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Athena del Santo

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I'm going from digital back to analog [Jul. 2nd, 2006|10:57 am]
[Current Location |Narciso]
[State Of Being | okay]
[Sonic Influence |Morrissey - "Let Me Kiss You"]

...where I think I belong.

I've thought about what kind of media I want to record my Europe trip. As I'm sure many of you readers may have come to know is that any time I've gone on a long trip (Chicago, NYC, Connecticut for College Bowl, etc), I've never written much about these journeys or posted pictures. Perhaps my traveling journeys are only things I feel that are sacred about my life anymore. Having this blog (my choice, of course) has meant opening up a lot of my life to public comment and reflection. Then again, I should have had more discretion about who I write about and who gets to read it. Whatever my flip-flopping may mean now or in the future, I'm going to keep a written journal while abroad. That's what I did in Ireland and England six years ago, and I treasure those pages. Still, I'm not going to say that the past three years on LJ have been a waste. I would have never met certain people had I not been connected through this forum.

The Return of the Prodigal Drum Major. Indeed, "prodigal" is heavily based on the "return" aspect of said person.

I will see you in far off places.

*salute*
Link9 ideas|What's your philosophy?

The end? [Jul. 2nd, 2006|12:04 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | pensive]
[Sonic Influence |Remembrances of Sim City]

I've been feeling increasingly cryptic lately. I don't know why. I don't feel like writing long posts. I'd rather listen to music for hours on end than go outside. I am not withdrawn; I don't even feel drawn (without drawn?).

I'm fine.

Perhaps it's time to close this chapter and do more productive things than spend minutes wondering what to post about.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

When you wait, sometimes it is sweeter [Jun. 30th, 2006|11:42 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | jubilant]
[Sonic Influence |Franz Ferdinand - "The Fallen"]

My plane tickets and itinerary came via FedEx today! YAY! Finally, the reality of actually studying abroad is sinking in. I'm really excited :)

I've been reading and knitting like no other; to celebrate, a book meme courtesy of [info]cbertsch:

a) pick up a book which is the closest to you at the moment
b) open page 123
c) find the third sentence
d) post it in your Live Journal (plus the instructions)
e) don't choose the book, just pick up the one closest to you

The fans are always impelled by their handsome hatred of what they are and where they came from as much as they are by their murderous desire for the pop star who tells them please don't cry, but makes them cry rivers.

-Mark Simpson, Saint Morrissey
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

The crystal figurine who sought to be a doll [Jun. 28th, 2006|09:09 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | pensive]
[Sonic Influence |The Smiths - "Girlfriend in a Coma"]

The days are melting into one another. I read. I knit. I attempt to be serious and complete my work before I leave for Europe, but with little success. It's all about wanting to. I've wanted for little in my life.

My mind, as always, is in a constant flurry. Emotions don't live in my mind, but they permeate my physical actions, and dictate how I choose to spend the day. [info]virtualannette recently posted about how she dislikes having to fill her day with activities. Neither do I, but my life is such where I feel utterly useless unless I'm doing something. At least I'm always thinking, if not actually physically moving.

~~~~

( Waiting on a friend ) - not just my favourite Rolling Stones song.

~~~~

I am exercising often, and sweating away my cholesterol (I hope). I'm looking forward to the "Disneyland" walkathons that await me in Europe. I call them that because whenever I've visted Disneyland during my middle and high school band/choir trips, it was always a 18 hour-on-one's-feet affair, rushing from one ride to the next and rarely slowing down. I hope I can take my time in Europe, even though we'll be in each city less than two days. The good thing about these Disneyland walkathons is how wonderfully exhausted I always am at the end of the day. I don't seriously expect to lose weight while in Europe, but here's hoping.
Link1 idea|What's your philosophy?

My M5 is still alive [Jun. 25th, 2006|01:37 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | creative]
[Sonic Influence |The Psychadelic Furs - "Heartbreak Beat"]

The Star Trek marathon was a success! I blew a quarter of my paycheck on pizza and soda - but it was worth it. Katherine B. and her younger sister came, Robert, Stefan and his friend Derek, as well as the usual high school (i.e.: marching band) gang ([info]cerridwenj, [info]lightningryder, [info]firebirdgod; the latter two came after the episodes to chat and gossip). The best surprise was seeing Joshua S. and Wilho for the first time in a couple of years. Joshua was my "little brother" on the high school swim team. Although I was a senior when he was a freshman, we got along great, and I sort of mentored him throughout the season. He was the one that presented me with my green-with-white-paw senior towel at the last home meet. We were also in the MESA Club together; that year, I was the President and he was one of the top freshmen in the engineering division of the club. Wilho was in marching band with me; he was also a freshman when I was a senior. The '01/'02 crowd I hung with were eager to include him in our circle because he was just that darn cool. My affection for ranch dressing was forever changed during band camp my senior year because of a joke Wilho made at Peter Piper Pizza. It's these kind of high school memories and people that make me smile.

The marathon itself was quite stellar, although short by "marathon" standards. We watched "The Ultimate Computer", "The Trouble with Tribbles", "Elementary, My Dear Data" (TNG), and "Space Seed" (KHAAAAANNNN!). Wilho had the best quip of the night; while Lt. LaForge and Data were playing Sherlock Holmes and Watson on the Holodeck, there was a moment where LaForge had a good insight into the mystery. Wilho exclaimed after LaForge paused, "But don't take my word for it!" channeling LeVar Burton's role on Reading Rainbow. There were several great riffs made on the episodes by those in attendence. Star Trek: it brings people together, and geeks even closer.

I published my first entry into my knitting blog today! I decided to join Blogger because [info]cerridwenj is linked there, as well as a few of the other Tucson Stitch n' Bitchers, like [info]fair_tinuviel and [info]ragabashtule. I'm still very in tune with the LJ knitting communities, such as [info]20sknitters and [info]collegeknit. I still plan to post those communities with queries, and the "tricoteuse" (French for "knitter") blog will pretty much be photo updates of progress and finished objects.
Link7 ideas|What's your philosophy?

What is a story, but a yarn woven with love and loss? [Jun. 24th, 2006|01:37 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | creative]
[Sonic Influence |Argentina vs. Mexico on Univision]

I love being a hedonist. At the same time, being a hedonist is more fulfilling to me when I've worked hard enough at something to reap the rewards. To me, being a hedonist doesn't mean wallowing in nothingness or languishing in laziness. It just means fully enjoying leisure activities. Such as knitting. I've been quite prolific this week, finishing the acid sunset hat, starting a blue and white speckled cap, and getting halfway through the Irish hiking scarf. I went to Purl's today and snagged some 75% discount yarn (Rowan cotton!) that I'll use to knit the Liesel scarf. I also splurged on a stich-a-day reusable calendar (and it includes a 366th stitch for leap years; score!), so now I can spice up my plain caps! I should take a note from [info]cerridwenj and start a knitting blog since it's my #2 hobby after reading. Then again, I should probably update [info]treeofwoe more often with my writing. But what have I written lately?

Yesterday I biked for 18 miles with Robert around town. We started from his apartment and went all the way to Reid Park, where we enjoyed the David Bell Bike Path. We had a very light sushi lunch, then headed back to his place and soaked in the pool. It felt awesome to bike for more than 5 miles, which is what I usually average around the UA on a given day.

Work on Astronomica is well...almost non-existent, but I'll make some headway tomorrow. Katherine L. doesn't have much planned for me in the near future since I'm inside two weeks from my study abroad (!!!).

Papion is well. I will take some photos of him soon, when Johann returns the digital camera to me (he's actually using it for a personal project of his; he's working on some book covers for his Writing 102 class that I've been helping him with). Bella and Flora are still very nasty towards him, but I think they'll eventually warm up to him.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Somewhere only we know [Jun. 20th, 2006|01:29 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | hopeful]
[Sonic Influence |England v. Sweden on Univision]

I've been working from home instead of the observatory for the past week or so, and I've managed a couple solid hours of transcription. I'm learning a lot of astrobiology from the interviews: terminology, hot topics in research, and where scientists have gotten their start. It makes me exited to know that even if I pursue history of science for my graduate studies, there will always be a demand for evolutionary biologists for many space science projects, including SETI (if funding persists). In short: there's no lack of work out there - I just have to make myself marketable and pick an area that matches my passion. I read a few chapters of David Grinspoon's Lonely Planets: the Natural Philosophy of Alien Life a couple weeks ago; it's well-written, and easy to digest. I'd love to write a popular science book one of these days. Grinspoon and Sagan's literary approaches most closely match my own, in my opinion.

Summertime is the best time to discover new music, and absorb myself in my all-time favourites. After seeing Gnarls Barkley perform "Crazy" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (unfortunately, I'm not so much a fan of Conan anymore; he's traded in his smart witticisms for bland physical humour), I'd like to hear more of them. As soon as I get paid this weekend, I plan to purchase Keane's Hopes and Fears and their latest, Under the Iron Sea. Of course, I'll snag The Divine Comedy's Victory for the Comic Muse as well. I still scour eBay every so often for their earlier releases Liberation and Promenade. One of these days, I'll break down and purchase Regeneration; critics panned it as TDC's least inspired release (indeed, it was the only album cover not to feature the likeness of Neil Hannon in some way), but as a die-hard fan, I have to own all their albums.

Just a reminder that my Star Trek marathon is this Saturday. If you're not on Facebook, then you probably didn't get an invitation (then again, I only invited people that live in AZ, just for simplicity's sake). So take this as yours. I'll be showing episodes from the original series, plus the Next Generation. Robert might bring over a few eps from the short-lived animated series, as well as some home-movie versions that online fans have made in their spare time; the acting is sub-par, but the heart and spirit of the show is evident in the writing, which was also all done by fans.
Link5 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Silence for the masses [Jun. 19th, 2006|05:00 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | busy]
[Sonic Influence |Depeche Mode - "Policy of Truth"]

No radio show this afternoon. Too busy working on transcripts and other work-related tasks. Later, however, I plan to make time to knit more of the Irish Hiking Scarf for Grandma Elena and my crazy acid sunset hat (which I'm sure pigtails/braids will look smashing underneath).
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Stirrings and purrings [Jun. 18th, 2006|08:34 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | giddy]
[Sonic Influence |Billy Squier - "Rock Me Tonite"]

Today is the first day in over three weeks I haven't done at least thirty minutes of exercise. But I'm going to run around the neighborhood in a little while, just to get my blood moving. I spent Father's Day with mine and the rest of my family. We saw X-Men: The Last Stand at the theater, which was approximately 80% true to the comic books, yet wholly enjoyable. For dinner, I grilled Romanian sausages and ribs, and made a cake as well! A very busy domestic afternoon. I had a nice time with my family. Later, we watched the TNA wrestling pay-per-view, and we were all entertained.

My big news actually came last night, when my mother, father, Stefan and I were at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet. Nothing emulates Tucson better than the TVSM, in my opinion. The Mexican polka music blaring from cheap boom boxes, the smell of kettle corn and actual roasted corn cobs; the pre-teen girls dressing like hos and knockoff cell phone cases in every aisle. The best and worst of the New Southwest. Except for the large carrier of free kittens that Stefan and I stumbled across. There were three left, and we decided we would give them a good home. I took one, and Stefan/my folks took the other two. My new son is all black, save for a small white circle on his lower neck. I'm going to call him Papion. In French, a similar pronounciation (but spelled "papillon") means "butterfly". Both my mother and grandmother told me that in Romanian, papion means "tie" or "bowtie". Bella and Flora aren't too thrilled, naturally, and I'm not even sure how to approach Benny and Kira with the nine-week-old, but I'll figure out something. I love cats in all ages, shapes and sizes, so I was thrilled to just think about taking him in. I have enough saved up for his neuter operation in a few weeks, and all the cuddles and TLC he can handle. Three is a good number. A triangle of felines at Carapan. It almost makes living here bearable.
Link8 ideas|What's your philosophy?

I look to the heavens and wonder if someone is listening [Jun. 15th, 2006|11:40 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | accomplished]
[Sonic Influence |The Flaming Lips - "Race for the Prize"]

I earned an A in Science and Theology! :D

While I never heard back from Dr. Lindell after I submitted the 414 term paper, I assume it must have been good enough to retain the A I had going into the end of term. I hardly wait to get off my bum and finish my 496 term paper and my poetry thesis. Ultimate deadline is July 1, so I'd better get typing and formatting.

If I earn an A or B in 496, I could still make the Dean's List.....this motivates me quite a bit.
Link3 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Unfurl the flag [Jun. 14th, 2006|01:51 pm]
[Current Location |Steward Observatory]
[State Of Being | all over the place]

Forced to work in the noisy computer lab downstairs from the main grad student office, I'm having great difficulty filtering out my transcription audio from the inane chatter from four students working who knows what. Darwin-dammit. At least Adrienne signed off on my time card. She signed it before I even filled it out, so I could have fudged as much as I wanted - but I didn't. I put down 20 hours for each week, which is what I was hired for in the first place. If I actually worked more hours, I would put more. Still, I should get two more paychecks in the bank before I leave for Europe, which will help my cause a great deal. As long as I don't go out to eat more than twice a week until I leave, I should be able to take $1000 of saved money (since January, essentially), which exchanges to 793.716 Euros. Not bad. Not great, but that'll be enough to snag some great souvenirs while abroad.

The most important part of my study abroad course will be my travel journal. I want to buy one soon. There are several that I could purchase from Levenger which are really nice. Mrs. Rai actually gave me one for Christmas, and I haven't even cracked it open yet, save to read her inscription. The Rai journal, as I'll call it (whenever I decide to start writing in it) has a cover of crushed blue velvet, and a raised motif resembling a Celtic knot pattern. The Levenger journal I'm considering purchasing has a sturdy leather cover, 600 pages (either ruled or non, I don't know which one I'll want), and it's monogrammable! I love things that can be monogrammed. The travel journal will be a combination of reflections on the reading assignments (Medieval Culture and Society - David Herlihy), Prof. Classen's lecture notes, and my own thoughts and musings (the latter being obviously the most important component of this entire journey). I've always loved journals, but I've never been able to keep a written one for very long. Ironically, I've had this LJ over three years. I did keep a written journal for my British Isles trip that I took with Johann during high school, which lasted a bit over two weeks. If I can manage a month of lucid, free-form (yet somewhat structured) creative, articulate, meaningful writing, it'll be well worth it when I read it many years from now. I love the quote featured on the turquoise novel for sale: “If you read this be aware—details have been changed to throw off busybodies, and half of it is wishful thinking and fiction. Question is, which half?”

I don't usually follow soccer, but since I'm at Gold's every morning, I've been able to catch a few of the World Cup matches. Since the United States is chowing ass (you can yell at me for not cheering for my own country when they're down, but that's the kind of person I am - I like rooting for winning teams; but I must admit, I'd rather see a non-ranked African team that's never been to the Cup before win than to see the U.S. half-ass their campaign; we're just another stars and stripes team sponsored and endorsed up the wazoo. I'm sure the other WC teams are sponsored too, but it's just different in the U.S., where money is everything, and our image sells. But soccer isn't even popular here. I know this rant may be contradictory in some places, but I'm just going to end by saying that I hope a small country wins, the one with the best players who score the most goals), I'll go for Switzerland and the Netherlands. If either Romania, Scotland or Ireland had made this year's finals, I definitely would have cheered for them.

In more positive news, The Divine Comedy's Victory for the Comic Muse is being released next week on Parlophone Records! I hardly wait to buy the album for myself. As always, Neil Hannon's lyrics are distinctly brooding, perfect for intelligent pop. Did I mention I've been burning a lot of Morrissey, Starlight Mints, Poole, and Stars lately? If only it rained more this time of year...I'd have a perfect balanced ambiance of weather and sound.
Link6 ideas|What's your philosophy?

And no one heard, not even the chair [Jun. 12th, 2006|08:05 pm]
[Current Location |1st and Prince]
[State Of Being | peaceful]
[Sonic Influence |R.E.M. - "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite"]

I enjoy a good meal by myself. As of late, I've taken to eating a couple meals a week away from home, making sure I order entrees that aren't fried or deeply enhanced by salts or fats. One of my favourite places near UA to eat is King's Restaurant, a mom-and-pop Chinese place that is small, usually quiet, and where I can sit by myself and collect my thoughts over a plate of tasty beef curry. When I saw Shrek for the first time, the scene that moved me the most was where Donkey waited outside the house while Shrek ate alone. I actually cried when I watched that - it reminded me of my "I am a rock" days. I still have them - but I find that I am more solitary and independent than alone and lonely.

During my radio show this afternoon, I played some great "Wayback Machine" classics. This was the second week where I had Shaye, an MIT sophomore doing research at NOAA this summer, as an intern. He does a show back at Cambridge, so there weren't too many new things to teach him about the broadcast booth, save for a few KAMP idiosyncrasies. Last week, we played a bunch of Celtic punk bands, such as Flogging Molly and the Bouncing Souls. I definitely want to borrow his album from the Waterboys before he leaves in August.

I've been domestically productively lately, such as keeping on top of my laundry, and getting around to putting my language books within easy reach to brush up on French. J'aimerais avoir une conversation en français avec un étranger pendant mes voyages. As soon as I finish my 496 term paper, I'm going to read a chapter a day from my GRE prep book, and my study abroad text book Medieval Culture and Society until I leave for Europe.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

How a mind can work [Jun. 11th, 2006|07:03 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | contemplative]

I still believe that I am not meant to marry. Have passionate relationships and deep, involved friendships? Yes. Kids? No. It's hard enough being an older sister to two very different younger brothers - both of whom don't really talk to me anymore, despite my best efforts. Just this weekend, when I was at Stefan's swim invitational, he acted as if I was just another parent there to see their kid swim. I see it differently - I was a former swimmer myself. I'm not Stefan's mother. I'm his sister. Perhaps he is actually becoming a "teenager" in the classic sense. I wasn't your average teenager. I don't think he is, either. I just want him to know he can really count on me, for anything. I want to help him ace his SATs. I want him to get into the private colleges that I wasn't accepted into when I applied (although I'm going balls out to try and get into some for graduate school). It occured to me that when I am in graduate school starting in the fall of 2007, I won't be around for his last three years of high school, his swim meets, his tennis tournaments, and his Prom. :(

Although I was never really into linguistics - the history of speech and mechanics of spoken communication - I still have a strong desire to rekindle my French and dive into Latin this next school year. If I can go through my Paroles and Montage texts a few times before I leave for my study abroad, I might just be able to put some of my French into practice when I'm in Switzerland and northern France. I would really really like to be fluent in French. I should work on getting a pen pal.

Happy 9th birthday to Bang, a former cat of mine (he lives with my parents, occasionally staying with neighbors as is his wont) who was born on the last day of 8th grade.

There are a lot of other subjects on my mind. Like I did a few months ago, I'm wondering about the merits of LJ. Am I really blogging for my own health? To be able to look back on my college years? What if a massive server failure at SixApart (webmasters of LJ) eradicated my online journal forever? What would I still be able to remember?
Link5 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Candle to the left [Jun. 10th, 2006|07:11 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |The Divine Comedy - "Sweden"]

I am not going through a self-imposed exile. I'm just working on my goals non-stop - and I'm enjoying it.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

A week without crap [Jun. 7th, 2006|09:58 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | good]
[Sonic Influence |David Bowie - "Changes"]

Over the past week, I haven't eaten any fast food, purchased any coffee drinks or stayed up past midnight. While the first two I attribute more to being poor than willpower, I must admit that it does feel good to actually keep up a decent nutrition plan by making meals at home. When [info]jmartinka visited over the weekend, it was hard to force myself to go to bed early, because we could have easily stayed up for 72 hours watching TV and movies, but I've been able to get up by 9am each morning to go exercise, and it's the best way I can start my day.

My exercise has been nearly all cardio this past week - I want to continue going to Spinning (cycling) classes 2 times a week, and start some kind of strength/conditioning group class at Gold's, or flexibility group class (such as Yoga). All these "classes" are included in my membership, so I should really take advantage of them. My only worry is that since late May, I've been going every day and I feel great, but once I get to Europe - will I lose all the momentum I've gained? It may be a case that I get one of my tripmates to get up with me really early and run a mile or two just so I will maintain what weight I am until I get back in early August. However, Prof. Classen said that we'd be walking everywhere, and in the past, several students have lost weight due to that very fact. I'm just really excited to be on a good track right now. Even though I'm still the same weight I was three years ago at my initial appointment with Dr. Baghdadi, I'm actually putting my health as an absolute priority - the very first thing I do every day.
Link6 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Structure is necessary [May. 30th, 2006|11:04 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | productive]
[Sonic Influence |U2 - "Even Better Than The Real Thing"]

The perfect way to see a friend off before she moves is to have a sushi lunch courtesy of her mother. [info]nobodylkl's mom treated us to lunch at Sushi Cho, and it was absolutely scrumptious! Whenever I have a Gila Monster roll in the future, I'll think of Katt. :)

Work in the Impey Lab is progressing. I'm almost done with three interview transcriptions, and I'll start drafting ideas for my original evolutionary biology articles in the very near future. As soon as I get my 496 term paper and poetry thesis wrapped up, I can focus 100% on writing some dynamite articles and maybe even work a few into a grad school submission piece.

I'm finally settling into a summer routine, and it's suitng me well. I have no real desire to stay up really late, as I usually do during the school year; there's so much I want to do this summer, and sleeping in until noon really wastes half the day. So I drafted a ( loose schedule )of how my day-to-day operations will work. It leaves me plenty of free time in the evening to do whatever I want, including reading the astrobiology books that Prof. Impey loaned me (and that he expects me to be very familiar with).

I also consulted some nutrition guides that match my current weight and exercise schedule, and I've come up with some priorities regarding food:

-Drink lots of water (at least 2 bottles per day)
-Instead of drinks at Coffee X-Change or Starbucks, make PG Tips tea w/ milk and sugar, buy Oregon Chai mix at Wal-Mart, mix with 2% milk
-Make fresh juice 3x/week or more, using apples, carrots, celery, cucumbers (I do have a JuiceMaster, after all)
-NO RICE until you get back from Europe; exception is sushi only if you're good
-Instead of white bread or French bread, eat 100% whole wheat (sparingly)
-Fish (salmon, shrimp, no breaded fillets, only broiled or grilled), eggs, chicken are good sources of protein - eat them often
-Cereal sparingly, GrapeNuts go better as a yogurt mix-in as opposed to a whole cereal bowl of it

These seem really easy to incorporate into my day, especially since I'll have time to prepare snacks to take with me to Steward Observatory. Hooray for putting my life in order.
Link7 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Within the walls of red and black [May. 29th, 2006|11:17 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | calm]
[Sonic Influence |The Box Tops - "Soul Deep"]

After I got locked out of my show, I hung out at Robert's apartment and read into the early evening. Reading and chilling: what holidays are meant for.

[info]nobodylkl and company were fantastic this evening. Her get-together was a small send-off as she will live in Globe for the summer before embarking on her first pharmaceutical job. Her apartment looked so bare without the multitude of posters, and rouge et noir paraphernalia. [info]je_suis_alle and [info]kosmicspiral were there; they're both very sweet people. I even got to watch wrestling while we conversed and drank. And I scored some lovely apparel items, including Katt's old UA butt shorts, which amazingly fit me somehow. Good times! If I can manage my two knitting projects (Monk's Satchel and big-ass multi-tone blue scarf), I want to add a third: knitting a black iPod cozy for Katt. It would be just the thing to send her off to Globe with. :D

What are these summer days filled with, but friends and hours of possibilities? Instead of the structured schedule of semesters and school time, I feel like I'm completely left to my own devices, as if I can finally control the destiny of each of my days. Okay, so that sounds incredibly prosaic and lame. But after being weighed down for several months with classes of my choosing, but an undesirable workload, I can finally seize each day and do whatever I want with it.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Foiled! [May. 29th, 2006|05:49 pm]
[Current Location |1st and Prince]
[State Of Being | irked]

I arrived at the KAMP Studio at ten 'til 5 o'clock. After minutes of running my CatCard and punching my PIN into the door, I called the e-board summer members that were in town and left messages to come and bail me out since I really wanted to do my radio show this afternoon. Only Karl G. lives within driving distance, and he arrived 10 minutes later. Although he's supposed to have 24-hour access to the studio, his CatCard/PIN combo didn't work either. We both left frustrated. No radio show this week for me. Grr. I'm going to have to give Kelsey a call and ask what's up with all this nonsense. Maybe I can make up my show later this week.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

How should we talk about God? (You think she would have told us by now.) [May. 28th, 2006|04:17 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | accomplished]

A little over a month after my 414 paper was due, I finished it. That means today. It's e-mailed off to Dr. Lindell, and it's out of my hands (also posted to [info]treeofwoe). It's a huge sigh of relief. Tomorrow night I'll work on the 496 paper.

To celebrate, Kasey, his wife, Robert and I are off to Sushi Garden to order huge boats full of delectable fish and rice. I can hardly wait.
Link5 ideas|What's your philosophy?

How would you like it if somebody picked your apples? [May. 24th, 2006|10:31 pm]
[Current Location |1st and Prince]
[State Of Being | freaking out]

I have been fighting off urges to read French language and Latin language textbooks, read more of A Friend of the Earth and Slant, write long e-mails to everyone I know - everything except writing my Darwin-damned term 414 term paper. Why can I not get into a work rhythm? I've been in quiet places all day; I had two excellent meals, walked Benny early this morning, and all in all, should have had a productive, machinous day. But I'm waffling. Completely, utterly waffling. I posted chunks and snippets of what I'd like to discuss on [info]treeofwoe yesterday. If anyone is willing to take the time and help me out, or at least direct me on how to write a decent paper on theology, I'd be much obliged. In the meantime, I've got to go it alone, and do what I can.

The real measure of an academic may be in this very experience. If I don't crack, and write out each prompt sufficiently, then maybe I've got what it takes to write two honors theses next year.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

The willpower winds down [May. 24th, 2006|05:24 pm]
[Current Location |Science and Engineering Library]
[State Of Being | rushed]
[Sonic Influence |Depeche Mode - "Everything Counts"]

My 414 term paper is creeping along - and I'm going to gun to finish it tonight. I've been asked out by several friends tonight, including Pavla and [info]nobodylkl, and it breaks my heart to say no, especially since I fell asleep early and missed Katt's last party last weekend. I thought [info]kdotdammit's life over the past four weeks was bad - but I feel very much the same way she did, having to apologize for not giving her readers and friends adequate time. Yet, these two term papers are just as important for me to finish as KDD's grant is for her. Our situations are sort of similar, and we're both dealing with them the best we can.

Luckily, I haven't heard heads or tails from Prof. Medine since term let out. Rest assured I will get back to work on the Ulysses term paper when I finish the 414 God discourse paper. At this juncture, I'm still not going to write a bunch of filler fluff and just turn it in, but I'm going to be more judicious on how much detail I'll allow myself. I'm supposed to write no more than 10 pages of text for the 414 paper, so if I finish with 8, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Once these two term papers and my poetry thesis are 100% complete, then you can all rip me to shreds and stretch me in a million directions - but remember, I still have a 9-5 job.
Link3 ideas|What's your philosophy?

We've already said goodbye [May. 23rd, 2006|10:22 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |The Moody Blues - "Go Now"]

In no particular order of preference, a newly revised list of schools I am considering applying to for History/Sociology/Philosophy/Technology (also Environmental Literature) studies:

UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Berkeley
Stanford
MIT
Penn
Cornell
Yale
Princeton
Harvard
Penn State
Oregon
Oregon State
Johns Hopkins

I know that the above list is a sharp East Coast/West Coast dichotomy, but there just aren't many programs with strong literature/ecology slants that exist in between. In the back of my mind, I still want to consider UC Santa Cruz, with its excellent program in "History of Consciousness", but the coursework topics are much different - it doesn't seem like it's the right fit for me. And it's seven years long. Although I'm very dedicated to academics (as my six years of undergraduate work will hopefully demonstrate), I will probably burn out after six more years (as I have one year of undergrad to go, plus five years of Ph.D. work). But it's fun to burn the candle at both ends!

I need to keep dreaming about the perfect statement of purpose, because my current grades aren't quite passing muster.

Two term papers. Must finish them before I go insane.
Link8 ideas|What's your philosophy?

At some point, I should invest in glasses [May. 23rd, 2006|04:16 pm]
[Current Location |UA Main Library]
[State Of Being | distressed]
[Sonic Influence |The Divine Comedy - "Heroes of the Middle Class"]

I love reading Wikipedia and filling my mind with substantial as well as trivial knowledge. But I shouldn't do it for hours at length, as I have today. I find that procrastination is one of the hallmarks of my being - if I could just eliminate it from my daily operations, I'd get more done, and there'd be less whiny posts here on LJ about how much shit I have to do. Dammit. I have time to complete these two term papers this week. I don't have any commitments other than Stefan's promotion from 8th grade Thursday morning.

For two hours last night, my hands - looking for something to do other than type on a keyboard - started and completed an iPod nano necklace/cozy. I used the same purple silk/wool worsted weight yarn that I knit my first panta with. It's not a perfect replica of the pattens I found on DailyKnitter.com and Knitty.com, but I just adapted the basic pattern for an iPod sock and added an I-cord necklace. I would consider start a knitting blog like [info]cerridwenj, but managing my two LJ accounts, [info]icetulip and [info]treeofwoe, is fairly time consuming, and I don't give as much effort towards the latter as I want.

Why am I so easily distracted? Hours and hours pass, and nothing gets done. Where is my willpower? How do I get some?
Link1 idea|What's your philosophy?

I'm not coming back anymore [May. 22nd, 2006|05:32 pm]
[Current Location |KAMP Studio]
[State Of Being | reflective]
[Sonic Influence |The Divine Comedy - "Songs of Love"]

Five years ago today, I graduated from high school.

The weight of that statement has been on my mind. Halfway point to the 10 year reunion, yes, but more than that, a good chance to take stock of my life. But I do this every day. I suppose this past year has been a landmark one - all of my ex-boyfriends (including Nick H., just yesterday) from middle school onward have contacted me in one way or another, and old classmates have contacted me through internet sites like MySpace and Facebook. These aren't bad events - I was just surprised to have them happen at this juncture, as opposed to several more years from now.

I have but one photo of my in my cap and gown, and I'm accompanied by several classmates: Tony G., Pavla, [info]fixture, and a couple others. There is a lot to be said about photographs: it's one of my favorite songs by Ringo Starr, and they demonstrate history more credulously than oral traditions, or memories - at least in my opinion. I am not High School Ingrid, but nor am I really College Ingrid right now. I can't seem to jive with these arbitrary designations of life phases that I tend to give myself. In August, when Stefan starts high school at Amphi, perhaps an inkling to help out the marching band during their band camp may creep up my spine. (This summer was supposed to be the time [info]lightningryder and I went back to drum major camp to earn our First Class ranks - perhaps it's still in the cards someday.) Or maybe I'll have finally passed the nostalgia torch to my youngest brother, who will experience everything first hand. We can reminisce and dream and remember the days that were (and I know I'm guilty of this quite often), but I'm a futurist at heart. When I was a high school sophomore, I started looking into colleges. Since my first year of college, I began my dreams of grad school. Everything that I think I am, or what I don't fully know about me, I really am. Still am. And I shouldn't feel that I still have to impress high school teachers or other authority figures from that time - but I do. As it is now, I feel I've failed to impress or convince anybody at UA of my intelligence/worth/ability based on my marks and lack of name recognition in my departments (even though I've been in college five years now, I'm an "under the radar" student, no longer among the ranks of the Honors College elite despite my best efforts to "make a name for myself") - I suppose it's all in the eye of the beholder.

( The Wayback Machine playlist for 5-22-06 )

A lot of bullshit earlier with my brother prevented me from completely concentrating on my 414 term paper - and an e-mail from Dr. Lindell today ("Where is your paper? I'd like to finish my grading soon.") didn't fill me with optimism either, only more pressure. But I'm okay. At the risk of further alienating people I haven't returned phone calls from recently, I'm still very much in a "TAKE A NUMBER" state of being, and will be for quite some time.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

From this moment [May. 21st, 2006|10:43 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | quiet]

When meditating and musing and thinking about what may or may not be divine in this world, it's true - silence is the most profound response.

Music and God. Two term papers to finish very soon. I've been very distracted lately.

I am a capable person.

I can change my mind and my body if I really really want to. So far, I haven't really wanted to.

It seems so trite, but Scarlett O'Hara's words do ring true: tomorrow is another day. I used to be so afraid that the world would end in the middle of the night, and nobody would know it. If there were really no more tomorrows, does that make the present more precious, more sacred? No - only because we don't know how (or if) time really ends, or just we do.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

There is always more to read [May. 19th, 2006|03:15 pm]
[Current Location |Steward Observatory]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |Astrobiology interview]

Prof. Impey just loaned me four immense texts to read over the next two weeks:

Lonely Planets: the natural philosophy of alien life - David Grinspoon
The Living Universe - Steven Dick and James Strick (a history of NASA, basically)
The Emergence of Life on Earth - Iris Fry
Astrobiology: A Multidisciplinary Approach - Johnathan Lunine

If only I could read as fast as I think. At least I don't have to go out and buy them all (but I probably will).
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

My place in the line-up [May. 19th, 2006|01:48 pm]
[Current Location |Steward Observatory]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |The Divine Comedy - "In Pursuit of Happiness"]

I must hand it to [info]the_victory_man. Somewhere in between our biannual visits (when he was at Arizona State, and me at UA), J.R. has become Ultra-Male-Y Chromosome-Manly-Beefy-Man. Not only did he completely eviscerate his game plans with women, but he recounted his past year's exploits with a frankness that is unmatched in nature. If I could change J.R.'s species from Homo sapien to, oh, I don't know, Freakothugonomic negro, I probably would. He'd be such an excellent candidate for anthropological study, because he confirms every myth and stereotype about human males that women fuss over and can't make heads or tails from. But everything about him is open, with no apologies. I don't know anyone else like him. But I'm damn glad to know him. If could write something remotely well-written, I'd submit it to [info]bailamorena's zine Galatea's Pants; it's next issue is all about sex. Perhaps I could submit something about evolution and sex, or sexual selection. *light bulb turns on*

This morning, I made my way over to the Jim Click Hyundai dealership to test drive something in order to snag free WWE Raw tickets for Sunday afternoon. Since the person I talked to on the phone yesterday wasn't in the office yet, a befuddled junior associate just handed me two tickets and said, "Well, you can have these just for the inconvenience." And I was going to test drive the sporty Tiburon, too! The less time I have to spend among real sharks at the dealership, the better. I could never be a saleswoman, even if I set my mind to it (though I do pride myself on never having let my mother sell my Girl Scout cookies for me throughout the years - I sold them all myself).

When I arrived at the Impey lab (well, it's not really a lab so much as the graduate student office, chock full of computers, posters, reference texts, and general miscellaneous astronomy stuff) today, Adrienne and Katherine L. told me were surprised. "You don't actually work here," they both told me, "most of our undergrads do their work from home." So why are the Astronomy Department and Steward Observatory giving me keys? Personally, even though I should be thrilled that I can work at home (saving gas and commute time), I get too distracted being in my bedroom. If I'm a neutral work space, then I actually get things done. I can work in the office today, but I'm expected to work either in the Science and Engineering Library, the Main Library, or from the comforts of home starting next week. Apparently I'll just be meeting weekly with Prof. Impey and Katherine L. to discuss progress on the transcriptions, or various articles. I knew that astronomy was a lonely profession, but I didn't think I'd be working completely alone. Sometimes I desire working with people, and other times not, but today's exchange just threw me for a loop.

So, it's been nearly a week after final exams have ended, and I haven't touched my poetry thesis, or my two incomplete term papers. I suck. A revamping of priorities is in order, and here they are: ( The fabulous five top priorities of the next two weeks ) The weekend awaits, but not before I type for four hours straight here in my home away from home: Steward 335.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

10 things I think about you [May. 18th, 2006|02:47 pm]
[Current Location |Science and Engineering Library]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |Astrobiology interview]

Graciously brought to the table by [info]virtualannette: Take a look at your LJ friends list, then list up to ten things you want to say to ten different LJ friends. Do not state who these people are. Do not confirm or deny any "comment speculation."

1. I wish we were closer friends. You were always really quiet, but I always enjoyed your company. I still remember that nice, long conversation we had that one time at a mall. I hope you're doing well.

2. I think about your health quite a bit, and hope it's improving.

3. Does your boyfriend live with you?

4. You've changed so much since high school. You drink a lot, smoke a lot. Why?

5. I wish I lived near you - sometimes I think we're kindred spirits, dreaming the same kinds of dreams, and looking at the world the same way. We are different people, to be sure - but our hearts and minds work in a familiar way.

6. What is it like to love more than one person at the same time?

7. You told me one time that maybe someday, we'd be close friends again. While we still aren't, just know that I think of you often. And I never stopped caring.

8. You and I will always play the "What if?" game, no matter where we are in our lives. And I think it's healthy.

9. You are such a bad-ass. You rule.

10. Perhaps the realm between light and dark isn't so sharp, after all. Time has taught me that.
Link3 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Projects abound [May. 18th, 2006|01:31 pm]
[Current Location |Science and Engineering Library]
[State Of Being | productive]
[Sonic Influence |Astrobiology interview]

I think I'm too confident in my knitting skills. Rather, I'm putting my cart way before my horse. I went to Purl's and bought two size 1 circular needles so I can start knitting two socks simultaneously. The thing is, even with the size 3 dpns I bought awhile back, I never finished a single sock, let alone a pair. I frogged the whole leg/ankle portion. I have a feeling it'll be a long time before I master the two sock-two circ method. And I still need to get going on my Monk's Satchel. Money is leaving my checking account faster than bad news - I purchased 2 balls of KnitPicks self-striping yarn in a nifty grey/green color combination. In the meantime, I'll practice my gauge with my blue/white sock yarn.

So I'm really starting my Astrobiology transcribing today (and not forgetting to sign my time card, as is my usual routine at ASDB). I have three large interviews, each over an hour long - and I'm pretty sure I was expected to have them done by tomorrow, since I received them on CD last Friday. Where does the time go? (Don't even remind me about my term papers...they eat away at my conscience at least once an hour.)

I'm going to test drive a Hyundai tomorrow so I can snag two free tickets to Sunday's taping of Monday Night RAW at the TCC (with Grandma Elena, of course). [info]the_victory_man is still going to Judgment Day in Phoenix, but I'll get to hang out with him tonight at TGI Friday's.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Before the deep hurting begins [May. 17th, 2006|05:32 pm]
[Current Location |Ina/Thornydale Starbucks]
[State Of Being | snoozy]
[Sonic Influence |R.E.M. - "Strange Currencies"]

I did a lot of shopping today, but for absolutely necessary things, boiling down to music and books: an iPod armband for when I go dog walking and exercising, and several books from Bookman's to get going on my literature thesis reading list (and my personal pleasure reading list). I met with Prof. Deming this afternoon, and she insisted that even before I read any "how to read and write about ecocriticism" reference books, that I read Andrea Barrett's Ship Fever. I will definitely read it before the end of the month. I know I should be finishing my term papers, and starting my Astronomica work, but I'm going to let this week be the week where I let myself read whatever the hell I want. So I bought Greg Bear's Slant, and I started T.C. Boyle's A Friend of the Earth early this afternoon. I love dystopian literature. I just really do.

Today's weather has just been perfect - if only Tucson were like this all year round. Despite the moderate humidity, the sky was covered with deep clouds, and the smell of rain permeated the air. While I was at UA today, I felt a few sprinkles, and it felt awesome to ride my bike around campus. I dislike the blaring, insistent sun that accompanies summer weather. Clouds definitely have a cooling factor during this time of year, so the more clouds the better. Although, overcast/slightly rainy weather always makes me yearn for a nap. So I think I'm going to treat myself to one. Later: dog walking, reading, and typing.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Hands are busy, and so is my mind [May. 16th, 2006|10:33 pm]
[Current Location |1st and Prince]
[State Of Being | okay]
[Sonic Influence |Suns vs. Clippers game 5]

For the first time in months, I had a free Tuesday night to attend the Stitch n' Bitch at Coffee X-Change. It was great to chat with [info]cerridwenj for a good long while, and [info]lightningryder stopped by for a little bit - he looks great. Earlier, [info]fair_tinuviel and I went out for dinner at Sushi Cho, and stuffed ourselves with some delicious rolls. Mmm. I'm still working on my Monk's Satchel messenger bag - I hope to finish it (and line it) before my study abroad trip in early July. I already have plans on making a second one with a thicker wool yarn, and in crazy colors. The one I'm working on now is tame, color-wise - it'll be navy blue, with aqua trim.

Other craft projects I would like to start and finish this summer:
-my parents' 25th anniversary cross-stitch sampler
-an iPod nano cozy (possibly with an I-cord necklace!)

Because I woke up late this morning, I didn't walk Benny. I don't know if I'm up to it tonight. I really should make myself. If I had a working flashlight, I would. It would be dumb to wear my headphones though; I'm sure that's how evening walkers leave themselves vulnerable for attack. (I live in a fairly safe neighborhood, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.) I should have jogged around campus while waiting for Gabby earlier this afternoon. Ugh. Starting a fitness routine is easy, but keeping it is hard. Tomorrow morning, I'm up early for sure.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

A lack of alacrity [May. 16th, 2006|09:40 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | waking up]
[Sonic Influence |Genesis - "Invisible Touch"]

My summer has gotten off to a fairly decent start. Saturday's MST3K marathon was definitely worth putting together, but [info]tefari and Katherine B. were my only friends that showed up. Stefan was there too, to see his favorite episode "Girls Town." I think in a couple of weeks, I'd like to hold a Star Trek marathon, if anyone's interested. Robert can lend me his original series VHS tapes, as well as the entireity of The Next Generation on DVD (I wasn't really a fan of Deep Space Nine or Voyager, but I did watch a season or two of Enterprise; I just couldn't shake Scott Bakula being Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap). Or I could do an '80s wrestling marathon - but I'd need a working BetaMAX machine. *sigh* Oh! I just realized that I could also have a Father Ted or The Monkees marathon, because I own both shows' complete series on DVD. The possibilities are numerous....

Leave a comment with your choice of fandom: Star Trek, '80s wrestling, Father Ted or The Monkees. I also have the means to borrow extensive episodes of The Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Fantasy Island, The Twilight Zone and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Maybe I should just throw a "CHEESY AMAZING CULT CLASSIC TV MARATHON", incorporating all these shows.

So, because I held the marathon the same day everyone at UA was graduating, I completely forgot to send out my letters of congratulation, or even call my friends. I intend to actually do this in the very near future. I feel dumb for forgetting about my friends, who I'm really going to miss as they go off into the real world. ( UA Class of 2006 )

During my 11 hour overnight shift at ASDB (Maricopa dorm) Sunday night/Monday morning, I started and finished an entire novel: Deborah Moggach's Tulip Fever. Although I've never read Tracy Chevalier's Girl With A Pearl Earring, I have a feeling TF could be considered a little sister or cousin to it, one of many entires in the historioromance genre. Still, the novel was entertaining.

Yesterday evening, I began my first day of walking my dogs. I'm going to start at 20 minutes, and increase to 60 within the next 21 days. I read the program parameters in an issue of Women's Day, and I think it's completley doable. Dog walking in the morning, Spinning/aerobics/swimming in the evening at Gold's. If I can just do this every day, then I won't have time to sit on my butt and play around on the 'net. I have a whole list of things I want to do this summer. Like study for (and take) the GRE. More about the latter at another time. May and June are officially the "Get up off your ass and start being active/finish your Darwin-damn term papers and thesis) months of my life. See below.

I haven't finished my papers for my Incompletes, nor have I started reading my first batch of Astronomica articles, and I really need to. I should be motivated to do well on these papers and attempt to earn A's in the classes, because my 557 grade posted today: B. Drat. This just means I have to really try hard to submit the most well-written (polished) essays I can. I will post drafts of both to [info]treeofwoe if any of you want to give me suggestions, because I'm sure I'll need them. Today needs to be the day I get back on the term paper horse before things get too crazy at my job. If I work hard this morning, I'll treat myself to sushi with [info]fair_tinuviel and the Stitch 'n Bitch tonight, and a planetarium show with [info]the_victory_man on Thursday. I'll try not to get too ahead of myself.
Link8 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Writing over time [May. 12th, 2006|07:37 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | content]
[Sonic Influence |The Monkees - "As We Go Along"]

My first meeting with Prof. Impey, Katherine L. and Adrienne went pretty well. We went over the whole scope of the project (which I'm sure I'll elaborate more on as the summer progresses), and I signed the paperwork that ensures I'll get paid ($8.50/hr! Score!). Katherine has been published in Poetry, and she's a grad student that has been working on the Templeton grant project (the series of lectures on Astrobiology and the Sacred) since its inception. I will work on two different projects simultaneousy: first, I will be transcribing interviews that Prof. Impey has conducted over the last year with astronomers, biologists, sociologists, poets, nuclear chemists, geologists, futurists all on the topic of "Astrobiology." Along with the actual transcription, I will be editing and organizing selected interviews to go into Prof. Impey's popular science book, which he hopes to have on the shelves by next year. I'm really looking forward to no only immersing myself in the subject matter that's discussed in the interviews. Second, I'll be writing my own original "bite-sized" articles that will be featured on Astronomica, the Astronomy Department's (and UA's) landmark undergraduate web portal that is used for teaching first and second year basic planetary science courses around the U.S. I will be writing articles in the field of evolutionary biology, and the history of astronomical thought, since those areas are most lacking (and where I have expertise!). This will be a real test of my writing skills. I really want to impress the staff, and learn how to write not for a superior academic crowd (academic journals) nor for the layperson (which is what I did at the Tucson Citizen two years ago), but for an educated group: young people in college that probably aren't science majors, but don't want their intelligence insulted. So that's my goal: write a lot, and write well.

More on the subject of writing: I recieved my second term paper for my 557 class in the mail today, chock full of interesting comments from Prof. Bowen. I always appreciated the fact that he takes the time to not only comment on my writing and ideas, but list resources for further reading and consideration. That said, my writing needs more "practice with style, and polish," because I had several stylistic and mechanical hiccups (which he marked). Prof. Bowen always makes sure to point out what I need to correct, but he does so in an honest, forthright manner that doesn't make me feel stupid - it makes me want to improve. That said, I earned a relatively good grade for the paper, but am not sure what I'll earn for the course. My paper on Waterland earned a B+/A-. This paper on two novels of Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go) also earned a B+/A- (both written just so). UA doesn't award plus/minus grades (I read recently that we're the last Pac-10 school to have the rigid letter system), so I'll assume I earned a B, since that grade appears first. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. Even if I'm not, I can say with honesty that I really got a lot out of my first grad-level literature class. I hope to take one more before I graduate.

Although I'm excited to have more time to read fiction over the summer, there are several nonfiction reference texts that I have to get my paws on soon. Prof. Impey, though not doubting my abilities, recommended that I read Lunine's graduate level text: Astrobiology: An Integrated Approach. I agree with him. Even though I was a upper-level preceptor for a planetary sciences class, I could stand to re-read major chemical and physical concepts related to astrobiology, and go into some depth with the evolutionary biology I already know. Prof. Deming recommended the Norton anthology of envronmental literature (a must for next year's thesis), and awhile back, after I wrote the Waterland paper, Prof. Bowen told me to pick up these: Branch's Ecocriticism: The Nature of Nature in Literary Theory and Practice, Branch, et al.'s Reaching the Earth: New Directions in the Study of Literature and the Environment and Glotfeltg's The Ecocriticism Reader and PMLA's Forums on Literature of the Environment. The sooner I read all these, the better.

Tonight, I'm going to burn some more CDs from Roger's library, and go over to [info]avilina's for Sci-Fi Friday. Later, I'll be doing some maniacal cleaning of the house for tomorrow's MST3K marathon. If you still want to come, you can! Just show up anytime after noon. And if you're feeling generous, bring some $ for pizza and drinks.
Link2 ideas|What's your philosophy?

Ostensibly done [May. 12th, 2006|10:21 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | okay]
[Sonic Influence |Billy Squier - "Rock Me Tonite"]

Technically, I'm now done with exam week. All I have to really do are three things:
- Finish my honors poetry thesis (title page, table of contents, statement of purpose to the Honors College, the poems themselves, and author page) and submit to the English Department and HC by June 1
- Finish 496 term paper on the role of music in Ulysses, e-mail to Prof. Medine
- Finish 414 term paper on God language and discourse, e-mail to Dr. Lindell

I attempted last night's third calculus exam, but having missed the last class due to the PBX White Rose dinner really threw me off; I missed two sections, and the exam covered four. I had to leave two questions blank. Mickey Blue Eyes offered to purchase a round of drinks to whoever answered #5 and #7 correctly - of course, these are the two questions I didn't answer. After the exam, MBE invited the class to have drinks and hang out at the TGI Friday's right behind Rincon HS. Angela, the thirtysomething math teacher (who is taking the course to earn a new degree in civil engineering) hung out with me for a little while until MBE and some other classmates showed up. No, I didn't have the balls to ask him out, especially being in a group like that. Angela, who I'd told of my plan, was eager to help me, by trying to fish out personal details about him, but since we sat way at the opposite end of the table arrangement, there was little to be done socially. To sum up the calculus II experience: I learned very little, only because I'd completely forgotten everything I'd learned from calculus I two and a half years before. Playing catch-up was not my idea of a good time, and because the course only lasted 8 weeks, it was done at a fast pace. I was pretty optimistic I could pass. I had no idea what my grade was going into last night's exam, and I still have no idea if I'll fail, earn a D (not good enough to transfer to UA) or pass with a C (which would be good enough to transfer). Apparently, MBE's watering hole ("I can drink as much as I want; I'm Irish!") is the nearby Fox & Hound. Perhaps I'll have to rustle up [info]firegoddess_21 and see if we can track him down there one evening (or perhaps just bite the bullet and call him).

It occured to me that even if the rest of my grades suck, my two A's in 335 and 498 mean that for my entire college career thus far, I've earned A's in all my honors classes. (small yay!)

I went to Bookman's and purchased a couple of fast reads that will give my summer reading a jump-start. I'm still borrowing [info]nobodylkl's House of Leaves, and she's right: it's a very dense read. I may put it on the shelf for a bit and read some other novels until I can dedicate a few evenings in a row to finishing it.

My repaired iPod nano came back in the mail yesterday! I had to have the LCD screen replaced. I tested it, and it's alive in full color! However, while my iMac recognizes the new iPod, I need to go out and buy a powered hub so I can actually sync it with my external hard drive and desktop (my printer and external hard drive are currently eating up all the power from my unpowered hub). So, I need to put aside some money to purchase a protective case and the powered hub, and then I can rock out.

Today is my first official meeting with Dr. Chris Impey, a professor of astronomy who heads the Astrobiology and the Sacred lecture series, and his graduate students Adrienne and Katherine. Hopefully they'll have the paperwork ready to where I can get paid, instead of earning credit. It would have been awesome to double dip this writing job into my ecology honors thesis, but I feel that the subject matter may be too far removed. And I need thesis credit, not thesis dollars - I need to have this as my paid job for next academic year, because the 5-10 hours at ASDB aren't enough. I'm looking forward to sitting down with them today and going over what my job will entail (but I assume a lot of transcribing, a lot of editing).
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Deus ex machina [May. 10th, 2006|03:12 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | rushed]

I had to run several errands this morning before I could sit down to work, including banking, a call to my insurance provider (regarding home insurance for the Narciso house and regular auto insurance for my car), and getting cold bottled water from the store, because my ice cube maker in the freezer isn't working (and it would take forever to chill in the fridge). I've made some progress on the Sci/Theo term paper, but I had to e-mail Dr. Lindell to tell him I'd have it for him at the final exam tomorrow (which I will).

I'm going to meet the PBX girls for "goodbye coffee" at Espresso Art later, but this means a long drive to campus, which entails spending money for gas. These are hassles, but it'll be nice to see them all one more time. Pictures from I-Week are posted on my Facebook profile, thanks to Sarah W. Also later this evening is Stefan's band concert, which I'm going to make time to go to. I haven't seen any of his sports matches or music performances this year, so I want to make sure I see his last one of middle school (!). I am so impressed with my youngest brother; during his school's annual trip to southern CA for competition last month, he earned the Outstanding Musicianship award, chosen from several hundred students. I think he's going to have a great time in the Amphi marching band next year.

A few posts ago, I said I wanted to compile a list of goals and intended activities for this summer. I will. But what I'm thinking more about right now is how I want to change how I approach each day. First, I want to quit staying up late. That sounds like sacrelige, but I look at Benny and Kira in the backyard, and I'd like to become a more active dog-owner. I envy the people who are out early in the morning jogging or walking their dogs. I want to make my pets happy and get some moderate exercise at the same time. Thus, getting up early means going to bed sooner. I'm going to shoot for a 10pm bedtime two or three nights a week. I figure a good morning routine will set the tone for the rest of my day (astrobiology job, Spinning at Gold's, etc.), so I'd really like to shoot for that, starting next week.

Every semester, I keep telling myself not to check Student Link every day to see if grades have posted or not - just to wait until a week after finals, and then they'd all be there. Still, the tedious anticipation of seeing each grade, one by one, has made me cave in to logging on. Today, two grades were posted; one of which was doubly confirmed by an e-mail from Dr. Reinthal regarding my Ecology 335 grade. I earned A's in 335 and 498H (honors poetry thesis). YAY.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Is it better to arise a bruised and battered student? [May. 10th, 2006|12:23 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | agonized]
[Sonic Influence |Bon Jovi - "Keep The Faith"]

I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know why I allowed tonight's time to pass the way it did. After playing tech support for my mother's iMac for a half hour, I spent nearly an hour discussing the stances of various conservative talk show hosts with my father, after name dropping Glenn Beck as someone who is obnoxious, and exploits his ADHD (I caught his first show on CNN Headline News yesterday, and was less than impressed). I didn't want to spend a late night hour with my father, even though I haven't been able to catch up with him recently, and I've wanted to. Tonight wasn't the right time, but time passed anyway, without me working on my Science and Theology term paper. As usual, a few tears gushed when I tried to explain that this has been the toughest semester of my college career, and I've hit several stumbling blocks when it's come to these term papers and exams over the past couple of weeks. Sagely, he explained that I've been successful more than most people in my short life; that I haven't had too many setbacks. He also told me that while the ones I'm experincing are neither trivial nor world-ending, I have to "have faith" that everything will be resolved. I want to just accept my father's words at face value, but the stress and importance I place on making deadlines and meeting expectations requirements is keeping me awake, and I can't concentrate.

Having faith. My very topic is assessing whether humans have the adequate language and mental comprehension to do so. I have a mind. I have a soul. But do I have will?
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

The biological life (redundant) is mine! [May. 9th, 2006|12:34 pm]
[Current Location |Science and Engineering Library]
[State Of Being | content]
[Sonic Influence |General Public - "Tenderness"]

I just finished my final exam for Ecology 335: Honors Evolutionary Biology. Yay! (Although I couldn't tell you one way or another how I did; my classmate Katherine and I crammed before the test, and before that, I was at Starbucks since early morning. I don't think I could have studied more and been successful, it's all a matter of retaining details.) 335 is the last core class (along with Calculus II, which I hope to pass Thursday night) I need for my B.S. in EEB. All that's left is my honors thesis.

Speaking of which, I really have to get my ducks in a row and approach some professors about possible projects to work on. I've heard rumors that some professors really dislike advising/mentoring/supervising undergraduate students, even for honors theses. My goal is to have something quasi-publishable, and definitely a chapter or two to submit to graduate schools, as evidence of my science writing background.

I must say, I do love being an EEB major: some of the terminology (mostly in noun form) is just so adorable. Oligochaetes! Homeoboxes! Ribosomes! Ungulates! (It's up for debate, but I find that "o" is one of the cutest letters in the English alphabet, allowing such technical terms of evolutionary biology to reek of sentimentality and have a high cuddle inclination.)

Katherine and I are going out to sushi to celebrate later tonight; until then, I need to be in a God frame of mind (oxymoron, suckers!) while I write my Science and Theology term paper.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

One down, many to go [May. 8th, 2006|05:05 pm]
[Current Location |1st and Prince]
[State Of Being | blank]
[Sonic Influence |CNN Headline News]

I submitted my 557 paper via e-mail. It's posted to [info]treeofwoe. My plan for the rest of the day: studying for tomorrow's evolutionary biology final.

If you're still on the fence about attending my MST3K marathon this Saturday, just look at all the titles I own! There's something for everyone!

( Unemotional conversation helps digestion! )

I have at least two dozen other episodes, but they're all formatted for Windows Media Player, and I've never been able to successfully reformat them to DVD. Still, there's oodles of MST3K to be watched! I can hardly wait until Saturday.
Link5 ideas|What's your philosophy?

And in the morning, the sleep sustenance remains [May. 8th, 2006|10:39 am]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | working]
[Sonic Influence |Eiffel 65 - "Waiting For A Star To Fall"]

I'm experimenting with a new layout and color scheme, the latter a nod to my Amphi roots. Most notably different is the font; I just discovered "American Typewriter" yesterday, and I love the old-school booky look of it. It's almost too cute to resemble 1950's preppy typewriters, but I think I'll keep it for awhile. The Arial font went really well with my previous layout, the teal swimming-pool square tile theme, so I'll keep that font as a backup. The black and grey blocks remind me of days when blackboards were the teaching tool of choice, rather than powerpoint presentations, or overhead projectors. When time permits, I'll tweak the overall scheme a bit more, but I'm happy that my "Novels I've read this year" list is on my actual blog page, so I can streamline my user info page.

Term paper progress report:

557: About 60% done. Must turn into Prof. Bowen today before 5pm. Not only for his deadline and my sanity, but to give me time to study cram for tomorrow's 335 final exam.

414: Haven't even started, though I have all the articles I want to reference in pdf format. Prof. Lindell said "early next week?" when I went to his office hours last Tuesday. Sigh. I should note that this term paper is 40% of my grade.

496: Prof. Medine said he would award me an Incomplete for the time being, and when I submit the Ulysses paper to him via e-mail, he would arrange for the English Department to change the "I" to whatever grade I earn for the course. Time frame: as soon as possible (after finals week).
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

Evening falls, and shatters into two hundred pieces [May. 7th, 2006|11:52 pm]
[Current Location |Carapan]
[State Of Being | drained]

I just want my mind to be quiet. Too much information overload. I don't want to type. I want to defend my theses orally to my professors (I wish I had thought of this earlier in the term, I might have gotten away with it).

I am still very far behind. I require sleep, and my dreams to stop infiltrating my conscious and unconscious mind.

I am not in a mood to discuss silly crushes, summer plans, or my body image. (Surprised?)

When can I become a machine of automatic (and precise) writing? When will I be able to work for hours on end, instead of having to stop every few minutes to regroup and refocus (if I've managed to focus at all)? Cuando, cuando, cuando.
LinkWhat's your philosophy?

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