29. Limbo: Blue Collar Roots, White Collar Dreams by Alfred Lubrano
I was inspired to read this book by Dr. Crazy, and I agree with much of what she says in her review of it. I thought it was a really limited view of the experiences of people who grow up blue collar and move into the middle class world. My feelings about the book were that it was 1) not well written, 2) made many many sweeping generalizations that had no support and 3) presented what it was like to move from blue-collar to white-collar in a limited number of cases, but did not capture the diversity of experience had by people who do this. Anyway, the book was more interesting for conversations and thoughts it has sparked, than for what is actually in it. It made me think about my background a lot, and while I technically would say I grew up working class, I don't know if just poor is a better way to describe it. I definitely have had VERY different experiences than most of my PhD getting peers, but I don't feel a lot of angst about it, just amusement that they all assume I am just like them, when I am not. It is like I have a secret identity.
If you read the blog post I linked to above, and also this one, I think maybe I do relate more to the growing up without security idea, or just poor. I don't know what class I was in, as I did go to Catholic schools and my family values education above all else. However, we also got food from the food bank and Christmas gifts from the church and I did my homework by candlelight because of unpaid electric bills on several occasions. It is also interesting that Lubrano's straddlers move from class to class relatively linearly. Another aspect of my childhood was our switching between classes. When both my parents were employed I felt middle class, when they weren't, we were back to being poor. And now my parents are doing really well and are securely middle class, while I am still poor, but I fully expect that my poorness is temporary.
Anyway, I didn't think the book was really that good, but it made me think a lot of interesting thoughts.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Poetry Monday
I will always love this poem, because my dad used to read it to me before bed when I was very small. I always hear it read in his voice, and it makes me feel warm and cozy.
|
| |
| | The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea |
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Pretty Day!
Today was a beautiful day, so R and I walked around Central Park looking for wedding spots. I think we found one we liked, but I am going to wait to talk about it until after we successfully go through the permit process. We saw three wedding picture couples as we went through the park, as well as many ducks, biker, rollerbladers, and the scary Alice in Wonderland statue. Also, we briefly thought it would be cool to get married in front of this statue.
The walk in the park was nice, and it made us super excited to get married in the park. One of the things we are most excited about is the unpredictability of having it in a public space. Who knows who will happen by!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Books!
26. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
I had this on my library request list forever, as apparently everyone in the world was reading it. It was worth the wait, though. Pollan did not present a lot of new information as he looked at three different ways of getting food (industrial farm, pastoral/organic and hunting and gathering) but his thoughtful look at how we get what we eat and what that means was excellent. I am usually pretty good about thinking about my food. I have been a vegetarian for 12 years, and I am always thinking about why I don't eat meat, and re-assessing that choice and the limits of it. Anyway, I appreciated the way Pollan led me through thinking about the different ways we get our food and what it means on a lot of different levels. For awhile now I have been trying to eat more local food (which was easy in Florida, but harder in NY) but Pollan convinced me that I should really try to eat more organic as well, despite its problems as a big industry. Anyway, I haven't been good at it because the frugal side of me can't stand the prices, but we will see how it goes. I could probably do a whole post just on food, so I'll wrap this up by saying read this book, it is good.
27. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
A very fun book by Fforde, following Jack Spratt, a detective in charge of investigating crimes involving nursery rhyme characters. This is the author of the Thursday Next books, and I actually thought this one was better than that series, although I enjoyed the other series greatly. This one just seemed more tightly written, and more subtle about inserting the nursery rhyme characters into modern day England as if it was all normal to have a giant egg walking around.
28. Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul by Jack Canfield
Melinda sent this to me, I am sure as a joke, but I found it soothing bed time reading so I read the entire thing. I learned many warm and fuzzy things about my white dress and princess wedding that I am supposed to want. I was also struck by how many people in the book lived with their parents until they were married, so the wedding was also about being grown up, leaving their parents, etc. Also, one of the contributors has kids named Aprilynn, Evelyn and Madeleine, and another has kids named Kiandra, Kezia and Kaden. Ha!
To sum up, a typical Chicken Soup book and good for puttin' you to sleep at night.
I had this on my library request list forever, as apparently everyone in the world was reading it. It was worth the wait, though. Pollan did not present a lot of new information as he looked at three different ways of getting food (industrial farm, pastoral/organic and hunting and gathering) but his thoughtful look at how we get what we eat and what that means was excellent. I am usually pretty good about thinking about my food. I have been a vegetarian for 12 years, and I am always thinking about why I don't eat meat, and re-assessing that choice and the limits of it. Anyway, I appreciated the way Pollan led me through thinking about the different ways we get our food and what it means on a lot of different levels. For awhile now I have been trying to eat more local food (which was easy in Florida, but harder in NY) but Pollan convinced me that I should really try to eat more organic as well, despite its problems as a big industry. Anyway, I haven't been good at it because the frugal side of me can't stand the prices, but we will see how it goes. I could probably do a whole post just on food, so I'll wrap this up by saying read this book, it is good.
27. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
A very fun book by Fforde, following Jack Spratt, a detective in charge of investigating crimes involving nursery rhyme characters. This is the author of the Thursday Next books, and I actually thought this one was better than that series, although I enjoyed the other series greatly. This one just seemed more tightly written, and more subtle about inserting the nursery rhyme characters into modern day England as if it was all normal to have a giant egg walking around.
28. Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul by Jack Canfield
Melinda sent this to me, I am sure as a joke, but I found it soothing bed time reading so I read the entire thing. I learned many warm and fuzzy things about my white dress and princess wedding that I am supposed to want. I was also struck by how many people in the book lived with their parents until they were married, so the wedding was also about being grown up, leaving their parents, etc. Also, one of the contributors has kids named Aprilynn, Evelyn and Madeleine, and another has kids named Kiandra, Kezia and Kaden. Ha!
To sum up, a typical Chicken Soup book and good for puttin' you to sleep at night.
Friday, April 27, 2007
me me me
Here is an update for you all about me!
I was in my University's Town (UT) last week to meet with my committee. For many reasons this was a preemptive strike to help prevent anything bad happening with my dissertation later. Although I felt a little silly paying $150 for a plane ticket for a 20 minute meeting, it was worth it in the end. My committee loves me and thinks I am smart. I just need to make more time for dissertation writing. I was actually doing pretty well this week and have 9!!!! pages of my first chapter, plus various and sundry other bits and pieces. I have fallen off the wagon a little lately, because of my new dog walking job.
That's right, the bakery job is no more. I called while I was in UT to see if I was scheduled to work, only to get a message that the number was disconnected. I finally got a hold of the owner who told me, indeed, the store was closed. So I am waiting for him to mail me my last check, but in the meantime I got in touch with a pet store I had applied to work at way back in January. The woman who owns this place doesn't need any more store help, but she does need some additional dog walkers, so I have been training in that this week. On Wednesday and Thursday I walked 6 hours each day with many dogs. It was fun, but my legs are sore!
Also while I was in UT, I was sitting my advisor's office when the phone rang, and I heard her say "yes, I have two doctoral students." Then she talked a little more and told me that someone from another university was calling to say they needed a person to teach primate biology to gifted high school students for 3 weeks over the summer. So after a whirlwind of applications and a phone interview, I got the job and will be in a different state for all of June, teaching the kiddies about primates! Woo! It is awesome because the university is a good place to make contacts, I'll get more teaching experience AND I will get paid all kinds of money.
So lately we have been working hard around here. I'm trying to plan this summer class which starts in less than two months, and has all kinds of immediate deadlines. I have been dog walking a lot the last few days, which has exhausted me and taken away from my dissertation which I am finally really excited to do, AND I still need to plan my fall primate class, the wedding, AND write two more papers. Poor R is crazy busy too with the end of the semester and his computer just crashed. Right in the middle of writing four papers! It is very sad.
So there is a catch up from me. I have some more books to post, which I might do today as well. I'm also trying to get some work done.
I was in my University's Town (UT) last week to meet with my committee. For many reasons this was a preemptive strike to help prevent anything bad happening with my dissertation later. Although I felt a little silly paying $150 for a plane ticket for a 20 minute meeting, it was worth it in the end. My committee loves me and thinks I am smart. I just need to make more time for dissertation writing. I was actually doing pretty well this week and have 9!!!! pages of my first chapter, plus various and sundry other bits and pieces. I have fallen off the wagon a little lately, because of my new dog walking job.
That's right, the bakery job is no more. I called while I was in UT to see if I was scheduled to work, only to get a message that the number was disconnected. I finally got a hold of the owner who told me, indeed, the store was closed. So I am waiting for him to mail me my last check, but in the meantime I got in touch with a pet store I had applied to work at way back in January. The woman who owns this place doesn't need any more store help, but she does need some additional dog walkers, so I have been training in that this week. On Wednesday and Thursday I walked 6 hours each day with many dogs. It was fun, but my legs are sore!
Also while I was in UT, I was sitting my advisor's office when the phone rang, and I heard her say "yes, I have two doctoral students." Then she talked a little more and told me that someone from another university was calling to say they needed a person to teach primate biology to gifted high school students for 3 weeks over the summer. So after a whirlwind of applications and a phone interview, I got the job and will be in a different state for all of June, teaching the kiddies about primates! Woo! It is awesome because the university is a good place to make contacts, I'll get more teaching experience AND I will get paid all kinds of money.
So lately we have been working hard around here. I'm trying to plan this summer class which starts in less than two months, and has all kinds of immediate deadlines. I have been dog walking a lot the last few days, which has exhausted me and taken away from my dissertation which I am finally really excited to do, AND I still need to plan my fall primate class, the wedding, AND write two more papers. Poor R is crazy busy too with the end of the semester and his computer just crashed. Right in the middle of writing four papers! It is very sad.
So there is a catch up from me. I have some more books to post, which I might do today as well. I'm also trying to get some work done.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Poetry Monday
Sonnet CXXX
William Shakespeare
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red, than her lips red:
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound:
I grant I never saw a goddess go,
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare,
As any she belied with false compare.
William Shakespeare
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red, than her lips red:
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound:
I grant I never saw a goddess go,
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare,
As any she belied with false compare.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Ice Cream!
Back when I lived in DC, my friend Erin made me a fabulous mix tape (yes, we are old. Shut up.) with Eddie Murphy's Ice Cream man routine on it. I loved the mix tape and listened to it often, until recently when I find myself living with no tape playing devices. I also took the tape to Suriname the first time I was there, and have some great memories of sitting around with field assistants from 4 countries, laughing our heads off to Eddie Murphy. So here is the Ice Cream bit, followed by another hilarious one about his mom throwing shoes.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Blog-a-rama!
I am just crazy blogger today! It is procrastination, pure and simple.
Anyway, things are good. I had my 30th birthday last week. Woo! So far I feel no different. It is weird to be hanging out with friends and look around and realize we are all 30, though. The wedding planning is moving along nicely. We now have a date and locations. Next on the list is invitations, but R is doing an awesome job making those. I'm also trying to see if I can get any hotel deals for all our out of towners, but I might just share some links and let them go it alone.
My new dissertation goal is to do just a little every day. I am in data analysis mode now, and I really can't do it for too long stretched or I start making mistakes. Tomorrow I am flying back to Florida to meet with my committee and make sure everything is hunky dory. I don't want any surprises later in the game. But if I can get a little time in on the diss each day, I feel so much better about everything.
Anyway, things are good. I had my 30th birthday last week. Woo! So far I feel no different. It is weird to be hanging out with friends and look around and realize we are all 30, though. The wedding planning is moving along nicely. We now have a date and locations. Next on the list is invitations, but R is doing an awesome job making those. I'm also trying to see if I can get any hotel deals for all our out of towners, but I might just share some links and let them go it alone.
My new dissertation goal is to do just a little every day. I am in data analysis mode now, and I really can't do it for too long stretched or I start making mistakes. Tomorrow I am flying back to Florida to meet with my committee and make sure everything is hunky dory. I don't want any surprises later in the game. But if I can get a little time in on the diss each day, I feel so much better about everything.
Books!
24. Intimate Weddings by Christina Friedrichsen
I have not read many wedding planning books, because they are all about the kind of wedding I am not having. I have leafed through a few though, and this is the only one I thought was any use. The author is really good at stressing how you should think of the kind of wedding you want, the budget you have and then work with that. She doesn't ever talk about needing things like flowers or bridesmaids. So if you are thinking of having a small, slightly non traditional wedding, I recommend this book.
25. The Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble
I have read quite a few books by Drabble, who is the sister of AS Byatt. I always enjoy the books, but find them very cold in a way. I rarely connect with the characters, but am interested in seeing what happens to them. This book is about a woman who moves to London after her divorce, although that is just a small part of the story. I enjoyed it more than many of Drabble's other books, but it didn't make a huge impression.
I have not read many wedding planning books, because they are all about the kind of wedding I am not having. I have leafed through a few though, and this is the only one I thought was any use. The author is really good at stressing how you should think of the kind of wedding you want, the budget you have and then work with that. She doesn't ever talk about needing things like flowers or bridesmaids. So if you are thinking of having a small, slightly non traditional wedding, I recommend this book.
25. The Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble
I have read quite a few books by Drabble, who is the sister of AS Byatt. I always enjoy the books, but find them very cold in a way. I rarely connect with the characters, but am interested in seeing what happens to them. This book is about a woman who moves to London after her divorce, although that is just a small part of the story. I enjoyed it more than many of Drabble's other books, but it didn't make a huge impression.
Poetry Monday
a clown's smirk in the skull of a baboon
by ee cummings
a clown's smirk in the skull of a baboon
(where once good lips stalked or eyes firmly stirred)
my mirror gives me,on this afternoon;
i am a shape that can but eat and turd
ere with the dirt death shall him vastly gird,
a coward waiting clumsily to cease
whom every perfect thing meanwhile doth miss;
a hand's impression in an empty glove,
a soon forgotten tune,a house for lease.
I have never loved you dear as now i love
behold this fool who,in the month of June,
having certain stars and planets heard,
rose very slowly in a tight balloon
until the smallening world became absurd;
him did an archer spy(whose aim had erred
never)and by that little trick or this
he shot the aeronaut down,into the abyss
-and wonderfully i fell through the green groove
of twilight,striking into many a piece.
I have never loved you dear as now i love
god's terrible face,brighter than a spoon,
collects the image of one fatal word;
so that my life(which liked the sun and the moon)
resembles something that has not occurred:
i am a birdcage without any bird,
a collar looking for a dog,a kiss
without lips;a prayer lacking any knees
but something beats within my shirt to prove
he is undead who,living,noone is.
I have never loved you dear as now i love.
Hell(by most humble me which shall increase)
open thy fire!for i have had some bliss
of one small lady upon earth above;
to whom i cry,remembering her face,
i have never loved you dear as now i love
by ee cummings
a clown's smirk in the skull of a baboon
(where once good lips stalked or eyes firmly stirred)
my mirror gives me,on this afternoon;
i am a shape that can but eat and turd
ere with the dirt death shall him vastly gird,
a coward waiting clumsily to cease
whom every perfect thing meanwhile doth miss;
a hand's impression in an empty glove,
a soon forgotten tune,a house for lease.
I have never loved you dear as now i love
behold this fool who,in the month of June,
having certain stars and planets heard,
rose very slowly in a tight balloon
until the smallening world became absurd;
him did an archer spy(whose aim had erred
never)and by that little trick or this
he shot the aeronaut down,into the abyss
-and wonderfully i fell through the green groove
of twilight,striking into many a piece.
I have never loved you dear as now i love
god's terrible face,brighter than a spoon,
collects the image of one fatal word;
so that my life(which liked the sun and the moon)
resembles something that has not occurred:
i am a birdcage without any bird,
a collar looking for a dog,a kiss
without lips;a prayer lacking any knees
but something beats within my shirt to prove
he is undead who,living,noone is.
I have never loved you dear as now i love.
Hell(by most humble me which shall increase)
open thy fire!for i have had some bliss
of one small lady upon earth above;
to whom i cry,remembering her face,
i have never loved you dear as now i love
Friday, April 13, 2007
Present!
It was what I thought it was! We went to see Altar Boyz. Oh my god, it was hilarious and awesome. I loved it sooooo much. Melinda, I feel you would especially love it -- boy bands and Christianity, what could be better?
Anyway, it was an awesome birthday present, and there is no way I can get Christopher anything half as cool. Alas.
Anyway, it was an awesome birthday present, and there is no way I can get Christopher anything half as cool. Alas.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
No time
While I depend on others to provide me procrastination entertainment via their blogs, I realize I have been remiss on posting on my own blog. Hence, this post about nothing. I have been working at my part time job like a mofo. This is because it is going to end, so I feel I need to rake in all the money I can while I am still employed. I also need to find a new job. And throw something together for this wedding, and write my dissertation! eek. It will all be ok though.
I drank so much espresso at work today I feel like I might die. Or maybe I will just nap. Tonight I am meeting Christopher for my surprise birthday present. I am 90% sure I know what it is, and that it is just what I was going to get him for HIS birthday, so now I need to think of a new birthday present for him. Curse you, Christopher! :)
Ok, now I am off to nap.
I drank so much espresso at work today I feel like I might die. Or maybe I will just nap. Tonight I am meeting Christopher for my surprise birthday present. I am 90% sure I know what it is, and that it is just what I was going to get him for HIS birthday, so now I need to think of a new birthday present for him. Curse you, Christopher! :)
Ok, now I am off to nap.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Poetry Monday on Wednesday
I am so busy right now, with work/wedding stuff/Phd. I swear I will post something cool soon.
In the meantime, here is another poem I love.
Losing Track
by Denise Levertov
Long after you have swung back
away from me
I think you are still with me:
you come in close to the shore
on the tide
and nudge me awake the way
a boat adrift nudges the pier:
am I a pier
half-in half-out of the water?
and in the pleasure of that communion
I lose track,
the moon I watch goes down, the
tide swings you away before
I know I'm
alone again long since,
mud sucking at gray and black
timbers of me,
a light growth of green dreams drying.
In the meantime, here is another poem I love.
Losing Track
by Denise Levertov
Long after you have swung back
away from me
I think you are still with me:
you come in close to the shore
on the tide
and nudge me awake the way
a boat adrift nudges the pier:
am I a pier
half-in half-out of the water?
and in the pleasure of that communion
I lose track,
the moon I watch goes down, the
tide swings you away before
I know I'm
alone again long since,
mud sucking at gray and black
timbers of me,
a light growth of green dreams drying.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
No more stress!
Hey! I am doing great right now! I went to a conference at the end of last week where I got to hear lots about monkeys, catch up with old friends and meet new people. It was really inspiring, and I had a good talk with my advisor about a paper I am spiffing up for submission and about my dissertation. I have hope that I will one day graduate. So that was all good.
Also, for both R and I, our wedding stress has magically disappeared. I think it was the fact that we were all of a sudden thrust into this new world of the wedding industrial complex and didn't even know how to deal. We have more concrete plans for when we need to decide things now, and both sets of parents have offered to help out some with money. Last night we had dinner at an Indian restaurant in the 'hood that would be awesome for the reception. We'll have to see, though. We'd have to rent the whole place so it might not work out. We're still hoping for a ceremony in Central Park. We might actually do the legal deed on Friday at City Hall and then have a re-enactment for guests the next day.
I also have 8 credits of teaching lined up for the fall. That's my primate class at a 4 year school and intro bio at a community college. Yay! I love the teaching. I was offered more sections at the community college and was so tempted by the money, but then I remembered I need to graduate so I only took the 5 credit section. I need to get cracking on planning the readings for my primate class, though.
So that's my life right now. At the moment it is good. Also my birthday is Friday and I am going to sushi with awesome friends.
Also, for both R and I, our wedding stress has magically disappeared. I think it was the fact that we were all of a sudden thrust into this new world of the wedding industrial complex and didn't even know how to deal. We have more concrete plans for when we need to decide things now, and both sets of parents have offered to help out some with money. Last night we had dinner at an Indian restaurant in the 'hood that would be awesome for the reception. We'll have to see, though. We'd have to rent the whole place so it might not work out. We're still hoping for a ceremony in Central Park. We might actually do the legal deed on Friday at City Hall and then have a re-enactment for guests the next day.
I also have 8 credits of teaching lined up for the fall. That's my primate class at a 4 year school and intro bio at a community college. Yay! I love the teaching. I was offered more sections at the community college and was so tempted by the money, but then I remembered I need to graduate so I only took the 5 credit section. I need to get cracking on planning the readings for my primate class, though.
So that's my life right now. At the moment it is good. Also my birthday is Friday and I am going to sushi with awesome friends.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Books
20. Thursday Next in Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
This is the last in the Thursday Next series of literature detectives. As the others are, this is funny and smart and imaginative. I am sure I miss plenty of the literary illusions, but the interweaving of real life and fiction is great.
21. The Dirty Duck by Martha Grimes
Another mystery set in England. People on a tour are killed.... love the Englishness of it.
22. Post Mortem by Patricia Cornwell
Same ol' same ol', but good mindless reading.
23. Everfree by Nick Sagan
This is the third in a trilogy by Carl Sagan's son. I read the first two books last year while in Suriname -- my friend Erin had them. They are about a post-apocalyptic world after much of humanity is killed by a plague. It is hard to write much about them as it will give away the story. Be that as it may, they are very well written and engrossing and I enjoyed them all. I am sad I finished the series.
This is the last in the Thursday Next series of literature detectives. As the others are, this is funny and smart and imaginative. I am sure I miss plenty of the literary illusions, but the interweaving of real life and fiction is great.
21. The Dirty Duck by Martha Grimes
Another mystery set in England. People on a tour are killed.... love the Englishness of it.
22. Post Mortem by Patricia Cornwell
Same ol' same ol', but good mindless reading.
23. Everfree by Nick Sagan
This is the third in a trilogy by Carl Sagan's son. I read the first two books last year while in Suriname -- my friend Erin had them. They are about a post-apocalyptic world after much of humanity is killed by a plague. It is hard to write much about them as it will give away the story. Be that as it may, they are very well written and engrossing and I enjoyed them all. I am sad I finished the series.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Poetry Monday
For a long time I did not like poetry at all. It just seemed confusing and overly opaque. I read this poem in 8th grade or so, and it is the first piece of poetry I can remember liking.
The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes
The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door.
He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, and a bunch of lace at his chin;
He'd a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of fine doe-skin.
They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to his thigh!
And he rode with a jeweled twinkle--
His rapier hilt a-twinkle--
His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky.
Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred,
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked
Where Tim, the ostler listened--his face was white and peaked--
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
But he loved the landlord's daughter--
The landlord's black-eyed daughter;
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say:
"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart; I'm after a prize tonight,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light.
Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."
He stood upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand,
But she loosened her hair in the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the sweet black waves of perfume came tumbling o'er his breast,
Then he kissed its waves in the moonlight
(O sweet black waves in the moonlight!),
And he tugged at his reins in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west.
He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon.
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon over the purple moor,
The redcoat troops came marching--
Marching--marching--
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door.
They said no word to the landlord; they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed.
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets by their side;
There was Death at every window,
And Hell at one dark window,
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.
They had bound her up at attention, with many a sniggering jest!
They had tied a rifle beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now keep good watch!" and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say,
"Look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way."
She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years,
Till, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers!
The tip of one finger touched it, she strove no more for the rest;
Up, she stood up at attention, with the barrel beneath her breast.
She would not risk their hearing, she would not strive again,
For the road lay bare in the moonlight,
Blank and bare in the moonlight,
And the blood in her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love's refrain.
Tlot tlot, tlot tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hooves, ringing clear;
Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The redcoats looked to their priming! She stood up straight and still.
Tlot tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment, she drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight--
Her musket shattered the moonlight--
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him--with her death.
He turned, he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood
Bowed, with her head o'er the casement, drenched in her own red blood!
Not till the dawn did he hear it, and his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.
Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat
When they shot him down in the highway,
Down like a dog in the highway,
And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.
And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a gypsy's ribbon looping the purple moor,
The highwayman comes riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.
Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard,
He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred,
He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes
The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door.
He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, and a bunch of lace at his chin;
He'd a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of fine doe-skin.
They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to his thigh!
And he rode with a jeweled twinkle--
His rapier hilt a-twinkle--
His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky.
Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred,
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked
Where Tim, the ostler listened--his face was white and peaked--
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
But he loved the landlord's daughter--
The landlord's black-eyed daughter;
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say:
"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart; I'm after a prize tonight,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light.
Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."
He stood upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand,
But she loosened her hair in the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the sweet black waves of perfume came tumbling o'er his breast,
Then he kissed its waves in the moonlight
(O sweet black waves in the moonlight!),
And he tugged at his reins in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west.
He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon.
And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon over the purple moor,
The redcoat troops came marching--
Marching--marching--
King George's men came marching, up to the old inn-door.
They said no word to the landlord; they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed.
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets by their side;
There was Death at every window,
And Hell at one dark window,
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.
They had bound her up at attention, with many a sniggering jest!
They had tied a rifle beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now keep good watch!" and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say,
"Look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way."
She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years,
Till, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers!
The tip of one finger touched it, she strove no more for the rest;
Up, she stood up at attention, with the barrel beneath her breast.
She would not risk their hearing, she would not strive again,
For the road lay bare in the moonlight,
Blank and bare in the moonlight,
And the blood in her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love's refrain.
Tlot tlot, tlot tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hooves, ringing clear;
Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding--
Riding--riding--
The redcoats looked to their priming! She stood up straight and still.
Tlot tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment, she drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight--
Her musket shattered the moonlight--
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him--with her death.
He turned, he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood
Bowed, with her head o'er the casement, drenched in her own red blood!
Not till the dawn did he hear it, and his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.
Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat
When they shot him down in the highway,
Down like a dog in the highway,
And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.
And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a gypsy's ribbon looping the purple moor,
The highwayman comes riding--
Riding--riding--
The highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.
Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard,
He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred,
He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter--
Bess, the landlord's daughter--
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Hungry
Oh my god, this post from Dooce EXACTLY describes what it is like when I am hungry. I am exactly like her, when I get hungry and decide the only option is to die. And this is when people so often want to give me choices, no! That is not helpful! I am so happy she could put into words what it is like to be me on low blood sugar.
Anyway, I always carry a granola bar with me.
Anyway, I always carry a granola bar with me.
ze stress
So the getting married is kind of exciting, even though I was somewhat opposed to it in the past. I think it is all about participating in such a huge cultural event. So many societal implications! As I surf the internet, reading things about weddings, I become more and more convinced I want to have a party with people. We are all over the picnic in a park dealie, maybe even potluck? BUT what about the rain? Indeed, the rain is a problem. We need a backup plan. There are apparently few or no parks in New York City that contain picnic shelters. I grew up across the street from a park with about a million, but that is not the way we roll here. R and I suspect it is out of meanness to the homeless people, who would probably sleep in them. We are thinking of renting a tent but it is also spendy. Alas, what to do. I am going away to conference the rest of this week and over the weekend, but I think after that we need to do some footwork and tour some parks.
The second problem is the officiant. Apparently they are often $300! WTF?? It is out of control. For us, the ceremony is not very important and we want it short and too the point, so that seems like a huge waste of money. Also, why does someone 'official' need to be involved? More and more I am for the abolition of 'marriage' as a civil institution to be replaced by civil unions between any two people and marriage as a religious ceremony. So we might go to city hall on a Friday with our fams, and then have a party the next day, if we can come up with a rain plan.
My other stress is that I feel my dissertation is going too slowly. I am just not into it lately. I have been having a hard time balancing it with my part time job. The problem is my part time job often involves me getting up at 5:30, and then when I get off work I am exhausted. I am really going to try harder, because once I graduate I won't have to pay tuition, and I can get a real job and then I can worry about money less.
So, as often happens, I was freaking out about it all yesterday and then today I was contacted by two community colleges with adjuncting positions for fall. I am going to have to scramble for money for the summer, but I think Fall with my loans and 2 classes should be ok.
The second problem is the officiant. Apparently they are often $300! WTF?? It is out of control. For us, the ceremony is not very important and we want it short and too the point, so that seems like a huge waste of money. Also, why does someone 'official' need to be involved? More and more I am for the abolition of 'marriage' as a civil institution to be replaced by civil unions between any two people and marriage as a religious ceremony. So we might go to city hall on a Friday with our fams, and then have a party the next day, if we can come up with a rain plan.
My other stress is that I feel my dissertation is going too slowly. I am just not into it lately. I have been having a hard time balancing it with my part time job. The problem is my part time job often involves me getting up at 5:30, and then when I get off work I am exhausted. I am really going to try harder, because once I graduate I won't have to pay tuition, and I can get a real job and then I can worry about money less.
So, as often happens, I was freaking out about it all yesterday and then today I was contacted by two community colleges with adjuncting positions for fall. I am going to have to scramble for money for the summer, but I think Fall with my loans and 2 classes should be ok.
Monday, March 26, 2007
18. Cruel and Unusual by Patricia Cornwell
Another mystery involving Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta. The writing is really uneven, but I am so fascinated by the main character I just keep reading.
19. The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
Cloudscome read this book and did not like it (and some commenters agreed), but she mentioned it was about a Catholic school girl and as I am a former Catholic school girl I wanted to read it. Also, it has been a long time since I read a young adult novel. Anyway, I didn't really get into the book at first, but by the end I was absorbed and couldn't put it down. I think I just really related to the journey Francine went through of finding her own voice, and entering adult hood in a turbulent time. My Catholic school was a lot more friendlier than the 1950 one portrayed in the book, but in grade school we still had a lot of the same unquestioning obedience and strive for conformity, so I think that helped me relate. Anyway, I enjoyed this book and by the end was really invested in Francine.
Another mystery involving Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta. The writing is really uneven, but I am so fascinated by the main character I just keep reading.
19. The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
Cloudscome read this book and did not like it (and some commenters agreed), but she mentioned it was about a Catholic school girl and as I am a former Catholic school girl I wanted to read it. Also, it has been a long time since I read a young adult novel. Anyway, I didn't really get into the book at first, but by the end I was absorbed and couldn't put it down. I think I just really related to the journey Francine went through of finding her own voice, and entering adult hood in a turbulent time. My Catholic school was a lot more friendlier than the 1950 one portrayed in the book, but in grade school we still had a lot of the same unquestioning obedience and strive for conformity, so I think that helped me relate. Anyway, I enjoyed this book and by the end was really invested in Francine.
Poetry Monday
Letter
by Jorge Tellier
translated from Spanish by Mary Crow
When at last you realize
I can love only those towns
where the trains never stop,
then you will be able to forget me
in order to know who I truly am.
You will know who I a truly am
and rings made from tree bark
will be the token of our wedding vows,
and you will be able to enter the forest
where I found you before I met you.
And the forest where I found you without knowing you
will fill up with the leaves of my words.
Night will be luminous with the eyes of horses
come to drink the waters of memory
so there will always be a love that doesn't die.
Because there is always in me a love that doesn't die
and the towns where the train doesn't stop
will tell you this, while the drunk guitar player
who croons the song I wrote you
will have to stop the whirling of the streets
to show you the road into the forest.
by Jorge Tellier
translated from Spanish by Mary Crow
When at last you realize
I can love only those towns
where the trains never stop,
then you will be able to forget me
in order to know who I truly am.
You will know who I a truly am
and rings made from tree bark
will be the token of our wedding vows,
and you will be able to enter the forest
where I found you before I met you.
And the forest where I found you without knowing you
will fill up with the leaves of my words.
Night will be luminous with the eyes of horses
come to drink the waters of memory
so there will always be a love that doesn't die.
Because there is always in me a love that doesn't die
and the towns where the train doesn't stop
will tell you this, while the drunk guitar player
who croons the song I wrote you
will have to stop the whirling of the streets
to show you the road into the forest.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Betrothed
Dear Internets,
The time has come to tell you that R and I have decided to stop our sin livin', and make it all legal and therefore apparently sin-less. Yes indeedy, we are going to get hitched!
It is very strange. We are very laid back people. I have talked a lot about why I didn't feel the need to get married in the past, so it is kind of strange to be doing it now. We finally decided it would be easier to just be married, and I think we also want the acknowledgment of our partnership that making it legal gives us. It has at times been frustrating to say I moved here with my boyfriend, and not have people realize how important that relationship was.
Anyway, getting married is crazy. We told people 3 whole days ago and those three days have been full of insanity over where and when and how much to spend and I feel sometimes like I have been possessed. We had some good talks about it last night, and I think after the first flurry of excitement we can settle down and thinking of something cheap and cool and like us. We are really into it not being a big deal. We've been together for 5 years, lived together for 3 and known each other for nearly 12. Because of this, we don't expect this to change anything, although it is weird how some seem to see this as us finally committing to each other, when in my opinion that happened years ago.
In other news, I have embarked on an exceedingly boring but important part of my dissertation which involves me listening to tapes and timing them with a stopwatch. So boring! And I have 45 of these 45 minute tapes. It is really impeding my motivation. I did get a decent amount of work done today, but I have also had a terrible terrible headache. I don't know what is wrong with me -- I have been getting these awful headaches the last few weeks.
OK, I'm off to do more work. The good news is it is beautiful here today! 65!
The time has come to tell you that R and I have decided to stop our sin livin', and make it all legal and therefore apparently sin-less. Yes indeedy, we are going to get hitched!
It is very strange. We are very laid back people. I have talked a lot about why I didn't feel the need to get married in the past, so it is kind of strange to be doing it now. We finally decided it would be easier to just be married, and I think we also want the acknowledgment of our partnership that making it legal gives us. It has at times been frustrating to say I moved here with my boyfriend, and not have people realize how important that relationship was.
Anyway, getting married is crazy. We told people 3 whole days ago and those three days have been full of insanity over where and when and how much to spend and I feel sometimes like I have been possessed. We had some good talks about it last night, and I think after the first flurry of excitement we can settle down and thinking of something cheap and cool and like us. We are really into it not being a big deal. We've been together for 5 years, lived together for 3 and known each other for nearly 12. Because of this, we don't expect this to change anything, although it is weird how some seem to see this as us finally committing to each other, when in my opinion that happened years ago.
In other news, I have embarked on an exceedingly boring but important part of my dissertation which involves me listening to tapes and timing them with a stopwatch. So boring! And I have 45 of these 45 minute tapes. It is really impeding my motivation. I did get a decent amount of work done today, but I have also had a terrible terrible headache. I don't know what is wrong with me -- I have been getting these awful headaches the last few weeks.
OK, I'm off to do more work. The good news is it is beautiful here today! 65!
books!
I've been reading on the subway a lot lately, causing me to just whip through books like there's no tomorrow.
15. The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg
This book was so good -- it was a complete page turner. The author is a New York Times reporter who watches Wesleyan's admissions process. He has total access to the admissions officers, as well as to several high school students as they apply and try to decide where to go for college. The book is really well written and I was so interested in everyone in it. It reminded me of the documentary "Spellbound" even though this is a book and not a movie.
16. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
This was also an excellent book. As the title says, Bryson rights about the history of the world. He does it really clearly and engagingly.
17. Comfort Me With Apples by Ruth Reichl
This is the second of Reichl's memoirs about being a food critic and cook. I liked this one a lot, also, although she didn't always flesh out parts of her story I was most interested in. But perhaps those were also the ones most painful to her or too private. Also a very good book and I recommend it highly.
15. The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg
This book was so good -- it was a complete page turner. The author is a New York Times reporter who watches Wesleyan's admissions process. He has total access to the admissions officers, as well as to several high school students as they apply and try to decide where to go for college. The book is really well written and I was so interested in everyone in it. It reminded me of the documentary "Spellbound" even though this is a book and not a movie.
16. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
This was also an excellent book. As the title says, Bryson rights about the history of the world. He does it really clearly and engagingly.
17. Comfort Me With Apples by Ruth Reichl
This is the second of Reichl's memoirs about being a food critic and cook. I liked this one a lot, also, although she didn't always flesh out parts of her story I was most interested in. But perhaps those were also the ones most painful to her or too private. Also a very good book and I recommend it highly.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Poetry Monday
Concerning that Prayer I Cannot Make
by Jane Mead
Jesus, I am cruelly lonely
and I do not know what I have done
nor do I suspect that you will answer me.
And, what is more, I have spent
these bare months bargaining
with my soul as if I could make her
promise to love me when now it seems
that what I meant when I said "soul"
was that the river reflects
the railway bridge just as the sky
says it should -- it speaks that language.
I do not know who you are.
I come here every day
to be beneath this bridge,
to sit beside this river,
so I must have seen the way
the clouds just slide
under the rusty arch --
without snagging on the bolts,
how they are borne along on the dark water --
I must have noticed their fluent speed
and also how that tattered blue T-shirt
remains snagged on the crown
of the mostly sunk dead tree
despite the current's constant pulling.
Yes, somewhere in my mind there must
be the image of a sky blue T-shirt, caught,
and the white islands of ice flying by
and the light clouds flying slowly
under the bridge, though today the river's
fully melted. I must have seen.
But I did not see.
I am not equal to my longing.
Somewhere there should be a place
the exact shape of my emptiness --
there should be a place
responsible for taking one back.
The river, of course, has no mercy --
it just lifts the dead fish
toward the sea.
Of course, of course.
What I meant when I said "soul"
was that there should be a place.
On the far bank the warehouse lights
blink red, then green, and all the yellow
machines with their rusted scoops and lifts
sit under a thin layer of sunny frost.
And look--
my own palm --
there, slowly rocking.
It is my pale palm --
palm where a black pebble
is turning and turning.
Listen --
all you bare trees
burrs
brambles
pile of twigs
red and green lights flashing
muddy bottle shards
shoe half buried -- listen
listen, I am holy.
by Jane Mead
Jesus, I am cruelly lonely
and I do not know what I have done
nor do I suspect that you will answer me.
And, what is more, I have spent
these bare months bargaining
with my soul as if I could make her
promise to love me when now it seems
that what I meant when I said "soul"
was that the river reflects
the railway bridge just as the sky
says it should -- it speaks that language.
I do not know who you are.
I come here every day
to be beneath this bridge,
to sit beside this river,
so I must have seen the way
the clouds just slide
under the rusty arch --
without snagging on the bolts,
how they are borne along on the dark water --
I must have noticed their fluent speed
and also how that tattered blue T-shirt
remains snagged on the crown
of the mostly sunk dead tree
despite the current's constant pulling.
Yes, somewhere in my mind there must
be the image of a sky blue T-shirt, caught,
and the white islands of ice flying by
and the light clouds flying slowly
under the bridge, though today the river's
fully melted. I must have seen.
But I did not see.
I am not equal to my longing.
Somewhere there should be a place
the exact shape of my emptiness --
there should be a place
responsible for taking one back.
The river, of course, has no mercy --
it just lifts the dead fish
toward the sea.
Of course, of course.
What I meant when I said "soul"
was that there should be a place.
On the far bank the warehouse lights
blink red, then green, and all the yellow
machines with their rusted scoops and lifts
sit under a thin layer of sunny frost.
And look--
my own palm --
there, slowly rocking.
It is my pale palm --
palm where a black pebble
is turning and turning.
Listen --
all you bare trees
burrs
brambles
pile of twigs
red and green lights flashing
muddy bottle shards
shoe half buried -- listen
listen, I am holy.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Spring break
Yesterday R and I took spring break. As grad students, we get a fabulous one day spring break as there is no rest for us! Anyway, we had a super good time. We went to the UN in the morning and got to see where they do all their UN stuff. Then, because it was near 70 degrees we walked to Central Park and walked through it for awhile until our feet started to hurt. Then we came home and hung out before heading to a neighborhood north of us for some tapas. The restaurant was overpriced and not super good, but we're glad we ventured out into the world more. Later we came home and listened to a This American Life podcast before going to sleep. It was an excellent spring break.
Today I have been all hard core getting stuff done. We went to Target to get cat food and some other stuff, and I have been working on data for my dissertation. I HATE arranging data into an analyzable form. I think it is really not my strength, so it is often frustrating. I kept losing monkeys today. I was supposed to have 95 and at first had only 93 so I had to spend a few hours finding those lost two. But they appeared, never fear! If I am serious about ever graduating I need to spend more time on the data analysis. I forgot how slow it goes.
Today I have been all hard core getting stuff done. We went to Target to get cat food and some other stuff, and I have been working on data for my dissertation. I HATE arranging data into an analyzable form. I think it is really not my strength, so it is often frustrating. I kept losing monkeys today. I was supposed to have 95 and at first had only 93 so I had to spend a few hours finding those lost two. But they appeared, never fear! If I am serious about ever graduating I need to spend more time on the data analysis. I forgot how slow it goes.
Books!
11. The Color of Magic
12. The Light Fantastic
13. Equal Rites all by Terry Pratchett
3 more enjoyable Discworld novels. Pratchett just has a great imagination and sense of humor. I've been really enjoying my break into totally fun reading, but I also have a pile of nonfiction on my shelves so I will be diving back into that soon.
14. All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell
These are books I am a little embarrassed about reading, but I got into Patricia Cornwell when I was in Suriname and we had a lot of her books on the shelf. I really like the main character in this series, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta. I think she is really interesting. And my association with forensic anthropologists has made me enjoy these medical examiner books more. The writing can be really uneven, but they are pretty enjoyable if you like the crime books.
12. The Light Fantastic
13. Equal Rites all by Terry Pratchett
3 more enjoyable Discworld novels. Pratchett just has a great imagination and sense of humor. I've been really enjoying my break into totally fun reading, but I also have a pile of nonfiction on my shelves so I will be diving back into that soon.
14. All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell
These are books I am a little embarrassed about reading, but I got into Patricia Cornwell when I was in Suriname and we had a lot of her books on the shelf. I really like the main character in this series, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta. I think she is really interesting. And my association with forensic anthropologists has made me enjoy these medical examiner books more. The writing can be really uneven, but they are pretty enjoyable if you like the crime books.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Poetry Monday (a day late)
May 1968
by Sharon Olds
When the Dean said we could not cross campus
until the students gave up the buildings,
we lay down, in the street,
we said the cops will enter this gate
over us. Lying back on the cobbles,
I saw the buildings of New York City
from dirt level, they soared up
and stopped, chopped off -- above them, the sky,
the night air over the island.
The mounted police moved, near us,
while we sang, and then I began to count,
12, 13, 14, 15,
I counted again, 15, 16 one
month since the day on that deserted beach,
17, 18, my mouth fell open,
my hair on the street,
if my period did not come tonight
I was pregnant. I could see the sole of a cop's
shoe, the gelding's belly, its genitals --
if they took me to Women's Detention and did
the exam on me, the speculum,
the fingers -- I gazed into the horse's tail
like a comet-train. All week, I had
thought about getting arrested, half-longed
to give myself away. On the tar --
on brain in my head, another,
in the making, near the base of my tail --
I looked at the steel arc of the horse's
shoe, the curve of its belly, the cop's
nightstick, the buildings screaming up
away from the earth. I knew I should get up
and leave, but I lay there looking at the space
above us, until it turned deep blue and then
ashy, colorless, Give me this one
night, I thought, and I'll give this child
the rest of my life, the horses' heads,
this time, drooping, dipping, until
they slept in a circle around my body and my daughter.
by Sharon Olds
When the Dean said we could not cross campus
until the students gave up the buildings,
we lay down, in the street,
we said the cops will enter this gate
over us. Lying back on the cobbles,
I saw the buildings of New York City
from dirt level, they soared up
and stopped, chopped off -- above them, the sky,
the night air over the island.
The mounted police moved, near us,
while we sang, and then I began to count,
12, 13, 14, 15,
I counted again, 15, 16 one
month since the day on that deserted beach,
17, 18, my mouth fell open,
my hair on the street,
if my period did not come tonight
I was pregnant. I could see the sole of a cop's
shoe, the gelding's belly, its genitals --
if they took me to Women's Detention and did
the exam on me, the speculum,
the fingers -- I gazed into the horse's tail
like a comet-train. All week, I had
thought about getting arrested, half-longed
to give myself away. On the tar --
on brain in my head, another,
in the making, near the base of my tail --
I looked at the steel arc of the horse's
shoe, the curve of its belly, the cop's
nightstick, the buildings screaming up
away from the earth. I knew I should get up
and leave, but I lay there looking at the space
above us, until it turned deep blue and then
ashy, colorless, Give me this one
night, I thought, and I'll give this child
the rest of my life, the horses' heads,
this time, drooping, dipping, until
they slept in a circle around my body and my daughter.
Friday, March 09, 2007
productive
Just now I managed to read a bunch of articles and take notes on them. wooo! I am proud I could work after 7 hours of working at my other job. I think they way to stave off the exhaustion is too keep going. I have to save my after work naps for after my PhD work as well. Now I think I can have a little nap, then do some dishes, then go hang with some peeps.
A second ago I caught Henrietta chewing my MP3 player which is very very evil of her so I squirted her a lot with the water bottle. Poor Pass got caught in the crossfire and seemed very alarmed. I tried to tell him it was not his fault, but I don't think those are English words he understands. It is sad when he has to suffer for Henrietta's naughty ways.
A second ago I caught Henrietta chewing my MP3 player which is very very evil of her so I squirted her a lot with the water bottle. Poor Pass got caught in the crossfire and seemed very alarmed. I tried to tell him it was not his fault, but I don't think those are English words he understands. It is sad when he has to suffer for Henrietta's naughty ways.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sleeping
I skipped the talk. I think it was for the best as I am not sure I would have wowed anyone into throwing jobs and $$ my way in the state I was in. I am sad about it, though, it would have been fun. I need to make sure and see these people at the conference I am going to at the end of the month.
Now it is 9:30 and I am going to get into bed. I am really sad I got no work done today. Sometimes I don't really see how the dissertation is going to be written. Every time I think I am on a roll, something comes up.
Hey! This is apparently my 102nd post.
Now it is 9:30 and I am going to get into bed. I am really sad I got no work done today. Sometimes I don't really see how the dissertation is going to be written. Every time I think I am on a roll, something comes up.
Hey! This is apparently my 102nd post.
Aargh
So I am supposed to go to this talk tonight, which will be a good networking/social opportunity, and I will just enjoy it. However, I have had a raging headache all day and thus have gotten very very little done. Blah. I really feel like I need to go to this talk, but right now I just want to lie on the couch. Any pep talk to get me out of the house, or confirmation that I will be doing the right thing by staying home?
I have a troublesome relationship with sickness. Right now, I feel like part of this is my fault because today is my day off, yet the talk is by where I work and I really don't want to go down there. I have been having a hard time integrating my school work with my work work, so I have not made much PhD progress this last week. I keep telling myself that it is only my second week with the job and I am still adjusting and I will figure it out soon, but maybe I am just fooling myself, you know? Anyway, the point is that I can never just be, "ok, I'm not feeling well, I'll stay home". I always suspect the sickness comes from my inner laziness and is my fault. I also have a deep seated belief that I just need to suck it up and go about my business, although in nearly 30 years of life that has never ever worked out well. Also, I have been getting up at 5:30 all week yet staying up to 12:00 and I am soooo tired. I need to just go to bed early, although that means less time hanging with R. My life is so hard.
I need to decide in the next hour or so, so that I can email and give my space at dinner away if I need to. I think I'll go lay on the couch and try to read some articles and see how it goes.
I have a troublesome relationship with sickness. Right now, I feel like part of this is my fault because today is my day off, yet the talk is by where I work and I really don't want to go down there. I have been having a hard time integrating my school work with my work work, so I have not made much PhD progress this last week. I keep telling myself that it is only my second week with the job and I am still adjusting and I will figure it out soon, but maybe I am just fooling myself, you know? Anyway, the point is that I can never just be, "ok, I'm not feeling well, I'll stay home". I always suspect the sickness comes from my inner laziness and is my fault. I also have a deep seated belief that I just need to suck it up and go about my business, although in nearly 30 years of life that has never ever worked out well. Also, I have been getting up at 5:30 all week yet staying up to 12:00 and I am soooo tired. I need to just go to bed early, although that means less time hanging with R. My life is so hard.
I need to decide in the next hour or so, so that I can email and give my space at dinner away if I need to. I think I'll go lay on the couch and try to read some articles and see how it goes.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Poetry Monday
Heather recently posted that she wanted to read more poetry, which reminded me how much I love poetry but I have not spent a lot of time reading it lately. So here is the first of a hopefully ongoing series of Poetry Mondays. For now, they'll all be stuff from books I own.
Birth
by Rita Dove
(So there you are at last --
a pip, a button in the grass.
The world's begun
without you.
And no reception but
accumulated time.
Your face hidden but your name
shuddering on air!)
Birth
by Rita Dove
(So there you are at last --
a pip, a button in the grass.
The world's begun
without you.
And no reception but
accumulated time.
Your face hidden but your name
shuddering on air!)
Week Update
Let me update you on the last week with subheadings!
Bread
Awhile ago Christopher gave me some sourdough starter who I named Alberto and put in the fridge. Since I finally have a day off I got Alberto out this morning and fed him and now he is getting revved up to be in some sourdough wheat bread. Yum yum. Also, sometime in the recent past I made my first successful loaf of wheat bread! yay! It was very good, with the most beautiful crumb ever. The problem is I don't really know how I did it. When I first put it in the bread machine it was too wet (I over-corrected for the previous too dry bread) so I just threw in bunched of both bread flour and whole wheat flour. I really thought it was going to be terrible, but it was very good. Hopefully I can recreate it sometime, and write down what amounts I use.
NYC
Because my job is down in the Village and I live way way uptown, I get to ride the subway all the time now. I bought an unlimited Metro card which is very freeing. I just subway all over the place, because the more I ride the better of a deal it is! One day this week I went down to work, then way up to the Bronx, then back down to Lincoln Center. Good times.
Saturday it was so nice out so R and I went to a near by Farmer's Market. As it is winter in New York, there was not much to buy -- mostly apples and baked goods. We did get some tasty apple cider and I think I will go back for apples and some cage free eggs. We walked home via two huge parks. One of them was so big, you really didn't know you were in Manhattan when you were inside it. We hope to walk more in the spring.
Job
My job is good, although a little crazy. After one week of work I am apparently fully trained and can open and close the store. It is cool, though, it is the kind of job I thrive in, where you are given no direction so you just do stuff. I worked the last 6 days though, including 9.5 hours on Friday and I was tiiiiiired. I stand the whole time and my entire body was sore on Friday night. I finally have a day off today, so I slept in until 10:30 and am going to get all kinds of errands and stuff done.
School
I did some work on my dissertation -- mostly arranging data. I have a lot more of that to do. This is the pre-analysis stage. I have an organized method, though. I am going chapter by chapter and working on that data only, it really helps to keep me focused. I am supposed to have a really detailed outline in the next few weeks. I don't really work in outlines, but I'll put what I have in that format I guess.
Social
Part of why I was so exhausted this week was that I was out late so many nights! On Sunday I had to go watch the Oscars, of course. I predicted 19 categories correctly! Go me! Monday night R and I went to see This American Life Live, which was super good. They are making a TV show out of the radio show and it will be on Showtime. The clips of the TV show looked good. Too bad I have no fancy cable. And then on Tuesday Maggie and I went to see the Vagina Monologues with Alix Olson. They were very good, although the venue was beset by logistical problems, so the show started an hour late, we were packed in like sardines, and I didn't get home until very late at night.
So that is what was up with me lately. I have some pictures I need to get off the camera and then I will put them on Flickr soon. There are some of bread! So click the Flickr badge in the next few days.
Bread
Awhile ago Christopher gave me some sourdough starter who I named Alberto and put in the fridge. Since I finally have a day off I got Alberto out this morning and fed him and now he is getting revved up to be in some sourdough wheat bread. Yum yum. Also, sometime in the recent past I made my first successful loaf of wheat bread! yay! It was very good, with the most beautiful crumb ever. The problem is I don't really know how I did it. When I first put it in the bread machine it was too wet (I over-corrected for the previous too dry bread) so I just threw in bunched of both bread flour and whole wheat flour. I really thought it was going to be terrible, but it was very good. Hopefully I can recreate it sometime, and write down what amounts I use.
NYC
Because my job is down in the Village and I live way way uptown, I get to ride the subway all the time now. I bought an unlimited Metro card which is very freeing. I just subway all over the place, because the more I ride the better of a deal it is! One day this week I went down to work, then way up to the Bronx, then back down to Lincoln Center. Good times.
Saturday it was so nice out so R and I went to a near by Farmer's Market. As it is winter in New York, there was not much to buy -- mostly apples and baked goods. We did get some tasty apple cider and I think I will go back for apples and some cage free eggs. We walked home via two huge parks. One of them was so big, you really didn't know you were in Manhattan when you were inside it. We hope to walk more in the spring.
Job
My job is good, although a little crazy. After one week of work I am apparently fully trained and can open and close the store. It is cool, though, it is the kind of job I thrive in, where you are given no direction so you just do stuff. I worked the last 6 days though, including 9.5 hours on Friday and I was tiiiiiired. I stand the whole time and my entire body was sore on Friday night. I finally have a day off today, so I slept in until 10:30 and am going to get all kinds of errands and stuff done.
School
I did some work on my dissertation -- mostly arranging data. I have a lot more of that to do. This is the pre-analysis stage. I have an organized method, though. I am going chapter by chapter and working on that data only, it really helps to keep me focused. I am supposed to have a really detailed outline in the next few weeks. I don't really work in outlines, but I'll put what I have in that format I guess.
Social
Part of why I was so exhausted this week was that I was out late so many nights! On Sunday I had to go watch the Oscars, of course. I predicted 19 categories correctly! Go me! Monday night R and I went to see This American Life Live, which was super good. They are making a TV show out of the radio show and it will be on Showtime. The clips of the TV show looked good. Too bad I have no fancy cable. And then on Tuesday Maggie and I went to see the Vagina Monologues with Alix Olson. They were very good, although the venue was beset by logistical problems, so the show started an hour late, we were packed in like sardines, and I didn't get home until very late at night.
So that is what was up with me lately. I have some pictures I need to get off the camera and then I will put them on Flickr soon. There are some of bread! So click the Flickr badge in the next few days.
Returned
I am returned from my media fast! It did not go super well, to be honest. I did pretty well for about 2 days with the no TV watching and I did really well with the no blog reading, but the not reading books killed me. Killed me, I tell you. Also, I was felled by a near cold in the middle of the week and really just wanted to rest and watch tv, so I let myself do that some.
Did I learn anything from it? I learned I really like reading, but I also learned it is not terrible to sometimes eat lunch alone and without a book. It was good to watch less tv, but I am usually pretty good about turning it off when I don't enjoy what I am watching. The point of the exercise was partially to close out other people's thoughts and ideas, so I could have all of my own. However, I think I always have plenty of my own thoughts and need to shut them off once and awhile. I had a lot of nights during the past week when I couldn't sleep -- because my mind was just running and running.
It is interesting doing The Artist's Way at Work, as one of its points is to convince people they are creative. I am not someone who has ever struggled with that. I know lots of people who say they aren't creative, but that is one thing about myself I am secure in. I am creative and always have been. So the book doesn't always help me on those points, and I may not need media fasts to give me time with my own thoughts.
It was good to stay off the internet though as that is by far my biggest time suck. I'm going to see how it goes with writing the dissertation and working, but I might impose some internet free days each week if I fall into the internet procrastination trap again.
Did I learn anything from it? I learned I really like reading, but I also learned it is not terrible to sometimes eat lunch alone and without a book. It was good to watch less tv, but I am usually pretty good about turning it off when I don't enjoy what I am watching. The point of the exercise was partially to close out other people's thoughts and ideas, so I could have all of my own. However, I think I always have plenty of my own thoughts and need to shut them off once and awhile. I had a lot of nights during the past week when I couldn't sleep -- because my mind was just running and running.
It is interesting doing The Artist's Way at Work, as one of its points is to convince people they are creative. I am not someone who has ever struggled with that. I know lots of people who say they aren't creative, but that is one thing about myself I am secure in. I am creative and always have been. So the book doesn't always help me on those points, and I may not need media fasts to give me time with my own thoughts.
It was good to stay off the internet though as that is by far my biggest time suck. I'm going to see how it goes with writing the dissertation and working, but I might impose some internet free days each week if I fall into the internet procrastination trap again.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Me lately
Today I got a job! Woo! It is at a bakery/coffee shop and I will serve up the food to the customers and make their tasty coffee drinks. Finally, my dream came true and I was offered the job at the interview. We were chatting and then the manager said, "I'd like you to start training next week." I am sure I did a double take as I didn't believe I heard him right, but it was true! I am scared to cancel my other job interviews, though, as what if something happens to this one? It is a big relief to have some employment, even though it is only $8.25/hr. At least I have an idea of what I will have to work with. If my financial aid ever comes through I might be all set.
Tonight I am going to watch the Oscars at a friend's. I've got my and Melinda's predictions all printed out and ready to go, so we can see who rules the Oscars this year. She always sneaks up on me by predicting the best short animated film and such.
Also, dude, what rock am I living under that I didn't know The Amazing Race started? I am so sad! I missed the first episode, and tonight I must watch the Oscars. What I am I going to do about the conflict between it and Grease: You're the One that I Want? My life is so complex and I own no VCR.
Ooops. I forgot to post that I am going on a "media fast" starting Monday. No TV, movies, books, internets or podcasts for me during the week. It will be interesting. Anyway, I am not sure I post enough any way that you will notice, but I won't be reading and commenting on blogs either. I'll let you know how it went next weekend!
Tonight I am going to watch the Oscars at a friend's. I've got my and Melinda's predictions all printed out and ready to go, so we can see who rules the Oscars this year. She always sneaks up on me by predicting the best short animated film and such.
Also, dude, what rock am I living under that I didn't know The Amazing Race started? I am so sad! I missed the first episode, and tonight I must watch the Oscars. What I am I going to do about the conflict between it and Grease: You're the One that I Want? My life is so complex and I own no VCR.
Ooops. I forgot to post that I am going on a "media fast" starting Monday. No TV, movies, books, internets or podcasts for me during the week. It will be interesting. Anyway, I am not sure I post enough any way that you will notice, but I won't be reading and commenting on blogs either. I'll let you know how it went next weekend!
Books
10. Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver
This is a book of essays that was partially inspired by 9/11. A lot of them deal with how to live peacefully and lightly in the world and there are a few good nature ones as well. This was my second time reading this book. I really enjoy it, although not as much as Kingsolver's other book of essays, High Tide in Tucson. One of the essays inspired me to eat more local food, although perhaps February in New York was not the best time to start that experiment. Anyway, this is a great book and everyone should read it. There is an essay about evolution and the importance of genetic diversity, "A Fist in the Eye of God", which I would like to give to my biology students to read. Another essay that really stood out was "And Our Flag Was Still There"* which really powerfully speaks about how those of us Americans who want peaceful solutions to conflicts need to reclaim the flag as our own, realize we are in the majority in the world, and not let the anti-patriotic discourse get us down. Both of these essays exemplify why I like Kingsolver's writings. I feel like she speaks what I am thinking, but way more eloquently than I ever could.
*this version is shorter than the one in the book
This is a book of essays that was partially inspired by 9/11. A lot of them deal with how to live peacefully and lightly in the world and there are a few good nature ones as well. This was my second time reading this book. I really enjoy it, although not as much as Kingsolver's other book of essays, High Tide in Tucson. One of the essays inspired me to eat more local food, although perhaps February in New York was not the best time to start that experiment. Anyway, this is a great book and everyone should read it. There is an essay about evolution and the importance of genetic diversity, "A Fist in the Eye of God", which I would like to give to my biology students to read. Another essay that really stood out was "And Our Flag Was Still There"* which really powerfully speaks about how those of us Americans who want peaceful solutions to conflicts need to reclaim the flag as our own, realize we are in the majority in the world, and not let the anti-patriotic discourse get us down. Both of these essays exemplify why I like Kingsolver's writings. I feel like she speaks what I am thinking, but way more eloquently than I ever could.
*this version is shorter than the one in the book
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
my brain
| Your Brain is Green |
 Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance. You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver. You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual). |
I actually think this is not very true. I am good at solving problems, and I often need time to work out my thoughts but I don't think much about relationships or philosophy, or even the future.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
This is me procrastinating
I am sooooo tired of applying for jobs. I have a goal of applying for 5 every weekday. I got behind the last few days so now I need to do 11 today. But it is so boring. My friend Maggie says I am riding myself too hard, so maybe I don't need to do 5 a day? But who will pay the rent if I don't get a job? Ah well. Anyway, I have had two interviews recently. One is for like a real professional job in event planning. It would be cool as I would make $18/hr. yippee! I felt like I was disappointing the interviewer with all my answers though. I also had an interview at a cafe in Chelsea which I think would be cool to work at, even though it only pays $8/hr plus tips. We will see. I am happy I am getting more interviews, as that means perhaps I will get a job one day.
Maggie and I saw Music and Lyrics yesterday. It was fun and about what I expected. But it was nice to have a movie deliver what it advertised. So it is recommended if you want a regular cute chick flick. After it we had coffee and split a cupcake with sooooo much frosting. It was out of control with the frosting. I think there was more frosting than cupcake.
Yesterday I also mystery shopped for the first time! Someone recommended it to me as a way to make money in grad school, so I signed up with the only non scam site I found. It was pretty cool. I went to a store, bought something and returned it, and then filled out a questionnaire about it. I should get $40 for it. It would be better if the store were closer to me, but I got to hang out around 5th Ave all day so it was cool. It got me out of the apartment. My dream is to mystery shop some restaurants and get the meal paid for.
Maggie and I saw Music and Lyrics yesterday. It was fun and about what I expected. But it was nice to have a movie deliver what it advertised. So it is recommended if you want a regular cute chick flick. After it we had coffee and split a cupcake with sooooo much frosting. It was out of control with the frosting. I think there was more frosting than cupcake.
Yesterday I also mystery shopped for the first time! Someone recommended it to me as a way to make money in grad school, so I signed up with the only non scam site I found. It was pretty cool. I went to a store, bought something and returned it, and then filled out a questionnaire about it. I should get $40 for it. It would be better if the store were closer to me, but I got to hang out around 5th Ave all day so it was cool. It got me out of the apartment. My dream is to mystery shop some restaurants and get the meal paid for.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Books!
6. Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
This is a memoir about the first 30 or so years of the author's life. She later becomes food critic of the New York Times, and the editor of Gourmet. In this book, she learns to cook as a child and then grows up through hippie times in the 60's and 70's and continues her love of food. I really liked this book, the author's voice is really engaging and her story is very interesting. I'm looking forward to the other memoirs she wrote about her later years (although I think Laura didn't like some of the others as much?).
7. Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
Funny funny Discworld book about a woman who disguises herself as a boy to join the army and look for her brother. Many surprises and hi jinks ensue. Very entertaining. You basically can never go wrong with Terry Pratchett.
8. Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation: Invisible Rules for Success by Rita S. Brause
This book was not so good. I think it was too clinical and removed for me. Also, I am so cynical about grad school now that it was also too optimistic. She had way too much about how writing your dissertation is a fabulous experience and you should take time and enjoy it. Blah, I say! Anyway, this might be useful for someone just starting grad school, to get an idea of what a PhD program is like, but it had little to offer someone like me who needs motivation and tips on the actual dissertation writing.
9. La Villa by Francine Pascal
OK, I got this book from the library solely because the name Francine Pascal, creator of the lovely Sweet Valley High series, leaped out at me. Francine, Francine, you let me down so. The book is not even fun trashy, it is just bad. A woman is sad because her husband died, she moves to France, blah blah blah. I don't recommend this, unless you just really want to read something by Francine Pascal. Actually, if that is the case I recommend you re-read the Sweet Valley High books.
This is a memoir about the first 30 or so years of the author's life. She later becomes food critic of the New York Times, and the editor of Gourmet. In this book, she learns to cook as a child and then grows up through hippie times in the 60's and 70's and continues her love of food. I really liked this book, the author's voice is really engaging and her story is very interesting. I'm looking forward to the other memoirs she wrote about her later years (although I think Laura didn't like some of the others as much?).
7. Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
Funny funny Discworld book about a woman who disguises herself as a boy to join the army and look for her brother. Many surprises and hi jinks ensue. Very entertaining. You basically can never go wrong with Terry Pratchett.
8. Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation: Invisible Rules for Success by Rita S. Brause
This book was not so good. I think it was too clinical and removed for me. Also, I am so cynical about grad school now that it was also too optimistic. She had way too much about how writing your dissertation is a fabulous experience and you should take time and enjoy it. Blah, I say! Anyway, this might be useful for someone just starting grad school, to get an idea of what a PhD program is like, but it had little to offer someone like me who needs motivation and tips on the actual dissertation writing.
9. La Villa by Francine Pascal
OK, I got this book from the library solely because the name Francine Pascal, creator of the lovely Sweet Valley High series, leaped out at me. Francine, Francine, you let me down so. The book is not even fun trashy, it is just bad. A woman is sad because her husband died, she moves to France, blah blah blah. I don't recommend this, unless you just really want to read something by Francine Pascal. Actually, if that is the case I recommend you re-read the Sweet Valley High books.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Help!
Help me out, people I went to college with.
What was the actual name of "vegan crack"? Remember, the chocolate-mint frozen vegan shake thing in the foil pouch? It is driving me crazy.
What was the actual name of "vegan crack"? Remember, the chocolate-mint frozen vegan shake thing in the foil pouch? It is driving me crazy.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Books!
3. The Old Comtemptibles by Martha Grimes
This is part of a mystery series all set in England. What can I say, I love books about the English police. This series is neat too, as each book is named after an actual pub. This one was pretty good, although the main character of the series was not in it too much, the secondary characters are really engaging so it was all ok.
4. Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes A Day by Joan Bolker
I love this book, and have become somewhat obsessed with it. It really spoke to me and gave me a lot of hope that I can finish my dissertation one day. I think the best thing about it is that the author thinks of writing as part of the thinking process, and says it is supposed to be messy. She tries to help the reader embrace that early messiness so one can come up with a really powerful end product. I haven't stuck with all her techniques so far, but I find them really valuable and will most likely buy this book so I can keep referring to it as I write.
5. A Primate's Memoir by Robert Sapolsky
This book is so so so good! This was my 2nd reading of it. The book is the story of Sapolsky as he lives with and studies baboons over 20 years. He has amazing description of Africa and he really captures what it is like to do field research with primates. So many times during the book I was nodding in agreement. He also has a great sense of humor. Be warned, there is some very sad stuff at the end, but it makes the book that much more powerful.
This is part of a mystery series all set in England. What can I say, I love books about the English police. This series is neat too, as each book is named after an actual pub. This one was pretty good, although the main character of the series was not in it too much, the secondary characters are really engaging so it was all ok.
4. Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes A Day by Joan Bolker
I love this book, and have become somewhat obsessed with it. It really spoke to me and gave me a lot of hope that I can finish my dissertation one day. I think the best thing about it is that the author thinks of writing as part of the thinking process, and says it is supposed to be messy. She tries to help the reader embrace that early messiness so one can come up with a really powerful end product. I haven't stuck with all her techniques so far, but I find them really valuable and will most likely buy this book so I can keep referring to it as I write.
5. A Primate's Memoir by Robert Sapolsky
This book is so so so good! This was my 2nd reading of it. The book is the story of Sapolsky as he lives with and studies baboons over 20 years. He has amazing description of Africa and he really captures what it is like to do field research with primates. So many times during the book I was nodding in agreement. He also has a great sense of humor. Be warned, there is some very sad stuff at the end, but it makes the book that much more powerful.
God wouldn't let us destroy the earth
Via Pharyngula I read this post about how a weatherman is saying there can't be global warming because God just wouldn't allow it. Yikes! Luckily, he's just a weatherman in Kentucky, so I'm not too worried it is a super widespread belief....
Sunday, February 11, 2007
New York weekend
Laura asked to hear more about living in New York, so here is some. Don't worry, Shannon! I will write about bread making soon as well!
Anyway, this weekend R and I went to see Bodies: The Exhbition. This is one of those exhibitions where actual human bodies are dissected in interesting ways and we can see how all the muscles and organs work. It was pretty cool, but R and I were a little underwhelmed as it wasn't totally amazing, as we had heard. We decided you can only look at so many muscles. There was a cool part that just showed the circulatory system. They injected a polymer into the system, it hardened into plastic, and then they dissolved the rest of the body away. It left behind these really beautiful and feathery structures. We also really liked the embryo/fetus room. Especially the embryos. I find it amazing to think about how we were all little single celled things once, and now look at us! R wanted to see more diseases, and I would have liked more organs systems. Organs are cooler to me than muscles.
So that was fun, although it took us a million years to get there. It was located on the A train, which we also live on. So at first you think, hey! No prob! The prob is we are impatient and the museum is pretty much on the exact opposite end of Manhattan from us. Usually the A runs express for quite a bit, so it is fast, but it has not been doing so lately due to construction on the C. Anyway, we get on the A, then remember we have to switch anyway to another A, because of other construction. We decide to outsmart the system and instead switch to the 1, which we will then take to the 2 or the 3 as one of them is allegedly express (isn't this fun to talk about?). We attempt this, get off the 1 to go to the 2 or 3 and find a sign that says no! The 2 and 3 are not running where we want to go. Then there is a very confusing sign saying something about the 5 running on the 2 but only as far as blah-de blah, but then we can take the 6 to the P to the Q or something ridiculous. We finally ascertained that the only train going to our destination was the A, so we got back on the 1, then back on the A, and finally arrived. Whew. On the way back we learned our lesson and just sat on the A the whole way. No problemo.
This discussion of subways is what, to me, makes NYC so unique. People like to talk about New York being special in lots of ways, but to me it is mostly just big. I am not enthralled by its 'specialness'. But the subway conversations are awesome! Nearly every time I am out the evening ends with "OK, I'll see you later, is the 2 near here?" "You can get the 2 at 32nd Street, but why don't you take the 9 to the 2?" "I don't like the 9, but can't I get the G at 30th and take that to the P to the 2?" "No, the P is not running this week, but you could take the J to the L." I love it! It is hilarious! I also overhear conversations like that all the time, and I think in depth discussions of the merits of different subway lines will always be New York to me.
Anyway, this weekend R and I went to see Bodies: The Exhbition. This is one of those exhibitions where actual human bodies are dissected in interesting ways and we can see how all the muscles and organs work. It was pretty cool, but R and I were a little underwhelmed as it wasn't totally amazing, as we had heard. We decided you can only look at so many muscles. There was a cool part that just showed the circulatory system. They injected a polymer into the system, it hardened into plastic, and then they dissolved the rest of the body away. It left behind these really beautiful and feathery structures. We also really liked the embryo/fetus room. Especially the embryos. I find it amazing to think about how we were all little single celled things once, and now look at us! R wanted to see more diseases, and I would have liked more organs systems. Organs are cooler to me than muscles.
So that was fun, although it took us a million years to get there. It was located on the A train, which we also live on. So at first you think, hey! No prob! The prob is we are impatient and the museum is pretty much on the exact opposite end of Manhattan from us. Usually the A runs express for quite a bit, so it is fast, but it has not been doing so lately due to construction on the C. Anyway, we get on the A, then remember we have to switch anyway to another A, because of other construction. We decide to outsmart the system and instead switch to the 1, which we will then take to the 2 or the 3 as one of them is allegedly express (isn't this fun to talk about?). We attempt this, get off the 1 to go to the 2 or 3 and find a sign that says no! The 2 and 3 are not running where we want to go. Then there is a very confusing sign saying something about the 5 running on the 2 but only as far as blah-de blah, but then we can take the 6 to the P to the Q or something ridiculous. We finally ascertained that the only train going to our destination was the A, so we got back on the 1, then back on the A, and finally arrived. Whew. On the way back we learned our lesson and just sat on the A the whole way. No problemo.
This discussion of subways is what, to me, makes NYC so unique. People like to talk about New York being special in lots of ways, but to me it is mostly just big. I am not enthralled by its 'specialness'. But the subway conversations are awesome! Nearly every time I am out the evening ends with "OK, I'll see you later, is the 2 near here?" "You can get the 2 at 32nd Street, but why don't you take the 9 to the 2?" "I don't like the 9, but can't I get the G at 30th and take that to the P to the 2?" "No, the P is not running this week, but you could take the J to the L." I love it! It is hilarious! I also overhear conversations like that all the time, and I think in depth discussions of the merits of different subway lines will always be New York to me.
Friday, February 09, 2007
my accent
I think this is correct. Impressive for such a short little quiz.
hmmm... some little red bars are not showing up, but I don't know why.
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. | |
| The West | |
| The Inland North | |
| Boston | |
| North Central | |
| Philadelphia | |
| The South | |
| The Northeast | |
| What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
hmmm... some little red bars are not showing up, but I don't know why.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Garlic-Potato Soup
Here is the recipe for super tasty Garlic-Potato Soup, from the March/April 2007 Cook's Illustrated.
Garlic-Potato Soup
(Serves 6 as a main course) -- R and I ate leftovers for days.
3 tbs unsalted butter
1 medium leek, white and light green parts, chopped small (about 1 cup)
3 medium garlic cloves, minced. Plus 2 whole heads garlic, rinsed, outer papery skins removed and top 1/3rd of heads cut off and discarded.
6 cups chicken or veggie broth plus 1 cup to thin soup, if needed
2 bay leaves
salt
1.5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound Red Bliss potatoes (unpeeled) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1.5 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
black pepper
1/4 c minced fresh chives
Garlic chips (recipe follows)
1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium high heat. When foaming subsides, add leeks and cook until soft (do not brown), 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic heads, broth, bay leaves, and 3/4 tsp salt; partially cover pot and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until garlic is very tender when pierced with tip of knife, 30to 40 minutes. Add potatoes and continue to simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Discard bay leaves. Remove garlic heads; using tongs or paper towels, squeeze garlic heads at root end until cloves slip out of their skins. Using a fork, mash the garlic to a smooth paste in a bowl.
3. Stir cream, thyme, and half of mashed garlic into soup; heat soup until hot about two minutes. Taste soup; add remaining garlic paste if desired. Using immersion blender, process soup until creamy, with some potato chunks remaining. Alternatively, transfer 1 1/2 cups potatoes and one cup broth to blender or food processor and process until smooth. (Process more potatoes for thicker consistency) Return puree to pot and stir to combine, adjusting consistency with more broth if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and serve, sprinkling each portion with chives and garlic chips.
Garlic Chips
3 tbs olive oil
6 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin lengthwise
salt
Heat oil and garlic in 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, turning frequently until light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to plate lined with paper towels; discard oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Yum yum! R and I made the soup pretty thick and we didn't use all the garlic head paste. The leftovers were really good, and did not get more garlicky. We feared the garlic would be overpowering after sitting in the fridge, but it was not at all.
Garlic-Potato Soup
(Serves 6 as a main course) -- R and I ate leftovers for days.
3 tbs unsalted butter
1 medium leek, white and light green parts, chopped small (about 1 cup)
3 medium garlic cloves, minced. Plus 2 whole heads garlic, rinsed, outer papery skins removed and top 1/3rd of heads cut off and discarded.
6 cups chicken or veggie broth plus 1 cup to thin soup, if needed
2 bay leaves
salt
1.5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound Red Bliss potatoes (unpeeled) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1.5 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
black pepper
1/4 c minced fresh chives
Garlic chips (recipe follows)
1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium high heat. When foaming subsides, add leeks and cook until soft (do not brown), 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic heads, broth, bay leaves, and 3/4 tsp salt; partially cover pot and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until garlic is very tender when pierced with tip of knife, 30to 40 minutes. Add potatoes and continue to simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Discard bay leaves. Remove garlic heads; using tongs or paper towels, squeeze garlic heads at root end until cloves slip out of their skins. Using a fork, mash the garlic to a smooth paste in a bowl.
3. Stir cream, thyme, and half of mashed garlic into soup; heat soup until hot about two minutes. Taste soup; add remaining garlic paste if desired. Using immersion blender, process soup until creamy, with some potato chunks remaining. Alternatively, transfer 1 1/2 cups potatoes and one cup broth to blender or food processor and process until smooth. (Process more potatoes for thicker consistency) Return puree to pot and stir to combine, adjusting consistency with more broth if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and serve, sprinkling each portion with chives and garlic chips.
Garlic Chips
3 tbs olive oil
6 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin lengthwise
salt
Heat oil and garlic in 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, turning frequently until light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to plate lined with paper towels; discard oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Yum yum! R and I made the soup pretty thick and we didn't use all the garlic head paste. The leftovers were really good, and did not get more garlicky. We feared the garlic would be overpowering after sitting in the fridge, but it was not at all.
Tidbits
I just spent all day sending CVs to EVERYWHERE in NYC. Everywhere that may even briefly think about hiring adjunct professors for the summer, that is. Whew. It tired me out and now I want to rest, but I still have many other things to do today. I may need a little break, though, or my brain might fall out.
My Office Supply Store is refusing to call me back. R thinks they are either so disorganized that they can't manage to call, or they don't want to hire me and are too scared to say so. It will be a sad day when I am rejected as a cashier at the Office Supply Store. Oh well. I had my teaching audition for the Test Prep Place. It went really well and improved my spirits greatly! It was so nice to be doing something I am good at. I am good at talking in front of people and teaching them things. I really hope they accept me and move me on to the next step which may be re-taking many standardized tests. Or I might get lucky and go right to the training because of my faboo teaching skills and good GRE scores. We will see. Anyway, my success with my 5 minute audition has reminded me that I am not a total failure. So that is good.
I think that is all for now. Next post will be the Garlic-Potato soup, just because I love Melinda so much.
My Office Supply Store is refusing to call me back. R thinks they are either so disorganized that they can't manage to call, or they don't want to hire me and are too scared to say so. It will be a sad day when I am rejected as a cashier at the Office Supply Store. Oh well. I had my teaching audition for the Test Prep Place. It went really well and improved my spirits greatly! It was so nice to be doing something I am good at. I am good at talking in front of people and teaching them things. I really hope they accept me and move me on to the next step which may be re-taking many standardized tests. Or I might get lucky and go right to the training because of my faboo teaching skills and good GRE scores. We will see. Anyway, my success with my 5 minute audition has reminded me that I am not a total failure. So that is good.
I think that is all for now. Next post will be the Garlic-Potato soup, just because I love Melinda so much.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Stagnant Drink
Someone found my blog by searching for the words in the title of this post. How interesting!
I need some motivation. I had my THIRD interview at Office Supply Store today. They are kinda out of control. They are supposed to let me know if I am hired by the end of the day, so that will be good to know. But I don't want to do any work as I am sad about money. Tomorrow night I have a teaching "audition" at one of those standardized test prep places, so I should get to work on that now.
I need some motivation. I had my THIRD interview at Office Supply Store today. They are kinda out of control. They are supposed to let me know if I am hired by the end of the day, so that will be good to know. But I don't want to do any work as I am sad about money. Tomorrow night I have a teaching "audition" at one of those standardized test prep places, so I should get to work on that now.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Stuff
I might try to start posting every Sunday, so at least I'll write something once a week. I have still not gotten back the blogging habit.
So here's what's been going on in Monkeygirl land. Right now I am beset by money troubles. My university screwed me over, as is its wont. Basically, they said I could have this loan and now all of a sudden they said I cannot, leaving me missing a large part of my expected income. I can't get another loan to replace the missing one, as I am not a half time student and I do not have a job. I decided to drop down to part time to save tuition money, but it has brought so many problems that from now on I think it is worth it for me to be half time for the rest of the time I am in school.
Which may not be as long as I had feared. I'm going to send some stuff to my committee mid-March and go visit them in the beginning of April. I plan to have a ton written by then, but not to be emotionally attached to it as it will most likely be ripped apart. So we will see how that all goes.
However I still need a part-time job. It is so hard to find one! The closest I am getting now is as a cashier at a Large Office Supply Store. But it pays nearly minimum wage which is sad. I registered with a new temp agency -- we'll see if they call me more than the other one I have been registered with.
I have been having a lovely time listening to podcasts on the subway. I went to Brooklyn a zillion times this week and it was great to listen to Science Friday, NPR:Food and MuggleCast as I rode the trains.
R and I have been doing pretty well with cooking. We made Garlic-Potato soup with a beer-cheese bread on Friday and it was all very tasty. Tonight we are having a butternut squash mac and cheese.
I have some more books to post about, and pictures of food but now I think I should nap.
So here's what's been going on in Monkeygirl land. Right now I am beset by money troubles. My university screwed me over, as is its wont. Basically, they said I could have this loan and now all of a sudden they said I cannot, leaving me missing a large part of my expected income. I can't get another loan to replace the missing one, as I am not a half time student and I do not have a job. I decided to drop down to part time to save tuition money, but it has brought so many problems that from now on I think it is worth it for me to be half time for the rest of the time I am in school.
Which may not be as long as I had feared. I'm going to send some stuff to my committee mid-March and go visit them in the beginning of April. I plan to have a ton written by then, but not to be emotionally attached to it as it will most likely be ripped apart. So we will see how that all goes.
However I still need a part-time job. It is so hard to find one! The closest I am getting now is as a cashier at a Large Office Supply Store. But it pays nearly minimum wage which is sad. I registered with a new temp agency -- we'll see if they call me more than the other one I have been registered with.
I have been having a lovely time listening to podcasts on the subway. I went to Brooklyn a zillion times this week and it was great to listen to Science Friday, NPR:Food and MuggleCast as I rode the trains.
R and I have been doing pretty well with cooking. We made Garlic-Potato soup with a beer-cheese bread on Friday and it was all very tasty. Tonight we are having a butternut squash mac and cheese.
I have some more books to post about, and pictures of food but now I think I should nap.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Project Spectrum
So I'm doing Project Spectrum again this year. As there are now three colors for every month, I'm going to try and really craft something in those colors, instead of just taking pictures like I did last year. My mom gave me this white yarn for Christmas, so my plan is to make a hat out of it for February. I hear eyelash yarn will be a pain to work with, but I will soldier on. I want a feathery white hat! Maybe I should buy some regular yarn and double strand it?
I haven't planned further than February, but I need to get back into my crocheting, so hopefully this will help.
Now I need to get back to work. I am making myself work 40 hours a week and recording how many hours I work each day. So far I am at 10 minutes for today, and that was all reading at line in the post office. I was on the phone with my school for a long time, as they are screwing me over with my loans. Should I count that as work?
I haven't planned further than February, but I need to get back into my crocheting, so hopefully this will help.
Now I need to get back to work. I am making myself work 40 hours a week and recording how many hours I work each day. So far I am at 10 minutes for today, and that was all reading at line in the post office. I was on the phone with my school for a long time, as they are screwing me over with my loans. Should I count that as work?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Books! 2007
OK, I'm getting myself organized. I think I really need to get a schedule in order to get all my dissertation writing, crocheting, reading and blog posting done. My getting back in the saddle with Book Challenge posting with totally make me post more. I know you all love my book reviews.
For 2006 I read at least 90 books. I was not quite as meticulous. This large amount of books can be attributed to being in the jungle where there is no TV or restaurants, or too many cool people to talk to, combined with the fact that my research involved long stretched of sitting around. So don't feel bad. I am not going to post a list of all the books I read because it would be way too much typing -- they are mostly all written in my journal though.
This will be the inaugural post of the book challenge for 2007! This is the third year for me, and I think that for me, the point is not to read 50 books, but to post about every book I read. I am a super fast reader, but that can sometimes translate into inattentive reading. I find that even posting a few sentences about each book helps me remember them more, and I think I get more out of them that way.
That said, I am starting out slow! It is already January 28 and I've only finished two books this year! I do have a third I am almost finished and a 4th I took a break from and will get back into. I have high hopes for the subway reading though.
1. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
I loved this book, as I love all Murakami. His books are often weird, and there is something about his voice, even in translation, that is really unique. So this is the story of a runaway teenager, some talking cats, and some other stuff. It is hard to describe. The weirdness in this book was a little more disturbing than in his other books, so it was not my favorite because of that, but still an excellent read.
2. Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson
I discovered this mystery series the first time I was in Suriname, in 2000. They are all about a caterer in Colorado who solves mysteries, and they include recipes! I really enjoy the combo of mysteries and food, so they are a good fluffy read for me.
For 2006 I read at least 90 books. I was not quite as meticulous. This large amount of books can be attributed to being in the jungle where there is no TV or restaurants, or too many cool people to talk to, combined with the fact that my research involved long stretched of sitting around. So don't feel bad. I am not going to post a list of all the books I read because it would be way too much typing -- they are mostly all written in my journal though.
This will be the inaugural post of the book challenge for 2007! This is the third year for me, and I think that for me, the point is not to read 50 books, but to post about every book I read. I am a super fast reader, but that can sometimes translate into inattentive reading. I find that even posting a few sentences about each book helps me remember them more, and I think I get more out of them that way.
That said, I am starting out slow! It is already January 28 and I've only finished two books this year! I do have a third I am almost finished and a 4th I took a break from and will get back into. I have high hopes for the subway reading though.
1. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
I loved this book, as I love all Murakami. His books are often weird, and there is something about his voice, even in translation, that is really unique. So this is the story of a runaway teenager, some talking cats, and some other stuff. It is hard to describe. The weirdness in this book was a little more disturbing than in his other books, so it was not my favorite because of that, but still an excellent read.
2. Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson
I discovered this mystery series the first time I was in Suriname, in 2000. They are all about a caterer in Colorado who solves mysteries, and they include recipes! I really enjoy the combo of mysteries and food, so they are a good fluffy read for me.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
sniffy sniffy
R and I have both had colds. It is sad around here, and we are going through Kleenex like crazy. I took a sick day yesterday which means I just sent resumes to 3 places and did nothing else. It also means I am not allowed to feel guilty for not doing anything else. I really couldn't leave the couch though.
Today I had to trek all the way downtown to see my advisor who is visiting on unrelated to me matters. We finished up earlier than I expected so then I trekked all the way back here so I could grab a nap, and then I am heading out again later for a talk. whew. OK, I am off to nap now.
Today I had to trek all the way downtown to see my advisor who is visiting on unrelated to me matters. We finished up earlier than I expected so then I trekked all the way back here so I could grab a nap, and then I am heading out again later for a talk. whew. OK, I am off to nap now.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sapphire Bullets of Pure Random
As you can probably see, I am having a hard time getting back into the blogging habit. I am going to try to find at least one day I week where I always post. So here are some bullet points for you:
- I had a meeting today at a local college and I'm going to teach there in the fall!! I get to totally make my own class up. It is going to be cool. Well, I get to teach there as long as the course gets approval and we can get at least 10 students to sign up. I am excited, though! I have to think of a catchy title for it and write a blurb.
- We made minestrone soup last night and it was taaasty.
- I also made wheat bread in the new breadmaker, but it is not that good. The wheat bread is giving me problems. It was too wet the first time, and this loaf is too dry, although edible.
- I feel like I got nothing done today and I am tired so I don't want to work more. But I guess getting a class for the fall was something so I should be proud.
- R made white chocolate dessert souffles last weekend. They were tasty and beautiful. I will post pics soon I hope.
- It has finally become winter. I enjoy it greatly.
- One of the best things about NYC, especially for a fast-metabolism girl like me, is that you are almost always near somewhere that sells food!
- I hate health care in the US for many many reasons, some of which I plan to write about some day.
- I want to make Parker House Rolls tonight, but it is looking doubtful that I will want to leave the house to get more flour. Hmmmm....
Monday, January 15, 2007
The Champion
Yes! My strange ability to predict winners in TV categories has made me the winner of the beautiful Goose. I am so happy to not have to send her away.
Tonight!
Tonight is the Golden Globes, one of the best nights of the year. Melinda and I have had a long running competition over who can pick the most winners. This year, Laura will be joining us. Here is the coveted Golden Globes Goose, for whom we compete. I love the goose so much that I am sure I will overcome my handicap of spending the last 6 months in the jungle with no TV or movies and emerge the victor!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Organized paradise
Our Ikea trip was so successful! It was a convoluted journey, as we took a bus to the Ikea which is in New Jersey. Then we shopped shopped shopped and got the bookcase, a full length mirror, a stool for the kitchen, and various little kitchen things. Then we rented a cargo van from Enterprise, drove to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought my bread machine! woo! Then we drove back to Manhattan and to Target where we got various other things and finally drove back home where we unloaded everything then got back in the van, drove back to Ikea, and took the bus back home. whew. Once we were home I ran out for bread making ingredients while R started furniture assembly. The furniture assembly went smoothly and the bread came out good. So all is going swimmingly in the monkeygirl world. Yay.
Now that we have the second big bookshelf I will be transforming a corner of the bedroom into an organized dissertation writing paradise. I also got a little document holder, a pink desk lamp, a white board and a stability ball to help me to this goal. The stability ball is to sit on instead of a chair. I find it way more comfortable, and it builds my core strength.
Also today I am finally getting a hair cut and doing laundry. The hair is just way too long.
Now that we have the second big bookshelf I will be transforming a corner of the bedroom into an organized dissertation writing paradise. I also got a little document holder, a pink desk lamp, a white board and a stability ball to help me to this goal. The stability ball is to sit on instead of a chair. I find it way more comfortable, and it builds my core strength.
Also today I am finally getting a hair cut and doing laundry. The hair is just way too long.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Resolutions
I told some friends a few days ago that I had no New Year's resolutions, but then I realized I had lied. I did make one -- to call my brothers more (or at all).
I have two younger brothers who are 2 and 4 years younger than me. As small kids we were really close, playing together all the time. We made villages with our stuffed animals and arranged them all over the house in little family groups. We also loved playing store and hauled out all the canned goods, wrote prices on them, and arranged them around the house. My mom loved having 3 kids so close in age and talks about how she would take us all on errands when we were 6 and under, and how all the cashiers would be amazed we were all hers. As we got older, my brothers came to annoy me more and more, and I am sure they would say the same about me. I got to like them more when they hit high school, then I went to college as did they and we drifted apart more. Now my brothers both live kinda near each other, and kinda near my parents in the Midwest while I am over here on the east coast. I talk to my parents often and they fill me in on my brothers' lives, but I rarely talk to them myself, unless we all happen to be in the same place for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Anyway, I realized it is important to me to have relationships with my brothers as adults, so I'm going to try and call them each 2x a month. I think that should be good and hopefully we'll have stuff to talk about.
I have two younger brothers who are 2 and 4 years younger than me. As small kids we were really close, playing together all the time. We made villages with our stuffed animals and arranged them all over the house in little family groups. We also loved playing store and hauled out all the canned goods, wrote prices on them, and arranged them around the house. My mom loved having 3 kids so close in age and talks about how she would take us all on errands when we were 6 and under, and how all the cashiers would be amazed we were all hers. As we got older, my brothers came to annoy me more and more, and I am sure they would say the same about me. I got to like them more when they hit high school, then I went to college as did they and we drifted apart more. Now my brothers both live kinda near each other, and kinda near my parents in the Midwest while I am over here on the east coast. I talk to my parents often and they fill me in on my brothers' lives, but I rarely talk to them myself, unless we all happen to be in the same place for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Anyway, I realized it is important to me to have relationships with my brothers as adults, so I'm going to try and call them each 2x a month. I think that should be good and hopefully we'll have stuff to talk about.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Random updates
We have returned to NYC from our tour of the Midwest. Much fun was had and many friends and family were seen. Highlights were my parents at the airport with Santa hats, Vietnamese food with a bunch of friends, driving to Iowa, Dairy Queen in Minnesota, New Year's Eve trivial pursuit, a pug dog and a baby in a Surinamese costume. Awesome.
R got money for an Ikea bookshelf for Christmas, so we have a journey to New Jersey planned for Wednesday. Billy bookcase here we come! When we moved to New York we went from a 1200 square foot apartment to a 600 square foot one. We are having some serious organizational problems to say the least and this bookshelf will save our lives. We're also going to look for some cheap housewares. Love the Ikea kitchen section!
The other good Christmas gift was money for a bread machine from R's entire family. I am so excited! We are going to eat tasty fresh bread ALL THE TIME. So I am now searching for the perfect machine. What bread machines do you guys have, and how do you like them? Any recommendations?
This upcoming week is going to be some recovery from the trip, plus shopping. I also need to write a new proposal for my dissertation as my methods changed, but that is mostly done so it shouldn't be a problem. I also might work a few days for the temp agency, get a hair cut and organize the rest of my life. I have been on the go so much since I got back, and have not had much time to explore New York, so that will be good to do this week.
R got money for an Ikea bookshelf for Christmas, so we have a journey to New Jersey planned for Wednesday. Billy bookcase here we come! When we moved to New York we went from a 1200 square foot apartment to a 600 square foot one. We are having some serious organizational problems to say the least and this bookshelf will save our lives. We're also going to look for some cheap housewares. Love the Ikea kitchen section!
The other good Christmas gift was money for a bread machine from R's entire family. I am so excited! We are going to eat tasty fresh bread ALL THE TIME. So I am now searching for the perfect machine. What bread machines do you guys have, and how do you like them? Any recommendations?
This upcoming week is going to be some recovery from the trip, plus shopping. I also need to write a new proposal for my dissertation as my methods changed, but that is mostly done so it shouldn't be a problem. I also might work a few days for the temp agency, get a hair cut and organize the rest of my life. I have been on the go so much since I got back, and have not had much time to explore New York, so that will be good to do this week.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Feliz Navidad
Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year to all! R and I are off for our annual tour of the Midwest -- 4 states in 2 weeks. It will be great. We're going to see my parents and brothers, R's parents and grandparents and many friends including Melinda, Laura, and many others who do not have blogs but are still fabulous people. :)
Today I had a long but good day. I woke up early and went and had an interview at a temp agency. They loved me and my mad Excel skillz so I should be able to make the rent each month. woo! Afterwards R and I met a friend for lunch and then did some Christmas shopping. We spent way too much time in Kmart and then nearly got trapped in Macy's, land of the never-ending escalators. After all that we walked around looking at window displays and finally saw the tree and Rockefeller Center. It was a great time and now I'm ready to head off for the Christmas celebratin'.
oooh! Also, there's a building near Rockefeller Center where there are big Christmas light snowflakes and they blink in time to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas songs. Awesome!
Today I had a long but good day. I woke up early and went and had an interview at a temp agency. They loved me and my mad Excel skillz so I should be able to make the rent each month. woo! Afterwards R and I met a friend for lunch and then did some Christmas shopping. We spent way too much time in Kmart and then nearly got trapped in Macy's, land of the never-ending escalators. After all that we walked around looking at window displays and finally saw the tree and Rockefeller Center. It was a great time and now I'm ready to head off for the Christmas celebratin'.
oooh! Also, there's a building near Rockefeller Center where there are big Christmas light snowflakes and they blink in time to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas songs. Awesome!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
random chit chat
R finished his last paper! Now he can frolic with me. Fun fun. Saturday we are heading out for our 3rd annual Christmas tour of the Midwest. Listen to radio stations near you for concert dates.
In the meantime, I have been super productive. I applied for a loan to pay the rent while I write the dissertation. I've also applied for a bunch of part time jobs and have an interview with a temp agency tomorrow, so we should not starve. We did have a brief freak out the other day about why *exactly* we decided to move to New York as two grad students with no income. But now I'm feeling optimistic again. I also got most of my health insurance application filled out and am now about to organize pictures to bring with us on the road. I'll have some pictures up for you blog readers before long as well.
So that's all my excitement. Oh, there are no stories from the DMV. It was very efficient and quick, except I don't get the actual license for three weeks. Until then I have a temporary one. Both Florida and Missouri can give out real licenses immediately. What's up with that, New York?
In the meantime, I have been super productive. I applied for a loan to pay the rent while I write the dissertation. I've also applied for a bunch of part time jobs and have an interview with a temp agency tomorrow, so we should not starve. We did have a brief freak out the other day about why *exactly* we decided to move to New York as two grad students with no income. But now I'm feeling optimistic again. I also got most of my health insurance application filled out and am now about to organize pictures to bring with us on the road. I'll have some pictures up for you blog readers before long as well.
So that's all my excitement. Oh, there are no stories from the DMV. It was very efficient and quick, except I don't get the actual license for three weeks. Until then I have a temporary one. Both Florida and Missouri can give out real licenses immediately. What's up with that, New York?
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
more NYC and maintenance
Today my big project is to go to the DMV and get a new driver's license. I am having some serious health insurance getting issues and am going to apply for Healthy New York which needs a driver's license from me. I am not 100% sure I am eligible, but it is worth a try. Health insurance SUCKS. Maybe I'll have some good DMV stories for you later.
I also moved to Blogger beta, so if you are reading on bloglines you might need to update the feed.
I also moved to Blogger beta, so if you are reading on bloglines you might need to update the feed.
Monday, December 18, 2006
NYC
Howdy ho all!
I am trying hard toget my stuff together to post a lovely summary of what all happened to me in Suriname, but it is hard. Right now I am pretty overwhelmed with figuring out my life and how I am going to make my half of the rent plus tuition.
Also I am all getting used to New York, so I have that whole adventure to process. I love it here so far and I can even travel around on the subways by myself as well as someone tells me which trains to take! We live on the far north end of Manhattan and to our east is a very Latino neighborhood. I walked around exploring it yesterday, and bought some $2 jeans. Also in our 'hood we have several Dunkin' Donuts, grocery stores, and lots of restaurants. There is so much going on.
Last night I saw Stranger Than Fiction with some friends. I really liked the movie, and on the way home I learned an important subway lesson. The lesson is: if there is a full car next to an empty car on the train, there is probably a reason that one car is empty. I hopped on to this empty car, proud of my cleverness, until I noticed the horrendous stench. Indeed, some poor man was ejecting some sort of bodily fluids and smelled sooooo bad. About 8 of us had gotten in this car and we all kind of huddled in a corner until we finally got to the next stop and could flee. So that was my first important subway lesson. It also reminded me of how fun it is to live in a big city and bond with strangers over incidents like this. All of us in the car were brought closer together. It was really beautiful, except that it was disgusting.
I am trying hard toget my stuff together to post a lovely summary of what all happened to me in Suriname, but it is hard. Right now I am pretty overwhelmed with figuring out my life and how I am going to make my half of the rent plus tuition.
Also I am all getting used to New York, so I have that whole adventure to process. I love it here so far and I can even travel around on the subways by myself as well as someone tells me which trains to take! We live on the far north end of Manhattan and to our east is a very Latino neighborhood. I walked around exploring it yesterday, and bought some $2 jeans. Also in our 'hood we have several Dunkin' Donuts, grocery stores, and lots of restaurants. There is so much going on.
Last night I saw Stranger Than Fiction with some friends. I really liked the movie, and on the way home I learned an important subway lesson. The lesson is: if there is a full car next to an empty car on the train, there is probably a reason that one car is empty. I hopped on to this empty car, proud of my cleverness, until I noticed the horrendous stench. Indeed, some poor man was ejecting some sort of bodily fluids and smelled sooooo bad. About 8 of us had gotten in this car and we all kind of huddled in a corner until we finally got to the next stop and could flee. So that was my first important subway lesson. It also reminded me of how fun it is to live in a big city and bond with strangers over incidents like this. All of us in the car were brought closer together. It was really beautiful, except that it was disgusting.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Returned!
Hey everyone!
Here I am back in the US and in my New York apartment! Things are good, I got a ton of data, I love my new apartment, the cats don't hate me. Watch this space for some photos and more stories of Suriname. As a quick preview: I changed my methods at the last minute, saw a jaguar, and got a botfly. Also I lost about 20 pounds. Good times!
Here I am back in the US and in my New York apartment! Things are good, I got a ton of data, I love my new apartment, the cats don't hate me. Watch this space for some photos and more stories of Suriname. As a quick preview: I changed my methods at the last minute, saw a jaguar, and got a botfly. Also I lost about 20 pounds. Good times!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
