh as I struggle with all my stuff! Getting things ready to go today was a little bittersweet. I'm not sure that I'll be able to come home to this house again. I'll be coming back to Savannah in February, for Spring Break, but I'm not sure if my parents will have the house sold and moved to Virginia by then. It's sad, really.
I've taken some pictures of things I'll miss:
Where I've lived since 2nd Grade -- My Home, 317 Leeds Gate Road:
Huge Live Oaks:
Spainish Moss blowing in the wind:
Historic Squares and Sites Around Town:
And cuddling with my dog, Spot:
I'll also miss being able to wear only ONE layer of clothes! Up to Arctic goes I.
My presentation yesterday went really well, by the way. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and vibes sent my way. Everyone loved the video and the discussion was fairly lively. Dr. Finlay put a copy of my published article in the display case for Faculty publishing. While its a small gesture, the over-achiever part of me really digs it.
Well, off to finish last minute packing.
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From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
The Cure
every time we do this
i fall for her
wave after wave after wave
it's all for her
i know this can't be wrong I say
(and I'll lie to keep her happy)
as long as I know that you know
that today I belong
right here with you
right here with you...
and so we watch the sun come up
from the edge of the deep green sea
and she listens like her head's on fire
like she wants to believe in me
so I try
put your hands in the sky
surrender
remember
we'll be here forever
and we'll never say goodbye...
i've never been so
colourfully-see-through-head before
i've never been so
wonderfully-me-you-want-some-more
and all I want is to keep it like this
you and me alone
a secret kiss
and don't go home
don't go away
don't let this end
please stay
not just for today
never never never never never let me go she says
hole me like this for a hundred thousand million days
but suddenly she slows
and looks down at my breaking face
why do you cry? what did I say?
but it's just rain I smile
brushing my tears away...
i wish I could just stop
i know another moment will break my heart
too many tears
too many times
too many years I've cried over you
how much more can we use it up?
drink it dry?
take this drug?
looking for something forever gone
but something
we will always want?
why why why are you letting me go? she says
i feel you pulling back
i feel you changing shape...
and just as I'm breaking free
she hangs herself in front of me
slips her dress like a flag to the floor
and hands in the sky
surrenders it all...
i wish I could just stop
i know another moment will break my heart
too many tears
too many times
too many years I've cried for you
it's always the same
wake up in the rain
head in pain
hung in shame
a different name
same old game
love in vain
and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
away from home again...
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