Wednesday, March 31, 2004
What the young people are into these days
After grading bunches of homeworks using the superlative construction "the best," "the worst," etc. The votes are in. Here are some things that got multiple mentions.
Best show: Simpson's, Chapelle Show, Seinfeld, Family Guy. It kinda did my heart good to see that a show from my college days is still going strong, albeit in syndication. In a surprise vote, someone said Full House. Not kidding.
Best singer: Jewel and Dave Matthews Band. All the other votes were spread out far and wide.
Worst singer: Brittney Spears got tons of votes here. I agree, but I was a bit surprised that the 18-22 set is tired of her.
Worst song: Toxic, by everyone's least favorite, Brittney.
Best actor: Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp got multiple nods.
Worst actor: Keanu Reeves took this one by a land slide. Several folks said...you guessed it...Brittney Spears.
Best movie: Several people mentioned Sweet Home Alabama. Other than that, a mixed bag.
Best restaurant: a few people said the Melting Pot.
Worst restaurant: several vote for Hardee's. Guess that new ad campaign isn't really working. Although, to be fair, one person did list it as the best restaurant.
After grading bunches of homeworks using the superlative construction "the best," "the worst," etc. The votes are in. Here are some things that got multiple mentions.
Best show: Simpson's, Chapelle Show, Seinfeld, Family Guy. It kinda did my heart good to see that a show from my college days is still going strong, albeit in syndication. In a surprise vote, someone said Full House. Not kidding.
Best singer: Jewel and Dave Matthews Band. All the other votes were spread out far and wide.
Worst singer: Brittney Spears got tons of votes here. I agree, but I was a bit surprised that the 18-22 set is tired of her.
Worst song: Toxic, by everyone's least favorite, Brittney.
Best actor: Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp got multiple nods.
Worst actor: Keanu Reeves took this one by a land slide. Several folks said...you guessed it...Brittney Spears.
Best movie: Several people mentioned Sweet Home Alabama. Other than that, a mixed bag.
Best restaurant: a few people said the Melting Pot.
Worst restaurant: several vote for Hardee's. Guess that new ad campaign isn't really working. Although, to be fair, one person did list it as the best restaurant.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Guilty pleasures
Most of my guilty pleasures involve food or music. I occassionally watch MTV. Sorry, all you supposed-alternative-hipster-Gen X types. MTV, if I can claim this without laughing, helps me keep up with my students. So I'll know what they mean when they write in their homework that "La mejor cantante es Jessica Simpson" (The best [female] singer is Jessica Simpson). TRUE STORY! Someone wrote that!!
I like Grease. Yeah, the musical with John Travolta.
I like The Blues Brothers (on my screen right now as part of VH1's Movies that Rock week).
I watch AI. If you don't know what that is, well sorry. Click on the link. Get out from under the rock that's been inhibiting the growth of the part of your brain that should be reserved for pop culture.
Most of my guilty pleasures involve food or music. I occassionally watch MTV. Sorry, all you supposed-alternative-hipster-Gen X types. MTV, if I can claim this without laughing, helps me keep up with my students. So I'll know what they mean when they write in their homework that "La mejor cantante es Jessica Simpson" (The best [female] singer is Jessica Simpson). TRUE STORY! Someone wrote that!!
I like Grease. Yeah, the musical with John Travolta.
I like The Blues Brothers (on my screen right now as part of VH1's Movies that Rock week).
I watch AI. If you don't know what that is, well sorry. Click on the link. Get out from under the rock that's been inhibiting the growth of the part of your brain that should be reserved for pop culture.
Monday, March 29, 2004
Stuff and baby stuff
I'm seriously considering doing the minimalist thing for a while. After cleaning so much of my own stuff and packing it away, I've become a bit frustrated. Why have I kept so many worthless things?? Do these things define me? Do I need these things? What would happen if they just went away, poof! Would I be sad? Why do I pack and pack and pack only to look around and see more things to pack?? You'd think that 945 square feet of space wouldn't hold that much, but you'd be wrong.
Meanwhile, I'm also searching for a baby gift for my brother and sister-in-law. I'm leaning toward some of this bedding from Target. Cute, right? It'll be niece/nephew numbers four and five this summer. That's six and seven, including my step nieces. Christmas just keeps getting crazier and crazier, and I keep getting poorer and poorer. Sure, I spoil them, but that's what aunts are for.
I'm seriously considering doing the minimalist thing for a while. After cleaning so much of my own stuff and packing it away, I've become a bit frustrated. Why have I kept so many worthless things?? Do these things define me? Do I need these things? What would happen if they just went away, poof! Would I be sad? Why do I pack and pack and pack only to look around and see more things to pack?? You'd think that 945 square feet of space wouldn't hold that much, but you'd be wrong.
Meanwhile, I'm also searching for a baby gift for my brother and sister-in-law. I'm leaning toward some of this bedding from Target. Cute, right? It'll be niece/nephew numbers four and five this summer. That's six and seven, including my step nieces. Christmas just keeps getting crazier and crazier, and I keep getting poorer and poorer. Sure, I spoil them, but that's what aunts are for.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
The tally so far
Keeping: blender, hand mixer, coffee grinder, waffle iron
Tossing: 3 garbage bags full and counting
Selling: George Foreman-esque grill, sandwich maker, espresso maker, some lunch bags
Keeping: blender, hand mixer, coffee grinder, waffle iron
Tossing: 3 garbage bags full and counting
Selling: George Foreman-esque grill, sandwich maker, espresso maker, some lunch bags
Boneless chicken wings and other tasty treats
Thank you, friends, for getting me out of the house last night. Thank you, makers of Newcastle and boneless chicken wings.
Today I pack, sort into piles like on that TV show Clean Sweep: keep, sell, toss.
Thank you, friends, for getting me out of the house last night. Thank you, makers of Newcastle and boneless chicken wings.
Today I pack, sort into piles like on that TV show Clean Sweep: keep, sell, toss.
Friday, March 26, 2004
Familial update
Since I was about 19, no one in my family has ever called me just "to talk" or to see what's what. How things are going. To "check in," if you will. Well, last night it happened. A message on the machine saying to call dad. I freaked out. Lost it. Started going through the rolodex of who could be dead, in jail, or hospitalized. It took me three or four tries to find him at home and when I did, he just wanted to talk. ??????? Thanks for the heart attack.
On the plus side, it seems that my little niece Kelsi has been tagged as a potential TAG kid (Talented and Gifted). While she is in detention two or three times a week and can't sit still, perhaps due to some undiagnosed but suspected ADHD, she can draw like nobody's business, and she has a penchant for letters and words. Hates math, but loves words. Chip off the ol' block. Except for the art part. I used to draw a bit, but never became very good at it. So, little Kelsi who gets into trouble, might be getting into trouble because she's bored or something.
Since I was about 19, no one in my family has ever called me just "to talk" or to see what's what. How things are going. To "check in," if you will. Well, last night it happened. A message on the machine saying to call dad. I freaked out. Lost it. Started going through the rolodex of who could be dead, in jail, or hospitalized. It took me three or four tries to find him at home and when I did, he just wanted to talk. ??????? Thanks for the heart attack.
On the plus side, it seems that my little niece Kelsi has been tagged as a potential TAG kid (Talented and Gifted). While she is in detention two or three times a week and can't sit still, perhaps due to some undiagnosed but suspected ADHD, she can draw like nobody's business, and she has a penchant for letters and words. Hates math, but loves words. Chip off the ol' block. Except for the art part. I used to draw a bit, but never became very good at it. So, little Kelsi who gets into trouble, might be getting into trouble because she's bored or something.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Coming soon to a quad cam near you: you might see me here starting Aug., 2004. I'll make sure I stand in front of it and wave once in a while. Stream it!!!
Strength
I consider myself a strong person. Not in the amount of weight I can lift, mind you, but in the general amount of !@#$ I can take and not only put up with, but learn from. Is that a measure of strength? Maybe just stubbornness. But anyhow, I feel nothing like some of the people I know who are going through crazy, hard times lately. As someone I love dearly said today, "It's rough all over." It really is. I thought Spring was a time of renewal and hope, birds chirping and flowers blooming and all that jazz. So why are about 80% of my closest friends either: stressed, depressed, sick, having serious medical problems, out of work, out of love, looking for love constantly yet unsuccessfully, having major fights with life (and life is winning)?
The fact is, they're getting up in the morning. Facing it. Going forward. Learning. Living. I love them for it.
I consider myself a strong person. Not in the amount of weight I can lift, mind you, but in the general amount of !@#$ I can take and not only put up with, but learn from. Is that a measure of strength? Maybe just stubbornness. But anyhow, I feel nothing like some of the people I know who are going through crazy, hard times lately. As someone I love dearly said today, "It's rough all over." It really is. I thought Spring was a time of renewal and hope, birds chirping and flowers blooming and all that jazz. So why are about 80% of my closest friends either: stressed, depressed, sick, having serious medical problems, out of work, out of love, looking for love constantly yet unsuccessfully, having major fights with life (and life is winning)?
The fact is, they're getting up in the morning. Facing it. Going forward. Learning. Living. I love them for it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Reason #32 why it rocks to be a professor
I get a 13-day (rather than 5-day) grace period for overdue library books. Rock!
I get a 13-day (rather than 5-day) grace period for overdue library books. Rock!
Monday, March 22, 2004
Errand-free??
Do you dream of a day free from errands? I do. A week with no stranger to call for an appointment or consultation or customer service? Several glorious days in which you have to see absolutely no one behind a counter, a glass window, or a big desk? A to-do list that is filled with all exciting, earth shattering, mind blowing, life changing activities?
Sigh. This is my dream. I have it often, especially now that my to-do list is haunted by what I call "big tasks" like going to the optometrist. Finding a place to live in Sewanee. Gathering the things to donate and the things to sell in a yard sale. Passport photos and passport renewal. Email the dean. Find a baby gift for my sister-in-law and a ticket to Mexico. These tasks annoy me. Why? Because they dance around in my head endlessly, taunting me from every dusty corner of my brain. They peep out their little heads at the most unexpected moments like in the middle of a great movie. A phone call. A bathroom break.
Crunch. Mmmmm. Good tortilla chips. Great salsa. (gotta call the insurance company) Crunch.
Wow! You've won the Nobel Prize! That's amazing! (crap. forgot to mail the cable bill) Good for you!
Sigh.
Do you dream of a day free from errands? I do. A week with no stranger to call for an appointment or consultation or customer service? Several glorious days in which you have to see absolutely no one behind a counter, a glass window, or a big desk? A to-do list that is filled with all exciting, earth shattering, mind blowing, life changing activities?
Sigh. This is my dream. I have it often, especially now that my to-do list is haunted by what I call "big tasks" like going to the optometrist. Finding a place to live in Sewanee. Gathering the things to donate and the things to sell in a yard sale. Passport photos and passport renewal. Email the dean. Find a baby gift for my sister-in-law and a ticket to Mexico. These tasks annoy me. Why? Because they dance around in my head endlessly, taunting me from every dusty corner of my brain. They peep out their little heads at the most unexpected moments like in the middle of a great movie. A phone call. A bathroom break.
Crunch. Mmmmm. Good tortilla chips. Great salsa. (gotta call the insurance company) Crunch.
Wow! You've won the Nobel Prize! That's amazing! (crap. forgot to mail the cable bill) Good for you!
Sigh.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Let's melt some faces
Nobody, absolutely nobody makes me laugh like Jack Black. Can I just tell you how much School of Rock is my dream movie? Jack being Jack, rockin' hard core and being completely silly, surrounded by musical genius kids. The extra features that show him playing patty cake games with the kids made me love him all the more. And yes, these kids are really playing their instruments. The guitar player is unbelievable!!!!
Favorite quote from the movie:
"I'm a teacher. All I need are minds for molding."
Nobody, absolutely nobody makes me laugh like Jack Black. Can I just tell you how much School of Rock is my dream movie? Jack being Jack, rockin' hard core and being completely silly, surrounded by musical genius kids. The extra features that show him playing patty cake games with the kids made me love him all the more. And yes, these kids are really playing their instruments. The guitar player is unbelievable!!!!
Favorite quote from the movie:
"I'm a teacher. All I need are minds for molding."
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Getting ready to pack up the casita
Yesterday we met with a moving company and a realtor. Makes it all seem a bit too real. We have to "de-clutter" and "de-personalize" the house so potential buyers can envision themselves living here. It's going to be a weird process, taking the us out of our house, but still living here. It'll look naked. We're pack rats, you see, so putting away lots of our stuff is going to make the house feel totally empty. The hunt begins for boxes. When J worked at Kinko's, that part was easy. Now it'll be a bit more challenging. Sure we could buy boxes, but something about that feels wrong. And who knew cardboard could be so expensive?
Yesterday we met with a moving company and a realtor. Makes it all seem a bit too real. We have to "de-clutter" and "de-personalize" the house so potential buyers can envision themselves living here. It's going to be a weird process, taking the us out of our house, but still living here. It'll look naked. We're pack rats, you see, so putting away lots of our stuff is going to make the house feel totally empty. The hunt begins for boxes. When J worked at Kinko's, that part was easy. Now it'll be a bit more challenging. Sure we could buy boxes, but something about that feels wrong. And who knew cardboard could be so expensive?
Thursday, March 18, 2004
What else happened on March 18
Besides being the day that Jason was born (yippee!), here's what else has happened.
Besides being the day that Jason was born (yippee!), here's what else has happened.
Happy Birthday!
In honor of the day Jasonwas born, go out and have a drink or two for him, will ya? He and most of his friends are in the midst of a meltdown. I'm impressed at how he's keeping it together, and very proud of him, I have to say. The master's paper will be conquered!!! Dammit!
One of the things that I admire most about him is his even temper. He's always cool and calm, even in the face of great stress. When he does get nervous (which is rare), he channels it into a concentration so deep and so focused that it's a little bit scary. It's like he's sitting inside the Fortress of Solitude, protected by his thoughts. It's pretty amazing. Me, I can't really concentrate on much lately. So, instead, I'm trying to stay out of his way as much as possible. This has translated into cleaning things the past few days, which has been productive in a different sort of way.
But tonight he be taken out for a good dinner!! Because he deserves a break! Felicidades, Jason! Happy Birthday!
In honor of the day Jasonwas born, go out and have a drink or two for him, will ya? He and most of his friends are in the midst of a meltdown. I'm impressed at how he's keeping it together, and very proud of him, I have to say. The master's paper will be conquered!!! Dammit!
One of the things that I admire most about him is his even temper. He's always cool and calm, even in the face of great stress. When he does get nervous (which is rare), he channels it into a concentration so deep and so focused that it's a little bit scary. It's like he's sitting inside the Fortress of Solitude, protected by his thoughts. It's pretty amazing. Me, I can't really concentrate on much lately. So, instead, I'm trying to stay out of his way as much as possible. This has translated into cleaning things the past few days, which has been productive in a different sort of way.
But tonight he be taken out for a good dinner!! Because he deserves a break! Felicidades, Jason! Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Happy (almost) B-day, Jason!
Tomorrow's the day, but since I knew I wouldn't have time tomorrow, I made the cake tonight. It is Jason's favorite of all time, but not for the dieting set. White chocolate pound cake. The pound in the name of the cake says it all. Pounds is more like it. What's in it?
Among the list:
1 1/4 cup butter (no substitutes!)
5 eggs
7 ounces of white chocolate
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups confectioners sugar
YIKES! Wow, it smells good, though. And it's beautiful. Photos to follow shortly, once the candles are on and Jason makes a wish. The b-day is going to be low key this year, since it's marred by the !@#$ master's paper that has to be finished soon. Maybe we can celebrate his March 18 birthday sometime in June?
Tomorrow's the day, but since I knew I wouldn't have time tomorrow, I made the cake tonight. It is Jason's favorite of all time, but not for the dieting set. White chocolate pound cake. The pound in the name of the cake says it all. Pounds is more like it. What's in it?
Among the list:
1 1/4 cup butter (no substitutes!)
5 eggs
7 ounces of white chocolate
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups confectioners sugar
YIKES! Wow, it smells good, though. And it's beautiful. Photos to follow shortly, once the candles are on and Jason makes a wish. The b-day is going to be low key this year, since it's marred by the !@#$ master's paper that has to be finished soon. Maybe we can celebrate his March 18 birthday sometime in June?
Monday, March 15, 2004
More from Tejas
Jen thought this was funny, and it really is. Look past the Alamo for the chuckle.
Meanwhile, this one is just neat.
Why am I so exhausted if I just came from a supposed (working) vacation?
Jen thought this was funny, and it really is. Look past the Alamo for the chuckle.
Meanwhile, this one is just neat.
Why am I so exhausted if I just came from a supposed (working) vacation?
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Back from SA
Toured the Alamo, complete with a great history talk and the IMAX movie. Saw a St. Patrick's Day parade. Did the River Walk several times, ate some yummy grub. The best was this hole in the wall place that doubled as a Texas bbq joint and a gas station (which they called a "country store.") I'm not kidding. Seriously, some of the best barbecue "sause" of my life! And dirt cheap! No plates, either. They just put everything on wax paper and flop it onto a red tray, which used to actually be a crate-type thing that sodas are carried in for stocking soda machines. At least, I think that's what they are. Something like that, anyway. Sweet tea to kill for. All in all, Jen and I had a great time in San Antonio despite the rain and, to top it all off, the conference was excellent. I heard some of the most interesting talks I've ever heard at a conference, and my own presentation went extremely well. Good contacts, good feedback, good questions, and good discussion. What more could you want? More later, hopefully with some photos.
Toured the Alamo, complete with a great history talk and the IMAX movie. Saw a St. Patrick's Day parade. Did the River Walk several times, ate some yummy grub. The best was this hole in the wall place that doubled as a Texas bbq joint and a gas station (which they called a "country store.") I'm not kidding. Seriously, some of the best barbecue "sause" of my life! And dirt cheap! No plates, either. They just put everything on wax paper and flop it onto a red tray, which used to actually be a crate-type thing that sodas are carried in for stocking soda machines. At least, I think that's what they are. Something like that, anyway. Sweet tea to kill for. All in all, Jen and I had a great time in San Antonio despite the rain and, to top it all off, the conference was excellent. I heard some of the most interesting talks I've ever heard at a conference, and my own presentation went extremely well. Good contacts, good feedback, good questions, and good discussion. What more could you want? More later, hopefully with some photos.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Headed to the Alamo
Leaving Wednesday for a conference in San Antonio. I talked Jen into going for some down time, which she needs. Can anyone say workaholic??? Hopefully it will be sunny on the river walk. Went there about ten years ago with Jason for a conference as an undergrad. It was the first time he and I ever flew on a plane together. I still have a really old and weird looking photo from that trip. We both have longer hair and smoother skin. I think we're both wearing 90's grunge plaid, too, if I'm not mistaken. There are also some pics of our friend Kevin at the Alamo. Remember the Alamo? I don't, not really. I remember going, but I don't remember a thing about it. I just have those pictures to remind me that I did in fact go. Strange how the memory works. Some small things are crystal clear, certain smells and colors and emotions. Other entire events are completely gone, as if they never even happened.
Leaving Wednesday for a conference in San Antonio. I talked Jen into going for some down time, which she needs. Can anyone say workaholic??? Hopefully it will be sunny on the river walk. Went there about ten years ago with Jason for a conference as an undergrad. It was the first time he and I ever flew on a plane together. I still have a really old and weird looking photo from that trip. We both have longer hair and smoother skin. I think we're both wearing 90's grunge plaid, too, if I'm not mistaken. There are also some pics of our friend Kevin at the Alamo. Remember the Alamo? I don't, not really. I remember going, but I don't remember a thing about it. I just have those pictures to remind me that I did in fact go. Strange how the memory works. Some small things are crystal clear, certain smells and colors and emotions. Other entire events are completely gone, as if they never even happened.
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Fun start to the break
Went to Karen's last night for a surprise birthday thing for Tacia. I made the cake, and I have to admit it turned out pretty killer. Jason helped me shave up some chocolate to sprinkle around the sides and some chocolate curls to put on top of the cream cheese frosting. Tacia was surprised. Some people don't know I'm a closet baker.
After making customized mini pizzas and salads, we watched "A Mighty Wind." It was pretty funny, but not as good as the other Christopher Guest movies. Well, that's my opinion, at least.
Crashed on Karen's floor, woke up pretty early and surprisingly well rested. More cake and some hot tea (nutritious and delicious breakfast of champions). A trek to a Target that has, at some point in recent times, sprung up in the Durham/Raleigh borderzone. Brier Creek shopping center. Who knew this existed?? It is a mecca of commercialism. B&N, PierOne, Target, home stores, Ross, TJMaxx, a bunch of restaurants, and even a brand spanking new movie theater! When did this happen? We had heard there was a Target there, so we went in search of a tea kettle, some baby gifts, and other bits of random fun. But we got there and all this other stuff rose up out of the horizon. Craziness!
Went to Karen's last night for a surprise birthday thing for Tacia. I made the cake, and I have to admit it turned out pretty killer. Jason helped me shave up some chocolate to sprinkle around the sides and some chocolate curls to put on top of the cream cheese frosting. Tacia was surprised. Some people don't know I'm a closet baker.
After making customized mini pizzas and salads, we watched "A Mighty Wind." It was pretty funny, but not as good as the other Christopher Guest movies. Well, that's my opinion, at least.
Crashed on Karen's floor, woke up pretty early and surprisingly well rested. More cake and some hot tea (nutritious and delicious breakfast of champions). A trek to a Target that has, at some point in recent times, sprung up in the Durham/Raleigh borderzone. Brier Creek shopping center. Who knew this existed?? It is a mecca of commercialism. B&N, PierOne, Target, home stores, Ross, TJMaxx, a bunch of restaurants, and even a brand spanking new movie theater! When did this happen? We had heard there was a Target there, so we went in search of a tea kettle, some baby gifts, and other bits of random fun. But we got there and all this other stuff rose up out of the horizon. Craziness!
Friday, March 05, 2004
Mucha mierda, SILSers!
Hey all you SILS folk, good luck on your comps today. Write like the wind! I'll be thinking about all of you.
Hey all you SILS folk, good luck on your comps today. Write like the wind! I'll be thinking about all of you.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Things I Want To Do in the Triangle before I Leave
I'm taking recommendations. Places, food, events, stuff I can't miss while I'm still a resident of NC. Everything from the mundane to the mind-blowing. I have a short list of my own, some of which I'm very embarrassed to admit I haven't done yet. But, if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Meanwhile, I've realized that I can do very little to no work after 7:00 p.m. Jason, on the other hand, works best between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Isn't life interesting? It has been a small challenge living with a nocturnal creature working on his Master's paper, but I'm getting there. The strangest thing is how I keep shooting straight up in the middle of bed in the wee hours of the morning when he tries to sneak into the bedroom to finally go to sleep. At that point, I've been out of it for probably two hours already. So, bewilderment is a common feeling.
I'm taking recommendations. Places, food, events, stuff I can't miss while I'm still a resident of NC. Everything from the mundane to the mind-blowing. I have a short list of my own, some of which I'm very embarrassed to admit I haven't done yet. But, if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Meanwhile, I've realized that I can do very little to no work after 7:00 p.m. Jason, on the other hand, works best between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Isn't life interesting? It has been a small challenge living with a nocturnal creature working on his Master's paper, but I'm getting there. The strangest thing is how I keep shooting straight up in the middle of bed in the wee hours of the morning when he tries to sneak into the bedroom to finally go to sleep. At that point, I've been out of it for probably two hours already. So, bewilderment is a common feeling.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Gray
Feeling gray today. Everything I open, look at, and see makes my mind go all gray. But I got my hands dusty in the library today and it felt good, geeking it out among the stacks again. Carrying more books than I look like I'm able to carry, peering from behind them to avoid any collisions. I'm looking through reference books, my favorite. Searching for any and all info on a Japanese folk tale about a spider called Tsuchigumo. Why someone who studies Latin American and Latino/a Lit is interested in this, is a long story. But it is related, trust me. So all this has gotten me to thinking about spiders. Winding thoughts that are sure to come out in a big tangled mess, just like the spider's web.
Feeling gray today. Everything I open, look at, and see makes my mind go all gray. But I got my hands dusty in the library today and it felt good, geeking it out among the stacks again. Carrying more books than I look like I'm able to carry, peering from behind them to avoid any collisions. I'm looking through reference books, my favorite. Searching for any and all info on a Japanese folk tale about a spider called Tsuchigumo. Why someone who studies Latin American and Latino/a Lit is interested in this, is a long story. But it is related, trust me. So all this has gotten me to thinking about spiders. Winding thoughts that are sure to come out in a big tangled mess, just like the spider's web.
Monday, March 01, 2004
post-Oscar haze
That's what I'm in. Stayed up too late, slept poorly, woke up tired. Chugging the coffee but it doesn't seem to be working.
Warning: before you read this, I apologize. I have food on the brain lately. Mainly, I'm trying to come to terms with it as something that I love and need every day. But that I should make better choices. So, as you can tell, food has been on my mind.
Jason and I made some kick butt jambalaya last night. Soooo good. Mainly I chopped things up, and Jason did the actual cooking. We work well as a team in the kitchen. I wonder if the way couples behave in the kitchen is a metaphor for their relationship as a whole, or if it means something or says something about them. I'm just thinking about the fact that my own mother did everything. My dad didn't do anything kitchen related, cooking or cleaning. He just sat down and ate. And I definitely wouldn't consider theirs the healthiest of relationships. Once my niece came to visit us (she was four at the time), and we let her help with everything. She made her own pizza with her own toppings, helped me make cookies, set the table, and mixed pancake batter. She was so utterly flabbergasted that she was even allowed in the kitchen, much less being invited to take part. There's something we all like about rolling up our sleeves and being made a part of things.
That's what I'm in. Stayed up too late, slept poorly, woke up tired. Chugging the coffee but it doesn't seem to be working.
Warning: before you read this, I apologize. I have food on the brain lately. Mainly, I'm trying to come to terms with it as something that I love and need every day. But that I should make better choices. So, as you can tell, food has been on my mind.
Jason and I made some kick butt jambalaya last night. Soooo good. Mainly I chopped things up, and Jason did the actual cooking. We work well as a team in the kitchen. I wonder if the way couples behave in the kitchen is a metaphor for their relationship as a whole, or if it means something or says something about them. I'm just thinking about the fact that my own mother did everything. My dad didn't do anything kitchen related, cooking or cleaning. He just sat down and ate. And I definitely wouldn't consider theirs the healthiest of relationships. Once my niece came to visit us (she was four at the time), and we let her help with everything. She made her own pizza with her own toppings, helped me make cookies, set the table, and mixed pancake batter. She was so utterly flabbergasted that she was even allowed in the kitchen, much less being invited to take part. There's something we all like about rolling up our sleeves and being made a part of things.