Ridiculous

So. This week I participated as an associate in a conference held by the Program for Instructional Excellence (PIE), and the first day was rather....not fun, just because I was one of the few poor souls assigned to the outdoor manual labor required in order to provide lunch and seating to about 300-350 people. Surprisingly, however, this wasn't the worst part of the day. That began soon after I got into my car (with the blistering hot steering wheel). I just wanted to get home as fast as possible, and I had just turned onto Jefferson, when lo and behold, I was suddenly behind a jeep filled with four guys. What was so bad about that, you may ask? Well, the fact that they were going TEN MILES AN HOUR down the street, slowing down to five at certain strategic spots. Why were they doing this? They were cruising down Jefferson, gaping at the slew of new potential sorority sisters packed under tents in front of the sorority houses. Just as I was about to punch my horn and lean out the window making colorful suggestions (I was very tired, very sweaty, and very angry, and thus not my usual reserved self), we came to a stop sign, and another car had the right of way, and got between us. What a STUPID way to spend your time. What an INCONSIDERATE thing to do to other drivers on a two-lane street. C'MON! (Said with Gob Bluth's intonation).

Books to Movies

Yesterday, the newest installment of one of my favorite books series came out, and I read it in a matter of five or six hours. The book is the latest in the Stephanie Plum series by the author Janet Evanovich. The series is about an inept female bounty hunter in New Jersey, with quirky and strange supporting characters. I find the novels hilarious and fun, and I can picture almost every character. This always makes me yearn for a movie adaptation of the books, and I consider who would make the best main characters, etc.. Then, I remember to be careful what I wish for. Case in point: the Nancy Drew movie that is in theaters now. Now, though it is true that I have not actually watched the movie, I did watch an extended preview a month or two before the movie was released in theaters. That preview told me all I needed to know: whoever made the film and wrote the scripts and screenplay never read a Nancy Drew novel.

This realization was quite upsetting. I counted the Nancy Drew novels as one of the more formative influences on my life. I wanted to be a detective for the longest time because Nancy Drew was SO FREAKING COOL! I did my best to develop the sorts of skills she had, like keen observation and careful analysis of facts. I carry a magnifying glass in my purse to this day, just in case. I know it sounds ridiculously nerdy, but I think the Nancy Drew series (both the 1930s series and the 1980s series) was great! Nancy Drew was a smart and quietly gutsy young woman, who was mature for her age and who had better things to do than worry about getting married and having babies (even in the 1930s!). She loved puzzles and mysteries, and she didn't usually wait for Ned Nickerson (her standby guy) to go and investigate some really creepy areas. While the movie may have got THAT right, what they didn't get right was everything else. They have made that series into a mockery of what it actually was, and I hate the fact that anyone exposed to the movie and not the book series will think I wasted much of my youth reading some sort of ridiculous bubblegum crap. The characters are shallow and senseless, and almost nothing like what they were in the series. Anyway, it won't help to rant now. I just wish that the people who make these movies cared as much about the books they're ransacking for ideas as the fans of the books. Why should Harry Potter be the only well-depicted series?

Um?

So. Michael was looking over the news on the internet today, and found this. I'm really not sure what to say, but....well. You'll see.

Mistaken Identity

I received something unexpected in my campus mailbox--a letter from a young girl who thought I was an author of a biography that she had read. It was a sweet letter, with questions about the author's present-day occupation, and a request for recommendations for other biographies written for the younger set. She also expressed some of her own goals and hopes, and it made me think that perhaps not all children will turn out quite like some of the kids I see in class. For the first time in a long time, I felt less cynical. I am trying my best to find information about the author, but I have some fears that the author may be deceased. I think this book was published for the first time in 1944....and I know for a fact that the illustrator is dead. The book is a Scholastic title, and one in a series of biographies. I sent an e-mail to the Scholastic publishing office, in the hopes that someone will have contact information for the author, or will at least be able to tell me if she is dead. In any case, I will be able to write the girl back and tell her of some sites that are loaded with information about biographies for younger readers, so I am happy about that, at least. I might even purchase one to send to her, by way of apology for being the wrong person. I was very touched by the fact that the girl was so inspired by the book that she took the time to try and contact the author. I wonder if this is what C.S. Lewis felt like, every time he received a letter from an adoring young fan? If so, I can understand why he felt compelled to try and answer every letter.

Camping Trip!

As some of you know, Michael and I took a camping trip to the place where we honeymooned, the T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park. I have posted pictures from our vacation here, for anyone who is interested.

Michael and I are enjoying our summer, thus far. I have a lot of reading to do, because I'm taking my special area exam at the end of the summer. I am also participating in various reading groups, and will be assisting for a class during the latter part of the summer. Michael is busy working on experiments, as well as preparing lectures and course materials for the course he will be teaching in Fall 2007.

Michael has been really busy working with our yard by doing all the big stuff (seeding, watering, mowing, etc.), and I have been trying to do some of the more decorative and wild-life stuff (flowers, bird feeders, bird baths, etc.). We have a little above-ground pool that we will be putting up soon, and we need to level part of our yard to do it, as well as put up some lattice on our backyard fence to give us more privacy. Last year, the pool was on the side of the yard that is obscured mostly by our house, but we want to put it in a different spot this year. We also want to keep the neighborhood kids out of it, for fear that little kids might sneak in and drown, so we will be locking our gate and trying to obscure the fact that we have a pool back there. In any case, it should be fun, once we get it set up.

Anniversary, Cake, and Exercise

This past weekend, Michael and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary (March 11). We were pretty tired, because it was the day after we drove back from Texas (we visited my family over spring break). We enjoyed a piece or two of the top tier (actually a tier baked separately just for this purpose) of our wedding cake. We were warned by a few couples to expect it to be dry and fairly tasteless, but it actually stood the test of time rather well. It wasn't the best cake I've ever had, but it certainly wasn't the worst.
Speaking of cake, I baked a cake for my dad over spring break that was marvelous! It is a family recipe that comes from my mother's side, and is my dad's absolute favorite. I had never tasted it before, because I was even pickier as a child than I am now. The cake has pecans in it and as I child I didn't like such things. I was very surprised at how scrumptious the cake was, and cursed my childish tastebuds for letting me miss out on this cake, which was baked every Christmas, up until my parents divorced.
Enough about cake. I am on yet another health kick, and trying to do the 10-week running program that I found in the online version of Runners World Magazine again (I think I went into detail about it in a previous post). I am still on Week 1 because I didn't run at all over spring break (I started it the week before). Hopefully this time I won't get discouraged, because I always feel really good after the workout, and I think I can already tell a difference in how I feel generally. Once I have the running stuff under control, I'll add weights into my routine, and then I'll start seeing major differences. THEN once I am in some sort of shape that is better than my average (which is probably classified as "severely out of shape") I will try to take up tennis in a more serious manner. It will be interesting to see how my strategy works out. By May 14, I should be able to run for 20 minutes without stopping, and if I am good and start the weights next week, I should start seeing results in my muscles as well. Only time will tell.

Matter over Mind

I keep falling asleep in the afternoons. I've been really tired all week, and no matter what I try, it just happens. I had every intention of translating some Greek, but even after I drank a cup of coffee, I was out like a light. *Sigh* Doesn't my body understand that I have work to do, and that it shouldn't just knock me out whenever it wants?? Mind over matter MY ASS.

Valentine's Day

This year, Michael and I plan to celebrate Valentine's Day as we have for the past three or so years. We are going to order a pizza (something a little more exotic than we usually get) and watch television as usual (we don't go out on Valentine's Day). For dessert, we will enjoy strawberry soda with strawberry ice cream (one of Michael's favorite desserts). Fun stuff. Tonight I'm making mini-cupcakes to put in the common room of the philosophy department. I like to bake, especially for people who don't get to enjoy baked goods very often (many graduate students). Hey, Peter....I just had a thought: too bad you aren't around the department anymore. Now that you aren't a raging vegan, you'd be able to partake of the joy. Why mini-cupcakes, some of you may wonder? Well, I received a nifty cake carrier for Christmas that has slots for mini muffins, but the biggest reason is that I feel like punching people who say, "Well, I would have had one, but I didn't feel like eating a whole cupcake." A whole cupcake. Like it's an effort. What are you, an infant?? A supermodel?? Just eat it or be truthful and say that you don't like sweet snacks, etc., or that you fear my cooking. Anyway, I'm excited about these cupcakes, because they are going to be chocolate sour cream cupcakes with cream cheese icing and sprinkles. Tasty.

Weird Dream

I had a dream early this morning, in which I was running late to my college graduation (but the place looked like my high school). Later in that same dream, I had to keep hitting a a guy intent on murdering me in the head with a rock, to keep him unconscious until the police arrived. Hm.

A New Year

Well, it has been a while since my last post, and lots has happened which . . . is probably not all that interesting. Thus, I will simply note that I am going to be very busy this semester with classes, but since they are all interesting it will be a lot easier to keep up with the required work.

I find myself with little to say at this point, but I hope this post will at least get me back into the habit of posting. When I do find something to say, I will have already broken the "it's a new year" ice. Anyway, until then, gentle readers.....adieu.

To Do: (Ugh)

1. German exam (I didn't do so hot on the real exam, so now I have to do the in-class one)
2. Write 15-20 page paper for my Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Freud class
3. Write 20 page paper for Heraclitus and Parmenides
4. Grade papers
5. Pack and mail Christmas presents
6. Give Goose a bath

Hmmm...

Charlotte Bronte

I can't figure out how to do the 'e' so that her name is spelled correctly. In any case, I adore Charlotte Bronte. I think I could be happy reading and re-reading her books all my life. If I had to go live on a desert island and could only bring one book, I would bring either Jane Eyre or Villette. I adore Jane Austen as well, but there is a strange quality about Charlotte Bronte's writing that makes it more passionate and internal, more .... exciting somehow. You feel like you really are in the head of the person, especially in Villete. I was recently moved to re-read Jane Eyre (I think it was my third or fourth time) and I found myself just.... joyous to read it. Have you ever loved any book so much that you felt compelled to read it often, and when you did you reacted to everything occurring? If not, you have truly missed out on a singular, perplexing, and intriguing experience. If I have a soul, it positively SINGS when I read Jane Eyre and Villete. I realize this probably sounds incredibly nerdy and dorky and maybe even disturbing, but some of you will know what I mean. If you do know what I mean, and feel like commenting, what books have done that for you? It would be interesting to see what sorts of books have such an effect on other people.

Ack!!

So I'm very worried about my favorite show, Veronica Mars. It has never been the strongest show, ratings-wise. It is on the new network, The CW. The show is actually very good, and everyone that has watched it after I gave my recommendation has said, "This is actually much better than I thought it would be," and they continue to watch it! It comes on Tuesdays at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I'm becoming increasingly worried because although Fox was showing House, M.D. (another show I watch) at 8:00 P.M. at the beginning of the season, after the World Series ended, they switched it to 9:00 P.M.. Which SUCKS. My poor fledgling show may not have a chance!! Do you know what the highest-rated show for that time-slot is right now?? DANCING WITH THE STARS!! What a STUPID STUPID situation. Veronica Mars is SO much better, and hardly anyone even knows it exists. I have a really bad feeling that it will be cancelled, and that will be so awful. It's my FAVORITE show. The characters are engaging and complex, and the writing is good!!! If you don't believe me, just check out an episode or two and you'll see!

Everything is dying.

First my fish. Now my car. My car is dying. The people at Midas said those words that every car-owner fears: transmission. And not just "transmission fluid." Rather, "the problem seems to be something in the transmission, and we will need to take it out to figure out exactly what it is." All I know from my very limited experience is that whenever you hear the word transmission, it means this: $$$$ + Completely dead car one year later. I did not authorize the operation for my car. Michael and I are fast coming to the conclusion that it would cost more to fix it than the car is actually worth....so now we are keeping our eyes open for deals on used cars and we have decided to limit the use of my car. I think I'm just going to start walking. Yeah. Walking five miles to school everyday. Unlike a car, which wears down with much exercise, my body will actually get better with exercise. So, yeah. That's what I should do. Bleh. No, I'm not serious. I'm just going to hitch a ride with Michael for a while.

Eh.

Well, I didn't update this when it happened, but the day after my last post, my fish died. I decided to make another post, because I am always troubled when my most recent posts are depressing. In any case, Phineas is dead and I do not have any plans as of yet to replace him.

I've been bad about wasting time lately (look at what I'm doing now, when I should be translating German, ick). I recently purchased the Sims 2 Pets expansion pack, and have been playing and playing. It is ridiculous. I have also been re-reading Jane Eyre. It is SUCH a good book. Every time I read it I cannot believe how good it is. It has been on my mind a lot lately, because the BBC did a four part miniseries of it recently, starring Toby Stephens as Mr. Rochester, and an unknown (I think her names is Ruth Wilson) as Jane Eyre. It was VERY good. I rewatched it with Tina this weekend, and we ate copious amounts of sweets and drank way too much tea. It was awesome.

Speaking of entertainment, do not waste your time seeing Marie Antoinette. I went to see it this last Friday with some of the women from the philosophy department, and we all deemed it a disappointment.

I am getting better. I finally went to the doctor about my lingering cough, and it is definitely clearing up with the medications I am taking. Hopefully I didn't damage my recovery this morning by going out with my hair wet (it was a bit cold), but I really hate it when I can't get a parking space in my little gravel lot that I have discovered. Well, I've rambled on enough for now, I really must get back to work.

My Dying Fish....

So...my fish is dying. For some weeks now, I have noticed that he is bloated, and he has been getting progressively worse over time. I have expected him to die any day, and today he is definitely showing signs of dying. He is not dead yet....his gills are still moving a little, and if you move the bowl, he will move around a little, but he is swimming erratically. I feel....bad for him. I thought he was pretty old for a betta, but there are differing numbers regarding their average lifespan. Either way, I think I've had him for about one and a half to two years....maybe a little less. It seems longer than that, but it really can't be. I feel bad....I probably didn't take the best care of him. I try to convince myself that he was already half a year to one year old when I got him (and thus lived about three years, one of the average lifespan numbers), but I still worry that I could have taken better care of him. In any case, it is too late now.

To Bike or Not to Bike....

I am out of my apathetic mood. Yay! I am seriously considering purchasing a bike. Michael thinks I won't ride it very much, and since I'm inclined to agree that such a thing is possible, I don't plan to spend all that much on one. I think I would ride a bike more than I would play an electric guitar, so that is something. Plus, one of my neighbors would like to purchase a bike and ride as well, and one of my friends already does own a bike and wants someone to ride with. So....this could work out!

I think riding a bike would be a good source of exercise, even if I didn't ride explicitly for exercise. It also seems like it would be more fun than walking. I need something like that, because I think I've gained five pounds and it depresses me. I don't want to buy new clothes unless they are smaller. I get very depressed going shopping for bigger clothes. As a result of this recent suspicion of weight gain, I feel the need to engage in fun sources of exercise (things where I am not constantly reminded of the fact that I am exercising). My neighbors don't have as much time to play tennis anymore (they both work at jobs that have cut out our time for tennis), and I'm not good enough to play with anyone else. But I can bike all by myself if need be. I don't know.

In another effort to lose those pesky five pounds, and possibly more, I keep reminding myself that I should eat to live, rather than live to eat. I find this is easier to do if I remind myself that there are lots of people who are starving...this makes me feel guilty, and I only eat enough to get full, which is much less than I normally eat (though I don't send money to those countries or anything, so I'm still being rather selfish). As an added impetus to eat not only less, but healthier, I remind myself that three of my grandparents contracted adult-onset diabetes from their poor eating habits.

Ah.

So. I have a sinus/allergy thing going on now. Yeah. Maybe I'm dying. Maybe I'm weak, and I'm being selected against. I don't know. All I know is that I'm really, really bored with the whole coughing and altered voice thing. I still don't want to go to a doctor, because....I just don't. I'm stubborn, and only use doctors for special occasions. Month-long colds don't count....yet.

Michael and I recently purchased some Halloween candy (we buy it twice in the month of October, once at the beginning of the month, and then again toward the middle), and we are enjoying it very much. I'm excited about carving a pumpkin, but I need to think of what I shall carve.....I want to do something complex and cool. It is one of the few artistic things that I still do (but only once a year). I never can bring myself to sketch anymore, or even to make my silly comic strips. I haven't sketched in....years. Slightly depressing, that fact.

I also still want to play guitar. I wonder if I would be any good at it? Maybe I'm not cool enough to play electric guitar. Maybe playing electric guitar would make me cool enough to play electric guitar? Maybe I'll join my neighbor's air guitar band in the meantime.

I guess I just feel....well, apathetic. About everything. I think I need vitamins. Or sleep. Or healthier food. Or exercise. I need something.

Who's She-Ra?

So my neighbor friend Lisa and I went to the new Halloween store by the Office Depot yesterday, because we love Halloween, and because Lisa was still working on her costume. She is going to be She-Ra. When we were at the cash register with a sword and blonde wig, this was the dialogue:

Lisa: If I worked here, I would ask everybody "What are you going to be?"
Cashier guy: So who are you going to be?
Lisa: I'm going to be She-Ra.
Cashier guy: Who's She-Ra?
{a stunned silence ensues for approximately ten seconds}
Lisa: {turns to Rachel} This guy just almost got himself punched!
Rachel: {laughing} He probably isn't old enough. {To cashier} How old are you, boy?
Cashier guy: {obviously surprised age is an issue, presumably because Lisa and Rachel are both young-looking and hot} Why? How old are you?
Lisa: Twenty-six!
Rachel: {still laughing} Twenty-four!
Cashier guy: Oh, I'm nineteen.
Lisa: {scornfully} Nineteen! Geez.
Cashier guy: So, She-Ra...?
Lisa: You know He-Man?
Rachel: She was his sister.
Lisa: {sounding indignant} She led a rebellion.

After this it gets pretty boring, but the guy claimed he would look it up on Wikipedia. Anyway, it was a humorous exchange, even though it makes one feel a bit old. Any of you people not know She-Ra? I suggest you visit the link, before you get punched.

Guitar Goddess....

Lately I have been feeling the need to play a musical instrument, and in fact, to learn a new musical instrument. That instrument is an electric guitar. I guess I need to rock out? I don't know. All I know is that I keep thinking about purchasing an electric guitar, but I won't let myself right now. For one thing, Michael and I are saving for a Wii (the new Nintendo console, coming out in November). Between that and Christmas, I think to purchase something like a guitar (even the fairly cheap starter-kit one I would want) right now would be ill-advised. Plus, as Michael correctly pointed out, between the Sims 2 Pets expansion pack coming out in October, the Wii, and of course, ever-looming schoolwork, I probably won't have time to learn to play guitar. He thinks I wouldn't play it as much as I think I would, and this time I'll have to concede that he's probably right. But I still want to PLAY!!! Do you people think I could rock out? Do you think I could learn to play, given my personality and responsibilities? If I still want one come spring, I'll probably buy one. Any advice on what to look for in an electric guitar? Anything?