Read this really interesting article on why general culture isn't important.
For myself, I'm not sure if I have general culture in the first place, though there are a lot of things I'm interested in that would fall under general culture. (Well, I guess. The writer never defines what "general culture" is, and I've never heard the term before.) The writer talks about how someone talking to him about German poetry makes him want to scream. But I guess that leads me to the question of "What does he talk about?" There's never much of an answer, though he implies relationships are what most people want to talk about.
Reading this article, I found myself imagining going on a date with someone like this, and I was struck by how boring talking to someone like that is. If I wanted to talk to someone about relationships, I'd probably do so with my friends, where they already know me; I don't want to talk relationships with strangers and certainly not on a date.
I agree that learning practice skills are great and that some people are maybe emphasizing the wrong thing when they focus on learning things for the sake of other people instead of learning about something because they care, but the entire article strikes me the wrong frame for the problem. I don't know anyone who knows things just to know things and I would much rather talk to someone about what they like because then I'll actual know something about them. If someone isn't interesting, then I'd rather figure that early on, and then move on.
Of course, the entire point of that guy's website is how to manipulate people, but then I'm not interested in wasting my time on an endeavor like that either.
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
I Am a Failure at Surprises
One of my old professors was giving a poetry reading, and obviously I wanted to go. She hadn't seen me in a while, so I decided I should try to surprise her.
The problem with me trying to surprise someone is that it often gets ruined.
I decided to go that afternoon to a study room to do some reading and writing. I frequent this particular study room, and it's usually pretty quiet on weekday afternoons. At most, I've seen one person in there at this time of day, and even then, it's usually someone who just looks in and then walks away.
I went in and, for about an hour, worked. And then Chelsea walked in.
I hadn't seen Chelsea in a long time either. I was trying to remember the last conversation I had with her. I vaguely remembered talking to her about four years ago about a book series we both liked. I remembered this conversation because I didn't really know a lot of people who read this series; my best friend had introduced me to them years previous to that, and I had only spoken about the series with a man in a library once who read The Dresden Files, which I was also familiar with and was similar. I think during that conversation Chelsea also mentioned that she was really good at interviewing for jobs and that's why she was always employed. At the time this had impressed me because I had always felt like my interviewing skills were terrible. (I am happy to report now that I've learned better interviewing techniques and that I think I've even impressed some people.)
But Chelsea didn't really acknowledge me. She just sat down and read something. Oh, I thought. She must not remember me.
Not that she really should remember me. We were really friends of friends and I mean, I'm sure there have been more important people out there.
We sat in silence for another half hour, I continuing with my work. Then she looked up at me.
"Have you ever read Foucault?" she asked.
I had, but it had been a long time ago. And because I had found him frustratingly difficult in English, I had looked up a passage in the original French. It had been easier to understand, but that was all I remembered.
Chelsea talked to me about some of Foucault's ideas. She mentioned being in a particular class, which Kristina was also in. (And had mentioned I should come to just to see what it was like.)
Chelsea, as a fellow feminist, was not so sure she liked the ideas of Foucault. He said some problematic things about women.
"I always interpreted Foucault to be saying simply what is and not how things should be. I don't think his statements are meant to be interpreted as him endorsing that view, just observing it."
She nodded her head, looking far away. "That sounds like something Foucault would say."
I smiled. Now that was a compliment. Alex had liked Foucault. It was one of the things we had talked about in the interview. Alex had said how beautiful she found his writing.
I suddenly realized that I had a question for Chelsea. "Are you one of the people from that feminist organization that recently formed?"
"I'm not really part of it. That's Bianca."
That surprised me. Bianca and I had been in a class together last year. She had been relatively quiet. Despite this, it had been obvious to me she was thoughtful and way cooler than I am (though, I would argue pretty much everyone is cooler than me.)
I made a mental note, if I ran into Bianca anytime soon, that I should tell her how much I had admired her work. Erin had told me all about it.
"Are you going to the poetry reading tonight?" So Chelsea must have known more about me than I anticipated, because she remembered that I worked with that professor.
"I am, but she doesn't know I'm coming, so don't tell anyone I'm here. It's a surprise."
Seeing Chelsea was really nice, but I had to go over to Nate's to get some stuff and to have dinner, so I said goodbye and left. I was turning the corner on the stairway, thinking merrily of how much I liked Chelsea and how I was going to get to see people tonight at this reading, when I was startled to see Stephanie, three steps down from me, staring up at me. Her eyes went wide.
And this wasn't just Stephanie my friend. She was also Stephanie, the assistant to this professor.
She hadn't seen me in a long time either.
Oh shit, I thought.
"Don't tell her I'm here!" I said, slightly loud. "I don't want her to know I'm coming tonight! I'm trying to surprise her!"
See what I mean about surprises? Hours before the surprise, I manage to run into two people who actually could blow it. This was especially annoying considering how long I'd been planning this.
Stephanie sort of laughed at me and was happy to see me. She gave me this great big hug that made me feel great. (Oh, to have a thousand friend hugs that I could store in a chest somewhere.) She wanted to hear what I was up to, and we talked briefly before both of us had to be elsewhere.
I went over to Nate's. It had been his birthday recently, and he had all sorts of coupons for free food. That night, he was taking me out for pizza.
The problem with me trying to surprise someone is that it often gets ruined.
I decided to go that afternoon to a study room to do some reading and writing. I frequent this particular study room, and it's usually pretty quiet on weekday afternoons. At most, I've seen one person in there at this time of day, and even then, it's usually someone who just looks in and then walks away.
I went in and, for about an hour, worked. And then Chelsea walked in.
But Chelsea didn't really acknowledge me. She just sat down and read something. Oh, I thought. She must not remember me.
Not that she really should remember me. We were really friends of friends and I mean, I'm sure there have been more important people out there.
We sat in silence for another half hour, I continuing with my work. Then she looked up at me.
I had, but it had been a long time ago. And because I had found him frustratingly difficult in English, I had looked up a passage in the original French. It had been easier to understand, but that was all I remembered.
Chelsea talked to me about some of Foucault's ideas. She mentioned being in a particular class, which Kristina was also in. (And had mentioned I should come to just to see what it was like.)
Chelsea, as a fellow feminist, was not so sure she liked the ideas of Foucault. He said some problematic things about women.
"I always interpreted Foucault to be saying simply what is and not how things should be. I don't think his statements are meant to be interpreted as him endorsing that view, just observing it."
She nodded her head, looking far away. "That sounds like something Foucault would say."
I smiled. Now that was a compliment. Alex had liked Foucault. It was one of the things we had talked about in the interview. Alex had said how beautiful she found his writing.
I suddenly realized that I had a question for Chelsea. "Are you one of the people from that feminist organization that recently formed?"
"I'm not really part of it. That's Bianca."
That surprised me. Bianca and I had been in a class together last year. She had been relatively quiet. Despite this, it had been obvious to me she was thoughtful and way cooler than I am (though, I would argue pretty much everyone is cooler than me.)
I made a mental note, if I ran into Bianca anytime soon, that I should tell her how much I had admired her work. Erin had told me all about it.
"Are you going to the poetry reading tonight?" So Chelsea must have known more about me than I anticipated, because she remembered that I worked with that professor.
"I am, but she doesn't know I'm coming, so don't tell anyone I'm here. It's a surprise."
Seeing Chelsea was really nice, but I had to go over to Nate's to get some stuff and to have dinner, so I said goodbye and left. I was turning the corner on the stairway, thinking merrily of how much I liked Chelsea and how I was going to get to see people tonight at this reading, when I was startled to see Stephanie, three steps down from me, staring up at me. Her eyes went wide.
And this wasn't just Stephanie my friend. She was also Stephanie, the assistant to this professor.
She hadn't seen me in a long time either.
Oh shit, I thought.
"Don't tell her I'm here!" I said, slightly loud. "I don't want her to know I'm coming tonight! I'm trying to surprise her!"
See what I mean about surprises? Hours before the surprise, I manage to run into two people who actually could blow it. This was especially annoying considering how long I'd been planning this.
Stephanie sort of laughed at me and was happy to see me. She gave me this great big hug that made me feel great. (Oh, to have a thousand friend hugs that I could store in a chest somewhere.) She wanted to hear what I was up to, and we talked briefly before both of us had to be elsewhere.
I went over to Nate's. It had been his birthday recently, and he had all sorts of coupons for free food. That night, he was taking me out for pizza.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hopeful Theory on Doctor Who
I did make it to see the first new episode of Doctor Who (though sadly, not the latest.) I've not got a lot of time on my hands, so even making time for that 45 minutes was tough.
But someone posted this idea about the first episode. Not only does this strike me as completely plausible, but a really interesting idea. It's the sort of thing that I wish would happen more often on sci-fi shows, to explore paternity, especially in this day and age, where people can have more than just a mom and dad.
Cross your fingers this theory turns out to be true.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Season's Endings
This morning I read this post about great season finales, which also means it's that time of the year.
I always think that I am not going to have enough to do once tv goes away for the summer, but that's a big lie, because I have way too much to do and really, I shouldn't be watching tv.
That said, I really agree with how awesome the end of Buffy season five was. It still makes me cry.
I always think that I am not going to have enough to do once tv goes away for the summer, but that's a big lie, because I have way too much to do and really, I shouldn't be watching tv.
That said, I really agree with how awesome the end of Buffy season five was. It still makes me cry.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Out with Erin and Carrie
Since I couldn't find Carrie and Erin when I first got there, I just went to watch the band. The people at this thing were sort of making me wonder about this place. There was a young girl wearing what looked like a little girl's dress from the 1840's, with vertically stripped tights a la Alice in Wonderland. She had all of her hair on the sides of her head shaved off, and just the top of her hair was growing down around it asymmetrically on one side, curled and bouncing in a way that indicated it must have been sprayed with massive amounts of hairspray. And then she had a nose ring to complete the look. Her boyfriend looked like an Edward Gorey character, but with an emphasis on pedophile-like creepiness. There was another woman wandering around wearing no shirt but tape X's over her breasts, and then a suit jacket over that, and was carrying a massive, professional camera.
All of this is to say that I was really wondering where the hell Carrie had gotten me to come. When she told me about this, it sounded fun, but being here now made me wonder what the appeal for Carrie was. There was not her kind of place at all.
The band played, and the first woman, the one who was rocking the little girl Alice-punk look screamed out occasionally to the band, telling them she loved them. "It's because we love you!" she yelled them at one point.
Near the end of the set, Carrie and Erin found me. They were both surprised to see me. They tried to talk to me, and I really should have just left, but the band was good, and I really did want to hear them. Erin and Carrie's loud talking clearly annoyed some of the people around us.
Once the band finished, we wandered around a bit. There was art on the walls, and I pretty much hated everything I saw.
Carrie is rather fearless when it comes to talking to people. She just went up to this woman, an artist, named Val. Carrie just talked to her. When she introduced herself, I made some jokes about Madonna and first-name basis.
Val's husband, Curtis, was particularly friendly. We had a nice time talking to him. He was sort of floppity looking, like Juicebox, but with darker eyelashes and taller, but just as lean. Unlike Juicebox, he dressed in clothes that showed off how skinny he is, which is the exact opposite of what Juicebox does.
Val and Curtis had a very attractive friend with them, but he sort of disappeared. What a disappointment. After a while, so did Val.
I get the feeling Curtis was mostly just talking to us to be nice, not because he was genuinely interested in what we had to say. This struck me as a little embarrassing. I would rather not be patronized.
Eventually people sort of dropped away and left, and near the end, Erin and Carrie and I decided to leave. Carrie got the art she had bought, wrapped up in bubble wrap.
We wandered around for a while. The cold was really bothering me, and I wished I had a warmer coat. Erin wanted to get something to eat, and we ended up at this greasy spoon.
The waiter was weirdly rude to us. He was an older man, and asked for separate checks made him said he would only make two separate checks, not three. We weren't far from a university, and a large one; I'm sure he's been asked to do that before.
I had a burger and fries and was mostly happy with that.
All of this is to say that I was really wondering where the hell Carrie had gotten me to come. When she told me about this, it sounded fun, but being here now made me wonder what the appeal for Carrie was. There was not her kind of place at all.
The band played, and the first woman, the one who was rocking the little girl Alice-punk look screamed out occasionally to the band, telling them she loved them. "It's because we love you!" she yelled them at one point.
Near the end of the set, Carrie and Erin found me. They were both surprised to see me. They tried to talk to me, and I really should have just left, but the band was good, and I really did want to hear them. Erin and Carrie's loud talking clearly annoyed some of the people around us.
Once the band finished, we wandered around a bit. There was art on the walls, and I pretty much hated everything I saw.
Carrie is rather fearless when it comes to talking to people. She just went up to this woman, an artist, named Val. Carrie just talked to her. When she introduced herself, I made some jokes about Madonna and first-name basis.
Val's husband, Curtis, was particularly friendly. We had a nice time talking to him. He was sort of floppity looking, like Juicebox, but with darker eyelashes and taller, but just as lean. Unlike Juicebox, he dressed in clothes that showed off how skinny he is, which is the exact opposite of what Juicebox does.
Val and Curtis had a very attractive friend with them, but he sort of disappeared. What a disappointment. After a while, so did Val.
I get the feeling Curtis was mostly just talking to us to be nice, not because he was genuinely interested in what we had to say. This struck me as a little embarrassing. I would rather not be patronized.
Eventually people sort of dropped away and left, and near the end, Erin and Carrie and I decided to leave. Carrie got the art she had bought, wrapped up in bubble wrap.
We wandered around for a while. The cold was really bothering me, and I wished I had a warmer coat. Erin wanted to get something to eat, and we ended up at this greasy spoon.
The waiter was weirdly rude to us. He was an older man, and asked for separate checks made him said he would only make two separate checks, not three. We weren't far from a university, and a large one; I'm sure he's been asked to do that before.
I had a burger and fries and was mostly happy with that.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Meanwhile, Back at Home...
My Mom called tonight three different times. I didn't really mind, but it was sort of strange because we sometimes go a long time without speaking to each other, not because we're fighting or anything, but just because she's so busy.
Among other things, the basement is apparently flooded. Or flooding right now. It was a little hard to tell, and from the way my Mom was talking, she was clearly upset about it. She spent a ton of time last week cleaning the basement up, and now it's managed to be a mess in a totally different way, and I can understand why that would be frustrating. She started sobbing a little on the phone. I hate hearing her cry, not because I'm angry at her crying but because I wish the things that made her cry would disappear. I want her to be happy. She didn't cry for more than a minute and then she pulled herself together to continue the conversation.
Also upsetting her is that my Dad was asked to help take care of the flooding while she took care of some business she had to do, and he apparently did nothing.
Among other things, the basement is apparently flooded. Or flooding right now. It was a little hard to tell, and from the way my Mom was talking, she was clearly upset about it. She spent a ton of time last week cleaning the basement up, and now it's managed to be a mess in a totally different way, and I can understand why that would be frustrating. She started sobbing a little on the phone. I hate hearing her cry, not because I'm angry at her crying but because I wish the things that made her cry would disappear. I want her to be happy. She didn't cry for more than a minute and then she pulled herself together to continue the conversation.
Also upsetting her is that my Dad was asked to help take care of the flooding while she took care of some business she had to do, and he apparently did nothing.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Enough
Found this great site, which basically rates companies and their ability to make electronics conflict free. I really wish I had seen this website before I made certain big purchases, but I like it all the same.
I'll just going to have to remember it next time.
I'll just going to have to remember it next time.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Because I Don't Have Enough to Do
Reading this cute article about Korean dramas. Ashley has mentioned in the past that she likes this, and now, I guess, reading this, I will one day have to try one. You know, in that free time I have so much of.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Procrastination
I swear to God I actually had a reason for walking past. But Ruth is leaving soon for a couple of weeks, so I sat down with her. She was watching the news, and we talked about the weather and how hilariously awful local news is. (So, so bad.) She ranted to me a little about how bad the food is here and about what proper biscuits are. And then a little about a new book she got, Assassination Vacation, about a road trip to see where various Presidents were murdered. We ended with watching some of The Simpsons, and we gently telling her that she looked just like a particular character.
I'm so good at wasting time I really wish someone would offer me a job doing it.
I'm so good at wasting time I really wish someone would offer me a job doing it.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday Night with Friends and Family
Not that long after my last post, I got really bad news: my Grandma was in the hospital again, and this time she almost died. (They asked what her legal situation was should that happen.) Basically, she was unresponsive. They think they overdosed her on Vicodin, which really annoys me because it says on her charts her kidneys are terrible. My Mom was sobbing when she found out, and mostly, I really wish we'd taken her to another hospital, because, seriously, people at that place are deficient and incompetent. I'm increasingly more impressed with my medical skills and I didn't actually go to med school.
After that mess, Tori called asking if I wanted to grab dinner with her and Lisa. I said yes, so she came over while I ran around getting dressed. (I spent all afternoon in my pajamas writing.) We went out for pizza.
Lisa updated me on her brother's life. He's been doing volunteer work, and then after that he's going to join up with the army again.
Lisa also took a psychology class on women, and she realized all this great feminism stuff. I'm a little sad for her because she's just only learning now how oppressed women are, but maybe this class will make her more thoughtful and critical about gender.
Tori's sister is pregnant with twins! That's really awesome. I am so happy for her. (Her sister has been trying for around seven years.) Tori went shopping with her for maternity clothes and she said that there was "slutty" maternity clothes. Learn new things all the time.
When I got home, I took a shower, and by the time I got out, my sister was back. She and I were planning on watching Eclipse because we both love Jacob. Neither of us has seen it yet and I seriously hate so much of that franchise, but Jacob is the light in this cave of darkness.
She wasn't sure we could watch it right away, because she was going to get some craft supplies with Mom. Whatever. Maybe I'll watch a horror movie or do some more writing, I thought. I'm just glad for a little break and some time with people.
So I went upstairs and did find myself working on writing again. I put on some Christmas music to get through it. (I never voluntarily listen to Christmas music! What's wrong with me? Something about this year has got me in the spirit.)
As I was writing and listening to Christmas music, my sister poked her head in my door and told me not to come down. I assume this means something was going on that they didn't want me to see. Given this time of year, it means that there is some present that they don't want me to see. I actually was thinking of going down because I was hungry, but I decided to wait a little longer, give them some time for whatever was going on.
Dan and I were texting, and he called. We spoke briefly. I was hoping maybe we could hang out over Christmas break, but he says he's going to see family and won't be around.
Finally, I went downstairs, where yes, my sister was wrapping presents. I've volunteered to do her's, even though she says she's willing to do them as well. She made them the ones she did look really nice.
My Mom, my sister and I sat down to watch Eclipse, which we've never seen. My sister and I are Team Jacob and my Mom doesn't care. We've been having trouble with our DVD player for a while now. Basically, the screen's image will just suddenly disappear and the screen will be black, but you'll still be able to hear the audio. Since the entire point of watching this movie was to admire Jacob's hott body, this was not what we wanted. I would troubleshoot it a little, eventually get the picture back, but we ended up pausing the movie around two in the morning because we were all tired.
And now I am going to go to bed. Goodnight.
After that mess, Tori called asking if I wanted to grab dinner with her and Lisa. I said yes, so she came over while I ran around getting dressed. (I spent all afternoon in my pajamas writing.) We went out for pizza.
Lisa updated me on her brother's life. He's been doing volunteer work, and then after that he's going to join up with the army again.
Lisa also took a psychology class on women, and she realized all this great feminism stuff. I'm a little sad for her because she's just only learning now how oppressed women are, but maybe this class will make her more thoughtful and critical about gender.
Tori's sister is pregnant with twins! That's really awesome. I am so happy for her. (Her sister has been trying for around seven years.) Tori went shopping with her for maternity clothes and she said that there was "slutty" maternity clothes. Learn new things all the time.
When I got home, I took a shower, and by the time I got out, my sister was back. She and I were planning on watching Eclipse because we both love Jacob. Neither of us has seen it yet and I seriously hate so much of that franchise, but Jacob is the light in this cave of darkness.
She wasn't sure we could watch it right away, because she was going to get some craft supplies with Mom. Whatever. Maybe I'll watch a horror movie or do some more writing, I thought. I'm just glad for a little break and some time with people.
So I went upstairs and did find myself working on writing again. I put on some Christmas music to get through it. (I never voluntarily listen to Christmas music! What's wrong with me? Something about this year has got me in the spirit.)
As I was writing and listening to Christmas music, my sister poked her head in my door and told me not to come down. I assume this means something was going on that they didn't want me to see. Given this time of year, it means that there is some present that they don't want me to see. I actually was thinking of going down because I was hungry, but I decided to wait a little longer, give them some time for whatever was going on.
Dan and I were texting, and he called. We spoke briefly. I was hoping maybe we could hang out over Christmas break, but he says he's going to see family and won't be around.
Finally, I went downstairs, where yes, my sister was wrapping presents. I've volunteered to do her's, even though she says she's willing to do them as well. She made them the ones she did look really nice.
My Mom, my sister and I sat down to watch Eclipse, which we've never seen. My sister and I are Team Jacob and my Mom doesn't care. We've been having trouble with our DVD player for a while now. Basically, the screen's image will just suddenly disappear and the screen will be black, but you'll still be able to hear the audio. Since the entire point of watching this movie was to admire Jacob's hott body, this was not what we wanted. I would troubleshoot it a little, eventually get the picture back, but we ended up pausing the movie around two in the morning because we were all tired.
And now I am going to go to bed. Goodnight.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Final Push
Things have been getting crazy in my life right now, so I might not be updating the blog as much as I thought, but basically, stuff is due, and I am doing the whole final push thing.
I was on the phone with both of my parents Sunday night. My Dad repeated the same things he always repeats to me, and my Mom was frustrated over my Grandma, so basically what happens every time I call them.
With my Grandma situation, I feel bad, since I'm not there helping right now, even though mostly everyone would argue I was doing what I should be doing in being here. But I still find myself feeling guilty for it, because my Grandma takes so much work, and my Mom ends up doing almost all of it. I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks I get some time to help out once I go back home. I still want to spend time with some friends, but I know I should use what time I can to be helpful.
I was on the phone with both of my parents Sunday night. My Dad repeated the same things he always repeats to me, and my Mom was frustrated over my Grandma, so basically what happens every time I call them.
With my Grandma situation, I feel bad, since I'm not there helping right now, even though mostly everyone would argue I was doing what I should be doing in being here. But I still find myself feeling guilty for it, because my Grandma takes so much work, and my Mom ends up doing almost all of it. I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks I get some time to help out once I go back home. I still want to spend time with some friends, but I know I should use what time I can to be helpful.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Earlier Part of Work Today
Work today was fine. It dragged a little at the beginning, but at one point I looked at the time and was like "It's 4:30? When did that happen?"
When I got there, I discovered that someone had decorated the lobby for Christmas. It seems too early still for Christmas, though once I'm on break I'll probably get more into the spirit. It always seems as if the spirit hits me just as Christmas is over, which means maybe I need to start right after Halloween if I want to care on time. But after coming home today, I feel like I'm getting into the spirit of things a little bit more.
When I got to my cubicle, my chair was missing. I usually hang my coats on the back of the chair, and I was totally baffled. I went over to see Mark's office since I'm suppose to check in with him anyway. He wasn't there, but the chair in front of his computer looked suspicious. I went into the boss's office and found my three coworkers, probably having a meeting. I asked if I could borrow the extra chair in his office, and realizing that the chair he was sitting on was usually mine, said okay.
When I got there, I discovered that someone had decorated the lobby for Christmas. It seems too early still for Christmas, though once I'm on break I'll probably get more into the spirit. It always seems as if the spirit hits me just as Christmas is over, which means maybe I need to start right after Halloween if I want to care on time. But after coming home today, I feel like I'm getting into the spirit of things a little bit more.
When I got to my cubicle, my chair was missing. I usually hang my coats on the back of the chair, and I was totally baffled. I went over to see Mark's office since I'm suppose to check in with him anyway. He wasn't there, but the chair in front of his computer looked suspicious. I went into the boss's office and found my three coworkers, probably having a meeting. I asked if I could borrow the extra chair in his office, and realizing that the chair he was sitting on was usually mine, said okay.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Someone's Got Nice Pipes
Today, I came across this great set of videos depicting a young man who makes PVC instruments on Popwatch. There are a lot of DIY instruments out there and I absolutely love them. It takes so much more just to learn an instrument, let alone one that you actually made yourself. If I had the time (and probably a lot of help) I'd love to build things like this.
The other fun thing about these videos is that you have to guess what the songs are. These PVC pipe covers of songs have a nice quality. I would love to hear these pipes being used with other (traditional or DIY) instruments. Or you, know, if this guy released a CD on bandcamp, I would totally check that out too.
Among other things, this video has a much clearer sound. The cover of "I Just Can't Wait to be King" sounds particularly great. The instrument fits well for this kind of song.
Friday, October 15, 2010
This is What a Normal 24 Hours Looks Like
I was advised to put the mail in the mailbox next to the subway, which I did. Since I was on my way out, this worked out surprisingly well.
As I was in the subway, I put on my MP3 player. The first song to come on? "Mercy Me" by Alkaline Trio. Just before I had left, I had a conversation about punk rock and I mentioned that I loved this particular band. Funny how life happens that way.
When I got home, I was all alone, so I played music loudly and enjoyed myself. I was reading some blogs online when one mentioned about a recent National Suit Up Day to celebrate How I Met Your Mother. I don't really watch that show, but Dan does, so I texted him.
"Are you wearing a suit?" I asked. I imagined him in one. Cut rightly, it would flatter him. The actually suit would have to be form fitted, and the pants would have to be the right length (covering the ankles and slightly covering the shoes), but he would look good and adult and mature.
"I don't own a suit," he texted back. Way to blow that fantasy.
I was a little surprised this was the answer, since Dan drinks gin and has elitist views about art. But I can't really think of a reason he would need a suit either. He's also an awkward science boy; he needs clothes he can use to trample around in the mud and whatnot.
Dan texted me back. "Do you know who does have a suit?"
I thought maybe he'd mention his roommate, who also has no particular reason to have a suit. "James Bond" I texted back.
"Glenn Beck," he answered. I actually had a hard time remembering what Beck wears. Usually I'm too busy being annoyed at him.
I decided not to text Dan further, just because he is anti-text message.
Inga came home, and we chatted about our days. Inga's an actress, so she told me all about how annoying her opera teacher is and how annoying this other actress in her class is.
Jackie, one of the other roommates, came in, and we chatted about boys. Jackie's boyfriend is thirty years old, which is way older than her and which I think is kind of creepy, though I don't think it's my place to tell her what to do.
Inga and I had dinner together. (Jackie's been sick recently and hasn't wanted food lately, though she had a little later than us.) We had a nice conversation about siblings.
I like my roommates a lot, but everyone goes to bed so early. Around 10:30 or 11, which is ungodly early, really. I am use to going to bed, at the earliest, midnight. And when I'm having sleeping problems (which haven't affected me much in the last week) I'm lucky if I make it to bed before 3 in the morning. One of my former roommates, Sam, had the same problem as me, and I can't imagine her living with these girls.
Since I don't have to be up as early as them, I've been staying up later. I go to another part of the building and work on other things, mostly catching up on email. I sat in one of the lounges as this girl watched Law and Order: LA. It's by far the most boring of the franchise, and this comes from someone who watched all of Conviction.
I went back to the room to go to bed, and I don't think I made too much noise. And then I crashed.
Camilla gets up around 6 or 7 to exercise, which is fine but she exercises less than a half foot from my bed. The first time I noticed it, my voice caught a little. I didn't quite gasp.
I had breakfast that morning with Jackie. I don't think we talked much, but we were both tired. I stole a box of Cheerio's and a bagel out of the caf.
The girls all left before I did for school. My schedule looks like it's going to be later in the day than most of them. After they left, I did all my usual stuff to get ready: brushing my hair, brushing my teeth, putting on my perfume, etc.
I worked on some things online as I waited for it to get closer to when I needed to leave. I wrote some notes to friends.
I noticed that Justin was online, so I chatted with him. Justin is about to turn 25, and he mentioned that some of his Chinese friends want to take him to a strip club. I still think this is a great idea, one that Justin should totally go for, but I don't think this is going to happen. I suggested that he get a couple of other friends together for this little outing, like Nick, Dan and Daniel. There were few things I could think of that would be as funny as those four trying not to be awkward in a strip club. They're awkward around girls dressed normally; I can't imagine them around the scantily clad kind. Justin had to get going to class, and I was leaving soon myself, so I let him go.
I finally got my stuff together, and caught the subway. Sort of. I went into the car, and waited and waited. Finally, three fire fighters came by on the platform, wheeling one of those cart things. I had enough time to think "Er..." before someone came over the intercom and said that a customer was sick and that they would be starting off soon.
And eventually we did get going, though they changed where we would be stopping. This didn't affect my traveling, but it did affect a lot of other people's, who got off.
When I got to work, Alex wasn't in, so I got started on a project that Alexander had for me. He wanted me to do some research and familiarize myself with some stuff on ecofeminism. I don't really know much about ecofeminism, so I got started on the project, reading the materials he gave me.
I guess for the time being this is what my schedule is going to be, which is weirdly normal. I don't know if I can handle having a set schedule and being normal and all that. I'm use to having nothing set in stone and getting frustrated. What am I going to do when I don't have to be frustrated all the time?
As I was in the subway, I put on my MP3 player. The first song to come on? "Mercy Me" by Alkaline Trio. Just before I had left, I had a conversation about punk rock and I mentioned that I loved this particular band. Funny how life happens that way.
"Are you wearing a suit?" I asked. I imagined him in one. Cut rightly, it would flatter him. The actually suit would have to be form fitted, and the pants would have to be the right length (covering the ankles and slightly covering the shoes), but he would look good and adult and mature.
"I don't own a suit," he texted back. Way to blow that fantasy.
I was a little surprised this was the answer, since Dan drinks gin and has elitist views about art. But I can't really think of a reason he would need a suit either. He's also an awkward science boy; he needs clothes he can use to trample around in the mud and whatnot.
I thought maybe he'd mention his roommate, who also has no particular reason to have a suit. "James Bond" I texted back.
"Glenn Beck," he answered. I actually had a hard time remembering what Beck wears. Usually I'm too busy being annoyed at him.
I decided not to text Dan further, just because he is anti-text message.
Inga came home, and we chatted about our days. Inga's an actress, so she told me all about how annoying her opera teacher is and how annoying this other actress in her class is.
Jackie, one of the other roommates, came in, and we chatted about boys. Jackie's boyfriend is thirty years old, which is way older than her and which I think is kind of creepy, though I don't think it's my place to tell her what to do.
Inga and I had dinner together. (Jackie's been sick recently and hasn't wanted food lately, though she had a little later than us.) We had a nice conversation about siblings.
I like my roommates a lot, but everyone goes to bed so early. Around 10:30 or 11, which is ungodly early, really. I am use to going to bed, at the earliest, midnight. And when I'm having sleeping problems (which haven't affected me much in the last week) I'm lucky if I make it to bed before 3 in the morning. One of my former roommates, Sam, had the same problem as me, and I can't imagine her living with these girls.
I went back to the room to go to bed, and I don't think I made too much noise. And then I crashed.
Camilla gets up around 6 or 7 to exercise, which is fine but she exercises less than a half foot from my bed. The first time I noticed it, my voice caught a little. I didn't quite gasp.
I had breakfast that morning with Jackie. I don't think we talked much, but we were both tired. I stole a box of Cheerio's and a bagel out of the caf.
The girls all left before I did for school. My schedule looks like it's going to be later in the day than most of them. After they left, I did all my usual stuff to get ready: brushing my hair, brushing my teeth, putting on my perfume, etc.
I worked on some things online as I waited for it to get closer to when I needed to leave. I wrote some notes to friends.
I noticed that Justin was online, so I chatted with him. Justin is about to turn 25, and he mentioned that some of his Chinese friends want to take him to a strip club. I still think this is a great idea, one that Justin should totally go for, but I don't think this is going to happen. I suggested that he get a couple of other friends together for this little outing, like Nick, Dan and Daniel. There were few things I could think of that would be as funny as those four trying not to be awkward in a strip club. They're awkward around girls dressed normally; I can't imagine them around the scantily clad kind. Justin had to get going to class, and I was leaving soon myself, so I let him go.
I finally got my stuff together, and caught the subway. Sort of. I went into the car, and waited and waited. Finally, three fire fighters came by on the platform, wheeling one of those cart things. I had enough time to think "Er..." before someone came over the intercom and said that a customer was sick and that they would be starting off soon.
And eventually we did get going, though they changed where we would be stopping. This didn't affect my traveling, but it did affect a lot of other people's, who got off.
When I got to work, Alex wasn't in, so I got started on a project that Alexander had for me. He wanted me to do some research and familiarize myself with some stuff on ecofeminism. I don't really know much about ecofeminism, so I got started on the project, reading the materials he gave me.
I guess for the time being this is what my schedule is going to be, which is weirdly normal. I don't know if I can handle having a set schedule and being normal and all that. I'm use to having nothing set in stone and getting frustrated. What am I going to do when I don't have to be frustrated all the time?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Conversation with Paul
Paul and I were talking later in the evening. We were mostly being a little gossipy, as I told him the latest news on Ryan. We were sort of amazed about it, given what we knew about him.
Inevitably, this means we started talking about relationships in general. Paul told me last year that he doesn't want to be in a relationship, and even though part of me is sad for him and for a lucky girl who should be dating him, I want to respect his feelings. He's my friend, after all.
"Do you want to be in a relationship?" he asked.
I paused. I thought about all the boys who I couldn't be with because they were gay, had girlfriends, were a million miles away, were clearly not interested, or, my favorite, not really as great as they first seemed.
"Yes...but not just with anyone."
"Well, I didn't think you were like Trusty and would just date for the attention."
Usually I can't have conversations like these with boys, just because they are awkward and have a hard time opening up, but then Paul started in on something else, and we left it at that. Two weeks ago we hashed out all of his unhappiness with the relationship concept, so there was no need to revisit it.
Inevitably, this means we started talking about relationships in general. Paul told me last year that he doesn't want to be in a relationship, and even though part of me is sad for him and for a lucky girl who should be dating him, I want to respect his feelings. He's my friend, after all.
"Do you want to be in a relationship?" he asked.
I paused. I thought about all the boys who I couldn't be with because they were gay, had girlfriends, were a million miles away, were clearly not interested, or, my favorite, not really as great as they first seemed.
"Yes...but not just with anyone."
"Well, I didn't think you were like Trusty and would just date for the attention."
Usually I can't have conversations like these with boys, just because they are awkward and have a hard time opening up, but then Paul started in on something else, and we left it at that. Two weeks ago we hashed out all of his unhappiness with the relationship concept, so there was no need to revisit it.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wasting Time Better Through Blogging
I love discovering new blogs. This morning, I happened upon one called Procrastinate Better, which is all about the best movies, online games, and other ways to "waste" your time. If anything, it's a more effective way to waste your time, since then you won't be like me, wasting your time on stuff that wasn't as much fun.
There's a great review up right now of Foyle's War, which I've seen bits and pieces of and is pretty solid. The review is absolutely true, except they miss how entertaining the sidekick is. There's some other delightful stuff already up, like on Stair Porn and hip hop, which I'm going to go use to waste my time on now.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Feminism Paper
Have been working on a paper for my English class. I'm still a little under the required page number, but at least I have something, and even having that is a big relief.
I'm writing about two works on Toni Morrison and the gaze. I'm really interested in the later. When I learned about it in a class last year, it captured my thoughts. It's one of the things I'm interested in in literary theory.
There are a couple of pop songs that I think deal implicitly with the gaze, which I'd like to write a short piece about. You know, when I get the time.
I'm writing about two works on Toni Morrison and the gaze. I'm really interested in the later. When I learned about it in a class last year, it captured my thoughts. It's one of the things I'm interested in in literary theory.
There are a couple of pop songs that I think deal implicitly with the gaze, which I'd like to write a short piece about. You know, when I get the time.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Carnival
For the first time since my freshman year, we've been able to have carnival outside. I always have a good time at these shindigs, and this was no different. There was a lot of different stuff going on today, but I'm just going to post a few photos about it.
Here is Jeff and Ben playing softball. There was a tournament today, and these two were on a team. I love these two together. They're the kinds of friends I can imagine being best buddies for life.
As always, there are other pictures posted on my Flikr.
Here is Jeff and Ben playing softball. There was a tournament today, and these two were on a team. I love these two together. They're the kinds of friends I can imagine being best buddies for life.
As always, there are other pictures posted on my Flikr.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Library Fantasy #2
I spent a ton of time today and last night doing reading for various classes (a piece on the Crusades, one of Saint Louis, part of a book on Shell Oil in Nigeria, Oranges are not the Only Fruit, "Recitatif," a Winterson article.) Mostly, when I'm doing a lot of reading, I wander around until I find a comfy/semi-quiet spot to work in, since I don't have a couch at my place right now and I get antsy if I'm not moving.One of my favorite quiet places are on the second floor of the building I live in. There's these two different rooms in two different corners of the buildings, and they're perfect. Generally, no one's there, and there are leather couches and tables and chairs. One of the rooms has tons of books, which I cataloged as a sophomore. Last night and today, I opened the windows, and enjoyed the nice weather and the perfect atmosphere for productivity. The weather has been a big help in keeping my mood up, and being left alone made it possible for me to really concentrate. I actually don't mind interruptions, usually, from friends. (It's when it's people I dislike it's a problem.)
As I was sitting in this reading room, I found myself fantasizing about having a large library someday. A nice library is a real steal. (The picture is from a conceptual piece for Buffy the Animated Series, which never happened. As of right now, it's my ideal library, except I want there to be comfortable, huge chairs, like the kind you find at Barnes and Noble, and blankets and even Snuggies.) I want to have lots of books, strange ones, leather ones, fugly ones. I want there to be no room for anything else, so there's no art on the walls. Except for Roman Empire busts. When I was in London, I hung out a little at the British Library, and one of the workers told me of a library they had received was cataloged by whatever Roman bust was on top of the shelf. I can say that I'm probably not that crazy, but I definitely want a collection: Julius, Augustus, Caligula, Nero, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Sepitimus Severus, Caracalla, Elgabalus, Valerian, Diocletian, Romulus Augustus, Justinian. And then of course, when I have visitors to my library, I'll see who's up on their stuff. Maybe to throw them off, I'll throw in Suetonius and Catullus and see who's really on their game.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Research Paper
Today's stress happens to be in part because of one of my history classes. We were supposed to turn in a proposal for a research project. The first time I went to see the professor over an idea I had, he said it was fine. Then the next day he complained about the topic to the rest of the class, not mentioning my name or anything, just complaining. Okay. So then I got worried that he wouldn't be fair grading it, because my experience has been that professors do not always grade as partially as they're supposed to. I wanted to do a queer reading of King Lear once. Professor was completely against it. I did it, and I got an okay grade. I should have found something better to talk about.
So, last week, talking with Kelly, I came up with another idea. Did a little research, tweaked the idea, and submitted it yesterday. Today, he sends me an email saying it's a great idea and then suggests a couple of other books to help with the research.
I guess I should be happy he's enthusiastic, but I'm not. All I can think of is that I basically let him dictate to me. I feel like I've been manipulated, even though I've been fully aware of it the entire time. Mostly, I wish he hadn't commented on it at all.
So, last week, talking with Kelly, I came up with another idea. Did a little research, tweaked the idea, and submitted it yesterday. Today, he sends me an email saying it's a great idea and then suggests a couple of other books to help with the research.
I guess I should be happy he's enthusiastic, but I'm not. All I can think of is that I basically let him dictate to me. I feel like I've been manipulated, even though I've been fully aware of it the entire time. Mostly, I wish he hadn't commented on it at all.
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