|
 |
| |
|
Hah, I almost forgot. I wonder what Ayn Rand would think of The Corporation? She's such a cheerleader for capitalism, I'd be curious to see how she responds to the really ugly side of it.
It almost sounds like a paper topic. Gah, I need sleep.
|
|
|
|
|
What an academically draining (but great) day.
It's 10PM, and I'm already in my jamas, with one foot in bed. I'm just exhausted.
At the same time, I'm exhilarated. I just came back from a packed showing of The Corporation at the Broadway.
Amazing film. Go see it. Twice.
The whole time I'm watching it, I'm wishing that I had brought a pad of paper so I could take notes. Yep, it's that good of a film. In fact, I'm already scheduling time in next week to catch another showing of it (and this time I may just sit in the back with my mini-reading light and actually take notes).
I'm still in the process of digesting what I've just seen. Granted, I'm probably not in the best state to give a coherent review of it -- considering I'm working on a couple hours of sleep in the last 36 hours or so. But I'll give it a shot.
- The film basically outlines the growth of the corporation movement in Western society over the last 150 years -- specifically its rise as an individual entity with its own rights. It's actually quite scary the pervasive role these institutions have in our day-to-day lives
- The whole reason of why I'm disdaining milk was only validated again after hearing about this story. Yuck.
- I was particularly impressed with Interface, Inc. CEO Ray Anderson's story. Impressed mostly with the bravery and innovation he showed in beginning to turn his company around in making more sustainable products.
- Which reminds me -- this film makes so many good points about the amount of waste and environmental damage that we (as a society) exert on the Earth every day. Ang and I were talking about this today, actually. Just look at all the disposable products you can buy today -- everything from Swiffer mops to disposable cutting boards to disposable tupperware. How often do we stop and think about what we're throwing away? It doesn't just magically disappear, you know. I think we need to make more deliberate and conscious choices in the products we buy.
- Two new books to add to my summer reading list: No Logo and The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power.
- Watching this film almost makes me want to go through my warerobe and house and dispose of everything branded. Yeah, I know, that's not necessarily realistic or even doable. I doubt that I could give up my occasional Starbucks Toffee Nut latte or my Old Navy jeans -- but at least now I can start making more informed decisions when supporting certain companies.
There's more to add, but my eyes are officially starting to cross. More later.
Go watch these clips from the movie for a little taste of what to expect.
(ttfn)
|
|
|
|
|
Hot damn. I'm finally finished my exam (4.5 hours later -- granted, there was a mini-caffeine break in there) and I got 30/30 right on the terms and definitions section. Woohoo, that guarantees me at least a 30%.
I'm just glad that I'm D-O-N-E. I'm a little anxious about what the resulting grade will be, but right now I'm just looking forward to a nap and a viewing of The Corporation later tonight.
Thanks for all the good mojo/thoughts/prayers sent my way. Say another one (or TWO) for the actual grade I'll receive. Any test worth 50% of your final mark is a bit daunting to consider.
ttfn.
|
|
|
|
|
A three hour nap, a three hour nap...
I'm sorta rearing to go. Mostly, I'm conscious and ready to get this exam behind me. I forsee a couple cups of coffee in my (very) immediate future, along with a nap later this after noon.
To quote a line from one of my favorite books growing up, "I think I can, I think I can...."
In other news, pardon me whilst I brag about my little sister:
The Johnson City Community Theatre is performing a faithful stage version
of "Ten Little Indians" by Agatha Christie through May 8. I caught the production
on opening night, prompting my thoughts about a new film adaptation.
I certainly found the JCCT's live take on "Ten Little Indians" more engaging
than either the 1945 film or the 1965 rendering. Director Bradley Gardner
offered a well-staged production. I was especially impressed at how the
action shifted through the JCCT's small set to avert the audience's ey es
from key sequences. Had I not already known who the killer was, I'd have
been just as baffled as I was when I read the book as a teenager.
Look for Suzy Bomgardner as secretary Vera Claythorne and Ian Kille as
Lombard in standout performances. (Johnson City Press)
Way to go, Suz. She's our aspiring actress/director/costume-maker extrodinaire in the family. I'm merely the aspiring audience member.
|
|
|
|
|
Stupid
Sarah McLachlan
Night lift up the shades
let in the brilliant light of morning
but steady there now
for I am weak and starving for mercy
sleep has left me alone
to carry the weight of unravelling where we went wrong
it's all I can do to hang on
to keep me from falling
into old familiar shoes
How stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see
Love has made me a fool
it set me on fire and watched as I floundered
unable to speak
except to cry out and wait for your answer
but you come around in your time
speaking of fabulous places
create an oasis
dries up as soon as you're gone
you leave me here burning
in this desert without you
How stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see
Everything changes
everything falls apart
can't stop to feel myself losing control
but deep in my senses I know
How stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see . . .
|
|
|
|
|
Here's to tomorrow morning at 10!
Due to some (unregretful) choices concerning my evening plans tonight, behold ye wonders of the all nighter.
To distract you from the Kenneth Burke you're supposed to be studying:
Gaze at the Anatomy of an All-Nighter.
Rock out to They Might Be Giant's All Nighter Hell.
Catch a nap on ye All Nighter body pillow.
And give a special shout out to T.H.'s caffeine fix and his 24-hour drive thrus.
|
|
|
|
|
It's officially crunch-time, regarding this upcoming exam tomorrow.
So, this means that all I want to do is stay home, clean my room, pick up some groceries, go out for a couple hours tonight -- basically anything besides what is actually necessary. That's bad, huh? And typical, for me.
But I will get everything done, one way or the other. I'm just looking forward to around 1PM or so, tomorrow. By that time, I'll be D-O-N-E with the class and will be nursing a pretty vicious hand cramp from writing for 3 straight hours.
I'm purposefully stepping away from the computer so I can finish up my studying today. But, like any obsessive weblogger, I'll leave you with some articles/links I came across while surfing insteada studying.
Big Brother (or worse yet, John Ashcroft) is watching what you post: Blog-Tracking May Gain Ground Among U.S. Intelligence Officials.
'The Ultimate Reality Show' on Adoption. Featuring Baw-baw Walters, of course. I actually first heard of this on The Daily Show last night. Walters has 5 families all vying for the attentions of a teenage girl, in order to win her over and adopt her baby. The concept of it all is pretty horrifying, I think. Then again, we live in a society that watches shows like The Swan -- where average-looking women are "transformed" by plastic surgeries into beauty-pageant material. (gag)
Before Rome fell, I wonder what sort of reality shows were popular?
But speaking of the Daily Show, go watch their latest headline: The people of Iraq may not have electricity and running water...but they have a flag! Stewart made some really good points last night, regarding our occupation (and supposed rebuilding) of Iraq. What a mess.
Distracted Young Women May Need More Iron. Young women who have trouble concentrating might just need more iron in their diets, researchers say. Women in the Penn State study who were iron-deficient performed significantly worse on memory and attention tests than healthy women, and an iron supplement was all it took to correct the problem.
In my case, I just need to sit down and focus for a couple hours!
Happy Thursday!
|
|
|
|
|
(I'm exhausted, but can't go to sleep until I transcribe this amazing dialogue from Atlas Shrugged. I literally got tingles, reading this before going to sleep tonight)
Aloud, she said, "I want you to know this. I started my life with a single absolute: that the world was mine to shape in the image of my highest values and never to be given up to a lesser standard, no matter how long or hard the struggle" -- you whose presence I had always felt in the streets of the city, the wordless voice within her was saying, and whose world I had wanted to build -- "Now I know that I was fighting for this valley" -- it is my love for you that had kept me moving -- "It was this valley that I saw as possible and would exchanged for nothing less and would not give up to a mindless evil" -- my love and my hope to reach you and my wish to be worthy of you on the day when I would stand before you face to face --
"I am going back to fight for this valley -- to release it from its underground, to regain for it its full and rightful realm, to let the earth belong to you in fact, as it does in spirit -- and to meet you again on the day when I'm able to deliver to you the whole of the world -- or, if I fail, to remain in exile from this valley to the end of my life" -- but what is left of my life will still be yours, and I will go on in your name, even though it is a name I'm never to pronounce, I will go on serving you, even though I'm never to win, I will go on, to be worthy of you on the day when I would have met you, even though I won't -- "I will fight for it, even if I have to fight against you, even if you damn me as a traitor . . . even if I am never to see you again."
Wow. Granted, out of context it may not seem nearly as powerful as when I encountered it -- but I can't tell you the times I've spoken aloud, only to have my inner voice narrating what I'm really saying.
|
|
|
|
|
Blogging double-duty:
For the next month I'll be one of the blogsitters over at Darren's blog while he's out safari-ing in Ireland and Africa.
Hopefully I'll have more interesting/provocative things to post after this final and 20 pager are behind me, next week.
|
|
|
|
|
You know, it's so funny how aspects of life can change in a moment.
These changes can be large or small. Take today, for example. Yesterday, it was warm (nearly HOT, even -- 25+ degrees C) and sunny. It was a perfect day for laying out in the sunshine and taking a nap. Today, it's cold/windy/gray/rainy out and the temperature has dropped over 20 degrees. A complete turn around.
Maybe I'm just excessively metaphorical today, but life is like that. There are some days/weeks/periods of time are just gray and cold. I can think of a couple days I've had like these, within this last school term. These were the times when I was wondering what else could go wrong (and then, not to be disappointed, soon something else would go wrong).
But there have also been days when my world is sunny and bright. And now that I think about it, lately these days have outnumbered the gray ones in my life. I've got so much in my life to be happy about. I'm surrounded by good friends, I'm in an academic program that challenges and inspires me, and I'm just happy. Yeah, if I wanted to, I'm sure I could find negative aspects in my life -- but the point is that I'd have to look for them. They're not dominating my outlook anymore (unlike periods in my past).
Okay, enough positive thinking for one post.
In other news -- I won a free coffee today rolling up the nearly impossible rim on my double-double. This makes 3 things I've won (2 donuts, 1 coffee) in the last 2 or so months. That's probably a .05% winning chance, comparing how many coffees I've bought vs. how many times I've actually won.
For ONCE I finally filled up my gas take before prices went up. I filled up at 83.5 and now it's 86.5 cents/liter. Usually my talent is filling up right before prices drop dramatically. I'm glad it's getting to be nicer outside and I can bike around, these prices are crazy expensive.
I'm in the midst of preparing for my scary Kenneth Burke final on Friday. Maybe all this optimism has gone to my head, but I'm not that worried about it. I've just written a great outline on trained incapacities, and I'm about to hammer out the one on terministic screens. After that, it's only 2 more quick outlines to make and I'm all set. Bring it on.
|
|
|
|
|
It IS a small world. After all.
Today, while walking to drop off yet another job application, a man complimented me on my anti-Bush pin on my bookbag. I smiled, explained where I was from and why I have the pin on my bag. We started talking, and it turns out that he knows some of my family in Kansas!
His name is Henry, he's from Kenya, and he stayed with my Auntie Anne and Uncle Ken when he went to Kansas State for his Masters, years ago. It's funny how we'd run into each other, when we both have come so far to get to this university, and then have this commonality between the two of us. Small world, for sure.
In other news, I'm seriously considering going by Preston Crossing and picking up some applications for work. (Number of applications submitted: 9. Summer job(s): None.)
|
|
|
|
|
Remember this?
Well, earlier tonight she called me in a state of ecstacy to tell me they had emailed her.
I wasn't sure if they'd spread the love and email me back -- but lo and behold:
Hey Becky,
What's happening? Sorry it's taken so long to reply, readjusting back to work mode took some time and in doing so emails got put off for a while. Anyways, we had a blast up there in Saskatoon! Everyone was super nice and we had a lot of fun. The crazy snow made it all more memorable, as did the fine poutine and curling. We saw the photos up on your site and on Rilla's blog, they brought back some fun memories. Getting dropped off at the airport at 4:15 AM the next morning wasn't so fun though. Well, thanks again for coming out to see us and we'd love to make it up to Canada again sometime soon!
Mike, Matt, and Ryan
PS. Keep representing Georgia!
Awww, they're sweethearts. Now I'll be even more unbearable as a fan. :)
|
|
|
|
|
Here's a way to enrage yourself on a Monday morning. An email I received this morning:
There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of
January..... in the fair city of Detroit (Michigan) there were 35 murders
in the month of January. That's one American city folks, about as deadly as
the entire war torn country of Iraq!
Worst president in history?
The following appeared in the Durham, NC local paper as a letter to the
editor.
Liberals claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war. They
complain about his prosecution of it. One liberal recently claimed Bush was
the worst president in U.S. history. Let's clear up one point: We didn't
start the war on terror. Try to remember, it was started by terrorists
BEFORE 9/11.
Let's look at the "worst" president and mismanagement claims.
FDR led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us: Japan did.
From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.
Truman finished that war and started one in Korea, North Korea never
attacked us. From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,333
per year.
John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never
attacked us. I think history might show Eisenhower committed the troops and
Kennedy was honoring that commitment.
Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were
lost, an average of 5,800 per year.
Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never
attacked us. He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times
by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
In the two years since terrorists attacked us, President Bush has liberated
two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear
inspectors in Lybia, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot, and
captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people. We lost 600
soldiers, an average of 300 a year. Bush did all this abroad while not
allowing another terrorist attack at home.
Worst president in history? Come on!
The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but...
It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch
Davidian compound. That was a 51 day operation.
We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time
than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy
the Medina Republican Guard than it took Teddy Kennedy to call the police
after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.
It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in
Florida!!!!
Our military is GREAT! PASS IT ON.
I'm still thinking of my reply.
|
|
|
|
|
Sections from A Sorta Fairytale by Tori Amos.
on my way up north
up on the ventura
i pulled back the hood
and i was talking to you
and i knew then it would be
a life long thing
but i didn't know that we
we could break a silver lining
and i'm so sad
like a good book
i can't put
this day back
a sorta fairytale
with you
a sorta fairytale
with you
i could pick back up
whenever i feel
and i was ridin' by
ridin' along side
for a while till you lost me
and i was ridin' by
ridin' along till you lost me
till you lost
me in
the rear
view
you lost me
i said
|
|
|
|
|
Links for a Sunday to distract you from melancholy thoughts:
Timmy Makes Fun of Things: a friend's web comic. He's making me a comic-version Chick tract that convinces others of the need to date me. I can't wait to see what I look like as a comic -- though he complained a bit about my "curvy" face.
Subservient Chicken. "Get chicken the way you like it -- Type in your command here." Get a man in a chicken suit and garters to do whatever you type. Well, there are SOME things he won't do. This is a really weird, disturbing, yet oddly addicting website. Here's a site with a bunch of collected commands people have tried. Apparently he refuses to destroy Tokyo.
Eblots: "Every day a new image is displayed on the main blots page. Enter what you first think it looks like. If others have submitted thoughts, you'll see them when and if you've contributed your own." Find a comfy chair and be your own psychiatrist.
More fun "Boys Are..." shirts. I'm particularly fond of the "Boys are goobers, drop anvils on their heads."
Along the same lines, check out the Feminist of the Day.
And I thought Georgia politicians were scary. The Lord of the Political Rings: "The battle for middle earth has begun in Washington DC.
"I fight not for what is gained, I fight for what can be lost"
Good vs. Evil
Right vs. Wrong
The Truth vs. The Lie
Light vs. Darkness
Men who give freedom vs. Men who will take it away"
EDIT: Here's a couple other links I've come across tonight:
Via Idle Type, here's JohnKerryIsADoucheBagButI'mVotingForHimAnyway.com. It almost goes without saying that there are a few things wrong with this country right now. There is one thing in particular, though, that seems to be the root of all of these problems. I'll give you a hint: it starts with a 'G', and ends with an 'eorge W. Bush'.
My friend Greg has a website showing off his artwork. Click on over and enjoy.
Marbles. A game that is way too easily to become addicted to -- especially when you're supposed to be reading/studying for an upcoming exam.
|
|
|
|
|
Caramel
Suzanne Vega
It won't do
to dream of caramel,
to think of cinnamon
and long for you.
It won't do
to stir a deep desire,
to fan a hidden fire
that can never burn true.
I know your name,
I know your skin,
I know the way
these things begin;
But I don't know
how I would live with myself,
what I'd forgive of myself
if you don't go.
So goodbye,
sweet appetite,
no single bite
could satisfy...
I know your name,
I know your skin,
I know the way
these things begin;
But I don't know
what I would give of myself,
how I would live with myself
if you don't go.
It won't do
to dream of caramel,
to think of cinnamon
and long
for you.
|
|
|
|
|
Both roommates are paired off with their respective others in the house -- and me, I've got a bath and Ayn Rand to keep me company. What a Friday!
Barbara Novak had it right, me thinks.
Now where'd did I put my emergency stash of chocolate?!
|
|
|
|
|
Ah ha! I may have a lead for a job!
I'm rapidly discovering that securing a job on campus is much like finding a good job in the Canadian government -- you gotta know someone.
And after my lunch appointment today, I found out not only does a friend of mine works at the campus coffeeshop Browsers, but that they're hiring!
Hopefully this'll be the "in" I need to find a job for the summer -- especially considering my last paycheck is only 1 week away.
In other news, I found out that the paper for my Religious Studies class is supposed to be around the 20 page ballpark. I hate writing 20 page papers -- they're the worst kind of millstone, I'm convinced. Maybe it's just a mental block with me, but having that 20 page benchmark makes it seem like A LOT of work.
(she says this, knowing that her thesis is supposed to be in the 80-100+ page range. Yikes.)
Ah well, I have until May 7th now to complete this paper. Next week, I'm attacking Kenneth Burke and the week that follows it's all about dissecting Revolve.
THEN -- summer begins! And maybe reading a book or two for fun -- while finally finishing this one.
I'm actually home, with free time enough before the gym to catch some Oprah. What a luxury!
ttfn.
(p.s. Has anyone heard of The Constantines? I'm going to see 'em tomorrow night.)
|
|
|
|
|
Good blogger karma:
Take a sec and go fill out this survey about online journalling. It's for a MA student's project over at the U of Connecticut.
|
|
|
|
|
Thrills gum: "It still tastes like soap!"
How's that for an advertising line? I saw a pack of this the other day at university, and asked what the heck it was. My thesis supervisor then proceeds to tell me all about it, saying that I should buy a pack and try it -- and then put it on my weblog.
It's a little odd yet flattering that she would reference my website in that sort of way. (I wonder who else in my life reads this that I don't know about?)
I can now say that I've had gum that indeed tastes like soap. And aftershave. It is truly a disgusting concoction -- and I have no idea what to do with the 14 pieces that remain in the package (I had one piece, and I shared another piece with another brave/stupid soul).
In other news, I got my book review and exam back from my Religious Studies class. I got an 8/10 on my review (which was quite generous, considering my conclusion just wasn't) and a 9/10 on my exam. He said my work was "excellent," which is surprising -- my confidence level in that class is fairly low.
But I'll take the grades and run.
|
|
|
|
|
... can we bring ourselves to realize just how overwhelmingly much of what we mean by "reality" has been built up for us through nothing but our symbol systems? Take away our books, and what little do we know about history, biography, even something so "down to earth" as the relative position of seas and continents? What is our "reality" for today (beyond the paper-thin line of our own particular lives) but all this clutter of symbols about the past, combined with whatever things we know mainly through maps, magazines, newspapers, and the like about the present? In school, as they go from class to class, students turn from one idiom to another. The various courses in the curriculum are in effect but so many different terminologies. And however important to us is the tiny sliver of reality each of us has experienced firsthand, the whole overall "picture" is but a construct of our symbol systems. To meditate on this fact until one sees its full implications is much like peering over the edge of things into an ultimate abyss. And doubtless that's one reason why, though man is typically the symbol-using animal, he clings to a kind of naive verbal realism that refuses to let him realize the full extent of the role played by symbolicity in his notions of reality.
Language as Symbolic Action, Kenneth Burke.
|
|
|
|
|
Realizations.
- First of all, I nearly typed "realisations" just now. That's the Canadian spelling, no? I AM getting indoctrinated.
- I really stink at the card game Dutch Blitz. I pity my poor partner tonight.
- The Goddess of Procrastinating Grad Students hath smiled down upon me. I just heard from my Religious Studies prof. Friday, he's taking us out to lunch, we'll discuss our papers (not PRESENT finished work), and turn in our paper on May 4th (5 days after the horrifyingly scary Rhetoric exam).
- Riding my bike (well, my temporarily-confiscated roomie's bike) to school is quite pleasant, actually. And I can make it there in less than 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic. And I'm (semi) in shape, after all.
- Here's a vague one for ya: Sometimes it's okay to put yourself in situations that you swore you'd never willingly return to. That, and it's always nice to meet new people.
- I am 32 flavors and then some (maybe not, but that song was just on, and I do so love it)
- This I know for sure -- I am not NICE. I particularly dislike that adjective. (why, yes! I have looked up its etymology)
- And speaking of etymologies -- Who knew that playing with a dictionary for a couple hours could be so fun, while enlightening? I won a free Coke after subjecting myself to randomly chosen words and definitions. And now know the definition of gimcrack.
- I'm getting used to having an apartment to myself at night.
- I'm a (prolific) parentheses user.
- John Kerry is on Orkut? If so, I'm one of his friends now. Too funny.
- Yikes, it's almost 2:30. I'm realizing that I need sleep.
Yeah, there's some other realizations that technically belong on this list -- but I'm still mulling those ones over. Plus some things just don't belong out there -- not yet, anyway.
Obscurity aside, I'm sleepy.
|
|
|
|
|
Vienna
Billy Joel
Slow down, you crazy child
you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart, tell me
Why are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do and
Only so many hours in a day
But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want or you get old
You're gonna kick off before you even
Get halfway through
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight...
Too bad but it's the life you lead
you're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
You can't always see when you're right -- you're right
You've got your passion, you've got your pride
but don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
Slow down, you crazy child
and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
it's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize... Vienna waits for you?
And you know that when the truth is told
that you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get half through
Why don't you realize -- Vienna waits for you
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?
This is track #4 on the soundtrack to my life. (not available in stores)
Isn't it odd how some songs can reach out and be so applicable that you're left standing there, mouth agape -- convinced it was somehow written with you in mind?
|
|
|
|
|
Wow, it's been a while since I've reviewed a movie.
Tonight's film was director Jim Sheridan's latest, In America.
Good show. I kidnapped my roomie and dragged her out with me to catch it at the Broadway. There's nothing like watching a lower budget, non-mainstream, semi-art house movie for $3.50 with a good friend.
It's the type of film where you can find yourself willingly disappearing for a couple hours, losing yourself in its storytelling. Ang has a good list of adjectives for the movie: "It was sappy, sentimental, moving, romantic, magical, adorable and yet at the same time harsh, comedic, realistic..."
All the actors involved in the film did an outstanding job -- from the Oscar nominated Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou to the two adorable little girls. (And speaking of little ones, I need to have my kid-fix allievated -- pronto. I need to find some kids to babysit or hang out with for a couple hours, so I can purge all these biological urges that creep up on me. But I digress.)
What I liked most about the film was its method of storytelling. I found myself becoming involved with the characters and feeling many of the emotions they experienced -- whether it was humor, sadness, frustration, or joy. I liked how my empathy wasn't contrived or manipulated by flashy backdrops or sappy music. It was just due to good storytelling.
And after spending most of the day pulling my hair out writing a take-home exam, it was a great way to spend a Tuesday night.
On to Wednesday!
|
|
|
|
|
Gah, brain-ache.
It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I'm stuck in a stuffy apartment, in a closet-size-of-a-room, writing about religion and culture. As I'm writing these essays, I just know I'm repeating myself. I think my eyes are crossing. I want to go outside and play. I'm repeating myself.
Only 2 and a half more hours of this self-inflicted misery. (semi-hooray for imposed 4PM deadlines)
Writing muse music: Fresh & Smooth Jazz
EDIT: (3:53) DONE! Finito. Fin. I'm outta here.
|
|
|
|
|
'Morning! As I finish up this take-home exam, entertain yourselves with this story:
Political Conversation: Condi’s Slip
A pressing issue of dinner-party etiquette is vexing Washington, according to a story now making the D.C. rounds: How should you react when your guest, in this case national-security adviser Condoleezza Rice, makes a poignant faux pas? At a recent dinner party hosted by New York Times D.C. bureau chief Philip Taubman and his wife, Times reporter Felicity Barringer, and attended by Arthur Sulzberger Jr., Maureen Dowd, Steven Weisman, and Elisabeth Bumiller, Rice was reportedly overheard saying, “As I was telling my husb—” and then stopping herself abruptly, before saying, “As I was telling President Bush.” Jaws dropped, but a guest says the slip by the unmarried politician, who spends weekends with the president and his wife, seemed more psychologically telling than incriminating. Nobody thinks Bush and Rice are actually an item. A National Security Council spokesman laughed and said, “No comment.”
Interesting. (link via Kallipugos, who despises Omarosa even more than I do)
|
|
|
|
|
Yay, the Flames won.
Now I can work on this take-home exam as a happy grrrl.
|
|
|
|
|
I've been (academically) found!
One of my favorite rhetorical theorists (Robert E. Tucker) has stumbled across my humble piece of cyberspace. Last term I was fascinated by his article, blogged about it, and then used it as part of my rhetorical ammunition in my Revolve paper/presentation.
Today, whilst checking my email box for the seemingly 100th time, I came across this email:
Dear Becky,
My name is Rob Tucker and I wrote the QJS article on Perelman and Phenomenology you cited in your blog a while ago. I just wanted to say I thought your application was very interesting and your list of favorite reading is exquisite. I’d love to see your full essay if you still have a copy. Also, I’d be interested to hear your comments on the ideas expressed in the QJS piece.
Again, kudos on the presence app., and my compliments on a good blog.
WOW.
What is so ironic about this email is that I am constantly invoking Tucker in my rhetoric classes. His article was so insightful that it inspired and drove much of my research in my analysis of Revolve for my paper last term -- and consequently for a good bit of the thesis project now ahead of me.
It's exciting to have your academic work complimented and validated -- especially by someone you admire.
Damn it feels good to be a geek.
|
|
|
|
|
Joy of joys!
Walking to buy my $1.35 cup o' caffinated sin, I discovered they're putting in an Extreme Pita in the Campus Cove. Sweeeeet.
At this rate, pretty soon I'll be able to live (contentedly) on campus.
|
|
|
|
|
Of "dynamic purses," not-so-faggy Gap polos, and Crate & Barrel pepper mills...
db points to an interesting story of a blogger's chance encounter with Quentin Tarantino in a suburban California mall. It's a fun tale, one that makes me envious and wanting to run out immediately to secure a dynamic purse of my own. (okay, maybe not -- I'm not that kinda purse grrrl)
They even spent a couple hours goofing off and registering at the Crate and Barrel. Fun!
How funny is it that he was driving around town the Pussy Wagon? As much as part of me hates to admit it, he seems like a pretty nifty guy.
In other news: I still haven't received my take home exam that was promised to me by 9AM this morning. Hmmmm.
|
|
|
|
|
Darling, it seems that you belong in Gone with the
Wind; the proper place for a romantic. You
belong in a tumultous world of changes and
opportunities, where your independence paves
the road for your survival. It is trying being
both a cynic and a dreamer, no?
Which Classic Novel do You Belong In?
brought to you by Quizilla
|
|
|
|
|
I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.
--George McGovern
Cuscatlan Lyrics
Frente
I love my country
but it wears a uniform
it speaks with foreign guns
in the background you can almost hear
the sound of intervention
and I don't know when liberty fell
but we rang every mission bell
we rang them loud and clearly
for a world that wouldn't listen
I don't want to die
I'm as innocent as anybody
I don't even know how to spell
revolutionary
Jesus in the sky
the bullets in the guns
you don't even know what we
mean by repression
blood is the colour of the sunset
you walked into the darkness
I did not hear your last breath
there will not be an inquest
this is not human interest
we danced the dirt with
surrender for our drumbeat
we danced for the balance sheet
died for the kind of lasting peace
that pleases the world policeman
and fatherland raped motherhood
and told her it was for the global good
and now we ring the mission bell
to warn their children
and I don't want to die
I'm as innocent as anybody
I don't even know how to spell
revolutionary
Jesus in the sky
the bullets in the guns
you don't even know what we
mean by repression
blood is the colour of the sunset
you walked into the darkness
I did not hear your last breath
there will not be an inquest
this is not human interest
Spain Pulls Troops from Iraq, 10 U.S. Troops Killed
A Heady Mix of Pride and Prejudice Led to War
99 U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Killed in April
The Wrong War
Battle on Syrian Border Kills Dozens
702 deaths in Iraq since the war began. 3952 wounded.
Iraqi civilian death count: Minimum 8875, maximum 10725.
Just a few reasons to vote for the lesser of the two evils in November.
EDIT: Latest DNC campaign ad, "Mistakes were made." (go watch!) Way to nail the miserable failure's inept dodging of responsibility.
|
|
|
|
|
Here's some random ideas/links/good deeds for you on a Sunday night when I should be preparing for a take-home Religious Studies exam that's due on Tuesday:
- Just so you know, one of my favorite ways to lounge around the house is in a bunny hug -- with the hood up. Maybe that's the closest I'll get to a nesting instinct.
- HomestarRunner Wiki. Literally everything you'd ever want to know about H*R -- from transcripts to easter eggs to downloads to [you fill in the blank]. You should stay away from this until you've finished studying for your French exam! ;)
- Go Sens! It's about time you scored, since you outplayed TO for most of the game. Onto Game 7!
- Google bombing for good: "If you've ever Googled the word Jew, you may have noticed that an antisemitic hate site, Jew Watch, inexplicably and disturbingly comes up as the top result on what is beyond a doubt the most frequently relied upon search engine in the world." The anti-Semites have been a-Google-bombing. The most effective way to counter the racists is to Google-bomb back. If you have a website, please consider placing the following code on it somewhere: < a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew" >Jew< /a >" (minus the spaces, of course)
- 1935 US Plan for Invasion of Canada:
The following is a full-text reproduction of the 1935
plan for a US invasion of Canada prepared at the US Army
War College, G-2 intelligence division, and submitted on
December 18, 1935. This is the most recent declassified
invasion plan available from the US archival sources.
Maybe there is a reason (historically, at least) for Canadians to be so paranoid of the elephant to their South. (last two sites courtesy of Idle Type)
- Today, when talking to the "other" roomie, I discovered we share a mutual hatred for Legally Blonde 2. She bought it on tape for 3 bucks the other day -- and can't bring herself to finish watching it. Neither can I -- and I've tried various times to sit through it, only to turn it off after 5 minutes. (ironically, the film's website offers a "synopsis" of the film -- I can offer my own synopsis in 5 words or less, but I'll spare you.)
- Dang it, today at Martinsville a "cheater" won his first race in 100-something misses. I was rather enjoying his incompetence streak. Ah well. And Kev's now down to 10th in points. Grrr.
- No to-do list this week, though I quite accomplished last week's attempt. This week is a take-home exam & a presentation. Next week will be centered around repeat performances of Kenneth Burke and the Pentads (or intense reading-up/absorbing of Burkean theory)
Now to go enjoy a bath in a quiet, deserted apartment. I can dig it.
|
|
| | | | | |
