Devotchka: May 22 @ Southgate House
Lear: April 5 @ Cincy Shakespeare Co.
Archive for March, 2008
Need stuff?
Posted in Uncategorized on March 27, 2008| 2 Comments »
I sold two pieces of furniture today! I’m getting rid of several more items over the next month. If you want anything, you can have it at the cheaper-than-craigslist price–email or call. There’s a computer desk, a rocking chair, a queen-sized headboard and bed frame, a coffee table, a bicycle, and a guitar.
It’s Official
Posted in complaints, health care, movies on March 26, 2008| 1 Comment »
Unemployment, that is.
Yup, the institution of “higher” learning that’s been paying my rent since 2003 majorly fucked up and had to let go *all* adjunct comp instructors for the spring. Not having a job is bittersweet, though. I’ve been in the vicious circle of wanting to find something else, finding I have no relevant experience for work outside the academy (and not enough education for any gainful work inside), agreeing to teach for fear of uncertainty, and doing little aside from not enjoying teaching. Maybe I’ll finally find something that I enjoy…
In other good news, the feeling I’d attributed to winter time, possible S.A.D., possible depression, teaching, fatigue, and general malaise turns out to likely be magnesium deficiency. Who knew?! The doc said a level as low as mine could cause heart palpitations and muscle weakness. After a couple of doses of magnesium oxide, I already feel better. In hindsight, I had easily describable symptoms–especially the increased heart-rate–but find it endlessly difficult to trust what my body tells me. I immediately blame myself for my symptoms (not enough sleep, not enough vigorous exercise, etc.). Good to know it isn’t always my fault.
Finally, on an entirely unrelated note, yesterday I watched/fell asleep during the worst movie: The Grifters. I found myself asking, time and again, “Is this supposed to be funny?” Well, is it?
What I’ve Been Watching
Posted in media mayhem, movies on March 22, 2008| Leave a Comment »
The five-part New York documentary by PBS. I have two episodes left. The series is good, but not great; it’s as if NY arose in a vaccum. It’s fascinating to see the visual history of the city, though. And I have a powerful urge to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge now. Veace, when can I visit?
Yuck. I’m not a huge fan of Wes Anderson, but I genuinely liked The Life Aquatic. This represents a step backward for him–into Royal Tennenbaums-style vapidity. I hope he outgrows the cutesy hipsterism (not to mention the slightly disturbing orientalism on display in Darjeeling) to become a memorable filmmaker. And the daddy obsession really needs to go–even the dead daddy here is more present than most of the living characters. There’s also something to say about the icky women in this movie–a couple of fucktoys and a religious freak–but, the more I think about it, the less attention this movie deserves. It’s worthless.
Ah, Chicky. Thanks for bringing Linda Linda Linda into my life. We too rewound and rewatched the performance, and sang the song for days. I’m singing it again now. Where are the American movies like this? High school girls who look younger than 25, and who aren’t eager to get naked and screw each other over. Subtle and fun.
Another selection from the Chicky snowstorm trade (it wasn’t all muppets and hobbits). Frantic was really a pleasant surprise. I had no strong feelings at the beginning (more of the “well, it’s still snowing out, let’s put this one in” variety of opinion), but really got into this one.
Never had seen this one from beginning to end. A surprising ending, given the biopic formula we’re currently stuck in. Good stuff, even though Jones steals the show. It almost becomes his movie. Anyone else feel that way? This one’s getting the BF treatment. Stay tuned.
Last, and certainly least, a few words about American Idol. I started watching this season in the accidental sort of way: Seinfeld during dinner turned into Idol. I could’ve gotten up–or even reached over to the remote–to switch off the TV, but I sat and watched. At the beginning. And, as with many things, I just fell into a groove of watching. There wasn’t anyone particularly interesting, I was just curious about the spectacle, and every once in a while I like to check the temperature of American pop culture. It’s like watching a single episode of the Bachelor, just to be horrified. I’m quitting Idol, though, after the only remotely interesting contestant was voted off this week. That rock-n-roll nurse from Indiana didn’t have the greatest voice in the world, but she was cool. Everyone else bores me to the point of…well, actually turning off the TV.
Updates, etc.
Posted in being social, materialism, travels on March 20, 2008| Leave a Comment »
1. Spring comes in less than two hours! A time for thawing…
2. I just took a whole carload of stuff to Goodwill. So refreshing. We laughed about the woman sitting in her (v. nice) car filling out a detailed receipt for her donations. God forbid you just give stuff to the poor.
3. Sold the rest of my cds in the neverending quest to get rid of stuff. Bought two: the new Devotchka and a reissued gem–Jason and the Scorchers. An added surprise with the Scorchers album: though the outer case is the Lost & Found album, the cd actually contains that and Fervor! I’m in alt country hog heaven.
4. The new apartment countdown begins: just over one month.
5. Research essays are waiting…
6. Marshall, Missouri was a success. Highlights include:
Jim the Clairvoyant Dog. This is just a statue. The real thing could predict the sex of your baby before its birth, pick the Kentucky Derby winner, and understand multiple foreign languages and Morse code. Stare into his hollowed out bronze eyes…
The historic town of Blackwater, MO. This is it. The motto of the town restaurant–Backroads–is “Good Food at the Cross Roads of Some Where and No Where” [sic]. It felt not like a real town, but like a movie set. If we’d been there a week or two later, the Pie Lady and the Telephone Museum might’ve been open.
It wasn’t all nostalgia and psychic canines, though. There was a wedding, a condescending pastor, and some amazing carrot cake. And I now understand Footloose. 1984 is calling, Kevin Bacon.
Quote of the Day
Posted in humor on March 12, 2008| Leave a Comment »
What punctuation mark are you?
Posted in brainiac, humor on March 6, 2008| 1 Comment »
Hee hee. Courtesy of Chicky:
You Are a Dash |
|
I’ve also learned that I’m a Total Brainiac, I’m a Boston Creme Donut, and my Hair Should Be Purple.
It’s a slow day, people.
It’s Looking Good, Ohio
Posted in happiness, politics on March 4, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Although no delegates have yet been assigned, several news outlets are calling Ohio for Hillary!
Update: It was, indeed, a great night for Hillary supporters. Ohio and Texas are strong working-class states, and though I don’t intend to hold up working-class people as better citizens, they know what it’s like to struggle, to doubt, and to stand on the edge of the abyss, so to speak. They’re realistic. They too want to change the direction of this country, but they recognize that change isn’t a pretty process, and that the conservative forces we face aren’t going to yield, aren’t going to unite. Ohioans want a strong fighter, and the majority of us think Hillary’s the best candidate for the job. I’m quite happy to be part of this majority.
One More Day!
Posted in happiness, politics, students, writers & writing on March 3, 2008| 3 Comments »
I’m excited for four reasons today:
1. Paul Krugman is back from vacation.
2. The end of the quarter is in clear sight.
3. I had a new idea for a long-neglected project yesterday, and believe March is the month to bring it all back.
4. I get to cast my vote for the first female presidential nominee tomorrow.
Coral M. Bien 