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yrmencynGreetings. I just wanted to note two things. First, we had a lovely party here for New Year's, saw lots of old friends (including some I hadn't seen in, literally, years). I made some tasty food, a number of people brought snackums and drinks, and all in all a good time was had by all. The group singing of Auld Lang Syne (led by my copy of Barenaked Ladies' Barenaked for the Holidays) was a special treat, as was having someone to kiss at midnight for, I think, the first time ever.
Second thing is to say that I've just now finished reading Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game for the first time ever in my 24 years. Yes, I know, I waited more than a decade too long, but you know how these things go: sometimes important books slip through the cracks. It was really stunning. It can be read as an insightful treatise on the problems of interaction with an extraterrestrial species, of course, and in the unlikely event that that becomes more relevant I certainly hope the book is required reading at all levels. That said, I think it's hugely applicable right here, right now as a story about the dangers and consequences of dehumanizing the Other. It's a sad habit we have as a species, our willingness to paint those with whom we disagree as obvious fools or fanatics, when an interior examination would almost certainly reveal an internal coherency -- and thus an empathizable connection -- to rival our own.
In other news, OSU starts Winter Quarter tomorrow, and I can't access the registrar's site. Which means I can't view my schedule. Kevin helped me recreate most of it from other sources (he's a smartie, and I was having a mental block), but I still don't know where my Art seminar is. Or when. Or, for that matter, what the damn course number is. Good times. Guess I'll be calling the Department of Art tomorrow. I'd use their website, but it is, unfortunately, pretty much worthless, a monument to form over function. All pretty, no content. *rolls eyes contemptuously*
I bought a leather coat last night; it is sexy. I bought Marcus Samuelsson's The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa today; I've been VERY excited about this one since I saw it about a month ago. Yay Christmas money! Also had my glasses repaired today, since one of the lens-frames decided to break at the bridge while I was cleaning them a couple days ago. All-American Eyeglass Repair, 999 Bethel Rd. (just east of Kenny), was wonderful: fast, cheap, and the repair looks to be both neat (you have to know it's there to see it) and sturdy.
Finally managed to get over to the departmental office to check my mailbox, where I knew my portfolio was waiting. Also there was my commented final paper from Phelan. For once, I was very happy to receive comments on a paper; he noted a lot of places where my argument was weak or, more frequently, underexplored, and the comments were actually truly constructive, in a way that I don't often feel like I've gotten. This felt more like I was being approached as a peer by a more experienced colleague, rather than as a peon by a professor just going through the required motions. Not to say I've had all disaffected, disinterested professors -- far from it -- but it's been a while since a prof and I have both been on board; I've written a lot of papers I could care less about.
Second thing is to say that I've just now finished reading Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game for the first time ever in my 24 years. Yes, I know, I waited more than a decade too long, but you know how these things go: sometimes important books slip through the cracks. It was really stunning. It can be read as an insightful treatise on the problems of interaction with an extraterrestrial species, of course, and in the unlikely event that that becomes more relevant I certainly hope the book is required reading at all levels. That said, I think it's hugely applicable right here, right now as a story about the dangers and consequences of dehumanizing the Other. It's a sad habit we have as a species, our willingness to paint those with whom we disagree as obvious fools or fanatics, when an interior examination would almost certainly reveal an internal coherency -- and thus an empathizable connection -- to rival our own.
In other news, OSU starts Winter Quarter tomorrow, and I can't access the registrar's site. Which means I can't view my schedule. Kevin helped me recreate most of it from other sources (he's a smartie, and I was having a mental block), but I still don't know where my Art seminar is. Or when. Or, for that matter, what the damn course number is. Good times. Guess I'll be calling the Department of Art tomorrow. I'd use their website, but it is, unfortunately, pretty much worthless, a monument to form over function. All pretty, no content. *rolls eyes contemptuously*
I bought a leather coat last night; it is sexy. I bought Marcus Samuelsson's The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa today; I've been VERY excited about this one since I saw it about a month ago. Yay Christmas money! Also had my glasses repaired today, since one of the lens-frames decided to break at the bridge while I was cleaning them a couple days ago. All-American Eyeglass Repair, 999 Bethel Rd. (just east of Kenny), was wonderful: fast, cheap, and the repair looks to be both neat (you have to know it's there to see it) and sturdy.
Finally managed to get over to the departmental office to check my mailbox, where I knew my portfolio was waiting. Also there was my commented final paper from Phelan. For once, I was very happy to receive comments on a paper; he noted a lot of places where my argument was weak or, more frequently, underexplored, and the comments were actually truly constructive, in a way that I don't often feel like I've gotten. This felt more like I was being approached as a peer by a more experienced colleague, rather than as a peon by a professor just going through the required motions. Not to say I've had all disaffected, disinterested professors -- far from it -- but it's been a while since a prof and I have both been on board; I've written a lot of papers I could care less about.
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