Say It Ain' So:

I found out some horrible news this past week. One of my favorite places in Memphis is closing at the end of January.

My personal history with Bookstar began sometime in the Fall of 1996. I went there to find a book for a class I was taking at the University of Memphis...

I fell in love with the atmosphere, the quirky feel the building possessed....

(hence the not-so great black/white photos taken with my first digital camera)

But the space has a larger history, outside of myself. It used to be the Plaza Theater from 1952 until it closed in September 1989.

The renovation for a Bookstar kept a lot of the relics from the old movie theater, including the ticket booth outside the entrance, which helped to preserve the fun feel:

"Except for the leveled floor, the main room has the shape and feel of a large theater. A movie screen hangs over the magazine racks on one end of the room, and small projection windows overlook the room from the opposite wall." (commercial appeal article)

It's might seem strange to talk about the bathrooms, especially if you've never been to Bookstar...

BUT bathrooms seem to be known by everyone. I've had more than one conversation about them while discussing the sad, sad news.

(I took this photo of the retro lighting with my first digital camera too)

The best "part" is the sitting room attached to the main attraction.

From my best memory, I'd say the carpet is a dark giraffe print and the vinyl seats are a pale pink--I will be visiting a lot during Winter break.

If I could count all the papers I've worked on in the cafe' while looking out the windows onto Poplar Ave,


Or tell you about the poetry I've read in the aisles,

Or the magazines I've purchased (specifically The Oxford American),

Coffee I've drank, books I've ordered, time spent sitting on the floor in front of the craft section (yarn/knitting)...

It would equal a large number. Geez, so sad.

~~J

And it continues...

(Best clip I could find with all of the goals...)

~~J

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

Registered?

As my dear Candidate reminded me:

The last day to register to vote in Tennessee is next Monday, October 6th.

Are you registered? Are your friends and family?

Each and every vote in Tennessee is absolutely crucial on Election Day. But in less than a week, the time for bringing new voices into the political process will be over. You need to be certain that you, your friends, and your family are registered by the deadline -- it's a small step that will have a huge impact on our Election Day results.

This election is too important to leave anything to chance. Make sure your voice is heard!

DECLARE YOURSELF!

~~J

Ask Me About:

1859-->
The Origin of Species (Charles Darwin)
Self Help (Samuel Smiles)
On Liberty (J.S. Mill)

or

"Angel in the House" (Patmore)-->explaining "Separate Spheres"-->
The Pankhursts-->Contagious Diseases Act (1864)

or

Winston Churchill as a study in greatness (according to Geoffrey Best) alongside with a history of Imperialism via The Lion's Share (as explained by Bernard Porter)...

In other words, stick a fork in me. I'm done with British/English History since 1714!!!! And after an all essay midterm and final...I am over the moon to report an A!!!!!


~~J

The NeverEnding Story:

Forgive me so for being sprawled between the vowels, consonants, and the political theories of Hobbes and Locke over the last 11 days. Obviously, it has been difficult for me to maintain equipoise.

This summer session has been flying by at warp speed. My days consist of early morning showers & mid morning traffic. Britain/England since 1714 has thinned out now and typically there are anywhere from 7-9 other souls sharing the spaces in between the pre & postindustrial strife.

New friends: John Locke & Jeremy Bentham
(I don't really know how someone can be friends with old dead philosophers either, but I am)

New obsession: Scrabulous!
(I've not even won a handful of games yet, but I know how to play Qi and Xi like a pro now)

Aside from the world of academia I have been quite busy watching Euro 2008 (as previously mentioned). I don't know what I will do come Sunday evening after the Finals. And just in case you didn't know, GERMANY will be playing...

Speaking of my second favorite country, I was able to test out of the language requirement for my degree! I went in to take my placement exam on a Friday and 12 minutes later I knew my results.

I will have to take another test (and pay a fee) in order to receive the credit for the classes I tested out of...it's cheaper than taking two more classes...it's a NeverEnding Story (not unlike the original story, did you know it was German too?)...

fare-thee-well for now.

~~J

Back to Class:

(specifically back to where I started, more than a decade ago!)

So I’ve made my return to the “park-like” campus at the University of Memphis. Not only are there are more buildings (and an active construction site), it's a whole lot prettier than I remember.

During my first full week back I've:
1) parked in the same lot, 5 days in a row...
2) settled on 1 specific route to my building
3) visited the bookstore twice
4) taken the most horrible student ID photo in the history of the world
5) helped OTHER PEOPLE find *insert name here* building

My goal was to write everyday after my experiences, but I probably would've offended entire countries along the way.

Ya see, I am taking an upper division history class--England since 1714--and Monday I hated Britain, BUT on Tuesday I loved Britain and then on Wednesday I didn't mind Britain too much...now I'm having issues with Winston Churchill (hahaha).

My entire grade is dependent on only two exams (a midterm and a final). This is the first time in my college career that I will only be graded on two assignments. Also I might also be the only non-history major in the class...which really isn't too big of a deal.

Be looking for specific entries about social orders, the industrial revolution...and a lot of Euro 2008 Soccer!

~~J

{Results 1}

So close to 9pm last night we got our first {Math Exam} back...

*drumroll*

I passed. I passed with relative "flying colors"...a respectable high B. BUT (and there is always a BUT) if I would've paid attention and not flubbed the last VERY easy problem, it would've been a respectable low A.

Does anyone know where "flying colors" came from? Maybe it has something to do with flying your Flag? Something patriotic? Planting your "colors" when you claim victory?

I can't dwell too much...now I'll move on to my next battle (so to speak)...

About 170 years of early U.S. History...circa 1600-1775

This includes a few Kings & Queens, Prime Ministers and FOUR Wars (known by both the "European" name and the "Colonial" name) plus their treaties & provisions...this stuff is absolutely fascinating and was NEVER this exciting in high school.

*fingers crossed*

~~J

p.s. I am waiting for the University of Memphis "accept" me...they responded to my application and requested transcripts...which were sent a couple weeks ago. When I type my name into the "search" field on the school site, I DO come up...but I'm not listed as a student yet. I have 2 weeks to complete a scholarship application, but I have to be accepted first!

Makin' Copies:

(like on SNL, but without Rob Schneider)

So I have my first History Exam this week (Thursday). I started going through my notes--making notecards (as pictured).

I have 12-pages of typed notes (taken IN class, YES! that's me with the laptop)...thankfully they are not handwritten! I've heard students say they have 20-30 pages written. ACK!

I'm actually pretty excited to take this exam. As (I think) I mentioned eons ago, this class is like "story time" or something similar. Even though we know what's going to happen, it's still nice to hear all the details.

Are they going to throw the tea in the harbor? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?!?! Will they band together and fight the British?!?!

It's early U.S. History, the dramatic and highly-entertaining version--led by a wonderful, wonderful professor & I love it!

~~J

So Much To Say (x4):

(like the Dave Matthews Band cira 1995)

Since there have been about 10,000 things to write about, notice my complete silence. I apologize.

Super Tornado Tuesday has thrown me for a loop (and I wasn’t even affected) so I can hardly imagine what it would be like to be without a home. The pictures and stories keep trickling in and not only can they be found on local news programs, but national news channels as well.

If you want to help out be sure to check out the Union University Recovery site as well as the Midsouth chapter of the American Red Cross.

Just so you know, I've learned I am a "Political News Junkie" according to CNN. This means I like to watch programs like "Ballot Bowl 08" and all the Primary Results come in--while following along ONLINE on my laptop! For shame, for shame!

I have re-applied to the University of Memphis and they have replied with requests for official Transcripts containing all my college course work. EVERYTHING has been sent now and I am just waiting for word on my status!

I have my first Math exam tomorrow (instead of last week, since classes were cancelled) AND my first History exam NEXT week. Oy!

~~J

The Good, The Bad & Super Cold:

So I have survived the first week of class (Spring Semester) & a Super Cold.

*insert cheers here*

History Class > Math Class = Super Cold

Which basically means:

I love my History Class (US History to 1877)...we've met twice and I can tell you this much already. It felt like "story time" almost, "story time" with note taking. My professor is both fair and knowledgeable. Lovely qualities to have as a professor (as opposed to disorganized and flighty).

I really really fear Math (Math Foundations aka really crazy stuff like Set Theory). Where did this branch of Mathematics come from and really, what is the point? This is making me yearn for Algebra. I'll give the first person $$ who has proof (in writing) I would ever miss algebra. YEARN for Algebra? REALLY?

Also, I ordered the textbook online (to save $30) and it might not arrive until Wednesday. I have class on Tuesday night. OY!

Super Cold came into my life around 1am on Tuesday morning. We've been fighting one another ever since. I finally caved this evening and left work early. The Pharmacy has become a breeding ground for such sickness! I've personally handled 10+ people this week with Tamiflu perscriptions.

Super Cold and Math are pretty much the same as far as I'm concerned.

Oddly enough, Super Cold seems to be on the way out while Math is just beginning.

*le sigh*

~~J