Ahh...The Oregon Trail....

Remember when THIS was the coolest computer game around? I gotta say, I'm not much of a gamer because, frankly, I don't have that kinda free time. However, I recently "acquired" this game and, I gotta say, I feel like I'm in elementary school all over again. Remember the old Macs this game ran on? With the little rainbow apple sticker on them. Remember back when you could practically count the pixels on the screen?

I was an Oregon Trail maniac back in the day. Being able to play on the school computers, even for a few minutes, was the reward everyone worked hard to earn. I remember that computers were so "new" and expensive that my elementary school only had about a dozen at first. That meant that in kindergarten and first grade we had to play in pairs. I was a master of shooting buffalo (still am) so, I was always designated "the hunter". I loved to hold down the arrow keys and spin while shooting all around. (Prolly why I don't own any firearms at the present....) My partner always got mad because we'd run out of bullets halfway through and then die of starvation.

Lately, I find myself gravitating toward The Oregon Trail when I'm stressed, busy, tired, bored....just about any time I don't want to be an adult. There's something oddly comforting in entering the DOS prompt, looking at the cartoony graffics super-imposed on the black screen and hearing the tinny themes of my childhood. Even though it's cheesy and ridiculous, as I totally admit to, it's somehow a lot more fun than DDR or Guitar Hero could ever be for me. I know all the gamers out there are cursing me but, whatever.

Games like this really make me think in a way that the new ones don't. These were the originals and, for that, they will always be special. The new stuff is all great and, therefore, all pretty much the same. It's funny to think that our generation is the very first to have had computers practically from birth. We've never known a world without computer games and the internet. It's amazing to think about how far it's gone in a VERY short time span; in a quarter of a century we went from black screens with yellow (or green) text and manual DOS prompting for programs to DSL, online social networks, live streaming video, chat rooms, and, of course, BLOGS! Amazing stuff...perhaps, when I'm 80 years old, all you out there will just be able to read my mind...scary, eh? :)

So, all you techno-boomers out there, do you remember when you first rode The Oregon Trail?

New Year, New Life...

...or, as the Spanish say, "Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva”. So, even though I wouldn't call it a 'resolution', that's my new plan for 2008. Live a new life. What do I mean by that? Well, here's the thing, I'm not perfect (not much of a shock) so, there are lots of things that I have the opportunity to change and make better. For example, I'm terrible at keeping in touch with old friends. Why? I always feel too busy to handle my present life and keep up on things from my past. But, as a beloved high school teacher used to say, "People make time for what they want to do". No more excuses.

Also, I plan to take better care of myself. I don't get enough sleep, drink too much coffee, don't exercise regularly enough and stress out all the time. If I want to live to be 100 years old, I'm gonna need some routine maintenance. According to the "Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator", I'm about 13 years off my goal.

I want to pay more attention. Not just in class (which would help) but, in my day to day existence. Instead of always waiting for the "best moment" for things, I need to let go and enjoy the imperfection of the present. When we look back, the simple, uninteresting moments of life can sometimes be the most important.

I want to be more humble. I've had many accomplishments in my life and I'm proud of myself for that but, they're over now. Sad, but true. Resting on one's laurels is never productive. Sometimes being quiet and listening, taking good advice, recognizing your ignorance, feeling your smallness and thinking more of others is hard to do. We're all wonderful and it's easy to get caught up in that but, taking time to recognize the good in others pays off in a big way.

Anyway, I don't want to get preachy so, I'll quit while I'm ahead. I'm just a bit pensive, if you haven't noticed. I've got big expectations for 2008; I'll probably let myself down in lots of ways--- procrastinating too much, talking too much, being ingrateful--- but, it doesn't hurt to hope, right?

So, peanut gallery, what fine-tuning do you have planned for yourself in 2008?

Overdose of Christmas

I'm feeling dizzy, nauseous, disoriented and suspiciously jolly.....I should not operate large machinery or attempt to cross busy streets unassisted. Why? I am feeling the effects of a Christmas overdose. Let me explain...

In the last week I have:

1) Attended a Christmas party at work.

2) Attended a Christmas party with fellow Ph.D. candidates (pictures to come!).
3) Attended the Radio City Rockettes Christmas show here in town.

4) Attended a showing of the Nutcracker Ballet (my first time at a ballet) with none other than Scott Hamilton as the "special guest", appearing as Mother Ginger (yup, in drag-- real shock, right?).

Not to mention Christmas shopping, songs on the radio, holiday commercials on TV, lights and wreaths everywhere--- it's almost enough to give a person a seizure. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy celebrating holidays as much as the next person but, is it just me or has Christmas become a virtual juggernaut of joy? A cascade of cheer? A pile-drive of peace? A hornet's nest of hallelujahs? I could go on and on.

The point is, no wonder everyone I meet is stressed out and suffering from serious bouts of insecurity! We're all being pushed to the sonic boom of Christmas. Why? Because people have forgotten the point of it all. Regardless of your religious affiliations, December and January are supposed to be a time of thankfulness, reflection and remembering the value of family.

In any case, I'm tired of Christmas and it isn't even here yet. I'm over-stimulated and practically strung out on it. I think we could all use a little detox. Happy Rehab to all and to all a good night!

Isn't it ironic?

Sometimes I just gotta laugh at the irony in my life. Today has been a good case for demonstration. First of all, it is the middle of December and I wore flip-flops to class this morning. Am I really that hearty, you ask? Thick-skinned? Nope....it was a balmy 71 degrees today with a slight spring-smelling breeze. Ironic? Oh yeah....considering that I'll be flying home for Christmas and will be greeted by 2 inches of snow and blustery 30 degree weather (not including windchill). I love the South!

Oh yeah, remember that Regina Spektor concert my little heart has been yearning for? Well, it was supposed to happen Dec. 6th (after being re-scheduled from Nov.) but, I was called by the theater and informed that it had been postponed yet again--indefinitely. Bummer. So, a few days later, I found awesome tickets to see the Gipsy Kings (another act I am dying to see) on Feb. 27th at 7pm so, I rally a few friends and we buy them before they sell out. Hurray! Then....

This morning, I check my email and rejoice to see that they have finally set a new date for the Regina Spektor concert. Guess when? Yup, Feb. 27th at 7pm. Grrrrrrrr.....so, if anyone out there can make it into town, I'm willing to sell you my ticket to see Regina; otherwise, I'm just going to get a refund. Ah well, the Gipsy Kings will probably put on a better show anyway.

Made me think of this song....an oldie but a goodie....Anyone else out there got a little irony in their lives?

The poopy-flavored lollypop that is my life....

Ok, so things around the 'ville have been a little crummy for me lately. I know I have no right to complain; there are FAR worse things happening in many, many other places in the world (I study them daily) but, I think we all need to indulge ourselves in some good, old-fashioned bitching/venting every once in a while, right? Here goes...

Things That Make Me Go "Arg":

1) I have sweet tickets to see Regina Spektor live and the show has been postponed twice now. They are currently re-setting the date and if they place it smack in the middle of Christmas break I will hurt someone.

2) My "girlie" issues have turned me into a raging lunatic this month. Things are pissing me off that never piss me off. For example, my job ran out of coffee the other day and there was only (dun-dun-dun) decaf. I was outrageously annoyed for the remainder of the day and huffed all the way home. Only when relaying this unjust incident to my significant other did I realize that I had totally lost my mind. Go figure...

3) My arranged ride home for Christmas had some complications (which aren't their fault at all) but, now I have to buy a one-way ticket and then pan-handle for a ride back. Or drive my heap home and back---eh, not such a good idea. The last thing I need is to break down in "Godforsaken City, KY" and try to find a mechanic. So much for planning in advance.

4) The weather here is so fickle it's driving me insane. I wake up in the morning and it's sunny and crisp. By the the time I come home it's very cold and very windy. I'm always freezing my butt off or sweating like a pig no matter what I wear in preparation.

5) Finals week is rapidly approaching and I feel completely overwhelmed. I have one exam to study for, two books to read, and three papers to write before I'm outta here. Makes me wanna take a shot and then a nap....

6) I had a huge paper to turn in this week for a class and, for extra input, I decided to email it to my advisor. They almost immediately emailed me back wanting to meet and talk about the paper. Ugh....doesn't bode well for me. And I thought I did a decent job on this one--- arg, guess I'll get mine handed to me tomorrow.

7) I am a complete failure as a Christmas shopper/ gift giver. I simply have no idea what to get anyone this year. No one needs anything or wants anything and, when asked, says "Ah, you don't have to get me anything." Well, damnit people, you keep telling me that and I'm going to believe you! Plus, I hate malls---hate, hate, hate them. All the people, noise, canned music, bad perfume---ugh, too much. I shop like a soldier on a mission--- get in and get the hell out before something gets shot off.



Two pleasant things that help me forget my troubles are good books and good music, both of which I have encountered lately. I highly recommend these...

Three Cups of Tea by: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin--- Amazing book, trust me, you'll walk away feeling inspired.

The Weepies---LOVE this band; every song I've heard by them is fun and catchy. This is the video for "Nobody Knows Me At All".

So, peanut gallery--- what makes you stressed and grumpy? What do you do to unwind and get happy again?

All Americans MUST see this movie....

Ok, so lots of people hate Michael Moore. When I saw him speak in Fairmont, WV for the 2004 elections, I wasn't exactly impressed myself. But, who cares? Aside from a less than attractive personality, this guy is smart and he's doing a great thing by making the movies he does. SiCKO, in particular, is a movie everyone in this country needs to see . I was shocked and really saddened by what I saw. Frankly, it made me want to move to another country---any other country. It amazes me what we let our government get away with. Then, on top of that, we have this ridiculous attitude of "America is the best, man. We're the best country in the world. That's why everyone comes here." Eh, not so much. People come here to make money, not to have the best life possible anymore. The really frustrating part is that we have the power to change it and yet we don't so, it doesn't get changed. However, bill H.R. 676 was an important turning point in this battle. It was a bill that proposed the creation of a new nationalized health care system. Michael Moore's webpage links to information on this piece of legislation--> http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/what-can-i-do/. Although it already went to a vote on Nov. 14th (and was defeated), it is still important that we write to our congressional representatives, or even the presidential candidates, and demand that they make national healthcare a top priority in 2008. And then, perhaps, there will be another proposed version (that will actually pass) of this landmark bill in the future. This is a bipartisan issue and it benefits us all; it is time that we finally take control of our health and get what we need from our government!

Music City, USA

Guess who's going to see Regina Spektor live in concert?? Yup, that's right---Dec. 6th, baby! Actually, I was supposed to see her two weeks ago but, the show got cancelled because she was sick. So, they re-scheduled for December, which is actually better for me. I'm so pumped! That's the beauty of living in the music capital of the U.S.--- everyone comes here! I will be seeing the Rockettes right before Christmas break and then, hopefully, the Gipsy Kings in February. Gotta love it...

My hair is not my friend...

I know for a fact that each and every person (especially women) have something about their body that they don't like. Some of us are able to hide that better than others. For example, internal medical or psychological issues can remain virtually unknown to everyone your entire life. However, physical things are harder to disguise. Even then, there is wiggle-room. If you have ugly feet, you never have to wear sandals. If you have a small chest, Victoria's Secret push-up/padded bras are your best friend. Every now and then, a woman has a physical difficulty, let's say, that is quite impossible to hide.

In my case, it's my hair. I have struggled with my hair my entire life. I have thin, fine hair that is, at the same time, quite curly. Naturally, this is a rather unusual combination (thanks Mom and Dad). This limits the kind of hairstyles that physically work on me (not to mention my unusual face shape). So, in my entire life, I think I've had a total of about 5 distinct haircuts--- two of which were disastrous.

As a result, I have developed an unnatural fear of the hair salon; this fear is comparable to what some people have of doctors, dentists, needles, or the bubonic plague. I HATE getting my hair cut. It is, unfortunately, a necessary evil in my life (unless I want to look like Cousin It). This fear is born of the fact that I have NEVER encountered a hair stylist out there that has even the most remote clue as to what to do with my hair and how to do it. The biggest tip-off is when they come at me with a brush and/or blow-dryer. Uh-uh, honey-- you just lost the game (and a tip). So, yesterday I was feeling sadomasochistic and decided to give the hair-dressers of the Southeast a turn at my freak-hair. What can I say, I'm just a glutton for punishment?

After almost an hour of intense cutting and primping, I walked out of that salon looking like a cross between little orphan Annie and Phil Spector--- needless to say, I was not the prettiest girl at the ball. I paid $45, including the tip because I'm too much of a wuss to stiff someone, to look like a miniature poodle. Sad? yes--- Surprising? Not so much. Why do hair-dressers not understand that teasing is never the answer??? Is that really the only thing they know how to do? I really had hope, though. I even brought a picture (after intense research about hair type and face shape) because I thought perhaps it was my inadequate verbal articulation of what I wanted that made for my failing track-record. Ah well. I got home and immediately took a shower to wash out all the Aqua-Net-like product that had been used to make my hair a virtual Tower of Babel. After playing with it on my own, it isn't half-bad. I've learned to have a sense of humor about it all (so that I don't cry) but it still sucks when your own body seems to be rebelling against you.

So, for all of you out there, what aspect of your physical appearance do you wish you could change? Have you tried to change it several times with little or no success? How do you deal with not looking the way you want to (or feel you should)?

Hockey, Halloween and Tornadoes

Yet again I find myself way behind in my blogging and life in general. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day (particularly after the time change) to get everything done.

So, what have I been up to you ask? Well, I've been to two hockey games in the last month-- pro games for the local team-- which was pretty awesome 'cause I love me some hockey. The first game, my seats were toward the middle of the area but, the second game, oh my. I got two BOX seat tickets...for FREE-- courtesy of my part-time job. How great is that? They pay me and they give me free stuff. It was seriously one of the highlights of my year; I went with my buddy Adam, who is a major hockey fan and now swears that I am the coolest person alive. Get this, we got: free food, free drinks, free alcoholic drinks, free t-shirts, free programs and...a free dessert. About halfway through the game a dessert cart passed by all the boxes and we could choose from things like NY-style cheesecake with fresh strawberries, Bavarian chocolate cake, Snickers pie, 7-layer carrot cake or we could get a shot of a liqueur like Bailey's or Kahlua. Heaven, heaven....it just doesn't get any better than free entertainment AND free food. God bless them, God bless them all.

Also, as you can see by the photo, I went to a rockin' Halloween party with the other first-years. Everyone dressed up, we made total fools of ourselves and it was a lovely night. In case anyone is wondering, I was "Trailer Park Barbie"--- not Britney Spears, which was the popular guess. I went all out, I'm not ashamed to say; right down to the Marlboro permanently on hand (I gave the rest of the pack away) or in the mouth (with beer bottle), baby doll, prego belly, fake tattoos and blacked-out teeth. How sweet it is...

Yesterday evening I got my first experience with southeastern USA weather-- tornadoes. Yeah, being a WV girl made it virtually impossible for me to wrap my brain around the idea of a tornado being a real possibility until the sirens started going off. Natural disasters just don't happen in WV. Not fun at all, let me tell you. Luckily, even though some were sighted, nothing touched down or did serious damage. It was a very sobering experience-- in a few minutes you could lose everything and you're completely powerless. I just kept thinking how I wished my boy was there and I wished I could talk with him. Anyone out there experienced a natural disaster? What kind was it? What were your thoughts when it happened?

For all cat lovers out there...

Thought this might give you a giggle...

The Do's and Don'ts of Tying the Knot

This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing my two good friends Alex and Allison seal the deal in a lovely autumn in WV wedding. I was a bridesmaid (yet again) and did my part so that their big day went exactly according to plans--- and if you know Allison, you also know how VERY important that is. My boy and I had the chance to see eachother again after a bit of a hiatus so, that was definitely nice. It's amazing how much you can miss a person's physical presence even though you talk to them virtually every day.

As I have reached the end of my long list of to-go-to weddings for this year, I feel I have garnered a bit of knowledge that may be valuable to some of you out there who are (as yet) unmarried. Here's a top 10 list of advice from a decidedly un-experienced and non-authoritative, (yet)professional wedding attendee....

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10- Forget the stupid little details!! No one notices or remembers them anyway (i.e. the color of the napkins, the centerpiece, the favors, etc.). People waste way too much time and money on the minute details and miss the big picture in the process.

9- Do NOT, I repeat, Do NOT play: the chicken dance, the electric slide, the macarena, the hussle or any other cheesy dance song at the reception...it gets old real fast.

8- Pick a good cake. Nothing ruins a good wedding meal quicker than a cheap (more icing than cake) or overly rich, wedding cake. The cake is more than likely the last thing the guests will eat so, you should try to leave a good taste in their mouth (literally).

7- For the love of God, no performers. No sappy poets, no droning speakers and no warbling singers. The wedding is the show, we don't need any more.

6- Be kind to your bridesmaids/groomsmen. Do not make them wear anything you wouldn't (or something that wouldn't flatter you). And, just as a word of style advice, classic is always better. Trendy color combinations involving browns or oranges are better left inside Modern Bride magazine and off the bodies of real people.

5- Do NOT have a deejay. They always, always, always suck....no affordable one will have any kind of skills and they will never match your taste in music, no matter how much they promise to stick to your request list. A live band is preferable but expensive. Even a laptop hooked up to a stereo system on a random shuffle of your Windows Media Player playlist is better--- at least you can censor what is played.

4- You do not need a wedding planner. They are pushy, expensive, bitter old maids who want to control your special day and live vicariously through your checkbook. Do your own thing and make it reflect the two of you! If you plan far enough ahead and keep it simple, you can do it yourself. Nothing is sadder than a standard, cookie-cutter wedding. Just be sure to delegate--- the man should share equally in the planning; weddings are not solely the responsibility of the bride.

3- Do NOT videotape your wedding. It is a huge waste of money and I have never in my life known of anyone who actually sat down and watched the tape---ever. Videographers are pirates; if you have pictures, that's enough. Plus, even if you are self-absorbed enough to sit down and watch 2 hours of yourself on film, no one else will ever want to; so, please, don't tempt yourself to smother the rest of us with your blissful film festivals.

2- Make sure, regardless of who will be toasting you, that you know what they are going to say and how long they plan to ramble on (and how much they have had to drink prior to taking over the microphone). Most people think they are witty and profound but few actually are and the guests are always the uncomfortable victims in this scenario.

1- Enjoy the day! I've been to WAY too many weddings where the bride and groom spend the entire reception meeting and greeting. Forget that--- dance like an idiot, stuff your face and have fun because the day will pass quickly and you should squeeze as much joy out of it as possible; after all, you paid for it!

No nuts for the little lady....she's allergic....

Can you frickin' believe this?? Home Depot has decided to create a 'female friendly' version of its stores and, get this, they're calling it Her Depot. Whoever does their marketing research needs to be fired and branded on the forehead with the word "idiot". It is a store where,

"You won't find any lumber yards, contractor-grade tools or commercial building supplies. What you will find are flower bouquets, well-lit athroom and kitchen displays, stylish home furnishings and stacks of floral-print storage bins."

Gee, what I've always wanted--- another place that sells totally useless, decorative, over-priced shit. Hmmm...don't we already have a few of those around? (i.e. Crate and Barrel) Women will clearly never need nails, nuts, bolts, hammers, a wrench or, god-forbid, a piece of wood; we all just have our darling little hubby do all the heavy-lifting, fixing and logical thinking. As we all know, ovaries are like kryptonite to handiness.

I just don't understand how they think this is an new and appealing prospect for women (maybe cerca 1950). It will have "softer lighting", "lower shelves" and will be "neater and cleaner" than the typical warehouse style found at Home Depot and Lowe's but will have less stock (25% less). So, essentially, it will be a place with mood lighting and elevator music where women can buy fake flowers and call it home improvement--- ridiculous. All they have to do now is paint the exterior bright pink and the insult will be complete.....grrrr. Screw you, Home Depot! Oops, can't use 'screw'...that's manly hardware....POTPOURRI YOU, HOME DEPOT! (much better)

Must remember to eat and sleep....

My life has been so crazy lately I'm going to give the bulleted version (with explanatory photos)....

* saw "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" for free courtesy of my lovely department (since it's a semi-historical film); my verdict was B-.....pretty and engaging but ridiculously inaccurate and hopelessly cliche at times


* saw "Lady in the Water" courtesy of Blockbuster online; awesome film, I give it an A


* sang karaoke with the other newbies in my department Friday night at a local western bar; very intimidating when everyone there is an aspiring country singer but we had a blast making total fools of ourselves.... Exhibit A----- >


* spent the rest of the weekend reading an excellent book, Intimate Ironies: Modernity and the Making of Middle-Class Lives in Brazil and writing a review....potential dissertation topic? perhaps...

* got invited to a baby shower for one of my best friends from "way back in high school", always wanted to be able to say that; spent some time looking for good gift ideas.... anyone have a suggestion???

* tweaked my final itinerary for my trip to WV for one of my gal-friend's wedding....coming up oh-so-soon; spent time looking for a second gift to give....any ideas???

* struggled make a final decision on where I'll be traveling to this summer....and with what program....to do what? arg....sometimes lots of options makes things harder...

* I've been attending both the Spanish and Portuguese conversation tables religiously....can't tell you how confused that has made me....sometimes I speak and then have to pause to consider if I'm speaking the right language with the right group...


* I met the ex-President of Brazil!!! Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso. How cool is that? He came and spoke on campus....it was quite the to-do...Exhibit B---- >

* tonight I'm going to a Cuban timba music concert with "Tiempo Libre"-- Grammy award-winners....if I go to the reception before the concert I might get to meet them.....I love my life :)

"Satanic Verses" and Bad Tango

I got to hear Salman Rushdie speak on Friday evening!! How awesome is that? I love his books and he's a wonderful public speaker-- very dry, witty and highly opinionated. He spoke not so much about his books but, rather what the role of the author is in modern society. Based on his own reputation, he is clearly a writer in favor of "shaking things up" and using writing to make the public think critically. He poked fun at: Bush, Dan Brown, the Ayatollah Khomeini (who put out a fatwa, or death threat out on him for Satanic Verses), Republicans, J.K. Rowling, etc. There is an obvious attraction for him to the controversial. I must say, his treatment of the Q&A section was rather light (joking about the questions more than answering them) but, he did seem to be responding as honestly and bluntly as possible. I wish I had been able to meet him personally (he was signing autographs and chatting at the reception prior to the lecture) but I thoroughly enjoyed his speech. I highly recommend his work to anyone out there that likes mysticism, religion, history and a heavy dose of political incorrectness.


Later that evening, I went with a few friends to a tango demonstration at a local park. I really like tango music so, I was really looking forward to seeing a dance troupe perform it. However, I was rather disappointed. Most of the time was spent on instructing participants on the basic steps of tango--- which took forever. Then, they made a laundry list of announcements about the group...blah, blah, blah. FINALLY, they got to the tango performances....and, frankly, they weren't very good. I know, I know, who am I to judge? I am by no means a tango dancer nor a professional dancer in any capacity. However, one doesn't have to be able to draw to recognize a good rendering of a landscape--- you just know how it should look. I've watched the film Tango from Argentina so, I'm rather well-acquainted with how the dance should look....and it didn't look like that, at all. Oh well, it was a tantalizing prospect anyway.


So, I have two questions for everyone this time: What is your favorite "bad" book? A book that crosses the line, so to speak, and pushes the limits of polite literary society-- perhaps a banned book? Secondly, have you ever experienced something that received lots of hype only to be sorely disappointed at the actual results?

My 15 minutes....

Check it out, I've been blurbified....cool....

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/historydept/graduate/students

Lots of fun = No work done

I had such a great weekend!! This city is too fun to resist, even when there is a pile of work waiting for you. This, of course, translates to, "I got virtually nothing done worth mentioning." Oh well, I'll just have to play catch-up this week. The good thing is, in speaking with other grads, I'm not alone in my "behind schedule" status. (Above: Myself and my new friend Margarita, from Spain at the jazz club).So, my weekend consisted of:

Friday- leaving work early with crushing headache (girlie stuff); a short nap and lots of aspirin later, I was good to go; cleaned my house quickly and baked some brownies; the Newbies arrived for our weekly "Movie Night" that I was hosting; ended up not watching a movie but eating, chatting and playing Apples to Apples until about 2am

Fun category: Very chill, squeaky clean, getting-to-know-you kind of fun with close friends.

Saturday- woke up very late due to 2am bedtime; made vain attempt to read for upcoming week; couldn't concentrate-- watched movie instead; cleaned up after Friday night gathering; called some friends; went salsa dancing with some Latin friends at a downtown bar (with AWESOME live salsa band); went to bed around 3am

Fun category: Wild, fast-paced, sweaty, work-your-body-til-it-hurts kind of fun.

Sunday- woke up very late, again; made vain attempt to read; couldn't concentrate-- cooked full Brazilian meal instead; nursed my aching and blistered feet; called some friends; went to local bar (pictured above) with some fellow grads to see professional jazz band playing (retired studio musicians); went to bed about midnight thinking, "Oh my god, the weekend is officially over already."

Fun category: Sophisticated, adult, too-cool-for-all-you-other-cats kind of fun.

My question to the peanut gallery is: how do you balance what you HAVE to do with what you WANT to do? Are there times when letting work go on the back burner is necessary? What do you do to unwind after a rough week?

Ode to Teva

These are THE BEST flip-flops I have ever owned (and I'm quite the connoisseur). The Olowahu by Teva is incredibly comfortable and very durable. It is truly a walker-friendly shoe, which can't be said of most flip-flops, or even sandals for that matter. Being a poor grad student, I walk a mile to campus and a mile back each day. I have, in just a month, reduced my feet to ugly blister and callous-laden versions of their original selves and utterly destroyed one pair of flip-flops. This shoe by Teva is really spongy so your feet don't get blisters and the straps are soft enough not to cause callouses. I'm a believer. Go buy Teva!!

Gore Vidal and giggling like a school girl

On Tuesday evening I had the opportunity to see a living legend speak--- Gore Vidal. He's a huge figure in history, politics, American culture and a rather prolific novelist and playwright. Needless to say, I was excited to have brush with greatness. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way.

Two other grad students from my dept. attended with me and we all came to the same conclusion---
Gore Vidal is just a rude, bitter, cantankerous old man. First of all, he didn't answer any of the questions the moderator posed to him; he simply made catty little comments and joked around everything, only pausing to speak about whatever suited his inexplicable fancy. Those rambling speeches consisted of: 1) insults for Southerns (of which, by heritage, he is--ironically enough) 2) insults for GW Bush, which I honestly didn't mind, and 3) lamentations about how perfect everything was in 1945 after WWII when America "had the world by the balls" and how we are now going to hell in an emperialist-shaped basket. Basically, our country sucks, we screwed it up and there's absolutely no hope of fixing it. Niiice.

Then, he proceeded to insult and/or avoid every question put to him by the audience. One woman innocently asked him why he had decided to sell his long-time Italian residence and move back to the U.S. He then answered her, "Did it ever occur to you that I never really moved away? That I was just a temporary resident? That I've always lived in the U.S?" What a jerk, right? I mean, seriously, he couldn't have done more that evening to insult and belittle people who were practically kissing his feet. It was ridiculous. I've never seen a more self-absorbed, ungrateful prat in my whole life. Aren't we supposed to get wiser and kinder as we age? Or, at least, more understanding and tolerant? In the end, I find myself still searching for that great American figure to look up to--- with nothing but disappointment to show for it.

On the upside, last night was the very first "Newbie History Geek Movie Night". Our first film--- Monty Python and the Holy Grail, of course (my personal, VHS copy 'cause I'm just that cool). It was a really fun evening. I like my fellow classmates more and more as time goes on. They are just smart, humble, funny, down-to-earth people which, in grad school, is exceptionally rare. I didn't get home until about 2am, much to my surprise. We were all enjoying ourselves so much with the movie, chatting, eating and drinking that we didn't notice at all how late it was. I found myself giggling like a little school girl seeing Monty Python again after such a long time; that good, hearty, I'm-a-dork-and-don't-care-who-knows-it kind of laughter that comes so rarely after age 12. Thank God for small miracles and good conversations....

Who knew Mowgli was so talented??

This just made me giggle...especially the parts I understood..."Que un par de locos! Que cancion mas tonta!"...."E aqui mesmo! Que bom!"...

Work stinks but the mangoes are juicy...

Boo-hiss:

-- For the last two weeks, my job has been made virtually intolerable by an intense and overwhelming stench. The cause? VU is asphalting around our building AND re-tarring the roof. The result? I have come to associate my job with mind-numbing headaches triggered by the ever-present burning smell. Anyone else particularly effected by smells? Which ones? I seem to be rather sensitive...

-- Since I walk the mile to and from campus along the busiest street in town, being noticed by motorists is inevitable. However, I had a recent incident in which a woman (I maintain she was high or otherwise out of her mind) insisted on yelling nasty things I won't repeat at me which I, of course ignored. She then proceeded to slow to a stop beside me and yell out the window at me to, I suppose, make sure I heard her. Never saw this person before in my life and hope I never do again. What is with some people? How is the sight of a pedestrian so offensive?

-- A second meeting with my advisor resulted in a stack of 5 books of at least 300 pgs. each that must be read (roughly) within the next month; in addition to my regular coursework....ugh....

-- A recent grad party ended badly as some of the "upperclassmen" proceeded to get extremely drunk, rude and virtually ignore all first-years. Not the best way to make a first impression...

Redemption:

--My honey came to visit me here in Nashville for Labor Day weekend. We cooked up a storm, went all over town, he sat in on some of my classes (since we had class on Labor Day, go figure) and just generally basked in the enjoyment of the other's presence. It was perfect :)

-- I received my very first stipend check Friday. CHA-CHING! My bank account is smiling.

-- I have not gotten lost around town for 7 days now!!

-- The discovery of a Latin mercado a few minutes from my house has revived my love of cooking and filled my kitchen with all kinds of wonderful things-- yucca, coconut milk, guava paste, ripe mangoes and huge avocados. Hurray for cheap imports!!