email from mom today
this is the last thing she said:
what do you plan to do this weekend? plan to buy a car? I may get forester.
Should I be buying a car because she is? I’m confused.
Recently Listened
October 13, 2006
October 11, 2006
October 9, 2006
red jello
After I woke up feeling sick yesterday, The Little Red Haired Girl made me some red jello. It doesn’t get much better than that.
October 7, 2006
October 6, 2006
first year poster session
Just before I came here my program at school revamped its doctoral structure, so there have been a lot of new things being implemented around me. One of those new things is first year poster sessions. At the beginning of our second year we have to present a poster on research that we did in our first year. Today is the day of the poster sessions.
My poster is done (thanks to the help of The Little Red Haired Girl who stayed up late with me cutting things out), I’m as prepared as I can be in the near future to explain what I did, and I’m praying for “generous” questions from whoever does any questioning. I’ve been pretty immersed in this thing for the past few weeks in preparation, and my advisor has given a lot of hours to help me with it. He’s been really encouraging, and even though he’s out of town for another meeting he emailed me last night to wish me luck and say some kind things about my work.
My fear is that he has too much confidence in me. Or that I’ve somehow tricked him into thinking I’m far more competent than I really am. I guess many students have this fear, and being in the education game I should accept that taking these kinds of risks and making mistakes are good ways to learn. If I were already spectacular at this sort of thing I wouldn’t be in school. Yet still I feel this rising dread of impending doom. Like walking into a straight club in New York City. I don’t belong, I’m not sure I want to belong, and people will surely be able to glance at me and know I don’t belong. And I have no idea what to wear. In reality though, I will probably have fun and no one will even notice I’m there except for my friends.
October 4, 2006
Indigo Girls at Ryman Auditorium
For my birthday back in August The Little Red Haired Girl bought me tickets to see the Indigo Girls, and last night was the night. I used to be an Indigo Girls fanatic– I traded boot tapes, bought rare posters and tshirts on ebay, and maintained websites for fan groups. I don’t really know how the obsession died away, but it happened soon after Shaming of the Sun came out. Anyway, I’ve been getting back into their stuff (and music in general) lately, so it was great to get to a live show again.
As expected they played mainly songs from the new album, Despite Our Differences
- Amy unplugging herself by accident and sheepishly putting herself back together
- Amy singing harmony with her pick in her mouth
- Mindy Smith’s surprise guest appearance – she sang “Tennessee” from her new album, Long Island Shores
- The audience: it’s been a while since I’ve seen so many lesbians in one place. I was surprised at how many empty seats there were though.
- The quiet in the auditorium during “Dirt and Dead Ends”(can you tell I’m an Amy fan yet?)
The Girls were not as chatty as I remember and they kept futzing with the sound, but overall it was a great show and a fun time. I’m digging out the old albums this morning for a quick listen.
October 2, 2006
to do list
Things to do this week:
- Prepare for numerical analysis exam (or, as the prof abbreviates it, Num Anal exam)
- Write paper proposal
- Read for class as usual
- Go to see Indigo Girls show at Ryman
- See Midsummer Night’s Dream at Belmont U.
- Prepare and give first year research poster session (eek)
- Go to Doctors without Borders reception at Parthenon
Busy, but a lot of fun stuff. No complaints here. I got up early this morning (set an alarm!) and feel completely refreshed and ready to go. Now all I have to do is stop playing this damn Fish Tycoon game and get moving.