I decided I would follow Christine's lead and make my excuses for not updating as regularly as usual. As I mentioned in my last post, the thesis exam is quickly approaching and I need to start reading large quantities at a quick pace if I want to be prepared. I have also made an appointment at the eye doctor so I can actually read the words I stare at. The glasses will not only help with exam preparation. I assume the glasses will also remove me as a lethal threat during night driving. I have always been loath to wear glasses, not because I think I will look dorky but because once you start wearing them, you can never go back. I've needed glasses since high school, but it is amazing how rapidly my eyesight has deteriorated over the past two years. I think what it really is, is that my eyes are allergic to pedantry. I did wear glasses briefly in high school before they started to annoyed me. Then, I wore them again for about two months as an undergraduate, but I found that they got in my way when trying to kiss David. Finally, I switched to contacts and those were fine for about two months until my left eye started rejecting them. I could either never get the contact in my eye, or after about fifteen minutes the contact would pop out of my eye. Always. So now I'm going to get glasses and just stop kissing David.
Well, what books could possibly be so important that I need to become bespectacled to read them? I'm glad you asked. Prepare your eyeballs for the literary pageantry you are about to see. The following is "Monica's M.A. Thesis Exam Reading List." If you want you can read them with me, and we can form a book club entitled "Reading the Greats: Books That Will Never Ever Help You Receive Employment. Ever." We'll start now and finish a week after spring break. Here goes.
CLASSICAL
Ovid, Metamorphosis
Aristotle, Poetics
Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
Euripedes, Bacchae
BIBLICAL
St. Matthew, Gospel According to St. Matthew
MEDIEVAL
Beowulf
Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales - "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale"
Malory, Morte D'Arthur
Mankind
RENAISSANCE
Shakespeare, King Lear
Sidney, An Apology for Poetry
Spenser, Faerie Queene
Milton, Paradise Lost
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Henry Fielding, Tom Jones
Alexander Pope, Essay on Man
Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
NINETEENTH CENTURY
Wordsworth, Lyrical Ballads
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Emily Dickinson, Collected Poems
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Virgina Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway
Philip Larkin, Collected Poems
William Falkner, The Sound and the Fury
Toni Morrison, Beloved
Thank God I've already read about half of this list. I'll still need to review the texts I've already read, but it'll be a big help. All in all, this is a pretty good list of books. People always criticize Purdue's English department for being liberal, but this list is extremely canonical. I mean, almost all of these books are written by dead white men: Shakespeare, Milton, Alexander Pope, Virginia Woolf. So I don't want to hear about it. Anyway, that's what I'll be doing until spring break. I'll try to update at least once a week, but if I don't, you'll know why.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Back on the Blog
Well, after a little more than a month off, I'm back on the blog. My apologies to anyone who's been checking my blog and had to see the picture of the peanut butter for so long.
I guess it's been such a while that I should give some sort of recap or at least let people know what's been going on since this semester has started. If you know me at all, you know that I hate blogging about day-to-day stuff. It just bores me so much, even though I'm not bored by reading the day-to-day stuff of someone else. I usually blog about stuff that angers me or is funny to me or most likely both. But a synopsis or something is in order, and I'll get back to the witty stuff shortly. I would like to say that I am saddened by the fact that I have now been classified as a blog delinquent. I will try my hardest to regain my readership.
Nothing much has been going on since school has started. I'm just in a spring semester, perhaps my last spring semester ever, funk. My classes seem fine but not overly exciting. I'm in a John Donne seminar, a Shakespeare in critical perspective class, and the history of English language class. I constantly find myself angered in my Donne class because I never know where Donne is coming from religiously. He was raised in a staunch Catholic family but also wrote invectives about Papists while still Catholic. Then, when he supposedly converted to Anglicanism, he wrote some very Catholic material. It makes me think the guy was an ambitious fence-sitter who only committed to certain beliefs when they could keep him out of trouble. Maybe he really was conflicted and I just don't have the patience right now to understand his ordeal.
The Shakespeare class is cool and almost all of my Renaissance buddies are in the class, and that makes the class easier to get through. It's funny how such a small department like Comparative Lit becomes even smaller when you can locate who are the Renaissance, Medieval, Classics types and the Post-colonial, modern British and American Lit types. I have to say that I've always gotten along better with the first group undoubtedly because we have the same literary interests and that might say a lot about our other interests and ways of life. I've noticed that many of the first group are either married or engaged. The second group, not so much. Ultimately, I'm not sure if micro-departmentalization in academia is good. In fact, I'm sure it's not. Yet, I do like the people in my area and that's fine with me.
I also like my history of the English Language class because it is taught by a very devout nun who also happens to be an extremely respected scholar in her field, which is Medieval Lit, language, and history.
My Latin students seem very nice and capable this semester. That fact will make this semester go by a lot faster.
My thesis exam is looming and I'll have to take that the week after spring break. Part of me wants to rock the test hard core and get a distinction. The other part says that they'll give me my degree even if I just get a pass. Of course, it will look better on my resume if I get a high grade. Then I think, "resume for what? Having babies?" I know I shouldn't think like that, but that's how I feel at the moment.
This post is kind of depressing me. I think that's why I've put off posting for so long. I just really want to finish school. Yet, I'm always careful when I say that because things could be a lot worse. I'm sure if a coal miner, deep sea fisherman, sweatshop worker, mother with young kids, or anyone else with and actual hard job were reading this they would all want to punch me in the face and tell me to stop my whining. And that is valid. So, let's move on to the good things that I've got going on right now. This list is by no means comprehensive.
I guess I should start out with David. He's my favorite. I like to watch documentaries that we've checked out from the library with him. I also like to tell jokes with him and just be around him in general.
Then, there is Blue Jacket Night, the Neuliebs, and friends in general. It's nice to go out on Thursdays and have drinks with friends even if my amazingly low alcohol tolerance shows itself through my bright red cheeks and embarrassing interjections. No one has barred me from the place though, so I don't think people mind too much. I hope not anyway. The Neuliebs are great and I'm sad that we haven't seen much of them this semester. The fault probably rests mostly with the O'Neils.
Speaking of Mary, she's got me hooked on this NBC drama called Heroes. It...is...so...good. I would tell you who my favorite character is but I can't because they are all so cool. I'm leaning toward Claire, but I just don't know. David actually watched last night and said his favorite is Hiro. I think my favorite power would be the power of persuasion, which Eden had until she shot herself to prevent Sylar for stealing her power or Sylar shot her. (There's a big debate) The persuasion think is funny because I don't see myself as manipulative and I certainly don't want to be. I seriously don't know if I could choose a favorite power from the living characters because they are all neat. Maybe Claire's Wolverine-like regeneration, or the mind reading cop whose name escapes me at this moment.
Another good thing I have is Pilates. I've found a really good Pilates DVD that Claire (Claire Freeman not save the cheerleader, save the world Claire) and sometimes Elisabeth do with me. Claire and I have made such progress. Before we started We couldn't touch our toes. Now we can touch the floor. There are other great benefits to Pilates too like much better balance, better posture, stronger core muscles, greater sense of relaxation and less stress, and shapelier physique.
Last but not least- I've been getting up about 20 minutes early every day to fix a cup of Suisse Mocha coffee. I can't tell you how much easier it is to get out of bed when I have coffee. And not just for the caffeine. I really enjoy it. I have to be careful though or I would drink about three cups a day and I really want to limit myself to one. David says I'm already addicted and it's probably true, but damn if it doesn't make getting up to go to school easier.
I guess it's been such a while that I should give some sort of recap or at least let people know what's been going on since this semester has started. If you know me at all, you know that I hate blogging about day-to-day stuff. It just bores me so much, even though I'm not bored by reading the day-to-day stuff of someone else. I usually blog about stuff that angers me or is funny to me or most likely both. But a synopsis or something is in order, and I'll get back to the witty stuff shortly. I would like to say that I am saddened by the fact that I have now been classified as a blog delinquent. I will try my hardest to regain my readership.
Nothing much has been going on since school has started. I'm just in a spring semester, perhaps my last spring semester ever, funk. My classes seem fine but not overly exciting. I'm in a John Donne seminar, a Shakespeare in critical perspective class, and the history of English language class. I constantly find myself angered in my Donne class because I never know where Donne is coming from religiously. He was raised in a staunch Catholic family but also wrote invectives about Papists while still Catholic. Then, when he supposedly converted to Anglicanism, he wrote some very Catholic material. It makes me think the guy was an ambitious fence-sitter who only committed to certain beliefs when they could keep him out of trouble. Maybe he really was conflicted and I just don't have the patience right now to understand his ordeal.
The Shakespeare class is cool and almost all of my Renaissance buddies are in the class, and that makes the class easier to get through. It's funny how such a small department like Comparative Lit becomes even smaller when you can locate who are the Renaissance, Medieval, Classics types and the Post-colonial, modern British and American Lit types. I have to say that I've always gotten along better with the first group undoubtedly because we have the same literary interests and that might say a lot about our other interests and ways of life. I've noticed that many of the first group are either married or engaged. The second group, not so much. Ultimately, I'm not sure if micro-departmentalization in academia is good. In fact, I'm sure it's not. Yet, I do like the people in my area and that's fine with me.
I also like my history of the English Language class because it is taught by a very devout nun who also happens to be an extremely respected scholar in her field, which is Medieval Lit, language, and history.
My Latin students seem very nice and capable this semester. That fact will make this semester go by a lot faster.
My thesis exam is looming and I'll have to take that the week after spring break. Part of me wants to rock the test hard core and get a distinction. The other part says that they'll give me my degree even if I just get a pass. Of course, it will look better on my resume if I get a high grade. Then I think, "resume for what? Having babies?" I know I shouldn't think like that, but that's how I feel at the moment.
This post is kind of depressing me. I think that's why I've put off posting for so long. I just really want to finish school. Yet, I'm always careful when I say that because things could be a lot worse. I'm sure if a coal miner, deep sea fisherman, sweatshop worker, mother with young kids, or anyone else with and actual hard job were reading this they would all want to punch me in the face and tell me to stop my whining. And that is valid. So, let's move on to the good things that I've got going on right now. This list is by no means comprehensive.
I guess I should start out with David. He's my favorite. I like to watch documentaries that we've checked out from the library with him. I also like to tell jokes with him and just be around him in general.
Then, there is Blue Jacket Night, the Neuliebs, and friends in general. It's nice to go out on Thursdays and have drinks with friends even if my amazingly low alcohol tolerance shows itself through my bright red cheeks and embarrassing interjections. No one has barred me from the place though, so I don't think people mind too much. I hope not anyway. The Neuliebs are great and I'm sad that we haven't seen much of them this semester. The fault probably rests mostly with the O'Neils.
Speaking of Mary, she's got me hooked on this NBC drama called Heroes. It...is...so...good. I would tell you who my favorite character is but I can't because they are all so cool. I'm leaning toward Claire, but I just don't know. David actually watched last night and said his favorite is Hiro. I think my favorite power would be the power of persuasion, which Eden had until she shot herself to prevent Sylar for stealing her power or Sylar shot her. (There's a big debate) The persuasion think is funny because I don't see myself as manipulative and I certainly don't want to be. I seriously don't know if I could choose a favorite power from the living characters because they are all neat. Maybe Claire's Wolverine-like regeneration, or the mind reading cop whose name escapes me at this moment.
Another good thing I have is Pilates. I've found a really good Pilates DVD that Claire (Claire Freeman not save the cheerleader, save the world Claire) and sometimes Elisabeth do with me. Claire and I have made such progress. Before we started We couldn't touch our toes. Now we can touch the floor. There are other great benefits to Pilates too like much better balance, better posture, stronger core muscles, greater sense of relaxation and less stress, and shapelier physique.
Last but not least- I've been getting up about 20 minutes early every day to fix a cup of Suisse Mocha coffee. I can't tell you how much easier it is to get out of bed when I have coffee. And not just for the caffeine. I really enjoy it. I have to be careful though or I would drink about three cups a day and I really want to limit myself to one. David says I'm already addicted and it's probably true, but damn if it doesn't make getting up to go to school easier.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Guilty Pleasures
On David's last post there were a couple of comments about guilty pleasures. Most concerned watching TV shows that may or may not have any redeeming value (e.g. Lois and Clark, Deadwood, etc.) Well, I'm writing today to tell you about some of my guilty pleasures. Ah yes, I shall expound on those things that we take delight in even though we would never be caught dead doing them in front of our professors, priests, bosses or other people who we want to trick into thinking that we are smart, well raised, mature people. Well, we can't always just pray the rosary, read edifying material, and write beneficial prose. Actually, we probably could, but then we would be saints. I'm not there yet, and for this reason I present to you my guilty pleasures.
First, I like peanut butter. A lot. However, the guilty pleasure does not come from the substance itself, but in the way I consume it. I have to preface this by saying that the O'Neil household is a no-bread household because of David's allergy. Therefore, I cannot just eat peanut butter sandwiches. Instead, I grab a giant spoon and retrieve a massive quantity from the jar. Then I set on the couch and lick it mindlessly as though am eating a gargantuan peanut butter popsicle. I'm sure I look like an idiot because David always rolls his eyes while I do so.
Second, Vh1. This hasn't been a problem since I moved out of my parents house, but the addiction was bad enough at the time that it still rates up there. Did I watch Behind the Music specials of bands I did not care about or deplored? Yes, I happen to know where Kid Rock was born and the name of his alleged daughter. Did I watch a reality TV show on this channel that was based around forming a new Chippendale's type group? Um... Yes. Finally, did I watch an eight hour marathon of America's Next Top Model during summer break even though I was called by my boss and asked to work at Osco that day? Yes...I...Did. I'm sure you all hate me by now, but it is kind of cathartic to clear the air about these things. Anyway, Vh1 is the devil. It sucks you in and then never lets you go. Thank God I moved out of my parent's house.
Third, Purdue Women's Basketball. I follow this sport even more than I like to admit. I mean, I know the types of people who watch women's sports and it's not pretty. But I do watch Purdue women's basketball, and I even go to ESPN.com to check out the team's latest stats. Then, I get angry at ESPN.com because they are always making such a big freaking deal out of the Tennessee and Duke women's teams and I feel like Purdue isn't getting enough recognition.
Finally, "Push it" by Salt-N-Pepa. I don't normally like rap, but this song has some kind of sway over me. I find myself listening to it at least once a week, and I had it as a ringtone on my old phone. There have also been occasions where, when encouraged (by alcohol), I have rapped the entire song for people whether I was asked to or not. I have also requested it at wedding receptions (again, this was an alcohol influenced decision). Now, this song is bad. Let me give you a sample of the lyrics:
Salt-N-Pepa's here and were in effect
Want you to push it, babe
Coolin' by day, then at night working up a sweat
C'mon girls, lets go show the guys that we know
How to become number one in a hot party show.
Now push it
Push it good.
Push it real good.
Okay, so now you see my dilemma. It is obvious that this song is immoral and I should not listen to it. Furthermore, I hate almost all rap, especially the really vulgar stuff. And yet, I really like this song, though I have a hard time explaining why. And then there is another part of me that says, "Hey, I'm a married woman and I can push it or have it pushed in any manner I choose (so long as it is in accordance with Theology of the Body and my NFP method)." And as far as I know, JPII never said anything against becoming "number one in a hot party show." So I will continue to listen to the song until I find out otherwise.
Well, anyway those are some of my guilty pleasures. If you feel brave enough, post some of your guilty pleasures on the comments section. Until next time remember this: "This dance ain't for everybody, only the sexy people. So all you fly muthaz get on out there and dance. Dance, I said!" Ah, words to live by.
First, I like peanut butter. A lot. However, the guilty pleasure does not come from the substance itself, but in the way I consume it. I have to preface this by saying that the O'Neil household is a no-bread household because of David's allergy. Therefore, I cannot just eat peanut butter sandwiches. Instead, I grab a giant spoon and retrieve a massive quantity from the jar. Then I set on the couch and lick it mindlessly as though am eating a gargantuan peanut butter popsicle. I'm sure I look like an idiot because David always rolls his eyes while I do so.
Second, Vh1. This hasn't been a problem since I moved out of my parents house, but the addiction was bad enough at the time that it still rates up there. Did I watch Behind the Music specials of bands I did not care about or deplored? Yes, I happen to know where Kid Rock was born and the name of his alleged daughter. Did I watch a reality TV show on this channel that was based around forming a new Chippendale's type group? Um... Yes. Finally, did I watch an eight hour marathon of America's Next Top Model during summer break even though I was called by my boss and asked to work at Osco that day? Yes...I...Did. I'm sure you all hate me by now, but it is kind of cathartic to clear the air about these things. Anyway, Vh1 is the devil. It sucks you in and then never lets you go. Thank God I moved out of my parent's house.
Third, Purdue Women's Basketball. I follow this sport even more than I like to admit. I mean, I know the types of people who watch women's sports and it's not pretty. But I do watch Purdue women's basketball, and I even go to ESPN.com to check out the team's latest stats. Then, I get angry at ESPN.com because they are always making such a big freaking deal out of the Tennessee and Duke women's teams and I feel like Purdue isn't getting enough recognition.
Finally, "Push it" by Salt-N-Pepa. I don't normally like rap, but this song has some kind of sway over me. I find myself listening to it at least once a week, and I had it as a ringtone on my old phone. There have also been occasions where, when encouraged (by alcohol), I have rapped the entire song for people whether I was asked to or not. I have also requested it at wedding receptions (again, this was an alcohol influenced decision). Now, this song is bad. Let me give you a sample of the lyrics:Salt-N-Pepa's here and were in effect
Want you to push it, babe
Coolin' by day, then at night working up a sweat
C'mon girls, lets go show the guys that we know
How to become number one in a hot party show.
Now push it
Push it good.
Push it real good.
Okay, so now you see my dilemma. It is obvious that this song is immoral and I should not listen to it. Furthermore, I hate almost all rap, especially the really vulgar stuff. And yet, I really like this song, though I have a hard time explaining why. And then there is another part of me that says, "Hey, I'm a married woman and I can push it or have it pushed in any manner I choose (so long as it is in accordance with Theology of the Body and my NFP method)." And as far as I know, JPII never said anything against becoming "number one in a hot party show." So I will continue to listen to the song until I find out otherwise.
Well, anyway those are some of my guilty pleasures. If you feel brave enough, post some of your guilty pleasures on the comments section. Until next time remember this: "This dance ain't for everybody, only the sexy people. So all you fly muthaz get on out there and dance. Dance, I said!" Ah, words to live by.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
David's birthday
Hey everyone, I know it's kind of late in the day, but it's David's 27th birthday. That's why today is the day that will always live in infamy, right? If you're reading this, go to his blog and leave him some kind of birthday message on his most recent post. If it's the eighth, you can leave a birthday comment for him too. He won't mind if it's a day late. You should leave him a comment because he's great and he isn't getting to spend his birthday the way he wants. He has to work at dumb ol' Ivy Tech and I'm holed up in this God forsaken computer lab getting my paper done. I haven't seen him since 6:30 this morning! Boo! When I woke up I said, "Happy birthday, I love you, you're special!" And he said, "If I'm special it's only 'cause I'm married to you." Now isn't that sweet? Okay, I'm going to stop now before Aric breaks in to my blog (and yes, I know he's capable of it) to make fun of me for being in love. Go leave David a comment!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Finals
I'll admit that it's all self-induced, but I'll be damned if it's not exhilarating when these things come down to the wire. I find I do some of my best writing then. If you need me, I'll be in Stanley Coulter G73, the computer lab...for two days straight.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Laundry
David left a pen in his jeans before I did the laundry today. Here are the results.Articles of my clothing with ink on them: 7
Articles of his clothing with ink on them: 0
How in the hell does this work? The pen came from his jeans! I'm sure the goddess of domiciliary functions is laughing heartily. Screw domestic chores.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Who built the Ark? No one, No one
When I was in elementary school, we used to sing a song in music class called "Who Built the Ark?" Now you know this has to have been a long time ago because no one would be allowed to sing about Noah in the public schools these days for fear of offending one's heathen classmates, or more likely, their heathen parents. Anyhow, the song goes "Who built the ark? Noah! Noah Who Built the ark? Brother Noah built the ark." Well, for some reason my first grader brain thought that the lyrics were actually "Who built the ark? No one No one." I have no idea why. I had heard the story of Noah before, but I never really put the two together. I don't know if I thought the ark builders' union was on strike or what. All I knew was that this particular ark was not getting built.
I did some further research on this yesterday and found that the second verse of the song goes "Old man Noah built the ark. He built it out of Hickory bark." I know what you are thinking. And no, I have no idea how I reconciled that "Old man no one built the ark. He built it out of Hickory bark" but I swear that's what I though it was. Anyway, the larger picture is that the song says Hickory bark is what the ark was built out of. I am not a tree-ologist or an arborologist, but I find it questionable that Noah,Ham, Shem, and Japheth were cutting down huge Hickory trees. It's more likely that they were dealing with Cypress trees. All I could find from the Bible is that God told Noah to make the ark out of "gopher wood." Either way, I think this song is taking too many liberties with biblical stories. Plus, "gopher wood" is funnier.
Which brings me to the main point of this post. I'm sure we have all seen the cute little Noah's ark playsets for kids, or even a child's room decorated in a Noah's ark theme. I'm sorry but I
find this hilarious. Remember that in Genesis God says, "And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life under heaven, and everything that is in the earth shall die." What fun for children! The least the toy makers could do is throw in some dead bodies for accuracy. What's next? I know, a playset of Job's sufferings. Mother: "Look darling, I bought you Job's playset complete with flaming sheep and a house razed to the ground!" 4 year old child: "YAY! This will also help me deal the complex theological issue of the problem of evil!"
Truthfully, I don't care if kids play with a Noah's ark playset. The only reason I started to think about it is because my niece and nephew just received one from a very nice and generous Christian couple. It's just that the more I thought about it, the funnier it became to me. The only reasons that these playsets are made is because kids like boats and animals. I'm not sure that much thought of the actual story of Noah ever went into the planning.
I did some further research on this yesterday and found that the second verse of the song goes "Old man Noah built the ark. He built it out of Hickory bark." I know what you are thinking. And no, I have no idea how I reconciled that "Old man no one built the ark. He built it out of Hickory bark" but I swear that's what I though it was. Anyway, the larger picture is that the song says Hickory bark is what the ark was built out of. I am not a tree-ologist or an arborologist, but I find it questionable that Noah,Ham, Shem, and Japheth were cutting down huge Hickory trees. It's more likely that they were dealing with Cypress trees. All I could find from the Bible is that God told Noah to make the ark out of "gopher wood." Either way, I think this song is taking too many liberties with biblical stories. Plus, "gopher wood" is funnier.
Which brings me to the main point of this post. I'm sure we have all seen the cute little Noah's ark playsets for kids, or even a child's room decorated in a Noah's ark theme. I'm sorry but I
find this hilarious. Remember that in Genesis God says, "And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life under heaven, and everything that is in the earth shall die." What fun for children! The least the toy makers could do is throw in some dead bodies for accuracy. What's next? I know, a playset of Job's sufferings. Mother: "Look darling, I bought you Job's playset complete with flaming sheep and a house razed to the ground!" 4 year old child: "YAY! This will also help me deal the complex theological issue of the problem of evil!"Truthfully, I don't care if kids play with a Noah's ark playset. The only reason I started to think about it is because my niece and nephew just received one from a very nice and generous Christian couple. It's just that the more I thought about it, the funnier it became to me. The only reasons that these playsets are made is because kids like boats and animals. I'm not sure that much thought of the actual story of Noah ever went into the planning.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The End of the Affair
Well, I just recently finished The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, which I was urged to read by both Anne and Mary. I like Graham Greene, so I determined to read it when I had a free couple of days. Yet, I've kind of avoided posting about it because it was a complex book and I wanted to do it justice when I write on it.
First, I think the book was great. Greene has a way of presenting Catholicism with realistic grit without disrespect. He takes off the rose-colored Catholic glasses that I think many people have glued to their eyes. Yet, Greene never causes a person to loose hope. In fact, he inspires it. It's just that his writing is not so clear cut and heavy handed that it smacks you in the face with probity and piety. Mary once said that Greene, in The End of the Affair, leaves the door open for salvation. I think that description is fitting. Yes, the people in this book are not good people at the beginning, and most of them are not good in the end. But the change is set in motion, and I really believe that Sarah was a saint by the time she died. There is overwhelming evidence for this in the book, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this. What I enjoyed about Sarah's conversion and move to holiness is that it was gradual. It started at 2 when she was baptized and ended when her life ended. It was an immense struggle for her, and it was one that readers were not always sure would end happily. I think this is the most accurate description of conversion. Now, I like to read the lives of the saints, but sometimes when I read them it seems that the saints were either born that way, or the clouds just opened up one day and they decided to change. I know this isn't the way, but its how it seems sometimes. Greene presents the setbacks, the screeching halts, and the human side of the path to holiness.
So, we know that Sarah was a saint, but what about Bendrix, Smythe, Henry and the rest of them. Well, Bendrix is the hardest to figure out. At the end of the book he seems even more bitter and evil than he was at the beginning (if that is even possible). Yet, throughout the book he commonly mistakes love for hate and hate for disbelief. He says he hates Sarah, but he never really does. He says he doesn't believe in God, but really he just hates Him. At the end, Bendrix acknowledges his love for Sarah. He doesn't acknowledge his belief in God, but the disbelief is really hate. And in The End of the Affair, hate is only a millimeter away from love. I'm not going to wrap everything up in a nice bundle and say that Bendrix will definitely convert. We don't know, but we do know that the door is open. Smythe and Henry are closer to conversion and Parkis is in the bag. So here we have a novel that seems so bleak and grim, yet it embodies so much hope.
If I had to choose my favorite between The Power and the Glory and The End of the Affair, I would still choose P&G right now, though I have a feeling that it might change over time. If I had to choose what book is of better literary quality, it would be EA hands down. For me, it's the same as choosing between the Odyssey and the Iliad. The former is more fun and exciting to read, but the latter encompasses so many more complex emotions and themes.
I'll continue to read more Greene (I'm reading The Quiet American now) to see how the rest of his novels, plays, and even children's books stack up to the novels above. If any of you have read any of Greene's work comment and tell me what you think of it. If you haven't read any, I suggest you do.
First, I think the book was great. Greene has a way of presenting Catholicism with realistic grit without disrespect. He takes off the rose-colored Catholic glasses that I think many people have glued to their eyes. Yet, Greene never causes a person to loose hope. In fact, he inspires it. It's just that his writing is not so clear cut and heavy handed that it smacks you in the face with probity and piety. Mary once said that Greene, in The End of the Affair, leaves the door open for salvation. I think that description is fitting. Yes, the people in this book are not good people at the beginning, and most of them are not good in the end. But the change is set in motion, and I really believe that Sarah was a saint by the time she died. There is overwhelming evidence for this in the book, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this. What I enjoyed about Sarah's conversion and move to holiness is that it was gradual. It started at 2 when she was baptized and ended when her life ended. It was an immense struggle for her, and it was one that readers were not always sure would end happily. I think this is the most accurate description of conversion. Now, I like to read the lives of the saints, but sometimes when I read them it seems that the saints were either born that way, or the clouds just opened up one day and they decided to change. I know this isn't the way, but its how it seems sometimes. Greene presents the setbacks, the screeching halts, and the human side of the path to holiness.
So, we know that Sarah was a saint, but what about Bendrix, Smythe, Henry and the rest of them. Well, Bendrix is the hardest to figure out. At the end of the book he seems even more bitter and evil than he was at the beginning (if that is even possible). Yet, throughout the book he commonly mistakes love for hate and hate for disbelief. He says he hates Sarah, but he never really does. He says he doesn't believe in God, but really he just hates Him. At the end, Bendrix acknowledges his love for Sarah. He doesn't acknowledge his belief in God, but the disbelief is really hate. And in The End of the Affair, hate is only a millimeter away from love. I'm not going to wrap everything up in a nice bundle and say that Bendrix will definitely convert. We don't know, but we do know that the door is open. Smythe and Henry are closer to conversion and Parkis is in the bag. So here we have a novel that seems so bleak and grim, yet it embodies so much hope.
If I had to choose my favorite between The Power and the Glory and The End of the Affair, I would still choose P&G right now, though I have a feeling that it might change over time. If I had to choose what book is of better literary quality, it would be EA hands down. For me, it's the same as choosing between the Odyssey and the Iliad. The former is more fun and exciting to read, but the latter encompasses so many more complex emotions and themes.
I'll continue to read more Greene (I'm reading The Quiet American now) to see how the rest of his novels, plays, and even children's books stack up to the novels above. If any of you have read any of Greene's work comment and tell me what you think of it. If you haven't read any, I suggest you do.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Scholastic apathy
It's about that time in the semester where projects, papers, and exams are due. So I have to start making up for the work I should have been doing all along. With that being said, I'm a tad busy at the moment. I don't think I'm alone in this boat, and I don't necessarily feel like a bad student about it. I do, however, feel like a tired, unenthusiastic student who has been in school for 21 out of her 25 years on this earth.
I'll give you an example of my indifference. Last week I was chosen by one of my professors to have lunch with the (sarcasm) Marjorie Garber, who is a Harvard professor and renowned Renaissance literary critic. I didn't have the heart to say that I had never even heard of the broad. So I had lunch with her and two other grad students who were chosen. I read some of Garber's articles so I could make intelligent comments and pretend like I had heard of her. It didn't matter because she mostly talked about Harvard politics and herself. So I got out of there with a free lunch and a lesson learned. The lesson being that most renowned whosits are way too full of themselves. After the lunch Garber gave a talk that I did not go to. Yesterday, before class, my fellow classmates were talking about how great Garber's talk was and how great she was in general. I mentioned in passing that I went to lunch with her and she didn't seem that great to me. Well, all my classmates were shocked and surprised that I went to lunch with THE!!!!!!!!! Marjorie Garber. Then I said that I didn't even know who she was before I went to lunch with her. Well, one of my classmates admonished me because "Garber is on the same level as Greenblatt." Now, I have heard of and read Greenblatt, but I'd be surprised of anyone outside the small world of English Lit. academia has. Even after my classmate's revelation, I could not work myself up into a fervor about the momentous Thai food luncheon that I had taken part in. Although, I have to admit that it was fun to make my smarmy classmates jealous, especially because I didn't care.
I suppose the real question is the following. Was I indifferent to meeting an academic heavyweight because I am tired of school in general, or was I indifferent because that is the normal reaction to meeting a person that one has never heard of? Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say both. I am tired of school and I don't participate in idol worship, or in this case, scholar worship. Though, I have to say I would have been more googly eyed had I met Peter Holmstrom, guitarist for the Dandy Warhols and indie rock legend. I've juxtaposed a picture of Holmstrom and Garber so you
can
make the decision for yourselves. I think it's pretty clear. Anyhow, the point is that I'm getting a little tired of school. I'm sure this will change about 25 seconds after I get my MA, but for now it's getting a little old. The funny part is that I didn't set out to write about this at all. I was just going to make a quick post to let people know that I would try to update more often. Oh, I guess there is one more point. Indie rock stars are much cooler than Renaissance scholars.
I'll give you an example of my indifference. Last week I was chosen by one of my professors to have lunch with the (sarcasm) Marjorie Garber, who is a Harvard professor and renowned Renaissance literary critic. I didn't have the heart to say that I had never even heard of the broad. So I had lunch with her and two other grad students who were chosen. I read some of Garber's articles so I could make intelligent comments and pretend like I had heard of her. It didn't matter because she mostly talked about Harvard politics and herself. So I got out of there with a free lunch and a lesson learned. The lesson being that most renowned whosits are way too full of themselves. After the lunch Garber gave a talk that I did not go to. Yesterday, before class, my fellow classmates were talking about how great Garber's talk was and how great she was in general. I mentioned in passing that I went to lunch with her and she didn't seem that great to me. Well, all my classmates were shocked and surprised that I went to lunch with THE!!!!!!!!! Marjorie Garber. Then I said that I didn't even know who she was before I went to lunch with her. Well, one of my classmates admonished me because "Garber is on the same level as Greenblatt." Now, I have heard of and read Greenblatt, but I'd be surprised of anyone outside the small world of English Lit. academia has. Even after my classmate's revelation, I could not work myself up into a fervor about the momentous Thai food luncheon that I had taken part in. Although, I have to admit that it was fun to make my smarmy classmates jealous, especially because I didn't care.
I suppose the real question is the following. Was I indifferent to meeting an academic heavyweight because I am tired of school in general, or was I indifferent because that is the normal reaction to meeting a person that one has never heard of? Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say both. I am tired of school and I don't participate in idol worship, or in this case, scholar worship. Though, I have to say I would have been more googly eyed had I met Peter Holmstrom, guitarist for the Dandy Warhols and indie rock legend. I've juxtaposed a picture of Holmstrom and Garber so you
can
make the decision for yourselves. I think it's pretty clear. Anyhow, the point is that I'm getting a little tired of school. I'm sure this will change about 25 seconds after I get my MA, but for now it's getting a little old. The funny part is that I didn't set out to write about this at all. I was just going to make a quick post to let people know that I would try to update more often. Oh, I guess there is one more point. Indie rock stars are much cooler than Renaissance scholars.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Gettin' Physical
Well, I've gone and rejoined Jazzercise. Yes, you heard right. I've rejoined what is possibly the most made fun of way to work out. Runners get respect. Weightlifters get respect. Jazzercisers get entire stand up comedy acts devoted to them. I'm not angry about it. In fact, I understand completely. First, there's the name. It's dumb and it makes no sense. We don't listen to jazz and even if we did the name would still be silly. Second, only women are in this group. This isn't because of any rule against men. I just think that men would die of estrogen intoxication if they ever even witnessed a session. Then there are the names of the moves we do. We do chasses, plies, grapevines, jazz stretches, and attitudes lifts. I'm not even making these names up. Next, whenever we do certain moves we yell, "whooo!" in unison. Finally, there are certain floor moves we do that simulate child birth. In one routine for abs and legs, we are down on our backs, legs wider that shoulder width, while pulsing and squeezing all appendages and the stomach. If someone screamed, "epidural, please!" it would be completely convincing. Well, it would be convincing it some Jessica Simpson song weren't playing in the background.
Yet despite all these reasons, I still like going. It's a pretty good all around workout. We do lots of cardio and strength stuff. Oh, I also like that I'm the youngest person in the class by about twenty years. This means that class is like exercising with 20 moms. The Jazzercise ladies are really nice and laid back. This is different than the Purdue CoRec because every girl there is trying to compete with each other and snag a date. I don't feel like I have to suck anything in around the my jazzercise moms. Anyway, Jazzercise is fun and it's hilarious. Sometimes I'm not sure whether I stay in shape from the workouts or laughing about them.
Yet despite all these reasons, I still like going. It's a pretty good all around workout. We do lots of cardio and strength stuff. Oh, I also like that I'm the youngest person in the class by about twenty years. This means that class is like exercising with 20 moms. The Jazzercise ladies are really nice and laid back. This is different than the Purdue CoRec because every girl there is trying to compete with each other and snag a date. I don't feel like I have to suck anything in around the my jazzercise moms. Anyway, Jazzercise is fun and it's hilarious. Sometimes I'm not sure whether I stay in shape from the workouts or laughing about them.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Cassandra Complex
Some days I feel like Cassandra from Greek and Roman myth. Cassandra was a student of Apollo who gave her the power to foretell the future. Apollo wanted to get with Cassandra in that creepy "inappropriate student-teacher relations" sort of way. Cassandra rejected Apollo's advances and was punished accordingly. Cassandra was able to keep her power to accurately foretell the future, but when people heard her predictions, they were all convinced that they were hearing lies. No one would ever believe her. She predicted several disasters, including the Trojan Horse and her own death at the hands of Clytemnestra (See picture at left.)Now, what does this have to do with me? I can predict the future about as well as Mrs. Cleo(ca' me now fo' your free tarrot readin'). However, I do feel like I have been saying several true things lately only to be judged a lunatic or just simply an idiot. For example, I haven't felt well recently. I've had some heart palpitations and have had a 24 hour monitor affixed to my chest in order to catch these palpitations. Of course, as soon as I get the monitor, the palpitations that I have had every day for the past two weeks have disappeared. I can't wait to return to the doctor so she can tell me I'm nuts. Next, my students must think that I'm telling them lies when I illustrate to them everything I know to be true about Latin. This is apparent because I will show them a concept and they will do the exact opposite on the quizzes and exams. So what am I going to do? Probably break down and start screaming at the top of my lungs until David takes me to the loony bin in Logansport. That's my prediction anyway.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
2 Legit 2 quit (hey hey)
Well, I know it's a day late, but I thought I would post this picture anyway. It's a picture of me and Kris holding our MC Hammer pumpkin. We're even giving the 2 Legit sign. So, If anyone has ever questioned my legit-ness, let them behold this pumpkin and recognize my legitimacy in all it's glory.Why an MC Hammer pumpkin, besides the obvious show of legitimacy, you ask? Well Kristin had everyone over to her house a week ago so we could do pumpkin carving and other fall activities. There were eight people and four pumpkins, so we had to pair up. I was paired up with Kris, the nice,young, Swedish Viking/ physics PhD student you see above. At first we were going to carve a crazy physics equation in the pumpkin, but then we decided that neither of us were good enough with a knife to carve a psi. Then we started talking about eighties cartoons. At this point, I think all of the other pumpkin carvers were getting annoyed because they had started on their standard pumpkin faces long ago. After rejecting a Darkwing Duck logo and a Salt and Peppa image, we decided on Hammer. Essentially, this is because Kris and I both found that we "hustle for our muscle and you look weak to me. We're going for all that we can get, takin' it to the top 'cause we're 2 legit 2 quit (hey hey)." After that inspiration, we set to carving and ended up with the finest MC Hammer pumpkin ever.
Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go hit some fools with a "dose of old-town power, and charge them by the hour." That's word.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Retraction
After giving much thought to Mary's last comment, I have decided to pull my last post. She was right. You just never know who's watching. This is exactly why I try to blog about my own personal life as little as possible.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Dictators R Us
Kabila, Il, and Castro
Where do these guys shop? Seriously? I guess the more important questions is this: where do these guys get their governing tactics? But I think to two go hand in hand. If you want to be a dictator, you should probably dress like this so no one mistakes you for the milk man or a good person or something. If you already dress like this, you are probably a dictator. Quick, look at your clothes. Drab green uniform? check. Oversized chest pockets? Check. Huge mysterious looking glasses? Well, two out of three ain't bad, Kabila.
This brings about my next question. Why do these guys dress like this? The entire world knows that they are power abusers, human rights violators, and money pilferers. Yet they still wear the totalitarian uniform, which is a ugly green jumpsuit looking thing. If I were a dictator and everyone already knew that I was an evil and rich autocrat, I would wear a gold sequins tuxedo, ivory clogs, and a top hat made of caviar. Oh, and I'd throw in a monocle with a diamond lens for good measure. I mean, who do these guys think they're fooling?
Friday, October 20, 2006
Cameras and Blue Jacket Night
Last night was another Blue Jacket night and another lovely evening of conversation and libation. As long as I have gone to these meetings, which in the scheme of things has not been a long time, there has been a struggle between those who want to document the entire night on film (Chris Meadows) and those who don't want it documented (everyone else, as far as I can tell). Now, Chris has done a lot of good with his camera, and I think everyone acknowledges this about him. Yet, the novelty of having one's picture taken wears off quickly. And as a scientist, Chris wants a full explanation of why the group doesn't want its picture taken. This is where the problem arises. No one really can give a good, full, or meaningful explanation of why picture taking is so off putting. Well, right here on this post I am going to try to explicate these matters in such a way that it will be fully articulated and iron-clad. I want to be clear that the following treatise is not one written against Chris. Truthfully, his picture taking never does more than kindle a mild but good-hearted and sporadic annoyance. What is at heart of the matter is the absence of delineation on the subject. I will attempt to fill this void with the following.
First, picture taking is great for events such as German fest, special family functions, artful purposes, and the like. Claire and I were just discussing these purposes last night. However, taking pictures at a weekly gathering with the same group of people seems to break the intimacy of the atmosphere. This is a place where we go to shed the albatrosses of daily work, school, and home life, a place where we do not have to be "on." But having a picture taken negates this experience. Suddenly we have to interrupt our current engagements in order to present ourselves to the world with courteous, respectable, recognizable, and overly gleeful expressions. In other words, we must switch back "on," and we are left to transition back to a more natural state on our own. By that time, our interactions have been exposed and we are fully aware that we are being watched and documented. There really is no way to be our normal candid selves after this. Even if one pretends that the camera isn't there, it still alters one's actions through the act of pretending. Thus, a wedge is driven between us by the camera, and the amiable closeness we seek from one another is shattered.
Second, the camera does not just drive a wedge between those who are having their picture taken. It also creates a barrier between Chris and us. Many people say that smoking, among other things, is a defense mechanism employed in order to keep others from getting too close. The camera acts in the same way. If Chris is behind the camera, then he is completely removed from the group function. Thus, we start performing separate actions and lose cohesion with him. Chris becomes the seer and we become the visible objects, but the relationship is not reciprocal. The lack of mutual, interdependent communication separates Chris from us and prevents us from getting too close to him.
Finally, the presence of the camera at Blue Jacket Night creates a sense of hyperreality that is unneeded and, ultimately, unwanted. Pictures are used as ways to somehow augment our experience or, in other words, augment our reality by means of better memories of events. Yet, this hyperreality is actually a distortion of the events that actually happened. For example, our Blue Jacket experience becomes less about relating with friends and more about the representations of the relations with our friends, which are the pictures. As soon as the pictures take precedence, our actions cease to be real and become hyperreal or distorted. This distortion alters our entire actuality to the point that our relations never take place as they normally would. From here, the pictures start to signify our experience, when really they mean nothing; just as the cross would mean nothing without Christ's crucifixion.
The above are my reasons for not wanting excessive amounts of pictures taken at Blue Jacket Night. I hope that they were articulate enough. Though they cannot represent the feelings of all participants, I have tried to cover the main arguments. If you have something to add, dispute, or refute, please post a comment. Furthermore, if you have any comments about the nature of photography in general, please make a comment. Finally, what was posted above should not be taken too seriously. I was just toying with some ideas that were brought up by last night's discussion, and I really don't mind Chris taking pictures. The most important part is that I like Blue Jacket Night and I enjoy the company of all who go there. The friendship and camaraderie is invaluable.
First, picture taking is great for events such as German fest, special family functions, artful purposes, and the like. Claire and I were just discussing these purposes last night. However, taking pictures at a weekly gathering with the same group of people seems to break the intimacy of the atmosphere. This is a place where we go to shed the albatrosses of daily work, school, and home life, a place where we do not have to be "on." But having a picture taken negates this experience. Suddenly we have to interrupt our current engagements in order to present ourselves to the world with courteous, respectable, recognizable, and overly gleeful expressions. In other words, we must switch back "on," and we are left to transition back to a more natural state on our own. By that time, our interactions have been exposed and we are fully aware that we are being watched and documented. There really is no way to be our normal candid selves after this. Even if one pretends that the camera isn't there, it still alters one's actions through the act of pretending. Thus, a wedge is driven between us by the camera, and the amiable closeness we seek from one another is shattered.
Second, the camera does not just drive a wedge between those who are having their picture taken. It also creates a barrier between Chris and us. Many people say that smoking, among other things, is a defense mechanism employed in order to keep others from getting too close. The camera acts in the same way. If Chris is behind the camera, then he is completely removed from the group function. Thus, we start performing separate actions and lose cohesion with him. Chris becomes the seer and we become the visible objects, but the relationship is not reciprocal. The lack of mutual, interdependent communication separates Chris from us and prevents us from getting too close to him.
Finally, the presence of the camera at Blue Jacket Night creates a sense of hyperreality that is unneeded and, ultimately, unwanted. Pictures are used as ways to somehow augment our experience or, in other words, augment our reality by means of better memories of events. Yet, this hyperreality is actually a distortion of the events that actually happened. For example, our Blue Jacket experience becomes less about relating with friends and more about the representations of the relations with our friends, which are the pictures. As soon as the pictures take precedence, our actions cease to be real and become hyperreal or distorted. This distortion alters our entire actuality to the point that our relations never take place as they normally would. From here, the pictures start to signify our experience, when really they mean nothing; just as the cross would mean nothing without Christ's crucifixion.
The above are my reasons for not wanting excessive amounts of pictures taken at Blue Jacket Night. I hope that they were articulate enough. Though they cannot represent the feelings of all participants, I have tried to cover the main arguments. If you have something to add, dispute, or refute, please post a comment. Furthermore, if you have any comments about the nature of photography in general, please make a comment. Finally, what was posted above should not be taken too seriously. I was just toying with some ideas that were brought up by last night's discussion, and I really don't mind Chris taking pictures. The most important part is that I like Blue Jacket Night and I enjoy the company of all who go there. The friendship and camaraderie is invaluable.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Sir Walter Raleigh
I happen to be a fan of the Beatles. Not a huge fan, just a fan. For instance, I don't believe that Paul was killed and the license plate on the Abbey Road cover points to that. I hate almost all of the Beatles early stuff. I want to puke when I hear "I Want to Hold Your Hand." I've heard that the Beatles themselves hate most of their early stuff too, so I guess I'm not alone. However, I do think that Abbey Road, the White Album, and especially Revolver are strokes of genius. I am also in the minority when I say that George Harrison was brilliant song writer. Oh, and I do hate Yoko. But I'm sure you are asking yourself, "Monica, what does this have to do Sir Walter Raleigh, the Renaissance poet, nobleman, and explorer?" Well, I'm glad you asked.
We were reading Raleigh and talking about him in conjunction with Spenser a couple of days ago in my Renaissance Texts and Theory class. The Professor had mentioned that Raleigh was good friends with Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, he was such a good friend that she granted him a wine monopoly in 1583. This means that every time someone in England bought wine, they would pay taxes to Raleigh. This led many people to curse his name.
When I heard this it stuck out for some odd reason. See, I've been really tired lately because of my thyroid. So I have listened to and had the song "I'm So Tired" off of the White album stuck in my head. Some of the lyrics in the song are " I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink. I'm so tired my mind is on the blink. I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink. No, no, no." Then the fourth verse goes "I'm so tired, I'm feeling so upset. Although I'm so tired I'll have another cigarette. And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, He was such a stupid git." Before my class, I just chalked up the random Raleigh reference to the fact the Beatles were on a lot of drugs and doing tripped-out transcendental meditation when they wrote and recorded the White Album. I mean, I only need a couple of drinks before I start making weird references to Joyce. But then, every Joyce reference is weird in some way. Anyhow, now I know the real truth behind the reference in the song. I knew grad school would pay off.
Maybe next semester when I take the John Donne class I'll learn why Eleanor Rigby waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door. I mean really, who is it for?
We were reading Raleigh and talking about him in conjunction with Spenser a couple of days ago in my Renaissance Texts and Theory class. The Professor had mentioned that Raleigh was good friends with Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, he was such a good friend that she granted him a wine monopoly in 1583. This means that every time someone in England bought wine, they would pay taxes to Raleigh. This led many people to curse his name.
When I heard this it stuck out for some odd reason. See, I've been really tired lately because of my thyroid. So I have listened to and had the song "I'm So Tired" off of the White album stuck in my head. Some of the lyrics in the song are " I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink. I'm so tired my mind is on the blink. I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink. No, no, no." Then the fourth verse goes "I'm so tired, I'm feeling so upset. Although I'm so tired I'll have another cigarette. And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, He was such a stupid git." Before my class, I just chalked up the random Raleigh reference to the fact the Beatles were on a lot of drugs and doing tripped-out transcendental meditation when they wrote and recorded the White Album. I mean, I only need a couple of drinks before I start making weird references to Joyce. But then, every Joyce reference is weird in some way. Anyhow, now I know the real truth behind the reference in the song. I knew grad school would pay off.
Maybe next semester when I take the John Donne class I'll learn why Eleanor Rigby waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door. I mean really, who is it for?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Quarter Century Landmark
Well, I turned 25 yesterday, October 15th. Normally this is a day to celebrate one's self and reflect on the righteous life that one has had up to this point. I didn't exactly get to do that yesterday because I was busy confronting every single horrible quality that I have.
First, there's sloth. I slept in and had to go to mass at St. Ann's. The highlight there was seeing the Antonio kids, who are always adorable.
Then, I was pretty much in a foul mood because of some stupid "difference of opinion" I had with David the day before my birthday. So, I was also mean to my husband on my birthday. Great. And I'm pretty sure he was regretting marrying me yesterday, which is not a lovely thought to be aware of on one's birthday. The worst part is that what we were "differing" on is not an important issue in the least.
One true highlight is that I got together with some Blue Jacket kids and watched "Strictly Ballroom" at Denver and Chris' apartment. Everyone there was nice, the movie was fun, and Mary made Irish cream brownies, which were very good. This of course brings me to my next bad quality: eating too much, which I did at Denver's and my parents later on.
Everyone was very nice to me on my birthday, which I appreciate but do not deserve. At the end of the day yesterday I really found myself wondering why I have such good friends and family when I certainly deserve much worse. As I said, on birthdays, people usually reflect on what a great life they have lead. Yesterday, I found myself wondering how I've made it 25 years without someone trying to eradicate my existence from this planet. Man, what a birthday. If anyone needs me, I'm moving to a cave at the edge of the Carpathian mountains. I'll be in the Slovakian region near Mt. Gerlachovkain. My new address is:
Monica, The Wicked 25 year old Gorgon-Crone
Cave in the Carpathian MTNS, Slovakian region
Near Mt. Gerlachovkain, 13872
My indentured fury-Sherpa will deliver all my mail.
First, there's sloth. I slept in and had to go to mass at St. Ann's. The highlight there was seeing the Antonio kids, who are always adorable.
Then, I was pretty much in a foul mood because of some stupid "difference of opinion" I had with David the day before my birthday. So, I was also mean to my husband on my birthday. Great. And I'm pretty sure he was regretting marrying me yesterday, which is not a lovely thought to be aware of on one's birthday. The worst part is that what we were "differing" on is not an important issue in the least.
One true highlight is that I got together with some Blue Jacket kids and watched "Strictly Ballroom" at Denver and Chris' apartment. Everyone there was nice, the movie was fun, and Mary made Irish cream brownies, which were very good. This of course brings me to my next bad quality: eating too much, which I did at Denver's and my parents later on.
Everyone was very nice to me on my birthday, which I appreciate but do not deserve. At the end of the day yesterday I really found myself wondering why I have such good friends and family when I certainly deserve much worse. As I said, on birthdays, people usually reflect on what a great life they have lead. Yesterday, I found myself wondering how I've made it 25 years without someone trying to eradicate my existence from this planet. Man, what a birthday. If anyone needs me, I'm moving to a cave at the edge of the Carpathian mountains. I'll be in the Slovakian region near Mt. Gerlachovkain. My new address is:
Monica, The Wicked 25 year old Gorgon-Crone
Cave in the Carpathian MTNS, Slovakian region
Near Mt. Gerlachovkain, 13872
My indentured fury-Sherpa will deliver all my mail.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Corporal Punishment
I've been giving a lot of thought to corporal punishment lately....at the college level...at Purdue University, actually...in Latin classes to be more specific... in my Latin classes to be really specific. The only thing that keeps me from implementing it, besides the law, is that I'm not sure it's fair to flog people who are this idiotic. Does that make me a bad teacher?
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Personality tests
There has been a lot of talk in my circle of friends lately about personality tests. In the Blue Jackets group, the four humors test is all the rage. This is the one where you can test sanguine, choleric, melancholy, phlegmatic, or a combination of these. Then, my husband has gotten some people into the Myers-Briggs test, which gives a person one of 16 personality types based on a set of four characteristics. Personality tests are fun because they involve great amounts of human interest, and as I human, must admit that I am mildly interested. However, mild interest is where I draw the line. No single person can ever really be summed up by choosing from 4-16 personality types. And yes, I know that all of my friends and loved ones are well aware of this. So please don't assume that this is about you. Yet, I have heard some people saying things like "well, I do this because I am melancholy." And this is where personality tests start to bother me. Some confuse the identifying type as the cause for their traits instead of the other way around. For example, a person does not like to be the center of attention because they are sanguine. They are sanguine because they like to be the center of attention. No one should ever identify with a personality type so much that they start using said type to explain their actions or situation in life. I also believe that personality test don't reveal anything new even though some act like they do. For instance, I know that I am a moody, overly sensitive, pessimistic person who sometimes experiences brief moments of extreme sadness. I don't really need a test to tell me I am melancholy for that. Just because I happen to be melancholy doesn't mean that it governs my entire life or prevents me from ever experiencing any other emotions.
What I find more interesting than the results of personality tests is the reactions to results of personality tests. I think it reveals a lot about human nature. Most humans, myself included, are eager and sometimes anxious to categorize and identify themselves in order to explain who they are and why they act the way they act. Everyone does it at one time or another. Yet, this can go a little too far if personality tests are taken too seriously. For instance, when I go to a party, I would never say, "Hi. I'm Monica, and I'm over here in the corner clutching my drink and sweating because I am a melancholy INFJ." Perhaps I should though, right? I mean, in an instant that person would know everything they would ever need to know about me and we would never have to experience a friendship because the person already knows me deeply and intimately. Right? Right? Of course not. Maybe I should throw a party like that . Everyone would show up and we would all stand in a line. One by one, people would step up, announce their personality type, and then leave. What fun! Anyway, my point is that personality tests can be fun, but they don't explain anything or tell us anything that we don't already know about ourselves. Alternately, they don't explain enough about us to anyone else to be useful. But maybe I'm just saying all of this because I am a melancholy INFJ.
What I find more interesting than the results of personality tests is the reactions to results of personality tests. I think it reveals a lot about human nature. Most humans, myself included, are eager and sometimes anxious to categorize and identify themselves in order to explain who they are and why they act the way they act. Everyone does it at one time or another. Yet, this can go a little too far if personality tests are taken too seriously. For instance, when I go to a party, I would never say, "Hi. I'm Monica, and I'm over here in the corner clutching my drink and sweating because I am a melancholy INFJ." Perhaps I should though, right? I mean, in an instant that person would know everything they would ever need to know about me and we would never have to experience a friendship because the person already knows me deeply and intimately. Right? Right? Of course not. Maybe I should throw a party like that . Everyone would show up and we would all stand in a line. One by one, people would step up, announce their personality type, and then leave. What fun! Anyway, my point is that personality tests can be fun, but they don't explain anything or tell us anything that we don't already know about ourselves. Alternately, they don't explain enough about us to anyone else to be useful. But maybe I'm just saying all of this because I am a melancholy INFJ.
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