Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Beginning of a New Age:

Dear Jeremy (of the AT&T store),

Thank you for your humor as you listened to me babble away about my lost BoysenBerry this afternoon.

Your gentle tone and the nodding of your head, made me feel less of an idiot for wiping out nearly two years of my life in one sweeping motion...

My new phone (another BoysenBerry) is quite delicious...although I'm still trying to figure out all the cool new apps and gadgets...and it hasn't been ringing--so I've missed calls.

The case you picked out is wonderful too. It is more secure and will hopefully keep this phone less "banged up."

I was able to get my "upgrade" even though I was eight months early--I think Jeremy had something to do with it--SUPERSTAR!

EDIT: I got a phone call from a 62-year-old woman who found my phone on the bathroom floor...*whew* At least I know all those pictures won't be going public (just kidding). Looks like my sister is going to be getting a late Christmas gift.

~~J

Monday, December 28, 2009

Sending Children by Mail?

It was the best analogy I could come up with--really!


500 pages later--I have all the copies of my work for my MFA packets.

(multiply 500 by 8 cents)

I took a photo via the BoysenBerry as I was waiting for everything to print.

It feels strange not knowing the name of the young lady who helped me get everything going at Kinko's. She has no idea how BIG a role she played in my application process--I picked the recycled paper so I'd feel better about myself.

Three packets have already hit the Letter trucks! (Look out Alabama, Virginia, and Florida--special delivery!)...seven more will be out by tomorrow!

(wanna see more receipts?)

And as I dropped the big brown envelopes into the slot my stomach did the same. I said, "I just sent my children out via the mail!"

I got two chuckles from the people in line behind me. It was probably out of pity because I quickly became an idiot during the processing.

But maybe they are just little pieces of my heart (hopes, dreams)...CHILDREN, right? The idea of it all makes me want to hurl.

Brave and Bold am I!

~~J

Sunday, December 27, 2009

--She gave me a pen!

(Actually she gave me The Chambers Dictionary)

--is treasured by word-lovers and crossword enthusiasts for its majestic coverage of English and its tradition of sneaking in a sprinkling of light-hearted definitions...it preserves a rich stock of words from our literary heritage as well as covering all the latest developments in contemporary English.

What better gift for one who holds a degree in English? Holy crap, I "hold" a degree now?

(Alcohol is another great gift...or pens...gift cards for coffee or bookstores...money...I got them all though, again--I have the most thoughtful crew)

So I finally had a chance to unwrap my new dictionary--five pounds (weight) of words, words, words (Hamlet nonchalantly and intriguingly aptly replies)!

I marvel at the red cover, the pages, the bookmark. There is the "short history of English"--with paragraphs about: prehistoric old E, middle E, early modern E, later modern E...

I guess we'd be in the Later Modern English era now then...a section about British and U.S. spelling varieties too?

-ogue v. -og
-our v. -or
-ize v. -ise
-re v. -er
-ae, -oe v. -e

No. I haven't even gotten to definitions yet. I have to let these pages (knowledge) soak in slowly--I have time to do some word-soaking now.

Word-soaking.....READING! I just created my own "Later Modern English" kenning!
----------
Kenning: a circumlocution used instead of an ordinary noun in Old Norse and later Icelandic poetry.

Circumlocution: (also called periphrasis, circumduction, circumvolution, periphrase, or ambage) is an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech. In its most basic form, circumlocution is using many words (such as "a tool used for cutting things such as paper and hair") to describe something simple ("scissors").

example: in Beowulf..."battle sweat" for BLOOD
----------
Whew! What else am I going to do with all of my "nerdy" stuff OTHER than go to graduate school and become a professor? REALLY?

~~J

but I shall continue to use references to classic '80s flicks as blog titles just to see who "gets it" too.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Proof!

(Screen Capture aka MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!)

(because I still can't believe it--but there it is--grades are final...
degree is awarded...and thank goodness the degree has nothing
to do with my inability to "highlight" or "blackout" information
via screen captures...)

~~J

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Yup: I Did It!!

THERE WAS:
--"behind the scenes" business of forming a line, underground at the FedEx Forum

--listening to nervous conversations about grades, finals, and wearing the wrong shoes


--seeing classmates, celebratory hugs
--thumbing through programs to see if our names were there
--fixing mortarboards w/ extra bobby pins
--keen recognition of the clock...it's ten o'clock, it's ten o'clock on the dot

Which brought about:

--Pomp and Circumstance
--trying to find loved ones in the throngs of people
--Anthems and speeches
--collectively moving our tassels from left to right
--doctoral hooding(s) & collectively getting upset if it was crooked
--hoping no one tripped across the stage
--listening for mispronunciations (and chiding the pronouncer)
--waving at classmates as they strolled by
or
--hooting as they walked across the stage





Suddenly--









*I was strutting across the stage,
*shaking Dr. Raines' hand,
*getting my empty diploma cover,
*having another photo taken,
*wandering back to my assigned seat...REALIZING it all went by WAY TOO FAST!


Before we knew it, we were singing the Alma Mater, squealing or throwing our caps. We were waving like rock stars or drifting around in a daze.

Congratulatory remarks were flying around our heads. We were a big group of the same energy--in elevators, discarding our gowns. Passing people in small corridors...smiling and relaxed.

I took more photos (but really, I didn't take nearly enough)...there were yummy sandwiches from Fino's...and the world's greatest NAP before checking grades AGAIN (still waiting on one)...

Then a tableful of friends, food, and drink....THEN GIFTAGE!? I have the most thoughtful group who spoil me something rotten (all inclusive list):

a lapdesk? YES!
alcohol? YES! (coffee & vodka! wine!)
pens? YES!
intial mug? YES!
Starbucks cards and B&N cards...
"Word Lover's Dictionary" (be still my beating heart!)
Yummy chocolate!
a pilfered glass goblet (how did that end up in there?)
another book of...WORDS!
$$$

The love and support is enough, surely it is enough! :D

~~J

UPDATE (as it happens): Dean't List!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Chug-a-lug:

(screen capture from website)

Tonight, as I finish writing my absolute LAST paper as an undergraduate my BOC (beverage of choice) shall be:

AriZona Diet Green Tea (with Ginseng and Honey)

I came across this refreshing beverage quite on accident. And my hero (mom) purchased two more canisters/tubes of the mix.

There is a pitcher in the refrigerator & there is glass sitting in front of me...HAPPINESS!

I think it's 64 ounces (in the pitcher)--or half-a-gallon...I wonder how much of it I will consume tonight?

The paper, on the other hand, is in a relatively decent state.

I reread the syllabus only to find that the paper has to be between 10-15 pages, NOT exclusively FIFTEEN pages as I have been assuming for a month now.

(the due date was pushed back or forward to tomorrow, god bless)

I have six pages already, and I've only detailed two songs. I assumed I'd be covering five. I might cut one--we'll see what the night brings.

Too bad I already have "fuzzy eyes" from staring at the computer screen for nearly ten hours. Yes, ten hours. I have eye drops, I've been trying to do some extra blinking (and dancing around in ten minute spurts).

And, of course, writing a scholarly musicology paper has me downloading from iTunes like whoa! Everything is NOT relevant, but is needed (for the dancing)...

and I do have a FINAL tomorrow too? Lordy.

~~J

Monday, December 14, 2009

Looking for Signs:

(omens, symbols, secret messages)

Sometimes (all of the time) you need to be very wary as to the words around you (says the creative writing major). Yes, I said WORDS.

I could include about a million axioms or phrases about the power of words HERE, but I shall try to keep this as "brief" as possible (which means I am going to ramble for a while).

I like to keep things. Usually paper-based things...try not to imagine a hoarder here, but if you must go ahead--being crushed to death by all of my paper-based things would be a poetic way to go.

Don't throw away that receipt or that ticket stub (or that notebook filled with class notes and random snatches of Janet work, not only will it be in the Janet museum one day) because I will surely have a psychotic break if you do!

Years ago (like 5, 6, or 7) I started saving the wrappers from the Dove Promise chocolate my boss would give me.

It was usually dark chocolate (his favorite, not mine)--Because there were little inspirational messages written inside.

This was before the website dedicated to these little messages.

(which I just found and makes my saved wrappers seem a little bit cheap, but that's okay--I know they are authentic)

So this weekend whilst I was cleaning something (instead of doing something for school) I came across a little box with two messages stuffed inside.

It was a week before graduation miracle! (the cleaning? the finding?)

(the real miracle would be finishing my assignments within the next 2 days)

Now the force that made me save these two messages was the little voice inside me that was whispering: GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

It took me a few years (3, 4, or 5) to finally recognize said voice--but I did! And here I am, less than a week away from getting my degree--BA in English (creative writing).

OH YEAH.....
I have had this message taped to my bedroom mirror for several years too. (See, I can be fun!)

I think this is the mantra from the night of December 19th...or maybe it's for the rest of 2009...

celebrations are in order! It's only been a goal...13+ years in the making--WHOOOPIEEEE!

(yeah, I know--get back to work--study, write the paper--blah blah blah)

~~J

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Close to the Edge!

Sure, I have another large paper/project to complete.

And there might be half a dozen mini-abnormal psych assignments and two finals to goBUT there is no more classroom time standing between me and my degree.

AMAZING!

Today was my last class day and I admit—it was a bit difficult to LEAVE the English building.

I took my time, waited around for a friend, bought another bottle of water, read the campus paper, went to the bathroom, watched the head of the department leave...

then it was time.

As I was rushing down the back steps, I accidentally took a picture with my phone.

No, really. It was an accident--

BoysenBerry has side buttons and one is programmed to activate the camera...

I heard a *click*...then I smiled and realized it would be an interesting photo to have...I guess.

It's a bit blurry, but you can probably figure it out. Don't look too hard, because it kinda makes you dizzy (or at least it does me).

The last fiction workshop was filled with a lot of advice from Papa Bausch--I gotta share these with ya...(and I'm sure I'll be coming back to read and reread these pearls myself):

"Robert Frost gave himself twenty years to become a published poet. It took him ten and his first book was a best seller--but he gave himself twenty years..."
(if at first you don't succeed--try, try again!)

"Stories are never complete, they are just abandoned."
(stop revising and submit the thing!)

"You will spend your life proving your talent to people that have no talent."
(rejection letter after rejection letter)

"If you believe in your story--give it every single chance."
(resubmit, resubmit, resubmit)

"It's all about the life on the page..."
(of course it is!)

"Don't worry yourself into silence, keep the pot boiling!"
(keep on writing and writing and writing)

"What you're doing is important, don't let anyone tell you differently."
(amen!)

~~J

p.s. for those of you who REALLY know me--if you caught IT up there: yes he is, and no that's not why it was time to go. my phone just happened to be out, he went out the other way.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Dear Coffeemaker:

Do not fail me now.

(Starbucks Barista model, purchased on sale)

I need your hot, steamy goodness now more than ever.

My philosophy paper is becoming a readable work.

--slowly I say--

With every cup I pour
and every ounce of caffeine you give,

I find strength.

And as I waste time, writing sad odes--
you percolate and spew forth another
delicious pool of magic juice.

Smells so GOOD!

xoxo,

~~J

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Twitter Me This--

(or NOT if Twitter is down due to technical difficulties, just refresh and everything will be cleared up in a jiff--stare at this adorable robot in the meantime.)

I haven't written about it before, but YES--I do it.

It's a whole new world of STALK!

I've been doing it for quite some time, actually. I am quickly approaching my 1000th tweet. I don't think I get a prize.

I still don't know how the whole thing works.
What is an #? (I've got @ figured out)
I EVEN get some tweets sent directed to my phone.

(I had to "disable" a few friends who retweet and have tweet-conversations because--no offense--but they were blowing up my BoysenBerry)

There is an amazing amount of musing that can be done in 140 characters or less, or maybe I just have deep friends:

--And how is Zicam any different than snot again?
--Enjoying the best soy latte ever at Orlando International airport, seriously amazing!
--Is stuck between nowhere and "you got a pretty mouth"
--Drunk people are funny
--Anybody know where my keys are?
--drawing arrows in powerpoint is harder than it used to be... thanks microsoft. I should throw apples through your windows.
--has letters that aren't in any words
--Hoarders helps me feel better about how "messy" my apartment is.
--Trying out Folgers black silk coffee and caramel apple creamer. Delightful.
--Where did this headache come from?
--I wish it were socially acceptable yet not douche-y to wear pajama pants in public. Because these make my butt look fabulous.

From the mouths of babes, I tell ya--from the mouths of babes!

~~J

Friday, December 4, 2009

Confused Animals:

Yoga is to be practiced in silence--

I mean, we're silently focusing on our breath and our body. No words are to be escaping our lips....BUT

sometimes, I just want to talk. (I know, big shocker--go ahead and smirk)

Cat/Cow Stretch is one of these times.

Meow Moo. Meow Moo.

*Stretches front (back) torso & neck
*Provides gentle massage to spine & belly organs


Can't you just see a roomful of people Meowing and Mooing together as they Cat/Cow stretch?

The thought makes me smile really big.

Notice no mention of papers...here that comes: STILL IN PROGRESS.

I have never had as much trouble with a "single" 8-page paper that I can remember. Anyone? The "paper fairy" hasn't visited. Maybe she got lost along the way?

Other than that, I'm barreling into my work week. I wasn't even sure WHAT TIME I was to go in until I called and checked. I am so on top of things!

I am one school away from having all of my transcripts..."taken care of"...is there is "Grad School Specialist" who takes care of all of the paperwork FOR YOU?

Just the running around part.
The calling & filing out application after application part.
The calculating GPAs and addressing big envelopes part.
The chart-making, keeping it all straight part.

IS THERE? I think I just created a "new job" for someone.

Speaking of job...*checks clock*...meow moo.

~~J

P.S. GRE scores are apparently out and about (as reported by a couple universities) I am still waiting for my copy in the mail.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

EEEEEEK!

Should I be blogging? No. I have a paper gnashing its teeth at me something fierce.

So why am I blogging? Because.

The days are flying by and I am drowning in a great deal of sorrow. I know, I know. Super nerd should be happy to be “moving on” and all that jazz.

I’m such a sentimental student!

*I’d like to sit in the lobby of Patterson just a wee bit longer.
*I want to continue to wave and smile at (former/current) professors.
*There needs to be at least 25 more stops at Edgar Allen Joe’s for water.
*Running into former classmates and chatting should be a daily occurrence.

I know I might very well end up in the same building again come next August. There is always a possibility of that because I have applied to the MFA program at Memphis as well. Nevertheless, it will be different. It will be as a “lettered” woman.

Wowsa!

“Funny” story from last night (deserving of a photo):

I’m attempting to write understand my assignment when my cursor won’t move.

My mouse batteries have DIED!

Panic sets in.

What am I going to do about my Wordscraper games, paper I am writing?

But then I remember the batteries I purchased…BUT WHERE ARE THEY?

I find the batteries, but THEY ARE THE WRONG SIZE!

Then I remember the “extra” mouse has the “different” size batteries…but WHERE IS THE EXTRA MOUSE?

Then I find it.But what about the little USB connector?

WHERE IS IT? Then I find it. Finally we have CURSOR movement!

This was all right after my printer ran out of ink...yeah. Good times. Now back to writing I mean Wordscraper, yes WRITING.

~~J

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

If you need me--






I'll be here:

<---

<---



Surrounded by highliters & Sharpie pens, stacks of books & binders filled with information.

Vessels of coffee shall be consumed.
The Internet shall be surfed.

There will may be tears.
There will may be screaming.

Caution--this is a frequent four-letter word zone.

I am beginning my "busiest" undergraduate week--because so much is at stake. Construction and completion of two large-ish papers (upper division classes, NOT in my major field of study) is underway.

Get out the orange cones & hard hats.

One paper contains sections with THESE five subheadings:

Me and my daughter… / Where are you going? / Words like violence / It doesn’t mean that much to me / She’s not a girl who misses much

The other comes directly from the book Unbending Gender by Joan Williams (maybe I'll throw in some philosophers for good measure, too).

Light a candle. Whisper some words of encouragement. I need it.

~~J

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Slishity-slosh:

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

I can't think OR concentrate OR work on anything related to school. And I literally have two of the most important papers of my undergraduate career due soon. The DEADline is looming...I can feel it's breath on the back of my neck--but NOTHING.

Why so important? They are my last papers. My brain and fingers are working together to stop it all from happening. IT being the end. It's frustrating. It's ridiculous.

I am going to blame it on the rain. What else could it be?

~~J

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Is that YOU, George Newbern?


Paul Rudd? George Newbern?
Other than being confused for one another in movies or television, guess what else they have in common? COMMERCIALS!

So in honor of being the very first site which comes up if you search "Paul Rudd George Newbern" in GOOGLE, I bring you examples of their marketing roles. (You should try it!)


Now which one do you think had the better commerical?

~~J

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Give Me a Beat:

Now that I've titled this post, all that is going through my head is...

the beginning of Nasty Boys by Janet Jackson...

I owned the cassette tape, yes, the CASSETTE TAPE circa 1987.

There is a picture of me with a Walkman listening to it. I was nine years old.


Hunting down aforementioned picture would be a lovely way to spend the next few hours.

I don't have time though (or the software installed to scan the photo--maybe one day).

Cost to Apply to Graduate School:
*GRE: $150 + $100 to send scores to appropriate schools
*Application Fees (10 schools): $365
*Transcripts: $112.50

and I haven't even printed out all of my work for the accompanying portfolios--then there is the mailing cost. Oy Vey.

Am I complaining? Not exactly. I will come April if I don't get any good news in the mail--but I'm not even going to think about that. I'm just writing (typing) it down and keeping a record.

You spin me right round, baby right round like a record, baby right round round round --Dead or Alive

WOW! Such a musical day. And it's all thanks to my marching band girls (majorettes) up there--picture from Square America.

Now you know I have work to do, tons of it. BUT I can say that I finally finished a short story I've been working on since May. A first draft of it, but now it can be workshopped. Whew! So technically my work is done for one class.

I have three to worry about. Just three. ARRRGGGHHH!

~~J


Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ain't Much Goin' On--

Just tryin' to finish my song*
*degree & applications go here, but they don't rhyme,
so it's not as much fun as using the word: SONG

I'm not looking at any calendars, BUT
I can tell ya that time is getting away from me.
Nevertheless, I am feeling optimistic.

Hopefully not too much so.

More than thirteen years ago, I was very
much convinced that this degree would be done
by the turn of the new millennium.

Then again, less than nine years ago, I was sure
this degree would never happen in a million years.

So maybe I'm right on time.
Runnin' at the speed of light,
shouting, "DONE!" with every task I complete.
One foot in front of the other,
no more baby steps.

I've taken to leaping.

~~J

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What I Learned Today:

to accept a B- and realize that it’s a good great grade (especially in an upper division subject that is NOT your major)

Nuns ride around Memphis in late model Tercels (however, they do NOT go the speed limit)

saying “don’t drop the coffee” internally means you will do just that (in the front seat of your car even)

always have a towel in your car (see above), or in your Yoga bag


filling out seven requests for transcripts makes your hand tired

emailing with a professor via BlackBerry is convenient

some SEC schools help fund their football program by charging $7.50 PER transcript (thanks a lot!)

despite what happened the last time my Tigers played a certain team, I will be watching tonight (but closing my eyes when they "talk" about "it")

even though I will be "half-way" teaching our class (mini-presentation) on Thursday, I'm NOT worried!

(it was confirmed) that I love a bunch of people!

~~J

Who's Got the Wheel?

I really don't know either!


Today is the day after the day I took the GRE.

Notice that my body isn't floating downstream (sorry, I've been watching/reading The Hours). But I did have a conversation about what river would be the "best" to dive into--Mississippi? Potomac? Hudson?

With that thing out of the way, you'd think I'd be jumpin' for joy (or another trite phrase), but I'm not. I'm still trying to figure out HOW I nearly ran out of time on the Verbal section. It's quite galling, to tell you the truth.

Why did I get THREE ridiculous reading comp passages? (One was related to a class I am taking, which means I probably answered questions the way I would answer questions, not the author of the passage)

Then came the over-thinking & the FLASHING clock in the corner. Yes, it flashes at you when you're about to commit a whammy.

I honestly thought about NOT getting my scores--which is something you can opt to do, by the way. You can say--NO SCORES! And nothing is reported, but you have to spend $$$ and reschedule.

But after I got my scores--thirty points under what I was shooting for...ARRGGHH! Again, my body isn't floating downstream.

I was stuffed with mezzaluna pasta last night instead. Crescent-shaped ravioli filled with four Italian cheeses. And I get to have the leftovers for lunch today! YUM!

I won't look at the calendar, but I know I don't have THAT much time left before the semester ends--my undergraduate career ends. I'm hangin' on for dear life, but someone's got their foot on the gas petal...

~~J

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Dreamland:

Last night I had a terrifying dream about taking the GRE! And the strange part is I wasn't even thinking about it when I went to bed (not consciously).

I felt confident after taking a practice exam yesterday afternoon. I did better than I had done all summer long. My "percentile" was acceptable.

In the dream: I was taking the exam on a strange computer. All the questions were so much easier than expected.

My genius had me light years ahead of every human thought. But the keyboard wasn't working and the mouse was going haywire.

In other words, I couldn't physically pick the "right" answers.

The ones I THOUGHT were "right."

AAAAHHHHHHH!

Photo credit goes to....??? It's a found snapshot while browsing Square America. (Get over there! You'll be amazed at "our" amateur work)

I didn't even find the website on my own. That credit goes to the author, Katherine Center. And as if being a published author wasn't enough, if you take a gander at her website you will see how the threads of creativity weave together a fantastic woman.

I submitted ON PURPOSE the first part of an application to another graduate school yesterday--by the way. Very satisfying. I might even do another one today, just because!

~~J

Thursday, November 12, 2009

11/12 = Fantastic!

It all started with "a good hair day." Yes, I am being a bit vain--but is it absolutely true!

Then I met with one of my recommenders--and those ten letters of recommendation she wrote for me? complete! Done. Finito!

Coincidence? I mentioned my "accidental" submission to one program (aka I hit "submit" and assumed I would be prompted to enter credit card/payment information--NOPE! it SENT!)--just the FIRST part of the application...but I've gotten emails from the Director of the program already.

Long story, short--I mentioned this and SHE KNOWS THE DIRECTOR! What a small world. So that letter was addressed specifically to him. This means nothing in the long run, it's a numbers game, percentages are never in the applicant's favor--BUT it never hurts!

I was picked up by my BFF (one of my classes was cancelled) and we went to lunch at Fino's. Yes, the best little Italian grocery store in the city. What could be better than Fino's with your BFF? Exactly.

The lecture in my Philosophy class was interesting. (My proposal got the thumbs down, I have to go back to the drawing board with that one, oh well I wasn't "feeling" it either.)

Pecan Pie Cookie for snack (from aforementioned BFF) after before class...yum yum yum!

I came home to mail from aforementioned university (the one I sent the application to online, because I was a bit trigger happy)....NICE!

Then onward to YOGA:
ARF! (Downward Facing Dog)

Not my favorite pose (I've said this time and time again)--but tonight? Not so bad. I only had to modify it a few times.

AND when we went "one-legged" or "three-legged" depending on your point of view--I was a rock star.

(that means to pick one of those legs up and "throw" it over to the side, aka bend the extended leg at the knee)

Of course, my heels never stay flat on the floor--but tonight, while on one-leg, SUCCESS! (My left foot was flat on the floor!)

Moving Right along---apparently my Personal Statement is COMPLETE! I was informed of this by a professional (person I trust dearly)...and she wouldn't lie...but I had a feeling when I sent her the revision.

Next up? THE GRE (on Monday)! But who can stop me now? That's what I thought too....nobody!

~~J

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Color Confused:


"Whisper me something
any sound will do
I want some secrets
just between me and you
The sky is gray my clouds are blue
very blue
The sun is the strangest hue..."

(Jaymay)


Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Two Down:

Proposals.
(not of the marriage kind)

Paper proposals.

They seem "smarty" enough even.



of course, this means I have to write aforementioned "smarty" papers soon.

Oy vey!

I'm very proud and or confident about one of these final projects.

In that one I'm jumping back a few years (2001) and using an album by one of my favorite singer-songwriters to explore cross-gendered music. What happens when a song originally written and performed by one gender is covered by another.

Doesn't that seem brilliante'? I can't claim the idea as my own. It actually came from a lecture concerning the Liederkreis or song-cycle composed by Robert Schumann--a German romantic composer during the 19th century. His wife was actually the subject of our lecture though--Clara Schumann is amazing!

My "other" proposal was born out of the Shriver Report and I think I over-thought it. We'll see what the professor says--I am way out of my league on that one.

Full Frontal Feminism, deal with it!

So today's photo was taken from my BlackBerry. I wore my plaid Birkenstocks for the first time this semester. The weather was perfect. Swirling leaves and warm temperatures led to interesting sights on campus:

  • Peter Pan & Tinkerbelle in full costume (fairy wings included)
  • followed by two girls, arm-in-arm
  • a crazed-squirrel trying to decide which tree to scale
  • five or six tiny birds sharing a chocolate chip cookie

I survived. Now onto another day...(GRE countdown: SIX days)...

~~J

Friday, November 6, 2009

Calendars:

aka my extra super enemies.

REALLY! I can't look at a calendar anymore--and won't be able to until the beginning of the year, I'm sure of it. I was going to find a cool example/photo of a marked up calendar to post, but just Googling "calendar" made me want to vomit. Honestly.

It's a relatively new aversion. I discovered it a couple weeks ago while I was at work. I started looking at the schedule. Then it began--it started in my stomach before rising to my brain (the fear).

Before I knew it I was flipping and counting and mumbling dates and times.


  • HOW many weeks before I have X, Y & Z due?
  • HOW many days until the GRE?
  • HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL FINALS?
  • HOW am I going to mail ALL of these portfolios out by Dec. XX

I bought a cute little planner at the beginning of the semester. I made an Excel-type chart too. I can NOT look at those--or the FEAR rises.

ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME.
Yesterday I walked into a random salon and proclaimed:

"I need my hair cut!"

Highlights? Naw. A "Glaze"...SURE!

Wax my eyebrows? No problem.

The stylist probably could've sold me some prime land in Florida! I was worn out. I had finished & turned in my "mini" paper (discussed on Tuesday)--I was DONE!

And mini-pampering session was PERFECT! (Thanks Rowdy!)

I took a few funny pictures late last night. I have no idea WHAT that shadow is (the one beginning to slide across my face)...I think it's THE FEAR (of calendars)!

~~J

p.s. I haven't had a "soda" since SUNDAY! That sOUND you JUST heard was my horror-movie-screamin'...


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Happy Birthday, Flutterpup!

aka Buttercup.
Six years ago you came into this world.

It was a dark and stormy morning, until you arrived--

a lil' ray of sunshine, a blue-eyed wiggly girl, the color of peanut butter.

You've been mine (and I, yours) ever since.


(with the help of Aunt Raven & Bosco, Aunt Jodi & Kaiza, Aunt Stephie, and Oma & Gordon along the way)

Even though you used to "wiggle" (in-utero spinal cord injury they say) now you only tremble when frightened or excited.

You love green beans, peas, "smushy" treats, and ice cold water.
You love your KONG! alongside any number of stuffed animals.
You love "chasing" squirrels--although really you just want to play.
You love....

And we love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Baby Girl!

~~J

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

the Urge to Blog--

...becomes extremely strong when I have another assignment due (or I should be working on aforementioned assignment because it is due really soon instead of blogging)...

Lucky you (that one reader).

So begins the first week of November. So begins the rush to Graduation. Of course, one must pass her classes in order to graduate--so let's keep that in mind.

I have been a busy girl. I nearly have a personal statement ready to go (it's just like workshopping a fiction piece, although it's nonfiction & almost as important as the fiction pieces included in my portfolio).

Halloween 2009 aka Lenny Kravitz rocks my world!!!

it's blurry*
it's Lenny from the third row.

Give me a break--
He. Is. Scrumptious.

Great friends
+ HIM
= a night not soon forgotten.



Back from Lenny dreamland. *snap snap* FOCUS!

2nd philosophy paper about Men doing Feminism is due in 48hrs
I have two project proposals due in seven days
I have another abnormal psychology exam coming up
In less than TWO weeks I take the GRE...

Each of these is enough to make a lesser person hyperventilate. WHO AM I KIDDING? I need a brown paper bag, STAT!

Oh yeah! And this is my second day off "soda." NOT water (dressed in brown), just "pop."

~~J

*proof I need A with me at all times--at least to capture events on film.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I'll Admit I'm a Fool for You:

It's been a monumental "school" week...one I shall never forget.

I met with the three (yes, I gained one) former/current professor(s) writing letters on my behalf (recommending me to various MFA programs).

One had me in tears.
One had me laughing.
One had me breathing a big sigh of relief.

I have two authors (! one of which has taught at three of the schools I am applying to) alongside one professor of literature--I feel like the most invincible student in the world! Almost as if I have an army of intelligence behind me.

Then I remember that--
  • 90% of my possible acceptable relies on my own short fiction.
  • it just takes one person on a committee to put Me in the "discard" pile.
  • the average acceptance rate seems to teeter around 10%.
  • I am applying to ten schools.
  • I do have a back-up plan.
With all of that in mind, I feel a little more "sure" as opposed to "unsure" about the whole process. But then again, I still have to write that letter of intent/statement of purpose. Everyone knows the easiest question to answer is: WHO AM I? *guffaw* This is why YOU want ME!

In other news: I have an idea as to WHAT I will be doing for my big, huge project/paper for one class. I still don't know what I am doing for the big, huge project/paper for another class.

Because you're mine, I walk the line.
Every step is good bad, yes no, here we go!

~~J

Monday, October 26, 2009

Riddle Me This:

How does an Allie-gator stay so green?

Diet Moutain Dew!

~~J

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Top 100 Books (4)

Lev Grossman & Richard Lacayo (critics for TIME magazine) picked the "100 best English-language novels since 1923" some time ago ...

I was directed to their list recently and have posted it as a four-part series.

These 35 novels round it off:

O - R
On the RoadJack Kerouac (I have a copy waiting)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestKen Kesey

The Painted BirdJerzy Kosinski
Pale FireVladimir Nabokov
A Passage to IndiaE.M. Forster
Play It As It LaysJoan Didion
Portnoy's ComplaintPhilip Roth
PossessionA.S. Byatt
The Power and the GloryGraham Greene
The Prime of Miss Jean BrodieMuriel Spark

Rabbit, RunJohn Updike (I guess I need to get one it)
RagtimeE.L. Doctorow
The RecognitionsWilliam Gaddis
Red HarvestDashiell Hammett
Revolutionary RoadRichard Yates (Oh the movie did me in!)

S - T
The Sheltering SkyPaul Bowles
Slaughterhouse-FiveKurt Vonnegut
CrashNeal Stephenson
The Sot-Weed FactorJohn Barth
The Sound and the FuryWilliam Faulkner (I have a copy to read one day)
The SportswriterRichard Ford
The Spy Who Came in From the ColdJohn le Carre
**The Sun Also RisesErnest Hemingway (Yes. I know.)
**Their Eyes Were Watching GodZora Neale Hurston (for Cultural Anthropology)
**Things Fall ApartChinua Achebe (for Literary Heritage)
**To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee (LOVE!)
To the LighthouseVirginia Woolf (Must find!)
Tropic of CancerHenry Miller

U - W
UbikPhilip K. Dick
Under the NetIris Murdoch
Under the VolcanoMalcolm Lowry
WatchmenAlan Moore & Dave Gibbons
White NoiseDon DeLillo
White TeethZadie Smith
Wide Sargasso SeaJean Rhys (HEY! I have a copy--mentioned this in the summer)

Obviously I have a lot of reading to do after the semester is over. AFTER the semester is over (did you catch that part)!

~~J

Friday, October 23, 2009

I am the Warrior:

Well I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive the warrior,
the warrior...
(Scandal, 1984)

Warrior III Pose

Virabhadra = the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, eyes and feet; wielding a thousand clubs; and wearing a tiger's skin.

I'm only so fierce whilst standing on my right leg. And my arms are out to the sides or back (not forward)--but that's my new yoga pose from last night.

And maybe I'm just a little bit crazy, but I almost prefer Yoga on a rainy night. It's easier to get into "the mood" when you can hear raindrops and swirling leaves.

So this week has been filled with a lot of applications. Graduate school applications. I've only started the process--but it's daunting nevertheless. I've almost completed the "school" part for SIX universities.

Then I start the portfolio part. I'm vetting my short stories now. I know of one YES and then I'm trying to decide between two others. It really depends on the school and the amount of pages they require.

Oh yeah, school school. Who can forget about school school?

There are 3 stories to read. There is another story to write.

THEN there is a "mini" paper to finish start BEFORE I take on TWO really big papers (8 pages, 15 pages). Both proposals are due on THE SAME DAY (Nov 10)!

The next week after that? GRE! (plus an abnormal psych exam)

Don't mind me--shooting at the walls of heartache, bang bang!

~~J

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I've Gone Batty!

Less than two months before "Graduation"
(notice the bejeweled disco bats!)
~~J

Top 100 Books (3):

Lev Grossman & Richard Lacayo (critics for TIME magazine) picked the "100 best English-language novels since 1923" some time ago ... I was directed to their list recently.

You can find A-B AND C-G already blogged about...like justa couple days ago.

H - I
A Handful of DustEvelyn Waugh
The Heart Is A Lonely HunterCarson McCullers
The Heart of the MatterGraham Greene
HerzogSaul Bellow
HousekeepingMarilynne Robinson
A House for Mr. BiswasV.S. Naipaul

I, ClaudiusRobert Graves
Infinite JestDavid Foster Wallace
Invisible ManRalph Ellison

L - N
Light in AugustWilliam Faulkner (one day, I promise)
*The Lion, The Witch and the WardrobeC.S. Lewis (in some form, yes)
LolitaVladimir Nabokov (so ready to read this!)
**Lord of the FliesWilliam Golding (in high school)
The Lord of the RingsJ.R.R. Tolkien
LovingHenry Green
Lucky JimKingsley Amis

The Man Who Loved ChildrenChristina Stead
Midnight's ChildrenSalman Rushdie
MoneyMartin Amis
The MoviegoerWalker Percy
*Mrs. DallowayVirginia Woolf (half-way read)

Naked LunchWilliam Burroughs
*Native SonRichard Wright (I skimmed it in 11th grade)
NeuromancerWilliam Gibson
Never Let Me GoKazuo Ishiguro
**1984George Orwell (blaaaah!)

I am truly pathetic--right?

I can say that I've heard about (in casual or academic conversations) several of these works and or authors. I have been focusing on the Short Story format lately (excuses, excuses).

~~J

p.s. Lists to make myself feel "dumb"...fantastical!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

~@#$%^&*

introducing the interrobang or interabang (thanks, A!)

a nonstandard English-language punctuation mark intended to combine the functions of the question mark and the exclamation point. The ligature is a superimposition of those two marks.

alternatively, this is what I feel like when filling out graduate school applications.

(Yeah, I know interrobang just sounds just soooo dirty, giggling like a 12-year-old boy is often encouraged!)

It is my nonstandard day (hence nonstandard punctuation).

I don't have work. I don't have class. It is my first day completely "off" since Labor Day. It's been a "break" in the making (so to speak). I've been counting it down. I've been dreaming about it. Now that IT is finally here...

Happy Fall Break, Y'all!

I have:
--officially crossed a graduate school off my list (my issues/decision)
--"applied" as much as currently possible to three FOUR schools
--printed out a lot of information for my "recommenders"
--watched too much CNN
--learned a new punctuation mark (like I have researched it even)

I have not:
--left the house
--made my bed
--put on "real" clothes (although I have showered)
--written or edited anything!
--napped

Of course, I shall be writing or editing or napping soon enough.

~~J

(verbal pronunciation of the title of this post: "tilda.amphora.hash.dollar.percent.caret.ampersand.asterix")

Top 100 Books (2):

Lev Grossman & Richard Lacayo (critics for TIME magazine) picked the "100 best English-language novels since 1923" some time ago ... I was directed to their list recently.

You can find A-B blogged about previously.

The next 22 on their list:

C - D
Call It SleepHenry Roth
Catch-22Joseph Heller
*The Catcher in the RyeJ.D. Salinger (have it to read)
A Clockwork OrangeAnthony Burgess (saw and hated the movie)
The Confessions of Nat TurnerWilliam Styron
The CorrectionsJonathan Franzen
The Crying of Lot 49Thomas Pynchon

A Dance to the Music of TimeAnthony Powell
The Day of the LocustNathanael West
Death Comes for the ArchbishopWilla Cather (I've read others by her)
A Death in the FamilyJames Agee
The Death of the HeartElizabeth Bowen
DeliveranceJames Dickey (saw the movie)
Dog SoldiersRobert Stone

F - G
FalconerJohn Cheever (I have read a lot of his short stories!)
The French Lieutenant's WomanJohn Fowles
The Golden NotebookDoris Lessing

Go Tell it on the MountainJames Baldwin
**Gone With the WindMargaret Mitchell (read it in 8th grade)
**The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck
Gravity's RainbowThomas Pynchon
**The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald (we have a history)

*means I have half-ass started it!
**means I have read it!

~~J

P.S. Apparently I have a lot of reading to do. My "knowledge" of this list is starting to get a bit embarassing!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Top 100 Books (1):

Lev Grossman & Richard Lacayo (critics for TIME magazine) picked the "100 best English-language novels since 1923" some time ago ... I was directed to their list recently.

I wanted to see HOW many I had read. (laughable)
So then I decided to see HOW many I knew. (much better)

Then I wanted to challenge myself--ya know, I gotta print out the list and head to the library (when I have time to do so)...

I wanted to share their list, but it is 100 books! I am going to break it into sections to share instead--much easier this way--

(And in case you're wondering, NO it is not ranked--or at least I can't FIND an actual ranking, which is really a more democratic way of doing it.)

A - B
The Adventures of Augie March Saul Bellow
**All the King's Men Robert Penn Warren
American Pastoral Philip Roth
An American Tragedy Theodore Dreiser
**Animal Farm George Orwell
Appointment in Samarra John O'Hara (talked about it in class this semester)
**Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Judy Blume
The Assistant Bernard Malamud
At Swim-Two-Birds Flann O'Brien
**Atonement Ian McEwan (I actually have two copies!)

**Beloved Toni Morrison
The Berlin Stories Christopher Isherwood
The Big Sleep Raymond Chandler
The Blind Assassin Margaret Atwood
Blood Meridian Cormac McCarthy (talked about it in class last semester)
Brideshead Revisited Evelyn Waugh (I saw the movie!)
The Bridge of San Luis Rey Thornton Wilder

**means I have read it!

I will need to come up with my own one day...or at least my top ten--officially.

When people find out you are a "writer" they automatically ask you WHO is your favorite author or WHAT is your favorite book--I am often left saying "um, um, um."

~~J

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